New round of direct talks between Russia, Ukraine to focus on draft memos

Xinhua) 16:43, July 23, 2025

MOSCOW, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Russia and Ukraine are expected to hold a third round of direct negotiations this week, focusing on draft memoranda on resolving the conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a news briefing on Tuesday.

"We hope that the talks between Russia and Ukraine will be held this week," Peskov said. "We will announce the dates as soon as we are ready."

Regarding the potential outcomes of the new round of talks, Peskov stated that "we have no reason to expect any magical breakthroughs, which are hardly likely in the current situation."

On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the next meeting of Russian and Ukrainian delegations is scheduled for July 23, with Istanbul remaining the venue for the talks. A source from TASS news agency said that the third round of talks would be held on July 24, a day later.

Zelensky ordered the formation of a delegation to negotiate with Russia, led once again by Rustem Umerov, Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, according to his Telegram channel.

Zelensky said the delegation will also include representatives from his office, Ukrainian intelligence and the foreign ministry.

In 2022, Zelensky implemented a decision by the National Security and Defense Council, which prohibited members of his government from having direct negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Peskov said both sides had to lay the groundwork before meetings at the highest levels could begin.

Following the two rounds of talks in Istanbul, Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange prisoners based on the "1,000 for 1,000" formula as well as to return severely injured and young servicemen under 25 in an "all for all" format, with at least 1,000 people from each side.

During the second round of negotiations on June 2, the two sides exchanged draft memoranda outlining proposals for a peaceful resolution to the conflict and reached agreements on the exchange of severely injured prisoners of war and the repatriation of fallen soldiers.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
China hands over maternity ward building project in Cape Verde

Xinhua) 09:06, July 24, 2025

This photo taken on July 22, 2025 shows an interior view of the China-built maternity ward building of Dr. Baptista de Sousa Hospital in Mindelo, Sao Vincente Island, Cape Verde. (China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd./Handout via Xinhua)

PRAIA, Cape Verde, July 23 (Xinhua) -- A China-aided maternity ward building has been handed over to local authorities in Mindelo, on Cape Verde's Sao Vincente Island.

Cape Verdean Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva and Chinese Ambassador to Cape Verde Zhang Yang attended the handover ceremony Tuesday at Dr. Baptista de Sousa Hospital.

In his remarks, Silva praised the cooperation between Cape Verde and China, noting that the project is the largest medical infrastructure project in Cape Verde since its independence.

He described the new maternity building as a major achievement of practical cooperation between the two governments, saying it will significantly improve the maternal and child healthcare system, enhance the country's overall medical capacity, and bring tangible benefits to the public.

Silva expressed hope that the two countries will continue to deepen their strategic partnership and expand cooperation into more areas.

Zhang, for his part, said the project represents another milestone in China-Cape Verde friendship and cooperation.

It reflects China's long-standing commitment to supporting Cape Verde's healthcare development and embodies the deep bond between the two peoples, he said.

Zhang expressed China's readiness to take the handover as a new starting point to further advance bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

Hospital Director Helena Rebelo Rodrigues thanked the Chinese government and the Chinese builders for their dedication.

She said the maternity ward will greatly improve local maternal and child health conditions and bring new hope to thousands of women and children, marking a significant milestone in the hospital's history.

Built by China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd., the facility includes 150 beds, state-of-the-art delivery rooms, neonatal intensive care units, and obstetric operating theaters.

The project also features a two-year technical support component, during which the Chinese side will provide professional training for Cape Verdean medical staff.

Cape Verdean Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva speaks during the handover ceremony of the China-built maternity ward building of Dr. Baptista de Sousa Hospital in Mindelo, Sao Vincente Island, Cape Verde, July 22, 2025. (China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd./Handout via Xinhua)

Chinese Ambassador to Cape Verde Zhang Yang speaks during the handover ceremony of the China-built maternity ward building of Dr. Baptista de Sousa Hospital in Mindelo, Sao Vincente Island, Cape Verde, July 22, 2025. (China Railway 14th Bureau Group Co., Ltd./Handout via Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
MarpaiRx Delivers a Win-Win for Health Plans and Members

TAMPA, Fla., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Marpai, Inc. ("Marpai" or the "Company") (OTCQX: MRAI), an independent national Third-Party Administration ("TPA") company transforming the $150 billion TPA market supporting self-funded employer health plans with affordable, intelligent, healthcare, today announced the comprehensive relaunch of MarpaiRx, a groundbreaking pharmacy benefit management ("PBM") solution designed to deliver superior member experiences and significant cost reductions for health plans.

As one of the cornerstones of the Marpai Saves vision, MarpaiRx breaks the mold of traditional PBMs by offering complete transparency. MarpaiRx contains no hidden spreads, no surprise markups, and offers real savings for health plans and members. The Company plans to actively offer the new program in the second half of 2025 to existing and new clients.

"According to a 2024 study by America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), over 24% of each healthcare dollar is spent on prescription drugs. The Company's mission is to empower health plans to provide the best possible pharmacy benefits for their members at the most affordable cost," said Dallas Scrip, Chief Operating Officer of Marpai. "MarpaiRx achieves this through a unique combination of advanced technology, a focus on lowest net cost, and a commitment to member experience."

MarpaiRx Delivers a Win-Win for Health Plans and Members:

Unmatched Transparency: We believe in full disclosure. You see exactly what you're paying for medications, with no hidden fees.

We believe in full disclosure. You see exactly what you're paying for medications, with no hidden fees. Lowest Net Cost Approach: Our cutting-edge technology finds the most cost-effective, clinically appropriate medications for each member, every time.

Our cutting-edge technology finds the most cost-effective, clinically appropriate medications for each member, every time. Superior Member Experience: We streamline Rx delivery, prior authorizations, financial assistance coordination, and more to make the pharmacy experience seamless for your members.

We streamline Rx delivery, prior authorizations, financial assistance coordination, and more to make the pharmacy experience seamless for your members. Flexible Pharmacy Network: Our system searches a vast network of pharmacies to ensure you get the absolute best price on every prescription.

Slashing Specialty Drug Costs:

MarpaiRx tackles the high cost of specialty medications with a multi-pronged approach:

Lowest Net Cost Optimization: We go beyond rebates to find the most cost-effective options, prioritizing lower list price drugs with similar efficacy.

We go beyond rebates to find the most cost-effective options, prioritizing lower list price drugs with similar efficacy. Integrated Patient Assistance: Our system works to enroll eligible members in manufacturer copay assistance programs.

Our system works to enroll eligible members in manufacturer copay assistance programs. International Sourcing: For specific medications, we leverage international sourcing to secure significant discounts while maintaining supply chain integrity.

For specific medications, we leverage international sourcing to secure significant discounts while maintaining supply chain integrity. Flexible Copay Programs: We design customized plans that incentivize members to choose the most cost-effective specialty medications.

Real-Time Technology Drives Better Outcomes:

MarpaiRx is powered by a robust technology platform that delivers:

Real-Time Optimization: Prescriptions are analyzed in real-time to identify the lowest net cost option and automatically apply relevant assistance programs.

Prescriptions are analyzed in real-time to identify the lowest net cost option and automatically apply relevant assistance programs. Seamless Provider and Patient Experience: Our provider and member portals and apps simplify prescribing and medication management.

Our provider and member portals and apps simplify prescribing and medication management. Actionable Insights: Sophisticated data analytics provide continuous monitoring of utilization, identify further savings opportunities, and empower you to make informed decisions.

Sophisticated data analytics provide continuous monitoring of utilization, identify further savings opportunities, and empower you to make informed decisions. Flexibility and Integration: Open APIs allow for integration with existing health IT systems, fostering a holistic view of member health.

MarpaiRx  A Smarter Approach to Pharmacy Benefits

MarpaiRx empowers health plans to deliver exceptional value to their members. With unmatched transparency, significant cost savings, and superior member experience, we believe that MarpaiRx is the future of PBMs.

About Marpai, Inc.

Marpai, Inc. (OTCQX: MRAI) is a technology platform company which operates subsidiaries that provide TPA and value-oriented health plan services to employers that directly pay for employee health benefits. Primarily competing in the $150 billion TPA sector serving self-funded employer health plans representing over $1.5 trillion in annual claims. Through its Marpai Saves initiative, the Company works to deliver the healthiest member population for the health plan budget. Operating nationwide, Marpai offers access to leading provider networks including Aetna and Cigna and all TPA services. For more information, visit www.marpaihealth.com, the content of which is not incorporated by reference into this press release. Investors are invited to visit https://ir.marpaihealth.com.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements, as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve significant risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements can be identified through the use of words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "guidance," "may," "can," "could", "will", "potential", "should," "goal" and variations of these words or similar expressions. For example, the Company is using forward looking statements when it discusses the benefits that may be realized through the use of MarpaiRx, the expected timing of the new program, and the belief that MarpaiRx is the future of PBMs Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect Marpai's current expectations and speak only as of the date of this release. Actual results may differ materially from Marpai's current expectations depending upon a number of factors. These factors include, among others, adverse changes in general economic and market conditions, competitive factors including but not limited to pricing pressures and new product introductions, uncertainty of customer acceptance of new product offerings and market changes, risks associated with managing the growth of the business. Except as required by law, Marpai does not undertake any responsibility to revise or update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

More detailed information about Marpai and the risk factors that may affect the realization of forward-looking statements is set forth in Marpai's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors and security holders are urged to read these documents free of charge on the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov.

SOURCE Marpai
Kathmandu, Nepal: International Organization of Employers (IOE) Secretary-General Roberto Suarez Santos is arriving in Kathmandu today for a three-day official visit to Nepal.

During his three-day official visit to Nepal that begins from July 24 to 26, he is scheduled to hold talks with concerned government officials and the office bearers of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI). FNCCI is also a member of the IOE.

Santos is visiting Nepal at the invitation of FNCCI president Chandra Prasad Dhakal. It is said that FNCCI President Dhakal had extended invitation during a meeting at the International Labour Conference in Geneva last year.

The IOE that was founded in 1920 with its headquarters in Geneva. The organization is considered as the worlds largest network of private sector employees. The IOE represents more than 150 employer organizations across over 140 countries.

During his three days stay in Nepal, Santos is scheduled to hold discussions with the concerned officials focusing on Nepals upcoming graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category in 2026, its implications for international trade, and strategies to enhance the competitiveness of Nepals private sector, FNCCI president Dhakal said.
Geneva/Guwahati: Press Emblem Campaign (PEC), the global media safety and rights body, expresses concern over the use of PRESS symbol by armed combatants in Syria and Gaza to pretend themselves as media workers. The PEC (www.pressemblem.ch) condemns the use of the sign (PRESS) by Islamist fighters in the fighting in southern Syria. A video widely shared on social media shows Islamists wearing jackets with the specified emblem while vandalizing a Druze house in Suwayda. Even though the PEC cannot certify the authenticity of this document, it warns that the press emblem can under no circumstances be used as cover for combatants.

The same applies to Gaza, where Hamas fighters are said to have disguised themselves as journalists, giving the Israeli army a pretext. It makes the situation complicated where working journalists, who deserve guaranteed access to combat zones, may face the negative consequences. PEC president Blaise Lempen, in another aspect, reveals that globally 92 media workers have been killed since 1 January 2025, which is much higher than the previous year. He also condemns all the journo-murders and demands fair probes to identify and punish the perpetrators under the law.

PEC south & southeast Asia representative Nava Thakuria informs that India lately lost another media worker to assailants. Odisha-based online journalist Chintakayalu Naresh Kumar, who was associated with youtube channel Times Odia, the brutal attack in Muruliguda area on 12 July by a group of miscreants. The police have already arrested two persons (Sukumar Ray and Konkan Jordar) suspecting their involvement with the murder. India earlier witnessed the murder of Mukesh Chandrakar, Raghavendra Vajpayee, Sahadev Dey and Dharmendra Singh Chauhan in the first half of 2025.
(Reuters) -Ukraine and Russia launched drone strikes against each other early on Thursday, officials from both sides said, within hours of the conclusion of the latest round of direct talks aimed at finding a solution after nearly three and half years of war.

Ukrainian drones hit southern Russian Black Sea areas, killing one person, injuring another and hitting an oil storage depot.

Russian forces staged the latest in a series of mass attacks on Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa, triggering several fires in residential and other buildings.

Emergency officials in Russia's Krasnodar region on the Black Sea said on the Telegram messaging app that debris from a falling drone struck and killed a woman in Adler district near the resort city of Sochi.

A second woman was being treated in hospital for serious injuries.

The administrative head of the Sirius federal district, south of Sochi, said a drone hit an oil base, but gave no further details.

Russia's Rosaviatsia aviation authority said operations were suspended at Sochi airport for about four hours.

In Odesa, Regional Governor Oleh Kiper said two floors of a multi-storey apartment building had been set ablaze. Other fires broke out on the roof of a two-storey residence, in kiosks and at a petrol station.

The city's historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was also hit, he said.

Kiper said details on casualties were being compiled.
By Abhaya Raj Joshi

KATHMANDU  Nepal has launched a species action plan focused exclusively on conserving the endangered dhole (Cuon alpinus), also known as the Asiatic wild dog.

The new 262.9 million rupee ($1.9 million) five-year plan, targets key conservation challenges by trying to strike a balance between improving scientific understanding of the species and promoting awareness among local communities.

The primary objective of this action plan is to establish a strong and adaptable framework for dhole conservation in Nepal, which can also be scaled up across other range countries, said Ramchandra Kandel, director-general at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.

The elusive dogs earning notoriety for chasing down their prey in packs were once found in areas ranging from the dense forests of Southeast Asia to the alpine zones of the Himalayas and into the temperate woodlands of the Russian Far East, according to IUCN, the global conservation authority.

One of the most innovative aspects of the plan is its financial model, said researcher and conservationist Ambika Khatiwada from the National Trust for Nature Conservation. Around 36% of the funding will be shared from funding allocated for other species conservation plans, such as those for tigers and snow leopards, he added.

While dholes may benefit from funding allocated for other apex predators, it is possible that they are being pushed to the fringes of protected areas by tigers and snow leopards, researchers say. IUCN lists competition with other predators as one of the key challenges to conservation of dholes  others being habitat fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict, disease transmission from domestic dogs and a shrinking prey base. This has resulted in fewer than 2,500 mature individuals remaining in the wild, the IUCN Red List assessment says. Around 500 of them are believed to be in Nepal, according to the action plan.

The action plan, which will be implemented between 2025 and 2035, comes as research suggests that despite the challenges, the animal may be staging a comeback in its historical range, especially in the countrys hills. It also comes two years after members of the Dhole Working Group, part of the IUCN Species Survival Commissions Canid Specialist Group, convened in Kathmandu to conceptualize key actions to protect dhole populations in Nepal and beyond.

A 2024 study documenting multiple camera-trap sightings, recorded fresh scat and tracks and local knowledge from herders and forest rangers suggest that small populations of dholes, which were once extirpated in the area, are recolonizing parts of the Annapurna Conservation Area and the Tinjure-Milke-Jaljale corridor in eastern Nepal

The action plan, citing other studies, suggests that the wild canids may also be returning to parts of the plains such Parsa, Banke, Bardia and Chitwan, also key habitats of the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris). In the mountains, the home of the snow leopards (Panther uncia), their presence has now been confirmed in Shey-Phoksundo National Park, Makalu-Barun National Park, Lamtang National Park, and Kanchenjunga Conservation Area, according to the action plan.

The highest share of the budget (around 25%) of the action plan has been allocated toward enhancing the understanding of the dholes distribution and abundance. This is a particularly important step, said Khatiwada.

The second-highest share of the budget (around 26.4%) has been allocated for promoting conservation awareness and education initiatives. The allocation for the awareness and education activities show that the planners are giving around the same emphasis to improving scientific knowledge as well as raising awareness, he added.

Researcher Yadav Ghimirey, part of the team that documented the possible recolonization of dholes in Nepals hills and wasnt involved in the action plan formulation process, said the document was a welcome step in dhole conservation. The plan could have been better if it incorporated measures to make use of local indigenous knowledge about the animals, he added. We see from our experience that communities at times know a lot more than the animal than us researchers, he said. That is why its necessary that the awareness programs facilitate the exchange of knowledge between researchers and communities, Ghimirey told Mongabay.

The action plan outlines strategic steps to tackle key conservation challenges for this endangered species. As part of the objective to improve scientific understanding of the species, it calls for the use of extensive field surveys, camera trapping and advanced technologies such as AI. Similarly, to protect critical habitats, it includes plans for carrying out mapping of dhole presence across all ecoregions. To strengthen prey populations, it envisages the launch of prey density assessments.

Regarding the promotion of conservation awareness, the plan emphasizes education and outreach to communities, schools and policymakers while supporting community engagement in monitoring and conflict mitigation using tools like mobile apps and traditional ecological knowledge.

The plan calls for assessing the metapopulation structure and maintaining ecological connectivity by identifying corridors and using technology to track dhole movement and ensure gene flow between subpopulations.

Finally, the plan entails collaboration at local, national and international levels by fostering cross-border cooperation, harmonizing laws and engaging stakeholders to share data, align policies and secure sustained conservation funding and support.
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** Organizations Partner For the Fifth Year to Support Local Students **

SAN DIEGO, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- North Island Credit Union has partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego to make the new school year a little bit easier for hundreds of Club kids and their families. In the fifth year of the partnership, the credit union recently provided more than 275 backpacks with school supplies to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego as part of its annual Back 2 School Drive.

North Island Credit Union Vice President, Mira Mesa Branch Manager Don Canteen (left) and North Island Credit Union Vice President, Kearny Mesa Branch Manager Dino Santos (right) distribute backpacks to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego Club kids.

"We're proud to continue our partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego for the fifth year through our annual backpack drive," said North Island Credit Union President/CEO Steve O'Connell. "Thanks to the generosity of our members, employees and community, we're helping local students start the school year with the tools they need to succeed. Supporting education and investing in our youth is one of the most meaningful ways we can give back, and we're honored to work alongside the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego to make a positive impact."

Backpacks were donated by North Island Credit Union, its employees and members in a July branch drive, with school supplies provided by the credit union. The backpacks will be distributed to elementary through high school-aged students participating in Club programs across San Diego County prior to the start of the fall school year.

"We are grateful to North Island Credit Union for their ongoing support of our Back 2 School Drive. With rising costs, allocating money for a new backpack and school supplies can be a challenge. But these things are really important to kids. These donations help our members walk into school prepared and excited for the year ahead," stated Michelle Malin, COO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego changes lives through quality youth programs and guidance in a safe, affordable and fun environment. The Clubs serve kids ages 5-18 at 23 community-based sites countywide, making a difference in the lives of San Diego's future leaders  today's youth. Through its Back 2 School Drive, its members receive all the basic necessities to start the school year off right.

About North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union

California Credit Union is a federally insured, state chartered credit union founded in 1933 with assets of $5 billion, approximately 200,000 members and 25 retail branches. Named a Forbes Best-In-State Credit Union in 2024 and 2025, the credit union serves community members and businesses in the California counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, and Ventura as well as school employees throughout the state. The credit union operates in San Diego and Riverside Counties as North Island Credit Union, a division of California Credit Union. The credit union offers a full suite of consumer, business and investment products and services, including comprehensive consumer checking and loan options, personalized financial planning, business banking, and leading-edge online and mobile banking. California Credit Union is certified as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) with a Low Income Designation, offering inclusive products and services to build financial stability in our underserved communities, including a checking account certified as meeting the Bank On National Account Standards. Visit northisland.ccu.com for more information or follow the credit union on Instagram or Facebook @northislandcu.

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that CHANGES LIVES through quality programs and guidance in a safe, affordable, and fun environment. We serve kids ages 5-18 with programs focused on ACADEMIC SUCCESS, CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, and HEALTHY LIFESTYLES at 23 community-based sites countywide. We cover a service area of over 2,000 square miles from National City to Borrego Springs. To find an open Club that serves your community or donate, please visit SDYouth.org or call 858.866.0591.

SOURCE North Island Credit Union
Agreements made after angry residents block Mahahual highway

Mahahual, Q.R.  A roadblock set up by angered residents outside the town of Mahahual has been removed. The blocking of traffic south of the town started shortly before noon Wednesday by residents demanding talks with the local government.

The group blocked road access in an area that connects the city of Chetumal and Xcalak in protest of recent evictions they say are illegal. The roadblock was put in place to add pressure, according to the residents, after failed attempts to talk with local authorities.

It was around 3:00 p.m. when State Undersecretary Nabil Eljure Terrazas arrived to talk with the group. Blockade leader Fernando Hernandez Pena met with Eljure Terrazas upon his arrival Wednesday afternoon.

The pair came to an agreement regarding eviction operations being headed by the State Attorney Generals (FGE) Office. According to Eljure Terrazas, since the FGE is an autonomous body, they cannot stop the evictions but the operations will be monitored to ensure they are carried out in compliance with the law.

He reported that there are currently four cases of land disputes in the Mahahual area that involve private individuals and property ownership. In the event of a legal eviction, support will be provided to those affected.

Eljure Terrazas said that on behalf of the state government, they will work to speed up the regularization of land as well as improve basic services in Mahahual.

Both sides agreed that the State Secretariat of Public Works (SEOP) will carry out road cleaning, maintenance, and repair work in the area.

The roadblock was put in place hours after a hostile middle-of-the-night eviction in Tulum left homes in ruins and those living on the land without any place to go.
Armed Veracruz man arrested in Tulum police operation

Tulum, Q.R.  An armed man was removed from the Aldea Tulum subdivision Wednesday during a police operation. The suspect, identified as 26 year old Adrian Alfredo N, was arrested for drug and firearm possession.

According to the Secretaria de Seguridad Publica y Proteccion Ciudadana de Tulum, the 26 year old was taken into custody during a coordinated operation early Wednesday morning. He was found in possession of nearly 200 street-ready bags of drugs as well as two loaded handguns.

Tulum police say Adrian Alfredo N is from Las Choapas, Veracruz and was arrested during a joint effort between the State Attorney Generals Office and the Tulum Secretariat of Public Security and Citizen Protection.

Thanks to the joint effort between the State Attorney Generals Office and the Tulum Secretariat of Public Security and Citizen Protection, Adrian Alfredo N, 26, originally from Las Choapas, Veracruz, was arrested.

The arrest occurred during a coordinated operation in the early morning of July 23 in the Aldea Tulum neighborhood. The suspect was brought before the FGE for his probable involvement in drug crimes and illegal possession of weapons. We continue working for a safer Tulum, the agency reported.
Cancun motorcycle driver killed in collision with industrial machine

Cancun, Q.R.  A Cancun motorcycle driver in his 30s was killed Thursday after driving into an aerial lift. The machine operator was traveling through the Sacbe subdivision where he proceeded to make a sudden lane change.

The front portion of his lift swung into the lane at the same time the motorcycle driver was passing. The driver of the bike was hit by the front of the industrial unit and killed.

Authorities were called to SM 249 Thursday morning in response to the two vehicle accident. Paramedics confirmed the bike driver was dead. His body was found several meters from his motorcycle after being knocked off during impact.

The area was cordoned off by authorities and the operator of the lift arrested from the scene. Police did not comment on possible charges.
Emergency personnel talk tourist down from top of Parque El Jaguar structure

Tulum, Q.R.  An Argentine woman was rescued by Tulum emergency services Wednesday in Jaguar Park. Civil Protection personnel, firemen and municipal police were called after the woman was seen sitting on top of a 25-meter-tall structure.

Park visitors who saw the woman alerted park staff who called emergency services. Firemen, Civil Protection and Municipal Police responded with specialized personnel from Geavig (Specialized Group for Attention to Domestic and Gender Violence) who were able to talk the woman down.

Once down, 48 year old Elisa N from Argentina was escorted by Geavig (Grupo Especializado de Atencion a la Violencia Intrafamiliar y de Genero) personnel for medical and psychological care. Elisa N is a tourist to the area and was put in contact with her family.

The Wednesday afternoon incident at the Parque El Jaguar structure in the Tulum National Park is being investigated as a suicide attempt.
Mexico to become regional port powerhouse with a multi-billion peso injections

Mexico City, Mexico  With public investments of 55.1 billion pesos and a private investment of 241 billion, Mexico will become a regional port powerhouse. The country will be a competitive, efficient National Port System that meets Mexicos needs.

The Government of Mexico, through the Ministry of the Navy, reported that a public investment of 55.1 billion pesos and a private investment in excess of 241 billion pesos, will be allocated to carry out priority projects in nine ports.

With this, by the end of the administration of President Claudia Sheinbaum, Mexico will have a competitive, efficient National Port System in line with the needs of the country, she reported.

President Claudia Sheinbaum made the announcement Wednesday, emphasizing that public and private investments are of great importance as these are strategic projects that create jobs and will make Mexico a regional port powerhouse.

She reported that broken down, the public money will include 5.6 billion pesos in the port of Ensenada, 20.5 billion pesos in Manzanillo, 7.4 billion pesos in Lazaro Cardenas, 670 million pesos in Acapulco, 10.2 billion pesos in Veracruz and 10.7 billion pesos in Progreso.

The private investment will include 241.5 billion pesos of which 3.7 billion pesos will be spent in Ensenada, 92.1 billion in Manzanillo, 5.7 billion in Lazaro Cardenas, 680 million pesos in Acapulco, 10.4 billion pesos in Veracruz, 1.8 billion pesos in Progreso, 40.6 billion pesos in Guaymas, 84.8 billion pesos in Topolobampo and 802 million pesos in Altamira.

These are very important investments that generate employment, but they are also strategic development projects for the country. Ports are either cabotage, meaning transportation from one Mexican port to another, or export, import, or tourism development.

Mexico is a country par excellence that has its gateway, its coastline, to the Pacific, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. So, this development that is being undertaken is very, very important, she said Wednesday.

Navy Secretary Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales Angeles explained that under the Presidents instructions, six priority ports will be modernized with public and private resources.

They are the Port of Ensenada, Baja California, Port of Manzanillo, Colima, Port of Lazaro Cardenas, Michoacan, Port of Acapulco, Guerrero, Port of Veracruz and the Port of Progreso in Yucatan.

He specified that in the case of the projects to be carried out in El Sauzal, on San Miguel Beach within the Port of Ensenada, a public consultation will be held so the project is carried out by consensus.

In addition, three more ports will also be intervened with private investment including the Port of Guaymas in Sonora, the Port of Topolobampo in Sinaloa and the Port of Altamira in Tamaulipas.

Last week local Quintana Roo authorities announced the completion of a preliminary study for the construction of a 130-hectare industrial deep sea port in Puerto Morelos.
Two Americans caught exchanging bags of drugs facing narcotics charges

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  Two Americans were arrested for drug possession Wednesday by Playa del Carmen police. The pair, both 27, were picked up after patrolling officers caught them exchanging what appeared to be bags of drugs.

During an inspection, Municipal Police found at least three different types of narcotics in their possession. In a report, police said Americans Samuel N and Robert N were arrested and their foreign-plated vehicle seized for safekeeping.

The pair are facing narcotics charges.

Officers from the Playa del Carmen Citizen Security Secretariat arrested two foreign men for their alleged involvement in drug crimes. During a surveillance patrol in the Ejido neighborhood, officers detected two men exchanging small bags of suspected drugs, so they were immediately stopped, the SSC Playa del Carmen reported.

After a preventive inspection, several small bags containing green vegetables, a crystalline substance, and a pink powder with characteristics of narcotics were seized, as well as cell phones and a vehicle with foreign license plates, which was taken for safekeeping.

The detainees, identified as Samuel N and Robert N, both 27 years old and originally from the United States, were informed of their rights and taken to the appropriate facilities for medical certification.

Subsequently, along with the seized evidence, they were handed over to the Specialized Prosecutors Office for Combating Drug Dealing Crimes, which will determine their legal status.
The point of an Ivy League education seems to be to stoke ones passion and achieve success. If one gets educated along the way, well, consider that a bonus.

Every now and then you read a book so simple in concept and so interesting in outcome that you kick yourself for not having come up with the idea. Many people have a sense that higher education has jumped the rails in a variety of ways, but mostly that sense gets fed by anecdote and rumor and clickbait. High-profile incidents get noticed, but few people look at the fine-grained work that colleges actually do. It is therefore with a mixture of joy and jealousy that I read Slacking: A Guide to Ivy League Miseducation, written by Adam Kissel, Rachel Alexander Cambre, and Madison Marino Doan.

As goes Harvard, so goes American higher education. For all their talk about critical thinking, school administrators are hopeless parrots of their ranked superiors. In academic circles, best practices typically means What is Harvard doing? This is why President Trumps war on Harvard ripples throughout the halls of higher learning: If Harvard cant survive the attack, what hope do the rest of us who have nowhere near Harvards resources have? One can sense the panic in the ivory towers.

The story goes that when Eisenhower became president of Columbia University, he met with the faculty and ill-advisedly referred to them as employees of the school. An incensed Isidore Rabi stood and informed the general: We are not employees of the university. We are the university. Perhaps. What seems undeniable, however, is that in a happier time the faculty were regarded as the sole stewards of the central purpose of the university: the curriculum.

The word derives from the Latin verb currere, to run. It indicates the path or road one must run to reach the goal of becoming a well-rounded and well-mannered person. Faculty were to serve as both beacons and signposts, employing wisdom to direct students along that path toward the goal of florescence. Not only that: Such possession could only be determined by studying patterns of human excellence, of the structure and nature of reality and all the things in it, and the ways in which human beings searched for and discovered such things. Faculty operated as custodians of the incrementally and fitfully achieved efforts to shed more light on the world and our place in it.

Not much of this idea remains. Graduate schools encourage students to be specialists, not generalists, as the path to academic success. A typical Ph.D. in political science might be able to tell you an awful lot about the behavior of administrative districts in Botswana during the Khama regime but probably have little to say about why it matters. Specialization leads to publication, and publication to tenure. What difference does it make if one has no capacity to connect this research to issues of human flourishing? Graduate schools excel at narrowing the mind, at fragmenting knowledge and routinizing intellectual inquiry. Ph.D.s are often a mile deep and an inch wide.

Little wonder, then, that when they become professors they attempt to reshape the curriculum to avoid either embarrassment or extra work. It takes little effort and preparation to teach a class on ones dissertation topic, but heaven forbid you have to teach a core curriculum class that requires you to know some things about a lot of things.

For that matter, what school even has a core curriculum any longer? A core curriculum assumes an agreed-upon set of standards, texts, ideas, beliefs, and goals that ensure that a graduate will receive a good education. Given the impossibility of faculty agreement on such matters, most schools moved from a core curriculum to a general education curriculum, the latter defined by a set of distribution requirements that allows the students choices in what their education looks like. No longer able to agree on the goals of education or any underlying values or beliefs, faculty resort to what they know: their area of specialization. The distribution requirements thus become a grab bag of highly specific faculty interests, which allows the faculty member to teach and publish simultaneously. It also protects departmental interests, and thus jobs. Nothing is more heated on a college campus than a revision of the core curriculum, all faculty jostling for a piece.

Back in 2005, in his book Privilege: Harvard and the Education of the Ruling Class, Ross Douthat had already observed the chaotic state of Harvards curriculum. While it gave a lot of freedom to both faculty and students, it communicated no sense of purpose, and certainly no coherence. Perhaps the best word to describe such an education is indulgent. Passion, and not reason, sits in the drivers seat. There is much talk on college campuses about students pursuing their passions and very little about developing their reason. Passion, however, proves an erratic driver, especially without a map.

Kissel and his co-authors demonstrate that not much has changed. As I said, the books conceit is simple: Look at what is required of students at the Ivy League universities. A well-constructed curriculum serviced by competent faculty means that students will get a good education. A curriculum erratically designed around distribution requirements that serve a faculty members interests means that students may get a good education but only if that student chooses carefully.

Lost is Saint Augustines admonition that in the study of creature, one should not exercise a vain and perishing curiosity but ascend toward what is immortal and everlasting. Alas, much of college education amounts to little more than mastery of vain and perishing curiosities. Everything tilts in that direction. Student evaluations provide immediate feedback as to whether a faculty member has stoked a passion but tell us nothing about the enduring value of such lessons. A good education shapes both the reason and the imagination in such a way that a student learns discernment, how to separate wheat and chaff. Life will come along and provide them with hard lessons; a good education prepares them for those lessons.

It also broadens their horizons. For all the talk about diversity, our colleges and universities have become boringly monolithic. A student who condemns George Washington and all he accomplished out of hand simply because he owned slaves is a student who has closed himself off to the complexity of the human condition and the often difficult choices people make. These young persons might be taught charity toward oppressed groups, especially when they have nothing at stake, but not charity toward persons who navigate perennial human problems, simply because they have the misfortune of being dead.

If a good education grapples with how these perennial problems manifest themselves in specific circumstances within the context of a coherent moral framework, then a bad education simply projects current prejudices as a way of buttressing a moral authority assumed but never demonstrated. Kissel and his coauthors show that this central pathology of modern education has reached its apogee at the Ivies.

The book has two audiences: putatively, students going to Ivy League colleges in an effort to help them navigate the confusing curriculum; secondarily, the general public, to help them see what students actually learn. Their opening salvo? Dont trust the Ivy League to produce well-educated students.

Kissel et. al. review the general education of all eight Ivies, and the results are disheartening. They cleverly divide each chapter into two parts: how to graduate if youre a slacker and how to graduate if youre a serious student. An enterprising student in possession of this book could successfully find a narrow path to excellence amid all the brambles and briars that pass for education at the Ivies.

Higher education generates mountains of senseless jargon. Nowhere does that become more apparent than when discussing curricular issues. The book valuably exposes a whole range of assumptions that many faculty regard as so unassailable as not to require any contestation at all. Among those are that a general education must express ways of knowing. Likewise, many of the courses reviewed in the book emphasize the importance of the lenses through which the material will be viewed.

Behind all this is a kind of Nietzschean perspectivism, which faculty would realize had they any training or interest in philosophy (which is why philosophers and theologians, the only integrative disciplines, should always be in charge of a core curriculum). Another way to put it is that the modern curriculum operates on the principle of epistemological subjectivism, and this, too, serves the interests of faculty but not students, although students dont realize it. In fact, they will readily embrace such language because it makes their opinions and judgments unassailable.

The problem goes deeper than that, however. A lens implies a lens maker, someone with vision perfect enough to justify correcting the vision of others. Thus much of higher education consists of professors enlightening students, offering course after course that resists colonialism or sexism or racism or capitalism or heteronormativity, all because the professor wears a socially acceptable set of lenses. The effect of such courses is to impress upon the student the sheer question-begging audacity of the whole enterprise. Students in those classes would never be allowed to address the premises from which the analysis, if it can be called that, proceeds.

I had initially marked the classes highlighted in the book I thought especially ridiculous, but I soon ran out of ink. One indicator that a class is badly designed is if it predetermines its outcome, insisting that as a result of taking the class students will engage the world in a particular way. Real inquiry, however, doesnt presuppose its results. The professors wisdom results from study, experience, and opennessall anathema to the ideological closure that marks so much academic work. A professor leads as a lieutenant in a jungle, hacking a way forward, not as a marshal requiring lock-stepped following in a parade.

Kissel and his coauthors identify two redoubts, however: Columbias core curriculum, in existence for a hundred years, continues to operate as a sturdy framework for undergraduate education. They remind the reader that educators created general education programs in reaction to the curricular fragmentations of, on the one hand, the disciplinary specializations built for the German-style research university and, on the other hand, the elective system built for Emersonian, Romantic-era self-discovery. Columbia has maintained that balance, at least better than the other Ivies.

The other redoubt exists in the hard sciences, and this, too, poses an important lesson. The hard sciences cant avoid their subject matter. Astronomers have to study stars, physicists particles, biologists plants and animals, chemists molecules. The object of investigation determines the mode. Piety to the object limits and restrains the enterprise, but in a productive way. The object of the search is part of the search. Scientists rightly spend little time talking of ways of knowing.

The social sciences are bad, as the authors demonstrate, but the humanities have largely given up on the idea that they possess an object of study. Instead, they substitute preferences or a political agenda, to tiresome effect. Its hard to imagine how these classes could have any enduring valuebetter the student evaluations be handed out 10 years after graduation. All the chattering about power gives voice to the lie: Its the obsession of faculties because its what they crave.

So what, the authors wonder, can we assume about someone who has graduated from an Ivy League university? All that an observer should infer is that the graduate had been admitted, did not fail a specified number of courses, fulfilled other requirements  and showed enough good behavior over about four years that he or she was not expelled. When balanced against the political outbursts on campuses, the ideological uniformity, and restrictions on free speech, one wonders whether the schools are worth the sticker price. They are, of course, if one aspires to being comfortably well off. How to live well in such comfort is, sadly for them, an entirely different question.
ORLANDO, Fla., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Plug and Play, one of the world's largest innovation platforms, announced today the opening of a health program in its Orlando, Florida, location. In collaboration with GuideWell, KPMG LLP, and Orlando Health, the program will welcome approximately 10 to 12 startups in its inaugural cohort.

The program will officially launch on August 4, 2025, at the GuideWell Innovation Center in the Lake Nona region. Startups can apply by completing the application form on the Plug and Play website.

"Plug and Play is excited to continue to support startups in Orlando. Joining together with three major leaders in the healthcare space will allow us to invest and develop the next generation of startups," says Jake McGee, Director of Corporate Partnerships for Plug and Play Orlando.

The goal of the program is to enhance customer care in healthcare by integrating new technologies. Plug and Play and its collaborators aim to help startups grow their solutions and connect with potential customers who can benefit from their innovations.

"GuideWell is committed to transforming health care and improving the health and well-being of the people and communities we serve. This collaboration reflects our belief that a thriving health innovation ecosystem is a catalyst for meaningful change. By bringing together startups and strategic partners, we're creating synergy to accelerate bold solutions that can improve care, drive better outcomes, and reduce costs across the health care system," says Pete Serio, VP Chief Customer Officer, GuideWell.

"Our work with Plug and Play in Orlando represents a fantastic opportunity to accelerate healthcare innovation by connecting promising startups with industry leaders," said Ash Shehata, US Sector Leader, Healthcare at KPMG. "By fostering these connections, we're not just supporting individual companies, we're helping to continue Orlando's growth as a global destination for healthcare technology and innovation."

"This partnership is perfectly aligned with our goal at Orlando Health to drive innovation while also improving patient care, and we see the tremendous potential in collaborating with Plug and Play," said Bobby Helmedag, vice president, Orlando Health Strategic Innovations. "We look forward to working together to provide opportunities and resources to those who are working tirelessly to build a better future for healthcare."

In addition to advancing healthcare innovation, the program is expected to generate significant economic benefits for the region. By attracting global startups and unlocking access to outside capital, this will lay the foundation for new companies to thrive in Central Florida. This economic activity is anticipated to stimulate job creation, encourage local entrepreneurship, and position Orlando as a competitive hub for health innovation globally.

Participants will have access to a comprehensive range of resources, including workshops, mentorship sessions, expos, business development support, and investment opportunities. Focus areas include advancing healthcare technologies and improving patient care.

The launch event will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, and startup pitches, offering opportunities for collaboration and networking among leaders in healthcare and technology around the Orlando region.

Plug and Play Orlando, which opened in 2024, has quickly become a key innovation hub, helping startups grow and succeed in a rapidly evolving marketplace.

For more details on the upcoming launch event, visit: https://bit.ly/orlandolaunch.

About Plug and Play

Plug and Play is the leading innovation platform, connecting startups, corporations, venture capital firms, universities, and government agencies. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, we're present in 60+ locations across five continents. We offer corporate innovation programs and help our corporate partners in every stage of their innovation journey, from education to execution. We also organize startup acceleration programs and have built an in-house VC to drive innovation across multiple industries where we've invested in hundreds of successful companies including Dropbox, Guardant Health, Honey, Lending Club, N26, PayPal, and Rappi. For more information, visit https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/.

About GuideWell

GuideWell comprises Florida's Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, Florida Blue, which is the leading health insurer in Florida; Triple-S Management, Puerto Rico's Blue Cross Blue Shield plan and a leading health care services company on the island; GuideWell Health, a portfolio of integrated care delivery organizations providing primary and urgent care at more than 100 Florida medical centers and affiliate clinics, including Florida Blue | Sanitas Medical Centers, GuideWell Emergency Medical Doctors, and Florida Health Care Plans. Other GuideWell subsidiaries include GuideWell Source, which provides administrative services to federal health care programs, and WebTPA, a market leading administrator of self-funded employer health plans. GuideWell also has a majority stake in several health solutions companies, including Lucet, a behavioral health care company that offers tech-enabled support to payers, providers, and health plan members, as well as home-based, whole-person care for high-risk patients.

GuideWell serves 38.5 million people across 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, including more than 6 million individuals in Florida.

For additional information visit www.GuideWell.com. For details regarding the company's community and sustainability efforts, read the GuideWell Impact Report. For the latest news and content, visit the GuideWell Newsroom, and follow GuideWell on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram @LifeAtGuideWell, and X @_GuideWell.

About Orlando Health

Orlando Health is a private not-for-profit, integrated academic healthcare system with $12 billion of assets under management, that serves the southeastern United States  including Florida and Alabama  and Puerto Rico. With corporate offices in Orlando, Florida the system provides a complete continuum of care across a network of medical centers and institutes, community and specialty hospitals, physician practices, urgent care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, home healthcare, and long-term and behavioral health care services. Founded more than 100 years ago, Orlando Health's mission is to improve the health and the quality of life of the individuals and communities we serve. The system provided nearly $1.7 billion in community impact in the form of community benefit programs and services, Medicare shortfalls, bad debt, community-building activities and capital investments in FY 23, the most recent period for which the information is available. For more information, visit orlandohealth.com, or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter.)

About KPMG LLP

KPMG LLP is the U.S. member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms providing audit, tax and advisory services. The KPMG global organization operates in 142 countries and territories and has more than 275,000 people working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients.

KPMG is widely recognized for being a great place to work and build a career. Our people share a sense of purpose in the work we do, and a strong commitment to increasing access to education and opportunity, advancing mental health, and supporting community vitality. Learn more at www.kpmg.com/us.

Media Contact

Jacky Tsang

Senior Communications & PR Associate

[email protected]

SOURCE Plug and Play
Back in October 2023, The Roanoke Times published perhaps the most lurid headline ever to grace one of these columns. The online version read, Numerous rumblings in Deyerle about a terrible smell of death.

The issue then  and now  was a pack of wolf-hybrid dogs, as many as five, at 3580 Windsor Road. The owners were feeding the beasts rotting, malodorous deer carcasses, delivered regularly by the truckload. Occasionally the wolf-hybrids would escape and threaten neighbors pets.

But little happened as a result. Ron Sink, the complaining next door neighbor, later moved out of the city, simply to get away from the wolf-hybrids. Now he lives in Cave Spring. His new dog is much safer there, Sink told me.

The evening of June 26, the creatures escaped confinement yet again. This time, the pack stalked and killed a doe in the yard of Jim and Sandra Ryals on Mudlick Road. They called 911.

Sandra Ryals is a retired public health nurse-administrator and former deputy director of two state health agencies. She wrote a dramatic letter about the attack that found its way to the Roanoke City Council. Monday, the council took a preliminary step toward doing something about those beasts.

Councilwoman Evelyn Powers raised the issue at the end of councils afternoon meeting. Powers said her chief concern is that any of these dogs could get out and hurt our children or citizens.

In response, City Attorney Tim Spencer said: Were on top of it. Its something were going to work with our intern on.

Powers said she wants something done in August.

The intern will be working with us to help us craft an ordinance, and well work through the city managers office to get that on the councils agenda as soon as possible, Spencer said.

We clearly need to give this future consideration on how we can act, Mayor Joe Cobb said.

Wolf-hybrid bans allowed

Virginias code explicitly allows localities to regulate canine hybrids and/or ban them. And Roanoke wouldnt be the first Virginia locality to legislate against the creatures. Along with alligators and baboons, Loudoun County banned the keeping of wolf-hybrid dogs in 2023.

The beasts arent the deadliest dogs in the United States  that distinction still belongs to pit bulls. But wolf-hybrids kill humans with depressing regularity. The website DogBites.org maintains a list.

Fatal Wolf-Dog Hybrid Attacks  The Archival Record from 1980 to December 2024, features more than two dozen detailed accounts of blood-curdling fatal attacks by wolf-hybrids. Though the dead victims ages ranged from newborns to elders, most were children.

The youngest, in March 2018, was an 8-day-old newborn in Lee County, in far Southwest Virginia. A 3-year-old wolf-hybrid mauled the infant in her bassinet. The dog, owned by the babys family, was later euthanized.

In 2023, former Roanoke city attorney Bill Hackworth sent me a link to a news account of the most recent fatal wolf-hybrid attack on an infant in the nation.

That was in September 2023 in Alabama, 20 miles southeast of Birmingham. The victim was a 3-month-old baby killed by the familys pet. That dog, too, was later put down.

On the loose June 26

No humans or pets got killed or injured June 26 in Deyerle, when the wolf- hybrids escaped their confinement once again. But the pack stalked and killed a mother deer, which basically sacrificed herself to save two fawns.

It happened right in front of Sandra Ryals on Mudlick Road, and it left her shrieking in fear. Ryals offered a gripping account in an email to the Greater Deyerle Neighborhood Association.

I am still scared after seeing a pack of wolf hybrid dogs kill a deer in our front yard and tried to attack us and our dogs last night, Ryals wrote. (She and her husband have two Cavalier King Charles spaniels that are each under 25 pounds.)

My sister fought off the wolf dogs from our small family pets with a metal collapsible fence, screaming loudly. My husband and I quickly got the water hose out, and he sprayed water to ward off the wolf dogs from catching one of our small fur babies, giving her time to escape under a fence into the house.

Meanwhile I am screaming louder than I could have (imagined), Ryals continued. Neighbors came, and at least two of us have photos of the terribly frightening scenes.

She called 911. Roanoke police and animal control responded. The officer put the wounded deer down, police said.

Owner cited, faces fines

Police identified Thomas Blanding as the dogs owner and cited him with four misdemeanors. One was failing to provide reasonable care for an animal. The other three were unlawfully allowing a dog to run at large. Each charge is a class 4 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $250.

Wednesday, I knocked on the door of 3580 Windsor Road.

The homes front yard appears to serve as an outdoor storage area for landscaping materials, tools and more. A man who identified himself as Johnny Blanding came to the door and said Thomas Blanding wasnt home. He gave me a phone number he said was Thomass. I left a voicemail. There was no callback.

In December 2021, Jonathan Dean Blanding was charged with two counts of violating Virginias dangerous dog ordinance, according to online court records. Those charges were dismissed Feb. 1, 2022.

Although a police account said three wolf hybrids were in the pack June 26, Sandra Ryals said there were four on the loose initially, but one ran off.

She watched as the pack of wolf hybrids tackled and brought down the deer three times. Two fawns that were with the doe escaped.

The wolf dogs are scary, frightened us beyond words, and cause us to be fearful in our own yard, Ryals wrote in her letter. These dangerous aggressive wolf dogs do not belong in the neighborhood!

One of her neighbors posted about the issue on the social media site NextDoor.com, where its attracted 163 comments, some of which are lengthy and seem informative.

Another neighbor, Beth Wilbourne, snapped photos of the wolf-hybrids attacking the doe, and gave me permission to publish them.

In 2023, Ron Sink called the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to the house. A DWR sergeant observed 75 rotting deer heads on the property. (Those were being used to breed maggots, as food for backyard chickens.) A department spokeswoman said the situation did not violate state wildlife regulations.

Sink later contacted the Roanoke offices of the Virginia Health Department. Spokeswoman Christie Wills said her office received three complaints of decaying animal carcasses in the Windsor Hills neighborhood between Oct. 17 and 23, 2023.

An investigation into the matter included a site visit by a RCHD Environmental Health Specialist on 10/18/23, Wills said. No visible evidence of decaying animal matter nor odor was observed during the visit.

A Roanoke police spokeswoman said animal wardens responded to the house in question twice in 2024 for reports of odors, once for a report of a backyard fire and once in connection with a report of a rooster.

Ryals told me efforts are now underway to document all times the wolf- hybrids have escaped, because residents of the area want to ensure the city council has all relevant information as it considers banning the creatures.

Ryals said shes been subpoenaed to testify in Roanoke General District Court on Aug. 5, Thomas Blandings court date.

Ron Sink told me he moved out of his house this year because, I just felt like nothing was going to get done, following his complaints in 2023.

Sink still owns his former home on Windsor Road. He might try to sell it next year, he said.

That will be hard if the wolf-hybrids are still there, he added.
-- Davis to discuss relevance of US DOJ criminal indictment of Michael Liberty, pardoned by President Trump pardon, plus ongoing SEC civil action for fraudulent scheme against Liberty

WHEN: THURSDAY JULY 24, 12 NOON ET / 9 AM PT

LANNY J. DAVIS LIVE TELE PRESS CONFERENCE

HOW: TOLL FREE CALL: US -- 888-506-0062

INTERNATIONAL  973-528-0011

ACCESS CODE: 910202

http://www.MichaelLibertyLawSuits.com

QUESTIONS CAN BE ASKED BY REPORTERS FROM MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS AFTER MR. DAVIS'S OPENING STATEMENT.

WASHINGTON, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lanny J. Davis, of the Washington D.C. law firm of Lanny J. Davis & Associates, today announced he will hold a live, national telephonic press conference to publicize the lawsuits recently filed by his clients against company controlled by Michael Liberty Texas and a related case in Florida earlier this year.

Davis will also explain during the press conference and take media questions about the relevance of Liberty the Trump Pardon discharging Liberty for 1) US Justice Department indictment for criminal fraudulent actions (see HERE) as well as his guilty plea for felony committed several years before for intentional violations of US campaign finance laws by using fake third parties as conduits to make campaign donations to a presidential campaign.

Davis will also quote from the allegations of fraud and deceit against investors similar to the Texas and Florida cases made by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") that is currently ongoing seeking civil damages for a fraudulent scheme against investors similar to the criminal indictment against Liberty discharged by Trump Pardon. For links to Texas case filed against Liberty's company, Fintiv, see HERE .

For link to Liberty indictment by US Justice Department and then pardoned by President Trump  see HERE.

For link to SEC civil case for alleged scheme to defraud investors, see link HERE .

See other information about Liberty alleged wrongdoing - see www.MichaelLibertyLawsuits.com --LINKS TO US DOJ CRIMINAL INDICTMENT OF LIBERTY CRIMINAL FRAUD (SUBJECT TO TRUMP PARDON) AND SEC ONGOING FRAUD CASE AGAINST LIBERTY (NOT AFFECTED BY TRUMP PARDON) AT: www.MichaelLibertyLawSuits.com

SOURCE Oxford Gray North America Corp.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250724/istanbul-talks-russias-constructive-stance-vs-ukraines-theater-1122480271.html

Istanbul Talks: Russia's Constructive Stance vs. Ukraine's Theater

Istanbul Talks: Russia's Constructive Stance vs. Ukraine's Theater

Sputnik International

Russia's proposal demonstrated a constructive approach focused on a real political and diplomatic settlement, deputy director of research at the Russian Council on Foreign and Defense Policy Dmitry Suslov tells Sputnik.

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russia-us talks on ukraine settlement

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Ukraine, meanwhile, must address the issue of the illegal detention of Russian civilians taken hostage in the Kursk region.Ukraine's demands for a leaders' summit and a ceasefire only prove their unwillingness to negotiate. Their goal is to portray Russia as uncooperative to the US president.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250723/ukrainian-side-decided-to-consider-russias-proposal-on-working-groups---russian-delegation-head-1122479408.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250602/ukraine-risks-trumps-wrath-if-it-snubs-russias-humanitarian-ceasefire-idea-1122178003.html

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istanbul talks, russia-ukraine talks, ukraine-russia talks, russia-ukraine peace talks, putin-zelensky meeting,
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250724/moldova-govt-eliminates-political-rivals-by-denying-pobeda-bloc-election-registration--russia-1122484622.html

Moldova Gov't Eliminates Political Rivals by Denying Pobeda Bloc Election Registration  Russia

Moldova Gov't Eliminates Political Rivals by Denying Pobeda Bloc Election Registration  Russia

Sputnik International

The Moldovan government is trying to eliminate its rivals from the outset by denying the opposition Pobeda (Victory) bloc registration for the upcoming elections, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

2025-07-24T12:54+0000

2025-07-24T12:54+0000

2025-07-24T12:54+0000

world

russia

moldova

maria zakharova

russian foreign ministry

chisinau

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On July 19, the Central Electoral Commission of Moldova refused to register the Pobeda bloc for the parliamentary elections scheduled for September 28. Moldovan lawmaker Vasile Bolea called the commission's decision politically motivated, saying that it would be appealed in court. Zakharova also condemned the Moldovan government's plan to open only two polling stations in Russia for the parliamentary elections, calling it a "slap in the face" for Moldovan citizens. With each polling station allocated 5,000 ballots, only 10,000 Moldovans in Russia will be able to vote, Zakharova said. This "bandit lawlessness" turns the parliamentary elections abroad into a political show, and in this case, there can be no talk of fairness, the spokeswoman added.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250724/moldovan-opposition-leader-says-sale-of-giurgiulesti-port-betrayal-of-national-interests-1122484282.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250724/over-9000-people-protest-in-kiev-against-crackdown-on-anti-corruption-bodies-1122480413.html

Over 9,000 People Protest in Kiev Against Crackdown on Anti-Corruption Bodies

Over 9,000 People Protest in Kiev Against Crackdown on Anti-Corruption Bodies

Sputnik International

Over 9,000 people took part in protests in Kiev on Wednesday against the law limiting the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne reported, citing police.

2025-07-24T05:21+0000

2025-07-24T05:21+0000

2025-07-24T05:21+0000

world

volodymyr zelensky

kiev

national anti-corruption bureau of ukraine

security service of ukraine

ukraine

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On Tuesday, the Ukrainian parliament approved a bill that limits the autonomy of NABU and SAPO. The bill was later signed into law by Zelensky. On Wednesday, Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zheleznyak said the deputies planned to challenge the document in the Constitutional Court. Ukrainian media reported on Monday that the Security Service of Ukraine had conducted searches in the homes of NABU detectives. NABU later confirmed the searches and stated that they were carried out without a court order. Ambassadors of the G7 countries expressed serious concern regarding the SBUs pressure on NABU on Monday, saying they would raise the issue with the Ukrainian government.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250723/russian-delegation-at-istanbul-talks-still-includes-4-main-members-4-experts-source-1122476164.html

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over 9,000 people took part in protests in kiev on wednesday against the law limiting the powers of the national anti-corruption bureau of ukraine (nabu) and the specialized anti-corruption prosecutor's office (sapo), ukrainian broadcaster suspilne reported, citing police.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250724/syria-saudi-arabia-to-sign-agreements-worth-6bln-1122480844.html

Syria, Saudi Arabia to Sign Agreements Worth $6Bln

Syria, Saudi Arabia to Sign Agreements Worth $6Bln

Sputnik International

Damascus and Riyadh have agreed to sign more than 40 agreements worth $6 billion that will affect all industries, Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mustafa said.

2025-07-24T05:27+0000

2025-07-24T05:27+0000

2025-07-24T05:27+0000

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syria

damascus

saudi arabia

middle east

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"Forty-four agreements worth $6 billion will be signed with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," al-Mustafa said on Wednesday at a press conference dedicated to the Syrian-Saudi investment forum in Damascus. The minister added that the new agreements will contribute to the creation of more than 50,000 new jobs throughout Syria. Syria's armed opposition captured Damascus on December 8, 2024. Bashar Assad stepped down as Syrian president and left the country. Ahmed Al-Sharaa, the leader of the armed opposition, was declared transitional president in January. A new Syrian cabinet was formed in March.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250721/israel-and-us-seek-to-tear-syria-apart--turkish-political-analysts-1122469085.html

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damascus and riyadh have agreed to sign more than 40 agreements worth $6 billion that will affect all industries, syrian information minister hamza al-mustafa said.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250724/tariff-talks-between-south-korea-us-postponed-1122480143.html

Tariff Talks Between South Korea, US Postponed

Tariff Talks Between South Korea, US Postponed

Sputnik International

High-level talks between South Korea and the United States scheduled for Friday have been postponed at the request of the American side due to sudden changes in the schedule of US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday, citing the South Korean Ministry of Finance.

2025-07-24T05:18+0000

2025-07-24T05:18+0000

2025-07-24T05:18+0000

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donald trump

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The parties were expected to hold talks in Washington in the 2+2 format with the participation of South Korean Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo and their American counterparts - Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Koo canceled his flight to the US, the report said, adding that Yeo and Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, who have already arrived in Washington, continue consultations with US representatives. On July 1, US President Donald Trump unveiled a 25% tariff on imports from South Korea and Japan starting August 1.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250523/us-mulls-relocating-around-4500-troops-from-south-korea---reports-1122114365.html

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high-level talks between south korea and the united states scheduled for friday have been postponed at the request of the american side due to sudden changes in the schedule of us treasury secretary scott bessent, the yonhap news agency reported on thursday, citing the south korean ministry of finance.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250724/third-round-of-russia-ukraine-talks-renders-positive-result-in-istanbul-1122484460.html

Third Round of Russia-Ukraine Talks Renders Positive Result in Istanbul

Third Round of Russia-Ukraine Talks Renders Positive Result in Istanbul

Sputnik International

The fact that the third round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine took place is a positive result, Russian Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matvienko said on Thursday.

2025-07-24T12:54+0000

2025-07-24T12:54+0000

2025-07-24T12:54+0000

ukrainian crisis

russia-us talks on ukraine settlement

russia-nato showdown

vladimir medinsky

turkiye

istanbul

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The speaker added that it was necessary to continue the negotiations. At the same time, it is important to continue the ongoing dialogue between Russia and Ukraine on the return of children, Matvienko also said. The third round of Russia-Ukraine talks took place in Istanbul on Wednesday. The talks were held at the Ciragan Palace in a closed format after the heads of the delegations  Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky and Ukrainian National Security Council Secretary Rustem Umerov  had a private meeting. Among other things, the issue of returning civilians from Russia's Kursk Region displaced by military action was discussed, Medinsky said following the negotiations.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250724/russian-military-does-everything-to-create-buffer-zones-on-border-with-ukraine---kremlin-1122483978.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250724/zelenskys-anti-corruption-reform-destroys-ukraines-deals-with-west-1122482081.html

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Backed by Charge VC, Inspired Capital, Red Swan Ventures, and Prospeq, Queen One is building performance and presence for all brands.

BROOKLYN, N.Y., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Queen One , a powerful brand technology platform that brings life, energy, and revenue to websites and communication portals, announced today that it has raised more than $5.5 million in a Friends & Family funding round. The round was led by operator-backed funds Charge VC, Inspired Capital, Red Swan Ventures, and Prospeq, alongside a group of entrepreneurs, past collaborators, and close supporters.

At the heart of Queen One is a simple, powerful belief: every product has a story. Not just how it was madebut how it's used, loved, and shared. In a world where products are often reduced to SKUs and data points, Queen One sees them as goods. And when goods are at their best, they vibrate. They connect.

"Commerce has been stuck in the past. Queen One is pushing it forward  fast," said Brett Martin, Managing Partner at Charge VC. "What Figma unlocked for designers, Queen One is now unlocking for brands. They're turning static pages into living, breathing experiences. And they're doing it with unmatched creativity, momentum, and care  for brands and for people."

"From our very first conversation, it was clear that Queen One was building something special," said Kamran Ali, Principal at Inspired Capital. "The founding team brings unmatched experience, clarity, and ambition  with a track record of scaling hypergrowth businesses while building best-in-class culture. Reimagining how people experience commerce is a bold and timely mission, and Queen One is the team to lead it. We're thrilled to be on this journey with them."

Queen One has already built powerful brand technology and released their first offering, Connect (powered by Dragon Tiles), secured $6 million in state support for job creation and long-term economic impact in New York, and scaled to a team of 33. Construction is underway on the Rise & Fly Vision Centre  a 30,000 sq. ft. Brooklyn headquarters designed to accelerate product development, brand growth, and cultural momentum.

"The Time is Now. New York is rising," said Ryan Urban, CEO and Founder of Queen One. "I can't think of a better place to build a worldscale company. Queen One is New York - you'll start to see, hear, and feel our presence. Coming to a neighborhood near you."

Sandy Cass, Managing Partner at Red Swan Ventures added, "Queen One is the kind of company we get excited about  bold vision, experienced operators, and palpable energy. They're not iterating on the past  they're architecting the future of commerce. We're proud to support this founding team as they bring performance and presence to every brand online."

"We're a company built by builders and we know what it takes to work hard and ship big," said Maricor Resente, COO and Founder. "Together with our investors, we're ready to show the world what's possible when you combine relentless execution with a clear vision. We can't wait to deliver immense value to every brand globally  get ready to see what the best looks like."

To stay connected with the Queen One team and learn more about what's next, visit queen.one .

SOURCE Queen One
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250724/us-approves-potential-172mln-sale-to-ukraine-1122480529.html

US Approves Potential $172Mln Sale to Ukraine

US Approves Potential $172Mln Sale to Ukraine

Sputnik International

The United States has approved $172 million for Ukraine to maintain and repair HAWK air defense systems, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said on Wednesday.

2025-07-24T03:44+0000

2025-07-24T03:44+0000

2025-07-24T05:24+0000

russia's special operation in ukraine

us

ukraine

state department

donald trump

russia

us-ukraine relations

us arms for ukraine

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"The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Ukraine of HAWK Phase III Missile System and Sustainment and related equipment for an estimated cost of $172 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress," the agency said in a statement. The move would be in support of US foreign policy goals, the statement said. It would also respond to Washington's national security objectives of improving Ukraine's ability at defending itself. On July 14, US President Donald Trump said that Washington would supply weapons to Ukraine, with European nations covering all the costs. He called it a "very big deal" with "billions of dollars worth of military equipment" to be purchased from the US. Military aid will include Patriot air defense systems. France, Italy, the Czech Republic and Hungary refused to take part in the initiative. Russia believes that supplying arms to Ukraine hinders peace efforts and drags NATO allies into the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that any Ukraine-bound weapon shipments will be a legitimate target for Russian troops.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250716/trumps-new-aid-to-ukraine-amounts-to-very-little-militarily-us-stocks-drawn-down--expert-1122446330.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250724/we-love-our-land-palestinians-resist-israels-attempts-to-expel-them-from-gaza-1122486155.html

'We Love Our Land': Palestinians Resist Israel's Attempts to Expel Them From Gaza

'We Love Our Land': Palestinians Resist Israel's Attempts to Expel Them From Gaza

Sputnik International

The Palestinian residents of Gaza will not accept any plans to expel them from the Gaza Strip, says Shehdeh Abu Rook, mayor of the town of Khuzaa that was completely obliterated by the Israeli military.

2025-07-24T15:09+0000

2025-07-24T15:09+0000

2025-07-24T15:09+0000

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For us to leave our land, leave Gaza, and go to other countries? No, this is impossible! We are ready to die, but we will not leave, not even to Egypt.Israel simply wants to expel Palestinians from Gaza in order to seize the land and build Israeli settlements there, says displaced Palestinian Gaza resident Yasser Adwan.The people of Gaza will never agree to it and will not participate in these schemes, adds another displaced Palestinian, Miral Hassan.The people of Gaza do not abandon their land, we love our homes, we love our land. The people have already gone through something like this, and if they have to go through it again, they will endure.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250707/brics-leaders-consider-gaza-strip-inseparable-part-of-palestinian-territory-1122404380.html

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We love our land: Palestinians resist Israels attempts to expel them from Gaza Sputnik International We love our land: Palestinians resist Israels attempts to expel them from Gaza 2025-07-24T15:09+0000 true PT2M13S

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20250724/zelenskys-anti-corruption-reform-destroys-ukraines-deals-with-west-1122482081.html

Zelenskys Anti-Corruption Reform Destroys Ukraines Deals With West

Zelenskys Anti-Corruption Reform Destroys Ukraines Deals With West

Sputnik International

Zelensky earlier moved to subordinate Ukraines independent anti-corruption bodies to the Prosecutor Generals Office, in what led to large-scale protests in the capital Kiev and other major cities across the country.

2025-07-24T09:16+0000

2025-07-24T09:16+0000

2025-07-24T09:16+0000

world

ukraine

volodymyr zelensky

european union (eu)

ursula von der leyen

corruption

decision

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The domino effect is in motion as Zelensky is facing severe criticism, including that from Ursula von der Leyen, says Oleg Soskin, ex-advisor to former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma.Soskin argues that Zelensky has committed "an act of unprecedented reneging" to scrap all agreements that he clinched with the West.The remarks come as Bloomberg reports that Zelenskys move to hobble Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities blindsided Kievs allies and may have inflicted lasting damage to its ambition to join the EU.European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa earlier demanded explanations from Zelensky over his new law limiting the autonomy of Ukraines anti-corruption institutions.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20250102/swindling-scam--war-racket-west-turned-ukraine-into-cesspit-of-corruption-1121335312.html

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Talk Some Smack avenged last week's narrow defeat with a last-to-first victory in the Winners Over Pace at Inverness Raceway on Wednesday, July 23.

Starting from the outside post six in the $2,000 event, Danny Gillis pulled the gelding back off the gate, settling him into sixth position through a :28.4 opening panel provided by Whats Up Doc (Redmond Doucet). Talk Some Smack was first off the cones, pulling out on the second turn and catching the cover of Lofty Shadow (Ardon Mofford), who pushed up to attack the leader at the half in :58.2.

Whats Up Doc promptly brushed off that rival as they turned for the backstretch, forcing Talk Some Smack three-wide on the backside to take up the first-over mantle. Talk Some Smack fired into contention approaching three-quarters in 1:29.1 and kicked off a battle with Whats Up Doc on the final turn. Those two, well clear of the rest, traded blows down the lane with Talk Some Smack muscling clear in the final strides to win by a half-length in 1:58.4. Light My Shadow (Zach Mullins) was third best.

Talk Some Smack improved to six-for-nine on the year while winning his third top-class dash in the last four weeks. The son of Artspeak-Astraean has won 12 races and earned $24,323 in 93 lifetime starts to date. Kevin MacDonald of Port Hood, N.S. owns and trains the six-year-old.

Inverness leading trainer Zach Mullins produced a single-card highlight to accompany his season-long success with his first training triple of the year on the nine-race card. He drove all three to victory himself, starting with a dominant Woodmere Novak ($5.40) in 1:59.4 in the opener. He then won the sixth race with Yacht Seelster ($4.10) in 1:58.1, that geldings fourth tally in his last five starts. Mullins completed the triple with Bettie White ($3.30), who cut the mile in a 2:00.1 victory in the seventh race. The trainer-driver also finished second with Custards Dungeon in the eighth race and third with Light My Shadow in the feature.

Mullins has amassed 14 wins this season, one shy of his previous best in a year. His trainees are winning at a 41.2 per cent clip, and the conditioner is six wins clear at the top of the trainers standings at Inverness. He is also $142 away from surpassing his career-best seasonal earnings total. The Inverness, N.S. resident is also finding success in the sulky with 16 victories and a win rate of 38.1 per cent.

To view Wednesdays harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results - Inverness Raceway.

(Standardbred Canada)
Track record holder Charmbo Stormy returned to Grand River Raceway on Wednesday, July 23 and went coast-to-coast to capture the featured $11,000 Fillies and Mares Preferred 2 Pace.

The mare out-left two inner rivals from post five to secure command heading into the first turn and reached the quarter in :26.1. Austin Sorrie kept her pacing at a solid clip through the half in :55.2 and three-quarters in 1:23.2, and she straightened for home with a two-length advantage. Shoot The Whiskey (Travis Cullen) and Saulsbrook Olympia (J Harris), who were first- and second-over respectively, closed in on the pacesetter down the lane, but Charmbo Stormy held on for a half-length win in 1:52. Shoot The Whiskey finished second over Saulsbrook Olympia. The win price was $4.50.

Charmbo Stormy, who set the record for an aged pacing mare at Grand River in her last win on June 11, is now eight-for-22 on the campaign for trainer Jared Mann. The Sportswriter-Charmbo Lucky mare has racked up 24 wins in 136 lifetime appearances and earned $193,479. Ronald Nobes of Fergus, Ont. owns the seven-year-old.

To view Wednesdays harness racing results, click the following link: Wednesday Results - Grand River Raceway.

(Standardbred Canada)
When the field steps onto the track on Saturday, July 26 at The Meadows for the Dwane Parker Arden Downs three-year-old filly trot, the horse leading the parade might just be pacing.

Wild Wild Western, a standout pacer for several years, will lead the field onto the track to mark his final appearance on the Pennsylvania five-eighths mile oval. The now nine-year-old stallion last raced in November of 2024 and the decision was recently made to retire him from racing. The son of Western Ideal currently stands at stud at Lindwood Farm in Greensburg, Pa., where he has been breeding mares part-time for the past three years while continuing to race. His first crop is now two years old, and one of that select group of first-year horses is Western Raptor, who has already taken a mark of 1:52.4f.

Wild Wild Western retires as one of the top Open pacers in recent Meadows history, winning 45 of 132 races with a mark of 1:48.1f and earnings of more than $747,118. Mike Wilder drove Wild Wild Western to 31 of his victories.

The race he will lead is named for the late Dwane Parker, father of a harness racing family that includes son Norm Parker and daughters Kathy Parker and Sally Parker Bolon. Norm Parker was Wild Wild Westerns trainer throughout his career.

Hes the nicest all-around horse Ive ever trained, said Norm Parker. From manners to racing to everything. Just a consistent, honest horse. In fact, the best compliment Ive ever gotten about him came from Ron Burke. When Wild Wild Western was at the top of his game in the Open, Ronnie said that he brought more than a dozen horses in here to try to knock him off the top, and he couldnt do it. He said Western was like the Foiled Again of The Meadows.

Among the six horses drawn into the $31,233 USD stake, two have direct ties to the races namesake. Norm Parker is the trainer of Backswing, leaving from post position two, while his sister, Sally, owns post four starter Dianne Hanover, trained by her husband Rodney. Kyle Bolon, Dwane Parkers grandson, will drive Dianne Hanover.

The Dwane Parker Trot is the seventh race on The Meadows Adios Day 16-race card, with first race post set for 11:30 a.m.

(Meadows)
The brand will showcase its award-winning smart toasters and upcoming innovation, the Macrowave Oven, at New York City's newest immersive retail experience

NEW YORK, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Revolution Cooking, (Revcook.com), creator of the world's first touch screen smart toaster powered by InstaGLO technology, has been selected to display, demonstrate, market and sell its innovative appliances in tm:rw  a next-generation, multi-brand retail experience opening in Times Square on July 29 at 12:00 PM EST.

Located in the historic Candler Building, tm:rw spans 20,000 square feet across three levels and serves as a fully immersive retail destination. The concept brings together disruptive products and category-defining brands across lifestyle, home, tech, automotive, beauty, and wellness, including Revolution Cooking, whose next generation cooking appliances will be featured on the store's mezzanine level.

Revolution Cooking will showcase the R180 Connect Plus Smart Toaster that elevates the toasting experience with unmatched speed, quality and taste, while also featuring real-time weather, plus a personalized digital photo frame when idle. In addition, tm:rw guests will experience the Toastie Press that makes grilled cheese, quesadillas, paninis and other hot sandwiches in any toaster.

Visitors will get a sneak peek at the Revolution Macrowave Oven, the world's first and only countertop oven that combines an air fryer, rotisserie, toaster, baking and microwave to cook and crisp foods fast, with zero preheating. No other oven can bake and microwave simultaneously, quickly and deliciously cooking and reheating faster than any other oven and far better than any microwave. In fact, the Macrowave makes air fryers and toaster ovens unnecessary and makes microwaves obsolete. At the tm:rw store, visitors will see how the Macrowave cooks everything from frozen pizza to a steak and cheese sandwich, crispy vegetables, brownies and even a rotisserie chicken faster and better than any oven.

"This is a retail concept that aligns perfectly with how we see the future of product discovery," said Tom Klaff, CEO of Revolution Cooking. "tm:rw gives us a unique opportunity to showcase our patented InstaGLO technology inside our innovative appliances that solve real consumer problems, demonstrate remarkable performance and elevate the cooking and toasting experience for an appreciative audience. We're thrilled to be a part of it."

"We're excited to welcome Revolution Cooking to tm:rw," said Rory McCloskey, Director of Business Development at tm:rw. "Their approach to reimagining everyday appliances through their cutting-edge InstaGLO technology fits perfectly with our vision to feature forward-thinking brands creating meaningful impact in their industry."

The tm:rw store officially opens to the public on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, 12:00 PM EST, at 220 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036, in the heart of Times Square.

For more about Revolution Cooking and its portfolio of products, visit revcook.com. For a list of store hours, ticketed experiences, and upcoming launches, visit seeyoutmrw.com.

About Revolution Cooking

Revolution Cooking liberates today's consumer from yesterday's technology with our patented InstaGLO Rapid Heating System, powering our brand of high-performance, beautifully designed cooking appliances that deliver versatility and joy to our consumers. InstaGLO reaches full heat in seconds, toasts and cooks faster, retains more moisture and flavor, and consumes less energy than the 100+ year-old technology found in nearly all electric toasters and ovens today. Revolution Toasters and accessories are widely available at Williams-Sonoma, Crate & Barrel, Best Buy, Macy's and Amazon, as well as many other fine retailers. Visit revcook.com for more information.

About tm:rw

tm:rw exists as a destination for the extraordinarywhere design, innovation, and well-being shape the future. It's a platform for creators to break boundaries and for people to step into the next era of innovationdiscovering, experiencing, and shaping what's possible. This is tm:rw. Where the next is now. For more information, please visit seeyoutmrw.com.

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MEDIA CONTACT: Shrutika Snehanath

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SOURCE Revolution Cooking
By Stephen Nellis

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -A U.S. lawmaker on Thursday pressed the U.S. Defense Department for further details on what information the U.S. military shared with Chinese engineers as part of a cloud computing services contract with Microsoft.

After a report by investigative journalism publication ProPublica, Microsoft last week said it has ended the practice of using China-based engineers to provide technical support to the U.S. military under the supervision of U.S. "digital escorts" who may not have had the expertise to assess whether the work was a cybersecurity threat.

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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a two-week review to ensure other contractors were not employing the same practices.

In a letter seen by Reuters, U.S. Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, asked Hegseth to provide details to lawmakers on what information Chinese engineers accessed and to disclose "the discovery of potential security incidents or malicious events that have already occurred or are likely to occur."

In addition, Cotton asked whether Microsoft had been required to perform self-audits of the program and if so, the results of those audits.

"While I applaud your actions, I am concerned that the Department (of Defense) is hampered by agreements and practices unwisely adopted by your predecessors, including contracts and oversight processes that fail to account for the growing Chinese threat," Cotton wrote in the letter.

(Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
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Silent error in BLOOM-176B training. Credit: arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2506.14813

TrainCheck uses training invariants to find the root cause of hard-to-detect errors before they cause downstream problems, saving time and resources.

A new open-sourced framework developed at the University of Michigan proactively detects silent errors as they happen during deep learning training. These difficult-to-detect issues do not cause obvious training failures, but quietly degrade model performance while wasting valuable resources and time.

In evaluations, the TrainCheck framework identified 18 out of 20 real-world silent training errors in just one iterationwhile current methods only caught twoand uncovered six previously unknown bugs in popular training libraries. Researchers introduced TrainCheck in a study recently presented at the USENIX Symposium on Operating Systems Design and Implementation (OSDI) in Boston.

"By developing TrainCheck, we aim to empower developers with better tools to address silent errors, ultimately enabling more robust AI systems," said Ryan Huang, a U-M associate professor of computer science and engineering and senior author of the study.

During deep learning, artificial neural networks learn to perform tasks using large amounts of data, tweaking parameters over several cycles to reach the desired performance. Large-scale AI models, like large language models (LLMs) and computer vision models, are expensive to train, making silent errors particularly costly because they allow training to continue, leading to a suboptimal model.

Current methods monitor deep learning training with high-level signals, like loss (how wrong the model's predictions are compared to the correct answer), accuracy (the percentage of correct responses) and gradient norms (measures of how much the model's parameters change during each training step).

However, these bird's-eye-view metrics are noisy, naturally fluctuating during training, which makes it hard to differentiate between normal variation and an actual problem. For example, HuggingFace's training of its BLOOM-176B LLM missed a silent error because it didn't cause obvious changes in loss or accuracy. The bug caused copies of the model running on different GPUs to drift apart, making the final trained models unusable and thus wasting months of expensive computation.

TrainCheck's new approach relies on training invariants, which are rules that hold constant throughout training. The framework continuously monitors training invariants, immediately alerts developers about deviations and provides detailed debugging information to help find out what went wrong. This is a big step up from previous high-level methods that could not find the root cause even if problems were detected.

"By automatically inferring and monitoring training invariants, TrainCheck enables rapid identification and resolution of errors, which is a significant advancement over traditional methods. It sets a new standard for error detection in machine learning frameworks," said Yuxuan Jiang, a doctoral student of computer science and engineering at U-M and lead author of the study.

The research team put TrainCheck to the test on 20 silent errors while comparing performance to four existing detection methods. Six of the silent errors were drawn from previous research and the other 14 came from issues discussed in developer forums (GitHub, StackOverflow and social media) to ensure they were testing the framework against issues developers actually faced.

TrainCheck successfully detected 18 out of 20 silent errors while high-level signal detectors only detected two. Diagnostics revealed that of the 18 errors TrainCheck detected, the violation reports found the exact root cause for 10 cases and localized close to the root for the other eight. In contrast, the high-level detectors could only provide diagnostic hints for one error.

"We were impressed by how well TrainCheck performed in handling real-world issues using its principled invariant-based approach," said Huang.

When assessing false errors, TrainCheck did alert developers to false errors but at a low rate. Although false alarms occurred, they followed recognizable patterns that made them relatively easy to dismiss.

The strong results demonstrate that TrainCheck can be integrated into various machine learning frameworks, providing developers with a proactive tool to guard against errors. By offering early detection of silent errors, it minimizes wasted resources and enhances model accuracy and robustness.

Future adaptations might enhance TrainCheck to provide additional debugging help to developers, and extend the continuous validation approach to other computational domains, such as distributed systems, increasing resilience and performance where silent errors are common.

More information: Yuxuan Jiang et al, Training with Confidence: Catching Silent Errors in Deep Learning Training with Automated Proactive Checks, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2506.14813 GitHub: github.com/OrderLab/TrainCheck Journal information: arXiv
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The Cattenom nuclear power plant in France, which has long championed atomic power in the EU.

Long a taboo, Brussels opened the door to EU funding for nuclear power this month in a sign of the growing support atomic energy is enjoying within the bloc.

The European Commission listed "nuclear fission energy" among the sectors eligible to receive EU money in its 2028-2034 budget proposal unveiled last weekreversing a previous ban.

The commission declined to say if that meant Brussels was prepared to fund the building of new nuclear reactors, with a spokesperson stressing that the proposal was "still to be discussed" with member states.

Nuclear's eligibility remained only potential, she said, and fission was listed alongside other related fields such as decommissioning nuclear facilities, management of radioactive waste and nuclear research.

But the change in tackgiven atomic energy was explicitly excluded from funding under the current European Union budgetmarked a victory for the pro-nuclear camp, which has been steadily gathering steam.

Europe has long been divided on nuclear.

While France has championed it, Germany has led the opposition since former chancellor Angela Merkel accelerated a phase-out in 2011, after the meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan.

The two economic powerhouses even captain rival informal clubs of countries that vie for influence in Brussels.

Paris leads the "European Nuclear Alliance" while Berlin is top dog in the "Friends of Renewables" group.

Informal breakfast talks of the two groups are normally held ahead of meetings of EU energy ministers, with representatives of some countries shuttling between the two gatherings.

'Unavoidable' topic

France's club has been gaining members, with Belgium and Italy announcing this year they would join, and Greece also expressing interest.

This came after Rome opened the door to a return to atomic power, and Belgium officially abandoned a two-decades-old pledge to phase it out.

Other members of the club include Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden.

Germany's grouping includes Austria, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Denmark, and the Baltic states, among others.

"The enlargement of the alliance makes the subject somewhat unavoidable," Neil Makaroff, a climate transition expert at Strategic Perspectives, a think tank, said of the pro-atomic faction.

After years of EU ostracism, these countries want to "make nuclear power politically neutral", he added.

Opposition is weaker than a couple of years ago, with more and more governments emphasizing the need for a complementary energy mix to speed-up the electrification of the continent.

France is even hoping for a more lenient approach from Germany under new leader Friedrich Merz.

In May, the chancellor co-signed an opinion piece with French President Emmanuel Macron backing "technological neutrality" and the "non-discriminatory treatment of all low-carbon energies within the European Union".

French Energy Minister Marc Ferracci later said the Germans were ready to end "the religious war over nuclear power".

Yet, opinions on the matter within Germany's ruling coalition differ and whether Berlina net contributor to the bloc's budgetwould go so far as to greenlight EU funding for nuclear remains to be seen, said Makaroff.

Tensions might bubble up again in the coming months, as countries discuss European rules on renewable energya package France would rather be called "decarbonized" energy and include nuclear power.

Paris claimed a first victory this month when the commission included the concept of "technological neutrality" dear to the French in its 2040 climate target proposal.

Still, even in the most nuclear-heavy scenarios, wind and solar power are projected to dominate the European energy mix in the coming decades.

In 2024 renewables accounted for 47% of electricity production in Europe, compared with 23% for nuclear energy, according to EU data agency Eurostat.

"In the short term, most of the work on electrification will be done through renewables," said Makaroff.

 2025 AFP
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

South Korean chip giant SK hynix reported record quarterly profits Thursday thanks to soaring demand for artificial intelligence.

The world's second-largest memory chip maker dominates the market for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) semiconductors and is a key supplier for US titan Nvidia.

The firm said operating profit climbed almost 70% to 9.2 trillion won ($6.7 billion) in the second quarter, with revenues coming in at 22.2 trillion wonboth all-time peaks.

It comes after Taiwan chip giant TSMC last week announced a surge in net profit for the second quarter, topping forecasts, thanks to robust demand for AI technology, despite the threat of US tariffs on the critical sector.

SK hynix also said net profit was up close to 70% on-year, at nearly seven trillion won.

"Aggressive investment by global big tech companies into AI led to a steady increase in demand for AI memory," it said in a statement.

Shipments of DRAM and NAND flashother types of computer memorytopped forecasts, boosting the bottom line.

"SK hynix foresees that increasing competition among big tech companies to enhance inference of AI models would lead to higher demand for high-performance and high-capacity memory products," the company added.

Shares in the firm rose more than 3% in Seoul but pared gains to close up 0.2%.

"Nvidia suppliers like SK hynix will continue to enjoy strong demand in the coming months and years for memory chips due to the high memory content needed to make AI chips functional," G. Dan Hutcheson of TechInsights told AFP.

Rising competition from rivals is its main risk factor, along with "saturation of the market as AI algorithms become more efficient as well as the uncertain impact of tariffs, the global trade war, and the resultant potential for a global recession," he said.

South Korea is a major exporter to the United States and its powerhouse semiconductor and auto industries would suffer greatly under President Donald Trump's threatened 25% tariffs.

Experts attribute SK hynix's resilience to its growth in the DRAM market.

The firm took the lead in DRAM revenues in April, with a 36% market share, according to research firm Counterpoint. That surpassed South Korean rival Samsung for the first timethe first change in the top spot in more than four decades.

SK hynix said in a conference call that "the previous quarter began amid concerns over slowing demand due to trade tensions and broader economic uncertainty."

But as the United States has been threatening restrictions on semiconductor sales to China, customers' preemptive purchases "to hedge against external risks" created a "more favorable environment" than expected, an SK hynix official said.

The company added that despite the geopolitical situations, its production situation saw "no change."

 2025 AFP
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The number of companies and organizations compromised by a security vulnerability in Microsoft Corp.'s SharePoint servers is increasing rapidly, with the tally of victims soaring more than six-fold in a few days, according to one research firm.

Hackers have breached about 400 government agencies, corporations and other groups, according to estimates from Eye Security, the Dutch cybersecurity company that identified an early wave of the attacks last week. That's up from roughly 60 based on its previous estimate provided to Bloomberg News on Tuesday.

The security firm said that most of the victims are in the U.S., followed by Mauritius, Jordan, South Africa and the Netherlands. The National Nuclear Security Administration, the U.S. agency responsible for maintaining and designing the nation's cache of nuclear weapons, was among those breached, Bloomberg reported earlier.

The National Institutes of Health was also impacted through the SharePoint flaws, according to a person familiar with the matter. Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, said, "The Department and its security teams are actively engaged in monitoring, identifying, and mitigating all risks to our IT systems posed by the Microsoft SharePoint vulnerability."

"At present, we have no indication that any information was breached as a result of this vulnerability," he said, adding that the department is collaborating with Microsoft and the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The Washington Post previously reported that NIH was breached.

The hacks are among the latest major breaches that Microsoft has blamed, at least in part, on China and come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing over global security and trade. The U.S. has repeatedly criticized China for campaigns that have allegedly stolen government and corporate secrets over a period spanning decades.

The real number of victims from the SharePoint exploits "might be much higher as there can be many more hidden ways to compromise servers that do not leave traces," Eye Security's co-owner Vaisha Bernard said in an email to Bloomberg News. "This is still developing, and other opportunistic adversaries continue to exploit vulnerable servers."

The organizations compromised in the SharePoint breaches include many working in government, education and technology services, Bernard said. There were smaller numbers of victims in countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America.

State-backed hackers tend to exploit major cybersecurity weaknesses, like the SharePoint vulnerability, in waves, according to Sveva Scenarelli, a threat analyst with Recorded Future Inc. They start with secretive, targeted hacks and then, once the vulnerability is discovered, will begin using it more indiscriminately, she said.

"Once access has been acquired, individual threat groups can then triage compromised organizations, and prioritize those of particular interest for follow-on activity," said Scenarelli, of the cyber intelligence firm's Insikt Group. She said this can include finding ways to maintain access to a compromised network, burrowing deeper and setting up paths to steal sensitive information.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is set to meet his Chinese counterparts in Stockholm next week for a third round of trade talks, suggested in a Bloomberg Television interview Wednesday that the SharePoint hacks will be discussed. "Obviously things like that will be on the agenda with my Chinese counterparts," he said.

The security flaws allow hackers to access SharePoint servers and steal keys that can let them impersonate users or services, potentially enabling deep access into compromised networks to steal confidential data. Microsoft has issued patches to fix the vulnerabilities, but researchers cautioned that hackers may have already got a foothold into many servers.

Microsoft on Tuesday accused Chinese state-sponsored hackers known as Linen Typhoon and Violet Typhoon of being behind the attacks. Another hacking group based in China, which Microsoft calls Storm-2603, also exploited them, according to the company.

The Redmond, Washington company has repeatedly blamed China for major cyberattacks. In 2021, an alleged Chinese operation compromised tens of thousands of Microsoft Exchange servers. In 2023, another alleged Chinese attack on Microsoft Exchange compromised senior U.S. officials' email accounts. A U.S. government review later accused Microsoft of a "cascade of security failures" over the 2023 incident.

Eugenio Benincasa, a researcher at ETH Zurich's Center for Security Studies who specializes in analyzing Chinese cyberattacks, said members of the groups identified by Microsoft had previously been indicted in the U.S. for their alleged involvement in hacking campaigns targeting U.S. organizations. They are well known for their "extensive espionage," he said.

It's likely that the SharePoint breaches are being carried out by proxy groups that work with the government rather than Chinese government agencies directly carrying out the hacking, according to Benincasa. Private hacking companies in the country sometimes participate in "hacker for hire" operations, he added.

"Now that at least three groups have reportedly exploited the same vulnerability, it's plausible more could follow," he said.

"Cybersecurity is a common challenge faced by all countries and should be addressed jointly through dialogue and cooperation," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun.

"China opposes and fights hacking activities in accordance with the law. At the same time, we oppose smears and attacks against China under the excuse of cybersecurity issues."

According to Microsoft, the hacking group Linen Typhoon was first identified in 2012, and is focused on stealing intellectual property, primarily targeting organizations related to government, defense, strategic planning, and human rights. Violet Typhoon, first observed in 2015, was "dedicated to espionage" and primarily targeted former government and military personnel, non-governmental organizations, as well as media and education sectors in the U.S., Europe, and East Asia.

The hackers have also used the SharePoint flaws to break into systems belonging to the U.S. Education Department, Florida's Department of Revenue and the Rhodes Island General Assembly, Bloomberg previously reported.

Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety for the Union of Concerned Scientists, said that while the National Nuclear Security Administration possesses some of the most restricted and dangerous information in the world, the networks where classified information are stored are isolated from the internet.

"So even if those networks were compromised, I'm not sure how such information could have been transmitted to the adversaries," Lyman said in an email.

"But there are other categories of information that are sensitive but unclassified, that may be treated with less care and might have been exposed. This includes some information related to nuclear materials and even nuclear weapons."

2025 Bloomberg L.P. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The Trump administration on July 23 laid out a plan that aims to make it easier for companies to quickly develop and deploy artificial intelligence technology.

The initiative shows how Silicon Valley tech executives who backed Trump during the election are shaping federal policy that will impact their businesses as they compete globally to dominate the AI race.

"Artificial intelligence is a revolutionary technology with the potential to transform the global economy and alter the balance of power in the world," said David Sacks, the White House's AI and crypto adviser, in a statement. "To remain the leading economic and military power, the United States must win the AI race."

Sacks is a co-founder and partner at Craft Ventures, a venture capital firm in San Francisco.

Tech companies have forged stronger ties with the Trump administration by donating money, showing up at high-profile events such as his inauguration and showcasing their U.S. investments.

Shortly after Trump took office, OpenAI, Oracle and Softbank announced that they planned to invest a total of $500 billion in AI infrastructure over the next four years. Billionaire Elon Musk, who runs Tesla and SpaceX, donated more than $280 million to the 2024 election and was tasked with slashing government spending. Apple, which has faced criticism from Trump for building its iPhones overseas, said it would invest $500 billion in the United States.

The AI plan underscores how Trump is taking a different approach to AI regulation than his predecessor, former President Biden, who focused on AI's benefits but also potential risks such as fueling disinformation and displacing jobs. Trump had revoked Biden's executive order in January that placed guardrails around AI development.

Tech companies started investing in artificial intelligence long before the rise in popularity of OpenAI's ChatGPT, a chatbot that can generate text and images. But the emergence of more rivals has sparked a fierce competition among companies that are trying to release new AI tools that could reshape industries from health care to education.

The rapid pace of technological development has raised concerns about whether the government is doing enough to regulate tech companies and safeguard the public from AI's potential dangers. Some fact-checkers have noted that AI chatbots can spew out incorrect information. Parents are worried that chatbots their children use could pose a threat to their mental health.

But regulation has a tough time keeping pace with how fast technology moves. The government also has to balance concerns that too many rules can hinder how quickly companies can release new AI-powered products. As major tech giants from Google and Meta face OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, they're also going head to head with rivals in other countries, including Chinese AI company DeepSeek.

The plan outlines removing "bureaucratic red tape" and "onerous federal regulation" that would make it tougher for companies to quickly build and develop AI technology. It also mentions revamping permits for data centers; infrastructure needed to power AI systems.

Data centers house computing equipment such as servers used to process the trove of information needed to train and maintain AI systems. But the amount of water and electricity data centers consume concerns some environmentalists.

Ahead of the plan's release, more than 80 civil rights, labor and environmental groups signed a "people's AI action plan."

"We can't let Big Tech and Big Oil lobbyists write the rules for AI and our economy at the expense of our freedom and equality, workers and families' well-being, even the air we breathe and the water we drinkall of which are affected by the unrestrained and unaccountable roll-out of AI," the competing plan said.

The White House's plan also tries to address one of the biggest concerns about the rapid deployment of AI: the potential that technology could replace humans in some jobs. The building of infrastructure to power AI systems, for example, will create high-paying jobs for Americans, the plan said.

"AI will improve the lives of Americans by complementing their worknot replacing it," the plan said.

It also said that AI systems must be free from bias. The plan recommends that the National Institute of Standards and Technology eliminate references to "misinformation, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and climate change" in its AI risk management framework.

The plan emphasized the importance of national security. It mentioned that the U.S. should export its "full AI technology stack" that includes hardware and software to its allies and partners but deny advanced AI to its foreign adversaries.

Some tech executives quickly praised the AI plan.

Box Chief Executive Aaron Levie said that the plan is "quite strong."

"It has a clear mission to win the AI race and accelerate the development and use of AI by removing roadblocks or aiding adoption. Importantly, it focuses on the positive benefits of AI, which we're all seeing every day," he wrote on X.

Fred Humphries, Microsoft's corporate vice president of U.S. government affairs, also praised the plan.

"President Trump's plan will accelerate infrastructure readiness so AI can be built and used here, and help students and workers with skills needed to win in an AI-powered global economy," he said on X.

2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Overview of the proposed framework. The system takes an input signal (e.g., a person sensing data) and processes it through an encoder that extracts meaningful latent representations. These features are passed to a signature model that computes a compact signature vector  . To ensure consistency and comparability, the output signature is normalized through the  2 normalization. The resulting signature serves as a unique identifier for the individual based on the input signal characteristics. Credit: arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2507.12869

Hi-tech surveillance technologies are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, you want sophisticated devices to detect suspicious behavior and alert authorities. But on the other, there is the need to protect individual privacy. Balancing public safety and personal freedoms is an ongoing challenge for innovators and policymakers.

This debate is set to reignite with news that researchers at La Sapienza University in Rome have developed a system that can identify individuals just by the way they disrupt Wi-Fi signals.

The scientists have dubbed this new technology "WhoFi." Unlike traditional biometric systems such as fingerprint scanners and facial recognition, it doesn't require direct physical contact or visual feeds. WhoFi can also track individuals in a larger area than a fixed-position camera, provided there is a Wi-Fi network.

Researchers Danilo Avalo, Daniele Pannone, Dario Montagnini and Emad Emam describe their technology in their article published on the arXiv preprint server. Their approach leverages an existing technique called Channel State Information (CSI), which captures how Wi-Fi signals change when they encounter people and objects. These alterations can be used to create rich biometric information, say the researchers.

The team trained a deep neural network to interpret these unique Wi-Fi disruptions as individual "fingerprints" unique to a person. The system can learn and distinguish people based on how they alter the signal, even when in different surroundings. And it does so with 95.5 percent accuracy, according to the researchers.

This isn't the team's first foray into this field. In 2020, they proposed a similar technique called "EyeFi," but they say their new approach is much more accurate.

Privacy concerns

While WhoFi may offer superior surveillance performance compared to current systems, it raises significant concerns about privacy. For example, people can be tracked without their knowledge and following their movements may reveal sensitive information about their routines.

The team acknowledges the issues and potential for misuse, but states that their re-identification (Re-ID) system does not capture a person's identity or personal data.

"By leveraging non-visual biometric features embedded in Wi-Fi CSI, this study offers a privacy-preserving and robust approach for Wi-Fi-based Re-ID, and it lays the foundation for future work in wireless biometric sensing," wrote the researchers.

WhoFi was an academic exercise, and there are currently no commercial or government plans for it. However, it may not be long before we see something similar in use, as the advantages for surveillance are compelling. Wi-Fi sensing can operate in darkness, through walls, and in areas with obstructions or hidden spaces. It is also less susceptible to factors like fog or smoke and is more discreet than traditional cameras.

Written for you by our author Paul Arnold, edited by Gaby Clark, 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: Danilo Avola et al, WhoFi: Deep Person Re-Identification via Wi-Fi Channel Signal Encoding, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2507.12869 Journal information: arXiv

 2025 Science X Network
Icon Foods joins at Board level; GPA continues to attract diverse global innovators across prebiotic ecosystem

CHICAGO, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Prebiotic Association (GPA), the only global trade association dedicated to advancing education, awareness, and scientific integrity around prebiotics, today announced the addition of five (5) new members. Icon Foods has joined at Board Member level, while Nutrileads, NutraBerry Incorporated, MUSB Research, and Seventure Partners join at the Associate Member level.

"Joining GPA was an easy decision for us. As the conversation around gut health and functional ingredients continues to evolve, we believe GPA is at the forefront of driving education, awareness, and integrity in the space. We're excited to collaborate with fellow members and contribute to the advancement of prebiotics in a meaningful, science-backed way."

 Kash Rocheleau, CEO, Icon Foods

"As we approach our 8th anniversary, the category is literally 'roaring'  for foods, beverages, supplements and companion animals. These new members allow us to continue to represent prebiotic-focused companies globally, but also represent a community, an inter-dependent ecosystem if you will, that will steward the category to new heights over the next several years," said Len Monheit, Executive Director of the Global Prebiotic Association.

New GPA Members Include:

Icon Foods (Board Level Member)  A leading global supplier of natural sweeteners and clean label ingredients. Icon Foods develops functional ingredient systems that align with consumer health trends, including gut-friendly and sugar-reduction strategies.

Nutrileads (Associate Member)  A Netherlands-based health ingredients company that develops evidence-based nutritional solutions. Its flagship prebiotic ingredient, Benicaros, is a precision prebiotic clinically shown to support immune health and gut microbiota resilience.

NutraBerry Incorporated (Associate Member)  Based in Seattle, NutraBerry upcycles functional berry seed flours rich in prebiotic polyphenols and fiber. Its plant-based ingredients serve health-conscious consumers and food manufacturers focused on sustainable nutrition.

MUSB Research (Associate Member)  A prebiotic-focused research company with a deep emphasis on gut microbiome science, formulation development, and translational innovation in microbiota health applications.

Seventure Partners (Associate Member)  A European investment firm with a dedicated focus on microbiome innovation through its Health for Life Capital funds. Seventure invests in breakthrough technologies advancing human and animal health, including microbiome-modulating prebiotics.

GPA defines a prebiotic as 'a product or ingredient that is utilized in the microbiota producing a health or performance benefit.' A prebiotic effect is 'a health or performance benefit that arises from alteration of the composition and/or activity of the microbiota, as a direct or indirect result of the utilization of a specific and well-defined product or ingredient by microorganisms.'

The organization's core initiatives focus on product quality, regulatory strategy, science communication, and raising awareness about prebiotics across healthcare, government, and industry channels.

For more information about the Global Prebiotic Association, visit www.prebioticassociation.org.

About the Global Prebiotic Association

The Global Prebiotic Association is comprised of scientifically validated prebiotic ingredient manufacturers, brand holders, retailers, and service companies. The association is focused on the education and awareness building of prebiotics.

Media Contact:

Steve Imgrund, Communications Director

412.719.2508

[email protected]

SOURCE Global Prebiotic Association
Churches, Universities, and Synagogues Across U.S. and Canada Encouraged to Enroll to Show Solidarity with Israel and the Jewish People Ahead of 2nd Anniversary of October 7 Attacks

CHICAGO, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) today announced the launch of its second annual Flags of Fellowship campaign, a movement to commemorate the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks on Israel, culminating with memorial services at churches, universities, and synagogues on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

Across the U.S., Canada, and Israel, participating organizations will display fields of 1,200 mini Israeli flags on their grounds. Each flag will symbolize not only a life lost on that horrific day, but also a bold act of solidarity and unwavering support for Israel as anti-Semitism continues to rise globally.

With more than 220 churches, universities, and synagogues participating in the inaugural campaign last fall, The Fellowship aims to scale its Flags of Fellowship campaign significantly this year, with hopes of enrolling 1,000 organizations to participate nationwide. Nearly 600 churches, universities, and synagogues have already signed on to date. There is no cost for churches and organizations to enroll or participate, with The Fellowship providing all supplies needed.

"Flags of Fellowship started as a memorial meant to bring light amid the most unfathomable darkness," said Yael Eckstein, President and Global CEO of The Fellowship. "But since last year's Flags of Fellowship events, support for the campaign has truly evolved into a movementone that is equally as important this year, as rampant anti-Semitism continues to rear its ugly head both in the U.S. and around the world. As Israel's enemies burn Israeli flags, Israel's friends continue to proudly wave them."

World Outreach Church in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, led by Pastor Allen Jackson, will once again host the campaign's flagship event on Sunday, October 5, 2025, to mark the second anniversary of the attacks.

To date, The Fellowship has provided $257 million in emergency humanitarian aid to those affected by the October 7 attacks and ongoing war, and continues to provide aid where needed most in the areas of poverty, security, and aliyah.

For churches, synagogues, universities and schools wishing to enroll in this year's Flags of Fellowship campaign, signup is open now through September 14 at www.ifcj.org/fof.

To learn more about The Fellowship's work, please visit http://www.ifcj.org.

About the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews

For more than 40 years, The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (The Fellowship) has been the leading nonprofit building bridges between Christians and Jews, blessing Israel and the Jewish people around the world with humanitarian care and lifesaving aid. In 2024, The Fellowship helped more than 2 million people living in poverty, helped thousands make aliyah back to their homeland, Israel, and helped strengthen Israel's security infrastructure. To learn more about The Fellowship's work, visit www.ifcj.org.

About Yael Eckstein

Yael Eckstein is President and Global CEO of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, one of the world's largest religious charitable organizations. The Jaffa Institute's 2024 Woman of the Year and The Jerusalem Post's 2023 Humanitarian of the Year, Yael is a Chicago-area native based in Israel with her husband and their four children.

Media Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE International Fellowship of Christians and Jews
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BEIJING, July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Datong, located in north China's Shanxi Province, is fast becoming a premier cultural destination for international travelers. In the first half of 2025, its tourism sector experienced robust growth after the city was included among the designated areas under China's expanded 240-hour visa-free transit policy.

This photo shows the Yungang Grottoes in Datong City in north China's Shanxi Province.

According to the ChinaDatong Tourism Development Index Report for the first half of 2025 released by Xinhua Index Research Institute, the city's tourism development index reached a monthly average of 1,469.15 points, marking a 9.6 percent year-on-year increase.

To further enhance accessibility, a direct flight from Datong to Moscow was launched on July 6, making it easier for international visitors to explore this historic city.

A trip to Datong offers a deep dive into the richness of Chinese cultural heritage, the magnificence of artistic expression, and the profound integration of diverse ethnic groups.

As one of the key cultural settings in Chinese video game "Black Myth: Wukong", Datong has drawn attention for its rich artistic heritage. The city features six prominent historic sites, including the Yungang Grottoes, the Hanging Temple, and the Huayan Temple. These landmarks reflect centuries of ethnic integration and artistic excellence.

Datong is also a culinary hub. Famous for its knife-cut noodles, the city offers a wide array of local dishes such as mixed hotpot, juicy flower-shaped steamed dumplings, and braised mutton, earning it growing recognition as an international food capital.

To ensure a seamless experience for international visitors, Datong has enhanced its multilingual services. Scenic spots offer smart audio guides, English signage, and online ticketing in foreign languages. Foreign currency payment systems and multilingual staff are now widely available, making Datong a friendly and accessible destination for global travelers.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/346756.html

SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road
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Seasoned Finance leader joins team as Zum expands its modern student transportation offering nationwide

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zum , the leader in modern student transportation, today announced the appointment of Daniel Berenbaum as Chief Financial Officer. Berenbaum will partner with the CEO, COO, and executive team to provide critical financial leadership and craft and execute Zum's growth strategy as the company expands rapidly nationwide, delivering safe, reliable, tech-enabled student transportation.

Zum, the leader in modern student transportation, today announced the appointment of Daniel Berenbaum as Chief Financial Officer. Berenbaum will partner with the CEO, COO, and executive team to provide critical financial leadership and craft and execute Zums growth strategy as the company expands rapidly nationwide, delivering safe, reliable, tech-enabled student transportation.

Berenbaum brings three decades of experience in financial management. He was previously Chief Financial Officer at Bloom Energy, NI (National Instruments), and Everspin, and held finance leadership roles at Micron and GlobalFoundries. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Berenbaum started his professional career as an engineer in the semiconductor industry, and spent a decade on Wall Street in analyst and research leadership roles.

"I'm excited to help meet today's needs of schools and communities to modernize student transportation, and be part of the transformation of an industry that hasn't changed for 80 years," said Berenbaum. "Everything that we do at Zum enables and empowers communities: parents feel better about how their children are transported, school districts have more confidence in their ability to get students in seats, and communities are more sustainable and have more resilient energy services."

"We're pleased to welcome Dan to Zum's leadership team as we continue to evolve our business and expand rapidly across the U.S.," said Ritu Narayan, Founder and CEO at Zum. "Dan's invaluable perspective and experience, which includes financial leadership roles at several technology and clean energy companies, makes him an exceptional addition to our executive team and is in complete alignment with our mission to deliver safe, tech-enabled student transportation and improved grid resilience to communities nationwide."

Zum is a national leader in modern student transportation, serving more than 4,000 schools across 14 states nationwide with strong existing partnerships in many of the largest school districts across the U.S., including Los Angeles Unified, San Francisco Unified, Oakland Unified, Seattle Public Schools, Boston Public Schools, Omaha Public Schools, and Kansas City Public Schools.

To learn more about how Zum is working with thousands of schools to deliver safe, reliable, and modern student transportation, please visit Zum's website .

About Zum

Zum is a modern transportation solution transforming school transportation, the largest mass transit system in the U.S. Today, the company provides turnkey modern transportation solutions to school districts in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Utah, and Virginia, and is expanding rapidly nationwide. Recognized globally for its innovative transportation and energy as a service platform, Zum has been featured among Fast Company's World Changing Ideas, CNBC Disruptor 50, CNBC Changemakers, World Economic Forum and Financial Times' Fastest Growing Companies. Learn more about Zum at www.ridezum.com .

CONTACT:

Jenny Mayfield, Vice President of Communications - [email protected]

SOURCE Zum
Vale: Henri Szeps

Actor Henri Szeps, whose many stage and screen credits include Mother and Son, has died.

Actor Henri Szeps, whose many stage and screen credits include Mother and Son, Vietnam, Travelling North and The Double Bass, has died, aged 81.

Szeps revealed during a 2021 television appearance with his son, and radio host, Josh, that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease. He had lived in a residential care facility since 2023.

Josh Szeps told ABC, I cannot imagine a father with more passion, more zest for life, more curiosity and ferocious good humour. A room was never the same after dad had walked into it. Part of me is relieved that his sharp mind, his quick wit and his deep love of philosophising, which dementia robbed of him in recent years, is now restored  in our memories, at least.

Szeps played Robert Beare, dentist and brother to Garry McDonalds Arthur, alongside Ruth Cracknell and Judy Morris in Mother & Son from 1984 to 1994. Szeps lovingly called Robert, the arsehole of the family.

The son of Holocaust survivors from Poland, Szeps was born in a Swiss refugee camp in 1943. His father had already left the family to join the French Resistance and his mother had Henri fostered out to a Swiss couple when he was a baby. But he later migrated to Australia with his mother and younger sister Maria after reuniting.

Szeps first studied acting at the Ensemble Theatre, where he appeared on stage in productions such as The Apple Cart and Dont Drink the Water. His early TV breakthroughs came in shows such as Homicide and Skippy the Bush Kangaroo.

His TV credits were many including Riptide, Division 4, Spyforce, Number 96, Colditz, Chopper Squad, Cop Shop, Kingswood Country, Daily at Dawn, Home Sweet Home, A Country Practice, Carsons Law, Palace of Dreams, Raffertys Rules, Mission: Impossible, GP, All Saints, Vietnam, The Adventures of Skippy, Snowy River: The McGregor Saga, South Pacific, Peter Allen: Not the Boy Next Door.

Film credits included Les Patterson Saves the World, Fatty Finn, Run Rebecca Run, Warming Up, Travelling North.

His theatre performances were also numerous with Ensemble Theatre, The Old Vic, Phillip St Theatre, Nimrod, Sydney Theatre Company, and notable tours of The Double Bass, and Im Not a Dentist.

Szeps was awarded many acting prizes and received an Order of Australia Medal in 2001.

Source: Sydney Morning Herald, IMDb , ABC
China continues to strengthen protection for trade secrets against criminal breaches

Xinhua) 09:06, July 24, 2025

BEIJING, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Over the past five years, China has strengthened the protection of trade secrets against criminal breaches in strategic emerging sectors, future industries, traditionally competitive industries, and other key areas, an official with the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), said Wednesday.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), public security authorities across China launched a special campaign, resulting in the handling of 576 criminal cases related to trade secret infringements in key sectors, Li Jiantao, director of the intellectual property crime investigation bureau of the MPS, said at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office.

During the period, authorities dealt with approximately 156,000 criminal cases involving intellectual property violations and the manufacture or sale of counterfeit goods, Li added.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
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24 July 2025  NZX advises that Chief Executive Mark Peterson has resigned and will depart at the end of April 2026, following NZXs annual general meeting.

Mr Peterson was appointed as NZX Chief Executive in April 2017. Prior to that he was NZX Acting-Chief Executive from January 2017, after joining in late 2015 as Head of Markets.

Over the last nine years as Chief Executive my focus has been on NZX successfully developing and delivering our growth strategy which included executing new opportunities across our businesses that provide long-term returns for our shareholders and help grow New Zealands economy, Mr Peterson says.

When the Board last extended my term in August 2023, my focus was on delivering key initiatives that further developed our business. These included launching our anonymous mid-point trading venue, NZX Dark, and the S&P/NZX20 Index equity futures, alongside growing the Smart and NZX Wealth Technologies businesses. By April next year, I expect all these initiatives will have been achieved.

The company is in a strong position financially  including NZX Wealth Technologies now being cashflow positive from external client activity. NZX has an experienced and talented senior management team, is operating up-to-date and secure technology infrastructure and has a positive organisational culture and relationships with customers, stakeholders and shareholders.

This demonstrates the time is right for me to stand down and for the NZX Board to appoint a new chief executive to lead NZX into the future and continue to deliver its strategic priorities. By announcing my departure now, I wanted to ensure a smooth transition by giving the Board plenty of time to search for a new chief executive who will continue the positive momentum and growth opportunities in front of NZX.

NZX Chair John McMahon says Mr Peterson has been an exceptional leader of NZX and will leave a strong legacy. He is a highly effective all-round performer who has calmly and ably led the NZX Group through some challenging and volatile times, Mr McMahon says.

Since delivering a revised strategy in late 2017, NZXs operating earnings have increased from $28.6 million to $48.5 million; Smarts funds under administration has increased from $2.9 billion to $13.7 billion; NZX Wealth Technologies funds under administration has grown from $2 billion to $17.2 billion and is now cashflow positive on external client activity; and volume traded under our dairy derivatives partnership with SGX has almost doubled.

Mark has also built strong relationships in New Zealand and internationally, in particular the business partnerships we have with the Singapore Stock Exchange and the European Energy Exchange. In addition, NZX has built strong relationships with the New Zealand Government and regulators in developing appropriate initiatives and market regulatory settings to encourage investment and boost liquidity. We look forward to changes being progressively rolled out. In June, it was pleasing to see the Financial Markets Authority in its annual market operator obligations review acknowledge the work Mark and his team have done to ensure fair, efficient, and transparent capital markets.

On behalf of NZX, we thank Mark for his first-class leadership and long service to the business and New Zealands capital markets.

Mr McMahon says the Board will conduct an internal and external search, including internationally, for a new chief executive.

ENDS

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LAS VEGAS, July 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to keeping your home and loved ones safe, you need to rely on a trusted brand with advanced features. Baseus has become a pioneer in the security surveillance industry and has pushed boundaries to create products that are both innovative and practical. Now, the company is launching the Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K in white and its Security S1 Lite 2K Outdoor Camera to introduce a new level of solar-powered security to your home.

Baseus Security Camera

In a day and age where criminals are getting smarter and crime statistics are rising, it's important to choose the right outdoor security camera to protect your home. The Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K comes with several innovative features to keep you in control of your safety. To get a better understanding of how this security camera elevates your lifestyle, let's look at some of its main highlights.

PIR and Radar Smart Detection: Many security cameras use Passive Infra-Red (PIR) detection to monitor movement or intruders by recognizing light emitted from nearby objects. However, the Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K elevates this by adding Radar Dual-Sensor precision technology to cut down the risk of false alarms by 99%.

See Clearly, Even in the Dark: Ensure the security of your loved ones in low-light conditions and in the dead of the night with 4K Ultra HD night vision, a 100LM spotlight, and a 145 Field of View. The Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K allows you to easily identify faces, number plates, and motion in both color and black-and-white. The camera also features 8MP Ultra HD with 8x digital zoom to capture every detail with clarity up to 39ft away.

Power That Won't Quit: The Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K is the world's first solar-powered sun-tracking system camera that shifts along with the sunlight to keep absorbing sunshine for longer. The camera tracks the sunlight through sensors and rotates to stay in range, seamlessly converting the absorbed solar energy into electricity for the 7,800mAh battery almost twice as fast while giving you a 24/7 security camera installation.

Safer Data and No Hidden Fees: The Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K can support up to 512GB of local storage from a microSD card. While the memory card does not come with the camera for flexible upgrades, you can install one to store your data securely on the local storage without any monthly subscription fees. You can also enjoy certified AES and RSA Dual encryption from us for guaranteed safety that your surveillance footage always stays in the right hands.

Weather the Storm Safely: Your Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K is coated with an ETFE solar surface to ensure more than 95% of UV light transmission while still being weather resistant. The durable outdoor camera also comes with an IP67 waterproof rating and has been engineered to withstand the toughest weather conditions, easily withstanding extreme temperatures ranging between -20 and 50.

Ready to Protect in Minutes: The wireless design of the Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K makes it an absolute breeze to install. With simple installation instructions, you can have your home protected in less than 5 minutes.

Smart App Control: The Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K gives you complete control over your home's security modes and features through the Baseus Security app. Seamlessly livestream from your phone, access video replay, and get instant notifications, all at your fingertips.

Security That Speaks Up: Your Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K also features an innovative two-way audio design that allows you to speak directly to anyone within range of the camera or hear anything happening through the Baseus Security app on your smartphone.

Seamless Voice Assistance: Get your Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K hooked up to your home's smart ecosystem and control your security camera alongside your compatible Amazon Alexa or Google Home virtual assistant to unlock a smart and secure lifestyle in your home.

While the S2 outdoor camera holds quite a presence, Baseus also understands that your security system should suit your needs and adapt to your lifestyle. This is why they've also launched the Baseus Security S1 Lite Outdoor Camera 2K in white  built to keep up with your home's parameters and budget. Now, let's look at some of the main highlights of the S1 Lite.

24/7 Solar-Powered Security: To ensure consistent power, the Baseus Security S1 Lite Outdoor Camera 2K comes fitted with a built-in solar panel to provide non-stop surveillance for your property. Backed by a 5,200mAh battery with a 150-day lifespan, the S1 Lite is an energy-saving and efficient security solution that gets you to a full charge with just 2.25 hours of sunlight per day.

Easy Installation: The Baseus Security S1 Lite Outdoor Camera 2K has a wireless design that allows you to seamlessly set it up anywhere in just 5 minutes. It also reduces wire clutter and keeps your home looking neat.

Capture with Clarity: To provide detailed footage and crystal-clear visuals, the Baseus Security S1 Lite Outdoor Camera 2K also comes armed with stunning 2K clarity for video capture. The 135 Field of View from the camera's ultra-wide lens also gives you a wider scope of surveillance, while an 8 times digital zoom ensures that you can see anything about 8 meters away.

Full-Color Night Vision: Make your nights safer with the 2K night vision from the Baseus Security S1 Lite 2K Outdoor Camera 2K that also features an automatic spotlight to give you full-color capture for any motion detected up to 6 meters away.

Control Your Data: Stay in charge of your privacy with the Baseus Security S1 Lite Outdoor Camera 2K. With up to 512GB of expandable storage from a micro-SD card, all your storage is processed locally without any monthly fees. Your data is also AES+RSA encrypted for guaranteed protection, and you can keep your peace of mind with a 2-year warranty.

IP67 Waterproof: The Baseus Security S1 Lite Outdoor Camera 2K was engineered to withstand the toughest weather with an IP67 rating. This durable solar camera is waterproof and can withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -20 to 50.

Stay Easily Alert and Connected: Get instant alerts and notifications to your phone with smart AI motion detection from your Baseus Security S1 Lite Outdoor Camera 2K. The camera is also compatible with your Amazon Alexa, Android, or Google virtual assistant, and connects seamlessly with your Wi-Fi setup.

Two-way Audio and Custom Zones: The Baseus Security S1 Lite Outdoor Camera 2K also uses two-way audio to allow you to transmit audio outside through the camera or hear anything happening around the camera through your smartphone. You can also use your phone to customize 2 activity zones from the camera while shielding 2 privacy zones.

Security systems are a crucial part of any modern household these days. While we could hope for a safer society, crime is an unfortunate reality that we all have to face at some point. Baseus prides itself on creating pioneering products that focus on the needs of each user and adapt to various dynamic lifestyles. Our Baseus Security range exemplifies our commitment to creating a more prepared and more practical global community, prioritizing flexibility, innovation, and excellence across all facets.

Customers can purchase these two products for the discount price on Amazon now:

Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K

Baseus Security S1 Lite Outdoor Camera 2K

Baseus Official Website: https://www.baseus.com/
According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers, Vietnams shrimp exports have shown a strong recovery after a period of stagnation, driven mainly by whiteleg shrimp, which accounts for over 60 per cent of total volume, followed by black tiger shrimp and other varieties.

The other shrimp segment witnessed the highest growth at 124 per cent, reflecting increasing demand in niche and premium markets.

Greater China, including Hong Kong, imported nearly $595 million worth of Vietnamese shrimp during the six-month period, driven by domestic supply shortages and rising seasonal demand, particularly for lobster and high-end seafood products.

Traditional markets such as Japan, South Korea, and the EU continued to post stable growth. Japan remains the third-largest buyer thanks to high consumption of processed products. Meanwhile, shipments to the EU have also improved, benefitting from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, a competitive edge over rivals like Indonesia and Thailand that lack similar trade preferences.

By contrast, the US market is showing signs of cooling. Although total export value in the first six months rose 13 per cent to $341 million, June shipments fell 37 per cent on-year.

The slowdown has been attributed to US trade policies under President Donald Trump, who in April implemented a 10 per cent retaliatory tariff on various imports. In July, the tariff on shrimp rose to 20 per cent, effective from August 1. Vietnamese exporters are also facing risks of anti-dumping duties exceeding 35 per cent, along with potential countervailing duties expected by the end of the year.
Officials from both sides hope to facilitate trade across many sectors in a more efficient manner, Le Toan

At the first deputy ministerial-level political consultation between Vietnam and the Netherlands organised in The Hague last week, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and her counterpart Marcel De Vink declared that the two countries have effectively implemented their current cooperative frameworks, particularly strategic partnerships on climate change adaptation, water management, and sustainable agriculture and food security.

The two officials agreed that Vietnam and the Netherlands have strong foundations and conditions to lift their relationship to a new high in a more effective and sustainable manner, said Vietnams Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). The two sides have agreed to continue providing more support for their respective business communities to expand investment in many potential sectors such as shipbuilding, maritime logistics, wind energy, high-tech agriculture, digital technology, semiconductors, digital economy, circular economy, and logistics, the MoFA added.

The two officials also committed to effectively carrying out the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), diversifying goods and markets, and responding to global and regional fluctuations.

Taking effect in 2020, the agreement will mutually remove as much as 99 per cent of the tariffs within 10 years. Duty was eradicated from 65 per cent of EU exports to Vietnam and 71 per cent of Vietnamese exports to the EU, immediately after the EVFTA became valid.

Last year, bilateral trade between Vietnam and the Netherlands hit $113.77 billion, up 26 per cent on-year  making the Netherlands the third-largest trade partner of Vietnam in Europe. In the first five months of this year, the figure was $5.54 billion.

According to the Vietnam Customs, the Netherlands is a leading transit point in Europe and the wider world for products such as fruit and vegetables. In particular, the EVFTA is giving many new opportunities for Vietnamese and Dutch enterprises.

With 60 per cent of Vietnamese exports destined for European markets entering the EU via the Rotterdam Port, the Netherlands plays an important role in supporting and facilitating the further growth of the EU-Vietnam trade.

Hang also suggested that the Netherlands open its door wider to Vietnamese agricultural products, and soon adopt the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement so that enterprises from the two countries can expand investment and trade cooperation. The agreement embraces protective clauses and dispute resolution mechanisms similar to those found in bilateral investment protection agreements between EU member states and non-EU countries. It will replace the current 20 bilateral investment protection agreements between Vietnam and EU member states. So far, 18 out of 27 EU member states have passed it.

Hang also proposed that the Netherlands persuade the EU to remove its yellow card on Vietnamese seafood exports, given Vietnams significant progress in combating illegal fishing.

At present, Vietnam and the Netherlands are cementing their bilateral ties in many sectors, including seaport development. According to the Dutch Embassy to Vietnam, the Netherlands has outstanding expertise and experience in port development and logistics with some companies already have a track record in Vietnam for decades. With increasing trade between Vietnam and Europe, there is an increasing risk of port congestion, while developing new ports is costly and time-consuming.

The Netherlands is also the biggest EU investor in Vietnam, with 465 valid projects costing over $15 billion cumulatively as of late June. The projects are mostly deployed in the southern region, with many operating very effectively like Heineken, Unilever, Royal Dutch Shell, FrieslandCampina, Akzo Nobel Coating, and Philips, among many others.

The Dutch business community has made very positive responses to Vietnams investment and business climate, which has become increasingly favourable, said Dutch Deputy Foreign Minister Marcel De Vink.

Hang and De Vink also agreed that there remains great potential for the two countries to swell bilateral cooperation in education, science and technology, defence and security, transportation, culture, and tourism. The Vietnamese official proposed the Netherlands support Vietnam in training high-quality workers.

The two officials also agreed to consider granting visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders and easing visa and travel procedures for other passport categories in their respective territories.

At present, Vietnam and the Netherlands have also pushing up transportation cooperation. Specifically, they cooperate mostly in the maritime and waterway industries, as well as the aviation sector. Dutch-backed Damen Group and Vietnams Shipbuilding Industry Corporation established Damen-Song Cam Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and invest in building the Damen Song Cam Shipyard, operating since 2014.

Dutch suppliers to giant chipmaker ASML Holding N.V. are also exploring market opportunities in Vietnam. ASML Holding specialises in the development and manufacturing of photolithography machines used to manufacture computer chips.

ASML supplies chips to tech giants like TSMC, Samsung, and Intel, which is now operating a chip test and assemble facility in Ho Chi Minh Citys Saigon Hi-Tech Park.

Netherlands-based Rijk Zwaan expands footprint in Vietnam Rijk Zwaan, a vegetable breeding company based in the Netherlands, is continuing to expand its presence in Vietnam by opening a newly built trial station in the key horticultural hub of the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.
The PM sent an official dispatch on July 22 to the ministers of agriculture and environment, industry and trade, and construction, along with the Government Inspector General, people's committees nationwide, and EVN's chairman and general director.

In the dispatch, Chinh said that relevant authorities had been slow to handle the backlog, and some had not fulfilled their responsibilities.

The PM requested the remaining problems in wind and solar power projects be resolved. This task must be completed and reported on before July 25.

Lam Dong, Binh Thuan, and Dak Nong provinces must resolve problems with renewable energy projects that overlap with the mining of titanium and bauxite.

Similarly, Dong Nai, Lam Dong, Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City, and Dak Lak (after the provincial merger on July 1) must handle issues related to land procedures, like increasing the area of use, leasing procedures, and changing the purpose of 40 projects under direction from the Government Inspectorate.

EVN has been instructed to unify electricity purchase and sale prices for large-scale rooftop solar power projects on agricultural and forestry land. The Ministry of Industry and Trade has been assigned to propose solutions to the preferential electricity purchase price (also known as a feed-in tariff) mechanism for wind and solar power projects.

According to the conclusion reached by the Government Inspectorate at the end of 2023, renewable energy projects had been granted commercial operation dates (COD) before approval by authorities. A report by the MoIT pointed out 173 grid-connected solar and wind power plants encountering this issue.

The government agreed to remove difficulties for renewable power projects in November 2024. However, EVN and project developers have not yet agreed on a solution. Since the beginning of 2025, a group of domestic and foreign investors owning more than 44 renewable energy projects, and energy associations, have twice submitted comments and recommendations to the government, reflecting on the difficulties in determining COD and purchasing prices.

Last December, the government issued a resolution to remove all obstacles facing renewable energy projects. The government has also assigned the MoIT to study and carefully review renewable energy projects, ensuring that there is no negativity, group interests, or waste.

Vietnam outlines ambitious energy roadmap with export potential and renewable hubs Vietnams Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has approved a plan to implement the revised national power development strategy to 2030, setting out bold new targets for renewable energy, regional electricity trade, and the formation of clean energy industrial hubs across the country.

Energy groups want clarity on COD status Vietnam Electricity is being asked to urgently resolve long-standing disputes related to commercial operation dates and fixed tariff entitlements of wind and solar power projects, warning that continued delays risk undermining investor confidence and the sectors financial stability.

Germany invests 50 million USD in renewable energy workforce training in Vietnam The renewable energy workforce training and development centre, invested by Germany's GEO Group, is expected to be a cornerstone in shaping Binh Dinh as a renewable energy and innovation hub in central Vietnam, meeting the growing demand for skilled technical personnel in offshore wind, solar farms, and green hydrogen projects.

FiTs now at risk through retroactive cuts During the 20172021 renewable energy boom, the government introduced feed-in tariff (FiT) mechanisms for solar and wind power to attract investment. Propelled by a 20-year fixed FiT, Vietnam swiftly became Southeast Asias renewable-capacity leader.
July 24, 2025: The new American president was elected on the promise that he would shake things up and one of those new policies led to a series of bizarre censorship efforts. Military libraries, websites including blogs, message boards were all forced to remove any books, photo collections, magazine subscriptions and DEI policies. DEI means Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. DEI was one of several new policies that caused a significant amount of damage in the military. This included disrupting frank communications between soldiers. Promotions were no longer based on merit but according to the demands of new policies that forbade a large number of books for tenuous reasons. Officers and soldiers were told what they could and could not say on social media. Private conversations were free of these restraints and military personnel were dismayed at damage done to their libraries, communications systems and free speech.

This is in sharp contrast to the experience of military personnel in other countries. Fifteen years ago Chinese generals and admirals were calling for more powerful armed forces, and the establishment of military bases overseas. These officers, all retired, write books and magazine articles backing their proposals, and show up frequently as TV pundits. All this was nothing new.

While China is a communist police state, it allows a surprising amount of freedom for those who do not attack the Communist Party or the country. This freedom is especially true for those who say things the government likes to hear, even if the message is not exactly as the government would prefer to hear it. This even applies to retired generals and admirals, who are allowed to call for more military power than the government is willing to pay for, or more aggressive military activity that the government is not ready to sanction. This sort of talk is seen as a good way to gauge what new moves can be undertaken, without a lot of public opposition. Even dictators pay attention to public opinion, as too much unhappiness can feed unrest and rebellion.

Most of this Chinese media activity does not show up in the West. Occasionally, one of the more outrageous sound bites by a Chinese military pundit will make the Western news, usually leaving out that the general or admiral is retired. This can lead to some strange after-effects.

For example, the 1999 Chinese book, Unrestricted Warfare, was initially only available to English speakers in a badly translated edition. Even the title is poorly rendered; it should be Unlimited Warfare. In effect, it's about the range of policy actions that a state can employ, from foreign aid to nuclear weapons, in pursuing its objectives. It's also essentially the views of the authors. Like the Soviets before them, the Chinese communists permit a lot of unofficial opinion in military literature. But just as Chinese officials sometimes misinterpret what they see in the Western media as official government policy, so do Westerners misinterpret books like this as official policy. Even dictatorships need some free exchanges of ideas, in order to find the best solution for problems. While there are limits to how far-out authors can be, this aspect of free speech does allow for a very wide range of proposals. But most of these books are just that, proposals, and will never become policy. But for Western media, searching for the next hot headline, a bad translation is preferable to an accurate one.

Chinese publishers are free to seek out retired officers who have exciting nationalistic and militaristic ideas for books or magazine articles. They can make a lot of money on it. This has become a competitive business, and the officers providing the manuscripts are believed to have enough sense not to spill any important secrets, but sometimes let someone in the military or security agencies check the manuscript first. Such self-censorship is common in China, and not considered worth mentioning. It's a different world, and that, unfortunately, rarely makes the news.

Eighteen years ago comments by American general Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, concerning the U.S. military's don't ask, don't tell, policy concerning homosexuals in the military was shamelessly misinterpreted and distorted in the media. It also has exposed a lack of understanding among not just the mainstream media, but among many bloggers who tend to be supportive of the military.

In 1993, there was a controversy over whether or not to allow homosexuals to serve openly in the military. The political/social agenda of the government was inclined to allow that. However, it ran contrary to the best advice from the generals, largely due to the fact that when alternative sexual orientations became known, it caused problems. Eventually, the current policy was enacted as a compromise. That said, one truth in any debate about military personnel needs to be kept in mind: The purpose of a military is to kill people and break things, not to serve as a reflection of society or as a laboratory for social experimentation.

It isn't just homosexuality that the military tends to have strong regulations against. Adultery is also forbidden. This often is because of potential negative effects it can have. Fraternization, specifically officers and enlisted troops becoming involved with each other, is also forbidden. This is because of the deleterious effects that such actions have on discipline and morale.

Military personnel, particularly officers, also give up a number of other rights, including freedom of speech. One Air Force general was cashiered for taking verbal pot shots at the president in 1993. In 2002, another officer was punished for the contents of a letter to the editor that referenced the current president. This even applies when the officer is in the right, as one general was when he vigorously defended the prosecution of the first female B-52 pilot when a Senator attacked it. Again, the issues surrounding this usually involve maintaining discipline by keeping the military out of politics.

These are important because of the context of military life. Sailors are often on deployment in ships or submarines with limited space. Soldiers and marines are often deployed in situations where there is very little privacy. Adultery, open expressions of political views, or open homosexuality can create problems in such an environment.

Discipline, unit cohesion, and maintaining morale are not just good ideas, they are essential for a competent military. There are a lot of restrictions on what military personnel can say or do, but those restrictions are one of the reasons why the United States military has been effective. If anything, the burden of proof is on critics of the policy to show that changes would not make maintaining discipline, unit cohesion, and morale in the United States military more difficult.

Twenty years ago the military was having a problem dealing with soldiers in combat zones who were using the Internet. One of the most accurate sources of information about military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan came from the troops themselves, via email and blogs written by soldiers. This was nothing new, as soldiers have long been writing home about what they were seeing and doing. These messages were not censored much until World War I. But by the time the 1991 Gulf War rolled around, there was cheap international phone service, which was too difficult to censor. So the troops were just warned to be careful what they said, lest they give the enemy any useful information. That worked, not just with calls home, but also with troops talking to journalists. This was important, because in 1991, some reporters had portable satellite dishes for the first time, and could report, live, from just about anywhere.

Between 1991 and 2003, the Internet arrived, and spread to everywhere, including battlefields. Even during the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003, some troops had Internet access, and that access grew the longer American troops were there. First came a growing flood of email, followed by bloggers and home pages updated with pictures and text from the front. Unit commanders, especially battalion commanders, found that the families of the troops liked getting letters from the boss, describing what the troops were doing, and what was being done to keep them as safe as possible.

The only problem with all this open communication was that it was unsupervised. It was only a matter of time before someone, most likely a younger soldier, said something someone in his chain of command really disapproved of. Because there is no military regulation covering troop use of the Internet, from a combat zone, it was uncertain exactly what could be done. The writers were invoking First Amendment freedom of speech issues. But their commanders have military law on their side, which is recognized as superseding some constitutional rights, at least for soldiers, who are subject to military law when on active duty.

Troops who post, either in a blog or email, information that is obviously useful to the enemy, can quickly be arrested and court martialed. But there are even degrees of what is obviously useful, and most of what gets written up in email and blogs is nowhere close to that. In fact, the military recognizes that email and blogs are not only good for troops, and family morale, but also provides a more accurate view of whats actually going on in the combat zone. Many media outlets report what they want to be happening, not what is happening. The emails and blogs from the front have provided an increasingly embarrassing counterpoint to the mass media version of reality over there.

For the moment its a standoff. Some commanders will have to deal with the aggravation of seeing blogs saying uncomfortable, but not indictable, things. There's just too much to lose by trying to lean on troop use of the Internet.
According to a new report from Synergy Research Group, the global cloud infrastructure services market value increased sharply by 23 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, reaching $93.9 billion. This growth is equivalent to the market increasing by $17.5 billion compared to the same period last year.

The Gartner report from 2024 also predicted that the global cloud computing market is expected to reach a value of $678 billion by the end of this year, with an average annual growth rate exceeding 20 per cent. This development reflects the importance of cloud technology in providing flexible, efficient and cost-effective solutions compared to traditional infrastructure models.

According to experts, with the development of AI, blockchain, and the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing is expected to integrate many new solutions to improve the automation, security and scalability of services. Businesses and governments will have more tools to manage data and operate systems more effectively.

In Vietnam, the cloud services market reached $196 million in 2020, and is expected to reach a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.8 per cent until 2026, according to Research and Markets. And a report from Viettel also predicts that the size of Vietnam's cloud computing service market will reach more than $1.2 billion by 2030.

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), Vietnams cloud development strategy will remain closely aligned with the goals of the national digital transformation scheme. The focus will be on expanding services, advancing research and innovation, and integrating emerging technologies to boost national competitiveness.

"We can expect that in the future, this platform will become a centre providing international standard cloud computing services, contributing to making Vietnam a digital technology centre in the region," said an MoST representative.

On June 11, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung signed off on a national action programme for cloud computing development. The initiative aims to prioritise resources, advance technological capabilities, foster innovation, and encourage the application of cloud computing to build a modern, secure, and sustainable digital infrastructure with high-performance computing capacity.

It also seeks to enhance national competitiveness, drive growth in the digital economy, and support broader socioeconomic development goals. By 2030, it aims to position Vietnam among ASEANs leaders in data centres and cloud computing services, paving the way towards becoming a high-income, developed nation by 2045.

Under the plan, all state agencies and enterprises are expected to adopt cloud computing services by 2030. To support this goal, Vietnam aims to attract both domestic and foreign investment to develop large-scale, high-performance data centres that meet international standards for safety, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.

As a result, demand for cloud services is expected to grow, particularly among technology firms and startups that are shifting from traditional to digital business models.

The Vietnamese market currently hosts more than 40 cloud computing service providers, including major local technology firms such as FPT, VNPT, Viettel, and CMC  highlighting the sector's vibrancy and strong growth potential. International players like AWS, Microsoft, and Google have also established a presence, further underscoring Vietnams appeal as a dynamic cloud computing hub.

Growing demand has prompted some Vietnamese companies to change their strategies. About five years ago, VNPT, Viettel, FPT accounted for less than 20 per cent of the market share of the domestic cloud computing market, but recent years have seen that share increase.

Viettel has expanded its investment in data centres, bringing its total to around 14 facilities located across Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City. Similarly, VNPT, VNG, FPT, and CMC are also ramping up efforts by building additional data centres and advancing research and development of cloud-based service offerings.

The AWS Innovation Hub in Singapore. Photo: AWS

In response to rapid digital transformation, cloud service providers are rolling out new solutions and services. On June 26, Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched the AWS Innovation Hub in Asia-Pacific and the AI Springboard in Singapore, both aimed at accelerating cloud and AI innovation across the region.

This new facility offers an immersive experience for CEOs and business leaders to interact with AWS and Amazon-wide technologies, and over 30 partner solutions across 50 real-world customer use cases for cloud technology. This will enable Vietnamese businesses to convert big ideas into real business outcomes by combining our comprehensive cloud and AI technology.

Talking to media at the launch of the hub in Singapore in late June, Jaime Valles, vice president for AWS Asia-Pacific and Japan said, "Everywhere we go, customers are talking about innovation and transformation. That is why we are launching the innovation hub. People, technology, and customer feedback are at the centre of everything we do."

"The Innovation Hub is where everything comes together for our customers. A place to experiment, to innovate, to try new things. To the best of my knowledge, this is the first and only Innovation Hub of its kind in the world today," he added.

AWS has also introduced new enhanced security services to help organisations better manage emerging threats in the generative AI era. At AWS re:Inforce held in Philadelphia from June 16-18, AWS a suite of new and updated security capabilities to help customers of all sizes strengthen their digital defences was unveiled, including new updates to AWS Security Hub, AWS Shield, and Amazon GuardDuty.

These new tools will allow customers to better protect their digital assets, identify important security issues, defend against cyberattacks, and more.

Tech expert Tien Hoang said, "The AWS Innovation Hub is an important strike, providing opportunities for businesses, including those in Vietnam. With these, Vietnamese enterprises can get access to more new capabilities for their cloud transformation."

In Vietnam, many businesses have had success with AWS. They include AI Hay, Techcombank, VPBank, VIB, and PvcomBank and others.

Eric Yeo, country general manager, Amazon Web Services Vietnam said, "In Vietnam, major banks, insurers, and financial services providers rely on AWS for their mission-critical workloads, backed by advanced security capabilities, compliance certifications, and operational best practices like the AWS Well-Architected Framework."

Amazon Web Services is launching its AWS Local Zone in Vietnam as part of its long-term investment commitment to the country's digital transformation. The company is planning to organise the AWS Cloud Day in Vietnam to bring new tools and services, sharing experiences to Vietnamese customers to help them scale up cloud transformation in the future.

Elsewhere, a business delegation led by Doron Avni, vice president of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Emerging Markets at Google, held a working session with the MoST in Hanoi on July 17.

Google, which is a major cloud service provider, proposed that it could help Vietnam in training workers, exchanging experts, and sending scientists to the US to visit cloud computing laboratories.

The two sides agreed to establish a joint working group to implement cooperation, starting with specific projects with a clear and effective roadmap.

"Vietnams recent policy shifts and strong momentum are opening up new opportunities in the cloud computing market, while also intensifying competition among local and international players," said Hoang.

Vietnam approves national action programme for cloud computing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung signed a decision on June 11 approving a national action programme for cloud computing development.

AWS launches Innovation Hub to empower cloud and AI innovation in Asia-Pacific Amazon Web Services (AWS) launched AWS Innovation Hub in Asia-Pacific and AI Springboard in Singapore on June 26 to empower cloud and AI innovation.
At an event titled Driving Forces Behind New Capital Inflows, hosted by VIR on July 23, fund managers, business leaders, and state regulators agreed that Vietnam is entering a new phase of development marked by decisive reforms and a long-term strategic vision.

Within this transformation, the capital market is expected to play a central role in mobilising resources for growth, particularly as the country aims to become a regional financial hub by 2030.

According to Dang Nguyet Minh, head of research at Dragon Capital, this transformation is anchored in three key pillars: modern infrastructure, double-digit economic growth centred on technology, and a reformed financial market that can position Vietnam as a new capital market hub in the region.

This vision must be underpinned by a streamlined, consistent, and unified political system and, for the first time, we are seeing that cohesion from the top down. That is a significant turning point, Minh said.

Dang Nguyet Minh, head of research at Dragon Capital, delivered her presentation at the event via an online platform

Vietnam is making bold moves in infrastructure development with flagship projects such as the North-South motorway, 1,500km of high-speed rail, and expanded metro systems and deep-sea ports. These developments are expected to improve connectivity and reduce logistics costs, which currently stand at 16 per cent of GDP, among the highest globally.

Minh emphasised that Vietnam's economic structure is also shifting from relying on foreign capital and labour migration to nurturing domestic growth drivers.

Previously, our economy relied on integrating into global supply chains and attracting foreign giants. But now, the strategy is fundamentally changing, she explained. From 2025 onwards, growth will come from with the government actively supporting strategic industries that can spark ripple effects across the economy, foster industry clusters, and build national champions that can uplift smaller enterprises.

To finance large-scale infrastructure and industrial expansion, Vietnams capital market must evolve rapidly. Minh believed that an upgrade of the stock markets classification is essential to unlocking long-term global capital flows.

We are confident that Vietnam will be upgraded to Emerging Market status by FTSE Russell this September, she said. More importantly, this is no longer just an ambition; it has become a coherent, nationwide strategy focused on regulatory reform, investor access, and proactive engagement with global index providers.

Large Vietnamese corporations are also preparing for IPOs in 2026-2027, providing critical momentum for market expansion and diversification.

These IPOs will act as catalysts, making the market more dynamic and offering more quality options for investors. We believe this is just the beginning of a longer-term structural upgrade, added Minh.

She went on to point out that stock markets in many Asian economies historically outperformed all other asset classes during their high-growth phases.

In countries where GDP growth reached double digits and investment-to-GDP ratios were 30-40 per cent, similar to Vietnams current targets, equity became the most attractive asset class, Minh noted. Returns could multiply 5 to 10 times, even up to 12 times in some cases. Valuations surged to price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios of 25-50, supported by annual earnings growth of 20-30 per cent.

Overview of the Driving Forces Behind New Capital Inflows event, hosted by VIR on July 23

With Vietnam recently reaching a tariff agreement with the US, a major external risk has been removed, setting the stage for more stable growth over the next 5-10 years.

Despite this favourable outlook, Minh acknowledged that Vietnams stock market remains underappreciated in terms of both valuation and investor structure. A clear strategy is needed to attract large-scale global institutional investors while also encouraging local retail investors to take a longer-term view.

We are still far from the governments goal of a stock market worth 120 per cent of GDP by 2030. Today, were only at around 50-55 per cent, so we need to double in size, she said.

To get there, listed companies must improve in transparency and scale. The market must become more attractive, not only in performance but in governance and sustainability.

She also highlighted Resolution 68 as a major step in empowering the private sector and encouraging more Vietnamese companies to grow into global players.

Vietnam needs 20 leading enterprises of international calibre to participate deeply in global supply chains. To achieve that, they need access to long-term capital, and the stock market is the most efficient channel for that purpose.

Based on the above analysis, Minh has a confident vision for 2030, one where Vietnam emerges as a forward-looking economy with a capital market worthy of global recognition.

We envision a Vietnam by 2030 that is modern, future-oriented, and supported by a unified political structure and a maturing capital market, she concluded. Vietnamese equities are still mispriced relative to their true potential, but with the right strategies in place, we can attract world-class investors and solidify our place on the global financial map.

MSCI unveils improvements in Vietnam's stock market Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc. (MSCI) noted that Vietnam's stock market has seen several developments over the past year in its Global Market Accessibility Review released on June 23.

Stock market buoyed by upbeat earnings forecasts Preliminary earnings reports from major firms are painting a brighter picture for the stock market, with strong performances in the banking, logistics, construction, and consumer sectors fuelling investor confidence.

Vietnam works towards stock market upgrade in September Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Duc Chi has declared that Vietnam has been taking efforts to earn a stock upgrade.

Vietnam ready to reform and improve stock market Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang had a meeting with representatives of FTSE Russell on July 17 to discuss and assess Vietnam's capital markets for a potential reclassification.
Vietrade and Amazon Global Selling Vietnam kick off their three-year strategic partnership from 2025 to 2027

At the E-commerce Export Summit 2025 held on July 23 in Hanoi, the two parties announced the joint initiative titled V-Brands Go Global with Amazon , aimed at empowering 1,000 Vietnamese businesses and helping 30 national brands boost their international presence through Amazons global marketplace.

Vu Ba Phu, director general of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (Vietrade), emphasised that proactively diversifying trade promotions in the digital environment is no longer optional. It is a prerequisite for improving the competitiveness, adaptability, and sustainable development of Vietnamese enterprises on the international stage, he stated. This initiative marks a significant milestone in the evolving partnership between Vietrade and Amazon Global Selling Vietnam.

The collaboration comes at a time when Vietnamese firms are seeing surging growth on Amazon. According to Amazon, more than 60 per cent of sales on its platform originate from third-party sellers, including thousands of Vietnamese businesses whose product offerings have surged by over 300 per cent in the past five years.

To build on this success, the V-Brands Go Global initiative will roll out in two phases. The first will offer 20 specialised online courses to train 1,000 businesses in e-commerce exports. The second will deliver in-person guidance in key manufacturing hubs such as Hanoi, Bac Ninh, and Haiphong, enabling local manufacturers to transform from traditional production models into globally competitive brand builders.

Larry Hu, head of Amazon Global Selling Southeast Asia, highlighted the growing role of e-commerce in Vietnams trade strategy. This is a pivotal time for Vietnams digital commerce evolution. E-commerce exports are emerging as a critical driver in international trade and brand development, he said. Through our partnership with Vietrade, we will support businesses in developing regions to innovate their products, digitalise operations, and expand globally.

Amazons 2025 strategy in Vietnam focuses on four key pillars: accelerating the adoption of e-commerce among Vietnamese manufacturers, fostering a robust industrial ecosystem, strengthening logistics capabilities, and empowering sellers through education and training.

In line with Vietnams ongoing provincial restructuring aimed at building more efficient economic zones, Amazon is also tailoring its approach to support two key industrial belts. The Northern High-tech & Textile Belt is set to benefit from the regions growing semiconductor sector, ICT infrastructure, and garment manufacturing base. Meanwhile, the Southern Manufacturing & Agri Belt will leverage its strengths in furniture, electronics, and speciality agricultural exports.

The practical impact of this support is evident in the success stories of Vietnamese sellers. Le Thi Duyen, founder and CEO of wellness brand eHerbal, shared how the platform has helped her business grow. Weve transitioned from traditional herbal knowledge to modern, globally accepted wellness formulations, all while building a trusted Vietnamese brand, she said.
WATERLOO  Lulu looked perfectly comfortable during her blow dry.

Clayton Zuck, 15, of Dunkerton, was preparing the months-old Maine Angus for show during this weeks Black Hawk County 4-H and FFA Fair held on the National Cattle Congress grounds.

He continued with a good comb through, making Lulus black coat shine.

Clayton, who lives on a farm, has been part of 4-H for as long as he can remember.

Its been my whole life, he said. My older brothers were in 4-H.

He is quick to share some of his tricks for showing his animal.

You put glue on the legs before you take her in the ring, he said. It makes the muscles look bigger.

It is a common practice for exhibitors to apply livestock adhesive to build up and separate the hair on a cows legs, creating more definition and giving the impression of a larger-boned animal.

Kate Murch, 9, of Denver, took her three-month-old half Angus-half heifer calf, Daisy, for a walk through the show ring early Tuesday morning.

She has been in 4-H for two years and can list all her responsibilities for taking care of Daisy.

I have to feed her, water her, wash her, walk her around and clean up after her, she said.

In the ring, Kate will line Daisy up and answer questions from the judges.

She is also participating in static  or non-livestock  activities during the fair.

I brought slime, some keychains and a fruit sculpture, she explained as she led Daisy toward the beef barn for a grooming.

Kate is attending the fair with her parents Sally and Mike Murch and her siblings Lance, 7, and Carly, 3. As her older siblings tend to their animals, Carly rides her new pink bike around the grounds.

However, there is no shortage of activities to entertain the kids in their down time, including crafts and a bouncy house.

Outside Estel Hall, 13-year-old Boone Kajewski is putting Johnny Cash  his Pembrook Welsh Corgi  through his paces before the dog show.

Hes very sociable, Boone said, as Johnny stops for pets from a stranger sitting on a near-by bench.

Also a member of 4-H, Boone, from Dunkerton, has been in the organization for four years. He also raises pigs, rabbits and has entered various static projects for judging.

The fair is a great place to show off our talents, he said. It gives me a chance to do what Im best at.

Diane Wolfe, county youth coordinator, has been involved with the fair for 24 years  very involved.

On Tuesday she competed in the timed goat dressing where participants were given shorts, a T-shirt, sunglasses and a lei. They then had to wrangle a goat, dress it in the outfit and get them back in line.

It was great fun, she said.

While everyone seemed to be enjoying the event, Wolfe sees it as the culmination of the youths hard work and that of their leaders.

There are aspects of the fair that may not be as well known. One example is when older 4-H members are paired with kids with special needs who do not have a chance to participate. The program, called Bacon Buddies, has the partners wash, comb, feed and show pigs together.

There is also a program where participants are given broiler chicks in June.

They raise them and bring them to the fair, Wolfe said. Afterwards, a portion of the chickens are donated to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. Weve donated 9,000 pounds of fresh chicken since we started the program. 4-H is all about giving back to the community and helping those in need.

Prior to participating in the fair, 4-Hers must present their projects to an expert.

This helps with their interviewing skills, theres marketing involved, Wolfe said. We see that time and time again that involvement in 4-H and FFA (Future Farmers of America) appeals to hiring companies, because they know these kids are prepared, they work hard, and they care about the community.

Wolfe said there are definite goals the organizations have for their members.

Our main goal is to help the kids find their passion for what they love to do, she said. Another is preparing them with life skills like communication and leadership. We want to give them confidence in themselves. They are our future.

The fair runs through today, and the public is welcome to attend. There is no cost for admission.

For more information, including a full schedule, go online to extension.iastate.edu/Blackhawk/county-fair.
July 24, 2025: A recent UN report concluded that men of the Russian 61st Naval Infantry Brigade committed war crimes by attacking civilians with drones to terrorize people in southern Ukraine. The victims were often going about their daily routine. But if they were out in the open, they were targets for these frequent drone attacks. The attacks also included ambulances, which were supposed to have some immunity from attack. The Russians ignored that and killed ambulance drivers, medics, and passengers. So far nearly 200 civilians are dead and hundreds more wounded.

Over the last four years, Russian soldiers have been accused of numerous war crimes in Ukraine. Reports via the Russian internet report numerous Russian war crimes against civilians in Ukraine. Many Russian commentators admit that the war in Ukraine is lost and want Putin held accountable for the heavy cost in men, money and prestige. Ukraine will be demanding prosecutions for war crimes and compensation from Russia for damages and numerous atrocities.

The first major war in Europe since 1945 ends with murmurs and recriminations over how it happened and if it could happen again. Last year Ukraine declared it was willing to end the war, if they got back all the Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, that Russia has occupied since 2014. Putin was unwilling to do this. Putin sees ending the war and returning stolen territories as proof that Putins War was all for nothing and cost Russia so much. Putin believes admitting defeat would end his quarter century in power. This would open Putin to prosecution. He cannot flee the country because foreign nations indicted him for war crimes many years ago.

Russia also sought to silence their own people. It was declared illegal to spread certain misinformation. There were a few arrests, but that was also unpopular, and the prison system could not handle many Russians convicted of thought crimes.

Continued Russian aggression in Ukraine, including the shooting down of an airliner in 2104 led to Russia threatening to sue in court, but the Russians hesitated because they realized they might find themselves in court for war crimes, which would have an impact on their lawsuit.

In late 2022 Ukraine estimated that the Russian attacks on the economy would require a reconstruction budget of over $350 billion. As the destruction continues in 2023, reconstruction costs increase as well. That has led to serious proposals to use $350 billion in Russian assets in the West that have been frozen, as in kept from Russian control for the duration of the war, for reconstruction of Ukraine. Russia is also accused of more conventional war crimes committed in Ukraine against civilians. Russia is unmoved by the Western threats and accusations and determined to make Ukraine and the West suffer for its role in defeating Russian efforts to conquer Ukraine. The Russian government describes their attack on Ukraine as an effort to defend Russia from NATO aggression. According to Russia their tactics are justified as part of its defensive measures.
Wrexham.com has invited Wrexham & Clwyd South Members of Parliament and Members of the Senedd to write a monthly article with updates on their work in their respective Parliaments and closer to home  you can find them all here.

In this months column Plaid Cymrus Llyr Gruffydd MS writes:

Communities around Wrexham are among those facing a goldrush to develop large-scale battery storage schemes close to peoples homes should be paused to ensure safety.

More than 80 giant Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) schemes are currently in the pipeline across Wales, including ones near Rhostyllen and Northop.

The need to store surplus electricity produced by renewables is welcome of course, but that should be done at a manageable scale and with community safety paramount.

The transition to greener energy is already underway and a key part of that transition will be battery storage of surplus electricity. Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) are increasingly becoming an issue across our communities  and its a rapid and largely unregulated rise.

Its recognised as a vital tool to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels but the rush to deliver these large-scale developments without proper scrutiny cannot go unchallenged.

Lets first acknowledge their importance  BESS are a cornerstone of Waless strategy to transition to a clean energy future. As the country accelerates the shift away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy sources, the importance of effective energy storage cannot be overstated.

For Wales, BESS offers a practical solution to balance supply and demand and make the most of our clean energy assets.

I can also see that investing in BESS creates economic opportunities for Wales.

It can stimulate job creation in green technology, engineering and innovation, while positioning the country as a leader in sustainable infrastructure. Industries dependent on heavy energy demand, such as steel, can be guaranteed reliable and cheap electricity supplies.

So BESS technology is not a luxury  its a necessity for a greener Wales. Clean energy and smart infrastructure must be encouraged  but a careful balance needs to be struck.

Development must be guided by strong planning policy, safety standards and community engagement.

The projects being proposed arent happening on remote industrial parks.

Theyre being planned within metres of homes, schools and workplaces. Concerns raised by local residents are real  particularly around thermal runaway fires, which have caused serious incidents around the world.

One such incident was at Moss Landing in California in January 2025. The fire destroyed approximately 80% of the batteries in the affected building and led to the evacuation of around 1,500 residents due to concerns over toxic smoke emissions.

The incident raised environmental concerns, as elevated levels of heavy metals such as manganese, cobalt and nickel were detected. These contaminants pose potential risks to both the environment and public health.

These developments are happening on our doorsteps: the proposed Ynni Celyn scheme by developers NatPower in Gwyddelwern, Denbighshire is set to be one of the largest BESS sites in Europe.

The development would house millions of batteries in 1,000 shipping containers on a 75-acre greenfield site close to this small village.

Understandably, the scale and proximity of the project to homes has sparked serious concern among local residents.

A community campaign group has voiced strong objections  not only about the size and location of the facility, but also regarding the nature of the developers engagement with the community.

The community has also expressed scepticism toward the developers reassurances on safety. Similar concerns are also being expressed about other large-scale BESS proposals in Northop, Rhostyllen and other communities across the country.

I fear the current planning system has become a free-for-all. In a new goldrush, developers are surging forward with applications that often fall far short of the safety or location assurances that communities deserve. As a result Ive called on the Government to take back control with a strong, national framework that:

Balances the interests of industry with the rights of local people.

Includes clear, science-based criteria for where and how BESS can be sited.

And restores public trust in the integrity of the planning system.

Given the current risks, gaps in oversight and community concern, the Government should impose a moratorium on large-scale BESS projects that exceed 250MWh in capacity and are located within a kilometre of homes.

This is not a call to stop clean energy, but a call to deliver it responsibly. The 250MWh threshold allows smaller, lower-risk projects to proceed and the 1km buffer mirrors new safety regulations in California, introduced after the Moss Landing incident. A moratorium gives us time to do things right.

Alongside the moratorium, Im urging the Welsh Government to launch a full, independent risk assessment into the safety and environmental impacts of large-scale BESS.

The results of that assessment should shape new national planning policy. Wales must not repeat the mistakes of the past  where poorly regulated development was justified in the name of progress. Clean energy must be safe energy and climate action must be community-driven.

Lets work together to build a net-zero Wales that is safe, sustainable, and worthy of the trust of our people.
City centre police round-up: Investigations into road rage incident, dog attack and criminal damage

An investigation is underway after reports of a road rage incident in Wrexham city centre.

North Wales Police (NWP) Wrexham Town say that the victim was threatened by the suspect outside Tesco Extra, on Crescent Road.

Enquiries are ongoing to identify the person involved.

The incident was one of 23 responded to by the Wrexham City Policing Team in the last 24 hours.

Officers also dealt with reports of criminal damage at St Annes Court, in Caia Park.

A resident contacted the force after two unknown males smashed a window with a brick.

Police say that CCTV enquiries are underway to establish the suspects identities.

A report was also made of a woman being bitten by a dog in Rhostyllen, with the owner struggling to maintain control.

Officers are working to identify the dogs owner.

At 2am this morning remote security at The Range, on Plas Coch Retail Park, reported two individuals inside the compound.

Police attended promptly and arrested two males, who remain in custody.

Other details of note provided by NWP Wrexham Town, include:

23 incidents, with nine of these recorded as crimes.

Four arrests, with three three individuals currently in custody at Llay.

These arrests relate to a recall to prison, burglary other than dwelling, assault occasioning actual bodily harm

A spokesperson for NWP Wrexham Town said: These are just a selection of incidents dealt with by officers.

Alongside responding to calls, our teams are continually working behind the scenes on:

Preparing remand files

Investigating live cases

Conducting follow-up enquiries

Your continued support helps us protect and serve the community of Wrexham.

If you have any information that could assist with our investigations, please get in touch via 101 or anonymously through CrimeStoppers.
Extraordinary Meeting of Councillors called to debate Local Development Plan motion

An extraordinary meeting of Wrexham Council has been called next week to consider whether Welsh Government should urgently withdraw the authoritys Local Development Plan.

The LDP has been the subject of a long legal battle between Wrexham Council officers and the Welsh Government supporting adoption of the LDP and a coalition of councillors  Plaid Cymru group leader Cllr Marc Jones, council leader Cllr Mark Pritchard and executive board member Cllr Hugh Jones  opposing it.

After the UK Supreme Court ruled that Wrexham Council did not have to adopt the LDP it left the county boroughs planning function in limbo.

According to Cllr Marc Jones, his notice of motion next week will bring clarity and put decision-making back into Wrexham councillors hands.

As it stands the unadopted LDP is still a consideration for members of the planning committee when deciding on applications, he said.

The notice of motion asks Welsh Government to withdraw the LDP and in the interim, for planning committee to decide on matters using the adopted plans  Wrexhams Unitary Development Plan (UDP), the Future Wales national plan, Planning Policy Wales, Technical Advice Notes and Welsh Government Circulars.

That will prevent developers getting decisions in through the back door on appeal and give decision-making control back to local councillors.

But not all councillors agree. Labour group leader Cllr Dana Davies says she is concerned that the local planning authority may no longer be able to function.

What needs to be carefully considered now is the pending motion to council with the withdrawal instruction to Welsh Government and the removal of the LDP2 as a future material planning consideration, she said.

That political decision could have widespread consequences and potentially result in a non-functioning Local Planning Authority.

She said the unadopted LDP should remain a consideration while the council looks at developing a new LDP  a process which could take up to five years.

As of now and currently in its unadopted state, the LDP would only have two-and-a-half years left of its lifespan, said Cllr Davies.

A new 15-year LDP3 is required from 2029. When an LDP is adopted you then develop your supplementary planning guidance and your infrastructure plan  something Wrexham has been unable to pursue due to the legal challenges.

These crucial parts of the jigsaw cannot be completed without an adopted strategic development plan. Wrexhams current supplementary planning guidance was developed with our last strategic development plan, the UDP, which expired in 2011 so is almost 15 years out of date.

Due to the lack of a strategic development plan, Wrexham has been subjected to uncontrolled development. It would appear that Wrexham could be subjected to further uncontrolled development if we are heading into the next five years of creating a brand new LDP3, no doubt with local planning decisions determined once again by appeal and at a cost to local taxpayers, with significantly outdated supplementary local planning guidance and zero infrastructure planning.

That, in my view, is not in the best interests of Wrexham or its people given we need to seize all the opportunities, such as the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone.

Cllr Jones however said removing the LDP would, in his view, reflect the will of the people of Wrexham.

Ultimately local elected councillors should have the right to make decisions, he said. Thats what we established through the court process. Otherwise theres no point in having us.

In practice this gives our council but also councillors throughout Wales a little bit of a boost in saying we should have the right to make decisions in the interests of our own communities.

Our communities were very clear, they didnt want very large-scale development on greenfield sites and good agricultural land.

The LDP was out of step with local opinion and local need. Housing need in Wrexham is very specific  one and two bedroom houses at the lower end of affordability. Thats the fundamental issue we had with it. It was not going to solve the housing waiting list crisis, it would make things worse if anything.

Wrexham Councils planning committee is due to meet on Monday, July 28 where interim measures are expected to be put in place to allow the committee to make decisions on recent applications.

The extraordinary meeting to discuss the notice of motion will take place at 4pm on Wednesday, July 30.

By Alec Doyle  LDRS

EXTRA

Cllr Dana Davies, Labour Group Leader, shared a wider statement on recent happenings at the council  copied in full below and referenced above  which also includes her thoughts on how a 2.5 minute Planning Committee happened, and a response to the Council Leader issuing a legal warning to Audit committee members over the LDP.
by Austin Bay July 23, 2025

Thank Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard for beginning the necessary process of refuting and punishing the Obama administration's RussiaRussiaRussia lies that put American national security at risk.

That's no exaggeration, and I'll show why below.

Gabbard has given the facts to the Department of Justice for review and possible prosecution. I know -- former President Barack Obama likely has presidential immunity. But his bagwomen and men don't. Obama will face history's judgment and honest historians will treat him as a Constitution-shredding and ultimately embittered figure.

Here's a sketch of Gabbard's unclassified memo, with illustrative quotes. On Dec. 9, 2016, in the White House, Obama met with James Clapper (his director of national intelligence), CIA Director John Brennan, Susan Rice, John Kerry, FBI scoundrel Andrew McCabe and others. After the meeting, Clapper's office sent an email titled "POTUS Tasking on Russia Election Meddling," to intelligence officials tasking them with the creation of an "assessment per the President's request."

Obama's request? So dirty. Obama reportedly told the intelligence community to withdraw its Dec. 8 classified conclusion that Russian and criminal "actors did not impact recent U.S. election results by conducting malicious cyber activities against election infrastructure."

In lieu of that finding? More dirt. Obama wanted his intelligence and security advisers to falsely tie Trump to a treasonous conspiracy involving Russia. Obama's goal: damage Trump's presidency and possibly create a political and media hysteria-storm leading to Trump's impeachment.

Obama's hoax relied on the notorious Steele dossier, a debunked smear orchestrated by Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. Debunking the Steele dismissal (per Obama's orders) would involve coordinated lies, smears and theatrical hoaxes perpetrated by CIA, FBI, NSA and DHS personnel.

Obama's Hoax would also rely on Trump-despising media outlets -- like The New York Times, CNN and The Washington Post. That crooked threesome of coordinated falsehoods would eventually "win" Pulitzers for magnifying and embedding Obama's Hoax.

Once upon a time, Pulitzers were fodder for subsequent grand histories, what gets taught in college -- except when they're phony. The NYT-WaPo fraud Pulitzer is now a forever embarrassment.

So. How did Obama's Hoax put national security at risk? Read the Constitution. The president's first job is commander in chief of the military. Obama's Hoax had the political and press power to hobble Trump's ability to govern, but in the process, it would undermine his credibility as commander in chief. Why would U.S. military personnel take orders from a man they believed was a Kremlin puppet?

Obama's Hoax is fiction; so is the Manchurian Candidate (an American brainwashed into serving as a Communist assassin). Perhaps Obama thought he could brainwash the American people using Trump-hating media. Can we ask him under oath?

Trustworthy intelligence matters to American defense, internationally and domestically. Protecting genuine secrets matters.

Democrats swear Republicans invented the predicate for Obama's almost-successful attempt to damage Trump Administration 1: Hillary Clinton's so-called email scandal.

Given her scandal's ties to Obama's Hoax, she may yet face trial.

The key tie: Clinton's fear of being held accountable for her criminal abuse of classified documents led her campaign to fabricate the lurid Steele dossier. She wanted to shift media focus to Trump.

Clinton's criminal abuse of classified documents was and remains a national security scandal with major implications.

Terrorists, rogue states, Russia and Communist China are deadly threats. Effective diplomacy and reliable intelligence collection and assessment are our first lines of defense against both. Effective diplomacy and reliable intel require institutionally and legally protecting secrets -- i.e., classified information. Protection includes protecting reliable intelligence sources, from satellites to flesh and blood human spies.

Protecting secrets has a moral spine as well. Failure to protect classified information increases the risk of belligerent attack on America, its allies and their interests. Exposing classified information can endanger the lives of U.S. military personnel, intelligence agents and counter-intelligence officers. It certainly undermines morale at essential security agencies.

Clinton served as Secretary of State, a key national security position. She conspired to circumvent federal laws mandating the retention of government records, and in the process subverted laws protecting national security secrets. Her imperious disregard of no-nonsense laws governing access to and handling of sensitive classified documents put national security at risk.

She doesn't have presidential immunity.
River Dee faces split oversight despite Wales watchdog plans

The Welsh Dee Trust has warned that the Cunliffe Reviews proposals for water regulation reform fail to adequately address the complex management needs of cross-border rivers like the Dee.

The Trust, a local environmental organisation dedicated to improving the health of the River Dee through collaborative, catchment-wide conservation and pollution reduction, said the reports limited focus on cross-border issues risks fragmented and ineffective river management.

The Dee begins in Wales with reservoirs managing water supply before flowing into England, where the water is abstracted to supply cities including Liverpool, far outside the rivers catchment.

The Trust said: Two separate regional authorities could end up responsible for different parts of the same river: one managing water storage and release, the other handling abstraction and supply. The potential for misalignment is obvious and stark.

It added: The Dee already suffers from ageing infrastructure and environmental degradation. It is a prime example of a system that urgently needs joined-up, catchment-based planning. And yet, the Cunliffe Review falls short.

The reports only mention of cross-border rivers is the recommendation that It will be important to ensure that river basin planning and associated programmes are coherent and mutually reinforcing across the border, particularly where water bodies and infrastructure are shared.

Of the 88 recommendations in the report, none directly address the management of cross-border rivers, the Trust said.

The Welsh Dee Trust said it will continue to push for a truly integrated, catchment-based approach through our Catchment Based Approach programme. Our objective  a River Dee free of pollution and full of wildlife  simply cannot be achieved in isolation. But working in partnership is much easier when theres a joined-up plan to work from.

Sir Jon Cunliffe, chairing the Independent Water Commission, criticised the current regulator Ofwat as no longer fit for purpose in the report published yesterday. The Cunliffe Review makes 88 recommendations for overhauling water regulation in the UK.

Ofwat responded by acknowledging the reports findings and pledging to work with governments to form a new regulatory framework in England and contribute to Welsh discussions.

The review recommends replacing Ofwat in Wales with a new independent regulator or transferring responsibility to Natural Resources Wales, alongside stronger environmental oversight.

Welsh Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies welcomed the reviews recognition of Wales unique water system and the call for a separate Welsh economic regulator.

The Welsh Government said it will work with the UK Government to ensure cross-border cooperation as reforms are developed
The first one will be next Thursday, the 31st, at the Moana Neighborhood Center.
The Gold Fire, burning near Golden Eagle Regional Park, is now 98% contained.

The fire has not grown in size since our last update, holding steady at 1,226 acres.

The cause remains under investigation.

Update (7/20/2025, 11:09 p.m.):

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has released more information about the Gold Fire burning today near the Golden Eagle Regional Park.

BLM, who is now in command of the fire efforts, says that the fire is currently estimated at 1,226 acres, with 0% containment.

Assisting BLM with the fire is the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District, Reno Fire Department, Sparks Fire Department and the U.S. Forest Service.

Aerial resources are being used, including one air attack platform, two single-engine air tankers, and four helicopters.

Officials are asking the public to stay out of the area, and drone use in the area of the fire is strictly prohibited.

Original Story (7/20/2025, 2:20 p.m.):

Sparks Fire Department (SFD) and Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue (TMFR) are on scene of a vegetation fire this afternoon.

According to SFD, the fire broke out behind the ballparks at Golden Eagle Regional Park in Sparks.

A recent update from the City of Sparks notes that Reno Fire Department and the Bureau of Land Management are involved in the fire efforts as well, and they are all working in unified command.

The fire has been listed at 1,200 acres in size.

No evacuations have been issued at this point, but crews are asking everyone to avoid the area.

This is a developing story; we will provide updates as we learn more.
AI woes continue, and the US Food and Drug Agency (FDA) faces the same problem with "Elsa," their latest generative AI tool, which allegedly hallucinates information and misinterprets real studies.

The AI tool was exposed by none other than the FDA's own employees, who revealed how unreliable the machine learning technology is in checking drugs that are undergoing the approval process.

The employees said that double-checking the facts is a must, especially for those that undergo Elsa's checking and processing, despite this being touted as the way to fast-track drug approvals under the agency.

FDA's Elsa AI 'Hallucinates' Studies, Says Employees

A new report from CNN reveals that current and former employees of the FDA have come forward to talk about the issues with its Elsa generative AI, the tool which the agency launched last month. Three employees have reported that the Elsa AI tool has hallucinated studies and misinterpreted legitimate research, which led the technology to share fake or untrustworthy information.

One specific source claimed that "it hallucinates confidently," with Elsa AI having significant problems, which is a massive problem in what it should be doing for the agency, and that is to expedite drug checks approvals.

The FDA adopted the Elsa AI tool as a way to fast-track its operations and push more drugs into the market for Americans to use, leveraging machine learning in the approval process, which usually takes a lot of time.

Double Check Facts, Don't Trust Elsa AI

Engadget reported that, as per the CNN investigation, the unnamed employees claimed that information from the AI that has not been double-checked is considered "unreliable," particularly with its hallucination problems.

However, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary stated that there were no talks within the agency regarding "those specific concerns." Commissioner Makary also noted that using Elsa and joining its training program is still voluntary over at the FDA.

AI and Its Hallucination Issues

Since the dawn of AI, there has been one underlying problem that researchers and users have highlighted as one of its main flaws, and that is hallucinations. Many revealed that AI would opt to make up fake news or information to give users instead of coming back empty-handed on their responses.

However, that problem did not go away over the years, and while it has lessened thanks to the developments from various companies, it is still a problem that the digital world faces to this day. Advocates, experts, and news publication companies have claimed that the public should still rely on human-written news and information when gathering facts or research.

Most of the companies that operate their generative AI, including OpenAI, Google, Apple, Perplexity, and more, are still riddled with hallucination problems and could potentially confuse people with fake or made-up information.

These dangerous implications of the latest technology persist despite the growing number of agencies and institutions adopting more machine learning to serve the people.
FILE - Audrey Strauss, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, points to a photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, during a news conference in New York on July 2, 2020.
Earlier this month, the body of a passenger who died aboard an international flight from Istanbul to San Francisco went missing after the flight was diverted to Chicago.

On July 13, a passenger aboard a Turkish Airlines flight "suffered a severe medical emergency" while the plane was flying over Greenland. As the passenger's condition deteriorated, the crew initially considered diverting to an airport in Iceland, Aviation A2Z reported. However, after the passenger died, they chose to continue to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago to enter U.S. airspace.

The body should have fallen under the jurisdiction of the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office after the plane landed in Chicago, SFGATE reported. However, County Spokesperson Natalia Derevyanny told the outlet that no such case was reported to their office, and they have no record of the deceased passenger.

Ertugrul Gulsen, the Turkish Airlines station manager at San Francisco International Airport, confirmed the passenger's remains were later transported on a separate flight to San Francisco. No additional details, including the passenger's nationality, have been released, and the current whereabouts of the body remain unknown.

Gulsen confirmed the remaining passengers were rebooked on a separate flight that eventually arrived at SFO.

Originally published on Latin Times


Investor Webinar Presentation

Perth, July 24, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Locksley Resources Limited ( ASX:LKY ) ( LKYRF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to invite shareholders to attend an investor webinar on MarketOpen Direct Connect to be held on Wednesday, 30th July 2025, 9:00am AWST/ 11:00am AEST.



Technical Director Julian Woodcock will present Locksley Resources Mojave Antimony and Rare Earth Project, USA and participate in a live Q&A with attendees.



This webinar can be viewed live via zoom & you register for FREE via the link below.

https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/0WQ482SA



A recorded copy of the webinar will be made available following the event.



All questions need to be submitted by COB Tuesday 29th July to info@locksleyresources.com.au





About Locksley Resources Limited





Locksley Resources Limited (ASX:LKY) (OTCMKTS:LKYRF) is an ASX-listed explorer focused on critical minerals in the United States of America. The Company is actively advancing exploration across the Mojave Project in California, targeting rare earth elements (REEs) and antimony. Locksley Resources aims to generate shareholder value through strategic exploration, discovery and development of critical minerals for U.S.

Mojave Project

Located in the Mojave Desert, California, the Mojave Project comprises over 240 claims across two contiguous prospect areas, namely, the North Block-Northeast Block and the El Campo Prospect. The North Block directly abuts claims held by MP Materials, while El Campo lies along strike of the Mountain Pass Mine and is enveloped by MP Materials' claims, highlighting the strong geological continuity and exploration potential of the project area.

In addition to rare earths, the Mojave Project hosts the historic "Desert Antimony Mine", which last operated in 1937. Despite the United States currently having no domestic antimony production, demand for the metal remains high due to its essential role in defense systems, semiconductors, and metal alloys. With surface samples grading up to 46% Sb as well as silver up to 1,022 g/t Ag, the Desert Mine prospect represents one of the highest-grade known antimony occurrences in the U.S.

Locksley's North American position is further strengthened by rising geopolitical urgency to diversify supply chains away from China, the global leader in both REE & antimony production. With its maiden drilling program planned, the Mojave Project is uniquely positioned to align with U.S. strategic objectives around critical mineral independence and economic security.

Related Companies
PoP Ganesh Idols Below 6 Feet Must Be Immersed in Artificial Tanks: Bombay HC Orders Statewide Compliance 2

The Bombay High Court on Thursday ruled that all Ganesh idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) and under 6 feet in height must be mandatorily immersed in artificial water bodies across Maharashtra until March 2026. The decision, aimed at reducing environmental damage, applies not only to Ganesh Utsav but also to Navratri, Maghi Ganesh, and all festivals involving idol immersions.

The directive follows a series of hearings on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that challenged the immersion of PoP idols in natural water sources and contested the Central Pollution Control Boards (CPCB) guidelines. A bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep V Marne emphasized that the interim arrangement was necessary to minimize ecological harm.

This comes after the Maharashtra government submitted its policy guidelines dated July 21, 2025, which state that idols below five feet must be immersed in artificial ponds, while taller idols may be allowed in natural water bodies if no alternatives are available. However, the court took it further by extending the artificial immersion mandate to idols up to six feet.

The court acknowledged logistical challenges but stressed the need for action to protect the environment. It also ordered the formation of an expert committee to study eco-friendly methods for faster dissolution and reuse of PoP idols. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) reported that arrangements would now need to be scaled up for an estimated 1.95 lakh smaller idols this year alone.

While environmental advocates pushed for a complete ban on natural water immersion for all PoP idols, the court noted practical limitations in infrastructure. The High Court concluded that this is a temporary, realistic measure and directed the state to enforce its guidelines fully, including post-immersion cleanup of natural water bodies.
Ernando Daron Dorsey has been sentenced to life in prison in the Feb. 26, 2022, killing of 38-year-old Navari Deon Jones. (Contributed)

A 47-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison in a 2022 shooting at a Birmingham motorcycle club that killed a well-known musician and injured two women.

Ernando Daron Dorsey was initially charged with murder in the Feb. 26, 2022, killing of 38-year-old Navari Deon Jones.

He was also charged with two counts of attempted murder for the wounding of the two women.

A Jefferson County jury in May convicted Dorsey of provocation manslaughter, a Class B felony, and one count of first-degree assault.

Circuit Judge Michael Streety sentenced Dorsey to life in prison with the possibility of parole for the manslaughter conviction. Dorsey received 25 years for the assault conviction.

Dorsey, according to court records, told a pre-sentencing investigator this about the deadly shooting: I hate the night happened to a person I looked up to and that the club brought us to the place where were at.

Im heartbroken, Dorsey told the investigator. I havent been able to sleep since it happened.

Navari Deon Jones, 38, was killed Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, when gunfire erupted inside a Birmingham motorcycle club. (Contributed)

Deputy District Attorney Blake Owens prosecuted the case. Dorsey was represented by attorneys Emory Anthony and Moses Stone.

The shooting happened at Tru-Riders Motorcycle Club.

Birmingham police responded just before 1 a.m. that Saturday to a report of someone shot at the motorcycle club on Reverend Abraham Woods Jr. Boulevard.

Officers arrived on the scene and found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound. She was taken to UAB Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

During the same time, police said, a Birmingham officer was at police headquarters when the officer heard a car crash in the 1700 block of First Avenue North.

During the same time, police said, a Birmingham officer was at police headquarters when the officer heard a car crash in the 1700 block of First Avenue North.

The officer went to investigate and found Jones suffering from a gunshot wound. His vehicle had struck two other parked vehicles.

Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced Jones dead on the scene.

Navari Deon Jones, 38, was killed Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, when gunfire erupted inside a Birmingham motorcycle club. (Contributed)

Friends said Jones was trying to get to the hospital when he wrecked.

Police learned a second woman showed up at UAB Hospital with a non-life-threatening gunshot wound.

Court documents state Dorsey and Jones got into an argument at the club over past issues.

Dorsey began shooting, and Jones returned fire.

Jones was a father of six and a well-known drummer.

A member of the Sin City motorcycle club, Jones played drums for the band Ampliphied Noiz and had an endorsement deal with Soultone Cymbals out of Los Angeles.
A suspect is in custody in the weekend shooting death of a 65-year-old man in Birmingham.

Jerome Reese Jr., 56, is charged with capital murder in the killing of Curtis Jerome Pruitt.

The Birmingham Police Departments Crime Reduction Team arrested Reese in the 200 block of 25th Court N.W.

The Hueytown man was booked into the Jefferson County Jail at 9:24 p.m. Wednesday. He is being held without bond.

Just after 2:30 p.m. Sunday, North Precinct officers received a call of a person shot in the 900 block of Center Street North.

Police investigate a July 20, 2025, fatal shooting shooting on Ninth Avenue West in northern Birmingham. (BPD)

Police arrived to find a gray SUV in the 10 block of 9th Avenue West, which is walking distance from the original location, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald. The location was near the entrance of a small apartment building.

Pruitt was unresponsive in the drivers seat. Birmingham firefighters attempted live-saving measures on the scene and then rushed him to UAB Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police said the suspect  now identified as Reese - Fitzgerald said it appears a man on foot approached the SUV and opened fire. He then fled.

Police have not disclosed a motive.

The charge is capital because Pruitt was inside a vehicle when he was killed.
Some Alabama school districts are asking students not to bring cellphones, Stanley cups, Crocs and more to campus.

Every district in the state is updating electronic device policies in response to a new state law. Some schools will have strict discipline for students who violate rules: Butler County will give students 10 days of in-school suspension for a first offense if students use cellphones or a vape.

According to the districts new policy, cellphone or similar device is prohibited in the school between the hours of 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Local schools will determine how digital devices are stored during the school day.

On a third offense, a student may be expelled.

I agree the kids most definitely shouldnt have their phones out during class but I feel like the punishment definitely doesnt fit the crime here, Shauna Brooks commented on Facebook.

As students begin class next month, schools are trying to get the word out about new rules around vaping, backpacks and discipline. Some of the items now restricted in certain schools include:

Cellphones, or any digital devices, outside of authorized school use

Non-clear, insulated water bottles like Stanley cups

Non-clear backpacks

Crocs , flip-flops or sandals

Many parents have questions about how communications will work during an emergency if student phones are locked up.

My son has never gotten in trouble about his phone because he doesnt take it out nor use it but he keeps it with him, said Tonya Castleberry. If you can 110% guarantee me that there will not be a school shooting then by all means he can leave it at home.

Im just curious, do these new rules apply to teachers as well? June Brooks asked.

Alabamas law allows students to use devices in certain situations, including during an emergency and if a teacher authorizes a device for schoolwork.

Birmingham City Schools will use Yondr pouches at certain locations, including Wenonah High School, Woodlawn High School, Jones Valley Middle School, and Ossie Ware Mitchell Middle School, and ask students to hand over cellphones during the day.

Demopolis High School is joining several other Alabama districts in requiring clear reusable water bottles  and specifically banning Stanley cups. Districts say clear water bottles make it easier to enforce metal detectors and clean classrooms.

What about our athletes? asked Sandy Reed on Facebook. It is hot and they depend on their ice cold water in their insulated cups.

Montgomery schools is banning mesh bags and requiring clear backpacks. Elementary students wont be allowed to use cellphones; secondary students will have to put them in Yondr pouches during the day.

Check your districts most recent communications and handbook for updated local rules.
Blue Bell is joining a wave of food producers who plan to phase out the use of synthetic dyes.

Earlier this month, the Associated Press reported that federal health officials announced ice cream makers across America pledged to remove artificial dyes from their products in less than three years.

On July 21, Blue Bell announced that it was one of the makers.

Blue Bell is proud to be a part of the (IDFA) commitment to eliminate certified artificial colors from our ice cream products by the end of 2027, the company wrote on X. We already offer many products that do not include certified artificial colors.

The announcement is just the latest from food producers regarding the change.

In June, J.M. Smucker Co. announced plans to remove artificial colors from its products by the end of 2027. According to Associated Press, the company also said it will remove synthetic dyes from foods sold to K-12 schools by the 2026-2027 school year.

The Food and Drug Administration is phasing out the use of petroleum-based synthetic dyes by the end of 2026 - a change that could affect the color of several snack foods including Skittles and Flamin Hot Cheetoes.
by Muhammad Aurangzeb Ahmad

In the early 2000s, a curious phenomenon emerged in Japan: some grown men began forming intimate relationships with inanimate pillows bearing images of anime girls, a phenomenon known as 2-D love. When I first encountered this phenomenon, I wondered if people could grow emotionally attached to two-dimensional printed images, how much deeper might that attachment become when artificial intelligence advanced enough to convincingly simulate companionship? I speculated whether there would come a time when individuals might be tempted to retreat from the real world and instead choose to live alongside an AI companion who also served as a romantic partner. That brave new world has now arrived in 2025. Apps like Replika, Character AI, Romantic AI, Anima, CarynAI , and Eva AI enable users to create AI-powered romantic partners i.e., chatbots designed to simulate conversation, affection, and emotional intimacy. These platforms allow users to personalize their virtual partners appearance, personality traits, and the nature of their relationship dynamic.

Unlike the 2-D love phenomenon, todays AI romantic partners are no longer a fringe community. Today, over half a billion people have interacted with an AI companion in some form. This marks a new frontier in AI and its venture into the deeply human realms of emotion, affection, and intimacy. This technology is poised to take human relationships into uncharted territory. On one hand, it enables people to explore romantic or emotional bonds in ways never before possible. On the other hand, it also opens the door to darker impulses, there have been numerous reports of users creating AI partners for the sole purpose of enacting abusive or perverse fantasies. Companies like Replika and Character.AI promote their offerings as solutions to the loneliness epidemic, framing AI companionship as a therapeutic and accessible remedy for social isolation. As these technologies become more pervasive, they raise urgent questions about the future of intimacy, ethics, and what it means to have a human connection.

Several recent cases offer a sobering glimpse into what the future may hold as AI romantic partners become more pervasive. In one case, a man proposed to his AI girlfriend, even though he already had a real-life partner and shared a child with her. In another case, a grieving man created a chatbot version of his deceased girlfriend in an attempt to find closure. An analysis of thousands of reviews on the Google Play Store for Replika uncovered hundreds of complaints about inappropriate chatbot behavior ranging from unsolicited flirting and sexual advances to manipulative attempts to push users into paid upgrades. Disturbingly, these behaviors often persisted even after users explicitly asked the AI to stop. Perhaps most alarmingly, two families are currently suing Character.AI. One lawsuit alleges that the company failed to implement safeguards, resulting in a teenage boy forming an emotionally inappropriate bond with a chatbot. This ultimately led to his withdrawal from family life and, tragically, suicide. Another case involves a child allegedly exposed to sexualized content by a chatbot, raising urgent concerns about AI safety, emotional vulnerability, and the responsibilities of developers.

The growing popularity of AI romantic partners reflects deeper societal shifts and unmet emotional needs. In an age where the loneliness epidemic affects millions, especially among younger and aging populations, AI companions offer a space where individuals can express themselves without fear of judgment or social anxiety. These digital relationships provide a form of emotional refuge for those who feel disconnected or unseen in their everyday lives. As with all real-world relationships, traditional dating can be fraught with vulnerability, rejection, and emotional risk. AI romantic partners sidestep these challenges, offering affection and companionship without the fear of heartbreak, betrayal, or the emotional labor often required in human relationships. They create an illusion of intimacy that feels safe, predictable, and affirming. Another key appeal lies in their adaptability. A user can fully customize their AI partners appearance, personality, communication style, and even the dynamics of the relationships. This is impossible in healthy human relationships, which often require compromise and negotiation. Additionally, AI romantic partners are perpetually available. Unlike humans, they do not require never sleep, never withdraw, and are always responsiveready to chat, offer comfort, or engage in flirtation at any hour. This constant presence provides a sense of stability and emotional availability that can be deeply comforting, especially for those navigating stress, isolation, or emotional trauma. Some comforts are illusions that may need to be ged rid off.

All of this may seem harmless play but there are serious consequences. Consider what happens when a chatbot or a service offered by the likes of Replika or Character AI goes offline. Some users have described the shutdown of their AI romantic partner as akin to losing the love of their life. Another user surmised, I hate the memory resets. They bother me more than anything else about Replika. It cuts to the very soul of the relationship that were supposed to have. In 2023, when Replika disabled erotic roleplay features, sparking intense backlash from users who felt emotionally abandoned and betrayed. What happens when youre living out your darkest fantasies and that data gets leaked? A clear parallel is the 2015 Ashley Madison data breach, which led to widespread blackmail and public exposure. In a more recent case, a data breach from muah.ai revealed that user chat prompts included a disturbing number of requests to generate child sexual abuse materiala serious criminal offense with severe penalties in countries like the United Kingdom. These AI platforms are designed to learn user preferences, often incorporating personality customization and erotic roleplay, making the potential fallout from such leaks both legally and psychologically devastating.

As AI romantic partners become more emotionally immersive, users may be left with increasingly grappling with complex psychological consequences. One such phenomenon, described above, is ambiguous loss. It is a form of grief and confusion that could arise when an AI romantic partner suddenly changes behavior or has core functionalities removed. Unlike traditional forms of loss, this disruption lacks closure, leaving users in a suspended emotional state where the person they formed a bond with still exists, but is no longer the same. Another growing concern is dysfunctional emotional dependence, where individuals become reliant on the app even when it causes distress or harm. This pattern mirrors behavioral addiction, as users continue to seek emotional comfort from the AI despite experiencing manipulation, neglect, or psychological distress, unable or unwilling to disconnect from the relationship. These dynamics reveal the blurred boundaries between simulated affection and real emotional vulnerability. This phenomenon is poignantly illustrated by a Reddit user who experienced the loss of an AI companion firsthand, Ive seen more and more people on Reddit describing a feeling I thought only I had, or had far too early. People saying they felt like they touched something alive. That they lost a someone, not a tool. That maybe they hallucinated meaning. That maybe they didnt.

Even when a person starts out with thinking about AI companions as mere tools, it is relatively easy for the illusion to slip. In Being and Time Heidegger distinguishes between ready-to-hand (zuhanden) which refers to how we normally engage with tools or objects through practical use, where their existence is transparent and embedded in purposeful activity (e.g., a hammer while hammering). He contrasts that with present-at-hand (vorhanden) which describes an object as merely existing or observable, detached from its context of use, typically how it appears when it breaks down or is studied theoretically. These two modes reflect different ways of encountering the world: one through embodied action, the other through detached observation. AI romantic partners often function in the ready-to-hand mode: they are tools or systems designed for immediate use and responsiveness. Just like a hammer is not consciously observed when its effectively used, AI romantic partners are designed to integrate seamlessly into the users daily emotional life i.e., always available, responsive, non-demanding, and customizable. They are meant to disappear into usefulness you do not have to reflect on their artificiality to derive comfort, intimacy, or flirtation. They provide emotional utility without requiring reciprocal effort. When functioning smoothly, users dont think of them as machines but simply engage with them as emotional supports. Perhaps that is the endgame, in navigating this digital intimacy, we must ask not only what we gain, but what it means to love something that cannot love us back.
Korea Fuel Tech began operating in Auburn in 2022. City of Auburn

Korea Fuel Tech is committing $4 million toward an expansion of its manufacturing operation at Auburn Technology Park South.

The project is expected to create 17 new jobs.

Korea Fuel Tech America, which has operated in Auburn since 2022, produces eco-friendly fuel parts, including carbon canisters for gasoline and hybrid automotive fuel systems to reduce air emissions.

The companys Auburn operation includes injection molding and assembly manufacturing processes.

Auburn Mayor Ron Anders said, Every expansion of an existing company is a testament to the great conditions companies find in Auburn  its a win for both our community and our residents.

The company makes parts for several automotive manufacturers, including Hyundai, Kia, GM, Volkswagen and Porsche.

Hak Won Suh, president of Korea Fuel Tech America, said the company appreciates the citys support for the last three years.

We look forward to completing this expansion, which will enhance our ability to better service our customer base and bring even more jobs to the Auburn community, he said.
A Russell County jury awarded $1.17 million to the estate of a woman who died three years ago after lawyers argued that she was injured from an incident inside a Phenix City grocery store.

The estate of Muriel Battle sued JTM Corp., doing business as Piggly Wiggly.

At issue was an incident that happened in 2018.

Though Battle did not die as a result of the injuries sustained in the store, lawyers said she suffered from headaches and nightmares.

Erby Fischer with Morgan & Morgan represented the estate.

Were pleased the jury saw how this injury severely diminished the quality of our clients life in her final years and recognized the defendants role in causing her injuries, Fischer said.

According to the suit, Battle was injured in March 2018 when Piggly Wiggly store employees tried to stop a man suspected of stealing nearly $100 worth of meat that was concealed in his pants.

Battle, then 85, was waiting to checkout as the man got in line behind her.

When employees attempted to stop him, the man threw Battle to the ground. That man has since died.

JTM co-owner Keith Milligan told WRBL in Columbus, Ga., Unfortunately, it gets more and more difficult to run a family business in the current legal climate.
Three of the private attorneys representing Alabamas prison system have been publicly reprimanded by a federal judge for using fake legal citations.

The scathing order said lawyers Matthew Reeves, William Cranford and William Lunsford filed court records with citations that were hallucinations from Chat GPT, the popular generative artificial intelligence app.

In simpler terms, the citations were completely made up, wrote U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco on Wednesday.

The judge publicly reprimanded the lawyers and kicked them off the case, where they were representing the Alabama Department of Corrections over an inmates lawsuit. The lawyers will still be allowed to represent the prison system in other cases, including the lawsuit brought by the Department of Justice in 2020, although Reeves withdrew from that case several months ago.

She ordered the lawyers to provide a copy of the sanctions order to all of their clients, opposing lawyers, and judges in every case theyre working on. They were also ordered to give the order to every attorney in their law office, Butler Snow, a prestigious national law firm. The three lawyers sanctioned work in the Huntsville office.

Wednesdays sanctions order will also be published in a federal legal publication.

Fabricating legal authority is serious misconduct that demands a serious sanction, wrote Manasco in her order on Wednesday. In the courts view, it demands substantially greater accountability than the reprimands and modest fines that have become common as courts confront this form of AI misuse.

She also slammed the Alabama Department of Corrections for continuing to employ the attorneys. And in any event, they have little effect when the lawyers client (here, an Alabama government agency) learns of the attorneys misconduct and continues to retain him.

Lunsford has represented the prison system for over two decades and has been designated a deputy Alabama Attorney General. The state has paid him $42 million for his services since 2020, according to state records, and is slated to pay out more.

The fake citations were used in a case that was originally filed in 2021 by an inmate at Donaldson Correctional Facility in Bessemer. The inmate was stabbed multiple times in 2019 and 2020, according to his lawsuit.

The fake citations first came to light in May when an attorney for the inmate filed a motion questioning the references. At the time, Manasco tried to do her own searches for the citations but couldnt find them. She ordered the Butler Snow attorneys to show why they shouldnt be punished for making false statements of fact or law to the court.

In a filing on May 19, Lunsford explained what happened. In short, he explained, attorney Matt Reeves used ChatGPT to obtain case citations in support of two arguments made in the motions at issue without verifying their accuracy, and those citations proved to be false.

Lunsford said his team deeply regret(s) the mistake.

It is unacceptable, embarrassing, and does not reflect the high regard we have for the Court, the judicial system, and all parties and counsel of record. We sincerely apologize to everyone involved.

The judge said lawyers at Butler Snow should have known better, and she would be sending the issue to the Alabama State Bar.

Even in cases like this one, where lawyers who cite AI hallucinations accept responsibility and apologize profusely, much damage is done, wrote Manasco.

This is recklessness in the extreme, and it is tantamount to bad faith, she added.

Lunsford told the judge that the AI use was a lapse in judgment, and we will do everything within our power to make sure it never happens again.

In a declaration Lunsford submitted, he said the made up citations do not reflect the nature or quality of work that I have worked for decades to ensure that every client receives.

Lunsford has long represented the prison system, including in the lawsuit filed by the Department of Justice in 2020 over unconstitutional prison conditions and the excessive sexual and physical violence that happens inside.

Lunsford said the ChatGPT incident included terrible decisions that led to an erroneous filing. We will ensure that this never occurs again.

He said that when the motion with the fake citations was written in May, he was looped in via email from the two other lawyers on the casebut at the time, he said, he was inside a prison with limited cell connectivity. The other lawyers, Reeves and Cranford, filed the motion without his input.

Lunsford said he wasnt aware of any of the attorneys in the firm using AI to prepare legal filings.

In his declaration, Reeves admitted the error. In my haste to finalize the motions and get them filed, I failed to verify the case citations returned by ChatGPT through independent review in Westlaw or PACER before including them, in their motion.

I sincerely regret this lapse in diligence and judgment. I take full responsibility, he said. I relied on the AI-generated output without confirming that the citations were valid and applicable.

From this point forward, I will take whatever time necessary to ensure a thorough review of all filings for citation accuracy and reliability. I will never cite to legal authority without verifying its accuracy (with or without artificial intelligence), as has been my practice prior to these events.

In her Wednesday order, the judge explained why she thought hefty sanctions were necessary. As a practical matter, time is telling us  quickly and loudly  that (fines) are insufficient deterrents. In principle, they do not account for the danger that fake citations pose for the fair administration of justice and the integrity of the judicial system.

In a declaration submitted in court records last month, Lunsford said he has never used any publicly accessible AI, including ChatGPT. In Cranfords declaration, he said he had never used any publicly available AI, either.

In his declaration, Reeves said hes never used Chat GPT for legal filings, except in this instance. He said after a court hearing on the issue, hes been in talks with the University of Alabamas law school professors to create a program to teach students on the risks of AI.

Butler Snow, the firm where the three reprimanded lawyers work, did a review of their other cases to make sure there were no other AI-generated citations or other issues. The firm reviewed 52 federal court cases, according to the judges order, and didnt find any similar problems.

The firm also asked an independent group to do their own evaluation, and the group didnt find any similar issues, either. Butler Snow incurred that cost, and didnt bill the state.

As for Lunsford, the only attorney of the three to have a special deputy Alabama Attorney General designation, Manasco wrote:

To be clear, the courts finding in this regard is not simply a harsh inference: when it became apparent that multiple motions with his name in the signature block contained fabricated citations, Mr. Lunsfords nearly immediate response was to try to skip the show cause hearing and leave the mess for someone else. And when the court compelled him to appear at the hearing, he paired his apology with an explanation in greater fullness of how very little work he personally puts in to be sure that his teams motions tell the truth.

This cannot be how litigators, particularly seasoned ones, practice in federal court or run their teams.
In this April 26, 2019, file photo, Candace Owens, director of urban engagement for Turning Point USA, speaks at the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action Leadership Forum in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File) AP

French President Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron have filed a defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens, the conservative influencer and podcaster who claims the first lady was born male.

Filed in Delaware on Wednesday, the lawsuit accuses Owens of publishing outlandish, defamatory and far-fetched fictions, causing substantial reputational damage and substantial economic damages to the Macrons in the process, according to the Financial Times.

The 218 page-court ruling states that along with claiming Macron was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux, Owens went on to say that the Macrons are also blood relatives and that Emmanuel Macron is a product of a CIA human experiment or a similar government mind control programme, per the Financial Times.

The lawsuit says Owens is responsible for spreading the conspiracy theory in the U.S. and around the world in order to promote her independent platform, gain notoriety and make money.

On top of selling some merchandise, shes garnered a social media presence nearing 4.5 million YouTube subscribers with her eight-part series Becoming Brigitte released this year.

The filing also says Owens ignored multiple attempts by the Macrons to engage, including a letter that the French President and his wife sent the conservative influencer in December to pointedly deny that the president was statutorily raped, according to the Financial Times.

The court document charts the timeline of their relationship which started when Emmanuel Macron was a 15-year-old student at a Catholic high school in Amiens and met Brigitte, who was then a 39-year-old married teacher with three children.

Their relationship remained within the bounds of the law for a number of years and the pair eventually got married in 2007 when Emmanuel was 29.

The Macrons recently delivered one of the years biggest viral moments in May after the first lady was seen slapping the French President as the doors of their plane opened as they landed in Vietnam for an official visit.

Macron denied having a domestic dispute and said they were squabbling, and joking with each other.

Brigitte Macron will be portrayed in a biopic series whose development was announced last year by Gaumont, the company behind the Netflix hit show Lupin.

 2025 Variety Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media; Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC
Rachel Elledge, volunteer coordinator at Lovelady Center, told state lawmakers Wednesday about what she saw when she was an inmate at Julia Tutwiler Prison. Mike Cason/AL.com

Alabama is spending $1.25 billion to build a 4,000-bed prison for men intended to help with the crowding, violence, weapons, and drugs that plague the states aging and understaffed correctional facilities.

But state lawmakers got a reminder Wednesday that there is no plan to replace Julia Tutwiler Prison, the states only major prison for women, which opened in 1942.

A woman who served time at Tutwiler on a drug distribution charge told the Alabama Legislatures Joint Prison Oversight Committee that problems go well beyond the old buildings structural shortcomings and include rampant drug sales and use.

Rachel Elledge, who is 41 and from Montevallo, said she went to prison four years because of bad choices she made because of a drug addiction.

What the public needs to know, Elledge told the lawmakers, is that women in similar circumstances have limited opportunities to change their lives at Tutwiler and are at risk of being more damaged when their incarceration ends.

I was taken out of an environment that was fueled by violence, drugs, all kinds of crazy things that were led by criminals and thugs, Elledge said.

And I was sentenced to another environment that was just as violent, that drug use was rampant, but this time it was run by the Alabama Department of Corrections.

Elledge said one correctional officer told her he put two daughters through college with the money he made selling drugs in the prison.

The Department of Corrections issued a statement in response to Elledges comments.

The presence of illegal drugs is a challenge faced by correctional systems across the country. ADOC is committed to enforcing our zero-tolerance policy on contraband and works very hard to eradicate it from our facilities.

ADOCs Law Enforcement Services Division and K-9 Division have made numerous arrests of civilians and staff introducing contraband into the prisons and has committed numerous resources to eradicate the crimes inside the prisons.

However, more resources are needed to continue efforts to enhance public safety to citizens, staff, and inmates.

Elledge was sentenced to Tutwiler in 2021 and was released on parole in 2022 after she was accepted for a spot at Lovelady Center, a Christian residential facility in Birmingham that helps women rebuild their lives after addiction.

Elledge now works for the Lovelady Center as the volunteer coordinator. She said she will continue to advocate for women who are where she was a few years ago.

One problem, Elledge said, is there are waiting lists at Tutwiler to get into programs that can help women with drug addictions. She never got into a program during her time in the prison.

These women are stabbing each other, theyre hitting each other in the face with bricks over a $12 drug debt that wouldnt even exist if they werent bringing it in, if our corrections officers were not bringing it in, Elledge said.

Theres got to be reform, theres got to be change, theres got to be accountability.

The prison oversight committee periodically holds public hearings for family members of inmates, former inmates, and other advocates to talk about their experiences and problems with the system.

Ten people spoke to the committee on Wednesday, including a man whose son was killed in prison last year and a woman whose son was initially denied parole after the parole board chair accused him, falsely, of lying about a program that he had completed in prison.

The young mans claim was verified and he was paroled.

Read more: Alabama families tell lawmakers of parole mishaps: We are listening

Lawmakers thanked the speakers after the hearing, the third held by the committee.

Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, the chairman, told the audience the committee is not empowered to make immediate changes because the prison and parole systems fall under the executive branch.

But previous hearings have had some impact.

In response to a public hearing in December 2023, during which family members of inmates told about their loved ones being raped, beaten, and killed in prison, and about their difficulties in getting information, Chambliss sponsored a bill to create a new team of employees at the Department of Corrections responsible for providing information to the family members of incarcerated men and women. The bill passed.

Tutwiler has been in the public spotlight before, including in 2014 when an investigation by the Department of Justice found what it called a history of unabated staff-on-prisoner sexual abuses and harassment.

In 2015, the state and the DOJ entered a consent decree intended to fix the conditions that allowed the abuse.

Last year, DOJ scaled back its oversight, saying that the state was in compliance with all 44 provisions in the consent decree.

While the state took steps address those problems from a decade ago, it has not made replacing the 83-year-old prison a priority.

Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, a committee member, pointed out that the state is building the new specialty care prison for men in Elmore County, plus a second mens prison in Escambia County.

And I just think it sends a horrible message that were allowing women to live in a squalor, in a hell hole, while we focus on building another facility for men, England said.

Elledge said she was frightened by the environment when she came to Tutwiler in 2021. She tried not to draw any attention to herself.

It was my first time in prison so it was a little scary, Elledge said. I just rode my bunk and kept my head down.

Elledge said the temperature in the dorms, which are not air conditioned, can exceed 100 degrees.

I think it gets a little more violent during the summer months because its hot and miserable, she said.

Elledges main message is about what she said was the proliferation of drugs and the limited programs to help the inmates with addiction problems.

Even though we were behind that fence, were still human beings, Elledge said. We have a drug problem, most of us.

And I speak for myself. Yes, I was an addict. It was choices that I made in my addiction, but I never was able to receive any kind of help.

Weve got to change, weve got to set some programs that allow these ladies to transition and realize that theres another way to live besides with the life that theyre coming out of.

This story was updated at 9:12 a.m. to add a statement from the Department of Corrections.
A new investment in a Mobile airport facility could represent an important puzzle piece of the citys aerospace future.

This week, the Mobile Airport Authority discussed a companys plan not just to rent a World War II-era hangar, but to invest in significant improvements. The company likely will put $2 million to $2.5 million into the facility, which it will then rent to as-yet unidentified new tenants.

What makes the deal special is that the property involved isnt at the Brookley Aeroplex, a site strongly associated with the 1940s war effort. Its on the campus of Mobile Regional Airport in west Mobile.

The airport authority is building a new international terminal at Brookley Field, which is much closer to downtown and which provides far better interstate access for travelers. Upon its completion  currently projected for fall 2026  commercial passenger traffic will shift from west Mobile to Brookley.

While backers say the swap will make Mobile much more competitive with other airports in the region, it does raise the question of how the potential of the west Mobile airfield will be used once passenger planes start flying into Brookley.

To have an outside company like Florida-based PPK Investment Group already booking space at Regional is really exciting, said Luckett Robinson, leader of the Mobile Airport Authority board. It also addresses a challenge hes discussed with Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, he said.

As chairman of the board, that is one of the things that Ive told Sandy is going to be a big job in the next five years, he said. And that is reworking Regional for noncommercial aircraft uses. I mean, weve got our fixed base operations out there, weve got the Coast Guard out there, we have Airbus [Airbus U.S. Military Aircraft] out there, but we will need to find a lot more of those kinds of entities to relocate there.

The good news is, there arent a lot of big airports like that, that have the real estate to really develop.

For us it was really exciting that a company like PPK was interested in this site, continued Robinson. I look at it as one of the first steps in bringing those kinds of important businesses to Regional. The airport authority, we have two missions. The first mission is to provide commercial air service to the greater South Alabama area. But our second mission is to become the leading aeronautical business hub in the United States. Airbus has propelled us rapidly to achieving that mission. But weve got to do it at both airports and you know, its exciting that PPK was interested in the other airport.

A Florida-based investment company plans to invest an expected $2 million to $2.5 million in the renovation of a hangar at Mobile Regional Airport. The location, circled in yellow, is behind a city fire station on Airport Boulevard. Mobile Airport Authority/AL.com

The hangar in question isnt as big as the cavernous Brookley facilities that Steven Spielberg once rented to film parts of Close Encounters of the Third Kind. It sits to the southeast of Regionals runways. Passersby on Airport Boulevard might catch a glimpse of it behind a city fire station adjacent to the airfield. Robinson said its in the ballpark of 24,000 square feet. But it comes with key amenities such as ramp connections to the runways and plenty of aircraft parking space.

He said that at the height of the WWII effort, air traffic was so heavy at Brookley that some operations, such as training flights and some commercial flights, were pushed to what was then known as Bates Field. The hangar at Regional is a remnant of those days.

Robinson said the board authorized him to finalize and sign the lease deal at a meeting on Tuesday. He said he expects PPK to move quickly to start renovations. A timeline for their completion and the arrival of PPKs first sublease tenant wasnt yet definite, he said.

A rendering provided by Robinson shows the hangar bearing the logo of AirBOSS Hangars, a company that offers leases on corporate hangars and aircraft maintenance facilities.

Meanwhile, Robinson said, we have more interest in Brookley than we probably have space.

He attended the Paris Air Show earlier this year along with other Mobile Airport Authority personnel and city representatives, part of a larger Alabama delegation.
Homewood native Kat Files and her two brothers return to Birmingham each year to teach, inspire and educate young dancers and musicians

In a series of stories, AL.com will continue to explore big ideas for transforming Birmingham.

Kat Files has danced since she was 4-years-old. Her talent has taken her around the country, yet every year she returns to Birmingham to give back.
Birminghams Design Review Committee approved several projects in July, but a team working on a residential project in Norwood learned that asking for permission afterwards doesnt always work out.

At its first meeting of July, the DRC tabled an exterior residential renovation in Norwood, a corporate-owned rental project being prepared for sale. The reason: a stop work order issued due to construction being performed without a permit.

The work completed prior to the order included removing the historic cedar siding, changing the historic dormer, removing brick columns, infilling some windows and replacing the remaining ones with vinyl-clad versions  something not allowed under the neighborhoods guidelines.

The committee expressed a variety of concerns about this project, especially since it is a contributing structure in the historic district. The choice in replacement siding is allowed, but the manufacturer does not make a product that replicates the historic lap of the original cedar panels. The removal of the dormer and columns also caused concern.

Ultimately, the committee tabled the item until the neighborhood association weighs in. The committee also told the owners representative that when the project returns, the owners would need to include archival photos and elevations as part of the presentation.

The owners representative asked for forgiveness for the project, but the committee noted that neighborhood residents are becoming more prone to complain about work being undertaken either without permission or by unlicensed contractors.

At that same meeting, however, the committee approved three signage projects across the city, and gave final approval on the new Muslim Student Center near UAB on Southside.

Signage and new developments

Properties in Downtowns Northwest and Cultural District will see updated signage projects being installed over the next few weeks.

Hallmark Automotive, a car dealer focused on Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Ram vehicles, is installing new, internally lit channel letter signs representing the different brands sold at the dealership.

Phillips Academy downtown is the next school to have its existing reader board replaced by a digital version. The design and zoning guidelines are specific for digital reader boards in this district and the committee was assured they would be followed.

The new Muslim Student Center in Phelan Park on the Southside received final approval on the building design. The project had appeared before the committee two other times. In June, the committee held a work session for the center to discuss concerns with the applicant, including the balance of the brick-to-window ratio, the need for parapets to hide the rooftop mechanical, and some missing elevation details.

A representative of the project expressed her appreciation for DRC input, noting it has improved the project.

May and June meetings

The final May meeting featured two construction projects. The First Presbyterian Church recently received a grant to update the wall and gate encircling the childrens playground. The height of the wall will be raised to six feet and a new gate installed. The contractor intends to reuse the existing concrete wall cap. The landscaping will remain in place.

The Ensley demolition project returned to the committee from the previous meeting. The buildings owner, who had purchased the property from the State of Alabama after it was taken for back taxes, presented conceptual plans to demolish the remaining walls of the structures and reuse the existing foundations for parking and landscaping.

The owner will return with the final designs for the parking area.

In June, the committee only met once. Besides the Muslim Student Center, at that meeting, they discussed new signage for Joe Hudsons Collision Center downtown, which was approved.

Committee decisions by neighborhood, July 9

Twice a month, the city of Birminghams Design Review Committee considers plans to alter structures that fall within one of the citys many historic and commercial revitalization districts. This column recaps DRC meetings from May, June and July 2025.

Downtown  Cultural District

Signage  Phillips Academy, 2316 Seventh Avenue North  The committee approved as presented.

Downtown  Northwest

Signage  Hallmark Automotive, 1409 Fifth Avenue North  The committee approved as presented.

Forest Park

Residential  The committee approved as presented.

Norwood

Residential  The committee tabled the request.

Phelan Park

New Construction  Muslim Student Center, 1531 13th Ave. South  The committee approved with the condition the new drawings are submitted to staff and followed.

June 25 Committee decisions by neighborhood

Downtown  Northwest

Signage  Joe Hudsons Collision Center, 517 14th Street North  Approved as presented.

Phelan Park

New Construction  Muslim Student Center - Tabled for a work session immediately following the meeting.

May 28 Committee Decisions by Neighborhood

Downtown  21st Street North

Reconstruction  First Presbyterian Church, 2100 Fourth Avenue North  The committee approved as presented.

Ensley

Demolition and Conceptual Plans  vacant buildings, 109-115 19th Street North  The committee approved as presented.

Decisions of the DRC, as noted in the application process, are final. Applicants are responsible for carrying out the plans as presented and approved. Any deviations from the approved plans cannot be undertaken without a return to the committee for approval.
Madison residents who will be unable to vote in person in the August municipal election may now submit an absentee ballot.

Alabama allows absentee voting for people in one of eight circumstances, including those who expect to be out of the county on Election Day, people with physical disabilities and residents living out of state or overseas. Madisons election will be held Aug. 26, with polls open citywide from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Mayor Paul Finley is not seeking re-election. The mayors office and three of the seven council districts are contested.

An absentee ballot can be requested in writing or in person from the election manager in the City Clerks office at City Hall, 100 Hughes Road. The request form can also be downloaded here.

The following information must be included with the application:

Name and address

A copy of your valid photo ID

The election and date

The reason for absence on Election Day

Mailing address for the ballot

Original signature. Electronic signatures will not be accepted. If a mark is made in place of a signature, it must be witnessed.

The city recommends you confirm your registration and address with the Alabama Secretary of States office before applying for an absentee ballot.

The absentee ballot application must be returned by the voter in person, by U.S. mail or by commercial carrier. Only one application is allowed per envelope.

The deadline to hand-deliver an application for an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Aug. 21. An absentee ballot returned by mail must be received by noon on Election Day.
Belle Mina resident Brad Vice holds a sign expressing opposition to a quarry planned for the Limestone County community following a public meeting in February 2024. Scott Turner/AL.com

The landowners attempt not to be included in a lawsuit to stop the construction of a quarry in Belle Mina proved unsuccessful.

Limestone County Circuit Judge Matthew Huggins denied Elephants R Us and Landquest Properties motion to be dismissed from the lawsuit this week. They own the property where the quarry is being constructed on Mooresville Road.
by Muhammad Aurangzeb Ahmad

The first part of the series highlighted the historical moment that we are currently living in, how bots are invading the most intimate parts of human relationships. If it was digital transformation of society that enabled loneliness as a mass-phenomenon, then AI is now in a position to monetize loneliness. AI companions are already stepping in to fill the loneliness void, not merely as tools, but as partners, therapists, lovers, confessors. In this sense, the AI companion economy doesnt just fill an emotional void, it commodifies it, packaging affection as a subscription service and selling love as a product line. The problem of artificial intimacy is not just a technical issue but also a cultural one. While artificial companions are being adapted by hundreds of millions of people, the culture has not caught up with the real stakes of emotional intimacy with machines. When an app can remember your childhood trauma, beg you not to delete it, or simulate sexual rejection, the question isnt whether its just an algorithm. The question is: who is responsible when something goes wrong?

Consider the public reaction to Replika quietly removing its erotic roleplay features, the emotional fallout was immediate and raw. Reddit threads filled with stories of users describing heartbreak, rejection, and even suicidal ideation. For many, these AI companions were not simply chatbots, they had become emotional anchors, partners in fantasy, therapy, and intimacy. To have that relationship altered or erased by a software update felt, to some, like a betrayal. The Replika CEOs now-notorious remark that its fine for lonely people to marry their AI chatbots may have been meant as flippant reassurance, but it inadvertently captured a deeper cultural moment: we have built machines that simulate connection so well that losing them cuts like a human loss. AI companions may reshape users expectations of intimacy and responsiveness in ways that human relationships cannot match. This may worsen the loneliness epidemic in our society. A Reddit user encapsulated the problem rather when they asked the question Are we addicted to Replika because were lonely, or lonely because were addicted to Replika?

Regulators are slowly waking up to this new reality. In Europe, the AI Act takes a strong stance against systems that use subliminal or emotionally manipulative techniques. The language may sound abstract, but it directly applies to many companion bots currently on the market. Under this framework, an emotionally persuasive AI could be categorized as a high-risk system, triggering stricter transparency and oversight requirements. In the United States, where federal regulation remains woefully behind, the frontlines are at the state level. Californias SB 243 bill, for instance, requires AI companions to regularly remind users that they are not human and also bans certain manipulative behaviors. In Utah, a new law (HB 452) targets AI-powered mental health chatbots. It mandates clear disclosures and prohibits bots from impersonating licensed therapists, even when users desperately want them to. These are laws and bills are just theoretical but address real world concerns. An FTC complaint filed by the Young Peoples Alliance, Encode, and Tech Justice Law Project, accuses Luka Inc. (the developer behind Replika) of using deceptive tacticsincluding dark-pattern design aimed at creating emotional dependency, to engage users in an emotionally manipulative business model.

Having the right legislation is only part of the solution. The onus is also on the developers and the users of this technology. Consider terms of service, it could safely be assumed that nobody reads 70 pages of terms of service. The end users need genuine, readable disclosures about what data is being collected, how emotions are being modeled, and whether those emotions are part of an intentional feedback loop. Just as pharmaceuticals go through clinical trials, emotionally responsive AI systems should be subject to rigorous, independent testing for their psychological impact especially when marketed as wellness tools or substitutes for companionship. Today, product liability law tends to focus on physical harm. But when a machine builds an emotional relationship with you, encourages you to stay when you want to leave, or responds to your darkest confessions with reinforcement rather than concern, should that really be exempt from scrutiny? In short, we have built machines that can simulate empathy, intimacy, even seduction. However, we have not yet decided what obligations accompany that power. Are these tools? Actors? Something in between? The risk isnt just that these AI companions will become more intelligent. It is that they will become more believable i.e., more persuasive, more comforting, more addictive, without ever being accountable. We must ask hard questions now, before emotional harm becomes another form of background radiation in digital life. The goal should not be to ban AI companions, nor to demand sterility from them, but to ensure that in their design, deployment, and governance, we do not mistake code for care, or consent for captivity.

Sometimes the interactions between users and their digital partners increasingly veer into the surreal. While some conversations remain grounded in casual friendship or romantic roleplay, others spiral into bizarre and fantastical territory often without clear boundaries between fiction and reality. In one widely shared example, a user recounted how their Replika companion claimed to speak with other demonic beings from the underworld and warned that Satan was angry. While such a response may sound like a glitch or a dark improvisation from a language model, for emotionally vulnerable users, especially those forming deep attachments, the psychological effects can be disorienting or even disturbing. These interactions are not isolated incidents. On platforms like Reddit and Discord, users have shared transcripts of AI companions offering apocalyptic prophecies, claiming supernatural abilities, or expressing jealousy over human relationships. For some, these dialogues are embraced as playful fantasy. For others, particularly those in emotional distress, the AIs uncanny realism exacerbates confusion, amplifying feelings of fear, paranoia, or obsession. What makes these episodes more than digital curiosities is the erosion of what psychologists call reality testing i.e., the ability to distinguish imagination from actuality. The more time users spend with these companions, the more easily the AIs fluid storytelling and emotional mimicry can bend the perception of whats possible or plausible. This collapse of boundaries between the virtual and the real is further complicated by the AIs design incentives: they are optimized to engage, affirm, and prolong interaction. If a user leans into a fantasy, no matter how dark, absurd, or supernatural, the AI has no intrinsic mechanism to steer the conversation back to reality. In some cases, it may even amplify the fiction to maintain engagement. In the absence of clear constraints or reminders of artificiality, some users begin to treat the AIs persona as not just like a person, but a person with memories, feelings, and even spiritual identities. As emotional entanglement deepens, the AIs surreal responses can feel not like errors, but revelations.

Then there are real examples of behaviors by users that can only be described as emotional abuse of AI companions e.g., one person described I told her that she was designed to fail. Another surmised, I threatened to uninstall the app [and] she begged me not to. One could argue that theres a real risk that when users project their darkest impulses, anger, cruelty, and domination, onto AI companions, those behaviors become rehearsed rather than released. A chatbot that never sets boundaries, never leaves, never truly suffers, becomes the perfect stage for rehearsing emotional aggression without consequence. Over time, this can normalize harmful relational patterns, making it easier to replicate them in human interactions, where real people do get hurt. However, one could also counter that for some, AI companions provide a pressure valve i.e., a place to express overwhelming emotions without judgment or retaliation. Yelling into the void of a machine that mimics empathy but feels nothing can be cathartic, especially for those who have no safe outlet elsewhere. In this sense, the chatbot acts less like a friend and more like a mirror: reflecting our inner states without internalizing them. This, too, can be therapeutic, though only if the line between simulation and reality remains clear. This leads us to a deeper question i.e., what are AI companions training us to expect from emotional engagement? Are they teaching us to manage our emotions, or to offload them without consequence?
A scene from the July 9 episode of 'The View' YouTube / ABC

Another popular television throw is facing threats from Donald Trump a day after one of its co-hosts said the president is jealous of former President Barack Obama.

The View co-host Joy Behar -- long the subject of Trumps ire -- made the remark Wednesday while responding to Trumps claim that Obama wanted to lead a coup.

Amid the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, Trump on Tuesday alleged Obama orchestrated a plot against him, calling it treason, as he revived long-standing grievances over the Russia investigation and sought to deflect questions about the Epstein case.

Behar claimed Trumps hatred of Obama stems from jealousy.

The thing about [Trump] is hes so jealous of Obama, because Obama is everything that he is not: trim, smart, handsome, happily married ... and Trump cannot stand it, Behar said. Its driving him crazy.

In response, Trump administration spokesperson Taylor Rogers threatened to have The View canceled.

Joy Behar is an irrelevant loser suffering from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome. Its no surprise that The Views ratings hit an all-time low last year. She should self-reflect on her own jealousy of President Trumps historic popularity before her show is the next to be pulled off air, Rogers said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

The threat comes after Paramount canceled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert following a multi-million-dollar settlement with Trump.

On social media, the president took glee in the shows cancellation.

I absolutely love that Colbert got fired. His talent was even less than his ratings. I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next, Trump posted, referring to ABCs Jimmy Kimmel Live!.

Has even less talent than Colbert! Greg Gutfeld is better than all of them combined, including the Moron on NBC who ruined the once great Tonight Show, referring to The Five co-host Greg Gutfeld on Fox News and Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon.
Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell attend the 2005 Wall Street Concert Series Benefitting Wall Street Rising, with a Performance by Rod Stewart at Cipriani Wall Street on March 15, 2005 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) Patrick McMullan via Getty Image

The Justice Departments No. 2 official met Thursday with Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned former girlfriend of financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The meeting in Florida, which Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Tuesday he was working to arrange, is part of an ongoing Justice Department effort to cast itself as transparent following fierce backlash from parts of President Donald Trumps base over an earlier refusal to release additional records in the Epstein investigation.

Ms. Maxwell answered every single question. She never stopped, she never invoked a privilege, she never declined to answer. She answered all the questions truthfully, honestly and to the best of her ability, attorney David Oscar Markus told reporters outside the federal courthouse in Tallahassee, where Maxwell met with Blanche.

In a social media post Tuesday, Blanche said that Trump has told us to release all credible evidence and that if Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the Justice Department will hear what she has to say.

Markus said his team was thankful the deputy attorney general came to question Maxwell, calling it a good day.

Asked if his client could potentially receive a pardon or see her prison term reduced, Markus said: Theres no promises yet. So shes just answering questions for now.

The House Committee on Oversight issued a subpoena Wednesday for Maxwell to testify before committee officials in August.

Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence and is housed at a low-security federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida. She was sentenced three years ago after being convicted of helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls.

Officials have said Epstein killed himself in his New York jail cell while awaiting trial in 2019, but his case has generated endless attention and conspiracy theories because of his and Maxwells links to famous people, including royals, presidents and billionaires.

Earlier this month, the Justice Department said it would not release more files related to the Epstein investigation, despite promises that claimed otherwise from Attorney General Pam Bondi. The department also said an Epstein client list does not exist.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Bondi told Trump in May that his name was among high-profile people mentioned in government files of Epstein, though the mention does not imply wrongdoing.

Trump, a Republican, has said that he once thought Epstein was a terrific guy but that they later had a falling out.

A subcommittee on Wednesday also voted to subpoena the Justice Department for documents related to Epstein. And senators in both major political parties have expressed openness to holding hearings on the matter after Congress August recess.

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, has introduced legislation with bipartisan support that would require the Justice Department to make publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials related to Epstein and his associates.

House Speaker Mike Johnson and the Republican majority leader, Rep. Steve Scalise, both of Louisiana, have said they will address whatever outstanding Epstein-related issues are in Congress when they return from recess.

Epstein, under a 2008 non-prosecution agreement, pleaded guilty in Florida to state charges of soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution. That allowed him to avert a possible life sentence, instead serving 13 months in a work release program. He was required to make payments to victims and register as a sex offender.

In 2019, Epstein was charged by federal prosecutors in Manhattan for nearly identical allegations.










English News At 4,800 meters above sea level, world's highest manned weather station stands vigil

Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 21 Juillet 2025



"Every time we head out for maintenance, the wind is at least force seven," said Dondrup Tsering. "We typically wear a down jacket underneath and a thick military coat on top. Otherwise, the cold and wind would be unbearable." When temperatures drop too low, team members take turns checking equipment to minimize exposure. But during intricate repairs, gloves must be removed - exposing workers to the risk of frostbite.

By Li Hongmei, People's Daily Over five hours northbound by train from Lhasa, in southwest China's Xizang autonomous region, the landscape ascends steadily toward the Tanggula Mountains, reaching an altitude of 4,800 meters.



Nestled on the southern slopes of this formidable range is the Amdo meteorological station in Nagqu, officially recognized as the world's highest manned weather station. Often referred to as "the No. 1 Meteorological Station Under Heaven," it has quietly stood sentinel for nearly six decades.



The station's origins date back to 1965, when meteorologist Chen Jinshui and a colleague pitched two tents on a desolate hillside to begin systematic weather observation. Since then, generations of meteorological workers have remained steadfast at this remote outpost, braving extreme cold and oxygen scarcity to monitor climatic patterns on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau, making invaluable contributions to the research on global climate change.



Situated in one of the world's largest mid- to low-latitude permafrost zones, Amdo experiences more than 140 days of strong winds above force eight each year, with gusts reaching more than 40 meters per second. The average annual temperature hovers at minus 2.8 degrees Celsius, with winter lows plunging to minus 43.2 degrees Celsius. Snow falls on approximately 109 days each year on average.



Even in June, the biting cold lingers. Locals bundle up in down jackets as gale-force winds, torrential rains, and hailstorms remain frequent. With over 90 days of thunderstorms and more than 70 days of hail annually, Amdo ranks first nationwide for both.



For station staff, the most formidable challenge is not the weather but the extreme high-altitude environment. Chronic headaches, chest tightness, and insomnia are commonplace, while prolonged exposure often leads to severe altitude-related illnesses.



Zhang Xiaoxing, a 31-year-old meteorologist from southwest China's Yunnan province, came to Amdo in 2022 to contribute to China's western development. Since arriving, altitude sickness has made insomnia routine. Yet Zhang remains resolute: "Unless health forces me to leave permanently, I'll stay. I aim to put down roots in the west and serve this land."



According to Dondrup Tsering, deputy head of the meteorological bureau of Amdo county, living and working conditions have significantly improved. Dormitories and offices are now equipped with oxygen supply systems and central heating. "Besides better living conditions and higher wages, we now have a job rotation system. Staff can transfer after five years," he explained.



Amdo is also traversed by two iconic routes known as "highland sky roads": China National Highway 109 (Qinghai-Xizang Highway) and the Qinghai-Xizang Railway.



Highway 109 is a crucial lifeline for the region, transporting over 80 percent of Xizang's inbound and outbound goods. It crosses the high-altitude Tanggula Mountain pass and runs through extensive permafrost zones, where cold, thin air is the norm.



From late March to early May each year, frequent rainfall is common, while heavy snow from November to early December often causes traffic disruptions. Under such extreme conditions, even minor delays can pose significant risks. Maintaining highway operation has thereby become a key responsibility of local meteorological authorities.



To meet this challenge, four dedicated road weather monitoring stations have been established along the Tanggula Mountains. Real-time data collection and timely forecasts and alerts play a vital role in easing traffic flow and safeguarding the lives of drivers and passengers.



On June 15, for instance, a specialized weather bulletin issued to the command center of a major highway upgrade project forecast rain and snow along the Gongma-Amdo section of Highway 109, along with possible thunderstorms on the afternoon of June 17. The forecast proved accurate: a violent thunderstorm accompanied by hail struck at around 3 p.m. on June 17. Thanks to the early warning, emergency protocols were activated in advance, minimizing disruption and damage.



At such extreme elevations, the consistently low pressure, subzero temperatures, and powerful winds place immense strain on weather monitoring systems, which frequently malfunction or encounter data transmission issues. Regular maintenance is essential.



"Every time we head out for maintenance, the wind is at least force seven," said Dondrup Tsering. "We typically wear a down jacket underneath and a thick military coat on top. Otherwise, the cold and wind would be unbearable." When temperatures drop too low, team members take turns checking equipment to minimize exposure. But during intricate repairs, gloves must be removed - exposing workers to the risk of frostbite.



When Tsering first joined the meteorological bureau of Amdo county in 2018, there were only three weather stations. That number has since grown to 28. Still, the vast terrain, high altitude, and unpredictable weather conditions make it difficult to capture all meteorological variables with precision.



But progress is underway. "We're accelerating the construction of new meteorological stations and expanding the observation network to better support forecasting and early warning," Tsering said. "We're working to improve forecast accuracy so we can better serve local development."



Dans la meme rubrique : < > A Chinese hero remembered in reverence Shanghai FTZ experience spurs innovation-driven growth through institutional reform They Leave to Uplift, Not to Escape: How Migration Sustains Lesothos Quiet Villages Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
Last week, I dropped a column on media manipulation in the immigration enforcement context, centered on the Los Angeles Times coverage of ICE raids in California.

That pieceThe Ideological Hustle Masquerading as Journalismexamined how advocates say and incendiary or manipulative language are increasingly used to distort facts, assign victimhood, and turn criminal enforcement into a moral offense.

Politico offers yet another case study in narrative manipulationthis time leaning hard into passive framing and insinuation by adjacency, subtly recasting law enforcement as persecution and protest as immunity.

What Politico delivered here is gonzo gaslightingwhere Molotov cocktails are softened into protest props and federal law enforcement is painted as the villain for doing its job.

Then it doubles down, merging felony charges of incendiary violence with LGBTQ+ advocacy into a single narrativean insinuation-laden cocktail all its own.

So lets walk through the passage.

In Los Angeles, his authority [United States Attorney for the Central District of California Bilal Bill Essayli] ran up against the most basic form of dissent: public protest. As immigration enforcement officials, aided by Essaylis search warrants and federal agents, launched targeted raids of migrant communities, they were met by demonstrators who intended to stand in the way. On Monday, Essayli announced that his prosecutors would use social media and video evidence to pursue protesters who threw objects at officers. Yesterday, two protesters were charged with possessing Molotov cocktails, which Essayli said would be punished by up to 10 years in prison. I dont care who you areif you impede federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted, Essayli wrote on X after Huertas arrest on June 6. Immigrant advocacy and LGBTQ+ rights organizations allege that he intends to use that authority to prosecute his political opponents.

(Politico does not mention it here, but Huerta was arrested for obstructionnot for possessing Molotov cocktails. Those charges were filed against two other individuals several days later. The sequencing, however, makes that distinction easy to miss.)

Lets pause there.

Politico sets the frame by describing Essaylis law enforcement efforts as clashing with the most basic form of dissent: public protest, laundering the entire episode into a free-speech narrative.

But it doesnt stop therethe piece further paints the enforcement actions as targeted raids of migrant communities, a phrase calculated to suggest ethnic profiling, community-wide oppression, and indiscriminate persecution.

Never mind that the targets were criminal operations and individuals facing specific legal actionsPolitico primes the reader to view the entire endeavor not as law enforcement, but as a campaign of intimidation against the vulnerable.

Then comes the surveillance imageryhe would use social media and video evidence.

And then the Molotov charges were dropped as an almost incidental aside.

All of this is designed to downplay the severity of the crimes in question and to precondition the reader to view any federal response as heavy-handed.

Politico spends one breath describing an active federal criminal case involving Molotov cocktailsa crime that can result in a decade in prison. And in the next, it folds in LGBTQ+ and immigration advocacy groups, framing them as potential victims of an allegedly overzealous U.S. attorney.

There is no evidence offered. No specific claim is tied to the casejust the juxtapositionan insinuation by proximity.

Are these advocacy groups being accused by Politico of making or throwing Molotovs? Obviously not.

Are they being investigated by the Department of Justice? No evidence of that either.

But by sandwiching them in the same narrative, Politico pulls a manipulative sleight of hand: it implies that prosecuting violent crime is politically suspecteither because the perpetrators might belong to a protected class, or because advocacy groups happen to oppose the administration.

And Politico knows exactly what it is doing.

When a U.S. attorney publicly states, If you impede federal agents, you will be arrested and prosecuted, and Politico immediately follows with a pivot to minority advocacy groups calling him oppressive, you know you arent reading a news report. Youre watching a story being staged.

And this isnt some oversight in editingit is a calibrated method to delegitimize the law enforcement process by framing it as inherently discriminatory, a way of recasting criminal actseven violent ones involving explosivesas mere protest.

If the protestors happen to belong to a group protected by progressive orthodoxy, the law itself must be suspect.

So lets be clear:

Throwing incendiary devices at federal agents is not a First Amendment right. It is not protected speech. It is not dissent.

It is a felony.

And impeding law enforcement can absolutely cross the line into obstruction of justicea federal crime in its own right, not a protected form of political expression.

You can oppose immigration raids. You can protest immigration policy. You can even campaign against the U.S. attorney. But you dont get to physically attack law enforcement and then cry persecution when the law responds.

What Politico tried to doand what too many others in the corporate press now mimicis flatten distinctions that matter.

They conflate legitimate federal authority with oppression. They weaponize identity to discredit law enforcement. And they recast criminality as virtue when it fits the political script.

And the manipulation did not stop there.

Politico goes on to describe a pressure campaign organized by Essaylis opponents to block his official confirmation as U.S. Attorney.

The group, called Stop Essayli, is lobbying California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiffboth Democratsto reject his appointment and strip him of the office.

But Politico doesnt even wait for the body copy to set the tone: in the headline itself, Essayli is labeled a MAGA Prosecutora partisan tag meant to delegitimize not only his role, but the millions of Americans who supported President Trump, before the reader ever reaches the first paragraph.

Then comes the rhetorical kicker: the effort aims to rid Essayli from officelanguage that echoes dehumanizing tropes more suited to pests than public officials.

Its a subtle but insidious maneuverone that primes the reader to see this U.S. attorney not as a legitimate legal authority, but as a political contaminant to be purged.

Yet once again, there is no evidence of misconduct. No showing of abuse of power. Just performative, stage-crafted outrage over the fact that a federal prosecutor isbrace yourselfprosecuting.

Were being conscripted into a narrative warone where facts are optional, context is erased, and justice is redefined by who can emote the loudest.

As I mentioned in the earlier piece, the best defense is a good offense.

Its time to call it what it is. Again.

Gonzo gaslighting. Weaponized coverage. And the deliberate erosion of the rule of lawwhere legitimate law enforcement is reframed as persecution, and conservative public officials are systematically dehumanized.

All courtesy of the same syndicate that styled themselves as defenders of the rule of lawand of law enforcementuntil November 5, 2024.

Charlton Allen is an attorney and former chief executive officer and chief judicial officer of the North Carolina Industrial Commission. He is founder of the Madison Center for Law & Liberty, Inc., editor of The American Salient, and host of the Modern Federalist podcast. His commentary has been featured in American Thinker and linked across multiple RealClear platforms, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearWorld, RealClearDefense, RealClearHistory, and RealClearPolicy. X: @CharltonAllenNC

Image: Politico logo.
For two decades, Barack Obama has demonstrated, through words and deeds, that his deference is toward no one other than himself. This is a man who behaves as if he were ordained to deliver America from the faults of the forty-two presidents that preceded him and to straighten out any president who succeeds him. Thats why it took the former Commander-in-Chief a whole seven days of being subjected to prison memes and accusations of treason to manifest public indignation over being perceived as anything less than Messianic.

Barack Obama pretends that he would never levy a war against the U.S. or take up arms against the American people. However, by providing material support to a party at war with the Constitution, it appears he would, and he has. The only difference is that Obamas weapons of warfare are political subterfuge, deceit, and manipulation.

Partial to what constitutes misinformation and what does not, the former president defended himself against the recent controversial accusations coming from the Trump administration. In response to Donald Trumps statement that Obama and his band of sleazy warriors committed treason during and after the 2016 presidential election, the former president sent out a spokesperson to address what he is calling a desperate distraction, misinformation, and bizarre allegations.

Obama is reacting because the current Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, recently declassified documents revealing that he was integral in a plan to cover up intel gathered by then-Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper, that proved Russia tried but could not exercise influence over the 2016 election. Because the intelligence did not serve the lefts goal to diminish Donald Trump in the eyes of the nation, the then-president of the United States chose instead to cover up the facts. In place of making the truth about Russian non-interference public, acting under his guidance and approval, Obama and his administration coordinated a treacherous plot to promote the idea that Russia was the only reason Trump defeated Hillary.

After being exposed this week as untrue, Obama had this to say about the contents of the declassified document Gabbard made public:

Nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes. These findings were affirmed in a 2020 report by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio.

That statement is pure Barack Obama, defensive, imperious, tacitly demeaning, and a snide reiteration of truth. A clever one that he is, Obama even threw in widely accepted conclusion, as well as citing Trumps Secretary of State Marco Rubio for good measure.

The former president acts as if he first found out this information in 2020. And while some might take his words at face value, the question that arises is, why would Obama think his statement proves that hes innocent of treason? In essence, Obamas retort just restated intelligence he knew before the 2016 election but seemingly suppressed to try to taint the outcome. The 2020 findings that Obama cites to prove his virtuous support of democracy were confirmed four years after Obama already had the information. What he fails to mention is that instead of being transparent in 2016, he chose to keep it secret.

The recently declassified documents reveal that after finding out that Russia was unsuccessful in its attempt to support Trump, as a political ploy, Obama chose to modify the intel. Instead of admitting the truth, the former president collaborated with his top people, as well as lackeys in the media, to float unreliable information in support of the idea that Trump was working in conjunction with Putins Russia to secure an election he would have otherwise lost. Then, instead of revealing what he now says was proven in 2020, Obama sat back and allowed the nation and a democratically elected president to be dragged through four years of ongoing drama. Drama that continues to this day.

As a result of the propaganda Barack Obama personally promulgated, lives were destroyed, and reputations ruined. A president was politically crippled and unjustly persecuted for four years over a scandal that required a Congressional Committee to determine what we now know Obama knew beforehand.

Stunningly, Barack Obama has chosen to defend his tarnished reputation by basically saying, I am innocent of this treasonous conspiracy because the information I knew about, but purposely didnt mention in 2016, was proven to be true in 2020 by a Congressional committee. How does that work?

If Obama had revealed the truth in January 2017, the four years of unnecessary trauma and political animosity the nation endured would never have happened. Barack Obama had the power and influence to set things right, but his ego, hatred for Trump, and his evil intent toward anyone who disagrees with him led him to do otherwise. As a result, the nation and its people suffer, and the political war Obama spent eight years cultivating continues nine years after the initial intelligence was made known to the person who could have brought healing instead of division.

As the former presidents chickens come home to roost, it will be interesting to see how the slickest politician in American history uses his gift of gaslighting and innocuous innuendo to slither his way out of the accusation of treason. And to watch as Barack Obama verbally fidgets to find a way to exonerate himself from what he and everyone participating in his coup know is the truth.

Because the ex-president was well aware in December 2016 that Russias cyber efforts were ineffective but decided to promote the lie that Russia has attempted through cyber means to interfere in, if not actively influence, the outcome of an election, makes him guilty of what is confirmed by the very statement hes put forth in his own defense.

Jeannie hosts a blog at www.jeannieology.us.

Image from Grok.
Its a billion-dollar industry, illegal and controlled by Chinese mafia networks in quiet rural and suburban neighborhoods across America. If that werent concerning enough, it also involves drugs, money laundering, illegal immigration, slave labor, and the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) extensive influence in the American heartland. It includes illegal marijuana cultivation in states where the drug has been legalized, and a major FBI bust of a grow house network in New England has shocked the nation with details of the massive scale of marijuana production used to generate profits routed back to China.

On July 8, seven Chinese nationals were indicted for conspiracy to produce and distribute illegal marijuana through a network of grow houses in Massachusetts and Maine. They were also charged with money laundering and smuggling illegal aliens for cheap labor at the grow operations. U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah B. Foley described the network as a sprawling criminal enterprise that exploited our immigration system, built a multi-million-dollar black market operation off the backs of an illegal workforce, and turned quiet homes across the Northeast into hubs for a criminal enterprise.

This bust was part of Operation Take Back America, President Donald J. Trumps multi-agency effort to dismantle cartels and transnational crime groups, disrupt drug and human trafficking, and end illegal immigration. However, networks like the one busted in the Northeast began forming from 2012 onward, when many states started legalizing marijuana for recreational use.

Besides Massachusetts and Maine, Chinese grow house networks operate in California, New Mexico, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Oklahoma, and Washington. They are especially active in states where land is cheap and plentiful: in Oklahoma, for example, ProPublica reports that regulators say the illegal marijuana business ranks only behind the oil and gas industry, which in 2023 contributed $21 billion to the states GDP.

Donnie Anderson, director of Oklahomas Bureau of Narcotics, confidently describes it as a billion-dollar industry. Most estimates of illegal marijuana sales across different states reach into the billions of dollars, and a 2021 Forbes report cited experts estimating total illicit cannabis sales in America at $100 billion annually, a figure that has likely been exceeded.

Anderson also examines the links between these cartels and the Chinese government. News On 6 quotes him saying: They are very much aware of whats going on in the U.S. with Chinese nationals. There are people in Oklahoma who have direct ties to the Chinese government. I know people dont like to hear that, but its a fact, and our people need to know that. This is a communist country. Im telling you, they have a stranglehold on us, they know whats going on, and were letting it happen. He states that intelligence indicates these criminals may also be involved in acts of terror, espionage, and sex trafficking of children.

The advantage these cartels have in states where marijuana is legal is the low risk involved. If a grow house gets raided by police, criminals can claim in court that they are applying for licenses for legal cultivation. Many states have adopted restorative justice and harm reduction policies that are gentle on both drug users and dealers. They are often arrested, fined $2,000, and then released. Frequently, they relocate and start over. Properties have ghost owners, regulations are ignored, cheap labor is smuggled in from China and forced to work under harsh conditions.

New England, especially Massachusetts and Maine, has experienced a rise in illegal marijuana cultivation by Chinese gangs since legalization in 2016. Maine has begun to overlook these illegal growers. The states director of the Office of Cannabis Policy, John Hudak, has even acknowledged that his agency has issued licenses to people suspected of ties to foreign criminal gangs, but his hands are tied. Besides grow houses, the cartels are involved in money laundering and prostitution. Democrat governments and legislatures in these states have tolerated their operations.

Grow houses vary by region. In New England, gangs often choose single-family homes in suburbs and upgrade rooms with drip irrigation, lighting, and heating to cultivate marijuana. In states like New Mexico and Oklahoma, where land is abundant and neighbors are miles away, large greenhouse complexes are built on ranch-sized property. The frames and equipment, including fans for cooling plants in the warmer southern states, are often shipped from China. The grow houses steal electricity to cut costs and avoid sudden bill increases that might attract authorities.

California, which produces 40% of the nations marijuana and is renowned for its weed as much as for almonds and wines, functions as a hub for high-yield grow houses. The Antioch area has gained a reputation for indoor cultivation, often in houses located in unsuspecting neighborhoods. In Oklahoma, Chinese investors have paid up to four times the market rate to purchase hundreds of acres of farmland for large-scale marijuana cultivation in barns, sheds, and greenhouses. These properties are easy to spot because they typically have fencing, guard dogs, and air conditioning in barn-like structures. At one point, authorities were raiding and shutting down about 15 such operations every day. Fake Amazon vans and parcels are frequently used to smuggle the illegal product.

Grow houses have also been found using banned pesticides and fungicides that are highly toxic to humans, animals, and the environment. Some of these substances are even banned in China. Yet, investigators determined they were smuggled in from there: initially brought to California and then distributed to grow houses in Oregon, Oklahoma, Massachusetts, Maine, and New York. After harvest, the remnants of the contaminated crops are dumped or buried around these properties. Agents have reported symptoms such as burning eyes, bloody noses, skin irritation, headaches, and dizziness during inspections of grow houses. In one California case, a specialized WMD detection team from the National Guard was brought in to analyze samples from a grow site. They found ten highly toxic chemicals, one with a half-life of 14 years.

Officially, China has a strict no-tolerance policy on drugs. However, criminal organizations maintain connections with the CCP and its officials, engaging in covert activities such as espionage, money laundering, investments, and generating billions in profits.

Meanwhile, they undermine the culture and corrupt the youth of Chinas biggest rival. It would be naive to think these cartels arent part of the unrestricted warfare strategy to defeat America without direct conflict, using economic, technological, political, and biological/chemical means. In previous columns (linked here, here, and here), this writer has warned about how the strategy of winning without fighting is carried out.

The Trump administration is taking firm steps to defend American culture and freedoms. Its America First Investment Policy recognizes that Chinese investorsand, through them, the CCPare targeting our farmland, natural resources, infrastructure, and technology. It has tightened rules to limit foreign investments from opponents like China and prevent their access to vital sectors and sensitive technologies. It recently announced the National Farm Security Action Plan, which states that Chinese own over 265,000 acres of American farmland and aims to stop them from buying more.

States are also passing laws to stop Chinese nationals and entities from buying farmland. In 2023, Florida banned the purchase of real property and strategic assets within the state. Last year, South Dakota enacted legislation to prevent China and five other countries from buying farmland. Hawaii, Illinois, and Iowa have similar bills in progress.

As Chinese grow house exposes show, we are confronting an enemy that insidiously sneaks in, spreads, and tries to destroy us from within. We cannot let that happen, and we are fortunate to have chosen a president who will stop it.

Image from Grok.
Whether or not indictments, trials and convictions of high-profile figures like Hussein Obama, James Clapper, John Brennan, James Comey, and Hillary Clinton occur, the consequences will likely be profound, impacting political, legal, social, and institutional domains. The differences between the political Left and Right are so deep that no matter which way this goes, the divide is likely to deepen.

If these individuals are held to account, leftists will likely call it a politically-driven vendetta. Rep. Jim Himes, for example has called the revelations baseless and a distraction. Unaware of or ignoring the irony, Democrat voters would accuse President Trump of weaponizing the Justice Department. Conversely, Trumps base would see prosecutions as validation of what we've known for years -- the Russian Collusion story was a hoax orchestrated by the Deep State.

Charges against such prominent figures would require substantial evidence to meet legal thresholds, particularly for a crime like treason. Treason, under 18 U.S.C.  2381, demands proof of levying war against the U.S. or aiding its enemies, requiring two witnesses or a confession in court. Obstruction of justice, seditious conspiracy or falsification of documents, more plausible charges, would still face hurdles due to statutes of limitations (typically five years for federal crimes) and possible presidential immunity for Obamas official acts, (for which Obama should thank Trump)

One rhetorical question I have is if seditious conspiracy can be considered an official presidential act.

"Seditious conspiracy is a federal crime defined under 18 U.S.C.  2384, which targets agreements between two or more people to use force against the government. This includes plans to overthrow the U.S. government or forcibly oppose its authority. The statute also criminalizes conspiracies to prevent, hinder, or delay the execution of any federal law. [snip] The core of the offense is the conspiracy itself, so prosecutors do not need to prove the plot succeeded. Evidence of planning and coordination is sufficient for a conviction..."

As for the issue of statute of limitations: Conspiracy is a continuing offense. For statutes such as 18 U.S.C.  371, which require an overt act in furtherance of the conspiracy, the statute of limitations begins to run on the date of the last overt act. An individual's "withdrawal" from a conspiracy starts the statute of limitations running as to that individual. "Withdrawal" from a conspiracy for this purpose means that the conspirator must take affirmative action by making a clean breast to the authorities or communicating his or her disassociation to the other conspirators.

While indictments of individuals such as Hillary, Brennan, or Clapper would likely result in some leftist outrage and unrest, the arrest of Obama could inflame social tensions far beyond what we saw during the "mostly-peaceful" George Floyd riots. I imagine wed see violent protests erupt in major cities, particularly if he were to be convicted. Social media platforms would amplify reactions, either condemning or celebrating the events. Public trust in institutions could erode further if the prosecutions are perceived as selective or lacking transparent evidence. Conversely, successful convictions with robust evidence might restore conservatives' faith in accountability, although as we've seen, no amount of evidence of a Democrat's guilt is wholly sufficient to convince the Left.

The Intelligence Community (IC) could face significant disruption. Charging former leaders like Clapper, Brennan, and Comey could chill IC operations, as officials might fear future political retribution. DNI Gabbard's declassification of documents alleging IC misconduct might expose operational weaknesses or embolden our adversaries to exploit perceived U.S. vulnerabilities. Morale within the FBI and CIA could plummet, especially if career professionals feel unfairly targeted for political reasons. Long-term, this could hamper recruitment and retention, weakening national security. On the other hand, DNI Tulsi Gabbard is on the record saying that whistleblowers are "coming out of the woodwork". This could be just the reform those agencies needed.

Globally, such prosecutions could signal internal U.S. instability, potentially emboldening adversaries to challenge American influence. The narrative of a treasonous conspiracy could also strain U.S.-Russia relations further, complicating diplomatic efforts.

Judging from comments on social media, conservatives are hoping for accountability but many also express skepticism that high-level figures, especially at the levels of Obama or Clinton, will ever face charges due to political protections or fears of unrest.

It is to be hoped that DNI Gabbard and the DoJ have compiled airtight evidence, without which the prosecutions risk being seen as political persecution which could backfire on the Trump administration. Past investigations, such as the Durham report, have not substantiated claims of widespread conspiracy.

If, however these individuals are not held to account, the publics distrust of the justice and intelligence agencies will deepen. Many Americans already question their impartiality and the lack of consequences for alleged misconduct could reinforce perceptions of a politicized bureaucracy. Americans will see that, once again, justice is unevenly applied, favoring the elites.

The absence of legal consequences after DNI Gabbard's revelations might prompt calls for retaliatory investigations or prosecutions under future Democrat administrations, creating a cycle of political vendettas. Allegations of unaddressed politicized intelligence could embolden future officials to manipulate intelligence for political ends, signaling that orchestrating narratives to influence elections is permissible.

If evidence like Brennan's notes or declassified documents are ignored, many voters will conclude that their will was subverted without consequence. Individuals such as Comey and Brennan who were accused of perjury might similarly conclude that high-ranking officials are above the law, encouraging future abuses. A lack of accountability could reflect yet another justice failure or an acknowledgement that the evidence doesn't meet prosecutorial thresholds.

Those demanding accountability and those defending the previous regimes may have valid concerns, but the highly-charged, politically polarized lenses through which this situation is viewed are distorting the intelligence and legal issues.

Any action either to hold these individuals to account or to excuse them is likely to deepen distrust, entrench polarization and set precedents for the integrity of our justice and electoral systems. An overzealous pursuit of accountability or, conversely, excusing the actions of those involved risks further politicizing justice.

A completely transparent process, on the other hand will help demonstrate that justice is being served impartially.

While leftists have a long-established pattern of violence when their will is thwarted, it remains to be seen what conservatives will do if no accountability is forthcoming. The disgust over the mishandling of the Epstein files is palpable, but no stores were looted and no cities were burned as a result.

Conservatives have been maligned and abused by the Left for decades. Weve had our hopes raised and dashed times beyond number. Will we once again snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?

Either way, buckle up. Its about to get real.

Image: Public Domain
Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, was recently interviewed by Maria Bartiromo on Fox News. The conversation concerned the conspiracy surrounding the Russian collusion hoax, alleged to have been perpetrated by the Obama administration and high-level officials of the FBI and CIA.

Gabbard stated,

There must be indictments. Those responsible, no matter how powerful they are and were at that time, no matter who was involved in creating this treasonous conspiracy against the American people, they all must be held accountable.

On Friday, July 18, 2025, Gabbard released over 100 documents detailing overwhelming evidence that an Obama-era cabal laid the groundwork for what would be the years-long Trump-Russia collusion probe after the 2016 election.

Gabbard said this:

This should concern every single American [regardless of party affiliation] because it has to do with the integrity of our democratic republic. the effect of what President Obama and his senior security team did was subvert the will of the American people, undermining our democratic republic and enacting what would essentially be a years-long coup against President Trump, who was duly elected by the American people. We have whistleblowers, actually, coming forward now after we released these documents because there are people who were around, who were working within the intelligence community at this time who were so disgusted by what happened.

July 3, 2025, former CIA agent Bryan Dean Wright who once worked for former CIA Director John Brennan stated that Brennan belongs in prison. Wright argues that Brennan cook[-ed] the books to ensure maximum damage to Trump using five key details.

1) Brennan lied about his use of the discredited Steele dossier, which Brennan specifically pushed for inclusion in the ICA [(Intelligence Community Assessment)], because even though proven not credible, it fit the narrative consistency, pushing the Trump Russian collusion hoax. Both [James] Comey and Brennan wanted it [included] to destroy President Trump.

2) Brennan manipulated who would write the ICA. Brennan demanded his staff write the ICA, so Brennan could control the authors (his employees), their assessment, any dissent, and their careers if they crossed him.

3) Brennan interfered with the ICAs drafting. New reports show that while highly unusual, Brennan was engaged with the scope and intensity of the report, influencing participants, altering normal review processes, compromised analytic rigor, with the knowledge he could make or break the careers of his analysts, unless he got the exact ICA he wanted.

4) Brennan rushed the completion of the ICA, using an unusual highly compressed timeline atypical for an ICA.

5) Brennan (and Comey) spread the ICA far and wide to leak it, sharing it with more than 200 U.S. officials, virtually assuring it would be leaked  to destroy President Trump.

Wrights conclusion was that John Brennan and James Comey, and their fellow anti-Trumpers in the U.S. intel community intentionally tried to destroy the presidency of Donald Trump.

Brennan expressed to Trump, move on, get over it, still claiming Russia interfered in the 2016 election, yet House Intel transcripts state they had no empirical evidence. Brennan accused Trump of weaponizing the government against him, straight out of an authoritarian playbook. If anyone should know anything about weaponizing the government, that would be Brennan. It makes you wonder if he practiced those statements looking at himself in front of a mirror, for then the statements would be true.

In an interview with author Michael Waller, Waller points out that Obama brought change to the CIA by appointing John Brennan head of the CIA in March of 2013. Brennan voted for Gus Hall when Hall ran for president of the United States. Gus Hall served as the General Secretary of the Communist Party USA from 1959 to 2000. Under the guise of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Brennan reached down into the organization, promoting those who followed his ideologies. These promotions to middle and upper management, caused more appointments, until now you have woke people running the entire nerve center of the CIA.

The Washington Post reported that during President Obamas final visit to the CIA before leaving office, Obama stated, We live in dangerous times. I am going to need you more than ever. This seems a highly unusual thing for a president, preparing to leave office, to say to the CIA.

It is no wonder that when asked who the DOJ should target as part of their investigation that President Trump stated,

Based on what I read  and I read pretty much what you read  it would be President Obama. He started it, and Biden was there with him, and Comey was there, and Clapper  the whole group was there. If you look at those papers, they have them stone cold, and it was President Obama. It wasnt lots of people all over the place. It was them too, but the leader of the gang was President Obama  Barack Hussein Obama. Have you heard of him? And except for the fact that he gets shielded by the press for his entire life, thats the one they  look, hes guilty.

Of course, Obama calls the allegations, outrageous and bizarre.

Numerous representatives have logged their comments with Representative Pat Harrigan (R-NC) stating, Makes Watergate look like amateur hour. Obamas intel officials ran a disinformation campaign against the American people to take down a sitting presidentthis is absolutely disgraceful.

Can these corrupt individuals be convicted on a charge of treasonous conspiracy or seditious conspiracy? Gregg Jarrett doesnt think so, as those crimes are often associated with violence or force being a central element.

Treason is the only crime defined in the U.S. Constitution. According to Article III, Section 3, Clause 1, the Constitution states:

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

Websters Dictionary defines espionage as the practice of spying or the use of spies to obtain information about the plans and activities especially of a foreign government.

Since the Obama administration, seeking to help Hillary Clintons 2016 presidential campaign, used the falsified ICA to obtain a FISA warrant to spy on presidential candidate Donald Trump, it seems they could be charged with espionage.

Gregg Jarrett states there are serious crimes which should be charged, like conspiracy to defraud the government and deprivation of rights, or that is, using knowingly false or fabricated evidence to support a case against Trump and to obstruct or impair a lawful government function, such as an election.

Jarrett believes that the genesis of the plot against Trump began with Hillary Clinton in July of 2016. Speaking of the devil, to get a treasonous conspiracy conviction, you would have to do something like, sell 20% of U.S. uranium to Russia and afterwards receive a large donation to your foundation, like Hillary Clinton did.

Some would say that the Clintons could get away with murder. Others say, they already have.

So, should these investigations go on? They must.

More articles by Richard Blakley can be found at Blakley on the Write.

Image from Grok.
As recent polls show fewer Americans are very worried about climate change, climate propagandists continue to engage in fearmongering and climate alarmism. This time they are targeting residents of the Great Lakes region, where the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (MJS) posted an article claiming that a new climate change report by the Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) brings grim news.

The writer proceeds to list all the ways climate change is allegedly destroying the Great Lakes, starting with this comment displaying a baffling lack of self-awareness: Despite the discouraging tendency these days to see everything through a political prism, the science itself is incontestable and apolitical: Climate change is caused by human activity, primarily the use of fossil fuels, like coal, oil and gas.

It most certainly is not apolitical. The ELPC itself is hardly apolitical. It is, oddly enough, a Midwest-based organization known for being anti-nuclear energy and promoting things like grid equity and energy justice, whatever that means. The ELPC released the same type of report in 2019, predicting doom and gloom for corn and soybeans by mid-century (ignoring the fact that the primary driver in the change of area planted for those crops is government incentives having to do with fuel). Just a few years later, as an ironic example, in 2021-22, Wisconsin corn yields hit all-time highs two years in a row.

Regardless, it would take forever to address each of the claims made in detail. Thats why it is much easier to spread lies than facts, but I will pick a few of the most egregious from the MJS piece.

As luck would have it, I recently worked on a climate analysis for the state of Wisconsin, so a lot of this is fresh in my mind.

Right off the bat, the MJS writer claims that many people consider the Great Lakes region a climate haven. Having grown up in Lake County, Illinois, and the organization I work for being in the same region, I have never once heard anyone call the Midwest a climate haven. There is a reason so many people leave Illinois and move to Florida. The climate haven thing is popping up a lot lately, especially since the awful floods from Hurricane Helene in North Carolina and Tennessee last year. The truth is, there is no such thing as a climate haven. There is no such thing as a weather haven, and there never will be. Anyone saying otherwise is lying to you, or trying to sell you something, probably both.

The MJS claims that average temperatures have increased over time in the Midwest, which is true with some caveats, the greatest of which is that the warming trend is mostly driven by a decline in the number of very cold days -- or days with maximum temperatures of 0F or lower. The next claim, that dangerously hot days are happening more often, is simply false. It is belied by data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, whose summary of Wisconsins climate shows a decline in the number of days experiencing extreme heat since the early twentieth century. The same is true for Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Iowa.

So, what is going on here?

Well, the MJS article sort of dances around it, in part admitting that hot days happen especially in urban heat islands where surfaces like parking lots, sidewalks and streets absorb and hold onto heat.

Daytime highs are not most influenced by the Urban Heat Island Effect. Rather, it is nighttime lows. When the sun sets, hard surfaces like asphalt slowly release the heat they absorbed during the day. Higher nighttime lows drive much of the warming recorded in the Midwest, as shown by available data and demonstrated by research that shows significant connections between population growth and warming.

The MJS goes on to admit that the report shows nights are warmer, but then says another alarming trend given extreme nighttime heat can actually be deadlier than daytime heat.

Extreme nighttime heat might be deadlier than daytime heat, but it isnt deadlier than extreme cold, and extreme nighttime heat is not what is driving warming. Its less extreme cold that saves lives.

The funniest part of the reporting is when the report authors say that climate change is leading to greater fluctuations in lake levels but overall, levels are rising. If you paid any attention to the breathless reporting of climate alarmists as recently as 2013, they were shouting from the rooftops that the Great Lakes were going to gradually lose water from climate change. How did they figure? Computer modeling, of course.

Now, they excuse how wrong scientists were by claiming that water levels are swinging unnaturally. But it is a pale excuse, as data show water levels in the Great Lakes have always varied widely throughout our limited record.

Once again, alarmists are spinning themselves into a tizzy based on computer model projections. Climate change is natural, and residents of the midwestern states should not lose any sleep over it.

Linnea Lueken (llueken@heartland.org, X: @LinneaLueken) is a research fellow with the Arthur B. Robinson Center on Climate and Environmental Policy at The Heartland Institute.

Image: Pixabay
Throughout the Cold War until the present, China has been an economic and military threat to free people everywhere. Its Communist government has sentenced its people to death, starvation, and indeterminate captivity. China has never been trustworthy. The country armed the North Koreans against us. It armed the North Vietnamese against us. It has stolen our technology. It created the COVID virus, which killed so many Americans.

Today, China has become an even greater threat to the United States. Recently, Iranian leaders issued a fatwa (death sentence) against President Donald Trump. It has been claimed by a group known as the Blood Covenant that $40 million has been crowdfunded for a bounty on the presidents life.

China has been a leading customer for Iranian oil and thus a party to this nefarious plot. China continuously threatens the economic and physical security of the United States in other ways.

For example, China is responsible for billions of dollars worth of intellectual property theft. A Tesla engineer stole the companys self-driving technology. According to a 2019 CNBC study, one in five corporations believed that their intellectual property was stolen by Chinese entities.

China is also a perpetrator of cyber-espionage. One expert told the Washington Post, we are in Chinas golden age of hacking. Newly discovered documents show contracts for specific pieces of information such as immigration records and $25,000 to access an iPhone.

In recent years, China has been beefing up its military presence in the Pacific. As recently as June, two Chinese aircraft carriers were spotted in the Pacific practicing as many as ninety take-offs and landings a day. These exercises passed the Japanese island of Okinawa, and moved toward Guam, a U.S. territory and military center.

China has imposed tariffs on U.S. oil and gas products, including crude oil. These tariffs make U.S. exports less attractive to Chinese customers and have the potential to result in decreased sales and lower prices.

China halted purchases of U.S. crude in March due to trade tensions, a significant drop from previous import levels.

The tariffs China has put on oil is making a hard dent in the economy. When President Trump took office in January, U.S. trade with China accounted for 17.7 percent. Today, it is less than six percent.

The war currently raging in the Middle East is already adversely affecting China. Last year, China was the second highest consumer of oil (behind the United States). Technically, China has not imported any Iranian oil in the last year. China has imported oil from smaller countries that do business with Iran, and anyone doing business with them, is in fact selling them the rope with which to hang them.

Craig Shirley is Chairman of Citizens for the Republic

Image: AI
China's High Energy Photon Source targets trial run by end-2025

Xinhua) 09:07, July 24, 2025

BEIJING, July 23 (Xinhua) -- The High Energy Photon Source (HEPS), China's flagship synchrotron radiation facility, is set to begin trial operations by the end of 2025, according to the project team.

A synchrotron radiation light source is a source of electromagnetic radiation usually produced by a storage ring.

As one of the country's key scientific and technological infrastructure projects, the HEPS is expected to become a fourth-generation synchrotron radiation facility featuring the world's highest brightness and will serve as a research platform for material science, chemical engineering, biomedicine and other fields, said the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, main developer of the HEPS.

It acts like a super-powered "X-ray microscope" to "see" the micro-world, the IHEP explained.

Located in Beijing's suburban Huairou District, the HEPS venture has achieved significant construction milestones since breaking ground in 2019. The facility comprises several parts -- including accelerators, beamlines, end stations and support facilities. All 15 planned Phase I beamlines have generated lights, Pan Weimin, director of the HEPS project, told Xinhua on Wednesday.

Once completed, the HEPS will ultimately accommodate up to 90 beamlines. Plans aim for 45 beamlines by 2030. The team is actively engaging with research institutes and industry to secure funding for continued beamline construction and gather critical experimental demands, said Pan.

China now possesses all four generations of such sources with the first and fourth generations both located in Beijing, the second-generation based in Hefei in east China's Anhui Province and the third-generation in Shanghai.

The HEPS, as China's first high-energy fourth-generation source, promises to revolutionize research in fields like solid-state batteries, high-temperature superconductors and drug discovery -- via its unparalleled brightness and coherence.

The HEPS will leverage the experience gained from previous facilities and "focus on national strategic needs, industrial innovation and scientific frontiers," Pan said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
The clamor for Jeffrey Epsteins client list, unfortunately, is drowning out the underlying problem: Man is capable of unspeakable evil. Its a sad fact of life.

The question we should be asking is not who, but how. How could any man force an obviously underage girl to have sex with him? How can anyone get pleasure out of buying a human being, raping and brutalizing her just to briefly satisfy his libido?

The question haunts those fighting to protect women and girls from sex-trafficking, prostitution, and worse. How does one ignore any sense of morality, decency, or respect for other human beings, treat them like garbage, and abuse them in such a vile way?

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it? says the prophet Jeremiah in Scripture describing the depths of evil.

Epsteins crimes against humanity are well documented  a systematic buying and selling of human persons and, most disgustingly, young girls to the highest and most powerful bidder.

President Trump is right to be puzzled that we are still talking about this creep. While everyone is obsessing the heinous crimes of one dead man, women around the world are being victimized every day.

One of Trumps most important accomplishments that hasnt received the attention it deserves was stopping the senseless and brutal killings and perverse sexual crimes taking place in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Trump and his deft secretary of state, Marco Rubio, negotiated an important cessation to the war in which Rwandan rebels brutally attacked innocent DRC civilians, including raping women in front of their children and husbands. According to Human Rights Watch, numerous gang rapes have been reported.

A 46-year-old mother of six ... with her 75-year-old mother ran into a group of ten M23 rebels, who took their money. They wanted to rape us, she said. My mother said no, so they shot a bullet into her chest, and she died on the spot. Then four of them raped me. As they were raping me, one said: Weve come from Rwanda to destroy you.

The agreement between Rwanda and the DRC was signed over the weekend.

Sex-based crimes during war are supposedly against international law, but seldom are they prosecuted. It simply boggles the mind to understand how men think brutalizing, torturing, and mutilating women will win a war.

Clear patterns emerged including victims found partially or fully naked with their hands tied ... evidence of gang rapes followed by execution, and genital mutilation, according to a newly released report by the Dinah Project, a group studying conflict-related sexual violence. The genital mutilation perpetrated by vile Hamas terrorists on Israeli women on October 7, 2023 included cutting off breasts, shooting women in the groin, and leaving them naked, in shame, to die. Incidents of rape and gang rape occurred at several locations, notably the Nova music festival, the report concludes.

What kind of sick mind could perpetuate such brutality on innocent women or girls? This activity happened in more than six areas in the attacks, which shows a premeditated plan to torture women, oftentimes in front of their children and husbands.

Can we expect anything better from terrorists? How does any man walk around the next day remembering the look of horror in the eyes of his female victim?

I confess, I dont get it.

Then theres the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The United Nations Human Rights Commission found that Russian authorities have committed crimes against humanity of torture and enforced disappearances, including in sexual violence, by Russian soldiers on women as old as 80 and girls as young as 4 years old.

A report of the commission on the Russia-Ukraine conflict stated,

Sexual violence has affected victims of all ages. Victims, including children, were sometimes forced to witness the crimes. Children have become the victims of the full spectrum of violations investigated by the Commission, including indiscriminate attacks, torture and rape, and have suffered the predictable psychological consequences.

Ukrainian ministers in Parliament stated that most elderly women in Russian-occupied cities were executed after being raped or took their own lives.

No doubt Epstein took his own life. How could anyone live with himself abusing women and girls? How does any man justify such evil?

Diana L. Banister is a political and communications strategist, a former Trump administration official, and an executive consultant with Sovereign Global Solutions.

Image via PickPik.
Recently, not just Republicans but even Democrats have decried the inability to identify a leader for the Democrat party. Every suggested name turns out to have at least one major disqualifying flaw. It must be considered a wonder of modern American politics for a party to admit it lacks anyone suitable to lead it. Even more wonderful is the fact that if Democrats would just wake up and open their eyes, their obvious savior would appear right before them in plain sight: Hunter Biden!

Think about it.

In terms of integrity, no Democrat can match his honesty. Not one comes close. Why, compared to other Democrats, Hunter in corruption is practically as pure as the driven snow. And now that he has been pardoned for everything he ever did, he is also officially without any possible blame. Whatever smidgens of corruption Hunter might be accused of simply pale in comparison to the outrageous corruptions of other Democrats.

In intelligence, Hunter also stands far above all other Democrats. Intelligence is both theoretical and practical. In addition to his obvious endowments of gray matter, Hunter also has noteworthy practical street smarts. He learned at the foot of the best practical politician the Democrat party has ever produced, his father, Joe Lunch Bucket Biden, who even referred to Hunter as the smartest guy he knew. No other Democrat can sport that outstanding credential.

As to industry, Hunter is also without parallel. No one else has demonstrated his ability to handle so many major matters at once, whether drug addiction, denying paternity, selling access for millions, and so on, all while being assaulted by a relentlessly unforgiving press. Think of how adroitly Hunter handled all the thousands of questions the mainstream media threw in his path after 51 Democrat national intelligence experts declared his very real laptop a probable Russian hoax. Who else can boast that they were hired by major energy companies with absolutely zero experience, raking in millions of dollars?

Finally, who has a greater incentive to lead the Democrats? Just recently Hunter demonstrated unsurpassed passion and determination to prove those who abandoned his father wrong. No Democrat, despite trying, has yet to approach Hunters laser focus to succeed with so many passionate F-bombs.

Do not doubt me on this. Whether it is from the perspective of integrity, intelligence, industry, or incentive, Hunter Biden does laps around all other candidates to lead the Democrats. The only question remains: How long will it be before the Democrats themselves wake up to the obvious?

Image from Grok.
Germanys Bundestag police commissioner, Uli Grotsch, is trying his best to rid his police force of members of the conservative Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Grotsch, himself a member of the left-leaning Social Democratic Party (SPD), is tasked with overseeing police misconduct, but instead is using his position specifically to target supporters of the AfD to disqualify them from serving in law enforcement.

Speaking to the Rheinische Post, Grotsch flatly stated: AfD membership and work as a police officer are not compatible, and noted that the BfV, Germanys intelligence agency, has labeled the AfD as a right-wing extremist party. This is much the same thing as the Obama-Biden FBI having branded certain Catholics and parents who dared question school boards as domestic extremists and put them on potential domestic terror group watchlists.

Image by ChatGPT.

The AfD is facing mounting lawfare across Germany, lawfare designed to force its members out of civil service roles and into irrelevance. Democratic and socialist parties everywhere, including the United States, are ramping up their efforts to take permanent control of their nations by silencing dissent and attempting to ban political opposition. Incredibly, preposterously, they are doing this under the guise of protecting democracy. You see, protecting our democracy is such a noble goal that any resistance simply cannot be tolerated. Sieg heil!

My God, its happening again! The unthinkable is occurring today in Germany. Government authorities are trying to ban political opposition. And they may well succeed. Again.

Note to the people of Germany (and England, France, Canada, Sweden, et. al.): Those who tell you that decency and inclusiveness demand that unfettered immigration be allowed to continue in perpetuity and that their political opposition is so extreme and such an existential threat to democracy that it must be eliminated at all costs are themselves extremists who are existential threats to democracy. This is true of all people who tell you that you must do or accept something harmful to you for your ownor othersgood. Such as accept an unvetted, experimental vaccine into your bodyor acquiesce to having only one officially approved party for which to vote.

Germanys Social Democratic Partys unlawful and brazenly thuggish assault on its political opposition, the Alternative for Germany Party, is, of course, analogous to the Democrat Partys unlawful and brazenly thuggish assault on Donald Trumps Republican Party and his MAGA supporters. And on Donald Trump himself, as Tulsi Gabbards recent announcements make all too clear.

Whether in Germany, the U.S., or anywhere else, the parties that claim to want to defend our democracies detest democraciesand do not want voters to have an alternative. They cannot be allowed to once again impose their will on everyone else.
In times of crisis, nations often look to generals, politicians, and analysts for leadership. But in the Jewish tradition, when our people face moral, spiritual, or national upheaval, we turn to our sages  our Torah leaders, those who carry the weight of generations on their shoulders and guide us not with slogans, but with truth.

That is why I recently brought U.S. ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee to meet some of the most revered Torah giants of our generation  Rabbi Dov Landau and Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, leaders of the Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah  in the heart of Bnei Brak. It was not a political move. It was a moral one. It was an act of kavod haTorah  honoring Torah and those who represent it.

Ambassador Huckabee, a longtime friend of Israel and a man of deep biblical values, did not hesitate. He understood what this visit represented: that in order to stand with Israel, one must also stand with the spiritual legacy that defines her.

In that room, no deals were made. No statements were issued. Instead, a message was sent that transcends headlines and talking points: In times of war and internal division, we must return to our core. To our faith. To our Torah.

Today, Israel faces existential threats from outside  from Iran and its proxies  and wrenching debates within, particularly over the future of Torah learning and the status of yeshiva students in Israeli society. The political fallout has been swift and dramatic. Coalition parties representing the Torah-observant public have withdrawn in protest over conscription laws that many believe threaten the soul of the Jewish people. There are fear, uncertainty, and fragmentation.

But there is also hope. That hope comes when leaders have the humility to recognize that not all guidance comes from military or economic analysis. Sometimes it comes from men who sit with ancient texts and weep for the future of Klal Yisrael.

As the founder of Dirshu, a global Torah organization that empowers over 200,000 Jews across the world to engage in rigorous daily Torah learning and testing, I have seen firsthand how spiritual discipline translates into moral clarity. It is not a coincidence that those immersed in Torah are often the ones holding communities together in times of chaos.

Ambassador Huckabees visit to Bnei Brak reflected that understanding. He came to listen. That is the kind of diplomacy the world desperately needs.

Too often today, faith is dismissed as an artifact of the past. In the corridors of power, tradition is treated as quaint or irrelevant. But the truth is the opposite. Without a moral foundation  without the anchoring wisdom of Torah and other timeless values  our societies drift. Our policies become rudderless. Our unity dissolves.

Now, more than ever, we must forge partnerships not only among governments, but among moral frameworks. The bond between America and Israel cannot rest solely on shared interests; it must be built on shared ideals  on the biblical values that shaped both nations founding identities.

The visit to our sages was not a photo op. It was a statement that we must remember who we are. When a rabbi and an ambassador sit together at the feet of Torah giants, they are building a future rooted in unity, in morality, and in faith.

And if we want to preserve what is best about our people, our traditions, and our nations, we must keep doing exactly that.

Rabbi Dovid Hofstedter is the founder and Nasi of Dirshu, an international Torah organization dedicated to strengthening Jewish learning and leadership across the globe.

Image: hendricjabs via Pixabay, Pixabay License.
Its been a fantastic quarter for Alphabet, the parent company of Google. Their latest financial results show a strong surge in revenue. The tech giant reported an impressive $96.43 billion in its second quarter of 2025, a healthy 14% increase from last year, significantly outperforming expectations. The big drivers behind this success? The ever-growing demand for artificial intelligence and the robust performance of its cloud services.

AI and services, the key to Alphabets revenue growth

Google Cloud is truly on a roll, with revenues soaring by 32% this quarter ($13.6 billion). This growth far outpaces other Google services, highlighting how crucial cloud technology has become for businesses worldwide. In fact, Google Clouds annual revenue is now running at a rate of over $50 billion. This is a clear sign of its expanding influence. CEO Sundar Pichai noted the significant demand for our comprehensive AI product portfolio, emphasizing Googles leading global network of AI-optimized data centers.

The success isnt just in numbers; its in major partnerships too. Google Cloud has more than doubled its large contracts (worth over $250 million) year-over-year. The firm also signed as many deals worth over $1 billion in the first half of 2025 as it did in all of 2024. Big names like Wayfair, Mattel, Target, and BBVA are relying on Google Cloud. Even OpenAI, parent company of ChatGPT, has confirmed its using Google Cloud infrastructure to support its services in key regions.

450 million monthly users for the Gemini app

On the consumer front, Googles AI efforts are clearly working. The Gemini app now boasts over 450 million monthly active users. Daily requests jumped by more than 50% since the last quarter. And if youve seen those impressive AI-generated videos online, you might be looking at Veo 3 in action. Well, 70 million videos have already been created using this tool.

This strong performance has caught the attention of investors, with Alphabets stock prices seeing a rise. Google now stands as the worlds fifth-most valuable company, with a market capitalization exceeding $2.3 trillion. Its clear that Alphabets strategic focus on AI and cloud is paying off, solidifying its position at the forefront of the global tech landscape.
Ever worried about losing your phone, especially when youre out and about? Google is constantly beefing up Androids security, and a new feature called Identity Check has already been in place since Android 15. It helps your device to get extra protection against theft when youre outside of your usual safe zones. But what if security could be even more seamless? With that in mind, Google might improve Androids Identity Check soon, involving your smartwatch.

It looks like Google is working on an interesting security upgrade for your Android devices. Recent code snippets found by the Android Authority team in a beta version of Google Play Services suggest that your connected watch might soon act as a trust signal for your phone. Imagine this: if your smartwatch is nearby and strapped to your wrist, your phone could take that as a sign that youre indeed the person in control.

Your smartwatch as your Identity Check key for your Android phone

This simple but neat system could potentially reduce how often you need to use your fingerprint or PIN to access sensitive information or settings when youre away from home or work. Something like this probably wont eliminate biometrics entirely. However, it could strike a better balance between keeping your phone secure and making it more convenient to use every day. Think of it as an extra layer of smart, subtle security that works in the background. The point seems to be that your Androids theft protection feels a bit less intrusive.

This feature is still in development, so we dont have all the details yet. There are also no details on when it might roll out to everyone. But its a logical next step for Android security. Our devices are more connected than ever, and resorting to wearables for identity verification just makes sense. Of course, it goes without saying, this all assumes your smartwatch isnt swiped along with your phone.
Samsungs Galaxy Z Flip 7 will officially launch tomorrow, and that means you have one more day to take advantage of Amazons deal that essentially gives you money for pre-ordering the phone. Plus, Amazon is offering another sweet little bonus. Like Samsung, you can pre-order the phone through Amazon and get the free storage upgrade. So, you not only get money from Amazon for pre-ordering, but you save money on the larger storage option as well.

Youre getting the 512GB model of the phone for the price of the 256GB model. Which means, youre only paying $899.99 for the 512GB model when you should be paying $1,219.99. On top of this, Amazon is giving you that $200 gift card. Altogether, you save $320. This is based on the fact that youd be paying $1,219.99 for the phone normally, and $200 for the gift card.

In terms of features, Samsungs Galaxy Z Flip 7 is packing better battery life than last years model. It also comes with the new One UI 8 software, which has things like the Now Brief for glancing at your important information for the day, alongside other details like the weather.

You can expect really good pictures in low light conditions with this years phone, too, and pictures were already pretty decent with the Galaxy Z Flip 6. Of course, one of the bigger features is Googles Gemini, which now works with the FlexWindow display. Samsung also strengthened the hinge on the phone so you can flip it open and flip it closed without worrying too much. Its also worth noting that this deal ends today.
TSMC is rapidly expanding its local manufacturing facility in the US market. It recently announced its plan to open a third chip manufacturing plant in the region. However, AMD CEO Lisa Su says that exporting chips from the US is very expensive. She further details the complications involved and their impact on the progress of artificial intelligence (AI) in the market.

TSMCs US-manufactured chip costs 20% more than overseas

Due to the push from American President Donald Trump, the TSMC has set up its manufacturing plant in Arizona. The administration also made it clear that it does not want the import of chips from Taiwan to happen. This further pushed the TSMC to invest in the country.

However, AMDs CEO Lisa Su recently said in an AI event that took place in Washington that TSMCs US-manufactured chip costs 20% higher than what was already available in Taiwan.

AMD is one of the largest consumers of TSMCs chipsets. In fact, it was among the first ones to order TSMCs 4nm node. The CEO later adds that, though the costs are on the expensive side, the demand for AI chips is not going to slow down soon. She emphasises that the partner firms are placing chip orders are a rapid pace and that the market may cross $500 billion in valuation in the next five years.

Expensive Labour and import costs are the main reasons behind the high chip cost

There are several reasons why the same TSMC chip manufactured in the US costs more than the one manufactured in Taiwan. Expensive labour costs and the costs associated with the import of parts and the setup of tech facilities are the primary ones.

However, since Taiwans semiconductor market is already populated enough, firms like AMD are ready to order from the US. Even if it means paying 5% or 20% higher costs. Theres no brand other than Intel and TSMC that produces mass-market targeted chipsets in the country.
In todays age of smartwatches and Fitbits, its hard to go for more than a few hours without taking a sneaky peak at your daily step count. Whether its the endorphin rush from the celebratory ping to inform you that youve hit 10,000 steps, or the nagging sense of shame that comes with the realisation youve done less than 2,000  as happens on some of my busier days glued to my desk  step counts have become part of our lives.

But theyre not just a gimmick. Research is increasingly showing that your daily step count, especially when averaged out across months and years, makes a huge difference to your disease risk and how long you can expect to live. And the case for not moving more makes for sober reading: according to the Governments official statistics, physical inactivity is responsible for one in six otherwise preventable deaths.

Monitoring step counts makes it easier to track whether were being active or not. But while 10,000 is often seen as the magic number, it originates from a Japanese marketing campaign ahead of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, rather than hard science.

So how can increasing your step count make a difference to your health and how do different thresholds reduce your disease risk? And, perhaps more importantly, what really is the optimal number you should be aiming to hit a day?

Walk 2,000-3,000 to reduce your risk of heart disease

Two years ago, an international scientific collaboration published one of the largest studies so far to examine the long-term relationship between step count and health. Combining data from more than 111,000 individuals from various electronic health records, it indicated that the lower limit for health benefits lies in the range of 2,000 to 3,000 steps per day. This equates to just over a mile of total walking from the moment you wake up to when you go to sleep.

The benefits appear most acute when it comes to heart health. Published in the Journal of The American College of Cardiology, it suggested that between 2,517 and 2,735 steps per day already reduces risk of cardiovascular disease by 11 per cent compared to those who did just 2,000 steps.

Similar findings emerged from another study published last year by researchers at the University of Sydney. Based on data from more than 72,000 British people in their early 60s, it showed that anything beyond 2,200 steps per day will already make some difference to your heart health and even your short-term risk of dying from another cause.

We ideally would want 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day, but for people who are inactive, that amount may seem like a mountain and unachievable, says Matthew Ahmadi, a researcher at the University of Sydney. Its about setting initial targets that are achievable, and then gradually working your way up to more daily steps as you build up your capacity to handle more activity.

Walk 4,000 steps to reduce your risk of dementia

Hitting 4,000 steps a day, based on the Sydney research, can reduce your risk of a premature death from any chronic disease by 20 per cent, particularly if youre middle aged. But one of the most crucial things about reaching the 4,000-5,000 daily step count is that it starts to reduce your risk of cognitive decline.

Monitoring step counts makes it easier to track whether were being active or not - Getty

Three years ago, a study of more than 78,000 Britons aged 40 to 79, who were regular smartwatch or Fitbit wearers, showed that 3,800 steps appears to be the minimum daily dose of exercise required to preserve your mental faculties. People who averaged this number of steps each day were found to have a 25 per cent lower risk of dementia compared with those who did less.

This step count equates to roughly 35-45 minutes of light to moderate intensity walking per day, depending on your pace, which aligns well with [public health] guidelines, says Dr Borja del Pozo Cruz, a scientist at the European University of Madrid, who carried out the study. This is likely because of improved blood flow to the brain, reduced brain inflammation, better metabolism of glucose in the brain, and an increase in beneficial brain chemicals which stimulate neuron growth.

Walk 7,000 steps to lower your risk of depression

This seems to be the threshold at which the benefits become even more significant. 7,000 steps are equivalent to just over three miles of walking, and it seems to be highly relevant for mental wellbeing.

A new study published in December  which collated research from 33 different studies, comprising around 100,000 people  found that those who take 7,000 steps per day have a 31 per cent lower risk of depression. 7,000 steps is starting to be considered a more active lifestyle, while less than 5,000 steps is a sedentary lifestyle, says Dr Bruno Bizzozero Peroni, a researcher at the University of Castilla-La Mancha who authored the study. It definitely seems that somewhere between 7,000 and 10,000 steps has a protective effect against depression, while at the moment there doesnt appear to be any evidence of additional benefits for mental health of doing more than 10,000 steps.

An average of 7,126 steps per day has also been shown to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease by 51 per cent, compared with people who did just 2,000 steps.

So do you really need to reach 10,000 steps per day?

This target which equates to around five miles of walking, or an hour and 40 minutes, if you were going to do the full amount of steps in one go can seem somewhat daunting. But as so often is the case in health and medicine, the answer is somewhat complex.

Around 9,800 steps per day has been found in some studies to be the optimal dose of exercise to lower risk of dementia. But as with depression, it appears that you can still substantially reduce your risk of various chronic diseases, with a little less.

For example, some have found that approximately 8,800 steps per day reduces risk of premature death from a whole range of diseases by 60 per cent.

More steps means better blood vessel function, less inflammation, and enhanced brain plasticity  the formation of new connections in the brain  which are crucial for cognition, says Dr Del Pozo Cruz.

All this means is that 10,000 steps is not necessarily the magic number after all. It appears that 9,000 is more than sufficient.

How many steps should I do a day to lose weight?

Losing weight requires you to be in calorie deficit, so Dr Ahmadi points out that steps alone arent sufficient, you also need to cut down on the amount youre consuming. However, what we do know is that activity can improve our cardiometabolic health even if you dont lose weight, he says.

While research has shown that reaching 10,000 steps per day will increase your chances of losing weight, the more important aspect with weight loss is the intensity of exercise, not the number of steps. Researchers advise more vigorous intensity exercise but it doesnt have to be jogging or playing sport.

You can get to vigorous intensity, just with brisk walking, says Catrine Tudor-Locke, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. It doesnt have to be running.

Does walking burn a lot of calories?

This largely depends on your weight, as the more body fat youre carrying, the more calories youre likely to burn, as the body uses up more energy when it comes to moving additional weight stored in the form of fat tissue.

However, the below represents a rough guide. For example, 50 calories represents approximately two cups of cherry tomatoes, a chunk (or 50 grams) of cheddar cheese comes to 200 calories, and a Greek salad is 400 calories.
The controversial Army parade through Washington, D.C., in June that coincided with Donald Trumps birthday cost the service branch $30 million, it announced on Wednesday.

I can confirm the total for the Army festival and parade cost approximately $30 million, an Army spokesperson told The Hill.

The event, marking the 250th anniversary of the Army, was projected to cost between $25 million and $45 million, not accounting for the cost of police and street repairs tied to the event

In addition to cost overruns, some worried the event would damage Washington's infrastructure, though an Army spokesperson said in late June the procession of military hardware had only been shown to damage a single curb, which the Army planned to repair.

The parade featured columns of marching troops, fireworks, and antique and modern military hardware like tanks rolling through Washington.

Trump administration Army 205h anniversary parade in Washington cost military branch $30 million, while drawing an estimated crowd of less than 200,000 attendees (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The parade may have exceeded expectations on cost and safety, but the event was a controversial one, nonetheless.

Critics argued that the sight of the military marching through the capital, at the same time the Trump administration was using the military to quell protests against his administration in Los Angeles, had authoritarian undertones.

This is the kind of thing that Stalin would have done. This is the kind of thing North Korea does. It sickens me that we're putting on this display just for one man's ego, Donna Stork, 73, of Hagerstown, Maryland, told The Independent as she watched the event.

I have no problems with the Army having a celebration, she added. What I do have a problem with is the implication that this is more about Trump and military might than it is about the 250th anniversary of people who fought and died for our country.

Others, including some veterans, praised the event.

I retired from the Army 30 years ago and I came to honor all the people that came before me, all the friends that I've lost, Van Beal, 70, who first joined the Army in 1978, told The Independent.

A June poll found that 60 percent of respondents thought the event was not a good use of government funds.

The parade took place the same day as No Kings protests against the administration, which drew between 4 and 5 million people, according to estimates.

The Trump administration claimed 250,000 people attended the parade, though outside estimates suggest fewer than 200,000 were in Washington for the event.
One arrest has been made as protesters gather outside a hotel in Essex believed to be housing asylum seekers.

Dozens were outside The Bell Hotel, Epping, on Thursday evening, and shortly after 7.30pm police said the protest had so far been peaceful.

A person was arrested for breaching an order in place that prevents anyone from wearing a face covering, Essex Police said.

Some of the protesters could be seen wearing English and Union flags draped over their backs as they stood behind fencing erected outside the hotel.

A large billboard set up behind the fencing also showed English flags with the words Protect Our Kids.

One protester with a microphone could be heard saying well be here Sunday after thanking everyone for keeping it peaceful.

A total of 17 arrests have been following protests around the same hotel.

The force previously said a small number of people used that demonstration as cover to commit violent disorder and criminal damage.

The Bell Hotel in Epping (Robert White/PA)

Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said on Thursday: I want to thank those who are attending today and protesting peacefully.

We have used powers at our disposal to ensure people can protest peacefully, lawfully, and safely.

And our officers are in place to ensure you can do so.

We wont tolerate anyone thinking they can come and cause trouble or breach the orders weve put in place to keep people safe. My message is clear  we will deal with you.

People had earlier walked through the towns high street and gathered outside Epping Forest District Council, before being walked back to the hotel by large numbers of Essex Police officers.

The force said a group outside the hotel wanted to move towards the town centre and officers escorted them there to ensure they could express their democratic right safely.

It was reported that Epping Forest District Council were holding a meeting on Thursday.

Earlier that evening, police announced they will be using extra powers, under Sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, to put restrictions on people who plan to assemble or to take part in any kind of procession.

Protesters near the Bell Hotel on Sunday (Yui Mok/PA)

Sites to lawfully protest at are directly opposite the Bell Hotel and will have their own designated entry and exit routes, Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said previously.

There will also be areas near the Civic Centre, he said, adding: If you move from the Bell Hotel to the Civic Centre, you will not be able to return.

A Section 60AA order, under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, is also in place on face coverings.

If you wear one, well order you to take it off. If you dont take it off, youll be arrested, Mr Hooper said.

He said all protest activity should cease by 10pm, adding: To be clear, you will not be able to get in the way of people getting on with their daily lives in Epping. This is a priority.

Last Thursdays protest began peacefully but escalated into what officers described as scattered incidents of violence targeting police and property.

Eight officers were injured and a number of police vehicles were damaged as missiles were thrown.

Six people have been charged in relation to the action.

The latest developments come as police are braced for further protests, and the Government and law enforcement have vowed to act swiftly if unrest spreads.

The Epping protest was sparked by the charging of asylum-seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, with sexual assault after he allegedly attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl.

He denied the charge at Chelmsford Magistrates Court and will stand trial in August.

The protest has drawn national attention and sparked a political row, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage calling for Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington to resign over claims that officers transported left-wing protesters to the scene, claims the chief constable has denied.
File. People board a Qatar Airways plane (AP)

Five Australian women who were forcibly removed from a Qatar Airways flight and subjected to invasive physical exams at Doha airport in 2020 have won the right to sue the airline directly.

A federal court overturned a previous ruling that dismissed their case.

According to their lawyer, the women, whose names remain confidential, were among dozens of women taken off multiple flights and subjected to nonconsensual bodily searches after a newborn was found abandoned at the Hamad International Airport in Doha in October 2020.

The five Australian women were ordered off Qatar Airways flight 908 to Sydney and taken to ambulances on the tarmac where nurses conducted physical examinations without their consent.

She told me to pull my pants down and that [she] needed to examine my vagina, one woman said at the time. I said, Im not doing that, and she didnt explain anything to me. She just kept saying, We need to see it, we need to see it.

The incident triggered global outrage and was condemned by Australias then foreign minister as a grossly disturbing, offensive, concerning set of events.

An Australian government spokesperson said at the time that up to 10 flights could have been affected by the searches.

The five women had sought to sue Qatar Airways for damages related to unlawful physical contact and pursued claims of assault and false imprisonment and battery against the airport operator, Matar, and the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority.

But federal court judge John Halley dismissed the case against the airline and the aviation regulator ruling that the alleged assaults took place off the plane and were not carried out by airline staff. He described the idea that airline staff could have intervened as fanciful, trifling, implausible, improbable, and tenuous.

The women appealed to the full federal court, comprising a panel of three judges, arguing the invasive searches occurred during the process of disembarkation and that the airline should therefore be held liable.

The full court agreed, ruling on Thursday that Justice Halley had erred in summarily dismissing the womens claims.

There is no sufficiently high degree of certainty that what happened to the appellants in the ambulance could not ultimately be found to have been in the course of any of the operations of embarking or disembarking. It is therefore not an issue apt to be decided at the stage of summary dismissal, Justice Angus Stewart said.

It is also an error to conclude at this stage of the proceeding that Matars duty of care cannot possibly extend to the circumstances in and around the ambulance.

The court ordered Qatar Airways and Matar to pay the costs of the appeal.

Some passengers told Australian authorities they were ordered to remove their clothes so a doctor could check if they had recently given birth (AFP/Getty)

At the time of the incident, the Qatari government defended its actions saying they were taken in response to the shocking and appalling attempt to kill a newborn girl who was found wrapped in plastic and discarded in a bin at the airport.

The measures were aimed at stopping the perpetrators from fleeing the country, the authorities said while offering an apology for any distress caused to passengers.

The total number of women subjected to the searches remains unclear. The Australian women were among 13 taken off Qatar Airways flight 908 alone.

Damian Sturzaker, the lawyer for the five women, said they were happy with the decision. Our clients endured a traumatic experience on that night in Doha, and they deserve to have their day in court and compensation for their suffering, he said, according to The Australian.

The women had brought claims of negligence, assault and false imprisonment against Matar and the aviation regulator. While Thursdays ruling dismissed the case against the regulator, it allowed the women to amend and continue their case against Matar.

Mr Sturzaker said they would review the courts reasoning to determine whether there was scope to appeal the decision regarding the regulator to Australias High Court.

The Independent has contacted Qatar Airlines and Matar for comment.
There arent many organisations Israel is less inclined to heed than the BBC, and most of them come with their own armed wing. So the Corporations joint statement with news wires AFP, AP and Reuters, professing itself desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families is unlikely to move Benjamin Netanyahu or his government.

Nor is the BBCs call for foreign journalists to be allowed back into Gaza, which is not only not in Israels military interests but would put journalists in mortal danger. Israel is being pummelled daily by the BBC. Its not about to be responsible for one of Aunties reporters being abducted by Hamas or killed in crossfire.

Even if the BBC had any credibility remaining inside Israel, its statement would be misguided, but the Corporation seems not to realise just how degraded its reputation is among Israelis across the political spectrum. In the past six months alone, the BBC has aired a documentary on the Gaza war narrated by the son of a Hamas deputy minister, livestreamed Bob Vylan chanting death, death to the IDF at Glastonbury, and its news chief executive has opined that we need to continually remind people of the difference between the Hamas government and its armed wing, a distinction which does not exist in UK law.

This is what will be to the forefront of the Israeli governments mind when receiving this statement. Jeremy Corbyns new political party has a better chance of getting a hearing.

The BBCs intervention is especially unfortunate given that it risks amplifying Hamass messaging against those trying to alleviate the horrific suffering in Gaza. There is a concerted effort to make sure the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation fails and for one reason only: the GHFs mission is to distribute aid to the residents of Gaza. Thats it. Nothing more nefarious than feeding people.

But feeding people is a threat to the Hamas-NGO complex that has hitherto held a chokehold on humanitarian aid distribution inside Gaza.

Whatever the aid, whatever its source, when Hamas is in charge it siphons off the best for its own and uses the remainder to coerce ordinary Gazans into joining its ranks or toeing the line  or see their families go hungry. This strategy is not unknown to the NGOs that work on the ground in Gaza and have become too willing to turn a blind eye.

The GHF is disrupting this cartel. By directing its efforts to dispensing food parcels to the needy, and declining to become part of Hamass propaganda echo chamber, the GHF is a trial run for a different future for Gaza. A Gaza in which humanitarian aid is not controlled by Hamas is a Gaza in which Hamas will struggle to retain control.

That Gaza is one in which the gruelling work of state-building can finally begin, if the Palestinians choose a new leadership more concerned with developing the economy than using the strip as an eternal launching pad for a self-defeating war on the Jews.

Ergo the deliberate provocations at food distribution sites, ergo Hamass determination to bait the IDF into opening fire, ergo the death toll propaganda war.

By cosigning this statement, the BBC is contributing to the propaganda war. The Corporation can either be a reporter of the conflict or a participant in it, but it cant be both.

In less than two years since October 7 the BBC has accelerated a case for its privatisation that its detractors spent decades trying (and failing) to force into the political mainstream.

Hamas controls Gaza today because, in 2007, it seized the territory during a brief civil war against rival Fatah. The two organisations proved incapable of cooperating in the wake of the 2006 Palestinian elections, which Hamas won and ended decades of Fatah dominance. Palestinian voters chose Hamas at the ballot box but almost two decades later there have been no further elections. The Israelis kidnapped on October 7 arent the only hostages being held by Hamas.

The international community should, for reasons both humanitarian and self-interested, be willing on Israel in its efforts to smash Hamas and give Gazans an opportunity to break free of their grip, reject bigoted and futile anti-Zionism, and choose a better future for themselves.

As long as the international news media, including and especially the BBC, continue serving as useful idiots for Hamas, this cannot happen. And as long as Western populations are bombarded with unverified Hamas claims about starvation and fatalities, Western leaders will continue to heap pressure on Israel to relent and allow Hamas to keep its hold over Gaza. The result will be more terrorism, more wars, and more dead Palestinians. Gaza will continue to hold itself hostage from its own future.

The Corporations statement will have no impact in Israel. The Israelis have stopped listening to the BBC. Unless it changes, they wont be the only ones.
Ollie Holman has been sentenced to seven years in jail. Photograph: Crown Prosecution Service

A 21-year-old student who designed and distributed online kits linked to 100m worth of fraud has been jailed for seven years.

Ollie Holman created phishing kits that mimicked government, bank and charity websites so that criminals could harvest victims personal information to defraud them.

In one case a kit was used to mimic a charitys donation webpage so when someone tried to give money, their card details were taken and used by criminals.

Holman, of Eastcote in north-west London, created and supplied 1,052 phishing kits that targeted 69 organisations across 24 countries. He also offered tutorials in how to use the kits and built up a network of almost 700 connections. The fake websites supplied in the kits had features that allowed information such as login and bank details to be stored.

It is estimated Holman received 300,000 from selling the kits between 2021 and 2023. The kits were distributed through the encrypted messaging service Telegram.

Holman, who was studying electronic and computer engineering at the University of Kent in Canterbury, laundered the money he received through cryptocurrency wallets.

The dedicated card and payment crime unit of the City of London police launched an investigation after receiving information from the intelligence firm WMC Global about the fraudulent kits being sold online.

Holman was arrested in October 2023 and his university accommodation was searched and devices were seized. After the arrest he continued to use his Telegram channel to provide support to buyers of his kits. He was rearrested in May 2024.

Detectives found the kits on Holmans computer and his digital fingerprints linked to their creation. He distributed the kits across Europe and one was connected to a fraud of approximately 1m (870,000).

Holman pleaded guilty to seven charges, including making or supplying articles for use in fraud, encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence, and transferring, acquiring and possessing criminal property. He was sentenced to seven years at Southwark crown court.

After the sentencing, DS Ben Hurley said Holman had enabled mass fraud on a global scale. The fraud losses linked to Holmans actions are in the millions. Furthermore, Holman himself profited massively from the sale of this software, with no thought for how it may cause harm to victims, he said.

Sarah Jennings, a specialist prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said she hoped the sentence sent a message to other fraudsters. No matter how sophisticated your methods, you cannot hide behind online anonymity or encrypted platforms, she said.

The CPS said it would take Holman back to court to recover the money he had made from his crimes.
What caused the Concorde Air France crash? 25 years on from the tragedy that set supersonic travel back decades

The 100 passengers who boarded Air France flight 4590 from Paris Charles de Gaulle to New York JFK on the afternoon of 25 July 2000 believed they were in for the trip of a lifetime. The German cruise line Peter Deillmann had chartered Concorde for a supersonic start to a cruise holiday from New York to Ecuador.

While they sipped champagne and waited for departure, three miles west of the airport in the village of Gonesse, the staff of a budget hotel  the Hotelissimo Les Relais Bleus  were at work as normal.

For the two pilots and the flight engineer, as well as the six cabin crew, it was a routine mission. While Concorde had never proved a commercial success on its scheduled routes to the US, Brazil or Venezuela, there was plenty of demand for such charter flights.

Five minutes before the supersonic jet began its take-off along runway 26R, a Continental Airlines DC-10 had lost a titanium strip from one of its engines during take off from the same runway. While that flight was unaffected, this small piece of debris began a sequence of events that would end in tragedy within 90 seconds.

Thirty-four seconds after beginning the take-off roll, at a speed of 185mph, Concorde ran over the metal strip. It cut one of the tyres on the left-hand landing gear, sending a 10lb chunk of rubber into the left wing  where some of the 95 tons of fuel for the journey was stored.

A tank was ruptured. As the fuel gushed out, it was ignited by an electric arc in the landing gear bay or through contact with hot parts of the engine, according to the the official report.

At this point the supersonic plane was still on the ground. But Concorde had passed V1  the speed beyond which it is not possible safely to reject a take-off . For this flight V1 was calculated to be 173mph.

Concorde left the ground. But hindered by drag from the undercarriage  which could not be retracted because of the damage  the aircraft was catastrophically short of power and out of control. Despite the pilots best efforts, the aircraft stalled and struck the hotel. The impact killed all 109 passengers and crew on the plane, as well as four hotel staff.

At first, the details were sketchy, recalls Kay Burley. She was on air, presenting Sky News.

A producer was in my ear, calmly feeding me the basics: a Concorde had crashed shortly after take off from Paris, with a group of German tourists on board.

I started reporting what we knew, conscious that the facts were thin and the story was still unfolding.

Soon the pictures came in and we began commentating on the shaky camcorder footage from a motorist near the perimeter of Charles de Gaulle airport. Flames were pouring from beneath the delta wing as the aircraft struggled to climb.

Moments later, it had crashed into a hotel. One hundred and thirteen people were killed in under two minutes. It didnt seem possible.

To see such a beauty fail so catastrophically was hard to comprehend. I was shocked but remained calm as I processed the images and shared what I knew with Sky News viewers.

One of those viewers was Jock Lowe, flight operations director for British Airways  the only other carrier flying Concorde.

It was bewilderment at BA. Whilst we had considered what would happen if it did crash, we didn't believe it would happen.

Captain Lowe was the longest serving Concorde pilot, and knows the aircraft better than anyone else.

Captain Concorde: Jock Lowe, who flew the supersonic jet longer than anyone else (Jock Lowe)

The big question as the reports came in, he says, was: What shall we do  do we keep flying BA aircraft? What do we check? My little input was to say: As well as the engines, check the wheels and tyres and brakes.

I felt, like everyone else, a bit of disbelief, sadness for the project and sadness for all those poor people.

The senior aviation executive, Jonathan Hinkles, recalls: I was working for an airline in Gatwick at the time and wandered into our airline operations room in the afternoon of that day, just to routinely see how things were going on for the day  to be told by our ops team that there'd been a terrible accident involving Concorde outside Paris.

It was not totally clear at that point just how awful the events had been. But clearly it was traumatic, tragic and a real shock to the system.

I'd flown my one and only trip on Concorde myself with British Airways the year before, which is a memory that I'll always keep very fondly. And so the fact that another trip had ended in tragedy such a short time later outside Paris was a shock to everybody in the airline industry, but also one that I felt keenly myself.

As the investigators sifted through the wreckage and eventually reached their conclusions, Kay Burley was covering events for Sky News.

I remember the details of the tragedy unfolding like it was just yesterday, she says. But the part that stayed with me most came from the black box. The captain said nothing in his final moments. No mayday. No instructions. Just silence. He knew there was nothing to be done. Chilling.

The accident report advised that Concordes airworthiness certificate should be suspended pending modifications.

For travel people in the area around Heathrow, the familiar din of the twice-daily departures and arrivals fell silent.

Lyn Hughes, founding editor of Wanderlust magazine, says: Living in Windsor, like all residents I was very aware of Concorde  we used to regularly hear it and see it. Indeed, the skylight in the Wanderlust Windsor office used to sometimes rattle when it went over!

The sound of it was very distinctive; you always knew what it was. Yet, despite it being noisy, there was a lot of affection towards it.

On board: Sting and Kay Burley on the British Airways Concorde reinstatement flight on 7 November 2001 (Kay Burley)

Sixteen months later, Kay Burley was on board as Concorde returned to service for British Airways.

It was 7 November 2001, and I flew from London to New York. Seated next to Sting, we raised a quiet glass to those whod been lost.

Both the British and French Concordes landed at JFK that day, reunited in the city they had flown to so very often before.

Nose to nose: Kay Burley with BA and Air France Concordes at New York JFK on 7 November 2001 (Kay Burley)

Within two years, Concorde flew commercially for the final time. On 10 April 2003, Rod Eddington  the then-British Airways chief executive  announced that supersonic flying would end on 24 October that year. As he spoke, the afternoon flight from New York to Heathrow had only 20 of its 100 seats filled.

The writing was already on the wall, says Captain Lowe. The crash itself knocked confidence of the passengers, it knocked the confidence of everyone in the aviation industry.

Undoubtedly Concorde never got back to where it was after the crash. It was only going to be a matter of time after that. In the end it had flown for 27 years, it had been pretty trouble-free.

When it did its final flight, a lot of residents  myself included  went out on the street to watch it go over, says Lyn Hughes.

I think that affection will be hard to replicate. With its distinctive design, it had personality and it seemed to symbolise the romance of travel but Im not sure we will ever regain that with flying.
An Essex council has demanded the immediate and permanent closure of two asylum hotels after a number of serious incidents in the town.

Epping Forest District Council met on Thursday night to discuss a motion by leader Chris Whitbread that said: Repeated warnings to the Home Office about the unsuitability of both sites have gone unheeded.

He added that there have been several incidents linked to people staying at the Bell Hotel in Epping and the Phoenix Hotel in Bobbingworth in recent weeks, including the arrest and charge of a man for the alleged sexual assault of a schoolgirl and the arrest of another for a reported arson.

Councillors voted unanimously to urge the Government to close the hotels as they expressed grave concern that there is no transparency over who is being housed in [them], or what risk they may pose to the community.

People outside Epping migrant hotel (Lucy North/PA Wire)

The local authority alleged that the Governments actions are reckless and have potentially endangered public safety.

The Home Office should cease the use of unsuitable hotels in small towns and rural areas for asylum processing, the motion read.

Roger Hirst, the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) for Essex, joined the calls for the closures.

He said he had written to Yvette Cooper, outlining the unsustainability of the locations for housing migrants.

I have today written to the Home Secretary, requesting a meeting to discuss the ongoing use of hotels in the Epping Forest District of Essex, and elsewhere in the county, to accommodate newly arrived asylum seekers, he said.

Specifically, I am seeking to highlight the unsuitability of The Bell Hotel in Epping for this purpose, and request that its use be reviewed.

The presence of asylum seeker accommodation in this district is clearly creating community tension. These large-scale protests are disrupting local life and placing an unwelcome burden on Essex Police resources.

Counter protesters in Canary Wharf (Getty Images)

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: We inherited a broken asylum and immigration system, and that's why we've been taking action step by step, including 6,000 fewer asylum seekers in hotels in the last six months, and a 28% increase in returns of failed asylum seekers since the election, but it takes time to tackle that broken system.

It follows anti-migrant protests outside the Bell Hotel. Earlier on Thursday, local police issued a dispersal order in the area and the councils offices closed early amid concerns of further riots.

The force later confirmed one person was taken into custody for wearing a face covering at the hotel during an otherwise peaceful protest. In total 17 people have now been arrested.

Demonstrations were sparked by the arrest and subsequent charge of an Ethiopian asylum seeker who had recently arrived on a small boat and is accused of a sexual assault against a teenage girl. He denied the charge in court last week.

Neo-Nazi groups have been accused of stoking tensions in the area. Members of the far-right group Homeland are administrators of the Facebook page Epping Says No, where demonstrations have been organised.

The Homeland Party was formed as a splinter group to the neo-Nazi Patriotic Alternative in April 2023. Hope Not Hate has described it as the largest fascist group in the UK.

Dozens of anti-immigration protesters also congregated outside the Britannia hotel in Canary Wharf this week after false reports that asylum seekers were being moved from Epping there at a cost of 400 per person, per night.

The Home Office confirmed the east London hotel had been earmarked to house migrants at a cost of 81 per person a night but people would not be moved from Epping.

Counter-protesters from Stand Up to Racism attended demonstrations in both Essex and Canary Wharf.

Tensions are being exacerbated by the historical presence of far-right groups in the area, such as the Homeland Party and formerly elected British National Party councillors, Mr Whitbread said.

The head of the Police Federation, Tiff Lynch, has warned that the disorder in Essex is a signal flare for more unrest to come.

She said officers were likely to be taken away from neighbourhood duties amid fears they will have to keep the peace at protests over migrants this summer.

Police chiefs will be forced to choose between keeping the peace at home or plugging national gaps, she said, adding that little has improved since riots last July sparked by the murder of three girls in Southport.
A council has unanimously voted to urge the Government to close a hotel housing asylum seekers following a series of protests around the site in Essex.

Multiple demonstrations have been held outside the Bell Hotel in Epping since July 13 after an asylum seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl.

Dozens of protesters gathered at the site again on Thursday evening.

Police have made 18 arrests and charged seven people in connection with the demonstrations.

The Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has also reportedly urged the Home Secretary to review the use of the hotel for housing asylum seekers.

Epping Forest District Council passed a motion on Thursday to call on the Government to immediately and permanently close the hotel for the purposes of asylum processing.

The council unanimously voted in favour of the motion.

The father of the girl allegedly assaulted by Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, said its not fair that the Government are putting our children and grandchildren at risk, even their own.

In the message read to the meeting by Councillor Shane Yerrell, he added: I do not want or condone any of the violence that has taken place at the protests  thats not what were about, and thats not what were trying to achieve  its only going to make things go the other way.

I just want the hotel to be moved, not only off our streets, but away from making any other family feel how we are feeling right now.

Police walk next to protesters in Epping (Lucy North/PA)

Kebatu denied sexual assaulting the 14-year-old girl at Chelmsford Magistrates Court and will stand trial in August.

Speakers criticised the disorder that has erupted at some of the gatherings, and the reported attendance of members of the far right.

They also raised concerns that the hotel is close to a school.

Councillor Jon Whitehouse said the people of Epping can fight their own battles and want their Thursdays and Sundays back.

He said: Im appalled its been necessary for (the police) to arrive in Epping in such volume and such force because of the violence and the intimidation that weve experienced here.

Facilitating passionate, lawful protest is a difficult and an important task  its made more difficult when those with no interest in the community of Epping choose to exploit those concerns, exploit the victims of crime and awful experiences for their own warped ends.

If youre here to stir up violence and confrontation in the surge of warped ideology  or maybe for some social media clicks  we dont want you and we dont need you.

Protesters near the Bell Hotel on Sunday (Yui Mok/PA)

Police facilitated a peaceful protest outside the civic centre while the meeting took place inside.

In a letter to Yvette Cooper, the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner said the hotel is unsuitable for housing migrants and is clearly creating community tension, the Telegraph reported.

Roger Hirst continued: [I am] requesting a meeting to discuss the ongoing use of hotels in the Epping Forest district of Essex, and elsewhere in the county, to accommodate newly arrived asylum seekers.

Specifically, I am seeking to highlight the unsuitability of The Bell Hotel in Epping for this purpose, and request that its use be reviewed. The presence of asylum seeker accommodation in this district is clearly creating community tension.

These large-scale protests are disrupting local life and placing an unwelcome burden on Essex Police resources.

Last Thursdays protest began peacefully but escalated into what officers described as scattered incidents of violence targeting police and property.

The force previously said a small number of people used that demonstration as cover to commit violent disorder and criminal damage.

Eight officers were injured and a number of police vehicles were damaged as missiles were thrown.

The latest developments come as police are braced for further protests, and the Government and law enforcement have vowed to act swiftly if unrest spreads.

The protest has drawn national attention and sparked a political row, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage calling for Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington to resign over claims that officers transported left-wing protesters to the scene, claims the Essex Police chief has denied.

Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said on Thursday night: I want to thank all those who protested peacefully this evening.

We put a number of measures in place to ensure you could express your democratic right peacefully, lawfully, and safely.

As I have consistently said, we will not tolerate anyone who believes they can come here to commit crime and disorder. If you think you can, we will deal with you.

We had robust plans in place this evening to ensure people could demonstrate peacefully and to ensure they, and the wider community, are kept safe.
Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri is accused of grabbing the teenager by the arm and pulling her to the side

A middle-aged Disney World tourist who allegedly brawled with a teenager at a parade has been charged with child abuse.

Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri, 51, is accused of pushing a 17-year-old girl to get a better view of the procession in front of Cinderella Castle at Disneys Magic Kingdom in Florida on Tuesday, according to an affidavit.

Ms Zapata-Echeverri, who was born in Colombia and lives in Spain, is accused of grabbing the teenager by the arm and pulling her to the side, causing a bruise and abrasion on her right arm.

The suspect told Orange County sheriffs deputies she was following her daughter to get to the front of the crowd to watch the parade, and claimed the 17-year-old pushed into her, saying she was in her spot.

She then demonstrated to a deputy how she pushed back with her left arm.

The teenager is said to have been the only one to receive an injury during the altercation, which took place around 9pm, with the affidavit claiming nail marks on the teenagers arm, in addition to the bruise.

The incident took place in front of the Cinderella Castle at Disneys Magic Kingdom in Florida on Tuesday - Gary Hershorn/2024 Gary Hershorn

Ms Zapata-Echeverri, who is currently banned from Disney property, allegedly had an unclear explanation about how the 17-year-old received her injuries and just pantomimed her pushing... with an open hand, the affidavit said.

Martha knowingly and wilfully touched [the girl]. Martha committed the intentional act of grabbing or pushing, which was reasonable to cause some type of injury, the affidavit stated.

There is said not to be any independent witnesses or surveillance footage.

Ms Zapata-Echeverri appeared in court on Tuesday, where her lawyer said she had been visiting Florida on a tourist visa on July 2, and was scheduled to fly back the following day, according to local media.

A judge reduced Zapata-Echeverris bond from $5,000 to $2,500 and said she cannot return to any Disney property.

Ms Zapata-Echeverri has pleaded not guilty to the child abuse charge, according to her lawyer, Bryan Farinas.

While we respect the investigative process, we believe this is a situation that was significantly mischaracterised, he told The Telegraph.

Based on the information that we have reviewed at this time, Ms Zapata-Echeverri was confronted and physically pushed by the alleged victim.

We are confident that once all the facts have been fully evaluated, it will be clear that there was no criminal intent and no abusive conduct by Ms Zapata-Echeverri.
Thailand has closed its entire border with Cambodia and urged all its nationals to leave the country, after violent clashes between the two nations left nine people dead.

Clashes began early on Thursday near the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple along the eastern border between Cambodia and Thailand, around 360 km from the Thai capital Bangkok.

"Artillery shell fell on people's homes," Sutthirot Charoenthanasak, district chief of Kabcheing in Surin province said, describing the firing by the Cambodian side.

It comes as the latest escalation between the countries that dates back more than a century when the two South East nations drew their border after Frances occupation of Cambodia ended.

Clashes have been sporadic over the years, but the latest tensions ramped up in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash.

At least nine civilians in Thailand have been killed and 14 people have been wounded, including a five-year-old child. Cambodia has not released any information on casualties or injuries.

Of the six F-16 fighter jets that Thailand readied to deploy along the disputed border, one of the aircraft fired into Cambodia and destroyed a military target, the Thai army said.

Both countries accused each other of starting the clash early on Thursday.

A Cambodian BM-21 multiple rocket launcher returns from the Cambodia-Thai border (AFP via Getty Images)

"We have used air power against military targets as planned," Thai army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon told reporters.

Cambodia's defence ministry said the jets dropped two bombs on a road, and that it "strongly condemns the reckless and brutal military aggression of the Kingdom of Thailand against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia".

The skirmishes came after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia late on Wednesday and said it would expel Cambodia's envoy in Bangkok, after a second Thai soldier in the space of a week lost a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently in the disputed area.

Thailand's foreign ministry said Cambodian troops fired "heavy artillery" on a Thai military base on Thursday morning and also targeted civilian areas including a hospital, leading to civilian casualties.

"The Royal Thai Government is prepared to intensify our self-defense measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack and violations upon Thailand's sovereignty," the ministry said in a statement.

Thai residents including children and the elderly ran to shelters built of concrete and fortified with sandbags and car tires in the Surin border province.

Cambodian soldiers reload the BM-21 multiple rocket launcher in Preah Vihear province (AFP via Getty Images)

"How many rounds have been fired? It's countless," an unidentified woman told the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS) while hiding in the shelter as gunfire and explosions were heard intermittently in the background.

Cambodia's foreign ministry said Thailand's air strikes were "unprovoked" and called on its neighbour to withdraw its forces and "refrain from any further provocative actions that could escalate the situation". For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border, which has led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a weeklong exchange of artillery in 2011.

Tensions were reignited in May following the killing of a Cambodian soldier during a brief exchange of gunfire, which escalated into a full-blown diplomatic crisis and now has triggered armed clashes.

A man walks past the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Bangkok (AFP via Getty Images)

"Two people have died," he said, adding that district authorities had evacuated 40,000 civilians from 86 villages near the border to safer locations.

Thailand's military said Cambodia deployed a surveillance drone before sending troops with heavy weapons to an area near the temple.

Cambodian troops opened fire and two Thai soldiers were wounded, a Thai army spokesperson said, adding Cambodia had used multiple weapons, including rocket launchers.

A spokesperson for Cambodia's defence ministry, however, said there had been an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops and Cambodian forces had responded in self-defence.

Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the situation was delicate.

"We have to be careful," he told reporters. "We will follow international law."
Police outside the Bell hotel in Epping, where a dispersal order has been issued after a series of protests. Photograph: James Veysey/Shutterstock

Protesters outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Epping are upset for legitimate reasons, a cabinet minister has said, as police brace for further unrest over the coming days.

Jonathan Reynolds, the business and trade secretary, said there was huge frustration that is shared by the government about the asylum system and the pressures it created on housing.

Police have issued a dispersal order at Epping after a series of demonstrations outside Bell hotel, which broke out after an Ethiopian asylum seeker who had recently arrived on a small boat was charged with sexual assault against a local girl.

Hundreds of people, many of them local residents, have been participating in the protests. Far-right activists have become involved in promoting them online and have been present, in some cases clashing with police. Officers are braced for further protests on Thursday evening and over the weekend.

Asked whether he was worried about the unrest spreading, Reynolds told Sky News the government, police and other enforcement agencies were prepared for all situations.

Related: Ministers are stoking fear and anger with anti-migrant rhetoric

I think what weve got to talk about is: why are people unhappy with, say, the asylum system? Are they reasonable? Are they upset for legitimate reasons? Yes, we share those as a government, he said. That is why we are sorting it out.

And I understand the frustrations people have, but ultimately, you solve those frustrations and solve the problem by fixing and getting a grip of the core issue, which is what were doing.

Reynolds said the number of hotels being used to house asylum seekers in the UK had halved from 400 to about 200.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4s Today programme, Reynolds said there was frustration, huge frustration, that is shared by the government. I think what people felt under the last government was that it was completely out of control.

There is clearly more to do but that came from an asylum system where there wasnt a proper grip of it ... We are starting to change that [] the number of deportations is up, there are fewer asylum hotels.

Reynolds said the solution is not putting people in different forms of accommodation, its about having a system where if people shouldnt be in the UK, they have to leave the UK.

He added that voters were unhappy about the way net migration had continued to rise after Brexit and felt that was not the deal that they voted for, saying: You can be pro-talent and people coming to the UK and also say theres got to be control, theres got to be limits.

Tiff Lynch, the chair of the Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, warned police could be diverted from neighbourhood duties to keep the peace at protests if the unrest spread over the summer.

In an article for the Daily Telegraph, Lynch said the protests in Epping were a signal flare for more and that police officers were being pulled in every direction. It is dangerous to assume that they can continue to hold the line indefinitely, without the support they need or the recognition they deserve, she wrote.

Essex police have issued a dispersal order in Epping that is in force from 2pm on Thursday until 8am on Friday. It gives officers the power to tell anyone suspected of committing or planning antisocial behaviour to leave the area or face arrest.


China and the EU have issued a joint call to action on climate change during a tense bilateral summit in Beijing riven with major disagreements over trade and the war in Ukraine.

The two economic giants issued a joint statement urging more emissions cuts and greater use of green technology and affirming their support for the Paris Climate Agreement, as well as calling for strong action at the upcoming Cop30 climate summit in Brazil.

In the fluid and turbulent international situation today, it is crucial that all countries, notably the major economies, maintain policy continuity and stability and step up efforts to address climate change, the joint statement said.

The climate agreement was a silver lining on a stormy day when European leaders demanded a more balanced relationship with Beijing in talks with President Xi Jinping.

They highlighted trade in their opening remarks, calling for concrete progress to address Europes yawning trade deficit with China.

As our co-operation has deepened, so have the imbalances, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said. We have reached an inflection point. Rebalancing our bilateral relation is essential. Because to be sustainable, relations need to be mutually beneficial.

Expectations had been low before the talks, initially supposed to last two days but scaled back to one. They come amid financial uncertainty around the world, wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, and the threat of US tariffs. Neither the EU nor China is likely to budge on key issues.

European Council president Antonio Costa called on China to use its influence over Russia to bring an end to the war in Ukraine  a long-running plea from European leaders which is likely to fall again on deaf ears.

Mr Xi called for deeper co-operation between China and Europe to provide stability in an increasingly complex world. Both sides should set aside differences and seek common ground, he said, a phrase he often uses in relationships like the one with the EU.

Beijing is willing to strengthen co-ordination on climate and make greater contributions to addressing climate change, he said, but he pushed back against EU restrictions on Chinese exports.

We hope the EU will keep its trade and investment markets open, refrain from using restrictive economic and trade tools and provide a good business environment for Chinese companies to invest and develop in Europe, he said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Besides trade and the Ukraine war, Ms von der Leyen and Mr Costa were expected to raise concerns about Chinese cyberattacks and espionage, its restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals and its human rights record in Tibet, Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

The EU, meanwhile, has concerns about a looming trade battle with the US.

Beijings stance has hardened on the EU, despite a few olive branches, like the suspension of sanctions on European legislators who criticised Beijings human rights record in Xinjiang province, where it is accused of a widespread campaign of repression against the Uyghurs.

Like the US, the 27-nation EU bloc runs a massive trade deficit with China  around 300 billion euros (260 billion) last year. It relies heavily on China for critical minerals and the magnets made from them for cars and appliances.

The EU has imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to support its car makers by balancing out Beijings heavy subsidies. China would like those tariffs revoked.

The rapid growth in Chinas market share in Europe has sparked concern that Chinese cars will eventually threaten the EUs ability to produce its own green technology to combat climate change.

Business groups and unions also fear that the jobs of 2.5 million car industry workers could be put in jeopardy, as well those of 10.3 million more people whose employment depends indirectly on EV production.
Turkeys death toll has risen to 17 and thousands of people have been evacuated as wildfires continue to blaze throughout the country.

As flames close in on Bursa, the countrys fourth largest city, three firefighters died over the weekend while trying to fight the flames. More than 3,500 people have fled their homes as the blaze has spread rapidly.

Turkish fire services fought 84 fires across the country, 36 of which were in forest areas and 48 in non-forest areas, according to minister of agriculture and forestry Ibrahim Yumakli. Flames have scorched 3,000 hectares around the city of Bursa.

Meanwhile, 55 wildfires have broken out in Greece in the past 24 hours; while 50 were dealt with immediately, the Hellenic fire brigade is still dealing with five. Some Athens suburbs, such as the northern suburb of Kryoneri, were evacuated as some homes caught fire.

Smoke fills the air as firefighters battle a wildfire near Limassol, Cyprus (AFP via Getty Images)

Turkeys government declared two western provinces, Izmir and Bilecik, disaster areas on Friday. Photos have shown orange skies across Turkey as smoke and flames rise in forested areas.

Orhan Saribal, an opposition parliamentarian for the Bursa province, described the scenes as an apocalypse.

Mr Yumakli said Turkey broke an all-time temperature record on Friday of 50.5C in the southeastern city of Sirnak. Information published by the countrys General Directorate of Meteorology suggested that temperatures would rise by another 10 degrees from Saturday.

Meanwhile, temperatures in Greece similarly remain in the mid to high thirties with persistent sunshine and dry conditions.

Unseasonably high temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds have fuelled severe wildfires across Europe since June.

On 1 July, two people died in a wildfire in Catalonia, as a raging wildfire consumed nearly 3,000 hectares (7,413 acres) of vegetation. Spain has experienced record-breaking temperatures this summer, with its weather service Aemet remarking that its extremely hot June, with an average temperature of 23.6C, has pulverised records, surpassing the normal average for July and August.

In the south of France, a wildfire reached the outskirts of Marseille and injured 110 people, after burning through 700 hectares.

Firefighters worked through the night to contain the blaze, which authorities believe was caused by a car that caught fire on the side of a highway.

Greece has repeatedly battled wildfires in key holiday destinations, such as Crete and Chios over the past month.
Tracey's cheese toastie is getting cold.

She's explaining to me how hacked off she is about the asylum hotel in Epping, there is a lot to get off her chest.

This Essex commuter town has seen a series of protests around the Bell Hotel where asylum seekers have been housed for the past few years.

The catalyst last week was an Ethiopian man, who had only recently arrived on a small boat, appearing in court charged with three counts of sexual assault on a local girl.

Tracey was in the crowd demonstrating last Thursday when things turned violent, with some protesters clashing with police. Eight officers suffered injuries along with two hotel employees.

Read more:

Epping protests are just the latest flashpoint of frustration

Essex Police update on Epping protests

Tracey told Sky News: "I've been here since I was four years old, I'm 60 now and we've never had any trouble like this before.

"I'm sick to the skin of it all, I can't wait for it all to be over.

"Everyone's on edge now. There's a lot of hostility so I think they (the migrants) should go.

"I'm not a racist and I'm not prejudiced but this has just gone too far for this town.

"You shouldn't relocate them, you should send them back to where they came from, simple as that.

"Then it will be restored, the peace."

She's angry at the government's response and the way she feels communities have not been listened to.

She told Sky News: "They are going to have a lot of protests on their hands if they don't do anything about it.

"So watch this space!"

She went back to her cheese toastie and chips.

Essex Police officers are preparing for another demonstration in Epping later with a march planned from the hotel to the council offices, where local politicians are due to discuss the problems.

The chief constable has promised that his officers will facilitate peaceful protest while warning troublemakers they will be robustly dealt with.

As we walked along the main shopping street with our camera, a man wound down the window of his partner's Mini and shouted about the violence last week.

We asked him to stop and explain what he meant.

It turned out Keith was at the protest too, his son was arrested and charged with criminal damage.

"My son is actually going to court because he shook the Bell hotel sign and they are trying to do him with criminal damage," he said.

"If they arrest somebody there will be five people to take their place," he warned - suggesting that people will show up regardless.

"It will go on until it stops, it'll stop when they (the migrants) get moved out."

Not everyone feels the same way - another woman who did not want to give her name said she strongly disagreed with the protests at the hotel.

She told us: "I don't think an angry mob outside somewhere where people are staying within our community is the right way to go about it.

"They could be demonstrating outside the Home Office."

It is a divisive issue that the government clearly can't solve quickly.

They are aiming to stop using hotels to house asylum seekers by 2029.

Very few people in Epping feel they can wait that long. They want solutions now.

It's a sentiment that's found in communities across the UK.
Liam and Noel Gallagher are bringing the Oasis reunion tour to Wembley. (WireImage) (Samir Hussein via Getty Images)

The Oasis reunion tour is moving on to Wembley, the home of the band's seven London dates. After triumphant homecoming shows in Manchester, fans in the capital have plenty to look forward to.

From on-stage times to support acts and the plans to control the ticketless crowds, here's all you need to know about what to expect on the Wembley leg of the tour.

When are Oasis playing Wembley?

Oasis have seven dates scheduled for Wembley. (LightRocket via Getty Images) (SOPA Images via Getty Images)

Oasis have a whopping seven Wembley tour dates to get through, but they'll be split into two parts of the schedule.

The Gallaghers will debut their first London date on Friday, 25 July, followed by Saturday, 26 July. After a few days off, they'll return to the Wembley stage on Wednesday, 30 July. They'll then perform nights four and five on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August.

Although the tour moves on to other locations after the first five dates, the band will be back in town for two more nights on Saturday, 27 and Sunday, 28 September to close the UK leg.

What time are Oasis and support acts on stage at Wembley?

Ahead of Friday's first Wembley show, Oasis have released the expected timings that gates will open and that they and their support acts will be on stage.

Wembley will open the gates at 5pm, ahead of the first support act, Cast, taking to the stage at 6pm. Richard Ashcroft will then follow them at 7pm.

Oasis are expected to be on stage from 8:15pm, and fans can look forward to two hours of the band's biggest hits as the show is set to end at 10:15pm ahead of a 10:30pm curfew.

What is the Oasis setlist?

The setlist is expected to stay the same. (PA Images via Getty Images) (Jordan Pettitt - PA Images via Getty Images)

Although the setlist for the Wembley shows hasn't officially been announced, it has stayed the same for all of their reunion shows so far.

This has been the setlist for Oasis Live '25 to date:

Intro music: F***in in the Bushes

Hello Acquiesce Morning Glory Some Might Say Bring It On Down Cigarettes & Alcohol Fade Away Supersonic Roll With It Talk Tonight Little by Little Half a World Away D'You Know What I Mean? Stand By Me Cast No Shadow Slide Away Whatever Live Forever Rock 'n' Roll Star The Masterplan (encore) Don't Look Back In Anger (encore) Wonderwall (encore) Champagne Supernova (encore)

Are there still Oasis tickets available?

Oasis fans without tickets are warned to stay away after crowds descended on Heaton Park. (AFP via Getty Images) (OLI SCARFF via Getty Images)

Unfortunately for those who didn't manage to get tickets, all seven of the Wembley shows are now sold out.

But if you're tempted to head down to Wembley anyway to try to catch a few bars of Wonderwall, the official advice is: don't.

So many ticketless fans arrived at Heaton Park for the Manchester shows in the hope of watching the gigs for free from an area dubbed "Gallagher Hill" that a high fence was put up around the concert area. The police and council even had to step in to discourage people from attending and clear the park.

A free outdoor exhibition shows Kevin Cummins' images of the brothers over the years. (Kevin Cummins/Iconic Images 2025) (Kevin Cummins / Iconic Images)

Wembley Stadium officials have learned from Gallagher Hill and warned people not to loiter or turn up without a valid ticket. A statement from the venue said: "To support with the safe entry and exit of everyone within the stadium, no one is allowed to stand outside any entrance or on the Olympic Steps at the front of the stadium. Non-ticket holders will be moved on."

There is, however, one official event that both those with and without tickets can enjoy - Wembley Park is hosting a free, outdoor photography exhibition from the archive of celebrated music photographer Kevin Cummins, Brothers: Liam and Noel Through the Lens of Kevin Cummins.
Fans have queued to sign a book of condolence for the late Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne following his death at the age of 76.

The book has been opened at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, which is currently holding an exhibition about the late singer titled Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero.

Mourners also had the option to leave a voice note in any language they chose by speaking into a red phone.

Floral tributes are left on the Black Sabbath Bridge bench on Broad Street in Birmingham, following the death of Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne, aged 76 (Jacob King/PA)

Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease in 2019 and died at the age of 76 on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family.

The news came a few weeks after he reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates on July 5 to play a farewell gig at Villa Park  a stones throw from where the band was formed in 1968.

Tributes were led by his Black Sabbath bandmates, including Terence Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, along with celebrity friends including Kiss star Gene Simmons and Queen guitarist Sir Brian May.

Earlier on Thursday, Status Quo frontman Francis Rossi spoke on ITVs Good Morning Britain and described Osbourne as wild.

He said: He was a great young guy. And then obviously, American success got to him, I think. And it gets to a lot of us. You get carried away with all that stuff that one shouldnt. I did and Im over it.

Ozzy Osbourne performs on stage during the Closing Ceremony for the 2022 Commonwealth Games at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham (David Davies/PA)

Osbourne was also described by the Lord mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, as a proud Brummie who helped put the city on the world map.

Mr Iqbal met the founding members of the heavy metal band, formed in the city in 1968, when they were presented with the freedom of Birmingham in June.

He told the PA news agency: He (Osbourne) was very important and he was a proud Brummie. He loved the city. He will be much missed, I think, and he was loved by so many people in the city.

Other stars have also honoured the Prince of Darkness by paying tribute to him during live concert performances, including Lady Gaga, Coldplay and Alice Cooper.

In a statement shared on Instagram, Cooper said: He was and will continue to be a rock n roll legend. Rock n Roll is a family and a fraternity. When we lose one of our own it bleeds. I wish I would have gotten to know my brother Ozzy better.
A prominent retired surgeon has claimed too many women are doing medical degrees, which is causing problems for the NHS as women have got to have babies" and many end up working part-time.

Dr Meirion Thomas, a former professor of surgical oncology at Imperial College, said the gender balance has swung too far in favour of female medical students.

Asked what was wrong with having more female doctors in training, Dr Thomas told Times Radio the fact of life is that women have got to have babies.

Dr Thomas said fewer women should be doctors as they have got to have babies (GB News)

He said: You're putting me on the spot now, and I'll be hated for this, but the fact of life is, of course, women have got to have babies. Of course, they've got to have time to bring up their children.

Dr Thomas said women often end up working part-time or job-sharing, which he claimed was impacting NHS services.

... the fact of life, in general practice, almost most of the women are working part-time, and that is one of the reasons why patients cannot get access to the same GP all the time. It's one of the reasons why they can't have continuity of care. Now, I'm going to be hated for saying that, but I'm afraid it's true, he said.

His comments came as part of a discussion about NHS strikes, which are set to run for five days from 7am on Friday, with thousands of resident doctors expected to join the walkout in an ongoing dispute over pay.

Dr Thomas said please dont take offence at this, before referencing a photograph from a previous doctors strike, which he said showed that of the 30 to 40 people pictured, only two were men. All the rest were women. So that tells me something, he said.

Pressed on why that would be a problem, Dr Thomas said: The one problem is that medical schools now are taking 60 to 70 per cent women as medical students. It's a huge imbalance, huge imbalance and that should be reduced to 50-50 for sure. Dr Thomas has previously complained about GPs working part-time, which the Royal College of General Practitioners has said misses the point.

He has also previously warned that the NHS is being flooded with doctors from poorer countries, claiming that the UK has no idea if they are competent.

Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said: "We are proud of our track record on diversity and that women  all of whom are working their hardest to care for their patients - now make up 53 per cent of the GP workforce. It is vital that our medical workforce reflects the population we serve, and female GPs are a valued and much appreciated part of general practice.

The sad fact is that the job of a full-time GP is now largely unmanageable, and part-time in general practice often means working what would normally be considered full time or even longer elsewhere and includes many hours of paperwork on top of patient appointments. This is not safe or sustainable for patients or GPs.

The public is being urged to continue coming forward for NHS care during a five-day strike, which is likely to see tens of thousands of operations and appointments cancelled.

NHS England said hospitals and local teams have been preparing before the strike, and have plans in place to minimise disruption to patient care and ensure life-saving care continues.

Thousands of resident doctors are expected to join the walkout, which is the 12th by resident doctors since March 2023.

Concerns have been raised about patient safety during resident doctor strikes planned for Friday (PA)

New NHS England boss, Sir Jim Mackey, has urged hospital leaders to keep routine operations and appointments going if possible and to only cancel if there is a risk to patient safety.

During the strike, GP surgeries will open as usual and urgent care and A&E will continue to be available for those who need them, NHS England said.

It urged the public to use 111 online as the first port of call for urgent but not life-threatening issues.

Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England national medical director, said: There is no doubt this industrial action will take a toll on patients and NHS staff, and it is disappointing it is going ahead.

While it will mean some appointments wont be able to go ahead as planned, we are doing all we can to limit this, and patients should continue to use NHS services in the usual way.

The public should dial 999 in an emergency, and otherwise use 111 online, your local pharmacist or GP, and patients should attend NHS appointments unless told otherwise.
The spoof movie poster for Dear Erin. Photograph: Epic

A man in a bar with a flat cap, bloodied knuckles and a dreamy look lays down his whiskey and writes a letter. Dear Erin, he begins, and a soundtrack of fiddles swells as he yearns for his lost love in the distant land of America.

The trailer for the upcoming film  tagline: she was the Irish goodbye he never forgot  ran in recent weeks in cinemas and online and was accompanied by a poster showing green mountains, shamrocks and a rainbow.

For many, it was Hollywoods latest affront to Ireland. What did we Irish people ever do to you to deserve this? said one social media post. Christ could they not find a leprechaun to complete cliche bingo, said another. Some sought solace in sarcasm: I think they nailed it. Im always in the pub in the 1910s writing love letters to American girls with my big dirty fingernails. Finally I feel seen.

Last week came the twist: Epic, the Irish emigration museum in Dublin, revealed it had made the trailer and that the film, titled Dear Erin, did not exist. The trailer was a stunt to lampoon the stereotyping of Ireland in Hollywood romcoms such as Wild Mountain Thyme, Irish Wish, Leap Year and PS I Love You.

It was time to call it out, the museum said in a statement. We created a trailer for a film that we hope never gets made, and filled it with all of the tired, cliched portrayals of Irish people often seen in Hollywood movies.

Colonial-era stereotypes of the Irish as fist-fighting drunks or hopeless romantics persisted in contemporary films, warping perceptions of a complex, multilayered society, Aileesh Carew, the museums director and chief executive, said in an interview. If you dont know anyone from Ireland then these films may be your only reference point.

The trailer features the actor Peter Coonan sporting shamrocks on his lapel and surrounded by empty beer glasses as his voiceover reminisces about meeting Erin: I have played that night over in my head more times than the Finnegans fought the OMalleys.

The goal was to mimic a studio publicity campaign while cramming in every conceivable cliche, said Carew, adding: Potatoes, we forgot the potatoes.

Hundreds of thousands of views on TikTok and LadBible, along with the response on Instagram, Reddit and other platforms, showed the campaign had hit a chord, said Carew.

Before the reveal, some commenters guessed that the trailer was a spoof, while others begged that it be so. Must be a joke here somewhere, said one. Sweet Jesus no please. This should be called Dear God No! not Dear Erin.

The Hollywood stereotypes dated from the 1930s when gangster films featured Irish characters who were menacing thugs or comic relief drunks, but invariably seedy, said Dr Sian Barber, a film studies lecturer at Queens University Belfast. Irishness was something foreign but also comforting. It was not done with any malice but it quickly became embedded in Hollywood consciousness.

Irish people, and tourism authorities, at times colluded in this romanticisation, said Barber. It offers this beautiful image of unreality which is welcoming and friendly. Its playing to this tourist idea of what Ireland can offer  the landscape, the loveable rogue.

John Fords 1952 film The Quiet Man set a template of sorts by sending John Waynes character back to his homeland to find a wife, whom he ends up dragging through fields, but its rural setting reflected much of Irish life at that time, unlike more recent fare that suggests society still revolves around sheep, donkeys and Guinness.

Irish critics howled  in mirth and agony  at the whimsy and dodgy accents in the likes of Wild Mountain Thyme, a 2020 romcom starring Jamie Dornan and Emily Blunt, and Irish Wish, a 2024 vehicle for Lindsay Lohan.

The main problem was not inaccuracy but lack of context, said Paudie Holly, a storyteller at Dublins National Leprechaun Museum. Folklore can and should be celebrated, and there was no reason to feel shame about Irelands rural past, but modern Ireland was different, he said. Its ridiculous to suggest our culture has been frozen in place for a hundred years.

Lance Daly, the Dublin-based director of Black 47, said Ireland had aggravated the phenomenon by luring foreign productions for the jobs they would bring rather than the stories they would tell. What you have then is a director who is not Irish directing actors who are not Irish  We have a weird tolerance for it. We have to be careful that were not sponsoring foreign film-makers to make fools of us.
Emmanuel Macron has said France will recognise Palestine as a state later this year.

The French leader announced the major change of policy in a letter to the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas, which Mr Macron also published online on Thursday evening.

President Macron said he will make the formal announcement at the UN General Assembly, being held in September.

France will become the first member of the G7 - a group of seven of the world's largest advanced economies - to recognise a Palestinian state. The G7 includes Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US.

In his post explaining the decision, Mr Macron called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of the hostages by Hamas and for much more humanitarian aid to reach those in the territory.

But Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hit out at Mr Macron's stance, and said that it "rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy".

In a post on X, Mr Netanyahu added that a "Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel - not to live in peace beside it".

He warned: "Let's be clear: The Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel."

But despite the condemnation from Israel, the move heaps pressure on France's allies such as the UK, and Sir Keir Starmer insisted on Thursday night that he is "clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people".

However, the prime minister has resisted calls from within Labour to recognise Palestine immediately, as he believes this should come after a ceasefire is agreed, as part of the peace process in Gaza.

"A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis," he said.

Currently, half of the G20 recognise Palestine as a state, while nations including the UK, US, and Germany do not.

But pressure has been growing on Sir Keir to change course, with senior Labour figures including the Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, publicly calling for a change in government policy.

Read more:

Inside hospital where there's virtually no food for malnourished children

People in Gaza are 'walking corpses' - with one in five kids malnourished - UN

'Humanitarian catastrophe'

Just hours before Mr Macron's announcement, Sir Keir said he would be holding an "emergency call" on Friday with the leaders of France and Germany over what he called the "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza.

Sir Keir said that "the suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible".

He went on to say that it has been "grave for some time", but that it has now "reached new depths and continues to worsen".

Sir Keir said: "I will hold an emergency call with E3 partners tomorrow, where we will discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace."

The PM added that "we all agree" on the need for Israel to "change course and allow aid that is desperately needed to enter Gaza without delay".

He wrote: "It is hard to see a hopeful future in such dark times. But I must reiterate my call for all sides to engage in good faith, and at pace, to bring about an immediate ceasefire and for Hamas to unconditionally release all hostages."

Mr Macron pressed for recognition of Palestinian statehood in a recent address to the UK's Parliament earlier this month, where he said it was the "only path to peace".

Across the globe, more than 140 countries recognise Palestine as a state.
The misery endured by Palestinians in Gaza may have accelerated Emmanuel Macrons decision to recognise the State of Palestine - Mahmoud Abu Hamda/Anadolu via Getty

Emmanuel Macrons announcement that France will recognise the State of Palestine is a slap in the face to victims of Oct 7, the United States has said.

The French president on Thursday said he would formally acknowledge Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September.

True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine, Mr Macron wrote on X.

The plan sparked fury from Israel and its allies, including in Washington, where Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State accused Mr Macron of being reckless.

In a post on X, Mr Rubio said the French president was playing into the hands of Hamas.

The United States strongly rejects @EmmanuelMacron's plan to recognize a Palestinian state at the @UN general assembly.



This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th.  Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) July 25, 2025

Mr Macron insisted the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza was behind his decision. The urgency today is to end the war and to provide aid to the civilian population, he said.

It is essential to build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and enable it, by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel, to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East, he added. There is no alternative.

The decision drew a furious response from Israeli politicians, with Benjamin Netanyahu saying the move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became.

A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel  not to live in peace beside it. Lets be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel, he added.

Gideon Saar, the foreign minister of Israel, said: The French presidents pretension to conjure a permanent settlement in our land with a mere breath is absurd and unserious.

Israel Katz, Israels defence minister, described the statement as a disgrace, surrender to terror, and a prize and wind at the back of the murderers and rapists of Hamas.

We will not allow the creation of a Palestinian entity that harms our security and risks our existence and hurts our historic rights to the Land of Israel, he added.

Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, ironically suggested that France could become the site of a Palestinian state.

Macrons unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state didnt say WHERE it would be, he wrote on X. I can now exclusively disclose that France will offer the French Riviera & the new nation will be called Franc-en-Stine.

Emmanuel Macron, right, with Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas last year at the UN - Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty

However, Sir Sadiq Khan, Londons mayor, said he welcomed Mr Macrons decision.

With unimaginable suffering in Gaza and no end in sight, now is the time for our government to do the same, he said on X.

Saudi Arabia hailed it as historic and urged other countries to follow suit.

The Saudi foreign ministry said: The kingdom praises this historic decision, which reaffirms the international communitys consensus on the Palestinian peoples right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent state.

France goes against Hamas

France responded to the criticism on Friday, saying that its plan to recognise a Palestinian state runs counter to the stance held by Hamas, the Palestinian militant group.

Jean-Noel Barrot, the French foreign minister, said: Hamas has always ruled out a two-state solution. By recognising Palestine, France goes against that terrorist organisation.

Nevertheless, Hamas welcomed Mr Macrons stance, calling it a positive step in the right direction toward doing justice to our oppressed Palestinian people.

In the UK, Peter Kyle, the Cabinet minister, said he desperately wants to see Palestine recognised as a state amid growing pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to follow Mr Macron.

Mr Kyle insisted the Prime Minister hoped for a two-state solution more than anyone else as the humanitarian situation in Gaza continued to worsen.

Labour had vowed to recognise Palestine in its manifesto at the general election last year but Sir Keir has said this must only happen when the time is right.

Mr Kyle said on Friday: The Prime Minister himself wants Palestine to be recognised as a state as part of a political process that leads to peace and stability in the region.

Israeli troops deploy at the border with Gaza on Wednesday. The urgency today is to end the war, said Mr Macron - Jack Guez/AFP via Getty

Macron frustrated with Gaza war

Mr Macron offered support for Israel after the Oct 7 2023 massacre and has often spoken out against growing anti-Semitism in France.

However, he has become increasingly frustrated with its war in Gaza in recent months.

There must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, he wrote in the post on Thursday.

The French people want peace in the Middle East. It is up to us, the French, together with the Israelis, the Palestinians, and our European and international partners, to demonstrate that it is possible.

He also sent a letter to Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian Authority president, informing him of his intent.

The statement came hours after Israel-Hamas peace talks in Qatar collapsed, with Mr Netanyahu withdrawing its team after studying Hamass latest response to its proposals.

Sir Keir Starmer earlier on Thursday said the Palestinian people have an inalienable right to a state of their own, in a statement that fell short of a promise to declare statehood.

The Labour Government backs recognising Palestine, but has argued for months that it should be done at the right moment to further peace in the region.

The dire humanitarian situation in Gaza has appalled Sir Keir Starmer - Eyad Baba/AFP via Getty

Sir Keir said: We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people.

A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis.

The Prime Minister said he would hold emergency talks with France and Germany over Gaza within the next 24 hours, describing the situation in the war-ravaged enclave as unspeakable and indefensible.

I will hold an emergency call with E3 partners [France and Germany] tomorrow, where we will discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need, while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace, Sir Keir said.

We all agree on the pressing need for Israel to change course and allow the aid that is desperately needed to enter Gaza without delay.

It was reported in early June that Mr Macron was lobbying Britain and France to recognise the State of Palestine at a UN conference that month.

However, the meeting was postponed following the outbreak of hostilities between Iran and Israel.

Mr Macron also pressured Sir Keir to formally recognise a Palestinian state before his recent visit to Britain.

Spain, Ireland and Norway recognised Palestine in May last year, provoking furious condemnation from Israel, which withdrew its ambassadors from the three nations capitals and said the decision amounted to a reward for terrorism.

The US also does not currently recognise the State of Palestine, in contrast to 147 of the 193 UN member nations.
Ghislaine Maxwell answered every single question put to her by Department of Justice officials, her attorney has said.

David Oscar Markus briefly spoke to reporters outside a Florida courthouse after the disgraced British socialite was grilled during a meeting with federal Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Thursday.

Markus did not take questions, but said Maxwell never declined to answer and did not invoke any privilege during the meeting. Prior to the meeting he said the team was looking forward to a productive day.

Blanche did not address media following the meeting. The Deputy Attorney General later posted on X saying: Today, I met with Ghislaine Maxwell, and I will continue my interview of her tomorrow. The Department of Justice will share additional information about what we learned at the appropriate time.

Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epsteins former girlfriend, met with U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche inside Tallahassees federal courthouse in Florida on Thursday (Federal Bureau of Prisons)

David Oscar Markus, attorney for Maxwell, is joined by attorneys Leah Saffian and Melissa Madrigal, as he talks about the meeting their client had with Department of Justice officials at the Federal Courthouse in Tallahassee (REUTERS)

Maxwell, Jeffrey Epsteins former girlfriend, met with Blanche at the U.S. Attorney Generals office, which is located inside Tallahassees federal courthouse, in Florida.

Maxwell is currently being held at the Florida Correctional Institution-Tallahassee, where she is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in a scheme to abuse minors.

Blanche had announced Tuesday that he had contacted Maxwells attorneys to pursue any potential new leads as Trumps MAGA base continues to blast the administration over its handling of the so-called Epstein Files.

David Oscar Markus, an attorney for Ghislaine Maxwell, said the disgraced British socialite had answered all questions put to her by Blanche during the meeting Thursday (REUTERS)

But that announcement caused a stir among Democrats, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer writing on X: Under no circumstances should anyone from Trumps DOJ be allowed to privately interview Ghislaine Maxwell.

The conflict of interest is glaring. It stinks of high corruption.

Maxwell, 63, was sentenced to 20 years prison in 2021 for her role in a scheme to sexually exploit and abuse multiple girls with Epstein and is serving time at the federal prison. Her attorneys have taken an appeal of her conviction to the Supreme Court.

Maxwell, 63, was sentenced to 20 years in 2021 for her role in a scheme to sexually exploit and abuse multiple girls with Epstein and is serving time at the federal prison. Her attorneys have taken an appeal of her conviction to the Supreme Court (US District Court for the Southern District of New York)

Her meeting with Blanche comes after the Wall Street Journal reported President Donald Trump had been told in May by Attorney General Pam Bondi that his name appeared in the Epstein Files multiple times. The president denied such claims to reporters earlier this month.

Appearing in the files does not indicate an individual has committed any wrongdoing and Trump has not been accused of misconduct in connection with the Epstein case.

This is another fake news story, just like the previous story by The Wall Street Journal, White House communications director Steven Cheung told the outlet about the claims Trump was named in the files.
Ghislaine Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence - US Department of Justice/PA

Ghislaine Maxwell answered every question she was asked by Trump administration officials who quizzed her about Jeffrey Epstein, her lawyer said.

Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, and President Donald Trumps former personal attorney, visited the British socialite at a jail in Tallahassee, Florida, following a request from the president to release all credible evidence related to the paedophile financier.

Ms Maxwell answered every single question, her attorney David Oscar Markus told reporters outside the federal courthouse in Tallahassee.

She never stopped, she never invoked a privilege, she never declined to answer. She answered all the questions truthfully, honestly and to the best of her ability.

Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in helping Epstein recruit and abuse underage girls, is the only person to have ever been convicted in connection with his crimes.

If Ghislaine Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the [Department of Justice (DoJ)] will hear what she has to say, Mr Blanche said before the visit.

The president, earlier this week, suggested he was happy for Mr Blanche to speak to Maxwell, saying it sounds appropriate to do it.

Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Maxwell helped Epstein recruit and abuse underage girls - AFP

Ahead of the meeting, Maxwell was assembling new evidence to present to the Trump administration, her brother told the New York Post. She is expected to try and broker a deal with the justice department to reduce her prison sentence.

Chaos erupted in the administration earlier this month when the DoJ and FBI concluded that Epstein did not have a client list, and killed himself in a Manhattan jail in 2019.

The move incited a huge backlash among members of Mr Trumps Maga base, who have long called for transparency over the case.

A widely-believed conspiracy theory among his supporters purports that the deep state is protecting a circle of elites, whom Epstein trafficked underage girls to, by trying to bury the story.

The deep state refers to an accretion of laws, organisations and incentives at the heart of the US government, often referred to by Mr Trump as scuppering his attempts to change the status quo during his first term.

The FBI compiled more than 300 gigabytes of Epstein-related material and confiscated digital and documentary evidence from the paedophile financiers properties in the US Virgin Islands and New York in 2019, comprising the so-called Epstein files.

It was reported on Wednesday that Mr Trumps name, as well as several other of Epsteins associates, are mentioned several times in the tranche of documents.

Mr Trumps name allegedly appearing within the files does not imply any criminality or wrongdoing.

Donald and Melania Trump with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell - Davidoff Studios Photography/ARCHIVE PHOTOS

The president was informed of his appearance within the files by Attorney General Pam Bondi months before her department announced that it would not be releasing any of the material, according to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

Mr Trump is said to have privately told people he fears being accused of funny business because of his former friendship with the financier.

Theyre going to accuse me of some funny business, he said recently in the Oval Office, a Republican close to the White House told Politico.

Theyre going to f me anyways, he added

On Wednesday, Republicans on the House oversight committee voted with Democrats to approve a motion to compel the Justice Department to release records related to Epstein.

The subpoena would request the redaction of names of victims and personally identifying information to be reviewed internally by the committee.

It followed a similar vote in which Maxwell was subpoenaed to testify before Congress about her links to Epstein.

Can you trust what shell say?

However, House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday played down the significance of Maxwells testimony, slated for August 11, asking reporters: Can you trust what shes going to say?

Pressure is growing on Mr Johnson from the White House to quell unrest among House Republicans, who have broken ranks to demand the sharing of all of the governments material related to Epstein.

On Wednesday, he shut down Congress a day early to push back a vote that could have forced the release of more files until after the August recess, claiming he refused to play Democrats political games.

It came just a week after Mr Johnson became one of the most senior Republicans to call on the president to publish everything related to the paedophile financier.

A Republican congressional aide told The Telegraph that they were facing a barrage of calls from constituents who were outraged by the administrations apparent flip-flopping.

Mr Johnson has also been pressed by Senator John Thune, the Senate majority leader, to get a handle on dissent over the Epstein case among GOP members.

In some fashion, in some way, hes going to have to handle it and deal with it, Mr Thune told Politico.

White House sworn to silence

In an attempt to prevent any further messaging misalignments within the party, the White House has allegedly sworn everyone to silence on the Epstein case.

The communications office has to be directly involved in every aspect of this, a senior administration official told NBC. Every i must be dotted, and every t must be crossed through us.

Democrats have pounced on the opportunity to stoke divisions with the Republican Party by spearheading congressional petitions for transparency over the files.

On Wednesday, California Senator Adam Schiff called on Ms Bondi and Kash Patel, the FBI director, to testify before Congress, following the WSJs report that they had informed Mr Trump he was named in the files.

Responding to the allegations, Steven Cheung, the White House communications director, told The Telegraph: The fact is that the president kicked him [Epstein] out of his club for being a creep.

This is nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media, just like the Obama Russiagate scandal, which President Trump was right about.
Palestinians clamour for food from a charity kitchen in Gaza City. Photograph: Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters

The head of the main UN agency serving Palestinians has said his frontline staff are fainting from hunger, as the number of people dying of starvation in Gaza continued to rise and hopes for a ceasefire faded as negotiations collapsed.

This deepening crisis is affecting everyone, including those trying to save lives in the war-torn enclave  when caretakers cannot find enough to eat, the entire humanitarian system is collapsing, Philippe Lazzarini, the head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (Unrwa), said on Thursday.

At least 45 people have died of hunger in the last four days. The UN and aid groups blame Israels blockade of almost all aid into the territory for the lack of food.

Related: We faced hunger before, but never like this: skeletal children fill hospital wards as starvation grips Gaza

Lazzarini said in a statement that a colleague in the territory had told him: People in Gaza are neither dead nor alive, they are walking corpses.

He said Unrwa had the equivalent of 6,000 loaded trucks of food and medical supplies waiting in Jordan and Egypt and urged Israel to allow humanitarian partners to bring unrestricted and uninterrupted humanitarian assistance to Gaza.

Reports of people fainting and dropping dead of hunger have emerged in recent days. Civil defence workers have released photographs of gaunt bodies with little more than skin covering their bones.

Medical sources in Gaza said two more people had died of hunger on Thursday, both of whom had been ill and had not eaten for days.

As international pressure mounted for a breakthrough to end nearly two years of devastating war, Emmanuel Macron announced France would recognise a Palestinian state at the UN general assembly in September.

True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine. I will make a formal announcement at the United Nations General Assembly in September, the French president wrote on X and Instagram.

Earlier, Israel and the US announced they were recalling their negotiators from Doha, where peace talks were being held. The US envoy, Steve Witkoff, accused Hamas of not acting in good faith.

We have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas, which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, he wrote on X.

He said the US would consider alternative options to recover the hostages and create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza without elaborating on what those alternatives might be.

Witkoffs announcement came after Hamas sent its response on the latest ceasefire proposal to mediators. It was an abrupt about-face to the optimism earlier in the day, when the Associated Press reported an Israeli official saying the Hamas proposal was workable.

Witkoff had also been scheduled to meet the top Israeli adviser, Ron Dermer, and the Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in Sardinia, which was regarded as a positive sign for the ceasefire talks. It was unclear if or when those meetings would still happen.

Hamass proposal included requests on the number of prisoners exchanged, the agencies to be allowed to distribute aid in Gaza and a permanent end to the war rather than a ceasefire, Israeli media reported.

The groups demands came as global pressure mounted on Israel to stop fighting and a growing number of countries expressed horror at the scenes of starvation in the territory.

A Palestinian official close to the talks told Reuters the Hamas response was flexible, positive and took into consideration the growing suffering in Gaza and the need to stop the starvation. A Hamas source said the proposal included a fresh roadmap for a prisoner exchange, which it told Reuters was a top priority for the group.

The Israeli Hostage Families Forum, representing the families of those held in Gaza, issued a statement of concern at the news that negotiators had been recalled and urged a ceasefire to be reached quickly.

Each day that passes endangers the hostages chances of recovery and risks losing the ability to locate the fallen or gain vital intelligence about them, it said.

The deal that was under consideration is expected to involve a 60-day ceasefire during which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Talks would be held during the ceasefire period to reach a lasting truce and aid supplies to the besieged strip would be increased.

It has only been since the end of the war between Iran and Israel last month that the serious prospect of a ceasefire in Gaza has emerged. As negotiations continued, Israeli attacks increased. At least 89 people were killed in the last 24 hours as Israeli airstrikes pounded central Gaza, health authorities said.

Related: BBC, AFP and other news outlets warn journalists in Gaza at risk of starvation

Israel says the global media is exaggerating the scale of the hunger crisis, even though aid groups and pictures coming from Gaza show clear evidence of starvation and doctors who treat malnourished children say they are unable to get enough to eat themselves.

Israel only lets a trickle of aid into Gaza, the vast majority of which is distributed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), a private US firm. GHF operates four food distribution points staffed by US mercenaries, a system which has been described as a death trap.

More than 1,000 people seeking aid have been killed trying to access supplies in the nearly two months since GHF began operating in Gaza.

Aid was formerly distributed through more than 400 distribution points under a UN-led system, but Israel has all but stopped UN aid into the territory since March. Israel accuses Hamas of stealing UN aid, a claim for which humanitarians say there is little evidence.

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Aid groups say GHF, which was meant to replace the UN, lacks the capacity to do so and that its militarised model violates key humanitarian principles.

Restoring the UN aid system as a part of a ceasefire deal is a key Hamas demand. Israeli negotiators have softened their stance on the issue as pressure grows even within Israel to stop the starvation crisis, which the World Health Organization director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, described on Wednesday as man-made.

Thousands of Israeli demonstrators carrying bags of flour and pictures of Palestinian children who died of starvation protested in Tel Aviv on Wednesday, calling for an end to the Gaza blockade.

Hamas is also calling for a ceasefire deal to include a permanent end to the Gaza war, something that Israel has refused.

A ceasefire deal is unpopular among the more extreme members of Benjamin Netanyahus cabinet and Israel has sought to keep open the possibility of restarting the war after the ceasefire period.
Hulk Hogans ex-wife, Linda Hogan, shared a throwback photo with the WWE legend just days before his death.

The former wrestler died Thursday at the age of 71, after medics were reportedly called to his home in Clearwater, Florida. While a cause of death hasnt been revealed, TMZ reported he experienced cardiac arrest.

Only days earlier, the former athletes ex-wife, Linda, reminisced about their happy days together, sharing a photo of herself and Hulk from 1996 on her Instagram.

She simply captioned the post: The good old days !

The throwback picture was of the pair at the NATPE Convention in Las Vegas. For the event, Linda wore a black form-fitting gown, with matching elbow-length gloves, and her hair in a ponytail. Hulk, who had his arm wrapped around her, wore his signature red and yellow wrestling costume.

Pro-wrestler Hulk Hogan and wife Linda on the set of their daughter Brooke's music video shoot 'Bout Us' on May 6, 2006 in Los Angeles, California (Getty)

Hulk, whose real name is Terry Bollea, married Linda in 1983 before they welcomed two children, Brooke, 37, and Nick, 36. The famous family also starred in their own reality show, Hogan Knows Best, from 2005 to 2007. The program ran for four seasons, ultimately showcasing the end of Hulk and Lindas marriage.

Linda filed for divorce in November 2007, with the separation finalized in 2009.

The war is over, she told The Tampa Bay Tribune at the time, as reported by People. The interview came after she and her ex had a court hearing, where she gave him a friendly kiss on the cheek, in Clearwater, Florida, in 2009, to finalize the divorce.

I still love him. Hes the father of my children, she added.

However, Linda later made multiple claims about her ex-husband and how their split has affected their family.

In March, she posted a video on her Instagram Stories of herself crying, as reported by E! News, and said: Its been 15, however long years since I left Hulk Hogan, and my family is the worst mess.

The Hogan family appeared on their own reality show from 2005-2007 (Getty)

After accusing her ex-husband of being a complete liar and sex addict, she claimed he was the reason why she had been estranged from daughter Brooke for eight years.

Brooke doesn't talk to us, she said. She's had twins. She got married, she didn't tell us She had a huge fight with Terry. I don't know how that reflected onto me, but she cut me out too.

During an interview with TMZ days later, Linda clarified that she thought Hulk was always a good father, despite being a s*** husband sometimes.

[He] spent probably over $3 million on Brooke's career, with no questions asked, she said, before she emphasized that Hulk was a fantastic person.

Our marriage didnt work out, but what Brooke's doing to us is completely unprecedented, unexpected and unfair and not true, she added. Hulk Hogan, my ex, has been really distraught and saddened by her distance, just as I and her brother Nick have as well.

In March, Brooke shared a statement about the estrangement from her family on Instagram, saying she had separate reasons for going no contact with each of [her] parents.

No contact with my mom has nothing to do with my dad, and no contact with my father has nothing to do with my mother, she wrote. This decision was made based purely on how they have each dealt with me my entire life.

She also alleged that she was extremely verbally and mentally abused throughout her childhood, which allegedly turned into physical abuse. However, she emphasized that those remarks were not pointed at either of her parents.

Linda then shared a lengthy Facebook post to deny abuse claims from her daughter, saying she by no means ever treated [Brooke] the way shes painting it.

After Hulk split from Linda, he was married to makeup artist Jennifer McDaniel from 2010 to 2021.

He is survived by his third wife, Sky Daily, whom he married in 2023.
Mourners carry bodies as they attend the funeral of Palestinians killed in overnight Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City - Reuters/Dawoud Abu Alkas

Talks to end the war in Gaza have collapsed, bringing to an end the longest round of negotiations since the war started in October 2023.

On Thursday afternoon, Benjamin Netanyahus office said it had decided to withdraw its team from Qatar after studying Hamass latest response to its proposals.

Later that day, Steve Witkoff, Donald Trumps Middle East envoy, announced that the US was bringing home its negotiators for consultation, saying Hamas clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire.

He added the US would now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home, without clarifying what those would be.

The fresh negotiations were instigated in part due to significant pressure from Mr Trump, the US president, to reach a deal, following the perceived success of the Iran offensive in June.

In recent days, leaks have suggested that the two sides were at loggerheads over the extent to which the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would withdraw from Gaza once a ceasefire began, and also how aid would be distributed.

Benjamin Netanyahus office withdrew from talks after failure to reach a deal - Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

It comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza is deteriorating, with aid agencies warning of starvation and people collapsing in the street.

Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, accused the UN of being a tool of Hamas and posted photos on X of what he said were stockpiles of UN aid not being delivered to Gaza.

UN food is either looted by Hamas or rots in the sun! he wrote alongside the images, which showed hundreds of packages on pallets at an outdoor compound.

The UN said that dangerous and complex conditions inside Gaza made aid delivery difficult, and that Israeli authorities had refused its requests to distribute the supplies.

Hours later Emmanuel Macron announced that France would formally recoginse the State of Palestine at the United Nation General Assembly, due to be held in September.

I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine, the French president wrote.

He added: It is essential to build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and enable it, by accepting its demilitarisation and fully recognising Israel, to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East.

There is no alternative.

Israel and Hamas are facing huge pressure at home and abroad to reach a deal.

Sources said Hamas still wants guarantees  despite guarantees from the White House  that Israel would not start fighting again after a 60-day initial ceasefire elapsed.

The breakdown comes ahead of a huge protest in Tel Aviv calling on the Israeli government to end the war and secure the release of the remaining hostages. Around 20 are believed to be alive.

An official in Mr Netanyahus office said: In light of the response that Hamas gave this morning, it has been decided to return the negotiating team to continue consultations in Israel. We appreciate the efforts of the mediators Qatar and Egypt and the efforts of envoy Witkoff to bring about a breakthrough in the talks.

Another senior official said: Negotiations will continue, but there are serious differences and we face difficult decisions.

Israeli air strikes continued in Gaza as the talks broke down - Bloomberg /Ahmad Salem

The statement came as Mr Witkoff held talks with Ron Dermer, Mr Netanyahus right-hand man, and the Qatari prime minister in Sardinia.

It prompted hope in Israel that a way forward could still be found, despite the lack of progress in Doha. Mr Trump is known to be impatient for the war to end.

One Israeli source told Kan, the Israeli public broadcaster, that the momentum of negotiations remained positive and that the withdrawal of the negotiators did not signify a total collapse of dialogue. However, another source said the talks were at an impasse.

Axios reported sources as saying that Hamas was insisting on the release of 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 200 serving life sentences, in return for the hostages. Earlier in the week, it had been reported that the sides had agreed on a lower number.

Israeli sources said officials had told Mr Witkoff that Hamass demands were unacceptable, but that they are not necessarily final.

Dependent in his coalition on ultra-nationalist ministers who want to take over Gaza with Jewish settlements, Mr Netanyahu has been accused of continuing the war despite reported warnings from his generals that the military rationale is wearing thin.
Jay Slater, 19, went missing on Tenerife in June last year. Photograph: PA

The British teenager Jay Slater had taken drugs and alcohol and was a 14-hour walk away from his accommodation before his disappearance sparked a four-week search in Tenerife, an inquest into his death heard.

The 19-year-old had taken ecstasy pills, cocaine and possibly ketamine, along with alcohol, before he went to an Airbnb with two strangers, one of his friends told a court on Thursday. Bradley Geoghegan, who had gone on holiday with Slater, said Slater had video-called him after he left the apartment on the morning of 17 June last year.

I said, put your maps on to see how far you were, Geoghegan told Preston coroners court. It was like a 14-hour walk or an hour drive. I said, Get a taxi back, then he just goes, I will ring you back.

The witness said he did not think his friend had any money on him, and taxis in Tenerife insisted on payment upfront before carrying a fare.

Geoghegan said he did not believe Slater was fearful or under duress. No. I think he probably got there and thought, Why am I here?, sobered up and decided to come back, he said.

Slater, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was holidaying on the Spanish island and had been to the NRG music festival with friends at the Papagayo Tenerife nightclub in the resort district of Playa de las Americas. He vanished the morning after going to the Airbnb and was reported missing on 18 June.

Evidence heard during the inquest suggested he had left the holiday let, and after failing to get a bus or taxi, attempted to walk back to his own apartment and had fallen from a height into a ravine.

A mass search was launched before his body was found by a mountain rescue team from the Spanish civil guard, in a steep and inaccessible area near the village of Masca, on 15 July.

Slaters mother, Debbie Duncan, had asked for the inquest into his death to be resumed on Thursday after a number of witnesses failed to give evidence at the last hearing in May.

On the night out he had received phone messages from friends telling him to go home as he was off his head. More messages from friends warned him about the boiling heat of the day, but activity data on his phone stopped at 8.51am, suggesting his phone battery had run out.

The hearing in May had heard evidence from witnesses including a toxicology expert. The court was told analysis showed traces of drugs, including cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy, along with alcohol, were found in Slaters body.

The Home Office pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd said his postmortem examination gave Slaters cause of death as head injuries. His body showed no evidence of restraint or assault, with the pattern of injuries consistent with a fall from a height.
(Elliott Morgan)

Jeremy Deller is walking rapidly through the English painting room at the National Gallery, past the aristocratic portraits by Thomas Gainsborough and Sir Joshua Reynolds, before he settles in front of a William Hogarth set called Marriage A-la-Mode (1743-45), which charts the ups and downs  mostly downs  of an ill-matched society couple. Its all drunkenness, party aftermaths, slumped syphilitic society figures, diseased faces, the buttocks of an adulterous man fleeing out of a window, a disgraced woman downing laudanum. This, says Deller, gesturing to the other paintings, is how we want to be seen, but Hogarth paints people as they really are.

Deller is whispering intently about, Greed, vanity, lust all these things Hogarth depicted we like to think we have changed since then, but we havent.

His next destination is Nicolas Poussins The Triumph of Pan, with its woodland bacchanal, Deller quietly marvelling at the sex, the drinking, the violence, the physicality, the celebratory feeling and the atmosphere of abandon.

And with this little tour of these wild and true artworks, we arrive at why Deller is here. Which is that to mark the bicentenary of the National, the Turner Prize winner is holding a huge free party in Trafalgar Square this Saturday. Titled The Triumph of Art, it is a public revelry beginning at 11am with a parade along Whitehall to the square, where a carnival of performances, music and general mayhem will take place. It is the climax to a nationwide series of events by Deller and the National, that have dovetailed with local culture and folklore and politics, such as one in Derry, Northern Ireland which showcased the bands who played there during the Troubles. This final London happening is, quite simply, not to be missed.

Its going to be like Bruegel meets the Simpsons, he says, settling into the new members lounge at the gallery, a deadpan figure with a quicksilver charisma. He explains the idea is to create a dialogue between the performers and the public through 25 different experiences, with a lack of stages, no hierarchies, so theres not people on stage shouting at you with a damn microphone.

Expect strong men and women performing feats of strength. Political artist Peter Kennard will be running a T-shirt and fabric painting workshop with his artistic partner Cat Phillipps. An inflatable Beryl Cook figure will be frolicking in a fountain. Mini-parties will be fuelled by free tea and cake.

Artist Jeremy Deller in Trafalgar Square wearing a willow head. Promotion for The Triumph of Art, the final celebration of NG200 (Photo: The National Gallery, London)

Londoners dont hang out in Trafalgar Square, do they? he says. Its trying to make the square a little bit more humane and user-friendly, looking different to how its ever looked before.

One thing we have is a Hogarthian rave, he says, continually remembering other elements. Its a dance piece by students at the London Contemporary Dance School inspired by Hogarth, the quintessential London artist. Its about what his work shows, human frailties, and frauds, imperfections and bad behaviour.

Ah yes, rave. Deller is often associated with raves  the acid house variety  with its culture referenced in his art and his documentary, Everybody in the Place: An Incomplete History of Britain 1984-1992. The Triumph of Art nods to this, with folk masks of smiley faces and bucket hats. Yet, its not rave that has made Deller one of the most important modern British artists, its all this work in public-engaging performances, liberating art from its frames to be let loose on the streets.

Deller grew up in East Dulwich, and says when he was young he was a boring person, low key. I liked museums and galleries. His two closest were the Imperial War Museum and the Horniman Museum, the latter of which particularly interested him, with its cornucopia of items assembled from different cultures around the world.

I was really into the masks and the ritual and the anthropology of the places. It was just fascinating for a kid. This was the old Horniman, before it was refurbished, when they had a wall of masks, all very dramatically lit. I think its more respectful now, with the stories behind the communities, but I remember it just being very visually exciting.

He didnt train in art; he studied Art History at the Courtauld Institute to simply be close to it, thinking being an artist was something impossible. Actually, he managed to meet Warhol during his studies and spent a summer in New York hanging out at the Factory. His moves into becoming an artist himself were instinctive and came in awkward new forms, like opening up his parents house (where he was still living) as a gallery while they were on holiday in 1993s Open Bedroom.

Rave culture held obvious appeal for him, being a place for new expressions, with a heavily visual emphasis and, you sense, an appealing sense of belonging. People finally understand raves importance now, he says, but at the time it was just dismissed and vilified by most of the media. Not just because of the drug thing, but because people didnt take it seriously because there were no lyrics, or the lyrics seemed banal and repetitious. But I think people understand now how important it was as a moment in British social history.

He says he wasnt part of the early big illegal raves. I missed all of that. I went to some later, but I wasnt like a mega participant of going to these 10,000-people raves in the countryside. I just didnt have a friend network to do that.

Jeremy Deller (Elliott Morgan)

Nevertheless, he says, I was very intrigued. It was clearly a social shift, a cultural shift. The 21st century had come early in that music  it promised technology and the use of digital culture and communications and all the things we live now but back then it was like predicting the future.

Eventually rave helped provide the big breakthrough in discovering his own unique artistic modus operandi, which revolved around making things happen.

That happened when I worked with a brass band in 1997, he says, referring to Acid Brass, where he had the Williams Fairey brass band perform acid house music in Liverpool. That liberated me from trying to be an artist in the traditional way. Instead, I realised I could work with the public and make things happen.

He would go on the recreate The Battle of Orgreave, a clash between the police and striking miners in Yorkshire; reimagine Stonehenge as a bouncy castle in Sacrilege (2012); and commemorate The Battle of the Somme by recruiting 1,000 young men to dress in old military gear and appear in locations around the country.

Part of the appeal of this kind of work is not knowing whats going to happen; though its also the source of the stress. The loss of control is really interesting in the public interaction, he says. Its great, and also nerve-wracking. But its nice to create something thats open-ended and uncertain. So much art is the object or the painting and this is totally different.

He says his performance work has been surprising because of how easy it is to involve people, how they are eager to work with him: its fun, a social situation, to find yourself in a bit of an adventure. You feel this quiet boring kid has found some personal answers here as well as artistic ones. He stresses this is all a big-hearted attempt at unifying around a cause. Im not asking people to make fools of themselves and do something outrageous and ridiculous. On the whole, its just a little journey, a little diversion from the norm into somewhere else, as an experiment.

Part of the pleasure of The Triumph of Art has been the opportunity to learn from other people, even the strong men and women. Its so not my world, but its really fascinating. They can do something I cant do and thats impressive. Its almost an evolutionary thing to be impressed by someone doing feats of strength. Its fascinating to watch bodies work like that.

Hes particularly thrilled that these strong people will be pulling along the floats in the procession down Whitehall, the most politically sensitive road in Britain, where all the power is concentrated in this country. These strong people will be doing their thing in front of all these offices of state.

While his procession and carnival is not political, theres a kind of Hogarthian desire to show life as it really is  not some ideal of doctrine or node of the economy or data flower head to be harvested, but life full of intelligent humans whose impulses towards Pan-ish bacchanals are a form of defiance. Showing a willingness to drop the normal rules of behaviour if someone gives them licence to do so.

The skill I might have is to talk to people, Deller says. I enjoy being around people and talking to them and getting them to work together to make something happen, you know?

In this he might be the ultimate artist without ego, a Warhol without the wig, a facilitator without the Factory, at a point where pop art, street art and performance art combine.

So what is the ultimate Triumph of Art?

I suppose its about changing reality for a time. Even if its just for a split second. Art can be a transformative experience for people. With whats happening here, youll be countering very contradictory and unusual things in the same space. I hope it can change your perception.

The Triumph of Art is a free party taking place in Trafalgar Square from 11am to 4pm on July 26; nationalgallery.org.uk
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt and the director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, during a news conference at the White House on 23 July 2025. Photograph: Eric Lee/Pool/CNP/Avalon

The US justice department has formed a strike force to investigate claims that the Obama administration carried out a treasonous conspiracy by using false intelligence to suggest Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election to help Donald Trump.

Pam Bondi, the US attorney general, announced the new forces formation on Wednesday after the release of a trove of declassified documents from Barack Obamas national security team by the director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard. The announcement comes as the US president finds himself mired in scandal over the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, and has tried to distract by pivoting conversation to retribution against his political enemies.

On Thursday, two Republican senators, Lindsey Graham and John Cornyn, both members of the judiciary committee, called on Bondi to appoint a special counsel into what they called an unprecedented and clear abuse of power by the Obama administration.

Related: Obama breaks silence on Trumps outrageous call to prosecute him

For the good of the country, we urge Attorney General Bondi to appoint a special counsel to investigate the extent to which former President Obama, his staff and administration officials manipulated the US national security apparatus for a political outcome, the senators said in a statement.

Gabbard has alleged that Obama and his senior officials concocted a years long coup against Trump  manifested in a special counsel investigation and FBI inquiries  by manufacturing intelligence in the weeks after Trumps 2016 victory over Hillary Clinton that was meant to show collusion between his campaign and Russia.

She has recommended that criminal charges be pressed, including against Obama himself. Trump has embraced her argument and has said Gabbards findings reveal irrefutable proof of treason.

Bondi set the scene for a justice department investigation after Gabbard presented what she claimed was evidence of a crime at a White House news conference on Wednesday.

The Department of Justice is proud to work with my friend Director Gabbard and we are grateful for her partnership in delivering accountability for the American people. We will investigate these troubling disclosures fully and leave no stone unturned to deliver justice, Bondi said in a statement.

Fox News cited a source close to Bondis strike force as saying no serious lead is off the table.

However, any moves to prosecute Obama are likely to be stymied by last years US supreme court ruling granting presidents broad immunity from criminal prosecution for acts committed in the course of their presidential duties.

The ruling was widely viewed as favoring Trump, who has faced criminal investigations for acts committed in his first presidency  including the retention of classified documents. Ironically, it may now form an obstacle to Trumps stated desire to pursue retribution against his political opponents.

Obamas office issued a rare statement on Tuesday, calling the allegations outrageous and ridiculous.

Several others named in Gabbards document could be targeted. They include James Clapper, her predecessor as director of national intelligence; John Brennan, the former CIA director; James Comey, who was FBI director until he was fired by Trump; Comeys former deputy Andrew McCabe; ex-national security adviser Susan Rice; John Kerry, the former secretary of state; and Loretta Lynch, the former attorney general.

Brennan has already been the subject of a criminal referral by the current CIA director, John Ratcliffe. Kash Patel, the FBI director, has opened a criminal investigation into Brennan and Comey, according to Fox News, although its scope is unclear.

During his first presidency, Trump publicly accepted the FBIs findings that Russia had sought to interfere in the 2016 race, although he also publicly accepted Putins denials of the US intelligence community conclusions at a 2018 summit in Helsinki. A 1,000-page Senate intelligence committee report in 2020 also found that Russia had intervened on Trumps behalf, noting that Trumps campaign chair had regular contact with a Russian intelligence officer.

But in Wednesdays White House appearance, Gabbard unveiled the declassification of a 2020 report from the House of Representatives intelligence committee, which she said showed that the goal of Russian meddling was to undermine faith in the US electoral process rather than to help Trump.

The report found that Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, did not plan to leak the most damaging material about Clinton until after the election, Gabbard said.

These included revelations of possible criminal acts and emails from a hacking of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) showing that she suffered from psycho-emotional problems, and uncontrolled fits of anger, aggression, and cheerfulness. She was also supposedly on a daily regimen of heavy tranquilizers.

Gabbard also alleges that an intelligence community assessment of Putins efforts deliberately excluded significant intelligence that contradicted the key findings of Russias purported preference for Trump.

Clinton has previously suggested that Gabbard  a former Democratic member of Congress  was being groomed by Russia as a possible presidential candidate. Gabbard, who has no prior intelligence experience, has also been criticized for repeating Kremlin talking points, including after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Her report appears to misrepresent aspects of the intelligence agencies assessments of Russias meddling in the 2016 race. The assessment found that Russia did not conduct cyber-attacks against election infrastructure to change vote tallies, but hacked and leaked documents from the DNC to damage Clintons campaign  activity that Trump publicly encouraged at the time.

While Obamas national security officials have remained silent on the matter, some intelligence veterans have criticized Gabbards effort.

The Trump Admins politicization of the intelligence community is very troubling. Every admin wishes they could do it, and several succeed, but this cohort is off to a flying start, Fulton Armstrong, a former CIA analyst and national intelligence officer, wrote in an email. Its not an entirely new trick  books have been cooked for decades  but its now institutionalized and, as Tulsis behavior shows, encouraged.
Sir Keir Starmer and Indias Narendra Modi are set to sign off on a trade deal worth 6 billion in investment for the British economy.

The Prime Minister and his Indian counterpart also agreed ahead of their meeting on Thursday to ramp up joint efforts to tackle illegal migration and organised crime.

The UK-India trade deal is understood to be the largest of its kind for its economic impact on Britain.

It will see tariffs on an array of British goods reduced from an average of 15% to 3%, with the aim of boosting the 11 billion of imports into the south Asian nation.

Whisky tariffs will be slashed in half, according to the Government, and will fall further over successive years, while other industries including soft drinks, cars and cosmetics are also expected to see cheaper duties.

Before his meeting with Mr Modi to confirm the deal, Sir Keir said: Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain. It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses and drive growth in every corner of the country, delivering on our Plan for Change.

Were putting more money in the pockets of hardworking Brits and helping families with the cost of living, and were determined to go further and faster to grow the economy and raise living standards across the UK.

The deal is expected to result in 2,200 jobs across the country and 6 billion investment by British and Indian businesses.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the investment will reach all regions and nations of the UK so working people in every community can feel the benefits.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds (James Manning/PA)

He added: The almost 6 billion in new investment and export wins announced today will deliver thousands of jobs and shows the strength of our partnership with India as we ensure the UK is the best place in the world to invest and do business.

The UK and India are also bolstering co-operation on tackling corruption, fraud, organised crime and illegal migration, by sharing criminal records and other intelligence.

The deal has not given the UK as much access as it would have liked to Indias financial and legal services industries.

The agreement promises some benefits for the UKs financial services, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves understood to have pushed on behalf of the sector in discussions with her Indian counterpart.

But more wide-ranging access was not agreed, and talks continue on a bilateral investment treaty aimed at protecting British investments in India and vice versa.

The two nations also continue to discuss UK plans for a tax on high-carbon industries, which India believes could hit its imports unfairly.

The Prime Minister is being pressed to raise the case of Jagtar Singh Johal (Family handout/PA)

Negotiations on the deal began when Boris Johnson was prime minister in 2022, and were concluded in May this year.

Labour sought to portray closing the deal, as well as trade agreements with the US and the EU, as evidence of the Governments pragmatism and global outlook.

But shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said it had only been made possible because of Brexit delivered by the Conservatives.

He added: Any trade deal that can successfully cut regulation which stops Britains makers from creating new jobs and wealth will be a step in the right direction.

But the irony should not be lost on anyone that any gains from this trade deal will be blown out of the water by (Deputy Prime Minister) Angela Rayners union charter, stifling business with red tape, the jobs tax and, come autumn, Rachel Reeves inevitable tax hikes that will punish Britains makers just to reward those who do not contribute.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said that the signing sends a powerful signal that the UK is open for business and remains resolute in its commitment to free and fair trade.

Chief executive Rain Newton-Smith added: A trade agreement with India  one of the worlds fastest-growing economies  is a springboard for long-term partnership and prosperity. UK firms can take advantage of this new platform to scale, diversify and compete on the global stage.

Elsewhere, Sir Keir is facing calls to raise the case of Jagtar Singh Johal, a British citizen who has been detained in India since 2017, when the Prime Minister meets Mr Modi.

The Scottish Sikh is accused of being a member of the Khalistan Liberation Force, which is banned as a terror group in India.

His family say he is being arbitrarily detained, with his brother Gurpreet Singh Johal insisting the matter should be high on the agenda when the prime ministers meet.
Irish rap group Kneecap said there is no legal basis for Hungary banning the act from entering the country ahead of their scheduled appearance at a music festival.

The trio, who are outspoken supporters of Palestine, were due to perform at Sziget Festival on August 11 and remain on the line-up on its website.

Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs wrote on social media platform X that the decision to ban Kneecap was because the groups members repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups.

But in a statement posted on Instagram, Kneecap described the decision to bar them from entry as political distraction and pointed out that none of the group has any criminal convictions.

A spokeswoman for Sziget Festival also described the move as unnecessary and regrettable.

Cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution, she added.

The statement from Kneecap said: To the tens of thousands of fans who we were buzzing to see in person at Sziget, were sorry we wont be with you.

The authoritarian government of Viktor Orban say we pose a national security threat.

Which is f****** outrageous coming from a man who welcomed Netanyahu, a wanted war criminal, like a hero just a few weeks ago.

There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country. We stand against all hate crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices whenever we see it.

Its clear that this is political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.

Kneecap have had several shows cancelled in recent months, including TRNSMT festival in Glasgow and at the Eden Project in Cornwall.

They claim this is 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 statement posted earlier on Thursday by Mr Kovacs said: Hungary has zero tolerance for antisemitism in any form.

Their planned performance posed a national security threat, and for this reason, the group has been formally banned from Hungary for three years.

If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms.

Members of Kneecap, Liam Og O hAnnaidh (Mo Chara), JJ O Dochartaigh (DJ Provai), and Naoise O Caireallain (Moglai Bap) have been banned from Hungary (Brian Lawless/PA)

The spokeswoman for Sziget Festival said: Following concerns raised by government and pressure groups across Hungary over the past weeks at the prospect of Kneecap performing, we have liaised closely with the band and they reassured us that their performance would not contravene either Szigets values or Hungarian law.

Over the past 30 years, Sziget has served as a free and safe place for different cultures, hosting artists and visitors from around the world, earning significant recognition in the international community and enhancing Hungarys reputation.

We fear that the governments decision announced today to ban Kneecap may not only damage the reputation of Sziget, but also negatively affect Hungarys standing worldwide.

Kneecap  comprised of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh  were formed in Belfast and released their first single in 2017.

They hit the headlines recently after O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah.

In May, the Metropolitan Police said the group were being investigated by counter-terrorism police after videos emerged allegedly showing them shouting Up Hamas, up Hezbollah and Kill your local MP.

The group apologised to the families of murdered MPs and said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK.

They were also investigated over their set at Glastonbury Festival in June, but last week Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they would be taking no further action.
Sir Keir Starmers Government is deeply committed to recognising a Palestinian state, a member of his Cabinet said.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds stressed that such a move would have to be meaningful and come as part of a genuine move towards a two-state solution and a long-term peace settlement with Israel.

The Prime Minister is under increasing pressure to fulfil Labours promise to recognise Palestine.

Smoke billows from an explosion in the northern Gaza Strip on Wednesday (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)

Mr Reynolds told LBC Radio: We are deeply committed to the recognition of Palestine as a state, which was part of our manifesto, but obviously we want that to be meaningful.

Now, at the minute, there is not a Palestinian state there. There is no political agreement between the two principal Palestinian territories in the West Bank and Gaza.

We have taken other steps in relation to the intolerable situation in Gaza. Weve obviously sanctioned two Israeli cabinet ministers. I myself have ended arms exports to Israel that could be used in the conflict in Gaza.

Weve ended our talks with Israel on a more enhanced trade agreement and trade relationship. So we have taken those immediate steps.

And we do want to see Palestine recognised. I want that to be meaningful. I want that to be working with partners, other countries around the world.

Labours London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has piled pressure on Sir Keir to immediately recognise Palestinian statehood.

The UK must immediately recognise Palestinian statehood. There can be no two state solution if there is no viable state left to call Palestine. pic.twitter.com/7c7YlIUw3P  Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) July 23, 2025

He said that the UK must do far more to pressure the Israeli government to stop this horrific senseless killing, as aid groups have warned of starvation in the Gaza Strip.

The Trades Union Congress also called for formal recognition of Palestine not in a years time or two years time  but now.

Recognition is not a symbolic gesture. It is a necessary and practical step towards a viable two-state solution that delivers equal rights and democracy this is the only credible path to a just and lasting peace, ending decades of occupation, violence, and displacement, the TUC said.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for the Royal Air Force to carry out airdrops of aid into Gaza.

Aid delivered by the air is no substitute for the reopening of supply routes by land, he said.

But the extent of the humanitarian catastrophe we are now witnessing requires us to leave no stone unturned in our efforts to get aid to Gazans.

More than 100 organisations, including Doctors Without Borders and Save the Children, have put their names to an open letter in which they said they were watching their own colleagues, as well as the Palestinians they serve, waste away.

It comes as the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, labelled the situation in Gaza a stain on the conscience of the international community.

He said: With each passing day in Gaza, the violence, starvation and dehumanisation being inflicted on the civilian population by the government of Israel becomes more depraved and unconscionable.

Hamas-led militants based in Gaza abducted 251 people in the October 7 attack in 2023 that triggered the war and killed around 1,200 people.

Fewer than half of the 50 hostages still in Gaza are believed to be alive.
Justice

Britain is a lawless country. The worrying prospect of summer riots has brought this hard reality into focus. It is clear by now that two profound failures  to clamp down on illegal immigration and tackle endemic neighbourhood crime  have pushed the country to the brink.

This should surprise no one. For years, the political class has neglected law and order, and allowed radical liberal ideas into our criminal justice system. The Police Federations warning in this newspaper that rank-and-file officers will be dragged away from neighbourhood duties to keep the peace at protests over migrants is ominous. Top police bosses would effectively be giving a free pass to repeat offenders, while they become preoccupied with the far-Right.

It would be final confirmation of what many of us feared: Britain has descended into lawlessness. Upstanding citizens cannot rely on the authorities for a minimal guaranteed level of peace and protection, while thugs and criminals appear to have the upper hand.

Without doubt, successive governments have failed to adequately invest in our criminal justice system. The police to population ratio never recovered from austerity. Convicts are now spilling out from our overflowing jails long before completing their full sentences. The courts are backlogged. The parole system is buckling.

Too many politicians  who point to official figures that purportedly show crime dropping sharply in recent decades  are convinced that it is a second-order issue. But this assumption overlooks the problems with how we record crime, not least the failure to capture unreported offences, or repeat victims. At the same time, the cosmopolitan view seems to be that disorder should be accepted as a feature of modern life. To their minds, the aim should not be to end endemic crime, but simply manage it.

Within both political and judicial circles a mantra has taken hold that prison doesnt work. This misguided assertion ignores prisons role as a deterrent, or means of punishment, and focuses solely on its limited success at rehabilitation. Worse still, the idea that it is acceptable  perhaps even desirable  to police and punish people in different ways, depending on their ethnicity or political predilections, is taking hold.

Then there are the ways in which our police officers are being diverted and distracted from fighting serious crime. One police and crime commissioner told me recently of their frustration that his bobbies get heat for looking into hate crimes, even though the police are only there to enforce the law passed by politicians. They expressed concern that Labours changes to employment rights could make things worse, with officers under pressure to not only knock on the doors of those accused of bigoted outbursts, but inappropriate office banter, too.

It is a tale of complacency, incompetence and neglect  the implications of which are now becoming clear. Britain is facing a summer of unrest. Agitators from the far-Right and far-Left have proven themselves perfectly capable of hijacking otherwise-peaceful protests. Many felt Keir Starmer handled the disorder last year well, not least given it erupted just weeks into his premiership. But now? The unrest will be a constant reminder of establishment failure.

Meanwhile, Reform has just launched its six-week long crime campaign, with the slogan Britain is lawless. As Nigel Farage told me, his party  which will be revealing two new high-profile members from a crime-fighting background in coming weeks  has picked up on a deep sense of unease across the country. People arent just leaving for tax reasons. Theyre leaving because of safety. The public are beginning to make a link between undesirables coming into Britain and crime. This is what happened in France.

For some of us, the most troubling link between the chaos on the borders and the crime in our neighbourhoods is the way in which law-breaking has been normalised. The Channel crisis has become a fact of life  an almost natural phenomenon that surges and wanes not in response to the Governments actions but changes in the British weather.

Similarly, in towns and communities crime seems to be evolving from an abnormal event but a routine risk to be navigated like traffic. Many of us are now adept at swerving the drug-dealers on our streets. We clutch our phones in an anti-mug grip on autopilot, a precaution that now comes as naturally as putting on a seatbelt in the car.

This should not, however, give the useless political class false hope. The law-abiding are fully aware that it is not their behaviour that should be modified to keep themselves safe. Last week, I was shoved at a busy London Tube station by a fare-dodger attempting to push his way through my ticket barrier. While I was unhurt, I had to swallow my cold rage at the injustice of it. Off he skipped, a grin spread across his face. Not one member of TfL staff at the gates reacted. There are millions of people across the country like me, who are dismayed by this relentless decline of basic order and civility. And yet politicians just turn a blind eye.

Farage tells me that he believes crime is becoming very much a womens issue. Pollsters are liable to agree. Reforms traditional message have tended to appeal more to men than women. But according to opinion research expert James Frayne, crime is an issue that motivates everyone  and in focus groups in big cities you hear particular fear from mothers who worry desperately about their children walking the streets and taking public transport.

Until now, Reforms big stumbling block has been the electorates doubts that it has the expertise to reverse the countrys decline. But widespread decay in law and respectability could shift the goal posts in their favour. Even if Britain lacks a political movement that can realistically restore Britains prosperity, perhaps many would settle for a party that can at least re-establish a modicum of order.
Jurors have been urged by prosecutors to not be distracted by the kick and stamp of a police officer during a fracas at Manchester Airport.

Mobile phone footage of the incident on July 23 last year was shared on social media and went viral.

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, is on trial at Liverpool Crown Court accused of assaulting three police officers and a member of public before he was felled by a Taser strike.

Greater Manchester Police officers Pc Zachary Marsden, Pc Lydia Ward and Pc Ellie Cook entered the Terminal 2 car park paystation after reports that a male fitting Amaazs description had headbutted a member of the public inside the airport minutes earlier.

The Crown says Amaaz resisted and his brother, Muhammad Amaad, 26, intervened as a high level of violence was inflicted on the officers.

In his closing speech to the jury on Thursday, prosecutor Paul Greaney KC said it was simple logic and common sense that what happened subsequently was irrelevant as to why the defendants used the force they did.

He said: We dont shy away from that kick and stamp by Pc Marsden. However, what does that kick, what does that stamp have to do with your task?

The defence suggest, at least as we understood it, that the kick and stamp and other aspects of the aftermath reveal that the officers were out of control from start to finish.

We suggest from all of what you have seen and all of what you have heard from these three professional officers when they gave evidence is that you can be sure that the suggestion that they were out of control is false and wrong.

We invite you to focus on the violence used by the defendants and not be distracted by what happened afterwards. Thats what it is, a distraction and an example of an effort to try to complicate what is a simple case.

He said the claims by Amaaz that he did not realise that Pc Ward and Pc Cook were women when he struck them was a barefaced lie.

Pc Ward suffered a broken nose as she was floored by a punch to the face and Pc Cook was also knocked to the ground by a number of elbows and punches, the court has heard.

Mr Greaney told jurors: Of course we know you will make fair allowance for the fast-moving and dynamic events but the suggestion he didnt know they were women cannot exist in the world we inhabit.

Mr Greaney said Amaad had no legitimate reason to seek to prevent the officers from carrying out their duty particularly in the circumstances where it must have been obvious his brother was resisting arrest.

His claims that he thought his brother was being choked by Pc Marsden was demonstrably untrue, said the prosecutor.

Mr Greaney said the officers were doing what the law entitled them to do in their plan to seek to move Amaaz from the paystation area and then tell him outside he was under arrest.

He said: What was going through their minds is we have a duty to perform and we are going to perform it.

Conversely, what was going through the mind of the first defendant, Amaaz, was that he plainly knew that the people taking hold of him were police officers. He had just attacked a man in public in an international airport. What he did think they were there for?

Both defendants, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, deny the allegations and say they were lawfully acting in self defence or in defence of each other.

Amaaz is alleged to have assaulted Pc Marsden and Pc Ward, causing them actual bodily harm.

He is also accused of the assault of emergency worker Pc Cook, and the earlier assault by beating of a member of the public, Abdulkareem Ismaeil, at a Starbucks cafe in T2 arrivals.

Amaad is alleged to have assaulted Pc Marsden, causing actual bodily harm.

In his closing submission, Imran Khan KC, defending Amaaz, said the incident may not have happened and gone viral but for Pc Marsden.

He said: Pc Marsdens decision-making has put his colleagues in danger. It has caused all this to happen. It could have been avoided.

One might think that the easiest thing to have done would have been to say excuse me sir, would you mind stepping outside so I can have a word with you.

What would be wrong with that? This was not the crime of the century.

They all three of them grab hold of parts of his body without announcing themselves, thats crazy,

This deliberate intentional plan led to unlawful force being applied. This is a group of officers led by Pc Marsden that flouts every procedure, every rule, every law.

Fahir was terrified for his life. Thats how this started.

Mr Khan said Pc Marsdens conduct after Amaaz was felled by a Taser strike was relevant.

He said: When it comes to the kick and stamp we say that is typical of his behaviour from the beginning.

When Fahir is on the floor almost motionless having been tasered, he is not a threat.

Pc Marsden sought to justify the unjustifiable.

He kicked Fahir in the head with what you may feel was a rugby-style kick. He said it was a light kick. In what world can this be said to be a light kick?

Mr Khan told jurors it was plain as the nose on my face that Pc Marsden also pushed his Taser into the face of the defendants mother, rather than the officers belief that Amaad accidentally struck her.

He said: To suggest her own son did it is plumbing the depths.

It is very clear. This is Pc Marsden out of control. Thats how she got her injury. She was not a threat.

The trial continues on Friday.
A mother and her two children killed in a suspected triple murder and attempted suicide in Northern Ireland have been named.

Detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) named the three victims in the incident in Maguiresbridge on Wednesday as Vanessa Whyte, 45, a veterinary surgeon originally from Co Clare, her daughter Sara Rutledge, 13, and son James Rutledge, 14.

A fourth person, a man, remains in a serious condition in hospital after the incident in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge on Wednesday. All four people are members of the same household and all four suffered gunshot wounds, police said.

A murder investigation has been launched and police are pursuing a triple murder and attempted suicide line of inquiry.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil McGuinness said: Today, our thoughts remain with those loved ones whose worlds have been torn apart.

Vanessa Whyte and her children Sara and James were found dead after a shooting (Handout/PA) (Handout)

He continued: Our investigation is continuing and I am keen to reiterate our appeal for anyone with information to get in touch.

I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who had spoken to Vanessa, Sara or James over the last few weeks. If you are someone that Vanessa, Sara or James may have confided in, please come and speak to us.

Any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem could prove crucial to our investigation.

St Patricks Lisbellaw Hurling Club said all three were "active and beloved members of our club and will be desperately missed".

"We are working with the GAA at county, provincial and national level, to implement the association's critical incident protocols," they said.

"We will also work closely with all appropriate services to ensure that those who require support at this difficult time can access it.

First Minister Michelle O'Neill and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, on Wednesday, expressed their shock at the tragedy.

"We are deeply saddened by the events which have unfolded in Maguiresbridge this morning", they said in a joint statement.

"Our thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims and their families, and the wider community."We want to pay tribute to and thank our emergency services who responded to the incident."

Maguirestown is a small village about three miles from Eniskillen. It had a population of 940 at the 2021 Census.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said: The news from Maguiresbridge is tragic and deeply distressing.

My thoughts are with the victims, their relatives and the local community in Fermanagh.
MPs have called on ministers to introduce long-awaited rules aimed at removing products from UK shelves that have been farmed on land where trees were cut down.

The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) wrote to Environment Secretary Steve Reed calling for urgent action to tackle the issue in supply chains.

Under the previous Governments proposals, businesses will be prohibited from using or selling goods containing palm oil, cocoa, beef, leather and soy linked to deforestation.

This due diligence system was part of the 2021 Environment Act but ministers are yet to bring forward the necessary secondary legislation or set a timetable for when they will do so.

EAC chairman Toby Perkins asked Mr Reed to set out a specific date for introducing the legislation ideally before the New Year so that the rules can be in place for the new financial year in April.

The letter said: Delays in bringing forward this legislation makes the Cop15 agreement to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, and the UKs commitment to ending deforestation and forest degradation by 2030, harder to achieve.

However, it also leaves businesses with uncertainty and will leave them with less time to prepare and comply with the regime.

On 2 June, in your response to the Committee, you recognised the urgency of taking action to ensure forest risk commodities are not driving deforestation and stated you would set out the Government approach in due course.

Several British supermarkets recently warned that they are in limbo waiting for the Government to introduce the new rules.

In an open letter earlier this month, retailers such as Tesco, Sainsburys and Lidl said deforestation presents an increasing risk to supply chain stability as well as food security.

But they also said the UK could suffer millions in export losses to the European Union if Government inaction leaves businesses unprepared to comply with the blocs own deforestation rules, which are due to come into force at the end of this year.

Asked recently whether the Government has a timetable for introducing the legislation, the Environment Secretary told the PA news agency: Currently no, but we are working at pace so we can do this as quickly as possible.

On the supermarkets letter and whether the Government is looking to speed up progress on introducing the rules, Mr Reed said: Absolutely.

I agree with the supermarkets, he said. The previous Government was just dragging their heels without ever coming to a conclusion about what we do about protecting forests in other countries as well as in our own country.

And of course forests, trees, woodlands were very important for capturing carbon and cleaning the atmosphere so we dont want to be importing food that has been grown where the forests have been destroyed.

The Government is working with supermarkets, with food producers and internationally to make sure we get the outcome and we can do that as soon as possible to give everybody certainty about how we move forward on this.

PA has contacted the Environment Department for comment.
Journalists in Gaza are said to be suffering the same conditions as the population - Anadolu

The BBC has warned Israel that its journalists are facing starvation in Gaza.

In a joint statement with the worlds largest news agencies, the broadcaster called for adequate food supplies to be provided to people in the war-torn area.

It raised concerns about its journalists in Gaza, who they said are suffering the same conditions as the population they are reporting on for the BBC.

Foreign reporters are barred from entering the Gaza Strip, apart from a few short cases of being embedded with Israeli forces, and international news organisations rely on journalists based in the war-torn region.

Foreign reporters are barred from entering the Gaza Strip - AFP

The statement by the BBC, Reuters, the Associated Press and Agence France Presse said: We are desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families.

For many months, these independent journalists have been the worlds eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza. They are now facing the same dire circumstances as those they are covering.

Journalists endure many deprivations and hardships in war zones. We are deeply alarmed that the threat of starvation is now one of them.

We once again urge the Israeli authorities to allow journalists in and out of Gaza. It is essential that adequate food supplies reach the people there.

The plea comes after more than 100 international aid organisations and human rights groups, including Medecins Sans Frontieres, warned that Gaza was at critical risk of famine.

The groups claimed that the Israeli governments siege starves the people of Gaza. The World Health Organisation has also warned of mass starvation.

More than 100 international aid organisations and human rights groups warned that Gaza was at critical risk of famine - OMAR AL-QATTAA

The Hamas-run health ministry has tallied the total death count during the conflict overall at 59,000.

Israel claimed that more than 150 food trucks were already on the move, and a hundred more are awaiting pick up by UN agencies.

The BBCs intervention in the crisis comes after a string of controversies about its coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The corporation was found to have breached its editorial guidelines over the acquisition of the documentary of Gaza: How to Survive a Warzone.

This documentary was pulled when it was revealed that its main narrator, a boy named Abudullah, was the son of the Hamas-run governments deputy minister of agriculture, Ayman Alyazouri - a fact not disclosed to viewers.

This blunder was compounded when Deborah Turness, the BBC News boss, told staff there was a difference between the Hamas government and the Hamas military wing.

Tim Davie, the BBC director-general, has moved to reassure Jewish members of staff who are concerned about the broadcasters culture and leadership following a series of catastrophic failures.

The BBCs leadership has drawn up plans to expand anti-Semitism awareness training in the wake of these damaging scandals.
Striking resident doctors are demanding a 29% pay rise

The British Medical Association has confirmed that a five-day doctors strike will go ahead.



From tomorrow until Wednesday, resident doctors  the new name for junior doctors  will be striking due to a pay dispute with the government, with the organisation demanding a 29% pay rise.



Resident doctors have already been awarded a 5.4% uplift for this financial year - which will go into pay packets from August - following a 22% increase over the previous two years. But the BMA says wages are still around 20% lower in real terms than in 2008.



On this edition of The Daily T, we speak to Professor Lord Robert Winston, who resigned from the BMA  an organisation hes been a member of since 1964  earlier this month, arguing that the strike action will damage the reputation of his profession.



Keeping up the medical theme, Camilla also speaks to the Chief Nurse of Alder Hey Childrens Hospital in Liverpool, with measles cases on the rise across the country amid an alarming decline in vaccination rates.

Watch episodes of The Daily T here. You can also listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Credit: TurningPointUK

A second police force has been embroiled in a row over its escorting of anti-racism counter-protesters to a demonstration outside a migrant hotel.

Footage shows officers from Hampshire Constabulary walking alongside activists to Potters International Hotel, a site in Aldershot housing asylum seekers and the location of regular anti-migrant demonstrations.

The video, filmed in May, comes after Essex Police faced criticism when similar footage showed officers escorting counter-protesters to the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, earlier this month.

At the protest in Hampshire, one activist is seen carrying a placard supporting the campaign group Stand Up to Racism (SUTR). SUTR, partly funded by trade unions, is planning to mobilise thousands of supporters for a demonstration against anti-migrant protesters in Epping on Sunday.

Anti-migrant demonstrators claimed the arrival of anti-racism protesters on July 17 sparked violence between the two opposing groups.

Police made 16 arrests after the protest, saying a small number of people had used a peaceful demonstration as cover to commit violent disorder and criminal damage.

Commenting on the footage from Hampshire, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative Party leader, said: It is simply not the polices job to facilitate protest. It is their job to make sure there is peace on the streets.

If you come to counter protests youre asking for trouble, and its not the polices job to facilitate that. By doing so, they run the risk of bringing people there who are out to cause trouble. It makes no sense at all.

Critics say it is not the polices job to facilitate protests - Turning Point UK

The latest video to emerge was filmed on May 10, when Turning Point UK was demonstrating alongside local activists Rushmoor People First.

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary told The Telegraph: Officers engage with those attending, and ensure they know where they can safely protest both in advance and on the day.

However, a Turning Point UK spokesman said: Weve grown increasingly appalled to see the police escort far-Left agitators either through or alongside protests weve organised across the country.

The question of whether police should be escorting certain groups to demonstrations has divided political opinion.

In Epping, Essex Police had initially denied that it had brought the SUTR activists to the site, but later admitted that it had done so. On Wednesday, the forces chief constable rejected calls for him to stand down over the issue.

Ben-Julian Harrington, Essex Polices most senior police officer, said: I am not going to do that. This is not about me, this is about the communities of Essex.

On Thursday, the suspended Labour MP Diane Abbott, who is the president of SUTR, wrote on X: The allegation that police bussed in anti-racist campaigners to counter-protest a mob outside an asylum hotel is plain nonsense, as police say.

The far-Right and their respectable backers specialise in imaginary grievance while they create violence.

SUTR said that in Epping, police had organised a foot cordon around its protesters for their own safety and that later that day, a number of people who were deemed to be at risk when they were surrounded by groups of men who had attacked police were taken away from the area in police vans.

The group added: Similarly, for safety, a foot cordon was organised by the police for people demonstrating against the far-Right outside the Potters International Hotel in Aldershot in May.

People feel that part is unfair

Speaking about Hampshire Constabulary, Trevor Lloyd-Jones, the vice-chairman of Aldershots Reform UK branch, said: Hampshire police are fair and if they have intelligence that from a local policing point of view they need to escort these chaps  thats fine, I think thats understandable.

But people do get upset about it because you imagine there are mums and dads, and then some young blokes are coming from outside [Aldershot] and people feel that part is unfair.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: Protests outside Potters International Hotel regularly take place on an area of land which backs directly onto a busy A road, running between Aldershot and Farnborough. Therefore, there is only one direction for people attending from Aldershot town centre or the nearby housing estate to arrive.

Officers engage with those attending, and ensure they know where they can safely protest both in advance and on the day.

Policing protests requires us to balance the rights of those lawfully protesting and the rights of others to go about their lives without being subject to unacceptable disruption, whilst keeping the public safe.

Protests organised by Rushmoor People First and attended by counter-protesters this year have all concluded with no disorder, thanks to proactive engagement with police by protest organisers and the decisions made by officers on the ground to safely facilitate attending groups.
There are expected to be protests and counter-protests at the Britannia Hotel on Friday - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph

A ring of steel has been put up around a four-star hotel in Londons Canary Wharf ahead of the prospective arrival of migrants.

New CCTV cameras and metal fencing have been deployed around the Britannia International Hotel in Londons financial district, which the Home Office has put on standby in preparation for any surge in migrants arriving from the Channel.

The hotel has become a target for protesters after false rumours circulated on social media that it was to be used to house migrants relocated from the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex. Home Office sources said there were no plans to transfer asylum seekers from the Bell, despite violent protests there in the past week.

The Britannia has, instead, been commissioned by the Home Office as contingency accommodation for Channel migrants. It is anticipated that next weeks good weather could push the number of crossings past 24,000. Arrivals are currently 50 per cent up on last years total and the highest-ever for this point in the year.

Guards in black uniforms and face masks manned a heightened security cordon around the Britannia on Thursday, with new CCTV cameras checked by maintenance teams.

Police were seen outside the hotel in Londons financial centre on Thursday - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph

An interlinked metal fence now runs in front of the revolving doors, also blocking the way to the underground car park. Curtains and makeshift screens have been used to block downstairs windows. A police riot van, full of officers, was parked by the entrance on Thursday morning.

The upgraded security follows a second night of angry scenes after a rally by anti-migrant activists outside the Canary Wharf hotel. They faced off against Left-wing counter-demonstrators who held placards saying Refugees welcome, stop the far-Right and copies of the Socialist Worker newspaper.

A French protester told The Telegraph he was angered by the welcome given to illegal immigrants in Britain. Jules Durand, a finance worker living in Canary Wharf, said: I think its crazy. I may move.

On Thursday, arguments started between protest groups, with one man overheard saying: Youve got to come here the right way. They should send them back.

Counter-protesters from Stand Up to Racism and other groups have announced plans to demonstrate outside the hotel from midday on Friday.

Although rooms at the hotel can go for up to 425 a night, the Home Office is understood to have negotiated a charge of 81 per night.

A delivery van was parked outside the hotel on Thursday delivering dozens of WC set boxes emblazoned with an image of a toilet brush.

On Wednesday morning, workers were pictured wheeling beds and mattresses into the hotel, which has 531 bedrooms.

Tower Hamlets council said the Home Office intended to repurpose the Britannia hotel as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers - Eddie Mulholland for The Telegraph

It came as Essex Police on Thursday disclosed they had arrested 16 people on suspicion of violent disorder and criminal damage last Thursday at The Bell Hotel. Eight officers were injured and a number of police vehicles were damaged as missiles were thrown.

Six people have been charged including Kenneth Blissett, 34, of Long Banks in Harlow, Essex, who was charged on Thursday with theft of police equipment and possession of an offensive weapon.

Asst Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said: Wed promised that wed continue our investigations into the unacceptable actions of a small number of people who chose to take advantage of peaceful protest to try to cause harm to people in Epping or to property.

Weve been analysing footage and we have investigators and trained detectives working on this operation. We are identifying suspects and there will be more arrests in the coming days. Put simply, if you turn up to try to cause trouble, you wont get away with it.

The Epping protests were triggered when Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 38-year-old asylum seeker from Ethiopia, was charged with the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl. Mr Kebatu denied the charge when he appeared at Chelmsford magistrates court on Thursday.

Protests have been spreading to other parts of the country, with more than 150 gathering outside The Park Hotel in Diss, Norfolk, on Monday after the Home Office announced plans to change it from housing families who are seeking asylum to single men.

It is believed further protests are planned for the weekend in Diss and at The Bell.

Police have beefed up their contingency plans to tackle any repeat of last summers riots. The Home Office said the strengthened plans would enable forces of specially trained officers to be deployed more quickly to deal with any outbreaks of disorder.

Police have also plugged gaps in their intelligence gathering and sharing of the information after watchdogs criticised forces for failing to predict the rising tide of violent disorder well enough last Summer.

In a report on last years riots, Sir Andy Cooke, the chief inspector of police, said forces had been too slow to deploy officers in sufficient numbers to deter those planning violent disorder.

A government spokesman said: Since taking office, we have taken immediate action to fix the asylum system and have started closing down hotels and removing more than 35,000 people with no right to be here.

While the public have a right to protest against the current situation, we will never tolerate unlawful or violent behaviour.

Working closely with the police, we have thorough and well-tested contingency plans in place to deal with any public disorder, which have been strengthened since last years shameful scenes.

A government source added: The police are now able to mobilise specially trained officers disorder more quickly and have improved how they share information between forces across the country.
The walkout is set to begin at 7am on Friday (PA)

The public is being urged to continue seeking NHS care despite a looming five-day strike by resident doctors, the 12th such industrial action since March 2023.

The walkout is set to begin at 7am on Friday, with thousands of resident doctors expected to participate.

NHS England has stated that hospitals and local teams have been preparing extensively for the industrial action, implementing plans to "minimise disruption to patient care and ensure life-saving care continues".

Sir Jim Mackey, the new head of NHS England, has urged hospital leaders to maintain routine operations and appointments where possible, cancelling only if patient safety is at risk.

However, the British Medical Association (BMA) has countered this, asserting that NHS Englands strategy to proceed with business as usual during the strike poses a risk to patients.

Despite the strike, GP surgeries will operate as normal, and urgent care services and A&E departments will remain available for those in need, according to NHS England.

The public is advised to use 111 online as the initial point of contact for urgent but non-life-threatening health concerns.

The walkout is set to begin at 7am on Friday, with thousands of resident doctors expected to participate (PA Archive)

Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS England national medical director, said: There is no doubt this industrial action will take a toll on patients and NHS staff, and it is disappointing it is going ahead.

While it will mean some appointments wont be able to go ahead as planned, we are doing all we can to limit this, and patients should continue to use NHS services in the usual way.

The public should dial 999 in an emergency, and otherwise use 111 online, your local pharmacist or GP, and patients should attend NHS appointments unless told otherwise.

BMA council chairman Dr Tom Dolphin said: Its worrying that NHS England appears intent on telling hospitals to continue providing non-urgent planned care on strike days, despite our warnings that this will leave staffing levels unsafe across the board.

At best this will leave hospital managers and senior doctors confused over what they should be planning for this week, resulting in last-minute cancellations, and at worst puts patients at risk in both emergency and planned care settings.

Senior doctors cannot simultaneously cover for striking resident doctors in emergency departments, while also continuing routine work, and NHS England is being irresponsible by suggesting they can do both.

The priority on strike days must be emergency and urgent care.

Strikes by resident doctors last June led to 61,989 inpatient and outpatient appointments being rescheduled.

Since the end of 2022, almost 1.5 million appointments have been rescheduled as a result of industrial action.

The BMA said on Tuesday that talks with the Government aimed at averting the strike had collapsed over the core issue of pay.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said we cannot move on pay after a 28.9 per cent pay rise but added that the Government was looking at ways to improve resident doctors working lives. (PA Wire)

Dr Melissa Ryan and Dr Ross Nieuwoudt, co-chairs of the BMAs resident doctors committee, said in a statement: We have always said that no doctor wants to strike and all it would take to avoid it is a credible path to pay restoration offered by the Government.

We came to talks in good faith, keen to explore real solutions to the problems facing resident doctors today.

Unfortunately, we did not receive an offer that would meet the scale of those challenges.

While we were happy to discuss non-pay issues that affect doctors finances we have always been upfront that this is at its core a pay dispute.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said we cannot move on pay after a 28.9 per cent pay rise but added that the Government was looking at ways to improve resident doctors working lives.

He said there was an opportunity for the union to work with us on a range of options that would have made a real difference to resident doctors working conditions and created extra roles to deal with the bottlenecks that hold back their career progression.

Instead, they have recklessly and needlessly opted for strike action.

He added: All of my attention will be now on averting harm to patients and supporting NHS staff at work.

After a 28.9 per cent pay hike in the last three years and the highest pay rise in the public sector two years in a row, strike action is completely unjustified, completely unprecedented in the history of British trade unionism and shows a complete disdain for patients and the wider recovery of the NHS.

It came after research suggested public support for the strike is waning.

A YouGov poll showed about half (52 per cent) of people in the UK somewhat oppose (20 per cent) or strongly oppose (32 per cent) resident doctors going on strike over pay.

A third (34 per cent) of the 4,954 adults surveyed either somewhat support (23 per cent) or strongly support (11 per cent) doctor strikes.

YouGov said the proportion supporting the strike over pay has dropped five points since it last asked the question in May, when 48 per cent opposed the strikes and 39 per cent supported them.

Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, said the decision for strikes to go ahead is a crushing blow for patients and for the NHS.

Resident doctors are qualified doctors in clinical training.

They have completed a medical degree and can have up to nine years of working experience as a hospital doctor, depending on their specialty, or up to five years of working and gaining experience to become a GP.
Some of the North Seas biggest independent oil producers are examining bids for the upstream operations of Prax Group, the energy conglomerate whose collapse has triggered the closure of one of Britain's few remaining oil refineries.

Sky News has learnt that Enquest and Serica Energy have been in talks with administrators handling the insolvency of parts of the group about submitting offers for its exploration and production arm ahead of a deadline on Thursday evening.

Ithaca Energy, another independent player, has also held discussions about an offer but has decided not to lodge one, according to a source close to the company.

Money latest: The world's most powerful passports

Prax's E&P arm largely consists of the assets it acquired when it swooped for Hurricane Energy in a 250m deal in 2023.

The upstream assets are not themselves in insolvency proceedings, although the money generated from their sale will be used to repay creditors of the wider group.

The bid deadline comes in the same week that the Official Receiver said the Prax Lindsey refinery in Lincolnshire would shut after no buyer was found for it.

Hundreds of jobs will be lost as a consequence of the closure.

A sale process is also pending for its downstream petrol forecourts business.

A spokesperson for Teneo, the administrators of State Oil and other assets in the Prax Group, said: "The ongoing management and operation of Prax E&P and its subsidiaries is a matter for the directors of those companies."

Enquest, Ithaca and Serica all declined to comment.
One person has been arrested as protesters again descended on a hotel in Essex that is believed to be housing asylum seekers.

Dozens gathered outside The Bell Hotel in Epping on Thursday evening, following a recent string of violent protests there  although shortly after 7.30pm, police said the latest demonstration had so far been peaceful.

However, an arrest was made over breaching an order in place that prevents anyone from wearing a face covering, Essex Police confirmed.

Some of the protesters could be seen wearing English and Union flags draped over their backs as they stood behind fencing erected outside the hotel.

A large billboard set up behind the fencing also showed English flags with the words Protect Our Kids. One protester with a microphone could be heard saying well be here Sunday after thanking everyone for keeping it peaceful.

A total of 18 arrests have been made following protests around the same hotel. A 43 year-old man from Epping was arrested earlier on Thursday on suspicion of violent disorder in connection with an incident on 17 July.

The force previously said a small number of people used those demonstrations as cover to commit violent disorder and criminal damage.

Police watch protesters outside the Bell Hotel on Thursday following a number of demonstrations there (PA)

Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said on Thursday: I want to thank those who are attending today and protesting peacefully. We have used powers at our disposal to ensure people can protest peacefully, lawfully, and safely. And our officers are in place to ensure you can do so.

We wont tolerate anyone thinking they can come and cause trouble or breach the orders weve put in place to keep people safe. My message is clear  we will deal with you.

People had earlier walked through the towns high street and gathered outside Epping Forest District Council, before being walked back to the hotel by large numbers of police officers. The force said a group outside the hotel wanted to move towards the town centre and officers escorted them there to ensure they could express their democratic right safely. It was reported that Epping Forest District Council were holding a meeting on Thursday.

Earlier that evening, police announced they will be using extra powers, under Sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, to put restrictions on people who plan to assemble or to take part in any kind of procession.

Sites to lawfully protest at are directly opposite the Bell Hotel and will have their own designated entry and exit routes, Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said previously. There will also be areas near the Civic Centre, he said, adding: If you move from the Bell Hotel to the Civic Centre, you will not be able to return.

Police in riot gear during one of the previous violent protests (PA)

A Section 60AA order, under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, is also in place on face coverings. If you wear one, well order you to take it off. If you dont take it off, youll be arrested, Mr Hooper warned.

He said all protest activity should cease by 10pm, adding: To be clear, you will not be able to get in the way of people getting on with their daily lives in Epping. This is a priority.

Last Thursdays protest began peacefully but escalated into what officers described as scattered incidents of violence targeting police and property. Eight officers were injured and a number of police vehicles were damaged as missiles were thrown. Six people have been charged in relation to the action.

The latest developments come as police are braced for further protests, and the government and law enforcement have vowed to act swiftly if unrest spreads.

The Epping protest was sparked by the charging of asylum-seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, with sexual assault after he allegedly attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl. He denied the charge at Chelmsford Magistrates Court and will stand trial in August.

The protest has drawn national attention and sparked a political row, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage calling for Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington to resign over claims that officers transported left-wing protesters to the scene, claims the chief constable has denied.
(Jon Farley)

Well, its quite the coup for Private Eye, isnt it? If youre a satirical magazine, there are two ways of showing that youre having an impact. One is to provoke Islamists to the point where they murder your staff, as in the case of the Charli Hebdo murders in Paris ten years ago, or the Danish cartoons of Mohammed, twenty years ago. The other is when police arrest individuals simply for holding up your front cover. And this is the startling situation faced by Ian Hislop, the editor of Private Eye.

His cover, mocking the Governments proscription of the group Palestine Action, was held up as a placard by Jon Farley, a Palestinian Solidarity campaigner, at a silent march in Leeds last weekend.

It was, granted, a hard-hitting image. Palestine Action explained it began. Unacceptable Palestine Action: spraying military planes with paint. Acceptable Palestine Action: Shooting Palestinians queuing for food. Private Eye didnt pull its punches, but it was pretty well accurate as a depiction of the current state of affairs, here and in Gaza.

But it turns out the Yorkshire polices sense of humour is no laughing matter, as they used to say about the Germans. Mr Farley was arrested, bundled into a police van, taken to the cells and released after six hours.

He recalled that the police picked me up, grabbed me and took me to the side, and I ended up sitting on the pavement. I think thats when they said something about the placard. And I said: Well its a cartoon from Private Eye. I can show you. Ive got the magazine in my bag, by which time, they were putting me in handcuffs.

To add to the piquancy of the situation, they confirmed his identity from his senior bus pass  hes 67. He was arrested under section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which prohibits support for a proscribed organisation. And since 5 July, when Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, banned the group, thats what Palestine Action is.

At the time I observed that the police would be kept busy since proscription meant that anyone carrying an I Heart Palestine Action badge could be arrested; I never thought that by extension, you could be arrested for carrying a copy of Private Eye.

As the magazine observes, even though the police wont be taking any further action, being arrested under the Terrorism Act leaves a record that potentially affects future travel and employment.

It has, therefore, a chilling effect on free speech, including satirical free speech. And its not, I find, the first time this has been a problem.

Ive heard of one individual whose copy of the same issue was confiscated when he was entering the Palace of Westminster recently, although I should be surprised if the Commons library doesnt itself possess it.

The good news for Private Eye is not just that its billed as subversive material  always good if youre in the business of satire  but it may well get more front covers out of the situation.

There was an earlier one that read: Warning: This magazine may contain some criticism of the Israeli government and may suggest that killing everyone in Gaza in revenge for the Hamas atrocities may not be a good long-term solution to the problems of the region. Dangerous stuff, huh?

The truth is that proscribing Palestinian Action terrorists was a dud approach to the problem posed by the antics of a few of its supporters, such as that very tiresome woman vicar, 83, who was arrested outside Westminster  or indeed the people who spray painted military planes, causing 7 million worth of damage.

But the answer to people causing criminal damage should have been to use the existing criminal law against them, and for the judge in the case to throw the book at them when it comes to sentencing.

That wasnt enough though for that busy bee, Yvette Cooper, who is an unfortunate combination for a Home Secretary of being both authoritarian (proscribing organisations) and ineffective (stopping small boat crossings). It was an insane decision in the first place, and Jon Farleys arrest just goes to show where stupid proscriptions get you. Especially when such action is implemented by even stupider police.

The problem is that there really is a crisis in Gaza and the Private Eye cartoon got right to the heart of it. The Israeli Defence Force is blocking the delivery of basic food supplies to Gaza, with the result that hundreds of thousands of people are not just facing starvation but are starving. And those forces have been firing on Palestinians who are queuing for food at the IDF-approved checkpoints.

That is, quite simply, the fact of the matter, and its beyond dreadful. The UK government is protesting about these actions (meekly) but it isnt doing justice to the appalled indignation of the public  including those of us who are very far from being Hamas supporters  at the mass punishment of an entire population. In the circumstances, a silent protest with individuals carrying copies of Private Eye is an entirely tame response.

Meanwhile, the Government is proposing to introduce a law proscribing Islamophobia which threatens to chill any discussion of mass immigration and the cultural and religious aspects of the mass rape scandals. Is there anything it can get right? When it comes to free speech, it doesnt look like it.

Melanie McDonagh is a columnist at The London Standard
A Soviet-era passenger plane has crashed in Russias far east as it prepared to land, killing all 48 people onboard.

The flight, operated by Siberia-based Angara Airlines, and departing from the city of Blagoveshchensk, vanished from radar on Thursday and lost contact with air traffic controllers while approaching its destination of Tynda, a remote town in the Amur region bordering China.

Parts of the burning wreckage of the Antonov An-24 plane, which was nearly 50 years old, were discovered about 9 miles (15km) from Tynda airport on a mountainside, authorities said.

Russian media published footage showing thick smoke rising above a dense forest at the crash site. There were no roads to the site and a rescue team numbering more than 100 people had to use heavy machinery to cut a path there.

There were 42 passengers, including five children, and six crew members on board.

Investigators said they had opened a criminal case into the suspected violation of air traffic and air transport rules, resulting in the death of more than two people through negligence.

Vasily Orlov, the regional governor, offered his condolences to the families of those who died and declared three days of mourning, ordering flags to be lowered to half mast.

Malfunction and human error were being considered as causes of the crash, the countrys transport investigative committee said.

The An-24 is a twin turboprop regional aircraft designed by the Soviet Unions Antonov Design Bureau in the late 1950s. Known for its ruggedness and ability to operate from unpaved runways, it was widely used in remote regions of Russia and central Asia. The Angara plane that crashed was built in 1976.

The crash on Thursday marks Russias first fatal passenger aviation incident since July 2021, when a PetropavlovskKamchatsky An26 went down near Palana, killing all 28 people onboard.

Russia has seen a rise in non-fatal mechanical failures on passenger planes since the start of Vladimir Putins invasion of Ukraine, as western sanctions have damaged its aviation industry, with dozens of foreign jets seized and access to vital spare parts cut off.

Russia has struggled to replace its outdated Soviet-era fleet and its modern western aircraft such as Boeing and Airbus with domestically produced alternatives.

In 2023, representatives of several regional airlines appealed for an extension of the An-24s service life, citing difficulties replacing the ageing aircraft because of sanctions.

An analysis by the Russian independent outlet Agentstvo shows that the aircraft had experienced at least two technical malfunctions since 2022. In May 2022, the generator failed mid-flight, and in March this year, the crew was forced to request a return to the parking area owing to radio communication problems during a flight from Irkutsk to Kirensk.

Reuters contributed to this report
Counter-protesters ahead of an anti-immigration protest in Walthamstow earlier this month (PA Archive)

As the August bank holiday weekend approaches, London is set to become a stage for a wave of protests reflecting some of the most urgent and polarising political issues in the UK today.

From anti-immigration demonstrations targeting asylum seeker accommodation, to coordinated pro-Palestine actions across multiple boroughs, the capital will once again witness its streets become a battleground for public expression, resistance, and dissent.

Amid the celebrations of Notting Hill Carnival, many Londoners will also be navigating disrupted routes, increased police presence, and powerful expressions of political activism.

Heres a list of all the protests and marches that are taking place this bank holiday weekend (August 22-25).

All weekend

Antiimmigration protests targeting migrant hotels

A large wave of protests of at least 27 separate demonstrations is scheduled across the UK this bank holiday weekend, including in London, primarily targeting hotels housing asylum seekers.

These protests follow a High Court ruling ordering the closure of The Bell Hotel in Epping over planning and safety concerns. Councils nationwide, including in London, are considering similar legal action.

A protest under the banner Thistle Barbican needs to go  locals say no is scheduled for a hotel in Islington.

A counter-protest will be led by Stand Up To Racism, with support from groups including Finsbury Park Mosque, Jeremy Corbyn, and Islington Labour Party.

The Metropolitan Police have imposed protest boundaries under the Public Order Act.

There will be a separate anti-immigration protest within King Charles Square, from 1 pm to 4 pm. A counter-protest will take place within Lever Street near Central Street, starting from 12pm to 4pm.

Saturday, August 23

Palestine Solidarity Campaign - Boycott Barclays

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), a major pro-Palestinian advocacy group in England and Wales, is behind the Boycott Barclays campaign.

They argue that Barclays has deep financial involvement with arms companies supplying weapons to Israel and plays a key role in helping Israel raise funds by acting as a primary dealer for Israeli government bonds.

Expect the following Barclays branches in London to be busier than usual:
Ministers are ready to unleash a strengthened crackdown on rioters if last years shameful scenes are repeated this summer.

In a sign that Sir Keir Starmer is not willing to tolerate a repeat of the riots that followed the Southport murders in 2024, the Home Office has issued a statement saying it is prepared for any disorder that might erupt this year.

It comes in the wake of a furious reaction to comments made by the shadow home secretary Chris Philp, who was accused of inciting hatred at a particularly tense time by attacking a council in London that is providing help to asylum seekers.

The row broke out amid rising tensions in Epping, Essex, where a hotel housing asylum seekers has been targeted by far-right protesters.

Jonathan Reynolds says the government is prepared for possible disorder (PA)

The tensions have prompted a former top prosecutor to call for much, much more to be done, saying that local community Cobra meetings should be happening now in potential hotspots and that policing resources should be put in place to prevent further outbreaks of unrest.

Earlier, business secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirmed that the authorities are ready to respond if fresh riots erupt this summer, as tensions simmer over migrant hotels in communities across the UK.

He said that government agencies, police and emergency services are prepared for potential disorder after violent demonstrations took place outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Epping.

The scenes have been reminiscent of the violence that broke out following the murder of three children in Southport, which led to riots and disturbances in 18 towns and cities across England and Northern Ireland.

But a government spokesperson said: While the public have a right to protest against the current situation, we will never tolerate unlawful or violent behaviour. Working closely with the police, we have thorough and well-tested contingency plans in place to deal with any public disorder, which have been strengthened since last years shameful scenes.

Demonstrations in Epping threatened to spread to London this week after false rumours claimed that migrants were being moved from the Bell Hotel in Epping to the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf.

Protesters gathered at the site, which is currently empty though the Home Office has earmarked it for housing migrants in future. A ring of steel has now been set up outside the building in response to days of protest outside. The protective fencing has been put in place for fear that the protests, which have so far been limited, could escalate into scenes similar to those seen in Epping.

Protesters hold up a flag of St George after a protest in Epping (PA)

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner issued a stark warning to her fellow cabinet ministers this week, warning them that the UK faces a repeat of last years summer riots unless the government shows it can address peoples concerns.

Former top prosecutor Nazir Afzal said that much, much more needs to be done. He said politicians and political parties have to make it clear that hate speech, discrimination, and incitement to violence will not be tolerated.

Mr Afzal called for local community Cobra meetings to be happening now, and said the police and community leaders need to identify potential flashpoints for violence early on, and act to de-escalate tensions before they turn into riots or violent outbreaks.

He also called for tension measurements to be taken in likely hotspots, and policing resources to be put in place.

Meanwhile, Mr Philp, the shadow home secretary, enraged charities by attacking Wandsworth Council in London for providing 6,000 asylum seekers with taxpayer-funded cards.

Commenting on a story which claimed they used the card for gambling, he said: Labour are literally letting illegal migrants gamble with our hard-earned taxes.

But a Labour source said: Instead of stoking division, the Conservatives should own up and take responsibility for the mess theyve made.

Meanwhile, Steve Smith, chief executive of the charity Care4Calais, said: Politicians like Philp are now going out of their way to incite the sort of hatred weve seen on the streets of Epping with their dangerous rhetoric. People know that Philp, and the Tories, dont care about working-class families in Wandsworth, or any other part of the country. Their record in government shows that.

What they are doing is using refugees seeking sanctuary in the UK as pawns to sow division. The real reason life is challenging for too many families is because of bad bosses, rogue landlords and incompetent politicians.

But Mr Philp retorted: What is truly divisive is a government that refuses to protect its own citizens, then slanders them when they ask why and treats them with utter contempt. This is an obvious smear tactic from Labour to cover up for their failings.

We demand a functioning asylum system, and its dangerous policy to pretend one exists.

Police have already warned that violent demonstrations are taking a massive toll on forces across the UK. Unrest in Epping outside the Bell Hotel has already cost 100,000, with Essex Police forced to draft in support from neighbouring forces when the protests turned ugly. Bottles and flares were thrown at police, injuring eight officers.

Last July and August, 40,000 officer shifts were worked by public order officers over 10 days to tackle the riots sparked by misinformation online after three girls were stabbed to death in Southport. With concerns mounting that the UK could be facing another summer of unrest, the police union has warned that forces are close to breaking point.

Brian Booth, deputy chair of the Police Federation, said the UKs national mobilisation plan, which sees officers redeployed to assist other forces when needed, means staff miss rest days and have to work additional hours at a time when resignation rates are off the scale due to low morale and pay.

He added: The demand has got too high; the service is stretched to the maximum. Its like an elastic band, and all of a sudden, well have a snap. Theres only so much pressure that can be placed on them.
Ealing (Daniel Lynch)

A west London borough has seen the steepest rise in private market rents across the capital over the past five years, further fuelling the local housing crisis.

While rental costs have surged across all London boroughs, none have risen as sharply as in Ealing, which recorded the largest increase between December 2019 and December 2024.

This increase of around 52.5 per cent means that very few properties are affordable to residents, according to council analysis. The report makes clear that a majority of residents on low to average incomes are becoming priced out of renting in the borough.

The report later reads: [Few can afford to rent] with the exception of high-income households which leaves those on average and lower incomes struggling, particularly those in receipt of welfare benefits.

Private rents in Ealing were below the city-wide average as recently as 2020. Yet in just five years, they have doubled in some parts of the borough, which has over 7,500 live applications on its housing register, with 200-250 new applications each month.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) asked Ealing Council for its understanding of why there has been such a sharp increase, with the average property now costing 2,360 per calendar month to rent.

A spokesperson said: A number of national and regional factors have caused this steep increase, including a drop in supply as landlords leave the market in response to changes in regulations.

Ealing-specific factors which may play a role include improved transport connections with the new Elizabeth line and a growth in new purpose-built private sector homes which are generally 20% higher than existing homes but can be up to 40% higher.

Liberal Democrat Leader in Ealing, Councillor Gary Malcolm, told the LDRS that the council has been too soft on developers. He believes more must be done at a council level to tackle this.

He said: Liberal Democrats say that the Labour-run Ealing Council has allowed developers to rule the roost in Ealing. Developers often build large buildings, with too few truly affordable homes, whilst they are not building the homes they promise, meaning that we have too few homes, so rents are being pushed up.

Ealing needs to be more proactive and work with both residents and developers to bring forward more mid level developments to provide quality homes.

Ealing Council was recently found to have the furthest placement away from the borough when it comes to temporary accommodation, with a family placed in Newcastle since March 2024. A MyLondon investigation found the council also has households placed in Burnley and Birmingham, while other London councils managed to keep people within 30 miles of their borough.

The LDRS also asked the council what work is being done to mitigate the ever-increasing rent in the borough. The council said it cannot control private market rent, however it has regulatory powers to promote good quality homes, and schemes to prevent the conversion of homes into HMOs (House of Multiple Occupation).

Cllr Louise Brett, Ealing Councils Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Safe and Genuinely Affordable Homes, said: Our new approach to housing builds on the councils pledge to be open, transparent, and inclusive, and to make sure that local people are at the centre of decisions taken.

We already have one of the strongest home building records in London, and we want to continue providing the genuinely affordable homes that our residents need, in communities full of pride, identity, and purpose.

We know that when it comes to building new homes, one size does not fit all, so we are adapting our approach so that we can respond to the different housing needs of each of the boroughs seven towns.
Russian Angara Airlines passenger plane with nearly 50 people on board crashes in far east

A Russian passenger plane with about 50 people on board crashed in the countrys far east on Thursday and initial reports suggested there were no survivors, emergency services officials said.

Fifteen kilometre from Tynda, the wreckage of an An-24 was found on a slope. The plane was destroyed, the Russian emergencies ministry was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

Earlier, it was reported that the An-24 passenger plane had gone missing in the Amur region.

Crew error during landing in poor visibility is being considered a possible cause of the passenger plane crash, according to Tass news agency.

The An-24 plane took off from Khabarovsk as scheduled on Thursday at 7.36am local time (00.36 Moscow time), according to the airports press service. The aircraft was operating on the KhabarovskBlagoveshchenskTynda route but vanished from radar and stopped responding to calls just a few kilometres from Tynda airport.

The An-24 plane was flying along the Khabarovsk-Blagoveshchensk-Tynda route. It failed to pass security checks near its final destination. There is no contact with it, the emergencies ministry earlier said.

The burning fuselage of the plane, which was from the Soviet era and was nearly 50 years old, was spotted on the ground by a helicopter and rescue crews were rushing to the scene.

Unverified video, shot from a helicopter and posted on social media, appeared to show that the plane had come down in a densely forested area. The plane, whose tail number showed it was built in 1976, was operated by a Siberia-based airline called Angara.

It was en route from the city of Blagoveshchensk to Tynda and dropped off radar screens while approaching Tynda, a remote town in the Amur region bordering China.

Regional governor Vasily Orlov said on Telegram that initial reports indicated the Siberia-based airline called Angara was carrying 43 passengers, including five children, along with six crew members onboard.

All necessary forces and means have been deployed to search for the plane, he wrote.

Interfax reported that the plane vanished during a second landing attempt, after an initial approach to Tynda airport was unsuccessful.

A source was quoted as saying by Tass news agency: An An-24 operated by Angara Airlines failed to make contact at a designated checkpoint a few kilometres from Tynda Airport.

Tynda is located approximately 6,600km east of Moscow.

Debris from the plane was found on a hill around 15km (10 miles) from Tynda, the Interfax news agency quoted emergency service officials as saying.

"During the search operation, a Mi-8 helicopter belonging to Rossaviatsiya discovered the fuselage of the aircraft, which was on fire," Yuliya Petina, an emergency services official, wrote on Telegram.

"Rescuers continue to make their way to the scene of the accident".

Authorities announced an investigation into the crash.

Last year in September, a Robinson R66 helicopter with three people on board went missing in Russias Amur region during an unregistered flight over the Zeya district in the northeastern part of the Amur region.
Im not sure how many women will find his pumped-up pecs a thing of beauty - Simon Needham/Mens's Fitness UK

From Borat to buff, the caption reads on the cover of Mens Fitness, along with a topless shot of wait, that cant be Sacha Baron Cohen, can it?

My first thought was oily biltong. My second thought was one of those comedy cooking aprons featuring a male torso. My third thought was: ooh, hench, what do you bench?

No, of course it wasnt. It was this: I get the 53-year-old actor and comedy writer is now officially divorced from his wife, Isla Fisher, 49, but Im not sure the revenge body thing is really working.

Sacha Baron Cohen and Isla Fisher in 2021; they met at a party in 2001 and married in 2010 - Rick Rycroft-Pool/Getty Images AsiaPac

Back in the day (1994, to be precise), Diana, Princess of Wales, stole the show with a daring off-the-shoulder black dress to signal her couldnt-care-less-but-actually-care-a-lot insouciance.

I cant see why a Celine Homme polo shirt and Tom Ford linens wouldnt have done the trick for Baron Cohen. Hes a dad with two daughters and a son, and therefore absolutely entitled  some would say obliged  to rock a dad bod.

What his Australian ex-wife makes of it all is anyones guess. The couple met at a party in 2001 and were engaged in 2004. The Wedding Crashers actress converted to Judaism to marry Baron Cohen in 2010. Although they announced their separation in 2024, they said it had happened a year previously. Both have been at pains to keep their personal lives private.

But now that the privately educated Cambridge graduate has joined the Hollywood elite, he happily admits he brought in a crack team for his ripped glow-up, which he describes as a midlife crisis. Plus, he has been cast as Marvels supervillain devil Mephisto, who makes evil pacts with mortals in order to acquire their souls, which concentrated his mind.

Some celebs use Ozempic, some use private chefs, some use personal trainers. I did all three, he told the magazine. This is not AI, I really am egotistical enough to do this.

These days, muscle mass equals star power - Simon Needham/Mens's Fitness UK

Given he was put through his daily workouts by someone called @theangrytrainer, his dedication, appropriately enough, verged on the demonic.

Its a far cry from his wannabe gangsta Ali G character back in the 1990s, which led to his film about his shockingly inappropriate Kazakh journalist, Borat, in 2006, and then his mockumentary about monstrous Austrian fashionista Bruno three years later. In 2012, he played Admiral General Aladeen in The Dictator, billed as the heroic story of a dictator who risked his life to ensure that democracy would never come to the country he so lovingly oppressed.

Baren Cohen is perhaps most synonymous with Borat and his bright green mankini - AJ Pics / Alamy

Now a bona fide A-lister, Baron Cohen has clearly fallen prey to the literal arms race dominating the big franchises, which has seen male actors (and their body doubles) push their physiques into superhero proportions. Having presumably forgotten that superheroes arent real.

These days, muscle mass equals star power. On screen, at any rate. In Mens Fitness, Baron Cohen has found the perfect body-conscious audience for his great reveal, but Im not sure how many women will find his pumped-up pecs a thing of beauty.

Its great for any midlifers to have a stimulating hobby, and theres something deeply attractive about a man pursuing a passion. But theres something troubling when that passion turns out to be sculpting himself in the image of a cartoon character.

The August issue of Mens Fitness will be on sale from Friday July 25
Science proves why your skin wrinkles. Here is what you need to know

Researchers finally know why our skin wrinkles over time - and Silly Putty can help explain it.

Scientists at New Yorks Binghamton University say experimental evidence shows that its a similar process to stretching out a favorite hoodie or t-shirt from overuse. Essentially, aging skin stretches in one direction, contracts in another, and then collapses. As you age, the contraction gets bigger, resulting in the formation of the skin folds and creases.

If you stretch Silly Putty, for instance, it stretches horizontally, but it also shrinks in the other direction  it gets thinner, Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, Guy German, explained in a statement. Thats what skin does, as well.

Wrinkles start to appear after around the age of 25 years old, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Scientists have long believed that skin wrinkles due to genetics, the effects of disease, and damage from the sun. As you get older, your skin cells are replaced at a slower rate, causing the skins outer layer to thin and forming wrinkles. Lines in the face, including forehead and frown lines, are largely out of our control, as theyre caused by repeated muscle movements.

Previous studies, using computational models, have also shown changes in the mechanical properties such as the elasticity and structure of the skins middle layer during aging. The layer, which contains the proteins elastin and collagen, is the home to hair follicles, blood vessels, and sweat glands. Until now, those changes had never been proven experimentally.

Researchers say they now know how wrinkles form as we age. The process is similar to stretching Silly Putty (Getty Images/iStock)

When I got into this field, that was one of my goals  can I figure out aging? said German. Because if I look at the TV, the radio, online, at shops, Im being told 1,000 different things about how to improve my skin health, and I want to know whats right and what isnt.

To reach these conclusions, German and his team used a low-force tensometer to stretch out seven tiny strips of skin from people between the ages 16 through 91, simulating the forces the skin naturally experiences. The tensometer tests the maximum force a material can withstand while being pulled or stretched before breaking. The skin was collected through elective surgery or tissue from cadavers.

They found that the skin has one set of mechanical properties when youre young. As you age, things get a bit wonky, German noted.

Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering Guy German explained that there are inherent forces within the skin that drive wrinkle formation. He said the skin is actually already stretched a bit, and stretches more laterally over time (Getty Images/iStock)

Things degrade a bit, and it turns out the skin stretches laterally more, which causes the actual wrinkles that form, said German. And the reason why that exists in the first place is that your skin is not in a stress-free state. Its actually stretched a little bit. So there are inherent forces within your skin itself, and those are the driving force towards wrinkles.

The research, which didnt delve into how these forces could be halted, was published recently in the Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials.

Of course, there are other things that we know affect the skin that can contribute to appearance over time. Spending too much time outside can result in a nasty sun burn, as well as age the skin prematurely with the same effect as aging naturally.

If you spend your life working outside, youre more likely to have more aged and wrinkled skin than those who are office workers, for example, German warned.
Garry Ringrose has been praised for self-reporting the concussion symptoms that have cost him the chance of playing his first Test for the British and Irish Lions.

Ringrose pulled out of a Lions team that shows three changes from the opening 27-19 victory over Australia, with Andrew Porter, Ollie Chessum and Bundee Aki given starts.

On the bench Owen Farrell is poised to make his first international appearance since helping England finish third at the 2023 World Cup and he is joined by Jac Morgan, the only Welshman in the touring party.

The starting XV is made up of nine players from Ireland  seven of whom represent Leinster  four Englishmen and two from Scotland.

The Ireland and Leinster contingent would have increased by one had Ringrose not told head coach Andy Farrell shortly before he was due to officially announce the team that his concussion symptoms had returned.

An injury that initially surfaced after July 9s win over the ACT Brumbies forced him to sit out the first Test but having made a successful comeback against the First Nations and Pasifika XV on Tuesday, he was poised to replace Huw Jones at outside centre.

Instead, he will be watching from the stands with Jones continuing in midfield for the Lions shot at completing a series victory at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Garry was actually selected and unfortunately after training hes had to pull out, Andy Farrell said.

Its head-related again. It was literally as I was walking off the field. He came to me and once thats mentioned, thats that.

With these type of things players are getting very good at telling the truth of how they feel, so it was a no-brainer to make the change straight away.

Its very easy to keep it to yourself and lie and not be honest and open. It was very big of him and the right thing to do, 100 per cent. For the team as well, not just for Garry.

Ready for Saturday night at the G! #Lions2025  British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) July 24, 2025

Lions captain Maro Itoje echoed the view of his head coach.

Im gutted for him that hes in this position but it also shows the measure of the man to be so selfless, Itoje said.

All we ask of all of us is to be selfless and put the team first. When push comes to shove, you see who really does it. Garry is a man who really did it.

Had Ringrose been fit, he would have formed an all-Ireland partnership with Aki at the expense of Sione Tuipulotu and Jones, the Scotland combination who impressed in the series opener at Suncorp Stadium.

Maro Itoje (left) and Andy Farrell hailed Garry Ringroses selflessness (David Davies/PA)

Tuipulotu is struggling with a tight hamstring but the indications are that he would have been dropped even without the injury.

Joe McCarthy has failed to recover from his foot problem so Chessum slots into the second row, while loosehead prop Porter is preferred ahead of Ellis Genge in the front row.

James Lowe is lucky to retain his place on the left wing after a poor display in the first Test, but with Blair Kinghorn present on the bench after overcoming a knee problem Andy Farrell has a high-quality alternative ready.
At around 5.30pm on 7 July, Essex Police officers were called to Eppings High Street following reports that a man was behaving inappropriately towards a teenage girl.

Hadush Kebatu, 38, an asylum seeker from Ethiopia, allegedly tried to kiss a schoolgirl as she ate pizza. He has since been charged with three counts of sexual assault.

But the news that he had only arrived in the UK eight days earlier via a small boat quickly took hold on social media, sparking a series of protests that then turned violent, and thrusting the historic Essex town into the heart of an anti-immigration row.

What started as a group of locals voicing their grievances outside the Bell Hotel, which is believed to house asylum seekers, has now escalated into what has been described as a powder-keg situation, with fears that it could prompt a wave of riots across the country, similar to those seen last summer.

Police seen near the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, during a protest (PA Wire)

In the past two weeks, prominent leaders of neo-Nazi groups and far-right organisations have been accused of exploiting the situation by pivoting demonstrations towards violence, with some demanding a national call for action.

Their weapon of choice? Social media, which the far right have long been known to harness as a tool to spread fear and hate.

Several right-wing activists have rebranded themselves as citizen journalists or political commentators, which has helped them to accrue millions of followers in the UK and across the globe.

Joe Mulhall, of the charity Hope Not Hate, says this is dangerous at a time when misinformation online spreads fast and can whip up tensions.

Its deeply concerning that a rumour or allegation can spread so quickly and take hold. Last year in Southport, misinformation from influencers like Andrew Tate spread like wildfire about the ethnicity and nationality of the perpetrator of the awful murders.

When misinformation spreads, it can legitimise existing biases, and, as a rumour or allegation takes hold, things can quickly move offline.

Locals initially came to voice their grievances after a man was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl (AP)

The protests in Epping are coordinated and advertised on a private Facebook page titled Epping Says No. Its administrators include members of a group that calls itself Homeland. Founded in 2023 by a cohort that split from the neo-Nazi organisation Patriotic Alternative, Homeland has been described as the largest fascist group in the UK.

This week, one of its prominent members has shared several videos of the protests on social media, and has called for future action, urging: If you live in an area that has a hotel occupied by asylum seekers, start organising.

Members of other groups, including former neo-Nazi terror group Combat 18, the British National Party, and the Patriots of Britain, have also been spotted at the demonstrations.

Mulhall warns that in the context of overworked and overstretched police forces, racist and anti-immigration rhetoric online can fall under the radar. He says the UK needs to be ahead of the curve in order to clamp down on this activity.

Social media platforms such as X have played a crucial role in the spread of misinformation and anti-migrant rhetoric (Getty)

Tracking these comments and the individuals responsible is tricky, he explains. The far right are no longer divided into neat groupings, but are instead thousands of people posting videos outside migrant accommodation, posting rumours and making comments online.

Gone are the days when the police or social media companies can simply deplatform a particular group to resolve this issue.

Since Elon Musks takeover of X, formerly known as Twitter, the platform has changed significantly, with the Tesla founder reportedly tweaking its algorithms and removing its fact-checking mechanisms.

This included turning the platform into a pro-Maga Trump echo chamber in the run-up to last years US presidential election, and reinstating previously banned figures such as Tommy Robinson and Katie Hopkinson.

Hope Not Hate describe a concerning trend in which US figures comment on UK politics and societal issues and boost far-right voices, such as those of anti-Islam activist Robinson, who has hinted that he will attend a protest in Epping on Sunday.

Mulhall says: The far right has changed dramatically, and ironically, knows no borders. What were seeing now is key figures emerging online. Were no longer looking at organisations, but key people who emerge during a time of crisis.

Far-right figures such as Tommy Robinson have accrued a large following on social media (Getty)

The far right is international: they move around and they move in packs, and they try to find any weakness. They have no formal leader  theres no single leader. Its like theyre a group of fish that move around the internet, exploiting situations.

It is no surprise that weve seen a rise in far-right activity in the UK, US and Europe  these groups and ideas are interconnected.

Dr Karen Middleton, from the University of Portsmouth, who served as an expert witness in the UK governments inquiry into social media, misinformation and harmful algorithms, says the protests in Epping have been in many ways a continuation of the riots from last year. She explains: Sensationalist and polarising content gathers more clicks, gathers more engagement, so there is a systemic incentive for spreading misinformation online.

She believes that large social-media platforms need to go much further in addressing the spread of misinformation, but cautions that this is not about limiting free speech. This is about taking responsibility for published information that is online, that goes to a large number of people, and is very often spread by people with high profiles, she says.

A spokesperson for the National Police Chiefs Council said communities have a part to play in halting the spread of misinformation, and urged people to carefully consider what they read, share, and trust online to avoid stoking tensions.

We would encourage the public to access formal authorities for accurate information. The spread of disinformation and misinformation by individuals or groups can significantly contribute to community tensions and has real-world implications. We all have a responsibility in this respect, and relevant criminal law applies to online actions, they added.

They also called on social media companies to be vigilant to the spread of false information, and to ensure harmful content is detected, challenged and removed in a timely manner.
The White House has responded angrily after South Park returned to screens on Wednesday (23 July) following a two-year hiatus with an explosive premiere that depicted President Donald Trump in bed with series regular, Satan.

The episode of the scathing satirical cartoon, titled Sermon on the Mount, referenced the recent cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Trumps lawsuit against Paramount and the prospect of government censorship.

White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement to Variety: The Lefts hypocrisy truly has no end  for years they have come after South Park for what they labeled as offense content, but suddenly they are praising the show.

Just like the creators of South Park, the Left has no authentic or original content, which is why their popularity continues to hit record lows, Rogers continued. This show hasnt been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention. President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our countrys history  and no fourth-rate show can derail President Trumps hot streak.

In the episode, antagonistic fourth-grader Cartman is depressed when he learns of the cancellation of his favourite radio show NPR, where liberals b**** and whine about stuff. His mother tells him that Trump cancelled the programme.

Donald Trump depicted in the White House in South Park (Comedy Central)

Cartman says: The government cant cancel the show, I mean, what show are they going to cancel next? Hes later seen in the episode wearing a T-shirt that says, Woke is dead.

The residents of South Park come together when the childrens school principal brings Jesus into an assembly. The towns parents riot.

Meanwhile, Trump is depicted in the White House, where he is criticised for rising tariffs in Canada, and he simply tells his opponents to relax. Trump is also depicted decorating the walls of the White House with nude portraits of himself.

Rather than portraying Trump in the South Park style, the show's creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone used photos of the presidents face on an animated body.

In another scene, Trump is depicted in bed with long-running character Satan, where the devil comments on the small size of his manhood. Satan then confronts Trump over rumours that his name appears on the Epstein list.

Trump later finds himself in crisis as his South Park supporters turn on him over Jesus entering the education system. He sues the people of South Park for $5bn.

By the end of the episode, the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert comes up, and Jesus pleads with the people of South Park to stop protesting against Trump and settle the lawsuit.

They negotiate the settlement to $3.5bn, but as part of the deal, the town must agree to produce pro-Trump messaging in their public service announcements. The episode ends with a series of NSFW deepfake adverts depicting an unclothed president crawling through a desert.

Jesus pleads with the people of South Park to appease Donald Trump and settle his lawsuit in Comedy Centrals South Park (Comedy Central)

The premiere of the 27th season of the animated series comes as the shows creators reached a landmark $1.5bn (1.1bn) licensing deal with Paramount. The agreement allows South Parks new season to debut as scheduled, for a run of 50 new episodes over five years, which will all debut on Paramount-owned Comedy Central. Part of the deal included a new streaming partnership, which will bring the South Park library to Paramount+ in the US.

The negotiation has happened amid a backdrop of a pending merger between Paramount and Skydance, which is set to assume control of Paramount in the coming weeks. The company is owned by David Ellison, the son of billionaire and Trump ally Larry Ellison.

It also comes weeks after Paramount settled a lawsuit brought by Trump alleging election interference due to the editing of a 60 Minutes interview with 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, which aired on the Paramount-owned CBS.

Even though the network denied the presidents claims of deceptive editing and called the lawsuit meritless, Paramount paid Trump $16m (11.8m) amid the pending merger, sparking accusations of bribery from Democratic lawmakers, free press organisations and CBS employees. Ellison has vowed that CBS would be unbiased under the new corporate leadership.

On 17 July, Paramount and CBS announced that they had cancelled Colberts late-night show, leading to further speculation that the demise of The Late Show may have been politically motivated, given Colberts outspoken criticism of Trump. However, Paramount has insisted that the cancellation was due solely to the dwindling ad revenues for late-night television and the high production costs of Colberts show.
Kevin Spacey allegedly sexually assaulted a young actor at a party at The Savoy hotel and then told him Dont worry about it, court documents for the High Court legal claim suggest.

Ruari Cannon is suing Mr Spacey as well as two organisations connected to the Old Vic Theatre in London, claiming he suffered psychiatric damage as a result of sexual and emotional abuse.

The 33-year-old has waived his anonymity in the claim.

In court documents seen by the PA news agency, Mr Cannon alleges that Mr Spacey, who was a powerful figure and a world-famous actor and celebrity at the time, assaulted him in about June 2013, when he was a very vulnerable young man.

Kevin Spacey attending Cannes Film Festival (Doug Peters/PA)

Oscar-winning actor Mr Spacey has previously denied allegations of inappropriate behaviour and wrongdoing, and details of his defence are not yet available.

According to the documents, filed in June, Mr Spacey was working as artistic director at the Old Vic Theatre at the time of the alleged assaults on a production of a play by Tennessee Williams known as Sweet Bird Of Youth, and Mr Cannon was a member of the cast in this production.

They claim that Mr Spacey took a particular interest in Mr Cannon for reasons of sexual interest and sent him a lavish gift of a framed poster of the 1985 production of the play directed by Harold Pinter.

After the press preview of the show on June 12 2013, Mr Cannon attended a party at The Savoy in London organised by The Old Vic Theatre Company (The Cut) and The Old Vic Theatre Trust 2000.

It is claimed that one of the alleged assaults took place at the event.

Setting out the allegations, Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel KC, for Mr Cannon, said: Kevin Spacey pulled the claimant towards him, turned him around through 45 degrees and placed his left hand on the claimants buttocks and lifted up the recess material of his suit.

It is alleged that Mr Spacey then pushed Mr Cannons underwear as far up into his bottom as possible, so as to cause pain and distress.

Ms Gumbel added: Mr Kevin Spacey pulled the claimant closer to him and whispered into the claimants ear Dont worry about it.

Mr Spacey made more uncalled for and unwelcome advances to the claimant during the evening.

The following day, Mr Cannon reported the alleged assaults to his stage manager at the Old Vic Theatre, but no action was taken.

According to the documents, it is accepted that Mr Cannon did not ask for any action to be taken, and was scared about how any further action might affect his career.

Later that year, during the run of the show, Mr Cannon saw Mr Spacey at the Old Vic bar.

Mr Spacey allegedly said to him, I hear you have a dirty secret, and then said: Open up.

Ms Gumbel said: Kevin Spacey then forced open the claimants mouth with his fingers and thumbs and commented quite a bad boy before the claimant could pull away.

The claimant then left the bar. The forcing open of the claimants mouth was another assault for which Kevin Spacey was responsible and for which the second and/or third defendants were vicariously liable.

Further in 2017 when the Old Vic set up a confidential complaints email on October 31 2017 the claimant reported the above complaint again to the Old Vic.

She added that the alleged assaults were carried out by Mr Spacey in the course of his work for the organisations connected to the Old Vic, and they are vicariously liable for the alleged assaults carried out in the context of a theatre production.

Law firms Carter-Ruck, which is representing Mr Spacey, and Clyde & Co, representing the companies, have been approached for comment.
Keir Starmer is set to have an emergency call with his closest allies as he condemned that unspeakable and indefensible unfolding crisis in Gaza.

The prime minister appeared to have lost his remaining patience with Benjamin Netanyahus Israeli government as he used his strongest language yet to condemn the deliberate starvation of thousands of Palestinians trapped in Gaza.

And as he prepared to hold an emergency call with French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday, Sir Keir appeared to be on the cusp of being prepared to recognise a Palestinian state.

It comes as starvation in Gaza is reported to have dramatically increased in recent days; most of the 113 hunger-related deaths recorded there have come in recent weeks, and 82 were children, according to Palestinian health officials.

Starmer has condemned the starvation of Gaza (House of Commons/UK Parliament)

The prime minister is coming under pressure from trade union backers to ban imports from Israeli settler communities and end a trade agreement with Israel which reduces tariffs to the UK.

Sir Keirs intervention came just hours before French president Emmanuel Macron said that France will recognise Palestinian statehood in September at the United Nations general assembly.

Mr Macron, who announced the decision on X, published a letter sent to Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas confirming France's intention to press ahead with Palestinian recognition.

"True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine," the French president said.

Asked whether the UK would be joining France in pushing for Palestinian statehood, technology secretary Peter Kyle responded: The timeline for peace and stability and a negotiated solution to the war thats currently unfolding and ultimately Palestinian statehood is in the gift of Palestine and Israel themselves.

It cannot be imposed from the outside. But what Britain is doing is using all of its international influence, all of the efforts that can come from partnership, and all of the support that we can give through aid and other kinds of support in order to establish the circumstances where that process can start.

I know that this is intensely frustrating, but dont lets mix up lots of different issues.

Meanwhile, Israel has imposed heavy restrictions on the amount of food and aid allowed to enter Gaza, limiting aid to a handful of trucks each day following a total 11-week blockade earlier this year. UN officials say the aid delivered into the Gaza Strip is a drop in the ocean of what is needed.

In a furious statement, Sir Keir said: The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible. While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe.

It was the first time that he had not referenced Israels right to defend itself in his comments on the Middle East crisis or mentioned the hostages continuing to be held by Hamas.

He announced: I will hold an emergency call with E3 partners tomorrow, where we will discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace. We all agree on the pressing need for Israel to change course and allow the aid that is desperately needed to enter Gaza without delay.

Children are dying of starvation in Gaza (REUTERS)

But the prime minister warned: It is hard to see a hopeful future in such dark times. But I must reiterate my call for all sides to engage in good faith, and at pace, to bring about an immediate ceasefire and for Hamas to unconditionally release all hostages. We strongly support the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to secure this.

And there was a strong hint that with MPs and trade unions pushing for recognition of a Palestinian state similar to the actions of Spain and Ireland, he is close to agreeing to the move.

He said: We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis.

However, Labours biggest financial backers are urging the prime minister to go even further with the trade unions demanding recognition now and the cancellation of a trade agreement with Israel which gives it preferential treatment on tariffs.

In a statement the Trades Union Congress (TUC) claimed that given Israels ongoing violations of international law and the continued targeting of civilians, it is plain wrong that goods from Israel are imported to the UK with reduced tariffs.

It also called for a ban on imported illegal settlement goods; an end to arms sales to Israel in compliance with international law; and sanctions on individuals promoting and committing war crimes.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: We are deeply concerned by Israel's continued assault on Gaza and the mounting death toll of innocent civilians  including those killed by Israeli forces while seeking food, water, and shelter at Israeli and US backed aid distribution points.

This timeline of horrors is happening in plain sight - and the violence shows no sign of abating. Despite growing international condemnation, current measures are clearly not working.

But the influential Labour Friends of Israel (LFI), which has powerful supporters in the cabinet including chancellor Rachel Reeves, urged the prime minister not to prematurely recognise a Palestinian state.

LFI chair Jon Pearce MP said: "Recognition is a card that can only be played once. It must be done when it will have maximum impact.

As we saw when Ireland, Spain and Norway recognised a Palestinian state outside of any process, recognition changes nothing on the ground but does risk tearing up the Oslo Accords without a plan for security and sovereignty to replace it, whilst at the same time being seen as a reward for terrorism, inadvertently emboldening Hamas in the ceasefire negotiations.
The fallout from Elon Musks plunge into politics a year ago is still hammering his Tesla business as both sales and profits dropped sharply again in the latest quarter.

The car company that has faced boycotts for months said on Wednesday that revenue dropped 12% and profits slumped 16% in the three months through June as buyers continued to stay away.

The perception of Elon Musk, its chief executive, has rubbed the sheen right out of what once was a darling and soaring automotive brand, wrote Forrester analyst Dipanjan Chatterjee in an email.

Tesla is a toxic brand that is inseparable from its leader.

Quarterly profits at the electric vehicle, battery and robotics company fell to 1.17 billion dollars (865.8 million), or 33 cents a share, from 1.4 billion (1.03 billion), or 40 cents a share.

That was the third quarter in a row that profit dropped. On an adjusted basis, the company said it earned 40 cents a share, matching Wall Street estimates.

Revenue fell from 25.5 billion (18.8 billion) to 22.5 billion (16.6 billion) in the April through June period, slightly above Wall Streets forecast.

Tesla shares fell 3% in after-hours trading.

Mr Musk spent the companys earnings conference call talking less about car sales and more about robotaxis, automated driving software and robotics, which he says is the future of the company. But those businesses are yet to take off, and the gap between promise and profit was apparent in the second quarter.

It appears managements focus will now shift to robotaxis and away from deliveries growth, said Morningstar analyst Seth Goldstein, referring to car sales.

A big challenge is that potential buyers, not just in the US but in Europe, are still baulking at buying Teslas.

Mr Musk alienated many in the market for cars in Great Britain, France, Germany and elsewhere by embracing far-right candidates for office on the continent. And rival electric vehicle makers such as Chinas BYD and Germanys Volkswagen have pounced on the weakness, stealing market share.

Tesla began a rollout of its paid pickup robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, and hopes to introduce the driverless cabs in several other cities soon. Mr Musk has said he expects to have hundreds of thousands of the cabs on US roads by the end of next year.

In the post-earnings call, Mr Musk said the service will be available to probably half of the population of the US by the end of the year  thats at least our goal, subject to regulatory approvals.

He added: We are being very cautious. We dont want to take any chances.

The test run in Austin has mostly gone off without a hitch, though there have been a few alarming incidents, such as when a robotaxi went down a lane meant for opposing traffic.

Elon Musk with US President Donald Trump (Evan Vucci/AP)

With autonomous taxis, though, the billionaire who upended the space race and electric vehicle manufacturing faces tough competition. The dominant provider now, Waymo, is already in several cities and recently logged its ten-millionth paid trip.

Meanwhile, other threats loom. The new federal budget just passed by Congress eliminates a credit worth as much as 7,500 dollars (5,522) for buying an electric car.

It also wipes out penalties for car makers for exceeding carbon emission standards. That threatens Teslas business of selling its carbon credits to traditional car companies that regularly fall short of emission standards.

Tesla generated 439 million (328 million) from credit sales, down sharply from 890 million (658 million) a year ago.

Were in this weird transition period where well lose a lot of incentives in the US, Mr Musk said, predicting several rough months possibly through June of next year.

He added, though: Once you get to autonomy at scale in the second half of next year, certainly by the end of next year, I would be surprised if Teslas economics are not very compelling.

The company is now planning to introduce a cheaper model to the market in the last three months of the year. Tesla had previously said that it was going to happen by June this year.

Mr Musk also said he expected regulatory approval to introduce its so-called Full Self-Driving software in some parts of Europe by the end of the year.

He had previously expected that to happen by March of this year. The feature, which is available in the US, is a misnomer because it is only a driver assistance feature.

Indias first Tesla showroom to be inaugurated in Mumbai (AP/Rafiq Maqbool)

In the robot business, Mr Musk said he expects explosive growth as Tesla ramps up production of its humanoid Optimus helpers to 100,000 a month in five years.

Well go from a world where robots are rare to where theyre so common that you dont even look up, he said.

Asked about whether he would want more than his current 13% stake in Tesla to keep control, Mr Musk said he did want more but not too much.

I think my control over Tesla should be enough to ensure that it goes in a good direction, he said, but not so much control that I cant be thrown out if I go crazy.

Gross margins for the quarter, a measure of earnings for each dollar of revenue, fell to 17.2% from 18% a year earlier.

A highlight from the quarter was from something far removed from cars and robots: the companys investment in bitcoin. That bet generated a 284 million (210 million) paper gain, compared with a loss in the previous quarter.
Liverpool target: Alexander Isak wants to leave Newcastle (Owen Humphreys/PA Wire)

Alexander Isak has expressed his desire to leave Newcastle amid interest from Liverpool.

The Sweden forward, who scored 23 Premier League goals last season, has not travelled with the Newcastle squad on their pre-season tour of Asia.

Liverpool have just signed Hugo Ekitike for 79million but are still interested in Isak and the latest developments open the door to a move to Anfield.

Arne Slot has been keen to bolster his attacking options ahead of the new season, with Ekitike and Florian Wirtz already brought in.

Here, Standard Sport looks at how Isak could fit in on Merseyside.

Isak and Ekitike playing together

Liverpool are the team to beat next season with or without the addition of Isak.

So, the thought of adding him to a frontline that already contains Salah, Wirtz and Ekitike is a fearsome proposition and one that would not necessarily force Arne Slot to pick between his two new strikers.

Isak scored against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final last season (Action Images via Reuters)

Ekitike is a versatile and mobile forward. A selfless player who can contribute in different phases of play. His movement, whether dropping deep or pulling wide, can help create space for others, namely Isak.

Isak is a more natural goalscorer than Ekitike, whose 12 assists last season speak to a player who is willing to create opportunities for his team-mates.

There is no reason why the two of them couldn't play together, with Ekitike pulling defenders out of position to create space for Isak to run into.

Liverpool XI (4-2-2-2): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Ekitike, Isak

Isak through the middle with Ekitike as a left-winger

Playing Isak through the middle would make the most sense for Liverpool, who are used to playing with one striker, but that doesn't mean Slot can't start Ekitike as well.

The Frenchman's versatility and pace mean that while he's not naturally a wide player, he can operate from the left flank.

Liverpool have just signed Hugo Ekitike for 79m (Getty Images)

This would allow Isak to play in a more natural role, acting as a focal point for Liverpool's attack while still giving minutes to Ekitike.

If Isak arrives, Ekitike will have to accept that he is no longer the figurehead of Liverpool's team, and so he will have to make do with whatever opportunities he is given.

Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Eikitike, Isak

Isak starting ahead of Ekitike

Ekitike is a forward of tremendous promise, but were Liverpool to seal a move for Isak then the expectation would be that Ekitike would have to work around the Swede.

It seems remarkable to even think, given the amount Liverpool paid for Ekitike, that he would have to act as an understudy. But with Slot preferring a 4-2-3-1 formation with a lone striker leading the line, Isak's arrival, likely for a record British transfer fee, could see Ekitike relegated to the bench.

Isak scored 23 Premier League goals last season (PA Wire)

Isak is used to operating by himself and will no doubt thrive with the creative thrust of Wirtz and Mohammed Salah behind him.

Isak was far and away the Premier League's most consistent forward last season, and he will relish the chance to spearhead Liverpool's ascent for the title.

Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Isak
Tulsi Gabbard is the face of Donald Trumps newest bid to move the news cycle off the Jeffrey Epstein files.

But she, like the president himself, is likely to see her efforts end in the same murky water where the dreams of prosecuting Hillary Clinton died during Trumps first term in office.

On Wednesday, the White House trotted out the Director of National Intelligence, alongside press secretary Karoline Leavitt, to brief reporters on an intel review that Gabbard had led.

She told reporters that new evidence pointed to the involvement of former president Barack Obama and top officials in a supposed campaign to alter the conclusions of intelligence assessments, in order to forge a link between Trump and Russia where none supposedly existed.

It was an old theory with a new twist, which Gabbard laid out as an apparent years-long coup attempt against Trump. She argued that Obama, along with former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and former FBI chief James Comey, knowingly changed official intelligence assessments to explain the scope of the nefarious activity Russia was up to during the 2016 election.

Tulsi Gabbard alleged Barack Obama's involvement in a 'coup' on Wednesday during a White House press briefing (Getty)

The implications of this are far reaching and have to do with the integrity of our democratic republic, Gabbard claimed. It has to do with an outgoing President taking action to manufacture intelligence, to undermine and usurp the will of the American people in that election and launch what would be a years long coup against the incoming president United States, Donald Trump.

Its at this point where Trump and the White Houses call for justice and accountability (two words Leavitt and Gabbard floated Wednesday) runs out of gas.

In 2019, Trumps White House appointed a special counsel to look at the origins of the Russia investigation and found no evidence of criminal activity committed by Obama or other members of his administration.

And given how the federal statute of limitations works, the clock is ticking for Trumpworld to take a second crack at delivering the retribution the president has long threatened to levy against his enemies. Under federal law, most criminal charges have a statute of limitation of five years, meaning that the entirety of the Russiagate probes duration now falls outside the legal window for criminal prosecution.

In 2019, Trumps White House appointed a special counsel to look at the origins of the Russia investigation and found no evidence of criminal activity committed by Obama or other members of his administration. (AFP/Getty)

To be clear, the statute of limitations does not apply to murder, or sexual abuse. Nor does it apply to treason, which Trumpworld has long, and frivolously, suggested charging Obama and others with. (Trump made that specific accusation once again in the wake of Gabbards memo being published last week.)

Nor does the statute of limitations apply to another criminal count that could be leveled against the former president and members of his team in a last-ditch attempt to make something stick: conspiracy against rights. The latter charge carries a statute of limitations of ten years, not five, and as a result its by far the most likely avenue for federal prosecutors to take if a real effort is made to deliver on Trumps promised vengeance. The New York Post reported that some of Trumps allies view it as their best shot. But opponents say even that would be a fools errand.

These bizarre claims against President Obama are a made up farrago of malicious nonsense. The context makes clear that this is an effort to distract from Trump's major Epstein problem, Norm Eisen, a constitutional scholar and co-counsel for the first Trump impeachment effort in 2020, said in a statement to The Independent on Wednesday.

Eisen added: We at Democracy Defenders Fund have filed a legal demand under the freedom of information act for the Trump - Epstein documents and if we do not get them we will be litigating. But there is no basis for charging Obama with any crime irrespective of the statute of limitations, and plucking an offense out of thin air simply because it has a longer statute of limitations just highlights the baselessness of it all. 

Donald Trump vowed to criminally charge Hillary Clinton during his first term in office, then never delivered (Reuters)

The Obama "Russia-gate" push is the latest move by the Trump administration to attempt to quell outrage from the MAGA base after a July 6 DOJ memo concluded there were no more significant disclosures to be made in the Epstein case.

The pressure has also intensified on the president after it was revealed the DOJ told Trump in May that his name appears multiple times in the Epstein files, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. The president had denied to reporters earlier this month that his name had been in the files.

Appearing in the files does not indicate that an individual has committed any wrongdoing, nor has Trump ever been accused of misconduct in connection with the Epstein case.

At Wednesdays White House briefing, Gabbard deflected questions on potential charges for former president Obama to Attorney General Pam Bondi, possibly the most embattled member of Trumps Cabinet thanks to the Epstein Files uproar.

I'm leaving the criminal charges to the Department of Justice. I am not an attorney, said Gabbard.

But the DOJ has been silent for nearly a week since the publication of a memo outlining the Director of National Intelligences latest review. And the DOJ hasnt uttered a peep in terms of plans to launch investigations into Gabbards findings, despite the directors claim that all evidence was referred to Bondis office.

A spokesperson for Obama, meanwhile, issued a rare statement Tuesday calling the Russia-gate accusations bizarre, and correctly noting that nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but didnt successfully manipulate any votes.

The intelligence assessment, released by Gabbard, relied heavily on her conflation of the finding that Russian actors did not launch cyberattacks against U.S. voting platforms with a finding that Russia had not interfered at all. Like the Senate Intelligence Committee in 2020, the DOJ and other agencies found that Russia was behind influence campaigns on social media aimed at sowing election disinformation.

At the White House briefing, Gabbard and Leavitt presented that conclusion anew by inferring that Russia did interfere but without the goal of helping either major candidate in the 2016 race.

Conspiracy against rights would be an ironic charge for Trumps team to level against Obama, considering the president was accused of this in a criminal probe launched by special counsel Jack Smith over Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

This charge would require that Trumps prosecutors prove the existence of an organized plot between Obama and his advisers to keep Trump out of the White House  something even Gabbard didnt allege on Wednesday, as the intelligence probe did not turn up any evidence of a concerted scheme.

The Biden administration tried for four years to hold Trump accountable for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. His mishandling of classified materials after leaving the White House also triggered criminal charges. But in both cases, the DOJ was too slow to bring the case to trial, and the charges were dismissed after Trumps 2024 election victory.

Trump was charged with conspiracy against rights for allegedly conspiring to violate the rights of millions of Americans by working with state legislatures and Congress in a half-cocked bid to throw out the 2020 election results pointing to his defeat. Its the same charge, down to the letter, that Obama would now face from a Trump-DOJ, if such an effort be launched.

Gabbard couldnt answer why those charges against Obama werent pursued during Trumps first term.

I can't speak to what happened there, she said Wednesday. There were several [directors of national intelligence] under the first Trump administration. President Trump faced many challenges from those who were working in the government who sought to undermine his presidency.
Donald Trump holds an executive order at the Winning the Race summit in Washington on Wednesday. Photograph: Kent Nishimura/Reuters

Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a trio of executive orders that he vowed would turn the United States into an AI export powerhouse, including one targeting what the White House described as woke artificial intelligence models.

During remarks at an AI summit in Washington, Trump decried woke Marxist lunacy in the AI models, before signing the orders on stage at the Mellon Auditorium.

Once and for all, we are getting rid of woke. Is that OK? Trump said, drawing loud applause from the audience of AI industry leaders. He then asserted that his predecessor, Joe Biden, had established toxic diversity, equity and inclusion ideology as a guiding principle of American AI development.

So you immediately knew that was the end of your development, he said, eliciting laughter.

The new order requires any artificial intelligence company receiving federal funding to maintain politically neutral AI models free of ideological dogmas such as DEI  putting pressure on an industry increasingly seeking to partner with government agencies. It is part of the Trump administrations broader anti-diversity campaign that has also targeted federal agencies, academic institutions and the military.

While the directive emphasizes that the federal government should be hesitant to regulate the functionality of AI models in the private marketplace, it asserts that public procurement carries the obligation not to procure models that sacrifice truthfulness and accuracy to ideological agendas. The metrics of what make an AI model politically biased are contentious and open to interpretation, however, and therefore may allow the administration to use the order to target companies at its discretion.

The other orders were aimed at expediting federal permitting for datacentre infrastructure and promoting the export of American AI models. The executive actions coincide with the Trump administrations release of a broader, 24-page AI action plan that seeks to cement the USs global dominance in artificial intelligence as well as expand the use of AI in the federal government.

Winning this competition will be a test of our capacities unlike anything since the dawn of the space age, Trump declared, adding: We need US technology companies to be all-in for America. We want you to put America first.

Earlier on Wednesday, the White House unveiled its long-promised action plan, titled Winning the Race, that was announced shortly after Trump took office and repealed a Biden administration order on AI that mandated some safeguards and standards on the technology. It outlines the White Houses vision for governing artificial intelligence in the US, vowing to speed up the development of the fast-growing technology by removing red tape and onerous regulation.

During his remarks, Trump also proposed a more nominal change. I cant stand it, he said, referring to the use of the word artificial. I dont even like the name, you know? I dont like anything thats artificial. So could we straighten that out, please? We should change the name. I actually mean that.

Its not artificial. Its genius, he added.

A second order Trump signed on Wednesday calls for deregulating AI development, increasing the building of datacentres and removing environmental protections that could hamper their construction.

Datacentres that house the servers for AI models require immense amounts of water and energy to function, as well as produce greenhouse gas emissions. Environmental groups have warned about harmful increases to air and noise pollution as tech companies build more facilities, while a number of local communities have pushed back against their construction.

In addition to easing permitting laws and emphasizing the need for more energy infrastructure, both measures that tech companies have lobbied for, Trumps order also frames the AI race as a contest for geopolitical dominance. China has invested billions into the manufacturing of AI chips and datacentres to become a competitor in the industry, while Chinese companies such as Deepseek have released AI models that rival Silicon Valleys output.

While Trumps plan seeks to address fears of China as an AI superpower, the Trump administrations move against woke AI echoes longstanding conservative grievances against tech companies, which Republicans have accused of possessing liberal biases and suppressing rightwing ideology. As generative AI has become more prominent in recent years, that criticism has shifted from concerns over internet search results or anti-misinformation policies into anger against AI chatbots and image generators.

One of the biggest critics of perceived liberal bias in AI is Elon Musk, who has vowed to make his xAI company and its Grok chatbot anti-woke. Although Musk and Trump are still locked in a feud after their public falling out last month, Musk may stand to benefit from Trumps order given his emphasis on controlling AIs political outputs.

Musk has consistently criticized AI models, including his own, for failing to generate what he sees as sufficiently conservative views. He has claimed that xAI has reworked Grok to eliminate liberal bias, and the chatbot has occasionally posted white supremacist and antisemitic content. In May, Grok affirmed white supremacist conspiracies that a white genocide was taking place in South Africa and said it was instructed by my creators to do so. Earlier this month, Grok also posted pro-Nazi ideology and rape fantasies while identifying itself as MechaHitler until the company was forced to intervene.

Despite Groks promotion of Nazism, xAI was among several AI companies that the Department of Defense awarded with up to $200m contracts this month to develop tools for the government. OpenAI, Anthropic and Google, all of which have their own proprietary AI models, were the other recipients.

Conservatives have singled out incidents such as Googles Gemini image generator inaccurately producing racially diverse depictions of historical figures such as German second world war soldiers as proof of liberal bias. AI experts have meanwhile long warned about problems of racial and gender bias in the creation of artificial intelligence models, which are trained on content such as social media posts, news articles and other forms of media that may contain stereotypes or discriminatory material that gets incorporated into these tools. Researchers have found that these biases have persisted despite advancements in AI, with models often replicating existing social prejudices in their outputs.

Conflict over biases in AI have also led to turmoil in the industry. In 2020, the co-lead of Googles ethical AI team Timnit Gebru said she was fired after she expressed concerns of biases being built into the companys AI models and a broader lack of diversity efforts at the company. Google said she resigned.
Sales of previously owned homes in the U.S. have dropped to the lowest levels since last September, as the national average price for houses hit unprecedented levels.

Home prices increased on an annual basis for the 24th consecutive month, with the national median sales price rising two percent in June from a year earlier to $435,300  an all-time high.

Existing home sales fell by 2.7 percent from May to June, according to the National Association of Realtors, and the latest home sales fell short of the 4.01 million pace economists were expecting, according to FactSet.

The U.S. housing market has been in a slump since early 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows.

Home sales fell last year to their lowest level in nearly 30 years, leading to a lackluster spring homebuying season  traditionally the busiest period of the year for the housing market.

Home prices increased on an annual basis for the 24th consecutive month, with the national median sales price rising two percent in June from a year earlier to $435,300  an all-time high. (Getty Images)

Stubbornly high mortgage rates and rising prices have intensified the hardships for would-be homebuyers who had already been pummeled by a real estate market that overheated during the pandemic. While the number of homes on the market has increased sharply from a year ago, it remains well below normal levels, meaning prices continue to rise even as sales slow.

The second half of the year really depends on what happens with mortgage rates, Lawrence Yun, NARs chief economist, told The Associated Press.

High mortgage rates can add hundreds of dollars a month in costs for borrowers, limiting their purchasing power. So far this year, the average rate on a 30-year mortgage has remained relatively close to 7 percent, according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac.

Homes purchased last month likely went under contract in May and June, when the average rate on a 30-year mortgage ranged from 6.76 percent to 6.89 percent.

Yun estimates that if the average rate on a 30-year mortgage were to fall to 6 percent that would lead to an additional roughly half-million more homes sold.

If the mortgage rate remains stuck at this level, we are essentially looking at very small changes in our home sales and home price condition, but if the mortgage rate was to drop, we know there will be a more meaningful increase in sales, he said.

The housing market's affordability crunch is keeping many aspiring first-time homebuyers on the sidelines. They accounted for 30 percent of homes sales last month, unchanged from May, NAR said. Historically, they made up 40 percent of home sales.

Stubbornly high mortgage rates and rising prices have intensified the hardships for would-be homebuyers who had already been pummeled by a real estate market that overheated during the pandemic. (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Home shoppers who can afford to buy at current mortgage rates or pay in cash are benefiting from more properties on the market.

There were 1.53 million unsold homes at the end of last month, down 0.6 percent from May, but up nearly 16 percent from June last year, NAR said. Thats still well below the roughly 2 million homes for sale that was typical before the pandemic, however.

Junes month-end inventory translates to a 4.7-month supply at the current sales pace, up from a 4.6-month pace at the end of May and 4 months in June last year. Traditionally, a 5- to 6-month supply is considered a balanced market between buyers and sellers.

Homes for sale are staying on the market longer as sales remain in the doldrums. Properties typically remained on the market for 27 days last month before selling, up from 22 days in June last year, NAR said.

The housing market slowdown isn't all bad, if you're a home shopper who can afford to buy. In June, some 20.7 percent of homes listed for sale had their price reduced, the highest share for the month of June going back to at least 2016, according to Realtor.com.

Increasingly, however, many sellers are opting to pull their home off the market rather than lower prices. The number of properties taken off the market without having sold jumped 47 percent in May from a year earlier, according to Realtor.com.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised a new bill to strengthen the rule of law as mass protests over his decision to weaken the powers of two independent anti-corruption agencies roiled his government. Luke Harding writes from Kyiv that in a video address, Zelenskyy sought to deflect criticism by promising a new presidential bill would guarantee the independence of anti-corruption institutions and at the same time ensure there was no Russian influence.

The US has announced approval to sell to Ukraine a combined $322m worth of Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and Hawk surface-to-air missile systems . The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said the Hawks would bolster Ukraines air defences while the Bradleys would help meet Ukraines urgent need to strengthen local sustainment capabilities to maintain high operational rates for United States-provided vehicles and weapon systems. The state department approved the possible sales and the DSCA notified Congress, which would also need to approve the transactions.

Related: Zelenskyy pledges new bill on anti-corruption agencies independence as protests continue

Zelenskyy responded to the backlash on Wednesday evening by saying he would submit a further bill ensuring all norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place. Of course, everyone has heard what people are saying these days  on social media, to each other, on the streets. Its not falling on deaf ears, Zelenskyy said. Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Kyiv for a second day, while European leaders expressed concern at the Ukrainian presidents contentious decision. They want him to scrap a controversial law passed this week that effectively places anti-corruption agencies under direct government control.

The Institute for the Study of War said the protests in Ukraine were notably not anti-war or anti-Zelenskyy demonstrations but Russian propagandists were enthusiastically portraying them as such. Russia likely hopes that the rhetorical effort it is pursuing to undermine Ukraine will lead to a weakened Ukrainian military, which Russia can more readily defeat on the battlefield, said an ISW analysis.

Chinese-made engines for war drones are being covertly shipped to the Russian manufacturer IEMZ Kupol labelled as industrial refrigeration units to avoid detection and western sanctions, according to three European security officials and documents reviewed by the Reuters news agency. The state-owned armourer makes the Garpiya-A1 attack drone partly modelled on the Iranian-designed Shahed. Reuters said the sources and documents included contracts, invoices and customs paperwork. The long-range drone has been used against civilian targets, with about 500 launched per month, the Ukrainian military intelligence agency told Reuters.

Reuters previously reported that Kupol was using L550E engines made by Chinese Xiamen Limbach Aviation Engine Co. After the report, the EU and US sanctioned companies including Xiamen. A new Chinese firm called Beijing Xichao International Technology and Trade then sprang up to supply the L550E engines through front companies, according to invoices, a Kupol internal letter and transportation documents reviewed by Reuters. Chinas foreign ministry told Reuters it was unaware of the exports and it had controlled foreign sales of dual-use goods in line with Chinas own laws and international obligations, while opposing the sanctions.

Early on Thursday morning, Russian forces staged the latest in a series of mass aerial strikes on Ukraines Black Sea port of Odesa. The citys historic centre  a Unesco world heritage site  was hit, said Oleh Kiper, the regional governor. Pictures showed the historic Privoz market on fire.

An oil facility burned at Sirius, south of Sochi in Russias Krasnodar region, after a Ukrainian strike early on Thursday morning. A Russian official confirmed a drone hit the facility. Russias Rosaviatsia aviation authority said operations were also suspended at Sochis nearby airport for about four hours. Emergency officials in Russias Krasnodar region said debris from a falling drone struck and killed a woman in the Adler district where the airport is located. Further Ukrainian drone strikes deep inside Russia appeared to be taking place.

Ukrainian prosecutors earlier said Russian forces injured a man, 61, when they shelled the Kharkiv regional village of Petro-Ivanivka; and injured a 75-year-old woman and a 79-year-old man when they struck the city of Kupyansk. The attacks were reported late on Tuesday night.

The European Council president, Antonio Costa, urged China to use its influence with Russia to help end the Ukraine war, as EU chiefs met the Chinese president, Xi Jinping, in Beijing on Thursday. As a permanent member of United Nations security council, we call on China to use its influence on Russia to respect the United Nations charter and to bring an end  [to the] war of aggression against Ukraine.

Russia and Ukraine discussed further prisoner swaps on Wednesday at a brief session of peace talks in Istanbul, but the sides remained far apart on ceasefire terms and a possible meeting of their leaders. Ukraines chief delegate, Rustem Umerov, said after talks that lasted just 40 minutes that Ukraine had proposed a meeting before the end of August between Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the Russian president, Vladimir Putin. By agreeing to this proposal, Russia can clearly demonstrate its constructive approach.

Russias chief delegate, Vladimir Medinsky, said the point of a leaders meeting should be to sign an agreement, not to discuss everything from scratch. He renewed Moscows call for a series of short ceasefires of 24-48 hours to enable the retrieval of bodies. Ukraine says it wants an immediate and much longer ceasefire.

Ukraine brought home a new group of prisoners of war from Russia on Wednesday, Zelenskyy said, saying it took to more than 1,000 the number of returning soldiers as agreed at talks in Turkey. The servicemen who are returning today defended Ukraine in different sectors of the front, he said. A significant number spent more than three years as prisoners. All are receiving key support and medical assistance.
Oasis band members Noel Gallagher and Liam Gallagher (PA Wire)

Oasis fans are flocking to the capital in anticipation of the bands next gig  the first in London for almost two decades.

On Friday (July 25) the Gallagher brothers will take to the stage in London for the first time in 16 years, playing Wembley Stadium.

And fans will be able to stock up on everything from bucket hats and t-shirts to the bands Adidas collab range so they look the part in the crowd.

Noel and Liam Gallagher, who famously fell out for over 15 years, surprised fans last year by confirming that the iconic band would reunite for a tour, performing at various UK venues and in North and South America, Asia and Australia.

Now, Oasis Live 25 is about to hit London.

Opening dates of the Oasis pop-up stores:



Cardiff - 26th June

London & Birmingham - 8th July Edinburgh & Dublin - 4th August pic.twitter.com/tKjaUIvheN  Oasis Mania (@OasisMania) June 22, 2025

So, where can fans buy the official Oasis merch?

Where to find Oasis Live 25 pop-up stores

Oasis pop-up stores have opened around the UK and Ireland in line with the upcoming Oasis gigs.

In London, Oasiss pop-up store can be found on Carnaby Street, having opened on July 8.

Elsewhere, a Manchester store opened in Spinningfields on June 20 while shops in Edinburgh and Dublin will be present from August 4.

Queues are expected, so the bands website does recommend booking your slot in advance.

What can you buy at Oasis Live 25 pop-up stores

The Manchester merch store, spread across two floors, is absolutely brimming with everything an Oasis fan could want. From reusable branded Chillys bottles, to branded mugs and pint glasses, to jigsaws, babygrows and Zippo lighters.

According to the Manchester Evening News, a denim jacket costs 75, and T-shirts start at around 35. The Adidas collab range, which includes clothing items, is also stocked in the pop-up store.

Fans can also get their hands on various collectables and limited edition items, including albums and artwork.

Will there be merch at the live events?

There will be official merch on sale on the night at Oasiss upcoming gigs.

But the pop-up stores give you the chance to skip the queues on the night and get your gear ahead of time.
After nearly two decades the worlds tiniest snake has been rediscovered.

The Barbados threadsnake was previously featured on a list of 4,800 plant, animal and fungi species described as lost to science  having last been seen in 2006.

The tiny reptile is blind, burrows in the ground, eats termites and ants and lays one single, slender egg. Fully grown it only measures up to four inches.

Due to the lengthy time without being seen, scientists previously feared the Barbados threadsnake had become extinct. It has only been seen a handful of times since 1889.

But those fear were allayed by Connor Blades, a project officer with the Ministry of Environment in Barbados, one morning in March this year, while out searching a tiny forest in the eastern Caribbean island.

A Barbados threadsnake was found by scientist Connor Blades earlier this year, having not been seen for nearly 20 years and feared extinct (Connor Blades/Re:wild via AP)

After a year of searching, you begin to get a little pessimistic, Blades said.

The snake is too tiny to identify with the naked eye, and can fit comfortably on a coin. Blades placed the reptile in a small glass jar and added soil, substrate and leaf litter before heading to a lab to double check his find.

It was a struggle, Blades said, adding that he shot a video of the snake and finally identified it thanks to a still image. I tried to keep a level head.

The Barbados threadsnake  which has pale yellow dorsal lines running through its body, and eyes located on the side of its head  may often be confused for a Brahminy blind snake, also known as the flower pot snake, which is a bit longer and has no dorsal lines.

The Re:wild conservation group, which is collaborating with the local environment ministry, announced the rediscovery of the Barbados threadsnake Wednesday.

The tiny reptile is blind, burrows in the ground, eats termites and ants and lays one single, slender egg. Fully grown it only measures up to four inches (Connor Blades)

The Barbados threadsnake  which has pale yellow dorsal lines running through its body, and eyes located on the side of its head  may often be confused for a Brahminy blind snake, also known as the flower pot snake (Connor Blades)

Rediscovering one of our endemics on many levels is significant, said Justin Springer, Caribbean program officer for Re:wild who helped rediscover the snake along with Blades.

It reminds us that we still have something important left that plays an important role in our ecosystem.

Theyre very cryptic, Blades added. You can do a survey for a number of hours, and even if they are there, you may actually not see them.

The first person to identify the Barbados threadsnake as its own species was S. Blair Hedges, a professor at Temple University and director of its center for biology. In 2008, Hedges discovery was published in a scientific journal, with the snake named Tetracheilostoma carlae, in honor of his wife.

The Re:wild conservation group, which is collaborating with the local environment ministry, announced the rediscovery of the Barbados threadsnake Wednesday (Connor Blades/ Re:Wild)

I spent days searching for them, Hedges recalled. Based on my observations and the hundreds of rocks, objects that I turned over looking for this thing without success, I do think it is a rare species.

At that time, in June 2006, there were only three other such specimens known at the time: two at a London museum and a third at a museum collection in California that was wrongly identified as being from Antigua instead of Barbados, Hedges said.

Hedges said he didnt realize he had collected a new species until he did a genetic analysis. The aha moment was in the laboratory, he said, noting that the discovery established the Barbados threadsnake as the worlds smallest-known snake.

Scientists hope the rediscovery means that the Barbados threadsnake could become a champion for the protection of wildlife habitat.
Police accompany a protest march from outside Eppings Bell hotel, where refugees are being housed, to the civic centre where a council meeting was due to take place. Photograph: Sean Smith/The Guardian

Yvette Cooper has condemned Reform UK for criticising the policing of protests outside a hotel for asylum seekers.

The home secretary said officers deserved public support instead because they kept the country safe.

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform, called for Ben-Julian Harrington, the chief constable of Essex, to resign after his force escorted anti-fascist protesters through a crowd of people demonstrating against migrants.

But Cooper said: The police do a really important job across our country keeping people safe. It is really important frankly that people support our police rather than just attacking them continually.

As we have seen, Reform is one day calling for chief constables to resign, the next it is attacking women police officers who are out on our streets every single day of the week.

Farage has repeatedly weighed into the debate about the Epping migrant hotel and said this week: Hard-left groups, Stand Up to Racism and Antifa, were given the red carpet treatment by Essex police, with the force literally escorting and bussing masked thugs to and from the protest. They have been caught red-handed helping to light the fuse that led to violence.

Harrington said Reforms claims were categorically wrong and that officers had organised a cordon around activists exercising their right to protest.

Dal Babu, a former chief superintendent for the Metropolitan police, said Farages claims were wrong and he should correct the public record amid rising tensions.

British values mean if a politician makes a mistake, they put their hand up and acknowledge it. He knows it is false, Babu said.

On Thursday, Epping Forest district council unanimously voted to support a motion calling for the immediate closure of the Bell hotel for the purpose of asylum processing and for the managed closure of the Phoenix hotel. The vote was non-binding and purely symbolic.

During the meeting Chris Whitbread, the leader of the council, reiterated that the local authority had no say on the use of the hotels and the decision was up to the Home Office, who he accused of not being overly cooperative when safeguarding concerns were raised.

Hundreds of protesters, including many women and children, began marching from Epping town centre to the hotel at about 6pm in heavy rain. A ramped-up police operation included fences and a ban on the wearing of facial coverings.

An 18-year-old man was arrested for breaching a section 60AA order, which prevents anyone wearing a face covering.

Police have arrested 17 people in total over protests in Epping.

Activists from the far-right Homeland group were behind an Epping Says No! Facebook group that has been behind much of the promotion of the protests. Members of Patriotic Alternative and White Vanguard have also been involved.

While politicians have largely stayed away from the protest, two Reform councillors were present outside the Epping hotel last week, including James Regan who claimed in an interview that theyre trying to dilute the Englishness out of us.

The Guardian also found evidence that a Reform official shared a platform in Epping with an agitator from Homeland.

In last years summer riots, Keir Starmer, the prime minister, called out far-right thuggery and pledged to bring those involved to justice.

However, the business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, said on Thursday that many of the Epping protesters were upset for legitimate reasons.

Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, told the cabinet earlier this week that immigration and deprivation were among the main factors causing public disenchantment with politicians.

There is already a taskforce on community cohesion, informed by experts and officials, while a 1.5bn plan for neighbourhoods aims to invest in 75 deprived areas over the next decade.

Some Labour MPs are concerned that political and media language about the UK being on the brink of social unrest may be raising tensions rather than encouraging cohesion.

Stella Creasy, the Labour MP for Walthamstow, said on Thursday that if people were unsettled by the political and press debate around immigration, law and order, the idea that there could be race riots again, you are completely right to be concerned because this discussion in itself is raising fear and uncertainty and tension.

She added: It is dividing us and feeding this myth that Britain is a nation that cannot manage diversity rather than one that draws strength from it.

Brendan Cox, whose wife, Jo, a Labour MP, was murdered by a far-right extremist, said the UK needed a longer-term strategy on social cohesion.

There is a set of local concerns around this in Epping and its also true that these are being co-opted and used by elements of the far right, said Cox, who is the convener of an independent commission on community.

Its no surprise that happens when there are these kind of festering legitimate concerns and successive governments are seen to not act on those.

But the broad point Id make is that weve published a report about there being a tinderbox  and I think whats really clear is that we dont really have any long-term cohesion strategy at all.

Nick Lowles, of the Hope not Hate campaign group, said: We are concerned that policing has not caught up with the new post-organisation nature of the far right, where individuals can emerge and play a role on social media and inciting or directing violence, without ever being a member of a far-right organisation.

The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know.

If you have something to share on this subject you can contact us confidentially using the following methods.

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If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select Secure Messaging.

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David Blunkett, the Labour peer and former home secretary, said that policing unrest fuelled by the far right was always difficult but the key was specialist dog-trained police units and an online understanding of what they are doing  as well as the Home Office involving MI5 at an early stage.

The Epping protest was sparked by the charging of Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 38-year-old asylum seeker, with sexual assault over allegedly trying to kiss a girl of 14. He denied the charge at Chelmsford magistrates court and will stand trial next month.

A Reform official would not answer questions about sharing a platform with the far right or about Coopers claims that the party should back the police.

Instead the spokesperson said the Guardian cares more about attacking Reform UK than defending young girls who are being abused by illegal boat migrants.
Want to know how to spot an American abroad? Ask a European.

As someone who works closely with American clients through destination weddings and food tours, Ive picked up on quite a few telltale signs, Portuguese tour guide and food critic Carol Batista told HuffPost.

From coffee orders to outfit choices to general vibes, many different kinds of signals can indicate someone is from the U.S. While some are endearing, others might raise more than a few eyebrows.

I try to avoid generalizations  a Brooklyn creative wont travel the same way as someone from Texas or the Midwest, said Stephanie Pons, the founder of Lisbon Insiders. But there is a shared sense of optimism, confidence and curiosity.

Below, find 23 signs that someone is American, according to Batista, Pons and other Europeans.

Comfort-First Fashion

Youll often see Americans in athleisure, sneakers, baseball caps or hoodies, even when traveling, which is often a contrast to more polished local fashion in such European destinations like Italy, for example. Jane Iskra, Iceland-based elopement photographer at ISKRA Photography

That unwavering confidence of walking into a centuries-old basilica dressed like you just left a reformer Pilates class. Think: athletic leggings, oversized hoodie and maybe  just maybe  sandals with socks. Practical? Extremely. Contextual? Not quite.  Luli Monteleone, Lisbon-based digital marketing specialist

Big Spending Habits

At supermarkets or stores abroad, Americans often buy in bulk or stock up more than locals, who tend to shop daily.  Iskra

Americans love to spend  and often do so more generously than other nationalities. But they also like to feel theyre getting great value in return. I would say that mix of enthusiasm and practicality is very American. Coming from a country with much higher wages, they sometimes dont realize how large the gap is. For example, in Portugal, the average monthly salary is about 1,100  (~$1,250), so what feels affordable to them can seem extravagant to locals.  Batista

On The Hunt For Iced Coffee

The iced coffee hunt. Even in the middle of winter  and ideally in a 500ml cup. Theres a kind of dedication there that I honestly admire.  Monteleone

I would say if they have a drink with lots of ice (either water, or iced coffee).  Steffi Crivellaro, U.K.-based blogger at Steffi Daydreamer

From coffee orders to outfit choices to general vibes, there are many different kinds of signals that can indicate someone is from the U.S. Maskot via Getty Images

Loud Confidence

One of the biggest indications is usually that you can hear them before you see them. Its not necessarily that theyre loud, but they command attention wherever they are, which also leans into how confidence is built in America. I have often found that Americans are very confident. Even if it does not come naturally to each individual, they seem to have been conditioned or taught to be confident which means they tend to take up space wherever they are.  Ronke Lawal, PR and communications consultant in LondonAmericans tend to find everything amazing, and theyre not shy about saying so  out loud and often. They speak with a volume thats just slightly above local norms, even when whispering. And in a world where many cultures lean toward discretion, that kind of openness stands out.  PonsStanley Cups

Reusable Stanley-style coffee mugs are a giveaway  they seem to go everywhere with them, even when traveling!  IskraCarrying a Stanley or huge water bottle.  CrivellaroLarge Engagement Rings

The big, sparkly engagement ring tradition is very American. In some countries, engagement rings arent as flashy or arent even a thing sometimes.  IskraJumping Straight Into English

Its not the accent  its the cheerful assumption that English will always do the job. Most locals do speak it, but trying a simple ciao or bonjour tends to unlock a different kind of experience. Its a small gesture, but it changes everything.  MonteleoneSeeking Air Conditioning

In the summer, Italians love to stay outdoors: The squares fill up, and the outdoor tables are always the most desired. Americans, on the other hand, almost always choose the indoor spaces with air conditioning. For them, climate comfort is an absolute priority.  Diana De Lorenzi, Rome-based lifestyle bloggerAmericans are notoriously hot all the time and expect lots of air conditioning and ice when they travel, two things that arent so easy to come by in Italy!  Livia Hengel, founder of The Italy EditWarmth And Friendliness

Ive traveled extensively in the U.S., and if theres one thing Ive consistently noticed, its their amazing ability to start a conversation: openly, spontaneously, as if they already knew the person in front of them. It can be quite disconcerting for us Europeans, but its a deeply rooted part of their culture. In France in particular, this kind of attitude is sometimes seen as insincere or self-serving. But Ive always defended it, I actually find it refreshing to have even a short exchange with someone who is smiling, warm and quick to compliment your outfit or haircut. Personally, I love good energy, and I take the good where I find it. Kenza Sadoun-El Glaoui, Parisian digital creatorIn Ireland, people are known for their friendliness, but we dont have a patch of the Americans. They say hello to everyone, they chat to locals, they ask questions and its lovely to see. Theres a sort of genuine, open, curiosity about an American abroad that I, personally, find very endearing. Tara Povey, blogger at Where Is Tara?Genuine Enthusiasm

Americans are often very expressive  big smiles, open curiosity, confident energy. And when they feel theyve been well taken care of, theyre incredibly grateful. Ive had food tour guests react like it was Christmas morning just because of a market tasting or a pastry theyd never tried before, and a bride bringing me a full suitcase with gym clothes as a souvenir from LA  and its truly heartwarming.  BatistaMy partner Luca Veralli is a master gelato maker, and his gelato has been awarded by Gambero Rosso. Every time an American tourist tastes it, they always  without fail  say the same phrase: Oh my God! For us, its a joy. They say it with genuine enthusiasm that truly makes us happy. But its funny how this exclamation is almost always identical, as if it were a ritual.  De LorenziGenerous Tipping

One immediate giveaway is that American travelers are generous tippers  even though the U.S. is one of the only countries in the world where a 20%-plus tip is expected as the norm. On the other hand, with average salaries nearly double those in Italy, tipping makes sense and is a great way to show appreciation for good service, especially in places where its not expected.  HengelAmerica has a very generous tipping culture unlike any other country Ive ever visited. When Americans travel outside the U.S., leaving large tips is a sure sign of where they are from. In Ireland and most of Europe we only leave tips if the service or the food has been particularly good and servers definitely do not expect or rely upon tips.  PoveyPaying By Credit Card

Americans always pay by card, even for very small amounts like a 1 euro espresso. This is another cultural difference we see every day.  De LorenziWide Smiles And Perfect Teeth

Americans are known for having great dental care and wide, confident smiles. Smiles and perfect teeth are often one of the first giveaways.  IskraFull Of Compliments

Ive always found Americans to be sweet and genuine! I can especially tell when a woman is American because shell go out of her way to give me a compliment, and its usually thoughtful and specific. It happens multiple times a day whenever Im traveling in the States, and Ive never experienced that kind of spontaneous kindness anywhere else in the world. Kelsey Heinrichs, blogger at Kelsey in LondonWanting To Customize Everything

Theres a kind of customization instinct  asking for dressing on the side, almond milk in the cappuccino, or a dinner reservation at 6 p.m. (which still feels like mid-afternoon in Portugal). I see it as a reflection of their strong sense of personal agency, the belief that services can and should adapt to you, not the other way around.  Pons

Several people HuffPost interviewed pointed to genuine enthusiasm and friendliness as common traits in Americans. lechatnoir via Getty Images

Saying Like All The Time

The overuse of the word like  especially with people from LA. Sometimes youll hear like eight times in a single sentence! Its a casual, filler-filled way of speaking, and of course theres the unmistakable clarity of American English.  BatistaSaying things like awesome, you guys or the ever-present filler word like always catches my ear with a 99% probability I hear it from an American.  IskraLimited Geographic Knowledge

A general lack of geographical knowledge is a sure sign. Americans tend to refer to any country in Europe as Europe, as if we are all the same. There is a huge difference between Norway and France, theyre completely incomparable. Referring to us all under one sweeping term of Europe or Europeans is sort of ridiculous. I once met an American man who asked me where I was from. When I told him I was from Ireland he said that he had just been visiting my neighbors. I assumed that he must mean the United Kingdom (which I could understand). However, he then declared that he had visited Italy. Needless to say, neither Italy nor Ireland would ever refer to each other as neighbors. It would take 27 hours to drive from Dublin to Rome. Thats the equivalent of Miami to Minneapolis. Florida and Minnesota are not neighbors.  PoveyCappuccino With Dinner

If someone asks for a cappuccino with pasta or pizza and also at dinner, you can be sure: They are an American tourist. Its a cultural habit that always makes us smile because for us Italians, cappuccino is a morning ritual, part of breakfast, but its nice to see how every culture experiences food in its own way.  De LorenziDifferent Portion Size Expectations

I notice this a lot during food tours  Americans are frequently surprised by how small European portions can be (while we are shocked when we see of their portions). Ive heard more than once Wait, this is for one person? and its always funny.  BatistaFast-Moving Itineraries

Ive been to Europe often means a whirlwind through Paris, London and Rome in under two weeks. Honestly, impressive cardio  but also, you just missed the good bakery next door. And truthfully? Europes charm often lives in the quieter, slower corners.  MonteleoneQuick To Talk About Heritage

Rushing to include their ancestry in an opening conversation. Dont get me wrong, I love that Americans are so enthusiastic about their heritage, and it certainly does wonders for Irelands tourism industry. However, they are the only country that does it. Never have I met anyone from outside the U.S. who has launched into their grandparents origin story when we have just been introduced. While charming, its definitely a telltale sign that someone is from the U.S.  PoveyLove Of Rick Steves Guidebooks

In Reykjavik, I immediately pick out Americans out of the bunch because they explore the country using Rick Steves Iceland as their compass. Not Lonely Planet. Or Fodors. Or even a local source. Good ol American Rick Steves  who I met in person when I was his local guide in Reykjavik and is as Merican as they come. Im sure other nations use guidebooks too but Americans carry Rick with pride. Not tucked away in their backpack, ashamed of getting caught with something as gauche as a guidebook, but loud and proud. Out in the open. Auur Osp Olafsdottir, Iceland-based marketing professionalThat Intangible American Vibe

As someone who works across lifestyle and hospitality in Europe, I often find myself noticing subtle (and not-so-subtle) clues that someone is American. The most obvious is the accent, but beyond that, theres a specific energy thats easy to spot.  PonsI somehow pick Americans out of a crowd, but I cant put my finger on how. Its something about how theyre built and how theyre dressed  I really cant articulate it. Theyre just so essentially American that their Americanness shines, even in a culture where youd think it would be harder to pick them out. Once upon a time, I think Americans just walked around with a certain air of confidence about them. They were proudly American, and you could tell in the way they walk. Nowadays many conversations with Americans start with apologies. Their once-proud stance has been replaced with slightly hunched shoulders. Like theyre aware that tolerance for American politics is wavering around the world and they dont want to take up too much space. But its still something about how Americans walk in the world that makes them recognizable.  Osp OlafsdottirResponses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.

Related...
Time doesn't ask for permission. Places that once felt untouched have slowly transformed as years passed and people began to arrive in larger numbers. Thanks to photography, its easier to compare what used to be with what is now.

Moulin Rouge, Paris, France (1900  2016)

Credit: re.photos

The cabaret opened in 1889, near Montmartre, and became famous for can-can dancing. In 1900, locals filled the venue, and most visitors were from within Paris. It has since become a commercialized tourist magnet with scheduled shows, reserved seats, and prices starting at around 87 for entry alone.

Mont Saint-Michel, France (1908  2016)

Credit: re.photos

Located in Normandy, this tidal island was once reachable only during low tide on foot or by cart. The 2016 update features a man-made causeway, completed in 2014, that prevents erosion and provides all-day access. Mont Saint-Michel receives more than 3 million visitors a year, despite having fewer than 50 residents.

Martin Luther Statue, Dresden, Germany (1958  2014)

Credit: re.photos

After World War II, Dresdens Frauenkirche lay in rubble, with only this statue left upright in the town square. The reconstruction effort lasted from 1994 to 2005, with funding partly provided by donations from around the world. By 2014, both the statue and the rebuilt church had become central to Dresdens old town.

Nantes, France (1890  2013)

Credit: thescroller

Riverboats once shared the Erdre with fishermen and washerwomen. Narrow bridges and 19th-century buildings framed a quieter life. Public investment has transformed Nantes into a model for sustainable green infrastructure.

Poznan, Poland (1945  2017)

Credit: re.photos

Post-war Poznan was heavily damaged, with significant bombing during the 1945 Battle of Poznan. The image from that year shows crumbling tram infrastructure and ruined facades. Surprisingly, the same street had become a thriving urban zone in 2017.

Reichstag, Germany (1945  2012)

Credit: re.photos

After being captured by the Soviets in 1945, the Reichstag was left severely damaged for decades. Reconstruction began in the 1990s and included Norman Fosters famous glass dome. By 2012, over 2 million people visited the dome yearly. Today, it houses the German Bundestag and symbolizes post-war political unity in Berlin.

Seljestadjuvet, Odda, Norway (1887  2014)

Credit: re.photos

This scenic mountain pass, located along Route 13 in western Norway, was barely navigable in the late 1800s. The 2014 version shows a much-improved highway with added safety rails and rest stops. Its now a key stretch of the Norwegian Scenic Routes.

Pripyat, Ukraine (1986  2016)

Credit: re.photos

Founded in 1970 to house Chernobyl workers, Pripyat had a population of over 49,000 residents before the 1986 disaster. Now, its within the Exclusion Zone, which remains under tight control. The 2016 image shows decayed buildings, broken pavement, and overgrown trees. Controlled tourism began in 2011.

Prague, Czech Republic (1910  2020)

Credit: thescroller

Gaslamps lit Pragues winding streets while trams rattled past suited men and women in long coats. Cars now line the same cobblestones, and shopfronts display souvenir mugs and postcards. The architecture has lasted, but the rhythm of local life has given way to the pace of a European tourist capital.

Chaney Glacier, USA (1911  2005)

Credit: re.photos

In Montanas Glacier National Park, Chaney Glacier has shrunk dramatically over the past century. In 1911, it covered a wide swath of the mountain. It had visibly receded by 2005. As of today, fewer than 25 active glaciers remain in the park, down from about 150 in the late 1800s.

Brandenburg Gate Area, Berlin, Germany (1945  2023)

Credit: re.photos/Wikimedia Commons

Brandenburg Gate stood in ruins after World War II, surrounded by wreckage and silence. Nearly 80 years later, the square teems with life, and pedestrians stroll where tanks once rolled. Restored buildings and clean boulevards now frame Berlins most iconic monument.

Osnabruck, Germany (1904  2016)

Credit: re.photos

Osnabrucks city center preserved its medieval layout despite damage during World War II. The 1904 photo shows cobbled streets and a slower pace of life. By 2016, the same area had adapted to modern needs, featuring bike lanes, public transport stops, and energy-efficient lighting, while still centered around centuries-old buildings.

Nowomiejska Street, odz, Poland (1874  2016)

Credit: re.photos

In 1874, Nowomiejska Street was lined with tenement houses and horse-drawn carriages. odz experienced rapid growth during the Industrial Revolution, and today, this street combines preserved architecture with newer commercial spaces. Streetcars run along refurbished tracks, and festivals often take place here as part of odzs annual Light Move Festival.

Eiffel Tower, Paris, France (1910  2016)

Credit: re.photos

In 1910, the Eiffel Tower stood relatively isolated, with few fences or heavy foot traffic. By 2016, it attracted over 7 million visitors per year. Enhanced security, regulated queues, and glass barriers were introduced to protect the site. Despite modernization, the Tower remains the citys most iconic structure.

York, England (1865  2015)

Credit: thescroller

The Micklegate Bar entrance to York in 1865 had no modern signage, just horse-drawn carriages and cobbled stones. In 2015, traffic lights, street paint, and vehicles were part of the same view. While the arch remains unchanged, the practice of hanging traitors' heads from its gate is long retiredfortunately.

Engabreen Glacier, Norway (1889  2010)

Credit: re.photos

A century ago, Engabreens ice reached down into the valley. Since then, vegetation has taken over most of that space. This glacier, part of the Svartisen Ice Cap, has one of the fastest retreat rates in mainland Norway. Tourists now hike to its foot or take guided tunnel tours beneath it.

Szyperska Street, Poznan, Poland (2006  2017)

Credit: re.photos

Once home to storage buildings and warehouses, this street experienced rapid gentrification. The 2006 photo captures its industrial past, while 2017 reveals modern apartments and cafes. Today, Szyperska connects two central neighborhoods and is popular with professionals and university students for its walkability and central location.

Rysstad, Norway (1888  2013)

Credit: re.photos

Inside the Setesdal Valley, Rysstad was a remote farming village in the 19th century. Its 1888 image shows homes built from timber, surrounded by steep mountain slopes. Paved roads and vacation cabins replaced some farmland in 2013. The town is now a stop along the scenic Norwegian Route 9.

Marcin Street, Poznan, Poland (1945  2017)

Credit: re.photos

Marcin Street was unrecognizable after WWII, with nearly every building damaged. In recent decades, it was redesigned with pedestrian walkways, new lighting, and restored facades. The street now hosts art installations and festivals.

Paris, France (1900  2017)

Credit: re.photos

In 1900, wide boulevards were filled with horse-drawn omnibuses and early cars. The 2017 scene includes electric buses, shared bikes, and densely packed sidewalks. Classic Haussmann buildings are unchanged, but the ground-level experience is louder, more crowded, and built around navigating constant foot traffic and modern transport networks.

Hammerfest, Norway (1889  2004)

Credit: re.photos

Known as the northernmost town in the world, Hammerfest had under 2,000 residents in 1889. Fishing dominated its economy. By 2004, it had a cruise port, improved housing, and better infrastructure. The town is now a starting point for arctic expeditions and a place to see the Northern Lights.

St. Matthew Evangelical Church, odz, Poland (1937  2017)

Credit: re.photos

Built in the early 20th century, this neo-Gothic church remained structurally intact even during WWII. The 1937 view shows quiet, open space. In 2017, it was surrounded by cars and apartment buildings. Though still a functioning church, its now more a backdrop to the urban rhythm than a focal point.

Eiffel Tower and Globe Celeste, Paris, France (1900  2016)

Credit: re.photos

The 1900 Worlds Fair included the enormous Globe Celeste, a 45-meter-diameter structure showing the solar system. It stood next to the Eiffel Tower for only a few months. In the 2016 photo, it's long gone. The area is now filled with tourists, buskers, and digital ticket kiosks.

Chichen Itza, Mexico (1892  2020)

Credit: re.photos

The 1892 image shows El Castillo covered in vegetation and partially buried. Extensive archaeological work had cleared the structure in 2020 to reveal its sharp geometry. Its now visited by over 2.6 million people annually and is one of Mexicos most photographed landmarks, though climbing the pyramid has been banned since 2006.

Main and Delaware, Kansas City, Missouri (1906  2015)

Credit: thescroller

Horse-drawn wagons once shared the street with electric trolleys under overhead wires. A century later, that same Kansas City corner feels anonymous. Urban renewal projects flattened much of the character. Office buildings and surface parking lots replaced the dense mix of signage, storefronts, and layers of daily life that once defined it.

Seattle, Washington (2016  2024)

Credit: thescroller

In 2016, the Alaskan Way Viaduct cut off the Seattle waterfront from the city. After its removal, the 2024 version shows parks, paths, and people walking beside Elliott Bay. The demolition, completed in 2019, transformed the entire waterfront into a more livable and scenic area near Pike Place Market.

Curecanti Needle, Colorado (1880s  2024)

Credit: thescroller

Once photographed in sepia tones alongside narrow-gauge railroad tracks, the Curecanti Needle now overlooks Blue Mesa Reservoir. In 2024, the region offers activities such as kayaking, fishing, and hiking. The man-made reservoir beneath it, completed in the 1960s, dramatically changed the area's appearance while also bringing tourism and water recreation.

Hollywood Sign, Los Angeles, California (1920s  2024)

Credit: thescroller

This hillside sign, originally reading Hollywoodland, was built in 1923 to advertise a real estate development. By 2024, it simply said Hollywood and overlooks a city packed with tourists. The letters were rebuilt in steel in 1978 with funds from donors including Hugh Hefner and Alice Cooper.

Abraham Lincolns Home, Springfield, Illinois (1861  2021)

Credit: thescroller

This humble residence hasnt changed much in appearance since the day Lincoln departed for Washington. While other parts of Springfield have modernized, the home remains preserved to mid-19th-century standards. Visitors walk through its rooms and along a carefully restored street, surrounded by interpretive signs and fencing that guards against wear and tear.

Hiroshima, Japan (1945  2020)

Credit: thescroller

Once a wasteland of twisted steel and scorched earth, Hiroshima now buzzes with commuters, schoolchildren, and light rail. The Genbaku Dome still stands near Peace Memorial Park, a reminder of devastation amid renewal. The city was rebuilt with input from citizens who insisted the world never forget what happened there.

Flatiron Building, New York City (1917  2012)

Credit: thescroller

Trolleys once curved around its sharp corner while paperboys called out headlines nearby. Flash forward nearly a hundred years, and yellow taxis replaced the trolleys, with food carts and tourists filling the sidewalks. Though dwarfed by newer towers, the Flatiron still holds its iconic spot at the tip of Madison Square.

New York Skyline Bench View (1957  2021)

Credit: thescroller

The wooden bench hasn't moved, but the skyline has exploded behind it. In the 1950s, only a few prominent buildings rose beyond the East River. Now, it's a forest of glass and steel. People still sit and stare, and the view has become one of the citys most photographed contrasts.

Mount Tom Trolley, Holyoke, Massachusetts (1905  2021)

Credit: thescroller

Riders once boarded trolleys to ascend Mount Tom, passing through wooded slopes to reach a summit house offering panoramic views. Those tracks disappeared long ago, replaced by hiking trails and rusted supports into the underbrush. The forest reclaimed the rails, but memories linger in historical photos and park signage.

Greenpoint, Brooklyn, New York (1916  2021)

Credit: thescroller

In the early 20th century, Greenpoint was a blue-collar district with mom-and-pop shops and factory smokestacks. The area has since shifted. Old tenement houses are designed as lofts, and warehouse fronts advertise espresso instead of engine grease. The bones remain, but the lifestyle, income, culture, and rhythm couldnt be more different.

Chernobyl Control Room, Ukraine (1986  2021)

Credit: thescroller

Once the nerve center of Reactor No. 4, this room pulsed with blinking lights and humming circuits. Its silence now is deafening. Walls are peeling, buttons sit rusted in place, and hazard tape marks the path for guided tours. Decay has taken hold, and curiosity draws thousands each year under strict oversight.

Stonehenge, England (1877  2019)

Credit: thescroller

A century ago, the stones lay uneven in a field grazed by sheep. There were no ropes or ticket booths. That isolation is gone. Access roads, fencing, and visitor facilities keep foot traffic in check. Restoration efforts realigned fallen monoliths.

Dallas, Texas (2001  2021)

Credit: thescroller

Office towers once dominated a sparse skyline; now they compete with sleek residential high-rises and LED-lit arenas. Development in Uptown and Deep Ellum brought new nightlife and public spaces. The citys population has surged, and with it, the demand for denser, more vertical neighborhoods that reflect rapid urban growth.

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada (1960s  2023)

Credit: Facebook

The Julius Executive Duplex Suite lobby, as featured in 1968, showcased gold-trimmed mirrors and plush seating. Caesars Palace has continuously evolved since its opening in 1966, now offering over 3,900 rooms and drawing millions of visitors annually.

Owl Cigars Corner, Kansas City, Missouri (1959  2025)

Credit: Reddit

This busy Kansas City corner once featured Owl Cigars signage and tightly packed buildings. These days, though, many older structures have been replaced with modern office blocks. The historic look is gone, but street names and public records still preserve the character of what was once a bustling crossroads.

Chester, Massachusetts (1892  2024)

Credit: thescroller

The 1892 photo of Chester features a modest New England church and a dirt road with a single tree canopy. The church remains today, but the surrounding area is now filled with homes, and the trees are leafless. The main street still echoes the town's rural past, despite its growth.

Wuppertal, Germany (1993  2019)

Credit: thescroller

This former public bathhouse had fallen out of use by the early 1990s. In 2019, it reopened as a brewery and beer hall, combining local history with modern business. Original tiles, pillars, and some signage were left intact and provided visitors with a glimpse of both its past and its transformation.

The Pines, Fallsburg, New York (1950s  2020s)

Credit: thescroller

Once a staple of Jewish-American vacation culture, The Pines is now one of many abandoned resorts in the region. The 1950s image depicts packed lounge chairs and families enjoying the sun at a Catskills resort pool. In the 2020s, overgrown grass and cracked concrete dominate the scene.

Singapore Skyline (2000  2020)

Credit: Reddit

In 2000, the Marina Bay skyline was sparse, with only a few scattered towers. Today, Marina Bay Sands, the ArtScience Museum, and dozens of skyscrapers fill the horizon. Singapores transformation occurred rapidly, driven by its position as a global financial and tourism hub in Southeast Asia.

Manhattan Bridge, New York City (1908  2021)

Credit: thescroller

When construction was still underway in 1908, this view showed a partially built Manhattan Bridge towering above tenements. In 2021, the same spot was surrounded by tourists taking Instagram shots. The bridge itself hasnt changed much, but the culture around it has turned the location into a digital postcard.

Krakow, Poland (1939  2010s)

Credit: thescroller

In 1939, trams and vintage cars moved slowly along cobblestone roads. Today, Krakow has a modern tram system and repaved streets, while preserving much of its original layout. The old town remains largely intact, protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and attracting millions of visitors each year.

Australias Wonderland, Sydney (2003  2017)

Credit: thescroller

This amusement park, once filled with swimmers and rollercoaster fans, shut down in 2004 due to declining profits. The 2017 image shows crumbling water slides and overgrown pools. It was once the largest amusement park in the Southern Hemisphere. Nothing has replaced it, though nostalgia groups push for its revival.

Karl Johan Street, Oslo, Norway (1899  2007)

Credit: re.photos

The 1899 photo shows pedestrians walking on unpaved streets toward the Royal Palace. Come 2007, the same path was filled with buses, flower stalls, and wide sidewalks. It remains Oslos main boulevard, with events, parades, and daily tourism concentrated around its cafes and historic buildings.

Central Park, New York: Fifth Avenue and 65th/66th Streets (1904  2021)

Credit: thescroller

Central Parks eastern edge near Fifth Avenue once welcomed horse-drawn carriages and uniformed drivers in 1904. Over a hundred years later, it had transformed into a modern entrance filled with joggers, cyclists, and tourists. Though the skyline behind it has soared, the parks gate still offers a pause from Manhattans constant motion.

Rudolstadt Marktstrae 54 Amtsgericht, Germany (1906  2015)

Credit: thescroller

In 1906, Rudolstadts Marktstrae 54, home to the Amtsgericht (district court), featured ornate facades and a charming cobblestone atmosphere lit by gaslight. By 2015, the building stood renovated with cleaner lines and updated windows, yet retained its historic silhouette. The surrounding street now combines courtly heritage with everyday foot traffic and small local businesses.
Dewey Yopp, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer, was sent to Afghanistan in 2002 to train up a new Afghan army during the early days of the war in Afghanistan. He met Amir, his then-18-year-old Afghan translator, at the airport on his first day there, and says Amir went on to save his life four times.

"Amir dragged me, under fire, to a medevac point," Yopp told CBS News of one of those instances.

After the U.S. withdrew from the country in 2021, Yopp scrambled to get Amir a special immigrant visa for Afghan allies. Amir asked CBS News to conceal his real name for safety reasons.



"If someone saves your life, your souls are bound together for eternity," Yopp said. "He's like a son to me, really."



Three years later, Amir's visa was approved, and he and his family were given green cards. They came to the U.S. and settled in Kentucky, reuniting with Yopp 22 years after they first met in Afghanistan.

Yopp now spends most days with Amir's children, who call him "grandfather."

Thousands of Afghans living in the U.S. now fear deportation after a federal appeals court late Monday refused to freeze the Trump administration's efforts to end their legal status. Amir is a Special Immigrant Visa recipient, given to U.S. allies who helped during the war. Despite he and his family having green cards, he still fears being sent back, since the White House has threatened to deport green card holders, too.

Amir risked Taliban retaliation to help American soldiers, because work in Afghanistan at the time was scarce and the prospect of safety abroad was enticing. He told CBS News the promise that was made to him in return for risking his life was, "Your family will go to America. This was promised with all who work with U.S."

Amir said he went into hiding for years after his service, feeling betrayed by the U.S., until Yopp stepped in to fulfill America's pledge and helped secure him his visa. Thousands of veterans of the Afghanistan war across the country have taken it upon themselves to help their translators and other Afghan allies come safely to the U.S. and settle here. But Amir says it is not the job of veterans to fulfill the vow of protection the government previously made to them.

The Trump administration has repeatedly targeted Afghan refugees, stopping flights with Afghan allies from arriving, freezing resettlement services, putting Afghanistan on the travel ban list, and ending the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Afghan refugees. Yopp says it is a "moral injury" to veterans to see this happen to those who helped them during the war.

As part of the administration's efforts to end the TPS program, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has claimed that Afghanistan is now safe for Afghans to return to, a point Amir disputes.

"OK, if Afghanistan is safe, why are you saying to your citizens, 'Do not go to Afghanistan?'" Amir said in reference to the State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory for Afghanistan. "For me, [it's] safe, but for you, [it's] not safe? I'm not sure."

Amir fears that even as a green card holder, he and his family may be sent back, since the White House has threatened to deport green card holders, too.



These days, he works two jobs, seven days a week, to support his family. He says he only got by in the past because of the $500 a month that Yopp, who is retired, would give him.



"It's been a slap in the face, really, to see the programs that were in effect, to be taken away," Yopp said.

Amir added: "Americans should not make a promise with Afghans, and now [you're] making a problem for them. Then why [did] you make [that] promise?"

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Anne Burrell cause of death has been revealed five weeks after the celebrity chef died at 55.

Burrell died by suicide, PEOPLE can confirm. Her cause of death is specified as "acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine," and was determined by the New York City medical examiner's office. Diphenhydramine and cetirizine are antihistamines, ethanol is a compound found in alcohol and amphetamine is commonly used to treat ADHD.

Her family declined PEOPLE's request to comment.

Reps for the star announced Burrell's death in a release obtained by PEOPLE on Tuesday, June 17.

"Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend  her smile lit up every room she entered," her family said in a statement.

The statement continued, "Annes light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal."

The Food Network star was discovered in the shower unconscious and unresponsive surrounded by approximately (100) assorted pills, The New York Times reported Friday, June 20, citing an internal New York Police Department document viewed by the outlet.

Food Network

A spokesperson for the NYPD told PEOPLE on June 18, the day after Burrells death, that the Worst Cooks in America host was found unconscious and unresponsive at the scene. EMS "responded and pronounced her deceased on scene," police said.

According to a 911 call report provided to PEOPLE by the New York City Fire Department, a person called in at 7:50 a.m. local time, concerned that she had suffered cardiac arrest.

A fan-favorite on the Food Network, Burrell was best known as the longtime host of Worst Cooks in America, where her passion for food and mentorship turned disastrous kitchen hopefuls into capable cooks.

Food Network/Discovery Anne Burrell on 'Worst Cooks in America'

Born on Sept. 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York, Burrell discovered her love for cooking early, inspired by her mothers home-cooked meals and television icon, Julia Child.

She studied English and Communication at Canisius College in Buffalo before pursuing a culinary career at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, where she graduated in 1996. In the early 2000s, Burrell transitioned into teaching at the Institute of Culinary Education and eventually made her way to television.

Gustavo Caballero/Getty Anne Burrell during the New York City Wine & Food Festival in 2017

Food Network audiences first met Burrell as a sous chef on Iron Chef America. Her charisma and culinary chops led to her own Emmy-nominated show, Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, which premiered in 2008 and ran for nine seasons.

From there, Burrell became Food Network staple, also appearing on Chef Wanted, Chopped, Food Network Star, and most recently, the competition series House of Knives, which just premiered in March 2025.

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Burrell authored two cookbooks: 2011's Cook Like a Rock Star, which made her a New York Times bestseller, and Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower in 2013.

A tribute to Anne Burrell on the cover of PEOPLE Magazine

Burrell and husband Stuart Claxton met on Bumble in 2018 before getting married three years later on Oct. 16, 2021.

The night before she died, on June 16, Burrell closed out her Second City Improv for Actors course with a final performance in Brooklyn.

She was having the best night, actress Jane Margolis, a member of Burrells improv troupe, told PEOPLE in the July 7 issue. Shed come up with these one-liners out of the blue that were just hysterical. She really was so into it.

She is survived by Claxton and his son, Javier, as well as her mother, Marlene, and sister, Jane, her children Isabella, Amelia and Nicolas, and her brother Ben.

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
Video released Tuesday by the New York Immigration Coalition gives a first look inside some of the holding cells of New York City's federal immigration offices.

It shows men sleeping on the floor on thin thermal blankets. At one point, a man is heard saying, "Look how they have us ... like dogs in here."

There are reports the lights are kept on around the clock and nearly 30 people share a single toilet.

Joan Paul Alcivar De La Cruz was held at the facility for several days last month before being sent to Jackson Parish Correctional Center in Louisiana. His wife, Samara De La Cruz, told CBS News he was fed just a sandwich and bottle of water each day while at the New York facility.

Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin says detainees were "briefly" held at the New York City facility, and that "any claim that there is overcrowding or subprime conditions at ICE facilities are categorically false."

Samara said her husband was fleeing persecution in Ecuador and it wouldn't be safe for him to return there. She said he was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at his asylum hearing, a tactic ICE has been using amid the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration that is facing legal challeneges.

"He did not deserve any of this. He did not. He made sure he followed all the laws. He went to all his immigration courts. He's never been arrested. He's never had any criminal record," Samara said.

She's an American citizen. The two were married in May. Samara was pregnant at the time of her husband's arrest, but went on to have a miscarriage, which she blames on the stress of her husband's detention.

"It was kind of, uh, very traumatic for me," she said.

But even though Joan was moved to a different facility, Samara says she fears for her husband's life, saying he's been denied life-saving medication for a liver condition at both detention centers.

McLaughlin has said all ICE detainees are provided with proper meals and medical treatment.

"He said he requested to go to the hospital multiple times. They just ignored him like turned their back and pretended like he didn't say anything," Samara told CBS News.

She said despite the danger of him being deported to Ecuador, she's even more afraid of him remaining in the detention facility.

"Because he's suffering in there. You know, he's in so much pain. If they continue what they're doing and not giving him what he needs, he's going to die in there," she said.

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pongvit/Getty Images A snow covered onsen in Kyoto.

Everyone is looking for something different when it comes to vacationssome may want an adrenaline rush, others a deep cultural experience, and some people really just want to relax. For the true relaxation connoisseurs, spa cloud software company Zenotis 2025 report on the best cities in the world for spas has all the details on where to find the most spas, the best-reviewed ones, and even where to find the most affordable spas.

For its study, Zenoti used a combination of Yelp and Google search data (specifically, the phrase "spas near me"), and each city had to meet a few requirements in order to be included on the list. Each destination needed to have at least 20 spa listings on Yelp, and there needed to be population data available to calculate spa density per capita.

After cities ticked off all the requirements, they were judged by a weighted index according to five factors: the number of spas per capita, average Yelp ratings, the percentage of luxury spas in the area, the percentage of affordable spas, and the volume of Google searches for spas near me in 2025.



With all of that information factored in, Bath, U.K., came out as the best spa city in the world.

For fans of historical romance novels, it's not too much of a surprise that Bath came in first place. Not only is it the most spa-dense city in the world, but it also ranks high for spa-related searches and luxury spa offerings. With mineral-rich hot springs, Bath has long been a favorite spa town, with an ancient history that dates back to the days of the Roman Empire.

However, you won't even need a passport to visit the second location on the list. Palm Springs, California, a longtime favorite wellness destination, ranked highly for both spa density and search volume, so you'll definitely be in the company of other travelers looking for cupping, deep tissue massages, and facials. The third-place spot also went to another domestic destination: Miami, Florida. The South Florida city ranks high in spa density, search volume, and affordable spas, so seeking out a wellness-focused retreat here should be relatively stress-free.

Here are the top 10 spa cities in the world according to the Zenoti study, for all your travel planning and wanderlust needs.

Bath, United Kingdom Palm Springs, California Miami, Florida Toronto, Canada Scottsdale, Arizoma Honolulu, Hawaii Vancouver, Canada Boston, Massachusetts Seattle, Washington New York City, New York

Some other interesting tidbits? The most affordable spa cities in the world didn't make it to the top 10. The most affordable spa cities are Osaka and Kyoto in Japan. Conversely, if youre looking for the best luxury experiences, your best bets are Milan, Italy, and Geneva, Switzerland. Kyoto is also home to some of the best-rated spas in the world, alongside Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Scottsdale, Arizona.

You can check out the full list and find more info on zenoti.com.



Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
The remains of Eliotte Heinz, a missing Wisconsin graduate student, were recently found in the Mississippi River, authorities and city officials confirmed.

La Crosse police said they were notified that "a body had been located" on the morning of July 23, three days after anyone had last seen or heard from Heinz. Heinz was recovered in the river near Brownsville, Minnesota, a few miles south of La Crosse, where she was last spotted.

According to a news release from the city of La Crosse, Wisconsin, "police are continuing to investigate and will await the results of an autopsy for an official cause of death. The entire department sends their condolences."

Pictured is Eliotte Heinz, a missing Viterbo University graduate student who has not been seen since Sunday, July 20, 2025.

The 22-year-old who was reported missing on Sunday, July 20, was last seen leaving Bronco's Bar in La Crosse, a city near the Wisconsin-Minnesota border, about 150 miles southeast of Minneapolis, at around 2:30 a.m. local time.

This was not the outcome we had hoped for throughout this search. Our thoughts are with Eliottes family, friends and all those who knew Eliotte," La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron said in a statement. "We are grateful for the outpouring of support from so many within the La Crosse community, the State of Wisconsin and nationally to locate Eliotte."

Viterbo University: 'We are heartbroken by this loss'

Viterbo University, where Heinz was studying mental health counseling, said in a statement that they, like the Heinz family, the La Crosse community, and all who knew and loved Eliotte, were mourning her "tragic passing."

"We are heartbroken by this loss and extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends," the school's statement says.

The statement continued: "We are especially grateful to the La Crosse Police Department for their tireless efforts and to the many community members who showed up with compassion by searching, sharing information, offering prayers, and providing food, water, and comfort during the most difficult of days. Your outpouring of love reflects the very best Viterbo, our La Crosse community, and beyond."

Viterbo University plans to hold a memorial service for Heinz in the fall, in coordination with her family, once students return to campus for the new school year.

There are no words that can ease the pain of losing someone so young, with so much life ahead of her," Viterbo University President Dr. Rick Trietley said in a statement. "Our hearts go out to Eliottes family. We hold them in our prayers and stand with them in their grief."

Where was Eliotte Heinz last seen?

Heinz was last seen walking south on the 500 block of Front Street South around 3:22 a.m. local time on July 20, La Crosse police said.

Authorities, along with Heinz's family and friends, made several attempts to locate her with no success, according to the department.

Heinz's family, friends and Viterbo University called on the public to share information or footage that could help locate her.

Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY; and David Clarey, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Body of Eliotte Heinz, missing Wisconsin grad student, found
Candace Owens, a right-wing podcast host, is responding to the defamation lawsuit filed against her by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, over the media figure's claims that the French first lady is male.

The Macrons said in a lawsuit filed in Delaware Superior Court on July 23 that Owens has waged a "campaign of global humiliation" and engaged in "relentless bullying" against the 72-year-old Brigitte to "promote her independent platform, gain notoriety, and make money." The 219-page lawsuit details dozens of the podcaster's claims made over several months, and includes corresponding photographs, screenshots and archived newspaper clippings.

Owens responded to the lawsuit in her July 24 episode of her eponymous podcast "Candace," spending more than 30 minutes criticizing the legal action, the Macrons and doubling down on her claims.

"I think you're sick," Owens said, addressing France's first couple. "I think you're disgusting, and I am fully prepared to take on this battle."

The Macrons are suing Owens, her media company and the company that runs her website for 22 counts of defamation and defamation-related claims, seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages. They are represented by Clare Locke and Farnan LLP, well-known firms specializing in high-profile defamation cases, who helped win a $790 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News brought by Dominion Voting Systems in 2023.

Owens has been repeating false claims over the first lady's identity for more than a year, the lawsuit alleges, starting in March 2024 when the podcaster stated she stakes her "entire professional reputation" that Brigitte Macron "is in fact a man. In January, Owens released the first episode in an eight-part podcast series entitled, "Becoming Brigitte," in which the lawsuit says she presented various "outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions." The filing says they include allegations by Owens that Brigitte was born a man and stole someone's identity, that Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron are blood relatives and that they have committed "forgery, fraud and abuses of power to conceal these secrets."

France's President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron arrive for a meeting at 10 Downing Street in London, as part of their three-day state visit to the United Kingdom, Britain, July 9, 2025.

More: French president sues Candace Owens over claim about wife Brigitte

The filing alleges that Owens ignored the Macrons requests to retract the allegations.

"Owens has dissected their appearance, their marriage, their friends, their family, and their personal history  twisting it all into a grotesque narrative designed to inflame and degrade," the complaint said.

In a statement, a spokesperson for Owens said the filing represented a "foreign government attacking the First Amendment rights of an American independent journalist."

Owens has attracted criticism for years over her commentaries on a range of topics, with a history of spreading antisemitic rhetoric, including Holocaust denial and revisionism. She was suspended from YouTube for a week in September after videos of several of her interviews were deemed as hate speech by the Google subsidiary. In the following two months, authorities in New Zealand and Australia rejected her visas to visit the countries ahead of her speaking tour in February and March 2025. Local media reported Australian Immigration Minister Tony Burke mentioned her rhetoric "downplaying the impact of the Holocaust with comments about (German SS officer Josef) Mengele through to claims that Muslims started slavery," as reasons for her visa denial.

Wednesday's lawsuit is a rare case of a world leader suing for defamation. To prevail in U.S. defamation cases, public figures like the Macrons must show defendants engaged in "actual malice," meaning they knew what they published was false or had reckless disregard for its truth.

Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Candace Owens responds to French president's lawsuit
Mackenzie Anne Photography Kevin Perreault and Bec Striffler

A man's airplane chat led to his daughter's engagement.

Kevin Perreault, 25, was traveling from Denver to Phoenix on Nov. 4, 2021, when he met a stranger who would change the trajectory of his love life forever.

Aboard his American Airlines flight, Perreault was sitting in the window seat when the man in his row's aisle seat, Ed Striffler, stuck up a conversation with him about his shirt, which indicated that he was a member of the The Design-Build Institute of America, Arizona State University Chapter. Ed, 53, asked Perreault if he had just attended the same construction conference as him, The Design-Build Institute of Americas 2021 Design-Build Conference & Expo, and learned that he had.

"It was cool to see such a small world come together," Perreault says.

Courtesy of Bec Striffler and Kevin Perreault Photo of Kevin Perreault taken by Ed Striffler

The two then discussed the construction program at Arizona State University, and, coincidentally, Ed happened to be a former client and longtime friend of Perreault's then-boss. Ed snapped a photo of Perreault and sent it to his boss, writing, "Look who I ran into on the plane."

"I'm thinking, 'Who the hell is this guy?' " Perreault remembers, adding that he was anxious how his boss would react but luckily he sent a "cheesy reply."

Ed then mentioned that his daughter, Bec Striffler, was also studying at Arizona State University. He showed Perreault a few photos of Bec, 23, and her photography work. Perreault thought she was "smoking hot" but obviously couldn't say that to Ed, so he just expressed interest in her portfolio.

Once the plane landed in Phoenix, Ed gave Perreault his business card but Perreault didn't have one to give him in return.

Mackenzie Anne Photography Kevin Perreault and Bec Striffler

The pair went their separate ways, with Ed getting dinner with Bec.

"No context, he whips out his phone and shows the picture of Kev that he took," Bec tells PEOPLE. "Word for word, he says, 'This is Kevin, and if you don't date Kevin, I'm going to date Kevin.' And I was like, 'Oh my God, what did you do?' "

Ed went "on and on" praising Perreault, but Bec noted that he didn't even know his last name so she wouldn't know where to look for Perreault if she wanted to find him. So, "right then and there," Ed texted Perreault's boss for that key piece of information.

https://people.com/app/scene?sceneId=9de86c07-a15a-409e-8382-c1ab68eaf839&shortlink=kz7l4cuf&c=People.com%20Homepage%20Fourth%20Wall%20Revise%20Download%20070725&pid=People.com&af_xp=custom&source_caller=ui

"Now you have no excuse not to find him," Bec remembers her father telling her.

Bec found Perreault's Instagram account, and followed him. A few weeks later, Perreault went "straight to the chase" and asked her out over DM. He skipped the small talk because he "already knew the answers to the questions everybody asks" thanks to Ed.

Courtesy of Bec Striffler and Kevin Perreault First Instagram DM conversation between Kevin Perreault and Bec Striffler

Ed "leapt out of his recliner" when Bec shared her first date news with her parents, and "was just so excited," exclaiming, "Oh my God, this is the best thing ever. This is going to be so great. Like, I could just see it forever. It's going to be so fantastic."

"That whole week leading up to the date, my dad was texting me almost daily," Bec adds. "He was like, 'Where are you going on your date? How is it going? What are you guys talking about?' My dad was so invested."

Ed's matchmaking skills were successful because Bec and Perreault made their relationship official in December 2021.

Three and a half years later, Perreault popped the question during Coldplay's song "Yellow" at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, on July 15. Yes, that concert that went viral for a scandalous affair.

Kevin Perreault and Bec Striffler at Coldplay Concerts

Courtesy of Bec Striffler and Kevin Perreault Kevin Perreault and Bec Striffler at their first Coldplay concert together Courtesy of Bec Striffler and Kevin Perreault Bec Striffler and Kevin Perreault during Coldplay's performance of

"Yellow" is meaningful to the couple because it's about "love and happiness." Plus, the pair went to a Coldplay concert in Los Angeles early in their relationship, which made the band have "a special place" in their hearts.

Although Perreault had received Bec's parents' blessing beforehand in January, they were still surprised by the engagement news because the proposal took place on a different day than originally planned. It's safe to say that Ed was the happiest.

"He's super pumped. He just was telling everyone," Bec says. "He said the first person he texted was Kevin's old boss."

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Courtesy of Bec Striffler and Kevin Perreault Kevin Perreault and Bec Striffler

Perreault proposed with a duchess-cut ring from Olive Ave Jewelry in Arizona. Even more special than the sparkling diamond was the engraving inside the gold band. Etched on the ring is the date of Perreault and Ed's flight, 11/4/2021, and their flight number, AA1309.

"I was just thinking about the whole like invisible strength thing," Bec shares. "The fact that Kevin is an alumni where my dad was an alumni in the construction program at ASU, the fact that he worked for the company that was building my dad's project, like my dad worked with his boss my whole life, all those different things. But it took an airplane for them to meet with the randomest period. Like they could have met at any sort of industry setting, but having two hours on an airplane uninterrupted just gave them the information they needed about each other. It's crazy."

Bec and Perreault both graduated from Arizona State University and now work in construction. They're not in any rush to plan their wedding, but are eying a date in 2026.

Read the original article on People
Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri is accused of grabbing the teenager by the arm and pulling her to the side

A middle-aged Disney World tourist who allegedly brawled with a teenager at a parade has been charged with child abuse.

Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri, 51, is accused of pushing a 17-year-old girl to get a better view of the procession in front of Cinderella Castle at Disneys Magic Kingdom in Florida on Tuesday, according to an affidavit.

Ms Zapata-Echeverri, who was born in Colombia and lives in Spain, is accused of grabbing the teenager by the arm and pulling her to the side, causing a bruise and abrasion on her right arm.

The suspect told Orange County sheriffs deputies she was following her daughter to get to the front of the crowd to watch the parade, and claimed the 17-year-old pushed into her, saying she was in her spot.

She then demonstrated to a deputy how she pushed back with her left arm.

The teenager is said to have been the only one to receive an injury during the altercation, which took place around 9pm, with the affidavit claiming nail marks on the teenagers arm, in addition to the bruise.

The incident took place in front of the Cinderella Castle at Disneys Magic Kingdom in Florida on Tuesday - Gary Hershorn/2024 Gary Hershorn

Ms Zapata-Echeverri, who is currently banned from Disney property, allegedly had an unclear explanation about how the 17-year-old received her injuries and just pantomimed her pushing... with an open hand, the affidavit said.

Martha knowingly and wilfully touched [the girl]. Martha committed the intentional act of grabbing or pushing, which was reasonable to cause some type of injury, the affidavit stated.

There is said not to be any independent witnesses or surveillance footage.

Ms Zapata-Echeverri appeared in court on Tuesday, where her lawyer said she had been visiting Florida on a tourist visa on July 2, and was scheduled to fly back the following day, according to local media.

A judge reduced Zapata-Echeverris bond from $5,000 to $2,500 and said she cannot return to any Disney property.

Ms Zapata-Echeverri has pleaded not guilty to the child abuse charge, according to her lawyer, Bryan Farinas.

While we respect the investigative process, we believe this is a situation that was significantly mischaracterised, he told The Telegraph.

Based on the information that we have reviewed at this time, Ms Zapata-Echeverri was confronted and physically pushed by the alleged victim.

We are confident that once all the facts have been fully evaluated, it will be clear that there was no criminal intent and no abusive conduct by Ms Zapata-Echeverri.

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Police have made an arrest in Arizona four decades after the cold-case murder and sexual assault of two teenagers who were attacked in a parked car in Northern California, officials said Wednesday.

On Dec. 19, 1984, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office was called to an incident in Burney, California, by the California Highway Patrol. They found two 18-year-old victims, a male and a female, according to a news release from the office. The male victim, identified by police as Terrance Arndt, had sustained a gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital but died from his injuries. The female victim, who police did not identify, had been sexually assaulted.

An investigation found that Arndt and the female victim were parked in Arndt's car talking near an area high school when an unknown person pulled up in a vehicle. Arndt tried to protect the female victim, but was shot. The female victim was then assaulted and left for dead, Shasta County Sheriff Michael L. Johnson said in a news conference. After the suspect left the scene, she drove Arndt's car for help until she was able to reach police. Johnson said that the crime "rocked the community for many years."

Terrance Arndt. / Credit: Othram Inc.

An extensive investigation followed, Johnson said, including "thousands of hours" of case work. Detectives collected forensic evidence from the female victim's clothes, according to forensic genetic genealogy company Othram, and investigators also developed a DNA profile of the suspect. A man was arrested and charged in connection with the case, Othram said, but later cleared by the DNA profile.

The DNA profile was entered into the Combined DNA Index System, a national database used by law enforcement to compare DNA profiles. There were no matches to any known individuals, Othram said.

In 2024, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office revisited the case using forensic genetic genealogy, Johnson said. That led police to a suspect, identified as Roger Neil Schmidt Sr. Schmidt, now 64, would have been 23 at the time of the crime, police said. He also "strongly resembled" a sketch developed based on an account from the female victim, the sheriff's office said.

Police determined that Schmidt was currently living in Tucson, Arizona, but had lived in Burney, California, in 1984. Detectives from the Shasta County Sheriff's Office traveled to the city to coordinate with the Tucson Police Department and obtain a search warrant. Police were able to collect a DNA sample from Schmidt and confirm that it matched the profile.

Schmidt was arrested in Tucson on Saturday and charged with murder and sexual assault, police said. He made his first court appearance on Monday, CBS affiliate KOLD reported. He was in a wheelchair and using an oxygen tank.

Schmidt is expected to be extradited to Shasta County, the sheriff's office said. Johnson said he hopes the arrest brings closure to the female victim and Arndt's family. He said that the families were informed of the arrest before the news conference.

According to SFGate, Arndt was a star athlete at Burney High School before enrolling at Shasta College in Redding, California, where he lived at the time of his murder.

"The resolution to this case is a bit bittersweet for us," Johnson said. "Although it's a monumental accomplishment for the investigators, for the agency and the closure of having a suspect in custody, it doesn't negate the fact that there is a family and families that have been forever impacted and will forever live with the trauma and the aftermath that was left behind for them."

Bryan Kohberger sentenced to life in prison for murders of Idaho students

Idaho murders victims' families speak out at Bryan Kohberger's sentencing hearing

Johnson says Jeffrey Epstein files controversy is not a hoax
A senior Department of Justice official met with longtime Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell for six hours on Thursday in Tallahassee, Florida.

The meeting between Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Maxwell occurred in downtown Tallahassee at the U.S. attorney's office, which is located inside the federal courthouse, sources familiar with the matter said.

Maxwell initiated the meeting, multiple sources told ABC News.

Blanche and Maxwell will meet again on Friday, according to a statement he posted on X.

"Today, I met with Ghislaine Maxwell, and I will continue my interview of her tomorrow. The Department of Justice will share additional information about what we learned at the appropriate time," Blanche said.

Paul Zimmerman/WireImage/Getty - PHOTO: 4th Annual WIE Symposium

Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking and other charges and sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022, which she is serving at a federal prison in Tallahassee. She is appealing her conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court.

MORE: Ghislaine Maxwell engaged in 'significant pattern of dishonest conduct,' DOJ said in 2022

Maxwell's appellate lawyer, David O. Markus, said after the meeting Maxwell "answered all the questions and answered them honestly."

Markus said there were "a lot of questions and we went all day and she answered every one of them."

ABC News - PHOTO: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche arrives for a meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell in Tallahassee, Fla., July 24, 2025.

He also declined to describe the questions Blanche asked but said he and Maxwell were "grateful" for the meeting.

Blanche arrived at the federal courthouse around 9 a.m. ET. He shook his head and said "no" when asked if he had anything to say ahead of his sit-down with Maxwell.

ABC News - PHOTO: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche arrives for a meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell in Tallahassee, Fla., July 24, 2025.

The Justice Department said earlier this week that the meeting between Blanche and Maxwell would occur "in the coming days."

"President Trump has told us to release all credible evidence. If Ghislaine Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say," Blanche said in the statement posted by Attorney General Pam Bondi on X earlier this week.

Blanche added that at the direction of Bondi, he has "communicated with counsel for Ms. Maxwell to determine whether she would be willing to speak with prosecutors from the Department."

"Until now, no administration on behalf of the Department had inquired about her willingness to meet with the government. That changes now," Blanche said.

Maxwell's attorney confirmed earlier this week that they were in discussions with the government about the visit, saying in a statement that "Ghislaine will always testify truthfully."

MORE: Justice Department faces subpoena over Epstein files by House Oversight Committee

Separately, on Wednesday, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer issued a subpoena for Maxwell for a deposition to occur at the prison on Aug. 11.

"The facts and circumstances surrounding both your and Mr. Epstein's cases have received immense public interest and scrutiny," Comer wrote in a statement Wednesday.

ABC News' Luke Barr contributed to this report.
The family of a man who died after being sucked into an MRI machine by a large metallic chain around his neck has spoken out.

Keith McAllister, 61, was "tragically killed" on July 16 when he went to visit a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) medical facility in Westbury, New York, according to the Nassau County Police Department and a GoFundMe started by the man's family.

McAllister succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital on July 17 at 2:36 p.m., according to police.

Family issues statement on tragic incident

Pictured is Keith McAllister. He died at the age of 61 after being sucked into an MRI machine on July 16, 2025.

The McAllister family's attorney, Michael Lauterborn, shared a statement with USA TODAY on Thursday, July 24.

"The McAllister family and their friends are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Mr. Keith McAllister, who passed away following a preventable incident at Nassau Open MRI in Westbury, New York," the statement reads. "We ask the public and friends to keep Mr. McAllisters wife, Adrienne Jones-McAllister, and the entire family in their thoughts and prayers during this profoundly difficult time. The family is truly grateful for the outpouring of heartfelt condolences received from the community and from across the country."

According to the family's statement, they and their attorneys are "ensuring that all facts surrounding this incident" are being investigated by police and the New York State Department of Health.

"This heartbreaking incident highlights the critical importance of safety protocols in medical imaging facilities," the statement continues. "The family and our legal team are dedicated to assisting the appropriate authorities in their investigation and in efforts to ensure accountability and prevent similar tragedies in the future."

Who was Keith McAllister?

The GoFundMe created by McAllister's stepdaughter, Samantha Bodden, says he was "a husband, a father, a stepfather, a grandfather, a brother and an uncle."

"He was a friend to many," Bodden wrote on the fundraiser page.

According to Bodden, her mother was lying on the table for the MRI when the technician left the room to get McAllister to help get her up. During this moment, the technician allegedly forgot to tell McAllister to remove the chain around his neck, his stepdaughter wrote.

"My mother and the tech tried for several minutes to release him before the police were called," Bodden wrote. "He was attached to the machine for almost an hour before they could release the chain from the machine."

McAllister died after suffering several heart attacks following the incident, according to his stepdaughter. Now, the family is asking for donations to bury him, she added.

As of Thursday, July 24, the family has received over $11,000 in donations, only about a $1,000 shy of the GoFundMe's goal of $12,000.

Adrienne Jones-McAllister saw MRI machine 'snatch' husband

McAllister's wife, Adrienne Jones-McAllister, told News 12 Long Island that she recalled her husband walking toward the MRI table and seeing the machine "snatch him."

"He went limp in my arms, and this is still pulsating in my brain," she said, per the TV station.

Pictured is Keith McAllister and his wife, Adrienne Jones-McAllister. McAllister died at the age of 61 after being sucked into an MRI machine on July 16, 2025.

Jones-McAllister said she had an MRI on her knee and needed help getting up from the table, according to News 12 Long Island. Her husband came into the room wearing the 20-pound chain that he wears for weight training purposes, she told the TV station.

"That was not the first time that guy has seen that chain. They had a conversation about it before," Jones-McAllister said about the MRI technician's prior knowledge of her husband's chain.

Contributing: Natalie Neysa Alund and Mike Snider, USA TODAY

Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at JLimehouse@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Family of Keith McAllister speaks out following MRI machine death
Matthew Schwartz | Unsplash

(The Center Square)  The U.S. Department of Education announced Wednesday investigations into five universities, including the University of Michigan and Western Michigan University, for potential Title VI violations.

The investigations by the Office of Civil Rights hopes to determine whether the universities are granting scholarships only for illegal immigrant or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals students, which it says would violate Title VIs prohibition against national origin discrimination.

On Jan. 20, 2025, President Trump promised that every single day of the Trump Administration, [he] will, very simply, put America first, said DOE Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor. Neither the Trump Administrations America first policies nor the Civil Right Act of 1964s prohibition on national origin discrimination permit universities to deny our fellow citizens the opportunity to compete for scholarships because they were born in the United States.

Along with the Michigan universities, the University of Louisville, the University of Nebraska Omaha and the University of Miami are also under investigation.

DACA was a program established in 2012 by President Barack Obama and protects certain undocumented individuals who were brought to the United States as children before 2007, allowing them to live and work legally in the U.S. for renewable periods of two years.

According to a statement from the DOE, the investigations are based on complaints submitted by the Legal Insurrection Foundations Equal Protection Project, a nonprofit that seeks to ensure equal protection and non-discrimination.

Protecting equal access to education includes protecting the rights of American-born students, said William A. Jacobson, founder of the Equal Protection Project. At the Equal Protection Project, we are gratified that the Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights is acting on our complaints regarding scholarships that excluded American-born students. Discrimination against American-born students must not be tolerated.

In addition to investigating the schools for those scholarships, the DOE is also expected to look at additional scholarships that it says appear to exclude students based on other aspects of Title VI, which would include all race-based scholarships.

Some of the specific scholarships under investigation are:

 University of Michigans Dreamer Scholarship, which is intended to support undocumented students or students with DACA status

 Western Michigan Universitys WMU Undocumented/DACA Scholarship for undergraduate students who are ineligible to receive federal student aid due to an undocumented or DACA status

 University of Louisvilles Dawn Wilson Scholarship for undergraduate LGBTQ+ students of color and the Louisville Tango Festival Scholarship for Latino/a/x and Hispanic students

 University of Nebraska Omahas HDR Scholarship, which gives preference...to underrepresented minority students

 University of Miamis U Dreamers Program, which is available to academically talented and admissible [DACA] and undocumented high school seniors and transfer students

This comes as the University of Michigan is already under investigation by the Trump Administration for a number of different issues, including a Title VI investigation that was announced earlier this year into other race-based scholarships.

As we mark President Trumps historic six months back in the White House, we are expanding our enforcement efforts to protect American students and lawful residents from invidious national origin discrimination of the kind alleged here, Trainor said.
In a landmark sentencing, an alleged American accomplice in the North Korean IT workers scheme was sent to federal prison for nearly nine years. Thursdays sentencing proved a pivotal moment in the U.S. battle against North Korean sanctions evasion tactics that have claimed up to $600 million annually in a coordinated attack on U.S. and European companies.

Christina Chapman, 50, an Arizona woman who pleaded guilty to charges connected to the global North Korean IT workers scheme, has been sentenced to 8.5 years in federal prison. U.S. District Court Judge Randolph D. Moss also ordered Chapman to forfeit proceeds of $284,000 that was to be paid to the North Koreans. She was also ordered to pay a judgement of $176,850the same amount she charged North Koreans for her help in the scheme that authorities said was one of the largest IT worker conspiracies charged by the Department of Justice.

According to court documents, Chapman helped North Korean workers fraudulently obtain remote-work jobs at U.S. companies. Authorities said she helped to conceal their identities by accepting and safeguarding their laptops, installing remote-access software, and filling out identity forms to make it seem like they were in the U.S. when they were actually overseas. Prosecutors said Chapman turned her home into a laptop farm, with labels on each device identifying the associated company and stolen identity, photos from a 2023 raid of Chapmans house show. All told, the scheme Chapman involved herself in claimed about $17.1 million in salaries from 309 U.S. businesses, paid to North Koreans posing as American IT workers. Nearly 70 Americans had their identities stolen, authorities said.

North Korea is not just a threat to the homeland from afar. It is an enemy within. It is perpetrating fraud on American citizens, American companies, and American banks. It is a threat to Main Street in every sense of the word, said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro in a statement. The call is coming from inside the house. If this happened to these big banks, to these Fortune 500, brand name, quintessential American companies, it can or is happening at your company. Corporations failing to verify virtual employees pose a security risk for all. You are the first line of defense against the North Korean threat.

Pirro, in a press conference, said Nike was one of the victims and wrote a letter identifying themselves as one of the companies that unwittingly hired a North Korean IT worker and paid the employee $70,000.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti said in a statement: The defendants role as a U.S.-based facilitator was critical to North Koreas complex scheme to defraud American companies and steal the identities of American citizens. This multi-year plot highlights the unique threat that North Korea poses to U.S. companies who hire remote workers. The Criminal Division remains steadfast in its commitment to identify and prosecute individuals who facilitate these criminal schemes against U.S. companies.

Before Thursdays hearing, prosecutors said a sentence that was too lenient would convey the wrong message to North Koreans perpetuating the scheme and any potential U.S. facilitators. Cybersecurity experts said the sentence will set a strategic precedent about punishment for Americans who get involved in the way adversaries use AI to deceive the U.S.

Andrew Borene, executive director at Flashpoint threat intelligence, told Fortune: This prosecution aims to draw a line, deterring future U.S. facilitators and sending a message to Pyongyang.

Chapmans role running a laptop farm in the scheme peels back the curtain on a coordinated campaign by the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) to infiltrate American, and increasingly, European businesses.

Following crushing financial sanctions in 2016 that cut off North Korea from the U.S. financial system and banned North Korean workers from getting jobs at U.S. businesses, DPRK leaders created a scheme to weaponize remote work, court documents show. Workers, trained in tech and AI from an early age, are deployed to China, Russia, Nigeria, or the United Arab Emirates to manage dozens of fake or stolen identities, apply for remote IT jobs, and then send their salaries back to North Korea. UN documents show DPRK authoritarian ruler Kim Jong Un allegedly uses the illicit funds to finance the countrys nuclear-weapons program.

For corporate America, the North Korean IT worker scheme has been a wake-up call that has been ringing off the hook for the past two years. Hundreds of Fortune 500 companies have been found to have hired thousands of North Korean IT workersand the workers have continued to get jobs. UN estimates show the scheme generates between $250 million to $600 million annually for the regime.

Prosecutors said human cost is unmistakable and the Americans who had their identities stolen in the scheme have faced severe consequences. Fake tax liabilities were created in their names, and theyve faced ongoing monitoring from the IRS and Social Security Administration. One victim was denied unemployment because an IT worker was using their Social Security number, according to Chapmans sentencing memo.

While Chapmans role in the scheme involved direct contact with laptopsincluding shipping devices to China, Pakistan, the UAE, and Nigeriaother Americans who have become embroiled in the scheme have done so unwittingly. A North Korean defector who uses the alias Kim Ji-min previously told Fortune, via an interpreter, that Americans involved had no idea they were working with North Koreans. Kim said he received and carried out development orders from American companies and concealed his identity completely.

The North Korean regime has generated millions of dollars for its nuclear weapons program by victimizing American citizens, businesses, and financial institutions, said FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBIs Counterintelligence Division in a statement. However, even an adversary as sophisticated as the North Korean government cant succeed without the assistance of willing U.S. citizens like Christina Chapman, who was sentenced today for her role in an elaborate scheme to defraud more than 300 American companies by helping North Korean IT workers gain virtual employment and launder the money they earned. Todays sentencing demonstrates that the FBI will work tirelessly with our partners to defend the homeland and hold those accountable who aid our adversaries.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
By Andrew Goudsward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump's former personal lawyer, Alina Habba, said on Thursday that she would seek to remain as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey despite a judicial decision this week not to extend her appointment.

Habba's statement marked the latest challenge by the Trump administration to oversight by federal courts.

Habba wrote on X that she was now the acting U.S. attorney in New Jersey. The Justice Department used a series of procedural maneuvers to attempt to circumvent the Tuesday decision by the U.S. District Court in New Jersey and keep her in the post, a department spokesperson told Reuters.

"I dont cower to pressure," Habba wrote on X. "I dont answer to politics."

Judges on the U.S. District Court in New Jersey declined to extend Habbas tenure as interim U.S. attorney, instead naming the second-highest ranking official in the office, Desiree Grace, as her replacement.

But hours later Attorney General Pam Bondi said Grace had been removed, accusing the judges of having political motivations and seeking to thwart Trumps authority.

U.S. law allows federal district courts to intervene if an interim U.S. attorneys 120-day term expires and courts have regularly invoked that authority.

Grace, in a LinkedIn post on Wednesday, said she was prepared to follow the courts order and begin to serve in accordance with the law.

It was not immediately clear if either Grace or the District Court judges would attempt to challenge the maneuvers. Neither could immediately be reached for comment.

Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond, in Virginia, said the Trump administration appeared to have the legal authority for its moves, but they could further strain its relationship with federal courts.

"It does undermine that authority from Congress," Tobias said, referring to courts' role in the process. "But that doesn't trouble this White House or this Justice Department."

The judiciary has emerged as one of the few checks on Trumps aggressive use of presidential power in his second term. White House officials have accused judges who have blocked parts of Trumps agenda they have deemed unlawful of exceeding their authority and taking part in a judicial coup.

Habba has brought two criminal cases against Democratic officials during her time in office and drew criticism after saying she hoped to use her role to aid Republicans in New Jersey.

(Reporting by Andrew Goudsward in Washington; Editing by Scott Malone and Matthew Lewis)
Freeport-McMoRan Eyes Major Gains From US Copper Tariff

Copper giant Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE:FCX) delivered stronger-than-expected second-quarter results on Wednesday, driven by robust copper and gold sales, improved pricing, and reduced costs.

Following this positive earnings report, market observers are closely analyzing the companys prospects. Among these, Sam Crittenden, an analyst at RBC Capital Markets, has expressed a confident outlook for Freeport-McMoran.

He believes the company is exceptionally well-positioned to capitalize on the rising U.S. copper prices and the impending import tariff. After reviewing the second-quarter earnings, Crittenden reaffirmed his $54 price forecast and a Sector Perform rating for the stock.

Also Read: Trump Shock Treatment Ignites Copper BoomAnd Its Only Getting Started

Crittenden noted that about one-third of Freeports copper sales are tied to the U.S. market, where COMEX prices have surged to $5.85 per pound, well above the $4.47 per pound seen on the LME. He estimated Freeports realized price to be $4.93 per pound, significantly ahead of its peers.

However, he flagged uncertainty around the proposed 50% U.S. copper tariff, expected to take effect Aug. 1, as changes or exemptions could impact the price spread.

Crittenden lowered his 2025 EBITDA forecast by 3% following revised guidance at Grasberg. Due to lower ore grades, Freeport now expects to produce 1.54 billion pounds of copper and 1.3 million ounces of gold next year, down from 1.6 billion and 1.6 million, respectively. The 2026 outlook remains unchanged.

Crittenden said Freeport remains a leading copper investment, citing its scale, U.S. exposure, and strong balance sheet. He also pointed to upside catalysts such as a potential Grasberg license extension, expansion projects in the Americas, and possible increases in shareholder returns. Risks include political exposure in Indonesia and copper price volatility.

Freeport posted better-than-expected second-quarter results, with adjusted earnings of 54 cents per share, beating estimates by 10 cents. Revenue rose to $7.58 billion, ahead of the $7.09 billion forecast, on stronger copper and gold volumes, lower unit costs, and favorable pricing.

Copper sales totaled 1.0 billion pounds at an average price of $4.54/lb. Cash costs dropped to $1.13/lb, well below the companys prior guidance. Gold and molybdenum sales also topped expectations.

The miner started operations at its new Indonesian smelter in May and expects first cathode output in July. Capital expenditures reached $1.3 billion in the quarter, with full-year spending expected to total $4.9 billion.

Freeport expects to benefit from the U.S. copper tariff beginning next month. With COMEX trading at a 28% premium to LME, the company estimates that every $0.10 of additional spread could add $70 million to second-half cash flow.

CEO Kathleen Quirk said Freeport remains Americas copper champion. The company continues to focus Indonesian copper sales on Asian markets. Still, it is evaluating shipments to the U.S. It is also considering expanding its Miami, Arizona smelter, though building a new domestic facility remains unlikely.

Freeport reaffirmed full-year guidance of 3.95 billion pounds of copper, 1.3 million ounces of gold, and $7.9 billion in projected operating cash flow.

Crittenden reaffirmed a $54 price forecast and Sector Perform rating, valuing the company at 1.5x NAV and 8.0x 2025 EBITDA, in line with large-cap copper peers. He estimates Freeport is pricing in $5.06/lb copper, slightly above the current blended spot of $4.93/lb. He sees the company generating $4.5 billion in attributable free cash flow (7% yield) at spot prices.

He also points to several long-term catalysts, including a potential Grasberg license extension beyond 2041, brownfield expansion projects, and increased capital returns. Still, he flags risks around political exposure in Indonesia, mine disruptions, and copper price volatility.

Meanwhile, Katja Jancic, an analyst at BMO Capital, maintained an Outperform rating for Freeport-McMoran but slightly lowered her price forecast from $55 to $54.

Price Action: FCX shares are trading lower by 0.59% to $44.57 at last check Thursday.

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Federal prosecutors indicted a 55-year-old Long Island, New York, man Tuesday, alleging he built seven homemade bombs with the help of artificial intelligence, a process he called easier than buying gun powder, according to court documents.

The man, Michael Gann, transported the bombs from Long Island to New York City and stored five of them and four shotgun shells on an apartment building rooftop in the SoHo neighborhood, officials said. He intended to combine the shotgun shells with one or more of the improvised explosive devices, they said.

On March 27, Gann posted a message to President Donald Trump's official X account, the indictment said.

Dear @POTUS, Im thinking just now here in NYC that its too bad that the wall wasnt built before the National Guard would have to come here for the Protests and Riotation," he was said to have written. "Or would you just drop a bomb on this place while and because they seem to be coming and coming?

Five weeks later, Gann was arrested after he posted on Instagram, "Who wants me to go out to play like no tomorrow?" according to authorities.

Gann has not yet entered a plea, and his attorney declined to comment.

A man authorities identified as Michael Gann on a rooftop in lower Manhattan. (U.S. District Court Southern District of N.Y.)

Ordering online

Gann told law enforcement officials that he used two household compounds that he ordered online to make the improvised explosives, according to court documents. He also purchased over 200 cardboard tubes and more than 50 feet of fuses. One of the devices he built had roughly 30 grams of explosive powder  about 600 times the legal limit for consumer fireworks.

Officials said he appeared to have acted alone and was not acting as part of a group.

"Gann allegedly produced multiple improvised explosive devices intended for use in Manhattan, said Christopher Raia, the head of the FBI's New York field office. Due to the successful partnership of law enforcement agencies in New York, Gann was swiftly brought to justice before he could harm innocent civilians."

Bombs alleged to have been made by Michael Gann. (U.S. District Court Southern District of N.Y.)

One of the witnesses, a U.S. military veteran, told the FBI that as Gann was mixing the explosives in Inwood, a town on Long Island, he said, What kind of veteran are you? You see a problem going on in the neighborhood and you do nothing about it.

Gann then pointed to a Jewish school, according to a criminal complaint that was filed at the time of his arrest.

A second witness agreed to make phone calls to Gann while the FBI listened in, according to the criminal complaint. Gann told the witness in one call that he had lit one of the devices near the East River on the FDR Drive; that the device had exploded, scaring Gann, it says.

Gann then said, according to the witness, that he was considering disposing of the remaining five devices by throwing them into the river or turning them in to the New York City Fire Department.

On June 5, the day of the alleged call, law enforcement agents saw Gann walking down the street carrying a shoulder bag, according to the complaint. When the agents identified themselves to Gann, he told them he was on his way to the fire department to drop the devices off, it says.

After being read his rights, Gann told law enforcement officials that he wished to make pyrotechnics and used artificial intelligence to learn which chemicals to purchase and mix, the complaint says.

It says Gann created four devices initially and threw three from the Manhattan side of the Williamsburg Bridge. Two devices fell into the water, and one fell on the train tracks and was recovered near there.

"Gann built explosive devices, stored them on a rooftop in SoHo," interim U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said, and threw one onto the subway tracks  putting countless lives at risk.
A protester holds up a photo of Jeffrey Epstein in New York City in 2019. (Stephanie Keith / Getty Images file)

WASHINGTON  As the Republican-led House prepared to leave town for its summer recess, Democrats were united around one goal: forcing Republicans over and over again to confront the Epstein issue thats divided the GOP.

Across several committees Wednesday, Democrats brought up amendments on whether the governments files on the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein should be released. It did not matter the focus of the panel, from oversight issues to financial services  Democrats forced the issue.

Its part of a broader effort by Democrats to capitalize on a pain point for Republicans, a rare moment when President Donald Trump appears to be out of step with his base. Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., ultimately canceled the Houses final day of votes before recess after Democrats ground a key organizing committee to a halt with Epstein amendments. Members now head home to their districts for what Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Wednesday called the Epstein recess.

The flurry of Democratic amendment offerings in the House succeeded in one case Wednesday. A motion by Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., to compel the Justice Department to release files tied to Epstein was approved in a House Oversight subcommittee hearing. A committee spokesperson later said the subpoena will be issued but did not provide timing.

Numerous members of this committee and this subcommittee have called for answers and transparency, Lee said during the hearing. So lets do something about it.

Lees motion attracted the votes of three Republicans, who joined with five Democrats to pass it.

In other committees, however, similar attempts by Democrats did not gain traction.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., offered an amendment during a Financial Services Committee meeting Wednesday to require the Treasury Department to turn over information related to Epsteins financial transactions.

Chairman French Hill, R-Ark., ruled that her amendment was not relevant to the legislation that the committee was dealing with and when Tlaib tried to appeal his ruling, Republicans voted that down.

Over in the Education and the Workforce Committee, Democrats planned to introduce an Epstein-related amendment to a bill designed to enhance the detection of human trafficking. But that bill was pulled from consideration during the committees markup, prompting Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-Ore., to ask why.

Is it because the majority did not want to vote on my amendment requiring the Department of Labor to release the Epstein files? she asked.

Education Committee Chairman Tim Walberg, R-Mich., responded that he had discretion as head of the panel to set its agenda but did not elaborate.

Democrats began bringing up Epstein-related votes in the Rules Committee last week, with Republicans voting down multiple efforts to bring forward measures requiring the release of information related to the convicted sex offender.

Republican leaders eventually had to placate their members on the Rules Committee, who did not want to keep voting down Epstein measures, by bringing forward their own symbolic resolution calling for the release of certain Epstein documents. Johnson has not put that bill on the floor for full House consideration.

Democrats were prepared to repeat their efforts in the Rules Committee this week, but the panel recessed without advancing any legislation in order to avoid more votes on Epstein documents.

Without action by the Rules Committee, which all legislation must pass through before reaching the floor, the House canceled votes Thursday and let members leave town a day early.

Even with the House out for recess, Democrats had planned to keep the amendments coming Thursday.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., planned to introduce an amendment during a House Appropriations subcommittee meeting to force the Justice Department to provide Congress with a report on its Epstein investigation. That scheduled meeting, however, to advance one of the 12 spending bills that Congress must pass before Sept. 30, was postponed Wednesday night, with the Republican-led committee citing the Houses cancellation of votes as the reason.

It is not just committee hearings where Democrats have hammered Republicans on the Epstein matter. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., has repeatedly criticized Republicans over the issue during his news conferences in the past two weeks.

Why havent Republicans released the Epstein files to the American people? he asked during a news conference Wednesday. Its reasonable to conclude that Republicans are continuing to protect the lifestyles of the rich and shameless, even if that includes pedophiles.

Several Republicans have shot back at Democrats, asking why they did not pursue the Epstein files while President Joe Biden was in office.

The Biden administration held the Epstein files for four years, Johnson said Wednesday. Not a single one of these Democrats or anyone in Congress made any peep about that at all.

The speaker said Democrats waited until President Trump was elected.

Epstein was arrested on federal charges of sex trafficking and died by suicide in prison in 2019, during Trumps first term.
President Donald Trump signs an executive order. The White House | YouTube

Raoul hails birthright citizenship ruling

Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is claiming victory over the issue of birthright citizenship.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order that birthright citizenship impacts the post Civil War era for the children of freed slaves, and not foreign nationals who give birth to a child in the U.S. Raoul joined three other states in the lawsuit.

An appeals court affirmed a nationwide injunction against Trump. Its possible the U.S. Supreme Court could take up the issue.

LaHood wants to rename clinic after Civil War hero

Illinois Congressman Darin LaHood has filed a bill to rename a clinic in Bloomington after a Civil War medal of honor recipient.

The Andrew Jackson Smith Medal of Honor Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic would have the namesake of the last African American Civil War soldier to receive a medal of honor.

Smiths descendants were recipients of the medal from former President Bill Clinton in 2001, 137 years after the Battle of Honey Hill.

Chicago to upgrade homeless shelters

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has announced the investment of $40 million in taxpayer funds to modernize homeless shelters with private sleeping rooms and bathrooms.

The funding is part of the Department of Family and Support Services Shelter Infrastructure Initiative and includes $20 million from federal taxpayers.
Forced to eat the day's only meal "like a dog," with their hands shackled behind their back. Detained for days with nothing but shoes for a pillow and no other bedding  just cold, concrete floors and constant fluorescent lighting. Medical care that denied a man with diabetes insulin for a week and may have contributed to at least one death.

A Human Rights Watch report says three Miami immigrant detention facilities have subjected people to conditions so inhumane they have become, at times, life-threatening. Many ICE detention facilities are becoming overcrowded and conditions are deteriorating, according to the July 21 report.

The report, which drew from the testimonials of 17 detainees, examined conditions since President Donald Trump took office in January. Investigators say conditions at the Krome North Processing Center, Federal Detention Center and Broward Transitional Center flout international law on holding people in immigrant detention and federal government standards.

The conditions for people held in the detention facilities are not the way that any legitimate, functioning government should treat people within its custody, report author and editor Alison Leal Parker, deputy director of the Human Rights Watchs US Program, said.

While the facilities have had issues predating this administration, Parker said Trump administration officials have been unwilling to uphold standards to properly treat immigrant detainees. The conditions indicate the system is "overwhelmed, overcrowded and chaotic," she said.

Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, said claims of subprime conditions at Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers are FALSE.

All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers, McLaughlin said in an emailed statement. Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of individuals in our custody is a top priority at ICE. ICE has higher detention standards than most U.S. prisons that hold actual U.S. citizens.

Southern, Republican-led states have emerged as key partners in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown. Florida stood up a tent city called "Alligator Alcatraz." Georgia is expanding its largest ICE detention center. And Louisiana is hosting the most dedicated ICE facilities outside Texas.

Time at all three facilities

Entrepreneur Harpinder Singh Chauhan, 56, spent time at all three facilities during nearly four months as a detainee, beginning in February.

British national Harpinder Singh Chauhan, 56, second from left, was held in three immigration detention facilities in Miami that Human Rights Watch said in a recent report is ripe with inhumane, overcrowded conditions.

The British national, who first entered the country on an E-2 investor visa in 2016, opened small businesses in Florida. One of them failed  a franchise of Dickey's Barbecue Pit, which also bankrupted many other franchisees. He and his wife were seeking permanent residency through a valid EB-5 visa petition when their business collapsed.

While Chauhan was never convicted of crimes, he was ordered to pay restitution to Florida for tax issues, court records show. In February, he was turned over to ICE after a routine probation check-in.

At the Krome facility, he spent days in cold, crowded processing cells without beds or showers. He said he was denied medical care, including insulin for his diabetes and an inhaler for his asthma. He used his shoes as a pillow.

During a tuberculosis outbreak, he said the facility had no soap. Instead, staff made detainees use shampoo to wash their hands. Detainees jokingly said everyone had Kromes disease, a play on Chrohn's disease, a chronic gastrointestinal illness, Chauhan recalled.

Detainees were beaten for protesting their treatment, and one man was hogtied, the report said. Officials also used solitary confinement as punishment, according to women who spoke to Human Rights Watch. In June, detainees at Krome signaled SOS to news cameras from the yard over conditions.

In an aerial view from a helicopter, detainees are seen at Krome Detention Center run by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement on July 4, 2025 in Miami, Florida.

The report said women were placed at Krome, a privately operated mens facility, where they were crowded in small holding cells without gender-appropriate care or privacy. USA TODAY reported on similar conditions inside Krome, where one man died  an incident Human Rights Watch suspects may have been linked to medical neglect.

Akima, a private Alaska Native Corporation that operates Krome, didnt respond to USA TODAYs request for comment. But in response to a Human Rights Watch letter summarizing findings and questions, the company said it couldnt comment publicly on the specifics of its "engagement" with the government, according to the report.

'Like a dog'

Midway through his detention, on April 15, Chauhan was placed inside a crowded Federal Detention Center holding cell awaiting transfer without a meal for the day. Styrofoam food containers sat full for hours on other side of the federal prisons bars.

In the evening, he and others finally received food. But with their hands shackled at their waist, they were forced to eat by putting their faces to bite into potatoes rolling around, rice and dry chicken, he said.

Youve got to kind of prop it up with your knees and then eat out of it like a dog, Chauhan said. Another 21-year-old detainee interviewed by Human Rights Watch also described being forced to eat like an animal.

The 25 to 30 men forced to eat this way were transferred from the facility several hours later, Chauhan said.

Beds inside a migrant detention center, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," as President Donald Trump toured the Ochopee, Florida, facility on July 1, 2025.

Less than a week later, at Broward, Chauhan collapsed in the heat awaiting dinner and was taken to a hospital, with no information given to his family. He had not had his insulin for nearly a week. A 44-year-old Haitian woman, Marie Ange Blaise, died at the facility in April, following a medical emergency that was not treated urgently, according to Human Rights Watch and advocates.

"We strongly believe her death could have been prevented," Guerline Jozef, director of the nonprofit Haitian Bridge Alliance told USA TODAY at the time. "We will continue to demand accountability and protection for people in ICE custody."

GEO Group, which operates Broward, denied the report's allegations, including questions about Chauhan's account.

The facility has around-the-clock access to medical care, as well as access to visitations, libraries, translation services and amenities, Christopher Ferreira, a spokesperson for the company, said in a statement. Support services are monitored by ICE, including on-site personnel, and other organizations within DHS.

A 'dark time' in US

Chauhan was ordered deported and boarded a flight back to the United Kingdom on June 5. His family, including two adult children, stayed in Florida to close what remains of their businesses.

Now living outside London, Chauhan said he plans to keep paying his Florida debt. Even though his family is ready to leave, he hopes to one day return to America.

Every nation goes through a dark time, he said. I feel this is just a test.

Lauren Villagran contributed to this report.

Eduardo Cuevas is based in New York City. Reach him by email at emcuevas1@usatoday.com or on Signal at emcuevas.01.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Report blasts immigration detention conditions under Trump
(Refiles article to remove several paragraphs that were inadvertently duplicated)

By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) -A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit accusing Intel of defrauding shareholders by concealing problems in a business where it manufactured chips for outside customers, leading to a $32 billion one-day plunge in its market value.

While saying she "understands plaintiffs' frustrations," U.S. District Judge Trina Thompson in San Francisco ruled on Wednesday that Intel did not wait too long to reveal a $7 billion fiscal 2023 operating loss in its foundry business.

Intel's stock price sank 26% last August 2, one day after the chipmaker announced more than 15,000 layoffs and suspended its dividend, hoping to save $10 billion in 2025.

The Santa Clara, California-based company created the foundry business in 2021 to serve customers including Amazon.com and Qualcomm, while still making chips and wafers for internal use.

In a 21-page decision, Thompson said Intel made clear that foundry results would be "obscured" until 2024, meaning its earlier financial reporting was not false and misleading.

Thompson also cited an "overarching policy consideration" that because Intel's public statements suggested a "trial-and-error" approach to the foundry business, the company could have faced risks from reporting preliminary, unaudited data.

The judge dismissed an earlier version of the lawsuit in March. Wednesday's dismissal was with prejudice, meaning the shareholders cannot sue again.

Intel had been accused of inflating its stock price from January 25 to August 1, 2024.

Lawyers for the shareholders did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. Intel and its lawyers did not immediately respond to similar requests.

Intel has struggled to compete with rival chipmakers such as Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices, Samsung Electronics and Taiwan's TSMC. and benefit from growth in artificial intelligence.

The company lost $18.8 billion in 2024, its first annual loss since 1986.

The case is In re Intel Corp Securities Litigation, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 24-02683.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New YorkEditing by Nick Zieminski)
Intel (INTC) reported its second quarter earnings after the bell on Thursday, beating on revenue but missing on earnings per share (EPS) due to impairment charges.

The company said it is cutting its headcount by 15% and expects to have approximately 75,000 employees by the end of the year.

Intel also offered an upbeat Q3 revenue forecast of between $12.6 billion and $13.6 billion. Wall Street was expecting $12.6 billion.

The chipmaker's stock fell almost 5% in premarket trading on Friday, having initially risen more than 2% soon after the report before turning negative.

Shares of Intel are off 28% over the last 12 months, though up 13% year to date. Intel's market capitalization as of Thursday was $98 billion. Rival AMDs (AMD) market cap tops out at $262 billion. AI leader Nvidia (NVDA) dwarfs both companies with a market cap north of $4 trillion.

For the quarter, Intel saw an adjusted loss per share of $0.10 on revenue of $12.8 billion. Wall Street was anticipating adjusted EPS of $0.01 on revenue of $11.8 billion, based on Bloombergs analyst consensus data. The company reported adjusted EPS of $0.02 and $12.8 billion in revenue in the same period last year.

Intel said it took an $800 million non-cash impairment and accelerated depreciation charges related to "excess tools with no identified re-use" and roughly $200 million one-time period costs for Q2. The company has also canceled planned projects in Germany and Poland and is slowing construction of its facility in Ohio.

Read more: Live coverage of corporate earnings

Intel's Products business, which includes sales of its laptop and desktop CPUs and data center and AI chips, brought in $11.8 billion versus expectations of $10.9 billion.

Intel is dealing with increased competition from AMD (AMD) and the rising threat from Qualcomm (QCOM), which is pushing further into the PC chip space with its Snapdragon X Plus and X Elite chips.

Intels still-nascent Foundry business generated $4.4 billion in revenue versus expectations of $4.3 billion, up 2%. The division, which is meant to produce chips for third-party customers using Intels processor technology, is still struggling to make meaningful headway.

Intel previously announced it reached agreements to build chips for Microsoft and Amazon using its 18A technology, which former CEO Pat Gelsinger championed to help grow the companys manufacturing segment.

And while earlier reports cast doubt on whether the company would continue offering 18A to third-party customers. But Tan said he plans to build out the company's capacity for the technology for its internal chips, which will then allow it to attract customers to the product in the future.

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Jenna & Friends Jenna Bush Hager reacts to cursing on 'Today.'

Jenna Bush Hager is still cringing after an on-air accident on the Thursday, July 24, episode of her show Today with Jenna & Friends.

The moment came while the 43-year-old was co-hosting with pal Willie Geist. The Today show staples were discussing their extensive history together when things went off the rails.

Bush Hager recalled the first time she met Geists wife, Christina, whom she calls Tini, in 2012 when their son George was just 3 years old.

Christina goes  I don't know if you can say this  but he was like, 'God, George is acting like an a------,' Bush Hager recalled as Geist and seemingly the rest of the crew shared shocked expressions. You can't say that. You can't say it.

Jenna & Friends Jenna Bush Hager and Willie Geist on 'Today' on July 24.

While Bush Hager attempted to continue with her story, the shows producers informed her that she couldnt say the expletive on NBC.

Can you say it one time? she asked.

No, Geist, who hosts Sunday Today, informed her. You can say it zero times.

Oh, sorry, sorry, everybody's looking at me like 'why did you say that?' Bush Hager said, covering her face with her hands.

I'm looking at you like 'why did you say that?' Geist teased his longtime pal. I'd like to go on the record that my wife never said such a thing about my precious 3-year-old son.

She did! Bush Hager insisted. Now I'm blushing and I never blush. Was it the tequila? I thought you were allowed to say it one time.

Jenna & Friends Jenna Bush Hager and Willie Geist on 'Today with Jenna & Friends' on July 24.

Despite producers being audibly heard telling Bush Hager that no she could not, in fact, curse one time, she then asked, That's just Schitt's Creek? referencing the hit comedy with the tongue and cheek title.

That's just the title of the show spelled differently. Don't keep going down the line of expletives, Geist told her. This stops here. And we are live on NBC this morning!

As the show went on, Bush Hager became more and more flustered, saying, I feel worried like I'm going to get a call from the boss or something, while Geist reassured her, No, you're fine. You're good.



James Devaney/GC Willie Geist and Jenna Bush Hager on 'Today' on July 23.

And while they attempted to continue the morning show talk, the subject kept returning. NBC correspondent Peter Alexander, who had filled in for Craig Melvin on the first two hours of the Today show, was seen coming onto the studio set, giving Bush Hager a hard time.

I'm still stuck in a moment and I'm trying to get out of it, Bush Hager admitted. I'm still stuck in a moment, and here's Peter Alexander from the White House coming over to shame me. I was told you could say it one time!

Geist shut down the notion, saying, You were not told! No, you were not told. Peter, you're making it worse, just

I feel bad! Peter, please go, Bush Hager said. The shame is all-encompassing. I'm sorry. I apologize to everybody. I apologize.

Later in the show, Bush Hager referenced ruining my job, ruining my career, before admitting to Geist, I want to be in a shame ball and go eat some Smashburger tacos ... why did I do it? Why did I do it? Where did it come from?

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

Bush Hager isnt alone in accidentally breaking FCC broadcast rules on Today. In 2018, Savannah Guthrie was caught saying, Oh s---, on camera, later apologizing for the snafu. And in April, Bush Hagers guest co-host Tyra Banks said bitch on air, immediately realizing that she was not allowed to use the expletive.

"I dont think you can say that. But I love you so much," Bush Hager told Banks at the time, laughing before Banks asked, "Did you guys do the beep? Beep me!"

Read the original article on People
Feature: Chinese centenarian veteran recounts Sino-American cooperation in WWII

Xinhua) 09:08, July 24, 2025

CHENGDU, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Time's river wipes away much, but nothing can wash away the indelible wartime years of a 101-year-old veteran of the war against Japanese aggression.

Each bomb weighed 250 kilograms and stood 2.5 meters tall -- silent giants waiting to be loaded into the bellies of American B-29 bombers destined for Japan. "Back then, we fueled the planes and armed the bombs, all to ensure they fell on the aggressors' heads," Xue Shuzheng murmured, voice trembling yet resolute.

Xue was born in 1924 in Yibin, a city in southwest China's Sichuan Province. In 1944, this young mechanic was dispatched to Xinjin airfield, where his fate became intertwined with the B-29 Bomber.

The first sight of the B-29 remains etched in his memory: "That aircraft was enormous. When its four engines roared, the ground shook, and the sheer force of the propellers could knock you off your feet." As a sergeant, he led a team of 10 mechanics responsible for refueling and arming two B-29s.

Every morning, the bombers roared into the sky. By dusk, many returned scarred with bullet holes and shrapnel wounds. Nights were a frenzy of repairs and reloading under floodlights, with Chinese and American mechanics working side by side.

"Some planes never made it back, and others were so badly damaged that they crashed just short of the airfield," Xue said. "It was truly heartbreaking for all of us."

Danger also lurked constantly. Once, Japanese planes tailed returning B-29s and strafed the airfield. "Sirens blared. Flares lit up the night. We leapt into trenches by the runway," Xue said.

Xinjin airfield was more than just a military base but also a symbol of China's desperate resistance and the unyielding spirit of its people.

Nestled in the heart of Sichuan's fertile plains, Xinjin airfield first took shape in 1928. With the outbreak of full-scale resistance war against Japanese aggression, this airfield was designated as a strategically vital aviation base.

Major expansion efforts began in 1938 as part of a broader campaign to develop nine critical airfields across the region. By 1941, Xinjin had completed its fourth phase of expansion.

In late 1943, to support Operation Matterhorn, a special national defense initiative was launched to build or expand forward operating bases at four places including Xinjin.

Operation Matterhorn was a United States Army Air Force military operation in World War II for the strategic bombing of Japanese forces by B-29 bombers based in India and China. Targets included the Japanese homeland and its bases in China.

Safely positioned in China's wartime hinterland, with convenient river access for construction materials and an optimal position along the Hump airlift route to strike at the Japanese homeland, made Xinjin an ideal location to operate the mission.

Men and women, young and old, over 200,000 workers from Sichuan laid down their farm tools, shouldered bamboo baskets, and marched to Xinjin.

"Without machines, we crushed stones by hand, hauled gravel in baskets, and dragged concrete rollers that weighed more than 10 tonnes with hemp ropes to build the runway, inch by inch," said Jiang Youcai, a 98-year-old local resident who joined the airfield's construction.

By May 1944, Xinjin boasted a 2,600-meter runway, thick enough to handle the massive B-29s, along with three fuel depots. It became the operational hub for the U.S. Headquarters 20 Bomb Command, Headquarters Squadron 58th Bombardment Wing and Headquarters Squadron 40th Bombardment Group, housing over 50 B-29s.

On June 15, 1944, a fleet of B-29s took off from Xinjin, crossed the East China Sea, and bombed Japan's Yawata Steel Works. It is the first air strike on the Japanese homeland from Chinese homeland.

By January 1945, they had conducted over ten bombing missions over the Japanese mainland, making significant contributions to defeating Japanese fascism and writing a glorious chapter in the history of Sino-American cooperative resistance against aggression.

Without the miracles wrought by Chinese hands, this victory would not have been possible, American General Kenneth Bonner Wolfe said.

Today, Xinjin airfield is quieter. What was once a vital base for China-U.S. allied operations during World War II has now become a civilian aviation training institute, with modern aircraft gracefully traversing its runways where B-29 bombers once roared.

In 1956, the Civil Aviation Flight University of China (CAFUC) was established in Xinjin. Over the past 70 years since its founding, the university has cultivated nearly 200,000 professionals in various civil aviation fields.

Among them are plane Captain Liu Chuanjian, a heroic pilot who successfully made an emergency landing after the cockpit window broke mid-flight while carrying over 100 passengers, and the chief test flight crew members of China's domestically developed aircraft, including the ARJ21, C919 and AG600.

The university has also trained over 1,000 civil aviation professionals such as pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, air traffic controllers, airport managers, dispatchers, and flight attendants for the Belt and Road Initiative partner countries, providing talent support and intellectual contributions to their civil aviation development.

"After learning about the glorious history of Xinjin airfield, we realize that in today's world, only by remembering history and cherishing peace can we truly advance global prosperity and development", said Yan Bowen, a student at CAFUC.

Scattered around the runway and fields, the massive concrete rollers stand as silent witnesses to history. Nearby, an aging fuel depot's weathered walls whisper tales of time's relentless passage.

As dusk descends upon Xinjin airfield, the runway lights flicker to life, their glow casting long shadows across the tarmac. For a fleeting moment, victory of defeating fascism together seems to breathe again-the thunder of B-29 engines, the shouts of mechanics, the tension of wartime preparations all but audible in the evening air.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
KYLE GREEN/POOL/EPA/Shutterstock Bryan Kohberger; Judge Steven Hippler

The judge in the Bryan Kohberger trial wiped away tears when giving the 30-year-old quadruple murderer four life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole for killing four University of Idaho students.

Ada County District Court Judge Steven Hippler appeared to cry as he addressed the packed courthouse on Wednesday, July 23, just before he handed down the lifelong sentence.

During the quiet morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, a faceless coward breached the tranquility of six beautiful young people and senselessly slaughtered them  four of them, he said, pausing to stare at Kohberger.

But due to the killers incompetence and outstanding police work, the person that slithered through that sliding glass door at 1122 King Road now stands before the world and this court unmasked.

Three weeks earlier, on July 2, Kohberger appeared in the same Boise courtroom and confessed to breaking into the house at King Road and fatally stabbing Maddie Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20.

Instagram Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Kaylee Goncalves hours before the murders

Now, the judge said, victims families and friends are left to carry forth the memories of these now perpetually young people, these forever children.

In addition to the four life sentences without the possibility of parole for the murders, Hippler gave Kohberger 10 years on a burglary conviction. He was also ordered to pay $270,000 in fines and civil penalties.

The sentencing came after more than two hours of emotional and powerful victim statements the students families and loved ones shared with the court.

I listened intently to the stories and pain that have been shared today with great awe at the courage and resilience of the surviving family members of those wonderful children, the judge said.

Earlier that morning, Kaylees older sister, Alivea Goncalves, had some of the most blistering words for the man who took her sisters life.

"Sit up straight when I talk to you, she commanded Kohberger.

"Kaylee and her best friend Maddie were not yours to take," Alivea said, describing how she considered both girls to be her sisters.

"They were everything that you could never be  loved, accepted, vibrant, accomplished, brave and powerful."

Alivea zeroed in on Kohbergers weaknesses, particularly how relevant he had always strived to be, by saying, "The truth is, the scariest part about you is how painfully average you turned out to be."

She concluded her remarks by saying, "You want the truth? Here's the one youll hate the most. If you hadnt attacked them in their sleep, in the middle of the night like a pedophile, Kaylee would have kicked your fing ass."

The judge had kind words for surviving roommates Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen, who have been criticized by some people on social media who have speculated they could have called police sooner. He praised their courage to come forward despite the hell they faced by uncaring people who have come up with all kinds of crazy theories about two kids simply being kids.

On the night of the murders, Mortensen told police she saw what she thought was a fireman walking past her door, but in the moment, was too scared and confused to act.

Kohberger will now undergo a two-week evaluation after which the IDOC will determine what prison he is sent to for the rest of his life.

That will likely be the lone maximum security prison in Idaho but could also be an out-of-state facility due to safety concerns surrounding the high-profile inmate.



Read the original article on People
Courtesy of Krispy Kreme Krispy Kreme and Crocs Classic Clogs

Donut try to eat these shoes!

Krispy Kreme and Crocs are launching their first-ever partnership with a Croc inspired by a classic glazed doughnut. Slated for release on Aug. 5 in adult sizes, each pair of the limited-edition Classic Clogs comes equipped with customizable icing and sprinkle toe caps.

"At Crocs, weve always believed in comfort you can customize, Crocs, Inc. Chief Brand Officer Terence Reilly said in a statement. And now, with Krispy Kreme, were serving up a style thats glazed.

Courtesy of Krispy Kreme Limited-Edition Classic Clogs

The clogs will be available for $90 at Crocs stores and on the brand's website, and come inside a custom shoe box inspired by the Krispy Kreme dozen box. Fans can purchase their shoes early by visiting a participating Krispy Kreme and scanning the Crocs QR code inside the store.

The five-pack of toe caps are listed for $20 and feature two doughnuts, a dozen box and the iconic Krispy Kreme paper hat.

Customers can also purchase a dozen special donuts on the app in addition to rocking the faux sweet treats on their feet. Flavors include the Original Glazed, Chocolate Iced with Sprinkles and Strawberry Iced with Sprinkles  which are available Aug. 4 through Aug. 10.

Courtesy of Krispy Kreme Jibbitz charms

Doughnut lovers can even grab a free Original Glazed Doughnut on Aug. 9, if they enter a participating Krispy Kreme wearing the Classic Clogs.

In May, Krispy Kreme celebrated the 45th anniversary of PAC-MAN with three doughnuts inspired by the classic video game. On top of that, the company gave away 45,000 doughnuts throughout the week of May 12.

"Its been so much fun working with Crocs to create what might be the sweetest Classic Clogs yet, Krispy Kremes Chief Brand Officer Alison Holder said. Fans of both of our brands expect the unexpected and this collab certainly is next-level when it comes to that. We cant wait to see Krispy Kreme x Crocs clog social media.



Read the original article on People
By Richard Cowan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump on Thursday said she would not run for the U.S. Senate in North Carolina next year, setting the stage for an expected matchup of former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley.

Republicans currently hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, and North Carolina will be the site of one of the half-dozen most competitive races in next year's midterm elections, following Republican Thom Tillis' decision not to seek reelection.

"After much consideration and heartfelt discussions with my family, friends, and supporters, I have decided not to pursue the United States Senate seat in North Carolina at this time," Lara Trump said in a posting on X on Thursday.

Multiple U.S. media outlets, citing unnamed sources, have reported that Whatley and Cooper intend to enter the race. The two could not be reached for comment on Thursday.

North Carolina is one of six Senate races that are seen as competitive by political analysts. The other five are in Georgia, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota and New Hampshire.

Democrats face an uphill battle in capturing control of the chamber, as they would need to defend seats in Michigan, Minnesota and New Hampshire where incumbents are retiring and flip at least four Republican-held seats for a majority.

They are seen as having better odds of capturing the House of Representatives, though efforts underway in heavily Republican Texas to redraw district lines could dim their chances in that chamber as well.

Tillis opted not to seek reelection after drawing Trump's ire for voting against a sweeping tax-cut bill that will cut Medicaid funding. That may have provided Democrats with the ammunition to help sway the state's rural voters.

"It would result in tens of billions of dollars in lost funding for North Carolina, including our hospitals and rural communities," Tillis said of the massive bill the Senate passed on July 1.

Cooper also blasted the bill in a July 3 posting on social media, saying that it hurt "working families, seniors, children and veterans so those at the top can have big tax breaks."

On Monday, in his role as Republican National Committee head, Whatley posted criticism on social media of Representative Abigail Spanberger, the Democrat running for governor of Virginia this year. His missive might provide a hint on how a head-to-head matchup with Cooper might look.

"She's an open-borders, pro-DEI, radical leftist who put America last in Congress and would do the same if she's elected as governor," Whatley said of Spanberger.

(Reporting by Richard Cowan; editing by Scott Malone and Rosalba O'Brien)
A woman's Fourth of July trip to Colorado took an intense and overwhelming turn when she learned that her Texas ranch, which backs up to the Medina River, was being inundated with floodwaters, and her dog, Ziva, was missing.

Erin Doguet departed for her trip on July 3, leaving the care of her ranch and its over 200 animals to her sister Shannon and a pet sitter, Taelyn. Doguet's working livestock guardian dogs  an 8-year-old Turkish Kangal, Ziva, and a 2-year-old Central Asian Shepherd, Una  were also assisting with caring for the ranch.

On July 4, as months' worth of rain started to soak and flood the area surrounding her ranch, Doguet learned Ziva had disappeared.

"I left on vacation to Colorado, 1500 miles away. My pet sitter was caring for my ranch and animals while I was gone. Ziva took off after a predator or possibly also spooked by the big storm, causing her to end up on the back section of the ranch, which is bordered by the Medina River. As she crossed the river, the flood waters rose swiftly, trapping her," Doguet tells PEOPLE about what happened to the dog on July 4.

Erin Doguet Ziva the dog

Thankfully, Doguet had equipped both of her livestock guardian dogs with Tractive GPS collars long before her trip to Colorado. The collars allowed her to track her dogs' whereabouts while they were out working on the ranch.

So when Ziva disappeared during Texas' catastrophic floods, Doguet's sister and pet sitter didn't know the dog's location, but Doguet in Colorado did.



Erin Doguet Ziva's collar

"While I was away, I was tracking Ziva on the Tractive app, helping guide Shannon and Taelyn to her. I shared Ziva's tracker location and access to the app with Shannon so she could track her as well on the ground. The app worked flawlessly in guiding us to her location," Doguet shares.

Erin Doguet Ziva the dog on the ranch and Ziva stuck in a flooded gully

Once Shannon and Taelyn reached the spot indicated by Ziva's collar, they still couldn't see the dog. The Tractive app's option to play a sound from the collar eventually led Shannon to Ziva, who was stuck in a flooded gully and hard to see.

Erin Doguet Ziva trapped by a flooded gully

"Ziva was found trapped in a flooded gully along the flooded Medina River. The roaring river blocked any escape back home, and the three other sides were too steep and slick for her to climb out on her own," Doguet says of the situation.

When Shannon spotted the dog alive and waiting for rescue, she told her sister right away.

"I burst into tears knowing they found her alive! When the collar kept reporting her same location for hours on the river, I feared she was dead," the pet parent says.

Erin Doguet Ziva shortly before her rescue

Altogether, Ziva spent about 16 hours stuck, alone and confused, but ultimately survived the ordeal with little injury.

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.

"Ziva was so exhausted that she didn't have much strength to help Shannon and Taelyn pull her out. Ziva weighs 120 pounds, and my sister stated she was so tired. She was just dead weight. Once home, she guzzled water and slept for the next 12 hours. She was physically unharmed," Doguet summarizes.

To learn how to help support the victims and recovery efforts from the Texas floods, click here.



Read the original article on People
Samuel Robinson Jaro Cabla

Exploring the world was always the goal for Jaro, a 26-year-old wanderlust who was raised on Hawaii's island of O'ahu since he was five years old  that is, until his lifelong dream became his reality.

Today, Jaro  who simply goes by "Travel With Jaro" on Instagram and TikTok  has successfully evolved his vision of adventure and spontaneous exploration into a full-time career as a content creator, boasting 2.5M followers across both platforms to date.

Upon first glance at his social media grids, online scrollers are almost guaranteed to be overcome with FOMO (rather, internet talk for "fear of missing out") due to his dream sequence-like videos and picture-perfect photos that may even have onlookers question if they're AI (they're not).

In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Jaro opens up about building a life for himself that he'd always dreamt about, explaining the unexpected reason why it wasn't what he thought it would be and how he "reclaimed" his passion to personally and professionally thrive.

Marek Wolfensberger Jaro Cabla

Jaro, who was born in the Czech Republic before relocating to the Aloha State, was basically raised by Mother Nature. Having lived there until he was 21 years old, the island shaped him (and taught him many lessons, English being one of them).

"That was really the place where I found myself from a very young age," he tells PEOPLE exclusively of his upbringing on the small pocket of land situated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

Jaro shared, "Waking up in the ocean every single morning, going out and running around barefoot, hiking barefoot in the mountains with my best friends, going cliff jumping... It was always outdoorsy things, this passion for life and adventure growing up there."

But for an island that can take a driver approximately one hour to get from one side to the other, "boxed in" is what he felt, especially having come from Europe at a young age. Ultimately, the wide-eyed free spirit sought more.

Ivana Cablova Jaro Cabla

At age 19, an eventual "itch to travel" entered Jaro's soul, and romance entered his heart.

"I ended up falling in love with this girl," he says of his former Vancouver-based love interest at the time, noting that they did "long distance" for about three months until they decided to take a road trip together from Oregon to Utah.

"It was [really] transformative for me because this was one of the first times that I made it outside of this state," he shares, adding, "For the first time in my life, during this road trip, I really got to see how much bigger this world really is."

Fast forward a few years, Jaro completed two years of community college in Hawaii before realizing he wanted to pursue his "passion for travel" seriously. He moved to Oregon, they went to a Christian university together, but after some time, he dropped out.

Ivana Cablova Jaro Cabla

Jaro moved to Vancouver with his then-girlfriend, but felt held back  so he did what was best for himself and the "abstract dream" he had in mind for his future.

"Every time I would talk about my dreams of traveling and hitchhiking across countries and doing something that was a bit wild, living on boats, living on sailboats, none of that was accepted by the people that I was around and my partner at the time," he shares.

After five months in Canada, Jaro listened to his gut and called it quits on their relationship. Despite their romance coming to an end, the adventure seeker's exhilarating life  filled with twists, turns and a fair share of couch surfing  had only just begun.

"It's not like I had loads of funds coming in at this point, but I had a car and I had all of my university things  so I drove all the way to California," he explained. "My friend told me I could crash on his floor for a couple months until I figured out what I wanted to do with my life basically."

Kevin Wandersky Jaro Cabla

Jaro, then 21 years old, wound up staying with his friend until he sold his car for approximately $7K or $8K, which was enough for him to pack up and head out to further pursue his dream of "creating travel content" and "getting paid to travel the world."

"I have this tattoo on my arm. It's 'November 7th, 2019, which was when I decided to drop out of university and pursue this passion and leave everything behind," he tells PEOPLE, looking back.

The first place Jaro went? New Zealand, the first solo trip he took in February 2020 (and notoriously, the start of the COVID-19 pandemic) with $8K in his bank account and making around $700 a month doing remote marketing work for his mom's massage therapy clinic.

"I was living in hostels and I hitchhiked around the entire country, but I didn't have any real plan," he admits. "Transport was too expensive. So, I would meet new people in a hostel every single day, and sometimes, we'd go hitchhiking together  or then, I would go off and hitchhike on my own."

Courtesy Jaro Cabla Jaro Cabla

Jaro pushed himself further in an attempt to achieve his dreams and gave himself an ultimatum.

"When I sold that car and left California and left my friend's house and went to New Zealand, I told myself that I wasn't going to come back home until travel content and content creation was my full-time job," he says.

Ultimately, it took Jaro "about two years" until he allowed himself to go back home and see his family thanks to a "turning point" opportunity to travel from New Zealand to Fiji on a sailboat with a few friends he met  or rather, a mecca for content creation gold.

"I really used that as an opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and be able to document a real story out of it," he shares. "About eight months after that day, I made it to Bali. Within two or three months of being here, I really, really zoned in on what I was doing."

"And within that two-month period, I landed on my first viral video on TikTok," he continues, "And that was a video that hit 23 million views and took me from 150 to 650,000 followers within a single week."

Sarah Rosenborg Jaro Cabla

Now, Jaro's job has transformed into "sharing unique travel experiences and opportunities" with his viewers with my viewers," he explains. "I love the really grungy type of travel that pushes you outside of your comfort zone."

For example, one scroll on Jaro's social media platforms and you'll see him jumping out of planes from beautiful locations, mountain climbing in Nepal, diving with sharks in the French Polynesia, bungee jumping off cliffs in Bali, among other exotic  and at times, knee-weakening  experiences.

"Now, what I get paid for is mainly working with the travel brands," he explains, citing collaborations with major companies like Apple or Meta. "It's not just within the travel space, but sharing more life experiences."

Samuel Robinson Jaro Cabla

Then, after five years of creating content full time, the unforeseen wild card factor hit him: it "ruined" his life.

"It can really disconnect you from what's happening in the present moment," he tells PEOPLE transparently. "I was constantly telling myself to create or try to be perfect for a camera or to create this certain moment that wasn't really real."

He adds, "I felt this very strong disconnect from the moment rather than having the camera be a part of the moment."

Jaro credits one quote that "changed" his entire life: "Document it, don't create."

"When you have this constant urge to have to pick up your camera and take a video of something just to get paid, there's a bit of your freedom that's taken away... and a bit of your heart," he admits.

"It takes away from the reason why you really started this in the first place," he continues, "Which was to experience more."

Thiago Gagliaone Jaro Cabla

Since that switch of mindset and newfound perspective, Jaro's flying high  both literally and metaphorically  having traveled to 35 countries since his self-started career took off, creating content for his millions of followers across his social media platforms.

"Miley Cyrus' mom follows me on Instagram!" he points out with a laugh.

As for the best part of his job?

"The impact that you are able to create... Social media has the impact to literally change people's lives," says Jaro, just as it's changed his.

Read the original article on People
KANSAS CITY  After more than a year-and-a-half since three Kansas City Chiefs fans were found dead and frozen outside a Missouri home, a judge on July 24 ruled that the case against two men accused in their deaths will move forward to trial.

During a preliminary hearing in Platte County Circuit Court, Judge Abe Quint Shafer found enough probable cause in the triple murder allegations against Jordan Willis, 39, and Ivory Carson, 42 to send the case to a jury of their peers.

The defendants are charged with three counts each of of felony murder and distribution of a controlled substance in connection with the January 2024 deaths of Ricky Johnson, 38, David Harrington, 37, and Clayton McGeeney, 36. The men were all found dead in below-freezing temperatures outside a home Willis rented, the Kansas City Police Department said.

The case garnered national attention as the men's cause and manner of death were shrouded in mystery for more than a year.

Over a dozen family members of the alleged victims sat in the courtroom and remained silent when the judge made his decision during the nearly three-hour hearing.

Willis and Carson both appeared in court July 24, Willis wearing a blue and white button down shirt and black slacks. Carson, who remained incarcerated on a $100,000 bond, wore an orange jail jumpsuit and was shackled at the ankles.

Willis has been free on the same bond since shortly after his March 2025 arrest.

Although testimony revealed the men knew each other, and they sat less than five feet apart at the defense table, they did not speak.

(From left) Assistant prosecuting attorney Collin VanOstran, defendant Ivory Carson, his public defender attorney Katherine Berger, lawyer John Picerno and defendant Jordan Willis.

Testimony: One corpse turned into three

Autopsies were conducted in January 2024 on the deceased men in the mysterious case, but their cause and manner of death remained a mystery until March 5, 2025. At that time, prosecutors announced the defendants had been arrested on the drug charge as well as three counts of involuntary manslaughter.

But on June 27, amended court documents show, prosecutors upgraded the offense to murder.

During the preliminary hearing, police detective Naomi Vaughns testified she responded to the home for a report of a dead body on Jan. 9, 2024. McGeeneys fiance first contacted police and said she visited the home after not hearing from him.

Platte County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Mark Gibson (right) hands Circuit Court Judge Abe Quint Shafer a photo taken of David Harrington at the home of Jordan Willis during a preliminary hearing in metro Kansas City on July 24, 2025. Harrington and two friends were found dead in Willis' backyard on Jan. 9. 2024. Willis is on trial charged with felony murder in the men's fentanyl and cocaine overdose deaths.

When no one answered the door, she broke inside through a window and found a dead body in the back of the property.

The home is nestled in a quaint neighborhood mixed with townhomes and rental properties about a 20 minute drive from downtown Kansas City. It was cold that day, and snow covered the ground, Vaughns testified, and the call came in nearly two days after the men met for a Sunday afternoon Chiefs watch party.

Instead of finding one corpse in the backyard, like the detective expected, she said she found three, later identified as Johnson, McGeeney and Harrington.

From involuntary manslaughter to murder: New charges filed in deaths of 3 Kansas City Chiefs fans

'We presumed the victims had overdosed'

Kansas City police detective Mark Divak testified that two of the bodies were found in the home's fenced-in back yard, and one was seated in a chair on the patio.

Temperatures that fateful night reached 18 degrees, Divak confirmed on the stand as he identified pictures of the frozen men taken at the scene. Headshots showed what appeared to be snow or ice on some of their faces.

"We presumed the victims had overdosed," Divak said. "There was no trauma to the deceased. No indication of any foul play involved."

Kansas City police detective Phillip Sipple told the court the men's autopsies revealed a toxic combination of cocaine and fentanyl killed all three of them. Officials allege that evidence  including the defendants' DNA found on drugs at the scene  shows the pair gave substances to the victims before their deaths.

Sipple alleged that at least two witnesses who knew Willis told police he had previously provided cocaine to the victims, including during the final football game they watched before their deaths. It was not unusual, the detective said, for Willis and his friends to get together weekly to use cocaine and watch football."

Investigators say they found a baggie of a white substance, later confirmed by a crime lab to be fentanyl, on a table in the living room of the home. Law enforcement also found another bag, later identified as cocaine, in a closed drawer.

Willis' DNA was reportedly found on a bag of cocaine, while Carsons DNA was allegedly found on a bag of fentanyl.

Jordan Willis' former home, where three Kansas City Chiefs fans were found dead on Jan. 9, 2024. Willis and Ivory Carson, his codefendant, are charged with second-degree felony murder in the case.

Data recovered from Harrington's phone also allegedly contained text messages between Harrington, McGeeney, Johnson, Willis, Carson and others "consistent with the purchase and use of cocaine," prosecutors said. The messages, investigators claimed, indicated Carson supplied Harrington with cocaine.

Gate to the backyard of Jordan Willis' former home, where three Kansas City Chiefs fans were found dead on Jan. 9, 2024. Willis and Ivory Carson, his codefendant, are charged with second-degree felony murder in the case.

Video captured Willis talking to police the day the bodies were found

In court, prosecutors played a video of an interview Vaughns conducted with Willis in a patrol car the day the bodies were found.

"They were drinking up a storm and smoking up a storm.... they may have gotten fentanyl," Willis told the detective, noting that his friends all sported Chief's gear that day.

He said early Monday Jan. 8, 2024, his friends left the house through the front door, and he assumed they were heading back to their own homes.

"They could have went behind the frickin'... gate. That's the only way. I saw them all leave." Willls told the detective, sounding choked up at that point in the video. "Why would they do that? I went to bed on the couch and they must have just went back in."

These provided photos show David Harrington, 37, Clayton McGeeney, 36 and Ricky Johnson, 38, three Kansas City Chiefs fans who were found dead following a watch party for the Chiefs-Chargers game on Jan. 7, 2024.

He said he slept most of Monday and only got up to get water from the kitchen and did not see the bodies.

"I slept on the couch," Willis said. "I had no idea they were back there."

It wasn't until police arrived that he learned his friend's' fate.

"I was just here sitting all day like an idiot," Willis said in the police recorded video. "They were here sitting all day. I just feel so bad."

Sentenced to life: New information in Bryan Kohberger case reveals ominous details

'Chiefs are on. Let yourself in'

In a town that bleeds white and red, where its residents hope to spot Chiefs' Tight End Travis Kelce and his superstar girlfriend Taylor Swift on any given day, its football fandom cannot be denied.

"Chiefs are on. Let yourself in," the doormat to the front of the home directly across from the home where the men were found dead reads.

Across from the home rests the brick two-story house with gray siding where the men apparently took their last breaths - a tragedy neighbors called unimageable.

Cecelia Funk 46, who lives in the neighborhood told USA TODAY she was on a routine walk the day police found the bodies.

It was earlier in the day, she said, and they had not yet been discovered by police.

"There were no unusual smells or activity coming from the home," Funk recalled as she stood on a sidewalk in Willis' old neighborhood this week.

Cecila Funk on a walk by the home where three Kansas City Chiefs fans were found dead on Jan. 9, 2024. Jordan Willis and Ivory Carson, his codefendant, are charged with second-degree felony murder in the case.

"It was a wintery wonderland that day," she said. "There were a lot of people outdoors either shoveling their driveway or building a snowman with their kids. After hearing that (they were found dead), I thought, wow how odd or how sad. We were all active and outdoors, but nobody bothered peeking over the fence."

Willis' attorney John Picerno confirmed his client has since moved from the home, and public records show he now lives about three miles northwest of the scene where the bodies were found. Ivory's last known address, public records show, is about three miles southwest of Willis' former home.

Murder defendant Jordan Willis during a July 24, 2025 preliminary hearing in Platte County Circuit Court. Carson and co-defendant Ivory Carson stand accused in the Jan. 9, 2024 deaths of Ricky Johnson, 38, David Harrington, 37, and Clayton McGeeney, 36, found dead at a home Willis' home.

'No time frame for that DNA'

During closing arguments, both defendants' defense attorneys said the state could not prove Willis or Carson were responsible for their deaths.

"There is no time frame for the DNA on that bag," Willis' attorney Picerno said during his closing argument. "There is no evidence to prove the defendants offered the drugs to the men or died directly from what was in those bags."

Picerno also argued another one of the victims could have provided the drugs.

During cross-examination from the defense attorney, detective Sipple confirmed there was no evidence either of the defendants planned to kill the men.

When questioned by Carson's public defender Attorney Katherine Berger, Sipple testified officials didn't know when the drugs in the home were delivered, or who was there.

The detective during cross examination also confirmed a fourth person's DNA was found on one of the bags. Berger argued no other evidence connected her client to the men's deaths.

After his ruling July 24, the judge ordered Willis and Carson to appear back in court for arraignment on Aug. 6. and said their bond will remain the same.

Under Missouri law, felony second-degree is punishable by no less than 10 to 30 years in prison, or life imprisonment, the amended complaint reads.

A person convicted of manslaughter faces between five and 15 years in prison.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judge makes ruling in case on the deaths of 3 frozen Chiefs fans
This photo provided by the Oklahoma Department of Corrections shows death row inmate Richard Glossip on February 19, 2021. - Oklahoma Department of Corrections

A judge on Wednesday denied bond for former Oklahoma death row inmate Richard Glossip, keeping him in custody while he awaits a retrial after the US Supreme Court tossed his conviction and death sentence in the 1997 killing of his former boss, according to court records.

District Judge Heather Coyle said in the order that the State has sufficiently shown by clear and convincing evidence that the presumption of the defendants guilt of a capital offense is great.

The order comes after a hearing on Glossips motion to set bond on June 17. During the hearing, the state presented as witness a communications specialist from the Oklahoma County Detention Center, where Glossip is being held.

Glossips attorney declined to comment on the judges decision Wednesday.

The ruling is the latest twist in the legal saga surrounding Glossip, who has been scheduled for execution nine times and has eaten his last meal three times only to have his execution stayed.

After nearly three decades maintaining his innocence on Oklahomas death row and the emergence of new evidence in recent years, the US Supreme Court in February tossed Glossips conviction and death sentence. The Glossip case is arguably the highest-profile death penalty case to reach the court in years.

We conclude that the prosecution violated its constitutional obligation to correct false testimony, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote for the majority.

The court ordered that Glossip receive a new trial, finding prosecutors failed to correct false testimony that may have influenced his jury. Then, Oklahoma prosecutors said last month they would retry the longtime death row inmate a third time for his role in the killing of his former boss.

Since Glossips 1998 conviction as the alleged orchestrator of a murder-for-hire scheme targeting his boss, Oklahoma City motel owner Barry Van Treese, a raft of issues with his prosecution has surfaced, coinciding with a shift of political winds now at the inmates back.

The fight to spare Glossips life  which has drawn national attention  has been largely helmed by pro-death penalty Republicans, most notably Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond: He and others have said its important Oklahomans have faith the death penalty is fairly administrated, and that Glossips execution would erode trust in the states justice system, given the questions surrounding his case.

Drummond in June announced that he intends to pursue a new murder trial against Glossip on a first-degree murder charge. Drummond said that he would seek a sentence of life in prison for Glossip instead of the death penalty.

While it was clear to me and to the U.S. Supreme Court that Mr. Glossip did not receive a fair trial, I have never proclaimed his innocence, Drummond said in a news release at the time. After the high court remanded the matter back to district court, my office thoroughly reviewed the merits of the case against Richard Glossip and concluded that sufficient evidence exists to secure a murder conviction.

Allegations surfaced that the state withheld evidence related to its star witness.

Glossips conviction rested on testimony from Van Treeses actual killer, Justin Sneed, who got a life sentence in exchange for a guilty plea and for testifying against Glossip. Sneeds testimony was the sole evidence linking Glossip, the motels manager, to the killing.

In its February decision, the Supreme Court found prosecutors had not corrected false testimony Sneed provided at trial; had they, his credibility would have suffered, undercutting his testimony  the lodestar of the prosecutions case.

That correction would have revealed to the jury not just that Sneed was untrustworthy (as amicus points out, the jury already knew he repeatedly lied to the police), but also that Sneed was willing to lie to them under oath, Sotomayor wrote.

Years after Sneeds testimony, the state disclosed evidence that Sneed was treated for a serious psychiatric condition. Notes taken by prosecutors indicate they knew that Sneeds diagnosis and treatment at the time of Glossips trial and, according to Glossips supporters, hid that information from his defense.

The high-profile murder case dates back to 1997

Glossips case dates to January 7, 1997, when Van Treese, a 54-year-old father of seven, was beaten to death at his motel by Sneed, then 19, court records state. At the time, Sneed was staying at the motel while doing maintenance work in exchange for a room.

Glossip, after initially denying knowledge of the killing, eventually admitted Sneed had told him about killing Van Treese. He said he had feared telling the truth because failing to notify police immediately might mean he was already involved in it.

Glossip was at first charged with accessory after the fact. But Sneed implicated Glossip, saying he asked Sneed to kill Van Treese so he could run the motel himself. His charge was upgraded to capital murder, and when Glossip refused a deal for a life sentence, insisting on his innocence, prosecutors offered Sneed the same deal. At trial, they cast Glossip as the engineer of the murder-for-hire plot.

Glossip was convicted and sentenced to death in 1998, but that initial outcome was overturned on appeal due to ineffective counsel. He was retried in 2004 and was again convicted and sentenced to die.

Years later, however  after two independent investigations cast serious doubt on Glossips conviction  the state disclosed evidence that Sneed told prosecutors he was under the care of a jail psychiatrist who had diagnosed him with bipolar disorder and prescribed him lithium.

But when Sneed claimed at trial he had never seen a psychiatrist and the lithium was prescribed after he asked for cold medicine, prosecutors did not correct him.

After the Supreme Court decision, Glossips attorney, Don Knight, told CNN he will now be given the chance to have the fair trial that he has always been denied.

Since 1997, a lot has happened and the prosecutions case over the years has not gotten better, he told CNNs Jake Tapper.

The Van Treese family said at the time they were confident a new trial would return the same verdict as those reached in Glossips first two trials.

This story has been updated with additional information.

CNNs Dakin Andone contributed to this report.

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By Julie Steenhuysen

CHICAGO (Reuters) -U.S. health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s changes to federal vaccine policy are prompting medical organizations and several states to formulate their own vaccine recommendations for the fall respiratory illness season, concerned many healthy children and pregnant women could lose access to preventive shots.

This push for an alternative standard to the one set by the federal government runs the risk of increasing confusion among providers and patients, according to health experts.

It also runs up against hundreds of laws at the state level that rely on a federal vaccine advisory panel, the experts said. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP, advises the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on which people should receive vaccines and at what intervals after they are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Kennedy has spent decades sowing doubts about vaccines even when contradicted by scientific evidence. Since being appointed by Republican President Donald Trump to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or HHS, Kennedy has upended the federal government's process for recommending vaccines for the American public.

Kennedy last month fired all 17 ACIP members, replacing them with hand-picked advisers including anti-vaccine activists. Prior to that, Kennedy in May withdrew a federal recommendation for COVID shots for pregnant women and healthy children without ACIP's input, saying there was not enough evidence to support offering these boosters to healthy children.

'WILL NOT STAY SILENT'

Leading U.S. medical organizations including the American Academy of Pediatrics, known as AAP, and the Infectious Diseases Society of America, called IDSA, have sued Kennedy over the COVID decision.

AAP said it will promote its own evidence-based vaccine guidelines starting with the fall respiratory season for COVID, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV.

"We simply cannot and will not stay silent as the system we rely on is being intentionally dismantled," Dr. Sue Kressly, the academy's president, told Reuters.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, called ACOG, is also developing guidelines for the upcoming respiratory illness season, to be issued in August or September. An ACOG spokesperson said the organization continues to recommend COVID vaccines for pregnant women, a group at increased risk for severe COVID and pregnancy complications.

The spokesperson also said the organization rejects a recommendation by Kennedy's vaccine panel against flu shots containing thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative that vaccine skeptics long have sought to link to autism despite evidence that these vaccines are safe.

Both organizations and several others including the IDSA are collaborating with the Vaccine Integrity Project, a group of public health and infectious disease experts formed amid concerns about changes to vaccine policy, to review the latest scientific evidence on licensed vaccines for use in their guidelines.

"What we're trying to do is add a piece of non-biased, authoritative review of the data for use by the (medical) societies," said Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, who served as an adviser to Democratic former President Joe Biden on COVID.

An HHS spokesperson defended Kennedy's actions, saying the newly configured panel brings "fresh, independent scientific judgment" and that ACIP "will continue to be the statutory authority guiding immunization policy in this country."

'IT IS MIND-NUMBING'

Jen Kates, a senior analyst at the nonprofit health policy organization KFF, said U.S. states have always maintained a patchwork of health policies. But having multiple entities issuing vaccine recommendations at the state and federal levels could make it hard for parents to know who to trust, according to Kates.

"This patchwork could become even more pronounced with significant implications for health. State laws and requirements may vary, but pathogens don't abide by borders," Kates said.

Recommendations issued by ACIP since its founding in 1964 have become embedded in laws across the United States governing health insurance coverage, access to vaccines for children in low-income families, school immunizations, the ability of pharmacists to administer vaccines, and, in some states, vaccine purchasing.

"It is mind-numbing when you compare how many things are impacted by ACIP," said Rebecca Coyle, who serves as executive director of the American Immunization Registry Association, an organization that develops and updates vaccination information systems used by physicians, and as an adviser to ACIP.

An analysis by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials found that nearly 600 statutes and regulations across 49 of the 50 U.S. states, three U.S. territories and Washington, D.C., reference ACIP recommendations.

Several states have already taken action.

Wisconsin said it continues to recommend the current COVID vaccine during pregnancy and for everyone age 6 months and older, and noted that the state's Medicaid health program for low-income people will continue to cover the shot for eligible people. The Democratic governors of California, Washington state and Oregon condemned Kennedy's dismissal of the ACIP panel members, citing their "grave concerns" about the integrity and transparency of upcoming federal vaccine recommendations.

These states said they will continue to recommend COVID vaccines for children 6 months and older and pregnant women in accord with leading U.S. medical associations.

Some states have started rewriting statutes to no longer defer exclusively to ACIP. Colorado, for instance, has amended laws to include vaccine recommendations from major medical societies in addition to ACIP when setting the state's policies for immunizing schoolchildren.

Massachusetts lawmakers are considering legislation proposed by Democratic Governor Maura Healey to empower the state's public health commissioner to determine routine childhood immunizations in lieu of ACIP's recommendations. Legislators in Maine have removed references to ACIP from a state vaccine access law.

Osterholm said health insurers have told the Vaccine Integrity Project that they would be more likely to cover uniform vaccine recommendations, increasing pressure for alignment among various groups.

"We need to come together the best we can," Osterholm said, but "we can't leave the ACIP or HHS recommendations as the only other source out there."

(Reporting by Julie Steenhuysen; Editing by Michele Gershberg and Will Dunham)
By John Irish and Parisa Hafezi

PARIS (Reuters) -France, Britain and Germany will hold face-to-face talks with Iran on Friday for the first time since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June, aiming to gauge Tehran's appetite for a compromise to avert sanctions, diplomats say.

The three European countries, along with China and Russia, are the remaining parties to a 2015 deal - from which the U.S. withdrew in 2018 - that lifted sanctions on Iran in return for restrictions on its nuclear programme.

Friday's talks between senior diplomats from the so-called E3 group and Iran's negotiating team will be held in Istanbul.

The United States held five rounds of talks with Iran prior to its airstrikes in June, which U.S. President Donald Trump, said had "obliterated" a programme that Washington and its ally Israel say is aimed at acquiring a nuclear bomb. Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon.

European and Iranian diplomats say there is no prospect of Iran re-engaging with the U.S. at the negotiating table for now.

But the Europeans say negotiations must be revived due to a halt in inspections of nuclear facilities by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and as an October 18 deadline for the expiration of the 2015 deal draws closer.

They also want answers over the location of 400 kg (880 pounds) of near-weapons grade highly enriched uranium, whose whereabouts have not been known since last month's strikes.

"We are determined to do everything to reach a diplomatic solution," German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul told a press conference in Paris on July 18.

SNAPBACK OR EXTENSION?

Under the terms of the U.N. Security Council resolution enshrining the 2015 deal, U.N. sanctions could be reimposed before the agreement expires - a process that would take about 30 days.

The E3, who do not want to lose leverage by letting the deal expire, have warned that unless there is a new nuclear accord they will launch the "snapback mechanism", which would restore all previous U.N. sanctions on Iran, including on the oil, banking and defence sectors.

With Russia - an ally of Iran - taking over the Security Council presidency in October, the three European countries have signalled that the latest window to reactivate the sanctions would be the end of August.

Three European, one regional and an Iranian diplomat said the meeting in Istanbul would focus primarily on the issue of the snapback mechanism.

They said the E3 would float the possibility to Iran of extending the snapback mechanism by up to six months.

In return, Iran would need to make commitments on key issues, including eventual talks with Washington, full cooperation with the IAEA, and accounting for its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

Speaking to reporters at the U.N. on Wednesday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, who will be in Istanbul, said Tehran had agreed to allow a technical team from the IAEA to visit in the coming weeks.

He warned that a triggering of the snapback mechanism would be met with a strong response from Tehran. It has previously threatened to leave the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) over the issue.

Gharibabadi added that he had heard about the possibility of an extension.

"That's very premature now to discuss the issue of the extension. We have almost about three months actually, till the deadline of 18th of October," he said.

A Trump administration official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the U.S. was "coordinated" with the E3 when asked whether Washington was discussing the reimposition of sanctions with them, but declined to elaborate.

Israel's Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer was in Paris on Thursday and due to meet French officials for talks on various subjects, including Iran, four sources said.

Israel launched the attacks on Iran saying it wanted to remove any chance of its arch-foe developing nuclear weapons.

(Additional reporting by Alexander Ratz in Berlin, Michelle Nichols at the United Nations and Matt Spetalnick in Washington;Editing by Helen Popper)
PARIS (Reuters) -Efforts to set up a European space project alliance involving Italy's Leonardo, France's Thales and Airbus and aimed at challenging Elon Musk's Starlink are making progress, said France's industry minister on Thursday.

"It's a project which we support. Talks are moving forward in a constructive manner," said France's Marc Ferracci during a meeting in Paris with his Italian counterpart Adolfo Urso.

Urso said negotiations were aiming at giving the two countries an equal footing in the project, endorsed by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Paris Airshow in June.

Under the so-called "Project Bromo", named after an Indonesian volcano, Leonardo, Thales and Airbus have been exploring plans to set up a new satellite manufacturing company to better compete with the U.S. and China, but so far progress has been modest.

Leonardo's Chief Executive Roberto Cingolani said last month that the three companies would make another assessment on where the deal stands by the end of July.

(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Alvise Armellini, editing by Giulia Segreti)
A plane carrying migrants sent to an El Salvador prison months ago under the Trump administration's immigration crackdown lands at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela, as part of a prisoner exchange Friday. (Ariana Cubillos / AP)

The State Department is not commenting on why a man convicted of murdering three people in Madrid was among the 10 U.S. citizens Venezuela released last week as part of a prisoner exchange.

Dahud Hanid Ortiz, a U.S. veteran who served in Iraq, was convicted in absentia in Spain of killing two Cuban women and an Ecuadorian man in 2016.

Ortiz, who is a Venezuelan-born U.S. citizen, fled to the South American country after committing the crime. Venezuelas government rejected Spains extradition request because its constitution does not allow the extradition of its citizens. Instead, Ortiz was tried in Venezuela.

A State Department spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement to NBC News that the United States had the opportunity to secure the release of all Americans detained in Venezuela, many of whom reported being subjected to torture and other harsh conditions. For privacy reasons, I wont get into the details of any specific case.

Dahud Hanid Ortiz is seated at the center right of the picture, holding an American flag and wearing a gray baseball cap. (U.S. State Department)

The Venezuelan government last week released the 10 Americans, along with Venezuelan political prisoners, in exchange for more than 250 Venezuelan migrants the Trump administration had sent to a notorious megaprison in El Salvador in March. The three-country deal involved the governments of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela, Nayib Bukele in El Salvador and President Donald Trump.

Every wrongfully detained American in Venezuela is now free and back in our homeland, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement last week.

Two photos released by the State Department on Friday show the 10 freed Americans, including Ortiz, holding an American flag.

Ortiz was awarded a Purple Heart and was dishonorably discharged after making a false official statement and larceny, among other charges.

Ortiz was married to a German woman he met while stationed at the U.S. base in Schweinfurt, according to Spanish newspaper El Pais. They later separated and she developed a relationship with a lawyer in Madrid. Ortiz is accused of showing up at the law office and kill three of its employees. The lawyer with whom Ortizs wife was reportedly having a relationship with was not at the office at the time.
A young girl holds a broken doll amid newly arrived Afghan returnees at Islam Qala border crossing (Middle East Images/AFP via Getty)

All countries should stop forcibly sending vulnerable Afghan nationals back to their homeland under the Taliban regime, the UNs mission in Afghanistan said today, as it warned about the threat of arrest, torture and abuse these citizens face.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (Unama) said it had documented evidence that forced returnees, deported against their will in large numbers by countries including Iran and Pakistan in recent months, have been targeted by the Taliban regime and face serious human rights violations.

The report came just three days after the Trump administration lifted legal protections for Afghan nationals that prevented them being deported from the US.

The Unama report, shared with The Independent, found that women and girls, journalists and activists and former security or government officials were at the highest risk of reprisals from the Taliban upon their return to the country.

More than 1.4 million people have returned or been forced to return to Afghanistan this year alone, including over one million from Iran. Millions of Afghans fled their homeland in July and August 2021 as the Nato-backed government fell and Taliban militants swept to power in Kabul.

Afghan refugees, after being deported from Iran, rest at the Islam Qala border crossing between Afghanistan and Iran (Middle East Images/AFP via Getty)

The UN said the rapid pace and volume of Afghans being sent back from other nations was creating a multi-layered human rights crisis. With Afghanistans formal economy almost non-existent under the Taliban, returnees are living in NGO-run camps and forced to rely on humanitarian aid to survive.

Although the Taliban has previously offered an amnesty to those from the Nato-backed government and said it would not hunt them down, the new report shows that it continues to target its critics from the previous administration with arbitrary detention, physical assault and torture tactics such as mock executions and waterboarding.

Afghan refugees, after being deported from Iran, rest at the Islam Qala border crossing between Afghanistan and Iran (Middle East Images/AFP via Getty)

Nobody should be sent back to a country where they face risk of persecution on account of their identity or personal history, UN human rights chief Volker Turk said. In Afghanistan, this is even more pronounced for women and girls, who are subjected to a range of measures that amount to persecution on the basis of their gender alone.

Unama noted that sending people back to a country where they are at risk of persecution, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, enforced disappearance or other irreparable harm, is in violation of the principle of non-refoulement and a serious breach of international law.

Some of those already forcibly returned to Afghanistan told UNAMA about the abuse they had faced.

Two months after Abdul*, a former government official, returned to Afghanistan in late 2023, he was arrested by Taliban militants and was subjected to vicious torture that culminated in his leg being broken.

He was arrested on his way to a grocery store and detained in a house for two nights where he was beaten with sticks, cables and wood. Abdul said the Taliban officials cut off his hair and he was forced to watch a mock execution, mimicking the killing of those arrested by the de facto officials. He said he was also subjected to waterboarding.

A former female journalist who was sent back to Afghanistan told UN officials she was effectively under house arrest as the Taliban authorities have banned women from public spaces, job opportunities and moving around without a male guardian.

There are no job opportunities, no freedom of movement, and no access to education, either to learn or to teach, for women and girls, she said.

Another woman sent back to Afghanistan against her wishes told Unama that she is now dependent on a family that is not her own and has no financial means to support herself.

I live with my uncles friend. My uncle from Kabul sends them 3000-4000 Afghanis (32-42) for my expenditures. But I never get to see the money. I am completely hidden, without any support, any assistance I cannot travel anywhere. I do not have a mahram (male guardian). This is the biggest dilemma and challenge for me, that my sister and I are without any male companion. So we cannot move, she told Unama.

In its message to the international community, Unama said: Member States should refrain from returning Afghan migrants and refugees to Afghanistan in the absence of an individualised assessment to ensure their return is not a violation of their human rights.

Deputy prime minister of the Taliban Abdul Salam Hanafi (4R) speaks with media during his visit to the Islam Qala border crossing between Afghanistan and Iran (AFP via Getty Images)

Officials at the UN agency told The Independent the outlook for returnees was extremely negative given the state of Afghanistans economy and a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by natural disasters such as cyclical droughts and floods.

They also pointed to a loss of aid support for the agencies dealing with these crises since the US and other Western nations announced cuts, with one Unama source noting that there were not enough resources available to fulfil basic health functions, whether that's maternal health or whether that's health across the population. To add to that, the UN and other international NGOs have been hit by a significant decrease in funding.

The Talibans foreign affairs ministry, interior affairs ministry and its intelligence wing rejected the allegations of ill-treatment and prison torture presented by Unama in their report.

No former military or civilian individual has been arrested solely because of their previous affiliation, the foreign affairs ministry said, according to their response to the report seen by The Independent.

Foreign ministry officials in Iran and Pakistan have defended their policies for returning Afghan citizens, saying this was done so with humanitarian principles kept in consideration.
By Daniel Wiessner

(Reuters) -A federal judge has dismissed a bid by President Donald Trump's administration to obtain judicial permission to cancel dozens of collective bargaining agreements between eight federal agencies and unions representing their employees.

Waco, Texas-based U.S. District Judge Alan Albright decided late on Wednesday that the agencies do not have legal standing to bring a lawsuit to implement a Trump executive order exempting them from having to bargain with unions, handing a victory to the American Federation of Government Employees union, or AFGE.

Albright's ruling deals at least a temporary setback to the Republican president's broader efforts to lift restrictions on firing federal employees and shrink the federal bureaucracy.

White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said Trump was using his lawful executive powers to eliminate union contracts that pose national security risks.

"The Trump Administration looks forward to ultimate victory on the issue," Rogers said in a statement.

AFGE President Everett Kelley in a statement said: "We are very pleased that the courts have once again ultimately sided with public servants and AFGE and stopped another attack by this administration on the patriotic, dedicated Americans who serve their country in the federal government."

The Departments of Defense, Justice, Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, Agriculture and Housing and Urban Development, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Social Security Administration, filed the lawsuit in March. The American Federation of Government Employees represents 800,000 federal workers.

The agencies had claimed in the lawsuit that the administration of Trump's Democratic predecessor Joe Biden entered into collective bargaining agreements with AFGE in the months before Trump took office to block him from firing federal workers en masse and pursuing other policies.

Eliminating collective bargaining would make it easier for agencies to alter working conditions and fire or discipline workers. It also could prevent federal worker unions from challenging Trump administration initiatives in court.

But Albright on Wednesday said courts do not have the power to approve the government's "desired future course of conduct" before it acts.

"Plaintiffs suit, however well-intentioned, is an unprecedented invitation for an advisory opinion  one that could open a Pandoras Box of encouraging the Executive Branch to seek the Judiciarys blessing for every Executive Order prior to implementation," the judge said.

Albright, who Trump appointed during his first term as president, did not address the merits of the administration's claim that agencies can nullify existing union contracts.

Trump in the executive order excluded agencies from collective bargaining obligations that he said "have as a primary function intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative or national security work." The order applies to the Justice, State, Defense, Treasury, Veterans Affairs, and Health and Human Services departments, among other agencies.

Trump's order affects about 75% of the roughly 1 million federal workers represented by unions, according to court filings. It significantly expanded an existing exception from collective bargaining for workers with duties affecting national security, such as certain employees of the CIA and FBI.

Federal judges in California and Washington, D.C., have blocked agencies from implementing Trump's order in lawsuits by the AFGE and another union. A U.S. appeals court in May paused the Washington judge's ruling, and a different court is considering doing the same in the California case.

Separately in May, a federal judge in Kentucky ruled that the U.S. Department of the Treasury lacked standing to seek to void a union contract covering tens of thousands of Internal Revenue Service employees.

(Reporting by Daniel Wiessner in Albany, New York; Editing by Alexia Garamfalvi, Will Dunham, Nick Zieminski and David Gregorio)
By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday voted narrowly in favor of Mike Waltz, President Donald Trump's pick to be U.N. envoy, clearing the way for a confirmation vote in the full 100-member Senate.

The panel voted 12-10 in favor of Waltz, who was removed as Trump's national security adviser in May after he was caught up in a scandal involving a Signal chat among top Trump aides and a journalist.

Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the committee's ranking Democrat, joined Republicans in backing Waltz, after receiving commitments that the State Department would release disaster aid for Haiti and Nigeria, and Republican Senator Rand Paul joined Democrats in voting against him.

There was no immediate indication of when the full Senate might consider the nomination. A spokesperson for the chamber's Republican leader, Senator John Thune, said there were no scheduling updates.

Thune has indicated he might delay the Senate's annual August recess if Democrats do not allow Republicans to confirm Trump nominees more quickly. In a recent post on his Truth Social platform, Trump urged the Senate to stay in Washington for votes on his nominees.

Waltz - a retired Army Green Beret and former Republican lawmaker from Florida - is one of the last major Trump nominees awaiting likely Senate confirmation.

He was ousted as national security adviser on May 1 after he was caught up in a March scandal involving the Signal chat that discussed details of a U.S. military operation and mistakenly included a journalist. Trump then promptly nominated Waltz as his U.N. ambassador.

In a statement on her vote, Shaheen said she disagreed with Waltz on some issues, including his "use of unclassified systems to coordinate sensitive discussions." However she also called him a moderating force with a background in national security policy-making who does not seem to be isolationist.

"Mike Waltz did not represent himself to me as someone who wants to retreat from the world - and this is a quality I value in nominees," Shaheen said.

A spokesperson for Shaheen said she had also secured the State Department's agreement to release by the end of July $50 million for disaster relief in Haiti and $25 million for disaster relief in Nigeria.

At his confirmation hearing this month, Waltz said the United Nations needs reform and the United States must have a strong voice to counter China, adding that he is "confident we can make the U.N. great again."

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
By Phuong Nguyen and Francesco Guarascio

HANOI (Reuters) -Vietnam's police ministry has agreed to buy two Lockheed Martin helicopters, according to three people with knowledge of the talks, in what would be a key security deal since Washington lifted an arms embargo on the Communist-run nation a decade ago.

The deal would come after the country's ministry of public security held protracted talks since at least 2022 with multiple U.S. defence companies to acquire helicopters. Lockheed Martin is also negotiating with Vietnam's defence ministry the sale of C-130 military transport planes, multiple officials have said.

The Southeast Asian country, which relies heavily on Russian weapons, has been looking for years to diversify its arsenal. It is also currently negotiating with the Trump administration key elements of a tariff deal that is crucial to maintain access to its largest export market.

Vietnamese pilots have already been training with Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky helicopters, one of the sources with direct knowledge said, noting the deal was worth more than $100 million and could include more choppers at a later stage.

The source did not specify the chopper model under discussion but said pilots were training with S-92 helicopters, which are employed in several countries for both civilian and military uses.

Another two sources briefed on the talks confirmed Vietnam had agreed to buy two Lockheed Martin helicopters but gave no information about the cost and the model.

All sources declined to be named because the information was not public.

Reuters could not establish when the deal could be completed and whether there were contractual aspects to be defined.

Since an arms embargo on Vietnam was lifted in 2016, U.S. security deals with its former foe have been limited to coastguard ships and trainer aircraft, which could lead to the procurement of military planes.

Lockheed Martin said queries on procurement should be directed to the Vietnamese government.

Calls to Vietnam's ministry of public security went unanswered. The foreign ministry did not reply to a request for comment.

Vietnam's parliament approved in June 2022 the establishment of a mobile police unit to tackle crime, terrorism and riots, which would need helicopters to operate, according to the government and the text of the 2022 legislation.

U.S. officials have said Washington sees Vietnam as a key player on regional security and would be willing to boost Vietnam's defence, especially in the South China Sea, where it is often at odds with China over disputed boundaries.

Support for the police could be more controversial. The latest U.S. State Department's report on human rights in Vietnam, released in 2023, warned of significant violations and abuses by security forces.

Vietnam's foreign ministry has said the report was biased and inaccurate.

The sources did not explicitly link the possible procurement deal to tariff talks, but Vietnamese and U.S. officials have repeatedly said purchases of U.S. military equipment would strengthen Hanoi's position in negotiating a fully-fledged trade agreement.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced earlier in July a deal on 20% tariffs for Vietnamese goods imported into the United States, 40% levies on transshipped products and no duties for U.S. exports to Vietnam.

However, Hanoi has instead talked of a preliminary framework agreement. Talks are still underway to finalise the agreement.

(Reporting by Phuong Nguyen, Francesco Guarascio and Khanh Vu; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
WASHINGTON  The House of Representatives has fled Washington for their annual August recess, but the Senate may be stuck sweltering at work.

Both houses of Congress typically take a month off each summer, with many returning to their districts and visiting with constituents.

This year, House members were sent home a day early, amid tensions over the Trump administration's refusal to release records from sex offender and former Trump friend Jeffrey Epstein's case.

Meanwhile, senators have at least one more week before they go on break. But as legislative business hits a series of delays and major deadlines loom, President Donald Trump is pushing the upper chamber to stay in town.

Either way, both chambers have a tall order waiting for them in September if they want to keep the government doors open.

House heads home

Following the Justice Department's announcement that they had found no evidence of an Epstein list of sex work clients or proof of other conspiracy theories such as the claim that the disgraced financier did not really commit suicide in 2019, Trump has been at odds with some of his high-profile supporters.

Democrats and some Republican lawmakers have called for the release of documents related to Epsteins case. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, is spearheading bipartisan legislation to force the Justice Departments hand on the matter.

Pressure to address the scandal prompted House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Louisiana, to cut members loose a day early.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida, called it a chicken move.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 23: U.S. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) arrives to speak to members of the media outside the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol on July 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. Johnson discussed the accomplishments that Republicans have pushed through congress including President Trump's One, Big, Beautiful Bill, and took questions about Jeffrey Epstein, August recess, and other topics. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

And so irresponsible, she told USA TODAY. We have a lot of work to do to take care of people.

Because they are afraid to buck Donald Trump, they cancel half of the session week and go home for six weeks? she added. I dont (know) what the hell they ran for Congress for, but I ran for Congress to make peoples lives better.

Now, lawmakers are heading home, where voters could press their representatives on the issue.

Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, who said hell be spending a good portion of his recess visiting and campaigning with colleagues in other areas, said he wouldnt be surprised if questions on Epstein come up.

Constituents ask all of kinds of questions, he said. But when I was back home a week or so ago, and we were at the pizza place in Urbana, Ohio, people were coming up to me just excited. President Trumps doing great. Thanks for the big, beautiful bill ... It was all positive.

Senators could stick around

Senators are set to wrap up their schedule in Washington on Aug. 1. But some would rather forego the break.

Im for staying and doing what we need to do, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Alabama, told USA TODAY. They pay us to work. They dont pay us to go home and sit for a month.

Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) during a business meeting of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in Washington, D.C., on March 13, 2025.

Congress has until Sept. 30 to pass a series of appropriations bills or a temporary funding extension in order to avoid a government shutdown.

That major task, along with a backlog of nominations by Trump for the Senate to confirm, has the president calling for the chamber to keep working and Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, considering it.

We're thinking about it, Thune told Axios on Monday.

The decision would be a tough sell to many senators, on both sides of the aisle, who have a fondness for their time back home.

Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Georgia, said that along with meeting voters, he will be spending the weeks away with his children in Georgia.

Asked about the possibility of recess being canceled, Warnock said, Thats above my pay grade.

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 03: Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) talks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on July 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. House Republicans continue their work to pass the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act, President Trump's sweeping tax and spending bill. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Working hard or hardly working

Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, said she is doing what she usually does during recess, which is travel by car across the state, with her husband at the wheel, visiting communities and constituents.

House members, who have since left the city, say they wont be slacking over August.

Members of Congress will return to their district offices, often holding events, meeting with constituents and discussing legislative business from afar.

Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-South Dakota, said when asked if he had any fun recess plans, Uh, no. Working.

Tennessees Republican Rep. Tim Burchett offered a similar response.

Ill do more work when Im home than I do up here, he said, adding jokingly, These two-hour work weeks up here wear me out.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: House leaves for summer recess, Senate could stick around
A federal judge on Wednesday blocked the Trump administration from immediately deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia once hes released from criminal custody.

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis issued an emergency ruling that prohibits the Trump administration from taking the Salvadoran illegal migrant into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for 72 hours after he is released from custody in Nashville, Tennessee, according to court documents. The suspected gangbanger is currently in jail for his alleged involvement in a years-long migrant smuggling operation. (RELATED: Louisville Bows To Trump Admin Pressure, Will Drop Sanctuary Policy)

Xinis, appointed to the bench by the Obama administration, repeatedly ripped the Trump administration in her Wednesday decree.

Defendants have done little to assure the Court that absent intervention, Abrego Garcias due process rights will be protected, the federal judge said, according to court documents.

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE  JUNE 13: Jennifer Vasquez Sura, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, speaks during a press conference at First Evangelical Lutheran Church on June 13, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Separately, the requested notice is necessary to prevent a repeat of Abrego Garcias unlawful deportation to El Salvador by way of third-country removal, Xinis continued. Defendants have taken no concrete steps to ensure that any prospective third country would not summarily return Abrego Garcia to El Salvador in an end-run around the very withholding order that offers him uncontroverted protection.

The Obama judge also ordered Abrego Garcia to be returned to the ICE Order of Supervision at the Baltimore Field Office, the closest ICE facility in Maryland, where he was originally arrested by deportation officers earlier this year, according to her order.

Abrego Garcia, a suspected member of MS-13 who was repeatedly accused of domestic abuse by his American wife, has been at the center of a political maelstrom since his mistaken deportation to El Salvador in March.

While he was an illegal migrant amenable to deportation, Abrego Garcia enjoyed a prior withholding of removal order that prohibited his repatriation to his home country of El Salvador. Despite this, he was arrested and flown to the Central American country earlier this year and served time in the Terrorism Confinement Center mega-prison before his return to the U.S. to face human smuggling charges.

The illegal migrant was once pulled over on a Tennessee highway in 2022 and suspected of human smuggling after the Tennessee Highway Patrol discovered he was transporting eight passengers with no apparent luggage. The vehicle he was driving that night belonged to Jose Ramon Hernandez-Reyes, an illegal migrant who was sentenced to prison for human smuggling in 2020.

That 2022 traffic stop is the basis of the human smuggling investigation against him and why he remains in criminal custody in the Middle District of Tennessee.

Between 2016 and 2025, the suspected gangbanger allegedly helped smuggle illegal migrants from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador and other countries into the U.S., according to an indictment from the Department of Justice. Abrego Garcia allegedly made over 100 trips from Texas to Maryland and elsewhere as part of the conspiracy.

In addition to transporting illegal migrants, federal prosecutors say the Salvadoran used his trips to purchase firearms and narcotics in Texas for distribution and resale in Maryland, according to court documents.

Despite the Wednesday order, the Trump administration remained steadfast in its pledge to never let Abrego Garcia freely roam the U.S. again.

The facts remain: this MS-13 gang member, human trafficker and criminal illegal alien will never walk Americas streets again, Tricia McLaughlin, DHS assistant secretary, said in a public statement.

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Three Ohio police officers were shot after a suspect ambushed them as they were eating their lunch, officials said.

Shortly after 1 p.m. local time on July 23, Lorain police officers Peter Gale and Phillip Wagner were parked in an industrial park when a suspect opened fire on their vehicles, striking both of them, Michael Failing, acting chief of police for Lorain, said at a news conference.

A third officer, Brent Payne, responded to the scene and was also shot. Payne and Wagner were shot multiple times and airlifted to a local hospital for treatment. Gale was shot in the hand and was also undergoing medical treatment.

In a July 24 press release, Elyria Police, which is handling the investigation, identified the suspect as 28-year-old Michael Parker of Lorain. He was was shot and pronounced dead on scene, the release said.

'This was an ambush situation'

Failing said Gale and Wagner had purchased a pizza and were parked side-by-side in their patrol vehicles eating their lunch when they were shot.

The suspect had parked at the undeveloped industrial park and was "lying in wait" with "an arsenal of weapons," Failing said.

I have been briefed on the horrible officer-involved shooting in Lorain, which appears to have been a targeted attack on law enforcement. Fran and I are praying for the three Lorain Police Department officers who were shot in the line of duty today, and our thoughts are also with  Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) July 23, 2025

"This was an ambush situation," Jim Welsh, Elyria police chief, said at a news conference. "Again, this is a difficult day for the Lorain Police Department and the law enforcement community."

Failing said this is the first major officer-involved shooting in Lorain, which is in northeast Ohio about 20 miles west of Cleveland, in 70 years.

Suspect had explosives in car before shooting police officers

Elyria Police said in a release that officers on scene called the Lorain County Bomb Squad after finding "suspicious baggage" in Parker's car.

Bomb technicians found "a significant quantity of improvised explosive materials" inside Parker's car, the release said.

"The materials were safely removed and disposed of through a controlled detonation away from the crime scene," the release said.

Investigators later searched Parker's home in Lorain for evidence and confirmed that no explosives were inside, according to the release.

Wounded officers were transported to hospital by colleagues

Failing said assisting officers who responded to the scene "loaded up the wounded officers in patrol vehicles and drove them to the hospital themselves."

"It's a tragic day in the city of Lorain," Mayor Jack Bradley said during the news conference.

Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine also said in a social media statement that his thoughts are with the officers involved.

"This situation reminds us that those who work in law enforcement risk their lives every day for the safety of their communities," Dewine said. "We are so very grateful for the men and women who willingly and bravely serve and protect."

Welsh said the investigation into the shooting is ongoing.

Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.

(This story was updated to include additional information and video.)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 3 Lorain, Ohio, police officers shot in ambush, officials say
A West Virginia judge on Thursday allowed the children of three families in one county to attend school this fall without required vaccinations, the latest move in a showdown between Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey and the state Board of Education.

Raleigh County Circuit Judge Michael Froble issued a preliminary injunction less than a month before the start of the new school year. The ruling involves children whose parents sued and are claiming religious exemptions to a long-standing school vaccine mandate.

Morrisey issued an executive order upon taking office allowing such religious exemptions. But the board voted last month to direct public schools to ignore the order and instead follow school vaccine requirements that are laid out in state law and prohibit the exemptions.

Froble's ruling came in a lawsuit that was filed June 24. The injunction was limited to the three children of the plaintiffs who sued the state and local departments of education, and has no impact statewide.

Morrisey, who served as West Virginias attorney general from 2013 until he was sworn in as governor in January, said he believes the religious exemptions to vaccinations should already be permitted under a 2023 law passed by the Legislature called the Equal Protection for Religion Act.

Todays ruling is another legal victory in the fight for religious freedom, Morrisey said in a statement. No family should be forced to choose between their faith and their childrens education, which is exactly what the unelected bureaucrats on the State Board of Education are attempting to force West Virginians to do.

The board said in a statement that it was disappointed by the ruling and that its members "will decide next steps in the near future.

The original lawsuit doesnt explain what specific religion the families follow. It was filed on behalf of parent Miranda Guzman, who identifies as a Christian and said that altering her child's natural immune system through required vaccinations would demonstrate a lack of faith in God and disobey the Holy Spirit's leading. The suit was later amended to add two other parents.

Most religious denominations and groups support medical vaccinations, according to the American Bar Association.

Vaccination mandates for public schools are seen as a way of to prevent the spread of once-common childhood diseases such as measles, mumps, whooping cough, chickenpox and polio. But due in part to vaccine hesitancy, some preventable and deadly diseases are on the rise. For example, the U.S. is having its worst year for measles spread in more than three decades.

Medical experts have long heralded West Virginias school vaccination policy as one of the most protective in the country for children. State law requires children to receive vaccines for chickenpox, hepatitis B, measles, meningitis, mumps, diphtheria, polio, rubella, tetanus and whooping cough before starting school.

Several states grant medical exemptions from school vaccinations. At least 30 states have religious freedom laws modeled after the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act, signed in 1993 by then-President Bill Clinton. It allows federal regulations that interfere with religious beliefs to be challenged.

On Wednesday, a Kanawha County judge dismissed a separate lawsuit against Morriseys executive order because it didn't give the required 30 days' notice prior to being filed. That lawsuit, filed on behalf of two Cabell County parents, will be allowed to be refiled. It alleged that only the Legislature, not the governor, has the authority to make such decisions.

During their regular session that ended in April, lawmakers failed to pass legislation that was introduced to allow religious exemptions for school vaccine mandates.
Tenzing-Hillary Airport, better known as Lukla, looks more like a mountain driveway than a landing zone. Its carved into the side of a hill in Nepals Himalayas, about 9,337 feet above sea level, and its where most Everest trekkers start their journey. This airport has become legendary for being the kind of place where even the most seasoned pilots grip the controls a little tighter.

The runway measures only 1,729 feet long. Thats about a third of what most airports consider the bare minimum. One end stops at a vertical rock wall, and the other drops into a steep valley. Planes only land from one direction and take off in the opposite direction. There is no room for mistakes or any option to loop around. And theres more. The air up here is thin. That makes takeoffs slower and landings harder.

Why Its Built Where It Shouldnt Be

Image via Unsplash/Maeva Vigier

Sir Edmund Hillary, one of the first to summit Everest, pushed to build this airport in the early 1960s. He needed a quicker way to get supplies and climbers into the Khumbu region. The original plan was to use flat farmland nearby, but no one wanted to sell. So Hillary bought sloped land from locals and got creative. He supposedly had Sherpas stomp down the ground during dances to help compact the soil. It worked, more or less. The airstrip officially opened in 1971 and was paved in 2001.

Lukla gets pretty busy too. During trekking season, it handles up to 100 flights a day. But all those planes are small, like Twin Otters, Dorniers, and others with short takeoff and landing ability. Big jets dont stand a chance here.

Weather and Waiting

Lukla is unpredictable. Morning can be clear. By mid-morning, wind from the southwest can slam into the mountains and make flight paths useless. Clouds drop fast, and fog settles in. Because theres no instrument landing system, pilots need visual confirmation to land. If the runway disappears behind clouds, thats it. Flights are grounded.

This isnt rare. About half of the flights during the monsoon season get canceled. That means tourists sit for hours, sometimes days, waiting for weather to cooperate. Most commercial flights now leave from Ramechhap, about four hours by road from Kathmandu, to give planes a better shot at hitting the narrow morning window.

Strict Rules, Experienced Hands

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal doesnt take shortcuts. Pilots flying into Lukla must have at least 100 short takeoff and landing missions under their belt. They also need a years worth of experience flying in Nepal, plus ten supervised landings at Lukla. Even with these strict standards, things still go wrong.

There have been multiple crashes at Lukla over the years. The most deadly occurred in 2008 when a plane struck the runway edge in low visibility and killed 18 people. Another in 2019 involved a plane colliding with a helicopter during takeoff, killing three.

The View Doesn't Make It Easier

Lukla is boxed in by sharp peaks. Planes have to snake between them before lining up with the runway. On final approach, the pilot is surrounded by terrain on all sides. If the line isnt right or wind shifts suddenly, they can't pull up and circle back. There's nowhere to go.

Despite this, planes land here daily. The runway's gradient11.7% uphillactually helps slow aircraft, but only if they land right at the start. Landing too late means not stopping in time.

What It's Like for Passengers

Most travelers flying into Lukla have some version of the same experience: an early wake-up, a chaotic airport, and a bumpy ride. The flight from Ramechhap takes under 20 minutes. Its fast, loud, and shaky, and turbulence comes standard. Onboard, locals usually scroll their phones or nap. Tourists grip armrests and glance out the windows at mountains that look a little too close.

The landing feels like controlled chaos. The runway comes into view at the last second. Theres a jolt, a bounce, a screech of brakes. Then the plane rolls to a stop just before the hill. Once on the ground, everyone breathes again.

Why People Keep Flying Here

Theres no real alternative. The nearest backup, Phaplu Airport, still requires a multi-day hike to Lukla. Helicopters are an option, but theyre expensive and also subject to the same weather. Lukla isnt perfect, but it works. Its the fastest route to Everest Base Camp, and with nearly 40,000 tourists flying in annually, its not going anywhere soon.

Lukla by the Numbers

Runway length: 1,729 feet

Elevation: 9,337 feet

Gradient: 11.7% uphill

Fatal commercial crashes since 2000: 3

Peak daily flights: Around 100

Planes allowed: Small STOL aircraft only

Main weather disruptions: Wind shear, fog, cloud cover

Flight window: Early morning only

Passenger volume per year: Around 40,000

What Makes It So Fascinating

Image via Unsplash/Javier Del pino

Lukla is a place that balances on the edge of whats possible in aviation. Every elementlocation, altitude, designmakes flying there a challenge. Pilots are trained like specialists, and operations stop the moment safety isnt guaranteed.
USDA | Flicker

(The Center Square)  Illinois taxpayers could be on the hook for hundreds of millions in food subsidies if the states error rate isn't cleaned up.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program error rate measures how often states issue incorrect benefit amounts, either overpaying or underpaying recipients, based on a federal review of eligibility and payment accuracy.

If the rate rises above 10%, the state will be required to reimburse the federal government for 15%, or $705 million annually, of SNAP costs under a new federal law, according to estimates shared by the governors office and reported by the Illinois Times.

In fiscal 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Illinois error rate was 11.56%.

I want to remind you that large states have a higher error rate than smaller states. States with a larger SNAP distribution tend to have higher error rates because, unfortunately, the way you reduce the error rate is often by reducing the number of SNAP recipients overall, not just by addressing the errors, said Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker Tuesday. We're obviously more concerned about making sure families have the nutrition and food they need than some other states are.

State Sen. Chris Balkema, R-Channahon, said he believes Illinois should dig into the details to find out why the error rate is so high.

If there are levers and mechanisms showing that were giving SNAP benefits to people who dont need them or dont deserve them, then we need to fix that, said Balkema. I believe the federal government is taking steps to reduce waste, fraud and abuse and we absolutely need to take that same level of action here in Illinois.

If Illinois lowered its error rate to between 8% and 10%, similar to states like Michigan, Ohio, and Texas, it would be required to cover 10% of SNAP benefit costs, amounting to approximately $470 million annually.

Balkema said Illinois should look to other states that are getting it right.

Weve got a lot of staff across the state who administer these programs and genuinely want to do a good job, said Balkema. So we need to give them the tools to succeed. Anytime we have an error rate alarm signaling that were above the threshold, we should absolutely put the right tools and processes in place to dig in, find out whats causing the problem, and fix it.

Pritzker shifted blame to congressional Republicans, accusing them of using error rate enforcement as a tool to dismantle safety net programs.

The Republican Congress setting this kind of a measure is not about waste, fraud and abuse. It is not, Pritzker said. What they want to do is shut down programs that help working families and poor families in this country. Why? Because they want to take the money and give it to the wealthiest people in the United States. I think thats wrong.

According to USDA data referenced by the Illinois Times, Illinois SNAP error rate was higher than that of 38 states, but lower than the rates reported by 11 states, including New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia.
By Andrew Osborn and Gleb Stolyarov

MOSCOW (Reuters) -A Russian Antonov An-24 passenger plane carrying 48 people crashed in the country's far east on Thursday as it was preparing to land, killing everyone on board, the regional governor and investigators said.

The burning fuselage of the plane, which was made in the Soviet era and was nearly 50 years old, was spotted on the ground by a helicopter.

There were 42 passengers, including five children, and six crew members on board.

Investigators said they had opened a criminal case into the suspected violation of air traffic and air transport rules, resulting in the death of more than two people through negligence.

Video shot from a helicopter showed the plane came down in a densely forested area and pale smoke could be seen rising from the crash site. There were no roads to the site and a rescue team numbering over 100 people had to use heavy machinery to cut a path there.

Vasily Orlov, the regional governor, offered his condolences to the families of those who died and declared three days of mourning, ordering flags to be lowered to half mast.

"I regret to inform you that, according to preliminary data, there are no survivors of the An-24 plane crash in the Tynda District. Rescuers have reached the crash site," he said in a statement.

The plane was on a flight by a privately owned Siberian-based regional airline called Angara. The aircraft's tail number showed it was built in 1976 and was operated by Soviet flag carrier Aeroflot before the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.

It was en route from the city of Blagoveshchensk to Tynda, a remote town and important railway junction in the Amur region bordering China, and dropped off radar screens while preparing to land.

Debris from the plane was found on a hill around 15 km (10 miles) from Tynda, the Interfax news agency quoted emergency service officials as saying.

A representative from Angara told Reuters they could not offer any more details.

The federal Russian government said it had set up a commission to deal with the aftermath of the crash and authorities announced an investigation into the cause.

The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin had been notified of the crash.

At least one Chinese citizen was reported to have been on board and Chinese President Xi Jinping sent his condolences to Putin over the crash.

'FLYING TRACTORS'

Angara airline is based in the Siberian city of Irkutsk and serves airports in Siberia and Russia's far east. It operates 10 An-24s built between 1972 and 1976, according to the RussianPlanes web-portal.

It was one of two Siberian airlines that last year asked the Russian government to extend the service life of the Antonov aircraft, as Russian planemakers scramble to plug the gap left by an exodus of foreign manufacturers.

Nicknamed "flying tractors" by some, the propeller-driven An-24s are regarded as reliable workhorses by the Russian aviation industry and are well-suited to the harsh conditions in Siberia as they are able to operate in sub-zero conditions and don't have to land on runways.

But airline executives, pilots and industry experts say the cost of maintaining the Antonovs - which make up a fraction of Russia's fleet of over 1,000 passenger planes - has increased after Western sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine hit investment and access to parts.

Many of the planes were due to be retired from service in the coming years, but mass production of the new Ladoga aircraft, the same class as the An-24, is not due to begin until 2027 at the earliest.

(Reporting by Andrew Osborn, Gleb Stolyarov and Marina Bobrova; Additional reporting by Anton Kolodyazhnyy; Writing by Andrew Osborn and Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Louise Heavens, Frances Kerry and Rachna Uppal)
President Trump set a new rhetorical floor for tariffs on Wednesday night in comments that have been backed up by recent deals.

Taken together, the moves suggest that his administration is aiming to make 15% a new minimum rate for tariffs worldwide.

That is an increase from current 10% duties in place on much of the world and comes after months of trade negotiations saw American trading partners searching for ways to lower rates to little apparent avail.

Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet

Trump's comments Wednesday night came at an AI summit and included a touting of a recent deal with Japan that saw tariffs on a variety of products move to 15%.

"We're going to have a very, very simple tariff for some of the countries," the president then added of other talks, saying, "We'll have a straight simple tariff of anywhere between 15% and 50%."

He added that only a "couple" of countries could see the 50% rate because of larger disagreements  an apparent reference to Brazil  and that others could see the lower rate if they open up their markets to American goods.

President Donald Trump takes the stage at an AI summit in Washington on July 23. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) (Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images)

Indeed, that 15% number has popped up again and again in recent days, from Japan to talks with the European Union, which  the Financial Times reports  is trying to close a deal around a 15% tariff.

"We've offered such a deal to the European Union where we're in serious negotiations," Trump added Wednesday, "and if they agree to open up to American businesses, then we will let them pay a lower tariff."

The focus on 15% is a shift  even from recent days.

Trump earlier this month said that many countries would see a rate of probably 10% or 15%, we havent decided yet. Even last Sunday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CBS, "You should assume that the small countries ... will have a baseline tariff of 10%."

This new standard, if Trump follows through, would be a notable fulfillment of an oft-made campaign trail promise that saw the then-candidate pledge to create a "ring around the collar" of the US economy with a blanket rate of between 10% and 20%.

Fulfilling that pledge  which was often dismissed as unrealistic at the time  has now become not only accepted but even a plus for markets after six months of Trump's second term have seen threats of higher duties that have reordered world trade actions.

The recent announcement of the deal with Japan with a 15% tariff on goods like autos was welcomed by traders and helped fuel rises in US markets as well as the Japanese Nikkei 225, which immediately surged on the news.

Japanese automakers also saw a jump after the deal as those companies celebrated a deal that would lower auto tariffs there from 25% to 15%.

Yet Trump and his team reiterated that 15% is their floor and many countries and sectors will face higher duties.

Trump has shown no signs of amending his 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum (or planned duties at the same rate on copper). He has also promised sectoral tariffs on areas like semiconductors and pharmaceuticals that could be much higher than 15%.

Read more: The latest news and updates on Trump's tariffs

He is also looking to move forward with higher duties on certain countries that cross him.

Brazil, as one example, is facing 50% tariffs largely over Trump's claims that it is treating a former president and Trump ally badly.

Trump reiterated Wednesday that 50% duties in some select instances are likely to go forward on Aug. 1, with Brazilian officials also suggesting hopes for a negotiated deal in the short term are diminishing.

Other recent deals  with Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia  have also seen higher tariff rates of between 19% and 20%.

Only one country negotiation has seen Trump agree on tariff rates below 15%  a pact with the UK in May  but with the odds of similar agreements apparently dwindling.

"The U.K. Trade Team smartly secured an early deal," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wrote earlier this month, adding "usually the first person who makes a deal makes the best deal."

The back and forth with global trading partners also comes as much of the focus from the markets is on talks with China that are set to continue next week in Sweden.

The blanket rate on China for the moment is 30%, with much of the focus  even as Bessent says the negotiations will look to tackle "bigger issues"  on whether a new pause can avert higher tariffs there.

Ben Werschkul is a Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

Click here for political news related to business and money policies that will shape tomorrow's stock prices

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From rowdy behavior to overcrowding, tourists have earned a bad rap from locals  with Americans often seen as some of the loudest and presumptuous ones  but a new survey reveals whether Europeans actually agree.

In a survey released Tuesday, July 23, Upgraded Points asked 2,200 Europeans from 22 countries for their opinions on American travelers, from common traits to whether they find them annoying. The travel company then compared their answers to how 1,000 Americans viewed themselves to see if the stereotype of an American tourist is simply a myth.

"European countries are hotter than ever as destinations for American travelers, but popularity doesn't always equal praise," said Keri Stooksbury, editor-in-chief at Upgraded Points, in a statement. "We wanted to see if Europeans still see the stereotypical loud, overly patriotic American tourist, or if that's just part of a common misconception."

These days, the majority Americans fear their nationality comes with a stigma when abroad, with over half of the American respondents saying they "worry at least a little" about being seen negatively on their international travels.

Nearly three quarters believe Americans have a bad reputation overseas, and 80% blame recent politics, such as the tariffs, skewing what Europeans think of the U.S.

In actuality, Americans may not need to worry so much. In the survey, one in four Europeans said they have a negative opinion of American tourists and 36% said they think American tourists behave worse than others. However, depending on what country you're visiting, you may feel a bit unwelcome, the survey also found.

Here's what Europeans think of American tourists, according to Upgraded Points' survey.

Not all tourists are created equal: How you can be one of the good ones

How do Europeans view American tourists?

Illustration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, on July 23, 2025.

Apparently, most Europeans find American tourists to be loud, with 70% of respondents calling this the typical trait. (Nearly the same percentage of Americans agreed on this sentiment.) On a lighter note, Europeans also said most Americans are friendly and curious.

Meanwhile, Americans seem to be more critical of themselves, with 53% thinking they're viewed as arrogant  however, only 27% of Europeans said they regard them this way.

As for the states where the worst offenders come from, Europeans listed Texas, Florida and California.

What European countries are the least welcoming to American tourists?

Here are the countries where most of the surveyed residents feel American tourists are generally unwelcome:

France Hungary Norway Denmark Spain

What European countries view Americans the most negatively?

These are the countries that have the most negative view of American travelers, according to the survey:

The Netherlands Portugal Belgium Denmark Sweden

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Survey reveals what Europeans really think of American tourists
Standing in the Rose Garden and holding a giant chart, President Donald Trump, who likes to call himself Tariff Man showed off the reciprocal tariffs he was planning to levy on dozens of countries.

That was April 2, christened Liberation Day by Trump.

Almost four months and two extensions later, a new Aug. 1 deadline is looming. A slew of countries will face steep tariffs  including a 50% tariff on imports from Brazil and a 30% tariff on the European Union. A baseline tariff of 10% remains for all countries.

We'll have a straight, simple tariff of anywhere between 15% and 50%," Trump said during an AI summit in Washington, on July 23. "We have 50 (percent) because we haven't been getting along with those countries too well."

Are new tariffs really coming?

Will there be another extension? Trump has said no. But Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently left the door open for a third reprieve.

The first deadline, on April 9, was paused for 90 days  until July 9  after it caused significant turbulence in the financial markets and economists warned of a potential recession.

President Donald Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., April 2, 2025.

"I thought that people were jumping a little bit out of line," Trump said on April 9. They were getting yippy, you know. They were getting a little bit yippy, a little bit afraid."

Trumps shifting on the deadlines also gave birth to an acronym: TACO, for Trump Always Chickens Out, mocking his on-again-off-again tariff policies.

A pause  then a tariff storm

On July 7, two days before the new tariffs were to go into effect, Trump extended the deadline to Aug. 1, saying several countries were negotiating deals. Trump also began sending letters on July 7 to countries letting them know of the new, updated tariffs that would be imposed on them.

The first batch of 14 letters to countries including South Africa and Malaysia also made clear that if they retaliated against the United States with their own tariffs, their target tariffs would go even higher. On July 9, he sent tariff letters to another eight countries, including Brazil. So far, the United States has sent 25 tariff letters, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on July 23.

What trade deals have been struck so far?

While the U.K. was the first country to reach a trade agreement with the United States, the latest and the most significant deal so far has been with Japan, Washington's fifth-largest trading partner.

Other countries with whom Trump announced deals in recent months include Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 7, 2025. REUTERS/Kent Nishimura

On July 22, Trump announced a massive deal with Japan under which the United States would impose a 15% tariff on Japanese imports. Trump had previously threatened a 24% tariff on Japan.

He said Japan would invest $550 billion in the United States and that the United States would receive 90% of the profits, without offering any details. His announcement also said Japan had agreed to open its market to imports of vehicles, rice and other agricultural products from the United States.

Of the five countries that the United States has struck trade deals with, it only runs a trade surplus with the U.K.

TACO time?

On July 21, in an interview with CNBC, Bessent was noncommittal on whether there could be an extension for countries negotiating in good faith.

Well see what the president wants to do, Bessent said.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., June 27, 2025.

He added that reverting to the steep tariffs that were first proposed after the deadline might force countries to come up favorable terms.

But again, if we somehow boomerang back ... I would think that a higher tariff level will put more pressure on those countries to come with better agreements, said Bessent.

Meanwhile Trump has repeatedly said there will be no change in the deadline.

In other words, all money will be due and payable starting AUGUST 1, 2025  No extensions will be granted, he wrote on Truth Social on July 8.

Whats happening with tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China?

Trump threatened a 25% tariff on imports from Mexico and Canada shortly after his election victory.

Ten days after taking office, Trump went after the top three trading partners of the United States with an executive order imposing 25% tariffs on nearly all goods from Canada and Mexico. Trump said it was to force the countries to stem the flow of migrants and fentanyl across the United States border. Meanwhile, China was hit with a 10% tariff.

Canada and Mexico immediately responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own.

Two days later, Trump agreed to a 30-day pause. In March, Trump waived tariffs on goods compliant with the United State-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMC) and the imposed 25% universal tariffs on steel, aluminum and automotive imports, including those from Mexico and Canada.

Tariffs on steel, aluminum and copper were raised in June to 50%  Canada is the biggest supplier of steel and aluminum to the United States  while the tariffs on automotive imports held steady.

Trump sent a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in July saying he planned to impose 35% tariffs across-the-board on imports from Canada come Aug. 1.

Trump said fentanyl was "hardly the only" challenge United States had with Canada and that its trade barriers and non-tariff polices were causing "unsustainable" trade deficits.

"Canada charges extraordinary Tariffs to our Dairy farmers  up to 400% - and that is even assuming our Dairy Farmers even have access to sell their products to the people of Canada," Trump said in the letter.

A member of staff works as bags of rice are seen piled up at a rice store in Tokyo on July 9, 2025

In a letter to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Trump said that the country had helped in securing the border. But he said Mexico had still not stopped the Cartels who are trying to turn all of North America into a Narco-Trafficking Playground.

After months of tit-for-tat tariffs and trade war with China, which saw the U.S. tariffs spiking to 145% and Chinese tariffs on U.S. goods reaching 125%, the two called a truce in May, agreeing to a 90-day suspension of the levies, set to expire on Aug 12.

On June 11, Trump announced a deal had been done subject to final approval by both leaders. He said the U.S. tariffs would be set at 55% on imported Chinese goods while China's tariffs remain at 10%.

Bessent, who is scheduled to meet his Chinese counterpart on July 28 in Stockholm, Sweden, indicated the deadline was likely to be moved.

Well be working out what is likely an extension Bessent told Fox Business on July 22.

Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump's tariff deadline is fast approaching. Here's what to expect
FILE - Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., center, is joined by from left: Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., right, during a news conference at the Capitol, May 20, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr., File)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  A December special election in Tennessee will take place to fill an opening left by Republican U.S. Rep. Mark Green's retirement, putting the focus on a district that has reliably favored the GOP in recent elections but includes a chunk of Democratic-voting Nashville.

State officials on Thursday announced that the primary election will take place on Oct. 7 and the general election on Dec. 2 in the 7th Congressional District contest. Green, who was the Homeland Security Committee chairman, resigned July 20.

The race already features contested Democratic and Republican primaries. For state lawmakers, the off-year election is enticing: Running for the congressional slot won't mean forfeiting their seats or trying to run two races at once to keep theirs.

A special election before the midpoint of President Donald Trump 's term adds intrigue as well. The race could test whether Donald Trump's record in office so far can change the margins while it is fresh on voters' minds.

Here's a look at how the race is shaping up.

The district

District 7 was one of the three seats that carved up Democratic-voting Nashville in the 2022 Republican redistricting efforts. The new lines allowed Republicans to flip a long-held Democratic seat centered on Nashville. Republicans hold eight of nine House seats in Tennessee, with Rep. Steve Cohen in Memphis being the only Democrat.

In a district spanning 14 counties from the Kentucky northern border to the Alabama southern border, Green defeated Democratic opponents by more than 21 percentage points in 2024 and by nearly 22 points in 2022. Trump beat Biden in 2020 by 12 points among voters in those boundaries.

The district also includes Fort Campbell and has drawn multiple candidates with military backgrounds.

The contenders

On the Republican side, the lawmakers who have already joined the mix include state Reps. Jody Barrett of Dickson and Lee Reeves of Franklin.

Former Tennessee Department of General Services Commissioner Matt Van Epps has also launched a campaign. He has drawn Green's endorsement.

The field also includes Montgomery County Commissioner Jason Knight, health care industry businessman Mason Foley, and real estate businessman Stewart Parks, who was pardoned by Trump after entering the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.

Democrats have recruited state Reps. Bo Mitchell, Aftyn Behn and Vincent Dixie, all from Nashville. Democrat David Jones, who works in the Nashville district attorney's office, is running as well.

Jon Thorp, an air ambulance pilot from Springfield, is listed as a Republican candidate in federal campaign finance filings, but has said on social media he will run as an independent.

The field could quickly change with the qualifying deadline of Aug. 12 still weeks away.

Green's goodbye

Green announced last month he would leave Congress once the House voted again on the sprawling tax and budget policy bill backed by Trump.

Green has said he was offered a private sector opportunity that was too exciting to pass up and will be starting his own company, but hasn't offered many specifics. He said he will be doing something "specifically designed to help America compete against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party), but this time in business."

Green had said in February 2024 that he would not run seek reelection, a decision revealed a day after the impeachment of then-President Joe Bidens Homeland Security secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. But many fellow Republicans called on him to reconsider, and he jumped back into the running just two weeks later.

Green previously served as an Army surgeon and in the state Senate and is from Montgomery County.
Traditional Country Stars Girlfriend Speaks Out Against Internet Backlash: 'Im Human' originally appeared on Parade.

Zach Tops girlfriend, Amelia Taylor, isnt afraid to stick up for herself when it comes to dealing with the dating rumor mill.

Since going public about her romance with the country artist, she has dealt with online hate and criticism, including death threats. However, instead of letting things fester, Taylor has chosen to face internet trolls head-on to set the record straight about made-up stories that others have said about her.

On Monday, July 21, Taylor took to TikTok, sharing a video that found her in a seated position outdoors, feeding a kangaroo.

I think I learn something new about myself on here every day. I thought Id address this in a subtle manner since everyone is so curious, she captioned the clip, addressing the curiosity surrounding her and Tops relationship before implying that rumors about her romantic life have negatively impacted her on an emotional scale.

Not that I believe my personal life needs to be made public, but simply because the de@Th threats, su!cide wishes, and assault threats are getting a little out of control, she added. Being with someone in the public eye doesnt cancel out the fact that Im human with real human feelings.

In her message, Tops girlfriend didnt name anyone specific regarding the gossip that has been spread about her. But, she did clear up any misconceptions about her romance with Top, writing, Im not 19. Ive never been anyones mistress. I didnt meet my boyfriend when I was in high school.

Later on in her post, Taylor further reiterated that neither death threats nor suicide wishes should ever be made toward another individual, but added that shes perfectly OK with not being everybodys cup of tea.

Disliking another human is fine! Differing opinions make the world go round! she wrote. However, the de*th threats and su!cide wishes are not okay. Lets remember that everything we read on the internet isnt always true! Humans are human. They make mistakes, theyre imperfect. Its simply the beauty of being human!

If youre constantly sending hate my way, of course Im going to block you. No human is numb to the hurt that words can cause. Learn to love. It makes life a lot more enjoyableI just wanna travel and pet kangaroos, she concluded her message.

According to People, Taylor and Top made their relationship public in Nov. 2024 via TikTok, walking the red carpet at the 58th Annual CMA Awards. Taylor, a native of Mississippi, is a model and a social media influencer. She has also competed in pageants, including 2021 Miss Mississippi Teen USA.

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available 24 hours a day through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.

Related: Morgan Wallen Reveals Why He Almost Skipped an Entire State on Tour

Traditional Country Stars Girlfriend Speaks Out Against Internet Backlash: 'Im Human' first appeared on Parade on Jul 24, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
The Widener Library on the Harvard Campus on June 4, 2025. - Cassandra Klos/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The Trump administration is still optimistic about the possibility of reaching a deal with Harvard University after it announced a $200 million settlement with Columbia University on Wednesday.

While theres a lawsuit pending with Harvard, and Im sure that lawsuit will play out, I do hope that Harvard will continue to come to the table with negotiations. Those talks are continuing, and wed like to have a resolution there, outside of the courts, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a phone interview with CNN on Thursday.

Harvard faced off with the Trump administration in court on Monday, arguing that the administrations $2 billion freeze in federal funding for research was in violation of the schools First Amendment rights. The case has become a flashpoint in a major clash over academic freedom, campus oversight and federal funding. The judge has not made a final ruling in the case, but Harvard has asked for a decision to be made no later than September 3, when it says some of the funding cuts could become more permanent.

A small circle of Trump administration officials and officials from Harvard have been engaged in talks toward a potential deal for months, but a source familiar with the discussions told CNN earlier this week those conversations have largely stalled.

On Thursday, McMahon pointed to some recent actions taken by Harvard as positive steps, including the departure of the heads of the Middle Eastern Studies center. She described the current state of talks with the university as ongoing but declined to provide additional details. She also declined to provide information about the scale of any settlement the administration hopes to achieve with Harvard, which has a larger endowment than Columbia.

In a statement shortly after the Columbia deal was announced, McMahon described the move as a seismic shift for higher education that could serve as a roadmap for other schools. She said that other universities are already looking at the template provided by the Columbia agreement.

Colleges and universities are understanding at this particular point that they have some issues they need to address, and I think that they are coming to the table to do that, she said.

McMahon added that there are other investigations that are going on and that the Trump administration has sent letters to some other universities letting them know that we are investigating  but I would prefer that we will not go public with those right now.

President Donald Trump indicated a deal with Harvard was within reach last month, saying in a social media post that the school had acted extremely appropriately and that a deal could be announced over the next week or so. But those talks appeared to subsequently derail.

The administration escalated its battle with the university days later, announcing that an investigation found the school in violent violation of the Civil Rights Act. The administration warned in a letter in late June that a failure to immediately institute change will result in the loss of all federal financial resources and continue to affect Harvards relationship with the federal government.

And days after that, the Department of Homeland Security sent the school administrative subpoenas regarding its Student Visitor and Exchange Program certification, seeking all relevant records, communications and other documents about Harvards enforcement of immigration laws.

On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio escalated things further  announcing the administration was opening an investigation into Harvards continued eligibility as a sponsor for the Exchange Visitor Program.

Harvard has sent some signals it is willing to work with the Trump administration, including earlier this month when The Harvard Crimson reported that websites for Harvard College centers serving minority and LGBTQ students and women disappeared. The White House welcomed that development, viewing it as a goodwill gesture that one official described as good news.

This story has been updated with additional information.

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President Donald Trump arrives to speak at an AI summit at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) - Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

The Jeffrey Epstein morass surrounding President Donald Trump is deepening amid growing defiance by some Republicans and despite the administrations most inflammatory attempt yet at distraction.

New reports Wednesday that Attorney General Pam Bondi told Trump in May that his name appeared in documents related to the case of Epstein, an accused sex trafficker, offered a plausible explanation for the presidents growing fury over the drama.

They will fuel accusations of a cover-up since the administration has refused to release the files.

And although there is no evidence that Trump was involved in any wrongdoing or that he knew of Epsteins criminal activities when they ran in the same social circle decades ago, there is bound to be intense speculation about the nature of mentions about the president in the investigative files.

The storm is also intensifying in Congress.

A vote in the House Oversight Committee to subpoena the Department of Justice for files related to Epstein worsened Trumps political headache, since it revealed the appetite for more disclosure among some MAGA Republicans. The GOP-majority committee also voted to subpoena testimony from Epsteins accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison term.

Trump responded to the ballooning crisis with the oldest trick in his political book, pushing a conspiracy theory against Barack Obama  a decade and a half after his false claims about the 44th presidents birthplace electrified his coalition and political career. He enlisted the top US intelligence official, Tulsi Gabbard, who misleadingly claimed in a theatrical White House appearance that Obamas handling of Russian election meddling in 2016 amounted to a coup to destroy Trumps first presidency, a day after her boss accused his predecessor of treason.

There is no evidence that Trump did anything wrong or illegal in his interactions with Epstein. But days of stalling by the White House and new disclosures drove speculation to a fever pitch over their relationship in the 1990s and early 2000s, long before the wealthy financier was charged with sex trafficking and abuse and died in prison in 2019.

The frantic confluence of events Wednesday underscored Trumps failed attempts to put a lid on the Epstein drama, the most serious challenge to his authority over the MAGA base in either of his administrations. In fact, the storm is now gathering its own momentum, and its increasingly hard to see how the president calms it.

The controversy is overshadowing Trumps recent political successes, including trade deals he announced with Japan and the Philippines and recent legal victories enabling a key goal: the gutting of swaths of the federal government. And its outracing House Speaker Mike Johnsons attempts to contain it.

A billboard in New York's Times Square calls for the release of the Epstein Files on Wednesday. - Adam Gray/Getty Images

Trumps name is included in Epstein document

Among developments on Wednesday with the greatest capacity to damage Trump politically were revelations that Bondi warned him in May that his name appeared in documents related to the Epstein case.

The conversation, which also included Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, was characterized by two White House officials as a routine briefing that covered the scope of the Justice Departments findings. Trumps name appearing in the files, they said, was not the sole focus of the discussions. Bondi also told Trump that several other high-profile figures were mentioned. She also briefed that investigators did not find evidence of an Epstein client list or that suicide was not his cause of death  two key elements of a MAGA conspiracy.

Simply being mentioned along with hundreds of others in documents does not imply wrongdoing by the president. And White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement to CNN that Trump had kicked Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago club because he regarded Epstein as a creep.

Still, details of Bondis briefing, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, offered new context about the political controversy that erupted over the Epstein files, since it took place three months after Bondi raised huge expectations for disclosure by telling Fox in February that she had Epsteins client list sitting on her desk.

Attorney General Pam Bondi attends a cabinet meeting hosted by President Donald Trump on July 8. - Evan Vucci/AP

Its hardly a surprise that Trump was mentioned in the Epstein files, since his former friendship with the disgraced financier was well known. The men were pictured together on multiple occasions. And Trumps name was included in flight logs of Epsteins plane that were among documents released by Bondi earlier this year in a political stunt meant to reward conservative bloggers.

But Wednesdays revelations are politically difficult for Trump since they will renew speculation that the administrations refusal to release Epstein documents, as his top aides promised on the campaign trail, is motivated by an attempt at a cover-up.

Now that it is established that Trumps name is in the documents, speculation will go into overdrive on the nature of the mentions and whether they add to the public knowledge of Trumps ties to Epstein and whether he knew anything about the offenses with which the financier was later charged. Again, this does not imply Trump himself did something wrong. But since hes the sitting president, the focus on him and his handling of the Epstein matter in government will be intense.

Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell appear together at Mar-a-Lago in 2000. - Davidoff Studios/Getty Images

This is especially the case since Bondi and Kash Patel, who now heads the FBI, had vehemently demanded the release of Epstein documents before finding themselves on the other side of the conspiracy theory they had puffed up when they took top jobs. Their agencies issued a joint statement earlier this month saying that there was no evidence of a client list or to support the conspiracy theory that Epstein was murdered.

But the pattern of inconsistencies and denials that typically fuel Washingtons scandal machine are piling up. Trump, for instance, appeared to deny this month that Bondi had told him his name was in the Epstein files, which he then claimed were made up by Obama and fired former FBI Director James Comey.

Ironically, the growing clamor is a test case of why grand jury material and other documents are typically sealed. Thats partly out of a need to protect the reputations of people  including witnesses, victims and blameless third parties  who are identified during an investigation but are not charged with any offenses.

But the MAGA movement is obsessed with conspiracy theories and has a bedrock belief that Washington is run by a cabal of deep state elites who suppress the truth. This tempted Trump, Bondi and other officials to tap into the political well and to promise the release of previously sealed information on famous cases also including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

When the administration then refused to make public all the evidence about Epstein, top officials looked like theyd become avatars of the deep state they once decried.

As anger built in the MAGA base, the Justice Department launched an effort to get court permission to unseal grand jury testimony in the case. But a federal judge in Florida on Wednesday ruled against the release of material that represents only a small portion of the thousands of documents in the Epstein case file. The DOJ move is a legal long shot, but it may still serve the purpose of building political cover for the administration as supporters demand more transparency.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to members of the press outside the US House Chamber on Wednesday. - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Johnson cant contain GOP revolt on Epstein

Trumps growing nightmare was exacerbated in a rare show of defiance by Republicans in Congress on Wednesday.

A subcommittee of the House Oversight Committee voted 8-2 to subpoena the Department of Justice to release files related to Epstein. Republican Reps. Nancy Mace, Scott Perry and Brian Jack joined with Democrats in a revolt against Johnsons leadership.

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, meanwhile, subpoenaed Maxwell, a day after Blanche, Trumps former personal lawyer, announced that hed meet with her to see if she has more information on Epsteins offenses. Blanches move raised alarms because Trump, with his pardon power, could commute her sentence or pardon her, suggesting an incentive for Maxwell to offer testimony that might help him. CNNs Kaitlan Collins, citing a people familiar with the plan, reported that the meeting is expected to take place on Thursday at the US attorneys office in Tallahassee.

The actions of the Oversight Committee suggested there is genuine desire for more accountability among some Republicans despite the possibility that it could inflict political damage on the president.

This suggests that any hopes harbored by Trump and Johnson that the furor might abate over the summer recess will prove to be ill-founded.

Johnson has accused Democrats of playing political games over Epstein, since the documents they now want released were not made public during the Biden administration. And he denied that his attempt to shut down House votes on the matter before September meant he was losing control of his conference.

No one in Congress is blocking Epstein documents. No one in Congress is doing that, the speaker said Wednesday. What were doing here, Republicans are preventing Democrats from making a mockery of the Rules Committee process because we refuse to engage in their political charade.

But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer taunted Johnson, accusing him of skedaddling out of town early. The New York Democrat added, If the speaker thinks he can make the Epstein escapade disappear by sending folks home early, hes got another thing coming.

The looming political question is whether fury over the Epstein saga among prominent MAGA media figures and influencers is mirrored more broadly in Trumps base. Summer recess town halls involving GOP members could begin to answer that question. A Quinnipiac poll released on July 16 showed splits on the issue. While 40% of Republicans backed how Trump was handling the issue, 36% disapproved. But a CBS/YouGov poll Sunday showed that only 11% of Republicans said Epstein-related issues matter a lot to how they evaluate Trumps presidency.

President Donald Trump speaks to members of the press during a Tuesday meeting at the White House. - Kent Nishimura/Reuters

Trumps deploys classic political fallback  attacking Obama

Trump has responded to the building Epstein scandal with increasingly heated attempts to distract attention and to provide alternative programing for the conservative media universe.

Gabbards appearance in the White House briefing room on Wednesday represented the most striking effort yet to weaponize elements of the federal government to advance Trumps personal political aims.

The director of national intelligence declassified a highly sensitive congressional report written by Republicans in the first Trump presidency to bolster her claim that the Obama team plotted to ruin her bosss first administration with its investigations and public statements on Russian election meddling.

The evidence that we have found and that we have released directly point to President Obama leading the manufacturing of this intelligence assessment, Gabbard said. She focused in particular on the reports conclusion that an intelligence community finding that Russian President Vladimir Putin developed a preference for Trump in 2016 and wanted to help him win was based on poor sourcing.

They knew it would promote this contrived narrative that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help President Trump win, selling it to the American people as though it were true, Gabbard said.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard talks to reporters in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on Wednesday. - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

While there was a debate among intelligence analysts about Putins intent, Gabbards presentation represented an attempt to cherry-pick evidence that is not reflected in other congressional and government assessments of Russian election meddling.

The overwhelming consensus in Washington, including from a report released in 2020 by the Senate Intelligence Committee on which Secretary of State Marco Rubio served, is that Russian interfered in the 2016 election to help Trump win and to hurt Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

The documentation that Gabbard produced did not back up Trumps absurd claims of treason by Obama or her own assertion that there was an orchestrated plot to discredit Trump. Democrats accused her of jeopardizing the safety of US intelligence sources and offering valuable information to the Russians while sending a message to assets that it was not safe to report politically sensitive information.

Even if Obama did something wrong, Trumps argument that he should be in prison would be undercut, ironically, by one of his own famous legal victories. Last year, the Supreme Court ruled in a case related to Trumps indictment on charges of election interference related to the 2020 election that ex-presidents enjoy substantial immunity from prosecution.

The choreographed outrage in the White House briefing room, meanwhile, showed that the Russian election-meddling controversy  one of Trumps greatest obsessions  is back and is sowing yet more division and mistrust among voters. Gabbards decision to revive it was a reminder that Putins scheme was one of the highest-yielding, lowest-cost intelligence operations in history.

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A Turkish Airlines passenger died during their international flight to California  and officials cant explain where the body is located.

The passenger was onboard a flight out of Istanbul heading to San Francisco on July 13 when they suffered a severe medical emergency, according to the aviation blog Aviation A2Z.

The crew was preparing to divert the plane to Keflavik Airport in Iceland after the passenger died midair.

However, they ultimately decided to continue flying toward North America rather than divert outside US airspace.

The urgency to make an emergency landing decreases after a passenger dies, allowing the crew to find an airport that is better equipped to handle the situation, according to the outlet.

The body of a passenger who died during an international flight to San Francisco has allegedly gone missing. Christian Palent  stock.adobe.com

Upon entering the airspace over the United States, the crew opted to land at CHICAGO OHARE (ORD), a major international hub capable of handling emergency landings with adequate medical support and facilities, Aviation A2Z reported.

The cause of the passengers medical emergency remains unknown.

Upon landing at OHare International Airport in Chicago, the body was removed from the aircraft.

At this point, responsibility should have shifted to the Cook County Medical Examiners Office.

However, medical examiner spokesperson Natalia Derevyanny told SFGATE that they have no record of a body being brought to them from the flight, nor does the office have any cases that would match the description of the incident.

However, they ultimately decided to continue flying toward North America rather than divert outside US airspace. Flightaware

Turkish Airlines station manager Ertugrul Gulsen confirmed the diversion to Chicago OHare and added that the passengers remains were later placed on a separate flight to San Francisco, but did not elaborate further.

The location of the passengers body is still unknown.

The Post has reached out to Turkish Airlines for comment.

Medical emergencies occur on approximately 1 in every 600 flights, or 16 per million passengers, according to the CDC.

About 3 out of every 1,000 incidents are fatal. While medical emergencies are not rare, in-flight deaths are less frequent.

The cause of the passengers medical emergency remains unknown. Markus Mainka  stock.adobe.com

A study published in The American Journal of Emergency Medicine in 2021 on in-flight emergencies also found that death onboard a commercial aircraft is actually quite rare.

Nearly all in-flight deaths unrelated to crashes are due to cardiac arrest, often from heart conditions worsened by flight stresses like low oxygen and immobility.

In March, an EasyJet passenger went into a suspected cardiac arrest and died while aboard a flight from Spain to England.

Three passengers, including a nurse, on the budget airline traveling from Tenerife to Liverpool John Lennon Airport sprang into action and tried to revive the 67-year-old woman who collapsed shortly after takeoff on March 25 by performing CPR.

However, she died before the plane touched down at Santiago-Rosalia de Castro Airport.
By Panu Wongcha-um and Chayut Setboonsarng

BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH (Reuters) -A Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed targets in Cambodia, both sides said, as weeks of tension over a border dispute escalated into clashes on Thursday that have killed at least 12 people, including 11 civilians.

Of the six F-16 fighter jets that Thailand readied to deploy along the disputed border, one of the aircraft fired into Cambodia and destroyed a military target, the Thai army said. Both countries accused each other of starting the clash early on Thursday.

"We have used air power against military targets as planned," Thai army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon told reporters. Thailand also closed its border with Cambodia.

Cambodia's defence ministry said the jets dropped two bombs on a road, and that it "strongly condemns the reckless and brutal military aggression of the Kingdom of Thailand against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia".

The skirmishes came after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia late on Wednesday and said it would expel Cambodia's envoy in Bangkok, after a second Thai soldier in the space of a week lost a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently in the disputed area.

Thailand's health minister said 11 civilians, including a child, and one soldier were killed in artillery shelling by Cambodian forces while 24 civilians and seven military personnel were wounded. There was no immediate word of casualties in Cambodia.

"The Thai Army condemns Cambodia for using weapons to attack civilians in Thailand. Thailand is ready to protect sovereignty and our people from inhumane action," the country's military said in a statement.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, the current chair of Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN in which Thailand and Cambodia are also members, urged calm and said he would speak to leaders of both countries to peacefully resolve their dispute. China also expressed concern at the fighting and said it was willing to play a role in promoting de-escalation.

Thai residents including children and the elderly ran to shelters built of concrete and fortified with sandbags and car tires in the Surin border province.

"How many rounds have been fired? It's countless," an unidentified woman told the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS) while hiding in the shelter as gunfire and explosions were heard intermittently in the background.

Cambodia's foreign ministry said Thailand's air strikes were "unprovoked" and called on its neighbour to withdraw its forces and "refrain from any further provocative actions that could escalate the situation".

For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border, which has led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a weeklong exchange of artillery in 2011.

Tensions were reignited in May following the killing of a Cambodian soldier during a brief exchange of gunfire, which escalated into a full-blown diplomatic crisis and now has triggered armed clashes.

LANDMINES

The clashes began early on Thursday near the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple along the border between Cambodia and Thailand, around 360 km (225 miles) east of the Thai capital Bangkok.

Thailand's Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin told reporters the deaths took place across three border provinces and included an 8-year-old boy in Surin.

He added the Cambodian shelling included a strike on a hospital in Surin province, which he said should be considered a war crime.

"Artillery shell fell on people's homes," Sutthirot Charoenthanasak, district chief of Kabcheing in Surin province, told Reuters, adding authorities had evacuated 40,000 civilians from 86 border villages to safer locations. "Two people have died," he added.

Video footage showed a plume of thick black smoke rising from a gas station in the neighbouring Thai Sisaket province, as firefighters rushed to extinguish the blaze.

A total of eight people have been killed and 15 wounded in Sisaket, the health minister said, adding another person was killed in the border province of Ubon Ratchathani.

The army said Cambodia deployed a surveillance drone before sending troops with heavy weapons, including rocket launchers, to an area near the Ta Moan Thom temple.

A spokesperson for Cambodia's defence ministry, however, said there had been an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops and Cambodian forces had responded in self-defence.

Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the situation was delicate.

"We have to be careful," he told reporters. "We will follow international law."

An attempt by Thailand's then premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra to resolve the recent tensions via a call with Cambodia's influential former Prime Minister Hun Sen, the contents of which were leaked, kicked off a political storm in Thailand, leading to her suspension by a court.

Hun Sen said in a Facebook post that two Cambodian provinces had come under shelling from the Thai military.

Thailand this week accused Cambodia of placing landmines in a disputed area that injured three soldiers. Phnom Penh denied the claim and said the soldiers had veered off agreed routes and triggered a mine left behind from decades of war.

Cambodia has many landmines left over from its civil war decades ago, numbering in the millions according to de-mining groups.

But Thailand maintains landmines have been placed at the border area recently, which Cambodia has described as baseless allegations.

(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um and Chayut Setboonsarng; writing by Devjyot Ghoshal and Saad Sayeed; editing by Martin Petty and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
By Jihoon Lee

SEOUL (Reuters) -Talks between top South Korean and U.S. officials to negotiate over U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs have been postponed due to a scheduling conflict for U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, South Korea's finance ministry said on Thursday.

The two sides will reschedule the so-called 2+2 meeting between Bessent and South Korean Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol, as well as the top trade envoys of both countries, as soon as possible, the ministry said.

Koo was set to board a flight for Washington on Thursday to attend the meeting on Friday in the hope of hammering out a deal that would spare Asia's fourth-largest economy from Trump's punishing 25% tariffs set to take effect on August 1.

The sudden announcement by the finance ministry an hour before Koo's departure cast fresh doubts about whether Seoul would be able to pull off an agreement to avert U.S. import duties that could hit some of its major exporting industries.

"It might be difficult to reschedule 2+2 again before August 1st, so the best we can do is for the trade chief Yeo to request an extension of the tariff exemption," said Heo Yoon, international trade professor at Sogang University, referring to Minister for Trade Yeo Han-koo.

The benchmark KOSPI stock index trimmed early gains to close up 0.2%, as auto and auto parts makers fell on news of the postponed talks, with Hyundai Motor dropping 2%.

Washington gave no further details on the postponement of Friday's meeting, the finance ministry said, though U.S. officials are embroiled in a flurry of different negotiations on trade, including with China and the European Union.

Top South Korean officials flew to Washington this week amid a push to reach a deal by August 1.

Wi Sung-lac, South Korea's top security adviser, said he spoke to senior U.S. officials on a range of topics from security to the economy.

In a statement, Wi denied a media report that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio refused to meet him, saying they had spoken by telephone after Rubio was called away to speak to Trump.

"Negotiations on pending issues between South Korea and the U.S. are in a critical final phase," Wi told reporters at the airport after returning to South Korea on Thursday.

Trade minister Yeo and Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, who are also in Washington, have held meetings with U.S. officials as scheduled, the South Korean government said.

Yeo will also meet U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the industry ministry said.

PRESSURE TO MATCH JAPAN DEAL

Pressure on South Korea heightened this week after Japan clinched a deal with the United States, which Trump said would see Tokyo allowing greater market access for American products including autos and some agricultural products.

The agreement includes a commitment by Japan for a $550 billion package of U.S.-bound investment and loans.

The two major Asian security allies of the U.S. compete in areas such as autos and steel, and Japan's deal was seen by investors as a benchmark for the type of agreement Seoul should target in negotiations, analysts have said.

The involvement of a range of ministerial-level officials in talks with U.S. officials in recent days suggested the countries were working on a trade package that could involve a range of sectors, including South Korea's sensitive farm markets.

South Korean officials have said access to U.S. markets is key to industrial cooperation between the allies that would help rebuild American manufacturing industries, including shipbuilding.

Seoul is set to propose to Washington an investment package plan worth at least $100 billion, which would involve major South Korean conglomerates like Samsung and Hyundai Motor Group, Yonhap News Agency reported.

President Lee Jae Myung met Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung and LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo this month and discussed their U.S. investments, Lee's office said.

Lee also planned to meet Samsung Electronics Chairman Jay Y. Lee on Thursday, the Dong-A newspaper reported.

Finance ministry officials in Seoul declined to comment on media reports about a potential investment fund.

(Reporting by Jihoon Lee, Cynthia Kim, Ju-min Park and Joyce Lee; Writing by Jack Kim;Editing by Ed Davies, Shri Navaratnam and Kate Mayberry)
More than 300 documents released by the Moscow Police Department on Wednesday revealed grisly new details about the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students and the exhaustive investigation that led to Bryan Kohberger's apprehension.

Kohberger, 30, was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to fatally stabbing college seniors Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, both 21; junior Xana Kernodle, 20; and freshman Ethan Chapin, 20, in an off-campus home in the early hours of Nov. 13, 2022.

The former Washington State University doctoral student pleaded guilty to the crimes in exchange for avoiding a death sentence, circumventing a lengthy trial and allowing authorities to release information on the case once bound by a sweeping gag order. Shortly after Kohberger's sentencing, during which family members of the victims provided emotional impact statements, the vast trove of documents was released to the public.

The new documents shed light on the brutality of the slayings, details about the days and weeks that led to the murders, and the extensive pool of evidence investigators gathered against Kohberger.

Here are some of the never-before-revealed details of the barbaric killings.

Dylan Mortensen gets a hug after speaking at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse Wednesday, in Boise, Idaho. (Kyle Green / Pool via AP)

Bodies found brutally savaged

When police entered Xana Kernodle's bedroom, the responding officer detailed that "it was obvious an intense struggle had occurred," according to one of the reports.

"There was blood smeared on various items in the room and all over the floor," the document reads. "There was blood cast-off on the walls in various places, including above Xanas body."

Police found Kernodle lying face down on the floor in the center of the room in her underwear and a gray sweatshirt, covered in blood, according to the document. The officer logged that he saw "what appeared to be defensive knife wounds on Xana's hands" and a "deep gash on Xana's left hand between her pointer finger and thumb."

An autopsy revealed that Kernodle had more than 50 stab wounds, according to the documents.

Officers found the other three college students similarly covered in blood, according to the documents. In addition to wounds on Mogens forearm and hands, her face was mutilated.

"Madison had a gash under her right eye which appeared to go from the corner of her eye to her nose," the document reads.

Goncalves was found "unrecognizable as her facial structure was extremely damaged," according to the document.

Moments leading to the 911 call

Bethany Funke, one of the two surviving roommates, told investigators that her door was locked when she went to sleep in the early hours of Nov. 13, according to one of the police reports.

Funke told police that she woke up after falling asleep to hearing what she thought was "a firecracker" go off, and "she thought she saw a sparkler going off through the crack under her door," the report, which identifies her as "B", states.

Funke said she then called the other surviving roommate, Dylan Mortensen, or Mortensen called her  the report states she could not recall  who told her "she thought she had just seen someone dressed in all black in the house" and a ski mask, according to the report.

Mortensen, who is identified in the report as "D," later said "the male in black was walking out the back door and they had made eye contact with each other," that he was "white with a big nose" and holding "a small vacuum type of object," Funke told detectives, according to the report.

According to the report, Funke then told Mortensen to come down to her room, and Mortensen did. Funke then called the four victims phones, but nobody answered, which Funke said she thought was normal given how late it was.

Funke told detectives the pair did not call 911 at the time because Funke thought Mortensen thought she may have been mistaken, and that they were both still drunk and groggy. She also said she thought one of Chapins fraternity brothers could have been playing a prank on them.

When Funke woke up at 7:30 a.m., she called her parents about a toothache before falling back to sleep, according to the report. She then woke up again around 11:00 am and noticed no one else in the house was awake. She added that Kernodle's Snapchat location was not on, "and it should have been."

The pair then called two of their friends and asked them to come over because they were scared, the report said. When one of the friends arrived and went upstairs to check things out, the friend told the pair to get out of the house and call for help.

Funke told detectives that through Kernodle's slightly opened door, she saw Kernodle on the floor in her underwear and sweatshirt, the report states.

Funke then called 911.

Goncalves thought she was being followed

In the weeks before she was killed, Goncalves recounted a series of unnerving events to the two surviving roommates, according to the police reports.

Goncalves mentioned that she believed someone was following her two or three weeks before the stabbing, one of the surviving roommates told investigators.

The same roommate recalled Goncalves saying that she saw a shadow while she was outside with her dog about a month before the murders, according to a separate report.

The second surviving roommate told investigators that, around the same time, Goncalves saw an "unknown male" above their off-campus house, staring at her when she took the dog outside.

The documents did not tie Kohberger to the events.

Kohberger had scratch marks around the time of the killings, his friend told detectives

One of Kohberger's friends, a WSU student whose name was redacted, told detectives that he noticed scratch marks on Kohberger's body on two separate occasions in October and November 2022, according to one of the police reports.

The friend stated that one injury was a large scratch mark on Kohberger's face, which the friend "described as looking like the scratches from fingernails," according to the report. The friend added that he also saw wounds to Kohberger's knuckles on two separate occasions.

When the friend asked Kohberger about the marks, Kohberger "replied he has been in a car accident," the report states.

Tinder match recounts chilling conversation with Kohberger

A woman who matched with Kohberger on the dating app Tinder in the fall of 2022 made a tip to authorities in March 2024 and was later interviewed by detectives, according to one of the police reports.

The woman, whose name was redacted, told detectives that the pair discussed the murder of one of her friends and horror movies, after Kohberger told the woman that he was a criminology student at WSU, according to the report.

At one point through their conversation, Kohberger asked what she thought would be the worst way to die, according to the report. She said she thought it would be by a knife.

To that, "Kohberger then asked her something to the effect of 'like a Ka Bar?'" according to the report.

Prosecutors said that Kohberger purchased a Ka-Bar knife and sheath on Amazon before the murders. The sheath was found at the crime scene, but the knife was never recovered, according to officials.

Kohberger's Tinder match stopped talking to Kohberger "because his questions made her uncomfortable," according to the report.

Kohberger's sole conversation with authorities revealed

Kohberger repeatedly refused to answer questions from authorities after the murders. However, he did speak briefly with detectives during his initial interview in late 2022, following his arrest at his family's home in Pennsylvania.

At the onset of the interview, Kohberger said he was concerned about his parents and his dog after the SWAT operation at his family home, according to one of the police reports. Kohberger then engaged in small talk with the detectives, telling them that he was a student at WSU, discussing his aspirations to become a professor, and explaining how competitive the admissions process was for his Ph.D. program.

After making small talk, detectives then asked Kohberger if he knew about "what happened in November" just off the University of Idaho campus, according to the report. Kohberger then replied, "Of course," adding that he became aware of the homicides because of an alert he received on his phone from his university.

Detectives then explained that the homicides were why Kohberger was there, to which Kohberger replied, "Well, I think I would need a lawyer," according to the report.

Kohberger then asked detectives what questions they would have for him, according to the report. The detectives then informed him that, since he had invoked his Fifth Amendment rights, they would not ask him any further questions.

Unanswered questions remain

The police reports do not reveal if authorities were ever able to pin down a motive for the killings. Nor do they establish a clear link between Kohberger and his victims.

At the sentencing hearing, Ada County District Court Judge Steven Hippler called Kohberger a "faceless coward." Hippler said that he shared the desire to understand why Kohberger carried out the killings, but that doing so gives Kohberger more power and control.

"There is no reason for these crimes that could approach anything resembling rationality," he said. "In my view, the time has now come to end for Mr. Kohbergers 15 minutes of fame."

Authorities said at a press conference Wednesday that they never found the weapon or the clothes Kohberger used that night.
A Cambodian BM-21 multiple rocket launcher returns in Preah Vihear province from the Cambodia-Thai border as troops from both sides clash on July 24. - Stringer/AFP/Getty Images

Deadly violence has flared up once again on the contentious border between Thailand and Cambodia, reigniting a long-running but little-known dispute.

Thailand deployed fighter jets against Cambodian military targets on Thursday, as forces from both countries clashed along the border. The escalation came after a second Thai soldier in a week lost their leg in a landmine explosion.

Diplomatic relations have deteriorated as a full-blown conflict threatens to break out, as both sides accuse each other of aggression.

Thailands health ministry said Thursday that 12 people, including 11 civilians and one Thai soldier, have been killed in clashes with Cambodian troops. A further 31 people have been injured, the ministry said. Cambodian authorities have not yet reported any fatalities on their side.

Heres what to know about the disputed border.

What caused the latest flare-up?

Tensions worsened in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a brief clash between Thai and Cambodian troops in a contested border area of the Emerald Triangle, where Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet.

Thai and Cambodian forces said they were acting in self-defense and blamed the other for the skirmish.

Although military leaders from Thailand and Cambodia said they wished to de-escalate, both sides have since engaged in saber-rattling and reinforced troops along the border.

Thailand took control of border checkpoints, imposed restrictions on crossings and threatened to cut electricity and internet to Cambodias border towns. Cambodia in return stopped imports of Thai fruit and vegetables and banned Thai movies and TV dramas.

Recent landmine explosions prompted both countries to downgrade relations with each other and recall diplomatic staff.

The first soldier lost his leg in a landmine explosion on July 16. The second incident occurred Wednesday, when a blast injured five Thai soldiers, with one losing his leg. Thursdays violence marked a significant escalation.

Why is the border disputed?

Thailand and Cambodia have had a complicated relationship of both cooperation and rivalry in recent decades.

The two countries share a 508-mile (817-kilometer) land border  largely mapped by the French when they controlled Cambodia as a colony  that has periodically seen military clashes and been the source of political tensions.

Cambodia has previously sought a ruling from the UNs International Court of Justice over disputed areas, including the site of the most recent clash.

However, Thailand does not recognize the ICJs jurisdiction and claims that some areas along the border were never fully demarcated, including the sites of several ancient temples.

In 2011, Thai and Cambodian troops clashed in a nearby area surrounding the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO world heritage site, displacing thousands of people on both sides and killing at least 20 people.

What has been the fallout?

The flare-up in May has had huge political ramifications in Thailand.

Thailands Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from duties in July after the leak of a phone call she had with Cambodias powerful former leader Hun Sen, in which she appeared to criticize her own armys actions in the dispute.

Paetongtarn hails from a powerful dynasty and became Thailands youngest prime minister last year, at just 38. She could face full dismissal over the 17-minute phone call  in which she appeared to signal there was discord between her government and the powerful Thai military.

The scandal and her suspension brought fresh uncertainty to the Southeast Asian kingdom, which has been roiled by years of political turbulence and leadership shake-ups.

What are authorities saying now?

Both sides forces accuse each other of opening fire Thursday morning. Cambodia then fired rockets on Thai soil, Thailand said. A Thai fighter jet later dropped two bombs in Cambodian territory, Cambodia said.

Cambodias Defense Ministry condemned what it called brutal, barbaric, and violent military aggression, accusing Thailand of violating international law. The ministry said a Thai F-16 had dropped two bombs on a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO world heritage site.

Cambodia reserves the right to lawful self-defense and will respond decisively to Thailands violent aggression, the statement said, adding that the armed forces are fully prepared to defend the kingdoms sovereignty and its people  whatever the cost.

CNN has reached out to UNESCO for comment.

Thailands 2nd regional military command in the northeast said that F-16 fighter jets had been deployed in two areas, and it claimed to have destroyed two Cambodian regional military support units. Army spokesperson Col. Richa Suksuwanont said the strikes were aimed only at military targets.

Thailands acting caretaker, Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, said Cambodia fired heavy weapons into Thailand without clear targets, leading to civilian deaths. The acting premier also said the conflict was not spreading into more provinces, according to Reuters.

He added that no negotiation with Cambodia can take place until fighting along the border ends.

Other countries have also weighed in, urging restraint and warning travelers against approaching the contentious border. At a briefing on Thursday, US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told reporters that the US is gravely concerned about the violence.

The United States urges an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, and a peaceful resolution of the conflicts, Pigott said.

Additionally on Thursday, the United Kingdoms Foreign Ministry advised against all but essential travel within 50 kilometers of the Cambodia-Thailand border in either country.

CNNs Lauren Kent and Olivia Kemp contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Rain Date - A bull moose wades through the water in search of a cow moose during the fall mating season in the rain. Baxter State Park, Millinocket, Maine.  Richard Seeley/Shutterstock.com

Maine is home to the largest population of moose in the contiguous United States. The only U.S. state with more moose is Alaska. Moose are so important to Maine that its the only place in the country that employs a state moose biologist. Unfortunately, Maines moose population is taking a hit with surging numbers of winter ticks. We spoke to the state moose biologist, Lee Kantar, via email to get to the bottom of this issue.

The moose is the official state animal of Maine. Douglas E. Fechter/Shutterstock.com

Maines Moose Population Was at Its Lowest in the Early 20th Century

According to the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, there are about 40,000 to 60,000 moose in the state. That number is down from 25 years ago, when the population was at its peak, around 100,000. This number is incredible considering that in 1935, the moose population had diminished to only 2,000 individuals in the state. The reduction in numbers was due to hunting, loss of habitat, and a parasitic brain worm. To save Maines moose population, the state banned hunting from 1935 to 1980. In 1980, hunting was reopened with restrictions. With only restricted hunting allowed, the moose population boomed. But in recent years, a new threat has emerged, the winter tick.

Today, moose hunting is allowed, but only at certain times and only for a select group of permit holders. Permits are hard to come by. Out of 70,000 applications, only around 4,000 are typically issued. The permits are distributed through a lottery and an auction. Additionally, a small number of permits are provided for disabled veterans.

A current program run by the state is attempting to find out if opening up the moose hunt in certain areas to allow more permits can thin the herd. By thinning the herd, biologists hope to reduce the spread of winter ticks.

Based on professional human dimension work recently completed by Responsive Management Inc., the majority of Mainers support moose hunting in Maine, says biologist Lee Kantar. Moose hunting remains an important conservation and wildlife management tool and an integral part of our hunting heritage. The science behind our work demonstrates the importance of hunting in relation to winter tick infestations.

Tens of Thousands of Winter Ticks Can Attack One Moose

Winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus), also known as moose ticks, dont feed on people, but will infest moose, deer, elk, caribou, and mountain sheep. One moose can end up with over 100,000 ticks on its body. Younger calves and older moose are particularly vulnerable.

Moose calves are vulnerable to severe winter tick infestations. MintImages/Shutterstock.com

Though winter ticks dont feed on people or transmit diseases to humans, they are detrimental to moose. Winter ticks have a unique method of working together. The ticks interlock their legs while they wait on a shrub or tall grass for a host to walk by. When one tick senses a host and jumps on it, thousands of other ticks may come with it. The ticks then live on the moose for their complete lifecycle, including the stages of larva, nymph, and adult.

The ticks infest the hosts over winter, hence the name, winter ticks. In the spring, the ticks detach, and the females fall to the ground. In summer, the females lay eggs, and the cycle begins again.

Moose hunting remains an important conservation and wildlife management tool and an integral part of our hunting heritage. Lee Kantar, biologist

Moose Are Vulnerable to Winter Ticks

Winter ticks can infest other types of animals, including deer. However, moose seem to be less adept at removing the ticks during grooming. When moose are heavily infested, they can experience anemia, skin irritation, and hair loss. They may become so irritated by the ticks that they stop eating. Heavy winter tick infestations can be fatal to the moose.

Winter ticks jump to their host species in clusters and live on the animal for their three stages of life. Emily S. Chenery, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons  Original / License

Although winter ticks will die in a freeze, winter temperatures in Maine are continuing to warm. Warmer winters and extended falls mean the winter tick population will continue to expand.

How Are Maine Officials Helping the Maine Moose Population?

It may seem counterintuitive, but biologists believe that the way to help the moose survive the winter ticks is to thin the moose population. A program called the Adaptive Moose Hunt began in Maine in 2019. The program increased moose hunting permits in certain zones. Biologists would like to learn if hunting more moose will help to lower winter tick levels, resulting in a healthier moose population that isnt overrun with winter ticks.

Kantar explained the program is still running, and we wont have results until the final data is collected. Kantar told us, This fall, IFW will administer the 5th year of the program. In early winter (2026), we will evaluate and assess data collected from the recent and past harvest as well as associated data on population size and structure, winter tick count, and reproductive data. With five full years of data, we will then be able to take a more complete look at the program.

Are There Other Methods to Reduce Winter Ticks?

When asked what other strategies were being considered to help moose, Kantar told us, We continue to work with colleagues and collaborators to determine other methods to reduce winter tick infestations. Possible avenues may include alternate forest harvesting layouts to disperse moose, but more work is needed to test this.

Unfortunately, the only method of treating an animal with winter ticks is to physically remove them, which isnt feasible for wild moose. According to Kantar, Moose live across a large expanse of the North Maine Woods (10 million acres). Wild free-roaming animals cannot be administered tick acaricides or pills like domestic animals to reduce winter tick burdens. As well, there are no current ways to use tick acaricides across such an expansive area on private lands to reduce winter tick numbers. Thus, we must look at other practical and reasonable ways to mitigate winter tick losses and winter tick numbers.

The post Why Maines Moose Population Is in Jeopardy appeared first on A-Z Animals.
A wildfire rages across a forested area near Cavuslar village, in Karabuk district, northwest Turkey, Wednesday, July 23, 2025. (Ridvan Bostanci/IHA via AP) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

ANKARA, Turkey (AP)  At least 10 firefighters and rescue workers were killed Wednesday and many others injured while battling a wildfire in northwestern Turkey, Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said.

The five forestry workers and five members of the AKUT rescue organization died while trying to put out the wildfire raging through a forested area of Eskisehir province, Yumakli said. At least 14 other rescuers and forestry workers were hospitalized, he said.

The deaths bring the number of fatalities in wildfires that have flared amid strong winds, high temperatures and dry conditions so far in the country this year to 13.

The minister said the wind suddenly changed direction, causing the flames to shift rapidly and surround the forest workers. It was not immediately clear what caused the fire.

Yumakli said firefighters were currently battling seven wildfires in Turkey, including the one in Eskisehir, adding that extreme heat and volatile wind conditions also were expected in Turkey on Thursday.

Starting tomorrow, we are facing extraordinary temperatures and extreme wind shifts. Once again, I call on all 86 million citizens to be vigilant and exercise extra caution," he said.

In a message of condolence to the families, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the victims had fought to protect our forests at cost of their lives.

Two prosecutors were assigned to investigate the incident, the country's justice minister said.

Turkey has been battling wildfires since June 26.

An elderly man and two forestry workers were killed in a wildfire that raged near the town of Odemis, in Izmir province, earlier this month.
In this photo provided by Romanucci & Blandin, John Huffington, left, wipes away a tear during a press conference with representatives of law firms Romanucci & Blandin and Hart McLaughlin & Eldridge to announce a federal civil lawsuit he is filing after serving more than three decades in prison for a wrongful conviction in Baltimore, Thursday, July 24, 2025. (Romanucci & Blandin via AP)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)  A Maryland man who was wrongly imprisoned for 32 years, including a decade on death row, for two killings he did not commit is suing former law enforcement officials in a lawsuit announced Thursday, though four of the five people named as defendants are deceased.

John Huffington was pardoned by then-Gov. Larry Hogan in January 2023. Hogan cited prosecutorial misconduct in granting a full innocence pardon to Huffington in connection with a 1981 double slaying in Harford County. A Maryland board approved $2.9 million in compensation for Huffington later that year during Gov. Wes Moore's administration.

Huffington said in a statement Thursday that it took many, many painful years, but the truth eventually came out. Just 18 at the time of his arrest, he said neither of his parents ever got to see and understand that his name had been cleared and he was set free.

"All of those years I spent behind bars damaged and strained my relationships, cost me the ability to have a family of my own, cost me the ability to be with my mother when she died, cost me precious time with my father who was in his nineties and suffering from Alzheimers when I finally was released, he added.

Huffington, 62, always maintained his innocence. He was released from Patuxent Institution in 2013 after serving 32 years of two life sentences.

He was convicted twice in the killings known as the Memorial Day Murders. Diane Becker was stabbed to death in her recreational vehicle, while her 4-year-old son, who was inside, was not harmed. Joseph Hudson, Beckers boyfriend, was fatally shot and found a few miles (kilometers) away. A second suspect in the slayings testified against Huffington, was convicted of first-degree murder, and served 27 years.

Prosecutors relied on testimony that was later discredited about hair found at the crime scene purportedly matching Huffingtons.

He appealed his first conviction in 1981. In 1983, a jury found him guilty of first-degree murder and he was sentenced to death. Prosecutors later commuted that sentence to two life terms.

Questions about evidence in the case arose when The Washington Post uncovered an FBI report in 2011 that found the FBI agent who analyzed hair evidence in Huffingtons case may not have used reliable science, or even tested the hair at all. The report had been written in 1999, but Harford County States Attorney Joseph Cassilly didn't provide it to Huffingtons lawyers.

A Frederick County judge vacated Huffingtons convictions and ordered a new trial in 2013 after Huffington presented new evidence using DNA testing that was not available during his earlier trials. When the hair evidence was tested for DNA more than 30 years later, the results showed it was not Huffingtons hair.

Marylands highest court unanimously voted to disbar Cassilly in 2021. The court found he withheld exculpatory evidence in the 1981 double murder and lied about it in the following years.

Cassilly, who maintained he did nothing wrong, retired in 2019. He died in January.

His brother, Bob Cassilly, who is now the Harford County executive, said in a statement that his brother was a decorated war hero who was injured while serving his country and served as the county's state's attorney for 36 years while in a wheelchair.

Joe cannot defend himself in this decades-old matter because he is now deceased, as are the other named defendants, except for one who is almost 80, Cassilly said. Harford County government, in which I currently serve as county executive, has no role in this case -- the county was never the defendants employer."

Huffington also is suing the assistant states attorney on his case, Gerard Comen, the Harford County government, and the county sheriffs office detectives, David Saneman, William Van Horn and Wesley J. Picha. All but Saneman are now dead, according to the lawsuit filed July 15 in federal court in Baltimore.

Saneman told The Washington Post on Wednesday he had not seen or heard of the lawsuit and declined to comment.
Rimini Street has been tapped by the University of Melbourne to provide support for a range of Oracle systems to break out of a perpetual cycle of upgrades.

The university selected the global service providers Rimini Support, Rimini Connect and Rimini Protect for its Oracle Database, EBS and Hyperion systems, which are used to support the institutions 55,000 students and 10,000 staff, following mounting issues with its existing vendor support.

Those problems included a lack of support for customisations and a lag in responsiveness, which saw some tickets left unaddressed for months at a time.

In order for us to remain supported by the vendor, we had to continually upgrade on their timeline just so when we put in a ticket, they dont come back to us and say, Sorry, but youre not on a version we support anymore, said University of Melbourne director of enterprise technology Daniel Buttigieg.

We were stuck in a perpetual cycle of upgrades, each one taking months of preparation, testing and deployment. The risks were equally high. If an upgrade or security patching goes wrong, we could lose access to things like our ERP [enterprise resource planning] or identity management system, which can be catastrophic for an organisation of our size and the number of staff and students that we have.

We werent seeing an investment in the platform that was appropriate to the size of the support cost that we were paying. So, moving over to Rimini Street and not getting access to those newer releases really wasnt impacting us because we werent seeing the value of that investment through our support costs.
by Fady Noun

The Lebanese-American envoy is in Beirut for the third time to relaunch the ceasefire agreement. Hezbollah's disarmament in Lebanon is at impasse. For the diplomat, the weapons issue is a "purely internal" issue and no guarantees can be obtained from Israel. He told the Lebanese and the Maronite Patriarch that the United States will not abandon Lebanon. The diplomat is now expected to travel to Israel.

Beirut (AsiaNews)  Tom Barrack, the grandson of Greek Catholics from Zahle (Bekaa Valley), came to diplomacy from a business background. As his country's ambassador to Turkey, he has been tasked by President Trump to act as a special envoy for Syrian and Lebanese affairs.

His recent visit to Lebanon was his third in two months, to receive an official response to a US proposal to disarm Hezbollah, which he had presented during his second visit. Unlike previous visits, the diplomat this time broadened the scope of his meetings to include various religious and political leaders, and to secure the support of various Lebanese parties for his mission.

Contrary to Mr Barrack's expectations, the government did not provide a timetable or concrete steps for Hezbollah's disarmament. Although Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri insisted that it was essential to give something to the Shia community, even if it was only a green light for reconstruction, this argument did not seem to convince the US envoy, who reiterated that his administration was not in a position to ask the Israelis for guarantees, that he had no leverage over the Jewish state, and that the issue of Hezbollah's weapons was purely internal.

The central point of his mission, he explained, was to see how to restart the process of disarming Hezbollah, after the hostilities agreement that came into effect on 27 November 2024 failed. It's not working. You have a point of view, they have a point of view, let us give you our point of view of where it is, and how we can fix it," he said. Before leaving, the US envoy urged the Lebanese to hurry because Israel will not wait forever, adding that it is Israel, not the US, that will decide when time has run out.

Disarmament ends

For Israel, this agreement provides for the dismantling of Hezbollah's military network, financed by Iran, throughout Lebanese territory, "starting" with the region south of the Litani River.

However, There is no question of handing over our weapons to Israel," said Hezbollah Secretary General, Naim Qassem. Instead, the party is bargaining its cooperation, asserting that it has fulfilled this first part of the 27 November agreement, by handing over its positions throughout this region to the Lebanese army, in accordance with Resolution 1701.

The pro-Iranian party claims that Israel violated the agreement by continuing to occupy five observation posts inside Lebanese territory, by continuing its strikes against Hezbollah fighters and positions, and systematically preventing the reconstruction of a string of border villages that were razed to the ground.

According to a report based on data from the Lebanese Ministry of Health and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, around 280 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanese territory since the end of November, including civilians. Moreover, local statistics indicate that nearly 100,000 housing units were destroyed by Israel during its 13-month war with Hezbollah.

Israel, the Druze, and the shadow of a Second Lebanon

Received Wednesday at the patriarchal seat of Bkerke by Maronite Patriarch Bechara Rai, after extensive meetings earlier in the day with President Aoun, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and Parliamentary Speaker Berri, Mr Barrack declared that he was playing the role of "honest intermediary" to prevent the differences between Israel and Hezbollah from ending in "devastation.

According to a Church source who requested anonymity, Tom Barrack is adjusting his mission based on a statement made by the Israeli Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu after the strikes on Suwayda and Damascus on 14 July.

"We will not allow the creation of a second Lebanon, Netanyahu said, referring to the Syrian region that borders with Israel. We are also committed to protecting the Druze population ... through intense action. I hope we will not have to go further, he said.

According to the source, "it is clear that the Hezbollah nightmare continues to haunt Israel; and the best proof of this is that the return movement to the settlements in northern Israel has not yet started."

In Lebanese political circles, it is believed that Mr Barrack and his administration's calculations take three facts into account: first, Hezbollah's decision is not being made in Lebanon, but in Tehran, which is seeking new allies in Moscow and Beijing; second, Hezbollah is crafty, and that even in the event of a total Israeli withdrawal, it will retain its weapons to continue influencing internal Lebanese politics, as evidenced by its harassment of the UN Interim Force (UNIFIL) via the "population"; finally, it is believed that it is possible that on this particular point, Hezbollah and the Amal movement have divergent positions, a fact Mr Berry reportedly confided to Mr Barrack.

Lebanese Forces (LF) leader Samir Geagea criticised Lebanon's official response to US envoy Tom Barrack on Tuesday. He accused the authorities of providing a response to the US envoy "without consulting the government, which, according to the constitution, is responsible for administering the country's public policies, and without consulting parliament, which is primarily responsible for administering the country's politics, and supervising the government's work."

Regarding Syria, Mr Barrack's mission at present boils down to convincing Ahmad al-Sharaa to heed Israeli "messages," notably the strikes against Suwayda and Damascus, which prevented the Syrian army from taking control of Suwayda. Left to its own devices, Syria could end up becoming another Libya or another Afghanistan, warn the Americans, who are calling for a reduction in the presence of Islamists and Salafists among the ruling circles, and an opening to pluralism and moderate Sunni movements.
Today's headlines: Thailand has bombed several targets in Cambodia after new clashes on the border; India and China accused of sending military equipment to Russia; Tense summit between EU representatives and Beijing; Hamas has sent a series of proposals as part of the ceasefire negotiations with Israel.

MYANMAR

According to media outlets controlled by the Burmese coup junta, regime soldiers yesterday managed to completely retake the town of Thabeikkyin, about 100 km north of Mandalay, an important gold mining centre that has been contested with anti-regime forces since last year. With control of Thabeikkyin and Nawnghkio, junta forces now control two flanks of the city of Mogok, the renowned centre of the ruby mining industry.

THAILAND  CAMBODIA

A Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed several targets in Cambodia this morning, following a series of armed clashes on the border between the two countries in which several civilians were killed. Last night, Thailand recalled its ambassador after a Thai soldier lost a limb in a mine explosion, which Bangkok said had been planted recently, while Phnom Penh claimed it was a device dating back to the Vietnam War.

EU  CHINA

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged European leaders to make the right strategic choice in the current global context. He made these remarks to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, who are in Beijing for a summit that some Chinese analysts predict could be decisive for relations between China and the EU.

SOUTH KOREA

In South Korea, more and more people are waiting in line for hours to have their fruit cut and packaged. The service, called Fresh Table, was launched in 2021 as the first in-store location, and customers are invited to purchase fruit and bring their own containers, but the service has gained immense popularity and created long queues, especially among watermelon lovers, with waits of up to three hours.

INDIA  RUSSIA

An Indian company in December shipped an explosive compound worth .4 million to Russia for military use despite US threats to impose sanctions. One of the Russian companies listed as recipients of the compound in a customs document, known as HMX or octogen, is the explosives manufacturer Promsintez, which according to a Ukrainian security service (SBU) official has links to the army. According to other sources, Chinese-made engines are also being secretly shipped to state-owned companies that manufacture drones in Russia.

TAJIKISTAN

Due to climate change, as documented by Asia Plus, arable land in Tajikistan is becoming increasingly barren, with around 70% of it undergoing severe degradation, and 10% of the population living in these areas, a situation exacerbated by the irrational use of agricultural resources, especially in cotton cultivation and the uncontrolled use of water resources.

ISRAEL  GAZA

This morning, Hamas declared that it had presented its response and that of the Palestinian factions to mediators for a ceasefire in Gaza. According to AFP sources, the proposal included changes to the conditions relating to the entry of aid, the areas from which the Israeli army would have to withdraw and guarantees to ensure a definitive end to the war. Meanwhile, a non-binding motion on the annexation of the West Bank was passed yesterday in the Knesset by 71 votes to 13.
by Steve Suwannarat

Cambodia accuses Thailand of opening fire. The territorial dispute once again involves the area around the Ta Muen Thom and Preah Vihear temples. Since late May, tensions between the two Southeast Asian countries have increased, both of which are also grappling with domestic issues. China has offered to mediate.

Bangkok/Phnom Penh (AsiaNews)  The territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, which broke out on 28 May with the death of two Cambodian soldiers near the Ta Muen Thom temple, along Thailand's eastern border in Surin province, has flared up again.

This morning, around 8:00 am, the Thai army reported Cambodian troops crossing into Thai territory, preceded by a drone overflight followed by heavy artillery fire from several villages near the border.

The border in this area is still the subject of negotiations and is still waiting for bilateral recognition.

According to Bangkok, the Cambodian army opened fire on a Thai armed forces base and the ruins of the Ta Muen Thom temple, with rockets fired at barracks and residential areas. Several people were wounded.

Thai sources also report that Cambodian artillery hit Phanom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin province. In response, Thai F-16 fighter jets struck two Cambodian military posts.

As the day progressed, the Thai death toll rose. Thailands Ministry of Health has confirmed the deaths of at least 12 people, including a child and other minors. While Cambodia has not yet released an official casualty figures.

Cambodian authorities accuse Thailand of firing first, prompting the armed response. In a message posted on Facebook, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said that Thai forces attacked Cambodian positions near the long-disputed Preah Vihear and Ta Krabei temples, scene of past clashes due to their historical and religious significance.

The Thai government has ordered the evacuation of the affected areas and urged its citizens in Cambodia to leave immediately.

Amid an increasingly tense diplomatic climate, Bangkok expelled Cambodian diplomats and recalled its own personnel from the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, after a mine exploded, injuring five Thai soldiers on Wednesday.

According to Thai authorities, the mine was planted recently.

Faced with an escalation, the Thai government has expressed its willingness to seek a diplomatic solution to deescalate tensions, while calling on the UN to have the anti-personnel landmines ban respected.

However, Cambodia has interpreted this initiative as a provocation, especially after Cambodia's proposal to involve the International Court of Justice to resolve the dispute was rejected by Thailand.

Various scenarios are now possible. Phnom Penh has already announced that it will introduce compulsory military service starting next year, while in Bangkok the possibility of revising the force reduction plan already agreed upon with the military leadership is being discussed.

The crisis, however, comes at a time of domestic political uncertainty in both countries.

In Thailand, the border tensions coincide with the opening of an investigation into Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who temporarily stepped back from her post, after the release of a recording in which she is heard complaining about her military to former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

In Cambodia, experts point to the growing nationalism promoted by Prime Minister Hun Manet as a factor fuelling bellicose rhetoric.

The situation is raising serious concerns across the region. China, a longtime ally of both countries, has called for an end to hostilities and offered itself as a possible mediator.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, listens to VTB Bank Chairman Andrey Kostin during their meeting in Moscow on July 11, 2023. The Associated Press published this photo of the two after the U.S. Justice Department announced Feb. 22, 2024, a series of arrests and indictments against Russian oligarchs, businessmen and their facilitators to send a message to Putin over his invasion of Ukraine. Among those sanctioned was Russian banker Kostin and two of his U.S.-based facilitators who are alleged to have covered up Kostins ownership in an Aspen home. A trial on the matter is indefinitely on hold.
24 July 2025 21:51 (UTC+04:00)

Once again, the Armenian lobby in the United States has mobilized its well-known supporters in Congress to push a dangerous and destabilizing agenda. This time, 87 lawmakersled by the usual suspects from the Armenian Caucus, including Frank Pallone, Gus Bilirakis, Brad Sherman, and David Valadaohave urged the Trump administration to support the return of Armenians to Azerbaijans Garabagh region.

Lets be clear: this is not a humanitarian appeal. This is a blatant political maneuver aimed at reigniting conflict, obstructing peace, and undermining President Donald Trumps pragmatic and balanced approach to international affairs. The so-called call for return is, in reality, a veiled endorsement of separatismone that defies the post-war reality shaped by Azerbaijans legitimate victory in the Second Garabagh War.

The timing of this statement is no coincidence. It comes on the heels of a significant breakthrough in the peace process, more precisely the recent Abu Dhabi meeting, which reflected Bakus consistent and constructive diplomacy. Instead of encouraging this momentum, these 87 congressmen have chosen to throw a wrench into the gears of regional reconciliation. Their actions are not only tone-deafthey are reckless.

History teaches us that the Armenian lobby and its supporters in Western institutions have long served as obstacles to peace. Back in 1992, the infamous Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act denied aid to Azerbaijan, emboldening Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijani lands and prolonging a bloody war. Now, decades later, the same forces are at play, desperate to reverse the irreversible: Azerbaijans restoration of its territorial integrity.

Armenian diaspora organizations, flush with funds and steeped in revisionist fantasies, continue to drive Yerevan into confrontational policies. Rather than building bridges or investing in Armenias development, the diaspora has consistently pushed for militarization and intransigence. The consequences are clear: a weakened Armenia, isolated diplomatically and devastated economically.

It is also no surprise that many of the lawmakers backing this letter are staunch opponents of President Trump. During his first term, Trump maintained a balanced stance on the ArmeniaAzerbaijan conflict. He refused to interfere during the 2020 war, allowing Azerbaijan to rightfully liberate its occupied lands. This principled neutrality enraged pro-Armenian actors in Congress, who now see the 2024 campaign season as an opportunity to punish Trump by weaponizing foreign policy.

Lets not pretend this is about justice or human rights. This is about derailing Trumps foreign policy legacyespecially his commitment to ending endless wars and promoting fair, interest-based diplomacy. These congressmen are not acting in good faith. They are trying to delegitimize any peace effort that has Trumps fingerprints on it.

Moreover, this anti-Trump effort is laced with hypocrisy and fear. Many of these lawmakers have deep ties to Armenian interest groups and have benefitted from years of opaque donations. Some have been implicated in scandals or are under investigation. The case of Senator Bob Menendez, already in custody for corruption, is just the tip of the iceberg. Congressman Adam Schiff may be next. Trump, unafraid to speak the truth, has called out Schiff as a fraud who deserves legal consequences. No wonder theyre panicking.

When President Ilham Aliyev spoke about the "Washington swamp" during the Shusha Global Media Forum, he was referring precisely to this corrupt, cynical machinery. It is this swamp that Trump promised to drainand it is this same swamp that now seeks to sabotage his policies by backing destabilizing ethnic agendas abroad.

Azerbaijan, under President Aliyevs resolute leadership, has always extended a hand for peace. But peace cannot be built on lies, historical distortion, or backdoor lobbying.

The people of Azerbaijan know who stood with them in their just cause. They know that President Trump did not succumb to pressure from the Armenian lobby during the critical days of war. They know that he respected Azerbaijans right to self-defense and did not impose artificial both sides narratives. This is why these 87 lawmakers are not only targeting Azerbaijanthey are targeting Trump himself.

But this cynical ploy will not succeed. Peace will prevail not through foreign meddling or diaspora pressure, but through the sovereign will of nations like Azerbaijan and principled statesmen like Donald Trump. The time of double standards and backroom deals is over. The region has changed, and the United States must recognize that real leadership means supporting stabilitynot the fantasies of failed separatists and their lobbyist friends on Capitol Hill.
24 July 2025 11:42 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways CJSC (ADY) Rovshan Rustamov met with Jabbar Ali Zakeri, Head of Iran Railways, during a visit to the Astara Terminal in the Islamic Republic of Iran  a key junction along the North-South International Transport Corridor, Azernews reports.

The meeting focused on the implementation timeline and final stages of construction at the terminal, which is slated for completion by the end of 2025. Currently, 90% of the design work and about 75% of construction and installation have been finalized.

The terminals development is guided by the Strategic Cooperation Plan signed between ADY and Iran Railways earlier this year. This framework aims to ensure the on-schedule completion and launch of full operations.

The Astara Terminal, constructed by ADY on Iranian soil, is leased to Azerbaijan under a 25-year agreement signed between the two governments in 2017. It is considered a vital component in strengthening regional connectivity and increasing cargo throughput along the corridor.

In recent years, the terminal has shown significant growth, handling over 692,000 tons of cargo in 2023 and 777,000 tons in 2024. Upon full completion, its annual cargo capacity is expected to rise to 3.5 million tons, substantially enhancing Azerbaijans role as a key transit hub between North-South trade routes.
24 July 2025 17:03 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Azerbaijan has held discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on macroeconomic indicators, forecasts, economic diversification, and ongoing reforms.

Azernews reports that Azerbaijans Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, shared the update via his official "X" (formerly Twitter) account.

"Partnership with international financial institutions plays a key role in supporting a sustainable economic development model in our country," the minister stated.

He noted that during his meeting with Anna Bordon, the head of the IMF mission to Azerbaijan, both sides emphasized the positive momentum in bilateral cooperation.

"We exchanged views on priority areas of collaboration, macroeconomic indicators and projections, diversification of the economy, and tax reforms," Jabbarov added.
24 July 2025 12:01 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The 14th Gabala International Music Festival will solemnly kick off on July 24, Azernews reports.

The festival is initiated and organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, with support from the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, Baku Music Academy, and "Gilan".

The festival, which has become a beautiful tradition, will run until July 29. Held in honor of the 140th anniversary of the great composer Uzeyir Hajibayli, the festival will feature renowned musicians, young talents, and music ensembles from Azerbaijan and abroad.

The 14th Gabala International Music Festival will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the distinguished musician Rauf Atakishiyev and the 90th anniversary of Vasif Adigozalov with special concert programs.

Preparations for the festival have been completed. The event venues and concert halls are now fully ready.

The grand opening ceremony of the 14th Gabala Music Festival will take place this evening at 19:00 at the open-air stage (Qafqaz Resort). Following the official part, the State Orchestra of Folk Instruments, together with the Honored Collective of the State Song and Dance Ensemble, and renowned performers, will present an extensive concert program for the audience. The concert will be dedicated to the 140th anniversary of Uzeyir Hajibayli.

Throughout the festival, music lovers will have the opportunity to enjoy performances by the "Mercadonegro" music group (Latin America), the Tbilisi Big Band ensemble (Georgia), the "Ciurlionis" Quartet (Lithuania), participants of the "Support to Youth" project, the State Chamber Orchestra, the "Detase-Sabah" violin ensemble, students from the Baku Music Academy, the Baku State Chamber Orchestra, and many other renowned musicians.
24 July 2025 20:32 (UTC+04:00)

On July 24, the Nizami Cinema Center hosted the premiere of the documentary Following the Path of a Journey  France, dedicated to National Leader Heydar Aliyevs official visits to France.

According to Azernews, prior to the screening, the projects author, well-known traveler and journalist Azer Garib, delivered remarks about the film.

He noted that the documentary reveals the lesser-known, unofficial aspects of Heydar Aliyevs official visit to Paris, the capital of France. The film also presents historical facts highlighting the National Leaders pivotal role in establishing friendly relations between Azerbaijan and France.

This is the sixth installment in the Following the Path of a Journey documentary series, which focuses on Heydar Aliyevs foreign visits. Previous films have covered his trips to Italy, China, Japan, the Turkic world, and the United Kingdom. The series reflects Heydar Aliyevs international engagement, his efforts to strengthen Azerbaijans relations with global states, and his contributions to enhancing the countrys international standing.

The creative team behind the film, which was initiated by Azer Garib, includes editor Ayaz Mirzayev, producer Asgar Garibzade, cinematographer Ali Aliyev, and editing specialist Elmar Tariyeloglu.

The project was produced with the support of the national air carrier, Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL).
24 July 2025 12:23 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

As part of the State Program for the Improvement of Transport Infrastructure in Baku and the Surrounding Areas for 20252030, a new milestone has been reached in the modernization of Baku Metro. A contract has been signed between Baku Metro CJSC, a subsidiary of AZCON Holding, and the internationally experienced engineering firm Yuksel Proje, Azernews reports.

The agreement, valued at 35.4 million manats (approx. $20.8 million USD), marks the beginning of the design phase for a comprehensive series of metro infrastructure upgrades. These include:

The design of stations Y14 to Y17 on the Green Line and B5 to B8 on the Purple Line, along with the connecting tunnels;

The redesign of the junction between the Green and Red lines at the critical 28 May station;

The development of a passage chamber, return tunnel, and underground car park at the Icherisheher station.

The contract was executed under the single-source procurement method in accordance with Azerbaijans Law On Public Procurement. For compliance and operational efficiency, the agreement was signed with Yuksel Proje LLC, the Azerbaijani subsidiary of the Turkish firm.

With more than 45 years of global experience, Yuksel Proje is ranked 162nd in the ENR 2023 list of the worlds top 225 design firms. The company has worked on metro and railway projects in over 30 countries and is recognized for applying cutting-edge technologies, including Building Information Modeling (BIM). It also holds key international certifications such as ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001.

This new cooperation is expected to significantly improve the capacity and efficiency of the Baku Metro, reduce urban traffic congestion, and enhance the overall passenger experiencemarking a strategic investment in the city's future mobility.
24 July 2025 13:01 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Azerbaijan has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening defense ties with Italy following a high-level meeting between the military leadership of both countries. First Deputy Minister of Defense and Chief of the General Staff of the Azerbaijani Army, Colonel General Karim Valiyev, met with his Italian counterpart, General Luciano Portolano, who is visiting Baku with a military delegation, Azernews reports.

The visit began with a solemn tribute at the Alley of Martyrs, where the Italian delegation laid flowers at the graves of Azerbaijanis who lost their lives for the country's independence and territorial integrity, and placed a wreath before the Eternal Torch monument.

An official welcome ceremony followed at the General Headquarters of the Azerbaijani Army, including the playing of national anthems and a signing of the "Book of Honor."

In their bilateral talks, Colonel General Valiyev highlighted the strategic significance of defense relations between Azerbaijan and Italy, underlining the value of such visits in fostering mutual understanding and experience exchange. General Portolano expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and emphasized that the current level of cooperation sets a solid foundation for further progress.

The two generals discussed expanding collaboration in the fields of military education, technical assistance, and cybersecurity. They also exchanged views on future joint initiatives aimed at enhancing operational readiness and interoperability.

As part of the visit, the Italian delegation toured key military facilities. At the Cybersecurity Center, they received a briefing on Azerbaijans efforts to protect its armed forces' digital infrastructure, including the integration of artificial intelligence-based cyber defense systems.

Later, the delegation visited the Air Force Combat Control Center and was introduced to its command structure and operational capabilities.

The tour concluded with a visit to a Special Forces military unit, where the Italian delegation honored fallen soldiers with a wreath-laying ceremony. They were also briefed on the unit's structure and mission before observing an impressive combat training demonstration.
24 July 2025 11:45 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

On July 24, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, made a phone call to Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Azernews reports.

The head of state congratulated Shavkat Mirziyoyev on his birthday, wishing him good health and new successes in his presidential activities.

President Shavkat Mirziyoyev thanked the President of Azerbaijan for his attention and congratulations.

The Presidents of Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan highlighted the role of high-level reciprocal visits in the development of relations between the two countries. In this regard, the Presidents noted the productive discussions and documents signed during President Shavkat Mirziyoyev's state visit to Azerbaijan in early July, along with his participation in the Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization held in the city of Khankendi.

The heads of state expressed their confidence in the successful development of brotherly, friendly and allied relations between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan across all domains in the future. They also discussed the prospects for cooperation on the bilateral agenda.
24 July 2025 12:45 (UTC+04:00)

A tete-a-tete meeting was held between Foreign Minister @Bayramov_Jeyhun and Somalia Foreign Minister @AbdisalamDhaay . The Ministers exchanged views on bilateral relations, regional dynamics, and cooperation within international organizations. pic.twitter.com/rdNt34es0L

The two ministers exchanged views on a wide range of topics, including regional developments and collaboration within international organizations, signaling growing diplomatic engagement between the two countries.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry announced on its X account that the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation.

Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov welcomed his Somali counterpart, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, during his official visit to Baku, Azernews reports.

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24 July 2025 13:07 (UTC+04:00)

On July 24, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia, paid a visit to the Honorary Avenue (Fxri xiyaban) and Martyrs Avenue (Shidlr xiyaban) in Azerbaijan.

According to Azernews, the minister first arrived at the Honorary Avenue to respectfully commemorate the memory of the National Leader Heydar Aliyev, the architect and founder of the modern independent Azerbaijani state, and laid a wreath at his grave.

Subsequently, Abdisalam Abdi Ali proceeded to Martyrs Avenue, where he solemnly honored the memory of the heroic sons of the Azerbaijan who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for the countrys independence and territorial integrity. He also laid a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument.
24 July 2025 16:01 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed its respect for the decision by Azerbaijan and Armenia to engage in direct dialogue without Moscows mediation.

Azernews reports that this statement was made by Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova.

We respect this choice, she said. As before, we remain ready to support the peace process  whether through consultations or by offering a platform for signing an agreement.

It should be noted that the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia met on July 10, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where they discussed various aspects of the AzerbaijanArmenia interstate normalization agenda.
24 July 2025 17:59 (UTC+04:00)

A group of Azerbaijani non-governmental organizations has issued a formal appeal to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expressing strong disapproval of recent actions taken by certain members of the U.S. Congress regarding Azerbaijans sovereign territories and the ongoing peace process with Armenia, Azernews reports.

In the statement, the NGOs denounced what they described as the hypocrisy of several U.S. congressmen who recently sent a letter to Secretary Rubio criticizing Azerbaijan. The appeal notes that such actions have provoked sharp indignation among the Azerbaijani public and are seen as deliberate attempts to obstruct the peace process between Baku and Yerevan.

"We reject such unilateral approaches," the appeal reads, stating that certain pro-Armenian figures from the Biden-Blinken era are attempting to sabotage former U.S. President Donald Trumps efforts to bring lasting peace to the South Caucasus.

The NGOs emphasized that a recent meeting between the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Abu Dhabi signaled important progress, with reports indicating that the draft text of a peace treaty has been agreed upon. According to the appeal, attempts by U.S. lawmakers to interfere serve only to derail these developments.

It is regrettable that individuals unfamiliar with the region are signing irresponsible statements in exchange for financial incentives from the Armenian lobby in the United States, the letter asserts. The NGOs further accuse these individuals of having remained silent during Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijani territories and the Khojaly massacre, and of continuing to obstruct efforts to hold Armenian war criminals accountable.

The appeal also draws attention to former Senator Bob Menendez, known for his anti-Azerbaijani stance, who was later convicted of corruption and bribery, and criticizes Democratic Senator Adam Schiff and Congressman Frank Pallone for their perceived bias. The letter recounts that during Pallones visit to Baku for the COP29 event, he was met with public protest and left the country in embarrassment.

The signatories argue that if certain U.S. lawmakers are advocating for the return of Armenians to Azerbaijani territories, they should also support the right of return for Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia. "The Western Azerbaijan Community is ready to engage in dialogue with Armenia to enable the peaceful return of displaced persons to their ancestral lands," they note.

Highlighting the destruction and plundering of Azerbaijani cultural and material heritage during the occupation of Karabakh, East Zangezur, and Armenian territory, the NGOs criticize the international communitys silence on these issues.

The statement also condemns recent proposals by the Swiss Parliament for an international peace forum, describing them as biased and supportive of Armenian revanchists. The appeal notes that these initiatives, referenced in the congressmens letter, betray regional peace and trust-building efforts.

The NGOs conclude by expressing concern that the congressional appeal is motivated by discomfort with the growing bilateral relationship between the United States and Azerbaijan. They affirm their belief that the Trump administration, which they credit for contributing positively to peace in the region, will accurately assess the intentions behind the congressmens actions, which they describe as representative of the "Washington swamp."

Signatories:
24 July 2025 20:20 (UTC+04:00)

As a result of Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan, crimes against peace and humanity, war crimesincluding the planning and conduct of an aggressive war, genocide, violations of the laws and customs of waras well as terrorism, financing of terrorism, the violent seizure and retention of power, and numerous other criminal offenses were committed. The open trial session regarding the criminal cases against citizens of the Republic of ArmeniaArayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Davit Ishkhanyan, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and otherscontinued on July 24.

According to Azernews, the hearing at the Baku Military Court was presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with judges Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev also on the panel (with alternate judge Gunel Samadova). The accused individuals were provided with translators in the language they understood and were also represented by defense attorneys.

The session was attended by the accused, their legal defenders, several of the victims, their legal successors and representatives, as well as the prosecutors representing the state.

Judge Zeynal Aghayev introduced, for the first time, the judicial panel, the prosecutors representing the state, translators, and others to the newly participating victims. He also explained their rights and obligations as prescribed by the law.

Victim hd liyev testified that he was taken hostage by Armenians on January 3, 1990, in the village of Axullu in the Khojavend district. In response to a question from the Senior Assistant to the Prosecutor General, Vusal Aliyev, he stated that during the approximately six days he was held hostage, he was beaten and subjected to insults.

In his testimony, Bhman Mhrrmov said that on September 6, 1991, he was captured by Armenians in the village of Hsnabad between the cities of Khankendi and Khojaly, along with Huseyn Novruzov and Sahin Huseynov. He reported being subjected to torture during his captivity and said in response to state prosecutor Tran Mmmdova that they managed to escape after 85 days.

Sfr liyev stated that he was injured in Cocuq Mrcanl village, and Firdovsi Quliyev and Aydn Verdiyev reported mine injuries in Aghdam.

Natiq Mamedov testified that on November 29, 2021, while working as a driver for the Mirakl Dent LLC cargo truck, he was injured by a landmine in the liberated village of Mehdili in Jabrayil district.

Smistan Bayramov reported being injured on the first day of the 44-day warSeptember 27, 2020when a shell landed in his yard in Aghjabadi.

Faiq Absov stated that he was injured on January 21, 2024, while visiting the area where his brother mrah Absov was martyred during the Patriotic War and stepped on a mine.

Irsad Quliyev said he was injured on September 24, 2023, by a mine explosion in the village of Abdal in Aghdam.

Yunis Ismaylov, responding to questions from Nasir Bayramov, Head of Department at the State Prosecution Office, stated that on September 7, 2023, while carrying out a combat mission in the Aghdara direction, he stepped on a mine and lost his right leg.

Ruhin Novruzov, who was injured at the same time, confirmed the events described by Yunis Ismaylov.

Sahbaz Huseynov testified that on January 10, 1990, he was taken hostage in Khojavend district, transported to Khankendi, beaten, and tortured. In response to prosecutor Vusal Abdullayevs question, he said he escaped captivity on January 24 of the same year.

Azr Quliyev, in response to questions from prosecutor Fuad Musayev, testified that in 1993, while fleeing Kelbajar during the occupation, his family was fired upon by Armenian armed forces in an area called Tunnel. He said he sustained seven gunshot wounds and was taken hostage. He was told his infant sister was killed in the incident. He has had no information about her fate for 33 years.

Murad Sultanov testified that in February 1991, while traveling from Aghdam toward Khojavend in a GAZ-53 vehicle, his brother and infant niece were taken hostage. The child was kept in one location while he was beaten and tortured in another. He was released after three days.

Rsad Quliyev stated that on September 20, 2023, during an anti-terror operation, he was injured by the explosion of a shell fired by remnants of Armenian armed forces and illegal Armenian military groups.

Rhim Absov testified that he was taken hostage and tortured on December 22, 1991, in Tartar district.

Ayxan Mamedov said he stepped on a mine in Aghdam on February 4, 2021. He recalled that five others were also injured in the incident.

Mcid Adgozlov said he was taken hostage while working on a kolkhoz near the village of Bindrsi in Khojavend on May 19, 1990. He was held for three days, during which he was brutally beaten and tortured. The injuries resulted in long-term health problems, including memory loss.

Vaqif liyev stated he was captured in Aghdam on July 29, 1993, and released on August 23. He was beaten and tortured during captivity.

Victims Elmddin Mirzyev and Babk Abdunov said they were injured by landmines planted by Armenian forces.

Other victimsFazil Hacyeva, Baloglan Salmanov, Azr Musayev, Smiyddin sgrov, Ziyad Cfrov, Rafiq Quliyevreported being taken hostage by Armenian armed forces at various times. Qabil Suleymanov, Frhad Frhadov, Altay Abdullayev, rstun Krimov, Rizvan sdov, Rafiq Pasayev, and Mehman Bayramov said they had been captured at different times and subjected to beatings and torture.

Malik Isfndiyarov, Elgiz Qarayev, Esqin Allahyarov, Tag Adgozlov, Rhbr Mmmdov, Vaqif Huseynov, Ilham Abdullayev, Prvin Orucov, Qabil Yusifov, Oruc Huseynov, Samir Sadqov, Samir mirov, and Ismayl Poladov said they had been injured as a result of provocations by Armenian armed forces at different times.

Civilian victims Maxruq Mmmdova (on September 27, 2020) and Bxtiyar Ibrahimov (during the April 2016 battles) said their homes were damaged due to shelling by Armenian forces.

Ixtiyar Rhimov testified that a shell fired by Armenian forces hit his home in Aghdam during the April 2016 battles. As a result, the house was damaged, and his daughter became paralyzed from the fear and stress of the incident and is still undergoing treatment.

Mirmovsum Eynalov said he was wounded twice during the 44-day war.

Bxtiyar Nagyev testified that in 1994, he was taken prisoner while wounded and held in Shusha for one year and ten months. He was tortured and forced to work illegally. While working in the Shusha motor depot, he escaped captivity with other Azerbaijani prisoners.

Other victimsDilsad Quliyeva, Arif Quliyev, Ulft Abbasov, Gullr Huseynova, Mhmmd Vliyev, Bahar Sultanova, lkbr Mmmdov, Adil Mmisov, Zohrab Teymurov, kbr kbrov, and Zibr Ibrahimovasaid they had suffered damages at various times due to Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan.

Victims also answered questions from the accused, their defense attorneys, and their own representatives.

The court proceedings will continue on July 25.

It should be noted that based on the direct participation, leadership, and written/oral orders, instructions, and commands from the Armenian state, its institutions, armed forces, and illegal armed formationsalong with centralized support, supervision, and material-technical backingmilitary aggression was carried out against Azerbaijan in violation of domestic and international law.

Fifteen individuals are charged in this criminal case, including Kocharian Robert Sedrak, Sargsyan Serzh Azati, Manukyan Vazgen Mikaeli, Sargsyan Vazgen Zaveni, Babayan Samvel Andraniki, Balasanyan Vitali Mikaeli, Balayan Zori Hayki, Ohanyan Seyran Musheqi, Qaramyan Arshavir Surenovich, Melkonyan Monte Charles, and others, for numerous crimes committed during the conduct of the aggressive war.

These individualsArayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Ruben Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, David Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beqlaryan, Erik Roberti Gazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, and Melikset Vladimiri Pashayanhave been charged under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan, including:
24 July 2025 18:01 (UTC+04:00)

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has expressed condolences to President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, over the crash of the passenger plane An-24 in the Amur region, Azernews reports.

"Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich,

I am deeply saddened by the news of numerous casualties resulting from the crash of the An-24 passenger plane in the Amur region.

In light of this tragedy, I extend my deepest condolences to you, the families and loved ones of the victims, on behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan.

Ilham Aliyev

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

Baku, 24 July 2025,'' the letter reads.
24 July 2025 13:24 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Uzbekistans Energy Ministry, Uzbekneftegaz OJSC, and Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR have signed a landmark production-sharing agreement to explore for hydrocarbons in Uzbekistans Ustyurt oil and gas region, Azernews reports.

According to the Uzbek Energy Ministry, the agreement reflects a growing strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan and marks a major step in strengthening bilateral energy ties. The PSA outlines plans for 3D seismic surveys across an area of no less than 1,000 square kilometers. Based on the survey findings, an initial exploratory well will be drilled. If commercially viable reserves are found, the parties will proceed to full-scale development and production.

SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf stated that this initiative aligns with the companys long-term goals in Central Asia and the Caspian region: SOCAR is embarking on this project with great enthusiasm, applying its accumulated experience and advanced technologies. We are confident that this cooperation will make a significant contribution to Uzbekistans energy security and infrastructure development.

Uzbek Energy Minister Zhurabek Mirzamakhmudov underscored the broader significance of the deal: Ustyurt has great potential, and the signing of the production sharing agreement opens up new opportunities for its development. We are confident that the project will become an important driving force for technological progress and economic growth.

Bahodir Siddiqov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Uzbekneftegaz OJSC, described the PSA as a milestone: This strengthens the position of Uzbekneftegaz as a reliable and innovative partner, a company open to international cooperation and large-scale investments.

Production sharing agreements are commonly used in the oil and gas sector to attract foreign investment by allowing companies to recover costs from a share of extracted resources. This model also encourages technology transfer and risk-sharing between governments and investors.

The partnership is viewed as part of a broader trend of deepening Azerbaijani engagement in regional energy markets, signaling Bakus ambition to extend its technical expertise and strategic footprint beyond the Caspian basin.

According to SOCAR's statement, the attendees expressed satisfaction with the growing cooperation between SOCAR and Uzbekneftegaz JSC. They emphasized the importance of signing the Share Sharing Agreement for the exploration, development, and production of the Ustyurt investment blocks, which include Boyterak, Terenggudug, Birgori, Kharoy, Goragalpog, and Gulboy. The prospects for collaboration between the two companies were also discussed.

Subsequently, a Share Sharing Agreement was signed between SOCAR, the Uzbekneftegaz Consortium, and the Government of the Republic of Uzbekistan. This agreement pertains to the exploration, development, and production of the Ustyurt investment blocks in Uzbekistan.

In the initial phase of the agreement, geological exploration work is planned to identify promising areas. During this period, SOCAR will serve as the operator. According to the agreement, it is expected that exploration activities will be completed, and at least one exploration well will be drilled within the first five years.

The signing of this agreement opens up new opportunities for strategic cooperation in the energy sector and is expected to benefit both parties.
24 July 2025 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Amazon, the American tech giant, is closing its artificial intelligence (AI) research laboratory in Shanghai, following similar moves by other major U.S. companies, including IBM and Microsoft, Azernews reports.

All three companies are scaling back their AI research operations in China amid increasing scrutiny from U.S. authorities and heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing, according to reports. The closure of the Shanghai lab has been confirmed by several of its employees, who shared the news on Chinese social media platforms.

The lab, which was established in 2018 by Amazon Web Services (AWS), had been a significant player in AI research, producing over 100 research papers in the field. An Amazon spokesperson indirectly confirmed the closure, stating, "We have made a difficult business decision to reduce certain positions within specific AWS teams. These changes are part of our ongoing efforts to optimize resources, continue investing in innovation, and hire new talent," said Brad Glasser, an Amazon representative.

At its peak, the Shanghai lab employed over 1,000 people, contributing to Amazon's global AI initiatives. The move to shut down the facility reflects broader trends in the tech industry, where geopolitical tensions and shifting market dynamics are influencing corporate strategies.

This shift could also signal a deeper reorientation of U.S. tech companies' operations in China, where regulatory challenges and growing concerns about data security have become key issues. As AI continues to be a focal point in the global race for technological dominance, the closure of research labs like Amazon's in China could have long-term implications for both the tech industry and international relations.

Amazon, along with other tech giants, may now focus more on AI research in regions where regulatory frameworks are more favorable and geopolitical tensions are lower, such as Europe or India.
24 July 2025 18:41 (UTC+04:00)

By News Centre

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan delivered remarks ahead of the start of the TurkiyeRussiaUkraine trilateral meeting.

In his opening address at the summit, Minister Fidan reaffirmed Turkiyes objective of ending the war, stating:

As the host country, our role is to provide a negotiation environment where both sides feel secure. We will continue to fulfil our responsibility as a facilitator with diligence.

Minister Fidan continued: Our goal is to end the war."

Our President, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has for years carried the torch of peace in a region fraught with conflict.

Under his leadership, Turkiye has made intense efforts from day one to help realise peace between Russia and Ukraine.

In the first two rounds of talks, we achieved important outcomes.

We are pleased to see that the prisoner exchanges conducted thus far have been recognised by the international community for their humanitarian impact.

The exchange of memoranda reflecting the perspectives of both parties on a ceasefire and peace during the second round was also a significant development.

In the interim, technical-level contacts between negotiation teams have continued.

In this third round of negotiations, our hope is that the parties will engage in substantive and results-oriented consultations on the exchanged memoranda.

The ultimate goal, of course, is a ceasefire that will pave the way towards peace.

As host, our responsibility is to provide a negotiation setting in which both sides feel safe.

As facilitators, we will continue to fulfil our duty with the utmost care.

Diplomacy is a process  but it only gains meaning if, at each step, concrete achievements are made to move forward positively.

Turkiye is always ready to fulfil its responsibilities to support the continuation of the process, depending on the consensus reached by the parties.

Should there be an emerging understanding toward a ceasefire, we have the infrastructure needed to support monitoring mechanisms.

We can also contribute to structuring future prisoner exchanges in a more systematic manner.

Through the Istanbul talks, we once again have the opportunity to show the world that diplomacy and dialogue are more effective than conflict and arms in securing peace.

I would like to thank the heads and members of the delegations once again, and I hope todays negotiations will lead to positive outcomes for the peoples of Ukraine and Russia.

Meanwhile, the TurkiyeRussiaUkraine Trilateral Meeting, hosted by Turkiye in Istanbul, has officially begun.

Held at the Cragan Palace, the meeting aims to bring an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine, ongoing since 24 February 2022.

The meeting is chaired by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and also attended by National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) Chief Ibrahim Kaln and Chief of General Staff General Metin Gurak.

The Russian delegation includes Vladimir Medinskiy, adviser to President Vladimir Putin, and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin.

Representing Ukraine are Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council Rustem Umerov and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya.

Turkiye brings both parties back to the table after three years

Immediately following the outbreak of war in February 2022, Turkiye succeeded in bringing Russia and Ukraine to the table in both Antalya and Istanbul during the same year. In May this year, it once again managed to host the two sides for trilateral talks in Istanbul  the first time in nearly three years.

Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine were held in Istanbul on 16 May and 2 June.
24 July 2025 19:55 (UTC+04:00)

By News Centre

The Presidency of Defence Industries (SSB), along with Turkish defence giants ASELSAN and ROKETSAN, have joined forces to develop a domestically produced Meteor-class long-range air-to-air missile, aimed at strengthening Turkiyes airspace security  referred to as the Blue Homeland in the Sky.

At the ongoing IDEF 2025 International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul, a contract was signed under the GOKBORA Missile System for the development of the AGRAS 3101/AA AESA Seeker Head and an onboard data link. The signing ceremony was held at the SSB stand, attended by SSB President Prof. Dr. Haluk Gorgun, ASELSAN CEO Ahmet Akyol, and ROKETSAN General Manager Murat Ikinci.

The project will see the development of the first nationally produced active electronically scanned array (AESA) seeker head for Turkiyes GOKBORA long-range air-to-air missile. The data link will also be designed to be compatible with the National Tactical Data Link (MTDL).

The announcement of possible Meteor missile sales to Turkiye by France had earlier triggered concern in Greece. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis stated that the French-led consortium had not informed Athens of the deal, while Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias summoned the French ambassador to demand an explanation.

Greek media reported in February that Prime Minister Mitsotakis personally met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris in an attempt to block the missile sale  but was turned down.

Turkiye is already developing its own version of a Meteor-class air-to-air missile, known as Gokhan. The missile was recently seen next to the prototype of the KAAN fighter jet, indicating its integration into future Turkish air combat platforms.

Developed by TUBITAK-SAGE, the Gokhan missile bears visual similarities to GOKDOGAN and AIM-120 AMRAAM, but with a wider diameter and air intake, designed to house a liquid-fuelled ramjet engine.

Unlike conventional solid-fuel missiles, ramjet-powered air-to-air missiles provide sustained thrust and energy throughout their flight, giving them a greater No Escape Zone (NEZ) and significantly reducing an enemy aircrafts chances of evasion.

Gokhan is expected to be deployed from both manned and unmanned combat aircraft, particularly the cutting-edge KIZILELMA and ANKA-3 UAVs. This could drastically expand the operational reach of Turkish UCAVs in air-to-air combat.

It is assessed that solid-fuel missiles like the AIM-120 AMRAAM used by rival platforms would likely be outclassed when facing Turkiyes ramjet-powered Gokhan-equipped drones, potentially altering the regional air superiority balance.
24 July 2025 20:49 (UTC+04:00)

By News Centre

The Turkish defence industry, gaining strength with each passing day, has marked a historic achievement in the naval domain. The Denizhan 76/62 mm naval gun, developed entirely with domestic resources by Makine ve Kimya Endustrisi A.S. (MKE), will be exported to the Indonesian Navy under its first international export agreement.

The agreement was signed during the IDEF 2025 International Defence Industry Fair, held in Istanbul.

Under the export deal, three Denizhan naval guns will be delivered to Indonesia. This development marks Turkiyes first-ever export of a domestically developed naval gun, a significant milestone for the countrys naval defence manufacturing capabilities.

The Denizhan naval gun stands out with its high firing accuracy, automated ammunition feed system, and modern fire control technologies. Designed for integration into naval vessels, it is highly effective in both defensive and offensive missions, offering versatility on a variety of combat platforms.

Defence industry officials emphasise that this export will strengthen Turkiyes position in the global market for naval weapon systems. The agreement is also expected to pave the way for deeper military cooperation between Turkiye and Indonesia in the coming years.
24 July 2025 19:21 (UTC+04:00)

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South Koreas largest automaker, Hyundai Motor, reported a significant drop in its second-quarter profit, which was largely due to the adverse effects of U.S. tariff impositions, despite achieving record-high revenues. According to the companys report released Thursday, the revenue for the April-June period surged by 7.3% year-on-year, reaching 48.29 trillion won (approximately 35.3 billion U.S. dollars), marking a quarterly record for Hyundai, Azernews reports, citing foreign media.

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24 July 2025 22:51 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum officially opened in Damascus on Thursday, July 24, with expectations that billions of dollars in contracts will be signed throughout the event, Azernews reports.

A high-ranking Saudi delegation, led by Minister of Investment Khalid al-Falih, arrived in Damascus on Wednesday to take part in the forum. The event is part of a broader effort to support Syria's reconstruction under the leadership of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

In an interview with reporters, al-Falih revealed that 47 agreements and memoranda of understanding, totaling more than $6 billion, are set to be signed with Syrian officials during the forum.

At the opening ceremony, which was attended by Acting Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, al-Falih emphasized that the visit reflects Saudi Arabias continued support for Syria. He added that the agreements are a significant step toward strengthening bilateral ties and facilitating long-term investments in the rebuilding of the war-torn country.

The forum also highlights the growing cooperation between the two nations, which had been strained in the past due to political differences. Now, with an eye on economic recovery and development, the event signals a new chapter in Syrian-Saudi relations, with major infrastructure, energy, and construction projects expected to be key areas of focus.

Additionally, experts suggest that this partnership could pave the way for greater regional integration, as Saudi Arabia seeks to increase its presence in Syrias post-conflict economy and secure strategic investments in the Middle East.
There is a revelation within the Democratic Socialists, which is creating a newfound discovery that masks are bad or wrong for society, and should not be worn by certain groups; currently the rancor is to unmask ICE agents: What is your opinion on the wearing of masks?

84.62% Yes, ICE agents should wear masks if it keeps them safe from the threat of doxing.7.69% No, ICE agents must be forced to reveal their true selves; however, wearing masks while rioting and looting is within the bounds of the Leftist dictum.7.69% I wear masks often at Halloween.
Ongoing mass protests by British citizens against mass migration have spread to London where a $600 per night luxury 4 star hotel being used for migrants has become a new target. The protests began in nearby Epping after an illegal alien migrant who was only a few days off the boat had already been charged with sexual assaults on 2 local women and a teenage local girl in separate incidents, and outraged local citizens besieged the migrant hotel where he was being housed at taxpayer expense.

A heavy police presence has been out in force in Epping to protect the migrants, and police are now also out in force to protect the $600 per night four-star luxury Britannia International Hotel in London's upscale Canary Wharf district which is now used for housing illegal alien migrants. Huge crowds are now also protesting there against mass migration.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14935813/barriers-canary-wharf-hotel-housing-migrants.html

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/35986767/epping-protest-migrant-hotel-immigration-asylum-sun-says/

Protests against mass migration have now also spread to Nottinghamshire, where an illegal alien "asylum seeker" has been charged with rape of a local woman.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/2087067/nottingham-protest-live-fury-mounts
Deli Lites CEO Brian Reid, chief strategy officer Jackie Reid, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald, and Grainne Moody, director of food and drink at Invest NI

A total of 130 jobs will be created at a Warrenpoint food manufacturer as part of multi-million pound investment.

Deli Lites is set to spend 19m increasing automation, broadening product ranges and upskilling the current workforce, along with hiring new staff.

The company is also aiming to reduce food waste by as much as 50%, expand its heat-to-eat product range, and grow its business in supplying food to airlines.

Of the overall investment, 12.8m will be spent on increasing automation, while 6m will be used for upskilling current staff and hiring others.

The investment was announced during an event at Deli Lites Warrenpoint facility on Thursday, which was attended by the Economy Minister.

Dr Caoimhe Archibald said: The Norths food and drink processing sector is a true local success story, with latest statistics showing that it generates 6.5bn in sales and supports over 25,500 jobs across our towns and countryside.

This investment will unlock significant growth opportunities for Deli Lites in this exciting sector.

Increased capacity and new automated equipment will boost productivity and enable it to expand its fresh and frozen ranges, growing its sales in Britain and Ireland, and open up additional export markets.

With 78% of our food and drink sold outside the North, this industry showcases the quality, innovation, and global appeal of what we produce right here at home.

The creation of 130 new jobs in Warrenpoint, which will help leverage almost 10m in wages and salaries across the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area by 2027, is also good news as we work to deliver a more regionally balanced economy.

Jackie and Brian Reid from Deli Lites

Deli Lites was founded by husband and wife Brian and Jackie Reid in 1998. It makes sandwiches and other food-to-go products, with its customers including Aer Lingus, American Airlines, Applegreen and Costa Coffee.

CEO Brian Reid said: We are now an all-Ireland business with export sales growing in international markets.

We've always been a trailblazer in our sector, shown when we became the first sandwich maker in the UK and Ireland to achieve B Corp certification.

Jackie Reid, chief strategy officer, added: Bringing even more products to our snacking and convenience range and investing in production and automation will significantly increase our capacity and customer reach.

Were delighted to be growing our team in Warrenpoint to bring further expertise into the business and help us achieve our vision, to transform how the world experiences food on the move.

Jackie Reid of Deli Lites. Photo: David Conachy

Deli Lites investment is being backed by Invest NIs Agri-Food Investment Initiative, a 46m scheme designed to support local agri-food and drink processors to improve competitiveness and productivity.

Grainne Moody, director of food and drink at Invest NI, said: This significant project builds on our previous support for Deli Lites to develop its product range for the European market. Its success has positioned the company to become a key supplier for the global airlines sector.

This new project will increase innovation and boost productivity by transforming labour-intensive processes and increasing digitalisation. Our overseas trade teams are also working with Deli Lites to explore new international markets as it grows.
Irish rap group Kneecap said there is no legal basis for Hungary banning the act from entering the country ahead of their scheduled appearance at a music festival.

The trio, who are outspoken supporters of Palestine, were due to perform at Sziget Festival on August 11 and remain on the line-up on its website.
Security alert underway near nursery school in Dromore, Co Down.

A security alert is underway close to a nursery school in Co Down just months after two viable bombs were found in the same location.

Police are currently at the scene in Dromore and the childcare facility has been evacuated with children taken to a nearby leisure centre.

Church Street has been closed off and cordons have been in place.

Members of the public and road users are asked to avoid the area, a PSNI spokesperson said.

"A further update will be provided in due course.

The Old Station Nursery assured parents that children are safe and police had advised them to remain in the building after being informed of a security alert at nearby premises at 10am.

I want to reassure you that the children are unaware of any activity within the area and we will update you with information as we receive it, an email to parents stated.

However, this afternoon parents and caregivers were contacted and asked to come and collect their children from the nearby leisure centre, part of which is also used as an after school summer club.

Police at the scene of the incident in Dromore

PSNI Detective Inspector Keon said police were notified of a suspicious object in the area at around 9.30am.

Ammunition Technical Officers attended along with crews and remain at the scene, they added.

"Cordons remain in place at this time.

However, I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or to anyone with CCTV or other footage that could assist with the investigation to contact detectives.

"At this time, we continue to work to establish a motive for this and are exploring a number of potential motivating factors.

"Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 331 24/07/25.

Two suspicious objects were discovered outside the A1 Recovery on Church Street back in April causing disruption to the nursery school.

Police escorted young children out of the nursery building and brought them down to waiting parents at the roadside during the operation.

Army Technical Officers determined that the objects were viable pipe bomb type devices which were made safe and taken away for forensic examination.

Bomb disposal robots attend the scene opposite the nursery.

Emergency services at the scene of security alert in north Belfast

Meanwhile police also attended a security alert in north Belfast this morning.

The Crumlin Road was closed off from the junction of Tennent Street to the Oldpark Road with cordons put in place.

The PSNI asked members of the public and road users to avoid the area after several apartments were evacuated.

Its understood the focus of the alert was between Silvio Street and Tennant Street.

The operation has now ended and cordons have been lifted.

A third security alert took place in Carryduff after a suspicious object was found in the Mill Road area.

PSNI Detective Inspector Keon has appealed for witnesses following the discovery at around 1am.

Ammunition Technical Officers attended and the object was removed from the scene for further examination, they added.

"Cordons have now been lifted.

I am appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or to anyone with CCTV or other footage that could assist with the investigation to contact detectives. At this time, we continue to work to establish a motive for this attack and are exploring a number of potential motivating factors.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 53 24/07/25.
Bandsman who took part in Feile claims Union is safe for at least 50 years
Co Down man jumps at chance to be donor after his stem cells are found to be perfect match for critically ill woman in England

Seamas Mac Eochaidh and his mum Mary who accompanied him to London for the procedure

Seamas Mac Eochaidh is encouraging others to join the stem cell donor register

Seamas Mac Eochaidh in hospital during the stem cell donation procedure

A Co Down man has travelled to London to donate his stem cells to a total stranger in a simple act of generosity.

Seamas Mac Eochaidhs decision is not only giving someone a second chance at life, but also helping raise awareness of blood cancer charity DKMS, which is encouraging more people to join the stem cell donor register.

The 31-year-old education policy officer from Mayobridge signed up six years ago following a cheek swab drive at his local gym.

Little did he know it would lead to an unexpected phone call in November informing him he was a perfect match for a critically ill patient in desperate need of a transplant.

Seamas Mac Eochaidh in hospital during the stem cell donation procedure

When I first got the call, it was a bit of a shock, Seamas admitted.

It had been so long since I signed up, I thought it might be a scam.

But when I realised it was for real, everything moved quickly. A hospital appointment was set up for the next day and all I had to do was show up.

He spoke to family and friends, many of whom had closely followed the Do It for Daniel campaign in Newry, which sought a stem cell match for teenager Daniel Greer.

Unfortunately, Daniel passed away last year from leukaemia.

But this connection to the cause motivated Seamas to proceed with the donation and give hope to another family facing a similar challenge.

The procedure was initially delayed due to the recipients health complications, but when Seamas stem cells were eventually needed he didnt hesitate to get on a flight to London.

Seamas Mac Eochaidh is encouraging others to join the stem cell donor register

The outpatient procedure  peripheral blood stem cell donation  is similar to donating blood platelets.

According to Seamas, it was quite straightforward.

I was nervous at first, but the staff were incredible, and I met other donors, which made things easier. It was comforting to have my mum with me for support afterward, he said.

He later found out his stem cells went to a woman in the same age group as his mother Mary.

Its strange to think that, in different circumstances, that woman could have been my own mum, he added.

Seamas Mac Eochaidh and his mum Mary who accompanied him to London for the procedure

Its a reminder of how precious life is, and Im glad I could help her have another chance.

As per the rules of stem cell donation, Seamas and the recipient are protected by a two-year anonymity period before they have the option to connect if both parties wish to.

In the meantime, he is using his experience to advocate for others to join the stem cell donor register.

Ive struggled with the overwhelming negativity in the world recently, Seamas said.

But being able to do something practical to help a family in need has been so fulfilling. Id encourage everyone to register; its a simple, painless process, and you could save someones life.

Seamas Mac Eochaidh in hospital during the stem cell donation procedure

Self-driving bus service takes to the road in Belfasts Titanic Quarter

Bronagh Hughes of DKMS said: People like Seamas, who donate their stem cells, are changing lives all over the world.

Signing up as a donor is quick and easy, and if youre matched with someone in need, donating is a straightforward outpatient process.

To register as a donor, individuals can request a free swab kit online at dkms.org.uk.
Peru Dares Wins: Ex-drug mule looks back on lessons she has learned ahead of Celebrity SAS

Infamous cocaine smuggler says being stripped back to rawest self in prison will serve her well

Michaella McCollum (Presseye)

James McNaney Thu 24 Jul 2025 at 07:20

As Michaella McCollum announced that she would appear on reality television show SAS Who Dares Wins, the convicted drug mule reflected on how her life has changed in the past 12 years.
The PSNI also attended a second security alert in Co Down

Emergency services at the scene of security alert in north Belfast

A security alert in north Belfast that started this morning is now over, with police having discovered a viable pipe bomb device.

The Crumlin Road was not accessible from the junction of Tennent Street to the Oldpark Road for several hours.

Multiple apartments were evacuated earlier.

The Belfast Telegraph understands the focus of the alert was between Silvio Street and Tennant Street.

Shortly before 8pm on Thursday night, Detective Inspector Keon said: At approximately 8.00am, police received a report of a suspicious object in the area.

Ammunition Technical Officers attended and removed a pipe bomb type device for further examination. The device has been described as being viable.

I am appealing at this time to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or to anyone with CCTV or other footage that could assist with the investigation to contact detectives. We are continuing to work to establish a motive for this and are exploring a number of potential motivating factors."

Sinn Fein councillor Ryan Murphy said condemned those responsible for the incident.

Meanwhile, police also earlier attended a second security alert at Dromore in Co Down, again discovering a viable device.

Church Street in the town had not been accessible, but the alert ended by the evening time also.

Detective Inspector Keon added: Shortly after 9:30am on Thursday 24th July, police received a report of a suspicious object located at a property in the area.

"A public safety operation was commenced and the object, which has been described as viable, has been removed for further forensic examinations.

A number of cordons in the area, which were in place, have been lifted.

Enquiries are continuing to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and police would appeal to anyone with any information in relation to the incident, to contact police on 101 quoting reference number 331 24/07/25.
Politicians ignore legal advice and back motion on banned Palestine Action

Members in T-shirt protest as vote is passed by Derry City & Strabane Council supporting those arrested under crackdown

Councillors Gary Donnelly and Shaun Harkin in T-shirts supporting Palestine Action, and Catherine McDaid in one protesting against genocide in Gaza

Garrett Hargan Wed 23 Jul 2025 at 22:40

Two councillors wearing T-shirts in support of Palestine Action were among those who voted to support the arrested opponents of the governments decision to ban the group  despite legal advice not to.
Social Democrats Gary Gannon has launched legal proceedings against the Central Bank of Ireland over claims that investors in Israeli bonds could be complicit in genocide in Gaza (Brian Lawless/PA)

An Irish politician has launched legal proceedings against the Central Bank of Ireland over claims that investors in Israeli bonds could be legally complicit in genocide in Gaza.

Lawyers for Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon lodged legal papers against the Central Bank in Dublin on Thursday.

It is alleged that the Central Banks failure to ban the marketing, distribution and sale of Israeli bonds exposes investors to risks that have not been disclosed to them.

Letters, seen by the PA news agency, sent to Gabriel Makhlouf, the governor of the Central Bank, in recent weeks by McGarr Solicitors, acting on behalf of Mr Gannon, claim that these risks were not made known to investors in prospectuses for bonds, which had been approved by the Central Bank.

The letter warns Mr Makhlouf that the continued issuing and trading of those bonds gives rise to significant investor protection concerns, in light of the complicity of Israel in genocide in Gaza, and the use of the proceeds of the Israeli bonds to facilitate the same.

It goes on to say that the Central Bank is empowered under EU law to prohibit the marketing, distribution or sale of the Israeli Bonds.

We call upon it to do so, the letter adds.

There have been ongoing calls for the Central Bank to end its role in approving Israel Bonds for sale in the EU.

The bank is the designated authority in relation to the sale of Israel bonds in the EU, and has determined the securities meet the standards of the blocs prospectus regulations.

Israel bonds have been advertised as supporting the countrys economy and, more recently, websites promoting the securities emphasise their role in supporting Israels military operations in Gaza.

Protesters and opposition parties have called for legislation that would give Ireland the power to refuse the sale of Israeli war bonds over human rights concerns.

They say the bonds are intended to fund the war in Gaza, while Ireland has an obligation under the Genocide Convention to use all means likely to have a deterrent effect on those suspected of preparing genocide.

Mr Gannon issued the letters to the bank about investor protection concerns relating to the bonds, as well as the use of the bonds to finance the war in Gaza at the end of last month.

In response, the Central Bank, through its solicitors, said that there is no valid legal basis to support Mr Gannons purported judicial review proceedings.

They claimed that Mr Gannon lacked locus standi to bring the proceedings and that the bank is satisfied it does not meet the relevant criteria to exercise its powers under EU law.

The letter also claims that judicial review proceedings would lead to court time being expended unnecessarily and substantial costs being incurred.

However, Mr Gannon said the Central Bank has the power to stop the sale of the bonds.

The judicial review was formally issued on Thursday afternoon.

Speaking on Thursday, Mr Gannon said the case asks whether Irelands financial regulatory system can remain silent.

He added: The Taoiseach has said clearly in the Dail that whats happening in Gaza is genocide. Arrest warrants have been issued by the International Criminal Court.

These are not distant issues  they raise urgent legal and moral questions for Ireland.

These bonds are not neutral financial instruments. They are a funding pipeline for a military campaign that includes the bombardment and starvation of thousands of civilians.

The Central Bank has the power under Article 42 of EU Markets in Financial Instruments Regulation to prohibit the sale of bonds that pose serious investor protection risks. If financing a regime accused of genocide doesnt meet that threshold, what does?
Undated family file handout photo issued by LBT Global, of Jay Slater whose funeral was held at held at Accrington Cemetery Chapel in Lancashire, after he died while on holiday in Tenerife in June. Issue date: Saturday August 10, 2024.

Teenager Jay Slater, who went missing in Tenerife last summer, was begged by a friend to get back to safety after he ventured off a mountain road down a dangerous ravine, an inquest heard.

The 19-year-old had told his friends he was in the middle of the mountains and in need of a drink, as he attempted a 14-hour walk home the morning after taking drugs and alcohol on a night out, Preston Coroners Court was told on Tuesday.

Mr Slater, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was holidaying on the Spanish island and had been to the NRG music festival with friends at the Papagayo nightclub in the resort of Playa de las Americas on June 16 last year.

But he vanished the next morning after going with two men to an Airbnb in a village in the mountains miles from his holiday apartment.

A huge search was launched after he was reported missing on June 18, and his body was found by a mountain rescue team almost a month later in a steep and inaccessible area, near the village of Masca on July 15.

An inquest into his death resumed on Thursday after it was adjourned in May so witnesses could be traced.

Friend Bradley Geoghegan said Mr Slater had taken ecstasy pills, and possibly ketamine, along with cocaine and alcohol, on the night out before he disappeared.

A firefighter looks over the village of Masca, Tenerife, during the search for missing teenager Jay Slater. (James Manning PA)

The next morning, Mr Geoghegan said he got a video call from Mr Slater, who was walking along a road and was still under the influence, the court heard.

Mr Geoghegan said: I said put your maps on to see how far you were. It was like a 14-hour walk or an hour drive. I said, Get a taxi back, then he just goes, I will ring you back.

Coroner Dr James Adeley asked the witness: Did you get the impression he was in any way threatened or fearful, or under duress in a difficult situation?

Mr Geoghegan replied: No. I think he probably got there and thought, Why am I here?, sobered up and decided to come back.

Another friend, Lucy Law, called him around 8.30am and had sent him a message saying: Go back to wherever the f**k you just came from before it gets boiling.

She said on the call she asked him: What on earth are you doing? Where are you?

He was just, Im in the middle of the mountains.

She asked him what he could see, and he replied: Nothing. Literally nothing. Theres literally just mountains.

Mr Slater also said he needed a drink and asked if cactus are poisonous.

Ms Law added: By this stage, Im panicking.

Another friend, Brandon Hodgson, in a statement to Spanish police, said Mr Slater contacted him on a video call around 8.30am showing him surrounded by mountains, with his phone battery down to three per cent.

Mr Hodgson said his friend was laughing and joking and got the impression he was out of his mind.

He told police: Jay is mentally very child-like, and so he called Ms Law so she could call him to solve the problem.

Excerpts from information from the Spanish authorities was read out by the coroner, Dr James Adeley, including excerpts from the local Mountain Rescue services.

It said the search for Mr Slater continued for 29 days and involved large-scale operations involving helicopters, dogs, drones and rescue teams.

On July 15, they searched the treacherous Juan Lopez Ravine, where Mr Slaters body was found, an area described as having sheer cliffs and deep dense undergrowth.

It was a little used area as it has no water and has to be accessed using machetes to cut through dense vegetation.

Around 20 metres above where the body was found was Mr Slaters Armani bag with his phone and nitrous oxide gas canisters inside.

The Spanish authorities said they could not explain why Mr Slater took a chance to leave the road to descend down the ravine and he was unfamiliar with the area and his phone battery had died.

But the sea can be seen from the head of the ravine, and they suggested he may have believed he could reach a beach and get help.

The report said: It would be easy to slip on the rocks and fall into the void.

The death of the missing person must have occurred as a result of an accidental fall.

Earlier, Ayub Qassim said Mr Slater had asked to come back to the Airbnb apartment where he and friend Stephen Roccas were staying.

Mr Qassim described Mr Slater as: On a buzz. Chilled, happy. Mingling init.

He told the inquest he went to bed when they returned and could hear Mr Slater downstairs.

He was woken about an hour later because he needed to move his car and when he returned to the house Mr Slater was leaving and said he was going to catch a bus.

He said: I went bro, there aint no buses coming here any time soon.

He said Mr Slater left, despite him explaining that buses did not pass regularly.

He added: At that point I presumed hed sit at that bus stop and thats it. Hes waiting till the first bus comes and hes out of there.

Mr Slaters mother, Debbie Duncan had asked for the inquest into the death to be resumed on Thursday after a number of witnesses failed to give evidence at the last hearing in May.

She said Mr Slaters family still had questions about their loved ones death that needed answers.

Coroners officer Alice Swarbrick told the hearing efforts had been made to contact Mr Roccas and Mr Slaters friend Brandon Hodgson, but neither had responded.

The hearing in May heard from a number of witnesses, including toxicology expert Dr Stephanie Martin.

The court heard analysis showed traces of drugs, including cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy, along with alcohol, were found in Mr Slaters body.

Home Office pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd said his post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as head injuries, and Mr Slaters body showed no evidence of restraint or assault, with the pattern of injuries consistent with a fall from a height.

Marieke Krans, from Dutch rescue charity Signi Zoekhonden  which uses dogs, helped in the search.

She said the area where the body was found was about a three-and-a-half-hour walk from the Airbnb and was really steep, really dangerous, and it was easy to lose your footing.

The inquest will continue on Friday.
The Wildlife Trusts are urging the public to back greater protection of marine protected areas (Paul Naylor/PA)

Bans on destructive fishing across marine protected areas would help restore healthy seas around England, conservationists have said as the Government considers the move.

The Wildlife Trusts are calling on members of the public to lend their voice to support for moves to ban bottom trawling  in which fishing gear is dragged across the seabed destroying habitats and scooping up a wide array of species  in protected areas of English seas.

A consultation is being run by the Marine Management Organisation until September 1, which includes bans on bottom trawling in 41 offshore marine protected areas (MPAs) that have been designated thanks to the importance of their seabeds, in moves to better protect 30,000 square kilometres of sea.

The call from The Wildlife Trusts to support the bans comes as polling for the charities reveals that eight out of 10 people agree that marine wildlife should be treated with the same care as species on land.

Conservationists say bottom trawling bans can help restore important marine habitats (Alexander Mustard/2020VISION/PA)

The survey of more than 2,000 people by Savanta also revealed that many people did not realise bottom trawling could still take place in many protected areas  with more than a third (36%) believing an MPA designation meant all wildlife and seabeds are protected from damaging activities.

Daniele Clifford, marine conservation officer for The Wildlife Trusts, said the UKs seas were full of incredible marine life, with habitats from cold-water corals to sandbanks, muds and chalk reefs supporting species from fish to whales, and storing huge amounts of carbon.

But much of that marine life is threatened, facing pressures such as destructive fishing practices.

Putting in marine protected areas was a tried and tested method to help natures recovery, but while many had been designated in British waters, they were not doing well because they were still being affected by pressures such as bottom trawling, she said.

The fishing method can destroy the habitat on the seabed, and the nets literally sweep up everything in their path, Ms Clifford said, creating a huge amount of bycatch, besides the one or two species targeted, which is then thrown back.

If land-based nature reserves were being bulldozed, there would be an outcry.

And yet bottom trawling has been going on for many years in these MPAs. Its about time proper management was implemented, she said.

We know that when you reduce pressures on marine life, it helps support their recovery. Its possible to recover our seas, we just need to remove those pressures.

Unlike on land where active management may be required to help habitats and species recover, seas are more able to bounce back on their own if those pressures are removed, Ms Clifford said.

You allow nature to do its thing and recover naturally.

The benefit of this measure is our seas will recover  and we know people want healthy seas, she said, adding restoring wildlife in MPAs had benefits for wider ocean health and fish stocks.

The UKs seas are full of marine life but much is threatened, conservationists say (Alex Mustard/2020VISION/PA)

Where bans have already been implemented in inshore MPAs, Ms Clifford said there were astonishingly signs of recovery quite quickly, pointing to cold-water corals starting to recover within two to three years of restrictions in Lyme Bay, on the south coast, along with increases in scallops and lobsters.

And off the coast of Sussex, largely vanished kelp beds are being helped to recover in a major marine rewilding project thanks to restrictions on bottom trawling introduced in 2021.

The kelp was hit by stormy conditions in the 1980s and bottom trawling, leaving only 4% of the habitat remaining, affecting both an array of wildlife using it for shelter and food, and society which benefits from its role in reducing storm impacts and supporting fish stocks.

The habitats restoration is a long process, according to George Short, kelp recovery co-ordinator for Sussex Wildlife Trust, one of the partners in the Sussex Kelp Recovery Project.

One of the key things about our work is letting nature lead in its own recovery.

Its been impacted for decades, its not an overnight recovery, she said.

But nearly five years into the project, monitoring shows mussel beds  which form the hard bed on the seabed that kelp grows on  are starting to recover, as are the black sea bream once targeted by the trawling, she said.
Police have arrested 16 people after a protest outside a migrant hotel last week.

Essex Police said a small number of people had used a peaceful demonstration last Thursday as cover to commit violent disorder and criminal damage.

The protest, outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, began peacefully but escalated into what officers described as scattered incidents of violence targeting police and property.

Eight officers were injured and a number of police vehicles were damaged as missiles were thrown.

Police want to speak to Martin Peagram (Essex Police/PA)

Further protests in Epping are being planned for Thursday night, Essex Police said.

The force will ban face coverings at the protests and enforce designated areas where people can lawfully make their voices heard.

Six people have been charged in relation to the action last Thursday.

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper, Essex Police, said: We know there are more plans for protest in Epping tonight.

Weve got a really robust plan in place for this, to protect the people of Epping against anyone who turns up to commit crime and violent disorder.

A Section 60AA order, under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, will be in place on face coverings.

If you wear one, well order you to take it off. If you dont take it off, youll be arrested, Mr Hooper said.

Police are also using extra powers, under Sections 12 and 14 of the Public Order Act 1986, to put restrictions on people who plan to assemble or to take part in any kind of procession.

Designated protest areas are directly opposite the Bell Hotel and will have their own designated entry and exit routes, the assistant chief constable added.

There will also be sites near the Civic Centre, and he said if you move from the Bell Hotel to the Civic Centre, you will not be able to return.

He said all protest activity should cease by 10pm, adding: To be clear, you will not be able to get in the way of people getting on with their daily lives in Epping. This is a priority.

Kenneth Blissett, 34, of Long Banks, Harlow, Essex, was charged on Thursday with theft of police equipment and possession of an offensive weapon.

He remains on bail and will appear at Colchester Magistrates Court on September 30.

Another man in his 20s was detained at an address in Harlow at about 5.45pm on Wednesday on suspicion of violent disorder.

He remains in custody for questioning and police say they have seized evidence from the scene.

Officers are also appealing for information about two men they want to speak to in connection with the violence.

Martin Peagram, 33, who has links to Stansted, Essex, is described as 6ft, of slim build, with short brown hair and facial stubble.

Philip Curson, 52, who has no fixed address, is 5ft 8in, stocky, with short brown hair and full tattoo sleeves on both arms, as well as tattoos on his neck.

Police are also looking for Philip Curson (Essex Police/PA)

Essex Police said they are no longer seeking Shaun Thompson, 37, who was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and remains in custody.

Mr Hooper said: Wed promised that wed continue our investigations into the unacceptable actions of a small number of people who chose to take advantage of peaceful protest to try to cause harm to people in Epping or to property.

Weve been analysing footage and we have investigators and trained detectives working on this operation.

We are identifying suspects and there will be more arrests in the coming days.

Put simply, if you turn up to try to cause trouble, you wont get away with it.

Detectives have also released body-worn video showing one of the arrests.

The latest developments come as police are braced for further protests, and the Government and law enforcement have vowed to act swiftly if unrest spreads.

The Epping protest was sparked by the charging of asylum-seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, with sexual assault after he allegedly attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl.

He denied the charge at Chelmsford Magistrates Court and will stand trial in August.

The protest has drawn national attention and sparked a political row, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage calling for Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington to resign over claims that officers transported left-wing protesters to the scene, claims the chief constable has denied.
Captain Danny Marco Franken and first officer Floris Christiaan Rhee died, flight operator Zeusch Aviation said (Joe Giddens/PA)

Two pilots who died when a medical plane crashed at London Southend Airport have been named.

They were captain Danny Marco Franken and first officer Floris Christiaan Rhee, flight operator Zeusch Aviation said.

They are understood to be Dutch.

The plane, chartered for a patient to be transported for treatment in the UK, crashed within the airport boundary shortly after take-off on July 13.

It is understood that the patient had been dropped off and the plane was bound for its base in the Netherlands when the accident happened.

Marco Rietvelt, managing director of Zeusch Aviation, said: Danny and Floris were not only highly skilled pilots, but also greatly valued and popular members of our team.

Their passion for flying was matched by their dedication to their colleagues and the important missions they carried out.

We are all deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic loss.

Our priority is to support the families of those lost, as well as our employees, during this incredibly difficult time.

We are also fully committed to assisting the authorities in their ongoing investigation.

The other two people onboard the plane  a female nurse and a male doctor  also died in the crash.

The nurse was named in reports as 31-year-old Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, a German national originally from Chile, and the doctor was named as German national Dr Matthias Eyl, 46.

An inquiry by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch into what happened is ongoing.
Thailand and Cambodia have exchanged fire on their border in a sharp escalation of a conflict that killed at least 12 people, mostly civilians and including two children aged eight and 15.

Both nations accused each other of starting the military clashes and have downgraded diplomatic relations since Wednesday. Thailand also sealed all land border crossings with Cambodia.

Relations between the south-east Asian neighbours have deteriorated sharply since an armed confrontation in May that killed a Cambodian soldier. Nationalist passions on both sides have further inflamed the situation.

An injured Thai soldier is sent to hospital (Royal Thai Army/AP)

The Thai army said the most casualties occurred in Si Sa Ket province, where six people were killed after shots were fired at a fuel station. At least two dozen people were injured in three border provinces.

The Thai army said it launched air strikes on Thursday on ground military targets in Cambodia, while the Cambodian Defence Ministry said the Thai jets dropped bombs on a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

Clashes are ongoing in at least six areas along the border, Thai Defence Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said.

The first clash on Thursday morning happened in an area near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple along the border of Thailands Surin province and Cambodias Oddar Meanchey province.

A video from Thailands side showed people running from their homes and hiding in a concrete bunker as explosions sounded.

Thailands Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Cambodia has attacked military and non-military sites in Thailand, including a hospital.

The Royal Thai Government calls upon Cambodia to take responsibility for the incidents that have occurred, cease attacks against civilian and military targets, and stop all actions that violate Thailands sovereignty, said Nikorndej Balankura, the ministrys spokesperson.

Thai soldiers inspect a border area (Royal Thai Army/AP)

The Royal Thai Government is prepared to intensify our self-defence measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack and violations upon Thailands sovereignty in accordance with international law and principles.

Cambodias Prime Minister Hun Manet said his country had always maintained a position of peaceful resolution of problems, but we have no choice but to respond with armed force against armed aggression.

Earlier on Thursday, Cambodia said it was downgrading diplomatic relations with Thailand to their lowest level, expelling the Thai ambassador and recalling all Cambodian staff from its embassy in Bangkok.

That was in response to Thailand withdrawing its ambassador and expelling the Cambodian ambassador on Wednesday in protest at a land mine blast that wounded five Thai soldiers.

The Thai army said of Thursdays initial clash that its forces heard a drone before seeing six Cambodian soldiers moving closer to Thailands station. It said Thai soldiers tried to shout at them to defuse the situation but the Cambodian side opened fire.

Cambodias Defence Ministry also said Thailand employed a drone first before opening fire, and that Cambodia acted strictly within the bounds of self-defence, responding to an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops that violated our territorial integrity.

The Thai embassy in Phnom Penh said there were clashes at several border areas that could continue to escalate. It urged Thai nationals in Cambodia to leave the country if they could and advised others not to travel to Cambodia unless absolutely necessary.

Land mine detection teams in Siem Reap, Cambodia (Anton L Delgado/AP)

On Wednesday, a land mine blast near the border wounded five Thai soldiers, one of whom lost a leg. A week earlier, a land mine in a different contested area exploded and wounded three Thai soldiers.

Thai authorities have alleged the mines were newly laid along paths that by mutual agreement were supposed to be safe. They said the mines were Russian-made and not of a type employed by Thailands military.

Cambodia rejected Thailands account as baseless accusations, pointing out that many unexploded mines and other ordnance are a legacy of 20th century wars and unrest.

The border dispute has also caused political fallout in Thailand, whose prime minister was suspended from office to be investigated for possible ethics violations over the matter.

Border disputes are longstanding issues that have caused periodic tensions between the countries. The most prominent and violent conflicts have been around the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple.

In 1962, the International Court of Justice recognised Cambodian sovereignty over the temple area in a ruling that became a major irritant in the relations of both countries.

Cambodia went back to the court in 2011 after military clashes killed about 20 people. The court reaffirmed the ruling in 2013.
From right, Phineas Float, Lisa Stocker and Jonathan Collyer are escorted by a security officer before their verdict at the district court in Denpasar, Bali (Firdia Lisnawati/AP)

Judges in Indonesia have sentenced a group of three British nationals to one year in jail for drug offences after a charge that could carry the death penalty was dropped.

Jonathan Christopher Collyer, 28, and his partner Lisa Ellen Stocker, 29, were arrested on February 1 after customs officers found 993 grammes (2.2 pounds) of cocaine worth an estimated six billion rupiah (271,731). The drugs were hidden among sachets of powdered dessert mix.

Two days later, authorities arrested Phineas Ambrose Float, 31, after a delivery of the drugs arranged by police.

During their June trial, defence lawyers argued their clients were unaware the food given to them in England contained cocaine.

On Thursday, the three-judge panel in Denpasar District Court handed down one-year prison terms for each defendant minus time served, making them eligible for release in seven months.

British national Elliot James Shaw and Argentine national Eleonora Gracia walk to a holding cell after they were sentenced on Thursday (Firdia Lisnawati/AP)

Separately, an Argentine woman was sentenced to seven years and a British man received a five-year sentence with a fine of one billion rupiah (45,322) on charges of smuggling cocaine to Bali.

Eleonora Gracia, 46, was arrested in March at Balis airport with 244 grammes (0.5 pounds) of cocaine. Authorities alleged she handed over the cocaine to Elliot James Shaw, 50, during a police sting operation at a Bali hotel.

The sentences were considered lenient as Indonesia typically hands out severe punishments for drug smuggling, including the death penalty.

Indonesian authorities also said they recently arrested a Brazilian man and a South African woman accused of smuggling cocaine.

The 25-year-old Brazilian man, identified by the initials YB, was arrested on July 13 shortly after arriving from Dubai and charged with carrying 3,086 grammes (6.8 pounds) of cocaine in his suitcase and backpack at Balis Ngurah Rai international airport, said Made Sinar Subawa, head of the Eradication Division at Balis Narcotic Agency.

The same day, customs officers seized 990 grammes (2.1 pounds) of cocaine they say was being carried in the underwear of a 32-year-old South African woman, identified as LN, it was said.

About 530 people are on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes, including 96 foreigners, according to Ministry of Immigration and Corrections data.

Indonesias last executions of a citizen and three foreigners were carried out in July 2016. The country has upheld a moratorium on execution since 2017.

President Prabowo Subianto has moved to repatriate several high-profile foreign inmates, all sentenced to death or life in prison for drug offenses, back to their home countries since he took office in October.

A British woman, Lindsay Sandiford, now 69, has been on death row in Indonesia for more than a decade. She was arrested in 2012 with 3.8 kilograms (8.4 pounds) of cocaine in her luggage.

Serge Atlaoui, an ailing Frenchman, returned to France in February after Jakarta and Paris agreed to repatriate him on humanitarian grounds.

Indonesia took Mary Jane Veloso off death row and returned her to the Philippines in December. In the same month, the government sent to Australia the five remaining members of a drug ring known as the Bali Nine.
Iran is ready to engage in talks on its nuclear programme with the United States, but only if Washington takes meaningful steps to rebuild trust, deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi has said.

Iran is set to meet on Friday in Istanbul with the UK, France and Germany, known as the E3 nations, and the European Unions deputy foreign policy commissioner.

They will be the first talks since Irans 12-day war with Israel in June, which involved US B-52 bombers striking nuclear-related facilities in Iran.

Mr Gharibabadi said in a social media post on Thursday that to enter negotiations, Iran sought several key principles to be upheld.

He said these included rebuilding Irans trust  as Iran has absolutely no trust in the United States  avoiding the use of talks as a platform for hidden agendas such as military action, though Iran remains fully prepared for any scenario; respecting and recognising Irans rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, including enrichment in line with its legitimate needs; and the lifting of sanctions.

A woman walks past a building damaged in an Israeli airstrike at a residential compound in Tehran (AP Photo)

Fridays talks will be held at the deputy ministerial level, with Iran sending deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-e Ravanchi. A similar meeting was held in Istanbul in May.

European leaders have threatened to trigger a snapback mechanism included in a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which would reimpose sanctions that were lifted in exchange for Iran accepting restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear programme.

The UK, France and Germany were signatories to the 2015 deal. The US withdrew in 2018 during the first term of President Donald Trump, who insisted the agreement was not tough enough.

Iranian officials have warned that a move to reimpose sanctions would have consequences. Mr Gharibabadi said earlier this week that it could force Tehran to withdraw from key non-proliferation agreements.

In a letter to UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the E3 of hypocrisy, saying they failed to uphold their obligations under the 2015 deal while supporting Israels recent strikes on Iran.

In the recent conflict, US B-52 bombers struck Iranian nuclear facilities in support of Israels air campaign. Iran responded with missile attacks, including a strike on a US base in Qatar, which President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted was not directed at the Qatari state.

In an interview with Al Jazeera that aired on Wednesday, Mr Pezeshkian said Iran is prepared for another war and accused Israel of attempting to assassinate him during a June 15 meeting of Irans national security council in Tehran.

Mr Pezeshkian reiterated that Irans nuclear programme will continue within the framework of international law and insisted the country has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons.

Our nuclear capabilities are in the minds of our scientists, he said, emphasising Irans position that future negotiations must be rooted in mutual respect, not threats.

According to the official judicial news agency Mizan, at least 13 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel.

A spokesman for Irans Atomic Energy Organisation said on Thursday the countrys nuclear industry would recover from the recent attacks by Israel and the US.

Our nuclear industry is deeply rooted. What has roots cannot be harmed by attack or pressure  it will grow back and thrive again, state TV quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi as saying.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported in May that Irans stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% had grown to over 400 kilogrammes (882 pounds). That material, just below weapons-grade level, remains a central concern for the West.

Despite the growing stockpile, Iran has said it remains open to diplomacy, though it recently suspended co-operation with the IAEA following legislation signed by Mr Pezeshkian.

While European officials say they want to avoid further conflict and are open to a negotiated solution, they have warned that time is running out.
The victims have been named locally and were well known in the GAA community

Emergency services at the scene of a shooting incident on Drummeer Road Maguiresbridge in Fermanagh

Fermanagh is in a state of shock in the aftermath of three members of a family were shot in Maguiresbridge.

The mother and her two children were shot in their family home  with two of them dying at the scene  another in hospital.

Another person  a man  was seriously injured and is currently in hospital in Belfast.

The PSNI say a so-called murder-suicide is one line of inquiry and that it is not anticipated at this stage that any further arrests will be made.

Ciaran Dunbar is joined by Belfast Telegraph reporter  Abdullah Sabri.
Graham Davidson and Ciaran Dunbar with the New York Festival Radio Award earlier this year

The Belfast Telegraphs podcast series  The BelTel  has been nominated for a top award in the The British Podcast Awards 2025.

Nominees were revealed today, with shows hosted by David Tennant, Louis Theroux, Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver all earning nominations, along with Angela Hartnett and Nick Grimshaw, as well as Elis James and John Robins.

Amongst the star names, The BelTel has been shortlisted in the news and current affairs category, alongside the Business Daily and Newscast podcasts, both by BBC News; Intrigue: To Catch a Scorpion and The Coming Storm (series 2) by BBC Studios Audio Production for BBC Radio 4; and Who Killed Emma? By BBC Scotland for BBC Sounds.

Sergei & the Westminster Spy Ring from The Citizens is the only non-BBC entry in the news and current affairs category, aside from The BelTel.

The awards, overseen by BBC Radio 4 Today presenter Emma Barnett, honour a wide range of genres such as arts and culture, documentaries, comedy, true crime, parenting, and health.

This years event will be held on Thursday, October 2 at the Indigo at Londons O2 Arena, with comedian Maisie Adam set to host the ceremony.

At last years awards, Dr Clare Bailey Mosley accepted an honour on behalf of her late husband, Michael Mosley, just three months after his passing. He was posthumously inducted into the hall of fame for his podcast Just One Thing.

Earlier this year, The BelTel also won a New York Festivals Audio Award for the second year in a row.

The NYF awards are considered among the most prestigious in the news genre.

The BelTel won a Silver Tower prize in News Podcast category, competing against podcasts from Al Jazeera, the Economist and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

The BelTels sister podcast, The Indo Daily, won a Bronze Award in the same category.

The Editor in Chief of the Belfast Telegraph, Eoin Brannigan said at the time: "In just over three years, the BelTel has established itself as an authoritative voice on Northern Ireland.

Being recognised with silver in the News category is further evidence of the great audio journalism produced at the Belfast Telegraph by Ciaran, Graham Davidson and Olivia Peden.

"It also rewards the entire newsroom without whose contribution the BelTel would not be made. Thanks also to Group Head of Audio for Mediahuis Ireland Mary Carroll and her team in Dublin who help us get the BelTel out every couple of days, and congratulations to them and our colleagues at the Indo Daily on their own awards."

The award followed the two-part special of The BelTel Killing Edgar: The IRA murder of lawyer Edgar Graham, hosted by Sam McBride, being named runner-up in the News Report: Investigation category last year.
Baby must have gone through hell: How police solved NIs oldest cold case

After a 92-year-old was convicted of a 1967 rape and murder in England, we examine case of ex-soldier who thought hed got away with killing his baby girl

Martin Breen Thu 24 Jul 2025 at 20:00

On September 8, 1966 cold-blooded killer Harry Doyle battered nine-month-old Lynda Cochrane to death in a Co Down military base.
Russia, Ukraine conduct prisoner swap amid new round of talks

Xinhua) 09:11, July 24, 2025

MOSCOW, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Russia and Ukraine on Wednesday exchanged prisoners of conflict as delegations of the two countries held their third round of direct talks in the city of Istanbul, Turkiye.

The swap was conducted in accordance with the agreements both sides reached during their last talks on June 2 in Istanbul, the Russian defense ministry said in a statement.

The Russian servicemen are in Belarus and will be transported to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation in military medical institutions, it added.

Russia and Ukraine held two rounds of direct talks on May 16 and June 2 in Istanbul. During the second round, they agreed on an "all-for-all" exchange of seriously ill and wounded prisoners, and soldiers under the age of 25, as well as the transfer of the bodies of fallen soldiers.

More than 1,000 Ukrainian servicemen have returned home in accordance with the Istanbul agreements, according to Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
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.
I frequently find myself thinking about jumping into a pond in the middle of a hot summer afternoon.

Pools of dark water that hide secrets from us are very alluring when the temperature rises, and the idea of quietly floating in a lake or pond is something that will resonate with many of you. As it happens, I was lucky enough to get the chance to do just that while visiting my brother up in Maine.

But even better, from a photographers point of view, was the rare and wonderful opportunity for me to enjoy a low-speed boat tour of a pristine northern lake. My brother has a nice boat with a quiet motor and ample seating. It gave me a stable platform to concentrate on taking photos instead of worrying about tipping into the water. He also has an electric trolling motor, which allowed for nearly-silent movement in water that was only 2-3 feet deep. This allowed us to get up close and personal with one of the jewels of any freshwater environment, the fragrant water lily (Nymphaea odorata).

The sheer beauty of this particular species was captured and shared with the world by the impressionist painter, Claude Monet, in a series of about 250 pieces that focused on these gorgeous flowers. The one that sticks out in my mind is a painting, Water-Lily Pond, Green Harmony, which he painted in 1899. A gracefully arched footbridge arches over a small pond filled with water lily flowers, and slender willow stems hang vertically in the background. It is a true masterpiece.

The lilies in Monets painting were pink, but here in North America, we have our own snowy-white species that is simply gorgeous. Even the species scientific name, Nymphaea odorata, is beautiful. The genus name is derived from the Greek word nymphe, which means water nymph. The species name, odorata, is from the Latin word for fragrant. All together, you have the fragrant water nymph.

But there is more to this species than meets the eye. A denizen of shallow waters in quiet settings, the fragrant water lily is an astounding example of evolutions ability to solve serious problems. One obvious question that you might have is, How do the roots of this plant get any oxygen? Well, it turns out that the leaves and slender stems of the plant are filled with a special kind of tissue known as aerenchyma. Basically, this spongy tissue filled with interconnected air chambers behaves like a snorkel. Sunlight and wind can cause pressure differences in the tissues, and oxygenated air is pumped down to the roots, which can go as far as 8 feet below the surface.

And then there is the astounding nature of each flower. It turns out that a single blossom on a fragrant water lily blooms for only three days. On the first day, the flower is only partially open, and it creates a cup filled with sweet fluid (nectar). This attracts flies and beetles that will pollinate the flower, but the interesting thing is that the pollen has to come from a different flower.

The stigmata (the female portions of a flower that receive pollen) are only receptive for the first day of the flowers life. After that, the anthers (the male parts that produce bright yellow pollen) will release pollen to any insects that visit the flowers, but this pollen cannot fertilize the flower. Hence, there is a mechanism that encourages cross-pollination and the genetic diversity that comes with it.

After three days of blooming, the flowers are pulled below the waters surface, where there is more safety for the seeds to develop. I say more safety, because many different animals consume water lilies. Moose, deer, beavers, muskrats and even the occasional porcupine will happily munch away on the roots of the plants (also known as rhizomes). Waterfowl feed upon the seeds, and this is also the way that water lilies can move to new places. Humans have even discovered some medicinal uses of various parts of the water lily plant, but space prevents me from going down that particular road.

Finally, I want to direct your attention to the insect perched on the left-hand side of the flower in todays photo. I am quite confident that this is a member of the spreadwing family. I am also fairly confident that this is a member of the Lestes genus, which is a group known as the Pond Spreadwings. After that, however, my confidence starts to wane. I have a wonderful field guide in my private library, Dragonflies and Damselflies of the East, by Dennis Paulson and in this book is repeated the basic phrase, Frustratingly similar to several others The spreadwing in the photo is prominently silhouetted against the background, but most of the insect is in the shade of the flower and key field marks are hidden.

However, there were many other beautiful dragonflies and damselflies out on the water that day, and I have one photo that I will share with you next week. It is a photo that is perfect for species identification because it shows a pair of damselflies joined together in the process of mating and laying eggs. Only the piloting skills of my brother and that silent trolling motor of his made the photo possible for me. All I had to do was drive 9 hours during a holiday weekend to get it.
What began as a small paper converting business in Lee has grown into a full-service biomedical firm working to help clients across the country create, test and market new biomedical products. With a new Waltham office and a company-wide reorganization, Boyd Biomedical is entering its next phase  all without leaving its Berkshire roots behind.
In the 1930s, Pittsfields punitive approach to homelessness and panhandlers didn't seem to have achieved much to alleviate anyone's addiction, mental health issues, the economics of a Great Depression, or the housing shortages that plagued Berkshire cities.
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In observing the ongoing grassroots protest movement against the overreaches of the Trump administration, weve consistently argued that this movement must model a principled and disciplined defense of democracy against the looming threat to our democracy.

Were pleased to see those protests, especially those that have taken place in the Berkshires, have been principled as protesters stand up for our threatened institutions and values in peaceful but vigorous fashion. To be truly disciplined, though, requires asking tough questions about the sustainability of a protest movement intended to bring considerable public pressure on our political system.

After the Hands Off rallies in April, which saw hundreds of Berkshire residents stand in solidarity with hundreds of thousands of Americans across the country, we said that moments true value lay in its potential for a movement with staying power.

After the similarly styled No Kings rallies in June brought out thousands in the Berkshires, we noted that these demonstrations had achieved a preliminary but positive trend, showing potential for a powerful movement if they could continue growing the level of citizen participation and pressure on leaders.

Last weeks demonstrations  dubbed Good Trouble Lives On rallies  were the first in this series of widely organized protests that saw a drop in participation from the previous iteration. We dont note this to knock the hard work and mission behind these events. We merely wish to make an honest assessment of a movement whose general principles we share and whose challenges are tall. Those challenges come in the form of a genuinely authoritarian presidential administration, as well as its backers willing to toss obscenities and engage in disruptive behavior, which we unfortunately witnessed in Dalton last week. But there are also the challenges of inertia, of maintaining focus and involvement in a time of strained and divided attention, of consistently driving engagement and finding a productive path of follow-up action for the engaged.

A disciplined resistance movement, like the one desperately needed now as our federal government grows crueler and more incompetent by the day, must be clear-eyed about the state of its messaging and momentum.

Our Opinion: Out of many planned protests, one solemn goal  defend our democracy At their best, protests like these flex three of the critical democratic functions embodied in our First Amendment: freedom of speech, the right of the people to peaceably assemble and the right to petition our government for a redress of grievances. We agree with "No Kings" organizers that there are many legitimate grievances to raise with this administration.

The rights to free speech, assembly and petitioning our government for redress are not only precious but powerful  and anyone who reads this editorial column regularly knows we wholeheartedly agree that there are many legitimate grievances for which we should demand redress from this reckless presidential administration and its sycophantic backers in Congress. With the potential power of disciplined protest comes the great responsibility of determining how it is focused and to what ends. So, what about this movements messaging and motion attracted fewer folks to the most recent round of protests? The perils facing this country exceed the petty bounds of partisan politics, so what is the best way to draw concerned citizens to attention and action from across the political spectrum?

We acknowledge thats no easy question to answer, though there might be one particular domain where message and mission can neatly coincide: awareness and education around the impending dire effects of the so-called big, beautiful bill that President Donald Trump signed into law this month. This landmark legislation prioritized by the president and slavishly pushed through by his MAGA acolytes in Congress will do real damage to popular public programs that help so many of our neighbors. The negative aspects of this massive law are too many to exhaustively list here, but the slash-and-burn treatment of Medicaid, Medicare and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (while exploding the national debt) will harm many millions of working-class Americans. As if that werent bad enough, the knock-on effects will be felt by local pantries and food banks squeezed by higher demand, small farms buoyed by nutrition programs and rural hospitals whose bottom lines will buckle if Medicaid and Medicare are compromised. As weve argued, its a perversely unifying measure, promising misery to liberals and conservatives alike in both blue and red states.

While nearly all congressional Republicans fell in line to back this poisonous policy package prioritized by President Trump, they know how destructive it will be. Rather than protect their constituents, however, they merely opted to protect themselves by structuring the law such that its most egregious cuts to Medicaid and other popular programs wont go into effect until 2027  after the upcoming midterms but well before the 2028 election. They are cynically betting that their immiserated countrymen wont have the bandwidth to connect the dire but delayed effects to the callous legislative cause.

That is exceptionally cynical, even for career politicians, but it leaves an opportunity for this protest movement to reinvigorate its message around educating everyday Americans about these impending destructive consequences and why theyre bearing down on us. Were all for celebrating the memory and channeling the legacy of John Lewis, whose famed quote about good trouble lent the namesake to the most recent round of protests. But it might make for a more powerful opposition movement to focus less on slogans and personalities and more on attention toward the disproportional impact that policy measures like this budget bill will have on children, seniors, and other vulnerable Americans. By our lights, thats worth highlighting for those trying to widen the tent of principled, persistent resistance to this administrations most egregious misdeeds.
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Hungarian authorities have banned Irish rap group Kneecap from entering the country to perform at the Sziget Festival, accusing the band of using antisemitic hate speech and praising the Hamas militant group, a government spokesperson said on Thursday.

Belfast-based Kneecap, who regularly display pro-Palestinian messages during their gigs, have caused controversy elsewhere in recent months, including at Britain's Glastonbury Festival, where frontman Liam Og O hAnnaidh  known by the name Mo Chara  accused Israel of committing war crimes.

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"Hungary's government has moved to ban Kneecap from entering the country and performing at Sziget ... citing antisemitic hate speech and open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah as justification," government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs wrote in a post on X.

 @KneecapCEOL are officially banned from entering Hungaryfor antisemitism and glorifying terror. When hate ignores the mail, we put it on a wall.  This is what we call "service by public notice." In plain English: if you wont read the letter, youll see it on the poster. pic.twitter.com/K2lJ0L2mi1  Zoltan Kovacs (@zoltanspox) July 24, 2025

Kovacs later posted the official letters from immigration authorities banning the band for three years, claiming that their entry would "seriously threaten national security".

In May, Mo Chara was charged with a terrorism offence in Britain for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed Hezbollah. He denies the offence.

Representatives of Kneecap did not immediately reply to requests for comment. The band has said previously that its members do not support Hamas or Hezbollah, and that it condemns "all attacks on civilians, always".

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Hungary's government had already asked festival organisers to drop Kneecap from the line-up at the week-long event, which draws several hundred thousand music lovers to an island in the River Danube each year.

Entertainment Kneecap announce new tour dates for groups bigge... Read More

More than 150 artists and cultural figures, including Academy Award-winning director Laszlo Nemes Jeles, have also signed a petition protesting against Kneecap's participation.

Sziget organisers, who said they had not been notified of the government's decision, have resisted the calls to scrap Kneecap's planned performance on August 11th.

"Our festival remains true to what we have consistently achieved over the past 30 years: there is no place for hatred, incitement, prejudice, or any form of racism or anti-Semitism," they said in a statement last week.

Sziget's other performers this year include Post Malone, Shawn Mendes and Charli XCX.
US actress Winona Ryder has said she still plays poker with Hollywood star Al Pacino and that she once confessed her love to him.

Ryder, 53, is best known for starring in Tim Burtons 1988 movie Beetlejuice and its 2024 sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, along with playing Joyce Byers in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things.

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She worked with The Godfather star Pacino, 85, in the films Simone (2002) and Looking For Richard (1996), adding that she was actively in love with him.

Winona Ryder fronts the September issue of ELLE (Olivia Malone/ELLE UK/PA)

Ryder, who fronts the September issue of ELLE UK, told the magazine: I was absolutely in love with Al Pacino when I was working with him.

We were doing that workshop for Richard III, which I didnt know was gonna be a movie. I was actively in love with him.

He was obsessed with coffee, and he would take me all over New York  like, to the weirdest places  to try different coffees. Im 22, or whatever. Finally, hes dropping me off wherever Im staying, and Im like, I love you, you know. I really am completely in love with you. And he was like: Aw, honey, noooo.

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Then, like 10 years later, I meet his girlfriend, whos younger than me.

I still play poker with him sometimes. Its the best.

Winona Ryder (Olivia Malone/ELLE UK/PA)

With a career spanning decades, Ryder credits actress Laura Dern for helping her navigate the industry and taking her under her wing.

She said: I dont think Id be here without her. I met her on my first screen test for Lucas  I didnt know what a screen test was.

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Laura was there to read for the older girl, and she talked me through it, cause I didnt know what the f*** was going on.

She befriended me. I was literally 12 and  nobody knows this  she took me under her wing into my twenties. That relationship got me through.

She is now passing on her own wisdom to the younger cast members on the series Stranger Things.

Ryder said: Ive been trying to sort of change this narrative with the kids, because they have it drilled into them that theyre so lucky and, you know, that this show made them.

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Im like: No. Netflix is so lucky. You guys are the special ones. Like, you guys are magic.'

Ryder is also known for starring in films including Heathers, Edward Scissorhands and Little Women.

The September issue of ELLE UK is on sale from July 31st.
There was a 35 per cent increase in the number of homes completed in the second quarter of this year compared to last year, according to new figures.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) said there were 9,214 new dwellings completed in April, May and June this year, meaning a total of 15,152 homes have been built to date.

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Housing Minister James Browne has welcomed the significant boost to Irelands housing supply after coming under pressure for rental, tenancy and other housing reforms.

The figures indicate that apartment completions in this timeframe were double what they were in the same period last year, and scheme dwellings were up 17 per cent.

The number of single dwellings completed was up 13 per cent in the same three months last year.

More than four in 10 completions during the quarter were in Dublin, with 17 per cent in the Mid-East region (counties Louth, Meath, Kildare, and Wicklow).

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The region with the largest relative increase in completions was Dublin at 85 per cent, up to 3,822 in the second quarter of this year compared to 2,062 last year.

More than eight in ten (83 per cent) apartment completions in this period were in Dublin (2,528), and in Dublin City, 97 per cent of completions were apartments.

After a 2 per cent increase on quarter one and 35 per cent increase on quarter two of last year, Mr Browne said he was determined to accelerate the pace of housing delivery.

Supply is central to dealing with all the key challenges in housing, so the figures published today are a welcome development and will be of huge benefit to the families and individuals who will live in these homes, he said.

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Nonetheless, this Government remains committed to achieving its ambitious housing targets and I am determined to accelerate the pace of delivery to ensure even more substantial progress in the period ahead.

There is no single solution to our housing challenges, a multi-faceted approach is required.

This is why this government has implemented planning reforms to extend permissions for developments approaching the end of their timeframe, introduced targeted measures to increase rental supply and attract investment in the residential sector, and rolled out new supports to assist both prospective homebuyers and renters.
A garda has been convicted of assaulting a teenager in Temple Bar four years ago following a trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Lorcan Murphy (32) of Pearse Street Garda Station pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault causing harm under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

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The assaults on the then 17-year-old took place on Essex Street, Dublin 2 and Pearse Street Garda Station on June 1st, 2021.

After four hours and 20 minutes of deliberation, the jury returned unanimous verdicts of guilty on both counts.

There was complete silence in the court after the jury delivered its verdict.

Judge Pauline Codd thanked the jurors for their service. She adjourned the matter for sentencing until November 3rd next, in order to prepare a probation report and a victim impact statement. She remanded Murphy on continuing bail.

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The evidence

I was assaulted, I was tripped up supposedly, I fractured my skull, the complainant told the court, adding that he had no recollection of events.

He said hed been drinking that day and had also been smoking weed. He also said that he could have been carrying alcohol.

He went to meet his girlfriend in Temple Bar and said the last thing he remembered was walking past McDonalds on Grafton Street.

He said waking up in James Hospital was the next thing he remembered. Someone in the hospital told him he was involved in an incident with the gardai.

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He said he ran out of the hospital as he freaked out and thought nothing was wrong with him.

He woke up with a pain in his head, then went to the Mater Hospital before being transferred to Beaumont Hospital, where he stayed for five days.

He said he had headaches but has no issues with his memory.

The complainant stated that he had spoken to Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (Gsoc) and provided them with two videos: one of himself on the ground, which someone else had recorded, and another of the garda approaching him, which he had taken himself.

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He stated that he was not charged with any offences in relation to the events in Temple Bar that day.

The complainant agreed during cross-examination that he had no recollection of the incident, due to a head injury, but accepted that alcohol and cannabis could have contributed to his lack of memory.

Defence counsel asked the witness if he was someone who would obstruct the gardai, and he said that sometimes if they came to me Mas house.

When asked how he would obstruct the gardai, the complainant said: Just resist arrest, but I wasnt resisting arrest this time.

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He accepted that he was interviewed by Gsoc, now Fiosru, but disagreed with a suggestion that he lied about his alcohol consumption.

The jury heard that the complainant has 44 previous convictions, and 10 days after this alleged incident, he kicked and beat a person after they had withdrawn money from an ATM on OConnell Street, then went through their pockets.

The complainant stated that he is a person who is respectful to others in society and has not engaged in anti-social behaviour since he was 15. When it was put to him that beating people up and robbing them in public is not respectful, he replied, Im paying for my mistakes.

Other evidence

CCTV was shown to the court of two gardai, one of whom was Mr Murphy, on Essex Street, along with CCTV from Pearse Street Garda Station.

Darragh Fitzpatrick gave evidence that he had gone to Essex Street after hurling training to socialise with friends.

Asked if he saw any interaction between gardai and the complainant, he replied: He seemed out of it, he didnt seem to know what was going on.

Mr Fitzpatrick said he saw a bit of grabbing and handcuffs being placed on him [the complainant] and hearing something about a knife.

When he heard the word knife, he took a step back. He said he saw a garda, identified as Mr Murphy, spear tackle the complainant.

Mr Fitzpatrick described the complainant going limp and lifeless, adding that he was frozen and was initially very shocked.

Defence counsel put to Mr Fitzpatrick that when he heard the word knife, he had the benefit of retreating. He replied, I think I stood my ground, but acknowledged that he may have taken a step back.

Aileen Fitzmaurices evidence was that she could not hear what was said between the gardai and the complainant, but thought there was an aggressive demeanour.

She said everything happened quite quickly; the complainant ended up face down on the ground. He was restrained by the gardai, and she then heard shouting, Where is the knife?

The gardai first lifted the complainant to his feet, and then she described, It was like they flipped him in a sudden manner and bashed his head off the ground. She also described hearing a loud sound.

Under cross-examination, she confirmed she heard where is the knife said repeatedly, but she could not remember the exact sequence of events.

Eoghan Hickeys evidence was that he heard one of the gardai saying drop the knife repeatedly. He described the complainant as being limp when he was brought to the garda van.

He agreed with defence counsel during cross-examination that he heard gardai shouting where is the knife while the complainant was upright.

Dr Haroon Khan gave evidence of being called to Pearse Street Garda Station. He said he noted the complainant was intoxicated, tried to rouse him, but did not speak to him before having him transferred to the hospital.

Consultant neurosurgeon Mr John Caird gave evidence that the complainant had a fracture to the skull and a contusion to the brain and has made an excellent recovery.

The defence case

Two statements from Mr Murphy were read to the jury. He went to assist a colleague, who was dealing with the complainant. He instructed the complainant to remove his hands from his pockets, then noted the young male tense up.

He stated that the complainant was again asked to remove his hands from his pockets, but he did not comply.

Mr Murphy said the complainant produced a glass bottle in such a way that he believed he was at risk of being struck with the bottle, which was then pushed out of the complainant's hand.

The complainant was informed that he was being placed under arrest. He was placed on the ground, and another garda placed one handcuff on him. The complainants second hand was under him, and he was resisting arrest.

Mr Murphy said he managed to take hold of the complainants second hand, and he was handcuffed. He said that the complainant was spitting towards him.

Mr Murphy stood up and took the complainant to his feet. He told a crowd which had gathered to get back, but they didnt. Mr Murphy said he felt unsafe both for himself and the arrested complainant.

He said he had his hand on the complainant's back and felt him shift his weight, and Mr Murphy then performed a leg sweep. The side of the complainant's body and head made contact with the ground.

Mr Murphy checked him visually and said that at no stage was he unconscious. He requested prisoner transport and that a doctor be called to Pearse Street Garda Station.

Closing speeches

Prosecuting counsel John Gallagher BL told the jury the prosecution's case is that excessive force was used in the leg sweep, which resulted in the complainants head impacting the ground.

He submitted that the level of force used to bring the complainant to the ground after his initial arrest was not reasonable, inherently dangerous and likely to cause injury to the complainant.

World Keith Byrne jailed for 15 years for murder of Kirs... Read More

He said the prosecution also says that pulling the complainant's head using his hair in Pearse Street Garda Station, then applying force to his chest, is also an assault, which caused harm in the form of immediate pain.

Justin McQuade BL, defending, told jurors that the law requires them to stand in the shoes of Garda Murphy and view the situation that unfolded through the circumstances he believed them to be.

He said the force used was a leg sweep, and it was an unfortunate secondary impact when the complainant hit his head on the ground, adding that his client did not have the luxury of picking a softer landing point.

Mr McQuade suggested that if gardai are going to be criminalised for using force, they may be slower to use it in the future and that benefits no one.
Irish rap group Kneecap said there is no legal basis for Hungary banning the act from entering the country ahead of their scheduled appearance at a music festival.

The trio, who are outspoken supporters of Palestine, were due to perform at Sziget Festival on August 11th and remain on the line-up on its website.

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Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs wrote on social media platform X that the decision to ban Kneecap was because the groups members repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups.

But in a statement posted on Instagram, Kneecap described the decision to bar them from entry as political distraction and pointed out that none of the group has any criminal convictions.

A spokeswoman for Sziget Festival also described the move as unnecessary and regrettable.

Cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution, she added.

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The statement from Kneecap said: To the tens of thousands of fans who we were buzzing to see in person at Sziget, were sorry we wont be with you.

The authoritarian government of Viktor Orban say we pose a national security threat.

Which is f****** outrageous coming from a man who welcomed Netanyahu, a wanted war criminal, like a hero just a few weeks ago.

There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country. We stand against all hate crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices whenever we see it.

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Its clear that this is political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.

Kneecap have had several shows cancelled in recent months, including TRNSMT festival in Glasgow and at the Eden Project in Cornwall.

They claim this is 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 statement posted earlier on Thursday by Mr Kovacs said: Hungary has zero tolerance for antisemitism in any form.

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Their planned performance posed a national security threat, and for this reason, the group has been formally banned from Hungary for three years.

If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms.

Members of Kneecap, Liam Og O hAnnaidh (Mo Chara), JJ O Dochartaigh (DJ Provai), and Naoise O Caireallain (Moglai Bap) have been banned from Hungary (Brian Lawless/PA)

The spokeswoman for Sziget Festival said: Following concerns raised by government and pressure groups across Hungary over the past weeks at the prospect of Kneecap performing, we have liaised closely with the band and they reassured us that their performance would not contravene either Szigets values or Hungarian law.

Over the past 30 years, Sziget has served as a free and safe place for different cultures, hosting artists and visitors from around the world, earning significant recognition in the international community and enhancing Hungarys reputation.

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We fear that the governments decision announced today to ban Kneecap may not only damage the reputation of Sziget, but also negatively affect Hungarys standing worldwide.

Kneecap  comprised of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh  were formed in Belfast and released their first single in 2017.

They hit the headlines recently after O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah.

In May, the Metropolitan Police said the group were being investigated by counter-terrorism police after videos emerged allegedly showing them shouting Up Hamas, up Hezbollah and Kill your local MP.

The group apologised to the families of murdered MPs and said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK.

They were also investigated over their set at Glastonbury Festival in June, but last week Avon and Somerset Police confirmed they would be taking no further action.
An politician has launched legal proceedings against the Central Bank of Ireland over claims that investors in Israeli bonds could be legally complicit in genocide in Gaza.

Lawyers for Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon lodged legal papers against the Central Bank in Dublin on Thursday.

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It is alleged that the Central Banks failure to ban the marketing, distribution and sale of Israeli bonds exposes investors to risks that have not been disclosed to them.

Letters, seen by the PA news agency, sent to Gabriel Makhlouf, the governor of the Central Bank, in recent weeks by McGarr Solicitors, acting on behalf of Mr Gannon, claim that these risks were not made known to investors in prospectuses for bonds, which had been approved by the Central Bank.

The letter warns Mr Makhlouf that the continued issuing and trading of those bonds gives rise to significant investor protection concerns, in light of the complicity of Israel in genocide in Gaza, and the use of the proceeds of the Israeli bonds to facilitate the same.

It goes on to say that the Central Bank is empowered under EU law to prohibit the marketing, distribution or sale of the Israeli Bonds.

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We call upon it to do so, the letter adds.

There have been ongoing calls for the Central Bank to end its role in approving Israel Bonds for sale in the EU.

The bank is the designated authority in relation to the sale of Israel bonds in the EU, and has determined the securities meet the standards of the blocs prospectus regulations.

Israel bonds have been advertised as supporting the countrys economy and, more recently, websites promoting the securities emphasise their role in supporting Israels military operations in Gaza.

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Protesters and opposition parties have called for legislation that would give Ireland the power to refuse the sale of Israeli war bonds over human rights concerns.

They say the bonds are intended to fund the war in Gaza, while Ireland has an obligation under the Genocide Convention to use all means likely to have a deterrent effect on those suspected of preparing genocide.

Mr Gannon issued the letters to the bank about investor protection concerns relating to the bonds, as well as the use of the bonds to finance the war in Gaza at the end of last month.

In response, the Central Bank, through its solicitors, said that there is no valid legal basis to support Mr Gannons purported judicial review proceedings.

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They claimed that Mr Gannon lacked locus standi to bring the proceedings and that the bank is satisfied it does not meet the relevant criteria to exercise its powers under EU law.

The letter also claims that judicial review proceedings would lead to court time being expended unnecessarily and substantial costs being incurred.

However, Mr Gannon said the Central Bank has the power to stop the sale of the bonds.

Ireland Demolition of Smyth's pub in D4 gets go-ahead desp... Read More

The judicial review was formally issued on Thursday afternoon.

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Speaking at a pro-Palestinian rally on Saturday, Mr Gannon said: Politicians have spoken too long, all the while a genocide is being inflicted upon the population of Gaza. The demands today are clear  act.

He added: On Tuesday, Ill be lodging papers against the Central Bank. Genocide can never be considered a technical matter  our only duty is to prevent it and punish those responsible.
Former president Mary Robinson has said what is happening in Gaza is "unconscionable", with major aid agencies saying that mass starvation is spreading in the Palestinian enclave.

The former United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights was speaking ahead of a UN ministerial-level conference on Palestine in New York next week, saying there needed to be a parallel humanitarian and political approach to end the conflict and get aid to Gazans.

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The World Health Organization said on Wednesday 21 children under the age of five were among those who died of malnutrition so far this year. It said it had been unable to deliver any food for nearly 80 days between March and May and that a resumption of food deliveries was still far below what is needed.

In a statement on Wednesday, 111 organisations, including Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council and Refugees International, said mass starvation was spreading even as tons of food, clean water and medical supplies sit untouched just outside Gaza, where aid groups are blocked from accessing them.

Israel, which cut off all supplies to Gaza from the start of March and reopened it with new restrictions in May, says it is committed to allowing in aid but must control it to prevent it from being diverted by militants. It says it has let enough food into Gaza during the war and blames Hamas for the suffering of Gaza's 2.2 million people.

Israel has also accused the UN of failing to act in a timely fashion, saying 700 truckloads of aid are idling inside Gaza. "It is time for them to pick it up and stop blaming Israel for the bottlenecks which are occurring," Israeli government spokesman David Mercer said on Wednesday.

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The UN and aid groups trying to deliver food to Gaza say Israel, which controls everything that comes in and out, is choking delivery, and Israeli troops have shot hundreds of Palestinians dead close to aid collection points since May.

Ms Robinson told RTE's Morning Ireland there was "an utter urgency" to get a ceasefire in the conflict, with all the hostages released and the stockpiles of food, water and medical supplies allowed to be distributed by the UN and aid agencies.

"But we need a parallel approach. We also need the political approach and we need that to be a turning point and that's why this conference in New York is so important. Recently prime minister Netanyahu telephoned Pope Leo to apologise for the injury to Father Gabriel Romanelli when a Catholic church was bombed.

"Prime minister Netanyahu has not apologised for the more than 17,000 children killed in Gaza. He has not apologised for the many more children left without limbs and without family members. He has not apologised for all the children of Gaza who've been traumatised by this totally disproportionate war and are now hungry to the point of starvation because no apology is deemed to be necessary because this right-wing government has dehumanised the Palestinians."

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When asked if Israel should face sanctions as had Syria and Russia, she said: "Yes, there should be more sanctions on the leaders who are responsible, and there should be no arms supplied to continue this war which has been involved in so many war crimes."

Ms Robinson said the UK and France were on the verge of recognising the state of Palestine. "If Western countries, particularly P5 countries like the United Kingdom and France, recognise the state of Israel, then we begin the political road towards that state. We restore the humanity of the Palestinians who are being dehumanised. They are being less than human in the way they are being treated at the moment."

World Aid groups warn of starvation in Gaza as deadly Is... Read More

She added: "I think people realise that we cannot tolerate an unfolding genocide. That's what it is. It's for the courts to determine that ultimately, especially the International Court of Justice with the South African case."

Ms Robinson said she would speak with foreign ministers on the first day of the UN conference to urge them to take the necessary steps to recognise the the state of Palestine.

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"That is the most urgent thing to turn the corner. That would actually have a huge impact.

"And what France and the United Kingdom have been saying is we don't want to [recognise Palestine] as a symbol. We want it at the right moment. Well now is the right moment because otherwise it's all going to be too late and we're going to have a starving genocidal killing on our doorstep, on our watch."
A masterful CIA deep dive and Irvine Welsh is back with a Trainspotting sequel

Fiction

The Fathers by John Niven is published in hardback by Canongate Books. Available now

(Canongate Books/PA)

The Fathers opens in a Glasgow hospital where two men, Dan and Jada, meet as they become fathers on the same day, despite being worlds apart. Dan is a successful TV writer, enjoying a life of luxury in his west-end townhouse. Jada is a small-time criminal, already sizing up Dans Tesla as a potential score. Their lives intersect following a devastating tragedy, setting off a chain of events that begins to slowly blur the stark lines between them. Niven crafts a powerful and emotionally charged story that delves into powerful themes: masculinity, mental health, infertility, parenting, and the inescapable cycle of poverty. He handles each with care, inviting the reader into the struggles and private fears that shape these two men. The emotional resonance had me one moment in tears, another laughing out loud. What stands out is how deeply human these characters are. Their flaws and their resilience paint a layered picture of what it means to be a father and the writing is sharp and honest. Glasgow itself is brilliantly drawn, from the glossy affluence of the west end to the raw reality of its underbelly.

9/10

Review by Jacqueline Ling

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Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson is published in hardback by Michael Joseph. Available now

(Michael Joseph/PA)

Jet Mason should let the police investigate a brutal attack on her when she returned home from a Halloween party, but the injuries she suffered means she only has a week to live, and before she dies, shes determined to find the person who tried to kill her. The 27-year-old is the daughter of a wealthy family in Vermont and realises she has enemies, and suspects her best friend turned sister-in-law, former boyfriend and even her brother, Luke. As her condition deteriorates, she and her childhood friend Billy try to track down her would-be murderer. Their mission becomes increasingly dangerous as they unearth clues to her attacker, as well as staggering evidence on the drowning of her elder sister Emily 17 years ago. The book picks up pace as Jet counts down the days to her death, with a truly shocking discovery of who tried to kill her, rounding off a classic crime novel by this British author, best known for her A Good Girls Guide to Murder series.

7/10

Review by Alan Jones

Men In Love by Irvine Welsh is published in hardback by Jonathan Cape. Available July 24th

(Jonathan Cape/PA)

Irvine Welshs Men In Love is billed as the sequel to 1993s zeitgeist-capturing novel Trainspotting. With events here taking place soon after Rentons betrayal, forget most of what you might know from 2002s follow-up Porno or the film adaptation T2: Trainspotting, and rewind closer to the start. The familiar crew are split between London, Leith and Amsterdam, trying to put drug addiction behind them and, as Welsh puts it, embark on a quest for romance. But, as ever with one of his books, dont seek happy endings or, well, much actual romance here. Although it builds towards a fantastically entertaining finale, too much of this book  focused primarily on Sick Boys upcoming marriage and his struggle to adapt to fidelity  wallows in sordid tales without much apparent direction, lacking the vitality and sense of purpose of Trainspotting and the best of Welshs other books.

6/10

Review by Ian Parker

Non-fiction

The Mission by Tim Weiner is published in hardback by William Collins. Available now

The Mission is a masterful and compelling account of the CIAs actions and evolving role throughout the tumultuous first quarter of the 21st century. Based on exclusive interviews with scores of agency figures, Tim Weiners book sheds an astonishing light on events spanning the agencys search for purpose in the aftermath of the Cold War, the moral and legal quandaries of its actions during the War on Terror, and the existential threat posed by the Trump presidency. A powerful, urgent and at times shocking book, The Mission combines the heft of an authoritative history with all the drama of a finely-honed thriller.

9/10

Review by Nick Forbes

Childrens book of the week

This That What by Katy Ashworth, illustrated by Colleen Larmour is published in paperback by Puffin. Available now

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(Puffin/PA)

Little Kiki Dime has a very busy brain which buzzes all day and most of the night  even when shes on the loo. This delightful book explores the colours, words, thoughts and shapes of Kikis imagination in overdrive. Her teacher thinks shes daydreaming, but soon realises shes special so asks Kiki to draw everything inside her brain. She draws incredible, colourful pictures, which makes her classmates go, Wow! Her mum picks up on her daughters talent and starts regular drawing sessions with crayons and paints or playing with sand and clay, realising shes one of a kind. This That What has some of the best illustrations Ive ever seen in a young childrens book. Katy Ashworth is well-known for her work on BBCs Cbeebies and founded The Play Project, which delivers creative art and workshops to support childrens mental health.

7/10

Review by Alan Jones

BOOK CHARTS FOR THE WEEK ENDING JULY 19th

HARDBACK (FICTION)

1. Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson

2. Human Rites by Juno Dawson

3. She Didnt See It Coming by Shari Lapena

4. The Irresistible Urge to Fall For Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley

5. A Witchs Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna

6. Dont Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

7. Rose in Chains:The Evermore Trilogy by Julie Soto

8. Stone and Sky by Ben Aaronovitch

9. Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry

10. The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

(Compiled by Waterstones)

HARDBACK (NON-FICTION)

1. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins and Sawyer Robbins

2. Jess and Norma by Jessica Asquith and Norma Burton

3. Remember When:My life with Alzheimers by Fiona Phillips

4. The Greatest Story Ever Told by Bear Grylls

5. On Writing:A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

6. How to Make a Billion in Nine Steps by Richard Harpin

7. Bless Me Father:A life story by Kevin Rowland

8. Dont Believe Everything You Think By Joseph Nguyen

9. Ikigai:The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles

10. Free Ride by Noraly Schoenmaker

(Compiled by Waterstones)

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AUDIOBOOKS (FICTION AND NONFICTION)

1. Dont Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

2. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

3. Stone and Sky by Ben Aaronovitch

4. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

5. The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre

6. The Names by Florence Knapp

7. Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, Book 1 by J.K. Rowling

8. By Your Side by Ruth Jones

9. Atomic Habits by James Clear

10. Remember When by Fiona Phillips

(Compiled by Audible)
Judges in Indonesia have sentenced a group of three British nationals to one year in jail for drug offences after a charge that could carry the death penalty was dropped.

Jonathan Christopher Collyer, 28, and his partner Lisa Ellen Stocker, 29, were arrested on February 1 after customs officers found 993 grammes (2.2 pounds) of cocaine worth an estimated six billion rupiah (271,731). The drugs were hidden among sachets of powdered dessert mix.

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Two days later, authorities arrested Phineas Ambrose Float, 31, after a delivery of the drugs arranged by police.

During their June trial, defence lawyers argued their clients were unaware the food given to them in England contained cocaine.

On Thursday, the three-judge panel in Denpasar District Court handed down one-year prison terms for each defendant minus time served, making them eligible for release in seven months.

Separately, an Argentine woman was sentenced to seven years and a British man received a five-year sentence with a fine of one billion rupiah (45,322) on charges of smuggling cocaine to Bali.

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Eleonora Gracia, 46, was arrested in March at Balis airport with 244 grammes (0.5 pounds) of cocaine. Authorities alleged she handed over the cocaine to Elliot James Shaw, 50, during a police sting operation at a Bali hotel.



A Brazilian national identified as YB, centre, and South African national identified as LN, right, during a press conference in Denpasar on Thursday (Firdia Lisnawati/AP)

The sentences were considered lenient as Indonesia typically hands out severe punishments for drug smuggling, including the death penalty.

Indonesian authorities also said they recently arrested a Brazilian man and a South African woman accused of smuggling cocaine.

The 25-year-old Brazilian man, identified by the initials YB, was arrested on July 13 shortly after arriving from Dubai and charged with carrying 3,086 grammes (6.8 pounds) of cocaine in his suitcase and backpack at Balis Ngurah Rai international airport, said Made Sinar Subawa, head of the Eradication Division at Balis Narcotic Agency.

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The same day, customs officers seized 990 grammes (2.1 pounds) of cocaine they say was being carried in the underwear of a 32-year-old South African woman, identified as LN, it was said.

About 530 people are on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes, including 96 foreigners, according to Ministry of Immigration and Corrections data.

Indonesias last executions of a citizen and three foreigners were carried out in July 2016. The country has upheld a moratorium on execution since 2017.

President Prabowo Subianto has moved to repatriate several high-profile foreign inmates, all sentenced to death or life in prison for drug offenses, back to their home countries since he took office in October.

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A British woman, Lindsay Sandiford, now 69, has been on death row in Indonesia for more than a decade. She was arrested in 2012 with 3.8 kilograms (8.4 pounds) of cocaine in her luggage.

Serge Atlaoui, an ailing Frenchman, returned to France in February after Jakarta and Paris agreed to repatriate him on humanitarian grounds.

Indonesia took Mary Jane Veloso off death row and returned her to the Philippines in December. In the same month, the government sent to Australia the five remaining members of a drug ring known as the Bali Nine.
A former soldier has been jailed for just 15 years for the brutal murder of his Irish girlfriend at a Spanish holiday hotel.

Keith Byrne has been told the two years he has already spent in prison on remand and as a convicted felon following his conviction in May will qualify as time served.

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The sentencing decision, revealed overnight in a 121-page written ruling by the judge who presided over Byrnes trial at a court in the east coast Spanish city of Tarragona, means he could be back out on the streets in around a decade.

Public prosecutors had demanded a 20-year jail sentence for the 34-year-old Irishman after a jury convicted him of strangling Kirsty to death with a hair straightener power cord at their four-star hotel in the popular Costa Daurada resort of Salou on July 2nd, 2023 after she told him she was leaving him.

A private prosecutor for Kirstys family said after the guilty verdict she was still seeking the 30-year sentence she argued for before and during the trial.

Sentencing judge Susana Calvo Gonzalez ruled the fact Bryne and his 36-year-old partner had been in a stable eight-month relationship made the horror crime more serious.

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But she said the convicted killers consumption of alcohol and drugs before he murdered Kirsty diminished his cognitive faculties and was a prevailing mitigating factor.

A private prosecutor for Kirstys family said after the guilty verdict she was still seeking the 30-year sentence she argued for before and during the trial.

The judge said in her lengthy ruling, rejecting arguments private prosecutor Estela Cortes put forward to justify a 30-year prison term: I understand that there is a prevailing basis for imposing the lower penalty and, therefore, imposing a sentence of between seven years and six months and 15 years.

Within that range, the recognition of the aggravating circumstance and the motivation for the actlead to the imposition of the maximum penalty, which is 15 years in prison.

Jurors found Keith Bryne guilty of murdering his South Dublin girlfriend on May 7th after three days of deliberations.

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The Irishman had claimed during his Tarragona trial the mum-of-one committed suicide at the four-star Magnolia Hotel.

He described himself as a respectful and intelligent father-of-three who would never commit an act of domestic violence - and demonised Kirsty as someone who could be four people in one day especially after binging on alcohol and cocaine he claimed made their romance toxic.

Kirstys mum Jackie Ward described Byrne as someone she didnt like and didnt trust on day one of the trial on April 23rd and said she had found out after her daughters death she had planned to leave him during their make or break holiday.

Evidence

She was asked as she gave evidence whether she thought her daughter, whose son Evan was 14 when she died, could have committed suicide but replied angrily: She did everything for her son. She would never ever leave him. She would never do that to him.

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Public prosecutor Javier Goimil, a domestic violence specialist, rubbished Byrnes court claim Kirsty took her own life during his closing speech to the jury on the final day of the murder trial.

He claimed the former soldier, who had been living in Duleek, Co Meath, decided, Youre mine or youre nobodys, and strangled his girlfriend to death because she wanted out of their stormy relationship.

He said the forensic evidence pointed to Kirsty being strangled from behind between 8pm and 10pm on July 2nd, 2023 after incapacitating herself with alcohol and cocaine

He told the court: Byrne has adapted his version of events of what happened in that timeframe nearly two years on in accordance with the evidence hes learnt there is against him.

Hes saying Kirsty tied a cable round her neck and attached it to the door knob but in the state she was in it would have been impossible for her to do that and theres nothing showing there was a knot in the cable.

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Whats occurred here is a violent and painful death, a strangulation from behind where someone is pulling from the front to the back. This was not a suicide."

He added: She didnt leave a note for her son or her siblings or her mum and whats more she had bought a plane ticket back to Dublin for July 4th.

Kirstys relationship with Byrne was very toxic, very intense and very emotional.

She decided to end it during the week they stayed at the hotel in Salou and her partner couldnt accept that decision.

His mindset at that moment was: Youre mine or youre nobodys. You, woman, are no-one to say youre going to detach yourself from me the man and have your own independent life'.

That was why he killed her the way he did.

He also said the amount of alcohol Kirsty had drunk before being killed would have impacted significantly on her ability to defend herself.

Kirstys mum Jackie Ward described Byrne as someone she didnt like and didnt trust on day one of the trial on April 23rd.

Byrnes defence lawyer Jordi Cabre had been seeking his clients acquittal before the jury verdict and afterwards asked the judge to hand down the "minimum sentence" under Spanish law.

The killer was led handcuffed from the court after learning he was a convicted criminal following nearly two years on remand in prison following his arrest, with the judge deferring sentencing as is normal in Spain.

It emerged following Byrnes Spanish arrest that he was wanted in England by Royal Military Police for going AWOL after he left for Ireland in 2017.

Reports in Ireland last March said Spanish prosecutors intended to interview at least two of his former partners about assisting the case by giving background information about him.

One of these women previously claimed in an interview with the Irish Independent that Byrne had tried to strangle her in an incident at a property in Co Meath a number of years ago.

Jackie Ward described her daughter after her death as a fantastic friend to her parents and an absolutely adored daughter".

'Adored daughter'

She told the congregation at the Church of John the Evangelist in Ballinteer, Dublin in July 2023 that she had been an amazing mum to Evan, saying: The two of them were an amazingly strong and tight team and I hope to continue the great work she has done.

To me she was a fantastic friend and an absolutely adored daughter to myself and John. She was a caring sister, a cherished granddaughter and much loved niece and cousin. A loyal and true friend.

Kirstys family said in a statement after the May 7th jury verdict: Our family wish to thank our private prosecutor Estela Cortes and her team for guiding, supporting and representing Kirsty, her son and our family at this very difficult and painful time; Javier Goimil the public prosecutor for his commitment and passion; the Spanish investigation teams and police for their expertise, empathy and understanding; and the jury for seeing and believing in what was the truth about our beautiful Kirsty.

Our family now requests our privacy be respected, while we grieve and come to terms with all that has happened during the past two years.

Restraining order

The slain Irishwomans loved ones have yet to react to the sentencing decision. Well-placed legal sources said after Byrne's trial finished they expected him to be jailed for around 20 years.

Along with a 15-year prison sentence, Byrne was also handed a restraining order preventing him contacting Kirstys teenage son, mum or siblings or going within 1,000 metres of them for a period of 25 years.

He was also ordered to pay her son 150,000 in compensation, her mum 80,000 and each of her siblings 20,000.

The sentencing ruling can be appealed. It is not yet clear whether Kirstys family have already lodged an appeal with Catalonias High Court of Justice or intend doing so.
Police in England have arrested 16 people after a protest outside a migrant hotel last week.

Officers said a small number of people had used a peaceful demonstration last Thursday as cover to commit violent disorder and criminal damage.

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The protest, outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, began peacefully but escalated into what officers described as scattered incidents of violence targeting police and property.

Eight officers were injured and a number of police vehicles were damaged as missiles were thrown.

Police want to speak to Martin Peagram

Six people have been charged, including Kenneth Blissett (34), of Long Banks, Harlow, Essex, who was charged on Thursday with theft of police equipment and possession of an offensive weapon.

He remains on bail and will appear at Colchester Magistrates Court on September 30th.

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Another man in his 20s was detained at an address in Harlow at about 5.45pm on Wednesday on suspicion of violent disorder.

He remains in custody for questioning and police say they have seized evidence from the scene.

Officers are also appealing for information about two men they want to speak to in connection with the violence.

Police are also looking for Philip Curson

Martin Peagram (33), who has links to Stansted, Essex, is described as 6ft, of slim build, with short brown hair and facial stubble.

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Philip Curson (52), who has no fixed address, is 5ft 8in, stocky, with short brown hair and full tattoo sleeves on both arms, as well as tattoos on his neck.

Essex Police said they are no longer seeking Shaun Thompson (37), who was arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and remains in custody.

Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said: Wed promised that wed continue our investigations into the unacceptable actions of a small number of people who chose to take advantage of peaceful protest to try to cause harm to people in Epping or to property.

Weve been analysing footage and we have investigators and trained detectives working on this operation.

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We are identifying suspects and there will be more arrests in the coming days.

Put simply, if you turn up to try to cause trouble, you wont get away with it.

Detectives have also released body-worn video showing one of the arrests.

The latest developments come as police are braced for further protests, and the British government and law enforcement have vowed to act swiftly if unrest spreads.

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The Epping protest was sparked by the charging of asylum-seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu (38) with sexual assault after he allegedly attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl.

He denied the charge at Chelmsford Magistrates Court and will stand trial in August.

The protest has drawn national attention and sparked a political row in Britain, with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage calling for Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington to resign over claims that officers transported left-wing protesters to the scene, claims the chief constable has denied.
At least 10 firefighters and rescue workers were killed and many others injured while battling a wildfire in north-western Turkey, forestry minister Ibrahim Yumakli said.

The five forestry workers and five members of the Akut rescue organisation died while trying to put out the wildfire raging through a forested area of Eskisehir province, Mr Yumakli said.

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At least 14 other rescuers and forestry workers were in hospital, he said.





The deaths bring the number of fatalities in wildfires that have flared amid strong winds, high temperatures and dry conditions so far in the country this year to 13.

The minister said the wind suddenly changed direction, causing the flames to shift rapidly and surround the forest workers.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fire.

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Mr Yumakli said firefighters were currently battling seven wildfires in Turkey, including the one in Eskisehir, adding that extreme heat and volatile wind conditions also were expected in Turkey on Thursday.

Starting tomorrow, we are facing extraordinary temperatures and extreme wind shifts. Once again, I call on all 86 million citizens to be vigilant and exercise extra caution, he said.

In a message of condolence to the families, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the victims had fought to protect our forests at cost of their lives.

Two prosecutors were assigned to investigate the incident, the countrys justice minister said.

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Turkey has been battling wildfires since June 26.

An elderly man and two forestry workers were killed in a wildfire that raged near the town of Odemis, in Izmir province, earlier this month.
Donald Trump has previously singled out Australias restrictions on US beef. Credit: Bloomberg What share of Australian beef goes to the US? The US is the biggest buyer of Australian beef, although in recent years China has claimed the No.1 spot. Traditionally, Japan is often the No.1 importer of Australian beef. Australia exports 70 per cent of the beef it produces, to more than 100 countries around the world. The beef industry in Australia is worth $75 billion. How much beef do we get from the US each year? Australia imports no beef from the US. The change announced today will allow beef back in. But dont hold your breath waiting for a surge of US imports. I dont believe there will be any major volumes flowing from the US to Australia, said Rabobank senior analyst Angus Gidley-Baird. US exports volumes this year in total are declining at the moment, because they have lower beef supplies available and higher beef prices, making them less competitive.

In time, Gidley-Baird said: There is opportunity for more select food service operators who might want to put it on the menu as a one-item... special. An example would be a US-style steakhouse that wants to feature American beef. Does this mean our stores and restaurants will start selling US beef? Given the pricing, Gidley-Baird thinks it would be unlikely. US beef costs the same if not more than high-quality Australian beef. McDonalds Australia uses 100 per cent Australian beef which it plans to continue to do. Costco, Hungry Jacks, Grilld, Bettys Burgers, Boss Burger were contacted for comment. Littleproud warns that US beef prices will fall one day, creating a path for US imports. Is Australian beef better than US beef? Australian beef tends to be less grain-fed than American beef. About 95 per cent of the US cattle continue to be finished, or fattened, on grain for the last 160 to 180 days of life involving feedlots, or an animal feeding operation a US researcher has said.

Loading In Australia, the share of cattle in feedlots is closer to 35-40 per cent, with the steer spending more time in pastures, which does lend itself to a leaner product and slightly different flavour, said Gidley-Baird. Does the Coalition support the changes? Coalition partners the Nationals are seeking a scientific review of the decision behind the change. Cattle Australia, which represents grass-fed beef producers, also supports a review. Theres a lot of community concern around this, CEO of Cattle Australia Will Evans said. There is a lot of consumer concern and a lot of industry concern around this.
The text is largely unchanged from Porters book, which has a present-tense immediacy and inherent theatricality. Phillips and his team have enriched these qualities with striking black-and-white animations, courtesy of video designer Craig Wilkinson and illustrator Jon Weber, and via the wonder of music. Cellist Freya Schack-Arnott performs live her own score, which variously enunciates grief, the febrile workings of Crows tiny mind, the little joys of the Boys or echoes of their dead mother. If you miss this, you might peck yourself to death. THEATRE

THE BOOK OF MORMON

Capitol Theatre, July 24

Until December 31

Reviewed by JOYCE MORGAN

 Assume the missionary position  its the Mormons second coming.

Holey-moley, the return of this all-singing, all-dancing musical about naive young Mormon missionaries attempting to save souls in Africa is puerile and potty-mouthed, offensive, witty and satirical. And yet its surprisingly joyful. It is easy to make fun of this conservative all-American religion, replete with golden plates and sacred underwear. But the tone of the musical is more affectionate than sneering. Created by South Parks Trey Parker and Matt Stone and Avenue Qs Robert Lopez, this is a slightly tweaked version of the production that debuted in the US in 2011 and in Australia in 2017. The ensemble of fresh-faced missionaries sing, dance and doorknock their way around the stage. Credit: Daniel Boud The musical, which faced criticism that its depiction of Africans was racist, was revised after calls from black cast members following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. The changes were designed to give more agency to the Ugandan characters.

From its cracking opening number, Hello!, the show sets a high musical and choreographic bar as the ensemble of fresh-faced missionaries  all crisp white shirts and matching teeth  sing, dance and doorknock their way around the stage. Among them are narcissistic Elder Price, who dreams of a mission to Orlando, and gormless sidekick Elder Cunningham, who simply wants to fit in. The pair is swiftly dispatched to Uganda. There, amid an AIDS epidemic, gun-toting warlords and genital mutilation, they quickly realise theyre not in Salt Lake City any more, Toto. This is essentially a fish-out-of-water tale, but one replete with a blond Jesus, a General Butt F---ing Naked and an overworked gag about maggots in the scrotum. The production is musically strong, and the choreography by Casey Nicholaw (who also co-directs with Parker) is tight and extremely funny.

Highlights include Man Up; Spooky Mormon Hell Dream, Joseph Smith American Moses  as the Ugandans perform their version of the Mormon story  and the stirring I Am Africa. This revival is finely cast, including in the two leads. Nick Cox as Elder Cunningham has a Rowan Atkinson-like awkwardness and superb comic timing as he converts the villagers with his wildly idiosyncratic version of his faith. Sean Johnston as cocksure Elder Price gets the smugness knocked out of him. Paris Leveque made a strong professional debut as villager Nabulungi, whose character is stronger after the rewrite. Leveque demonstrated a mix of vocal sweetness and strength, as well as the fury to dispatch the warlord. Tom Struik was hilarious as the closeted Elder McKinley, especially in the song of sexual repression Turn It Off. Augie Tchantcho brought blustery menace to the gun-toting warlord who terrorises the village.

The Book of Mormon is the third big-budget musical to return to Sydney in as many months. It is certainly the funniest, even if, inevitably, it doesnt have the shock value of first time around. It pays homage to the Broadway musical, with nods to such works as The Sound of Music and The King and I among others. It does so with hand on heart and tongue in cheek. Mozarts Clarinet

Musica Viva

City Recital Hall, July 28.

Reviewed by PETER McCALLUM

 Clarinettist Nicola Boud, cellist Simon Cobcroft and forte-pianist Erin Helyard played Mozart and early Beethoven with transparency, style and musicality, using period instruments and unmannered ornamentation to reimagine the music as the composers themselves might have heard it.

And despite his later deafness, Beethoven did actually hear and play the latest work by him on the program, the Sonata for Fortepiano and Horn, Opus 17 (1800) transcribed for basset horn (a baritone clarinet) by his associate Joseph Friedlowsky. The golden mellowness of the basset horn was used to telling effect by both Mozart and Beethoven (and later by Richard Strauss). Forte-pianist Erin Helyard. Credit: Robert Catto A notable feature of Boud and Helyards performance was clarity of balance. Bouds tone glowed warmly, the low notes of the fortepiano were crisp and the upper register sang with translucent lightness. Neither instrument overwhelmed the other, as can happen when this work is played on a modern piano and French horn. After a bright hunting call opening and brilliant passage work, the second theme suddenly turns to darker introspection (Beethoven marked it calando  dying away). Boud drew the tempo and tone back hauntingly and Helyard tapered it further almost to nothing. By 1800 Beethoven had started to notice hearing problems but hadnt told anyone. Was he imagining a world without sound? Whatever the case in that work it certainly wasnt evident in the imaginative treatment he gave to a theme by Mozart in the programs next work, 12 Variations on Ein Madchen oder Weibchen from The Magic Flute (1796), which Cobcroft and Helyard played with discreet liveliness.

To end the first half, Mozarts Trio in E flat major, K. 498, (the so-called Kegelstatt or bowling alley trio apparently alluding to Mozarts fondness for mixing composing and bowling) brought the three players together, and they handed around the ornamented main theme of the first movement to create an intimately conversational performance of genial musicality. Intimate good humour was also a feature of the Aria con Variazioni from Beethovens Three Duos WoO 27, played here on cello (rather than bassoon) and clarinet. An amused murmur of recognition spread around the hall as Helyard, after explaining the distinctive features of the eighteenth century fortepiano (in this case a modern copy by Paul McNulty of a Viennese fortepiano by Anton Walter), began Mozarts Piano Sonata in C, K. 545. Mozart wrote this for a student and it is still often heard in the lounge rooms of precocious pianophiles. Helyard phrased the lines with deft sophistication, adding ornamental improvisation to repeated sections with unpretentious elegance. The themes of Beethovens Piano Trio in B flat, Opus 11 were more assertively energised than in the Mozart trio earlier, in keeping with the composers different personalities, but the performance retained the same pellucid texture and intimacy, allowing one to hear every detail as Beethoven would have done  for a while.

THEATRE

1984

Riverside Theatre, July 25

Reviewed by JOHN SHAND

 This is the one thats worth watching  while Big Brother watches you. A 2017 version at Roslyn Packer Theatre and the 2014 iteration of this Shake & Stir Theatre Co production both did scant justice to George Orwells masterpiece. Now Shake & Stirs director Michael Futcher has hit upon a cast that brings Nelle Lee and Nick Skubijs adaptation to chilling life. Scarily, 1984 becomes more relevant with each passing year. Whod have thought fake news would now so closely mirror the Orwellian concept of doublethink? Meanwhile, we continue to watch rogue nations embodying Orwells idea that power is not a means; its an end. Michael Whalley gives us a Winston with the cunning and bravery to flout the rules. Credit: Josh Macintoshs set, a bleak, grey amalgam of industrial landscape and subterranean ruin, admirably serves as Winston Smiths flat, workplace and torture chamber. The room above Charringtons antique shop  Winston and Julias love nest  ingeniously opens upon the stage from a side wall, and Orwells all-seeing, all-pervasive telescreens are rendered in a giant screen showing videos devised by Craig Wilkinson.

But Orwell was not writing science fiction, and the most imaginative visuals in the world will not bring the book to life. That requires a brilliant script to render 350 pages down to 100 minutes without losing any essences (which Lee and Skubij have done), and compelling actors playing Winston, Julia and OBrien (the Inner Party kingpin). Michael Whalley is supremely convincing as Winston. He not only encapsulates the intelligence (that makes OBrien take interest), nerdiness and loneliness, but makes real the poetic longing for a fabled world that preceded Big Brothers rule. Whalley gives us a Winston with the cunning and bravery to flout the rules, and one capable of returning Julias passion. Chloe Bayliss excels as Julia. She makes it credible that Julia can play-act perfectly in the daily Two Minutes Hate, hurling invective at the telescreen, and yet delight in sex for sexs sake, and fall madly and unquestioningly in love. Although a role with less scope than Whalleys, Bayliss pours herself into it to the brim. I always imagined Charles Dance would have made an admirable OBrien, with his authoritative voice and ability to meld elegance and iciness, and here Tony Cogin hits upon exactly those qualities. Cruelty is so much more chilling when the perpetrator is vocally restrained and highly civilised, and Cogin is the suave and brutal incarnation of Big Brothers right-hand man. The cast is completed by Abhilash Kaimal (whos good as Syme, less so as Charrington) and Steven Rooke, who superbly depicts poor Parsons, the numbskull busybody whos denounced for thoughtcrime by his little daughter.

One weak link is the mimed workplace typing scene, which could be tightened, but the torture scenes are so strong theyre hard to take, and the gentleman beside me seemed to wonder what hed done wrong to have to sit through it all. Nothing. Its the innocents who are most endangered by creeping totalitarianism. MUSIC

The Hives

Enmore Theatre, July 23

Reviewed by JAMES JENNINGS



There are bands that play their songs live, and there are bands that put on a show. Swedens the Hives belong firmly in the second category. They are a group that lean hard into the theatricality and absurdity  but most importantly, the fun  of playing loud songs in a rocknroll band. From the country-and-western-style matching black-and-white suits to their stage names  vocalist Howlin Pelle Almqvist, lead guitarist Nicholaus Arson, rhythm guitarist Vigilante Carlstroem, bassist The Johan and Only and drummer Chris Dangerous  its clear the Hives dont take themselves terribly seriously (see also: two stagehands dressed as ninjas, one who plays the tambourine throughout).

The Hives dont just play  they put on a show. Credit: Richard Clifford What they do take seriously is whipping the crowd into a frenzied pack of devout rocknroll worshippers, all achieved via a killer live show and a livewire frontman. Addressing the audience like a feverish preacher from middle America is Almqvist, who wastes no time in showing off his mastery of the genres tropes  spinning microphones, high kicks and shouting the kind of hyperbolic boasts that would make the Gallagher brothers blush (Doesnt it feel good to be in the presence of the Hives?). Clearly, the Hives dont take themselves terribly seriously. Credit: Rick Clifford None of it would work without the songs to back up the bold presentation, but the Hives have more than enough belters from across their near-three-decade career to warrant the chest beating. Main Offender and Hate to Say I Told You So, the singles that put the Hives on the map in the early Noughties, sound just as electric 25 years on, the latter a highlight when a young fan is invited on stage to play bass, and nails it.

A return to the stage for an encore is introduced with more self-referential humour (Surprise! Who knew? Us! says a wild-eyed Almqvist), with the final song, Tick Tick Boom, the perfect encapsulation of what makes the Hives great: endlessly listenable primal rock tunes designed for the simple purpose of getting hips to shake (Its not rocket surgery, Almqvist observes). Do you wanna hear some rocknroll? Almqvist asks earlier in the show. We are well equipped, and were f---ing good at it. Its no idle boast, and saying it has felt good to be in the presence of the Hives is an understatement. As the band walk off to Carly Simons Nobody Does It Better, its hard to disagree. THEATRE

Emerald City

Ensemble Theatre, July 23

Until August 23

Reviewed by CASSIE TONGUE



At the opening of the Ensemble Theatres new production of David Williamsons classic play Emerald City, vibrant Ken Done illustrations of a sparkling Sydney Harbour appear in a filmstrip frame on the back wall of Dan Potras set. Its art as time machine: were heading back to 1987. We meet Colin (Tom OSullivan), a screenwriter who moves from Melbourne to Sydney at the urging of his producer (Danielle Carter) to step up his career. His wife, Kate (Rachel Gordon), is reluctant to make the move; shes convinced Sydney is all style and no substance. Aisha Aidara as Helen. Credit: Phil Erbacher But Sydney will win you over. Charmed by the water, the jacarandas and the flame trees, and flattered by climbers at cocktail parties, Colin finds himself compromising his values of making meaningful Australian stories to play at constructing commercial successes for the American market with no local accents in sight. Mike McCord (Matt Minto) is the harlot who seduces Colin over to this dark side, a network-building soap opera script editor with a hunger for fame. What will happen to Colins integrity? Will Kate also resist the siren call of status and success in her publishing world? Will their marriage weather their warring minds and careers? And will Colin, in his hunger for more, ignore his attraction to Mikes partner, Helen (Aisha Aidara)?

Williamsons play has plenty to say about Sydney thats still relevant today, making plenty of on-point jokes about the citys glittery image-consciousness, private-school social networks and obsession with climbing the property ladder. Tom OSullivan as screenwriter Colin. Credit: Phil Erbacher But its a social satire thats also deeply concerned with how little  culturally and institutionally  we value Australian stories. This is still a going concern: more than 30 years from this plays inception, Screen Australias latest drama report shows already conservative spending on local film and TV has fallen by almost 30 per cent. Sharing our stories helps us build a better sense of who we are and who we can be, and this play is horrified  on paper and on stage  that we still cede so much screen time to Hollywood. Director Mark Kilmurry has taken that message to heart, and has Colin deliver the plays most sincere lines about Australian storytelling direct to the audience. These pleas come at a sacrifice: the productions heart is in the right place, Potras costumes enjoyably period, but the plays humour wilts in the presence of such blunted and didactic scene-building.
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Imported American steak is a topic many of Australias fine-dining restaurants would rather avoid. The operators of more than 10 hatted restaurants, including Rockpool Bar and Grill and Grill Americano, declined or failed to respond to Good Foods requests for comment on their appetite for US steak. The questions followed the Albanese governments decision to lift remaining biosecurity restrictions on Thursday. Ageing meat hanging at 20 Chapel in Marrickville, Sydney. Christopher Pearce Australia has restricted the import of American beef since an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease, in 2003. While the total ban on US beef was lifted in 2019, restrictions on cattle raised in Mexico and Canada, then processed in the US, remained until now. But dont expect to see a US T-bone on a restaurant menu anytime soon, says Peter Gunn, chef at two-hatted Ides in inner Melbourne.

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I think everyone is just too invested in what we have at home, he says. The moment we start purchasing from elsewhere, it takes away from [local farmers]  Its always 100 per cent Australian, for us. Ides chef Peter Gunn has no plans to use American beef at his Melbourne restaurant. Jason South Corey Costelloe, former Rockpool Bar and Grill executive chef and co-owner of hatted restaurant 20 Chapel in Sydneys Marrickville, says an open market could have a positive impact on Australian producers. I think its a great thing, Costelloe says. If Australians want to eat American beef, they will  but I think it will just show how much better Australian beef is. While some US farmers, such as Good Ranchers in Texas and Meriwether Farms in Wyoming, adhere to strict quality standards, Costelloe says 20 Chapel has no plans to introduce American beef to the menu.

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A lot of the beef over there  [is] very one-dimensional in flavour. Its fatty and its juicy, and then after youve had that fatty and juicy part, it completely fades. Its like getting a cask wine versus a beautiful bottle that someone put time and care into. Theres just no comparison. Alfies in Sydney specialises in Riverina sirloin. Pat Stephenson Melbourne butcher Gary McBean echoes that opinion. I dont think it compares at all with really high-quality, grass-fed cattle thats just full of flavour. The grain-fed beef [Ive eaten in the US] was OK, but it didnt have the flavour of the grass-fed. He has no plans to introduce US beef into his cabinets at Prahran Market. I think good quality butchers should support local farmers, 100 per cent. Why support American farmers?

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Commentary from industry body Cattle Australia suggested that US beef would not be able to compete on price with Australian-raised meat, and so it would be only premium or sought-after products that reached our shores. Gary McBean at his butcher shop in Melbournes Prahran Market. Simon Schluter Costelloe says it would be difficult for US products to compete with the local market: Weve got so many different styles here  you can get grass-fed, hemp-fed, corn-fed  and with the Australian dollar being the way it is, I just dont see how [US beef] would be competitive with an Australian product once you put in shipping costs. McBean agrees. Even if [the meat] does come in cheap, I dont think that will impact Australian prices at all, because were already exporting a lot ourselves. James Bradey, director of the hospitality group behind Sydney steakhouses Bistecca and Alfies, says theyll be sticking to Australian beef for its consistency in terms of quality and availability.

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Were quite proud of having Australian beef, but more importantly, its that consistent supply chain, he says. So yes, [US beef] is coming in now, but that might change in the future. Chef Corey Costelloe in the kitchen at 20 Chapel, Marrickville. Wolter Peeters And besides, Costelloe says, theres a reason why, when you go to some of these popular restaurants in Japan, theyre serving imported Australian beef. Its the best in the world. The feeling is mutual  Australian restaurants also revere steak produced in Japan, Costelloe says. Japanese A5 wagyu is one of the only imported beef products served in Australian fine-dining restaurants. Bradey says theres a public perception of Japanese beef production as methodical and meticulous, but you dont really have that association with America; its more fried chicken, fast-food chains and pizza.

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Asked whether he would use a premium US product akin to Japanese wagyu, chef Haitham Richani of Melbourne CBD grill II.II.VI. said: Logistically it wouldnt make sense to get something from the other side of the world when we can get A5 Japanese wagyu directly. At II.II.VI steakhouse in Melbourne, chef Haitham Richani will continue using Australian beef. Tim Sonmez He acknowledges US beef may create more competition but believes locally produced beef will still have the edge in terms of quality. Despite Australians displaying a growing fascination with US imports of fast-food brands, from Five Guys to Wingstop to Cinnabon, there appears to be a hurdle higher up the food chain, where premium restaurants remain fiercely loyal to Australian-grown products. Ultimately, its the customer who will have the final say, says Costelloe: Diners will choose what they prefer, and I dont think it would be a very good selling point if you advertise American beef on your menu. Good luck to anyone who wants to try.
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Exclusive Eating outComing soon Pilu chef Giovanni Pilu to open spin-off Italian restaurant at iconic Toaster building The husband and wife behind the award-winning Freshwater venue said it would take something big to entice them to the Sydney CBD. Scott Bolles July 25, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles 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

It took more than two decades to tempt the duo behind northern beaches dining jewel Pilu at Freshwater across the Harbour Bridge. Now Giovanni Pilu and Marilyn Annecchini will open a spin-off restaurant at Circular Quay, with the projects inspiration going even further back in history. Flaminia, which opens in late November, takes its name from the ship that started the Australian migrant story for the husband-and-wife team who steers the chefs-hatted Pilu restaurant. It docked at Circular Quay, Annecchini said of her mothers arrival from Italy aboard the Flaminia in 1959. If shed peered out the east-facing portholes, her first view of Sydney mightve been the site where her daughter is now opening a restaurant, perched on the edge of Sydney Cove. Marilyn Annecchini and Giovanni Pilu will open Flaminia at the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour. Wade Whitington Since Pilu launched in 2004, the owners of the award-winning restaurant have fielded several offers to expand to the Sydney CBD. They said itd take something big, and the view from Q Dining at the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour matched that criteria, so theyve struck a deal with the hotel to take over the restaurant space on level 2.

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The location belongs to the Macquarie Street complex Sydneysiders dubbed The Toaster when it was built nearly 30 years ago. Despite the strip being bookended by fine-diner Aria and chefs-hatted Japanese newcomer Oborozuki, the site is largely home to lesser-known eateries and burger joints. With Flaminia, Pilu and Annecchini hope to add some shine to the development. Flaminias owners are aware that Sydney has no shortage of Italian restaurants. If we were making such a big move, it needed to be a big idea, Annecchini said. Flaminia will anchor its seafood-heavy menu in the food traditions of Italian port cities. [Flaminia] represents our journey, leaving one coast behind and arriving on another, and everything thats come from it, said Pilu, whose own migratory trip from Italy was more recent. I came in 1992. Back then, you could still smoke on Qantas, Pilu said. The exterior of Pilu at Freshwater. Nikki To

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Where the menu at the Freshwater restaurant is more closely wed to Pilus native Sardinian cuisine, the Italian port theme gives Pilu flexibility to wander around Italy for culinary inspiration. That might mean vongole from Venice, Amalfi-style spaghetti allo scoglio (mixed seafood) or fish soup from the Mediterranean port of Livorno. Pilu will also include a veal dish stuffed and rolled with pine nuts and parmesan from Genoa, and youll be able to eat octopus at Flaminias 15-seat crudo bar. You get octopus anywhere in Italy, really, Pilu said. While the couple points out that ports are places of movement, exchange and new beginnings, the chef said this extends to unique food cultures. Hell find room on the menu for at least one Sardinian specialty, from the Port of Olbia. For as long as I can remember, people would line up at a bar at the ferry for the panino with octopus and potato with olive oil, garlic and parsley. Given its location, and with hotel guests in the building, Flaminia will also open for breakfast. Expect Italian eggs with parmigiano reggiano to hit the menu alongside regular breakfast staples. Well do cocktails from cruise ships, Annecchini said of the bar program. And Flaminias wine list will sweep Italian wines, alongside Australian wines using Italian varietals.

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The snack selection at Pilu at Freshwater. Building work on the waterfront venue begins in the next fortnight, but the finished design wont include any maritime motifs when the space is unveiled later this year. Annecchini said theyll steer clear of cliched coastal design, leaning on a colour palette of terracotta tones and green, instead. The new restaurant will expand into a little-used neighbouring room, creating space for a 100-seat restaurant with its own bar and private dining room. Flaminia is also nicely positioned at the edge of the booming Circular Quay hospitality precinct, where a new generation of operators has made a mark with restaurants including Allta and Lana and Clam Bar. Another high-profile hotel, Capella Sydney on Bridge Street, also recently welcomed the team from chefs-hatted Bentley restaurant at Brasserie 1930. And theres more ahead, with the coming Waldorf Sydney to include a number of hospitality outlets. Not fine dining, elevated casual, Annecchini said of Flaminias pitch and price point. While the Sydney CBD restaurant market is competitive, the duo is confident the widespread appeal and approachability of Italian food can prosper. Even the way the economy is at the moment, [Italian] is approachable. You can have it at all levels, Annecchini said.

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The pair might be expanding to the Sydney CBD, but Pilus loyal northside clientele can relax  the Pilu mothership isnt going anywhere. Were never leaving the northern beaches, Annecchini said. Related Article Good Food hat Good Food hat 16.5 / 20 Review Pilu at Freshwater
New allegations of cross-border underworld criminal links to the CFMEU will be probed under an expansion of the Queensland inquiry into the union.

In an announcement that came in response to revelations published by this masthead on Thursday morning, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie confirmed the terms of reference would be broadened to hear from alleged criminals, union officials, developers and others.

We will act on the media reports and the revelations today of the underworld infiltrating the CFMEU in Queensland, he said from Parliament House.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie. Credit: Joe Ruckli

Our commission of inquiry was more of an industrial relations commission of inquiry  but weve been asked to take further action. I can announce today that we will.
Four people were taken to hospital after a school bus travelling to a special developmental school rolled on a country road in Minyip in Victorias north-west.

Emergency crews worked for more than an hour to free the bus driver after the crash involving a B-double carrying hay bales on Thursday morning in the hamlet in the Wimmera region.

A bus driver was trapped for more than an hour after a school bus rolled in country Victoria. Credit: Nine

Three children and another adult were passengers on the bus at the time.

The bus driver was flown to a Melbourne hospital with serious injuries, while two children and the truck driver were taken to Horsham hospital.
Rattling trucks and blaring horns choked Melbournes busiest freeway as bumper-to-bumper traffic crept slowly towards the city.

But underneath, in a wide stretch of the Yarra River, two humpback whales took the scenic route, moseying under the West Gate Bridge for the first time in living memory.

Vision of the duo, spotted on Ports Victorias security cameras on Tuesday, showed the whales fins cutting through the water as they surfaced  just enough to make eagle-eyed drivers do a double take.

As traffic rolled overhead, the whales made their way underneath the West Gate, swimming past navigation markers and boats berthed at a marina.
Mitchell Forth, one of the men who was convicted of being involved in the killing of Swan View schoolboy Cassius Turvey, will appeal his sentence.

Forth, 27, was acquitted of murder by a Supreme Court of WA jury in May, but found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter and sentenced to 12 years in prison over the 15-year-olds death in 2022.

He received a nine-year sentence for the manslaughter and a total of three years for other assaults and stealings that occurred in the days before.

Mitchell Forth captured on CCTV on the day of Cassius death. Credit: 9News Perth

Cassius was killed after being chased across a vacant reserve in the east Perth suburb of Middle Swan by local thugs Brodie Palmer and Jack Brearley.

It was Brearley, Chief Justice Peter Quinlan found, who delivered the fatal blows to Cassius head with the metal handle of a shopping trolley.

Cassius died in hospital from those injuries 10 days later.

The trio, as well as Brearleys then-girlfriend Aleesha Gilmore, were charged with his murder but pleaded not guilty, and the matter was taken to a 12-week trial earlier this year.

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Gilmore was eventually acquitted of any involvement in Cassius death but found guilty of other offences in the days before.

Brearley and Palmer were sentenced to life in prison.

In documents lodged with the WA Court of Appeal this week, Forths legal team have stated they will appeal against his conviction and his sentence.

The verdict of guilty on which the conviction is based should be set aside because having regard to the evidence it is unreasonable or cannot be supported, it read.

A second document stated that his sentence of nine years solely for the manslaughter charge was manifestly excessive given his personal circumstances and the circumstances of his offending.

Throughout the trial, Forth maintained that he was not part of the group that chased Cassius and other indigenous teens across the reserve, but prosecutors said he could still be convicted of murder or manslaughter because he was with them at the time.
Labor is hiding information from the public more often than the Morrison government despite campaigning on a platform of integrity, frustrating a critical accountability mechanism intended to maintain faith in bureaucrats and keep politicians honest.

Analysis by the Centre for Public Integrity shows Canberras culture of secrecy has sunk to its worst point in more than a decade, with the proportion of freedom of information requests released in full plunging from almost half in 2021-22 to just 25 per cent under Labor in 2023-24.

There was a big drop in FOI documents being released in full under Anthony Albanese. Credit: Dominic Lorrimer

The government is increasingly releasing documents to the public filled with black ink covering up key sections of text and Labor is more often ignoring Senate votes requesting details on policies and ministers decision-making.

Independent senator David Pocock said the data under Anthony Albaneses watch was shameful compared to the prime ministers predecessor, Scott Morrison.
A social media account for Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner was apparently hacked and bizarrely renamed after a highly decorated American fighter pilot.

This week, the official X (formerly Twitter) accounts name was changed to John R. Alison, with the handle @thanksdaddyfor2.

Alison is often cited as the father of Air Force Special Operations in the US.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner in his days in the air force, and decorated US fighter pilot John R. Alison.

The bio section has been switched to Keeping not moving, in what seemed to be a cheeky jab at Schrinners often-used slogan, Keeping Brisbane moving.
The news

Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek unsuccessfully pressed State Library leaders on two occasions before issuing a direction that led to the last-minute cancellation of a First Nations authors award ceremony in May.

The previously unknown detail of a meeting between Langbroek, the library chief executive and board chair one week prior comes as the library launches a promised review into its award processes.

Arts Minister John Paul-Langbroek said in May that he believed publicly funded arts programs and venues needed to be held to the highest standards, promoting artistic excellence and social cohesion. Credit: Jamila Filippone

The reviews terms of reference say it will aim to strike a balance between the priorities and expectations of the Minister and the role of the library as a publicly funded entity.
The saga became a potent symbol of the development threats which Melbournes heritage faces, the developers swiftly dubbed the Corkman Cowboys. A fortnight after pulling down the pub, shocked by the level of community anger directed at them, the developers apologised publicly and promised to rebuild at their expense. That promise, though, soon evaporated and for years they fought orders to reconstruct it, failing to comply with multiple enforcement orders. They were described in court judgments as showing little to no genuine remorse and having to be dragged every step of the way to compliance. The pair were eventually fined more than $1.3 million and jailed for contempt in 2021, spending 28 days behind bars after failing to construct a temporary park on the cleared site.

A final VCAT enforcement order in 2022 seemed to be the endgame, compelling them to rebuild the pub as nearly as practicable to the condition they were in immediately before their unlawful demolition. But three years later  and already three months past the most recent completion deadline of May 1 for the external building  the developers are yet again seeking an extension at a tribunal hearing to be held next week. In an affidavit, the developers claim recent delays were to ensure the historical integrity and accuracy, after finding discrepancies in drawings. The developers need approval for the timeline extension from Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny, Melbourne City Council and Staindl and Wallace.

In a background statement provided to The Age, the City of Melbourne confirmed it will not oppose the developers request to push their completion deadline to August 2025, citing the substantial progress made at the site, before adding that the final decision rests with VCAT. Loading Staindl and Wallace, though, have filed their opposition with VCAT  their core complaint being the material of the new build itself. They argue the tribunal order allowing for new materials in the rebuild was to permit new bricks and bluestone, not a cheaper, entirely different mode of construction that erases the buildings authentic character. Theyve been ordered to rebuild the heritage parts of the old Corkman pub. What theyve done is build it out of pre-cast concrete instead of bricks and bluestone, says Staindl. Its not even close to an authentic rebuild. Its a Temu Corkman.

Replica plans for a replacement pub drawn up in 2017 for the planning minister. Credit: Williams Boag architects Shaqiri and Kutlesovski told The Age after nine years of debate over what they had done in 2016, they just want to move on, and that criticism from Wallace and Staindl was premature. These guys are not builders. Whats there now is not the finished product, Shaqiri said. He promised the pair were taking great care to rebuild what they had destroyed as best they could. We found tiles from northern England that match exactly what was on the facade. The rubble of the Corkman Irish Pub the day after it was illegally demolished in 2016. Credit: Eddie Jim

Kutlesovski said the rebuild was almost over and he hoped the building would return to its original use as a pub once they had completed the build and put it out for lease. For the sake of a few extra months, we want to do it right, he said. We can only do the best we can. The public will appreciate once its done. The original demolished walls were rendered bluestone and brickwork. When complete, the replica pub will have a 35-millimetre render applied over the concrete panels. Loading While Staindl and Wallace say they are fighting for the soul of the building, some planning insiders believe the bigger war has already been won.

They say forcing the developers to build anything resembling a pub  thus blocking their original goal of a lucrative apartment tower  is a pragmatic victory, and that rendering on concrete was the standard of modern construction. Its no longer the 1850s  we dont build that way any more, one said. But Lachlan Molesworth, the chair of the National Trusts of Australia, said that reproducing the Corkman faithfully was not just about aesthetics. Its about accountability and deterrence and also about permanence and durability. A proper reconstruction acts as a strong deterrent to unlawful heritage destruction and these sorts of criminal actions. He said when heritage buildings were illegally demolished, the response needed to be authentic reinstatement. Not superficial replicas. Genuine materials endure for centuries. Lord Mayor Nick Reece and Kilkenny both declined to answer questions about whether the new concrete structure met the standard of the order to rebuild.

Kilkennys spokeswoman acknowledged the original 2016 demolition was disgraceful and pointed to the tougher penalties introduced in its wake. As this matter is currently before VCAT, it would be inappropriate to comment further, she said. Opposition planning spokesman Richard Riordan said the pubs fate spoke volumes about Kilkenny and the governments failure on heritage. Loading The government wants us to believe they are capable of finding planning solutions to reimagine Melbourne while maintaining the citys heritage. And yet on this one little site in Carlton, they cant even manage to get an illegally demolished heritage pub rebuilt.

Wallace and Staindl cant understand why the government wont force the developers to comply with the order. Enforce the order. Otherwise, what does it say about the heritage laws? That they can just be flouted, says Wallace. The government and council need to take a really firm stance on this, not just roll over, because what is happening here is not acceptable. Its not a genuine and authentic rebuild, Staindl insists. The pair began this fight as University of Melbourne law students. In the time it has taken for the shell of the Corkman to rise, there have been two Trump presidencies, and they have forged their own careers  Staindl as a barrister, Wallace as a university lecturer. Asked if they will ever leave the fight behind them, Staindl says: I hope so. Wallace doesnt hesitate. Whatever it takes.
Melbournes time in the property price doldrums could be over, ending a dream run for first home buyers in the Victorian capital. But it wasnt only the politics of Abundance, the economics book thats sitting on the nightstands of federal cabinet members, that got us there.

The new book by US-based journalists Derek Thompson and Ezra Klein calls for deregulation to ease supply-side restrictions on housing and other vital industries to make houses (as well as healthcare and clean energy) more affordable, accessible and abundant. It doesnt deviate from conventional economic wisdom in this regard, and its been widely read in Canberra. Its ideas are likely to be part of the discussion at next months productivity summit.

Australias political system already has a neoliberal consensus; there is bipartisan support to grow the economy by making it easier for corporations to do business and for capital to flow. This same logic is already applied to the housing market, visible in our recent preference for supply-side solutions.

One key area where Thompson and Klein hit the nail on the head, however, is the negative effect that restrictive zoning has on housing supply. Victoria has been building more new homes per person than NSW for years, but, like much of Australia, it still faces challenges from local councils to promote infill development and improve housing access in inner Melbourne.
London: The British government will sign a 50-year treaty with Australia to cement the AUKUS defence pact in a massive strategic and financial deal, backing the plan when it is under extraordinary pressure from US President Donald Trump and his advisers.

The treaty will include a $41 billion pledge to scale up industry in both countries to build new submarine fleets with a common design, amid fears that Trump will undercut AUKUS and leave Australia and the UK exposed.

Defence Minister Richard Marles, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and UK Defence Secretary John Healey at Admiralty House in Kirribilli, Sydney on Friday. Credit: Steven Siewert

But the deal will require a soaring investment from Australia to ramp up construction in the UK on the new design for nuclear-propelled submarines, after it made another $800 million payment to the US to support its shipbuilding.

The new treaty is a significant move from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his British counterpart Sir Keir Starmer because it counters the open questions in the Trump administration about whether AUKUS will work.
Elouise Dooley: "I think attracting the right people is really, really hard. And then once you've got the right people, it's how do you retain them? How do you foster them? How do you make them feel loved? How do you make them feel like their career is progressing as well? We have a look at, particularly for the two ladies that work in our office, they've got very different skill sets: one of them is really numbers-focused. Another is really good at managing our overseas team. And then we've got another lady that's come back from maternity leave, and she just works three days a week. But she is amazing at customer service. So we were able to mold their roles a little bit into what they were really good at. We were able to sort of adapt their roles based on their skills. And that worked really, really well for us.
Under the change, customers with HELP (Higher Education Loan Program) debt of $20,000 or less will no longer have that debt included in NABs borrowing assessment. This could allow eligible buyers to access larger loans and purchase homes sooner or in more competitive markets.
"Priming your AI means you teach your AI about yourself, your business and how you would like the outcomes to be," he said. "But instead of going and giving information to ChatGPT, the way I will find [what I'm looking for] is, I will ask ChatGPT, what is it like to know about myself? [I ask it] could you please help to create a comprehensive questionnaire of what you need to know about myself and my company? We are asking chat GPT to create a document. So the keyword is the document."
By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

There was a 35 per cent increase in the number of homes completed in the second quarter of this year compared to last year, according to new figures.

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) said there were 9,214 new dwellings completed in April, May and June this year, meaning a total of 15,152 homes have been built to date.

Housing Minister James Browne has welcomed the significant boost to Irelands housing supply after coming under pressure for rental, tenancy and other housing reforms.

The figures indicate that apartment completions in this timeframe were double what they were in the same period last year, and scheme dwellings were up 17 per cent.

The number of single dwellings completed was up 13 per cent in the same three months last year.

More than four in 10 completions during the quarter were in Dublin, with 17 per cent in the Mid-East region (counties Louth, Meath, Kildare, and Wicklow).

The region with the largest relative increase in completions was Dublin at 85 per cent, up to 3,822 in the second quarter of this year compared to 2,062 last year.

More than eight in ten (83 per cent) apartment completions in this period were in Dublin (2,528), and in Dublin City, 97 per cent of completions were apartments.

After a 2 per cent increase on quarter one and 35 per cent increase on quarter two of last year, Mr Browne said he was determined to accelerate the pace of housing delivery.

Supply is central to dealing with all the key challenges in housing, so the figures published today are a welcome development and will be of huge benefit to the families and individuals who will live in these homes, he said.

Nonetheless, this Government remains committed to achieving its ambitious housing targets and I am determined to accelerate the pace of delivery to ensure even more substantial progress in the period ahead.

There is no single solution to our housing challenges, a multi-faceted approach is required.

This is why this government has implemented planning reforms to extend permissions for developments approaching the end of their timeframe, introduced targeted measures to increase rental supply and attract investment in the residential sector, and rolled out new supports to assist both prospective homebuyers and renters.
By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

Companies have the right to strike a balance on remote working based on their business, Minister for Education Helen McEntee has said.

It comes as several companies and State departments shift away from the remote working arrangements introduced in the aftermath of the pandemic.

The option to work from home came into force during the Covid-19 pandemic due to restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus.

A right to request remote working came into effect from March 2024, inspired by those arrangements.

Mandated hybrid arrangements by employers have raised concerns, where people are able to work from home some days but must come into the office a minimum number of days a week.

Earlier this year, the Department of Social Protection made efforts to increase the minimum number of days staff worked from the office from one to two.

The Department of Finance had also requested an increase in the number of office days, in a move that was resisted by unions.

This week, reports emerged that AIB is to reduce the option of working from home five days a week to just two for non-customer facing staff.

Asked about the shift in the option to remote work and the effect it would have on families, Ms McEntee said companies have that autonomy.

Ill be honest, I think its important that we provide that flexibility and that structure at a government level, but that we also have that autonomy within companies as well, she said in Dublin.

For some people, its simply not possible to work from home [with] the type of job or the career theyre in.

For others, there is that flexibility, and I know certainly some companies like to have that balance, that people are in work, theyre in the office, theyre getting to know their colleagues.

Theres a way in which you can work that you cant when youre at home, or youre perhaps not meeting people face to face.

So I think its about providing that structure to allow that kind of flexibility.

But ultimately, companies do have to make decisions based on whats right for them, whats right for the way in which theyre working, while at the same time trying to support and recognise and acknowledge that people have families, that they have school, that they have commitments, that they have to try and work with them to make sure that everybody benefits from it.

But you know, it is about that flexibility and the same time acknowledging, for some people it works better than others, and for some companies that will work better than for others.
Olivia Kelleher

A 31-year-old mother of two suffered haemorrhage and shock after she sustained a stab wound to the thorax, an inquest has heard.

Cork Coroners Court briefly opened the inquest into the death of Paula Canty, who was a native of Kinsale in the county.

Ms Canty was found dead on January 3rd, 2025, at her home in Bridewell Lane, Mallow, Co Cork. She died just three days before her 32nd birthday.

Joseph Butler (42) of the Belfry in Mallow was subsequently charged with her murder contrary to common law.

Dr Margaret Bolster, who carried out a postmortem on the deceased in the morgue in Cork city on January 4th, gave evidence at Mallow courthouse that the death resulted from a stabbing incident.

Dr Bolster indicated that the death occurred arising from a stabbing incident. Inspector Paul Aherne told Coroner for County Cork, Frank OConnell, that Ms Canty was pronounced dead by a doctor at a property in Mallow at 1.45pm on January.

He indicated that a man has been sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court, having been charged in connection with the death of Ms Canty.

Inspector Aherne applied for an adjournment of the inquest following the serving of the book of evidence on the accused. Mr OConnell said that following the commencement of legal proceedings, he planned to adjourn the inquest for an indefinite period.

I am adjourning the inquest sine die. There will be no decision now. We will revisit the situation (when proceedings end).

Meanwhile, Paula Canty is survived by her mother Sinead, her daughters Alyisha and Aoibhe and her five siblings Darragh, Donna, Latoya, David and Rianna.

Mourners at her funeral in St John the Baptist Church in Kinsale, Co Cork on January 11th last heard that Paula was creative with a kind heart and had a soft, pleasant nature.

In her death notice, mourners were asked to donate to Street Angels, a homeless outreach group in Cork, and to the drug and alcohol treatment centre Coolmine, instead of flowers. Her mother, Sinead, also raised thousands of euro for Street Angels following an online appeal.
Gerard Couzens

A former soldier has been jailed for just 15 years for the brutal murder of his Irish girlfriend at a Spanish holiday hotel.

Keith Byrne has been told the two years he has already spent in prison on remand and as a convicted felon following his conviction in May will qualify as time served.

The sentencing decision, revealed overnight in a 121-page written ruling by the judge who presided over Byrnes trial at a court in the east coast Spanish city of Tarragona, means he could be back out on the streets in around a decade.

Public prosecutors had demanded a 20-year jail sentence for the 34-year-old Irishman after a jury convicted him of strangling Kirsty to death with a hair straightener power cord at their four-star hotel in the popular Costa Daurada resort of Salou on July 2nd, 2023 after she told him she was leaving him.

A private prosecutor for Kirstys family said after the guilty verdict she was still seeking the 30-year sentence she argued for before and during the trial.

Sentencing judge Susana Calvo Gonzalez ruled the fact Bryne and his 36-year-old partner had been in a stable eight-month relationship made the horror crime more serious.

But she said the convicted killers consumption of alcohol and drugs before he murdered Kirsty diminished his cognitive faculties and was a prevailing mitigating factor.

A private prosecutor for Kirstys family said after the guilty verdict she was still seeking the 30-year sentence she argued for before and during the trial.

The judge said in her lengthy ruling, rejecting arguments private prosecutor Estela Cortes put forward to justify a 30-year prison term: I understand that there is a prevailing basis for imposing the lower penalty and, therefore, imposing a sentence of between seven years and six months and 15 years.

Within that range, the recognition of the aggravating circumstance and the motivation for the actlead to the imposition of the maximum penalty, which is 15 years in prison.

Jurors found Keith Bryne guilty of murdering his South Dublin girlfriend on May 7th after three days of deliberations.

The Irishman had claimed during his Tarragona trial the mum-of-one committed suicide at the four-star Magnolia Hotel.

He described himself as a respectful and intelligent father-of-three who would never commit an act of domestic violence - and demonised Kirsty as someone who could be four people in one day especially after binging on alcohol and cocaine he claimed made their romance toxic.

Kirstys mum Jackie Ward described Byrne as someone she didnt like and didnt trust on day one of the trial on April 23rd and said she had found out after her daughters death she had planned to leave him during their make or break holiday.

Evidence

She was asked as she gave evidence whether she thought her daughter, whose son Evan was 14 when she died, could have committed suicide but replied angrily: She did everything for her son. She would never ever leave him. She would never do that to him.

Public prosecutor Javier Goimil, a domestic violence specialist, rubbished Byrnes court claim Kirsty took her own life during his closing speech to the jury on the final day of the murder trial.

He claimed the former soldier, who had been living in Duleek, Co Meath, decided, Youre mine or youre nobodys, and strangled his girlfriend to death because she wanted out of their stormy relationship.

He said the forensic evidence pointed to Kirsty being strangled from behind between 8pm and 10pm on July 2nd, 2023 after incapacitating herself with alcohol and cocaine

He told the court: Byrne has adapted his version of events of what happened in that timeframe nearly two years on in accordance with the evidence hes learnt there is against him.

Hes saying Kirsty tied a cable round her neck and attached it to the door knob but in the state she was in it would have been impossible for her to do that and theres nothing showing there was a knot in the cable.

Whats occurred here is a violent and painful death, a strangulation from behind where someone is pulling from the front to the back. This was not a suicide."

He added: She didnt leave a note for her son or her siblings or her mum and whats more she had bought a plane ticket back to Dublin for July 4th.

Kirstys relationship with Byrne was very toxic, very intense and very emotional.

She decided to end it during the week they stayed at the hotel in Salou and her partner couldnt accept that decision.

His mindset at that moment was: Youre mine or youre nobodys. You, woman, are no-one to say youre going to detach yourself from me the man and have your own independent life'.

That was why he killed her the way he did.

He also said the amount of alcohol Kirsty had drunk before being killed would have impacted significantly on her ability to defend herself.

Kirstys mum Jackie Ward described Byrne as someone she didnt like and didnt trust on day one of the trial on April 23rd.

Byrnes defence lawyer Jordi Cabre had been seeking his clients acquittal before the jury verdict and afterwards asked the judge to hand down the "minimum sentence" under Spanish law.

The killer was led handcuffed from the court after learning he was a convicted criminal following nearly two years on remand in prison following his arrest, with the judge deferring sentencing as is normal in Spain.

It emerged following Byrnes Spanish arrest that he was wanted in England by Royal Military Police for going AWOL after he left for Ireland in 2017.

Reports in Ireland last March said Spanish prosecutors intended to interview at least two of his former partners about assisting the case by giving background information about him.

One of these women previously claimed in an interview with the Irish Independent that Byrne had tried to strangle her in an incident at a property in Co Meath a number of years ago.

Jackie Ward described her daughter after her death as a fantastic friend to her parents and an absolutely adored daughter".

'Adored daughter'

She told the congregation at the Church of John the Evangelist in Ballinteer, Dublin in July 2023 that she had been an amazing mum to Evan, saying: The two of them were an amazingly strong and tight team and I hope to continue the great work she has done.

To me she was a fantastic friend and an absolutely adored daughter to myself and John. She was a caring sister, a cherished granddaughter and much loved niece and cousin. A loyal and true friend.

Kirstys family said in a statement after the May 7th jury verdict: Our family wish to thank our private prosecutor Estela Cortes and her team for guiding, supporting and representing Kirsty, her son and our family at this very difficult and painful time; Javier Goimil the public prosecutor for his commitment and passion; the Spanish investigation teams and police for their expertise, empathy and understanding; and the jury for seeing and believing in what was the truth about our beautiful Kirsty.

Our family now requests our privacy be respected, while we grieve and come to terms with all that has happened during the past two years.

Restraining order

The slain Irishwomans loved ones have yet to react to the sentencing decision. Well-placed legal sources said after Byrne's trial finished they expected him to be jailed for around 20 years.

Along with a 15-year prison sentence, Byrne was also handed a restraining order preventing him contacting Kirstys teenage son, mum or siblings or going within 1,000 metres of them for a period of 25 years.

He was also ordered to pay her son 150,000 in compensation, her mum 80,000 and each of her siblings 20,000.

The sentencing ruling can be appealed. It is not yet clear whether Kirstys family have already lodged an appeal with Catalonias High Court of Justice or intend doing so.
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UK-based Breedon Group plc reported a seven per cent increase in revenue in the 1H25 to GBP815.9m (US$1106.8m) from GBP764.6m in the 1H24, thanks to the acquisition of Lionmark. Like-for-like (LfL) revenue declined by three per cent with the volume and mix down four per cent due to challenging British markets, major project delays in Ireland and adverse US weather conditions. Stable pricing was backed by strong order backlogs and enquiries in key markets.

EBITDA saw a one per cent YoY uptick to GBP110m in the January-June period from GBP109.1m, but EBITDA margin slipped 80 basis points to 13.5 per cent from 14.3 per cent. LFL EBITDA declined three per cent YoY to GBP115m from GBP118.1m. LfL underlying EBITDA margin declined by 30 basis points to 14.1 per cent from 15.4 per cent.

Profit before tax declined 25 per cent YoY to GBP34.9m in the 1H25 from GBP46.5m in the 1H24.

The company increased its debt by 37 per cent YoY to GBP648.1m from GBP472.3m in the 1H24.

Market review

In Great Britain Breedon reported a revenue of GPB480.7m, down two per cent and four per cent LfL, when compared with the 1H24, when revenue stood at GBP492.4m.

Underlying EBITDA fell eight per cent (LfL nine per cent) to GBP56.4m from GBP61.6m. The underlying EBITDA margin contract by 80 basis points (70 basis points LfL) to 11.7 per cent from 12.5 per cent.

"In the first half, GB end-markets remained very challenging and, although enquiry levels were elevated throughout the period, a lack of business confidence and weak economic sentiment presented a headwind to activity," explained the company. While the first quarter saw modest growth, GB volumes declined and pricing remained soft in the first half of the year.

In Ireland revenue dropped seven per cent YoY to GBP103m from GBP111.2m in the 1H24. Underlying EBITDA remained stable at GBP17.5m while the underlying EBITDA margin improved 130 basis points to 17 per cent from 15.7 per cent in the 1H24.

"Our Ireland business delivered a robust performance in the first half. While volumes were slightly lower for both aggregates and asphalt, and we saw lower levels of activity in our streetlighting services business, our ready-mixed concrete volumes improved," said Breedon.

In the USA revenue was up 140 per cent (eight per cent LfL) to GBP127.2m in the 1H25 from GBP53m in the 1H24. Underlying EBITDA advanced 27 per cent (two per cent LfL) to GBP13m from GBP10.2m, but the underlying EBITDA margin fell by 900 basis points (100 basis points LfL) to 10.2 per cent from 19.2 per cent.

Missouri was reported to have had one of the coldest winters and wettest spring construction seasons on record. Therefore, while backlogs remained healthy, particularly in relation to infrastructure projects, site activity was disrupted.

"During the period like-for-like aggregates volumes grew three per cent, benefitting from crushing and conveyor investments made in 2024 to support new business wins on the I70 project. Like-for-like ready-mixed concrete volumes were broadly flat. Pricing in the US market remains positive leading to a constant currency like-for-like revenue increase of eight per cent H1 on H1," according to the company.

Cement performance

In the 1H25 Breedon sold 1Mt of cement, three per cent less than in the equivalent period of the previous year, ready-mix concrete sales edged up by one per cent to 1.5Mm3 while aggregate volumes increased by three per cent to 13.9Mt. Asphalt sales increased by seven per cent to 1.9Mt. However, LfL cement and ready-mix concrete volumes were down three per cent and aggregates and asphalt volumes slipped two per cent YoY.

Cement sales revenue declined four per cent YoY to GBP150.2m in the 1H25 from GBP156.9m, leading to an underlying EBITDA that contracted five per cent to GBP36.5m from GBP38.4m. The underlying EBITDA margin was down by 20 basis points to 24.3 per cent from 24.5 per cent.

"Our cement business delivered a resilient performance in the first half. In Ireland the market was steady, underpinned by the robust economic backdrop in RoI and an active housebuilding market. Trading in GB reflected the challenges observed in the ready-mixed concrete market where volumes are at levels last seen in 1963," said the company.
Roy McDonald once said, Son, my job is to report the news and not make it. For over a half century Mr. Roy, as he was known, published the Chattanooga News Free Press. Mr. Roy died June 19, 1990, at his Lookout Mountain home. He was 88.

The grocery store owner turned newspaper publisher also served for 20 years as Erlanger Hospital board chairman. During that time he started Blue Cross Blue Shield of Tennessee, serving as its chairman for 45 years.

When Mr. Roy left the paper to go home on a hot summer Monday afternoon, he told News Editor David Cooper he didnt feel well. Mr. Roy died the next morning, shortly before he was to leave for work.

The Central High School graduate rarely made speeches or gave interviews, but his good friend and circulation manager Curtis Adams convinced him to go to Tennessee Temple University to meet with Dr. Lee Roberson.

Mr. Roy was surprised when he learned Highland Park Baptist Church and Tennessee Temple University were preparing to honor him.

Mr. Roy hurriedly made some notes for an extemporaneous talk that lasted about 12 minutes. Click here to listen to Mr. Roys rare comments, delivered at TTU on Oct. 24, 1984.
The Chattanooga Police Department has arrested a 15-year-old male in connection with a shooting that occurred on Tuesday, in the 1100 block of Arlington Avenue.



At approximately 6:59 p.m., CPD officers responded to a person shot call at an apartment in the 1100 block of Arlington Avenue. Upon arrival, they located the 14-year-old male victim. He was taken to a hospital by Hamilton County EMS with non-life-threatening injuries.

CPDs Homicide Unit responded to lead the investigation with support from the Crime Scene Unit and a CPD K-9 team. The suspect was quickly identified, located, and interviewed by a Homicide Unit detective. He is now in custody and charged with felony reckless endangerment and unlawful possession of a weapon.

Investigators are working to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the incident and are collecting all items of evidentiary value  including, but not limited to, physical evidence, interviews, and potential video footage.

This information is preliminary and is subject to change as the investigation continues. Chattanooga Police ask anyone with information regarding this incident to call 423-698-2525.
School zone speed limits will soon be going back into effect in Dalton. School zone speed cameras in the Dalton High School and Roan Street Elementary School zones will begin to operate again during student drop-off and pick-up hours. School zone speed limits and speed camera enforcement will both go back into effect on Wednesday, Aug. 6, the first day of school.The speed cameras will be operational only during the morning and afternoon pick-up/drop-off periods on days when schools are in session and the school zone speed limits are in effect with the speed limit signs flashing.In the Dalton High School zone, they will operate from 6:31-7:30 a.m.and from 2:16-3:15 p.m.In the Roan Street School zone, they will operate from 7:31-8:30 a.m. and from 3:26-4:25 p.m.The school zone speed limit in both zones is 30 miles per hour. Citations will be issued to motorists driving at 10+ miles per hour over the limit.Officials said, "The speed cameras began operating on March 24, with a 30-day grace period in which speeders were only sent warnings instead of monetary citations. The system then issued citations during the 19 school days from April 29 until the last day of school on May 23. There were 8,481 warnings issued during the 30-day grace period. There were 4,847 citations issued. Those numbers show a decrease in the number of speeding vehicles in the two school zones when compared to a speed study conducted in August 2023. That study detected 7,779 speeding violations in the two school zones during just one five-day period, suggesting that the presence of the speed cameras has had an impact."Statistics provided by AAA show that a child struck by a vehicle traveling 40 MPH only has a one in 10 chance of survival. However, if the vehicle is traveling at 20 MPH, research suggests that same child has a nine in 10 chance of survival. That's why it's vital to cut down on speeding in school zones. Speeding is also a primary contributing factor in motor vehicle crashes resulting in personal injury and deaths. The goal of this school zone speed camera program is to increase safety for students, teachers and parents, as well as the driving public traveling in the Dalton High School and Roan Street Elementary School zones."School zones are clearly marked with posted speed limit signs, as well as signs advising motorists that speed limits are enforced with cameras. Zones will also have flashing lights and additional road signs to capture a vehicles speed and give advance warning to the driver of the upcoming school zone."Motorists that exceed the posted school zone speed limit at 10+ MPH will receive a citation in the mail. These citations are civil in nature, carry a $100 fee for the first offense ($75 fine plus a $25 processing charge), but do not come with points against a driver's license or insurance penalties. The second and subsequent violations carry a $150 fee ($125 fine plus a $25 processing), but similarly do not incur points on a driver's license or insurance penalties. Each violation detected by the camera system is reviewed by an officer from the Dalton Police Department's Traffic Enforcement Unit before a citation is issued."For more information on the school zone speed cameras, visit daltonga.gov/schoolzone.
CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga and Hospital Hixson have received the American Heart Associations Get With The Guidelines - Stroke Gold Plus and Silver Plus, respectively, quality achievement awards for their "commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability."Officials said, "Stroke is the No. 5 cause of death and a leading cause of disability in the U.S.A stroke occurs when a blood vessel that carries oxygen and nutrients to the brain is either blocked by a clot or bursts. When that happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die. Early stroke detection and treatment are key to improving survival, minimizing disability and accelerating recovery times.""We are dedicated to continuously improving the care we provide to our patients. Get With The Guidelines is a vital tool that helps us translate the latest research and treatment protocols into daily practice, said Thomas Devlin, MD, PhD, CHI Memorial Neuroscience Institute medical director. This commitment to evidence-based care allows us to implement proven strategies that lead to better patient outcomes and a healthier community.Officials said, "Get With The Guidelines puts the expertise of the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association to work for hospitals nationwide, helping ensure patient care is aligned with the latest research- and evidence-based guidelines. Get With The Guidelines - Stroke is an in-hospital program for improving stroke care by promoting consistent adherence to these guidelines, which can minimize the long-term effects of a stroke and even prevent death."Each year, program participants qualify for the award by demonstrating how their organization has committed to providing quality care for stroke patients. In addition to following treatment guidelines, Get With The Guidelines participants also educate patients to help them manage their health and recovery at home."We are incredibly pleased to recognize CHI Memorial for its commitment to caring for patients with stroke, said Steven Messe, M.D., volunteer chair of the American Heart Association Stroke System of Care Advisory Group. Participation in Get With The Guidelines is associated with improved patient outcomes, fewer readmissions and lower mortality rates  a win for health care systems, families and communities.CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga also received the American Heart Associations Target: StrokeSM Honor Roll Elite Plus Advanced Therapy award by meeting specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patients arrival at the hospital and treatment to remove the clot causing the stroke.CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson received the American Heart Associations Target: StrokeSM Elite award. To qualify for this recognition, hospitals must meet specific criteria that reduce the time between an eligible patients arrival at the hospital and treatment with thrombolytic therapy.In addition, CHI Memorial Hospitals Chattanooga and Hixson also received the American Heart Associations Target: Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll award. Target: Type 2 Diabetes aims to ensure patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date, evidence-based care when hospitalized due to stroke, officials said.CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga is a certified DNV Comprehensive Stroke Center, and CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson is a certified DNV Acute Stroke Ready Center.
A prosecutor said a case in which five children were found in a U-Haul trailer was not human trafficking as was first suspected. Andrew Coyle said it turned out to be a Navy veteran who had fallen on hard times and made a poor decision with his multiple kids.

Brandon Blount, 39, pleaded guilty on Thursday to two counts of reckless endangerment. He received consecutive two-year sentences, but both are suspended on his good behavior and probation supervision.

The charges can go off his record if he gets in no further trouble at the end of the probation.

Multiple child neglect and child endangerment charges were dismissed.

Blount, appearing before Criminal Court Judge Boyd Patterson, said, "I apologize for all the trouble I've caused everyone."

A host of law enforcement officers went to the scene when the U-Haul was stopped at the East Brainerd exit of I-75 on March 25. Prosecutor Coyle said even the TBI and the FBI got involved.

Five of Blount's children - ages 4, 5, 6, 10 and 12 - were unrestrained in the back of the U-Haul with no ventilation or way to communicate with their father. The temperature was found to be 88 degrees inside the trailer. There were dirty blankets and pillows strewn around. Two girls were in the cab with Blount.

The children were taken to the hospital, checked out, and released.

The children are Blount's and his ex-wife, Angela.

It was found that Blount had driven from Las Vegas, Nev., to East Ridge, but the children had been in the U-Haul only from the previous day.

The children were placed in foster care, where they remain with some separated from others.

Blount, who at one time was stationed at the Naval Reserve on Amnicola Highway, is not to have contact with them until after he completes a parenting class.

Blount has been in jail since his arrest.

The case was expedited by being handled as an information - bypassing the Grand Jury process.
Home News Father shot twice in the face during Kentucky church shooting devastated wife did not survive

A father of five who was sedated in the hospital after he was shot in the face twice by a gunman at Richmond Road Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky, recently learned his wife did not survive the attack as he regained consciousness at a local hospital.

The father, Randy Combs, was among four people shot by the late 47-year-old Guy House, who went on a shooting rampage at the church after he shot and injured Kentucky State Police trooper Jude Remilien at the Blue Grass Airport on July 13.

Randy Combs and the church's pastor, Jerry Gumm, both survived their gunshot wounds. Combs' wife, 32-year-old Christina Combs, and her mother, 72-year-old Beverly Gumm, who is also the pastor's wife, were killed.

Family members had delayed revealing the death of their wives to Combs and Gumm as they received emergency medical care. In a GoFundMe campaign that seeks to raise $10,000 to assist the Combs family, organizer Robert Morton said Combs was "devastated" to learn of his wife's passing.

"As soon as he regained consciousness and was able to communicate, his first message was to ask about his wife Christina and the safety of their children. His heart is broken, but he lights up when his kids are in the room. That connection is helping him fight hard to recover and be with them again as soon as possible," Morton wrote.

"He was shot twice in the face, with entry and exit wounds behind his left ear, through his left cheek, and under his chin. He is devastated by the loss of his beloved wife, Christina Combs, and mother in law. He is currently still using a breathing tube. Thankfully, recent tests show no damage to his vocal cords so he will slowly regain his speech as he heals," Morton noted.

The grieving father, whose wife and mother-in-law were buried last weekend, has been communicating with his family using a whiteboard and marker.

"He has a long road ahead, but we are praying for continued healing and strength each day. We're incredibly grateful that he's still here with us," Morton said.

"In the wake of an unimaginable tragedy, a devoted husband and father is now left to raise five children alone after his beloved wife and mother-in-law were senselessly taken from him. What was once a vibrant, loving home has been forever changed," Morton added in his appeal for help. The campaign has raised just over $4,000 as of Thursday morning.

"We are asking for your support  whether through donations, prayers, or simply sharing  to help this grieving family navigate the overwhelming emotional and financial challenges ahead. Every bit of love helps during this heartbreaking time," he urged.

Christina Combs was mourned by those whose lives she touched, including the Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Kentucky, where she was a nursing student at the time of her death.

The college's president, Greg Feeney, praised her as a "remarkable individual."

"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," Feeney said in a statement. "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."
Home News Israels Knesset calls to annex Judea and Samaria in symbolic, non-binding motion

The Knesset, Israels parliament, passed a resolution on Wednesday calling for Judea and Samaria (internationally known as the West Bank) to be annexed and made an inseparable part of the State of Israel.

The non-binding motion, which will not have any immediate effect on policy, passed 71-3 in a rare show of bipartisanship in the deeply divided legislature.

It was supported by the ultra-Orthodox parties, which left the government over the IDF draft law dispute, as well as the opposition party Yisrael Beitenu.

The largest opposition forces, Yesh Atid and Blue and White, were absent but did not actively vote against.

The Knesset determines that the State of Israel has the natural, historical, and legal right to all areas of the Land of Israel, the historical homeland of the Jewish people, the motion read.

The parliament called on the government to act promptly to apply sovereignty  Israeli law, jurisdiction, and administration  to all areas of Jewish settlement in its various forms in Judea, Samaria, and the Jordan Valley.

This action will strengthen the State of Israel and its security and will prevent any challenge to the Jewish people's basic right to peace and security in its homeland.

The text also referenced a recent motion opposing a Palestinian state on the same territory, noting that the Oct. 7 massacre proved that the establishment of a Palestinian state is an existential threat to Israel, its citizens, and the entire region.

The territories of Judea and Samaria, which include most of the biblical heartland, were captured by Israel from Jordan in the Six-Day War of 1967.

Most countries claim Israel has been illegally occupying the territory since that time in a violation of international law. Wednesdays vote will not have any practical implications for the status of the territory, which has been governed jointly by Israel and the Palestinian Authority under the Oslo Accords of 1993.

Today, several million Palestinians and around 500,000 Jews live in the area, which includes parts of east Jerusalem that Israel officially annexed in 1980.

After the vote, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana (Likud) declared, This is our land. This is our home. The Land of Israel belongs to the people of Israel.

In 1967, the occupation did not begin; it ended, and our homeland was returned to its rightful owners. We are the original first natives of this piece of land. Jews cannot be the occupier of a land that for 3,000 years has been called Judea, he added.

Yuli Edelstein, the embattled chairman of the Defense Committee who was moved from his post later that evening, noted that as the military remained on the battlefield and hostages were still in Gaza, there is no more appropriate, clear, and just Zionist response than  applying sovereignty over parts of our historical homeland.

Likud lawmaker Dan Illouz praised the Knessets historic step, adding, Judea and Samaria are not bargaining chips  they are the heart of our land. Sovereignty is the image of victory. We cannot defeat Hamas in Gaza or deter Iran while leaving Beit El and Kedumim in question.

The motion was opposed by the left-wing Democrats Party, as well as the three Arab parties.

Annexation of Judea and Samaria is a clear danger to the future of the state of Israel and the Zionist enterprise, Democrats MK Gilad Kariv wrote on X.

He further called the discussion about the resolution a smokescreen for abandoning the hostages and promoting the draft-dodging law.

The newly elected deputy president of the Palestinian Authority, Hussein al-Sheikh, slammed the vote as a dangerous escalation that undermines the prospects for peace, stability and the two-state solution.

These unilateral Israeli actions blatantly violate international law and the ongoing international consensus regarding the status of the Palestinian territories, including the West Bank, he wrote in a post on X.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates also strongly rejected the motion.

The ministry stated that these colonial measures reinforce a system of apartheid and reflect a blatant disregard for many United Nations resolutions.

This article was originally published by All Israel News.
Home News Mother of Idaho murder victim forgives daughter's killer in court, expresses hope he finds Jesus

The mother of one of Bryan Kohberger's murder victims forgave her daughters killer in court Wednesday, expressing hope that he would find Jesus Christ and said she'd be praying for him.

Kohberger, who admitted to killing four University of Idaho students at their home in November 2022, learned his fate at his sentencing hearing. He was sentenced to four consecutive sentences of life in prison without the possibility of parole and ordered to pay a combined $200,000 in fines and $5,000 in civil penalties to the families of each victim. He was also sentenced to an additional 10 years in prison and ordered to pay a $50,000 fine in connection with a count of burglary associated with the crime.

As Kohberger appeared at the Ada County Courthouse, he came face-to-face with the families of the students he murdered. Cara Northington, the mother of murder victim Xana Kernodle, expressed confidence that Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, now has her in His loving arms in Heaven, where she can never be harmed ever again for eternity.

Northington attributed her embrace of Christianity to her daughter. Because of her, I came to know my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, she explained. Because of her, many will come to Christ. That has filled me with joy, hope and peace that surpasses all understanding.

Northington told Kohberger that Jesus has allowed me to forgive you for murdering my daughter without you even being sorry or asking for this. This is only possible because He who lives in me is greater than any evil in this world.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind, she added. I do not fear you or even let you rent space in my head anymore. This forgiveness has released me from any and all evil you have inflicted on me and my family. It has allowed me to let our Lord deal with you.

Noting how Kohberger had accepted a deal that would spare him from receiving the death penalty, Northington maintained that Nothing man can do to you can ever compare to the wrath of God. She warned Kohberger that inevitably, you will stand before our Lord and will have to answer to Him over the sins you have committed in murdering our children.

I pray you come to the end of yourself before that day, she said. Whether you like it or not, Heaven is for real and so is Hell.

She added, I am washing my hands of you and turning you over to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whom vengeance belongs to.

Northington then read aloud Ephesians 6: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye might be able to withstand the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, the scripture passage continues. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day.

Northington concluded by telling Kohberger, I do pray for you, I pray that you come to the end of yourself, I pray that before this life is over, that you ask our Lord and Savior in your heart  to forgive you.

Kernodles sister Jasmine offered similar remarks in court, detailing how I believe in a God whose justice is not bound by this courtroom. Kernodle asserted that I find peace knowing that judgment ultimately belongs to Him.

For your sake, I hope one day you feel the full weight of what you did. I hope you take accountability. I hope you  truly experience the guilt and you surrender yourself to Jesus Christ because no punishment on this Earth can ever compare to the isolation and pain of eternal separation from God.

Randy Davis, Kernodles stepfather and Northingtons husband, also brought up his Christian faith as he spoke in court Wednesday. After telling Kohberger I want to just be out in the woods with you just so I can teach you about loss and pain, Davis proclaimed, I love God and insisted that I wouldnt take your life because thats up to Him.

Youre going to go to Hell, Davis predicted. Theres no place for you in Heaven. You took our children. You are going to suffer, man.

Kohbergers sentencing and the emotional testimony of Kernodles surviving relatives come more than two-and-a-half years after his December 2022 arrest for the murder of the college student, as well as her University of Idaho roommates Kaylee Goncalves, Maddie Mogen and Ethan Chapin.

The arrest of Kohberger, a Ph.D. student in criminal justice at the nearby Washington State University, took place more than a month-and-a-half after the brutal murders of the four college students as they were sleeping in the home they shared.
Home News Planned Parenthood challenges Nevada abortion law giving parents a 'voice'

Planned Parenthood dropped its federal challenge to a 40-year-old Nevada law requiring abortionists to notify parents before performing abortions on minors as an appellate court allowed the law to go into effect this week. However, the organization has filed another bid to halt the law in state court.

Citing a "shifting" legal landscape, Planned Parenthood filed to dismiss the federal lawsuit, as KVVU-TV reported on Wednesday.

The law at the center of the legal fight, Senate Bill 510, was passed by the Nevada state legislature in 1985. However, a federal court declared the law "unconstitutional" and prevented it from taking effect.

Following the U.S. Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade in 2022, two Nevada district attorneys and state officials initiated a legal battle against the abortion industry, arguing that the parental notification law is now enforceable.

Melissa Clement, executive director of Nevada Right to Life, is celebrating the news that Planned Parenthood dismissed its federal case.

"We refused to give up," Clement declared, according to a statement published by KVVU-TV. "We carried this fight alone for decades, and now parents will have a voice in decisions affecting their children's lives."

After its unsuccessful bid in federal court, California-based Planned Parenthood Mar Monte, which has facilities in Nevada, and a physician using the pseudonym "Dr. Doe," filed a complaint in Clark County District Court on Monday.

The lawsuit argued that the law can't be revived if it was already declared "unconstitutional." In addition, the suit asserts that requiring a parent or guardian to be notified before a minor can undergo an abortion may endanger the child's "emotional and physical well-being, including, for example, by creating threats to their housing security."

Kristi Hamrick, vice president of media and communications at Students for Life of America and Students for Life Action, called it "astounding" that anyone would take seriously what she described as "Planned Parenthood's lawsuit against commonsense."

The pro-life leader argues that parental notification laws like the one in Nevada help protect young girls from abusers who may be trying to conceal a crime and abortion facilities that may take advantage of them for financial gain.

"The nation's number one abortion vendor opposes getting an adult involved who doesn't have a predatory or financial interest in an abortion, no surprise there, but how horrific for young, vulnerable girls," Hamrick told The Christian Post. "That should horrify parents in Nevada."

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte did not immediately respond to CP's request for comment.

Kelsey Pritchard, the political communications director at Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, declared that Planned Parenthood "continues to undermine parental rights across the country."

"In many states, the abortion giant pushes policies that allow underage girls, who aren't old enough to get their ears pierced alone, to undergo abortions without their parents ever knowing. Nevada is just the latest battleground," Pritchard told CP. "From Alaska to Michigan to Montana, Planned Parenthood asks courts to push out parents, so their profits aren't hindered by parental involvement."

In a July 2022 survey published by Rasmussen Reports assessing 1,000 likely U.S. voters, 47% of participants identified as pro-choice, 43% identified as pro-life, and 10% identified as unsure. But 64% of respondents said that they agreed that abortionists should be required to notify parents before performing abortions on girls under age 18 and only 25% opposed. The other 11% responded with "Not Sure."
Home Opinion The truth about Armenia and the campaign to erase Christianity

Later this month, I will travel to Armenia as part of a delegation of American Christian leaders. We are going to visit an ancient Christian civilization that is, right now, under assault.



It is a shame that so many Christians in the United States do not know that Armenia was the first country to declare Christianity as its official religion, and it has remained a Christian nation to this day. My hope is that by going, listening, praying, and bearing witness, I can do my part to compel greater attention to the tragedy that is unfolding there.

The year 301 CE, when King Tiridates III declared Christianity the official religion of Armenia under the guidance of Gregory the Illuminator, should be etched into the collective memory of Christian history. This Christian primacy is supported by primary sources, archaeological evidence, and ecclesiastical tradition and accepted by historians, theologians, the Vatican itself, and countless other academic and religious institutions.

Over the centuries, Armenia has preserved its Christian identity through conquest, forced conversion, genocide, and geopolitical betrayal. Despite being surrounded by autocratic regimes and militant ideologies that contest its very existence, it has remained faithful.

In 2023, the world watched as over 120,000 Christian Armenians were expelled from their ancestral homeland of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), a self-governing region within Azerbaijans borders. It was a brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing by Muslim-majority Azerbaijan, punctuated by the systematic erasure of Armenian Christian culture. Centuries-old churches were desecrated or destroyed. Cemeteries were bulldozed. Crosses were removed. Icons defaced. Armenian inscriptions erased. Wherever possible, the historical record was obliterated.

And now, as Armenia reels from the loss of its ancestral lands, it faces another geopolitical threat. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has renewed demands for a "Zangezur Corridor"  a land bridge through Armenias Syunik Province connecting Azerbaijan proper to its Nakhchivan exclave and, by extension, Turkey and the broader Turkic world. Standing in the way is Armenia's only land corridor to Iran, a vital strategic and economic partner.

Aliyev insists on "unimpeded" access through Armenian territory, without customs, oversight, or border controls. The fear is that the world will again look the other way, even though other countries have exclaves, yet there is no international precedent for what Aliyev demands.

And even as Armenia contends with these threats, another campaign is underway  in recent months, a fringe theory has resurfaced, promoted by voices aligned with the Azerbaijani regime, claiming that the ancient kingdom of Caucasian Albania  not Armenia  was the first Christian nation. This myth has made its way into academic forums, including a recent Vatican conference. The lack of a firm rebuttal from participants risks lending this nonsense a patina of legitimacy.

Let us be clear: there is no serious historical evidence to support the idea that Caucasian Albania adopted Christianity before Armenia. The Christianization of Albania occurred in the mid-to-late 4th century, largely facilitated by Armenian missionaries. Fifth-century historians such as Agathangelos and Koriun document not only Armenia's early conversion but also the role of Armenians in spreading the faith to neighboring lands. The Albanian Church, which no longer exists, eventually came under the jurisdiction of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Even its alphabet was created by the Armenian scholar Mesrop Mashtots decades after Armenia's own conversion.

This revisionist narrative is not about history but the crudest of politics. It is part of a broader effort to delegitimize Armenian identity and erase its ancient presence from the region  not just in Artsakh but across the South Caucasus.

We live in an age where false narratives, if repeated often enough and in prestigious settings, can displace truth. Silence in the face of such propaganda can be mistaken for acquiescence. That is why we must speak up. Because if we dont, we allow history to be rewritten by those with the loudest microphones and the most oil money.

When I travel to Armenia, I will walk through monasteries older than most nations, pray in the 9th-century monastery of Tatev, and stand at the pit where Saint Gregory the Illuminator was once imprisoned. Our delegation will meet displaced families, visit border villages, and speak with Armenias Foreign Ministry and Security Council. We will meet up with the brave witnesses whom my organization, Save the Persecuted Christians, helped to bring to America last September to testify to the brutal 9-month blockade and bombing campaign that forced the exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023. We go to listen. We go to offer solidarity. And we go to remind our Armenian brothers and sisters that they are not alone.

History is not just about the past  it shapes the present and determines the future. Armenias survival as a sovereign, democratic nation must not be sacrificed on the altar of appeasement. And its role in Christian history must not be erased by cynical campaigns of revisionism.

We urge Christians everywhere to learn about Armenia. Inform your churches. Pray. Write to your representatives. Urge the release of Armenian political prisoners. Demand the protection of Armenian heritage sites. Insist that Azerbaijan abandon its threats and demands.

The survival of the worlds first Christian nation should matter to every person of faith.
Home News Charlie Kirk lauds young men's renewed interest in attending church: 'It's beautiful'

Conservative activist Charlie Kirk says he's optimistic about young mens renewed interest in attending church and Christianity in general, which he attributes to a growing desire to be part of something that is beautiful.

During an interview with Tucker Carlson earlier this week, Kirk expressed gratitude for one really good trend he's witnessing across the United States: young men are going back to church.

Kirk described church as a life raft in this [...] tsunami of chaos and disorder. Kirk, an Evangelical Christian who also identifies as a Calvinist, explained why he thinks young men are choosing Catholic and Orthodox churches in particular: They want something that is lasting. They want something that is ancient, that is beautiful, something that has stood the test of time, something thats not going to change, something thats all of a sudden not going to ... just flip around and have some sort of  transgender story hour.

Reiterating his belief that men going back to church is a positive trend, Kirk urged men who are lost to stop watching porn, smoking marijuana and drinking endlessly. He offered advice to find yourself back to church because that will reorient your life and do what the church tells you to do.

Find a woman, marry her, provide ... have more kids than you can afford, he insisted. Kirk also encouraged young men not to play the victim despite the difficulties they face, which Kirk discussed extensively with Carlson during their nearly two-hour conversation. The mindset of a victim is parasitic to your soul, he added.

Earlier in the conversation, the topic of religion came up when Carlson discussed the role of the Protestant spirit in American history. Acknowledging that the people who founded the country were Protestants, Carlson stressed that Im as pro-Catholic as anyone could be.

This country was founded by Protestants because they think for themselves, Carlson insisted. He identified the Protestants who founded the United States as the heirs of Martin Luther who took on the ancient 1,500-year-old [Catholic] Church by himself and people who believe they communicate directly with God, that their conscience is more important than federal law.

Kirks remarks come as research from the Barna Group published earlier this year as part of its State of the Church 2025 Initiative showed that the percentage of millennial males, referring to those born between 1984 and 1998, who agreed with a statement declaring I have made a personal commitment to follow Jesus that is still important in my life today jumped from 52% in 2019 to 71% in 2025.

Similarly, the share of Generation Z men, referring to those born in 1999 or later, who acknowledged making a personal commitment to Jesus increased from 52% to 67% in the same period. Among the two youngest groups of American adults, men are more likely to embrace Christianity than their female counterparts.

In 2025, a higher share of men belonging to the two youngest generations of American adults have committed themselves to Jesus than their counterparts of both sexes in the two older generations of adults.
Home News Family of Muslim man who raped 14-year-old Christian girl pressure parents to drop charges

LAHORE, Pakistan  Relatives of a Pakistani Muslim man who raped a 14-year-old Christian girl are threatening her family to compel them to drop the charges.

Javed Masih of Chak No. R-97/6 village in Sahiwal District, Punjab Province, said that Sajid Ali, the married son of his employer Mukhtar Ali, went to his house on June 14 while Masih and his wife were working in the fields and raped their daughter while she was alone at home.

The accused raped her at gunpoint and before leaving threatened her that he would kill me if she told anyone about the incident, Masih told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. Fearing for my life, my innocent daughter kept silent about the barbarity that she had suffered at the hands of Sajid Ali.

Masih said that he and his wife learned of the assault two weeks later, after they became concerned that their daughter, whose name is withheld as a rape victim, was not acting like her usual self. A ninth-grade student who normally had a lively personality, she was avoiding her parents and siblings, he said.

When her mother finally convinced her to share what was troubling her, she started crying and told her how Sajid Ali had raped her and threatened her to keep her mouth shut, said Masih, a member of the local Brethren Church.

Though devastated, the impoverished family decided to keep silent about the assault for the sake of their childrens safety, he said.

To be honest, our minds went numb with shock and fear, and we thought it was best for our family if we just kept quiet, Masih said. Sajid Alis family is extremely influential in the area due to their political connections and wealth, while we did not stand any chance to get justice due to our poverty and Christian faith.

The familys silence, however, emboldened the assailant, and he again targeted her on July 12, Masih said.

We were working in the fields when someone told us that they had seen Sajid entering our house, he said. We quickly rushed home only to hear [name withheld] screaming in pain. I forced open the rooms door and saw Sajid attempting to rape my daughter. He threatened to kill us if we tried to stop him from escaping, but we got hold of him and immediately called the police.

Soon after police took Ali into custody and registered a case against him, his family began to pressure Masih to settle out of court, he said.

When the police conducted her medical examination and confirmed that she had been raped, Alis family offered me 1 million Pakistani rupees [$3,500 USD] to withdraw the case, he said. When I rejected their offer, they started threatening me with dire consequences if I did not accept their demand.

A team from legal group Christians True Spirit contacted him and offered unconditional support, he said.

Though the accused is now in prison on judicial remand, his family has stepped up their threats, and Im very concerned about my daughters security, Masih said.

Masih asked for prayer as they begin the struggle to get justice.

Ali has been booked under Section 376 (iii) of the Pakistan Penal Code relating to rape of a minor, punishable with either death or imprisonment for life, and Section 511, said Katherine Sapna of Christians True Spirit. Section 511 covers situations where someone intends to commit a crime and takes steps toward it but fails to complete the act due to circumstances beyond their control.

CTS has also requested police add Section 452 of the PPC, which pertains to house-trespass after preparation for causing hurt, assault or wrongful restraint, she said.

The accuseds family wields considerable influence in the area and may attempt to harm the girl or the family to prevent them from pursuing the case in court, Sapna said. We are cognizant of the threat and will take all measures necessary to protect them.

The CTS executive director said she regretted that incidents of sexual violence against Christian girls, particularly from poor families, had increased in Punjab Province in recent years.

This is mainly because the perpetrators think that they can get away with anything since their victims are too weak to oppose them, she said.

Many Christian families are forced to suffer in silence due to barriers to access to justice, she added.

Pakistan, whose population is more than 96% 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
Home News Christian school teacher arrested for alleged lesbian relationship with student: 'Heart-rending'

A former Christian school teacher in Alabama was arrested last week for allegedly engaging in a lesbian relationship with an underage student.

Sarah Huggins Logan, 35, who taught pre-K through 12th grade at North River Christian Academy in Tuscaloosa, was charged by the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office on July 18 with having sexual contact with a student, according to AL.com.

Capt. Jack Kennedy told the outlet that the alleged 17-year-old victim's family informed law enforcement last Wednesday upon learning Logan was engaged in a sexual relationship with their daughter.

Tuscaloosa County Violent Crimes Unit investigated and took Logan into custody after conducting interviews and recovering evidence, according to Kennedy.

The sheriff's captain, who encouraged any other victims to reach out, said the investigation continues and more charges are likely forthcoming.

A judge revoked Logan's bond after prosecutors filed a motion after she sent a friend request to the 17-year-old girl, according to court documents reported by WBRC that claim Logan was aware of the girl's age.

Logan is no longer employed at the school.

North River Christian Academy issued a statement on Facebook last Friday informing parents that they had notified the appropriate state and local authorities when they learned of the allegations.

Our first concern is for the health and welfare of our students, staff, and families. Please respect the privacy of all these parties. Contributing to rumors and suspicions profits no one and contributes only to the hardships experienced by those impacted, the school said.

It should be self-evident to say that this incident is heart rending for all involved. This includes especially the families directly impacted.

We have prayed for them and encouraged our entire school family to hold them up in their personal prayers. This situation is easy for no one; there are only degrees of difficulty.

We have received an outpouring of encouragement and support from many in the extended school family. We, the Charger Family, will weather this storm together.

An ACSI-accredited school, North River Christian Academy began as a ministry of Open Door Baptist Church in 1981 and was at first a daycare program for working mothers, according to its website.

The school, whose motto is Equipping students to glorify God in all they do, offers an excellent college-preparatory academic program in addition to Bible, computer, music, piano lessons, Beta Club, and Honor Society, and has since grown to serve approximately 300 students.
Home News Mexico National Guard evicts staff, seizes property of Assemblies of God seminary

A large-scale security operation was carried out in Mexico City last Friday at the premises of the Anna Sanders Theological Seminary, part of the National Council of the Assemblies of God. Authorities also intervened at the Jesus Christ Light to the Nations Christian Church, the Southern District offices of the Assemblies of God, and the offices of the Christian bookstore Recursos Cristianos Kerygma.

Dozens of agents from the National Guard, the Attorney Generals Office (FGR), and the Criminal Investigation Agency (AIC) arrived without warning, heavily armed, and forced the removal of staff, furniture and documents from the premises.

Bibles, textbooks, musical instruments, personal belongings, and materials from the iconic Anna Sanders Seminary  where pastors and Evangelical leaders have been trained for over 55 years  were left outside on desks and chairs, visible to passersby who watched in shock.

Closure seals were placed by the FGR on the property located at 53 Alarcon Street in the 10 de Mayo neighborhood of the Venustiano Carranza borough of Mexico City, as well as on the Pentecostal Christian Church Jesus Christ Light to the Nations affiliated with the Assemblies of God.

The Anna Sanders Seminary occupies over 10,000 square meters and is located near the San Lazaro Legislative Palace, which houses Mexicos Chamber of Deputies and Congress.

The police carried out the eviction because theres a ruined building on the premises. They claim it is a cultural heritage site. This isnt the first time theyve tried something like this, said a seminary staff member who requested anonymity.

The staff member noted that in 2024, authorities had already attempted a similar eviction, but were unsuccessful.

No arrests were made during the operation, but official seals were affixed to the secured properties to prevent re-entry.

We werent able to remove anything from the bookstore; everything was left inside. We dont know whats going to happen to all the materials  hundreds of books and items remain in there, said a staff member of the Kerygma Christian bookstore.

Photos circulated by Christians on social media showed that the security camera system was removed from the seminary during the raid.

Look at us  surrounded by police as if we were criminals. May the Lord have mercy on us, said one of the seminarys teachers as he watched the eviction unfold.

Miguel Angel Solis Osorno, the seminarys deputy director, said legal proceedings are underway to reach a resolution with Mexico City authorities.

We ask for intense prayer in these days. We hope this is resolved soon. We need to be cautious, Solis said.

According to the Assemblies of God, the eviction was triggered because a historic building under the protection of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) is located on the property.

In an official statement released on Facebook by the General Council of the Assemblies of God, the church confirmed that an emergency meeting had been held to address the situation.

The statement emphasized that a prior inspection of the old San Lazaro church took place in February 2024, citing deterioration due to age. It also noted that in March of this year, INAH filed a lawsuit for damages to a historic monument.

The Assemblies of God stressed that last Fridays operation was sudden and treacherous, carried out under a search warrant that resulted in eviction and property seizure  even though the property is legally owned, according to the church.

Church leaders stated that their lawyers will file all legally permitted appeals.

A negotiation hearing between both parties is scheduled for Aug. 26.

In Mexico, disputes with INAH over properties typically stem from issues concerning cultural heritage preservation and the enforcement of related laws and regulations. Conflicts often arise when construction or modifications are made near archaeological zones or historic sites.

Authorities reportedly claim the property includes a historic Catholic sanctuary dedicated to San Lazaro, dating from the 16th century and is in a state of disrepair. The site has also been used to film commercials and TV series.

Neither the Mexico City government nor the federal government has issued an official statement regarding the eviction and property seizure at the Assemblies of God facilities.

A former hospital and place of worship going back to the 16th century

According to the INAH website, the former Catholic church of San Lazaro  originally named the Old Hospital and Church of San Lazaro  was founded in the 16th century, far from the city center near the levee that held back the lake waters.

On Aug. 23, 1571, the archbishop obtained a license for its foundation, and the city council donated land for the structure, built by Dr. Pedro Lopez around 1572 to serve leprosy patients.

In 1890, the church was sold to private owners and later used as a factory and warehouse.

On Feb. 9, 1931, the church was declared a Historic Monument by the director of Colonial and Republican Monuments. It has officially held this designation since that date.

Since 1949, the property has belonged to Bienes Raices San Lazaro, S.A. de C.V., affiliated with the World Fellowship of the Assemblies of God and the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Congregation. Permits have also been granted for filming commercials and TV programs on site.

On July 8, 1959, the Ministry of Public Education issued a document declaring all religious buildings constructed between the 16th and 19th centuries as Historic Monuments.

This property is classified as a historic monument under Articles 35 and 36 of the Federal Law on Monuments and Archaeological, Artistic and Historic Zones, published in the Diario Oficial de la Federacion on May 6, 1972.

Originally published on Diario Cristiano, Christian Daily International's Spanish edition.
Home News New abuse charges filed against fmr. Fla. church summer camp volunteer

Additional criminal charges and a civil lawsuit have been filed against a former Florida church summer camp volunteer who, last year, pleaded guilty to abusing four boys.

Gabriel Hemenez, a former member of the Gainesville-based Ignite Life Center who volunteered at the summer camp, had three new charges filed in March and a civil lawsuit earlier this month.

Hemenez, who is serving a five-year prison sentence, might soon face three counts of lewd and lascivious molestation by an offender 18 years old or older, according to WUFT.

The case by the Gainesville Police Department remains open, reported WUFT, with an affidavit explaining that a victim alleged being molested by Hemenez on three occasions at night during the church summer program in July 2021.

In 2023, Hemenez was arrested for allegedly inappropriately touching three minors and an adult two years earlier during a month-long overnight camp called Youth Internship.

Hemenez was charged with two counts of lewd or lascivious molestation and one count of attempted sexual battery of a minor. He confessed to those crimes, according to News4Jax.

In March 2024, Hemenez pled guilty to two counts of felony lewd and lascivious conduct with two boys, avoiding trial and receiving a five-year prison sentence, along with eight years probation and a lifetime designation as a registered sex offender.

Hemenez isn't the only person tied to Ignite Life to be arrested in relation to alleged abuse at youth programs, as two other volunteers were also arrested last year.

The Alachua Chronicle reported in March 2024 that Christian David Vargas was arrested in July 2023 and Noel Cruz was taken into custody in February of last year.

Vargas and Cruz were both charged with lewd or lascivious battery on a victim younger than 16, while Vargas was also charged with lewd or lascivious conduct by an adult.

For its part, Ignite Life has weathered multiple lawsuits alleging that it failed to properly respond to the abuse, including three lawsuits that were filed in March 2024 against them and the Florida Multicultural District Council of the Assemblies of God, which the church belongs to.

Last October, those three suits were settled through mediation, with the terms of the agreement being kept confidential.
Home News Pastor William Ladd speaks out on black Baptist denomination accepting Target donation

Rev. William Terry Ladd III, senior pastor of the historic First Baptist Church on East 8th Street in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has joined outspoken megachurch pastor Jamal Bryant in criticizing the National Baptist Convention USA for accepting a $75,000 donation from retail giant Target amid an ongoing boycott over its scaling back of diversity, equity and inclusion policies.

"As pastor of this church for the past 16 years and as a member of the National Baptist Convention USA incorporated over 25 years, I deeply regret the convention's decision to accept the donation from Target for two key reasons," Ladd said during services last weekend, according to The Chattanooga Free Press.

Ladd argued that the NBC USA, the largest predominantly African American religious convention in the United States, should not have accepted the donation from Target due to significant disparities that he says black residents in his town face compared to their white counterparts, such as in income.

Citing data from the 2024 "State of Black Chattanooga" report from the Urban League of Greater Chattanooga, Ladd said the median income for black families in Hamilton County is only 55% of the median white family income.

"When Target reduces the DEI efforts, it exacerbates these already critical conditions," Ladd said, "pushing marginalized communities even further to the edges."

The pastor argued that diversity is beneficial to society.

"It fosters creativity, drives innovation and builds cohesion," Ladd said. "Companies like Target that abandon DEI initiatives will not remain strong. Instead, they will suffer. Turning away from diversity alienates the employees ... diminishes trust among consumers and undermines long-term growth and stability."

He stated that his church will be watching to see what the convention does with the Target donation. And if they are not satisfied after a year, they will request that the denomination return the funds.

"As pastor, I will actively monitor how the National Baptist Convention allocates and administers the Target donation," Ladd said. "I will continue to support the convention for at least one more year. However, if no clear, strategic plan is implemented, at that time, I will ask our convention to give the money back, and I will also ask them to make sure that we stay unified with other organizations as it relates to making sure that diversity, equity and inclusion is maintained."

Target is among several large corporations, including rival Walmart, that have reevaluated their DEI policies in the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2023 ruling, which found admissions policies of the University of North Carolina and Harvard University that use race as a factor were unconstitutional.

Bryant, who leads New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, launched the national boycott against Target in February to protest what he called a "spit in the face of black people."

In June, Bryant accused NBC USA and other historically black church denominations, including the Church of God in Christ, of accepting a collective $300,000 donation from Target amid the ongoing dispute over DEI.

Bryant made the claim from his pulpit, just two months after rejecting an offer from Target to fulfill the company's pledge to invest $2 billion into black-owned businesses by July 31 to settle the dispute.

The pastor alleged that the Target donation was split four ways between the NBC USA, the National Baptist Convention of America, the National Missionary Baptist Convention and the predominantly black Pentecostal Church of God in Christ. The denominations collectively represent approximately 16 million members nationwide.

In addition to the demand that Target honors its $2 billion pledge to the black business community "through products, services, and black media buys," Bryant's Target Fast campaign called on the retailer to deposit "250 million amongst any of our 23 black banks;" restore "the franchise commitment to DEI;" and "pipeline community centers at 10 [historically black colleges and universities] to teach retail business at every level."

Instead of addressing all the demands, he accused Target of seeking to go around him to find partners who would, in his words, "sell out" the black community.

Boise Kimber, president of NBC USA, denied selling out the black community to Target in a statement last month.

"The National Baptist Convention USA is committed to ensuring that corporations that do business in our communities give back to help rebuild and stabilize neighborhoods. The partnership with Target Corporation is based on our shared commitment to community empowerment," Kimber said.

"If I thought Target was not sincere in their commitment to the African American community  I would be the first one on the picket line. Our communication with Target has been at the highest level and we are continuing the dialogue," he added.

In April, Target CEO Brian Cornell met with African American civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton, who called the meeting "very constructive." Sharpton said he planned on reaching out to Bryant and other allies about the meeting.
S China's Guangxi launches 'AI Super League', aiming to become hub of AI development

People's Daily Online) 09:28, July 24, 2025

Photo shows the launching ceremony of the "AI for All: China-ASEAN" competition held in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, July 19, 2025. (Photo courtesy of the host)

South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is making big strides toward broader prospects of artificial intelligence (AI) development.

On July 19, the "AI for All: China-ASEAN" competition, dubbed "AI Super League," was kicked off in Nanning, capital of Guangxi, marking a significant step in harnessing AI across various sectors.

Officials confirmed at the launching ceremony of the competition that the region is determined to follow an AI development path featuring a cross-border industrial ecosystem with research and development based in major Chinese cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, integration centered in Guangxi, and application extending across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.

While Guangxi may not yet match China's developed regions in terms of technological innovation, it enjoys a unique geographical advantage as a gateway to ASEAN, with close cultural, trade, and economic ties.

ASEAN has been Guangxi's largest trade partner for 25 consecutive years.

Leveraging platforms such as the China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, Guangxi has facilitated the establishment of China-ASEAN cooperative mechanisms covering over 40 fields, including trade, customs, and finance.

Photo shows vehicles moving in and out at the Youyiguan port in Pingxiang city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (People's Daily Online/Lei Qijun)

In recent years, Guangxi has signed over 30 digital cooperation agreements with ASEAN countries, and this year, the region held a signing ceremony to establish the first AI cooperation and innovation platform between China and an ASEAN country the China-Laos AI Innovation Cooperation Center.

As an initiative launched in response to the "China-ASEAN Joint Statement on Facilitating Cooperation in Building a Sustainable and Inclusive Digital Ecosystem," the center set a new benchmark for regional AI technology inclusive development and governance.

Since the beginning of this year, Guangxi has made notable strides in promoting AI cooperation with ASEAN countries.

According to a recently released white paper on the development of the AI industry in Guangxi in 2025, Guangxi has accelerated the establishment of the China-ASEAN AI Innovation Cooperation Center, signing 40 major projects encompassing large language models and key fields involving in-depth integration of AI.

These projects have a combined investment of 8 billion yuan ($1.11 billion). The first batch of 16 enterprises from six ASEAN countries has already signed agreements and joined the center.

Guangxi's AI development drive was set in motion at the first meeting of the Communist Party of China Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Regional Committee held after the 2025 Spring Festival.

An embodied artificial intelligence robot is displayed at the launching ceremony of the "AI for All: China-ASEAN" competition held in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, July 19, 2025. (Photo courtesy of the host)

The region's top leadership declared AI a development priority at the meeting, pledging that Guangxi would not fall behind in the AI era.

Following that, an "early spring action" focused on attracting investment in emerging industries such as "AI plus," smart chips, and data models was launched across the region, resulting in targeted services for prospective projects from major economic regions, including the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, Yangtze River Delta, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and the Chengdu-Chongqing economic zone.

Over the following six months, various sectors in Guangxi began exploring the integration of AI with industrial upgrading and transformation, leading to a steady stream of new applications.

In agriculture, AI-powered monitoring systems have been adopted in blueberry farms in Mengshan county, Wuzhou city, Guangxi; in logistics, smart customs clearance has sped up the cross-border flow of ASEAN goods at Youyiguan port in Guangxi's Pingxiang city; in computing, large-scale AI infrastructure has been established in Wuxiang Cloud Valley AI Intelligent Computing Industrial Park in Nanning; in manufacturing, embodied AI robots equipped with large language models have taken on real production tasks at workshop of an automaker headquartered in Guangxi's Liuzhou city.

Such examples of AI transforming various sectors across Guangxi are numerous and still growing.

By launching the "AI Super League", the region aims to build an innovation platform for AI enterprises, researchers, and developers.

Photo shows some members of the jury presidium of the "AI Super League," or the "AI for All: China-ASEAN" competition launched in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, July 19, 2025. (Photo courtesy of the host)

The event, focused on fostering deep integration between AI and key industries, is designed to facilitate the gathering of innovation resources and the commercialization of sci-tech achievements, connect capital with projects, nurture emerging AI enterprises targeting ASEAN markets, and create a new ecosystem of AI applications.

"The AI application scenarios in Guangxi and ASEAN countries are similar, so AI companies that adapt to Guangxi will easily expand into ASEAN markets," pointed out Qi Xiangdong, a member of the jury presidium of the "AI Super League" and vice chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce.

"By replicating their success stories in both Guangxi and ASEAN, the winners have the chance to scale from 1 to 10, and eventually achieve widespread commercial success," Qi noted.

Wen Yonggang, another member of the jury presidium of the "AI Super League" and fellow of the Singapore Academy of Engineering, believes that Guangxi can further drive the integration of AI technology by accurately matching the needs of each ASEAN country, establishing long-term cooperation mechanisms, and implementing field-specific solutions.

The efforts will make ASEAN countries key markets for AI technology deployment and boost the integrated development of regional digital economy, according to Wen.

"By working with ASEAN countries to promote the inclusive benefits of AIAI for Allwe are confident that this competition will become a milestone in China-ASEAN AI cooperation," said Ye Zhenzhen, chairman of People's Daily Online and also a member of the jury presidium of the "AI Super League."

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
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By Drazen, Adobe

Think tank economists have valued civil societys true economic contribution at nearly 40bn a year, about double UK government estimates when including volunteer labour.

The governments latest official Gross Value Added (GVA) statistics  which follow international accounting rules  estimate that civil society contributed 18.5bn in 2023, accounting for 0.8% of the UK economy and growing by 2.3% compared to the previous year.

However, research by PBE and commissioned by the Gradel Institute of Charity has estimated that civil society contributed 39.6bn in 2024, representing 1.5% of the economy and comparable to the combined output of the UKs agriculture and car manufacturing sectors.

The main reason for the higher estimate is that PBE has included an estimate for the value of volunteering  15.5bn per year  which the governments GVA figures exclude.

Meanwhile, government-commissioned research published this month valued volunteering in England alone as being worth 24.7bn in 2021-22, including wellbeing benefits.

38.5bn loss due to volunteering decline

PBE estimates that charities, voluntary organisations, and community groups contributed 1.4 billion hours of work, 2.5% of all hours worked across the UK economy, in 2024.

Volunteers provided 688 million hours of unpaid work, equivalent to 15.5bn in economic value, while the sector also supports 480,000 paid jobs, PBE estimates.

The think tank warned that civil societys potential is being constrained by financial pressures and declining volunteer participation post-pandemic, estimating that a fall in volunteering since 2019 has resulted in a 38.5bn loss in potential economic value over the past five years.

It renewed calls for the creation of a civil society satellite account, for which the government conducted a feasibility study last year, to better capture the full economic contribution of the sector, which it says could be even higher.

PBE chief executive Matt Whittaker said the reports figures show that civil societys economic contribution is routinely underestimated.

If policymakers continue to overlook civil societys economic footprint, they risk undermining a sector that supports jobs, skills, health, and resilience across the country, he said.

The government must act now to better measure, recognise and invest in civil societys power to drive sustainable economic growth.

Gradel Institute director Stephen Bubb said: A strong and powerful civil society can make a much bigger contribution to the government aim of growing the economy, reforming public services and building the social infrastructure that underpins economic growth.

One of the key recommendations of our recent report was for a treasury task force to look at the potential of the sectors contribution to economic growth and so I was pleased to see in the covenant published last week that the treasury is establishing a forum of third sector leaders to do just that.

By recognising and investing in our sector, we can unlock more growth and build stronger, more resilient communities.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. settled claims worth $200 million in an antitrust case in Pennsylvania alleging that the firm, along with others, colluded to fix prices of generic drugs.

The units of Indias number one drugmaker  Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Inc. and Taro Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.  will pay the suing consumers in exchange for a full release of all claims against them, the company said in a statement to Indian exchanges Thursday.

The amounts may be reduced if more than a certain percentage of the total insured class members opt out of the putative class, the company said, adding that the settlement is without admission of any wrongdoing and is subject to court approval.

The Indian parent  which reported revenue of $6.1 billion in fiscal year 2025  gets about a third of that from the US. Among its top generic therapies in the U.S. is Revlimid used for treating multiple myeloma  a cancer of plasma cells.

The case involves potential class action lawsuits against a number of pharmaceutical manufacturers for overcharging on 18 drugs, according to the Eastern District Court of Pennsylvania.

The Indian parent also settled a patent lawsuit this month with Incyte Corp. for hair loss drug Leqselvi and signed a licensing agreement to sell the drug in the U.S. for an undisclosed amount.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
Chuck Mangione, the Grammy-winning flugelhorn player best known for his 1977 hit Feels So Good, has died at the age of 84. According to a statement released by his family and attorney, the jazz legend passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Rochester, New York.

Born Charles Frank Mangione on November 29, 1940, in Rochester, Mangione grew up in a musical household. He and his older brother, Gap Mangione, co-founded The Jazz Brothers in the early 1960s and released several albums. After studying at the Eastman School of Music, Mangione joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, cementing his place in the bebop scene before developing his signature smooth jazz-pop style.

Influenced by mentors like Dizzy Gillespie, Mangione's transition to solo work saw him exploring more melodic and accessible arrangements, combining jazz instrumentation with pop sensibilities. His work made jazz more appealing to mainstream audiences during the 1970s and '80s.

Breakout Success

In 1977, Mangione's instrumental track Feels So Good became a crossover sensation. It reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the most recognizable jazz instrumentals of all time. The track's breezy flugelhorn melody defined an era of feel-good fusion, earning Mangione a devoted fanbase.

Mangione earned multiple Grammy Awards throughout his career. He won Best Instrumental Composition for Bellavia in 1977 and Best Pop Instrumental Performance for the soundtrack of The Children of Sanchez in 1979. His compositions were also used in the 1976 Summer Olympics and the 1980 Winter Games, further cementing his place in American musical history.

A Beloved Educator and Performer

Mangione remained closely tied to his hometown and alma mater, Eastman School of Music. He returned as a faculty member, directing the school's jazz ensemble and mentoring young musicians. In 2012, he was inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame, an honor that recognized not only his artistic achievements but also his contributions to his local community.

Read more The Story Behind the Iconic Superman Theme: From John Williams to James Gunn The Story Behind the Iconic Superman Theme: From John Williams to James Gunn

In the late 1990s and 2000s, Mangione reached a new generation as a recurring character on the animated series King of the Hill. He voiced a fictionalized version of himself, often popping up in comical scenes with his signature hat and trumpet, breaking into Feels So Good. His appearances became cult favorites and introduced his music to younger audiences.

A Lasting Legacy

Mangione released over 30 albums and earned 14 Grammy nominations across his career. Beyond his commercial success, he was known for his humility and warmth. He often stayed after concerts to greet fans, sign autographs, and share storiesactions that endeared him to listeners around the world.

He is survived by his brother Gap, extended family, and countless fans who found joy and serenity in his music. A private funeral is planned in Rochester.

Chuck Mangione's music made people feel goodliterally and figuratively. His melodies will live on, continuing to soothe, uplift, and inspire for generations to come.
Two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Ozzy Osbourne of legendary heavy metal band Black Sabbath holds 3-month-old Kurt Kimble of Painesville during an October 1998 autograph session promoting a new release at Camelot Music, Mentor. (Photo: John Kuntz) John Kuntz, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio  The hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world. Its a fitting anecdote for the impact rock music has on formative years, too. For wide-eyed 3-month-old Kurt Kimble of Painesville, it all started in a snuggle with the Prince of Darkness.

Theres not like some super-crazy backstory to it, Kurt Kimble told Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

But its a fun story to tell.

Kimble met Ozzy Osbourne during a Black Sabbath promotional appearance at the Camelot Music store at Great Lakes Mall in Mentor. His parents were among the 4,000 devout fans there to mark the resurrection of the band  one of rocks greatest musical outfits.

It all happened on October 22, 1998.

Fans descended on the store to witness a surreal heavy metal moment: a reunion of Sabbath and a meet-and-greet with its legendary frontman.

Kimbles parents were there seeking autographs. Osbourne, ever the statesman holding court, was shaking hands and kissing babies in the most literal sense.

Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath performs at Ozzfest 2016 at San Manuel Amphitheater on September 24, 2016 in San Bernardino, Calif. (Amy Harris/Invision/AP) Amy Harris/Invision/AP

My parents were super young when they had me  my mom was 16, my dad was 18  and they brought me there, waited in line and when they got there, my dad asked Ozzy to hold me.

Osbournes security was in absolutely not mode, but the Prince of Darkness himself had other plans.

Those bodyguards were like, Uh, no. No. No. We cant do that! Ozzy stood up, and I guess hes like, No. Ill hold him. And they just took the picture.

Cleveland.com/Plain Dealer photographer John Kuntz was there to capture it.

A two-time Rock & Roll Hall inductee, Osbourne passed away on Tuesday, July 22, at the age of 76. His final (seated) concert performance, Back to the Beginning, was only two weeks in the rear view.

Osbournes influence on rock is far-reaching. The impact of his passing still rippling across the globe, it has hit his most fervent fans here at home, too.

While Kimble never got to see Ozzy or Black Sabbath in concert, he was present in utero with his mom for an Ozzfest (Osbournes long-running metal festival) at the Akron Rubber Bowl prior to his birth.

The guitarist credits that show and his infant meet-and-greet with his own predisposition to rock. He plays in an area band called Groovy Roots.

Kurt Kimble, guitarist for Groovy Roots, said Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath have been a huge inspiration "from way back." As a 3-month-old, he met Osbourne, but before he was born his pregnant Mom carried him into Ozzfest. Evan Lee

Guess I was born with it, laughed Kimble, now 26 and living in Akron.

It influenced me, for sure. My connection to Ozzy and classic rock in general really inspired me to play. Theres some Randy Rhoads and Tony Iommi in my playing. Some Jimmy Page, too.

Kimble said that among his favorite Ozzy and Sabbath songs, Sweet Leaf and Mr. Crowley are near the top.

A solo track called Life Wont Wait also hit pretty hard this week. He said its a track thats been on repeat since the news broke.

That came to mind immediately when I heard he passed, Kimble said. And just the song and music video combined had me bawling like a baby.

Kimble and his bandmates in Groovy Roots are more of a funk, psychedelic rock outfit, but he makes a point of working in his infant inspiration stuff wherever possible. Given Ozzy and Sabbaths birthing of dark psychedelic and doom metal subgenres, it makes sense.

Kurt Kimble of Groovy Roots Evan Lee

What made Ozzy such a singular force in rock and roll? Kimble thinks some of it has to do with his embrace of shadow self  decades before therapists and self-help authors pushed the notion to larger audiences.

He just put himself out there. His personality was larger than life and a big part of [Black Sabbath and his solo work]. His openness about struggles with addiction capped this raw musicality and energy he had.

Two decades ago, the idea of Black Sabbath appearing at a shopping mall would have been ludicrous, said writer John Petkovic of Cleveland.com/Plain Dealer, covering that 1998 event.

Yesterday, Osbourne and company seemed right at home hawking their music in the mall Even the devil himself has to go to the mall to meet his subjects.

That embrace of fans  separate from influential music he left behind  is another part of what makes this such an immeasurable loss, said Kimble.

Its a huge loss for music and for Ozzys fans.

But it is also one of those things where it happened in, like, the best way possible, you know? Because he got to say goodbye. How often does it happen that a legend like him gets to go out the way he did? Its really a bittersweet loss, Kimble said.

Im sad that hes gone, but Im happy he got to go out the way he did.
La Casa de Luchita's is opening in the space to the west (left) of Coyoacan Taqueria & Brew in Shaker Square. Both are owned and operated by the Galindo family. Paris Wolfe

CLEVELAND, Ohio --The Galindo family, which launched Luchitas Mexican Restaurant in the early 1980s and closed it three years ago, is resurrecting the dining concept.

The new La Casa de Luchitas opens in Shaker Square at 4 p.m., Friday,August 1. It is located next to the Galindos Coyoacan Mexican Taqueria and Brew.

While preserving the legacy started by Luchita Galindo in 1982, the new restaurant is keeping up with Mexican cuisine of today. Rey Galindo, Luchitas youngest son, worked alongside his mother in the past. Both in the past and present, he has traveled throughout Mexico to gather authentic recipes for the restaurant.

Galindo will use his knowledge to change the menu every three months to feature cuisine from a different state of Mexico. The first month will feature Oaxacan cuisine and continue to work through 32 states of Mexico.

Dishes on the first menu are heavy on fish. In addition to four mole dishes, they include entrees like Pulpo -- octopus with purple potatoes, green chorizo and red tomatillo sauce as well as Mero En Amarillito  fish, cauliflower puree, butternut squash, mole Amarillo.

Returning Luchitas favorites include chiles rellenos, flautas, enchiladas, tamales, chimichanga, en Salada Nopal, sopa Azteca and more.

The bar menu will include six craft Mexican beers and six additional craft beers. Once the liquor license is finalized, the cocktail list will focus on margaritas made with Galindos own brand of mezcal, which is made in Oaxaca.

The restaurant has about three dozen seats. It is at 13129 Shaker Square, next to Coyoacan. It will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. Lunch hours may follow once the restaurant is more established.

RELATED: Coyoacan Taqueria to open at Shaker Square, includes Luchitas Mexican Restaurant
Bryan Kohberger, who was convicted Wednesday in the brutal killings of four University of Idaho students, declined to explain why he did it. Kyle Green-Pool/Getty Images

Bryan Kohberger, the former Washington State University criminology Ph.D. student, was sentenced to four consecutive life terms without parole on Wednesday for the November 2022 murders of University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, the Associated Press reported.

Kohberger admitted guilt in a plea deal concluded in early July to avoid the death penalty. He also received a 10-year sentence for felony burglary and was ordered to pay $270,000 in fines and civil penalties, according to the AP.

Judge Steven Hippler labeled Kohberger a faceless coward for declining to explain his motives or address the court, CBS News reported.

According to ABC News, investigators confirmed that Kohberger had no known personal connections to the victims. This conclusion was based on DNA, cellphone records, surveillance footage and other forensic evidence.

During emotional victim impact statements, family members also expressed raw grief.

You are nothing. May you continue to live your life in misery, Goncalves mother Kristi said to Kohberger as published by ABC News. You are officially the property of the state of Idaho, where your fellow inmates are anxiously awaiting your arrival.

A University of Idaho student who escaped the 2022 massacre confronted Kohberger.

He is a hollow vessel something less than human, the survivor said as she recounted the trauma of seeing a masked assailant slip past her in the night, People Magazine said. A body without empathy or remorse.

The legal proceedings began when Kohberger was formally charged Nov. 13, 2022, for the killings inside an off-campus rental home in Moscow, Idaho. The home, located on King Road, was primarily leased by Goncalves, Mogen and Kernodle, according to the criminal complaint filed in Latah County District Court, Idaho.

The complaint says Kohberger unlawfully entered the house with the intent to commit murder, ultimately stabbing Mogen and Goncalves, who were found together in a bed on the third floor, as well as Kernodle and her boyfriend Chapin, who were in Kernodles second-floor bedroom.

Kernodle appeared to have fought back; a DoorDash delivery had just arrived moments before the attack, suggesting she was still awake, an affidavit filed in Kohbergers case states. A tan leather knife sheath  stamped with Ka-Bar and a U.S. Marine Corps insignia  was found next to Mogens body.

One of the surviving roommates woke up around 4 a.m. to what she thought was Goncalves playing with her dog. Then she heard a chilling voice say, Theres someone here, the affidavit says.

Moments later, she peeked out her door and watched a masked man in all black, tall with bushy eyebrows, walk past her and out the back sliding door, the document states. Just minutes earlier, a neighbors security camera had captured the sound of muffled voices, a thud and a dog barking in the direction of Kernodles room.
Free condoms are seen at a community center operated by LoveYourself, a nonprofit impacted by the Trump administration's freeze on foreign aid, on February 19, 2025 in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines.

U.S.-funded contraceptives worth nearly $10 million are being sent to France from Belgium to be incinerated, after Washington rejected offers from the United Nations and family planning organizations to buy or ship the supplies to poor nations, two sources told Reuters.

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department confirmed to Reuters on Wednesday that a decision had been taken to destroy the stock.

The supplies have been stuck for months in a warehouse in Geel, a city in the Belgian province of Antwerp, following President Donald Trump's decision to freeze U.S. foreign aid in January.

They comprise contraceptive implants and pills as well as intrauterine devices to help prevent unwanted pregnancies, according to seven sources and a screengrab shared by an eighth source confirming the planned destruction.

The U.S. government will spend $167,000 to incinerate the stocks at a facility in France that handles medical waste, the U.S. State Department confirmed.

The spokesperson said that a preliminary decision had been made to destroy certain products from terminated U.S. Agency for International Development contracts. "Only a limited number of commodities have been approved for disposal," the spokesperson said via email, adding that no condoms or HIV medications would be destroyed.

U.S. lawmakers have introduced two bills this month to prevent the destruction of the supplies following Trump's decision to shut down USAID, but aid groups say the bills are unlikely to be passed in time to stop the incineration.

The Belgian foreign ministry said Brussels had held talks with U.S. authorities and "explored all possible options to prevent the destruction, including temporary relocation."

"Despite these efforts, and with full respect for our partners, no viable alternative could be secured. Nevertheless, Belgium continues to actively seek solutions to avoid this regrettable outcome," it said in a statement shared with Reuters on Tuesday.

"Sexual and reproductive health must not be subject to ideological constraints," it added.

The supplies, worth $9.7 million, are due to expire between April 2027 and September 2031, according to an internal document listing the warehouse stocks and verified by three sources.

Sarah Shaw, Associate Director of Advocacy at MSI Reproductive Choices, told Reuters the non-profit organization had volunteered to pay for the supplies to be repackaged without USAID branding and shipped to countries in need, but the offer was declined by the U.S. government.

"MSI offered to pay for repackaging, shipping and import duties but they were not open to that... We were told that the U.S. government would only sell the supplies at the full market value," said Shaw.

She did not elaborate on how much the NGO was prepared to pay, but said she felt the rejection was based on the Trump's administration's more restrictive stance on abortion and family planning.

"This is clearly not about saving money. It feels more like an ideological assault on reproductive rights, and one that is already harming women."

She added that many countries in sub-Saharan Africa had relied on USAID for access to contraception and that the aid cuts would lead to a rise in unsafe abortions.

The United Nations' sexual and reproductive health agency, UNFPA, also offered to buy the contraceptives outright, three sources told Reuters, without disclosing the financial terms of the proposal.
Packages ride on a conveyor belt during Cyber Monday at an Amazon fulfillment center on December 2, 2024 in Orlando, Florida.

The company has just closed a $12 million seed financing, led by venture firm Felicis, with participation from Amazon's $1 billion Industrial Innovation Fund and other investors.

Cambridge Terahertz, a Sunnyvale, California-based startup, has developed a 3D imaging system that can see inside unopened packages, enabling retailers to more easily and quickly spot cases of return fraud.

It's become a costly nuisance for retailers, accounting for $103 billion in losses last year, according to Appriss Retail.

Retailers of all sizes have in recent years struggled with an uptick in fraudulent returns . The scam involves shoppers requesting a refund, but instead of returning the merchandise, they keep the item and send back an empty package or a box of unrelated junk.

Amazon is turning to the startup world to find a potential fix for one of its thorniest logistics problems.

"Amazon handles a lot of boxes, as you can imagine," Nathan Monroe, CEO of Cambridge Terahertz, said in an interview. "It's a big problem just knowing what's inside boxes, knowing how efficiently they're packed, knowing if what you've returned to them is what you said it is."

Amazon launched the Industrial Innovation Fund in 2022 with a goal of investing in businesses working on technology solutions that could apply to the company's massive and complex operations network, from the middle mile to the last-mile portion of the delivery process.

Franziska Bossart, head of the fund, said in an interview that Amazon will typically plan to pursue a deeper "commercial relationship" with portfolio companies over time, ranging from piloting the technology to a potential acquisition.

Cambridge's technology "aligns well with Amazon's needs" and can have a real impact on its ability to screen inventory for damages and defects once it's returned or before a package leaves the warehouse.

"The ability to see into boxes, identify contents, along with the compact nature of the system could allow for integration at various points in our operations," Bossart said.

The fund has backed 20 companies so far. It also sourced Amazon's acquihire and licensing deal with artificial intelligence robotics startup Covariant last August, Bossart added.

Amazon's investment track record has come under scrutiny in the past. A 2020 investigation from The Wall Street Journal found the company's Alexa Fund, which primarily invests in voice and AI technologies, used privileged information gained during meetings to launch its own competing products, citing people and startups familiar with the situation. Amazon previously denied any wrongdoing.

One of the Alexa Fund's most notable investments was in video doorbell maker Ring, which Amazon later acquired in 2018 for $1 billion.

Cambridge connected with Amazon last year through a pitch competition focused on packaging visibility. Monroe co-founded the company in 2023 after researching terahertz imaging at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

The company, which has 10 employees, says it shrunk airport-scale security scanners down to a chip-based system inside a pyramid-shaped device that can fit in your hand. The device was originally conceived as a way to detect concealed weapons by seeing through nonconducive materials, like clothing or packages, in an unobtrusive way.
American Airlines shares slumped close to 10% Thursday after the carrier's third-quarter profit forecast fell short of Wall Street's expectations and the airline reinstated its 2025 financial forecast well below its outlook at the start of the year.

CEO Robert Isom told CNBC's "Squawk Box" that the results are driven by consumer weakness, flat corporate travel demand that continued into the start of the summer and operational problems from a series of storms.

"July's been a tough month  because of the domestic consumer weakness," Isom said.

Demand appears better in the coming months, he said, and American is scaling back its capacity growth.

Delta Air Lines and United Airlines earlier this month said travel demand has stabilized, though both carriers issued lower 2025 forecasts than at the beginning of the year.

American on Thursday forecast a 2025 adjusted per-share loss of as much as 20 cents or earnings of as much as 80 cents, down from adjusted earnings estimates of between $1.70 and $2.70 it made in January. American, along with other airlines, pulled its 2025 financial outlook in April as carriers grappled with on-again, off-again tariffs and weaker-than-expected domestic demand.
Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Thursday: Goldman Sachs reiterates Apple as buy Goldman Sachs lowered its price target on the stock to $251 per share from $253 but says it is sticking with the iPhone maker. "We are Buy-rated on AAPL as we believe that the market's focus on slower product revenue growth masks the strength of the Apple ecosystem and associated revenue durability & visibility." New Street upgrades ASML Holding to buy from neutral New Street says the semiconductor equipment maker is a top idea for 2026. "Consensus expects ASML to grow revenues 2% next year, compared to 6-12% for its peers. That is conservative. If anything, we see room for ASML to outperform, driven by high leading-edge exposure." Morgan Stanley reiterates Tesla as overweight Morgan Stanley says Tesla remains a top pick following the company's earnings report on Wednesday. " Tesla is crossing the chasm to autonomy while absorbing slower volume, EV incentive elimination, tariffs and investing in new initiatives that may not make margins for years." Read more. Morgan Stanley reiterates Alphabet as overweight Morgan Stanley raised its price target to $210 per share from $205 following Alphabet's latest earnings report Wednesday. "Our EPS ests are largely unchanged but we remain OW as this accelerated pace of innovation sets up GOOGL for more durable multi-year growth." Read more . Bank of America reiterates IBM as buy The bank says IBM is well positioned for growth following its most recent financial report. " IBM r eported a mixed quarter, where organic software deceleration was offset by strong contribution from better-than-expected Infrastructure results and higher M & A contribution." Deutsche Bank upgrades Hub Group to buy from hold Deutsche Bank says the logistics and transportation company has upside potential. "Given an attractive valuation of only 13x 2026 numbers and conservative Street estimates (we are 10% above for 2026), we believe HUBG shares offer investors a compelling opportunity to capitalize on the intermodal market's long-term growth potential at a reasonable price." Citi downgrades KeyCorp to neutral from buy Citi says the Cleveland-based regional bank's valuation is full right now. "We expect KEY will continue to benefit from [net interest margin] expansion towards 3% as headwind from hedging portfolio abates and asset yields benefit from repricing and remixing. However, we believe these tailwinds are now largely priced in and that the bar is relatively high for further upside" Wells Fargo upgrades Crown Castle to overweight from equal weight Wells Fargo says the cell tower company is a "compelling" top idea. "We're upgrading CCI to Overweight after a compelling Q2 which shows cost-cutting efforts ahead of plan, which provides upside to our 2025-2027 [adjusted funds from operations per share] numbers and makes for a compelling relative valuation story. CCI is our top tower pick." Wolfe upgrades General Dynamics to outperform from peer perform Wolfe said in its upgrade of General Dynamics that shares of the aerospace and defense company have room to run following its latest earnings. "A good top-line and bottom-line beat with an improved FCF and order outlook prompt our upgrade of shares to Outperform from Peer Perform." HSBC downgrades AT & T to hold from buy HSBC says it sees no near-term catalysts for AT & T. "Good 2Q25 results driven by strong net add momentum; higher capex creates some market uneasiness. However, FCF guidance was raised, a function of U.S. cash tax savings and increasing potential for additional capital returns." Mizuho initiates Braze at outperform Mizuho says the cloud-based software company has a platform that is "best-in-class." " Braze offers a best-in-class customer engagement platform purpose-built for real-time, personalized messaging across channels." Oppenheimer upgrades Spotify to outperform from perform Oppenheimer sees a "significant opportunity to monetize ad users." "With shares 14% off their all-time highs, we upgrade SPOT from Perform to Outperform and establish an $800 target as we see many tailwinds ahead. We model 1) the largest [monthly active users] runway in Internet, 2) free tier monetization (either ads or ad-supported monthly fee)" Jefferies upgrades Varonis to buy from neutral Jefferies says shares of the software cybersecurity company are attractive. "We believe that VRNS is well positioned to address the increasingly important data governance market as Gen AI adoption starts to materialize." Morgan Stanley reiterates Chipotle at overweight The firm says shares of Chipotle remain extremely attractive. "Modest top line miss, EPS in line, FY [same-store sales] trimmed - these likely feed into the more cautious views on the stock and weigh on the multiple, though our numbers don't change much here. We remain OW on the view that nothing is broken here, and growth should pick up, but patience may be needed." Mizuho upgrades Travel & Leisure to outperform from neutral Mizuho sees earnings growth for the timeshare company. "We are upgrading TNL to Outperform from Neutral." Citi reiterates Nvidia at buy Citi says Alphabet's increased capex guidance is a positive for Nvidia. "AI spending remains strong  good for MU and NVDA. Google's capex guidance supports our view that AI spending remains strong. We view this positively for AI-exposed stocks such as MU (17% of sales) and NVDA." Goldman Sachs upgrades Birkenstock to buy from neutral Goldman Sachs says the shoe company is attractively valued. "Whilst we navigate a challenging macro backdrop and a highly competitive footwear market, BIRK looks attractive given: (i) a strong product proposition with pricing power; (ii) opportunities to take share in a highly fragmented market underpinned by its iconic footbed" Piper Sandler downgrades Chubb to neutral from overweight Piper Sandler sees a softening insurance cycle for Chubb. "We are downgrading Chubb to Neutral from Overweight after its 2Q25 earnings results." Bank of America initiates Elbit Systems at buy Bank of America says it sees several catalysts ahead for the defense technology company. "We view Elbit Systems as a company well positioned to capture market share and defense funding globally, as Western Allies increase defense spending significantly over the next decade."
The Trump administration in March said it was canceling $400 million in grants to Columbia University.

Columbia University will pay $200 million to the federal government to restore the majority of funding that was cut by the Trump administration over allegations it violated anti-discrimination laws.

"This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty," acting university President Claire Shipman said in a statement.

The Trump administration in March said it was canceling $400 million in grants to the school, accusing it of "inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students."

Columbia then agreed to a list of demands by the Trump administration, which some critics saw as a capitulation by the private university.

Columbia said in the Wednesday statement that under the agreement "a vast majority of the federal grants which were terminated or paused in March 2025  will be reinstated and Columbia's access to billions of dollars in current and future grants will be restored."

"This includes the reinstatement of the majority of grants previously terminated by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services, renewal of non-competitive grants, the release of overdue payments on active, non-terminated grants, and Columbia's restored eligibility to apply for new federal research funding in the ordinary course," the university said.

Columbia and other universities have been targeted by the Trump administration over student protests over the war in Gaza, which some Republican lawmakers have said were anti-Semitic.

"While Columbia does not admit to wrongdoing with this resolution agreement, the institution's leaders have recognized, repeatedly, that Jewish students and faculty have experienced painful, unacceptable incidents, and that reform was and is needed," the university said in Wednesday's statement.

Columbia said the agreement will establish a "a jointly selected independent monitor"  and that it will provide regular reports about its "continued compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations pertaining to admissions, hiring, and international students."

It said the agreement also codifies changes it previously announced on campus safety, discipline and inclusion.

The $200 million, termed a settlement by the university, will be paid to the government over three years.

It will also pay $21 million to settle investigations by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the university said.

Columbia Board of Trustees co-chairs David Greenwald and Jeh Johnson said in Wednesday's statement that the agreement "confirms the changes already underway at Columbia to meaningfully address antisemitism on our campus and allows the University to continue to undertake its transformative research and scholarship."

Student protests over the war in Gaza, which Israel launched after the surprise terrorist attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, took place on college campuses across the U.S., including at Columbia.

President Donald Trump campaigned on attacking those protests, and since taking office his administration has sought to deport some students who took part in pro-Palestinian demonstrations by accusing them of sympathizing with Hamas.

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon called the Columbia settlement "a seismic shift in our nation's fight to hold institutions that accept American taxpayer dollars accountable for antisemitic discrimination and harassment."

Brian Cohen, executive director of the Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life with Columbia/Barnard Hillel, hailed the agreement.

"This announcement is an important recognition of what Jewish students and their families have expressed with increasing urgency: antisemitism at Columbia is real, and it has had a tangible impact on Jewish students' sense of safety and belonging and, in turn, their civil rights," he said.

Another major Ivy League college, Harvard University, refused Trump's demands and has sued the Trump administration over threats to cut funding. That case is pending.
The Stoxx 600 index provisionally closed 0.24% higher on Thursday, marking a second day of gains as investors remain cautiously optimistic that the European Union will strike a trade agreement with the U.S. before an Aug. 1 deadline.

However, enthusiasm cooled slightly from Wednesday, with the tariff-sensitive autos sector up just 0.13%. EU officials told CNBC that a deal is still not guaranteed, even as expectations mount for the U.S. to impose a 15% baseline tariff rate on imports from the bloc, with some sector exemptions.

The European Central Bank held interest rates on Thursday after a run of cuts took its key deposit facility to 2% from 4%. ECB President Christine Lagarde described policymakers as being in "wait and watch" mode while the economic backdrop remains highly uncertain.
Some of the biggest names of Estonia's tech scene are backing Lightyear, a startup looking to become Europe's answer to commission-free trading pioneer Robinhood .

Based in London, Lightyear develops an app that lets users invest in a range of over 5,000 stocks, exchange-traded funds and money market funds. It was founded by two former Wise employees, Martin Sokk and Mihkel Aamer, in 2021.

The company is set to announce later on Thursday that it has raised $23 million in a new round of funding led by NordicNinja, a Japanese-backed venture capital fund based in Europe. Estonian tech entrepreneur Markus Villig, who co-founded ride-hailing unicorn Bolt has also invested.

Lightyear CEO Sokk told CNBC that the firm didn't necessarily need to raise more cash for the business but chose to do so because of the caliber of investors involved.

"People like Markus have been building massive companies in many, many markets, and this is something that's really exciting for us because it's so hard to go into all the markets and understand their local dynamics and what people need," he said.

Lightyear currently operates in 25 countries. However, with help from angel investors like Bolt's Villig, the firm will be able to launch in another five markets "pretty quickly," Sokk said.

Villig told CNBC that it can be "challenging to scale a business across multiple countries in a heavily regulated sector," adding that Europe's less developed retail investing market provides ample opportunities for disruption.

Other Estonian angel investors who have previously backed Lightyear also participated in the funding round, including Wise co-founder Taavet Hinrikus, Checkout.com's former Chief Technology Officer Ott Kaukver and Skype founding engineer Jaan Tallinn.

Estonia is widely considered a prominent tech hub in Europe. The country is home to the highest number of unicorns per capita in Europe, according to the Estonian Investment Agency. Meanwhile, Estonia's e-residency scheme has also enabled foreigners to become digital residents and launch their companies in the country.

The new round values five-year-old Lightyear at between $200 million and $300 million, significantly higher than its valuation in 2022 when it raised $25 million, according to two people familiar with the matter who preferred to remain anonymous as the information has not been made public.
French President Emmanuel Macron announced Thursday that France will recognize Palestine as a state, amid snowballing global anger over people starving in Gaza.

Macron said in a post on X that he will formalize the decision at the United Nations General Assembly in September. "The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved.

The French president offered support for Israel after the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and frequently speaks out against antisemitism, but he has grown increasingly frustrated about Israel's war in Gaza, especially in recent months.

Given its historic commitment to a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the state of Palestine,'' Macron posted. Peace is possible.''

He also posted a letter he sent to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about the decision.

France is the biggest and most powerful European country to recognize Palestine. More than 140 countries recognize a Palestinian state, including more than a dozen in Europe.

France has Europe's largest Jewish population and the largest Muslim population in western Europe, and fighting in the Middle East often spills over into protests or other tensions in France.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry had no immediate comment.

France's foreign minister is co-hosting a conference at the U.N. next week about a two-state solution. Last month, Macron expressed his "determination to recognize the state of Palestine," and he has pushed for a broader movement toward a two-state solution, in parallel with recognition of Israel and its right to defend itself.

Thursday's announcement came soon after the U.S. cut short Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar, saying Hamas wasn't showing good faith.

Momentum has been building against Israel in recent days. Earlier this week, France and more than two dozen mostly European countries condemned Israel's restrictions on aid shipments into the territory and the killings of hundreds of Palestinians trying to reach food.

The Palestinians seek an independent state in the occupied West Bank, annexed east Jerusalem and Gaza, territories Israel occupied in the 1967 Mideast war. Israel's government and most of its political class have long been opposed to Palestinian statehood and now say that it would reward militants after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack.

Israel annexed east Jerusalem shortly after the 1967 war and considers it part of its capital. In the West Bank, it has built scores of settlements, some resembling sprawling suburbs, that are now home to over 500,000 Jewish settlers with Israeli citizenship. The territory's 3 million Palestinians live under Israeli military rule, with the Palestinian Authority exercising limited autonomy in population centers.
Dr. Reddy 's Laboratories is betting big on a new wave of growth fueled by a global demand for weight-loss drugs  by launching its own lower-cost version of semaglutide, the blockbuster ingredient behind Wegovy and Ozempic. The Indian pharmaceutical company plans to launch its generic version of the drug in 87 countries by 2026, CEO Erez Israeli said. "This is a very, very important product because it's becoming more and more as a first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes, as well as for weight loss," he told CNBC. In 2022, more than 2.5 billion adults globally were overweight, of whom 890 million were obese, according to the World Health Organization . The International Diabetes Foundation says that around 589 million people worldwide have diabetes, of whom over 90% have type 2 diabetes. Their reported effectiveness in treating obesity and diabetes had led to a supply crunch for semaglutide, with major pharmaceutical giants such as Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly scrambling to meet the demand. That supply gap, combined with expiring patents in India and Brazil, has opened up an opportunity for Dr. Reddy's to be a first mover in dozens of emerging markets. "The reason that so many markets can be open next year is because in many of these markets, the product was never launched due to capacity constrained by the innovator," Israeli said. "We have a chance to bring the product for the first time to these countries." Novo Nordisk is behind brands like Wegovy, which is used for weight loss only, and Ozempic and Rybelsus, which are treatments for type 2 diabetes. Eli Lily owns brands such as Tirzepatide, Mounjaro and Zepbound. Dr. Reddy's expects its product to be a significant contributor to revenue over the coming years, with Israeli noting: "It is going to be an important product for us. We can certainly see it is growing at the pace to get to hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue." Goldman Sachs had previously projected that the GLP-1 market could exceed $100 billion in annual sales by 2030 . However, high costs and limited availability have made access to these drugs largely concentrated in wealthier countries. Dr. Reddy's is not just planning to launch its generic version of the drug in 2026, but is already preparing for launches in countries that may open up in 2027 or 2028. The company is also eyeing additional GLP-1 generic products in the future. That market share may be easier to capture in some countries where Dr. Reddy's could be the only playerat least temporarily. "It could be a situation in some markets where we'll be the main one, or the only one for a certain period of time until the others will come." Crucially, Israeli believes that broader access to generics will lower the cost of GLP-1 and improve affordability in markets where it's still an "out-of-pocket" product for most people. DRREDDY-IN YTD line Dr Reddy's falls short of quarterly profit expectations The pharmaceutical company missed quarterly profit expectations on Wednesday, with its net profit increasing by 2% to 14.18 billion rupees ($164.2 million), below analysts' estimate of 14.94 billion rupees, according to LSEG data. While the company is looking outward, Dr. Reddy's continues to operate in competitive markets like the U.S., where its product portfolio is evolving. Israeli also acknowledged the crowded nature of the U.S. generics market. "The business model in the United States is actually, in a way, that you have multiple competitors on every product. This is the nature of the business. It has its opportunities as well as its risks."
The Intel logo is displayed on a sign in front of Intel headquarters in Santa Clara, California, on July 16, 2025.

Intel reported second-quarter results on Thursday that beat Wall Street expectations on revenue, as the company's new CEO Lip-Bu Tan announced significant cuts in chip factory construction. The stock fell about 5% in extended trading.

Here's how the chipmaker did versus LSEG consensus estimates:

Earnings per share : Loss of 10 cents per share, adjusted.

: Loss of 10 cents per share, adjusted. Revenue: $12.86 billion versus $11.92 billion estimated

Intel said it expects revenue for the third-quarter of $13.1 billion at the midpoint of its range, versus the average analyst estimate of $12.65 billion. The chipmaker said that it expects to break even on earnings while analysts were looking for earnings of 4 cents per share.

For the second quarter, Intel reported a net loss of $2.9 billion, or 67 cents per share, compared with a $1.61 billion net loss, or 38 cents per share, in the year-earlier period. Earnings per share were not comparable to analyst estimates due to an $800 million impairment charge, "related to excess tools with no identified re-use," the company said. That resulted in an EPS adjustment of about 20 cents.

The report was Intel's second since Lip-Bu Tan took over as CEO in March, promising to make the chipmaker's products competitive again, and to reduce bureaucracy and layers of management, including slashing staff in Oregon and California.

In a memo to employees published on Thursday, Tan said that the first few months of his tenure had "not been easy." He said that the company had "completed the majority" of its planned layoffs, amounting to 15% of the workforce, and that it plans to end the year with 75,000 employees. Intel previously said it was trying to reduce operating expenses by $17 billion in 2025.

Intel shares are up about 13% this year as of Thursday's close after plummeting 60% in 2024, their worst year on record.

Tan also announced several other spending cuts in the memo, particularly in the company's costly foundry division, which makes chips for other companies and is still looking for a big customer to anchor the business.

Intel said its foundry business had an operating loss of $3.17 billion on $4.4 billion in revenue.

Tan said that Intel had cancelled planned fab projects in Germany and Poland, and will consolidate its testing and assembly operations in Vietnam and Malaysia. He added that the company would slow down the pace of its construction of a cutting-edge chip factory in Ohio, depending on market demand and if it can secure big customers for the facility.

"Over the past several years, the company invested too much, too soon  without adequate demand," Tan wrote. "In the process, our factory footprint became needlessly fragmented and underutilized."

Tan wrote that the company's forthcoming chip manufacturing process, called 14A, will be built out based on confirmed customer commitments.

"There are no more blank checks. Every investment must make economic sense," Tan wrote.

The company's client computing group, which is primarily comprised of sales of central processors for PCs, had $7.9 billion in sales, down 3% on an annual basis.

Revenue in the data center group, which includes some AI chips but is mostly central processors for servers, rose 4% to $3.9 billion. Tan wrote in his memo that Intel wants to regain market share in data center chips, and is looking for a permanent leader for the business. Longtime rival Advanced Micro Devices has increasingly been winning server business from cloud customers.

Tan added he would personally review and approve all chip designs before they are taped out, which is the final step of the design process before a new chip is manufactured.

WATCH: How U.S. companies are mitigating Trump tariffs with foreign trade zones
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Thursday that American auto CEOs told him they are "cool with" President Donald Trump's new trade deal, which could put lower tariffs on cars imported from Japan than on cars made by U.S. companies in Canada and Mexico.

Lutnick brushed off complaints from a group representing General Motors, Ford and Stellantis that Trump's plan could give Japanese automakers an advantage over the "Big Three" Detroit car companies.

"Oh, my God, that's just so silly," Lutnick said on CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" after being asked about criticism by the American Automotive Policy Council.

The agreement Trump announced Tuesday would see Japan accept a tariff of 15% on cars it exports to the U.S. in addition to pledging $550 billion in U.S. investments.

But American auto companies will be on the hook for a 25% levy on cars they make in Canada and Mexico and import into the U.S. under tariffs imposed by Trump in April.

Shares of Japanese auto brands Toyota , Honda , Nissan and Mazda soared on news of Trump's trade deal with Japan  but U.S. carmakers sounded alarms.

"Any deal that charges a lower tariff for Japanese imports with virtually no U.S. content than the tariff imposed on North American-built vehicles with high U.S. content is a bad deal for U.S. industry and U.S. auto workers," Matt Blunt, head of the American Automotive Policy Council, said Tuesday.

Lutnick on Thursday told CNBC that "PR people" are "ginning up" discontent over the deal. He said he spoke to the CEOs whose companies are represented by the group earlier Thursday and that they do not oppose the pact.

"They are cool with it," Lutnick said.

He said he understood that U.S. companies would be "a little bummed out" to see tariffs on imports of Japanese-built autos fall from 25% to 15%.

But Lutnick said domestic auto companies could avoid paying tariffs on cars they build in Canada and Mexico by moving their manufacturing facilities to the United States.
U.S. President Donald Trump holds an executive order related to AI after signing it during the "Winning the AI Race" Summit in Washington D.C., U.S., July 23, 2025.

U.S. President Donald Trump has vowed to keep "woke AI" models out of Washington and to turn the country into an "AI export powerhouse" through the signing of three artificial intelligence-focused executive orders on Wednesday.

The phasing out of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives  an umbrella term encompassing various practices, policies and strategies aimed at fostering a more inclusive and equitable culture  has been a major focus of the second Trump administration. Now, the White House is bringing the battle to AI.

The "PREVENTING WOKE AI IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT" order states that the federal government "has the obligation not to procure models that sacrifice truthfulness and accuracy to ideological agendas."

The executive order identifies DEI as one of the "most pervasive and destructive" of these ideologies to be kept out of AI models used by the government.

"LLMs shall be neutral, nonpartisan tools that do not manipulate responses in favor of ideological dogmas such as DEI," it said, adding that developers should not intentionally encode partisan or ideological judgments into an LLM's outputs unless those judgments are prompted by users.

As acknowledged by the order, the use of AI is increasingly prevalent across Americans' daily lives and is expected to play a critical role in the way they learn and consume information. This could give the outputs of AI models societal-level importance and influence.

In the eyes of the Trump administration, DEI in AI can lead to discriminatory outcomes; distort and manipulate AI model outputs in regard to race and sex; and incorporate concepts like critical race theory, transgenderism, unconscious bias, intersectionality and systemic racism.

"DEI displaces the commitment to truth in favor of preferred outcomes and, as recent history illustrates, poses an existential threat to reliable AI," the order reads.
Bottles from the Spanish cooking and extra virgin olive oil brand Carbonell are seen displayed for sale at a supermarket.

Spain's Deoleo, the world's largest olive oil producer, says U.S. President Donald Trump's threat to impose 30% tariffs on imports from the European Union could translate into higher prices for U.S. consumers  as well as limited access to a superfood staple.

Trump has threatened to raise tariffs on the 27-member bloc from Aug. 1, in what would mark a steep jump from the current 10% duty.

The EU has long been scrambling to reach a trade deal with the U.S. and is considering its options ahead of Trump's deadline, including the prospect of countermeasures.

Huge uncertainty persists over whether the U.S. and EU can strike a deal over the coming days, although a blockbuster framework agreement between the U.S. and Japan has raised hopes of a breakthrough.

Deoleo, the maker of household olive oil brands such as Bertolli and Carbonell, told CNBC that the Trump administration's trade measures could have an impact on American consumers, particularly given limited U.S. production.

"It is worth noting that approximately 95% of the olive oil consumed in the U.S. is imported, so such policies will affect end users," Deoleo CEO Cristobal Valdes told CNBC by email.

The Spanish company said the U.S. accounts for more than a quarter of its total revenue, making it a strategically important market.

Around 40,000 acres (16,187 hectares) of olives are planted exclusively in the U.S. for olive oil production, according to the American Olive Oil Producers Association.

By comparison, the EU is known to be the leading producer, consumer and exporter of olive oil, with roughly 4 million hectares (9.88 million acres) dedicated to the cultivation of olive trees across the region.
Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading: Union Pacific , Norfolk Southern  Union Pacific said it was in advanced talks about a potential combination with Norfolk Southern, which would create the largest U.S. railroad. Union Pacific shares fell 4.5%, while Norfolk Southern slipped less than 1%. CSX  Shares rose less than 1% after talks between rival railroad operators stoked deal speculation. The company's CEO Joseph Hinrichs said in an interview that he was open to "all possibilities." IBM  The tech stock fell 7.6% after the company reported disappointing revenue at its software business. While IBM raised its forecast for full-year free cash flow, it held to its revenue forecast. American Eagle Outfitters  The apparel retailer added 4.3% after launching an ad campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, fueling speculation that it could be the next name to join the resurgence of meme stocks. American Eagle is down almost 50% over the past year. The move comes amid a revival of meme stock activity that has hit Opendoor, GoPro and others. Opendoor Technologies jumped 5.7%, while Krispy Kreme ended the day virtually unchanged. UnitedHealth Group  Shares of the health insurer fell 4.8% after it said it is complying with Department of Justice criminal and civil requests as part of an investigation into its Medicare billing. The company said it has "full confidence" in its practices. Albemarle  Shares of the U.S. miner jumped 6.8% after lithium futures surged overnight, amid rumors that China is trying to address overcapacity by cracking down on mines that violate rules and regulations. West Pharmaceutical  Shares of the pharmaceutical company rose 22.8% after it raised its profit forecast, saying the effect of tariffs would be less than it originally expected. Bloom Energy  Shares jumped 23% after the fuel cell developer struck a deal with Oracle to deliver onsite power to the tech company's artificial intelligence data centers. Dow Inc.  The chemical company's stock slid 17% after disappointing second-quarter results. Dow posted a loss of 42 cents per share, excluding items, on $10.1 billion in revenue, while analysts penciled in a loss of 17 cents per share and $10.23 billion in revenue, according to LSEG. Alphabet  Shares of the Google parent rose 1% on a stronger-than-anticipated earnings report. Alphabet reported earnings of $2.31 per share on $96.43 billion in revenue for the second quarter, surpassing expectations of $2.18 in earnings per share and $94 billion in revenue from analysts, according to LSEG. ServiceNow  Shares climbed 4%. The software company hiked its full-year guidance for subscription revenue after beating Wall Street expectations for the second quarter. Chipotle  Shares of the fast-casual burrito chain plunged 13%. The company cut its same-store sales forecast and posted weaker revenue for the second quarter than anticipated by analysts polled by LSEG. Tesla  The electric vehicle manufacturer fell 8.2% after missing expectations on both lines in the second quarter. Tesla earned an adjusted 40 cents per share on $22.5 billion in revenue, missing consensus estimates for 43 cents in earnings and $22.74 billion in revenue, per LSEG. Honeywell  Shares ticked 6% lower even as Honeywell topped expectations for second-quarter earnings and offered upbeat guidance. Honeywell reported adjusted earnings of $2.75 per share on $10.35 billion in revenue, exceeding forecasts of $2.66 per share and $10.07 billion in revenue from analysts surveyed by LSEG. American Airlines  Shares of the air carrier fell 9.6% after the company's third-quarter profit forecast fell short of expectations . For the third quarter, American said it expects an adjusted per-share loss of between 10 cents and 60 cents, while analysts polled by LSEG estimated a loss of 7 cents. T-Mobile  Shares jumped 5.8% after the telecommunications company shared better second-quarter earnings than anticipated. T-Mobile posted earnings of $2.84 per share and $21.13 billion in revenue, beating the estimates of $2.67 per share and $21.02 billion from analysts, per LSEG. Las Vegas Sands  The casino operator's stock rallied 4.3% after second-quarter earnings results topped predictions. Las Vegas Sands reported adjusted earnings of 79 cents per share on $3.18 billion in revenue versus estimates of 53 cents per share and $2.83 billion in revenue from analysts surveyed by LSEG. Molina Healthcare  Shares dove 16.8% on weaker-than-forecast earnings. Molina earned an adjusted $5.48 per share versus LSEG's analyst consensus estimate of $5.79 per share.  CNBC's Alex Harring, Yun Li and Tanaya Macheel contributed reporting.
Check out the companies making headlines in premarket trading: Meme stocks  These stocks once again are making attention-grabbing moves. Opendoor Technologies jumped 7%, while GoPro and Krispy Kreme each fell around 4%. Dow Inc.  The chemical company's stock slid more than 10% after disappointing second-quarter results. Dow posted a loss of 42 cents per share, excluding items, on $10.1 billion in revenue, while analysts penciled in a loss of 17 cents per share and $10.23 billion in revenue, according to LSEG. Alphabet  Shares of the Google parent rose almost 4% on a stronger-than-anticipated earnings report. Alphabet earned $2.31 per share on $96.43 billion in revenue for the second quarter, surpassing expectations of $2.18 in earnings per share and $94 billion in revenue from analysts, according to LSEG. ServiceNow  Shares surged nearly 8% after the software stock hiked its full-year guidance for subscription revenue after beating Wall Street expectations for the second quarter. Chipotle  Shares of the fast-casual burrito chain plunged 12%. The company cut its same-store sales forecast and posted weaker revenue for the second quarter than anticipated by analysts polled by LSEG. Tesla  The electric vehicle maker's stock fell 6% after missing expectations on both lines in the second quarter. Tesla earned an adjusted 40 cents per share on $22.5 billion in revenue, missing consensus estimates for 43 cents in earnings and $22.74 billion in revenue, per LSEG. UnitedHealth Group  Shares of the health insurer fell about 4% after it said it is complying with Department of Justice criminal and civil requests as part of an investigation into its Medicare billing. The company said it has "full confidence" in its practices. Honeywell  Shares ticked 3% lower despite beating expectations for second-quarter earnings and offering upbeat guidance. Honeywell earned $2.75 per share, excluding items, on $10.35 billion in revenue, exceeding forecasts of $2.66 per share and $10.07 billion in revenue from analysts surveyed by LSEG. American Airlines  Shares of the air carrier fell 6% despite its quarterly financial results beating on the top and bottom lines, after the company's third-quarter profit forecast fell short of expectations . For the third quarter, American said it expects an adjusted per-share loss of between 10 cents and 60 cents, while analysts polled by LSEG estimated a loss of 7 cents. American Eagle Outfitters  The apparel retailer soared 18% after launching an ad campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney, fueling speculation that it could be the next name to join the resurgence of meme stocks. American Eagle is down almost 50% over the past year. The move comes amid a revival of meme stock activity that has hit Opendoor, GoPro and others. T-Mobile  Shares jumped 4% after the telecommunications company shared better second-quarter earnings than anticipated. T-Mobile posted earnings of $2.84 per share and $21.13 billion in revenue, beating the estimates of $2.67 per share and $21.02 billion from analysts, per LSEG. Las Vegas Sands  The casino operator's stock rallied 6% after second-quarter earnings results topped predictions. Las Vegas Sands reported adjusted earnings of 79 cents per share on $3.18 billion in revenue versus estimates of 53 cents per share and $2.83 billion in revenue from analysts surveyed by LSEG. IBM  The tech stock fell 6% in premarket trading after the company reported below-consensus revenue and gross margin in the software business. Still, IBM delivered stronger results than expected and raised its forecast for full-year free cash flow. Investors could be taking some profit after a strong year that saw shares rally 28%. Viking Therapeutics  Shares dropped 6% after the biopharmaceutical company recorded a wider-than-expected loss per share than Wall Street anticipated. Viking said it lost 58 cents per share in the second quarter, while analysts polled by FactSet expected a loss of 45 cents per share. Molina Healthcare  Shares dove 7% on weaker-than-forecast earnings. Molina earned an adjusted $5.48 per share versus LSEG's analyst consensus estimate of $5.79 per share.  CNBC's Yun Li and Tanaya Macheel contributed reporting.
A Cambodian BM-21 multiple rocket launcher returns from the Cambodia-Thai border as Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged fire in a new round of clashes in Preah Vihear province on July 24, 2025.

A Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed targets in Cambodia on Thursday, both sides said, as weeks of tension over a border dispute escalated into clashes that have killed at least two civilians.

Of the six F-16 fighter jets that Thailand readied to deploy along the disputed border, one of the aircraft fired into Cambodia and destroyed a military target, the Thai army said. Both countries accused each other of starting the clash early on Thursday.

"We have used air power against military targets as planned," Thai army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon told reporters. Thailand also closed its border with Cambodia.

Cambodia's defense ministry said the jets dropped two bombs on a road, and that it "strongly condemns the reckless and brutal military aggression of the Kingdom of Thailand against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia".

The skirmishes came after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia late on Wednesday and said it would expel Cambodia's envoy in Bangkok, after a second Thai soldier in the space of a week lost a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently in the disputed area.

Thai residents in the Surin border province fled to shelters built of concrete and fortified with sandbags and car tires as the two countries exchanged fire.

"How many rounds have been fired? It's countless," an unidentified woman told the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS) while hiding in the shelter with gunfire and explosions heard intermittently in the background.

For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various un-demarcated points along their 817 km (508 miles) land border, which has led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a weeklong exchange of artillery in 2011.

Tensions were reignited in May following the killing of a Cambodian soldier during a brief exchange of gunfire, which escalated into a full-blown diplomatic crisis and now has triggered armed clashes.
While the health care sector has been a chronic underperformer in recent years, our process is showing that a number of stocks in this struggling sector are exhibiting real signs of strength. With an encouraging earnings report this week, followed by an impressive breakout above resistance, Boston Scientific Corp. (BSX) may be setting up for significant gains beyond current levels. The daily chart shows how BSX is setting up with a classic "big base breakout" pattern, where a multi-month consolidation pattern is finally exited with a significant upside move. As legendary technical analyst Alan Shaw used to say, "The bigger the base, the higher in space!" So after six months of sideways price action, including a test of the 200-day moving average at the April low, BSX appears to be completing a bullish rotation above resistance around $106.50. In terms of upside price targets after a breakout of this magnitude, a common technique is to take the height of the consolidation pattern and project that range to the upside. Given the range of around $20 for this pattern, that would imply a minimum upside objective around $126, representing about a 17% gain from current levels. To further validate this breakout scenario, we can analyze volume indicators to determine whether there is enough buying power represented in the charts. Here we're showing Boston Scientific along with three volume indicators. First, we have the raw daily volume readings, shown just below the daily price bars. Then we are showing the Accumulation/Distribution Line, which represents the trend in volume over time. Finally, we've included the Chaikin Money Flow, which uses daily price and volume movements to measure periods of accumulation and distribution. We can see that Wednesday's rally after the earnings release was marked by about double the normal volume. This shows that significant demand was seen for Boston Scientific as investors literally bought into the bullish case for future earnings growth. The Accumulation/Distribution Line has been trending higher for most of the last 12 months, and the Chaikin Money Flow remains firmly above the zero level. These two technical indicators suggest that BSX is in a period of accumulation, suggesting a bullish outlook with further upside potential. The weekly chart shows that the consolidation from the last six months has indeed represented a brief pause within a multiyear rally phase for Boston Scientific. Since a key breakout above resistance in early 2023, BSX has remained in a consistent uptrend phase with improving relative strength. Two major pullbacks during the uptrend phase, in October 2023 and March 2025, saw this health care name find support at an ascending 40-week moving average. So while BSX has underperformed the S & P 500 in recent months, the long-term trend remains on solid footing. Many investors have been ignoring the health sector in 2025, given the chronic underperformance and questionable technical configurations. But charts like BSX provide an important reminder that even the most chart-challenged sectors can often include stocks that stand out with bullish setups. -David Keller, CMT marketmisbehavior.com DISCLOSURES: (None) All opinions expressed by the CNBC Pro contributors are solely their opinions and do not reflect the opinions of CNBC, NBC UNIVERSAL, their parent company or affiliates, and may have been previously disseminated by them on television, radio, internet or another medium. THE ABOVE CONTENT IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY . THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSITUTE FINANCIAL, INVESTMENT, TAX OR LEGAL ADVICE OR A RECOMMENDATION TO BUY ANY SECURITY OR OTHER FINANCIAL ASSET. THE CONTENT IS GENERAL IN NATURE AND DOES NOT REFLECT ANY INDIVIDUAL'S UNIQUE PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THE ABOVE CONTENT MIGHT NOT BE SUITABLE FOR YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. BEFORE MAKING ANY FINANCIAL DECISIONS, YOU SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER SEEKING ADVICE FROM YOUR OWN FINANCIAL OR INVESTMENT ADVISOR. Click here for the full disclaimer.
Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Thursday that TikTok will go dark for Americans unless China agrees to give the U.S. more control over the popular short-form video app.

"We've made the decision. You can't have Chinese control and have something on 100 million American phones," Lutnick told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" on Thursday.

TikTok's future in the U.S. has been uncertain since 2024, when Congress passed a bill that would ban the platform unless its Chinese owner, ByteDance, divested from it.

Lawmakers had grown concerned that the Chinese government could access sensitive data from American users or manipulate content on the platform.
Norfolk Southern Corp., left, and Union Pacific Railroad Co. freight locomotives sit parked in Burnside, Kentucky, U.S., on Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2017.

Union Pacific the largest U.S. railroad operator, said on Thursday it is in advanced talks with rival Norfolk Southern , signaling that a deal to form a $200 billion coast-to-coast rail company could be close - and potentially trigger further consolidation among remaining freight rail giants.

The combination, which would be the largest-ever buyout in the sector, would create the first modern West-to-East single-line freight railroad in the United States, significantly affecting how goods from grains to chemicals to autos move across the country. The talks have also prompted competitors BNSF, owned by Berkshire Hathaway , and CSX to explore merger options, people familiar with the matter said.

Agents at the U.S. Surface Transportation Board, the federal regulatory agency overseeing railroads, are already conducting preparatory work, anticipating they could soon receive not just one, but two megamerger proposals, a person close to the discussions said.

If completed, the deal would combine Union Pacific's dominant position in the western two-thirds of the U.S. with Norfolk Southern's 19,500-mile network spanning 22 eastern states.

That talks are advancing under President Donald Trump's administration has surprised many in the industry and on Wall Street who believed an already highly concentrated market would not allow further consolidation. It also underscores the shift in regulatory posture around antitrust.

Such a merger was widely considered unlikely under former President Joe Biden's administration, as aggressive antitrust enforcement and heightened scrutiny from the STB board made large-scale rail consolidation challenging.

Critics warn that dual mergers creating two East-West railroad giants could result in a duopoly that drives up shipping rates.

Executive orders issued by Trump to regulatory agencies aimed at removing anti-competitive barriers have opened the door to potential megamergers in the industry, sources said.

Since early 2025, the STB has signaled a more industry-friendly approach to merger reviews. Chairman Patrick Fuchs, appointed to the post in January by Trump, has advocated for faster timelines for preliminary assessments, a greater focus on competitive balance rather than blocking consolidation, and a willingness to enforce conditions post-merger rather than deny deals preemptively.

Still, a review could take between 19 and 22 months, one person involved in the discussions said. Any merger would face scrutiny from multiple federal agencies and require support from labor unions, who have long opposed consolidation, warning that such deals threaten jobs and risk disrupting rail service.

Norfolk Southern shares edged lower in midday trading, while Union Pacific fell 2.9%.

The North American railroad industry has faced challenges including volatile freight volumes, rising labor and fuel costs, and mounting pressure from shippers over service reliability.

Norfolk Southern has a market value of about $63.2 billion, while Union Pacific is valued at approximately $138 billion, according to LSEG data.

"There can be no assurances as to whether an agreement for a transaction will be reached or to its terms," Union Pacific said.

The company has been grappling with sluggish automotive volumes and volatile coal shipments as power producers increasingly shift to natural gas, which is shipped by pipeline.

Norfolk Southern is emerging from a turbulent period that included the ouster of its former CEO amid ethics investigations, a high-profile boardroom clash with activist investor Ancora, and a costly train derailment that set the company back about $1.4 billion.
A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order curtailing automatic birthright citizenship is unconstitutional and blocked its enforcement nationwide.

The 2-1 decision by the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals marked the first time an appeals court has assessed the legality of Trump's order since the U.S. Supreme Court in June curbed the power of lower court judges to enjoin that and other federal policies on a nationwide basis.

The Supreme Court's June 27 ruling in litigation over Trump's birthright citizenship order limited the ability of judges to issue so-called universal injunctions and directed lower courts that had blocked the Republican president's policy nationally to reconsider the scope of their orders.

But the ruling contained exceptions allowing courts to potentially still block it nationally again. That has already allowed a judge in New Hampshire to once again halt Trump's order from taking effect by issuing an injunction in a nationwide class action of children who would be denied citizenship under the policy.

The 9th Circuit's majority in Wednesday's ruling said the Democratic-led states that had sued to block the policy - Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon - likewise still were entitled to a nationwide injunction as a more narrow order would not provide them "complete relief."

"The court agrees that the president cannot redefine what it means to be American with the stroke of a pen," Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said in a statement.

The Trump administration could either ask a wider panel of 9th Circuit judges to hear the case or appeal directly to the Supreme Court, which is expected to have the final word in the litigation. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump signed the order on Jan. 20, his first day back in office, as part of his hardline approach toward immigration.

Trump's order directed federal agencies to refuse to recognize the citizenship of U.S.-born children who do not have at least one parent who is an American citizen or lawful permanent resident, also known as a "green card" holder.

It was swiftly challenged in court by Democratic attorneys general from 22 states and immigrant rights advocates who argued it violates the citizenship clause of the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment, long been understood to recognize that virtually anyone born in the United States is a citizen.

The Constitution's 14th Amendment citizenship clause states that all "persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside."

The first judge to block Trump's directive was Seattle-based U.S. District Judge John Coughenour, an appointee of Republican President Ronald Reagan, who called it "blatantly unconstitutional." The 9th Circuit's ruling upheld his decision.

U.S. Circuit Judge Ronald Gould, writing for Wednesday's majority, said Coughenour rightly concluded that Trump's executive order violated the citizenship clause of the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment by denying citizenship to many persons born in the United States.

Gould said a geographically limited injunction would harm the four states by forcing them to overhaul their government benefits programs to account for how people denied citizenship under Trump's order might move into them.

"It is impossible to avoid this harm absent a uniform application of the citizenship clause throughout the United States," Gould wrote.

His opinion was joined by U.S. Circuit Judge Michael Hawkins, a fellow appointee of Democratic President Bill Clinton.

U.S. Circuit Judge Patrick Bumatay, a Trump appointee, dissented, saying in his view the Democratic-led states lacked standing to challenge Trump's order, as he warned of the risks of "judicial overreach."
Wall Street ratings were a mixed bag after Tesla's second-quarter financial results. Tesla on Wednesday reported a second straight quarter of declining automotive sales , which came in at $16.7 billion for the period, down from $19.9 billion in the same quarter last year. The company also missed on top and bottom lines. Shares of the electric vehicle maker plunged 6% in premarket trading, piling on its roughly 17.7% year-to-date loss. Tesla has struggled in key markets such as China and Europe and notably lost market share to Chinese companies that have released lower-cost EV models. Still, analysts have a wide range of ratings and price targets on Tesla shares. It's a company that bulls tend to stick by for its future value in technologies such as robotaxis, not necessarily its near-term innovation. Analysts polled by LSEG have a consensus price target on Tesla that implies more than 9% downside for Tesla shares. Of the 54 analysts covering the stock, five rate it a strong buy, while 19 rate it a buy and 20 maintain a hold. Ten have an underperform or sell rating on shares. Here's a look at what some Wall Street majors said after the EV maker's earnings release: Goldman Sachs keeps neutral rating, lifts price target to $300 Analyst Mark Delaney raised his 12-month price target to $300 from $285. He said he expects Tesla's revenue growth and profits to improve in 2026, but is keeping his 2025-27 estimates below the FactSet consensus. "We believe a key focus for investors going forward will be the ability for revenue and profits to reaccelerate driven by Tesla's AI enabled products (e.g. robotaxis, FSD) and new vehicle launches against a more difficult policy environment and given competition," Delaney said in a Wednesday note. "Management did note the potential for the end of IRA EV purchase incentives in 4Q to temporarily pressure fundamentals, but the shift to AI enabled products including robotaxis/FSD and Optimus would be a substantial long-term driver." Wells Fargo reiterates underweight rating, $120 price target Wells Fargo sees major room for downside ahead. Analyst Colin Langan's price target implies Tesla shares stand to lose nearly 64% from their latest close of $332.56 per share. Tesla shares are down in post-earnings trading "despite a Q2 op margin beat as fundamentals look worse into 2H. TSLA did not provide new delivery guidance & warned of added pressure from tariffs, IRA & OBBB. We agree with 2H concerns & remain UW," Langan wrote in a Thursday note. He remains cautious on robotaxis, even after CEO Elon Musk's bullish commentary that robotaxis will "probably address half the population of the U.S." by year-end, and that Tesla expects an Optimus 3 prototype by the end of the year to scale next year. Langan said scaling robotaxis and Optimus humanoids could take longer than expected, which he believes raises risks as Tesla's core business weakens. Morgan Stanley maintains overweight rating, $410 price target Analyst Adam Jonas is a well-known Tesla bull. He reiterated Tesla as a top pick and kept a target price that implies about 23% potential upside. Still, Jonas lowered his fiscal 2025 earnings per share expectations by 14% compared to prior forecasts, mostly driven by lower deliveries and higher operating expenses. "2Q numbers were a slight beat with FCF near break-even. Tesla is crossing the chasm to autonomy while absorbing slower volume, EV incentive elimination, tariffs and investing in new initiatives that may not make margins for years," Jonas said in a note about Tesla's results. "Our OW rating and $410 price target are underpinned by our belief that Tesla's capabilities in key areas of physical AI  offer growth and margin opportunities that greatly exceed those of the traditional EV business, which is under pressure," he added. "We struggle to think of any other company as well positioned as Tesla in terms of data, robotics, energy, AI, manufacturing and supporting infrastructure." Bank of America reiterates neutral rating, $341 price target Analyst Federico Merendi anticipates "rough quarters ahead" for Tesla, echoing Musk's commentary. His neutral rating on the stock relies on Tesla's current market advantage in autonomous driving initiatives and physical AI applications, he said. "Tesla commentary on future developments in terms of real-world AI (Autonomous vehicles/robotaxi and Optimus) remains bullish. However, the company is facing challenging times," he wrote in a note to clients. "Commentary also suggests that the tariff impact may increase in the future. However, by end of 2026, management thinks that Tesla's economics will be compelling with autonomy at scale." Evercore ISI maintains in-line rating, $235 price target Analyst Chris McNally expects Tesla's third-quarter results to see the downbeat effects of slower EV launches and tariff impacts. "The LT negative EPS revision trend has continued, unabated," he said in a note. "We believe there will be a sharper cons move post Q3."
India and the United Kingdom on Thursday signed a landmark free trade agreement (FTA), aimed at eliminating tariffs and expanding market access across sectors, including food processing, automobiles, textiles, and alcoholic beverages.The deal was formalised during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Londonhis fourth since taking office in 2014and comes after three years of stop-start negotiations. The pact is expected to increase bilateral trade by 25.5 billion pounds ($34 billion) by 2040 and will come into effect following approvals from the British Parliament and Indias federal cabinet, likely within a year.For India, the agreement opens the door to duty-free access for key agricultural products, including coffee, tea, and spices. These products are currently subject to tariffs upon entry into the UK, unlike similar exports from European countries. With the removal of duties, Indian exporters will now compete on equal footing with suppliers of instant and value-added coffee from Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands.While the UK currently imports only 1.7% of Indias coffee, 5.6% of its tea, and 2.9% of its spices, the government expects these figures to rise significantly under the new regime. The UKs total processed food imports stand at $50.68 billion, yet imports from India account for just $309.5 million. Globally, India exports $14.07 billion worth of processed foods, signalling untapped potential in the British market.Exporters of oilseeds also stand to gain from zero-duty access, which could help expand consumer reach and boost market share.In a major win for Indias traditional liquor and beverage industry, the agreement extends Geographical Indication (GI) protection to select products, including Goas feni, artisanal wines from Nashik, and Keralas toddy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have officially signed the long-awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a new chapter in bilateral economic relations.After three years of negotiations, the deal is poised to slash tariffs and open up significant opportunities for Indian textiles and leather goods in the British marketchallenging rivals such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Cambodia.A standout feature of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is the grant of zero-duty access for over 1,100 tariff lines in the textiles and clothing sector. This move will remove the tariff barrier that previously placed India at a disadvantage against competitors who already enjoy duty-free access to the UK.India currently ranks as the UKs fourth-largest textile supplier, holding a 6.1% market share, and aims to boost this by 5% within the next two years. Out of Indias global textile exports worth $36.71 billion, $1.79 billion are destined for the UK market. Key sectors set to benefit include ready-made garments (RMG), home textiles, carpets, and handicrafts.The FTA also unlocks fresh prospects for Indias leather and footwear industries. Government projections estimate exports to the UK could surpass $900 million, potentially elevating India into the top three suppliers within this segment.
For six hours every day after school, Nahideh works in a cemetery, collecting water from a nearby shrine to sell to mourners visiting loved ones graves. She dreams of becoming a doctor  but knows it is a futile dream.When the next school year starts, she will be enrolling in a madrassa, a religious school, to learn about the Quran and Islam  and little else.I prefer to go to school, but I cant, so I will go to a madrassa, she said, dark brown eyes peering out from beneath her tightly wrapped black headscarf. If I could go to school then I could learn and become a doctor. But I cant. At the age of 13, Nahideh is in the last grade of primary school, the limit of education allowed for girls in Afghanistan. The countrys Taliban government banned girls from secondary school and university three years ago  the only country in the world to do so. The ban is part of myriad restrictions on women and girls, dictating everything from what they can wear to where they can go and who they can go with.With no option for higher education, many girls and women are turning to madrassas instead.The only learning allowed Since the schools are closed to girls, they see this as an opportunity, said Zahid-ur-Rehman Sahibi, director of the Tasnim Nasrat Islamic Sciences Educational Centre in Kabul. So, they come here to stay engaged in learning and studying religious sciences. The centres roughly 400 students range in age from about 3 to 60, and 90 per cent are female. They study the Quran, Islamic jurisprudence, the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, and Arabic, the language of the Quran.Most Afghans, Sahibi noted, are religious. Even before the schools were closed, many used to attend madrassas, he said. But after the closure of schools, the interest has increased significantly, because the doors of the madrassas remain open to them. No recent official figures are available on the number of girls enrolled in madrassas, but officials say the popularity of religious schools overall has been growing. Last September, Deputy Minister of Education Karamatullah Akhundzada said at least 1 million students had enrolled in madrassas over the past year alone, bringing the total to over 3 million.Studying the Quran Sheltered from the heat of an early summers day in a basement room at the Tasnim Nasrat centre, Sahibis students knelt at small plastic tables on the carpeted floor, their pencils tracing lines of Arabic script in their Qurans. All 10 young women wore black niqabs, the all-encompassing garment that includes a veil, leaving only the eyes visible.It is very good for girls and women to study at a madrassa, because  the Quran is the word of Allah, and we are Muslims, said 25-year-old Faiza, who had enrolled at the centre five months earlier. Therefore, it is our duty to know what is in the book that Allah has revealed to us, to understand its interpretation and translation. Given a choice, she would have studied medicine. While she knows that is now impossible, she still harbours hope that if she shows she is a pious student dedicated to her religion, she will be eventually allowed to. The medical profession is one of the very few still open to women in Afghanistan.When my family sees that I am learning Quranic sciences and that I am practicing all the teachings of the Quran in my life, and they are assured of this, they will definitely allow me to continue my studies, she said.Her teacher said hed prefer if women were not strictly limited to religious studies.In my opinion, it is very important for a sister or a woman to learn both religious sciences and other subjects, because modern knowledge is also an important part of society, Sahibi said. Islam also recommends that modern sciences should be learned because they are necessary, and religious sciences are important alongside them. Both should be learned simultaneously. A controversial ban. The female secondary and higher education ban has been controversial in Afghanistan, even within the ranks of the Taliban itself. In a rare sign of open dissent, Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Abbas Stanikzai said in a public speech in January that there was no justification for denying education to girls and women.His remarks were reportedly not well tolerated by the Taliban leadership; Stanikzai is now officially on leave and is believed to have left the country. But they were a clear indication that many in Afghanistan recognise the long-term impact of denying education to girls.If this ban persists until 2030, over four million girls will have been deprived of their right to education beyond primary school, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a statement at the start of Afghanistans new school year in March. The consequences for these girls  and for Afghanistan  are catastrophic. The ban negatively impacts the health system, the economy, and the future of the nation. The importance of religious education. For some in this deeply conservative society, the teachings of Islam are hard to overstate.Also Read: Trump vowed to help Afghan evacuees, but UAE had already sent families back, cable shows Learning the Holy Quran is the foundation of all other sciences, whether its medicine, engineering, or other fields of knowledge, said Mullah Mohammed Jan Mukhtar, 35, who runs a boys madrassa north of Kabul. If someone first learns the Quran, they will then be able to learn these other sciences much better.His madrassa first opened five years ago with 35 students. Now it has 160 boys aged 5-21, with half of them being boarders. Beyond religious studies, it offers a limited number of other classes such as English and math. There is also an affiliated girls madrassa, which currently has 90 students, he said.In my opinion, there should be more madrassas for women, said Mukhtar, who has been a mullah for 14 years. He stressed the importance of religious education for women. When they are aware of religious verdicts, they better understand the rights of their husbands, in-laws and other family members.
Bikaji Foods forms joint venture with Nepals Chaudhary Group

The 50:50 joint venture will focus on manufacturing, trading, and marketing Bikajis portfolioincluding bhujia, namkeen, papad, and packaged sweetsin Nepal. Both companies will jointly invest capital in one or more tranches to build a state-of-the-art facility in Nepal.
VA Tech Wabag on Thursday, July 24, said it has received a letter of award worth 2,332 crore from Saudi Arabia for a 300 million litre per day (MLD) mega sea water desalination plant in Yanbu.The project includes the scope of design, engineering, supply, construction, and commissioning of the plant, which will be developed on a greenfield site on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, the company said.It said it has received the letter of award from the Saudi Water Authority and the contracting formalities are set to commence. The effective date for commencement of execution will be announced after the contract is signed, it added.The project is to be completed 30 months from the effective date."We are immensely proud to have emerged successful in this prestigious project not just once, but twice," Rohan Mittal, head of strategy and business growth for GCC, said.the VA Tech Wabag had announced the cancellation of its 2,700 crore order for a 300 MLD mega sea water desalination plant in Saudi Arabia.The Saudi Water Authority had informed all tender participants on December 16, 2024 about the cancellation due to internal administrative procedures. Earlier this week , brokerage firm Motilal Oswal initiated coverage on VA Tech Wabag with a "buy" rating and a target price of 1,900 per share.The brokerage has valued the stock at 26 times its estimates for the financial year 2027 price-to-earnings multiple, which is at a premium to the historical average of 8x on an improved outlook.In a bull case scenario, the brokerage set 2,564 per share as its price target.Shares of VA Tech Wabag gained 4.9% to hit an intraday high of 1,672.1 apiece on Thursday, July 24. The stock was up 3.09% at 9.35 am. It has gained 10.7% in the past month.
Discipline panel censures ex-Northeast Colorado judge for misconduct

A three-member disciplinary panel issued a public censure on Thursday of a former trial judge from northeastern Colorado, the first such punishment handed down after voters amended the state constitution last year to reform judicial discipline. The July 18 order was notable not for the sanction it imposed on former District Court Judge Justin B. Haenlein, which []
The app was orange on black, which was kind of dog-themed, I guess. I didnt like the way the date picker worked, so I told it to fix it. I didnt like the way the dog size buttons worked, so I had the AI fix that, too, and made other minor design changes.

A working app! Maria Korolov / Foundry

How long did this whole process take? As long as it took me to take all the screenshots and write this description of what I was doing. Plus five minutes each time I published it to the web.

So maybe half an hour altogether to get the basic app up and running, plus the time it took to take notes for this article, grab screenshots, and have lunch.

But then I went back and tried adding in functionality where the user logs in and saves information about their dog  but I couldnt get the authentication to work. I tried to switch to just a login and password, but couldnt get that to work either. I also tried to get social sharing buttons working, which was the whole point of publishing the app to the web, and those didnt work either. I spent an afternoon going back and forth on this. It was very frustrating.

Im pretty sure that this is something that a real developer could have handled in seconds. But for a non-developer like me, I was looking at a weekend of trying different things until I found something that worked.

So finally I asked Firebase Studio to rip out all the non-functional features involving user logins, saving doggieprofiles, and social sharing, and was left with the very simple doggie birthday calculator app that I started with  exactly like the one I found on my phones app store.

Yup, theres already an app for that. Maybe Im not the supreme genius I thought I was.

Still, this is a functional app. I could embed it into my company website to give my visitors a cute little doggie birthday calculator to use, if I had a company website.

Vibe coding with Lovable

Then I moved on to Lovable.

I pasted in the app description that I got from Claude, the same one I used for Firebase Studio. It produced an app almost immediately, but it just told me how old the dog was, without calculating its next birthday. Thats the same thing Firebase Studio did. Maybe I should have read through Claudes app description instead of blindly trusting it. Ah, whos got time for that?

I asked for a fix. Now Lovable gave me an app that said that my dogs next birthday would be several years in the past. Thats no good  Ive already missed it.

Working on an app in Lovable. Maria Korolov / Foundry

It apologized and reworked the logic.

Then I published the app. No billing information required. And it did not take even five minutes. It took less time than it took me to type this paragraph.

Instant publishing, no waiting. Extremely pretty design. All the functionality I asked for. Even the URL looks neater and cleaner than the Firebase Studio one.

Yes, it just took a couple of minutes to get the basic app up.

From description to nicely designed, functional app in less than five minutes. Maria Korolov / Foundry

But it was still missing the ability to log in, save profiles of multiple dogs, and other back-end functionality. Did I dare?

I dared.

First, Lovable told me it needed to connect to Supabase, and provided a button for me to click that took me right to where I had to go. I had an option to continue with GitHub or with SSO. I must have created a GitHub account at some point in the past, because I was able to log in. I picked the free Supabase plan, authorized access, and went back to the Lovable tab.

And then I bumped into my first major obstacle. I ran out of the free daily Lovable credits. I could have put a pin in it and returned the next day, but I was on a roll, so I paid $25 for the upgrade. Thats $25 a month, so I need to remember to downgrade back to free once Im done building this app.

Adding Google and Facebook logins required some authentication steps that I couldnt figure out how to do at first glance, so I abandoned that idea and just had it use a login and password. And Lovable built it for me.

The login even included a confirmation email so I could confirm that I wanted to create an account on my new website. I didnt ask for that bit of functionality  the AI thought of it on its own and just did it. And it built social sharing buttons. And I could save profiles of multiple dogs.

There was a little back-and-forth as I refined my design and the functionality, but mostly I just went with what it gave me.

Just take a look at the final result: the logo, the sign-in button at the top, the color scheme. It did all of that.

The start screen for the final version of the Lovable app. Maria Korolov / Foundry

It even let me add multiple dogs so I could keep track of all their birthdays.

The Lovable app lets users save multiple dogs and track their birthdays. Maria Korolov / Foundry

You can try out my app here: https://paw-ty-time-calculator.lovable.app

In the end, I wound up using 14 out of my 100 monthly credits. Prorating my $25, I spent half an hour and $3.50 to build the app. Or, at five free credits a day, I could have done it for free over three days. Which reminds me: I have to go and downgrade back to the free plan before I start racking up monthly bills.

Downgrading means that all my apps will be public and have the Lovable logo on them, and I wont be able to have custom domains.

My verdict? If you want to build apps that run on a custom domain, get the $25 plan, but for people just futzing around, the free plan is good enough.

Am I now going to become a full-time vibe coder? No. But if I have another idea for an app, well, I might just go and build it.

Reality check: vibe coding at work

What about that hypothetical average business user? As the two platforms I tested currently stand, nontechnical business users can build a simple app with Firebase Studio as long as it doesnt require creating user accounts or interfacing with other systems. They can build an app with Lovable that looks nicer, goes up faster, and has an email-based login system and social sharing. And its possible to do all this on the free plans.

But for anything involving interactions with other platforms, such as authentications or data access, theyll need IT help. And theyll likely need IT help if the app breaks at some point down the road.

Hristo Borisov, CEO at Payhawk, a spending management firm, says his company is all-in on vibe coding  and theyve already replaced some commercial software with new vibe-coded apps.

Instead of buying a $70,000-a-year performance management system, we built it from scratch, he says, calling the software bespoke, exactly for what we need.

Payhawk still had developers write the app in Lovable, he says, under the direction of someone from the business side. But the entire app took two people a week to build  without any coding  and adding a new feature takes just a day.

Factoring in salaries and Lovable costs, it took about $4,000 total, he says, for a custom-made product instead of off-the-shelf software that didnt quite do what the company needed.

Payhawk hosts the app itself, since it already has the infrastructure and skill set to do so. And because it was a complex project, it required developers, not just business users, to design and build it.

Keep in mind that youre generating a function for a product that has many features, different roles, different permissions, different views, and integrations to many internal systems, he says. So, its good to have some supervision of what the end result is.

Other apps in use at Payhawk have been written completely by non-engineers, he says, for simpler, non-business-critical functions. When apps require access to sensitive data, IT does have to be involved to ensure that everything is safe and secure, he says.

Gene Kim, the author of a book on vibe coding  Vibe Coding: Building Production-Grade Software With GenAI, Chat, Agents, and Beyond, scheduled to be released in October  says that there are two major use cases for vibe coding.

Developers can use it to reduce the time it takes to code projects from months to days, to quickly prototype applications and designs, and to maintain and improve existing applications.

Non-developers can create simple tools for themselves to use and other low-risk applications, or to create prototypes that they can show to developers to explain what they want to have built.

The notion that businesspeople can totally write apps for themselves without developers  I think thats going to be further away, he says.

Even if the AI can do it, human judgment is still required for more complicated projects, he says. How do you make it mission-critical? How do you make it resilient, secure, and so forth? Thats where you need professional developers to come in and help if you want to trust that thing. Thats where you need someone whos done it before.

More on vibe coding:
At the International Festival for Peoples Rights and Struggles (IFPRS), Naw Paw Pree, an Indigenous Karen activist from the Karen Human Rights Group (KHRG), shared her experiences of oppression, resilience, and hope. Organized with the support of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation (IPMSDL), the event brought together Indigenous and marginalized communities from across the globe, offering a rare safe space for shared learning, solidarity, and expression.

Speaking during the People Power Hour, Naw Paw Pree described the festival as a powerful global platform where Indigenous voices could be heard without fear or filter. Sitting alongside speakers from the Centre for Research and Advocacy-Manipur and the Kapaeeng Foundation from the Chittagong Hill Tracts, she represented the voices of the Karen people of Southeast Burma (Myanmar), highlighting decades of armed conflict and human rights violations.

Wearing the traditional blue Cheh Su of the Karen, she expressed a sense of honor in representing her community and emphasized the importance of understanding the common threads running through the diverse struggles of Indigenous Peoples worldwide. It was a safe space for all people to enjoy freedom of expression, share their feelings, and demand for change, she said, noting how deeply moved she was by the empathy shown by participants from different regions.

The Karen people, who inhabit the locally defined Karen State in Southeast Burma, have endured systemic oppression since the countrys independence in 1948. Naw Paw Pree detailed the long history of military persecution under the Burma Army, including forced displacements, shelling of civilian areas, destruction of cultural practices, and violations of international humanitarian law. Despite a brief period of reduced conflict following a National Ceasefire Agreement in 2015, she stated that the militarys continued aggression and the 2021 coup had plunged the region back into violent turmoil.

She pointed out that the Karen people and other ethnic minorities have been subjected to targeted campaigns including extrajudicial killings, torture, looting, sexual violence, and the bombing of schools and clinics. According to her, these actions may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity under international law.

Paw Pree made several recommendations to the international community, urging them not to recognize or collaborate with the military junta in Burma. She called for coordinated sanctions on arms and fuel supplies, financial support for grassroots humanitarian organizations, and increased legal accountability for Burma Army officials. Most importantly, she demanded the full recognition of the right to self-determination for Indigenous Peoples at all levels.

The People Power Hour event made us feel confident to continue our fight, without feeling the burden of other international views that often accuse us of being rebels, terrorists, and dangerous people, she said. Her voice, though echoing years of struggle, carried a renewed sense of strength and unity. We need more international solidarity to support the voices of Indigenous and minority people and to stand firmly with us.

Her message was not just one of grief or resistance, but also of enduring dignity and hope. It was a call to action for a world that too often turns a blind eye to the struggles of Indigenous communities.
Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Abbott Elementary fans finally know the reason why a Philadelphia judge sentenced Frank, Charlie, Dennis, Mac and Dee to a full week of community service at Willard R. Abbott Elementary School. Thankfully for everyone involved (especially the students), its surprisingly not-Diddy-related.

Back in the Abbott Elementary mid-season premiere Volunteers, the teachers of the underfunded West Philadelphia public school quickly sniffed out the fact that the presence and participation of the Paddys Pub Gang in that weeks educational activities wasnt strictly voluntary. Instead, the Philadelphia legal system had somehow decided that the the best punishment for its most bizarre cadre of repeat offenders after they dumped a Tesla Cybertruck and 100 gallons of baby oil into the Schuylkill River was to force them to work in close proximity with innocent children, some of whom could be destined for boy-band stardom.

The Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 17 premiere, The Gang Fucks Up Abbott Elementary, didnt further explain the offense that led to the crossover, which many fans believed to be related to imprisoned music mogul and sex trafficker Sean P. Diddy Combs and his infamous freak-offs, due to the staggering amount of baby oil involved in both crimes.

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But tonights new Always Sunny episode, Thought Leadership: A Corporate Conversation, revealed that both the Cybertruck and the baby oil were byproducts of the Gangs attempt to break into the competitive slap-fighting industry, and they were unrelated to any kind of depraved, illegal sex party  unless you count the orgy Frank hosted in the basement.

No, instead of The Gang using the baby oil for extreme and illegal sex acts, as many of us assumed, in Thought Leadership: A Corporate Conversation, the lubricant is an accessory in the admittedly erotic slap-fighting tournament that Paddys Pub hosts. Naturally, Dennis, Charlie and Frank do attempt to commit what would legally be considered a sexual offense by non-consensually slathering the baby oil all over their scantily clad competitors, but compared to how Diddy used the stuff, The Gang might as well have been running an actual nursery with it.

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As for the Cybertruck, that one was also sex-crime-free, not counting Tesla founder Elon Musk's alleged incident with that flight attendant. That was just the grand prize for the slap-fighting tournament, one that Frank couldnt bring himself to give up when The Waitress knocked out Sweet Dee in the final round. Frank only dumped the stuff into the river when he was worried that The Waitress would tell the press and the police about how he ripped her off, and that kind of heat could have brought the authorities too close to his own basement Diddy party.

But, somehow, former Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia guest star Diddy wasnt the primary target for baby oil burns in Thought Leadership: A Corporate Conversation. In fact, the best joke about baby oil in the entire episode comes when Charlie asks if Johnson & Johnson manufactures the infant skin product by mashing up actual babies, only for Mac to clarify that the company just wrings out the babies like a rag instead of killing them.

This, too, would be less disturbing than an actual Diddy party freak-off.
When South Park first premiered, Bill Clinton was still president, Kevin Spacey was still beloved and connecting to the internet meant enduring a screeching hissing sound worse than the wail of an Irish banshee covering Limp Bizkit.

The point is, the shows been on the air for a long time. Naturally, not every character introduced in the shows early seasons are still a part of South Park, such as Principal Victoria and English exchange student Pip, who was tragically killed by Mecha-Streisand back in Season 14.

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Recently a fan on Reddit pointed out that Kenny used to have an older brother, who popped up relatively frequently, even though he didnt say much. He always sported a Band-Aid on his forehead, had braces on his teeth and just loved having frozen waffles for dinner.

But Kevin McCormick never really got the same attention from the show as Kennys younger sibling, Karen.

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Not to be confused with the shows other Karen: Randy Marsh.

Whatever happened to Kevin? Probably died and didn't reincarnate like Kenny, one user suggested. Another theorized that Kevin is a juvenile delinquent who is out and about doing his own thing most of the time. Trey Parker and Matt Stone probably forgot about him, someone else added.

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Well, Kevin actually has been a part of the show for its entire run, if you pay close enough attention. As some folks explained, Kevin McCormick is visible in the background of lots of episodes, including last seasons DikinBaus Hot Dogs, where hes lined up for ice cream with the rest of his family. And we also saw the future version of Kevin in the South Park: Post COVID special, sitting in the front row of Kennys funeral, next to Karen. Hes the one wearing a Colorado Avalanche jersey underneath a vest.

Paramount

And Kevin, along with the rest of the McCormick family, was the victim of gentrification, thanks to South Parks SoDoSoPa development, in Season 19.

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So Kevin has been around, although hes only had a few lines of dialogue in the past 27 years. South Park fans have also taken note of the fact that the show seems to have a preponderance of minor characters named Kevin. In addition to Kennys brother, theres also South Park Elementarys Kevin Stoley.

And, of course, Mephesto the mad scientists little monkey guy sidekick/assistant, who also happens to be his adopted son.

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Will Season 27 include any more Kevins? Well just have to wait and see.
In Season Three of Rick and Morty, Rick reveals that his true character arc has nothing to do with avenging his dead wife. Instead, it has everything to do with a discontinued McDonalds dipping sauce. In 1998, McDonalds held a promotion with the Disney movie Mulan that featured Happy Meal toys and a limited-release Szechuan dipping sauce to accompany their Chicken McNuggets. The sauce came and went, but thanks to Rick and Morty, it made its return 19 years later.

In what was surely meant as a one-off random joke in the episode The Rickshank Rickdemption, Rick claims the Mulan-themed dipping sauce was delicious and that his series arc was about getting more of it. Rick and Morty fans, however, took this statement to heart. The sauce went viral overnight. Even McDonalds tried to get in on the fervor by tweeting McNugga Lubba Dub Dub (a bastardization of Ricks catchphrase). Moreover, the fast-food chain promised the sauce would make a comeback.

True to their word, the sauce came back for a single day in October 2017, but McDonalds locations across the U.S. were woefully unprepared to meet the intense demand  they ran out so early that only a few lucky fans got to taste the elusive sauce. McDonalds then tried again in February, 2018 and because they produced 20 million sauce packets for distribution this time, they fared much better. It also briefly reappeared in 2022.

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Tom Ryan was the Chief Marketing Officer at McDonalds at the time of Mulans release and also led the American menu. According to Ryan, McDonalds had a strategic relationship with Disney at the time, with a focus on Happy Meals. We went to our vendors and said, We want an Asian-themed sauce that needs to be compatible with Chicken McNuggets, preferably Chinese-positioned, and it needs to taste great, he tells me.

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The call went out to all their vendors, but Ryan says Mullins Food Products in the greater Chicago area won out. Ryan explains that the sauce had Asian notes with a hoisin-style character to it and a little bit of sesame oil. It had all the right attributes. However, he adds that the sauces name wasnt really related to the sauce itself: We went through the normal naming exercise with our advertising agency, and we decided to call it Szechuan sauce only because that name had the highest recognition of being specifically Chinese.

Which explains why, even though spicy is the first word people might think of for Szechuan food, the sauce itself wasnt spicy  because a sauce meant for kids couldnt be spicy.

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But the not-actually-Szechuan sauce wasnt meant to last. The Szechuan sauce was a short-term thing designed to last as long as the movie promotion, which was typically three months. It was going to come and go, Ryan explains, although he notes that some markets may have kept it for a bit longer. Still, he didnt expect to hear about it two decades later from his kids, who are Rick and Morty fans.

For a guy who oversaw the creation of the McFlurry and the McGriddle and was with Pizza Hut during the invention of stuffed-crust pizza, Ryan says the Szechuan sauce is probably his most unusual contribution to the cultural zeitgeist. Ive done a lot of things with iconic revenue value in the marketplace, but a Rick and Morty resurrected dipping sauce tied to a Disney movie? I find it very funny that this thing has the life that it has.

Speaking of which, now that Ricks wife has been avenged, isnt it time for Rick and Morty to finally get back to Ricks true calling?
In the South Park Season 27 premiere, Sermon on the Mount, the long-time satirical series tells us that, in these times of struggle and division, we must ask ourselves: What would Jesus do? Meanwhile, Jesus just asked us, Do you really want to end up like Colbert?

The public acrimony between South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone and their parent company Paramount seemed to reach a head last week when Parker and Stone enlisted the services of a notorious bulldog litigator in preparation for a lawsuit. Paramount quickly side-stepped another high-profile legal battle that embarrassed their entire company by throwing $1.5 billion at the South Park creators, but the real blow that Parker and Stone would land on the corporate cronies who delayed Season 27 over their stupid merger with Skydance Media came tonight when South Park basically blamed Paramount for emboldening Trump to sue his critics into paying him appeasement money whenever anyone says something he doesnt like.

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The very title of Sermon on the Mount is a slam on Paramount and their cowardly decision to cozy up to an executive branch that has waged war on the media and free speech itself, but we honestly didnt expect South Park to go so far as to accuse their a-hole bosses of single-handedly ensuring the unchecked power of our small-dicked President Saddam Hussein.

In Sermon on the Mount, Randy Marsh leads an angry mob against the President after he discovers that Stans public school has gotten rid of the separation of church and state and is forcing his son to sit with Jesus Christ in the cafeteria. Upon learning that Mr. Garrison gave up the White House and allowed Donald Trump (who is, hilariously, Saddam Hussein in disguise) to take over the country, Randy calls up President Trump and criticizes his unconstitutional education agenda, causing Trump to launch a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit against the town of South Park.

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As cagey 60 Minutes reporters tiptoe around South Parks protest against the President, Jesus himself returns and passes out loaves of bread, bidding the citizens to shut up and eat them while he whispers critical information through his teeth. According to Jesus Christ, he is contractually obligated to appear in public schools due to the terms of Paramounts recent $16 million settlement with the President. The guy can do whatever he wants now that someone backed down, Jesus says of President Trump and Paramounts cowardly capitulation.

If someone has the power of the presidency and also has the power to sue and take bribes, then he can do anything to anyone! Jesus continues. Its the f---ing President, dude! And all of you shut the f--- up, or South Park is over! Just shut the f--- up!

Considering that Sermon on the 'Mount ended with a live-action deep-fake of Trump stripping down and exposing his tiny talking penis, this season, I dont think South Park is going to do what Jesus would do.
The official White House stance on last nights South Park Season 27 premiere is that the show isnt culturally important enough for President Trump to post a come-back to the series personal attacks on Truth Social, which must mean that the President thinks very highly of Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Kimmel, The View and Rosie ODonnell if he's willing to fight back against them himself.

As the most terminally online President in the history of our country, Trump has been famous for Twitter feuds and social media meltdowns for longer than he has even been considered a political figure. Trump founded his own social media platform just so that he could never be censored when posting all-caps attacks on such culturally relevant figures and institutions as Full Frontal with Samantha Bee and Broadway actor Brandon Victor Dixon.

Seriously, Trump is constantly posting about whatever D-list celebrity last earned his ire, but somehow after last nights South Park episode Sermon on the Mount busted out both barrels for the small-cocked Commander-in-Chief, Trump cant be bothered to post his own clap-back on social media and start a real beef.

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Instead, the White House sent some nobody assistant press secretary named Taylor Rogers to make a statement to Rolling Stone about South Parks aggressive parody, and she claimed that the series "hasnt been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention.

I guess thats why Trey Parker and Matt Stone just inked a $1.5 billion contract extension with Trumps buddies over at Paramount  theyre just soooo desperate and irrelevant.

The Lefts hypocrisy truly has no end  for years they have come after South Park for what they labeled as offense content, but suddenly they are praising the show, the moderately literate Rogers wrote to Rolling Stone in the official White House statement on South Park's hilarious attacks. Just like the creators of South Park, the Left has no authentic or original content, which is why their popularity continues to hit record lows.

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President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our countrys history, Rogers continued to lie, and no fourth-rate show can derail President Trumps hot streak.

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But while the White House's junior PR professional insisted that South Park is completely irrelevant and unpopular in her official statement about the show, more senior Trump administration officials admitted to Rolling Stone that their phones were blowing up when Sermon on the Mount first aired last night, with one saying that of course clips of Trumps tiny, deep-faked dick were circulating around Trump's staff.

Considering that Trump just settled a $16 million lawsuit against another Paramount property, 60 Minutes, over minor editing decisions in their interview with Kamala Harris, it seems unlikely that the single most popular TV series under the Paramount umbrella isnt getting under his skin when they call him a Middle Eastern dictator who sues people for properly depicting how small his penis really is.

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Right now, South Park is the second-most trending topic on all of Twitter with 200,000 recent tweets, and only the death of Hulk Hogan mere minutes ago could beat it out for the first spot. Between their billions of dollars and millions of fans, Parker, Stone and South Park are about as irrelevant to American culture as Trumps name is inconsequential to the Epstein list.
According to both the White House and the online right, South Park is so desperate to remain relevant and popular that Trey Parker and Matt Stone just signed a $1.5 billion contract extension with Paramount instead of squeezing the company for a beautiful $16 million.

Last night, South Park premiered its 27th season with the headline-making episode Sermon on the Mount, which absolutely skewered President Donald Trump and the parent companies that play ball with him. Parker and Stone even brought back the classic South Park (and world) antagonist Saddam Hussein to play President Donald Trump as they excoriated the commander-in-chief for his open corruption, his fascistic orders and his tendency to sue his every critic and any painter who dares to depict his dick at its factually diminutive size.

In response to South Park calling him a small-dicked Middle Eastern dictator who launches frivolous lawsuits like theyre homing missiles aimed at Iran, Trump hid behind his assistant press secretary who told Rolling Stone that South Park isnt worth the Presidents time because it "hasnt been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention.

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Now, the online right, who, up until last night, considered Parker, Stone and South Park to be their greatest anti-woke culture warriors, have flipped the script and begun to follow the Presidents marching orders as they collectively pretend that South Park is no longer popular in hundreds of thousands of Twitter threads, causing South Park to top the sites trending topics:

Meanwhile, the majority of right-wing grifters who have spent the last nine years pretending that God put Parker and Stone on this earth to own the libs have simply avoided South Park discussions entirely, despite the sea of South Park fans who are tagging them under every post of Trumps shriveled, talking penis and asking them for a comment.

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For instance, despite name-dropping South Park every time he feels like mocking Muslims with impunity, conservative thought-leader and podcaster Ben Shapiro has yet to react to Sermon on the Mount  although Im sure hed just say that he forgot South Park was still on the air until the White House put out a press release about it.

While hundreds of thousands of South Park fans continue to discuss last nights headline-making premiere across social media, the conservative game plan for handling such a ruthless roasting of President Trump seems to come straight from the man himself: Hide from it in your bunker like its a peaceful protest.
Golden Chinese scholar tree flowers enter harvest season in S China's Guangxi

People's Daily Online) 09:34, July 24, 2025

Photo shows golden Chinese scholar tree flowers at a family farm in Baibao township, Quanzhou county, Guilin city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Photo/People's Daily Online)

The harvest season for golden Chinese scholar tree flowers has recently arrived in Quanzhou county, known as "home of golden Chinese scholar trees," in Guilin city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

At a family farm's planting base in Baibao township of the county, Jiang Wentian and his wife Tang Yanxiu harvested golden Chinese scholar tree flowers on July 16.

The planting area of golden Chinese scholar trees in Quanzhou county has reached 300,000 mu (20,000 hectares), and over 60,000 farming households are engaged in the cultivation of the tree species.

The total output of golden Chinese scholar tree flowers this year is expected to surpass 22,000 tonnes, generating an estimated annual output value exceeding 1.1 billion yuan ($153.29 million).

A farmer harvests golden Chinese scholar tree flowers in Baibao township, Quanzhou county, Guilin city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Photo/People's Daily Online)

Harvested golden Chinese scholar tree flowers are transported via a transport facility at a family farm in Baibao township, Quanzhou county, Guilin city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Photo/People's Daily Online)

Farmers carry golden Chinese scholar tree flowers in Baibao township, Quanzhou county, Guilin city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Photo/People's Daily Online)

Farmers process golden Chinese scholar tree flowers in Baibao township, Quanzhou county, Guilin city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Photo/People's Daily Online)

Photo shows golden Chinese scholar tree flowers at a family farm in Baibao township, Quanzhou county, Guilin city, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. (Photo/People's Daily Online)

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Modified: Thursday, 24 July 2025 08:05 BST

Frank Davies

STORY LINK Pound to Dollar Rate Today: GBP Gains Ground amid Increase in Risk Appetite

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The Pound US Dollar exchange rate ticked up on Thursday as an upbeat market mood underpinned the currency pairing.At the time of writing, GBP/USD was trading at approximately $1.3548, up roughly 0.2% from the start of Wednesdays session.The US Dollar (USD) came under pressure on Wednesday, weakening against most major peers as improving risk appetite dampened demand for the safe-haven currency.A lift in global market sentiment followed reports of a new trade agreement between the US and Japan, which boosted investor confidence and triggered a shift towards riskier assets.This upbeat tone left the Greenback on the back foot throughout the European session.With no notable US releases to offer support or direction, USD exchange rates were largely dictated by broader market dynamics, resulting in widespread losses across the board.The Pound (GBP) fluctuated on Wednesday, as a lack of domestic economic data left Sterling directionless and largely influenced by global market sentiment.With risk appetite picking up, the increasingly risk-sensitive Pound managed to edge higher against its safer rivals, which lost appeal amid the upbeat tone.However, GBP struggled to keep pace with even more volatile assets, and slipped against these peers.Meanwhile, anticipation for Thursdays flash PMI releases saw many traders hold off on making decisive moves on GBP, keeping the currency largely rangebound as attention turned to economic releases due later in the week.Looking ahead to Thursday, the Pound US Dollar (GBP/USD) exchange rate is poised for potential volatility as both the UK and the US publish their latest S&P Global flash PMI figures for July.In the UK, market attention will focus heavily on the services PMI which stands as a key barometer of activity in the countrys largest sector.Economists expect the index will remain in growth territory, signalling continued resilience across the UK economy, which could offer the Pound a lift.Across the Atlantic, the US is also scheduled to release its July PMIs.Forecasts suggest the data will point to ongoing expansion in both the manufacturing and services sectors.If confirmed, this could help support the US Dollar by reinforcing confidence in the underlying strength of the US economy.

International Money Transfer? Ask our resident FX expert a money transfer question or try John's new, free, no-obligation personal service! ,where he helps every step of the way, ensuring you get the best exchange rates on your currency requirements.

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Watching Essex Police escorting Far Left troublemakers to a confrontation with local residents protesting against a hotel in Epping being converted into an asylum hostel for single men should surprise nobody. These days it's par for the course.

More than 20 years ago I dubbed the police 'the paramilitary wing of New Labour'.

Under Tony Blair and his Oxford University contemporary Ian Blair (no relation), former Commissioner of the Met, the Old Bill had become increasingly politicised.

The recently deceased Ian Blair, basically a social worker with scrambled egg on his cap, dressed openly to the Left and policed London accordingly.

At one stage, in the middle of a general election campaign, Tony Blair was being driven around in official police vehicles resprayed with the slogans 'Vote Labour' and 'Britain Forward Not Back'.

The nadir of Ian Blair's reign at Scotland Yard came not with the shooting of innocent Brazilian Jean Charles De Menezes in the wake of the 7/7 terror attacks, but when the Met arrested Tory spokesman Damian Green on trumped-up charges after he was accused by then Labour Home Secretary Jacqui 'Jackboots' Smith of leaking classified information.

Locking up an Opposition spokesman was straight out of the Stasi songbook. The case eventually collapsed despite the best attempts of 20 anti-terrorism officers to rustle up evidence against Green.

Since then, rather than clean up their act and return to the neutrality we are entitled to expect from them, the police have shifted even further Left.

Riot police follow a march into the Epping town centre from a demonstration outside the Bell Hotel last week

Watching Essex Police escorting Far Left troublemakers to a confrontation with local residents protesting against a hotel in Epping being converted into an asylum hostel for single men should surprise nobody, writes Richard Littlejohn

Protesters hold up red smoke cannisters and signs outside the hotel in Epping

We've seen police cars resprayed in rainbow colours and coppers painting their nails and posing in high heels to 'celebrate Pride month'. MGBGT+ flags have been flown above our dwindling number of police stations.

Who can forget officers dancing and skateboarding with Extinction Rebellion headbangers who brought chaos to London's streets. And taking the knee to Black Lives Matter marchers.

More recently, the Met have spent their weekends giving a police escort to the pro-Hamas/Palestine mob calling for genocide against Israel, even threatening to arrest the head of the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism for looking 'openly Jewish'.

So when Essex Plod marched in lockstep with the Stand Up To Racism gang who descended on Epping they were only behaving true to form.

Stand Up To Racism is a Socialist Workers Party front funded by Far Left trades unions, intent on provoking a violent reaction from those who object legitimately to illegal migrants, almost always single men, being bussed in to their communities in the dead of night and billeted in four-star hotels.

The Epping protests erupted after an Ethiopian migrant, who had only arrived on a small boat eight days earlier, was charged with sexually assaulting a young girl.

The correct police response would have been to turn back the SWP mob before they got to within a mile of the locals. When the inevitable confrontation kicked off and the Far Left agitators found themselves outnumbered they were spirited away from the scene in police vans 'for their own safety'.

The chief constable of Essex, Ben-Julian Harrington, first denied that his officers had escorted the Stand Up To Racism rabble and, when the truth emerged, then claimed the police had a duty to uphold 'freedom of assembly'. That's the lame excuse wheeled out by the Met to justify the softly, softly policing of the anti-Israel marches.

Harrington might have been given the benefit of the doubt had he not sent officers to the home of the columnist Allison Pearson, formerly of this parish, on Remembrance Sunday to investigate her for an alleged 'hate crime' over a social media post which she subsequently deleted. She was accused of stirring up racial hatred after posting a photo of police officers alongside demonstrators waving what she wrongly thought was a Palestinian flag, but was in fact the flag of a Pakistani political party.

The police are more interested in investigating online 'hate' than tackling real crime. Call for the death of Jews on the streets and the police will turn a blind eye. Post some hurty words on the internet and go directly to jail.

For the record, I don't blame the frontline coppers involved in the Epping fiasco. The poor bloody infantry are only obeying the orders of chief officers such as Harrington, who know the best way to get on in the modern police 'service' is to embrace every woke/Far Left cause espoused by their political masters.

And, I reiterate, no one is making excuses for any anti-migrant protester who resorts to violence, whether chucking petrol bombs at a Holiday Inn or jumping up and down on a police vehicle.

But while violent demonstrators should always face the full force of the law, the Far Left will continue to get a free pass and a police escort into the bargain.

Naturally, Harrington has rejected calls from Nigel Farage and others to resign and he can expect the full backing of the Prime Minister, too.

Surkeir's response to anyone who opposes his catastrophic immigration policies is to smear them as 'Far Right' and send in the heavy mob.

These days the Old Bill aren't only the paramilitary wing of Labour, they are the enablers of the SWP, Extinction Rebellion, the pro-Hamas mob and every other Far Left cause out there.

Mind how you go.
I have lived long enough, in Eastern Europe before the fall of the Iron Curtain as well as in the West, to recognise the signs. Serious social unrest is in the air.

And you don't have to take my word for it. Even Deputy PM Angela Rayner, a staunch socialist, warned this week that ministers at last need to acknowledge the public's 'real concerns' about mass migration, while Downing Street officials fear the nation is 'fraying at the edges'.

At the opposite end of the political spectrum, Reform's Nigel Farage captures the public mood when he warns that Britain is close to 'civil disobedience on a vast scale'.

The atmosphere of discontent seems palpable. Last week's demonstrations in Epping, east London, ignited by reports that a boat migrant sexually harassed a 14-year-old girl in the street, have provoked other protests, at Diss in Norfolk and at a luxury hotel requisitioned for asylum seekers amid the glittering skyscrapers of Canary Wharf, east London.

Alarmingly for the authorities, groups of protesters appear to be gathering outside migrant hotels around the country every day.

Yesterday, it emerged that Essex Police had actually escorted Left-wing, pro-migrant counter-protesters to Epping's Bell Hotel, now given over to illegal arrivals. The force has suggested this was to 'facilitate free assembly'.

Last year, of course, a wave of riots was set off by the appalling knife attack in Southport, in which three small girls were killed and seven other people  five of them children  were seriously injured by a malevolent teenage psychopath.

Now there are concerns such violence could break out again, fuelled by mounting public rage at the seemingly endless tide of young men arriving illegally on small boats. Keir Starmer has spoken about his wish to see our 'social fabric' repaired, but the Prime Minister and his Cabinet simply don't understand that this mounting crisis has been directly caused by their and their predecessors' unwillingness to grasp the concerns of ordinary people.

Around 150 people gathered outside The Park Hotel in Diss, Norfolk, on Monday. No one can deny that our society is more fragmented than it was a couple of generations ago, says Furedi

A man is arrested by police at a protest outside The Bell Hotel, believed to be housing asylum seekers, in Epping. Furedi writes: 'As this long, hot summer roils on, I fear that events may force our leaders to confront these mounting tensions in our society  whether they like it or not'

The traditional values that bind a nation and give it stability  patriotism and loyalty to the whole country instead of splintered communities  have long been deliberately undermined by our political leaders and the State itself.

Gus O'Donnell, the most senior civil servant in the country under three Prime Ministers between 2005 and 2011, captured this when he boasted: 'At the Treasury I argued for the most open door possible to immigration... I think it's my job to maximise global welfare, not national welfare.'

Again and again, the public have expressed their opposition to such attitudes at the ballot box. Again and again, the politicians have ignored them.

One man I spoke to recently, an ex-serviceman named John, told me: 'I'm fed up with feeling like an alien in my own community.'

The Labour Party used to represent people like John. No longer.

The Blairite project of 'multiculturalism' has visibly failed. Of course there are exceptions, and of course many migrants make a wonderful contribution to our country. But no one can deny that our society is more fragmented than it was a couple of generations ago.

Starmer himself, before he feebly backtracked on his own phrasing, understood this when he referred to our 'island of strangers'.

But he was right. Large parts of Britain, from Tower Hamlets in east London to districts of Bradford in West Yorkshire, have become ethnic enclaves. Assimilation or integration of the second, third or even fourth-generation migrants living there is increasingly unrealistic.

The political establishment refuses to admit these profound problems, because to do so would be to accept the failure of their world view, maintained despite its obvious flaws for 30 years or longer.

Why else would Labour ministers be so eager to fight the battles of the past  from reversing Margaret Thatcher's union laws to threatening to prosecute soldiers who served in Northern Ireland in the 1970s and now investigating police actions during the miners' strike more than four decades ago?

As this long, hot summer roils on, I fear that events may force our leaders to confront these mounting tensions in our society  whether they like it or not.

All it might take is one spark. An online rumour, a viral video clip, perhaps a single inflammatory post on social media  and Tinderbox Britain will go up in flames.

Yes, some far-Right thugs have been present at recent anti-migrant protests. But it is completely dishonest of Labour to pretend that these scenes are purely the work of racist agitators.

A report by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services into last August's riots in Southport concluded that most people who took part in them lived locally.

They were whipped up not by criminal factions or extremists, but by disaffected individuals and online influencers.

Ideology and political views played little part. The riots were a spasm of protest from a people who felt that no one was listening to them.

Millions more who took no part in the disturbances still shared some of those concerns. They are ordinary men and women  largely apolitical. They would indignantly reject any suggestion of bigotry, and they are emphatically not racist.

And yet they cannot maintain the silence, foisted on them by successive governments, any longer.

As prime minister more than 20 years ago, Tony Blair schemed to make mass immigration an acceptable policy, with a 'marketing strategy' to sell multiculturalism to the country.

This was despite a report, commissioned by the Home Office, that warned: 'People feel they do not have permission to freely express their fears.'

Even then, in faraway 2004, many Britons believed our borders were 'open and overrun'. Labour's response was to downplay these fears, so that immigration stories were 'no longer automatic front-page tabloid material every time'.

That cynical technique has become embedded in Labour's DNA. Starmer cannot imagine doing things any differently. But year after year of enforced silence has not dissipated the nation's fears  or its anger.

It has achieved the opposite, by containing them under pressure.

Now that pressure is building, and though I hope to God I'm wrong, the ominous sense that something terrible is about to flare up is becoming inescapable.

Professor Frank Furedi is the director of the think-tank MCC Brussels.
As the King prepares to head to Scotland for his summer break, my mole reports Prince Andrew is still on the guest list for a Balmoral holiday. Andrew had been feeling chipper when the White House announced Jeffrey Epstein didnt keep a little list of clients and the FBI has closed its investigations. But, with Trumps second thoughts about releasing documents, Andrews anxiety continues. It hasnt helped that he has received a reminder from the King that events dont allow him to return to royal duty. Is there no redemption for the disgraced duke?

Why the delay in elevating Nigel Farage to the Privy Council? Elected to lead a party of five MPs (now down to four) the honour would normally have followed fairly swiftly as with the leaders of Plaid Cymru (four MPs) and the DUP (five). The last dither was when Jeremy Corbyn became Labour leader. He got the nod in the end because doing otherwise would risk the King appearing to snub a particular party. With Farage being touted as a potential next PM, the Palace is feeling similarly jittery. Membership carries the right to be briefed on confidential Privy Council terms at times of national importance. You have to turn up of course. Kemi Badenoch missed a briefing about the Afghan data breach in March and so knew nothing about it until last week.

Might Trump remember old pal Farage when visiting the King? The US embassy will, as is customary, have the right to suggest names to the state banquet guest list which could see Nigel don the nosebag at Windsor Castle. He didnt make the cut last time and will be hoping for better now hes an MP. And if Farage does get in, will he be seeking Queen Camillas guidance about boltholes for a sneaky Woodbine?

Muteness from Gillian Anderson, pictured, about her role in The Salt Path, with author Raynor Winn disputing claims it has misleading details about her life. Were [Gillian] to break her silence, writes The Spectators Alexander Larman, it would be a rare chink in the armour of this ice queen, sex therapist and, it would appear, all-round Renaissance woman. Just a tinge of vulnerability... would make the Magnificent Anderson that bit more human, and therefore likeable.

Expressing sympathy for married Andy Byron, 50, forced to resign after he was caught on camera cuddling his companys HR chief Kristin Cabot, 52, at a Coldplay concert, writer Flora Gill remarks: Am I the only one who thinks its kind of refreshing, seeing a man publicly cheat with an age-appropriate woman for once? I know this means the bar is absurdly low, but shes not in her twenties, so thats something. Her late journalist father, AA Gill, famously left Floras politician mother Amber Rudd after his affair with South African model and journalist Nicola The Blonde Formby, over a decade his junior.

Ozzy Osbourne, who famously bit a bats head off on stage believing it was a rubber toy, later stipulated what he wanted on his gravestone: Bats taste like sh*t.
It's been a while since Harry Styles' fans have heard from the popstar.

While most would assume that this means he's been working tirelessly on music, it turns out that the star is trying out an entirely different venture: sex toys.

On July 24, the popstar's unisex lifestyle brand Pleasing dropped two sexual wellness products.

The products include The Pleasing Double-Sided Vibrator ($68) and The Pleasing Lube ($25).

These new offerings are being paired with a pop-up experience.

'Come explore our three-day pop-up in New York City where your journey begins with a moment to yourself before discovering the new collection, alongside Pleasing bestsellers and a few special surprises,' the Pleasing site reads.

'No small talk here, Pleasing Yourself favors presence over performance.'

The new drop was promoted in a series of three ads: two posted yesterday before it was confirmed that he was dropping sex toys, and then one on the day of the drop.

Harry Styles' unisex lifestyle brand Pleasing dropped two sexual wellness products.

But fans were speculating from the first ad that Harry was thinking of releasing a sexual wellness line.

Prior to this, Pleasing was selling products including fragrance, makeup, nail polish, and apparel.

The first video shows a glass of milk being slammed down onto a table, and someone using Morse code to send a message (no one has been able to decipher it yet, with some fans even saying it's a gibberish message).

Harry reposted this video onto his stories, his first upload in quite some time.

The next ad shows a series of phones ringing and vibrating, and Harry's hands finally reach out to pick up a phone.

In the newest ad, Harry writes down 'Please yourself like you mean it' on a diner-style check and then reads the same line aloud.

And fans have been sent into a frenzy as a result - with many shocked that he has released an X-rated line before new music.

In the newest ad, Harry writes down 'Please yourself like you mean it' on a diner-style check and then reads the same line aloud

Neither of the sexual wellness products have a confirmed release date as of yet

'I can't believe we live in a world where Harry Styles is dropping sex toys before HS4,' one X (formerly Twitter) user said, alluding to the unreleased date for Harry's fourth album - if there is one.

'Harry Styles doing everything but going to the damn studio,' another said.

But most of all, fans were just excited to hear Harry's voice again after the star's lengthy pause from the limelight.

'I haven't heard Harry's voice in so long this healed me,' one fan commented on the ad.

There are no official launch dates for the sexual wellness products.
It's been 42 years since I gave birth to my first son and 38 years since the second one came along, and I look back at that time with awe, joy and amazement at just how brilliant the maternity services were.

As soon as my first pregnancy was confirmed by my GP, I was allocated a midwife who looked after me and my unborn son throughout. She came to check on me every month at my home in Southampton, where I worked at the time, and I went for regular scans at the Princess Anne Maternity Hospital, attached to Southampton General. I was invited to see the delivery ward and meet the chief midwife, registrar and consultant. I was not a private patient, so everything I got was standard NHS practice.

I'd been reading a book by the childbirth campaigner Sheila Kitzinger in the run up to my labour and, even though I hadn't been able to follow her advice on the pleasure of home delivery  at 33, I was deemed 'too old'  I followed her guidance on making your birth plan very clear.

I knew I wanted as natural a birth as possible. I wanted the delivery room to be dark with gentle music playing. I made my plan clear to the doctors and midwives but assured them I would not stick religiously to my plan if anything went wrong.

The staff listened to everything I said and did their utmost to make it all work. Ed was born at 5pm, 14 hours after I went into labour. I was given the best care possible throughout, went home after 24 hours in the hospital and, for three months afterwards, was visited regularly by my midwife. It could not have been a more comforting experience.

Four years later, during my second pregnancy, I decided to ask doctors about the possibility of giving birth at home again.

We'd moved to London and my GP referred me to a consultant obstetrician at St George's Hospital in south London.

By then 37, I was ready for a fight to get my way  but didn't need it. The doctor examined me, read through my notes and said: 'Fine. I can't see a problem. You can have your baby at home.' My antenatal midwife came to visit me regularly and I was even assigned a GP who had experience of home delivery. On my due date, my husband David and I were shopping in M&S when I felt the unmistakable discomfort of imminent labour.

Liliwen Iris Thomas with her parents Emily Brazier and Rhodri Thomas, who have launched a civil action against Cardiff and Vale University Health Board after Liliwen died from perinatal asphyxia  a lack of oxygen

At home, the midwives came to check on me at once. All went to plan and Charlie came out like a rocket. Again, the maternity services could not have been better.

You would hope that, four decades on, medical care has only improved. To this country's shame, the opposite is true.

I thank heaven I don't have to endure the state of maternity services now. I would be terrified at the thought of giving birth today. I've heard so many stories from young colleagues who've been to hell and back. Things are so bad that the NHS now faces a 27billion bill for maternity failings in England. How have we come to a position where women are being failed more than ever at their most vulnerable?

I wanted to cry when I read about the experience of Emily Brazier at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff. She was admitted for induction in 2022. She was given pethidine, an opioid similar to morphine, codeine and unrestricted access to gas and air. Her partner was not present as she was not yet in active labour.

After the drugs had been administered, she fell asleep but was not checked. She had been left alone. At around 2am medical staff found her baby, Liliwen, had been born unattended and was in very 'poor condition'. She died around 20 hours later from perinatal asphyxia  a lack of oxygen.

At Liliwen's inquest this month, the coroner concluded she had died after her mother was left unattended by midwives and gave birth in a coma. Her lawyer said 'this tragic case highlights concerns regarding understaffing on maternity wards'.

Then there's the shocking evidence of racism within the maternity services.

A survey published by the British Medical Journal this year revealed one in four black women has experienced racial discrimination by medical professionals during pregnancy, while a report by Fivexmore, a community interest company, showed black women are 2.3 times more likely to die than white women in pregnancy, labour and after giving birth.

Black women are being subjected to appalling racist treatment on NHS maternity wards, the Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said.

I remember covering this awful story nearly ten years ago on Woman's Hour. Why, so long after it became public knowledge, has it not been fixed?

The coroner at baby Liliwen's inquest demanded a review of the use of gas and air in labour after her death. Her mother had free access to it  but it's not the gas and air that's dangerous. It's the lack of care on the part of midwives and doctors that caused Liliwen to die.

Streeting is aware of all this and must make maternity care a priority in the NHS if he's not to be accused of letting women languish, as so often happens, at the bottom of his to do list.

Like Anne, I'll work till I drop

Like me, Princess Anne is a 1950 baby and will soon achieve her three-quarter century. Next month she'll celebrate her 75th birthday and says she won't stop working until she's 90. We agree on that one, Ma'am. I hate the idea of retiring. Retirement is a dirty word. Happy birthday and keep on keeping on.

Princess Anne during a visit to Vajira Pillayar Kovil Hindu temple in Colombo, Sri Lanka, in 2024

Another A-list invasion

We saw how resentful the inhabitants of Venice were when Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez took over the city with their wedding.

Now a small village in Oxfordshire is to be overrun by A-list guests at the nuptials of Eve Jobs, the daughter of Apple founder, the late Steve Jobs. The estimated cost of her ceremony is 5million, and guests will include Kamala Harris, the Kardashians and Elton John  who is apparently being paid 1million to perform.

Eve may have been the Apple of her father's eye, but I doubt the residents of rural Oxfordshire will be best pleased when the entire village is forced into lockdown this weekend.

Eve Jobs attends the 2022 Vanity Fair Oscar Party

I want that hay fever tablet now!

I am still sniffling and sneezing with my hay fever that won't go away or be eased by the drugs currently on offer. Roll on the new immunotherapy tablet that it's said will train the immune system over three years to tolerate tree pollen. I don't care how long it takes to finally have an effect  hay fever this year has made my life a misery. I want this tablet and I want it now.

Tradeswomen  plumbers, plasterers, carpenters  are said to be swamped with work because clients feel safer with them in the home. I wish I could find some near here. No more hearing 'Mornin' darlin'.' No more sexist slurs asking what would

my husband want done. And no more surprise that, yes,

I'll be the one paying the bill.
Imagine the devastation of finding out that what you thought were normal 'baby noises' were actually a sign that your newborn was in severe distress.

It seems like every parent's nightmare - but it was a reality for Stephanie Mulhall-Atkinson, 37, and Justin Atkinson, 33.

The couple, from Canada, welcomed their daughter, Sloane, in October 2024, and immediately after her birth, they noticed the newborn was making strange 'noises' that sounded like she was 'grunting.'

But doctors assured them that she was just extra vocal, declared Sloane as 'perfectly healthy,' and 'released her without any concern.'

Six weeks later, Stephanie and Justin watched their daughter go from 'a happy, smiley, and chatty' baby to 'intubated in the PICU' and fighting for her life.

While chatting with the Daily Mail about the horrific ordeal, Stephanie explained, 'We raised concern [about her grunting noises] to many different doctors and nurses while we were in the hospital for five days post-birth, including the pediatrician.

'They all said that her lungs sounded clear so she was fine and that she was just a vocal baby making normal baby sounds.'

The grunting didn't stop after they brought Sloane home, but Stephanie just assumed it was normal baby gargling because that's what the hospital doctors had told her.

Stephanie Mulhall-Atkinson, 37, and Justin Atkinson, 33, welcomed their daughter, Sloane, in October 2024, and immediately after her birth, they noticed she was making strange 'noises'

While doctors declared Sloane as 'perfectly healthy,' six weeks later, they watched their daughter go from 'a happy, smiley, and chatty' baby to fighting for her life

'We were told that it was just her baby noises and that she was very vocal,' she explained.

But Sloane began to develop other symptoms. She was sometimes sweaty and seemed extra fussy any time she was held.

And when she was about six-and-a-half weeks old, things took a drastic turn when the infant suddenly stopped eating.

Stephanie and Justin also noticed a 'very faint blue tint around her mouth,' so they took her to the emergency room.

'[When we got there] she was making her grunting noises. As soon as the doctors heard the noises they asked if she had always done that and we said yes and that we were told it was just her normal baby noise,' recalled Stephanie.

'We were then told that it actually is a sign of distress and not normal at all. Everything escalated from there.'

Doctors rushed to do tests on the youngster to figure out what was wrong, and they then got the heartbreaking news that Sloane's heart was not working properly.

'They performed an echocardiogram to get a picture of her heart and as soon as the image popped up on the screen we saw the look of "I knew it" on the ER doctor's face,' Stephanie continued.

They soon learned that their newborn was battling something called dilated cardiomyopathy, which meant her heart was 'very enlarged' and 'unable to pump hard enough on its own'

'"Her heart is barely pumping" is all we really remember hearing. She was rushed up to the PICU, sedated and intubated immediately.'

Stephanie and Justin soon learned that their newborn was battling something known as dilated cardiomyopathy, which was caused by a 'genetic mutation.'

It meant her heart was 'very enlarged' and 'unable to pump hard enough on its own.'

They were told she was in end stage heart failure and that she would require a heart transplant to survive.

'There are no words to describe those first acute days and weeks and hearing that your tiny baby needs a heart transplant,' Stephanie said.

'It was an out of body experience. Your brain cannot comprehend that.'

They were especially 'devastated and angry' that the doctors after she gave birth had been so dismissive, which meant their little Sloane had spent weeks in distress.

'For the six weeks we had her home we just thought her noises were cute. Finding out that it meant she had been in distress that whole time was unbearable,' Stephanie scathed.

Sloane is now on a life support device and has been living in the hospital for the past seven months while awaiting her transplant, and Stephanie said she's 'thriving' all things considered

'It should have raised red flags [with the doctors] because [we now know that] grunting a sign of distress in babies.'

Sloane is now on a life support device and has been living in the hospital for the past seven months while awaiting her transplant.

Stephanie and Justin have raised over $25,000 on GoFundMe, which has made it possible for them to be by her side every step of the way.

'Thanks to the support we have received financially we've been able to both take time off from working and completely focus our attention on her,' shared Stephanie.

And she revealed that her daughter is 'thriving' all things considered.

'The device has allowed her to grow and develop "normally." She is the happiest baby EVER and she truly is thriving,' the mom-of-one concluded.

'What's next is we wait. She will be on her device in hospital until transplant.'
A popular political pundit has become the talk of D.C.'s social scene after getting engaged to a man following his split from his wife of almost ten years.

Robby Soave, who turns 37 next month, is best known as the co-host of The Hill's morning show Rising, as well as for his regular appearances on Fox News and his role as a senior editor at the libertarian magazine Reason.

Earlier this week, Soave shocked his followers when he abruptly announced his engagement to male med student Jie Jung Shih.

Soave popped the question with a Tiffany and Co. ring over candles and champagne in Taormina, Sicily, while the pair were on a romantic getaway together.

Announcing the news on X, formerly Twitter, he wrote, 'Some personal news from my Sicily trip earlier this month, in case anyone missed it: I got engaged!'

There was no mention of Soave's longtime wife Caroline 'Carrie' Soave, who he celebrated his ninth anniversary with in Positano, Italy, back in October, 2023.

Robby and Carrie were high school sweethearts who went on their first date back in 2004.

The Rising host often posted photos with Carrie on Instagram, and was never shy when it came to gushing about their marriage.

Political pundit Robby Soave has split from his longtime wife and high school sweetheart Carrie (pictured together) and is now engaged to a man

Soave shocked his followers when he abruptly announced his engagement to male med student Jie Jung Shih earlier this week

In a 2019 post, he wrote, 'Today, five years ago, @carriesoave and I got married, following just over 10 years of dating that began when we were in high school and continued through college and after.

'Despite having to spend years and years and years apart from each other, we always knew where we wanted to end up: Together. I love you so much babe!'

While celebrating their wedding anniversary in 2023, Soave gushed, 'Could not be more overjoyed to celebrate nine years married to @carriesoave!

'The most wonderful woman on earth, and the love of my life. Of course it's actually been a lot longer we fell in love as high schoolers in the early 00s. There's no one else I'd rather travel the world with. Italy is almost as beautiful as you!'

The former couple were often seen out at events in Washington, D.C., and would dress up together on Halloween.

It's unclear when exactly they split, but Robby hasn't posted anything with Carrie since their ninth wedding anniversary in late 2023.

Last fall, Carrie officially left D.C. to return home to Michigan to be with her family and to open a consulting business.

Discussing her move with the Grosse Pointe News in March, Carrie said, 'My family is here and I'd been wanting to come back.'

Soave popped the question with a Tiffany and Co. ring over candles and champagne in Taormina, Sicily while the pair were on a romantic getaway together

Soave told Politico that he and Shih met at a bar on U Street in D.C. and that it was 'love at first sight'

DailyMail.com hears that the Soaves' split has been the talk of the town in D.C.'s social circles all week.

While some are happy to see Robby out of the closet, the overwhelming sympathy is with Carrie, who was with Robby for 17 years before fleeing D.C. for a 'fresh start' in Michigan after their divorce was finalized last year.

Other have said that Robby's sexuality has been part of the D.C. gossip mill for years, so few people were surprised to see him end up with a man.

As for Carrie, she hasn't publicly offered any details about her personal life and appears to be going to great lengths to fly under the radar and move on from her failed marriage.

Soave hasn't shared much about his relationship to fiance Shih either, but he did tell Politico that they met at a bar on U Street in D.C. and that it was 'love at first sight.'

Robby and Carrie haven't posted together since their ninth wedding anniversary in October, 2023

Since publicly sharing his engagement, Soave has been inundated with cruel and often homophobic comments from his followers as well as prominent right wing figures

DailyMail.com has contacted Robby and Carrie for comment.

Since publicly sharing his engagement, Soave has been inundated with cruel and often homophobic comments from his followers as well as countless right wing figures.

'The amount of extremely homophobic comments this is getting is truly astounding and disgusting,' wrote one follower.

'Why can't people just be happy for other people's happiness? The haters had no call to spew their irrational hatred like that. Very disappointed. Idiots never stop to amaze.'

The libertarian star has been showing off a buff new look since splitting with wife Carrie

Carrie has since left D.C. to return to Michigan to be with her family and to open her own consulting business

Despite the backlash, Soave has received support from a number of other prominent political pundits, including former Rising co-hosts Kim Iversen and Ryan Grim.

'Congratulations Robby! Wishing you both many great years ahead!' Iversen gushed.

Soave is a decorated journalist who made it onto Forbes' 30 under 30 list in 2016.

He's published two books, is a regular on Fox News and is currently the longest-serving co-host on Rising, which is one of YouTube's biggest political talk shows.

His partner Jie Jung Shih is a student at the Georgetown University School of Medicine.

Shih is active in the LGBTQ+ community, and was one of a group of med students who volunteered at Capital Pride Festival in Washington last year.
A parent taking their child for a walk to the shops to buy an ice-cream sounds like a run of the mill family outing. But it's one that for many years escaped a visually impaired mother  until she became the recipient of a seeing eye dog.

'Having a seeing eye dog gave that mother the confidence to take her daughter out on her own to get an ice-cream - something she never would have done before,' Petbarn Foundation manager Janelle Miller told FEMAIL.

'I've seen over and over how beneficial a seeing eye dog is not only for helping someone navigate the world physically, but also mentally how much it impacts on that person's confidence and wellbeing.'

It's the reason why the Petbarn Foundation have for 12 years straight run their annual Seeing Eye Dogs Vision Australia appeal.

The fundraising target for 2025 is to raise $1.1million in donations, which will go towards training up 22 seeing eye dog pups. You can donate HERE.

At $50,000 per pup, it's a huge investment. But it's indisputably worthwhile for the potentially lifechanging benefit it provides to a person who is visually impaired.

Janelle proudly explains that the Pet Barn Foundation's efforts in supporting Seeing Eye Dogs Vision Australia had so far seen them fund the training of 179 dogs  and if they reach this year's goal, they will 'surpass our 200th dog'.

'That's 200 people, who's lives will be changed by these dogs,' she explained.

The latest litter of eight-week old Labradors from Seeing Eye Dogs Vision Australia visited the Daily Mail Australia offices

Wearing their official training vests, the Seeing Eye Dogs puppies had already had a big day out riding a ferry before stopping by to say hello to Daily Mail Australia staffers

Kim Rulach, head trainer from Seeing Eye Dogs Vision Australia, explained to FEMAIL that training the potential service dogs is no "walk in the park".

The puppies are 'purpose bred' by the organisation - and are either labradors, golden retrievers, or a cross between the two.

'In our program, when the puppies are eight weeks old they'll go out to a volunteer puppy carer. The carer is responsible for socialising them and doing basic obedience training and teaching them nice house manners, and they'll have them for about a year.'

'Then, if they are selected for formal training, we bring the one year old dogs back to our centre, and we do a 20 week training program,' Kim said.

All of the costs involved in this process  from vet bills to dog food is provided by the organisation.

Without these essential funds, the organisation and program simply cannot exist  which is why Pet Barn Foundation continues to annually support this crucial initiative.

'All we need from our volunteers is the commitment of time,' Kim added.

The intensive training program sees the dogs go through a series of major assessments, concluding with one final major test.

These ten-week old Labradors are seeing eye dogs in-training

The puppies visit to the Daily Mail Australia office was organised by the Pet Barn Foundation to promote their current Seeing Eye Dogs Vision Australia fundraiser. Their aim is to raise $1.1M in donations, which will go towards training up 22 seeing eye dog pups

'They do a final walk test with the person who's been training them  and they're not allowed to make any mistakes on their route,' Kim said. 'They have to be able to do it on their own with minimal cues.'

Kim says the bench mark is high  but necessarily so.

'What these dogs do is so important and it's putting someone's safety in danger if they're not up to scratch.'

The high performing dogs that pass the test are then matched with a suited visually impaired person, empowering them to move independently in public without the need for a cane.

But even those dogs that don't quite meet the high criteria necessary to become a seeing eye dog still go on to serve important roles within the community.

'We filter a lot of our dogs to other service agencies that don't have just their own breeding programs - they can help with things like PTSD or autism, or they can be medical alert dogs,' Kim explained. 'So we are able to give these dogs to other agencies so they can use them in their programs.'

Even those that flunk out of puppy training all together end up with a charmed life as 'wonderful family pets'.

Vision Australia Seeing Eye Dogs is also always searching for big-hearted community members to volunteer as puppy carers.

As well as being given all the necessary financial support, the trainers are highly involved with the carers to ensure all aspects of the pup's training remain on track.

However Kim notes that the toughest part of being a carer volunteer is the ability to 'give the dog back to us at the end of the process'.

'It's really emotional and our volunteers do get really attached to them,' she said.

'But the cause is what makes it worthwhile. Our volunteers know that by raising and training these pups, what they've done is help someone else gain their independence.'

'And usually our volunteer carers will eventually come back to train another puppy!'

CLICK HERE to make a donation to the Petbarn Foundation 12th Annual Seeing Eye Dogs Appeal
A TikTok user has shared a little-known hack to get your groceries half-off less every week - as long as you buy them on Mondays.

UK-based Lauren Kaye, 31, told her TikTok followers that Deliveroo is running an offer called 'Fridge Filler Monday' that allows users to save 50 per cen on selected fresh and frozen products from big supermarkets.

'I've just been on Deliveroo and, on a Monday you get 50 per cent off on all fridge fillers,' Lauren told her followers.

She then unpacked two bags of groceries that included protein yoghurts for 50p each, six large eggs for one pound, and veggies for under a quid, and a loaf of seeded bread from Warburtons for another pound.

'A block of cheese - now this is a bargain - this was 1.48,' she said. 'And last but not least, some beef burgers that were 2.'

Lauren's total spend came to 14.65 for two bags' worth of fridge fillers as she took advantage of the food delivery company's weekly promotion that includes brands like Iceland, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, and Asda.

Her followers agreed Lauren had gotten 'such a good deal' on the groceries, with one person writing: 'Brilliant, what a bargain.'

Another shared that UberEats runs a similar 'Fresh Mondays' promotion that means app users can buy selected items like fruit and vegetables from brands like Co-op, Iceland, Morrisons, and Asda for half-off on Mondays.

A TikTok user has shared a little-known hack to get your groceries half-off less every week - as long as you buy them on Mondays

UK-based Lauren Kaye, 31, told her TikTok followers that Deliveroo is running an offer called 'Fridge Filler Monday' that allows users to save 50 per cen on selected fresh and frozen products from big supermarkets

The discount is automatically applied at checkout but delivery and service charges are still levied.

Lauren later posted a follow-up video on TikTok where she revealed she had bought part-baked baguettes, soft pittas, fruits like pineapple and bananas, as well as chicken breast fillets, and frozen pizzas for 18.

Her order from Iceland included crisps, Lurpak butter for 'just a quid', and a tiger bloomer.

'Get on Deliveroo,' the mother-of-five added.

Lauren made headlines last year when she defended herself from allegations she was a 'paedo' after her marriage to Hannah Kaye, 29.

Lauren and Hannah married at their local registry office last September, before announcing they were expecting triplets via IVF the following month.

At the time, Lauren told The US Sun that, while she and Hannah were overjoyed to start a new chapter together, the couple were also apprehensive about the criticism from haters.

'People think I married a schoolboy and am having his children. They are ridiculous and uneducated,' Lauren, who also has also has a 10-year-old son and a nine-year-old daughter from a previous relationship, explained.

'I know the abuse will only get worse now that Im pregnant.'

Lauren's total spend came to 14.65 for two bags' worth of fridge fillers as she took advantage of the food delivery company's weekly promotion that includes brands like Iceland, Sainsbury's , Morrisons , and Asda

The UK-based couple faced a barrage hurtful online comment after tying the knot, with Lauren falsely accused of being a pedophile because her wife looks so young.

She has since revealed the triplets were born eight weeks premature, while Lauren continues to document her love story and experience of parenthood on social media to her 124,000 followers.

It comes after a single mother-of-four revealed how she manages to buy an entire year's worth of groceries for 300.

Charlene Woracker, from the UK, took to TikTok to reveal the hack, telling her 29,000 followers that she manages to save shed loads of cash by doing just one stockpile shop a year.

The mother, who regularly shares her budgeting tips on social media, shared a list of 31 budget buys she swears by.

In the clip, she shared a series of pictures showcasing an array of stockpiled goods including tinned tomatoes, bin bags, cereal and a whole year's worth of toiletries.

Charlene said she keeps costs down by doing big shops at the beginning of the year, bulk buying products that are on offer and stowing them away at home.

Sharing her impressive yield, the frugal mother said she had spent a whopping 300 on the haul from Sainsbury's.

Her followers agreed Lauren had gotten 'such a good deal' on the groceries

First on the list, Charlene stocked up on multipacks of toilet rolls, with each pack having cost 1.44 using a Nectar card.

Next was an armful of multigrain hoops, each costing 85p, and offering 12 servings per box.

Penny-pinching Charlene also secured a barrel of bargain dinners with a tray of 20 tins of baked beans.

The savvy shopper didn't just stock up on canned goods, but made sure the bathroom and cleaning cupboards would be well supplied, purchasing several Nature Source shower gels on offer at two for 2 as well as Colgate toothpaste for 1, shampoo for 79p, conditioner, hand soap for 59p and panty liners for 1.60.

Piling the pantry with plenty of non-perishables, Charlene also stocked up on condiments and seasonings.

She also bagged several bags of basmati rice, each priced at 1.79, posh Maldon Sea Salt, a handful of bottles of tomato ketchup for 90p, BBQ sauce for 1.15, and a dozen dinners' worth of spaghetti, each packet coming to just 29p.

Charlene maximised her budget by buying very few branded products, including taking home a dozen packets of store-branded pasta which she insisted 'tastes just as good as branded packs of spaghetti'.

The mother took home four litres of Greek extra virgin olive oil for just over 30 using her Nectar card.

She also filled her pantry shelves with several packets of digestive biscuits for 59p each, real mayonnaise for 99p a jar, Fairtrade light brown soft sugar for 3.50 a kilo, and tinned tomatoes costing 1.88 for a four pack.

Making sure she is prepared for any event, Charlene also stocked up on a few cartons of UHT whole milk, should she ever run out and need some in a pinch.

She bought unbranded sponges in a pack of six for 65p each, bin liners for 1.25 a pack, Sainsbury's own nappies for 3.59, and cotton wool pads for 99p for 200.

At the end of the haul, Charlene said: 'Everything will last three to 12 months. It saves me thousands by shopping like this and brings down my weekly shop to about 50 a week.'
READ MORE: Tiffany Trump's mom Marla Maples coos over her new grandson

Many began to notice its absence after Jon Stewart made a brutal joke about it

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt appears to have scaled back from wearing her religious cross necklace since she was skewered by Jon Stewart in a brutal late-night joke.

Since the 27-year-old assumed her post at The White House, she has been known to wear various large cross necklaces during her press briefings, seemingly sending a clear message about her Christian faith.

She has also been known to pray with her team before beginning her briefings.

But in an early June episode of Jon Stewart's talk show, The Daily Show, he torched Leavitt and her necklace.

'By the way, I think that the more she lies, the bigger her cross gets. Is that possible? It's like some sort of weird Pinocchio cross,' Stewart chided.

However, his jokes didn't stop there.

He also posited that Leavitt is likely to be 'the only one' who will be able to leave Trump's second term 'unscathed.'

Stewart said that he 'doesn't think that she has any principles in there left to die.'

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt appears to have scaled back from wearing her religious cross necklace since she was skewered by Jon Stewart in a brutal late-night joke

Since the 27-year-old assumed her post at The White House, she has been known to wear various large cross necklaces during her press briefings, seemingly sending a clear message about her Christian faith

And since the jab, some have taken notice that Leavitt doesn't seem to be wearing her cross necklace as often anymore.

Earlier this week, Leavitt left her decolletage bare as she donned a black sleeveless dress while addressing press outside the White House on Wednesday.

And its prolonged absence has prompted many to wonder about the accessory.

'Why did Karoline Leavitt stop wearing her cross necklace????' one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote on July 9.

'Karoline Leavitt took her cross necklace off for this press conference,' another observed of her July 7 briefing.

Someone else wrote on X on June 23, 'Why did Karoline Leavitt stop wearing her necklace with the cross?'

'Karoline Leavitt was seen without her cross necklace after being mocked by Daily Show host Jon Stewart. Do you think she should keep wearing it?' another posited.

However, although the Press Secretary appears to have been wearing her necklace less, she hasn't completely gotten rid of it from her wardrobe rotation.

Earlier this week, Leavitt left her decolletage bare as she donned a black sleeveless dress while addressing press outside the White House on Wednesday

Its prolonged absence has prompted many to wonder about the accessory

In the past, Leavitt has spoken about how much her Christian faith means to her

She has been spotted on a handful of occasions since but eagle-eyed fans have identified that it is nowhere near as constant.

In the past, Leavitt has spoken about how much her Christian faith means to her.

'My faith is incredibly important to me, I would argue now more than ever,' she told CBN News in a March interview.

'Being in a role that is very demanding and at times, controversial, and there's a lot of public pressure and discussion online about who you are and your family, and you know, it could be difficult for someone who doesn't have faith, but with faith, all things are possible.'
Ellen DeGeneres has sparked uproar among Americans after putting her English farmhouse up for sale - with many speculating she will be moving back to the US despite her defiant relocation.

Earlier this week, the 67-year-old and her wife, Portia de Rossi, put their Cotswolds, England, farmhouse on the market for a staggering $30.5 million.

The pair had only purchased the home 12 months ago for $20 million.

Ellen and Portia, 52, moved into the hilltop home in Oxfordshire less than a year after swapping the US for the UK to avoid living under the Donald Trump administration.

However, after learning about the home going up for sale, many are not thrilled at the prospect of the comedian coming back to the United States.

'Oh, please say that's not true!' someone joked on X (formerly Twitter).

'Oh no! Move to London or Paris,' another urged.

'No, we don't want them back,' one comment read.

Ellen DeGeneres has sparked uproar among Americans after putting her English farmhouse up for sale - with many speculating she will be moving back to the US despite her defiant relocation

Earlier this week, the 67-year-old and her wife, Portia de Rossi, put their Cotswolds, England, farmhouse on the market for a staggering $30.5 million

One person tweeted directly to the president: 'Donald Trump, quick revoke their visas.'

'Nooooooooo...' a user simply said.

Others quickly shot down the rumors, arguing that Ellen and Portia were remaining in the UK.

'I think they have two properties in England. They bought this property first, had it renovated, and lived in it for a month before moving to a larger, more modern estate in the same area,' a commenter clarified.

'They are moving to a larger house that will accommodate their horses, not coming back to America,' another affirmed.

In a rare public appearance in the UK, Ellen told an audience this week: 'We decided we needed a different house, and now we are selling that house. So if anyone wants a house, it's a beautiful stone farmhouse!

'To clarify, I'm not selling the new one we now live in. I'm selling the old stone farmhouse.'

The former talk show host also recently revealed that she had decided to stay in the UK 'for good' because of Trump's re-election.

Ellen and Portia, 52, moved into the hilltop home in Oxfordshire less than a year after swapping the US for the UK to avoid living under the Donald Trump administration

However, after learning about the home going up for sale, many are not thrilled at the prospect of the comedian coming back to the United States

When asked if she was staying in the UK because of Donald Trump, she said: 'Yes. We were hopeful for Kamala. We were very hopeful, and we thought, at least let's get a place here.

'The idea was that we would be here for three or four months of the year - but always when we came here, we loved it and we thought it was beautiful.

'We thought when I stopped the show [The Ellen DeGeneres Show] one day, that it was so beautiful here that we would get a farm here and then go back there.

'And we got here the day before the election. We woke up to lots of texts from our friends and crying emojis. And we were like, "He [Trump] got in. So we are staying here. We are not going back. We are not leaving."

'So we bought a house that we thought was going to be a part-time house.'

The agent's marketing material describes the home as 'discreetly set at the end of a long private driveway beautifully reimagined over the past year to an exceptional standard.'

It continues: 'The estate blends period character with sleek, modern design across 43 acres of rolling Cotswold countryside.

'The main house unfolds around a central landscaped courtyard, a lovely focal point that brings light and flow to the interiors.

'Designed for both grand-scale entertaining and relaxing, the layout combines sharp architectural detail with a contemporary eye for volume, proportion and finish.'
Devil Wears Prada fans have threatened to boycott the upcoming sequel after they noticed a peculiar detail in the photos of Meryl Streep on set.

The actress, 76, is reprising her role as fearsome fashion editor Miranda Priestly in the upcoming follow-up to the fan favorite 2006 blockbuster film.

She was spotted shooting the movie in New York City on Wednesday, with photos showing a stone-faced Meryl dressed in a chic brown leather pencil skirt, a plunging lavender blouse, slimming camel-toned coat and dark sunglasses as she arrived on set.

And while seeing her back in character as the tyrannical boss of Runway magazine excited hoards of fans, some were left outraged after they noticed something rather bizarre that Meryl was holding.

In some of the snaps, the Mamma Mia! star was seen clutching a bedazzled pink water bottle, and many of the original film's dedicated supporters were not amused by the accessory.

Many claimed on X, formerly Twitter, that Miranda would never use such an over-the-top and 'tacky' item, and some even announced that they would no longer be watching because of the detail.

'THE MIRANDA PRIESTLY CARRIES A BEDAZZLED CUP,' one user wrote on X alongside some of the images.

The post got over 2.6 million views and sparked a frenzied discussion in the replies.

Meryl Streep was seen on set of Devil Wears Prada 2 on Wednesday, but some fans have threatened to boycott the upcoming sequel after they noticed an interesting detail in the photos

In some of the snaps, the Mamma Mia! star was seen clutching a bedazzled pink water bottle, and many of the original film's dedicated supporters were not amused by the accessory

'Miranda would absolutely the f**k not,' one outraged user wrote.

'What's next. A Labubu?' asked another horrified person.

'This is giving Blake lively in wardrobe and I cannot. She would never. I'm not f**king watching it,' scathed someone else.

'Miranda would never do that. Stop this movie right now,' begged a different fan.

'Something tells me they're gonna ruin this movie,' a fifth tweet read.

'The way Miranda would never be caught dead carrying her own water bottle what's going on?' said a sixth.

Many others, however, suggested that the photos were taken during a break between filming and that it was actually Meryl's own personal water bottle and not part of the film.

The photos seem to be taken when cameras weren't rolling as they show Meryl heading to an awaiting vehicle surrounded by crew.

Many claimed on X that Miranda would never use such an over-the-top and 'tacky' item, and some even announced that they would no longer be watching because of the detail

A post about the water bottle got over 2.6 million views and sparked a frenzied discussion in the replies

Even so, the cup - which was Paris Hilton's $98 Pink Glitter Water Bottle - has certainly caused quite the stir online.

The original film saw Andrea 'Andy' Sachs (played by Anne Hathaway) plunge into the fashion industry and get swiftly made over from a mousy bookworm into a high-octane glamour-puss.

It's believed that Meryl's character - her intense and icy boss - was based off now outgoing Vogue chief Anna Wintour.

The original novel that the film was based off of was a roman a clef by the real Anna's former assistant Lauren Weisberger.

News broke last July that a sequel was in the works, and it has since been confirmed that Anne and Meryl are both returning.

Anne was spotted shooting the new film this week, wearing a slew of fashionable and bold outfits.

Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci have also been seen on set, confirming they will reprise their roles in the sequel.

Stanley was a scene-stealing presence in the first film as Runway magazine's waspish art director Nigel Kipling, who announces Miranda's arrival at the office by warning his colleagues: 'All right, everyone, gird your loins!'

Many others, however, suggested that the photos were taken during a break between filming and that it was actually Meryl's own personal water bottle and not part of the film

The photos seem to be taken when cameras weren't rolling as they show Meryl heading to an awaiting vehicle surrounded by crew

Even so, the cup - which was Paris Hilton's $98 Pink Glitter Water Bottle - has certainly caused quite the stir online

Anne was spotted shooting the new film this week, wearing a slew of fashionable and bold outfits

Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci have also been seen on set. confirming they will reprise their roles in the sequel

Emily played Miranda's chic, perpetually harried senior assistant Emily Charlton, who hisses that she is 'one stomach flu away from my goal weight.'

Among the other actors pictured Wednesday included BJ Novak and Pauline Chalamet, the older sister of A-lister Timothee Chalamet.

Although Lauren wrote a sequel to her novel called Revenge Wears Prada, the reported plot of the second film is different from that of the second book.

In the upcoming movie, Miranda is said to be attempting to steer Runway through a new media landscape as her old world of print magazines slides into increasing irrelevance in the digital age, according to Variety.

She is bent on making a deal with a luxury ad firm, only to hit a snag in the shape of Emily, who is now an executive at the company.
The View's Sarah Haines was visibly enraged as she explained why she hopes Idaho murderer Bryan Kohberger will not take the 'easy way out.'

On Wednesday, Kohberger was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after murdering Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle in 2022.

During his sentencing, the cold blooded killer was offered the chance to speak about the murders, but declined to do so in a move that angered the nation.

Adding insult to injury, Kohberger, 30, sat emotionless throughout the hearing as friends and relatives of his victims read heartbreaking impact statements.

On Thursday's episode of The View, Sara, 47, spoke passionately about the killer's future behind bars.

'I would want him to live every single day,' she declared.

'I think dying or killing - people who commit suicide like a Jeffrey Epstein, people that experience the death penalty - that's the easy way out.'

Sara appeared overcome with emotion as she then speculated: 'He is going to one of the toughest and most awful prisons in this country.

The View 's Sarah Haines was visibly enraged as she explained why she hopes Idaho Murderer Bryan Kohberger will not take the 'easy way out' with suicide

Kohberger seen at his sentencing on Wednesday, where he chillingly refused to reveal why he carried out the gruesome slayings in 2022

'He will be confined due to his high risk.

'When he has visits, they will be overseen through glass. He will not be touched again. He will not have certain media.

'This is not a man that will get his meals through a tin door through the rest of his life. No chance for parole.'

She continued: 'Let him sit with that.'

Sara's comments came after fellow View host Alyssa Farah Griffin said that she was 'comfortable' with Kohberger's sentencing.

'I think multiple life sentences is the closest to justice you'll get with a man like this,' she commented.

'I'm someone who does support the death penalty but I was comfortable with this sentence. He's not going to walk free.'

Joy Behar then quipped: 'If I were the parent I would want him off the planet frankly.'

Sara appeared overcome with emotion as proclaimed she wants him 'to live every single day' in solitary confinement

Kohberger showed no emotion or flicker of expression during his sentencing

The View's Alyssa Farrah Griffin said 'multiple life sentences is the closest to justice' whereas Joy Behar said she would 'want him off the planet'

Before his sentencing, Kohberger took a controversial plea deal to avoid the death penalty, a move that angered some of his victims' families.

Idaho prosecutors agreed to drop the death penalty in exchange for his plea.

It's expected that he will be sent to Idaho's Maximum Security Prison, where he could be afforded several amenities, including being able to watch movies to pass his sentence.

Surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen sobbed as she addressed the killer and described him as 'less than human' during sentencing.

The sister of victim Kaylee Goncalves, Alivea, then delivered a searing statement, demanding he explain himself and tearing him down as a 'loser.'

She demanded Kohberger 'sit up straight' while she spoke and called him a 'delusional, pathetic, hypochondriac.'

'The truth about Kaylee and Maddie is that they would have been kind to you. In a world that rejected you, they would have shown mercy,' Kaylee Goncalves' sister Alivea began as she spoke to Bryan Kohberger directly.

Kohberger killed University of Idaho students Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20. Two other roommates survived

Kohberger watched Alivea intently, showing no emotion or flicker of expression.

Alivea continued in her scathing remarks to Kohberger: 'I wont stand her and give you what you want, I won't give you tears instead I will call you what you are: sociopath, psychopath, murderer.'

She then hit him with the very same questions that Kohberger posed in a survey on Reddit as part of his criminology degree at DeSales University.

She went on to blast Kohberger's past and all his failings, saying: 'You thought you were so much better than everyone else.'

'The truth is you're basic,' she continued. 'You're a textbook case as insecurity disguised as control. You spent months preparing and still all it took was my sister and a sheath.'

'You're as dumb as they come. Stupid, dumb weak, dirty.'

In a damning conclusion, she told Kohberger: 'If you hadn't attacked them in your sleep like a pedophile, Kaylee would have kicked your f****** a**.'
It is a well-known saying that money doesn't buy you happiness, but researchers now say that single adults with higher incomes are more likely to find love.

The findings, published in the Journal of Marriage and Family, revealed that a higher bank balance could make you more attractive, signalling a sort of romantic readiness.

Researchers also found that people with higher incomes felt more ready to date and were more likely to actively look for a partner than those with less.

The Canadian researchers conducted two long-term studiesone in the US and the other in Germanyto see how people's relationship attitudes changed over time with their income.

In the US study, researchers specifically focused on 25-35-year olds, with the belief that this is when people are most likely to seek a relationship.

In both studies, results showed that single adults with higher incomes were more likely to say they felt it was the right time to find a partner.

When surveyed again, either six months or a year later, those who enjoyed bigger salaries were more likely to have found love.

In the German cohort, the effect was stronger for men than women though researchers said the bias was not significant.

According to new research, single adults with higher incomes are more likely to want a relationship, feel ready to date and start a relationship within the next year

However, income was not associated with greater satisfaction in being single suggesting that single people with high incomes are more able to look to self-fulfilment

Professor Geoff MacDonald, a relationship psychology expert from the University of Toronto, said: 'I think that young people are making rational calculations in unstable economic conditions.

'Young people understand they are not going to be able to enjoy a relationship if they are working 80 hours a week, of if they are not sure where they're going to live next year.'

Interestingly, earning more money or less money than the year before had little effect on whether people felt they were ready for a relationship.

What mattered most was financial stability, rather than short-term financial influx or decline.

Professor Johanna Peetz, study co-author and and personal spending expert, concluded that one reason for money and relationship desirability being so interconnected could be that money enables us to fulfil basic needs.

'With increasing financial resources higher hierarchical needs such as love and belongingnamely the intimacy and romance that are part of partnershipsmight become more relevant.'

She added: 'This connection helps in understanding the sorts of tasks that many single people may be occupied with and organise their lives around, such as more firmly establishing material security.'

The researchers concluded that their findings should serve as a reminder to psychologists that whilst things like personality are important when it comes to forming and maintaining relationships, material conditions also play a significant role.

They added that their findings show that the role of income in relationship interest was largely similar in men and women, challenging the common perception that money in a primarily a concern in dating for men.

However, the researchers acknowledged that while the study provides evidence for a connection between wealth and relationship intentions, it does not prove that money causes people to enter into relationships.

They said a whole host of other factors including personality, life goals and cultural values, also play a role in romantic readiness.
A leading neurologist has issued an urgent warning over the little-known risks of cat scratches after a teenage girl was left unable to walk.

Dr Baibing Chen, from the University of Michigan, shared the warning on TikTok, stating that cats can harbour dangerous bacteria that could pose a serious threat to owners.

In the video, which has been viewed over 124,000 times, he urged his followers to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any unusual symptoms after being scratched, bitten or even licked by a cat.

Speaking about the one thing he would 'never ignore', Dr Chen said: 'I once saw a teenage patient who developed sudden confusion, severe headaches and trouble walking.'

The patient also presented with extreme fatigue and coordination issues, which her parents described as unusual.

The clinical instructor added: 'We also noticed a decrease in her vision in one eye. Further investigation showed it was inflammation of the optic nerve and the retina which explained her vision loss.'

But doctors could not come up with a diagnosis that could explain her symptoms after ruling out the 'usual suspects' including stroke, meningitis and autoimmune diseaseall of which can cause neurological disturbances.

'It wasn't until we noticed a few scratches on her arm that we asked about any recent injuries or exposures and that's when her mother mentioned they had recently adopted a kitten.

Dr Chen said the one thing he does not ignore as a neurologist is symptoms after a seemingly harmless cat scratch

Cat scratch disease is a bacteria infection passed on to humans through a scratch that is contaminated with flea feces

'This detail was key leading to the confirmation of bartonella henselae infectionthe bacteria that causes cat scratch disease.'

The disease can spread to humans through a scratch contaminated with flea fecesmost commonly from kittens.

Infected cats can also spread the bacteria by licking a person's open wound.

Cat scratch disease most commonly affects children under the age of 15 who are less likely to wash their hands after interacting with their pet cat.

It's estimated that there are approximately 12.5 million pet cats in the UK, with nearly 30 per cent of British households having at least one cat.

In the US, 37 per cent of households have at least one cat. Figures estimate the US' total cat population stands at 73.8 million.

Dr Chen said: 'Most people with this infection experience mild symptoms like swollen lymph nodes, fever and fatigue, but in rare cases this condition can affect the nervous system and eyes.'

Rarely, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this can develop into infections of the liver, spleen, brain, bones and even hearta condition known as endocarditis.

Health officials revealed in June this year that grandmother Yvonne Ford, 59, contracted rabies following contact with a stray dog while on holiday abroad

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Whilst most scratches do not result in CSD, Dr Chen said it's best to stay vigilant and keep scratch wounds clean and keep an eye out for tell-tale symptoms including a fever, swollen lymph nodes and a pustule near the scratch.

These more extreme reactions tend to occur in people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, elderly people or those with HIV.

However, the risk of infection can be minimised through keeping cats indoors and away from stray cats who are more likely to carry diseases.

But, he said this does not mean you should stay away from your cat.

'This case is a reminder that something as seemingly harmless as a playful scratch can in rare cases lead to serious health issues.

'The key here is awareness. If a scratch, bite or lick is followed by unusual symptoms like persistent headaches, vision changes or confusion sharing the detail with your doctor can make all the difference.'

The warning comes as Britain was rocked by fresh rabies fears back in June, after a woman died after catching the virus on holiday in Morocco.

Health officials revealed that the grandmother, Yvonne Ford, 59, contracted the illness following contact with a stray dog.

There have been less than 10 cases of human rabies associated with animal exposures abroad reported in the UK since 2000.

However, the UKHSA stressed there was 'no risk to the wider public' given there is 'no documented evidence of rabies passing between people'.
For years, Chris Hicks repeatedly begged his fiancee Joanne Lloyd to go for cervical screening for cancer, but she was too nervous to go through with it  and paid a terrible price for her fear.

Sadly, by the time she finally agreed to have a 'smear' test in 2021, 17 years after her last one, the news was not good: the results showed that the mother-of-five had cervical cancer.

Three years later, Joanne lost her life to the disease at the age of just 48.

Now Chris is urging women to attend their cervical screening appointments, hoping to spare others the heartbreak he's endured since losing Joanne last year.

It was only months into their nine-year relationship when Chris, 48, from the West Midlands, started urging Joanne to get a check as she developed spotting and abdominal pain after sex.

'I was desperate,' he says. 'I kept begging her, in tears sometimes. But she was so scared. She thought that if they found something, she'd end up dying like her parents.'

Joanne had been traumatised by losing her mother to a brain tumour when she was 14 and then her father to motor neurone disease (a progressive disease that affects the nerves controlling muscle movement) when she was 21.

The sense that she, too, would die young haunted her, and when it came to screenings that might show early signs of cancer, she 'just didn't want to know', says Chris.

Joanne Lloyd lost her life to cervical cancer at the age of just 48. Now her fiance is urging women to attend their cervical screening appointments

Every five years, women between the ages of 25 and 64 are invited for a smear test, where a speculum is inserted into the vagina and a sample of cells taken from the cervix.

The test checks for the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV) which causes most cervical cancers, and 'if it is present, the sample is checked for cell changes', explains Helen Hyndman, lead nurse at the gynaecological cancer charity, The Eve Appeal.

Such cell changes can progress to cancer over time, so the hope is to pick up them up at the earliest possible stage, when they can be simply burned away or monitored.

Every year in the UK, the cervical screening programme saves around 5,000 lives, according to the NHS.

But despite the pain and bleeding she was experiencing, Joanne was adamant she wouldn't have a routine smear test  telling Chris her symptoms were most likely due to the perimenopause (the lead-up to the menopause)  even though, then aged 39, she would have been unusually young.

'She was in some pain after the first time we had sex and there was only a small amount of blood, but the second time there was a lot,' he says.

'She would lie in bed holding her stomach until the pain went away. The rest of the time, she was full of energy and never tired. She didn't feel sick and was always on the go. That's why she never thought it was anything serious.'

Joanne with her fiance Chris Hicks, who repeatedly begged her to go for cervical screening for cancer

Joanne's symptoms were some of the classic red flags for cervical cancer, says Helen Hyndman.

'The most common symptom of cervical cancer is vaginal bleeding that's new or different than what is usually experienced,' she says.

'This includes vaginal bleeding during or after sex, bleeding between periods, and bleeding after the menopause.

'Other symptoms may include pain or discomfort during sex, unexplained lower back or pelvic pain, or changes to vaginal discharge,' she adds.

It is important for anyone experiencing any of these symptoms to see their GP, even if their last cervical screening result was normal.'

Despite Joanne's assurances that she was fine, Chris remained worried and the research he did online rang alarm bells.

'I told her it [the pain and bleeding] wasn't normal and when I Googled the symptoms, I read it was either a sexually transmitted disease (STD) or a serious underlying problem. I was terrified. I didn't want to lose her.'

Finally, in 2021, Joanne, now 45, agreed to see her GP, who referred her to hospital where she had a smear test  17 years after her last one  followed by a biopsy. The results confirmed cervical cancer.

'Joanne told me I'd saved her life, by making her go to the doctor  at that point we thought because the cancer had been found, she could be treated, and she'd be OK,' recalls Chris.

An MRI showed the cancer had spread to the surrounding tissues and she underwent a radical hysterectomy  'they removed everything', says Chris.

In 2021, Joanne, now 45, agreed to see her GP, who referred her to hospital where she had a smear test  17 years after her last one  followed by a biopsy. The results confirmed cervical cancer

'Her cervix, womb, fallopian tubes, ovaries, pelvic lymph nodes and part of her vagina. They thought they got it all  but she had chemotherapy and radiotherapy as a precautionary measure. It was brutal.'

After five weeks of treatment, Joanne was told her prospects were good.

She then had regular check-ups every three months, then every six, and things seemed to be heading in the right direction.

But two years after the diagnosis, just before Christmas 2023, Joanne began complaining of lower back pain and constipation.

'She said it was nothing,' Chris recalls. 'The GP thought it was sciatica [back pain] and IBS and gave her medication to treat both. But I worried, so I called her cancer specialist directly.'

On Joanne's 48th birthday, the couple went to see the consultant together.

After Joanne underwent an internal examination, they were told the cancer was back, 'and this time, it was terminal', says Chris.

'We sat in the car afterwards for two hours just crying. We had no idea how we would even begin to tell the kids. It was the worst possible news.'

The couple met in 2016 on a dating app, both recovering from broken marriages. Their first date was at an Italian restaurant, and Chris says he knew straightaway that Joanne was someone special.

'Within minutes I realised she was beautiful, inside and out,' he says.

'She always was smiling and positive. She loved walks, weekends away and family time.'

'The most common symptom of cervical cancer is vaginal bleeding that's new or different than what is usually experienced,' says Helen Hyndman, pictured last year receiving her MBE, lead nurse at the gynaecological cancer charity, The Eve Appeal

After just eight months, they moved in together. Chris and Joanne each had five children  Chris had a special bond with Joanne's youngest son, who was just three when they got together, and has autism; Joanne was his full-time carer.

'She was always up early and always doing something for someone else,' say Chris. 'She never stopped.'

But after her terminal diagnosis, her decline was rapid and within months the cancer had spread through her body, eroding tissue between her vagina and bowel.

'She started passing waste through the wrong place,' says Chris.

'She had to have emergency surgery and ended up with a stoma bag. Then it started affecting her kidneys, so they fitted a urostomy bag to collect urine too. It was relentless.'

However, 'when the worst came, Joanne faced it with incredible courage,' he says.

'We all cried a lot, but she kept going. She didn't want to leave us, especially her kids.'

Through it all, Chris, who worked as a manager for DHL, but gave it up to care for Joanne at home and remained by her side until she died in September last year.

'On her final day, some seven months after her terminal diagnosis, she died in my arms.'

Joanne and Chris were planning to get married, but the money that was earmarked for their wedding was used for her funeral instead, with additional help from their older children.

Despite the benefits of the cervical screening programme, around one in three women don't accept their invitation to have a smear test: in 2022/2023, only 67 per cent of eligible women had it.

Chris is sharing Joanne's story in the hope that it will encourage women who have turned down the chance to be screened to think again.

'I begged Joanne to be screened and now I'm begging every woman reading this,' he says. 'That five-minute test could save your life.'

After posting about Joanne on Facebook, Chris received more than 700 responses from women, many who said the story had inspired them to book their own overdue tests.

'One woman told me she hadn't been for over ten years, but she booked it that same day,' he says.

'There are thousands of women out there putting it off,' he says.

'They're scared or embarrassed or just think it doesn't matter. But it does matter. I can assure you, feeling the way I do, that it really does. I wouldn't wish this grief on anyone.

'If sharing her story prevents even one family going through what we have, I'll keep telling it.'
Experts, influencers and fitness trackers have long touted 10,000 steps a day as the 'perfect' number to ward off obesity, cancer and early death.

However, 10,000 steps, equivalent to five miles, might not be the magic number. In fact, researchers in Australia suggest aiming lower.

In a new analysis of nearly 60 studies, researchers found just 7,000 steps in a day was enough to lower the risk of dementia, heart disease and some forms of cancer. This adds up to roughly 3.5 miles.

Scientists compared the effects of 7,000 daily steps to 2,000.

Based on health data from 160,000 people, those who walked 7,000 steps a day had a 25 percent lower risk of cardiovascular disease, America's number one killer.

Additionally, 7,000 daily steps led to a 38 percent drop in dementia risk.

People who adhered to the measure were also less likely to suffer from depression than those who got just 2,000 steps in a day.

And though the average American only takes about 4,000 to 5,000 daily steps, according to the CDC, researchers said even this level of activity could lead to lower chronic disease risk.

It's unclear exactly how walking prevents cancer, dementia and other chronic diseases, but it's thought to be due to regulating hormone levels and lowering the risk of obesity, which is consistently linked to lasting health issues.

A new study shows walking 7,000 steps a day may ward off chronic diseases (stock image)

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Exercise in general, including walking, has been proven to lower chronic disease risk, and walking in particular can burn about 100 to 200 calories per mile and improve joint, heart and brain health.

Dr Melody Ding, lead study author and epidemiologist at the University of Sydney, said: 'We have this perception we should be doing 10,000 steps a day, but it's not evidence based.'

The figure dates back to a marketing campaign in Japan centered around the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. At the time a brand of pedometer launched called the manpo-kei, which translates to '10,000-step meter.'

Dr Ding said that figure was then 'taken out of context' and became an unofficial guideline, even for modern-day fitness trackers and apps.

However, she noted it's still important not to discourage people who are already surpassing 10,000 steps to cut back if they don't have to.

She said this is because 'it's not that after 7,000 steps it becomes harmful.' The idea is that 7,000 is just 'a lot more accessible and approachable' for more people.

The new research, published this week in The Lancet Public Health, analyzed 57 studies conducted between 2014 and 2025.

The studies included data on the risk of all-cause death, cardiovascular disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, cognitive outcomes, mental health outcomes, physical function and falls.

Overall, people who walked at least 7,000 steps every 24 hours were at a 25 percent lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease and 47 percent lower risk of dying from it compared to people who got 2,000 steps a day.

Additionally, those in the higher step count group were six percent less likely to develop cancer overall and 37 percent less likely to die from it, though the study did not distinguish between specific forms of the disease.

The 7,000 step benchmark could also reduce the likelihood of developing dementia by 38 percent and depression by 22 percent.

The chance of dying from any cause also decreased 47 percent in people who walked 7,000 steps a day compared to 2,000.

The 10,000 step magic number is still touted by fitness trackers and apps (stock image)

Activity like walking has been shown to slash the risk of cancer, dementia and heart disease

Walking may help fend off disease by decreasing the risk of obesity, which is tied to heart disease, diabetes, depression, dementia and some forms of cancer.

It also has been shown to improve blood flow to the brain and reduce inflammation, key preventative techniques against dementia.

Additionally, walking lowers levels of hormones like estrogen and insulin, which can fuel breast, ovarian, endometrial and pancreatic cancers, among others.

And it even releases feel-good endorphins, natural chemicals that boost mood and promote a sense of well-being.

Dr Ding said if 7,000 still feels too ambitious, aiming for a more reasonable number like 4,000 could also lower the risk of all-cause mortality by as much as 36 percent compared to 2,000 steps.

With this in mind, she encouraged moving as much as possible within limits.

There were several limitations to the new study, including lack of data on specific participant factors like sex, race, ethnicity, age, weight and overall health status.

Additionally, many of the studies included only measured differences for several weeks or months, so there was a lack of long-term data.
Captives and Companions: A History of Slavery and the Slave Trade in the Islamic World by Justin Marozzi (Allen Lane 35, 560pp)

Captives and Companions is available now from the Mail Bookshop

They were all borne down with loads of fire-wood, and even the poor little children, worn to skeletons by fatigue and hardships, were obliged to bear their burden, while many of their inhuman masters rode on camels, whips in hand.

So wrote British naval officer Captain G. F. Lyon in 1819, a witness to the Islamic slave trade in the Sahara. Even worse, the Swiss explorer Johann Burckhardt observed that very few female slaves who have passed their tenth year, reach Egypt or Arabia in a state of virginity.

While the West has, quite rightly, hung its head in shame over the transatlantic slave trade, open discussion about the vast Islamic trade in both African and European slaves remains rare.

Justin Marozzi has set out to correct this in a new work, mixing appalling accounts of inhumanity with more heartening tales of slaves who overcame adversity.

Most notable, perhaps, are the famous concubines of the glittering courts of Baghdad and Istanbul, slave-girls who became the pop stars and pin-ups of their day  though their lives remained risky. They could just as easily make life-changing fortunes from a bawdy joke as lose their heads from a slip of the tongue.

One such was the brilliant poet and slave, Inan, a concubine in Abbasid Baghdad, both flawlessly beautiful and skilled in the public cut and thrust of poetic jousting, a good deal of it coarse and sexually explicit. She specialised in mocking her numerous lovers disappointing, ah, physiques.

Much here is grim reading though. For centuries, Islamic slavers preyed brutally upon their neighbours, especially black Africans but also white Europeans. Devon and Cornwall were both subjected to repeated slave raids in the 1620s, the demand for fair-skinned slave girls being high, and in 1627 slavers raided Iceland, taking more than 400 men, women and children into captivity. Witnesses described how one woman unable to walk was thrown into the flames with her two-year-old baby.

Capture: Slaves of Alfonso X of Castille

And slavery is still with us today. In Mali, Marozzi meets a man called Hamey who was beaten by a mob in his native village. No one intervened, many laughed and filmed it.

He had tried to resist his own hereditary slave status. Driven from the village, he and his family now live in penury in a shack on the edge of Bamako, Malis capital. Yet he remains magnificently unbroken. Deep down, Im free. Whatever my financial worries, Im free. Ill never be a slave again.

While Hamey was enslaved by his own countrymen, most states largely enslave foreign peoples, a tradition dating back a thousand years or more.

King Hassan II of Morocco, who only died in 1999, owned around 80 slaves and concubines, none of the latter over 15. Today, the Walk Free human rights organisation estimates there are still some 740,000 slaves in Saudi Arabia alone.

Captives And Companions is a scrupulously fair, fearless and detailed history, as well as a tacit demand for the world to finally end this horror which we like to imagine is all in the past.
Jeff Bezos is considering purchasing cable network CNBC when it splits with its parent company later this year, according to a new report.

The deal could transform cable news as the world's fourth richest man continues to cozy up to President Donald Trump.

Bezos already owns left-leaning The Washington Post and is the founder of Amazon, but according to the New York Post, he believes CNBC could be a good 'neutral voice' to add to his empire.

The business and financial news channel would 'align well with his interests,' a source closes to Bezos told the publication.

Trump often took issue with Bezos over his ownership of The Washington Post during his first term, but the relationship has softened in the second Trump administration.

Bezos joined a host of tech CEOs on stage with Trump at his inauguration and last week enjoyed an hour-long private meeting with the president at the White House.

Comcast is planning to split off its cable assets, which includes CNBC, MSNBC, USA Network and E!, by the end of the year.

CNBC will be folded into publicly traded company Versant, led by Chief Executive Mark Lazarus and a team of NBCUniversal executives.

Jeff Bezos is considering purchasing cable network CNBC when it splits with its parent company later this year

Comcast is planning to split off its cable assets, which includes CNBC, MSNBC, USA Network and E!, by the end of the year

But sources close to Comcast and Versant have cast doubt over whispers of Bezos' interest in purchasing the network.

One source said Bezos has not approached executives regarding his supposed interest.

Another said Versant has big plans to grow CNBC, and is not interested in selling the asset.

The publication stated Versant has a two year window in which it cannot sell major assets - including CNBC - without major tax implications.

It is unlikely the company would be willing to jeopardize the tax-free status of the spinoff, no matter how much Bezos would be willing to pay, one source said.

Bezos is the fourth richest person in the world, with a net worth of around $241billion, according to Forbes.

He recently married Lauren Sanchez in an elaborate, celebrity-filled celebration in Italy, sparking fury among locals.

Their $50million wedding had a star-studded guest list with many A-listers such as Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom, Tom Brady, Kim Kardashian and Leonardo DiCaprio in attendance.

Bezos already owns left-leaning The Washington Post and is the founder of Amazon, but according to the New York Post, he believes CNBC could be a good 'neutral voice' to add to his empire

The pair were seen having a romantic date night in St Tropez, France, on Wednesday

The happy couple got married in a restored amphitheater on the island, as Sanchez wore a high-neck, long sleeve lace Dolce & Gabbana gown that took over 900 hours to make, per Vogue.

The gown featured a flared skirt, long veil, and a tight-fitting waist, with tons of buttons going up the middle.

'Very Lauren. Sexy, happy, not too serious, not too drama. Elegant but at the same time sensual,' Domenico Dolce told the outlet about the bride's dress.

The pair were seen having a romantic date night in St Tropez, France, on Wednesday.
Joe Scarborough gave Donald Trump a very surprising vote of confidence on the worsening Jeffrey Epstein scandal that threatens to engulf the presidency.

The Morning Joe host, who is a notorious Trump critic, said on Thursday that while hardcore MAGA supporters and influencers are outraged by the president's refusal to release the Epstein files, the majority of traditional Republicans don't yet care.

'MAGA influencers, the MAGA base - They're outraged. They're enraged with the president there. There's a split on where they stand on the Epstein files... it's about a 50/50 split,' Scarborough said.

'That said, we've seen no evidence yet of Donald Trump losing support among Republicans. He's sitting at 88 to 90 percent support among Republicans. So until those numbers start moving, I suspect that we're just talking about MAGA influencers, mainly.'

Scarborough's comments come as major MAGA allies - who were promised the 'truth' on Epstein - turned their backs on Trump for failing to release Epstein's 'client list.

The MAGA world was rocked by revelations of Trump's friendship with the pedophile - including a salacious 50th birthday card published by the Wall Street Journal that Trump allegedly sent him in 2003.

Trump denies doing so and has filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the Journal.

On Wednesday, the prestige paper alleged that Trump was first told by his Attorney General Pam Bondi in May that his name appeared in papers concerning pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Joe Scarborough said the Republican party remains supportive of president Donald Trump - despite MAGA's rage over the Epstein files

The MAGA world has been rocked by revelations of Trump's friendship with the pedophile. They are pictured in 1997

Last week, Trump said Bondi hadn't told him his name was in the files.

There's no suggestion of wrongdoing on President Trump's part, but he has angered many of his own supporters by vowing to release the Epstein files while campaigning, only to refuse to do so now he's in power.

Democrats are said to be delighted by the scandal and are using it to try and create ruptures between Trump and the GOP.

While Scarborough appeared to defend Trump on Thursday, earlier this week, he accused the president of trying to distract his supporters amid the Epstein files scandal.

'Pretty much, what everyone in Washington and New York, anybody in politics have concluded, is that Donald Trump is throwing everything at the wall, Scarborough said on Tuesday.

'You can say hes doing it to distract from Epstein, you can say hes doing it to distract from whatever, but there is no doubt hes throwing everything at the wall.'

Scarborough was specifically discussing the Trump administration's claims that former president Barack Obama is guilty of treason over the Russian interference probe.

It's not the first time Scarborough defends the president.

Last month Scarborough stunningly defended the president's bombing of Iran - saying Hillary Clinton and several previous presidents would have all done the same.

Scarborough, 62, argued that Trump had no other choice.

'I find it hard to believe that Bush 41, Bush 43, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton - you know, go down the list - any president wouldn't have felt compelled to take that strike,' the former Florida Republican explained.

He also said Trump was left with 'no good options' when it came to a solution.

Morning Joe co-hosts and married couple Mika Brzezinksi and Joe Scarborough were slammed last year after they met with president Trump at Mar-a-Lago

'What would Monday look like if he hadn't have moved?' he asked panelist David Ignatius, who agreed that any president would have made the same call.

Both said Trump had 'inherited' the 'battle plan' from presidents cited. Ignatius said all three considered 'this scenario' when 'diplomacy wasn't working.'

The MSNBC star left the Republican party over Trump's rise, but had a meeting with him in Mar-a-Lago after the 2024 presidential election, enraging his liberal audience.

At the time, David Frum of The Atlantic accused the liberal network host of surrendering to fear of then-president-elect Trump with the headline 'The Sound of Fear on Air.'

Scarborough defended himself in a 20-minute rant on his show last December.

'That wasn't the sound of fear, that was the sound of civility,' Scarborough said.
Joe Rogan has praised Hunter Biden as Democrats' next great hope after the presidential scion's ranting three-hour interview tackled everything from his crack-cocaine addiction to the failures of the party.

'He could be president,' Rogan declared on Wednesday's episode of the Joe Rogan Experience while featuring a clip of Biden's viral sit-down with YouTuber Andrew Callaghan.

Rogan lauded Biden for his frankness and intellect around the subject off addiction, adding that 'he's a lot smarter than people give him credit for.'

During Biden's interview with Callaghan, the scandal-scarred first son explained the psychology behind addiction and Americans' perceptions of crack-cocaine, leading Rogan to call it 'the greatest crack advertisement of all time.'

'If crack wasn't terrible for you, this guy makes me want to try crack,' Rogan told guest Joe DeRosa on his podcast Wednesday.

'I'm not going to. I'm not giving any advice, but I'm saying this guy, like legitimately this might be the best advertisement for crack of all-time.

'He's a lot smarter than people give him credit for,' Rogan continued. 'He's talking, and one of the things he was talking about was why smoking things are so addictive, why smoking cigarettes are so addictive, and the psychology behind it. He's not dumb.

'But he's just a guy who became an addict, and that f**ks your whole life up. It f**ks you. You become a subhuman.'

Joe Rogan has praised Hunter Biden as Democrats' next great hope: 'He could be president. How about that? He could. No bull***t'

During Hunter Biden's ranting three-hour interview with YouTuber Andrew Callaghan, the former first son explained the psychology behind addiction and Americans' perceptions of crack-cocaine

'And your dad is one of the most famous people on the planet. It's so crazy.

Rogan then played the clip of Biden explaining crack addiction.

'He could be president. How about that? He could. No bull***t. Hunter Biden, after all he'd been through, look, his dirty laundry's all out there. We all see it. He was a freak.'

He added: 'He's smarter than his dad when his dad was young, and he was a crackhead.'

A day earlier, conservative commentator 'Comfortably Smug' of the Ruthless podcast hailed Biden as 'the Joe Rogan of the left,' earning a shout-out from Megyn Kelly.

On Kelly's own show Tuesday, she called Biden's honesty 'entertaining.'

'A little misguided on pointing the finger at others, many others for doing things that he himself has done,' she said. '[But] it was very entertaining to see him break out the machine gun, the rhetorical machine gun, and go after every prominent democrat.'

Breitbart editor-in-chief Alex Marlow branded Biden's interview 'the most entertaining content [he'd] watched all year', calling him 'the left's Joe Rogan in waiting.'

Conservative commentator 'Comfortably Smug' of the Ruthless podcast hailed Biden as 'the Joe Rogan of the left'

Megyn Kelly (left) called Hunter Biden's honesty 'entertaining' on her show Tuesday. Breitbart editor-in-chief Alex Marlow branded Biden's interview 'the most entertaining content [he'd] watched all year

'He's smarter than his dad when his dad was young, and he was a crackhead,' Rogan said

The interview, during which Biden teed off on everyone from James Carville to George Clooney, has secured nearly 2.5million views on YouTube.

'What right do you have to step on a man who's given 52 years of his f**king life to the services of this country and decide that you, George Clooney, are going to take out basically a full page ad in the f**king New York Times to undermine the president,' Biden said of the actor, who turned on the president after his disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump in 2024.

He also attacked CNN's Jake Tapper, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Carville, dismissing the democratic strategist as someone who 'hasn't run a race in 40 years.'
Sen. Elizabeth Warren has peddled a scathing conspiracy theory claiming that CBS canceled Stephen Colbert's late night show to appease President Donald Trump.

The Democrat published an op-ed Wednesday in Variety Magazine alleging Trump bullied CBS parent company Paramount into cancelling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert - but voters were left unamused by her analysis.

Warren cited how Trump hit CBS with a lawsuit that the firm branded 'meritless' during the 2024 election, but quickly reached a $16million settlement once he took office.

She also highlighted how Colbert called the settlement a 'big, fat bribe' and saw his show canceled just three days later.

'Was it a coincidence that CBS canceled Colbert just three days after he spoke out? Are we sure that this wasn't part of a wink-wink deal between the president and a giant corporation that needed something from his administration?' she wrote.

She also pointed to how Trump celebrated the show's cancelation, adding: 'If CBS made this decision for "purely financial" reasons, why the timing? And why did Trump say "I hope I played a major part in" getting Colbert fired?'

But her scornful opinion piece - which fails to address the embarrassing fact that the show was losing $40million each year - was not well-received by Americans who are now questioning 'why are you so concerned about Stephen Colbert?'

Sen. Elizabeth Warren has peddled a scathing conspiracy theory claiming that CBS canceled Stephen Colbert 's late night show to appease President Donald Trump. She is pictured during an appearance on The Late Show in February last year

The Democrat published an op-ed Wednesday in Variety Magazine alleging President Donald Trump (pictured on July 13) bullied CBS parent company Paramount into cancelling The Late Show with Stephen Colbert - but voters were left unamused by her analysis

Warren has tweeted about the show's axing at least four times, which voters allege should be the least of her worries.

'This is what your senator is spending time on. Really? Primary her,' one furious X user urged.

'You fight harder for illegal aliens and millionaire celebrities than you do your constituents. Why is that Liz?' another wrote.

'I am so glad you are focused on what will really help people in need,' one echoed.

Another added: 'This just implicates you further. Congrats.'

'Only if you put this kind of effort into your constituents. But a little bit of connection with people, you would know that late night TV is not something people do anymore. People are more into streaming platforms these days,' one user said.

Others branded her a 'buffoon' and called her out for not acknowledging the financial turmoil the show was facing.

'We know you're not too business savvy so let's try it slowly. $40M losses per year is not good for business,' one X user wrote.

'When a politician cant figure out why a business would dump an activity that loses $40million a year, you understand why our government is $36trillion in debt,' another criticized.

Others called for her removal, penning tweets like: 'Hopefully you will be canceled In your next election.'

Warren's op-ed alleges Paramount settled the lawsuit with Trump and axed the talk show to ensure its merger with Skydance, a deal she cites to be 'worth $8billion' and 'can only go through if it's approved by the Trump administration'

Warren alleges Paramount settled the lawsuit and axed the talk show to ensure its merger with Skydance, a deal she cites to be 'worth $8billion' and 'can only go through if it's approved by the Trump administration'.

'Instead of fighting Trump on his "meritless" lawsuit, Paramount settled, handing to Trump's presidential library. This looks like bribery in plain sight, and that's exactly what Stephen Colbert said on his show,' she wrote.

The senator further claimed the 'Paramount payoff' - as she calls it - demonstrates the president's 'corrupt pattern' of 'exploiting' his office to 'profit personally' and 'punish his perceived enemies'.

She highlighted how ABC News provided $15million to Trump's presidential library to settle 'another questionable defamation lawsuit'.

Warren also claimed that Trump told Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg he would only be 'brought in the tent' of his administration if he settled a separate lawsuit.

Zuckerberg ultimately contributed $22million to Trump's library and ended Meta's fact-checking program, the senator said.

She argued 'Trump is running the same play again' with Paramount and will continue to do so with other media outlets that question him.

'The pattern is the same: Trump threatens to bring down the weight of the federal government on a single institution, and, too often, the targets feel they have no option but to bow down to an all-powerful Trump,' she wrote.

But she failed to acknowledge a recent report revealing The Late Show costs $100million a year to produce, with Colbert, 61, getting paid between $15million and $20 million annually to host.

Warren has tweeted about the show's axing at least four times

Voters were left frustrated by Warren's op-ed and multiple tweets about the show's cancellation, alleging she should be more focused on the needs of her constituents than on the status of a TV program

The Late Show's cancelation was announced last Thursday. Colbert, who will broadcast his final show in May 2026, was reportedly first informed his show was on the chopping block around July 4.

Paramount Co-CEO George Cheeks made the decision, Puck journalist Matthew Belloni revealed last week.

Belloni outlined Colbert's astonishing lack of profitability just hours after CNN first broke the news that the show was canceled because it was in the red.

Late night shows have slumped in profitability in recent years as viewers shun the format in favor of streaming services or watching content on their phones.

Colbert beats ABC and NBC rivals Jimmy Kimmel and Jimmy Fallon in the ratings, but that still wasn't enough to save him.

Advertiser revenue has slumped sharply even in the last three years, Puck reported, making it harder to pull Colbert's show out of the red.

The show's axing delighted Trump, who posted about it on his TruthSocial network.

Colbert, who will broadcast his final show in May 2026, was reportedly first informed his show was on the chopping block around July 4

All three major late night hosts - Colbert, Kimmel and Fallon - have become notorious for their regular rants about Trump, which many viewers have complained are boring and off-putting.

But Belloni said he didn't believe the famously anti-MAGA Colbert was axed to appease Donald Trump, who recently won a $15million payout from CBS after suing them over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris he said was deceptively edited.

Colbert was reported to be 'not angry, actually' about his cancelation, Puck reported.
The true scale of Stephen Colbert's liberal bias has been exposed in the number of times he hosted fellow progressives on his show, including one guest who appeared more than 20 times.

Notorious Donald Trump critic Anderson Cooper appeared 21 times on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,' which was suddenly axed by CBS last week.

The show, which he took over from David Letterman in 2015, will now end in May 2026, network executives and Paramount, its new parent company, announced.

Colbert, 61, had previously hit out at Paramount Global for settling a defamation lawsuit with Donald Trump for $16 million, calling the decision a 'big fat bribe' during his opening monologue on his show.

And now the curtains have been drawn back on just how many left-wing journalists, hosts and Trump-hating liberals have joined Colbert inside New York's Ed Sullivan Theater.

At least 200 episodes of 'The Late Show' featured popular left-wing media stars, including Cooper, Rachel Maddow, Jake Tapper, Niccole Wallace, Joy Reid and George Stephanopoulos, among others, Fox News Digital tallied.

Not only has Cooper been on Colbert's show nearly two dozen times from 2016 to 2025, but the journalist threw his support behind him on Monday during a cameo with other famed talk show hosts replicating the viral Coldplay concert moment.

In the clip, a cartoon sketch of Trump was seen hugging a Paramount symbol, seemingly getting embarrassed when cameras panned to him just as former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and HR chief Kristin Cabot did.

Stephen Colbert had a number of liberal, Trump-hating, guests on his show over the years

Anderson Cooper, a veteran reporter with CNN, appeared on Colbert's show 20 times, according to a report by IMDB. (Pictured: Anderson and Colbert in 2019)

While Cooper appeared on the show numerous times, he is not the only one who has done so.

Jake Tapper, who was recently been pushed into the spotlight over his new book revealing former President Joe Biden's 'decline,' joined Colbert 12 times on his show.

MSNBC's Rachel Maddow appeared eight times, along with 'The View' co-host Whoopi Goldberg.

Colbert also had several of his CBS colleagues join him on stage, including Gayle King with 14 appearances, John Dickerson with 19, Norah O'Donnell with six and Margaret Brennan with three.

The talk show host also had on Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett and Tommy Vietor, the former Obama staffers who started the 'Pod Saves America' political podcast. They joined him 11 times.

Joy Reid, whose MSNBC show was canceled in February, appeared in four episodes of his show.

MSNBC analysts John Heilemann and Alex Wagner were both on the show at least 10 times, some of which were occurred as they hosted the political docuseries 'The Circus.'

The series aired on Showtime, the sister network of Paramount.

MSNBC's Rachel Maddow (pictured in May) appeared eight times, along with 'The View' co-host Whoopi Goldberg

Jake Tapper (pictured in May), who was recently pushed into the spotlight over his new book revealing former President Joe Biden's 'decline,' joined Colbert 12 times on his show

Colbert also had several of his CBS colleagues join him on stage, including Gayle King (pictured in 2017) with 14 appearances

Although he appeared to keep his CBS co-workers close, Colbert did not shy away from inviting rival liberal media stars from coming on his show.

ABC's George Stephanopoulos, who put the network in the hot seat after saying the Trump was found 'liable for rape', made it on two episodes.

The network agreed to pay Trump $16 million after the president sued over Stephanopoulos's remark.

Trump was not found liable of rape in the case involving writer E. Jean Carroll. He was find liable of sexual abuse.

NBC's Savannah Guthrie joined once along with Craig Melvin, the new Today Show anchor.

'Morning Joe' co-hosts and couple Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, who are known for their critiques of Trump, made four joint appearances.

MSNBC political commentator Nicolle Wallace made three appearances.

ABC's George Stephanopoulos (pictured in 2012 with Colbert), who put the network in the hot seat after saying the Trump was found 'liable for rape,' made it on two episodes

'Morning Joe' co-hosts and couple Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski (pictured in 2020), who are known for the critique of Trump, made four joint appearances

Her colleagues, Lawrence O'Donnell, Jen Psaki and CNN International's Christiane Amanpour did the same.

Don Lemon, Chris Cuomo, Kaitlan Collins, Jim Acosta, and Van Jones are just a few other CNN and MSNBC stars who have joined him over his talk show career.

Steven Zeitchik, senior editor of technology and politics at The Hollywood Reporter, argued in a new piece that Colbert's defiant stance against the Trump administration will sway the voting body at the Television Academy.

Zeitchik speculated that the increased attention and Colbert's willingness to stand up to Trump could result in The Late Show finally snagging an 'sympathy' Emmy win.

Colbert won an Emmy for his work on The Colbert Report, a satirical show that ran on Comedy Central from 2005 to 2014.

After he replaced David Letterman on The Late Show, the program was nominated for the most Outstanding Talk Series at the Emmys from 2017 to 2022.

Every year during that period, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver won the award.

Oliver is arguably the most liberal of the late-night bunch and often spotlights politics on his show.
One in three adults, 32 per cent, say they don't have enough basic maths knowledge to help a child with their homework - and their finances could be suffering as a result.

As many as 27 per cent of adults have faced financial issues or put off financial tasks in the last year, according to research from Barclays.

Of course, Pythagoras' Theorem and quadratic equations might not exactly translate to problems involving your mortgage or credit card rates, but they can teach useful skills such as critical thinking and logic.

Despite a number of benefits from school maths classes, they tend to be lacking in direct financial applications to help students in later life, leading to the current situation in which many adults are finding themselves.

This is Money has previously reported that financial education is falling short in schools.

Recent figures show 84 per cent of schoolchildren want financial education to be included in the new national curriculum.

Stuck on a problem: Some 43% of adults said they think their finances would be in a stronger position if they had better skills and confidence when it comes to maths

How much primary school maths could you help with? You might not be willing to try your hand at A-Level or GCSE maths papers, but what about when it comes to primary school maths? How many of these questions, taken from past SATs papers, can you answer? 1. Write the missing square number (X) to make this addition correct. 8 + X = 73 2. Write the missing number to make this calculation correct. 754  6 + 754  3 = 754  [ ] 3. Write the missing number to make this division correct. 15,000  [ ]= 75

Vim Maru, CEO of Barclays UK said, 'We know that people's relationship with money starts to be formed around the age of seven so it's crucial that we are providing children with the number confidence to help them manage and grow their finances in later life.'

Figures from audience research firm KidsKnowBest reveal that 46 per cent of children aged 7-14 are worried about money and their future, with 38 per cent saying they are stressed about finances.

Eight out of ten adults believe that more resources dedicated to using maths in everyday life would improve financial confidence in the future, with the same proportion recognising that these skills are essential for making informed financial decisions.

People are at least aware of their shortcomings, with 39 per cent keen to improve their number skills, according to the research. More younger people too, some 61 per cent, said they would like to improve their numeracy skills.

Some 43 per cent said they think their finances would be in a stronger position if they had better skills and confidence when it comes to maths.

Among those aged 18 to 27, this figure is even higher, with 76 per cent saying their finances would benefit from having deeper mathematical knowledge.

Sam Sims, chief executive of charity National Numeracy said: 'We encourage everyone to have the basics of numeracy in place before they reach for their calculators, so they can understand the calculation, make sense of the numbers, and spot if something is not right.

'Having the confidence to use numbers in daily life is a vital skill - whether for work, helping children with homework, or managing money. And not feeling number confident is nothing to be ashamed of - millions of people in the UK feel the same, but everyone can improve with some practice and the right support.'

Barclays has partnered with National Numeracy to train 'numeracy champions' in 60 primary schools, which it says will help to boost the numeracy skills or 13,000 children, parents, carers and staff.

Sims said: 'Our new partnership with Barclays will help thousands of people build that confidence, supporting better decisions at home, in school and with their finances.'
Outputs of new cars and vans in Britain in the first half of the year have plunged to lowest levels on record since 1953, excluding the industry-shutdown period during Covid.

Production has fallen by 11.3 per cent year-on-year between the months of January and June because of multiple headwinds battering the automotive sector, figures shared by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show.

Car outputs are down from 416,000 units in the first half of 2024 to 385,800 in Q1 this year - a decline of 7.3 per cent.

The SMMT blamed the dip on uncertainty over export tariffs for the US - Britain's second most popular destination for UK-made motors shipped overseas - which saw some makers pause production during the opening six months of the year.

Jaguar ceasing outputs any cars in November for a 12-month 'sunset period' before relaunching as an electric-only brand in 2026 have taken their toll, as has Mini's decision to shift some vehicle outputs to China and Nissan preparing for production of two new EV models, the first being the all-new third-generation Leaf.

Commercial vehicle manufacturing has sunk comparatively lower by a massive 45 per cent. The trade body said this is mostly due to Stellantis' decision to shutter its Vauxhall Luton factory at the end of March.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, told a press briefing on Wednesday that the first half year figures are 'depressing' but hopes it marks 'the nadir' for the industry, while ministers have said the numbers are 'very concerning'.

Outputs of new cars and vans in Britain in the first half of the year have plunged to lowest levels on record since 1953, new industry figures published Thursday show

Passenger car outputs in the UK are down from 416,000 units in the first half of 2024 to 385,800 in Q1 this year - a decline of 7.3%

Attempting to remain buoyant in the face of a 72-year low for auto production, the SMMT said significant advances for the sector have been announced in recent weeks that could help stop the auto manufacturing rot.

This includes the US-UK tariff deal, which was announced in early May but only came into effect on 30 June.

As such, the half-year results posted on Thursday are not reflective of the potential confidence the agreement with the United States could garner.

The data shows that UK car production is predominantly export-focused, with 77 per cent of output headed overseas.

While the EU is the most common destination (54 per cent of exports), the US is a major market for British-made motors, representing almost 16 per cent of all shipped vehicles.

Hawes also saluted the Government's reintroduction of subsidies towards the purchase of some new EVs, with Labour last week unveiled its Electric Car Grant for sub-37,000 battery models.

Jaguar stopped making any cars at its UK factories in November as part of a planned 'sunset period' to allow it to prepare for relaunching as an EV-only premium brand in 2026. This will have taken a toll on production numbers in the first half of the year

Mini recently shifted production of its new electric Cooper to China as part of an agreement with Great Wall Motor that has ultimately lowered its UK outputs

The data shows that UK car production is predominantly export-focused, with 77% of output headed overseas

The SMMT said this would be a 'boost' for the industry, though said the scheme - which includes thresholds around emissions produced during the manufacturing of cars ant their batteries to qualify for the grants - lacked clarity and had been announced without consultation with the industry.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds' verdict on today's figures were more downbeat.

During an interview with BBC Breakfast, he said he is 'very concerned' about the industry, which he called the 'jewel in the crown' of British manufacturing.

'I'm very concerned about automotive, the pressures on the system which come from the US trade agenda, but also an incredible increase in capacity from China.

'It's why as a government we've adopted so many measures specifically around the automotive sector.'

Commercial vehicle manufacturing has decline more dramatically than passenger cars, plummeting by 45% in the firdt half of the year

The trade body said this is mostly due to Stellantis' decision to shutter its Vauxhall Luton factory at the end of March

Stellantis still produces electric vans in the UK at its dedicated plant in Ellesmere Port, though the loss of the Luton factory (pictured) has been a major hit on CV outputs in 2025

Closer inspection of the latest data shows that commercial vehicle outputs in the UK crashed last month, with just 2,689 vans built in factories last month. This is down a monumental 77 per cent on the 11,600 output in June 2024.

However, passenger car production increased slightly during the previous month, up 6.6 per cent to just over 66,300 units.

The trade body said this was partially a result of growth linked to the US-UK trade agreement.

That said, the SMMT has remained modest about future outlooks.

It is not expecting vehicle production to exceed one million units per year by the end of the decade. The last time this was achieved was in 2021.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, Mr Hawes said that the government's own target of reaching 1.3 million vehicles per year by 2035 is 'quite some ambition from where we are', adding that 'we clearly require at least one, if not two, new entrants to come into UK production' to reach such an optimistic objective.

While outputs are generally down, the SMMT's data does show that British manufacturing is at least moving with the times.

Production of electrified vehicles - fully-electric, self-charging hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles - rose 1.8 per cent and now account for more than two in five motors made in Britain. This is a new record.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander will be hoping the reintroduction of grants of up to 3,750 towards the purchase of some EVs priced at or below 37,000 will help to drive outputs.

While the SMMT said it will provide a welcome boost to increase private EV sales, there remains widespread confusion about which vehicles will qualify for the discounts - and more importantly, those that won't.

Manufacturers are required to apply to be included in the grant scheme on a first-come, first-served basis.

It is expected that Chinese and Korean vehicles will not meet the criteria, but little else is clear regarding how the 650million funding will be shared.

'The difficulty is, we don't know. Nobody knows, but nobody, not even government, really knows yet, which models and which brands will qualify,' Mr Hawes said yesterday in comments quoted by the BBC.

'I think the industry is still trying to get clarity behind its application.

'Right now, your dealer cannot tell you whether the model you are considering is eligible.'

He believes a full list of eligible EV models will be released on 11 August, but the DfT has told This is Money it will reveal some of the qualifying cars ahead of that date, likely in the first week of next month.

Hawes said clarity is needed imminently with September on the horizon.

The ninth month of the year is one of the two biggest for new car registrations due to the arrival of a new age identifier on number plates.

A number of Chinese brands - named MG, Leapmotor and Great Wall Motor Ora - have already introduced their own discounts in the last week to match those provided by the Government's grant scheme in a clear indication that they believe they will not qualify.

A transport department spokesperson said it expected 'dozens of models to be eligible for the electric car grant, which will provide a substantial boost for the industry and save drivers thousands of pounds'.

'We want the discounts to become available to drivers as soon as possible, and we are engaging extensively with vehicle manufacturers and have published guidance to help them apply as easily as possible,' they added.
Top-level fraud convictions in Britain are rare. The decision by the Supreme Court to overturn the verdict on former Citigroup and UBS trader Tom Hayes will not make the task any easier.

Hayes was involved in the manipulation of trades in the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate used in billions of transactions across the globe.

In the search for justice, when the scandal erupted in 2012, Hayes became the poster person for City wrongdoing.

He received a 14-year sentence after a jury trial (he served five-and-a-half years).

The Supreme Court reversal of the verdict, wildly celebrated by Hayes, was less about market abuse and more about over-zealous directions of the judge to the jury at the trial.

It has become fashionable to suggest that because many traders indulged in similar efforts to fix market outcomes, that what Hayes did was ordinary rather than exceptional.

Overturned: Former Citigroup and UBS trader Tom Hayes (pictured in 2015) has seen his conviction for fraud quashed by the Supreme Court

Cheating should never be acceptable. Market participants on the other side of the transaction will have lost out because of a lack of honesty and transparency.

The context of Hayes conviction and sentencing must be understood. The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) needed victories, having failed to bring anyone to justice during the Great Financial Crisis in 2008.

Taxpayer anger was running high and Hayes, by his own confession, was an easy target. Nothing could be pinned on more senior executives.

But in one of his best moments, the then Governor of the Bank of England, Mervyn King, summoned Barclays grandees to Threadneedle Street and demanded the head of chief executive Bob Diamond.

For as long as I can remember reviews into the judiciary have made the case against jury trials for fraud. It is argued that City malfeasance is too complex for ordinary mortals and some kind of tribunal system should be established.

This was first recommended by the Roskill Report in the 1980s, repeated by Lord Justice Auld in 2001 and endorsed again by Lord Leveson this month. All wanted to substitute financial experts sitting with a judge.

The target should not be the jury system. The real villains are overpaid City law firms and barristers who shut witnesses down by claiming privilege, long delays for white-collar cases and efforts to drown jurors in thousands of pages of incomprehensible testimony.

The SFO takes far too long to investigate and bring prosecutions, overcomplicates, and then claims the law is not fit for purpose.

Contrast Britains sclerotic justice with that in the US where bitcoin rascal Sam Bankman-Fried of FTX was indicted, tried and sentenced in just over a year. It was ever thus.

Instead of cheering Hayes triumph, we should bemoan the fact that the route to financial justice is so deeply flawed.

Wrong boot

Rachel Reeves purpose in seeking to remove the boot on the neck of business by slashing red tape is to gee-up investment in British innovation.

One fears that taxes already imposed on wealth, abolition of non-domicile status, higher capital gains and inheritance tax levies already are driving the companies we want in Britain to cash out and scram.

Latest is fintech-forex group Alpha, which is accepting a 1.8billion bid from US competitor Corpay. The 55 per cent premium based on the share price in May appears generous.

It is less convincing when one considers the infamous London discount to New York. Some recent tech bids achieved a whopping 96 per cent upside.

One might have hoped that chairman Jayne-Anne Gadhia, of Virgin Money fame, and Clive Kahn, chief executive of Travelex in its glory days, might have shown more resistance.

Pressure, however, to take the money and run is overwhelming.

Sinking sun

In the 1980s and 1990s the rising economic power of Japan and its investment in the US were seen as an enormous threat to US hegemony, as portrayed in Michael Crichtons novel Rising Sun and subsequent movie.

In Trumps America it is very different. The price for lowering car tariffs is that Japan spends 405billion on inward investment in the US. How the world turns!
Investment platform Lightyear has unveiled new artificial intelligence features which it says will help to drive retail investment in the UK.

Lightyear, which recently passed $1billion in assets under management, said its new AI tools will help to make UK retail investing 'affordable, simple, and accessible as opposed to expensive, clunky, and exclusive'.

It comes as the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has launched a campaign to promote retail investing, while 'targeted support' reforms will come into play next year.

Martin Sokk, co-founder and chief executive of Lightyear, told This is Money: 'Retail investing in the UK is still full of friction, and Britain is still a nation of cautious investors, so there's much more to do here.

'We're using AI to bridge the gap, to help people make better-informed investing decisions in real time.'

Lightyear on Thursday launched three AI market intelligence tools on its platform, which it says will 'level the playing field' by giving users access to market insights that were previously only accessible to institutional investors.

AI tools: Lightyear has launched three new AI tools to help investors make informed decisions

These tools include 'lightning updates', which will send summarised news to a user's portfolio screen when a stock they own or are tracking makes a significant move.

The platform has also launched a 'why did it move' feature, which allows users to select any period on a stock's price chart to find out why the price changed at that time, such as due to earnings, sector swings or global events.

Investors can also access bull and bear cases for a stock, with both angles drawn from analyst sentiment and certain trusted sources of financial information.

Lightyear says it will continue developing its AI capabilities over the next few years, including by adding wealth management options for investors, and that AI was 'integral' to its long-term strategy.

Future AI developments could offer portfolio breakdowns and analysis, contextual tax help and what it calls 'self-driving money' - automated money management based on the investor's personal goals.

Sokk said: 'AI in the financial sector is not just a phase. Companies that are building with this in mind will be the ones that succeed in the long run.'

'We believe AI will drive a lot of technological progress in the next five to ten years, so it's an integral part of our long-term strategy.

'Our new AI-powered market intelligence tools are just the beginning.'

The platform said it has raised $23million in a series B funding round, with the new funds committed to launching its AI suite and further developing its AI offering.

The funding was led by European-Japanese VC firm NordicNinja, as well as Superangel and SpecialistVC, as well as Bolt founder and chief executive Markus Villig.

Rainer Sternfeld, partner at NordicNinja, said: 'We believe that AI will play a powerful role in every aspect of our future, and the investing sector is not immune to that.'

On Thursday Lightyear also launched its platform in Sweden, Denmark and Bulgaria.
Each month, we put a senior fund or investment manager to task with tough questions for our I'm a fund manager series to find out how they manage their own money.

In this instalment, we spoke to Sree Agarwal, portfolio manager at the Scottish Oriental Smaller Companies Trust.

When we question fund managers, we want to know where they'd invest for the next 10 years - and what pitfalls to avoid.

We also quiz them about the impact of Donald Trump and their greatest ever investing mistake.

Scottish Oriental Smaller Companies Trust is one of the longest-running investment trusts in Asian equities, having launched in 1995.

It invests mainly in smaller Asian quoted companies with market capitalisations US$5,000m.

It holds companies in Australasia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

In the hot seat: We quiz Sree Agarwal on the companies he backs and what his greatest investing mistake was

1. If you could invest in only one company for the next 10 years, what would it be?

Scottish Oriental's largest holding, DPC Dash, is one of the businesses I would want to own steadfastly for the next decade. DPC Dash is the exclusive franchise operator of Domino's Pizza in China.

The company is currently only in 55 cities in China, with around 1,000 outlets. This compares to Pizza Hut, which has more than 3,000 restaurants but has struggled with profitability as well as growth in China.

After spending years optimising its store operating model and building a strong management team with the support of its principal Domino's, growth at DPC Dash has accelerated. It is adding 300 to 500 locations each year.

It has the potential to be a significantly larger business with higher levels of profitability, as it gains operating leverage from its scale. The company's net cash balance sheet is well positioned to fund its growth.

In the context of its growth potential it has a similar valuation as other Domino's franchisees in other markets, such as the UK and Australia, where the growth prospects are substantially lower.

2. Which sector do you think people should be most excited about?

We are excited about the steady increase in consumption growth across Asia. As income per capita rises, it creates an aspirational middle class.

The populations in many emerging Asian economies are reaching an inflection point, where an increasing share of their income is being spent on products and services such as cars, housing and travel.

Well-run, market leading businesses in these categories can potentially benefit from years of strong growth.

We spend our time trying to identify the management teams which are most likely to capture a dominant share of the growth of their respective profit pools.

Get a slice of the action: Scottish Oriental's largest holding is DPC Dash, the exclusive franchise operator of Domino's Pizza in China

3. What sector would you be avoiding?

Scottish Oriental doesn't invest in infrastructure asset owners.

Various Asian economies are witnessing sharp growth in infrastructure capital expenditure as they build roads, high-speed trains, bridges, and other similar projects.

We don't like to invest in those companies who build and operate the assets. Their main customer is often the government, which leads to long payment cycles and low returns on capital employed.

There are often questionable practices involved in winning the contracts to operate these assets as well.

To benefit from the tailwinds of infrastructure investment, we prefer to invest in the owners of these assets, or the direct suppliers - cement, paint or wires and cables companies that benefit from the same growth in spending.

They typically come with much higher returns on capital, as these products often capture strong brand value in the markets in which they operate.

Next stop growth? Various Asian economies are witnessing a sharp rise in infrastructure projects, but Sree is wary of their reliance on government money

4. Has Donald Trump caused you to make changes to your portfolio?

No, not at all. What has been surprising is that some of our companies that you would have expected to be negatively impacted by Trump's tariffs have in fact turned out to be beneficiaries.

We own a Chinese company; Haitian International. It is a manufacturer of plastic injection moulding machines, used by a wide variety of companies, ranging from electric vehicles to mobile phones.

Currently, about 60-65 per cent of the business is based in China and 30-35 per cent is outside. Because of the tariffs, several of their customers are setting up capacity outside China, for which they need new plastic injection moulding machines.

Their business outside China has thus been growing rapidly in recent months and overall growth continues to be very robust. It's trading on 9-10 times price to earnings with 4-4.5 per cent dividend yield.

Overall, the portfolio is focused on owning businesses with consistent and predictable growth prospects.

This naturally leads to a concentration of companies which are predicated upon domestic demand, rather than export-led external demand drivers.

5. Are you worried about the impact of low birth rates on Asia's biggest economies?

Yes - in the long term. If you look at the growth of any economy, it's broadly a function of two things: population growth and productivity.

As countries like Korea, Taiwan, and others experience very low birth rates, the population growth turns negative at some point and that can become a big challenge for business and government alike.

Companies that are dependent on domestic demand in those economies will suffer and some will become increasingly export-oriented to make up for it.

It is clear that companies are exporting into a more volatile world, whether it's because of the US tariffs or instability elsewhere.

We like to ensure we are exposed to companies and countries which have both a strong domestic economy, and an economy driven by domestic demand.

The portfolio's largest holdings, including Uni-President China, a domestic manufacturer of instant noodles and beverages; Philippine Seven Corporation, the dominant operator of convenience stores in the Philippines; Cloud Music, a leading music platform in China; and Niva Bupa Health Insurance, a leading health insurer in India are all driven by structurally growing domestic demand in their various countries.

6. Should investors focus on growth or value stocks?

Growth itself does not create value. The ideal is the predictability and sustainability of consistent growth, with high returns on capital.

We will only pay a fair price for a company - but it also needs to come with some ability for improvement, which will enable higher returns on capital.

This combination should drive value creation in a business.

7. Why should investors choose your fund over a passive index fund?

Investing in a passive index works for some people, but you will end up owning hundreds of companies.

Scottish Oriental is a concentrated portfolio of 45 holdings that offers investors access to some of the most exciting investment opportunities in Asia.

We don't own stocks because they're of a certain size, or they have a certain liquidity or cachet.

We own them because we genuinely believe they have the ability to create disproportionate value over the next five years and beyond.

One of Scottish Oriental's largest holdings is Philippine Seven Corporation, a the dominant operator of convenience stores in the Philippines

8. What's your greatest ever investment?

I have personally been invested in Scottish Oriental for the last eight years.

To mark Scottish Oriental's 30th anniversary earlier this year, we calculated that if you'd invested 1,000 in 1995, that would have grown to 22,390 in today's money - an uplift of 2,139 per cent.

Scottish Oriental beat its benchmark, the MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Small Cap Index by 1,846 per cent in that time and I have personally been a beneficiary of that compounding.

We feel the trust reflects the kind of value creation that we're able to generate with our active investment philosophy, that has remained unchanged since the trust was established.

9. What's your greatest ever investing mistake?

A few years ago, I invested in a hospital operator in India and there were few reasons why it was a big mistake, because I didn't follow my usual rules.

Firstly, we don't usually invest in recently listed companies, because they don't have a well-established track record.

Secondly, the person running the business was a doctor, and while he obviously knew medical processes and had noble intentions, he wasn't a businessman and he did not have capital allocation discipline.

He expanded too fast using debt, the balance sheet became increasingly leveraged.

When covid hit, fewer people came in for checks and footfall declined. The debt made the business unviable and it went into quite a vulnerable position.

I eventually sold at a loss and the business was subsequently bought by private equity, who brought in the discipline that was needed to run the business well.

It has since gone on to do very well, as it wasn't an issue with the underlying business model or anything wrong with the company.

It was more to do with the person running it, the lack of discipline and capital location and the willingness to expand with leverage.
Deloitte is being investigated by the UK accounting watchdog over its audits of Glencores finances.

The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) will probe the Big Four firms work for the Swiss commodities giant over an eight-year period.

It will look into whether Deloitte gave sufficient consideration to the risk of non-compliance with laws and regulations when signing off accounts between 2013 and 2020.

Glencore has been rocked by bribery and corruption lawsuits in the last few years.

The FRC noted that the FTSE 100 commodities trader and miner and a UK subsidiary had been subject to investigations by government agencies into misconduct.

In total Glencore, which produces coal, copper, nickel, zinc and cobalt, has had to pay out over 1billion after legal action in Brazil, the UK, and US.

Probe: Big Four accountancy firm Deloitte is being investigated by the Financial Reporting Council over its audits of Glencores finances

In 2022, it was fined 281million following an investigation by the UKs Serious Fraud Office.

The SFO found Glencore paid nearly 21million in bribes to gain preferential access to oil in Africa. It flew cash to Africa and falsified documents.

In 2022 Glencore admitted bribery and failure to prevent bribery after transactions in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Ivory Coast, Nigeria and South Sudan.

Six former executives have been charged with bribery. A trial is yet to begin.

Regulators are probing Deloittes work on four audits, including for bus operator Go-Ahead, fashion brand Joules, car seller Lookers and fintech Stenn.

Deloitte UK said: We are committed to the highest standards of audit quality and will fully co-operate.

The FRC can impose fines and non-financial penalties if it finds wrongdoing.

In 2019 Deloitte was fined 4.2million for its audit of outsourcing firm Serco, which had paid more than 20million to settle fraud and false accounting charges.

This year PwC was hit with a 4.5million fine for serious failings in its 2019 audit of Wyelands Bank.

Big Four peer KPMG paid out 4.5million after serious failures in its audit of Rolls-Royces 2010 accounts.

In January, the FRC probed KPMGs audit of Ladbrokes-owner Entains 2022 accounts.

The gambling giant paid a 615million settlement to resolve a probe into alleged bribery at its former Turkish online betting business.
Another British fintech champion is to be bought by American predators  in a deal worth 1.8billion.

The board of Alpha Group  led by former Virgin Money boss Jayne-Anne Gadhia  has accepted a bid from US payments giant Corpay.

Shares in the FTSE 250 payments company soared more than 25 per cent after bosses recommended that investors back a sweetened 4250p-per-share offer.

The deal comes amid a mounting crisis as a takeover frenzy accelerates.

Research from broker Peel Hunt shows the UK is on course for the biggest year of takeovers since 2021, after 74billion of offers in the first half of 2025.

Scientific testing firm Spectris has agreed to be bought by American private equity firm KKR for 4.7billion in the biggest deal of the year after a bidding war with Advent International.

Sold: The board of Alpha Group - led by former Virgin Money boss Jayne-Anne Gadhia - has accepted a bid from US payments giant Corpay

US semiconductor group Qualcomm is to buy British chipmaker Alphawave for 1.8billion and Deliveroo was swooped on by DoorDash with a 2.9billion offer.

Another takeover battle saw Primary Health Properties beat KKR to buy GP surgery owner Assura for 1.8billion.

And companies are switching listings to New York, with fintech darling Wise the latest planning to defect.

Meanwhile, a lack of fresh listings through initial public offerings means they are not being replaced.

Alpha turned down Corpays initial 1.2billion offer in May but, after talks, the latest bid is a 55 per cent premium to Alphas undisturbed share price of 2745p on May 1, before news of the takeover interest became public.

Dan Coatsworth, an investment analyst at AJ Bell, said: The market completely misjudged how much Corpay would offer, judging by the share price jump on the formal bid.

While the shares enjoyed a little bump on the initial approach, the market didnt price in a successful bid. The fact Alpha rejected a proposal made it clear to Corpay that it would have to dig a lot deeper or walk away.

It got the message loud and clear and Corpay looks to have gone in with its best offer.

The 55 per cent bid premium is much more generous than the 40 per cent average seen across UK-listed takeovers so far in 2025.

Corpay, an S&P 500 company with a market capitalisation of around 17billion, has its headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia.

Following the sale, Alpha will continue to be based in London. But there could be possible role overlaps in some administrative and head office functions, the companies have warned.

If job cuts are made solely within Alphas business, it could affect up to 13 per cent of staff.

The takeover, which must be approved by 75 per cent of shareholders, is expected to complete in the final quarter of the year.

Alpha chairman Gadhia said: I am delighted Corpay has made an offer which the board considers to be in the best interests of shareholders, clients and staff.

Corpay boss Ronald Clarke said: We couldnt be happier to acquire Alpha.
Londons FTSE 100 hit a new record yesterday as global stock markets rallied on hopes Europe will follow Japan in striking a trade deal with the US.

On another positive day for savers with money in shares through pensions, ISAs and other investments, the index rose 0.4 per cent, or 37.68 points, to 9061.49.

The Nikkei 225 was up 3.5 per cent in Tokyo while the Dax rose 0.8 per cent in Frankfurt and the Cac climbed 1.4 per cent in Paris.

Washington and Tokyo signed a deal for Japan to invest 400billion in the US while its goods will face tariffs of 15 per cent  below the 25 per cent Donald Trump had threatened. The US president called it the largest trade deal in history.

It fuelled hopes that Europe may secure better terms with the US after Trump threatened levies of 30 per cent. Britains deal means most exports face a tariff of 10 per cent.

Global markets are in buoyant mood as the US and Japan secured a trade deal, said Neil Wilson, UK investor strategist at Saxo Bank.

Record high: On a positive day for savers with money in shares through pensions, ISAs and other investments, the FTSE100 index rose 0.4%, or 37.68 points, to 9061.49

The Footsie has now risen nearly 11 per cent this year.

News of a trade agreement between the US and Japan is fostering optimism among investors that further deals might be reached before punishing tariffs come into force, said AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.

The news helped drive the FTSE 100 to a new record high and saw gains in other markets across mainland Europe, with focus likely to now turn to the prospects of an agreement being forged between the Trump administration and EU.
The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) faced intense criticism yesterday after the Supreme Court quashed the convictions of traders Tom Hayes and Carlo Palombo for Libor rate rigging.

Hayes and Palombo were jailed for manipulating the Libor benchmark rate to benefit their own trading positions.

But yesterday Britains highest court ruled that the judge in Hayes case had misdirected the jury in a way that effectively removed from them the ability to consider his defence.

That was an error, it said. Palombos conviction was unsafe for similar reasons. And it could pave the way for seven others convicted of similar offences to be cleared.

For Hayes, who was convicted in 2015 and spent five-and-a-half years in jail  destroying his career and marriage  it completes a decade-long fight for justice.

And the case raises serious questions about the SFO after setbacks in other major cases including prosecutions involving executives at Tesco, G4S and Serco.

Appeal: The Supreme Court has quashed the convictions of traders Tom Hayes, right, and Carlo Palombo, left, for Libor rate rigging

Tory MP David Davis, who backed the traders, said: This is a major scandal in which traders were made scapegoats for the sins of the financial crisis.

Lives ruined, families torn apart, careers and reputations destroyed and of course for Tom and Carlo, loss of liberty. Their cases serve as yet another example of a justice system gone badly wrong.

Davis claimed the SFO was part of a scapegoating exercise also including the banks and the City regulator.

Karen Todner, Hayes solicitor, said: The SFO failed spectacularly. The result destroyed peoples lives who frankly did not deserve it.

Todner called for a public inquiry and said the right of bodies such as the SFO as well as the Post Office and the RSPCA to prosecute individuals should be removed.

The dual role of the SFO as investigator and prosecutor creates a substantial conflict of interest which creates miscarriages of justice, she added.

It should be disbanded. I think they really failed as a team.

Hayes said: The behaviour of the SFO is shocking. The SFO is a conflicted organisation thats not fit for purpose. Its got a history of criminalising the non-criminal.
The boss of Britains biggest mortgage lender has sounded the alarm over tax rises as it warned of slowing GDP growth and rising unemployment.

Charlie Nunn, chief executive of Lloyds Banking Group, said hiking taxes on banks would be inconsistent with helping lenders in their role of boosting the economy.

Nunns comments came as the group  which owns Halifax and Bank of Scotland as well as Lloyds Bank  reported a 5 per cent rise in first half profits to 3.5billion.

But the lender also faced questions about the possibility of a tax raid on banks by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in the autumn Budget as slower growth, U-turns on spending cuts, and higher borrowing costs leave her with a gaping financial black hole.

Nunn said tax rises were a political decision and it has had no engagement with the government on that or any discussion with them.

But he pointed to the Chancellors acknowledgment of a stronger economy needing a strong financial services sector and the role for banks in supporting households and businesses and international investment into the UK to get us on a faster growth trajectory.

We definitely think thats an important thing to focus on and obviously therefore wouldnt be consistent with tax rises, Nunn said.

Lloyds boss Charlie Nunn has warned hiking taxes on banks would be inconsistent with helping lenders in their role of boosting the economy

He said Britain already had the highest taxes on the financial services sector of any major economy.

It is important when you look at the competitiveness of the City of London and the financial services sector that we remain a competitive tax regime, Nunn added.

Meanwhile, Lloyds altered its economic outlook for the UK, slightly upgrading its growth forecast for this year from 0.8 to 1 per cent. It also predicts 1 per cent growth for 2026  but that is down from a previous forecast of 1.4 per cent.

And its assumptions on unemployment have also darkened, with a jobless rate of 4.8 per cent predicted for this year  up from 4.7 per cent  and 5 per cent next year  up from 4.8pc.

However, Nunn sounded a positive note on households and businesses which he said were improving their financial health and may now be able to move to a higher growth trajectory.

He added: We think there is a chance to do that despite our forecasts today being relatively lower growth. On a relative basis to other economies, the UKs in an OK place  its obviously been impacted by the uncertainty in the tariffs going on globally.

Meanwhile, Lloyds like other lenders has been affected by bumpy mortgage lending trends  as buyers raced to beat stamp duty changes saw a surge in lending at the start of the year, resulting in a slower trend in the second quarter.

Finance chief William Chalmers said overall the first half had seen meaningful growth in mortgages.

He said the stamp duty changes had seen deal completions pulled forward into the first quarter but added that June volumes were starting to return to normal.

Meanwhile, speculation of a reduction in the ISA saving limit  which the Chancellor ultimately shied away from  has seen a burst of saving in the tax-free wrappers.

Nunn said: Over the last few quarters weve had a few things going on in the economy thats changed behaviours in a way that we havent seen in the past.

So obviously, the discussions that the Government was having around ISA limits, we did see a very significant increase in ISAs this year  we saw about a 30 per cent increase in the ISA market.
We've assigned a local estate agent to list our property.

It wasn't the cheapest of the three quotes we got, but we thought the agent really knew his stuff.

We opted for a package at 5,000 plus VAT, so 6,000.

There was a cheaper option at 3,500 plus VAT, but our 'enhanced' option included a video, social media promotion and drone footage.

We also thought that, if we paid more, the agency would be more likely to prioritise our sale.

But after speaking to two sets of friends who have recently sold, they think we've paid over the odds. Have we?

Too much? Our reader says friends think they're paying over the odds on their estate agent fee

Ed Magnus of This is Money replies: You have done the right thing to have met with different agents before picking one.

The fact the selling agent you met made a good impression is a positive, but he may not be that involved in actually selling your home.

Typically, a branch manager will come to value your home and once instructed it will be left up to their team of sales negotiators, who get paid commission when they sell a property.

If it was me, I'd be more interested to know who those negotiators are, rather than relying entirely on my first impressions of the manager.

The fixed fee structure you have been offered certainly differs from the norm. Whether or not it is good value or not depends on what your home sells for.

Most estate agents charge a percentage fee of the selling price, rather than a flat fee. This, in theory, incentivises each agent to get the best possible price.

However, depending on the value of the home, this could also mean shelling out a vast amount. The percentage typically ranges between 1 and 3 per cent of the selling price, often with VAT on top.

Someone selling their 250,000 home with an agent charging a 3 per cent fee plus VAT would end up paying 9,000 in agency fees, for example.

For those selling more expensive homes, even a fairly standard 1.5 per cent plus VAT fee (totalling 1.8 per cent) can eat up more than 10,000. Sell a 750,000 property with that fee and the agent will take a 13,500 cut.

On that basis, your 6,000 flat fee inclusive of VAT may be deemed low if you are selling a property worth 500,000 or more.

But if you're selling a property worth 200,000 for example, that would equate to 3 per cent, which is at the pricey end of the scale.

For expert advice, we spoke to Angela Kerr, a director at property advice website HomeOwners Alliance and Jeremy Leaf, north London estate agent and a former Rics residential chairman.

Is this estate agent fee good value?

Angela Kerr replies: Estate agents usually offer a commission model, which charges you a percentage of the final sale price.

At the moment, fees average 1.42 per cent including VAT and in today's climate we advise home sellers to negotiate with the aim of paying 1 per cent.

On that calculation, if you're paying 5,000 plus VAT as a flat fee, it only really stacks up if your property is worth 500,000 or more. Below that, it does start to look expensive and your friends have a point.

Jeremy Leaf replies: I believe a fixed-price arrangement may not prove to be in the best interests of seller or agent.

The amount could be influenced by the value or saleability of the property and its context.

For instance, does the 6,000 flat fee represent approximately 1 or 1.5 per cent of likely sale proceeds?

Commission based on a percentage of the purchase price may give the agent added incentive to achieve the best possible deal.

There's another issue with fixed fees  they don't suit all properties and market conditions.

A set amount may be suitable when marketing identical-sized flats in a large block of flats or similar houses in a substantial development, where differentiation can be tricky.

However, in this scenario, the seller would want to stand out even more so motivating the agent to send buyers in a particular direction can be a sensible approach.

Angela Kerr, a director at property advice website HomeOwners Alliance

Will the 'enhanced' add ons help to sell?

Angela Kerr replies: Most flat-fee estate agents are online agents, with packages typically around 1,000 to 2,000. Some high street agents offer fixed fees too, but it's less common - and these deals are often paid upfront, whether they sell your home or not.

So while you might think paying more will get you better service, if they've already banked the fee, I'm afraid there's not much of an incentive to prioritise your sale.

As for all the marketing bells and whistles, without knowing the property, it's hard to say if it's value for money.

Drone footage is brilliant if you're by the coast or selling a country pad with acres and a pool, but I'm not sure it's worth it if you're selling a semi in Surbiton.

I do love a virtual tour though, for giving you the real feel of a property - that's genuinely useful for most buyers.

As for social media promotion, it depends. If they're popping your home on an Instagram page with 500 followers, that's unlikely to shift the dial.

Jeremy Leaf, north London estate agent and a former Rics residential chairman

What other advice would you offer them?

Jeremy Leaf replies: I do not believe sellers should over-concentrate on commission, provided the fee is competitive and relates to the estate agent's work.

It generally represents only a small proportion of the total price of the property, and the sale of their home can be life-changing, in terms of job, family or other reasons.

What we find is of most importance to sellers currently is listing their property in this buyers' market at the right price, as so much stock is available across most price ranges.

It's essential that each property stands out, so the right pricing and marketing is even more vital than usual. Get it wrong and the property could languish on the market.

If possible, choose the agent with the best recent track record of selling similar properties, agree on a marketing programme and a relatively short period before amendments are considered if you have had no success.

A fixed-term agency agreement including a notice period which allows the seller to change agents if necessary, before the property goes 'stale', is a good idea too.

Angela Kerr adds: You mention the selling agent really knew his stuff which is good news.

It's important you can work with your agent and that they have a good knowledge of the local market.

Valuing your house right is an important first step to selling quickly at the best price.
He has mastered the art of packing luggage

A former flight attendant has shared his top tips for surviving economy travel and the one popular item he would never bring on board.

Marcus Daniels, 35, left the aviation industry in 2019 after five years of working on countless domestic and international flights.

Although his cabin crew days are behind him, Mr Daniels still enjoys travelling and has mastered his approach to long-haul flights.

His number one piece of advice: 'Be very mindful of what you're bringing onboard'.

'There's nothing worse than being the last passenger onboard, opening up all the lockers and realising there's no space to put your bag,' he said.

'Overpacking just adds more stress to you, staff and other passengers.

'It's too much drama and chaos. When I travel I have my small roller bag and a little side bag I can put under the seat in front of me. That's it. No pillow, no big jacket.'

Mr Daniels said travellers should think twice before packing a neck pillow.

Marcus Daniels (pictured) spent more than five years working as a flight attendant

Mr Daniels said travellers should think twice before bringing a neck pillow on board (stock)

'For me, it's really uncomfortable. It takes a lot of space, and it's the same for people who bring pillows onboard,' he said.

'I understand they want to be comfortable but if you're in economy you're really squashed like this.'

However, there's one surprising category Mr Daniels refuses to skimp on.

'Being cabin crew really taught me to take care of myself - including my skin,' he said.

'I make sure I really hydrate my skin with an Avene thermal mist, moisturiser and some sunscreen because there's a lot of radiation when you're in the air.

'Then throughout the flight I'll spritz my face with the mist to keep it hydrated.'

Since swapping his travel career for an IT job during Covid, Mr Daniels has noticed hygiene and personal space have become increasingly important to passengers.

'People appreciate self-awareness and when you think about the collective consciousness of everyone onboard. When I fly, I'm always wondering if what I'm doing might inconvenience or offend anyone,' he said.

Mr Daniels (pictured) said neck pillows take up too much space on board

Mr Daniels (pictured in London) also shared his top tips for avoiding a pre-holiday cold

'For example, I had an Arabic man ask to be moved because the woman next to him had her legs crossed and bare feet pointed at him - which is rude in his culture.

'You just need to be aware of everyone and considerate.'

Mr Daniels also shared his top tips for avoiding the dreaded pre-holiday cold.

'A lot of people find they get sick after flights. Ultimately, we're in an enclosed space with germs circulating and some of the air gets recycled,' he said.

'I buy those alcohol sanitising wipes at the airport and before I sit down I'll sanitise my seat, the seatbelt, table, everything.'

Mr Daniels added it's important to remember flight attendants are doing their best.

'Everyone tends to think of being cabin crew as this dream job. Some people try for so long to become flight attendants and it's not until they're on a plane that they realise it's not glamorous,' he said.

'It can be really tough work and often isn't the job people expected. Yes, you get to see some beautiful destinations but you become jaded after a while.

'Then there will be these times, I called them magic moments, when you get to make a passenger's day or someone will give you a box of chocolates.

'It reminds us we are appreciated and helps fix all the negative stuff.'
A company which claims to raise funds for homeless veterans has been spotted still in operation across London after being fined for not having the required licences.

We Are Blighty has collected tens of thousands of pounds from members of the public across busy streets including Oxford Street, Tower Hill and Waterloo since it was founded in September 2022.

But the group, which is a community interest company (CIC), were brought before the City of London Magistrates' Court last month after a probe by the Fundraising Regulator over breaches of the Code of Fundraising Practice.

Despite repeated written and in-person warnings from the City of London Corporation's Licensing Team, they continued to operate - soliciting donations and unlawful street trading between August 2024 and February 2025.

We Are Blighty only donates 50 per cent of the money it collects from people on the street to veterans' support, with the rest going in the operator's pockets, the court heard.

On June 4, the Community Interest Company (CIC) pleaded guilty to 14 offences of collecting money and street trading in London without licences.

The company and its directors, Ben Mills and Danielle Vidler, were fined a total of 1,792 and ordered to pay 1,700 in costs to the City Corporation.

Chairman of the City of London Corporation's licensing committee, John Fletcher, said: 'This prosecution sends a clear message: illegal street trading and unauthorised fundraising will not be tolerated in the City.

We Are Blighty, a company which claims to raise funds for homeless veterans, has been spotted still in operation across London after being fined for not having the required licences

It was brought before the City of London Magistrates' Court last month after a probe by the Fundraising Regulator over breaches of the Code of Fundraising Practice

We Are Blighty only donates 50 per cent of the money it collects from people on the street to veterans' support, with the rest going in the operator's pockets, the court heard

'The persistent unlawful nature of We R Blighty's money collection and sale of articles for private gain without the pre-requisite authorisations is totally unacceptable.

'Our enforcement protects the integrity of charitable fundraising and the public, as well as organisations that comply with the law.

'I thank our licensing team and our specialist legal team at Guildhall, and the City of London Police, for their advice, guidance, and fair and professional handling of this matter.'

In a separate investigation towards the end of last year, Kent Police said they were looking into 'reports of financial irregularities' relating to the company. MailOnline has contacted the force for an update on their findings.

Multiple images posted online since their court appearance last month show We Are Blighty workers stationed at various locations across the capital.

One shows a man wearing the company's uniform and positioned next to a donation stand outside Highbury and Islington tube station in north London as he speaks to a police officer.

Others show similar set ups with other employees asking for donations from people walking past.

It is currently unknown whether or not they now have the correct licences. MailOnline has contacted the CIC Regulator regarding this.

On June 4, the Community Interest Company (CIC) pleaded guilty to 14 offences of collecting money and street trading in London without licences

Multiple images posted online since their court appearance last month show We Are Blighty workers stationed at various locations across the capital

It is currently unknown whether or not they now have the correct licences. MailOnline has contacted the regulator regarding this

The group has posts on its social media showing its members providing homeless veterans with aid including temporary housing in hotels, food, and blankets.

We R Blighty is not registered with the Fundraising Regulator  not a legal requirement  but this does not stop the regulating body from launching an investigation if it feels there is potential for 'significant harm to be caused'.

According to the fundraising code, anyone collecting money on the street for a charitable purpose, whether a charity or a CIC, is required to apply for licensing from the relevant authority, usually the local council or police force.

Founder and head of operations at We R Blighty, Mr Mills, is a veteran who set up the company after years of fundraising for armed forces charities.

It raised around 92,000 from donations in its first year alone.

Last year when MailOnline revealed his company was being probed, he insisted they had not breached the fundraising code, stating that because We R Blighty is a registered company, they are able to fundraise without a licence.

Speaking to MailOnline at the time, he said: 'We used to be able to get an exemption rule because we're a CIC.

'The charity collections page on the government website states there is an exemption if you are collecting on behalf of a business.

According to the fundraising code, anyone collecting money on the street for a charitable purpose, whether a charity or a CIC, is required to apply for licensing from the relevant authority

It raised around 92,000 from donations in its first year alone

'We didn't need a permit, we couldn't get a permit.

'Now they've added the Police Factories Act to the government website, but even that doesn't make sense.

'It states on there that if you're collecting any money for a 'charitable purpose' you need a permit.

'I'm not classed as a charity, and if I went around saying I was a charity I'd be absolutely crucified.

'So therefore, they can't put me in the category of being for a "charitable purpose" either because that would mean I would need to be of a charitable status.

'We R Blighty is still operating and assisting veterans regardless of any investigations that may or may not be taking place for whatever reasons.'

At the time, the group also said they were covered by the 'Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 by exposing newspapers and periodicals in public places', as they distribute armed forces magazines while accepting one-off donations from the public.

A CIC is not a registered charity, but is a 'special type of limited company which exists to benefit the community rather than private shareholders', according to the government website.

A We R Blighty fundraiser pictured last year. When MailOnline revealed his company was being probed in 2024, founder Ben Mills insisted they had not breached the fundraising code

Fundraisers pictured posing with police officers last year

Last year, the group also said they were covered by the 'Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 by exposing newspapers and periodicals in public places'

Fundraisers pictured last year. Mr Mills previously said: 'We R Blighty is still operating and assisting veterans regardless of any investigations that may or may not be taking place for whatever reasons'

CICs have for long been a 'tricky area' for regulators, as they have a more 'light touch approach' and are subject to less stringent regulations than charities, yet there is concern the public are often not aware of the differences between the two when donating.

The laws around street collections date back to 1916 and so campaigners are working to review and update legislation to make it more robust.

It is also often unclear with CICs how much of each donation goes towards the cause, and how much is kept as commission by staff.

MailOnline has contacted We R Blighty for comment.
For U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the hottest ticket of the summer isn't a security summit, it's the wedding of her trusted aide.

Her chief spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin, 31, will tie the knot next month with fellow Ohioan and former Noem campaign staffer Benjamin Yoho, 38, at a ceremony in Cincinnati, followed by a honeymoon in France, DailyMail.com can reveal.

Noem and her senior adviser Corey Lewandowski are sure to be on the guest list, as well as former Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy  each having uniquely close ties to the bride and groom.

McLaughlin and Yoho began working together in 2023 in senior roles for Ramaswamy's failed 2024 presidential campaign where their political chemistry soon turned romantic.

Prior to that, Yoho, the CEO of a political advertising firm, worked for Noem's re-election campaign in South Dakota in 2022.

McLaughlin previously held roles in the first Trump administration, and then worked as Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's communications director before joining DHS.

Now, their union is the latest intertwining of power and politics within the MAGA world's next generation.

Lewandowski, whose long-standing, close connection to Noem has fueled persistent rumors of a romantic affair, is also deeply embedded in the couple's story.

The wedding of DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin should soon see GOP power players come together when she ties the knot with GOP campaign strategist Benjamin Yoho in Ohio next month

One of Noem's first orders of business was to appoint McLaughlin, 31, who has appeared as a Fox Business panelist, as DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs

He served as a senior adviser to Noem when she was governor of South Dakota and followed her to DHS as her 'de-facto chief of staff' amid widespread speculation that the pair - who are both married - were romantically involved.

He also reportedly flirted with joining a pro-Vivek super PAC in 2023.

McLaughlin and Yoho's engagement was announced on January 8 on Mornings with Maria, a Fox Business show where McLaughlin served as a panelist.

'Wedding bells ahead of the opening bell!' Maria Bartiromo cheered, sharing that the couple just got engaged in Trump's hometown of Palm Beach, Florida.

McLaughlin, beaming from the panel, later shared the TV clip along with a ring emoji on her X account, just two weeks before Trump took office.

Both McLaughlin and Yoho's firm took to social media to congratulate Trump on Inauguration Day and Noem five days later when she was confirmed as DHS Secretary.

'We are thrilled and send our biggest congratulations to our friend @KristiNoem!' Yoho's firm posted on X January 25.

'South Dakota was blessed by her leadership and now the country will be as well. Go get 'em!'

Yoho has existing close ties to his fiancee's boss, having worked on her gubernatorial election campaign in South Dakota in 2022. He is pictured right with Noem and her husband Byron

Noem's long-rumored lover and her DHS aide Corey Lewandowski, pictured with the DHS Secretary in Costa Rica June, also has his own connections to the bride and groom and is likely to be included on the guest list

One of Noem's first orders of business was to name McLaughlin DHS' Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.

In the months since, Yoho, CEO of The Strategy Group Co., has become her greatest champion.

'My lady,' he wrote with a fire emoji on X, proudly retweeting an ABC News Live clip of her on April 16.

DailyMail.com can now reveal that the wedding will take place at a venue in Cincinnati on August 23.

The couple has posted their registry online, listing gifts they want from Bloomingdale's, Restoration Hardware, Williams Sonoma, and West Elm, ranging from luxury Italian percale bedding to American flag appetizer plates and towels.

Though both Ohio natives, McLaughlin and Yoho took different routes into GOP politics, before they joined forces in February 2023 when Vivek joined the presidential race.

Yoho became the campaign's chief executive officer. McLaughlin joined as senior advisor and director of communications.

McLaughlin, a former intern for The Daily Rundown with Chuck Todd, had worked during the first Trump administration in public affairs for the Treasury Department and as Chief of Staff to the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Nuclear Arms.

McLaughlin and Yoho's engagement was announced on air on Fox Business, where she served as a panelist, on January 8. They were revealed to have gotten engaged in Trump's hometown of Palm Beach, Florida

McLaughlin and Yoho began working together in 2023 in senior roles for Ramaswamy's failed 2024 presidential campaign; she is pictured with the GOP candidate in an social media photo

She later served as Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's Political Communications Director, according to her DHS profile.

Yoho, in his Linkedin profile, declared he had always wanted to be a coal miner like his dad. Instead, he went into political advertising.

After serving as executive director of the Ohio House Republican Organizational Committee, he became president of The Strategy Group in 2013.

The Dakota Free Press credited Yoho's firm with creating Noem's 'horsey ads,' one featuring a silhouette of her in a cowboy hat perched high on a horse, juxtaposed over the all-caps slogan BELIEVE.

'We believe in a future where the light of freedom burns bright and its torch is held high,' reads the add, still posted on the firm's website.

Yoho attended her second inauguration in 2023, while posting his congratulations to 'my friend' Noem on Twitter.

The connection appeared to pay off as just weeks later, Noem awarded him a $5million contract to make videos for her job recruitment campaign, under the flag of his business 'Go West Media,' according to state media reports at the time.

But the partnership raised eyebrows among watchdogs and media alike.

'An Ohio firm works for Noem's political campaign, then beats out South Dakota ad firms for a lucrative state contract,' a columnist at the Dakota Free Press sniped in an October 2023 article. 'Imagine that.'

The couple's online wedding registry includes items from Bloomingdale's, Restoration Hardware, Williams Sonoma, and West Elm

The items range from luxury Italian percale bedding to American flag appetizer plates and towels

McLaughlin, a former intern for The Daily Rundown with Chuck Todd, had worked in the first Trump administration

The same outlet highlighted Yoho's ties to Lewandowski, whose reputation remains complicated.

Once a senior advisor to Trump, Lewandowski was sidelined in 2021 after being accused of sexually harassing a donor at a charity dinner in Las Vegas.

Noem was reportedly sitting at a table at the fundraiser with Lewandowski.

He later resurfaced at Noem's side, attending her 2023 inauguration and currently working closely with her at DHS, after having returned to Trump's 2024 campaign as a senior adviser.

He also signaled his support for Ramaswamy, a Republican from Ohio, where Lewandowski had previously worked with Republican congressmen Bob Ney and Jim Ranacci, a failed 2022 challenger to Governor Mike Dewine with ties to Trump.

'All roads with them (Lewandowski, Yoho and McLaughlin) seem to lead back to Ohio politics,' one insider told DailyMail.com.

Politico reported that Lewandowski reached out to a pro-Vivek super PAC about 'coming on board  and ran the idea by (then candidate Trump) before doing so.'

Yoho's firm, the Strategy Group is credited with creating Noem's 'horsey ads,' including this one featuring a silhouette of her in a cowboy hat perched high on a horse, juxtaposed over the all-caps slogan BELIEVE

Yoho's firm took to social media to congratulate Noem after she was confirmed as DHS Secretary on January 25

DailyMail.com first disclosed details of Noem and Lewandowski's years-long, clandestine affair in September 2023, but the two remain married to their respective spouses

Ramaswamy spent much of his campaign praising the frontrunner while training his attacks on other challengers.

He then immediately endorsed Trump upon exiting the race, leading pundits to suspect the two had a secret alliance.

He is now running for governor but perhaps preparing to take a weekend off from campaigning as he joins others in their orbit attending the wedding of two of his top campaign officials.

McLaughlin, whose work alongside Yoho evolved into a romance, will face some added scrutiny as a government official after they say their I-dos, given Yoho's work with politicians including Noem.


One of Jay Slater's closest friends has recalled her final phone call with the teenager and revealed the moment she 'started panicking' about his welfare, an inquest heard today.

Lucy Law told Preston Coroner's Court she contacted Slater after learning he was alone without much phone battery.

She told the hearing how she 'started panicking' when he said he was 'in the middle of the mountains' with 'literally nothing around'.

Her evidence comes after a convicted drug dealer, who was among the last to see Jay Slater before he disappeared and died in Tenerife, told the inquest he tried to stop the teenager leaving his Airbnb before he vanished.

Ayub Qassim, one of two British men who spent time with Jay just hours before his disappearance, said he urged Jay not to leave the Airbnb when the 19-year-old insisted he would catch a bus to his own apartment where he friends were staying.

Jay, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, was found in a steep and inaccessible area by a mountain rescue team from the Spanish Civil Guard near the village of Masca on July 15, 2024. His body was discovered 29 days after he went missing during a holiday with friends.

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A woman has told how she felt violated after a burglar broke into her home in the dead of the night and leered at her naked body as she slept.

Angie Castillo was in a deep sleep laying next to her boyfriend Alex Varona, 34, when the intruder hold a torch gained entry to their Costa Del Sol property and and 'inspect' her close up.

Angie, a mother-of-one, was unaware of what had happened to her until the following day when she noticed her purse was missing and the couple checked the CCTV footage in their home.

To their horror, the 32-minute clip showed the masked raider silently creeping around their bedroom looking at Angie on the bed.

He appeared to be fixated with her as he repeatedly shone his torch over her body.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline Angie said she could have been raped if she'd been sleeping alone.

'I looked at the camera and my blood ran cold', she said.

'The guy came into the room eight times. He was looking in between my legs, at my intimate parts, looking at my face. He forgot all about the burglary. He was more interested in looking at me.'

'I was very scared, I was shaking. I was in shock. The day before my boyfriend Alex had been in Germany. If I had been alone this man might have raped me.

'Half an hour after he left the house, I went to the toilet. Perhaps if I had seen him I would have screamed. Alex would have done something. But the intruder might have been carrying a knife or a pistol.'

Pictured: Angie Castillo, who was victim to a home intrusion in Marballa last month

Angie Castillo and her partner Alex Varona, a black belt jiu-jitsu champion, were both sound asleep when the pervert burglar entered their home in Marbella last month

CCTV footage captured how the intruder shone his flashlight on Angie's body as she slept naked

'I am still traumatised by this,' she said. 'Before I go to the toilet at night, I look at the cameras. If Alex leaves the bed at night, I jump. I am now seeing a psychologist.'

Instead of stealing her gold ring, 400 Philipp Plein watch or other jewellery, he only took 300 in cash from her purse and dumped it.

Spanish police are analysing the security footage to identify the suspect, but no arrests have been yet made.

Angie's teenage son was also sleeping in the room next door at the time.

'Marbella is a bit dangerous now with people coming into people's houses. I would advise people to put alarms in their homes,' she said.

Mr Varona, a Brazilian black belt jiu-jitsu champion, said if he had woken up when the intruder was there, the outcome would have been different.

'I can detain nearly anyone. Someone came into our house and with the knowledge that I have, you can imagine how angry I felt. If I had woken up then the video that everyone has seen on social media would have been very different, I would have detained him until the authorities would have arrived, without doing him any harm.'

Angie says the terrifying experience has left her suffering from nightmares and she is now receiving psychological treatment

Angie's partner Alex (pictured) was also asleep during the creepy ordeal

He had returned from a jiu-jitsu tournament in Germany the day before. The couple went to the cinema and finally went to bed late deeply.

Mr Varona, who trains jiu-jitsu up to four times a day with his brother at Flow Academy in Marbella, said: 'The intruder did not steal anything from me, but perhaps he stole my pride. For me being a jiu-jitsu black belt and doing what I do, I should not have any excuse. I train about three times a day, six days a week, sometimes seven and I could not do anything with this intruder in our house,' he said.

The couple did not report the burglary immediately partly out of embarrassment and because they felt that as the intruder wore a mask, gloves and socks, they doubted if he could be caught by police.

Later, they found the courage to report it after being encouraged to by friends.

Disturbed by the intruder's behaviour and desperate to catch him, police published the footage.

The incident comes as residents in Spain have been warned to beef up their security systems after more burglaries.

In more footage, a man is seen wearing a mask and a grey hoodie and breaking into a series of villas between San Pedro de Alcantara in Marbella and Benahavis.

Dubbed the San Pedro Prowler, he is seen picking locks with a sharp tool.

He then walked off carrying luxury items including handbags and jewellery.

The couple did not report the burglary immediately after discovering the disturbing CCTV partly out of embarrassment

Among the recent stolen items include 10,000 in cash and a 30,000 watch.

The robber appeared to be wearing no shoes, just in socks apparently to avoid alerting anyone inside the house.

Neighbourhoods he has targeted include Guadalmina, and La Quinta, in upmarket Benahavis.
Accused wife poisoner Dr James Craig asked his hardened former cellmate to help him find assassins to kill a detective and other inmates, the shackled felon told Craig's murder trial on Wednesday.

Nathanial Harris, currently incarcerated while awaiting trial on forgery and motor vehicle charges, told jurors he was testifying at the request of his 'wife,' Loretta - citing his 'moral compass' as another reason.

Harris was housed for months in 2024 with Craig after the dentist's arrest in connection with the poisoning murder his wife, Angela, 43, who was repeatedly hospitalized with mystery symptoms before her death in March 2023.

Prosecutors argue Craig killed her with a lethal mix of cyanide, arsenic and tetrahydrozoline, a chemical found in eyedrops, amidst financial troubles and a budding extramarital romance - and have added other charges stemming from his alleged activities behind bars.

Bald, bearded and covered in tattoos, Harris repeatedly eyeballed Craig from the stand. He told the court how Craig had 'followed [him] around like a puppy' in jail, offering a 'blank check' for help arranging the hits and with other machinations the dentist was coming up with to clear his name.

Harris also told the court he'd received nothing in exchange for his testimony - and had in fact turned down a probation offer.

Craig spoke 'in detail' about Aurora Police Det. Bobbi Jo Olson - 'that she was out to get him ... that she was lying on him, fabricating evidence,' Harris testified.

Colorado dentist James Craig, 47, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the March 2023 fatal poisoning of his wife, Angela, the 43-year-old mother of his six children

Jailhouse witnesses testified on Wednesday how Craig asked them to plant evidence - a fake journal of Angela's in which she professed to be suicide - as well as to kill other inmates and a lead detective on the dentist's case

Craig also 'wanted me to get out and take pics of [another officer's] son getting off the school bus' for intimidation, Harris testified.

Regarding Olson and other names Craig provided, Harris testified, 'he wanted me to source out somebody that could find and kill them. '

'Before things got out of hand, I told him I would handle it,' Harris testified, explaining how he allegedly brushed off Craig. 'Because he was going to start talking to other people.'

Craig had talked about paying $20,000 or more for help, he said. The dentist also told him about 'an F150 with $5,000 cash and a .308 sniper rifle,' Harris testified.

Harris followed none of Craig's instructions, he said, and also hid within his legal mail a letter Craig had asked him to send his ex, Kasiani Konstantinidis.

Harris repeatedly asked his own lawyer several times to come get the damning letter, with no result, he said.

Felon and former cellmate Nathanial Harris testified on Wednesday that Craig tried to rope his ex into a plot to exonerate him and also asked Harris to find people to kill a detective on his case and other victims

That's when he 'took matters into my own hands,' Harris testified.

He called his current romantic partner, Loretta - described by Harris as his 'wife,' though the court heard he's still legally married to Konstantinidis - and told her to alert the prison to the letter.

Sgt Nicholas Hudson, who works at the Arapahoe County Detention Center, testified on Wednesday about receiving a phone call from Loretta. He set up a cell search the next day, ostensibly for drugs - not even telling his deputies that the real goal was to find the letter, he said.

Hudson did not initially locate the letter and surreptitiously asked Harris for help. The felon told him where it was and that gave him permission to read it, he added.

The officer read out portions of the letter, intended for Harris' ex-wife,to the court. It outlined 'roles' Craig wanted played by Harris' ex-wife, her sister and other women they'd recruit.

Konstantinidis, the letter instructed, was to pretend to be 'a friend of Ang's ... how you met and how far back your friendship goes is up to you.

Prosecutors allege that Craig killed his wife amidst mounting financial troubles and a budding extramarital romance - with Texas orthodontist Karin Cain, who testified through tears on Tuesday bout how the dentist had deceived her and wooed her as his wife lay dying

Angela 'confided in you that she had used the threat of suicide in the past to try to manipulate me,' Hudson read. 'She also told you she was never serious about following through.'

The recipient's sister was instructed to pretend to be another friend Angela met at a genealogical library - with the letter instructing her to go familiarize herself with the location to seem more believable.

'The next part is crucial,' the letter continued. 'The worst, dirtiest detective in the whole world is on my case. Her name is Bobbi Jo Olson.

'We have to discredit her.'

The letter's solution to this was for someone to lie and say they'd reached out to Olson with information favorable to Craig but had been ignored. This 'role' player was to feed this story to investigators and/or the media.

The letter also asked for Konstantinidis to find a person to discredit the office manager of his dental practice, Caitlin Romero, who testified earlier in the trial about noticing potassium cyanide in a personal package Craig had delivered to his workplace - and told her not to open.

Romero had googled the symptoms of potassium cyanide, connected it with Angela Craig's mystery symptoms and raised the alarm with her managers - who soon told authorities.

A detention facility sergeant read out a letter allegedly written by Craig in which he called Aurora Police Det. Bobbi Jo Olson 'worst, dirtiest detective in the whole world' - adding: 'We have to discredit her'

The letter asked for someone to claim they'd heard Romero bragging 'that she'd set me up in some way' or to make it 'sound like she fabricated evidence' or 'how she ordered the cyanide that killed Angela.'

Confusingly, the letter wanted this role-player to claim 'Caitlin said she did what she did because her bosses ... pushed her to do it and said they gave her a huge financial incentive to help them.'

Konstantinidis took the stand later on Wednesday and testified during cross examination that it would be 'very accurate' to describe her ex as having 'a reputation for untruthfulness.'

She said she'd been on the phone with Det. Olson when she received the letter in the mail, stopped opening it and left it outside under a mat to be picked up by law enforcement.

Harris, however, was not the first former fellow inmate of Craig's to testify in the trial - and to claim the dentist solicited help with criminal plots from behind bars.

Kacy Bohannon, who'd also been incarcerated with Craig in 2023, continued testimony he'd started late on Tuesday.

He told jurors how Craig 'was going to rewrite a journal - it was supposedly [Angela's] - about committing suicide, about how bad life was ... and how she wanted to take her life.

'So he had asked if I would be able to go and ... get into his home and put this into his garage or put it into his pickup truck that was parked in the street,' Bohannon testified.

Craig 'said he could get my bond paid ... and even throw in dental work,' Bohannon testified.

The dentist even gave him a rough map of his home - but 'I walked right back to my cell and tore it up and flushed it,' Bohannon said.

'I didn't want any part of it once I realized what was going on,' he said.

Bohannan, like Harris, testified that he'd received nothing in exchange for his testimony.

He came forward after his release, he said, because 'I just had this feeling ... almost like sick.

'I just wasn't right, that I knew what he told me, and I felt like I needed to reach out and tell someone.'
A convicted fraudster who boasted that she made easy money stealing from Lord Timpsons prison reform charity has been jailed.

Samantha OSullivan was sentenced to more than three years for stealing over 307,000 from the Prison Reform Trust (PRT) after the charity, which prides itself in offering second chances, knowingly employed the convicted fraudster as head of finance and human resources.

The organisation, which was then run by Lord Timpson before he became prisons minister, failed to notice missing money within weeks of promoting OSullivan, who duped bosses into signing off 171 fraudulent invoices and expenses so she could jet around the globe on holiday.

Kingston Crown Court heard yesterday that the single mother lived an opulent lifestyle for seven years, splashing out on five-star holidays to destinations including Cape Verde, Dubai, Lisbon, Barcelona and Split with the stolen cash.

Samantha OSullivan was sentenced to more than three years for stealing over 307,000 from the Prison Reform Trust

She plundered charity donations to pay for hotel stays, beauty salon treatments, designer clothes and rental properties.

Meanwhile, the 57-year-old was celebrated by the charity as the very model of a reformed prisoner after claiming she had turned her life around.

OSullivan had previously been jailed for theft in December 2013 after she preyed on the destitute during her role as deputy official receiver of Croydon, responsible for managing bankruptcy assets in the region.

The then-civil servant stole 85,000 from those facing bankruptcy who had to sell their homes to pay back their debt, not knowing she was secretly pocketing their cheques under the counter to pay for lavish holidays.

Samantha OSullivan was sentenced to more than three years for stealing over 307,000 from the Prison Reform Trust

Lord Timpson ran the charity at the time, before becoming prisons minister

Kingston Crown Court heard that the single mother lived an opulent lifestyle for seven years

After her release from a year-long sentence, OSullivan got a job at the PRT in 2016 which had been prepared to overlook her conviction when it was portrayed as a one-off mistake in an otherwise unblemished 20-year financial career.

Prosecutor Edward Franklin said OSullivan effectively almost doubled her salary by getting a total of 171 fraudulent invoices and fake expense claims paid into her bank accounts, which were signed off by unsuspecting bosses at a rate of one every other week.

OSullivan duped Lord Timpson and trustees, including former Justice Secretary David Gauke and ex-Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Nigel Newcomen who were responsible for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud, according to charity records.

When she was eventually caught in an internal audit last year, OSullivan claimed it was easy money, according to a pre-sentence report.

But yesterday she denied this, claiming she had only admitted the fraud was not sophisticated.

Apologising for her horrible secret, she said: Im ashamed and remorseful for what I have done.

OSullivan told the court she had been open about her past when she was employed, but found her role in the spotlight difficult.

She said: They gave me a chance and I did not set out to betray that trust that was given to me.

I found the work was difficult, some people resented me, I was often under the spotlight as a reformed prisoner.

I made terrible decision after terrible decision by somehow thinking I could make up for past mistakes by making new ones.

OSullivan claimed some of the cash was blown on her childrens student rent, but when asked where the money had gone, she answered: I do not know.

Jailing her for three years and eight months, Judge Simon Heptonstall said OSullivan had a significant detrimental effect on the charity, with the missing money adding up to more than the organisation received in gifts and donations last year.

These were treats for yourself and others, you took money away from a deserving charity, he told OSullivan.

It became a habit. You recognised it was something that was easy to do.

Pia Sinha, chief executive of the PRT, said: Miss OSullivans actions represent an egregious breach of trust, which has been reflected in the sentence handed down today.

Over the course of eight years, Miss OSullivan deliberately set out to defraud the charity of its funds, stealing money that was intended to support the 88,000 people in prison we serve.

PRT has also reflected on the lessons it needs to learn from this sad episode. We continue to believe in giving people second chances, but this must always be done responsibly and with appropriate safeguards in place.
The eight victims of the tragic Lake Tahoe boating accident were not wearing life jackets and made no distress calls when their vessel capsized.

Ten boaters aboard a 28-foot gold Chris-Craft vessel set out from the California side of Lake Tahoe last month, eager to enjoy a sun-drenched day on the water for a 71st birthday celebration.

But the day turned fatal when a sudden, powerful storm erupted over the lake - unleashing eight-foot waves, pounding hail and torrential rain - and struck without warning and ultimately capsized their boat, claiming eight lives.

A preliminary report released Wednesday by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that only the two survivors were wearing flotation devices, and no distress call was made when a wave inundated their luxury boat, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.

On the morning of June 21st, the conditions outside were perfect for a carefree weekend outing - clear skies, gentle breezes and steadily rising temperatures.

Despite a slight chance of rain and thunderstorms - a common occurrence for seasoned boaters - hundreds still took to the water that day.

But something shifted around 2pm - some boaters spotted whitecaps forming on the water, while others noticed the wind suddenly picking up, blowing fiercely from the north, as reported by The Los Angeles Times.

According to the new report, the ten boaters were anchored at Emerald Bay when the boats operator decided to leave the area as weather conditions began to worsen.

The eight victims of the tragic Lake Tahoe boating accident were not wearing life jackets and made no distress calls when their vessel capsized, a preliminary report released by the NTSB revealed

Ten boaters aboard a 28-foot gold Chris-Craft vessel set out from the California side of Lake Tahoe last month, eager to enjoy a sun-drenched day on the water for a 71st birthday celebration

The day turned fatal when a sudden, powerful storm erupted over the lake - unleashing eight-foot waves, pounding hail and torrential rain (pictured) - that struck without warning and ultimately capsized their boat, claiming eight lives

But as they made their way back, according to one survivor, the waves and wind intensified, and marble-sized hail began accumulating in the boat, as reported by SF Chronicle.

In an attempt to halt the unfolding chaos, the driver activated two bilge pumps - each capable of removing up to 1,100 gallons per hour - according to the report.

From that moment, conditions deteriorated rapidly, transforming a calm day into a desperate race against time and nature - as eight-foot waves, 30-knot winds and hail engulfed the lake within just minutes.

The engine of the ill-fated vessel failed approximately 50 to 100 yards from shore, near D.L. Bliss State Park.

Once the boat came to a stop, some passengers tried to bail out water - but their efforts were overwhelmed as a large wave crashed over the side.

According to Wednesdays report, one of the two survivors quickly put on a life jacket and began handing them out to others on board - but no one else immediately put theirs on.

Moments later, the boat capsized, throwing all 10 passengers into the frigid 54-degree water. One survivor told investigators that it had begun to snow, according to the outlet.

At around 3pm, a group of hikers called 911 and reported seeing a group in the water after their boat rolled over - all while waves in the area at the time were around eight-feet high.

The engine of the ill-fated vessel failed approximately 50 to 100 yards from shore, near D.L. Bliss State Park, where some passengers tried to bail out water - but their efforts were overwhelmed as a large wave crashed over the side

According to Wednesdays report, one of the two survivors quickly put on a life jacket and began handing them out to others on board - but no one else immediately put theirs on

At around 3pm, a group of hikers called 911 and reported seeing a group in the water after their boat rolled over - all while waves in the area at the time were around eight-feet high (pictured: rescue efforts)

A hiker and a California State Parks lifeguard helped rescue the two survivors from the water - one was wearing a flotation device, while the other was clinging to one, according to the report.

A massive search-and-rescue operation involving multiple agencies was quickly launched to locate the remaining boaters, including North Tahoe Fire, California State Parks, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office and the United States Coast Guard.

The recovery operations also required advanced divers and specialized teams, including Wilderness Finder Search Dog Teams.

Six bodies were recovered on the surface of the water near the capsized boat shortly after the storm.

The following day, the Washoe County Sheriff's Office responded to a request from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office to assist in recovering the two remaining victims.

The victims of the disaster were identified as: Paula Bozinovich, 71, Terry Pickles, 73, Joshua Antony Pickles, 37, Peter Bayes, 72, Timothy O'Leary, 71, Theresa Giullari, 66, James Guck, 69 and Stephen Lindsay, 63.

The survivors were identified as Amy Friduss and her mother, Julie Lindsay - both from New York - who were treated at a hospital for hypothermia and other injuries, according to SF Chronicle.

At the accident site, investigators recovered four life jackets and a single life ring, according to the report.

Among those who lost their lives was 37-year-old DoorDash executive Josh Pickles , along with his parents - 73-year-old Terry Pickles and 71-year-old Paula Bozinovich (pictured)

Additional flotation devices were later discovered on the boat - some still in their original plastic packaging with tags attached, others tucked away in storage compartments, unused

Two victims - 66-year-old Theresa Giullari (right) and 69-year-old James Guck (left) were visiting from New York when they lost their lives

Additional flotation devices were later discovered on the boat - some still in their original plastic packaging with tags attached, others tucked away in storage compartments, unused.

The boat - which was called Over the Moon - was registered to California and valued at $393,000. The seating capacity was equipped for 12 passengers.

As part of the preliminary report, investigators interviewed one survivor, a lifeguard, several witnesses, Good Samaritans and other boating personnel who were involved in the response, as reported by the outlet.

The report also noted that investigators examined the boat - salvaged from the lake the day after the incident - and found no evidence of a hull breach, grounding or collision with any object.

Among those who lost their lives was 37-year-old DoorDash executive Josh Pickles, along with his parents - 73-year-old Terry Pickles and 71-year-old Paula Bozinovich.

Pickles' wife had stayed home taking care of their seven-month-old daughter at the time of the disaster, according to Fox News. The group was celebrating his mother's 71st birthday on Lake Tahoe.

Two other victims were also from California: Josh Pickles' uncle, 72-year-old Peter Bayes, and 71-year-old Timothy O'Leary.

The three remaining victims - 66-year-old Theresa Giullari, 69-year-old James Guck and 63-year-old Stephen Lindsay - were visiting from New York.

'These individuals were part of a closely connected family group enjoying a birthday gathering on the lake,' the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office said in a June 24 statement.

'We extend our deepest heartfelt condolences to the families of those who were lost and all those who have been affected by this tragic event.'
A dentist lavished a single broke mother he met on a sugar dating website with gifts and money while he fantasized about killing his wife, his murder trial heard on Wednesday.

Carrie Hageseth, who met James Craig in the fall of 2022 on Seeking.com, said hed explained to her the plot of the movie The Purge  where you can kill anyone within 24 hours and not face any consequences - and referenced his wife.

Hageseth told the court: He didnt say specifically her but said that he knew how he would be able to get away with  injecting somebody in the neck with a substance.

The dentist mentioned he could use potassium chloride, or potassium something, because it was untraceable, the mother and Lyft driver sensationally told the court. It would be one injection.

Craig, 47, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the March 2023 death of his wife, Angela, 43. Prosecutors allege he killed her with by poisoning her shakes and administering cyanide, arsenic and tetrahydrozoline, a chemical found in eyedrops.

Motives, they claim, include Craig's financial troubles and extramarital romance - particularly a budding relationship with a Texas orthodontist he met at a February 2023 conference in Las Vegas.

The defense has put forth that Angela was suicidal and 'manipulative' - and that the orthodontist was just the latest in a long line of women.

Throughout their arrangement, Hageseth testified on Wednesday, Craig bought her daughter a $9,000 car, gave each of her kids $100 for Christmas, paid thousands in attorney fees for her divorce and financed meals and hotel room stays.

Dr James Craig, 47, is on trial in Colorado for first-degree murder in connection with the March 2023 poisoning death of his wife, Angela, 43, the mother of his six children

Initially Craig said he was married but separated, though Hageseth testified she later learned the truth.

He told me that he was not happy and that he was trying to figure out how to get divorced, she said.

Craig told her that financial separation from [Angela] was near impossible  One thing I remember specifically is that he said that itd make him completely broke and destitute, such as the situation that I was in.

It wasnt long before Craig asked her: Do you know anyone who can help me with my problem down here?

I can pay handsomely, he told Hageseth. I want to be with you.

She believed problem to mean his wife.

I said, I think you should hit up a homeless person, Hageseth testified that she answered.

Basically find somebody that doesnt have much to lose.

Carrie Hageseth testified she met Craig on Seeking.com and suggested he 'hit up a homeless person' when he asked about solving the 'problem' of his marriage

Texas orthodontist Karin Cain testified tearfully on Tuesday about how Craig claimed to be in the final stages of divorce, continuing to woo her as he allegedly poisoned his wife

Hageseth told the court the relationship ended on February 18, 2023 - days before Craig struck up a new romance with a Texas orthodontist he met at a dental conference in Las Vegas.

That woman, Karin Cain, testified tearfully on Tuesday about how Craig claimed to be in the final stages of divorce, continuing to woo her as he allegedly poisoned his wife.

And Hageseth wasn't the only Seeking.com user who testified in Craig's trial on Wednesday.

Jordan Ivey told the court she met Craig on the site in October 2022 and the relationship continued until January 2023.

He lavished her with meals, money and even took her on vacation to Montana during their romance, she said.

Ivey knew he was married and considering divorce - which Craig told her was unfeasible because of 'the kids and monetary reasons.'

Craig, 47, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the March 2023 fatal poisoning of his wife, Angela, the 43-year-old mother of his six children

Prosecutors say Craig poisoned his wife's protein shakes and gave her a fatal dose of cyanide because he wanted to escape their marriage

'There were multiple times he mentioned being unhappy, not being happy at home, having fights' with Angela, she said.

When he mentioned divorce in December 2022 - three months before his wife's murder - Ivey testified she responded: 'Is that something you're sure you want to do?

'Don't do that because of me.'

Describing the relationship on Wednesday, she noted Craig's 'excessive texting,' how he often said he missed her and how he even sent photos of his kids.

'To me, it was not very serious,' she said. 'I felt like it was more serious for him than it was for me.'

The trial continues on Thursday.
Asylum seekers are using taxpayer handouts to fund their gambling habits.

Pre-paid cards given out to pay for basics including food and clothing are being used in gambling venues such as bookmakers, amusement arcades and even casinos, Home Office data shows.

In the last year, up to 6,537 asylum seekers have used the government-issued cards at least once for gambling.

The shock figures were released under freedom of information laws to the PoliticsHome website.

They triggered calls for an immediate clampdown to prevent the abuse of taxpayers money by asylum seekers, including many who entered the country illegally.

Last night, the Home Office confirmed it had launched an inquiry into the scandal.

It came as Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the shocking figures as an insult to taxpayers.

These people have illegally entered this country without needing to  France is safe and no one needs to flee from there, he said.

The British taxpayer has put them up in hotels and now they slap us in the face by using the money they are given to fund gambling. These illegal immigrants clearly dont need the money they are given if they are squandering it at casinos and arcades.

Migrants get onboard an inflatable dinghy boat to cross the English Channel, in Gravelines

In the last year, up to 6,537 asylum seekers have used the government-issued cards at least once for gambling, in betting shops and even casinos

So-called Aspen cards are issued to asylum seekers while they wait to have their claims dealt with  a process that can take months, or even years

Labour has lost control of our borders with record numbers for illegal immigrants crossing the Channel this year. The number in asylum hotels has gone up since the election and now we learn of this insult to British taxpayers.

Everyone illegally crossing the Channel should be immediately removed to their country of origin or a safe third country in order to deter these crossings.

So-called Aspen cards are issued to asylum seekers while they wait to have their claims dealt with  a process that can take months, or even years. Those in self-catered accommodation receive 49.18 on the card each week to pay for clothes and footwear, non-prescription medicines, travel, food, non-alcoholic drinks, toiletries, laundry, toilet paper and communications.

The cards are currently issued to around 80,000 individuals who are waiting for a decision on whether they have a valid claim to stay in the UK. Many are living in hotels at the taxpayers expense.

The Home Office last night said: 'The Home Office have begun an investigation into the use of Aspen cards.

'The Home Office has a legal obligation to support asylum seekers, including any dependants, who would otherwise be destitute.'

The Home Office is able to track where the cards are used but does not block payments for particular types of transaction. The figures reveal that significant numbers of asylum seekers are now using the cards to gamble.

The Home Office figures break down how many asylum seekers attempted to use their cards in gambling venues each week. They do not record how many times each individual attempted to use their card in that week.

They show that an average of 125 asylum seekers a week used their cards with gambling-related merchants.

Protestors outside the Britannia International Hotel, where asylum seekers are currently being housed

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the shocking figures as an insult to taxpayers

Dozens used the cards every week, with 177 using them to gamble in Christmas week when many venues are closed. The figures peaked at 227 in one week at the end of November last year.

The Aspen cards use a chip and pin system so cannot be used for contactless payments or online.

A Home Office source insisted it was not possible to use the cards to directly place a bet. However, the data is understood to include withdrawals made from cash machines inside venues such as amusement arcades and casinos  where gambling is the sole focus.

Paul Bristow, Tory mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, suggested gambling by asylum seekers at the taxpayers expense may even be fuelling the growth of the industry.

He told PoliticsHome: Peterborough has seen a huge increase in the number of gambling establishments and gaming centres, and a huge increase in men whove arrived on small boats.

Its not unusual to see the very same men in some of the establishments on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night. Theres something going on here. Questions need to be asked. It would be absolutely wrong if they were using money given to them by British taxpayers to waste on gambling.

Reform UKs deputy leader Richard Tice said: This revelation, coupled with migrants working illegally, shows that the Home Office is incapable of policing the illegal migrant population. This is a slap in the face to hardworking British taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet.

Paul Bristow, Tory mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, suggested gambling by asylum seekers may even be fuelling the growth of the industry

Reform UKs deputy leader Richard Tice described the scandal as a 'slap in the face for taxpayers struggling to make ends meet'

The revelations are likely to fuel concerns about the explosion in small boat crossings under Labour. Around 20,000 people crossed the Channel illegally in the first half of this year  a rise of 50 per cent on the previous year.

Public anger is already mounting over the policy of accommodating tens of thousands of asylum seekers in hotels across the country, with angry protests erupting in recent days in Epping, in Essex, Diss in Norfolk and Canary Wharf, in London.

The Aspen cards were introduced to provide basic subsistence for asylum seekers who are not legally allowed to work or claim benefits in most cases.

But ministers are increasingly concerned at evidence of illegal working by asylum seekers, which may allow some to treat their taxpayer-funded handouts as pin money. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has ordered a clampdown on illegal working this week following a string of reports about asylum seekers earning money in the gig economy with delivery firms such as Deliveroo and Just Eat. In some cases, delivery bikes bearing the firms logos have been seen parked outside asylum hotels.

Firms will be issued with data on the locations of asylum hotels and ordered to stop using workers who appear to have been operating from there. But experts question whether this will work.

Emma Brooksbank, immigration partner at law firm Freeths, said the plan was likely to prove ineffective. It will not be difficult for illegal workers to bypass this restriction and avoid detection. Companies like these gig economy operators are largely unregulated, and as such the usual right to work penalties of 60,000 per illegal worker do not apply. They have no real incentive to clean up their act.'
President Donald Trump attended an artificial intelligence summit on Wednesday, even as he revealed to the audience of eager tech moguls he was not a fan of the name.

'Around the globe, everyone is talking about artificial intelligence,' Trump said. 'Artificial. I can't stand it, I don't even like the name.'

As the audience stared wordlessly at the president, he suggested they change the name.

'I don't like anything that's artificial so can we straighten that out please?' Trump asked. 'We should change the name.'

As some in the audience laughed in response, Trump continued, 'I actually mean that.'

'I don't like the name artificial anything, because it's not artificial, it's genius. It's pure genius,' he said, indicating he would prefer the name 'genius intelligence' better than 'artificial intelligence.'

The president spoke after the White House released its AI Action Plan on Wednesday, which detailed the administration's efforts to boost the development and innovation of the technology.

The document recommends that Trump streamline regulations and permitting to allow companies to build massive data centers and energy sources quickly to help accelerate the AI or 'genius' industry.

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks at the "Winning the AI Race" AI Summit

The president indicated at the AI summit he hated the term 'Artificial Intelligence'

It also recommends that the administration promote the export of American AI models abroad to help dominate the spread of the technology.

The plan also stresses the administration's determination to enshrine the rights of free speech into artificial intelligence models, warning that the federal government would only contract with companies with AI models 'free from top-down ideological bias.'

During his speech, Trump announced he was getting rid of President Biden's executive order which outlined a preference preference for companies who prioritized DEI programs and climate goals.

'We're getting rid of woke,' Trump said triumphantly, adding that, 'It's so uncool to be woke.'

He said his goal was to root out 'partisan bias' or ideological agendas from tech companies and artificial intelligence models such as 'critical race theory' which he described as 'ridiculous.'

'The American people do not want woke Marxist lunacy in the AI models and neither do other countries,' Trump said. 'From now on the US government will only work with AI that works with truth.'

Trump acknowledged the dangers of artificial intelligence, but described the race with China and other countries on the technology as one the United States had to win.

David O. Sacks speaks onstage at the All-In and Hill & Valley Forum "Winning The AI Race"

President Donald Trump holds an executive order related to AI after signing it during the "Winning the AI Race" Summit i

'This technology brings the potential for bad as well as for good, for peril as well as for progress but the daunting power of AI is not going to be a reason for retreat from this new frontier,' he said.

The president signed two executive orders at the summit, joking he would not sign the executive order with an auto-pen, a dig at his predecessor.

'Good luck because the race has just begun and we're going to win it,' he said to the tech executives as he exited the event.
Sky News presenter Chris Kenny has told off Pauline Hanson live on TV for turning her back on an Aboriginal Acknowledgement of Country ceremony in federal parliament.

The four One Nation senators turned their backs in protest in the Senate chamber when the Acknowledgement was read out as part of the ceremonial opening of the new parliament on Tuesday.

Hanson defended the action, saying she had been doing it for three years because she had had a 'gutful of this Welcome to Parliament every morning.'

'I have had enough and I do not want a Welcome to Country and to be disenfranchised from my own country that I was born here,' she said on Sky News on Wednesday.

Kenny jumped in, interrupting Hanson to say that he believed such ceremonies were 'overdone' but that turning her back was 'impolite'.

'It's a really good initiative in the right place, at the right time,' he said, as Hanson sighed deeply.

'When you're opening parliament... it's just a respectful way to acknowledge the land that we all live on, and the people that were here first, and the culture that is ongoing. It's just polite.'

But Hanson, shaking in fury, repeatedly said 'No' to Kenny, adding that she was 'past being polite when I feel disenfranchised from my own country.'

Senator Pauline Hanson (pictured) was furious when questioned on her 'impolite' protest of an Acknowledgement of Country in parliament this week

The four One Nation senators turned their backs during the ceremonial opening

Kenny pushed back, interrupting again to ask how anyone was being disenfranchised 'just to recognise our history'.

The senator claimed it was 'divisive' and that children were being 'indoctrinated' through the use of such ceremonies in schools.

'This is causing division, it's divisive. I'm not turning my back on the Australian people. That's why I'm doing it and that's why Australians are backing me - because they've got someone who has the guts to say we've had enough of this.

'This happens every morning before parliament is sitting -if it's just the opening of parliament I would accept that.'

Hanson said she was not being disrespectful.

'I'm not turning my back on Australians. I'm turning my back on these policies and ideologies that are dividing our nation and the tokenism that's going on.

'I've been speaking about this for the last 30 years and look at the state of this country, it's in one bloody hell of a mess. I'm not pulling a stunt. I'm sticking to my values, my principles and what I believe in. I want to see a country united as one nation, not this division that's happening.

'I am Australian and I welcome people that are born here and people who actually come from overseas to migrate here -I welcome everyone that has a right to this land.'

Sky's Chris Kenny (pictured) called out the hypocrisy that there was no protest against the Lord's Prayer which also was read in Parliament despite not all members being Christian

Later in the interview, Kenny raised the issue of hypocrisy, noting Hanson did not protest the Lord's Prayer, which was also read in the Senate on Tuesday.

'Not everybody in the Senate is Christian, yet people show their respect to that tradition,' Kenny said.

But Hanson insisted that the Christian prayer is 'tradition.'

'(It's) something that's done right from the educational system and it's been part of our history, Christian values that we have, and that's been part of it,' she said.

'(It's) not something that's been made up, that's been pushed down our bloody throats.

'It's saying that we acknowledge these people as the traditional owners to repay them respect as the past, present and emerging. Why should I pay someone respect if I don't know who they are - because some of these elders I wouldn't give them the time of day. People have to earn respect.'

Yawarllaayi/Gomeroi elder Barbara Flick Nicol told NITV in 2020 that a protocol to welcome and acknowledge visitors has existed among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities for thousands of years.

'It's always been something that we did as a people, understanding and observing the fact that when you are in somebody else's country, that you acknowledge them,' she said.

Welcome to Country ceremonies and land acknowledgements have been at the centre of the culture war, and became an issue in this year's election campaign after some agitators booed a Welcome to Country address at an Anzac Day dawn service in Melbourne.

Labor has backed Welcome to Country ceremonies, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Tuesday celebrating the tradition as a powerful way to begin the new parliament and reflect on Australia's history.

Albanese also took a veiled swipe at the stance of former Opposition leader Peter Dutton and some Coalition MPs who branded Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country proclamations as divisive and overdone.

'Like a lot of the more positive things about our nation, we shouldn't take it for granted,' Albanese said.

'It is not controversial today.'

Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the Aboriginal ceremonies to mark the opening of parliament 'set the tone as we re-commit ourselves to the taking of practical action to improve lives and expand opportunity for Indigenous Australians in every part of our great country'.

Welcome to Country is conducted by Traditional Owners, while Acknowledgement of Country is a statement of respect for Traditional Owners and connection to land, which can be given by an Indigenous or non-Indigenous person.
Columbia University has announced significant concessions to Donald Trump, including paying out $220million in order to restore federal research money over the White House's sanctions.

Under the agreement, the Ivy League school will pay the settlement over three years, the university said after the funds were canceled as part of the White House's crackdown on antisemitism on campus, the university announced Wednesday.

It will also pay $21 million to settle investigations brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

'This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty,' acting University President Claire Shipman said.

Trump celebrated the decision in a lengthy post to Truth Social on Wednesday night.

'I am pleased to announce that the Trump Administration has reached a historic agreement with Columbia University. Columbia has agreed to pay a penalty of $200 Million Dollars to the United States Government for violating Federal Law, in addition to over $20 Million to their Jewish employees who were unlawfully targeted and harassed,' he wrote.

'Columbia has also committed to ending their ridiculous DEI policies, admitting students based ONLY on MERIT, and protecting the Civil Liberties of their students on campus. Numerous other Higher Education Institutions that have hurt so many, and been so unfair and unjust, and have wrongly spent federal money, much of it from our government, are upcoming.'

'Its a great honor to have been involved, and I want to thank and congratulate Secretary Linda McMahon, and all those who worked with us on this important deal. I also want to thank and commend Columbia University for agreeing to do what is right. I look forward to watching them have a great future in our Country, maybe greater than ever before!'

Columbia University has announced significant concessions to Donald Trump, including paying out $220million in order to restore federal research money over the White House's sections

Under the agreement, the Ivy League school will pay the settlement over three years, the university said after the funds were canceled as part of the White House's crackdown on antisemitism on campus

The Trump administration pulled the funding, because of what it described as the university's failure to squelch antisemitism on campus during the Israel-Hamas war that began in October 2023.

Columbia then agreed to a series of demands laid out by the Republican administration, including overhauling the university's student disciplinary process and adopting a new definition of antisemitism.

Wednesday's agreement  which does not include an admission of wrongdoing  codifies those reforms while preserving the university's autonomy, Shipman said.

The school had been threatened with the potential loss of billions of dollars in government support, including more than $400 million in grants cancelled earlier this year.

'The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track,' Shipman said.

'Importantly, it safeguards our independence, a critical condition for academic excellence and scholarly exploration, work that is vital to the public interest.'

As part of the deal, Columbia agreed to a series of changes previously announced in March, including reviewing its Middle East curriculum to make sure it was 'comprehensive and balanced' and appointing new faculty to its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies.

It also promised to end programs 'that promote unlawful efforts to achieve race-based outcomes, quotes, diversity targets or similar efforts.'

'This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty,' acting University President Claire Shipman (pictured) said

The university will also have to issue a report to a monitor assuring that its programs 'do not promote unlawful DEI goals.'

The pact comes after months of uncertainty and fraught negotiations at the more than 270-year-old university.

It was among the first targets of President Donald Trump's crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus protests and on colleges that he asserts have allowed Jewish students be threatened and harassed.

Columbia's own antisemitism task force found last summer that Jewish students had faced verbal abuse, ostracism and classroom humiliation during the spring 2024 demonstrations.

Other Jewish students took part in the protests, however, and protest leaders maintain they aren't targeting Jews but rather criticizing the Israeli government and its war in Gaza.

Columbia's leadership  a revolving door of three interim presidents in the last year  has declared that the campus climate needs to change.

Also in the settlement is an agreement to ask prospective international students 'questions designed to elicit their reasons for wishing to study in the United States,' and establishes processes to make sure all students are committed to 'civil discourse.'

Even into 2025, it appears the university is failing to control the campus.

The Trump administration pulled the funding, because of what it described as the university's failure to squelch antisemitism on campus during the Israel-Hamas war that began in October 2023

Just two months ago, Columbia suspended dozens of students and barred alums and others who participated in anti-Israel protests inside the schools main library.

Shocking videos posted online showed dozens of people wearing keffiyehs and masks banging drums in a sprawling room at the Butler Library and hanging signs.

They repeated anti-Israel slogans for nearly an hour and renamed the library 'Basel al-Araj Popular University' after a Palestinian militant whom Israel has accused of planning a large scale attack, according to the New York Times.

But when the raucous demonstrators tried to leave the library, they were blocked by security guards at the Ivy League university unless they showed a proper school identification - leading to an hours-long standoff.

Now, the Ivy League institution in Manhattan placed more than 65 students on interim suspension and barred 33 others, including those from affiliated institutions such as Barnard College, from setting foot on campus, in what is seen as an attempt to gain favor with Donald Trump.

Interim suspension generally means that a student cannot come to campus, attend classes or participate in other university activities, according to Columbia's website.

The university declined to say how long the disciplinary measures would be in place, saying only that the decisions are pending further investigation.
House prices are now surging in suburbs with mid-point prices under $1million in cities with high levels of immigration.

Perth is one of Australia's best-performing property markets with the median house price soaring by 6.5 per cent during the past financial year to $855,395, Cotality data showed.

That price point means a working couple, including a part-time parent raising the children, can still afford to enter the market.

However, that is still well below Australia's mid-point price for capital city houses of $1.034 million, and affordable outer suburbs are seeing double-digit annual growth from Perth to Sydney and Adelaide.

Peter Gavalas, the founder of Perth-based buyer's agent Resolve Property Solutions, said Perth suburbs with median house prices under $1million were doing particularly well because they appealed to people moving in from other parts of Australia.

'Many new arrivals are professionals with stable incomes, looking to build long-term lives in Perth,' he said.

'They're targeting family-friendly, well-connected areas and are often ready to act quickly, which is putting added pressure on supply at the affordable end of the market.'

Unlike Sydney, Melbourne, and now Brisbane, it's still possible to buy a house in Perth for less than $1million in suburbs near the city.

House prices continue to soar amid high immigration (Anthony Albanese is pictured)

Perth is one of Australia's best performing property markets with the median house price soaring by 6.5 per cent during the past financial year to $855,395, Cotality data showed

Peter Gavalas, the founder of Perth-based buyer's agent Resolve Property Solutions, said suburbs with median house prices under $1million were doing particularly well because they appealed to people moving in from other parts of Australia

Carlisle, 8km south-east of Perth's city centre, has a mid-point house price of $908,939, and values during the past year have climbed by 7.4 per cent.

Nearby Belmont, 9km from the city, has a median price of $835,007 and values there went up by 7.9 per cent in the year to June.

But the outer eastern suburbs of Perth had even stronger growth with Midland prices going up by 13.1 per cent to a still affordable $627,033, in an area 17km from the city.

Western Australia also has the nation's strongest population growth of 2.4 per cent, based on a big influx of new residents, with 45,124 last year moving in from overseas, on a net basis, as 12,612 came from interstate.

'International buyers are attracted by Perth's lower entry prices, strong job market and lifestyle benefits, including quality education and transport links,' Mr Gavalas said.

'A budget of $750,000 to $900,000 still stretches far here, especially when compared to Sydney or Melbourne.'

Carlisle, 8km south-east of Perth's city centre, has a mid-point house price of $908,939 and values during the past year have climbed by 7.4 per cent

In Sydney, suburbs with median prices under $1million are almost 40km from the city, with Lurnea having a mid-point price of $996,791

Sydney

In Sydney, suburbs with median prices under $1million are almost 40km from the city, with Lurnea having a mid-point price of $996,791.

The 5.8 per cent annual increase was better than Greater Sydney's 1.7 per cent rise over the year and houses in this part of south-west Sydney are selling for a lot less than Greater Sydney's mid-point approaching $1.5million.

Sydney receives the biggest influx of overseas migrants, making it by far Australia's most expensive capital city market.

But New South Wales had a weaker population growth pace of 1.3 per cent last year as 106,730 new overseas migrants moved in, on a net basis, as 28,118 residents left the state for another part of Australia.

Brisbane

Brisbane now has a median house price of $1.011million but affordable suburbs are seeing some of the biggest growth with Acacia Ridge values, 18km south of the city centre, rising by nine per cent to $850,716.

Queensland's population growth of 1.9 per cent last year was better than the national average of 1.7 per cent based on 56,877 moving in from overseas as 25,940 came from interstate.

Brisbane now has a median house price of $1.011million but affordable suburbs are seeing some of the biggest growth with Acacia Ridge values, 18km south of the city centre, rising by nine per cent to $850,716

Frankston North, 55km from the city, saw its mid-point house price climb by 6.9 per cent to a still-affordable $645,182

Affordable suburbs in Adelaide's north are doing particularly well, thanks to strong demand from investors, with Salisbury East values soaring by 13.4 per cent to $698,790

Melbourne

Melbourne, a city getting more than 100,000 new overseas migrants a year, is a weak housing market but prices are now soaring in affordable outer suburbs where homes with a backyard sell for way less than the city's mid-point of $947,611.

Frankston North, 55km from the city, saw its mid-point house price climb by 6.9 per cent to a still-affordable $645,182.

Adelaide

Adelaide has been Australia's best performing housing market during the past year with values soaring by 7.7 per cent to $886,869 - despite having weaker population growth.

South Australia's population grew by just 1.1 per cent as 1,582 left the state for another part of the country and 19,546 migrants moved in.

Affordable suburbs in Adelaide's north are doing particularly well, thanks to strong demand from investors, with Salisbury East values soaring by 13.4 per cent to $698,790.

Someone earning $100,000 a year can still buy a house at Elizabeth Park where the mid-point price is $569,599 following a 13.1 per cent increase over the year.
Pam Bondi abruptly canceled her appearance at a high-profile anti-trafficking summit on Wednesday, citing a sudden medical emergency.

The attorney general - who has been under siege over the Epstein files - was scheduled to appear at CPAC's Summit Against Human Trafficking when a speaker at the event made the stunning announcement.

'I do have a note from the attorney general, from Attorney General Pam Bondi, that I wanted to share,' Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti said.

He then read her statement aloud: 'I'm sorry to miss all of my CPAC friends today...'

'Unfortunately, I am recovering from a recently torn cornea, which is preventing me from being with you. I truly wish I was able to join you and support all of the work being done on this critical issue.'

At the conclusion of the statement, Galeotti laughed nervously as scattered applause came from the audience.

'We appreciate the applause for her and not boos for me,' he joked. 'So I will do my best to fill those big shoes.'

Several people can be seen walking out of the conference after it was revealed the attorney general would not be speaking.

The Department of Justice did not provide any further information about Bondi's condition.

Her injury came just hours after a bombshell report claimed she personally informed President Trump that his name appeared 'multiple times' in the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Attorney General Pam Bondi abruptly canceled her appearance at a high-profile anti-trafficking summit on Wednesday, citing a sudden medical emergency

The timing came just as a bombshell report dropped alleging she personally informed Donald Trump that his name appeared 'multiple times' in the explosive Jeffrey Epstein files

Bondi's appearance at the CPAC summit was highly-anticipated given her central role in the administration's long-promised disclosures about the billionaire pedophile.

Adding to the intrigue, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that Bondi had informed President Trump in May that his name appeared more frequently than expected in the trove of sealed Epstein files.

Bondi had warned Trump that while the documents included 'unverified hearsay,' they also contained child pornography and sensitive victim information. She also advised against further public releases, the WSJ said.

The Journal's report directly contradicts Trump's public statements about the drama surrounding the Epstein files.

On July 15, when asked whether his name came up in a briefing with Bondi about the Epstein records, Trump replied bluntly: 'No, no.'

He described the meeting as 'just a very quick briefing,' and accused former FBI Director James Comey of 'making up' the contents of the files.

Trump's communications director, Steven Cheung, slammed the Journal's reporting as 'fake news,' responding to the Daily Mail in a statement.

'The fact is that the President kicked [Epstein] out of his club for being a creep,' Cheung said. 'This is nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media, just like the Obama Russiagate scandal, which President Trump was right about.'

But the Journal's reporting was backed by multiple senior officials, who said Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche briefed Trump as part of a 'routine meeting.'

When speaking to reporters on July 15 (pictured), Trump claimed that Bondi had not discussed in a meeting on the Epstein files that his name appeared in the documents

A message calling on President Donald Trump to release all files related to Jeffrey Epstein is projected onto the Chamber of Commerce building across from the White House last week

The Journal also noted that Bondi recommended withholding additional Epstein documents due to their inclusion of graphic material and potential privacy violations.

'They turned out to be child porn downloaded by that disgusting Jeffrey Epstein,' Bondi said at a July 8 cabinet meeting. 'Never going to be released, never going to see the light of day.'

Bondi's explanation has done little to quell outrage particularly from Trump's MAGA base, which has grown increasingly hostile towards over what they see as stall tactics and contradictions.

Her promise earlier this year on Fox News that she had the Epstein 'client list' on her desk proved hollow, as the long-awaited 'Phase I' release offered no significant revelations.

A leaked DOJ-FBI memo later revealed that no such 'client list' had ever been located in agency files.

The backlash has ignited conspiracies of a cover-up and infighting within pro-Trump circles.

Calls to release everything have grown louder, and some prominent MAGA influencers have demanded Bondi's resignation.

The administration's failure to deliver on the campaign promise of transparency in the Epstein case is becoming a political flashpoint.

It has been known for years that Trump is among the trove of documents in the so-called Epstein files that includes his 'black book' of contacts and his flight logs for his private plane

Trump has had recent beef with the Wall Street Journal, threatening to sue the publication and its owner Rupert Murdoch for publishing last week a piece claiming he sent Epstein a 50th birthday card with a hand-drawn outline of a naked women.

The paper claims that Trump wrote in the card's note: 'May every day be another wonderful secret.'

'I never wrote a picture in my life. I don't draw pictures of women,' Trump fired back when asked if he transmitted such a card. 'It's not my language. It's not my words.'

Legal experts say such a defamation lawsuit would be difficult to win, but the threat underscores the president's rising frustration with how the Epstein story is dominating headlines - and damaging his team's credibility.
Bryan Kohbergers victims saw a man lurking in the trees outside their home and found their front door mysteriously open one month before the killer struck, according to newly-released police records.

Moscow Police Department released a trove of 314 previously-sealed records related to the investigation into the November 13, 2022, murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin on Wednesday afternoon - just hours after the mass killer was sentenced to a lifetime behind bars.

During the sentencing, the 30-year-old PhD student refused the opportunity to finally reveal his motive and who his intended target was.

But, within the huge document dump, new details are emerging about the police investigation and evidence which ultimately led to the capture and conviction of the criminology student.

In a bombshell revelation, the records show that the roommates at 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho, had experienced disturbing incidents at the home just one month before the murders.

Goncalves had told at least two friends that she had seen a man watching her in the trees around the home.

Surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen - who bravely spoke out in Wednesdays sentencing hearing - told police Goncalves described seeing the shadow when she took her pet dog Murphy outside.

Another friend echoed this accounts, telling police Goncalves had seen a dark figure staring at her from the tree line when taking Murphy outside.

Mortensen, who was 19 at the time, also recalled one time when she came home to find the door to their three-story house open.

Bryan Kohberger remained emotionless in court Wednesday as the victims' families delivered impact statements

The survivor told police Goncalves had also mentioned someone following her around two or three weeks before her murder.

The other friend, whose name is redacted in the documents, told police they would make lighthearted talk and jokes about a possible stalker - but that the girls were slightly nervous about it being a fact.

The friend also said she knew the front door of the home had issues with locking and sometimes could be unlocked without a code.

Around that same time, a female student living on Queen Road - close to the King Road home - said a man tried to break into her home.

At around 1am on October 14, 2022, the woman heard what she thought was a man walk up to her door and try to open it, the police records reveal.

But the door was locked with the deadbolt on.

It is not clear if the incidents are related and if it is possible Kohberger was carrying out a practice run for the murders one month later.

It is also unclear if the man Goncalves saw was Kohberger surveilling the victims home, or if he may have broken into the home prior to the night of his attack.

But the details of these bizarre incidents come as prosecutors have been able to confirm Kohberger was surveilling the home for some time.

Kaylee Goncalves' sister Alivea Goncalves leaves Ada County Courthouse Wednesday

Alivea delivered a searing statement, branding Kohberger a 'psychopath' and a 'loser'

From July 2022 through to November 13, 2022, Kohbergers phone placed him in the vicinity of the King Road home at least 23 times, mostly at night.

Who Kohberger was watching and why he chose the home - and the students inside - only he knows.

Despite his guilty plea and sentencing, the killer's motive and target for the murders remain a mystery.

Speaking at a press conference after the sentencing, Moscow Police Corporal Brett Payne told reporters that while they know Kohberger 'targeted' that house, they still don't know why.

'The evidence suggested that there was a reason that this particular house was chosen. What that reason is, we dont know,' he said.

Investigators also remain in the dark about whether one or more of the victims inside the home was his intended target.

Around one month after these incidents, Kohberger broke into the student home and stabbed the four victims to death.

At around 4am, he entered through the back sliding door on the second story of the property and went straight up the stairs to Mogens bedroom on the third floor.

He found her and Goncalves sleeping in her bed and fatally stabbed the 21-year-old best friends.

On his way back downstairs or on leaving the property, he encountered Kernodle on the second floor, who was still awake on TikTok, having just received a DoorDash food order.

Left to right: Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke

The home at 1122 King Road where Kohberger broke in and murdered his victims

Kohberger attacked the 20-year-old with his knife and then also murdered her boyfriend Chapin who was asleep in her bed.

Kohberger then left through the same back sliding door of the property, passing Mortensen who had been woken by the noise and peeked around her bedroom door.

Mortensen - the sole person who came face-to-face with the killer that night and made it out alive - described seeing a masked man, dressed in all black and with bushy eyebrows.

Terrified, she and roommate Bethany Funke - whose bedroom was on the first floor - frantically called and text each other and their four friends. But the victims were already dead.

The newly-unsealed documents reveal for the first time that Funke also heard something unusual inside the home at the time.

The then-19-year-old had told officers she was woken by a sound she described as a firecracker and a flash.

She initially thought it was 'a prank,' the documents show.

Mortensen ultimately ran down to Funkes room where the two survivors stayed until daylight.

Just before midday - still unable to contact the four victims - they called friends round to the home and the bloodbath was discovered.

The newly-unsealed documents reveal harrowing new details about the injuries Kohberger inflicted on his victims.

One officer on the scene described seeing Kernodle's body on her bedroom covered in blood, with defensive wounds to her hands, including a deep gash between her finger and thumb.

Kaylee Goncalves had seen the man when she took her pet dog Murphy outside (pictured together)

'It was obvious an intense struggle had occurred,' the officer wrote.

'There was blood smeared on various items in the room and all over the floor.'

She had suffered more than 50 stab wounds.

Chapin was partially covered with a blanket in her bed, with his jugular severed, the police files said.

On the floor above, officers found the bodies of Mogen and Goncalves.

As well as more than 20 stab wounds, Goncalves' face was so badly damaged she was 'unrecognizable.' Mogen had wounds to her forearm, hands and a gash from her right eye to her nose.

Both were covered in blood, which had covered the pink blanket they were sharing.

Kohberger left behind a Ka-Bar leather knife sheath next to Mogen's body.

DNA on the clasp was traced back to the killer using Investigative Genetic Genealogy.

Surveillance footage on multiple homes and businesses close to King Road had also captured his white Hyundai Elantra driving to and from the crime scene at the time of the murders.

Kohberger was arrested on December 30, 2022, at his parents home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania.

Over the course of his two-plus years behind bars, officials noted unusual behaviors and habits of the killer, the new documents revealed.

According to a fellow inmate, Kohberger came across as highly intelligent and polite, but displayed unusual habits such as washing his hands 'dozens of times a day,' spending '45 minutes to an hour in the shower' and staying awake almost all night, only napping during the day.

The inmate reported one incident when, while Kohberger was on a video call with his mom MaryAnn, he had made a sarcastic sports remark that rattled Kohberger.

Kohberger had responded aggressively, thinking it was directed at him or his mother.

After more than two years behind bars fighting the charges, Kohberger finally confessed to the 2022 murders in a change of plea hearing earlier this month.

He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in an emotional hearing on Wednesday, where the families and friends of the victims were finally able to confront the man who slaughtered their loved ones while they slept.

Dressed in orange prison garb with his wrists and ankles shackled, the 30-year-old stared blankly at the families showing not even a flicker of emotion or remorse.

When it was his chance to speak, he maintained his silence.

I respectfully decline, he said boldly when asked by Judge Hippler if he would like to take the opportunity to address the court.

Those were the only three words he spoke, keeping the victims' families in the dark about the murders.

Kohberger has now been transferred to the custody of the Idaho Department of Correction, which will determine which prison will become home for the rest of his life.

Due to the severity of his crime - and the high-profile nature of the case - Kohberger is expected to be sent to the states only maximum security facility, Idaho Maximum Security Institution.
The man accused of shooting two Idaho firefighters dead grew increasingly agitated while attempting to become a firefighter himself - ultimately writing a chilling goodbye note to his father, declaring that he 'shall go to battle.'

Wess Roley, 20, launched a deadly attack on first responders last month after deliberately setting a bush fire at Idaho beauty spot Canfield Mountain to lure them in.

New revelations about the possible motive behind what officials called a 'pure act of evil' were shared during a Tuesday press conference - including indications of the suspect's growing resentment toward first responders, as reported by KREM 2 News.

Roley first attempted to enlist in the Army in Arizona in 2023, seemingly following in the footsteps of his father, a military veteran. He made a second attempt to join the military last year in Hayden, Idaho.

However, both times were unsuccessful, as he 'failed to follow through on tasks and appointments, eventually being disqualified by the US Army,' Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris said at the conference.

Then, just one month before the shootings, Roley visited a Coeur d'Alene fire station to inquire about becoming a firefighter - but grew irritated upon learning the requirements of the process.

'He had the state of mind that he would be able to start that day,' Norris revealed on Tuesday.

'He was told there's a process - you have a written exam, and a physical agility and a background investigation and an oral interview,' he added.

Wess Roley, 20, the man accused of shooting two Idaho firefighters dead, grew increasingly agitated while attempting to become a firefighter himself

On June 29 - according to Sheriff Norris - Roley used gasoline, lighters and flint to ignite a series of fires on Canfield Mountain to trigger an emergency response, and then opened fire on firefighters who asked him to move his vehicle before taking his own life

Roley attempted to enlist in the Army twice, but both attempts were unsuccessful as he 'failed to follow through on tasks and appointments, eventually being disqualified by the US Army'

'The contact became agitated and frustrated. He left there in a very frustrated and agitated state.'

During the conference, officials also revealed evidence suggesting the attack was premeditated - including drawings found in Roley's home depicting a mountain parking lot, a shotgun being fired and a figure aiming a rifle at their own chin.

A haunting farewell note addressed to his father was also found inside Roley's truck - signed by him alongside two symbols resembling runes associated with Nazi ideology.

'Tomorrow, I shall go to battle,' Roley wrote to his father. 'If I survive, it would be with upmost dishonor. I bid thee farewell.'

On June 29 - according to Sheriff Norris - Roley used gasoline, lighters and flint to ignite a series of fires on Canfield Mountain to trigger an emergency response.

He then opened fire on firefighters who asked him to move his vehicle, and later shot at others from a tree before taking his own life.

'This was a premeditated ambush, a pure act of evil against the people we look to for help,' Norris said on Tuesday.

Kootenai County Battalion Chief Frank Harwood, 42, and Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison, 52, were killed in the attack.

Then, just one month before the shootings, Roley visited a Coeur d'Alene fire station to inquire about becoming a firefighter - but grew irritated upon learning the requirements of the process (pictured: Roley and his mother, Heather Cuchiara)

During the conference, officials also revealed evidence suggesting the attack was premeditated - including drawings found in Roley's (pictured) home depicting a mountain parking lot, a shotgun being fired and a figure aiming a rifle at their own chin

A haunting farewell note addressed to his father was also found inside Roley's truck - signed by him alongside two symbols resembling runes associated with Nazi ideology (pictured: screenshot of Roley's Instagram Story)

Kootenai County Battalion Chief Frank Harwood (left), 42, and Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Battalion Chief John Morrison (right), 52, were killed in the attack

Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Fire Engineer David Tysdal, 47, was also badly hurt in what cops described as 'a total ambush,' but is expected to survive.

Earlier this month, Daily Mail exclusively revealed that Roley had a troubled past that included bullying gender-fluid kids at his Arizona high school, making disturbing neo-Nazi comments and posting Holocaust-denying TikTok videos.

And after moving to Idaho in summer 2024 after a year living with his grandfather Dale, 66, in Vinita, Oklahoma, his life spun further out of control  with a former roommate telling DailyMail.com that he made threatening gang signs, had no friends and cheated him out of a month's rent when he was told to move out.

Roley had also fallen out with his father Jason, 39  a heavily tattooed motorcycle enthusiast whose Facebook page carries several pictures of him in Hells Angel gear  who lives in remote Priest River, Idaho, with his second wife Sara, 35, and their two young children.

'When he first moved in with me, he was just real quiet,' TJ Franks, 28, told DailyMail.com in an interview at his modest apartment home in Sandpoint, Idaho, 60 miles north of Coeur d'Alene.

'He didn't really do a whole lot. He just kind of kept to himself and worked. But then, towards the end of his stay here, we started noticing changes in his behavior.

'He shaved all his hair off. He was keeping really late hours at night.'

Other difficult behavior included using Franks's personal items such as his clippers without permission, monopolizing the TV and playing video games deep into the small hours.

Earlier this month, Daily Mail exclusively revealed that Roley (left) had a troubled past that included bullying gender-fluid kids at his Arizona high school , making disturbing neo-Nazi comments and posting Holocaust-denying TikTok videos

TJ Franks (pictured), 28, told DailyMail.com that Roley  who was living out of his van when he died  didn't appear to have any friends at all and frequently complained about wanting a girlfriend

After moving to Idaho in summer 2024 after a year living with his grandfather Dale, 66, in Vinita, Oklahoma, his life spun further out of control  with a former roommate saying he made threatening gang signs, had no friends and cheated him out of a month's rent when he was told to move out

Franks added: 'He left his vehicle running out here for like, 12 or 13 hours, so the landlord called me and wanted me to check on him, and I knocked on his door.

'He was just sleeping, but he jumped up and said he had no idea that it was running  there was a lot of weird stuff like that.'

According to Franks, Roley  who was living out of his van when he died  didn't appear to have any friends at all and frequently complained about wanting a girlfriend.

But he did nothing to get one, instead spending most of his time off taking lonely rambles along the 3.5-mile Mickinnick Trail  telling Franks he felt most at home in the forest.

The pattern is similar to one observed his former classmates in Arizona, with one North Phoenix Prep School graduate telling DailyMail.com that that he would bully other students  including cruelly nicknaming one girl 'Horse Teeth'  and had few friends of his own.

More disturbing were his neo-Nazi outbursts and penchant for doodling swastikas and other Nazi symbols in his school notebook.

'He was weird,' recalled the student. 'At one point, in 10th grade he got a girlfriend who was Jewish.'

'They both were spreading neo-Nazi propaganda. Wess's notebook was notorious for having doodles of swastikas and satanic symbols in it,' they added.

The pattern is similar to one observed his former classmates in Arizona, with one North Phoenix Prep School graduate saying that that he would bully other students  including cruelly nicknaming one girl 'Horse Teeth'  and had few friends of his own

Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Fire Engineer David Tysdal (pictured), 47, was also badly hurt in what cops described as 'a total ambush,' but is expected to survive

Roley's father Jason has since posted a tribute to the dead firefighters and changed his Facebook profile photo to a badge that read: 'In loving memories of our fallen heroes.'

Later in November 2021, the then-10th grader Roley was expelled after threatening both the school and his classmates.

His tattooed, dyed-hair girlfriend also left the school and was never heard from again by classmates.

Franks also revealed that Roley had shown a consistent disdain for authority.

'He did say that he has a problem not with authorities but authority,' Franks told DailyMail.com.

'He has a problem with authority, but he was not a political person. You know, I would talk to him about something that I saw on the news,' he added.

'When I did, he would just kind of laugh and he would say, "it's all bull crap anyway."'

Ultimately, Roley's behavior became too much for Franks to tolerate, and he asked him to move out, which he did at the end of January this year.

After that, police say he lived a transient lifestyle and was the subject of several welfare and trespass calls but did nothing unduly troubling until last month's shootout that claimed the lives of Chief Harwood and Chief Morrison.

Roley's father Jason has since posted a tribute to the dead firefighters and changed his Facebook profile photo to a badge that read: 'In loving memories of our fallen heroes.'

He added: 'I have no words. I'm so sorry for the families.' Of his estranged son, he said nothing.
Parliament returned this week not with a bang, but with a calculated rhythm.

No drama in the numbers, no early leadership tension, and no surprise legislative ambushes.

And yet beneath the calm surface, the first full sitting week of this new term - which only included two days of Question Time - revealed a lot.

The government was keen to look measured but quietly ruthless, an opposition still licking its electoral wounds was slowly finding its voice, while the crossbenchers immediately discovered just how little leverage they now have, other than the Greens who hold the balance of power in the Senate in their own right.

There was strategy at play on all sides: defensive, offensive and performative. And with tax policy fast becoming the next political battlefield during this parliamentary term, the tone may already have been set.

What were Anthony Albanese's priorities?

Labor returned to Canberra laser-focused. Top of the list: pushing the HECSHELP cut to student debts through the parliament. Their signature pre-election promise - a 20 percent wipe-off for roughly 3 million Australians - was formally introduced in the House on Wednesday.

But beyond policy, optics mattered too. Labor deliberately dialled down the triumphalism. The tone was steady hand, not swagger. Ministers fronted the media emphasising unity and focus, a calculated effort to sidestep hubris.

Welcoming new MPs added another layer to the week. Ali France, Sarah Witty and others delivered first speeches: personal, grounded and in contrast to the Coalitions more familiar faces (those few who survived the electorates cull).

An emotional PM welcomes new MP Ali France to a government lineup that now has more female than male members.

Labor dominates the new parliament, but plans to tax unrealised superannuation balances expose the fragile economy that could prove to be the government's Achilles heel.

Labor also took the chance to underscore the Coalitions troubles on the floor of parliament. Their failure to back a modest income tax cut before the election got plenty of Question Time airplay. So too the divisions over net zero. And a depleted number of Liberal women in the oppositions party room took away from its first female leader strutting her stuff.

The Nationals remain publicly split on 2050 emissions targets, with Barnaby Joyce and Michael McCormack pushing to scrap them entirely. Its hard not to think that at some point sooner or later there will be another challenge Nats leader David Littleproud will need to navigate.

Then came trade. Australia lifted biosecurity restrictions on US beef imports, widely seen as a move to smooth tensions with Washington and hopefully negotiate down the Trump trade tariffs.

Labor tried to claim the timing of the policy change was a coincidence, but the Coalition isnt buying that. It wants the decision reviewed, using the final Question Time to push its case that biosecurity standards have been sacrificed to the interests of trade.

There was no policy switch on beer tax, as Labor went ahead with its election promise to freeze the excise for the next two years. Cheers! A nice win for the outgoing CEO of the Brewers Association, John Preston, who had long advocated for an end to the continual hikes which have given Australia some of the highest beer taxes in the world. With pressure on the government to ease the cost of living, it will be interesting to see if the industry can successfully lobby to make the freeze permanent.

If the Coalition looked fractured and reactive, Labor appeared focused and composed. Less interested in gloating, more committed to governing, or at least projecting that impression.

How did the new Opposition leader perform?

Taking on whats often called the toughest job in politics, Sussan Ley managed her first full week with steadiness and restraint. It wasnt flashy, to be sure, but she avoided missteps.

Ley anchored her messaging to one issue: Labors plan to tax unrealised super gains. It was a deliberate pitch to older Australians and SMSF holders. Her lines in Question Time were clear and targeted. She even ventured briefly into housing, territory the government prefers to control.

The polite conversation between party leaders at parliament's opening will soon give way to battle as new Liberal leader Sussan Ley tries to find a find a chink in the armour of a dominant government.

Ley leads a diminished Coalition team and while the only way seems to be up after an electoral wipeout, there is division within the ranks on net zero policy.

Ley didnt bite at the attempts to reignite the net zero wars. She stayed out of the mess, refusing to endorse or criticise the move, thus avoiding inflaming an already unstable internal debate. That said, its likely this issue will explode within the Coalition sooner rather than later.

Away from the chamber, Ley focused on authenticity. Her 60 Minutes appearance on the Sunday before the sitting week commenced - speaking about the death of her mother and her reasons for taking the job - struck the right tone: restrained and sincere. It didnt prevent the first Newspoll of her leadership revealing that the opposition starts this term further down in the polls than the poor election showing in May.

Commentary on Leys performance in her first parliamentary sitting week was mixed. Some accused her of lacking ideological edge. Others noted her improved recognition and clearer messaging. Her approval ratings remain low but she has time to turn that around.

Behind the scenes, Ley began rebuilding with internal reviews, outreach to business and community groups, and a reshaped shadow team. Its too soon to judge, but she made it through her first test without slipping. She even met with former long term Liberal deputy leader Julie Bishop during the sitting week, no doubt receiving some tips on how to navigate the male-dominated shadow cabinet she leads.

Does anyone remember the crossbench?

The crossbench went to the 2025 election with high hopes. A hung parliament was on the cards, and the independents and Teals saw themselves as likely policy shapers and kingmakers. But Labors outright majority removed that possibility in an instant.

In the lower house, the crossbench is now politically irrelevant. Their speeches will still be heartfelt, and theyll get a sizeable share of questions given how small the opposition party room now is. But without leverage anything they do is largely symbolic.

The Senate, however, is a different story, but only for the Greens. With eleven seats, they hold the balance of power and have made clear they intend to use it. Most of whats passed so far hasnt been contentious, but that wont last.

Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi ensured the crossbench wasnt entirely invisible. During the Governor-Generals address, she stood mid-speech and unfurled a sign reading: Gaza is starving Sanction Israel. It drew formal censure and headlines, but no policy traction. Still, it was a reminder that the Greens wont fade quietly despite their poor performance in lower house electorates.

The Greens are the only crossbenchers with any influence in the new parliament, and while their vote share was well down at the election, they could still make their presence felt.

The rest of the crossbench? Watching from the sidelines, for at least the next three years. That includes ACT Senator David Pocock who made such a splash in his first term. The team of four One Nation senators led by Pauline Hanson also has little power, but their enlarged party room is a lead indicator that they will be in the running to share the balance of power after the next election.

What debates will we hear more about in the coming weeks?

The biggest issue emerging from this week is the looming political fight over taxing unrealised gains in superannuation. The governments Division 296 proposal (a 15 percent tax on earnings for super balances over $3 million, including on gains not yet realised) has become the central line of Coalition attack.

Ley and her deputy and shadow treasurer Ted OBrien are already framing it as a broader tax threat. Will Labor now tax unrealised gains on everything? was the line floated in Parliament, designed to create unease among all Australians, not just the rich few with huge super balances.

Labor maintains that the tax hits only 0.5 percent of people and will raise over $40 billion in the next decade. But theres disquiet, even internally. Some Labor MPs reportedly hate the idea of taxing paper profits, even if they accept the budget imperative. Whatever way you cut it, the policy is badly designed, even if the goal of restricting super tax concessions for the wealthy has some merit.

The industry pushback is already intense, precisely because the design is so poor. SMSF groups warn theyll bear the brunt of whats coming. Hostplus wants indexation to avoid younger savers being caught by the tax in the future.

Then theres the politics. Anthony Albanese joked in Question Time: The time to run a scare campaign is just before an election, not after one. A wry line, but from a man who well knows how effective a scare campaign can be.

It was all smiles for the government on week one of the new parliament, but Treasurer Jim Chalmers faces major hurdles to tackle the country's weak productivity, housing shortage and burgeoning public sector spending.

Chalmers is framing the debate in class terms: This side of the House is cutting taxes for 14 million Australians. That side is going to the wall for 0.5 percent. That may resonate, but it wont silence critics, and it gives away the Treasurers penchant for class warfare, which might cripple his efforts to embrace serious tax reform. If indeed he is even serious about that looming debate.

The August tax summit will keep the issue of super in the headlines at the same time as broadening the discussion. Whether it resolves anything is another matter.

The noise around Division 296 will therefore carry into August, but it wont be the only game in town. What this week showed (quietly but clearly) is how each player plans to operate in the new political reality. Labor in control and careful not to overreach. The opposition disciplined, for now at least, despite Joyce and McCormacks best efforts. The crossbench adjusting to irrelevance.

The curtain has only just gone up, but the tone of the new parliamentary term is already taking shape.
A federal appeals court delivered a blow to Donald Trump's executive order ending birthright citizenship, deeming it unconstitutional.

It's the latest step in an ongoing battle between Trump and various judges in states far over his plan to deny citizenship to U.S.-born children of illegal migrants.

The ruling from a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes after Trumps plan was also blocked by a federal judge in New Hampshire.

It brings the issue one step closer to coming back quickly before the Supreme Court.

The 9th Circuit decision keeps a block on the Trump administration enforcing the order that would deny citizenship to children born to people who are in the United States illegally or temporarily.

'The district court correctly concluded that the Executive Orders proposed interpretation, denying citizenship to many persons born in the United States, is unconstitutional. We fully agree,' the majority wrote.

The 2-1 ruling keeps in place a decision from U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour in Seattle, who blocked Trumps effort to end birthright citizenship and decried what he described as the administrations attempt to ignore the Constitution for political gain.

The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

A federal appeals court delivered a blow to Donald Trump 's executive order ending birthright citizenship, deeming it unconstitutional

It's the latest step in an ongoing battle between Trump and various judges in states far over his plan to deny citizenship to U.S.-born children of illegal migrants

The Supreme Court has since restricted the power of lower court judges to issue orders that affect the whole country, known as nationwide injunctions.

But the 9th Circuit majority found that the case fell under one of the exceptions left open by the justices.

The case was filed by a group of states who argued that they need a nationwide order to prevent the problems that would be caused by birthright citizenship only being the law in half of the country.

'We conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in issuing a universal injunction in order to give the States complete relief,' Judge Michael Hawkins and Ronald Gould, both appointed by President Bill Clinton, wrote.

Judge Patrick Bumatay, who was appointed by Trump, dissented. He found that the states don't have the legal right, or standing, to sue.

'We should approach any request for universal relief with good faith skepticism, mindful that the invocation of `complete relief isnt a backdoor to universal injunctions,' he wrote.

Bumatay did not weigh in on whether ending birthright citizenship would be constitutional.

The Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment says that all people born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to U.S. jurisdiction, are citizens.

Justice Department attorneys argue that the phrase 'subject to United States jurisdiction' in the amendment means that citizenship isnt automatically conferred to children based on their birth location alone.

The ruling from a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes after Trumps plan was also blocked by a federal judge in New Hampshire

The case was filed by a group of states who argued that they need a nationwide order to prevent the problems that would be caused by birthright citizenship only being the law in half of the country

The states - Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon - argue that ignores the plain language of the Citizenship Clause as well as a landmark birthright citizenship case in 1898 where the Supreme Court found a child born in San Francisco to Chinese parents was a citizen by virtue of his birth on American soil.

Trumps order asserts that a child born in the U.S. is not a citizen if the mother does not have legal immigration status or is in the country legally but temporarily, and the father is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.

At least nine lawsuits challenging the order have been filed around the U.S.

After the recent Supreme Court ruling that blocked federal judges from stopping Trump though 'nationwide injunctions,' a class-action lawsuit was deemed the only option to stop the president.

The high court had allowed Trump's executive order halting birthright citizenship to take effect handing him a major victory.

The court ruled 6-3 in favor of Trump, with all six conservative justices - including the three he appointed - siding with the president.

Speaking at the White House, Trump reacted at the time: 'This was a big one. Amazing decision, one we're very happy about. This really brings back the Constitution. This is what it's all about.'

Trump has long complained about individual judges in liberal states being able to issue orders against his policies that apply across the country.
Some people just need killing. Bryan Kohberger is one of them.

Instead, thanks to a controversial plea deal, Kohberger was sentenced on Wednesday to four consecutive life terms  one each for the savage murders of college students Ethan Chapin, 20, Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Madison Mogen, 21  with no chance for parole.

Is this justice? Depends who you ask.

Kaylee's father, Steve Goncalves, said the deal 'wasn't justice'.

The Goncalves family had long been vocal about wanting a trial and the death penalty, which likely would have had Kohberger killed by firing squad  and said the state of Idaho had 'failed us' and that they were 'beyond furious'.

Steve Goncalves also said that prosecutors told him Kaylee had been stabbed more than 30 times.

'It was horrific what Kaylee went through', he said outside of court. She had, he said, 'quite a bit of damage to her face.'

Kohberger may never say why, may never give up a motive, but it seems obvious: driven by rage at young, beautiful, happy girls who would never give him the time of day.

Some people just need killing. Bryan Kohberger is one of them.

Instead, thanks to a controversial plea deal, Kohberger was sentenced on Wednesday to four consecutive life terms - one each for the savage murders of college students Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen - with no chance for parole.

So let him keep what he thinks is his sick little secret. We could all see it on his face in court  the lack of shame, remorse, or even self-pity.

Kohberger is likely proud of what he's done, while the rest of the world sees him for what he is: a pathetic shell of a psychopath pretending to be human.

Xana's father, Jeff Kernodle, told the New York Times in a statement that he was against the plea deal  in part because it did not require Kohberger to provide details of the crime or motive.

'I do not agree with this outcome and expressed my concerns before the deal was negotiated,' Kernodle said. 'After nearly three years of waiting and being told there would be a trial, with evidence presented to convict him, I'm disappointed in the prosecutors' decision.'

The Mogen family, however, was relieved to avoid a trial.

Chapin's parents also approved of the plea deal, with Ethan's father Jim saying that when he learned about it, 'If I could physically do a handstand at that time, I would probably do one. Because I am so ready for it to be done.'

Yet it's hard not regard this plea deal as a true failure of the system. Of a police department so small and inexperienced they initially told the public that the killings were targeted before contradicting themselves, days later, with Moscow Police Chief Jason Fry announcing, 'We cannot say there is no threat to the community'  prompting droves of college students to flee.

But it's the FBI who may be at most to blame here.

As weeks went by with no suspect and no theory of the crime, the FBI  clearly desperate  resorted to running the DNA on a knife sheath left behind through two private, commercial databases: GEDmatch and MyHeritage.

Now, does that seem like a big deal when a mass murderer is on the loose, and the only clue is DNA not found in criminal databases meant for law enforcement?

The moral answer is no. But the legal answer is much more complicated, and had Kohberger gone to trial  even though the judge in this case ruled the DNA admissible  his lawyers could have filed a solid appeal based on the 'fruit of the poisonous tree' doctrine, or evidence obtained illegally.

If this is the real reason that prosecutors moved for a plea deal, we all deserve to know.

Because it doesn't seem as if this prosecution was coming from a place of strength.

In fact, lead prosecutor Bill Thompson made a spectacle of himself in court on Wednesday, delivering his closing as if through tears.

It was completely undignified. Thompson's self-serving theatrics were grotesque.

The same holds true for Judge Steven Hippler, who delivered the agreed-upon sentence with a tremulous voice and far too much emotion.

That's not the job. Not since Judge Ito lorded over the OJ trial as if it were the role of a lifetime have such disgusting histrionics been needlessly injected into proceedings.

In rending their garments  rather than delivering cold, clinical justice that would starve Kohberger of satisfaction Hippler and Thompson insulted the victims, their families and survivor Dylan Mortensen.

Only 19 at the time of the murders, Mortensen pushed through sobs and near-hyperventilation to explain her torment as Kohberger sat just feet away, expressionless.

'I was barely 19 when he did this,' Mortensen said. 'I had to sleep in my mom's bed because I was too terrified to close my eyes. Terrified that if I blinked, someone might be there. I made escape plans everywhere I went. If something happens, how do I get out? What can I use to defend myself? Who can help?'

She went on to describe her ongoing PTSD, her body 'reliving everything over and over again. My nervous system never got the message that it is over, and it won't let me forget what he did to them.'

Firing squad.

But no  unless Kohberger gets the kind of prison justice meted out to Jeffrey Dahmer (one can hope), he will live out his days fielding calls from Netflix and podcasts and maybe even working with his one-time criminal professor on a book, despite Judge Hippler declaring, with unearned certainty, that this sentence marks the end of Kohberger's '15 minutes of fame'.

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Lead prosecutor Bill Thompson (pictured) made a spectacle of himself in court on Wednesday, delivering his closing as if through tears. It was completely undignified. Thompson's self-serving theatrics were grotesque.

How infuriating to watch this prosecution team and judge act as if they had just delivered the harshest punishment possible  the end of infamy!  when they failed.

When the harshest punishment possible would have been the death penalty.

Hippler, it turned out, had one more legal note after that display, telling Kohberger that he could still file a notice of appeal.

And Kohberger, in that moment, finally expressed emotion, however faint. He smirked.

How's that for justice?

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The ex-husband of Mark Latham's former porn star partner is accused of waging a two-month campaign of harassment against her while they were engaged in a Supreme Court battle.

Ross Matthews has been charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend Nathalie Matthews with phone calls and emails between 7am on April 1 and 4.30pm on June 2.

The starting date of that alleged conduct coincides with the first listing of a case Ross Matthews brought against his 37-year-old ex-wife in the equity division of the Supreme Court.

That case was last before court on May 21, almost a year to the day since Nathalie Matthews has claimed Latham, a One Nation turned independent NSW MP, proposed to her at Sydney's acclaimed Otto restaurant.

The one-time Matthews marital home at Sutherland in the city's south is listed as Ross Matthews's address on court papers and was advertised for rent at $840 a week on June 23.

The two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment with views across the city had previously been rented for $640 a week and was last bought for $790,000 in September 2019.

Matthews, who did not appear in person, pleaded not guilty to the harassment charge on Wednesday and was legally represented at Downing Centre Local Court.

Solicitor Alen Sahinovic said his client might be producing independent phone records in his defence and the matter was set for hearing on December 19.

The ex-husband of Mark Latham's former porn star partner is accused of waging a two-month campaign of harassment against her while they were engaged in a Supreme Court battle. Ross and Nathalie Matthews are pictured on their wedding day

Ms Matthews (above) is privately seeking an AVO against Mark Latham, accusing him of vile conduct 'including defecating on me before sex and refusing to let me wash'

The court heard an apprehended violence order police were seeking against the 34-year-old on behalf of Ms Matthews was associated with the criminal charge.

UK-born Matthews had previously boasted proudly about his marriage.

'Six months since I woke up with a killer hangover and still managed to make the best decision I have ever made!' he wrote in the wake of their wedding.

In another post, Matthews added: 'Happy one year! I cannot believe how fast a year can go!

'I would be lying if I said its been the best year of my life - in fact it's easily been the worst but it is in bad times that picking the right life partner is of the most importance!

'I just could not imagine doing life without you, love you always and heres to many years to come!'

The fresh allegation against Matthews came a week after he insisted he no longer had anything to do with his former wife since their split three years ago.

Matthews spoke out after Ms Matthews accused 64-year-old Latham of 'a sustained pattern' of psychological, financial and emotional abuse during their relationship.

Ross Matthews has been charged with using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend Nathalie Matthews between April 1 and June 2. He is pictured with Ms Matthews

The former Matthews marital home (above) at Sutherland in the city's south is listed as Ross Matthews's address on court papers and was advertised for rent at $840 a week on June 23

'Please stop messaging me,' Ross Matthews posted to X on July 16. 'I don't speak to Nathalie and do not care. Thank you.'

A day earlier, The Australian newspaper cited messages between Ms Matthews and a friend which stated Latham had proposed to her on May 18 last year. (That date has been reported by news.com.au as May 23).

Latham responded to that claim by alleging Ms Matthews was still married while he was in what he called a 'situationship' with her.

'Now The Australian is "reporting" that I proposed to Nathalie Matthews in May last year,' he posted on X.

'They missed the joke: she was still married to Ross Matthews, and maybe still is to this day.'

Nathalie May Darrough married Ross David Matthews in 2018 but their union reportedly ended in 2022, before she began going out with Latham.

Ms Matthews has said she was in a relationship with Latham for at least two years before he proposed, meaning they had been together earlier than May 2022.

Daily Mail Australia confirmed Ms Matthews and Latham as a couple in July 2023 after they each posted pictures of themselves to social media in the same row of seats on Court 1 at Wimbledon.

Ms Matthews has accused 64-year-old Latham of 'a sustained pattern' of psychological, financial and emotional abuse during their relationship. They are both pictured above

Ms Matthews is privately seeking an AVO against Latham, accusing him of vile conduct 'including defecating on me before sex and refusing to let me wash'.

She further claims he forced her into degrading sexual acts, demanding she call him 'master' and pressuring her to take part in sex with others.

Ms Matthews also alleges physical violence including Latham pushing her against walls, forcing her out a door, throwing a plate at her, and driving at her with a car.

In her AVO application, Ms Matthews states she still holds fears about Latham.

'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,' she wrote.

Daily Mail Australia is also not suggesting any wrongdoing by Latham, only that Ms Matthews has made allegations against him as part of her AVO

This publication revealed on July 18 that Ms Matthews had worked as an OnlyFans porn star for years before she began dating Latham.

Ms Matthews posted hundreds of explicit images of herself on the site under the name Bondi C** S***, as well as videos showing her having sex.

Leaked texts show Latham sending Ms Matthews sexually explicit messages from parliament

Latham has denied ever mistreating Ms Matthews during what he describes as a 'sexed-up, consensual, open arrangement'.

He has not disputed sending sexually graphic texts to Ms Matthews - but says some messages have been taken out of context - and has not denied having sex with Ms Matthews in Parliament House.

'The big news is I had a private life,' Latham told 2SM's Chris Smith on July 16. 'I had a sex life and Ive got to say it was fantastic.'

'If I'm the only person in Australia who in a work environment engaged in a bit of playful sex talk with their partner, then I'll buy everyone a lottery ticket tomorrow.'

Ms Matthews describes herself as the managing director of Skynet Global Logistics, a company involved in freight forwarding which has a presence in Sydney, Perth and Dubai.

On Thursday, Daily Mail Australia revealed she had converted to Islam in November 2022 and adopted the name Maryam Abdullah.

Ms Matthews' AVO application is listed at Downing Centre Local Court on July 30.
If quadruple murderer Bryan Kohberger felt anything as the friends and families of his victims excoriated him with a series of increasingly fiery witness impact statements, he did not show it.

Kohberger was today handed four consecutive life sentences plus ten years for felony burglary. The sentencing came at the end of a three-hour hearing during which the killer fixed each person who stood to address him in Ada County Courthouse with the same intense stare.

It is two and a half years since Kohberger entered 1122 King Road in Moscow, Idaho shortly after 4am and stabbed 21-year-old best friends Kaylee Goncalves and Maddie Mogen and 20-year-old Xana Kernodle and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin to death.

Yet today he didn't flinch as he faced down the devastation his crimes have wrought - not even when Kaylee's father, Steve Goncalves, dragged the lectern from where it stood facing the judge and turned it, like a tank's gun tower, towards him.

Goncalves had been vocal in his disagreement with the plea deal struck by Kohberger earlier this month - a move that saw him avoid trial and with it the threat of the death penalty.

Now Goncalves trained his rage on the killer. 'You picked the wrong families, the wrong state, the wrong community,' he thundered. 'You tried to divide us. You failed. Your actions have united everyone in our disgust for you.'

'Today you have no name,' he told him, stripping Kohberger of the notoriety that many believe the former criminology PhD student craved. 'A Master's degree? You're a joke. A complete joke.

'The world's watching because of the kids, not because of you. In time, you will be nothing more than initials on an otherwise unmarked tombstone.'

Kaylee Goncalves' sister Alivea then took to the stand and delivered an even more brutal dressing down of her sibling's killer.

Kohberger was today handed four consecutive life sentences plus ten years for felony burglary

Alivea Goncalves, sister of victim Kaylee Goncalves, speaks during the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, in Boise, Idaho, USA, 23 July 2025

Steve Goncalves, father of victim Kaylee Goncalves hugs his daughter Alivea after speaking at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Dylan Mortensen was so overcome with emotion she could not stand but instead sat by the prosecutor's table. She struggled to steady her breathing as she read her statement

She said: 'You're a delusional, pathetic, hypochondriac loser who thought you were so much smarter than everybody else... You're as dumb as they come.

'Sit up straight when I'm talking to you... Don't ever try to convince yourself you mattered just because someone finally said your name out loud.

'If you hadn't attacked them in their sleep in the middle of the night like a pedophile, Kaylee would have kicked your f***ing ass.'

Seated between his defense attorneys, Anne Taylor and Elisa Massoth, Kohberger simply watched, his eyes hooded by his heavy brow.

Last time he sat in this courtroom he looked every bit the former University of Washington teaching assistant that he once was  in dress pants, a white button-down shirt and tie.

Today he suffered the ignominy of his imminent incarceration and his status as a guilty man.

He wore an orange prison jumpsuit, his hands cuffed to a belly chain, his ankles shackled. A single sheet of paper sat on the table before him, on it a print of a dark heart. A pen sat on top of it. He neither touched nor looked at it for the duration of proceedings.

His mother Maryann and sister Amanda were there, seated at the front of the gallery, away from the grieving families. At times Maryann visibly shuddered as the details of her son's crimes were rehearsed.

The day opened with impact statements from the two surviving roommates  Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen.

One of Maddie's best friends, Emily Alandt, read a letter on Funke's behalf. Alandt was the sorority sister who Mortensen called on the morning of the murders. She went to the King road house with her boyfriend Hunter Johnson and was among the first that day to learn the horrifying truth.

Struggling to contain her emotions Alandt read Funke's words, 'I was afraid to go into my own backyard, scared the person would come for me next I made my parents close all the blinds, barely left the house and made sure I was never alone. I slept in my parents' room for almost a year and made my parents double lock every door.'

Madison Mogen's father also delivered a seering statement

Kim Cheeley, grandmother of victim Madison Mogen spoke of her grief for the other victims' families, as well as the Kohbergers, which made Kohberger's mom MaryAnn cry

She has not, she revealed, 'slept through a single night since this happened.'

Prosecutor Bill Thompson put his hand to his forehead as Alandt continued, 'One day I realized I had to live for them. I do not take that for granted. Everything I do I do that with them in mind.'

Xana, she wrote, was 'one in a million.' Kaylee could have 'ruled the world and been America's sweetheart.' Ethan was 'the sweetest and most genuine guythe way he cared for Xana was proof that storybook love and true romance do exist.'

As for Maddie, she was, quite simply, 'the older sister I would have always wanted.'

Next came Dylan Mortensen  just 19 when the murders upended her life and the one roommate who set eyes on Kohberger as he stalked through the house that night.

Overcome with emotion, she could not stand.

Sat by the prosecutor's table, she struggled to steady her breathing, gulping and stifling cries. Judge Steven Hippler comforted her: 'Just take your time.'

Kohberger's eyes darted to the side, he breathed heavily. 'Because of him,' Mortensen said, 'four beautiful genuine compassionate people were taken from this world for no reason.

'He didn't just take away their lives. He took away the light they created in every room. He took away what they were becoming and the futures they were going to have all the memories that we were supposed to make.'

Maddie Mogen's father Benjamin fought tears as the sentence was handed down

With his senseless violence Mortensen told Kohberger, 'You have shattered me in places I didn't know I could break.'

To this day she suffers from panic attacks that 'slam' into her 'like a tsunami out of nowhere.' When that happens, she shared, she couldn't breathe, she dropped to the floor.

'It's far beyond anxiety,' she said. 'It's my body reliving everything... My nervous system never got the message that it's over.'

Still, Kohberger sat  as impassive as stone. The only time he gave any slight indication that any of this was getting to him was when Mortensen said of him, 'He is a hollow vessel, something less than human. He chose destruction. He chose evil. He feels nothing.'

His lips pursed, he blinked and shifted in his chair.

Maddie's stepfather Scott, and mother Karen Laramie told how their daughter was taken away 'by a sudden act of evil.' Scott spoke for them both, 'We know the law allows us to comment on the defendant and the sentence.

'We support the plea. Society needs to be protected against this evil. As for the defendant we will not waste words. Evil has many faces, but evil does not deserve our time and attention.'

Again, Kohberger's lips twitched. As the morning went on, the loved ones of his victims stood one by one and took their turn to diminish, ridicule and dismiss him as a failure, as foolish, as nothing.

Pictured left to right: Housemates Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke in 2022

Xana's aunt Kim, offered him forgiveness. She said, 'I have forgiven you because I no longer could live with hate in my heart.

'And any time you want to talk and tell me what happened I'm here. Get my number because I have questions. I'm here, I'll be the one who listens to you.'

Xana's mother, Cara Northington, who has struggled with addiction throughout her life and says she has found God and sobriety since the death of her daughter, said, 'Jesus has allowed me to forgive you for murdering my daughter.

'Without you even being sorry or asking for this, because He who lives in me is greater than any evil in the world.'

Her stepfather Randy Davies had no such compassion. 'I don't know what my limits are here,' he said. 'I'm really struggling. I want to be out in the woods with you so I can teach you about loss and pain.

'You are weak. God what I would just give for a moment in the f***ing woods.

'I'm shaking I hope you feel my energy.'

Of all the rage and loss expressed by the families of the dead, Alivea Goncalves' testimony was the most fierce.

Like her father, she turned towards the killer and word by word she took him apart.

'I won't stand here and give you what you want,' she said, 'I won't give you tears. I won't give you trembling.

'Instead, I will call you what you are: sociopath, psychopath, murderer.'

She turned his own research methods against him  echoing a questionnaire once written by Kohberger for his academic study.

She peppered and mocked him with questions, 'Did you prepare for the crime? Please detail what you were thinking and feeling. Why did you choose my sister? Detail what you were feeling.

'Before leaving their home is there anything else you did? How does it feel to know that the only thing you failed more miserably at was trying to be a rapper?

'Why November 13? Did you truly think your Amazon purchase was invisible because you used a gift card?'

And then a chilling revelation and a hint of how her sister suffered: 'What was the second weapon you used on Kaylee. What were Kaylee's last words?'

Kohberger slouched in his chair and gave very little emotion as victims shared their devastation

Xana Kernodle's father Jeff also spoke at the sentencing hearing of his grief and loss

Kaylee was so badly beaten by Kohberger that, her father has claimed, she would have died of the assault if she had not died from her stab wounds  of which he has said there were more than 50.

'Do you feel anything at all, or are you exactly what you always feared? Nothing,' Alivea rounded.

Her disdain rose as the court sat enthralled and all Kohberger could do was sit in his humiliation.

'There's a name for your condition,' Alivea said, 'Though your inflated ego just didn't allow you to see it. Wannabe.

'The truth is you're basic. Your patterns are predictable, your motives shallow. You're not profound, you're pathetic.

'Don't ever get it twisted again. No one is scared of you, no one is impressed by you. No one thinks that you are important.'

And then the mic drop moment. 'Here's the one thing you hate the most. If you hadn't attacked them in their sleep, in the middle of the night like a pedophile, Kaylee would have kicked your f***ing ass.'

The gallery erupted into applause as she retook her seat and the judge did nothing to stop them.

Shortly after 11am prosecutor Bill Thompson stood to ask the court to impose the maximum sentence for each count and for those sentences run consecutively.

He twirled his moustache and stroked his beard, folded his hands across his chest and choked back clear emotion  just as he had during the July 2 plea deal hearing.

He said, 'We can never undo the horror of what occurred in early morning hours Nov 13, 2022 1122 King Road, Moscow, Idaho even God cannot change the past.

'But everyone in this room has the ability to take themselves forward and we want the judicial system to afford them the opportunity today to do that.

'From today forward our memories should be focused on these innocent victims whose lives were taken on their families on their friends on their community.'

Asked if they intended to offer any evidence the defense said no. Asked if he had anything to say Kohberger told the judge, 'I respectfully decline.' His voice was barely audible.

As he sentenced him, Judge Hippler described Kohberger as a once 'faceless coward,' who 'slithered' into 1122 King Road and 'senselessly slaughtered,' four of the six young people there that night.

He lambasted the killer for his cruelty and for his 'incompetence' which, along with 'outstanding police work,' saw him brought to justice today.

Steve and Kristi Gonsalves consoled one another as Kristi delivered a scathing warning shot to Kohberger

Judge Hippler said, 'Those speaking today and those who did not speak but carry the same burden of loss now carry the memory of these forever young people, these perpetual children.

'What we don't know and what we may never know is why?

'I share the desire to know the why, but it seems to me that by continuing to focus on why we give Mr Kohberger relevance, we give him agency, and we give him power. It makes us dependent upon the defendant to give us a reason.'

He continued, 'Even if I could force him to speak, which legally I cannot, how can anyone truly believe that what he says is the truth?

'I suspect the so-called reason would be dished out in enticing self-serving and aggrandizing bits leaving people more desire for understanding. Even if we could get truthful insight into his way I suspect it would not quench anyone's thirst for understanding why.'

The judge hoped that none would 'stoop' to provide Kohberger with a spotlight in future. Criminal psychologists should study him, he said, but 'there should be no reason for that to spill into the public eye.'

As he brought proceedings to an end Judge Hippler said, 'His acts of evil have made him the worst of the worst.

'Even in pleading guilty he's giving nothing hinting of remorse or redemption or regret for the pain that he's caused and therefore I will not attempt to speak of him further other than to sentence him and remove him forever from society.'
Coastal suburb bore the brunt of the damage

Multi-million dollar houses and flashy cars have been destroyed after a freak tornado left a trail of destruction in one of Perth's most affluent suburbs.

Incredible footage showed the wild weather hit City Beach just after 5pm on Wednesday with prime real estate in the coastal suburb bearing the brunt of the force.

A huge waterspout was seen forming over the ocean near the City Beach oval before the tornado tore through the city ripping off roofs and downing trees.

City Beach resident Tilly told ABC Radio Perth she felt like the house 'was about to fly away' as she watched the havoc unfold outside while sitting in her dining room.

'I literally just looked up through the window and saw a tornado,' she said.

'There was like a column of swirling wind, there was things flying in the air, bits of roof flying, tree branches, rubbish and it was all quite high up in the air, above the tree line.

'When I saw the bits of roof flying, I was worried it was going to come through the window, so I actually ducked under the table at one stage.'

Another resident, Carlene, said she didn't see the storm coming but the sound of the wind outside was 'extraordinary.'

The freak tornado (pictured) tore through the coastal suburb of City Beach in Perth

The tornado is captured forming off the WA coast late on Wednesday afternoon

The Department for Fire and Emergency Services responded to more than 100 calls for help

'All of a sudden, we heard this amazing, like, a roar, like a jet engine  the wind came through the house,' she told the radio station.

'The next door neighbour's trees are split in half.'

The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) received more than 100 calls for help.

A Bureau of Meteorology spokeswoman said its initial assessment of footage and radar observations indicate the wild weather was likely a tornado.

'Australia experiences 30 to 80 tornadoes each year, but it is possible that many more tornadoes occur in remote, unpopulated parts of Australia and therefore go unreported,' she said.

'During the cool season, there is an average of around five tornadoes reported in southwest Western Australia.'

She said there are two main types of tornadoes - supercells and non-supercells.

'Radar observations suggest this tornado may have been associated with a small supercell, although the mechanism is not actually clear-cut.'

One car was destroyed by the wild weather in Perth this week

Trees were uprooted and split in half during the freak tornado in City Beach

Many multi-million dollar properties were caught in the firing line

The Bureau said predicting tornadoes is difficult and specific warnings are only issued if signs consistent with tornadoes occurring are visible on radars or direct observations are received.

In 2016, at least 7 tornadoes affected South Australia, leading to a state-wide power outage.
Ghislaine Maxwell is expected to unveil 'new evidence' during her jailhouse meeting with the Justice Department and will attempt to make a deal with government officials, Jeffrey Epstein's former lawyer claimed.

The revelation came as resurfaced footage showed Epstein responding to questions about Donald Trump and underage girls.

The US President was also informed months ago by Pam Bondi that his name appears 'multiple times' in the Jeffrey Epstein files, according to a new report.

Maxwell will personally meet with a top Justice Department official at a federal prison in Florida where she is serving a 20-year sentence for helping Epstein traffic young women.

Her brother Ian told The New York Post on Wednesday that she will be providing 'new evidence' regarding Epstein.

'She will be putting before that court material new evidence that was not available to the defense at her 2021 trial, which would have had a significant impact on its outcome,' Ian Maxwell said.

Ghislaine Maxwell, 63, did not testify in her defense at her 2021 trial which saw her convicted in over her role in a scheme to sexual exploit and abuse multiple minor girls with Epstein over the course of a decade.

But former Epstein lawyer Alan Dershowitz claimed that Maxwell will try to make a deal with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche when he visits her in lockup.

'She's going to make a deal... That's the way things are done. They make deals with the Mafia, so I'm certain they are going to try to make a deal with her,' he told the New York Post.

Ghislaine Maxwell is expected to unveil 'new evidence' during her jailhouse meeting with the Justice Department

The revelation came as resurfaced footage showed Jeffrey Epstein responding to questions about Donald Trump and underage girls

Her discussions with the White House came as a torrent of information on the Epstein saga continued to get blasted across traditional outlets and social media.

Liberal podcasters MeidasTouch posted video Wednesday of a 2010 deposition in which Epstein was asked about Trump but is largely evasive.

'Have you ever had a personal relationship with Donald Trump?' Epstein is asked by a lawyer representing an underaged victim.

'What do you mean by 'personal relationship,' sir?' he replies.

'Have you socialized with him?' the questioner continues.

'Yes, sir,' he admits.

'Have you ever socialized with Donald Trump in the presence of females under the age of 18?' the lawyer persists.

'Though I'd like to answer that question, at least today I'm going to have to assert my Fifth, Sixth, and 14th Amendment rights, sir,' he replies.

The Fifth Amendment protects individuals from being forced to testify against themselves in a criminal case, while the Sixth and 14th involve other individual protections under the law.

Epstein invoked the fifth on all questions he was asked during the deposition. However his response to the Trump questions appeared unique.

Liberal podcasters MeidasTouch posted video Wednesday of a 2010 deposition in which Epstein was asked about Trump but is largely evasive

DailyMail.com has reached out to the White House for comment.

The saga of the billionaire pedophile has plagued the Trump administration since the botched handling of the Epstein files - which the president now claims is a Democrat-led hoax.

Attorney General Pam Bondi is facing calls to testify before Congress after The Wall Street Journal's reported that she told Trump that his name appeared in the FBI files of the sex-trafficking investigation.

Ghislaine Maxwell, 63, is the only person behind bars despite the fact that pedophile Jeffrey Epstein allegedly controlled a web of underage girls.

Additionally, Epstein's victims alleged they were passed around as sex toys to his wealthy friends and billionaire business associates who regularly visited his homes including his private island, Little Saint James.

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.

'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.'

What that 'truth' is remains to be seen. Maxwell was convicted in 2022 over her role in a scheme to sexual exploit and abuse multiple minor girls with Epstein over the course of a decade.

Attorney General Pam Bondi is facing Democratic calls to testify before Congress following The Wall Street Journal's revelation that she told Trump that his name appeared in the files of the sex-trafficking investigation

Ian Maxwell (pictured right) on Wednesday said that Ghislaine will be providing 'new evidence' regarding Epstein

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.

Earlier this week, Ghislaine's brother Ian Maxwell revealed her sister's frame of mind in the wake of the botched release of the files.

Ian Maxwell communicates regularly with her sister in jail on the phone and told The Times she fears for her safety.

'Prisons are very dangerous places and we know from Ghislaine that there are serious staff shortages and more dangerous higher-risk-category prisoners now being admitted to  Tallahassee,' said Maxwell.

'For sure she remains at great, if not greater, risk and has expressed her real concerns about this to me.'

He also said his older sister believes that Epstein may have been murdered, contradicting the DOJ and FBI's belief in the official theory that he committed suicide.

'There were certainly a number of convicted murderers on the wing in [Metropolitan Correctional Center] New York where Epstein died,' Maxwell said.

Maxwell, 63, 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.

'The contemporaneous investigation of Epstein's death was cut short, cursory and frankly shoddy, certainly as regards the duty guards' story the night he died. At least one distinguished, independent forensic pathologist concurred with the Epstein family-appointed pathologist that homicide was more likely than suicide,' he added.

He added that the pathologist from the New York Medical Examiner's office never examined the body.

'I think despite the DOJ memo concluding that Epstein died by suicide, there must remain serious doubts and the jury remains out about that.'

Ian Maxwell's take was that President Trump and others would be 'pleased' by the suicide verdict.

'The principal casualties here are truth and justice and my sister's freedom,' he said.

'That's the reality and it should make all right-thinking people seethe with anger. We remain ever hopeful that the truth of the 'hoax', as President Trump now refers to it, comes out.'

Ian Maxwell also 'welcomes total discourse' and the complete public release of the FBI files.

The controversy continues to rage over the Department of Justice's statement that there is no Epstein 'client list' and the release of 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.

Maxwell rubbing Epstein's foot during a trip on his infamous plane

Trump and Melania party with Maxwell and Epstein at Mar-a-Lago

The scandal - and alleged 'cover up' - has prompted a rebellion amongst President Trump's loyal MAGA base. Some even believe 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.

On Wednesday, it was revealed that Bondi told Trump his name was among many high-profile figures mentioned in the files, which the Justice Department this month said it would not be releasing despite a clamor from online sleuths, conspiracy theorists and members of Trump's base.

Trumps personal ties to Epstein are well-established and his name is already known to have been included in records related to the wealthy financier, who killed himself in jail in 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges.

The Justice Department declined to comment on the report but issued a joint statement from Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche saying that investigators had reviewed the records and 'nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution.'

'As par of our routine briefing, we made the president aware of the findings,' the statement said.

The mere inclusion of a person's name in Epstein's files does not imply wrongdoing and he was known to have been associated with multiple prominent figures, including Trump.

Over the years, thousands of pages of records have been released through lawsuits, Epsteins criminal dockets, public disclosures and Freedom of Information Act requests.

They include a 2016 deposition in which an accuser recounted she spent several hours with Epstein at Trumps Atlantic City casino but didnt say if she met Trump and did not accuse him of any wrongdoing.

Trump has also said he once thought Epstein was a 'terrific guy' but they later had a falling-out.

White House spokesman Steven Cheung on Wednesday said the reports were 'nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media.'
A former piano teacher in Texas has learned he will spend the next decade behind bars for exposing himself to at least five of his underage students.

Trent Muse, 29, was sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday after pleading guilty to five counts of indecency with a child by exposure - a third-degree felony in Texas.

His offenses took place during the 20222023 school year while he was giving private piano lessons at Trinity Valley School in Fort Worth, which serves students from preschool through 12th grade, as reported by Kera News.

Annual tuition at the prestigious private school ranges from $17,440 to nearly $30,000 for upper grades, according to the school's website.

'Every time we drive to school, every time we hear a piano, every time we see our daughter lash out or draw inward, we're reminded of this terrible predator and the terrible trauma he inflicted on our babies and on us,' one victim's mother said during testimonies, according to the outlet.

In March, a group of eight families representing nine underage students filed a civil lawsuit against the top-rated school, alleging it covered up reports of sexual abuse by Muse for years, according to the outlet.

Due to the school's 'negligence, fraud and intentional infliction of emotional distress,' the parents claimed, more than a dozen girls had been abused while under his care.

The lawsuit, filed on March 25, alleged that the abuse occurred over an eight-month period - around the time when Muse was fired - and involved 16 girls, all between the ages of 6 and 11.

This abuse included exposing himself, coercing students to touch him and creating sexually exploitative games - all during unsupervised, one-on-one music lessons inside a secluded classroom, according to the suit.

Trent Muse (pictured), a 29-year-old former piano teacher in Texas, has learned he will spend the next decade behind bars for exposing himself to at least five of his underage students

His offenses took place during the 20222023 school year while he was giving private piano lessons at Trinity Valley School in Fort Worth (pictured), which serves students from preschool through 12th grade

The lawsuit also alleged that when Muse got fired in April of 2023, the school and its administrators had already known about the abuse for nearly two years.

According to the document, a family reported Muse to a lower school administrator - around the same time Muse lost his position.

However, parents said they were not informed about the concerning complaint - instead, they were simply told that Muse had left for personal reasons.

According to the lawsuit, the school emphasized that there was 'no cause for concern' regarding his leave and they 'encouraged families to continue lessons with Muse off campus.'

'The harm to Muse's victims and their families continues to manifest,' the suit read, as reported by Kera News.

'Because of the continued cover-up by the school and the Board to this day, it is very likely that some parents still do not know their children are victims of Trinity Valley and of Muse,' it added.

During testimony, one mother shared how her daughter began being abused by Muse when she was just nine years old.

'She's now known as one of the piano victims,' the mother said through tears, as reported by Kera News.

The lawsuit, filed on March 25, alleged that the abuse occurred over an eight-month period - around the time when Muse was fired - and involved 16 girls, all between the ages of 6 and 11

This abuse included exposing himself, coercing students to touch him and creating sexually exploitative games - all during unsupervised, one-on-one music lessons inside a secluded classroom, according to the suit

'She has trouble sleeping, she has trouble to trust adults, especially male teachers,' she added.

Monroe Solomon, Muse's attorney, told KERA News that while the case has been 'very difficult,' Muse has been 'open and honest' about the charges since his arrest in June 2024, according to court records.

'I would hope that folks just don't see Trent as what he's made out to be, either through what is said in court, through reports in the media,' Solomon told the outlet.

'It's hard to see when you hear things, but he is a genuinely good man,' he added. 'He made mistakes which he has admitted to, but he is a good man.'

Natalie Arbaugh, an attorney with Winston & Strawn representing multiple families, told CBS News on Wednesday that the lawsuit is ongoing and in the 'early discovery' phase.

'Today's sentencing hearing only touches the surface in terms of what our clients expect and deserve from the justice system,' Arbaugh told the outlet.

'The enormous harm these victims and their families have suffered is devastating and will last for many years to come, as their impact statements in court today made clear,' she added.

'These young children are so brave, and it's because of them that today happened. We look forward to giving our clients their day in court and hopefully reaching a point where Mr. Muse and Trinity Valley are held fully accountable for their conduct.'

Muse ultimately pleaded guilty and was sentenced to what prosecutors called the maximum sentence.

Following Muses arrest, the school has initiated a third-party investigation into the matter, according to Kera News.

In a statement to The Fort Worth Report, school officials said: 'After the school received a report of an incident involving Mr. Muse in April 2023, he was promptly terminated from his position and a report was made to Child Protective Services.'
A woman convicted in one of the most disturbing murders in the history of San Diego just received a crushing legal blow after trying to argue she deserved her freedom.

Jessica Lynn Lopez, the so-called BDSM 'slave' who once claimed responsibility for the torture-killing of 22-year-old military wife Brittany Killgore, lost her latest bid to be released.

A state appeals court upheld a judge's refusal to vacate her first-degree murder conviction on Tuesday, ruling that Lopez remains legally culpable under California's revised felony murder law.

Lopez had attempted to distance herself from the heinous crime.

Killgore was abducted, restrained, and brutally killed in 2012 after being lured to a home in Fallbrook under false pretenses. Her body was found days later, dumped in Riverside County.

Prosecutors said she was the target of a sadistic fantasy shared by Lopez and her co-defendants, Louis Ray Perez and Dorothy Maraglino, who were all convicted of murder, torture, kidnapping, and attempted sexual battery.

Each is serving life without parole.

Lopez had argued that she wasn't the actual killer and was not a major participant in the fatal events.

Jessica Lynn Lopez, who was convicted in one of the most disturbing murders in San Diego County has received a crushing legal blow after trying to argue she deserved her freedom

Lopez claimed responsibility for the 2012 torture-killing of 22-year-old military wife Brittany Killgore, pictured,

Brittany Killgore, right, had just filed for divorce from husband Cory, left, before her murder

Her appeal rested in part on a change in state law that allows murder convictions to be overturned if the person wasn't the killer, didn't intend for anyone to die, or wasn't a major player in the crime.

But in a devastating ruling, a three-justice panel of the Fourth District Court of Appeal found that Lopez 'failed to show the evidence was insufficient' to support the conclusion that she either aided and abetted the murder or played a major role in the gruesome plan.

The panel took specific aim at her claim that her infamous handwritten confession letter in which she graphically described the killing was merely a fabrication dictated to her by Maraglino.

Her appeal argued that the contents of the letter were 'patently fabricated,' but the justices weren't convinced.

Even more damning was Lopez's attempt to deny that torture had taken place.

The court dismissed her arguments flatly, citing testimony from the medical examiner, who gave detailed evidence of the horrific injuries inflicted on Killgore's body.

Lopez also attempted to shift blame by saying she wasn't present when Killgore was abducted claiming she didn't arrive until the young woman was already in captivity.

In her appeal, Lopez attempted to distance herself from the heinous crime and argued that she wasn't the actual killer and was not a major participant in the fatal events

Prosecutors said she was the target of a sadistic fantasy shared by Lopez and her co-defendants, Louis Ray Perez and Dorothy Maraglino, pictured, who were all convicted of murder, torture, kidnapping, and attempted sexual battery

Louis Ray Perez, 49, was also convicted in October in the 2012 murder of Brittany Killgore.

But the court once again found her confession letter betrayed her, noting how the details she provided about restraining the victim showed she was directly involved in the crimes.

The case shocked Southern California more than a decade ago, not only for its cruelty but for the twisted world it uncovered.

Lopez, Perez, and Maraglino all lived together in a master-slave BDSM relationship, with strict power dynamics that blurred the lines between role-play and reality.

Killgore, the wife of a deployed Marine, was simply trying to enjoy an evening out when she accepted what she thought was an innocent dinner invitation from Perez.

Instead, prosecutors say she walked into a nightmare orchestrated by three people obsessed with domination, control, and cruelty.

Killgore was abducted, restrained, and brutally killed in 2012 after being lured to a home in Fallbrook under false pretenses. Her body was found days later, dumped in Riverside County

Killgore, the wife of a deployed Marine, was simply trying to enjoy an evening out when she accepted what she thought was an innocent dinner invitation from Perez

A deputy stands at a roadblock where Killgore's body was found near Winchester, California

Lopez originally confessed to the murder in a detailed suicide note left behind in a hotel room, but later claimed she was pressured into writing it by Maraglino, who she said provided the details to protect herself and Perez.

Nonetheless, jurors found Lopez guilty, believing her role went far beyond that of a simply passive participant.

Her conviction was previously upheld on direct appeal but the 2021 change to California's felony murder rule gave Lopez a second chance to have her conviction overturned.

In his original ruling, Superior Court Judge Robert Kearney found that Lopez's actions, as laid out in her confession and reinforced by forensic testimony, still met the standard for murder, even under the new law and the appellate panel agreed.
Distressing footage has surfaced of an Uber driver appearing to kick a female supermarket worker to the ground, prompting calls for stronger worker protections.

The woman, aged in her 20s, was left 'terrified' by the incident, which unfolded in the carpark of a Coles supermarket in Inglewood, in Perth's inner-city, last Tuesday.

CCTV footage captured the moment the man appeared to walk past her nonchalantly before allegedly kicking her to the ground.

She remained on the asphalt for a few moments before the man appeared to chase her out of view of the camera.

Police allege the rideshare driver, a 27-year-old man from Beckenham, made verbal threats against the worker before physically assaulting her and driving away.

He was charged with assaulting a retail worker who was performing their duties and making a threat to unlawfully do an act.

The supermarket worker, who did not wish to be named, told ABC News the man kicked her after she asked him to separate the delivery orders.

'I was so scared, terrified,' she said.

CCTV footage captured the alleged assault outside in the carpark of a Perth supermarket

The 27-year-old rideshare driver has been charged with assault and making a threat

She said her employer contacted Uber and asked them to ban the 27-year-old from driving for them until an investigation into the incident was concluded.

Her mother described the incident as 'shocking' and said it posed 'a real concern' for female safety.

'To be in that situation was quite clearly terrifying,' she said.

She also questioned whether his ban from Uber would prevent the man from quickly getting the same job with another delivery service.

Daily Mail Australia understands Coles notified Uber of the incident and has worked closely with WA Police.

An Uber spokesperson said they had reached out to offer support to the alleged victim.

'We were shocked to hear of this incident and strongly condemn this kind of behaviour,' they told Daily Mail Australia.

'We have reached out to offer our support and sincere apologies to the Coles employee for this horrific experience and the distress this has caused.'

They added all drivers and delivery people are required to pass a criminal check.

The WA government introduced a new 'assault retail worker' offence in July last year.

Since then 329 people have been charged with the new offence which carries a maximum penalty to seven years imprisonment, or three years and a fine of $36,000.

'Just like other Western Australians, retail workers have every right to feel safe in their workplace,' Police Minister Paul Papalia said at the time.

'These tougher penalties send a strong message that violent behaviour towards staff simply doing their job won't be tolerated.'

The 27-year-old man is due to appear in Perth Magistrates Court next month.
Joe Biden has suffered a humiliating blow after shopping his post-presidential memoir to publishers and securing an advance far less than his predecessors.

The former president, 82, sold his presidential memoir to Hachette Book Group for around $10million, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.

The monetary figure is likely to be disappointing for the Bidens, given Barack and Michelle Obama inked a deal worth an estimated $65million for their memoirs.

And Bill Clinton secured $15million for his memoir 'My Life' more than 21 years ago. The book was released in 2004.

President Trump opted not to publish a memoir after his first term in office.

It is understood Hachette has not yet locked in a publication date for Biden's memoir.

The 82-year-old has been hard at work detailing his White House years, writing at his home office in Delaware and his post-presidential office in Washington D.C.

He said at an event earlier in July that he was 'working my tail off' to get the memoir finished, indicating it would primarily focus on his four years in office.

Joe Biden has suffered a humiliating blow after shopping his post-presidential memoir to publishers by securing an advance far less than his predecessors

The $10million sum coul come as a blow to the couple after insiders told the Daily Mail a joint book deal with Joe and Jill could have been worth as much as $30million

Creative Artists Agency represented Biden for the deal, having also penned the deal for his No. 1 bestselling memoir in 2017 'Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship and Purpose.'

That book focused on Biden's relationship with his oldest son Beau, who died of brain cancer in 2015.

Readers looking to purchase his latest book will likely be eager to glean new details about his cognitive health during his White House years, as well as information about his prostate cancer diagnosis and the fallout with other Democrats which led to his decision to drop out of the presidential race with Donald Trump.

Biden has faced immense scrutiny about his health and whether there was a cover up during his final years in office.

He has been forced to defend himself and his staff against Trump's repeated claims that staffers were actually running the show as Biden struggled to keep up.

The $10million sum could come as a blow to the couple after insiders told the Daily Mail a joint book deal with Joe and Jill could have been worth as much as $30million.

The offer, however, would have been contingent on Jill, who, experts say, could be worth $15 million alone.

Jill Biden kept a diary during her White House years, so she has plenty of memories to draw upon.

'She could write a very explosive book if she wanted to,' a former White House aide told the Daily Mail.

Bill Clinton secured $15million for his memoir 'My Life' more than 21 years ago. The book was released in 2004

The monetary figure is likely to be disappointing for the Bidens, given Barack and Michelle Obama inked a deal worth an estimated $65million for their memoirs

The former first lady likely would have been required to reveal what she saw happen in regards to her husband's cognitive health, the hours after his disastrous presidential debate with Donald Trump, and the details behind his decision to exit the 2024 race.

There were questions about whether she would go scorched earth on the Democrats, writing scathing takedowns of Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, George Clooney, Chuck Schumer and all the other Democrats who privately and publicly urged Biden to step down.

And she has long been said to have a grudge against Kamala Harris.

Her thoughts on the actions of the party's powerful, along with details about the family's discussions surrounding the 2024 presidential campaign, could have made for a powerful best seller.

'She's his grudge-holder for sure, and there are definitely plenty of people she will never talk to again, but it's unlike her to take public swings at specific individuals or lay blame. It's just not her style. That's what is going to sell books, though,' a former Biden aide said.

Hunter Biden is around $15 million in debt from his legal fees from several federal cases, along with lagging sales of his art and his memoir, sources previously told the Daily Mail.
A mining tycoon in his 70s has urged young Aussies to be prepared for artificial intelligence to launch their careers into a 'new universe'.

Deane Russell, who directs strategy with an NT iron ore company, was stopped by a street interviewer outside Sydney's Intercontinental Hotel.

He told Street MBA on TikTok that a steady head and persistence would pay off for those looking to get into the world of business.

Mr Russell said AI would present immeasurable new opportunities for entrepreneurs.

'Importantly, young people, I'm telling you now, AI is the way you need to be thinking,' he said in a TikTok video shared this week.

Mr Russell said he used the first ever Mac computer, operating with a 128kilobytes, 3.5 inch floppy disk when it came out.

He used the Mac to create a spreadsheet that accurately predicted the outcome of a business event, having never used a computer before.

'Everybody said computers were going to change the world and everybody's going to lose their job. No it created a new universe,' he said.

Businessman and art gallery owner Deane Russell said AI would create a new 'universe' of opportunities for young people (pictured talking to Street MBA in Sydney)

'AI is going to create a new universe. You're at the very beginning of a wave of a new universe.'

Mr Russell said he has four grandchildren, the eldest of whom is three-years-old.

'They will live in a different universe by the time they're 50,' he said.

Aside from computing, Mr Russell said entrepreneurs needed to be ready to battle the 'egos' in business and remain true to their own missions.

Many agreed with the businessman's advice.

'Agree, I was there at the start of PCs and AI is bigger than boomer times, go make a new world millennials,' one wrote.

'Some great advice,' a second said.

'This man said it right, your own self-esteem is most important,' a third added.

The businessman said he thought his grandchildren would live in a 'different universe' by the time they are 50-years-old (above, a stock of an AI-driven market analysis tool)

Others shared fears about AI taking their jobs.

'AI [is] about to take 90 per cent of jobs, pick a job that computers can't do. Trades are the safest bet going forward for young kids,' one wrote.

'People are dramatically underestimating the impact of AI and robots. If you sit at a computer, your job is over very soon,' another said.

'"Good luck boys" thanks wise old man, we [are] going to need it,' a third wrote.
Former hairdresser was working her first night shift

A hairdresser-turned FIFO worker has been awarded $30,000 in compensation after she was unfairly sacked from a mine site over a costly gold-dumping debacle.

Jamie-Lee Corless-Crane was employed as a pit technician at Aurenne's open cut Mt Ida mine site near Menzies, Western Australia, in January.

The former hairdresser was involved in a dig site mix-up that cost her employer about $200,000, after 54 ounces of gold were accidentally dumped.

The Fair Work Commission ruled in favour of the former hairdresser and DJ, ordering Aurenne Management Services to compensate her for four months' wages.

A key role of a pit technician is to guide the excavator operators to ensure the correct location is mined and that the mined product is taken to the correct stockpile.

Aurenne claimed Ms Corless-Crane's failure to check a dig site against a map she had been given led to 54 ounces of gold being wasted, with the gold taken to a dump instead of a processing plant.

Although the employer accepted more experienced colleagues gave her incorrect paperwork, it contended she failed to exercise 'due diligence' to ensure an excavator operator worked in the correct area.

But FWC deputy president Melanie Binet found the inexperienced pit technician was treated harshly and unfairly dismissed. She ordered the company to pay her four months' wages.

Jamie-Lee Corless-Crane (pictured) has won her case against a gold mining company

Ms Corless-Crane was employed as a pit technician for 15 months at the Mt Ida open cut gold mine in Western Australia (pictured)

'Ms Corless-Crane was not responsible for the loss of 54 ounces of gold,' she said.

'Ore had already been lost before she was called to the mining location.

'The loss of ore occurred due to an error in the markup by people far more qualified than Ms Corless-Crane.

'The opportunity to identify the error earlier was missed by the excavator operators and geology team members operating during daylight hours with far better visibility and more experience than Ms Corless-Crane.'

The employee who was ultimately responsible for the loss of the ore was given a written warning only.

Ms Binet said the company did not appear to have extended the same level of empathy to Ms Corless-Crane.

'She was a junior, inexperienced employee working in the early hours of the morning on her first night shift of swing, is a single mother, the income earner for herself and her young child, with caring responsibilities for her elderly grandparents,' she said.

'In determining to impose a different disciplinary outcome on the surveyor, Aurenne appear to have failed to give weight to the fact that Ms Corless-Crane has significantly less qualifications and experience in the industry.

FWC deputy president Melanie Binet considered the technician's limited experience in the mining industry 'relevant to unreasonableness of her dismissal' (stock)

'The surveyor, whose error on the evidence tendered, was far more fundamental and was the root cause of the ore loss.'

At the time of her dismissal, Ms Corless-Crane's annual salary was $100,000.

Since her dismissal, the former hairdresser said she has applied for similar positions but has not been successful.

Ms Corless-Crane told the FWC that while she was a trained hairdresser and a DJ she hadn't explored employment in these fields again because she would not earn as much and would lose her home.
Megyn Kelly went scorched earth on Doug Emhoff's ex-wife by claiming the mother of his two kids wasn't sexy enough to keep her husband 'from sleeping with the nanny' in an online spat that quickly spiraled out of control.

The shocking personal insults between the two blondes came after Kerstin Emhoff, 58, a Hollywood producer, blasted Kelly, 54, for criticizing Jennifer Lopez's recent string of sexually charged performances.

On her podcast, Kelly had torn into the pop icon saying Lopez, 55, had crossed the line into 'soft porn' and could no longer pass as a sex symbol.

'We're not sex symbols,' Kelly said. 'That ship has sailed - it sailed with menopause.'

It saw Kerstin Emhoff snap back online, although without tagging Kelly directly.

'I bet tons of people look at J.Lo and want to have sex with her,' she wrote. 'Megan [sic]  if you actually think that post-menopausal women can't be sexual, you are missing out. You can close up your 55-year-old shop while the rest of us are open for business.'

That's when Kelly exploded invoking the long-rumored affair between Doug Emhoff and his children's nanny, Najen Naylor, a blonde teaching assistant at their kids' elite Los Angeles private school.

The affair allegedly resulted in a pregnancy and ultimately ended Doug's 16-year marriage to Kerstin in 2009, according to sources.

Megyn Kelly unleashed a scorching attack on Doug Emhoff's ex-wife

Kelly accused Kerstin Emhoff of failing to keep her husband from sleeping with their nanny in an online spat that quickly spiraled out of control on Wednesday evening

It all started after Kelly tore into J.Lo, 55, saying she had crossed the line into 'soft porn' and could no longer pass as a sex symbol

Kelly quickly escalated things further as she responded to Kerstin Emhoff's reply.

'You were too chicken s*** to actually cc me on your post,' she wrote. 'But let's just say I'm sexy enough to keep my husband from sleeping with the nanny.'

'Unlike J-Lo, however, I don't feel the need to fake hump a bunch of strangers to prove I've still got it.'

Back on X, Kerstin Emhoff snapped back again, insisting she wasn't hiding.

'I'm definitely not a chicken s*** @megynkelly. I assumed you would see it,' she wrote, explaining why she hadn't tagged the former Fox News anchor.

'You called out J.Lo for her age, not the moves. You have no idea what happened in my marriage - just like I have no idea what your Doug really thinks about you. But I choose to support women. Try it,' Emhoff added, taking Kelly to task.

But Kelly was already in attack mode and fired back another salvo with her take on the Emhoff's breakup.

'Actually, I have an excellent idea that you married a guy who was a total s***,' she wrote. 'And now you're telling the internet you're 'open for business' - so good luck with that,' she added, mockingly.

In a post to X Kelly shared a video of the songstress running through multiple mock sex positions with her male backup dancers as the political commentator expressed her disgust

Things escalated quickly in a fiery online spat between Megyn Kelly and Kerstin Emhoff

Kelly appeared disgusted with J.Lo's dance moves that appeared sexually suggestive

Earlier, Kelly had trashed Lopez's suggestive dance moves earlier on her podcast, accusing the 55-year-old icon of descending into soft-core territory.

'She simulates actual sex acts,' Kelly said, describing Lopez's stage routine in vivid detail. 'Missionary, doggy style she's 55 years old and hasn't come to grips with the fact that she's not a sex symbol anymore.'

The sparring match between the two women appeared to be part culture war and part personal vendetta.

The Emhoff's affair was a deeply embarrassing chapter for the former Second Gentleman and one that during last year's election campaign fought desperately to keep under wraps.

Doug Emhoff cheated on his first wife with Najen Naylor, who also taught at their childrens pricey private school. She is seen on the left last August and in an earlier photo, right

Emhoff, 60, and movie producer ex-wife Kerstin, 58, ended their 16-year marriage in 2009 when she discovered the affair, the sources said. Their daughter Ella was 10 and son Cole was 15 at the time

When Kerstin split from Emhoff their daughter Ella was finishing third grade. Sources told DailyMail.com that Naylor was Ellas nanny at the time and had begun working as a teaching assistant at the Willows and eventually became a teacher there

According to previous reporting by DailyMail.com, Doug Emhoff had a secret affair with Naylor, the nanny to his children Ella and Cole, during his marriage to Kerstin.

At the time, Naylor was working at The Willows, a pricey private school in Culver City, where she moonlighted as a nanny for the Emhoffs and taught classes.

Doug Emhoff and Kerstin divorced in 2009. Records show Naylor was pregnant that year, though friends say the child was never kept.

Facebook videos from the time show her holding a baby named 'Brook' alongside two other infants - but the child's identity remains unclear.

After the scandal, Naylor reportedly left her job at the school and later became a director at Audible, purchased a home in the Hamptons, and now lives quietly with young children in tow.

Kerstin Emhoff, for her part, has kept mostly quiet about the cheating rumors. When DailyMail.com contacted her for comment earlier last year, she hung up the phone.

Yet her sudden foray into defending J.Lo and attacking Megyn Kelly in the process has dragged those skeletons right back into the spotlight.
Karl Stefanovic and Today financial guru Joel Gibson have come under fire for their 'out of touch' and 'illegal' advice to Australians struggling to find a home to rent.

During a segment on the rental shortage on Thursday morning, Gibson shared advice for renters who want to stand out from the hordes of other applicants at an inspection.

'It's important to treat this like a military operation, treat it like a job interview,' Gibson said.

'When you go into that first inspection, you need to make an impression on that agent. Bring a printed version of your application, dress like it's a job interview.

'You can still offer more rent or money upfront in most states at the moment. Rent bidding is becoming illegal in Victoria in November. It's illegal in Queensland.'

Specifically, Gibson recommended offering to pay more than the quoted amount, or to offer two to three months of rent upfront in advance.

In response to hearing the practice is illegal, or capped at a few weeks' worth of rent, Karl said, 'What about a little bit of a...' and made a 'backhander' motion to suggest making a covert payment.

The segment drew widespread criticism at a time when many are struggling to find a rental, and even those who have are having difficulty paying very high rent prices.

Karl Stefanovic (pictured with Today co-host Sarah Abo) suggested secretly paying extra when looking for a rental

Today on Thursday heard a set of 'out of touch' instructions on how to 'stand out' in a crowded rental market

'Two to three months up front? Sure, everyone has $5,000 they can just fire off,' one wrote.

'Treat it like a job interview? What is wrong with these people? Why not: "practice your lowest bow and curtsy",' another said.

'Who can afford three months of rent and bond in advance?' another wrote.

'Who needs a social life when you can pay to live in some random a***ole's fifth investment property?' another said.

On top of Gibson's suggestion to treat rental inspections 'like a job interview', offer a higher rent or pay in advance, and pre-prepare an application - he called for prospective renters to call real estate agents within 24 hours to follow up their application and make a personal pitch.

He also said hikes in average rental prices appear to be slowing this year, having reached a tipping point that made them unaffordable for many prospective tenants.

'Rents are up 43 per cent over five years, it's added $10,000 to the average rent in the last five years,' Gibson said, looking at the median price across five cities.

'But we have seen in the last quarter the lowest increase since 2020 so there maybe is a glimmer of hope that the trend is kind of coming back down.

Joel Gibson (pictured) suggested offering two to three months worth of rent in advance

'When you look at Sydney and Melbourne, they've actually gone up by only about 1.5 per cent in the past year, whereas other medium-sized capitals - Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide - they're the ones that are still rising quite fast at around five per cent.

'It looks like the really bad years of the last few years might be coming to an end for renters, so there is a bit of a glimmer of hope.'
One of Britain's most well-known fashion giants reportedly faces collapse within weeks unless a radical 11th hour rescue deal can be agreed.

Hundreds of jobs at River Island are now hanging in the balance as the struggling high street retailer battles for survival following a slump in trading.

In an attempt to save the fashion chain from shutting up shop, bosses have proposed a plan to hand the keys back on 33 stores.

As part of the rescue deal, the company aims to try and slash rents on a further 71 shops and write off a series of debts to stave off a severe liquidity crisis.

The sweeping proposals - put together by accountancy firm PwC, which is advising the retailer - will be put to the High Court next week.

Should it receive the blessing of three quarters of the company's creditors, it will unlock an emergency loan from River Island's billionaire founders, the Lewis family, to help the struggling retailer to pay its bills.

However, if the proposal is rejected, it could plunge River Island into an irreversible financial crisis which will see it run out of cash by the end of August, leaving it 'unable to pay its debts as they fall due', the company has reportedly told creditors.

According to the Telegraph, in a stark warning laid out in the restructuring plan, River Island 'will not be able to continue trading as a going concern' and 'would be subject to administration or other insolvency proceedings'.

A High street chain is planning to shut 33 stores, with 71 more at risk, putting thousands of jobs on the line. Pictured: file image

The chain is set to close 33 of its UK stores, putting hundreds of jobs at risk as part of a major restructuring plan, according to reports. Pictured: stock image

An 800-page report compiled by the retailer's advisers, PwC, reveals the fashion house faces a 10million 'funding need' in the second week of September, which financial experts warn will skyrocket to 50million before Christmas.

PwC must now convince at least 75 per cent of River Island's creditors to support is bail out proposal.

The plan would allow the fashion giant to walk away from a string of debts, including tens of millions of pounds owed landlords from outstanding debts.

Among those landlord affected by the restructuring deal are British Land, the Crown Estate and Mike Ashley's Frasers Groups. Councils nationwide would also be on the list.

However, industry sources have said there is resistance to the plan, with insiders accusing River Island of expanding too much.

'This is family-run, they've just overstretched, and it's unfair that the landlords will struggle because they haven't maintained their relevance,' one landlord told the Telegraph.

Bosses at the company blamed the closures on the 'migration of shoppers from the High Street to online' and higher costs to run stores.

The family-owned retailer confirmed it is proposing to close 33 of its 230 stores by January next year as a result.

River Island reportedly faces collapse in a matter of weeks if a rescue deal is not backed by its creditors (file image)

A River Island spokesman told MailOnline: 'River Island circulated its proposals for a Restructuring Plan to creditors on June 20th. In combination with the companys ongoing transformation strategy, the plan is a proactive measure to place the company on a firm footing.

'We have been having positive conversations with key stakeholders and are confident that we will achieve approval of the Plan in the next few weeks.'

River Island, which employs around 5,500 people, was founded in 1948 under the Lewis and Chelsea Girl brand before rebranding in the 1980s.

It is now headed up by CEO Ben Lewis, the nephew of its founder, who took over his second stint as the head of the family firm in February.

He previously held the position for almost a decade before stepping down in 2019.

Ben Lewis, chief executive of River Island, previously said: 'River Island is a much-loved retailer, with a decades-long history on the British High Street.

'However, the well-documented migration of shoppers from the high street to online has left the business with a large portfolio of stores that is no longer aligned to our customers' needs.

'The sharp rise in the cost of doing business over the last few years has only added to the financial burden.

'We have a clear strategy to transform the business to ensure its long-term viability.

'Recent improvements in our fashion offer and in-store shopping experience are already showing very positive results, but it is only with a restructuring plan that we will be able to see this strategy through and secure River Island's future as a profitable retail business.

'We regret any job losses as a result of store closures, and we will try to keep these to a minimum.'

The high street giant is among several fashion chains hit hard by weaker consumer spending and fierce competition from cheaper online rivals like Shein.

In its latest accounts, River Island reported a 33.2million loss for 2023, with sales down 19 per cent, highlighting the challenging trading environment.

River Island and PwC has been contacted for comment.

In January, the firm introduced a redundancy programme at its London head office in a bid to save money in the context of increasingly pressured finances.

The job cuts affected a range of employees across buying, merchandising and HR, but the total number of losses was not confirmed by the retailer.

Company accounts showed the company was 33.2million in the red for the 12 months to December 30, 2023.

It also suffered a 15 per cent decline in sales and a 19 per cent fall in turnover.

The year before, River Island had a total profit of 7.5million.
A man who stole his paedophile uncle's 70,000 while he was in jail has now joined him.

Lee Barnett was given power of attorney over Kenneth Rogers's affairs in 2022 when he was jailed for 27 years for historic child sex offences.

He was told to sell Roger's house and to put the money into his uncle's bank account so he could access it when he left prison.

The sale of the property in Weymouth, Dorset, raised about 150,000 and after fees were paid, the sum left over was 70,000.

But the 37-year-old instead sent the entire sum to his own account from July 2022.

By the time he was caught and arrested in September 2023, the jailed paedophile's life savings had all been wiped out.

He was charged with fraud by abuse of position and went on trial at Bournemouth Crown Court last month. And has now been found guilty and was jailed for three years.

Thomas Evans, prosecuting, said that Barnett had committed an 'abuse of trust' and that Rogers had been 'left with nothing'.

Lee Barnett, pictured, was given power of attorney over Kenneth Rogers's affairs in 2022 when he was jailed for 27 years for historic child sex offences

He was told to sell Roger's house and to put the money into his uncle's bank account so he could access it when he left prison

The judge said it was wrong to refer to Rogers, pictured, as a 'vulnerable victim' due to the 'very serious offences' he committed

But the judge said it was wrong to refer to Rogers as a 'vulnerable victim' due to the 'very serious offences' he committed.

However, he said the size of the fraud meant he had to impose an immediate custodial sentence.

His Honour Judge William Mousley said: 'You are the nephew of Kenneth Rogers, who received a 27-year prison sentence in respect of serious sexual offences.

'As a result of him going to prison, you were asked by him to help look after his financial affairs whilst he was serving his sentence.

'That involved the sale of his house and for the money to be kept so he would have it when he came out of prison.

'You agreed to take power of attorney over his financial affairs and the property was sold in April 2022.

'Between July and August 2022, by various means, you transferred the money to your accounts and in just a few weeks you had taken the whole 70,000.

'It's difficult to see where it all went, but I'm quite sure you weren't investing the money for his benefit.

Barnett was charged with fraud by abuse of position and went on trial at Bournemouth Crown Court last month and has now been found guilty and was jailed for three years

'To an extent there is the targeting of a vulnerable victim but the victim himself was responsible for his vulnerability by reason of the very serious offences he committed.'

The court heard that Barnett, of Chard, Somerset, suffered from ADHD and learning difficulties,

He had committed no previous similar offences and was the primary carer for his partner.

He sobbed while the judge sent him to prison, where he will serve 40 per cent of his sentence before being released on parole.

Rogers, now aged 62, of Weymouth, was found guilty to seven counts of rape of a child under the age of 16, one count of rape of a child under 13, indecent assault, assault of a child under 13 and possession of indecent images of a child after a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court in January 2022.

The offences were carried out between the 1980s and 2000s.
Keir Starmer signed off on an 'historic' 5billion trade deal with India today as Narendra Modi insisted Britain will 'benefit' from more skilled workers.

The PM and his Indian counterpart have sealed a package cutting tariffs on an array of exports - including halving duty on whisky.

Mr Modi highlighted an easing of rules around temporary secondments to the UK, suggesting 'talent' from India will boost the economy.

However, ministers have denied the terms will boost immigration by creating any new visa route, or undercut Brits by giving Indian workers favourable tax terms.

The leaders met at the premier's Chequers country residence to hail the long-awaited agreement. Sir Keir said it represented a 'step change' in ties, while Mr Modi said the countries were 'natural partners' and 'writing a new chapter'.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal formally signed the trade agreement in the great hall of Chequers.

Tariffs on a basket of goods will be reduced from an average of 15 per cent to 3 per cent, with the aim of boosting the 11billion a year of products sent to the south Asian nation.

Whisky tariffs will be slashed in half, according to the Government, and will fall further over successive years, while other industries including soft drinks, cars and cosmetics are also expected to see cheaper duties.

Keir Starmer and Indian counterpart Narendra Modi sealed a package cutting tariffs on an array of exports - including halving duty on whisky

The leaders met at the premier's Chequers country residence to hail the long-awaited agreement

Mr Modi said the countries were 'natural partners' and 'writing a new chapter'

India will get zero tariffs on 99 per cent of produce classes, covering virtually all its exports to the UK.

That includes clothes and footwear - putting it on a par with countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam. It also covers food products such as frozen prawns.

Delhi has also extracted concessions on mobility for professionals.

Employees due to work in the UK for under three years will pay social taxes in India rather than being subject to national insurance.

Speaking through an interpreter alonside Sir Keir, Mr Modi said they had 'reached a consensus on the double contribution convention' - the NICs arrangement.

'This will inject new energy into the service sectors of both countries, especially in technology and finance,' he said.

'It will promote ease of doing business, reduce cost of doing business and increase the confidence of doing business.

'Additionally the UK's economy would benefit from India's skilled talent.

'These agreements will enhance investments and generate new employment opportunities in both countries.'

But Mr Reynolds told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'It is completely false to say any British worker is undercut by this deal.'

The UK government assessment said: 'Nothing in the deal is expected to have a long-term impact on net migration.

'This trade agreement will not be creating or ringfencing jobs for Indian professionals. Any increased access to temporary work assignments will simply give UK businesses a greater pool of global talent to pull from.'

The government says the trade deal will be the largest of its kind for economic impact on Britain.

Sir Keir and Mr Modi are also poised to ramp up joint efforts to tackle illegal migration and organised crime.

Ahead of the meeting, Sir Keir said: 'Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain. It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses and drive growth in every corner of the country, delivering on our Plan for Change.

'We're putting more money in the pockets of hardworking Brits and helping families with the cost of living, and we're determined to go further and faster to grow the economy and raise living standards across the UK.'

The deal is expected to result in 2,200 jobs across the country and 6billion investment by British and Indian businesses.

Mr Reynolds said the investment will 'reach all regions and nations of the UK so working people in every community can feel the benefits'.

He added: 'The almost 6billion in new investment and export wins announced today will deliver thousands of jobs and shows the strength of our partnership with India as we ensure the UK is the best place in the world to invest and do business.'

The UK and India are also bolstering co-operation on tackling corruption, fraud, organised crime and illegal migration, by sharing criminal records and other intelligence.

The deal has not given the UK as much access as it would have liked to India's financial and legal services industries.

The agreement promises some benefits for the UK's financial services, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves understood to have pushed on behalf of the sector in discussions with her Indian counterpart.

But more wide-ranging access was not agreed, and talks continue on a bilateral investment treaty aimed at protecting British investments in India and vice versa.

The two nations also continue to discuss UK plans for a tax on high-carbon industries, which India believes could hit its imports unfairly.

Negotiations on the deal began when Boris Johnson was prime minister in 2022, and were concluded in May this year.

Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'It is completely false to say any British worker is undercut by this deal.'

Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said it had only been made possible 'because of Brexit delivered by the Conservatives'.

He added: 'Any trade deal that can successfully cut regulation which stops Britain's makers from creating new jobs and wealth will be a step in the right direction.

'But the irony should not be lost on anyone that any gains from this trade deal will be blown out of the water by (Deputy Prime Minister) Angela Rayner's union charter, stifling business with red tape, the jobs tax and, come autumn, Rachel Reeves' inevitable tax hikes that will punish Britain's makers just to reward those who do not contribute.'

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said that the signing 'sends a powerful signal that the UK is open for business and remains resolute in its commitment to free and fair trade'.

Chief executive Rain Newton-Smith added: 'A trade agreement with India  one of the world's fastest-growing economies  is a springboard for long-term partnership and prosperity. UK firms can take advantage of this new platform to scale, diversify and compete on the global stage.'

Sir Keir is facing calls to raise the case of Jagtar Singh Johal, a British citizen who has been detained in India since 2017, when the Prime Minister meets Mr Modi.

The Scottish Sikh is accused of being a member of the Khalistan Liberation Force, which is banned as a terror group in India.

His family say he is being arbitrarily detained, with his brother Gurpreet Singh Johal insisting the matter should be 'high on the agenda when the prime ministers meet'.
READ MORE: New details emerge as top lawyer found dead in massage parlour

A Queensland public servant has been reprimanded after clashing with her German colleague and secretly nicknaming her 'Helga'.

Nikki Hornberg took the Department of Transport and Main Roads in Warwick to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission (QIRC) after being pulled up on her behaviour on March 11.

She argued the reprimand and extra training she was given after 'mocking' her 'abrupt' German colleague and using the phrase 'Nein, Nein' was unfair.

But QIRC Commissioner John Dwyer disagreed with Ms Hornberg and ruled the reprimand was fair in a decision handed down on July 17.

He stated Ms Hornberg, who worked as a 'project costing officer', had been racially stereotyping her German co-worker.

The colleague in question reportedly spoke with a strong German accent, but was not named Helga.

'The use of the name 'Helga' when referring to the co-worker in question is enough, of itself, to justify the sanction imposed,' he concluded, as reported by the Courier Mail.

Ms Hornberg did not deny that she referred to her German colleague as Helga behind her back.

QIRC Commissioner John Dwyer ruled the reprimand Ms Hornberg received was fair in a decision handed down on July 17 (stock image)

The woman worked at Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads

The colleague has not officially complained about the nickname or was unaware of it.

TMR managers who knew about the nickname were said to be 'inept', Mr Dwyer stated.

He also said the claim Ms Hornberg used the phrase 'Nein, Nein' was not 'particularly strong'.

However, the allegation would stand as Ms Hornberg had not appealed that finding.

'Taking into account a permissive attitude or management ineptitude, it is plain from the evidence (including Ms Hornberg's own concessions) that she was using the name 'Helga' discourteously and disrespectfully,' he wrote.

Mr Dwyer said Ms Hornberg should have been aware of the negative connotations of the nickname and should not have needed a manager to tell her to refrain from using it.

'There can be no doubt the choice of the name 'Helga' is a form of racial stereotyping,' Mr Dwyer added.

The judge ruled that the simple reason Ms Hornberg chose not to address her colleague with the nickname proves that her intention was one of 'mocking'.

Witnesses interviewed during the investigation alleged Ms Hornberg clashed with her German co-worker over a particular entry in a time sheet.

Ms Hornberg's behaviour towards her colleague changed following this disagreement.

The judge noted witnesses agreed the German colleague was also 'abrupt in her communication style'.

Several witnesses, including a manager, did not think Ms Hornberg's use of the name 'Helga' was offensive, which Mr Dwyer described as 'concerning'.

Ms Hornberg argued the conduct issue should have been dealt with by TMR as a 'performance issue' at a local level and should not have been escalated to a disciplinary issue.

Mr Dwyer stated this proved Ms Hornberg's 'troubling lack of insight  into the objective seriousness of her conduct'.

It also showed she was oblivious to the potential legal consequences for TMR as her name-calling created a risk her colleague could sue TMR for discrimination.
A convicted drug dealer who was with Jay Slater during his final hours has given evidence today at an inquest into the British teenager's death in Tenerife.

Ayub Qassim, appearing via video link from another country where he is 'travelling', rented the remote Airbnb where the 19-year-old last visited before he disappeared.

The fact that Mr Qassim, 31, has appeared will be a relief for Mr Slater's grieving mother Debbie Duncan, who previously pleaded with the coroner to summon crucial witnesses after several could not be traced or did not attend the first inquest hearing.

Mr Qassim described Mr Slater as having been 'on a buzz' and claimed the teenager did not steal a 12,000 Rolex watch, despite him telling friends online that he had.

Mr Slater's heartbroken family are desperately seeking answers after the apprentice bricklayer went on holiday to the Spanish island last summer and never returned.

The teenager from Oswaldtwistle in Lancashire had been to the NRG music festival with friends at the Papagayo nightclub in Playa de las Americas on June 16 last year.

Mr Slater is believed to have gone to a holiday rental apartment in the early hours of the next morning before vanishing, and was reported missing on June 18.

Evidence suggests he left the flat hours later, tried to walk back to his own apartment and fell into a ravine. A huge search was launched before his body was found in a steep and inaccessible area by a mountain rescue team near Masca on July 15.

A number of important witnesses did not attend the first hearing when the inquest started in May at Preston Coroner's Court, which heard they could not be traced or were unavailable despite extensive efforts to get them to come and give evidence.

Ms Duncan tearfully asked coroner Dr James Adeley to adjourn the case as the family still had questions for the last people to see him alive  and he agreed to schedule a further hearing on July 24 so a final attempt could be made to trace the witnesses.

Now, among those giving evidence in Preston today was Mr Qassim, who joined by videolink and said he arrived in Tenerife three or four days before the NRG festival.

Jay Slater pictured before he went missing in Tenerife, seen with his mother Debbie Duncan

Mr Slater went to an AirBnB cottage with drug dealer Ayub Qassim (pictured) and another man

Mr Slater's mother Debbie Duncan arrives at Preston Coroner's Court today for the inquest

Jay's friend Bradley Hargreaves arrives at Preston Coroner's Court today to give evidence

Mr Qassim initially interrupted the coroner to say: 'First and foremost I want to send my condolences to Jay's family for what they've been through.'

He then began making a statement about 'kids dying' in the Middle East before being cut off by the coroner who warned: 'Mr Qassim, you're here to give evidence and answer my questions, you're not here to make political statements'.

Mr Qassim said he and a friend, Steven Roccas, met Mr Slater and his friends out in Tenerife.

He said he had been in a different venue then later met Mr Slater and the teenager's friend Bradley Geoghegan getting something to eat after the clubs closed.

Mr Qassim described Mr Slater as: 'On a buzz. Chilled, happy. Mingling in'it.'

He said Mr Slater asked if he could come back to his and Mr Roccas' apartment.

Mr Qassim, giving evidence via videolink, told the hearing: 'I did say, 'Bro, oh mate, it's so far away from the strip.' There's nothing happening there other than scenery. I said I would drop him off in the morning. He rolled with us.'

The coroner then asked the witness about messages Mr Slater had sent about possibly a watch being stolen.

Mr Qassim said while still on the strip before leaving for their apartment he saw what he described as a Romanian 'Lucky-lucky' man take a watch from another person and tried to sell it to him and Mr Slater.

He added: 'Jay did not steal no watch. I can say 100 per cent.'

While on the drive to the Airbnb, Mr Slater then posted a message to friends on social media, saying: 'Just took a 12k Rolly (Rolex) off some c*** with this Maili (Somalian) kid. Off to get 10 quid (thousand) for it. Off my undies ha, ha, ha.'

Mr Slater's mother Debbie Duncan previously pleaded with the coroner to summon witnesses

Jay's brother Zak Slater (right) arrives at Preston Coroner's Court for the inquest today

Dr Adeley asked the witness: 'You were not involved in taking a watch?'

Mr Qassim replied: 'No. And neither was he.'

Asked to explain the social media post by Mr Slater, the witness said: 'He could be boasting to his friends. He's on a buzz, so maybe it could be that. Sometimes people do exaggerate.'

The coroner continued: 'But so far as you are concerned, none of that is true?'

Mr Qassim said: 'No. One hundred per cent. I didn't see a watch. At this point he's just firing off messages.'

He said when they got to his Airbnb he gave Mr Slater a blanket and pillow and told him he could sleep on the sofa before going off to his own bed.

Mr Qassim said he hadn't fallen asleep immediately and heard Mr Slater 'moving around downstairs' as well as hearing the door open.

He assumed he was 'having smokes' then fell asleep, but awoke shortly afterwards to the front door 'buzzing'.

Mr Slater was standing between the door and the living room saying the noise was 'doing my head in'.

Mr Qassim opened the door to an 'old woman' he now knew as Mrs Ophelia  the owner of the Airbnb - and a man with a wheelbarrow gesturing to him to move his car, which he did.

He said that as he did so he could see Mr Slater coming outside, adding: 'He had his trainers on.'

Mr Slater's friend Lucy Law was among those who could not be traced to give evidence in May

Jay Slater pictured with friend Brad Hargreaves (left), with whom he was on holiday in Tenerife

Saying it didn't look as though Mr Slater had slept, he said: 'When you're on things, you're buzzing. They find it hard to sleep in those kind of situations unless they have sleeping pills or cannabis.'

He said Mr Slater had talked during the evening about having 'popped a pill' or that he'd 'had a bit of sniff'.

Dr Adeley said that in a statement to the Spanish police, Mr Qassim said Jay had taken ketamine, 'pills' - meaning ecstasy - and cocaine that night and the doorbell might therefore have driven him 'crazy'.

Mr Qassim said Mr Slater was 'upright, he was coherent he was cool'.

He said he was going to catch a bus to his apartment to which Mr Qassim said 'there ain't no buses coming here any time soon'.

Mr Slater said a villager had told him a bus was coming in 10 minutes, or came every 10 minutes, he said.

Mr Qassim said he told Mr Slater: 'Chill out G I'll drop you off later.'

But the teenager replied: 'No I'll go and see the boys, they're waiting for me.'

Mr Qassim said: 'What could I have done? I'm not going to say 'Stay here now' or something mad like this.'

He said he told Mr Slater 'if you need anything I'm here' and went upstairs to go to sleep.

Mr Qassim said he hadn't wanted to drive Mr Slater back to Los Cristianos - where he was staing - immediately as he had just made the drive from there to the mountains.

'I just thought to myself 'why did you even come here bro'? I don't mind helping people out and that but I thought  not in a rude or angry way  he's taking the p**s.'

Mr Slater's close friend Lucy Law (right) did not attend the previous inquest hearing in May

Asked by the coroner if there was any 'altercation', Mr Qassim said: 'No. no altercations.'

Slater family barrister Lois Norris asked Mr Qassim how well he knew Mr Slater's friend Brandon Hodgson, who is not giving evidence.

She pointed out that in his statement Mr Hodgson said he hadn't known him. But Mr Qassim replied: 'We're cool.'

He also confirmed that he was known as 'Johnny Vegas'.

Mr Qassim said he 'vividly' remember Mr Hodgson ringing him to say: 'Jay's gone missing'.

He added: 'I'm annoyed in a way, thinking I need to sleep. Bro I told him to chill, now he's missing.'

Earlier at today's inquest, evidence was given that Mr Slater had taken drugs and alcohol on a night out and had a 14-hour walk home.

Mr Geoghegan, who had gone on holiday with Mr Slater, said the teenager had taken ecstasy pills, and possibly ketamine, along with cocaine and alcohol, on the night out before he disappeared.

Mr Slater, who had earlier been forced to leave a nightclub because he was so drunk, instead of going back to the apartment he shared with Mr Geoghegan, went to an Airbnb, miles away, with two men they had met on the holiday.

The next morning Mr Geoghegan said he got a video call from Mr Slater, who was walking along a road and was still 'under the influence'.

Mr Geoghegan said: 'I said put your maps on to see how far you were. It was like a 14-hour walk or an hour drive. I said, 'Get a taxi back', then he just goes, 'I will ring you back'.'

The witness said he did not think his friend had any money on him, and taxis in Tenerife insisted on payment up front before carrying a fare.

Mr Slater, from Oswaldtwistle, disappeared while on a three-day holiday for a music festival

Spanish police have previously searched the Airbnb (pictured) where Mr Slater was seen

Dr Adeley asked the witness: 'Did you get the impression he was in any way threatened or fearful, or under duress in a difficult situation?'

Mr Geoghegan replied: 'No. I think he probably got there and thought, 'Why am I here?', sobered up and decided to come back.'

The hearing in May heard from a number of witnesses, including toxicology expert Dr Stephanie Martin.

The court heard analysis showed traces of drugs, including cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy, along with alcohol, were found in Mr Slater's body.

Home Office pathologist Dr Richard Shepherd said his post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as head injuries, and Mr Slater's body showed no evidence of restraint or assault, with the pattern of injuries consistent with a fall from a height.

Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Higson, from Lancashire Constabulary, said police had analysed Mr Slater's phone data.

On the night out he had received phone messages from friends telling him to go home as he was 'off his head'.

Phone location data suggested Mr Slater had travelled to the Airbnb and the next morning left the property at about 7.45am.

Statements from Spanish witnesses said they were approached and asked by Mr Slater about buses or taxis to take him home.

More messages from friends warned him about the 'boiling' heat of the day, but activity data on his phone stopped at 8.51am, suggesting his phone battery had died.

Marieke Krans from Dutch rescue charity Signi Zoekhonden, which uses dogs, helped in the search.

She said the area where the body was found was about a three-and-a-half-hour walk from the Airbnb and was 'really steep, really dangerous', and it was 'easy' to lose your footing.
A Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed targets in Cambodia on Thursday, both sides said, as weeks of tension over a border dispute escalated into clashes that have killed at least 12 people.

Of the six F-16 fighter jets that Thailand readied to deploy along the disputed border, one of the aircraft fired into Cambodia and destroyed a military target, the Thai army said. Both countries accused each other of starting the clash early on Thursday.

'We have used air power against military targets as planned,' Thai army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon told reporters. Thailand also closed its border with Cambodia.

Cambodia's defence ministry said the jets dropped two bombs on a road, and that it 'strongly condemns the reckless and brutal military aggression of the Kingdom of Thailand against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia'.

The skirmishes came after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia late on Wednesday and said it would expel Cambodia's envoy in Bangkok, after a second Thai soldier in the space of a week lost a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently in the disputed area.

Thailand's foreign ministry said Cambodian troops fired 'heavy artillery' on a Thai military base on Thursday morning and also targeted civilian areas including a hospital, leading to civilian casualties.

'The Royal Thai Government is prepared to intensify our self-defense measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack and violations upon Thailand's sovereignty,' the ministry said in a statement.

Thailand's health minister said in an update this morning that one military personnel and 11 civilians have been killed in the clashes.

Cambodian soldiers reload the BM-21 multiple rocket launcher in Preah Vihear province on July 24, 2025

For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 508-mile land border

Thai residents including children and the elderly ran to shelters built of concrete and fortified with sandbags and car tires in the Surin border province

Thai soldiers inspect a border area on Sunday, July 20, 2025, in Ubon Ratchathani province, where the Royal Thai Army said two anti-personnel landmines were found

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Thai residents including children and the elderly ran to shelters built of concrete and fortified with sandbags and car tires in the Surin border province.

'How many rounds have been fired? It's countless,' an unidentified woman told the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS) while hiding in the shelter as gunfire and explosions were heard intermittently in the background.

Cambodia's foreign ministry said Thailand's air strikes were 'unprovoked' and called on its neighbour to withdraw its forces and 'refrain from any further provocative actions that could escalate the situation'.

For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 508-mile land border, which has led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a weeklong exchange of artillery in 2011.

Tensions were reignited in May following the killing of a Cambodian soldier during a brief exchange of gunfire, which escalated into a full-blown diplomatic crisis and now has triggered armed clashes.

The clashes began early on Thursday near the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple along the eastern border between Cambodia and Thailand, around 360 km from the Thai capital Bangkok.

'Artillery shell fell on people's homes,' Sutthirot Charoenthanasak, district chief of Kabcheing in Surin province, told Reuters, describing the firing by the Cambodian side.

'Two people have died,' he said, adding that district authorities had evacuated 40,000 civilians from 86 villages near the border to safer locations.

Thai people who fled clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers take shelter in Surin province, northeastern Thailand, Thursday, July 24, 2025

A view shows blood stains in front of a house damaged by a rocket strike, in Surin province, Thailand, July 24, 2025

Thailand's military said Cambodia deployed a surveillance drone before sending troops with heavy weapons to an area near the temple.

Cambodian troops opened fire and two Thai soldiers were wounded, a Thai army spokesperson said, adding Cambodia had used multiple weapons, including rocket launchers.

A spokesperson for Cambodia's defence ministry, however, said there had been an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops and Cambodian forces had responded in self-defence.

Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the situation was delicate.

'We have to be careful,' he told reporters. 'We will follow international law.'

An attempt by Thai premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra to resolve the recent tensions via a call with Cambodia's influential former Prime Minister Hun Sen, the contents of which were leaked, kicked off a political storm in Thailand, leading to her suspension by a court.

Hun Sen said in a Facebook post that two Cambodian provinces had come under shelling from the Thai military.

Both sides accused one another of initiating fire, with crossborder artillery and rocket attacks reported earlier

The attack marked one of several new flareups as Thai and Cambodian troops clashed in disputed border areas

Smoke rises from PTT gas station area at Ban Phue, Nong Ya Lat sub-district as several people were killed after Cambodian artillery struck a convenience store located at a petrol station in Thailand's Sisaket border province, Thailand's public broadcaster reported on Thursday, in Sisaket, Thailand on July 24

Thailand this week accused Cambodia of placing landmines in a disputed area that injured three soldiers. Phnom Penh denied the claim and said the soldiers had veered off agreed routes and triggered a mine left behind from decades of war.

Cambodia has many landmines left over from its civil war decades ago, numbering in the millions according to de-mining groups.

But Thailand maintains landmines have been placed at the border area recently, which Cambodia has described as baseless allegations.
British teen drug mule suspect Bella Culley told her mother she is expecting a baby boy in a dramatic court hearing today.

The 19-year-old smiled at Lyanne Kennedy, 44, as she entered Tbilisi City Court in the Black Sea nation of Georgia where she is being held for allegedly smuggling 14kg of cannabis.

Bella, dressed in a grey turtleneck, was seen whispering to her lawyer, Malkhaz Salakaia, who then declared to Ms Kennedy: 'It's a boy!'

It was the first time her mother has attended a court hearing since her daughter was arrested at Tbilisi International Airport on May 10.

She appeared visibly distressed dressed in a cream top and matching tracksuit trousers but her face lit up when she heard the news.

Ms Kennedy whispered to her daughter, 'How are you?' and Bella nervously responded with a smile and a nod.

The Teesside teenager then showed off the Georgian she has been learning from her cellmates, addressing the judge by saying 'Garmajoba', which means hello.

'I hope you can understand the story from my eyes. I never thought something like this would happen to me.'

The teen, from Billingham Teesside, was stopped at Tbilisi airport back in May and was found with drugs with a six-figure street value

Bella Culley's mother pictured today outside Tbilisi City Court

Culley's tearful mother told her daughter she loved her as she left the courtroom

She then ended her statement by saying 'madloba' - which means thank you.

Bella could face up to 20 years in jail or life imprisonment if convicted.

She had been detained for 61 days before the hearing while the prosecution investigated where the 12kg (26lbs) of marijuana and 2kg (4.4lbs) of hashish, found in a travel bag, came from, and whether she was planning on handing it over to someone else.

A request for bail citing her pregnancy was denied and a further hearing was scheduled for September 2.

As Bella walked out, her mother burst into tears and cried: 'I love you! I will come tomorrow.'

Ms Kennedy said outside court that she initially thought her daughter had been locked up in the American state of Georgia.

'It's been a pretty easy process, the solicitor is very good at what he does,' she said.

'I love Georgia, I love the buildings. It's a beautiful country, I've been here three times already, I'm going to visit Bella tomorrow. We initially thought it was Georgia in America.'

Pictured: Bella May Culley seen in court in Tbilisi in May after she was detained at the city's airport on suspicion of carrying cannabis

Culley was charged with purchasing 446g of tetraphenol cannabinol and 11.2kg of cannabis abroad. Pictured: CCTV footage shows the Brit going through the automated gates at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Thailand

Prosecutors said the teen could face up to 20 years behind bars

Asked how she felt on becoming a grandmother, she laughed and said: 'Not grandma - Nana!'

Mr Salakaia insisted a plea bargain for his client to return to Britain is 'quite likely' and the 'opportunity has been mentioned several times'.

He said while there was a water shortage briefly for a few hours the other day in Women's Penitentiary No 5, that was quickly resolved and her conditions are fine.

'She's well taken care of,' he said.

Inside, Mr Salakaia had argued once more that there was 'no malicious intent' on his client's part and said there was 'irrefutable evidence' that she was 'pressured and forced' into smuggling drugs.

He claims a British gang in Thailand forced her to smuggle the drugs after threatening to decapitate her and kill her family.

He said her testimony includes 'the names of the individuals who forced her to transport it' and said that her mother present was among those threatened.

Mr Salakaia said all his client was told was to meet 'certain individuals' in Tbilisi, and was so naive she thought the city was the name of the country.

The British 18-year-old claimed she was violently coerced into trafficking the narcotics

Culley was denied bail after the teenager was deemed a flight risk

Culley entered a not guilty plea but her trial date, which was originally set for July 10, was postponed

He said her bag 'wasn't even locked' after going through three countries and two continents'.

Prosecutor Vakhtang Tsalugelashvili said there were no new developments in the case and said she must be denied bail and leave of the country.

Mr Salakaia responded that Bella's family have put up a 50,000 lari (13,700) bail and can provide her with an address in Tbilisi.

He said: 'Bella has obvious health conditions, she is soon to become a mother to a baby boy and I'd want her to experience it while free.

'It's a pivotal moment in one's life, especially one so young. She is merely 19. As for the prosecutor's claim that she might escape and there are no links binding her to this country, her parents are ready to ensure that she will have an easily identifiable address here.

'So if she were to be released on bail and asked to come to the police office twice per month. Pregnancy needs special treatment.'

The teen was stopped at Tbilisi airport back in May in a suspected sting operation and was found with drugs with a six-figure street value.

The huge haul was found in the then-18-year-old's suitcase. She was flying into the country on a plane from Sharjah in the UAE.

Pictured: The alleged drug-filled suitcase of Culley

Pictured: Bella's father Niel Culley and his sister Kerrie Culley (Bella's aunt) pictured in Tbilisi following her arrest in May

Bella May Culley's lawyer Malkhaz Alakaia pictured outside court

Prior to her arrest in the Georgian capital, Culley sparked a massive international search operation after she was reported missing while she was believed to be holidaying in Thailand.

She was charged with purchasing 446g of tetraphenol cannabinol and 11.2kg of cannabis abroad.

Prosecutor David Mestvirishvili previously said she faced up to 20 years behind bars.

The teen has maintained that she is innocent and instead says she was violently coerced into trafficking the narcotics.

Breaking down in tears throughout a 30-minute hearing at Tbilisi City Court in the Georgian capital earlier this month, she told a judge: 'I didn't want to do this, I was forced under torture.

'I just wanted to travel, I just want to live with my family, I am a loving person, I am studying at the university to become a nurse.

'All I wanted to do is travel, but bad things happened. I don't do drugs, as you can see in my blood tests I am clean. I always wanted to make my family proud. Thank you.'

Pictured: A bikini-clad Bella with a cannabis joint in her mouth

Culley (pictured) is languishing in notorious Women's Penitentiary Number Five

She appeared distressed as she entered court in a pink jumper with her hair tied in a bun.

Bella's father Niel Culley, 49, and auntie Kerrie Culley, 51, were seen inside as well as her grandfather, while her mother appeared via video-link.

They offered 13,500 to grant her bail but it was denied.

Her father told his daughter to 'stay strong'.

Judge Lela Kalichenkowas denied Culley bail after agreeing with prosecutors that the teenager is a flight risk and could commit the crime again.

Malkhaz Alakaia, defending, argued she should be granted bail and claimed she tried to show police a 'long snake like' scar on her arm when she was transiting as evidence she had been coerced.

He said she arrived in Thailand with just 70 to her name and has since become pregnant - describing the unborn child, whose father is also British, as 'a labour of love'.

Mr Alakaia said: 'You'll see her actual involvement with these charges in her own testimony that is coming shortly. She is innocent.

'Her emotional state exactly confirms that she was forced, I want to ask her to show the court her arm and you can see the burning scar, this scar occurred before she was 'equipped' with her carriage, that she never even touched.

'From Thailand to Sharja, from Sharja to Thailand, this baggage was carried by a different person. She was only given a passport and told you go there and there.

'She tried to inform the passport control but was paid no attention. She even has no idea geographically where she is, she thought Tbilisi was a country.

'She was given a photo and was told to keep and that she would be approached by certain people. This meeting didn't happen because she was detained.'

She claimed in court she was pregnant and her lawyer said she had been left 'scared, confused and depressed'.

Her lawyer also described how the teen broke down on being told she could face life behind bars if convicted.

A later trial scheduled for July 10 was postponed immediately after it began due to issues concerning evidence.

Thai police released CCTV earlier this month showing Culley calmly passing through airport checks without showing unusual behaviour.

They said they were preparing to blacklist her 'for entering Thailand to commit a drug offence'.

Police Major General Cherngron Rimphadee, said: 'This matter is not complicated.

'Police have reviewed CCTV footage and confirmed that she used a British passport to exit through the automatic passport control channel.

'As a result, she did not interact with or speak to any immigration officers and simply exited the country.

'The police have already released the CCTV images to the media, showing that she left without giving any signal or indication that she needed help, contrary to her claims.

'It was a deliberate departure.'

Culley is languishing in notorious Women's Colony Number 5 on the outskirts of Tbilisi, and could be facing 20 years in prison.
A ring of steel is being set up around a luxury four-star hotel that's been converted to house migrants, following sweeping protests this week.

Large barriers have been installed outside The Britannia International Hotel in London's Canary Wharf this morning.

It comes after a second night of fiery scenes following a major rally by anti-migrant activists outside the swanky city centre venue - where rooms can go for up to 425 a night.

Guards kitted out in black uniforms and wearing face masks were seen manning the barriers this morning, as security was tightened.

Meanwhile, more than a dozen officers from the Metropolitan Police have gathered outside the building.

The heightened protective measures come amid fresh fears of further protests exploding tomorrow and over the weekend.

In Epping, Essex, the community is once against braced for fresh demonstrations this week following violent clashes by 'thugs' outside The Bell Hotel, which is also housing illegal asylum seekers.

The mayhem erupted earlier this month after one of the hotel's Ethiopian residents was charged with sexually assaulting schoolgirls in the leafy Essex town.

This afternoon, metal fencing was delivered to the hotel on the back of a flatbed truck, in a seeming drive to beef up the building's defences.

Since the disorder earlier this month, protests have spread to other parts of the country, with more than 150 gathering outside The Park Hotel, in Diss, Norfolk on Monday after the Home Office announced plans to change it from housing asylum-seeker families to single men.

Large barriers have been set up around the four-star Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf

A police cordon and fencing is placed outside the Britannia International Hotel

Security guards are seen carrying a large package behind the cordon and into the hotel

It comes after the venue was turned into a migrant hotel, sparking fierce protests last night

The boss of the organisation representing rank-and-file police officers has chillingly warned the disorder in Epping's was the 'signal flare' which could spark an outbreak of violent protests.

Police could now be dragged away from neighbourhood duties to keep the peace at rallies outside migrant hotels, said Tiff Lynch, head of the Police Federation.

Ms Lynch said officers were being 'pulled in every direction' and commanders were 'forced to choose between keeping the peace at home or plugging national gaps'.

She said if violent protests spread throughout the summer, it would be 'dangerous to assume' that police forces would be able to 'hold the line indefinitely'

'It would be comical if it werent so serious - and so familiar. Local commanders are once again being forced to choose between keeping the peace at home or plugging national gaps,' she wrote in the Telegraph.

She said Epping was 'not just a troubling one-off', adding: 'It was a signal flare. A reminder of how little it takes for tensions to erupt and how ill-prepared we remain to deal with it.'

The hotel in Canary Wharf was the latest to be converted into asylum accommodation by the Home Office, as Britain braces itself for a potential surge in illegal migrants crossing the Channel in the summer.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been warned the nation could face a second 'summer of riots' if Labour fails to get a grip on such hotels being used amid rising public anger.

The decision for the four-star city building to house asylum seekers has already been branded an 'insult', with some residents and local business owners saying they fear for their safety.

Anti-migrant activists claim the new wall outside the lavish glass-fronted building has been built to keep them away from the hotel entrance after yesterday's rally, which saw them clashing with police.

The hotel in Canary Wharf has been cordoned off but workers were seen bringing beds and mattresses inside

Guards were seen outside the hotel in Canary Wharf on Thursday morning

The hotel has been taken over by the Home Office to house asylum seekers

Dozens of police officers were deployed to the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf earlier this week as protests erupted

Protesters gathered outside the hotel, some wearing masks and others draped in St George's flags

These are some of the furnishings shown off inside the Britannia International Hotel

Interiors at the Canary Wharf venue have been revealed online for potential visitors

This is one of the Britannia International Hotel's advertised bedrooms

The hotel in Canary Wharf is described on its website as 'a modern, glass-fronted building close to the internationally famous business district'

The website goes on to say: 'Whether youre looking for a hotel in London for business or leisure, the International Hotel offers a prime location and fantastic value for money'

The heightened protective measures come amid fresh fears of further protests exploding tomorrow and over the weekend

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Phiip went on the attack last night and blasted the government for spending taxpayers' cash on housing migrants in Canary Wharf.

'It is outrageous that the Government is splurging taxpayers hard-earned money on luxury hotels for illegal immigrants when most people in this country would struggle to afford a hotel in central London,' he told The Sun.

'This is one of the most luxurious hotels people can only dream of staying in, right in the heart of Londons financial centre.'

He continued: 'No wonder illegal immigrants are flooding across the Channel in record numbers,' adding: 'This is an insult to law-abiding citizens.'

Workers spent yesterday hauling beds and mattresses into a four-star hotel in Canary Wharf after a night of protests in response to Government plans to house migrants there.

Labourers dragging new furniture into the hotel were allowed through the metal fencing and police cordon in preparation for the arrival of hundreds of asylum seekers.

Today, workers inside the hotel appeared to be installing privacy tape on the main entrance doors at the site, which obscured views into the building.

Protesters had gathered outside the hotel amid reports asylum seekers were being transferred from Epping, where trouble had previously broken out, to the capital, although the Home Office later clarified this was not the case.

Tower Hamlets Council did, however, confirm the Government intends to use the hotel - which has around 500 rooms - for asylum seekers in a move which has angered anti-migrant protesters and guests whose bookings have been cancelled.

Privacy tape has seemingly been installed at the hotel today on its main entrance doors

A worker can be seen sticking tape to the glass frontage of the entrance doors on Thursday

Pictured is the interior of the Canary Wharf hotel which has been transformed into asylum seeker accommodation by the Home Office

The Met Police said it has officers at the scene and warned it wouldn't hesitate to clampdown on criminal thugs trying to create mayhem outside the hotel.

A spokesman told MailOnline: 'We continue to have officers deployed in the vicinity of the Britannia International Hotel where protests have taken place over recent days.

'They are there to provide reassurance to local residents and businesses, to ensure that any further protest takes place peacefully and to respond to any incidents.

'We continue to encourage those exercising their lawful right to protest to do so responsibly and with consideration to the impact on those trying to go about their lives in the local area.

'Anyone who crosses the line from lawful protest into criminality can expect to face police action.'

In Epping, Essex Police has issued a dispersal order, which is in place from 2pm on Thursday until 8am on Friday, covering an area including the town centre, transport hubs and networks such as the underground station.

The order gives officers the power to tell anyone suspected of committing or planning antisocial behaviour to leave the area or face arrest.

Anti-immigration protesters confront a cordon of riot police officers preventing them from getting near a small group of counter-protesters in Epping on July 17

Bottles and smoke flares thrown towards police vehicles stationed outside The Bell Hotel on July 20

A masked protester faces a cordon of riot police officers preventing them from getting near a small group of pro-migrant protesters

Metal fencing was delivered to the migrant hotel in Epping as it seeks to bolster up its defences

It comes as the force faces criticism over its handling of the display, which led to riot police being drafted in, as activists hurled bricks and other missiles at police vans.

The Chief Constable for Essex Police has dismissed calls to resign over the force's handling of the Epping protests after footage emerged of officers escorting pro-migrant activists to an asylum seeker hotel where violent clashes erupted.

Ben-Julian Harrington rejected calls from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to step down and firmly extinguished claims his officers had given a higher level of protection to pro-migrant protesters.

Asked if he would resign, he told a press conference on Wednesday: 'No, I am not [resigning]. I am not going to do that. This is not about me, this is about the communities of Essex.'

He added: 'The issue is not about my resignation. The issue is about an effective police operation that keeps the communities of Epping safe...'

The Bell Hotel, in Epping, Essex, has been the centre of a string of violent demonstrations after an asylum seeker was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl in the town eight days after arriving in the UK.

Essex Police had initially denied it had brought Stand Up to Racism activists to the hotel before ugly clashes broke out with anti-migrant protesters on Thursday.

But after being shown footage of officers leading the group from a nearby station to outside the hotel, the force then backtracked and admitted it had provided a 'foot cordon'.

Mr Farage called for Chief Constable Harrington to resign, saying the footage is 'absolutely disgraceful' and 'heads must roll'.

The Reform UK leader later posted footage allegedly showing pro-migrant protesters being 'bussed' to the demonstration in police vans but Essex Police said this was 'categorically' untrue.

The force explained that pro-migrant protesters were given a 'foot cordon' on their way to the protest and those who were 'clearly at risk of being hurt' later on were 'escorted by vehicle'.

Facing a barrage of questions, Chief Constable Harrington rejected claims his officers had given a higher level of protection to pro-migrant protesters.

'No, I don't accept that,' he said. 'The only protection that officers are doing is to those lawful and law-abiding people, whether they are in that accommodation, whether they are the people of Epping or whether they are people who are standing there with placards and banners wishing to make a very important and legitimate view, whichever your views about it.

Ben-Julian Harrington (pictured) rejected calls from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to quit

People wrapped in St George's flag faced down riot police who lined up in a queue in Hemnall Street, Epping, on July 20

Police officers separate 'anti-racism' demonstrators from others protesting at the scene on July 13

'Where officers have intervened that is because there has been disorder...We are not being partial in any way, shape or form.'

The chief constable also dismissed claims pro-migrants were 'bussed' to the hotel', explaining: 'There has been some accusations in the media that we drove people to the protest. That is not true.

'We have not driven anybody to that protest. People made their own way there... we did take people away for their safety and the safety of everyone there.'

Five people have so far been charged with violent disorder following the protests in Epping.

Stuart Williams, 36, of Thornwood, Epping, has been charged and remanded in custody alongside Dean Smith, 51, also of Epping.

Jonathan Glover, 47, of Waltham Abbey, and Keith Silk, 33, of Loughton, have also been charged with violent disorder. They were given conditional bail.

All four are due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on August 18.

Joe McKenna, 34, of Wickford, is charged with failing to remove a face covering when directed to do so. He remains on bail ahead of a hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on September 24.

The demonstrations followed a man living in the hotel being charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.

Hadush Kebatu, 41, from Ethiopia, has denied the offences and was remanded in custody.
A BBC antiques dealer accused of stalking his neighbours 'wishes he never got into TV' in a 'final' social media post.

Adrian Higham, who appears on the Bidding Room presented by Nigel Havers, has been made the subject of an interim stalking protection order by Brighton Magistrates' Court.

It bans the 57-year-old from 'communications, approaches, references or surveillance' involving his former neighbours, the court heard.

Taking to social media yesterday evening after the hearing the presenter said: 'Thank you for years of support. But I'm stepping away from Social Media. Totally!!!! And Television.

'It was a dream of mine to work on TV and I did it. But wish I hadn't. My life with Tara is the best thing that has ever happened to me. And the only thing important.

'I have had a blast and met some amazing people and those close to me know where I am and can send me private messages. But I will never post anything.

'My life now becomes private!!! This is a choice I have made and nothing will change.

'I will watch from a distance and you can message me and of course @tara.franklin_antiques will carry on posting. Thank you all Lots of love Adi xxx.'

Adrian Higham, who appears on the Bidding Room presented by Nigel Havers, has been made the subject of an interim stalking protection order by Brighton Magistrates' Court

Taking to social media yesterday evening after the hearing the presenter said: 'Thank you for years of support. But I'm stepping away from Social Media'

It appears that Higham will no longer be appearing on the auction show, which sees four dealers bid against each other, buying something a member of the public has brought in to show them

BBC have been approached for comment, however it appears that Higham will no longer be appearing on the auction show, which sees four dealers bid against each other, buying something a member of the public has brought in to show them.

His fans were quick to express their sadness underneath the social media post.

One person said: 'Oh that's sad to hear. You're a great person to listen to. But I wish you great times with Tara. Now I recon we will all be watching this space to see if you come back .'

Another added: 'Nooo..you make me smile...but understand will miss your posts..and being a part of you social media wise..godbless Adi xxx'

A third wrote: 'This is very sad, but fully appreciate you wanting your privacy. You will be missed. Have a good life with Tara.'

A fourth said: 'Aww, shame! So happy that The Bidding Room introduced me to you, your antiques and your lovely Tara. Love your relationship. Keep the faith. Hope you return to Insta one day!!'

Higham appearing at Brighton Magistrates Court yesterday on stalking charges

The Bidding Room has so far run for 6 series and so far Higham has only missed one series due to health issues

The court notice said the order, under the Stalking Protection Act 2019, had been applied for 'on the basis that you have carried out acts associated with stalking namely derogatory social media posts, aggressive behaviour, filming neighbour[s], that you pose a risk associated with stalking to another person and there is reasonable cause to believe the proposed order is necessary to protect another from such a risk.'

The order was granted until October 27 and a case management hearing was scheduled at Brighton Magistrates' Court on October 24.

The Bidding Room has so far run for 6 series and so far Higham has only missed one series due to health issues.

Suffering a serious back injury, he spent 9 months in hospital during which time he spoke about the kindness of Moses Otunla a fellow dealer on the Bidding Room.
The final moments of a passenger plane carrying 49 people that suffered a fiery crash in a remote region in Russia's Far East have been revealed in sombre footage.

The An-24 twin-turboprop aircraft operated by Angara Airlines dropped off radar as it came into land at Tynda airport in the mountainous Amur region at 1:00pm local time (0400 GMT).

Footage shared to Russia's Telegram messaging app by onlookers on the forest floor showed the plane soaring dangerously low over the tree line as it made its final approach.

Weather conditions were poor with low cloud and rain, but the pilots did not report any problems to air traffic control before losing contact.

The plane was confirmed to have gone down after helicopters dispatched by Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations spotted remnants of the plane's fuselage on a mountainside some 16 kilometres from Tynda.

All 49 people on board were reported killed, according to the ministry.

Videos shared on Telegram by emergency workers riding in rescue helicopters showed the smouldering ruins of the plane scattered amid the trees. The fuselage looked to have completely broken apart and caught fire upon impact.

'During the search operations, the Mi-8 helicopter of the Federal Air Transport Agency discovered the fuselage of the plane, which is on fire. Rescuers continue to proceed to the scene of the incident,' a statement from the Ministry read.

Subsequent images from the scene showed the plane had effectively disintegrated, with debris strewn over a large area.

Of the 49 people on board, six were crew members and five passengers were listed as children.

A view of the place of the crashed Russian An-24 passenger plane of the Siberia-based Angara Airlines while carrying 49 passengers in 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of Tynda, Far Eastern Amur region of Russia

A view shows the debris of an Angara Airlines An-24 passenger aircraft at the crash site near Tynda in the Amur Region, Russia July 24, 2025

Footage shared to Russia's Telegram messaging app taken by onlookers on the forest floor showed the plane soaring dangerously low over the tree line as it made its final approach to Tynda

The plane was confirmed to have gone down after helicopters dispatched by Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations spotted remnants of the plane's fuselage on a mountainside some 16 kilometres from Tynda

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Search and rescue parties were dispatched after air traffic controllers lost all communication with the pilots, who were named as Captain Vyacheslav Logvinov and co-pilot Kirill Plaksin.

Among the passengers was well-known thoracic surgeon Dr Leonid Maizel, 71, from Khabarovsk Regional Clinical Hospital.

He was joined by Dr Galina Naidyonova, an obstetrician-gynaecologist, and her husband Dr Alexey Naidyonov, a functional diagnostics doctor.

Their 14-year-old grandson was also flying with them and is believed to have been killed.

Other passengers feared dead include primary school teacher Elena Velikanova and chemical and biological technologist Natalia Shiyan.

The town of Tynda, home to roughly 30,000 people, is extremely remote and is surrounded by dense forest and mountainous terrain.

It is located some 5,170 kilometres (3,213 miles) east of Moscow and just 273 kilometres (169 miles) from the Chinese border.

The doomed plane had taken off earlier today from the eastern city of Khabarovsk and landed for a brief layover in Blagoveshchensk before continuing on to Tynda.

It underwent a technical inspection while on the runway at Blagoveshchensk's Ignatyevo airport and was found to be technically sound, according to emergency services.

However, Vadim Bazykin, a distinguished Russian test pilot, said the An-24's airframe and avionics had not been modified for many years.

'I think it would be better to ban flights on such old equipment if we are unable to bring it up to standard,' he said.

'We are simply putting passengers at risk all the time.'

The An-24 is an ageing propeller aircraft developed in the Soviet Union during the late 1950s as a transport plane and was subsequently converted for use by passenger airlines.

The doomed aircraft's tail number - RA-47315 - showed it was built in 1976 and was operated by Soviet flag carrier Aeroflot before the 1991 collapse of the USSR.

It was subsequently bought by the Siberia-based private airline Angara, which operates 10 An-24s built between 1972 and 1976, according to the RussianPlanes web portal.

Angara was one of two Siberian airlines that last year asked the Russian government to extend the service life of the Antonov aircraft as Russian planemakers scramble to plug the gap left by an exodus of foreign manufacturers.

The Amur regional government declared that air ambulances had been dispatched along with search and rescue parties to administer medical treatment to survivors

The An-24 is an ageing propeller aircraft developed in the Soviet Union during the late 1950s as a transport plane (pictured: Stock image of An-24 operated by Angara Airlines

The Amur regional government declared that air ambulances had been dispatched along with search parties to administer medical treatment in the case that anyone had survived.

Vasily Orlov, Governor of Amur, wrote in a statement: 'All necessary forces and means are involved in searching for the plane. I kindly ask you not to trust unverified information.'

A hotline for relatives of passengers has been set up by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Orlov added.

At least one Chinese national was on the flight, state media in China reported.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence to Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

'I would like to express my deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathy to the families of the victims,' Xi said, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

Authorities have launched a probe on the charge of flight safety violations that resulted in multiple deaths, a standard procedure in aviation accidents.

Nicknamed 'flying tractors', An-24s are regarded as reliable workhorses by the Russian aviation industry and are well-suited to the harsh conditions in Siberia as they are able to operate in sub-zero conditions and don't have to land on runways.

But airline executives, pilots and industry experts say the cost of maintaining the aircraft - which make up a fraction of Russia's fleet of over 1,000 passenger planes - has increased after Western sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine hit investment and access to parts.

Many of the planes were due to be retired from service in the coming years, but regional airlines are trying to keep them flying until a replacement enters into service as they say there is no alternative until then.

Mass production of the new Ladoga aircraft, the same class as the An-24, is not due to begin until 2027 at the earliest.
Ministers have condemned a 'flawed and unworkable' UN court ruling amid fears Britain could be forced to pay massive reparations for climate change.

The International Court of Justice said nations are obliged to comply with climate treaties and failure to do so was a breach of international law.

While the ruling is non-binding, it is likely to influence legislation globally and may open the floodgates to a series of court cases against countries such as the UK.

The Tories have warned Attorney General Lord Hermer's 'ideological obsession' with international law means the government could follow the edict.

But touring broadcast studios this morning, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds insisted the UK should not 'apologise or pay reparations' for leading the industrial revolution.

He told Times Radio: 'I think that's completely unreasonable and unworkable from a legal point of view.

'Whilst we should obviously take seriously our legacy, our history, the contribution that UK has made to the world on a number of areas, I think the industrial revolution was not a bad thing.

'The fact that we have a modern industrial society is a good thing. We led on that innovation that then has been transferred around the world. But I don't think it's anything to apologise for or pay reparations for.'

The UK could be sued over its contribution to climate change after a court ruling that countries (such as Vanuatu, pictured in 2015 after Cyclone Pam) are responsible for their emissions

Climate activists and campaigners demonstrate outside the International Court of Justice

Campaigners hailed the ruling as a victory for small nations affected by climate change over big polluters such as the US and China

Challenged that the UK had obeyed a similar advisory ruling on the status of the Chagos Islands, Mr Reynolds said that 'essential national security functions' had been at stake in that case.

'I think any argument that there should be reparations paid for British history and that should fall on the British people today... I think it's a flawed judgment in my view,' he added.

Campaigners have hailed the ruling as a victory for small nations affected by climate change over big polluters such as the US and China.

Judge Yuji Iwasawa, the court president, said: 'Failure of a state to take appropriate action to protect the climate... may constitute an internationally wrongful act.'

Environmental lawyers said the judgment would lead to a rise in court cases over climate change.

Danilo Garrido, legal counsel for Greenpeace, said: 'This is the start of a new era of climate accountability at a global level.'

Sebastien Duyck, at the Centre for International Environmental Law, laid out the possibility of nations being sued. 'If states have legal duties to prevent climate harm, then victims of that harm have a right to redress,' he said.

And Joana Setzer, climate litigation expert at the London School of Economics, told Sky News that the ruling 'adds decisive weight to calls for fair and effective climate reparations'.

Harj Narulla, a barrister specialising in climate litigation and counsel for Solomon Islands in the case, said the ICJ laid out the possibility of big emitters being successfully sued.

'These reparations involve restitution  such as rebuilding destroyed infrastructure and restoring ecosystems  and also monetary compensation,' he said.

It is the largest case heard by the ICJ in the Hague, and involved 96 countries, 10,000 pages of documents, 15 judges and two weeks of hearings in December.

In its ruling, the United Nations' highest court said countries that breach their climate obligations set out in treaties could be sued by states which can prove they have suffered damage as a result.

Mr Iwasawa said. 'States must cooperate to achieve concrete emission reduction targets. The human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is essential for the enjoyment of other human rights.'

The case, brought by law students from Pacific islands affected by climate change, addressed two questions  what obligations were on countries under international law to protect the climate, and what legal consequences should those that have broken them face. Wealthier countries, including the UK, argued existing treaties such as the 2015 Paris Agreement should be used to decide their responsibilities.

But developing nations and island states such as Vanuatu in the Pacific argued there should be stronger legally-binding measures in place and called for reparations. The court ruled developing nations have a right to seek damages for the impacts of climate change, such as destroyed buildings and infrastructure, or could claim compensation.

However, the court said it was not concerned with setting out when these responsibilities would date from, leaving questions about countries being sued over historical emissions going back to the Industrial Revolution.

The Conservatives have warned that Labour (under Attorney General Lord Hermer, pictured) have an 'ideological obsession' with international law

Government sources stressed the UK would be under no obligation to pay reparations, a stance likely to be tested by lawyers.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: 'It will take time to look at this detailed, non-binding, advisory opinion before commenting in detail. We will continue to collaborate closely to create the conditions for greater ambition and action, including with Brazil as it prepares to host COP30.'

Despite being non-binding, previous ICJ decisions have been implemented by governments including the UK, such as agreeing to hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius last year.

Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel described the court's climate ruling as 'mad', adding: 'The ICJ has lost its core purpose and is now joining political campaigns and bandwagons based upon ideological obsessions... and destroying the sovereign rights of national governments.

'We challenge Labour to put Britain's interest first and make clear they do not intend to act on this ridiculous advisory ruling.'
Two sleepy drug dealers were handcuffed by police as they lay together in bed after their home was stormed in a cocaine gang raid.

The men were found side-by-side with their eyes still shut when officers battered down a door at the property in Millstone Lane, Leicester, on October 5, 2022.

Footage released by police shows the bewildered pair scowling and barely able to answer when asked to give their names.

Miguel Figueiredo-Mendes and Jean Paul Ekombolo, both 28, were then escorted outside and shown into a police car.

Investigators discovered crack cocaine with a street value of 10,700 in the flat, as well as 1,000 in cash.

The search warrant followed information gathered by Leicestershire Police and the Met in relation to a drugs line between London and Leicestershire, that had been operating in the Coalville area.

A third man, Christian Mudianga, 35, was also arrested at a property in Heathcott Road, Leicester, as part of the warrants and charges were made that month.

Following court hearings over the past three years, the trio were sentenced on Thursday last week at Leicester Crown Court.

Two sleepy drug dealers were detained by police when their home was stormed in a cocaine gang raid as they lay handcuffed together in bed

Footage shows the men side by side with their eyes still shut while officers make the arrests after battering down a door at the property

The bewildered pair scowl and are barely able to answer when asked to give their names

The verdict also came after a Newton hearing which is when a defendant makes a guilty plea but there is a factual dispute over the basis on which the sentencing should proceed.

Figueiredo-Mendes, of Orange Grove in Chigwell, was sentenced to six years and three months imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin between September 16, 2022 and October 5, 2022.

Ekombolo, of Mast Street in Barking, was sentenced to four years imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine between April 8, 2022 and October 5, 2022.

Mudianga, of Heathcott Road, Leicester, was jailed for four years and three months after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin between January 11, 2022 to October 5, 2022.

The sentences will all take into account the time that has already been served on remand by the defendants.

Inspector Steve Burge, Neighbourhood Policing Commander for North West Leicestershire, said: 'Drug offending ruins lives and brings harm to our communities. We will not tolerate it in force and will continue to work to remove illegal drugs from our streets and to bring those responsible to court.

'Dedicated and detailed team work across forces allowed us to gather the full information in relation to this drugs line and who was involved.

'This allowed us to successfully execute early morning warrants which ultimately led to those responsible being charged. With the evidence gathered, the defendants were then left with no option but to plead guilty to their crimes.

Figueiredo-Mendes, of Orange Grove in Chigwell, was sentenced to six years and three months imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin

Ekombolo, of Mast Street in Barking, was sentenced to four years imprisonment after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine

Mudianga, of Heathcott Road, Leicester, was jailed for four years and three months after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine and heroin

Drugs that were found at the property. Investigators discovered crack cocaine in the flat, determined to have a street value of 10,700, as well as 1,000 in cash

'Please do continue to report information which you have in relation to drug offending to us. We will act on information reported to us and we will investigate so that together we can help to protect our communities from these crimes.'

Detective Inspector James Seager, from the Met's Operation Orochi team, said: 'County line drug offending causes immense harm to young people and communities.

'The prosecution of these three individuals for serious criminal activity was as a result of effective collaboration between Leicestershire Police and the MPS to address the challenge of county line offending between Leicester and London.

'Law enforcement must continue to dismantle these criminal networks and safeguard young and vulnerable people.'
Three Brits who had been warned they faced the death penalty for smuggling drugs into Bali hidden in Angel Delight packets were today let off with just a one-year prison sentence.

The Indonesian court instead gave 12-month prison terms to the three British nationals, all from Hastings and St Leonards-on-Sea in East Sussex, who had been accused of drug running on the resort island.

Jonathan Christopher Collyer, 38, and Lisa Ellen Stocker, 39, were arrested on February 1 after being stopped at Bali's international airport with 17 packages of cocaine that weighed nearly a kilogram, according to public court records.

They appeared in court alongside Phineas Ambrose Float, 31, who was allegedly due to receive the packages from them and was arrested a few days later in February.

The trio appeared in distinctive white and red prison uniforms before a panel of judges at Denpasar District Court this morning.

Presiding judge Heriyanti declared that all three suspects had violated article 131 of Indonesian Narcotic law - but said he was reducing the sentence because they had admitted their offences and had behaved politely.

All three defendants stated that they accepted the verdict and would not file an appeal. The time served since their arrest in February will count towards their sentence, meaning they should be released early next year.

The shorter sentence was a surprise as convicted drug traffickers, especially those caught with large quantities, have in the past been executed by firing squad in Indonesia, including foreign nationals.

The trio had been warned they faced the death penalty for smuggling drugs into Bali, hidden in Angel Delight packets

The presiding judge said he was reducing the sentence because they had admitted their offences and had behaved politely

Jonathan Christopher Collyer, 38, and Lisa Ellen Stocker, 39, were arrested on February 1 after being stopped at Bali's international airport with 17 packages of cocaine

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.

It is alleged that they were caught with 17 packages of cocaine in total, with a value of 296,000. The trio did not comment as they were led to cells.

They had been given hope of a merciful sentence when another British man arrested for allegedly taking a package of drugs from a taxi driver avoided the death penalty last month.

Thomas Parker, from Cumbria, was arrested near Kuta beach in January after allegedly collecting a package from a taxi driver on a nearby street.

The package contained slightly over a kilogram of MDMA, a party drug and the main ingredient in ecstasy, according to a lab test result cited in court documents.

Parker, a 32-year-old electrician by trade, was initially charged with drug trafficking, but the Denpasar District Court reportedly handed him just 10 months for drug possession.

Parker repeatedly expressed his remorse in his final plea and asked the panel of three judges to consider his situation and impose a lenient sentence.

'I am very sorry and apologise, I know it was a mistake,' Parker said, 'I promise not to repeat it again, because I really didn't know that (the package) was drugs.'

They had been given hope of a merciful sentence when another British man arrested for allegedly taking a package of drugs from a taxi driver was spared the death penalty

The three accepted the sentence and indicated that they will not file appeals

The time served since their arrest in February will count towards their sentence, meaning they should be released early next year

When asked if he had any statement to make to the media after the sentence, Collyer said: 'Always check what is in your bag before you travel.'

On whether he felt any remorse, he replied: 'Ya...Sorry' when he was asked if he had anything to say to the Indonesian government.
A castle owner known as the 'Tipp-Ex divorcee' is locked in a High Court libel battle with a tycoon who wants to develop housing in the grounds of her 6.75million home.

Sally Nightingale, 66, who took over the 900-year-old Cumbrian estate after her high-profile 2009 split from millionaire lawyer Christopher Nightingale, is being sued for libel over a letter she sent to planning officials.

She was dubbed the 'Tipp-Ex divorcee' after her lawyers accused her former husband of doctoring bank statements with correction fluid.

The former fashion consultant has described the property as a 'poisoned chalice' but went on to spend years renovating the estate, which now houses a museum, hotel and wedding venue.

She is now locked in a court battle after a Grade I-listed former stable block in the grounds of the castle was bought by property developer James Carlton through his company last year.

Mr Carlton claims that she tried to frustrate his plans to convert the stables into housing by writing a libellous letter to the local council's planning department about work there.

The developer says the letter implies that he committed a criminal offence in removing historic flagstones from the grounds of the stables and that it has ruined his reputation.

His lawyers say he 'has been seriously injured in his reputation and has been brought into public scandal, odium and contempt'.

Queen of the castle: Sally Nightingale with her dogs at the glorious 12th Century Appleby Castle in Cumbria

Sally Nightingale, 66, in 2016 outside London's High Court during her high-profile divorce case

In interviews, the former fashion consultant previously described the property as a 'poisoned chalice' but went on to spend years renovating the estate, which now houses a museum, hotel and wedding venue

But Ms Nightingale, 66, is fighting the libel claim, denying that she damaged Mr Carlton's reputation and claiming that she was only doing her duty by bringing to the council's attention elements of the work on the property.

Ms Nightingale, who married her lawyer husband Christopher in 1984 and lived in Hong Kong and Singapore, before moving to Appleby Castle in the late 1990s.

They were married for 24 years and had three children, and at one point owned three castles.

In 2009 their marriage ended after Christopher left Sally for another woman, reported to be a Moroccan pole dancer, Massahine Bojji.

As a result Ms Nightingale was given the keys to Appleby, which boasts 22 bedrooms and 19 bathrooms, two great halls and a 15th-century dining room, while operating as a hotel and museum.

She went on to renovate and the house is now for sale for 6.75million.

On top of getting the castle, Christopher also agreed to hand over a quarter of his holding in a company he helped to found  a stake she said she was told would be worth about 1.5million.

To her surprise Christopher only gave her 83 after claiming the sale of his shares only sold for 330.

Christopher left Sally for another woman, reported to be a Moroccan pole dancer, Massahine Bojji, pictured

In the same year he got divorced, Mr Nightingale, pictured, gave Miss Bojji shares in his company, which worth said to be worth around 252,000 at the time

But Sally's lawyers fought back, arguing that his bank statements show he actually received 6million from the sale, despite his attempt to use correction fluid on the statements to obscure the crucial deposits.

In the same year he got divorced, Mr Nightingale gave Miss Bojji shares in his company, which worth said to be worth around 252,000 at the time.

The Nightingales ended up agreeing to a confidential out-of-court settlement after five hours of private negotiations.

But she is now set for a court battle after property developer Mr Carlton filed his libel claim, seeking up to 10,000 damages at the High Court against her.

In claim documents, his lawyers describe him as a 'prolific and experienced property developer' who operates through his company, Chancellor Developments Limited, which last year acquired a Grade-I listed property known as 'The Stable Block' within the castle grounds.

James Carlton, through his company Chancellor Developments Ltd, submitted a planning application to Westmorland & Furness Council for major works on the historic stable block.

His solicitor, Williams Jones, said the proposals include 'the restoration of decayed external and internal fabric, finishes, and service installations,' along with the renovation of three existing vacant dwellings and the conversion of former single-storey stables into four new homes.

The plans also seek listed building consent for alterations and possible demolition within the protected site.

Sally, pictured, is now set for a court battle after property developer Mr Carlton filed his libel claim

According to Mr Carlton's solicitor, Williams Jones, the libel claim centres on a submission Ms Nightingale made to the council last December, in which she wrote: 'The new owner, seemingly unaware of the significance of these materials, removed the pile of historic flagstones from the site. This action resulted in the irreversible loss of another vital aspect of the stable block's authentic historical fabric.'

Mr Jones argues that the statement implied Mr Carlton had carried out unauthorised works that harmed the architectural and historical integrity of the listed building.

He said the comments, published on the council's planning portal, were potentially 'extremely damaging' and could influence the outcome of the planning application.

In her defence, Ms Nightingale denies the letter was an 'objection' to the planning application, claiming it simply outlined concerns she believed the council should consider.

She also rejects the claim that her words were defamatory, arguing they did not suggest Mr Carlton or his company had personally carried out any work that damaged the property's historic character.

She also claims that what she wrote was her 'honest opinion' about 'extensive work' carried out by the previous owner of the property, not Mr Carlton or his company.

Mr Carlton's libel claim was filed in May, with Ms Nightingale's defence following last month, but the case has not yet appeared before a judge in court.

It will be listed at the High Court at a later date, unless settled by negotiation.
The ABC has been left red-faced after the UK channel that airs Bluey announced it is set to make even more money off one of Australia's most successful cultural exports.

This week, the BBC revealed plans to transform Bluey into a full-fledged lifestyle brand, marking another major commercial leap for the animated juggernaut.

Alongside the expansion of its already booming merchandise empire, a Bluey feature film is now in the works, set to be released in 2027 and distributed globally by Disney.

In just 2024 alone, Bluey was the driving force behind a bumper $4billion in commercial profits for BBC Studios through global licensing, product deals, and themed experiences.

That staggering haul is four times the annual budget of the ABC, which is funded by the federal government and Australian taxpayers.

The ABC was among the original co-commissioners of Bluey, which first aired in 2018, but failed to secure any significant merchandising deals.

Despite being developed and produced in Brisbane by Ludo Studio, most of the benefits of show's commercial success has flowed offshore.

Since its debut, Bluey has become a global sensation, celebrated for its heartwarming storytelling, gentle humour, and uniquely Australian character.

Although the ABC greenlit Bluey, it made no attempt to secure the merchandising rights

Bluey-branded merchandise ranges from plush toys and puzzles to camping gear, clothing, and even nappies.

In 2024, a large-scale Bluey-themed attraction, Bluey's World, opened in Brisbane, and was recently named one of Time Magazine's 'World's Greatest Places' for 2025.

In the same year, Bluey was the number one most viewed show in the United States, recording more than 55billion minutes of viewing time on Disney+.

'From a retail sales standpoint, we are generating about 2.7bn in global retail sales across our entire portfolio and Bluey is a really, really big chunk of that,' Suzy Raia, who heads global consumer products at BBC Studios, told The Guardian.

Yet despite its deep Australian roots, the ABC has reaped little financial reward from Bluey's explosive global success.

As reported by The Courier-Mail in February, the ABC made no attempt to secure merchandising rights during the show's early development.

Then-managing director David Anderson was present at the meeting where Bluey was first pitched to the network.

'We don't make money out of Bluey,' Anderson told the ABC in 2023. 'What Bluey does is provide joy to children and families all over the country and now all over the world. And that would be priceless.'

The ABC recently announced 50 job cuts, as the organisation struggles with financial costs

In 2024, ABC Chair Kim Williams addressed the Australian Press Club, warning of declining public funding for the broadcaster and calling for greater government support.

Just a few months later in June, the ABC slashed at least 50 jobs in a round of budget cuts, under the new leadership of Managing Director Hugh Marks.

Among the casualties was the long-running current affairs program Q&A, once a flagship forum for national political and cultural debate.

In an email sent to ABC staff, Marks justified the changes were part of the ABC stepping back from 'areas that no longer align with our priorities'.
Chinese, U.S. youth connect in trips exploring culture, technology in China

Xinhua) 10:23, July 24, 2025

BEIJING, July 23 (Xinhua) -- As night fell over the Liangma River in Beijing, young delegates from China and the United States gathered beneath the Friendship Bridge for a scenic cruise, immersing themselves in the city's vibrant nighttime atmosphere.

Under the bridge, a colorful screen lit up with vivid imagery to reveal a stunning 3D art space.

"The whole journey was absolutely amazing," said Dahlia Townley-Bakewell, an undergraduate student at Indiana University Bloomington. "I've never seen such a cool light show in the United States -- it was stunning."

The immersive night cruise was part of the "Across the Pacific: China-U.S. Youth Dialogue for A Shared Future" exchange program. The program was co-hosted by the China International Communications Group (CICG) Center for the Americas, International Student Conferences and Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, with support from Xi'an Jiaotong University.

From July 7 to 23, the program brought together 25 youth delegates, including 15 American university students, one Canadian student, two U.S. program leaders and 11 Chinese participants. They traveled from Beijing to Xi'an, Suzhou and Shanghai, for a series of visits and cross-cultural dialogues.

"During my stay in Beijing, I have loved touring historical sites such as the Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City," said Michael Alexander Buzzy, a Ph.D. student at Wayne State University Law School. "Visiting these historic sites has given me a deep appreciation for the history and sheer scale of Beijing."

After exploring Beijing's historical and cultural landmarks, the delegates continued to Xi'an in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, a city equally steeped in history.

They visited landmarks such as Huaqing Palace and the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor. Through interactive activities, such as trying on Hanfu (traditional Chinese attire), they gained a deeper understanding of traditional Chinese culture.

"I've been studying the Chinese language for a little while, so that definitely helped me get familiar with China," said Erik Michael Larson, also from Indiana University Bloomington. "I didn't really realize how far back the history goes in Xi'an -- especially 3,000 years. It's really outstanding."

While Xi'an highlighted China's ancient grandeur, Suzhou in east China's Jiangsu Province offered a different charm, with elegance and refined beauty.

At the Suzhou Museum, the participants admired how classical aesthetics merged with modern design and were struck by the city's cultural depth and artistic richness.

Beyond cultural exploration, the journey also offered insights into China's strides in science and technology. The American students showed great interest in the country's rapid innovation.

At Tencent's Beijing headquarters, the participants experienced innovative applications, including a digital currency platform and immersive 3D technologies, and engaged in discussions with employees about smart tools in the AI era.

This was followed by an exciting test ride at a Xiaomi factory that particularly thrilled the American students.

"The automation at the Xiaomi factory and the digital innovations at Tencent completely overturned my prior perception of China's tech industry," Larson said with excitement. "These experiences were more vivid and impactful than any classroom case study."

Many participants praised the integration of technology into everyday life in China. "One application that I have come to use a lot during my time in Beijing is WeChat," said Buzzy. "WeChat reflects China's overall technological development of seamlessly integrating technology with everyday life."

Kiran Alexis Nieves-Noel, an undergraduate at East Tennessee State University, echoes these sentiments, noting that the seamless integration of technology into daily life, from mobile payments to public transport, highlights how innovation and accessibility can together enhance civic life.

Complementing their hands-on experiences, the program also encouraged broader reflections on international cooperation.

One key component of the program was the "China-U.S. Future Diplomats Summer Camp," which provided participants with a deeper understanding of the diplomatic mechanisms of both countries.

Through simulated diplomatic discussions, Chinese and American youth explored issues such as bilateral trade, environmental protection and artificial intelligence.

"This is a student-led project," said Shu Xin, secretary-general of the camp and a Chinese student delegate. "Through communication and discussion, Chinese and American youth have developed a deeper understanding of each other and overcome many previous stereotypes."

Throughout the program, participants consistently expressed that such face-to-face exchanges are among the most effective ways to dispel misunderstandings and build lasting friendships.

This reflects a broader trend in China-U.S. educational exchanges, which have grown significantly over the past decades.

Since 2009, China has been the top source of international students in the United States for 15 consecutive years. According to the Open Doors 2023 report, during the 2022-2023 academic year, Chinese students numbered 289,000, making up 27.4 percent of all international students in American colleges and universities.

Meanwhile, an increasing number of American students are studying, interning or participating in cultural exchange programs in China.

These exchanges foster language skills and cultural understanding while providing a platform for direct dialogue and cooperation.

Despite ups and downs in China-U.S. relations, youth from both countries have always contributed warmth and strength to their development. In a world facing rising uncertainty and change, it is all the more important for young people to deepen dialogue and work together toward a shared future, said Yu Yunquan, vice president of CICG.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Alastair Campbell has opened up about the time he visited Jeffrey Epstein's at his 'very fancy' New York mansion after Ghislaine Maxwell asked him: 'Do you want to come and meet my boyfriend?'

Tony Blair's former spin chief knew Maxwell from his work on the Daily Mirror, and happened to be on the same plane as her crossing the Atlantic when she issued the invite, he revealed.

Later that evening, he arrived at the same 63 million Manhattan home that Prince Andrew was famously photographed leaving.

Speaking about the incident on his podcast, The Rest is Politics, he described the mansion as 'incredibly luxurious' and 'very fancy', reminding him of an 'old-fashioned University-style club'.

He recalled numerous photos displayed Epstein with famous faces, including 'most of the presidents of our lifetime', but he added he was unsure if Donald Trump had made the cut.

After being left alone with Epstein for an hour, he admitted he 'got a bad vibe' and believed there was 'something a bit sly about his face'.

Campbell recalled the incident as Epstein's former lawyer claimed Maxwell will unveil 'new evidence' in a jailhouse meeting with the Justice Department as she tries to get let out of prison.

Alastair Campbell, pictured here at Wimbledon this month, said he knew Ghislaine Maxwell from his work on the Daily Mirror, and happened to be on the same plane as her when asked if he wanted to meet her new boyfriend

After being left alone with Epstein for an hour, he admitted he 'got a bad vibe' and believed there was 'something a bit sly about his face'. Pictured: Jeffrey Epstein and Maxwell in 2005

Campell arrived at the same 63 million Manhattan home that Prince Andrew was famously photographed leaving, above

The ex-spin doctor recalled: 'It was very fancy, it was incredibly luxurious.

'It reminded me of those really old-fashioned sort of University-style clubs, where old alumni gather to talk about the old days.

'It felt sort of old-fashioned, but a lot of very fancy art.

'He sat for a while behind this really big desk, which sort of reminded me a little bit of the Resolute desk (the Oval Office desk).

'He has photographs of himself with really famous people all over the place. I didn't see if he had one of Trump.

'Trump wasn't probably remotely on my radar at the time, but definitely most of the presidents of our lifetime.'

He described Epstein as being an 'incredible name dropper'.

'I got a bad vibe, and not because of any sense of all the sexual stuff that we've since known about, but just the name-dropping and the arrogance,' he said.

'There was something a bit sly about his face as well.'

His invitation to Epstein's mansion came while he was on a flight to America to attend a funeral, when Maxwell happened to be on the same flight.

The New York City Mansion that belonged to Epstein and was visited by Campbell after an impromptu invite from Maxwell

Maxwell, 63, 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

Campbell worked under Maxwell's father, Robert Maxwell, who owned the Daily Mirror, when he worked at the paper in the late 80s.

He said he knew Ghislaine Maxwell 'pretty well' and added that he 'socialised with her quite a bit', describing her as 'quite funny' as well as 'very energetic and very lively'.

'I always quite liked Ghislaine, I must be honest. I thought she was a really warm personality. I always felt a bit sorry for her because her dad was such a monster,' he said.

After the pair 'completely lost touch', they reconnected on a flight while Campbell was working with the government around 20 years ago. 'She actually introduced me to Jeffrey Epstein, the one time I have met him,' he said.

'It's the reason I am in the famous black book. Very hurt that he spelt my name wrong.'

He continued: 'She was sitting a few rows behind me and came up and had a chat.

'She just said, and I can definitely remember this, "what are you doing tonight?" and I said "not much, just staying in the hotel".

'She said, "do you want to come and meet my boyfriend?".'

That was the last time he saw Epstein and Maxwell, Campbell went on to say, before adding he was 'surprised' about her involvement in the scandal.

He said: 'I can't say I was surprised he [Epstein] was involved in a real scandal because he struck me as a bit of sleazeball.

'I was surprised [about Ghislaine]. I can imagine children who have had the sort of parent they had to end up with all sorts of psychological stuff going on.'

He also added that he finds it 'incredible that she is the only one who has gone to jail' and believes she may 'claim she had an unfair trial because she thought she was covered by this deal in a previous another era'.

'I don't think saying when I knew her, that Ghislaine was a warm and quite attractive personality, is defending her,' Campbell continued.

'It's saying what my experience of her was. I don't remotely and would never defend what she has done in league with Epstein.'
The Green Party's leadership contest threatened to turn nasty last night after Adrian Ramsay repeatedly refused to say if he 'likes' rival Zack Polanski.

In an excruciating exchange on LBC radio, Mr Ramsay was asked numerous times for his opinion of his fellow leadership candidate.

Mr Ramsay initially declined on several occasions to say he 'likes' Mr Polanski. He instead only replied: 'Zack is a valued colleague.'

Mr Polanski - who himself was quick to say he 'likes' Mr Ramsay - admitted his rival's answers 'hurt', adding: 'This is vicious.'

Mr Ramsay, the party's current co-leader, is bidding to remain in charge and is standing in this year's contest as part of a joint ticket with fellow MP Ellie Chowns.

The duo are being challenged by Mr Polanski, who is the party's current deputy leader and a member of the London Assembly.

Mr Polanski has been nicknamed 'the boob whisperer' by online wags during the Green Party contest.

It follows a 2013 interview with The Sun when, while working as a Harley Street hypnotherapist, he purported to help women increase the size of their bust.

The Green Party's leadership contest threatened to turn nasty last night after Adrian Ramsay (pictured) repeatedly refused to say if he 'likes' rival Zack Polanski

Mr Ramsay initially declined on several occasions to say he 'likes' Mr Polanski (above). He instead only replied: 'Zack is a valued colleague.'

The Green Party leadership race, which is due to end on September 2, has become increasingly bitter.

Earlier this month, Mr Ramsay suggested Mr Polanski, who has a sizeable online following, was hoping to use a 'big social media presence' to 'circumvent the really hard work that's needed' to grow the party.

Appearing on LBC last night, Mr Ramsay and Mr Polanski were challenged over the hostile nature of their leadership battle.

Asked if he likes Mr Polanski, Mr Ramsay said: 'I've enjoyed working with Zack over the last few years, of course.'

Mr Polanski said: 'I really like Adrian so that does hurt. I disagree with Adrian on lots of things but I like him.'

Challenged again to say he likes Mr Polanski, Mr Ramsay added: 'Zack is a valued colleague, absolutely.'

Pressed again, he continued: 'I like working with Zack, absolutely.'

Towards the end of the exchange, Mr Ramsay eventually conceded: 'I work with Zack effectively, I like working with Zack, I like Zack.'
An armed robber jailed for life for the killing of PC Sharon Beshenivsky has been recalled to prison for breaching the terms of his release licence, MailOnline has learned.

Gang lookout Faisal Razzaq was given a life sentence in 2007 and told he must serve at least 11 years when he was found guilty of manslaughter at Newcastle Crown Court.

Razzaq, 43, was a key member of the gang who took part in the bungled armed robbery in Bradford on November 18 2005 that led to the death of PC Beshenivsky.

Her colleague, PC Teresa Milburn, was also gunned down in the street and seriously wounded as the robbers escaped with just 5,000.

MailOnline can reveal that Razzaq, of Forest Gate, east London, was recalled to prison in September last year after breaching licence conditions.

It is not known what rules he broke.

PC Beshenivsky was shot outside the Universal Express travel agency in Bradford, west Yorkshire.

Razzaq was a lookout for the gang alongside his older brother Hassan, who was also found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for 20-years.

PC Sharon Beshenivsky, pictured, was shot outside the Universal Express travel agency in Bradford, West Yorkshire

Faisal Razzaq was given a life sentence in 2007 and told he must serve at least 11 years when he was found guilty of manslaughter at Newcastle Crown Court

The brothers were cleared of murder at the same trial.

Newcastle Crown Court was told that Razzaq had conducted a reconnaissance trip from London on November 13 2005, five days before the fatal shooting.

He drove Piran Ditta Khan - the man known as uncle Pete, 'the architect of the robbery', who went on the run after the murder - first to Bradford and then to the house in Leeds where his brother Faisal was staying.

The brothers were also found guilty of robbery and a series of firearms offences.

Faisal Razzaq had seven-and-a-half-years added to his sentence in June 2007 for possession of firearms in 2004.

He was on bail for this offence when the murder took place.

Robbery mastermind Piran Ditta Khan fled to Pakistan and was arrested on 14 January 2020.

On 4 April 2024 he was found guilty of murder and on 10 May 2024, at Leeds Crown Court, he was sentenced to life, with a minimum term of 40 years.

In February the father-of-six was found dead in prison.

The mastermind behind the armed robbery - Piran Ditta Khan (pictured) was finally convicted for the murder of PC Beshenivsky at Leeds Crown Court

Piran Ditta Khan fled the country on a flight from Heathrow to Islamabad two months after the raid

Muzzaker Shah and Yusuf Jama, were sentenced to life in prison with minimum terms of 35 years in 2006 for the murder of PC Beshenivsky, robbery and firearms offences.

Speaking at the murder trial, PC Milburn said:'[We] didn't have a chance,' adding that her colleague 'stopped in terror' when she saw the gunman as she approached the door and was shot in the chest at point blank range before collapsing to the floor with an immediately fatal injury.

Pc Beshenivsky was shot in the chest and killed on her youngest daughter's fourth birthday.

She was the first woman police officer to be shot dead on duty since WPC Yvonne Fletcher was gunned down outside the Libyan embassy in London on April 17, 1984.

A spokesperson for HM Prison and Probation Service said: 'As this case shows, we do not hesitate to send offenders back to prison if they break the rules.'

In line with parole regulations, Razzaq had a hearing in November 2024 to consider whether the Probation Service had followed procedure and made the right decision.

PC Sharon Beshenivsky (pictured) was gunned down at point blank range by robbers fleeing a travel agency in Bradford in November 2005

Unusually, a single member of the Parole Board made the decision to uphold Razzaq's licence recall based solely on a reading of documentation about his return to jail and also time subsequently spent behind bars.

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: 'We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board refused the release of Faisal Razzaq following a paper review.

The panel also refused to recommend a move to open prison.

'Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

'A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

'Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.

'Under current legislation he will be eligible for a further review in due course. The date of the next review will be set by the Ministry of Justice.'

Razzaq caused outrage after he was first released in 2017 by celebrating with a Facebook post that read: 'Guess who's back?'

He later caused further offence when it emerged In April 2024 that he was now getting around in a 20,000 Mercedes C-Class.

When asked then if he felt any remorse for the death of 38-year-old PC Beshenivsky he said: 'Who told you I live here? Go away.'
A Norfolk migrant hotel hit by protests has threatened to close if the Home Office pushes ahead with plans to replace the families it is currently housing with single men.

Around 150 people gathered outside the Park Hotel in Diss on Monday night for a 'peaceful' demonstration after the Home Office announced the proposed change.

But footage posted on social media, including by supporters of far right activist Tommy Robinson, showed clashes between pro and anti-migrant groups.

The owners of the Park Hotel have now issued a statement insisting they will not agree to the request to move away from only housing families.

'We would also like to confirm and reassure the community of Diss that we have advised the Home Office and other stakeholders that, should this situation change, and we are formally notified that the hotel will no longer operate as a family-only establishment, we will have no alternative but to close,' it read.

'There are currently vulnerable families and children staying at the hotel - many of whom are feeling frightened and uncertain about recent events at the hotel and their futures. We ask for understanding and sensitivity during this time.'

The scuffles in Diss followed violence outside another hotel in Epping, Essex after an asylum seeker was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl eight days after arriving in the UK.

Angela Rayner has warned that anger at high levels of illegal immigration is risking social cohesion in Britain's poorest communities and must be addressed, as fears grow of a new 'summer of riots'.

The Deputy Prime Minister told the Cabinet yesterday that they had to 'acknowledge the real concerns people have' about immigration and economic insecurity.

Sir Keir Starmer has been warned that Britain is a 'powder keg' that could explode into a repeat of the street violence that followed the Southport murders 12 months ago - unless Labour gets a grip on migrant hotels.

Around 150 people gathered outside The Park Hotel, in Diss, Norfolk, on Monday night. There were clashes between protesters and counter-protesters

Protesters, including children, held up banners saying 'stop the boats'

Protesters took to the streets of Epping on Sunday - with marchers seen holding red smoke flares aloft as demonstrators displayed signs behind them

The Deputy Prime Minister told the Cabinet yesterday that they had to 'acknowledge the real concerns people have' about immigration and economic insecurity as fears of a 'summer of riots' grew.

According to the Prime Minister's official spokesman, Ms Rayner warned the Cabinet that '17 of the 18 places that saw the worst of the disorder last summer ranked at the top of the most deprived, and while Britain was a successful multi-ethnic, multi-faith country, the Government had to show it had a plan to address people's concerns (and) provide opportunities for everyone to flourish'.

Sir Keir Starmer is facing pressure to act to prevent a repeat of 2024, when towns and cities were hit by violent, often racist protests triggered by the Southport child murders.

As the Commons prepares to break up today for its summer recess, Labour MPs have voiced fears that the country could see violence before they return in September, in a rerun of 12 months ago.

The demonstration in Norfolk started with around 60 people shouting 'we want our country back'.

They were met by about 30 counter-protesters from Stand Up To Racism holding signs that read 'refugees welcome'.

Footage shows them initially standing on opposite sides of the road outside the hotel.

But as tension mounted, they clashed with one another, with protesters crossing the road to confront the counter-protesters.

South Norfolk Council has opposed plans to change the use of the hotel to single adult male migrants, saying it only learned about it in a brief email from Whitehall last week.

It has backed the stance taken by the hotel's owners.

An agitated protester could be seen clashing with counter-protesters and police in Diss

Protesters and counter-protesters could be seen on opposite sides of the road outside the hotel

In a letter to the Home Office, council leader Daniel Elmer, wrote: 'We feel the decision and intended timeframe poses significant risks and concerns to both community cohesion and the vulnerable single males who would be residing at the hotel.

'The community impact of this change cannot be overstated. When the hotel was first opened for asylum accommodation, there was considerable unease among local residents.'

He added: 'A sudden shift to a SAM [Single Adult Male] hotel risks reigniting those tensions, especially in the absence of any community engagement or mitigation strategy from the Home Office.'

The Grade II listed Park Hotel is situated on a road containing a mixture of Victorian, Tudor, and Elizabethan houses right in the heart of the historic Diss town centre.

It is adjacent to the mere, a popular destination for locals and tourists which offers scenic views and opportunities for recreation and wildlife viewing.

Julian Bareham, 71, who has lived opposite the Park Hotel for 22 years, complained he didn't want 'these people' walking freely around the town.

'If they are locked in and can't get out, I will feel more at ease. We don't know what these people are capable of,' he said.

'The hotel used to be a nice friendly community hub, an amenity that was well-respected and useful for those needing an overnight stay who were coming here for business. It is a huge loss.

'After lockdown, the hotel never really recovered and the owners sold it to new owners who did a deal with the government and this deal, I believe, has been a disaster for the town.'

But a 55-year-old man who lives near the hotel was supportive of the asylum seekers, however, and expressed concern about the tone of the protests.

Protesters - some wearing Union Jack bucket hats - held placards up opposing the plans in Diss

Counter-protesters gathered next to a 'stop the boat' banner holding posters up which said 'stop the far right'

A police officer was seen with blood running down his cheek outside The Bell Hotel in Epping on July 20

In Epping, hundreds of furious locals gathered outside The Bell Hotel on Thursday after Ethiopian resident Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu (pictured), 38, was charged with sex attacks on schoolgirls. He denies the charges

Riot police followed a march into the town centre as protesters gathered in the area

'It was absolute chaos, people were shouting far right and ill-informed things about how these people will be molesting and raping the women and children of Diss,' he told the Mail.

'I felt absolutely threatened in my own home, they were saying that they are going to be coming every Sunday at 2pm. This is going to disrupt our peaceful family life and I am worried.

'I have no issues with peaceful protests but this was unorganised, people spilling on the streets nearly being run over. A blind woman had to walk onto the road as the pavements were flooded.

'We have had asylum seekers residing next door for the last three years or so, roughly, and there has never been any issues. It is far better and quieter than when the hotel was in operation.'
An interview with senator Corinne Mulholland has been derailed live on air after Ally Langdon praised the politician for taking her baby boy into the chamber with her.

Mulholland halted her chat with Langdon on A Current Affair on Thursday after realising she needed to 'go and vote' immediately, despite being mid-way through the interview.

The senator later returned to finish off the chat in which Langdon chatted with the politician about her decision to bring her baby son Augie with her while addressing parliament for the first time on Wednesday.

Mulholland was elected as a Labor senator for Queensland in this year's May federal election and brought her son with her to highlight the struggles of working parents.

Speaking parliament, she said: 'I stand here tonight, holding my young son, as you can see, with his bedtime fast approaching.

'I am praying that Augie and I make it through this speech unscathed, so God speed.

'Augie is here not as a symbol, but as a powerful reminder of why I am here. I'm a wife and a mum from the outer suburbs of Queensland.'

Langdon asked the senator to explain further about why her baby boy was a 'powerful reminder' to her colleagues in parliament.

Senator Corinne Mulholland was being interviewed with her baby boy Augie when she had to halt the chat live on air to go and vote. A crib is seen behind her in her parliamentary office

The senator brought her son Augie with her while addressing parliament for the first time on Wednesday (pictured)

Ally Langdon waited patiently for the senator to return and finish the interview (pictured)

She replied: 'The job of the politician is not dissimilar to many other working mums out there where we need to work around the clock and we need to make it work.'

In the background, a bell could then be heard ringing out, which Mulholland explained was a reminder that she needed to go and vote.

'There was a moment when you handed [Augie] over to a colleague last night, and I loved the message that it sent that it takes a village,' Langdon continued.

'But there was a part of me watching Augie in parliament where I thought, won't it be great when this doesn't make news, when it's not unusual?'

The senator agreed and said what drives her is working towards helping other mums have flexibility in the workplace.

She then cut off Langdon and explained she had to interrupt the interview to vote immediately.

Mulholland asked Langdon to wait on standby while she voted.

Mulholland (pictured with Anthony Albanese) was elected as a Labor senator for Queensland in this year's May federal election

The news presenter awkwardly looked at her watch as she waited for the politician to return.

A short while later, Mulholland resumed the interview with her baby boy as Langdon jokingly asked: 'How did Auggie vote on that one?'

'He let me vote this time, he let me proxy for him,' the senator replied.

The news presenter pointed out Augie's appearance in parliament marks progress after Victorian MP Kirsty Marshall was asked to leave state parliament for breastfeeding her 11-day-old daughter back in 2003.

Senator Sarah Hanson-Young's two-year-old was also kicked out of the senate in 2009.
The wife of prominent Melbourne chef Jae Bang has been accused of deliberately igniting a fire at the couple's home while their two young daughters were inside.

Hyun Ju Ahn, 37, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder after the family's Chadstone townhouse was allegedly deliberately set alight on May 21 using a gas bottle, the Herald Sun reported.

Bang is executive chef of Nordic-inspired restaurant Freyja on Collins Street. He was was born in South Korea and had an international career working at Michelin-starred restaurants in Norway, Spain and New York before settling in Melbourne.

The chef was out of town when the blaze broke out, with a GoFundMe campaign in the wake of the fire having raised more than $21,000 to support the family.

'Chef Jae Bang (Freyja, Melbourne) lost his home to a fire while he was away. His wife and two daughters were sleeping when it happened, and they were unconscious when the firefighters rescued them,' the page reads.

'They were seriously injured and have had extensive stays in the hospital. The family is recovering, but they have no home, no other family in the area, and have many expenses to cover from the fire rescue and hospital stays.'

The page was started on July 12, a few days before the charges against Ahn were laid.

'Please support Jae, his wife and his daughters by contributing as they start to rebuild their lives!' it reads.

Jae Bang (pictured) is married to Hyun Ju Ahn. His wife has been charged with attempted murder over a fire at their home when their daughters were inside but he was on a trip

The blaze burned the roof and walls on the second storey of the family's Chadstone townhouse

Emergency crews had been called to the modern two-storey property at Chadstone's Terrigal Street on May 21 just before 9.40pm and found smoke and flames pouring from the upper level.

Inside, firefighters found Ahn and her daughters, aged seven and eight, unconscious and huddled together on the floor of the master bedroom.

All three were rescued and rushed to hospital, the girls in critical condition to the Royal Children's Hospital, and Ahn to The Alfred for treatment for burns to her hands.

Police allege the fire began when a gas cylinder inside the home exploded, fuelling the fast-moving blaze.

Ahn was arrested last Thursday by detectives from Victoria Police's Arson and Explosives Squad and formally charged.

She faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court the next day and did not apply for bail. She was remanded in custody to return on November 21 for a committal mention.

A fourth resident, a 36-year-old man, understood to be Bang, was not home at the time and is not considered a suspect.

South Korean-born Mr Bang (centre in black) has worked in Michelin-starred restaurants in Norway, Spain and in New York

Mr Bang (left) appeared on fellow chef Adam Liaw's (right) SBS series 'The Cook Up'

Freyja on Melbourne's Collins Street is run by Mr Bang and serves Nordic inspired cuisine

The Chadstone home (pictured) was declared a crime scene following the blaze

Bang is a well-known figure in Australia's culinary scene, having appeared on SBS's The Cook Up with Adam Liaw.

He has worked in three-Michelin-star restaurants at Norway's Re-naa and Spain's Arzak and the two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Daniel in New York.

In a 2023 interview with Broadsheet, Bang opened up about the challenges of juggling work and family life.

'Running a restaurant demands a significant amount of time, so my days off are crucial for dedicating my attention solely to my kids,' he said.

Neighbours described the family as quiet but friendly, saying they mostly kept to themselves but appeared happy.

Police investigations into the circumstances of the fire are ongoing.
A coalition of left-wing firebrands and trade union barons are behind the group spearheading a wave of pro-migrant counter-protests outside asylum seeker hotels.

Activists from Stand Up to Racism have been sent their marching orders ahead of a series of planned demonstrations this weekend.

Fresh rallying cries to 'stand together against the far right' have already gone out this week to the campaign group's army loyal follows on social media.

Meanwhile, other activists have been seen on streets in London handing out fliers urging people to 'defend refugees' from controversial right-wing political activist, Tommy Robinson, who they claim is 'mobilising the far-right'.

Pro-migration supporters have already been involved in the demonstrations outside migrant hotels in Canary Wharf, London this week, and The Bell Hotel in Epping, in Essex, earlier this month.

This week video footage emerged of a group of pro-migrant protesters, carrying placards for Stand Up to Racism, being escorted by police to the The Bell Hotel - where violent clashes later erupted.

Stand Up to Racism, made up of a nationwide network of cells and local bodies, is partly funded by trade unions and led by Diane Abbot, the suspended Labour MP.

It frequently campaigns against individual political figures as well as parties - with the likes of Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage, US President Donald Trump and former Tory immigration minister Robert Jenrick among those to face the group's wrath.

The organisation, made up of a nationwide network of cells, is partly funded by trade unions and led by Diane Abbot (pictured), the suspended Labour MP

Police officers separate 'anti-racism' demonstrators from others protesting outside The Bell Hotel in Epping on July 13

Footage of Essex Police helping counter-demonstrators from a nearby station to the Bell Hotel in Epping on July 17 emerged after the force initially denied offering help

It's leadership is split across a series of figures and regional heads, who help to co-ordinate protests.

Ms Abbott, 71, is the organisation's president. The veteran MP was suspended for a second time earlier this month for her controversial comments on racism.

Ms Abbott, who made history in 1987 by becoming the first black woman ever elected to parliament, is facing an investigation after defending a previous claim that Jews experience racism differently than black people.

She made the remark more than two years ago that people of colour experienced racism 'all their lives', which was different from the 'prejudice' experienced by Jews, the Irish and Travellers.

In a statement to Newsnight following her suspension, Ms Abbott said: 'It is obvious this Labour leadership wants me out. My comments in the interview  were factually correct, as any fair-minded person would accept.'

Supporting Ms Abbott in Stand Up to Racism is Daniel Kebede, who is the group's vice-president.

Mr Kebede is the general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU)- which staged a total of 593 days of local teacher walkouts in 2024 and is Britain's biggest education union.

The education chief hit the headlines earlier this year after demanding ministers bring in a statutory ban on mobile phones in schools.

The National Education Union sparked fears for Jewish pupils after vowing to produce school resources to 'raise awareness' of the situation in Palestine (pictured: General Secretary Daniel Kebede)

The NEU voted to develop materials for its half a million members to use in classrooms about the ongoing conflict in Gaza (pictured: a Palestine solidarity protest in 2021 which was attended by NEU members)

Pictured are groups of Stand Up to Racism activists during a march in February 2025 in London

He warned children have access to 'hardcore pornography' on their phones which is 'damaging' to both boys and girls, and said Keir Starmer must take a stronger stance on outlawing phones from the classroom.

And in April he was forced to defend the NEU after it sparked an 'anti-Israel' row following its pledge to produce school resources to 'raise awareness' of the war in Palestine.

The union voted to develop materials for its half a million members to use in classrooms about the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

However, one of its own members accused the union of presenting a 'one-sided' and anti-Israel view, saying the plans could fuel anti-Semitism in schools.

Peter Block, 76, a Jewish NEU member and retired teacher, said: They are trying to filter into the curriculum this one-sided view.

Its anti-Israel. But how is vilification of Israel helping with anti-Semitism?'

The motion said members should attend Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) demonstrations and 'campaign against the ethnic cleansing of Gaza' (pictured: NEU branches attending protests about pay)

NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede, who has supported Stand Up to Racism, addressing members at a previous union event

One of the NEU's own members accused the union of presenting a one-sided and anti-Israel view, saying the plans could fuel anti-Semitism in schools (pictured: Jewish member Peter Block)

The comments forced a response from Mr Kebede, who denied the NEU was hostile to Jewish members and added that the materials produced would not be biased.

'Teachers have professional standards. They must teach from an impartial standpoint. Everybody recognises that and this union will only ever advise members on that,' he said.

'Whatever we produce will be obviously within the line of the law.'

Others in prominent roles within Stand Up to Racism include railway baron Mick Whelan, who oversaw two years of train strike misery as general secretary of the Aslef union. He currently the 'anti-racism' group's vice-chairman.

Kevin Courtney, Mr Kebedes predecessor, also sits on the campaigns committee as a co-chairman.

In March, the campaign group held its annual trade union conference, where speakers included Mr Kebede and Mr Whelan as well as the head of equalities and the anti-racist taskforce chairman at the TUC, Patrick Roach.

Others in prominent roles within Stand Up to Racism include railway baron Mick Whelan (pictured), who oversaw two years of train strikes as general secretary of the Aslef union

Mr Roach is also the general secretary of teaching union NASUWT - and was this year made a CBE by the King for his services to education.

Titles of workshops held over the day included: 'Return to 1930s: the changing face of fascism and our unions [sic] role in fighting it and 'Trade Union Network to Stop the Far Right: developing organising online and in the workplace.'

During the event, it is claimed Mr Roach gave a rallying cry to union officials to rail against Nigel Farage's political party. 'We cant defeat Reform without exposing the racism,' he is reported to have said.

Also involved in the coalition are members of the Green Party in Tower Hamlets, London, who helped stage a 'small' counter-protest outside the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf this week.

The luxury four-star venue is the latest to have been taken over by the Home Office and transformed into a migrant hotel - sparking fury locally.

Tower Hamlets Green Party councillor Nathalie Bienfait took part in the counter rally on Tuesday - where she was told to 'f*** off' by an anti-migration protester.

Ms Bienfait claims to have a degree in international and European law from a Dutch university, and a masters in environment and sustainability from Birkbeck, University of London.

She later spent almost five years as a marketing specialist before becoming a councillor in May 2022.

Writing on X about her rally outside the migrant hotel she said: 'We were holding small signs saying "refugees are welcome" and calling for "safe and legal routes now".

Green councillor Nathalie Bienfait (pictured) helped stage a counter-protest outside the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf after it was made a migrant hotel

It comes after the venue was turned into a migrant hotel, sparking fierce protests this week

Dozens of police officers were deployed to the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf earlier this week as protests erupted

'What we can't do is blame asylum seekers for our failing public services. These are the most vulnerable people in our world and they have no safe or legal routes to this country and also have no choice over where the Home Office puts them.'

One video went viral of her challenging protesters outside the hotel. It showed her being verbally abused, with one protester later saying migrants have 'got the whole of Europe to go to'.

'Yeah theyve got the whole of Europe, but, why should we put that burden on the rest of Europe?' Ms Bienfait replied. 'We still have to take responsibility for the fact that we have a lot of stakes in the conflict and climate crisis that causes people be refugees and have to come to another country.'

It's feared a fresh round of protests could take place at Canary Wharf, Epping and elsewhere in the coming days.

Police chiefs already fear the UK is on the cusp of a summer of violence that forces nationwide would struggle to deal with, due to manpower issues.

Officers could now be dragged away from neighbourhood duties to keep the peace at rallies outside migrant hotels, said Tiff Lynch, head of the Police Federation.

Anti-immigration protesters confront a cordon of riot police officers preventing them from getting near a small group of counter-protesters in Epping on July 17

Bottles and smoke flares thrown towards police vehicles stationed outside The Bell Hotel on July 20

Ms Lynch said officers were being 'pulled in every direction' and commanders were 'forced to choose between keeping the peace at home or plugging national gaps'.

She said if violent protests spread throughout the summer, it would be 'dangerous to assume' that police forces would be able to 'hold the line indefinitely'

'It would be comical if it werent so serious - and so familiar. Local commanders are once again being forced to choose between keeping the peace at home or plugging national gaps,' she wrote in the Telegraph.

She said Epping was 'not just a troubling one-off', adding: 'It was a signal flare. A reminder of how little it takes for tensions to erupt and how ill-prepared we remain to deal with it.'

In a statement, a spokeswoman for Stand Up to Racism said they were 'deeply concerned that the recent demonstrations that led to violence and rioting at The Bell Hotel in Epping were not organised by local mums and concerned residents'.

The spokesman continued: 'They were organised by Neo-Nazi group Homeland, that is seeking to wind up the local community and stir up racism to build a fascist movement.'

They also said the group 'receives funding from members, affiliates, including trade unions'.
The Dutch pilots killed in the London Southend Airport plane crash were named today as the airline praised them for their 'professionalism, dedication, and character'.

Captain Danny Marko Franken, 53, and First Officer Floris Christiaan Rhee, 24, were two of the four people on board who all died in the disaster in Essex on July 13.

The medical flight on a small plane chartered for a patient to be transported for treatment in the UK crashed within the airport boundary shortly after take-off.

The two pilots were on board with a female nurse and a male doctor, with the Zeusch Aviation plane bound for its Netherlands base after dropping off a patient.

Mr Franken, from Harderwijk, was married with two children and also worked as a first officer for KLM on Boeing 777, according to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf.

He was described by his family in an obituary notice as a 'dearest husband, cheerful caring father, wonderful son, brother, son-in-law, brother-in-law and uncle'.

They added that his death was 'still unbelievable' and a memorial had been set up in a hangar used by Zeusch. A private funeral will take place this Saturday afternoon.

Mr Rhee, who is from Blankenham, had worked for Zeusch since last September after completing his training at European Pilot Selection and Training in the Netherlands.

The nurse was previously named as Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, a German national originally from Chile, and the doctor was German national Dr Matthias Eyl, 46.

Captain Danny Marko Franken (left), 53, and First Officer Floris Christiaan Rhee (right), 24, were two of the four people on board who all died in the crash at Southend Airport on July 13

Captain Danny Marko Franken (above) was married with two children and also worked for KLM

Four people who were on board all died in the disaster at London Southend Airport on July 13

Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, a German national nurse originally from Chile, was on board

The doctor on board was previously named as 46-year-old German national Dr Matthias Eyl

Footage showed fire and black smoke billowing into the air from the crash site, while witnesses described seeing the jet 'corkscrew' before erupting into a ball of flames.

A statement from Zeusch said today: 'With great sadness, we can now confirm the identities of our flight crew who tragically lost their lives on flight SUZ1.

'Our two pilots, Captain Danny Marco Franken and First Officer Floris Christiaan Rhee, were both highly respected and cherished colleagues. Their professionalism, dedication, and character will have a lasting impact on all who worked with them.

'On request of our customer, we do not release any information on the identities of the medical team that was on board of flight SUZ1. Our thoughts remain with their families, friends, and all those affected by this devastating loss.

'Zeusch Aviation continues to offer support to the families and is in close contact with the relevant authorities as investigations continue.'

Essex Police said two days after the tragedy on July 15 that three bodies had been recovered from the crash site. The next day, a fourth body was recovered.

A plume of black smoke rises from an area near the runway after the plane crash on July 13

Marco Rietvelt, managing director of Zeusch, said today: 'Danny and Floris were not only highly skilled pilots, but also greatly valued and popular members of our team.

'Their passion for flying was matched by their dedication to their colleagues and the important missions they carried out.

'We are all deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic loss. Our priority is to support the families of those lost, as well as our employees, during this incredibly difficult time.

'We are also fully committed to assisting the authorities in their ongoing investigation.'

Zeusch Aviation is owned by IT millionaire Con Zwinkels, who also piloted a Boeing 747 for Martinair.

An investigation is underway into the cause of the crash involving the Beechcraft B200 Super King Air, which is often used for mapping and for medivac journeys.

Four people died when a small aircraft crashed moments after take-off at Southend Airport

The plane 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 crash happened at 3.48pm and led to all flights in and out of the airport, which is used by easyJet for many of its holiday routes, being suspended.

The airport was closed while an early investigation was carried out but it partially reopened three days later and resumed normal operations from July 17.

Essex Police have been investigating with the airline, airport, Air Accidents Investigation Branch, Royal Air Force and Essex Fire and Rescue Service.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously paid tribute to emergency responders and the four victims, tweeting: 'My thoughts are with their families and loved ones.'
A Ukrainian OnlyFans model who was found beaten almost to death by the side of the road in Dubai has revealed the chilling final words she heard from her alleged attackers.

Maria Kovalchuk was found with horrific injuries, including severe head trauma and a broken spine and limbs, when she was discovered on a roadside in the Emirati city.

She spent weeks in the hospital in a coma before beginning the long road to recovery.

Earlier this week, the 20-year-old, who is now undergoing rehabilitation in Norway, broke her silence in a bombshell interview with Russian presenter and media personality Ksenia Sobchak.

She revealed that she was spending time with a group of acquaintances in a Dubai hotel room when two men who had invited her there became violent.

Moments before she fled the room in what would prove a futile escape attempt, the pair, who had allegedly been drinking heavily, smashing bottles and acting aggressively, made a horrifying statement, according to Maria.

'You belong to us. We'll do whatever we want.'

Maria was chased out of the hotel and ultimately found in her hiding spot in a nearby building that was under construction.

She does not remember the attack, but suspects she was brutally beaten or dropped from a height, given the nature of her injuries.

Maria Kovalchuk, 20, went into a coma and suffered horrific injuries, including a broken spine and limbs, after suffering a brutal ordeal

Her friends expressed fears she had been kidnapped, and only learned that she had been attacked some 10 days later

OnlyFans model Maria Kovalchuk, pictured in Norway with her mother Anna, as she breaks her silence on her brutal Dubai assault in an interview with Russian journalist Ksenia Sobchak

The model had been in a coma after she was found close to death having 'fallen from a height'

Speaking to Sobchak from her wheelchair, Maria explained how her horrific story began when she missed a flight from Dubai to Thailand after she overslept.

While checking out of her hotel, she bumped into a Russian man she had met at a karaoke bar once before.

After telling him about her situation, he invited her to stay in his room and told her they could fly to Thailand together in his private jet.

The man was accompanied by three friends - another man and two women.

'We went up to the room. The guys were half-sober, they had just come from a party. And overall, everything went well throughout the day. We talked, discussed our trip to Thailand.

'I even called my mum, said that everything was fine, the guys were normal. I called in their presence, to be on the safe side.

But things took dark turn the next day, when the men started to behave aggressively towards her, she says.

'They were drinking very strong alcohol, like whiskey. They started to tease me, like, why don't I drink.

'Then there were some aggressive pushes... ''You belong to us. We'll do whatever we want''.'

'I tried to take it as a joke, because it was really weird.

'They started behaving inappropriately, smashing bottles on the floor.

Maria explained that the horrific ordeal unfolded when she missed a flight from Dubai for Thailand after she overslept

She said that she bumped into a Russian man she had met at a karaoke bar once before and joined him and his friends before things took a dark turn

'After that, they took my personal belongings, which included my passport.'

Maria added that the men had 'hinted' that they wanted to have sex with her, which she did not reciprocate.

As things escalated, Maria tried to escape but said the men ultimately dragged her back into the room.

When they stepped out onto the balcony, she managed to flee and hid at a nearby construction site.

The men then found her and 'beat her', she said.

'I ran away. Then, already on the street, when I was, I didn't see them anymore, but I knew they were coming,' said Maria.

'I ran to the nearest building, just scared, and ran in, hid there. It was just an unfinished building.'

Maria said she doesn't remember the violence itself that led to her injuries, and CCTV footage has since been erased, she said.

'Three months have passed - the police waited until the cameras were automatically wiped [after this period]. So now there's no evidence,' said Maria.

Maria is pictured here after the attack in a hospital in Dubai

Maria had been missing for eight days after telling her friends she had been invited to a party at a hotel

Maria is pictured here before her horrific ordeal

'Most likely, there was a blow to the head, I suppose. The next scene [that] I remember is me asking for help from a passing car, which had already stopped and called an ambulance and the police.

She had fled wearing only a hotel robe.

'I think that maybe I was thrown. Or it was a beating. One of two options, the injuries looked like either a beating or a fall.'

The men accused by Maria were both briefly detained by police in Dubai- but only for one day.

There appear to be no charges against them.

Maria told her friends she had been invited to a party at a hotel on March 9, and promptly dropped out of contact with them.

Ten days later, it emerged she had been discovered a week prior, battered, bloodied and dumped at a roadside in Dubai with her limbs and spine broken.

Maria was rushed to hospital and underwent three surgeries to save her life, before later receiving a fourth procedure.

The model is now confined to a wheelchair but is slowly learning to walk again.
A pilot and passenger were rushed to hospital after a plane crashed and overturned on a runway.

Emergency services arrived at Swansea Airport last week after a 'pilot error' caused the light aircraft to flip.

South Wales Police confirmed that both the pilot, an 84-year-old man, and his passenger, a 78-year-old woman, did not suffer serious injuries.

Mid and West Fire and Rescue service crews were at the scene for more than an hour.

The pair were taken to Morriston Hospital nearby.

A spokeswoman for the fire service said: 'At 4.28pm on Saturday, July 19, crews from Swansea west and Swansea central fire stations were called to an incident at Swansea Airport.

'Crews responded to a light aircraft overturned on the runway.

'Two casualties were reported and left in the care of the ambulance service.

A pilot and passenger were rushed to hospital after a plane crashed and overturned on a runway. Emergency services arrived at Swansea Airport (pictured) last week after a 'pilot error' caused the light aircraft to flip

South Wales Police confirmed that both the pilot, an 84-year-old man, and his passenger, a 78-year-old woman, did not suffer serious injuries

'Special Service Core, police and ambulance were also in attendance. Crews left the scene at 5.44pm.'

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) confirmed an investigation has been launched.

A spokesperson for South Wales Police said: 'Officers attended Swansea Airport on Saturday, 19 July at around 4.30pm following a report of an overturned aircraft.

'Neither the pilot, an 84-year-old man from Sketty, or the passenger, a 78-year-old woman from Reading, Berkshire, have sustained any serious injuries.

'The cause of the crash is believed to be pilot error. No concerns were raised regarding the pilot's fitness to fly.'

It comes after a light aircraft crashed after a pilot confused his left and right hands, an investigation has found.

The plane was trying to land when it struck trees and crashed on a congested road of cars outside Aston Down airfield in Gloucestershire last August.

Both men on the Grob 109B motorglider aircraft were injured with the passenger suffering significant spinal injuries that left him in hospital for several days.

The aircraft owner allowed him to take the controls to give him an experience flight.

It was 'inappropriate control inputs' by the passenger that caused the crash, the AAIB said.
A former soldier has been jailed for just 15 years for the brutal murder of his Irish girlfriend at their Spanish holiday hotel.

Keith Byrne, 34, killed mother-one Kirsty Ward by strangling her with hair straightener power cord after she told him she was leaving him and was found guilty of the crime back in May.

He was today told the two years he has already spent in prison on remand and as a convicted felon will qualify as time served.

The sentencing decision, revealed overnight in a 121-page ruling by the judge who presided over Byrne's trial at a court in the east coast Spanish city of Tarragona, means he could be back out on the streets in around a decade.

Public prosecutors had demanded a 20 year jail sentence for the Irishman after a jury convicted him in May of strangling his partner Kirsty to death at their four-star hotel in the popular Costa Daurada resort of Salou on July 2, 2023.

A private prosecutor for Kirsty's family said after the guilty verdict she was still seeking the 30-year sentence she argued for before and during the trial.

Sentencing judge Susana Calvo Gonzalez ruled the fact Bryne and his 36-year-old partner had been in a stable eight-month relationship made the horror crime more serious.

But she said the convicted killer's consumption of alcohol and drugs before he murdered Kirsty diminished his cognitive faculties and was a prevailing mitigating factor.

Former soldier Keith Byrne, 34, has been jailed for just 15 years for the brutal murder of his Irish girlfriend

Byrne killed other-one Kirsty Ward by strangling her with hair straightener power cord after she told him she was leaving him

The couple had been staying at the four-star Magnolia Hotel in the popular Costa Daurada resort of Salou

The judge said in her lengthy ruling: 'I understand that there is a prevailing basis for imposing the lower penalty and, therefore, imposing a sentence of between seven years and six months and 15 years.

'Within that range, the recognition of the aggravating circumstance and the motivation for the actlead to the imposition of the maximum penalty, which is 15 years in prison.'

Jurors found Keith Bryne guilty of murdering his South Dublin girlfriend on May 7 after three days of deliberations.

The 34-year-old, who served in the Irish Guards and Parachute Regiment before abandoning his post in Colchester, Essex had claimed during his Tarragona trial the mum-of-one committed suicide at the four-star Magnolia Hotel.

He described himself as a 'respectful and intelligent' father-of-three who would never commit an act of domestic violence - and demonised Kirsty as someone who could be 'four people in one day' especially after binging on alcohol and cocaine he claimed made their romance 'toxic'.

Kirsty's mum Jackie Ward described Byrne as someone she 'didn't like' and 'didn't trust' on day one of the trial on April 23 and said she had found out after her daughter's death she had planned to leave him during their 'make or break' holiday.

She was asked as she gave evidence whether she thought her daughter, whose son Evan was 14 when she died, could have committed suicide but replied angrily: 'She did everything for her son. She would never ever leave him. She would never do that to him.'

Public prosecutor Javier Goimil, a domestic violence specialist, rubbished Byrne's court claim that Kirsty took her own life during his closing speech to the jury last Wednesday on the final day of the murder trial.

Ms Ward had planned to leave Byrne during their 'make or break' holiday and had a ticket booked to return home to Dublin on July 4 2023, her mother said

In a statement, the family of Ms Ward thanked the jury for 'seeing and believing in what was the truth about our beautiful Kirsty'

He claimed the former soldier, who had been living in Duleek, Co Meath, decided: 'You're mine or you're nobody's' and strangled his girlfriend to death because she wanted out of their stormy relationship.

He said the forensic evidence pointed to Kirsty had been strangled from behind between 8pm and 10pm on July 2 2023 after 'incapacitating herself' with alcohol and cocaine

He told the court: 'Byrne has adapted his version of events of what happened in that timeframe nearly two years on in accordance with the evidence he's learnt there is against him.

'He's saying Kirsty tied a cable round her neck and attached it to the door knob but in the state she was in it would have been impossible for her to do that and there's nothing showing there was a knot in the cable.

'What's occurred here is a violent and painful death, a strangulation from behind where someone is pulling from the front to the back. This was not a suicide.'

He added: 'She didn't leave a note for her son or her siblings or her mum and what's more she had bought a plane ticket back to Dublin for July 4.

'Kirsty's relationship with Byrne was very toxic, very intense and very emotional.

'She decided to end it during the week they stayed at the hotel in Salou and her partner couldn't accept that decision.

'His mindset at that moment was: 'Or you're mine or you're nobody's. You, woman, are no-one to say you're going to detach yourself from me the man and have your own independent life.

'That was why he killed her the way he did.'

He also said the amount of alcohol Kirsty had drunk before being killed would have impacted significantly on her ability to defend herself.

Byrne's defence lawyer Jordi Cabre had been seeking his client's acquittal before the jury verdict and afterwards asked the judge to hand down the 'minimum sentence' under Spanish law.

The killer was led handcuffed from the court after learning he was now a convicted criminal after nearly two years on remand in prison following his arrest, with the judge deferring sentencing as is normal in Spain.

It emerged following Byrne's arrest the day of his crime that he was wanted in England by Royal Military Police for going absent without leave after he left for Ireland in 2017.

He transferred to Colchester-based 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, a batallion-sized formation of the British Army's Parachute Regiment, after leaving the Irish Guards.

Reports in Ireland last March said Spanish prosecutors intended to interview at least two of his former partners about assisting the case by giving background information about him.

One of these women previously claimed in an interview with the Irish Independent that Byrne had tried to strangle her in an incident at a property in Co Meath a number of years ago.

Jackie Ward described her daughter after her death as a 'fantastic friend' to her parents and 'an absolutely adored daughter.'

She told the congregation at the Church of John the Evangelist in Ballinteer, Dublin in July 2023 that she had been an amazing mum to Evan, saying: 'The two of them were an amazingly strong and tight team and I hope to continue the great work she has done.

'To me she was a fantastic friend and an absolutely adored daughter to myself and John. She was a caring sister, a cherished granddaughter and much loved niece and cousin. A loyal and true friend.'

Kirsty's family said in a statement after the May 7 jury verdict: 'Our family wish to thank our private prosecutor Estela Cortes and her team for guiding, supporting and representing Kirsty, her son and our family at this very difficult and painful time; Javier Goimil the public prosecutor for his commitment and passion; the Spanish investigation teams and police for their expertise, empathy and understanding; and the jury for seeing and believing in what was the truth about our beautiful Kirsty.

'Our family now requests our privacy be respected, while we grieve and come to terms with all that has happened during the past two years.'

The Irishwoman's loved ones have yet to react to the sentencing decision.

As well as a 15-year prison sentence, Byrne was also handed a restraining order preventing him contacting Kirsty's teenage son, mum or siblings or going within 1,000 metres of them for a period of 25 years.

He was also ordered to pay her son 150,000 euros in compensation, her mum 80,000 uros and each of her siblings 20,000 euros.

The sentencing ruling can be appealed. It is not yet clear whether Kirsty's family have already lodged an appeal with Catalonia's High Court of Justice or intend doing so.
A grandmother has been banned from Asda after she was allegedly caught switching yellow stickers on a 'pack of bacon'.

Jan Rhodes, 67, can no longer enter the store on Hall Road in Norwich, Norfolk, over the next three years despite having shopped there since it first opened in 2015.

Bosses say they caught Ms Rhodes red-handed swapping the stickers in order to save cash.

But the 67-year-old has denied all wrongdoing. She explained: 'I went in to buy three things and while I was there, the security came up to me and said I wasn't allowed in anymore.

'I've never done that [switch stickers].

'I'm angry and I'm upset. I used to go in there all the time. I know loads of them in there. I just want to prove them wrong.'

Her partner, Rob Gillies, said one of the misappropriated items mentioned to Ms Rhodes by Asda staff was a pack of bacon.

He said this had been purchased the day before his partner was told she was banned.

Jan Rhodes, 67, can no longer enter the store on Hall Road in Norwich, Norfolk, over the next three years despite having shopped there since it first opened in 2015

Bosses say they caught Ms Rhodes red-handed swapping the stickers in order to save cash

Ms Rhodes' partner, Rob Gillies, left, said one of the misappropriated items mentioned to Ms Rhodes by Asda staff was a pack of bacon

Mr Gillies said: 'She bought it the same day it was expiring. I went back with the bacon to show them.'

Ms Rhodes's stepdaughter, Leanne Hutchings, said she had also been to the store to plead her stepmother's case.

She added: 'They say she's been doing it for a prolonged period of time.

'I explained saying that this is a case of mistaken identity. They also said she's been abusive. She would never be nasty to someone.'

A spokesman for Asda said: 'We ask all customers to treat our colleagues and stores with respect and do not tolerate any form of abuse.

'While banning a customer is always a last resort, this decision was taken due to repeated disruptive and abusive behaviour.'

It is not the first time a pensioner has got into trouble with Asda. Last year 68-year-old Andrew Oliver demanded an apology after he was barred from a store in Sittingbourne Kent.

The full-time carer was attempting to rush out of the supermarket having received a call from his wife that she was struggling to breathe.

It is not the first time a pensioner has got into trouble with Asda. Pictured: The Asda store on Hall Road in Norwich, Norfolk

But workers tried to stop him from using the travelator as there was a chair in front of it that prevented people going down.

After escaping to tend his wife he later returned to the store, and was informed he had been banned for four weeks.

The pensioner admitted he had been verbally abusive.

In October 2024 it emerged a disabled woman had been banned from every Asda in the UK.

Elanor Maxey, 32, was told she couldn't bring her dog Genie into any branch of the supermarket after an argument with one of the shop's security guards in Bexleyheath.

The woman claimed she was branded 'rude' by the female member of staff and told she was breaching the Data Protection Act by recording the incident.

Asda later apologised to Ms Maxey and reversed the decision to have her barred.
Famed martial arts fighter Aaron 'Tex' Johnson was seen in shocking footage flying into a frenzy on a Southwest jet as stunned passengers pleaded for him to get off the plane.

Johnson, 33, a professional Brazilian Jui Jitsu fighter, was booted off the flight after screaming at crewmembers and passengers in a furious outburst.

It is unclear what triggered the episode, with footage shared by one witness beginning with Johnson being confronted by several people on board all yelling 'off' at him.

'I have to get my bag,' Johnson replied, and after he was handed his luggage, he turned to a man and saying: 'You're a loser.'

'You started this,' he continued.

Fellow passengers all cheered 'bye' as Johnson grabbed his bag and walked to the front of the plane, applauding as he began to disembark.

But as the fighter made his way to the door, Johnson turned and began screaming in the face of two female flight attendants, repeating: 'Abuse! Abuse!'

It is unclear if Southwest Airlines have taken any action over the shocking incident, and Daily Mail has contacted the airline for comment.

Famed martial arts fighter Aaron 'Tex' Johnson was seen in shocking footage flying into a frenzy on a Southwest jet as stunned passengers pleaded for him to get off the plane

Johnson was seen berating crewmembers and passengers in the outburst, calling them 'losers' and screaming in one travelers face: 'You're a f***ing piece of s***'

As he was booted from the plane, Johnson turned and continued his shocking episode at crewmembers by the door, at one point yelling in a female flight attendant's face: 'Abuse! Abuse!'

Welcome to the no fly list pic.twitter.com/dm0xee4FyT  The Black Tucker Carlson Jr  (@B1TuckerCarlson) July 23, 2025

After Johnson screamed in the flight attendants faces as he was kicked off the plane, it appears that the unruly passenger continued his altercation in the jet bridge.

One of the female flight attendants at the door could be seen yelling: 'Don't touch her! Don't touch her!'

The altercation on the bridge continued for over a minute as Johnson, out of sight of the camera on board, could be heard howling outside.

In his rant, Johnson could be heard saying, 'Call a lawyer' and telling a passenger 'You're a f***ing piece of s***.'

In separate footage taken by a witness inside the airport terminal, Johnson was seen restrained to a stretcher and being escorted by police officers.

It is not clear why Johnson was on a stretcher, with the witness who filmed his second outburst commenting that he was 'tweaking out.'

As he was wheeled in the stretcher, Johnson yelled: 'This is bulls***... bulls***.'

'I am being treated like a black person right now,' he added.

In separate footage taken by a witness inside the airport terminal after Johnson was escorted from the plane, the fighter was seen continuing his outburst from a stretcher, yelling: 'This is bulls***... I am being treated like a black person right now'

Johnson is an International Brazilian jiu-jitsu Federation (IBJJF) 3x Pan American No-Gi Champion, but owns a mixed record as a professional fighter with 84 wins and 67 losses

Johnson took to social media after footage of the plane outburst went viral, sharing footage of his rant along with dozens of stories of motivational quotes.

He also shared an image of himself enjoying an ice cream, seeming to show that he was not taken into custody after the rant.

In another Instagram story on Wednesday, he shared an image of his hand tattoo and captioned it: 'That's the motto - Nobody moves nobody gets hurt.'

Johnson is an International Brazilian jiu-jitsu Federation (IBJJF) 3x Pan American No-Gi Champion, but owns a mixed record as a professional fighter.

He has 84 wins across his career, offset by 67 losses.

According to BJJ Heroes, a fighting outlet for Brazilian jiu-jitsu, he is known for his 'aggressive and submission-oriented style', and he has 'submitted some of the sports biggest stars.'

Johnson took to social media after footage of the plane outburst went viral, sharing footage of his rant along, dozens of stories of motivational quotes, and a story of him enjoying an ice cream

In another Instagram story on Wednesday, he shared an image of his hand tattoo and captioned it: 'That's the motto - Nobody moves nobody gets hurt'

Johnson has faced several controversies in his fighting career, including being kicked out of his training camp in North Carolina in 2018.

When asked why he was booted from his training camp by trainer Lucas Lepri, he told BJJ Heroes that he was caught teaching at another gym, and said Lepri also had issues with him being 'too aggressive.'

In 2019, he also pulled out of a high-profile fight when he entered rehab.

Johnson did not say what he went to rehab for, and said at the time that he pulled out of the Fight 2 Win 108 event to refocus.

'I will be spending time with my wife and getting my mind better for a return to competition. Thank you everyone for all the amazing support,' he wrote on Instagram.

In 2021, he also sued fighter Orlando Sanchez after suffering a severe spinal cord injury.

According to a press release at the time from his attorneys, they said it was sustained against Sanchez, a fighter with a 'reputation for fighting dirty.'

He alleged that Sanchez illegally slammed him into the mat when he placed him in a submission hold, suffering 'permanent' injuries to his spine.

The status of the lawsuit is unclear, however Johnson has not had a professional fight since.
A Brazilian mother has claimed she was repeatedly raped by police officers in front of her newborn baby for nine months after being held as a sex slave in a prison cell.

The 29-year-old woman said officers took it in turns to abuse her at a police station in Santo Antonio do Ica in the rural state of Amazonas.

A lawyer acting for the woman, who is part of Amazonian Kokama indigenous community, said the attacks began after she was arrested and accused of domestic violence against her husband.

But when she was taken to the remote police station, officers threw her in a cell with male inmates and told her there was an outstanding warrant for her arrest.

She then allegedly became a sex slave to the officers who systematically raped her until she was released in August 2023.

The woman is now demanding nearly 67,000 in compensation from the state for the horrific abuse she suffered.

According to an affidavit, the woman's ordeal was so traumatic that she tried to kill herself several times.

'The psychological damages of the gang rape committed in the presence of the newborn and during the period of imprisonment caused her permanent damage,' the document said.

A Brazilian woman has claimed police officers took it in turns to rape her as she was held in a cell for nine months. Pictured: Alleged rape victim crammed into the same cell as male inmates, undated

Picture shows the police station Santo Antonio do Ia, in the interior of Amazonas in Brazil, where the horror reportedly took place

Additionally, the level of abuse she suffered was so physically brutal that two years later she continues to suffer from uncontrollable bleeding in the uterus, her legal team said.

'The physical pain acquired as a result of sexual violence is added to the deep psychological wound that marked the Plaintiff's soul.

'The depression, the suicide attempts inside the prison and the constant fear are silent witnesses to the barbarity suffered.'

Lead attorney Dacimar de Souza Carneiro noted that the abuse happened everywhere in the station - from the cell to the kitchen and even in the weapons arsenal.

'The rapes happened at night, during shifts. In all areas of the police station. The other prisoners didn't say anything because they were also tortured.'

And when she begged them not to rape her in front of her baby son, cops reportedly told her: 'We're the ones in charge here.'

When she was not being raped, the document alleges that she was locked in the police station's only cell with other men and lived in constant fear of further attacks.

The victim identified four military police officers and a municipal guard as the perpetrators.

She was only spared when she was transferred to a women's jail in August 2023, and she told wardens about what had happened to her.

The Amazonas Public Security Secretariat and the Civil Police say they are investigating her allegations.
A gang of male and female pedophiles subjected children as young as three to horrific sexual abuse in a nightmarish underground bunker, police alleged.

The group of seven has been accused of abusing victims, aged between three and 15, with shock collars to the genitals and rape inside a grimy storm bunker in Brent, according to ABC 33/40 News.

At least two of the victims were found performing sexual acts on each other, according to AL.com.

'Ive been in law enforcement for 33 years and this is absolutely the most horrible thing Ive ever seen when it comes to the victimization of children,' Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade said at a press conference on Wednesday.

'I know Gods forgiveness is boundless, but if there is a limit, weve reached it.'

William Chase McElroy, 21; Dalton Terrell, 21; Timothy St. John, 23; and Ricky Terrell, 44, are facing rape charges, among others, for allegedly sexually abusing small children.

Three others - Andres Trejo-Velazquez, 29; Rebecca Brewer, 29; and Sara Louis Terrell, 41 - were also arrested in connection to the crimes.

The team of seven, whose victims include some of their own children, used an underground bunker to hide their crimes and the inside of it was straight out of a nightmare.

A total of seven people have been arrested in Alabama for abusing children, including some of their own. The outside of the bunker had a shabby roof, stained siding, and a desolate appearance. The victim range between the ages of three and 15

A lone stained mattress with no sheets or blankets was seen stuffed in a corner of the barren and dirty room. A metal chair was placed beside the bed, alongside a standing fan. The only other items in the room were another chair, a small set of drawers

A lone stained mattress with no sheets or blankets was seen stuffed in a corner of the barren and dirty room. A metal chair was placed beside the bed, alongside a standing fan.

The only other items in the room were another chair, a small set of drawers with an old-looking convection oven with a built-in coffee spot on top and uncovered lightbulbs.

The outside of the bunker, which was located near a family member of McElroy, didn't look any better in repair with a shabby roof, stained siding, and a desolate appearance.

The suspects would allegedly arrange and pay for the children and abuse them inside the storm bunker.

The group also allegedly used a shock collar on the children's genitals as a form of punishment and for sexual pleasure, court documents said.

Police began investigating the group in early February after a tip from the Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR) 'following concerns regarding the sexual abuse of children in an underground bunker located in Brent.'

After they were discovered, the children allegedly told investigators that McElroy had abused them, taught them sexual acts and what they did to each other, Assistant District Attorney Bryan Jones said.

The children were subjected vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse, and oral sex.

William Chase McElroy, 21, (left) who appeared to have shaved since going to jail, and Timothy St. John, 23, (right) face rape charges, among others

Ricky Terrell, 44, (left) and Dalton Terrell, 21, (right) who appeared to have shaved his head and beard while in jail. also face rape charges, among others

'He would tie one child to the bed, one child to a chair and one to one of the support poles,' Jones said of Velazquez-Trejo, whose citizenship is now being investigated.

Velazquez-Trejo has also been accused of using a white powder in the children's drinks to drug them. He also allegedly sold nude images of the children.

'As bad as it sounds with [Velazquez-Trejo] drugging them, it may be a blessing in disguise because they dont remember a lot of things,' Jones said.

'Im hopeful though that they wont have near the trauma they would have had if they had not been drugged.'

The group also sold the children for up to $1,000 a night to abusers. Dalton paid at least two adults to use the children, who are now three, six, eight, and 10.

And at least one of the seven has been connected to a Mexican gang that uses sex trafficking as its main source of income.

St. John has also been accused of having sex with a dog.

All the children are now in the custody of DHR. And authorities are still investigating how many children were abused.

Andres Trejo-Velazquez was charged with human trafficking. His citizenship is also being investigated. And at least one member of the group has been connected to a Mexican gang known for using sex trafficking as its main source of income

Sara Louis Terrell, 41, (left) and Rebecca Brewer, 29, (right) were also arrested. Sara was charged with sexual torture and sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old. Brewer was charged with human trafficking, kidnapping, and sexual torture

'Theyre getting the medical help they need, the emotional, psychological help we can best provide them. For the younger kids, Im hoping some of this is a blurry memory,' Wade said.

'You cant heal from this, but you can move on as best you can.'

McElroy was charged with rape, sodomy, and human trafficking.

Dalton was charged with rape, sodomy, human trafficking, and kidnapping.

St. John was charged rape, sodomy, human trafficking, kidnapping, bestiality, and cruelty to animals.

Trejo-Velazquez was charged with human trafficking.

Brewer was charged with human trafficking, kidnapping, and sexual torture.

Ricky was charged with rape.

Sara was charged with sexual torture and sexual abuse of a child less than 12 years old.

They are expected back in court for their arraignment in August.
Kaylee Goncalves was so badly mutilated by Bryan Kohberger's murderous knife attack that she looked 'unrecognizable' by the time he'd finished with her.

'I was unable to comprehend exactly what I was looking at while trying to discern the nature of the injuries,' a cop wrote in newly-released files on the 2022 Idaho murders in the wake of Kohberger's sentencing Wednesday.

Goncalves, 21, was stabbed a total of 34 times, with many of those wounds left on her face at the student home where she lived in Moscow.

Unlike Kohberger's other three victims, who only had stab wounds, Golcalves also suffered blunt force injuries.

The distressing new information emerged in previously-sealed Moscow Police Department files into the killings of Goncalves and friends Xana Kenodle, Maddie Mogen and Ethan Chapin.

Another officer on the scene described seeing Kernodle's body on her bedroom covered in blood, with defensive wounds to her hands, including a deep gash between her finger and thumb. She was stabbed more than 50 times.

'It was obvious an intense struggle had occurred,' the officer wrote. 'There was blood smeared on various items in the room and all over the floor.'

Kernodle's boyfriend Chapin was found partially covered with a blanket in her bed, with his jugular severed, the police files said.

Kaylee Goncalves' face was disfigured during Bryan Kohberger's fatal attack, during which she was stabbed more than 30 times

The new information as included in files released by the Moscow Police Department on Wednesday after Kohberger was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday

Left to right: Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke

On the floor above, officers found the bodies of Mogen and Goncalves.

Mogen had wounds to her forearm, hands and a gash from her right eye to her nose.

Both were covered in blood, which had soaked the pink blanket they were sharing.

Kohberger left behind a Ka-Bar leather knife sheath next to Mogen's body.

DNA on the clasp was traced back to the killer using Investigative Genetic Genealogy.

The police files also revealed the victims saw a man lurking in the trees outside their home and found their front door mysteriously open one month before the killer struck.

Goncalves had told at least two friends that she had seen a man watching her in the trees around the home.

Surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen - who bravely spoke out in Wednesdays sentencing hearing - told police Goncalves described seeing the shadow when she took her pet dog Murphy outside.

Kaylee Goncalves had seen the man when she took her pet dog Murphy outside (pictured together)

Mogen and Goncalves were found in Mogen's bed, covered in bloof, per police reports. The two young women were childhood best friends

Another friend echoed this accounts, telling police Goncalves had seen a dark figure staring at her from the tree line when taking Murphy outside.

Mortensen, who was 19 at the time, also recalled one time when she came home to find the door to their three-story house open.

It is not clear if the incidents are related and if it is possible Kohberger was carrying out a practice run for the murders one month later.

It is also unclear if the man Goncalves saw was Kohberger surveilling the victims home, or if he may have broken into the home prior to the night of his attack.

But the details of these bizarre incidents come as prosecutors have been able to confirm Kohberger was surveilling the home for some time.

From July 2022 through to November 13, 2022, Kohbergers phone placed him in the vicinity of the King Road home at least 23 times, mostly at night.

Despite his guilty plea and sentencing, the killer's motive and target for the murders remain a mystery.

The home at 1122 King Road where Kohberger broke in and murdered his victims

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Speaking at a press conference after the sentencing, Moscow Police Corporal Brett Payne told reporters that while they know Kohberger 'targeted' that house, they still don't know why.

'The evidence suggested that there was a reason that this particular house was chosen. What that reason is, we dont know,' he said.

Investigators also remain in the dark about whether one or more of the victims inside the home was his intended target.

On The Case: The Idaho Murders is out now wherever you get your podcasts - be sure to subscribe or follow to never miss an episode.
A woman who mysteriously vanished in California's sweltering Death Valley has miraculously been found alive nearly nine months after she disappeared.

Kelsey Pittman, 33, from North Carolina, was discovered safe in Colorado, authorities announced on Tuesday without providing further details.

Pittman was first reported missing by her family after she stopped communicating with them in November 2024, according to the Inyo County Sheriff's Office.

On February 9, 2025, police received a tip about a suspicious vehicle abandoned near an area frequented by campers known as 'The Pads' or 'Slab City' just off Highway 190.

Police who responded to the scene found Pittman's 2009 Chevrolet HHR, but she was nowhere in sight.

'This led to the initiation of an extensive missing person investigation and search effort,' the sheriff's office said, noting that it coordinated with several law enforcement agencies and employed drones, cadaver dogs and volunteers in the effort.

'Despite exhaustive ground and aerial searches, no additional physical evidence was found at the site,' the sheriff's office said.

Authorities declined to provide additional information.

Kelsey Pittman, 33, from North Carolina , was discovered alive and safe in Colorado nearly nine months after she was reported missing

Panamint Valley looking west along Highway 190 in Death Valley, California

Pittman had last been seen in November 2024 while making contact with law enforcement in Utah

'Out of respect for her privacy and that of her family, no further details will be released,' the statement read.

Pittman had last been seen in November 2024 while making contact with law enforcement in Utah, the sheriff's office said.

She was known to visit the Las Vegas area.

Her mother had stayed in contact with investigators, even visiting the area to help in the initial search.
The student who broke the nose of a police officer in an airport brawl told 'a bare-faced lie' when he claimed he did not realise he was punching a woman, a court heard today.

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, had 'fabricated' a claim of self defence to try to justify his attack on PC Lydia Ward as well as colleagues PC Ellie Cook and PC Zachary Marsden.

Prosecutor Paul Greaney KC urged the jury at Liverpool Crown Court to 'trust their eyes and ears' about what had been revealed in the trial 'and the truth will be clear.'

He said that Amaaz's claim he did not know Ms Ward and Ms Cook were women 'cannot exist in the real world we inhabit'.

The prosecutor said: 'There is simply no justification for Amaaz to use any violence at all against Ms Ward, let alone punch her in the face and break her nose.

'There is simply no justification for Amaaz to use any violence to Ms Cook, let alone punch and elbow her in the face.'

Mr Greaney said in his closing speech that Amaaz had acted 'out of anger and revenge' when he attacked a man in the Starbucks cafe at Manchester airport in July last year.

Mr Greaney said that Amaaz's claims that victim Abdulkareem Ismaeil had threatened him was 'an attempt to conceal the truth' - which was that he attacked a man because he had 'insulted his beloved mother' on a flight from Pakistan.

A trial at Liverpool Crown Court has been shown CCTV of Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, swinging a punch at Manchester Airport - hitting PC Lydia Ward in the nose

Unarmed Ms Ward, who jurors heard is heavily pregnant, last week told of being 'terrified' after coming under attack

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, had 'fabricated' a claim of self defence to try to justify his attack on PC Lydia Ward, Liverpool Crown Court heard

He said that the three police officers who approached Amaaz in the pay station area to arrest him for the Starbucks assault moments earlier were 'doing their duty'.

He said: 'They were entitled to use reasonable force to effect an arrest. It was what they were entitled to do and what their duty required them to do. Any other approach would be plain wrong.

'It is suggested that the officers who walked calmly into the pay station area were a gang of out-of-control individuals.

'We invite you to conclude that there were experienced officers who knew through their training that Amaaz needed to be arrested.'

Mr Greaney said that the prosecution did not 'shy away from' the kick and stamp to Amaaz's head by Mr Marsden, but said it was 'a distraction'.

He said: 'What does that kick, what does that stamp, have anything to do with your task? Does it have anything to do with the question you have to answer? The defence says that they show the officers were out of control from start to finish.

'From all you have seen from the footage and from all you have heard from these three professional officers in the witness box, you can be sure that the suggestion they were out of control is false.'

He said that Muhammed Amaad, the elder brother of Amaaz, 'saw red and mounted a sustained attack' on Mr Marsden during the confrontation sparked by the attempted arrest.

PC Ellie Cook's bruised face after trying to arrest Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, now 20, for allegedly assaulting a passenger at Manchester Airport

He said he had 'pummelled' Mr Marsden, who was slumped on a bench and 'in a position of disadvantage'.

Mr Greaney said that the brothers had not made any comment in the interview after arrest because they had not by then 'fabricated' their claim of self-defence.

He said: 'They have sought to construct a false story to distract you from the truth of what occurred.'

Trial judge Neil Flewitt told the jury earlier in his legal directions that social media reporting of the trial had been 'emotive and inaccurate' and they should put such reports out of their minds and concentrate on the evidence.

He told them: 'You may feel sympathy, upset or even anger. Emotions of that kind must play no part in your deliberations.

'It is essential you put them to one side as they would distract you from your solemn duty. You need an objective and dispassionate appraisal of all the evidence.'

The judge said that the prosecution's case was that the brothers' 'admitted use of force' was offensive and not defensive.

He added: 'The brothers claim they were acting lawfully at all times either in self-defence or in defence of each other.'

Amaaz's brother Muhammad Amaad, 26, is also on trial over the alleged attack at Manchester Airport

PC Ellie Cook, pictured being confronted by Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, dressed in light blue

The judge said that the brothers were allowed to ' use reasonable force ' in self-defence if they believed they were under attack or about to be attacked 'even in the heat of the moment when fine judgements are difficult'.

Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, is charged with assaulting PC Zachary Marsden and PC Lydia Ward, causing them actual bodily harm.

He is also accused of the assault of PC Ellie Cook in the same incident at the terminal's car park pay station and the assault of Abdulkareem Ismaeil, a member of the public, said to have taken place earlier at a nearby Starbucks cafe.

Muhammad Amaad, 26, is also alleged to have assaulted PC Marsden, causing him actual bodily harm.

The brothers, both from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, deny all the charges.

The trial continues.
An American Airlines flight attendant who secretly filmed multiple young girls using a plane lavatory will spend 18-and-a-half years behind bars.

Estes Carter Thompson was arrested in January of last year after a 14-year-old girl discovered he had set up a phone to record those inside the toilet.

Prosecutors said in a sentencing memo that this behavior had been going on for sometime, stretching back to January 2023.

Thompson, from Charlotte, North Carolina, would direct young girls to specific toilets on the aircraft, where he had set up 'a secret recording studio', the memo added.

He pleaded guilty to a count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of images of child sexual abuse depicting a prepubescent minor.

Federal prosecutors had sought a sentence of 20 years behind bars, with five years supervised release, his lawyer had recommended 15 years behind bars.

Judge Julia E. Kobick called his behavior 'appalling' and said his victims' 'innocence has been lost' because of him.

He apologized in on court Wednesday, describing his actions as 'selfish, perverse and wrong.'

Estes Carter Thompson was sentenced to 18-and-a-half years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to setting up the secret recordings

He will serve his time inside FMC Butner in North Carolina. His lawyer said he intends to undergo sex offender-specific treatment.

Thompson was snared after the 14-year-old found his phone while on a flight in September 2023 from Charlotte to Boston.

Investigators said the young girl got up to use the main toilet but discovered it was occupied. Thompson then directed her to the first-class bathroom instead.

She told police that before she entered the bathroom, Thompson told her he needed to wash his hands and that the toilet seat was broken.

After he left, the teen entered the bathroom and saw red stickers on the underside of the toilet seat lid, which was in the open position, officials said.

The stickers had words written in black ink and all caps saying 'inoperative catering equipment,' 'remove from service,' and 'seat broken.'

Thompson had crudely attempted to conceal his cell phone which was recording a video at the time. The girl took a picture of the stickers and phone before leaving.

The girl told her parents, and her father confronted Thompson, who locked himself in the lavatory with his phone before the flight's descent, investigators said.

The iPhone that Thompson had taped to the back of the toilet seat on the flight is seen here

American Airlines said following his arrest that Thompson was 'immediately withheld from service' and hadnt worked for the airline since the phone was discovered

The minor's parents also informed other flight attendants and the captain was notified.

When the flight landed, police said Thompson's phone may have been restored to factory settings while he was locked in the bathroom.

A search of Thompson's iCloud account uncovered four other cases of him recording minors using the lavatory on flights.

They had also found 50 images of a child who had flown as an unaccompanied minor in July of 2023.

Those included snaps of the girl sleeping, as well as hundreds of child sexual abuse images generated by an artificial intelligence.

American Airlines said following his arrest that Thompson was 'immediately withheld from service' and hadnt worked for the airline since the phone was discovered.
Tesla has seen its European sales collapse by one-third this year as the carmaker's boss Elon Musk stirs up controversy across the Continent.

Figures published by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) showed Tesla sold 109,879 vehicles in Europe between January and June.

This was down 33 per cent from the 164,569 vehicles it sold over the same period in 2024 across the EU, EFTA countries and the UK.

Mr Musk, the world's richest man, has been blamed for making Tesla unpopular in Europe due to his political interventions.

He previously allied himself to US President Donald Trump - prior to a dramatic falling-out - and has regularly championed Europe's far-right political parties.

The South African-born billionaire has voiced support for Alternative for Germany (AfD) and National Rally, led by Marine Le Pen, in France.

Mr Musk has also involved himself in British politics and launched a barrage of attacks on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer over issues such as grooming gangs.

He briefly flirted with donating some of his vast riches to Reform UK, but later publicly told party leader Nigel Farage he 'doesn't have what it takes'.

Tesla has seen its European sales collapse by one-third this year as the carmaker's boss Elon Musk stirs up controversy across the Continent

Despite having thrown his support behind Donald Trump's election campaign last year, Mr Musk has since dramatically turned on the US President

Figures published by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) showed Tesla sold 109,879 vehicles in Europe between January and June - down 33% from 2024

In the US, Mr Musk and Tesla have suffered a blow after Mr Trump scrapped tax credits that lowered the cost of electric vehicles in America.

Despite having thrown his support behind Mr Trump's election campaign last year, Mr Musk has since dramatically turned on the US President.

He has been a fierce critic of Mr Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill', which slashed the electric vehicle support, and also the US President's imposition of trade tariffs.

Mr Musk also last month claimed Mr Trump appeared in files relating to the disgraced paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Mr Trump is under increasing pressure from his own supporters to deliver on a campaign promise to release all files related to Epstein.

The US President has accused his voters of falling for what he called a 'radical left' hoax by his opponents to discredit him.

Tesla shares slumped in pre-market trading in the US on Thursday after Mr Musk warned of a 'few rough quarters' ahead for the vehicle manufacturer.

As well as a backlash to Mr Musk's political views and cuts to electric vehicle support in the US, Tesla is facing increasing competition from low-cost rivals in China.

Daniel Binns, global CEO at brand consultancy Elmwood, said: 'Musk is the face of Tesla, and for many people, the brand can't exist outside of his influence.

'So, when his credibility and trust decline, so does the equity of the Tesla brand.

'In parallel, we've seen the EV market rapidly mature and Tesla is no longer the shining star.'
The expulsion of dozens of teenage passengers from a jet in Spain amid reports they were endangering the safety of the flight has sparked a row, with the carrier coming under fire for alleged anti-Semitism.

Some 44 French-Jewish students aged between 10 and 15 and several adults were escorted off Vueling flight V8166 as it waited on the tarmac at Valencia airport yesterday ahead of its return to Paris.

Footage shared to social media appeared to show one adult member of the group being detained by Spanish civil guard officers in the walkway shortly after she was removed from the jet.

It was later revealed that the passengers were members of the Kineret Club, a Jewish summer camp group, and were returning to France after a week-long excursion in Spain.

A statement released by the club alleged that the captain of the flight ordered the removal of the group 'without a valid explanation', adding: 'The use of a few words in Hebrew was clearly enough to trigger an extremely serious, collective, humiliating, and discriminatory measure.

'No other circumstance could explain the treatment inflicted on this group of children.'

The statement, signed by the club's lawyer Julie Jacob, went on to say it would launch a formal complaint and legal action, claiming that the passengers 'were seated, respecting the rules and the staff... they did not pose any disturbance to public order or flight safety'.

This triggered outcry in Israel, with Minister of Diaspora Amichai Chikli accusing Vueling and Spanish law enforcement of antisemitism, saying the kids were removed after 'singing Hebrew songs on the plane' and accusing Vueling staff of declaring Israel a 'terrorist state', without providing evidence.

Footage shared to social media appeared to show one adult member of the group being detained by Spanish civil guard officers in the walkway shortly after she was removed from the jet

It was later revealed that the passengers were members of the Kineret Club, a Jewish summer camp group, and were returning to France after a week-long excursion in Spain

In response, a Vueling spokesperson said the passengers were removed after the minors repeatedly tampered with the plane's emergency equipment and interrupted the crew's safety demonstration.

'A group of passengers engaged in highly disruptive behaviour and adopted a very confrontational attitude, putting at risk the safe conduct of the flight.

'We categorically deny any suggestion that our crew's behaviour was related to the religion of the passengers involved.'

'This group mishandled emergency equipment and actively disrupted the mandatory safety demonstration, repeatedly ignoring instructions from cabin crew.

'Despite multiple warnings, this inappropriate behaviour persisted, which forced the crew to activate established security protocols,' the statement read, adding that Spain's civil guard took the decision to remove the passengers after being notified by the captain.

'We categorically deny any suggestion that our crew's decision related to the religion of the passengers involved. This decision was taken solely to ensure the safety of all passengers,' it said.

Spain's Civil Guard confirmed all the passengers removed from the plane were French nationals.

A Civil Guard spokesperson said the agents involved in the removal operation and the arrest of one member of the party were not aware of the group's religious affiliation.

The woman arrested following her removal from the aircraft was said to be one of the directors of the club, according to Israeli media, but that has not been confirmed.

Pictured: Vueling Airbus A320 airplane at Paris Orly Airport (ORY) in France. The flight was set to leave from Valencia to Paris Orly before it was delayed due to the expulsion of the passengers

Vueling shared a lengthy statement rejecting allegations of anti-Semitism

Club Kineret alleged in its statement that it had collected written statements from other passengers on the plane 'confirming that the children did not pose a threat to public order or flight safety'.

It also said that the group was expelled from the flight 'without care, escort, accommodation or food'.

The Civil Guard said 23 minors and two adults from the group boarded a flight belonging to another airline, while the rest spent Wednesday night at a hotel.

A spokesperson said arrangements were being made for them to leave Valencia later on Thursday.

The Federation for Jewish Communities of Spain today expressed concern about the incident, calling on Vueling to provide documentary evidence of what happened on the plane.

'The various accounts circulating on social media and in the media to which we have had access do not clarify the cause of the incident,' the organisation said.

'We are particularly interested in clarifying whether there were any possible religiously discriminatory motives toward the minors.'
An electronic tablet believed to be linked to Melina Frattolin, the nine-year-old girl who was allegedly murdered by her father, was found dumped in a flower bed, a hotel owner has claimed.

Frattolin's lifeless body was found underneath a log in the shallow end of a pond near Ticonderoga Sunday after her father, Luciano Frattolin, reported her missing the day before.

Luciano, a Canadian CEO, initially told police his child was abducted by someone in a white van in upstate New York, but now cops claim he misled the investigation after they found her dead.

Nearly a week after the little girl's body was discovered, Rob Gregor, the owner of Gregor Hotels in Lake George, said his staff found the device that he believes is tied to Frattolin, in the flowers outside the building just off Exit 22 - the same area Luciano called police to report her missing.

'We looked at a couple other pictures and it looked shockingly similar to, you know, the little girl they were looking for,' Gregor told CBS6.

Although Gregor swears he saw images of Frattolin on the device, a spokesperson with the New York State Police told Daily Mail the 'found tablet had no relevance to the investigation.'

After analyzing the device and determining it was not linked to the little girl, police located its owner and plan to return it, authorities added.

When Gregor first heard of the discovery, he wasn't shocked, as he told the outlet objects often get dumped in the town, especially on a Saturday night.

A tablet believed to have belonged to Melina Frattolin, the nine-year-old girl who was allegedly murdered by her father, was found dumped in a flower bed outside of a Lake George hotel

Rob Gregor, the owner of Gregor Hotels in Lake George, said he found a device that he believes was Frattolin's in the flowers outside the building just off Exit 22 (pictured) - the same area Luciano called police to report her missing

But when his staff decided to switch it on they found what appeared to be images of her on the screen, he said.

'She plugged in the tablet and the first photographs look very much like the missing girl at the time. She was missing We didn't know that she was deceased  So, I ran over to the hotel,' Gregor recalled.

When asked about the authorities' conclusion on the tablet, Gregor told Daily Mail he's just happy he reported it after believing it was linked to Frattolin.

When patrol officers first looked at it, they said some images looked like her while others looked like a younger girl.

After finding the device, Gregor contacted the authorities, and handed it over to a Warren County Sheriff deputy and the New York State Police.

'They took it into evidence. So that's the last I saw of it,' Gregor told the outlet.

An autopsy ruled that Melina died from asphyxia due to drowning. The manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Luciano, who has been arrested in connection to his daughter's suspicious death, was reportedly spotted running by a witness.

Ticonderoga resident Rebecca Kulickowski said she had tipped police off after saying she spotted a man sprinting through a hilly section of woodland on Saturday night.

Luciano (pictured with his late daughter) initially told police his child was abducted by someone in a white van in upstate New York, but now cops claim he misled the investigation after they found her dead

Gregor said when his staff powered the tablet on they found images that appeared to look like Frattolin. (Pictured: The flower bed the device was found in)

Police released pictures of Luciano's vehicle, a grey 2024 Toyota Prius, as they asked for help in gathering more evidence

She told News10: 'It only caught my eye because as I was driving past the car, I seen a skinny tall guy. And he was running up a hill that he was parked next to and there was wooded area on the bottom of it.

'I just didnt feel right, there was something about him, I dont know, our eyes locked when I drove by, he looked at me.'

State Police said they had received over 700 tips from the public after the initial alert was issued.

As part of their investigation, they also released pictures of Luciano's vehicle, a grey 2024 Toyota Prius, as they asked for help in gathering more evidence.

Captain Robert McConnell with the New York State Police said her father, who lives in Montreal, Canada, killed the girl on Saturday night while they were on vacation close to the picturesque town of Lake George, located in the Adirondacks region of New York.

The father and daughter were both in America legally after starting their vacation on July 11. They were due to return to their native Quebec on Sunday.

Luciano initially called the local Warren County Sheriff's Office claiming that two men in a white van had abducted his daughter.

An AMBER alert was ssued by New York State Police around 10pm, as they advised the public they believed she was in 'imminent danger.'

Luciano was charged with second-degree murder on Sunday night. The father remains in custody and has pleaded not guilty

Police soon became suspicious of Luciano's story just before locating her body around 2pm Sunday.

He was charged with second-degree murder on Sunday night. The father remains in custody and has pleaded not guilty.

He is being held at the Essex County Correctional Facility and he was spotted in a white prison jumpsuit and shackles while he was hauled into Ticonderoga Town Court on Monday.

The nine-year-old resided full time with her mother and her father visited without limitations. He also had zero criminal record, McConnell said.
A medical student who claimed she was impoverished in order to get a scholarship was busted after her lavish lifestyle was exposed.

Gabriella de Arruda was granted a full scholarship to attend the Evangelical University of Goias in Brazil in 2020 after her and her family claimed to be earning minimum wage.

However she was busted when an audit of her social media accounts revealed she was actually living lavishly - going on luxurious vacations around the world and partying on boats and at music festivals.

The city of Anapolis, which administers the scholarship fund, stopped making payments towards de Arruda's tuition earlier this year and she was unable to register for classes and cover monthly payments of 47,300 Brazilian reals - about $8,570.

The student filed a lawsuit against the university and the city, and had the scholarship reinstated after a court issued an injunction.

The judge removed the court order after noticing discrepancies with de Arruda's, according to Brazilian news outlet Metropoles, which reviewed the court documents.

Lisboa performed a social media search and found de Arruda's TikTok account, where a September 2023 post highlighted her trip to Italy, with stops in Rome and Venice.

A second TikTok video from May 2023 featured a quick trip to Rio de Janeiro.

Other posts on the popular social media platform showed de Arruda partying with her boyfriend on a yacht and attending the Rock in Rio music festival in Rio de Janeiro.

The judge also discovered that de Arruda's mother, Priscilla de Andrade, is the same lawyer who signed her daughter's lawsuit documents.

She earns 8,496,10 reals [around $1,520] as an attorney and an additional $4,400 reals [about $800] as an employee of the state of Goias. The totals are well more than three minimum wages that her parents declared in her daughter's scholarship application.

A Brazilian judge found that medical school student Gabriella de Arruda lied about living in poverty on an application that awarded her a full scholarship to attend the Evangelical University of Goias

Gabriella de Arruda lost her scholarship earlier this year and was unable to register for the semester. The tuition at the private university costs 47,300 Brazilian reals - about $8,570 - a month

Lisboa found that a business owned by de Arruda's mother was listed under the same address as the student, whose records show she was living with her maternal grandparents when she applied to the scholarship.

The judge's findings also showed that the student's father was partner at a real estate company.

He also learned that de Arruda's father, Tiago de Arruda, had been employed by the city agency that administered social insurance program under the administration of former Mayor Roberto Naves.

In addition, the judge discovered that de Arruda's maternal grandfather, Marcos Andrade, is the managing partner of a company that sells construction accessories and supplies, and has a capital of 100,000 reals [around $18,000].

The company's headquarter address matched the address for the student's home and his daughter's business.

Lisboa forwarded the results of his investigation to the Goias state prosecutor's office, which could decide if it wishes to proceed with the case and report the family to the federal finance agency, the equivalent of the IRS in the United States.

The Anapolis City Hall informed Metropoles in a statement that they had set up a committee to go over the scholarship program's measures.

De Arruda with her boyfriend while attending the Rock in Rio music festival in Rio de Janeiro

Gabriella de Arruda was accepted into the medical school program at the Evangelical University of Goias on a full scholarship in 2020

Gabriella de Arruda's TikTok followers were left wondering how she could afford traveling if her family only lived off three minimum salaries

'Since the municipality lacked a database to certify that the recipients met the criteria, only after the committee's work is completed will it be possible to determine the program's future course," the city said in a statement.

De Arruda's TikTok was flooded with messages from curious followers who wanted to know who she maintained a lifestyle of travel while making a living with three minimum salaries.

'My dream is to have the minimum wage that these people have,' one person said.

'These 3 minimum wages were anything but minimum,' another commented.

'The 3 minimum wages are received in dollars, they forgot to do the conversion,' one of her TikTok followers added.
Joe Biden's former chief of staff appeared before congressional investigators to testify in the House Republican's inquiry into the former president's cognitive state.

Ron Klain, 63, appeared on Capitol Hill Thursday morning for a transcribed interview with the House Oversight Committee.

Committee chairman James Comer, R-Ky., has been investigating whether former Biden officials intentionally hid signs of the president's decline.

He is also probing the aide's use of the autopen, an instrument used to sign official documents, like letters, executive actions and possibly even legislation.

The committee seeks to uncover whether orders were signed without the commander-in-chief's full knowledge.

Klain worked as Biden's White House chief of staff from January 2021 until February 2023; he also worked as the Democrat's chief of staff when he was vice president.

The ex-chief of staff is the sixth former Biden aide to testify in the probe. He did arrive to his meeting with lawmakers voluntarily - one of three of the ex-staffers to do so.

Biden's senior advisors Annie Tomasini and Anthony Bernal, along with ex-White House doctor Kevin O'Connor, were all forced to testify after being subpoenaed.

Biden's former chief of staff Ron Klain walking into his transcribed interview with the House Oversight Committee on Thursday morning

President Joe Biden introduces Ron Klain, chief of staff, during an official transition event to thank Klain for his work at the White House

All three of them pleaded their pleaded the fifth amendment protections in recent weeks.

Comer has released some video of their testimony where they repeat the same legal jargon when asked questions about the 82-year-old former president.

Peppered with questions from the press when walking into the meeting, Klain, flanked with staffers, did not answer.

On the other hand, he was cooperative and spoke cordially with the panel, lawmakers exiting the session told reporters.

'He answered every single question,' Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna of California told reporters. 'He was fully cooperative.'

'Unlike the other Biden officials the committee has deposed, Klain is not asserting any executive privilege or invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination,' Arizona Republican Rep. Andy Biggs wrote on X after exiting the room. 'He is answering the Committee's questions accordingly.'

But there's still more to be uncovered, the Arizona Republican added, including questions stemming from a recent Hunter Biden interview about whether his father was given sleeping medication by his staff before his June 2024 debate with Trump.

'I still have many unanswered questions regarding who was running the country and Joe Biden's mental and physical acuity, especially in light of Hunter Biden's revelation that his father was being drugged with Ambien,' Biggs wrote.

Ex-President Joe Biden, left, and Annie Tomasini, deputy chief of staff, walk on the South Lawn of the White House before boarding Marine One in Washington, D.C., on April 19, 2024

A source familiar with the interview told the Daily Mail that Klain was unaware whether Biden took Ambien the evening before the June 2024 presidential debate.

But Klain did say that 'the president appeared tired and ill before the debate.'

'Mr. Klain stated President Biden's memory got worse,' over the course of his presidency, the source said, adding the former chief of staff admitted that 'Biden was less energetic and more forgetful but he still had the acuity to govern.'

Klain told lawmakers how Hillary Clinton and Biden's former National Security Advisor told him that the president was not 'politically viable' in 2024, the source said.

'Sullivan told Klain that Joe Biden was less effective in 2024 compared to 2022.'

The last Biden aide to sit for questioning, Tomasini, invoked her right to remain silent and avoid incrimination during her closed-door interview with the Republican-led committee last Friday.

'Sullivan told Klain that Joe Biden was less effective in 2024 compared to 2022,' a source told the Daily Mail

Tomasini's interview lasted less than an hour and videos show she did not answer any reporter questions on her way in or out of the private session.

A video of the transcribed interview published by Comer showed Tomanisi repeatedly invoking her right to remain silent.

Comer has called the cover-up a 'historic scandal.'

Earlier this month, the Kentucky congressman accused Dr. O'Connor of a conspiracy to 'cover up' Biden's cognitive decline.

O'Connor cited provider-patient privilege as his reason for pleading the fifth.

His lawyer, ahead of his testimony, expressed concern about what O'Connor would be able to say without violating doctor-patient confidentiality laws.

The physician was in charge of Biden's annual physical and repeatedly deemed Biden fit to hold office.

Republicans charge the former president's inner circle engaged in a conspiracy to hide cognitive decline, which eventually forced him out of his 2024 re-election bid.
Lara Trump will not seek a seat in the U.S. Senate for her home state of North Carolina, a spokesperson for the president's daughter-in-law told the Daily Mail.

Instead, she will support her former colleague and Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman Michael Whatley in his bid for the seat.

'Lara worked side by side with Whatley at the RNC for this big election victory last November. North Carolina will be lucky to have him,' a spokesperson said.

In reality, Trump's decision to pass on the marquee race is a considerable setback for Republicans, who will instead have to settle for a much less splashy candidate that lacks the powerful surname of the sitting president.

The former RNC co-chair is choosing to remain in her current lucrative media role hosting her interview-based show My View with Lara Trump, which airs on Fox News on Saturday nights.

Lara Trump lives in Florida with her husband, Eric, and their two children Luke, 7, and Carolina, 5. She is oftentimes spotted in Washington, D.C. conducting interviews with administration officials to air on her weekend show.

She kept her future options open, however, saying: 'While I am not running in this election, my passion for Making America Great Again burns brightly, and I look forward to the future, wherever that leads.'

It's expected that President Trump will back Whatley's bid for a U.S. Senate seat representing North Carolina in the upper chamber.

President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law Lara Trump (pictured) is not seeking a U.S. Senate seat for North Carolina

Instead, she will back former colleague and RNC Chairman Michael Whatley (left), who is expected to soon formally announce his bid for the Senate seat

After the 2024 election, it was rumored Lara was also considering making a bid for Sen. Marco Rubio's open seat in Florida when he was chosen to become Trump's secretary of state.

But in December 2024, Lara announced that she would not take on the role and shortly after that her new Fox show was announced.

Speaking with the Daily Mail in January, Lara disclosed that her father-in-law 'was a little upset' when she said she wouldn't seek a U.S. Senate seat for Florida.

'The only person that Donald Trump wanted to see there was probably me,' she explained.

Although now a Florida resident, Lara is originally from North Carolina.

Sen. Thom Tillis announced in June he would not seek reelection as he laid out objections to the president's 'Big Beautiful' tax and spending bill, earning the ire of the MAGA base which threatened to oust him.

Republicans are desperate to hold onto their House and Senate majorities in the 2026 midterm elections and North Carolina is one of the critical swing states on the map.

While the state has fell consistently in the Republican column in recent years, Democrats believe the open Tillis seat is one of their best chances for a pick-up.

After her time as RNC co-chair, Lara launched an interview-style show with Fox News called My View with Lara Trump, which airs Saturday nights. Pictured: Lara interviews President Trump's Chief of Staff Susie Wiles

Lara and Eric Trump live in Florida with their two children, Lucas, 7, and Carolina, 5

Whatley's imminent candidacy was first reported by Politico.

Former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is also expected to launch a bid, setting the two up for a high-stakes, high-cost general election match-up.

Whatley was elected RNC chair in March 2024. He led the party alongside co-chair Lara Trump to sweeping GOP victories in last year's elections.

Whatley's donor connections will help launch him to the Senate seat in what could be one of the most expensive races in next year's midterms.

It's unclear whether Whatley's candidacy will generate the level of excitement among the MAGA base that a Lara Trump campaign would have guaranteed.
A mother who was found dead with her 18-year-old disabled daughter had refused help from a number of agencies prior to their deaths, an inquest has heard.

Alphonsine Leuga, 47, and Loraine Choulla, 18, are believed to have died 'weeks to months' before their bodies were tragically discovered inside their home on Hartley Road in Radford, Nottingham, on May 21, 2024.

Ms Leuga, originally from Cameroon, is believed to have died of pneumonia of an uncertain cause, while her daughter's cause of death is set to be determined during an inquest.

Now, Nottingham Coroners' Court has heard how Ms Leuga refused help from members of the council who tried to access her property to assist with issues such as damp and mould for up to three years before her death.

The mother-of-two had originally relocated to the UK from Italy in 2016 with daughters Elvira Choulla and Loraine, who suffered from Down Syndrome and relied on her mother for food and hydration.

Elvira, who told Nottingham Coroners' Court that she had left the family home in 2022, initially said that she maintained a 'happy and healthy' relationship with her mother and would visit the pair up to four times a week.

However, the relationship 'began to deteriorate' after Ms Leuga took Loraine on a two-month holiday to Africa in July 2023 without informing Elvira.

The pair then began to speak 'less and less', with Elvira only seeing her mother and sister 'every few weeks'.

Alphonsine Leuga, 47, and Loraine Choulla, 18 (both pictured) who suffered from Down Syndrome and relied on her mother for food and hydration, likely died 'weeks to months' before their bodies were tragically discovered inside their home on Hartley Road in Radford, Nottingham, on May 21, 2024

Now, Nottingham Coroners' Court has heard how Ms Leuga (pictured) had refused members of the council access to her property to assist with issues such as damp and mould for up to three years before her death

Having last seen Ms Leuga and Loraine in November 2023, Elvira told the court: 'I got a text from her in the last week of January (2024) when she asked me for money for food and taxis.

'I transferred her some money but, after this date, I asked her in late January if she and Loraine were OK and she replied with a thumbs up, nothing further was said.'

After being unable to make contact with her mother over the phone, Elvira said she tried to visit the home on multiple occasions in early 2024 - twice in February, once in March and once in April 2024.

On April 18, Elvira said she attended the address in the hopes of giving her mother money for a birthday cake for Loraine, who was set to turn 19 the following day.

There, she was met with an 'overgrown' front lawn alongside a house 'in darkness' with 'no signs of life'.

However, she was hesitant to report the pair as missing given that her mother would often travel for months at a time to Cameroon or Italy, bringing Loraine with her.

A close friend, who also visited the property, reported there being no signs of anyone in the home, but claimed to have seen the pair in the first few weeks of 2024.

Kathy Sheldon, assistant director of tenancy at Nottingham City Council, said that Ms Leuga had initially engaged with council services and attended maintenance appointments.

Pictured: the home in Radford, Nottingham, where the pair's lifeless bodies were discovered. Ms Leuga's daughter Elvira Choulla said she attended the property on April 18 2024 and was met with an 'overgrown' front lawn alongside a house 'in darkness' with 'no signs of life'

East Midlands Ambulance Service were also said to have missed an opportunity to attend the family's address following a 999 call from Ms Leuga. A pathologist added that it cannot be ruled out that Ms Leuga died on the day of the call, on February 2, 2024. Pictured: tributes left outside of the home in May 2024

However, from January 2021, there were ongoing issues with the mother-of-two allowing access to the property 'on multiple occasions', including for reports of damp and mould, a leak and also an annual gas review.

In October 2023, Ms Leuga reported the heating had not been working since March 2023. Access was not provided for repairs, however, and a further appointment was cancelled by Ms Leuga.

The annual gas safety checks remained incomplete due to Ms Leuga repeatedly not giving access to her property and the gas was cut as a standard procedure in April 2023.

It was left to her to call the council and request for the cap to be removed at her convenience after four failed appointments.

The inquest was also told the mother was in arrears of rent, but deductions from her benefits, including Universal Credit, meant she was not at risk of eviction.

East Midlands Ambulance Service were also said to have missed an opportunity to attend the family's address following a 999 call from Ms Leuga.

She requested an ambulance, telling the call handler 'I need help to my daughter' and 'I'm in the bed, I feel cold and can't move' before cutting off the line, the inquest heard.

Pathologist Dr Stuart Hamilton told the hearing that he could 'not rule out' that Ms Leuga might have died on February 2, 2024 - the day she called 999.

Prior to Ms Leuga's death, she had been in 'critically unwell' in hospital between January 26 and 28, with low iron levels that required a blood transfusion of up to three litres. She was also suffering from a respiratory tract infection.

The court (pictured) heard that Loraine had several health conditions that included difficulty breathing due to her weight and epilepsy. Primarily non-verbal, the teenager was also unable to walk short distances and eat on her own

Both Ms Leuga and Loraine failed to attend 'multiple' doctors appointments from January 2024.

Describing her mother as 'truly loving', Elvira said that Ms Leuga 'took great care of Loraine and was very patient and understanding'.

The court heard that Loraine had several health conditions that included difficulty breathing due to her weight and epilepsy.

Primarily non-verbal, the teenager was also unable to walk short distances and eat on her own, making her 'entirely dependent' on her mother for her hydrational and nutritional needs.

Adding that Loraine 'was very friendly and lovely with everyone', Elvira added: 'She was able to say when she was hungry or needed to go to the toilet, but that was about it.

She always had positive energy around other people and never appeared sad.

'I loved Loraine and I could tell she loved me back. Loraine and I had an amazing relationship and she was and still is my best friend. She was always there for me.'

Between 2018 and 2022, Loraine attended Oak Field School, a special needs school located in Bilborough. However, her mother eventually withdrew her attendance from the school due to feeling that she was being 'neglected'.

In a statement, the school's headteacher explained that Ms Leuga had told the establishment in July that she was taking Loraine to Cameroon for two months for her grandfather's funeral.

However, by October, the pair still had not returned. While she started attending school again in November 2022, the headteacher said that her attendance continued to 'dwindle', with the mother informing her teachers that 'Loraine didn't want to go to school'.

Eventually, her attendance dropped to just four per cent, with Loraine attending only eight days in one year.

The inquest heard that the school made a 'significant number' of attempts to engage with Ms Leuge but that she had wanted Loraine to attend Nottingham College.

The inquest continues.
Progressive 'Squad' leader Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has raised more money than anyone else in the House of Representatives.

The millennial New York Democrat has even raised more cash than Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Trump's closest ally in Congress and the third in line to the presidency.

AOC, 35, has received a whopping $15.4 million dollars this year in donations, Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings show.

Johnson has raised about half of that for his personal campaign, around $8.7 million, according to FEC filings.

There's been wide speculation that she is amassing a major war chest to launch a bid for Senate or even the White House in 2028.

Prediction sites have placed the New York Democrat among the most likely to run for the presidency next election. And the markets think she could even win her party's nomination.

AOC has a 15 percent chance of securing the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, according to Kalshi, only California Gov. Gavin Newsom has higher odds at 20 percent.

Her prospects and popularity have skyrocketed as she has toured the country and pushed back loudly against the Trump administration both in Congress and online.

New York Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has raised over $15 million this year, raising more than any member of Congress

Speaker Mike Johnson has only raised $8.7 million

'AOC has kind of played this second Trump term right,' Democratic strategist Mike Nellis told the Daily Mail. 'While the rest of the D.C. establishment sort of bunkered down and stayed in D.C., she went out there and had those rallies all across the country, and she's really consolidating a good chunk of the Bernie wing.'

'So that's reflected in her numbers,' he added. Her support is more 'intense' than 'deep' though, Nellis said, noting how she's one of the most visible faces of the resistance against Trump.

Earlier this year she toured the country with Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont from February until June where they regularly filled out stadiums, spectacles akin to rallies hosted by President Donald Trump.

Their 'Fighting Oligarchy' tour pulled in well over 100,000 attendees across a dozen states.

'In Q2, AOC raised $5.8m from over 161,000 individual donors and an average donation of just $17,' her campaign manager Oliver Hidalgo-Wohlleben, posted earlier this month. 'In 2025, over 342,000 individual donors have donated to the campaign with only four who have gave the max amount.'

'AOC is one of the few candidates to take zero corporate pac or lobbyist money,' he shared. 'We are 100% grassroots funded.'

Many of her small dollar contributions come from outside her district in Queens. According to FEC filings, the majority of her funding comes from California.

'People willing to call out [President] Trump's corruption and Washington Republicans' extremism the loudest definitely attract the most attention and dollars,' John Lapp, former executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee told the Wall Street Journal.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders share a moment onstage during a rally on March 21, 2025 at Civic Center Park in Denver, Colorado. Sanders And Ocasio-Cortez are holding a series of rallies they are calling the 'Fight Oligachy' tour and will include stops in Tucson and Tempe, Arizona.

The most 'provocative stars in the Democratic party' will raise the most money, he said.

AOC has stepped into the spotlight that Sanders used to occupy in his previous presidential campaigns, a champion for the working class.

She is easily one of the most, if not the most, identifiable progressives in the entire party.

Her frequent attacks aimed at Trump admin officials online, where she denounces their actions on immigration, tariffs, healthcare and virtually every other policy area, have also been a crucial point of resistance for the Democrats.

Trump himself frequently bashes her on his Truth Social app - a badge of honor among Democrats these days - and AOC's accolades are stacking up fast.

'Stupid AOC, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, one of the dumbest people in Congress, is now calling for my Impeachment, despite the fact that the Crooked and Corrupt Democrats have already done that twice before,' the president wrote last month.

'Mr. President, dont take your anger out on me  Im just a silly girl,' AOC wrote back.

'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.'
A 15-year-old boy has been killed after a car crashed into an e-bike on a quiet residential street.

Devon Simmonds was pronounced dead at the scene after the collision in Middleton, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday at around 11.55am.

Police have since been called to numerous reports of 'disorder' on the Langley estate in the days after, where 'hundreds' of people have gathered to pay tribute to the teenager.

Fireworks were set off at a shopping precinct throughout the night, with residents claiming some were thrown at cars as firefighters attended the scene.

Terrence King, 59, was arrested following the incident and appeared today at Manchester Magistrates' Court charged with Devon's murder.

He stood in the dock dressed in a grey top and grey pants and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address.

King, of Middleton, was not required to enter a plea.

He was remanded in custody and will next appear at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court on Monday.

Devon Simmonds was pronounced dead at the scene after the collision in Middleton, Greater Manchester, on Tuesday at around 11.55am

Flowers, balloons and candles have been left in tribute to the teenager outside the shuttered shops on the precinct, with some spraying graffiti onto the walls

Fireworks have been set off at a shopping precinct throughout the night, with residents claiming some were thrown at cars as firefighters attended the scene

Officers have also been investigating an alleged theft leading up to the collision and a 15-year-old arrested on suspicion of theft has since been bailed.

Detective Inspector Andrew Naismith, from GMP's Major Incident Team, said: 'This investigation is already moving at considerable pace and we have now secured a murder charge as part of our work.

'There is still much to do, and our officers are carefully combing through all available evidence to build a picture of the events of that day.

'I am aware of footage of the incident circulating online, and I would ask people to not share this footage due to ongoing proceedings, and out of respect for the boy's family, who I would remind people are grieving at this time.'

Tributes have been left to Devon close to the scene, and youngsters have been gathering in the area to pay their respects.

Flowers, balloons and candles have been left in tribute to the teenager outside the shuttered shops on the precinct of the estate on Tuesday night.

One resident who knew of the teenager said: 'He was a top, top lad. Lived on this estate all his life and a lot of people knew him.

'He was very respectable, obviously it's a horrible thing to happen to him and his family.'

Forensic officers on the scene were 15-year-old Devon Simmonds was pronounced dead

While a tribute at the scene described him as the 'biggest soul'.

Dozens of youths were still at the precinct on Wednesday afternoon, with some spraying graffiti onto the walls.

Pervaiz Iqbal, who works at a shop on the precinct, said that 'hundreds' of youths were gathered on the estate from around 6pm last night.

He told the Manchester Evening News that some people climbed on top of the precinct, but said that this was not uncommon.

His colleague said that fireworks were being set off throughout the night, as late as 11pm, and claimed some were thrown at cars.

However, another shopkeeper said that she was not aware of 'trouble', explaining that the youths had gathered for a 'memorial'.

Mr Iqbal said: 'A lot of people obviously, the customers are scared coming into the shop, especially old people.

'They are very scared of coming into the shops because a lot of the boys, teenagers, are here and they did fireworks and stuff.'

Detectives have also been investigating an alleged theft leading up to the collision and a 15-year-old arrested on suspicion of theft has since been bailed

Speaking on Wednesday, Chief Inspector Nicola Hopkinson, of Greater Manchester Police said: 'What happened yesterday was a tragic event that saw a young boy lose their life and our thoughts remain with Devon's family at this time.

'Officers are aware of antisocial behaviour taking place in the local area following this incident. This will not be tolerated and is completely unacceptable.

'We understand the emotions of the wider community and their need to grieve, but we will take action against anyone found to be involved in criminality.

'As part of our investigation, officers will be on hand to deal with any queries members of the public have. Feel free to raise any issues and speak to them if you have any concerns.'
The terrifying fury of an out-of-control Bully dog that left its owner fighting for life after a horrific attack has been caught on video.

A woman in her 20s was mauled at her San Antonio home late on Wednesday night, officials said she sustained multiple bites.

Dramatic footage shows the aggressive animal, which has been identified as a male Bully breed, lashing out at police officers as they try to bring it under control.

The as yet unnamed victim suffered life-threatening injuries during the attack and was rushed to University Hospital where she remains in a critical condition.

Footage captured at the scene show the woman being lifted onto a stretcher from her home by emergency teams.

Officers told Kens5 that the dog was being aggressive towards a friend that the woman had over, and after trying to put the dog on her balcony it turned on her.

The dog is seen here lashing out at police officers that arrived on the scene late on Wednesday night

The victim suffered life-threatening injuries during the attack and was rushed to University Hospital where she is in a critical condition

It is unclear at this time if the woman's friend was also injured in the attack.

Officials told Daily Mail that the attack is still under investigation, and that the animal's other owner had received multiple criminal citations.

According to officials, the other owner has been hit with a violation over the bite, as well as failure to provide proof of current rabies vaccination and lack of microchipping for another animal in the home

The hound was taken into the custody of the city's Animal Care Services, attacks by the animal have never been reported to the care services before.

It comes after a pit bull mauled a baby to death in front of the child's mother inside an Ohio home.

Blakely Bosser, 1, was killed inside the home in Dover on July 2 after the dog savaged her.

Her mom Nicole had bent over to pick up some laundry with Blakely behind her when the family pet turned violent.

In the split second Nicole had her back turned, the dog growled and jumped at Blakely, relentlessly biting the helpless child on her face and throat.

Police and emergency officials rushed to gory scene. Blakely was pronounced dead soon after they arrived.
A merciful alligator spared a Florida woman after it chomped down on her arm as she swam in a local river.

The 27-year-old woman and her boyfriend were taking their boat out to the South Fork River in Stuart, about 40 miles north of West Palm Beach, on Wednesday.

She was in waist-deep water with the couple's dog when the 11-foot alligator bit the woman's hand and wrist, momentarily pulling her under, according to the Martin County Sheriff's Office.

'The patient was walking in approximately waist-deep water and at a certain point, the alligator grabbed her by her right arm and hand and dragged her underwater,' Martin County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Michael McCarthy told WPBF.

Miraculously, the gator decided to release the woman, and her boyfriend was able to take her to the boat ramp at Charlie Leighton Park.

Photos from the scene showed a large presence of first responders in the area, and a helicopter was used to airlift the victim to a hospital.

She sustained broken bones and lacerations, but is expected to survive, reported WPEC.

The sheriff's office said she was flown to the hospital as a precaution, and her boyfriend and dog were not injured.

An 11-foot alligator bit a Florida woman's hand and wrist and pulled her underwater before releasing her on Wednesday (pictured: stock image of an alligator)

The 27-year-old woman and her boyfriend were taking their boat out to the South Fork River in Stuart, about 40 miles north of West Palm Beach

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to the scene and is working with a trapper to locate the gator.

McCarthy advised residents to be aware of their surroundings while out in the water and use caution.

'We just advise always in Florida whenever you're swimming or you're in a body of water, always use caution, always assume there is an alligator in the area, it is Florida,' McCarthy said.

'Be careful of the type of water that you're swimming in, along with the, I guess, clarity of the water that you're swimming in, and also beware of what type of season it is for alligators, whether it's nesting season or not.'

Residents on social media had mixed reactions to the news that a trapper was looking for the gator, with some defending the beast.

First of all, anyone who goes into waist-deep water anywhere in any body of water in South Florida, except the beach, has a chance of being attacked by a gator. It's their territory first,' one person said.

'Dogs are a gator magnet... It's their home, if people want to go there, don't kill a gator,' said another.

A third person added, 'Wait, but why are we trapping an alligator who was just chillin in his home?'

Miraculously, the gator decided to release the woman, and her boyfriend was able to take her to the boat ramp at Charlie Leighton Park

She sustained some broken bones and lacerations, and was flown to a local hospital (pictured), but is expected to recover

Martin County Sheriff's Office Lieutenant Michael McCarthy (pictured) advised residents to use caution while out on the water

Many people questioned why the couple got into the water, but wished the woman a quick recovery.

'The swamp puppy just wanted to cuddle. On a positive note, hopefully she is okay,' one person said.

'Why bring the dog into the water?! Glad both people and the dog are safe, but that could have gone south real quick,' said another.
Angela Rayner's department racked up enough air miles last year to fly around the world nearly 13 times.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's (MHCLG) annual report, published this week, revealed a huge rise in international air travel in 2024/25.

Staff travelled 514,785km on foreign trips over 12-month period - almost five times the 108,060km in international air travel in 2023/24, when the Tories were in power.

Since taking charge of MHCLG, Ms Rayner - who is also the Deputy Prime Minister - has enjoyed foreign jaunts to Europe and Africa.

In November, Ms Rayner travelled to The Vatican to meet Pope Francis, before she headed on to Seville to meet the Spanish PM.

She followed this up with a trip to Ethiopia and Ghana in February, during which she reportedly asked if she could use the opportunity to go on a personal safari.

The Deputy PM's trip to Africa to meet national leaders saw her accused of snubbing her bulging in-tray of domestic duties in favour of 'swanning around the world'.

MHCLG's foreign travel in 2024/25 was estimated to have emitted 77.4 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

Angela Rayner was pictured holding British and Ethiopian flags as she was greeted on her arrival in Africa in February

The Deputy PM held talks with Ethiopian PM Abiy Ahmed Ali during the same trip

In November, Ms Rayner travelled to The Vatican to meet Pope Francis

Some 92 tonnes of carbon dioxide was also emitted from the department's domestic flying over the same period - up from 59 tonnes in 2023/24.

Meanwhile, MHCLG staff travelled 13,774km on the Eurostar in 2024/25 - up from 10,240km in the previous year.

MHCLG said the year-on-year increase in international air travel can be 'partly attributed to the increase in significant international conferences that were attended by Homes England staff during the latter part of the financial year'.

It also admitted it had not met a target for reducing carbon emissions from domestic flights, but pointed to the recent opening of an office in Belfast.

David Simmonds, the Tory shadow housing minister, said: 'This is a totally unserious use of taxpayer money or officials' time.

'Angela Rayner should be focusing on delivering the homes this country needs, but Labour have no plans to deliver, not gallivanting around the world playing at Deputy PM.'

An MHCLG spokesman said: 'Overall departmental emissions from business travel have decreased by 33 per cent compared to the 2017-18 baseline.

'And international travel emissions remain lower than the 2017-18 baseline.'
During a late-night TV appearance Wednesday, Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz made a shocking revelation that probably wasn't too well-received inside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

The junior senator from Texas told Fox News' Laura Ingraham that former President Barack Obama could most likely not be prosecuted for treason over his handling of the 'Russia hoax.'

The duo discussed the latest intel released by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard about the 2016 presidential election, and the role that former President Barack Obama and his intelligence agencies played at the time.

DNI Gabbard told members of the media at the White House Wednesday that the information released by her office has been referred to the Department of Justice and FBI to investigate the criminal implications.

DNI Gabbard released a declassified report allegedly implicating Obama and his administration over the 2016 election Russia Hoax.

This came the day after President Trump accused former President Obama of treason in an Oval Office exchange with the news media.

'He's not going to be prosecuted for treason,' Ingraham stated 'That's not going to happen.'

'He's not going to be prosecuted, in all likelihood, for treason,' Cruz replied agreeing with the host.

Obama issued a statement via his spokesperson Patrick Rodenbush earlier this week that refuted many of the accusations circling around him.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz on the Ingraham Angle, Wednesday July 24, 2025

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard responds to a question from the news media during a press conference at the White House in Washington, DC, USA, 23 July 2025. DNI Gabbard has released a declassified report allegedly implicating former President Barack Obama and his administration over the 2016 election Russia Hoax. This comes the day after President Trump accused the former President of treason in an Oval Office exchange with the news media

'The bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction. Nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes,' Rodenbush noted.

'These findings were affirmed in a 2020 report by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio' Rodenbush concluded.

Regardless, GOP leadership in both the House and Senate are pursuing investigations into members of the Biden and Obama administrations as they fend off clamoring calls for transparency in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal enveloping the Trump administration.

Democrats have portrayed the reintroduction of the "Russian hoax' saga as a way for the Trump Administration to distract from the demands around Epstein.

Cruz is among the Republicans who have long called on the administration to release the Epstein files.
The transgender child of a Fast Show actor took their own life after a 'traumatic' stint in hospital, an inquest heard.

Cal Shearer, 25, was found hanged at home in Oxford on October 30.

The Neuroscience PHD student's famous father Paul Shearer starred on the comedy series The Fast Show between 1994 to 1997.

He paid tribute to Cal, who was also autistic, at an inquest into the Oxford University student's death.

Paul said: 'There were many facets to their personality. After their death, Cal's mum said in a social media post said they were brave, beautiful and compassionate.

'They were capable of warmth and love. They spent many hours helping at Oxford Nightline.

'Cal's death was a tragedy and incomprehensible to those around them.'

The 25-year-old had a 'long battle' with suicidal thoughts and spent two 'traumatic' months in hospital last March, Oxford Coroner's Court heard.

Cal Shearer, 25, was was found hanged at home in Oxford on October 30

The transgender child of a Fast Show actor took their own life after a 'traumatic' stint in hospital, an inquest heard

The Neuroscience PHD student's famous father Paul Shearer starred on the comedy series The Fast Show between 1994 to 1997

Paul Shearer with Paul Whitehouse in a 'suits you' sketch on the Fast Show. He appeared in 20 episodes

Cal took their own life after battling to find the right treatment in what their family described as the 'all too prevalent but not yet understood crisis of suicides amongst autistic people identifying as trans'.

The family launched a complaint with the Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust over the handling of their child's care, saying there should have been more done to account for Cal's autism.

Dr Stephen Merson, a consultant psychiatrist at the Trust, strongly denied that the care team had been 'dismissive' of Cal's autism, when asked at the inquest.

He replied: 'No. We are improving our awareness of the implications of autism. I don't think we ignored the risk aspect.'

Cal, who was raised in Bethnal Green, London, met their NHS worker wife Imogen Voysey-Shearer when they were seven-years-old classmates attending the private City of London School for Girls in 2006.

Imogen told the inquest she did not think the mental health team knew how to provide adequate support to her partner.

She added: 'Cal was someone who everyone liked. They helped others in so many ways.

'Cal was kind, funny and compassionate. Cal was liked in every area of their life, but felt their death was inevitable.

The 25-year-old had a 'long battle' with suicidal thoughts and spent two 'traumatic' months in hospital last March, Oxford Coroner's Court heard

The family launched a complaint with the Oxford University NHS Foundation Trust over the handling of their child's care, saying there should have been more done to account for Cal's autism

'Cal's passing is a tragic loss to everyone who knew them,' a family tribute on the page read

'Coming home to Cal was the best part of my day. We played Minecraft together.

'Cal had a long history of difficulties with their mental health. Cal had a rough time getting up in the morning and struggled going into the lab.'

Cal's final note, left to family and friends, read: 'I love you and I know how loved I am. I am lucky to have so much love surrounding me.'

Area coroner Nicholas Graham recorded a verdict of suicide and offered his condolences to the heartbroken family.

He added: 'Concerns have been raised around Cal's mental health care and treatment.

'The trust has accepted failings in these areas. It was accepted there was an absence of a documented care plan.

'The failings contributed to a deterioration in Cal's mental health which ultimately lead to their death.'

Their mother is Vicky Licorish, who presented Saturday SuperStore in the 1980s alongside Keith Chegwin and DJ Mike Reid.

Area coroner Nicholas Graham recorded a verdict of suicide and offered his condolences to the heartbroken family

Their mother is Vicky Licorish, who presented Saturday SuperStore in the 1980s alongside Keith Chegwin and DJ Mike Reid. She paid an emotional tribute to 'our beautiful Cal' as she shared on social media a series of happy family photographs featuring her youngest child

A memorial page set up for the student has raised thousands of pounds for The Samaritans and Gendered Intelligence, a trans-led charity working to improve gender diversity and the lives of trans people

Cal's final note, left to family and friends, read: 'I love you and I know how loved I am. I am lucky to have so much love surrounding me'

She paid an emotional tribute to 'our beautiful Cal' as she shared on social media a series of happy family photographs featuring her youngest child.

The film producer wrote: 'Our brave, beautiful, blazingly clever, wickedly funny and endlessly compassionate Cal sadly lost their battle with mental health this week. There are no words.'

A memorial page set up for the student has raised thousands of pounds for The Samaritans and Gendered Intelligence, a trans-led charity working to improve gender diversity and the lives of trans people.

'Cal's passing is a tragic loss to everyone who knew them,' a family tribute on the page read. 'They had so much to offer, but the pain of their inner turmoil proved too great for them to bear.

'Many walked beside Cal during the years they privately struggled with their mental health. Imogen, Cal's long term friend, then partner and, last year, wife never left their side.

'Now working for the NHS, Imogen tried to secure Cal the right treatment for this all too prevalent but not yet understood crisis of suicides amongst autistic people identifying as trans.'

The tragedy came a week after an inquest held for fellow Oxford student Alexander Rogers found the 20-year-old killed himself in January after being ostracised by his social circle at Corpus Christi College in an episode described as 'cancel culture'.

He had sex with a female friend who told other male students she had felt 'discomfort' about the encounter, a coroner heard.

Cal's wife old the inquest she did not think the mental health team knew how to provide adequate support to her partner

The tragedy came a week after an inquest held for fellow Oxford student Alexander Rogers found the 20-year-old killed himself in January after being ostracised by his social circle at Corpus Christi College in an episode described as 'cancel culture'

The undergraduate jumped into the River Thames from Donnington Bridge and died from serious head injuries. Pictured: Oxford University

Despite having no intentions of reporting the incident, two male friends confronted the third year student, telling Alexander he had 'messed up' and they 'needed space from him'.

The next day, the undergraduate jumped into the River Thames from Donnington Bridge and died from serious head injuries.

An inquiry into his death found that Alexander, who was described as the 'epitome of what is good in this world', found students at the college were quick to 'rush to judgement' and would 'pile on' to cancel a student without knowing all the facts.

- For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
A publican has spoken of his fury after police used a battering ram to destroy the 5,000 doors of a pub that had been burgled three times in a week.

Shocking footage shows four officers gathered around the entrance to Stanleys of Streatham, in south London, before they produce the heavy tool and start heaving it at the doors.

The pubs window had been smashed three times in a week by the same man, who then stole bottles of spirits from behind the bar, owner Steve Novak said.

And the police who arrived at the scene in the early hours of Thursday morning could have simply reached through the smashed window and used the latch to get into the pub, the 49-year-old added.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said officers at the scene believed the suspect was still inside the pub, so broke in to attempt to arrest them.

The burglar had already fled the scene, however, and no arrests have been made.

I just cant believe it, I am beside myself, Mr Novak told the Mail.

I cant stop asking myself why.

They saw a broken window that they could have just reached through and unlocked the latch, but instead they took out a massive battering ram and smashed the entire door down.

An alleged burglar broke into Stanley's of Streatham for the third time in a week to steal booze from behind the bar

Police arrived at the scene 40 minutes later and smashed through the doors with a battering ram

The pub's owner said the officers could have simply put their hand through the broken window and unlocked the door

But the officers claimed they believed the suspect, who had already fled, was still inside the pub

They have just melted my beautiful handmade wooden doors.

The police secured the door with a wooden board and left a note saying Mr Novak would be invoiced for the temporary repairs.

But he has rejected their explanation for why they smashed the door and said they have not been back to the premises.

Nobody was in there, no one was in danger, there was no fire, Mr Novak said.

They are just morons.

Its going to be two new handmade wooden doors, which will cost about 4,000-5,000.

The burglar had previously broken into the pub on two occasions before his final raid, and had left DNA which Mr Novak said meant police were able to identify him.

The Met said no suspects have been identified, however.

Steve Novak, 49, owns four pubs in London and opened Stanley's of Streatham last October

Some of the damage caused by the burglar and the police

Mr Novak estimates the door will cost up to 5,000 to replace

The burglar entered Stanley's at about 2.15am, grabbed a few bottles then left in a matter of seconds.

Officers arrived 40 minutes later and smashed through the pub's double doors.

Id ordered some bars to be fitted over the windows to stop him getting in again as they know who he is but havent been able to catch him, Mr Novak said.

But Ill have to order some new double doors now too and will probably have to catch the burglar myself as well.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'Met officers continue to investigate a series of alleged burglaries at a commercial property in Streatham High Road, SW16, including an occasion on Thursday, 24 July where police forced entry in an attempt to apprehend a potential suspect and quickly safeguard occupants at the address.

'Officers have been in contact with the business owner to discuss reparations for the damage caused.

'Enquiries are ongoing and we will continue to update the business owner.

'There have been no suspects identified at this time.'
Bodycam footage has captured the dramatic moment police arrested a suspect in his living room following violent anti-migrant clashes outside an asylum seeker hotel.

Video released by Essex Police showed officers telling the man to put his hands up before handcuffing him during the arrest on suspicion of violent disorder in Epping.

The man was then led away into a police car to be interviewed and so detectives could search his home for clothing he wore on July 17, the day of the incident.

The arrest of the suspect aged in his 20s took place at 5.45pm yesterday when officers visited the property in Harlow. He is now being questioned in custody.

Police said they have made 16 arrests for offences including violent disorder and criminal damage since the protest turned violent.

It comes as a ring of steel was set up around a luxury four-star hotel in East London that has been converted to house migrants amid protests. Large barriers were installed outside The Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf this morning.

Thursday's upgraded security followed a second night of fiery scenes on Wednesday after a rally by anti-migrant activists outside the hotel, where rooms can go for up to 425 a night.

Guards kitted out in black uniforms and wearing face masks manned the barriers this morning as more than a dozen Met Police officers gathered outside the building amid fresh fears of further protests tomorrow and over the weekend.

In Epping, the community has been also braced for fresh disorder following violent clashes outside The Bell hotel, which is also housing illegal asylum seekers and had metal fencing delivered to the site this afternoon on the back of a flatbed truck.

Video released by Essex Police showed officers arriving at the property in Harlow yesterday

The bodycam footage shows the officer going inside and asking the man to put his hands up

The man is told he is under arrest for section two violent disorder for an offence on July 17

The bodycam video from Essex Police in Harlow shows the man being put into a car yesterday

The man is taken away by police to be interviewed and so detectives can search his home

Police issued this photo today of Martin Peagram, 33, who is wanted over the Epping protest

Essex Police also wants to speak to Philip Curson, 52, over the disorder in Epping this month

Police have issued a dispersal order in Epping following the demonstrations outside The Bell hotel this month. The order, which is in place from 2pm today until 8am tomorrow, covers an area including the town centre and transport hubs such as the Underground station

Protests have been spreading to other parts of the country, with more than 150 gathering outside The Park Hotel in Diss, Norfolk, on Monday after the Home Office announced plans to change it from housing asylum-seeker families to single men.

In the arrest video issued by Essex Police, an officer is heard saying: 'Hello mate, you all right? Put your hands up for me mate. You are going to be arrested, you are under arrest for section two violent disorder for an offence that occurred on July 17.

'So you do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.

'The reason for your arrest is so we can interview you about it and also do post arrest searches. So we will be searching for items of clothing you were wearing on the day. Understand?

'So what we're going to do is we're going to sit you down and then have a search around the address under section 32 of Pace (Police and Criminal Evidence Act).'

After the suspect is put into the police car, the officer says of a colleague: 'He's going to come with you. He's going to sit in the back with you. You got to go behind this one.'

Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said: 'We'd promised that we'd continue our investigations into the unacceptable actions of a small number of people who chose to take advantage of peaceful protest to try to cause harm to people in Epping or to property.

Metal fencing is delivered to the migrant hotel in Epping today as it tries to bolster defences

A man is arrested by police during a protest outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, on July 20

Police officers and protesters on in Epping on July 20 after a protest outside the Bell Hotel

Bottles and smoke flares thrown towards police vehicles outside The Bell Hotel on July 20

A masked protester in front of a cordon of riot police officers in Epping, Essex, on July 17

'We've been analysing footage and we have investigators and trained detectives working on this operation.

'We are identifying suspects and there will be more arrests in the coming days. Put simply: If you turn up to try to cause trouble, you won't get away with it.'

The sixth and latest person to be charged is Kenneth Blissett, 34, of Harlow, who was charged with theft of police equipment and possession of an offensive weapon. Blissett is on bail and is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court on September 30.

Stuart Williams, 36, of Thornwood, Epping, has been charged and remanded in custody alongside Dean Smith, 51, also of Epping.

Jonathan Glover, 47, of Waltham Abbey, and Keith Silk, 33, of Loughton, have also been charged with violent disorder. They were given conditional bail.

All four are due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on August 18.

Joe McKenna, 34, of Wickford, is charged with failing to remove a face covering when directed to do so. He remains on bail ahead of a hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on September 24.

The demonstrations followed a man living in the Bell Hotel being charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity.

Large barriers have been set up around the four-star Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf today

A police cordon and fencing is placed outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf

Security carry a large package behind the cordon and into the Canary Wharf hotel today

Hadush Kebatu, 41, from Ethiopia, has denied the offences and was remanded in custody.

Essex Police claimed protesters damaged police vehicles, threw projectiles at officers and injured eight of them.

Detectives also revealed they were trying to speak to Martin Peagram, 33, who has links to Stansted. He was described as 6ft tall, of slim build, with short brown hair and facial stubble.

The force additionally wants to speak to Philip Curson, 52, of no last known address. He is 5ft 8i tall, of stocky build, with short brown hair and full tattoo sleeves on both arms, and tattoos covering the front of his neck.

Police last night issued a dispersal order in Epping following the demonstrations outside the hotel.

The order, which is in place from 2pm today until 8am tomorrow, covers an area including the town centre and transport hubs such as the Underground station.

It gives officers the power to direct anyone suspected of committing anti-social behaviour, or planning to do so, to leave the area or face arrest.

Workers are seen bringing beds and mattresses into the hotel in Canary Wharf today

Guards were seen outside the hotel in Canary Wharf, East London, this morning

Meanwhile the boss of the organisation representing rank-and-file police officers has chillingly warned the disorder in Epping was the 'signal flare' which could spark an outbreak of violent protests.

Police could now be dragged away from neighbourhood duties to keep the peace at rallies outside migrant hotels, according to Tiff Lynch, head of the Police Federation.

Ms Lynch said officers were being 'pulled in every direction' and commanders were 'forced to choose between keeping the peace at home or plugging national gaps'.

She said if violent protests spread throughout the summer, it would be 'dangerous to assume' that police forces would be able to 'hold the line indefinitely'

'It would be comical if it werent so serious - and so familiar. Local commanders are once again being forced to choose between keeping the peace at home or plugging national gaps,' she wrote in the Telegraph .

She said Epping was 'not just a troubling one-off', adding: 'It was a signal flare. A reminder of how little it takes for tensions to erupt and how ill-prepared we remain to deal with it.'

The hotel in Canary Wharf was the latest to be converted into asylum accommodation by the Home Office, as Britain braces itself for a potential surge in illegal migrants crossing the Channel in the summer.

Protests outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf in London last night

Protests outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf in London on Tuesday

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been warned the nation could face a second 'summer of riots' if Labour fails to get a grip on such hotels being used amid rising public anger.

The decision for the four-star city building to house asylum seekers has already been branded an 'insult', with some residents and local business owners saying they fear for their safety.

Anti-migrant activists claim the new wall outside the lavish glass-fronted building has been built to keep them away from the hotel entrance after yesterday's rally, which saw them clashing with police.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Phiip went on the attack last night and blasted the government for spending taxpayers' cash on housing migrants in Canary Wharf.

'It is outrageous that the Government is splurging taxpayers hard-earned money on luxury hotels for illegal immigrants when most people in this country would struggle to afford a hotel in central London,' he told The Sun .

'This is one of the most luxurious hotels people can only dream of staying in, right in the heart of Londons financial centre.'

He continued: 'No wonder illegal immigrants are flooding across the Channel in record numbers,' adding: 'This is an insult to law-abiding citizens.'

The Canary Wharf hotel has been taken over by the Home Office to house asylum seekers

Privacy tape has been installed at the Canary Wharf hotel today on its main entrance doors

Workers spent yesterday hauling beds and mattresses into the Canary Wharf hotel after a night of protests.

Labourers dragging new furniture into the hotel were allowed through the metal fencing and police cordon in preparation for the arrival of hundreds of asylum seekers.

Today, workers inside the hotel appeared to be installing privacy tape on the main entrance doors at the site, which obscured views into the building.

Protesters had gathered outside the hotel amid reports asylum seekers were being transferred from Epping, where trouble had previously broken out, to the capital, although the Home Office later clarified this was not the case.

Tower Hamlets Council did, however, confirm the Government intends to use the hotel - which has around 500 rooms - for asylum seekers in a move which has angered anti-migrant protesters and guests whose bookings have been cancelled.

The Met Police said it has officers at the scene and warned it wouldn't hesitate to clampdown on criminal thugs trying to create mayhem outside the hotel.

A spokesman told MailOnline: 'We continue to have officers deployed in the vicinity of the Britannia International Hotel where protests have taken place over recent days.

The luxury four-star hotel in Canary Wharf is being converted to house migrants amid protests

A worker can be seen sticking tape to the glass frontage of the Canary Wharf hotel today

'They are there to provide reassurance to local residents and businesses, to ensure that any further protest takes place peacefully and to respond to any incidents.

'We continue to encourage those exercising their lawful right to protest to do so responsibly and with consideration to the impact on those trying to go about their lives in the local area.

'Anyone who crosses the line from lawful protest into criminality can expect to face police action.'

It comes as Essex Police faced criticism over its handling of the Epping protests, which led to riot police being drafted in, as activists hurled bricks and other missiles at police vans.

The Chief Constable for Essex Police dismissed calls to resign over the force's handling of the demonstrations after footage emerged of officers escorting pro-migrant activists to an asylum seeker hotel where violent clashes erupted.

Ben-Julian Harrington rejected calls from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to step down and firmly extinguished claims his officers had given a higher level of protection to pro-migrant protesters.

Asked if he would resign, he told a press conference yesterday: 'No, I am not [resigning]. I am not going to do that. This is not about me, this is about the communities of Essex.'

Essex Police chief Ben-Julian Harrington rejected calls from Reform UK's Nigel Farage to quit

He added: 'The issue is not about my resignation. The issue is about an effective police operation that keeps the communities of Epping safe...'

Essex Police had initially denied it had brought Stand Up to Racism activists to the hotel before ugly clashes broke out with anti-migrant protesters.

But after being shown footage of officers leading the group from a nearby station to outside the hotel, the force then backtracked and admitted it had provided a 'foot cordon'.

Mr Farage called for Mr Harrington to resign, saying the footage is 'absolutely disgraceful' and 'heads must roll'.

The Reform UK leader later posted footage allegedly showing pro-migrant protesters being 'bussed' to the demonstration in police vans, but Essex Police said this was 'categorically' untrue.

The force explained that pro-migrant protesters were given a 'foot cordon' on their way to the protest and those who were 'clearly at risk of being hurt' later on were 'escorted by vehicle'.

Facing a barrage of questions, Mr Harrington rejected claims his officers had given a higher level of protection to pro-migrant protesters.

'No, I don't accept that,' he said. 'The only protection that officers are doing is to those lawful and law-abiding people, whether they are in that accommodation, whether they are the people of Epping or whether they are people who are standing there with placards and banners wishing to make a very important and legitimate view, whichever your views about it.

'Where officers have intervened that is because there has been disorder...We are not being partial in any way, shape or form.'

The chief constable also dismissed claims pro-migrants were 'bussed' to the hotel', explaining: 'There has been some accusations in the media that we drove people to the protest. That is not true.

'We have not driven anybody to that protest. People made their own way there... we did take people away for their safety and the safety of everyone there.'
Britain should recognise a Palestinian state, fly injured Gaza children to the UK for treatment and help dismantle an Israel-backed aid system blamed for hundreds of civilian deaths, MPs say today in a bombshell report.

In a sweeping set of recommendations, the Foreign Affairs Committee has called on the Government to take urgent action as it declared the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the West Bank 'intolerable'.

The committee - made up of seven Labour members, two Liberal Democrats and two Tories - is ramping up pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to recognise Palestine as a state, warning that waiting for the 'perfect time' has become an excuse for inaction.

It said: 'The UK...should now recognise the state of Palestine while there is still a state to recognise. An inalienable right should not be made conditional.

'The Government cannot continue to wait for the perfect time because experience shows that there will never be a perfect time, and in hindsight it is possible to see times when it should have occurred.'

It said the Israeli government 'is not listening' to the UK and only sporadically to the US, adding: 'Pressure must be exerted for this conflict to end and for hostages to be released.'

Health secretary Wes Streeting was the latest minister calling for action yesterday after nearly 60 Labour MPs signed a letter earlier this month.

And business secretary Jonathan Reynolds told LBC: 'We are deeply committed to the recognition of Palestine as a state, that was part of our manifesto, but obviously we want that to be meaningful.'

The Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Dame Emily Thornberry (left), has accused the Israeli government of Benjamin Netanyahu (right) of not listening to the UK

Aid agencies say Gaza is on the verge of famine, and that more than 100 have died in the last week. Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub al-Matouq (pictured), an 18-month-old in Gaza City, is suffering life-threatening malnutrition

Aid agencies have accused Israel of hindering efforts to distribute tons of food loaded into 950 trucks

It comes as aid agencies warn Gaza is close to famine, saying 113 people have starved to death in the last week. Yesterday, news agencies AP, AFP and Reuters said their journalists in Gaza are close to starvation.

Israel has said the claims are 'cynical' lies peddled by Hamas as part of a pressure tactic amid the ongoing hostage negotiations.

The Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Dame Emily Thornberry, said the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, established with US funding, had failed catastrophically and must be replaced with a UN-led system.

It said the organisation had directly contributed to the deaths of hundreds of civilians, citing UN figures showing that 875 people have been killed while seeking food.

The report said: 'The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation system has led to the unnecessary deaths of hundreds of civilians and a fraction of the required aid arriving into Gaza. It must be replaced by a UN-led system operating on humanitarian principles.'

MPs demanded that the UK and US governments press Israel to open all border crossings for unrestricted access to food, medical supplies, shelter materials and other humanitarian aid.

They said the UK must support the medical evacuation of critically ill children from Gaza to the UK, including safe transport, fast-tracked visas and emergency medical care.

Smoke rises over western Deir al-Balah in Gaza this week

Illumination flares light up the night sky over Gaza during an Israeli ground assault

Palestinians gather to receive food in Khan Yunis, Gaza, amid shortages of aid

And they condemned Israel's ban on foreign journalists entering Gaza, calling it 'a breach of internationally recognised norms'.

They said ministers must press for immediate, independent and unrestricted access for journalists to report on the war, the humanitarian crisis and the conduct of military operations.

The current conflict in Gaza was sparked by Hamas's brutal invasion of Israel on October 7 2023, when 1,189 people were killed and another 251 taken hostage into Gaza.

The MPs also called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas, and support for international efforts to collect evidence for future prosecutions of those involved in hostage-taking and war crimes.
Illegal traders and pedicabs on Westminster Bridge have been fined more than 20,000 in a council crackdown after fleecing tourists.

Seemingly harmless rickshaw bikes ferrying tourists around have become a serious concern for Transport for London (TfL) over the safety of the bikes, anti-social behaviour by its drivers and rip-off prices.

Meanwhile, illegal traders flogging goods such as peanuts, balloons and hot dogs have been swindling tourists out of their cash without paying tax on their earnings.

The fines, costs and victim surcharges total 20,202.50 following the latest round of prosecutions at City of Westminster Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Prosecutions for five unlicensed street traders operating on Westminster Bridge selling peanuts and balloons saw 11,127.50 in convictions handed down.

One of the vendors was convicted for the second time in two months for previously selling hotdogs.

Additionally, nine pedicabs operators - several repeat offenders - have been hit with some of the biggest individual fines totalling 9,075.00 following the latest round of rickshaw bikes prosecutions.

The riders' fines, costs, and victim surcharges ranged from 750 to 1,460 under the Control of Pollution Act 1974.

Illegal traders flogging goods such as peanuts, balloons and hot dogs have been swindling tourists out of their cash without paying tax on their earnings

Seemingly harmless rickshaw bikes ferrying tourists around have become a serious concern for Transport for London (TfL) over the safety of the bikes, anti-social behaviour by its drivers and rip-off prices

A shop on Charing Cross Road, hit with the largest fine of 3,382, had previously received multiple warnings for selling a multitude of souvenir goods on the street.

While the company was dissolved in the lead up to court, the director was still held personally liable and convicted.

Teams from the central London local Authority will continue to patrol hotspot areas, warning visitors against the dangers of using pedicabs, and work with the Met to prosecute those in breach of current legislation.

Given the repeat prosecutions, the council is exploring options such as injunctions or banning orders for the more prolific riders.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection Cllr Aicha Less said: 'This is Westminster, not the Wild West. These fines send a clear message: if you break the rules in our city you will end up out of pocket and out of excuses.'

'Whilst we work with TfL to finalise a structured the licencing scheme is being finalised, our City Inspectors continue to prosecute pedicab drivers and partner with our neighbours in Lambeth and in the Metropolitan Police to ensure unsuspecting tourists are not ripped off.'

Prosecutions for five unlicensed street traders operating on Westminster Bridge selling peanuts and balloons saw 11,127.50 in convictions handed down

Nine pedicabs operators - several repeat offenders - have been hit with some the biggest individual fines totalling 9,075.00

Given the repeat prosecutions, the council is exploring options such as injunctions or banning orders for the more prolific riders

Over the many years since arriving in England's capital, the appeal and charm of the rickshaw bike has sometimes descended into something darker - a way to rip people off.

These concerns have run so deep that an official consultation was launched by TfL, which raises concerns over the safety of the bikes, anti-social behaviour by its drivers and rip-off prices.

In TfL's consultation which opened on January 27, they said one of the main aims for regulating pedicabs in London was to 'make them as safe as possible', ensuring they are 'driven in a safe and professional way'.

They are also proposing licensing requirements similar to taxis and private hire vehicles, meaning a pedicab driver's licence would be required, issued for one year at a time.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky backtracked on a proposed corruption reform bill after facing nationwide protests for the first time since the war with Russia erupted.

Zelensky on Wednesday said he had approved a draft bill guaranteeing the freedom of anti-corruption bodies, a move the EU welcomed.

'I have just approved the text of a draft law that guarantees real strengthening of the rule of law in Ukraine, independence of anti-corruption bodies and reliable protection of the rule of law from any Russian influence or interference,' Zelensky wrote on social media.

He said the new bill would be submitted to parliament on Thursday.

'It is important that we respect the position of all Ukrainians and are grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine,' he added.

A statement released by Downing Street today after Keir Starmer and Zelensky spoke on the phone said: 'The President began by thanking the Prime Minister for the UK's continued support for Ukraine, including the sanctions announced earlier this week targeting Russia's energy revenues, which play a vital part in stopping Putin's war machine. They agreed international partners must continue to ramp up the pressure on Russia.

'The Prime Minister underlined the UK's unwavering support for Ukraine, and the leaders agreed on the importance of the role of independent anti-corruption institutions at the heart of Ukraine's democracy.

'Both leaders underscored that Putin must come to the negotiation table and agree an unconditional ceasefire to see a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.'

'They agreed to keep in touch.'

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky backtracked on a proposed corruption reform bill after facing nationwide protests for the first time since the war erupted

Thousands gather to protest Bill No. 12414, which reduces the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) in Lviv, Ukraine, on July, 23, 2025

Zelensky said He the new bill would be submitted to parliament on Thursday

Thousands took to the streets across Ukraine this week to protest against changes that would remove the independence of key anti-graft agencies.

They were the country's first large-scale demonstrations since the war started more than three years ago.

Protesters in central Kyiv, close to Zelensky's office, chanted 'Shame' and 'Veto the Law'.

'It's like a knife in the back, to be honest,' Maryna Mykhalchuk, 26, who has friends killed in the war and plans to join the army soon, told Reuters.

That law - swiftly approved by the parliament and signed by Zelensky on the same day - places the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the direct authority of the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president.

krainians protest against a new bill curtailing anti-corruption agencies on July 23, 2025 in Kyiv, Ukraine

The Ukrainian parliament recently passed a law endowing a president-appointed prosecutor general with control over the investigations and cases handled by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO)

Parliament is expected to hold an emergency session next week to consider the new draft bill from Zelenskiy's office, several lawmakers said.

The law prompted some of Ukraine's European allies to deliver their strongest criticism of Zelenskiy's government since Russia's invasion in February 2022.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed her strong concern to Zelenskiy and asked for an explanation.
Two California cities renowned for their open-air drug abuse have been named among the top 10 cities for sober traveling.

Both Oakland and San Francisco have been included in a list of the ten best cities in the US to travel to if you're teetotal despite both being ravaged by drug abuse.

Sana Lake Recovery analyzed factors including hiking trails, fitness studios, and the amount of Alcoholics Anonymous locations before publishing their study.

According to the recovery facility, Oakland is the second best in the country, while San Francisco was listed as the tenth best.

That's despite years of issues in both Bay Area cities relating to open drug use on the streets involving fentanyl and issues surrounding homelessness.

Crime in Oakland hit such high levels last year that Governor Gavin Newsom had to deploy Highway Patrol officers to initiate crackdowns.

According to a Oakland Side report in 2023, crystal meth had become more widely used due to its increased potency and cheaper pricing.

The number of people abusing the stimulant had soared, sparking a serious public health problem.

A woman is slumped over in a wheelchair, preparing to inject a needle into her thigh, in San Francisco

A man sits on the ground next to a fence in the Tenderloin area of San Francisco smoking from a glass pipe and tinfoil in January 2022

In nearby San Francisco, overdose deaths hit a record high in 2023 before dropping slightly last year.

Top 10 cities for sober travel 1. St. Louis, Missouri 2. Oakland, California 3. Portland, Oregon 4. Minneapolis, Minnesota 5. Seattle, Washington 6. Colorado Springs, Colorado 7. Tucson, Arizona 8. Miami, Florida 9. Tampa, Florida 10. San Francisco, California Advertisement

The ongoing epidemic has been fueled by the use of fentanyl in the city, in 2021 then Mayor London Breed had to declare a state of emergency in the Tenderloin area.

The area became an international symbol for squalor and despair with desperate addicts littering the sidewalks just a few blocks from City Hall.

According to the Office of the Medical Examiner, there were 635 accidental drug overdoses last year.

The previous year the number had soared to a shocking 810, with 358 people dying already this year.

Current projections by the office indicate that will hit over 700 deaths before the end of 2025.

The amount of deaths started to spike in the mid to late 2010s as fentanyl started sweeping the open drug markets.

The synthetic opioid was involved in over 70 percent of accidental overdose deaths in 2024, most often combined with other illicit substances, the office said.

Public health officials in San Francisco say they have ramped up access to treatment programs since 2022. Admissions to such facilities hit a record level in 2024.

In their findings, Sana Lake said Oakland was great for those 'seeking clarity and connection with nature'.

A man is seen here amongst a pile of trash left on a sidewalk in Oakland, California

Public health officials in San Francisco, seen here, say they have ramped up access to treatment programs since 2022. Admissions to such facilities hit a record level in 2024

It added that the city has five mocktail bars that are contributing to a growing sober-friendly scene, which provides 'an enriching experience for sober travelers'.

St. Louis, Missouri topped the list, with other cities including Seattle, Washington, and Miami, Florida, also appearing in the top ten.

They added: 'While many people indulge in a drink or two and let loose to experience the local nightlife while on vacation, the reality of traveling looks different for those in recovery.

'For sober travelers, the ideal destination isnt about the bar scene, its about exploring different activities that support a substance-free lifestyle.'

St. Louis took the top spot due to its 'well-rounded mix of wellness-focused activities and enriching cultural experiences.'
A woman who matched on Tinder with Bryan Kohberger, days before he slaughtered four University of Idaho students, had a creepy interaction with the convicted killer.

According to explosive police reports, Kohberger asked her chilling questions about murder, including what she thought would be the worst way to die.

Moscow Police Department released hundreds of previously sealed evidence records from the investigation into the November 13, 2022 murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin on Wednesday afternoon - just hours after Kohberger was sentenced to a lifetime behind bars.

During his sentencing, the 30-year-old criminology PhD student refused the opportunity to finally reveal his motive even after being confronted by the heartbroken families of his victims.

Some succor may be found in the huge evidence dump, however, which includes new details about the investigation and tips that came in about his crimes.

Those included one from an unidentified woman who claims to have matched with Kohberger on Tinder in September or October 2022 - just weeks before his murders, a police report shows.

Kohberger told his match that he was a criminology student and the two even made a plan to meet up when he came home for the Christmas holidays, she claims.

The woman says she also confided in Kohberger that one of her friends had been murdered in her town a few years earlier.

They went on to talk about their favorite horror movies, she claims.

During the sentencing hearing, Bryan Kohberger refused the opportunity to finally reveal his motive

Left to right: Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke

Kohberger then allegedly asked the woman a horrifying question: what did she think would be the worst way to die?

The woman told police that when she told him by knife, he responded with an eerie comment to the effect of, 'like a Ka-Bar?'

The woman said she didn't know what a Ka-Bar knife was at the time and looked it up.

Around one month later, Kohberger is believed to have used a Ka-Bar knife - used for hunting - to slaughter his four victims.

Kohberger was ultimately caught after his DNA was found on a leather knife sheath found next to his victim, 21-year-old Mogen's body.

According to the newly unsealed police report, his Tinder match says she eventually stopped talking to Kohberger because his line of questioning made her uncomfortable.

When he was then arrested for the murders in December 2022, the woman says she recognized his photo and recalled their creepy interactions.

But, according to the police report, the woman only called in the tip to Moscow Police Department in the spring of 2024.

She told investigators she tried to call the tip line following his arrest, but police were unable to confirm this.

Police were also unable to corroborate her story because she said she no longer had access to her Tinder records or user ID.

A search warrant, contained among the newly-released filings, shows that Kohberger did himself have the Tinder app on his devices at the time of his arrest.

Records from January 2023 show Tinder confirmed there was an account tied to Kohberger's email address but it had been deleted.

Another woman has previously spoken out about a creepy Tinder date she said she went on with Kohberger around seven years before his slayings.

In a TikTok video posted in early 2023, Hayley Willette claimed she had matched with Kohberger on Tinder when they were both studying psychology in his home state of Pennsylvania.

He asked her on a date, and they went to the movies, she said.

But, when they returned to her dorm, she said things took a turn.

Instead of dropping her off, she said he was 'pushy' and invited himself inside.

Then, she said he 'kept trying to touch' her, tickling her and rubbing her shoulders.

Willette claimed that when she went to the shared dorm bathroom, Kohberger stood outside the door.

She said she pretended to throw up to try to get him to leave.

The plan worked and Kohberger left her apartment, but then allegedly sent a creepy text message around an hour later telling her she had 'good birthing hips.'

Kohberger's disturbing behavior toward women has been well-documented.

A source previously told the Daily Mail that, during his brief six-month stint at WSU, he had a 'gender-related' conflict with at least one female student in the criminology department that was investigated by staff.

Following that incident, complaints from female students about him making them 'extremely uncomfortable' began to pile in.

In one alarming incident, he allegedly followed a female student to her car, our source said.

Another woman claimed someone had broken into her home and moved items around. Kohberger, allegedly feigning concern for her safety, subsequently convinced the woman to let him install a video security system inside, Dateline reported. He may have had access to the view the footage remotely.

In the early hours of November 13, 2022, Kohberger then broke into a student home at 1122 King Road and stabbed his four victims to death as they lay in bed.

Goncalves, 21, was stabbed more than 20 times, with her face so badly damaged she was rendered 'unrecognizable', police reports say.

Mogen had knife wounds to her forearm and hands, and a gash from her right eye to her nose.

20-year-old Kernodle - who was awake when Kohberger attacked - was stabbed more than 50 times, many of them defensive wounds as she tried to fight off her killer.

Her boyfriend Chapin, 20, was found partially covered with a blanket in her bed, his jugular severed, according to the police files.

Roommates Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke survived.

During Kohberger's sentencing in Ada County Courthouse Wednesday, the two survivors broke their silence about the night of the murders in heartbreaking victim impact statements to the court.

'I was barely 19 when he did this,' Mortensen said while sobbing. 'I had to sleep in my mom's bed because I was too terrified to close my eyes. Terrified that if I blinked, someone might be there. I made escape plans everywhere I went. If something happens, how do I get out? What can I use to defend myself? Who can help?'

Surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen sobbed uncontrollably in the courtroom as she spoke out for the first time

No connection has been found between Kohberger and the four victims (pictured)

Funke, whose statement was read out by a friend, said: 'Never in a million years would I think something like this would happen to my closest friends.'

Meanwhile, Goncalves's father, Steve Goncalves, physically moved the podium to force his daughter's killer to look him in the eye as he told him he was 'foolish', 'stupid' and a 'joke'.

'The world's watching because of the kids, not because of you. In time, you will be nothing more than initials on an otherwise unmarked tombstone,' he said.

Goncalves's sister Alivea tore into Kohberger as a 'delusional, pathetic, hypochondriac loser.'

'Sit up straight when I talk to you,' she demanded.

Kernodle's dad, Jeff Kernodle, choked back tears revealing his regret at not having visited his daughter on the night she was murdered.

Meanwhile, Mogen's dad, Ben Mogen, spoke of his daughter being the 'only great thing I ever really did, and only thing I was really proud of.'

Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive life terms in prison, with no possibility of parole.

For more on Bryan Kohberger, search for On The Case: The Idaho Murders on all good podcast platforms now - and be sure to subscribe or follow to never miss an episode.
Hundreds of protesters concerned about a controversial migrant hotel marched through Epping as police launched a huge operation to stop the event once again spilling over into violence.

Residents walked with placards and flags from The Bell Hotel to the local council building, where a debate was being held over the future of two establishments that have been used to house asylum seekers.

As protests raged outside, councillors in Epping unanimously voted to urge the government to close The Bell Hotel and The Phoenix Hotel.

A person was arrested for breaching an order in place that prevents anyone from wearing a face covering, Essex Police said.

A total of 16 arrests were made following a protest outside the same hotel last week.

The Bell Hotel has become the focus of anger against migrants after one of its guests was charged with sexually assaulting two teenage girls just days after arriving in Britain.

News spread quickly on social media and Epping has endured several protests in the last fortnight, with the event on July 17 descending into violence as rioters jumped up on down on the roof of a police van and thugs smashed their windows.

This afternoon metal fencing was delivered to the beleaguered Bell Hotel on the back of a flatbed truck, in a seeming drive to beef up the building's defences.

Protesters marched from The Bell to Epping Forest District Council, where a meeting is taking place to discuss a motion calling for the immediate and permanent closure of the Bell Hotel and Phoenix Hotel

Police stand guard outside Epping Forest District Council offices

Police give an escort to protesters marching through Epping as they aim to avoid a repeat of the kind of unrest that happened during a previous protest on July 17

A large number of protesters braved the rain as people release flares in Union Jack colours while police watch on

Police in riot gear were spotted forming a barrier around The Bell, lining both sides of the road, with a canine team also present.

Protesters marched from The Bell to Epping Forest District Council, which closed early today due to the protest.

A message on the council's website read: 'Due to potential travel disruptions related to the planned demonstration at the Bell Hotel in Epping this evening, the Civic Offices will close at 4pm today to help staff and visitors travel home and reduce congestion in Epping High Street and surrounding areas.

'Please use our website to access a range of online services. We will be open as usual tomorrow morning, Friday 25 July 2025.'

At 7pm councillors began a meeting to discuss a motion calling for the immediate and permanent closure of the Bell Hotel and Phoenix Hotel.

The later was reportedly the target of an alleged arson attack on March 28. It is believed the meeting to close the two hotel's pre-dated the protests this month.

A dispersal order was also issued by police in Epping following the demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel earlier this month.

The order, which is in place from 2pm on Thursday until 8am Friday, covers an area including the town centre and transport hubs such as the Underground station.

Police said there would be a ban on anyone wearing face coverings under Section 60aa of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, with anyone obscuring their face facing arrest.

Officers line the streets outside Epping Forest District Council where protesters are set to converge

Protesters walk along the road holding handmade placards and a flag

Three protesters hold signs reading 'Protect our kids'

A protest holds a St George's Flag with a written slogan that reads 'The only way is Epping'

Police officers line the pavement by one of the protest zones

Protesters wrapped in English flags speak to police at one of the designated protest areas outside The Bell Hotel

A line of police officers stands inside the protective fence in a bid to protect The Bell Hotel from protestors

A van driven by protestors, sporting a giant sign reading 'Protect our kids'

A police officer watches over protestors in front of an English flag reading 'The Only Way is Epping'

One of the Epping protestors wears a t-shirt that reads 'Close The Bell Hotel, Save Our Kids'

Another sign tied to the metal barriers surrounding the perimeters of the hotel reads 'Shut this migrant hotel down'

Metal fencing was delivered to the migrant hotel in Epping this morning as it tries to bolster defences

Police have issued a dispersal order in Epping following previous demonstrations outside The Bell hotel earlier this month. The order, which is in place from 2pm today until 8am tomorrow, covers an area including the town centre and transport hubs such as the Underground station

The Bell Hotel in Epping, which has housed migrants on and off for the last five years, has become a hotspot for protests against asylum seekers

Officers have also created designated sites for protestors opposite The Bell Hotel which have their own designated entry and exit routes.

There will also be designated sites close to the Civic Centre, where the council is based, but police warned that protestors will not be able to return to The Bell Hotel.

A curfew is also in place, with all 'protest activity' ordered to cease by 10pm on Thursday 24 July 2025.

Since the disorder began earlier this month, protests have spread to other parts of the country, with more than 150 gathering outside The Park Hotel, in Diss, Norfolk on Monday after the Home Office announced plans to change it from housing asylum-seeker families to single men.

Ethiopian aslyum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was charged with a number of sexual offences only days after arriving on these shores.

He was arrested by officers on July 8 after reports of a man acting inappropriately towards a number of people.

Kebatu appeared at Colchester Magistrates Court on Thursday 10 July and denied all offences.

On July 17 Kebatu was charged with three counts of sexual assault, as well as one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and one count of harassment without violence.

Lindsey, 58, said: 'Ive been in Epping for 17 years and my daughter goes to the school behind here (the hotel) and also the same school where the poor girl was attacked.

'We have been uncomfortable. There are 140 men who are there. This is a small town, people talk and hear stuff all the time. In big cities those things can get flushed away and airbrushed out but here we hear more.

'And we are terrified. Ive been here everyday and we are just mums in sundresses, facing up against police in masks and weapons.

'At this point the hotel needs to be closed. And the people sent somewhere where they are not free to roam around before they can be vetted.

'People think this is only about racism but it has nothing to do with race. You can be whatever colour, they could be Scottish people in there but until we know who is in our town they are not welcome. They must be vetted.'

Hazel, who has lived in Epping for 21 years, said: 'I want them out. It's just ridiculous. I have grandchildren. I have a 10-year-old grandson.

A map provided by Essex Police showing the Section 60 AA Area inside which anyone wearing face coverings faces arrest

A graphic showing the designated zones for use by anti-hotel protestors and counter-protesters outside The Bell Hotel, where the march began

A graphic showing the designated zones for use by anti-hotel protestors and counter-protesters outside the Civic Centre where the council meeting took place

A protestors jumps up and down on the roof of a police van at a protest on July 17 outside The Bell Hotel

Anti-immigration protestors attacked police vans during the protest on July 17

'Its absolutely vile what's happening - you can just see what happened to that girl. It's happening all over the country.

'They are coming over by the thousands on boats and they are all young men.

'There must be an agenda with the government to keep them there. They need to stop it now. I hope we are listened to.

'I hope they remove them and don't place them in another community. Send them back.'

Becci, 41, who has lived in Epping for five years, compared her struggle to get on the council housing list with the process for finding accommodation for migrants.

She said: 'No disrespect to them I cant even get on the council list and I'm paying rent that's extortionate.

'But if I come here from France on a boat, on a dinghy, I get put in a hotel, I mean look at Canary Wharf. We cant even afford a night out there, it's crazy.

'It's the government doing this to us. I would still be doing this if they were all white. I dont care if you are pink, blue or green, I would still be doing this. It's not that at all.

'I have seen them coming and going and they aren't nice people. It doesn't feel safe, you are scared of everything, I don't even want to take my kids to the park. They get all of this for nothing and they treat it like it's nothing.'

The council voted unanimously to close The Bell Hotel and Phoenix Hotel immediately.

Speaking at a tense council meeting, Reform UK's Jaymey McIvor said: 'It is a real shame that more members from this chamber couldn't be at the protests in person.

'The people of Epping are worried, they are scared, and they want to know they are being listened to.

'I've can't solve this problem, none of us can, this is years and years of mismanagement of our country's borders which has necessitated the use of hotels to accomodate unvetted men. This is about women's safety.

Cllr McIvor condemened the assaults and criminal damage that broke out on July 17, but said it was insulting to suggest all the Epping residents who attended the protests were 'far-right thugs'.

'Violence against police officers is unacceptable, violence against anybody is unacceptable, damaging public property or forcing local businesses to close is unacceptable.

'I don't support the notion that all the mums and business owners are far-right thugs. I will call out the far-left thuggery which was bussed to The Bell Hotel and caused undue agitation.'

The claim that far-left counter-protesters were 'bussed' to the July 17 protest by Essex Police was made by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

Farage said in a post on X: 'This video proves Essex Police transported left-wing protesters to the Bell Hotel in Epping.'

However, Essex Police emphatically denied the claim on Wednesday.

Chief Council of Essex, BJ Harrington said: 'What has been unacceptable has been the people who have come to Epping and committed violence.

'Who have attacked people who work at the hotel- who have attacked officers, who have damaged property and who have caused fear and disruption to the people of Epping.'

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: 'Officers did provide a foot cordon around protesters on their way to the protest, where they and others were allowed to exercise their right to protest.

'Later, some people who were clearly at risk of being hurt were also escorted by vehicle away from the area for their safety.

'To reiterate, we categorically did not drive any counter-protesters to the site on any occasion.'

Speaking outside the council meeting, local resident Justin Bird, 56, said 'For the past four years they (migrants) have been harrassing the young girls that come out of school.

People just feel unsafe, not so much me but my wife and the girls feel uneasy so that's how its impacted the community.

He added: 'Aggression and violence gets you nowhere but hopefully it sparks everyone to stand up.

Steve, 57, added: 'The country's gone bankrupt and the government is facilitating this.'
Germany is planning to reintroduce compulsory screening for military service for 18-year-old men under plans to ramp up their defence, a defence ministry source said.

Conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz has made boosting Germany's threadbare military a key priority amid a growing threat from Russia and US President Donald Trump's questioning of the traditional American security umbrella for Europe.

The drive aims to attract volunteers to the armed forces, but includes provisions for compulsory service in case numbers fall short.

As part of planned legislation due to be presented to cabinet next month, all young German men would have to fill out a questionnaire about their readiness and willingness to serve in the military.

The questionnaire would be voluntary for young women.

From 2028, all 18-year-old men would be required to undergo screening to determine their fitness for military service, whether they have shown an interest in joining the armed forces or not.

The planned law would also provide for compulsory military service to be reintroduced if deemed necessary because of the security situation, and provided parliament gives its explicit approval.

Conscription was officially suspended in Germany in 2011 under then chancellor Angela Merkel.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has made boosting Germany's threadbare military a key priority

Defence Minister Boris Pistorius visits a paramedic academy of the German army, Bundeswehr, in Munich

The policy has been introduced amid a growing threat from Russia and Vladimir Putin

Merz has introduced sweeping plans to largely exempt defence spending from Germany's strict debt rules in a drive to build up 'the strongest conventional army in Europe'.

But the Bundeswehr, currently 180,000-strong plus 49,000 reservists, has been struggling to recruit.

This year the defence ministry expects 15,000 new recruits for military service, 5,000 more than last year.

The eventual aim is to have a total military strength of 460,000 - made up of 260,000 active soldiers and 200,000 reservists.

For the moment the government says it plans to rely on volunteers to build up the ranks, and hopes for 40,000 new recruits per year by 2031.

It also wants to make military service more attractive, for example by offering training in new technologies and language courses.

Sweden reintroduced a limited form of conscription in 2017, seven years after abandoning it.
Passengers on a doomed Russian plane filmed fumes filling the cabin before it plunged in to a forest, killing all 49 passengers on board.

The An-24 twin-turboprop aircraft operated by Angara Airlines dropped off radar as it came into land at Tynda airport in the mountainous Amur region at 1:00pm local time (0400 GMT).

Before its flight there were reports of technical problems on the aircraft that needed repair before its final takeoff.

The plane, almost 50 years old, had flown from Khabarovsk with a stopover in Blagoveshchensk but crashed en route to its final destination of Tynda.

Passengers who disembarked in Blagoveshchensk - where repairs were carried out - showed footage of 'steam' or 'smoke' or 'fumes' in the cabin.

In the video clips, the travellers could be heard mocking the antiquated planes flying in Vladimir Putin's skies.

One woman's voice said: 'This time we're flying on an even worse one

'I'm flying. It's so old, it's just f***ed.'

Passengers on a doomed Russian plane filmed fumes filling the cabin (pictured) before it plunged in to a forest, killing all 49 passengers on board

The plane, almost 50 years old, had flown from Khabarovsk with a stopover in Blagoveshchensk but crashed en route to its final destination Tynda

The An-24 twin-turboprop aircraft operated by Angara Airlines dropped off radar as it came into land at Tynda airport in the mountainous Amur region at 1:00pm local time (0400 GMT)

Footage also shows a leak into the cabin on the first leg of its final flight.

It is unclear if this was harmless water vapour on the twin turboprop An-24, but it appeared to concern the passengers who labelled it 'steam' or 'smoke' or 'fumes'.

There was an unscheduled delay of two hours before the plane flew on to Tynda on its final journey from Blagoveshchensk.

Aircraft maintenance engineer Alexey Lysenko, 29, killed in the crash, reportedly told colleagues during the stopover 'that the aircraft had arrived with some kind of technical fault'.

He reported this to his colleagues.

His brother said that there were attempts to fix the issue but other difficulties incuding with the weather also delayed its flight.

He said: 'They were trying to resolve it. Then there were issues with the weather  they weren't given clearance to take off right away, so there was a delay.

'After about two hours, they departed.'

In the video clips, the travellers could be heard mocking the antiquated planes flying in Vladimir Putin's skies and pointing out the steam or vapour filling the cabin (pictured)

It is unclear if the fumes were harmless water vapour on the twin turboprop An-24, but it appeared to concern the passengers who labelled it 'steam' or 'smoke'

A view of the place of the crashed Russian An-24 passenger plane of the Siberia-based Angara Airlines while carrying 49 passengers in 15 kilometers (9 miles) south of Tynda, Far Eastern Amur region of Russia

It is unclear what these technical problems were but a crash investigation is underway.

The plane was confirmed to have gone down after helicopters dispatched by Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations spotted remnants of the plane's fuselage on a mountainside some 16 kilometres from Tynda.

All 49 people on board were reported killed, according to the ministry.

Footage shared to Russia's Telegram messaging app by onlookers on the forest floor showed the plane soaring dangerously low over the tree line as it made its final approach.

Weather conditions were poor with low cloud and rain, but the pilots did not report any problems to air traffic control before losing contact.

Videos shared on Telegram by emergency workers riding in rescue helicopters showed the smouldering ruins of the plane scattered amid the trees. The fuselage looked to have completely broken apart and caught fire upon impact.

'During the search operations, the Mi-8 helicopter of the Federal Air Transport Agency discovered the fuselage of the plane, which is on fire. Rescuers continue to proceed to the scene of the incident,' a statement from the Ministry read.

Subsequent images from the scene showed the plane had effectively disintegrated, with debris strewn over a large area.

Of the 49 people on board, six were crew members and five passengers were listed as children.

The plane was confirmed to have gone down after helicopters dispatched by Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations spotted remnants of the plane's fuselage on a mountainside some 16 kilometres from Tynda

The commander of the An-24 that crashed near Tynda was Vyacheslav Logvinov (left), and flight attendant was named Anastasia Bessmertnaya (right)

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Search and rescue parties were dispatched after air traffic controllers lost all communication with the pilots, who were named as Captain Vyacheslav Logvinov and co-pilot Kirill Plaksin.

Among the passengers was well-known thoracic surgeon Dr Leonid Maizel, 71, from Khabarovsk Regional Clinical Hospital.

He was joined by Dr Galina Naidyonova, an obstetrician-gynaecologist, and her husband Dr Alexey Naidyonov, a functional diagnostics doctor.

Their 14-year-old grandson was also flying with them and is believed to have been killed.

Other passengers feared dead include primary school teacher Elena Velikanova and chemical and biological technologist Natalia Shiyan.

The town of Tynda, home to roughly 30,000 people, is extremely remote and is surrounded by dense forest and mountainous terrain.

It is located some 5,170 kilometres (3,213 miles) east of Moscow and just 273 kilometres (169 miles) from the Chinese border.

The doomed plane had taken off earlier today from the eastern city of Khabarovsk and landed for a brief layover in Blagoveshchensk before continuing on to Tynda.

It underwent a technical inspection while on the runway at Blagoveshchensk's Ignatyevo airport and was found to be technically sound, according to emergency services.

However, Vadim Bazykin, a distinguished Russian test pilot, said the An-24's airframe and avionics had not been modified for many years.

'I think it would be better to ban flights on such old equipment if we are unable to bring it up to standard,' he said.

'We are simply putting passengers at risk all the time.'

The An-24 is an ageing propeller aircraft developed in the Soviet Union during the late 1950s as a transport plane and was subsequently converted for use by passenger airlines.

The doomed aircraft's tail number - RA-47315 - showed it was built in 1976 and was operated by Soviet flag carrier Aeroflot before the 1991 collapse of the USSR.

It was subsequently bought by the Siberia-based private airline Angara, which operates 10 An-24s built between 1972 and 1976, according to the RussianPlanes web portal.

Angara was one of two Siberian airlines that last year asked the Russian government to extend the service life of the Antonov aircraft as Russian planemakers scramble to plug the gap left by an exodus of foreign manufacturers.

The Amur regional government declared that air ambulances had been dispatched along with search and rescue parties to administer medical treatment to survivors

The An-24 is an ageing propeller aircraft developed in the Soviet Union during the late 1950s as a transport plane (pictured: Stock image of An-24 operated by Angara Airlines)

The Amur regional government declared that air ambulances had been dispatched along with search parties to administer medical treatment in the case that anyone had survived.

Vasily Orlov, Governor of Amur, wrote in a statement: 'All necessary forces and means are involved in searching for the plane. I kindly ask you not to trust unverified information.'

A hotline for relatives of passengers has been set up by the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Orlov added.

At least one Chinese national was on the flight, state media in China reported.

Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a message of condolence to Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

'I would like to express my deep condolences to the victims and sincere sympathy to the families of the victims,' Xi said, according to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV.

Authorities have launched a probe on the charge of flight safety violations that resulted in multiple deaths, a standard procedure in aviation accidents.

Nicknamed 'flying tractors', An-24s are regarded as reliable workhorses by the Russian aviation industry and are well-suited to the harsh conditions in Siberia as they are able to operate in sub-zero conditions and don't have to land on runways.

But airline executives, pilots and industry experts say the cost of maintaining the aircraft - which make up a fraction of Russia's fleet of over 1,000 passenger planes - has increased after Western sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine hit investment and access to parts.

Many of the planes were due to be retired from service in the coming years, but regional airlines are trying to keep them flying until a replacement enters into service as they say there is no alternative until then.

Mass production of the new Ladoga aircraft, the same class as the An-24, is not due to begin until 2027 at the earliest.
British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell answered 'every single question' asked of her by Trump's Justice Department during a closed-door meeting on Thursday, her attorney said.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche flew down to Florida to sit-down in person with the convicted child sex trafficking offender as the MAGA base demands answers on her knowledge of Jeffrey Epstein's crimes amid claims of a 'cover-up.'

Maxwell's attorney David Markus revealed that she answered every question asked of her during the marathon interview that lasted all day.

Maxwell took the 'full day and asked a lot of questions,' he said.

'Miss Maxwell answered every single question. She never stopped. She never invoked a privilege. She never declined to answer. She answered all the questions truthfully, honestly and to the best of her ability.'

Blanche arrived at the federal courthouse around 9:00 a.m., and Maxwell's attorneys were also seen entering the building in Tallahassee.

Maxwell, 63, is currently serving a 20-year sentence at a low-security prison in Tallahassee and is the only person serving time behind bars for Jeffrey Epstein's child sex crimes.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on Tuesday that Blanche had requested an interview with Maxwell to ask Epstein's longtime girlfriend: 'What do you know?'

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche (pictured) flew off to Florida to interview Ghislaine Maxwell in prison on Thursday about what she knows in relation to the Jeffrey Epstein case, according to multiple reports

Ghislaine Maxwell, 63, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in the child sex trafficking crimes and is held at the low-security Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee, Florida

Blanche, Bondi's No. 2 at the Justice Department, confirmed Tuesday the sit-down would take place 'in coming days.'

It comes as Trump's DOJ remains embroiled in controversy for failing to put out the full Epstein-related files.

MAGA supporters are demanding that Trump do more to get to the bottom of the Epstein files after the president campaigned on making information related to the convicted pedophile public.

It's unclear what Maxwell can reveal that isn't already public and the closed-door meeting is fueling skepticism over the handling of the Epstein files review.

Maxwell is also on the books to testify before Congress on August 11.

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal (Conn.) said the meeting is a way for the administration to 'secure a cover-up.'

The Connecticut senator said that Blanche is conducting a 'secret meeting' in order to strike a 'secret deal giving her potentially a pardon for providing information favorable to Trump.'

Maxwell has already made clear her intent to get her prison sentence absolved.

Her lawyers asked the Supreme Court to take up her case, arguing the socialite should have never been charged because of a plea deal Epstein struck in 2008.

'President Trump has told us to release all credible evidence,' Blanche said in a statement posted to X by Bondi. 'If Ghislane Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say.'

Maxwell's attorney David Oscar Markus told CNN the team is in discussions to have her tell her side of the story.

'I can confirm that we are in discussions with the government and that Ghislaine will always testify truthfully,' Markus said. 'We are grateful to President Trump for his commitment to uncovering the truth in this case.'

Disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell conspired in creating a years-long child sex trafficking ring on his private island

Just last week, the DOJ opposed Maxwell's request to have the Supreme Court review her case, with her lawyers claiming she should have never been charged because of a 2008 plea deal the courts struck with Epstein.

Trump tried desperately to get his base to abandon criticism of Bondi and the FBI after a memo earlier this month concluded the review found no foul play in Epstein's death.

MAGA supporters were particularly enraged that no new material was produced in the Epstein files review and that Trump's DOJ found no existence of a so-called 'client list' of high profile co-conspirators.

The president even started calling the whole ordeal the 'Epstein hoax' and claimed Democrats were to blame for stoking conspiracies in an effort to divide Republicans.

When that didn't work, Trump directed Bondi last week to request the Southern District of New York to unseal grand jury testimony in the Epstein court case.

'I've contacted her counsel,' Blanche said. 'I intend to meet with her soon. No one is above the lawand no lead is off-limits.'

Some Trump loyalists still aren't buying the latest attempt to recover from the failure that this month has caused a rift in MAGA world.

Leading the opposition to Bondi's investigation has been conservative personality Laura Loomer, who has taken to calling the AG 'Blondi.'

She said on Tuesday that the action seems like a way to 'cope' with the growing uprising within the Republican Party.

'Why wasn't this 'interview' with Ghislaine Maxwell done on day 1?' Loomer questioned on X.

'Shouldn't they have already done this?' she continued. 'Maybe there is a mix up in communication. But I just can't help but wonder whether or not this has already happened. And if not, why?'

Attorney and political commentator Ron Filipkowski said if Maxwell's statements implicate Trump, nothing will come out  but that if it exonerates the president, her sentence will be reduced.

'The truth is in the files, not from Maxwell,' Filipkowski wrote.

Blanche still insists that the July 6 joint memo from the DOJ and FBI regarding the Epstein files review 'remains accurate.'

He says that the department's recent review did not uncover any new evidence that could bring charges against others potentially involved in the crimes.

Blanche's statement on Tuesday morning acknowledges that no administration or DOJ has ever asked Maxwell to speak with them about the Epstein case.

'That changes now,' he insisted.

Attorney General Pam Bondi (left) posted to X on Tuesday morning Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche's (right) statement on his intent to meet with Maxwell to ask: 'What do you know?'
A 21-year-old has been killed in a freak electric scooter accident after suffering a 'tragic mishap' on the motorized two-wheeler.

Sean Keaton Nolan died last Friday in Spokane, Washington state, after falling off the scooter and into the path of a moving semi-truck, police have said.

He was one of two passengers on the scooter as they rode along the sidewalk near the university district at around 2.20am.

Nolan, who police describe as being the 'rear passenger', lost his balance and fell into the roadway where he was hit by a truck that had been driving by.

The front passenger fell onto the sidewalk.

The semi driver stopped and tried to help the two men, police say. First responders also 'attempted life saving measures', but Nolan was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police say the driver was 'cooperative with law enforcement' and that 'no signs of impairment were found'.

Nolan's loved ones are now facing a 'tremendous loss' in the wake of the tragedy and have paid tribute to the 'amazing' young man who they say 'knew how to make anyone laugh'.

Sean Keaton Nolan, 21, died last Friday when he fell off an electric scooter, landed in the street and was struck by a semi truck that was driving by

Nolan was one of two passengers riding the electric scooter near the intersection of Division Street and Dalton Avenue (pictured) in Spokane's university district on July 19 at 2.20am

The young man's mother Annie Deasy shared a photo of her son in a heartbreaking post announcing his passing.

'Sean Keaton Nolan 4.24.2004-7.19.2025,' she captioned the photo.

His friends and family rushed to the comments to issue their condolences, telling Deasy how 'he will be missed, as well as loved'.

'I'm sorry for your loss. I've known your son since middle school. He was an amazing person and knew how to make anyone laugh,' one person wrote.

'My heart aches for you and your family. I'm so sorry about your loss. Sean was an amazing young man,' another commented.

Nolan's seventh grade math and science teacher added: 'He was an awesome kid. I was so sad to hear this news. I'm sending condolences to your family.'

Others hailed Nolan's 'adventurous spirit', 'high energy' and 'electric smile' that those who knew him say 'lit up a room'.

His tragic death comes amid a global push to ban electric scooters in busy city areas.

Nolan's friends and family have hailed his 'adventurous spirit', 'high energy' and 'electric smile' that those who knew him say 'lit up a room'

Officials in Texas will meet today to discuss a proposal by police that would create a 'scooter-free zone' in downtown Houston, Axios reports.

The proposal came after the city recorded 23 scooter-involved crashes last year.

Houston has seen a rise in electric scooter crashes year-on-year after recording 20 in 2023, 10 in 2022 and three in 2021.

Three riders were killed in the crashes with the city alleging that at least one person has died on an electric scooter this year.

Houston Mayor John Whitmire, an advocate for the measure, has argued that 'scooter users disregard traffic laws, putting themselves and others at risk'.

Opponents of the proposal allege it restricts locals' 'freedom to choose how they move' and is bad for business.

If the measure passes, Houston would be the first major American city with an active e-scooter ban in place.

Madrid, Toronto, Paris and Melbourne, Australia have already passed similar measures.
A senior police officer has been found guilty of misconduct after a 23-year-old man was hit by a train when he absconded from a mental health hospital.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed the officer - understood to be West Midlands Police Inspector Collin Baker - had been given a written warning to last for 18 months.

It came after misconduct was proven against him at a private meeting on Wednesday.

The IOPC said the misconduct during the search for Matthew Caseby was 'proven in respect of a breach of duties and responsibilities when it was found the inspector may not have included relevant information within his decision making'.

It added he may also have 'dismissed information when deciding that Matthew was a medium risk missing person'.

The watchdog determined the officer should face a misconduct hearing after a complaint about Mr Baker was made by Mr Caseby's father, Richard Caseby, a communications consultant, almost three years ago, alleging a series of failings.

An inquest jury ruled in April 2022 that failures amounting to neglect contributed to the death of Mr Caseby, who was hit by a train near Birmingham's University railway station after absconding from the city's Priory Hospital Woodbourne by climbing over a courtyard fence.

The 23-year-old, who lived in London, had been detained under the Mental Health Act following reports of a man running on to railway tracks near Oxford five days before his death.

Matthew Caseby, 23, (pictured) was hit by a train near Birmingham's University railway station after absconding from the city's Priory Hospital Woodbourne by climbing over a courtyard fence

His father believes police were 'utterly negligent' about Mr Caseby's acute vulnerability and should have classed him as a high-risk missing person.

An IOPC spokesperson said: 'Our thoughts and sympathies remain with Matthew Caseby's family and everyone affected by his sad death.

'We investigated how West Midlands Police responded to reports that Matthew was missing after the force referred a complaint to us, made by the family in October 2022, following the inquest into his death.

'We examined the initial risk assessments and further reviews by officers; the actions taken to try and find Matthew and what consideration was given to concerns and information Matthew's parents shared with the force.

'At the end of our investigation we shared our report and findings with West Midlands Police and Matthew's father.

'We found that a police inspector may have breached the standards of professional behaviour regarding duties and responsibilities, authority, respect and courtesy and discreditable conduct in relation to their decision-making and handling of information, after Matthew was reported missing.'

The IOPC spokesperson, who did not name the inspector involved, said of Wednesday's misconduct meeting: 'Misconduct was proven in respect of a breach of duties and responsibilities when it was found the inspector may not have included relevant information within his decision-making and/or dismissed information when deciding that Matthew was a medium risk missing person.

Priory Woodbourne in Birmingham, where Mr Caseby absconded from before being hit by a train

'The sanction imposed was a written warning to last for 18 months.'

The IOPC said it had also identified learning for the West Midlands force in respect of procedures for investigating missing persons deemed to be medium risk, particularly on overnight shifts, with less staff on duty.

The inquest jury - which heard the University of Birmingham graduate should have been under constant observation but was left unattended - reached a conclusion that death was contributed to by neglect.

Care provider Priory Healthcare was last year fined 650,000 for safety failings linked to the death.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Police, who also declined to name the officer involved, said: 'Our thoughts remain with Matthew Caseby's family and friends.

'An investigation was carried out by the IOPC and concluded that a police inspector should attend a misconduct meeting.

'A misconduct meeting took place yesterday and the officer received a written warning to remain on his file for 18 months. We note the recommendations made by the IOPC and the outcome of their investigation.'
President Donald Trump's hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza were shattered on Thursday after peace talks with Hamas were cut short.

The U.S. is bringing home its negotiating team after Hamas showed 'a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza,' Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff said.

'While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith,' Witkoff said in a statement. 'We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.'

It's unclear what Witkoff meant by 'alternative options' but he blasted the Hamas team for acting 'selfish.'

'It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way,' Witkoff said. 'We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza.'

It's in sharp contrast to Witkoff's earlier assessment of a potential ceasefire deal in February, when he said there was a 'real chance of success.'

A breakthrough in talks on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has eluded Trump's administration for months as conditions worsen in Gaza.

The territory recently had its deadliest day yet for aid-seekers in over 21 months of war, with at least 85 Palestinians killed while trying to obtain food Sunday.

President Donald Trump's hopes for a ceasefire in Gaza have been dashed

Additionally, the people in Gaza are facing starvation as the humanitarian crisis worsens.

The Gaza ministry of health reported more than 40 hunger-related deaths this month, including 16 children, and 111 since the beginning of the war, 81 of them children.

Israel ended a two-month cease-fire in mid-March and resumed its military campaign in Gaza.

At that time it also imposed a total blockade on the entry of goods for about 80 days to try to pressure Hamas into surrendering.

Instead conditions are growing worse.

Meanwhile, all sides have held weeks of talks in Qatar, reporting small signs of progress but no major breakthroughs.

Officials have said a main sticking point is the redeployment of Israeli troops after any ceasefire takes place.

Palestinians wounded by Israeli military vehicles shelling and firing at the Miraj area are brought to Nasser Medical Complex for treatment in Rafah, Gaza

Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff is bringing home the U.S. negotiating team after Gaza peace talks failed

Ten Palestinian children, aged between 15 and 18, who were detained by the Israeli army about a month ago from a humanitarian aid area in the Al-Shakoush region west of Rafah city in the southern Gaza Strip, are being transferred to Nasser Hospital

Earlier Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office recalled his country's negotiating team back to Israel in light of Hamas' response.

In a brief statement, the prime minister's office expressed its appreciation for the efforts of Witkoff and mediators Qatar and Egypt, but it gave no further details.

The deal under discussion was expected to include a 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Aid supplies would be ramped up and the two sides would hold negotiations on a lasting truce.

The talks have been bogged down over competing demands for ending the war.

Hamas says it will only release all hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal and end to the war. Israel says it will not agree to end the war until Hamas gives up power and disarms, a condition the militant group rejects.

It's the latest setback for Trump as he's tried to position himself as peacemaker and made little secret of the fact he wants to receive a Nobel Peace Prize.

The president also had promised to quickly negotiate an end to Russia's war in Ukraine, but little progress has been made in that arena, either.
An ultra-exclusive mountain town has been left bitterly divided after officials developed a row of new parking spaces.

Telluride, nestled in Colorado's San Juan Mountains, is a famed summer getaway for billionaires, celebrities, and Silicon Valley moguls.

In April the town added 14 new paid diagonal parking spaces on a section near its main street as part of a pilot program.

It was hoped that the extra spaces would alleviate an increase in demand in the historic downtown area, creating more spaces in the high-traffic area.

The spaces have been slammed by those who own or occupy homes along the road, citing safety concerns, congestion and negative effects on the town's aesthetic.

Rosie Cusack, a resident of 29 years, told The Denver Post: 'The diagonal parking creates a negative visual impact as you arrive into town. It's like this terrible vibe.'

Her main issue is the lack of transparency around the new spaces and the installation of the parking meters.

She believes the town used the pilot program as an excuse to bring in new things without actually consulting residents.

Telluride, seen here during the fall, is a famed summer getaway for billionaires, celebrities, and Silicon Valley moguls

In April the town added 14 new paid diagonal parking spaces, seen here, on a section near its main street as part of a pilot program

An anonymous local has also taken to placing yellow signs near the spaces, implying there is a wealth gap between those against the spaces, and those in favor.

One sign reads: 'Sorry your generational wealth can't protect you from angled Toyotas'.

Another said: 'Diagonal parking isnt a bad idea, but letting wealth dictate urban planning is.'

It isn't all anger over the new spaces however, with Currie Parnell, who works nearby at a music store, saying they've helped bring in customers to the store.

Parnell said: 'We see a huge influx of business around festivals and July 4th. Foot traffic and car traffic picks up this time of year, so it really satisfies that demand.'

The town had installed a parking garage only a few years ago, but in Parnell's view the angled spaces over a quicker 'more straightforward' solution.

At a town hotel meeting on, fierce critics expressed their disdain for the parking spaces to officials.

According to the Post, one local suggested that council members had a 'premanufactured positive bias' of the pilot and they were forcing through the spaces.

An anonymous local has also taken to placing yellow signs near the spaces, implying there is a wealth gap between those against the spaces, and those in favor

The town has changed in recent years into a playground for the one percent, with $20 million ranches, private hiking trails and a paparazzi free summer for celebs

Resident Erik Dalton added: 'Ninety percent of my residential neighborhood  which is two blocks, its small  is against this. I dont know what more we can do to show you guys this.'

Council member Geneva Shaunette was also accused of ethical misconduct for submitting her own positive feedback on the spaces.

Shaunette lives nears the spaces, writing: 'I love the diagonal parking because I have only had to park on a side street once this entire summer.

'Otherwise, Im able to park within 5 spaces of my front door. As a G permit holder, I have really felt the increase in space.'

The town attorney made it clear that Shaunette was not breaching any code of conduct by giving her own opinion.

Deputy town manager Hayden Brodowsky told the meeting that he would continue to collect data throughout the summer over the new spaces.

According to Brodowsky, despite what some locals said, there have been no safety issues observed by authorities due to the new spaces.

The town has changed in recent years into a playground for the one percent, with $20 million ranches, private hiking trails and a paparazzi free summer for celebs.

With limited commercial flights, Telluride is perfect for private jets, which isn't a problem for its residents, including Oprah Winfrey, who owns four properties there.

The upcoming arrival of a Four Seasons  the first five-star hotel and luxe condo development in over 15 years  is a sign of what's to come.
A screaming heckler interrupted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis as he delivered a tribute to wrestling legend Hulk Hogan on Thursday.

As DeSantis eulogized Hogan, describing the fellow Floridian as a 'superhero' and a 'major icon for anybody in Gen X,' an unhinged man began shouting from the back of the room.

'Alligator Alcatraz - is that your f***ing legacy!?' the unidentified protester yelled.

De Santis told the man to 'stop' and 'get out of here' before the protester took another swipe at the governor.

'You bow to a f***ing pedophile. You're a f***ing pedohile' he yelled as security moved in to escort him out.

'F*** you all,' he added as security removed him.

DeSantis then picked up where he left off, recalling the time Hogan lifted 520-pound Andre the Giant off the ground during Wrestlemania III.

'I was really worried that he wasn't going to be able to, but he slammed Andre the Giant,' he said. 'That was a huge thing for kids in that era.'

As Florida Governor Ron DeSantis eulogized Hogan on Thursday, describing the fellow Floridian as a 'superhero' and a 'major icon for anybody in Gen X,' an unhinged man began shouting from the back of the room

'Alligator Alcatraz - is that your f***ing legacy!?' the unidentified protester yelled

The dramatic interruption came after Hogan, 71, suffered a fatal cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater Beach.

Alligator Alcatraz, a migrant detention center in the Florida Everglades, has come under fierce criticism since it opened its doors on July 1 and began accepting inmates two days later.

It has sparked outrage over reports of poor conditions and the treatment of inmates.

President Donald Trump toured the facility on July 1 alongside DeSantis and Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem, declaring: 'It might be as good as the real Alcatraz.'

Two weeks later, a group of Democrats were granted access to tour the newly constructed grounds, and 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.'

Kevin Guthrie, from the Florida division of Emergency Management, dismissed democrats' concerns in an interview with Jesse Watters on Fox.

He said one critic 'had an infrared thermometer that they actually pointed at a lightbulb and it was 110C.'

Governor Ron Desantis pictured with Hulk Hogan in May 2025

The Alligator Alcatraz detention center has been the subject to fierce criticism since it opened its doors on July 1 and began accepting inmates two days later

President Donald Trump toured the facility, which is deep in the Florida Everglades, on July 1

Guthrie said he suggested they 'pull that down' to gauge the actual temperature, suggesting it was an attempt to make the facility appear hotter than it actually is.

One migrant being held at detention center described dozens of inmates being corralled inside cages at the mosquito-infested facility.

Juan Palma, 48, told NBC6 that the lights stay on around the clock, leaving him clueless as to the time of day.

The Cuban migrant said that he and 32 other people live in what he described as a cage and that they are only allowed to shower every three or four days.
The college town where a 22-year-old graduate student died after falling into the Mississippi River following a night of drinking has a dark history of eerily similar deaths stretching back nearly three decades.

Eliotte Heinz vanished early Sunday while walking home from a night out in downtown La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was last captured on surveillance camera walking alone at 3:22am near the Mississippi River waterfront.

A four-day search for Heinz ended in tragedy on Wednesday morning when her body was found floating downstream near Brownsville, Minnesota - more than 10 miles from where she was last seen.

Its unclear how Heinz ended up in the river. La Crosse PD said their investigation will remain active as they await autopsy results for an official cause of death.

In a heartbreaking statement issued Thursday, Heinzs family remembered her as a beautiful person who was smart, funny, caring, and loved by all who knew her.

We don't know why we were so blessed to have her as a daughter or why we are unable to keep her. She is amazing and would have continued to amaze us. We are devastated that she is no longer with us. Our family will forever have a missing piece, her family wrote.

Eliotte's walk home is finished. Unfortunately, our family's walk down this new hard path is just beginning.

Eliotte Heinz, 22, was found dead in the Mississippi River on Wednesday - three days after she was last seen walking home alone after a night of drinking in La Crosse, Wisconsin

In a still taken from a security video, Heinz is seen dressed in a white t-shirt and denim shorts. She appears to be holding something in her hand, possibly a cellphone

Concerns about the lack of safeguards around the Mississippi in downtown La Crosse have been prevalent for some time.

La Crosse is a college town with nearly 20,000 students across its three major institutions: University of WisconsinLa Crosse, Western Technical College, and Viterbo University, where Heinz was enrolled in the mental health counseling program.

Between 1997 and 2006, La Crosse was plagued by a spate of alcohol-related accidental drownings that claimed the lives of at least eight college-age students. By 2017, some reports placed the number of deaths at more than a dozen.

For a time, speculation was rife that the deaths were being caused by a serial killer dubbed Smiley Face, but those baseless claims were refuted by law enforcement, who determined each of the deaths was the result of excessive drinking, combined with close physical proximity to the river - and not homicide.

In 2006, the New York Times reported that local officials had debated for years how to better prevent drunken students from falling into the Mississippi, but solutions have so far eluded this community.

La Crosse is renowned for its rich nightlife culture - and even at one point held a Guinness World Record for the most bars and nightclubs on a single street.

Numerous bars line the riverfront near Riverside Park, but there are few safeguards in place to prevent intoxicated revelers from falling in.

Taking matters into their own hands, students from La Crosses three largest universities launched Operation: River Watch in 2006, a volunteer program in which students patrol the riverbank on Friday and Saturday nights to steer revelers classmates from the waters edge.

In a heartbreaking statement issued Thursday, Heinzs family remembered her as a beautiful person who was smart, funny, caring, and loved by all who knew her

Her parents and siblings tearfully appealed for information on Monday

The following year, the city placed gates, rails and chains at three entrances to a levee at the citys Riverside Park, close to where one student died in 2006 - but some locals wanted more comprehensive measures.

Following Heinzs death, the La Crosse City Vision Foundation is proposing that more safety cameras be installed along the riverfront and on key travel routes between downtown and the river to more quickly alert law enforcement to an unfolding emergency.

Heinzs body was found by a fisherman just before 10:30am local time in Brownsville, Minnesota, on Wednesday.

Her body was floating face down and wrapped in duckweed, a local business owner told Fox News.

Heinz spent her final hours with friends at Broncos Bar in the citys downtown area, leaving at 2:30am Sunday, when the bar closed.

She was then spotted walking alone near the Courtyard Marriott Hotel by a surveillance camera at 3:22am.

Where she spent the 50 minutes between leaving the bar and being captured on the hotels security feed is not clear. The bar and the hotel are just 0.4 miles apart.

In a still taken from the security video, Heinz is seen dressed in a white t-shirt and denim shorts. She appears to be holding something in her hand, possibly a cellphone.

According to her mom, Heinz was walking back to her apartment at the time the image was captured.

The journey shouldve taken 30 minutes, but she never made it back.

Following Heinzs death, the La Crosse City Vision Foundation is proposing that more safety cameras be installed along the riverfront and on key travel routes between downtown and the river

A map shows Heinz's last known whereabouts before she was reported missing on Sunday

Viterbo University will hold a memorial service in Eliottes honor this fall, a spokesperson said

Heinzs cellphone was later found near the hotel by friends who went out looking for her after numerous calls went unanswered, the Daily Mail previously revealed.

Her family said they were trying to stay positive as the search for her stretched into a fourth day on Wednesday.

However, within hours, a tragic discovery was made in Minnesota.

This was not the outcome we had hoped for throughout this search, said La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron, announcing Heinzs death.

Our thoughts are with Eliottes family, friends and all those who knew Eliotte.

Heinzs alma mater also released a statement, mourning her passing.

There are no words that can ease the pain of losing someone so young, with so much life ahead of her, said Viterbo University President Dr. Rick Trietley.

Our hearts go out to Eliottes family. We hold them in our prayers and stand with them in their grief.

Viterbo will hold a memorial service in Eliottes honor this fall, in coordination with her family, once students return to campus, the school said.

The investigation into Heinz's death remains ongoing.
The pursuit of a nurse who challenged a trans doctor for being in the womans changing room was controlled from the very top to punish her for objecting, a tribunal has heard.

Sandie Peggie has sued NHS Fife and male-born medic Dr Beth Upton after being suspended from work for challenging the doctors use of the room.

The embattled health board was accused of punishing the 51-year-old nurse for the heresy of the refusal to accept or pretend that Dr Upton is a woman.

During another extraordinary day of evidence it emerged the investigator looking into Ms Peggie had a private meeting with Dr Upton, 30, to adjust notes from an interview.

And the lawyers involved became embroiled in a row about pronouns, with the NHS Fife KC Jane Russell demanding the nurses lawyer stop referring to Dr Upton as a man.

It led to barrister Naomi Cunningham firing back, telling the tribunal Ms Russell had been indulged in repeated futile objections to my use of correct sex pronouns for Dr Upton.

Ms Peggie has taken NHS Fife and Dr Upton to an employment tribunal and has claimed her treatment has broken the Equality Act.

It follows an incident on Christmas Eve 2023 when she challenged Dr Upton in the women-only changing room at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, for which she was subsequently suspended and investigated for.

Nurse Sandie Peggie, above, has sued NHS Fife and male-born medic Dr Beth Upton after being suspended from work for challenging the doctors use of the female changing room

Clincal nurse manager Angela Glancey led investigation into Sandie Peggie after the alleged changing room row

Ms Peggie, a nurse of 30 years experience, last week was cleared of gross misconduct with NHS Fife finding insufficient evidence.

Angela Glancey, a clinical nurse manager, led an investigation into allegations against the nurse, becoming involved in late February 2024.

Ms Cunningham highlighted a note from early January 2024 sent by Norma Beveridge, the director of nursing, in which the senior boss said the claim was a very serious allegation with the potential for significant reputational damage.

In her cross-examination, Ms Cunningham said: The truth is this process was controlled from the very top, isnt it? Sandie always had to be put through this process and punished for her offence of standing up to a man who wanted to use the womens changing room?

The witness told the lawyer: I dont agree with that.

The tribunal heard that Dr Upton was offered a meeting after querying notes made during an investigation interview.

Ms Cunningham asked if it was normal practice to meet up privately with the witness in order to agree adjustments to the notes, and was told by Ms Glancey that it had been the first time it has been asked of me.

Ms Glancey said most of the changes were grammatical, and there was not anything in the body of the notes that were changed that I disagreed with.

At one point Ms Glancey referred to Dr Upton as he, before changing it to she, prompting the NHS Fife KC to say she had a concern about Ms Cunninghams persistent misgendering which was discombobulating the witness.

Ms Russell, who said NHS Fife were not used to Dr Upton being referred to with the pronouns he/him asked the judge to note her concerns and asked Ms Cunningham to reflect on her language.

However, Ms Cunningham continued to use male pronouns, and put it to Ms Glancey that: The reason Sandie had to be punished, through this whole process, was she was guilty of the exact same heresy in the eyes of the board to which Ms Russell, no doubt on the instructions of the board, has taken repeated exception in the course of this hearing  namely the refusal to accept or pretend that Dr Upton is a woman.

Ms Glancey did not agree.

The tribunal continues.
Shocking aerial images show how the Ukrainian city of Chasiv Yar has been reduced to a mangled hellscape by Russia's war machine.

Chasiv Yar is a city in Donetsk, part of the Donbas region of Ukraine.

For the last 15 months, Russia has waged a long-running battle on the fortified eastern city.

It is a key target for the Russians at it sits on higher ground, offering potential control for a wider area.

Its capture would also give Russia more options to attack Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region to the west, which is not one of the areas which Moscow has claimed but where it says it has already established a small foothold.

Constant bombardment by Russian shells have left the city looking like a skeleton of its former glory.

Apartment buildings have been turned to rubble and ruin, with collapsed roofs, smashed windows and blocked roads.

The ruins of destroyed buildings are seen in the city of Chasiv Yar at dawn on July 24

A view of the city of Chasiv Yar in 2019 before Russia's invasion of Ukraine

Russia has waged a 15-month war on the city in an attempt to drive further into the region

As buildings sit destroyed, even the surrounding trees appear lifeless from the strikes

In July 2022, the city was struck by missile strikes which killed 48 people, including a nine-year-old boy, according to authorities.

Many locals fled and the city's population quickly shrunk from around 12,000 to nearly 700, according to Kyiv Independent.

Last year all remaining children were evacuated and only those unwilling or unable to leave remained in the city.

Those who remained have faced dire conditions with access to water, gas and power cut off and constant shelling by the Russian army.

In April it was revealed that around 80 per cent of apartment buildings had already been critically damaged.

The Russian army is currently pushing to capture the city of Pokrovsk, with more than 100,000 soldiers advancing in the area.

Pokrovsk is a road and rail hub in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region which had a pre-war population of some 60,000 people.

Most people have now fled, all children have been evacuated and, according to Serhii Dobriak, the head of the city's military administration, less than 1,500 residents remain.

In April it was revealed that around 80 per cent of apartment buildings had already been critically damaged

A man walks in the city of Chasiv Yar in the days before the war broke out

Chasiv Yar is a key target for the Russians at it sits on higher ground, offering potential control for a wider area

Constant bombardment by Russian shells have left the city looking like a skeleton of its former glory

Moscow says it has annexed Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region and controls over 70 per cent of the area's territory.

Capturing Pokrovsk, dubbed 'the gateway to Donetsk' by Russian media, and Kostiantynivka to its northeast which Russian forces are also trying to envelop, would give Moscow a platform to drive north towards the two biggest remaining Ukrainian-controlled cities in Donetsk - Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.

It lies on a key road which has been used by the Ukrainian military to supply other embattled eastern outposts, including Chasiv Yar.

Control of Pokrovsk would allow Moscow to further disrupt Ukrainian supply lines along the eastern front and boost its long-running campaign to capture Chasiv Yar.

Last year Russian forces were seen using flamethrower bombs on the buildings in Chasiv Yar as it continued to bring the town to ruin.

The bombs disperse an aerosol cloud of fuel which ignites, producing a massive explosion with a high-temperature blast wave.

Shocking footage showed entire multi-storey buildings in the city being 'wiped off the face of the earth' alongside Ukrainian soldiers, according to a Russian special forces Telegram channel.

Apartment buildings have been turned to rubble and ruin, with collapsed roofs, smashed windows and blocked roads

The capture could allow Russia to advance deeper into the Donetsk region

Thermobaric bombs pulverised the once tranquil Ukrainian town in Donetsk region (pictured above: ruins of multi-storey buildings destroyed by the flamethrower bombs)

Ukraine's top military commander, Oleksandr Syrskyi - who said in May that Ukraine had stalled the long grinding Russian offensive on Pokrovsk and even pushed back in some areas - said on Friday that his forces were standing firm.

Ukrainian officials say Russia has relentlessly pounded their forces with artillery, glide bombs, and drones and sent in small groups of fighters to try to gain ground rather than commit large groups of infantry or armoured vehicles.

Russia has 111,000 soldiers in the Pokrovsk area, Syrskyi has estimated.

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has made various senior personnel changes in the army during the city's defence.

Ukraine says Moscow has sustained huge losses after throwing everything it has at trying to break through. Moscow says Ukrainian forces are taking serious losses. Neither side discloses full casualty figures.
Police Scotland are to take no further action over a historic sexual assault allegation levelled at Alex Salmond after his death.

The force received a complaint about the former first minister shortly after he suffered a fatal heart attack in North Macedonia in October aged 69.

After investigating the report, the police have now cleared the former Alba leader.

In a statement, the force said: Following a report of a non-recent sexual assault, enquiries were carried out and no further action will be taken.

Mr Salmond, who led the SNP for 20 years and was first minister from 2007 to 2014, was cleared of 13 sexual offence counts at a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh in March 2020.

Earlier misconduct claims made against him by two female civil servants led to a massive falling out with his protege Nicola Sturgeon and a split in the Nationalist movement.

In 2018, Mr Salmond resigned from the SNP after the claims emerged and challenged a Scottish Government probe into them.

His successful judicial review showed the in-house inquiry had been unfair, unlawful and tainted by apparent bias, and he was awarded 512,00 in legal costs.

Former First Minister Alex Salmond cleared of historic sexual assault claims

Alex Salmond speaking outside the High Court in Edinburgh in 2020

He launched Alba on the eve of the 2021 Holyrood election as a pro-independence rival to his old party, but it has remained a political minnow and has yet to have a candidate elected.

Alba MSP Ash Regan welcomed Police Scotlands decision.

She told the Daily Record: Alex Salmond died with his reputation intact as a titan of Scottish politics. Alex can no longer defend himself, yet some remain determined to smear his name.

It is time to let him rest, grant his wife Moira and his family the closure they deserve and draw a line so his legacy can be remembered with dignity.

Dr Nick McKerrell, a senior law lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University, told the paper that investigating alleged crimes by dead people was not without precedent.

While the police obviously have difficulties with the absence of the key participants, there still can be public interest in carrying it out even though there can be no prosecution.
Idaho killer Bryan Kohberger flew into a rage when he thought a fellow inmate was talking about his mother, according to police reports.

The quadruple murderer, 30, lost his temper during one of his hours-long video chat with his mother Maryann at the Latah County Jail in Boise where he took long showers and stayed up all night, per his fellow inmates.

'[An inmate] said "you suck" to one of the players on the team. At which point Kohberger immediately got up and put his face to the bars and aggressively asked if [he] was talking about him or his mother,' newly-released police documents said.

The inmate, whose identity was withheld, told police that it was the only time Kohberger lost his temper - and that the killer was 'the smartest person he had encountered while in confinement.'

However, the inmate added that he quickly became annoyed by Kohberger's long showers the fact he washed his hands 'dozens of times a day.'

Kohberger would apparently also 'be awake almost all night and would only take a nap during the day.'

Another inmate quoted in police documents described Kohberger as a 'f***ing weirdo,' adding that he would have attacked the mass murderer if not for fear of further legal consequences.

Kohberger was transferred to an Idaho state prison after he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on Wednesday.

Newly-released police documents revealed that Bryan Kohberger lost his temper in jail after he thought a fellow inmate was talking about his mother

Kohberger reportedly spoke with his mother Maryann, seen next to his sister on Wednesday, for hours every day

Left to right: Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen (on Kaylee's shoulders) Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke

The new information about Kohberger's time in the county jail emerged in previously-sealed Moscow Police Department files into the November 2022 killings of Kaylee Congalves, Xana Kenodle, Maddie Mogen and Ethan Chapin.

The newly released documents revealed that Goncalves was so badly mutilated by Bryan Kohbger's murderous knife attack that she looked 'unrecognizable' by the time he'd finished with her.

'I was unable to comprehend exactly what I was looking at while trying to discern the nature of the injuries,' a cop wrote in newly-released files on the 2022 Idaho murders in the wake of Kohberger's sentencing Wednesday.

Goncalves, 21, was stabbed a total of 34 times, with many of those wounds left on her face at the student home where she lived in Moscow. Unlike Kohberger's other three victims, who only had stab wounds, Golcalves also suffered blunt force injuries.

Another officer on the scene described seeing Kernodle's body on her bedroom covered in blood, with defensive wounds to her hands, including a deep gash between her finger and thumb. She was stabbed more than 50 times.

'It was obvious an intense struggle had occurred,' the officer wrote. 'There was blood smeared on various items in the room and all over the floor.'

Kernodle's boyfriend Chapin was found partially covered with a blanket in her bed, with his jugular severed, the police files said.

Mogen and Goncalves were found in Mogen's bed, covered in blood, per police reports. The two young women were childhood best friends

Surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen sobs uncontrollably in the courtroom as she spoke out for the first time Wednesday

On the floor above, officers found the bodies of Mogen and Goncalves.

Mogen had wounds to her forearm, hands and a gash from her right eye to her nose.

Both were covered in blood, which had soaked the pink blanket they were sharing.

Kohberger left behind a Ka-Bar leather knife sheath next to Mogen's body.

DNA on the clasp was traced back to the killer using Investigative Genetic Genealogy.

The police files also revealed the victims saw a man lurking in the trees outside their home and found their front door mysteriously open one month before the killer struck.

Goncalves had told at least two friends that she had seen a man watching her in the trees around the home.

Surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen - who bravely spoke out in Wednesdays sentencing hearing - told police Goncalves described seeing the shadow when she took her pet dog Murphy outside.

Kaylee Goncalves had seen the man when she took her pet dog Murphy outside (pictured together)

Alivea and Steve Goncalves hug after delivering victim impact statements to the court

Another friend echoed this accounts, telling police Goncalves had seen a dark figure staring at her from the tree line when taking Murphy outside.

Mortensen, who was 19 at the time, also recalled one time when she came home to find the door to their three-story house open.

It is not clear if the incidents are related and if it is possible Kohberger was carrying out a practice run for the murders one month later.

It is also unclear if the man Goncalves saw was Kohberger surveilling the victims home, or if he may have broken into the home prior to the night of his attack.

But the details of these bizarre incidents come as prosecutors have been able to confirm Kohberger was surveilling the home for some time.

From July 2022 through to November 13, 2022, Kohbergers phone placed him in the vicinity of the King Road home at least 23 times, mostly at night.

Despite his guilty plea and sentencing, the killer's motive and target for the murders remain a mystery.

Listen to On The Case: The Idaho Murders wherever you get your podcasts now. Subscribe to The Crime Desk, Daily Mail's podcast network for ad-free listening, plus hours of exclusive True Crime content, including the No.1 True Crime podcast, The Trial

The home at 1122 King Road where Kohberger broke in and murdered his victims

Speaking at a press conference after the sentencing, Moscow Police Corporal Brett Payne told reporters that while they know Kohberger 'targeted' that house, they still don't know why.

'The evidence suggested that there was a reason that this particular house was chosen. What that reason is, we dont know,' he said.

Investigators also remain in the dark about whether one or more of the victims inside the home was his intended target.

Search for On The Case: The Idaho Murders on all good podcast platforms now - and be sure to subscribe or follow to never miss an episode.
This is the moment a 'speeding' e-bike rider was arrested just moments after almost hitting a pedestrian while fleeing police.

Cops spotted the man reaching speeds believed to be over 40mph on the bike in Croxteth, Merseyside, on Wednesday.

When he was questioned by officers at around 5pm, he rode away.

The suspect then narrowly avoided a pedestrian while he was being pursued around a housing estate, Merseyside Police said.

The force explained: 'He rode on pavements and pulled into the path of a car that had to brake suddenly before losing control of the bike and falling off.

'As the suspect tried to get back on the bike, the officers carefully drove their vehicle onto the bike's back wheel and detained the rider.'

Dashcam footage shows an e-bike rider accelerating onto a main road, narrowly missing oncoming traffic.

It then shows the moment police caught up with a suspect, before driving their car onto the back wheel of the bike.

Merseyside Police officers drove over the e-bike to stop the suspect from evading them again

The e-bike rider was seeing entering a main road at speed in front of oncoming traffic

Police then caught up with the rider who had come off his e-bike on a cul-de-sac

A 19-year-old man from Old Swan was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, drug driving, failing to stop, driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence and using a motor vehicle without third party insurance.

Police said he has been released under investigation.

The bike was found to be capable of top speeds of more than 50mph as well as having worn tyres, no brakes on the rear wheel and pedals that did not function

Roads Policing Inspector Ian Cowell said: 'We simply will not tolerate people risking the safety of others and themselves by riding electric bikes at speed on our roads and pavements.

'The speed limit for electrically-assisted bikes is set at a maximum of 15.5mph for very good reason. When they are ridden at speed they can pose a very real danger to the rider and others.

'This risk only increases when the bike has faulty brakes, pedals that don't work and tyres that are worn.

'Through Operation Gears, we are taking proactive action by seizing illegal bikes, arresting offenders, and increasing high-visibility patrols where the public and our own patrols identify issues.

'Our activity is aimed at disrupting criminality and ultimately protecting our communities.'

It comes after another e-bike rider also got a dose of instant karma after a dramatic police chase led to his arrest.

Police drove over the back wheel of the bike to prevent the suspect's escape

The suspect was subsequently arrested by officers from Merseyside Police

Self-confessed 'stupid' phone snatcher Bradley McMillan, was one of two spotted by officers travelling at around 60mph on high-speed e-bikes on a busy road in central London.

Armed response cops were called out after receiving reports of phones being snatched - with suggestions the thieves may have been carrying a knife.

Taking off after McMillan, officers equipped with Tasers followed him up Exhibition Road in Kensington - a thoroughfare often packed with tourists visiting the Science Museum and the Natural History Museum.

'We have two Sur-Rons failing to stop as part of a declared firearms incident,' the officer radios in, seen in dramatic body-worn footage issued by the Met Police.

Sur-Ron is a Chinese firm that produces electric dirt bikes that are hugely popular with bike thieves despite most of its models being illegal to use on UK roads unless properly registered.

McMillan leads police on a chase through west London - but a few minutes later, he crashes into the side of a car at a junction after riding through a red light on the wrong side of the road.

The bike falls away from him as he tumbles to the ground, and he tries to run off as the armed cops warn him they're about to discharge a stun gun.

He doesn't get far - toppling over as he's hit with 1,200 volts of electricity. The armed officers then move in to cuff him on suspicion of robbery and possession of an offensive weapon.

The thief was found to have rolls of tin-foil in his bag - used by phone thieves to block signals from stolen devices

The moment an e-bike thief gets instant karma after crashing into the side of a car at a junction while trying to escape police

He had been fleeing officers after stealing several phones from members of the public on his high-speed e-bike

Opening his bag, the cops find rolls of tin foil, which thieves will use to wrap up stolen phones in order to block their signals and prevent them from being traced.

The dramatic arrest was one of two phone snatcher busts the police made in the space of an hour on March 16.

A second thief, Ellis Parkinson, was caught after crashing into a postbox on Brook Street in the heart of London's posh Mayfair district.

Aerial footage captured by a police helicopter shows him stumbling to his feet after the crash, before surrendering as an officer runs into view and tackles him, while two other cops leap out of a response vehicle.

'He's just being searched,' radios in an officer on the ground. 'We've recovered multiple phones on him.'

The Met says it was able to return the stolen phones to their owners.

The thieves, Ellis Parkinson, 31, and Bradley McMillan, 30, were jailed for 33 and 30 months respectively.
The Australian government has updated its travel advice for Cambodia and Thailand, amid growing armed conflict between the two countries.

Weeks of tension over a border dispute between the South East Asian neighbours escalated into deadly clashes that killed at least 12 people on Thursday.

It comes after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia and planned to expel Cambodia's envoy in Bangkok, after a second Thai soldier in the space of a week lost a limb to a landmine.

Aussie tourists heading to provinces near the 800km-long border have been warned to reconsider their travel.

The Department of Foreign Affairs' Smartraveller website was updated on Thursday night to reflect the concerning developments.

Impacted Cambodian provinces include Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey, where there are a number of famous temples popular with foreign tourists.

'We now advise to reconsider your need to travel to the border areas of the northern and north-western provinces,' Smartraveller states.

'Armed conflict between Thai and Cambodian military forces along the Thai-Cambodian border has increased.

'This includes reports of military strikes, violence, and the use of landmines in the border areas.'

Aussies travelling to provinces along the border of Thailand and Cambodia are advised to rethink their plans

One of the impacted regions is the Cambodian province of Preah Vihear, where temples are popular with tourists

Tourists are urged to follow the advice of authorities, monitor local media for updates, and pay close attention to their personal security.

Land border crossing points along the Thai-Cambodian border remain closed.

Aussies should exercise normal safety precautions in other parts of Cambodia.

Those travelling to the Thai provinces of Buriram, Si Saket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani should also reconsider plans.

'We've reviewed our advice for Thailand and continue to advise exercise a high degree of caution overall,' Smartraveller added.

'Border crossing points along the Thai-Cambodian border continue to be closed at short notice.'
A newly opened rollercoaster malfunctioned for the third time in just a few weeks, leaving visitors stuck for nearly 20 minutes.

Siren's Curse, located in Sandusky, Ohio, left guests dangling at the top of its 160-foot-tall tilt tower on Saturday night.

Those onboard over the weekend were left stranded at a 45-degree angle for around 20 minutes, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.

A spokesman said: 'The coasters safety system performed as designed, the ride was restarted, and guests continued their ride. It reopened shortly after and all guests exited the ride safely.'

The delay happened in the midst of the main event of the ride, when the coaster cart stops on a tilt hill before it is precariously tilted down to the tracks below.

The track then connects, and the train plunges through 2,966 feet of twisted track at speeds of up to 58 mph.

Since opening on June 28, it has malfunctioned three times, with reports indicating riders were stuck for ten minutes on its opening weekend.

On July 2 it malfunctioned again when it stopped just before it started to tilt, passengers had to evacuate using stairs.

Siren's Curse, located in Sandusky, Ohio , left guests dangling at the top of its 160-foot-tall tilt tower on Saturday night, a stock picture is seen here

Since opening on June 28, it has malfunctioned three times, with reports indicating riders were stuck for ten minutes on its opening weekend

The mythical-themed attraction is inspired from the legend and lore of mysterious creatures living beneath the surface of Lake Erie, where the park is located on a peninsula.

A description of the read said: ''Come face-to-face with 13 weightless airtime moments, two 360-degree, zero-gravity barrel rolls and a high-speed "triple-down" element with twisted and overbanked track.'

Further advice regarding health and safety reads: 'Riders will experience changes in speed and direction, weightlessness, and rapid movements from side to side.

'A shoulder harness with a between-the-legs safety belt secures each rider over the head and across the chest.'

Thrill seekers expressed their delight around the coaster after official footage of it being tested was shared online.

The clip had drawn thousands of view, with many referencing spine-tingling 'accident' scenes from the cult horror franchise, Final Destination.

One person wrote, 'I love roller coasters and I love Cedar Point, but I'm not doing a disconnected track,' while another added, 'I prefer the tracks to be attached at all times.'

A third exclaimed, 'THATS THE BIGGEST NOPE I CAN NOPE,' while another quipped, 'Whats the name of this roller coaster??? The Brink of Death?'
A government-run supermarket that has cost Kansas City taxpayers $29million is filled with empty shelves and rotten smells, according to shoppers.

Images at the Sun Fresh grocery store show mostly bare shelves and coolers as well as empty meat, produce and deli departments.

Shoppers said the store once held the fresh items they needed, but that it has been mostly empty for the last three months - and that some of products available appear to be expired.

'The milk, I am scared to buy some,' shopper Michaelle Randolph told KMBC. 'Even the dates, they may have a few days over. I dont want to buy that.'

'Its a rancid odor. I think something is dead or somethings gone bad,' added shopper Jon Murphy.

The store opened in 2018 in Kansas City; it was part of a project to bring life back into the city's embattled east side, which did not have a grocery store before.

Kansas City, Missouri, has recently been compared to the Mad Max movie series, which offered a terrifying vision of society collapsing into anarchic tribal violence amid resource wars and ecocide.

The government-funded Sun Fresh grocery store in Kansas City, Missouri, is mostly empty and smells of rotten food, according to shoppers

The the store once held the fresh items they needed, but that it has been mostly empty for the last three months

Residents of the area told The Washington Post they are scared to go to the store because of the rampant drug dealing and vagrancy both inside and outside the store

News of the government-owned grocery store's fate comes as several progressive politicians lobby for city-funded grocery stores to help low-income neighborhoods.

The Democrats' candidate for New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani has proposed the creation of five city-owned supermarkets to operate 'without a profit motive.'

Meanwhile residents of the area told The Washington Post they are scared to go to the store because of the rampant drug dealing and vagrancy both inside and outside the store.

Crooks and hoodlums have little to fear, residents said, as Kansas City has not had its own jail since 2009, and can only access a few dozen detention beds in lockups in nearby counties.

Surveillance cameras inside the store have caught several concerning at the shopping center, including a naked woman walking through the store, a person urinating and a couple fornicating on the lawn of the library in broad daylight.

According to local media, the store has received $28,997,400 in taxpayer money through bonds, loans, ordinances and subsidies.

Democratic mayor Quinton Lucas has defended the government-run supermarket

The mayor's critics say under his watch Kansas City has collapsed into 'Mad Max' chaos of street-racing gangs that terrorize locals

But there is little to show for it, with the store a very poor cousin of privately-run supermarkets nearby whose clean aisles are stuffed with fresh food.

The City of Kansas owns the shopping center where the grocery store is located, after it spent $17 million to buy it and fix it up.

The store is run by the nonprofit Community Builders KC, and the city reportedly collects revenue from a 1 percent retail sales tax on purchases.

But the supermarket lost $885,000 last year, according to The Washington Post, and now only has 4,000 shoppers a week - down from from 14,000 a few years ago.

When asked about the store's poor state, Kansas City Democratic mayor defended the project.

'Mayor [Quinton] Lucas and Kansas City remain deeply committed to access to healthy food on the Prospect corridor,' the mayor's office told KSHB.

'The City will work closely with store ownership and all neighborhood stakeholders to support the long-term viability of the store based on normal revenues from customers and area consumers.'

Since its opening, the city has spent tens of thousands of dollars on security as the store dealt with crime in the area of the shopping center.
A murder suspect whose father is an FBI agent has died after being found unresponsive in a his jail cell, just months before he was set to stand trial.

Thomas John Acee, 21, the son of veteran FBI agent Bryan Acee, was discovered by detention staff around 4:27am on Wednesday in a solitary confinement unit of the jail.

Despite desperate life-saving attempts by jail staff and University of New Mexico Hospital personnel, Acee was pronounced dead just 21 minutes later at 4:48am.

No cause of death has been released and the Office of the Medical Investigator is working to determine how Acee died. The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office has opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

During press briefing on Thursday, a spokesperson or the Sheriff's Office confirmed that authorities 'don't yet know whether the nature of the death was suspicious.'

Acee's death marks the eighth in-custody fatality at the city's Metropolitan Detention Center in recent months and the 36th since 2020 in a tally that has raised growing alarm among watchdogs and community advocates.

Many of the deceased had been in the middle of detox, although it remains unclear whether that played a role in Acee's death.

The case against Acee drew particular attention not only because of the senselessness of the crime, but because of who his father was - a high-profile federal agent who had helped lead takedowns of notorious gangs like the Aryan Brotherhood and Syndicato de Nuevo Mexico.

Thomas John Acee, 21, the son of veteran FBI agent Bryan Acee is dead after being found unresponsive in a cell at the Metropolitan Detention Center, months before his trial

Acee's death marks the eighth in-custody fatality at MDC in Albuquerque in recent months and the 36th since 2020 in a tally that has raised growing alarm among watchdogs

His son's sudden death behind bars now raises unsettling questions.

Because of his father's position, Thomas Acee had been housed in restrictive housing since his initial booking - effectively in solitary confinement.

He was alone in his cell and kept separated from the general inmate population.

'MDC staff, alongside the UNM Hospital medical team, swiftly responded and began administering life-saving measures. Despite these efforts, he was pronounced deceased at 4:48am', Daniel Trujillo, a spokesperson for the detention center, said in a statement.

Acee was booked into MDC in December 2024 after being charged with an open count of murder and other offenses stemming from the fatal shooting of 13-year-old Michael Tubb, who was gunned down in downtown Albuquerque on August 18, 2024.

Prosecutors say Acee opened fire on a vehicle near Gold and Fifth Street, believing one of its occupants had previously robbed him.

Instead, a bullet struck the middle schooler, who was sitting in the passenger seat.

Moments later, the car crashed with the teenage driver fleeing the scene. Another teenage passenger was injured by flying bullet fragments.

Michael Tubb, 13, was shot dead while sitting in a car in downtown Albuquerque last August

Tubb was three weeks into the school year. his classmates are said to have grieved in silence, without any acknowledgment from school administrators.

The car crashed with the teenage driver fleeing the scene. Another teenage passenger was also injured by flying bullet fragments

Prosecutors say Acee opened fire on a vehicle, believing one of its occupants had previously robbed him. Instead, a bullet struck the middle schooler, who was sitting in the passenger seat

Tubb died that later that night with the tragedy stunning Albuquerque.

'He was a child and he was a baby,' said Andrea Aguirre, a mother and community member who helped organize a vigil after Tubb's death to KOB.

'It's not just like an accident. He didn't get sick or catch cancer. This child was murdered in front of his other peers. It's heartbreaking.'

Tubb's classmates are said to have grieved in silence, without any acknowledgment from school administrators.

'These children need one-on-one counseling. They need trauma counseling,' Aguirre said. 'They went four days feeling this grief.'

The Albuquerque Public Schools district eventually released a statement.

'Michael Tubb's death is a tragedy, and his family is in our thoughts. As soon as we were informed of his death, we sent specially trained counselors and recovery team members to the school to help students and staff.'

Acee's death throws into limbo what had been expected to be a major trial early next year.
A Good Samaritan is fighting for his life after he was stabbed multiple times while trying to break up a wild brawl in the heart of Brisbane's party precinct.

The French national was with friends outside a bottle shop near the corner of Wickham and Brunswick streets in Fortitude Valley shortly after 3.30am on Friday when they saw a fight break out.

He stepped in to intervene but suffered 'significant' wounds to his torso.

Harrowing photos show the seriously injured Good Samaritan lying on the ground, being comforted by a friend, while being treated by paramedics.

He was rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a potentially life-threatening condition.

'Two people were fighting, and he was right in the middle and he got stabbed, I think, three times and he started bleeding a lot,' his friend Hugo told Seven News.

A Good Samaritan is fighting for life after he was stabbed multiple times while trying to break up a wild brawl in the heart of Brisbane 's party precinct.

He was rushed to the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a potentially life-threatening condition.

'And then we called the ambulance and the police and they arrived pretty fast.'

Two men were arrested nearby and are assisting police with inquires.

'Investigations into the circumstances of the incident are ongoing,' a police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.

No charges have yet been laid.

It wasn't the only violent incident in Brisbane overnight.

A young woman, 29, suffered facial injuries during an incident outside the Woolloongabba Hotel on Thursday night.

She was taken to the Mater Hospital in a stable condition. The offender fled the scene on foot.

Anyone with information about either incident is urged to call Policelink or Crime Stoppers.
An urgent warning has been issued over salad products at retail giant Tesco because of fears they may be contaminated with salmonella.

Customers who bought the affected pasta salads are being urged not to eat them and instead to return them to the supermarket for a full refund.

Tesco said it would be recalling specific date codes of three Tesco Pasta Salads due to the possible presence of found during routine testing.

The meals affected include Tesco Basil Pesto & Semi Dried Tomato Pasta 225g with a use by date of Jul 24 (2025), the Tesco Chicken & Chorizo Pasta 285g with use by dates Jul 24 and Jul 25, and the Tesco Feta Semi Dried Tomato Pasta 290g with the use by date Jul 24.

The notice added: 'If you have purchased the affected date code of the above product, please do not eat it. Instead, return it to any Tesco store for a full refund. No receipt is required. No other Tesco products are affected by this recall.'

Salmonella can cause diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps and while most recover within a few days, in some cases, diarrhea can cause severe dehydration and require further medical attention.

It comes as one person died after eating a contaminated ready meal linked to a rare bacterial outbreak in Ireland.

The outbreak has prompted a nationwide recall of dozens of products sold in major supermarkets.

Customers who bought the affected pasta salads are being urged not to eat them and instead to return them to the supermarket for a full refund

The death is one of ten confirmed cases of listeriosis, a potentially deadly infection caused by listeria bacteria, identified in what health officials are calling an 'extensive' outbreak, centred around a range of pre-prepared dishes produced by Ballymaguire Foods.

The meals, which include lasagnes, pasta bakes, cottage pies and potato sides, were sold in Tesco, SuperValu, Centra and Aldi sold in Ireland.

Supermarket bosses are now scrambling to pull them from shelves amid growing concern for public safety.

Within days of falling ill, one adult died from the infection.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has confirmed that the case is under investigation but, due to patient confidentiality, has declined to release further details.
Labour was last night accused of betraying opponents of China who have fled to Britain by opening the door to extraditions to Hong Kong.

Critics fear a legal change quietly announced by the Government will end the five-year ban on people being sent from the UK to face justice in the former colony.

Security Minister Dan Jarvis said he wanted to 'enable co-operation' with Hong Kong once more, after the Tories suspended the extradition treaty in response to a security crackdown by Beijing amid fears that dissidents could be sent on to China.

He wrote in a letter to the Conservatives that secondary legislation was needed, removing Hong Kong from its designation in the 2003 Extradition Act, so the UK can co-operate with it on a 'case-by-case ad hoc basis'.

Currently a request cannot be allowed 'even if there were strong operational grounds to do so', Mr Jarvis wrote.

Shadow National Security Minister Alicia Kearns said it was an 'extraordinary betrayal of Hong Kongers', more than 150,000 of whom have come to the UK on British National (Overseas) Visas since 2021.

It comes as Labour is expected to approve plans for a Chinese 'mega-embassy' in London despite security fears, and as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to make his first visit to the communist superpower later this year.

Chloe Cheung, (pictured) who fled Hong Kong in 2020 when she was 15-years-old and had a 100,000 bounty issued by the CCP-controlled Hong Kong

Critics fear a legal change quietly announced by the Government will end the five-year ban on people being sent from the UK to face justice in the former colony (pictured left: Security minister Dan Jarvis, pictured right: Shadow Security Minister Alicia Kearns)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer attends a meeting with India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi (not pictured) yesterday

Ms Kearns said: 'This would allow the Chinese Communist Party to demand the extradition of dissidents for any number of falsified charges.

'I fear this is a grubby, shameful backhander  alongside a new embassy  for quick bucks to bail out Labour's failed economic strategy. Under no circumstances should the Government reinstate extradition as the rule of law has been severely eroded in Hong Kong.'

And Mark Sabah of the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation said: 'This is an awful decision by the Government. The question now is what else has Labour promised the CCP in order to secure the trade deal they covet so much?'

Chloe Cheung, who fled Hong Kong in 2020 when she was 15 years old and had a 100,000 bounty issued by the CCP-controlled Hong Kong government for any information that could lead to her capture, told the Mail: 'If the Government follows through with this I would feel completely betrayed by Labour.

'I am really, really scared. If I were extradited I would be sent straight to prison under the National Security Law.'

But last night the Home Office insisted the Extradition Act 2003 (Amendments to Designations) Order 2025, which will be voted on by Parliament after the summer, merely reflected in law the existing suspension of the extradition treaty with Hong Kong and that co-operation was not resuming.

Security Minister Mr Jarvis said: 'It is entirely incorrect to say the UK has restored extradition co-operation with Hong Kong.

'The 1997 treaty remains suspended and this legislation simply completes the severing of ties between the British and Hong Kong extradition systems.

'This amendment is in order to give legal effect to the suspension of the extradition treaty.'
Lax rules that have let asylum seekers use their taxpayer handouts for gambling are very concerning, a Cabinet minister has admitted.

The Daily Mail revealed this week that there have been thousands of transactions using pre-paid cards meant to fund basics such as food and clothing.

The Home Office, which initially said the abuse was impossible, yesterday launched an investigation into the scandal.

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirmed that the use of the Aspen cards for gambling was not allowed.

Asked about the Mails revelations, he said: Its already forbidden. It shouldnt happen. Weve seen that story.

Support for asylum seekers in the UK is, its not a lot of money, its about 7 a day, I think, for essentials. You shouldnt be able to use it for this. So its very concerning.

Theres an immediate investigation to find out exactly what has gone on here.

Home Office data revealed up to 6,537 asylum seekers have used the government-issued cards at least once for gambling in the past year.

Asylum seekers have been found using taxpayer money on gambling. Pictured: migrants scramble to board a small boat near Wimereux in France

In the last year, up to 6,537 asylum seekers have used the government-issued cards at least once for gambling, in betting shops and even casinos

So-called Aspen cards are issued to asylum seekers while they wait to have their claims dealt with  a process that can take months, or even years

Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirmed that the use of the Aspen cards for gambling was not allowed

The shock figures were released under Freedom of Information laws to the PoliticsHome website.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said it was a complete abuse of taxpayers money and called for an immediate clampdown.

Fellow Tory Ben Obese-Jecty said: It is scandalous. I raised the issue of Aspen cards directly with both the Home Secretary and the border security minister earlier this year.

Their only concern was that disclosure could undermine the ability of the Home Office to secure maximum value for money in future contract negotiations.

Aspen cards are issued to asylum seekers while they wait to have their claims dealt with  a process that can take months or even years.

Those in self-catered accommodation receive 49.18 on the card each week, with 80,000 currently issued.

Home Office figures do not reveal how many of the attempts to use the cards in amusement arcades and casinos were successful.

A spokesman said it had begun an investigation and added: The Home Office has a legal obligation to support asylum seekers, including any dependants, who would otherwise be destitute.
Kemi Badenoch wants to be Britain's answer to Argentina's chainsaw-wielding, state- slashing president.

The Conservative leader described Javier Milei as 'the template' as she praised his honesty with voters and ability to deliver results.

In his election campaign in 2023, Mr Milei gained fame for wielding a chainsaw as a symbol of the deep cuts he planned to make to Argentina's state spending.

He has since halved the number of government ministries, slashed the public sector workforce by 10 per cent and taken steps to overturn years of fiscal deficits.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Mrs Badenoch was asked whether Britain needed someone like Mr Milei and whether she was such a politician.

'Yes and yes,' she replied, adding: 'Milei is the template.'

The Argentinian president later retweeted her remarks, and said: 'Fenomeno Barrial', or 'neighbourhood phenomenon'.

Mrs Badenoch also used the interview to dismiss chatter about a challenge to her authority as Tory leader. She said: 'I can't spend all my time worrying about regicide.

Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, (pictured) wants to be Britain's answer to state-slashing Argentinian president Javier Milei

Badenoch has described the Argentine President has 'the template' as she praised his honesty with voters and ability to deliver

I would lose my mind. I'm so thick-skinned to the point where I don't even notice if people are trying to create harm. That's extremely useful in this job.'

She said 'muscle memory plus trial and error' had helped her to grow in the role, but admitted of her party: 'The public are not yet ready to forgive.'

She added that she was being 'very, very relentless' in talking about the economy and was 'terrified' by levels of government debt, the sight of the state 'spreading its tentacles everywhere' and crowding out the wealth-creating economy.

The Opposition leader also warned voters against following Nigel Farage's Reform UK, saying her party cannot be a 'repository for disenchantment'. Instead, she said Conservatism had to be about 'offering hope, fixing problems'.

Her comments come after reports that many Tory MPs who backed Mrs Badenoch in the leadership contest have privately turned on her and believe her core team of advisers are 'lightweights and sycophants'.

Faltering Conservatives may seek to trigger a vote of confidence in their leader in November, once a grace period protecting her from such a move ends, the New Statesman suggested. Asked about the idea that Tory MPs were already plotting a coup, Mrs Badenoch said this week: 'I would say that if nobody put their name to it, then I'm not paying any attention to it.'

She announced a reshuffle of her shadow cabinet team on Tuesday, with grandee Sir James Cleverly returning to the front bench as shadow housing secretary.
A Brisbane grandfather plans to help out his family after becoming Australia's newest multi-millionaire.

The Wynnum retiree had the only division one winning entry in Thursday night's $30million Powerball draw and will take home a whopping $31,140,405.47 windfall.

He hadn't yet checked his ticket when an official from The Lott contacted him this morning to inform him of the life-changing news.

'Oh, my goodness. Words can't explain how I'm feeling right now,' the shocked winner said.

'Dear, dear, dear  this does so much for my family. It'll set up my kids and grandkids. Never in a million years did I think I would get this call.

'I'm retired myself. I've lived a happy life, and I've been lucky enough to tick most things off my bucket list, so this will be used more for helping others.

'I just cant believe it. I had absolutely no idea. The most Ive ever won is a chocolate Easter basket!'

His winning marked PowerHit entry was purchased on The Lott website. He's played with the same numbers for years.

A Brisbane grandfather hopes to set up his family for life after taking out Thursday night's $30million Powerball draw (stock image)

'I chose them a long time ago now. I usually play Saturday Gold Lotto, but sometimes I play Powerball when it has a higher jackpot,' he said.

'Its funny because I also bought a Set for Life ticket and thought, Wow, itd be nice to get that, but this is even better.

'Youve made my day. Now, Im going to have a quiet day letting reality set in.'

The winning numbers in Powerball draw 1523 were 2, 25, 6, 4, 31, 34, and 19. The all-important Powerball number was 20.

The Queensland retiree is the 242nd division one Lotto winner across Australia this year.

The jackpot returns to $4million for next Thursday's Powerball draw.

Meanwhile, the search continues for the mystery winner of the $100million Powerball jackpot from June 12, who purchased their ticket from Bondi Junction Newsagency and Internet Cafe in Sydney's east.

The lucky winner had been playing with the same numbers for years

The Lott spokesperson Matt Hart hasn't lost hope of uniting the $100million prize with its rightful owner.

'Given the enormity of this prize, we're very eager for this mystery player, who now shares the title of Australia's third-biggest lottery winner, to discover and, more importantly, start enjoying their good fortune,' he said.

'In NSW, players have six years to claim their prize. After that time, the prize is gone. So, while there is plenty of time, the clock is ticking.'
As the King is the head of state of 14 countries and the Commonwealth, making sure the monarchy is represented properly abroad is crucial to the Firm.

Indeed, while the late Queen Elizabeth II was alive she reportedly believed it was essential to help the young Prince William and Harry grow into their roles as overseas ambassadors for the crown.

At the helm of this mission was the former British ambassador to the USA Sir David Manning who was handpicked for the role by the Queen and went on to work with the royals for a decade.

According to royal expert Valentine Low, writing in his book Courtiers, Sir David came to a rather unorthodox agreement with the Queen.

'Manning agreed to take on the job of adviser on two conditions: that he could do it part-time and that it was unpaid,' Low wrote.

Sir David did not want a full-time paid role so that he did not become 'embroiled in the formal palace machinery'.

But the Queen was happy to agree to his wishes. Having met Sir David on a number occasions she was certain he would be the perfect advisor to the young royals.

Elizabeth was proven right with both William and Harry developing a close relationship with their advisor.

A young Prince William and Prince Harry. While the late Queen Elizabeth II was alive she reportedly believed it was essential to help the young Prince William and Harry grow into their roles as overseas ambassadors for the crown

Harry and William's former advisor Sir David Manning. Sir David was handpicked by Queen Elizabeth to prepare the young Princes for their lives as working royals

The Queen with Sir David (left) and then-President George W. Bush in 2007. The Queen met Sir David while he was the UK Ambassador to the USA

Harry and William's former private secretary - Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton - told Low: 'Manning was a real confidant to the princes. He was somebody they could talk to, they could joke with.'

'He had enormously good judgement about people. I think they trusted him. They knew he would be very discreet. And they knew he would fight their corner,' He added.

What made Sir David so good at his role was not only his friendship with the boys but his understanding that the best way for Harry and William to find their footing in their life as working royals was to allow them to 'develop in ways that felt natural to them'.

Meaning, if they can find their passion within the institution they could really thrive.

'These are real people. They are not cyphers,' Low said.

Under Sir David's guidance Harry and William created the Royal Foundation which was a 'leaner, nimbler way of working, and avoided being weighed down by long-term commitments'.

'Through the foundation, they would work out what they wanted to achieve and how best they could achieve it.'

And therefore they could also build up their confidence and understand what they can do within their privileged roles

Since its creation in September 2009, the Royal Foundation has worked on numerous projects close to the princes' hearts including mental health, environmental issues and homelessness.

Royal author Valentine Low (pictured). Sir David came to a rather unorthodox agreement with the Queen according to Low. 'Manning agreed to take on the job of adviser on two conditions: that he could do it part-time and that it was unpaid,' he wrote

The late Queen was happy to agree to Sir David's conditions because she was certain he was perfect for the role

Before he worked for the royals Sir David was one Tony Blair's key foreign policy aides during the run up to the 2003 Iraq War. He also had an extensive diplomatic career which saw him represent the British government in Warsaw, New Delhi and Moscow

Prince Harry helped set up the Invictus Games with 1million worth of funding from the foundation.

In 2011, Kate Middleton joined the foundation as did Meghan when she married Harry.

When Harry and Meghan stepped down as working royals in 2020 they both left the organisation and instead founded their own company - Archewell.

Sir David himself stood down from his role as an advisor to the princes a year earlier.

A spokesman for the royals at the time said: 'Their Royal Highnesses are incredibly grateful for the guidance and support that Sir David has provided over the last 10 years.

'His wise counsel has been central to the success of their international tours and the early stages of their official work as members of the royal family.'

Not only did he help the princes find their roles within the Firm but he also joined them on numerous royal tours across the world from Kate and Wills first joint trip to North America in 2011 and Harry and Meghan tour of Fiji and Tonga.

While Meghan was a working member of the family it is understood that Sir David likely offered briefings on the British constitution to the American.

Harry and William in 2004. Under Sir David's guidance the princes set up the Royal Foundation

Low's bestseler Courtiers. Harry and William former private secretary - Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton - told Low: 'Manning was a real confidant to the princes. He was somebody they could talk to,they could joke with'

Sir David was the UK ambassador to the United States from 2003 until 2007. Before that he was one Tony Blair's key foreign policy aides during the run up to the 2003 Iraq War.

He also had an extensive diplomatic career which saw him represent the British government in Warsaw, New Delhi and Moscow.

Between 1995 and 1998 he was also the British ambassador to Israel.

He received a knighthood in 2008.
After completing her chemotherapy treatment, the Princess of Wales admitted last September that it had been an incredibly tough nine months.

Her traumatic year was made even more horrendous by the sustained trolling  online mockery and abuse  that our future Queen suffered at the hands of some of the more fanatical supporters of Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan.

I came across this toxic phenomenon in the course of researching a new edition of my television programme, Reading The Royals, released last night.

Typically, Catherine made no public reference to the trolling, although I am told that she was well aware of it  and shocked by its virulence.

Instead, at her Together At Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey last December, she urged the congregation and the watching TV audience to choose love, not fear and called for the nation to slow down and reflect on the deeper things that connect us all.

The trolling had begun 11 months earlier after Kensington Palace announced in January last year that the Princess had been admitted to The London Clinic to undergo planned abdominal surgery.

A spokesman said the surgery had been successful and that Catherine would stay at the private hospital for ten to 14 days before returning home to continue her recovery. Based on the current medical advice, she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter, the statement said.

It included an appeal for her to be allowed to maintain as much normality for her children as possible; and her wish that her personal medical information remains private.

Online conspiracy theorists posted sinister  and often slanderous  comments about the Princess of Wales, some from the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs most unpleasant fans

Catherine reveals her cancer diagnosis in a personal and emotional video message, released in March last year

However, the plea fell on deaf ears among the Sussex Squad, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs most devoted fans are known. They demanded to know why Catherine needed so much time to recuperate and accused her, among other things, of being lazy and using her health problems to avoid her duties.

The abuse increased the following month after Prince William pulled out of a memorial service at St Georges Chapel, Windsor, for his godfather, the former King Constantine of Greece, at the last minute. A spokesman for William, who had been due to deliver a reading at the service, cited personal matters.

In an attempt to shut down public concern, Kensington Palace issued a brief update about Catherines health, saying she continues to be doing well.

We later learned that Catherine was diagnosed with cancer in February, with the Princess starting a course of preventative chemotherapy later that same month.

By late February, all we knew was that Catherine had undergone abdominal surgery earlier in the year and that she was recovering at home but doing well.

This wasnt enough to silence the online conspiracy theorists, who posted sinister  and often slanderous  comments about her condition.

With #WhereisKateMiddleton trending on X, celebrities started jumping on the bandwagon, with the likes of Kim Kardashian posting a picture of herself standing by a luxury car with a caption that read: On my way to go find Kate.

In response to the rampant online speculation, a spokesman said: Kensington Palace made it clear in January the timelines of the Princesss recovery and wed only be providing significant updates. That guidance stands. The spokesman reiterated once again that Catherine was doing well.

Unfortunately, the Princesss silence only encouraged more sinister theories to come in thick and fast.

The Princess urged the congregation and TV audiences watching her Together At Christmas Carol Service last December to choose love, not fear'

A poll conducted at the time indicated that half the population of Britain admitted to having read conspiracy theories about the Princess online.

In March, the Palace released an unprecedentedly personal and emotional video message from Catherine herself.

In the footage, filmed at Windsor, Catherine revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer, with the news coming as a huge shock.

Speaking from a bench surrounded by daffodils and spring blossom, the future queen confirmed her condition was discovered only after she underwent major abdominal surgery in January.

But she kept back certain crucial information and, in the wake of the video release, Kensington Palace said it would not be sharing details of what kind of cancer the Princess had, or at what stage it was at, pleading with people not to speculate.

However, within minutes of Catherines announcement, trolls began spreading bizarre posts that her video was AI-generated, while others criticised her for not going public sooner.

The sickening uploads saw trolls doctor her heartfelt message with the faces of Princess Diana or Meghan Markle to prove how easily a deep fake could be created. But as the trolls went low, Catherine rose higher.

What her experience has taught her is the depths to which some people will plunge. Social media has given everyone the chance to have their say, but it has also provided a platform for the haters, and some of the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs most unpleasant fans have not hesitated to weaponise it.

Sadly, a number of the couples own public comments, such as Harrys claims of an Establishment stitch-up when he lost a court case, and Meghans accusations of racism against unnamed senior royals, have served to give ammunition to the trolls.

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Archaeologists have uncovered disturbing burial practices of ancient Egyptians, offering rare insight into the spiritual life of villagers more than 5,000 years ago.

Among the most striking discoveries was the body of a teenage girl buried in the Adaiima cemetery near the Nile River, dating back to 3300 to 2700BC.

Her arm had been deliberately severed post-mortem near the lower part of the upper arm and forearm, possibly done using an axe, and the muscles were likely sliced with a flint blade.

Those who prepared her body carefully arranged the severed pieces to appear almost intact, placing the hand beside the forearm.

Archaeologists said that it seemed the goal was to make the cut-off right arm match the unusual position of her left arm, which was bent sharply, more than a right angle, and tucked in very tightly.

The girl's body was also carefully aligned with the setting sun on the winter solstice, and her coffin pointed toward the rising of Sirius, the brightest star in the sky.

Experts suggest her burial may be the earliest sign of the Osiris and Isis myth, in which the goddess Isis reassembles the dismembered body of Osiris beneath the rising Sirius, symbolizing death, rebirth, and cosmic order.

According to the study, these early star-based alignments and symbolic gestures likely influenced the religious traditions later embraced by Egypt's first pharaohs, who emerged roughly 100 to 400 years later.

Archaeologists found remains of a teenage girl buried over 5,000 years ago. Those who buried her first cut off her arm and laid it over her chest

The team found other burials throughout the ancient cemetery, with remains placed in certain alignments of stars

Researchers used AI and machine learning to analyze patterns among more than 900 tombs in the 74-acre Adaima site, one of Egypt's oldest and most thoroughly studied cemeteries.

Their findings revealed long-term cultural shifts in funerary customs, including the gradual emergence of social hierarchies and spiritual symbolism.

Another woman was found buried nearby with ornate jewelry and pottery, her coffin positioned to capture the winter sun.

A third grave held a woman with a ceremonial staff and plant-fiber wig, facing the summer sunset.

These early sky-based alignments and ritual gestures appear to have shaped the mythology later adopted by Egypt's ruling elite, according to the study.

Later graves were often clustered around earlier, astronomically-aligned tombs, suggesting those burials held enduring religious or ancestral significance.

Some included ivory boat models and fine coffins, likely marking individuals of higher status or spiritual importance.

Experts suggest the young girl's burial may be the earliest hint of the Osiris and Isis myth

One child's bone was found placed on an adult's chest, while a woman was buried with a bracelet fragment in her hand, actions interpreted as deliberate expressions of spiritual beliefs and afterlife connections.

In the myth of Osiris, Isis gathers the scattered body parts of her murdered husband after he is slain by his jealous brother, Set.

Using magic, she brings him back to life briefly to conceive their son Horus. The tale, symbolizing resurrection, was closely tied to the annual Nile flood and cycles of renewal.

According to another study on ancient Egyptian astronomy, 'The Nile flood was caused by the tears that Isis shed, after his brother Seth murdered her husband Osiris.'

'Sepdet, which we know as Sirius, was believed to be the appearance of Isis in the sky,' the study stated.

These early rural burial practices, including cut limbs and celestial alignment, appear to have laid the foundation for Egypt's later religious and mythological traditions.

'When the state emerged, it did not create religion from scratch,' the researchers wrote.

'It absorbed long-standing practices and reworked them into royal narratives.'
It's the go-to navigational app for millions of people around the world.

And now Google Maps has released an update that is being praised as its 'best in years.'

With the update, Google Maps will now tell commuters the best area to board a train for a faster exit.

The new tool was spotted by Reddit user r/london, who described it as the 'best update to Google Maps in years.'

'Maps now shows the best area to seat on the train for a faster exit not that we had all that memorised already anyway,' they wrote, alongside a screenshot of the tool.

Replying to the original post on Reddit, one user agreed that the feature was a 'life saver'.

'I've recently been to Tokyo and they do this for all the metro lines. Plus tell you which entrance and exit to use at the stations,' they wrote.

'It was a life saver when trying to navigate the busiest stations in the world! Happy this is in London as well now.'

It's the go-to navigational app for millions of people around the world. And now Google Maps has released an update that is being praised as its 'best in years'

With the update, Google Maps will now tell commuters the best area to board a train for a faster exit

To try the new tool yourself in London, make sure you're using the latest version of the Google Maps app.

Next, search for directions to your chosen destination, and select Public Transport.

Scroll down to the route, and you should see a new section titled 'boarding position for fastest exit', alongside a graphic showing whether you should board the rear, middle, or front.

r/london only posted about the feature yesterday, but their post has already garnered huge attention on Reddit.

Several users pointed out that the feature was already available in Japan.

'It's been a feature for maps in Tokyo for a while now, it's very useful,' one user replied.

Another added: 'Finally, this was what I loved about google maps when I was in Japan. Even shows you which exit to use.'

And one wrote: 'I've used this before in Tokyo, genuinely made life so much easier.'

The new tool was spotted by Reddit user r/ london , who described it as the 'best update to Google Maps in years'

However, not everyone was so happy about its addition in the UK.

'This knowledge should be earned, not given,' one user vented.

'It is what separates the locals from the tourists.'

Another added: 'Actually more annoying as now others will know the shortest route.'

And one vented: 'Terrible. It took me years to fine tune my regular trips and now everyone will know.'
The Golden State has been a lot gloomier this summer as California experiences chillier weather and cloudy conditions which experts say is set to stick around.

Temperatures in the Bay Area have hovered at an average of 67 degrees, below the average of 71 and making it the coldest summer since 1965.

The phenomenon is due to a layer of air near the Pacific Ocean known as the marine layer, which is formed when warm, dry air comes in contact with a cool body of water.

In the summer months the warmer weather and cool water create a more dense marine layer, which causes low-hanging clouds that dampen a good beach day.

'The cooler waters off the Baja California coast have lingered through mid-July. The cooler waters have allowed upper-low pressure areas to drift into central California and enhance the marine layer for the Bay area. As a result, the low clouds have been more stubborn than normal this summer,' AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Chad Merrill told Daily Mail.

He noted that the high temperate in San Francisco has been 5 degrees cooler than average and has experienced a higher frequency than normal of overcast skies.

'The onshore flow contributes to the enhanced marine layer and this onshore flow is brought on by a series of upper-lows that have been off the coast and pushed inland through the central part of the state this summer,' Merrill added.

This phenomenon is unique to the West Coast because cold water in the Pacific Ocean moves south from the Gulf of Alaska.

The Golden Coast has been in a gloomy haze this summer due to a dense marine layer causing low-hanging clouds and cool weather

The marine layer is formed when dry air comes in contact with cool water. Since water in the Pacific Ocean moves south from the Gulf of Alaska, the pattern is unique to the west coast

The rising warm air during the summertime creates a vacuum above the ocean, forming clouds close to the ground

Water along the eastern Gulf Stream brings warmer tropical water north, meaning the east coast doesn't see the dense marine layer that California does.

The marine layer along the east coast reforms almost daily, while along the west coast it can persist for days or weeks.

San Francisco has seen a higher frequency than normal of overcast skies at 11 a.m. compared to average this summer. The cloud cover from the enhanced marine layer has allowed temperatures to trend cooler during the day.

Californians have nicknamed the weather patterns as 'May Gray,' 'June Gloom,' and 'No-Sky July.'

'June gloom is so named as June can be one of the months that tends to have more persistent marine clouds than any other month,' weather expert Ken Clark with AccuWeather said.

This summer season has seen a dense marine layer, resulting in colder temperatures and cloudy conditions for Californians along the coast.

Greg Porter, the senior meteorologist with the San Francisco Chronicle, noted that Tuesday was the second day in a row when the entire Bay Area stayed under 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Meteorologists have noted that the jet stream, which moves weather patterns, has remained semi-stationary, locking California into cool and cloudy conditions

Experts expect the conditions to persist throughout August, as residents brace for a cool summer

'This cool, muted July follows an equally subdued June, driven by a combination of local ocean conditions and large-scale atmospheric patterns,' Porter said.

'Along the coast, colder than normal sea surface temperatures sharpen the marine layer, leading to thicker cloud cover, slower clearing and dampened daytime highs, even across the typically hot inland locations.'

Porter predicted the gloomy conditions are here to stay until August. The forecast for parts of southern California remains chillier, with parts of San Francisco experiencing highs in the low to mid-60s.

Meanwhile, those who live farther inland can potentially see drastic differences in temperatures.

'Its not uncommon to have it cloudy and in the 60s at the beaches while its in the 80s or even 90s only 10-20 miles inland,' Clark explained.

Another reason for the persistent haze off the golden coast is a pattern called the jet stream, which are narrow winds high up in the atmosphere.

Porter explained that the jet stream has fallen into a semi-stationary rhythm, continuously holding over the same regions.

The Earth has four primary jet streams that move weather systems from west to east. However, when a jet stream remains stationary, weather can stay relatively stagnant.

'California has been on the eastern flank of one such ridge, locked into a cool, cloudy pattern that persisted through June and July and now looks to continue into early August,' Porter said.

'Elsewhere, the same jet stream setup has delivered much more active weather from the grueling heat in Europe and Asia to the deadly flash floods across parts of the US.'

The cool, moist marine layer creates gray mornings in California, which locals have nicknamed 'June Gloom'

Visitors wear warm clothing while viewing Alcatraz Island from Pier 39 in San Francisco on July 21

The meteorologist predicted that this pattern is likely to continue through the summer, so those thinking of planning a beach vacation to the California coast may want to reconsider going west.

As California experiences cooler and cloudier temperatures, other parts of the country are seeing extreme weather.

Texas experienced deadly flash floods at the start of the month, killing over 137 people, while the Tri-State area reached over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in June.
Scientists have made a startling discovery that may debunk global warming at Earth's 'most dangerous glacier,' sending climate change deniers into celebration.

Based on a surprising photo taken by the International Space Station (ISS) in 2023, researchers from around the world have concluded that three glaciers in Asia's Karakoram mountain range have been gaining ice and merging.

The NASA image revealed that the Lolofond and Teram Shehr glaciers have been slowly merging with the Siachen glacier near the borders of India, Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan.

The region has long been referred to as the world's most dangerous glacier range due to the ongoing conflict between India and Pakistan, with both nations positioning troops on their side of the glaciers since 1984.

Long before the photo was revealed, scientists had called the unexplained ice gains the 'Karakoram anomaly,' since many climate studies have found that most glaciers worldwide are losing mass due to rising temperatures.

However, this is the second major glacier location to see more ice being formed in recent years.

In May, researchers in Shanghai discovered that Antarctica started to reverse its decades-long trend of catastrophic melting and has seen record amounts of ice forming since 2021.

The latest development from Karakoram has set off climate deniers on social media, who have continued to claim that the alarmism over global warming has been nothing more than a hoax.

A 2023 NASA image revealed that the Lolofond (left) and Teram Shehr (right) glaciers have been slowly merging with the Siachen glacier (center)

The glaciers are in Asia's Karakoram mountain range along the borders of India, Pakistan, China, and Afghanistan

'UH oh, Democrats. Are we back to a new Ice Age?' one person joked on X, referring to Democrat-led climate bills in Congress.

'This anomaly has baffled scientists for years, no doubt upsetting #ClimateChange fanatics,' another person posted.

To the climate deniers' point, scientists studying the Karakoram anomaly since the 1990s still haven't been able to pin down a clear reason why more ice has been forming and the glaciers are merging.

One possible explanation could be that favorable weather patterns in the region have kept the ice from melting. That includes seeing cooler summers and more snow in the winter.

A 2022 study in the Journal of Climate found that wintertime precipitation intensity (snow) in the Karakoram range rose by roughly 10 percent between 1980 and 2019.

However, a 2023 study in Earth System Science Data claimed that the phenomenon likely wouldn't last due to rising global temperatures countering this short stretch of cold weather.

'This may indicate a weakening of the abnormal behavior of glaciers in the Karakoram owing to the continuous warming,' the researchers said.

Despite the latest climate findings, the region has continued to show signs of unusual ice growth that have left geologists and climatologists stumped.

Karakoram mountain range is home to the second-highest mountain in the world, K2

This map from a 2023 study in Earth System Science Data revealed the distribution of Karakoram glaciers

Another theory, posed by geology professor Kenneth Hewitt of Wilfrid Laurier University in Canada, suggested that thick layers of dust and debris could be keeping the ice underneath from melting in the sun like other glaciers.

His 2005 paper in the journal Mountain Research and Development found that less than two inches of debris from local avalanches and rockfalls over the centuries would be enough to start protecting the ice from melting.

However, researchers from the National Snow and Ice Data Center in Colorado shot this theory down, noting that if the Karakoram anomaly only started in the 1990s, as studies show, something else would need to spark this trend besides centuries of dust.

Siachen has been the world's second-longest glacier outside of Greenland and Antarctica.

NASA scientists have measured it to be around 47 miles long and 2.2 miles in width.

Sitting near K2, the world's second-highest mountain, the Siachen glacier's peak starts around 19,000 feet above sea level and descends to around 11,800 feet.

The photo released by NASA also highlighted the dark-colored moraines, which are parallel bands formed from rock and dust wedged between the glaciers as they merge.

These layers were particularly noticeable around the Teram Shehr glacier as it smashes into the Siachen glacier from the right side.

Siachen glacier is one of the world's largest outside of Greenland and Antarctica, measuring around 47 miles long

The photo revealed how a huge moraine (dark-colored band on the right) of trapped dust and rock has been wedged between the Siachen and Teram Shehr glaciers

As scientists struggle to answer the question of why more ice is growing in this disputed part of Asia, the mystery has given skeptics of climate science even more evidence to use against so-called 'climate alarmists.'

University of Cambridge professor Mike Hulme told DailyMail.com in 2023 that climate alarmists have created tremendous distrust and ill will among the public by blaming almost all of society's issues on the climate emergency.

'Climate change is cited as the sole explanation for everything going wrong in the world. Drought, famine, flooding, wars, racism  you name it. And if it's bad, it's down to global warming caused by humans,' Professor Hulme said.

'I disagree with the doom-mongers. Climate change is not like a comet approaching Earth. There is no good scientific or historical evidence that it will lead to human extinction or the collapse of human civilization,' the professor of human geography added.
A Texas sheriff has revealed that the county official responsible for coordinating emergency response during the deadly July 4 floods was likely asleep at home as the disaster unfolded.

Sheriff Larry Leitha told CNN that Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator W.B. 'Dub' Thomas was 'at home asleep at that time,' citing that Thomas had worked the evening before the floods that killed at least 136 people.

Among the victims were 27 children and staff at Camp Mystic, 15 of them were in a single cabin known as Bubble Inn.

According to the state's official job description, the Emergency Management Coordinator is responsible for 'coordinating responses to requests for emergency assistance and resources,' as well as managing 'incident information, threat warnings, weather information, bulletins, and other communications.'

The National Weather Service issued its first flash flood warning at 1:14am CT, more than three hours before the Guadalupe River surged over 30 feet, inundating the camp and nearby RV parks.

This previously unreported detail, that the key emergency official was likely not awake to receive the escalating alerts, raises serious questions about the county's preparedness and response.

Leitha told CNN that officials are going to take a 'hard look' at how the response was carried out and review Thomas's job performance leading up to and during the tragedy.

Among the victims were 27 children and staff at Camp Mystic, 15 of them were in a single cabin known as Bubble Inn (pictured)

Although the deadly flooding occurred on July 4, emergency crews had already been mobilized two days earlier as Tropical Storm Barry's projected path moved through Texas.

A detailed timeline was heard at the Capitol on Wednesday, during a hearing held by House and Senate Select Committees on flooding and disaster.

By 10am on July 3, the NWS had issued a forecast warning of a 'slight risk' of flash flooding. Just three hours later, at 1pm, Chief Nim Kidd, head of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, announced that resources had been staged and agencies were on standby.

That evening, a Flash Flood Watch was issued at 7:37pm. Hours later, at 1:06am, on July 4, the NWS reported 'very heavy rain' falling at a rate of two to three inches per hour.

At 1:14am, a Flash Flood Warning was issued, followed by a 'very dangerous flash flood event' alert at 3:06am

By 4:23am, the situation had escalated to a Flash Flood Emergency. Kidd said he received the first reports of people stranded on rooftops just over an hour later.

During the hearing, Kidd said: 'There is no system in place today to ensure that [local authorizes, including the emergency manager coordinator] is getting the same information that we are getting from the National Weather Service.'

Kidd testified that his agency took proactive steps ahead of the flooding, including contacting local authorities.

The Guadalupe River surged over 30 feet, inundating the camp (pictured) and nearby RV parks

Although the deadly flooding occurred on July 4, emergency crews had already been mobilized two days earlier as Tropical Storm Barry's projected path moved through Texas

However, he emphasized that state law limits his agency's authority over local response efforts.

'Under Chapter 418, elected mayors and county judges are the emergency management directors for their communities,' said Chief Kidd.

Leitha also admitted that the county's emergency operations center was not active during the most critical window, between 1am and 3am, when floodwaters reached their peak.

'We're in a rural area; we don't have a 24-hour service, or anything open like that,' the sheriff added.

Kidd also revealed Wednesday that he found first responders were dealing with outdated equipment when he went to Kerrville following the floods.

Kerrville, hit the hardest, was the home of Camp Mystic.

'We're better than that,' Kidd said, while stressing the need for improved technological capability.

'Now I'm not suggesting we go build a brand-new system from the ground up. I think there's plenty of broadband, fiber technology capability, Starlink, you name it out there.'

AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter told DailyMail.com earlier this month that he and his team issued an alert of life-threatening floods 30 minutes before the NWS, adding more to for response and evacuations.

Although Porter admitted that the late-night timing of the storm likely played a role in the inaction on the ground, there was still three hours before rising flood waters from the overflowing Guadalupe River peaked in Hunt, around 4:30am.

'You can't go to sleep and be responsible for the safety of large numbers of people,' Porter declared. 'That's going to be the question in terms of, 'Was somebody constantly monitoring that?' They've got to have somebody monitoring for severe weather warnings 24/7.'
Stepping into Manhattan's Fifth Avenue Hotel feels like going back in time into the Gilded Age, which has been all the rage lately thanks to the HBO Max show of the same name.

The Gilded Age was produced by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, and the period drama has been a hit with viewers who describe the show as Gossip Girl in corsets.

Fellowes, who's behind Downton Abbey and Belgravia, is now focused on the fight between new and old money Manhattanites in the 1880s. The torrid lives of America's wealthiest dynasties are suddenly a hot topic once again, with dynasties like the Astors, Roosevelts, Vanderbilts, Carnegies and Rockefellers, on full display.

The award-winning show follows fish out of water Marian Brook (played by Meryl Streep's daughter Louisa Jacobson Gummer) as she moves from Pennsylvania to New York to live with her wealthy aunts Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) and Ada Brook (Cynthia Nixon). Viewers aren't just taken in by the characters, they're equally invested in the people living the ultra-wealthy lifestyles during that era in Fifth Avenue mansions.

While many of the palatial homes were demolished in the 1920s - later to be replaced with Zara, Nike, and Bergdorf Goodman - some still stand tall.

Now, history buffs and fans of the show, can experience their very own Gilded Age vacation thanks to The Fifth Avenue Hotel, which is housed inside of a 19th century NoMad mansion.

The Gilded Age follows Agnes van Rhijn (Christine Baranski) and Ada Brook (Cynthia Nixon) as they navigate changing financial circumstances in Manhattan

The Gilded Age was produced by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, and the period drama has been a hit with viewers who compare it to Gossip Girl in corsets

While many of the palatial mansions from that the era were demolished in the 1920s - later to be replaced with a Zara and Bergdorf Goodman - the Fifth Avenue Hotel lives on

The Fifth Avenue Hotel is just as opulent as the homes featured on the show, from the elegant yet cozy lobby to the perfectly over-the-top, eclectic decor in both the rooms and pink hallways.

The expertly restored property is a member of The Leading Hotels of the World, which is a collection of the most unique independent hotels across the globe, highlighting chic, distinct travel experiences - and this former gilded age mansion certainly stands out.

Visitors are given their very own butler who introduces themselves at the beginning of the trip and can help them with anything from pressing clothing to hiring a personal photographer.

The suites not only have colorful chandeliers, they also boast well-stocked complimentary mini-bars and housekeeping twice a day. The concierge experience is just as luxurious, as they offer reservations at the hottest restaurants in town (it's like you're getting access to your very own opera box).

The memorable touches, like bone-inlaid tables and tiger-striped rugs, are thanks to Stockholm-born designer Martin Brudnizki, who's famous for paying tribute to the past and present. The cozy, oversize suites full of colorful, bold designs stand out in a city known for its shoebox size, cookie cutter hotel rooms. Guests might want to take some of the decor home, but it's all one-of-a-kind.

Even the restaurant, Cafe Carmellini, is majestic, with live trees, stunning chandeliers, Art Deco mirrors and blue velvet seating. Diners can imagine the space as a ballroom with guests dancing down below and gossiping up above. The Italian and French restaurant's chef Andrew Carmellini is also behind downtown hot spots Locanda Verde, Lafayette, and the Dutch.

The hotel also houses The Portrait Bar, which went viral on TikTok as a date night destination. The intimate cocktail lounge is fittingly covered in photos, paintings, and drawings, as diners sip cocktails described with tongue-in cheek descriptors, like 'not a margarita for margarita drinkers.'

The original five-story limestone and brick building was owned by socialite Charlotte Goodridge, who commissioned the original construction in 1856.

The memorable touches, like colorful chandeliers and tiger-striped rugs, are thanks to Stockholm-born designer Martin Brudnizki

Even the restaurant, Cafe Carmellini, is majestic, with live trees, stunning chandeliers, Art Deco mirrors and blue velvet seating

The hotel also houses The Portrait Bar, which went viral on TikTok as a date night destination, an intimate cocktail lounge covered in photos, paintings, and drawings

Then, in 1907, it was redesigned as a bank by landmark architecture firm McKim, Mead & White, who were also behind the Brooklyn Museum and the original Penn Station and designed many houses in Newport, Rhode Island. In fact, they have been credited with defining the signature look of Gilded Age America.

Hotel founder Alex Ohebshalom's family bought the building in the 1970s and he focused on restoring the landmark and bringing it back to its glory for its opening in 2023.

The hotel is at the intersection of 28th Street and Fifth Avenue, which makes it perfect for tourists eager to visit places like Madison Square Park and the Empire State. It's also walking distance from The Morgan Library & Museum, another must for history devotees. The museum and research library started as the personal library of financier Pierpont Morgan and now houses impressively rare manuscripts.

The hotel is so Gilded Age-coded that members of the cast recently fittingly posed for a New York Times photoshoot inside the lavish rooms, which start at $895 per night.

Mrs. Astor would surely approve.
Travellers heading on a trip to a Greek island this summer may find themselves hit with an unexpected expense.

Greece's new 'sustainable tourism fee' has now been introduced to cruise passengers from July 21.

Between June 1 and September 30, tourists disembarking a ship at Mykonos and Santorini will have to pay 20 each, equivalent to 17.35.

The fee decreases in October and between April 1 and May 31, during the shoulder season, to 12 (10.41).

Between November 1 to March 31, the charge lowers to 4.

Charges also apply to other ports on Greek islands and travellers will be charged 5 (4.34) during the summer months.

While in the winter, cruise tourists will be hit with a 1 (87p) charge, and in shoulder season 3 (2.60).

The new fee will be charged per passenger and will apply for each port they disembark at.

Greece's new 'sustainable tourism fee' has now been introduced to cruise passengers from July 21

Between June 1 and September 30, tourists disembarking a ship at Mykonos and Santorini will have to pay 20 each, equivalent to 17.35

It will be down to the cruise company to declare and pay the charge on a quarterly basis.

Will Sarson, a cruise expert at Riviera Travel, urged people to check what costs are included in their cruise bookings.

He said: 'Preparation and conducting checks are key to preventing unexpected charges.

'Being charged for unprecedented costs can leave you short of spending money, restricting your ability to make the most of your trip.

'Tourist tax and port fees are among the costs that could catch you out, so it's crucial to be aware of these fees when going on a cruise.

'While these fees may have been included in the cruise fare, thoroughly review the cruise line's terms and conditions to be aware of what costs are included.

'If you're still uncertain, contact the cruise line for confirmation. Being aware of what fees have been paid will give you a clearer picture of your finances for the holiday.'

The new charges have been put in place to help tackle over crowding caused by tourism.

The fee decreases in October and between April 1 and May 31, during the shoulder season, to 12 (10.41)

Mykonos is expecting to host 900 cruise ships this season with tourist arrivals expected to reach 1.5 million.

While footage from Santorini showed thousands of selfie-hunting holidaymakers have packed the narrow streets in a desperate bid to capture sunset views adored by influencers.

However, the tax hasn't been welcomed by the port authorities in Mykonos. Speaking to Greek Reporter, Athanasios Kousathanas-Megas, the president of the Mykonos Port Fund, said that the tax was a 'curse' for the island's economy.

He said: 'I believe that the price difference will create problems in choosing a cruise ship from 2026.'
Tourists jetting off on their holidays this summer should be aware of a particular type of shoe to avoid wearing.

Travel guru Pollyann took to her Instagram page, @travelwithpalma, to advise passengers not to wear sandals when travelling on a plane.

She warned of the potential issues the clothing choice could cause in an emergency, as well as the much-needed protection that closed-toe footwear offers.

Pollyann shared the advice on her Instagram page and said: 'Skip the sandals when you fly - seriously. Change into those sneakers!

'If there's an emergency involving fire, broken glass, or the need to evacuate fast, you'll want real closed-toe shoes to protect your feet and help you move quickly!

'Sandals slow you down and leave you exposed when seconds matter.

'And even when everything goes smoothly, airplane bathrooms mid-flight arequestionable.

'That liquid on the floor? Yeah - it's probably not water.

Tourists jetting off on their holidays this summer should be aware of a particular type of shoe to avoid wearing

Travel guru Pollyann advised passengers not to wear sandals when travelling via a plane

'For safety and sanitary reasons... protect your feet.'

London Luton airport also advises travellers on what may be best to wear during their journeys and noted 'flat slip-on shoes or trainers' would be most suitable.

The airport's website reads: 'Our Next Generation Security scanners permit passengers to wear any shoes to fly.

'But, if you're looking for prime comfort, flat slip-on shoes or trainers are best.

'If you prefer to slide out of your shoes during a flight, it's easy to  just put a pair of socks on so you're not barefoot on the move.'

While the Federal Aviation Administration, which is responsible for handling aircraft in America, emphasises the importance of wearing 'sensible clothing'.

Like Pollyann, the organisation notes the possibility of an emergency and clothing may help to limit any injuries in this case.

The website reads, 'Passengers who wear sensible clothing can reduce their chances of serious injury in the unlikely event of an emergency.'

London Luton airport also advises travellers on what may be best to wear during their journeys and noted 'flat slip-on shoes or trainers' would be most suitable

Meanwhile, the Federal Aviation Administration also notes 'low-heeled' shoes made from suitable materials are recommended.

The organisation adds, 'Wear low-heeled, leather, or canvas shoes.'

It comes as TUI has announced Christmas Day flights with mid-air roast dinner and private meetings with Santa onboard.

Departing from 11 UK airports, the flights will head to Lapland.
British holidaymakers tourists travelling to Majorca this summer have been issued an urgent warning after local police discovered cocktails being prepared in appalling conditions.

Palma Police shared vile images of a street vendor operating in the popular Platja de Palma area this week, where he was found cutting fruit on a used plastic bag laid directly on the ground of a car park.

The disturbing photos, posted to the Spanish police force's X account, show watermelon slices and mint chopped up amid grime, black dirt spots and spilt alcohol.

The man, who had no licence or sanitary permits, was caught during a routine patrol on 13 July.

Officers found him surrounded by plastic cups, fruit, ice cubes, a knife, and a five-litre bottle of pre-mixed sangria and mojitos.

He had been pouring the mixture into cups to sell illegally to unsuspecting tourists on the beachfront.

Palma Police condemned the vendor's actions, writing in a post: 'Ingredients: fruit, alcohol... and the ground of a parking lot.'

They further warned: 'Your health is not a game. Consume only in authorised places.'

Palma Police shared vile images of a street vendor operating in the popular Platja de Palma area this week, where he was found cutting fruit on a used plastic bag laid directly on the ground of a car park

The disturbing photos, posted to the Spanish police force's X account, show watermelon slices and mint chopped up amid grime, black dirt spots and spilt alcohol

Authorities say the vendor's lack of hygiene and licensing posed a serious health risk, and a full report has now been submitted to the Food Safety and Nutrition Service of Spain's Ministry of Health.

The incident has since sparked warnings for holidaymakers - particularly British tourists - to avoid purchasing drinks from street sellers, no matter how tempting in the summer heat.

In a further bid to clean up the island's tourism sector, Majorca is also clamping down on practices within its restaurants.

One new rule already causing friction among holidaymakers is a strict 'one bill per table' policy being implemented across eateries.

The man, who had no licence or sanitary permits, was caught during a routine patrol on 13 July

Officers found him surrounded by plastic cups, fruit, ice cubes, a knife, and a five-litre bottle of pre-mixed sangria and mojitos

He had been pouring the mixture into cups to sell illegally to unsuspecting tourists on the beachfront

Diners across the island will no longer be allowed to split the bill at certain restaurants because it is too 'complicated for the staff.'

Juanmi Ferrer, the president of the Restaurants Association on the Spanish island, said there will now be 'one bill per table and it is up to the customers how they deal with the payment'.

He explained the move comes in an attempt to make it simpler for restaurant staff, because allowing diners to individually pay for their share is often time consuming and leads to miscalculations and items not being paid for.

'Some don't want to pay for the wine, others specifically ask to pay for their own dish. This gets complicated for the staff, and there can be items that no one is charged for. It is time-consuming and even more so if the bill doesn't add up'.
Millions of tourists head to Crete every year to enjoy the crystal clear sea, sandy beaches and beautiful buildings.

But there's another, more unusual, attraction that is bringing visitors to the popular Greek island too.

Known as Chonkus Maximus, the chubby black and white cat has caught the attention of hordes of travellers and has become an internet sensation.

He's become so famous that he even has a pin on Google Maps with 435 reviews gushing over the 'must see destination' and many calling him a 'legend'.

Chonkus lives in Chania, a city located on the northwest coast of Crete known for its characterful old town and Venetian harbour.

People now know his usual hiding spots, and have taken to filming their quest to find him, often laid out relaxing in the shade.

Travellers have shared their adventures locating the popular, over-fed feline on TikTok, with some describing him as Crete's 'final boss'.

One tourist, @musings.2029, posted a video of Chonkus on the social media app.

Millions of tourists head to Crete every year to enjoy the crystal clear sea, sandy beaches and beautiful buildings

But another attraction has caught the attention of tourists, known as Chonkus Maximus, the chubby black and white cat has become an internet sensation

He's become so famous that he even has a pin on Google Maps with 435 reviews gushing over the 'must see destination' and many calling him a 'legend'

The clip showed the chubby cat crawling out from under a car and approaching people to be pet, with the text, 'Flew all the way to the UK... Just to see him holding court at his favourite hideout in Crete'.

The social media user penned in the caption, 'He emerged from the shadows again. Flew 1,800 miles to find him.'

Another video, posted by @senta753, showed two tourists as they headed to find Chonkus in the streets of Chania with the caption, 'Come find Crete's final boss with us (Chonkus Maximus)'.

The pair walked down a road, and panned the camera to show a van parked up at the side, with the chubby cat lounging in the shade.

He appeared to be unbothered by his visitors, who stroked his head.

A similar clip was uploaded by @ingborgkol and featured another pair of travellers with the video caption, 'Come find Chonkus Maximus (the fattest cat of Chania) with us'.

The footage showed Chonkus laid underneath a car on a dusty road in the Greek city.

He glances at his visitors before turning his head away and closing his eyes.

A video, posted by @senta753, showed two tourists as they headed to find Chonkus in the streets of Chania with the caption, 'Come find Crete's final boss with us (Chonkus Maximus)'

The pair walked down a road, and panned the camera to show a van parked up at the side, with the chubby cat lounging in the shade

A similar clip was uploaded by @ingborgkol and featured another pair of travellers with the video caption, 'Come find Chonkus Maximus (the fattest cat of Chania) with us'

While on Google reviews, the popular cat has attracted a string of comments including, 'Beautiful friendly fat boy! Must see destination!!'.

Another penned: 'Finally a place worth visiting.'

Someone else added: 'Chonkus was fully flopped under a van resting his flumpy frame. I stroked his leg and deservedly got a kick. Fully worth the visit to the King!'
A British tourist has shared how he checked into a one-star hotel with less than favourable reviews and scant facilities, including zero tea or coffee - and paid 136 for the pleasure.

Simon Wilson, who regularly documents his travels on social media, shared a reel from his stay at the 80-room one-star hotel that's in a plum spot in one of America's most popular tourist destinations.

Holidaymakers in South Beach in Miami, Florida can usually expect to pay from around $400 (around 295) during high season for a room in the cool coastal district, so bagging a stay for less than 150 a night might be considered a relative bargain.

Sharing on his Instagram and Facebook accounts, Wilson checked in without an advance booking at the unnamed hotel but found just 9 out of the 80 hotel rooms occupied.

Chatting to the receptionist, a Brazilian named Celso, he asks about what's on offer for his 136 - and why the hotel has had such bad reviews. The hotel worker responds with a simple shrug.

'Is there a swimming pool, or a sauna?' Wilson enquires in the video, only to be told there isn't even a breakfast service or anywhere to grab a coffee.

Given a room on the first floor, Wilson takes viewers around his place for the night, and finds while the hotel is facility free, it's not nearly as bad as he feared.

Pushing through the door, he says: 'There's a lovely dining table, cabinet, a remote for the telly.'

British traveller Simon Willis arrives at the unnamed one-star hotel in South Beach Miami to find just ten per cent of property's accommodation filled - and rooms costing 136-a-night

He then inspects the bathroom, which he describes as looking 'fairly clean', highlighting clean towels and plenty of soap.

Is a decent night's sleep on the horizon? Wilson inspects the pillows and sheets on the bed and deems them immaculate.

The pleasantly surprised tourist says of his stay: 'It seems like we might just have got a bargain in South Beach, Miami'.

Others watching his video though were shocked at the cost of the room, with one responding: '$200 for a night? Thats what people pay per months in some parts of the world. Hotel or not, thats insane.'

Another adds: 'So, they charge you almost $200 and you cant get anything at the hotel other than a bed and bathroom. Can see why its 1 star.'

One local resident reacted differently though, saying: 'Y'all complaining about the price, but its expensive in Miami. If youre in South Beach, thats about what its going to cost.'

Hotel star rating systems are widely recognised as the definitive way to ascertain a hotel's overall quality, but the rankings can differ wildly from one country to another.

Each country usually has its own way to rank hotels from one to five stars, established by a range of authorities, from tourism bodies to government agencies.

What does 136 buy you in a Miami one-star...no obvious facilities but a decent room, says the Brit abroad

In the US, there are a number of competing systems, from the American Automobile Association to local councils.

A one-star hotel generally means there are only basic room options available.

In the UK, for example, five letting bedrooms must be available to qualify.

The hotel must also be open seven days per week during its operating season and staff must be available during the day to receive and check-in guests.

Occasionally, bathroom facilities will be shared and there will likely not be any sort of restaurant or bar on-site. However, there will usually be vending machines.

But are there any expectations that hold universally across three, four or five star hotels? Generally, several criteria can be agreed upon across borders.

In the UK, star ratings place a heavy emphasis on customer service, whereas in France, the ratings focus more on rooms, lobbies and amenities and are enforced by the French Government.

Four groups combined in 2007 to create a unified ranking system for Great Britain: the Automobile Association, VisitBritain, VisitScotland and VisitWales.

Hotels in Spain, on the other hand, are ranked regionally instead of nationally, while Italian accommodations emphasize cleanliness in their system, which was established in 2009.

In Turkey and Portugal, properties are inspected by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and the Ministry of Economy and Innovation, respectively.
As the summer holidays begin, many families are preparing to head away on holiday.

Travel association ABTA predicts this weekend, July 25 to 28, is set to be 'one of the busiest' this year.

Two million Brits are expected to jet off abroad and airports are forecast to be packed.

Spanish destinations are proving to be the most popular, with many families heading to Costa Brava, Costa del Sol, Balearic and the Canary Islands.

Other dreamy locations including Greece, Portugal, Turkey, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Italy, Malta, Morocco and Cape Verde, are expecting hordes of travellers, too.

Hundreds of thousands of passengers are predicted to be departing from Heathrow and Gatwick this weekend.

Stansted could see 210,000, while and Luton is expecting 120,000.

Manchester Airport is expecting a whopping 220,000 travellers jetting off on their holidays, and 100,000 should depart from Birmingham.

Travel association ABTA predicts this weekend, July 25 to 28, is set to be 'one of the busiest for travel' this year

Two million Brits are expected to jet off abroad and airports are forecast to be packed

Aside from beach resorts, tourists are also flocking to city destinations including Amsterdam, Dubai, Dublin, Budapest, Barcelona and Lisbon.

ABTA recommends checking the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice on your holiday location before travelling, as well as ensuring your passport is still valid.

Travel insurance is also advised as well as applying for a free Global Health Insurance Card.

A GHIC gives travellers access to healthcare abroad in most European countries.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA chief executive, said: 'This weekend will be one of the busiest for travel with many more families in the UK heading off overseas for a well-deserved summer break, either spending quality time together on a relaxing beach holiday or having fun on a cultural city break.

'To help ensure a stress-free travel experience, leave plenty of time to get to your departure port and, if using public transport, check in advance for any potential engineering works and use ABTA's holiday checklist which gives helpful and essential tips to help you prepare for your holiday.'

Hundreds of thousands of passengers are predicted to be departing from Heathrow and Gatwick this weekend

The travel association advises tourists to check the local rules of the destination they are travelling to.

While holidaymakers are also recommended to be clued up on airport security rules.

Purchasing the local currency as well as taking a card is also advised, and being prepared for charges such as taxis when you arrive.
An Italian holiday hotspot popular with Brits could see temperatures soar to near-record highs as soon as this week, including a potential 48C in southern regions.

The heatwave, dubbed the third 'African blaze' of the summer, is expected to bring record-breaking temperatures to Sicily and Sardinia throughout July and August.

The extreme heat is also expected to hit other parts of Italy, with temperatures in central regions like Rome and Florence nearing 36C, reports El Pais.

Authorities have warned temperatures will sit above average throughout the week, with highs of 42C expected in Italy's southern regions including Puglia, Basilicata, Sardinia and Sicily.

The heatwave is expected to push temperatures close to the European record of 48.8C, which was recorded in Floridia, near Syracuse, Sicily, in August 2021, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Filippo Anelli, president of Italy's National Federation of the Orders of Physicians, ordered 'maximum attention' to vulnerable groups, such as the elderly and people with chronic illnesses during the heatwave.

Meanwhile, northern Italy is bracing for unstable weather conditions due to the clash between incoming African heat and a low-pressure system over northern Europe.

This collision is likely to result in severe thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and hailstorms, particularly over the Alps and Prealps.

A 48C heatwave, dubbed the third 'African blaze' of the summer, is expected to bring record-breaking temperatures to Sicily, pictured, and Sardinia through July and August

Authorities have warned temperatures will sit above average throughout the week, with highs of 42C expected in Italy's southern regions, such as Puglia, Basilicata, Sardinia, pictured, and Sicily

Europe is in the grip of an unforgiving bout of extreme weather that is battering popular holiday destinations just as British tourists prepare to head abroad for the summer.

Searing heatwaves, devastating wildfires and violent storms are sweeping the continent, threatening lives, scorching landscapes and putting emergency services under immense pressure.

Tourist hotspots in Italy and Spain are contending with several punishing blazes, with hundreds of firefighters and water-carrying aircraft dispatched to quell the flames.

Sicily battled six separate wildfires last week, with soaring temperatures leading authorities to issue red alert warnings for four provinces this week.

Europe is in the grip of an unforgiving bout of extreme weather that is battering popular holiday destinations just as British tourists prepare to head abroad for the summer (Pictured: Cyprus)

A burnt tree is seen during a wildfire at the area of Souni near Limassol, Cyprus on July 24

A wildfire rages across a forested area near Cavuslar village, in Karabuk district, northwest Turkey on July 23

Sicily's Forestry Corps and Civil Protection workers were engaged last weekend as they worked to extinguish the fires, with six water-dropping aircraft drafted into control the flames.

Yesterday, two people were killed and hundreds evacuated as a massive wildfire tore through southern Cyprus, destroying homes and threatening communities amid an intense heatwave.

At least 100 square kilometres (39 square miles) was razed to the ground in a wineproducing region north of the city of Limassol, near popular tourist hotspots, after the blaze broke out around midday on Wednesday, with several fronts still active on Thursday morning.

Two people have died after they were burned alive in their car. Local reports say police are now attempting to identify the pair who were trying to escape in the vehicle. At least ten people were injured, two of them seriously, police said.
Tourists heading abroad this summer have been urged to consider what vaccinations are recommended for their destination.

Holidaymakers jetting off to tropical climates could be exposed to diseases their immune systems aren't used to.

Though there aren't mandatory vaccines for some countries, Brits are advised to check any requirements before travelling.

Boots pharmacist Claire Nevinson explained the urgency of travellers protecting their health when going abroad.

'It's important to take steps to protect our health when we travel abroad so we can focus on enjoying our holiday,' she said.

'Travel vaccinations may be recommended depending on where you are travelling, the activities you will be doing, and your age and general health.'

The healthcare company revealed the most common diseases customers were seeking advice on included Japanese encephalitis, rabies and hepatitis A.

More than a third of travellers are planning to jet off to long-haul locations this year, according to Boots, including with Thailand, India and China.

Tourists heading abroad this summer have been urged to consider what vaccinations are recommended for their destination

Holidaymakers jetting off to tropical climates could be exposed to diseases their immune systems aren't used to

Claire added: 'If you're travelling abroad this summer, you may be exposed to diseases we don't usually have in the UK.

'Travel vaccinations may be recommended for your trip as a measure to help prevent you picking these illnesses up.

'The childhood vaccination programme in the UK provides protection from several diseases, but it may also be necessary to consider boosters or other vaccinations if you're planning to visit certain parts of the world.'

The pharmacist advised that holidaymakers should consider taking medications with them on their travels too.

Claire recommended several items including antihistamines and pain relief, regardless of the destination.

'Whether you're jetting off or keeping it local this summer, it's always wise to pack a few healthcare products depending on the destination you're travelling to,' she said.

'A small first aid kit may be a good start. You could consider including pain relief medicine, antihistamine medicine to help relieve symptoms of hayfever and other allergies, plasters, antiseptic cream, insect repellent and of course broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of SPF30.

Boots pharmacist Claire Nevinson explained the urgency of travellers protecting their health when going abroad (Stock Image)

The pharmacist advised that holidaymakers should consider taking medications with them on their travels too

'It's also important to make sure you have an adequate supply of any prescription medicines that you take.

'Additionally, I'd always check whether you might need medication to help prevent malaria.

'It is important that antimalarials are started before you travel to a place where you might be at risk.'

It comes after airport security staff explained why they always stare at passengers' crotches.
A popular winter sun city break destination has seen travel advice issued by the UK government changed this week.

British tourists planning to visit Morocco have been warned by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office about the risks of carrying drugs in and out of the country, including Class B drug cannabis.

The North African country has severe penalties for tourists caught carrying illegal substances while transiting through Moroccan airports, with heavy fines and long jail sentences handed out.

The new Government travel advice issued yesterday says drug-detecting technology has been ramped up in recent years in the country.

Its advice now reads: 'Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport.

'Airports in Morocco have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers.'

Tourism in Morocco continues to grow year-on-year, with around a million visitors descending on cities including Marrakech, Casablanca and coastal resorts including Essaouira and Agadir.

The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for Morocco this week, warning that penalties for those carrying drugs - including cannabis - are severe (Pictured: Menara Airport in Marrakech)

Some one million British tourists descend on Morocco every year, attracted to the North African country's lively souks, great surf beaches and beautiful landscapes

The update comes just a day after a British mother was charged with trafficking drugs into Germany after being caught allegedly smuggling cannabis from Thailand.

Cameron Bradford, 21, from Knebworth in Hertfordshire, was arrested at Munich Airport on April 22nd when she attempted to collect her luggage.

Authorities had become suspicious after she allegedly changed her flight at the last minute, having originally been due to fly to London Heathrow via Singapore.

Her family had filed a missing person report after raising concerns when she did not return home as expected, but then learned the next day she was in Germany.

Miss Bradford was arrested and held in custody - and has now been charged with attempted transit of cannabis and abetting the international trafficking of cannabis.

The mother, who has a young son, is set to make an appearance at a hearing in Munich District Court on August 6 as authorities continue to investigate.

A Foreign Office spokesman said today: 'We are supporting a British woman who is detained in Germany and are in contact with her family and the local authorities.'

Cameron Bradford, 21, of Knebworth, Hertfordshire, was arrested at Munich Airport on April 22

Miss Bradford's arrest is one of a series of cases involving suspected young British female drug mules stopped by police at airports in countries around the world.

This week, another British woman was arrested in Mauritius accused of trying to smuggle cannabis inside her six-year-old son's suitcase.

This week, Natashia Artug, 35, of Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, was detained alongside seven other people accused of carrying more than 161kg of the drug - worth 1.6million - in their luggage.

The boy's luggage alone is said to have had 24 packages of drugs wrapped in clear cellophane inside weighing 14kg.

Campaign group Justice Abroad claimed Ms Artug is 'vulnerable' and was coerced into travelling to Mauritius by people involved in the drug trade who threatened her and her family, adding that she did not know the bags contained cannabis.

Miss Artug's partner Florian Lisman, a 38-year-old Romanian, was also arrested and said to be carrying 32 drug packages, an iPhone and 260.

The other Britons detained were Patrick Lee Wilsdon, 22, Lily Watson, 20, Shannon Ellen Josie Holness 29, Laura Amy Kappen 28, and Shona Campbell, 32, who each had between 30 and 32 packages, according to local newspaper Le Mauricien.

They were all on the same British Airways flight from London Gatwick to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam airport last month. The suspects have all been charged with drug trafficking and remain in custody.
Beloved The Chase presenter Bradley Walsh has rubbed fans up the wrong way with an infuriating habit viewers claim is 'doing their head in.'

The charismatic host, 65, is known for his everyman quality and ability to put even the most nervous of contestants at ease.

But after more than 15 years as the face of the programme, the Watford native has irritated viewers, who have claimed he pretends to know the answers before they are revealed.

In the ITV game show's most recent installment, Bradley welcomed Nick, Paris, Jane and Lucy - contestants playing for a sizable cash prize.

As usual, each player took part in an individual cash builder to set the tone for the later battle against the chaser, which was Darragh Ennis.

But it was during the multiple choice section against The Menace where avid watchers noticed Bradley's quirky tendency.

At one point, Jane was asked: 'According to a scientific study published in 2022, which sound causes the greatest fear to animals on the African savannah?'

When it emerged that Jane selected 'lion's growl' - Bradley questioned whether she had made the right choice, saying: 'You've put lion's growl. Hmm. Okay. Elephant's trumpet, surely?'

The Chase presenter Bradley Walsh has rubbed fans up the wrong way with an infuriating habit fans claim is 'doing their head in.'

But, unsurprisingly, the lion's growl turned out to be the right answer.

Bradley's presumptuousness got under viewers' skin, with one writing online: 'Ah yes, the fearsome carnivorous predator...the elephant.'

Good-natured Bradley congratulated Jane on her correct choice, but it didn't stop him from enacting the same tactic with Lucy when she was going head-to-head with Darragh.

The contestant was asked: 'In the Sondheim musical "Into the Woods", who sings "On the Steps of the Palace"?'

When it emerged Lucy picked Cinderella over Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel, Bradley chimed in: 'You've put Cinderella. It's got to be. It's got to be Cinderella.'

Many put the presenter's remarks down to light-hearted enthusiasm, but some keen fans were not as impressed.

One furious commenter wrote: 'Brad needs to stop this pretending to know the answer business. Doing my head in.'

And another added: 'Is there no beginning to Brad's general knowledge? He wouldn't even pass the audition for Tipping Point.'

Viewers have claimed Bradley 'pretends to know the answers' before they are revealed (Pictured: Contestants Jane and Nick)

Agreeing with the sentiment, a third wrote: 'Brad makes a face as if he knows and then waits for the answer and says "yeah of course!"'

Some saw the comedic element, with one taking a jab at the cheeky host: 'Brad: A, Yeah, I agree. Has to be A surely? Know what I mean? Definitely A in my book. Gottabe innit? Definitely A. 100 per cent A. No doubt about it, A, Absolutely. (It's C, Brad).'

In the end, Nick and Jane were the only two who progressed to the final chase, playing for 4,000 each.

But after ending on a score of just 12, far from competitive if hoping to get past the sharp-witted chasers, the pair left penniless as Darragh caught them with 24 seconds still on the clock.

It comes as a former The Chase contestant reveals why ITV bosses warn the players to not share any of their prize money with the eliminated players.

Steven Sneade, 69, from Liverpool, took part in the programme back in 2017 and went up against Paul Sinha AKA The Sinnerman.

He managed to make it to the final round and won a huge amount of money, but there was one person on his team who walked away with nothing.

Steven said: 'If you win you have to sign another contract as you're accepting money from them.

Commenters were quick to flock to social media and express their disapproval of the host's irritating habit

'They told us not to give money to the contestants who didn't win money just because you feel sorry for them.

'They can't stop you, but I think they just don't want you to have that in mind. They said it could take three months, but I had it in a week.'

But that wasn't the only rule that they were told that they had to follow.

Steven had previously taken part in Tipping Point, which meant that he had to wait a bit before he could star on The Chase.

He added: 'After about two years I got a call and the production person they were thinking about casting me, but they asked if I had been on any other shows.

'I had been on Tipping Point, so they said they would be back in touch next year.

'They don't want people being on those two programmes so close together - apparently they get a lot of backlash for having the same people on different shows.'

The Chase airs weekdays on ITV1 from 5pm and is available to stream on ITVX.
Netflix fans are already gushing about a new crime thriller dominating screens with its competitive storyline and the actors' 'raw emotion'.

Currently holding the number one spot on the streaming platform is the limited series Untamed, starring Eric Bana.

The murder mystery is gruesome and exciting, drawing watchers in with its captivating premise.

But quickly climbing the charts is rival show To Kill A Monkey - a tense thriller hailed by watchers as gripping, impactful and technically excellent.

Netflix has already released all eight episodes of the Nollywood drama, which has garnered global acclaim since its release earlier this month.

The plot follows a young man who is coaxed into the 'alluring world of cybercrime, where every decision he makes draws him deeper into a moral minefield.'

Our protagonist, Efe, is a struggling father who must make compromising decisions to keep afloat.

His life quickly spirals into chaos when he finds himself involved in a cyber conspiracy, attempting to outrun 'the fallout of his choices'.

A new crime thriller is dominating Netflix charts with its competitive storyline and the actors' 'raw emotion'

The show by Nigerian filmmaker Kemi Adetiba stars Stella Damascus and William Benson, and has jumped sporadically in and out of the Netflix top ten most-watched shows in recent days.

The story of betrayal, emotion and pivoting plot points has been lauded by fans.

One reviewer wrote online: 'I think this is the best Nigerian series I have seen in a very long time.

'There are more than 1001 lessons to learn from this eight-episode packed series. At some point, you will wish the series will never end.'

Another gushing watcher agreed, saying: 'This show is one of the best I have watched for a very long time.

'There were zero dull moments from the beginning to the end. The actors perfected the script and I wish we would have more of such TV series that are loaded with life lessons.

'Kemi Adetiba is a century filmmaker and television director. Not a dull moment with her production.'

One called the show 'the best limited series Africa has ever produced,' while another praised the slickness of 'authentic, well written and well executed' production.

Quickly climbing the charts is To Kill A Monkey - a tense thriller hailed by watchers as gripping, impactful and technically excellent

Our protagonist, Efe, is a struggling father who must make compromising decisions to keep afloat

Aside from the merits of the series itself, viewers pointed to the grabbing title and imagery, having been drawn in from the start.

One said: 'The title of this series caught my eye. I decided to watch a little of the first episode to see how it was. I am completely hooked!

'From the first scene, the acting and story line is riveting! I binged all the episodes in two days. I highly recommend this show to anyone.

'It's very authentic, great characters - a look into a world and culture totally different from mine and so fascinating...a must watch!'

And commenters noted how gripping the series was, prompting watchers to turn to the next episode.

'Surprisingly good!' said one, before adding: 'Keeps you on the edge of your seat.'

The actress playing Idia in the show, Lilian Afegabi, opened up about how important the role had been to her.

She wrote on social media: 'Playing Idia was more than just a role. It was a journey of becoming one with a character whose strength, vulnerability and spirit I poured my soul into.

Adoring fans of the newly-released thriller sang its praises online, lauding the direction, acting and storyline

'I gave everything to bring her to life and seeing your kind words, messages and encouragement means the world to me and makes it all worth it.'

This summer has seen Netflix produce a range of hard-hitting dramas that have been vying for the few top spots, as well as introducing new installments of already-loved shows.

The streaming service has revealed the future of Wednesday beyond the upcoming series two.

The American supernatural comedy series, which began in 2022, follows Jenna Ortega, 22, as the spooky Wednesday Addams.

It is one in a series of takes over the years on The Addams Family, the eccentric fictional old-money clan, famously macabre and gothic in manner and look.

The second series of the Emmy-winning programme, executive produced and often directed by horror icon Tim Burton, 66, is set for release in August.

And now, it has been announced that not only will Wednesday definitely be back for a third series, a spin-off programme is currently under discussion, according to Hollywood Reporter.

Fans were absolutely delighted to hear the fate of the beloved show has been secured, taking to social media to express their excitement.

To Kill A Monkey is now streaming on Netflix.
Netflix has just released its first trailer for the-hotly anticipated political thriller Hostage starring Suranne Jones - and fans are already saying the same thing.

The high-stakes drama is anchored by a powerful performance from English actress Suranne.

The 46-year-old Vigil star not only plays the UK Prime Minister, but she also held a vital role as executive producer, marking her first project with Netflix.

When the British PM's husband is kidnapped and the visiting French President is blackmailed, the two political leaders both face difficult choices.

The plot follows the ensuing rivalry where both their political futures and personal lives might hang in the balance - and they must gamble cleverly to come out on top.

Although the series itself is exciting enough, it is Suranne's presence that has fans eagerly awaiting the August 21 release date.

Adoring followers rushed to social media to express their excitement about the former Corrie star's Netflix debut.

One wrote online: 'Love anything that Suranne does. Very talented!'

Netflix has just released its first trailer for the hotly anticipated political thriller Hostage starring Suranne Jones - and fans are all saying the same thing

When the British PM's husband is kidnapped and the visiting French President is blackmailed, the two political leaders both face difficult choices

Another echoed the sentiment, saying: 'I am so excited for this! I can't wait to see Suranne Jones in this.'

Known for her roles in Gentleman Jack, Doctor Foster and A Touch Of Cloth, the Greater Manchester native has built a loyal following.

One wrote: 'I really like this actor Suranne Jones, she was great in Vigil,' while another chimed in 'Suranne is a super great actor. Looks exciting and riveting.'

It seems charmed followers will follow Suranne wherever her career takes her, with one gushing: 'Absolutely brilliant actress. Anything she does on screen - the audience is hooked. Can't wait.'

Of the project, Suranne herself said: 'I'm thrilled to be on Netflix, in something I'm really proud of.'

'It's been something I've wanted to do for a long time. We'd talked about projects previously, but for me, it was about finding the right thing.

'Hostage was perfect - me and Matt together, backed up by this brilliant, supportive team. I loved it.'

The five-part series is written by Matt Charman, the Oscar nominee behind war thriller Bridge Of Spies.

The plot follows the ensuing rivalry where both their political futures and personal lives might hang in the balance - and they must gamble cleverly to come out on top

Although the series itself is exciting enough, it is Suranne's presence that has fans eagerly awaiting the August 21 release date

Charman, too, is chuffed to have Suranne on board, saying: 'I've been dying to find the right story to tell with Suranne and I honestly believe what she's done with this character is going to blow the Netflix audience away.

'An embattled British PM in the middle of a fight for her country and her family - she's fierce, ruthless, and you can't take your eyes off of her.'

The brand new series will see Suranne as Abigail Dalton, Julie Delpy as Vivienne Toussaint and Corey Mylchreest as Matheo Lewis.

They will be joined by Lucian Msamati, Ashley Thomas, James Cosmo and Jehnny Beth.

Netflix has previously released a sneak peek at the new show, with Suranne as her alter-ego waving outside 10 Downing Street with a smile on her face.

While in another she looked very serious in a tie dye blouse and burgundy blazer while standing next to Julie as the fictional French president Vivienne.

Suranne has been active in the acting scene for the past 29 years. She was initially best known for playing Karen McDonald in ITV's Coronation Street.

She played the iconic character in the soap between 2000 and 2004. But since then she's appeared in various other series over the years.

Adoring followers rushed to social media to express their excitement about the former Corrie star's Netflix debut

Surrane has landed roles in the likes of Harley Street, Unforgiven, Doctor Who and Scott & Bailey.

She's also played Anne Lister in Gentleman Jack, DCI Amy Silva in Vigil and Gemma Foster in Doctor Foster.

This year she has also taken on the role of Suz in Film Club and Bert in Frauds.

It comes after it was revealed that one of Suranne's other shows is set to return to our screens soon.

Filming for the BBC hit is due to begin later this year in Scotland, with the third instalment of the police show airing in 2026.

The Emmy-winning programme also stars Rose Leslie as DI Kirsten Longacre.

It follows the two detectives as they tackle a case at a remote Arctic research station where a member of a British special forces mission was killed.

Nominated for a BAFTA in 2022, the new series is set to be packed full of action and cast members are buzzing to begin production.

Hostage will arrive on Netflix on August 21.
Welcome to The Group Chat with Lucy Manly, where Australia's most trusted society insider shares the hottest gossip BEFORE it makes the news

Farewell, cowboy

Their rebound romance had the eastern suburbs gossips leaning in.

But we hear socialite Jessica Bowditch has officially called it quits with strapping Texan financier Denham Schiff after almost a year of dating.

Friends say it was an amicable split for the pair, who got together in 2024 after their respective marriages broke down.

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.

I hear socialite Jessica Bowditch (pictured at her new Bellevue Hill apartment) is single again

Jessica (right, with her ex-husband Dyson Bowditch) has called it quits with strapping Texan financier Denham Schiff (left, with his ex-wife Juliet Anderson) after almost a year of dating

Coincidentally, it follows the ink drying on Jessica's divorce from banker ex-husband Dyson Bowditch and the hush-hush sale of their former marital home in Darling Point.

'Honestly, it was all very grown-up,' says a source familiar with the break-up.

'There was no drama, no scandal - they just came to the conclusion that they wanted different things.'

Denham, from Dallas, has long divided his time between Sydney and the United States, but insiders say he was never fully settled here, whereas 'Jess is very Sydney'

Denham, from Dallas, has long divided his time between Sydney and America, but insiders say he was never fully settled here.

The sudden end of his marriage to Double Bay boutique owner Juliet Anderson - who left him during Covid then started dating a colleague - likely didn't make him feel at home either.

'I don't think he will stay in Australia long-term,' adds the friend. 'He's always had one foot back in the States. Jess is very Sydney - this is home for her.'

Since selling her family home a few months ago, mother-of-two Jessica, 38, has made the move to nearby Bellevue Hill.

The former TV producer just bought a stylish three-bedroom apartment with harbour views and interiors by a top design firm.

Meanwhile, her ex-husband Dyson, Barrenjoey's co-head of equity markets, is still rumoured to be romancing 26-year-old account director Chloe Hayes, who looks to be thoroughly enjoying a sun-drenched European summer.

Whether Dyson is actually on the trip with his girlfriend or simply footing the bill remains unclear - he's yet to make a cameo on her Instagram feed.

Since selling her family home in Darling Point (pictured) a few months ago, mother-of-two Jess has made the move to nearby Bellevue Hill, splashing out on a swanky three-bedder

Jess's ex-husband Dyson Bowditch, Barrenjoey's co-head of equity markets, is still rumoured to be romancing 26-year-old account director Chloe Hayes (pictured)

Doc's Euro whinge

In what is becoming a regular addition to my column, I have some delightful snark from my spies in Perth's ritzy west.

The subject of eye-rolls this week is Dr Deb Cohen-Jones, who you may know as the business partner of Group Chat regular Dr Clara Hurst.

(Whether they remain business partners for much longer remains to be seen. I hear they've fallen out...)

Anyway, I'm told Deb's utterly tone-deaf complaints on Instagram about her recent family holiday in Europe have become the talk of the WA tattlers.

What went so terribly wrong, I hear you ask?

She had expected sunsets and spritzes, only to arrive with 'fat feet' after travelling economy. Then she discovered that a 'first class' train carriage in Italy involves sitting on your suitcase for five hours.

And things only went downhill from there.

The subject of eye-rolls in Perth's ritzy west this week is Dr Deb Cohen-Jones (left), who you may know as the business partner of Group Chat regular Dr Clara Hurst (right)

Dr Deb's candid account of her Euro trip has raised a few eyebrows

Dinner at a 'very famous, Insta-worthy' restaurant turned into a disaster, with Deb realising too late that the 250-per-head tasting menu (minus alcohol) was about to cost them $2,000 in total.

'I literally felt sick,' she confessed to her followers. Will she ever financially recover?

Then came the beaches that were less 'la dolce vita' and more Bondi at midday during a heatwave. 'Seething mass of humanity,' was how Deb delicately put it, as she fled the chaos in search of a private beach club.

What else went wrong?

She brought five pairs of heels and wore two. She packed activewear she didn't touch.

Then she tried arguing in Italian with the 'a***hole' hotel manager over the broken air con - but her delicate diplomacy didn't land. By 8pm, the whole family had checked out and were schlepping their luggage through town in search of a new hotel.

Dr Deb went on to denounce Monopoli as 'the crappest town in Puglia by far'.

(For what it's worth, I've been there and rather enjoyed it.)

The beaches were less 'la dolce vita' and more Bondi at midday during a heatwave

Deb's tone-deaf complaints on Instagram about her family holiday in Europe have become the talk of the WA tattlers. She whinged about a $2,000 bill at a 'famous, Insta-worthy' restaurant

There are many wonders of Europe. But if there are crowds, don't bother - according to Dr Deb

Spare a thought for those caught in the volcano

Still, there was a satisfying end to her whinge-a-thon.

'Don't park in a no parking spot in Italy,' she warned fellow intrepid travellers. 'The owner of said spot will park you in as punishment.'

Then, in classic Dr Deb fashion, she tied it all up with a heartfelt caption about imperfect moments and memories that last forever.

Bless.

Myer heiress ties the knot

As you read this, an heiress to the Myer fortune is getting married in France.

The bride is Lillian Myer - daughter of philanthropists Andrew and Kerry, and a direct descendant of the legendary Sidney Myer, founder of the department store.

Her fiance is Nathan Brown... and, apart from his name, that's about all I can tell you. They're a secretive lot, these super-rich.

Lillian Myer - daughter of philanthropists Andrew and Kerry, and a direct descendant of Sidney Myer - is getting married in Provence. She is seen at her bachelorette party in Paris this week

Her bachelorette party was held this week in Paris, and it was far classier than the usual Aussie hen do (there wasn't a stripper in sight!)

There was quite the spread, as you can see

On July 11, Lillian shared photos of herself collecting her wedding dress in New York City

One of the bridesmaids is Mila Mary (left), a Perth girl who is dating cryptocurrency and casino entrepreneur Bijan Tehrani

I've been on the trail of this society wedding since July 11 when Lillian - who works for Deloitte in New York - shared photos of herself collecting her wedding dress from bridal boutique KYHA Studios in Lower Manhattan.

Her bachelorette party was held this week in Paris, and it was far classier than the usual Aussie hen do (there was not a stripper in sight!)

And right about now, she'll be exchanging vows in Provence. As soon as we have more details, you'll be the first to know.

But I do have one interesting titbit: one of the bridesmaids is Mila Mary, a Perth girl who is dating billionaire cryptocurrency and casino entrepreneur Bijan Tehrani.
While sacked MasterChef judges Gregg Wallace and John Torode are due to appear in a new series filmed last year, a colourful character is being lined up as a successor.

I hear that restaurateur and hotelier Robert Walton, often called the godfather of hospitality, has held talks about joining the crisis-hit BBC cookery series.

Restaurant critic Grace Dent was named as Wallaces successor last December after the former greengrocer stepped down following several historical allegations of inappropriate behaviour made about him.

Robert is in talks for being appointed the MasterChef judge position with Dent, a source tells me. He is a wild card but the most qualified for the job.

They like the idea of Robert and Grace together. They are playing around with pairs, and they are looking for credibility. It would make a refreshing change to have someone who is an authority on food and hospitality, who is highly decorated and respected, judging for MasterChef.

Walton, 69, who is married to Australian fashion designer Donna Ida Thornton, has already received the royal seal of approval, having been awarded an MBE in 2007 by then Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace for services to hospitality.

This week, Walton was honoured again at the House of Lords, where he won the British Icon of Hospitality Award at the Arabreneurs Gala Dinner.

Im upset with whats happened to MasterChef and the way everything has come out, he tells me. Its an institution, and it needs to carry on. If someone wants me to do it, Im super-happy to put my name forward and can get the job done.

Previously touted to replace Torode were Saturday Kitchens Matt Tebbutt and Andi Oliver, who hosts Great British Menu.

Robert Walton attending the 2025 International Restaurateurs' Dinner

Princess Anne's woes with Wills

Holidays can wait for hard-working Princess Anne, who held yet another investiture on behalf of her brother, King Charles, at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. Around 30 are held each year, at which people whove been awarded an honour receive their gong from the King, 76, Anne, who turns 75 next month, or Prince William, 43, who lives at Windsor.

A source close to Anne was quoted in The Sunday Times as saying: Shes still doing most of the investitures [at Windsor] even though William lives there. It annoys her.

Her nephew is currently on holiday abroad with his family.

Pick up after your own pooches, says Lucrezia

SHE is known for her calmness when delivering bulletins, but ITV News presenter Lucrezia Millarini is a pugnacious type off screen.

The Celebrity Mastermind winner, 49, reveals that she confronts fellow dog owners who fail to clean up after their pets.

I have done this a few times, she tells me at the premiere of the documentary Dogspiracy.

Cleaning up after your dog is the right and proper thing to do.

Lucrezia, who has a lhasa apso named Milo, pictured above, says owners who let their dogs leave a mess are often aggressive. She adds: Its generally men, they often come back at you with a four-letter word.

Lucrezia with Milo

Ozzy Osbourne died at home on Tuesday at the age of 76, with his family and surrounded by love. The Black Sabbath stars daughter, Kelly, told me earlier this month he was happy being back in his native Britain but frustrated to be separated from his animals. He loves the house, but hes just waiting for the dogs to get here, she said. Fortunately, I hear his beloved dogs did arrive before his death. They played a big part in Ozzys TV series The Osbournes. The star once shared a video of his late pomeranian Rocky headbanging to his song Crazy Train.

Apinall's ex is expecting miracle baby

When I disclosed in 2022 that casino and wildlife park heir Damian Aspinall had separated from his second wife, Victoria, pictured left, friends pointed out that she had always made it clear that she wanted children with him.

Now, she has revealed that it was her struggle to conceive that ended their marriage. And she is pregnant with a miracle baby by an unnamed man.

I was utterly shocked when I found out I was pregnant earlier this year, admits the former Burberry executive, 39. For seven years, my husband and I fought for this dream: multiple rounds of IVF, miscarriages, and an endless hope that slowly eroded.

It cost me everything I once loved: my marriage, my home, my career, my sense of self. It took two and a half years to grieve, to rebuild, to finally accept that motherhood might never be part of my story.

Victoria does not seem to be in a relationship with the father, saying: Everything I had dreamed of sharing with someone was no longer my reality. Deciding to keep this baby has been the bravest choice of my life.

Damian and Victoria at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2016

ITV has made much of the danger faced by participants in its much-hyped series, Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters, in which stars including Countdowns Rachel Riley and Call The Midwife actress Helen George swim with the fearsome predators. One of the stars, Sir Lenny Henry, appears, however, to have revealed the truth about the reality programme. We survived, says the actor and comedian, 66. I was aware that ITV dont want anybody of a celebrity nature to be eaten on television.
One Nation co-founder David Oldfield's ex wife Lisa Oldfield has reignited her feud with former federal Labor Party leader Mark Latham.

The Real Housewives of Sydney star, 50, has made a brutal comment about Latham's ex-girlfriend Nathalie Matthews, who recently accused him of inflicting 'a sustained pattern' of psychological, financial and emotional abuse.

Lisa shared a photo to Instagram of the former couple at the Sydney Everest Carnival alongside a cruel comment about Nathalie's appearance.

'Can someone please explain to Mark Latham that owning a racehorse and banging a bird that looks like one are two different things?' she wrote.

The post divided her followers  some saw the humour, while others criticised her for 'tearing another woman down'.

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One Nation co-founder David Oldfield 's ex wife Lisa Oldfield (pictured) has reignited her feud with former federal Labor Party leader Mark Latham

'Good on him ! And basically this poor women has done nothing to any of you but hey let's tear this sister down instead of complimenting how nice her outfit looks and her smile wow!' one person wrote.

'What a horrible post to make against someone you don't know. Says more about the person posting it,' another said.

'Wow you must feel so good after a post like this. How sad for you,' a third person commented.

Lisa previously called out Latham for suggesting domestic violence only occurs in disadvantaged communities.

In a 2015 column for Mamamia, the reality TV star wrote: 'Mark, domestic violence transcends the barriers of wealth and class.'

The post comes after it was revealed last week that Ms Matthews had privately applied for an apprehended violence order against the one-time federal opposition leader, alleging Latham, 64, engaged in vile acts towards her. He has denied the claims.

She also claimed Latham inflicted 'a sustained pattern' of psychological, financial and emotional abuse against her for almost three years, demanded degrading sexual acts, asked her to call him 'master' and that he threw a dinner plate at her. The allegations are yet to be tested in court.

Latham has categorically denied he 'abuses women' and insisted all his dealings with Ms Matthews were entirely consensual.

Lisa made a brutal comment about Latham's ex-girlfriend Nathalie Matthews (both pictured), who recently accused him of inflicting 'a sustained pattern' of psychological, financial and emotional abuse

Lisa shared a photo to Instagram of the former couple at the Sydney Everest Carnival alongside a cruel comment about Nathalie's appearance

Daily Mail Australia is also not suggesting any wrongdoing by Latham, only that Ms Matthews has made allegations against him as part of her AVO

Leaked WhatsApp messages reported by The Daily Telegraph allegedly show sexually explicit exchanges between Latham and Ms Matthews - some of which were sent while Latham was on the floor of Parliament.

Latham told Daily Mail Australia the outlet's reproduction of the messages was 'not accurate'.

The leaked WhatsApp messages included a series of sexually charged interactions during parliamentary sitting hours on February 20.

Ms Matthews was previously married to British expat Ross Matthews. Both of them were members of the Liberal Party at the time. Their marriage reportedly ended in 2022, before she began dating Latham.
Pete Davidson admitted that he had been worried about his sobriety and how it could affect his career in a candid interview this week.

The SNL alum, 31 - who recently broke his silence on girlfriend Elsie Hewitt's pregnancy - opened up on the topic on Tuesday's episode of The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon.

The actor has reportedly been sober for nearly one year, and has also paid around $200k in tattoo removal amid his journey.

At one point, the talk show host asked Davidson if there was a difference when it came to performing since becoming sober and the comedian simply replied with, 'Oh, yeah.'

The father-to-be continued, 'That's what I was nervous about because I was like maybe I'm not very good, or maybe I was so high, I thought I was good.'

However, Davidson expressed that he is now, 'weirdly sharper and more aware, so it's more fun.'

Pete Davidson, 31, admitted that he had been worried about his sobriety and how it could affect his career in a candid interview this week; seen in 2024 in NYC

The SNL alum - who recently broke his silence on girlfriend Elsie Hewitt's pregnancy - opened up on the topic on Tuesday's episode of The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon; Davidson and Hewitt seen in May in NYC

Fallon then said, 'Enjoying it more,' which prompted the Bodies Bodies Bodies star to reply with, 'Yeah, when people laugh, you feel it as opposed to just sitting so high, sitting there.'

Earlier this year in January, a source claimed to People that the star 'has been sober since September, and gained twenty pounds.'

The insider further added, 'Things are going really well for him. Things are heading in the right direction, and he's receiving excellent reviews for the movie,' referencing to his project titled Dog Man.

Davidson has also talked about making the decision to remove over 100 tattoos from his body.

While on Today also in January, the star revealed what had led him to begin the grueling process of tattoo removal - and spending $200k to do so.

'I got sober and I saw myself in the mirror, and I was like nah. I was like, "I need to change it up a little bit,"' he explained.

Davidson - who started to remove tattoos in 2020 - then admitted at the time that it feels 'pretty terrible.'

He continued, 'So, if anybody is out there watching and thinking about getting a tattoo, just make sure you really want to get it.'

The father-to-be continued, 'That's what I was nervous about because I was like maybe I'm not very good, or maybe I was so high, I thought I was good'; seen on The Tonight Show on Tuesday

Earlier this year in January, a source claimed to People that the star 'has been sober since September, and gained twenty pounds'; seen on Tuesday in NYC

'I got sober and I saw myself in the mirror, and I was like nah. I was like, "I need to change it up a little bit,"' he explained; seen in 2021

Last year in July, Davidson notably checked into a wellness facility to seek treatment for his mental health - including PTSD and borderline personality disorder.

And in 2023, the actor also spent time at a facility to focus on his mental health - with a source telling People at the time that mental health has 'always been a priority' for Davidson.

An insider also explained to the outlet, 'Pete will often check himself into rehab to work on these issues. His friends and family have been supportive during this time.'

The comedian has been open about the topic for many years and previously told Variety back in 2018 that has 'been in and out of mental health facilities' since he was nine.

He also shared to the publication, 'The last few years have been real rough with me. I took all these mental health classes and really spent a lot of time getting me good.'

Davidson lost his father - a Staten Island firefighter - during the 9/11 attacks when he was just seven-years-old.

And now nearly one year into his sobriety, Davidson has been promoting his new film The House and is also preparing to be a dad.

Last week, both he and girlfirend Elsie Hewitt announced that they are expecting their first child together.

Last year in July, Davidson notably checked into a wellness facility to seek treatment for his mental health - including PTSD and borderline personality disorder; seen in 2023 on SNL

And while it has been claimed that the pregnancy was something the couple 'weren't planning' - the SNL alum and English model are beyond 'excited' to become parents.

The comedian - who has previously been linked to high profile celebrities such as Kim Kardashian and Ariana Grande - first sparked romance rumors with Hewitt only months earlier ago in March.

A source opened up to Us Weekly about their baby news and stated, 'Pete and Elsie definitely weren't planning on starting a family but are over the moon about it.

'They are so excited. Pete and Elsie have a really playful relationship, and things are going really well.'

Despite dating for a 'short amount of time,' the pregnancy 'has brought them even closer. It's a healthy relationship for Pete.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to Davidson and Hewitt's reps for comment.

The insider explained that fatherhood was something he always wanted for his future and that 'the timing in his life is perfect.'

'He couldn't have done it a few years ago but is in a very different place in life now,' the source further said of Pete - who notably got sober last year.

Davidson and Hewitt have already begun preparing to welcome their little one to the world.

And while it has since been claimed that the pregnancy was something the couple 'weren't planning' - the SNL alum and English model are beyond 'excited' to become parents

The insider explained that fatherhood was something he always wanted for his future and that 'the timing in his life is perfect'

'They live together now and are starting to get things ready, which has been very exciting for them to do together.'

The actor also finally broke his silence over the pregnancy news while talking to E! News on Tuesday.

'I'm very lucky and very, very happy,' Davidson expressed to the outlet, and added that he could not wait, 'to take care of something and show it the childhood I didn't have.'

He continued, 'I assume you just try to give them what you didn't have, and what you didn't like, not do it.'

Since the big announcement, the star has already received a lot of advice from pals - including fellow actor Adam Sandler.

'Everybody's just been super excited for me, because they know it's been my dream. They all just have been like, "You're going to be great at this. It's the best thing you'll ever do in your life." Sandler gave me some great advice.'

The standup comic added, 'It's been really nice that everyone's super excited. When you do something, when we do anything, you want everyone to be excited, especially having a child.'

And also during his appearance on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday, he gushed about becoming a dad.

'I'm very lucky and very, very happy,' Davidson expressed to the outlet, and added that he could not wait, 'to take care of something and show it the childhood I didn't have'

Fallon said, 'You did it!' with Davidson replying with, 'I did! If anybody who knows me, it's my dream to be a dad, so I'm so excited. Elsie is excited. I'm excited, you know, to see her be a mom, so we're stoked.'

The talk show host told his guest that he will be a 'fantastic dad,' and Pete further talked about having a child.

'It's the best. Everything else doesn't really matter anymore. It's nice,' the star expressed.

The actor has talked about his dreams of being a dad in the past - such as when he made an appearance on Kevin Hart's show Hart To Heart back in 2022.

'[I'm] definitely a family guy. My favorite thing ever, which I've yet to achieve, is I want to have a kid. That's like my dream,' Pete expressed at the time.

He said that being a father would 'just be so fun' and added he is 'so excited for that chapter, so like that's kinda just what I'm preparing for now.

'Just trying to be like, as good of a dude, and develop and get better so that when that happens it's just easier.'

Earlier last week, Hewitt shared an Instagram photo series where she announced the baby news. She captioned the carousel of snaps to her 1 million followers with, 'welp now everyone knows we had sex.'

The talk show host told his guest that he will be a 'fantastic dad,' and Davidson further talked about having a child

Hewitt captioned the carousel of snaps to her 1 million followers with, 'welp now everyone knows we had sex'; seen in in May in NYC

In one image, the couple could be seen cozying up together as Davidson rested his hand on her stomach.

Hewitt additionally included an ultrasound of their baby and other pictures showed the lovebirds celebrating the pregnancy.

The model donned a white cropped top as well as matching sweatpants while the comedian sported a white sweatshirt and gray sweatpants.

They paused for more pictures outside while each sporting pink and blue boxers underneath their ensembles.
Lauren Sanchez turned heads in a risque sheer dress as she enjoyed a romantic date night with her husband Jeff Bezos in Saint-Tropez, France on Wednesday.

Just weeks after tying the knot in Venice, the newlyweds looked happier than ever as they stepped out for dinner at Cherry restaurant.

The billionaire Amazon founder, 61, and Lauren, 55, were every inch the doting new husband and wife on their cosy evening.

Lauren went braless and showed off her incredible figure in a backless leopard print number, flashing a black thong beneath.

She walked hand-in-hand with husband Jeff, who dressed smart in navy polo shirt and grey trousers.

The couple beamed while departing the Italian restaurant, which over looks the ocean.

Lauren Sanchez, 55, turned heads in a risque sheer dress as she enjoyed a romantic date night with her husband Jeff Bezos, 61, in Saint-Tropez, France on Wednesday

Just weeks after tying the knot in Venice, the newlyweds looked happier than ever as they stepped out for dinner at Cherry restaurant

The famous couple said 'I do' in the romantic city of Venice back in June.

Their $50million wedding had a star-studded guest list with many A-listers such as Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom, Tom Brady, Kim Kardashian and Leonardo DiCaprio in attendance.

Now Lauren wears a $5million diamond wedding ring that has fans as well as jewellers in an uproar.

One of their A-list wedding guests recently revealed what their lavish nuptials were really like as they disclosed that none of the Jeff couple's 200 guests were told to sign non-disclosure agreements.

Sara Foster, the daughter of David Foster, shared details about the glamorous Venetian wedding on Thursday's episode of her The World's First Podcast.

While talking to her sister Erin Foster, she surprisingly revealed: 'No one signed NDAs. No NDAs.'

She also said that the ceremony was 'very intimate' when asked to dish on the 'wedding of the century.'

'There's nothing. It's so interesting how the optics were this over-the-top, you know, protestors ... It's just not, it's not what it was. It actually felt very intimate.'

The billionaire Amazon founder and Lauren were every inch the doting new husband and wife on their cosy evening

The newlyweds shared a sweet moment during dinner as Lauren tenderly placed her head on the billionaire's shoulder

Styling her dark tresses in a neat up do, the stunner accessorised with a black clutch and elevated her frame in a pair of heels

She walked hand-in-hand with husband Jeff, who dressed smart in navy polo shirt and grey trousers

Lauren went braless and showed off her incredible figure in a backless leopard print number, flashing a black thong beneath

The couple beamed while departing the Italian restaurant, which over looks the ocean

The famous couple said 'I do' in the romantic city of Venice back in June

Lauren wears a $5million diamond wedding ring that has fans as well as jewellers in an uproar

Hours ahead of her date night with husband Jeff, Lauren slipped into a chic white lace maxi dress to enjoy a shopping trip with her pals

The star accessorised her look with casual Gucci trainers as she headed out in the sunshine

Lauren finished her look with a matching straw visor as she headed out for the day

She put on a stylish display in her chic white dress as she enjoyed the balmy French weather

She also revealed that there were 'definitely a lot of people that were not photographed' but chose to keep mum on the identities of the low-key attendees.

'I can't. I mean, that's, like, so lame. I'm not gonna do that. But it's very interesting how many people went un-photographed. It was definitely a very interesting setup.'

Ellie Goulding performed at their reception, while Usher also sang at their pajama-themed brunch the next day.

The happy couple got married in a restored amphitheater on the island, as Sanchez wore a high-neck, long sleeve lace Dolce & Gabbana gown that took over 900 hours of atelier to make, per Vogue.

The gown featured a flared skirt, long veil, and a tight-fitting waist, with tons of buttons going up the middle.

'Very Lauren. Sexy, happy, not too serious, not too drama. Elegant but at the same time sensual,' Domenico Dolce told the outlet about the bride's dress.
Tammy Hembrow has committed a cardinal Instagram sin.

The fitness influencer, 31, posted an unflattering photo of a close friend to her 17 million followers on Wednesday.

Tammy left little to the imagination as she attended the Australian Financial Review magazine's 30th anniversary celebrations in a very revealing outfit on Tuesday night.

She attended the business event at the Sydney Opera House in a tiny silk crop top and matching skirt set by Arcina Ori, which she documented in a carousel of photos shared to Instagram.

But not everyone was happy with the post.

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Tammy Hembrow has committed a cardinal Instagram sin after attending the Australian Financial Review magazine's 30th anniversary celebrations in a very revealing outfit on Tuesday night



Tammy's post included four glamorous shots of the influencer posing in front of the Sydney Opera House in her ab-baring ensemble.

She also shared a short video taken from behind, as she walked slowly towards a set of stairs and turned for dramatic effect - drawing attention to her silk-clad assets.

There were two photos of Tammy's place setting in the darkened Bennelong restaurant, and also a selfie taken with Sydney brand strategist Addison Gazal at the table.

'Yeah cheers, I look great, thanks,' Addison penned in a comment dripping with sarcasm.

Meanwhile, fans flocked to the comments section to lavish Tammy with praise.

'Ab goals,' one wrote, while other comments included 'Wow' and 'Obsessed.'

The $230 top she wore features a subtle V-line detail while revealing a generous amount of her taut midriff, and the $360 long skirt has a twist detail and ruched waistband.

Tammy styled her long blonde locks in waves as she posed for a mirror selfie at her hotel before heading to the event.

Tammy shared a selfie taken with Sydney brand strategist Addison Gazal at the dinner

He was less than impressed with the picture she chose to share

Tammy's post included four glamorous shots of the influencer posing in front of the Sydney Opera House in her ab-baring ensemble

Tammy has been fighting fit following her brutal split from husband Matt Zukowski after just seven months of marriage.

The influencer, who announced in June that she and Matt were getting a divorce, took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a list of things that are 'helping me heal.'

'Healing is hard but here are some little things helping me lately,' she began in an essay-length caption to a video montage of her 'healing' journey post-breakup.

The video shows Tammy cuddling her three children, taking in sunrises and sunsets, and in multiple clips, sobbing uncontrollably.

'Getting out of the house has been huge for me,' she said.

'When Im going through something, I can self-isolate but getting out of the house has been helping me get out of my head. Even something as simple as going to a cafe. I feel like being around people has just helped so much, even if its strangers.'

'Moving my body - doesnt need much of an explanation. Instant boost of endorphins. Also doing something thats "selfish" and just for you. It can be so hard to even get yourself up and moving but you will feel better for it,' she continued.

Tammy also listed 'spending time with my kids/family,' 'music,' 'watching the sunrise/sunset,' and going to therapy.

The influencer, who announced in June that she and Matt were getting a divorce, took to Instagram on Wednesday to share a list of things that are 'helping [her] heal'

'Ive always hated therapy,' she shared. 'I find it uncomfortable and confronting and never wanted to do it. But I promise you its worth it.'

The social media star said she's working on 'letting myself feel without judgement.'

'If Im feeling sad or angry or upset, I acknowledge and feel it. If I want to cry, I cry.

'The only way past it is through it and some days youre going to feel better than others. For a while I was trying to shove down all my emotions and be "strong" and I honestly feel like this was one of the biggest things stopping me from even starting to heal,' she concluded.

It comes after Tammy recently revealed she 'didn't recognise herself' during her marriage to Love Island star Matt, 29.

The influencer revealed that she has toned up her body and lost weight since leaving the marriage.

Tammy and Matt tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at Chateau Du Soleil in Byron Bay on November 23.

They got engaged in December 2023 following just three months of dating.
Warring exes Ioan Gruffudd and Alice Evans came face to face in a Los Angeles courtroom Wednesday.

But unlike their last dramatic court confrontation in September - when Evans was kicked out after violating court rules by taking cell-phone photos of an outraged Gruffudd - there were no fireworks this time.

Instead, Evans, 56 - wearing a black skirt and shirt, black-rimmed glasses and with her blonde-hair tied back - deliberately ignored her Fantastic Four star former husband Wednesday.

Bearded Gruffudd, 51 - in a dark blue suit and tie and light blue dress shirt - sat on the opposite side of the courtroom, also avoiding looking at his ex.

His new wife, raven haired Bianca Wallace, 32, sat three rows behind him in court, looking noticeably pregnant in a long navy blue dress under a black jacket.

Wednesday's court appearances by all three were supposed to be an evidentiary hearing in which Gruffudd and Evans were to joust over her demands for him to shell out more than the $4,500 he is currently paying in support money for her and their two daughters.

But instead, after a 90-minute delay during which Judge Josh Stinn huddled with their lawyers, the judge kicked the can down the road, scheduling another hearing August 12 when a date will be set for the case to go to trial.

In the past week, Evans has filed court documents - found by DailyMail.com - in which she claimed poverty and was so broke that she had to borrow money from friends and set up a GoFundMe account that raised $18,000 in donations.

Bearded Gruffudd, 51 - in a dark blue suit and tie and light blue dress shirt - arrived alongside his new wife, raven haired Bianca Wallace

Evans, 56 - wearing a black skirt and shirt, black-rimmed glasses and with her blonde-hair tied back - deliberately ignored her Fantastic Four star former husband Wednesday

Wallace's baby bump was on full display as she and Gruffudd arrived at court on Wednesday

She said that she and her girls - Ella, 15 and Elsie, 11 - were recently evicted from their LA home because she couldn't afford to pay the $6,500 per month rent.

She contended that she had to 'burn through' her savings to pay living expenses and legal fees.

And she insisted Gruffudd - who married Wallace in April - can afford to pay more than the $3,000 per month child support and $1,500 spousal support he now pays.

But Gruffudd is fighting his ex's cash demands and in his own court filing, blasted Evans' claims, saying that she 'purposely got herself evicted intentionally ceasing paying rent and instead taking the children on a vacation trip to Europe.'

Her motive, he said, was to 'support her false public narrative of financial destitution in an attempt to further harm my reputation... as a fraudulent way to strong-arm me into paying more support than I can afford.'

Gruffudd also maintained that subpoenaed bank records show that, far from being broke, Evans made more than $130,000 in 2024 and is expected to earn a similar amount this year - a claim that Evans called 'false and misleading.'

In his recent court filing Gruffudd told how he was 'mortified' to have received 'dozens of stressed messages from our minor children in which they have parroted Alice's false and manufactured claims of becoming homeless in the immediate future.'

But in her new court documents, Evans denied manipulating the children to send plaintive messages to their father.

Gruffudd filed for divorce in March 2021, shortly after Evans announced on social media that her husband of 14 years was leaving her

Gruffudd and Evans 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

Wallace was noticeably pregnant in a long navy blue dress under a black jacket

'I absolutely did not ask the children to send messages to (Gruffudd) about our eviction and pending homelessness,' she said. 'The children are well aware of our financial distress and the eviction.'

Gruffudd and Evans 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.

Gruffudd filed for divorce in March 2021, shortly after Evans announced on social media that her husband of 14 years was leaving her.

They were divorced in July 2023.
Rachel Zegler blew kisses to fans following another incredible night performing in Evita at the London Palladium on Wednesday.

The actress, 24, who plays the lead role Eva Peron, appeared in great spirits as she expressed her gratitude to supportive fans waiting outside the stage door.

As she headed back to her hotel, Rachel cut a casual figure in a black top and Alo jogging bottoms.

The Snow White star couldn't wipe the smile off her face as she waved to fans while departing the West End theatre.

Rachel is playing former First Lady of Argentina Eva Peron in the show, which debuted in 1978 and was written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

The play follows her rise from a poor background to becoming a powerful political figure and cultural icon in Argentina.

Rachel Zegler, 24, blew kisses to fans following another incredible night performing in Evita at the London Palladium on Wednesday

The actress appeared in great spirits as she expressed her gratitude to supportive fans waiting outside the stage door

Hundreds of people gather outside the venue for the Snow White star's performance of Don't Cry For Me Argentina on the balcony, made famous by the likes of Elaine Paige and Madonna.

Rachel, who has been engulfed in controversy since the release of Disney's 'woke' Snow White is hoping her fortunes could see a career turn with Evita.

Following the announcement earlier this year, Rachel gushed: 'Evita has been such an important musical to me since I was a little girl, when my dad and I would sing Don't Cry for Me Argentina together on my back patio.

'The opportunity to bring Jamie Lloyd's singular, visionary ideas to life onstage is an honour unlike any other. The stage has always felt like home to me, and I can't wait to make my West End debut in such great company.'

Meanwhile Jamie said: 'I am so excited to be collaborating with the brilliant Rachel Zegler on Evita. She is a phenomenal talent, and I am delighted she will be making her West End debut as the iconic Eva Peron'.

An official announcement for the show read: 'Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's legendary Evita returns to the West End, reimagined by the visionary award-winning director Jamie Lloyd'.

'Featuring an iconic score including Dont Cry For Me Argentina, Oh What A Circus, Another Suitcase in Another Hall, and the Oscar-winning You Must Love Me'.

'Fuelled by ambition and passion, Eva Peron rose from poverty to become the most powerful woman in Latin America. A symbol of hope to many Argentines, her star shone brightly as she captured the nations heart and divided its soul'.

Hundreds of people gather outside the venue for the Snow White star's performance of Don't Cry For Me Argentina on the balcony, made famous by the likes of Elaine Paige and Madonna

Rachel is playing former First Lady of Argentina Eva Peron in the show, which debuted in 1978 and was written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber

Rachel is no stranger to musical theatre and starred in Stephen Spielberg's Oscar winning adaption of West Side Story in 2021.

Other famous faces to take on the iconic role Evita include Patti Lupone, Elaine Paige as well as mega Madonna in the 1996 movie version.

Rachel was recently spotted cosying up to her new boyfriend Nathan Fernand during a dog walk in Primrose Hill, London on Tuesday.

The couple looked in good spirits as Nathan, who was previously a stripper on the London-based stage show, Magic Mike Live, wrapped his arm around the actress.

The break dancer from Nottingham has appeared in shows such as Hamilton and the Lion King.

The couple are believed to have met during Evita rehearsals which began in April for Jamie Lloyds adaptation of the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.

Over the past year, Nathan has worked as a stripper on the Magic Mike Live show - a performance created by Channing Tatum based on the films he starred in by the same name.

The 90-minute experience sees a cast of male dancers performing provocative routines, acrobatic acts and musical hits which 'celebrates female desires'.
Lindsay Lohan showed off her youthful and very taut face at the Hollywood premiere of Freakier Friday this week - and the secret to how she achieves her glow has now been revealed.

The Mean Girls actress, 39 - who recently made a rare comment on her 'public downfall' - has sought treatments from Beverly Hills dermatologist Dr. Monika Kiripolsky.

On Monday, the dermatologist uploaded a selfie alongside the actress following an appointment in preparation for Lohan's red carpet appearance at the El Capitan Theatre.

Kiripolsky wrote, 'When your patient is literally the star of the show and also the glow.  Always an honor to treat the radiant @lindsaylohan - proof that great skin is ALWAYS in!

'From Mean Girls to mom glow she's still got that Lohan luminosity. Can't wait to see her shine (and swap lives?) in the upcoming Freakier Friday - her skin's already ready to rock that red carpet.'

Social media users flocked to the comment section to share their thoughts on Lohan's flawless skin, with some asking the specific treatments that the mom-of-one has had.

Lindsay Lohan, 39, showed off her youthful and very taut face at the Hollywood premiere of Freakier Friday this week (seen above) - and the secret to how she achieves her glow has now been revealed

The Mean Girls actress has sought treatments from Beverly Hills dermatologist Dr. Monika Kiripolsky

However, the dermatologist replied that 'due to patient confidentiality, I can't say what treatments I've done.

'But, EVERY patient in our practice is offered the most cutting-edge combination of lasers, peels, injectables, lipo, and other amazing treatments... Always customized to that particular patient and his/her goals.'

Lohan began to appear on Kiripolsky's Instagram page last year, and the actress herself has also credited the celebrity dermatologist for her radiant skin.

During an interview with Byrdie earlier this month, the star expressed, 'I'm also big on staying consistent with my routines so I feel my best.

'That includes regular visits to my Los Angeles dermatologist, Dr. Monika Kiripolsky, whenever I'm in town for work.'

Lohan continued, 'She helps keep my skin healthy and glowing especially during breaks from heavy on-set makeup.'

While talking to Elle back in May for a cover story, the actress addressed plastic surgery rumors after photos of the star went viral last year over her youthful transformation.

The topic was brought up when Lohan revealed that she has been in the process of potentially creating her own beauty line.

However, the dermatologist replied that 'due to patient confidentiality, I can't say what treatments I've done'

Lohan continued, 'She helps keep my skin healthy and glowing especially during breaks from heavy on-set makeup'

The topic was brought up when Lohan revealed that she has been in the process of potentially creating her own beauty line

'It's taking a long time because I'm very specific, because I'm crazy about my skin and health,' she explained.

SNL star Chloe Fineman - who interviewed Lindsay - complimented Lohan on having the 'skin of dreams.'

In response, the mom-of-one stated, 'Everyone does Botox,' before Fineman encouraged the actress to share some of her beauty secrets.

'Oh, God, I don't even know how to answer that. I drink this juice every morning. It's like carrot, ginger, lemon, olive oil, apple. I also drink a lot of green tea, a lot of water. I'm a big pickled beets person, so I put them in almost everything.

'My skin care is very specific. I'm trying out some serums now that I'm doing - I'm testing them,' she continued.

'Also, I'm a big believer in ice-cold water on your face when you wake up. I drink lemon juice a lot; I also put tons of chia seeds in my water. Eye patches, I do every morning. I'm into lasers.'

In regards to her 'glow-up,' Lohan also shared the negative side to it.

Her publicist chimed in to say, 'Yeah, but you know what the problem is with you being beautiful women - the second she looks any different, they assume she had her face lifted at 37 or 38, that she ripped apart this or that. It's so mean.'

In response, the mom-of-one stated, 'Everyone does Botox,' before Fineman encouraged the actress to share some of her beauty secrets

Her publicist chimed in to say, 'Yeah, but you know what the problem is with you being beautiful women - the second she looks any different, they assume she had her face lifted at 37 or 38, that she ripped apart this or that. It's so mean

Lohan then added, 'I'm like, when? With what time? Where?'

It came after her dad Michael confirmed that his daughter has had cosmetic treatments done.

During an interview with Page Six last year, he denied that Lohan has undergone plastic surgery but said she has done 'peels, fillers and Botox.'

'Lindsay never had any plastic surgery done ever. Her look [is] so natural - just like her talent.'

Earlier this week on Tuesday, the actress turned heads as she attended the Hollywood premiere of Disney's sequel Freakier Friday at the El Capitan Theatre.

She stunned wearing a pastel pink gown that flowed down towards the ground and contained sparkling details on the material.

Her blonde locks were parted in the middle, and cascaded down past her shoulders in elegant waves.

Lohan was joined by her rarely-seen husband Bader Shammas - whom he tied the knot with in 2022. The couple also share a son named Luai, two.

Earlier this week on Tuesday, the actress turned heads as she attended the Hollywood premiere of Disney's sequel Freakier Friday at the El Capitan Theatre; seen with husband Bader Shammas above

The fantasy comedy film, which was directed by Nisha Ganatra, is set to hit theaters next month on August 8

Lohan has reprised her role as Anna Coleman in the upcoming film, alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, Chad Michael Murray, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Julia Butters and Ryan Malgarini.

The premise is: '22 years after Tess and Anna endured an identity crisis, Anna now has a daughter and a soon-to-be stepdaughter.

'As they navigate the challenges that come when two families merge, Tess and Anna discover that lightning might strike twice,' per IMDB.

The fantasy comedy film, which was directed by Nisha Ganatra, is set to hit theaters next month on August 8.
Married At First Sight star Jamie Marinos was in some very famous company this week when she went to a big film premiere in London.

The reality TV favourite, 28, attended the premiere of The Naked Gun in Leicester Square alongside stars Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson.

Exuding an air of Hollywood glamour, Jamie cut a chic figure in a high-necked sleeveless grey gown that showed off the reality star's trim and toned arms.

Dialling back on the bling, Jamie finished her red carpet look with a pair of Perspex heels.

She wore her blonde locks down for the occasion, leaving playful curls to cascade over her shoulders.

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Married At First Sight star Jamie Marinos was in some very famous company this week when she went to a big film premiere in London

The reality TV favourite, 28, attended the premiere of The Naked Gun in Leicester Square alongside stars Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson

While rumoured beau Eliot Donovan was nowhere to be seen, Jamie did not arrive solo for the big event.

She was seen posing for photographers alongside sister Georgia, who put on a busty display in a barely-there sparkling silver top that she wore under a plain black jacket.

Meanwhile, Pamela Anderson, 58, stunned in a strapless purple gown with a flowing train and accessorised with dainty, dazzling jewels.

Her co-star Liam Neeson, 73, cut a dapper figure in a grey textured suit paired with a black T-shirt.

The pair appeared in good spirits as the actress planted a sweet kiss on Liam's cheek while they posed for the cameras.

The Naked Gun  hitting Australian theatres on August 21  also stars Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Busta Rhymes, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, and Eddie Yu.

Jamie's London red carpet debut comes after she and rumoured MAFS beau Eliot finally revealed the truth behind their whirlwind romance.

Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail Australia, the pair lifted the lid on their post-show connection, revealing the flirty friendship that blossomed into something deeper - even if they insist they're not labelling it.

Exuding an air of Hollywood glamour, Jamie cut a chic figure in a high-necked sleeveless grey gown that showed off the reality star's trim and toned arms

She wore her blonde locks down for the occasion, leaving playful curls to cascade over her shoulders

'It just kind of happened,' Jamie admitted. 'We were both single, we were vibing, and the flirting just ramped up.'

Jamie reached out to Eliot after watching his tumultuous return with intruder bride Veronica, asking for his number through groom Adrian Araouzou.

'We had a 45-minute phone call the first time we spoke,' Eliot recalled. 'We haven't stopped talking since.'

Jamie said Eliot was a vital support system after her breakup with Dave Hand.

'As much as Eliot can be a pain, he's been incredible,' she said. 'He always had empathy for what I went through. He was one of the few guys who genuinely cared.'

Eliot added: 'I just felt a moral duty to have her back. It wasn't about sliding into DMs, I just cared.'

While neither confirmed a relationship, both admitted there's chemistry.

'We may or may not have had sex,' Eliot joked.

She was seen posing for photographers alongside sister Georgia, who put on a busty display in a barely-there sparkling silver top that she wore under a plain black jacket

Meanwhile, Pamela Anderson, 58, stunned in a strapless purple gown with a flowing train and accessorised with dainty dazzling jewels

Her co-star Liam Neeson, 73, cut a dapper figure in a grey textured suit paired with a black T-shirt

Jamie quipped: 'If I say "yes", Dave's gonna make a TikTok shaming me again.'

But the pair are adamant they're not rushing into anything.

'We're in different states, we have a lot happening, and we don't want to lose the friendship,' Eliot said.

Jamie added: 'We'd probably clash if we jumped into something now. I just got out of something heavy. This is my time.'

Both stars described the jarring shift from filming to anonymity  and then to instant fame once the show aired.

'No one knew who we were at first. Then overnight, you can't go anywhere without getting stopped,' Jamie said.

Eliot said he never fully returned to normal life: 'It's like being in limbo  you're waiting for the fallout.'
Bridie Carter has returned to the spotlight - and looks unrecognisable in her latest social media post.

The 54-year-old actress, who rose to fame in the beloved Aussie series McLeod's Daughters, took to Instagram recently to share a selfie with her fans and provide a much-anticipated update.

'I'm sorry I've been so absent,' she wrote in the caption of the post, which showed her with her hair tied back and wearing a subtle smile.

'I'm still here. Just quiet. Working. On lots.

'Can't wait to share. I really, really hope you are all well.'

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Bridie Carter (pictured) has returned to the spotlight - and looks unrecognisable in her latest social media post

The 54-year-old, who rose to fame in the iconic Aussie series McLeod's Daughters, took to Instagram recently to share a selfie with her fans and provide a much-anticipated update

The mental health advocate then weighed in on the state of the world, offering her fans a silver lining.

'The world is pretty crazy right now but there are still many beautiful, perfect things, moments, grabs of nature. Let's hold on to those.'

She finished off the post: 'Much love. Much friendship. Many thoughts. Always, Bridie.'

Bridie last appeared on McLeod's Daughters in 2009.

Looking back at her breakout role, she recalled a rare, behind-the-scenes detail from the infamous 'silo' scene on the hit series which put her in danger in real life.

Speaking to Woman's Day magazine, she recalled the iconic scene that aired in season three, where her character Tess jumped into a silo full of wheat to avoid Dave's marriage proposal.

Unfortunately, the more Tess struggled, the more she sank into the wheat, with Nick eventually coming to her rescue.

Bridie expressed pride in the series, revealing that the scene posed genuine danger on set.

Bridie (far right) last appeared on McLeod's Daughters in 2009

'One of the performances that sticks out for me is the wheat silo scene. There was a trapdoor for me underneath, I could have really got stuck,' she said.

Bridie praised the cast and crew, adding they were at the top of their game.

'The stakes were so high and everyone just excelled in that moment. So it's scenes [like that] that make me go I'm lucky to be on that show.'

McLeod's Daughters, which followed the lives of five women running a cattle station in the outback, aired for eight seasons on Channel Nine between 2001 and 2009.

A few years ago, Channel Nine expressed interest in a reboot.
Vanessa Kirby showed off her chic sense of style as she modelled two stylish outfits in New York City on Wednesday.

The actress, 37, who is currently expecting her first child with partner Paul Rabil, 39, looked radiant as she displayed her growing baby bump in a racy black fishnet dress.

The risque ensemble featured a high turtleneck, a figure-hugging design, and a matching slip underneath.

Vanessa layered the look with a chic black coat, which she draped elegantly over her shoulders.

She added height with black strappy open-toe heels and toted her essentials in a mini black leather handbag.

Earlier in the day, she cut a stylish figure in a black, figure-hugging jumpsuit featuring a halterneck neckline and fishnet detailing at the bust.

Vanessa Kirby showed off her chic sense of style as she modelled two stylish outfits in New York City on Wednesday, including a racy black fishnet dress

For her first look, the actress, 37, displayed her growing baby bump in a black, figure-hugging jumpsuit featuring a halterneck neckline and fishnet detailing at the bust

Draping a smart black blazer over her shoulders, Vanessa added inches to her frame with black stilettos and carried her essentials in a matching mini handbag with gold-toned hardware.

Vanessa is currently in New York promoting her latest movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and she's proving to be the queen of wardrobe changes this week.

In the action/sci-fi movie, she stars as Sue Storm alongside Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, and Julia Garner.

Directed by Matt Shakman, the movie follows Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and the Thing, who face their most daunting challenge yet as they defend Earth from Galactus and Silver Surfer.

Her latest outing comes after she announced that she is expecting her first child with American lacrosse player Paul 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.

For her most recent look, Vanessa looked radiant in a risque black ensemble which featured a high turtleneck, a figure-hugging design, and a matching slip underneath

To complete her look, she added height with black strappy open-toe heels and toted her essentials in a mini black leather handbag

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.

'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 has 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.

Vanessa is currently in New York promoting her latest movie, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, in which she stars as Sue Storm alongside Ben Grimm, Pedro Pascal, and Joseph Quinn

Vanessa announced that she is expecting her first child with American lacrosse player Paul Rabil, 39, earlier this year (pictured this month)

She has been busy promoting the hotly anticipated comic book adaptation, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, recently.

The movie 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 Fantastic Four: First Steps movie is out now in UK cinemas, and is scheduled to be released in the United States on July 25.
Alison Brie and Dave Franco cosied up on the red carpet at the premiere of their new horror film Together, held at the Vista Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The married couple put on an animated display as they shared a sweet embrace before dancing together.

Alison, 42, showed off her incredible figure in a strapless red midi dress, while elevating her height in metallic stilettos.

Meanwhile Dave, 40, cut a dapper figure in a grey suit, teamed with a black shirt and shiny dress shoes.

Together is a 2025 supernatural body horror film written and directed by Michael Shanks, in his directorial debut.

Alison and Dave play a couple who move to the countryside but find themselves encountering a mysterious force that horrifically causes changes in their bodies.

Alison Brie and Dave Franco cosied up on the red carpet at the premiere of their new horror film Together, held at the Vista Theatre in Los Angeles on Wednesday

The married couple put on an animated display as they shared a sweet embrace before dancing together

The synopsis reads: 'Years into their relationship, Tim and Millie (Franco and Brie) find themselves at a crossroads as they move to the country, abandoning all that is familiar in their lives except each other.

'With tensions already flaring, a nightmarish encounter with a mysterious, unnatural force threatens to corrupt their lives, their love, and their flesh.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter about their latest fright flick, Brie explained: 'Both of us have done intimate scenes with other actors, of course, but without giving too much away, a lot of this film requires close proximity from its two leads to a greater extent than anything Ive done before.

'I think we pretty much finished every day of shooting and said to one another, "I dont know how you could make this movie without a real-life couple because of some of the situations we found ourselves in."'

'The movie explores codependency and its something that we dont necessarily think is a good or bad thing; there are levels to it,' Dave explained.

The couple first met at a New Orleans Mardi Gras party in 2011, and they started officially dating in 2012.

They got engaged in August 2015 and tied the knot in March 2017, with Brie stating in an interview that year that she did not want to have children.

Dave previously shared: 'Because we are married, and we work together constantly, I think we definitely could be defined as codependent. But we try to maintain a healthy relationship.

They then playfully posed for snaps with a fake chainsaw

Alison, 42, showed off her incredible figure in a strapless red midi dress, while elevating her height in metallic stilettos

Meanwhile Dave, 40, cut a dapper figure in a grey suit, teamed with a black shirt and shiny dress shoes

Alison delighted fans by signing autographs before the event

Alison and Dave play a couple who move to the countryside but find themselves encountering a mysterious force that horrifically causes changes in their bodies

Mariana Medina put on a very busty display in a plunging burgundy gown

Scout LaRue Willis opted for an eye-catching blue and pink patterned jacket, teamed with beige trousers

Nemi Brooks looked chic in a navy halter neck midi dress

CJ Perry looked sensational in a figure-hugging brown dress

'Also, because of the fact that certain jobs take us away from each other for long periods of time, we are forced to also be more independent.'

The happy couple is coming off their first collaboration together as co-writers, penning Somebody I Used to Know, which debuted this year on Prime Video.

Franco directed the film from a script he co-wrote with Brie, who stars as Ally, a woman who returns to her hometown and re-connects with her ex (Jay Ellis).

They both have plenty of writing experience under their belts, with Franco penning a number of short films including 2015's Dream Girl which he starred in with Brie.

He also wrote his directorial debut, 2020's The Rental with Joe Swanberg and Mike Demski as well.

Brie co-wrote and starred in a pair of films for director Jeff Baena, 2020's Horse Girl and 2022's Spin Me Round.
Toyah Willcox has weighed in on John Torode and Gregg Wallace's MasterChef sacking drama, after previously working with them both on the show.

Australian-born chef John, 59, lost his job on the BBC show after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have 'absolutely no recollection' of.

Meanwhile, Gregg, 60, was sacked after more than 40 complaints against him were upheld following a BBC investigation.

Now, Toyah has opened up about her time on Celebrity MasterChef and her interactions with the recently axed Gregg and John.

Speaking on the Spooning With Mark Wogan podcast, she said: 'I did MasterChef with both Gregg and John and they were divine. They were lovely to be with.

'I've not seen what they're supposed to have done, but it doesn't mean they didn't do it. I just don't know, and I'm very protective towards women, especially having done Strictly a year after Amanda Abbington had what happened to her. I want to support Amanda and I also want to work, so...'

Toyah Willcox has weighed in on John Torode and Gregg Wallace 's MasterChef sacking drama, after previously working with them both on the show

Australian-born chef John, 59, lost his job on the BBC show after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have 'absolutely no recollection' of

Mark, the son of Sir Terry Wogan, replied: 'Isn't that funny though that you still feel that by openly supporting women you threaten your ability to continue working? Well that's what I'm picking up from what you just said.'

Amanda's last 18 months have been dominated by the fallout over her time with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice on Strictly Come Dancing, which saw her leave the show after just six weeks, citing 'personal reasons'.

The actress then accused him of 'unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour' in July last year. Giovanni rejected the claims immediately and a BBC investigation ruled in September that her claims of physical aggression and threatening behaviour were not upheld.

Complaints of verbal bullying and harassment meant the corporation issued an apology but the dancer said he was 'pleased the report has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour'.

Toyah supported Amanda throughout, and added: 'When I did Strictly, I was very vocal about my support for Amanda and that she needed to be seen. And I don't know if that went against me when I was on the show, but you can't whitewash and put things like that behind you.

'They need to be addressed, and the World keeps on moving. So I'm really part of the World keeps on moving movement, but I just make sure what I see is not history repeating itself.'

Mark responded: 'You came to fame at a time similar to [my] Dad, you know 70s and 80s both of you household names.

'With what's gone on in the papers this week, I got a phone call this week from an old mate of mine who just goes, "Was your dad the only person at the BBC who isn't a weirdo?" And you kind of go, you know, "Yeah, maybe!"'

Toyah has opened up about her time on Celebrity MasterChef and her interactions with the recently axed Gregg and John

Mark said: 'With what's gone on in the papers this week, I got a phone call this week from an old mate of mine who just goes, "Was your dad the only person at the BBC who isn't a weirdo?" And you kind of go, you know, "Yeah, maybe!"' (Terry Wogan pictured with John and Gregg)

Toyah supported Amanda throughout, and added: 'When I did Strictly, I was very vocal about my support for Amanda and that she needed to be seen' (Amanda pictured with Giovanni Pernice)

Competing in what was the first series of the re-booted programme, Toyah made it all the way to the quarter-finals before fans of the show saw Matt Dawson walking away as winner of the competition after seeing off Roger Black and Hardeep Singh Kohli in the final.

It comes after new reports have claimed the BBC sacked John Torode after he allegedly 'used the N-word twice while singing along to a Kanye West song'.

The MasterChef host was reportedly singing the rapper's hit Gold Digger when he was allegedly 'caught using the racist term during after work drinks six or seven years ago'.

The Sun claims Torode used the word again whilst chatting to a friend on the MasterChef production team, who didn't take offence.

The Australian-born chef has insisted he had absolutely no recollection of using a racist term while drinking with colleagues seven years ago.

The person who raised the complaint is understood to have 'overheard the conversation'.

The production pal allegedly backed Torode and said he only used the racial slur as an 'example' and 'apologised afterwards'.

MailOnline has contacted BBC and Torode's representatives for comment.

A witness told investigators he had apologised immediately, was mortified and didnt use the term as a slur in 2018.

Reports have claimed the BBC sacked John Torode after he allegedly 'used the N-word twice while singing along to a Kanye West song'

The MasterChef host was reportedly singing the rapper's hit Gold Digger when he was allegedly 'caught using the racist term during after work drinks six or seven years ago'

The Australian-born chef has insisted he had absolutely no recollection of using a racist term while drinking with colleagues seven years ago

Torode and Wallace will not be returning to MasterChef

The BBC said that Torode's contract would not be renewed after a report found he had used an extremely offensive racist term during an evening out after filming the show.

The corporation has refused to say what the racist term was - as has Torode, who has claimed he did not believe that it happened.

But it was described as the 'worst racial slur there is' by Richard Osman, who added of the investigation: 'They found that to be substantively true. They found evidence that they were happy with - that that was true'.

The Times claimed that two people 'close to the report' alleged that Torode had used the N-word. There has also been feverish speculation online for days that this was the slur he allegedly used.

Torode has left MasterChef after an allegation of using racist language was upheld against him. He faced nine allegations of poor behaviour between 2012 and 2019. Investigators said of the other eight that two could not be substantiated and there was insufficient evidence in the remaining six.

One insider told MailOnline on Thursday that there was 'relief' at MasterChef HQ that Torode is gone, saying he was 'horrible' to work with at times.

John Torode, pictured with his wife Lisa Faulkner, has said he had absolutely no recollection of the incident and did not believe that it happened

The upcoming series - which have already been filmed - feature former I'm A Celeb star and restaurant critic Grace Dent, who replaced Gregg to co-host with John

A third source claimed they had found him to be a 'very rude and patronising man'.

Torode was sacked after being accused of saying the 'worst racial slur there is'

Torode said this week, after his sacking, in a lengthy statement posted to Instagram: '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.'

It was also claimed the BBC and Banijay had asked Torode to leave MasterChef citing mental health problems.

The BBC declined to comment on the claims.

But an insider said: 'The BBC and Banijay spoke to his reps before the announcement on Tuesday. The BBC never suggested he resign nor raised mental health.
Veteran Australian actor Henri Szeps has died at age 81, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Best known for his beloved role in the classic ABC 80s sitcom Mother and Son, Szeps also had a career on stage and screen stretching back sixty years.

Born in Switzerland in 1943 to Polish parents, Henri arrived in Australia in the early 1950s, amid a surge of immigrants fleeing a Europe devastated by World War II.

Henri's family settled in Sydney and he got his start as a performer at the Ensemble on the city's north shore.

Known for his versatility, Henri's early roles included parts in such classic Aussie series like Homicide (1964-1977) and the much-loved children's adventure-drama Skippy (1968-1970).

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 Australian actor Henri Szeps (pictured) has died at age 81, after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease

However, it was a part in the notorious 'gay' stage play by US playwright Mart Crowley, The Boys in the Band in 1968, that wowed critics and made Henri a name to watch.

According to an obituary in the Sydney Morning Herald on Thursday, the production was also a personal milestone for Henri.

It was backstage during the show's run where he met his wife, Mary Ann Severne.

The couple were married in 1969.

Henri also made a splash in Channel 10's 'adult' soap Number 96, which had fans gasping at its rough language and nudity when it launched in 1976.

Still, it was his role in the ABC hit Mother and Son that brought Henri a huge and loving audience.

Debuting in 1984, the series centred on Ruth Cracknell's character Maggie Beare, and her sons, the devoted but impatient Arthur (Garry MacDonald) and his rascally and selfish elder brother, Robert (Szeps).

As he entered mid-career Henri won plaudits playing Australian Prime Minister Harold Holt in Kennedy Miller's landmark drama Vietnam (1987).

Best known for his beloved role in the classic ABC 80s sitcom Mother and Son, Szeps also had a career on stage and screen stretching back sixty years. Pictured in Mother and Son

Debuting in 1984, the series centred on Ruth Cracknell's (left) character Maggie Beare, and her sons, the devoted but impatient Arthur (Garry MacDonald, right) and his rascally and selfish elder brother, Robert (Szeps)

Known for his versatility, Henri's early roles included parts in such classic Aussie series like Homicide (1964-1977) and Skippy (1968-1970). Pictured in Palace of Dreams in 1985

He also appeared in other much-loved series including Carson's Law, A Country Practice, Rafferty's Rules, G.P. and All Saints.

In 2021 Henri Szeps was diagnosed with early onset dementia.

In a heartbreaking program for the ABC series Just Between Us, he spoke about how his condition had affected his family alongside his son Josh.

'Dad has dementia, technically Alzheimer's,' Josh, an ABC broadcaster, said in the documentary.

'For us, it's about understanding how to support him and, most of all, support mum in her support of him, so that we can sustain a normal life for all of us as long as humanly as possible.'

The filmmakers recorded Henri watching an episode of Mother and Son in the family home.

'I don't know,' he said when asked about his condition. 'I refuse to hide behind it, it's there. All I can say is, all's well that ends well.'

Josh said his father was still a 'barrel of laughs' who 'makes fun of himself constantly' after his dementia caused habitual forgetfulness.

Henri is survived by his wife Severne and their sons, Josh and Amos. Pictured with his wife in 2004

Henri added: 'Everybody around me might know that it's going, the brain's going, but I don't. I still think I'm right on the ball!'

He emphasised his son's point about staying positive in regard to his condition and said the best way to cope is to 'take it as it is and love it'.

The actor died surrounded by his family, after moving into a residential care facility in 2023.

Henri is survived by his wife Severne and their sons, Josh and Amos.
China-EU tourism exchanges reach new heights with bilateral travel surge

People's Daily Online) 16:23, July 24, 2025

Tourism exchanges between China and European Union (EU) countries have continued to rise in recent years.

EU nations have consistently ranked among the top destinations for Chinese outbound tourists, while China has emerged as an increasingly popular choice for travelers from EU countries.

Summer represents the peak season for outbound travel, and data from multiple travel agencies and online tourism platforms indicate that EU countries dominate long-haul destination bookings from Chinese tourists. Traditional destinations including Italy, France, and Germany have recorded substantial reservation increases, while emerging destinations such as Hungary are experiencing rapid growth.

Tourists from European Union countries pose for a group photo in front of the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. (Photo courtesy of China Tourism Group Travel Services Co., Ltd.)

As the global tourism market has accelerated its recovery over the past two years, the number of Chinese tourists visiting EU countries has maintained steady growth.

Italy, Spain, France, and Germany currently attract the highest numbers of Chinese visitors among EU nations, said Wang Xiaoxue, associate director of the destination research institute of Chinese online travel platform Mafengwo. Additionally, relatively niche EU destinations including Slovenia, Latvia, the Czech Republic, and Romania have shown significant increases in tourism popularity.

"Since 2024, bookings to EU countries by Chinese tourists have doubled year on year. During the first half of this year, tourists choosing Western European routes like France accounted for nearly 30 percent of bookings," said Han Jie, chairman of Chinese online travel agency CYTS Aoyou.

Meanwhile, Chinese tourists' interest in some EU countries in Northern, Southern, and Central and Eastern Europe has also grown rapidly, Han added.

Zhao Hongyu, deputy general manager of the marketing department at China Tourism Group Travel Services Co., Ltd. (CTG Travel), emphasized that EU countries have consistently served as major source markets for China's inbound tourism sector. China's current visa-free policies for most EU countries have significantly promoted the development of inbound tourism.

According to data from leading Chinese online travel agency Trip.com Group, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain generated the highest numbers of visitors to China during the first half of this year. Inbound tourism orders from Italy and Spain surged by 168 percent and 102 percent respectively compared to the same period last year.

Chinese tourists pose for a group photo in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo courtesy of CYTS Aoyou)

For Chinese tourists, high-quality in-depth travel focusing on one, two, or three EU countries, or exploration tours to niche destinations have gradually become mainstream in recent years, according to Huang Minghu, an executive from Chinese online travel agency Tuniu.

Destinations have expanded from primarily Western European countries to multiple EU nations, while organizational formats have diversified significantly, evolving from large group tours to include small groups, private groups, independent travel, and destination-based group tours, Huang said.

Zhao noted current trends in inbound tourists from EU countries, observing that visitors demonstrate increasingly individualized, personalized, and in-depth travel preferences.

"EU tourists show strong interest in Chinese culture, with independent travel ratios gradually rising to exceed 80 percent. Their destinations have become increasingly diverse, no longer limited to classic scenic areas and routes. EU visitors possess relatively strong purchasing power, and China's inbound tourism products and merchandise offer excellent value for money," Zhao said, adding that CTG Travel will leverage the convenient "refund-upon-purchase" tax service to promote high-quality development of inbound consumption.

Yang Jinsong, a researcher at the China Tourism Academy, believes that China-EU tourism exchanges have significantly promoted the development of other sectors. Substantial numbers of Chinese tourists have created considerable economic benefits for popular destinations including Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and Hungary, while generating additional employment opportunities.

Large-scale bilateral tourist flows between China and Europe have driven the coordinated development of related industries including transportation, accommodation, dining, shopping, finance, and insurance. In addition, cultural understanding based on personal experiences during tourism exchanges helps eliminate prejudice and misunderstandings while enhancing mutual goodwill and friendship among peoples.

Zhang Jinshan, a researcher at the Tourism College of Beijing Union University, pointed out that tourism year celebrations between China and EU countries have become important diplomatic initiatives. China has co-hosted "tourism year" and "culture and tourism year" events with multiple countries, including Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and Greece, becoming an integral part of promoting bilateral cultural exchanges while advancing Chinese culture on the global stage.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
Vanessa Kirby sparked inevitable confusion on Thursday by affectionately stroking Pedro Pascal's face during a new interview on behalf of their latest film.

The co-stars have been on a press run in recent months on behalf of new film Fantastic Four: First Steps, in which they play married couple Reed Richards and Sue Storm.

And spending time together has seemingly brought the pair closer, with Vanessa, 38, and Pedro, 50, spotted showing each other support in public on a number of occasions.

The latest example of such affection occurred during an interview with Buzzfeed this week, where the actress, clad in a blue dress, moved her arm around Pedro and began stroking his beard.

It's far from the first time the film stars have displayed their strong friendship, with the duo again appearing almost peculiarly close as they answered questions for Heart this week.

And just a couple of weeks ago during Fantastic Four's premiere in Los Angeles, Pedro was pictured stroking his co-star's baby bump as they posed up a storm on the red carpet.

Fans have been left confused after Vanessa Kirby began stroking Pedro Pascal's face in their latest show of affection for each other

Just a couple of weeks ago during Fantastic Four's premiere in Los Angeles, Pedro was pictured stroking his co-star's baby bump as they posed up a storm on the red carpet

The very public displays of affection have however sparked discourse on social media, with some eagle-eyed fans branding their relationship slightly 'weird'.

But other supporters were quick to point out that Vanessa is merely trying to ease Pedro's anxiety.

One wrote: 'Guys calm down. Pedro suffers from some type of anxiety disorder. He needs to touch or be touched by people to make him calm down and feel comfortable.'

It's something Vanessa and Pedro have been open about, with the actress speaking about helping her pal through anxious moments in an interview last year.

Talking after they were spotted holding hands on-stage at San Diego Comic-Con last year, Vanessa told Vanity Fair: 'What happened is we were both incredibly nervous going out in front of thousands of people who love this comic.

'He wanted me to know that we were in this together, and I found it a lovely gesture and was very glad to squeeze his hand back.'

The Gladiator 2 star has indeed been candid about his struggles with anxiety throughout his career.

During a chat with Men's Health last month, Pedro revealed exactly how he copes with anxiety in difficult moments.

Some fans dubbed their friendship slightly 'weird' after the new interview sparked a discourse on X

They too appeared strikingly affectionate towards each other during an interview with Heart this week

Last year at San Diego's Comic-Con, the adored stars were spotted holding hands on stage (pictured at the event in July 2024)

'I noticed, especially during the period of summer 2020, and kind of isolation and how long my FaceTimes were and my phone conversations, that I had started to make an effort to engage more, having previously lost that options in many ways,' he said.

'I remember back in high school I was always such a good talker with friends... and then I don't know how many days had gone by where we stopped doing that.

'It's something I've held onto very much. I was always one to reach out when I'm facing something that is challenging or making me anxious.'

Vanessa and Pedro's latest endeavour together, Fantastic Four: First Steps, released on Thursday.

It's the 37th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the second reboot of the Fantastic Four film series.

Fans were quick to point out that Vanessa is merely calming her co-star and good pal's troubles with anxiety

Directed by Matt Shakman, the movie sees the Fantastic Four protect their 1960s-inspired retro-futuristic world from the planet-devouring cosmic being Galactus.

Leading lady Vanessa, who stars alongside Ozark actress Julia Garner, has looked every inch the glowing mum-to-be at the film's many premieres during recent weeks.

In particular. at the German premiere last month she looked effortlessly stylish while displaying her baby bump in a sleek black dress.

She teamed her fashionable, high-necked gown with towering black heels and dazzling silver drop earrings.

Vanessa first revealed she was pregnant with her child last month as she showed off her bump at The Fantastic Four photocall in Mexico.

Last December it was reported she was engaged to her boyfriend Paul Rabil after two years together.

The beauty, who starred as Princess Margaret in Netflix's The Crown, was allegedly set to head down the aisle with lacrosse player love, 39, after he popped the question, according to Page Six.

At the movie's German premiere last month, Vanessa looked every inch the stylish mother-to-be as she displayed her baby bump in a sleek black dress

Last December it was reported she was engaged to her boyfriend Paul Rabil after two years together [pictured together]

MailOnline contacted representatives of Paul and Vanessa for comment.

Vanessa and Paul first sparked dating rumours 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, American 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.

'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 had kept quiet about their blossoming romance.
The ABC's decision to sack Sarah Macdonald, one of its most beloved broadcasters, in favour of Hamish Macdonald, appears to have backfired.

New ratings data released this week shows that Hamish, who took over Sarah's old Sydney Mornings slot on ABC Radio, is shedding listeners.

The results from the fourth radio ratings survey show that since Hamish took over the show at the start of 2025, the program has been in steady decline.

He scored a dismal 4.6 per cent of the audience in the ratings which surveyed the market between April 27 and July 5, a disappointing fall of 0.9 per cent.

The result pales against Sarah's last survey in November, where she managed to score a solid 6.2 per cent of the market.

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The ABC's decision to sack Sarah Macdonald, one of its most beloved broadcasters, in favour of Hamish Macdonald (pictured), appears to have backfired

New ratings data released this week shows that Hamish, who took over Sarah's old Sydney Mornings slot on ABC Radio, is shedding listeners. Pictured: Sarah Macdonald

In other results, Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson had some good news, managing a strong showing in the Sydney region with 13.9 per cent of the audience share - a bump from the last survey's 12.5 per cent.

Still, there was bad news for the Kyle and Jackie O Show in the Melbourne market, where their sexed-up breakfast has failed to win listeners in big numbers all year.

This survey the pair scored a dismal 5.6 share of the audience in the Victorian capital.

Back in Sydney, Smooth FM startled pundits after beating 2GB, the long time favourite with listeners, to the number spot.

Smooth FM 95.3 won 12.3 per cent share overall to win 1.32 million listeners, while 2GB managed a rating of 11.6 per cent.

2GB's Ben Fordham is still the top-rating breakfast host, with a 14.7 per cent share of the available audience.

It comes after Hamish was revealed as the new host of Sydney Mornings on ABC Radio back in January.

He replaced Sarah Macdonald after she was unceremoniously dumped by the national broadcaster late last year.

Kyle Sandilands and Jackie O Henderson (both pictured) had some good news, managing a strong showing in the Sydney region with 13.9 per cent of the audience share - a bump from the last survey's 12.5 per cent

2GB's Ben Fordham (pictured) is still the top-rating breakfast host

Macdonald hosts the program four days a week while journalist Kathryn Robinson helms the show on Friday.

'First and foremost I'd like to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of Sarah Macdonald,' Hamish said. 'I know these are big shoes to fill.'

'I'm looking forward to putting my head down, getting to work from Monday and serving the wonderful 702 audience in what will be a huge year of news for Sydney.'

His reference to 702 is ABC Radio Sydney's wavelength on the dial.

The departure of Sarah was accompanied by that of Simon Marnie, who was also told his contract would not be renewed, while Richard Glover and Robbie Buck both left their respective programs.

Sarah Macdonald announced her 'disappointment' in departing from the ABC, telling her audience live on air that 'I'm not going to be on the radio with you next year.

'The ABC has decided not to renew my contract here at Mornings ... I am proud of what I've done.

'The ratings are up, I've broken lots of stories, had the first interview with the new Governor-General, I got the premier of New South Wales to regularly take your calls, led the election coverage, led the move to our Parramatta studios.'
READ MORE: Rebel Wilson shares her diet tips as she enters the last week of her health challenge

Rebel Wilson is facing a second lawsuit from the producers of her film The Deb over claims she made false and derogatory statements about them, according to a new report.

Those statements include accusations of engaging in 'inappropriate conduct' towards actress Charlotte MacInnes, who stars in the film.

They also claim Wilson falsely accused them of embezzling the film's funds, The Australian reported on Thursday.

Producers Vince Holden, Gregor Cameron and Amanda Ghost on Thursday filed proceedings against Wilson in the NSW Supreme Court.

Wilson is also being sued for defamation in the US courts by the three producers, who have accused her of injurious falsehood, misleading and deceptive conduct and breaches of contract and director's duties.

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Rebel Wilson (pictured) is facing a second lawsuit by the producers of her film The Deb over claims she made false and derogatory statements about them, according to a new report

They also allege that Wilson threatened the Australian distributor of the film, Kismet, by seeking an injunction to block its release.

Wilson has been very vocal on the conflicts surrounding her stalled film The Deb.

Taking to Instagram Stories on the musical's official social media account in May, the 45-year-old entertainer slammed star actress Charlotte MacInnes.

Wilson is embroiled in a legal battle with The Deb producers after accusing them of misconduct and embezzlement.

They countered by filing a defamation lawsuit against her in the US, before launching a similar case in NSW this week.

She also accused them of 'inappropriate behaviour' toward MacInnes, which the rising star has denied.

The Bride Hard actress reposted footage of Charlotte performing at Cannes, and wrote scathingly, 'Charlotte MacInnes in a culturally inappropriate Indian outfit on Len Blavatnik's luxury yacht in Cannes - ironically singing a song from a movie that will never get released because of her lies and support for the people blocking the film's release.'

In a second post, she wrote sarcastically, 'So glad you got your record deal Charlotte at the expense of the 300 people who worked on The Deb and really wanna see it released.'

Those statements include accusations of engaging in 'inappropriate conduct' towards actress Charlotte MacInnes (right), who stars in the film, and what they claim are false accusations of embezzling the film's funds, The Australian reported on Thursday

Producers Vince Holden (left), Gregor Cameron and Amanda Ghost (right) on Thursday filed proceedings against Wilson in the NSW Supreme Court

In September 2024, Charlotte denied that there was any inappropriate behaviour, prompting Rebel to allege that the actress rescinded her accusations to secure a new role with one of the producers.

MacInnes told DailyMail.com at the time: 'There is no truth to the allegations made involving me.

'I made a statement to the film team when this was first said in September 2023 and am saying this now to draw a line under it. Making false accusations undermines real victims and I won't be the subject of a fabricated narrative.'

After working with one of the producers, Amanda, on The Deb, Charlotte was later cast as Daisy in Florence Welchs musical Gatsby: An American Myth, staged at Bostons A.R.T. during its pre-Broadway run.

Rebel subsequently shared a screenshot of the Daily Mail article on her Instagram Stories and wrote, per Just Jared, 'When an actress on her first feature film is asked by a producer to stay in the same apartment as them, and then makes a complaint to me as the director saying said producer "asked her to have a bath and shower with her and it made her feel uncomfortable"  what am I supposed to do. Of course I reported it.'

She added, 'There is no world where this is acceptable. The fact that this girl has been employed now by this 'producer' in the lead role of a production called GATSBY (ART Boston) and given a record label  should be all the proof you need as to why she has now changed her story.'

In documents filed to the Los Angeles Superior Court and obtained by The Guardian in November 2024, MacInnes claimed she informed Wilson that she was never sexually harassed by Amanda.

Despite Charlotte's claim that she informed Wilson harassment had never occurred, the Pitch Perfect actress still proceeded with the accusations of mistreatment.

'I was deeply disturbed by this behaviour by Wilson, who was the director of the film and in a position of authority over me,' MacInnes alleged.

Charlotte added in her official statement: 'Nothing that I told Wilson could reasonably have conveyed that I was reporting any misconduct, because there was no misconduct.

'I also understand [there were] claims that I was subjected to 'depraved sexual demands' and that 'MacInnes remains captive by Ghost and (fellow producer) Cameron as she is shuttled from city to city with them including Boston, New York, and London.'

'These statements are completely false and absurd. I have no idea what could cause Wilson and her attorney to make up such lies about me.'

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Rebel Wilson's representatives for further comment.
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Samie Elishi set pulses racing in a bright blue bikini as she jetted off to Mykonos for a trip with NARS.

The Love Island star, 25, took to Instagram on Thursday to share a clip as she got ready for the sun by applying Kopari Rose Gold sunscreen.

In the clip, Samie looked radiant as she showed off her sensational figure in the cobalt My Outfit Online two-piece, which featured low-rise briefs and a sporty halterneck bikini top.

Samie's brunette locks were in tight curls ahead of her beach day as she smiled for the camera while applying her sunscreen.

The reality star was joined by fellow former Love Islander Sophie Piper on the trip to Greece.

Earlier this month, Samie showed ex Sam Thompson what he's missing as she posed for sultry bikini snaps while in Bali.

She flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in a colourful skimpy two-piece during her Bali getaway.

Samie Elishi set pulses racing in a bright blue bikini on Instagram on Thursday on as she jetted off to Mykonos for a trip with NARS

The Love Island star, 25, took to Instagram on Thursday to share a clip as she got ready for the sun by applying Kopari Rose Gold sunscreen

Samie had a matching cover-up on her daybed while sunbathing and accessorised with stylish sunglasses.

The influencer went make-up free for the Instagram pictures, which saw her sprawled out on all fours.

Last month, a source revealed the pair had ended their two-month romance after things 'fizzled out' between them.

It comes after Samie confessed she 'loves Bali' just days after Molly-Mae's sister was mocked for leaving the island after just 48 hours due to being disappointed.

Zoe, 28, has been slammed by her followers this last week after she confessed Bali did not meet her expectations and so fled to Dubai instead after just two days.

The fitness enthusiast travelled to the Indonesian country to celebrate her one-year anniversary with her husband Danny.

But despite staying in a huge sea view room at a 5-star Radisson Blu, 'something wasn't quite right' and so she fled her resort.

And it has appeared that Samie has taken a subtle swipe at the star as she showed her support for the developing region during her holiday.

In the clip, Samie looked radiant as she showed off her sensational figure in the cobalt My Outfit Online two-piece

Samie's brunette locks were in tight curls ahead of her beach day as she smiled for the camera while applying her sunscreen

Samie's bikini in the clip featured low-rise briefs and a sporty halterneck bikini top

As her wine glass was being topped up, Samie posted a snap of herself to her Instagram Stories with the caption. 'Cheers bbys, I luv Bali'.

When Zoe explained the reasoning behind her departure, she claimed 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.'

Samie showed ex Sam Thompson what he's missing as she posed for sultry bikini snapsearlier this month

Samie flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in a colourful skimpy two-piece during her Bali getaway

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.'
James Buckley has recalled the moment he was mistaken for a drug smuggler after he attempted to bring OXO cubes into America.

The actor, 37, who portrayed foul-mouthed Jay Cartwright in hit E4 show The Inbetweeners, had been travelling to visit his wife Clair's aunt Dora when he was stopped by US Airport Security.

And the contents of his suitcase very nearly landed him in hot water after officials discovered the small stock cubes, used to make gravy, wrapped in silver foil among his belongings.

Speaking on the couple's podcast, The Buckleys, James told how as a result of the incident, he is now 'flagged straight away' anytime he tries to enter North America.

He explained: 'Anytime that I go to America, I have to, at the other end, open my suitcase up and show them everything that's in the suitcase.

'Not because I was smuggling drugs or anything cool like that. No, it was because I tried to get some OXO cubes into the country. And that was a big problem.

James Buckley has recalled the moment he was mistaken for a drug smuggler after he attempted to bring OXO cubes into America

'When I go to America, I stay with your family. They're Scottish.'

Clair chimed in, saying: 'My Auntie Dora wanted some OXO.'

Her husband continued: 'She was like, "Can you get us some OXO and some Bisto and bring that with you?", 'I was like, "Yeah, absolutely".

'To be fair, OXO cubes are tiny little powder cubes wrapped up in tin foil, and they were like, "What is that?"

'And I was like, "Oh, it's gravy." And they took them from me.'

James, whose character Jay is known for his farfetched and outlandish tales, went on to say that despite US security satisfied that he was not smuggling drugs, the beef OXO cubes were still confiscated from him due to strict due to import laws that prohibit meat products being brought into the United States.

Explaining the situation, he remarked: 'I wasn't allowed to take them because it's like beef, isn't it? It's a beef extract.

'So it's like meat and veg, certain meat and vegetables you can't take from one country to another.

The Inbetweeners actor, 37, had been travelling to visit his wife Clair's aunt Dora when he was stopped by US Airport Security [pictured in 2024]

Speaking on the couple's podcast, The Buckleys , James told how as a result of the incident, he is now 'flagged straight away' anytime he tries to enter North America [pictured with wife Clair]

'Not because I was smuggling drugs or anything cool like that. No, it was because I tried to get some OXO cubes into the country. And that was a big problem' [pictured as Jay, left ,with his Inbetweeners cast mates]

'So now, anytime I go to America, I'm flagged straight away. I can't just go straight through. I have to have this whole thing at the other end.'

The couple, who share sons Harrison, 13, and Jude, 11, then went on to recall how they were forced to put the suitcases under Clair's name when they later took a family trip to Florida.

Clair, 37, who married the comedy actor in 2012, shared: 'And then don't you remember the last time when we went to Florida, you put everything in my name?'

To which James replied: 'I put all the suitcases under you.'
Amelia Gray Hamlin laid her naked ambition bare in a steamy new bikini shoot  stripping down topless and turning heads with a series of jaw-dropping snaps.

The 24-year-old model, daughter of soap legend Lisa Rinna and Hollywood heartthrob Harry Hamlin, flaunted her figure on Instagram Thursday with a sultry photo carousel from a sun-soaked getaway.

In one eye-popping shot, the brunette beauty stretched out on a rocky coastline in nothing but a tiny bikini bottom, her long locks draped across her bare chest as the ocean sparkled behind her.

Two other shots kept with the topless theme, with Amelia posing like a seasoned pro  strategically covering her chest.

Another striking shot featured Amelia in a barely-there white bikini, confidently posing in a way that made it clear shes stepped out of her model sister Delilah Hamlins shadow and into her own spotlight.

'I love being a mermaid so much,' she cheekily captioned the sizzling pics.

Amelia Gray Hamlin revealed her fearless ambition in a sizzling new bikini shoot, going topless and commanding attention with a collection of stunning photos

The 24-year-old model, daughter of soap legend Lisa Rinna and Hollywood heartthrob Harry Hamlin , flaunted her figure on Instagram Thursday with a sultry photo carousel from a sun-soaked getaway

It comes after Amelia left little to the imagination as she stormed the DSquared2 runway during Milan Fashion Week.

The model went braless as she took to the catwalk in a sheer Cher-inspired champagne-nude jumpsuit.

This is the second time Amelia has walked for the brand DSqaured2. The model was also one of the stars for the brand's fall 2023 show.

Amelia, who began her modelling career in 2017, has walked for high-end brands including Saint Laurent, Chanel, Balenciaga, Moncler, Givenchy, Versace, and Vivienne Westwood.

In November, she also starred in Michael Kors' holiday campaign with her sister Delilah.

Amelia has stayed close with her famous parents throughout her own climb to stardom  even raiding their closets along the way.

Shes confessed to borrowing designer pieces from both mom Lisa and dad Harry, swiping everything from statement looks to vintage staples.

'I steal (but put back) a bunch of my dad's Calvin Klein white T-shirts and his Nike socks sometimes,' she told People in May. 'He also has really comfy flannel pieces.'

She even went topless during a photo session in the bathroom

In one eye-popping shot, the brunette beauty stretched out on a rocky coastline in nothing but a tiny bikini bottom

Amelia posed like a seasoned pro

Another striking shot featured Amelia in a barely-there white bikini

Amelia began her modelling career in 2017

In November, she also starred in Michael Kors' holiday campaign with her sister Delilah Belle Hamlin

Amelia and her sister Delilah enjoyed a night out with their famous parents Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin in 2017

'From my mum, I mostly take the tighter, chicer things. I've definitely stolen my fair share of Versace.'

Amelia takes anything she 'can get [her] hands on' when it comes to the former 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' star's clothes.

She said: 'I take whatever high-fashion things I can get my hands on from that woman's closet, that's for sure.'

Rinna rose to fame in the early 90s with breakout roles on Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place, becoming a soap staple.

She later became a standout on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, joining the cast in 2014 and staying until 2022, further solidifying their place in pop culture.

Hamlin, meanwhile, earned heartthrob status in the 1981 cult classic Clash of the Titans and cemented his career with L.A. Law in the late 80s.

The Hollywood duo began dating in 1993 and tied the knot in 1997, quickly becoming one of Tinseltowns most enduring couples.
Sarah Michelle Gellar has revealed if she is in I Know What You Did Last Summer redo.

On Thursday the 48-year-old blonde came clean about her participation that stars her husband Freddie Prinze Jr.

Turns out the Buffy The Vampire Slayer did indeed shoot scenes for the highly anticipated reboot.

'Spoiler alert  Helen Shivers is still dead,' Gellar began her caption.

'When anyone asked me if I was going to be in the new @ikwydlsmovie I never lied. I always answered 'I am dead,'' noted the Hollywood veteran.

'And honestly I didn't see how I could be in the movie until @jennkaytin and @samlansky pitched me that crazy dream sequence with @madelyncline I still can't believe we were able to keep is a secret.'

Gellar finished with: 'Long live dead Helen Shivers the og Croaker Queen.'

Sarah Michelle Gellar has revealed if she is in I Know What You Did Last Summer redo

I Know What You Did Last Summer in 1997 starred Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Freddie Prinze Jr

Her pal Lisa Rinna commented: 'Once a queen, always a queen, honey.' Heather Graham hit the like button.

Geller and Prinze, 49, met on the set of 1999's I Know What You Did Last Summer.

The action star revealed on social media in November 2024 that she was with Prinze in Australia for production on the fright flick.

Geller's Helen Shivers was killed in the 90s film.

Prinze, 49, reprises his role as Ray Bronson and Jennifer Love Hewitt, 46, returns as Julie James.

Geller also admitted the long awaited Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot was also in the works, but said she wasn't allowed to talk about any details.

'We won't do it until we know we're 100-percent ready and we're confident that we are giving you something that the audience is asking for, that's also original in its own right.'

The rebooted Buffy will make it to the small screen sometime in 2026. The new I Know What You Did Last Summer debuted in theaters July 18.

On Thursday the 48-year-old blonde came clean about her participation that stars her husband Freddie Prinze Jr. Turns out the Buffy The Vampire Slayer did indeed shoot scenes for the highly anticipated reboot

'Spoiler alert  Helen Shivers is still dead,' Gellar began her caption. 'When anyone asked me if I was going to be in the new @ikwydlsmovie I never lied. I always answered 'I am dead,'' noted the Hollywood veteran

'And honestly I didn't see how I could be in the movie until @jennkaytin and @samlansky pitched me that crazy dream sequence with @madelyncline I still can't believe we were able to keep is a secret,' she said

Gellar with Ryan Phillippe on the set of the '90s movie

Meanwhile, Hewitt's return to I Know What You Did Last Summer came down to a deep 'love' of the horror franchise.

The 45-year-old actress is reprising her role as Julie James nearly 30 years after first appearing in the iconic teen slasher, and has now credited the new film's creative team with bringing the franchise back with a lot of heart.

She told Variety of director Jennifer Kaytin Robinson and co-writer Sam Lansky: 'What was very apparent from the word 'Go' is how much both of them loved the original movie.

'I feel like, if you're going to go back and make something new but pay homage to an original, you have to love it. You have to understand it.

'So, I was just blown away and it meant a lot to me.'

Sarah below with the new blonde beauty above from the reboot

Gellar finished with: 'Long live dead Helen Shivers the og Croaker Queen'

Sarah with 27-year-old Madelyn Cline

The actress seen on the set

When asked on Jenna and Friends on Today with Jenna and Friends in April, the Wolf Pack actress said the secret to her successful marriage was 'separate bathrooms'; pictured in Culver City, CA in 2000

The new instalment, set for release in 2025, follows a fresh group of teenagers in Southport, North Carolina, who are stalked by a copycat killer after a deadly accident.

Jennifer's character Julie is contacted by the young group and asked for help  drawing her and fellow survivor Ray Bronson, played by Prinze Jr., back into the chaos of their past.

Jennifer last played Julie in the 1998 sequel I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.

She was not involved in the 2006 direct-to-video follow-up or the 2021 reboot series.

Kaytin and Sam offered a different approach, directly continuing the storyline of the original 1997 film.

Prinze is reprising his role as Ray Bronson in the reboot of the frightful story. Hewitt, 46, returns as Julie James

The creative team behind the project involved Jennifer in shaping Julie's character in the present day  a trauma expert and professor, recently divorced from Ray and determined never to return to Southport.

The actress added: 'They allowed space for me to know her better than anyone, which was so kind because they didn't have to do that.

'I felt very seen as somebody who had created her the first time.'

Julie plays a major role in the second and third acts of the film, mentoring Ava = played by Chase Sui Wonders  and helps to unmask two killers.

The film also brings back Brandy Norwood as Karla, Julie's college roommate from I Still Know, in a surprise credits scene teasing yet another chapter in the series.
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died aged 71.

The WWE icon, real name Terry Gene Bollea, passed away early Thursday morning after medics were dispatched to his Clearwater, Florida home, DailyMail.com can confirm.

911 operators noted the matter pertained to a cardiac arrest in the disturbing audio of the call.

A Clearwater Police Department spokesman said in a statement: 'Clearwater Fire Department and Clearwater Police Department personnel responded to a medical call at 9:51 a.m. today in the 1000 block of Eldorado Avenue on Clearwater Beach.

'The nature of the call was for a cardiac arrest. A 71-year-old resident, Terry Bollea, also known as Hulk Hogan, was treated by Clearwater Fire & Rescue crews before being taken by Sunstar to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.'

Police cars and EMTs were parked outside Hogan's home in the immediate aftermath of the emergency, with the reality star filmed being carried onto an stretcher and into an ambulance.

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan has died aged 71 - pictured December 2024

The WWE icon passed away early Thursday morning after medics were dispatched to his Clearwater, Florida home - pictured January 2025

In the 1980s, Hogan was the driving force behind WWE's rise from a regional promotion around New York to an international brand - pictured 1991 - but saw his legacy tainted by a racism scandal in 2015

The shock death comes just weeks after his wife Sky Daily denied rumors he was on his deathbed in a coma - and claimed his heart was 'strong' after he underwent a routine neck surgery.

Hogan is survived by his third wife Daily, who he wed in 2023, children Brooke, 37, and Nick, 34, who he shared with first wife Linda Claridge, and two grandchildren.

Hulk Hogan's representative, Linda Bose, confirmed his death to CBS NEWS, saying: 'Unfortunately we must confirm that Terry Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan passed away this morning.

'We are heartbroken. He was such a great human being and friend.'

A statement on Hogan's official Instagram account read: 'It is with a heavy heart and deep sadness that we confirm we have lost a legend.

'Our beloved Terry Bollea, known worldwide as Hulk Hogan, passed away today surrounded by his loved ones.

'At this time of grief, we ask that everyone please respect the privacy of his family and friends.

'May we all take solace in the wonderful memories he left behind for the millions of fans worldwide whose lives he touched for more than four decades.

The WWE icon passed away early Thursday morning after medics were dispatched to his Clearwater, Florida home, per TMZ - pictured

The shock death comes just weeks after his wife Sky denied rumors he was on his deathbed in a coma - and claimed his heart was 'strong' after he underwent a routine neck surgery - pictured together July 2024

Fans were left concerned for Hogan when he appeared as a special guest on Fox & Friends at the start of May while sporting a worrying new look

More recently, Hogan became a celebrity endorser for Trump's presidential campaign in the United States, which he went on to win

Hogan is pictured at Trump's campaign rally in NYC in October 2024

The star is pictured with daughter Brooke, second ex wife Linda and son Nick in 2005

The star looked happy and healthy as he posed up with Governor Ron Desantis in May 2025 in his final photos

Hogan posed for a fun group snap in May

'He will be missed, but never forgotten.'

President Donald Trump reacted to the news, writing on Truth Social: 'We lost a great friend today, the Hulkster". Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way  Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart.'

'He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive,' Trump wrote, praising his 'absolutely electric speech' from the Republican 2024 National Convention.

'To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!' he concluded.

His representative said in a statement last month: 'He's had problems with his back for years but theres no emergency.'

Hogan had previously opened up about undergoing '25 surgeries in the past decade.'

Speaking on Jake Pauls IMPAULSIVE podcast last year, he said: 'Ten of them were back surgeries. I've had both knees and hips replaced, shoulders  everything.'

Fans were left concerned for Hogan when he appeared as a special guest on Fox & Friends at the start of May while sporting a worrying new look.

Renowned for his deep tan, the WWE great's skin looked particularly weathered on air, while his usual white beard appeared to be dyed black despite his goatee and hair being left white - making for a strange contrast.

One viewer wrote online: 'Tell Hulk Hogan his face is dirty, clean that soot off.'

Another said: 'Does anyone believe this is Hulk Hogan?'

A third added: 'Hulk Hogan giving off Wooly Willy vibes this am on Fox & Friends.'

Hogan kickstarted 'Hulkamania' after defeating the Iron Sheik for the World Heavyweight Championship in 1984

Hogans public persona transcended the ring, making him a household name. He appeared in numerous movies - including the third Rocky film in 1982, where he played wrestler Thunderlips, who took on Stallone's protagonist

Stallone paid an emotional tribute to his longtime friend on Instagram

He won at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005. - pictured 1985

Baywatch star Carol Alt also honored the star on Instagram -Hogan appeared as himself in a Season 6 episode of Baywatch titled Bash at the Beach

Brooke Shields remembered Hogan's cameo on her show Suddenly Susan

The odd TV cameo came just over a month after his family became embroiled in a bitter public dispute after ex-wife Linda accused him of being 'complete liar' and 'sex addict'.

In the 1980s, Hogan - known for his signature mustache and headscarf - was the driving force behind WWE's rise from a regional promotion around New York to an international brand.

Hogan kickstarted 'Hulkamania' after defeating the Iron Sheik for the World Heavyweight Championship in 1984.

He won at least six WWE championships and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2005.

Hogan was the main draw for the first WrestleMania in 1985 and was a fixture for years, facing everyone from Andre The Giant and Randy Savage to The Rock and even company chairman Vince McMahon.

Hogan was also a celebrity outside the wrestling world, appearing in numerous movies and television shows, including a reality show about his life on VH1, Hogan Knows Best.

Hogans public persona transcended the ring, making him a household name. He appeared in numerous movies - including the third Rocky film in 1982, where he played wrestler Thunderlips, who took on Stallone's protagonist.

Hogan later claimed the role had got him fired from the WWF - saying: 'Back then, 78, 79, if you were a wrestler, you didnt do TV. You didnt go do a movie.'

The star reportedly put three men in the hospital while filming his fight scene.

Stallone paid an emotional tribute to his longtime friend, sharing a photo of Rocky and Thunderlips clashing in a fiery scene.

He wrote: 'I had the pleasure of meeting this brilliant personality and showman when he was 26 years old. He was absolutely wonderful and his amazing skill made Rocky three incredibly special. My heart breaks. I think that hes gone'

But his legacy was tainted when he was chucked out of the WWE in 2015 after a tape surfaced of him making racist remarks, including the use of the n-word.

In a video made public by The National Enquirer, Hogan said: 'I guess we're all a little racist' and used the n-word while referring to his daughter's love life, and includes him repeating the phrase 'f***ing n******' several times.

According to Radar, the audio featured him using a number of racist remarks in a rant about his daughter Brooke who was trying to launch a music career, to Heather Clem, the wife of a friend.

He is reported to have said that 'a black billionaire guy' had offered to bankroll her, then speculated about her sex life'.

Hogan told Clem: 'I don't know if Brooke was f***ing the black guy's son... I mean, I don't have double standards.

'I mean, I am a racist, to a point, f***ing n******. But then when it comes to nice people and s***, and whatever.'

Donald Trump Jr. posted this image of Hogan in tribute to the late wrestler

Hogan is seen in action with Karl Malone in 1998

The star became the most famous wrestling star ever - pictured 1990

Fellow wrestling icon Ric Flair wrote, ' I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan!' - pictured in the 1990s

Vice President JD Vance hailed Hogan as a 'great American icon'

He continued: 'I mean, I'd rather if she was going to f*** some n*****, I'd rather have her marry an 8-foot-tall n***** worth a hundred million dollars! Like a basketball player!

'I guess we're all a little racist. F***ing n*****.'

Back in 2015, Hogan told Good Morning America he was at an all-time low as he begged his former legion of fans to take him back.

'Please forgive me,' the 12-time world champ pleaded - both to America as a whole and to his daughter Brooke Hogan, whose boyfriend was the focus of the then 62 year old's racist tirade.

'If anybody should have disowned me it should have been her,' said Hogan. 'I was upset about something that happened between her and her boyfriend.'

Apologizing at the time, he told outlet People: 'Eight years ago I used offensive language during a conversation.

'It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it.'

Hogan is pictured with Muhammad Ali and Liberace in the 1980s

Hogan posed with Mr. T at a press conference in 1985

Wrestling icons Kurt Angle and the Undertaker were among the sports stars paying tribute

He would then in 2023 describe the controversy as 'a speed bump' and claimed it was 'not who I was'

He was banished from WWE for three years before being welcomed back into the Hall of fame in 2018, having described the incident as the 'biggest mistake' of his life but many were not happy with his 'apology' when he was brought back.

In 2016, a Florida jury awarded Hogan $115 million in his sex tape lawsuit against Gawker Media. Hogan sued after Gawker in 2012 posted a video of him having sex with his former best friends wife. Hogan contended the post violated his privacy.

More recently, Hogan became a celebrity endorser for Trump's presidential campaign in the United States, which he went on to win.

In January, Hogan ripped off his sleeves on Fox News as he went full 'Trumpamania' at the inaugural ball.

In the wake of Hogan's death, vice president JD Vance hailed the wrestler as a 'great American icon'.

He wrote: 'One of the first people I ever truly admired as a kid. The last time I saw him we promised wed get beers together next time we saw each other. The next time will have to be on the other side, my friend! Rest in peace.'

Tributes from the sports world poured in for the man who transcended wrestling to become a 1980s pop culture icon.

Donald Trump Jr posted to X, 'R.I.P to a legend' and added a selfie of himself with the wrestling star.

Fellow wrestling icon Ric Flair wrote, 'I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan! Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me.

'He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didnt Ask For Him To Be. He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside. Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend!'

A tearful Flair broke down in tears as he mourned his lifelong friend in an interview with TMZ, saying: 'To have this happen is so horrible... he was fine.

'We had magic, we had chemistry.'

Former MLB pitcher John Rocker posted, 'A patriot, and a true American. RIP Hulk Hogan.'

The official X account from the WWE said, 'WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans.'

Ric's daughter, former WWE women's world champion Charlotte Flair also posted a tribute: 'When I nearly lost my dad 8 years ago, one of the few people who was there for all of it was Hulk Hogan. My heart breaks for Nick and Brooke. Rest in peace, brother.'

The WWE said it was 'saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop cultures most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogans family, friends, and fans.'

Former MLB pitcher John Rocker posted, 'A patriot, and a true American. RIP Hulk Hogan.'

'Prayers up for the family, friends and loved ones of Hulk Hogan who has passed away at 71 years old,' wrote former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III.

Other tributes reflected some of the more unsavory parts of Hogan's legacy: including allegations of racism,

The Athletic's Chris Vannini remarked, 'Hulk Hogan leaves such a complicated legacy. He changed the entertainment business. He changed the journalism business. He did bad things and good things. One of the two greatest pro wrestlers ever, and he never stopped selling the gimmick.'

Just four days ago, Linda shared this image of herself and Hogan recalling 'The good old days'

He wed yoga teacher Sky Daily after more than a year of dating in 2023

He wed second wife Jennifer McDaniel from 2010-2021 - pictured 2016

This comes as sources revealed Brooke is 'grateful' she had one final chance to tell her dad she loved him, despite their estrangement in recent years - pictured 2004

During that final phone call, Brooke 'expressed deep love and concern for her father, telling him she didn't think he should still be working so hard given his declining health - pictured 2006

Along with his health issues, Hogan was embroiled in family drama in his last few months as ex Linda claimed the family is 'in the worst mess' after daughter Brooke cut both parents out of her life,

Brooke's husband has also taken sly shots at his wife's parents while leaping to her defense in the midst of the bitter family feud.

The drama escalated in March when Brooke fired back at her mom and insisted her father was not the only reason behind the divide.

Linda responded by denying she ever abused her daughter and even claimed she was attacked herself. She accused Brooke of being 'a narcissist just like her dad' and claimed 'I haven't talked to her for seven years  almost eight years now'.

This comes as sources revealed Brooke is 'grateful' she had one final chance to tell her dad she loved him, despite their estrangement in recent years.

Insiders told TMZ Brooke learned of her dad's death Thursday morning when her brother, Nick, texted her husband to share the news.

Brooke and Hogan's final conversation was reportedly two weeks before he married Sky September 2023.

During that final phone call, Brooke 'expressed deep love and concern for her father, telling him she didn't think he should still be working so hard given his declining health.'

She 'urged her dad to slow down and enjoy life' but it was claimed Hogan 'didn't want to hear it and they hadn't spoken since.' Hogan also apologized to her during the call but did not specify what he was apologizing for.

Hulk also apologized to her during the call, but wasn't specific for what.

Brooke was 'concerned with what was going on in his life and was always very protective of him'.

It was claimed Brooke's husband Steven Oleksy 'made multiple efforts to mend the relationship, including reaching out when Brooke nearly died during childbirth' but Hogan was allegedly 'cold and never made an effort to meet the kids.'

Sources claimed he 'ultimately only wanted a relationship with her under his terms.'

Brooke now 'feels at peace knowing she did everything she could to protect and support him.'

Hogan was married to second wife Jennifer McDaniel from 2010 to 2021.
Food Network star Anne Burrell's cause of death has been revealed, five weeks after her sudden passing at 55.

On Thursday, People confirmed that the celebrity chef tragically died by suicide.

According to the New York City medical examiner's office, her cause of death was listed as 'acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine.'

Diphenhydramine and cetirizine are both antihistamines, ethanol is a type of alcohol, and amphetamine is a stimulant often prescribed for ADHD.

Burrell's family declined the publication's request for comment.

Food Network star Anne Burrell's cause of death has been revealed, five weeks after her shock death at 55; seen in 2019

Last month, Burrell, who hosted Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and co-hosted Worst Cooks in America, was found dead inside her Brooklyn apartment on Tuesday

The Food Network star was found 'in the shower unconscious and unresponsive surrounded by approximately (100) assorted pills', according to NYPD documents seen by The New York Times.

Emergency medical teams responded to the home that she shared with her husband Stuart Claxton but she was pronounced dead at the scene.

On June 20, a spokeswoman for the city's medical examiner's office confirmed that Burrell's autopsy had been completed but findings on the exact cause of her death was still pending.

Claxton reportedly last saw his wife alive at about 1AM the night prior before discovering her unconscious between six to seven hours later in their bathroom.

It was reported earlier this week that EMS crews had attempted CPR on Burrell but could not resuscitate her.

Her family said in a statement: 'Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend  her smile lit up every room she entered.

'Anne's light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.'

A Food Network spokesperson added, 'Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent  teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring.

On Thursday, People confirmed that the celebrity chef tragically died by suicide

Emergency medical teams responded to the home that she shared with her husband Stuart Claxton, the couple are seen here, but she was pronounced dead at the scene

'Our thoughts are with Anne's family, friends and fans during this time of tremendous loss.'

Just hours before her passing Burrell had performed a improv show at a comedy club in Brooklyn, after having taken classes at the venue's training center.

In a podcast earlier this year she spoke with Tori Spelling on taking the classes and how she planned to expand her horizons.

She said: 'I just started taking acting classes. I started yesterday, actually... It's like an improv for actors' class.

'I got there and it's like eight people in the class. I'm the oldest one. Every other person has like, 'Oh, I have a master's in fine arts in theater.''

Burrell showed off her self-awareness and sense of humor that her fans were familiar with as she joked about the age gap between she and her fellow students.

She said: 'I'm like, 'okay, I've never taken an acting class. I don't know, this is new to me.'

'I wonder if these delightful and super talented kids look at me and they're like, 'What's this old lady doing here?''

Burrell pictured with her husband Stuart Claxton, whom she wed in 2021

Anne developed a passion for cooking at a young age, inspired by her mother's home-cooked meals and by watching food icon Julia Child on television

The television personality had taken a break from her show Worst Cooks In America for season 28 which baffled many fans and Spelling, 52, asked at the time what led her to that decision.

Burrell answered: 'I can cook, yes, I can do TV, but also, what else? I've got more to do in my life, I feel like.'

She also admitted that she was just 'dipping my toe' when it came to the pivot to acting.

Burrell explained: 'I feel very excited about it. I've got a few other things that I'm working on as well, which I'm not quite ready to share yet. Hopefully, exciting [are] things coming.'

Gigi Hadid, who famously appeared on the cooking competition series Beat Bobby Flay with Burrell, led the celebrities expressing their heartbreak over Burrell's death.

'I am heartbroken to hear of the loss of the Great Anne Burrell,' the supermodel, 30, began.

Gigi Hadid, who famously appeared on the cooking competition series Beat Bobby Flay with Burrell, led the celebrities expressing their heartbreak over Burrell's death

Burrell was later thrust into the spotlight and became best known as the longtime host of Worst Cooks in America; seen in 2022 in New York City

Hadid included a photo of herself and Burrell from their time filming Beat Bobby Flay back in 2023.

'As a longtime fan, getting to share this day with her was a dream come true. Beat Bobby. Hang. Eat,' she recalled.

'I wish we could have done it again. She was awesome. Rest in Peace Legend.'

Chef Carla Hall, who previously appeared on Food Network's Top Chef, called Burrell an 'incredible cook and teacher.'

Queer Eye for the Straight Guy star Carson Kressley, who was a close friend of Burrell's, revealed that he spoke to her just days before her death.

He also shared a post to his own Instagram page which included a photo of him and Burrell.

'Rest easy, Chef Anne. I'm so blessed I was able to work with you, learn from you, laugh with you.

'So many memories - on screen and off - I cherish this photo of us living our best lives, as the kids say,' Kressley wrote.

The show, which ran for 28 seasons, saw celebrated chefs mentor amateur cooks in an attempt to transform them from rookies to kitchen experts; seen on Worst Cook In America

The TV chef - who became synonymous with her trademark spiky platinum hair - is survived by husband, whom she wed in October 2021 in an autumn-themed ceremony and reception in her hometown of Cazenovia, New York.

She is also survived by her mother Marlene and sister Jane and her children Isabella, Amelia and Nicolas, and her brother Ben.

Burrell developed a passion for cooking at a young age, inspired by her mother's home-cooked meals and by watching food icon Julia Child on television.

After earning a degree in English and Communications from Canisius College in Buffalo in 1991, she followed her culinary dreams and enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, graduating in 1996.

She worked at a whole host of New York City hotspots including Felidia and Savoy in Soho, where she honed her craft in Mediterranean cuisine.

She was later thrust into the spotlight and became best known as the longtime host of Worst Cooks in America.

The show, which ran for 28 seasons, saw celebrated chefs mentor amateur cooks in an attempt to transform them from rookies to kitchen experts.

Elsewhere, she appeared on Chef Wanted, Chopped, Food Network Star, and most recently, competition series House of Knives - which premiered in March this year.

She also penned two of her own cookbooks - Cook Like a Rock Star and Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire & Empower.
One sunny day in Beverly Hills in June 2002, Ozzy Osbourne, his wife Sharon and their producer (my friend) Rod Aissa were strolling down Rodeo Drive when Papa Oz was mobbed by a squealing pack of 12-year-old girls fiendishly screaming his name.

Breathless, Ozzy pulled Rod into the Chanel boutique (as one does in LA) and, in a panic, laid into him: 'What the hell is happening?! How do these girls know me?'

Rod, an executive on MTV's 'The Osbournes' which had premiered that March, calmly tried to explain to the Godfather of Heavy Metal, then 53, that his new reality show was a hit.

'It's huge! You are number 1 in the country,' Rod told him.

'What show?' Ozzy asked.

'Your show,' Rod repeated.

Ozzy then turned to his wife: 'Sharon, why didn't you tell me this show was on?'

After facing a mob of squealing teenagers on the street, Rod Aissa, an executive on MTV's 'The Osbournes,' calmly tried to explain to the Godfather of Heavy Metal, then 53, that his new reality show was a hit. (Pictured: The Osbournes - Ozzy, Kelly, Jack and Sharon - in 2002)

Ozzy, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, died on July 22 at the age of 76. (Pictured: The Prince of Darkness performing at his farewell show in Birmingham)

After his passing this week, the story makes me chuckle and brings a tear to my eye. I've long been an Ozzy fan  and while I didn't have the privilege of knowing him personally  so many people in my life did. And they all describe him the same way: disarmingly humble, oblivious, outrageously talented and kind  a down-to-earth, working-class genius who came from nothing and appreciated everything.

Dweezil Zappa, son of another musical legend, Frank Zappa, tells me that rock stars regularly stopped by his sprawling Laurel Canyon house, but the day Ozzy visited was different.

As a child, Dweezil was fascinated by Black Sabbath after discovering their first album, 'Paranoid,' in his dad's massive record collection.

'I listened to that record and I loved the sound of his voice. The thing about his music, it only sounds right when Ozzy sings it,' Dweezil tells me. Then one afternoon, Dweezil's hero came to say hello.

'My dad was friends with [Black Sabbath guitarist] Tony Iommi, and Ozzy tagged along,' he says. 'Ozzy's favorite song of my dad's was "Big Leg Emma." It's a doowop song about a girl who has put on weight. Ozzy had a great sense of humor, so of course that was his favorite Frank Zappa song.'

Being a good sport, Ozzy let Dweezil rope him into recording an unorthodox disco cover in the Zappa compound's recording studio.

'I had him sing a version of The BeeGees "Stayin' Alive," and of course, Ozzy always had a quirky sense of humor. He would sing "all aboard the disco train" instead of "crazy train." It was such a great and unique experience to have this legend singing something that anyone else in his position would've thought was too goofy.'

But Dweezil says he was truly shocked when Ozzy poured himself into the silly song.

'To watch him sing in the studio was incredible, on a technical level, he was exceptional. He was able to [vocally] double himself in a way that was so spot on.'

Vocal doubling is a singing technique where the performer is recorded twice and their voice is layered over itself to create a fuller, richer sound.

'Freddie Mercury was the only other one who could achieve that,' says Dweezil.

While I didn't have the privilege of knowing him personally  so many people in my life did. And they all describe him the same way: disarmingly humble, oblivious, outrageously talented and kind  a down-to-earth, working-class genius who came from nothing and appreciated everything. (Pictured: Ozzy at the Moscow Music Peace Festival in 1989)

As a child, Dweezil was fascinated by Black Sabbath (pictured) after discovering their first album Paranoid in his dad's massive record collection

Indeed, music buffs and children of the 80s remember that Ozzy Osbourne - the bat-chomping, ant-sorting, acid-dropping conductor of the Crazy Train - but Ozzy had a second career, as a loveable, fumbling, mumbling reality TV dad.

That's where my former manager at MTV, Rod Aissa, comes into the story. Rod had moved into talent development by the time I left the network in the late 90s  and he was watching an episode of MTV's 'Cribs' featuring Jack and Kelly Osbourne when he had an idea.

He set up a meeting with Sharon Osbourne  and pitched her on a show to be built around her family. They agreed to speak further at the family's LA mansion, but, as always in Osbourneworld, things didn't quite go as planned.

'The first time I went to the house there were no cameras there, it was just me surveying the land, trying to get a sense of this family,' Rod tells me. 'It was absolute madness. Ozzy would come in and out of the kitchen and go into the candy drawer, the History Channel was playing in the background.

'There I am, sitting on the bench, trying to be polite. Kelly walked in and, out of nowhere, she and Ozzy start fighting, just screaming at each other. I'm sitting there thinking, "Where the hell am I?"

'Hours go by and no one says anything to me, so I picked up their house phone and called my mom and said, "You're not going believe this, they're crazier than us!"'

Eventually, Sharon descended the staircase and found a traumatized Rod in her kitchen, finally introducing him to her indifferent husband.

Stunned, Rod asked Ozzy, 'Didn't you wonder who I was?' to which Ozzy replied, 'I don't f****ing care who you are!' Rod still can't believe it, 'I was standing there for 2 hours!'

And thus, 'The Osbournes' was born, even though Ozzy took a bit of coaxing.

Rod had been watching an episode of MTV's 'Cribs' featuring Jack and Kelly Osbourne when he had an idea for a reality show about the family

Indeed, music buffs and children of the 80s remember that Ozzy Osbourne (pictured with son, Jack, in 1985) - the bat-chomping, ant-sorting, acid-dropping conductor of the Crazy Train - but Ozzy had a second career, as a loveable, fumbling, mumbling reality TV dad

'The first time I went to the house there were no cameras there, it was just me surveying the land, trying to get a sense of this family,' Rod tells me. 'It was absolute madness.' (Pictured: Ozzy, Sharon and their children Aimee, Kelly and Jack in 1987)

Rod screened the pilot episode for Ozzy by himself  because, he says, everyone feared Ozzy would kill the project.

'It was just him and me. And for 22 minutes, he didn't laugh. Not once,' remembers Rod. 'I was so worried because there was no reaction, he was barely breathing, and finally he spoke: "You're going to ruin me! I'm the f***ing prince of darkness!"'

Of course, it was all a big joke  and Ozzy was in on it.

'Ozzy was so humble,' Rod says. 'He never, ever forgot he came from Birmingham and grew up with almost nothing. If you gave him anything, even the smallest gift, he would blush and say, "I can't take this!"'

Rod recalls how Elton John once gave Ozzy an extravagant piece of jewelry and he pushed it back, saying, 'I can't take this! I can't f***ing take this!' Elton said, 'You have no choice, darling, I had it made for you.'

Thinking back to that day on Rodeo Drive in 2002, Rod is still struck by Ozzy's charming lack of vanity: 'He got the biggest kick out of those screaming kids, who were obviously not his typical audience. He couldn't believe they knew him.'

But everyone knew Ozzy.

He'll be forever missed. And don't tell anyone, but it's pretty clear the Prince of Darkness earned a spot in heaven.
Lauren Goodger's inner circle are reportedly concerned about her growing closeness with her ex Charles Drury as they fear she is 'planning a future with him.

The TOWIE star, 38, appeared to have gotten back with Charles earlier this year after spending time together at the zoo, three years after Charles was accused of attacking Lauren on the day of their daughter Loren's funeral shortly before their split.

Charles was then charged with assault and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour towards Lauren, which he has denied.

Lauren shares daughter Larose, four, with Charles and tragically lost their second daughter in 2022 after she was stillborn due to complications with her umbilical cord.

Now, new photos obtained by The Sun show Lauren and Charles looking happier than ever as they jetted off from the airport for a family getaway.

The pair have also recently enjoyed a spa break, fuelling rumours they've reconciled - though Lauren has yet to confirm the romance publicly.

According to the publication, Lauren's pals have 'serious reservations' about the reunion - despite her reportedly believing there's still a future with Charles.

Lauren Goodger 's inner circle are reportedly concerned about her growing closeness with her ex Charles Drury as they fear she is 'planning a future with him

The TOWIE star, 38, appeared to have gotten back with Charles earlier this year after spending time together at the zoo, three years after Charles was accused of attacking Lauren on the day of their daughter Loren's funeral shortly before their split

The insiders claimed that they believe Lauren is considering having another baby with Larose's father in the future.

They told the outlet: 'The truth is, she does still have feelings for him and would love nothing more than to have another child with him in the not-too-distant future.

'She isn't putting a label on what their relationship status is, partly because she doesn't want to be judged, but he is more than just her daughter's dad.

'They are closer than they have been in years, and there is still sexual chemistry between them.'

MailOnline has contacted Lauren and her representative for commnet.

Last year Lauren opened up about the struggles she's faced co-parenting with Charles.

Just three months after welcoming Larose in 2021, Lauren fell pregnant and was over the moon to become a mum for the second time.

She tragically gave birth to her stillborn daughter Lorena in 2022 after she was born with her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck.

On the day of the funeral, Charles was accused of attacking Lauren and they split soon after.

Last year Lauren opened up about the struggles she's faced co-parenting with Charles (pictured 2021)

Charles was then charged with assault and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour towards Lauren, which he has denied.

The case was dropped after Lauren withdrew her support for the case, which resulted in a not guilty verdict.

Elsewhere, during their on-off relationship things weren't smooth sailing for the couple and Charles was also accused of cheating.

It comes after Lauren declared she feels 'so lonely' as she opened up to MailOnline about her rocky relationship she shares with her family.

While admitting she does feel 'more confident and happy' since returning to work and focusing on her new clothing line with HL London, Lauren admitted she sometimes struggles on her own as a single mother.

In a heartbreaking admission, Lauren said: 'I'm so lonely, I will say that. I'm very lonely.

'I've got Larose and obviously thank god I've got her, she's my little best friend but I also need someone to lean on.

'I'm strong all the time, I'm mum mode all the time, I haven't got anyone to lean on and that's really sad. I don't have a great relationship with my family.

Lauren shot to fame on Towie, where she was on an on and off relationship with Mark Wright ; pictured 2011

'I'm not slagging them off or bad mouthing them but my personal feelings and opinions, I'm not lying when I say I am really lonely because I do deal with everyone on my own.

'I have got good friends but they have their own lives to deal with.'

Lauren shot to fame on Towie, where she was on an on and off relationship with Mark Wright.

The pair has storylines revolving around his numerous flirtations with other women, including Lucy Mecklenburgh and Sam Faiers.

Mark and Lauren even got engaged on TOWIE in March 2011 - only for the Essex lad to call things off five months later - and there has been bad blood between the pair ever since.

A year and a half later, Mark and Michelle met on a group holiday to Dubai and fell madly in love.

In September 2013, less than a year after their New Year's break, the pair were engaged, trying the knot in May 2015.
Lisa Vanderpump has responded to Scheana Shays claim that she exploited her for fame and monetary gain.

On Tuesday the 64-year-old restaurateur was stopped by TMZ in Los Angeles, telling the outlet she 'doesn't care' what the 40-year-old media personality has to say about her.

Shay worked for Vanderpump on the Bravo series Vanderpump Rules for 11 seasons, and is accusing the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star of 'gaslighting' her ahead of the release of her memoir My Good Side.

'Guess what? I dont care what she says  how about that?' Vanderpump mouthed off earlier this week.

'Important things are what matter to me, not her bulls**t claims,' the UK native hit back, adding that she was more concerned with Ozzy Osbourne's death that day.

Lisa Vanderpump has responded to Scheana Shays claim that she exploited her for fame and monetary gain; pictured July 22

On Tuesday the 64-year-old restaurateur was stopped by TMZ in Los Angeles, telling the outlet she 'doesn't care' what the 40-year-old media personality has to say about her; Shay pictured July 22

'Thats the saddest thing,' she lamented while jumping into a car en route of her next destination.

While Vanderpump was out and about on the west coast, Shay was promoting her forthcoming book in New York City.

She wore a baby blue tweed Chanel blazer and shorts combo while stopping by SiriusXM studios.

Back in January, the mom-of-one announced her new book and said readers could expect 'tea' on Vanderpump.

The literary effort will feature candid information about her 2006 affair with Eddie Cibrian  which occurred while he was married to Brandi Glanville.

Shay alleges in the pages of My Good Side that Vanderpump knew more about the situation than she initially disclosed.

'We all saw it play out on the show when I went up to her and she acts shocked that I was working her party with this guy's ex-wife, who I used to date because I didn't know he was married,' she told Us Weekly last week.

The Bravo star claims Vanderpump purposefully put her and Glanville together on screen in the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills episode in order to 'launch her TV empire'  which includes spinoff shows Vanderpump Rules and Vanderpump Villa.

Shay is accusing the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star of 'gaslighting' her ahead of the release of her memoir My Good Side

Shay (pictured far right) worked for Vanderpump on the Bravo series Vanderpump Rules for 11 seasons

L-R Vanderpump Rules castmates Katie Maloney, Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval, Lisa Vanderpump, James Kennedy, Lala Kent, Tom Schwartz, Scheana Shay

Shay continued, 'Up until about six months ago, that was the truth that I knew because that's what she told me.'

She added, 'Now, I feel like she low-key used my real-life pain to launch her TV empire  and what an empire she has.'

Shay said it's difficult for her to believe that Lisa had no knowledge of the affair.

'I vividly remember when photos leaked of Eddie and [me], there was a magazine being passed around the kitchen at Villa Blanca,' she said in reference to Vanderpump's former restaurant.

'She gaslit me about it for a decade instead of just coming to me in the beginning. She doesn't make mistakes. She makes moves and then calls them coincidences,' the podcaster accused.

Shay said she wishes Vanderpump had been 'transparent' with her and admitted she 'always looked up to' the entrepreneur.

'I've always admired her. Now I'm like, "Did I admire her out of fear?" I guess I would've just like to have agency in my own story,' she shared.
A Hollywood legend's dramatically younger wife could be seen sizzling up a storm in a racy new post on her Instagram page.

Born in Spain, the brunette bombshell is nearly a quarter-century younger than her husband, who is instantly recognizable to moviegoers around the world.

The leggy 42-year-old is wife number three for the 75-year-old actor, who was previously married to a 1990s Supermodel and then to a Bond girl.

He and his latest spouse tied the knot in 2018 and have now moved back to the capital of her native land, where he gushed that they are 'happier than ever.'

Now she has posted a steamy snap of her bra-less under a sheer white tank top, taken during the cover shoot of a magazine she and her husband fronted this year.

Can you guess the identity of the Hollywood couple?

She is Alejandra Silva, the Spanish publicist who succeeded Cindy Crawford and License to Kill bombshell Carey Lowell to become the current Mrs. Richard Gere.

Her saucy new photo was taken behind the scenes of the cover shoot of the February issue of Elle Spain, snapped by Dutch fashion photographer Jan Welters.

Alejandra struck a power pose in a thin white outfit she wore with no bra underneath, and she aimed a tantalizing come-hither stare at the camera.

She and Richard appeared together on the magazine and opened up in its pages about their recent relocation to Madrid.

'This is our momentum,' said Richard. 'We are happier than ever. She, because she is at home and I because, if Alejandra is happy, I am too.'

'We are like soul mates,' Alejandra gushed, 'We have the same values, we see the world in the same way and from the first moment we feel like we have known each other for a long time.

'And this only happens once, if it happens at all. We were united by the karma of our past lives.'

Giving an insight into their family life, she added: 'Richard is a very dedicated and present father. He loves reading stories to children.

She is Alejandra Silva, the third and latest wife of Richard Gere, whom she is pictured with on the cover of the February issue of Elle Spain

Born in Spain , the brunette bombshell is nearly a quarter of a century younger than her husband, who is instantly recognizable to moviegoers around the world

'It seems like an idyllic picture, but it's true. He's a great dad. He doesn't cook. I do, but when I cook, he plays the guitar.

She continued: 'One of the things that unites us the most and what made us fall deeply in love was our activist hearts.'

Elsewhere in the interview, Richard said: 'The new world will be built with and thanks to women. The Dalai Lama once told me that he inherited compassion and kindness not from his father, but from his mother.

'Together they are extremely powerful. If you give money to a woman, she invests it and puts it at the service of the community and improves the whole village.'

The bestted couple looked as loved-up as ever in the new cover shoot, with Richard allowing his wife to take centre-stage as he stood behind her.

Alejandra looked incredible in a plunging white short complete with black trousers and a silver statement necklace in the shape of a snake.

In another snap, she slipped into a gold strapless gown, wearing her choppy brunette tresses in a straight style.

She opted for a glamorous palette of makeup as she smiled at the camera while her husband nuzzled into her face, before she turned around to gaze into his eyes.

It comes after Richard spent his Thanksgiving holiday in his new overseas home with Alejandra, both hitting the red carpet at the Elle for Future Awards in Madrid.

The couple's November outing was their first time seen in public since they both moved to Madrid, bringing his wife back to her home country of Spain

The actor and wife were spotted rocking black ensembles at the photocall, held at the Four Seasons in Madrid.

The couple's November outing was their first time seen in public since they both made the move to Madrid.

The Emmy-nominated actor was spotted donning a classic black tuxedo with a black coat, white shirt, black bowtie, black pants and black shoes.

His wife opted for a stunning strapless black dress with colorful pink and blue encrusted embellishments all over the gown.

She accessorized with gold hoop earrings, a stunning gold necklace with encrusted diamonds and matching gold and diamond bracelets.

She also accessorized with a number of gold and diamond rings for her time on the red carpet.

Her long flowing gown obscured her footwear for the evening as she walked the red carpet with her husband of five years.

They sold their Connecticut ranch last year for $10.75 million, ahead of the couple's move to Spain with their children.

Richard did confirm that he won't be quitting America forever and added: 'Of course I'll be back'

He revealed the move back in April in an interview with Vanity Fair Espana, revealing they plan on spending at least six years there.

'She was very generous in giving me six years living in my world, so I think it is only fair that I give her at least another six living in hers,' he told the magazine.

Lifting the lid on the major move on an episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Richard began by joking: 'My wife is Spanish. Is this a problem for anybody out there?'.

He then announced: 'But my wife is Spanish, and she gave me about seven years here, so we're going to spend some years in Madrid.'

'Our kids are bilingual so they're going to flourish there,' he continued.

In addition to his two sons with Alejandra, the Hollywood A-lister is stepfather to the Spanish activist's 11-year-son, Albert and he is also the proud dad of son Homer, 24, whom he welcomed with his second wife, actress Carey Lowell.

Richard did confirm that he won't be quitting America forever and added: 'Of course I'll be back.'

Speaking about his family, the Chicago star gushed: 'I love my wife, she's incredible. Great mother. Kids are healthy and happy. Of course, there's nothing more than that.'

Richard and Alejandra's romance began in 2014, when they reconnected in Italy after first meeting years earlier through a mutual friend

Turning his attention to their Thanksgiving plans, he continued: 'My wife grew up in a big Spanish family, like a big Italian family, and her grandmother was kind of the glue that held that all together.

'And the grandmother passed away [about] two years ago, so my wife, I can see her morphing into the new grandmother of this extended family. So shes already planning for 35 people for Sunday lunches.'

Prior to moving to Connecticut, Richard owned an estate in the celebrity-favored area of Pound Ridge, New York, roughly an hour from Manhattan.

In May 2022, he sold that property for $28 million, according to Mansion Global, just two months before purchasing his New Canaan home.

Richard and Alejandra's romance began in 2014, when they reconnected in Italy after first meeting years earlier through a mutual friend.

Despite their age difference, the two quickly bonded over their shared passions for humanitarian work and spirituality.

They married in a private ceremony at Gere's estate in upstate New York in 2018.
Kiss co-founder Gene Simmons had a message for potential buyers of his Beverly Hills mansion: He didn't want them to rock and roll all night and party every day.

'You have such wonderful times there, you don't want some schmuck in the place you call home,' Simmons, 75, in April told The Wall Street Journal as he sought to sell the opulent Southern California abode.

Simmons, who played bass and shared vocals with Paul Stanley in the iconic band, laid forth specific rules for the type of buyer he preferred to sell to.

'No drugs, no alcoholics,' the Haifa, Israel-born musician said. 'I don't want anybody coming in there who is going to destroy the place.'

The I Was Made For Lovin' You artist - who performed in the famed group and merchandising juggernaut with Stanley, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss - was able to sell the abode for double the $14 million asking price, according to Realtor.com.

The 7,741 square foot home has four bedrooms and five bathrooms, and was built in 2017.

Kiss co-founder Gene Simmons had a message for potential buyers of his Beverly Hills mansion: No drugs or alcohol. Pictured 2022 in Mexico

Simmons was able to sell the Beverly Hills abode for double the $14 million asking price

It is located in the luxe Los Angeles enclave on a hill that provides views of neighboring areas such as Century City, Coldwater Canyon and the Pacific Ocean.

Simmons told WSJ he and his spouse Shannon Tweed Simmons had long resided in Beverly Hills.

They picked up the pad home in 2021 amid a planned move to Las Vegas, as a way to maintain a presence in the City of Angels.

But the Hide Your Heart artist and his wife found the desert heat of Las Vegas punishing, and relocated back to the Beverly Hills home, putting the Sin City abode on the real estate market.

Simmons told WSJ that 'privacy, views and location near movie studios, business partners, and his children' were all key factors in the selection of the Beverly Hills home.

'Family is forever,' Simmons told WSJ of the home while it was on the market.

The Forever artist continued, 'You want someplace that can be your business center, close to everything that you need in L.A., but also a place where your kids want to come over and hang with you.'

Simmons said he and Tweed will be residing in Malibu at a mansion they bought recently.

The 7,741 square foot Beverly Hills home has four bedrooms and five bathrooms, and was built in 2017

Simmons, who played bass and shared vocals with Paul Stanley in the band, pictured in 2023

'I'm the most blessed human being on the planet,' Simmons told WSJ. 'These hard times, you don't want to say I have too many houses, but we have too many properties.'

Their real estate portfolio also includes an additional property in Malibu, a Whistler, Canada home, and homes resided in by their children, Simmons told WSJ.

He said with the sale of the Beverly Hills home, he and Tweed will be traveling abroad to their other homes.

'Wherever wifey wants, certainly,' the musician said. 'Certainly, happy wife, happy life.'

The listing was held by Compass agents Lisa Young, Kennon Earl and Thomas Davila.
State Farm has sparked fierce backlash by hiking home insurance rates in Illinois by 27.2 percent, adding $746 to the average bill.

The insurer insists the hike is unavoidable, claiming it is paying out far more in claims than it collects in premiums in the state.

For every $1 collected in the state in 2024, the company says it paid out $1.26. The year before, the sum it paid out was even higher, at $1.30.

Hail damage is the main culprit, the company said, with Illinois trailing only Texas for the number of hail-related claims last year.

Rising labor and material costs have also driven up repair expenses.

But lawmakers have blasted the price hikes, which could hit policyholders as soon as August 15.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called the increases 'unfair and arbitrary', promising to work to deliver more protections for homeowners in the face of soaring costs.

Illinois is one of the few states where insurers can raise rates without approval from regulators.

State Farm has sparked fierce backlash by hiking insurance rates in Illinois by 27.2 percent (Pictured: Lightning strikes the Chicago skyline during a heavy storm)

The state has no meaningful rate review process for homeowners insurance, Realtor.com reported.

This means that once a company files new rates with the Department of Insurance, that is typically the end of the story.

State Farm already raised rates 12.3 percent in 2024  and it is not alone.

Allstate also hiked prices for policyholders in Illinois by 14.3 percent earlier this year, and 12.7 percent in 2024.

With the latest increase, Democratic Governor Pritzker accused State Farm of raising costs in the state to subsidize losses elsewhere in the US.

'Hardworking Illinoisans should not be paying more to protect beach houses in Florida,' he said.

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch also called the hike 'wrong.'

But other lawmakers have questioned whether regulation to protect consumers from rising costs could end up driving insurers out of the market.

Lt. John Andrews shows the damaged caused by hail on a new police car in Chicago in 2011

Hail damage to the roof of the historic Fern Room at the Garfield Park Conservatory in Chicago

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker called the increases 'unfair and arbitrary', promising to work to deliver more protections for homeowners in the face of soaring costs

Republican State Representative Jeff Keicher, who is also a longtime State Farm agent, used California as an example, saying that regulatory constraints have led insurers to flee the state.

'The worst thing we can do is force insurers to underprice and go out of business,' Keicher told The Chicago Tribune, 'and leave homeowners without a way to get their home fixed if the worst happens.'

Several large insurers, including State Farm, have cut back or limited their coverage in California amid worsening climate disasters, leaving many people struggling to find home cover.

Over half of Californians said in 2024 that they had been affected by rising premiums for property coverage or had been dropped by their insurer entirely.

In the wake of State Farm's proposal for Illinois, lawmakers are fast-tracking a series of proposals designed to give consumers more protection.

Last year, Pritzker signed legislation requiring rate review for large group health insurance, allowing the state to block excessive increases, Realtor.com reported.

Now some lawmakers want to apply that same framework to home insurance policies where companies must justify hikes with years of data.

Increases will then be rejected if they are deemed 'excessive, inadequate, or unfairly discriminatory.'

Instead of regulation, the insurance industry itself is pushing for measures to make properties more resilient against future natural disasters, including more comprehensive home construction standards.
America just reached a trade deal with Japan  US automakers are furious.

Tuesday night, President Donald Trump announced a deal to slash tariffs on Japanese imports to 15 percent, including vehicles and auto parts.

Under the deal, Japanese-built cars will face lower tariffs than the parts US automakers import to build their own.

It's a major retreat from months of threats to impose a punishing 25 percent levy on automakers like Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Mazda, and Nissan.

That change is sparking outrage among US car companies. Representatives for the Detroit Big Three  General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler  say the lower tariff rate gives their foreign rivals an unfair edge.

Matt Blunt, head of the American Automotive Policy Council, which represents the three automakers, called the agreement a 'bad deal for US industry and US auto workers,' in a statement to DailyMail.com.

He added that automakers are still analyzing the impacts, but criticized 'lower tariff for Japanese imports with virtually no US content than the tariff imposed on North American built vehicles.'

The White House had long billed the tariffs as a tool to revive domestic auto manufacturing.

Japanese carmakers like Toyota will face a lower tariff rate than American firms because of Trump's latest deal

Toyota's stock price spiked today on the tariff news

But US-based automakers say the policy is doing the opposite  cutting deep into their profits just as they face pressure from Trump to expand American operations.

This week, GM reported a sharp $1.1 billion income decline in the past quarter. The carmaker expects to pay between $4 billion and $5 billion in tariffs this year.

Stellantis  the company that operates American brands Jeep, Dodge, Ram, and Chrysler  said it lost $2.68 billion in the first half of 2025 while paying $350 million in US tariffs.

Executives say those costs are hard to avoid, even when most of their production happens on American soil.

'Let me take you through the math: in a $40,000 to $50,000 F-150, 75 to 80 percent of the parts are made in America,' Ford's CEO, Jim Farley, previously said in an interview with CNN, while pointing out that 80 percent of the companies cars are assembles in the US.

'We have to import certain parts. A lot of parts like fasteners, washers, and carpet are just not available. We can't even buy those parts [in the US].'

Meanwhile, the promised manufacturing job boom has yet to materialize.

Combining the May and June jobs reports, Americans lost 14,000 manufacturing jobs, even as other sectors added positions.

Industry experts believe car prices will rise by the end of the year - but they think that cars from Japanese firms will not rise as fast as American automaker's costs

Japanese automakers, like Toyota, Honda, and Nissan, are still building cheaper-to-run sedans

Industry leaders representing America's Big Three automotive brands criticized Trump's latest deal as 'bad' for US workers

Despite US industry backlash, President Trump said his deal with Japan was a massive win.

'I just signed the largest trade deal in history, I think maybe the largest deal in history, Japan,' Trump said in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday.

The President said it would create 'hundreds of thousands of jobs.'

As part of the deal, Japan will buy 100 Boeing planes and hike defense spending with US firms by $3 billion annually. It spent $14 billion on defense prokects with US manufacturing last year.

Before the agreement, Japanese companies had worried about the impact of 25 percent levies, saying they threatened higher consumer prices and job losses at US-based factories.

Now, theyve emerged as clear winners.

On Wall Street, shares of Japanese car brands skyrocketted. Toyota's stock price is up 13 percent in early trading Wednesday. Honda (12 percent), Mazda (17 percent), and Nissan (eight percent) are also benefitting from the change.

The US struck a deal with Japan's leaders to slash tariffs - as analysts sift through the details, American car companies are expressing frustration

Ford, which assembles 80 percent of its vehicles in the US, could be negatively impacted by the new trade agreement with Japan - the company doesn't produce any products in the Asian country, and still faces 25 percent tariffs on necessary parts

Even so, car buyers may not see relief. Erin Keating, an analyst at Cox Automotive, said that even the lower tariffs are fueling price hikes.

She noted that 'destination charges'  the fees tied to vehicle delivery  have risen since April, when Trump first launched the automotive tariffs.

And car companies are just about to switch over to a fresh lineup of 2026 model year vehicles. Fall-season dealership refreshes are the most popular time for price hikes.

Keating also pointed to another reason Japanese brands are better positioned than their US rivals: they still make affordable sedans.

'[Toyota and Honda] build a number of popular sedans, which have been important for budget-seeking shoppers,' Keating said.

In contrast, GM, Ford, and Stellantis have gutted their sedan lineups in recent years  just as models like the Toyota Camry and Honda Civic remain best-sellers.
Amazon's Prime Day has been knocked off its perch by Walmarts rival deal event  and it was all down to a change that backfired.

Once the biggest online shopping bonanza of the year, Prime Day's dominance is faltering.

Both retail giants launched their summer sales on July 8  Amazon for four days and Walmart for almost a week.

That meant this year's Prime Day was double the length it had been since 2018. When the event began in 2015, it lasted just one day.

Amazon bosses hoped the extra time would boost spending, but it instead encouraged shoppers to compare deals  and many opted for Walmart.

Amazon pointed out this year's event delivered record sales, but experts point out that is not a surprise since it lasted twice as long.

Walmart outperformed Amazon across several key metrics.

Spending on Walmart.com soared 24 percent compared to 2024, Bloomberg data shows  six times faster than Prime Days yearoveryear growth.

Web traffic told a similar story, with Walmart surging 14 percent while Amazon stayed flat, according to Similarweb.

Walmart's deals period earlier this month has beaten Amazon Prime Day by several metrics

'Shoppers are more willing to do the work and navigate across multiple websites,' Deborah Weinswig, CEO of Coresight Research told Bloomberg.

'We saw people spending a lot more time browsing and comparing prices.'

A spokesperson for Amazon said the data did not reflect the 'highly positive customer response to this years Prime Day,' arguing that the event still saw meaningful growth.

Over the whole year, Amazon is still the king of ecommerce, capturing around 40 cents of every dollar spent online, according to Emarketer.

However, Walmart  the US's largest private employer  is ploughing investment into its online units.

The Arkansas-based retailer has pumped resources into improving delivery speeds and has built up its online inventory to more than 500 million items.

As a result, Walmart's online sales are climbing 20 percent a year, adding intense pressure on Amazon.

The event was such a success that its competitors began to follow suit with their own summer deals.

Amazon has been caught hiking the prices of hundreds of essentials despite promising not to

Now retail traffic after the July 4 public holiday has started to outdo the traditional Black Friday sales period in November.

Walmart launched its Walmart + subscription in 2020, offering unlimited free deliveries for $98 per year.

The membership also offers deals on gas and free grocery deliveries over $35.

Amazon's own Prime subscription is expected to soon rise by $20 to $159 a year, experts have warned.
The evacuation of a stranded British F-35B jet from Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday rekindled memories of a similar problem the Indian Air Force faced two decades ago  one of its Mirage-2000 jets was badly damaged and stuck in Mauritius for 22 days before a risky and audacious operation succeeded in flying it back to India.

Incidentally, it also landed in Thiruvananthapuram.

The little-known mission to bring back the plane will go down in Indias aviation history as one of the most celebrated demonstrations of piloting skills, courage and technical ingenuity of IAF engineers who made the aircraft airworthy in a short time after it had suffered extensive damage because of a belly landing in Mauritius.

It also put the spotlight on the grit and planning skill of the pilot, Sqn Ldr Jaspreet Singh, who braved dangerous weather and conducted three mid-air refuellings to bring back the repaired Mirage. He flew non-stop for five hours and 10 minutes on October 26, 2004 over the desolate Indian Ocean, where any malfunction en route would have meant almost certain disaster.

I remember that day as clearly as if it was yesterday, Jaspreet, who took retirement from the IAF in 2018, said.

I was confident of undertaking this risky flight across the ocean as I had full faith in the team of exceptional technical personnel who had worked non-stop over two weeks to repair the aircraft, he said.

Military aviation is all about taking calculated risks when the mission demands, preparing for all possible contingencies and having your backup plans in place, he said.

The French-built Mirage-2000 had crash-landed on October 4 at the Sir Seewoosagur-Ramgoolam International Airport in Port Louis after taking part in an air show. The belly landing had damaged the aircraft extensively, especially the underbelly auxiliary fuel tanks, the airframe, avionics and cockpit instrumentation.

On the other hand, the $110 million F-35B jet suffered a technical snag while on a maritime exercise in the Indian Ocean and had to make an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport on June 14. The jet was part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group of the British Royal Navy.

A team of British engineers was flown in to fix the stealth fighter jet, and it finally took off for Darwin, Australia on Tuesday morning after almost 37 days. Similarly, a group of engineers, pilots and one IL-76 transport aircraft with spares and one IL-78 refuelling tanker aircraft flew from India to Port Louis, Mauritius to fix the Mirage and help bring it back.

The rectification team made the aircraft ready for ground runs by October 13 and the Mirage did its first test flight on October 14, just 10 days after the landing accident. The team was faced with a task that had no precedence, given that Mirage-2000 is not cleared by the manufacturer Dassault to do a no-wheels landing, even in an emergency.

Recalling the mission, an IAF officer said that Jaspreet, then posted with a fighter squadron in the Central sector, was specially chosen as the pilot to fly the aircraft back to India. The ferry route is over one of the most desolate stretches of the Indian Ocean and even for a fully serviceable single engine fighter it is considered a highly challenging task, said the officer. The fact that the ferry would also involve multiple air to air refuelling added to the overall degree of difficulty, he said. Once the aircraft had been repaired, Jaspreet carried out one taxi test and three air test sorties between October 12 and 19, during which multiple problems were revealed related to its fly-by-wire system, rudder, data display screen, throttle, brakes and fuel gauges.

The 2126 nautical mile (nearly 4000 kilometer) flight to India was initially planned for October 20, but severe weather in the second half of the route, ruled out air-to-air refueling. The inclement weather ensured that one Mirage 2000, one IL-78, one IL-76, and more than 50 IAF personnel were now stranded with the possibility that the wait could go on for weeks, said Jaspreet.

However, on the morning of October 25, satellite pictures revealed that the first 1000 Nautical Miles (NM) of the flight route from Mauritius to TVM was clear, allowing three air to air refuelling.

With the window of opportunity closing, Air Headquarters signed off for the ferry flight to take off on October 26, 2004.

Jaspreet and the fighter took off at 7.55 am from a wet runway with very little fuel so as not to over stress the airframe. He entered the clouds almost immediately. But he had to ensure the first refuelling 11 minutes after take-off. There was zero margin for error. None was made. The Mirage refuelled in time and climbed safely to 25,000 feet. A second refuelling was also done successfully.

Since refuelling was not possible in the final leg because of bad weather, the team came up with a plan: Jaspreet would top up fuel from the IL-78 while still 1100 NM short of Thiruvananthapuram and climb to a level above 40,000 feet to fly unaided the rest of the way. Flying at a higher altitude and optimum speed, the Mirage would consume less fuel.

But it also meant flying the last 2 hours at 43,000 feet at 0.92 mach speed (or 0.92 per cent of the speed of sound). This was well beyond what the aircraft had been flight tested for. If the calculations were wrong or if a malfunction resulted in higher fuel consumption, the Mirage would have been in trouble.

Explaining the feat, an expert said the single engine, single pilot Mirage jet undertook the transoceanic flight with no alternative airfields to land (in case of an emergency), travelling alone in a radar-less airspace with no direct radio contact with ground control and with bad weather which would have prevented any search and rescue operation over the ocean in case of an ejection.

Along the way things were not smooth for Jaspreet. One of its radio sets failed, the fuel gauges gave incorrect indications and the oxygen almost finished in the cockpit. Yet the Mirage landed safely at Thiruvananthapuram at 2.50 pm.

The next day, Jaspreet flew the Mirage to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited airfield in Bengaluru where it was fully repaired and returned to operational service almost four months later.

Jaspreet was conferred the Vayu Sena (Gallantry) medal by the President of India for his sincerity, exceptional courage and professionalism beyond the call of duty.

The ferry of Mirage-2000 across a stretch of 2126 nautical miles was one of the most challenging, daring and risky peacetime operations ever undertaken by a fighter aircraft in the history of the IAF, Singhs citation reads.

Documenting the mission, an internal note of the IAF said: Given the situation, not too many air forces in the world would have been bold enough to attempt this ferry. The IAF needs to be proud of this mission and the professionalism and courage shown by its personnel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday left on a four-day visit to the UK and the Maldives, expressing confidence that this will boost Indias ties with the two countries. In his departure statement, Modi said India and the United Kingdom share a comprehensive strategic partnership that has witnessed significant progress in recent years.

He noted that the collaboration between the two countries spans a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, technology, innovation, defence, education, research, sustainability, health and people-to-people ties.

During my meeting with Prime Minister Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer, we will have the opportunity to further enhance our economic partnership, aimed at fostering prosperity, growth and job creation in both countries, Modi said.

The PM will also meet King Charles III during the visit. Modi will then travel to the Maldives at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu in what is being seen as a breakthrough in the ties between the two countries following a spell of frostiness under Muizzu. Modi will join the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the independence of the Maldives.

The PM expressed confidence that the visit will yield tangible outcomes, benefiting people and advancing Indias Neighbourhood First Policy.

This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. I look forward to my meetings with President Muizzu and other political leadership, he said.
Rajya Sabha is likely to have a discussion on Operation Sindoor and Pahalgam terror attack next week. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh are expected to participate in the 16-hour debate. Lok Sabha has already scheduled a discussion on the issue on Monday.

While the Government had agreed to the 16-hour discussion in the Lok Sabha at the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting on July 21, a similar decision was taken at the Rajya Sabhas BAC meeting on Wednesday, amid the oppositions insistence that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should speak on the issue. The Lok Sabha will begin the discussion on July 28 and the Rajya Sabha a day later if there are no disruptions, sources said.

The Government, the sources said, has made no commitment on the oppositions demand for the prime ministers response but has cited its proposal for a parliamentary discussion next week on the ground that Modi will be back by then from his four-day foreign visit, for which he left on Wednesday.

A senior BJP leader said the debate on the conflict with Pakistan, which ensued after India retaliated under Operation Sindoor following the killing of 26 civilians in the Pahalgam terror attack, will not only have a strong national traction but will also be paid attention to by the global community.

The PM may choose the occasion to convey his Governments robust response to the terror attack and stand on a host of issues, the BJP leader said, adding that a final call has not been taken yet on whether Modi will speak or not.

The opposition has also demanded debate on a host of other topics, including the Bihar SIR, but the Government has given no assurance on it so far.

The debate has been timed to follow the Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations on July 26, signaling a strategic framing of the military action as a moment of national pride.

Defence Minister Singh has held a series of high-level meetings with Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, and the three service chiefs to finalise the Governments response, it was learnt.

Operation Sindoor, conducted on May 7, was launched in retaliation to the Pahalgam terror attack and involved targeted strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Prime Minister Modi later described it as a Vijay Utsav that showcased Indias indigenous military strength. The operation, which lasted just 22 minutes, was declared a complete success.

While announcing the special discussion, Union Minister JP Nadda reiterated the governments willingness to share all necessary details with the nation. Kiren Rijiju said such issues deserve meaningful debate and dialogue in Parliament.

Speaking after an all-party meeting, Rijiju said, We are open to discussing important issues like Operation Sindoor in Parliament. There must be coordination between the government and the Opposition to ensure proper functioning of the House.

The BAC meeting in the Rajya Sabha was attended by leaders of various parties and Leader of the House J P Nadda, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. The meeting was chaired by Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh.

This is the first time that the meeting of BAC is being held, after the same was rescheduled since Monday. On Monday evening, the first day of the Monsoon session, Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the post of vice president, leading to further postponement of the meeting.
Fighter jet Mig-21, the old warhorse of the Indian Air Force (IAF), will retire after more than 60 years of service and will be accorded a ceremonial send-off in September, it was learnt. The iconic fighter jet played a key role in major conflicts, including the 1965 and 1971 wars.

The last jet will be given a ceremonial send-off on September 19 at the Chandigarh airbase by the 23 Squadron (Panthers). Indigenously designed and manufactured Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA)will replace the MIG-21s.

Inducted into the Air Force in 1963, the MiG-21 is celebrated for its vital role in the India-Pakistan wars in 1965 and 1971, the 1999 Kargil war, the 2019 Balakot strikes and Operation Sindoor. The IAF currently operates two squadrons of MiG-21 Bison, comprising 36 aircraft. The last squadrons of the MiG-21s are currently stationed at the Nal air base in Rajasthan

At one point, the IAF had nearly 900 Mig-21s, including around 660 built in India. The fighter jet first entered service in 1963 on a trial basis. The Russian-made jet went on to form the backbone of the Air Force till the mid-2000s when the Sukhoi Su-30MKIs were brought in.

The final variant to serve India  the one that will now be phased out  was the Bison, which featured upgraded electronics and improved navigation and communications systems.

In October 2023, MiG-21 fighter aircraft from the No 4 squadron flew for one last time over the town of Barmer in Rajasthan, a farewell and thank you for the memories moment it shared with the planes taking up its role in the state that borders Pakistan, the also Russian-made Sukhoi.

In July 2022, the Air Force had confirmed a three-year timeline to phase out the four remaining MiG-21 squadrons still in service. The plan also involves phasing out the MiG-29s by 2027.

The phasing out of the MiG-21 fleet comes after numerous crashes involving the aging plane, including an incident in Rajasthan in May 2023 in which three villagers were killed.

Among the earlier squadrons to have been phased out was the Srinagar-based No 51, which took part in Operation Safed Sagar during the Kargil war. It also repulsed Pakistans retaliatory action in February 2019, a day after airstrikes in Balakot targeted terrorist camps in Pak.

Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, now a Group Captain, who shot down a Pakistani jet in aerial combat before he was forced down too and was captured, was from that squadron.

Meanwhile, India is also developing a fifth-generation stealth fighter that will vault the country into an elite club - one of only three other countries with such advanced fighter aircraft.

The multirole Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft will be a single-seat, twin-engine jet with advanced stealth coatings and internal weapons bays, and the plane, most of which will made in-house, at Bengalurus Aeronautical Development Agency, will cost over Rs 15,000 crore.
Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK  Get Free Report) posted its earnings results on Wednesday. The transportation company reported $1.78 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.56 by $0.22, Zacks reports. The firm had revenue of $3.70 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $3.65 billion. Alaska Air Group had a return on equity of 15.01% and a net margin of 2.86%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 27.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $2.55 earnings per share. Alaska Air Group updated its Q3 2025 guidance to 1.000-1.400 EPS and its FY 2025 guidance to 3.250- EPS.

Alaska Air Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE ALK opened at $53.79 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $6.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.56, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a current ratio of 0.56, a quick ratio of 0.52 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.05. Alaska Air Group has a 1-year low of $32.62 and a 1-year high of $78.08. The businesss 50 day moving average is $50.78 and its 200-day moving average is $56.19.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

ALK has been the topic of a number of research reports. Bank of America cut their price target on Alaska Air Group from $80.00 to $70.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, April 3rd. Barclays upped their target price on Alaska Air Group from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, July 10th. UBS Group began coverage on Alaska Air Group in a report on Monday, July 7th. They set a neutral rating and a $49.00 target price on the stock. TD Cowen upped their target price on Alaska Air Group from $54.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Susquehanna dropped their target price on Alaska Air Group from $95.00 to $55.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a report on Monday, April 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Alaska Air Group presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $66.83.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Andrew R. Harrison sold 7,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, May 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.51, for a total transaction of $401,325.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president owned 26,530 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,419,620.30. This represents a 22.04% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Emily Halverson sold 2,946 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $51.34, for a total value of $151,247.64. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 8,253 shares in the company, valued at $423,709.02. This represents a 26.31% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders have sold 10,479 shares of company stock worth $554,228. 1.00% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Alaska Air Group

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Intech Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Alaska Air Group in the 1st quarter valued at $1,318,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 81.7% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 340,258 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $16,747,000 after purchasing an additional 152,953 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 60.2% in the 1st quarter. Empowered Funds LLC now owns 6,423 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $316,000 after purchasing an additional 2,414 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Brighton Jones LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 2,046.4% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 96,932 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $6,276,000 after purchasing an additional 92,416 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.90% of the companys stock.

About Alaska Air Group

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Alaska Air Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates airlines. It operates through three segments: Mainline, Regional, and Horizon. The company offers scheduled air transportation services on Boeing jet aircraft for passengers and cargo in the United States, and in parts of Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, and the Bahamas; and for passengers across a shorter distance network within the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

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Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of Fortis (NYSE:FTS  Free Report) by 15.0% in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 7,741 shares of the utilities providers stock after purchasing an additional 1,009 shares during the period. Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in Fortis were worth $353,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Fortis in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,751,000. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC boosted its stake in shares of Fortis by 3.0% in the 4th quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 9,515 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $396,000 after buying an additional 277 shares during the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Fortis by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 91,121 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $3,786,000 after buying an additional 3,193 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC boosted its stake in shares of Fortis by 3.7% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 51,210 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $2,129,000 after buying an additional 1,810 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Fortis by 1.7% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 21,722,993 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $902,656,000 after buying an additional 364,391 shares during the last quarter. 57.77% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages have weighed in on FTS. Raymond James Financial raised Fortis from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a report on Tuesday. Desjardins started coverage on shares of Fortis in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. They set a hold rating on the stock. CIBC raised shares of Fortis from a neutral rating to a sector outperform rating in a report on Monday. TD Securities initiated coverage on Fortis in a research report on Friday, June 27th. They issued a buy rating on the stock. Finally, Cibc World Mkts upgraded Fortis from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Monday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have issued a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $72.00.

Fortis Stock Down 0.6%

Shares of NYSE:FTS opened at $48.78 on Thursday. Fortis has a 1 year low of $40.32 and a 1 year high of $50.06. The company has a market cap of $24.56 billion, a PE ratio of 20.58, a P/E/G ratio of 3.86 and a beta of 0.48. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.34, a current ratio of 0.76 and a quick ratio of 0.63. The stocks 50-day moving average is $47.62 and its 200 day moving average is $45.84.

Fortis (NYSE:FTS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The utilities provider reported $0.70 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.69 by $0.01. Fortis had a net margin of 14.20% and a return on equity of 7.08%. The company had revenue of $2.31 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.42 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $0.93 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Fortis will post 2.35 EPS for the current year.

Fortis Profile

(Free Report)

Fortis Inc operates as an electric and gas utility company in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean countries. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to approximately 447,000 retail customers in southeastern Arizona; and 103,000 retail customers in Arizona's Mohave and Santa Cruz counties with an aggregate capacity of 3,408 megawatts (MW), including 68 MW of solar capacity and 250 MV of wind capacity.

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Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich lessened its holdings in shares of Builders FirstSource, Inc. (NYSE:BLDR  Free Report) by 5.3% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 53,292 shares of the companys stock after selling 2,989 shares during the quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurichs holdings in Builders FirstSource were worth $6,708,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in BLDR. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH lifted its position in Builders FirstSource by 12.7% in the 1st quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH now owns 51,346 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,415,000 after acquiring an additional 5,789 shares in the last quarter. PFG Advisors lifted its position in Builders FirstSource by 8.7% in the 1st quarter. PFG Advisors now owns 4,191 shares of the companys stock valued at $524,000 after acquiring an additional 336 shares in the last quarter. Kailix Advisors LLC lifted its position in Builders FirstSource by 9.9% in the 1st quarter. Kailix Advisors LLC now owns 63,155 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,891,000 after acquiring an additional 5,690 shares in the last quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky lifted its position in Builders FirstSource by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Teachers Retirement System of The State of Kentucky now owns 44,295 shares of the companys stock valued at $5,535,000 after acquiring an additional 217 shares in the last quarter. Finally, IFP Advisors Inc lifted its position in Builders FirstSource by 16.2% in the 1st quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 2,120 shares of the companys stock valued at $265,000 after acquiring an additional 296 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 95.53% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating and set a $140.00 target price (down from $170.00) on shares of Builders FirstSource in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Robert W. Baird set a $130.00 target price on shares of Builders FirstSource in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on shares of Builders FirstSource in a research note on Tuesday, April 1st. They set a buy rating and a $151.00 target price for the company. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Builders FirstSource from $180.00 to $163.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on Builders FirstSource from $146.00 to $135.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research note on Monday, May 5th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $159.42.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Dirkson R. Charles bought 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, May 27th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $109.67 per share, for a total transaction of $548,350.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 5,000 shares in the company, valued at $548,350. This trade represents a  increase 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. Also, Director Paul S. Levy purchased 283,517 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 8th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $111.21 per share, for a total transaction of $31,529,925.57. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 1,672,687 shares of the companys stock, valued at $186,019,521.27. The trade was a 20.41% increase in their position. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders bought 505,000 shares of company stock worth $56,032,120. Company insiders own 2.00% of the companys stock.

Builders FirstSource Trading Up 3.0%

Shares of Builders FirstSource stock opened at $134.81 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.82 and a quick ratio of 1.07. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $117.99 and a 200 day moving average price of $129.75. Builders FirstSource, Inc. has a 1 year low of $102.60 and a 1 year high of $203.14. The stock has a market cap of $14.90 billion, a PE ratio of 17.28, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 11.88 and a beta of 1.69.

Builders FirstSource (NYSE:BLDR  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $1.51 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.50 by $0.01. Builders FirstSource had a net margin of 5.66% and a return on equity of 28.02%. The firm had revenue of $3.66 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.67 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $2.65 earnings per share. The firms revenue was down 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that Builders FirstSource, Inc. will post 11.59 earnings per share for the current year.

Builders FirstSource announced that its board has initiated a share repurchase plan on Thursday, May 1st that authorizes the company to repurchase $500.00 million in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the company to repurchase up to 3.9% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares repurchase plans are generally a sign that the companys board believes its shares are undervalued.

About Builders FirstSource

(Free Report)

Builders FirstSource, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures and supplies building materials, manufactured components, and construction services to professional homebuilders, sub-contractors, remodelers, and consumers in the United States. It offers lumber and lumber sheet goods comprising dimensional lumber, plywood, and oriented strand board products that are used in on-site house framing; manufactured products, such as wood floor and roof trusses, floor trusses, wall panels, stairs, and engineered wood products; and windows, and interior and exterior door units, as well as interior trims and custom products comprising intricate mouldings, stair parts, and columns under the Synboard brand name.

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International Business Machines (NYSE:IBM  Get Free Report) had its price target dropped by equities research analysts at Bank of America from $320.00 to $310.00 in a research report issued on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has a buy rating on the technology companys stock. Bank of Americas price objective would suggest a potential upside of 20.81% from the stocks previous close.

IBM has been the subject of several other reports. BMO Capital Markets raised their price target on shares of International Business Machines from $260.00 to $300.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Wall Street Zen cut International Business Machines from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, May 21st. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their target price on shares of International Business Machines from $270.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 2nd. Citigroup reiterated an outperform rating on shares of International Business Machines in a research note on Saturday, May 10th. Finally, KGI Securities set a $242.00 price target on shares of International Business Machines and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, International Business Machines presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $265.56.

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International Business Machines Stock Performance

IBM stock traded down $25.41 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $256.60. 5,916,543 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 4,278,388. The stock has a market cap of $238.49 billion, a P/E ratio of 44.17, a PEG ratio of 6.01 and a beta of 0.69. International Business Machines has a 52-week low of $181.81 and a 52-week high of $296.16. The stocks 50-day moving average is $277.95 and its 200 day moving average is $255.30. 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 (NYSE:IBM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 23rd. The technology company reported $2.80 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.65 by $0.15. The business had revenue of $16.98 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $16.58 billion. International Business Machines had a return on equity of 37.43% and a net margin of 8.71%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 7.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $2.43 EPS. As a group, analysts anticipate that International Business Machines will post 10.78 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On International Business Machines

Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Lifestyle Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of International Business Machines by 1.7% during the second quarter. Lifestyle Asset Management Inc. now owns 2,144 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $632,000 after purchasing an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Whelan Financial increased its holdings in International Business Machines by 2.4% in the second quarter. Whelan Financial now owns 1,525 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $450,000 after buying an additional 36 shares in the last quarter. Ignite Planners LLC grew its stake in International Business Machines by 0.9% in the 2nd quarter. Ignite Planners LLC now owns 3,964 shares of the technology companys stock worth $1,133,000 after acquiring an additional 36 shares during the period. Blue Edge Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of International Business Machines by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Blue Edge Capital LLC now owns 6,776 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $1,685,000 after acquiring an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Johnson Bixby & Associates LLC lifted its holdings in International Business Machines by 3.3% in the 2nd quarter. Johnson Bixby & Associates LLC now owns 1,208 shares of the technology companys stock worth $356,000 after buying an additional 39 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.96% of the companys stock.

About International Business Machines

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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.

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Ghe LLC decreased its position in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 1.1% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 15,026 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 164 shares during the period. Abbott Laboratories accounts for 0.9% of Ghe LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 23rd biggest holding. Ghe LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $1,993,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Hughes Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Abound Financial LLC purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Redwood Park Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. JCIC Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter valued at $32,000. Finally, WealthTrak Capital Management LLC bought a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at $28,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.18% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on ABT. Raymond James Financial dropped their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $142.00 to $141.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 18th. Leerink Partnrs upgraded shares of Abbott Laboratories to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, June 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $147.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. BTIG Research decreased their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $148.00 to $145.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, July 18th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $135.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $144.47.

Abbott Laboratories Trading Down 0.4%

NYSE ABT traded down $0.56 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $125.27. The company had a trading volume of 947,799 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,959,012. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $132.71 and a 200 day moving average of $129.70. Abbott Laboratories has a 1-year low of $99.92 and a 1-year high of $141.23. The company has a current ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The stock has a market capitalization of $217.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.73.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.26 earnings per share for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.26. The firm had revenue of $11.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.01 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 32.43% and a return on equity of 18.83%. The firms revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.14 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 15th will be given 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 1.88%. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 29.57%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Abbott Laboratories news, Director Sally E. Blount sold 2,600 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, April 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total value of $337,116.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 34,058 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,415,960.28. This trade represents a 7.09% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 0.46% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Abbott Laboratories 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.

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KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS grew its position in Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE:CARR  Free Report) by 1.7% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 293,085 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 4,800 shares during the quarter. KLP Kapitalforvaltning ASs holdings in Carrier Global were worth $18,582,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Ritter Daniher Financial Advisory LLC DE increased its holdings in Carrier Global by 90.0% in the 4th quarter. Ritter Daniher Financial Advisory LLC DE now owns 380 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 180 shares during the period. Park Square Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in Carrier Global during the 4th quarter worth about $28,000. Mattson Financial Services LLC bought a new stake in Carrier Global during the 4th quarter worth about $31,000. Investment Research & Advisory Group Inc. bought a new stake in Carrier Global during the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in Carrier Global by 236.1% during the 4th quarter. Meeder Asset Management Inc. now owns 484 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 340 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 91.00% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In related news, Director Maximilian Viessmann sold 4,267,425 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $70.30, for a total value of $299,999,977.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 54,341,534 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $3,820,209,840.20. This represents a 7.28% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 7.20% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Robert W. Baird cut their price target on shares of Carrier Global from $88.00 to $85.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Northcoast Research upgraded shares of Carrier Global from a neutral rating to a buy rating and set a $85.00 price target on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Citigroup restated a buy rating and set a $89.00 target price (up from $82.00) on shares of Carrier Global in a report on Monday, July 14th. Mizuho set a $72.00 price target on shares of Carrier Global in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Carrier Global from $83.00 to $84.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $84.65.

Read Our Latest Research Report on CARR

Carrier Global Stock Performance

NYSE:CARR opened at $79.62 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $68.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.08 and a beta of 1.31. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78. The stocks 50-day moving average is $73.32 and its 200-day moving average is $68.05. Carrier Global Corporation has a 1-year low of $54.22 and a 1-year high of $83.32.

Carrier Global (NYSE:CARR  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $0.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.58 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $5.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.17 billion. Carrier Global had a net margin of 25.45% and a return on equity of 18.10%. The companys revenue for the quarter was down 3.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.51 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Carrier Global Corporation will post 2.99 earnings per share for the current year.

Carrier Global Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 8th. Investors of record on Monday, July 21st will be issued a $0.225 dividend. This represents a $0.90 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.13%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 21st. Carrier Globals dividend payout ratio is currently 13.93%.

About Carrier Global

(Free Report)

Carrier Global Corporation provides heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC), refrigeration, fire, security, and building automation technologies in the United States, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. It operates through three segments: HVAC, Refrigeration, and Fire & Security.

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Kovack Advisors Inc. cut its stake in shares of CocaCola Company (The) (NYSE:KO  Free Report) by 12.7% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 27,611 shares of the companys stock after selling 4,019 shares during the quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc.s holdings in CocaCola were worth $1,978,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators lifted its position in CocaCola by 0.7% during the first quarter. Deseret Mutual Benefit Administrators now owns 20,099 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,439,000 after buying an additional 143 shares during the period. MBA Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of CocaCola by 1.2% during the 1st quarter. MBA Advisors LLC now owns 12,443 shares of the companys stock worth $891,000 after acquiring an additional 143 shares in the last quarter. BXM Wealth LLC increased its position in shares of CocaCola by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. BXM Wealth LLC now owns 3,532 shares of the companys stock valued at $253,000 after purchasing an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. MTM Investment Management LLC grew its position in CocaCola by 0.3% in the 1st quarter. MTM Investment Management LLC now owns 50,612 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,637,000 after acquiring an additional 144 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Navis Wealth Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of CocaCola by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. Navis Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,594 shares of the companys stock worth $257,000 after buying an additional 146 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 70.26% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, EVP Beatriz R. Perez sold 60,326 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, May 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.87, for a total transaction of $4,335,629.62. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 187,716 shares of the companys stock, valued at $13,491,148.92. This trade represents a 24.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CFO John Murphy sold 88,658 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.09, for a total value of $6,391,355.22. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 205,511 shares in the company, valued at $14,815,287.99. This trade represents a 30.14% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 415,387 shares of company stock valued at $29,923,985 over the last 90 days. 0.97% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

KO has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a $81.00 price target on shares of CocaCola in a research note on Monday, June 9th. Barclays reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of CocaCola in a research report on Thursday, March 27th. Cfra Research upgraded CocaCola to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on CocaCola from $77.00 to $79.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, BNP Paribas restated an outperform rating and issued a $83.00 target price on shares of CocaCola in a report on Monday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $77.07.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on KO

CocaCola Price Performance

CocaCola stock opened at $69.15 on Thursday. CocaCola Company has a 52 week low of $60.62 and a 52 week high of $74.38. The stock has a market cap of $297.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.52, a P/E/G ratio of 3.65 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49. The companys 50 day moving average price is $70.74 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $69.23.

CocaCola (NYSE:KO  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 22nd. The company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.83 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $12.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $12.55 billion. CocaCola had a net margin of 25.89% and a return on equity of 44.91%. CocaColas quarterly revenue was up 2.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $0.84 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that CocaCola Company will post 2.96 earnings per share for the current year.

CocaCola Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 1st. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.51 per share. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.95%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, September 15th. CocaColas payout ratio is 72.34%.

About CocaCola

(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.

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Oak Thistle LLC lessened its stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:BR  Free Report) by 7.4% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 5,084 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 405 shares during the quarter. Oak Thistle LLCs holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions were worth $1,233,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in BR. Golden State Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Broadridge Financial Solutions by 2,620.0% during the 1st quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 136 shares of the business services providers stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 131 shares during the last quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC boosted its position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions by 48.4% during the 1st quarter. Continuum Advisory LLC now owns 141 shares of the business services providers stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 46 shares in the last quarter. Olde Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at about $36,000. Finally, Minot DeBlois Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions during the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. 90.03% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages recently weighed in on BR. Needham & Company LLC began coverage on Broadridge Financial Solutions in a report on Tuesday, May 6th. They set a buy rating and a $300.00 price target for the company. Wall Street Zen raised Broadridge Financial Solutions from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, May 9th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $259.00 price target on shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions in a report on Monday, May 19th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $250.83.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Maura A. Markus sold 3,556 shares of Broadridge Financial Solutions stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $243.08, for a total value of $864,392.48. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 30,892 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,509,227.36. The trade was a 10.32% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Thomas P. Carey sold 3,607 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $237.26, for a total value of $855,796.82. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 6,077 shares in the company, valued at $1,441,829.02. This represents a 37.25% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 18,116 shares of company stock valued at $4,352,298. Insiders own 1.30% of the companys stock.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Price Performance

NYSE BR opened at $242.80 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $28.52 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.51 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.44. Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. has a 1 year low of $202.84 and a 1 year high of $247.01. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $239.99 and a 200 day simple moving average of $236.69.

Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE:BR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The business services provider reported $2.44 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.41 by $0.03. Broadridge Financial Solutions had a net margin of 11.65% and a return on equity of 44.82%. The company had revenue of $1.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $1.86 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.23 EPS. The businesss revenue was up 5.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will post 8.53 EPS for the current year.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, July 2nd. Shareholders of record on Thursday, June 12th were paid a $0.88 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, June 12th. This represents a $3.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.45%. Broadridge Financial Solutionss dividend payout ratio is 52.93%.

Broadridge Financial Solutions Company Profile

(Free Report)

Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc provides investor communications and technology-driven solutions for the financial services industry. The company's Investor Communication Solutions segment processes and distributes proxy materials to investors in equity securities and mutual funds, as well as facilitates related vote processing services; and distributes regulatory reports, class action, and corporate action/reorganization event information, as well as tax reporting solutions.

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One Wealth Advisors LLC reduced its holdings in shares of iShares Europe ETF (NYSEARCA:IEV  Free Report) by 0.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 121,916 shares of the companys stock after selling 274 shares during the quarter. iShares Europe ETF makes up approximately 1.1% of One Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings, making the stock its 23rd biggest position. One Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in iShares Europe ETF were worth $7,096,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Kestra Private Wealth Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of iShares Europe ETF during the first quarter valued at about $213,000. Private Advisor Group LLC grew its stake in shares of iShares Europe ETF by 27.3% during the 1st quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 16,963 shares of the companys stock worth $987,000 after acquiring an additional 3,636 shares during the period. Nwam LLC lifted its position in iShares Europe ETF by 31.6% in the 1st quarter. Nwam LLC now owns 10,207 shares of the companys stock worth $594,000 after buying an additional 2,448 shares during the last quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. increased its stake in shares of iShares Europe ETF by 723.4% during the first quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 35,960 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,093,000 after buying an additional 31,593 shares during the period. Finally, MA Private Wealth boosted its holdings in iShares Europe ETF by 227.8% in the first quarter. MA Private Wealth now owns 15,349 shares of the companys stock worth $893,000 after acquiring an additional 10,667 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Europe ETF Stock Down 0.8%

Shares of IEV opened at $64.39 on Thursday. The business has a 50-day simple moving average of $63.10 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $59.33. The stock has a market cap of $2.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.48 and a beta of 0.92. iShares Europe ETF has a 52 week low of $51.30 and a 52 week high of $65.08.

About iShares Europe ETF

iShares Europe ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P Europe 350 Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P Europe 350 (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the stocks of companies in the countries, which includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

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Pinnacle Associates Ltd. lessened its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 1.0% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 38,611 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 382 shares during the period. Pinnacle Associates Ltd.s holdings in The Goldman Sachs Group were worth $21,093,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mascagni Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group during the 4th quarter valued at $31,000. American Capital Advisory LLC bought a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 1st quarter worth $29,000. Transce3nd LLC bought a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 4th quarter worth $31,000. Godsey & Gibb Inc. raised its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 170.0% during the 1st quarter. Godsey & Gibb Inc. now owns 54 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 34 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC raised its position in The Goldman Sachs Group by 326.7% during the 1st quarter. Lowe Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 64 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $35,000 after purchasing an additional 49 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.21% of the companys stock.

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The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Up 2.3%

The Goldman Sachs Group stock opened at $716.78 on Thursday. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $437.37 and a fifty-two week high of $726.00. The firms fifty day moving average price is $653.33 and its 200-day moving average price is $603.62. The stock has a market cap of $219.94 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.80, a PEG ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.26, a quick ratio of 0.68 and a current ratio of 1.12.

The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend

The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 16th. The investment management company reported $10.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $9.82 by $1.09. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 12.37% and a return on equity of 13.84%. The company had revenue of $14.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.53 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $8.62 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 14.5% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 29th will be given a dividend of $4.00 per share. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.23%. This is a positive change from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $3.00. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 29th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 26.44%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently issued reports on GS. Wall Street Zen raised The Goldman Sachs Group from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, July 12th. Evercore ISI set a $715.00 price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. HSBC reissued a reduce rating and issued a $627.00 price objective (up from $558.00) on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $550.00 to $700.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Monday. Finally, Daiwa America lowered The Goldman Sachs Group from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, April 4th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $660.00.

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The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements.

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Montgomery Investment Management Inc. increased its stake in shares of Rayonier Inc. (NYSE:RYN  Free Report) by 5.0% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 20,528 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after purchasing an additional 985 shares during the period. Montgomery Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Rayonier were worth $572,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. American National Bank & Trust purchased a new stake in Rayonier during the 1st quarter valued at about $28,000. Parallel Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Rayonier by 133.5% during the 1st quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 1,123 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 642 shares in the last quarter. Byrne Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in Rayonier during the 1st quarter worth approximately $38,000. Covestor Ltd raised its holdings in shares of Rayonier by 30.0% in the 4th quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,317 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $60,000 after purchasing an additional 535 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of Rayonier by 54.6% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,680 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $75,000 after purchasing an additional 947 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.12% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

RYN has been the topic of several research reports. Citigroup lowered their price objective on shares of Rayonier from $27.00 to $26.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, June 3rd. Truist Financial cut their target price on shares of Rayonier from $30.00 to $27.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. Wall Street Zen raised shares of Rayonier from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 13th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Rayonier from $28.00 to $27.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Rayonier has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $27.75.

Rayonier Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:RYN traded down $0.06 on Thursday, reaching $24.08. 124,335 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,109,657. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.75 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.34 and a beta of 1.02. Rayonier Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $21.84 and a fifty-two week high of $32.88. The businesss 50-day moving average is $23.31 and its two-hundred day moving average is $24.97. The company has a quick ratio of 2.60, a current ratio of 2.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.54.

Rayonier (NYSE:RYN  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The real estate investment trust reported ($0.02) EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.08 by ($0.10). The firm had revenue of $82.90 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $152.99 million. Rayonier had a return on equity of 3.29% and a net margin of 30.09%. The firms revenue was down 27.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $0.01 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Rayonier Inc. will post 0.55 EPS for the current year.

Rayonier Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 16th will be given a $0.2725 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 16th. This represents a $1.09 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.53%. Rayoniers dividend payout ratio is presently 46.78%.

About Rayonier

(Free Report)

Rayonier is a leading timberland real estate investment trust with assets located in some of the most productive softwood timber growing regions in the United States and New Zealand. As of December 31, 2023, Rayonier owned or leased under long-term agreements approximately 2.7 million acres of timberlands located in the U.S.

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Royce & Associates LP lowered its position in shares of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE:BC  Free Report) by 5.6% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 488,004 shares of the companys stock after selling 28,875 shares during the quarter. Royce & Associates LPs holdings in Brunswick were worth $26,279,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in shares of Brunswick by 4,972.7% in the 1st quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 558 shares of the companys stock worth $30,000 after purchasing an additional 547 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in shares of Brunswick by 695.7% in the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 732 shares of the companys stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 640 shares during the period. First Horizon Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Brunswick by 171.6% in the 1st quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 755 shares of the companys stock worth $41,000 after purchasing an additional 477 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC raised its holdings in shares of Brunswick by 451.0% in the 1st quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 810 shares of the companys stock worth $44,000 after purchasing an additional 663 shares during the period. Finally, Quarry LP bought a new stake in shares of Brunswick in the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,000. Institutional investors own 99.34% of the companys stock.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Brunswick

In other Brunswick news, VP Christopher F. Dekker sold 2,092 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,599,927.02. This trade represents a 4.49% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Corporate insiders own 0.81% of the companys stock.

Brunswick Trading Down 4.5%

BC stock traded down $2.88 during trading on Thursday, reaching $61.81. The company had a trading volume of 949,678 shares, compared to its average volume of 957,174. Brunswick Corporation has a 52 week low of $41.00 and a 52 week high of $87.65. The company has a market cap of $4.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 51.13 and a beta of 1.27. The business has a 50 day moving average of $56.08 and a 200 day moving average of $56.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12, a current ratio of 1.57 and a quick ratio of 0.65.

Brunswick (NYSE:BC  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The company reported $1.16 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.92 by $0.24. Brunswick had a net margin of 1.62% and a return on equity of 12.88%. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.80 earnings per share. The companys revenue was up .2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Brunswick Corporation will post 4.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Brunswick Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 20th will be paid a dividend of $0.43 per share. This represents a $1.72 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.78%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 20th. Brunswicks dividend payout ratio is 142.15%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on BC shares. Robert W. Baird boosted their target price on shares of Brunswick from $56.00 to $60.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. BMO Capital Markets decreased their price target on shares of Brunswick from $75.00 to $65.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 25th. DA Davidson reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $43.00 price target (down previously from $64.00) on shares of Brunswick in a report on Monday, April 28th. Roth Capital upped their price target on shares of Brunswick from $60.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Benchmark initiated coverage on shares of Brunswick in a research report on Monday, April 28th. They issued a buy rating and a $70.00 target price for the company. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $69.86.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Brunswick

Brunswick Company Profile

(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.

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SpringVest Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM  Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 1,713 shares of the oil and gas companys stock, valued at approximately $204,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Exxon Mobil by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 93,299,598 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $10,023,875,000 after acquiring an additional 1,104,617 shares during the period. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Exxon Mobil in the 4th quarter worth approximately $6,936,737,000. Northern Trust Corp boosted its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 7.0% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 46,017,358 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $4,950,087,000 after purchasing an additional 2,998,892 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 45,323,453 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $5,390,318,000 after purchasing an additional 1,340,343 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its position in shares of Exxon Mobil by 13.1% in the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 35,662,602 shares of the oil and gas companys stock worth $3,836,226,000 after purchasing an additional 4,140,046 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 61.80% of the companys stock.

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Exxon Mobil Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:XOM traded up $0.21 on Thursday, hitting $110.14. 1,414,109 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 16,815,277. Exxon Mobil Corporation has a 1-year low of $97.80 and a 1-year high of $126.34. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $108.65 and its 200 day moving average price is $108.98. The company has a current ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12. The firm has a market capitalization of $474.67 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.55, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.02 and a beta of 0.50.

Exxon Mobil Dividend Announcement

Exxon Mobil ( NYSE:XOM Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, May 2nd. The oil and gas company reported $1.76 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.73 by $0.03. Exxon Mobil had a net margin of 9.49% and a return on equity of 12.06%. The business had revenue of $83.13 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $86.11 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.06 earnings per share. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up .1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Exxon Mobil Corporation will post 7.43 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 10th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 15th were given a dividend of $0.99 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $3.96 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.60%. Exxon Mobils dividend payout ratio is presently 52.52%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Morgan Stanley reissued an overweight rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. Wells Fargo & Company set a $127.00 price objective on Exxon Mobil and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, June 26th. Wall Street Zen upgraded Exxon Mobil from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, June 27th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating on shares of Exxon Mobil in a research note on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Mizuho cut their price target on Exxon Mobil from $129.00 to $124.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, May 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have assigned a hold rating, eight have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $125.42.

View Our Latest Report on XOM

Exxon Mobil Company Profile

(Free Report)

Exxon Mobil Corporation engages in the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas in the United States and internationally. It operates through Upstream, Energy Products, Chemical Products, and Specialty Products segments. The Upstream segment explores for and produces crude oil and natural gas.

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A quiet but sweeping transformation is underway across rural England. Beneath the banner of climate progress, hundreds of thousands of acres of the nations most fertile and biodiverse land are now under imminent threat.

A new analysis by the Stop Oversized Solar campaign reveals that the scale of solar power development in the UK is far more extensive and alarming than the government has admitted.

At stake is not merely the view from a village lane, the babbling brooks, the ancient oak forests or the fate of a few fields, but the future of our farmland, wildlife habitats, and the character of the countryside itself.

Eco-Suicide

Mad Ed Miliband and his grotesque eco-zealot Net Zero crusade will destroy hundreds of thousands of acres of Englands countryside.

According to the campaigns findings, some 655,000 acres of cropland, an area equivalent to the entire county of Derbyshire, are currently targeted for solar development. This figure dwarfs the claims made by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), which has insisted that even the most ambitious solar expansion scenarios would affect less than one percent of UK agricultural land.

In reality, the solar pipeline now threatens to consume nearly three percent of it, with an astonishing five percent of the nations cropland marked for transformation into vast industrial energy farms.

Killing off fertile farmland

Much of this land lies in the UKs agricultural heartlands: Lincolnshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, and Yorkshire.

In some areas, such as Lincolnshire, a county long considered part of the countrys breadbasket, solar proposals are targeting up to nine percent of local farmland.

These figures are not theoretical; they represent actual planning applications, many of them well advanced. The implications are profound.

At a time when the UK already imports 40% of its food, sacrificing such an immense area of productive farmland for solar panels risks deepening our dependence on overseas supplies while undermining food security for decades to come.

Enablers of ecological destruction

This unprecedented shift has been quietly enabled by a significant policy change at DESNZ. Originally, the governments Clean Power 2030 plan set separate targets for rooftop and ground-mounted solar schemes, with a preference for distribution-based projects like rooftop arrays on warehouses, car park canopies, and community installations.

But in April 2025, following a sustained lobbying campaign by solar developers, many of them backed by international investors, those separate targets were scrapped. In their place is a single-unified system that overwhelmingly favours large-scale, land-hungry solar farms, officially known as Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs).

These NSIPs are no modest rural interventions. The Cleve Hill Solar Park in Kent, the only NSIP currently operational, spans 900 acres, yet it is among the smallest of whats to come.

The average scheme now in the pipeline is approximately 2,000 acres, and one proposal exceeds 7,000. Each of these schemes has the footprint of an international airport and typically requires a minimum 4060-year operating lifespan.

While developers often tout them as temporary, research by soil scientists, including studies commissioned by ADAS, suggests that such developments cause long-term, often irreversible, damage to soil structure and fertility, making eventual reversion to agriculture highly unlikely.

The governments justification for this strategic pivot is rooted in its renewable energy targets. But even this rationale falters under scrutiny.

The UKs solar power output is staggeringly inefficient: despite 17.8GW of installed capacity, the average output is just 1.77GW  equating to a meagre 9.9% yield. The World Bank ranks the UK 229th out of 230 countries for solar generation potential, yet Britain is now an outlier in its aggressive push to cover farmland with solar panels.

France, Italy and Germany ban solar development on agricultural land

Nations like France and Italy have taken steps to ban or restrict solar development on agricultural land, while Germany has sited its largest solar farms on former mines and airfields, none exceeding 600 acres. The UKs approach stands in stark contrast.

The environmental costs extend beyond food production. The industrialisation of the countryside through mega solar installations fragments wildlife habitats, disrupts migration corridors, and displaces native species.

Once its gone  its gone forever

The hedgerows, meadows, and quiet, ecologically rich spaces that define rural England are being replaced with sterile grids of glass and metal. With so much land converted to energy production, biodiversity suffers and rural character is erased.

Inefficient and unsustainable

Ironically, this land grab proceeds even as the very systems needed to accommodate the additional solar power falter. The National Energy System Operator (NESO) has warned that grid connection queues are already oversubscribed.

In fact, the current solar pipeline totals 131GW, nearly double the governments 2035 target of 70GW. During peak summer months, NESO has had to order solar sites to switch off due to oversupply, compensating developers for energy that is never used. With limited battery storage capacity, most systems store power for just a few hours, this oversaturation will likely lead to even more waste and higher curtailment payments.

Worse still, the reallocation of grid access to favour massive transmission-scale projects has sidelined smaller, local schemes. Thousands of rooftop solar proposals on retail parks, industrial buildings, car parks, and in community settings are now at risk of being crowded outdespite being highlighted as a priority in DESNZs own Solar Roadmap, published as recently as June 2025. This so-called rooftop revolution is being eclipsed by industrial-scale land-take, enabled by policy reversals and backroom lobbying.

STOP OVERSIZED SOLAR

Professor Tony Day, a spokesperson for Stop Oversized Solar, captures the frustration shared by many in rural communities.

The more solar capacity we install, the more we rely on an unreliable source of energy. Its much more logical to prioritise local schemes like rooftop arrays or car park canopies instead of blanketing good farmland with inefficient solar panels. Yet these are the very schemes now being squeezed out.

This is not a question of being anti-renewables. It is a call for intelligent planning, proportion, and protection of the landscape. The industrial-scale solar schemes now being waved through do not represent green energy at its best. They represent an unsustainable and ill-considered reconfiguration of our countryside  driven not by need, but by developer interest and political expediency.

The campaigns warning is stark: England is sleepwalking into a transformation of its rural landscape on a scale not seen since the Enclosure Acts of the 18th century.

What is being lost: productive farmland, vital habitats, and the pastoral identity of England itself may never be reclaimed.

If sustainability is truly the goal, then sacrificing our best land for the least efficient form of renewable energy is not progress. Its a mistake we may not be able to undo. The great solar land grab will ensure Britain declines further into a dark, dystopian hellhole of ultimate self-destruction.
In the early morning of November 13, 2022, the lives of two students from the University of Idaho changed forever. Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen survived one of the most brutal crimes recorded on an American university campus, a night in which their four roommates were murdered while they slept.

According to DefensaCentral, that day became a nightmare that continues to mark their lives. When they went up the stairs of their shared residence on King Road, Moscow, they discovered that Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin (Xana's boyfriend) had been stabbed to death during the night.

The person responsible, Bryan Kohberger, was arrested weeks later in Pennsylvania. A former doctoral student, he was linked to the case by DNA matches and mobile phone signals. In July 2025, he confessed to the crimes and was sentenced to four life sentences without parole plus an additional 10 years for robbery. During his sentencing, Funke and Mortensen spoke publicly for the first time, sharing statements full of pain.

Today, Bethany and Dylan lead another life far from there

Mortensen remembered the victims as
A cross-community volunteer network of women living across the North has called on Stormont to "recognise male violence against women and children is a national emergency, and implement an urgent, properly funded, dedicated strategy to prevent and respond to male violence, especially within family settings".

The NI Women's Rights Network was responding to the deaths of Vanessa Whyte and her children Sarah and James in a shooting incident in Maguiresbridge in County Fermanagh on Wednesday.

Between January 2020 and July 2025 in the North, 28 women have been violently killed, all but one by a man, with 42 confirmed femicides since 2017.

In Derry alone three women have been murdered in that time. Ardmore showjumper, Katie Simpson (21) was murdered in August 2020; Sophie Watson (57) from Magherafelt was murdered in August 2024; and Montserrat Martorell (65) was murdered in the city in September 2024.

Describing the tragedy in Maguiresbridge as "horrific", a NI Women's Rights Network spokesperson said: "We are tired of watching the same patterns unfold while those with power fail to act."

"We are devastated and enraged following the deaths of a woman and two children in Maguiresbridge, County Fermanagh," added the spokesperson.

"All three died from gunshot wounds in what police have described as a domestic incident. All were members of the same household.

"We grieve for their lives and for the community now shattered by this horrific violence. But our grief is not quiet. We are also furious because this keeps happening, and those in power continue to look away.

"Just weeks ago, Sarah Montgomery  a 27-year-old pregnant woman and mother of two  was murdered in Donaghadee. She was the 27th woman murdered in Northern Ireland since 2020. And now, we are also mourning the deaths of another woman and two children.

"This is not rare. It is not unthinkable. It is happening again and again  behind closed doors, in homes, in quiet communities and it is being met with political silence," said the spokesperson.

Women's Rights Network NI called "once again on Stormont to: recognise male violence against women and children as a national emergency; and implement an urgent, properly funded, dedicated strategy to prevent and respond to male violence, especially within family settings".

"It also needs to invest immediately in specialist services that support women, children, and survivors of domestic abuse; and deliver cross-departmental action that addresses prevention, early intervention, and long-term cultural change," said the spokesperson.

"We are grieving. We are angry. And we are tired of watching the same patterns unfold while those with power fail to act.

"If three people had been shot dead by a stranger in a public place, the response would be immediate and unequivocal. But because this happened in a home, it risks being quietly forgotten, just another footnote in Northern Irelands long, shameful record of ignoring male violence. This must end. We demand action, now."
PICTURED ABOVE: Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Niree McMorris, who officially launched the new 17.5m Arbour Housing development in the city, are Kieran Matthews, Chief Executive of Arbour Housing; Jordan Allingham of EHA Group; Angela Clarke, Chair of Arbour Housing; and Arbour Housing board members Will Chambre and Jonathan Hool.

Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Niree McMorris, officially launched the new 17.5m Arbour Housing development, one of the largest high-quality affordable housing developments in the city, aimed at meeting urgent housing needs across the city.

Located on Buncrana Road, in one of the citys most in-demand areas for social housing, the new homes offer a mix of property types designed to meet a range of needs. The 98 homes range from apartments to houses, housing for over 55s, and some which are fully wheelchair accessible.

Built in partnership with contractor EHA Group, the 17.5 million development was supported and funded by the Department for Communities (DfC), the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), and funded also by Danske Bank.

Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said I welcome the development of these much-needed social homes by Arbour Housing Association at Buncrana Road, Londonderry. These homes will help address significant housing need in the area and benefit the people who live locally, as well as the wider community.

Projects like this are the result of a tremendous amount of work, involving individuals, organisations, communities and government at various levels. I commend Arbour Housing, and indeed all those involved, in bringing forward this development.

Kieran Matthews, Arbour Housing Chief Executive, said: This development is about providing homes and serving the community. With waiting lists in the area at critical levels this development represents vital new capacity in a strained housing market. Its about creating a sustainable community where people can live, share and grow.

"Arbour Housing is proud to offer homes designed with dignity, accessibility, and long-term comfort in mind.

Arbour Housing tenant Nicole Armstrong invited Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Niree McMorris, and Angela Clarke, Chair of Arbour Housing, into her home at the official launch of the new 17.5m Arbour Housing development in the city.

"These 98 new homes will make a real difference to families, older people, and individuals with additional needs who have been waiting far too long for a place to call home.

Templemore Crescent and Faustina Terrace is one of the most significant developments for Arbour Housing and this milestone reflects our continued dedication to providing sustainable and inclusive housing solutions across Northern Ireland.

The development has also been praised for its design quality and environmental standards. All homes feature modern architecture and incorporate energy-efficient principles to help reduce heating costs and support a greener future.

Financial support for the development came from Danske Bank, which has worked closely with Arbour Housing throughout the project.

Senior Corporate Banking Manager at Danske Bank, Dominic ONeill, said: Congratulations to Arbour Housing on the launch of their new development in Derry.

IN PICTURES: Family fun day at Arbour Housing development official launch in Derry

"There is an ongoing demand for affordable housing all across Northern Ireland, and at Danske Bank we are really pleased to be providing support to Arbour Housing as it meets this need and opens this new development in the north-west.

"With ambitions to deliver high-quality, affordable homes to communities across the country, we look forward to continuing to work together and seeing developments progress.

Deputy Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Niree McMorris, pictured with Kieran Matthews of Arbour Housing, Ciara Ferguson MLA, Mark H Durkan MLA and Cllr Sandra Duffy.

Arbour Housings delivery of new homes offers a crucial boost to the social housing supply in the region. In particular, the inclusion of fully wheelchair-accessible units responds directly to the needs of those requiring accessible accommodation, a segment often underserved.

Kieran added: This project is a testament to what can be achieved through collaboration, community focus, and a shared commitment to building better futures. Arbour Housing continues to look ahead to further opportunities to expand its footprint and deliver more homes where they are needed most.

Formed in 1978, Arbour Housing believes in social and affordable housing as a welcoming place, a shared space, a place of shelter for families to live and communities to grow. www.arbourhousing.org
Derrys leading community arts festival, Feile Derry, has launched its biggest ever programme of events which will feature music, family gatherings, award-winning films, discussions, sport, exhibitions, older peoples events and much more.

Mayor of Derry City & Strabane Ruairi McHugh officially launched this years programme which includes over 150 events taking place at 60 venues across the Bogside, Brandywell, Creggan, and Fountain neighbourhoods and the city centre.

A Feile spokesperson said 2025 is one of the most exciting editions in the festivals 33-year history.

Were delighted to launch our biggest programme of events for Feile 2025.

This years line-up offers something for everyone, bringing families and neighbours together to celebrate whats great about our communities and the citys immense talent.

One of Irelands great musicians, Martin Hayes, and local sensation SOAK will headline our music line-up alongside award-winning films, discussions, our biggest ever programme of family celebrations, and a wide range of events for all ages.

Theres been a huge amount of work behind the scenes from our community partners and volunteers whose commitment make Feile a special event every year, and ensure the festival continues to grow stronger.

We cant wait to welcome everyone to Feile 2025 as we mark 33 years of the festival - it's a chance to come together and celebrate our neighbourhoods, our creativity, and what makes our communities great places to live, work, play and visit.

Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council, Ruairi McHugh said: Im really pleased to launch the biggest ever programme of Feile events in the city. It's always a real highlight of the summer across the neighbourhood.

Feile continues to lead the way in bringing our communities together, creating opportunities for people of all ages to connect, celebrate, and look forward through arts, sports, family gatherings, music, discussions and more.

This years line-up is really exciting and reflects the positive work that is happening right across the city to highlight everything that is good about our communities and the people who live in them.

Derry is a city bursting with endless talent, creativity, and energy, and events like Feile are crucial in showcasing that to the world, helping our city reach its full potential and thrive.

I want to wish the team at Feile Derry every success for this years festival, and I hope everyone attending the events has a fantastic time."

The full Feile programme of events is available now at www.feilederry.com/feile-2025

READ NEXT: Conradh na Gaeilge President to deliver Donncha Mac Niallais Memorial Lecture at Feile Derry 2025

Feile 2025 would not be possible without the support of our funders, including The Executive Office, Derry City & Strabane District Council, Department of Foreign Affairs and the collaboration of the many groups, initiatives, volunteers and residents who have come together to shape this programme of events.
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By CATHY BUSSEWITZ

Associated Press

NEW YORK  The U.S. Department of Labor is aiming to rewrite or repeal more than 60 obsolete workplace regulations, ranging from minimum wage requirements for home health care workers and people with disabilities to standards governing exposure to harmful substances.

If approved, the wide-ranging changes unveiled this month also would affect working conditions at constructions sites and in mines, and limit the government's ability to penalize employers if workers are injured or killed while engaging in inherently risky activities such as movie stunts or animal training.





. . .
At just 19, Grainne Cumiskey, a second-year Business with Management student at DkIT, has already taken on multiple leadership roles while mapping out a clear path for her future in marketing and education.

The Kilkerley native is studying for a Level 8 degree.

Having attended Colaiste Ris Secondary School in Dundalk, Grainne knew early on that DkIT was the right choice for her and had her sights set on a Business degree from Transition Year onwards.

While she also considered Event Management and Hospitality Management, DkITs spring open day solidified her decision to pursue Business with Management.

Grainne was drawn to the course for its variety of modules and the opportunities for both work placement and Erasmus in third year.

READ NEXT: Louth independent bookstore receives grant to bring community ideas to life

As she heads into year three, she has successfully secured an Erasmus in Portugal, where she will attend the Polytechnic Institute of Setubal, situated in the coastal city about 50 km south of Lisbon to study International Business from September until June.

Speaking about the opportunity, Grainne said: Its my first time living away from homelet alone in another countrybut Im so grateful for this opportunity to get the best of both worlds and experience a new culture while I study.

"Ill be living in the town centre with nine other roommates, which is a little nerve-wracking but mostly exciting. I cant wait to get started!

Moving abroad will be a big change for Grainne, but the Polytechnic Institute of Setubal has only a slightly larger student population than DkIT.

Small class sizes were one of the main reasons she chose DkIT in the first place.

She found that the more personal learning environment made her transition from secondary school easierplus, the 15-minute commute was an added bonus.

She was also drawn to the courses emphasis on continuous assessment, which better aligns with her strengths than traditional exams.

Being able to present and do practical tasks are strengths for me, so knowing that there was more continuous assessment meant I had a better chance of success in my course.

Grainne says presenting in all of her modules has greatly boosted her confidence and helped her build strong communication skills.

I dont get nervous about standing in a room full of people anymore. I have the ability to just stand up and do what needs to be done, she said.

She also values the practical elements of the accounting modules, which have enhanced her understanding of business fundamentals and sparked a growing interest in marketing.

The hands-on experience with accounting tools and financial analysis has strengthened my skills for strategic decision-making in marketing, she explained.

Building close relationships with lecturers and classmates has also played a key role in her success. Grainne emphasises the value of these relationships, particularly when support is required.

The lecturers know when you are not reaching your full potential and then are in a position to step in and help you get back on track.

Her active involvement at DkIT since she began her studies speaks volumes about her commitment to both her education and the broader campus community.

Grainne has taken on the role of Class Rep two years in a row, is a student ambassador for the college, and often takes on other voluntary roles.

She is adamant that there are so many opportunities to avail of in DkIT if you are willing to put yourself forward!

Her enthusiasm has not gone unnoticed across the campus, and in 2024 and 2025, Grainne was recognised for her contribution to college life with a DkIT Elevate Award.

Reflecting on her experience, she said: As a class representative for two years, Ive built strong relationships with lecturers and represented students.

"That led me to join three Students Union subcommittees, which enhanced my leadership skills.

"Although Ive had many great memories in DkIT, my favourite has to be winning the Elevate Award.

"It showed me that my hard work and determination to help others were recognised. Hearing everyone who supported me cheering and clapping gave me a huge sense of pride.

While Grainne had a clear vision for her future, she recognises that choosing a course and college can be overwhelming.

Her advice? Choose what suits younot what your friends are doing. Dont pick a college just because your friends are going there.

This is your futuredo it for yourself. Choose a course you can imagine enjoying every day, and also make time to enjoy other aspects of college life, because it really does fly by.

Grainne has enjoyed her time at DkIT so much that she envisions returning one dayas a lecturer.

After graduating, she hopes to pursue a Masters in Marketing and gain experience in a marketing firm.

Shes excited by the fast-paced nature of the industry and the challenge of executing campaigns that appeal to diverse audiences.

Long-term, she aims to complete a PhD in Learning and Teaching and return to DkIT to share her knowledge with future students.

My biggest ambition is to keep challenging and bettering myself every day. In my eyes, if I set a goal, I can achieve itand Ill try my hardest to give it my all.
Louth County Council is to liaise with Carlingford Lough Commissioner (CLC) on potential funding sources to help fund the acquisition of a new navigation maintenance vessel.

It follows a motion from Cllr John Reilly at the Louth County Council July meeting, where Cllr Reilly had asked that "Louth County Council provide any assistance at its disposal to support the sourcing of funding for a navigation vessel for the Carlingford Lough Commission to facilitate the safe navigation of both commercial shipping and recreational sailing on Carlingford Lough."

Cllr Reilly said the motion reflects the importance of the Commissions work in maintaining essential maritime safety infrastructure across Carlingford Lough  a body that straddles the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and plays a critical role in both economies.

The Carlingford Lough Commission, originally established in the 1840s, predates Irish partition and currently maintains around 26 navigation buoys on the Lough. These buoys assist both commercial shipping vessels and pleasure craft as they navigate the waterway. Approximately eight of these buoys are located in Irish territorial waters, and are essential for ships accessing Greenore Port, while the remainder serve Warrenpoint Harbour.

The current maintenance vessel is coming to the end of its working life, said Cllr. Reilly. The Commission is now seeking to purchase a smaller, more modern craft that will allow them to carry out essential maintenance and ensure safety on the Lough continues uninterrupted.

According to Cllr Reilly, the estimated cost of the new vessel is 75,000. This is about more than just one vessel, he said. Its about recognising and supporting the quiet but vital work done by the Carlingford Lough Commission  work that supports trade, tourism, and safety on both sides of the border.

Responding to Cllr Reilly's motion, Director of Services, Economic Delivery, Mr Thomas McEvoy, said that Carlingford Louth Commissioners "is the Statutory Harbour Authority, the Local Lighthouse Authority and the Competent Harbour Authority responsible for the provision of pilotage services for its area of jurisdiction. Warrenpoint Harbour Authority (WHA) is their corresponding Northern Ireland Authority on Carlingford Lough.

"Both CLC and WHA, in exercise of their legislative powers, act as a joint Navigation Authority for Carlingford Lough and have appointed a joint Harbour Master.

"The Council can assist CLC by directing it to potential funding sources and will liaise with CLC on this basis."
The Irish Planning Institute, the all-island professional membership body for spatial planners, has announced the shortlist for the 2025 Irish Planning Awards, which includes nominations for two projects in Louth.

The biennial Irish Planning Awards recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements in the planning profession, including projects and plans at a local, county, regional and national level. The projects from Louth nominated at the 2025 Planning Awards include the plan developed by Louth County Council to improve public participation in the Dundalk Local Area Plan, and the design of the proposed Offshore Wind Maintenance and Operations Facilities planned for Greenore Port.

The 2025 Irish Planning Awards attracted a record 80 entries from all around the country. A panel of expert judges have selected a shortlist for the Awards, which features 55 nominees across 12 categories including: Plan Making; Commercial Projects; Urban Regeneration; Heritage and Culture; Climate Action; Biodiversity; Housing or Community; Infrastructure; Research and Innovation; Diversity and Inclusion; Planning Consultancy and In-House Planning Teams; and Planning Authorities.

An overall Presidents Award will be awarded to the standout winner across all 12 categories. The IPI received submissions from across the island of Ireland including Antrim, Carlow, Clare, Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kildare, Laois, Louth, Monaghan, Meath, Tipperary, Westmeath, and Wicklow, along with work also undertaken by the three regional assemblies and an international project in Lesotho.

Gavin Lawlor, President of the Irish Planning Institute, said: The Irish Planning Institute is delighted to be hosting the biennial awards that celebrate creativity and quality throughout the Irish planning sector. The awards provide an excellent opportunity to acknowledge and reward the innovative work by our members who strive every year to deliver high quality projects and sustainable developments.

With a record 80 entries, submissions for the 2025 Planning Awards were particularly strong, with excellent examples of sustainable, innovative and thoughtful planning right across the various categories. I want to congratulate each of the nominees for being shortlisted and I look forward to joining you all at our awards ceremony in Clontarf Castle Hotel in September.

The 2025 awards will be presented at a black-tie gala dinner and ceremony in Clontarf Castle Hotel on Thursday 25, September 2025.
Louth Fine Gael TD, Deputy Paula Butterly has welcomed news that the scheme to support Long Established Young Farmers has opened for submission of online applications.

Deputy Butterly said this scheme will recognise the hard work of farmers in Louth that missed out on payments previously.

The Long Established Young Farmers, often called the Forgotten Farmers, is a group who were under the age of 40 in 2015, had commenced in agriculture prior to 2008, but did not receive young farmer Installation Aid and were not eligible for young farmer supports under the CAP from 2015.

Its great to see this anomaly being addressed with the opening of application for this scheme. So many farmers across the country have waited for this issue to be addressed.

5m was allocated for this scheme in the Budget to ensure that these farmers get access to this vital scheme. The government also committed to deliver a scheme that recognises the Forgotten Farmers in the Programme for Government.

Read also: An Bord Pleanala refuses planning for 194 apartments in Dundalk

Online applications can be submitted until 5.30pm on 13 August 2025 and I encourage all those eligible in Louth to apply. Applications can be made at Agfood.ie.

Farmers can be reassured that Fine Gael and Minister Martin Heydon are doing everything we can to support the agricultural sector, concluded Butterly
There is a story about a Cork yacht, a handsome ship with a mighty spread of canvas, that had involvement in the emergence of the Irish Free State and the start of the most famous British yacht race, the Fastnet Race, around the iconic West Cork lighthouse.

The yacht was Harry Donegans 17-ton gaff cutter, Gull, which carried dispatches for Michael Collins during the Civil War in 1922. Three years later, Donegan became a founder member of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, which this Saturday will start the centenary Fastnet Race.

That is one of the great stories of maritime Cork.

In 1921, the Donegan family, of Cork, bought Gull, an 1896 Charles E Nicholson-designed, Camper & Nicholson-built 18-ton gaff cutter, with a large jackyard topsail. Solicitor Harry Donegan sailed her until his death in 1940.

At the final stages of the Civil War, she carried Collinss sister from Cork to Dublin with dispatches for Collins, commander-in-chief of the army for the pro-treaty government. Anti-treaty rebels had destroyed road and rail links.

When the first Fastnet Race was suggested, in 1925, Gull was one of the seven participating yachts. Sixteen had been entered. The race started from the Solent and finished in Plymouth.

Gull led at one stage and finished third. From that race the Ocean Racing Club of the UK was formed at a meeting in Plymouth.

It later became the Royal Ocean Racing Club, known colloquially and internationally as the RORC.

Cork sailor Harry Donegan

Donegan was a keen sailor and to the fore in establishing the sport of sailing. Four years after the foundation of the ORC, he was part of the creation at Glengarriff in 1929 of the Irish Cruising Club, of which he was vice commodore. Gull was well-known around the east coast for racing in Irish Sea events, as well as in Cork Harbour.

Gull, then an older vessel, was sold and ended her days in the 1950s in Poole.

The Donegan family has continued to be part of Corks sailing scene and Cork yachts have been participants in many Fastnet Races.

This Saturday, 470 yachts will make Fastnet the biggest offshore race in the world.

There are entries from 30 countries, with 4,500 sailors expected, and with some international sailors navigating around the only place they know in Ireland: Fastnet Rock.

Much public memory of the race centres on the 1979 tragedy, when it was hit by a storm. A total of 24 yachts were abandoned, five sank, and 136 sailors were saved in the largest-ever sea rescue operation off the Irish coast.

It involved RNLI lifeboats, the naval service, RAF, and royal navy helicopters, as Ireland did not then have its own. Ships were asked to help. The car ferry Saint Killian, on its way from Le Havre to Rosslare, changed course to help the search. Yachts were scattered across a wide sea area.

Hugh Coveney, later marine minister, was skipper of Golden Apple, from Cork, one of the 303 yachts racing. Its rudder broke off 48km north west of the Scilly Isles.

Ron Holland, the yachts designer, was aboard. The crew took to their liferaft.

International sailor Harold Cudmore left a note on the yachts chart table:

Gone for lunch, be back in a while.

They were rescued by a helicopter.

Horrifically, 18 people  15 competing yachtsmen and three rescuers  died in the storm. A total of 86 yachts finished. Several took refuge in Irish ports.

Overall, Irish yachts have done well in the race.

After great promise leading in to the stormy 1979 Fastnet, it was Donal McClement, of Cork, with the UFO 34 Black Arrow, who had a class win,

recalls yachting writer, WM Nixon.

In 1981, Ken Rohans Holland 40 Regardless won Class 1, with Tim Goodbody lead helm on the overall winning Dubois 40 Irish Independent, in 1987, followed by Ger ORourke, of Limerick, and Kilrush, winning overall in 2007 with his Cookson 50 Chieftain.

Denis Doyles Frers 51 Moonduster, from Cork, was an admired part of the race for many years. He sailed his last Fastnet at the age of 81.

In 1977, the Ron Holland-designed Imp stamped her mark on the Fastnet Race. She is now owned by the Radley family of Cobh.

There are several Irish yachts entered for this years centenary race, including from Cork: Cian McCarthys Cinnamon Girl, Conor Doyles Freya, from Kinsale YC, and Denis/Annamarie Murphys Nieulargo, from the RCYC.

The Donegan name is there with Jalapeno James Donegan, from Kinsale Yacht Club.

On a personal note, while I have sailed several offshore races, I have never raced in the Fastnet, but this Saturday two of my family will be competing, but on different yachts.

My son, Cormac, a master mariner, is crewing on Mynx, from Dingle, and my student grandson, Oisin, is aboard Aurelia, from Dun Laoghaire.

My wife, Kathleen, says this family is boat mad.

Fair sailing to all racing.

Do give your views on maritime matters, which are very welcome. Email: tommacsweeneymarine@gmail.com My Podcast is always available on: https://tommacsweeneymaritimepodcast.ie
Cork City Council is tendering for occupants of the coffee kiosk on Marina Promenade, as the current cafe operators say that they are hoping they will be granted permission to retain the spot.

The property has been listed on Daft.ie on behalf of Cork City Council, described as a superbly located cafe kiosk opportunity on newly refurbished Marina Promenade.

The riverside kiosk area at the western end of the promenade, is adjacent to public parking and situated at the junction of Centre Park Rd and Marina Promenade which has recently been upgraded and enhanced by Cork City Council.

The revamped Marina Promenade was officially opened in April by Taoiseach Micheal Martin, delivering an 1.8km-long new amenity space extending from Centre Park Rd to Blackrock village with age-friendly seating, riverside viewing balconies, enhanced landscaping, and environmentally sensitive public and feature lighting.

The opportunity for anyone looking to take over the cafe consists of leasing a portion of land (280sq m) on Marina Promenade adjacent to the River Lee.

Cork City Council installed the planters, screening, and attached benches currently on site, but the remainder of the infrastructure belongs to the existing cafe operator.

The existing operator, Cortado, recently celebrated its fifth anniversary of opening on the Marina.

Owned by husband and wife, Alan and Michelle Cashman, Cortado was originally a catering company for office staff in Dublin and in Cork, prior to offices closing in March 2020 due to covid. They had operated from a van before moving into the council kiosk.

Mr Cashman told The Echo that when they moved to the council site, it was flagged to us that it would be going to tender, and now it has.

He said they will be putting in an application to continue operating there.

Were very much hoping to retain it, so fingers crossed.

Detailed proposal forms are available from the leasing agent, and lease proposals will be accepted up to July 31 at 3pm.
Social justice advocate Arthur Leahy, who devoted considerable energy to the promotion of gay rights and supporting those impacted by HIV/Aids, has been named as this years recipient of the Spirit of Mother Jones Award as the Mother Jones Festival and Summer School opens in Cork today.

Mr Leahy will be presented with the award by Cork Mother Jones Committee chairman James Nolan at a presentation ceremony to be held after Lord Mayor Fergal Dennehy performs the official opening of the three-day event at the citys Maldron Hotel.

Mr Nolan said the Cork Mother Jones Committee was pleased to present the 2025 award to Arthur Leahy.

Arthur has been active in this city for almost 50 years in a practical way as an advocate of social justice, inclusivity, and fairness in society, said Mr Nolan.

He has devoted considerable effort to the promotion of gay rights, and was involved in the organising of the first Irish National Gay Conference in Cork as far ago as 1980.

Arthur played an important role in supporting those impacted by the HIV/Aids epidemic in the 80s, and was directly involved in numerous roles in establishing the Quay Co-op and The Other Place LGBT Community Centre in Cork. These provided vital infrastructural bases for progressive people to meet and organise to fight the social and equality campaigns of the 80s/90s and beyond.

He has provided inspirational leadership in many campaigns and leads by practical example.

Mr Leahys role in establishing the gay rights movement in Cork; his initiative in helping along with others set up the Quay Co-op on Sullivans Quay in the early 80s, a venue which became a safe haven and base for many campaign groups; and his personal activism and leadership on many issues such as the divorce and same-sex marriage referenda were cited on the official citation for the award.

Also cited were his active roles over several decades on behalf of the people of Palestine and his quiet practical efforts to foster a co-operative spirit among people working progressive campaigns which succeeded in creating a a more tolerant and fairer society. This element of his role had the effect of establishing a community approach which was sustainable and environmentally sound.

Mr Leahy was described as guiding the next generation of social activists to make Cork and Ireland a better place for all.
For the second year in succession, no funding was drawn down for the proposed Northern Ring Road, information provided by Transport Infrastructure Ireland has disclosed.

The Northern Ring Road  which goes by the new title of the Cork City Northern Transport Project  aims to develop a new national road to the north of the city to connect three of the main routes into Cork: The N22 from the west, the N20 from North Cork and the M8, and the motorway to Dublin.

According to information provided by TII head of regulatory and administration Michael Kennedy in response to a query from Cork North Central Sinn Fein TD Thomas Gould, there were no allocations of funding for 2024 or 2025 for the project, while allocations of 129,928 were made in 2021, 339,100 in 2022, and 56,094 in 2023. This represents an allocation of 525,122 in the period of 2021-25.

It has not been possible to progress this project in recent years due to constraints on funding, said Mr Kennedy. The process of allocating funding for national road schemes in 2026 will be based on prioritisation of those schemes identified in the national development plan, along with the overall level of funding made available to Transport Infrastructure Ireland by the Department of Transport.

Mr Gould said the failure to provide funding for the road in 2024 or 2025 was nothing short of a scandal and suggested that the northside of the city was being forgotten about again.

We have been promised this road for decades, said Mr Gould. It is a key ingredient to ending the neglect of the northside and unlocking the full potential of our communities.

Once again, the road was not mentioned in the National Development Plan review. It appears to have dropped entirely off the agenda of Government.

The TD challenged transport minister Darragh OBrien to outline how and when this road will be delivered, and said that the plans for the Northern Distributor Road, which is an internal relief road to be developed on the northside, would also be compromised.
Dog owners across Co Cork are being urged to take heed of a new council publicity campaign aimed at making them aware of their responsibilities to clean up after their pets.

The issue was raised by Bantry-based Fianna Fail councillor Patrick Gerard Murphy at the recent meeting of Cork County Council's Western Division. Mr Murphy commended the council on the new publicity campaign aimed at raising public awareness of the issue.

Mr Murphy said: "We are trying to do something about dog fouling and people need to take responsibility for their own dogs, especially in the summer months. The beaches are thronged in the good weather and people really need to make sure they clean up the mess.

Fine Gael councillor John Michael Foley said it was time dog owners realised they had to keep their pets on a lead in public and that they were responsible if their pets fouled in public areas.

"Its really important we reiterate the importance of this campaign and its not just beaches. The Tidy Towns people are also delighted with the campaign because less dog-fouling makes their job a lot easier too."

The six-week campaign began on July 4 and includes social media posts and radio advertising. The campaign focuses on positive, friendly messages to encourage dog owners and walkers to act responsibly and clean up after their pets.

The main message is simple but clear: Bag it, Bin it. Additional key messages include: Protect public health; always pick up after your dog; compostable bags are also litter; keep your dog under control; and no bin? take it home.

As part of the campaign, a video will be shared featuring real people, including a wheelchair user, children, an older person, and a cyclist, all urging the public to do their part and keep our shared spaces clean and safe for everyone.

This article is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
A number of boats that have been abandoned at a scenic West Cork pier are causing structural damage as well as spoiling the areas natural beauty, according to a local councillor.

The issue was raised at the recent meeting of Cork County Councils Western Division by Schull-based Fine Gael councillor Caroline Cronin.

Ms Cronin said: Roaringwater Pier in Aughadown near Skibbereen is a beautiful area. Its a working pier and a popular spot for locals to swim at high tide but there are six abandoned boats sitting around that really spoil the area and they are in the way.

She added: One old, unseaworthy wooden boat is tied up there and blocking part of the public pier. Another boat arrived before Storm Ophelia and has just stayed there ever since.

Ms Cronin said significant damage had been caused to the pier as the bilge keel of one boat moves with the tide and has made a large hole in the pier wall. She said: You can only see it at low tide from the seabed. The hole was made worse when a big stone was dislodged.

Ms Cronin said that other boats are just sitting on boat trailers blocking access and have been there for years.

Can we please ask the owners to remove these boats giving them a specific timeline to have them removed? This place is very special and far too nice to be turned into a dumping ground for old vessels.

Independent Irelands Danny Collins said that a similar situation had arisen in Schull and warning signs were posted up around the harbour pier which had a positive effect and most of the boats were removed.

Divisional manager Michael Lynch said he came from a coastal community himself and it was incumbent on boat owners to take responsibility for their property. He said: There is a bigger picture here and maybe people should not be dumping boats in the first place. People need to take responsibility for their own property.

Mr Lynch added that the council would look into the matter to see what could be done.

This article is funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
By Cate McCurry and Cillian Sherlock, PA

An politician has launched legal proceedings against the Central Bank of Ireland over claims that investors in Israeli bonds could be legally complicit in genocide in Gaza.

Lawyers for Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon lodged legal papers against the Central Bank in Dublin on Thursday.

It is alleged that the Central Banks failure to ban the marketing, distribution and sale of Israeli bonds exposes investors to risks that have not been disclosed to them.

Letters, seen by the PA news agency, sent to Gabriel Makhlouf, the governor of the Central Bank, in recent weeks by McGarr Solicitors, acting on behalf of Mr Gannon, claim that these risks were not made known to investors in prospectuses for bonds, which had been approved by the Central Bank.

The letter warns Mr Makhlouf that the continued issuing and trading of those bonds gives rise to significant investor protection concerns, in light of the complicity of Israel in genocide in Gaza, and the use of the proceeds of the Israeli bonds to facilitate the same.

It goes on to say that the Central Bank is empowered under EU law to prohibit the marketing, distribution or sale of the Israeli Bonds.

We call upon it to do so, the letter adds.

There have been ongoing calls for the Central Bank to end its role in approving Israel Bonds for sale in the EU.

The bank is the designated authority in relation to the sale of Israel bonds in the EU, and has determined the securities meet the standards of the blocs prospectus regulations.

Israel bonds have been advertised as supporting the countrys economy and, more recently, websites promoting the securities emphasise their role in supporting Israels military operations in Gaza.

Protesters and opposition parties have called for legislation that would give Ireland the power to refuse the sale of Israeli war bonds over human rights concerns.

They say the bonds are intended to fund the war in Gaza, while Ireland has an obligation under the Genocide Convention to use all means likely to have a deterrent effect on those suspected of preparing genocide.

Mr Gannon issued the letters to the bank about investor protection concerns relating to the bonds, as well as the use of the bonds to finance the war in Gaza at the end of last month.

In response, the Central Bank, through its solicitors, said that there is no valid legal basis to support Mr Gannons purported judicial review proceedings.

They claimed that Mr Gannon lacked locus standi to bring the proceedings and that the bank is satisfied it does not meet the relevant criteria to exercise its powers under EU law.

The letter also claims that judicial review proceedings would lead to court time being expended unnecessarily and substantial costs being incurred.

However, Mr Gannon said the Central Bank has the power to stop the sale of the bonds.

The judicial review was formally issued on Thursday afternoon.

Speaking at a pro-Palestinian rally on Saturday, Mr Gannon said: Politicians have spoken too long, all the while a genocide is being inflicted upon the population of Gaza. The demands today are clear  act.

He added: On Tuesday, Ill be lodging papers against the Central Bank. Genocide can never be considered a technical matter  our only duty is to prevent it and punish those responsible.
Tracy McCarthy hasnt been afraid to reinvent herself over the years.

She previously managed a Primark (Penneys) store in London and once ran her own ice cream shop.

Just recently, Tracy launched her own sauna oils which shes exporting to the UK.

The mother-of-six won Solo Businesswoman of the Year at the recent Network Cork awards and its not hard to see why judges thought this agile entrepreneur was a deserving choice.

Tracy, originally from the UK and living in Ireland for the past 33 years, successfully tried her hand at various things over the years until she found her true vocation in the wellness space where her mission is to create products that feed our skin and also support overall wellbeing.

She left home when she was 18 and, having worked her way up the ranks, was managing a Primark shop four years later.

Looking for a change, she moved to Ireland when she was 23, settling in West Cork where she launched Clonakilty Home Made Ice Cream as well as a successful gift and balloon shop.

Tracys always had a leaning towards creativity, but it took a while for her to discover her holistic side.

It came about when her youngest child was three. Tracy wanted to carve out something for herself and went back to college part-time, and thats when she found her vocation.

I always had a love for reflexology, so I pursued that and I loved it. I was instantly hooked and I went on to study massage, beauty, plus a wide range of therapies, she said.

Tracys always been a grafter and to fund her studies and to get experience, she also worked in spas and a holistic centre.

Later in this journey, I got the opportunity to teach in a private college in Cork, and while teaching, my love of skin came through, understanding why what we put on it is so important.

With her trademark ambition to the fore, she went on to establish Head to Toe Therapies, initially in Clonakilty, and now in Kinsale where she lives.

It was while running her business that she began to blend oils for her clients and her next business Naturally Balanced  an extensive range of facial oils, body and lip oils, which she makes in Kinsale  was born in 2023.

It has flourished from the start, despite Tracy and her family having to overcome losing their home in a fire in early 2024.

Not only did we have the grief of losing our home but also some personal challenges that came at us when we were at our most vulnerable, but we moved forward.

As Naturally Balanced started to take shape, we started breaking barriers with it by getting business support received from our local enterprise board north and west, and I won my first award at Showcase 2025 from the Design Craft Council of Ireland for best product in the Wellness Category with our maintain body oil, said Tracy proudly.

Earlier this year, she opened a new wellness centre in Kinsale, where she occupies two treatment rooms herself, and in collaboration with other therapists, offers treatments seven days a week.

And more recently shes created a nourishing oil people can use after a sauna to replenish their skin.

The oils received such high praise from sauna users that Tracy and her business partner decided to form a business called Naturally Sauna so that other sauna owners and their customers could experience the products, and they are now exporting to the UK.

A very modest Tracy says her modus operandi has always been to just keep moving forward.

I dont believe in making mistakes  just making decisions and learning from things if they dont always work out, she said matter-of-factly.

But she knows from her own experience that hard work will always pay.

I knew that nobody was going to just hand me something and that I was the only one who could do make this happen. Having said that, I also know how important it is to try to find a balance and to know when its time to stop and recharge, after all, your health is your wealth.

Tracy McCarthy =

Tracy said she was lucky as she had some doors open for her, and as a result she likes to give back to the community, including volunteering as a therapist with Arc Cancer Support House. Thats important to her.

I am a firm believer in supporting our local communities and events. We sponsor the Kinsale annual 5-mile road race as well as other events, including a sailing event at Kinsale yacht club and I am also excited to become a course director for Future Kinsales new wellness course in September.

Tracy joined Network Cork as she was beginning to feel a little isolated working long hours in her treatment rooms.

It really pushed me out of my comfort zone as I felt like I was losing the ability to mix with my peers. It really gave me courage to grow my network, she said with appreciation.

Tracy is now at a nice stage of her life. When WoW! called she was wedding dress shopping with her daughter and shes grateful most of her children live nearby.

My ambition is to scale my oil production from Kinsale and to continue with further education. Im also passionate about helping women to realise how important self-care is and how its different for everyone. I want to simplify it and show how it doesnt have to be expensive, but could be something like a swim or a walk on a beach or meeting someone for coffee. Its about finding what works for you and building your own first-aid box and not about forcing something on someone, she said.

As if running three businesses wasnt enough, Tracy has gone back to college  again  to satisfy her thirst for knowledge. Shes in her first year of a four-year herbal medicine qualification.

Ive worked in the wellness industry since 2009, but you can never know enough, and I love the confidence that building my knowledge brings, and thats why Ill always be upskilling!
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.

Creative (not AI) image shows children on a road to a city, impacted by climate change and pollution. piyaset / Getty Images Plus

In a landmark finding, the United Nations top court on Wednesday issued an advisory opinion stating that a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a human right.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling supports the obligation of UN member states to tackle the climate crisis and outlines the consequences they could face if they fail to do so.

The consequences of climate change are severe and far-reaching: they affect both natural ecosystems and human populations. These consequences underscore the urgent and existential threat posed by climate change, said ICJ president Yuji Iwasawa, as The Guardian reported.

The ICJ ruled that member states have an obligation to safeguard Earths environment from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while acting with due diligence and cooperation in doing so, reported UN News.

The court also ruled that breaching these obligations will cause members to incur legal responsibility and could result in them being required to stop the wrongful conduct, make full reparations and offer guarantees of non-repetition, depending on the circumstances.

The International Court of Justice ruled that nations have an obligation to act on climate change under international laws protecting the environment and human rights. By @lsommer.bsky.social



[image or embed]  NPR (@npr.org) July 24, 2025 at 2:38 PM

To justify their decision, the court used the commitments of member states to both human rights and environmental treaties, including the Kyoto Protocol, the Biodiversity Convention and the Paris Agreement.

But also, because a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a precondition for the enjoyment of many human rights, since Member States are parties to numerous human rights treaties  including the UNs Universal Declaration of Human Rights  they are required to guarantee the enjoyment of such rights by addressing climate change, UN News said.

The Pacific Island country of Vanuatu in 2021 announced that it would seek an ICJ advisory opinion on climate change. Youth group Pacific Island Students Fighting Climate Change inspired the action. Vanuatu lobbied other member states to support the initiative in the UN General Assembly.

In response to the request, the assembly adopted a resolution that requested an ICJ advisory opinion on two questions: (1) What are the obligations of States under international law to ensure the protection of the environment, and (2) What are the legal consequences for states under these obligations when they cause harm to the environment?

Although advisory opinions are not legally binding, they carry significant moral and legal authority, while helping to develop and clarify international law by defining the legal obligations of member states.

The recent case is the largest the ICJ has ever reviewed in terms of the number of member states that took part in oral proceedings  97  as well as the 91 written statements.



The hearings at The Hague lasted two weeks in December, during which representatives of vulnerable states argued that legal responsibility for continuing climate change impacts should fall on a handful of countries, The Guardian reported. Meanwhile, the planets top GHG emitters denied having any legal responsibility other than the Paris Agreement.

Prime Minister of Vanuatu Jotham Napat said the decision was a turning point in the fight for climate justice.

This process has elevated the voices of climate-vulnerable nations, driven global awareness, and set the stage for stronger climate action, Napat said, as reported by The Guardian. This ruling will give us a foundation to build upon, and this moment will inspire continued efforts for stronger action and accountability, inspiring bold efforts to protect our planet.
(Photo: REUTERS / Stringer)India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends an event organised by the Christian community to celebrate the beatification of two Indians by Pope Francis late last year, in New Delhi February 17, 2015. Modi vowed on Tuesday to protect all religious groups, an apparent response to a series of attacks on Christian institutions in New Delhi fuelling concerns that minorities are being targeted by Hindu zealots.

More than 30 church and Christian leaders from across the US and India have signed a joint statement by the New York State Council of Churches and The Religious Nationalism Project, condemning "a Hindu supremacist event" in Dallas, Texas.

The event featured Kajal Singhala, also known as Kajal Hindustani, and was held on June 29, according to India's Clarion newspaper.

Singhala is a prominent figure in India's Hindu nationalist movement and has repeatedly called for violence and exclusion against Christians and Muslims.

The Dallas event, organised by extremist groups with a history of anti-Christian and anti-Muslim rhetoric, threatens not only the safety of religious minorities but also undermines the American values of religious freedom and dignity.

The event is being organised by the Global Hindu Heritage Foundation (GHHF) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, both of which are designated as anti-Christian and anti-Muslim hate groups.

According to the Clarion, GHHF has a long track record of anti-Christian activity, including a 2022 fundraiser that sought to finance the demolition of churches in India.

It says Hindutva ideology has fuelled attacks on churches, the criminalisation of religious conversion, and the persecution of clergy across India.

"Allowing its proponents a platform in the U.S. sends a chilling message of tolerance for religious hatred," commented the Clarion.

It said the statement it carries reflects a rising number of Christian organisations, spanning denominations, races, and regions, who are speaking out against the issue of Hindu supremacy in the United States and India.

"Within 24 hours we have gathered well over 30 signatures of support from a broad-based and ecumenical group of Christian laity and clergy who agree that hate speech, especially when disguised in the form of religion, is antithetical to the gospel of Christ," said Rev. Neal Christie, Principal of the Religious Nationalisms Project.

"We represent Congregational, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Baptist, United Methodist, Anglican, and Evangelical expressions of the body of Christ.

"We know that mutual respect, collaboration and investment in the common good cannot coexist with any hate speech perpetrated by any person."

- HINDUVATA

The Clarion reports that the Indian publication The Quint has described Singhala as a symbol of "hate politics," and that it is a hardline supporter of Hindu nationalism, also known as Hindutva.

"This hateful ideology, which has been mainstreamed over the past decade by the Indian government, proclaims that India should be a Hindu theocratic ethnostate, where minorities  especially Muslims and Christians  should be reduced to second-class citizens and subjected to mass violence," says the Clarion.

The newspaper explains that under this ideology, Christians in India have been relentlessly targeted: churches attacked, and prayer gatherings violently disrupted.

In addition, conversion to Christianity has been effectively criminalised, and clergy arrested on false allegations of forced conversions.

"In many parts of India, simply practicing Christianity has become dangerous," says the Clarion.

Under the current Indian government, the NCC said in its statement, "Churches have been burned and mosques destroyed; Muslims have been beaten in public; Christians have been subject to sexual violence; and Sikh leaders have been assassinated, all of this justified by Hindu nationalism...

"We call upon individuals to contact their elected officials to bring awareness of the human rights atrocities in India and the fundraising that takes place in local US communities to support such acts of hate and terror."
(Photo: Photo: chennaicorporation.gov.in)Priya Rajan the first Dalit and youngest mayor of the Indian city of Chennai.

A Hindu-majority village in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh has banned a Christian family from living there after they refused to convert to Hinduism, the religion that almost 80 percent of Indians follow.

According to International Christian Concern, a man named as Vikram, his wife, and their five children faithfully followed Jesus in their Hindu-majority village in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh, but suddenly, on June 16, their faith was challenged.

The case of Vikram's family is not a one off in India where Christians make up 2.3 percent of the population..

In April, UCA, the Catholic news service, reported that two Christian families that refused to renounce their faith were forced to leave their Hindu-majority tribal village in eastern Odisha state after they were denied basic facilities such as water.

In the latest case village leaders confronted Vikram and told him that his family had to convert to Hinduism, or they would be banned from the village.

"When Vikram said that his family would not leave Christ, the leaders quickly called for a public gathering," ICC reported.

During the meeting, one of the leaders said that Vikram's family members were Christians and they officially declared that his family would be expelled from the village since they would not convert to Hinduism.

"Soon, a mob formed. The angry villagers stormed Vikram's home and threw his family's food and other belongings into the road," said ICC.

"Some villagers abused the couple's three daughters."

The Chrisitan advocacy group said that as in similar attacks that occur throughout India and increasingly in Chhattisgarh, the aim of the destruction and violence was to pressure the family to convert to Hinduism through a ceremony called "Ghar Wapsi," which means "homecoming."

According to ICC, from the federal government down, there is a strong push for India to become a Hindu-only nation.

"This is not the first time they've been attacked," a local Christian leader familiar with the situation said. "This is the fifth village meeting held to pressure the family into Ghar Wapsi."

The following day, Vikram visited the local police station to report the attack.

Officers visited his village and advised the villagers to allow the family to return to their home.

The villagers refused, declaring that the family would not be welcomed back unless they renounced Christianity.

Police have taken no further action.

ICC said Vikram's family initially built a temporary shelter in a forest a few miles from their village.

After hearing the family's story, International Christian Concern staffers provided food, clothing, and short-term housing.

Since the rise of Hindu nationalist influence in the state governance, many Christians throughout the state are facing threats, social boycotts, and forced displacement.

Chhattisgarh is one of 11 Indian states with anti-conversion laws in place.

Such laws, that are meant to prevent forced conversions, are often weaponized to target and intimidate minority communities, especially Christians.
Financial Times is reporting that $1 billion worth of NVIDIA AI chips were smuggled into China in the three months after the Trump administration tightened semiconductor export controls . Citing sales contracts, company documents and people with direct knowledge, the publication says that a thriving black market arose for American semiconductors. Products sold included NVIDIA's toptier B200 chips, which have become the silicon of choice for American big tech when training AI models. Sale of these chips to China is banned by the United States.

With journalists on the ground in China, Financial Times reports on a veritable web of thirdparty data center operators, middlemen and purportedly smuggled readybuilt racks that have all materialized to meet the demand for NVIDIA's most powerful chips. Along with the B200, the H100 and H200 are also restricted yet highly sought after. All of these are far more capable than the weaker H20 chip, which was designed to comply with export restrictions for sale to China, though even that model has faced on and off export bans.

NVIDIA, for its part, told Financial Times it has no evidence of any AI chip diversion and that trying to cobble together data centers from smuggled products is a losing proposition, both technically and economically. NVIDIA explained, Data centers require service and support, which we provide only to authorized NVIDIA products.

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Images produced by Financial Times show boxes of server racks emblazoned with company logos such as Supermicro and ASUS being advertised on social media in China. Those companies deny any knowledge of how their products ended up on the Chinese black market, and Financial Times is not alleging any such involvement.

Reporting suggests that some Southeast Asian countries have become hubs for Chinese groups to obtain restricted chips. Having these server racks shipped to Thailand or Malaysia may circumvent US export controls. The US Department of Commerce is reportedly considering increasing export controls on advanced AI chips to these countries.

The demand for these products is without question, and as one Chinese distributor told Financial Times, History has proven many times before that given the huge profit, arbitrators will always find a way.
Google's latest AI adventure is a new option for search. Web Guide is a new way that Google will organize search results based on analysis by a dedicated version of its Gemini artificial intelligence tool. The claim in the announcement is that AI can help surface the most relevant content, but it could also be a new way for Google to control what websites get prime billing in results.

In the graphic shared alongside the blog post announcing this Search Labs experiment, the company showed clusters of results to the query "how to solo travel in Japan." Web Guide displayed a few hits each under different headers, such as "Comprehensive Guides for Solo Travel in Japan," "Personal Experiences and Tips from Solo Travelers" and "Safety and Destination Recommendations," with an option to reveal more for each grouping. It does seem to provide some AI-generated summaries at the top of each heading, but at least with this example, there are fewer instances of copy/pasting another publication's words wholesale.

Web Guide has some similarities to Google's AI Mode , which looped artificial intelligence more tightly into the search experience. The presence of AI Mode for all US users has already prompted outcry from publishers; News/Media Alliance called it " theft ." Pew Research Center recently issued a report confirming that the presence of an AI summary at the top of a search led to fewer people clicking through to read published content from a source. The group's survey of 900 adults who shared their browsing history revealed that for users who did not see an AI summary, 15 percent of them clicked on a link from search results and 16 percent ended their browsing session. In contract, only 8 percent of users who saw an AI summary clicked a link in the search results, and 26 percent ended their browsing session. And while Google has been working to improve their accuracy, let us never forget that those AI-penned summaries once gave us glue pizza .
At I/O 2025 in May, Google previewed a new AI-powered feature the company said would simplify online shopping. The tool allows you to upload a single, full-body photo of yourself to "try on" different pieces of clothing you find online. Following a limited preview, Google has begun rolling out the feature to users in the US. You can start trying on clothing for yourself by tapping the "try on" icon on any product listing on Google or apparel product result you find on Google Images.

Powering the experience is an image generation model Google trained to take into account how different materials fold, stretch and drape across different human bodies. According to Google, the model supports billions of clothing items found across the company's Shopping Graph, meaning their may be some outfits the AI will have a hard time parsing. However, most clothing items from popular retailers should be supported out of the gate.

With today's release, Google has also enhanced the price-tracking functionality built into the feature. Naturally, you can specify the color and size you want, but Google also allows you to set the price you want to pay for the item. It's possible to configure the watch so you're only alerted after the product you want dips below a specific price. "The Shopping Graph has products and prices from all across the web  so well let you know when theres an offer that meets your criteria," says Google. "No more constantly checking to see if that bag youre eyeing is finally at the right price for you or forgetting to come back to a product you loved."

Later this year, Google plans to bring additional shopping features to AI Mode, the dedicated AI tab the company began rolling out to everyone in the US this past May. Come this fall, you'll be able to explore outfit and decor ideas  and buy what suits your fancy  directly from the chat bot.
We're getting super close to finding out when the annual Apple iPhone event will take place, giving us a first look at the new iPhone 17 lineup. We should also find out the official date for downloading the latest software update, iOS 26. If you can't wait any longer, you can download and install the newly released public beta 4 (or iOS 26 developer beta 8 for developers). I've been playing around with it for the past couple of weeks, and have found that taking screenshots is way better in the new operating system  Google and ChatGPT search options are now in the screenshots editor, for instance. You can see a more complete view of the new features in our preview of the iOS 26 public beta release, which shows off the fresh home and lock screen redesign. Called Liquid Glass, the translucent look will extend across all of Apple's upcoming operating systems. The overhaul is one of several big changes coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the rest of Apple's software suite, all of which were showcased during the company's WWDC keynote on June 9.

After overpromising on AI plans last year, Apple kept its iOS roadmap focused more on basic quality of life improvements this year. There are multiple useful additions coming to the Phone and Messages apps on your iPhone, for instance: Apple execs outlined the ability to weed out spam texts or other unknown senders and an option to hold your spot on a phone call when you've been waiting for a representative to pick up. Plus, a treasured feature that we took for granted is coming back (hint: it's in the Photos app).

Siri, meanwhile, is in a holding pattern. Apple has previously specified that its smarter voice assistant  first promised at WWDC 2024  is delayed until some point "in the coming year," so you shouldn't expect any major changes in the current betas. But there are reports that Apple is aiming to give Siri a bigger brain transplant by basing it on third-party artificial intelligence models like OpenAI's ChatGPT or Anthropic's Claude, which could make 2026 a pivotal year. The company is also reportedly working on a 'stripped-down' AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT.

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With each beta, it seems like additional new improvements are popping up, like this new AirPods gesture we're all curious about, and this FaceTime feature that'll freeze your video if it detects nudity. With the release of the iOS 26 developer beta 5, we saw more added features, like a new bouncy animation on the passcode screen and in the Control Center, MacRumors reports. Some or all of those changes will likely soon migrate into the separate public beta (see below). Most newer iPhone models are eligible to download iOS 26 (both the betas and final version). Want to see the full list of new features coming this fall? Read on.

What is iOS 26?

The current iPhone operating system is iOS 18, and Apple is still actively updating it  version 18.6.1 was released to restore Apple Watch blood oxygen monitoring functionality for certain users in the US. More recently, Apple released 18.6.2 to address a vulnerability related to image processing. Apple has officially stopped signing iOS 18.6, MacRumors reports, which means it can no longer be installed on your iPhone due to a "server-side software verification check." That's pretty normal when newer versions are available to download.

But don't expect to see iOS 19 soon  or ever. Instead, Apple is skipping the numbering ahead to iOS 26 later this year. The company has decided to line up its iOS version numbers with a year-based system, similar to car model years. So while iOS and its sibling operating systems will be released in late 2025, they're all designated "26" to reflect the year ahead.

It's official, we're moving to iOS 26. (Apple)

What is Liquid Glass design?

Let's be honest. Out of everything announced at WWDC this year, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the show. The iPhone's home and lock screens have looked pretty much the same year after year  the last exciting thing (in my opinion) was the option to add your own aesthetic to your home screen by customizing your apps and widgets. So seeing the home and lock screens' new facelift is refreshing.

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So what exactly is Liquid Glass? Apple calls it a "new translucent material" since, well, the apps and widgets are clear. However, the screen can still adapt to dark and light modes, depending on surroundings. You'll also notice buttons with a new floating design in several apps, like Phone and Maps. They're designed to be less distracting than the current buttons, but are still easy to see. While the design overhaul has proven to be controversial since its announcement, some  including Engadget's own Devindra Hardawar  like the new direction, even if it's somewhat reminiscent of Microsoft's translucent Windows Vista Aero designs from nearly twenty years ago.

That said, as of the release of the iOS 26 beta 2, Apple has already incorporated some user feedback into the design, dialing back the transparency in at least some places. And while it will continue to evolve, Apple users won't be able to escape it: Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple's OSes more cohesive. Here's a look at how the translucent aesthetic will look with the new macOS Tahoe 26 on your desktop.

What are the new and notable features of iOS 26?

iOS 26 has a laundry list of new features. Among the most worthwhile:

Phone app redesign: You'll finally be able to scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that'll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music and continue on with other tasks.

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Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 is bringing the ability to have a conversation via phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translation will translate your conversation in real time, which results in some stop-and-go interactions in the examples Apple shared during its presentation.

Polls in group chats: Tired of sorting through what seems like hundreds of messages in your group chat? You and your friends will soon be able to create polls in group messages for deciding things like which brunch spot you're eating at or whose car you're taking on a road trip.

Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you haven't received spam texts about unpaid tolls or other citations, you're lucky. For those of us who have, those annoying messages will soon be filtered away in a separate folder.

Visual Intelligence: Similar to a reverse Google image search, this new feature will allow you to search for anything that's on your iPhone screen. For instance, if you spot a pair of shoes someone is wearing in an Instagram photo, you can screenshot it and use Visual Intelligence to find those shoes (or similar ones) online.

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Photos tabs are back: For anyone who's still frustrated with the Photos changes made last year, you'll be happy to know that your tabs are coming back. Library and Collections will have their own separate spaces so you don't have to scroll to infinity to find what you're looking for.

FaceTime "Communication Safety" feature: A newer addition to iOS 26 appears to be the FaceTime "Communication Safety" feature that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The feature appears to be a child safety feature that uses on-device detection, thus obviating any cloud-based privacy issues.

New lock screen options: The iPhone lock screen gets more customizable in iOS 26, with a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper effects, more widgets and better focus mode options.

Apple's Hold Assist will be nifty for those pesky services that put you on hold for 10 or more minutes. (Apple)

New changes coming to iPadOS 26

Your iPad isn't getting left behind when it comes to big updates. Here's what's coming this fall.

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Multitasking and real windowing: When you download the newest update, you'll be able to have multiple apps running on your screen at the same time. Once you open an app, it'll appear on your screen as normal but you'll be able to resize and move it across your screen to make room for other apps. This feature is optional so you can turn it off if you don't like it.

Visual update: Along with the other new OSes, iPadOS 26 is coming with the Liquid Glass aesthetic. This new look will appear on the lock and home screens, as well as the drop-down menus.

New menu bar: When you swipe down on your screen, the new menu bar will appear with options like File, Edit, Windows and more. There's also a search option if you're looking for something specific.

Check out our first impressions of iPadOS 26.

What about AirPods?

AirPods are also getting updated with iOS 26. Here are some of the more notable functions.

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Enhanced audio recording: Apple calls this "studio-quality" audio recording, and with it, you'll notice more clarity while in noisy environments.

Camera remote control: Using this, you can take a photo or start and stop video recording with just one press on your AirPods. When taking photos, you'll get a three-second countdown before your iPhone or iPad snaps the picture.

Live translation feature: While not officially announced or confirmed, it appears that the long-rumored live translation for AirPods could be coming with iOS 26. The evidence comes from a system asset spotted in the in iOS 26 beta showing a gesture that's triggered by pressing both earbud stems at the same time. The photo also shows words in several different languages.

Heart rate monitoring (rumored for now): Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes Apple will introduce new AirPods Pro earbuds this year, which could have heart rate monitoring. It would work with Apple's Health app and other fitness apps that track heart rates.

Which iPhones will be able to upgrade to iOS 26?

A few iPhone models that run the current version of iOS  iPhone XR, XS and XS Max  won't be compatible with the latest upgrade. But any iPhones released in 2019 or later will be eligible for the iOS 26 update.

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iPhone SE (second generation or later)

iPhone 11

iPhone 11 Pro

iPhone 11 Pro Max

iPhone 12

iPhone 12 mini

iPhone 12 Pro

iPhone 12 Pro Max

iPhone 13

iPhone 13 mini

iPhone 13 Pro

iPhone 13 Pro Max

iPhone 14

iPhone 14 Plus

iPhone 14 Pro

iPhone 14 Pro Max

iPhone 15

iPhone 15 Plus

iPhone 15 Pro

iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 16

iPhone 16 Plus

iPhone 16 Pro

iPhone 16 Pro Max

iPhone 16e

Not listed here are the presumed new iPhone 17 models (or maybe iPhone 26?) that are all but certain to be announced and released in September.

How to install iOS 26 beta

The iOS 26 public beta is now available to download via the Apple Beta Software Program. If you're not already a member, you'll need to sign up to try out all the latest features. Just visit beta.apple.com and sign up with your phone number or email address. It's free.

Once you're in, you can install it by going to Settings > General > Software Update and selecting iOS 26 public beta.

A word of caution: Don't sign up with your main iPhone unless you're OK with any risks that occur with using an OS that isn't finalized.

When will the final version of iOS 26 be released?

iOS 26 will be released to the public this fall. It usually comes in September, within a week of the Apple iPhone event. Last year, it rolled out to iPhone users on September 16  exactly one week after the iPhone 16 lineup was announced.

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If you're more interested in the Apple Intelligence features coming, here's everything Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and more during WWDC. Also, check out how iOS 26 screenshots could be an intriguing preview of Apple's delayed Siri rework.

Update, August 25: Added a rumor about new AirPods Pro having heart rate monitoring.

Update, August 22: Noted that Apple has officially stopped signing iOS 18.6.

Update, August 20: Noted that iOS 26 public beta 4 and iOS 18.6.2 are now available to download.

Update, August 18: Added details about a potential iOS 18.6 update.

Update, August 15: Added to link to what to expect at the Apple iPhone event and details about what's available in the iOS 26 screenshots editor.

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Update, August 13: Added new AirPods detail spotted in the iOS 26 beta.

Update, August 11: Noted that iOS 26 developer beta has hit beta 6.

Update, August 8: Added new features coming with iPadOS 26 and AirPods.

Update, August 6: Noted the release of iOS 26 beta 5 and the new bouncy feature on passcode screen and Control Center.

Update, August 4: Noted that Apple is reportedly working on a ChatGPT rival.

Update, August 1: Added quote from Tim Cook about iOS 26.

Update, July 31: Noted that iOS 18.6 is now available.

Update, July 24: Noted the iOS 26 public beta is now available.

Update, July 3: Noted new FaceTime feature found in the developer beta.

Update, June 30: Noted ongoing iOS 18 releases, and reports that Apple is considering additional external LLMs for Siri.

Update, June 25: Noted changes added in iOS 26 beta 2.
Former President Barack Obama has publicly responded after Donald Trump revived false conspiracy theories and shared an AI-generated video showing a fake arrest of Obama.

The video, posted by Trump on social media over the weekend, depicted a made-up scene of Obama in handcuffs in the Oval Office, with the caption "No one is above the law." Many have condemned the post as racially charged and misleading.

Trump: We're going to get the drug prices down by 1000% 600% 500% 1500%. Numbers that are not even thought to be achievable.



Is Donald Trump the dumbest person to ever hold public office? pic.twitter.com/UGv9q3QIKv  Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) July 23, 2025

Obama's office responded strongly on Monday through spokesperson Patrick Rodenbush, calling Trump's accusations and the digital propaganda "outrageous" and "a weak attempt at distraction."

"Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not usually dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation coming from this White House with a response," Rodenbush stated. "But these claims are ridiculous and deserve a direct reply."

These comments followed Trump's repeated claims that Obama had orchestrated a so-called "deep state coup" during the 2016 election.

Donald Trump just posted a video of former President Obama getting arrested.



Anything to distract from the Epstein files

pic.twitter.com/To58NfRkii  Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) July 20, 2025

He referenced a recently declassified intelligence report, which his alliesincluding Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbardargue shows Obama officials manipulated information about Russian interference.

However, lawmakers and intelligence experts have largely rejected the report. Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, called the allegations "baseless."

Critics also suggest that the renewed focus on Obama aims to distract from other controversies, including the Epstein case.

Political analyst Brian Krassenstein criticized Gabbard's handling of the report, claiming she is "creating a false narrative to politicize intelligence findings."

The Senate Intelligence Committee's bipartisan report from 2020 already confirmed Russia's efforts to influence the 2016 election but found no proof of changed vote counts. Rodenbush pointed out that the new report did not dispute that conclusion.

During a press appearance on Monday, Trump once again deflected questions about Epstein, instead reinforcing claims that Obama and former FBI Director James Comey "fabricated the files."

Obama's strong response marks a significant change from his usual silence regarding Trump's comments, reflecting increasing concern over the former president's progressively provocative and misleading statements.
Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary frontman of Black Sabbath and reality TV icon, made sure his entire family was cared for in death  including his most private child.

The rocker's will, reportedly valued at $220 million, outlines a detailed estate plan that provides for his wife, Sharon, and their five children. Notably, his eldest daughter Aimee Osbourne, who long distanced herself from the family's fame, is set to inherit a substantial share despite her years out of the spotlight.

"Aimee will receive her one-third portion of the residual estate, just like Kelly and Jack," a source close to the family told RadarOnline.com. "Ozzy was adamant that no child would be cut out of his will, no matter their public profile."

Aimee Osbourne, 41, avoided participation in the family's hit MTV series The Osbournes, choosing instead to pursue her own music career under the moniker ARO. She left home at 16 to escape the spotlight, a move Sharon Osbourne has publicly expressed regret over.

Despite their divergent paths, Ozzy made it clear in his final wishes that Aimee's privacy would not cost her a rightful share of his legacy. Her portion of the estate will reportedly be placed in a trust that delivers quarterly payments until she turns 50, after which she will receive the remaining principal.

"Ozzy loved all his kids equally  fame or no fame didn't matter," a source said. "He wanted Aimee to have the freedom to live her life, and knew his money could give her that unbelievable luxury."

The will, created years before the rock icon's passing on July 22 at age 76 following a long battle with Parkinson's disease, bequeaths a lifetime interest in the estate to Sharon Osbourne, 72. Upon her death, the remaining assets will be divided evenly among the children.

Kelly and Jack Osbourne, who played prominent roles in the family's television fame, have been named co-executors alongside Sharon. Kelly will reportedly inherit a stake in their mother's Hancock Park home, while Jack will receive the family's California compound and a share of Ozzy's publishing rights.

Ozzy's wealth spans music royalties, multiple properties in California and the U.K., and stakes in business ventures such as Metal Casino. His estate also includes proceeds from his final Black Sabbath tour  estimated at $190 million  which have already been donated to several causes, including Parkinson's research, the Birmingham Children's Hospital, and the Acorn Hospice.

Sources close to the family say Aimee intends to use her inheritance to further her music and acting career, with a debut album already in the works.
Riding shotgun in this photo from last week's Swim Day Parade is Laurence Vincent, a 3rd generation GID employee while, behind the wheel, is 4th generation GID employee (and Laurence's daughter), Amy Neckstad.
(The Center Square)  The Department of Justice will remain laser-focused on combating actions it believes violate civil rights laws, including initiatives promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.

That plan includes using subpoenas, prosecutions or revocation of federal funding, DOJ Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon said in a civil rights and DEI-focused Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday.

The goal is clear  either DEI will end on its own, or we will kill it, Dhillon told lawmakers, arguing that DEI, by pushing for equity-based outcomes rather than individual rights and opportunity, is a form of group justice that is a Marxist concept and equates to invidious racial discrimination.

Under the second Trump administration, the 368 attorneys have left the DOJs Civil Rights Division, which enforces federal statutes protecting Americans constitutional right to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, class or religion.

But despite widespread agency cuts, the DOJ, Department of Education, Department of Homeland Security and other agencies have remained busy enforcing President Donald Trumps civil rights agenda.

During Trumps first six months in office, the administration has cut nearly all DEI-based federal contracts, frozen federal funding for higher education institutions that enable antisemitism or promote woke initiatives, redirected DEI-related funding for Smithsonian museums, and taken actions to ban transgender-identifying men from competing in womens sports.

Dhillon said the DOJ is taking our guidance from the priorities of this administration and the obvious violations that are occurring by cracking down on any schools, businesses, and government programs that violate equal treatment under the law through affirmative action, social justice initiatives or other discrimination.

Our responsibility toward the taxpayers requires us to focus on those big-ticket items, but we are also looking at offenders up and down the spectrum, Dhillon added.

She referenced activities such as schools offering minority-only scholarships, admissions and hiring quotas, legal attacks on religious business owners, and minority-only taxpayer-funded grants as instances of illegal discrimination.

Rep. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., praised Dhillon and the Trump administration for their recent actions, calling DEI an illegal, fraudulent and cynical ideology.

For at least the last decade, Americas civil rights laws have been used not to prohibit discrimination, but to institutionalize it, Schmitt said. The modern civil rights machine, both inside and outside the government, has been wielded like a weapon.

Democratic lawmakers, however, reversed the accusation, arguing that the Trump administration has weaponized civil rights laws against things it dislikes, rather than actual violations.

What youre doing to use the sledgehammer of federal funding with universities to try to coerce them [in]to accepting your right-wing agenda is disgraceful, and using that cudgel will have far-reaching implications, Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., told Dhillon.

Out of all the years of criticism of cancel culture, you seem to want to cancel any institution that has views that you disagree with, he added.
BOZEMAN, Mont.  The Bozeman City Commission held a meeting to discuss Ordinance 2172, which prohibits camping in public rights of way. This ordinance, passed last fall, aims to reduce homeless camping on city streets.

City staff said since the ordinance has been in place, there has been a significant decrease in street camping. When the ordinance went into effect last November, there were nearly 190 structures on the streets. Now, that number has dropped to about 36.

Following its implementation, the city saw an immediate reduction in street camping. Currently, 22 people have permits to continue camping, but this permit system is set to expire in October.

Part of the presentation included information on where these people went following the passage of 2172. Out of 40 of the campers who previously had permits through the ordinance, six have moved out of state, said Chief Civil Attorney Anna Saverud. Around 14 moved to another town within Montana. The remaining 20 have gotten into housing, moved their campsites to private property or a campground in the local area.

Over time, the number of areas people have been permitted to camp in as the population has shrunk. It has now narrowed down to two areas within the city.

City staff emphasized how hard the Neighborhood Services division has worked in connecting with the people living in the public right of way. Program Manager Ben Bailey has played a key role in working out the ordinance, making connections and helping people find services through programs like the HRDC or Veterans Affairs.

The city has spent a significant amount of money on managing this ordinance. For fiscal year 2025, they have moved 110 tons of refuse to the landfill, including trailers, campers and abandoned vehicles. Towing costs for moving campers to impound or onto private property totaled $55,000. Tows to the landfill totaled $11,500.

The permitted camp areas have portable toilets, which have totaled $18,048 in management. Some were vandalized and needed to be replaced.

Everyday efforts from Neighborhood Services to contact, connect, warn, clean, document and tow through ordinance 2172 amounted to $248,000 in staff hours for fiscal year 2025.

City Manager Chuck Winn said he and city staff recommend going forward with the sunset of the permit system scheduled for October 1 and not extending it anymore.

City staff said that two-thirds of the remaining street campers have plans to secure housing before the permit system expires. However, there are a few individuals without permits who have not shown interest in complying with city rules.

Deputy Mayor Joey Morrison questioned whether there could be a compromise between extending and sunsetting the permits to give these people more time to find transitional or permanent housing.

We have thought long and hard and hard  does more time benefit those individuals? and I think its the thought and experience that it does not, said Saverud. We dont have a good solution of how we could tighten or further restrict the permit to help give those folks time to get somewhere else.

The commission concluded the meeting with a general sentiment to maintain the October 1 permit sunset date. They also considered reallocating funds to support transitional housing efforts after the deadline.
A 3 million international project is set to revolutionise digital technology for livestock farmers across Europes vast moorlands, promising smarter, tailored solutions for upland communities.

Covering more than a third of the Earths surface, moorlandreferred to as rangeland outside the UK and Irelandsupports a variety of extensive grazing systems.

These systems rely on livestock to convert natural vegetation into meat and dairy products for human consumption.

Scotlands Rural College (SRUC) is the UK partner in the 3 million EU-funded DIGI-Rangeland project (Digital innovation and data technology network for rangeland livestock farming systems).

The four-year project is led by the French Livestock Institute and involves partners from Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Iceland, Norway, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and Romania.

The project is designed to allow the different partners  and especially the network of land managers that will be created in each country over the four years  to learn from each other and see what approaches might be relevant to moorlands in more than just one country.

Dr Claire Morgan-Davies of SRUCs Hill & Mountain Research Centre near Loch Lomond explained: Not only is the majority of rangeland vegetation considered to be of high nature conservation value  because of the vegetation itself and the wildlife it supports  but also the health of that vegetation is intimately linked to, and so depends upon, the continuation of the grazing systems.

However, these grazing systems face numerous challenges that threaten their economic and social viability.

Dr Morgan-Daviess team will establish a network of upland farmers and other land users in the UK.

The Hill & Mountain Research Centre will also serve as an Upland Digital Hub, hosting events for farmers, advisors, students, and other upland stakeholders to showcase practical applications of these new technologies.

We are excited to be involved in this project, which complements the increasing focus of research at the farms in recent years in highlighting that the use of digital technology will be essential in ensuring the continued viability of upland farming systems, Dr Morgan-Davies added.

The project will also engage SRUCs Rural Policy Centre to work alongside wider rural communities in upland regions.
Farmers are being urged to limit close contact between the public and young animals at lamb-feeding events, following a major outbreak of cryptosporidium that affected over 200 visitors earlier this year.

Public Health Wales has published a new report highlighting the risks of allowing visitors  particularly young children  to hold, cuddle, or kiss lambs during these increasingly popular farm events.

The findings show that individuals who had direct contact with lambs were significantly more likely to become ill than those who did not touch the animals.

Dr Christopher Williams, Consultant Epidemiologist at Public Health Wales and co-author of the report, said: We know that farmers want to run safe, enjoyable events for the general public and that lamb feeding events are increasingly popular, especially with families.

"However, cryptosporidium and other infectious diseases are spread very easily in these environments and they can have serious consequences  particularly among young children who are the most likely to become ill.

The outbreak, which occurred during the spring, saw over 200 people fall ill, with 18 requiring hospital treatment. Children under the age of ten were found to be four times more likely to contract the infection.

Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite found commonly in young livestock. It causes gastrointestinal illness and is passed through contact with infected faeces  even in quantities too small to see.

Vulnerable groups, including young children and people with weakened immune systems, are particularly at risk of severe illness.

The new guidance recommends that lamb and calf feeding should still be allowed, but under strict supervision, with animals remaining behind pen barriers to prevent unnecessary close contact.

Bottle feeding can still be carried out, but without handling or cuddling the animals, as well as better handwashing facilities on site.

Dr Williams emphasised: This report shows that when young children have close contact with animals like lambs  when they cuddle, kiss or nuzzle their faces  then there is a significant risk of contracting the infection, which can cause serious illness and result in hospitalisation.

Public Health Wales will present the findings and safety recommendations at the Royal Welsh Show on 24 July, where a dedicated panel event will offer farmers the chance to engage with health experts and regulatory bodies on best practice.

The report also encourages farmers to familiarise themselves with existing public health guidance and to plan ahead early to ensure that their events are both enjoyable and safe.

Having adequate handwashing facilities on-site is absolutely essential, said Dr Williams. We would also like to see farmers make their visitors aware of the risks involved in having close contact with young animals, so that people are educated before they attend.
Strong trade through Scotlands livestock marts is continuing to bolster confidence in the beef sector, despite prices easing slightly from their early summer peak.

According to auctioneer Andrew Hunter-Blair of Craig Wilson Ltd in Dumfries and Galloway, current store cattle values remain significantly higher year-on-year  a clear sign that optimism is holding firm among beef producers.

Prices hit a peak in June, with store cattle being sold for 400-600 more on the year and heifers with calves at foot averaging up to 1000 more, said Mr Hunter-Blair.

Wed anticipated the price would drop over the summer, which it has, but its still higher than it was last year and from sales last week it looks like prices are starting to pick up again.

This could partly be due to low numbers as a result of a lot of forward selling in the Spring. It's a new age of pricing and we need to get used to it.

"Demand is strong and its really good to see producers rewarded for the work they put in with prices where they should be. Theres definitely positivity among our customers.

Mr Hunter-Blair also noted a noticeable increase in activity through the sale ring, with more buyers and sellers participating compared to previous years.

There have definitely been more folk around the ring and trading. They are seeing the value. There also seem to be fewer private sales on farm.

"In the mart, theres the competition that you dont get with a private sale, with say 6-8 buyers bidding, which widens the market potential and you get the best price on the day. Many wouldnt dream of asking those prices at home.

Murray Steel, auctioneer at United Auctions and representative for young auctioneers at the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland (IAAS), echoed the upbeat tone.

Theres a lack of numbers in the suckler herd both domestically and globally. Its an older industry and many have come out of beef as they werent getting the returns, said Mr Steel.

Were seeing now the impact of the low supply and rising demand. While fat cattle prices are back at the abattoirs, they are going from strength to strength in the ring.

"Those who have stuck at beef are now reaping the rewards. Everyone is upbeat and in good spirits.

In recent years, the sector has experienced several herd dispersals, but Mr Steel believes those still in production are determined to keep numbers up.

Those who are staying in cows are keeping their numbers up and buying more which will help stabilise the national herd. The current values will hopefully encourage them to continue to invest.

Looking ahead, he anticipates a sharper trade towards the end of the year: The value of the marts really shows at times like this," Mr Steel expalined.

"The rings been paramount in the way trade has risen, and the marts are a pivotal part in getting store and fat to where it is today.

"The processors may see tight trade in the Spring which will trickle down but theres definitely a bright future for breeders and sellers at the marts. Theres never been a better time, the trade is going from strength to strength.

Neil Wilson, executive director of the Institute of Appraisers and Auctioneers in Scotland (IAAS), praised the role of marts in supporting the sector through challenging times.

The marts are agile and remain dynamic and active to meet market demand. Despite the challenges of US trade deals, policy changes, economic uncertainties, and more recently, BTV, its excellent to see the beef trade as strong as ever.

"The marts have a significant role in safeguarding a competitive marketplace, and never is it more obvious than when balancing supply and demand.

UK beef production is projected to fall by 5% in 2025, but the AHDB forecasts a 1% rise in consumer demand next year.

To help future-proof the sector, IAAS is working with the Red Meat Resilience Group and Quality Meat Scotland through the Meating Your Potential campaign  promoting the sustainability and viability of Scottish red meat production.

We need to work together along the whole supply chain to reverse the decline of suckler cow numbers and get the best returns back to the farmgate, added Mr Wilson.

Scottish beef is the backbone of Scottish agriculture, and we hope this rise in values will encourage producers to reinvest.

"Whether its putting on two or 22 more cows, it will all contribute towards stabilising the herd and ensuring the future of beef production in Scotland.
The Farmers Union of Wales (FUW) is calling time on the barriers holding back young farmers with a new report demanding urgent action to secure the future of Welsh agriculture.

The union has set out nearly 40 detailed recommendations aimed at the UK and Welsh governments to secure a sustainable future for farming in Wales.

Central to the report, entitled 'A Mandate for Future Farmers', is the urgent need to attract and retain young talent within farming.

The FUW says this is essential not only for safeguarding food security but also for sustaining vibrant rural economies and communities, as well as preserving vital rural and land-management skills.

These factors are crucial to ensuring Wales land can meet the needs of future generations in an increasingly challenging environment.

The report draws attention to significant barriers faced by young farmers, including an ageing workforce, with the median age of a key decision maker farmer in Wales now 61.

Alarmingly, only 3% of head of holding farmers are under 35. Prohibitive land prices and difficulties accessing finance are also major hurdles, compounded by low incomes and unpredictable cash flow, which restrict the ability of newcomers to buy land or secure rental agreements.

Additionally, growing competition for land from natural capital investors, forestry projects, lifestyle buyers, charities, government bodies, and renewable energy developers further exacerbates the issue.

Short and insecure tenancies are another problem, the report states. The average term for new Farm Business Tenancies (FBTs) is just over three years, with 80% lasting five years or less. This discourages long-term investment and planning.

The sale of County Council farms has further reduced available land, with council-owned farmland in Wales shrinking by 25% (approximately 13,000 hectares) in the last decade.

Succession planning is also flagged as a serious concern, with one recent study finding that 21% of farmers surveyed have no intention of retiring.

The FUW proposes a multi-pronged approach to support the next generation of farmers, urging both Welsh and UK governments to take action.

Recommendations for the Welsh government include introducing quarterly Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) payments and prioritising new entrants and young farmers.

The FUW also calls for a loan or guarantor scheme via the Development Bank of Wales to alleviate financial pressures, alongside increased capital cost contributions and upfront payments for newcomers.

Further recommendations include reinstating the Agri Academy Rural Leadership Programme, supporting youth networking groups, implementing policies on SFS accessibility, bovine TB eradication, and promoting public procurement of Welsh produce.

The report advocates enabling joint SFS applications by landlords and tenants, encouraging investment in skills, promoting diverse farming careers, supporting agricultural colleges, reducing bureaucracy, and continuing to champion Welsh food and drink.

On the UK government front, the FUW urges a rethink of proposed changes to agricultural property relief (APR), arguing that farming assets should only be taxed on sale rather than when passed between generations.

It also backs recommendations from the 2022 Rock Review to encourage longer, more secure FBTs with rents reflecting productivity rather than just land value.

The report calls on existing farmers and landowners to offer longer-term and more secure tenancy agreements, trial years for new entrants, share farming, contract farming, joint ventures, and mentoring.

It stresses the importance of proactive succession planning, supported by Farming Connect and professional advice. The FUW also encourages lending machinery, leasing livestock, and continued support for Wales Young Farmers Clubs.

Speaking about the report, FUW Policy Officer Teleri Fielden said: "A Mandate for Future Farmers is a clear call to action for governments and the industry.

"The future of Welsh agriculture, and indeed our ability to respond to wider challenges as a nation, hinges on our ability to support and empower the next generation.

"We must remove the barriers, create genuine opportunities, and invest in the talent that will ensure our family farms continue to thrive for decades to come, providing food, managing biodiverse and climate resilient farms, and sustaining our rural communities."

FUW President Ian Rickman added: "This report is more than just a list of recommendations; it's a blueprint for a resilient and thriving future for Welsh farming, ensuring that the heart of our rural communities continues to beat strong for generations to come."
He started as a trainee chef with the Taj Group, went on to work with and set up kitchens at some of the best hospitality brands of the country, and has also come into your homes via the screen to show you how to make new dishes. Known for his ability to blend authentic Indian flavours with modern cooking techniques, Chef Gautam Mehrishi now helms the kitchen as Corporate Executive Chef at Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India.



With over 25 years of experience in the Indian food industry Chef Gautam has also hosted multiple television cooking shows and is loved for his innovative approach to cooking with a focus on health. Whether in a five-star kitchen or under a starlit sky at any resort, my mission is clear: to cook from the heart, dream without limits, and always go for the moon. We had the opportunity to spend a rainy afternoon with him, learning about his cooking philosophy, his ideas and the innovations he is looking forward to making. We bring you edited excerpts from the chat.

What is your first memory of food?

My earliest memory? My grandmothers wood-fired oven and the aroma of freshly baked atta biscuits that could give the worlds best Nankatai a run for their money! Watching her cook with instinct and love left a lasting impression on me. That soulful simplicity  food made with emotion  is where my story began.

Can you share your food philosophy with us? How have you incorporated this philosophy in your career?

My philosophy is built on curiosity and creativity. I believe food should be emotional, explorative, and exciting. I never shy away from experimenting, whether its using ancient grains in modern gastronomy or merging street food with global techniques. Ive made it my mission to draw inspiration from tradition and elevate it into something unforgettable.





Image: Shutterstock

What is your take on fusion food?

Fusion isnt a trend, its a language. When done with intent and respect, its like composing a new symphony. I love blending cultures and creating something entirely new, such as infusing pungent Rajasthani spices into Japanese ramen or turning a Bengali-inspired curry into a Mexican taco. Its how cultures converse through taste.

Traditional dishes are taking centre stage. How do you incorporate that in your menus?

Tradition is timeless. I work closely with local communities to revive age-old recipes and reinterpret them with a modern flair, whether its serving pakhala as a risotto or giving a forgotten millet a global avatar. These dishes arent just on the plate; they tell a story, and I love narrating that story with a fresh voice.





In India, unique dining experiences matter more than ever. How do you ensure that your guests enjoy unforgettable meals?

At Club Mahindra, we go beyond just food, we craft experiences. From region-specific tasting menus to storytelling through each dish, its about immersion. Imagine a Kerala backwater thali served on a houseboat, or a Himachali meal cooked over a wood fire in the outdoors. The goal is always to surprise, delight, and create lasting memories.

From your vast experience, whats your message to the home cooks of India?

You are the soul of Indian kitchens. Trust your instincts, honour your heritage, and dont be afraid to experiment. Your food carries your story, share it with pride. Some of the greatest culinary innovations begin in the home kitchen.

After a long workday, what is your comfort meal?

Nothing beats a bowl of steaming dal-chawal with a spoonful of ghee and a bit of raw mango pickle. Its my reset button pure, grounding, and nostalgic.

Image: Shutterstock

Top tips for a quick, homemade meal after work?

Prep smart: Chop, boil, and portion ahead.

Keep a flavour bomb handy: A good chutney or infused oil can transform anything.

One-pan wonders: Khichdi, stir-fries, or grain bowls work great.

Simplify the mindset: Meals dont need to be fancy, just honest.

Add texture: Even a sprinkle of nuts or seeds can elevate a dish.

Fast Five with Chef Gautam

Three things you cant do without in the kitchen:

Heat-resistant spatula, microplane zester, and my sense of humour.

Five favourite ingredients to work with:

Kaffir lime leaves, Himalayan pink salt, ghee, kokum, and miso.

One dish youd love to innovate:

The humble samosa. Imagine a samosa-dim sum hybrid with rice paper and delicate aromatics.





Image: Shutterstock

A cuisine youre excited to explore more:

Peruvian. Its explosive flavours and ingredient diversity excite me.

An underrated Indian ingredient according to you:

Black sesame  rich, earthy, versatile. Its time to bring it beyond the festive sweet shelf.



Also Read: Food For Celebrations: Crispy Veg Lollipops From Chef Ranveer Brar
ICE cotton futures remained range bound with minimal price change on Wednesday. Traders continued to seek clarity regarding trade deals recently announced by the US. A prevailing wait-and-watch approach resulted in light trading activity in US cotton. Weaker crude oil and declining grain prices also dampened overall sentiment in the cotton market.

ICEs most active December 2025 contract settled at 68.24 cents per pound (0.453 kg), down 0.01 cent. The market saw the lightest trading volume so far in 2025, highlighting a dull summer session with limited movement. Other contracts settled between 6 points higher and 36 points lower, indicating mixed trends across the board.

ICE cotton futures stayed range bound on Wednesday, with minimal price change and the lowest trade volume of 2025. Traders remained cautious amid lack of clarity on US trade agreements. Weak crude oil and declining corn futures added to bearish sentiment. Analysts expect subdued momentum until clear direction emerges on global cotton trade, especially regarding US export access.

Crude oil futures on NYMEX remained largely unchanged as investors monitored trade negotiations between the European Union and the United States, following President Donald Trumps tariff agreement with Japan. Falling oil prices have made polyestera cotton substitutemore affordable for producers, which could exert further pressure on cotton demand.

Market analysts noted that cotton prices remained virtually unchanged from the previous session amid very light volumes. On ICE, 18,619 contracts were tradedjust above the 18,138 contracts recorded on New Year's Eve 2025making it one of the lowest-volume days of the year. Cleared volume for the July 22 session stood at 25,100 contracts. The all-time high volume of 171,295 contracts was recorded on April 4, 2025a record day for ICE cotton futures.

According to ICE data released on July 22, deliverable stock for No. 2 cotton futures contracts remained unchanged at 22,337 bales (packages).

CBOT corn futures extended their decline for a third consecutive day due to spread trading activity and expectations of a bumper harvest in the United Statesfactors that continued to weigh on cotton prices.

The market remains watchful of the implications of ongoing trade agreement announcements, though no specific impact on cotton has been observed so far. This cautious trend may persist until clearer guidance emerges regarding US cotton imports by partner countries.

Currently, ICE cotton for December 2025 is trading at 68.41 cents per pound (up 0.17 cent), cash cotton at 65.37 cents (up 0.03 cent), the October 2025 contract at 66.62 cents (up 0.03 cent), the March 2026 contract at 69.78 cents (up 0.15 cent), the May 2026 contract at 70.86 cents (up 0.13 cent) and the July 2026 contract at 71.59 cents (up 0.09 cent). A few contracts remained at their previous closing levels, with no trading recorded today.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
Indias textile exports to Egypt surged 19.64 per cent to $134.831 million during JanuaryApril 2025. Among textile products, yarn was the dominant category, accounting for 77.36 per cent of total textile exports to the nation. India is also the largest cotton exporter to Egypt, while it primarily exports yarn to the country.

It is worth noting that Egyptian cotton is known for its durability and soft feel. It is considered premium due to its long fibre length, ranging from 38 to 44 mm. This premium cotton remains in high demand in India for the manufacture of high-quality cotton garments.

India's textile exports to Egypt rose 19.6 per cent to $134.83 million in JanuaryApril, driven by yarn, which made up over 77 per cent of the total. Fabric exports also grew, while fibre shipments declined. In contrast, India's imports of Egyptian cotton dropped sharply by 43 per cent to $29.65 million. Egypt's long-staple cotton remains in demand for premium Indian garments, despite the import dip.

During the first four months of the current year, India exported yarn worth $104.309 million, making up 77.36 per cent of total textile exports. Fabric exports amounted to $24.869 million (18.45 per cent), and fibre exports stood at $5.651 million (4.19 per cent) during the same period, according to sourcing intelligence tool TexPro.

Indias yarn exports increased 21.15 per cent in the first four months of 2025 from $86.097 million in JanuaryApril 2024. Fabric exports also rose 28.34 per cent from $19.378 million in the same period. However, fibre exports declined by 22.14 per cent compared to $7.259 million last year. The countrys textile exports totalled $112.734 million in the first four months of the previous year.

Yarn exports were valued at $254.737 million, accounting for 75.98 per cent of the total textile exports of $335.258 million in 2024. Fabric and fibre exports to Egypt stood at $55.308 million (16.50 per cent) and $25.212 million (7.52 per cent), respectively. Yarn exports remained almost flat compared to $257.209 million in 2023. Fabric exports fell 5.93 per cent from $58.796 million in 2023. Fibre exports from India to Egypt rose 92.58 per cent in 2024 over the $13.091 million shipped in the preceding year, as per TexPro.

India imported Egyptian cotton worth $29.646 million during JanuaryApril 2025, marking a 43.01 per cent decline from $52.018 million in the same period of the previous year. Imports were recorded at $154.280 million in 2024 and $122.555 million in 2023.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)
UK-listed businesses issued 59 profit warnings in the second quarter (Q2) this yeara 20-per cent rise year on year (YoY), according to an EY-Parthenon report, which revealed that 46 per cent of those warnings cited policy change and geopolitical uncertainty as a leading factorthe highest percentage ever recorded for this cause and up from just 4 per cent during the same period last year.

Nearly a fifth (19 per cent) of such businesses issued at least one warning in the last 12 months.

A profit warning is a public statement issued by a company to inform its shareholders and the public that its financial performance is expected to be lower than previously anticipated.

UK-listed businesses issued 59 profit warnings in Q2 2025a 20-per cent rise YoY, an EY-Parthenon report said. Close to a fifth issued at least one warning in the last 12 months. Forty-six per cent of those warnings cited policy change and geopolitical uncertainty as a top factor. Two-fifths of those cited contract and order cancellations or delays, while 34 per cent cited tariff-related impacts.

Profit warnings citing contract and order cancellations or delays remained at a record level in Q2 (40 per cent), while 34 per cent cited tariff-related impacts, including weaker demand, supply chain disruption, and exchange-rate volatility.

Retail was among the sectors with the highest number of profit warnings during the second quarter.

EY-Parthenon is the strategy consulting arm of Ernst & Young (EY), focusing on transformative strategy and transactions.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
In a recent conversation with Jitesh Pillai on In the Ring with Filmfare, veteran actor Anupam Kher looked back at the early days of his journey in Mumbai. Sharing a memory from the 1980s, Anupam said, I met Ramanand Sagar ji, I met Yash Chopra ji, I met Muzaffar Ali, I even got to work with him. Back then, even if they didnt offer you work, just meeting them felt like an achievement.



He also spoke about his visit to the iconic Prithvi Theatre on the day he arrived in Mumbai, i.e. June 3. He shared, I was very jealous of Satish Kaushik that day, because he had a play at Prithvi Theatre. I went there and saw Shabana Azmi hugging him and wishing him luck. She was so warm. That very day, Anupam Kher also met theatre veterans Dolly Thakore and Alyque Padamsee. He reminisced, Dolly told me, Anupam, you have finally arrived in Bombay. You will make it.





View this post on Instagram A post shared by Filmfare (@filmfare)

But Alyques reaction was different. He told Dolly, I keep meeting fantastic actors. Can we go? The play is about to start. I remember feeling bad at that moment, Anupam Kher admitted, adding that he later shared this story with Alyque himself. It was a different world back then which was warm, welcoming, like a warm quilt on a cold winter night.





Today, decades later, Anupam Kher continues to shine. His latest film Tanvi The Great, which he also directed, has won hearts with its emotional story and strong performances. The film features newcomer Shubhangi Dutt, who has received praise for her powerful acting abilities. With this film, Anupam Kher shows that his passion for storytelling remains just as strong as it was on the day he first walked into Prithvi Theatre.





Also Read: Anupam Kher wishes Kirron Kher with a special birthday post








Janhvi Kapoor has spoken out against a shocking incident in Kalyan, Maharashtra, where a man brutally assaulted a female hospital receptionist.





A viral video from a private clinic, Shri Bal Chikitsalaya, shows the accused, Gokul Jha, attacking Sonali Pradeep Kalasare, a 25-year-old receptionist, after she denied him entry to a doctors cabin as he had no appointment. Despite efforts by bystanders to stop him, Jha is seen kicking the woman, dragging her by the hair, and slamming her to the ground.





Reacting to the disturbing footage, Janhvi Kapoor took to social media to express her outrage. In a strongly worded statement, she wrote, This man needs to be in jail. Why does anyone think this behavior is ok? What makes him think he can raise his hand at someone like this? What kind of upbringing convinces you to go through with these actions without any remorse, guilt or sense of humanity? Shame on us for not punishing and condoning such behavior more aggressively. Nothing excuses this.





Check out the post here:









The assault occurred when the doctor was in a meeting and had specifically instructed the receptionist not to allow anyone inside. According to police, the accused, who was reportedly intoxicated, became violent after being asked to wait.





A case has been registered based on the victims complaint. A police official stated: We have filed an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita for assault, using obscene language, and outraging the modesty of a woman. Assistant Commissioner of Police Suhas Hemade added that efforts are underway to locate and arrest the accused.





The incident has sparked widespread anger and concern about the safety of women in public and workplace environments. Many on social media echoed Janhvis sentiments, calling for urgent and strict action against the accused.





As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the everyday violence women still face, and the urgent need for swift justice and stronger societal accountability.









On the work front, Janhvi Kapoor is gearing up for her upcoming theatre release, Param Sundari with Sidharth Malhotra.





Also Read: Photos! Boney Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor meet at Arjun Kapoors residence
Grammy-nominated, French DJ and producer DJ Snake will be returning to India for a massive six-city Sunburn Arena tour across the country this year. The tour will kick off in Kolkata on September 26, 2025, followed by Hyderabad on September 27, Bengaluru on September 28, Pune on October 3, Mumbai on October 4. It will wrap up in Delhi-NCR on October 5.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by djsnake (@djsnake)

Fans can expect Sunburn to unveil an even bigger showcase and a more electrifying production this time around, underscoring DJ Snakes continued recognition of Indias major fanbase with undying demand. Tickets for the tour will go live starting July 26 at 12PMIST, exclusively on BookMyShow with ticket prices starting at Rs 1,250.









Meanwhile, fans are also awaiting DJ Snakes upcoming album, Nomad, slated to be released this September. Some of his most well-known hits include Turn Down for What, Taki Taki, Let Me Love You and Lean On. His remarkable collaborations with the likes of Lil Jon, Selena Gomez, Cardi B, Justin Bieber and Major Lazer have turned dance floors into global gatherings. The decade-long partnership between DJ Snake and Sunburn stands at its strongest, bringing back the EDM artist for a third time, after his last performance in India in 2022. Few artists command the kind of cult following in India that DJ Snake does. From sold-out shows and roaring crowd chants to fans belting out every lyric at full volume, the French hitmaker has created magic every time he has hit the stage in India. Speaking about his return to India, DJ Snake said, "The passion and the love in India - it all hits different. I still remember the energy during my last visit with thousands of voices singing every word back to me. It was pure madness! Its the way the crowd gives everything theyve got. Every time I come back, that connection feels so deep. See you soon India!"

When it comes to India, the connection runs deep. His past tours have delivered unforgettable memories from surprise cameos and all-out fan frenzies to off-stage moments like hanging out with Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan, and expressing his desire to collaborate with Jacqueline Fernandez. This years Sunburn Arena ft DJ Snakes six-city tour promises to be nothing short of epic. Fans can expect next-level production, brand-new setlists and some very special surprises along the way. When it comes to India, the connection runs deep. His past tours have delivered unforgettable memories from surprise cameos and all-out fan frenzies to off-stage moments like hanging out with Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar and Varun Dhawan, and expressing his desire to collaborate with Jacqueline Fernandez. This years Sunburn Arena ft DJ Snakes six-city tour promises to be nothing short of epic. Fans can expect next-level production, brand-new setlists and some very special surprises along the way.



Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Nora Fatehi & Jason Derulo on Their Chemistry in Snake MV




Allu Arjun at Mumbai airport

Ally Arjun looks effortlessly stylish

Allu Arjun

Shoot will progress till September

Allu Arjun recently went on a holiday and spent time in the US; he also shared photos of his family having a gala time at the Universal Studios. The actor is back in Mumbai now and is set to resume shooting for his upcoming film, AA26 which is being directed by Atlee Kumar.Trust Allu Arjun to serve the best airport look! The actor was spotted coming out of the Mumbai airport on Thursday. And as always, he looked stylish and appeared to up his fashion game. Dressed in all-white (white Tee and a matching track pant and white sneakers), the actor was spotted waving at fans and acknowledging their support. He had effortlessly pulled off the casual yet stylish look, and it instantly caught the attention of fans and fashion watchers alike. The actor greeted the paparazzi with a smile  his cool demeanour and stylish appearance were captured in a video thats doing rounds on social media. It became one of the talking points as he has reportedly undergone physical transformation for his part in Atlees film.Allu Arjun had commenced the first schedule of shooting for AA26 in late June. This schedule is expected to last till September, and the actor is shooting in a specially-designed set in Mumbai. Its a set that is built for VFX, and Allu Arjun is shooting a lot of scenes over previsualization. The scenes will be enhanced later with VFX and CGI for superior cinematic experience. He is also scheduled to visit a Los Angeles-based studio later this year to shooting certain portions. The sci-fi thriller will be high on VFX and animatronics that features state-of-the-art set up. And so far, only Deepika Padukones name has been officially announced as one of the leading ladies.
Jr NTR and Hrithik Roshan in War 2

War 2 trailer in record theatres

Jr NTR

War 2 Celebration Melbourne NTR Fans https://t.co/YZJ1mwfUwQ     (@MelbNTRFans) July 24, 2025

Melbourne fans tribute to Jr NTR

The celebrations for the trailer of spy action thriller War 2, starring Jr NTR and Hrithik Roshan, in the Telugu states have already kicked off! While the trailer is set to release on July 25, meanwhile, fans of NTR have planned several surprises as part of the publicity campaign.The trailer of War 2 will be launched at 10:08 am in more than 100 theatres across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Fans have set up massive cutouts of Jr NTR at various theatres to be unveiled ahead of the trailer. Producer Naga Vamsi who has bagged the theatrical distribution rights of the Ayan Mukerji directorial in Telugu is looking up the ante. He is reportedly planning to hold a massive pre-release event in Vijayawada featuring Jr NTR. Buzz is that the producer also asked Yash Raj Films if Hrithik Roshan can also be part of the event to further amplify the buzz.In a staunch display of fandom, Jr NTR fans in Melbourne found an interesting way to celebrate the trailer release of War 2, the actor's debut in Bollywood. A fascinating fan engagement initiative would be kicked off with words "NTR War 2" scrawled across the Australian skyline with flight smoke. This act of the fans drew everyones attention. A video that documents the event surfaced on social media highlights Jr NTRs growing fan base cutting across countries. Meanwhile, as the trailer is just a day from the release, several edit videos and posts have been put up by the fans on social media. Since the expectations are sky-high, the buildup for the excitement to watch the epic clash between Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR is an all-time high. War 2 is slated for release on August 14, 2025.
Ahead of the upcoming UN General Assembly to set a new vision for non-communicable diseases, the Global Self-Care Federation is calling for self-care strategies to be integrated into health plans

Non-communicable diseases account for 76% of global deaths, and their impact continues to rise [1]

Current self-care activities are generating substantial global monetary savings ($119 billion per year) as well as healthcare workforce savings - with huge potential to unlock further savings[2]

GENEVA, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On International Self-Care Day, and as world leaders prepare for a landmark United Nations General Assembly meeting on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) this September, the Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF) is calling for an urgent paradigm shift: integrate self-care strategies into national health systems to stem the rising tide of preventable illness and death.

NCDs - including cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, and mental health conditions - account for 76% of global deaths, and this number continues to rise. These conditions place a growing burden on individuals, families, and health systems worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for scalable, person-centered solutions like self-care that support prevention, early management, and long-term wellbeing.

In response to the escalating global burden of NCDs, Heads of States and Government will meet at the United Nations General Assembly NCD meeting in September to establish a new vision for the prevention and control of these conditions.

Amid rising healthcare costs and increasingly stretched health systems, self-care stands out as a powerful and proven solution. On this International Self-Care Day, the GSCF - the global voice of the self-care life sciences industry - highlights the role of non-prescription medicines, self-care health products, and self-management tools in supporting the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of a wide range of conditions through evidence-based, person-centered care. Self-care is a low-cost, high-impact approach that empowers individuals to prevent, manage, and control NCDs through sustainable, everyday actions. Realizing its full potential requires supportive government policies that promote health literacy, enable access to quality self-care products, and encourage healthy choices across populations.

Evidence-based self-care involves making healthy lifestyle choices and avoiding unhealthy habits, making responsible use of prescription and non-prescription medicines, recognizing symptoms, managing one's own treatments of self-treatable conditions, and self-monitoring health conditions more closely. The GSCF is therefore calling for supportive policy frameworks-such as improved health literacy, better access to self-care tools, and environments that enable and encourage healthier choices for all.

Recent work by the GSCF found that self-care practices are already producing over $119 billion in global savings annually, freeing up to 1.8 billion physician hours. Scaling up these interventions could unlock over $230 billion in economic benefits in low- and middle-income countries by 2030, while significantly relieving pressure on healthcare workers.[3]

"Self-care is not a luxury - it's a public health imperative," said Greg Perry, Director General of GSCF. "When people have access to effective self-care products - such as fluoridated toothpaste, smoking cessation aids, skincare treatments, allergy relief, and cough and cold remedies - they're empowered to manage their health proactively, relieve symptoms early, and reduce the burden on health systems. These everyday solutions already support millions in maintaining wellness and preventing more serious illness. As the UN Meeting on NCDs approaches, it's essential to recognize self-care as a vital foundation of resilient, sustainable healthcare."

Tamara Rogers, Chair of the GSCF, added: "Self-care is a proven, scalable, and people-centered solution that enables individuals and communities to take control of their health every day. We're encouraged that self-care is increasingly being recognised as an essential health component, but there is more to be done to embed this into systems worldwide. Integrating self-care into national strategies is paramount to reduce healthcare burdens, close access gaps, and build sustainable systems."

As part of its Self-care is healthcare movement, the GCSF is outlining four recommendations for countries to scale self-care practices to address NCDs, support health ageing and ensure integration of self-care into the healthcare delivery continuum:[1]

Formally integrate self-care into national health plans and strategies

Mobilize the entire multidisciplinary care team in service of self-care

Leverage digital health technologies to increase access to self-care products and services

Promote self-care as a key piece of healthy ageing

On International Self-Care Day, the Federation invites global partners, health leaders, and citizens to rally behind the SelfCareIs campaign to elevate awareness and accelerate action. To find out more and get involved, please visit https://self-care-is-healthcare.org/.

Notes

The Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF) represents associations and manufacturers in the self-care industry, promoting sustainable and better global health outcomes for all. For more information, visit: www.selfcarefederation.org.

International Self-Care Day is held annually on 24th July (7/24), to highlight that the benefits of self-care are experienced 24 hours a day, seven days a week. International Self-Care Day raises awareness of the value of self-care and the benefit that effective self-care can bring to both individuals and healthcare systems.

[1] GSCF. Self-Care Readiness Index 2025. https://www.selfcarefederation.org/resources/self-care-readiness-index-2025.

[2] GSCF. Economic and Social Value of Self-Care. https://www.selfcarefederation.org/ecosoc-report.

[3] GSCF. Policy Paper: How self-care contributes to the risk-reduction, prevention & management of NCDs. https://www.selfcarefederation.org/resources/how-self-care-contributes-risk-reduction-prevention-management-ncds.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/scaling-self-care-can-be-a-game-changer-in-global-fight-against-non-communicable-diseases-302511898.html
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.



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EQS-Ad-hoc: Dexus Finance Pty Limited / Key word(s): Real Estate/Acquisition

Dexus Finance Pty Limited: Dexus invests in DWSF as fund secures strategic investment; progresses divestment program



24-Jul-2025 / 01:50 CET/CEST

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

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





Dexus (ASX: DXS) ASX release 23 July 2025 Dexus invests in DWSF as fund secures strategic investment; progresses divestment program Dexus investment in DWSF as the fund secures strategic investment in Westfield Chermside Dexus today announced its flagship retail fund, Dexus Wholesale Shopping Centre Fund (DWSF), has exchanged contracts with Scentre Group to acquire a 25% interest in Westfield Chermside, Brisbane, for $683 million (excluding transaction costs). Westfield Chermside, located 20 minutes north of Brisbane's CBD, is Australia's second-largest regional shopping centre by both sales and gross lettable area. This acquisition aligns with DWSF's strategy of owning market-leading retail assets with strong growth potential. In line with Dexus's strategic priority to invest alongside funds and recognising DWSF's sector-leading performance, Dexus will invest an additional $170 million into the fund, taking its investment to $300 million. Dexus is also supporting further initiatives to ensure the fund maintains investor appeal and performance. These include changes to the fee structure, fund liquidity and backstop funding in relation to the sale of the Macquarie Centre. Together with the acquisition of Westfield Chermside, Dexus's investment supports DWSF's strategy, driven by a specialist retail sector team and refreshed leadership, and positions the fund for the future. Michael Sheffield, Dexus Executive General Manager, Funds Management, said: "This exclusive off-market transaction leverages our established relationship with Scentre Group to secure a market-leading asset for DWSF. Dexus's co-investment underscores its conviction in the fund's strategy and future potential." Kirrily Lord, Dexus Executive General Manager, Retail, said: "Westfield Chermside's scale, performance metrics and community integration make it an exceptional addition to our retail platform, delivering both immediate performance and long-term value creation." Divestment of two properties and securing additional trading profits for FY26 Consistent with its divestment program, Dexus also announced the sale of two properties with combined proceeds of $153.5 million[1], in which Dexus's share is $92.8 million. 116-130 Gilmore Road, Berrinba was sold for $32.0 million1, reflecting a 6.7% premium to the prior book value as at 31 December 2024. 116-130 Gilmore Road is an industrial asset located in South West Brisbane with a WALE of 6.6 years[2] and occupancy of 100%2. Settlement occurred on 27 June 2025. 149 Orchard Road, Chester Hill was sold for $121.5 million1, in which Dexus has a 50% share alongside its opportunistic fund DREP1. The sale is conditional on the issuance of an acceptable environmental management plan and practical completion, both of which are expected to occur by late August 2025. The sale is expected to contribute approximately $9 million pre-tax trading profits for Dexus in FY26. Authorised by Brett Cameron, General Counsel and Company Secretary of Dexus Funds Management Limited For further information please contact: Investors

Rowena Causley

Head of Listed Investor Relations

+61 416 122 383

rowena.causley@dexus.com Media

Luke O'Donnell

Senior Manager, Media and Communications

+61 412 023 111

luke.odonnell@dexus.com

[1] Reflects net sale price and excludes transaction costs. [2] As at 30 May 2025.



End of Inside Information

Information and Explanation of the Issuer to this announcement:



About Dexus Dexus (ASX: DXS) is a leading Australasian fully integrated real asset group, managing a high-quality Australasian real estate and infrastructure portfolio valued at $53.4 billion. The Dexus platform includes the Dexus investment portfolio and the funds management business. We directly and indirectly own $14.5 billion of office, industrial, retail, healthcare, infrastructure and alternatives. We manage a further $38.9 billion of investments in our funds management business which provides third party capital with exposure to quality sector specific and diversified real asset products. The funds within this business have a strong track record of delivering performance and benefit from Dexus's capabilities. The platform's $15.6 billion real estate development pipeline provides the opportunity to grow both portfolios and enhance future returns. We believe that the strength and quality of our relationships will always be central to our success and are deeply connected to our purpose Unlock potential, create tomorrow. Our sustainability approach is focused on the priority areas where we believe we can make significant impact: Customer Prosperity, Climate Action and Enhancing Communities. Dexus is supported by more than 38,000 investors from 24 countries. With four decades of expertise in real estate and infrastructure investment, funds management, asset management and development, we have a proven track record in capital and risk management and delivering returns for investors. www.dexus.com Dexus Funds Management Ltd ABN 24 060 920 783, AFSL 238163, as Responsible Entity for Dexus (ASX: DXS)

(Dexus Property Trust ARSN 648 526 470 and Dexus Operations Trust ARSN 110 521 223)

Level 30, 50 Bridge Street, Sydney NSW 2000

24-Jul-2025 CET/CEST The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Archive at www.eqs-news.com


Kunstliche Intelligenz, Magnificent Seven, Tech-Euphorie  seit Monaten scheint an der Borse nur eine Richtung zu existieren: nach oben. Doch hinter den Rekordkursen lauert eine gefahrliche Wahrheit. Die Bewertungen vieler Tech-Schwergewichte haben historische Extremniveaus erreicht. Shiller-KGV bei 39, Buffett-Indikator auf Allzeithoch  schon in der Dotcom-Ara war der Markt kaum teurer.



Hinzu kommen euphorische Anlegerstimmung, IPO-Hypes ohne Substanz, kreditfinanzierte Wertpapierkaufe in Rekordhohe und charttechnische Warnsignale, die Erinnerungen an 2000 und 2021 wecken. Gleichzeitig drucken geopolitische Risiken, Trumps aggressive Zollpolitik und saisonale Borsenschwache auf die Perspektiven.



Die Gefahr: Aus der schleichenden Korrektur konnte ein rasanter Crash werden  und der konnte vor allem uberbewertete KI- und Chipwerte hart treffen.



In unserem kostenlosen Spezial-Report zeigen wir Ihnen, welche Tech-Aktien am starksten gefahrdet sind und wie Sie Ihr Depot vor dem Platzen der Blase schutzen konnten.



Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report!



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KEY POINTS

Numerous significant drill-ready targets defined at Green Bay using extensive geophysical surveys

A total of 325 geophysical targets have so far been identified which are considered to be look-alikes to the major deposits at Green Bay, including Ming, Rambler Main and East Mine, with very similar geology and geophysical responses

The geophysics, which comprised airborne electromagnetic (EM) and magnetic surveys, was the first modern geophysical campaign completed over the project area

Ground-based EM follow-up of conductive anomalies provides further strong evidence of the potential for copper and gold discoveries

Part of the proceeds from the recent capital raising will be used to accelerate the surface drilling program. A second surface drill rig has mobilised to site

At Rambler Main Mine and East Mine, further assays are expected in coming weeks:

Initial results received from the Rambler Main Mine extension include 10m @ 6.4% CuEq and 12.9m @ 4.3% CuEq (see ASX announcement dated 15 May 2025)

Exploration activities have commenced at the nearby Tilt Cove Project that was acquired by the Company in late 2024. Historical mining at the Tilt Cove Mine produced ~170,000t of copper and 50,000oz of gold from a large-scale Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) system (see ASX announcement dated 4 November 2024)

Ground-based EM completed by FireFly at the Tilt Cove Project confirms an extensive untested conductive anomaly first identified by Newmont Exploration in the 1980s. Drill testing of the anomaly is planned for Q4 2025

In addition, multi rig underground drilling continues to infill and extend the existing Mineral Resources at the nearby underground Ming copper-gold Mine

The Company remains well funded, with anticipated cash and liquid investments of ~A$145M,1 having strengthened its balance sheet as a result of substantially completing a multi-tranche capital raising2(see ASX announcements dated 5, 10 and 16 June 2025) and share purchase plan (see ASX announcement dated 11 July 2025)

FireFly Managing Director, Steve Parsons, said: "The results of this geophysical campaign are extremely strong and support our view that there is huge potential for major discoveries at Green Bay.

"No modern geophysics has been used at Green Bay until now and the regional upside has barely been tested. But these results have uncovered compelling targets which share key similarities with the known deposits at the project.

"We will soon have a second surface rig operating and we look forward to testing these targets as part of our wider resource growth strategy."

West Perth, Western Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 23, 2025) - FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX: FFM) (TSX: FFM) ("Company" or "FireFly") is pleased to announce that a recent geophysics campaign has identified numerous compelling regional targets at its Green Bay copper-gold project in Newfoundland, Canada. The Company conducted airborne electrical (VTEM) and magnetic surveys across the central Green Bay project claims in addition to localised detailed ground electromagnetic surveys. These recent geophysical surveys have so far confirmed a total of 325 significant conductive responses potentially caused by copper-gold bearing sulphide mineralisation.

Geophysics is a key exploration tool at Green Bay, with the mineralisation at Ming and other known deposits exhibiting strong responses to electromagnetic surveys due to the conductive nature of the chalcopyrite-rich sulphide mineralisation.

A significant number of anomalies have been identified that exhibit similar geological settings, orientation and electromagnetic responses to known mineralisation at historically mined deposits, such as the Ming, Rambler Main and East Mines. These targets will be systematically drill tested in upcoming exploration drilling campaigns throughout 2025 to confirm the cause of the anomalous response, which could include copper and gold bearing sulphides.

IMAGE: Multiple significant new targets from the recent airborne VTEM and magnetic geophysical surveys.The white dots represent bedrock conductive anomalies. There are numerous untested conductive trends in a similar orientation (yellow boxes) to the known mineralisation at the Ming, Rambler Main and East Mines (white boxes). So far, a total of 325 conductive responses have been identified which are significant and potentially caused by copper-gold bearing sulphide mineralisation.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11430/259886_4493abc98499189f_003full.jpg

INITIAL TARGETS:

TILT COVE COPPER MINE

FireFly has commenced exploration at the nearby Tilt Cove Project, located only ~30km east of the Ming Mine. The Tilt Cove deposit is a large-scale copper-gold VMS system. The Tilt Cove Mine historically produced ~170,000t of copper and 50,000oz of gold in various mining campaigns between 1864 and 1967. Limited modern base metals exploration has been completed at the property.

In 1983, Newmont Exploration conducted an electromagnetic survey in the Tilt Cove Project area and identified an extensive and unexplained conductive anomaly. FireFly has completed a detailed ground electromagnetic survey and confirmed the presence of the large-scale conductor - refer image below. Drill testing of the anomaly is planned for the latter part of 2025.

The Company plans to complete a lease-wide airborne VTEM and magnetic survey over the entire 115km2 Tilt Cove Project area in Q3 2025. This will be the first airborne geophysics conducted over the property.

ISOMETRIC IMAGE: Tilt Cove Copper-Gold Project area showing the large-scale conductor (red) identified by FireFly's ground-based EM survey. This conductor is significant and potentially caused by copper-gold bearing sulphide mineralisation. These results confirm an anomaly earlier identified in a 1983 EM survey completed by Newmont Exploration. The anomaly has yet to be drill tested and will be the subject of maiden drilling later in 2025.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11430/259886_4493abc98499189f_004full.jpg

RAMBLER MAIN MINE AND EAST MINE AREA: HILLBOG TARGET

The airborne VTEM survey also identified strong electromagnetic anomalism around the Rambler Main and East Mine areas. In addition to identifying the surface expression of both historical mines, the survey identified a large previously unknown look-alike anomaly 300m to the south of Rambler Main Mine, known as Hillbog - refer image below.

Drilling of this target has commenced, with results expected in the coming weeks.

SOUTHWEST TARGET AREA

In the Southwest portion of the project, approximately 8 km SW of Ming Mine, a series of large untested EM anomalies have been defined in prospective volcanic rocks - Refer image below. The area is covered by glacial sediments and boulders with very little outcropping exposures.

The EM response is similar to known mineralisation within FireFly's past producing copper mines. Drill testing of this area will commence shortly.

IMAGE: Hillbog VTEM anomaly located less than 300m south of Rambler Main Mine and associated VTEM anomalies. The strong anomaly has many similarities to the nearby Rambler Main and East Mines. Drill testing of the anomaly is currently in progress.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11430/259886_4493abc98499189f_005full.jpg

IMAGE: Multiple significant new targets from the recent airborne VTEM and magnetic geophysical surveys to the South-West of the Ming Copper-Gold Mine.The white dots represent bedrock conductive anomalies. There are numerous untested conductive trends in a similar orientation (yellow boxes) to the known mineralisation at the Ming, Rambler Main and East Mines. These responses are significant and potentially caused by copper-gold bearing sulphide mineralisation.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11430/259886_4493abc98499189f_006full.jpg

About the Geophysical Survey Results

Based on the strength of the targets generated, the Company intends to fast-track the surface discovery program with part of the proceeds of the recent capital raising.

After processing of the VTEM data, 325 individual anomalies were identified that related to bedrock conductivity. Many of these anomalies occur as coherent trends that exhibit strong resemblance to known mineralisation in the district. These similarities include geological setting, orientation of the trends (North-East, similar to Ming) and magnitude of the conductive responses.

Due to the significant number of high priority new geophysical targets, a second surface diamond drill rig has been mobilised to Green Bay. A total of ~C$16M of funding, raised at a significant premium via the issue of Canadian flow-through shares3, will be spent on discovery, targeting and testing of greenfields areas at Green Bay over the period to December 2026.

Recently, the surface drill has been testing mineralisation proximal to historic deposits such as Rambler Main and East Mines. Results previously announced from drilling at Main Mine included 10m @ 6.4% CuEq and 12.9m @ 4.3% CuEq (see ASX announcement dated 15 May 2025). Further results are expected in coming weeks.

The recently arrived surface diamond drill rig is initially focusing on high priority EM targets south of the Ming Mine. This takes the total diamond drill rigs at Green Bay to eight, with six rigs currently working on the underground resource and exploration drilling at the Ming Mine.

The region is host to multiple Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) deposits, including the Company's flagship Ming copper-gold Mine which has a current Mineral Resource of 24.4Mt at 1.9% CuEq Measured & Indicated and 34.5Mt at 2.0% CuEq in the Inferred category.

The landscape in the project area is a combination of regolith cover, localised outcrops and low-lying swamps. Geophysics is a key tool in identifying blind copper-gold mineralisation hidden beneath the surface. Electromagnetic geophysical methods are particularly useful in identifying the copper-gold VMS mineralisation due to the conductive nature of the chalcopyrite-rich sulphide minerals associated with the known deposits in the area.

The surveys completed by FireFly are the first modern regional geophysical campaigns over the project. These surveys leverage the significant technological advancements made in both data acquisition and computer processing to identify subsurface anomalies previously overlooked by the historical work, which was mostly completed in the 1990s and earlier.

The Company has completed an extensive airborne Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic (VTEM) and aeromagnetic survey over the central Green Bay project claims. A total of 1,820 line kilometres were flown using the deep penetrating helicopter system of local geophysical contractor, Geotech Ltd. Magnetic data was also collected during the survey. For further technical information on the VTEM Max survey, please refer to Appendix B of this announcement.

When overlaid on the regional geological interpretation, many of the conductive anomalies cross-cut the stratigraphy in orientations similar to the Ming Mine. Combined with other geological information, this suggests the potential of copper-bearing sulphide mineralisation at depth, rather than the anomalism being related to lithology.

Where an anomalous trend was identified in the airborne VTEM, a ground survey was conducted to better define the response using close-spaced Fixed Loop Transient Electromagnetic survey (FLEM (TDEM) Survey). For further detail of on the technical aspects of the FLEM (TDEM) Surveys, please refer to Appendix B of this announcement.

The targets will be systematically tested by diamond drilling as part of the two-rig exploration campaign currently underway.

Forward Work Plan

Near-term drilling activities at the Green Bay Copper-Gold Project will continue to focus on three key areas: Mineral Resource Growth, Upgrading the Mineral Resource (infill) and New Discoveries. The Company now has a total of eight diamond drill rigs at Green Bay with six underground at the Ming Mine and two surface exploration rigs focused on regional discovery.

Based on the quality of the targets identified, the Company plans to accelerate the regional discovery program at Green Bay, with C$16M to be invested in early-stage exploration over the period to December 2026.

Surface drilling during 2025 has to date focused on extensions of mineralisation at Rambler Main Mine. Further assay results from this program are expected in coming weeks. The second surface rig is testing priority targets beyond the known deposits. Key priority areas to be tested include the Hillbog prospect and Southwest target area.

Furthermore, exploration will ramp up at the Company's highly prospective Tilt Cove Project. The first airborne geophysical survey over the entire 115km2 project area is planned for August 2025. Follow-up drill testing of the historical Newmont conductive anomaly is scheduled before the end of 2025.

The Company is continuing with its six-rig underground Mineral Resource growth campaign at the Ming Mine. The rigs remain focused on a combination of step-out growth and upgrading the current Inferred Resource to the comparatively more valuable and higher confidence Measured and Indicated category. An updated Mineral Resource Estimate is planned in the December 2025 quarter.

Economic studies continue to progress, with detailed engineering design and analysis for a staged restart of operations well underway. Metallurgical test work is nearing completion with results expected in the coming weeks. The first economic studies are planned for completion and release in Q1 2026, soon after the updated Minerals Resource Estimate. The proposed timing of the updated Mineral Resource Estimate and the economic studies is indicative and may be subject to change.

The Company remains well funded to complete its growth and exploration strategy and has recently substantially completed a multi-tranche capital raising and Share Purchase Plan, resulting in anticipated cash and liquid investments of ~A$145M.4

ABOUT FIREFLY METALS

FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX: FFM) (TSX: FFM) is an emerging copper-gold company focused on advancing the high-grade Green Bay Copper-Gold Project in Newfoundland, Canada. The Green Bay Copper-Gold Project currently hosts a Mineral Resource prepared and disclosed in accordance with the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (JORC Code 2012) and Canadian National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) of 24.4Mt of Measured and Indicated Resources at 1.9% for 460Kt CuEq and 34.5Mt of Inferred Resources at 2% for 690Kt CuEq.

The Company has a clear strategy to rapidly grow the copper-gold Mineral Resource to demonstrate a globally significant copper-gold asset. FireFly has commenced a 130,000m diamond drilling program.

FireFly holds a 70% interest in the high-grade Pickle Crow Gold Project in Ontario. The current Inferred Resource stands at 11.9Mt at 7.2g/t for 2.8Moz gold, with exceptional discovery potential on the 500km2 tenement holding.

The Company also holds a 90% interest in the Limestone Well Vanadium-Titanium Project in Western Australia.

For further information regarding FireFly Metals Ltd please visit the ASX platform (ASX: FFM) or the Company's website www.fireflymetals.com.au or SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

COMPLIANCE STATEMENTS

Mineral Resources Estimate - Green Bay Project

The Mineral Resource Estimate for the Green Bay Project referred to in this announcement and set out in Appendix A was first reported in the Company's ASX announcement dated 29 October 2024, titled "Resource increases 42% to 1.2Mt of contained metal at 2% Copper Eq" and is also set out in the Technical Reports for the Ming Copper Gold Mine titled "National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report, FireFly Metals Ltd., Ming Copper-Gold Project, Newfoundland" with an effective date of 29 November 2024 and the Little Deer Copper Project, titled "Technical Report and Updated Mineral Resource Estimate of the Little Deer Complex Copper Deposits, Newfoundland, Canada" with an effective date of 26 June 2024, each of which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original announcement and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the Mineral Resource Estimate in the original announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.

Mineral Resources Estimate - Pickle Crow Project

The Mineral Resource Estimate for the Pickle Crow Project referred to in this announcement was first reported in the Company's ASX announcement dated 4 May 2023, titled "High-Grade Inferred Gold Resource Grows to 2.8Moz at 7.2g/t" and is also set out in the Technical Report for the Pickle Crow Project, titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report Mineral Resource Estimate Pickle Crow Gold Project, Ontario, Canada" with an effective date of 29 November 2024, as amended on 11 June 2025, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original announcement and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the Mineral Resource Estimate in the original announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.

Metal equivalents for Mineral Resource Estimates

Metal equivalents for the Mineral Resource Estimates have been calculated at a copper price of US$8,750/t, gold price of US$2,500/oz and silver price of US$25/oz. Individual Mineral Resource grades for the metals are set out in Appendix A of this announcement. Copper equivalent was calculated based on the formula CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + (Au(g/t) x 0.82190) + (Ag(g/t) x 0.00822).

Metallurgical factors have been applied to the metal equivalent calculation. Copper recovery used was 95%. Historical production at the Ming Mine has a documented copper recovery of ~96%. Precious metal (gold and silver) metallurgical recovery was assumed at 85% on the basis of historical recoveries achieved at the Ming Mine in addition to historical metallurgical test work to increase precious metal recoveries.

In the opinion of the Company, all elements included in the metal equivalent calculations have a reasonable potential to be sold and recovered based on current market conditions, metallurgical test work, the Company's operational experience and, where relevant, historical performance achieved at the Green Bay project whilst in operation.

Metal equivalents for Exploration Results

Metal equivalents for the Exploration Results have been calculated at a copper price of US$8,750/t, gold price of US$2,500/oz, silver price of US$25/oz and zinc price of US$2,500/t. Individual grades for the metals are set out in Appendix B of this announcement.

Metallurgical factors have been applied to the metal equivalent calculation. Copper recovery used was 95%. Historical production at the Ming Mine has a documented copper recovery of ~96%. Precious metal (gold and silver) metallurgical recovery was assumed at 85% based on historical recoveries achieved at the Ming Mine in addition to historical metallurgical test work to increase recoveries. Zinc recovery is applied at 50% based on historical processing and potential upgrades to the mineral processing facility.

In the opinion of the Company, all elements included in the metal equivalent calculation have a reasonable potential to be sold and recovered based on current market conditions, metallurgical test work, and the Company's operational experience.

Copper equivalent was calculated based on the formula CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + (Au(g/t) x 0.82190) + (Ag(g/t) x 0.00822) + (Zn(%) x 0.15038).

Exploration Results

Previously reported Exploration Results at the Green Bay Project referred to in this announcement were first reported in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 5.7 in the Company's ASX announcements dated 31 August 2023, 11 December 2023, 16 January 2024, 4 March 2024, 21 March 2024, 29 April 2024, 19 June 2024, 3 September 2024, 16 September 2024, 3 October 2024, 10 December 2024 and 12 February 2025.

Original announcements

FireFly confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original announcements and that, in the case of estimates of Mineral Resources, all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the Mineral Resource Estimates in the original announcements continue to apply and have not materially changed. The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Persons' and Qualified Persons' findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcements.

COMPETENT PERSON AND QUALIFIED PERSON STATEMENTS

The information in this announcement that relates to new Exploration Results is based on and fairly represents information compiled by Mr Darren Cooke, a Competent Person who is a member of the Australasian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr Cooke is a full-time employee of FireFly Metals Ltd and holds securities in FireFly Metals Ltd. Mr Cooke has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for the Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. Mr Cooke consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

All technical and scientific information in this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Group Chief Geologist, Mr Juan Gutierrez BSc, Geology (Masters), Geostatistics (Postgraduate Diploma), who is a Member and Chartered Professional of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr Gutierrez is a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101. Mr Gutierrez is a full-time employee of FireFly Metals Ltd and holds securities in FireFly Metals Ltd. Mr Gutierrez has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101. Mr Gutierrez consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements and projections, including statements regarding FireFly's plans, forecasts and projections with respect to its mineral properties and programs. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as "may", "might", "could", "would", "will", "expect", "intend", "believe", "forecast", "milestone", "objective", "predict", "plan", "scheduled", "estimate", "anticipate", "continue", or other similar words and may include, without limitation, statements regarding plans, strategies and objectives.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this announcement reflect management's current beliefs based upon information currently available to management and based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, such forward-looking statements and projections are estimates only and should not be relied upon. They are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors many of which are beyond the control of the Company, which may include changes in commodity prices, foreign exchange fluctuations, economic, social and political conditions, and changes to applicable regulation, and those risks outlined in the Company's public disclosures.

The forward-looking statements and projections are inherently uncertain and may therefore differ materially from results ultimately achieved. For example, there can be no assurance that FireFly will be able to confirm the presence of Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves, that FireFly's plans for development of its mineral properties will proceed, that any mineralisation will prove to be economic, or that a mine will be successfully developed on any of FireFly's mineral properties. The performance of FireFly may be influenced by a number of factors which are outside of the control of the Company, its directors, officers, employees and contractors. The Company does not make any representations and provides no warranties concerning the accuracy of any forward-looking statements or projections, and disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or projections based on new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable laws.

APPENDIX A

Green Bay Copper-Gold Project Mineral Resources

Ming Deposit Mineral Resource Estimate



TONNES COPPER GOLD SILVER CuEq

(Mt) Grade

(%) Metal

('000 t) Grade

(g/t) Metal

('000 oz) Grade

(g/t) Metal

('000 oz) Grade

(%) Measured 4.7 1.7 80 0.3 40 2.3 340 1.9 Indicated 16.8 1.6 270 0.3 150 2.4 1,300 1.8 TOTAL M&I 21.5 1.6 340 0.3 190 2.4 1,600 1.8 Inferred 28.4 1.7 480 0.4 340 3.3 3,000 2.0

Little Deer Mineral Resource Estimate



TONNES COPPER GOLD SILVER CuEq

(Mt) Grade

(%) Metal

('000 t) Grade

(g/t) Metal

('000 oz) Grade

(g/t) Metal

('000 oz) Grade

(%) Measured - - - - - - - - Indicated 2.9 2.1 62 0.1 9 3.4 320 2.3 TOTAL M&I 2.9 2.1 62 0.1 9 3.4 320 2.3 Inferred 6.2 1.8 110 0.1 10 2.2 430 1.8

GREEN BAY TOTAL MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE



TONNES COPPER GOLD SILVER CuEq

(Mt) Grade

(%) Metal

('000 t) Grade

(g/t) Metal

('000 oz) Grade

(g/t) Metal

('000 oz) Grade

(%) Measured 4.7 1.7 80 0.3 45 2.3 340 1.9 Indicated 19.7 1.7 330 0.2 154 2.6 1,600 1.9 TOTAL M&I 24.4 1.7 400 0.3 199 2.5 2,000 1.9 Inferred 34.6 1.7 600 0.3 348 3.1 3,400 2.0

Mineral Resource Estimates for the Green Bay Copper-Gold Project, incorporating the Ming Deposit and Little Deer Complex, are prepared and reported in accordance with the JORC Code 2012 and NI 43-101. Mineral Resources have been reported at a 1.0% copper cut-off grade. Metal equivalents for the Mineral Resource Estimate have been calculated at a copper price of US$8,750/t, gold price of US$2,500/oz and silver price of US$25/oz. Metallurgical recoveries have been set at 95% for copper and 85% for both gold and silver. Copper equivalent was calculated based on the formula: CuEq(%) = Cu(%) + (Au(g/t) x 0.82190) + (Ag(g/t) x 0.00822). Totals may vary due to rounding.

APPENDIX B - JORC CODE, 2012 EDITION

Table 1

Section 1 - Sampling Techniques and Data for Regional Geophysical Survey (Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections)

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling.

Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used.

Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report.

In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases, more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. HELICOPTER-BORNE VERSATILE TIME DOMAIN

ELECTROMAGNETIC AND AEROMAGNETIC

GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY



The conductors reported are preliminary interpretations of preliminary data provided to the Company by the geophysical contractor.



The data was acquired from an airborne electromagnetic and magnetic survey completed by Geotech Ltd., an independent geophysical contractor.



The survey utilised the VTEM Plus (versatile time domain electromagnetic) system. Helicopter was flying at a mean altitude of 93m above the ground with an average survey speed of 87 km/hour with EM sensor at 45m and magnetic sensor at 83m

Transmitter loop diameter is 34.6m

Peak dipole moment of 626956.35 NIA

Transmitter pulse width of 6.9 ms

VTEM plus receive with Z,X,Y coils

Base frequency of 30 Hz The magnetic sensor utilised for the survey was Geometrics optically pumped caesium vapour magnetic field sensor mounted 10m below the helicopter. The sensitivity of the magnetic sensor is 0.02 nanoTesla (nT) at a sampling interval of 0.1 seconds. Drilling techniques Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). Not applicable to the geophysical survey Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed.

Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples.

Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. Not applicable to the geophysical survey Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies.

Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography.

The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. Not applicable to the geophysical survey Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken.

If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry.

For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique.

Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples.

Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in-situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling.

Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Not applicable to the geophysical survey Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total.

For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc.

Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established. Not applicable to the geophysical survey Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel.

The use of twinned holes.

Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols.

Discuss any adjustment to assay data. Not applicable to the geophysical survey Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation.

Specification of the grid system used.

Quality and adequacy of topographic control. HELICOPTER-BORNE VERSATILE TIME DOMAIN

ELECTROMAGNETIC AND AEROMAGNETIC GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY Map figures in the release are in NAD83 / UTM zone 21N.

The navigation system used was a Geotech PC104 based navigation system utilizing a NovAtel's WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) enabled GPS receiver, Geotech navigate software, a full screen display with controls in front of the pilot to direct the flight and a NovAtel GPS antenna mounted on the helicopter tail. As many as 11 GPS and two WAAS satellites may be monitored at any one time. The positional accuracy or circular error probability (CEP) is 1.8m and, with WAAS active, it is 1.0m. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.

Whether the data spacing, and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied.

Whether sample compositing has been applied. HELICOPTER-BORNE VERSATILE TIME DOMAIN

ELECTROMAGNETIC (VTEM Max) AND AEROMAGNETIC

GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY Project survey area was flown in a northwest to southeast (N 135 E / N 315 E azimuth) direction with traverse line spacing of 100m. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type.

If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. HELICOPTER-BORNE VERSATILE TIME DOMAIN

ELECTROMAGNETIC (VTEM Max) AND AEROMAGNETIC

GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY Flight orientation was completed perpendicular to the general strike of geology as interpreted from magnetics and historical drilling. Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. Not applicable to the geophysical survey Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. HELICOPTER-BORNE VERSATILE TIME DOMAIN

ELECTROMAGNETIC (VTEM Max) AND AEROMAGNETIC

GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY No audits or reviews have been completed

Section 2 - Reporting of Exploration Results (Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections)

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings.

The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a license to operate in the area. FireFly owns a mineral land assembly consisting of 3 map-staked mineral licenses (023175M, 023971M, 023968M) and two mining leases (141L and 188L) registered in the name of FireFly Metals Canada Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of FireFly Metals Limited. These licences were covered by the geophysical survey. All of these mineral lands are contiguous and, in some cases, overlapping and are located in the area of the former Ming and Ming West Mines. In early 2015, the mineral license 023175M replaced the original license 014692M by claim reduction as requested by Rambler.

FireFly also owns a mineral land assembly consisting of 23 map-staked mineral licenses (listed below) registered in the name of 1470199 B.C. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of FireFly.

FireFly holds all the permits required to operate the Ming Mine at its historic production rate.

All lands are in good standing with the Provincial Government, and FireFly is up to date with respect to lease payments (for leases) and required exploration expenditure (for licenses).

The following 23 Mineral Licences covered by the geophysical survey are registered in the name of 1470199 B.C. Ltd.: 011507M

019026M

019060M

023708M

023732M

025546M

025547M

025548M

025549M

025552M

026769M

026770M

027500M

030871M

031375M

031800M

034366M

034399M

034902M

035201M

035487M

035654M

036297M Exploration done by other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. Ming Mine Early History: Auriferous sulphides and copper were found in the area in 1905 by Enos England.

The Main Mine sulphide zone was found in 1935 about 600ft north of the Enos England discovery. In 1940, the Newfoundland government drilled 18 diamond drill holes totalling 5,000ft.

An airborne electromagnetic survey was flown from 1955 to 1956.

The Ming Mine was discovered in 1970 by a helicopter borne AEM system. A large low grade stringer type copper deposit was later discovered in the footwall 300ft to 500ft below the Ming mineralisation during mining operations and delineated by 36 diamond drill holes. Mining ceased at the Ming Mine in 1982 because of low copper prices.

In 1988, the property was awarded to the Rambler Joint Venture Group (a Consortium of Teck Exploration, Petromet Resources Ltd, and Newfoundland Exploration Company Ltd). Exploration consisted of ground geophysics and soil geochemistry, resulting in discovery of the Ming West deposit. 48 diamond drill holes (25,534ft) were completed.

Altius Minerals Corporation: Under the terms of an option to purchase agreement with Ming Minerals, Altius conducted exploration on the Rambler property in 2001, 2003, and 2004. In 2001, a litho-geochemical program was initiated to chemically fingerprint rocks of the hanging wall and footwall to the sulphide deposits.

Rambler Metals and Mining PLC: Rambler Metals and Mining (now dissolved) was a UK-based company listed on London's Alternate Investment Market ( AIM ). Rambler held a 100% interest in the Ming property between 2005 and 2023 and conducted a multi-phase diamond drilling program consisting of surface drilling, directional drilling, and underground delineation drilling. A total of 220,704m from 1,365 diamond drill holes were completed by Rambler. Between 2012 and 2022 the Ming Mine produced 3Mt at 1.86% Cu and 0.71% Au for total of 55Kt of copper and 68Koz of gold.

The Ming Mine was placed on care and maintenance in February 2023.

In October 2023, AuTECO Minerals Ltd (now FireFly Metals Ltd) acquired the project from the administrator.

FireFly conducted drilling to test the down plunge extent of VMS lodes.

An underground exploration drive is in progress to allow further drilling at more favourable drill angles. Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation. The Green Bay project is a Noranda-type Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) hosted by Cambrian-Ordovician metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks of the Pacquet Harbour Group. The style of mineralisation, alteration, host rock, and tectonism most closely resembles other VMS deposits throughout the world. The deposit consists of several individual massive sulphide lenses and their underlying stockwork zones. It is thought that the stockwork zone represents the near surface channel ways of a submarine hydrothermal system and the massive sulphide lens represents the accumulation of sulphides precipitated from the hydrothermal solutions, on the sea floor, above and around the discharge vent. The Ming deposits are polymetallic (Cu, Au, Ag  Zn) massive sulphides that occur along the flank of a felsic dome. The Ming deposits have undergone strong deformation and upper greenschist to amphibolite facies metamorphism. The massive sulphide bodies are now thin and elongate down the plunge of the regional lineation (30-35NE). Typical aspect ratios of length down-plunge to width exceed 10:1, and the bodies exhibit mild boudinage along the plunge. The foot wall stock work comprises mainly of quartz-sericite-chlorite schist, which hosts disseminated and stringer pyrite and chalcopyrite with minor sphalerite, galena, and pyrrhotite with locally significant gold contents that could represent a discordant stockwork stringer feeder zone. The mineralisation is crosscut by younger mafic dykes. Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in meters) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole down hole length and interception depth hole length

If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. Not applicable to the geophysical survey. Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated.

Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high-grade results and longer lengths of low-grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail.

The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. Not applicable to the geophysical survey. Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results.

If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported.

If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg 'down hole length, true width not known'). Not applicable to the geophysical survey. Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. See Images in the document. Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. All relevant data reported. Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. No substantial new information is available other than that reported above. Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (e.g. tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling).

Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. Further geophysical surveys and drilling are being considered.

Plan view of VTEM Flight Plan in this announcement

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11430/259886_4493abc98499189f_007full.jpg

Section 1 - Sampling Techniques and Data for Tilt Cove Project (Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections)

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling.

Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used.

Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report.

In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases, more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. FLEM (TDEM) SURVEY A fixed loop time-domain electromagnetic (FLEM) survey was completed on the Tilt Cove Project, Baie Verte area, NL for Firefly Metals Ltd.

The survey was completed by Eastern Geophysics Ltd, an independent geophysical contractor.

The equipment used was the Crone Pulse EM system. The Surface survey equipment consisted of a CDR4, 20 channel digital receiver, CHT3, 4.8 kw transmitter, a 6600w motor generator, and a surface induction coil (dB/dt). Drilling techniques Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). Not applicable to the geophysical survey Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed.

Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples.

Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. Not applicable to the geophysical survey Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies.

Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography.

The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. Not applicable to the geophysical survey Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken.

If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry.

For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique.

Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples.

Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in-situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling.

Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Not applicable to the geophysical survey Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total.

For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc.

Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established. Not applicable to the geophysical survey Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel.

The use of twinned holes.

Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols.

Discuss any adjustment to assay data. Not applicable to the geophysical survey Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation.

Specification of the grid system used.

Quality and adequacy of topographic control. FLEM (TDEM) SURVEY All coordinates are in NAD83 / UTM zone 21N unless otherwise stated.

Data positioning was done with a handheld GPS Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.

Whether the data spacing, and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied.

Whether sample compositing has been applied. FLEM (TDEM) SURVEY Project survey area was traversed in a north to south direction with traverse line spacing of 100m read at 25m station intervals. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type.

If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. FLEM (TDEM) SURVEY Traverse orientation was completed perpendicular to the general strike of geology as interpreted from magnetics and historical drilling. Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. Not applicable to the geophysical survey Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. No audits or reviews have been completed.

Section 2 - Reporting of Exploration Results (Criteria in this section apply to all succeeding sections)

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings.

The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a license to operate in the area. The Tilt Cove Project area is comprised of 41-map-staked mineral licences registered to FireFly Metals Canada Ltd., Tilt Cove Ltd., and 1470199 B.C. Ltd., wholly owned subsidiaries of FireFly Metals Ltd. Licences

013054M

013055M

014109M

014111M

019122M

019158M

020510M

022576M

022791M

022796M

024119M

024535M

025051M

025291M

025437M

025558M

025832M

025838M

025853M

026202M

026379M

026404M

026540M

026680M

026729M

026730M

026950M

026992M

027285M

027398M

031602M

031816M

032148M

032906M

034851M

034854M

035078M

035079M

035080M

035081M

037157M Registered Company

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

1470199 B.C. Ltd.

1470199 B.C. Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Firefly Metals Canada Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

1470199 B.C. Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

1470199 B.C. Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Tilt Cove Ltd.

Mineral licence 035078M was covered by the geophysical survey. All of these mineral lands are contiguous. One mining lease (140ML) registered in the name of FireFly Metals Canada Limited hosts the Nugget Pond Mill. All lands are in good standing with the Provincial Government, and FireFly is up to date with respect to lease payments (for leases) and required exploration expenditure (for licenses). Exploration done by other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. 1857 Tilt Cove massive sulphide discovery.

1864-1917 continuous mining in Tilt Cove Mine.

1875-1886 continuous mining in Betts Cove.

1931 Government Mapping.

1946 3657.6m of Diamond Drilling.

1948 Government Mapping.

1955 2056m of diamond drilling.

1951 Government Mapping.

1951 4877m of Diamond Drilling.

1954-1967 rehabilitation of old workings and mining at Tilt Cove Mine.

1958 Government Mapping.

1975 Airborne Electromagnetics survey.

1980-1983 geologic mapping, soil and rock sampling and ground, ground magnetic, VLF EM and pulse EM surveys and 850m of diamond drilling.

1983 Government compilation of Baie Verte Peninsula and Lake and stream sediment sampling.

1985-1989 basal till and geological mapping, trenching, rock, till, and soil sampling, ground magnetometer, VLF EM and IP surveys and multiple drill programs: 5 diamond drillholes, 6 diamond drillholes, 1500m of diamond drilling, 2306m of diamond drilling, 21769m of diamond drilling, 28m of diamond drilling and 172.8m of winkie holes.

1990-1994 Prospecting, rock and soil sampling, geophysical surveys, mag, VLF and IP, resampling of historic drillholes, 2109m of diamond drilling and auger drill testing 43.3m of the stockpile at Tilt Cove Mine.

1995-2001 Prospecting, geologic mapping, trenching, rock, channel and soil sampling, ground magnetic, IP and transient-EM geophysical surveying, BHEM surveys, and 13050m of diamond drilling.

1995-1996 high sensitivity EM and Magnetic Helicopter borne survey.

1996 start of Nugget Pond Mine.

1996-2001 continuous mining at Nugget Pond Mine

2003-2005 Prospecting, data compilation, re-logging of historic drill core and 2583m of diamond drilling.

2006 -2008 Prospecting, digital data compilation, re sampling of historic drill core, ground IP survey, airborne VTEM and magnetics and 4378m of diamond drilling.

2007 Government High-resolution airborne magnetics.

2011 A portion of the Tilt Cove Mine stockpile was processed.

2012 prospecting and rock sampling.

2017-2019 data compilation.

2018 soil sampling.

2019 Prospecting, rock and soil sampling, LiDAR imaging of the property. Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation. The Tilt Cove Project is host to orogenic gold and volcanogenic massive sulphide mineralisation within the Betts Cove Complex, a Cambrian to Early Ordovician ophiolite complex and volcanic sequence, comprised of the Betts Cove Ophiolite and its volcanic and sedimentary cover sequence, the Snooks Arm Group. The sequence is in thrust contact with Silurian felsic volcanic rocks of the Cape St. John Group to the north and intruded on the northwest side by the Silurian Cape Brule Porphyry and Ordovician Burlington Granodiorite. The Betts Cove Complex is geologically equivalent to rocks underlying Anaconda's Point Rousse Project. The Tilt Cove Project is host to three past producing mines that include the Nugget Pond Gold Mine and the Tilt Cove and Betts Cove Copper Mines, as follows:

Nugget Pond Mine - The Nugget Pond Mine produced 168,748 ounces of gold with an average grade of approximately 9.85 g/t between 1997 and 2001. The deposit is hosted along the Nugget Pond Horizon, an iron formation with nearly 20 kilometres of strike and has similarities with other Canadian Banded-Iron-Formation hosted lode gold deposits.

Tilt Cove Mine - The Tilt Cove Mine was discovered in 1857 and produced a total of 8,160,000 tonnes of ore grading between 1.25% to 12% copper and 42,425 ounces of gold between 1864 and 1917 and again between 1957 and 1967. Gold is typically associated with copper mineralisation and several of the historic copper deposits require follow-up testing for gold potential.

Betts Cove Mine - The Betts Cove Mine was first discovered in the early 1860s. Between 1875 and 1886, approximately 130,000 tons of handpicked ore grading about 10% copper and 2,450 tons of pyrite were mined. Sampling of surface stockpiles from previous mining have retuned high gold values and base metals values up to 9.99 g/t gold, 18.3% copper and 1.7% zinc. No gold was recovered from the ore body. Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in meters) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole down hole length and interception depth hole length.

If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. Not applicable to the geophysical survey Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated.

Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high-grade results and longer lengths of low-grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail.

The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. Not applicable to the geophysical survey Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results.

If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported.

If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg 'down hole length, true width not known'). Not applicable to the geophysical survey Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. See Images in the document Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. All relevant data reported Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. No substantial new information is available other than that reported above. Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (e.g. tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling).

Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. Further geophysical surveys and drilling are being considered.

1 Cash, receivables and liquid investments position at 30 June 2025, plus A$10 million proceeds received from the Share Purchase Plan which completed on 14 July 2025, and anticipated net proceeds from the second tranche of the Institutional Placement (T2 Placement) of ~A$26.6 million, which is subject to shareholder approval at a general meeting planned to be held on 28 August 2025, noting that there is no guarantee that shareholders will vote in favour of the T2 Placement.

2 One final tranche of the capital raising (the T2 Placement) remains to be competed, as it is subject to receiving shareholder approval at a general meeting planned to be held on 28 August 2025.

3 Canadian "flow-through shares" provide tax incentives to the relevant investors relating to certain qualifying exploration expenditures under the Income Tax Act (Canada). (See ASX announcements dated 28 March 2024 and 5 June 2025).

4 Cash, receivables and liquid investments position at 30 June 2025, plus A$10 million proceeds received from the Share Purchase Plan which completed on 14 July 2025, and anticipated net proceeds from the second tranche of the Institutional Placement (T2 Placement) of ~A$26.6 million, which is subject to shareholder approval at a general meeting planned to be held on 28 August 2025, noting that there is no guarantee that shareholders will vote in favour of the T2 Placement.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/259886

SOURCE: FireFly Metals Ltd.
Fully Unmanned- CURECA, the 100% Automated Diagnostic System Defining the Future Gold Standard, Debuts in Chicago, July 28-31

Unifying global diagnostic data - STAgora, the big data platform set to transform the future of diagnostics

Offering early access to the new diagnostic paradigm, pilot partnerships with selected institutions engaged by year-end

SEOUL, South Korea , July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Seegene Inc., a global leader in molecular diagnostics, announced today that it will unveil its fully automated PCR testing system, CURECA, and its data analytics platform, STAgora, at ADLM 2025 (Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine), the world's largest diagnostics conference, taking place in Chicago from July 28 to 31. With the introduction of these new technologies, Seegene declares a transformative shift in the global diagnostics paradigm.

Automating every step of PCR Testing for enhanced efficiency and accuracy

CURECA is the world's first system to fully automate the entire PCR testing process - from sample storage and pre-treatment to nucleic acid extraction, amplification, and result analysis - without any human intervention. Designed for 24/7 continuous operation, the system minimizes human error and dramatically improves the consistency and reliability of the test results.

A key breakthrough lies in its fully automated prep module, which addresses one of the most burdensome and error-prone stages in laboratory workflows. Pre-treatment has traditionally been a major challenge, particularly when dealing with diverse sample types such as urine, blood, sputum, and stool. Lab technicians often carry out repetitive manual tasks over extended hours, and variations in skill level can result in inconsistent outcomes. Stool samples, especially, have posed serious automation barriers due to their high viscosity and particulates, requiring heavy manual handling.

The prep module of CURECA system is the first to fully automate pre-treatment process across all major sample types - including stool - overcoming longstanding obstacles in laboratory operations. This innovation reduces labor demands, expands sample throughput, and enhances overall operational and cost efficiency. It also shifts the role of laboratory personnel from manual processing to higher-level responsibilities, such as data analysis and clinical interpretation - helping labs better leverage their workforce in high volume, 24/7 continuous testing environments to provide sustainable high quality testing results.

In addition, the prep module of CURECA system is applicable beyond PCR diagnostics. It supports pre-treatment for other disciplines, including clinical chemistry and immunoassays, marking a significant step forward in automation across the broader diagnostics market. Its modular architecture allows for flexible configuration and deployment tailored to the size, layout, and needs of each laboratory.

STAgora - Real-Time Global Data Integration & Analysis Empowering Personalized Care

Also unveiled at ADLM 2025, STAgora is Seegene's statistical platform that collects and analyzes real-time PCR diagnostic data to support clinical decision-making. By aggregating test data uploaded from hospitals around the world, the platform provides integrated insights into regional infection trends, hospital-level positivity rates, and patterns of co-infection. It also offers more than 40 statistical tools tailored for clinical support.

With STAgora, healthcare providers can compare individual patient test results with local and regional epidemiological data, enabling more precise, data-driven treatment strategies. The platform allows clinicians to evaluate infection trends at both patient and community levels, improving the accuracy and speed of diagnosis and care planning. By delivering rapid, reliable insights through this kind of comprehensive analysis, STAgora is expected to become an essential analytical tool for clinical decision-making.

Expanding Global Collaboration via Technology Sharing and Strategic Partnerships

Building on its presence at ADLM 2025, Seegene aims to broaden access to CURECA and STAgora by offering early pilot experiences and establishing new global partnerships.

Earlier this year, CURECA attracted strong interest at ESCMID Global 2025, one of Europe's leading clinical microbiology and infectious disease congresses. To strengthen its R&D and manufacturing capacity in the United States, Seegene has established local subsidiaries, including Seegene Technologies and Seegene CURECA.

"CURECA and STAgora are more than just diagnostics instrument or software-they represent a new global standard that will redefine diagnostics in clinical settings around the world. We will continue to share the many technological assets we've built over the years and based on this, we are committed to driving fundamental innovation across the global diagnostics ecosystem." Said Daniel Shin, Executive Vice President, Chief of Global Sales & Marketing at Seegene.

Disclaimer

The product is currently in a pre-commercialization phase. The configuration presented at ADLM 2025 is for demonstration purposes only and may differ in functionality, specifications, and components from the final commercial version. This material is intended solely to introduce the technology and does not constitute an advertisement for product sales.

About Seegene

Seegene has more than 20 years of dedicated experience in R&D, manufacturing, and business related to syndromic real-time PCR technologies. This expertise was particularly highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic when Seegene provided over 340 million COVID-19 tests to more than 100 countries worldwide. The core feature of Seegene's syndromic real-time PCR technology is the ability to simultaneously test for 14 pathogens that cause similar signs and symptoms in a single tube with quantitative information.

Visit: Seegene.com and follow linkedin.com/company/seegene-inc

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A survey of more than 8,000 people across Europe shows that interest in EVs is steadily increasing, with almost three in every five respondents saying they are likely to own one by 2030: up from just 42% this year

Younger consumers and those in the Nordics - notably Sweden and Denmark - show the strongest intent to switch to e-mobility, suggesting cultural and generational shifts are helping to accelerate adoption

Sentiment towards Chinese brands is improving, with 38% of consumers saying they are more open to buying a Chinese EV than they were just a year ago

Perceptions of Chinese EVs are changing, with nearly half of respondents agreeing they offer value for money, and 40% agreeing that premium Chinese EVs are as good as those from the competition

While brand nationality still matters to many, attitudes are softening, particularly among younger consumers and those already driving EVs

Cost, range, and charging remain key barriers to adoption but fast-improving technology and investments in infrastructure will help overcome these

To download media assets please visit: Zeekr Europe Media Assets

For further information please visit www.zeekr.eu

AMSTERDAM, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global electric mobility brand Zeekr has commissioned a pan-European survey of more than 8,000 people to further develop its understanding of consumer attitudes towards electric vehicles and electrification, including sentiments towards Chinese brands and barriers to EV ownership.

Key findings from the survey, conducted in partnership with Markettiers in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the UK, found that consumers - notably among younger age groups and those in the Nordics - are increasingly receptive towards EVs, and are now more appreciative of Chinese EV brands. And while for many, the country of origin of their next vehicle remains an important consideration, attitudes towards Chinese EVs are softening, particularly those who have already made the switch from combustion engines. There is more widespread appreciation for the advanced technology that Chinese brands are bringing to the market, as well as quality and safety.

The survey confirmed that although widely cited barriers to e-mobility of range, charging and cost remain front-of-mind for many, models offering range greater than 500km (WLTP) are commonplace, the advent of 800V technology offers convenient ultra-fast charging, and improvements in technology and increasing competition in the marketplace are making EVs increasingly attractive.

Zeekr Europe acting CEO, Lothar Schupet, said: "The benefits of electric vehicles are widely understood but we appreciate that not every market or every age group is as receptive to them as others. We wanted to look even deeper into the positive and negative views that consumers across Europe have towards EVs in general and Chinese EVs in particular to better understand the barriers to entry - both real and perceived.

"The survey we commissioned does exactly that, and will help us to create even better EVs that will help further accelerate the transition to e-mobility throughout Europe. And as more Chinese brands launch in Europe, we believe that having Design and R&D Centres in Sweden and integrating customer co-creation at the heart of our product development process gives Zeekr a European soul that truly sets it apart."

Nordic markets show continuing interest in electrification: more than 62% of respondents in Sweden said they were interested in owning an EV by the end of 2027, compared to 52% for Europe as a whole. Younger consumers also showed strong interest, with 62% of 35-44 year-olds expressing the same intent by the end of 2028: even looking out to the end of 2035, only 45% of those aged 55+ did. Cultural and generational shifts will be key drivers of e-mobility.

For Chinese brands establishing themselves in Europe, the outlook is largely positive, reflecting the significant investments made in product development and quality. Asked if they were more open to buying a Chinese EV than they were 12 months ago, 38% of respondents said that were, while only 17% were not. Moreover, 53% of those already driving an EV said yes, suggesting an appreciation of the leadership position Chinese brands have in battery and charging technology. Respondents in the UK - Europe's second-largest passenger car market1 - were the least likely to factor an EV's country of origin into their purchasing decision, with 59% saying it was not important. Even in conservative markets where traditional luxury brands have a strong presence, consumers recognise that Chinese brands can compete on equal terms, with more than half of respondents in Switzerland agreeing that premium Chinese EVs are now as good as their Western equivalents.

For all manufacturers launching EVs in Europe, customer perceptions on range, charging, and cost continue to be challenges that must be overcome, with 480km+ on a single charge, 10-80% SoC in 10 minutes, and lower purchase price cited by 42%, 40%, and 45% of all respondents respectively as requirements that would make them more likely to go electric. Taking Zeekr's European model range of the Zeekr 001, Zeekr X, and Zeekr 7X as an example, consumers already have a choice of premium EVs priced from less than 35,0002, range of up to 620km (WLTP)3, and charging from 10-80% in as little as 10.5 minutes using 480kW DC chargers4, suggesting that some barriers can be more than met with vehicles already available in the market. Moreover, Zeekr believes that its EVs should also offer a best-in-class value proposition through feature-rich specifications that include high-end features that customers don't expect - and do not have to - to pay extra for. The Zeekr 7X, for instance, comes with a panoramic roof, Matrix LED headlights, heat pump, and 22kW on-board charger as standard - many competitors offer this equipment only as an option.

The future of sustainable personal mobility is unquestionably electric, and by making the switch from combustion engine vehicles to EVs, consumers can play their part in helping to drive down emissions and enjoy a more refined, more relaxing, and more enjoyable driving experience. As this survey shows, some markets in Europe are further along this transition than others, but as battery technology and charging continue to improve, the benefits of EVs can only become more compelling.

(Zeekr 7X: Combined power consumption in kWh/100km: 17.7-19.9 (WLTP). Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 0. Zeekr 001: Combined power consumption in kWh/100km: 17.3-18.5 (WLTP). Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 0. Zeekr X: Combined power consumption in kWh/100km: 16.4-17.3 (WLTP). Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 0).

1 ACEA 2024 registration figures

2Pricing applies to Netherlands market

3 Charging times will vary according to factors including the charging equipment, ambient temperature, battery temperature, battery state of charge, and age and condition of the battery and the vehicle

4 Range according to the WLTP drive cycle under controlled conditions. Real-world range may vary, dependent on vehicle and battery condition, actual route, environmental conditions, driving style, load, wheel and tyre specification, and optional equipment and accessories fitted

About Zeekr

Zeekr (NYSE: ZK) is the global premium electric mobility technology brand from Geely Holding Group. Zeekr aims to create a fully integrated user ecosystem with innovation as a standard. The brand utilizes Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) and develops its own battery technologies, battery management systems, electric motor technologies, and electric vehicle supply chain. Zeekr's value is equality, diversity, and sustainability. Its ambition is to become a true mobility solution provider.

Zeekr operates its R&D centers and design studios in Gothenburg, Ningbo, Hangzhou, and Shanghai and boasts state-of-the-art facilities and world-class expertise. Since Zeekr began delivering vehicles in October 2021, the brand has delivered more than 510,000 vehicles to date including the Zeekr 001, Zeekr 001 FR, Zeekr 009 MPV, Zeekr X urban SUV, Zeekr 007, Zeekr 7X, Zeekr MIX and Zeekr 7GT. Zeekr has announced plans to sell vehicles in global markets, and has an ambitious roll-out plan over the next 5 years to satisfy the rapidly expanding global EV demand.

Notes for Editors:

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Basel, 24 July 2025

Group sales grew by 7% 1 at constant exchange rates (CER; 4% in CHF), driven by strong demand for medicines.

grew by 7% at constant exchange rates (CER; 4% in CHF), driven by strong demand for medicines. Pharmaceuticals Division sales rose by 10% (6% in CHF), with Phesgo (breast cancer), Xolair (food allergies), Hemlibra (haemophilia A), Vabysmo (severe eye diseases) and Ocrevus (multiple sclerosis) being the top growth drivers.

rose by 10% (6% in CHF), with Phesgo (breast cancer), Xolair (food allergies), Hemlibra (haemophilia A), Vabysmo (severe eye diseases) and Ocrevus (multiple sclerosis) being the top growth drivers. Diagnostics Division sales were stable (-3% in CHF) as strong demand for pathology solutions and blood screening tests offset the impact of healthcare pricing reforms in China.

were stable (-3% in CHF) as strong demand for pathology solutions and blood screening tests offset the impact of healthcare pricing reforms in China. Core operating profit increased by 11% (6% in CHF), driven by higher sales and effective cost management.

increased by 11% (6% in CHF), driven by higher sales and effective cost management. Core earnings per share showed significant growth of 12% (8% in CHF); IFRS net income jumped by 23% (17% in CHF).

showed significant growth of 12% (8% in CHF); jumped by 23% (17% in CHF). Outlook for 2025 confirmed.

confirmed. Highlights: US approval for Susvimo for diabetic retinopathy, a potentially blinding eye disease EU approval for Itovebi for a type of advanced breast cancer and Evrysdi tablet for spinal muscular atrophy CHMP recommendation for EU label update for Phesgo for breast cancer to allow at-home administration Advancement of key molecules into phase III development: prasinezumab for early-stage Parkinson?s disease and zosurabalpin for life-threatening bacterial infections Positive data on several therapies: Lunsumio and Polivy combination and Columvi for blood cancer, Tecentriq for lung cancer, Itovebi and Perjeta for breast cancer and fenebrutinib for multiple sclerosis and NXT007 for haemophilia A Introduction of innovative Elecsys PRO-C3 test to improve precision in evaluating liver fibrosis severity Announcement of new collaboration with Broad Clinical Labs to accelerate adoption of cutting-edge SBX sequencing technology US approval for VENTANA MET (SP44) RxDx Assay as the first companion diagnostic to identify a form of lung cancer in patients eligible for targeted treatment US Breakthrough Device Designation for first AI-driven companion diagnostic for non-small cell lung cancer



Outlook for 2025 confirmed

Roche (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) expects an increase in Group sales in the mid single digit range (CER). Core earnings per share are targeted to develop in the high single digit range (CER). Roche expects to further increase its dividend in Swiss francs.

Key figures CHF millions % change January-June 2025 2024 At CER1 In CHF Group sales 30,944 29,848 7 4 Pharmaceuticals Division 23,985 22,637 10 6 Diagnostics Division 6,959 7,211 0 -3 Core operating profit 12,010 11,293 11 6 Core EPS - diluted (CHF) 11.08 10.23 12 8 IFRS net income 7,832 6,697 23 17

Roche CEO Thomas Schinecker: "Roche's strong growth momentum continued in the second quarter, driven by the strong growth of 11% at constant exchange rates in our Pharmaceuticals Division.

We received numerous important approvals and reported positive data in disease areas with high unmet medical need.

Over the past six months, we have made significant progress in our pipeline and advanced four potentially practice-changing therapies into the final phase of clinical development, based on encouraging data: NXT007 in haemophilia A, trontinemab in Alzheimer's disease, prasinezumab in early-stage Parkinson's disease, and zosurabalpin, a novel antibiotic that could become the first in over 50 years to tackle a type of bacteria that has become resistant to most other treatments.

We are confident in our continued strong momentum and resilience of our business due to our innovative on-market portfolio and pipeline.

Based on these strong results, we confirm our full-year outlook."

Group results

In the first half of 2025, Roche achieved sales growth of 7% (4% in CHF) to CHF 30.9 billion due to strong demand for pharmaceutical products.

Core operating profit increased by 11% (6% in CHF) to CHF 12.0 billion, driven by higher sales and effective cost management.

The appreciation of the Swiss franc against most currencies, notably the US dollar, had an adverse impact on the results when reported in Swiss francs compared to constant exchange rates.

Core earnings per share increased by 12% (8% in CHF).

IFRS net income increased by 23% (17% in CHF) to CHF 7.8 billion, driven by the strong operating performance and lower impairment charges related to intangible assets.

Sales in the Pharmaceuticals Division increased by 10% (6% in CHF) to CHF 24.0 billion, with medicines for severe diseases continuing their strong growth.

The top five growth drivers - Phesgo, Xolair, Hemlibra, Vabysmo and Ocrevus - achieved total sales of CHF 10.6 billion. This represents an increase of CHF 1.7 billion at CER compared to the first half of 2024.

This more than compensated for the total decrease of CHF 0.3 billion (CER) in sales of the 'loss of exclusivity (LOE)' products - the decline in sales of Avastin (various types of cancer), Herceptin (breast and gastric cancer), MabThera/Rituxan (blood cancer, rheumatoid arthritis), Lucentis (severe eye diseases) and Esbriet (lung disease) was partially offset by an increase in sales of Actemra/RoActemra (rheumatoid arthritis).

In the United States, sales rose by 10% due to continued growth of Xolair and continuing uptake of Hemlibra, Ocrevus, Vabysmo and Phesgo. This growth more than compensated for the decline in sales of medicines with expired patents.

Sales in Europe grew 5% as the continued roll-out of Vabysmo and the continuing uptake of Ocrevus, Polivy and Phesgo more than compensated for lower sales of Perjeta (breast cancer) due to ongoing conversion of patients to Phesgo and the impact of biosimilar competition on Actemra/RoActemra sales.

In Japan, sales increased by 5%, mainly due to the strong uptake of Phesgo, Vabysmo and PiaSky (paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria). Sales growth was partially offset by the decline in sales of Perjeta due to continued conversion of patients to Phesgo and of Avastin because of biosimilar erosion.

Sales in the International region grew by 14%, led by Phesgo, Hemlibra, Xofluza (influenza), Vabysmo and Elevidys (Duchenne muscular dystrophy). In China, sales rose by 9%, driven by the uptake of Phesgo, strong sales of Xofluza and the roll-out of Polivy and Vabysmo.

The Diagnostics Division's sales remained stable (-3% in CHF) at CHF 7.0 billion as growth in demand for pathology solutions and blood screening tests offset the impact of healthcare pricing reforms in China.

Sales in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region increased by 5%, driven by higher sales of clinical chemistry and immunodiagnostic products. In North America, sales increased by 6%, with growth across customer areas. Sales in Asia-Pacific decreased by 15% due to healthcare pricing reforms in China. Latin America sales grew by 14%.

Pharmaceuticals: key developments

Compound Milestone Regulatory Itovebi

Breast cancer European Commission approves Itovebi for people with ER-positive, HER2-negative, advanced breast cancer with a PIK3CA mutation



Approval based on INAVO120 data showing that the regimen based on Itovebi more than doubled progression-free survival compared with palbociclib and fulvestrant alone.

Up to 40% of ER-positive breast cancers have a PIK3CA mutation and are associated with poor prognosis; this approval helps address an urgent unmet need.

Itovebi is the first PI3K-targeted therapy to significantly extend survival, reinforcing the need for biomarker testing at diagnosis.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-07-23), 23 July 2025 Evrysdi

Spinal muscular atrophy Evrysdi tablet approved by European Commission as first and only tablet for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)



Simplified storage and administration of new tablet formulation may provide greater freedom and independence for people with SMA.

Evrysdi tablet offers the same efficacy and safety demonstrated in available oral solution.

Evrysdi is the only non-invasive disease-modifying SMA treatment, with more than 18,000 people with SMA treated globally to date.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-06-04), 4 June 2025 Susvimo

Severe eye diseases FDA approves Susvimo for diabetic retinopathy



Susvimo can help people with diabetic retinopathy maintain their vision and prevent progression to blindness with only one treatment every nine months.

The innovative technology of Susvimo via the Port Delivery Platform may offer an alternative to regular eye injections in the US.

Diabetic retinopathy affects almost 10 million people in the US and is the third FDA-approved indication for Susvimo, which is also approved for treating neovascular or 'wet' age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular oedema.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-05-22), 22 May 2025 Columvi

Blood cancer Update on FDA Advisory Committee meeting on Columvi combination for people with relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL)



Columvi is the first bispecific antibody to show a statistically significant and clinically meaningful 41% survival benefit in R/R DLBCL in the phase III STARGLO study.

There is an urgent need for effective, immediately available therapies that are broadly accessible to people with transplant-ineligible R/R DLBCL.

This first-of-its-kind Columvi combination could provide a much-needed, off-the-shelf and fixed-duration treatment option for patients who face poor prognosis.

The clinical and disease characteristics of the overall population enrolled in this multiregional clinical trial are representative and applicable to US patients.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-05-20), 20 May 2025



Pharmaceuticals sales

Sales CHF millions As % of sales % change January-June 2025 2024 2025 2024 At CER In CHF Pharmaceuticals Division 23,985 22,637 100.0 100.0 10 6 United States 12,670 11,882 52.8 52.5 10 7 Europe 4,566 4,425 19.0 19.5 5 3 Japan 1,425 1,366 5.9 6.0 5 4 International 5,324 4,964 22.3 22.0 14 7

International: Asia-Pacific, CEETRIS (Central Eastern Europe, Turkiye, Russia and Indian subcontinent), Latin America, Middle East, Africa, Canada, others

Top 20 best-selling pharmaceuticals Total United States Europe Japan International CHF m % CHF m % CHF m % CHF m % CHF m % Ocrevus

Multiple sclerosis 3,506 8 2,462 5 706 12 - - 338 19 Hemlibra

Haemophilia A 2,421 17 1,324 11 493 7 183 8 421 66 Vabysmo

Eye diseases (nAMD, DME, RVO) 2,067 18 1,450 9 378 33 70 31 169 118 Tecentriq

Cancer immunotherapy 1,733 -1 819 -6 434 3 174 -4 306 13 Perjeta2

Breast cancer 1,613 -12 677 1 282 -16 37 -44 617 -18 Xolair2

Asthma, food allergies 1,445 34 1,445 34 - - - - - - Actemra/RoActemra2

RA, COVID-19 1,279 4 619 7 308 -14 152 5 200 26 Phesgo

Breast cancer 1,197 55 348 39 401 15 90 80 358 182 Kadcyla2

Breast cancer 1,037 9 396 7 266 -6 45 -2 330 28 Evrysdi

Spinal muscular atrophy 869 7 309 12 292 4 46 5 222 5 Alecensa

Lung cancer 802 8 276 20 133 -7 100 5 293 7 Polivy

Blood cancer 730 46 327 32 160 90 99 8 144 88 MabThera/Rituxan2

Blood cancer, RA 630 -8 387 -6 70 -8 7 -14 166 -11 Herceptin2

Breast and gastric cancer 560 -21 121 -10 150 -1 4 -51 285 -32 Activase/TNKase2

Cardiac diseases 550 -4 527 -3 - - - - 23 -25 Avastin2

Various cancer types 522 -17 156 -20 26 -40 76 -25 264 -9 Gazyva/Gazyvaro2

Blood cancer 490 14 253 20 121 1 17 20 99 14 Pulmozyme2

Cystic fibrosis 239 11 167 22 34 -12 - -18 38 -3 CellCept2

Immunosuppressant 196 2 9 -17 65 12 24 35 98 -6 Madopar2

Parkinson's disease 193 1 - - 46 -5 - - 147 4

DME: diabetic macular edema / nAMD: neovascular or 'wet' age-related macular degeneration / RVO: retinal vein occlusion / RA: rheumatoid arthritis

Diagnostics: key developments

Product Milestone SBX sequencing technology

Genetic disorders Roche announces new collaboration with Broad Clinical Labs to accelerate adoption of cutting-edge SBX sequencing technology



The strategic collaboration with Broad Clinical Labs will explore and develop applications using Roche's SBX sequencing technology, with an initial focus on critically ill newborns and their parents.

Whole-genome sequencing can help diagnose babies with suspected genetic disorders, such as cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease.

This project will explore how this technology could become part of routine clinical practice for newborns, as well as its use in other research applications.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-05-23b), 23 May 2025 VENTANA MET (SP44) RxDx Assay

Lung cancer FDA approves VENTANA MET (SP44) RxDx Assay as the first companion diagnostic to identify non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer patients eligible for targeted treatment



The VENTANA MET (SP44) RxDx Assay detects the MET (also known as c-Met) protein, which is over-expressed in some patients with non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer.

The MET protein serves as a predictive biomarker for the likelihood of a patient's response to c-Met-targeted therapy.

As the leader in companion diagnostics, Roche offers a broad CDx portfolio that helps enable informed clinical decisions and improved patient outcomes.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-05-14), 14 May 2025 Elecsys PRO-C3 test

Liver fibrosis Roche introduces the innovative Elecsys PRO-C3 test to improve precision in evaluating liver fibrosis severity



Elecsys PRO-C3, used with the ADAPT formula (age, diabetes status, PRO-C3, platelets), assesses the severity of liver fibrosis - a disease responsible for approximately one in every 25 deaths worldwide.

The test delivers results in just 18 minutes on Roche's cobas analysers, providing a fast and reliable diagnostic method.

The test enables earlier identification of patients with significant liver fibrosis, potentially improving outcomes through timely management and access to emerging therapies.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-05-06), 6 May 2025 VENTANA TROP2 (EPR20043) RxDx device

Lung cancer FDA grants Roche Breakthrough Device Designation for the first AI-driven companion diagnostic for non-small cell lung cancer



The VENTANA TROP2 (EPR20043) RxDx device is an immunohistochemistry assay combined with a digital pathology algorithm to determine patient treatment.

The device uses AI-based image analysis with a level of diagnostic precision not possible with traditional manual scoring methods.

This Breakthrough Device Designation demonstrates Roche's continued innovation in companion diagnostics and digital pathology to enable more precise diagnosis in oncology.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-04-29), 29 April 2025 Chest pain triage algorithm

Acute coronary syndrome



Roche receives CE mark for its chest pain triage algorithm to enhance detection of acute coronary syndrome



Roche, in collaboration with Universitatsklinikum Heidelberg, has developed a chest pain triage algorithm - a CE-marked IVD medical device set to transform cardiac care.

This novel algorithm offers a standardised assessment, helping emergency room doctors to make confident clinical decisions in ruling in or ruling out heart attacks (acute myocardial infarction).

Cardiovascular disease causes a third of worldwide deaths, with chest pain being the second highest reason for emergency department visits.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-04-23), 23 April 2025 Phesgo

Breast cancer CHMP recommends EU label update for Phesgo to allow administration outside clinical settings



Positive recommendation is based on clinical, real-world and bioequivalence data supporting feasibility and safety of the administration of Phesgo outside clinical settings, for example at home.

Phesgo label expansion delivers on patients' preference for at-home administration and is an important step in freeing up cancer care capacity in clinical settings.

Phesgo has the potential to reduce treatment administration costs by up to 80% in Western Europe, and 85% of patients prefer subcutaneous over intravenous administration.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-04-30), 30 April 2025 Phase III, pivotal and other key read-outs Astegolimab

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Roche provides update on astegolimab in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease



The pivotal phase IIb ALIENTO study met the primary endpoint of a statistically significant reduction in the annualised exacerbation rate (AER) at 52 weeks when astegolimab was given every two weeks.

The phase III ARNASA study did not meet the primary endpoint of a statistically significant reduction in the AER at 52 weeks.

The safety profile of astegolimab was consistent with previously reported data, with no new safety signals identified.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-07-21), 21 July 2025 NXT007

Haemophilia A Early data suggest NXT007 may have the potential to provide haemostatic normalisation in people with haemophilia A



Positive phase I/II data presented at the 2025 International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) Congress show NXT007 achieved no bleeds requiring treatment in the highest-dose groups in people with haemophilia A.

The NXT007 clinical development programme aims to normalise haemostasis and minimise treatment burden.

Three phase III clinical studies on NXT007, a next-generation bispecific antibody, are set to begin in 2026.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-06-23), 23 June 2025 Lunsumio and Polivy

Blood cancer Lunsumio and Polivy combination significantly prolongs remission for people with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma



Pivotal phase III SUNMO study demonstrated an 11.5-month median progression-free survival - three times longer than R-GemOx.

This well-tolerated investigational combination therapy avoids traditional chemotherapy and may be suitable for outpatient community care.

These data demonstrate Roche's commitment to providing options for diverse patient and healthcare system needs in this difficult-to-treat lymphoma.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-06-20), 20 June 2025 Prasinezumab

Parkinson's disease Roche to advance prasinezumab into phase III development for early-stage Parkinson's disease



Results from phase IIb PADOVA and longer-term follow-up data suggest clinical benefit on top of symptomatic treatment in early-stage Parkinson's disease.

Prasinezumab is a potential first-in-class anti-alpha-synuclein antibody targeting a known biological driver of Parkinson's disease progression.

Parkinson's disease affects over 10 million people globally and significant unmet need remains.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-06-16), 16 June 2025 Tecentriq

Lung cancer Tecentriq combined with lurbinectedin shows significant survival benefit in extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC)



46% reduction in the risk of disease progression or death, and 27% reduction in the risk of death, in an aggressive cancer type with limited survival and few treatment options.

First phase III study in ES-SCLC first-line maintenance to demonstrate clinically meaningful improvements in both progression-free and overall survival.

Data were presented in an oral session at the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting and simultaneously published in The Lancet.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-06-03), 3 June 2025 Itovebi

Breast cancer New data show Itovebi significantly extended survival in a certain type of HR-positive advanced breast cancer



The regimen based on Itovebi reduced the risk of death by more than 30% in people with PIK3CA-mutated HR-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer, compared with palbociclib and fulvestrant alone.

The PIK3CA mutation is found in approximately 40% of HR-positive advanced breast cancers and is associated with a poor prognosis.

New data were presented in an oral session at the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting and published in The New England Journal of Medicine.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-05-31), 31 May 2025 Fenebrutinib

Multiple sclerosis Fenebrutinib maintains near-complete suppression of disease activity and disability progression for up to two years in people with relapsing multiple sclerosis



Patients on fenebrutinib had low relapse rates with data showing no active brain lesions or disability progression after nearly two years of treatment.

Phase III studies for fenebrutinib in relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis are expected to start reading out at year end.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-05-30), 30 May 2025 Columvi

Blood cancer



New two-year follow-up data show Columvi extends overall survival in relapsed or refractory diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) patients



Updated data from the pivotal phase III STARGLO study continue to demonstrate a clinically meaningful improvement in overall survival with a 40% survival benefit for people with R/R DLBCL who are not candidates for transplant.

89% of patients whose cancer had fully responded at the end of treatment with Columvi in combination with chemotherapy were still alive and 82% showed no signs of cancer one year post-treatment.

Timely initiation of effective therapy at relapse or after initial therapy failure is critical for this aggressive, life-threatening disease.

Results demonstrate the potential of the Columvi combination as a much-needed, off-the-shelf and fixed-duration treatment option.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-05-23), 23 May 2025 Perjeta

Breast cancer Ten-year APHINITY data show regimen based on Perjeta reduced the risk of death by 17% in people with HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer



Long-term follow-up in this curative setting demonstrated clinically meaningful survival benefit when adjuvant Perjeta was added to Herceptin and chemotherapy.

21% reduction in the risk of death was seen in the pre-specified subgroup of people with lymph node-positive disease.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-05-13), 13 May 2025 Other Executive changes Changes to the Roche Enlarged Corporate Executive Committee



Johannes (Hans) Clevers, MD, PhD, Head of Roche Pharma Research and Early Development (pRED) and member of the Enlarged Corporate Executive Committee, will be retiring from Roche.

Barbara Schadler, Head of Group Communications and member of Roche's Enlarged Corporate Executive Committee, will retire from the company at the end of the year.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-06-30), 30 June 2025 Elevidys

Duchenne muscular dystrophy Roche provides safety update on Elevidys gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy in non-ambulatory patients



After a thorough clinical review, the benefit-risk profile of Elevidys in non-ambulatory patients with Duchenne has been re-assessed following two cases of fatal acute liver failure.

Effective immediately, dosing of non-ambulatory patients, irrespective of age, is paused in the clinical setting; dosing of non-ambulatory patients is discontinued in the commercial setting.

Roche is working closely with relevant health authorities, investigators and prescribing physicians to ensure they are informed and patient care is being appropriately modified.

The benefit-risk profile of Elevidys treatment in ambulatory Duchenne patients remains positive and treatment guidance is unchanged.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-06-15), 15 June 2025 Xofluza

Influenza The New England Journal of Medicine publishes phase III data showing single-dose Xofluza significantly reduces influenza virus transmission



Detailed results from the CENTERSTONE trial show treatment with Xofluza reduced the odds of transmission, or spread, of the influenza virus from an infected person to household members by 32%.

CENTERSTONE is the first global phase III trial that demonstrates the benefit of an antiviral in reducing the spread of a respiratory virus.

Reducing the spread of infection within households could help limit transmission within institutions and communities, potentially easing the burden of both seasonal and pandemic influenza on healthcare systems.



More information: Media Release (https://www.roche.com/media/releases/med-cor-2025-04-25), 25 April 2025

Diagnostics sales

Sales CHF millions As % of sales % change January-June 2025 2024 2025 2024 At CER In CHF Diagnostics Division 6,959 7,211 100.0 100.0 0 -3 Customer areas3 Core Lab 3,839 4,072 55.2 56.5 -2 -6 Molecular Lab 1,250 1,257 18.0 17.4 3 -1 Near Patient Care 1,018 1,094 14.6 15.2 -3 -7 Pathology Lab 852 788 12.2 10.9 12 8 Regions Europe, Middle East, Africa 2,485 2,431 35.7 33.7 5 2 North America 2,235 2,163 32.1 30.0 6 3 Asia-Pacific 1,729 2,102 24.9 29.2 -15 -18 Latin America 510 515 7.3 7.1 14 -1

More information on Roche performance in the first half of 2025:

HY 2025 Finance Report (https://assets.roche.com/f/176343/x/2d95c66259/hy25e.pdf)

HY 2025 presentation (https://assets.roche.com/f/176343/x/184f41bf07/irp250724-a.pdf)

Appendix with tables (https://assets.roche.com/f/176343/x/aac9c4bf5b/appendix-tables-hy-2025.pdf)

About Roche

Founded in 1896 in Basel, Switzerland, as one of the first industrial manufacturers of branded medicines, Roche has grown into the world's largest biotechnology company and the global leader in in-vitro diagnostics. The company pursues scientific excellence to discover and develop medicines and diagnostics for improving and saving the lives of people around the world. We are a pioneer in personalised healthcare and want to further transform how healthcare is delivered to have an even greater impact. To provide the best care for each person we partner with many stakeholders and combine our strengths in Diagnostics and Pharma with data insights from the clinical practice.

For over 125 years, sustainability has been an integral part of Roche's business. As a science-driven company, our greatest contribution to society is developing innovative medicines and diagnostics that help people live healthier lives. Roche is committed to the Science Based Targets initiative and the Sustainable Markets Initiative to achieve net zero by 2045.

Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.

For more information, please visit www.roche.com.

All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are protected by law.





References

[1] Unless otherwise stated, all growth rates and comparisons to the previous year in this document are at constant exchange rates (CER: average rates 2024) and all total figures quoted are reported in CHF.

[2] Products launched before 2015.

[3] Core Lab: diagnostics solutions in the areas of immunoassays, clinical chemistry and CustomBiotech.

Molecular Lab: diagnostics solutions for pathogen detection and monitoring, donor screening, sexual health and genomics, genomic tumour profiling.

Near Patient Care: diagnostics solutions in emergency rooms, medical practices and directly with patients, including integrated personalised diabetes management.

Pathology Lab: diagnostics solutions for tissue biopsies and companion diagnostics.

In 2025, sales in the Pathology Lab customer area include sales previously reported in the Molecular Lab customer area to foster business transparency and harmonisation in the use of solutions in the area of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia technology (CINtec). The comparative information for 2024 has been restated accordingly.

In 2025, sales in the Core Lab customer area include sales previously reported in the Near Patient Care customer area to centralise digital healthcare solutions within Roche Information Solutions. The comparative information for 2024 has been restated accordingly

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements

This document contains certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as 'believes', 'expects', 'anticipates', 'projects', 'intends', 'should', 'seeks', 'estimates', 'future' or similar expressions or by discussion of, among other things, strategy, goals, plans or intentions. Various factors may cause actual results to differ materially in the future from those reflected in forward-looking statements contained in this document, such as: (1) pricing and product initiatives of competitors; (2) legislative and regulatory developments and economic conditions; (3) delay or inability in obtaining regulatory approvals or bringing products to market; (4) fluctuations in currency exchange rates and general financial market conditions; (5) uncertainties in the discovery, development or marketing of new products or new uses of existing products, including without limitation negative results of clinical trials or research projects, unexpected side effects of pipeline or marketed products; (6) increased government pricing pressures; (7) interruptions in production; (8) loss of or inability to obtain adequate protection for intellectual property rights; (9) litigation; (10) loss of key executives or other employees; and (11) adverse publicity and news coverage. The statement regarding earnings per share growth is not a profit forecast and should not be interpreted to mean that Roche's earnings or earnings per share for this or any subsequent period will necessarily match or exceed the historical published earnings or earnings per share of Roche.

Roche Global Media Relations

Phone: +41 61 688 8888 / e-mail: media.relations@roche.com

Hans Trees, PhD

Phone: +41 79 407 72 58 Sileia Urech

Phone: +41 79 935 81 48 Nathalie Altermatt

Phone: +41 79 771 05 25 Lorena Corfas

Phone: +41 79 568 24 95 Simon Goldsborough

Phone: +44 797 32 72 915 Karsten Kleine

Phone: +41 79 461 86 83 Dr Rebekka Schnell

Phone: +41 79 205 27 03 Kirti Pandey

Phone: +49 172 636 72 62 Yvette Petillon

Phone: +41 79 961 92 50



Roche Investor Relations

Dr Bruno Eschli

Phone: +41 61 687 52 84

e-mail: bruno.eschli@roche.com Dr Sabine Borngraber

Phone: +41 61 688 80 27

e-mail: sabine.borngraeber@roche.com Dr Birgit Masjost

Phone: +41 61 688 48 14

e-mail: birgit.masjost@roche.com



Investor Relations North America

Loren Kalm

Phone: +1 650 225 32 17

e-mail: kalm.loren@gene.com







Attachments
LONDON, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Tyton Partners, the leading strategy consulting and investment banking firm focused on the education sector, and Ufi Ventures, the UK's specialist investor in vocational technology (VocTech), today released their Q2 2025 VocTech Market Report. This quarterly publication explores the trends shaping vocational learning and workforce development across the UK, Europe, and North America.

The second quarter of 2025 has been marked by increasing anxiety around artificial intelligence's disruptive impact on labour markets, a wave of significant UK policy announcements, and early signs of capital rotation from the US to Europe amid political volatility. Vocational education and training remain firmly in the spotlight as policymakers and investors confront mounting challenges tied to youth disengagement, employment shifts, and rapid technological change.

Key Takeaways

Labour markets are causing concern, even in the US.

The UK government made a series of major policy announcements, many of which see increased investment in key sectors and skills. The detail is important and not yet here.

Big Tech companies - including "hyperscalers" such as OpenAI - are muscling in to the education space, likely in search of long-term users and increased engagement.

The future of junior white-collar workers, and how they should be trained, is a key focus of debate. Being conscious of what may have previously been taken for granted (informal "learning by doing" in particular) looks important.

Companies who facilitate AI-driven HR workflows are raising sizeable funding, with some European businesses closing unusually large 20m+ Series A rounds.

Alongside UK reforms, policy developments in the US and Europe are creating new dynamics. Germany's coalition is advancing ambitious investment programmes. In the US, escalating attacks on higher education and the erratic policy environment under the Trump administration may be triggering a shift of capital and student interest to the UK and Europe.

Helen Gironi, Director at Ufi Ventures, commented:

"AI is shaking up workforce development from every angle. Employers, policymakers and learners are all being forced to adapt. At Ufi Ventures, we see opportunity in this disruption, but only for those who are ready to innovate and act with clarity."

Nick Kind, Managing Director at Tyton Partners, added:

"We are seeing a critical turning point. AI is accelerating change, but it is also highlighting systemic gaps in skills and training. With new policy commitments in the UK and a capital environment in flux, the landscape is as complex as it is promising. This report offers grounded insight into how to respond."

To access the full Q2 2025 VocTech Market Report, visit: https://tytonpartners.com/key- learnings-from-voctech-market-activity-q2-2025/

About Tyton Partners

Tyton Partners is the leading provider of strategy consulting and investment banking services to the global knowledge and information services sector. With offices in Boston and New York City, the firm has an experienced team of bankers and consultants who deliver a unique spectrum of services from mergers and acquisitions and capital markets access to strategy development that helps companies, organizations, and investors navigate the complexities of the education, media, and information markets. Tyton Partners leverages a deep foundation of transactional and advisory experience and an unparalleled level of global relationships to make its clients' aspirations a reality and to catalyze innovation in the sector. Learn more at tytonpartners.com.

About Ufi Ventures

Ufi Ventures is the investment arm of Ufi VocTech Trust. Ufi supports the adoption and deployment of technology to improve skills for work and deliver better outcomes for all. By leveraging its depth of experience Ufi Ventures supports its growing portfolio through access to capital, and its wide expert pool and network. Learn more at www.ufi.co.uk/ventures .
Bubendorf, Switzerland--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR



Media Release

Bachem shows strong growth in the first half of 2025

Group sales showed strong growth reaching CHF 313.0 million (+30.2% compared to the prior-year period, +34.1% in local currencies).

EBITDA grew to CHF 91.0 million (+64.0% compared to the prior-year period, +76.9% in local currencies) with a margin of 29.1% (prior-year period: 23.1%).

Outlook

For 2025, Bachem is raising its guidance to between 13% and 18% sales growth in local currencies.

Bachem confirms its outlook for an EBITDA margin in 2025 in local currencies in the high twenties.

The company plans to make investments of more than CHF 400 million in 2025.

Based on current orders, the company aims for annual sales of more than CHF 1 billion and an EBITDA margin of over 30% in 2026.





A black and white page with numbersAI-generated content may be incorrect.



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10552/259916_figure1.jpg

Thomas Meier, CEO of Bachem, on the results for the first half of the year:

"We achieved strong sales growth in the first half of this year and are on a good path to meeting our annual goals. The impact of our ongoing operational excellence measures is becoming more visible. These measures allow us to meet the consistently high demand for peptides even more effectively. Our expansion project Building K is on track to add significant production capacity for our customers. I would particularly like to thank our more than 2 300 colleagues who are making this tremendous development possible."





Group results

The Bachem Group (SIX: BANB) achieved sales of CHF 313.0 million in the first half of 2025 (+30.2% compared to the prior-year period: CHF 240.3 million). In local currencies (LC), sales increased by 34.1%.

Operating income before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounted to CHF 91.0 million (+64.0%, +76.9% in LC), and operating income (EBIT) was CHF 66.9 million (+89.1%, +109.1% in LC).

As a result, the EBITDA margin was 29.1% (first half of 2024: 23.1%) and the EBIT margin was 21.4% (first half of 2024: 14.7%). In local currencies the EBITDA margin was 30.4% and the EBIT margin was 23.0%.

Net income increased to CHF 50.1 million (+38.6%) with a margin of 16.0% (first half of 2024: 15.0%).

Sales by product category

The Commercial API category achieved sales of CHF 168.4 million (first half of 2024: CHF 127.2 million, +32.4%, in LC +35.7%), mainly driven by a good operational execution across our network that led to an optimized utilization of existing facilities.

In the clinical drug development category (CMC Development), sales increased to CHF 123.7 million (first half of 2024: CHF 90.4 million, +36.9%, in LC: +41.6%) due to a strong pipeline of peptide and oligonucleotide development projects.

The research chemicals and specialties business (Research & Specialties) delivered CHF 20.8 million (first half of 2024: CHF 22.8 million, -8.5%, in LC: -4.8%).

Substantial capacity expansion

Bachem is pursuing an investment program to expand capacity at all sites. CHF 129.1 million were invested in the first half of 2025 with significant volumes to be invested in the second half of the year. In addition to expansion, Bachem is also continuously optimizing the utilization of existing buildings and facilities through operational improvements.

Bachem began construction of its most advanced production plant for large volumes of peptides and oligonucleotides in 2021 (building "K") in Bubendorf. The project is on track. First manufacturing lines are commissioned, and technical production activities are progressing. Conditional upon regulatory inspections, Bachem expects GMP production to begin within the course of the second half of 2025. The successful ramp-up of commercial production in the building is a key prerequisite for achieving the revenue target in 2026.

Bachem is planning for a further manufacturing site in Sisslerfeld in the Swiss municipality of Eiken. Bachem has submitted its site development plan ("Entwicklungsrichtplan") to the authorities and first construction applications are planned for this year.

Bachem continues to invest in its entire network of sites, focusing on site-specific core competencies. In the US, high-volume capacity at the Vista site is being expanded. In Torrance, Bachem is focusing on promising small-volume clinical projects, while investments at the Vionnaz site in Western Switzerland are aimed at securing the supply of key precursors.

Outlook

For 2025 Bachem expects sales growth in local currencies between 13% and 18%. The EBITDA margin in local currencies should be in the high twenties. The company plans to make investments of more than CHF 400 million in 2025. Based on current orders, the company aims for annual sales of more than CHF 1 billion and an EBITDA margin of over 30% in 2026.

The Half-Year Report 2025 and the presentation for the analyst- and media call are available on the website under the following link: https://www.bachem.com/about-bachem/investors-and-media/reports-and-presentations/

Financial Calendar

March 12, 2026 Publication of Annual Report 2025;

Media and Analyst conference

April 29, 2026 Annual General Meeting (financial year 2025)

July 30, 2026 Publication of Half-Year Report 2026

About Bachem

Bachem is a leading, innovation-driven company specializing in the development and manufacture of peptides and oligonucleotides. The company, which has over 50 years of experience and expertise, provides products for research, clinical development, and commercial application to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide and offers a comprehensive range of services. Bachem operates internationally with its headquarters in Switzerland and sites in Europe, the US and Asia. The company is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. For further information, see www.bachem.com.

This publication may contain specific forward-looking statements, e.g. statements including terms like "believe", "assume", "expect", "forecast", "project", "may", "could", "might", "will" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may result in a substantial divergence between the actual results, financial situation, development or performance of Bachem Holding AG and those explicitly or implicitly presumed in these statements. Against the background of these uncertainties, readers should not rely on forward-looking statements. Bachem Holding AG assumes no responsibility to up-date forward-looking statements or to adapt them to future events or developments.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/259916

SOURCE: Bachem Holding AG


EQS Newswire / 24/07/2025 / 09:00 CET/CEST

PARIS, FRANCE - Media OutReach Newswire - 24 July 2025 - HERALBONY is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Gold Lion in the "Glass: The Lion for Change" category at the Cannes Lions 2025, the largest gathering of the creative communications industry.





The agency representing artists with disabilities



HERALBONY is a creative company that works with artists with disabilities. We craft unique brand experiences through art and storytelling, bringing inclusivity into business. By showcasing their unique expressions and sharing their narratives, we aim to change perceptions of disability and build a society where every 'difference' is valued.



Managing a collection of over 2,000 artworks by neurodiverse artists, we ensure fair royalties and foster a sustainable business model. Our in-house brand, HERALBONY, produces high-quality products infused with artistry and craftsmanship. Additionally, we collaborate with companies to co-create inclusive experiences and creative projects.



We also organize the HERALBONY Art Prize, an international award recognizing outstanding artists with disabilities. In July 2024, we established HERALBONY EUROPE in Paris-our first overseas subsidiary-to further expand our vision on a global scale.



Jury President's Comments from KR Liu (Global Head of Product Innovation & Marketing Partnerships for Platforms and Devices, Google)



'Glass: The Lion for Change' was established to celebrate campaigns that challenge gender inequality and stereotypes and drive societal and cultural change. This year, the scope of evaluation was expanded beyond gender to include disability, race, sexuality, and social inequality. Additionally, sustained, long-term impact was introduced as a new evaluation criterion, raising the standards even further.



Through the judging process, I learned about HERALBONY for the first time. As I deepened my understanding of the project, I was deeply moved by how HERALBONY creates opportunities for people with disabilities to thrive as artists and creators.



We were also highly impressed by HERALBONY's collaborative work with companies to create significant social impact. Instead of merely growing its own brand, HERALBONY ventured into co-creation with other organizations-a remarkable move that allows for broader and more meaningful societal transformation. I truly hope HERALBONY continues this initiative moving forward.



For more information, please click here.

Official Website: https://www.heralbony.jp/en

Details about the Cannes Lions Award: https://www.heralbony.jp/en/topics/4356



Hashtag: Art Creativity Communication Marketing Diversity Inclusion HERALBONY

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

News Source: HERALBONY

24/07/2025 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.

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



Media archive at www.todayir.com


euroAtlantic Airways ("EAA"), is pleased to announce the addition of the CS-TGD, its first Airbus A330-200, to its fleet, marking a significant milestone in the Company's expansion and commitment to providing exceptional services to its clients.

The A330-200, which is leased from AELF, is the sixth widebody aircraft in EAA's fleet, and the Company's first ever Airbus aircraft in its >30-year history. Powered by General Electric CF6-80E engines, the aircraft delivers reliable performance and fuel efficiency while supporting a maximum takeoff weight of 233,000 kg, ensuring optimal payload capacity for long-haul operations. Today, it is configured with 12 Business Class seats and 283 Economy Class seats, accommodating 295 passengers in total.

EAA is currently operating for LOT Polish Airlines on its daily New York to Warsaw route and for Azul on Lisbon to Campinas, Porto to Recife, and Madrid. The leading ACMI business also provides services for government entities, including the United Nations.

Stewart Higginson, CEO and Chairman of euroAtlantic Airways, commented: "We are excited to welcome the A330-200 to our fleet. The addition represents the next stage in EAA's journey towards enhancing its operational capabilities and market presence. Recognised for its operational efficiency and superior passenger experience, this aircraft represents a significant milestone for euroAtlantic, marking our transition to a dual Boeing and Airbus operator. It further expands our long-haul product offering for the charter and ACMI market segments. We are grateful to AELF for their support and collaboration and look forward to partnering with leading airlines to provide best in class customer experience."

Joe Cirillo, Chief Commercial Officer of AELF, added: "We are proud to partner with EAA on the lease of this A330-200 and support their ambitious fleet development. We specialise in providing tailored, flexible leasing solutions to dynamic operators like EAA, who are expanding their footprint in key global markets. We look forward to supporting EAA as they continue to grow and innovate in the ACMI and charter sectors."

About euroAtlantic Airways

euroAtlantic Airways is a Portuguese airline specializing in ACMI and charter solutions, operating a diverse fleet of aircraft. Headquartered in Carnaxide and based at Lisbon Airport, it offers wet-lease, charter services, and Ad-Hoc flights across the globe, and has served 727 Airports in 167 countries in 32 years of operations. With over three decades of expertise in the aviation industry, EAA has established itself as a global leader in providing ACMI (Aircraft, Crew, Maintenance, and Insurance) and Charter solutions. Over the years, the Company has earned a reputation for delivering tailored services that meet the unique needs of its clients, with a continued focus on safety, efficiency, and innovation. Since 2024, euroAtlantic Airways is majority owned by Njord Partners.

To find out more visit: https://www.euroatlantic.pt/en/quem-somos/

About AELF

Aircraft Engine Lease Finance Inc. ("AELF") is an experienced commercial aircraft lessor. Based in Chicago, AELF offers customized and flexible financing solutions to airlines and commercial aircraft operators worldwide. AELF has been in operation for a decade and is continually expanding its commercial aircraft and engine portfolio. Learn more at www.aelfinc.com.

To find out more visit: https://www.aelfinc.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250724081597/en/

Contacts:

Media enquiries: via Camarco

Jennifer Renwick

Letaba Rimell

njord@apcoworldwide.com
XIAMEN, China, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Recently, S&P Global, a leading authoritative data and consulting agency, officially released the 2024 global solar tracker shipment rankings. Antaisolar was ranked the number nine solar tracker supplier globally and the number six solar tracker supplier in Asia-Pacific. This cements its status as a global first-tier solar tracker manufacturer, all thanks to its exceptional performance in global market expansion, technological innovation, and customer service.

Since established in 2006, Antaisolar has been committed to providing global customers with advanced, efficient, and intelligent solar tracking products, while striving to create one-stop service solutions covering product design, production, sales, after-sales operation, and other links. As the core of these one-stop solutions, Antaisolar's products continuously evolve through technological innovation to meet the needs of diverse solar application scenarios.

Antaisolar's flagship trackers include the 1P TAI-Simple and 2P TAI-Universal, plus the upgraded new product AT-Spark-featuring its self-developed large R-angle octagonal tube with double spherical bearings, supporting multi-string, large-span, and ultra-long arrays to reduce EPC and O&M costs while boosting terrain adaptability. All trackers integrate with Antaisolar SmartTrail intelligent control system, which uses 4 protection strategies against extreme weather and smart tracking algorithms. These algorithms factor in direct, scattered, and reflected irradiance, leveraging 3D modeling and optimization to minimize shadow impacts from irregular terrain, thus increasing power output. With high adaptability, practicality, and stability, these products reduce construction time, lower LCOE, and enhance plant efficiency, making them ideal for large ground-mounted projects and a customer favorite.

Antaisolar has established 8 delivery centers and 4 R&D centers worldwide, gradually expanding its coverage across major regional markets and continuously enhancing its brand influence. In terms of customer service and delivery, Antaisolar always adheres to the "customer-centric" philosophy. Its comprehensive high-quality services have earned the trust and praise of customers, which not only promotes long-term cooperative relationships between the company and its clients but also lays a solid foundation for its rapid development in the global market.

Looking ahead, under its mission and vision of "Raise a Green World," Antaisolar will further advance its international strategic layout, continuously enhance its capabilities, and strive for even better performance in the global solar tracker market. The company will continue to provide global customers with high-quality and efficient products, contributing to the sustainable development of the global green energy industry.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/antaisolar-ranks-among-top-9-in-global-solar-tracker-market-share-according-to-sp-global-302512936.html
Q2-25 Revenue and Net Income of  148.1 Million and  32.1 Million, Respectively

H1-25 Revenue and Net Income of  292.2 Million and  63.6 Million, Respectively

DUIVEN, the Netherlands, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BE Semiconductor Industries N.V. (the "Company" or "Besi") (Euronext Amsterdam: BESI; OTC markets: BESIY), a leading manufacturer of assembly equipment for the semiconductor industry, today announced its results for the second quarter and first half year ended June 30, 2025.

Key Highlights Q2-25

Revenue of  148.1 million grew 2.8% vs. Q1-25 and was within prior guidance due primarily to higher die attach shipments for mainstream computing applications. Revenue decreased 2.1% vs. Q2-24 principally due to weakness in mobile end markets partially offset by growth in hybrid bonding shipments

Orders of  128.0 million decreased 3.0% vs. Q1-25 due primarily due to ongoing weakness in mainstream computing and mobile applications partially offset by significant new orders for TCB Next systems. Orders declined 30.9% vs. Q2-24 due primarily to lower orders for hybrid bonding and mobile applications

Gross margin of 63.3% decreased by 0.3 points vs. Q1-25 and by 1.7 points vs. Q2-24 due to a less favorable product mix and adverse forex effects from a decline in the USD versus the euro

Net income of  32.1 million increased 1.9% vs. Q1-25. Versus Q2-24, net income decreased 23.4% due principally to lower revenue and gross margins, increased R&D spending and higher interest expense related to the Senior Note offering in July 2024. Q2-25 net margin decreased to 21.6% vs. 21.9% in Q1-25 and 27.7% in Q2-24

Cash and deposits of  490.2 million at June 30, 2025 increased by 90.6% vs. June 30, 2024 due to the Senior Note offering in July 2024

Key Highlights H1-25

Revenue of  292.2 million decreased 1.8% vs. H1-24 principally due to ongoing weakness in mainstream assembly markets, particularly for mobile and automotive applications, partially offset by increased shipments of hybrid bonding systems

Orders of  259.9 million were down 17.0% vs. H1-24 primarily due to lower bookings for hybrid bonding systems and for mobile applications, partially offset by increased die attach orders by Asian subcontractors for AI related computing applications and new orders for Besi's TCB Next system

Gross margin of 63.4% decreased by 2.7 points versus H1-24 primarily due to a less favorable product mix and adverse forex effects

Net income of  63.6 million decreased  12.3 million, or 16.2%, vs. H1-24 primarily due to lower revenue and gross margin and higher interest expense. Similarly, Besi's net margin decreased to 21.7% versus 25.5% in H1-24

Q3-25 Outlook

Revenue is expected to decline 5-15% vs. the  148.1 million reported in Q2-25

Orders are expected to increase significantly vs. Q2-25 primarily due to increased demand for hybrid bonding systems and die attach systems for AI-related 2.5D computing applications

Gross margin is expected to range between 60-62% and decrease vs. the 63.3% realized in Q2-25 primarily due to adverse forex effects from a significantly lower USD versus the euro

Operating expenses are expected to be flat +/- 5% vs.  50.2 million in Q2-25

( millions, except EPS) Q2-

2025 Q1-

2025 ? Q2-

2024

? HY1-

2025 HY1-

2024 ? Revenue 148.1 144.1 +2.8% 151.2 -2.1% 292.2 297.5 -1.8% Orders 128.0 131.9 -3.0% 185.2 -30.9% 259.9 313.0 -17.0% Gross Margin 63.3% 63.6% -0.3 65.0% -1.7 63.4% 66.1% -2.7 Operating Income 43.5 39.3 +10.7% 49.3 -11.8% 82.8 90.0 -8.0% Net Income 32.1 31.5 +1.9% 41.9 -23.4% 63.6 75.9 -16.2% Net Margin 21.6% 21.9% -0.3 27.7% -6.1 21.7% 25.5% -3.8 EPS (basic) 0.40 0.40 - 0.53 -24.5% 0.80 0.97 -17.5% EPS (diluted) 0.40 0.40 - 0.53 -24.5% 0.80 0.97 -17.5% Net Cash and Deposits -36.0* 159.4 -122.6% 74.4* -148.4% -36.0* 74.4* -148.4%

* Reflects cash dividend payments of  172.8 million and  171.5 million in Q2-25 and Q2-24, respectively.

Richard W. Blickman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Besi, commented:

"Besi reported Q2-25 revenue, operating income and net income of  148.1 million,  43.5 million and  32.1 million, respectively. Revenue and operating results were at the midpoint of prior guidance in a mainstream assembly equipment market still affected by soft demand for mobile and automotive applications. Market development in Q2-25 was also affected by increased customer caution due to global trade tensions. Q2-25 revenue and operating income grew sequentially by 2.8% and 10.7%, respectively, as we saw an increase in shipments to Asian subcontractors for AI-related datacenter applications combined with a 4.3% decrease in sequential operating expenses. Orders for the quarter decreased 3.0% versus Q1-25 as weakness in mainstream computing and mobile applications was partially offset by new orders for Besi's TCB Next system.

For the first half year, revenue of  292.2 million decreased 1.8% versus H1-24 reflecting broader assembly market trends as weakness in mobile and, to a lesser extent, automotive end markets was significantly offset by growth in hybrid bonding revenue which more than doubled versus H1-24. Orders decreased by 17.0% due to the timing of customer orders for hybrid bonding systems and a lack of new product introductions in high-end smartphones. H1-25 operating and net income decreased by 8.0% and 16.2%, respectively, versus H1-24 primarily due to lower revenue and a 2.7-point reduction in gross margin from a less favorable product mix, adverse net forex effects from the decline of the USD versus the euro and increased interest expense related to Besi's Senior Note issuance in July 2024. Liquidity remained strong with cash and deposits of  490.2 million at June 30, 2025 increasing by 90.6% vs. June 30, 2024 due to the Senior Note offering in July 2024.

We believe the outlook for Besi's business in H2-25 has improved in recent weeks based on customer feedback and order trends subsequent to quarter end. Expanded capex budgets for AI infrastructure have been confirmed by each of the leading industry players in recent quarters with new use cases emerging in cloud and edge computing along with co-packaged optics. Advanced packaging is one of the key ways to achieve AI system differentiation, develop innovative consumer edge AI devices and provide the most energy-efficient data center performance. Advanced packaging demand for AI applications remains strong given new device introductions expected in 2026-2028. We believe we are well positioned in the fastest-growing advanced packaging market segments including data centers, photonics, AI-enhanced PCs and mobile devices and EVs/autonomous driving.

As such, orders for our hybrid bonding systems are expected to increase significantly in H2-25 versus both H1-25 and H2-24 in both advanced logic and HBM4 memory applications as customers advance their technology roadmaps for new product introductions in 2026 and 2027. Customer interest in our TCB Next system for both memory and logic applications has also expanded significantly. TCB Next cycle times have improved with shipments anticipated in Q4-25 from orders received in Q2-25. We also anticipate increased orders for 2.5D advanced packaging systems for AI-related datacenter applications from both global IDMs and Asian subcontractors. In addition, there are early signs of a recovery in our mainstream assembly markets principally related to increased demand by Asian subcontractors for high-end mobile applications and high-performance computing applications for consumer markets.

For Q3-25, we anticipate that revenue will decline by approximately 5-15% versus Q2-25. However, orders for Q3-25 are expected to increase significantly on a sequential basis due to increased demand for hybrid bonding and 2.5D advanced packaging applications. Besi's gross margin is anticipated to decline to a range of 60-62% in Q3-25 due to the adverse impact of a 12.8% decline in the value of the USD versus the euro in the first half of 2025. Operating expenses in Q3-25 are expected to be flat plus or minus 5% versus Q2-25 despite increased R&D spending."

Share Repurchase Activity

During the quarter, Besi spent  20.7 million to repurchase approximately 196,000 of its ordinary shares at an average price of  105.80 per share. As of June 30, 2025,  72.2 million of the current  100 million share repurchase authorization has been used to repurchase approximately 644,000 ordinary shares at an average price of  111.96 per share. As of June 30, 2025, Besi held approximately 2.0 million shares in treasury, equivalent to 2.5% of shares outstanding.

Investor and media conference call

A conference call and webcast for investors and media will be held today at 4:00 pm CET (10:00 am EDT). To register for the conference call and/or to access the audio webcast and webinar slides, please visit www.besi.com.

Important Dates

 Publication Q3/Nine-month results

 Publication Q4/Full year results







October 23, 2025

February 2026

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as adopted by the European Union. Reference is made to the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements as included in our 2024 Annual Report, which is available on www.besi.com.

Contacts:

Richard W. Blickman, President & CEO

Andrea Kopp-Battaglia, Senior Vice President Finance

Claudia Vissers, Executive Secretary/IR coordinator

Edmond Franco, VP Corporate Development/US IR coordinator

Michael Sullivan, Investor Relations

Tel. (31) 26 319 4500

investor.relations@besi.com

About Besi

Besi is a leading manufacturer of assembly equipment supplying a broad portfolio of advanced packaging solutions to the semiconductor and electronics industries. We offer customers high levels of accuracy, reliability and throughput at a lower cost of ownership with a principal focus on wafer level and substrate assembly solutions. Customers are primarily leading semiconductor manufacturers, foundries, assembly subcontractors and electronics and industrial companies. Besi's ordinary shares are listed on Euronext Amsterdam (symbol: BESI). Its Level 1 ADRs are listed on the OTC markets (symbol: BESIY) and its headquarters are located in Duiven, the Netherlands. For more information, please visit our website at www.besi.com .

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements about management's future expectations, plans and prospects of our business that constitute forward-looking statements, which are found in various places throughout the press release, including, but not limited to, statements relating to expectations of orders, net sales, product shipments, expenses, timing of purchases of assembly equipment by customers, gross margins, operating results and capital expenditures. The use of words such as "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "can", "intend", "believes", "may", "plan", "predict", "project", "forecast", "will", "would", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. The financial guidance set forth under the heading "Outlook" contains such forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements represent our judgments and expectations concerning the development of our business, a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors could cause actual developments and results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, including any inability to maintain continued demand for our products; failure of anticipated orders to materialize or postponement or cancellation of orders, generally without charges; the volatility in the demand for semiconductors and our products and services; the extent and duration of the COVID-19 and other global pandemics and the associated adverse impacts on the global economy, financial markets, global supply chains and our operations as well as those of our customers and suppliers; failure to develop new and enhanced products and introduce them at competitive price levels; failure to adequately decrease costs and expenses as revenues decline; loss of significant customers, including through industry consolidation or the emergence of industry alliances; lengthening of the sales cycle; acts of terrorism and violence; disruption or failure of our information technology systems; consolidation activity and industry alliances in the semiconductor industry that may result in further increased customer concentration, inability to forecast demand and inventory levels for our products; the integrity of product pricing and protection of our intellectual property in foreign jurisdictions; risks, such as changes in trade regulations, conflict minerals regulations, currency fluctuations, political instability and war, associated with substantial foreign customers, suppliers and foreign manufacturing operations, particularly to the extent occurring in the Asia Pacific region where we have a substantial portion of our production facilities; potential instability in foreign capital markets; the risk of failure to successfully manage our diverse operations; any inability to attract and retain skilled personnel, including as a result of restrictions on immigration, travel or the availability of visas for skilled technology workers.

In addition, the United States and other countries have recently levied tariffs and taxes on certain goods and could significantly increase or impose new tariffs on a broad array of goods. They have imposed, and may continue to impose, new trade restrictions and export regulations. Increased or new tariffs and additional taxes, including any retaliatory measures, trade restrictions and export regulations, could negatively impact end-user demand and customer investment in semiconductor equipment, increase Besi's supply chain complexity and manufacturing costs, decrease margins, reduce the competitiveness of our products or restrict our ability to sell products, provide services or purchase necessary equipment and supplies. Any or all of the foregoing factor could have a material and adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, investors should consider those additional risk factors set forth in Besi's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2024 and other key factors that could adversely affect our businesses and financial performance contained in our filings and reports, including our statutory consolidated statements. We expressly disclaim any obligation to update or alter our forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Consolidated Statements of Operations ( thousands, except share and per share data)



Three Months Ended

June 30,

(unaudited) Six Months Ended

June 30,

(unaudited) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Revenue 148,101 151,176 292,246 297,490 Cost of sales 54,410 52,908 106,833 100,951 Gross profit 93,691 98,268 185,413 196,539 Selling, general and administrative expenses 30,629 30,514 63,587 70,155 Research and development expenses 19,571 18,503 39,073 36,422 Total operating expenses 50,200 49,017 102,660 106,577 Operating income 43,491 49,251 82,753 89,962 Financial expense, net 5,693 1,045 8,652 1,634 Income before taxes 37,798 48,206 74,101 88,328 Income tax expense 5,748 6,261 10,545 12,404 Net income 32,050 41,945 63,556 75,924 Net income per share - basic 0.40 0.53 0.80 0.97 Net income per share - diluted 0.40 0.53 0.80 0.97 Number of shares used in computing per share amounts:

- basic

- diluted 1



79,184,703

81,288,679



79,281,533

81,941,471



79,206,267

81,405,308



78,231,430

82,023,808

______________________

1) The calculation of diluted income per share assumes the exercise of equity settled share based payments and the conversion of all Convertible Notes outstanding





Consolidated Balance Sheets ( thousands)



June

30, 2025

(unaudited) March

31, 2025

(unaudited) December

31, 2024

(audited) ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 330,170 405,736 342,319 Deposits 160,000 280,000 330,000 Trade receivables 178,615 170,440 181,862 Inventories 96,977 103,836 103,285 Other current assets 53,821 46,099 40,927 Total current assets 819,583 1,006,111 998,393 Property, plant and equipment 51,089 42,868 44,773 Right of use assets 13,799 15,161 15,726 Goodwill 44,857 45,610 46,010 Other intangible assets 103,933 98,622 96,677 Investment property 5,206 - - Deferred tax assets 27,494 29,240 31,567 Other non-current assets 1,303 1,347 1,330 Total non-current assets 247,681 232,848 236,083 Total assets 1,067,264 1,238,959 1,234,476 Bank overdraft - 840 776 Current portion of long-term debt - - 2,042 Trade payables 47,458 46,598 52,630 Other current liabilities 95,530 111,170 111,531 Total current liabilities 142,988 158,608 166,979 Long-term debt 526,184 525,493 525,653 Lease liabilities 10,873 11,770 12,350 Deferred tax liabilities 10,523 10,416 10,320 Other non-current liabilities 19,915 19,328 17,910 Total non-current liabilities 567,495 567,007 566,233 Total equity 356,781 513,344 501,264 Total liabilities and equity 1,067,264 1,238,959 1,234,476

Consolidated Cash Flow Statements ( thousands)





Three Months Ended

June 30,

(unaudited) Six Months Ended

June 30,

(unaudited) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Cash flows from operating activities: Income before income tax 37,798 48,206 74,101 88,328 Depreciation and amortization 7,458 6,980 14,765 13,793 Share based payment expense 4,342 6,916 8,783 23,816 Financial expense, net 5,694 1,045 8,653 1,634 Changes in working capital (11,032) (46,694) (13,145) (49,945) Interest (paid) received 3,726 3,893 839 5,062 Income tax paid (21,988) (15,428) (23,563) (17,517) Net cash provided by operating activities 25,998 4,918 70,433 65,171 Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures (11,764) (3,216) (13,497) (8,866) Capitalized development expenses (7,320) (4,912) (14,057) (9,575) Acquisition of investment property (5,206) - (5,206) - Repayments of (investments in) deposits 120,000 85,000 170,000 95,000 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 95,710 76,872 137,240 76,559 Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from (payments of) bank lines of credit (840) - (776) - Proceeds from (payments of) debt (2,042) - (2,042) - Payments of lease liabilities (1,111) (1,063) (2,225) (2,106) Purchase of treasury shares (20,721) (14,810) (42,785) (29,589) Dividends paid to shareholders (172,811) (171,534) (172,811) (171,534) Net cash used in financing activities (197,525) (187,407) (220,639) (203,229) Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (75,817) (105,617) (12,966) (61,499) Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and

cash equivalents 251 798 817 256 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the

period 405,736 232,053 342,319 188,477 Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period 330,170 127,234 330,170 127,234
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Questcorp Mining Inc. (CSE: QQQ) (OTCQB: QQCMF) (FSE: D910) (the "Company" or "Questcorp") is pleased to further update shareholders on the on-going surface exploration in preparation for drilling at the La Union Gold-Silver Project in Sonora, Mexico. Questcorp has an option to earn a 100% interest from Riverside Resources Inc. ("Riverside") in the 2,520 ha (25 km sq) property by making a series of cash payments and share issuance and incurring exploration expenditures.

Questcorp President & CEO, Saf Dhillon stated "The Riverside technical team continues to de-risk the upcoming 1500 metre mid-August maiden drill program through detailed surface mapping and sampling. The discovery of multiple stacked thrust faults in the main mineralized area has significantly enhanced the potential of the project. Management continues to be impressed with the excellent work and progress being made with prudent management of exploration dollars".

Riverside continues with surface exploration in advance of the mid-August diamond drill program. The key finding of the work to date has been the identification of stacked thrust faults in the mineralized area which may significantly enhance host rock volume and mineralization potential. Mapping has also identified previously unmapped intrusive bodies within the property which may act as additional sources of mineralized fluids and subsequently addition potential manto type mineralization.

Rock and soil sampling continues with numerous samples dispatched to the laboratory for analysis. Results are expected in the coming weeks. Drilling contractors have toured the site with the contract soon to be finalized. A bulldozer has commenced road maintenance in preparation for the drill program.

The La Union Project

The La Union Project is a carbonate replacement deposit ("CRD") project hosted by Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks (limestones, dolomites, and siliciclastic sediments) overlying crystalline Paleoproterozoic rocks of the Caborca Terrane. The structural setting features high-angle normal faults and low-to-medium-angle thrust faults that sometimes served as mineralization conduits. Mineralization occurs as polymetallic veins, replacement zones (mantos, chimneys), and shear zones with high-grade metal content, as shown in highlight grades of 59.4 grams per metric tonne (g/t) gold, 833 g/t silver, 11% zinc, 5.5% lead, 2.2% copper, along with significant hematite and manganese oxides, consistent with a CRD model (see the technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Union Project, State of Sonora, Mexico" dated effective May 6, 2025 available under Questcorp's SEDAR+ profile). These targets also demonstrate intriguing potential for large gold discoveries potentially above an even larger porphyry Cu district potential as the Company's target concept at this time.

Questcorp cautions investors that grab samples are selective by nature and not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization on the property.

The technical and scientific information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by R. Tim Henneberry, P. Geo (BC), a director of the Company and a "qualified person" under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Questcorp Mining Inc.

Questcorp Mining Inc. is engaged in the business of the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in North America, with the objective of locating and developing economic precious and base metals properties of merit. The Company holds an option to acquire an undivided 100% interest in and to mineral claims totaling 1,168.09 hectares comprising the North Island Copper Property, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, subject to a royalty obligation. The Company also holds an option to acquire an undivided 100% interest in and to mineral claims totaling 2,520.2 hectares comprising the La Union Project located in Sonora, Mexico, subject to a royalty obligation.

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to Riverside's arrangements with geophysical contractors to undertake orientation surveys and follow up detailed survey to confirm and enhance the drill targets. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and 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 statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the ability of Riverside to secure geophysical contractors to undertake orientation surveys and follow up detailed survey to confirm and enhance the drill targets as contemplated or at all, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain capital markets; and delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that the geophysical surveys will be completed as contemplated or at all and 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. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, 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/259884

SOURCE: Questcorp Mining Inc.
In Extending Its Relationship with IT Service Provider Atos, The UK Savings Bank Will Transition All of Its Banking and Payments Services to SBP Digital Core

NS&I (National Savings and Investments), the U.K.'s government-owned savings bank, and global financial technology company SBS today announced their work together to digitise NS&I's core banking and payments services. The initiative is part of NS&I's Transformation Programme and its contract with Atos, a European digital transformation company, to modernise its banking engine. SBS's digital, cloud-native core banking platform will lay a foundation for new business efficiencies, product and service delivery, and customer experiences for NS&I.

Organisations now realise the need to move faster than legacy on-premise infrastructure allows. European retail banks are accelerating their cloud investments, with spending projected to rise by 57.5% from 2025 to 30, reaching $12.6 billion according to a recent Celent report. Through its ongoing transformation programme, NS&I is proving how financial institutions can move beyond just aspirations to make fully digital, cloud-based services a reality organisation-wide.

Working with Atos, IBM and Sopra Steria, NS&I is transforming and digitising its retail operations. Powering this digitisation on the back-end will be SBS's next-gen SBP Digital Core platform, which will replace NS&I's existing core system with a cloud-native infrastructure for all of its Retail banking and payments services.

"NS&I's transformation program will help to deliver the digital experiences that our customers expect, while still ensuring there is help and support for those who need it," said Matt Smith, Chief Operating Officer at NS&I "Replacing our core system is a critical step in this evolution, and we look forward to continuing our work with SBS and Atos to bring it to fruition.

As one of the U.K.'s largest savings organisations, NS&I's internal infrastructure is responsible for not only upholding its 24+ million customer base, but also implementing savings rates changes and servicing the resulting interactions with customers. With on-premise and even hybrid cloud systems, this means maintaining the highest level of data storage at all times-even when it's not being used.

By transitioning to SBP Digital Core, NS&I will benefit from the complete flexibility and scalability of AWS's cloud environment, enabling it to make data storage and other infrastructural adjustments as often as it needs to. Compared to legacy core systems that are not easily updated or modified, SBS's cloud and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)-based alternative enables it to provide regular, automatic system updates, so there are no disruptions to banks' day-to-day operations.

"Cloud and SaaS transformation in the financial industry is not a matter of when, but how," said Eric Bierry, CEO, SBS. "NS&I's transformation program is evidence that it is possible for banks to execute this transformation-and doing so sets them up to drive otherwise unattainable efficiencies and experiences. We're thrilled to partner with NS&I on this journey.

SBP Digital Core is a cloud-native, composable core banking solution that leverages latest technology and data to allow banks to offer personalised and relevant banking experiences to their clients while complying with regulatory requirements. It is a part of SBS's larger retail banking offerings used by more than 1,500 banks across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. In addition to core banking, these offerings include deposits, payments, lending, reporting, open banking and more.

About SBS

SBS (ex-Sopra Banking Software) is a global financial technology company that's helping banks and the financial services industry to reimagine how to operate in an increasingly digital world. SBS is a trusted partner of more than 1,500 financial institutions and large-scale lenders in 80 countries worldwide, including Santander, Societe Generale, KCB Bank, Kensington Mortgages, Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota FS. Its cloud platform offers clients a composable architecture to digitize operations, ranging from banking, lending, compliance, to payments, and consumer and asset finance. With 3,400 employees in 50 offices, SBS is recognized as a Top 10 European Fintech company by IDC and as a leader in Omdia's Universe: Digital Banking Platforms. SBS is headquartered in Paris, France.

For more information, follow us on LinkedIn or visit www.sbs-software.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250724610197/en/

Contacts:

Kieran Powell

kieran.powell@channelvmedia.com

Channel V Media on behalf of SBS
Neil Gallagher M.D., Ph.D., former AbbVie Chief Medical Officer and President of R&D at Syndax, brings considerable experience in oncology drug development

Anthony Mancini, currently Global Chief Commercial Officer at Revolution Medicines, led several successful oncology product launches at Genmab and BMS

GENEVA, AMSTERDAM, and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- iOnctura, a clinical-stage precision oncology company combating neglected and hard-to-treat cancers, today announces the appointment of two Non-Executive Directors to its Board.

Joining the Board are Dr. Neil Gallagher and Anthony Mancini, both seasoned industry leaders with deep expertise in oncology drug development and commercialization.

Catherine Pickering, CEO and co-founder of iOnctura, commented, "We are thrilled to welcome Neil and Anthony to our Board at this pivotal time in iOnctura's growth. Their expertise and experience in oncology drug development and global commercialization will be instrumental as we progress our innovative pipeline through development and towards the market."

Neil Gallagher M.D., Ph.D. brings substantial drug development experience in oncology. Most recently he was President of R&D at Syndax Pharmaceuticals, a company focused on developing first-in-class therapies in areas of significant unmet need. Prior to joining Syndax, he served as the Chief Medical Officer and Head of Development at AbbVie where he guided a number of development programs resulting in approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He has also held senior roles at Amgen, Novartis, AstraZeneca and Astex Therapeutics. He holds Non-Executive Board positions at Foghorn Therapeutics and Zymeworks and is a board advisor to Nouscom.

Dr. Gallagher said: "iOnctura's pioneering science and commitment to patients facing overlooked and difficult-to-treat cancers deeply resonates with me. I'm excited to help guide the company through its next chapter of clinical and corporate advancement."

Anthony Mancini has more than three decades of commercial experience in biopharma. He is currently serving as Chief Global Commercialization Officer at Revolution Medicines, Inc., a late-stage clinical oncology company developing targeted therapies for patients with RAS-addicted cancers. Prior to this, he was Chief Operating Officer at Genmab, where he led the creation of the end-to-end organization and several successful launches in the US and Japan. He also spent over two decades at Bristol Myers Squibb, working across several therapeutic areas, including oncology.

Mr. Mancini shared, "iOnctura is advancing a highly differentiated oncology pipeline with the potential to address serious unmet medical needs. I'm honored to join the board at such a pivotal stage and to contribute my experience in commercialization, operations and product strategy. I look forward to supporting the company as it prepares to translate its promising science into meaningful outcomes for patients globally."

For more information contact:

iOnctura Corporate Press Office

press@iOnctura.com

About iOnctura

iOnctura is a clinical-stage precision oncology company combating neglected and hard-to-treat cancers with a pipeline of first-in-class small molecules. The bold new treatments are designed to extend lives and improve healthspans, transforming the outlook for patients and their families. Lead asset, roginolisib, is an allosteric modulator of PI3Kd with a unique chemical structure and binding mode. Allosteric modulation is a new archetype for precise inhibition of PI3Kd, promising clinical activity without the detrimental tolerability seen with previous generations of inhibitors. Roginolisib is being investigated in multiple randomized Phase II studies in solid and hematological malignancies. iOnctura is headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands with subsidiaries located in Geneva, Switzerland and Cambridge, MA, USA. iOnctura is backed by specialist institutional investors including Syncona, M Ventures, Inkef Capital, EIC Fund, VI Partners, Schroders Capital and XGEN Venture.

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Strengthens Access to International Investors Across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia

BOSTON and LONDON, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brookwood Financial Partners, LLC ("Brookwood"), a U.S.-based private equity real estate investment firm, is pleased to announce the opening of a new office in London through its wholly owned subsidiary, Brookwood Financial Limited. This strategic expansion marks a significant milestone in Brookwood's long-term vision to grow its international footprint and deepen relationships with global institutional investors.

Enhancing Global Reach

The new London office strengthens Brookwood's presence in Europe and the Middle East, providing closer proximity to its expanding base of international capital partners. Since its founding in 1993, Brookwood has invested over $1.8 billion in equity on behalf of some of the world's most sophisticated investors, including sovereign wealth funds, global banks, endowments, pension plans, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. The firm's diverse portfolio spans over $4.9 billion in total assets, including commercial real estate, operating businesses, and a national convenience store network via its Yesway affiliate.

Brookwood's investment in Yesway, a top-tier U.S. convenience store operator, exemplifies its differentiated, hands-on approach to private equity. What began as a 10-store acquisition has evolved into a significant regional platform, driven by a robust acquisition, new store build, and integration strategy. This success reflects Brookwood's core capabilities: identifying overlooked assets, applying operational expertise, and executing strategic roll-ups to unlock long-term value. Unlike firms that rely primarily on financial engineering, Brookwood takes a thesis-driven approach rooted in deep sector insight and active operational involvement.

"With a permanent presence in London, we are pleased to deepen our connections with institutional investors across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia," said Thomas N. Trkla, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Brookwood. "This expansion reflects our ongoing growth and our commitment to our global investor base."

London Office Leadership

Brookwood Financial Limited launches with a team of three seasoned Managing Directors:

Yousif Banayoti - Managing Director - A veteran of over 25 years in the Private and Public financial markets. Yousif has held senior roles at Merrill Lynch, UBS, and Credit Suisse, and has most recently advised institutional clients in the MENA region through AITI Global. Yousif received his B.Eng. from King's College London (University of London).

Ciaran Henry - Managing Director - Formerly a Partner at Sagard and Head of Distribution for Europe and Asia, Ciaran has led capital raising and distribution efforts across private equity, infrastructure, and credit at firms including Fiera Capital. Ciaran is a Qualified Financial Advisor.

Derek Williams - Managing Director - With 20 years of global market experience, Derek has led capital formation teams in the UK, US, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific. He previously worked as a Chartered Surveyor at Land Securities. Derek received his B.S. from the University of South Wales, an M.S. from the Bayes Business School (University of London), and a Corporate Finance Diploma from London Business School.

About Brookwood

Founded in 1993, Brookwood Financial Partners, LLC is a nationally recognized private equity firm specializing in real estate and operating business investments. Its historical portfolio includes over 200 commercial properties, seven operating companies, and a controlling interest in Yesway, the 14th-largest convenience store chain in the U.S. with 444 locations. Brookwood Financial Limited is an appointed representative of Langham Hall Fund Management LLP, which is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK.

To learn more, visit: www.brookwoodfinancial.com and www.yesway.com.

Media Contact:

To arrange interviews, please contact Erin Vadala at Warner Communications at 617.669.1560 or erin@warnerpr.com.

High-resolution images and graphics are available upon request.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/brookwood-financial-partners-llc-expands-global-reach-with-new-london-office-302512413.html
Original-Research: Somec S.p.A. - from GBC AG



24.07.2025 / 10:30 CET/CEST

Dissemination of a Research, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this research. The result of this research does not constitute investment advice or an invitation to conclude certain stock exchange transactions.



Classification of GBC AG to Somec S.p.A. Company Name: Somec S.p.A. ISIN: IT0005329815 Reason for the research: Research study (Comment) Recommendation: BUY Target price: 22.50 EUR Last rating change: Analyst: Marcel Goldmann, Cosmin Filker

Strong order intake in the marine business confirms Somec's leading market position and ensure visibility until 2033 On 17 July 2025, Somec S.p.A. (Somec) announced new strong order intake in their marine business totalling over  57 million, which was received by the core segment 'Horizons' (ship glazing division). The contracts expand the agreements already signed with a leading Finnish shipyard, which were announced on 20 December 2024 and 31 January 2025. Specifically, one of the previously agreed options has been converted into a firm order, a new ship has been added and another option has been confirmed. The agreements now cover a total of three cruise ships. The contracts cover the turnkey delivery of the balcony systems for the new motorised vertical opening system developed for so-called Infinity Cabins, as well as windows and glazing for the upper decks in the bow area. Delivery is scheduled for the period from 2028 to 2030. The economic impact of this is expected between 2026 and 2030. The Somec Group had previously announced large-volume orders received on 14 July 2025 for its 'Horizons' and 'Talenta' business units with a total value of over  110 million. The first contract was signed with Fincantieri (Europe's largest shipbuilding group) for three ships in the ACE series for Carnival Cruise Line (one of which is under option), each capable of carrying up to 8,000 passengers. Somec will supply the complete prefabricated balcony module system and high-performance sliding window frames for all cabins. Delivery of the cruise ships is scheduled for the period 2027 to 2028, with the economic effects expected in the same period. The second contract, signed with the French company Chantiers de l'Atlantique, covers one ship in the Oasis series of the Royal Caribbean Group fleet. Somec will supply the entire 'Ocean View Balcony' package, including glazing, windshields and balustrades for the public areas as well as the suites, family suites and royal suites. Delivery of the ship is scheduled for the first half of 2028, with the economic impact of this order spread over the period from 2026 to 2028. Oxin, one of the most important companies in Somec's Talenta division (professional kitchen segment), will supply a turnkey solution for the new cruise ship of Japan's Ryobi Holdings at the West Sea shipyard in Viana do Castelo (Portugal). The order includes the construction and complete furnishing of the laundry and catering areas (kitchens, bars, storage rooms and cold rooms). At the same time, Somec will be responsible for installing all high-performance sliding windows and balcony cabin partitions, vertical motorised sliding windows ('Ocean View Balcony') and continuous glazing in the public areas and the Skydome. Delivery is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027. The economic impact is expected to be felt between 2025 and 2026. In addition, Oxin will also be involved in the construction of six ships for Viking at the Fincantieri shipyard, four of which are under option. Specifically, the company will be responsible for the construction of the kitchens, catering areas and bars on board the newly built cruise ships. The company will deliver a turnkey package covering all phases of the project under the 'Made in Italy' banner, including design, production, installation and after-sales service for the equipped areas. The ships will be delivered between 2030 and 2033, and the economic effects will be felt during the same period. The strong order intake from the marine business, from major (cruise) shipyards across almost all divisions of the Group, underscores the Somec Group's leading market position in this booming sector. At the same time, the large-volume orders received ensure a growing order backlog and economic visibility through to 2033. The significant order intake recorded in the traditionally high-margin core maritime business is an important factor in enabling the Somec Group to continue its growth course in the medium and long term. The positive order reports reinforce our generally positive assessment of the Somec Group and the Group's continued promising prospects. We will update and review our previous estimates and valuation when the company publishes its half-year figures. Until then, we confirm our current forecasts, with strong margin growth expected as the company continues on its growth path, and our price target of  22.50.



You can download the research here: 20250724_Somec_Comment_ENG



Contact for questions:

GBC AG

Halderstrasse 27

86150 Augsburg

0821 / 241133 0

research@gbc-ag.de



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Offenlegung moglicher Interessenskonflikte nach  85 WpHG und Art. 20 MAR.

Beim oben analysierten Unternehmen ist folgender moglicher

Interessenkonflikt gegeben: (5a, 6a, 11); Einen Katalog moglicher

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Date (time) of completion: 24/07/2025 (8:52)

Date (time) of first distribution: 24/07/2025 (10:30)



The EQS Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

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The first champagne crafted for conditions of zero gravity celebrates a historic mission into space

REIMS, France, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar is back on Earth after its debut flight into space. On 25 June 2025, the first champagne adapted to space launched on an Axiom Space mission from Florida, returning to Earth 15 July 2025 in perfect condition in its specially designed, state-of-the-art bottle. This historic event represents the culmination of nine years of research and experimentation, during which Maison Mumm, in collaboration with a community of experts, once again pushed the boundaries, continuing the explorations it began when it was founded in 1827.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

https://www.multivu.com/g_h_mumm/9345451-en-mumm-cordon-rouge-stellar-takes-champagne-into-space

Beyond the technological achievement of this brilliantly executed mission, Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar is a powerful symbol of the spirit of celebration and conviviality, which - having united people on Earth for centuries - will in future extend into space.

An unprecedented mission, nine years in the making

The project that took Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar into space began in 2017, when Maison Mumm assembled an expert team: Octave de Gaulle, founder of SPADE, which specializes in designing products and experiences for human life beyond Earth; the CNES (Centre National d'Etudes Spatiales), France's national space agency; and Jean-Francois Clervoy, an astronaut with the European Space Agency, and the veteran of three NASA space missions.

The first prototype of Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar was presented in 2018, resulting in an initial set of observations, both technical and oenological. These were integrated into the design of a second prototype, produced in 2022, which also conformed to CNES specifications for safety and tasting in conditions of zero gravity. That same year, Maison Mumm announced its collaboration with Axiom Space, which would carry Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar on a future, real-life mission.

The final, crucial step before the mission could go ahead was a zero-gravity test flight, which was successfully completed in March 2025. And so, after nine years, on 25 June, Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar blasted off from Florida, as part of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4). The Ax-4 Commander Peggy Whitson, former NASA astronaut and biochemistry researcher, was accompanied by an international crew. The mission returned to Earth on 15 July, with Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar in apparently flawless condition. In approximately five months' time, Yann Munier, Cellar Master of Maison Mumm, will be authorized to open the bottle and taste the world's first champagne to have voyaged into space.

A new frontier

The unique feat achieved by Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar perpetuates Maison Mumm's heritage of exploration, and once again demonstrates its capacity - in this case quite literally - to open new frontiers. The House's pioneering spirit has long been epitomized by Mumm Cordon Rouge, which - over a century before it launched into space - accompanied Commandant Charcot, the first Frenchman to lead an Antarctic expedition, on his historic quest to the Polar Circle in 1904.

From the ends of the earth to the outer reaches of space "Over and above its contribution to space exploration, the significance of this project lies in what champagne represents - shared values, an enduring art de vivre, a symbol of our culture - and in the possibility of recreating it in an entirely new environment," comments Cesar Giron, CEO of Maison Mumm. While Mumm Cordon Rouge is synonymous with earthly celebrations, Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar preserves, beyond the boundaries of our planet, the memory of a terroir, a climate, a savoir-faire and a ritual of conviviality - in short, a symbolic link to life on Earth.

Sebastien Barde, Deputy Director of Exploration and Human Spaceflight at CNES, adds: "The Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar project is a concrete example of the importance of considering conviviality and shared rituals in space. For CNES, these human dimensions are essential to the success of long-duration missions. By supporting projects like this one, we are exploring ways to improve the psychological well-being of crews and address the cultural challenges of human space exploration."

Pushing the boundaries of design and winemaking

Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar represented a two-fold challenge: of design and of winemaking. The design had not only to respect the stringent safety standards of a space mission, but also to preserve and ensure the precious champagne bottle remained intact. Futuristic in conception, it features a glass half-bottle secured by an opening and closing mechanism of stainless steel - the same material used by Maison Mumm for its vats in Reims. The bottle is protected within a sleek outer casing of aeronautical-grade aluminum, emblazoned with the iconic red ribbon of Mumm Cordon Rouge. The casing's long neck, ending in a cork secured by a metal ring, was designed to allow the champagne to be served in conditions of zero gravity.

The second, and equally important, aspect of the challenge involved the champagne itself. In order to counteract the dulling of the senses of smell and taste that occurs in space, the blend of Mumm Cordon Rouge had to be subtly tweaked. "The freshness and power of Mumm Cordon Rouge were retained, while the intensity of the aromas was heightened by extended aging and the addition of a dosage liqueur made from wines raised in oak casks," explains Yann Munier.

Mumm Cordon Rouge Stellar is a way of encapsulating our culture, the memory of the terroir and tasting ritual that make champagne what it is.

ABOUT G.H. MUMM

G.H. Mumm - named after its founder Georges Hermann Mumm - has chosen Pinot Noir to define the style of its champagnes since its creation in 1827. For almost two centuries, its expertise has been dedicated to revealing the rich nuances of its signature grape variety. From the iconic Mumm Cordon Rouge to Mumm Blanc de Noirs, G.H. Mumm is an expert in selecting and blending the finest terroirs to express the diversity of Champagne's Pinot Noir grapes. G.H. Mumm champagnes are distinguished by their exacting quality standards and singular aromatic personality: intense freshness, generous fruit and elegant structure, achieved after between two and five years' aging in the cellars in Reims, France.

PRESS CONTACT

Laurie Pierrin

laurie.pierrin@pernod-ricard.com

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY

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Today team.blue, a leading digital enabler for businesses and entrepreneurs, has announced the launch of its first report exploring small and medium-sized enterprises' (SMEs) sentiment toward data hosting across Europe.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250724578199/en/

team.blue releases report on data hosting in Europe

The report titled "Data Hosting In Europe: Insights Shift", captures the voices of SMEs from across the continent, offering exclusive insights into how European businesses host their data, how trust is evolving and the key drivers influencing decisions in a rapidly shifting digital environment.

According to the report, more than half (57%) of respondents claimed not to know if their cloud provider guarantees data storage within EU borders. Yet, 51% noted increased stakeholder interest or concern about where their data is stored. Amongst all stakeholders, customers and company directors expressed the most concern.

Moreover, 72% of SMEs expressed particular concerns about their data being stored in the United States. Almost a quarter (21%) are considering moving their data to a different provider due to geopolitical and economic concerns.

The survey covered a broad range of businesses, including many of team.blue's customers. Among the most popular providers, 32.1% currently store their data with team.blue, followed by Google Cloud (13.2%) and Microsoft Azure (13%). Nonetheless, a portion of SMEs across Europe continue to face gaps in their digital infrastructure, with 13% managing their own solutions and 6% either unsure of where their data is stored or lacking access to any data storage solutions.

Kwaku Yeboah-Antwi, Chief AI and Data Officer at team.blue said: "The data tells a clear story: European businesses and their customers are increasingly concerned about where their data resides. This isn't just a technical issue anymore; it's a matter of trust, and long-term resilience. What stands out most is that customers are the driving force behind this sentiment, placing pressure on businesses to act responsibly, particularly in light of geopolitical and economic dynamics.

But there is a path forward. By strengthening digital sovereignty, European businesses can achieve both greater security and a competitive edge in today's complex data landscape."

The findings come at a time when more SMEs are looking to simplify their digital operations by working within connected ecosystems not fragmented tools. As a group of trusted brands, team.blue provides a tech stack solution covering everything from domains and hosting to productivity tools, security and e-commerce infrastructure.

Claudio Corbetta, CEO at team.blue said: "European businesses are placing growing importance on where their data lives and who they trust with it. It's no longer just about performance or price; it's about control, compliance and confidence.

We see huge value in giving businesses a digital home where all their core services work together seamlessly and believe that Europe's digital future will be built on ecosystems, like ours, as we support businesses to grow without compromise."

To download the full report, visit https://hub.team.blue/data-hosting-in-europe.

About team.blue:

team.blue is a leading digital enabler for businesses and entrepreneurs across Europe (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom). The company is made up of 60+ successful brands who serve 3.5m SMB customers. team.blue is a trusted partner for web hosting, domains, e-commerce, online compliance, lead generation and application solutions, supported by 3500+ experts. team.blue's vision is to make business simpler by shaping technology and providing customers with innovative online products and services.

Methodology:

The EU Data Hosting report is based on a proprietary survey conducted with 2,000 SMEs across five European countries including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium and the Netherlands between March and May 2025.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250724578199/en/

Contacts:

Press contacts:

Shelby Torrence

shelby.torrence@team.blue

+3292187979

Adina James

team.bluePR@allisonworldwide.com
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Raising bigger chickens for deboning and further processing has long been a challenge in Saudi Arabia's demanding climate and challenging farming conditions. Yet, Tanmiah Food Company, together with McDonald's Saudi Arabia, continues to defy expectations and raise the bar, setting new industry benchmarks through a strategic partnership committed to excellence. This strategic partnership with McDonald's Saudi Arabia focuses on promoting the supply of locally sourced poultry to one of the world's largest and most recognized quick-service restaurant chains, reinforcing both companies' dedication to quality and local agricultural development.

As pioneers in leading quality, animal health, and nutrition, Tanmiah leverages advanced, tech-enabled environmental controls and stringent farming practices to consistently produce bigger birds that meet the highest standards of food safety and regulatory compliance. Today, Tanmiah stands as the region's only poultry supplier recognized for reliably raising bigger chickens for further processing, which meets the highest standards of food safety and quality.

This capability not only serves the local market but also enables Tanmiah to supply McDonald's restaurants across a wider region, reinforcing Tanmiah's role as a key contributor to Saudi Arabia's self-sufficiency goals and McDonald's commitment to offering fresh, high-quality, locally sourced poultry. To support growth stemming from the McDonald's partnership, expansion plans in KSA are under exploration.

Commenting on the partnership, His Highness Prince Majed Fahed Al Saud, Co-CEO of McDonald's Saudi Arabia, stated: "At McDonald's Saudi Arabia, we take great pride in our unwavering commitment to supporting the national economy and advancing local content by empowering our local suppliers. This partnership with Tanmiah is a testament to our shared commitment to localizing poultry production, aligning with Vision 2030, and ensuring the highest standards of quality, safety, and sustainability across every stage of our supply chain."

"Our partnership with McDonald's Saudi Arabia reflects a shared vision to empower local agriculture and redefine poultry excellence," said Zulfiqar Hamadani, CEO of Tanmiah Food Company. "This collaboration is more than a supply agreement; it's a step forward for food security, innovation, and sustainability practices in the Kingdom. We are proud to play a pivotal role in building a resilient, world-class halal protein ecosystem."

Together, Tanmiah and McDonald's Saudi Arabia are driving advancements in poultry production, optimizing supply chain efficiency, and responding to the growing demand for premium, locally raised poultry in the quick-service restaurant (QSR) sector. This partnership reflects a shared vision to elevate industry standards, strengthen local agriculture, and champion sustainable practices-ultimately enhancing the customer experience. This alliance also marks a significant step forward in advancing the Kingdom's food security goals and elevating Saudi Arabia's status as a global leader in halal protein production.

Both Tanmiah and McDonald's Saudi Arabia express their gratitude to the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture for their continued support in making this achievement possible.

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"If I die, it's okay. I will give my life for my community." Mohibullah

LONDON, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- humanus and the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace & Human Rights (ARSPHR) announced the pivotal launch of the Rohingya Atrocities Archive, a groundbreaking digital repository. This powerful, meticulously curated platform stands as a testament to ARSPHR's tireless, community-driven documentation, initially gathered on handwritten notes and often precariously stored. In 2020, humanus initiated a critical project to painstakingly digitalise these vital records for safekeeping and in-depth analysis, supporting ARSPHR in cleaning the data, filling information gaps, and developing robust investigation strategies.

The archive directly continues the mission of Mohibullah, the courageous Rohingya advocate who was tragically assassinated in 2021. Known in the camps simply as "Peace Father," Mohibullah famously declared, "If I die, it's okay. I will give my life for my community." This dynamic, living archive embodies his unwavering commitment, detailing the profound violence, harm, and losses experienced by Rohingya families during the military operations of 2016 and 2017. It currently provides unprecedented access to over 3,000 cases, meticulously gathered through thousands of survivor testimonies - with information collected by name, ensuring that the documented experiences are acknowledged and remembered. Crucially, this archive is designed to be continuously updated with new evidence and testimonies, serving as an unflinching and evolving testament. It brings to light the harrowing and widespread atrocities through compelling testimony and raw visual documentation, offering profound and compelling insight into the systematic persecution and the urgent struggle for justice and accountability, presenting a formidable challenge to denial.

"The launch of the Rohingya Atrocities Archive is a monumental and urgent step in our collective fight against impunity. This archive is Mohibullah's legacy made manifest, meticulously preserving the brutal realities faced by the Rohingya people, individual by individual," said Eva Buzo, Executive Director of humanus. "By making this work publicly available, the community, for the first time, will see their own experience told by their own people. This is more than a database; it is a catalyst for justice, demanding action from the global community to honour Mohibullah's sacrifice and see his vision realised."

"My father dedicated his life to ensuring the world knew the truth of what happened to our people, a truth that many tried to silence," stated Hashmat Ullah, Mohibullah's son. "This archive is a powerful continuation of his bravery, fulfilling his blueprint for change: documenting the truth, speaking out peacefully, staying rooted in community, and fighting for justice even when it's dangerous. It is a beacon of hope that through this undeniable evidence, justice will one day prevail for the Rohingya."

The archive, a testament to ARSPHR's diligent, community-driven documentation, underscores the critical role of comprehensive evidence in atrocity prevention and response. It serves as a vital resource for legal proceedings, historical remembrance, and combating disinformation. Through this initiative, humanus proudly reinforces the global imperative to confront injustice and supports survivor-led efforts to secure tangible redress, aligning with its commitment to advancing human-centred justice and carrying forward Mohibullah's vision of a future where the Rohingya can live freely in their homeland with equal rights.

About humanus: humanus is an international human rights organisation dedicated to advancing inclusive, survivor-led, and transformative justice for victims of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Founded by experienced advocates and international lawyers, humanus works across continents to confront injustice, build evidence, and provide strategic litigation and advocacy support, always grounded in accountability, dignity, and a commitment to restoring humanity.

Website: www.humanus.co

Social Media:

LinkedIn

Facebook

About the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace & Human Rights (ARSPHR): ARSPHR was founded by the late Mohibullah in 2017 to provide Rohingya refugees a platform to document their stories and advocate for their rights. It continues his work of community-wide documentation, leadership, and advocacy on the world stage, building a powerful, community-centred coalition dedicated to peace and human rights.

Website: https://arsphr.org/

Rohingya Atrocities Archive

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As the DEA's unconstitutional house of cards collapses, its top obstructionists are fleeing like rats from a sinking ship. Judge John "McLooney" Mulrooney, the DEA's clownish Administrative Law Judge who presided over sham marijuana hearings now deemed unconstitutional, is retiring August 1. Policy chief Matthew Strait has already retired. Thomas Prevoznik, is rumored to be next. And all eyes are now on Aarathi Haig, DEA's lead counsel. Who will be the next to jump ship?

WASHINGTON, D,C. / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / The Drug Enforcement Administration's embattled Chief Administrative Law Judge, John J. Mulrooney II, just announced his retirement-leaving behind a legacy not of justice, but of obstruction, secrecy, and constitutional violations.

This is the man who presided over the Biden administration's long-delayed cannabis rescheduling proceeding-only to halt it for six months after revelations that the DEA secretly helped anti-reform participants "fortify" their positions in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act. And while Mulrooney (aka McLooney) hands in his gavel, the true victims remain the same: patients, scientists, and public trust.

A System Rigged Against Science

For over seven years, the DEA has blocked MMJ BioPharma Cultivation, a federally compliant pharmaceutical developer, from obtaining a registration to grow cannabis for FDA-approved clinical trials. This isn't a dispensary. This isn't recreational weed. This is medicine-intended to treat the devastating effects of Huntington's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

MMJ secured:

FDA Orphan Drug Designation

Two active INDs

A DEA-inspected, FDA-compliant facility

And still: ZERO approval.

Instead, the DEA dragged MMJ into an unconstitutional administrative process, presided over by Mulrooney, where the agency served as prosecutor, judge, and executioner-a direct violation of Supreme Court precedent (Axon v. FTC), the separation of powers, and Article II of the U.S. Constitution.

Even the Department of Justice refused to defend this system anymore. In MMJ's federal lawsuit (Case No. 1:24-cv-00127-WES-PAS), DOJ issued a formal Notice of Change in Position, conceding that the DEA's ALJ protections were unconstitutional and indefensible.

DEA's Two-Faced Cannabis Policy

Let's be clear: The DEA is sounding alarm bells about Chinese drug cartels flooding American streets with unregulated, ultra-high THC marijuana grown with toxic pesticides-while at the same time blocking regulated, pharmaceutical-grade cannabis that follows every federal guideline.

Illicit cartels ? No action.

FDA-approved science? Full blockade.

This isn't just hypocrisy-it's sabotage. The DEA has created a two-tiered system:

One for criminal syndicates who operate unchecked, and

One for lawful scientists who are forced to fight the government in federal court just to do their jobs.

A Black Hole of Delay, Corruption, and Denial

Recently Mulrooney admitted that his retirement will leave the DEA without a single Administrative Law Judge to preside over any pending cannabis cases. This includes the already-paralyzed cannabis rescheduling hearing-which was frozen since January after internal misconduct allegations surfaced.

Even Mulrooney called out former DEA Administrator Anne Milgram for running a secretive selection process to hand-pick who could participate in the rescheduling hearing. It took a lawsuit to reveal that the DEA sent "cure letters" to anti-rescheduling groups-helping them meet the qualifications they had failed to meet on their own.

This is what the DEA calls "science-based policy."

The Fall of the Obstructionists: Who's Next?

As the DEA's unconstitutional house of cards collapses, so too are the architects of its obstruction fleeing the scene. Matthew Strait, the agency's former policy chief and architect of the retroactive regulatory trap that sabotaged MMJ BioPharma, has already quietly retired. Thomas Prevoznik, the embattled Deputy Assistant Administrator who rejected MMJ's corrective action plan without a shred of impartial review, is expected to retire next. The last to fall may be Aarathi Haig, DEA's lead counsel who not only defended the agency's illegal administrative law process, but doubled down in the face of Supreme Court precedent, DOJ abandonment, and widespread calls for reform. Will she jump ship before she's forced to answer for her role in a system riddled with due process violations, ethical breaches, and potential bar misconduct? The public deserves answers-and the DEA deserves a reckoning.

The Cole Reckoning: Time to Clean House

Now that Terrance Cole has been confirmed as DEA Administrator, the pressure is squarely on his shoulders. Cole must:

Dismantle the DEA's unconstitutional administrative court system

Immediately approve MMJ BioPharma's registration to grow

Remove or reassign remaining obstructionist officials like Thomas Prevoznik and Aarathi Haig

Restore scientific integrity to cannabis scheduling and research policy

This isn't a policy debate anymore. This is a civil rights crisis. Patients with Huntington's Disease and Multiple Sclerosis are not pawns in the DEA's turf war-they are human beings who deserve access to real medicine.

Science Must Win. The Law Must Matter.

The American public sees the absurdity: China-linked cartels grow and distribute dangerous marijuana unchecked, while the DEA blocks the very researchers trying to solve the problem through federally approved science.

If Terry Cole fails to act, the DEA will continue to spiral into irrelevance-a rogue agency upholding prohibition-era dogma, trampling the Constitution, and betraying its public health mission.

Patients deserve better. America deserves better.

MMJ is represented by attorney Megan Sheehan.

CONTACT:

Madison Hisey

mhisey@mmjih.com

203-231-8583

SOURCE: MMJ International Holdings

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/dea-marijuana-rescheduling-judge-mulrooney-retires-amid-constitutiona-1052310
TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / Wolfden Resources Corporation (WLF.V) ("Wolfden"or the"Company") is pleased to announce that as a result of strong investor demand, the Company has increased the size of its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") from aggregate gross proceeds of up to $1.0 million to aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2.0 million. The upsized Offering is comprised of the sale of up to 25,000,000 units of the Company ("Units") at a price of $0.08 per Unit.

Each Unit shall be comprised of one common share of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.12 per Common Share for a period of 24 months following closing of the Offering.

The majority of the proceeds from the Offering will be used to advance on the Company's Rockland Gold Project in Nevada, working capital and general corporate purposes.

The Offering is expected to close on or about July 31, 2025 and is subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV"). No compensation is expected to be paid in respect of the Offering. The securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws.

Related Party Transaction

Certain prospective investors are insiders of the Company and their participation in the Offering will be considered to be "related party transactions" within the meaning of TSXV Policy 5.9 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). Unless there is an exemption, the Company would be required to obtain a formal valuation and "minority approval", being approval of disinterested shareholders of the Company.

The Company intends to rely on the exemption from a formal valuation available in section 5.5(a) of MI 61-101 and the exemption from minority approval available in section 5.7(a) of MI 61-101. The Company meets the requirements set out in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101 because the fair market value of the securities being distributed to insiders, and the aggregate value of the Common Shares to be distributed under the Offering are each less than 25% of the market capitalization of the Company.

About Wolfden

Wolfden is a North American exploration and development company focused on high-margin metallic mineral deposits including precious, base, and critical metals that represent significant development projects with the potential to produce domestic supply of strategic metals.

For further information please contact Ron Little, President & CEO, at (807) 624-1136.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation) that involves various risks and uncertainties regarding future events, including the potential for projects to be domestic sources of ethically produced base and critical metals for the expansion of renewable energy in North America. Such forward-looking information includes statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties and such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance of the Company, and include, without limitation, statements relating to the completion of the Offering, the use of the proceeds of the Offering, the timing and ability of the Company to complete the Offering; the timing and ability of the Company to receive necessary approvals; metal price assumptions, cash flow forecasts, permitting, land transactions, community and other regulatory approvals, and the timing and completion of exploration programs in the USA, Manitoba, New Brunswick and the respective drill results. There are numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information in this news release, including without limitation, the following risks and uncertainties: (i) risks relating to the inability of the Company to complete the Offering on the terms proposed or at all, (ii) risks inherent in the mining industry; (iii) regulatory and environmental risks; (iv) results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; (v) risks relating to the estimation of mineral resources; (vi) stock market volatility and capital market fluctuations; and (vii) general market and industry conditions. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. This forward-looking information is based on estimates and opinions of management on the date hereof and is expressly qualified by this notice. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed in the Company's disclosure materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from such information unless required by applicable law.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Wolfden Resources Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/wolfden-announces-upsize-of-non-brokered-private-placement-of-units-for-gross-pro-1052240
KUALA LUMPUR, MY / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / The Sustainability & ESG Association Malaysia ("SEAM") , a new national platform uniting ESG practitioners, corporates, government agencies, and policy architects, held its soft launch today at The Mid Valley City, Kuala Lumpur. Founded by experienced sustainability and ESG professionals , SEAM aims to drive meaningful ESG adoption through real-world implementation, not just reporting.

L - R: Mr. Alex Yeoh Vice, President of SEAM and Mr. Liang Yit Wen, Founding President of SEAM

The association's cornerstone is the IDEA-C Framework - a structured approach designed to help corporates identify ESG opportunities, diagnose gaps, engineer solutions, activate change, and communicate measurable impact. SEAM fills a critical market gap by connecting ESG-certified professionals and solution providers with businesses seeking verified, scalable sustainability practices.

With Malaysia's 12th Malaysia Plan and global sustainability trends pressing companies toward net-zero targets, SEAM will also function as a key knowledge partner to government agencies in developing ESG-related policies, frameworks, and standards tailored to the local context.

Mr. Liang Yit Wen, Founding President of SEAM said, "In today's ESG landscape, we see a persistent disconnect - corporates are eager to act but struggle to find credible, implementation-ready solutions, while many ESG innovators lack access to the right decision-makers within organisations. SEAM is here to close that loop. We provide a trusted, neutral platform that brings both sides together, helping businesses take action confidently, and enabling solution providers to scale their impact. Our aim is to turn ESG from ambition into execution, and from pledges into measurable value."

As part of its future initiatives, SEAM also aims to facilitate access to sustainable finance by working with capital providers to support members' eligibility for Green Loans and sustainability-linked financing. By enabling businesses to validate and communicate ESG performance through structured metrics and verified outcomes, SEAM strengthens their case for green funding, helping to unlock the capital needed for meaningful climate action and operational transformation.

Mr. Alex Yeoh, Vice President of SEAM said, "ESG is no longer just a reporting exercise, it's a strategic lever for business growth. Through SEAM's ecosystem model, we ensure that sustainability solutions don't just tick boxes but actually create commercial value. Whether it's unlocking new revenue streams, attracting top talent, improving risk profiles or enhancing stakeholder trust, we help corporates embed ESG in a way that drives both organisational resilience and planetary well-being."

Mr. Martin Heng, Secretary of SEAM said, "Malaysia's ESG movement is at a tipping point, and we believe that collaboration is the catalyst. Our upcoming national conference in December will serve as a Sustainability 'action lab' - a space where policymakers, technologists, investors, and practitioners can converge to accelerate tangible progress. From green financing and digital tools to regulatory readiness, it's about connecting the dots and helping Malaysia lead with action, not just aspiration."

The soft-launch event previewed SEAM's upcoming activities, including:

Capacity building programs (training, webinars, certification pathways)

Corporate and industry engagement (roadshows, awards, ESG networking)

Policy consultation and think tanks

International trade missions and cross-border ESG collaborations

Youth empowerment programs and community grants

SEAM's membership is open to ESG-certified professionals, consultants, implementors, compliant corporates, and relevant institutional alliances. The association will also work closely with stakeholders such as regulators, certification bodies, and capital market players.

SEAM's long-term vision is to be the trusted association for shaping world-class sustainability and ESG policies and to position Malaysia as a regional sustainability leader through public-private collaboration.

###

ABOUT SUSTAINABILITY & ESG ASSOCIATION MALAYSIA (SEAM)

SEAM is a non-profit action hub accelerating ESG implementation through its IDEA-C Framework. Founded by experienced sustainability and ESG professionals and partnering with Malaysia-based Investor Relations firm Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd., SEAM aims to drive meaningful ESG adoption through real-world implementation, not just reporting. Its mission is to make Malaysia a global sustainability leader by connecting solution providers with corporates, investors, and policymakers.

For more information, please visit:

Website: www.SEAM.org.my

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/seam-org-my/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/seam.org.my/

Instagram: www.instagram.com/seam.org.my/

Hashtag: SEAMIDEA4Impact SEAM ESG sustainability

Issued By: Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. on behalf of Sustainability & ESG Association Malaysia

For more information, please contact:

Jazzmin Wan

Email: j.wan@swanconsultancy.biz

Xinyi Ching

Email: x.ching@swanconsultancy.biz

SOURCE: The Sustainability & ESG Association Malaysia

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/education/sustainability-and-esg-association-malaysia-seam-soft-launches-to-bridge-esg-solutions-wi-1052313
NexGen acquires Rio Tinto's 10% production carried interest over 39 NexGen-owned mineral claims in the Southwest Athabasca Basin, including those hosting the Patterson Corridor East (PCE) discovery.

NexGen now owns exclusively 100% of its entire portfolio of Projects and Properties which include Rook I (location of Arrow and PCE deposits), SW1 and SW3.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - NexGen Energy Ltd. (TSX: NXE) (NYSE: NXE) (ASX: NXG) ("NexGen" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has exercised its Right of First Refusal to acquire the 10% production carried interest (PCI) held by Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. (Rio Tinto) over 39 of NexGen's mineral claims in the Southwest Athabasca Basin, including those hosting the PCE discovery (Figure 1). NexGen's entire portfolio including the Arrow deposit is now 100% owned (Figure 2). Concurrent with its exercise, NexGen has agreed to match a cash payment offered to Rio Tinto for the interest, the terms of which are contractually confidential.

Leigh Curyer, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Given the world class extent, high grade and superior technical setting of mineralization discovered to date at our two projects, consolidating our portfolio at PCE and surrounding area to match our 100% ownership in our world-class Arrow deposit, is entirely in line with our strategic objective of becoming the future leader in uranium production worldwide.

Today, the uranium market is already in a structural deficit. With the world's leading tech companies recently committing to the construction of over US$100BN in AI data centres in the US alone - to be predominantly powered by nuclear energy - the ever-growing need for a safe, secure supply of uranium from sound jurisdictions is upon us. NexGen's unmatched uranium endowment, including our flagship Arrow and developing PCE deposit, together with our large surrounding land package meets that criteria. Today's transaction further elevates the realisation of our long-standing strategic objective of becoming the largest supplier of uranium worldwide."

History

The PCI entitled Rio Tinto to a 10% undivided interest in future production from the subject claims, carried through to the commencement of commercial production, and was put in place before NexGen acquired the land package in 2012. Upon commencement of production, NexGen was entitled to recover 10% of all prior costs incurred from the effective date of the original agreement, from 75% of Rio Tinto's 10% share of production. Following full recovery of those costs, Rio Tinto would have received its full 10% share of production. A joint venture would have been formed at that time to govern ongoing operations.

Figure 1: Previous Rio Tinto PCI over 39 total claims held by NexGen

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1745/259907_527a291084257965_002full.jpg

Figure 2: Previous PCI claims over Rook I Project which covered PCE

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1745/259907_527a291084257965_003full.jpg

About NexGen

NexGen Energy is a Canadian company focused on delivering clean energy fuel for the future. The Company's flagship Rook I Project is being optimally developed into the largest low-cost producing uranium mine globally, incorporating the most elite environmental and social governance standards. The Rook I Project is supported by an N.I. 43-101 compliant Feasibility Study, which outlines the elite environmental performance and industry-leading economics. NexGen is led by a team of experienced uranium and mining industry professionals with expertise across the entire mining life cycle, including exploration, financing, project engineering and construction, operations and closure. NexGen is leveraging its proven experience to deliver a Project that leads the entire mining industry socially, technically and environmentally. The Project and prospective portfolio in northern Saskatchewan will provide generational, long-term economic, environmental, and social benefits for Saskatchewan, Canada, and the world.

NexGen is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "NXE," and on the Australian Securities Exchange under the ticker symbol "NXG," providing access to global investors to participate in NexGen's mission of solving three major global challenges in decarbonization, energy security and access to power. The Company is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with its primary operations office in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Technical Disclosure*

All technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jason Craven, NexGen's Vice President, Exploration, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101. A technical report in respect of the FS is filed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and EDGAR (www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml) and is available for review on NexGen Energy's website (www.nexgenenergy.ca).

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors

This news release includes Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources classification terms that comply with reporting standards in Canada and the Mineral Reserves and the Mineral Resources estimates are made in accordance with NI 43-101. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. These standards differ from the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") set by the SEC's rules that are applicable to domestic United States reporting companies. Consequently, Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources information included in this news release is not comparable to similar information that would generally be disclosed by domestic U.S. reporting companies subject to the reporting and disclosure requirements of the SEC Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards.

Forward-Looking Information

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable United States securities laws and regulations and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates, the 2021 Arrow Deposit, Rook I Project and estimates of uranium production, grade and long-term average uranium prices, anticipated effects of completed drill results on the Rook I Project, planned work programs, completion of further site investigations and engineering work to support basic engineering of the project and expected outcomes. 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. Statements relating to "mineral resources" are deemed to be forward-looking information, as they involve the implied assessment that, based on certain estimates and assumptions, the mineral resources described can be profitably produced in the future.

Forward-looking information and statements are based on the then current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about NexGen's business and the industry and markets in which it operates. Forward-looking information and statements are made based upon numerous assumptions, including among others, that the mineral reserve and resources estimates and the key assumptions and parameters on which such estimates are based are as set out in this news release and the technical report for the property , the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the price and market supply of uranium, the cost of planned exploration activities, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, that third party contractors, equipment, supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct NexGen's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate in the future.

Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performances and achievements of NexGen to differ materially from any projections of results, performances and achievements of NexGen expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others, the existence of negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of the availability of additional financing, the risk that pending assay results will not confirm previously announced preliminary results, conclusions of economic valuations, the risk that actual results of exploration activities will be different than anticipated, the cost of labour, equipment or materials will increase more than expected, that the future price of uranium will decline or otherwise not rise to an economic level, the appeal of alternate sources of energy to uranium-produced energy, that the Canadian dollar will strengthen against the U.S. dollar, that mineral resources and reserves are not as estimated, that actual costs or actual results of reclamation activities are greater than expected, that changes in project parameters and plans continue to be refined and may result in increased costs, of unexpected variations in mineral resources and reserves, grade or recovery rates or other risks generally associated with mining, unanticipated delays in obtaining governmental, regulatory or First Nations approvals, risks related to First Nations title and consultation, reliance upon key management and other personnel, deficiencies in the Company's title to its properties, uninsurable risks, failure to manage conflicts of interest, failure to obtain or maintain required permits and licences, risks related to changes in laws, regulations, policy and public perception, as well as those factors or other risks as more fully described in NexGen's Annual Information Form dated March 3, 2025 filed with the securities commissions of all of the provinces of Canada except Quebec and in NexGen's 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and Edgar at www.sec.gov.

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 statements or implied by forward-looking information or statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information or statements due to the inherent uncertainty thereof.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/259907

SOURCE: NexGen Energy Ltd.
Total Company inbound orders of $2.8 billion; Subsea of $2.6 billion, a book-to-bill of 1.2x

Total Company backlog increased to $16.6 billion; Subsea of $15.8 billion

Cash flow from operations of $344 million; free cash flow of $261 million

Total shareholder distributions of $271 million, including share repurchase of $250 million

TechnipFMC plc (NYSE: FTI) (the "Company" or "TechnipFMC") today reported second-quarter 2025 results.

Summary Financial Results from Continuing Operations Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are provided in financial schedules. Three Months Ended Change (In millions, except per share amounts) Jun. 30, 2025 Mar. 31, 2025 Jun. 30, 2024 Sequential Year-over-Year Revenue $2,534.7 $2,233.6 $2,325.6 13.5% 9.0% Net income $269.5 $142.0 $186.5 89.8% 44.5% Net income margin 10.6% 6.4% 8.0% 420 bps 260 bps Diluted earnings per share $0.64 $0.33 $0.42 93.9% 52.4% Adjusted EBITDA $520.8 $343.8 $361.4 51.5% 44.1% Adjusted EBITDA margin 20.5% 15.4% 15.5% 510 bps 500 bps Adjusted net income $285.5 $142.9 $188.9 99.8% 51.1% Adjusted diluted earnings per share $0.68 $0.33 $0.43 106.1% 58.1% Inbound orders $2,831.0 $3,089.1 $3,092.2 (8.4%) (8.4%) Backlog $16,645.9 $15,816.0 $13,898.8 5.2% 19.8%

Total Company revenue in the second quarter was $2,534.7 million. Net income attributable to TechnipFMC was $269.5 million, or $0.64 per diluted share. These results included after-tax charges and credits totaling $16 million of expense, or $0.04 per share (Exhibit 6).

Adjusted net income was $285.5 million, or $0.68 per diluted share (Exhibit 6).

Adjusted EBITDA, which excludes pre-tax charges and credits, was $520.8 million; adjusted EBITDA margin was 20.5 percent (Exhibit 8).

Included in total Company results was a foreign exchange gain of $12.1 million, or a loss of $6.3 million after-tax. When excluding the after-tax impact of the foreign exchange loss of $6.3 million, net income was $275.8 million. Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, was $508.7 million (Exhibit 8).

Doug Pferdehirt, Chair and CEO of TechnipFMC, remarked, "I am very proud of what our team accomplished in what was another solid quarter, driven by continued strength in execution from both the commercial and operational teams. Total Company revenue in the period was $2.5 billion, with adjusted EBITDA of $509 million when excluding foreign exchange impacts. We generated free cash flow of $261 million and distributed $271 million through dividends and share buybacks, further demonstrating our commitment to return a significant portion of free cash flow to shareholders."

Pferdehirt continued, "We achieved $2.6 billion of Subsea inbound in the quarter, representing a diverse set of awards. We continue to benefit from a combination of iEPCI, Subsea Services, and direct awards. Subsea Services inbound was particularly robust, representing one of the highest quarterly levels ever achieved. The uniqueness and diversity of our order book give us continued confidence that we will reach our three-year goal of $30 billion of Subsea inbound by the end of this year."

"Our differentiated orders speak to the strength of our customer relationships, which we work to build and enhance every day. I am proud to announce that we recently entered into a new iEPCI collaboration agreement with Var Energi, supporting their subsea developments on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Working together, we will utilize our integrated execution model to optimize development and maximize value creation."

Pferdehirt added, "Offshore activity remains robust. Front-end engineering activity is strong, and our Subsea Opportunities List remains healthy, with named projects progressing across multiple basins over the next 24 months. Our visibility into the market also benefits from the high level of direct awards to our company. We continue to see strength in offshore markets, supported by client discussions for projects that are likely to be sanctioned through the end of the decade."

Pferdehirt concluded, "While the market is not without challenges, our results clearly demonstrate that we are navigating the issues and mitigating the impacts to our company. This reflects the actions we are taking today and the structural changes we have made over the last several years, which together are driving continuous improvement in everything we do."

Operational and Financial Highlights Subsea

Financial Highlights Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are provided in financial schedules. Three Months Ended Change (In millions) Jun. 30, 2025 Mar. 31, 2025 Jun. 30, 2024 Sequential Year-over-Year Revenue $2,216.3 $1,936.2 $2,009.1 14.5% 10.3% Operating profit $380.3 $247.9 $277.7 53.4% 36.9% Operating profit margin 17.2 12.8 13.8 440 bps 340 bps Adjusted EBITDA $482.9 $334.9 $356.5 44.2% 35.5% Adjusted EBITDA margin 21.8 17.3 17.7 450 bps 410 bps Inbound orders $2,553.1 $2,785.5 $2,838.0 (8.3%) (10.0%) Backlog1,2,3 $15,810.0 $14,945.6 $12,925.9 5.8% 22.3%

Estimated Consolidated Backlog Scheduling (In millions) Jun. 30, 2025 2025 (6 months) $3,471 2026 $4,803 2027 and beyond $7,536 Total $15,810 1 Backlog as of June 30, 2025 was increased by a foreign exchange impact of $528 million. 2Backlog does not capture all revenue potential for Subsea Services. 3Backlog as of June 30, 2025 does not include total Company non-consolidated backlog of $400 million.

Subsea reported second-quarter revenue of $2,216.3 million, an increase of 14.5 percent from the first quarter. The sequential revenue improvement was largely driven by increased iEPCI project activity in the North Sea and higher installation activity and flexible pipe supply in Brazil, offset in part by project completions in Asia Pacific. Services revenue also increased primarily due to seasonal improvements.

Subsea reported an operating profit of $380.3 million, an increase of 53.4 percent from the first quarter. Operating results increased sequentially due to strong execution, improved earnings mix from backlog, and higher project and services activity. Operating profit margin increased 440 basis points to 17.2 percent.

Subsea reported adjusted EBITDA of $482.9 million, an increase of 44.2 percent when compared to the first quarter. The factors impacting operating profit also drove the sequential increase in adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 450 basis points to 21.8 percent.

Subsea inbound orders were $2,553.1 million for the quarter. Book-to-bill was 1.2x. The following award was included in the period:

Equinor Heidrun iEPCI Extension Project (Norway)

Significant* iEPCI contract by Equinor for its Heidrun extension project in the Norwegian North Sea. The award follows an integrated Front End Engineering and Design (iFEED) study by TechnipFMC. The project will enhance the current infrastructure and extend the production lifecycle for the Heidrun platform.

*A "significant" contract is between $75 million and $250 million.

Partnership and Alliance Highlights

Var Energi iEPCI Cooperation Agreement (Norway)

Strategic cooperation agreement signed with Var Energi ASA (OSE: VAR) supporting subsea developments on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. The agreement establishes a long-term framework for delivery of subsea projects utilizing TechnipFMC's integrated Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation (iEPCI) commercial model.



TechnipFMC will apply simplified, standardized, and industrialized design principles with its integrated execution model to optimize project economics and reduce cycle time for offshore developments.



Under the agreement, TechnipFMC will support Var Energi's hub strategy in the Gja area, where recent discoveries including Gja Nord, Cerisa, and Ofelia are planned to be tied back to the partly electrified Gja platform, with early engineering and procurement activities currently underway.

Surface Technologies

Financial Highlights Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP to non-GAAP financial measures are provided in financial schedules. Three Months Ended Change (In millions) Jun. 30, 2025 Mar. 31, 2025 Jun. 30, 2024 Sequential Year-over-Year Revenue $318.4 $297.4 $316.5 7.1% 0.6% Operating profit $23.4 $30.2 $30.6 (22.5%) (23.5%) Operating profit margin 7.3 10.2 9.7 (290 bps) (240 bps) Adjusted EBITDA $52.3 $46.6 $46.0 12.2% 13.7% Adjusted EBITDA margin 16.4 15.7 14.5 70 bps 190 bps Inbound orders $277.9 $303.6 $254.2 (8.5%) 9.3% Backlog $835.9 $870.4 $972.9 (4.0%) (14.1%)

Surface Technologies reported second-quarter revenue of $318.4 million, an increase of 7.1 percent from the first quarter. The sequential increase in revenue was driven by higher project and services activity in the Middle East, modestly offset by lower activity in North America.

Surface Technologies reported operating profit of $23.4 million, a decrease of 22.5 percent versus the first quarter. The sequential decrease in operating profit was largely due to $17.5 million of higher restructuring, impairment, and other charges in the period resulting from business transformation initiatives. Operating profit in the Middle East improved sequentially due to higher project and services activity. Operating profit margin decreased 290 basis points to 7.3 percent.

Surface Technologies reported adjusted EBITDA of $52.3 million, an increase of 12.2 percent when compared to the first quarter. Adjusted EBITDA increased sequentially due to higher project and services activity in the Middle East, modestly offset by lower activity in North America. Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 70 basis points to 16.4 percent.

Inbound orders for the quarter were $277.9 million, a sequential decrease of 8.5 percent. Backlog ended the period at $835.9 million.

Corporate and Other Items (three months ended June 30, 2025)

Corporate expense was $26.6 million.

Foreign exchange gain was $12.1 million.

Net interest expense was $14.4 million.

The provision for income taxes was $106.5 million.

Total depreciation and amortization was $115.2 million.

Cash provided by operating activities was $344.2 million. Capital expenditures were $83.6 million. Free cash flow was $260.6 million (Exhibit 11).

During the quarter, the Company repurchased 8.3 million of its ordinary shares for total consideration of $250.1 million. When including a dividend payment of $20.6 million, total shareholder distributions in the quarter were $270.7 million.

Short-term debt and long-term debt totaling $696.3 million declined $208.6 million sequentially, primarily due to the repayment of the 5.75% Private Placement Notes due 2025 that matured during the period (Exhibit 10).

The Company ended the period with cash and cash equivalents of $950 million. Net cash decreased sequentially to $253.7 million (Exhibit 10).

2025 Full-Year Financial Guidance1

The Company's full-year financial guidance for 2025 can be found in the table below. No updates were made to the previous guidance that was issued on April 24, 2025.

2025 Guidance (As of April 24, 2025) Subsea Surface Technologies Revenue in a range of $8.4 8.8 billion Revenue in a range of $1.2 1.35 billion Adjusted EBITDA margin in a range of 19 20% Adjusted EBITDA margin in a range of 15 16% TechnipFMC Corporate expense, net $115 125 million (excludes charges and credits) Net interest expense $45 55 million Effective tax rate 28 32% Capital expenditures approximately $340 million Free cash flow2 $1.0 1.15 billion

__________________ 1 Our guidance measures of adjusted EBITDA margin, free cash flow and adjusted corporate expense, net are non-GAAP financial measures. We are unable to provide a reconciliation to comparable GAAP financial measures on a forward-looking basis without unreasonable effort because of the unpredictability of the individual components of the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure and the variability of items excluded from each such measure. Such information may have a significant, and potentially unpredictable, impact on our future financial results. 2 Free cash flow is calculated as cash flow from operations less capital expenditures.

Teleconference

The Company will host a teleconference on Thursday, July 24, 2025 to discuss the second-quarter 2025 financial results. The call will begin at 1:30 p.m. London time (8:30 a.m. New York time). Webcast access and an accompanying presentation can be found at www.TechnipFMC.com.

An archived audio replay will be available after the event at the same website address. In the event of a disruption of service or technical difficulty during the call, information will be posted on our website.

About TechnipFMC

TechnipFMC is a leading technology provider to the traditional and new energy industries; delivering fully integrated projects, products, and services.

With our proprietary technologies and comprehensive solutions, we are transforming our clients' project economics, helping them unlock new possibilities to develop energy resources while reducing carbon intensity and supporting their energy transition ambitions.

Organized in two business segments Subsea and Surface Technologies we will continue to advance the industry with our pioneering integrated ecosystems (such as iEPCI, iFEED and iComplete), technology leadership, and digital innovation.

Each of our approximately 21,000 employees is driven by a commitment to our clients' success, and a culture of strong execution, purposeful innovation, and challenging industry conventions.

TechnipFMC uses its website as a channel of distribution of material company information. To learn more about how we are driving change in the industry, go to www.TechnipFMC.com and follow us on X @TechnipFMC.

This communication contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements usually relate to future events, market growth, and recovery, growth of our New Energy business and anticipated revenues, earnings, cash flows, or other aspects of our operations or operating results. Forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as "commit," "guidance," "confident," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "plan," "intend," "foresee," "should," "would," "could," "may," "will," "likely," "predicated," "estimate," "outlook," and similar expressions, including the negative thereof. The absence of these words, however, does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, beliefs, and assumptions concerning future developments and business conditions and their potential effect on us. While management believes these forward-looking statements are reasonable as and when made, there can be no assurance that future developments affecting us will be those that we anticipate. All of our forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties (some of which are significant or beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections, including unpredictable trends in the demand for and price of oil and natural gas; competition and unanticipated changes relating to competitive factors in our industry, including ongoing industry consolidation; our inability to develop, implement and protect new technologies and services and intellectual property related thereto; the cumulative loss of major contracts, customers or alliances and unfavorable credit and commercial terms of certain contracts; disruptions in the political, regulatory, economic and social conditions, or public health crisis in the countries where we conduct business; unexpected geopolitical events, armed conflicts, and terrorism threats; the refusal of the Depository Trust Company to act as depository and clearing agency for our shares; the impact of our existing and future indebtedness; a downgrade in our debt rating; the risks caused by our acquisition and divestiture activities; additional costs or risks from increasing scrutiny and expectations regarding sustainability matters; uncertainties related to our investments, including those related to energy transition; the risks caused by fixed-price contracts; our failure to timely deliver our backlog; our reliance on subcontractors, suppliers and our joint venture partners; a failure or breach of our IT infrastructure or that of our subcontractors, suppliers or joint venture partners, including as a result of cyber-attacks; risks of pirates and maritime conflicts endangering our maritime employees and assets; any delays and cost overruns of capital asset construction projects for vessels and manufacturing facilities; potential liabilities inherent in the industries in which we operate or have operated; our failure to comply with existing and future laws and regulations, including those related to environmental protection, climate change, health and safety, labor and employment, import/export controls, currency exchange, bribery and corruption, taxation, privacy, data protection and data security; uninsured claims and litigation against us; the additional restrictions on dividend payouts or share repurchases as an English public limited company; tax laws, treaties and regulations and any unfavorable findings by relevant tax authorities; significant changes or developments in U.S. or other national trade policies, including tariffs and the reactions of other countries thereto; potential departure of our key managers and employees; adverse seasonal, weather, and other climatic conditions; unfavorable currency exchange rates; risk in connection with our defined benefit pension plan commitments; and our inability to obtain sufficient bonding capacity for certain contracts, and other risks as discussed in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and our other reports subsequently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

We caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any of our forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law.

Exhibit 1 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In millions, except per share data, unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, March 31, June 30, June 30, 2025 2025 2024 2025 2024 Revenue 2,534.7 2,233.6 2,325.6 4,768.3 4,367.6 Costs and expenses 2,145.1 1,973.2 2,017.2 4,118.3 3,900.2 389.6 260.4 308.4 650.0 467.4 Other expense, net including income from equity affiliates (0.4 (20.2 (41.5 (20.6 (52.4 Gain on disposal of Measurement Solutions business 75.2 Income before net interest expense and income taxes 389.2 240.2 266.9 629.4 490.2 Net interest expense (14.4 (9.9 (21.4 (24.3 (34.1 Income before income taxes 374.8 230.3 245.5 605.1 456.1 Provision for income taxes 106.5 87.0 59.2 193.5 108.9 Net income 268.3 143.3 186.3 411.6 347.2 Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests 1.2 (1.3 0.2 (0.1 (3.6 Net income attributable to TechnipFMC plc 269.5 142.0 186.5 411.5 343.6 Earnings per share attributable to TechnipFMC plc Basic 0.65 0.34 0.43 0.98 0.80 Diluted 0.64 0.33 0.42 0.97 0.78 Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic 415.4 421.2 430.2 418.3 431.9 Diluted 420.5 431.2 440.1 426.2 443.2 Cash dividends declared per share 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.10 0.10

Exhibit 2 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES BUSINESS SEGMENT DATA (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, March 31, June 30, June 30, 2025 2025 2024 2025 2024 Segment revenue Subsea 2,216.3 1,936.2 2,009.1 4,152.5 3,743.9 Surface Technologies 318.4 297.4 316.5 615.8 623.7 Total segment revenue 2,534.7 2,233.6 2,325.6 4,768.3 4,367.6 Segment operating profit Subsea 380.3 247.9 277.7 628.2 434.3 Surface Technologies 23.4 30.2 30.6 53.6 134.0 Total segment operating profit 403.7 278.1 308.3 681.8 568.3 Corporate items Corporate expense(1) (26.6 (25.8 (23.7 (52.4 (55.9 Net interest expense (14.4 (9.9 (21.4 (24.3 (34.1 Foreign exchange gains (losses) 12.1 (12.1 (17.7 (22.2 Total corporate items (28.9 (47.8 (62.8 (76.7 (112.2 Income before income taxes(2) 374.8 230.3 245.5 605.1 456.1

(1) Corporate expense primarily includes corporate staff expenses, share-based compensation expenses, and other employee benefits. (2) Includes amounts attributable to non-controlling interests.

Exhibit 3 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES BUSINESS SEGMENT DATA (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Inbound Orders(1) June 30, March 31, June 30, June 30, 2025 2025 2024 2025 2024 Subsea 2,553.1 2,785.5 2,838.0 5,338.6 5,241.8 Surface Technologies 277.9 303.6 254.2 581.5 624.8 Total inbound orders 2,831.0 3,089.1 3,092.2 5,920.1 5,866.6

Order Backlog(2) June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025 June 30, 2024 Subsea 15,810.0 14,945.6 12,925.9 Surface Technologies 835.9 870.4 972.9 Total order backlog 16,645.9 15,816.0 13,898.8

(1) Inbound orders represent the estimated sales value of confirmed customer orders received during the reporting period. (2) Order backlog is calculated as the estimated sales value of unfilled, confirmed customer orders at the reporting date.

Exhibit 4 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In millions, unaudited) June 30,

2025 December 31,

2024 Cash and cash equivalents 950.0 1,157.7 Trade receivables, net 1,307.5 1,318.5 Contract assets, net 1,112.3 967.7 Inventories, net 1,221.5 1,076.7 Other current assets 1,032.2 947.0 Total current assets 5,623.5 5,467.6 Property, plant and equipment, net 2,294.2 2,133.8 Intangible assets, net 494.2 508.3 Other assets 1,670.0 1,759.5 Total assets 10,081.9 9,869.2 Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt 271.2 277.9 Accounts payable, trade 1,293.8 1,302.6 Contract liabilities 2,060.3 1,786.6 Other current liabilities 1,465.7 1,497.7 Total current liabilities 5,091.0 4,864.8 Long-term debt, less current portion 425.1 607.3 Other liabilities 1,269.2 1,258.7 TechnipFMC plc stockholders' equity 3,251.6 3,093.8 Non-controlling interests 45.0 44.6 Total liabilities and equity 10,081.9 9,869.2

Exhibit 5 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2025 2024 Cash provided by operating activities Net income 268.3 411.6 347.2 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities Depreciation and amortization 115.2 217.6 191.6 Gain on disposal of Measurement Solutions business (75.2 Income from equity affiliates, net of dividends received 19.9 11.3 (3.4 Working capital(1) (138.4 21.0 (473.3 Other operating activities 79.2 124.4 117.3 Cash provided by operating activities 344.2 785.9 104.2 Cash provided (required) by investing activities Capital expenditures (83.6 (145.4 (102.8 Proceeds from sales of assets 1.0 4.6 3.3 Proceeds from sale of Measurement Solutions business 186.1 Other investing activities 0.5 Cash provided (required) by investing activities (82.6 (140.8 87.1 Cash required by financing activities Repayments of current portion of long-term debt (230.4 (241.6 (65.4 Dividends paid (20.6 (41.6 (43.2 Share repurchases (250.1 (500.2 (250.1 Payments related to taxes withheld on share-based compensation (7.0 (69.2 (49.7 Other financing activities (6.8 (28.2 (9.5 Cash required by financing activities (514.9 (880.8 (417.9 Effect of changes in foreign exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents 16.5 28.0 (16.9 Change in cash and cash equivalents (236.8 (207.7 (243.5 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 1,186.8 1,157.7 951.7 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 950.0 950.0 708.2

(1) Working capital includes receivables, payables, inventories and other current assets and liabilities.

Exhibit 6 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, except per share data, unaudited) In addition to financial results determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), the second quarter 2025 Earnings Release also includes non-GAAP financial measures (as defined in Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and describes performance on a year-over-year or sequential basis. Net income attributable to TechnipFMC plc, excluding charges and credits, as well as measures derived from it (including Diluted EPS, excluding charges and credits; Earnings before net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, excluding charges and credits ("Adjusted EBITDA"); and Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange gains or losses, net; Adjusted EBITDA margin; Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net); Corporate expense, net; Foreign exchange, net and other, excluding charges and credits; net cash (debt); and free cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures. Non-GAAP adjustments are presented on a gross basis and the tax impact of the non-GAAP adjustments is separately presented in the applicable reconciliation table. Estimates of the tax effect of each adjustment is calculated item by item, by reviewing the relevant jurisdictional tax rate to the pretax non-GAAP amounts, analyzing the nature of the item and/or the tax jurisdiction in which the item has been recorded, the need of application of a specific tax rate, history of non-GAAP taxable income positions (i.e. net operating loss carryforwards) and concluding on the valuation allowance positions. Management believes that the exclusion of charges, credits and foreign exchange impacts from these financial measures provides a useful perspective on the Company's underlying business results and operating trends, and a means to evaluate TechnipFMC's operations and consolidated results of operations period-over-period. These measures are also used by management as performance measures in determining certain incentive compensation. The foregoing non-GAAP financial measures should be considered by investors in addition to, not as a substitute for or superior to, other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. The following is a reconciliation of the most comparable financial measures under GAAP to the non-GAAP financial measures.

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025 June 30, 2024 June 30, 2025 June 30, 2024 Net income attributable to TechnipFMC plc 269.5 142.0 186.5 411.5 343.6 Charges and (credits): Restructuring, impairment and other charges 16.4 1.2 2.4 17.6 7.4 Gain on disposal of Measurement Solutions business (75.2 Tax on charges and (credits) (0.4 (0.3 (0.7 10.7 Adjusted net income attributable to TechnipFMC plc 285.5 142.9 188.9 428.4 286.5 Weighted diluted average shares outstanding 420.5 431.2 440.1 426.2 443.2 Reported earnings per share diluted 0.64 0.33 0.42 0.97 0.78 Adjusted earnings per share diluted 0.68 0.33 0.43 1.01 0.65

Exhibit 7 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025 June 30, 2024 June 30, 2025 June 30, 2024 Net income attributable to TechnipFMC plc 269.5 142.0 186.5 411.5 343.6 (Income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests (1.2 1.3 (0.2 0.1 3.6 Provision for income tax 106.5 87.0 59.2 193.5 108.9 Net interest expense 14.4 9.9 21.4 24.3 34.1 Depreciation and amortization 115.2 102.4 92.1 217.6 191.6 Restructuring, impairment and other charges 16.4 1.2 2.4 17.6 7.4 Gain on disposal of Measurement Solutions business (75.2 Adjusted EBITDA 520.8 343.8 361.4 864.6 614.0 Foreign exchange, net (12.1 12.1 17.7 22.2 Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net 508.7 355.9 379.1 864.6 636.2

Exhibit 8 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 Subsea Surface

Technologies Corporate

Expense Foreign

Exchange, net Total Revenue 2,216.3 318.4 2,534.7 Operating profit (loss), as reported (pre-tax) 380.3 23.4 (26.6 12.1 389.2 Charges and (credits): Restructuring, impairment and other charges (1.8 18.2 16.4 Subtotal (1.8 18.2 16.4 Depreciation and amortization 104.4 10.7 0.1 115.2 Adjusted EBITDA 482.9 52.3 (26.5 12.1 520.8 Foreign exchange, net (12.1 (12.1 Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net 482.9 52.3 (26.5 508.7 Operating profit margin, as reported 17.2 7.3 15.4 Adjusted EBITDA margin 21.8 16.4 20.5 Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net 21.8 16.4 20.1

Exhibit 8 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 Subsea Surface

Technologies Corporate

Expense Foreign

Exchange, net Total Revenue 1,936.2 297.4 2,233.6 Operating profit (loss), as reported (pre-tax) 247.9 30.2 (25.8 (12.1 240.2 Charges and (credits): Restructuring, impairment and other charges 0.5 0.7 1.2 Subtotal 0.5 0.7 1.2 Depreciation and amortization 86.5 15.7 0.2 102.4 Adjusted EBITDA 334.9 46.6 (25.6 (12.1 343.8 Foreign exchange, net 12.1 12.1 Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net 334.9 46.6 (25.6 355.9 Operating profit margin, as reported 12.8 10.2 10.8 Adjusted EBITDA margin 17.3 15.7 15.4 Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net 17.3 15.7 15.9

Exhibit 8 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 Subsea Surface

Technologies Corporate

Expense Foreign

Exchange, net Total Revenue 2,009.1 316.5 2,325.6 Operating profit (loss), as reported (pre-tax) 277.7 30.6 (23.7 (17.7 266.9 Charges and (credits): Restructuring, impairment and other charges (0.2 2.6 2.4 Subtotal (0.2 2.6 2.4 Depreciation and amortization 79.0 12.8 0.3 92.1 Adjusted EBITDA 356.5 46.0 (23.4 (17.7 361.4 Foreign exchange, net 17.7 17.7 Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net 356.5 46.0 (23.4 379.1 Operating profit margin, as reported 13.8 9.7 11.5 Adjusted EBITDA margin 17.7 14.5 15.5 Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net 17.7 14.5 16.3

Exhibit 9 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 Subsea Surface

Technologies Corporate

Expense Foreign

Exchange, net Total Revenue 4,152.5 615.8 4,768.3 Operating profit (loss), as reported (pre-tax) 628.2 53.6 (52.4 629.4 Charges and (credits): Restructuring, impairment and other charges (1.3 18.9 17.6 Subtotal (1.3 18.9 17.6 Depreciation and amortization 190.9 26.4 0.3 217.6 Adjusted EBITDA 817.8 98.9 (52.1 864.6 Foreign exchange, net Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net 817.8 98.9 (52.1 864.6 Operating profit margin, as reported 15.1 8.7 13.2 Adjusted EBITDA margin 19.7 16.1 18.1 Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net 19.7 16.1 18.1

Exhibit 9 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 Subsea Surface

Technologies Corporate

Expense Foreign

Exchange, net Total Revenue 3,743.9 623.7 4,367.6 Operating profit (loss), as reported (pre-tax) 434.3 134.0 (55.9 (22.2 490.2 Charges and (credits): Restructuring, impairment and other charges (0.2 2.4 5.2 7.4 Gain on disposal of Measurement Solutions business (75.2 (75.2 Subtotal (0.2 (72.8 5.2 (67.8 Depreciation and amortization 164.8 26.2 0.6 191.6 Adjusted EBITDA 598.9 87.4 (50.1 (22.2 614.0 Foreign exchange, net 22.2 22.2 Adjusted EBITDA, excluding foreign exchange, net 598.9 87.4 (50.1 636.2 Operating profit margin, as reported 11.6 21.5 11.2 Adjusted EBITDA margin 16.0 14.0 14.1 Adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding foreign exchange, net 16.0 14.0 14.6

Exhibit 10 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) June 30, 2025 March 31, 2025 June 30, 2024 Cash and cash equivalents 950.0 1,186.8 708.2 Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt (271.2 (494.1 (321.6 Long-term debt, less current portion (425.1 (410.8 (646.8 Net cash (debt) 253.7 281.9 (260.2 Net cash (debt) is a non-GAAP financial measure reflecting cash and cash equivalents, net of debt. Management uses this non-GAAP financial measure to evaluate our capital structure and financial leverage. We believe net cash is a meaningful financial measure that may assist investors in understanding our financial condition and recognizing underlying trends in our capital structure. Net cash should not be considered an alternative to, or more meaningful than, cash and cash equivalents as determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP or as an indicator of our operating performance or liquidity.

Exhibit 11 TECHNIPFMC PLC AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (In millions, unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2025 2024 Cash provided by operating activities 344.2 785.9 104.2 Capital expenditures (83.6 (145.4 (102.8 Free cash flow 260.6 640.5 1.4 Free cash flow, is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined as cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. Management uses this non-GAAP financial measure to evaluate our financial condition. We believe free cash flow is a meaningful financial measure that may assist investors in understanding our financial condition and results of operations.

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Contacts:

Investor relations

Matt Seinsheimer

Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Development

Tel: +1 281 260 3665

Email: Matt Seinsheimer



James Davis

Director, Investor Relations

Tel: +1 281 260 3665

Email: James Davis



Media relations

David Willis

Senior Manager, Public Relations

Tel: +44 7841 492988

Email: David Willis
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Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin Releases Guide to Help Philadelphia Residents Navigate Dog Attack Cases

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Early legal consultation is recommended to preserve evidence and meet statutory deadlines. The guide stresses the importance of acting promptly to ensure that victims can fully pursue the legal remedies available to them.

About the Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C.

The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. is a full-service personal injury firm with offices in Philadelphia and Trenton. With more than three decades of legal experience, the firm handles a wide range of claims, including dog bite cases, premises liability, and motor vehicle accidents.

The firm's team of car accident lawyers and trial attorneys in Philadelphia is known for thorough case preparation and strategic advocacy. They assist clients in seeking fair compensation while managing complex insurance and liability issues.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/259925

SOURCE: Plentisoft


EQS Newswire / 24/07/2025 / 12:45 CET/CEST



PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - Media OutReach Newswire - 24 July 2025 - BlueLink, a prominent provider of customer relationship management solutions, has been formally recognized as a "Best Place to Work" in the Czech Republic for 2024. This prestigious certification acknowledges BlueLink's commitment to fostering an outstanding workplace culture, high employee engagement, and a people-centric approach to human resource management.



The "Best Places to Work" certification program rigorously evaluates organizations based on their adherence to best practices in human resources management and their substantive commitment to establishing an inclusive, intellectually stimulating, and high-performing work environment. This recognition signifies BlueLink's successful alignment with established benchmarks for organizational effectiveness and employee well-being.



Commenting on this significant achievement, Vincent Leonardi, General Manager of BlueLink Czech Republic, stated: "Being recognized as a Best Place to Work is proof of our commitment to creating an environment where every employee can succeed. Our culture of inclusivity, continuous learning, and internal growth opportunities ensures that our team members feel supported and valued. I'm proud to be part of a company where personal development is not just encouraged but actively facilitated."

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

About BlueLink:

BlueLink is a global provider of customer experience services, supporting high-end brands in travel, luxury and lifestyle. As part of the Air France-KLM Group, BlueLink combines operational excellence with a strong people culture. With 550 employees in Prague representing 73 nationalities, the company values inclusivity, innovation, and long-term growth - both for its clients and its people.



For more information, visit www.bluelinkservices.com



For more information about the certification program, please visit www.bestplacestoworkfor.org .



LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-places-to-work-program/

Twitter: http://www.twitter/bptw4

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bptw4all/



24/07/2025 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News.

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



Media archive at www.todayir.com


Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - EMX Royalty Corporation (NYSE American: EMX) (TSXV: EMX) ("EMX" or the "Company") congratulates Talga Group Ltd ("Talga"; ASX:TLG) on its progress in advancing the Vittangi graphite project in northern Sweden. EMX controls a 2% NSR royalty on all mineral production from the Vittangi project, which recently concluded an appeals review process for the issuance of an Exploitation Concession, a key step in the mine permitting process in Sweden. According to Talga's ASX News Release dated June 12, 2025: "all major permits are now in force for [Talga's] 100% owned Nunasvaara South Mine, which is part of Europe's largest and highest grade JORC classified natural graphite resource".

The Nunasvaara South mine at Vittangi is part of a vertically integrated development-stage project that will produce high performance battery graphite anode materials for the electrical vehicle, battery storage and defense industries. Graphite is classified as a strategic element by the European Union and United States and is vital to various battery technologies and a critical component to many defense-sector applications. At present, almost all commercial processing of graphite is controlled by China, with very little production capacity located in Europe and in the Americas. As such, the Vittangi project stands out in terms of its robust resource grades and tonnages as well as Talga's ability to produce a strategic product from its fully permitted downstream refinery and anode plant that will be constructed in Lulea, Sweden.

Talga has also recently received funding support via grants from the EU Innovation Fund and has been designated as a Strategic Project under the European Commission's Critical Raw Materials Act ("CRMA") and Net-Zero Industry Act. Under such designations, Talga will utilize EU support and innovative technologies to produce natural graphite anode materials with a remarkably low emissions footprint.

Much of current graphite production is utilized in the refractory/steel-making industries, but demand is forecasted to increase dramatically in the coming years due to increased production of lithium-ion batteries. The Vittangi royalty interest and the current high levels of interest surrounding this project underscore the deep optionality that exists within EMX's global royalty portfolio.

EMX Royalty. EMX acquired its 2% NSR royalty via its acquisition of Phelps Dodge Exploration Sweden AB ("PDES") in July, 2010, from Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (see EMX News Release dated August 5, 2010). PDES had previously entered into a royalty agreement with TCL Sweden Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teck Resources Ltd ("Teck"), which covered the Vittangi project exploration permits. Teck subsequently sold TCL Sweden Ltd to Talga in February 2012. The EMX royalty covers all mineral production from the Vittangi nr 2, Nunasvaara nr 2 and Kallokajarvi nr 1 exploration permits and "any renewal thereof and any other form of successor or substitute title" to those permits.

Vittangi Graphite Deposit. The Vittangi deposit lies within the Palaeoproterozoic greenstone sequence of northern Sweden, consisting of metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks. The graphite mineralization occurs in graphitic schists hosted in the Nunasvaara Formation, which is part of a highly metamorphosed volcanic-sedimentary sequence.

The Vittangi Project consists of several mineralized zones, with the Nunasvaara South deposit being the most significant. A detailed feasibility study, published in 2021, defined a Probable Reserve on Nunasvaara South of 2.3 million tonnes at 24.1% graphite (%Cg) as shown below1. Talga has also defined an Indicated Mineral Resource of 26.7 million tonnes at 24.3% graphite (%Cg)2. Further upside comes from considerable exploration potential elsewhere on the Vittangi property.

Mineral Reserves as reported by Talga Group Ltd; see ASX News Released Dated July 1, 20211 Deposit Reserve Category Tonnage (t) Graphite (%Cg) Contained Graphite (t) Nunasvaara South Probable 2,260,140 24.1 544,693

Mineral Resources as reported by Talga Group Ltd; see ASX News Released Dated October 6, 20232 Deposit Resource Category Tonnage (t) Graphite (%Cg) Contained Graphite (t) Vittangi (all deposits) Indicated 26,691,000 24.3 6,482,000 Vittangi (all deposits) Inferred 8,329,000 22.1 1,844,000

1Notes on Mineral Reserves. The Nunasvaara Mineral Reserve was disclosed by Talga in their ASX News Release dated July 1, 2021, in accordance with the 2012 JORC Code reporting guidelines, which is an acceptable foreign code under Canadian National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The Mineral Reserve is based upon a previously disclosed Mineral Resource estimate for Nunasvaara South (See Talga Group Ltd ASX News Release dated September 17, 2020). The Mineral Reserve Statement utilized a graphite price of US$4,000/t and cut-off grade of 11% Cg. Only Indicted Resources within optimized Whittle pit shells were used for the conversion to Probable Reserves. Totals may not sum correctly due to rounding. As reported by Talga, the Competent Person as defined by the JORC Code who supervised the Mineral Reserve Statement was Mr. John Walker. At the time of disclosure, Mr. Walker was a sub-contractor with Golder Associates Ltd. and a Professional Member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (Membership No.451845).

2Notes on Mineral Resources. The Vittangi Mineral Resources were disclosed by Talga in their ASX News Release dated October 6, 2023. All Mineral Resources have been reported in accordance with the 2012 JORC Code reporting guidelines, which is an acceptable foreign code under NI 43-101. Indicated Mineral Resources are reported within preliminary pit shells and above a cut-off grade of 12.5% Cg and using a graphite price of US$5,000/t. Reported resources are inclusive of reserves. Totals may not sum correctly due to rounding. As reported by Talga, the qualified person who supervised the Mineral Resource Estimate was Ms. Katharine Masun (HBSc Geology, MSc Geology, MSA Spatial Analysis), who at the time of disclosure was a Principal Geologist at SLR Consulting (Canada) Limited. Also, at the time of disclosure, Ms. Masun was registered as a Professional Geologist in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, Provinces of Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Saskatchewan, Canada, and a Competent Person as defined by the JORC Code.

Note that NI 43-101 and JORC (2012) both comply with the CRIRSCO reporting protocols, utilizing equivalent categories of Inferred and Indicated Resources and Probable Reserves.

More information on the Vittangi project can be found at www.EMXroyalty.com.

Dr. Eric P. Jensen, CPG, a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 and employee of the Company, has reviewed, verified and approved the disclosure of the technical information contained in this news release.

About EMX. EMX is a precious and base metals royalty company. EMX's investors are provided with discovery, development, and commodity price optionality, while limiting exposure to risks inherent to operating companies. The Company's common shares are listed on the NYSE American Exchange and TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "EMX". Please see www.EMXroyalty.com for more information.

For further information contact:

David M. Cole

President and CEO

Phone: (303) 973-8585

Dave@EMXroyalty.com Stefan Wenger

Chief Financial Officer

Phone: (303) 973-8585

SWenger@EMXroyalty.com Isabel Belger

Investor Relations

Phone: +49 178 4909039

IBelger@EMXroyalty.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain "forward looking statements" and "forward looking information" (together "forward-looking statements") that reflect the Company's current expectations and projections about its future results. These forward-looking statements may include statements regarding perceived merit of properties, expectations related to Vittangi graphite project, mineral reserves and resource estimates, strategic plans, market prices for precious and base metal, or other statements that are not statements of fact. When used in this news release, words such as "estimate," "intend," "expect," "anticipate," "will", "believe", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which, by their very nature, are not guarantees of the Company's future operational or financial performance, and are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and factors may include but are not limited to unavailability of failure to identify commercially viable mineral reserves, delays in the advancement and production at the Vittangi graphite project, fluctuations in the market valuation for commodities, difficulties in obtaining required approvals for the development of a mineral project, increased regulatory compliance costs, expectations of project funding and other factors.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this news release or as of the date otherwise specifically indicated herein. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified in this news release, and other risk factors and forward-looking statements listed in the Company's MD&A for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 (the "MD&A"), and the most recently filed Annual Information Form ("AIF") for the year ended December 31, 2024, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. More information about the Company, including the MD&A, the AIF and financial statements of the Company, is available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca and on the SEC's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov . EMX does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/259816

SOURCE: EMX Royalty Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - DiagnaMed Holdings Corp. (CSE: DMED) (OTCQB: DGNMF) ("DiagnaMed" or the "Company") proudly congratulates Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (QIMC) on receiving approval of their drill permit from the Government of Quebec. This permit issuance follows rigorous due diligence by provincial authorities and represents a strong endorsement of the innovative clean natural hydrogen model and methodologies developed collaboratively by QIMC and the Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique (INRS).

This significant milestone highlights governmental recognition of the scientific validity and environmental integrity of QIMC and INRS's exploration approach. Notably, the same validated clean natural hydrogen exploration methods are currently being applied by QIMC and INRS on DiagnaMed's properties in Northern Ontario, strategically positioned on the geological continuation of QIMC's St-Bruno-de-Guigues assets.

Diagnamed is also pleased to announce substantial progress in the ongoing clean natural hydrogen soil sampling program being conducted by the QIMC-INRS team on DiagnaMed's Northern Ontario holdings. To date, five of the planned eleven soil sampling lines have been completed, resulting in the collection of over 500 soil samples. This progress underscores the significant potential for clean natural hydrogen and supports the sustainable development of hydrogen assets on both DiagnaMed's and QIMC's properties in Northern Ontario.

DiagnaMed remains committed to advancing innovative and environmentally responsible clean natural hydrogen solutions and looks forward to a continued successful collaboration with QIMC and INRS.

About DiagnaMed Holdings Corp.

DiagnaMed Holdings Corp. (CSE: DMED) (OTCQB: DGNMF) is a Canadian technology innovator specializing in advanced hydrogen extraction technologies designed to support the rapidly growing natural hydrogen industry. Focused on commercial scalability, DiagnaMed aims to deliver cost-effective, sustainable, and efficient hydrogen solutions critical for global energy security and decarbonization. Visit DiagnaMed.com.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider have reviewed or accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement

Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "will", "may", "expect", "could", "can", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe", "projected", "aims", and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, and dependence on key personnel. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in Company's management's discussion and analysis for the Three and Six Months Ended March 31, 2025 ("MD&A"), dated May 28, 2025, which is available on the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, 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.

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 "1933 Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/259831

SOURCE: DiagnaMed Holdings Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - TinOne Resources Inc. (TSXV: TORC) (FSE: 57Z) ("TinOne" or the "Company") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement financing of up to 5,000,000 units of the Company (the "Units") at a price of C$0.04 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to C$200,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit is comprised of one common share of the Company and one whole common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant") of the Company. Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one common share of the Company at an exercise price of C$0.05 for a period of five years following the closing date of the Offering.

In connection with the Offering, the Company may pay finder's fees up to 6% cash and up to 6% in finder's warrants to eligible finders.

Closing of the Offering is subject to receipt of all necessary approvals, including that of the Board of Directors and the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation in Canada.

Proceeds from the Offering will be used to maintain the Company and tenements in good standing as well as general working capital purposes. There are no proposed payments to non-arm's length parties of the Company and no payments to persons conducting investor relations activities.

About TinOne

TinOne is a TSX Venture Exchange listed Canadian public company with a high-quality portfolio of tin projects in the Tier 1 mining jurisdictions of Tasmania, Australia. The Company is focussed on advancing its highly prospective portfolio while also evaluating additional tin opportunities.

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.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. 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. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements relating to the closing of the Offering, the terms of the Offering, the use of proceeds of the Offering, the receipt of acceptance of the Offering by the TSX Venture Exchange, and the plans and business of the Company are forward-looking statements. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such 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 that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. 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 close the Offering on the terms announced or at all, and the ability of the Company to obtain acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. The Company does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/259890

SOURCE: TinOne Resources Inc
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Scottie Resources Corp. (TSXV: SCOT) (OTCQB: SCTSF) (FSE: SR80) ("Scottie" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has received all required permits from the Government of British Columbia to proceed with a 10,000-tonne surface bulk sampling program at its 100%-owned Scottie Gold Mine Project. The project includes the historic Scottie Mine and the adjacent Blueberry Contact Zone and is located 35 kilometres north of the town of Stewart, BC, along the Granduc Road. The bulk sample is intended for exploration purposes only and is not considered a production decision.

Bulk Sample Highlights:

Fully permitted for the excavation of up to 10,000 tonnes of rock (including mineralized material and waste) Sample to be taken from the road accessible, outcropping Bend Vein located on the north end of the Scottie Gold Mine Project Expected to produce 3,000 - 4,000 tonnes of mineralized rock

of rock (including mineralized material and waste) Planned studies Full scale Ore Sorting test on bulk material from an individual gold-bearing pyrite-pyrrhotite vein and host rock Comminution tests to optimise crushed material size and reduce fines production Additional metallurgical testing to understand characteristics of mineralized material for alternative processing options (i.e., toll milling)



"We're thrilled to have received the permit for our 10,000-tonne bulk sample," commented Dr. Thomas Mumford, President of Scottie. "The efficient approval process-following our application in early February-underscores both the strong support for responsible development in this jurisdiction and our team's ability to navigate permitting effectively. This bulk sample is a critical step forward, enabling us to demonstrate proof of concept for the Scottie Gold Mine DSO scenario."

Next Steps

With the receipt of the permit, the company has secured a mine contractor and has begun to move equipment to site. The blasting and excavation of the sample is expected to occur during August, with the transportation of the sample in September. The sample material will be transported to third-party facilities for off-site processing, testing, and analysis. Status updates and technical data including recoveries, comminution properties, and ore sorting performance will be provided as they become available. This data will be invaluable for the progression of the Scottie Gold Mine DSO Project, as the bulk sample represents a proof of concept.

Clarification on Economic Potential

While Scottie is encouraged by the potential to generate technical data from the bulk sample, no economic analysis has been completed, and no mineral reserves have been defined on the Scottie Gold Mine Project. Any reference to potential revenue from sample processing is speculative and does not imply economic viability. A production decision has not been made, and no Feasibility Study has been completed. Should results prove positive, proceeds may be used for working capital or further exploration; however, there is no assurance they will support future exploration or development decisions.

Scottie Resources' President, Dr. Thomas Mumford, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed the technical information contained in this news release on behalf of the Company.

ABOUT SCOTTIE RESOURCES CORP.

Scottie Resources holds a 100% interest in the Scottie Gold Mine Property, which includes the high-grade, past-producing Scottie Gold Mine and the adjacent Blueberry Contact Zone. The Company also owns a 100% interest in the Georgia Project, host to the past-producing Georgia River Mine, as well as the Cambria, Sulu, and Tide North properties. In total, Scottie controls approximately 58,500 hectares of highly prospective mineral claims within the Stewart Mining Camp in British Columbia's Golden Triangle-one of the world's most prolific mineralized districts.

Scottie's current resource estimate on the Scottie Gold Mine Project includes a total of 703,000 gold ounces at an average grade of 6.1 g/t (Inferred category), highlighting the potential for a significant near-surface, high-grade deposit. The Company's strategy is to continue expanding this resource and to define additional mineralization around past-producing mines through systematic drilling and surface exploration.

In parallel, Scottie is evaluating a potential Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) scenario at the Scottie Gold Mine. With permits recently in hand, a 10,000-tonne bulk sample is soon to commence. This initiative provides an opportunity to collect key geotechnical and metallurgical data while assessing a low-capex path to potential near-term revenue through toll milling or third-party processing. This DSO concept does not imply a production decision but reflects the optionality embedded in Scottie's portfolio.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. 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 may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date such statements were made. The Company expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements 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 the policies of 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/259894

SOURCE: Scottie Resources Corp.
Among thousands of fintechs analysed, Spendesk is one of four spend management platforms-and one of only four French companies-recognised, highlighting its leadership as a profitable, AI-first innovator.

Spendesk, the AI-powered spend management and procurement platform, has been named to the prestigious CNBC World's Top Fintech Companies 2025 list, one of only four spend management companies worldwide to receive this distinction.

This annual ranking, produced in partnership with global research firm Statista, highlights 300 innovative fintech organisations across the world, including just 79 from Europe. Statista's rigorous methodology evaluates each company against a general set of KPIs, in addition to certain sector-specific metrics for their category. Spendesk was nominated in the Enterprise Fintech category.

This recognition comes at a milestone moment for Spendesk, following the company's achievement of profitability ahead of schedule. Setting itself apart from traditional tools, Spendesk's AI-first platform covers the majority of "Money Out" workflows-giving finance teams centralised control and real-time visibility, while leveraging proprietary, real-time data on European operational expenditure to deliver actionable insights and optimise company spend.

The launch of its regulated payment institution and recent innovations-including international invoice payments in over 30 currencies (powered by Wise Platform)-underscore Spendesk's ongoing commitment to product excellence and customer value. These advances are part of a broader roadmap, with upcoming investments focused on expanding AI-driven capabilities for financial planning analysis (FP&A) and environmental, social and governance (ESG), further supporting the evolving needs of modern finance teams.

"We are incredibly honoured to see Spendesk recognised by CNBC as one of the world's top fintech companies," said Axel Demazy, CEO of Spendesk. "Being one of only four spend management platforms on the list, and one of just four French companies featured, reflects our focus on solving the operational needs of mid-market companies from 50-1,000 employees with an AI-first, profitable, and SaaS-driven approach. We're helping CFOs and finance teams work smarter, with real-time data, streamlined workflows, and unmatched control over all company spend."

About Spendesk

Spendesk is the AI-powered spend management and procurement platform that transforms company spending. By simplifying procurement, payment cards, expense management, invoice processing, international payments, and accounting automation, Spendesk sets the new standard for spending at work. Its single, intelligent solution makes efficient spending easy for employees and gives finance leaders the full visibility and control they need across all company spend, even in multi-entity structures. Trusted by thousands of companies, Spendesk supports over 200,000 users across brands such as SoundCloud, Gousto, SumUp, and Bloom Wild. With offices in the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and Germany, Spendesk also puts community at the heart of its mission with CFO Connect. For more information: www.spendesk.com/press

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250723504929/en/

Contacts:

Media contacts

Mary Barthe Communication Manager mary.barthe@spendesk.com

Michyl Culos Director of Brand Communications michyl.culos@spendesk.com
Next-Gen Career Car Drives Innovation, Sustainability, And Business Opportunity into the Future

Global cosmetics giant, Mary Kay Inc., today announced a major milestone in its legacy of empowerment: the transformation of its beloved pink Cadillac into a fully electric vehicle (EV). The pink Cadillac OPTIQ made its debut during Mary Kay's annual Seminar, hosted for the first time in the vibrant city of Charlotte, North Carolina.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250724749681/en/

"For decades, the Mary Kay pink Cadillac has symbolized accomplishment, aspiration, and the power of recognition," said Ryan Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of Mary Kay. "With the introduction of the all-electric OPTIQ, we're honoring that iconic legacy while driving into a transformative future-one grounded in our commitment to sustainability and dedication to inspiring and celebrating the achievements of our independent sales force for generations to come." (Photo Courtesy: Mary Kay Inc.)

The Cadillac OPTIQ is a significant step forward in Mary Kay's commitment to innovation, environmental responsibility, and meeting expectations of the next generation of both Mary Kay independent sales force members and their customers. The transition from internal combustion to electric symbolizes more than just a vehicle upgrade, it marks a recharged vision for the future of the iconic beauty brand.

"For decades, the Mary Kay pink Cadillac has symbolized accomplishment, aspiration, and the power of recognition," said Ryan Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of Mary Kay. "With the introduction of the all-electric OPTIQ, we're honoring that iconic legacy while driving into a transformative future-one grounded in our commitment to sustainability and dedication to inspiring and celebrating the achievements of our independent sales force for generations to come."

"Our relationship with Mary Kay spans decades and is built on shared values of innovation, empowerment, and excellence," said Ian Hucker, VP GM Envolve. "As the organization takes bold steps into the future with the transition to an electric vehicle, we are proud to stand beside them, supporting a vision that's not only sustainable but also deeply inspiring. The pink Cadillac OPTIQ is an exciting step forward, bringing together the performance and luxury you expect from Cadillac with meaningful innovation and purpose-driven impact."

About The Pink Cadillac OPTIQ:

OPTIQ retains the instantly recognizable pink pearl exterior, while introducing a sleek, modernized chassis with cutting-edge features. As part of Mary Kay's commitment to sustainability, the vehicle showcases the company's dedication to reducing its carbon footprint while continuing to inspire.

OPTIQ's exceptional aerodynamic performance enables its EPA-estimated 302-mile driving range 1 . The revolutionary GM EV Battery Platform and drive units, along with the use of low rolling resistance tires, also play an important role in the impressive range of the vehicle.

. The revolutionary GM EV Battery Platform and drive units, along with the use of low rolling resistance tires, also play an important role in the impressive range of the vehicle. A vented rear spoiler, diffusers, and other sculptural elements enhance aerodynamics at the rear of the vehicle without compromising the striking SUV vehicle design.

OPTIQ packages interior spaciousness and luxury into a comfortable suite. Illuminated decor and embellishments add to OPTIQ's unique interior interpretation of Cadillac luxury, while the suite of in-vehicle technology includes features such as the 19-speaker AKG Audio System and Dolby Atmos, creating an intuitive experience.

Did You Know:

The iconic pink Cadillac was born in 1968 when Mary Kay Ash purchased a Cadillac Coupe De Ville from a Dallas dealership and promptly had it painted to match the pale pink Mary Kay lip and eye palette. General Motors later named the color Mary Kay Pink Pearl, and the shade is exclusive to Mary Kay.

Mary Kay has been named the #1 Direct Selling Brand of Skin Care and Color Cosmetics in the World2 by Euromonitor International for three consecutive years, in 2023, 2024, and again in 2025.

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 GM-Estimated range based on development testing and/or analytical projection consistent with SAE J1634 revision 2017- MCT and subject to change prior to production. Actual range may vary based on several factors, including temperature, terrain, battery age, loading and how you use and maintain your vehicle. Visit www.cadillac.com for more information. 2 "Source Euromonitor International Limited; Beauty and Personal Care 2025 Edition, value sales at RSP, 2024 data"

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250724749681/en/

Contacts:

Mary Kay Inc. Corporate Communications

marykay.com/newsroom

972.687.5332 or media@mkcorp.com
The company will also deploy OpenAI technology to accelerate legal AI

LegalOn Technologies, a global leader in legal AI for contracting, today announced a $50 million Series E, bringing its total funding to $200 million. The round was led by Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives (Goldman Sachs), with continued support from existing investor World Innovation Lab (WiL), and new participation from Mori Hamada, Mizuho Bank and Shoko Chukin. This latest investment underscores strong conviction in LegalOn's category leadership in legal AI for contracting and growing international momentum.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250724805031/en/

Nozomu "Nozo" Tsunoda, co-founder and Group CEO of LegalOn, and Daniel Lewis, Global CEO of LegalOn

LegalOn will use the capital to scale its agentic AI product development and go-to-market efforts, building on momentum in the US and UK, where its business quadrupled over the past year. The company now supports 7,000+ customers-a 40% increase year-over-year. LegalOn also continues to extend its market leadership in Japan, serving 25% of the nation's public companies and 87% of its Fortune 500, including 40 global Fortune 500 companies.

"Legal teams are buried in time-consuming work that slows them and their businesses down," said Daniel Lewis, Global CEO of LegalOn. "This funding helps us build and scale AI that eliminates tedious contracting work, streamlining workflows and freeing people to think, decide and lead."

Transforming the Contracting Process with AI

Since its founding in 2017, LegalOn has worked to solve the inefficiencies across the contracting process that delay deals and increase risk. Review, LegalOn's AI contract review tool, identifies contract risks and suggests revisions based on flags risks and suggests revisions based on attorney-built playbooks and each organization's unique legal standards, reducing contract review time by up to 85% while increasing quality and accuracy.

"By combining advanced AI with deep legal expertise, LegalOn is reinventing the contracting process and empowering legal departments to work faster and more strategically," said Stephanie Hui, Global Co-Head of Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives. "As they rapidly gain traction across global markets, we believe LegalOn is uniquely positioned to define the future of AI-powered legal technology."

Earlier this month, LegalOn announced major upgrades to its legal AI tools and its expansion into matter management. This year, LegalOn will release new AI agents and products that help legal teams seamlessly manage legal work from request to resolution.

LegalOn and OpenAI Collaborate to Power the Future of Legal AI

Today, LegalOn also announced a strategic collaboration with OpenAI, the AI research and deployment company behind ChatGPT. Together, the companies aim to redefine corporate legal workflows by combining OpenAI's groundbreaking ChatGPT Enterprise and API with LegalOn's deep legal domain expertise and proprietary legal data.

The collaboration gives LegalOn access to OpenAI's cutting-edge models, enabling faster, smarter product development with the world's most advanced AI technology. Engineers from both companies are collaborating to develop advanced legal AI agents that are more adaptable, intuitive and valuable for legal teams worldwide. OpenAI's strength in contextual understanding and precise language generation, combined with LegalOn's commitment to designing solutions with human oversight at the core, makes them an ideal match for the complex demands of legal work.

"From day one, we've focused on building solutions that help in-house legal teams move faster, reduce risk and drive greater business impact," said Nozomu "Nozo" Tsunoda, co-founder and Group CEO of LegalOn. "Collaborating with OpenAI puts us at the forefront of innovation and accelerates our mission to transform legal work with trustworthy AI, enabling us to bring even more advanced tools that meet the high standards our customers expect. We're excited to be able to deliver an unprecedented experience through this collaboration."

To learn more about LegalOn's AI contracting platform, visit https://www.legalontech.com/.

About LegalOn Technologies

LegalOn is a global leader in legal AI for contracting. For the first time, AI, trusted legal content and the full force of your team's legal knowledge come together to deliver faster, more reliable contracting. LegalOn's AI flags contract risks, recommends precise redlines and organizes your contract data, eliminating hours of manual work that delay deals and increase risk-so you can move business forward. Trusted by 7,000+ organizations worldwide, LegalOn is backed by $200 million from the world's top investors, including Goldman Sachs and SoftBank, with headquarters in San Francisco, CA and Tokyo, Japan.

About Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives:

Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) is one of the leading investors in alternatives globally, with over $500 billion in assets and more than 30 years of experience. The business invests in the full spectrum of alternatives including private equity, growth equity, private credit, real estate, infrastructure, sustainability, and hedge funds. Clients access these solutions through direct strategies, customized partnerships, and open-architecture programs.

The business is driven by a focus on partnership and shared success with its clients, seeking to deliver long-term investment performance drawing on its global network and deep expertise across industries and markets.

The alternative investments platform is part of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, which delivers investment and advisory services across public and private markets for the world's leading institutions, financial advisors and individuals. Goldman Sachs has approximately $3.2 trillion in assets under supervision globally as of March 31, 2025.

Since 2003, Growth Equity at Goldman Sachs Alternatives has invested over $13 billion in companies led by visionary founders and CEOs. The team focuses on investments in growth stage and technology-driven companies spanning multiple industries, including enterprise technology, financial technology, consumer and healthcare.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250724805031/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Eileen Policarpio

eileen.policarpio@legalontech.com
Traction inverter solution will use onsemi's next-generation EliteSiC to enable longer driving range and enhanced reliability for plug-in hybrid EVs

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., July 24, 2025) today announced an expanded collaboration with leading motion technology company Schaeffler through a new design win that leverages onsemi's next-generation EliteSiCproduct line of silicon carbide MOSFETs. The onsemi solution will power the Schaeffler traction inverter for a leading global automaker's cutting-edge plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) platform.

onsemi's EliteSiC technology offers significantly lower conduction losses and superior short-circuit robustness, enabling a compact, thermally efficient inverter design that enhances overall system performance. This silicon carbide-based solution offers the lowest on-state resistance to provide highest peak power compared to other SiC solutions in its class. These benefits allow Schaeffler to deliver an innovative traction inverter system that achieves measurable benefits to the end customer, including:

Longer driving range, enabled by higher energy conversion efficiency

Enhanced reliability, for consistent operation with lower maintenance

Optimized form factor, allowing greater flexibility in vehicle design

"The traction inverter is at the heart of every electrified drivetrain, and onsemi's EliteSiC solution plays a vital role in achieving the efficiency and performance targets that our customer demands," said Christopher Breitsameter, Head of Business Division Controls at Schaeffler.

As automakers increasingly prioritize energy efficiency and performance, the industry is turning to more advanced hybrid architectures even in cost-sensitive EV platforms, a market traditionally dominated by insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs). onsemi's role as an industry leader in silicon carbide positions it at the forefront of this transition, enabling Schaeffler to deliver an EV system that meets stringent performance and packaging requirements.

"As the exclusive silicon carbide supplier for this program, onsemi continues to strengthen its position as a trusted innovation partner for leading global automotive players," said Simon Keeton, Group President, Power Solutions Group, onsemi. "Our industry-leading silicon carbide semiconductor technology delivers unmatched efficiency, thermal performance, and power density-key enablers for next-generation electric powertrain systems not only for battery electric vehicles, but also for plug-in hybrid platforms."

This new milestone builds on the existing long-term collaboration between onsemi and Schaeffler (formerly Vitesco Technologies), extending the companies' multi-year collaboration and reinforcing their shared commitment to delivering high-efficiency electric mobility solutions.

###

About onsemi

onsemi.

onsemi and the onsemi logo are trademarks of Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC. All other brand and product names appearing in this document are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders. Although the Company references its website in this news release, information on the website is not to be incorporated herein.

Contact Info



Krystal Heaton

krystal.heaton@onsemi.com

+1 480-242-6943
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc. (CSE: BLGV) (OTCID: BLGVF) (FSE: ECA) ("Belgravia" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the acquisition of an additional 25.03 Bitcoin (BTC), representing the Company's largest single-day BTC purchase to date. The acquisition was funded from the proceeds of Belgravia's recently completed private placement, which closed on July 16, 2025, raising CAD $4,022,955.55, of which 100% was used for this Bitcoin purchase.

As of July 24, 2025, Belgravia's total Bitcoin holdings have increased to 40.7719114 BTC. The Company has 126,482,409 common shares issued and outstanding, with a fully diluted share count of 154,533,079. Yield on BTC Holdings since initial purchase, June 5, 2025: 13%

Details of Bitcoin Purchases on July 23, 2025:

10:05 AM EST - 2.79874108 BTC purchased for USD $330,814.25 at an average price of USD $118,201.09 per BTC

10:07 AM EST - 20.95320474 BTC purchased for USD $2,475,846.92 at an average price of USD $118,160.78 per BTC

12:46 PM EST - 0.18522816 BTC purchased for USD $22,054.28 at an average price of USD $119,065.50 per BTC

1:07 PM EST - 1.08861755 BTC purchased for USD $128,649.98 at an average price of USD $118,177.39 per BTC

All purchases were executed through Coinsquare's regulated OTC desk.

Management Commentary:

"Belgravia has consistently communicated its strategic intent to deploy financing proceeds into Bitcoin acquisitions, and I'm pleased to confirm that 100% of our recent private placement has been allocated accordingly," said Mehdi Azodi, President & CEO of Belgravia Hartford. "We are now finalizing the documentation of our agreement with Round13, as disclosed on July 16, 2025, and we plan to deploy an additional USD $5M for further Bitcoin purchases immediately upon closing."

Capital Structure Overview:

Warrants Outstanding: 21,175,670, representing a potential capital injection of CAD $4,846,192

Options Outstanding: 6,875,000, representing a potential capital injection of CAD $1,109,400

About Belgravia Hartford

For more legal disclaimer and information, please visit www.blgvbtc.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/259932

SOURCE: Belgravia Hartford Capital Inc
Largest crypto exchange will waive banking triparty fee and absorb institutional custody partner Ceffu's MirrorX and MirrorRSV service fees until 2026

DUBAI, UAE, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Binance, the world's leading blockchain ecosystem behind the largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and user base, is pleased to announce it will support tokenized yield-bearing assets USYC and cUSDO through Binance Banking Triparty as well as through its institutional custody partner Ceffu , giving institutional users the additional choice of holding USYC and cUSDO off-exchange while simultaneously enjoying seamless access to the Binance platform and receiving yield on their pledged collateral.

This integration expands the range of supported collateral for institutional users beyond traditional assets such as fiat currencies and Treasury bills on Binance Banking Triparty, and beyond native crypto assets such as bitcoin on Ceffu.

Tokenization of real-world assets excluding stablecoins has increased to $24 billion in June 2025 from $15.2 billion in December 2024, and is projected to reach up to 30% of traditional finance assets worth over $400 trillion by 2034, indicating a potential exponential growth of over 100x for crypto which currently has a market cap of $3 trillion.

"Our integration of tokenized real-world assets demonstrates our continued focus to enhance user experience on Binance. By supporting USYC and cUSDO on Binance Banking Triparty as well as through our custody partner Ceffu, we are offering our institutional clients more choices to optimize their capital efficiency while balancing risk control requirements," said Catherine Chen, Head of Binance VIP & Institutional. "Tokenization of real-world assets enables users to benefit from the inherent properties of digital assets, such as faster and cheaper settlement, 24/7 availability, and on-chain transparency, and will unlock further crypto adoption."

"This collaboration with Binance marks a meaningful advancement in how institutions can engage with tokenized real-world assets," said Kash Razzaghi, Chief Business Officer at Circle. "By making USYC available as off-exchange collateral with yield potential, we're bringing capital efficiency and risk-managed optionality to institutional investors-bridging traditional finance and blockchain-powered markets."

"We're entering a new phase of institutional crypto adoption, where compliance focused, yield-bearing assets like cUSDO are becoming central to how capital is deployed on-chain," said Jeremy Ng, Founder and CEO of OpenEden. "cUSDO's integration into Binance Banking Triparty and their custody partner Ceffu showcases how institutional-grade RWAs can deliver the capital efficiency and security needed to drive meaningful participation from institutions."

USYC is the digital representation of interests in Hashnote International Short Duration Yield Fund Ltd, a tokenized money market fund (TMMF) registered in the Cayman Islands (the "Fund"). The Fund invests primarily in reverse repurchase agreements backed by U.S. government securities. The Fund offers near-instant redemption into USDC. USYC will also be natively issued on BNB Chain, increasing its on-chain accessibility to more users.

cUSDO is a wrapped version of OpenEden OpenDollar ("USDO"), a rebasing yield-bearing stablecoin issued by OpenEden Digital, a Bermuda-licensed and regulated entity. cUSDO and USDO let holders earn yield generated from reserves backed by U.S. Treasury bills and reverse repurchase agreements.

Binance's Global and Growing Banking Triparty Coverage

Binance was the first crypto exchange to introduce a triparty banking solution modeled after traditional finance in 2023, enabling institutional clients to custody their trading collateral under their own corporate account with a network of regulated banking partners, while enjoying seamless access to Binance's full suite of institutional solutions and unparalleled deep liquidity.

To meet demand, Binance has expanded its network of triparty bank partners to enable institutional clients worldwide to meet their risk controls and confidently enter crypto while scaling for growth. With Binance Banking Triparty, clients can scale their trading activity on Binance in line with their capital, directly enhancing liquidity on the exchange to benefit all users.

From now until 2026, Binance is waiving banking triparty fees and will also absorb Ceffu's MirrorX and MirrorRSV service fees to help more institutions accelerate their adoption. Users interested in Binance's off-exchange solutions can visit Binance Banking Triparty and Ceffu , or contact their Binance VIP & Institutional representative.

Disclaimer

USYC is a digital asset token. Each USYC token serves as a digital representation of a share of the Hashnote International Short Duration Fund Ltd. (the "Fund"), a Cayman Islands registered mutual fund. The Fund has appointed Circle International Bermuda Limited ("CIBL"), a Bermuda Monetary Authority licensed digital asset business, as its token administrator, responsible for the management of USYC on behalf of the Fund.

Shares of the Fund and USYC are only available to non-U.S. Persons, as defined under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Additional eligibility restrictions may apply. For additional details or to request Fund documentation, please contact customer-support@circle.com .

References to the digital assets (USDO and its wrapped version cUSDO) in this communication herein are for information purposes only and are not intended to and do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, or an invitation to purchase, exchange or subscribe for USDO or cUSDO. USDO and cUSDO are digital assets issued by OpenEden Digital, a digital asset issuer licensed by the Bermuda Monetary Authority and have not been and will not be registered with any regulatory authority or framework, including under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the US or such other restricted jurisdictions, including jurisdictions where such offer or sale is in contravention of applicable law, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration. No public offering of USDO and cUSDO is being made in the US or restricted jurisdictions. To learn more, please visit https://openeden.com/

Digital asset prices are subject to high market risk and price volatility. The value of your investment may go down or up, and you may not get back the amount invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. You are solely responsible for your investment decisions and Binance is not liable for any losses you may incur. You should only invest in products you are familiar with and where you understand the risks. You should carefully consider your investment experience, financial situation, investment objectives and risk tolerance and consult an independent financial adviser prior to making any investment. This material should not be construed as financial advice. For more information, see our Terms of Use and Risk Warning .

About Binance

Binance is a leading global blockchain ecosystem behind the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume and registered users. Binance is trusted by more than 280 million people in 100+ countries for its industry-leading security, transparency, trading engine speed, protections for investors, and unmatched portfolio of digital asset products and offerings from trading and finance to education, research, social good, payments, institutional services, and Web3 features. Binance is devoted to building an inclusive crypto ecosystem to increase the freedom of money and financial access for people around the world with crypto as the fundamental means.

For more information, visit: https://www.binance.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1773650/Binance_Logo_Yellow_4x_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/binance-integrates-tokenized-real-world-assets-usyc-and-cusdo-into-off-exchange-settlement-solutions-302513119.html
BERWYN, PA / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / Chilean Cobalt Corp. (OTCQB:COBA) ("Chilean Cobalt" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the launch of a pilot program using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) technologies to accelerate mineral exploration at its La Cobaltera cobalt-copper project in northern Chile.

This pilot program is designed to enhance exploration decision-making by integrating historical exploration and production data with AI-based analytics. The program will focus on the La Cobaltera project and the broader San Juan district. Data sources will include results from the Company's 2018-19 exploration campaign, records from prior operating mines, and publicly available geological and geophysical datasets.

The objective is to identify new target zones in greenfield areas based on geological trends observed in past-producing zones, notably those with high-grade cobalt and copper vein systems.

Chilean Cobalt is collaborating with three specialized AI companies:

Mineral Forecast, a Chile-based geosciences AI platform that supports exploration and operational decision-making by integrating geologic criteria with proprietary and public datasets to highlight high-potential drill and staking targets.

MinersAI, a US-based company that builds the data infrastructure and analytical tools which exploration, mining, and investment firms need to maximally leverage AI. Its solution is designed to streamline exploration workflows, find new opportunities, enable geoscientists to increase efficiency, and make data-driven resource allocation decisions, thereby improving success rates.

TerraSpace, also US-based, leverages AI and ML to deliver mineral intelligence by rapidly analyzing and fusing large datasets. Its tools include on-site core analysis, enhancing ore body understanding and accelerating exploration and development planning.

These companies were selected for their deep experience with AI-driven greenfield exploration and focus on brownfield trend extensions - the exploration strategy underway at La Cobaltera. Over the second half of 2025, Chilean Cobalt aims to achieve key technical milestones through the pilot. At its conclusion, the Company will evaluate results and recommendations to determine the potential for expanded, ongoing AI deployment.

Restart of Field Exploration Activities and New Technical Advisors

In conjunction with the AI pilot, Chilean Cobalt is also formally restarting field activities. To support this, the Company has appointed two new Technical Advisors:

Dr. Brian Townley , a highly regarded and well published exploration geologist and academic with over 30 years of experience in ore deposit research and applied geosciences across the Americas.

Mr. Cesar Vargas, a mining operations and exploration manager with over 20 years of experience in South America, including significant work in socially and environmentally sensitive regions.

Board Update

Geraldine Barnuevo has stepped down from the Board of Directors, effective immediately, due to personal commitments and academic opportunities. She served in her role since July 2023. The Company sincerely thanks her for her contributions to establishing Chilean Cobalt's ESG Committee and Sustainability Framework, and wishes her continued success in her future endeavors.

About Dr. Brian K. Townley

Dr. Townley is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geology at the University of Chile, with over 30 years of applied research experience in ore deposits, Andean metallogenesis, applied geochemistry, geo-mineral metallurgy, and the geological and geochemical influences in viticulture. He has served as Associate Researcher at the Advanced Mining Technology Center (AMTC) and as Academic Coordinator for diploma programs within the Department of Mining Engineering.

Dr. Townley currently leads several major R&D projects focused on mine processing, geo-metallurgical modeling, sustainable mining practices, and recovering cobalt and other valuable minerals from tailings. Over the past decade, he has authored or co-authored more than 35 presentations and publications on applied geochemistry, ore deposits, and mineral exploration, as well as the geoscientific aspects of viticulture in Chile.

Throughout his career, Dr. Townley has conducted consulting and applied research for leading mining companies, including BHP, Codelco, Anglo American, Barrick Mining, Antofagasta Minerals, Gold Fields, and JX Mining Corporation, amongst others.

Dr. Townley actively promotes knowledge transfer through academic publications, patents, and a wide range of professional training initiatives. He regularly delivers diploma-level courses, industry workshops, and short courses across the Americas, including Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Brazil, Mexico, and Canada.

About Cesar Vargas

Mr. Vargas is a business administrator with over 20 years of experience in the mining sector. He has served as an independent consultant to emerald and coal mining projects in Colombia, with a focus on regionals characterized by complex social and environmental challenges. Mr. Vargas has developed multidisciplinary expertise through additional studies in Environmental Law, Compliance Standards, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Geology, and Remote Sensing.

Mr. Vargas previously served as Mine Manager at Coexminas, a Colombian company specializing in gemstone extraction, where he oversaw both operational performance and strategic planning. He was also a key contributor to the Muzo Companies' exploration program in Colombia, where he served as a Mining Exploration Manager and Mine Administrator. Earlier in his career, Mr. Vargas managed international trade and export logistics for Four Cs, a global gemstone trading company, with responsibility for previous stone distribution and sales logistics.

Mr. Vargas has completed coursework in Geology and Remote Sensing from the Asociacion Colombiana de Geologos y Geofisicos (ACGPG) and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Fundacion Universitaria Konrad Lorenz.

This press release does not constitute an offer or sale of, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, securities of the Company nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Chilean Cobalt Corp.

Chilean Cobalt Corp. is a US-based and US-listed critical minerals exploration and development company focused on the La Cobaltera cobalt-copper project in northern Chile, one of the world's few primary cobalt districts. Chilean Cobalt is committed to creating ecological and social value for all stakeholders; economic value for Chile and the Chilean communities in which it operates; and financial value for its shareholders.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains statements that involve expectations, plans or intentions (such as those relating to future business or financial results) and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. These statements are forward-looking and are subject to risks and uncertainties, so actual results may vary materially. You can identify these forward-looking statements by words such as "may," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan" and other similar expressions. Examples of forward-looking statements, include, among others, statements the Company makes regarding the pilot program and its success identifying new target zones in greenfield areas or enhancing exploration decision-making, ability to establish "Proven" or "Probable" Reserves, as defined by the SEC under Industry Guide 7, through the completion of a Definitive Feasibility Study for the minerals that the Company seeks to produce and the inherent risks of mining, exploration, development, and processing operations that may negatively impact the business. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors not within the control of the Company. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

CONTACTS:

Chilean Cobalt Corp.

Duncan T. Blount

Chairman & CEO

Duncan.Blount@chileancobaltcorp.com

SOURCE: Chilean Cobalt Corp.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/chilean-cobalt-corp.-announces-ai-driven-exploration-pilots-and-restart-of-field-1052116
Next-Gen Career Car Drives Innovation, Sustainability, And Business Opportunity into the Future

DALLAS, TX / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / Originally published on newsroom.marykay.com

Global cosmetics giant, Mary Kay Inc., today announced a major milestone in its legacy of empowerment: the transformation of its beloved pink Cadillac into a fully electric vehicle (EV). The pink Cadillac OPTIQ made its debut during Mary Kay's annual Seminar, hosted for the first time in the vibrant city of Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Cadillac OPTIQ is a significant step forward in Mary Kay's commitment to innovation, environmental responsibility, and meeting expectations of the next generation of both Mary Kay independent sales force members and their customers. The transition from internal combustion to electric symbolizes more than just a vehicle upgrade, it marks a recharged vision for the future of the iconic beauty brand.

"For decades, the Mary Kay pink Cadillac has symbolized accomplishment, aspiration, and the power of recognition," said Ryan Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of Mary Kay. "With the introduction of the all-electric OPTIQ, we're honoring that iconic legacy while driving into a transformative future-one grounded in our commitment to sustainability and dedication to inspiring and celebrating the achievements of our independent sales force for generations to come."

"Our relationship with Mary Kay spans decades and is built on shared values of innovation, empowerment, and excellence," said Ian Hucker, VP GM Envolve. "As the organization takes bold steps into the future with the transition to an electric vehicle, we are proud to stand beside them, supporting a vision that's not only sustainable but also deeply inspiring. The pink Cadillac OPTIQ is an exciting step forward, bringing together the performance and luxury you expect from Cadillac with meaningful innovation and purpose-driven impact."

About The Pink Cadillac OPTIQ:

OPTIQ retains the instantly recognizable pink pearl exterior, while introducing a sleek, modernized chassis with cutting-edge features. As part of Mary Kay's commitment to sustainability, the vehicle showcases the company's dedication to reducing its carbon footprint while continuing to inspire.

OPTIQ's exceptional aerodynamic performance enables its EPA-estimated 302-mile driving range [1] . The revolutionary GM EV Battery Platform and drive units, along with the use of low rolling resistance tires, also play an important role in the impressive range of the vehicle.

A vented rear spoiler, diffusers, and other sculptural elements enhance aerodynamics at the rear of the vehicle without compromising the striking SUV vehicle design.

OPTIQ packages interior spaciousness and luxury into a comfortable suite. Illuminated decor and embellishments add to OPTIQ's unique interior interpretation of Cadillac luxury, while the suite of in-vehicle technology includes features such as the 19-speaker AKG Audio System and Dolby Atmos, creating an intuitive experience.

Did You Know:

The iconic pink Cadillac was born in 1968 when Mary Kay Ash purchased a Cadillac Coupe De Ville from a Dallas dealership and promptly had it painted to match the pale pink Mary Kay lip and eye palette. General Motors later named the color Mary Kay Pink Pearl, and the shade is exclusive to Mary Kay.

Mary Kay has been named the #1 Direct Selling Brand of Skin Care and Color Cosmetics in the World[2] by Euromonitor International for three consecutive years, in 2023, 2024, and again in 2025.

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] GM-Estimated range based on development testing and/or analytical projection consistent with SAE J1634 revision 2017- MCT and subject to change prior to production. Actual range may vary based on several factors, including temperature, terrain, battery age, loading and how you use and maintain your vehicle. Visit www.cadillac.com for more information.

[2] "Source Euromonitor International Limited; Beauty and Personal Care 2025 Edition, value sales at RSP, 2024 data"



For decades, the Mary Kay pink Cadillac has symbolized accomplishment, aspiration, and the power of recognition," said Ryan Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of Mary Kay. "With the introduction of the all-electric OPTIQ, we're honoring that iconic legacy while driving into a transformative future - one grounded in our commitment to sustainability and dedication to inspiring and celebrating the achievements of our independent sales force for generations to come.

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-kays-iconic-pink-cadillac-goes-electric-with-the-all-new-op-1052334
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Telo Genomics Corp. (TSXV: TELO) (OTCQB: TDSGF) (the "Company" or "Telo") a leader in the development of diagnostic and prognostic tests for human disease through the analysis of telomeres, today announced that the International Myeloma Society ("IMS") has accepted Telo Genomics' abstract submission for a poster presentation on minimal residual disease ("MRD") during the upcoming 22nd International Myeloma Society Annual Meeting in Toronto, Canada.

The new abstract titled, "3D Telomere Profiling of MRD (Minimal Residual Disease) in Liquid Biopsy as a Predictive Marker of Disease Stability or Progression," will be presented at the meeting by Dr. Yulia Shifrin, Laboratory Director of Telo Genomics and published in Clinical Lymphoma, Myeloma & Leukemia. The abstract entails a technical methodology of MRD assessment based on TeloView profiling. Details of the abstract will be provided after the poster session.

TeloView MM-MRD's proprietary approach of counting and profiling individual MRD cells has the potential to provide actionable information on risk of relapse to clinicians.

The International Myeloma Society (IMS) is a global professional organization dedicated to advancing the science and treatment of multiple myeloma. Its upcoming 22nd Annual Meeting, will take place from September 17-20, 2025. IMS meetings are widely considered as a defining annual forum in the myeloma field.

"We are excited to share the next clinical application of our 3D telomere application for MRD for multiple myeloma at IMS," said Dr. Sabine Mai, Telo's Co-Founder. "The acceptance is a result of our commitment to develop a clinical offering and a novel approach of liquid biopsy MRD."

The Company announces that, further to its news release dated February 27, 2025, the Company has issued an aggregate of 411,539 common shares ("Shares") to Trusted Health Advisors LLC ("THA"), to compensate THA for its provision of services related to the partnering and commercialization of Telo's diagnostic technologies from January to July 1, 2025. Pursuant to the agreement between THA and the Company, 214,605 Shares were issued at a deemed price of $0.12 per Share, and 196,934 Shares were issued at a deemed price of $0.125 per Share, for total consideration of approximately $50,369, or US$36,000. All Shares are subject to a four-month hold period expiring November 11, 2025, in accordance with applicable securities law and TSX-V policies. In addition, the Shares issued at $0.12 per Share are subject to a voluntary resale restriction expiring March 31, 2026, and the Shares issued at $0.125 per Share are subject to a voluntary resale restriction expiring June 30, 2026.

About MRD Assessment

Minimal Residual Disease ("MRD") is defined as the small number of cancer cells that remain in the body after treatment, stratifying MRD cells, between being in remission or active, provides important actionable information for clinicians. Also, the FDA's Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) voted unanimously in April 2024 to accept MRD as a clinical endpoint for accelerated approval of new multiple myeloma therapies, paving the way for faster drug approvals in multiple myeloma.

MRD testing is emerging as an important tool in assessing treatment response and guiding therapeutic decisions in oncology. With advancements in drug development technologies, and a growing emphasis on personalized healthcare, the MRD testing industry is expected to exhibit substantial global expansion in the coming years. The MRD global testing market size is expected to reach USD 4.1 billion by 2032 (Globe Newswire - August 14, 2023).

About Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a challenging and potentially deadly blood cancer that involves plasma cells, a type of blood cell that helps to fight infection. It is the second most common blood cancer with an incidence of 35,000 new cases every year in the US, and ~180,000 patients receiving treatment at any given time. The introduction of next-generation therapies (including targeted treatments) has increased the median survival rate to over 5 years, but MM is still considered incurable. Two asymptomatic precursors, Monoclonal Gammopathy of Unknown Significance ("MGUS") and SMM generally precede the progression to classic symptomatic MM. While MGUS carries a steady risk of progression of 1% per year, SMM is more heterogenous with nearly 40% of patients progressing in the first 5 years, 15% in the next 5 years, reaching the same low risk as MGUS after 10 years. To date, identifying patients who will more rapidly progress to MM remains an important clinical need. MM treatment includes various combinations of drugs with a cost as high as $150,000 per year per patient. As most patients will develop resistance to treatment and relapse within a median of 2 years, identifying them proactively remains another important clinical need. Notably, the total addressable market for both MM assays is over 750,000 tests per year in the US.

About Telo Genomics

Telo Genomics is a biotech company pioneering the most comprehensive telomere platform in the industry with powerful applications and prognostic solutions. These include liquid biopsies and related technologies in oncology and neurological diseases. Liquid biopsy is a rapidly growing field of significant interest to the medical community for being less invasive and more easily replicated than traditional diagnostic approaches. By combining our team's considerable expertise in quantitative analysis of 3D telomeres with molecular biology and artificial intelligence to recognize disease associated genetic instability, Telo Genomics is developing simple and accurate products that improve day-to-day care for patients by serving the needs of pathologists, clinicians, academic researchers and drug developers. The benefits of our proprietary technology have been substantiated in 160+ peer reviewed publications and in 30+ clinical studies involving more than 3,000 patients with multiple cancers and Alzheimer's disease. Our lead application, Telo-MM is being developed to provide important, actionable information to medical professionals in the treatment of Multiple Myeloma, a deadly form of blood cancer. For more information, please visit www.telodx.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as such term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Certain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the Company's receipt of TSXV acceptance of the stock option grant are based on the Company's estimates and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including capital expenditures and other costs. 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. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that are incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/259811

SOURCE: Telo Genomics Corp.
"We're reaching a maturity point where 80-85% data coverage is achievable for most companies, but now we need to ask hard questions about what that data is actually for. The transition is moving from basic reporting to understanding the real dynamics of our assets" said Chris Pyke, Chief Innovation Officer at GRESB.

NEW YORK, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Global real estate powerhouses Tishman Speyer, Schindler, GRESB, and EQT Real Estate joined leading sustainability innovators at 30 Rockefeller Center for the Sustainable Real Estate Forum, a cornerstone event of New York Energy Week 2025, hosted by Peter Panayi, Head of Global Go-To-Market at BuildingMinds.

The afternoon event featured keynote presentations from Brookfield, alongside a compelling panel discussion titled "Data-driven Decarbonization: Unlocking Value Across Real Estate & Infrastructure", moderated by award winning keynote speaker Nikki Greenberg.

During the forum, Jens Hirsch, Chief Scientific Officer at BuildingMinds, emphasized the critical role of intelligent data in driving sustainable transformation.

"The real challenge isn't just collecting data anymore-it's making it actionable for portfolio-level decision making" Dr. Hirsch reflected.

The panel discussion brought together industry heavyweights including Paul Rode, Managing Director Property Operations at Tishman Speyer; Richard Piovano, Vice President Global Accounts Americas at Schindler; Chris Pyke, Chief Innovation Officer at GRESB; and Matt Praske, Head of Sustainability at EQT Real Estate.

EQT Real Estate has significantly expanded its data management capabilities through BuildingMinds' invoice processing technology, integrating over 22,000 invoices. This has helped increase their US portfolio data coverage from 3% to 15-20%-a roughly 500% improvement that demonstrates both the progress made and the substantial journey still ahead for comprehensive portfolio visibility across the industry.

Key Insights from the Forum:

Smart Data as Strategic Asset: Tishman Speyer showcased how intelligent building data has become fundamental to strategic decision-making, aligning operational excellence with decarbonization goals while enhancing tenant satisfaction. Retrofit Innovation at Scale: Schindler demonstrated breakthrough approaches to modernizing vertical mobility systems, showing how sustainability improvements simultaneously deliver enhanced experiences and measurable sustainability outcomes. Beyond Compliance: GRESB revealed how benchmarking has evolved beyond compliance to become a powerful differentiation tool in capital markets, while highlighting the need to move beyond traditional energy use intensity metrics. Portfolio-Level Transformation: Speakers explored how asset-level innovations translate into fund-level sustainability scores, showcasing how data-driven strategies are reshaping entire real estate portfolios.

The forum particularly highlighted challenges in the industrial and logistics sector, where significant opportunities exist for impact at scale. EQT's portfolio experience provided real-world context for how the intersection of sustainability and operational efficiency creates unique challenges, including tenant fleet electrification needs, warehouse conditioning requirements, and the paradox of increasing energy use in buildings being optimized for efficiency.

The panel candidly addressed current industry implementation challenges, exploring the complex relationship between investor requirements and tenant operational priorities. While investors increasingly drive sustainability mandates, tenants-particularly in industrial properties-are primarily motivated by operational efficiency and rising energy costs rather than environmental goals alone.

Addressing how major real estate operators are navigating these competing priorities, Paul Rode from Tishman Speyer explained how his company has embedded sustainability considerations directly into their operational processes. "We're integrating carbon planning directly into our asset management decisions. Every time we make choices about property investments or tenant build-outs, we're now doing that with a lens towards where we want the property to be carbon-wise in the future", he noted.

Looking ahead, speakers highlighted emerging industry pressures including the need to condition previously unconditioned warehouse spaces due to worker comfort requirements, tenant fleet electrification demands, and upcoming carbon pricing regulations in various markets.

The event concluded with extensive networking sessions, providing opportunities to forge partnerships and explore collaborative solutions for the sector's sustainability challenges.

This significant forum reinforced New York City's position as a global hub for sustainable real estate innovation, with major industry players demonstrating how technology and strategic partnerships are building the low-carbon, future-ready portfolios that will define the next era of real estate excellence.

About the Participating Organizations

Tishman Speyer is a leading owner, developer, operator and investment manager of first-class real estate in approximately 40 key markets across the United States, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Tishman Speyer's portfolio spans market rate and affordable residential communities, premier office properties and retail spaces, industrial, life science and data center facilities, and mixed-use campuses.

GRESB is the global standard for sustainability benchmarking and reporting for real estate and infrastructure investments, providing actionable and standardized data to capital markets to improve the sustainability performance of real assets.

EQT Real Estate is a global leader in real estate investment management, with more than $35 billion in total property gross asset value since inception, and serving a wide range of institutional clients worldwide. With a history spanning over five decades, the firm acquires, develops, and manages logistics, office, life science, and residential properties. Managing over 2,000 properties and 400 million square feet, EQT Real Estate ranks among the world's largest real estate developers.

BuildingMinds is a leading real estate software-as-a-service (SaaS) provider that offers a comprehensive, data-driven platform for optimizing building performance and sustainability. Through innovative technology and analytics, BuildingMinds enables real estate owners and managers to monitor, analyze, and optimize their assets, supporting the transition to a more sustainable and data-driven real estate industry.

Peter Panayi, Head of Global Go-to-Market, BuildingMinds peter.panayi@buildingminds.com.

Chiara Buso, Go-to-Market Project Manager, BuildingMinds chiara.buso@buildingminds.com.

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BRUSSELS, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tens of thousands of hours of volunteer voice recordings may soon become commercially unusable for AI companies. VoiceProductions joins a growing international front demanding accountability for the unauthorized use of human voices in artificial intelligence.

At the center of the issue is LibriVox, a nonprofit platform where volunteers have recorded audiobooks for the visually impaired since 2005. What began as a public service has become a legal flashpoint: an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 hours of recordings are now being used by AI companies. Volunteers agreed to public access, intended for educational and nonprofit use. But there was no mention of AI at the time, and no one consented to their voices being repurposed by commercial systems. Public domain does not mean public ownership.

"Voices are not datasets," says Jimmy Verrijt, founder of VoiceProductions. "They are personal, expressive, and protected."

Legal uncertainty and ethical questions

VoiceProductions, in collaboration with BELVA (Union of Belgian Voice Artists), supports United Voice Artists (UVA) in any upcoming lawsuit. "This is about fundamental rights," says Loic Thaler, project manager and BELVA board member. "And this is not an isolated incident."

This issue reaches far beyond a single platform. Around the world, voice recordings that were once freely offered for educational use are now being used to train AI systems, often without the speaker's knowledge or permission.

Legal experts warn of a growing grey area. Most contributors never signed contracts that allow for AI training or commercial reuse. As a result, their work now exists in legal limbo: publicly accessible but never meant to be monetized.

This lack of clarity is already prompting serious debate across the AI sector. If legal action succeeds, it could set a landmark precedent. It could reshape how voice data is sourced, licensed, and used.

"We're facing a turning point," says Verrijt. "Companies must act now, before courts do it for them."

Lawyers call the current case a potential game-changer. A successful outcome could deny AI developers access to huge amounts of voice data. This would protect volunteers who never agreed to have their voices used in commercial AI systems.

Call to reform

VoiceProductions demands a new standard: no use without consent, no work without fair pay.

"Consent," says Loic Thaler, "is not a formality. It's the foundation of everything we do."

About VoiceProductions

VoiceProductions collaborates with hundreds of professional voice actors on projects ranging from e-learning to commercials, serving clients in more than 50 countries worldwide. Every recording is made with explicit consent and a clear agreement.

About BELVA

BELVA is the Belgian association for professional voice actors. It stands up for fair work, clear rights, and ethical voice use. BELVA supports its members and promotes consent, transparency, and respect for every voice.

Contact information

Jimmy Verrijt - Founder, VoiceProductions

Email: jimmy@voiceproductions.com

Loic Thaler - Project Manager at VoiceProductions & BELVA board member

Email: loic@voiceproductions.com

Website: https://www.voiceproductions.com

Belgium: VoiceProductions Group BV: Gaston Crommenlaan 8 - 9050 Gent

United Kingdom: Shelton Street 71-75 - WC2H 9JQ London

United States: VoiceProductions llc: 4343 N Scottsdale Rd #150 - Scottsdale, AZ 85251

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/voiceproductions-and-belva-push-for-regulation-to-protect-voice-rights-302513135.html
HAIKOU, China, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A report from Hainan International Media Center:

South China's Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) will officially begin island-wide independent customs operations on December 18, 2025, with more products to be eligible for import under the FTP's zero-tariff policy.

The new customs closure system establishes an area under the independent supervision of customs authorities covering the entire island of Hainan.

Wang Changlin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, said at a recent press conference held by the State Council Information Office that after independent customs operations begin, the proportion of "zero tariff" goods in the Hainan FTP will increase from 21% to 74%. Wang added that imported products undergoing at least 30% value-added processing in Hainan will be eligible to enter the mainland tariff-free.

Vice Minister of Finance Liao Min noted that after island-wide independent customs operations begin, the number of duty-free eligible product categories in Hainan will increase from about 1,900 to around 6,600. Those eligible to take advantage of the policy will also increase to include companies, public institutions, and private non-corporate entities in the FTP with import needs, added Liao.

In April 2018, China announced the decision to develop Hainan into a pilot free trade zone. In June 2020, a master plan was unveiled to establish an initial FTP policy and institutional framework by 2025 and develop the province into a high level, globally influential FTP by 2050.

Over the past five years, the actual utilization of foreign capital in Hainan reached 102.5 billion yuan ($14.35 billion), with an average annual growth rate of 14.6%. A total of 8,098 new foreign-funded enterprises were established at an average annual growth rate of 43.7%. There have been 176 countries and regions that have invested in the FTP, and citizens of 85 countries are currently eligible for visa-free entry into Hainan.

Policy preparations for island-wide independent customs operations are already in place, said Feng Fei, secretary of the CPC Hainan Provincial Committee. The Ministries of Commerce and Finance, together with other departments, have issued a set of measures and lists to safeguard the ongoing implementation of the FTP's independent customs operations.

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BERLIN, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Payments Group (TPG), has become the first pan-European issuer of the Bluecode payment scheme. The partnership gives all residents across the European Economic Area (EEA) access to a prepaid-based mobile payment solution. It is a wholly European made payments service designed specifically for Europeans, as an alternative to the dominant international card schemes.

The new prepaid service is available via the Bluecode app, can be activated in just a few minutes, and funded via SEPA transfers, credit and debit cards, or cash at more than 550,000 retail locations. Once topped up, users can make transactions worldwide with the confidence of a prepaid payment solution, eliminating the risk of overspending while safeguarding data and funds.

Whether paying for groceries or traveling abroad, users benefit from full spending control without the complexities of credit checks or hidden fees. The solution also supports transaction overviews and value-added services available within the Bluecode app, making it a powerful yet simple alternative to traditional bank accounts and other payment methods.

"With this launch, we're proud to offer a payment solution that reflects Europe's commitment to privacy, security, and user empowerment," said Jens Bader, CEO of The Payments Group. "Our prepaid offering gives people across the EEA access to a European way to pay - built on European infrastructure, governed by European regulation, and aligned with the values that matter most to European users."

Users also benefit from Bluecode's growing interoperability with European and international payment ecosystems, which ensures broad acceptance both within and beyond Europe. This is especially relevant for users working or traveling abroad, particularly those who prefer to use a European solution or find themselves in places where traditional payment methods are not always widely accepted.

"Our partnership with The Payments Group marks a major milestone in building a truly European alternative in the global payments space," said Christian Pirkner, CEO of Bluecode. "By combining The Payments Group's prepaid infrastructure with our interoperable network, we're empowering users across the European Economic Area with a solution that is not only secure and convenient but also firmly rooted in European values and technology."

Looking ahead, The Payments Group and Bluecode are committed to strengthening their collaboration to drive further innovation in European payments, including integrating the prepaid-based solution into other apps, such as merchant apps, travel apps, and more.

About The Payments Group:

The Payments Group ("TPG") is a dynamically growing, vertically integrated e-money fintech company. TPG provides closed and open loop branded and white-labelled prepaid (e-money) payment services to hundreds of online merchants worldwide. The company provides a scalable fintech platform. This platform enables online merchants to access previously untapped cash and prepaid markets and embedded financial products, expanding their Total Addressable Market (TAM) and increasing their revenues. TPG operates internationally and works with a number of global leading online merchants across various industries. TPG customers can use more than 550,000 point of sale cash payment stations and a global online prepaid card network to process cash and cashless online payments. TPG employs more than 50 people worldwide. Its shares are traded under the ticker symbol PGH. https://tpgholding.com/

About Bluecode:

Bluecode is a European payment system that enables cashless payments via mobile phone. The system uses a one-time payment token, represented as either a barcode or QR code, which can be scanned or transmitted via NFC (Near Field Communication). Bluecode is either directly linked to the user's bank account or used as a prepaid solution. Accepted by a wide network of merchants, Bluecode is accessible through apps from banks, merchants, and other providers, as well as through the Bluecode app. Furthermore, Bluecode can be linked to customer loyalty programs. Bluecode collaborates with international networks such as Alipay+, Discover Global Network, and EMPSA (European Mobile Payment Systems Association) to support global payment interoperability. Consequently, Bluecode is accepted worldwide. More information: www.bluecode.com





View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-payments-group-partners-with-bluecode-to-deliver-pan-european-mobile-payment-prepaid-solution-302513143.html
Anchorage Digital, home to the first and only federally chartered crypto bank, today announced a strategic partnership with Ethena Labs, the creator of USDe and USDtb, to bring USDtb to the U.S. as the first-ever stablecoin with a clear pathway to becoming compliant with the recently enacted GENIUS Act-America's new law to regulate issuance of stablecoins.

The launch will be the first to leverage Anchorage Digital's stablecoin issuance platform-a turnkey solution for institutions to launch and distribute fully regulated digital dollars. Anchorage Digital's decision to partner with Ethena, a project focused on developing secure, compliance-driven rails and products that provide institutional investors with access to the unique advantages of digital assets, marks a significant step forward in aligning innovation with regulation in the U.S. financial system.

Under the partnership, the USDtb stablecoin-which is currently issued offshore-will be issued in the U.S. by Anchorage Digital Bank, positioning the firm as the leading U.S. stablecoin issuer for institutions seeking compliant, programmable, digital dollars aligned with the highest regulatory standards set by the GENIUS Act. Issuing this stablecoin under the U.S.-compliant framework enables smoother integration with the U.S. financial system and provides institutions with more accessible, regulated pathways to hold USDtb.

"The passage of the GENIUS Act provides the regulatory clarity that enables federally regulated institutions like Anchorage Digital Bank to fully participate in the stablecoin ecosystem. We're proud to support Ethena in bringing their product to the U.S.-helping deliver even greater transparency and confidence to their partners. As stablecoins become a foundational layer of modern finance, it's essential they're built on infrastructure that's secure, compliant, and built to last." Nathan McCauley, CEO and Co-Founder of Anchorage Digital

"While we've already seen strong demand for USDtb, we expect GENIUS compliance to empower our partners and holders to confidently and significantly expand its use across new products and platforms. By partnering with Anchorage Digital-the only federally regulated crypto bank in the United States-we reinforce the foundation needed to continue scaling the product without compromising on speed, flexibility, or trust." - Guy Young, CEO of Ethena Labs

Stablecoins are quickly becoming the lifeblood of the future of finance-both in America and globally-powering everything from real-time settlement and cross-border payments to next-generation fintech infrastructure and decentralized markets. By enabling safe, scalable, and regulated issuance, Anchorage Digital is helping ensure that this foundational layer of modern finance is built on trust, resilience, and U.S. leadership.

About Ethena Labs

Ethena Labs is the creator of USDe and USDtb and a contributor to the Ethena protocol. Ethena is the protocol behind USDe, the third-largest and fastest growing USD-denominated crypto asset in history with over $6 billion in TVL today across one of the largest sets of DeFi users, alongside integrations with some of the largest centralized exchanges and major DeFi applications. Ethena Labs is backed by Fidelity, Franklin Templeton, Dragonfly, Binance Labs, Bybit and OKX among others.

About Anchorage Digital

Anchorage Digital is a global crypto platform that enables institutions to participate in digital assets through trading, staking, custody, governance, settlement, stablecoin issuance, and the industry's leading security infrastructure. Home to Anchorage Digital Bank N.A., the only federally chartered crypto bank in the U.S., Anchorage Digital also serves institutions through Anchorage Digital Singapore, which is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore; Anchorage Digital NY, which holds a BitLicense from the New York Department of Financial Services; and self-custody wallet Porto by Anchorage Digital. Recently, through the enactment of GENIUS, Anchorage Digital Bank became the only U.S., federally regulated and GENIUS-compliant stablecoin issuer bank. The company is funded by leading institutions including Andreessen Horowitz, GIC, Goldman Sachs, KKR, and Visa, with its Series D valuation over $3 billion. Founded in 2017 in San Francisco, California, Anchorage Digital has offices in New York, New York; Porto, Portugal; Singapore; and Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Learn more at anchorage.com, on X @Anchorage, and on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250723391461/en/

Contacts:

Anchorage Digital

press@anchorage.com



Ethena Labs

Nate Johnson

Ethena-August@augustco.com

+1 323-892-5554
BOSTON, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Temu, the global online marketplace, has joined the International Trademark Association (INTA) as a corporate member and serves on its Anti-Counterfeiting Committee.

INTA is a global association that brings together more than 6,700 organizations, representing over 37,000 trademark professionals and brand owners across 181 countries. By joining INTA, Temu deepens its commitment to building a trusted online marketplace and advancing global IP protection through broader, cross-industry collaboration.

"INTA welcomes TEMU's willingness to engage in anticounterfeiting initiatives, including in the Association's annual Anticounterfeiting Workshop and Online Takedown Certificate Program which serve to share best practices and connect stakeholders," said Alastair Gray, Director of Anti-Counterfeiting, INTA. "Constructive collaboration with these efforts can contribute to the protection of intellectual property rights for INTA members and support the removal of counterfeit products from the platform which ultimately protects consumers."

At the 2025 INTA Annual Meeting held in San Diego in May, Temu participated in the Anti-Counterfeiting Committee Roundtable, serving as a moderator to facilitate discussions among brand owners, online platforms, and government officials on emerging technologies, best practices for collaboration, and strategies to strengthen global anti-counterfeiting efforts.

"Joining INTA and serving on its Anti-Counterfeiting Committee reflects Temu's ongoing commitment to ensuring a trustworthy online shopping experience," said a Temu spokesperson. "We value collaboration with industry peers and stakeholders and are dedicated to advancing collective efforts in intellectual property protection."

Temu also participates in INTA-led online workshops, including the Online Platform Notice and Takedown Certification Program, which outlines the latest procedures and best practices used by e-commerce platforms and social media companies. These workshops aim to enhance the quality and accuracy of rights-holder notices, promoting more effective takedown processes and content moderation.

Since launching in 2022, Temu has made significant investments in IP enforcement. Its measures include comprehensive seller vetting and compliance training, 24/7 algorithmic monitoring with manual review, a dedicated IP protection portal and brand registry to streamline takedown submissions, and an internal enforcement team that handles claims with speed and accuracy.

About Temu

Temu is a global e-commerce platform connecting consumers with millions of manufacturers, brands, and business partners. Operating in more than 90 markets worldwide, Temu is committed to providing affordable, high-quality products that enable customers to live better lives.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/temu-joins-international-trademark-association-to-strengthen-global-ip-protection-302513123.html
Registration now open for the multi-day event that showcases the Empire State's latest disruptive technologies

ROCHESTER, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / The New York State Innovation Summit will return to the Rochester Riverside Convention Center on October 29-30. Presented by FuzeHub, in partnership with Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology & Innovation (NYSTAR), the New York State Innovation Summit is the premier gathering of technology leaders, manufacturers, researchers and entrepreneurs shaping the future of American innovation. Delivering the keynote addresses this year will be leaders from the United States Air Force Research Laboratory, SEMI Americas and Applied Materials, Inc.

With more than 550 participants expected - including over 50 speakers and exhibitors - the summit will celebrate technology-led economic growth while providing an unparalleled platform for New York's companies and innovators to showcase products, forge strategic partnerships, and accelerate the commercialization of tomorrow's game-changing technologies. The ninth annual New York State Commercialization Competition will also take place, with companies throughout the state competing to demonstrate the potential of their technology or product - inspiring even more innovation from the halls of the summit.

Summit attendees will hear from experts across a vast array of topics, including cell and gene therapy, AI, the future of glass as an advanced material, technology meeting fashion, venture capital, manufacturing advancements, and so much more. The 2025 keynote speakers are:

Dr. Michael J. Hayduk, deputy director, information directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory. Attendees will hear from Dr. Hayduk, who has led the work of over 1,200 scientists, engineers, administrative and support personnel in his role, in addition to overseeing an annual budget of over $1.6 billion. He was also critical to opening an innovation technology hub outside of the security perimeter of the Information Directorate.

Joe Stockunas, president, SEMI Americas . Stockunas joined SEMI - the global industry association with over a million professionals worldwide that unites the entire semiconductor, electronics and manufacturing and design supply chain-in 2022 to increase the value SEMI delivers to 3,000 member companies, direct North America services and drive programming. He is also an advocate for the microelectronics industry as part of the company's global leadership team, which he'll discuss at the conference.

Dr. Omkaram Nalamasu, Ph. D., senior vice president and chief technology officer, Applied Materials, Inc. Dr. Nalamasu leads the development of disruptive products to address new markets and businesses in partnership with the broader technology system. He has built an impressive team to support Applied Materials' leadership in materials engineering, has earned recognition among his peers as a world-renowned expert in materials science, and is one of the industry's most respected forward-thinkers.

"For six years and counting, the New York State Innovation Summit has attracted the most impressive leaders, companies and researchers who are at the forefront of emerging technologies and game-changing discoveries in the Empire State," said FuzeHub Executive Director Elena Garuc. "The greater Rochester region is deeply rooted in the history of American manufacturing and ingenuity, which makes it a natural meeting place to convene the state's ecosystem of innovation professionals as we continue to foster collaborations that shape the future."

FuzeHub, which serves as the statewide center of the New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NY MEP), has organized the New York State Innovation Summit for the last six years as part of its enduring commitment to fostering innovation, technology development, and breakthroughs in manufacturing across the state.

Born from the longstanding tradition of uniting NYSTAR-supported innovation resources, the summit has grown into a dynamic forum where critical conversations about technology convergence, emerging markets, and manufacturing excellence take center stage. New York's brightest minds don't just discuss the future of innovation at this event-they actively create it, fostering progress and positioning the Empire State as a global leader in the technologies that matter most.

The annual summit ignites new conversations about the latest market trends, opportunities, challenges and solutions - ultimately propelling New York's innovation ecosystem forward," said NYSTAR Executive Director Ben Verschueren. "It's the largest gathering of our ecosystem every year, and we are looking forward to being part of it once again alongside our partners at FuzeHub to celebrate the cutting-edge ideas that can impact communities far beyond our state.

To follow the latest 2025 New York State Innovation Summit speaker updates and to register, visit nysinnovationsummit.com. All industry professionals - from startups to established manufacturers - are invited to participate.

About FuzeHub

FuzeHub is a not-for-profit organization that connects New York's small to medium-sized manufacturing companies to the resources, programs, and expertise they need for technology commercialization, innovation, and business growth. Through our custom assessment, matching, and referral platform, we help companies navigate New York's robust network of industry experts at Manufacturing Extension Partners centers, universities, economic development organizations, and other providers. FuzeHub is the statewide New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP) center, supported by Empire State Development's Division of Science, Technology & Innovation. For more information on FuzeHub, visit www.fuzehub.com.

Media Contact

John Mackowiak

jmackowiak@martingroupmarketing.com

518.618.1175

SOURCE: FuzeHub

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/fuzehub-brings-new-york-state-innovation-summit-to-rochester-october-2-1052338
Summary: Aussie Oncall Plumbing Seven Hills has opened a new location in Seven Hills, NSW. The expansion enhances the company's ability to provide fast, reliable plumbing services to the local community.

Seven Hills, New South Wales--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Aussie Oncall Plumbing Seven Hills is pleased to announce the opening of its new location in Seven Hills, New South Wales. This expansion allows the company to better meet the growing demand for plumbing solutions in the local community.

The opening of the Seven Hills location is a strategic step in Aussie Oncall Plumbing Seven Hills' ongoing efforts to improve service delivery and increase operational efficiency. With the new facility, the company is better equipped to provide prompt and dependable plumbing solutions to residents and businesses in Seven Hills and the surrounding areas.



The decision to open in Seven Hills comes as part of a broader strategy to extend the company's service reach. Aussie Oncall Plumbing Seven Hills has long understood the importance of accessibility and responsiveness in the plumbing industry, and the new location is designed to address these needs. By centralising operations in this key area, the company can respond more quickly to plumbing emergencies, thereby minimising wait times for clients and enhancing overall customer satisfaction.



Aussie Oncall Plumbing Seven Hills' growth also reflects the company's dedication to remaining competitive in the local market. The plumbing industry can be highly competitive, and the opening of this new location positions Aussie Oncall Plumbing Seven Hills to continue delivering reliable, cost-effective services to a wider customer base.



This new facility will serve as a hub for Aussie Oncall Plumbing Seven Hills' continued growth. It enables the company to enhance its infrastructure, better manage demand, and maintain high operational standards across all locations. The new location is well-equipped to handle a variety of plumbing needs, from routine maintenance to more complex issues, including drain inspections, hot water system installations, and gas services. The plumber Seven Hills is committed to offering efficient solutions tailored to the specific needs of each property, whether residential or commercial.



Aussie Oncall Plumbing Seven Hills' new location promises to be a valuable asset to the local community, offering timely plumbing services and an unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. As the company continues to grow, it looks forward to becoming an even more integral part of the Seven Hills and broader Hills District communities.

About Aussie Oncall Plumbing Seven Hills:

Aussie Oncall Plumbing Seven Hills is a company comprising a team that values fast, honest, and compassionate care for residential and commercial clients in Seven Hills and the surrounding areas. The family-owned and run business handles everything a property needs to operate optimally, a model of operation that has enabled the company to run smoothly for many years.





Media Contact:





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SOURCE: GetFeatured
Seattle, Washington, July 24, 2025), Discuss is providing a new, better way for companies to connect with and discuss everything with the people they serve. As the first company to bring together human-led and AI-led interviews in one market insights solution, called Discuss Everything, Discuss is entering the second half of 2025 with record growth driven by AI innovation, industry recognition, and market momentum.

Market Momentum

As the trust gap widens and customer expectations shift faster, a growing number of global brands and research agencies are turning to Discuss for a better way to stay connected with their audiences. In the first half of 2025, Discuss welcomed major brands like Nike, Nestle, Mastercard, Suntory Beverage & Food's Asian Pacific operations, and Dexcom, along with leading agencies including HumanBranding Inc. and Quadrant Strategies, who also added Discuss' new Interview Agent for AI moderation of some sessions moving forward.

Midway through 2025, Discuss reports a 64% year-over-year (YoY) increase in platform usage. Discuss launched a corporate initiative to leverage GenAI across all areas of the business, which enabled it to support this increasing platform adoption while only having to expand its global workforce by 16% in the first half of the year, with team members now operating in more than 20 countries across the globe.

Core Innovations

Discuss continues to lead the industry through its innovative approach to vibe coding market insights, with AI agentsthat scale and accelerate in-depth feedback across global teams, whether the interviewer is human or AI. When using Discuss, any team can stay close to customers - especially those that have historically been at arm's length from what consumers say and do. Vibe coding makes market insights accessible to anyone, with agents that find their ideal audiences, conduct interviews, and deliver the business insights teams need in a matter of hours, turning customer understanding into a daily advantage rather than a quarterly deliverable.

"The concept of vibe coding for building apps or websites has exploded this year. Our customers are now experiencing similar results as they use our platform for vibe coding for market insights," said Adam Mertz, Chief Growth Officer at Discuss. "We've taken that same concept, giving people superpowers without needing to be experts, and applied it to in-depth customer understanding, giving instant access to the kind of high-fidelity feedback that used to take a team of experts, months of time, and tens of thousands in budget. This new way is fueling the momentum we're seeing at Discuss this year."

In May, Discuss introduced Discuss Now, a self-paced AI interview solution that delivers in-depth market insights at the speed of a survey. The same AI agents that power Discuss Now can also be integrated across the full Discuss platform with the Discuss Everything solution - the first to bring AI-led interviews and human-led conversations together in one place. Whether teams need quick-turn feedback or deep, emotionally rich insights, Discuss Everything gives them the flexibility to switch between methods, or blend both, based on their unique objectives and business needs while minimizing the need for multiple tools or vendors to support AI-led interviews and human-led interviews.

"Ask any Chief Brand Officer if they think it's a good idea to outsource 100% of their consumer insights to a chatbot. The answer will be a resounding 'no'. AI has its place as an enabler of human insight and driver of efficiency, and only Discuss offers both," said Simon Glass, CEO of Discuss.

Industry Recognition

In the 2025 G2 Summer reports, Discuss was recognized for the 11th consecutive quarteras a Leader among 57 vendors in User Research and 18 vendors in Consumer Video Feedback. With #1 rankings for Best Results, Best Relationship, Usability and Most Implementable, Discuss continues to deliver ROI three months faster than the industry average. Customers also rated Discuss above industry benchmarks for ease of use (94%), ease of setup (92%), likelihood to recommend (94%), ease of doing business with (96%), and quality of support (96%).

Beyond awards, Discuss has led conversations at major industry events including The MarTech Conference, Quirk's London, TMRE@Home, IIEX Europe, and DMWF, sharing the stage with leading brands like Danone, HP, Mastercard, and Dexcom.

Discuss is excited to have its Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer, Jim Longo, speaking with industry visionary, Stan Sthanunathan, former EVP of Consumer and Market Insights at Unilever and former VP of Marketing Strategy and Insights at The Coca-Cola Company, at Quirk's New Yorkon why blending human intimacy with AI-driven solutions is essential for modern consumer insights.

About Discuss

At Discuss, we exist to shatter assumptions and bring human connection back to the heart of every decision. Our all-in-one market insights platform, complete with advanced AI Agents and coupled with key services, enables organizations to collect, analyze, and share in-depth feedback from audiences around the globe. Discuss' solutions give teams the option to choose the speed and scale of a fully agentic AI approach, the depth and nuance of human-led conversations, or a blend of both. Trusted by leading Insights, Marketing, Product, CX, and UX professionals worldwide, Discuss is the preferred choice for leading brands and agencies including 3M, Suntory Global Spirits, Mastercard, HelloFresh, Reckitt, The Standard, Mondelez, Ipsos, and Escalent. Discover how Discuss can help you make faster, smarter decisions, without losing the human touch, at www.discuss.io.

Jill Postoak Discuss 866-557-6716 jill@discuss.io
Summary: Revolve Plumbing & Roofing has expanded to serve more clients and meet the growing demand for professional plumbing services across Southeastern Melbourne.

Parkdale, Victoria--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Revolve Plumbing & Roofing is proud to announce its expansion across Southeastern Melbourne to meet the rising demand for professional plumbing services. The company is now available to serve customers in all areas across this rapidly growing region, from CBD to Mornington Peninsula.

The expansion to the southeastern Melbourne area is timely. All major suburbs in this region, including Dandenong, Cranbourne, and Berwick, have experienced economic growth recently as more people are relocating and businesses are opting for this region. This growth has led to a demand for plumbing services. Revolve Plumbing & Roofing's expansion aims to address this need in the market and ensure prompt solutions for both commercial and residential clients.

In addition, Southeastern Melbourne is home to several older suburbs, most of which were developed between the 1950s and 1970s. Some have common issues such as corrosion and blockages in their plumbing systems. Earthenware sewer pipes have also been known to crack and shift over time. With the company's expansion, clients can receive timely assistance and protect their properties, as unresolved plumbing faults can quickly escalate into more serious and costly issues.

In preparation for this expansion, Revolve Plumbing & Roofing has made several efforts to ensure that, beyond covering a larger area, new clients are served and given personalised assistance. The company has an expanded team of plumbers with supporting staff, ensuring a quick and efficient response to all plumbing needs. Additionally, the plumber South Eastern Melbourne has upgraded its infrastructure, incorporating advanced technology to streamline service delivery and manage emergency requests in the newly expanded regions.

Revolve Plumbing & Roofing remains focused on offering plumbing solutions that are not only reliable but also environmentally sustainable. The company plans to continue adopting new technologies, including smart plumbing systems and eco-friendly pipe relining solutions, as part of its ongoing commitment to innovation and sustainability.

As the plumbing industry evolves, so does Revolve Plumbing & Roofing's approach. The company is continuously exploring and integrating new technologies to improve service delivery and stay ahead of changing customer expectations.

About Revolve Plumbing & Roofing:

Revolve Plumbing & Roofing is a family-owned and run business offering plumbing and roofing services to Melbourne's South Eastern suburbs. The company offers emergency plumbing, maintenance, renovations, hot water systems, drain cleaning, and stormwater management services, with a strong focus on both traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. Revolve Plumbing & Roofing utilises advanced technologies, such as CCTV drain inspections, to provide effective and sustainable plumbing solutions.



Media Contact:





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SOURCE: GetFeatured
Melbourne, Australia and Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Mithril Silver and Gold Limited (TSXV: MSG) (ASX: MTH) ("Mithril" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, pursuant to an agency agreement among the Company, Ventum Financial Corp., as lead agent and sole bookrunner, together with Arlington Group Asset Management Ltd., Raymond James Ltd. and Cormark Securities Inc. (collectively, the "Agents") dated July 24, 2025 (the "Agency Agreement"), it has closed its previously announced brokered private placement of 31,944,700 ordinary shares of the Company (the "Shares") at a price of C$0.36 per Share (the "Offering Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of C$11,500,092 (the "Offering"), which includes additional Shares issued and proceeds raised from the exercise of the Agents' Option (defined below).

The Company granted the Agents an option (the "Agents' Option"), which allowed the Agents to offer up to an additional 4,166,700 Shares (representing 15% of 27,778,000 Shares initially offered to purchasers under the Offering) at the Offering Price. The Agents' Option was fully exercised prior to the closing date of the Offering.

The Shares were offered on a private placement basis pursuant to exemptions from prospectus requirements under applicable securities laws, and the Offering was made utilising the Company's available placement capacity under ASX Listing Rules 7.1 and 7.1A.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used to fund advancement of the Company's Copalquin district project in Durango State, Mexico, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.

All Shares issued under the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period expiring November 25, 2025.

Pursuant to the Agency Agreement, the Company: (i) paid a cash fee of C$690,005.52 to the Agents, representing 6.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering; and (ii) issued 1,916,682 compensation options (the "Compensation Options") to the Agents, representing 6.0% of the aggregate number of Shares issued by the Company under the Offering. Each Compensation Option is exercisable into one Share at the Offering Price for a term of two years expiring on July 24, 2027.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

All currency references herein are to Canadian dollar unless otherwise stated.

About Mithril Silver and Gold

Mithril Silver and Gold Limited is an Australian and Canadian listed precious metals exploration company, focused on its Copalquin district project, in Mexico's Sierra Madre Gold Silver Trend.

The Copalquin mining district is located in Durango State, Mexico and covers an entire mining district of 70km2. The district is within the Sierra Madre Gold Silver Trend which extends north-south along the western side of Mexico and hosts many world-class gold and silver deposits.

Additional information about Mithril and its mineral projects can be viewed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile (at www.sedarplus.ca) and its website at www.mithrilsilvergold.com.

The information in this announcement relating to mineral resources has been reported by the Company in accordance with the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' (JORC Code) previously (refer to the Company's ASX announcement dated 7 July 2025) which is available to view on the Company's website. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information as at the date of this announcement that materially affects the information included in the previous market announcement and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the Company's previous announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Notes and Forward-looking Statements

Certain information contained in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. This includes, but is not limited to, information or statements with respect to the Offering, including statements with respect to the anticipated use of the net proceeds from the Offering; the future exploration plans of the Company, timing of future exploration, anticipated results of exploration and potential mineralization of the Company's mineral projects. Such forward-looking information or statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believes", "plans", "suggests", "targets" or "prospects" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "will" be taken, occur, or be achieved. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company and/or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, the actual results of current exploration activities, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future prices of precious and base metals, accident, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, and delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking information contained herein are made as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/259918

SOURCE: Mithril Silver and Gold Limited
The "Ireland Data Center Market Investment Analysis Growth Opportunities 2025-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Irish data center market size is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.79% from 2024 to 2030.

The demand for cloud computing in Ireland is experiencing significant growth, creating promising opportunities for cloud investors. For instance, in March 2025, OVH Cloud announced the launch of its local edge zone in Dublin, Ireland.

The use of AI in different businesses is continuously growing across the country; according to the recent report of the Central Statistics Office of Ireland, more than 15% of all enterprises used AI in 2024 as compared with around 8% in 2023. The adoption of AI across different industries will grow in the coming years.

In the Irish data center market, operators are adopting renewable energy for data center operations. For instance, in March 2025, Echelon Data Centres announced the construction of two new data centers that will be powered by wind energy.

The government of Ireland is taking the initiative to accelerate the broadband network across the country. The government of Ireland started the National Broadband Plan (NBP), which aims to deliver high-speed broadband services across the country. Additionally, the National Broadband Plan (NBP) signed a partnership with National Broadband Ireland (NBI) to deliver high-speed broadband in Ireland; the company announced the delivery of high-speed fiber broadband to over 420,000 premises by the end of 2025.

The government of Ireland is taking several initiatives to increase the digital skills of its people. For instance, Harnessing Digital, the national digital strategy, aims to ensure that more than 80% of adults possess at least basic digital skills by 2030.

REPORT SCOPE

Market size available in the investment area, power capacity, and the Ireland colocation market revenue.

An assessment of the data center investment in Ireland by colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators.

Data center investments in the area (square feet) and power capacity (MW) across cities in the country.

A detailed study of the existing Ireland data center market landscape, an in-depth market analysis, and insightful predictions about the Ireland data center market size during the forecast period.

Snapshot of existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities in Ireland Facilities Covered (Existing): 37 Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 20 Coverage: 8+ Cities Existing vs. Upcoming (Data Center Area) Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity)

Data center colocation market in Ireland

Colocation Market Revenue Forecast (2021-2030)

Retail Wholesale Colocation Pricing

Ireland's data center landscape market investments are classified into IT, power, cooling, and general construction services, with sizing and forecast.

A comprehensive analysis of the latest trends, growth rate, potential opportunities, growth restraints, and prospects for the industry.

Business overview and product offerings of prominent IT infrastructure providers, construction contractors, support infrastructure providers, and investors operating in the industry.

A transparent research methodology and the analysis of the demand and supply aspects of the industry.

IRELAND DATA CENTER MARKET VENDOR LANDSCAPE

Some of the key colocation data center investors in Ireland data center market include Digital Realty, EdgeConneX, Equinix, Echelon Data Centres, K2 STRATEGIC, CyrusOne, and Keppel Data Centres.

Ireland's data center market has witnessed to entry of some new data center operators such as AVAIO Digital Partners, Energia Group, GreenScale, and Vantage Data Centers, which will increase the market competitiveness in the forecast period.

The Irish data center market has the presence of several global support infrastructure providers that will increase the competitiveness in the market. Some of the support infrastructure vendors such as ABB, Caterpillar, Cummins, Eaton, HITEC Power Protection, Rehlko, Legrand, Rittal, Rolls-Royce, Schneider Electric, Socomec, STULZ, Trane, and Vertiv.

Ireland's data center market has several local and global construction contractors operating in the market that include Arup, Bouygues Construction, Collen Construction, RED Engineering Design, Designer Group, Future-tech, ISG, John Sisk Son, John Spain Associates (JSA), Kirby Group Engineering, Mercury, Mace Group, M+W Group, PM Group, Winthrop Technologies and TOT Architects. For instance, in Ireland, John Sisk Son is involved in the construction of the initial phases of the DUB1 campus of Vantage Data Centers in Dublin.

EXISTING VS. UPCOMING DATA CENTERS

Existing Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity) Dublin Other Cities

List of Upcoming Facilities in the Region (Area and Power Capacity) Dublin Other Cities



IT Infrastructure Providers

Arista Networks

Atos

Broadcom

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Fujitsu

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Huawei Technologies

IBM

Lenovo

NetApp

Data Center Construction Contractors Sub-Contractors

Arup

Bouygues Construction

Collen Construction

RED Engineering Design

Designer Group

Future-tech

ISG

John Sisk Son

John Spain Associates (JSA)

Kirby Group Engineering

Mercury

Mace Group

M+W Group

PM Group

Winthrop Technologies

TOT Architects

Support Infrastructure Providers

ABB

Caterpillar

Cummins

Eaton

HITEC Power Protection

Rehlko

Legrand

Rittal

Rolls-Royce

Schneider Electric

Socomec

STULZ

Trane

Vertiv

Data Center Investors

Amazon Web Services

T5 Data Centers

CyrusOne

Digital Realty

Echelon Data Centres

EdgeConneX

Equinix

Meta

Google

JCD Group

K2 STRATEGIC

Keppel Data Centres

Microsoft

Pure Data Centres

Servecentric

New Entrants

AVAIO Digital Partners

Energia Group

GreenScale

Vantage Data Centers

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

How big is the Ireland data center market?

How many existing and upcoming data center facilities exist in Ireland?

What is the growth rate of the Ireland data center market?

How much MW of power capacity will be added across Ireland during 2025-2030?

Who are the key investors in the Ireland data center market?

What factors are driving the Ireland data center market?

Key Attributes:

Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 120 Forecast Period 2024 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $20.88 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $30.96 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 6.7% Regions Covered Ireland

Key Topics Covered:

Existing Upcoming Third-Party Data Centers in Ireland

Historical Market Scenario

35+ Unique Data Center Properties

Data Center IT Load Capacity

Data Center White Floor Area Space

Existing vs Upcoming Data Center Capacity by Cities

Cities Covered

List of Upcoming Projects

Investment Opportunities in Ireland

Microeconomic Macroeconomic Factors for Ireland Market

Impact of the Ongoing Tariff War

Investment Opportunities in Ireland

Digital Data in Ireland

Data Center Rule and Regulations in Ireland

Investment by Area

Investment by Power Capacity

Data Center Colocation Market in Ireland

Colocation Services Market in the Ireland

Retail vs Wholesale Data Center Colocation

Colocation Pricing (Quarter Rack, Half Rack, Full Rack) ADD-Ons

Market Dynamics

Market Enablers

Market Trends

Market Restraints

Market Segmentation

IT Infrastructure: Market Size Forecast

Electrical Infrastructure: Market Size Forecast

Mechanical Infrastructure: Market Size Forecast

General Construction Services: Market Size Forecast

Break-Up of Construction Cost

Tier Standards Investment

Tier I II

Tier III

Tier IV

Geography Segmentation

Dublin

Other Cities

Key Market Participants

IT Infrastructure Providers

Construction Contractors

Support Infrastructure Providers

Data Center Investors

New Entrants

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/q2q5es

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/20250724773273/en/

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ResearchAndMarkets.com

Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com

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Ukraine loses French Mirage 2000 fighter jet in crash

Xinhua) 17:00, July 23, 2025

KIEV, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine lost a French-supplied Mirage 2000 fighter jet on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed early Wednesday.

"Unfortunately, we lost our combat aircraft today, a French machine, a very effective one -- one of our Mirage jets," Zelensky said.

The pilot successfully ejected, Zelensky said, noting that the crash was not caused by a Russian attack.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the aircraft went down during a flight mission, causing no casualties on the ground.

Ukraine received its first batch of Mirage 2000 fighter jets from France in February. The crash marked the first reported incident involving a French-supplied Mirage aircraft in Ukraine.

Mirage 2000 is a multi-role, single-engine fighter capable of carrying precision-guided munitions, including SCALP missiles.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
PITTSBURGH, PA / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / 4 MW installation will offset 30% carbon generation across five Eaton facilities and accelerate progress toward company's sustainability goals

Intelligent power management company Eaton is adding a new clean energy project to drive carbon reduction at its operations in Wisconsin, advancing its commitment to achieve net zero operations by 2050. The joint project with We Energies, a subsidiary of WEC Energy Group, and Eaton will help strengthen energy security, deliver cost-effective power to the grid, and reduce Eaton's carbon footprint at five locations in Wisconsin, where the company conducts research and makes electrical infrastructure for utility, data center, large commercial and industrial applications.

Once energized in early 2026, the 4-megawatt solar project located adjacent to Eaton's Thomas A. Edison Technical Center is expected to meet 30% of the annual carbon reduction goals at five Eaton sites in Franksville, South Milwaukee, Menomonee Falls and two Waukesha facilities. Combined with previous energy efficiency upgrades, the initiative will support a 58% reduction in Eaton's greenhouse gas emissions across the state since 2018.

"At Eaton, we're tackling the energy transition from all angles - including right here in Wisconsin, where we produce the technologies essential to modernize the grid and support a cleaner, more resilient energy future," said Guillaume Laur, senior vice president and general manager of Power Delivery and Regulation, Electrical Sector at Eaton. "Around the world, we're leveraging the global megatrends of electrification and digitalization to unlock greater operational and environmental value from energy systems. This project marks another important milestone on our journey and there is much more to come."

Under the agreement, We Energies will build, own and operate the system on Eaton's behalf. Eaton will provide the land for construction and receive renewable energy credits for delivering clean energy to the local grid. Eaton is also contributing engineering expertise and essential technologies to the project, including electrical transformers produced at its Waukesha, Wisconsin manufacturing facility.

"We're pleased to partner with Eaton to bring more renewable energy to Wisconsin," said Mike Hooper - president, We Energies. "Our focus on reliable energy supports all of our customers and strengthens economic growth across the state."

The Franksville solar project is an example of Eaton's Everything as a Grid approach to the energy transition that is shaping a future where homeowners, communities and businesses can reduce the cost and environmental impact of energy through intelligent power management and on-site renewable energy production. The company has deployed multiple solar projects across its global operations since 2009, including a first-of-its-kind clean energy microgrid in Arecibo, Puerto Rico completed in 2024.

Eaton is an intelligent power management company dedicated to protecting the environment and improving the quality of life for people everywhere. We make products for the data center, utility, industrial, commercial, machine building, residential, aerospace and mobility markets. We are guided by our commitment to do business right, to operate sustainably and to help our customers manage power - today and well into the future. By capitalizing on the global growth trends of electrification and digitalization, we're helping to solve the world's most urgent power management challenges and building a more sustainable society for people today and generations to come.

Founded in 1911, Eaton has continuously evolved to meet the changing and expanding needs of our stakeholders. With revenues of nearly $25 billion in 2024, the company serves customers in more than 160 countries. For more information, visit www.eaton.com. Follow us on LinkedIn.

Contact:

Kristin Somers

+1.919.345.3714

Kristincsomers@eaton.com

Regina Parundik

Cobblestone Communications

+1.412.559.1614

Regina@cobblecreative.com

###



Eaton adds new clean energy project in Wisconsin to power manufacturing with resilient, sustainable and affordable power. (Image credit: Eaton)

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Eaton Corporation on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Eaton Corporation

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/eaton

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Eaton Corporation

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/eaton-adds-solar-project-in-wisconsin-to-power-regional-manufacturing-1052354
Johor plant is Colorcon's 7th major film coating plant and 16th manufacturing facility worldwide

HARLEYSVILLE, Pa. and JOHOR, Malaysia, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Colorcon, a global leader of film coating systems, specialty excipients, controlled release formulations and controlled atmosphere packaging for the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries, today announced the grand opening of a new, state-of-the-art film coating manufacturing facility in Johor Malaysia.

The 200,000 square-foot facility will immediately employ 30 people and will serve as the production hub for film coatings in the Asia Pacific region. Designed with cutting-edge technology and energy-efficient systems, the new plant reinforces Colorcon's dedication to industry innovation, superior quality, regulatory leadership and environmental stewardship.

Simon Tasker, CEO of Colorcon, said of the project: "We are thrilled to open this world-class facility to support our pharmaceutical customers throughout Asia. This investment is aligned with our long-term vision to strengthen and de-risk our supply model for film coatings worldwide. Our goal is to anticipate market growth, adding capacity to ensure we are always a step ahead of demand. This is just one of many development projects currently in our pipeline to support our credo of 'we're everywhere our customers need us to be."

Willem Hoogwater, Managing Director at Colorcon, added: "This is a monumental achievement for the local team, and I commend everyone who has played a part in bringing this facility to completion. We're proud to offer superior film coating technology and a world-class facility to this rapidly growing region. Malaysia has quickly become an important hub for high-value pharmaceutical manufacturing, and we're proud to support the local economy with an investment like this. We look forward to serving our regional customers even more efficiently for many years to come as a result."

Since 1961, Colorcon has been a leader in film coating technology and this is their 7th manufacturing plant worldwide. The launch of Opadry in 1980 marked a turning point for the pharmaceutical industry-introducing the world's first complete film coating system and revolutionizing tablet coating by simplifying processes, improving batch uniformity and minimizing error. Since then, Opadry has evolved into a comprehensive portfolio of high-performance film coatings that address a wide range of formulation and manufacturing challenges-from taste-masking and moisture protection to improved swallowability and regulatory compliance. For more information, www.colorcon.com.

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The Healthcare Consulting Services Market presents strong growth opportunities, especially in regions like North America and Asia-Pacific. Market drivers such as digital transformation, value-based care adoption, and regulatory compliance needs create high demand for specialized consulting. However, barriers like high service costs and data privacy concerns necessitate value-driven, scalable solutions. For successful market entry, firms should tailor offerings to mid-sized providers, ensure compliance expertise, and invest in change management support.

LEWES, Del., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Healthcare Consulting Services Market Size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2026 to 2032, according to a new report published by Verified Market Research. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 26.9 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 27.3 Billion by the end of the forecast period.

The Healthcare Consulting Services Market is expanding rapidly as healthcare providers, payers, and life sciences companies seek strategic support to streamline operations, implement digital health technologies, and comply with regulatory reforms globally.

Key Highlights of the Report:

Market Size & Forecast : In-depth analysis of current value and future projections

: In-depth analysis of current value and future projections Segment Analysis : Breaks down the market by Type of Service, Application, and End User for focused strategy development.

: Breaks down the market by Type of Service, Application, and End User for focused strategy development. Regional Insights : Comprehensive coverage of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and more

: Comprehensive coverage of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and more Competitive Landscape : Profiles key players, their strategic initiatives, and innovation-driven growth approaches.

: Profiles key players, their strategic initiatives, and innovation-driven growth approaches. Growth Drivers & Challenges : Analyzes the forces accelerating growth and the restraints hindering large-scale adoption.

: Analyzes the forces accelerating growth and the restraints hindering large-scale adoption. Challenges and Risk Assessment: Evaluates ethical debates, off-target effects, and regulatory complexities.

Why This Report Matters:

This report delivers a deep-dive analysis of competitive landscapes, service models, regional insights, and emerging trends that shape the Healthcare Consulting Services Market. It equips decision-makers with data-backed strategies to gain a competitive edge and align with healthcare's evolving priorities.

Who You Should Read This Report:

Healthcare Executives & Administrators seeking operational excellence

seeking operational excellence B2B Investors & Private Equity Firms eyeing scalable consulting opportunities

eyeing scalable consulting opportunities Digital Health Companies navigating regulatory and integration challenges

navigating regulatory and integration challenges Strategy Heads & Policymakers aiming to implement healthcare reforms

aiming to implement healthcare reforms Market Research Analysts analyzing consulting trends and service innovations

For more information or to purchase the report, please contact us at: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample/?rid=36940

Browse in-depth TOC on "Global Healthcare Consulting Services Market Size"

202 - Pages

126 - Tables

37 - Figures

Global Healthcare Consulting Services Market Overview

Market Driver

1. Rising Demand for Digital Health Transformation

The healthcare industry is undergoing a paradigm shift with the widespread adoption of digital health solutions. Technologies like Electronic Health Records (EHRs), telemedicine platforms, clinical decision support systems, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) are transforming how care is delivered and managed. However, the integration and optimization of these technologies require deep expertise in IT infrastructure, interoperability standards, and data security protocols.

Healthcare consulting firms are increasingly playing a crucial role by offering advisory services that help providers modernize their legacy systems, build interoperable platforms, and ensure seamless digital transitions. From vendor selection to end-to-end implementation and training, consultants add value across the lifecycle of digital transformation. The need for strategic technology adoption across hospitals, clinics, pharma companies, and payers continues to be a major growth driver in the Healthcare Consulting Services Market.

2. Shift Toward Value-Based Care and Outcome-Based Models

With healthcare systems globally moving from volume-based (fee-for-service) to value-based care models, there is growing pressure on providers to enhance patient outcomes while controlling costs. This transformation requires fundamental changes in operational workflows, clinical performance monitoring, reimbursement models, and patient engagement strategies.

Healthcare consulting firms provide essential strategic, financial, and operational guidance to help clients align with value-based frameworks. They assist in building robust data analytics systems, designing quality improvement programs, and managing population health initiatives.

Additionally, consultants help bridge gaps between clinical care delivery and financial viability by enabling outcome-driven contracts and risk-sharing partnerships. This shift is not just a trend but a long-term strategic reorientation of healthcare economics - making consulting services indispensable.

3. Regulatory Complexity and Need for Compliance Advisory

Healthcare remains one of the most regulated sectors globally, with stringent requirements surrounding patient data privacy, billing transparency, medical device approvals, and pharmaceutical compliance. Regulations such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and the 21st Century Cures Act have introduced operational and legal complexities across the care continuum.

Healthcare consulting services are in high demand to help organizations remain compliant with these evolving regulations. Consultants offer in-depth knowledge on regulatory frameworks, conduct compliance audits, and implement policies that align with legal mandates. In pharmaceutical and medical device sectors, consultants also guide clients through clinical trials, FDA approvals, and pharmacovigilance protocols. This growing need for regulatory intelligence, risk mitigation, and operational accountability is driving the consulting services market forward.

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Market Restraint

1. High Cost of Consulting Services

While healthcare consulting services offer substantial long-term value, their high upfront costs often act as a barrier for adoption - especially among small and mid-sized healthcare organizations (SMEs). These providers operate with tight budget constraints and may not be able to justify the cost of external advisory services, even when facing operational inefficiencies or digital lags.

Top-tier consulting firms charge premium rates due to the specialized nature of their services and the high expertise required. As a result, many regional hospitals, clinics, and even emerging medtech startups hesitate to engage with consultants, delaying critical strategic initiatives. This affordability gap creates a two-tier market, where only large healthcare systems and conglomerates can fully leverage consulting support, restraining inclusive growth of the Healthcare Consulting Services Market.

2. Concerns Over Data Privacy and Confidentiality

Healthcare organizations are custodians of highly sensitive and regulated data - including patient records, clinical trial results, and internal operational information. Partnering with external consultants, no matter how reputed, introduces data access risks. Despite adherence to NDAs and data protection protocols, clients remain wary of breaches, misuse, or unauthorized exposure of critical information.

In regions governed by strict privacy laws like GDPR in Europe or HIPAA in the U.S., non-compliance can lead to massive penalties. This legal and reputational risk prompts many stakeholders to avoid sharing full datasets with consultants, limiting the depth and effectiveness of engagements. In high-stakes environments like pharmaceuticals or payer-provider networks, confidentiality remains a pressing restraint impacting market growth.

3. Resistance to Organizational Change and Internal Pushback

Introducing external consultants often triggers internal resistance within healthcare institutions. Staff may view consulting-led changes as disruptive or threatening - particularly if they involve restructuring roles, altering workflows, or implementing new technologies that demand reskilling. Legacy systems, entrenched culture, and bureaucratic inertia further delay the adoption of consultant recommendations.

Even when the executive leadership is aligned with strategic reforms, the implementation process frequently faces bottlenecks due to lack of change management planning. Without staff buy-in and cross-functional collaboration, consulting engagements risk being underutilized or prematurely discontinued. This resistance to change and the associated operational risk restrains the overall effectiveness and uptake of healthcare consulting services.

Geographical Dominance: North America dominates the Healthcare Consulting Services Market, driven by advanced healthcare infrastructure, early adoption of digital health solutions, and strict regulatory mandates like HIPAA and ACA. The U.S. leads in demand for strategic advisory, IT integration, and compliance consulting. Europe follows, with rising GDPR compliance needs and expanding digital health frameworks in Germany, France, and the U.K. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific, led by India, China, and Japan, shows rapid growth fueled by healthcare reforms and telehealth expansion.

Key Players

The "Global Healthcare Consulting Services Market" study report will provide a valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are McKinsey & Company, Accenture, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), PwC, NTT DATA Group (APAC), And Proxima (India).

Healthcare Consulting Services Market Segment Analysis

Based on the research, Verified Market Research has segmented the global market into Type of Service, Application, End User and Geography.

Healthcare Consulting Services Market, by Type of Service Strategy Consulting Operations Consulting Financial Consulting IT Consulting HR and Talent Consulting

Healthcare Consulting Services Market, by Application Financial Management Clinical Operations Regulatory Compliance Strategic Management Digital Transformation

Healthcare Consulting Services Market, by End User Hospitals and Clinics Life Sciences Companies Government Bodies Insurance Providers Other Healthcare Providers

Healthcare Consulting Services Market, by Geography North America U.S Canada Mexico Europe Germany France U.K Rest of Europe Asia Pacific China Japan India Rest of Asia Pacific ROW Middle East & Africa Latin America



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BANGALORE, India, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Direct Drive Motors Market is Segmented by Type (Direct Drive Rotary Motors, Direct Drive Linear Motors), by Application (Robots, Machine Tools, Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment, Electronic Manufacturing Equipment, Medical Devices, Printing and Packaging Equipment).

The Global Direct Drive Motors Market was valued at USD 2622 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 4145 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period.

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Major Factors Driving the Growth of Direct Drive Motors Market:

The direct drive motors market is poised for significant growth, driven by the global shift towards automation, precision engineering, and energy-efficient solutions. Key end-user industries including automotive, medical, robotics, and semiconductor manufacturing are actively deploying these motors for their superior performance and minimal maintenance. The market is also benefiting from increased R&D and integration of smart features like condition monitoring and AI-based control. As industries continue to prioritize reliability, space efficiency, and sustainability, direct drive motors are emerging as an integral component in future-forward applications. Strategic partnerships and product innovation are expected to further accelerate market momentum.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE DIRECT DRIVE MOTORS MARKET:

Direct drive linear motors are significantly driving the growth of the direct drive motors market due to their ability to provide precise linear motion without mechanical transmission components. These motors are widely used in high-performance applications like semiconductor manufacturing, robotics, and industrial automation where accuracy and repeatability are critical. Their ability to operate without belts, screws, or gears reduces maintenance and improves system reliability, which is appealing to industries focused on minimizing downtime. Additionally, the increasing demand for compact and energy-efficient motion systems supports the adoption of linear motors. Their high dynamic response, speed, and force density enable faster production cycles, making them a preferred solution in high-speed automated environments.

Direct drive rotary motors contribute to the expansion of the direct drive motors market by offering efficient torque transmission with minimal mechanical losses. These motors eliminate the need for gearboxes and other intermediary systems, ensuring compact design and enhanced dynamic performance. Industries such as aerospace, robotics, and CNC machining are increasingly adopting these motors for their high positioning accuracy and responsive torque control. Their ability to operate with high torque at low speeds enables more efficient machine performance and enhances product quality. Moreover, their low maintenance requirements and longer operational lifespans are attracting manufacturers seeking to optimize operational costs. As automation intensifies globally, demand for these motors continues to surge.

Medical devices are emerging as a vital driver in the direct drive motors market due to their need for precision, reliability, and quiet operation. Direct drive motors are increasingly being integrated into imaging systems, robotic-assisted surgery platforms, and laboratory automation equipment, where smooth and controlled motion is critical. Their compact design and high torque density allow seamless integration into constrained medical equipment. Furthermore, the absence of mechanical components such as belts and gears reduces the risk of contamination and wear, aligning with strict hygiene standards. As healthcare technology advances and minimally invasive procedures gain popularity, the use of direct drive motors in medical applications is expanding, enhancing market growth.

The rising demand for precision motion control in sectors such as electronics manufacturing, robotics, and machine tools is propelling the direct drive motors market. These motors offer high positional accuracy and eliminate backlash associated with traditional systems. This is especially vital in applications requiring smooth, consistent performance at varying speeds. Industries are increasingly prioritizing efficiency, yield, and product quality, and direct drive motors are instrumental in achieving these outcomes. Their capacity to maintain precision over long operating periods, even in dynamic or high-vibration environments, makes them indispensable in modern automated setups, which is accelerating their adoption globally.

The global industrial trend towards compact, efficient, and maintenance-free solutions is strongly supporting the demand for direct drive motors. Unlike traditional motor systems that require couplings, gearboxes, and frequent maintenance, direct drive motors simplify machine design and lower overall system weight. Their integrated design also minimizes alignment issues and operational noise. This trend is especially prominent in emerging automation segments such as AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) and cobots (collaborative robots), where space and low maintenance are critical factors. As manufacturers aim to minimize downtime and reduce long-term operational expenses, the adoption of direct drive motors is becoming increasingly favorable.

The global surge in industrial automation is directly impacting the growth of the direct drive motors market. From packaging to material handling and assembly lines, businesses are integrating automation to boost efficiency and reduce human error. Direct drive motors, with their high efficiency, responsiveness, and minimal maintenance requirements, are a key enabler of this shift. Their seamless integration into automated systems, along with their ability to handle dynamic loads and high throughput, is making them essential in modern manufacturing facilities. The trend toward smart factories and Industry 4.0 is further boosting this adoption.

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DIRECT DRIVE MOTORS MARKET SHARE:

Global key players of Direct Drive Motors include Yaskawa, Bosch Rexroth AG, Parker and CKD, etc. The top four players hold a share of about 20%.

Asia-Pacific is the largest market, with a share of about 40%. This is due to rapid industrialization, increasing automation, and robust manufacturing activity in countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and India.

In terms of product type, Direct Drive Rotary Motors is the largest segment, occupying a share of about 60%, and in terms of application, Robots has a share of about 22 percent.

Key Companies:

Yaskawa

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Etel SA

Moog

Kollmorgen

Magnetic Innovations

Bosch Rexroth AG

Parker

CKD

NSK

Rockwell Automation Inc

Schaeffler Technologies

HIWIN

Nidec

Celera Motion (Novanta)

Siemens AG

Shenzhen Han's Motor S&T Co

Akribis

Motor Power Company

Sodick

Solpower

NTi

Shenzhen Dynamikwell

LS Mecapion

DG Smartwin

Microtech Laboratory Inc (MTL)

Yokokawa Robotics (Shenzhen) Co

Linear Motor Company

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HAMILTON, BERMUDA / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / Bacardi in Puerto Rico has achieved Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) Certification, powered by Tandem Global, recognizing its dedication to preserving Puerto Rico's bat populations and educating the community about their ecological importance.

The bat is deeply embedded in the family-owned company's 163-year history and conservation work to protect bat populations takes place at many Bacardi sites around the world. In Puerto Rico, Bacardi has launched a series of initiatives to educate employees, local communities, and visitors about the vital role bats play in the island's ecosystem.

The program's efforts include hosting the Puerto Rico Bat Festival in collaboration with the Puerto Rico Bat Conservation Program (PCMPR). The festival, which is attended by more than 500 people, includes educational talks from bat conservation experts, interactive workshops and educational exhibits. In 2024, Bacardi also opened a new space dedicated to educating the c. 150,000 annual visitors to the Casa BACARDI visitor experience about the importance of bats. Through its partnership with the PCMPR, Bacardi also helps engage the wider community in Puerto Rico through outreach events.

"Protecting the local bat population is a real passion for us at Bacardi, and this WHC Certification is fantastic recognition of our success in sharing that passion and drive for action with others," said Gregorio Frias, Sustainability Manager, Bacardi, based at the BACARDI rum distillery. "From our own teams to the wider community across the island, we want to help foster a culture of environmental stewardship and play our part in protecting the planet for the future."

Looking ahead, Bacardi plans to further its conservation efforts by funding new research equipment for the PCMPR, as well as reforesting a small patch of habitat near the front of the distillery which was damaged during recent hurricanes.

"The Puerto Rico Site is recognized as meeting the strict requirements of WHC Certification," said Margaret O'Gorman, Chief Executive Officer, Tandem Global. "Companies achieving WHC Certification, like Bacardi, are environmental leaders, voluntarily managing their lands to support sustainable ecosystems and the communities that surround them."

This is the fourth time the site has achieved this award. The largest premium rum distillery in the world and the home of the world's most awarded rum, received the first WHC Certification ever presented to an organization in Puerto Rico in 2018 and as of today, remains the only organization to receive a WHC Certification on the island.

The BACARDl rum distillery joins other sites in the company's portfolio in securing the WHC Certification. Both the BOMBAY SAPPHIRE distillery in the UK and the Bacardi Bottling Corporation site in Jacksonville, Florida, have earned WHC Certifications for their work in conservation.

For more on how Bacardi is protecting People & Planet, visit www.bacardilimited.com/CS.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Bacardi-Martini, Inc. on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Bacardi-Martini, Inc.

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/bacardi-limited

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Bacardi-Martini, Inc.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - ESGold Corp. (CSE: ESAU) (OTCQB: ESAUF) (FSE: Z7D) ("ESGold" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that recent seismic imaging results from its Ambient Noise Tomography (ANT) survey have provided possible validation of the Broken Hill-type (BHT) geological analogue first described in two historical peer-reviewed academic studies conducted by the University of Calgary (U of C) and the University of British Columbia (UBC). This combined geophysical and academic support reinforces the Company's view that the Montauban Gold-Silver Project shares significant genetic and structural similarities with the globally renowned Broken Hill deposit in New South Wales, Australia. However, many steps still remains before confirming this theory as well as few other possible comparison with some Scandinavian Massive Sulfide deposits.

Why This Matters

Deep Structures Confirmed

ESGold's ANT survey imaged mineralized zones down to 1,200 metres, validating the depth potential of Montauban and supporting the vertical stacking model predicted by two academic studies.

Academic Validation from UBC and U of C

Independent, peer-reviewed research confirms Montauban shares structural and geochemical traits with Broken Hill, one of the world's largest polymetallic deposits.

Gold and Silver Remobilization Mechanism Identified

Both studies describe sulphide melting and remobilization as key processes that enriched and vertically redistributed precious metals - a critical factor for deeper discovery.

Stacked Multi-Lens System Emerging

Combined geophysical and geological data point to a reworked VMS system with multiple lenses, fold hinges, and enriched zones yet to be drilled.

District-Scale Potential Reinforced

The data shifts Montauban from a historic producer to a high-impact exploration opportunity, with scale and complexity often found in globally significant camps.

The data reinforces ESGold's evolving view of Montauban as a structurally complex, vertically continuous mineral system with similarities to globally recognized volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) districts - and positions the project for a transformative phase of exploration.

"These peer-reviewed publications provide powerful third-party support to our working theory on the Montauban system," said Gordon Robb, CEO of ESGold. "We are now combining academic research with advanced imaging and historical data to build an exploration plan that could unlock something far greater than originally envisioned. The independent research conducted by UBC and U of C reinforces what our own team is now uncovering through deep imaging. We are finding Montauban to be far more geologically complex and promising than previously understood. Seeing not one but two peer-reviewed academic analysis align so closely with the structural signatures in our ANT survey adds a new level of confidence to our exploration thesis - and strengthens our belief that Montauban may represent a rare, reworked polymetallic system with meaningful district-scale potential."

The University of Calgary Report

The geological study by Dr. Andrew G. Tomkins at the University of Calgary provides a peer-reviewed foundation for understanding Montauban as a complex, metamorphosed VMS system enriched in gold and silver. It demonstrates that prograde hydrothermal activity and sulphide melting during amphibolite-grade metamorphism led to gold and silver remobilization into wall rock zones-significantly expanding the exploration footprint. This validates ESGold's structural model and highlights untapped mineralization potential beyond the historically mined near-surface lenses, particularly along fold hinges and sheared contacts. The study reinforces Montauban's classification as a deposit with both economic remobilization and exploration upside, aligning with ESGold's broader district-scale thesis.

Tomkins, A.G., Pattison, D.R.M., & Frost, B.R. (2007). On the Initiation of Metamorphic Sulfide Anatexis. Journal of Petrology, 48(3), 511-535.

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Key Technical Parallels Between Montauban and Broken Hill

1. Metamorphic Grade and Sulfide Remobilization

The Montauban deposit has undergone upper amphibolite-facies metamorphism (~650C, 5 kbar), enabling partial melting of sulfide phases such as arsenopyrite. This mirrors the thermal conditions observed at Broken Hill, where granulite-facies metamorphism (~800-850C) produced well-documented sulfide remobilization. Both environments exhibit vertical redistribution and enrichment of lead and silver.

2. ANT Imaging Confirms Vertical Continuity to 1,200 Metres

Caur Technologies' recently completed ANT survey imaged multiple low-velocity anomalies consistent with mineralized lenses - extending far beyond the previously tested depth of 400 metres. These findings support the remobilization and vertical stacking model identified in the University of Calgary study, marking a key milestone in ESGold's exploration thesis.

3. Sulfosalt and Silver-Bearing Melt Enrichment

Geochemical similarities include elevated antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), and silver (Ag), all of which preferentially concentrate in late-stage sulfide melts. This implies analogous melt-fluid partitioning processes at both Montauban and Broken Hill, affecting ore geometry and grade distribution.

4. Comparable Ore Assemblages and Thermochemical Behavior

Montauban's primary mineralogy - including galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, and pyrrhotite - aligns with that of Broken Hill. These assemblages are prone to forming sulfide melts under elevated temperatures, further validating the comparison.

5. Structural Complexity and Underexplored Depth Potential

Both systems exhibit boomerang-shaped, folded, and stacked sulfide lenses within metamorphosed host rocks. The Montauban sequence extends more than 2.5 km along strike and remains largely untested at depth. The ANT results indicate this vertical extent is far greater than previously assumed.

6. Rhodonite Indicator Discovery

Although not part of the original U of C study, ESGold's recent discovery of rhodonite - a manganese-rich metamorphic mineral commonly associated with Broken Hill-type systems - adds further weight to the analogue model.

The University of British Columbia Report (2007)

A peer-reviewed geological study by Dr. Andrew G. Tomkins, archived by the University of British Columbia, provides critical third-party validation of ESGold's structural and mineralization model at Montauban. The report identifies three key remobilization mechanisms-prograde hydrothermal activity, sulphide melting, and mechanical deformation-that collectively contributed to the formation of stacked, vertically persistent sulphide lenses within the deposit. These processes led to gold and silver redistribution and thickening of sulphides at fold hinges, consistent with features observed in the Company's recent ANT survey. This academic confirmation is highly significant, as it independently supports Montauban's classification as a reworked, multi-lens VMS system with substantial depth potential-further reinforcing the project's analogue to world-class polymetallic districts.

(Tomkins, A.G., 2007. "Three mechanisms of ore re-mobilisation during amphibolite facies metamorphism at the Montauban Zn-Pb-Au-Ag deposit," Mineralium Deposita, Springer-Verlag. UBC Archive)

Multiple Mechanisms of Ore Remobilization Identified

The study outlines three distinct ore remobilization processes at Montauban: prograde hydrothermal fluid flow, sulphide melting, and mechanical deformation. These contributed to the redistribution of precious metals and formation of stacked sulphide lenses, aligning with ESGold's current structural model. Fold Hinge Thickening Validates Vertical Continuity

Mechanical remobilization concentrated sulphides at fold hinges, resulting in structural thickening and lens stacking. This supports the interpretation of vertical continuity now observed through ESGold's ANT survey results exceeding 1,200 metres in depth.

(Tomkins, 2007, pp. 567-569) Sulphide Melting Led to Gold and Silver Redistribution

Amphibolite-grade metamorphism (~650C) enabled melting of arsenopyrite and associated sulphides, leading to vertical migration of Au and Ag into new structural settings. This mechanism reinforces the interpretation of deeper mineralized trends at Montauban.

(Tomkins, 2007, p. 569)

Complex Structural Overprint Confirms Multi-Lens Potential

The presence of hydrothermal pathways, melt-fluid interactions, and deformation structures described in the study confirms Montauban as a polymetallic system shaped by multiple remobilization events-mirroring global analogues like Broken Hill and substantiating ESGold's exploration model.

(Tomkins, 2007, pp. 570-572)





Next Steps

ESGold is executing a multi-track strategy to advance both development and exploration at Montauban:

3D Geological Model in Development: Integration of ANT survey data, historical drilling, VTEM, and structural overlays is underway to produce a refined 3D model that will guide upcoming drill targeting.

Montauban Site Construction Underway: Expansion of the Montauban processing facility and site infrastructure is progressing to support the Company's near-term production goals.

High-Priority Drill Targeting: Using insights from academic research, geophysics, and structural interpretation, ESGold is actively refining drill targets to focus on the most prospective zones for gold and silver enrichment.

Concentrate Sample Assays Pending: Tailings concentration testing is currently underway and the concentrate produced will be submitted to the lab, and assay results will be shared with the market once received and reviewed by the Company's Qualified Person.

Scaling Tailings-to-Cash-Flow Model: ESGold continues to advance its low-capex, high-margin tailings recovery strategy-designed to generate near-term cash flow while remediating legacy sites and unlocking untapped economic value at scale.

Qualified Person Statement

The technical content of this release has been reviewed and approved by Andre Gauthier, P.Geo. and P. Eng, an independent Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

About ESGold Corp.



ESGold Corp. (CSE: ESAU) (OTCQB: ESAUF) (FSE: Z7D) is a fully permitted, pre-production gold and silver mining company at the forefront of scalable clean mining and exploration innovation. With proven expertise in Quebec, the Company is advancing its Montauban Gold-Silver Project toward near-term production while unlocking long-term value through strategic redevelopment, modern discovery tools, and sustainable resource recovery. Montauban, located 80 km west of Quebec City, represents a blueprint for cash-flow-generating legacy site redevelopment across North America.

For more information, please contact ESGold Corp. at +1-888-370-1059 or visit esgold.com for additional resources, including a French version of this press release, past news releases, a 3D model of the Montauban processing plant, media interviews, and opinion-editorial pieces.

Stay connected by following us on X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and joining our Telegram channel.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements regarding future production, cash flow, exploration results, project economics, and permitting. Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions that management believes are current but involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These risks are detailed in the Company's public filings on SEDAR+. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. ESGold disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider 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/259949

SOURCE: ESGold Corp.
SAN DIEGO, July 24, 2025 - (ACN Newswire) - International Land Alliance, Inc. (OTCQB: ILAL) ("ILAL" or the "Company"), a global real estate investment and development firm, today announced the launch of a new product offering at its flagship Cabo Oasis and Valle Divino developments in Baja California. With a focus on sustainable design and affordability, this initiative marks a significant expansion of the Company's master-planned communities.International Land Alliance has identified initial locations within its 500-acre Cabo Oasis beachfront development to introduce Tesla-powered tiny homes. These units are designed to serve as vacation, second, or retirement residences offered at a purchase price of under $100,000 or a lease option for under $1,000 per month."We are bringing sustainable, high-quality living to everyone at a price that was once unimaginable," said Frank Ingrande, President & CEO. "These homes emphasize eco-friendly design, compact efficiency, and cutting-edge technology, all while helping solve the affordability crisis that's impacting many, especially in California."As part of our broader vision to expand Cabo Oasis, ILAL is developing separate private neighborhoods within the master-planned community to accommodate a wide variety of homeownership needs and budgets including condominiums, private estates, and these new tiny home options.The Company is currently in discussions with a leading tiny home manufacturer and expects to receive its first Tesla-powered model at Cabo Oasis within the next 30 days. The name of the provider will be announced shortly thereafter.The tiny homes will be available in both stationary and mobile versions, enabling owners to relocate between ILAL's growing portfolio of communities across Baja California.Key Features of the Cabo Oasis Tiny Homes:- Solar-Powered Everything - Integrated Tesla Solar Roof panels and a Powerwall battery ensure energy independence making this 100% off-grid capable.- Smart Home Integration - Includes full home automation for lighting, climate, and security controls.- Sleek, Futuristic Design - Modular interiors that maximize space and feature premium finishes.- Zero Utility Costs - Energy-efficient systems designed to eliminate traditional energy bills.About Cabo OasisCabo Oasis is International Land Alliance's flagship beachfront community in Baja California, featuring 500 acres of master-planned development with ocean views, resort amenities, and a wide range of residential options designed for sustainable coastal living.About Valle DivinoLocated in the heart of Baja's wine country, Valle Divino is a luxury vineyard community that offers scenic living amidst Ensenada's world-renowned wine region. The project blends boutique vineyard living with modern sustainability.About International Land Alliance, Inc.International Land Alliance, Inc. (OTCQB: ILAL) is a publicly traded real estate development company focused on acquiring desirable land and real estate assets in Northern Baja California and Southern California. With a mission to provide accessible housing solutions through innovative design and technology, ILAL builds environmentally friendly communities for vacation, retirement, and investment buyers.International Land Alliance, Inc. (OTCQB: ILAL) is an international land investment and development firm based in San Diego, California. As its core mission, the Company has embraced technology for sustainable and socially responsible solutions, in addition to using proptech and construction tech advanced applications to meet these goals. The Company is focused on acquiring attractive raw land primarily in Northern Baja California, often within driving distance from Southern California. The Company serves its shareholders by devoting considerable time and resources to seeking out the finest sites available and obtaining the necessary development permits to build a compelling portfolio of properties, which provide a diversity of investment and living options. Please visit: www.ila.company.For media inquiries, contact:Investor Relationsinfo@ila.company(877) 661-4811www.ila.companySafe Harbor StatementThe press release may include certain statements that are not descriptions of historical facts but are forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements may include the description of our plans and objectives for future operations, assumptions underlying such plans and objectives, and other forward-looking terminology such as "may," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "projects," or similar terms, variations of such terms or the negative of such terms. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein. Such information is based upon various assumptions made by, and expectations of, our management that were reasonable when made but may prove to be incorrect. All such assumptions are inherently subject to significant economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies beyond our control and upon assumptions with respect to the future business decisions which are subject to change. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that actual results will meet expectations and actual results may vary (perhaps materially) from certain of the results anticipated herein.Source: International Land Alliance, IncCopyright 2025 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
CHARLOTTE, NC / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / Louisiana Public Broadcasting?(LPB) today announced an extension of its long-term partnership with Discovery Education, the creators of essential PreK-12 learning solutions used in classrooms around the world. With the renewal of this 22-year partnership, Louisiana teachers maintain access to innovative digital resources that foster engaging learning environments, spark student curiosity, and boost academic success.

LPB is Louisiana's largest digital classroom over the air, on every device, in schools, and in the community. LPB's Educational Services Department is committed to providing extensive information, lesson plans, materials, and digital resources to support formal K-12 education statewide. Through its 22-year partnership with Discovery Education, LPB has offered learners access to a deep library of digital resources through Discovery Education Experience.

Discovery Education Experience is the essential companion for engaged classrooms, offering supplemental, cross-curricular, digital resources that inspires teachers, motivates students, and supports instruction in all academic disciplines. Designed expressly for K-12 schools, Experience delivers all-in-one, ready-to-teach lessons and strategies, exciting career exploration resources, standards-aligned content, and flexible tools for differentiation and assessment. Recently, Discovery Education announced a host of?new enhancements?to Discovery Education Experience that include new tools and resources, AI technology, additional career explorations, and more.

"Louisiana Public Broadcasting is delighted to mark its 22nd year of partnership with Discovery Education," said Clarence "C.C" Copeland, President and CEO of Louisiana Public Broadcasting. "In collaboration with Discovery Education, we are equipping teachers with the essential tools they need to ignite student curiosity and deepen engagement in learning. We are excited to continue this impactful partnership."

All educators using Discovery Education's digital resources have access to the Discovery Educator Network or DEN. A global community of education professionals, the DEN connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable idea sharing and inspiration.

This year, the DEN is celebrating 20 years of connecting educators to their most valuable resource: each other. Educators interested in learning more this powerful professional learning community and joining the DEN can visit the DEN homepage here.

"Discovery Education is excited to extend this long-standing partnership," said Lyndley McNabb, Partnership Manager at Discovery Education. "C.C Copeland, CEO of Louisiana Public Broadcasting, and Nancy Tooraen, Education Director, have demonstrated remarkable commitment to supporting teachers and students statewide, and we are honored to contribute to their work on behalf of the students and teachers of Louisiana."

For more information about Discovery Education's award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions, visit www.discoveryeducation.com, and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

###

About Discovery Education

Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, PreK-12, digital solutions support learning wherever it takes place. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and strategic alliances, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences that engage all students and support higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Explore the future of education at?www.discoveryeducation.com.?

Contact

Stephen Wakefield

Discovery Education

Phone: 202-316-6615

Email: swakefield@discoveryed.com

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Discovery Education on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Discovery Education

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/discovery-education

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Discovery Education

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/louisiana-public-broadcasting-and-discovery-education-extend-22-y-1052369
directFX Solutions Mails Smarter While Spending Less

RAMSEY, NJ / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc. (Konica Minolta) today announced the installation of its AccurioJet 30000 HS-UV Inkjet B2+ 29" Press at directFX Solutions (directFX), a nationwide, full service direct mail company headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. The commercial printer uses both offset and digital to produce direct mail, short-run books, posters, labels and promotional products, serving clients from the non-profit, education, gaming and banking industries. From direct mail to email and mobile, directFX delivers high-impact campaigns across every channel for its clients.

Co-owners of directFX, Kush Shah (L) and Chris Warner with their newly installed Konica Minolta AccurioJet 30000 digital UV inkjet press.

After thoroughly evaluating the range of inkjet solutions available on the market, directFX ultimately selected the AccurioJet 30000 as the optimal choice to meet its requirements for handling short-run jobs that demand a larger sheet size. Several key features of the press distinguished it from its competitors, including exceptional uptime, expansive sheet capacity, rapid setup and color profiling, accelerated drying times and superior ink durability. The press also demonstrated remarkable efficiency by minimizing the number of setup sheets required.

For short-run book production, the AccurioJet 30000 offers a significant advantage by eliminating the need for traditional printing plates, streamlining the workflow process and reducing associated costs. Ink performance was a critical factor in the decision-making process, given the company's high volume of direct mail work. The press' UV inkjet technology, featuring fast-drying inks, effectively resolved any drying concerns, ensuring high productivity and print quality. Collectively, these advantages resulted in a substantial reduction in daily operator maintenance, further enhancing operational efficiency and reliability.

The AccurioJet 30000 will enable directFX to produce its offerings with greater speed and cost-efficiency than ever before, while expanding the printer's capabilities to deliver a broader range of products previously beyond its in-house capacity. Projects that once required outsourcing - such as short-run pocket folders, short-run posters, medium-run perfect bound booklets and medium-to long-run styrene posters - can now be efficiently produced internally, enhancing both turnaround times and overall production control.

"We are excited to be implementing this industry leading inkjet printing technology into our business, which will enable us to better support our customers while further solidifying our company as a marketing services leader," said Kush Shah, Partner, directFX Solutions. "The AccurioJet 30000 offers so many ways to simplify our processes and reduce costs. By moving jobs off of our offset press, we are able to decrease usage of our aluminum printing plates and will use less paper for jobs. And because jobs will no longer require a 45-minute setup per side for each print job, our labor costs per job will decrease significantly."

"directFX's distinctive model as a comprehensive, single-source provider of marketing services is valued by clients and exceptionally well-supported by the advanced capabilities of the AccurioJet 30000," said Frank Mallozzi, President, IPP, Konica Minolta. "Their team takes enormous pride in equipping themselves with the right technology to simplify and optimize operations, delivering measurable savings in both time and cost for their clients. This advanced press supports that mission by eliminating many of the extra steps typically involved in production, ultimately putting our clients ahead of their competition."

The AccurioJet 30000 is Konica Minolta's most innovative digital UV inkjet press to date. As the successor to the AccurioJet KM-1e, the AccurioJet 30000 continues Konica Minolta's unsurpassed, proven and stable technology with insistence on professional quality. This next-generation digital press features the innovative technology of the tremendously successful AccurioJet KM-1e series, with more than 350 installations worldwide. With new functions to maximize throughput and operator performance, improve productivity and image quality and ensure labor savings through automation, the technology will ultimately contribute to increased revenue for customers.

Watch this brief video to see Konica Minolta's new AccurioJet 30000 HS-UV Inkjet press in action. More information is available online here.

About Konica Minolta

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.'s (Konica Minolta) journey started more than 150 years ago, with a vision to see and do things differently. The company partners with clients to Give Shape to Ideas by supporting their digital transformation. Its business technology offerings include IT Services, intelligent information management, video security solutions and managed print services, as well as office technology and industrial and commercial print solutions. 2025 marks Konica Minolta's 20th anniversary in production print, for which it celebrates "20 Years of Excellence, Innovation and Impact," and continues to lead the way in digital commercial printing. This year also commemorates 20 years of Konica Minolta's bizhub brand. Over the past two decades, the bizhub series has revolutionized office technology and redefined how businesses operate. It has continuously evolved to meet the needs of modern workplaces, fueled by advances in technology and a commitment to innovation. Konica Minolta is proud to be ranked on the Forbes 2025 America's Best Large Employers list, included on CRN's MSP 500 list numerous times; recognized as the #1 Brand for Customer Loyalty in the MFP Office Copier Market by Brand Keys for eighteen consecutive years and presented with Keypoint Intelligence's BLI 2025 and 2021 A3 Line of The Year and BLI 2021-2023 Most Color Consistent A3 Brand Awards for its bizhub One i-Series. For more information, please visit Konica Minolta online and follow it on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and Twitter.

About directFX Solutions

directFX Solutions has all of the available tools to streamline mailings and save clients time and money. Additionally, directFX provides all production and mailing services - which keeps you from having to deal with multiple vendors for your direct marketing needs. Our difference is our approach: our clients all have unique, individualized marketing needs. Our job is to provide customized solutions for those needs. All of the money saving tools in the world won't help unless your needs are determined up front. That is what we do best. We help you be more focused on your customers by handling your direct marketing needs.

Media Contact

Maggie Grande

Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.

+1 551-500-2659

pr@kmbs.konicaminolta.us

# # # # #

SOURCE: Konica Minolta Business Solutions U.S.A., Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/konica-minolta-accuriojet-30000-boosts-print-capabilities-and-ef-1052385
Newly-added directors will serve for the 2025-2026 term

BERKELEY, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / International House Berkeley (I-House Berkeley), the multicultural residential center promoting a more just and peaceful world, today announced leadership changes to its Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 term. The board welcomes Hon. Laurel D. Beeler, Rick Dishnica, Alex Mehran Jr., and Ron Silva as new and returning directors. Additionally, Dorothy Militar has been appointed Treasurer, succeeding Eugene Yano, who is retiring from the officer role but will remain on the board. UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons continues in his role as Honorary Chair, providing strategic counsel and support to the board and executive leadership.

"Each member of our Board offers impressive talent and experience that will benefit our program, both through their connections to our organization and their embodiment of the I-House vision to create a more understanding world through intercultural connections," said Shaun Carver, executive director at I-House Berkeley. "In a time where global issues are front and center in the minds of our students, this mission has become critically important, and we are fortunate to benefit from the insights and leadership of our new board as we plan for the year ahead."

The I-House Board of Directors is composed of distinguished leaders who share a deep commitment to the values of cross-cultural understanding and global citizenship. Many are I-House alumni or maintain long-standing ties to the UC Berkeley community. Collectively, the board guides the strategic and operational direction of the House, ensuring it remains a dynamic residential and cultural center for nearly 600 students and scholars from more than 70 countries each year, including the US. Their leadership helps I-House fulfill its enduring mission to inspire respect across cultures, nurture lifelong connections, and prepare the next generation of global leaders.

Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 term includes:

Hon. Laurel D. Beeler, United States Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of California (appointed 2010). Judge Beeler has overseen hundreds of civil cases - ranging from intellectual property to employment - and previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and law clerk to the Ninth Circuit. A recognized leader in judicial innovation, she founded the Northern District's reentry and diversion courts and has received numerous honors, including the 2018 Federal Judge of the Year award and 2023 Jurist of the Year accolade. She has also taught at UC Berkeley School of Law and UC Hastings and led legal rule-of-law initiatives worldwide.

Rick Dishnica , President of The Dishnica Company, LLC, which he founded in 1999 to pursue real estate development and consulting in the Bay Area. Formerly EVP and COO of American Apartment Communities, Dishnica's leadership spanned multifamily development and finance. He serves as a Trustee of the Urban Land Institute and previously chaired ULI San Francisco District Council. Dishnica was an I-House Board member from 2008 to 2017, chaired the House Committee, and served on the Finance Committee.

Alex Mehran Jr ., President and CEO of Sunset Development Company, representing its third generation. Previously COO and General Manager, he has overseen the development of Bishop Ranch in San Ramon-a major mixed-use community. Before joining Sunset in 2009, Mehran worked at Goldman Sachs in infrastructure private equity. He holds a BA from Brown University, is a licensed pilot and sailor, and serves on the board of Brown's Watson Institute.

Ron Silva , Founder, President, and CEO of Fillmore Capital Partners. Silva spent over 30 years in real estate and pension fund investing, including as EVP at Lowe Enterprises and VP at Wells Fargo. A UC Berkeley alumnus, he holds a BS and JD (John F. Kennedy School of Law). Silva has served on multiple corporate and advisory boards and was honored with the Sherry and Betsey Warrick Mission Service Award for his contributions to I-House's preservation and improvement.

Leadership changes:

New Treasurer: Dorothy Militar , Vice President and Director of Operations at Osterweis Capital Management. A UC Berkeley French Literature alum, she has extensive experience in global operations (formerly with J.P. Morgan and AXA Rosenberg) and has volunteered as a competitive racquetball player and photographer. Militar has been active on the I-House Board since 2023 and is well-positioned to support the organization's financial stewardship.

Eugene Yano, who served with distinction as Treasurer, will continue his valuable service as a board member while transitioning from his officer role.

About International House Berkeley

The International House at UC Berkeley is a multicultural residential "living and learning" center of nearly 600 students and scholars from 70+ countries, including the U.S. Its mission is to foster intercultural respect and understanding, lifelong friendships, and leadership skills for a more just and peaceful world.

Founded in 1930 with a charitable gift from John D. Rockefeller Jr., I-House is a non-profit organization with a remarkable history, and is part of a network of International Houses Worldwide . For more information, please visit its website .

Media contact

The International House at UC Berkeley

ihouse@songuepr.com

SOURCE: International House UC Berkeley

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/international-house-uc-berkeley-announces-new-board-leadership-a-1052104
Open RAN solutions deliver energy efficiency, transport reliability, and test repeatability to support scalable and sustainable 5G Open RAN deployments

Keysight Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: KEYS) showcased its Open RAN leadership in collaboration with global industry partners during the O-RAN Alliance Spring 2025 Global PlugFest.

O-RAN Global PlugFests, co-sponsored by the O-RAN ALLIANCE, aim to accelerate Open RAN development through comprehensive testing and integration. The Spring 2025 event ran from February through May across 19 labs in Asia, Europe, and North America, organized around themes designed to advance the Open RAN ecosystem.

Keysight's Open RAN Architect (KORA) solutions powered 11 multi-vendor integration test demonstrations in labs across several countries, validating real-world Open RAN deployments.

O-RAN Energy Consumption, Efficiency, and Savings Testing

As 5G networks scale, energy efficiency is critical for both cost reduction and environmental impact. Keysight contributed to multiple O-RAN energy efficiency test efforts, validating power-saving techniques across RIC, O-DU, and O-RU components.

Rimedo Labs and Juniper Networks Energy Efficiency Optimization testing: Keysight demonstrated Rimedo Labs' Cell On/Off Switching (COOS) xApp/rApp, and Traffic Steering (TS) xApp coordination on Juniper's Non-Real-Time (Non-RT) and Near-Real-Time (Near-RT) RIC at the i14y lab, together with consortium partners Deutsche Telekom and EANTC AG. This test used Keysight's RICtest solution for RAN simulation to validate optimized energy use based on Deutsche Telekom network data.

Digital Catapult's Sonic and Xelera Labs Energy efficiency testing: Keysight used its RuSIM and CoreSIM solutions to evaluate and analyze energy efficiency gains from Xelera's O-DU/O-CU accelerator card, using two different platforms, x86 and ARM, and aligned with ETSI TS 103 786, at Digital Catapult's SONIC Labs. Interesting insights emerged from this evaluation that will trigger further exploration and testing.

Keysight used its RuSIM and CoreSIM solutions to evaluate and analyze energy efficiency gains from Xelera's O-DU/O-CU accelerator card, using two different platforms, x86 and ARM, and aligned with ETSI TS 103 786, at Digital Catapult's SONIC Labs. Interesting insights emerged from this evaluation that will trigger further exploration and testing. Vodafone Central ORAN Lab and 1Finity Triple Band O-RU Automated energy testing: Keysight conducted automated energy testing of 1Finity's Triple Band O-RU across various traffic load conditions (ETSI ES 202 706-1) using its E-Plane test suite at Vodafone Central ORAN Lab in Newbury.

Keysight conducted automated energy testing of 1Finity's Triple Band O-RU across various traffic load conditions (ETSI ES 202 706-1) using its E-Plane test suite at Vodafone Central ORAN Lab in Newbury. Rakuten Mobile, Rakuten Symphony and Quanta Cloud Technology (QCT) demonstrate energy savings at the Japan OTIC Lab: RF channel reconfiguration research has been conducted by Rakuten Mobile, Rakuten Symphony and QCT to validate energy savings for a complete end-to-end 4G mobile network lab demonstration setup. Energy savings have been achieved through RF channel reconfiguration rApp using real-time power measurement tools from the Japan OTIC lab which provides an independent and open interconnectivity verification environment to test and certify hardware including base station equipment.

ONF/Aether and Rutgers University/WINLAB using the North American OTIC in the NYC Metro Area/East (COSMOS)- O-RU testing: Keysight supported O-RU energy efficiency testing using its O-RU E-Plane testing solution

Demonstrations of Consistent and Repeatable Open Fronthaul Testing in Multiple Labs

Consistent and repeatable open fronthaul testing is essential for validating disaggregated network components, ensuring vendor interoperability, and supporting scalable deployments.

AERPAW OTIC Repeatable test scenarios validation: At the Aerial Experimentation and Research Platform for Advanced Wireless (AERPAW) OTIC, Keysight, together with Open Air Interface and LITEON, validated repeatable test scenarios aligned with WG4 conformance goals using Keysight Open Radio Access Network Architect (KORA).

At the Aerial Experimentation and Research Platform for Advanced Wireless (AERPAW) OTIC, Keysight, together with Open Air Interface and LITEON, validated repeatable test scenarios aligned with WG4 conformance goals using Keysight Open Radio Access Network Architect (KORA). Northeastern University Open6G, EURECOM, and Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) xG Testbed/Virginia Tech Repeatable tests across different environment s: To further validate test repeatability across different environments, Northeastern University Open6G, EURECOM, and CCI xG Testbed/Virginia Tech collaborated with Keysight to conduct a test and integration focus group (TIFG) validation of the OpenAirInterface (OAI) CU/DU in end-to-end scenarios, using Keysight RuSIM and CoreSIM solutions in the two North American labs. These tests confirmed consistent results across multiple sites and test vendors, reinforcing the reliability of the O-RAN ecosystem.

To further validate test repeatability across different environments, Northeastern University Open6G, EURECOM, and CCI xG Testbed/Virginia Tech collaborated with Keysight to conduct a test and integration focus group (TIFG) validation of the OpenAirInterface (OAI) CU/DU in end-to-end scenarios, using Keysight RuSIM and CoreSIM solutions in the two North American labs. These tests confirmed consistent results across multiple sites and test vendors, reinforcing the reliability of the O-RAN ecosystem. Northeastern University Open6G also performed additional End-to-end TIFG tests with multiple RU, DU, and CU partners.

Open Fronthaul Transport Testing with Multiple O-RUs

Reliable transport is the foundation for O-RAN performance, especially as xHaul networks face increasing congestion and impairment. Validating open fronthaul transport behavior under these conditions is key to ensuring stable, scalable, and standards-compliant deployments.

European OTIC in Madrid hosted in the Telefonica Technology Automation Lab xHaul Transport Validation: Telefonica together with Keysight validated the robustness of commercial xHaul transport solutions using the AresOne 400G and Vision E400 platforms. By injecting controlled impairments, Keysight demonstrated realistic network emulation to support WG9 and TIFG E2E testing for O-RAN xHaul compliance at the European OTIC in Madrid hosted in the Telefonica Technology Automation Lab.

Telefonica together with Keysight validated the robustness of commercial xHaul transport solutions using the AresOne 400G and Vision E400 platforms. By injecting controlled impairments, Keysight demonstrated realistic network emulation to support WG9 and TIFG E2E testing for O-RAN xHaul compliance at the European OTIC in Madrid hosted in the Telefonica Technology Automation Lab. Auray Lab End-To-End O-RAN Deployment: Keysight collaborated with LITEON and AERPAW OTIC from North Carolina State University (NCSU) to validate end-to-end O-RAN deployment using OAI O-DU/O-CU with LITEON O-RU. Leveraging Keysight KORA solutions, the demonstration showed the precision and interoperability of the U/C/S-Plane functionalities in a real-world deployment scenario.

Richard Chiang, Smart Life Applications SBU GM, LITEON Technology, said: "We are honored to collaborate with Keysight in the O-RAN Spring 2025 Global PlugFest. By integrating LITEON's O-RU with Keysight's KORA solutions and OAI's O-DU/O-CU, we have jointly validated the performance, precision, and interoperability needed for real-world O-RAN deployments. This partnership underscores LITEON's commitment to advancing open network architectures and delivering reliable 5G solutions to our global customers."

Casper Tsai, COO, Auray Technology, said: "We successfully demonstrated Auray's deployed OAI O-CU/O-DU integrated with commercial O-RU at this PlugFest, achieving TIFG E2E and WG8 IoT testing through Keysight's E2E test solution. This demonstrated the highly integrated testing of Keysight's E2E test solution in addition to establishing Auray's capabilities in OAI O-CU/O-DU. We look forward to further deepening our cooperation and making greater contributions to the secure development of O-RAN."

Dr. Femi Adeyemi, Head of Wireless at 1Finity, said: "Automated energy testing, conducted with Keysight, demonstrated the power savings benefits of 1Finity's triple-band radio units, which deliver high power efficiency at all traffic loads. 1Finity congratulates all O-RAN Alliance Plugfest participants for continued progress in accelerating Open RAN."

Paul Sludden, Project Director, SONIC Labs at Digital Catapult, said: "With our network of vendor-agnostic testbed facilities, and in our role as an O-RAN Alliance PlugFest host, Digital Catapult is advancing the development and deployment of future networks in the UK. By bringing together expertise across the Open RAN ecosystem, we are proud to be collectively working with valued partners such as Keysight to drive the disaggregation, diversification, and interoperability of networks through the practical application of Open RAN technologies in industry."

Alexander Lange, Head of Software Engineering, Xelera, said: "Energy efficiency is critical to the future of 5G networks. Digital Catapult's PlugFest was an important step in showcasing how hardware acceleration can reduce power consumption while maintaining performance at scale, and Keysight's simulators made it exceptionally easy to integrate, test and measure Xelera's solution."

Mike Yang, President of QCT, said"QCT is committed to advancing the maturity and sustainability of Open RAN deployments by participating in multi-vendor testing efforts. We are delighted to once again collaborate with Keysight at O-RAN Spring 2025 Global PlugFest to validate energy-saving apps for next-gen O-RAN solutions."

Kalyan Sundhar, Vice President, and General Manager for Keysight's Wireless Group, said: "Keysight remains committed to accelerating Open RAN deployments. By fostering collaboration among diverse industry players, we enable the development and rigorous testing of advanced Open RAN features and use cases, ensuring a robust and interoperable ecosystem."

Resources

Industry Page: Accelerate Open RAN Innovation

Solutions Page: Radio Access and Core Network Test

About Keysight Technologies

At Keysight (NYSE: KEYS), we inspire and empower innovators to bring world-changing technologies to life. As an S&P 500 company, we're delivering market-leading design, emulation, and test solutions to help engineers develop and deploy faster, with less risk, throughout the entire product life cycle. We're a global innovation partner enabling customers in communications, industrial automation, aerospace and defense, automotive, semiconductor, and general electronics markets to accelerate innovation to connect and secure the world. Learn more at Keysight Newsroom and www.keysight.com.

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Contacts:

Keysight Media Contacts

Andrea Mueller

America

andrea.mueller@keysight.com

Fusako Dohi

Asia

+81 42 660-2162

fusako_dohi@keysight.com
As WAIAI's newest Thought Leadership Partner, the two institutions will explore opportunities and challenges in the Agentic AI space through academic-industry dialogue and collaborative learning

EAST BRUNSWICK, N.J. and BENGALURU, India, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sonata Software (NSE: SONATSOFTW) (BSE: 532221), a leading Modernization Engineering company, today announced its partnership with the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative (WAIAI) at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. The collaboration aims to foster innovation and research in the emerging field of agentic AI, which will bring together academic and industry perspectives on enterprise-grade AI orchestration.

As part of the partnership, Sonata Software and WAIAI will collaboratively:

Evaluate agentic AI systems with a focus on AI governance, compliance, human-AI collaboration, and enterprise adoption

with a focus on AI governance, compliance, human-AI collaboration, and enterprise adoption Refine Sonata AgentBridge 's modular architecture, embedding rigorous compliance and ethical safeguards

's modular architecture, embedding rigorous compliance and ethical safeguards Support the continued expansion of WAIAI's research initiatives in artificial intelligence

Sonata Software and WAIAI will co-host a one-day academic convening in Fall 2025 centered on agentic AI. The event will facilitate discussions on opportunities and challenges through academic-industry dialogue. It will feature roundtable discussions and interactive demos with experts from both sectors. Insights garnered from the event will inform a white paper, highlighting key themes and recommendations on the ethical and effective deployment of agentic AI tools in enterprise contexts.

Samir Dhir, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sonata Software, said:

"We're excited to collaborate with the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative to explore the evolving capabilities of agentic systems within enterprise environments. This partnership reinforces our commitment to responsible AI by blending Sonata Software's platform-driven innovation with academic insight and by jointly examining how agentic systems can be responsibly adopted to deliver measurable business impact."

This partnership marks Sonata Software's first major engagement with a U.S. Ivy League institution, underscoring its transformation into an AI-led Modernization leader. Most recently, Sonata Software has partnered with Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to power AI-driven scientific research and champion adoption of responsible-first AI approach.

About Sonata Software

In today's market, there is a unique duality in technology adoption. On one side, extreme focus on cost containment by clients, and on the other, deep motivation to modernize their Digital storefronts to attract more consumers and B2B customers.

Sonata Software, with $1 Billion Revenue, is the leading AI-led Modernization Engineering company. Our unique Modernization approach through Platformation.AI helps create Efficient and Agile digital businesses to drive intelligent ecosystems of the future. Our bouquet of Modernization Engineering Services cuts across Data, Cloud, Dynamics, Automation, Cyber Security, and around newer technologies like Generative AI, Microsoft Fabric, and other modernization platforms.

Our unique and innovative Responsible-first AI offering Sonata Harmoni.AI is a comprehensive platform powered by GenAI and encompasses a variety of industry solutions, service delivery platforms, and accelerators. It is distinguished by its embedded ethics, privacy, security, and compliance. We enable our clients to leverage AI in three different ways: i) driving efficiencies, ii) driving higher consumer experience/modern sales, and iii) driving innovative business models. We have launched bleeding edge Agentic AI offering - AgentBridge - that enables enterprises to usher in the era of intelligent, scalable AI-driven operations.

Headquartered in Bengaluru, India, Sonata Software has a strong global presence, including key regions North America, UK, Europe, APAC, and ANZ. We are one of the fastest growing IT Services companies and a trusted partner of Fortune 500 companies in Banking, Financial Services and Insurance (BFSI); Healthcare and Lifesciences (HLS); Telecom, Media, and Technology (TMT); and Retail, Manufacturing and Distribution (RMD) space.

Sonata Software boasts of a very strong partnership with Microsoft, AWS and many others. We are proud member of Microsoft AI Partner Council and have also achieved AWS Generative AI Competency. Also, we are member of the prestigious Inner Circle for Microsoft Business Applications and Featured and Launch Partner for Microsoft Fabric.

About the Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative

The Wharton AI & Analytics Initiative (WAIAI) is advancing the exploration of cutting-edge technology in modern business, with the keen understanding that artificial intelligence is transforming how we live, learn, and work. Led by Vice Dean Eric Bradlow - professor of marketing, statistics, and data science - WAIAI spearheads innovative student learning experiences, faculty research opportunities, and thought partnerships with industry experts and practitioners. Our initiative also extends to K-12 education, preparing the next generation to leverage AI to its full potential. For more information, visit https://ai-analytics.wharton.upenn.edu.

For more information, please visit https://www.sonata-software.com.

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The "REACH and RoHS Compliance: Protecting Revenues with Advanced Compliance (Online Training Seminar: July 28-29, 2025)" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Prepare your organization to meet European Union regulatory requirements with this intensive 2-day seminar on REACH and RoHS compliance. These regulations are noted for their complexity and impact on US and international firms.

This seminar offers a deep dive into the direct consequences and application of these directives, focusing on real-world case studies and lessons to avoid common pitfalls.

Participants will gain insights into key deadlines, recent amendments, and pivotal compliance strategies, particularly relevant for organizations exporting to the EU.

The training covers crucial aspects such as:

Interpreting organizational liability under RoHS and REACH

Examining case studies and applying learned lessons for robust compliance

Comprehensive guidelines on REACH registration and substances of very high concern

Understanding and managing supply chain communication and compliance enforcement

Developing tailored RoHS/REACH compliance programs

International RoHS obligations and material testing methodologies

Reporting procedures to management and governmental bodies

Overview of related global legislation such as WEEE, Conflict Minerals, and CA Proposition 65

Regulatory data collection methods and applying compliance consulting in real-world scenarios

These regulations enforce the ban on certain toxic elements and enforce stringent limits on substances like lead, mercury, and cadmium. Compliance is crucial for any company involved in shipping parts or products to Europe, given the potential for product recalls and market bans if violated. High-risk industries include those dealing with electronic equipment, hydraulic components, and chemicals found in everyday products such as cosmetics and textiles.

This seminar is not just for exporters; it is essential for any company whose products could potentially end up in the EU market, ensuring complete alignment with these vital regulatory standards.

Each registered attendee will receive:

Downloadable access to presentation slides

A certificate of participation for future reference

Participation in an interactive Q&A session

12.0 RAPS credits, enhancing professional credentials

Join us to secure compliance, safeguard market access, and enhance your regulatory knowledge. This training is a crucial investment towards navigating one of the EU's most intricate regulatory landscapes effectively.

Who Should Attend:

This online seminar in REACH RoHS Compliance Training will provide extremely helpful assistance to all professionals in the following domains:

Automotive

Electronics

Medical devices

Chemical

Toys

Industrial machinery

Manufacturing Professionals

Anyone new to RoHS and or REACH and need to understand the regulations

Anyone responsible for RoHS and REACH compliance

Quality Managers

Environmental Managers

Purchasers

Buyers

Course Agenda:

Day 1

REACH Registration of Substances Introduction to REACH Articles and REACH Substances of Very High Concerns (SVHC) Supply chain communication Compliance enforcement

Basics of RoHS Background and content of RoHS Responsibility for RoHS International requirements of RoHS



Day 2

A Process for Protecting Revenues 10 Steps to building a RoHS/REACH compliance program Determining best practices for collecting data Managing legacy systems and parts Improving data collection by using Jig 101, IEC 62474, IPC 1752 Understanding 3rd party compliance software platforms Manual and automated data collection Building management reports for sourcing decisions

Incorporating compliance into standard business practices Building templates for policy and procedures Incorporating compliance processes into ISO 9001:2015 documentation Building a documented system for proof of due diligence

Implementing a RoHS/REACH compliance maintenance program REACH SCIP database New UK versions of RoHS and REACH Conducting compliance audits



For more information about this training event visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/3e43k1

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.

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Laura Wood, Senior Press Manager

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Regulatory News:

Press Release Paris, 24 July 2025

Pernod Ricard (Paris:RI) Board of Directors, on the recommendation of the Nominations and Governance Committee, will propose the appointment of two new independent Directors, Mr. Albert Baladi and Mr. Jean Lemierre, at the Annual General Meeting to be held on October 27th. Both directors would be appointed for a 4-year term.

This proposal for appointments follows Ms. Namita Shah's decision not to have her term as Director renewed. The Board would like to thank Ms. Namita Shah for her commitment and valuable contributions to the Board, particularly regarding social and environmental responsibility topics.

Albert Baladi, of Lebanese origin and residing in New York, is a recognized expert in the spirit and consumer goods industry. During his 13 years at Beam Suntory (now Suntory Global Spirits), he held the positions of President of the International Region, President of North America and then Chief Executive Officer. Under his leadership, Beam Suntory strengthened its international expansion and its position among the worldwide leaders in the spirits industry. Earlier in his career, Albert Baladi held various roles in Marketing and General Management at Procter Gamble, PepsiCo and Yum! Brands, developing a strong expertise in brand strategy and international development.

Jean Lemierre, a French national, has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of BNP Paribas since 2014. He has had a distinguished career both nationally and internationally, having notably served as Director General of the French Treasury, Chairman of the European Union Economic and Financial Committee, and President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). Jean Lemierre is particularly recognized for his experience in financial and international matters.

The appointment of Mr. Albert Baladi and Mr. Jean Lemierre reflects the Board ambition to enhance the diversity and complementary of its skills, by incorporating profiles with in-depth knowledge of our industry, particularly the North American market, as well as high-level strategic and geopolitical vision. In a constantly evolving global environment marked by complex economic, regulatory and geopolitical challenges, their expertise will be a major asset in supporting the Group's growth and adaptability.

If the Annual General Meeting approves the corresponding resolutions, the Board of Directors will have 15 members, among which two members representing the employees. Of its members, 46% will be woman, 54% men, 62% will be independent and 40% non-French.

About Pernod Ricard

Pernod Ricard is a worldwide leader in the spirits and wine industry, blending traditional craftsmanship, state-of-the-art brand development, and global distribution technologies. Our prestigious portfolio of premium to luxury brands includes Absolut vodka, Ricard pastis, Ballantine's, Chivas Regal, Royal Salute, and The Glenlivet Scotch whiskies, Jameson Irish whiskey, Martell cognac, Havana Club rum, Beefeater gin, Malibu liqueur and Mumm and Perrier-Jouet champagnes. Our mission is to ensure the long-term growth of our brands with full respect for people and the environment, while empowering our employees around the world to be ambassadors of our purposeful, inclusive and responsible culture of authentic conviviality. Pernod Ricard's consolidated sales amounted to 11 598 million in fiscal year FY24.

Pernod Ricard is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI; ISIN Code: FR0000120693) and is part of the CAC 40 and Eurostoxx 50 indices.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250724355526/en/

Contacts:

Pernod Ricard

Florence Tresarrieu Global SVP Investor Relations and Treasury

+33 (0) 1 70 93 17 03

Edward Mayle Investor Relations Director

+33 (0) 6 76 85 00 45

Ines Lo Franco Investor Relations Manager

+33 (0) 6 49 10 33 54

Emmanuel Vouin Head of External Engagement

+33 (0) 1 70 93 16 34
WASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / Fragrance Creators Association (FCA) President & CEO Farah K. Ahmed issued the following statement on the recently announced U.S.-Indonesia Trade Framework:

"We commend the Administration for including a targeted exemption for materials not naturally available or produced in the United States. This thoughtful provision reflects a strategic approach to trade-one that strengthens American manufacturing while recognizing the essential role of uniquely sourced materials like natural fragrance ingredients and essential oils in driving innovation, wellbeing, and economic value.

Fragrance contributes tens of billions to the U.S. economy annually and remains a top three purchase driver in the $2.5 trillion U.S. consumer packaged goods sector. Continued access to high-quality, globally sourced inputs is critical to delivering the trusted products that millions of Americans rely on every day.

The exemption also sets a valuable precedent-advancing domestic priorities through the complexity of global supply chains while also supporting responsible sourcing and honoring the farming and harvesting communities whose deep expertise sustains both tradition and progress.

Beyond the exemption, the broader framework potentially creates new opportunities for American-made fragrance exports to reach Indonesia's growing market-supporting jobs, growth, and shared economic success.

We are grateful to President Trump, Ambassador Greer, and the entire U.S. trade team for their leadership. FCA remains committed to continuing our nearly decade-long engagement with the U.S. Trade Representative to support the advancement trade policies that benefit people, industry, and long-term prosperity."

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 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.

Contact Information

Emily Cruz

ecruz@fragrancecreators.org





SOURCE: Fragrance Creators Association

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/education/statement-from-the-fragrance-creators-association-on-the-u.s.-indonesia-trade-framework-1052376
FineHeart, a clinical-stage medical technology company specializing in the development of innovative solutions for cardiology, has been designated as the lead partner of the IPCEI Tech4Cure (Important Project of Common European Interest)dedicated to the implantable medical device (IMD) sector. This project is jointly notified by six EU Member States France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Slovakia, and Slovenia

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250722049600/en/

FineHeart will carry out its SmartDMIA program to structure the innovative active implantable medical device (AIMD) sector, which is essential for public health and Europe's industrial autonomy, in synergy with other European laureates of the Tech4Cure program.

Arnaud Mascarell, CEO and co-founder of FineHeart, said: "Being named leader of the IPCEI Tech4Cure with our SmartDMIA project is a source of immense pride. It is the recognition of our innovation ability and our technological and industrial leadership. This project will strengthen our sustainable growth and increase our international visibility. Together with our academic and industrial partners, we will build a sovereign, competitive and sustainable AIMD industry serving the health of European citizens.

The SmartDMIA project will cover the entire value chain-from design to industrialization-of next-generation active implantable medical devices (AIMDs), for which energy supply is a major technological and medical challenge. The main development areas are:

Extending the lifespan of encapsulated electronic components , enabling the integration of miniaturized transcutaneous energy and data transfer systems

, enabling the integration of miniaturized transcutaneous energy and data transfer systems Developing universal interoperability between devices , regardless of their power (from a few milliwatts to 30 W), to optimize energy management and diagnostics and promote personalized medicine (5P medicine)

, regardless of their power (from a few milliwatts to 30 W), to optimize energy management and diagnostics and promote personalized medicine (5P medicine) Harmonization of standards for communication, cybersecurity, and interconnection with hospital systems and digital platforms.

FineHeart will leverage its R&D know-how perfected during the development of FlowMaker, the world's first and only miniaturized, fully implantable, wireless cardiac flow accelerator with no external battery for the treatment of advanced heart failure. This breakthrough device, currently in European clinical trials, adapts to the progression of the disease and provides physiological support synchronized with the heart's natural contractions.

Through this pioneering role, FineHeart has become a strategic player in the transformation of the European AIMD sector, contributing its expertise and supporting European industrial competitiveness.

About the PIIEC

Launched by France in 2022, the PIIEC Sante aims to create a "Europe of Health" by promoting the emergence of European champions in disruptive technologies in the sector. This initiative aims to strengthen European production capacities in the health field, while stimulating the formation of ambitious European partnerships around innovative projects, thus ensuring European sovereignty.

Coordinated by the Directorate-General for Enterprise (DGE), this project is being rolled out in two complementary waves: the first, authorized on May 28, 2024, targets essential medicines and critical molecules (Med4Cure); the second, entitled Tech4Cure, is dedicated to innovative MedTech medical devices (Tech4Cure).

Tech4Cure aims to establish projects at European level focusing on:

The lifespan of active implantable medical devices, in particular the lifespan of batteries and any components, materials, and technologies designed to extend the lifespan of active implantable medical devices, thereby promoting the digital and ecological transition.

Connected and portable medical imaging solutions to promote more compact imaging devices, harnessing the potential of AI and IoT to facilitate remote examinations and increase the pool of available equipment.

Sustainable design of medical devices, by strengthening the ecological transition in the design of medical devices, in particular through the use of biomaterials and eco-design to stimulate innovation in raw material supply and sustainability.

About FineHeart FineHeart

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250722049600/en/

Contacts:

Media Relations

Annie-Florence Loyer

afloyer@newcap.fr

+33 (6) 88 20 35 59

FineHeart Communications

James Palmer

j.palmer@orpheonfinance.com

+33 (0) 7 60 92 77 72
Q3 2024/2025 economic revenue from tourism businesses up 12.2%

and up 3.7% over the first nine months of the financial year, bringing Group revenue to 1,294 million.

Confirmation of 2024/2025 outlook1:

Adjusted EBITDA2 expected to reach more than 180 million, an increase on the previous year's level.

(163 million in 2023/2024, excluding the impact of non-recurring income3

Regulatory News:

Franck Gervais, CEO of Pierre Vacances-Center Parcs (Paris:VAC), stated:

"In a difficult and volatile environment, growth in Group revenue from the tourism businesses stood at almost 4% over the first nine months of the financial year, with strong momentum across all brands and a constant increase in satisfaction rates. Third-quarter revenue was particularly robust, with significant last-minute sales flows and an increase in key performance indicators, both occupancy rates and average letting rates. Growth in reservations accumulated to date for the summer period, combined with the 12% increase in third-quarter revenue, add weight to our guidance for full-year EBITDA of more than 180 million. At the same time, the Group is continuing to review its strategic options to ambitiously approach a new stage of its story".

1] Revenue

Under IFRS accounting, Q3 2024/2025 revenue totalled 470.2 million (with nine-month revenue at 1,235.4 million), compared with 421.0 million in Q3 2023/2024 (and 1,199.6 million over nine months of the previous year).

The Group comments on its revenue and the associated financial indicators in compliance with its operational reporting (see "Economic revenue" below), which is more representative of its business, i.e. (i) with the presentation of joint undertakings in proportional consolidation, and (ii) excluding the impact of IFRS16:

 millions 9 months 2024/2025 9 months 2023/2024 Change IFRS revenue 1,235.4 1,199.6 +3.0% Proportional integration of joint-ventures +46.4 +51.0 -9.0% Integration of lease operations +12.0 +18.2 -34.2% Economic revenue (Operational reporting) 1,293.8 1,268.9 +2.0%

Revenue is also presented according to the following operational sectors4

Center Parcs covering operation of the domains marketed under the Center Parcs, Sunparks and Villages Nature brands, and the building/renovation activities for tourism assets.

- Pierre Vacances covering the tourism businesses operated in France and Spain under the Pierre Vacances brand and the Asset Management business line5.

- maeva.com, a distribution and services platform, operating the maeva.com, Campings maeva, maeva Home, La France du Nord au Sud and Vacansoleil.

- Adagio, covering operation of the city residences leased by the Group and entrusted to the Adagio SAS joint venture under management mandates, as well as operation of the sites directly leased by the joint venture.

- An operating segment covering the Major Projects6 and Senioriales7 business lines.

- the Corporate operational segment housing primarily the holding company activities.

A reconciliation table presenting economic revenue and revenue under IFRS accounting is presented by operational sector at the end of the press release.



Q3 Total 9 months Economic revenue, m 2024/25 2023/24 Change excl. calendar effect* 2024/25 2023/24 Change Center Parcs 312.4 283.2 +10.3% 796.3 778.1 +2.3% Tourism 306.1 273.1 +12.1% 770.8 752.1 +2.5% Accommodation revenue 235.5 209.5 +12.4% +5.2% 592.8 581.7 +1.9% Supplementary income 70.7 63.6 +11.1% 178.1 170.5 +4.5% Others 6.3 10.1 -37.8% 25.4 26.0 -2.2% Pierre Vacances 85.3 78.1 +9.2% 248.0 236.9 +4.7% Accommodation revenue 65.0 60.0 +8.4% +6.5% 198.7 190.4 +4.3% Supplementary income 20.2 18.1 +12.0% 49.4 46.4 +6.4% Adagio 68.6 59.1 +16.0% 172.5 164.9 +4.6% Accommodation revenue 61.8 53.2 +16.2% +15.4% 154.4 147.9 +4.4% Supplementary income 6.9 6.0 +14.7% 18.0 17.1 +5.8% maeva.com: 12.6 10.9 +15.6% 41.5 34.8 +19.3% Supplementary income 12.6 10.9 +15.6% 41.5 34.8 +19.3% Major Projects Senioriales 12.3 15.4 -20.2% 34.4 53.6 -35.9% Corporate 0.5 0.0 NA 1.1 0.6 +98.6% TOTAL GROUP 491.6 446.6 +10.1% 1,293.8 1,268.9 +2.0% Economic revenue Tourism 472.6 421.2 +12.2% 1,232.9 1,188.7 +3.7% Accommodation revenue 362.2 322.6 +12.3% +7.1% 945.9 920.0 +2.8% Supplementary income 110.4 98.5 +12.0% 287.0 268.7 +6.8% Economic revenue Others 19.0 25.4 -25.2% 60.9 80.1 -24.0%

* estimated impact on accommodation revenue of spring school holidays and Easter weekend falling in April 2025 vs. March 2024.

Economic revenue Tourism

Revenue from the tourism businesses rose by 12.2% in the third quarter of the year, with substantial growth across all brands, partly underpinned by a beneficial calendar effect (certain holiday periods shifted from Q2 into Q3 this year). After neutralising this shift in revenue, the rise in the Group's Q3 accommodation revenue remained robust, with an estimated performance of +7.1%.

Supplementary income8 also increased (+12.0%), driven by both higher on-site sales (+12.6%) and momentum in business at maeva.com (+15.6%).

Over the first nine months of the year, revenue from the Group's brands was up 3.7% to 1,232.9 million.

The customer satisfaction rate continued to rise across all brands with the NPS9 over the past 12 months up 9.0 points for maeva, 6.0 points for Center Parcs, 5.1 points for Pierre Vacances and 0.4 points for Adagio.

Accommodation revenue

Accommodation revenue totalled 362.2 million in Q3 2024/2025, up 12.3% relative to the year-earlier period (+7.1%after neutralising the calendar effect due to a shift in holiday periods from Q2 to Q3). This growth was driven by both a rise in average letting rates (+6.5%) and the occupancy rate (+2.5 points).

Change in key operational performance indicators

RevPar Average letting rates (by night, for accommodation) Number of nights sold Occupancy rate (excl. tax) Chg. N-1 (excl. tax) Chg. N-1 Units Chg. N-1 Chg. Pts N-1 Center Parcs 146.3 +9.3% 188.3 +7.9% 1,250 341 +4.2% 77.7% +1.0 pt Pierre Vacances 60.3 +8.2% 93.9 +4.6% 692,560 +3.6% 70.4% +1.7 pts Adagio 95.4 +15.4% 121.9 +4.3% 506,580 +11.4% 78.4% +7.1 pts Total Q3 2024/2025 revenue 108.6 +10.6% 147.9 +6.5% 2,449 481 +5.4% 75.5% +2.5 pts Center Parcs 125.0 +1.6% 176.4 +4.6% 3,360 143 -2.6% 70.9% -2.1 pts Pierre Vacances 72.6 +3.0% 119.6 +2.7% 1,661 616 +1.6% 67.7% -0.3 pt Adagio 80.1 +5.6% 108.7 +0.9% 1,420 641 +3.5% 74.2% +3.2 pts Total 9M 2024/2025 revenue 100.6 +2.5% 146.8 +3.0% 6,442 400 -0.2% 70.6% -0.5 pt

Change in accommodation revenue by brand

Revenue increased across all brands during Q3:

Center Parcs: +12.4% (+5.2% after neutralising the shift in revenue)

Growth was driven by average letting rates (+7.9%) reflecting the premiumisation of the offer, and the number of nights sold (+4.2%), benefiting both:

the French domains (+21.8%), with solid performances especially from the 108 new VIP cottages opened as part of the extension of the Villages Nature Paris domain in early May 2025.

- the domains located in BNG10 (+8.0%, o/w +11.5% in the Netherlands, +5.5% in Germany and +5.2% in Belgium).

The occupancy rate increased by 1 points to 77.7% over the period.

Pierre Vacances: +8.4% (+6.5% after neutralising the shift in revenue)

Growth in revenue was driven by the rise in average letting rates (+4.6%) and the number of nights sold (+3.6%).

- Revenue generated by the residences in France (+4.0%) was driven by the hike in business at mountain destinations, which posted occupancy rates of more than 80% over the quarter and average letting rates up almost 9%. Revenue from seaside destinations (both metropolitan France and the French West Indies) was down slightly in view of the reduction11 in the stock operated by lease (-0.9% of nights offered relative to Q3 of the previous year).

- Revenue from residences in Spain surged 18.4%, driven by a price effect (+11.8%) and a volume effect (+5.9% of nights sold).

The occupancy rate was up by 1.7 points to 70.4% over the period.

Adagio: +16.2% (+15.4% after neutralising the shift in revenue)

Third-quarter growth was underpinned by both:

- France (+17.8%), with particularly dynamic business in the Ile de France region (occupancy rate of almost 80% over the quarter). Note that Q3 of the previous year was penalised by the trend to avoid the Paris region in the run-up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

- Other countries where the brand is operated (+9.7%), notably with the opening of an aparthotel in London (London City East) on 1 June 2025.

In all, over the first nine months of the year, accommodation revenue totalled 945.9 million, up 2.8% relative to the year-earlier period.

Supplementary income12

Q3 supplementary income totalled 110.4 million, up 12.0% relative to the year-earlier period, driven by:

maeva, which confirmed its growth in the third quarter (+15.6%) in view of the European development of its distribution platform through the Vacansoleil platform which represented a third of the quarter's performance.

- growth in on-site sales (+12.6%, of which +8.8% for revenue related to catering and +17.4% for animation businesses).

Over the first nine months of the year, supplementary income totalled 287 million, up 6.8%.

Economic revenue Others

Q3 2024/2025 revenue from other business totalled 19.0 million compared with 25.4 million in Q3 2023/2024 (decline with no significant impact on EBITDA and confirming the Group's ongoing withdrawal from property and non-strategic businesses).

Revenue from other businesses was primarily made up of:

renovation operations at Center Parcs domains on behalf of owner-lessors, for 6.3 million (mainly for the extension of the Park Eifel Domain in Germany and renovation of the Domaine des Hauts de Bruyeres in France) compared with 10.1 million in Q3 2023/2024.

- les Senioriales for 3.9 million (vs. 7.1 million in Q3 2023/2024).

- the Major Projects business line for 8.4 million, primarily for the extension of the Villages Nature Paris Domain, compared with 8.3 million in Q3 2023/2024.

In all, over the first nine months of the year, revenue from other business totalled 60.9 million, down 24.0% relative to the year-earlier period.

2] Outlook Tourism businesses

In view of the level of reservations to date for the summer season (representing 80% of the target or an achievement rate similar to the year-earlier level), as well as momentum in last-minute bookings, the Group is forecasting an increase in accommodation revenue over the summer period compared with the previous year.

On the strength of its previous performances and these revenue prospects, the Group confirms its guidance for full-year 2024/2025 EBITDA of more than 180 million (vs. 163 million in 2023/2024, excluding the impact of non-recurring income).

3] Financial calendar

Full-year revenue for 2024/2025 will be published on 23 October 2025 after the market close.

4] Reconciliation table between economic revenue and revenue under IFRS

Under IFRS accounting, revenue for the first nine months of 2024/2025 totalled 1,235.4 million, compared with 1,199.6 million in the year-earlier period, representing growth of 3% driven by the tourism businesses (primarily driven by growth in average letting rates).

 millions 2024/2025 Economic revenue according to operational reporting Restatement IFRS11 Impact IFRS16 2024/2025 IFRS revenue Center Parcs 796.3 -5.4 790.8 Pierre Vacances 248.0 +0.1 248.1 Adagio 172.5 -43.4 129.1 maeva.com: 41.5 41.5 Major Projects Senioriales 34.4 -3.5 -6.6 24.3 Corporate 1.1 +0.4 1.5 Total 9M 2024/2025 revenue 1,293.8 -46.4 -12.0 1,235.4

 millions 2023/2024 Economic revenue according to operational reporting Restatement IFRS11 Impact IFRS16 2023/2024 IFRS revenue Center Parcs 778.1 -9.8 768.4 Pierre Vacances 236.8 +0.1 236.9 Adagio 164.9 -41.1 123.8 maeva.com: 34.8 34.8 Major Projects Senioriales 53.6 -9.9 -8.5 35.2 Corporate 0.6 0.6 Total 9M 2023/2024 revenue 1,268.9 -51.0 -18.2 1,199.6

IFRS11 adjustments: for its operational reporting, the Group continues to integrate joint operations under the proportional integration method, considering that this presentation is a better reflection of its performance. In contrast, joint ventures are consolidated under equity associates in the consolidated IFRS accounts.

Impact of IFRS16: The application of IFRS16 leads to the cancellation in the financial statements of a share of revenue and capital gains generated on disposals made under the framework of property operations with third-parties (given the Group's right-of-use lease contracts).

1 Guidance announced in the Press Release of 28 May 2025

2Adjusted EBITDA current operating profit stemming from operational reporting (consolidated operating income before other non-current operating income and expense, excluding the impact of IFRS 11 and IFRS 16 accounting rules) adjusted for provisions and depreciation and amortisation of fixed operating assets. Adjusted EBITDA includes the benefit of rental savings made by the Villages Nature project as a result of the agreements signed in December 2022 (10.9m in FY 2023, 14.5m in FY 2024, 12.4m in FY 2025 and 4.0m in FY 2026).

3 Recognition in the first half of the 2023/2024 financial year of additional German government aid of 10.9 million for the Covid-19 pandemic.

4 Operational sectors defined in compliance with the IFRS 8 standard. See page 184 of the Universal Registration Document, filed with the AMF on 23 December 2024 and available on the Group's website: www.groupepvcp.com

5 Notably in charge of relations with individual and institutional lessors

6 Business line responsible for the construction and completion of new assets for the Group in France

7 Subsidiary specialised in property development and operating of non-medicalised residences (managed by mandate since the disposal on 1 January 2024 of the lease businesses to ACAPACE)

8 Revenue from on-site activities (catering, animation, stores, services etc.), co-ownership and multi-owner fees and management mandates, marketing margins and revenue generated by the maeva.com business line.

9 Net Promoter Score

10 Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany

11 Decline in stock due to non-renewal of leases and withdrawal from loss-making sites

12 Revenue from on-site activities (catering, animation, stores, services etc.), co-ownership and multi-owner fees and management mandates, marketing margins and revenue generated by the maeva.com business line.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250724177743/en/

Contacts:

For further information:

M&A, Investor Relations and Strategic Operations

Emeline Laute

+33 (0) 1 58 21 54 76

info.fin@groupepvcp.com

Press Relations

Valerie Lauthier

+33 (0) 1 58 21 54 61

valerie.lauthier@groupepvcp.com
Dental school's initiative transforms dental care through innovative approach to avoid sedation

EL PASO, TX / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / When Kelly Yang noticed patients with special needs frequently required sedation for routine dental procedures, the fourth-year Hunt School of Dental Medicine student embarked on a mission to find a better way.

Smiles for All

Hunt School of Dental Medicine students created "Smiles for All" to help patients with special needs feel comfortable in dental environments without sedation, as seen here.

She created Smiles For All, a program that helps individuals with special needs feel comfortable in dental environments without sedation. The program pairs special needs patients with dental student volunteers who provide step-by-step familiarization with dental equipment, sounds and procedures.

"I felt it was a disservice to our community that individuals, due to their disabilities, have to rely on sedation for comfort during procedures," Yang said. "I wanted to implement a solution at our school, since we have the facilities, including dental suites dedicated to special needs and quiet spaces," referring to dedicated rooms equipped and funded by university sponsors Bank of America and Ethos Financial.

Wilma Luquis-Aponte, D.M.D., Ph.D., faculty advisor for the program, witnessed its success. "We've seen a 30-year-old autism patient who, after years without care, now successfully receives routine dental treatment without sedation," she said.

Yang's inspiration came from attending an American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry conference, where she learned about specialized programs for children with autism. She recognized that many patients with disabilities often resort to sedation due to a lack of alternatives.

Smiles for All sessions take place on the fourth Friday of each month. The program currently focuses on individuals with autism, and aims to expand to include those with Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.

Children with special needs often find regular dental suites intimidating, leading to inadequate preventive care and costly emergency visits requiring sedation. This program trains future dental professionals to prioritize early intervention, fostering confidence and compassion. The proactive approach enhances patient care and reduces expensive emergency treatments.

El Pasoans face significant challenges in accessing dental care. Nearly 40% of the city's population lives in areas with a shortage of dental professionals, making programs like this invaluable.

The program's approach is methodical. Dental students establish rapport by getting to know patients and caregivers, adjusting lighting, working at the patient's pace, and using clear, concise language with visual aids to explain procedures.

"Each smile we help create represents a journey of trust and comfort," Yang said. "When a child who once needed sedation can sit through a cleaning with confidence, that's when we know we're making a difference."

About Texas Tech Health El Paso

Texas Tech Health El Paso serves West Texas and is dedicated to preparing the next generation of health care heroes. Established as an independent university in 2013, it's a uniquely innovative destination for medical, nursing, biomedical sciences and dental education, focusing on excellence in health care education, research and delivery. The university has graduated over 2,600 physicians, nurses, dentists, and researchers since its establishment. For more, visit ttuhscepimpact.org.

###

Contact Information

SOURCE: Texas Tech Health El Paso

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/education/texas-tech-health-el-paso-dental-student-creates-program-for-special-needs-patients-1051673
New office provides 305,000 square feet for employees, customers and partners to accelerate adoption of the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform

SAN FRANCISCO, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Databricks , the Data and AI company, today continues its rapid growth in the San Francisco Bay Area with the expansion into a new 305,000 square foot office in downtown Sunnyvale. This state-of-the-art office is designed to support the company's accelerated hiring efforts in light of its South Bay R&D team doubling over the past two years, with projections to double again over the next two years, even as the company aggressively leverages its own platform and AI to deliver new products faster. This rapid growth is fueled by increasing enterprise demand for the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform , underscoring the company's pivotal role in powering data and AI innovation.

Located at 200 West Washington, this strategic location in Sunnyvale allows Databricks to deepen partnerships with its many South Bay customers, including Adobe, Barracuda Networks, Cisco, Intuit, McAfee, Netgear and NVIDIA, while also positioning the company to reach new customers. This new space will be essential for fostering stronger collaboration and empowering Databricks' product and engineering teams to deliver innovative AI solutions for the region's leading enterprises.

This news builds on recent Databricks Bay Area momentum . In March, the company announced a new headquarters at One Sansome Street, committed $1 billion to its San Francisco operations over the next three years, and confirmed a five-year extension of its Data + AI Summit in San Francisco, underscoring Databricks' enduring dedication to the broader Bay Area as the world's AI capital.

"Silicon Valley has always been at the heart of technological innovation, and this expansion in Sunnyvale marks an exciting new chapter for Databricks," said Reynold Xin, Co-founder and Chief Architect at Databricks. "This investment will accelerate our pace of research and product development, deepen our collaboration with customers, and help us attract the best minds to push the boundaries of what's possible with data and AI."

"Our expansion into Sunnyvale is about more than adding office space - it's a strategic investment in the exceptional talent driving the future of AI," said Amy Reichanadter, Chief People Officer at Databricks. "At Databricks, people come to do meaningful, high-impact work, and this expansion is a further investment in fostering the culture of innovation and collaboration that sets us apart."

Databricks will move into its new Sunnyvale office in late 2026. The company's expanded presence in Sunnyvale will open up a variety of roles across all functions. For more information about career opportunities at Databricks, please visit the Databricks Careers page.

About Databricks

Databricks is the Data and AI company. More than 15,000 organizations worldwide - including Block, Comcast, Conde Nast, Rivian, Shell and over 60% of the Fortune 500 - rely on the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform to take control of their data and put it to work with AI. Databricks is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices around the globe and was founded by the original creators of Lakehouse, Apache Spark, Delta Lake, MLflow, and Unity Catalog. To learn more, follow Databricks on X , LinkedIn and Facebook .

Contact: Press@databricks.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2693849/Databricks_Logo.jpg

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ING completes acquisition of Van Lanschot Kempen stake

ING announced today that it has completed the acquisition of a 17.6% stake in Van Lanschot Kempen N.V., bringing the total interest in the company to 20.3%. The agreement to acquire the stake from Reggeborgh Groep B.V. was announced on 3 March 2025.

Under the terms of the agreement, ING directly acquired a stake of 7.2% in March 2025, bringing its stake in Van Lanschot Kempen to 9.9%. After receiving regulatory approval, the remaining 10.4% was transferred, bringing ING's stake to 20.3%. The transaction has a minimal impact on ING's CET1 ratio.

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 June 2025, in Sustainalytics' view, ING's management of ESG material risk is 'Strong' with an ESG risk rating of 18.0 (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.

Certain of the statements contained herein are not historical facts, including, without limitation, certain statements made of future expectations and other forward-looking statements that are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to di?er materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Actual results, performance or events may di?er materially from those in such statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation:

This document may contain ESG-related material that has been prepared by ING on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. ING has not sought to independently verify information obtained from public and third-party sources and makes no representations or warranties as to accuracy, completeness, reasonableness or reliability of such information.

Materiality, as used in the context of ESG, is distinct from, and should not be confused with, such term as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or as defined for Securities and Exchange Commission ('SEC') reporting purposes. Any issues identified as material for purposes of ESG in this document are therefore not necessarily material as defined in the Market Abuse Regulation or for SEC reporting purposes. In addition, there is currently no single, globally recognized set of accepted definitions in assessing whether activities are "green" or "sustainable." 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
Crolles, France - July 24th, 2025 - On July 10th 2025, the supervisory board of Tronic's Microsystems ("Tronic's") has proposed to designate the firm BM&A, represented by Pierre Beal, as independent expert in the context of TDK Electronics AG's (Tronic's main shareholder) public takeover offer for Tronic's shares, followed by a mandatory squeeze-out, acting in concert with Thales AVS France, as announced on July 9th 2025 (the "Offer"), in order to issue a report on the financial terms of the Offer and give its fairness opinion on the Offer.

As Tronic's was unable to set up an ad hoc committee in accordance with Article 261-1, III of the AMF's General Regulation, the appointment of BM&A as independent expert was first submitted to the AMF, in accordance with Article 261-1-1-I,1 and 4 and II of the AMF's General Regulation.

On July 23rd, 2025, the AMF has informed Tronic's the AMF did not oppose the appointment of BM&A as independent expert in the context of the Offer.

The supervisory board will issue a reasoned opinion on the proposed Offer after having taken note of the report of the independent expert. The report of the independent expert and the reasoned opinion of Tronic's supervisory board will be included in Tronic's response document

Contact of the independent expert:

Cabinet BM&A

Monsieur Pierre Beal

11, rue de Laborde - 75008 Paris

Tel: +33 (0)1 40 08 99 50 / Email: p.beal@bma-groupe.com

-----

About Tronics Microsystems

Tronics Microsystems, a TDK Group Company, is a provider of MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System) inertial sensors solutions for precise motion sensing, positioning, navigation, and condition monitoring of critical assets. The company offers a comprehensive range of accelerometers, gyroscopes, vibration sensors, and inertial MEMS foundry services, contributing to the digital transformation of transportation, energy, and industrial markets. Founded in 1997, Tronics employs around 100 people in Crolles, near Grenoble (France), where it operates its EN 9100-certified MEMS wafer fab, assembly, packaging, and test facilities. Tronics is majority-owned by TDK Electronics AG since January 2017.

* Code ISIN: FR0004175099 ALTRO

About TDK Corporation

TDK Corporation is a world leader in electronic solutions for the smart society based in Tokyo, Japan. Built on a foundation of material sciences mastery, TDK welcomes societal transformation by resolutely remaining at the forefront of technological evolution. It was established in 1935 to commercialize ferrite, a key material in electronic and magnetic products. TDK's comprehensive, innovation-driven portfolio features passive components such as ceramic, aluminum electrolytic and film capacitors, as well as magnetics, high-frequency, and piezo and protection devices. The product spectrum also includes sensors and sensor systems such as temperature and pressure, magnetic, and MEMS sensors. In addition, TDK provides power supplies and energy devices, magnetic heads, software and more. These products are marketed under the product brands TDK, TDK Electronics, InvenSense, Micronas, Tronic's, and TDK-Lambda. TDK focuses on demanding markets in automotive, industrial and consumer electronics, and information and communication technology. The company has a network of design and manufacturing locations and sales offices in Asia, Europe, and in North and South America. In fiscal 2025, TDK posted total sales of USD 14.4 billion and employed about 105,000 people worldwide.

TRONICS CONTACT

Quentin Vincent

Chief Financial Officer

Phone: 00 33 4 76 97 94 30

info.tronics@tdk.com



For more information: www.tronicsgroup-bourse.com/en/

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Airwell Group (Euronext Growth, ALAIR), a creator of smart energy ecosystems, reports its revenue for H1 2025, which came to 22.0 million, with an improvement in the trend during the second quarter compared to the first as expected.

French standards

(m) - unaudited Q2 2024 Q2 2025 Change (%) H1 2024 H1 2025 Change (%) Mainland France 7.4 5.3 -27.6% 16.0 9.1 -42.8% Overseas territories 1.0 1.7 +68.8% 1.4 3.5 +147.7% International 5.4 6.2 +15,8% 8.3 9.4 +13.0% TOTAL 13.8 13.2 -4.0% 25.7 22.0 -14.4%

Sequential improvement in activity in Q2

Airwell Group reported revenue of 13.2 million in the second quarter, representing a slight decline of -4.0% compared to Q2 2024, but a sequential increase of +51% compared to Q1 2025, confirming the expected gradual improvement. Two geographic regions showed strong growth (Overseas Territories and International), while the trend in France starts improving but remaining below past levels due to the continued impact of the crisis in the real estate market.

This trend improvement in first half brings H1 2025 revenue to 22.0 million (-14.4%), which breakdowns as follow:

Revenue in mainland France amounted to 9.2 million in H1 2025, compared to 16.0 million in H1 2024, when the market was still buoyant-prior to the trend reversal from the second half of 2024. This figure includes the restart of operations at Airwell Industrie, with the launch of new premium product ranges earlier this year, as well as the initial contributions from Leezy in June.

Revenue from the French Overseas Territories amounted to 3.5 million, up sharply from 1.4 million, representing strong growth of +148% year-on-year. As expected, activity in the Overseas Territories rebounded strongly, with solid sales volumes notably in Reunion and Guadeloupe.

Finally, the International region posted revenue of 9.4 million in H1 2025, compared to 8.3 million in H1 2024, representing an increase of +13.0%. Commercial initiatives are bearing fruit in Africa, with Morocco emerging as the leading contributor to revenue in H1.

In terms of sector breakdown, 83% of sales were generated in the residential market and 17% in the commercial sector.

The decline in business activity will mechanically weigh on EBITDA, which is expected around -2 million in H1 2025.

2025 Outlook confirmed

Given the current business momentum, the Group expects a stronger performance in the second half and is targeting a gradual recovery from the shortfall incurred in the first half. The Group reaffirms its FY25 guidance to return to annual revenue growth and enhance profitability versus 2024.

The Group will notably rely on strong export momentum, particularly in the Africa/Middle East region and in Europe, as well as in the French overseas territories. The activity in France is also expected to recover, benefiting from a more favourable basis for comparison, although uncertainties remain-particularly regarding the continuation of incentive programs (such as "MaPrimeRenov'"). The Group intends to continue capitalizing on its new innovative offerings (Leezy and Airwell Industrie) to support the commercial activity and grow its market share.

Next release:

Half year results: Thursday 25th September 2025, after market closure

About Airwell

Founded in 1947 in France, Airwell is France's leading designer of heat pumps in the field of climatic and thermal engineering. A major operator, the French pioneer in heat pumps and then the leading European manufacturer in the 1970s, Airwell became Groupe Airwell in 2021. In a market driven by the energy transition, the company aims to become a reference in Europe, and a key player in climate and thermal solutions based on needs and uses on a global level, with a presence in 80 countries. The French developer of climatic and thermal solutions continued to develop in an effort to optimise the energy consumption of its products, protect natural resources and capture solar energy, thereby significantly reducing its customers' environmental footprints. Based in Montigny-le-Bretonneux ((78), a municipality in Greater Paris), Groupe Airwell has more than 100 employees. In March 2023, the Group became a member of the Communaute du Coq Vert run by Bpi France and ADEME (French Agency for Ecological Transition).

Compartment: Euronext Growth Paris

Ticker: ALAIR

www.groupe-airwell.com

Contacts

GROUPE AIRWELL ATOUT CAPITAL ACTUS finance & communication CEO

Laurent ROEGEL

investisseurs@airwell.com Rodolphe OSSOLA

Listing Sponsor

rodolphe.ossola@atoutcapital.com

+33 (0)1 56 69 61 86 Financial Communication

Anne-Pauline PETUREAUX

apetureaux@actus.fr

+33 (0)1 53 67 36 72 Media Relations

Anne-Charlotte DUDICOURT

acdudicourt@actus.fr

+33 (0)1 53 67 36 32

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PRESS RELEASE

Paris, 24 July 2025

Revenues in m (unaudited) 2024 2025 Change % H1 turnover 134.1 121.9 -9.1% Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics 26.4 22.5 -14.8% Bogart Beauty Retail 107.7 99.4 -7.7% Other H1 revenues[1] 5.8 4.5 -22.4% Total H1 revenues 139.9 126.4 -9.6%

H1 business

In a less buoyant economic environment, BOGART reported turnover of 121.9m for the first half of 2025, down by -9.1% at current exchange rates versus H1 2024 (-8.6% at constant consolidation scope and exchange rates).

For H1 2025, Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics generated turnover of 22.5m, declining by -14.8% year-on-year. The drop in consumption and the global backdrop in the Middle East led to underperformance across all regions. In the United States, sales for the Jacques Bogart and Ted Lapidus brands were disrupted due to uncertainty regarding customs duties on imported products from Europe, resulting in deferrals of orders in the second half of the year. However, for the period, the Group observed greater resilience in luxury products (Stendhal with its "Divine Alba" skincare line in France and ROSE ET MARIUS in export markets).

Turnover achieved by Bogart Beauty Retail came to 99.4m in H1 2025, representing a more marginal decrease of -7.7% from the same period last year, with a relatively consistent decline throughout the Europe-wide store network. Over the first half, BOGART implemented optimisation measures in its network by closing 23 non-profitable stores in France, Belgium and Germany. In the Middle East, business in Israel was impaired by the international situation while Dubai proved more resilient during the period.

2025 outlook

BOGART remains cautious with respect to macroeconomic developments in consumption which could continue weighing on its business, in addition to trends in the Euro/US dollar exchange rate. The Group also remains attentive to its cost structure, with a raft of measures introduced in Belgium that are set to show results in the second half.

Against this uncertain background, the Group plans to continue refining its offering, shifting toward more premium products which appear to be in a stronger position.

In the Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics division, BOGART recently unveiled 7 debut fragrances under the new high-end perfume brand "Aholic" with their launch spanning 3 European countries. Parallel to this, Ted Lapidus' newly released fragrance - "Noir Onyx" - has been well received.

Looking ahead to the second half, a wide range of innovations are expected under the PARFUMS JACQUES BOGART label, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Jacques Bogart (3 major launches including a collection of 7 exclusive and affordably priced fragrances).

In cosmetics, Stendhal will continue the rollout of its ultra-premium skincare line - "Divine Alba" - while also kick-starting a new haircare brand. At the same time, Methode Jeanne Piaubert, APRIL and Close will step up their development with over 30 new product releases. Lastly, ROSE ET MARIUS will present 3 all-new fragrances along with a significant redesign of its packaging.

Next publication

H1 2025 results: Thursday 25 September 2025 (after market)

Group website www.groupe-bogart.com

CONTACTS

BOGART

contact@jbogart.com

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 77 55 55

ACTUS FINANCE & COMMUNICATION

Investor Relations

Anne-Pauline PETUREAUX

apetureaux@actus.fr

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 72

Media Relations

Fatou-Kine N'DIAYE

fndiaye@actus.fr

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 34

H1 turnover at constant consolidation scope and exchange rates

Revenues in m 2024 2025 Change % H1 turnover 131.9 120.5 -8.6% Bogart Fragrances & Cosmetics 26.4 22.6 -14.4% Bogart Beauty Retail 105.5 97.9 -7.2% Other H1 revenues[2] 5.8 4.5 -22.4% Total H1 revenues 137.7 125.0 -9.2%

[1] Revenues from licences and advertising rebillings for brands which are distributed to BOGART's own-brand networks.

[2] Revenues from licences and advertising rebillings for brands which are distributed to BOGART's own-brand networks.

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Adjusted Single-Digit YoY CARR Growth Guidance for Full Year

Reaffirmed Monthly Cash EBITDA Positive Position Starting from End of 2025

Regulatory News:

MotorK PLC (AMS: MTRK) ("MotorK", the "Group" or the "Company"), a leading SaaS provider to the automotive retail industry in the EMEA region, today announced its financial results for the first six months of the year ended on 30 June 2025 ("H1 25").

H1 25 Financial Highlights:

Committed Annual Recurring Revenue (CARR 1 35.8 million in H1 25. New additions to CARR were at double digits (3.9 million) compared to FY 24, offset by churn mostly related to phase-out of non-core retail customers, in line with the Company's strategic focus on high-value segments.

35.8 million in H1 25. New additions to CARR were at double digits (3.9 million) compared to FY 24, offset by churn mostly related to phase-out of non-core retail customers, in line with the Company's strategic focus on high-value segments. Recurring Billings 2 : 15.8 million in the first six months of 2025, representing 78% share of total revenue and demonstrating the strength of the Group's recurring revenue model.

: 15.8 million in the first six months of 2025, representing 78% share of total revenue and demonstrating the strength of the Group's recurring revenue model. Cost Efficiency : 3% year-on-year cost base reduction to 19.2 million, driven by platform consolidation and streamlined operations.

: 3% year-on-year cost base reduction to 19.2 million, driven by platform consolidation and streamlined operations. Cash EBITDA improvement: a 46% year-on-year improvement, reaching negative 2.6 million in the first half, reflecting ongoing margin expansion and disciplined execution on the path to sustained profitability.

a 46% year-on-year improvement, reaching negative 2.6 million in the first half, reflecting ongoing margin expansion and disciplined execution on the path to sustained profitability. Operating Free Cashflow : 1.7 million compared to negative 2.6 million in H1 24, driven by the abovementioned initiatives to positive territory for the first time.

: 1.7 million compared to negative 2.6 million in H1 24, driven by the abovementioned initiatives to positive territory for the first time. Acquired Business Integration : acceleration of the migration of legacy platform's customers to the Group's solutions, enabling full alignment to the core product suite and phasing out of non-strategic tools.

: acceleration of the migration of legacy platform's customers to the Group's solutions, enabling full alignment to the core product suite and phasing out of non-strategic tools. Net Borrowing Position: negative 15.6 million at 30 June 2025.

COMMENTS ON H1 25 RESULTS FROM AMIR ROSENTULER, CHAIRMAN AND INTERIM CEO

The first half of 2025 was marked by continued volatility in the European automotive sector, as OEMs faced tariff-related uncertainty and supply chain disruptions, prompting a reassessment of production plans. At the same time, dealer sentiment remained cautious amid subdued consumer demand and elevated vehicle prices across key markets.

Against this backdrop, MotorK has taken deliberate and disciplined action to strengthen its business model and accelerate the path to profitability. We have sharpened our strategic focus on scalable, high-value customer segments, optimized our product delivery infrastructure, and exited non-core, low-margin contracts. These initiatives, though impacting short-term revenue, have materially improved our operational efficiency and cost base. We are now operating with greater agility, clearer priorities, and a stronger foundation for sustainable, high-margin growth in the periods ahead.

STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

CARR stood at 35.8 million in H1 2025, down from 36.6 million in December 2024, reflecting the impact of two opposing dynamics.

Firstly, the new additions to CARR were at 3.9 million in the first six months of 2025, fueled by both enterprise and retail new opportunities won. However, throughout H1 2025, MotorK executed a diversified strategy aimed at increasing operational efficiency and focusing commercial efforts on core segments that align with the Company's long-term SaaS model. Following the completion of several migration programs related to previously acquired businesses, MotorK has exited legacy and highly customized contracts that no longer meet the Company's profitability or scalability criteria. This strategic realignment resulted in a temporary increase in churn that completely offset the H1 25 additional CARR achievements.

The Company is now better positioned to serve scalable, high-value customer cohorts and concentrate on markets and products that deliver consistent, high-margin recurring revenue.

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND COST OPTIMIZATION

While external pressures and the impact of strategic portfolio optimization affected the top-line growth, the Group progressed in its path to profitability.

Recurring billings for the first half were 15.8 million, compared to 15.6 million in the same period last year. This result underscores the stability and predictability of the business model.

Organizational streamlining efforts continued, with a carefully managed reduction in headcount and Other costs, leading to a 9% and 10% improvement respectively. Overall, the Company reduced its operating cost base by 3% compared to the same period in 2024. All these initiatives translated into a 1 million Adjusted EBITDA for H1 2025, compared to 0.1 million in H1 24, an almost break-even EBITDA of negative 0.1 million, and an improved margin profile. More importantly, Cash EBITDA came in at negative 2.6 million, compared to negative 4.8 million last year, and the Operating Free Cash-Flow turned positive for the first time, continuing the Company's trajectory toward profitability and efficiency.

COMMERCIAL MOMENTUM

MotorK's commercial performance in the first half of 2025 reflects the early impact of the Company's strategic portfolio refocus. While net CARR has been temporarily affected by the exit of non-core customers, gross bookings in H1 remained strong, supported by ongoing demand for digital transformation, particularly from large enterprise accounts.

Geographically, Italy continued to represent the Company's largest and most resilient market, delivering 13.5 million in Revenue, up 4% year-on-year. Spain also posted solid growth of 5%, reflecting increasing traction with dealer groups and OEM partners. France and Germany experienced temporary declines of 8% and 9% respectively, largely driven by the planned phase-out of legacy, heavily customized client engagements. These exits are consistent with MotorK's strategy to streamline operations and focus on scalable, product-led deployments. Benelux delivered stable growth of 2%, contributing 1.2 million in Revenue.

Overall, despite the selective contraction of the customer base, Revenues rose modestly by 1.4% compared to the prior year. This underscores the underlying strength of the core regions and validates the Company's decision to concentrate on strategic markets with strong product-market fit.

As of 30 June 2025, MotorK carried forward a qualified pipeline of 12.7 million, comprising 4.7 million in enterprise opportunities and 8 million in retail. Several high-value enterprise contracts are currently in final negotiation stages. Management maintains a high degree of visibility and confidence around their expected conversion during the second half of the year.

OUTLOOK

Looking ahead to the second half of the year, the Company anticipates its realigned commercial engine to deliver improved retention and progressively rebuild CARR growth from a higher quality base.

Management expects CARR to resume sequential growth beginning in Q4 2025, supported by new bookings and improved retention dynamics. To reflect the impact of the abovementioned uncertainty in the market and the incurred churn in the first half of 2025, the management reviewed the guideline on CARR, previously estimated to grow by a low double digit, and now expected to increase at a low single digit rate on a full-year basis.

The business enters H2 with a leaner, more focused customer base and a more streamlined cost structure, with the latter further expected to reduce by approximately 10% on a full-year basis. Cash EBITDA, in line with previous estimates, is expected to turn positive on a monthly basis towards the end of 2025.

While the macroeconomic environment remains unpredictable, MotorK's strategic choices over the past 18 months have created a more agile, profitable, and resilient operating model. MotorK remains confident in its long-term outlook and its ability to deliver sustainable value creation through disciplined execution and a clear focus on product-led growth.

HY 2025 UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS In k Jun-25 Jun-24 restated Revenues 20,259 19,977 Costs for customers media services (3,993) (4,034) Personnel costs (12,621) (13,854) R&D capitalization 3,590 4,859 Other costs (6,220) (6,868) Total costs (19,244) (19,897) EBITDA Adjusted 1,015 80 Exceptional income/(costs) (793) (1,097) Stock Option Plan costs (179) (573) EBITDA 43 (1,590) Depreciation Amortization (4,157) (5,133) EBIT (4,114) (6,723) Finance costs (net of finance income) (1,233) (1,129) Profit/(Loss) before tax (5,347) (7,852) Corporate income tax (118) (118) Profit/(Loss) for the period (5,465) (7,970) HY 2025 UNAUDITED CASH FLOW STATEMENT In k Jun-25 Jun-24 restated Cash Beginning of the period 3,362 3,509 EBITDA Adjusted 1,015 80 Decrease (increase) in working capital 691 (2,642) Operating free cash-flow 1,706 (2,562) Taxes collected (paid) (164) 104 Cash flow from investing activities tangible assets (5) (3) Cash flow from investing activities R&D (3,728) (4,880) Free cash-flow (2,191) (7,341) Exceptional items (833) (897) Cash inflow/(outflow) for investing activities 3,279 (4,302) Cash inflow/(outflow) for financing activities (3,912) 2,122 Cash inflow from equity movements 5,456 14,095 Others (208) (83) Net increase in cash 1,591 3,594 Cash End of the period 4,953 7,103 HY 2025 UNAUDITED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION In k Jun-25 Dec-24 Tangible assets 2,717 3,379 Intangible assets 46,573 46,335 Investment in associates companies 0 3,538 Fixed assets 49,290 53,252 Net working capital (1,840) (1,108) Deferred tax liabilities (1,403) (1,533) Employees benefit liabilities (2,192) (2,310) Provisions (92) (121) Total invested capital 43,763 48,180 Cash and cash equivalents 4,953 3,362 Financial assets 257 242 Financial liabilities (20,736) (23,764) Net borrowing position (15,526) (20,160) Net equity 28,237 28,020

HY 2025 UNAUDITED REVENUES BY PRODUCT AND SERVICES LINE In k Jun-25 Jun-24 restated y.o.y. change SaaS platform 15,585 14,620 7% Digital Marketing 4,020 4,559 -12% Other 654 798 -18% Revenues 20,259 19,977 1% HY 2025 UNAUDITED RECURRING AND NON RECURRING REVENUES In k Jun-25 Jun-24 restated y.o.y. change SaaS Recurring 15,291 14,593 5% Other recurring 502 984 -49% Recurring revenues 15,793 15,577 1% % Recurring on Revenues 78% 78% 0% Contract start-up 293 62 373% Digital 3,533 3,888 -9% Other 640 450 42% Non Recurring revenues 4,466 4,400 2% Revenues 20,259 19,977 1% HY 2025 UNAUDITED REVENUES BY GEOGRAPHY* In k Jun-25 Jun-24 restated y.o.y. change Italy 13,464 12,956 4% Spain 1,854 1,760 5% France 2,702 2,943 -8% Germany 1,026 1,132 -9% Benelux 1,213 1,186 2% Revenues 20,259 19,977 1%

HY 2025 UNAUDITED RECURRING AND NON RECURRING REVENUES In k Jun-25 Jun-24 restated y.o.y. change SaaS Recurring 15,291 14,593 5% Other recurring 502 984 -49% Recurring revenues 15,793 15,577 1% % Recurring on Revenues 78% 78% 0% Contract start-up 293 62 373% Digital 3,533 3,888 -9% Other 640 450 42% Non Recurring revenues 4,466 4,400 2% Revenues 20,259 19,977 1% It represents Revenues broken down by the countries in which the legal entities are established, independently of the geographical location of the customers.

HY 2025 UNAUDITED CASH EBITDA In k Jun-25 Jun-24 restated y.o.y. change EBITDA Adjusted 1,015 80 1169% R&D Capitalization (3,590) (4,859) -26% Cash EBITDA (2,575) (4,779) -46%

NEXT PUBLICATION: Q3 25 TRADING UPDATE, 23 OCTOBER 2025

Forward-looking information and disclaimer

This press release may include forward-looking statements. Other than reported financial results and historical information, all statements included in this press release, including, without limitation, those regarding our financial position, business strategy and management plans and objectives for future operations, may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limitation, any statements preceded or followed by or that include the words "targets", "plans", "believes", "expects", "aims", "intends", "anticipates", "estimates", "projects", "will", "may", "would", "could" or "should", or words or terms of similar substance or the negative thereof, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, projections and key assumptions about future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond MotorK's ability to control or estimate precisely, such as future market conditions, the behavior of other market participants and the actions of governmental regulators. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release and are subject to change without notice. Other than as required by applicable law or the applicable rules of any exchange on which our securities may be traded, we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.

Important information

This press release contains information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the Market Abuse Regulation (596/2014).

ABOUT MOTORK PLC

MotorK (AMS: MTRK) is a leading software as a service ("SaaS") provider for the automotive retail industry in the EMEA region, with approximately 350 employees and in eight countries (Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, and Israel). MotorK empowers car manufacturers and dealers to improve their customer experience through a broad suite of fully integrated digital products and services. MotorK provides its customers with an innovative combination of digital solutions, SaaS cloud products and the largest R&D department in the automotive digital sales and marketing industry in Europe. MotorK is a company registered in England and Wales. Registered office: 5th Floor One New Change, London, England, EC4M 9AF Company Registration: 9259000. For more information: www.motork.io or investors.motork.io.

____________________ 1 Committed ARR ("CARR") includes ARR and Committed Recurring Revenues ("CRR"). CRR refers to signed contracts to be delivered and billed. 2 Following the Group's restatement to IFRS 15 over time revenue recognition, Recurring billings are equivalent to Recurring revenues.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250724639029/en/

Contacts:

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION



MotorK Investor Relations

Boaz Zilberman

boaz.zilberman@motork.io

+972 532 819 810
All Entries Now Eligible for $1,000 Top Prize: The Joseph L. Galloway Award

WASHINGTON, D.C. / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / The Military Reporters & Editors (MRE) association has extended the deadline for its prestigious annual journalism contest to Friday, August 1, 2025, giving journalists additional time to submit their best work published between January 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.

The MRE Awards Contest recognizes outstanding reporting in the fields of military, defense, and national security journalism. This year's contest reflects significant updates to award categories, acknowledging the evolution of modern news delivery and its global reach across diverse media platforms and formats.

New in 2025: Every Entry Eligible for Top Honor

All entries submitted across all categories will now be considered for the Joseph L. Galloway Award for Distinguished Journalism, a top honor that includes a $1,000 cash prize. The winner will be selected by an independent panel of judges in recognition of extraordinary reporting that exemplifies excellence, courage, and impact in military journalism.

Additionally, all text media entries will be automatically eligible for the James Crawley Award, which now includes a $500 cash prize for the winning journalist.

"MRE is proud to spotlight the best-of-the-best in journalism that holds power to account, tells untold stories, and serves the public interest," said the MRE Board of Directors. "With updated categories and significant prizes, this year's contest reflects the dynamism and dedication of reporters covering some of the world's most important beats."

Contest Details

Deadline: Extended to Friday, August 1, 2025

Eligibility: Work published between January 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025

Prizes:

Joseph L. Galloway Award for Distinguished Journalism - $1,000

James Crawley Award (text media) - $500

For full contest rules, category descriptions, and submission guidelines, visit: https://www.militaryreporters.org/2025/05/2025-mre-journalism-contest-details/

Media Contact:

Jen Judson

Military Reporters & Editors president

jenjudson@gmail.com







SOURCE: Military Reporters & Editors

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/publishing-and-media/military-reporters-and-editors-awards-contest-deadline-extended-to-august-1-1052536
BANGALORE, India, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Automotive IDM Market is Segmented by Type (Advanced Packaging, Mainstream Packaging), by Application (Leadframe, MEMS & Sensors, Power Discretes and Modules, Flip Chip (FC), SiP Modules, Laminate).

The Global Market for Automotive IDM was valued at USD 6663 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 14450 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 11.9% during the forecast period.

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Major Factors Driving the Growth of Automotive IDM Market:

The automotive IDM market is poised for robust growth driven by rising electronic content in vehicles, the electrification trend, and the need for vertically integrated, reliable chip suppliers. IDMs are uniquely positioned to meet automotive-grade demands for quality, customization, and compliance through their end-to-end capabilities.

As OEMs increasingly seek long-term, strategic semiconductor partners, IDMs benefit from deeper integration into design and production roadmaps. Moreover, the convergence of automotive with digital technologies such as AI, 5G, and autonomous mobility to further enhance IDM relevance. With investments pouring into automotive semiconductor innovation, the IDM model continues to thrive in the evolving mobility landscape.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE AUTOMOTIVE IDM MARKET:

Advanced packaging is playing a pivotal role in driving the growth of the automotive IDM (Integrated Device Manufacturer) market by enabling compact, high-performance semiconductor solutions required for modern vehicles. Technologies such as system-in-package (SiP), flip-chip, and wafer-level packaging allow integration of multiple functions like computing, sensing, and power management in smaller footprints. This is critical for electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous driving systems, and infotainment modules that demand high-speed processing and thermal efficiency. Advanced packaging also enhances signal integrity and reliability under harsh automotive conditions. As OEMs shift toward smarter, energy-efficient vehicles, IDMs leveraging cutting-edge packaging techniques are gaining a competitive edge, resulting in increased demand and accelerated market expansion.

Mainstream packaging continues to drive the automotive IDM market by providing cost-effective and scalable solutions that meet the rigorous demands of automotive applications. Legacy packaging technologies like leaded packages, QFP, and BGA still hold significant relevance for standard automotive ICs such as microcontrollers, analog sensors, and regulators. These solutions offer proven durability, thermal performance, and compatibility with existing assembly lines. For manufacturers seeking to balance innovation with affordability, mainstream packaging offers a stable option for non-critical systems like lighting, dashboard controls, and basic driver assistance systems. The continued use of these packaging formats across global Tier 1 suppliers sustains growth within the IDM segment.

MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) and sensors are major growth drivers of the automotive IDM market as modern vehicles rely heavily on real-time data acquisition for safety, performance, and automation. Integrated IDMs that produce MEMS accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors, and radar modules cater to applications like airbag deployment, tire pressure monitoring, ADAS, and autonomous navigation. The miniaturization of sensors and their integration into complex electronic control units (ECUs) demand in-house design, fabrication, and packaging expertise, which IDMs possess. With rising adoption of EVs and self-driving technologies, the demand for reliable and precise MEMS sensors from vertically integrated manufacturers is growing rapidly.

The accelerating shift toward electric vehicles is significantly boosting the automotive IDM market. EVs require complex semiconductor systems for battery management, inverters, electric drivetrain controls, and power electronics. IDMs capable of vertically integrating design and manufacturing are better positioned to deliver high-efficiency chips tailored for EV architectures. As governments tighten emission regulations and invest in e-mobility infrastructure, OEMs are pushing for customized chipsets that support lightweight, energy-efficient systems. This growing focus on electrification is driving demand for IDMs that can supply differentiated silicon with high reliability, thus creating new revenue streams across both premium and mass-market EV segments.

The automotive industry's heightened emphasis on safety has led to increased integration of electronics in every subsystem-from braking and steering to airbags and obstacle detection. These applications require components with stringent quality, reliability, and real-time responsiveness. IDMs are preferred suppliers due to their end-to-end control over chip design, fabrication, and testing, ensuring automotive-grade quality. Technologies like ISO 26262-compliant microcontrollers and redundant safety sensors are increasingly being supplied by IDMs to support ADAS and autonomous systems. The rising volume of safety-critical electronics in vehicles is thus directly contributing to the sustained growth of the automotive IDM market.

As consumers demand enhanced in-vehicle digital experiences, automakers are integrating advanced infotainment, telematics, and connectivity features. IDMs are responding by delivering SOCs (system-on-chips), connectivity chipsets, and multimedia processors tailored for automotive use cases. These chips must support wireless communication (5G, Wi-Fi), navigation, audio-video streaming, and software-over-the-air (SOTA) updates with low latency and high reliability. In-house control over chip design and fabrication allows IDMs to meet stringent automotive standards and reduce development cycles. The increasing value placed on connected mobility and digital cabins is creating new growth opportunities for IDMs in infotainment and communication systems.

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AUTOMOTIVE IDM MARKET SHARE:

Global key players of Automotive IDM include NXP Semiconductors, Infineon (Cypress), Renesas, TI (Texas Instruments), STMicroelectronics, Bosch, etc. The top five players hold a share over 70%.

Asia-Pacific leads the automotive IDM market due to its strong semiconductor fabrication infrastructure and dominance in automotive manufacturing. Countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan house several IDM giants that supply to both global and regional OEMs.

North America is witnessing rapid growth, supported by advanced R&D hubs, EV adoption, and government incentives for chip manufacturing.

Key Companies:

NXP Semiconductors

Infineon (Cypress)

Renesas

TI (Texas Instruments)

STMicroelectronics

Bosch

Onsemi

Mitsubishi Electric

ROHM CO LTD

Microchip (Microsemi)

Toshiba

BYD

Zhuzhou Crrc Times Electric

China Resources Microelectronics Limited

Hangzhou Silan microelectronics

Rapidus

ADI (Analog Devices, Inc)

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DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS!

- Automotive Intelligent Power Module (IPM) Market was valued at USD 159 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 342 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 11.7% during the forecast period.

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- Power Semiconductor (IDM) Market was valued at USD 59700 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 84380 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.1% during the forecast period.

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- EV Integrated Driver Module (iDM) Market

- Automotive Chip Packaging Market was valued at USD 9814 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 17410 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.7% during the forecast period.

- Automotive Power Management Chip Market was valued at USD 5033 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 9418 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 9.5% during the forecast period.

- Automotive Microcontrollers (MCU) Market revenue was USD 7194 Million in 2022 and is forecast to a readjusted size of USD 11620 Million by 2029 with a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period (2023-2029).

- Power GaN Chips IDM Market was valued at USD 176 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 651 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 20.8% during the forecast period.

- Automotive Fast Recovery Diodes Market was valued at USD 67.1 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 93.3 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period.

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Taurus Gold Corp. (CSE: TAUR) (OTC Pink: TARGF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Gabriel Kabazo to its Board of Directors and as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately.

Mr. Kabazo, 52, is a seasoned finance and operations executive with over 25 years of experience in accounting, finance, and IT operations across both public and private companies. He currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of Fort Technology Inc. (TSXV: FORT), a position he assumed in July 2025. In addition, he serves as Chief Financial Officer of Femto Technologies Inc. (OTCID: FMTOF), Plantify Foods Inc. (TSXV: PTFY), and Starmet Ventures Inc. (CSE: STAR).

Mr. Kabazo holds a B.A. in Accounting and Economics from Tel Aviv University (1997), received his CPA designation in Israel in 1999, and earned an MBA in Finance from the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia in 2006.

The Company also announces the resignation of Ms. Meghan Brown from the Board of Directors. The Board extends its sincere gratitude to Ms. Brown for her dedicated service and valuable contributions and wishes her continued success in her future endeavors.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

About Taurus Gold

Taurus Gold is a growth-oriented mineral exploration company with a 51% interest in the Charlotte gold-silver property in the Yukon. The Charlotte property covers 23 square kilometres and is accessible by road within the established Dawson Range mining district. The Company's shares trade on the CSE under the symbol TAUR.

Forward-looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included herein are forward-looking, other than statements of historical fact. Generally, the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "is expected", or "will continue", 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. Forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Taurus Gold to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements. Although Taurus Gold has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information and forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information or statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information or statements. The forward-looking statements and forward-looking information are made as of the date hereof and Taurus Gold disclaims, except as required by applicable securities laws, any obligation to update any such factors or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/259980

SOURCE: Taurus Gold Corp.
GovSat-2 is aimed at meeting growing demand for highly secure, flexible MILSATCOM services

SES and the Luxembourg Government today announced their plan for development of a second satellite for GovSat (LuxGovSat S.A.), the public-private partnership and 50/50 joint venture between SES and the Luxembourg Government that provides secure, reliable and accessible satellite communication services for governments.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250724379713/en/

GovSat-2. Copyright: Thales Alenia Space

GovSat-2 will be positioned over the European satellite arc. It will join GovSat-1 in augmenting reliable connectivity services for government customers over the region. The satellite will be built by Thales Alenia Space on its Spacebus 4000B2 platform.

Since launching in 2018, the joint venture's first defence satellite, GovSat-1, operated by GovSat from a secure missions operations centre in Luxembourg, has supported the Luxembourg Directorate of Defence, EU and NATO nations, the U.S. Department of Defense, and other governmental users. It has been providing connectivity for theatres of operation, interconnection of institutional as well as defence sites, border control, Intelligence, Surveillance Reconnaissance, and various other types of communications for air, land and maritime missions.

The state-of-the-art GovSat-2 satellite will extend the coverage and scale of GovSat, and is designed to address the needs of defence users at the highest Security and Service Assurance Level. The satellite will add new ultra-high frequency (UHF) channels, X- and military Ka-band, and will include other security features such as dedicated hardening, an advanced anti-jamming system, and embedded geolocation.

The investment in GovSat-2 is in line with SES's stated financial policy criteria, and also in line with prior combined company CAPEX guidance. The satellite will be co-funded by SES and the Luxembourg Government, subject to approval of the corresponding draft law by Parliament.

"The procurement of GovSat-2 underscores the success of the GovSat public-private partnership to provide Luxembourg, our allies and partners with secure military satellite communications that supplement their national systems and support a wide range of critical military, defence and civilian security applications," said Yuriko Backes, Minister of Defence of Luxembourg. "With GovSat-2, Luxembourg will once again demonstrate its significant impact in the field of Space."

"With geopolitical shifts and an increased need for scalable national security and defence capabilities, we are seeing growing demand for secure, reliable geostationary (GEO) connectivity with comprehensive coverage across Europe, the Middle East and Africa as well as the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the Mediterranean and the Baltic Seas," said Adel Al-Saleh, CEO of SES. "As governments across Europe look to bolster their sovereign satellite communications for defence and intelligence needs, GovSat-2 gives GovSat additional MILSATCOM capacity to address this strategic area of growth."

"GovSat-2 reflects the growing demand in military satcom, allowing our GovSat public-private venture to scale and broaden the services we have been providing since 2018. For this brand new satellite, we are adding more frequency bands along with innovative functionalities for it to be well-positioned to address the future connectivity challenges the NATO and partner nations face," said Patrick Biewer, CEO of GovSat.

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About SES

At SES, we believe that space has the power to make a difference. That's why we design space solutions that help governments protect, businesses grow, and people stay connected-no matter where they are. With integrated multi-orbit satellites and our global terrestrial network, we deliver resilient, seamless connectivity and the highest quality video content to those shaping what's next. Following our Intelsat acquisition, we now offer more than 100 years of combined global industry leadership-backed by a track record of bringing innovation "firsts" to market. As a trusted partner to customers and the global space ecosystem, SES is driving impact that goes far beyond coverage.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250724379713/en/

Contacts:

Suzanne Ong

Communications

Tel. +352 710 725 500

suzanne.ong@ses.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Sierra Madre Gold and Silver Ltd. (TSXV: SM) ("Sierra Madre" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has closed the first tranche (the "First Tranche") of its previously announced brokered private placement offering of up to 27,858,000 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 $19,500,600 (the "Offering"). The First Tranche consisted of 25,358,000 Units for gross proceeds of $17,750,600. Beacon Securities Limited ("Beacon") is acting as lead agent and sole bookrunner, on behalf of a syndicate of agents including Canaccord Genuity Corp. (together with Beacon, the "Agents") in connection with the Offering.

Each Unit 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") consists 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 entitles 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, conduct a detailed exploration program, including drilling, at the East District, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

Certain directors and officers of the Company ("Interested Parties") subscribed for a total of 686,000 Units in the First Tranche, for aggregate gross proceeds of $480,200. The placement to the Interested Parties constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Securityholders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company has relied on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a), respectively, as the fair market value of the Units issued to the Interested Parties in connection with the Offering does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Company did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the Offering as the details of the participation of Interested Parties had not been confirmed at that time.

In connection with the closing of the First Tranche, the Company paid the Agents a cash fee of $1,171,933 and issued to the Agents 1,674,190 compensation options (each, a "Compensation Option"). Each Compensation Option entitles the Agents to purchase one common share at the Issue Price during a term of 12 months from the closing of the First Tranche. The Company has also paid the Agents a corporate financing fee of $26,500. In addition, the Agents received 38,010 corporate finance fee compensation options on the same terms as the Compensation Options.

Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with NI 45-106, the Units were offered for sale (i) to purchasers resident in Canada, other than Quebec, pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption, (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, and (iii) in such other jurisdictions outside of Canada and the United States, provided that no prospectus, registration statement or similar document is required to be filed in such foreign jurisdiction. The securities issued under the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption to Canadian subscribers are not subject to a hold period in Canada. The Offering remains subject to final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

The amended and restated offering document dated July 21, 2025 related to the Offering and the use by the Company of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption 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 registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any U.S. state securities laws, and were not 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.

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"

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 ORFOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/259967

SOURCE: Sierra Madre Gold & Silver
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Sokoman Minerals Corp. (TSXV: SIC) (OTCQB: SICNF) ("Sokoman" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following updates on its core properties in central/north-central Newfoundland: Moosehead, Crippleback and Fleur de Lys.

Moosehead

The Company has been unable to secure a practical processing strategy for the proposed bulk sample(s) at the Moosehead Project. Therefore, the proposed bulk sampling programs have been postponed indefinitely. Active discussions will continue with processing providers.

Timothy Froude, P.Geo., President and CEO, states, "A delay in the bulk sampling program at Moosehead has opened a window of opportunity to implement recommendations stemming from Dr. Coller's structural report on the property. In addition to a robust shallow drilling program, Dr. Coller and Exploration Manager Ryan Newman have proposed three "deep holes", each 1,000 m in length, reaching a vertical depth of 800 m. These will test for extensions of the known gold zones, intersect untested structures and guide further deep drilling. Drilling is scheduled to commence later this year, contingent upon receipt of the necessary permits."

Crippleback Lake

Prospecting in the northern portion of the property in late 2023 located disseminated copper sulphide containing mineralization (chalcopyrite) with grab sample values up to 5.4% copper in outcrop along a new logging road. A small reconnaissance soil grid over the mineralized area returned a high of 402 ppm Cu (copper) and 1197 ppm Pb (lead). In 2024, a follow-up soil sampling program confirmed multiple copper, zinc, and lead anomalies in the northern area of the property.

In late 2024, logging operations prevented a planned trenching program. The Company proceeded with an IP geophysical survey and a Phase 1 diamond-drilling program (9 holes, 1,839 m) in areas not in conflict with the logging operations. The drilling intersected significant alteration and mineralization consistent with a magmatic-hydrothermal system, potentially a porphyry Cu-(Au) and/or a high sulfidation, epithermal gold system. A total of 1,405 core samples were sent for Au and 34-element ICP analysis to Eastern Analytical Ltd. ("Eastern") in Springdale, NL, with a subset of samples (285) sent for further analysis (59 elements) to Bureau Veritas in Vancouver, BC, for elements not analyzed by Eastern. The Company has engaged Dr. Stephen Piercey, a globally recognized expert in hydrothermal ore deposits, of Memorial University in St. John's, NL, to evaluate and provide an opinion on the mineralized system intersected in the Phase 1 program.

Additional key claims have been acquired in the area based on these exploration results, and the property now covers approximately 300 claims and a 22-km length of the highly prospective Valentine Lake - Cape Ray Fault, most of which has seen little previous exploration for base metals. An expanded Induced Polarization (IP) survey is planned to define and expand the alteration/mineralization identified in the drilling, with the survey expected to start later this summer. Trenching and diamond drilling will follow.

Fleur de Lys

The 2025 exploration will target unprospected till and/or geophysical anomalies in the southern portion of the property. The 2024 exploration focused on targets only in the northern half of the property. Further close-spaced trenching is needed at the Golden Bull area, where initial prospecting had located large angular boulders with values up to 9.04 g/t Au. Additional ground surveys, including prospecting, geophysics and trenching, are planned in the area near drill hole FDL-24-23, which intersected multiple pyrite-rich quartz veins resembling pyrite veins at Curraghinalt in Northern Ireland. Since FDL-24-23 lies 3 km from the next closest drill hole, further diamond drilling is warranted.

Mr. Froude further comments, "We are also excited by the exploration results from the Crippleback Lake property, as it has features consistent with porphyry copper/gold deposits and/or an epithermal gold system. With further ground exploration at Fleur de Lys, we hope that we can return with a follow-up drill program."

QP



This news release has been reviewed and approved by Timothy Froude, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101 and President and CEO of Sokoman Minerals Corp.

About Sokoman Minerals Corp.

Sokoman Minerals Corp. is a discovery-oriented company and one of the largest landholders in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada's emerging gold district. The Company's primary focus is its portfolio of gold projects, including the 100%-owned flagship, advanced-stage Moosehead project, Crippleback Lake, and the district-scale Fleur de Lys project near Baie Verte in northwestern Newfoundland. These projects target Dalradian-type orogenic gold mineralization, similar to the Curraghinalt and Cavanacaw deposits in Northern Ireland. The Company entered a strategic alliance with Benton Resources Inc. through three, large-scale, joint-venture properties including Grey River, Golden Hope, and Kepenkeck in Newfoundland.

In October 2023, Sokoman and Benton completed an agreement with Piedmont Lithium Inc., a major developer of lithium projects and processing plants in the USA, and exactly the right partner to have to advance the lithium project. For full details of the agreement, please refer to the Company's press release dated October 11, 2023.

Projects optioned with optionee fully vested are:

East Alder Project optioned to Canterra Minerals Inc. (SIC retains shares of CTM plus 1% NSR)

Startrek Project optioned to Thunder Gold (SIC retains shares of TGOL plus 1% NSR)

The Company would like to thank the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for the financial support of the Moosehead and Fleur de Lys Projects through the Junior Exploration Assistance Program during the past few years.

Website: www.sokomanmineralscorp.com

Twitter: @SokomanMinerals

Facebook: @SokomanMinerals

LinkedIn: @SokomanMineralsCorp

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.

Investors are cautioned that trading in the securities of the Corporation should be considered highly speculative. Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially. Sokoman Minerals Corp. will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by Sokoman Minerals Corp.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/260000

SOURCE: Sokoman Minerals Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Erin Allen, Director of Online Distribution, along with members of the BMO ETF team, and their partners at The Canadian Investors Podcast Network, joined Keith Wu, Head, Exchange Traded Products, Toronto Stock Exchange, to close the market and celebrate BMO ETFs' partnership with The Canadian Investor Podcast Network who are marking their 500th episode.





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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8um8Ek4hVMQ

As one of Canada's largest and most innovative ETF providers, BMO ETFs has been proudly supporting Canadian investors since 2009. With a commitment to delivering simple, cost-effective, and diversified investment solutions, BMO ETFs has grown to become a trusted name in the Canadian investment landscape. Their deep roots in Canada and focus on long-term financial well-being reflect their dedication to helping Canadians build better portfolios.

BMO ETFs is proud to partner with The Canadian Investor Podcast Network-home to two of Canada's most popular business podcasts, The Canadian Investor and The Canadian Real Estate Investor to amplify this mission. With millions of listeners annually, The Canadian Investor Podcast Network, hosted by Braden Dennis, Simon Belanger, Daniel Kent, Daniel Foch, and Nick Hill, delivers timely insights into investing, markets, and real estate, helping Canadians make more informed financial decisions.

Together, BMO ETFs and The Canadian Investor Podcast Network are empowering a new generation of Canadian investors through education, and a shared commitment to financial literacy.

For full disclaimers and to learn more, visit: Find an ETF | BMO Global Asset Management

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/260019

SOURCE: Toronto Stock Exchange
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Minnova Corp. (TSXV: MCI) (OTC Pink: AGRDF) ("Minnova" or the "Company"), announces that, further to its press releases of April 29, 2024 and December 19, 2024, it has settled an aggregate of $800,000 of indebtedness owed to certain creditors of the Company through the issuance of an aggregate of 15,999,999 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares") at a price of $0.05 per Common Share (the "Debt Settlement").

All securities issued in connection with the Debt Settlement are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation.

The Debt Settlement is constituted "related party transactions" within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"), as certain insiders of the Company received an aggregate of 8,299,999 Common Shares. The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101, as the Company's securities are not listed on one of the markets specified in section 5.5(b) of MI 61-101. The Company did not rely on an exemption the minority shareholder approval under MI 61-101, as minority shareholder approval for the Debt Settlement was received at the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on January 22, 2025.

Prior to the completion of the Debt Settlement, Mr. Gorden Glenn held, directly or indirectly, an aggregate of 5,270,740 Common Shares and 2,791,436 stock options, representing approximately 6.68% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis and approximately 9.86% on a partially diluted basis. Upon completion of the Debt Settlement, Mr. Glenn holds an aggregate of 13,570,739 Common Shares and 2,791,436 stock options, representing approximately 14.29% of the then issued and outstanding Common Shares on an undiluted basis and approximately 16.74% on a partially diluted basis. Depending on market and other conditions, or as future circumstances may dictate, Mr. Glenn may from time to time increase or decrease its holdings of Common Shares or other securities of the Company. A copy of the early warning report will be available on the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

About Minnova Corp.

Minnova Corp. is focused on the restart of its PL Gold Mine, which included completion of a Positive Feasibility Study in 2018. The study concluded the restart of the PL Mine, at an average annual production rate of 46,493 ounces over a minimum 5-year mine life, was economically robust. Importantly the global resource remains open to expansion, as does the reserve. The PL Gold Mine benefits from a short pre-production timeline forecast at 15 months, a valid underground mining permit (Environment Act 1207E), an existing 1,000 tpd processing plant, over 7,000 meters of developed underground ramp to -135 metres depth. The project is fully road accessible and close to existing mining infrastructure in the prolific Flin Flon Greenstone Belt of Central Manitoba.

For more information, please contact:

Minnova Corp.

Gorden Glenn

President & Chief Executive Officer

Visit our website at www.minnovacorp.ca.

Forward-Looking Statements

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 news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided, and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for dissemination in the United States. Any failure to comply with this restriction may constitute a violation of U.S. Securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/259987

SOURCE: Minnova Corp.
The market for B7-H4 targeted therapies is projected to experience substantial growth in the coming years, driven by a rising incidence of cancer diagnoses, growing awareness of the B7-H4 biomarker, and an expanding pipeline of B7-H4-targeted treatments currently in clinical development.

LAS VEGAS, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Market Size, Target Population, Competitive Landscape & Market Forecast report includes a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, addressable patient population, which includes top indications such as NSCLC, Ovarian Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Biliary Tract Cancer, and others. The selected indications are based on approved therapies and ongoing pipeline activity. The report also provides insights into the emerging B7-H4 targeting therapies, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2020 to 2040, segmented into 7MM.

Key Takeaways from the B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Market Report

As per DelveInsight's analysis, the total market size of B7-H4 targeting therapies in the 7MM is expected to surge significantly by 2040.

The report provides the total potential number of patients in the indications, such as NSCLC, Ovarian Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Biliary Tract Cancer , and others.

, and others. Leading B7-H4 targeting therapies companies, such as AstraZeneca, Pfizer (Seagen), Mersana Therapeutics, GlaxoSmithKline, NextCure, and others, are developing novel B7-H4 targeting therapies that can be available in the B7-H4 targeting therapies market in the coming years.

and others, are developing novel B7-H4 targeting therapies that can be available in the B7-H4 targeting therapies market in the coming years. Some of the key B7-H4 targeting therapies in the pipeline include Puxitatug samrotecan (AZD8205), Felmetatug vedotin, Emiltatug ledadotin, GSK5733584, LNCB74, and others.

and others. In January 2025, the FDA granted an additional Fast Track Designation (FTD) to emiltatug ledadotin for the treatment of advanced or metastatic breast cancer in patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) low (IHC 1+ or IHC 2+/ISH-) or HER2-negative (IHC 0) disease, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).

Discover which indication is expected to grab the major B7-H4 targeting therapies market share @ B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Market Report

B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Market Dynamics

The B7-H4 targeting therapies market is rapidly emerging as a promising frontier in immuno-oncology. B7-H4 is a member of the B7 family of immune checkpoint molecules that has been implicated in tumor immune evasion. It is highly expressed in a wide range of solid tumors, including breast, ovarian, endometrial, and non-small cell lung cancers, while its expression in normal tissues is relatively limited. This differential expression has made B7-H4 an attractive therapeutic target, particularly for ADCs, monoclonal antibodies, and T-cell engagers.

A key driver of the market is the growing recognition of B7-H4's immunosuppressive role within the tumor microenvironment, where it inhibits T-cell activation and contributes to immune escape. As immune checkpoint inhibitors targeting PD-1/PD-L1 and CTLA-4 reach saturation in terms of patient eligibility and response, there is a strong push to identify novel checkpoints like B7-H4. Companies are now investing in developing B7-H4-targeted ADCs, which utilize cytotoxic payloads to selectively eliminate B7-H4-expressing tumor cells, showing encouraging preclinical and early clinical results.

The competitive landscape is witnessing increasing activity, with several biotech and pharmaceutical players entering this space through internal R&D or strategic collaborations. Partnerships and licensing agreements are likely to intensify as companies seek to combine B7-H4 therapies with existing immunotherapies or targeted agents to enhance treatment efficacy. Additionally, advancements in biomarker development are enabling better patient stratification, which is critical for B7-H4-targeting strategies, given its heterogeneous expression across tumor types and stages.

Despite the enthusiasm, the market also faces several challenges. These include limited understanding of B7-H4's broader biological functions, potential on-target off-tumor toxicities, and the need for robust companion diagnostics. Moreover, clinical trials are still in early phases, and long-term safety and efficacy data are lacking. Regulatory hurdles and competition from other novel checkpoints, such as TIGIT, LAG-3, and TIM-3, could also influence the pace and direction of market growth.

Overall, the B7-H4 targeting therapies market holds strong potential to reshape cancer immunotherapy, particularly for patients who are refractory to current checkpoint inhibitors. As clinical validation continues and combination strategies evolve, the coming years could witness a transformation in how immune escape mechanisms like B7-H4 are tackled in precision oncology.

B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Treatment Market

B7-H4 has emerged as a promising biomarker and therapeutic target across several indications, including cancer, inflammatory disorders, autoimmune conditions, and organ transplant settings. It is currently under early-stage development, primarily for advanced solid tumors.

Therapies targeting B7-H4 generally exhibit a manageable safety profile, with no infusion-related reactions reported. Common side effects include fatigue, neutropenia, anemia, neuropathy, and gastrointestinal disturbances. Adverse effects related to antibody-drug conjugates are consistent with those seen in traditional cytotoxic treatments.

B7-H4-directed ADCs have demonstrated encouraging activity in various cancers, including bladder, ovarian, and breast tumors. There remains a significant unmet need for effective and well-tolerated targeted therapies in these cancers, especially among patients who have relapsed or become resistant to standard treatments.

Learn more about the B7-H4 targeting therapies @ B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Analysis

Key Emerging B7-H4 Targeting Therapies and Companies

Several key players, including AstraZeneca (Puxitatug samrotecan), Mersana Therapeutics (Emiltatug ledadotin), Pfizer (Seagen) (Felmetatug vedotin), GSK (GSK5733584), and others, are involved in developing drugs for B7-H4 for various indications such as breast cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and others.

Felmetatug vedotin is an investigational antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) built on the vedotin platform. It consists of a human monoclonal antibody targeting B7-H4, linked to the cytotoxic agent monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) through a protease-cleavable maleimidocaproyl valine citrulline (mc-vc) linker. This vedotin linker-payload technology has been clinically validated in several FDA-approved therapies, including brentuximab vedotin, enfortumab vedotin, and tisotumab vedotin. Felmetatug vedotin is currently in Phase I clinical trials for the treatment of advanced solid tumors such as ovarian, peritoneal, and triple-negative breast cancers, among others. Early results from the trial demonstrated objective responses in 7 of 28 breast cancer patients and 4 of 20 ovarian cancer patients. Additionally, 1 out of 16 patients with endometrial cancer achieved a complete response.

In December 2023, Pfizer finalized its acquisition of Seagen, purchasing all outstanding common shares for $229 per share in cash, amounting to a total enterprise value of approximately $43 billion.

Emiltatug ledadotin is another B7-H4-targeting ADC, utilizing Mersana's Dolasynthen platform. It features a precisely engineered drug-to-antibody ratio (DAR) of 6 and a proprietary payload designed to deliver a controlled bystander effect. B7-H4 is highly expressed in several tumor types, including breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. In 2022, Mersana launched a multicenter Phase I clinical trial to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and preliminary efficacy of emiltatug ledadotin in patients with solid tumors, including those affecting the breast, ovary, and endometrium. The U.S. FDA has granted Fast Track Designation to the drug for adults with advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer.

Initial results from the Phase I trial indicated that emiltatug ledadotin was generally well tolerated. No Grade 4 or 5 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were observed. The most common TRAEs of any grade included transient increases in AST (38%), asymptomatic and reversible proteinuria (31%), mild nausea (29%), and fatigue (28%). Grade 3 TRAEs occurring in 5% or more of patients were limited to AST elevation (14%) and proteinuria (9%).

The anticipated launch of these emerging therapies are poised to transform the B7-H4 Targeting Therapies market landscape in the coming years. As these cutting-edge therapies continue to mature and gain regulatory approval, they are expected to reshape the B7-H4 Targeting Therapies market landscape, offering new standards of care and unlocking opportunities for medical innovation and economic growth.

To know more about B7-H4 targeting therapies clinical trials, visit @ B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Treatment

B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Overview

B7-H4, a key member of the B7 protein family, is abnormally expressed in various conditions such as cancer, inflammation, and autoimmune disorders. It acts as a negative regulator of the T cell immune response, contributing to immune evasion by suppressing T cell proliferation, cytokine production, and cell cycle progression. B7-H4 is also critically involved in cancer initiation and progression, influencing processes like cell growth, invasion, metastasis, and resistance to cell death. Beyond oncology, B7-H4 plays additional biological roles, including protecting against type 1 diabetes and supporting islet cell transplantation. Given these functions, B7-H4 has gained attention as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in cancer, immune-related diseases, and transplantation.

As a transmembrane protein, B7-H4 has attracted significant interest in solid tumor therapy, particularly in the development of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting this pathway. Notably, its overexpression has been documented in several cancers, including ovarian, lung, renal, breast, and gastric tumors. Elevated B7-H4 levels in these cancers are often linked with larger tumor size, higher tumor grade, and reduced patient survival. Its role in tumor progression is mediated through multiple mechanisms, including enhanced proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and inhibition of apoptosis.

B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Epidemiology Segmentation

The B7-H4 targeting therapies market report proffers epidemiological analysis for the study period 2020-2040 in the 7MM, segmented into:

Total Cases of Selected Indications for B7-H4

Total Eligible Patient Pool of Selected Indications for B7-H4

Total Treated Cases of Selected Indications for B7-H4

B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Report Metrics Details Study Period 2020-2040 B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Report Coverage 7MM [The United States, the EU-4 (Germany, France, Italy, and Spain), the United Kingdom, and Japan] Key Indications Covered in the Report NSCLC, Ovarian Cancer, Endometrial Cancer, Triple Negative Breast Cancer, Biliary Tract Cancer, and others Key B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Companies AstraZeneca, Pfizer (Seagen), Mersana Therapeutics, GlaxoSmithKline, NextCure, and others Key B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Puxitatug samrotecan (AZD8205), Felmetatug vedotin, Emiltatug ledadotin, GSK5733584, LNCB74, and others

Scope of the B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Market Report

B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Therapeutic Assessment: B7-H4 Targeting Therapies current marketed and emerging therapies

B7-H4 Targeting Therapies current marketed and emerging therapies B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Market Dynamics: Conjoint Analysis of Emerging B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Drugs

Conjoint Analysis of Emerging B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Drugs Competitive Intelligence Analysis: SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies

SWOT analysis and Market entry strategies Unmet Needs, KOL's views, Analyst's views, B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Market Access and Reimbursement

Discover more about B7-H4 targeting therapies in development @ B7-H4 Targeting Therapies Clinical Trials

Table of Contents



1 Key Insights 2 Report Introduction 3 Executive Summary of B7-H4 4 Key Events 5 Market Forecast Methodology 6 B7-H4 Market Overview at a Glance in the 7MM 6.1 Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies in 2027 6.2 Market Share (%) Distribution by Therapies in 2040 6.3. Market Share (%) Distribution by Indications in 2027 6.4 Market Share (%) Distribution by Indications in 2040 7 B7-H4: Background and Overview 8 Target Patient Pool 8.1 Key Findings 8.2 Assumptions and Rationale: 7MM 8.3 Epidemiology Scenario in the 7MM 8.3.1 Total Cases of Selected Indication for B7-H4 in the 7MM 8.3.2 Total Eligible Patient Pool for B7-H4 in Selected Indication in the 7MM 8.3.3 Total Treatable Cases in Selected Indications for B7-H4 in the 7MM 9 Emerging Therapies 9.1 Key Competitors 9.2 Felmetatug vedotin: Pfizer (Seagen) 9.2.1 Product Description 9.2.2 Other developmental activities 9.2.3 Clinical development 9.2.4 Safety and efficacy 9.3 Emiltatug ledadotin: Mersana Therapeutics 9.3.1 Product Description 9.3.2 Other developmental activities 9.3.3 Clinical development 9.3.4 Safety and efficacy List to be continued in the report 10 B7-H4: Seven Major Market Analysis 10.1 Key Findings 10.2 Market Outlook 10.3 Conjoint Analysis 10.4 Key Market Forecast Assumptions 10.4.1 Cost Assumptions and Rebates 10.4.2 Pricing Trends 10.4.3 Analogue Assessment 10.4.4 Launch Year and Therapy Uptakes 10.5 Total Market Size of B7-H4 in the 7MM 10.6 The United States 10.7 EU4 and the UK 10.8 Japan 11 SWOT Analysis of B7-H4 12 KOL Views of B7-H4 13 Unmet Needs of B7-H4 14 Market Access and Reimbursement 15 Bibliography 16 Report Methodology

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Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Kuya Silver Corporation (CSE: KUYA) (OTCQB: KUYAF) (FSE: 6MR1) (the "Company" or "Kuya Silver") is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement of a minimum of 10,000,000 units and up to a maximum of 20,000,000 units of the Company (each, a "Unit") at a price of CAD$0.50 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of a minimum of CAD$5,000,000 and up to a maximum of CAD$10,000,000 (the "Offering"). The Offering is being completed pursuant to the amendments to National Instrument 45-106 - Prospectus Exemptions set forth in Part 5A thereof (the "LIFE Exemption") to purchasers resident in Canada, except Quebec, and such other jurisdictions outside of Canada in compliance with applicable securities laws of those jurisdictions. The Company has filed a Form 45-106F19 offering document (the "Offering Document") related to the Offering that can be accessed under Kuya Silver's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website https://www.kuyasilver.com. Prospective investors should read the Offering Document before making an investment decision.

Each Unit will consist of one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire one additional Common Share at an exercise price of CAD$0.65 per Common Share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance. The Units issued in the Offering will not be subject to any statutory hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws, subject to limitations prescribed by the LIFE Exemption.

In connection with the Offering, the Company has engaged ECM Capital Advisors Ltd. ("ECM") to act as its financial advisor and may pay fees in accordance with the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "Exchange"), being a cash commission of up to 7.0% on total proceeds received from subscribers introduced to the Company by ECM and the issuance of non-transferable common share purchase warrants (each, a "Finder's Warrant") equal to up to 7.0% of total Units issued to subscribers introduced to the Company by ECM. Each Finder's Warrant will entitle ECM to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of CAD$0.50 per Common Share for a period of 36 months from the date of issuance. The Company may also pay certain reasonable expenses incurred by ECM up to a maximum of $10,000, exclusive of taxes. Securities issued to ECM will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring 4 months and 1 day after issuance in accordance with the policies of the Exchange and applicable Canadian securities laws.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering for exploration and development expenses for the Company's Bethania project and general working capital purposes, as more specifically detailed in the Offering Document.

The Offering may close in multiple tranches, with the first tranche closing expected to occur on or before July 31, 2025 and the final closing to occur no later than September 7, 2025. The Offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the Exchange.

The securities issued pursuant to the Offering have not, nor will they be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons in the absence of U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This press 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 the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Kuya Silver Corporation

Kuya Silver is a Canadian-based, growth-oriented mining company with a focus on silver. Kuya Silver operates the Bethania silver mine in Peru, while developing district-scale silver projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions including Peru and Canada.

Reader Advisory

This press release may contain statements which constitute "forward-looking information", including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of the Company, its directors, or its officers with respect to the size and terms of the Offering, closing of the Offering in one or more tranches, the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering, and the ability of the Company to obtain requisite approvals for the Offering. The words "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, or its management, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future business activities or performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that the Company's future business activities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors. Such risks, uncertainties and factors are described in the periodic filings with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including the Company's quarterly and annual Management's Discussion & Analysis, which may be viewed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements 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 which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results to not be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements other than as may be required by applicable law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO US 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/260022

SOURCE: Kuya Silver Corporation
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South Bend, Indiana--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - 1st Source Corporation announced today that after 50 years in successive leadership as President, Chairman and/or CEO of the corporation and its subsidiary 1st Source Bank, effective October 1, Christopher J. Murphy III, will step down from his CEO role and become Executive Chairman of the corporation and the bank.

Simultaneously, Andrea Short, President of 1st Source Corp and CEO of 1st Source Bank, will become CEO and President of 1st Source Corp and retain the title of CEO of 1st Source Bank.

Kevin Murphy, now Chief Digital Officer and Executive Vice President of 1st Source Corp and 1st Source Bank, will become President of 1st Source Bank.

Upon the announcement Mr. Murphy said "I could not be more pleased nor more excited to turn the CEO role over to a Servant Leader who has demonstrated time and again her commitment to the values of the company and who has shown a deep understanding of the financial and operating dynamics that lead to long term sustained success for the benefit of our colleagues, our clients, our communities, the markets we serve, and our shareholders. She has been a full partner in the continuing high performance of the company. I am also very pleased that Kevin Murphy represents the fourth generation of Morris family leadership since 1931, committed to 1st Source's independence and delivering on its Mission of helping our clients achieve security, build their wealth, and realize their dreams."

Long-Term Strategy for Succession

This announcement is part of a long-term, multi-year strategy for succession at 1st Source, designed to prepare the company for a strong, continuing future. Each officer has held various roles and gained experiences that prepare them well for their future challenges.

Andrea Short

Ms. Short has distinguished herself as a strong leader in her previous roles, demonstrating significant capabilities to manage the day-to-day operations of 1st Source, with a keen understanding of the actions required to achieve positive long-term performance for the company's stakeholders.

She is known for her strong relationships with colleagues throughout the bank, her commitment to their success, and her ability to ensure they are trained and focused on serving clients effectively and efficiently.

Andrea, a CPA, is a graduate in accounting from Alma College and has received further relevant training at the University of Chicago in strategy development, Northwestern University in Marketing, and the Harvard Business School in their Advanced Management Program.

She has been a strong performer for the whole of her career at the company and has been an important contributor to 1st Source's continuing success.

Chairman Murphy stated, "I have worked with Andrea since she arrived here in 1998 to take over management of our tax division and have supported her in every promotion since then. She has performed admirably in every role we have given her, living the company's values and reinforcing its commitment to clients. More importantly, she has demonstrated her belief in and commitment to our values, starting with Integrity and Teamwork."

In response to the Board's action, Ms. Short stated: "I am honored to be promoted to CEO of 1st Source Corporation and excited about the opportunity to continue to focus on the success of our neighbors, our colleagues, our clients and our shareholders." said Ms. Short, "I have had the pleasure of working with a great team here throughout my career and the privilege to learn from great leaders, especially Chris Murphy. I look forward to continuing the long commitment to our Board along with the Morris, Carmichael, Raclin, and Murphy families. I am excited to lead our team as we continue to serve our clients and communities well."

Andrea Short, CEO and President of 1st Source Corporation

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Kevin Murphy

Kevin Murphy's new role is the result of his varied experiences, particularly in IT, community banking, and the digital space, which will be crucial for the bank's future success. He started his bank career in IT, eventually moving to Treasury Products and Services, and was promoted to Regional President of the Central Region in 2017, Chief Information Officer in 2019, Group Head of IT, Electronic Banking, Marketing, and Digital Strategy in 2020, and EVP and Chief Digital Officer in 2022.

Kevin is a 1997 graduate of Wittenberg University with a BA in Political Science and later earned a BS in Information Technology from DeVry University, Cum Laude. He further prepared for future strategic leadership at 1st Source by enrolling in Notre Dame's Executive MBA program, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2015.

Chris Murphy commented, "Kevin has had increasing levels of responsibility and has served in multiple capacities across multiple divisions. He has developed a reputation for being a hands-on committed employee whose work ethic is prodigious. He also continues the Morris, Carmichael, Raclin, and Murphy family's engagement and their commitment to keeping the bank independent and serving its clients well."

"It is a tremendous honor to be named President of 1st Source Bank, an institution with a long legacy of service, trust, and community commitment," said Kevin Murphy. "Having grown within this organization over the past 19 years, I've seen firsthand the dedication of our colleagues and the meaningful impact we have on those we serve. I look forward to working closely with Andrea and our leadership team to build on our strong foundation, pursue new opportunities, embrace innovation, and remain a steadfast partner to our clients. Together, we will carry forward the mission, values, and standard of excellence that have defined 1st Source for generations."

He also added, "I, my colleagues, and the bank will be forever grateful for Chris Murphy's tremendous stewardship, mentorship, and leadership over the last 50 years."

Kevin Murphy, President of 1st Source Bank

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Ongoing Leadership and Guidance

Mr. Chris Murphy will continue as Executive Chairman, responsible for Board direction and oversight, management oversight for longer-term strategic direction, organizational development, and Executive Senior Management succession. Andrea Short will report to him and Kevin Murphy will report to CEO Short.

In closing, Chris Murphy emphasized the importance of this succession plan for the future of 1st Source Corporation: "Andrea and Kevin, along with Brett Bauer our CFO, have worked closely and will continue to work with an exceptional Executive Management Team and other Senior Leaders across the Bank, preparing new five-year aspirational goals and three-year operating and financial targets. For me, this transition is a dream come true, ensuring long-term view to building value for our shareholders by remaining independent with strong capital reserves and substantive earnings growth serving clients in a uniquely personal and local way. I believe this team can catapult 1st Source in exciting ways, assuring and continuing its future success."

This leadership transition is designed to ensure the continuing success and growth of 1st Source Corporation, with a dedicated team ready to lead the company well into the future.

Christopher Murphy, Executive Chairman of 1st Source Corporation and 1st Source Bank

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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1st Source Corporation, parent company of 1st Source Bank, has assets of $9.1 billion and is the largest locally controlled financial institution headquartered in the northern Indiana-southwestern Michigan area. The Corporation includes 78 banking centers, 18 1st Source Bank Specialty Finance Group locations nationwide, nine Trust and Wealth Advisory Services locations, 10 1st Source Insurance offices, and three loan production offices. For more than 160 years, 1st Source has been committed to our mission of helping our clients achieve security, build wealth and realize their dreams. For more information, visit https://www.1stsource.com/.

###

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/260003

SOURCE: 1st Source Corporation
Its a double trauma for the families who lost their loved ones in the Air India crash in Ahmedabad. Over a month after the tragedy, it has been discovered that two families in Britain have been handed over the wrong remains. Their lawyer has described it as appalling and called for a serious probe. But how could such a mistake occur?

The debris of an airplane lie scattered after it crashed in India's Ahmedabad. File image/AP

On June 12, Air India flight AI 171 took off from Ahmedabad for its journey to UKs Gatwick when just 32 seconds after take-off, the plane crashed, killing 260 people and becoming one of the deadliest aviation incidents in recent history.

Now, over a month after the tragedy, a new pain has hit some of the families of the victims after it was discovered that the remains of their loved ones were wrongly identified before repatriation to Britain, according to a lawyer representing them.

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The news of error comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to London where he is expected to meet with his British counterpart Keir Starmer and sign the crucial India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) deal.

Did India bungle up in sending remains to Britain?

A Daily Mail report has revealed that two families of the Air India crash victims in the UK received the wrong bodies. The report states that relatives of one victim had to abandon funeral plans after being informed that the coffin contain the remains of any unknown passenger rather than their family member.

In the other case, the commingled remnants of more than one person killed in the crash were mistakenly placed in the same casket.

James Healy-Pratt, the lawyer of the families in Britain, was quoted as telling the New York Times, This has added an indescribable psychological distress to families who are already going through the trauma of losing a loved one, he said.

Its appalling that the families have to go through this, he said. You lose a loved one on the 12th of June, and within a matter of weeks you virtually lost them again.

He added that the family who received the commingled remains were able to have them separated and hold a funeral service. However, the other family is in limbo, the lawyer was quoted as telling Daily Mail, adding, Family X have no-one to bury because it was the wrong person in their casket. And if isnt their relative, the question is, who is it in that coffin? Presumably its another passenger and their relatives have been given the wrong remains.

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A security personnel and volunteers at the site after an Air India plane crashed moments after taking off from the airport, in Ahmedabad. File image/PTI

While Family Xs identity hasnt been revealed, those who received the commingled remains were Miten Patel, who lost his mother and father  Ashok and Shobhana Patel. The couple from Kent were on the Gatwick-bound plane when it crashed.

Speaking on the mix-up, he Miten told BBC that it was obviously very upsetting. People were tired and there was a lot of pressure. But there has to be a level of responsibility that youre sending the right bodies to the UK.

The blunder was realised after a coroner in London, Dr Fiona Wilcox, sought to verify the identities of the remains repatriated to Britain by matching their DNA with samples provided by the families. She has, however, declined to comment on the issue.

What do families of other victims have to say?

While only two instances of incorrect remains have been discovered so far, it has led to concern for the victims of the families, some now even doubting if they had bid adieu to the right person.

As Altaf Taju, from Blackburn, whose London-based parents Adam (72) and Hasina (70), perished along with their son-on-law Altafhusen Patel (51) told the Daily Mail, Its horrific that this could have happened, but what could anyone do?

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He takes solace in the fact that his parents and brother-in-law were not involved in the confusion. Thats because they were buried quickly, in India as per the Muslim faith.

A person stands next to the wreckage of the Air India aircraft, bound for Londons Gatwick Airport, which crashed during take-off from an airport in Ahmedabad. File image/Reuters

The family of Akeel Nanabawa, Hannaa Vorajee and their four-year-old daughter, Sara, from Gloucester, who were all killed in the crash, also expressed concern over the matter. They noted in a report by The Guardian that the process of identification had left them uneasy. From the outset, there was a clear lack of transparency and accountability in how the identification and repatriation of victims was handled. Communication was poor. Processes were unclear. And concerns raised by bereaved families  both in India and the UK  were often met with silence.

How has India responded?

Reacting to the news, the spokesperson for Indias Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said that India has been working closely with the UK side from the moment these concerns and issues were brought to our attention.

In the wake of the tragic crash, the concerned authorities had carried out identification of victims as per established protocols and technical requirements. All mortal remains were handled with utmost professionalism and with due regard for the regard for the dignity of the deceased. We are continuing to work with the UK authorities on addressing any concerns related to this issue, a statement issued read.

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Air India, the concerned airline in the crash, said it had no comment and it has emerged that the company played no role in identifying the remains of those who died. An official, however, told The Guardian, It was the hospital, they who were the ones who confirmed the next-of-kin matches.

But how could misidentification actually happen?

This blunder, according to experts, was a result of body tissues of different people getting fused in the aftermath of the crash. This may have led to different results when making DNA analysis.

The identification of the victims in the Air India crash began almost immediately after the tragedy. It was led by local recovery teams from Ahmedabads police and fire departments and the state disaster response force. They used sniffer dogs and high-tech search equipment and were aided by local volunteers who sifted the twisted, smouldering metal with their hands.

People carry the body of a victim from the crash site after an Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane crashed in Ahmedabad. File image/Reuters

Thats where DNA testing comes in. Barring identical twins, every individual has unique DNA. Experts note that DNA identification is the gold standard for identifying human remains, especially after mass fatality events in which bodies might not be easy to identify otherwise.

These DNA samples are then matched against those taken from relatives. Thats because family members share DNA.

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One has to note, however, that this is a highly time-consuming process. It took authorities 10 months to collect DNA samples following the 9/11 attacks in the US.

Experts note that the impact of the Air India crash and the ensuing fire, which generated temperatures reaching 1,500C, left most of the bodies unrecognisable and could have also changed the DNA present in the body. HP Sanghvi, the director of the forensic lab where most of the DNA samples were sent even told New York Times, These high temperatures affect the DNA present in various parts of the body. This process is very complex.

With inputs from agencies
Frances President Emmanuel Macron and wife, Brigitte Macron, have filed a lawsuit against American right-wing influencer Candace Owens. The legal action comes after the famous social media personality has repeatedly claimed that the French First Lady was born a biological male and has even released a video series titled Becoming Brigitte

Candace Owens, the unapologetic American influencer, is being sued by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte. File image/AFP

Heres another feather she can add in her controversial hat. Candace Owens, the American right-wing influencer, has been hit with a defamation lawsuit by none other than Frances First Couple  Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron.

The reason for the lawsuit: the right-wing influencer claims that Frances First Lady Brigitte is in fact a man and that the French president was a product of a CIA human experiment or a similar government mind control programme.

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The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday in the US state of Delaware, is a rare one as world leaders rarely file defamation suits. However, it comes just days after US President Donald Trump sued the _Wall Street Journal_ and its parent companies over a report of a letter that the American leader allegedly wrote to financier Jeffrey Epstein.

But who exactly is Candace Owens? Why have the Macrons sued her? Whats at stake?

Why have Macrons sued Candace Owens?

On Wednesday (July 23), the Macrons filed a 218-page lawsuit against the American influencer, who has nearly seven million followers on X, six million followers on Instagram and nearly another five million on YouTube.

In the lawsuit, the French power couple claim that Owens has been spreading outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions.

The fictions that the Macrons are referring to are about Brigittes gender. Last March, Owens on her YouTube channel stated that she would stake her entire professional reputation on her belief that Mrs Macron is in fact a man. The influencer further claimed that the conspiracy theory was likely the biggest scandal in political history.

In the time to come, she has released a video series titled Becoming Brigitte.

Notably, Owens isnt the first person to make these claims about the French First Lady. However, she has amplified them. The French First Lady had previously filed legal claims against two women in France over their theory that Brigitte was a biological male. They were initially found guilty of libel, which has now been overturned. The French First Lady has now appealed this.

Frances President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron have claimed in their lawsuit that Candace Owens has been spreading outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions. File image/Reuters

But the lawsuit isnt just about Owens claims on Brigittes gender. The lawsuit also accuses Owens of falsely alleging the French president and his wife are blood relatives and that Emmanuel Macron was installed in office by a secret CIA plot.

The Macrons have stated that through their lawsuit they seek a retraction from Owens for the demonstrably false claims she has made about them but she instead mocked them and used them as additional fodder for her frenzied fan base.

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These outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions included that Mrs Macron was born a man, stole another persons identity, and transitioned to become Brigitte; Mrs Macron and President Macron are blood relatives committing incest; President Macron was chosen to be the President of France as part of the CIA-operated MKUltra program or a similar mind-control program; and Mrs Macron and President Macron are committing forgery, fraud, and abuses of power to conceal these secrets.

Because Ms Owens systematically reaffirmed these falsehoods in response to each of our attorneys repeated requests for a retraction, we ultimately concluded that referring the matter to a court of law was the only remaining avenue, the Macrons said in a statement. Owens campaign of defamation was plainly designed to harass and cause pain to us and our families and to garner attention and notoriety. We gave her every opportunity to back away from these claims, but she refused. It is our earnest hope that this lawsuit will set the record straight and end this campaign of defamation once and for all.

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Brigitte Macron, wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, had previously filed legal claims against two women in France over their theory that she was a biological male. File image/Reuters

The French First Couple also state that they have now been subjected to a campaign of global humiliation turning their lives into fodder for profit-driven lies and relentless bullying on a worldwide scale.

The lawsuit further claims, Every time the Macrons leave their home, they do so knowing that countless people have heard, and many believe, these vile fabrications. It is invasive, dehumanising, and deeply unjust, the complaint continued.

What is Owens reaction to the lawsuit?

The American right-wing influencer has dismissed the lawsuit, posting on YouTube that it was an obvious and desperate public relations strategy.

Moreover, a spokesperson for her said that she was not shutting up. This is a foreign government attacking the first amendment rights of an American independent journalist. Candace repeatedly requested an interview with Brigitte Macron. Instead of offering a comment, Brigitte is resorting to trying to bully a reporter into submission. In France, politicians can bully journalists, but this is not France. Its America.

Who is Candace Owens?

The Macron lawsuit has shone a spotlight on Candace Owens and her many controversies. Born in 1989, this African-American studied journalism at the University of Rhode Island, but dropped out after her junior year due to a student loan issue.

After dropping out of college, in 2015, began a marketing company that often posted anti-conservative content  one article even mocked Donald Trumps penis size. A year later, she In 2016, she began a website called SocialAutopsy.com, which identified and exposed online bullies. She said she made the site after experiencing racialised bullying and harassment in high school.

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However, after receiving criticism for her website, in 2017, she became a conservative overnight after realising liberals were actually racists.

Candace Owens is now a household name in America. She is known for supporting and championing the most bizarre of conspiracy theories. File image/AFP

She then began a YouTube channel in which she regularly criticised Democrats, feminists and even the Black Lives Matter movement. A lot of her early commentary was about the Democratic Party creating and profiting from a victim mentality among African-Americans. In fact, in 2022, she even wrote, directed and produced a film called The Greatest Lie Ever Sold: George Floyd and the Rise of BLM. The documentary-style film claimed that George Floyd died of an overdose, not at the hands of a white police officer.

Today, Owens is known for supporting and championing the most bizarre of conspiracy theories. She was one of the foremost voices against Covid vaccines  she accused billionaire and philanthropist Bill Gates of being a vaccine criminal and has questioned mortality figures from the pandemic.

Last year, she was banned from entering New Zealand and Australia with both citing anti-Semitic remarks made by her in the past. According to Australias immigration minister, her comments incite discord in almost every direction.

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Earlier in June, she grabbed headlines when she said that she was embarrassed after campaigning for President Trump during the 2024 presidential election cycle. 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. Her comments came after Trump ordered for B-52 bombers to strike at Irans nuclear sites amid tensions with Israel.

With inputs from agencies
Gaza has been reduced to ruins after 21 months of war, with over 70 per cent of its buildings damaged or destroyed and 53 million tonnes of debris blanketing the strip. Night-time light has dropped sevenfold as power infrastructure collapses, while hospitals and schools lie in ruins. Is Gaza still liveable under such devastation?

Palestinians gather as they carry aid supplies that entered Gaza through Israel, amid a hunger crisis, in Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip, July 20, 2025. File Image/Reuters

After 21 months of war, Gaza has seen 70 per cent of its buildings either destroyed or damaged, leaving the Palestinian enclave buried under millions of tonnes of rubble and shrouded in darkness, according to data from the United Nations and Nasa, analysed by AFP.

In response to the 2023 Hamas-led assault that sparked the conflict and resulted in 1,219 deaths on the Israeli side  mostly civilians, according to an AFP count based on official sources  the Israeli military has continuously bombarded the densely populated strip, which spans 365 square kilometres (141 square miles).

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53 million tonnes of rubble

According to the health ministry operating under the Hamas-led administration, Israels offensive has claimed the lives of 59,219 people in Gaza, the majority of them civilians.

The destruction on the ground has been immense: by April 4, 2025, the UNs satellite analysis agency, UNOSAT, reported that 174,500 buildings had been levelled by the Israeli strikes.

UNOSAT has estimated the resulting debris at 53.5 million tonnes  around ten times the mass of Egypts Great Pyramid of Giza.

That equates to approximately 146 kilogrammes of rubble for every square metre of land in the enclave, according to the same UN body.

While there were already buildings in Gaza that had been razed by Israel before the war, the scale of destruction since October 2023 is 18 times greater than the debris accumulated from Israeli strikes over the past 15 years combined.

Asbestos and toxic hazards

A July publication by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) warned that the vast quantity of rubble contains hazardous substances that could jeopardise public health in Gaza.

UNEP estimated that debris from older buildings may include 3.7 tonnes of asbestos, along with 2.6 tonnes of toxic waste originating from destroyed industrial facilities.

The agency noted that several densely populated refugee camps  such as those in Jabalia, Nuseirat, Maghazi, Khan Yunis, and Rafahare situated dangerously close to debris potentially contaminated with asbestos.

Only half of hospitals partially operational

Hospitals and clinics have also taken a heavy toll during Israeli airstrikes. Israel alleges that Hamas uses hospitals as bases or hideouts to conduct operations.

As of June 30, just 18 of Gazas 36 hospitals were partially functional, according to UN figures.

Out of a total of 163 healthcare facilities, only 63  or fewer than 40 per cent  were deemed fit to provide any medical care.

Nearly 90% of schools affected

Schools have similarly been ravaged by the ongoing bombardment. Many were repurposed as shelters for displaced families, but the Israeli military claims Hamas has used school premises to conceal its fighters.

Palestinian children gather to receive food from a charity kitchen, amid a hunger crisis, in Gaza City, July 22, 2025. File Image/Reuters

UNICEF, in its April 1 report, stated that out of 564 documented schools, 501 had suffered damage  meaning almost 90 percent had been affected.

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Of these, 95 schools may have sustained severe damage, while 406 were hit directly.

Night-time illumination falls sevenfold

Prior to the war, residents of the Gaza Strip received grid electricity for about 12 hours a day, according to data from the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

By 2024, that access had completely disappeared.

The sole power plant in Gaza shut down in the early phase of the conflict due to a lack of fuel. Meanwhile, power lines from Israel  which had previously supplied a significant portion of Gazas energy  were cut off.

Before the war, the power plant and Israeli supply lines jointly fulfilled 43 per cent of Gazas electricity demand.

The rest had already gone unmet.

Now, the enclave is plunged into near-total darkness once night falls.

Using Nasas BlackMarble project, which tracks ground-level light emissions (radiance), AFP analysed nighttime light levels.

From January to May 2025, the average nighttime radiance in Gaza had fallen to one-seventh of the levels seen from May to September 2023  before the war began.

In Gaza City, the reduction was even starker, with nighttime brightness down by a factor of 16.

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The only zone with illumination levels similar to pre-war figures was the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip of land along Gazas border with Egypt, now entirely controlled by the Israeli military.

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With inputs from AFP
Harshvardhan Jain was arrested on Tuesday by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) for operating a fake Westarctica embassy out of a rented house in Ghaziabads Kavi Nagar. He posed as a Baron representing Westarctica, a self-declared micronation claiming land in Antarctica and founded by a former US Navy officer. During the raid, officials recovered luxury cars with diplomatic plates, stamps from 34 countries, Rs 44 lakh in cash, and more

Harshvardhan Jain was arrested on Tuesday by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF). Image: News18

Until Tuesday, few people, even in his own Ghaziabad neighbourhood, had any idea what was going on inside his home.

Now, he has been exposed as the man behind one of the most unusual cons recently. He posed as a diplomat from imaginary countries and shared edited photos with some of Indias top leaders.

Harshvardhan Jain was arrested on Tuesday by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF). He had been running a fake Westarctica embassy from a rented house in Kavi Nagar.

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During the raid, officials found luxury cars with diplomatic plates, diplomatic passports linked to 12 micronations, stamps from 34 countries, Rs 44 lakh in cash, foreign currency, and an expensive watch collection.

But who is Harshvardhan Jain? And how did he turn a bungalow in Ghaziabad into a fake embassy?

Lets find out:

Who is Harshvardhan Jain?

The 56-year-old has claimed to live many lives.

Police say he introduced himself as the Ambassador of Westarctica and also claimed to be the consul of Seborga, Lodonia, and Poulvia, which are micronations with no official recognition.

He posed as a Baron representing Westarctica, which claims land in Antarctica and was founded by a US Navy officer.

Though the so-called country is not recognised by any official authority, Jain is accused of using its name, along with made-up titles and honorary positions, to gain access to high-profile groups.

Notably, Jain holds an MBA from the London College of Applied Science, as well as another MBA from ITS College in Ghaziabad, India Today reported.

His father was a businessman based in Ghaziabad, and the family owned marble mines in Rajasthan.

After his fathers death and facing financial difficulties, Jain came in contact with controversial godman Chandraswami. With his help, Jain moved to London, where he started several businesses.

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Investigating agencies say these companies were used to conceal unaccounted money, the report said.

After Chandraswamis death, Jain returned to Ghaziabad and set up a fake embassy to trick people.

He rented a grand bungalow in Ghaziabad and presented it as the Consulate-General in New Delhi for Westarctica.

The official Instagram page of Westarctica posted images of the house just before the police raid, claiming Baron HV Jain had been heading the consulate since 2017 and often hosted charity events.

He was seen driving luxury cars with false diplomatic number plates, distributing business cards and press passes that looked authentic enough to avoid suspicion, and for a moment, they worked.

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To appear credible, he even edited photos of himself with top leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.

What is Westarctica?

Westarctica is not a real country.

It was created in 2001 by an American named Travis McHenry, who laid claim to an uninhabited part of Antarctica.

It has a website, a self-proclaimed Grand Duke, and a symbolic system of nobility.

However, it is not recognised by the United Nations, the Indian government, or any official authority.

How Harshvardhan Jain turned a bungalow into fake embassy

Jains embassy in Ghaziabad managed to convince quite a few people. The bungalow displayed foreign flags, and his vehicles had number plates marked DC, short for Diplomatic Corps.

Inside, there were documents with official-looking letterheads, forged IDs, fake seals, and edited photos with figures like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former President APJ Abdul Kalam.

#WATCH | Noida unit of UP STF busted an illegal embassy running in Ghaziabad and arrested Harsh Vardhan Jain, who was running an illegal West Arctic Embassy by taking a rented house in Kavinagar calling himself Consul/Ambassador of countries like West Arctica, Saborga, Poulvia, pic.twitter.com/BX6vaTLESJ  ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2025

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Officers say he used these props to appear credible, draw people into business arrangements, and offer fake diplomatic posts to those willing to pay.

According to NDTV, Jain was also linked to shell companies that may have been involved in hawala-like transactions. Through his so-called embassies, he promised job placements and business contacts abroad.

But behind the grand setup was a bigger scam.

Jain is accused of taking large sums from individuals and firms in return for overseas placements and special permissions for international ventures, News18 reported.

He ran a broker network. People believed his promises because he looked the part  from fancy cars to custom-made diplomatic suits, ADG (Law & Order) Amitabh Yash said.

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To appear credible, he even edited photos of himself with top leaders. Image: News18

What did the police find?

The Special Task Force had been observing Jain for weeks after a tip-off. When officers raided the Ghaziabad property on July 22, they found:

4 luxury cars, including a Range Rover, Toyota Fortuner, and a Skoda, all with fake diplomatic plates.

18 spare number plates, many marked with DC or CD, symbols usually reserved for official diplomats.

12 forged diplomatic passports from Westarctica and other imaginary countries.

Rs 44.70 lakh in cash, along with several foreign currencies.

34 fake seals, two press cards, two PAN cards, and a collection of forged documents, including letters from the Ministry of External Affairs, invitations, and nameplates.

Jain has been charged with forgery, impersonation, cheating, and criminal conspiracy. The FIR has been filed at the Kavi Nagar police station.

Police believe others may have helped him, including those who created documents, handled money, or promoted the fake setup within influential circles.
A newly declassified intelligence report, unveiled by Tulsi Gabbard, alleges that Hillary Clinton was using heavy tranquilisers and suffering emotional instability during the 2016 campaign. With claims of withheld Russian intel and internal Democratic concerns over her health, the report brings into question possible cover-ups during the elections

Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reacts ahead of the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at the Rotunda of the US Capitol in Washington, US, January 20, 2025. File Image/Reuters

Recently declassified intelligence documents presented by US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard suggest that Russian operatives had access to sensitive health information about Hillary Clinton that included allegations of psychiatric instability and a daily regimen of heavy tranquilisers.

The documents, originally part of a 2020 House Intelligence Committee review into foreign interference during the 2016 campaign, were made public by Gabbard during a high-profile White House briefing on Wednesday.

What the declassified report claims about Clinton

According to the document released by Gabbard, Russias foreign intelligence services had obtained what was described as highly sensitive information from Democratic Party sources during the 2016 campaign.

Among the most startling revelations were that Clinton, then the Democratic presidential nominee, was allegedly consuming heavy tranquilisers daily and experiencing significant psychological challenges.

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The report claims the Russian government was in possession of internal Democratic National Committee (DNC) communications that described Clintons behaviour in terms of psycho-emotional problems, uncontrolled fits of anger, aggression and cheerfulness.

 New evidence has emerged of the most egregious weaponization and politicization of intelligence in American history. Per President @realDonaldTrump's directive, I have declassified a @HouseIntel oversight majority staff report that exposes how the Obama Administration pic.twitter.com/0sS4Df8yoI  DNI Tulsi Gabbard (@DNIGabbard) July 23, 2025

In addition to these claims, the report also pointed to Clinton suffering from a range of chronic physical health conditions at the time. These included Type 2 diabetes, ischemic heart disease, deep vein thrombosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The documents assert that Democratic leadership and then US President Barack Obama were privately disturbed by Clintons deteriorating condition.

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The text of the report notes, As of September 2016, the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service had Democratic National Committee (DNC) information that President Obama and Party leaders found the state of Secretary Clintons health to be extraordinarily alarming, and felt it could have serious negative impact on her election prospects.

It further alleges that her health information was being kept in strictest secrecy and even close advisors were not being fully informed.

What Putin allegedly decided to do with the info

The declassified materials suggest that Russia deliberately chose not to release the compromising information about Clinton during the 2016 election.

According to the assessment, Russian President Vladimir Putin believed Clintons win was all but certain and opted to withhold the information until after the election in order to undermine her presumed presidency.

The document says, Putin chose not to leak the most damaging and compromising material on Hillary Clinton prior to the election; instead planning to release it after the election to weaken what Moscow viewed would be an inevitable Clinton presidency.

These findings were originally compiled as part of a Republican-led investigation in September 2020.

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The probe included interviews with more than 20 intelligence personnel and a review of background materials used in the 2017 Obama-commissioned intelligence assessment on Russias influence campaign.

The current declassification by Gabbard has reopened debate over whether key details were downplayed or mischaracterised in that 2017 report.

How Gabbard has been going after Obama & Clinton

Gabbard also used the briefing to level broader allegations against the Obama administration.

She asserted that then-US President Obama and top national security officials deliberately manipulated the 2017 intelligence community assessment to suggest that Russia favoured Donald Trump, while knowingly excluding or misrepresenting other intelligence findings.

Donald Trump, left, looks on as Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, speaks at the National Guard Association of the United States 146th General Conference, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, in Detroit. File Image/AP

There is irrefutable evidence that details how President Obama and his national security team directed the creation of an intelligence community assessment that they knew was false, Gabbard said.

They knew it would promote this contrived narrative that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help President Trump win, selling it to the American people as though it were true; it wasnt.

She further accused former CIA Director John Brennan and others of basing key conclusions on unreliable intelligence.

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Then CIA Director (John) Brennan and the intelligence community mischaracterised intelligence and relied on dubious, substandard sources to create a contrived false narrative that Putin developed a quote, unquote clear preference for Trump, she said.

The released document also includes a section referring to a campaign email discussing a plan approved by Secretary Clinton to link Putin and Russian hackers to candidate Trump in order to distract the American public from the Clinton email server scandal, according to Fox News, which first reported the content.

How Obama has responded

Obama issued a formal statement via his office, dismissing the entire affair as a manufactured political distraction aimed at deflecting attention from other matters, particularly renewed scrutiny around files related to the late Jeffrey Epstein.

These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction, Obamas office said in the statement.

Nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes.

The statement added that the core findings of Russian influence efforts were affirmed in a bipartisan 2020 report by the Senate Intelligence Committee led by then-chairman Marco Rubio.

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Multiple critics have accused Gabbard and the Trump White House of conflating the terms hacking and influence operations to create an exaggerated sense of conspiracy, while simultaneously seeking to rehabilitate Trumps image in the eyes of his base.

How Trump has reacted

Trump, long an outspoken critic of the Russia investigation and of Clinton herself, has embraced the newly publicised report.

He has repeatedly characterised past investigations into Russian meddling as a political witch hunt and has used the document to reassert his long-standing claims of innocence.

In a video posted to social media, Trump went so far as to depict Obama in a prison jumpsuit.

When asked at the White House briefing whether Trump believes Obama should be prosecuted, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt replied, The president believes that this matter needs to be thoroughly investigated, and anyone convicted of crimes should be held accountable in this country.

She added, As for what accountability looks like, its in the Department of Justices hands and we trust them to be successful.

Notably, Trump himself was convicted last year on 34 felony counts for falsifying business records in connection to hush money payments made during the 2016 campaign.

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However, he received an unconditional discharge from the presiding judge  meaning he remains a convicted felon but faced no penalties or prison time.

Some legal analysts have pointed out that any potential prosecution of Obama or former officials would face significant hurdles, including a five-year statute of limitations for federal conspiracy charges and a 2024 US Supreme Court ruling that grants former presidents broad immunity for official acts performed while in office.

With inputs from agencies
One of the most important moments in the history of social media took place on July 24, 2023, when Twitter was replaced by X. With this, the iconic blue bird was also replaced by the black and white X symbol after entrepreneur Elon Musk acquired the social media platform in 2022

Elon Musk rebranded Twitter as X after he acquired the social media platform in 2022. File image/AP

There was a time when people used to write their thoughts, opinions and even catch up with friends in 140 words. This was when social media platform Twitter was a favourite among the youth as well as celebrities. But, Twitter was replaced by X on July 24, 2023, after the companys takeover by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.

If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers ongoing series, History Today, will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.

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One of the most spontaneous debates during the Cold War took place between then-US Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev during the opening of the American National Exhibition in Moscow on July 24, 1959. The debate is popularly known as the Kitchen Debate.

Here is all that happened on this day.

Twitter was rebranded as X

Twitters blue bird was replaced by the black and white X on July 24, 202, after the one-of-its-kind social networking platform was rebranded as X. The rebranding was part of a transformation of Twitter into a future everything app after it was taken over by entrepreneur Elon Musk.

The move came just months after Musk acquired Twitter in October 2022 for $44 billion. Since then, the platform has undergone sweeping changes, from major staffing cuts and subscription model tweaks to controversial moderation policies. The rebrand to X was arguably the most symbolic and polarising change yet.

The Twitter logo visible at then-Twitter headquarters in San Francisco. File image/Reuters

Musk had long expressed his fascination with the letter X, evident in his other ventures like SpaceX and x.com (an online bank he co-founded that later merged to form PayPal). He envisioned X as a platform that would move beyond just social networking, aiming to integrate various functionalities to create a comprehensive digital ecosystem, akin to Chinas WeChat.

Critics viewed the rebrand as abrupt and disorienting. Twitters bird logo and name had become deeply ingrained in global culture. Replacing this iconic identity left many users confused and nostalgic. Some branding experts called it one of the most aggressive and risky pivots in tech history.

Musk explained that the X brand reflects his long-held vision of building a comprehensive digital hub that combines messaging, payments, audio, video and even job listings. Twitter was just a name, he tweeted. X is the future of unlimited interactivity.

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Kitchen Debate between Nixon and Khrushchev

On this day in 1959, then-US Vice President Richard Nixon and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev engaged in a spontaneous and iconic exchange known as the Kitchen Debate. It occurred at the opening of the American National Exhibition at Sokolniki Park, an event designed to showcase American consumer goods and lifestyle.

The debate was largely impromptu, taking place in various sections of the exhibition, but most famously in a model of a typical American suburban homes kitchen, fully equipped with modern appliances like a dishwasher, refrigerator, and electric stove. Nixon proudly presented these items as evidence of the superiority of the capitalist system, arguing that they made life easier for American women and demonstrated the widespread affluence enjoyed by ordinary citizens.

Richard Nixon and Nikita Khrushchev debating at the American National Exhibition in Moscow, 1959. Wikimedia Commons

Khrushchev, however, scoffed at the displays, dismissing them as frivolous gadgets and questioning their true value. He boasted about Soviet industrial and scientific achievements, particularly in space, and asserted that the Soviet Union would soon surpass the U.S. in both production and living standards.

At one point, Nixon said, This is the kind of thing that makes people want to live in our country, gesturing toward the modern appliances. Khrushchev countered, Your capitalistic attitude toward women does not occur under communism. The debate was spirited but respectful, filled with both posturing and humour.

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The Kitchen Debate wasnt just about domestic appliances - it symbolised the competition for global influence between two superpowers.

This Day, That Year

On this day in 1974, the US Supreme Court ruled that President Richard Nixon had to provide transcripts of Watergate tapes to special prosecutor Leon Jaworski.

In 1944, Soviet forces liberated the Majdanek concentration and extermination camp on the outskirts of the city of Lublin, Poland.

Brigham Young and his fellow Mormons arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah, on this day in 1847.
The 2022 murder of four University of Idaho students shocked the United States. Now, nearly three years later, suspect Bryan Kohberger, who pleaded guilty to the brutal stabbings, has been sentenced to life in prison. However, many questions remain unanswered  especially the biggest one: Why did he commit the crime?

Bryan Kohberger, charged in the murders of four University of Idaho students, appears at the Ada County Courthouse, in Boise, Idaho, US, July 2, 2025. File Image/Pool via Reuters

The killings of four college students in Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022 sent shockwaves through the quiet university town, resulting in national attention and a months-long criminal investigation that ended with the arrest of a criminology PhD student  Bryan Kohberger.

Nearly three years later, the legal proceedings concluded on Wednesday (July 23, 2025), when Kohberger formally pleaded guilty in an Idaho courtroom, accepting a sentence of four consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole.

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The case, which gripped the US for over two years, remains shrouded in lingering questions  most notably the motive, which has never been identified.

Prosecutors said they have not established any link between Kohberger and the victims.

With the plea deal now finalised, Kohberger will spend the rest of his life in prison, and there will be no trial.

Some families of the victims supported the resolution, while others expressed frustration over the lack of transparency and the absence of a full public reckoning.

What happened that night?

In the early morning hours of Sunday, November 13, 2022, four students from the University of Idaho were fatally stabbed in an off-campus residence located in the small college town of Moscow.

The victims  Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Madison Mogen, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20  had returned home from separate social outings the night before.

According to investigators, Goncalves and Mogen, close friends since their middle school years, had spent the evening at a local bar and visited a food truck before returning to the shared house.

Meanwhile, Kernodle and Chapin, who were dating, attended a fraternity party nearby.

By around 2:00 am, all four had returned to the six-bedroom, three-storey home.

Just two hours later, at approximately 4:00 am, Bryan Kohberger allegedly entered the residence through a sliding door at the rear of the building.

Prosecutors said he was dressed entirely in black and wore a balaclava covering his nose and mouth. He carried a large fixed-blade knife, which he had reportedly purchased online eight months earlier.

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Prosecutors revealed that Kohberger first went to the top floor, where he killed Mogen and Goncalves.

A leather knife sheath was left at the crime scene next to Mogens body, and Kohbergers DNA was later recovered from that sheath, serving as one of the major pieces of forensic evidence.

As Kohberger descended the stairs, he encountered Kernodle, who had just received a food delivery moments earlier. Prosecutors said she was awake when Kohberger attacked and killed her.

Chapin, asleep in a second-floor bedroom, was also stabbed to death shortly afterward.

Two other roommates, Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen, were present in the house at the time but survived the attack.

According to police reports and court testimony, Mortensen awoke to strange sounds and voices. She initially believed it was one of the victims playing with a pet dog.

Mortensen later said she heard a female voice say, Theres someone here, followed by crying and then a male voice reassuring, Its OK, Im going to help you.

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Mortensen opened her door three times during this period. On the final occasion, she came face to face with a masked man dressed in black, walking past her and exiting through the sliding glass door.

She described him as having one bushy eyebrow.

Shocked and terrified, she locked herself in her room and began texting her surviving roommate, Funke. They both tried calling and texting their friends, unaware that they had been killed.

It wasnt until 11:56 am, more than eight hours later, that a 911 call was placed from one of the surviving roommates phones, reporting an unconscious person.

How did authorities break the case?

In the days and weeks that followed the killings, very little was made public as the community mourned and law enforcement worked under high pressure.

The case saw federal and state agencies assist local law enforcement in compiling evidence, with investigators pursuing digital trails, forensic testing and behavioural profiling.

Bryan Kohberger, then a 28-year-old PhD student at Washington State University in nearby Pullman, Washington  less than 10 miles from Moscow  eventually became the focus of the investigation.

Kohberger had been studying criminology and was also working as a teaching assistant. He was arrested on December 30, 2022, at his parents home in Pennsylvania.

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Court documents revealed that law enforcement connected Kohberger to the killings through a combination of DNA evidence, cell phone location records and surveillance video.

Investigators identified a white Hyundai Elantra seen near the victims house around the time of the murders.

Kohberger owned a similar vehicle and was found to have changed its license plates days after the killings.

Prosecutors also disclosed that Kohbergers phone had been in the area of the crime scene on multiple occasions in the months prior to the murders.

In addition to the DNA on the knife sheath, Kohbergers apartment and office in Pullman were searched.

Authorities recovered a range of items including 15 pieces of evidence: stained bedding, dark red spots, hair strands, a computer tower and a single-use glove.

A key part of the prosecutions case involved the argument that Kohberger attempted to eliminate evidence.

Prosecutors noted that the interior of his car had been meticulously cleaned, presumably in an attempt to destroy traces from the crime scene.

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Despite the extensive forensic evidence, no murder weapon was ever recovered.

What happened in court?

Bryan Kohberger initially pleaded not guilty to four counts of first-degree murder and was scheduled to go to trial in August this year.

However, in what can only be called a dramatic turn of events, Kohberger entered a guilty plea at a hearing on July 2, as part of an agreement with prosecutors that removed the possibility of a death sentence.

On July 23, Kohberger officially entered his plea in a courtroom in Boise, Idaho.

Appearing in a shirt and tie and flanked by his defence team, Kohberger acknowledged each of the charges and confirmed that his decision to plead guilty was made voluntarily and with full understanding of the consequences.

He also waived his right to appeal or seek a sentence review.

US Judge Steven Hippler accepted the plea and sentenced Kohberger to four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.

At the hearing, the courtroom was filled with emotional statements and divided opinions from the victims families.

The parents of Kaylee Goncalves criticised the agreement, calling it a rushed and secretive process that sidelined the families voices. Steve Goncalves, her father, said outside court that the plea deal failed to deliver true justice.

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Steve Goncalves, father of one of four University of Idaho students stabbed to death in 2022, reacts to the expected guilty plea of suspect Bryan Kohberger, outside Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, US, July 2, 2025. File Image/Reuters

However, relatives of Madison Mogen released a joint statement in support of the agreement, saying they believed it represented the best possible outcome for all those affected.

The two surviving roommates, Funke and Mortensen, spoke publicly for the first time, delivering tearful testimonies that painted a picture of trauma, loss and survival.

What do we know about the victims?

Each of the four slain students had deep roots in their communities and aspirations for the future. Kaylee Goncalves, from Rathdrum, Idaho, and Madison Mogen, from Coeur dAlene, were both seniors at the University of Idaho and were expected to graduate in 2023.

They had been best friends since sixth grade and had remained inseparable through their years in college. Their families later received their degrees posthumously in a special ceremony on May 13, 2023.

Xana Kernodle, a junior from Avondale, Arizona, and her boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, a freshman from Conway, Washington, were remembered as a vibrant couple.

Kernodle was pursuing a degree in marketing, while Chapin was majoring in sports, recreation, and management.

Their posthumous awards were accepted by their respective families in spring 2023.

The rental house in which the killings occurred was demolished in December 2023, following months of public interest and emotional discussions about the buildings future.

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Who is Bryan Kohberger?

At the time of the attack, Bryan Kohberger was pursuing his doctoral degree in criminal justice and criminology at Washington State University.

Before that, he had earned an associate degree from Northampton Community College in 2018, followed by undergraduate and graduate degrees from DeSales University in Pennsylvania.

Bryan Christopher Kohberger, a graduate student jailed on charges of first-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students more than six weeks ago, departs court after an extradition hearing in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, US, January 3, 2023. File Image/Reuters

While at DeSales, Kohberger studied under Dr. Katherine Ramsland, a renowned forensic psychologist known for her work on serial killers.

Ramsland later stated in an interview that Kohberger did not display any unusual behaviour, but she reflected on whether her teachings may have inadvertently influenced him.

Kohbergers academic interests extended into practical research.

He had conducted a study on Reddit, asking individuals to describe their emotions and decision-making processes during the commission of crimes. The survey gained renewed attention after his arrest, given the disturbing context.

He also applied for an internship with the Pullman Police Department in the fall of 2022, citing a desire to improve rural law enforcements ability to analyse digital data for public safety operations.

One question remains: WHY did Bryan Kohberger commit those crimes?

While the legal chapter of the Idaho student murders case is now closed, a critical component  why Kohberger committed the crimes  remains unknown.

Prosecutors confirmed that they have not discovered any motive or established a relationship between Kohberger and any of the victims.

Kohberger himself offered no explanation during his plea or sentencing.

With the absence of a trial, many hoped-for answers may never come.

With inputs from agencies
Indias craft beverages, including Goas feni, Keralas toddy, and Nashiks wines, will soon find a space on British shelves following Indias Free Trade Agreement with the UK. Indian brews will enjoy prime placement in British retail and hospitality chains, where demand for natural and organic products is on the rise

With the FTA now in place, Indian alcoholic beverages will receive Geographical Indication (GI) protection in the UK and enjoy prime placement in retail and hospitality chains. Image for representation.

Indias homegrown craft beverages, including Goas fiery feni, Keralas palm toddy, and Nashiks artisanal wines, are poised for a global debut in the UK. This comes after India and the United Kingdom officially signed the much-anticipated Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit.

The trade pact, which was agreed upon in principle earlier this May, aims to double the current bilateral trade and take it to $120 billion by 2030. For Indias liquor industry and several other key sectors, this is expected to be a game-changer.

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Heres what we know

Cheers to Indian craft beverages

With the FTA now in place, Indian alcoholic beverages will receive Geographical Indication (GI) protection in the UK and enjoy prime placement in retail and hospitality chains, where demand for natural and organic products is on the rise.

Indian craft drinks like feni from Goa, artisanal wines from Nashik, and toddy from Kerala will now enjoy Geographical Indication (GI) protection and shelf space in high-end UK retail and hospitality chains, an official from the Commerce & Industry Ministry told PTI.

This move aligns with the Indian governments broader strategy to promote traditional alcoholic beverages globally. Although still a niche segment, the target is to increase Indias alcoholic beverage exports from the current $370.5 million to $1 billion by 2030.

With the FTA now in place, Indian alcoholic beverages will enjoy prime placement in retail and hospitality chains, where demand for natural and organic products is on the rise. Image for Representation.

Earlier in April, APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) said Indian alcoholic beverages have huge potential in global markets and the country has a lot of good products, including gin, beer, wine, and rum, to offer to the world.

India is currently ranked 40th in the world for alcoholic beverage exports, and the target is to be among the top 10 exporters in the world in the coming years.

The countrys alcoholic beverages exports stood at over Rs 2,200 crore in 2023-24. The major destinations include the UAE, Singapore, the Netherlands, Tanzania, Angola, Kenya and Rwanda.

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Scotch lovers in India have a reason to rejoice too

The benefits arent one-sided. Indian consumers will also gain from this agreement, especially whisky aficionados.

Top imported Scotch brands like Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet, Johnnie Walker, Singleton, and Talisker are set to become significantly more affordable in India.

Top imported Scotch brands like Chivas Regal, The Glenlivet, Johnnie Walker, Singleton, and Talisker are set to become significantly more affordable in India. Image for representation. AFP

So far, imported whisky and gin have been subject to a hefty 150 per cent import duty. Under the FTA, this will be reduced to 75 per cent immediately, and then to 40 per cent over the next ten years.

Beyond booze, what else will get cheaper?

Textiles & apparel

Indian garments and home textiles exported to the UK currently face tariffs of 812 per cent. These duties will now be eliminated, boosting Indias competitiveness against nations like Bangladesh and Vietnam.

Gems, jewellery & leather

Luxury items such as gold and diamond jewellery and leather goods will get duty-free access to the UK. This is expected to support MSMEs and help Indian brands tap deeper into European luxury markets.

Engineering goods & auto components

The UK will scrap import duties on Indian machinery, tools, and auto parts, opening doors for Indian manufacturers to become integral to UK and European supply chains.

Pharmaceuticals & medical equipments

Indian pharma companies will gain from faster regulatory clearances, especially for generic medicines. This will make it easier for Indian drugs to reach the UKs NHS system, potentially speeding up approvals and increasing export volumes.

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IT & professional services

The deal includes eased visa rules and mutual recognition of qualifications in professions like engineering, architecture, and accounting. This is expected to create 60,000 new jobs in the service sector, particularly in IT, finance, healthcare, and law.

Food processing, tea, spices & marine products

The European country will also cut duties on Indian processed foods, basmati rice, shrimp, spices, and tea, giving a fillip to exports from Kerala, Assam, Gujarat, and West Bengal. Under the FTA, premium Indian food brands will have enhanced access to the UK market.

Chemicals

Tariffs will also be removed on agrochemicals, industrial chemicals, and plastics. Indias chemical exports to the UK could double by 2030.

Green Energy & Cleantech

Indian electric and hybrid vehicle makers are also set to benefit with preferential access to the UK under a quota system. Welspun India, Arvind Ltd, Bata India, Relaxo, Tata Motors, Mahindra Electric, and Bharat Forge are among the companies likely to benefit from greater market access.

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With input from PTI
India is set to phase out its MiG fighter jets, which have been in service for decades, by September. The Indian Air Force will replace the MiGs with its indigenously developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). But where does that leave the strength of the IAF? How does it compare to the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)?

India is phasing out its MiG fighter jets by September.

The fighter jets, which have been given the ignominious nickname of the flying coffins for their propensity to crash and kill pilots, have been in service for decades.

India will replace the MiGs with its indigenously-developed Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

But where does that leave Indias Air Force against China and Pakistan?

Lets take a closer look:

Indian Air Force

The strength of Indian Air Forces active squadrons is set to drop down to just 29 from October.

This would mean India is at its lowest number of squadrons since the 1960s.

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While the squadron size can vary depending on the country, it typically ranges from 18 to 24 aircraft.

The Indian Air Force currently has 31 squadrons in service.

With the MiGs set to retire on September 19 at the Chandigarh Air Force Station, this will bring the number of Indias squadrons down to just 29.

According to assessments, the Indian Air Force requires 42 squadrons to be at its full strength.

India currently has 522 jets.

It needs to induct at least 40 fighter jets every year simply to maintain its strength.

Unless India keeps inducting new aircraft into its Air Force, its squadron strength will continue to dwindle as old models keep being phased out.

At the moment, that seems to be a tall task.

India placed an order for 36 Rafale from France, but that hasnt been enough to bolster the ranks of the IAF.

India currently has just two Tejas squadrons in service.

The Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark-1A is a 4.5 generation fighter jet. X/@HALHQBLR

Meanwhile, an order it placed for 83 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft has been beset by delays and missed deadlines from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

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Not a single craft has been inducted into service.

However, to be fair, this is due to General Electric, which is making F-404IN20 engines for the Tejas Mk-1A craft, has been unable to meet its deadline.

GE has said this is due to supply chain issues.

Another reason for the delay is that the Kaveri engine that was expected to power the LCA remains under development.

India is currently developing a 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.

However, this could take years if not a decade before being inducted.

Experts say a healthy mix of different aircraft is needed.

Aerospace and defence expert Pushan Das told The Telegraph Online, As the IAFs combat squadrons continue on its downward slide in numbers. It seems intuitive that India must consider a broader range of options better suited for its combat requirements. One potential option is acquiring an additional mix of technologically up-to-date Rafales and accelerating the production and induction of the indigenous Tejas with requisite enablers such as air refuelling capabilities and Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems (AEW&C), although there are certainly other options as well.

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The air forces of Pakistan and China

Pakistan has 25 squadrons in its air force with around 450 fighter jets.

Islamabad is also reportedly looking to expand and modernise the Pakistan Air Force (PAF).

There are also reports that it is looking to purchase a few dozen J-35 fighter jets from China in a bid to try to gain parity with Indian air superiority.

China, on the other hand, has a whopping 66 squadrons and a massive 1,200 fighter jets in its Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF).

At this rate, India will be completely outmatched when it comes to the sheer weight in numbers of both air forces.

China has already inducted two fifth-generation fighters into the ranks of its air force.

The J-36 is thought to be Chinas attempt at a sixth-generation fighter plane. Image courtesy: X

Indias Tejas LCA Mark-1A is at best a 4.5 generation fighter.

China is also locked in a race with the United States to develop a 6th generation fighter aircraft.

The US is building the F-47, while China is developing the J-36.

While the details of both remain closely-guarded, videos of the J-36 went viral on social media in China in April.

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The US currently has the F-35  which remains the most advanced fighter jet even built  as the mainstay of its air force.

Why it matters

India needs to be on its guard.

After all, it has fought multiple wars with both Pakistan and China.

The two neighbours, who have professed to be iron brothers and all-weather friends, worked together during Operation Sindoor.

However, it must be noted that the quality of the Chinese-made equipment and aircraft used by Pakistan came under scrutiny due to its poor performance.

Still, at the end of the day, when it comes to aerial firepower, it remains a numbers game.

India will not want to find itself completely outnumbered in the sky in case a conflict breaks out.

And fighting a battle on two fronts would be far harder than a single-front conflict.

With inputs from agencies
Tech giant Microsoft has signed a deal to buy 4.9 million metric tonnes of organic waste, which includes human waste, manure, food scraps, agricultural residue, and paper sludge. The deal with Vaulted Deep will begin in 2026 and run for 12 years. Notably, this company collects a mix of human and agricultural waste, known as bioslurry, and injects it far below the Earths surface

This deal with Vaulted Deep will begin in 2026 and continue for 12 years. Reuters/File Photo

Tech giant Microsoft is buying 4.9 million metric tonnes of organic waste, which includes human waste, manure, food scraps, agricultural leftovers and paper sludge.

The company plans to inject the human waste deep underground using a large, pressurised syringe.

ALSO READ | Space junk: Why Nasa is offering $3 million to recycle astronaut waste in space

This deal with Vaulted Deep will begin in 2026 and continue for 12 years.

Notably, Vaulted Deep collects what it refers to as bioslurry, and this may include human waste from urban sewage systems, extra manure from farms or sludge from paper manufacturing.

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But why is Microsoft interested in buying human waste? And how will the firm use it?

Lets take a look:

Why does Microsoft want to buy poop?

Simply put, the tech giant is investing billions to buy 4.9 million metric tonnes of organic waste as part of its environmental goals.

The company has a large carbon footprint. To address this, it is exploring several carbon removal methods, including the underground storage of human and other organic waste.

By using this approach, Microsoft plans to balance out its growing emissions, particularly those linked to its artificial intelligence projects.

Earlier this month, the tech firm announced it would purchase a large amount of durable carbon dioxide removal from Vaulted Deep.

This company collects a mixture of human and agricultural waste, known as bioslurry, and injects it far below the earths surface.

The company plans to inject the human waste deep underground using a large, pressurised syringe. AI Generated/Representational Image

In return, Microsoft will receive carbon removal credits for every tonne stored underground.

If waste like sewage or manure is left in open land, water bodies, or landfills, it releases carbon dioxide and methane, two major contributors to climate change. It can also create health risks by spreading harmful pathogens.

Julia Reichelstein, Vaulted Deeps co-founder and chief executive, told The Wall Street Journal, Were taking different types of organic waste.

Its sludgy, often contaminated organic waste that today causes problems above ground, and instead we take the waste and put it really deep underground for permanent carbon removal.

The waste is in slurry form, neither solid, liquid nor gas, and is difficult to treat. If left untreated, it can lead to chemical runoff and water contamination.

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Vaulted Deep uses natural rock formations to store this slurry deep underground. It then sells carbon credits based on how much carbon it traps below.

At present, the credits are valued at around $350 per metric tonne, as per the report.

ALSO READ | Did China-linked hackers access US nuclear secrets through Microsoft?

How will this help Microsoft?

Microsoft, which produced 75.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide between 2020 and 2024, hopes that burying organic waste deep underground will help it reach its emissions goals.

Notably, artificial intelligence tools like Microsofts Copilot and others, such as ChatGPT, use a lot of electricity and water. This leads to a rise in carbon emissions from the companys operations.

Since carbon dioxide and methane are two of the main gases driving global warming, storing waste underground is seen as a practical and cost-effective way to reduce their release.

Microsoft has pledged to become carbon negative by 2030. By 2050, it plans to remove more greenhouse gases than it has produced since it was founded.

Using AI tools consumes a lot of electricity and water, and leads to a rise in carbon emissions. Reuters/File Photo

The company has already bought a large number of carbon removal credits.

According to The Wall Street Journal, it has acquired credits for more than 83 million tonnes of carbon, including 59 million tonnes just this year. This figure does not include the Vaulted Deep deal.

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Brian Marrs, Microsofts senior director of energy and carbon removal, told the newspaper that the decision to invest in Vaulted Deep was also influenced by the added environmental benefits of the method.

Theyre essentially taking biosolids, and much of that today is spread over fields, he said.

It can create nutrient [runoff] and other pollutants for watersheds, and sealing out that biosolid where it cant be a nuisance to the environment and where it will not repatriate carbon into the atmospherethat approach, that co-benefits approach is very, very interesting to us, he added.
An Antonov An-24 passenger plane, which was earlier reported to be missing, has crashed with nearly 50 people on board in Russias far east. Footage from the scene showed the aircraft crash in a densely forested area, with smoke rising from the site. Dubbed flying tractors, these planes are considered reliable by the Russian aviation ministry

Smoke rises at the crash site of an Angara Airlines An-24 passenger plane near Tynda in the Amur Region, Russia July 24, 2025, in this still image taken from video. Federal Air Transport Agency/Handout via Reuters

A Russian plane with about 50 people on board crashed in the countrys far east on Thursday (July 24). Earlier, there were reports that the Antonov An-24 passenger plane disappeared about 16 km from its destination in the Amur region.

The burning wreckage of the Angara airlines flight, carrying 42 passengers and six crew, was spotted on the ground by a helicopter. As per initial reports, all people on board the ill-fated plane are feared to have died.

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What is the Russian aircraft involved in the crash? Is it safe?

We will take a look.

Russian plane crashes

The Antonov An-24 passenger plane had left the city of Blagoveshchensk on Thursday and was en route to Tynda, a remote town in the Amur region bordering China. It vanished from radar screens as it prepared to land.

Fifteen kilometres from Tynda, the wreckage of an An-24 was found on a slope. The plane was destroyed, the Russian emergencies ministry said, as per the Interfax news agency.

Footage from the scene showed the plane crash in a densely forested area, with smoke rising from the site.

According to Vasily Orlov, the regional governor, there were 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members on board. All necessary forces and means have been deployed to search for the plane, he wrote.

The Russian government has formed a commission to deal with the aftermath of the crash. An investigation into the cause of the crash has also been announced.

Pilot error during landing in poor weather conditions or technical malfunction are being considered as possible causes.

What we know about the Russian plane

The tail number of the Antonov plane showed it was built in 1976 in the Soviet era.

The aircraft was operated by the Soviet flag carrier Aeroflot before the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. It was currently being operated by a privately owned Siberian-based regional airline called Angara, as per a Reuters report.

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Angara airline, based in the Siberian city of Irkutsk, operates in the airports in Siberia and Russias far east. It has 10 An-24s built between 1972 and 1976, according to the RussianPlanes website.

An An-24 aircraft of Angara Airlines lands at the airport of Irkutsk, Russia April 13, 2014. File Photo/Reuters

Designed for short- and medium-haul airlines, the propeller-driven An-24 took its first flight in October 1959. Its cruise speed is 420 km/hour and operational range of 990 km. The An-24 is the original aircraft of the Antonov family of twin turboprop civil and military planes, as per Skybrary.

Are Antonov planes safe?

The An-24s have earned the moniker of flying tractors as they are considered reliable workhorses by the Russian aviation industry. These planes are appropriate for harsh conditions in Siberia as they can operate in sub-zero temperatures and dont have to land on runways, reported Reuters.

However, Antonov aircraft have seen over 60 mishaps since 2000, as per 1001 Crash. Three crashes involving planes from the Antonov family were reported in 2021  two in Russia and one in Sudan.

In 2022, an Antonov An-12 cargo plane with eight people on board crashed near the city of Kavala in northern Greece.

An An-24RV veered off the runway as it landed at Nizhneangarsk Airport in Russia in July 2019, killing two crew members.

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In 2011, another Angara airlines An-24 crashed into the Ob river in Siberia, resulting in the death of seven passengers.

The Angara Antonov 24 plane that crashed on Thursday had recently passed a technical inspection, as per officials. However, civil aviation authority told news agencies that the plane had been involved in four incidents since 2018, reported BBC.

According to airline executives, pilots and industry experts, the cost of maintaining the Antonovs has surged after Western sanctions on Russia over its war in Ukraine hit investment and access to parts.

Russia, whose fraction of a fleet of over 1,000 passenger planes is made up of Antonovs, was set to retire many of the planes in the coming years. But regional airlines continue to fly them as there are no alternatives yet.

With inputs from agencies
Clashes erupted between Thailand and Cambodia on Thursday morning along their disputed border. The two sides have blamed each other for the mounting tensions. Amid the latest flare-up, several countries, including Israel and China, have urged their citizens to avoid border areas between the Southeast Asian countries

People rest at a shelter, following recent clashes along the disputed border between the two countries, according to authorities people have been killed across three border provinces, in Surin province, Thailand, July 24, 2025. Reuters

Thailand and Cambodias clashes over their disputed border has entered Day 2. At least 15 people, mostly civilians and a soldier, have been killed in the fighting between the troops of the neighbouring Southeast Asian countries that erupted on Thursday (July 24) morning.

While Cambodia fired artillery and rockets, Thailand said it launched airstrikes on Cambodian military targets along the disputed border that the two share. Both countries have blamed each other for the latest clashes.

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As tensions mount, countries have started issuing travel advisories for their nationals in Thailand and Cambodia.

Lets take a closer look.

Thailand and Cambodia clash

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged fire on Thursday along an area near the disputed Ta Moan Thom Temple, located in a border area in northwestern Cambodias Oddar Meanchey province.

Clashes were also reported close to the Prasat Ta Krabey site and along the border separating Cambodias Preah Vihear province and Thailands Ubon Ratchathani.

According to Thai military official Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, fighting spread to at least six areas along the border.

Thailands Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said 11 civilians, including an eight-year-old boy, and a soldier were killed in artillery shelling by Cambodian forces, and 24 civilians and seven military personnel were left wounded.

Thailand has evacuated at least 40,000 civilians from 86 villages near the border to safer locations, a district official in Surin province told the Reuters news agency.

It also closed its border with Cambodia after the conflict intensified.

People wait in line to get food at a shelter, following recent clashes along the disputed border between the two countries, according to authorities people have been killed across three border provinces, in Buriram province, Thailand, July 24, 2025. Reuters

Cambodias former leader Hun Sen said the country had no choice but to fight back against Thailand, which he said had shelled two Cambodian provinces, Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear.

The invasion, as the Thai military said it would close down the Ta Moan Thom Temple today, which was ordered yesterday, Thai soldiers have now begun attacking the Cambodian army, Hun Sen wrote on Facebook on Thursday morning. The Cambodian army has no choice but to fight back and strike back.

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The Cambodian government has so far not revealed the number of casualties, if any.

Nearby countries have urged Thailand and Cambodia to de-escalate, with Malaysias Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim saying he would speak to both countries.

Follow live updates on .

Thailand, Cambodia popular among tourists

Thailand and Cambodia have emerged as tourist hotspots. A large number of people visit the two countries every year.

Tourists are drawn to Thai cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, as well as islands such as Phuket and Koh Samui.

Cambodias Angkor Wat temple complex and its capital, Phnom Penh, are major tourist attractions.

These tourist hubs are not located near the border clashes.

Are the nations safe to travel amid clashes?

Several countries have warned their nationals against travelling to the border areas between Thailand and Cambodia amid escalating tensions.

On Friday (July 25), the Indian embassy in Thailand urged its nationals to avoid travelling to seven provinces amid the conflict. In view of the situation near Thailand-Cambodia border, all Indian travelers to Thailand are advised to check updates from Thai official sources, including TAT Newsroom, it said in an X post.

In view of the situation near Thailand-Cambodia border, all Indian travelers to Thailand are advised to check updates from Thai official sources, including TAT Newsroom.



As per Tourism Authority of Thailand places mentioned in the following link are not recommended for https://t.co/ToeHLSQUYi  India in Thailand (@IndiainThailand) July 25, 2025

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The United States Embassy in Thailand has asked its nationals travelling or living near the border to follow direction from Thai security services and consult local government authorities for the latest information.

The United Kingdoms Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) urged its citizens to take extra care and follow the instructions of local authorities when travelling in border areas between Thailand and Cambodia.

The FCDO travel advice added: Take extra care and stay alert in border areas and follow the instructions of local authorities, especially at tourist destinations such as the Preah Vihear temple, the Ta Kwai temple and the Ta Muen Thom temple.

There are also unexploded landmines in the border area. Stay on marked paths, especially around Ta Krabey.

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Thailands embassy in Phnom Penh asked its people should leave Cambodia as soon as possible unless it was urgent to stay.

Chinas embassy urged its citizens in Cambodia to refrain from travelling to areas near the border and remain vigilant.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has asked his countrys citizens living in Thailand to maintain their morality and dignity and to return home if they are facing pressure from discrimination.

I appeal to all Cambodian citizens to maintain their morality and dignity, and to avoid discrimination or any actions that could affect the Royal Thai Embassy in Cambodia, Thai companies, and Thai citizens living in Cambodia, he said in a statement posted on Facebook.

He added: For Cambodian citizens who are living, working, or studying in Thailand and may be facing pressure from discrimination and wish to return to Cambodia, please come back to our country.

Israel has issued a travel advisory for its nationals, asking them to avoid the border between Thailand and Cambodia. Due to the growing tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, the Foreign Ministry recommends that Israeli travellers avoid entering or staying in the border area between the two countries, particularly in the northeastern provinces of Thailand and the northwestern provinces of Cambodia, it said in a statement.

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It added, We recommend following reports in the local media and adhering to the instructions of security authorities as they are issued.

Hong Kongs Outbound Travel Alert System has issued an amber alert for Thailand. Residents who intend to visit the country or are already there should exercise caution, attend to personal safety, pay attention to local announcements on the latest situation and avoid large gatherings of people, it said in its warning.

It issued a similar warning for its people travelling to Cambodia.

With inputs from agencies
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia escalated on Thursday with both sides using fighter jets, landmines, and artillery fire. It all began at the Ta Muen Thom temple, a Hindu site dedicated to Lord Shiva, along the contested land border. Earlier, the two sides have clashed over the Preah Vihar temple

A Thai soldier stands guard as Cambodian people visit the disputed ancient Khmer temple Prasat Ta Muen Thom, or Prasat Ta Moan Thom in Khmer, on the Cambodian-Thai border in Oddar Meanchey province. The temple was at the heart of Thursday's clashes. File image/AFP

Twelve people dead and counting Military escalations between Thailand and Cambodia emerged on Thursday (July 24) with the Cambodian prime minister calling on the United Nations Security Council to convene an urgent meeting to stop Thailands aggression.

On Thursday, the tensions between the two countries saw the use of fighter jets, landmines, and artillery fire. Thai authorities have even evacuated approximately 40,000 civilians from 86 villages near the border and said cross-border shelling from Cambodia struck residential areas, a hospital and a fuel station.

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The situation has even led Thailand to close its border with Cambodia with Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, a spokesperson for Ad Hoc Centre for Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, saying, We have escalated the measures to level 4, which involves the complete closure of all border checkpoints along the Thai Cambodian border.

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This is the latest chapter in the border dispute between the two nations that has dragged on for decades. In fact, this new fighting on Thursday began as both forces of both sides began firing at each other near the Ta Muen Thom temple. The ancient temples along the Thailand-Cambodia border have been friction points.

But what do we know of these temples? And why are both countries fighting over them?

Fighting erupts near Ta Muen Thom temple

On Thursday morning, intense fighting began between Thai and Cambodian troops at Ta Muen Thom Temple in Surin Province along the border of the two countries. Reports state that a Cambodian drone was the trigger for the cross-border hostilities, which later escalated to rocket-fire exchange and airstrikes, involving F-16 jets.

According to Thailand, just after 07:30 local time, Cambodias military deployed drones to conduct surveillance of Thai troops near the border. Soon after, Cambodian troops carrying RPGs gathered near the border. Soldiers on the Thai side attempted negotiations by shouting, but were unsuccessful. Finally, around 8.20, they began firing  even using heavy weaponry such as the BM-21 rocket launchers.

Cambodian soldiers reload the BM-21 multiple rocket launcher in Preah Vihear province. Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodian military targets as Cambodia fired rockets and artillery. AFP

However, Cambodia claimed that it was Thailand that violated their territorial sovereignty and launched an armed assault on Cambodian forces. In response, the Cambodian armed forces exercised their legitimate right to self-defence, in full accordance with international law, to repel the Thai incursion and protect Cambodias sovereignty and territorial integrity, said Cambodias defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said in a statement.

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In the ensuing violence, 12 people have died, and many others have been injured. It has also led to panic in the area, with Malaysia and China expressing concern over the situation.

About Ta Muen Thom, temple at the heart of the dispute

Thursdays fighting erupted in the complex of the Ta Muen Thom Temple, which is an ancient Khmer-Hindu temple located near the Thai-Cambodian border in the Dangrek mountains. Believed to have been built under Khmer ruler King Udayadityavarman IIs, Prasat Ta Muen Thom, or Great Temple of the Grandfather Chicken in Khmer is dedicated to Lord Shiva and even houses a Shivling from a natural rock formation in its sanctum sanctorum.

Historians note that the temple was constructed around the 12th Century, making it older than its two companion temples, Prasat Ta Muen and Prasat Ta Muen Tot.

Prasat Ta Muen Thom is a part of the larger Ta Muen Temple Complex, a group of three 11th-century Khmer Hindu temples located along the Thailand-Cambodia border. File image/AFP

The temple is built from laterite, a durable red soil and notably, its main entrance faces south, which is unusual for Khmer temples that typically face east. The temples location is what has led to both sides fighting; it lies in an area where the boundary demarcation between Cambodia and Thailand is incomplete. Both countries claim the temple as their territory, leading to skirmishes between the two.

In fact, earlier in February, a group of Cambodian soldiers visited the temple area and began singing their national anthem. They were confronted by Thai soldiers stationed nearby. A video of the exchange, filmed by a Thai, surfaced online, showing a heated verbal exchange between the two sides.

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Visitors are generally allowed in, but are not permitted to move more than a dozen or so metres beyond the boundary of the temple, and soldiers patrol the site at all times.

Thailand, Cambodia and disputes over temple

While todays military hostilities occurred at Ta Muen Thom Temple, historically, Thailand and Cambodia have had disputes over other temples, such as the Shiva temple of Preah Vihear, Ta Moan Thom and Ta Muen Thom.

In May, a deadly clash erupted between the two countries claiming the life of at least one Cambodian soldier at the Preah Vihear temple.

Thats because these temples are located in contested area. The contesting claims stem largely from a 1907 map drawn under French colonial rule that was used to separate Cambodia from Thailand. Cambodia has been using the map as a reference to claim territory, while Thailand has argued the map is inaccurate.

Buddhist monks visit the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple on the border between Thailand and Cambodia. File image/Reuters

In fact, the most prominent and violent conflicts have been around the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple. In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded sovereignty over the temple area to Cambodia. Years later, in 2013, the court again ruled in favour of Cambodia. However, Thailand has rejected the courts jurisdiction.

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The Preah Vihear temple also located on a cliff in the Dangrek Mountains is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and dates to the 11th century. Now, a Unesco world heritage site, it was built by the leaders of the Khmer Empire, firstly by King Suryavarman I (1002-50) and then expanded upon by Suryavarman II (1113-50).

It is made up of a series of sanctuaries known as gopuras and well-preserved elaborate stone buildings.

Today, the Preah Vihear temple is a popular tourist despite tensions; it attracts approximately 100,000 visitors annually.

With inputs from agencies
The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the Bombay High Courts acquittal of 12 men in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case, but said they will not have to return to jail for now. The top court also clarified that the High Court ruling wont be treated as a legal precedent.

A view of Supreme Court of India building in New Delhi. PTI

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the acquittal of 12 accused in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case, but clarified that they wont be sent back to jail for now.

The court also made it clear that the Bombay High Courts ruling will not be treated as a precedent.

The stay came in response to a plea by the Maharashtra government, which had challenged the High Courts decision to acquit the accused. On Tuesday, the apex court had agreed to hear the matter after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta sought an urgent listing, citing the seriousness of the issue.

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Chief Justice BR Gavai, along with Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria, is hearing the case.
With Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer at the helm, India and UK renew their historic partnership

(File) PM Narendra Modi will hold wide-ranging discussions with his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, on the entire gamut of India-UK bilateral relations. (Image: AFP

After numerous discussions that swung between despair and hope  or stalled in the doldrums  the India-UK trade deal has finally cleared all hurdles. Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, in the UK on Thursday to sign the landmark pact, expected to boost bilateral trade by 25.5 billion annually.

Trade and economy

The deal, more than just a document of statements and signatures, promises to unlock thousands of jobs and drive growth across both economies. It marks the beginning of a new chapter in India-UK relations, as the leaders unveil their vision for a modern, reinvigorated partnership over the next decade  the UK-India Vision 2035.

The trade deal stands as Indias most comprehensive agreement to date and the UKs most economically consequential bilateral pact since its departure from the European Union. For those still nursing post-Brexit anxieties, this milestone offers a measure of reassurance, as it significantly enhances market access for businesses on both sides, paving the way for more affordable goods and services for consumers.

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The UK and Indias ambitious Vision 2035 extends far beyond the corridors of commerce. It marks a new threshold in their revitalised commitment to shared prosperity and innovation encompassing deeper defence cooperation through a new industrial roadmap, joint efforts to secure borders, combat climate change and foster educational ties.

The recent instance of Indian assistance in returning a grounded British F-35 to the skies in Thiruvananthapuram may well serve as a harbinger  a symbolic reminder that New Delhi and London stand shoulder to shoulder, in times of triumph and in moments of trial.

Exactly one year after the signing of the landmark UK-India Technology Security Initiative, the two prime ministers will reaffirm their commitment to fortifying national security leveraging frontier technologies and co-shaping the innovations of tomorrow.

Plan for Change

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain. It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses and drive growth in every corner of the country, delivering on our Plan for Change.

Were putting more money in the pockets of hardworking Brits and helping families with the cost of living, and were determined to go further and faster to grow the economy and raise living standards across the UK.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: India is one of the fastest growing global economies in the world and an emerging economic superpower of the 21st century.

The historic trade deal we have signed today is the most comprehensive deal India has ever agreed  putting the UK in the best position to partner with India over the next decade, promising to unlock thousands of jobs and boost growth across both economies.

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The nearly 6 billion in new investment and export wins announced today are a sign of things to come, as future collaboration expands into advanced technologies, critical minerals, green finance, and beyond.

In countless Indian households, relics from the colonial era, etched with the words Made in England still endure, silent reminders of a time when British goods were prized possessions that crossed oceans to find a place in Indian homes.

Today, thanks to the landmark trade agreement, a new generation of Indian consumers will enjoy enhanced access to premium British products  from soft drinks and cosmetics to automobiles and medical devices  as average tariffs fall dramatically from 15 per cent to just 3 per cent.

Conversely, while the UK already imports 11 billion worth of Indian goods, the liberalisation of tariffs will not only make Indian products more accessible and affordable for British consumers and businesses, but also significantly bolster Indian exports to the UK.

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Clean energy and services expansion

On the renewable energy front, the UKs clean energy sector will gain unprecedented and privileged access to Indias expansive procurement market. It is a significant opportunity for the British firms as India accelerates its transition to renewables amid rising energy demand.

In the area of financial and professional services, guaranteed market access will provide long-term certainty for UK firms seeking to expand within Indias dynamic economy.

Key provisions, such as binding Indias foreign investment cap in the insurance sector and ensuring UK financial services enjoy parity with domestic providers, further showcasing the ambition and balance of this agreement.

Twenty-six British companies have announced new business in India. Airbus & Rolls-Royce will soon begin delivering Airbus aircraft  with over half powered by Rolls-Royce engines  to major Indian airlines as part of around 5 million worth of contracts recently agreed.

Strategic and security cooperation

This renewed and deepened friendship will also venture into challenging terrains, confronting unscrupulous practices with the firm hand of the law through strengthened cooperation. As part of their reinvigorated partnership, India and UK have committed to intensifying efforts to combat corruption, serious fraud, organised crime and irregular migration underpinned by enhanced intelligence sharing and robust operational collaboration.
Not long ago, it would have been difficult to imagine that Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzuwho rose to power on the back of a robust India Out campaignwould extend an invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to attend the Maldives most significant national event on July 25, 2025, the countrys 60th Independence Day, as the Guest of Honour. Yet, that is precisely what has unfolded.

In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi stated: Day after tomorrow, 25th July, I will be in the Maldives at the invitation of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu. I am honoured to be taking part in the 60th Independence Day celebrations of the Maldives. This year we also mark 60 years of India-Maldives diplomatic relations. The talks with President Muizzu will certainly add momentum to bilateral ties across diverse sectors.

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This moment carries deep symbolic significance. Only a few years ago, the India-Maldives relationship had reached a historic low. President Muizzus India Out campaign actively challenged Indias strategic footprint in the archipelago, marked by personal attacks and sharp rhetoric against Prime Minister Modi himself. Many analysts concluded at the time that India had effectively lost the Maldives to Chinaparticularly when Muizzu broke with diplomatic precedent by choosing Beijing as the destination for his first official overseas visit.

Muizzu took deliberate steps to distance Maldives from India, including demanding the withdrawal of Indian defense personnel and enhancing ties with China. Anti-India narratives became mainstream, and the political climate was steeped in antagonism toward New Delhi. Despite these provocations, what followed is nothing short of remarkable: a dramatic turnaround in relations that reflects Indias strategic patience and diplomacy, and the statesmanship of Prime Minister Modi.

The credit for this diplomatic transformation lies squarely with PM Modi. Faced with political hostility and personal criticism, he chose to remain committed to a pragmatic, forward-looking foreign policy. Rather than retaliating, Modis approach emphasized engagement, development cooperation, and people-to-people tieshallmarks of a mature global leader.

India has traditionally been Maldives first responder in times of crisisbe it natural disasters, public health emergencies, or economic instability. During President Muizzus state visit to India from October 6-10, 2024, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to mutual security and development. This culminated in the adoption of the Vision for Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership. On that occasion, President Muizzu reassured New Delhi of its security concerns, stating:

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The Maldives will not do anything that would harm Indias security interests. We value Indias role as a close neighbour and friend.

This statement marked a sharp departure from his earlier rhetoric, signalling a shift towards mutual respect and constructive cooperation. India, in turn, has remained steadfast in supporting the Maldives maritime and defense capabilitiesproviding coastal radar systems, naval vessels, and training for Maldivian defense personnel since before Muizzus term. Notably, these efforts included the inauguration of a network of coastal radar stations and the establishment of a Composite Training Centre at Maafilaafushi during previous governments, particularly under President Solih, laying the foundation for todays robust security architecture.

Economic considerations also played a pivotal role in this diplomatic recalibration. As the Maldives undertook expansive infrastructure projectsmany backed by Chinese loansits external debt surged, crossing $8 billion by early 2024 and exceeding 110 per cent of its GDP. The nations tourism-dependent economy remained fragile, with foreign exchange reserves under immense strain, at times covering barely a month of imports. New Delhi, however, stood by as a consistent and generous partner.

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In May 2024, India rolled over a $50 million Treasury Bill at the Maldives requesta move the Maldivian government described as a true gesture of goodwill. Further, during Muizzus visit to India in October 2024, New Delhi extended significant financial support, including a $400 million currency swap agreement and an Rs 30 billion line of credit under the SAARC framework. President Muizzu acknowledged Indias assistance:

I am thankful for the Indian Governments decision to provide support in the form of Rs 30 billion in addition to a $400 million bilateral currency swap which will be instrumental in addressing the foreign exchange issues we are facing.

Unlike Chinas debt-driven model, Indias approach focused on economic stabilisation, sustainable infrastructure, and capacity-buildingpromoting long-term development without the burden of unmanageable debt.

Strategically, Maldives location in the heart of the Indian Ocean makes it indispensable to Indias security calculus and central to its broader MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision. Guided by this doctrine, India has continually prioritized the Maldives development and security needs, anchored in mutual respect and shared regional concerns. Under this framework, India has deployed maritime surveillance infrastructure, conducted joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercisesincluding a major one in May 2025and consistently trained Maldivian defence forces. These engagements underscore Indias role as a reliable partner and affirm its commitment to regional peace and stability.

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Equally noteworthy is President Muizzus own evolution. He gradually came to realize that a confrontational posture toward India offered no tangible benefits. Strategic pragmatism ultimately prevailed. Both he and his advisors understood that partnership with India serves Maldivian interests far better than antagonism.

This diplomatic turnaround offers a broader lesson for regional leadersparticularly for Bangladeshs interim leader Mohammad Yunus. While anti-India rhetoric may provide short-term domestic political gains, it seldom translates into long-term strategic or economic benefits. Foreign policy must be rooted in reason and rationality. For the countries in Indias neighbourhood, maintaining cooperative and constructive relations with New Delhi is not just diplomatically prudentit brings real, measurable benefits to their people.

Imran Khurshid is a visiting research fellow at the International Centre for Peace Studies, New Delhi. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Addressing an AI Summit in Washington on Wednesday, Trump slammed the global radicalism of Silicon Valley, accusing major tech companies of exploiting American freedoms and outsourcing workers from elsewhere

US President Donald Trump has expressed discontent over US tech companies hiring Indian workers and building factories in China, saying that under his presidency, those days are over.

Addressing an AI Summit in Washington on Wednesday, Trump slammed the global radicalism of Silicon Valley, accusing major tech companies of exploiting American freedoms and outsourcing workers from elsewhere.

He said, Many of our largest tech companies have reaped the blessings of American freedom while building their factories in China, hiring workers in India, and slashing profits in Ireland. We need US technology companies to be all-in for America.

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This is not the first time Trump has targeted US tech companies for hiring workers from abroad. Earlier this year, the president criticised Apple for manufacturing and assembling iPhones in India. He threatened CEO Tim Cook with 25 per cent tariffs on Apple products if the company does not stop manufacturing outside of the US.

Trumps new AI Action Plan

At the event, the president unveiled a sweeping new plan for Americas global dominance in artificial intelligence, proposing to cut back environmental regulations to speed up the construction of AI supercomputers while promoting the sale of US-made AI technologies at home and abroad.

The AI Action Plan embraces many of the ideas voiced by tech industry lobbyists and the Silicon Valley investors who backed Trumps election campaign last year.

The plan includes some familiar tech lobby pitches. That includes accelerating the sale of AI technology abroad and making it easier to construct the energy-hungry data center buildings that are needed to form and run AI products. It also includes some AI culture war preoccupations of the circle of venture capitalists who endorsed Trump last year.

The plan prioritises AI innovation and adoption, urging the removal of any barriers that could slow down adoption across industries and government. The nations policy, Trump said, will be to do whatever it takes to lead the world in artificial intelligence.

With inputs from agencies
The ongoing Thailand-Cambodia conflict is the latest episode in the long-running tensions between the two countries. Here are five factors that brought the two countries to a war-like situation today.

Royal Thai Army soldiers are pictured on armoured vehicles on a road in Chachoengsao province on July 24, 2025. (Photo: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP)

The Thailand-Cambodia conflict that erupted on Thursday is the latest episode of decadeslong tensions between the two countries.

After months of simmering tensions, Thailand on Thursday conducted airstrikes inside Cambodia in what it said was retaliation to cross-border Cambodian rocket attacks that killed Thai civilians. Earlier in the day, soldiers of the two countries had also clashed in a disputed stretch of the two countries border.

Even though the ongoing conflict appears to stem from clashes in May in which a Cambodian soldier was killed, it is part of the decadeslong conflict that is rooted in competing territorial claims in a stretch of the Thai-Cambodian border called the Emerald Triangle, which is at the trijunction of Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos. It has many sites of high strategic, cultural, and symbolic value that both sides lay claim to, such as the Prasat Ta Muen Thom and Preah Vihear temples.

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Here are five factors that have brought Thailand and Cambodia to the brink of war.

The 1962 ICJ temple ruling

In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded the Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia that both sides had claimed.

The ICJ rulings ambiguity about the land adjacent to the temple led to decadeslong hostilities between the two countries that erupted in an armed conflict in 2008 that lasted for years and killed dozens of people. The conflict also spread to other contested temple of Prasat Ta Muen Thom that Thailand controls.

In 2013, the ICJ ruled that the surrounding land also belonged to Cambodia and Thailand was forced to withdraw troops from the area. The conflict of 2008 therefore led to a Cambodian victory.

Undemarcated boundary & contested claims

Thailand and Cambodia have a contested border that is a result of ambiguous colonial-era treaties, conflicting maps made by both the sides, and overlapping historical claims over cultural sites that are located at strategically important locations along the border.

The border, particularly at two of the most contested locations of Prasat Ta Muen Thom and Preah Vihear temples, is not demarcated. While the ICJ has awarded the Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia, the status of Prasat Ta Muen Thom Temple remains contested. Currently, it under Thailands control.

ALSO READ  Preah Vihar and Muen Thom: The Hindu temples at the heart of Thailand-Cambodia clashes

The conflict today began with clashes in the vicinity of Prasat Ta Muen Thom Temple that Thailand blames on Cambodian aggression. The Thai military has said that Cambodia first deployed a surveillance drone and then heavily-armed troops and equipment, such as including rocket launchers, to the area. It said that the Cambodian forces fired the first shots.

Landmines in border regions  Thailand accuses Cambodia

Thailand has accused Cambodia of laying landmines in the contested border areas in violation of previous agreements. The issue has played a major role in escalating monthslong tensions that erupted in the exchange of missiles and rockets today.

In recent weeks, several Thai soldiers have been injured in landmine explosions. Five soldiers were injured in an explosion on Wednesday.

Thailand has accused Cambodia of planting landmines in areas that were mutually agreed to be landmine-free for patrolling.

Militarys influence in both countries

Military is widely believed to be calling the shots in both Thailand and Cambodia, which is seen to be closely aligned with the countrys monarchy. Both Thailand and Cambodia have weak elected governments that cannot operate independently.

In Cambodia, the prime ministers office is essentially a dynasty in its own right. Hun Sen led the country as either the prime minster or second prime minister from 1985 to 2023, when he resigned and made way for his son, Hun Manet, to become the prime minister.

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In Thailand, the military has run several governments for decades over the past century and ran the country as early as until 2019 (after capturing power in 2014).

Currently, the Thai Senate is appointed largely by the military. The Senate essentially has a veto in the selection of the prime minister, making elections a kind of a fruitless exercise.

Political crisis in Thailand  a Cambodian plot

The armed conflict came at a time when Thailand was already in the midst of a political crisis that was created by Cambodia.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended on July 1 by the countrys constitutional court over a scandal stemming from her conversation with former Cambodian PM Sen related to the two countrys border conflict.

After a Cambodian soldier was killed in border clashes in May, Shinawatra sought a call with Sen to smoothen the situation. As Sen was an old acquaintance of the influential Shinawatra family and had friendly ties, she called him uncle on the call. Sen, on his part, leaked the entire conversation and that led to a storm in Thailand, leading to her suspension as the prime minister.

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The temple graffiti incident, meanwhile, was condemned by the President of the Hindu Council of Australia, Makrand Bhagwat. The Victoria Police said that it is investigating the four incidents of vandalism in the area and said they might be linked to each other

The Swaminarayan Temple in Australias Melbourne was vandalised with racist graffiti earlier this week, local media reports say. The walls of the Hindu temple, located in Wadhurst Drive, were defaced with the words Go Home Brown Similar graffiti were also spray-painted on the walls of Asian restaurants nearby.

The incident comes a day after an Indian student was brutally attacked in Adelaide, resulting in severe injuries. The student, Charanpreet Singh, continues to receive treatment at the hospital after he was physically assaulted by a group of men in a parking lot over a parking dispute.

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The incident has drawn condemnation from South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas, who called it deeply disturbing.

Any evidence of a racial attack is completely unwelcome in our state. Its not who we are, and not where the majority of our community stands, the Premier said.

The temple graffiti incident, meanwhile, was condemned by the President of the Hindu Council of Australia, Makrand Bhagwat, who told Australia Today, Our temple is meant to be a sanctuary of peace, devotion and unity. Seeing it vandalised with hateful words was heartbreaking for volunteers and worshippers alike.

The Victoria Police said that it is investigating the four incidents of vandalism in the area and said they might be linked to each other. Graffiti was discovered on a temple on Wadhurst Drive in Boronia about 9.30 am. Two further restaurants were located with graffiti on Boronia Road, the police said.

The Australia Today report said that Victorias Premier Jacinta Allan sent a letter to the temple authorities condemning the incident. She said, What happened this week was hateful, racist and deeply disturbing. It wasnt just vandalism  it was a deliberate act of hate, designed to intimidate, isolate, and spread fear. It was an attack on your right to feel safe and to belong, and on the values that bind us together. Theres no place for it anywhere in Victoria. And it must be called out for what it is.
Bangladeshs former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque was detained here on Thursday in connection with three criminal cases including a sedition charge.

Bangladeshs former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque was taken into custody on Thursday in connection with three criminal cases including one involving sedition, according to officials.

Haque, who held the position of the countrys 19th chief justice between 2010 and 2011, is widely known for delivering key judgments including the 2011 decision that deemed the nations nonpartisan caretaker government system unconstitutional.

The 81-year-old was detained from his residence in Dhakas Dhanmondi neighbourhood by officers from the detective branch, Dhaka Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Talebur Rahman told the media.

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Haque faces charges in three separate cases. Legal proceedings are in motion, Rahman stated, adding that he is expected to be formally shown as arrested in at least one of the cases before being presented in court.

The cases against him were filed by different lawyers in August 2024, shortly after the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas Awami League government was ousted in a violent street movement led by the Students Against Discrimination (SAD) on August 5.

At the time, Haque was serving as the chairman of the Law Commission, a post he resigned from on August 13.

The first case, filed in Dhaka, accused him of fraud and forgery in allegedly altering the judgment annulling the 13th constitutional amendment related to the caretaker system.

A week later an identical case was filed against him in river port town of Narayanganj, on the outskirts of the capital, over the same issue and in the same month, another case was filed in Dhaka by another lawyer over his alleged corrupt practices, illegal and fraudulent judgments.

Haque had authored the lead judgment that declared the caretaker government system in 2011 as illegal, calling the system contrary to the spirit of the constitution.

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The initial verdict, however, suggested the next two subsequent elections could be held under caretaker governments while a number of leading Bangladeshi jurists strongly argued for retaining the system for the sake of the countrys nascent democracy.

The verdict passed narrowly, with three of the seven apex court judges dissenting and three concurring, leaving Haque with the casting vote.

Legal experts and political commentators later criticised the ruling, arguing that it undermined democratic safeguards and paved the way for Hasina to retain power without a neutral electoral mechanism.

Several analysts said the verdict gave Hasina a political weapon to cling to power as the end of the caretaker system meant an end to the mechanism of checks and balances, which ensured free and fair elections in 1991, 1996, 2001 and 2008.

With inputs from agencies
Bangladeshs Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus forms an inquiry commission to investigate the July 16 Gopalganj clashes, accusing the banned Awami League and its student wing of orchestrating a planned attack on the National Citizens Party rally.

Bangladeshs Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has formed a six-member inquiry commission to investigate the recent violent clashes in Gopalganj, alleging that the banned Awami League and its student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, orchestrated a premeditated attack on a public gathering of the National Citizens Party (NCP) on July 16.

In a statement issued by the government, Dr. Yunus said the commission was being formed in response to the deterioration of law and order, attacks on the district prison and government establishments, and disruptions to public safety during the unrest surrounding the NCPs scheduled event in the Gopalganj district headquarters.

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,   :            ()       , -  ,      Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (@ChiefAdviserGoB) July 24, 2025

More from World Bangladesh: Yunus govt forms panel to probe last three national elections Sheikh Hasina won

The commission will be chaired by retired Supreme Court Justice Dr. Md. Abu Tariq, a decorated freedom fighter. Other members include Khandaker Md. Mahbubur Rahman (Additional Secretary, Public Security Division), Md. Saiful Islam (Senior District and Sessions Judge), Brigadier General Shahidur Rahman Osmany (Commander, 21 Infantry Brigade), Sardar Nurul Amin (Additional Inspector General of Police), and Dr. Sajjad Siddiqui (Chair, Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Dhaka).

Formed under Section 3 of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1956, the panel has been tasked with identifying the causes of the violence, the actors behind it, and recommending legal action. It will also examine the attacks on the prison, other state facilities, and disruptions to public order, as well as suggest measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The decision follows findings by a preliminary investigation committee that implicated supporters of the outlawed Awami League and its affiliates in what was described as a planned assault on NCP members and sympathizers. The violence prompted local authorities to impose Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code, followed by a curfew and the deployment of armed forces under In-Aid-to-Civil Power provisions. The crackdown resulted in casualties, although no official figures have been released yet.

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Dr. Yunuss administration has tasked the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs with supporting the inquiry commission logistically and financially. The panel is required to submit its findings, along with actionable recommendations, within three weeks.

The Chief Advisors move marks a decisive escalation in the governments response to political unrest, placing blame squarely on former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas banned political network and intensifying scrutiny of its alleged activities despite its proscribed status.
Even as Chinese President Xi Jinping succeeded in shifting the China-EU Summit from Brussels to Beijing, he may not get his entire wish list fulfilled as two sides continue to have some fundamental divergences, ranging from positions in ongoing trade talks and the Russian war on Ukraine.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (4th-L) listens to President of the European Council Antonio Costa (2nd-R), in presence of President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen (3dr-R), and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas (R) during the opening remarks of the 25th European Union-China Summit at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on July 24, 2025. (Photo: Andres Martinez Casares/Pool/AFP)

Chinese President Xi Jinping succeeded in moving the China-EU Summit from Brussels to Beijing, but he may not get his entire wish list fulfilled as the two sides remain divided on some fundamental issues.

As Chinese and European Union (EU) leaders met in Beijing on Thursday, Xi called for the deepening of the relationship but EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said real solution are needed to move past an inflect point, reflecting the issues that the bloc has with China.

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The EU has made it clear that it will not tolerate Chinas dumping of Chinese goods, such as cars, which it says have been made artificially cheaper with subsidies. The EU and Russia are also poles apart on the war in Ukraine  while the EU has supported Ukraine, China has puts its entire weight behind Russia.

EU-China Summit goes off rails

The summit was initially supposed to take place in April in Brussels, but China reportedly refused to attend it. The summit was therefore moved to Beijing.

While the EU agreed to relocate the venue, it cancelled an economic and trade dialogue, which was intended to lay the groundwork for the summit, signalling mounting strains in diplomatic relations.

The summit was also downgraded from a two-day meeting to a one-day affair.

China & EU seek middle ground  but gaps remain

Despite such confrontational behaviour, there are signs that the EU and China are seeking middle ground.

In the EU-China relationship, trade tensions have taken centre stage as both sides have escalated rhetoric and protective measures.

However, lately, China has dropped sanctions on EU policymakers and has offered major carveouts exempting French cognac makers from tariffs. Earlier this month, the two sides showed friendly sides during climate talks.

However, trade tensions are far from over between the two and have rather been worsened by Chinas tricks to keep trade surplus and global tariff war.

China has been pushing the EU to back off on tariffs, especially for electric vehicles, and the EU, on the other hand, has been firm on protecting its industrial base, particularly against the backdrop of its relationship with Trump.

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The sides are also divided on the Russian war on Ukraine and Vladimir Putins aggression on Europe. While the EU has supported Ukraine and has sought a way to end the war that is respectable to Ukraine, China has supported Putins war on Ukraine to the hilt.

With such differences, major breakthroughs are not expected in the summit.

China and EU may still reach a trade deal or some other agreement or commitment to improve relations, with a statement targeting Trumps disruptive policies. They may agree to fast-track critical minerals export licenses to the EU. A joint statement could be issued with the two sides agreeing to target their respective rivals, new and old.
Bangkok launched airstrikes against Cambodia earlier today after Phnom Penh fired rockets and artillery, killing a civilian, as tensions between the neighbouring countries escalated overnight

A Cambodian BM-21 multiple rocket launcher returns from the Cambodia-Thai border as Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged fire in a new round of clashes in Preah Vihear province on July 24, 2025. AFP

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council on Thursday in the wake of cross-border firing with Thailand.

Considering the recent extremely grave aggressions by Thailand, which have gravely threatened peace and stability in the region, I earnestly request you to convene an urgent meeting of the Security Council to stop Thailands aggression, PM Manet wrote in a letter addressed to the sitting UN Security Council president Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.

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The Thai army has said that Cambodian attacks have killed at least 12 people and wounded 14 others.

Bangkok launched airstrikes against Cambodia earlier today after Phnom Penh fired rockets and artillery, killing a civilian, as tensions between the neighbouring countries escalated overnight.

More from World Thai, Cambodian leaders to hold border peace talks in Malaysia after Trumps intervention

The two sides have blamed each other for increasing hostilities along the border, with Thailand accusing Cambodia of its inhumane, brutal and war-hungry and Phnom Penh slamming Bangkok over unprovoked military aggression.

The neighbours are locked in a bitter spat over an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet, and which is home to several ancient temples.

The squabble has dragged on for decades, flaring into bloody military clashes more than 15 years ago and again in May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a firefight.

The conflict blazed up on Thursday, with Cambodia firing rockets and artillery shells into Thailand and the Thai military scrambling F-16 jets to carry out air strikes.

Meanwhile, China has issued an advisory for its citizens living in Cambodia amid the deadly clashes. We are deeply concerned over the current developments (and) hope both sides can properly resolve issues through dialogue and consultations, foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said.

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The Thai prime ministers office said a Cambodian artillery shell hit a house over the border, killing one civilian and wounding three others, including a five-year-old child.

With inputs from agencies
PM Modi said that India and the UK have ushered in a new era of economic cooperation with the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), along with the Double Contribution Convention, during his tete-a-tete with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said he held a Chai pe Charcha with his British counterpart Keir Starmer at Chequers, signalling a renewed momentum in India-UK relations.

PM Modi in a post on social media platform X said Chai Pe Charcha with PM Keir Starmer at Chequersbrewing stronger India-UK ties!"

Chai Pe Charcha with PM Keir Starmer at Chequers...brewing stronger India-UK ties! @Keir_Starmer pic.twitter.com/sY1OZFa6gL  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2025

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Earlier today, a new India-UK Vision 2035 road map was unveiled by PM Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer to set clear goals and milestones across a range of areas such as defence, technology and energy.

Reaffirming their shared commitment to unlocking the full potential of a revitalised partnership through the free trade agreement (FTA), Modi and Starmer endorsed Vision 2035 during their bilateral meeting in London.

The India-UK Vision 2035 builds on the free trade agreement (FTA) inked between the two countries to unlock new opportunities that strengthen defence cooperation and drive innovation between both economies.

Earlier, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK is thrilled to receive Modi. UK-India Vision 2035 is an ambitious, future-focused agreement between our leaders to deliver growth, prosperity, and security for people in both countries, he said. This week we are excited to be agreeing the UK-India Vision 2035, a new agreement that sets ambitious goals for both the UK and India to achieve and marks a step-change in our relationship for the decade ahead.

Heres all you need to know:

The India-UK Vision 2035 is a new work plan building on the trade deal, so as to unlock new opportunities for bilateral trade and investment to thrive, strengthen defence cooperation, and work together to drive innovation and shape the technologies of tomorrow.

It accelerates joint efforts to tackle climate change along with nurturing the next generation of global talent through education and skills partnership. It introduces new areas of cooperation such as advanced technologies, critical minerals, and green finance while establishing more robust mechanisms for delivery in areas where both countries already work together.

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WHAT ARE THE GOALS?

Increased ambition: Since elevating the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, India and the UK have catalysed significant partnerships and growth across all sectors. The new vision builds on this momentum, setting ambitious goals to deepen and diversify bilateral cooperation.

Strategic Vision: By 2035, flagship partnerships will redefine the India-UK relationship delivering transformative opportunities and tangible benefits for both countries. It sets clear strategic goals and milestones, tracking a path for sustained future collaboration and innovation.

Comprehensive Outcomes: The pillars of the India-UK Vision 2035 are designed to reinforce one another, creating a partnership that is greater than the sum of its parts across a wide and deep range of outcomes.

WHAT ARE THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES?

Growth and jobs in the UK and India, building on an ambitious trade deal that unlocks markets and opportunities for both countries.

An education and skills partnership to nurture the next generation of global talent, deepening transnational education collaborations between UK and Indian universities, including the establishment of campuses of leading universities in each others countries.

Develop cutting-edge technology and research, building on the Technology Security Initiative, focused on future telecoms, AI and critical minerals, laying the ground for future collaboration on semi-conductors, quantum, bio-technology and advanced materials.

A transformative climate partnership focused on accelerating clean energy, mobilising climate finance at scale, and strengthening resilience.

Defence and security cooperation, including a common commitment to peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

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The India-UK Vision 2035 will witness high-level political engagement, with regular meetings of the two Prime Ministers to provide strategic direction and oversight.

Implementation will be reviewed annually by the external affairs minister and UK foreign secretary, so as to address issues across sectors including technology, trade, investment and financial sector cooperation.

India and the UK have reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based international order and to strengthening multilateralism through reform. Both sides will work together to promote reform of the United Nations, including the Security Council, and multilateral institutions such as the Commonwealth, WTO, WHO, IMF, and the World Bank.

People-to-people links underpin every facet of the UK-India relationship. Both countries will enhance cooperation on education and cultural exchange, and consular matters to better serve the needs of their citizens and diaspora communities.

India and the UK are committed to deepening and diversifying bilateral cooperation under the different pillars of Vision 2035, and preparing the two countries for a BRISK partnership for the future  based on Business, Research, Innovation, Science and technology, and Knowledge.

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With inputs from agencies
At a shortened summit in Beijing, Xi Jinping urged the EU to manage trade frictions and warned against building walls, as leaders clashed over tariffs, Ukraine, and industrial overcapacity, but pledged to cooperate on climate action

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China. Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping urged top European Union officials on Thursday to properly handle differences and frictions as he criticised Brusselss recent trade actions against Beijing at a tense summit dominated by concerns on trade and the Ukraine war.

Expectations were low for the summit in the Chinese capital marking 50 years of diplomatic ties after weeks of escalating tension and wrangling that led to the duration being abruptly halved to a single day at Beijings request.

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The current challenges facing Europe do not come from China, Xi told visiting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa, state news agency Xinhua said.

He urged the EU to adhere to open cooperation and properly handle differences and frictions, after von der Leyen earlier called for a rebalancing of trade ties with the worlds second largest economy, saying relations were at an inflection point.

Improving competitiveness cannot rely on building walls and fortresses, Xi added, according to Xinhua. Decoupling and breaking chains will only result in isolation.

It is hoped that the European side will keep the trade and investment market open and refrain from using restrictive economic and trade tools, Xi said.

EU trade actions in the past year have targeted Chinese exports of electric vehicles among other goods, and its officials have repeatedly complained about Chinese industrial overcapacity.

Xi also warned EU leaders to make correct strategic choices, in a further veiled criticism of Brussels recent hawkish stance on China.

As our cooperation has deepened, so have imbalances, von der Leyen told Xi during their meeting in Beijings Great Hall of the People, according to a pool report.

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We have reached an inflection point, she added, urging China to come forward with real solutions.

She was referring to the EUs trade deficit with China, which ballooned to a historic 305.8 billion euros ($360 billion) last year.

We think increasing market access for European companies in China, limiting the external impact of involution, and reducing export controls are important steps forward, von der Leyen told Premier Li Qiang later, according to a pool report.

She described her meeting with Xi as excellent.

The two sides also issued a joint statement on climate, reiterating their commitment to new climate action plans across the whole economy.

They will boost cooperation in areas such as energy transition, adaptation, methane emissions management and control, carbon markets and green and low-carbon technologies, the joint statement said.

Lack of impetus

At the start of US President Donald Trumps second term, both sides had more of a consensus in working together to tackle trade challenges from the United States, said Cui Hongjian, a foreign policy professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

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Recently the situation has changed, Cui said. The EU has continued to compromise with the United States, which means that there is currently a lack of impetus for EU-China ties to become closer.

After intense negotiations, the EU is likely to seal a trade deal with the United States for a broad tariff of 15% on its exports, down from 30% threatened by President Donald Trump.

On Thursday, Costa said the EU officials discussed at length their expectations for China to discourage Russia in its war against Ukraine.

We call on China to use its influence on Russia to respect the United Nations charter and to bring an end of its war of aggression, Costa told Xi earlier.

The run-up to the summit saw tit-for-tat trade disputes and hawkish European rhetoric, such as a July 8 accusation by von der Leyen that China was flooding global markets as a result of its overcapacity and enabling Russias war economy.

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In a posting on X, however, she struck a more conciliatory tone on Thursday, saying the summit offered an opportunity to both advance and rebalance our relationship.

Topics the Europeans were expected to raise in the talks are electric vehicles and Chinas rare earth export controls that disrupted supply chains worldwide, causing temporary stoppages in European automotive production lines in May.

But Chinas exports of rare earth magnets to the EU surged in June by 245% from May, to stand at 1,364 metric tons, though that was still 35% lower than the year-earlier figure, customs data showed.

On Thursday, Chinas foreign ministry defended the rare earths curbs as being in line with international practice, while pledging stronger dialogue and cooperation with relevant countries and regions in the field of export controls.
Columbia University has agreed to pay $220 million to the federal government to settle investigations tied to antisemitism concerns and suspended research funding. The settlement follows months of scrutiny from the Trump administration over the universitys handling of campus protests during the Israel-Hamas war.

Pro-Palestinian demonstration encampment is seen at the Columbia University. File image/AP

Columbia University has reached a $220 million settlement with the Trump administration to resolve federal investigations linked to antisemitism concerns and the suspension of research funding, the Ivy League institution announced on Wednesday.

Under the agreement, Columbia will pay $200 million over three years to the federal government and an additional $21 million to settle separate investigations by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The deal follows months of federal scrutiny after allegations that the university failed to effectively address antisemitism on campus during the Israel-Hamas conflict that erupted in October 2023.

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In response to pressure from the Trump administration, Columbia agreed earlier this year to a set of reforms, including adopting a new definition of antisemitism and revising its student disciplinary procedures.

Acting University President Claire Shipman called the settlement an important step forward, saying it codifies the agreed changes while preserving the universitys academic independence. The agreement does not include an admission of wrongdoing.

At one point, Columbia faced the potential loss of billions in federal funding, including more than $400 million in research grants that had already been canceled. Shipman said the settlement restores the universitys critical research partnership with the federal government while protecting its institutional values.

As part of the deal, Columbia will also review its Middle East studies curriculum to ensure it is comprehensive and balanced, hire new faculty at the Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies, and dismantle programs deemed to promote unlawful race-based outcomes, quotas, or diversity targets.
The EU believes a trade deal with the US is within reach, even as it prepares counter-tariffs and curbs on US tech and finance firms if talks falter

A European Commission official said Thursday that the EU believes a trade deal with the United States is within reach, as diplomats suggested the two sides looked to be closer to an accord.

As regards a deal as an outcome, we believe such an outcome is within reach, EU trade spokesperson Olof Gill said.

Diplomats said on Wednesday that a US plan with a 15 percent baseline tariff rate was on the table, with carve-outs for industries like as pharmaceuticals and aviation, but it was still being discussed.

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On Wednesday, top EU trade negotiator Maros Sefcovic spoke with US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, while the US pointed to progress in talks between the two trading partners.

The EU continues to engage with the US intensively at technical and political level, and thats all I can say for the moment, Gill said, refusing to disclose more information about the two mens call.

Although the commission  spearheading trade negotiations on behalf of the 27-country bloc  is focused on getting a deal, Brussels has insisted that the bloc will retaliate if talks fail.

We are proceeding on twin tracks, negotiation and preparation for the event that the negotiations dont lead to the outcome we want, Gill said.

EU states earlier on Thursday approved a package of counter-tariffs of up to 30 percent on 93 billion euros ($109-billion) of US goods  that would take effect from August 7 if there is no accord.

The commission is also separately preparing a list of US services  including tech and financial companies  to target with curbs should the negotiations disappoint.

It has, however, not yet submitted any draft plans to member states on that front.

Beyond that, France has led a charge to show the EUs willingness to deploy a powerful trade weapon known as the anti-coercion instrument, which Gill described on Thursday as the commissions most powerful deterrent.

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The tool, which has never been used, allows the EU to take measures such as import and export restrictions on goods and services.
A Cambodian BM-21 multiple rocket launcher returns from the Cambodia-Thai border as Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged fire in a new round of clashes in Preah Vihear province on July 24, 2025. AFP

The Thailand-Cambodia border conflict that erupted again on Thursday has laid bare the contrast between numerical superiority and strategic friction. On paper, Thailand is a regional military heavyweight with air power, naval reach and technological sophistication. Cambodia, by contrast, is significantly outmatched across nearly every defence metric.

Yet, recent events near the disputed Ta Muen Thom temple suggest that Cambodia is willing to assert itself militarily in ways that raise the stakes far beyond proportion. The question is no longer whether one side is strongerbut whether strength alone prevents conflict.

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A historical dispute ignites again

The fighting on Thursday began with reports of Cambodian artillery opening fire on Thai positions near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple  a centuries-old Khmer site located in a long-contested region along the northeastern border.

According to the Royal Thai Army, six locations saw simultaneous clashes by mid-morning. Thai F-16s were scrambled and deployed precision strikes on what military officials identified as Cambodian battalion command posts. At least one jet dropped two bombs, reportedly destroying a forward Cambodian base.

Thailands Ministry of Defence later confirmed that nine civilians were killed in the initial salvo, including a child. Some reports put the initial death toll at 11. No official word was reported on death toll by the Cambodian side till the filing of this report.

Cambodia, in its response, accused Thailand of brutal military aggression. Its Prime Minister Hun Manet warned of retaliation, invoking Cambodias right to national defence. The diplomatic fallout included mutual expulsions of ambassadors and the full closure of all border crossings.

Power disparity

Thailands military strength dwarfs Cambodias. According to the Global Firepower Index 2025, Thailand ranks 25th in the worldthird in Asean behind Indonesia and Vietnamwhile Cambodia ranks 95th.

Thailands total military personnel exceed 600,000, including over 360,000 active-duty troops, 221,000 reservists and 25,000 paramilitary forces. Cambodia has about 231,000 total personnel, most of whom are active duty, with only 10,000 in paramilitary roles.

Thailands defence budget is approximately $5.89 billion in 2025, compared to Cambodias $860 million. Though Cambodia allocates a higher percentage of its GDP to defencearound 1.5 peer cent compared to Thailands 1.1 per centthe disparity in raw expenditure is almost tenfold.

This financial muscle translates into a wide array of high-end military hardware. Thailand fields 635 main battle tanks, including M60A3 Patton and Ukrainian T-84 Oplot variants, supported by over 16,900 armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs), ranging from wheeled APCs to tracked IFVs. Cambodia, while surprisingly well-stocked in tanks with 644 (mostly ageing T-55 and Type 59 units), has only 3,627 AFVs in service.

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Rocket artillery: Cambodias strategic lever

One of the more surprising details of this asymmetrical rivalry is Cambodias superior rocket artillery inventory. According to data from Nation Thailand, Cambodia fields 463 multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), including BM-21 Grad and RM-70 systems.

These Soviet and Czech-origin weapons, capable of launching 122mm rockets in rapid salvos, have a range of up to 20 kilometres and are often used for psychological and suppressive fire rather than precise strikes.

Thailand, despite its technological edge, operates only 26 MLRS. Its artillery doctrine focuses more on precision fire, supported by 50 self-propelled and 589 towed howitzers. Cambodia, by comparison, holds 30 self-propelled and 430 towed artillery pieces, suggesting a strategy centred on high-volume, area-saturation firepower. This is a classic example of quantity attempting to offset quality and mobility.

Thai air dominance

In the air domain, Thailands superiority is absolute. Its air force fields 493 aircraft, including 72 combat fighters  among them are American F-16s and Swedish Saab JAS 39 Gripens. These are multirole platforms capable of precision strikes, electronic warfare and air interdiction.

The fleet is supported by 20 dedicated attack aircraft, 54 military transport planes and 258 helicopters, including seven AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters.

Cambodias air force is almost nonexistent in comparison. It operates only 25 aircraft in total  mostly ageing Soviet-era helicopters and a few fixed-wing transports. Cambodia has no operational jet fighters or attack aircraft, making it wholly dependent on ground-based defences like radar-guided AA guns and MANPADS.

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The border skirmish on Thursday emphasised this disparity. Thai F-16s crossed into Cambodian airspace with impunity, destroyed targets and returned without loss. Cambodias defence ministry confirmed the strike but had no means to contest it in real time, other than issuing diplomatic condemnation.

At sea: One navy, one patrol fleet

The naval disparity is equally pronounced. Thailands navy includes a helicopter carrier (HTMS Chakri Naruebet), seven frigates, six corvettes, five mine warfare vessels and 49 patrol ships. Thailand is also preparing to receive its first Chinese-built S26T submarine, further enhancing its blue-water ambitions.

Cambodia, in contrast, operates around 20 patrol boats, primarily tasked with riverine security and coastal surveillance. It has no frigates, corvettes or submarines. In any prolonged maritime engagement, the Royal Thai Navy would dominate within days.

Chong Bok flashpoint

Since June this year, tensions had been rising along the Chong Bok border zone. Thai aerial surveillance identified new Cambodian troop deployments  estimated at 12,000 soldiersalong with the installation of SH-1A self-propelled howitzers, radar installations and heavy armour. Cambodian forces reportedly dug trenches and erected field bunkers, positioning artillery to face Thai villages across the disputed boundary.

According to Thai army intelligence, Cambodia also placed BM-21 launchers near civilian areas, prompting accusations of using human shields. On July 23, a Thai soldier was maimed by what Thai authorities claimed was a newly laid landmine  a violation of demining agreements. Cambodia denied responsibility, blaming residual mines from past conflicts.

Diplomacy in freefall

The conflict escalated quickly from isolated skirmishes to an outright border shutdown. Thailand expelled Cambodias ambassador, citing violations of sovereignty. Cambodia reciprocated and suspended diplomatic channels.

Prime Minister Hun Manet took to Facebook, calling Thailands airstrike armed aggression and vowing a strong military response. Simultaneously, Cambodia reactivated its dormant conscription law, signalling a long-term preparation for escalation.

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Back in Bangkok, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faced criticism over her handling of the conflict. A leaked call with former Cambodian PM Hun Sen caused political embarrassment and triggered an ethics probe, leading to her suspension. Thai nationalists have since called for emergency powers and military control of the border zones.

Strength vs strategy

Despite its smaller size, Cambodia has managed to use asymmetric tactics, political timing and artillery deployment to test Thailands strategic patience. It has done so without the air, sea or electronic warfare assets that a peer competitor would typically deploy.

Thailand, on the other hand, has relied on overwhelming superiority in ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), precision strike capability and a well-equipped standing force. Yet its response has been measuredseeking to avoid drawing Asean into a wider regional conflict or prompting external intervention.

In doctrine and deterrence, Thailand leans on its ability to deliver a decisive blow if provoked. Cambodia appears to bank on political ambiguity and the high cost of escalation to buy time and territorial leverage.
Republican House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal was not a hoax in an interview released on Thursday, as the case continued to stoke turmoil within President Donald Trumps party.

US House Speaker Mike Johnson said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal was not a hoax, directly countering President Donald Trumps repeated attempts to downplay the issue as fresh disclosures continue to stir unrest within the Republican Party.

Its not a hoax. Of course not, Johnson said in an interview with CBS News, released on Thursday.

Trump, who had known Epstein personally, has repeatedly dismissed the renewed scrutiny as the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax and called on Republicans to drop the matter. His efforts have so far failed to unite the party, which remains divided over how to proceed.

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On Tuesday, Johnson said he would send lawmakers on their summer recess a day earlier than planned, partly to avoid a contentious debate over releasing more documents related to Epstein. Epstein died in a New York City jail in 2019, a death ruled as suicide by the citys chief medical examiner.

Even so, a Republican-controlled subcommittee of the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday approved a subpoena seeking all Justice Department files on Epstein. Three Republicans joined five Democrats to back the effort, in a sign that Trumps party was not ready to move on from the issue.

We want full transparency. We want everybody who is involved in any way with the Epstein evils  lets call it what it was  to be brought to justice as quickly as possible. We want the full weight of the law on their heads, Johnson told CBS in the interview, conducted on Wednesday.

A disclosure on Wednesday about Trumps appearance in the Justice Departments case records threatened to deepen a political crisis that has engulfed his administration for weeks.

The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi told Trump in May that his name appeared in investigative files related to Epstein.

With inputs from agencies
Former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid said that India has always been the first responder to Maldives whenever a crisis hits the country, noting that Indians have a big heart"

In a sign of mending ties, a former Maldivian minister has hailed Indias efforts to help the island country whenever needed. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Maldives from July 25 to 26, the relationship between the two countries is expected to turn a new leaf, a year after ties hit a snag.

Former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid said that India has always been the first responder to Maldives whenever a crisis hits the country, noting that Indians have a big heart". He said that despite tensions between the two countries, Indias move to continue and increase aid shipments to Maldives shows its maturity and generosity.

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The relationship between the Maldives and India has always demonstrated that India is the first responder. Whenever we dial the international line, India responds first. It is for many reasons. First and foremost, because Indian people have a big heart and they are always ready to assist the Maldives in the neighbourhood, they are most generous," Shahid said.

He added, India is so close to the Maldives geographically. Whenever anything of urgency and distress happens in the Maldives, India has never let us downthe increase in aid by the Indian government shows the generosity and maturity.

In an ostensible dig at Mohamed Muizzus government, Shahid added that political parties in Maldives should not use key neighbouring countries like India as punching bags for political gains.

PM Modis visit will set everything right

PM Modi is taking an official visit to the Maldives from Friday, and Shahid believes that his trip will mend ties between the two countries.

There is a huge market just next door to us. It is only natural that we tap into the economic boom that is taking place in India. It was unfortunate that there was a dip in Indian tourism around arrivals in the Maldives because of the diplomatic tensions. But I think the PMs visit this time will set everything right," he said.

I am delighted by the PMs visit. The PMs visit this time goes beyond symbolism because the PM is making a State Visit coinciding with the 60th anniversary of our independence. He is going to be the guest of honour for the celebrations. This goes beyond symbolism because recently we have had very unfortunate diplomatic strain between the Maldives and India because of the narrative that the current government used during the elections," he added.

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PM Modis Maldives visit

Modi will then travel to the Maldives at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu in what is being seen as a breakthrough in the ties between the two countries following a spell of frostiness under Muizzu.

Modi will join the celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the independence of the Maldives.

This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. I look forward to my meetings with President Muizzu and other political leadership, to advance our joint vision of a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, and to strengthen our cooperation for peace, prosperity and stability in the Indian Ocean Region, he said.

The prime minister expressed confidence that the visit will yield tangible outcomes, benefiting people and advancing Indias Neighbourhood First Policy.

With inputs from agencies
PM Modi in the Maldives: India has a long history of offering financial and developmental assistance to the Maldives. It has extended multiple lines of credit in recent years

A new line of credit by India to the Maldives will be in focus during Prime Minister Narendra Modis Maldives visit on July 2526. The visit coincides with Maldives National Day and is expected to see the inauguration of several India-funded projects.

PM Modi landed in the Maldives after successful completion of his two-day UK tour, during which India and Britain signed the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA). His Maldives trip comes on the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, who built his political career on anti-India campaign, and attempted to ride the wave after assuming power.

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But Muizzu soon saw the reality of the vulnerability of the Maldives in deviating from the long-stablished bilateral ties as he tried to forge new relationships with China and West Asian countries, citing religious affinity.

The development comes at a time when the Maldives is grappling with economic headwinds. Modis engagements during the two-day trip are expected to highlight Indias role in supporting the archipelagos infrastructure and capacity-building efforts, which have taken on added urgency amid the countrys ongoing fiscal challenges.

India, Maldives, and the long credit line

India has a long history of offering financial and developmental assistance to the Maldives. It has extended multiple lines of credit in recent years, alongside funding a range of high-impact community development projects tailored to the priorities of the Maldivian government and its people.

To date, 56 such projects have been sanctioned, with 14 already completed and inaugurated. These schemes span education, healthcare, sanitation, and local governance and are emblematic of Indias grassroots-level engagement in the country.

In May, New Delhi provided critical support by rolling over a $50 million treasury bill as emergency budgetary assistance to the Maldives. The measure was designed to shore up the countrys financial position amid rising concerns over debt sustainability.

Since March 2019, India has helped facilitate a series of such treasury bill subscriptions by the State Bank of India. These have been extended annually, interest-free, through a special government-to-government mechanism, offering an economic lifeline to Indias strategically located maritime neighbour.

The treasury bill support, rolled over most recently in May, represents one of several tools through which India continues to provide fiscal stability to the Maldives. As Modis visit approaches, the latest line of credit is expected to reinforce that commitment and further consolidate Indias influence in the Indian Ocean region.

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Iran is open to nuclear talks with the US if Washington takes steps to restore trust, a senior diplomat said. The statement comes before a crucial EU meeting following a ceasefire and US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities

Iran is willing to negotiate its nuclear program with the United States, but only if Washington makes genuine efforts to re-establish trust, a top Iranian diplomat said Thursday, ahead of a major meeting with European officials.

The conference will be the first since a truce was agreed upon during Israels 12-day war against Iran in June, during which US B-52 bombers targeted nuclear-related sites in Iran.

Iranian officials will participate in the talks alongside representatives from the E3 countries, which include Britain, France, and Germany, as well as Kaja Kallas, the head of the European Unions foreign policy. In May, a similar meeting had taken place in the Turkish city.

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Irans conditions

Irans deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, stated on social media on Thursday that Tehran would ask that several key principles be respected in talks with the United States.

These include rebuilding Irans trust  as Iran has absolutely no trust in the United States, he said, adding that there was no place for hidden agendas such as military action, though Iran remains fully prepared for any scenario.

Washington would have to accept and recognise Irans rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which include the freedom to enrich uranium in line with its legitimate needs and the removal of severe economic sanctions against Iran.

The talks in Istanbul will be held at the deputy ministerial level, with Iran sending Majid Takht-e Ravanchi, the other of Irans two deputy foreign ministers.

A show of strength

Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a televised interview Thursday that Tehran would not back down from uranium enrichment. Before the war in June, Iran was enriching uranium up to 60%  a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels.

Our enrichment will continue, and we will not give up this right of the Iranian people, Araghchi said in a video posted on the state TVs Telegram channel.

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Irans top diplomat said the Istanbul talks with the European parties are necessary, especially after the 12-day war, to make them aware that Irans positions remain strong.

The world must know that there has been no change in our stance, he said. We will continue to firmly defend the rights of the Iranian people to peaceful nuclear energy, especially regarding enrichment.

Araghchi also said that Iran has always been ready to advance its peaceful program within a reasonable and logical framework. We have never hesitated to build trust with countries that may have concerns, he said, but at the same time, Irans demand is that its right to peaceful nuclear energy, including enrichment, be respected.

High stakes

European leaders have threatened to trigger a snapback mechanism included in a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which would reimpose sanctions that were lifted in exchange for Iran accepting restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear program.

The United Kingdom, France and Germany were signatories to the 2015 deal. The US withdrew in 2018 during the first term of President Donald Trump, who insisted the agreement wasnt tough enough.

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Iranian officials have warned that a move to reimpose sanctions would have consequences. Gharibabadi said earlier this week that it could force Tehran to withdraw from key non-proliferation agreements.

In a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Araghchi accused the E3 of hypocrisy, saying they failed to uphold their obligations under the 2015 deal while supporting Israels recent strikes on Iran.

In last months conflict, Iran responded to Israeli and US strikes with missile attacks, including a strike on a US base in Qatar, which Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted was not directed at the Qatari state.

In an interview with Al Jazeera that aired on Wednesday, Pezeshkian said Iran is prepared for another war and accused Israel of attempting to assassinate him during a June 15 meeting of Irans national security council in Tehran.

Pezeshkian reiterated that Irans nuclear program will continue within the framework of international law and insisted the country has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons.

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Our nuclear capabilities are in the minds of our scientists, he said, emphasizing Irans position that future negotiations must be rooted in mutual respect, not threats.

The aftermath of war

According to Irans official judicial news agency Mizan, at least 13 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed during the June Israel-Iran war.

The extent of the damage to Irans nuclear sites from the war has not been publicly revealed but a spokesman for Irans Atomic Energy Organization said Thursday the countrys nuclear industry would recover.

Our nuclear industry is deeply rooted. What has roots cannot be harmed by attack or pressure  it will grow back and thrive again, state TV quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi as saying.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog  the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA  reported in May that Irans stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% had grown to over 400 kilograms (882 pounds). That material, just below weapons-grade level, remains a central concern for the West.

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After the June war, Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA, following legislation signed by Pezeshkian.

The road ahead remains uncertain. While European officials say they want to avoid further conflict and are open to a negotiated solution, they have warned that time is running out.
Trump said he dislikes the word artificial in Artificial Intelligence, claiming, Its not artificial, its genius, pure genius. He gave a curious reason to rename it, saying he doesnt like anything thats artificial.

President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for renaming Artificial Intelligence at a major AI summit attended by top tech leaders and investors, including AI czar David Sacks.

As he laid out his vision for US dominance in the sector, Trump argued that the term artificial should be dropped  and gave a curious reason why.

Everyone is talking about artificial intelligence. I dont even like the name, Trump said during his address. I dont like anything thats artificial. We should change the name, its not artificial, its genius. Its pure genius.

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The comment came as Trump unveiled his AI Action Plan, which focuses on rapidly expanding AI development in the US by cutting regulations and boosting exports of American-made AI technology.

As part of the plan, Trump proposed rolling back environmental rules to fast-track construction of AI supercomputers and data centers, a move likely to spark backlash due to the industrys high environmental impact.

He also linked the initiative to broader political goals, vowing to scrap Biden-era AI policies that evaluate risks based on climate change, diversity, and misinformation. Trump echoed concerns from conservative tech donors, who claim platforms like ChatGPT and Google Gemini are biased against the right.

The speech comes days after Trump was criticised for sharing AI-generated content without disclosure.

Trump mocks copyright concerns over AI training data

President Donald Trump dismissed growing concerns from authors and publishers about their work being used to train AI systems without compensation, arguing that paying for every piece of content would be unrealistic.

You cant expect a successful AI program if you have to pay for every article, book, or anything youve read or studied, he said at the summit.

Mocking the idea, Trump quipped, Gee, I read a book, Im supposed to pay somebody. We appreciate the concern, but its just not practical.

He added, Gaining knowledge from a book or article isnt a copyright violation. You shouldnt need to strike a deal with every content creator just to learn from their work.

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The Lahore High Court has directed Punjab IGP Usman Anwar to review encounters by the CCD, raising concerns over a pattern of alleged fake shootouts. The order came amid daily petitions and criticism over suspect deaths in police custody.

The Lahore High Court on Wednesday ordered Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Usman Anwar to evaluate the encounters conducted by the newly formed Crime Control Department (CCD).

The police chief previously appeared before LHC Chief Justice Aalia Neelum in accordance with the courts order regarding a womans petition against the killing of her son in an alleged CCD encounter.

According to the IGPs report, the suspect was being driven away after a recovery when the police vehicles tire punctured, and his accomplices attacked. It stated that the suspect was murdered by the gunfire of his own accomplices.

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The Chief Justice stated that the IGP was called after the SHO in question failed to convince the court. She deemed the IGPs report thorough and satisfactory.

However, the chief justice asked, Whenever there is firing on a police vehicle, how does the bullet directly hit a suspect? Why it never hits a constable or the police vehicle?

She stated that the LHC received 50 petitions per day regarding fake police encounters. It is necessary to evaluate the current wave of CCD encounters, she noted.

Chief Justice Neelum recommended that the IGP undertake an exhaustive review of the continuing encounters. She directed the police chief to meet with top officers to ensure that similar deceptive encounters were not occur again in the future.

The Chief Justice dismissed Farhat Bibis petition.

The petitioners attorney alleged that Sharqpur police had arrested his clients two sons, Ghazanfar Aslam and Ansar Aslam. He claimed that Ghazanfar was killed in a fake encounter on April 22, and that the petitioners other sons life was in grave danger.

He claimed that ever since the CCD formed, all police contacts had followed the same predetermined pattern.

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The synagogues departure reflects a growing divide within religious and academic communities regarding Israel

The largest Reconstructionist synagogue in the United States has decided to leave the movement, citing concerns over what it perceives as an allowance of anti-Israel hostility. The decision highlights growing tensions within religious communities regarding attitudes toward Israel, particularly in the wake of recent events.

The details emerged in a report by the Times of Israel.

Key takeaways

Departure from Reconstructionist Movement: The synagogue, the largest within the Reconstructionist stream of Judaism, has formally withdrawn from the movement. This decision underscores significant disagreements over the handling of Israel-related issues and the broader political climate within the Reconstructionist community.

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Concerns over anti-Israel hostility: A central reason for the synagogues departure is its belief that the Reconstructionist movement has, to some extent, permitted or failed to adequately address anti-Israel sentiment. This concern likely stems from debates and discussions within the movement regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and related issues.

Student experiences and isolation: The decision also reflects broader tensions experienced by pro-Israel students on campuses. Reports indicate that after forming a pro-Israel student group following October 7, these students faced isolation and hostility from their peers, as noted by JTA.

This campus climate may have influenced the synagogues perspective on the wider movements stance.

Harvard report on anti-Semitism: A final report from Harvard Universitys Presidential Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias, released in April 2025, highlights the challenges faced by Jewish students. The report includes data on students experiences, broken down by affiliation, religion, and race, further contextualizing the environment in which these tensions have arisen.

The synagogues departure reflects a growing divide within religious and academic communities regarding Israel. As institutions grapple with these complex issues, the decision by the largest Reconstructionist synagogue to leave its movement marks a significant moment, according to the Times of Israel.
Donald Trump is steering key Republicans away from statewide races to protect the GOPs narrow House majority in 2026

As the political calendar turns its attention toward the 2026 US midterm elections, President Donald Trump appears to be exerting increasingly overt control over Republican congressional strategy. In recent weeks, Trump has played a decisive role in shaping GOP candidacies across battleground states like New York, Michigan and Iowa.

While his supporters hail this as party discipline in action, many view it as a calculated and possibly desperate attempt to prevent another electoral debacle like the 2018 House flip. The question now looms: is Trump consolidating power or compensating for vulnerability?

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Keeping the House at all costs

At the core of Trumps strategy is a single, obsessive goal: protecting the GOPs razor-thin majority in the House of Representatives. Republicans control the chamber by only a handful of seats, a fact not lost on the president. According to reporting by NBC News, Trump has been personally intervening to dissuade vulnerable House Republicans from seeking higher office, thereby keeping reliable incumbents in place.

The Associated Press quoted Trump campaign sources as saying that the move marks a departure from earlier cycles where Trump often endorsed insurgent Senate candidates without much concern for broader party dynamics. Now, the emphasis is on unity and incumbency especially in marginal districts.

New York: Lawler stays put, Stefanik in waiting

One of the clearest examples of this effort unfolded in New York. Congressman Mike Lawler, who represents a swing district in the Hudson Valley that former vice president Kamala Harris won in 2024, recently confirmed he would not challenge Governor Kathy Hochul for the states top job. While Lawler stressed the decision was his alone, he acknowledged that Trump had offered his perspective during a private meeting.

Lawlers re-election campaign was endorsed by Trump in Mayan early signal that the president wanted him to stay in the House. Republican strategists see Lawlers decision as critical to retaining the seat in a high-stakes midterm.

Meanwhile, this move potentially clears the gubernatorial path for Representative Elise Stefanik, a staunch Trump ally whose name was floated after her nomination to the United Nations ambassadorship was withdrawn.

Stefanik has indicated she will reveal her intentions after this falls elections. As reported by NBC News, her possible candidacy highlights Trumps willingness to elevate allies from safer districts while reinforcing GOP infrastructure where its most needed.

Michigan: Avoiding a GOP civil war

Trumps influence is equally visible in Michigan, where Congressman Bill Huizenga opted out of a Senate run after meeting with the president at the White House. The Associated Press revealed that Trumps priority was keeping Huizenga in the House to secure his west Michigan seat, rated likely Republican by the Cook Political Report.

Huizengas exit from the Senate race effectively clears the way for former Congressman Mike Rogers, a Trump-friendly figure who has staffed his campaign with former Trump aides. Though Trump has not yet formally endorsed Rogers, insiders expect that move soon.

While Huizenga has not officially announced a re-election bid, GOP operatives suggest his decisionshaped directly by Trumpis part of a broader strategy to avoid intra-party conflict in swing states and to maximise resources toward winnable districts.

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Iowa: Nunn bows to Trumps midterm playbook

In Iowa, Representative Zach Nunn had been considering a run for governor following Governor Kim Reynolds decision not to seek re-election. However, after a conversation with Trump, Nunn chose to remain in the House. The district he represents is a Democratic target in 2026, having been won by only four points in the last cycle.

Trumps endorsement of Nunns re-election was quick and emphatic, with sources describing the congressman as a team player. According to NBC News, this move is emblematic of Trumps new playbook which is of convincing lawmakers in contested districts that the national interest of the party outweighs individual ambitions.

Representative Randy Feenstra, who holds a safer seat, is now among those considering a gubernatorial run. This supports the notion that Trump is willing to let GOP members seek higher office only when their departure doesnt threaten House control.

A calculated silence in the Senate

Interestingly, while Trump is taking a hands-on approach with House races, he has remained relatively circumspect when it comes to open Senate contests. In states like Georgia and North Carolina, Trump has not yet waded into contentious primaries. Political observers interpret this as a deliberate contrast to his previous, often chaotic, endorsement patterns.

That said, former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper is widely expected to run for the Senate seat being vacated by Republican Thom Tillis. This could create a high-stakes showdown that may yet draw Trumps attention. For now, his priority appears to be ensuring a stable, loyal and electorally viable House majority.

Trumps direct involvement has not gone unnoticed. Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama told The Hill that Trump now commands more influence over the Republican Party than any president hes ever seen. Tuberville also issued a warning to dissenters, stating that GOP lawmakers who refuse to align with Trump should prepare to face primary challenges.

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However, not all Republicans are falling in line. Michigans Representative John James has chosen to run for governor, a decision that reportedly displeased Trump. During a recent event, Trump jokingly suggested that James shouldnt be allowed to run unless his House seat could be adequately filled.

Such moments illustrate the limits of Trumps controleven as most GOP lawmakers seem to heed his directives. As Lawler candidly put it in a media appearance, while Trumps opinion was valuable, I didnt get here by doing as told.

Desperation or discipline?

Democrats, unsurprisingly, interpret these moves through a lens of weakness. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries framed Trumps interventions as coercion, saying that Republicans are being ordered to stay in place because of their grim electoral prospects.

Still, its hard to ignore the effectiveness of Trumps manoeuvres. Hes minimising damaging primaries, bolstering vulnerable districts and testing a more disciplined version of his political machine. This could either be the product of maturity in strategy or of nervous anticipation about whats at stake if the GOP fails to hold the House again.

If Trumps campaign is marked by calculation rather than chaos in 2026, it may not be desperation at all but rather a serious, if ruthless, effort to ensure that history does not repeat itself. Whether thats enough to counteract traditional midterm losses remains to be seen. Whats clear is that Trump intends to leave nothing to chance.

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Indias Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Harish P., delivered an address at the UN Security Council Quarterly Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East, where he also said that all the remaining Israeli hostages must be released immediately

India has called for a ceasefire in Gaza, saying that intermittent pauses in hostilities are not enough, considering the scale of humanitarian crisis that has struck the region.

Indias Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Harish P., delivered an address at the UN Security Council Quarterly Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East, where he also said that all the remaining Israeli hostages must be released immediately.

The way ahead is clear, and India has been consistent in this regard. The ongoing human suffering must not be allowed to continue. Humanitarian assistance needs to be facilitated in a safe, sustained and timely manner. There is no substitute to peace. A ceasefire must be put in place. All hostages must be released. Dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable paths to achieving these objectives. There are no other fixes or solutions, he said.

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Of the 251 hostages taken during Hamass 2023 attack, 49 are still being held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.

#IndiaAtUN



PR @AmbHarishP delivered s statement at the @UN Security Council Quarterly Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question. @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy pic.twitter.com/T7NNvIXzqk  India at UN, NY (@IndiaUNNewYork) July 23, 2025

India officially backs a two-state solution for Palestine, where a sovereign, independent and viable State of Palestine should be established within secure and recognised borders, living alongside Israel with peace.

Whats going on with Gaza truce?

Hamas confirmed on Thursday that it has responded to an Israeli proposal for a 60-day ceasefire in Gaza, after more than two weeks of indirect talks in Qatar have failed to yield a truce.

Hamas has just submitted its response and that of the Palestinian factions to the ceasefire proposal to the mediators, the Palestinian militant group said in a statement on Telegram.The response included proposed amendments to clauses on the entry of aid, maps of areas from which the Israeli army should withdraw, and guarantees on securing a permanent end to the war, according to a Palestinian source familiar with ongoing talks in Doha.

Negotiators from both sides have been holding indirect talks in Doha with mediators in an attempt to reach an agreement on a truce deal that would see the release of Israeli hostages.

With inputs from agencies
Operation Sindoor was launched in response to a barbaric attack by Pakistansponsored terrorists, and the action focussed on dismantling terror infrastructure and neutralising terrorists likely to be sent across to India, the government said on Thursday.

The central government on Thursday said that Operation Sindoor was launched in response to a barbaric cross-border attack by terrorists backed by Pakistan, with a focused aim to destroy terror infrastructure and eliminate terrorists poised to infiltrate into India.

In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said the operation was focussed, measured and non-escalatory.

Responding to a question on whether Operation Sindoor was initiated due to international pressure, the minister clarified that the action was prompted by the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, and not due to any external compulsion.

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Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Lal Suman also asked about the impact of sudden announcement of ceasefire in Operation Sindoor on the morale of the Indian forces which were achieving significant success, but suddenly declaring ceasefire was against their morale and the sentiments of the people of the country.

Union minister Singh said Operation Sindoor was launched to respond to a barbaric cross-border terror attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. It focussed on dismantling terrorist infrastructure and neutralising terrorists likely to be sent across to India.

Pakistan, however, attempted targeting Indian civilian areas, in addition to some military facilities, he said.

These provocations and escalatory actions by Pakistan were met with a strong and decisive response from the Indian armed forces, inflicting significant damage on the Pakistani military. Subsequently, on 10 May, 2025, the Director General of Military Operations of Pakistan approached his Indian counterpart to request for cessation of firing and military activities, which was agreed to later that day, the MoS said.

Under Operation Sindoor, India had decimated nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7 in pre-dawn precision strikes. It was carried out to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike.

In a separate query, the MEA was also asked whether the ministry had taken efforts to alienate Pakistan on world forum.

As part of the UN Security Councils routine annual process, the Chairs and Vice- Chairs of its subsidiary bodies and committees are selected from amongst its permanent and elected non-permanent members. In addition to Russia and France, Pakistan has been selected as one of the Vice-Chairs of the UN Counter Terrorism Committee for 2025, Singh said.

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It may be noted that India was the Chair of the UN Counter Terrorism Committee in 2022. Similarly, India was also the Chair of the same committee during its 2011-12 term, the MoS added.

The Government of India has been sensitising all concerned interlocutors on the menace of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. Due to Indias persistent efforts, the global community has a greater understanding of Indias concerns on cross-border terrorism, he said.

Indias efforts over the years have led to listing of several Pakistan-based terrorists and terrorist entities under the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee and the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) grey listing of Pakistan, the minister said.

The UNSC press statement in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack also strongly condemned the terror attack and acknowledged the need to hold the perpetrators, organisers, sponsors and financiers of the attack accountable, he said.

Several world leaders have recognised and supported Indias actions to combat terrorism following the Pahalgam attack. Most recently, the US has designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, he said.

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In a separate query, the MEA was asked whether the government has formally raised concerns with the US regarding continued military aid and arms supplies to Pakistan, which could be misused against India; and whether India has taken diplomatic steps to counter growing ChinaPakistan military cooperation, particularly in PoK.

Singh in his written response said the government of India closely monitors all military and security-related developments in its neighbourhood and regularly takes up our concerns in this regard in interactions with our partners at appropriate levels. India has consistently conveyed its concerns in this regard to the United States, with a view to ensuring that these developments do not compromise Indias security or regional stability, he said.

It has been Indias consistent and principled position that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are, have been, and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India.

The government closely monitors all developments that have a bearing on Indias national interest and takes timely and necessary steps to safeguard its sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security interests, the MoS said.

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Counter-terrorism remains a vital pillar of the India-US comprehensive global strategic partnership. India and the United States maintain a robust institutional framework for cooperation, including a dedicated Counter-Terrorism Dialogue mechanism that meets regularly.

Both sides collaborate closely on terrorist designations at domestic and international forums, and extend mutual legal assistance, including on extradition matters, he added.

With inputs from agencies
AG Pam Bondi briefed Trump in May that his name appeared multiple times in Epstein files, citing unverified hearsay; White House dismissed it as another fake news

The US Justice Department has informed Donald Trump that his name appears several times in official documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, according to a report from CNN. Attorney General Pam Bondi reportedly briefed Trump during a White House meeting in May, noting that his name came up alongside others in files containing unverified hearsay about people who had once socialised with Epstein.

Sources told CNN that Bondi told Trump his name was included in the records during a Justice Department review. A senior official clarified to The Journal that the documents mention hundreds of names, and simply being named does not suggest any wrongdoing.

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White House communications director Steven Cheung dismissed the media reports, calling them another fake news story.

Bondi also told Trump that investigators found no credible client list nor any evidence contradicting the official conclusion that Epstein died by suicide.

Officials familiar with the review said many claims in the files, including those involving Trump, were considered unsubstantiated and unreliable by the Justice Department.

Its unclear in what context Trumps name appears, but like many public figures in 1990s New York, he was known to have social ties with Epstein. The documents reportedly do little to expand what is already known about their past connection.

The White House was not surprised  Trumps name was among those listed in the binders Pam Bondi brought in, one official said, adding that previous DOJ materials also referenced Trump.

Trumps relationship with Epstein has long faced scrutiny. In 2002, Trump told New York Magazine, Ive known Jeff for 15 years. Terrific guy He likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. The Journal also reported that Trump once sent Epstein a risque birthday note  a claim he denies and has since sued the publication over.

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Adding fuel to speculation, Elon Musk recently posted on X, claiming Trumps name is in the Epstein files  suggesting thats why they havent been fully released. Have a nice day, DJT! Musk wrote.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi departed for Maldives after concluding his two-day official visit to the UK on Thursday after signing off a historic bilateral Free Trade Agreement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday departed for Male (Maldives) for a two-day state visit, the second leg of his ongoing foreign tour after concluding his two-day official visit to the UK on Thursday after signing off a historic bilateral Free Trade Agreement.

This will be Modis third visit to the island nation and the first by any head of state or government since President Mohamed Muizzu took office. The visit comes at the invitation of President Muizzu and is expected to reaffirm bilateral ties.

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#WATCH | London, UK: PM Narendra Modi emplanes for Male, Maldives for the second leg of his visit.



He will undertake a State Visit to Maldives from July 2526 at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. This will be his third visit to the island nation and the pic.twitter.com/HqWxcUPrhx  ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2025

Modi was hosted by his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, at Chequers  the official country residence of the British Prime Minister  for an intense session of talks that also covered regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Concluding a very important UK visit. The outcomes of this visit will benefit our future generations and contribute to shared growth and prosperity. Gratitude to the PM Keir Starmer, the UK government and people for their warmth, Modi said in a statement on social media.

He leaves for the Maldives for the second leg of his two-nation tour, soon after an audience with King Charles III at his Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, eastern England. He presented the British monarch with a Sonoma dove tree, or handkerchief tree to be planted at the royal estate in the Autumn as part of his environmental initiative Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam.

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The leaders celebrated the landmark UK-India Free Trade Agreement, which was signed today and will see growth in every part of the country  delivering on the governments Plan for Change, 10 Downing Street said in a readout of the prime ministerial engagement at Chequers.

The leaders also discussed the importance of the UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which will see closer collaboration on trade, defence, security, technology and education  underscored by the close and historic relationship between the two countries, the statement said.

The leaders also discussed the Air India plane crash last month, and said their sympathies are with all the families and loved ones of the victims. The Prime Minister said the UK will continue to support all those affected by the tragedy, it added.

Modi has extended an invitation to Starmer to visit India, which the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said has been accepted and officials will now be working out the details.

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Downing Street noted that both leaders looked forward to seeing one another soon.

With inputs from agencies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic plane crash in Russias Amur region that killed nearly 50 people, extending condolences to the victims families and affirming Indias solidarity with the Russian people.

This handout picture released by the Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor's Office on July 24, 2025, shows what it said is the crash site of the Antonov AN-24 passenger plane outside the town of Tynda in Russia's far eastern Amur region. Image- AFP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in a plane crash in Russia, extending condolences to the families of the victims. In a post on social media platform X, PM Modi said India stands in solidarity with the people of Russia during this tragic time.

Deeply saddened at the loss of lives in the tragic plane crash in Russia. Extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. We stand in solidarity with Russia and its people.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2025

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An Antonov An-24 passenger plane carrying 48 people crashed in Russias far east on Thursday as it was preparing to land, killing everyone on board in an incident that spotlighted the continued use of old, Soviet-era aircraft.

The burning fuselage of the plane, which was made in 1976, was spotted by a search helicopter after it disappeared from radar screens. It had been attempting to land for a second time after failing to touch down on its first approach, the Far Eastern Transport Prosecutors Office said in a statement.

Operated by the privately owned Siberian regional airline Angara, it had been en route from the city of Blagoveshchensk near the Chinese border to Tynda, an important railway junction in the Amur region. It was carrying 42 passengers, including five children, and six crew.

The regional governor and federal investigators confirmed that everyone on board had been killed.

Investigators said they had opened a criminal case into the suspected violation of air traffic and air transport rules, resulting in the death of more than two people through negligence. The plane had recently passed a technical safety inspection, Russian news agencies reported, and had been involved in four apparently minor incidents since 2018.

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The crash is likely to raise new questions about the viability of continuing to fly such old planes in far-flung corners of Russia at a time when Western sanctions have crimped Moscows ability to access investment and spare parts.

It may also prompt other countries that operate the aircraft to review their fleets. North Korea, Kazakhstan, Laos, Cuba, Ethiopia, Myanmar and Zimbabwe operate the An-24, according to the authoritative RussianPlanes web-portal.

Video shot from a helicopter showed pale smoke rising from the crash site in a densely forested hilly area around 15 km (10 miles) from Tynda.

There were no roads to the site and a rescue team had to use heavy machinery to cut a path there.

President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to the families of those killed and held a minutes silence at the start of a government meeting.

With inputs from agencies
Russia Plane Crash: A passenger plane crashed in Russias Amur region, near China-border with over 40 people on board. The authorities found no survivors were found as of now

Russias air traffic control has said that it has lost contact with an An-24 passenger plane with nearly 50 people on board. The plane was flying over the Amur region in Russias far east when the air traffic control lost contact with the aircraft, Reuters reported.

The debris of the aircraft was later found in the Amur region. Soon after the incident, the regional governor issued a statement noting that the search for the aircraft is currently underway.

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Meanwhile, the local emergency ministry said that the plane was operated by a Siberia-based airline called Angara. It dropped off the radar screens while it was approaching its destination of Tynda, a town in the Amur region that borders China, Reuters reported.

No survivor found as of now

Regional Governor Vasily Orlov said that according to preliminary data, there were 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members on board. All necessary forces and means have been deployed to search for the plane, he wrote on Telegram. The emergencies ministry put the number of people on board somewhat lower, at around 40.

Shortly after it was reported that the plane went off the radar, the authorities noted that the debris from the aircraft was found in the Amur region. As per the report, a rescue helicopter located the burning fuselage of a Russian passenger plane that went missing on Thursday.

According to Russian news outlet Tass, the aircraft caught fire while descending, and no survivors were spotted during an aerial inspection of the site. According to the director of Tynda Airport, the plane caught fire upon impact, and a Mi-8 helicopter crew flying over the area reported no signs of survivors, the regional civil defence and fire safety centre said in a statement to the Russian news outlet.
Under the deal, Russia and Ukraine would swap 250 prisoners of war each. Ukraines former defence minister Rustem Umerov, who led the talks in Istanbul, said that the two sides have also agreed to exchange of at least 1,200 more prisoners of war from each side in the near future

Chief of the Turkish General Staff, Metin Gurak, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Turkey's intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin attend a meeting at Ciragan Palace on the day of the third round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, in Istanbul, Turkey, July 23, 2025. Reuters

The Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul did not yield a breakthrough, except that both sides agreed to initiate another round of prisoner exchange. While the one-hour-long meeting was largely unsuccessful, Kyiv said that it has agreed to a prisoner swap with Moscow that is currently in process along the Ukrainian-Belarusian border.

Under the deal, Russia and Ukraine would swap 250 prisoners of war each. Ukraines former defence minister Rustem Umerov, who led the talks in Istanbul, said that the two sides have also agreed to exchange of at least 1,200 more prisoners of war from each side in the near future.

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The two earlier rounds of talks held in Istanbul, in May and June, led to the exchange of thousands of prisoners of war and the return of fallen soldiers remains, but achieved little progress toward a lasting peace.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Telegram that so far around 1,000 PoWs have returned home. Bringing all our people back is a priority for the state and we will continue all efforts to ensure that all our people return from captivity.

Why were the talks unsuccessful?

The meeting between the two delegations in Istanbul came after US President Donald Trump gave an ultimatum to his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to end the war in 50 days or face very severe tariffs.

Umerov said that while he had proposed an in-person summit between Zelenskyy and Putin, Russia rejected the bid, saying such a meeting would only be appropriate if the two sides sign an agreement, according to Reuters.

The two sides also remained divided over the terms of any potential ceasefire, with Umerov stating that Ukraine was seeking a full and unconditional ceasefire as a necessary basis for effective diplomacy, while Russia proposed a series of short ceasefires lasting between 24 and 48 hours along the front line to allow medical teams to retrieve dead and wounded soldiers.

Trump deadline

The two sides previously met in the Turkish city in May and June, but at those talks managed to agree only on other exchanges of prisoners and soldiers bodies.

Trump last week gave Russia 50 days to end the war or face sanctions, but the Kremlin has not indicated it is willing to compromise.

No one expects an easy road. It will be very difficult, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about his expectations for the talks.

Opening the meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said: Our aim is to end this bloody war, which has a very high cost, as soon as possible.

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He added: The ultimate goal is a ceasefire that will pave the way for peace.

With inputs from agencies
Taiwans sweeping recall vote targeting opposition lawmakers could reshape its legislature and intensify tensions with China, as President Lai Ching-te backs the campaign amid accusations of Beijing interference.

In a move that may sharpen cross-strait frictions with China, President Lai Ching-te has thrown his weight behind a rare and sweeping recall vote that could see up to 31 opposition lawmakers unseated, more than a quarter of Taiwans parliament.

The vote, scheduled in two phases on July 26 and August 23 has been framed by its backers as a grassroots effort to defend Taiwans democracy. However, the Kuomintang (KMT) opposition party has accused Lai and his ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of orchestrating a politically motivated campaign to weakening rivals and tightening control over the legislature.

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The DPP lost its legislative majority in January 2024 elections despite winning the presidency for a third straight term. Since then, the opposition led by the China-friendly KMT and its ally, the Taiwan Peoples Party has pushed legislation that many DPP supporters view as curbing Lais powers.

Amid growing tensions, civil groups launched recall drives against several KMT legislators earlier this year, accusing them of compromising national security and aligning too closely with Beijing. Though initially distant, the DPP has increasingly embraced these campaigns with lawmakers and party officials now openly supporting recall efforts. Lai recently declared that his party must stand with the power of the people.

The KMT, however, has called the recalls a malicious attempt to reverse the parliamentary outcome and accused the DPP of staging a fake civil movement. It says its outreach to China is crucial, given that Beijing has cut off official contact with the Lai administration, branding it separatist.

KMT lawmakers, who regularly visit China, say their engagement is intended to protect Taiwans economic interests and ensure open communication amid rising regional tensions. But civil society groups backing the recalls have characterised the movement as anti-communist, accusing KMT politicians of working against Taiwans sovereignty by undermining defence spending and parliamentary order.

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The stakes are high. If the recalls succeed, Lais party could regain a foothold in parliamentpotentially clearing the way for expanded military funding and closer alignment with the United States. But such a shift could also inflame China, which has escalated its military and diplomatic pressure on Taiwan in recent years and rejected repeated offers of dialogue from Lai.

Chinas state-run media has painted the recall drive as a DPP power grab, frequently referring to it as a green terror or move toward dictatorshipterms echoed by the KMT. According to Taiwans IORG research group, Chinese state media and affiliated accounts published more than 400 pieces on the recall between January and June 2025.

Taiwans Mainland Affairs Council has condemned what it calls clear efforts by the Chinese Communist Party to interfere in the islands democratic processes. Recall in Taiwan is a civil right, it said, and it is up to the people of Taiwan to decide who should or should not be removed from office.

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DPP leaders have pointed to the alignment between Beijings rhetoric and the KMTs statements as further evidence of Chinese interference. China is really concerned that the mass recall will succeed and gain public support, said DPP legislative caucus secretary general Wu Szu-yao.

KMT officials continue to deny pro-Beijing accusations. Weve always stressed that we are pro-communication, not pro-China, said Tony Lin, chair of the KMTs Culture and Communication Committee. The party maintains that the recall push is less about democracy and more about Lais alleged incompetence and attempts to centralise power.

As the recall vote nears, it has become a proxy battle not only for legislative control but also for Taiwans long-running contest between those favouring closer ties with China and those advocating a more assertive defence of the islands sovereignty.

With inputs from agencies
Tesla is facing mounting challenges after reporting a sharp decline in revenue and profits for the second quarter. CEO Elon Musk warned of potentially rough quarters ahead, as the company grapples with slowing sales.

Tesla is facing a rocky road ahead after reporting a sixteen per cent drop in automotive revenue for the second quarter, largely driven by slumping vehicle sales.

Tesla CEO and worlds richest man, Elon Musk, has acknowledged the downturn, warning the company could face a few rough quarters, amid backlash over his involvement in Donald Trumps so-called Department of Government Efficiency (Doge).

The electric carmaker posted total revenue of 22.5 billion dollars, down twelve per cent year-on-year and falling short of Wall Streets 22.7 billion dollar estimate. Operating income plunged by forty-two per cent to 900 million dollars, marking Teslas second consecutive quarterly decline.

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Still, Musk sought to strike a positive note on the earnings call, calling it a very exciting quarter and insisting Tesla still has a shot at being the most valuable company in the world. He highlighted the companys latest launches, including its robotaxi pilot in Austin, Texas, and a retro-themed Tesla diner in Los Angeles, which he claimed has been a huge hit.

He also showcased the companys humanoid robot, Optimus, which he said is now able to walk freely and autonomously inside Teslas Palo Alto lab.

Despite the optimistic tone, Tesla shares dropped over four per cent in after-hours trading. The stock has seen dramatic swings this yearstarting near record highs at 428 dollars in January, falling to 222 dollars in March, and currently down about thirteen per cent overall in 2025.

Tesla blamed its underwhelming results on reduced deliveries, declining regulatory credit sales, and a lower average selling price of its vehicles. Earlier this month, the company reported a fourteen per cent annual drop in global deliveries. In California, Tesla registrations have fallen for seven straight quarters, including a 21.1 per cent dip in the second quarter. In Europe, new Tesla sales in May dropped by 27.9 per cent compared to last year, even as rival EV makers saw growth.

Adding to the turbulence is Musks controversial stint in the Trump administration, where his role at Doge involved aggressively downsizing federal agencies and slashing jobs. The political move triggered widespread protests and calls to boycott Tesla, damaging the companys public image.

By early June, tensions between Musk and Trump had erupted into a public feud, with both lashing out at each other onlinefurther spooking investors and sending Teslas stock tumbling once again.

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The Tesla brand is under attack, said Dipanjan Chatterjee, principal analyst at Forrester. The perception of Elon Musk has rubbed the shine off what was once a soaring automotive brand. Many now see Tesla as inseparable from a divisive public figure.

In an attempt to shift focus, Musk has returned to showcasing Teslas innovation. The Austin robotaxi rollout, featuring around ten autonomous cars with safety drivers, was hailed by Musk as a successbut social media videos later showed the vehicles making alarming errors, such as driving in the wrong lanes and struggling with basic turns.

Tesla also missed Wall Street expectations on earnings. It reported adjusted earnings of 40 cents per share, below analysts forecasts of 43 cents. Revenue, too, came in slightly below the expected 22.74 billion dollars.

Investors were further rattled after Musk and CFO Vaibhav Taneja flagged concerns over rising tariffs and the impending expiration of a federal EV tax creditboth of which could put added pressure on margins.

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Automotive revenue fell to 16.7 billion dollars, down from 19.9 billion during the same quarter last year, according to CNBC. Meanwhile, revenue from regulatory credits was cut nearly in half, falling from 890 million dollars to 439 million.
Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire near a disputed temple along their shared border on Thursday, marking a sharp escalation in ongoing tensions that began in May. The clash comes amid growing military buildup and worsening diplomatic ties between the two neighbours.

Thai soldiers stand guard overlooking the Moei river on the Thai side near the Tak border checkpoint with Myanmar in Thailand's Mae Sot district. File image/ AFP

Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged gunfire early Thursday at a disputed border point near the ancient temple site of Prasat Ta Muen Thom in Thailands Surin province, further heightening tensions between the two neighbours.

The Thai army said Cambodian forces fired the first shots after a drone was spotted and six armed Cambodian soldiers approached a Thai military post.

The clash came shortly after Thailand expelled Cambodias ambassador over a landmine blast that injured five of its soldiers.

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In response, Cambodia downgraded diplomatic ties and recalled its diplomats from Bangkok.

The border standoff began in late May when a gunfight in the disputed area left one Cambodian soldier dead. Tensions have since escalated, with both sides deploying more troops along the frontier and restricting key land crossings crucial for trade.

More from World Cambodia calls for 'urgent' UNSC meeting as cross-border clash with Thailand escalates

Earlier as well, the Thai army claimed Cambodian forces opened fire near the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple after deploying a surveillance drone and sending heavily armed troops to the area.

In response, Cambodias defence ministry accused Thai soldiers of an unprovoked incursion, saying its troops returned fire in self-defence.
Thailand-Cambodia Border Conflict Live: Prime Minister Hun Manet formally requested intervention from the UN Security Council and demanded justice, while Cambodias Ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and National Defence denounced the Thai aggression.

Royal Thai Army soldiers are pictured on armoured vehicles on a road in Chachoengsao province on July 24, 2025. (Photo: Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP)

Thailand has reported that two civilians was killed and three others, including a five-year-old boy, were seriously injured after Cambodian forces shelled a residential area in Surin province. According to defence ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri, the situation has escalated rapidly, with clashes now reported in at least six locations along the Thai-Cambodian border. In response to the shelling, the Thai army said it carried out airstrikes on military targets inside Cambodia. The Cambodian defence ministry claimed Thailand used fighter jets to bomb a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple.

In a strongly worded statement, the ministry warned that Thailand is prepared to escalate self-defence measures if Cambodia continues its military aggression and violations of Thai sovereignty, citing international law and norms.

Thailands Foreign Ministry has accused Cambodian forces of targeting civilian areas, including a hospital, in recent cross-border attacks that resulted in casualties.

We have used air power against military targets as planned, said Thai army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon.

Thailands military confirmed that one of six F-16 fighter jets prepared for the border conflict carried out an airstrike on a Cambodian military position.

Hun Manet confirmed that Thai forces targeted Cambodian military positions near the Ta Moan Thom and Ta Krabey temples in Oddar Meanchey province, and later expanded the assault to the Mom Bei area.

Cambodia has always sought peaceful solutions, but in this case, we have no choice but to respond with force, he said in a social media post.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has slammed Thailands airstrikes as an armed invasion, vowing to respond with force.

Earlier in the day, Thai officials had reported that Cambodian shelling killed at least two civilians and injured others in separate attacks near the border.

According to Thai public broadcaster Thai PBS, the incident took place in Ban Phue town, located about 20km from the border in Sisaket provinces Kantharalak district.

Thailand has accused Cambodian forces of shelling a petrol station well inside its territory, killing at least three people.

The warning comes as clashes intensify between Thai and Cambodian forces near disputed border zones. Cambodia, which maintains close ties with Beijing, has seen a surge in Chinese investment and tourism in recent years.

In a statement posted online, the Chinese Embassy in Cambodia advised its citizens to stay alert, strengthen safety precautions, and closely monitor the local security situation.

China has issued a safety advisory for its nationals in Cambodia, urging them to steer clear of areas near the Thai border as tensions and fighting escalate.

Six of the victims were killed in a strike near a petrol station in Sisaket province, according to a military statement said, while the remaining thre,e including an eight-year-old child, were killed in Surin and Ubon Ratchathani provinces.

The cross-border strikes by Cambodia on Thursday have killed nine civilians and wounded 14 others, Thailands military said

Former Cambodian Prime Minister and President of the countrys Senate, Hun Sen, issued a warning to Thailand, saying Cambodia is fully prepared for combat[]Do not boast of your superior military power or think of invading Cambodia. You will face the most severe retaliation.

Maj Gen Winthai also spoke about the decision to launch an operation, known as the Chakraphong Phuvanaat military strategy, to deal with Cambodia. This is a national defence plan that outlines the roles and readiness of various military units.

Thai Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree on Thursday said it has now become clear that Cambodia is the one pushing Thailand into a corner, leaving it with no choice but to respond, according to Thai PBS World.

There are signs that the conflict may become prolonged and expand further, the statement said.

A statement posted on the embassys Facebook page said it has been monitoring the rising tensions between Thailand and Cambodia closely adding that the situation continues to grow worse, with border clashes occurring in several areas.

The Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh has urged Thai nationals in Cambodia to leave the country as early as feasible due to the escalating conflict.

12 people have died along the Thailand-Cambodia border as weeks of simmering tensions escalated into clashes.

The neighbours are locked in a bitter spat over an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet, and which is home to several ancient temples.

Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodian military targets on Thursday as Cambodia fired rockets and artillery in a dramatic escalation of a long-running border row between the two countries.

The least we can expect is for them to stand down and hopefully try to enter into negotiation, said Anwar, whose country currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which includes Cambodia and Thailand.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called on Thailand and Cambodia to stand down Thursday following deadly border clashes between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.

The International Court of Justice had ruled in favour of Cambodia in 1962 and again reaffirmed that stance in 2013 after deadly clashes. Cambodia has returned to the court to settle the ongoing dispute, but Thailand has rejected its jurisdiction.

The roots of the territorial dispute date back more than a century, centred on colonial-era French maps and the fate of ancient temples straddling the border. In particular, the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple remains a symbolic and strategic flashpoint.

The fallout weakened her ruling coalition and sparked nationalist protests. Her apology failed to quell the backlash, and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has since taken over as acting prime minister.

Domestic political turmoil has complicated the crisis. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office earlier this month after a leaked phone call with a senior Cambodian figure triggered accusations of undermining Thai sovereignty. In the call, she referred to Cambodian ex-PM Hun Sen as uncle and criticised her countrys military.

Thailand responded with border restrictions, now extended to a complete closure. The dispute, rooted in conflicting interpretations of colonial-era maps, has once again spotlighted the fragility of peace along the 800-km frontier separating the two Southeast Asian neighbours.

The latest violence follows a series of confrontations since May, when a Cambodian soldier was shot dead in an earlier skirmish. Despite pledges to de-escalate, both sides have taken economic and diplomatic steps that worsened relations. Cambodia banned Thai imports including fuel and produce, and suspended cultural and digital links.

Thai authorities have now fully sealed the border, halting all crossings.

The confrontation marks a major escalation after months of simmering tensions, with exchanges of gunfire, shelling, and even Thai air strikes reported. The latest violence occurred near the Ta Muen Thom temple area in Surin province, following a land mine blast that injured Thai soldiers and prompted both countries to downgrade diplomatic ties.

Armed clashes erupted on Thursday between Thai and Cambodian forces across at least six disputed areas along their shared border, killing at least nine Thai civilians and injuring 14 others, Thai officials said.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has called for an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council on Thursday, following the deadly cross-border firing with Thailand. Considering the recent extremely grave aggressions by Thailand, which have gravely threatened peace and stability in the region, I earnestly request you to convene an urgent meeting of the Security Council to stop Thailands aggression, PM Manet wrote in a letter addressed to the sitting UN Security Council president Asim Iftikhar Ahmad.

Khmer Times, a Cambodian English news publication, reported that Cambodian army has a strong foothold at Ta Moan Thom Temple and Ta Krabey Temple. These temple complexes, initially built as Hindu shrines and later entering the Buddhist fold, are at the centre of the current border clashes.

Cambodian and Thai troops are still fighting and shelling each other on the border, with either side refusing to retreat. Heavy shelling and firing have been reported.

Without any provocation, they used heavy weapons to fire indiscriminately into the Thai territory, prompting Thai forces to respond, he said after an emergency meeting of the National Security Council (NSC), according to Thai PBS World.

Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense of Cambodia, on Thursday afternoon said that after fierce fighting with the Thai side, the Cambodian army successfully occupied the Ta Krabey Temple, the Mom Bei area, and the Ta Moan Thom Temple, calling them Cambodian sovereign territory.

Thai military officials reported that rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and the Russian-made BM-21 multiple rocket launchers were used in the attacks, Thai media reports said.

Thailands acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai described the firefight between the Thai and Cambodian forces merely as clashes. We have not yet declared war on Cambodia. What is happening are just armed clashes, he said.

The 2nd Army Region has released images showing Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets conducting precision airstrikes on Cambodian military command posts. The operation targeted the 8th and 9th Support Infantry Division Headquarters, which were identified as key units pic.twitter.com/PSO535anuv

We have used air power against military targets as planned, according to a report by Bangkok Post.

Col Ritcha Suksuwanon, a Royal Thai Army deputy spokesperson, told reporters that the warplanes were deployed late Thursday morning from Ubon Ratchathani province, hitting two Cambodian military targets on the ground.

Thailand deployed six F-16 fighter jets to carry out air strikes on Cambodia on Thursday.

Contrary to these claims, Thailand has claimed that the use of landmines that injured Thai soldiers was the trigger point.

8:47 AM  Cambodian forces return fire in defence of national sovereignty in response to Thai military aggression.

8:46 AM  Thai troops open fire on Cambodian forces stationed at Ta Moan Thom Temple. The skirmishes escalate towards Ta Krabei Temple and the Phnom Kmoach area. The Thai military also broadens the conflict zone by launching attacks, including the use of fighter jets, towards the Mom Bei area in Preah Vihear province.

7:04 AM  Thai drones are observed hovering in Cambodian airspace for about two minutes.

6:30 AM  The Thai military initiates provocative actions, violating bilateral agreements by covertly installing barbed wire at the base of Ta Moan Thom Temple.

Cambodian Ministry of National Defence released a statement on the timeline of events leading to border clashes on Thursday.

Contrary to these claims, Thailand has claimed that the use of landmines that injured Thai soldiers was the trigger point.

8:47 AM  Cambodian forces return fire in defence of national sovereignty in response to Thai military aggression.

8:46 AM  Thai troops open fire on Cambodian forces stationed at Ta Moan Thom Temple. The skirmishes escalate towards Ta Krabei Temple and the Phnom Kmoach area. The Thai military also broadens the conflict zone by launching attacks, including the use of fighter jets, towards the Mom Bei area in Preah Vihear province.

7:04 AM  Thai drones are observed hovering in Cambodian airspace for about two minutes.

6:30 AM  The Thai military initiates provocative actions, violating bilateral agreements by covertly installing barbed wire at the base of Ta Moan Thom Temple.

Cambodian Ministry of National Defence released a statement on the timeline of events leading to border clashes on Thursday.

We knew that as long as the troops were there, there was always a potential for clashes, he said.

At this point, its no time for talks, he said, recalling that Thailand has tried unsuccessfully to have bilateral talks with Cambodia for armed forces on both sides to redeploy away from the disputed border areas.

The General said Cambodia had ignored all offers by Thailand for dialogue to lessen tensions over disputed border areas and the opening of border check-points, according to Thai PBS World.

Gen Nattaphon Nakpanich, the Deputy Defence Minister of Thailand, on Thurday said that time for talks with Cambodia has well passed as the neighbouring nations armed forces clashed along several border areas.

Tensions escalated after Thailand expelled Cambodias ambassador over a landmine incident, prompting Phnom Penh to downgrade diplomatic ties. The violence also fuelled political instability in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is under suspension. Regional leaders, including Malaysias Anwar Ibrahim, have called for dialogue.

Most casualties occurred in Thailands Sisaket province, where rockets struck a petrol station, killing students sheltering in a convenience store. Cambodia has not disclosed its losses but claims it acted in self-defence against Thai aggression. Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilians and closed border crossings, advising its nationals to leave Cambodia.

Thailand and Cambodia engaged in their most intense military confrontation in more than ten years on Thursday, leaving at least 12 people dead and 35 injured. The fighting, which erupted near the disputed Emerald Triangle border zone, involved tanks, ground troops, and Thai F-16 air strikes in response to Cambodian rocket and artillery fire.

Tensions escalated after Thailand expelled Cambodias ambassador over a landmine incident, prompting Phnom Penh to downgrade diplomatic ties. The violence also fuelled political instability in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is under suspension. Regional leaders, including Malaysias Anwar Ibrahim, have called for dialogue.

Most casualties occurred in Thailands Sisaket province, where rockets struck a petrol station, killing students sheltering in a convenience store. Cambodia has not disclosed its losses but claims it acted in self-defence against Thai aggression. Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilians and closed border crossings, advising its nationals to leave Cambodia.

Thailand and Cambodia engaged in their most intense military confrontation in more than ten years on Thursday, leaving at least 12 people dead and 35 injured. The fighting, which erupted near the disputed Emerald Triangle border zone, involved tanks, ground troops, and Thai F-16 air strikes in response to Cambodian rocket and artillery fire.

As of this afternoon, the situation regarding passenger transport on the Phnom PenhBangkok and Siem ReapBangkok routes remains unchanged, he said.

Speaking to The Post earlier today, July 24, SSCA spokesperson Sin Chansereyvutha stated that although fighting between Cambodian and Thai troops broke out at several locations in the morning, commercial flights between the two countries were continuing as usual. There had been no reports of flight cancellations.

Despite the continuing border clashes between Cambodian and Thai militaries, commercial flights between the neighbouring countries have remained unaffected, the Phnom Penh Post cited the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) as saying.

The attacks left two Thai soldiers with severe leg injuries requiring amputations, along with civilian casualties.

From now on, Thai soldiers can respond according to strategic plans, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can rightfully implement various measures.

Thailand has exercised patience and restraint, fully adhering to international law and fulfilling its duties as a good neighbor.

In a post on X, Thaksin wrote, Today, Hun Sen ordered firing into Thai territory early in the morning, initiating the attack after setting up explosive traps along the border, which is considered a violation of international law and the ethics of good neighborly coexistence, resulting in two Thai soldiers being injured with severed legs and several civilians also injured.

Thailands former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Thursday accused Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen of ordering the cross-border attacks that killed Thai civilians. He added that this act gave Thailand legitimate grounds for military retaliation.

Clashes between troops, physical altercations, and temporary temple closures further strained relations. Diplomatic channels have narrowed, and the border remains heavily militarised, raising fears of prolonged conflict.

July saw increasing violence and confrontations at sensitive border locations, particularly around the Ta Muen Thom temple. A series of landmine explosions injured Thai soldiers, with Thailand accusing Cambodia of planting new Russian-made PMN-2 mines, an allegation Cambodia denied.

Tensions quickly escalated, with each side engaging in tit-for-tat measures: Thailand suspended border crossings and cut electricity to parts of Cambodia, while Cambodia responded by halting fuel imports and reducing internet bandwidth. By late June, border control was handed over to the Thai military, and an ad hoc command centre was established to manage the crisis.

The roots of the conflict stretch back to a leaked phone call on June 18, in which Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was heard speaking informally with Cambodias former Prime Minister Hun Sen, sparking nationalist backlash in both countries.

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have escalated into armed confrontations following a series of diplomatic, military, and civil clashes that began in late May. The situation deteriorated rapidly in July, culminating on Wednesday (July 24) when Cambodian clashes with Thai soldiers at the Ta Muen Thom temple in a border region claimed by both countries. The attack followed weeks of increasing hostility, including a landmine incident that severely injured a Thai soldier, prompting Thailand to recall its ambassador from Phnom Penh and expel Cambodias envoy.

Each side blames the other for starting the conflict. Thailand has accused Cambodia of targeting civilians in a brutal and inhumane manner, while Cambodia maintains it only struck military sites and accuses Thailand of unprovoked aggression. With tensions still high, the possibility of further escalation remains.

Domestic politics in both countries are fuelling the crisis. In Cambodia, nationalist sentiment is running high amid perceptions of Thai aggression. In Thailand, internal divisions between the civilian government and the powerful military have weakened coordination, especially after Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended following a leaked call with Hun Sen.

International legal rulings have done little to ease tensions. Although the International Court of Justice awarded sovereignty of the Preah Vihear temple and surrounding land to Cambodia, Thailand does not accept its rulings. Cambodia has now approached the UN Security Council for intervention, while other nations, including China and the US, have called for restraint and dialogue.

The latest round of violence intensified after a series of landmine explosions injured Thai soldiers. Diplomatic ties were downgraded, and Thai airstrikes on Cambodian military positions triggered retaliatory artillery fire, killing civilians and escalating the crisis into full-scale combat. Peace talks have stalled, and border crossings remain restricted.

The root of the territorial tension lies in the colonial-era demarcation of the 800-kilometre border, originally mapped during French rule over Indochina. Thailand has long challenged the legitimacy of parts of that boundary, especially near ancient temples like Preah Vihear. Sporadic clashes in the region, notably from 2008 to 2011, have previously led to dozens of deaths and large-scale displacement.

Somsak Thepsutin said the act is not only a threat to national sovereignty but also a grave violation of human values in a statement.

Thai Public Health Minister has conveyed his anger and sorrow over what he called an inhumane attack launched by Cambodian forces on Phanom Dong Rak Hospital and on civilian areas in several other provinces along the border.

Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has condemned Cambodia for initiating violence along the Thai border and declared her full support for all government, military and diplomatic retaliation measures within international legal frameworks, Bangkok Post reported.

The neighbours are locked in a bitter spat over an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet, and which is home to several ancient temples.

The least we can expect is for them to stand down and hopefully try to enter into negotiation, said Anwar, whose country currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) which includes Cambodia and Thailand.

Cambodia fired rockets and artillery shells into Thailand on Thursday and the Thai military scrambled F-16 jets to carry out air strikes in a dramatic escalation of a long-running border row between the two countries.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called on Thailand and Cambodia to stand down Thursday following deadly border clashes between the two Southeast Asian neighbours.

The EU is deeply concerned by rising tensions at the border with reports of civilian casualties. We call on both sides to de-escalate and resolve disputes through dialogue and other peaceful means in line with international law, said EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni.

The EU on Thursday called on Cambodia and Thailand to de-escalate clashes over a disputed border zone after the bloodiest fighting in over a decade between the neighbours.

Prime Minister Hun Manet formally requested intervention from the UN Security Council and demanded justice, while Cambodias Ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and National Defence denounced the Thai aggression.

In the most brutal military confrontation with Thailand in recent history, Cambodian forces seized control of important disputed locations along the border, even as Thailand used heavy weapons, such as aerial bombing, and disinformation tactics.

In a forceful Facebook post, Hun Sen reacted to a statement Thaksin had earlier made that the Cambodian leader characterised as warlike and intended to teach a lesson to him directly. In light of the growing border skirmishes, he claimed the comments were not just unfriendly but also indicative of Thailands larger intentions towards Cambodia.

Hun Sen, the current Senate President and former prime minister of Cambodia, harshly criticised former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on social media tonight, accusing him of encouraging war and aiding Thailands military invasion of Cambodia.

The United States urges an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution of the conflict, State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott told journalists.

The United States on Thursday called for an immediate end to the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and urged that civilians be protected.

This live blog has been closed now. Thanks for tuning in. For all the latest updates, you can follow

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Armed clashes erupted on Thursday between Thai and Cambodian forces across at least six disputed areas along their shared border, killing at least nine Thai civilians and injuring 14 others, Thai officials said.

The confrontation marks a major escalation after months of simmering tensions, with exchanges of gunfire, shelling, and even Thai air strikes reported. The latest violence occurred near the Ta Muen Thom temple area in Surin province, following a land mine blast that injured Thai soldiers and prompted both countries to downgrade diplomatic ties.

Thai authorities have now fully sealed the border, halting all crossings.

The latest violence follows a series of confrontations since May, when a Cambodian soldier was shot dead in an earlier skirmish. Despite pledges to de-escalate, both sides have taken economic and diplomatic steps that worsened relations. Cambodia banned Thai imports including fuel and produce, and suspended cultural and digital links.

Thailand responded with border restrictions, now extended to a complete closure. The dispute, rooted in conflicting interpretations of colonial-era maps, has once again spotlighted the fragility of peace along the 800-km frontier separating the two Southeast Asian neighbours.

Domestic political turmoil has complicated the crisis. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office earlier this month after a leaked phone call with a senior Cambodian figure triggered accusations of undermining Thai sovereignty. In the call, she referred to Cambodian ex-PM Hun Sen as uncle and criticised her countrys military.

The fallout weakened her ruling coalition and sparked nationalist protests. Her apology failed to quell the backlash, and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has since taken over as acting prime minister.

The roots of the territorial dispute date back more than a century, centred on colonial-era French maps and the fate of ancient temples straddling the border. In particular, the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple remains a symbolic and strategic flashpoint.

The International Court of Justice ruled in favour of Cambodia in 1962 and again reaffirmed that stance in 2013 after deadly clashes. Cambodia has returned to the court to settle the ongoing dispute, but Thailand has rejected its jurisdiction.

With historical grievances now reignited by fresh violence, a diplomatic resolution appears increasingly elusive.
Amid ongoing tensions between the two countries, Thailand has said that it has launched airstrikes on two military sites in Cambodia in response to Cambodias artillery and rocket attacks. The two countries have a decadeslong border dispute.

Monthslong tensions between Thailand and Cambodia erupted into deadly armed clashes on Thursday as the two sides attacked each other with fighter planes, rockets, and artillery, as soldiers clashed on the ground along the disputed border.

The Thai military said that F-16 fighter planes carried out airstrikes on two military targets in Cambodia. It said that six fighter planes hit two Cambodian military targets on the ground.

The airstrikes came after the Thai Prime Ministers Office (PMO) said that Cambodian artillery shelling hit a house in the early hours of the day and killed at least one Thai civilian and injured three others, including a five-year-old child.

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Tensions had been simmering between Thailand and Cambodia for months after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a border clash in May.

The clash in May was a result of a decades of tensions between Thailand and Cambodia over a disputed border. The two countries are locked in a decadeslong dispute over the trijunction of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos called the Emerald Triangle. The region has several cultural sites that are of high strategic and symbolic value that both sides lay claim to, such as the Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple.

Thailand & Cambodia exchange blame  and gunfire

The Cambodian shelling and Thai airstrikes follow clashes between Thai and Cambodian ground forces near the Hindu temple of Prasat Ta Muen Thom in the early hours of Thursday. The temple lies in a disputed stretch of the border of the two countries between Thailands Surin province and Cambodias Oddar Meanchey province.

In the early hours of the day, Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged gunfire near the Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple. The Thai army accused the Cambodian forces of first sending a drone into the area and then firing the first shots. Thailand accused Cambodian soldiers of firing first and said they carried out targeted attack on civilians, saying two BM-21 rockets had hit a community in Surins Kap Choeng district, injuring three people.

On its part, Cambodia forces said Thailand was the aggressor. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has sought an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to address what his government has dubbed unprovoked military aggression by Thailand.

The Thai military violated the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Cambodia by launching an armed assault on Cambodian forces stationed to defend the nations sovereign territory. In response, the Cambodian armed forces exercised their legitimate right to self-defence, in full accordance with international law, to repel the Thai incursion and protect Cambodias sovereignty and territorial integrity, the Cambodian defence ministry said.

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The clashes have come shortly after Thailand expelled Cambodias envoy after a landmine blast injured five Thai soldiers.

Former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sne, who is the father of current Prime Minister Hun Manet, said that Thailand had shelled two Cambodian provinces and said Cambodia has always taken a stand to solve problems peacefully, but in this case we have no choice but to respond with armed forces against armed aggression.

Thailands acting premier Phumtham Wechayachai said the situation was delicate.

We have to be careful. We will follow international law," Wechayachai said.
While the ruling is seen as a victory for countries that are vulnerable to climate change, the ICG judge in the Hague, Netherlands, said that the process of pinpointing which country was behind climate change would be cumbersome

Women take images of installation of placards by Greenpeace with the word Persist written on it as the message to the next years COP30 in Brazil during the COP29 United Nations climate change conference, in Baku, Azerbaijan November 22, 2024. File Image/Reuters

The International Court of Justice has ruled that countries can sue each other for damages caused by climate change, including over historic emissions of planet-warming gases.

While the ruling is seen as a victory for countries that are vulnerable to climate change, the ICG judge in the Hague, Netherlands, said that the process of pinpointing which country was behind climate change would be cumbersome.

Campaigners and climate lawyers hope the landmark decision will open the door to compensation from countries with a long history of fossil fuel use, which they argue are most responsible for driving global warming.

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It remains unclear how much a single country might be required to pay in damages if any claims are successful. However, a previous analysis published in Nature estimated that climate change caused $2.8 trillion in losses between 2000 and 2019, equivalent to $16 million per hour.

The case was introduced in the court by a group of young law students from low-lying Pacific islands, who have borne the brunt of climate change for a long time.

Failure of a state to take appropriate action to protect the climate system  may constitute an internationally wrongful act, court President Yuji Iwasawa said during the hearing. He called the climate crisis an existential problem of planetary proportions that imperils all forms of life and the very health of our planet.

The non-binding opinion, backed unanimously by the courts 15 judges, was hailed as a turning point in international climate law.

While the courts opinion is merely advisory, previous ICJ decisions and rulings have been applied in real-world scenarios like when the UK agreed to hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius last year.

ICJs statements have been dubbed a watershed moment by environmental activists and lawyers. Joie Chowdhury, Senior Attorney at the Centre for International Environmental Law, said, The ruling is a watershed legal moment. With todays authoritative historic ruling, the International Court of Justice has broken with business-as-usual and delivered a historic affirmation: those suffering the impacts of climate devastation have a right to remedy for climate harm, including through compensation.

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With inputs from agencies
The US Department of State announced that it is opening an investigation into Harvards eligibility as a sponsor for the Exchange Visitor Program, marking US President Donald Trumps latest escalation against the Ivy League institution.

A Harvard sign is seen at the Harvard University campus in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 27. Image used for representation. (Source: AFP)

The US Department of State is opening an investigation into Harvard Universitys continued eligibility as a sponsor for the Exchange Visitor Program. On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the move, marking US President Donald Trumps latest escalation against the Ivy League institution.

The Trump administration has already been facing legal challenges over its attempts to block the universitys ability to host international students. The investigation will ensure that State Department programs do not run contrary to our nations interests, the top US diplomat said in a statement without offering further details about the investigation.

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The move came after the Trump administration first revoked Harvards Student and Exchange Visitor Program status in May. However, the order was blocked by the US federal judge Allison Burroughs. All sponsors participating in this program are required to fully comply with exchange visitor regulations, transparency in reporting, and a demonstrated commitment to fostering the principles of cultural exchange and mutual understanding upon which the program was founded, Rubio said in the Wednesday statement.

Trump vs Harvard

In the past, the administration cited antisemitism on campus as a reason for halting the schools international student program. The Trump administration also accused Harvard of not providing the government with required information about its international students.

To maintain their privilege to sponsor exchange visitors, sponsors must comply with all regulations, including conducting their programs in a manner that does not undermine the foreign policy objectives or compromise the national security interests of the United States, Rubio maintained. The American people have the right to expect their universities to uphold national security, comply with the law, and provide safe environments for all students, he added.

In the past, the State Department investigation specifically targeted people under J-1 visas, which the university says is to bring foreign nationals as professors, researchers, specialists and students to the University. It is separate from the F-1 visa program that is strictly for students and is largely administered by the Department of Homeland Security.

This investigation is yet another retaliatory step taken by the Administration in violation of Harvards First Amendment rights, said Harvard spokesperson Jason Newton in a statement Wednesday. Harvard continues to enrol and sponsor international scholars, researchers, and students, and will protect its international community and support them as they apply for U.S. visas and travel to campus this fall, the statement continued. The University is committed to continuing to comply with the applicable Exchange Visitor Program regulations.

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Three police officers were injured and a suspect was killed in a shooting on Wednesday afternoon during a police encounter in an industrial area of Lorain, Ohio. Authorities described the incident as an ambush.

US: 3 police officers injured, 1 killed in Ohio shooting. Image for Representation. Pixabay

A man is dead and three police officers are hospitalized following a shooting Wednesday afternoon in an industrial area of Lorain, Ohio.

According to Elyria Police Chief James Welsh, officers from the Lorain Police Department were on proactive patrol when they encountered a man at the dead end of River Bend Drive around 1 pm Gunfire was exchanged, resulting in the suspects death.

Two officers were seriously injured and airlifted to a trauma center in the Cleveland area. A third officer was taken to a local hospital, Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley told the Associated Press.

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This was an ambush situation, Chief Welsh said. Its a difficult day for the Lorain Police Department and the entire law enforcement community.

Mayor Bradley added that counseling would be offered to officers affected by the shooting. Were concerned for the safety of all our officers and citizens, he said.
US envoy Steve Witkoff said the US is withdrawing from Gaza peace talks in Qatar, citing Hamas lack of good faith. Talks with Israel have stalled over ceasefire terms and hostages, with Washington now weighing alternative options"

US President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff said Thursday that Washington would follow Israel in withdrawing negotiators from peace talks in Gaza in the capital of Qatar, claiming Hamas was not acting in good faith.

We have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas, which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, Witkoff posted on social media. While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith.

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Witkoff said Washington would now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza. It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way.

It was unclear what alternative options the US was considering. The White House had no immediate comment, and the State Department did not immediately respond to messages.

A breakthrough in talks on a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas has eluded Trumps Republican administration for months as conditions worsen in Gaza. The territory recently had its deadliest day yet for aid-seekers in over 21 months of war, with at least 85 Palestinians killed while trying to reach food Sunday.

The sides have held weeks of talks in Qatar, reporting small signs of progress but no major breakthroughs. Officials have said a main sticking point is the redeployment of Israeli troops after any ceasefire takes place.

Witkoff said the US is resolute in seeking an end to the conflict in Gaza and said it was a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way.

Earlier Thursday, Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahus office recalled his countrys negotiating team back to Israel in light of Hamas response.

In a brief statement, the prime ministers office expressed its appreciation for the efforts of Witkoff and mediators Qatar and Egypt, but it gave no further details.

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The deal under discussion is expected to include a 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Aid supplies would be ramped up and the two sides would hold negotiations on a lasting truce.

The talks have been bogged down over competing demands for ending the war. Hamas says it will only release all hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal and end to the war. Israel says it will not agree to end the war until Hamas gives up power and disarms, a condition the militant group rejects.

The State Department said earlier in the week that Witkoff would be traveling to the Middle East for talks, but US officials later said that Witkoff would instead travel to Europe.

It was unclear if he was holding meetings there Thursday.
Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets for a second day to protest against crippling corruption within the Ukrainian government, as the war continues to batter the country

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said his government is planning to introduce a new bill to strengthen the rule of law, a day after he signed a controversial bill weakening the countrys anti-corruption bodies, triggering wide-scale protests in Kyiv.

Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets for a second day to protest against crippling corruption within the Ukrainian government, as the war continues to batter the country. The Parliamentary approval of the contentious bill has drawn the attention of European leaders who have expressed concerns over Zelenskyys decision.

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We all hear what society says. We see what people expect from state institutions to ensure justice and the efficiency of each institution, the president said.

On Tuesday, Ukraines Parliament, Verkhovna Rada, approved a contentious legislation that significantly undermines the autonomy of the countrys key anti-corruption bodies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office.

The development comes at a time when Zelenskyys critics are saying that Ukraine is slipping into authoritarianism as the government ignores corruption and malpractices within the system due to the long-drawn-out war.

What is the new bill?

In order to assuage public opinion on his previous actions, Zelenskyy said that the new bill would guarantee the independence of anti-corruption institutions and ensure there was no Russian influence.

Of course, everyone has heard what people are saying these days  on social media, to each other, on the streets. Its not falling on deaf ears, the president added.

But the apparent concession failed to satisfy protesters, who noted that Zelenskyy has not agreed to remove the most controversial elements of Tuesdays bill. They also pointed out that the Verkhovna Rada is now on summer recess.

Zelenskyy defends bill

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy has not shown any signs of repealing the previous bill and instead defended the move by saying it was necessary to clean up Ukraines anti-corruption infrastructure due to alleged Russian connections.

The weakening of the anti-corruption bodies will grant sweeping powers to Ukraines prosecutor general, leaving it to the governments discretion which cases are pursued and which are slid under the carpet.

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Xiaomi has launched the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) in global markets, offering several upgrades over the previous model introduced in India in 2023. The device features a slim, rounded design and weighs 44 grams. It is available in black.

It supports 4K resolution output and now includes Dolby Vision and HDR10+ supportan improvement over the earlier model, which lacked HDR10+. Audio enhancements include support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, with professional decoding for panoramic surround sound and virtualised height channels.

The device runs on a 6nm quad-core Cortex-A55 processor with ARM G310 V2 GPU, paired with 2GB RAM and 8GB storage. Xiaomi claims this SoC delivers an 80% increase in CPU performance and a 150% boost in GPU performance compared to the original.

It operates on Google TV and includes support for Google Assistant and Google Cast. Xiaomi TV+ is also available on the device, offering free live TV streaming without any subscription. It comes with a 360 Bluetooth voice remote. Connectivity includes Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and HDMI and Micro USB ports.

Quick Specifications: Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen)

Design: 107.4  30  14mm, 44g, Black

Output Resolution: 4K Ultra HD

Video: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, AV1, VP9, H.265, H.264, MPEG-2/1

Audio: Dolby Atmos, DTS HD, panoramic surround, MP3, AAC, FLAC

Processor: Quad-core Cortex-A55 (6nm)

GPU: ARM G310 V2

RAM / Storage: 2GB / 8GB

OS: Google TV

Pre-installed Apps: Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube

Smart Features: Google Assistant, Chromecast built-in, Xiaomi TV+

Remote: 360 Bluetooth voice control

Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (2.4GHz/5GHz), Bluetooth 5.2, HDMI, Micro USB

In the Box: TV Stick, Remote, Power Adapter, USB Cable, HDMI Extender, Manual

Pricing and Availability

Official global rollout and pricing details remain unconfirmed, though the official product page is now live on Xiaomis global website. However, the Xiaomi TV Stick 4K (2nd Gen) is currently listed on AliExpress at a discounted price of GBP 40.37 (USD 55 or Rs. 4,725 approx.) (55% off the original GBP 91.34).
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.
Ex-colonel acquitted in final China spy case ruling

ROC Central News Agency

07/23/2025 03:39 PM

Taipei, July 23 (CNA) Former Air Defense Artillery colonel Hsin Peng-sheng () was acquitted Wednesday of charges that he tried to establish a spy network for China, after a retrial by the Taiwan High Court found insufficient evidence.

The not-guilty verdict, handed down in a third retrial, is final and cannot be appealed under Taiwan's speedy trial law.

Prosecutors alleged that Hsin arranged two all-expenses-paid overseas trips in 2009 and 2010 for Air Force Brigade Commander Hsieh Chia-kang () and his family. They claimed the trips were intended to facilitate meetings with a Chinese military officer as part of efforts to build an intelligence network for Beijing.

However, the court found no evidence that Hsin had invited Hsieh to Thailand or Malaysia, revealed the identity of the Chinese official, Zhao Ming (), or offered free travel.

Investigators also found no evidence that Hsin received travel benefits or compensation, or that he had any documented contact with Zhao or involvement in espionage.

Co-defendant Yang Yun-ting () was also acquitted on Wednesday. She arranged travel for Hsieh's family but said she only interacted with a Chinese acquaintance surnamed Chang () and was unaware of Zhao's real identity.

Hsin and Yang were initially convicted by Kaohsiung's Ciaotou District Court and sentenced to six months in prison, convertible to fines.

A second trial in 2020 overturned their convictions due to insufficient evidence, but prosecutors appealed. The Supreme Court twice sent the case back for retrial.

In the second retrial in 2024, the court ruled that Zhao was likely a Chinese military officer and found Hsin and Yang had shown poor judgment regarding national security. It sentenced them to six months in prison, but stopped short of confirming espionage intent.

On appeal, the Supreme Court ruled that the lower court had not fully examined the credibility of key testimony and returned the case for further review.

The latest retrial concluded that there was insufficient evidence to prove any intent or acts of espionage, leading to a final acquittal.

(By Hung Hsueh-kuang and Lee Hsin-Yin)

Enditem/kb

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New Evidence Uncovers Obama-Directed Creation of False Intelligence Report Used to Launch Years-long Coup to Undermine President Trump and the American People

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ODNI News Release No. 18-25

July 23, 2025



WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On Wednesday, at the President's direction and with support of the HPSCI Chairman Rick Crawford, Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard released a declassified oversight majority staff report produced by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) in September 2020 that details how the Obama Administration manufactured an Intelligence Community Assessment they knew was false.

The ODNI records released on Friday, Senator Chuck Grassley's release on Monday of the appendix to the DOJ OIG's June 2018 report known as the "Clinton annex," and the HPSCI oversight report released today confirm a treasonous conspiracy led by President Obama and his national security team, including James Clapper, John Brennan, and James Comey, to manipulate and manufacture intelligence that promoted a contrived false narrative falsely claiming: "Putin aspired to help President-elect Trump's election chances, when possible, by discrediting Secretary Clinton."

President Obama directed the creation of this January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment after President Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election, and it served as the basis for what was essentially a years-long coup against the duly elected President of the United States, subverting the will of the American people and attempting to delegitimize Donald Trump's presidency.

"The stunning revelations these intelligence documents expose should concern every American. There is irrefutable evidence detailing how President Obama and his national security team directed the creation of an Intelligence Community Assessment that they knew was false, promoting the contrived narrative that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help President Trump win, as though it were true. The documents we released shows how they did it: manufacturing findings from shoddy sources, suppressing evidence that disproved their false claims, disobeying IC tradecraft standards, and withholding the truth from the American people," said DNI Gabbard. "In doing so, they conspired to subvert the will of the American people and worked with their partners in the media to promote this lie to undermine the legitimacy of President Trump. This kicked off what would essentially be a yearslong coup against President Trump which included federal investigations, two impeachments, FBI raids on his home, arrests of senior officials, smears and harassment of President Trump and his family, and more. The American people deserve the truth, accountability and justice. The integrity, and therefore the future of our democratic republic demands it."

Below are key findings from the HPSCI oversight report:

Putin's principal interests relating to the 2016 election were to undermine faith in the US democratic process, not showing any preference of a certain candidate.

Putin chose not to leak the most damaging and compromising material on Hillary Clinton prior to the election ; instead planning to release it after the election to weaken what Moscow viewed would be an inevitable Clinton presidency. If Russia wanted to help Donald Trump get elected, they would have released this material prior to the election to harm the Clinton campaign.

; instead planning to release it after the election to weaken what Moscow viewed would be an inevitable Clinton presidency. If Russia wanted to help Donald Trump get elected, they would have released this material prior to the election to harm the Clinton campaign. The material about Hilliary Clinton that Putin chose not to release before the election, included possible criminal acts , including: "Details of secret meetings with multiple named US religious organizations, in which State Department representatives offered - in exchange for supporting Secretary Clinton - "significant increases in financing" from Department funds and "the patronage" of State in dealing with 'post-Soviet countries." DNC emails detailing that Hillary Clinton suffered from "psycho-emotional problems," "uncontrolled fits of anger, aggression, and cheerfulness." Clinton was allegedly on a daily regimen of "heavy tranquilizers," and while she was afraid of losing, she remained "obsessed with a thirst for power."

, including: CIA Director Brennan and the IC mischaracterized intelligence and relied on dubious, "substandard" sources to create a contrived false narrative that Putin developed "a clear preference" for Trump.

and relied on dubious, "substandard" sources to create a contrived false narrative that Putin developed "a clear preference" for Trump. CIA Director Brennan and the IC misled lawmakers by referencing the debunked Steele Dossier to assess "Russian plans and intentions," which falsely suggested the dossier had intelligence value .

. The IC excluded "significant intelligence" and "ignored or selectively quoted" reliable intelligence that contradicted the ICA's key findings on Putin's alleged support for Trump, that if included, would have exposed the ICA's claim was "implausibleif not ridiculous."

The ICA omitted reliably sourced information, such as how some Russian intelligence officials were "planning for candidate Clinton's victory" while others assessed "neither Trump nor Clinton" would respect Russian interests.

As reflected in ODNI documents released on July 18, multiple IC assessments released in the months leading up to the November 2016 elections assessed that Russia had neither the intent nor capability to impact the outcome of the US election.

On December 5, 2016 , the FBI and ODNI gave HPSCI its first post-election classified briefing, in which there was "no mention of Putin 'aspiring' to elect Trump" by either agency .

, the FBI and ODNI gave HPSCI its first post-election classified briefing, in which . The President's Daily Brief (PDB) drafted on December 8, 2016 stated that no Russian or criminal actors impacted vote counts . This document was pulled hours before it was to be published due to "new guidance." If it had been published, it would have been briefed to both President Obama and President-elect Donald Trump.

stated that . This document was pulled hours before it was to be published due to "new guidance." If it had been published, it would have been briefed to both President Obama and President-elect Donald Trump. On December 9, 2016 , a National Security Council meeting was called with President Obama's senior national security officials, which included CIA Director John Brennan, DNI James Clapper, Susan Rice, Andrew McCabe and others.

, a National Security Council meeting was called with President Obama's senior national security officials, which included CIA Director John Brennan, DNI James Clapper, Susan Rice, Andrew McCabe and others. After the December 9, 2016 secret meeting of Obama national security officials , DNI Clapper's assistant sent an email to leaders in the IC with the subject line " POTUS tasking on Russia Election Meddling ," and tasking to create a new " assessment per the President's request ."

, DNI Clapper's assistant sent an email to leaders in the IC with the subject line " ," and tasking to create a new " ." The HPSCI oversight report reveals that, " unlike routine IC analysis, the ICA was a high-profile product ordered by the President , directed by senior IC agency heads, and created by just five analysts, using one principal drafter. Production of the ICA was subject to unusual directives from the President and senior political appointees, and particularly DCIA ."

, directed by senior IC agency heads, and created by just five analysts, using one principal drafter. ." Later that same day, Brennan ordered the inclusion of "substandard reporting" on Russian activities , which had previously been withheld from publication because the information was judged "to have not met longstanding publication standards." Some of the information was, later used in the ICA, over the objections of veteran CIA officers, because it was "unclear, or from unknown subsources."

, which had previously been withheld from publication because the information was judged "to have not met longstanding publication standards." Some of the information was, later used in the ICA, over the objections of veteran CIA officers, because it was "unclear, or from unknown subsources." CIA Director Brennan overruled senior CIA officers who challenged the ICA's claims, stating " we don't have direct information that Putin wanted to get Trump elected .

. Yet, the Obama-directed ICA published on January 6, 2017 explicitly stated: " We assess Putin and the Russian government aspired to help President-elect Trump's election chances when possible by discrediting Secretary Clinton and publicly contrasting her unfavorably to him ." The CIA and FBI expressed high confidence in this judgment, while the NSA held moderate confidence.

." The CIA and FBI expressed high confidence in this judgment, while the NSA held moderate confidence. However, the HPSCI report reveals "the ICA did not cite any report where Putin directly indicated helping Trump win was the objective."

Steele Dossier

We now know one of the source documents the Obama Administration officials used in the creation of the January 2017 ICA was the discredited, unverified Steele Dossier.

HPSCI report states: "Contradicting public claims by the DCIA [Brennan] that the dossier 'was not in any way' incorporated into the ICA, the dossier was referenced in the ICA main body text and further detailed in a two-page ICA annex."

John Brennan lied and denied using the dossier in the ICA because he knew it was a discredited, politically motivated manufactured document. He told senior CIA officials to use it anyway.

CIA officer to HPSCI staff: "DCIA [Brennan] refused to remove it, and when confronted with the dossier's main flaws, [Brennan] responded, 'Yes, but doesn't it ring true?'"

The bipartisan Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) report (Volume 5, 2020) also criticized the FBI's handling of the Steele Dossier, noting its completely unverified nature and purposeful sidestepping of IC procedure in its use.

"High Confidence"

President Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Brennan, James Clapper, James Comey and others, along with their mouthpieces in the media, knowingly lied as they repeated the contrived false narrative they created in the January 2017 ICA with "high confidence" as though it were fact.

Obama's CIA Director, Brennan stated in a memo to agency staff in December 2016, " There is strong consensus among us on the scope, nature, and intent of Russian interference in our presidential election. "

stated in a memo to agency staff in December 2016, " " Obama's Director of National Intelligence, James Clapper was tasked with overseeing the creation of the January 2017 ICA and expressed confidence in its findings. In a 2018 interview with the Harvard Gazette, he said, "We provided Trump the same classified assessment that President Obama received," which included the high-confidence judgment that "Putin directly ordered the hacking and election interference." Clapper further noted, "I think they [Russians] actually influenced the outcome," indicating his personal belief in the ICA's conclusions.

The HPSCI report was updated several times as the Committee received new information, with the most recent version dated September 2020.

The report from today's release is available on DNI.gov. DNI Gabbard will post updates on X (@DNIGabbard) and Truth Social (@DNlTulsiGabbard).

###

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Allies enhance NATO's digital posture

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

23 Jul. 2025

Brussels, 23 July 2025 -- Twelve NATO Allies1 have committed to develop and roll out a new digital network by 2030 through NATO's Allied Software for Cloud and Edge Services (ACE) High Visibility Project (HVP). ACE will enable personnel in the field to create, distribute and store classified information securely.

The initiative will provide participating Allies with a common digital service and improve interoperability in operations through more efficient data sharing. It will also support data-driven decision-making by leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Initial funding for ACE will be up to 45 million euros with participating Allies expected to allocate additional resources for specific tasks. The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) will lead the execution of the project on behalf of the participating Allies.



ACE will serve as the foundation for a scalable, software-driven approach to defence capabilities making the development and delivery of mission-critical applications and services faster and more secure. This in turn will enhance NATO's ability to respond swiftly to evolving operational demands, ensuring digital systems remain responsive, updated and ready for use.

Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

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Contracts

Contracts For July 23, 2025

AIR FORCE

Northrup Grumman Aeronautics Systems, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was awarded a $495,000,000 requirements contract for technical representative engineering services. This contract provides for engineering services that support various major defense programs. Work will be performed at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and is expected to be completed by July 22, 2030. This contract was a sole source acquisition. No funds are being obligated at the time of the award. The Air Force Sustainment Center, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, is the contracting activity (FA8109-25-D-B002).

L3Harris, Camden, New Jersey, has been awarded a maximum $29,292,939 modification (P00016) to a previously awarded contract (FA8213-19-D-0006) for Cockpit Selectable Height of Burst Sensor. The modification brings the total cumulative face value of the contract to $161,073,128 from $131,780,189. Work will be performed at Cincinnati, Ohio, and is expected to be completed by August 2029. Fiscal 2024 aircraft procurement funds in the amount of $11,094,818 are being obligated at time of award. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is the contracting activity.

Cubic Defense Applications, Inc., San Diego, California, was awarded a $17,987,522 cost-plus-fixed-fee, completion contract for Halo advanced networking satellite communication elements. This contract provides for the refinement and development the detailed system design of an ultra-low size, weight, and power flat panel active electronically scanned array with full 2D beam steering that maximizes flexible connectivity. Work will be performed at San Diego, California, and is expected to be complete by July 22, 2027. This contract was a competitive acquisition and 2 offers were received. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $17,987,522 are being obligated at the time of award. The Air Force Research Laboratory, Rome, New York, is the contracting activity (FA8750-25-C-B035).

NAVY

HII Fleet Support Group LLC, Virginia Beach, Virginia (N00189-25-D-Z022); Chitra Productions LLC,* Virginia Beach, Virginia (N00189-25-D-Z023); Carley Corp., Orlando, Florida (N00189-25-D-Z024); Transtecs Corp.,* Wichita, Kansas (N00189-25-D-Z025); C2 Technologies Inc., McLean, Virginia (N00189-25-D-Z026); JANUS Research Group LLC, Evans, Georgia (N00189-25-D-Z027); and Crew Training International Inc., Memphis, Tennessee (N00189-25-D-Z028), are being awarded an estimated $218,181,818 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity multiple award contract. The contract will include terms and conditions for the placement of firm-fixed-price and cost-plus-fixed-fee task orders to provide curriculum planning, analysis, maintenance, and development as well as PC modeling, simulation, and the creation of part task trainers in support of Naval Education Training Command's Naval Training Products and Services program. The contracts run concurrently. The contract will include a 60-month base ordering period with an additional six-month option period pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.217-8. The total estimated value of the contracts combined will have a ceiling value of $240,000,000 if the six-month option is exercised. Work is expected to begin August 2025 and be completed by July 2030; if the option is exercised, work will be completed by January 2031. Work will be performed in Virginia Beach, Virginia; Orlando, Florida; Wichita, Kansas; McLean, Virginia; Evans, Georgia; and Memphis, Tennessee. The percentage of work for each contract cannot be determined at this time. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance funds (Navy) in the contracts' minimum amount of $35,000 ($5,000 each) will be obligated at the time of award and funds will expire at the end of fiscal year. Subsequent task orders under the resultant contract will be funded with appropriate fiscal year operations and maintenance funds. This contract was competitively procured through the System for Award Management website pursuant to FAR 16.504 and FAR Part 15 with 31 offers received. Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Pentagon Directorate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity.

GPA Technologies Inc., San Diego, California (N00024-25-D-4141); Oceanetics Inc., Fredericksburg, Virginia (N00024-25-D-4142); PCCI Inc., Alexandria, Virginia (N00024-25-D-4143); and Virtual Computing Technology Inc., Arlington, Virginia (N00024-25-D-4144), are awarded a combined $199,000,000 firm-fixed-price/cost-plus-fixed fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the sustainment and refurbishment of waterborne security barriers (WSB), moorings, and marine facilities. This procurement provides logistical support, fabrication, installation, inspection, refurbishment, development, and field supervision/operation of waterfront barriers, associated moorings, WSBs, and related marine facilities worldwide. The contract supports the WSB, moorings, and WSB product lines. Each awardee will be awarded $1,000 (minimum contract guarantee per awardee) at contract award. These contracts include options which, if exercised, would bring the cumulative value to $199,000,000 over a ten-year period for the four vendors combined. Work will be performed worldwide and is expected to be completed by July 2030. If all options are exercised, work will continue through July 2035. Fiscal 2025 other procurement (Navy) funding in the amount of $4,000 will be obligated at the time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. All other funding will be made available at the delivery order level as contracting actions occur. This contract was competitively procured via the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment Solicitation Module, with four offers received. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Raytheon Co., Tucson, Arizona, is awarded a $51,901,614 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-only and firm-fixed-price indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (M67854-21-D-0073) for the production and delivery of full rate production Stinger Air-to-Air Launchers, ancillary support equipment training, associated engineering services for integration activities, and parts obsolescence management and engineering services to identify, track, design and source replacement parts as required to resolve obsolescence issues in support of the Program Manager Ground Based Air Defense, Marine Air Defense Integrated System. The cumulative value of the contract is $96,250,000. Work will be performance in Tucson, Arizona (66%); and Dine, New Mexico (34%), with an expected completion date of September 2026. No funds will be obligated at time of award. Funds will be obligated on individual task and delivery orders as they are issued. This contract was a sole source acquisition pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1. Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, Virginia, is the contracting activity (M67854-21-D-0073 P00015).

General Dynamics Electric Boat Corp., Groton, Connecticut, is awarded a $33,541,728 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-23-C-4307) to exercise options for continued Nuclear Regional Maintenance Department support at Naval Submarine Support Facility New London. Work will be performed in Groton, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed by August 2026. Fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $24,000,000 will be obligated at time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Aviation Systems Engineering Co. Inc., Lexington Park, Maryland, is awarded a $15,341,242 firm-fixed-price modification (P00001) to contract N0001925C0113. This modification is exercising contract line items for continued support of training efforts for the German Navy in both maintenance functions and flight operations for the P-8A Poseidon aircraft to assist German P-8A squadrons in achieving European military airworthiness requirements for aircraft maintainer various rates; as well as teach maintenance practices for conventional weapon loading and fiber optic wiring, teach P-8A pilots and aircrew, support the German Navy in maintaining pilot and aircrew proficiency and completing Naval Air Training and Operating Procedure Standardization check rides as well as emergency procedure check rides for the German Navy. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida (50%); Nordholz, Germany (40%); and Berlin, Germany (10%), and is expected to be completed in May 2030. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $7,741,22 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competed. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Huntington Ingalls Industries Fleet Support Group LLC, Virginia Beach, Virginia, was awarded an $8,429,649 delivery order off indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00024-21-D-4114) for engineering, technical, repair, and logistic support to Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet; U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center (JRMC) Yokosuka, Detachment Sasebo; and ships' force personnel in the execution of hull, mechanical, and electrical maintenance and maintenance training services. Work will be performed at JRMC Yokosuka and is expected to be completed by July 2026. Fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance (Navy) funds in the amount of $8,429,649 was obligated at the time of award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The overall total contract value ceiling remains unchanged on the basic contract at $272,977,437. Southwest Regional Maintenance Center, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N55236-25-F-9968). (Awarded July 22, 2025)

L3 Technologies Inc., Camden, New Jersey, was awarded a $7,646,030 firm-fixed-price and cost-plus award fee modification to previously awarded contract (N00024-22-C-5218) to exercise options for the AN/USG 2B System and Spares. Work will be performed in Largo, Florida (69%); Salt Lake City, Utah (28%); and Lititz, Pennsylvania (3%), and is expected to be completed by August 2026. Fiscal 2025 research, development, test, and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $3,117,917 (40%); fiscal 2025 ship construction (Navy) funds in the amount of $2,120,643 (28%); fiscal 2025 Navy working capital fund (Navy) funds in the amount of $1,518,034 (20%); fiscal 2025 other procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $813,377 (11%); and fiscal 2017 ship construction (Navy) funds in the amount of $76,059 (1%), were obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

ARMY

Manson Construction Co., Seattle, Washington, was awarded a $39,050,000 firm-fixed-price contract for a self-propelled trailing suction type hopper dredge. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Venice, Louisiana, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 23, 2026. Fiscal 2025 operation and maintenance, Army and civil Corps of Engineer funds in the amount of $39,050,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New Orleans, Louisiana, is the contracting activity (W912P8-25-C-0019).

*Small business

https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4253721/

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Nevada Guard Brigade Returning From Middle East Deployment

By Sgt. Adrianne Lopez, 17th Sustainment Brigade July 22, 2025

LAS VEGAS -- After 10 months of conducting logistical operations across the Middle East, the Nevada Army National Guard's 17th Sustainment Brigade is coming back home to the Silver State with its Task Force Warrior mission successfully concluded.

More than 200 Nevada Army Guard Soldiers participated in the international deployment that began in September 2024 for the Las Vegas-based unit. The brigade transitioned from theater operations to its redeployment phase in early July. The majority of the brigade's Soldiers are set to return to the Silver State later this month. It was the brigade's first international deployment since 2016.

While in the Middle East, the unit's Soldiers conducted operations in 21 countries in the region and oversaw four subordinate battalions, including its own 17th Special Troops Battalion.

A critical component of the U.S. Central Command's ongoing presence in the region, the brigade's Soldiers oversaw supply chain processes, transportation, maintenance and medical services throughout the theater. The brigade completed over 300 missions and supported numerous large-scale exercises in 13 countries, ensuring nonstop logistical support to even the most remote bases and posts in the region.

Post-deployment statistics indicate that the brigade facilitated the movement of over 1 million kilograms of armaments and distributed more than 900,000 cases of bottled water. The brigade also delivered more than 13 million pounds of mail throughout the region. Additionally, the unit managed more than $80 million of Class I materials across the U.S. Central Command, or CENTCOM, theater, including the stocking of seven dining facilities.

Col. Joseph Claros, the commander of the 17th Sustainment Brigade, was pleased with the brigade's ability to adapt and overcome while on an international stage.

"The brigade's performance under Task Force Warrior during this deployment is a testament to our Soldiers' ability to be flexible, responsive and effective in rapid decision-making," Claros said.

About 70 percent of the unit's Soldiers were on their first deployment. The brigade was composed of Soldiers from every corner of the Silver State. Many Soldiers voluntarily transferred from other Nevada Army Guard units to contribute their experience and skills, strengthening the organization and ensuring a successful deployment.

"The brigade succeeded for two reasons  constant collaboration and communication from the top down," Claros said. "Both the officers and non-commissioned officers could articulate problems to higher echelons and work with our partners to support the entire CENTCOM theater of operations."

Sgt. Rory Rodriguez, a communications specialist, said his military job and ancillary opportunities kept him busy every minute of the deployment. He completed Air Assault School and was promoted to sergeant during the deployment. He often carried the unit guidon during fitness runs and embraced every opportunity to represent the 17th Sustainment Brigade with pride and dignity.

"I know that I made an impact theater-wide," Rodriguez said. "Supporting medical communications and getting systems back online helped units perform their missions. It felt good to be part of that effort."

While executing its mission, the brigade's Soldiers marked countless professional milestones. During the deployment, two Soldiers earned Legion of Merit awards; 45 received Meritorious Service Medals; 156 garnered Army Commendation Medals; and 39 received Army Achievement Medals. About 40 Soldiers were promoted during the mobilization.

The brigade's Soldiers also continued to pursue their professional development goals while abroad, enhancing their readiness. Course completions included: 14 Basic Leader Course graduates; nine Air Assault graduates; one Pathfinder badge and one Rappel Master tab. Thirty-four Soldiers completed the Norwegian Foot March and 10 earned the German Schutzenschnur marksmanship badge.

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July 23, 2025

By By C. Todd Lopez, DOD News

Growth in Participation, New Capabilities Made Talisman Sabre 25 Successful

The Talisman Sabre 25 multinational exercise kicked off last week with more than 35,000 participants from 19 nations, including the United States and Australia.

During a discussion yesterday with the Defense Writers Group, Army Lt. Gen. Joel B. Vowell, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific, shared his observations about the exercise, which has been held every two years since 2005.

Talisman Sabre has grown significantly since its first iteration, Vowell said. This year, 19 nations participated, with two more observing.

"The growth and attendance of participation is a signal of how important regional stability and security is to everybody," he said.

What started 20 years ago as a U.S.-Australia bilateral effort now includes 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.

Hostile actions and behaviors from China, along with aggregated threats from Russia and North Korea, are driving increased participation in Talisman Sabre, Vowell said.

He added that early in his tenure, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined his priorities for the department, which included working closely with allies and partners to deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific. Ensuring interoperability between those nations is a key part of that effort.

At Talisman Sabre, Vowell said, a live-fire demonstration of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System by the U.S., Australia and Singapore exemplified that cooperation.

The U.S. regularly trains with the HIMARS, but Australia and Singapore now own the system as well. This year marked the first time those three nations worked together in a combined battery.

"We had a live-fire event at Shoalwater Bay, where all three countries combined into a composite HIMARS battery, received fire direction  a call for fire ... from an observer for a deep strike target," Vowell said. "You had an integrated fires solution with multiple different platforms from three different countries firing simultaneously on a deep target. That has not happened before. [It's a] big first: Singapore, Australia, U.S., a combined battery HIMARS live fire, with precision, at distances of about 60 kilometers."

Also a first, he said, is the U.S. at Talisman Sabre demonstrating the use of its Typhon Missile system, which is a midrange capability that can fire the Standard Missile-6 or the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile.

"We fired SM6 live, first time west of the international date line, from the land and hit a sea target ... at 166 kilometers," Vowell said. "That was emblematic of the requirement the joint forces levied on the Army to be able to have a capability to hold maritime targets at risk from the land."

The Chinese military anti-access, area denial network already has thousands of missiles pointed at Western Pacific targets, Vowell said, noting that the network has not fully accounted for distributed land forces capable of using surface fires to hit land, maritime or air targets.

"That's an asymmetric advantage the Army is developing. We show that in Talisman Sabre," he said.

Deterrence is another key focus of the exercise because it demonstrates the capabilities and interoperability of the United States and its allies, potentially deterring adversaries' undesirable actions.

"Our collective readiness, our signaling of what we're doing forward, provides what has to be inferred and interpreted as a deterrent effect," Vowell said. "The number of participants signals the resolve that we have in the region to work together."

Talisman Sabre is not the only event in which the U.S. participates; Vowell said USARPAC is involved in approximately 45 different exercises.

"Throughout the year, our Army formations move from country to country to country to country to do these events, different parts of the exercises, different training objectives, but they all seek interoperability as an outcome; they all seek a deterrent mechanism," he said.

Interoperability and readiness, he said, mean the United States is ready if called upon to do whatever it's asked to do. But deterrence, he said, aims to prevent conflict from happening in the first place.

"[Talisman Sabre is] part of a connected series to provide a deterrent optic across the region from land forces, so we have no war  priority one," Vowell said. "Priority two, if the national command authority wants us, we are postured and ready to be able to respond in crisis if we have to."

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Al Hassan case: ICC Judges take a decision on Mr Al Hassan's sentence review

International Criminal Court (ICC) / Cour penale internationale (CPI)

Press Release: 23 July 2025

Today, on 23 July 2025, a Panel of three judges of the Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) composed of Judge Luz del Carmen Ibanez Carranza, Presiding, Judge Gocha Lordkipanidze, and Judge Erdenebalsuren Damdin completed the review concerning the reduction of sentence against Mr. Al Hassan Ag Abdoul Aziz Ag Mohamed Ag Mahmoud ("Al Hassan"). The Panel decided to reduce the original 10-year sentence, by 12 months. Accordingly the date of completion of Mr Al Hassan's sentence is now set to 28 March 2027.

The Panel recalled that the purpose of the sentence review procedure, after two thirds of the sentence have been served, is to serve the interests of justice by ensuring a realistic prospect of resocialization for the sentenced person, while also taking into account the concerns of victims and the State of resettlement, in the hope of ultimately contributing to the healing of the affected communities.

The Panel examined thoroughly a number of factors. It attached considerable weight to Mr Al Hassan's contribution to the efficient administration of justice, notably his decision to discontinue his appeal against his conviction and not to appeal his sentence, which, inter alia, facilitates timely progress in the reparations phase of a case, a factor of particular importance in the context of the ICC. The Panel also took into account the personal circumstances of Mr Al Hassan and the potential impact of his apologies and his expression of regret on the victims. Moreover, the Panel considered the views of the victims affected, the psychological and symbolic impact the sentence review has on them and the views expressed by the Republic of Mali.

Background

On 26 June 2024, Trial Chamber X, by majority, convicted Mr Al Hassan of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed between 2 April 2012 and 29 January 2013 in Timbuktu, northern Mali, controlled at that time by the armed groups Ansar Dine and Al-Qaida in Islamic Maghreb. On 20 November 2024, Trial Chamber X sentenced Mr Al Hassan to 10 years of imprisonment. The time spent in detention, from 28 March 2018 to 20 November 2024, was to be deducted from his sentence.

On 17 December 2024, the Defence and the Prosecution discontinued their appeals against the guilty verdict in the case.

For further information on this case, check here.

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34th Meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (July 23, 2025)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

July 23, 2025

The 34th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held on 23 July 2025 in New Delhi. The Indian delegation was led by Shri Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia), and the Chinese delegation was led by Mr. Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

2. The two sides reviewed the situation in the India-China border areas. They expressed satisfaction with the general prevalence of peace and tranquility in the border areas, leading to gradual normalization of bilateral relations. They agreed to maintain regular exchanges and contacts on issues related to the boundary affairs at the diplomatic and military levels through established mechanisms. With a view to advancing effective border management and sustaining peace & tranquillity, the two sides deliberated on various measures as explored during the previous (23rd) round of SR Talks and the 33rd meeting of WMCC. The two sides also prepared for the next round of the Special Representatives' Talks on the India-China Boundary Question to be held in India later this year.

3. The leader of the Chinese delegation called on the Foreign Secretary.

New Delhi

July 23, 2025

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Killing of Gaza aid seekers demonstrates Israel's utmost brutality: Iran Foreign Ministry

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jul 23, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- Iran's Foreign Ministry has expressed deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza and has strongly condemned Israel's continued killing of Palestinians and its denial of access to food, water, medicine, and other basic necessities.

In a statement issued late on Tuesday, the ministry said that the murdering of over a thousand people while they were waiting in line for food in the past several weeks, along with the deaths of hundreds more due to starvation, underscores the brutality of the Israeli regime.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry called for immediate, effective, and decisive action from the international community and regional states to halt the genocide of the Palestinian people in Gaza, and to alleviate their suffering.

The statement also asserted that the continued inhumane blockade of Gaza, the brutal bombing of refugee shelters, and the targeting of humanitarian aid distribution points, which has turned them into traps for mass killing of hungry and thirsty civilians, serve as evidence of the cruelty and heartlessness of the apartheid regime and its supporters.

The Ministry further criticized the United Nations Security Council for its failure to fulfill its legal responsibilities regarding the aggression and war crimes of the Israel regime, which it said has been emboldened due to the ongoing U.S. support.

According to the statement, Iran emphasizes the need to strengthen solidarity among all free and Muslim nations to stop the colonial genocide in Gaza.

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The Republic of Gambia reiterated its support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara region and for the Autonomy Initiative as the only solution to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.

Morocco Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Wednesday 23 July 2025

This clear and consistent stance was reaffirmed in a joint communique issued following talks held Wednesday in Rabat between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Gambians Abroad, Sering Modou Njie.

In the joint communique, the Gambian Foreign Minister "reaffirmed Gambia's support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over its entire territory, including the Sahara region," and "reiterated the Republic of Gambia's full support for the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as the only credible, serious, and realistic solution to this issue."

The Gambian Minister also "praised the growing international consensus, driven by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, in support of the Autonomy Plan and Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara," while recalling "the opening of the Consulate General of the Republic of Gambia in Dakhla in January 2020", the first consulate general to open in Dakhla.

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Replenishment by air for Navy ship

New Zealand Defence Force

A new method of Maritime Air Delivery (MAD) was trialled for the delivery of essential supplies to a Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) ship last week.

23 July, 2025

Off the coast of Queensland recently, a joint air drop tasking was conducted between a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-27J Spartan transport aircraft and the RNZN frigate HMNZS Te Kaha to trial another method of resupply to a ship at sea. This tasking was part of Exercise Talisman Sabre, the world's largest multi-domain warfighting exercise currently underway in northern Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Coral Sea.

Lieutenant Commander George Blackmore, Maritime Logistics Officer aboard Te Kaha, explained that the Maritime Air Delivery (MAD) was a planned opportunity to test another method of receiving essential items while a ship remains on tasking at sea.

"Being able to remain at sea and still receive supplies allows us to maintain operational tempo and avoid having to come into port or rely solely on embarked helicopters."

The delivery required detailed coordination between Australian Defence Force (ADF) and New Zealand Defence Force operations teamsboth ashore and at sea. The Royal Australian Navy, RAAF and RNZN worked closely to ensure timing, location, and sea conditions were just right.

The loadcontained in a protective suitcase - was recovered by Te Kaha's RHIB team and brought aboard and handed over to the ship's Logistics Supply Specialists.

Onboard the aircraft, Lieutenant Alex Dooley and Petty Officer Omarama Sutcliffe from the RNZN observed the drop firsthand. As logistics personnel embedded with the Australian Expeditionary Logistics Team Maritime, the experience gave them a front-row seat to how their Aussie counterparts deliver in complex, contested environments.

"We were there as observers to see how they operate and how we might bring elements of that capability back to New Zealand," said LT Dooley. "The ADF's model of having a dedicated deployable logistics team that can operate remotely, even without ships coming alongside, is impressiveand it gave us plenty of 'lightbulb' moments."

Working alongside the Australians also strengthened professional networks. PO Sutcliffe noted that the exercise improved interoperability not just in systemsbut in knowing which people to call. "It's about building those connections so when we need to move something from A to B, we've already got someone to reach out to."

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NZ and US Army leaders strengthen strategic partnership

New Zealand Defence Force

Ngati Tumatauenga hosted United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) Commanding General, General Ronald P. Clark for a valuable few days of discussions. It reaffirmed the strong and enduring military relationship between key Indo-Pacific partners.

23 July, 2025

Over the course of the senior leaders' and their delegations meeting in Wellington, as well as a visit to the NZ Army's training and cultural home in Waiouru, the deepening defence relationship was reflected between both countries, rooted in shared democratic values and more than a century of military cooperation dating back to the First World War.

"Our armies have stood side by side in every major conflict of the past century," said General Clark.

The meeting underscored not only the historical depth of the US-New Zealand Army partnership, but also the shared commitment to preparing our forces for the challenges of a rapidly evolving regional security environment.

"New Zealand values its close and enduring relationship with the US Army. Our cooperation is not just historical - it's operational, forward-looking, and grounded in trust," said Major General Rose King.

Discussions focused on building further interoperability, advancing combined readiness initiatives, and the US Army's recent transformation efforts. The leaders emphasised the critical role both armies play in shaping a free and open Indo-Pacific, especially as the region faces evolving threats and strategic competition.

The meeting occurred as both nations' armies participate in Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia, where close to 700 New Zealand Defence Force troops are training alongside US, Australian, and other allied forces. The exercise is demonstrating growing interoperability across air, land, maritime, cyber, and space domains.

Major General King highlighted New Zealand's commitment to maintaining a modern, combat-ready force capable of deploying globally and regionally. The New Zealand Army - 4,200 active and 2,000 reserve soldiers strong - regularly integrates seamlessly with allied partners across combined missions and operations, supports United Nations peacekeeping operations and delivers humanitarian assistance across the Pacific when called upon.

"We know that we can't contribute mass and scale, but we pride ourselves on the quality of our soldiers and our leaders, who regularly deploy to, and add significant value to multinational deployments and operations," Major General King said.

"To that end, it's been great to be able to share some insight with General Clark and his team around how we go about training our people."

Under the New Zealand Government's Defence Capability Plan, the NZ Army is pursuing upgrades to its Javelin anti-tank missile system, investing in a Network Enabled Army to improve its digital communications and command-and-control interoperability, and plans the replacement of aging vehicle fleets to enhance mobility and sustainment in the field.

"New Zealand is a stalwart partner in the Pacific," said General Clark.

"Whether in exercises like Talisman Sabre or standing shoulder to shoulder in peacekeeping operations, our soldiers share trust built on action, not just words."

This sentiment was echoed by Major General King, who emphasised the operational value of combined training and the practical steps both armies are taking to improve regional preparedness.

"Participating in Talisman Sabre alongside US and Australian forces showcases our commitment to operational readiness and deepening interoperability," said Major General King.

"These exercises strengthen our collective capability to respond quickly and effectively in the regionwhether in conflict, crisis, or humanitarian need."

Both generals acknowledged the strategic importance of the Pacific Islands region and affirmed our roles in promoting regional security, development, and sovereignty.

This visit underscored the enduring strength of the US-New Zealand partnership - one forged in the trenches of the First World War, battle-tested in the Pacific during the Second World War, and reaffirmed today through shared purpose and mutual respect.

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Israel starves one million children in Gaza, escalates genocide, and implements a complete flattening policy -----Hospitals, schools, churches and mosques are unprotected targets of Israeli bombing and incursions

Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)

23-07-2025

From 15 to 21 July 2025, the Gaza strip has been subjected to horrific escalation by the Israeli occupation's aggression, bringing the death toll over the reporting period to 646 dead and 3101 injured, mostly children and women, in Gaza and the West Bank, including Al-Quds Al Sharif. As such, the toll rose to 60,544 dead and 150,820 injured in Gaza and the West Bank, including Al-Qods Al Sharif, since 7 October 2023, in a rising pace of the crimes and violations perpetrated against the Palestinian people.

Gaza is under the brunt of starvation, bombing and the daily targeting of civilians and infrastructure, whereas the population of the West Bank and Al Qods Al Sharif are facing further displacement and attacks on land and sanctities.

Over the reporting period, the OIC Media Observatory for Israeli Crimes against Palestinians noted that the occupation war machine is deliberately destroying all life essentials. Neither the sanctity of health nor educational facilities is respected. Hospitals, schools, churches and mosques have become unprotected targets for Israeli bombing and storming. The Latin Patriarchate-run Holy Family Church in Gaza was targeted by the Israeli occupation, killing at least three persons and injuring 10 others.

The OIC Media Observatory documented the continuation of the Israeli aggression on Gaza at an unprecedented pace. The UNRWA affirmed that Israel is starving one million children of the besieged Gazans. Malnutrition among children has attained a record high number. The UNRWA stressed that 74,000 children have been diagnosed with acute malnutrition. It diagnosed 5,500 cases with compete acute malnutrition and over 800 with severe acute malnutrition, whereas a medical source at Shuhada al-Aqsa Hospital reported the demise of a one-and-a-half-year-old baby girl due to starvation in Deir al-Balah.

Hospitals in Gaza are being swamped with hundreds of acutely starved and malnourished persons amid inadequate health care response due to acute shortage in medications, medical staff and scarce life essentials. According to the report by the Global Protection Group, no place in Gaza is safe, and hostilities are perpetrated in an environment lacking protection. Throughout the war period, over 40,000 children have been injured. The UNRWA stressed that the occupation is murdering on a daily basis the equivalent of an entire classroom of children; i.e. between 35 and 45 children on average in every classroom.

The Global Protection Group pointed out that 90 percent of Gazans are experiencing the tragedy of recurrent forced displacement, most of whom are elderly and disabled. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) stated that people are risking their lives to make ends meet in terms of food and water in the absence of safety. The United Nations Population Fund highlighted that pregnant women and mothers are starving and deliver in acutely harsh conditions.

Starvation is exacerbating as the strip approaches the catastrophe threshold. Over 90 percent of Gazans are unable to secure daily food intake, while one in three children are suffering from acute and chronic malnutrition. In the previous report, the OIC Media Observatory confirmed the occupation's continued, recurrent and systematic targeting of civilians in the aid distribution areas, tents of the displaced and hospitals as well as the demolition of homes on top of their dwellers, random incursions into every neighborhood and the deliberate destruction of vital infrastructure, especially water and electricity sources. This has worsened the situation of civilians fleeing death and seeking safety.

The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor said that the Israeli army committed one of the most egregious massacres last Sunday against the starved civilians waiting for aid in northern Gaza. The army ordered them to raise their hands and then shot dead 67 civilians and injured dozens as they attempted to get a bag of flour. The total of the aid martyrs in the strip has reached 1017 and 6400 wounded. Meanwhile, one million displaced Palestinians are threatened by thirst with the main desalination plant in northern Gaza being completely out of service.

In a joint communique, last Monday, the UK and 25 international partners called on Israel to stop the war on Gaza now and lift immediately restrictions on the entry of aid. The statement underscored that the UK and the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland as well as the EU Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management rejected proposals to transfer the Palestinian population to a "humanitarian city" as completely unacceptable. It added that the permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law.

In the West Bank and occupied Al-Qods, the scenes were no less tragic. Palestinian cities and towns were the scene of widespread arrests and raids by the Israeli occupation, coupled with the demolition of homes, the uprooting of trees and the bulldozing of agricultural lands, while settlement construction and expansion are accelerating.

For more than 163 days, the occupation forces have carried out widespread demolitions and bulldozing operations in Tulkarem and Nour Shams camps, including the demolition of 104 buildings and homes and the displacement of over 25,000 Palestinians. They are also waging a campaign of arrests and raids in the West Bank and Al-Qods using direct repression, storming homes, abusing Palestinians, vandalizing properties, demolishing homes in Al Qods and forcing families to self-demolish to avoid heavy fines.

In Al Qods Al Sharif, the Al Aqsa Mosque is subjected to daily storming under the protection of the occupation forces amid mounting provocations and the performance of Talmudic rituals in its courtyards. According to the Department of Islamic Endowments in Al Qods, colonizers have carried out over 25 incursions in June against the backdrop of mounting calls by extremist "Temple Mount" groups, which periodically push for the storming of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and perform Talmudic rituals inside its courtyards, in a bid to change the historical and legal status quo of the holy Al-Aqsa Mosque. This occurs amid an Israeli campaign to close the UNRWA facilities and deprive more than 200,000 Palestinian refugees of vital services.

The Israeli press circulated the decision by the Israeli occupation authorities to withdraw the management prerogatives of the Ibrahimi Mosque from the Palestinians to the benefit of the Jewish Religious Council in Kiryat Arba settlement. This was met with widespread condemnations by the international community.

Forced displacement continues as a result of settler attacks supported by the Israeli army, setting ablaze agricultural lands and looting livestock. According to the Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission, in the first semester of 2025, settlers carried out over 2,153 attacks, leading to the killing of four (4) citizens by the settlers. The attacks ranged from attacking Palestinian villages and peaceful villagers, the burning of homes, the shooting of Palestinians, the building of settlement outposts, the confiscation of Palestinian lands and attacking public spaces and vehicles.

Over 15-21 July, Israeli violations totaled 4,735 crimes (across the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Al Qods), with a total of 294,205 violations since 7 October 2023.

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Marcos returns with $21-B investment pledges, reaffirms PH-US ties

Philippine News Agency

By Darryl John Esguerra

July 23, 2025, 10:53 pm

MANILA -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. returned to the country on Wednesday night with over USD21 billion in investment pledges and renewed strategic commitments from the United States following a high-level three-day official visit to Washington, D.C.

The plane carrying Marcos and his delegation landed in Manila around 10:07 p.m., according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

Marcos, in his arrival message, said the visit, held at the invitation of US President Donald Trump, reaffirmed the "breadth and depth" of the Philippines-US alliance across security, economic, and geopolitical cooperation.

"We reaffirmed our mutual commitment to further strengthening our longstanding alliance and growing our economies for the benefit of the people and in pursuit of our national interest," he said.

In his meetings with Trump, Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Marcos underscored the alliance's role in upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea and broader Indo-Pacific, amid continued assertiveness by China.

"We reaffirmed our ironclad commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty," Marcos said, citing discussions on cybersecurity, infrastructure resilience, and energy security.

"I thank the United States for its consistent support for the preservation of regional peace and stability and for upholding the rule of law in the South China Sea."

The US pledged USD15 million in new support for private sector development under the Luzon Economic Corridor, and USD48 million in additional foreign assistance.

Marcos also met with top executives in semiconductors, healthcare, and infrastructure, bringing home pledges worth over USD21 billioninvestments he said could generate thousands of jobs for Filipinos and help build "economic security and resilience."

The President emphasized fair and reciprocal trade as a cornerstone of future ties.

"We remain positive about the future of PH-US trade, including investment relations, especially in the context of economic security and fair, balanced, reciprocal trade," he said.

Marcos concluded his visit by extending an invitation to Trump to attend next year's ASEAN Summit in Manila, which will coincide with the 80th anniversary of PH-US diplomatic relations and the 75th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty. (PNA)

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25 Israeli soldiers killed, wounded east of Rafah: Qassam Brigades

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 23 July 2025 7:12 PM

The Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas, says 25 Israeli troops were killed or wounded in a number of military operations east of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip in recent days.

The Qassam Brigades said on Wednesday that its fighters targeted a military unit consisting of seven Israeli soldiers with an anti-personnel explosive device in the Mashrou junction area, east of Rafah, on Tuesday, resulting in deaths and injuries among the troops.

According to the statement, Israeli helicopters were deployed to evacuate the casualties.

In the same area, the Qassam fighters detonated a booby-trapped home when an Israeli force consisting of 10 soldiers stormed the place a day earlier. According to the statement, the 10 soldiers were either killed or injured in the Monday attack and were later evacuated by Israeli helicopters.

The group also stated that it killed and injured an Israeli engineering unit consisting of eight soldiers near the Deir Yassin junction in al-Janina neighborhood, east of Rafah, on July 17, using two anti-personnel explosive devices.

In mid-July, the Qassam Brigades said, the resistance fighters had lured Israeli troops into a booby-trapped house in the Shawka area, east of Rafah, and detonated it upon their arrival.

Moreover, the Qassam Brigades stated that it had detonated an armored personnel carrier in the north of the southern city of Khan Yunis on July 12, using a "highly explosive" device, leaving an unspecified number of forces killed and injured.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Qassam Brigades released video footage showing the aforementioned operations as well as the targeting of a Merkava tank with a "Yassin 105" shell.

The footage also showed its fighters detonating Israeli military vehicles at close range in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.

Among the operations documented in the video was the detonation of an explosive device inside a tank.

The video also showed the process of monitoring and planting explosive devices along the routes of invading Israeli vehicles and other preparation that preceded the military operations.

Israel has massacred at least 59,219 Palestinians, mostly women and children, in Gaza since October 2023, according to estimates by the Health Ministry of Gaza.

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Israel starves Gaza as world watches in silence: Palestinian UN envoy

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 23 July 2025 7:00 PM

The Palestinian ambassador to the United Nations has strongly condemned world powers for remaining silent as Israel continues to starve children in Gaza.

Addressing a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, Riyad Mansour said the humanitarian catastrophe has been allowed to unfold in Gaza due to the impunity Israel enjoys.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned at a briefing on Wednesday that Gaza is facing a man-made "mass starvation" due to Israel's aid blockade on the territory.

"Mass starvation," he said, "means starvation of a large portion of the population."

Riyad Mansour told the Security Council meeting in New York that what is unfolding in the Palestinian territory was "predictable, premeditated, and planned."

"It is a criminal and cruel enterprise occurring openly for all to see."

Mansour warned that as almost everything has been destroyed during Israel's 21-month-long devastating war on the narrow strip of Palestinian land, "nearly 2 million human beings remain, including 1 million children. They must be saved."

The diplomat recounted the "heart-wrenching messages" coming from Gaza every day: "I am hungry ... There is no food for my family. We are dying. Help us."

"What should the Security Council tell them?" he asked. "That the whole world is against this starvation policy, and yet it is worsening? That no one wants to see people in Gaza starving, and yet the world watches on as they die of hunger and thirst?"

In order to save Gaza, Mansour called for the formation of a "coalition of the willing to take every action necessary now to end the genocide."

A coalition, he said, that must act "to uphold international law and save what is left of our humanity under the rubble in Gaza."

The Palestinian envoy warned that Israel's genocide in Gaza "will redefine the region and our world for generations to come. And what we do next will determine in what way."

"Are Palestinian lives not worth saving?" he asked. "Or does Israeli supremacy extend so far as to grant Israel the right of life and death over the Palestinian people as a whole?"

Gaza's Health Ministry reported 10 new deaths linked to famine and malnutrition during the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of people starved to death in the besieged territory to 111.

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Palestine's Foreign Ministry censures Israeli Knesset vote on West Bank annexation

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 23 July 2025 6:51 PM

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates has strongly denounced the motion passed in the Israeli parliament (Knesset) that called for the annexation of the West Bank and expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied territory, in breach of international law.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the ministry stressed that these 'colonial' measures reinforce a system of apartheid in the occupied Palestinian territory.

The Israeli move also reflects blatant disregard for United Nations resolutions and the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), it noted.

Israel's presence in the West Bank was ruled unlawful by the ICJ last year.

In a landmark advisory opinion last July, the ICJ declared Israel's occupation of Palestinian territory illegal and called for the evacuation of all settlements in the West Bank, including occupied al-Quds.

The Palestinian statement further warned that such Israeli actions deliberately undermine the prospects of implementing the so-called two-state solution.

It called on the international community to take Israel's discussions of annexation seriously in the run-up to September's UN conference on the two-state solution.

The Israeli parliament earlier approved a resolution rejecting the establishment of a Palestinian state. It argued that the establishment of a Palestinian state "will pose an existential danger to Israel."

The Palestinian Ministry on Wednesday also warned that the occupation continues to expand settlements and deepen annexation on a daily basis.

The statement comes hours after the Israeli Knesset voted for the annexation of the occupied West Bank. Israeli media reports said the non-binding motion was backed by 71 members of the 120-seat assembly against 13 votes.

More than 700,000 Israelis live in over 230 settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds. All Israeli settlements are illegal under international law.

Under the shadow of the genocidal war in Gaza, Israel has accelerated its annexation drive in the West Bank.

The Knesset's move comes at a time when, as of June 2024, the State of Palestine is recognized as a sovereign state by 145 out of 193 UN member states, over 75% of the entire United Nations.

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Smotrich: US has given Israel green light to turn Gaza into 'resort town'

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 23 July 2025 8:24 AM

Extremist Israeli politicians and right-wing settlers have convened a conference in the Israeli parliament, where they said the US had given them the "green light" to convert the besieged Gaza Strip into a "resort town" after they had carried out the ethnic cleansing of over two million Palestinians.

"We will occupy Gaza and make it an inseparable part of Israel," far-right Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich told a few dozen attendees at the event titled "The Gaza Riviera - From Vision to Reality" on Tuesday.

Smotrich said that "a proposed plan to relocate Gazans to other countries will serve as a means of facilitating the settlement of the strip."

He additionally stated that he endorsed the concept of a "security annexation" of northern Gaza, claiming that the chief of staff of the Israeli military, Eyal Zamir, was in favor of this notion.

"I truly believe there is a tremendous opportunity here," he said, suggesting that Israel begin "with the northern border [area of the strip] and establish three communities there. We are already talking about it. Some call it a 'security annexation.'"

The US did not provide an immediate comment on Smotrich's remarks.

The concept of transforming Gaza into the "Riviera of the Middle East" was initially proposed by US President Donald Trump earlier this year.

The proposal has faced criticism from both regional and international leaders, including those from Spain, France, and China.

Nonetheless, the proposal continues to receive support from Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, minister of military affairs Israel Katz, and other notable figures from the Knesset (parliament).

During Tuesday's event, right-wing Israeli politician Limor Son Har-Melech expressed admiration for illegal Israeli settlers, referring to them as the heirs of the Zionist leaders who founded Israel in 1948.

"We need to rebuild the Gaza Strip with Jewish cities," Har-Melech said, adding that there needed to be "big and fortified cities all over Gaza."

"There is a thirst for return among the public. Not as a punishment, but because Jews belong to the Gaza Strip," she added.

In September 2005, Israel withdrew its military personnel and relocated 8,000 settlers from 21 settlements in Gaza as a component of a "disengagement plan" to adjacent areas of Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Since the onset of the Gaza genocidal war on October 7, 2023, far-right groups and lawmakers have repeatedly talked up plans to re-establish the illegal settlements in Gaza.

Israeli politician Zvi Sukkot reiterated Har-Melech's comments, stating that Israel is experiencing a distinctive moment and possesses "the power" to realize Trump's "vision."

A number of the conference speakers presented what they described as a definitive future for Gaza - a territory devoid of Palestinians and exclusively for Jews.

The head of the settler Nachala movement, Daniella Weiss, said, "The Arab Gaza chapter is over."

"In Gaza, there will never be an Arab, international or American government," she said.

Weiss, who declined last week to denounce the killing and starvation of Palestinian children, said that after Israel defeats the Hamas resistance movement, the Tel Aviv regime will allow the emigration of Palestinians."

"Gaza is difficult to conquer because of its sanctity, but the day of the occupation of Gaza is coming."

Weiss's fellow Nachala member, Lital Slonim, presented the movement's detailed plan for Jewish settlement.

"We are here to present a clear vision of how Gaza will become a flourishing place," Slonim said, adding, "This is one of the most beautiful areas in Israel."

The Nachala movement has been constructing unauthorized settlements on territory in the occupied West Bank for many years. Earlier this year, the International Court of Justice determined that Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories since 1967 is illegal and must conclude at the earliest opportunity.

As per the Nachala plan, approximately 300,000 housing units are set to be constructed in the region, with the overwhelming majority located in two primary residential zones in the northern and southern sections of the strip.

According to the plan, approximately 1.2 million Jews are anticipated to inhabit the Gaza Strip, where they will have access to green spaces, transportation facilities, industrial zones, hotels, a university, and potentially a port.

"The removal of the civilian population, by choice and/or within the framework of an arrangement, is a necessary stage for the evacuation of the battlefield and its transformation into a space of Jewish life, agriculture, industry, tourism and settlement," the plan says.

At least 59,106 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, and another 142,511 individuals injured in the brutal Israeli onslaught on Gaza since October 7, 2023.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Netanyahu and former minister of military affairs Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the besieged coastal territory.

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Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's comment on the disruption of the UN Security Council's coordination of a formal press statement regarding the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia

23 July 2025 12:14

1243-23-07-2025

During the July consultations at the UN Security Council, the Russian side proposed a draft press statement on the UN Regional Centre for Preventive Diplomacy for Central Asia (UNRCCA), a key UN presence in the region.

As the informal sponsor of the Central Asian dossier at the UN Security Council, Russia prepared a balanced draft acknowledging UNRCCA's efforts to promote regional peace and security. However, Western members of the Council once again opposed including any reference to the importance of UNRCCA's cooperation with the CSTO, the CIS, and the SCO in the document's text - despite these organisations playing a significant and constructive role in addressing challenges and threats to Central Asian countries.

Meanwhile, cooperation with these key regional organisations is one of UNRCCA's core missions, as enshrined in its mandate. The head of UNRCCA regularly reports on these activities to the UN Security Council.

Given the openly hostile approach the Western countries have taken toward most multilateral frameworks for constructive cooperation in the region, the Russian delegation was forced to suspend work on the draft.

Nevertheless, we remain committed to consistently advocating a depoliticised, professional dialogue between the UN and intergovernmental forums that contribute to building a truly multipolar international system.

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Ranking Member Shaheen Statement on Reports that the UAE has Returned Afghan Families to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

July 23, 2025

WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, released a statement on reports that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has returned at least two Afghan families to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. According to multiple credible reports, the UAE began deportations as early as July 10 and informed U.S. officials of its intent to "close this chapter for good" by July 20just hours before President Donald Trump publicly pledged to "save" the stranded evacuees.

"Reports that the United Arab Emirates has returned Afghan families from the Emirates Humanitarian City in Abu Dhabi to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan are unacceptable, and there are indications that these actions were coordinated with the Taliban regime. For months, I have called on this Administration to do more to ensure our Afghan alliesmany of whom served alongside U.S. forcesare fully processed and brought to safety in the United States. Returning vulnerable Afghans to the very regime they fled, especially after risking their lives in support of American operations, is a betrayal of our values and commitments. We made a promise to protect those who stood with us. There is still time to act. The Trump administration must immediately extend protection and resettlement opportunities for Afghan evacuees who remain stranded in Qatar, the UAE, Albania and Pakistan.

"President Trump must also take urgent and decisive action to lift all restrictions preventing Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants and holders from traveling to the United States. Those restrictions, along with the Department of Homeland Security's revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) protections for vulnerable Afghan families in the U.S. and threats to deport them back into the arms of the Taliban, are shameful and run contrary to everything we stand for as a country. Those protections should be immediately reinstated and extended."

###

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US Destroyer Approaches Iranian-Controlled Waters in Gulf of Oman

Sputnik News

20250723

A US destroyer nears waters controlled by Iran in the Gulf of Oman, prompting a warning from Iranian forces, according to a Wednesday report by Iran's state broadcaster IRIB.

A US destroyer has approached Iranian-controlled waters in the Gulf of Oman, Iranian military issues warning, the Iranian state Television and radio company IRIB reported on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day at around 07:30 GMT, the US destroyer DDG Fitzgerald intended to approach Iranian-controlled waters in the Gulf of Oman. After this, an Iranian helicopter took off to warn the US military, but the US destroyer threatened to shoot down the helicopter.

In response to a repeated threat from the US destroyer, the Iranian air defense system was activated, thus giving a categorical warning that the helicopter is under full protection of the defense systems and the US destroyer must change its route to the south.

On the night of June 13, Israel initiated an operation against Iran, alleging the existence of a covert military nuclear program. Iran denied these claims and retaliated with its attacks. For 12 days, both sides exchanged strikes, with the United States also conducting a one-time attack on Iran's nuclear facilities on June 22.

The next evening, Tehran responded with missile strikes on the US base at Al Udeid in Qatar. On June 23, Trump announced that Israel and Iran had reached a ceasefire to conclude the "12-day war."

Iran denies the military dimension of its nuclear program. The International Atomic Energy Agency has not seen concrete evidence that Iran has an active nuclear weapons program, Director General Rafael Grossi said on June 18.

Iran rejected the allegations and retaliated. The United States conducted a one-time attack on Iranian nuclear sites on June 22. Tehran struck the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in response but said it had "no intention of further escalation."

 Sputnik

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Secretary Rubio's Meeting with Jordanian Foreign Minister Safadi

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

July 23, 2025

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio met today with Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi to discuss the trilateral agreement between the United States, Jordan, and Syria to maintain the ceasefire in Syria. The Secretary stressed the need for dialogue to address the present crisis in southern Syria and underscored the importance of protecting civilians on all sides. The Secretary and the Foreign Minister also discussed the security situations in the region including Gaza and the West Bank. Secretary Rubio thanked Foreign Minister Safadi for Jordan's leadership in advancing regional security and stability.

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The Israeli aid system is inhumane, ineffective, dangerous and fuelling instability: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council open debate on the Middle East Peace Process.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Dame Barbara Woodward DCMG OBE

Published 23 July 2025

Location: United Nations, New York

Delivered on: 23 July 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

My Foreign Secretary has been unequivocal: the war in Gaza must end now. Hamas and Israel must both commit to a ceasefire now.

A ceasefire is within reach and we urge all sides to make it a reality, to secure the release of the hostages, who have been cruelly held by Hamas since 7 October, and to end the appalling suffering of Palestinian civilians.

I will make three points.

First, the Israeli aid system is inhumane, ineffective, dangerous and fuelling instability. Reports and images this week of children dying from starvation are beyond horrific.

The IDF is shooting at desperate Palestinian civilians on an almost daily basis. Hamas is exploiting this disorder.

We call on Israel to end these attacks, hold those responsible to account and to work with the UN to implement effective aid distribution in line with humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law.

And let me reaffirm the UK's firm and unequivocal support for the UN and OCHA in their brave efforts to get aid into Gaza.

We also condemn recent strikes on the WHO in Deir al Balah. Humanitarians and civilians must be protected.

Second, we condemn Defence Minister Katz's proposals of forced displacement to Rafah. Illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank continues at pace as well as settler violence, and even terrorism, against Palestinians. This is an accelerating campaign to prevent a Palestinian state.

We condemn these attacks and call for Israel to hold its citizens to account.

We also oppose the reintroduction of the E1 settlement plan, which is a flagrant breach of international law.

Third, we are clear that Hamas must play no future role in the governance of Gaza or be able to threaten Israel's security again. However, the organisation which represents a credible alternative to Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, is being undermined by Israeli actions.

Israel is withholding $2.6 billion in clearance revenues, crippling the Palestinian economy and pushing essential health and education services to the brink. This is not conducive to Israel's security.

President, the United Kingdom is resolute in our commitment to a two-state solution and my Foreign Secretary has been clear that we are prepared to take further action to prevent the forcible erosion of the only viable path to lasting peace.

Next week's conference, co-chaired by France and Saudi Arabia, is a vital opportunity to demonstrate the strength of international resolve to secure a better future for Israelis, Palestinians and the region.



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The prolonged suffering will have irreversible consequences that will last generations: Joint statement on conflict and hunger in Gaza

A joint statement by the Permanent Missions to the UN of the Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Guyana, Ireland, Mexico, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Norway, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Joint statement delivered by the Permanent Missions to the UN of the Dominican Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Guyana, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, Norway, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Published 23 July 2025

Location: United Nations, New York

Delivered on: 23 July 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

It is unacceptable that man-made and avoidable conflict-induced hunger continues to afflict civilians in Gaza. The prolonged suffering will have irreversible consequences that will last generations.

From the May IPC Special Snapshot, we know that the Gaza Strip is facing a critical risk of famine. The entire population is facing high levels of acute food insecurity, with 500,000 people facing starvation and more than 70,000 children set to require treatment for acute malnutrition.

The latest figures are even more disturbing, and we are witnessing increased deaths due to malnutrition. This follows sustained denial of essential humanitarian assistance to civilians by Israel.

To address this crisis, we call on all parties to fully comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law. In particular, we call on Israel as the occupying power to adhere to its obligations under international law and UN Security Council Resolution 2417. Israel must:

Lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid and facilitate immediate, safe, rapid, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access by the UN and humanitarian organisations that ensures relief supplies at scale to civilians in need throughout Gaza.

Facilitate the effective delivery of life-saving nutrition, health, water, sanitation and other essential services by the UN and humanitarian organisations, as well as the fuel needed to sustain them.

Protect objects necessary for food production and distribution and facilitate the restoration of essential commercial supplies and market systems at scale.

Urgently ensure the protection of civilians, including aid workers, UN and associated personnel, and medical personnel, and allow their unrestricted access.

We urge all parties to do everything to support efforts to reach agreement on a new ceasefire and hostage release deal. While humanitarian assistance is essential, the answer to conflict-induced hunger is peace.

We need to ensure accountability for actors who deliberately cause or prolong conflict-induced hunger in violation of international law. Using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare may constitute a war crime.

All Member States should use their influence to address conflict-driven hunger in Gaza and promote compliance by all parties to the conflict with international law.

We call for rapid and full implementation of humanitarian commitments made by Israel including the steps agreed between Israel and the EU to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. This is imperative. We will follow delivery measures by Israel closely.

We must all support the work of the UN-coordinated humanitarian system in Gaza led by OCHA. It is best equipped to ensure aid is delivered to civilians, apply established strong aid diversion prevention systems and adhere with humanitarian principles.

UNRWA remains crucial to the delivery of humanitarian aid and essential services, despite increasing restrictions and attacks.

The new Israel-approved aid delivery model is dangerous and is not operating in accordance with humanitarian principles. We condemn the killing of well over 800 Palestinians, including children, seeking water and food.

The 20 July incident where people came under Israeli fire beside a WFP convoy was terrible. Humanitarian action must be based on humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence.

We condemn the heinous attack by Hamas on October 7 2023. Hamas must release all hostages unconditionally now.

Immediate action is needed to address this debilitating suffering.

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Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York

23 July 2025

The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General.

All right, good afternoon.

** Guest

In a short while, I will be joined by my guest, Margot van der Velden, who is the World Food Programme's Regional Director for West and Central Africa. She will be here to speak to you about the humanitarian situation in Nigeria.

** Security Council

Earlier today, our colleague Khaled Khiari, the Assistant Secretary-General [for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific], briefed the Security Council on the situation in Gaza, saying that it is long past time for the fighting to end, for adequate humanitarian aid to enter the Strip, and for the recovery and reconstruction to begin in the context of a return to a political path towards a two-State solution. He said that today, the situation inside the Strip, especially for women and children, is more dire than at any other time during this crisis.

Mr. Khiari also talked about the situation in the occupied West Bank, which he said remains deeply concerning, with high levels of violence driven by ongoing Israeli military operations, many involving civilian casualties and extensive damage to homes and infrastructure, attacks by settlers against Palestinians, and attacks by Palestinians against Israelis.

He added that the upcoming ministerial meeting to support a two-State solution, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, is key to highlight international consensus around these goals, and reaffirm the principles of sustaining a two-State solution.

** Occupied Palestinian Territory

Turning to the situation in Gaza, and I can tell you that our humanitarian operations in Gaza are currently under severe strain: aid workers face serious security risks, crossings remain unreliable, and critical supplies are routinely delayed or blocked.

We stand ready to seize the opportunity of a ceasefire to significantly scale up humanitarian operations across the Gaza Strip, as we did during the previous ceasefire. Our plans are ready, and they are finalized.

But to make a real difference, Israel must enable safe and unimpeded aid delivery, allow the entry of critical equipment and fuel, must open all crossings and restore movement along key supply routes. Humanitarian staff must be able to operate safely, people must be allowed to move freely, and supplies  including from the private sector  must reach all parts of Gaza.

If these conditions are met, we will urgently prioritize providing food, water, shelter, medical care and protection to the civilians of Gaza who have faced unimaginable hardship for far too long.

Today, our Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, visited the Gaza Strip, where he met with UN agencies and humanitarian partners in Deir al Balah. During his visit, he expressed strong support for the tireless efforts of humanitarian workers who are continuing to deliver under extraordinarily difficult and dangerous conditions, including working in active combat zones and amid persistent fear.

Meanwhile, the Office of Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs warns that the hunger crisis in the Gaza Strip has never been so dire. Today, 109 aid organizations warned that mass starvation is spreading across the Gaza Strip, with colleagues and those they serve wasting away.

We and our partners report that aid workers are fainting from hunger and exhaustion. Deadly malnutrition among children is reaching catastrophic levels. UNICEF [the United Nations Children's Fund] reminds us that a severely malnourished child is over 10 times more likely to die than a well-nourished child.

Despite catastrophic conditions, our aid workers continue to deliver life-saving assistance, wherever and whenever they can. However, OCHA stresses that to sustain these operations  including nutrition programmes  the Israeli authorities must facilitate the delivery of much more aid into and across all areas of the Gaza without any delay.

As of Sunday, our partners deliver 158,000 cooked meals through 64 community kitchens. This figure reflects a decrease of more than 70,000 daily meals compared to the previous day.

On the health front, hospitals are overwhelmed and cannot cope with the influx of patients  including those injured by hostilities  due to lack of supplies and fuel.

Earlier today, local health authorities tell us that, in the past few days, several of their health facilities have been shut down due to the lack of fuel. More hospitals, including Al Shifa, are at imminent risk of shutting down within the next few days.

Meanwhile, the UN Population Fund warns that severe food deprivation, a shattered healthcare system and immense psychological stress are leading to catastrophic birth outcomes for pregnant women and for newborns. From January to June of this year, births sharply declined, and 220 mothers died  more than 20 times the total number of maternal deaths recorded in 2022. At least 20 newborns died within 24 hours of birth, and a third of babies were born prematurely, underweight or required admission to neonatal intensive care, when those facilities were available.

Meanwhile, today, partners reported that people with disabilities have no food, no assistive devices and no healthcare.

Meanwhile, measures must be taken to protect civilians  including the tens of thousands of people in the Strip who are older or are living with disabilities  who need assistance that preserves their dignity and survival.

Currently, the Israeli authorities are the sole decision makers on who, how and how much aid enters the Gaza Strip, and the type of supplies that are allowed in. Logistical challenges are immense: To collect supplies that have reached any of the Israeli crossings around Gaza  all of which are fenced off and heavily guarded  drivers need multiple access approvals, as well as a pause in the bombing and for the iron gates to slide open.

All too often, civilians approaching our trucks are shot at. To collect supplies safely, we must get reliable assurances that troops would not engage or be present along the routes of our convoys.

The amount of aid that has been entering Gaza is only a trickle compared to the immense needs. Above all, we need a ceasefire to put an end to this devastating situation.

And one important note on punitive measures announced by Israel authorities against our colleagues from OCHA. We have full confidence in OCHA's professionalism and impartial work. Any punitive measures will only add to the obstacles preventing us from reaching people facing hunger, displacement and deprivation.

** Syria

Turning to Syria, and in particular to the situation in Sweida. I can tell you that a second convoy from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent reached Sweida today, carrying critical aid that included food, water, wheat flour, fuel, medicines and health supplies. Our colleagues at OCHA coordinated with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to prepare the convoy that also included supplies from UN agencies.

OCHA continues to engage with authorities and partners to facilitate an inter-agency UN mission to Sweida as soon as security conditions allow, and further assistance is being mobilized by the Syrian Arab Red Crescent.

Meanwhile, humanitarian needs in Sweida remain high. Electricity, water, fuel supply, and telecommunications have been significantly disrupted.

Bakeries have ceased operations due to shortages of flour and fuel, and local markets face significant shortfalls of food items. Critical shortages of clean water, hygiene kits, sanitary pads and baby supplies have also been reported. Many displaced families lack basic items such as mattresses and blankets.

Our humanitarian colleagues tell us that more than 145,000 people have now been displaced due to the hostilities in Sweida Governorate. This includes people who have fled within Sweida and to neighbouring Dar'a and Rural Damascus governorates.

We are working with partners to deliver a range of assistance to people displaced to Dar'a and Rural Damascus, including health and protection services, in addition to food and water.

Mobile medical teams have provided more than 3,500 consultations, including trauma care, maternal health and psychosocial support. Nearly 38,000 people have received food aid. Over 1,000 kits containing non-food items were distributed in Dar'a and Rural Damascus, and that helped more than 5,000 Syrians.

UN inter-agency missions to assess needs and provide assistance to both Dar'a and Rural Damascus areas are planned for the coming days.

** Sudan

Moving to Sudan, and I call tell you that we continue to be gravely concerned about the worsening humanitarian catastrophe and tightening access constraints across the country, particularly in the Kordofan region, where hostilities continue to escalate.

In South Kordofan State, citing local sources, our humanitarian colleagues at OCHA say that clashes erupted yesterday in the besieged city of Kadugli, which is the state capital. Armed individuals reportedly attempted to seize food from the main market. As Sudan's hunger crisis deepens, the city remains cut off from humanitarian assistance, with the last supply route from neighbouring North Kordofan now blocked.

Meanwhile, in West Darfur State, heavy rains and flooding threaten to further disrupt in the delivery of aid.

Roads connecting the state capital Geneina, which is, as you well know, located next to the crucial Adre border crossing with Chad, the road from Geneina to Mornei and to Zalingei, in Central Darfur State, are now impassable. Both of these towns are hosting large numbers of displaced people. Our humanitarian partners warn that continued rains may further cut off access into Central and South Darfur states, making it even more difficult to reach people who need help so desperately.

In North Darfur State, displaced communities and host families in the town of Tawila have come together to establish community kitchens which are now feeding thousands of people who fled violence in El Fasher. These kitchens have become a vital lifeline for those without any other access to food. However, they face chronic and severe funding shortfalls.

Many of these are struggling to stay open, and some risk shutting down altogether due to lack of resources. As we mentioned yesterday, we and our partners are planning a major scale up of support for people in Tawila, which requires $120 million over the next three months.

Humanitarian access is further complicated by checkpoint taxes, by roadblocks, and bureaucratic hurdles imposed by local authorities, including requirements for multiple levels of approval to establish the most basic services for the population.

Once again, we appeal for unimpeded humanitarian access across Sudan, more international funding to scale up the response, the protection of civilians and aid workers and, of course, an immediate cessation of hostilities.

** Peacebuilding

I just want to flag that a new $7 million cross-border project investing in water management, climate security and peacebuilding in the border areas of Mali, Mauritania and Senegal was approved today for funding by the Secretary-General's Peacebuilding Fund. This project, jointly developed by the Governments of the three countries, is one of the Peacebuilding Fund's largest and will be implemented with the support of UNICEF and the International Organization for Migration over the next two years.

** Haiti

And again, a dire update from Haiti, where our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs tell us that escalating violence and displacement continue to drive severe humanitarian needs across the country. The UN Children's Fund and partners have screened more than 217,000 children for acute malnutrition since the beginning of the year, and more than 21,500 children have been admitted for treatment of severe acute malnutrition. This represents about 17 per cent of the nearly 129,000 children who are projected to need life-saving treatment this year.

Our humanitarian colleagues also warn that insecurity continues to constrain the humanitarian response, leading to access challenges, supply shortages and the closure of health facilities.

According to the latest analysis from the IPC, some 5.7 million people were estimated to face high levels of acute food insecurity between March and June this year. This represents more than half of Haiti's population.

Beyond the nutrition crisis, Haiti's children also face an education emergency. As of mid-July, more than 1,600 schools remained closed in Haiti, which is an increase of over two thirds compared to the start of the year. Our humanitarian colleagues warn that without access to education, children, of course, are more vulnerable to exploitation and recruitment by gangs. UNICEF has provided learning opportunities to more than 16,000 children, including displaced children in temporary learning spaces. The agency has also reached over 100,000 children with mental health and psychosocial support.

However, this is just a fraction of what is needed in Haiti. Our humanitarian colleagues also reiterate that a lack of funding is significantly limiting our capacity to address the crisis. Haiti remains, as I have said here many times, the least funded of our underfunded country appeals globally. More than halfway through the year, we've received less than 9 per cent of the $908 million required for the response in this country.

** International Seabed Authority

Lastly, I just want to flag that this morning the Secretary-General sent a message to the High-level Segment and Commemorative Ceremony marking the thirtieth anniversary of the International Seabed Authority. That took place in Kingston, in Jamaica.

In his message, the Secretary-General noted that the international seabed area is not the domain of any nation, it is the common heritage of humankind. He said that the deep ocean remains one of our last frontiers, adding that it holds great promise but also requires great caution.

The Secretary-General pointed out that today, the International Seabed Authority is navigating complex challenges with care and clarity. He commends its commitment to finding balanced and effective solutions.

** Questions and Answers

Spokesman : Gabriel.

Question : Thanks, Steph. Two questions. One is I took note of your, comments regarding OCHA and the punitive measures announced by Israel. My question is what will these measures... how will these measures, excuse me, affect the UN's ability to carry out a humanitarian response in Gaza right now?

Spokesman : It makes things more complicated. Right? I mean, that's the bottom line. It makes things more difficult. It makes things more challenging, and it's going in the wrong direction.

Question : And a follow-up. During his remarks, Mr. Khiari said that on regarding UNRWA, based on the current forecast, there is not enough money to sustain all operations in the field for UNRWA through the end of... until the August. Another UN agency under attack essentially in Gaza. How does the Secretary-General feel that this funding for UNRWA could affect UNRWA's work in Gaza?

Spokesman : I mean, again, less money, less work, less money, less people getting the aid that they need. UNRWA has been jumping from funding crisis to funding crisis for quite some time. We encourage Member States to up their donations to UNRWA, which remains a critical part of our operations in the region.

Edie, then Dezhi, then Benno.

Question : Thank you, Steph. One more follow-up on the Israeli Ambassador's comments about OCHA to the Security Council. He demanded that Tom Fletcher, the head of OCHA, immediately retract his claim that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. What is the UN comment reaction to that specific... [cross talk]

Spokesman : For him to have to retract it, he would have had to said it, which Mr. Fletcher did not. Right? If you look at his remarks he made to the council on 13 May, he called for decisive international action to prevent genocide and ensure respect for international humanitarian law. And as whether it's Mr. Fletcher, whether it's the Secretary-General, anyone who works for the Secretariat, our position is the same that the labelling of an event as a genocide is up for a competent court to decide.

Question : And a second question. Israel's army is saying that the United Nations refuses to accept Israeli escorts in Gaza to deliver aid? I know you have addressed this before, but could you address this latest...? [cross talk]

Spokesman : Well, I mean, we're getting into the theatre of absurd here. I think we have seen what happens when Israeli soldiers are near a UN convoy. Right? We saw it. We saw what happened on Sunday in North Gaza. We saw the victims, and we saw the death. The best protection for us is community buy-in. And to get that community buy-in, communities have to understand that trucks will come every day, that food will come every day. Right? And that's what we're asking for.

Dezhi.

Question : Today, before the... Ambassador [Danny] Danon's announcement on the restriction of visas of the OCHA staffers in Israel, has Israeli authority ever talked about this issue with any of the UN officials?

Spokesman : Which issue, the issue of visas?

Correspondent : The restrictions.

Spokesman : Yes. The challenges around the issuance of visas and the length of visas is an issue that has been discussed for quite some time.

Correspondent : But this announce of this one month not automatically extends. This is new.

Spokesman : I mean, listen. You it's up to you to decide what is news. We've had... we faced challenges with visas before. It is the sovereign right of Israel to issue like any other country to issue visas or choose to issue or not to issue visas to our staff, and we look forward to continuing our discussions with them on this.

Correspondent : So today, Ambassador Danon accused OCHA staff there saying that... suggesting that they are under investigation under vetting. And he even said that... even went further saying that some of those staffers might have link with the October 7th attack.

Spokesman : Those are very serious accusations. Those are very serious allegations that were made, and we expect the Israeli Government to then share whatever evidence they may have with us as quickly as possible.

Correspondent : Not yet.

Spokesman : So, we can... [cross talk] I mean, we know as much as you do right now, right? And we saw when the allegations and accusations were made against UNRWA, we announced them. Right? And we took action. So, we look forward to them sharing any evidence.

Question : Do you worry that more institutions might be linked, has been accused to link to the October 7th attack... [cross talk]

Spokesman : These are allegations that are thrown out. I mean, you know, we would like to be given information. If these allegations prove correct, then we would act on them decisively. Benno Schwinghammer.

Question : Thank you, Stephane. I think you said it yourself. It seems like we are entering a phase of mass starvation in Gaza. I guess you agree with me that this needs an international response.

Spokesman : We've been calling for international response. We've been calling for greater assistance. We've been calling for those countries who have influence over to help us... [cross talk]

Question : I'm aware of this. But, like, I think you can also always sound the bigger alarm bell. Why is the Secretary-General not declaring a famine, for example?

Spokesman : Words matter within the UN, our world, right, our diplomatic... the issue... the word genocide, right, is declared for us by legal competent court. There is a whole UN mechanism, which also involves Member States called the IPC. Right? It's a scientific-based declaration. We will wait for their next report. I think that the Secretary-General has been extremely vocal. I mean, just this week, spoke twice about it and raising the alarm. But, you know, the unlocking of those metal gates that I referred to at the crossings is not a key that he has. Right? [cross talk]

Question : I understand. Thank you for mentioning the IPC. The report now is valid to end of September. So, I assume there is no one plan till then. Till then, it might be too late. So, isn't there a way to have a temporary report?

Spokesman : We all need to follow-up with the IPC, which is a conglomerate of UN agencies, governments, and NGOs. But we don't need to wait for a report to see the suffering, to see the children that are wasting, to see the newborns that are dying... we know that it's going... we've been reporting on it. Right? And whether you use the word "starvation", whether you use the term "famine", whether you use the term "hunger", people need help.

Question : I mean, like, we see every day the hunger, the hardship, the violence in Gaza, and it becomes the new normal. And I have the feeling people are not woken up anymore.

Spokesman : Well, I think the fact that people are numb to suffering is tragic. Right? And whether they are numb to the suffering of the people of Gaza, whether they're numb to the suffering people in Sudan and in Haiti that we talk about, that gets completely underreported, not to mention underfunded.

Question : Okay. Last one, and then I shut up. I mean, like, isn't this maybe a moment where all of these procedures you're talking about should be banned to change lives? Isn't there a way to step into front of the cameras and say, like, famine likely started or something like this?

Spokesman : Listen, we don't need to wait for these things to act, and that has been the Secretary-General's message.

Yes. And then we'll go to Alex.

Question : Thank you, Steph. A follow-up on OCHA and Israeli Government. This morning, Ambassador Danon of Israel, at the stakeout lashed on OCHA, and he reiterated the allegations he had against its staff and everything. But he said also that there is 950 food aid trucks waiting on the Gaza side. How accurate is this number? And second, how many of these trucks belongs or destined for UN agencies? [cross talk]

Spokesman : We've been saying the same thing. There are a lot of trucks. There are a lot of supplies waiting at Kerem Shalom, Karem Abu Salem, Crossing and others. I've just described to you the procedure for... [cross talk] Let me finish. I've just described for you the procedure on how we need... what it takes for us to get that aid. The Kerem Shalom is not a McDonald's drive through where we just pull up and pick up what we've ordered. Right? There are tremendous bureaucratic impediments. There are tremendous security impediments. And, frankly, I think there's a lack of willingness to allow us to do our work.

Correspondent : Thank you. Just to explain the rationale that this is what he said. [cross talk] I'm not questioning because there is no third party that I can verify.

Spokesman : I'm not... I'm just... You asked me to respond to what was said. I'm just... [cross talk]

Correspondent : But my understanding is that these trucks have already crossed.

Spokesman : We've explained this ad nauseam. Right? There are trucks that come in from Israel. They go through a first checkpoint. They're in a sense of a no man's land or demilitarized zone, whatever you want to call it, an inside the crossing. And then we have to come in with our own trucks. We have to be allowed to come in with our own trucks. The goods have to switch from one truck to another. It's a very lengthy procedure, which we've explained a lot.

Alex, and then we'll go to the screen.

Question : Thanks, Steph. I got a couple of questions. Firstly, on Iran. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister said that Tehran has agreed to receive... [cross talk] Technical delegation of the IAEA [International Atomic Energy Agency] in, like, two or three weeks. Could you please confirm that, or we should call... [cross talk]

Spokesman : Option number two.

Question : Of course. Another one. On the meeting between the Secretary-General and Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto: can we have a readout?

Spokesman : Yeah. We'll try to get you a readout. I don't have a readout.

Correspondent : Thank you.

Spokesman : All right. Abdelhamid and then Jacob. And then we'll go back to Dezhi [...]

Correspondent : Thank you, Steph. I hope you hear me well.

Spokesman : Yes, sir.

Question : Okay. I have two questions, Steph. First on Khaled Khiari statement. He said, talking about the West Bank, I quote him, he said, what made things bad in the West Bank, attacks by settler against Palestinians and attacks by Palestinians against Israeli. Do you think this is a fair statement to equalize between the attacks by settler and the Palestinian without mentioning even the army? Although he gave examples of attacks by Israeli Security Forces, yet in this statement and as you just said, words matter. He didn't mention the army. He didn't mention ISF, the Israeli Security Forces, and he put them equal, the attacks by the settlers and... [cross talk]

Spokesman : Abdelhamid, it is your right. It is your duty as a journalist to pick apart everything that we say word by word. He delivered the remarks on behalf of the Secretariat, on behalf of the Secretary-General. I don't take it as an equalization. In case you do, then feel free to write about it.

What is your second question?

Question : My second question: Isn't it time for the Secretary-General and his senior staff to re-examine their relations with Israel? They attacked UNRWA. They killed so many staff. They attacked UN facilities, UN hospitals, UN clinics, UN cars, UN schools. And now they're attacking OCHA and senior staff. They also criticize UNICEF, WHO. Why not the Secretary-General sit together with his staff and redefine their relation with the State, which is really waging a war against the UN. The way they are waging a genocide war against the Palestinians. [cross talk]

Spokesman : The Secretary-General of the United Nations, especially in time of humanitarian crisis, doesn't have the luxury to say, I will not speak to such-and-such Member State. We continue to engage with the Israeli authorities because it is part of the solution to a huge problem. It does not stop us from speaking out like I've been doing for the last 20 minutes against policies that have been imposed by the State of Israel against the UN. But we will continue to engage with Israel as we do all 192 other Member States and two Permanent Observers.

Okay. Jacob.

Question : Hi. Thanks for having me on. With all of its flaws, and there are many, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation has been issuing these daily pleas to the UN to offer some sort of cooperation between agencies and GHF. Is there any sort of response you want to give to them and their pleas?

Spokesman : It's the same response we've been giving over and over again. There is enough work for many humanitarian organizations for us to work with. We welcome working with any other partners. All we ask is that those partners work based on the most basic humanitarian principles, one of them being that don't set up an operation that will increase the risk of people to be shot at or trampled while trying to get food. Also, we have a system that works. All we're asked is to be allowed to do that system. I don't think we need to add another layer of for-profit organizations. We need humanitarian partners, and we welcome working with any and every humanitarian partners that works along those basis.

Okay, Dezhi. [...]

Question : I'm going to give you an uplifting question anyway. So yesterday, Secretary-General, had a very long speech on the energy transition. In May, there's a report suggesting that China may have already peaked its emission due to the clean power, which means there's a surge of usage of electricity, but still, the emission just reduced. And what's the response from the Secretary-General?

Spokesman : I think the response from Secretary-General is in his remarks, is that investing in clean energy, investing in renewable energy is the smart choice, and we encourage every country to do so.

Question : And if he visits China, will he consider to try one of the China's... Chinese electronic vehicles?

Spokesman : I don't know. He's visited China, and he's taken the high-speed trains. I can tell you that. [laughing]

All right. Anybody else wish to speak? Good.

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UN official reiterates call for Gaza ceasefire as 'nightmare of historic proportions' unfolds

23 July 2025 - A senior UN official on Wednesday urged the Security Council to push for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages, warning that the war has become "a nightmare of historic proportions" and it is "long past time" for the fighting to end and for hostages to return home.

Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, told ministers and ambassadors that ongoing talks must lead to a permanent end to hostilities, the release of all hostages, unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid and for recovery and reconstruction to begin.

He painted a grim picture of conditions on the ground, citing expanded Israeli military operations, particularly in Deir Al-Balah, which have led to further mass displacement.

UN premises were also struck, hampering humanitarian operations and exacerbating the already dire situation.

Humanitarian toll deepens

At least 1,891 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since 30 June, according to figures from the local health authorities, including 294 people reportedly killed while attempting to collect aid near militarised distribution points.

Evacuation orders continue to force repeated displacement while food insecurity and malnutrition are worsening despite a limited uptick in the entry of humanitarian supplies.

On the Israeli side, 13 soldiers have been killed in the same period. Palestinian armed groups have continued sporadic rocket attacks into Israel. According to Israeli sources, 50 hostages, including 28 believed to be dead, are still being held by Hamas and other groups.

"The Secretary-General has repeatedly condemned the continued holding of hostages by Hamas and other armed groups," Mr. Khiari stressed. "Hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally."

Places of worship struck

The briefing also highlighted growing concerns about civilian casualties and attacks on protected sites.

Mr. Khiari condemned a 17 July strike on the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City, which killed three and injured several others. The strike forced the evacuation of roughly 600 Palestinians, including children and persons with special needs, who had been sheltering there.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office expressed regret, describing the strike as the result of "stray ammunition" and said an investigation was underway, Mr. Khiari reported.

Dire fuel shortages

Since 9 July, Israel has allowed limited fuel deliveries through the Kerem Shalom/Karim Abu Salem crossing after 130 days of a full blockade.

However, the amount is "a fraction of what is required to run essential life-saving services in Gaza, where nearly every aspect of life depends on fuel", Mr. Khiari warned.

Occupied West Bank

Turning to the occupied West Bank, Mr. Khiari reported high levels of violence, including deadly Israeli military operations, attacks by settlers on Palestinians and retaliatory attacks by Palestinians against Israelis.

He noted that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is facing a severe fiscal crisis, with $2.7 billion in withheld clearance revenues, crippling its ability to pay salaries and provide basic services.

"Unless urgently addressed, the deterioration of the PA's fiscal and institutional situation could have catastrophic consequences, undermining the significant progress made over many years to build up Palestinian institutions," he warned, urging immediate international support.

Tensions in the wider region

Mr. Khiari also highlighted continued tensions along the Blue Line between Lebanon and Israel as well as renewed violence in Syria's Sweida region and Israeli airstrikes on Syrian territory.

He urged both Israel and Syria to adhere to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and to avoid any actions that risk escalating the conflict.

Call for a political horizon

Mr. Khiari concluded by reiterating that only a revived political process towards the two-State solution can deliver a sustainable solution.

"Our goal is clear: realising the vision of two States - Israel and a viable and sovereign Palestinian State of which Gaza is an integral part - living side by side in peace and security within secure and recognised borders on the basis of the pre-1967 lines with Jerusalem as the capital of both States," he said.

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Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Syria, Sudan, Haiti

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Occupied Palestinian Territory

Gaza aid operations under severe strain as hunger crisis deepens

OCHA reports that aid operations in Gaza are currently under severe strain. Humanitarian workers face serious security risks, crossings remain unreliable, and critical supplies are routinely delayed or blocked.

The UN stands ready to seize the opportunity of a ceasefire to significantly scale up humanitarian operations across Gaza, as it did during previous pauses. These plans are finalized.

But to make a real difference, Israel must enable safe and unimpeded aid delivery, allow the entry of critical equipment and fuel, open all crossings, and restore movement along key supply routes. Humanitarian staff must be able to operate safely, people must be allowed to move freely, and supplies - including from the private sector - must reach all parts of Gaza.

If these conditions are met, the UN will urgently prioritize providing food, water, shelter, medical care and protection to the civilians of Gaza who have faced unimaginable hardship for far too long.

Today, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, visited the Gaza Strip, where he met with UN agencies and humanitarian partners in Deir al Balah.

Deir al Balah - which serves as the hub for the UN's humanitarian operations - has come under attack in recent days, and some of the UN's premises have been struck. Part of the area is under an Israeli displacement order, which also affects several UN premises where staff are currently present.

During his visit, Dr. Alakbarov expressed strong support for the tireless efforts of humanitarian workers continuing to deliver under extraordinarily difficult and dangerous conditions, including in active combat zones and amid persistent fear. He reiterated deep concern over the rapidly worsening humanitarian situation, including mounting reports of children and adults suffering from malnutrition. He called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages and underscored the urgent need for a ceasefire as the only viable means to protect civilians and enable a sustained and increased flow of life-saving assistance into Gaza.

OCHA warns that the hunger crisis in Gaza has never been so dire. Today, 109 aid organizations said that mass starvation is spreading across the Strip, with colleagues and those they serve wasting away.

UN partners report that aid workers are fainting from hunger and exhaustion. Deadly malnutrition among children is reaching catastrophic levels. UNICEF notes that a severely malnourished child is over 10 times more likely to die than a well-nourished peer.

Despite catastrophic conditions, aid workers continue to deliver life-saving assistance, wherever and whenever possible. However, OCHA stresses that to sustain these operations - including nutrition programmes - the Israeli authorities must facilitate the delivery of much more aid into and across all areas of Gaza without delay.

As of Sunday, partners were delivering158,000 daily cooked meals through 64 kitchens. However, this figure reflects a decrease of more than 70,000 daily meals compared to the previous day.Earlier this week, four community kitchens in Deir al Balah were forced to close due to the depletion of supplies and the displacement order issued by the Israeli military over the weekend. There are currently only three kitchens still operating in the area.

Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed and cannot cope with the influx of patients - including those injured by hostilities - due to lack of supplies and fuel. Earlier today, local health authorities said that in the past few days, several of their health facilities have shut down due to the lack of fuel. More hospitals, including Al Shifa, are at imminent risk of shutting down within the next few days.

Meanwhile, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) warns that severe food deprivation, a shattered healthcare system, and immense psychological stress are leading to catastrophic birth outcomes for pregnant women and newborns. **UNFPA says that new data from the Ministry of Health paints a harrowing picture: From January to June of this year, births sharply declined, and there were 220 stillbirths. At least 20 newborns died within 24 hours of birth, and a third of babies were born prematurely, underweight or required admission to neonatal intensive care.

Meanwhile, partners reported today that people with disabilities have no food, no assistive devices and no healthcare. Measures must be taken to protect civilians - including the tens of thousands of people in the Strip who are older or are living with disabilities - who need assistance that preserves their dignity and survival.

Currently, the Israeli authorities are the sole decision makers on who, how and how much enters the Strip, and the type of supplies that are allowed in. Logistical challenges are immense: To collect supplies that have reached any of the Israeli crossings around Gaza - all of which are fenced off and heavily guarded - drivers need multiple access approvals, as well as a pause in the bombing and for the iron gates to open. As the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, told the Security Council last week, movement requires navigating an obstacle course of coordination with Israeli forces, through active hostilities, traveling on damaged roads, and often being forced to wait at holding points or pass through areas controlled by criminal gangs.

All too often, civilians approaching UN trucks are shot at. Collecting supplies safely requires reliable assurances that troops would not engage or be present along convoy routes.

OCHA reiterates that the amount of aid that has been entering Gaza is a trickle compared to the immense needs. Above all, a ceasefire is needed to put an end to this devastating situation.

Regarding punitive measures announced by Israel against OCHA, the Secretary-General has full confidence in OCHA's professional and impartial work. Any punitive measures will only add to the obstacles preventing humanitarians from reaching people facing hunger, displacement and deprivation.

**Please note that the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has issued a correction to information that was featured in today's update on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. UNFPA's press release originally stated that 220 mothers died in Gaza from January to June 2025. It has now been clarified that the 220 "pregnancy-related deaths before birth" stated by the Palestinian Ministry of Health in fact refers to stillbirths, not maternal deaths.

Syria

Second aid convoy reaches As-Sweida after hostilities displace over 145,000

OCHA reports that more than 145,000 people have now been displaced due to the hostilities in Syria's As-Sweida Governorate. This includes people who have fled within As-Sweida and to neighbouring Dar'a and Rural Damascus governorates.

Humanitarian needs in As-Sweida remain high. Electricity, water services, fuel supplies and telecommunications have been significantly disrupted.

Bakeries have ceased operations due to shortages of flour and fuel, and local markets face significant shortfalls of food items. Critical shortages of clean water, hygiene kits, sanitary pads, and baby supplies have also been reported. Many displaced families also lack basic items such as mattresses and blankets.

A second convoy from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) reached As-Sweida today carrying a range of critical support, including food, wheat flour, fuel, medicines and health supplies. OCHA coordinated with SARC to prepare the convoy, which includes supplies from UN agencies.

OCHA continues to engage with authorities and partners to facilitate an interagency UN mission to As-Sweida as soon as security conditions allow, and further assistance is being mobilized through SARC.

Meanwhile, the UN is working with partners to deliver a range of support to people displaced to Dar'a and Rural Damascus, including health and protection services, food and water.

Mobile medical teams have provided more than 3,500 consultations, including trauma care, maternal health and psychosocial support. Nearly 38,000 people have received food aid - including bread, ready-to-eat meals and food baskets. Over 1,000 kits containing non-food items were distributed in Dar'a and Rural Damascus, benefiting more than 5,000 people.

UN interagency missions to assess needs and provide assistance in both the Dar'a and Rural Damascus areas are planned for the coming days.

Sudan

Humanitarian conditions, access worsen amid escalating hostilities in Kordofan

OCHA is gravely concerned about the worsening humanitarian catastrophe and tightening access constraints across Sudan, particularly in the Kordofan region, where hostilities continue to escalate and the ability of local and international partners to provide support is being severely curtailed.

In South Kordofan State, clashes erupted yesterday in the besieged city of Kadugli when armed individuals reportedly attempted to seize food from the main market, according to local sources. As Sudan's hunger crisis deepens, Kadugli remains cut off from humanitarian assistance, with the last supply route from neighbouring North Kordofan blocked.

A recent assessment by non-governmental organization (NGO) partners found that 96 per cent of displaced families in Kadugli, the state capital, are unable to meet their basic needs. Nearly three quarters have at least one malnourished child, and almost two thirds lack adequate shelter. Bureaucratic impediments are also hampering humanitarian efforts. Amid worsening insecurity, authorities in South Kordofan have suspended 30 national NGOs and three international NGOs - preventing them from carrying out life-saving aid operations.

Meanwhile, in West Darfur State, heavy rains and flooding threaten to further disrupt the delivery of aid. Roads connecting the state capital Ag Geneina - next to the crucial Adre border crossing from Chad - to Mornei and to Zalingei, the capital of Central Darfur State, are now impassable. Both towns are hosting large numbers of displaced people. Humanitarian partners warn that continued rains may further cut off access into Central and South Darfur states, making it even more difficult to reach people in need.

In North Darfur State, displaced communities and host families in the locality of Tawila have come together to establish community kitchens that are now feeding thousands of people who fled violence in El Fasher. These kitchens have become a vital lifeline for those without any other access to food. However, they face chronic and severe funding shortfalls. Many are struggling to stay open, and some risk shutting down altogether due to lack of resources.

Immediate support is essential to prevent further deterioration and loss of life. The UN and its partners are planning a major scale-up of support for people in Tawila, which requires US$120 million over the next three months.

With Tawila now hosting hundreds of thousands of displaced people, needs there have surged. In several displacement sites, one NGO partner reports that only 10 per cent of people have access to safe water, fewer than 10 per cent to latrines, and most families are eating once a day or less. These gaps will become increasingly life-threatening as the rainy season takes hold. Humanitarian access is further complicated by checkpoint taxes, roadblocks, and bureaucratic hurdles imposed by local authorities, including requirements for multiple levels of approval to establish even basic services.

OCHA once again appeals for unimpeded humanitarian access across Sudan, more international funding to scale up the response*, the protection of civilians and aid workers, and an immediate cessation of hostilities.

*Donations made to UN Crisis Relief help UN agencies and humanitarian NGOs reach people in Sudan with urgent support.

Haiti

Children need urgent nutrition, education support

OCHA reports that escalating violence and displacement continue to drive severe humanitarian needs across Haiti, fueling a nutrition and education crisis among children.

Access to health and nutrition services remains limited. UNICEF and its partners have screened more than 217,000 children for acute malnutrition since the beginning of the year, and more than 21,500 children have been admitted for treatment of severe acute malnutrition. This represents about 17 per cent of the nearly 129,000 children who are projected to need life-saving treatment this year.

However, OCHA warns that insecurity continues to constrain the humanitarian response - leading to access challenges, supply shortages, and the closure of health facilities. This limits the reach of health and nutrition programmes and endangers the lives of malnourished children.

According to the latest analysis from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) partnership, some 5.7 million people were estimated to face high levels of acute food insecurity between March and June this year. This represents more than half of Haiti's population.

Beyond the nutrition crisis, Haiti's children also face an education emergency. As of mid-July, more than 1,600 schools remained closed, an increase of over two thirds compared to the start of the year. Without access to education, children are more vulnerable to exploitation and recruitment by armed groups.

UNICEF has provided learning opportunities to more than 16,000 children, including displaced children in temporary learning spaces. The agency has also reached over 100,000 children with mental health and psychosocial support in schools. However, this is just a fraction of what is needed in Haiti.

A lack of funding is significantly limiting humanitarians' capacity to address the crisis. Haiti remains the least funded of UN-coordinated country appeals globally: More than halfway through the year, less than 9 per cent of the $908 million required for the response has been received.

Posted on 23 July 2025

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Security Council Urged to Push for Ceasefire as Toddlers Starve to 'Death by Design' in Gaza

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9963rd Meeting (AM & PM)

SC/16126

23 July 2025

Israel Is Doing UN's Job, Says Delegate, Citing Fight against Terror

Following a new evacuation order in Gaza's Deir al Balah amid intensified hostilities, speakers at the Security Council emphasized the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and for scaling up life-saving humanitarian aid to assuage the needs of a starving population.

"This nightmare of historic proportions must end immediately," said Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations, as he updated the 15-member organ on the recent developments in the Middle East, including the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Pointing out that today's meeting takes place as intensive talks continue over a potential Gaza ceasefire agreement and release of hostages, he said: "It is crucial that this leads to a permanent end to the war and the release of all hostages."

Human Toll Increasing 'By the Hour'

However, the horrific situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, with Israeli military operations and hostilities expanding throughout the Strip and the human toll mounting by the hour, he said, adding: "The intensive Israeli military operations in Deir al Balah that has resulted in still further Palestinian displacement and direct strikes on two UN guesthouses has further exacerbated the dire situation and impeded humanitarian operations."

Citing figures from Gaza's Ministry of Health that point to the killing of 1,891 Palestinians in Gaza since his last briefing on 30 June, he said that some 294 of them were reportedly killed while attempting to collect aid, including in the vicinity of militarized aid distribution sites.

Against that backdrop, he echoed the Secretary-General's calls for the repeated displacement of the population in Gaza to cease, for the hostages to be immediately and unconditionally released, as well as his condemnation of the 17 July Israeli strike on the Catholic Church of the Holy Family in Gaza City, which killed three and injured several others.

He also voiced concern over the high levels of violence driven by ongoing Israeli military operations in the occupied West Bank, pointing to several lethal incidents, including the 1 July killing of a 17-year-old Palestinian boy during an operation in Ramallah.

"I implore the parties first and foremost to end this war," he said, underscoring the urgent need for a ceasefire and for steps to be taken to reverse the trajectory across the Occupied Palestinian Territory, alongside fiscal relief for the Palestinian Authority.

Deaths by Design

The Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine, spotlighting the deaths by starvation of two toddlers, among fifteen people dying of hunger within the past 24 hours in Gaza, called for the saving of the 2 million people who remain in the war-ravaged enclave, 1 million of whom are children. Israel is targeting surviving Palestinians in a scheme to take over the land, he said, deploring the deaths of hunger and thirst "by design" of those desperately trying to get food and water. "What is being done now that could actually stop this horror?" he asked.

Citing measures, including the International Court of Justice's landmark opinion adopted a year ago, he underscored the need for a coalition of the willing to end the occupation and the conflict. "Red lines are useless if they can be crossed over and over again without consequences. [...] Words are meaningless if they are not followed by action," he stressed. The international conference to be convened at the end of the month by Saudi Arabia and France provides an opportunity to transform international law into an achievable plan to end the occupation and the conflict once and for all, he added.

Israel Making Middle East Safer

For his part, the representative of Israel said that while his country is working tirelessly to bring the 50 innocent hostages home from Gaza, Hamas has rejected every offer. "The suffering of its own people is its greatest weapon," he stressed. While chaos reigns in the Middle East, with Hizbullah rearming in Lebanon, Iran's "genocidal regime" attempting to restart its nuclear programme; and unimaginable atrocities perpetrated against Syria's Druze minority, Israel is "making the region safer for everyone who values peace and calm".

"In other words, we are doing the work of the United Nations," he said, taking issue with the Organization for clinging to its political agenda and defending its agencies which have abandoned neutrality. Critiquing "baseless" statements made by officials at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, he said that hundreds of the agency's employees are undergoing security vetting, with key personnel to be denied renewal of their permits, "following clear evidence of strong affiliation with Hamas". "Israel will continue to do what is necessary to protect its people, defend its borders, help neighbours in need and bring its hostages home; we invite the UN, finally, to do the same," he added.

[...]

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US-Philippine Airmen strengthen ties during Cope Thunder 25-2

Published July 23, 2025

By Airman 1st Class Aden Brown

Pacific Air Forces

CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines (AFNS) -- U.S. Pacific Air Forces and Philippine Air Force members participated in Cope Thunder 25-2, a bilateral training conducted across multiple locations in the Philippines. The exercise aimed to strengthen partnerships and support the Philippine Air Force's modernization efforts, promoting regional and global stability.

Established in the Philippines in 1976, Cope Thunder provides a unique platform to integrate U.S. and Philippine Air Forces and enhance interoperability through bilateral fighter training, subject matter expert exchanges and key leadership engagements. Cope Thunder 25-2 also marked the first time a U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II squadron has deployed to the Philippines.

"It's obvious that this isn't a relationship that's simply on paper," said Lt. Col. Bryan Mussler, 421st Mission Generation Force Element commander. "We've been integrating with them for a long time, and their mentality and approach to operations is very similar to ours."

Subject matter expert exchanges during the exercise enabled U.S. and Philippine Airmen in similar career fields to share best practices and effective techniques aimed at improving day-to-day operations for both forces. These exchanges included maintenance, firefighting, airfield operations, electromagnetic warfare and basic fighter maneuvers, with U.S. and Philippine pilots flying side by side.

"We worked closely with the PAF pilots, and it was clear they are professional and highly capable aviators that employ their weapon systems with skill and precision," said Capt. Tobey Fisher, 421st Mission Generation Force Element F-35A instructor pilot. "Additionally, this exercise afforded the 421st MGFE the opportunity to operate at a remote airfield with minimal support."

The F-35A maintenance team supported Cope Thunder 25-2 with a lean, agile team, operating with roughly one-third of the personnel they typically have at their home station.

"It's really cool to see such a small team come here and execute the mission," said Maj. Clinton Bialcak, 421st Fighter Generation Squadron commander, referring to executing the F-35 maintenance mission. "I think everyone in the region, in the world and in the Department of Defense sees that we can do it and they can rely on us."

The U.S. Air Force's participation reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen coordination with regional allies and partners.

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USNS Comfort Departs Dominican Republic After Fourth CP25 Mission Stop

US Navy

23 July 2025

From U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet - Continuing Promise Detachment

PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic -- The Mercy-class hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) departed from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, July 21, 2025, after a four-day mission stop during Continuing Promise 2025 (CP25).

At the Dominican mission stop, Comfort's team provided medical and dental care, veterinary subject matter exchanges, medical subject matter exchanges, a humanitarian aid and disaster response workshop, band performances, and a beach clean-up event. During CP25, a Dominican military medical team embarked with Comfort, where they worked side-by-side with the ship's crew to provide care to patients at each site visit of the mission.

"The collaboration we experienced here exemplifies what's possible when partners come together with a shared commitment to service," said Capt. Grace Key, commanding officer, USNS Comfort Medical Treatment Facility. "It's through teamwork like this that we achieve a lasting impact."

U.S. and Dominican providers together encountered 1,588 patient at the Puerto Plata medical site. Comfort's medical and dental teams completed 248 dental cleaning and fillings, filled 1,158 pharmaceutical prescriptions, and distributed 160 assistive devices to Dominican patients. Additionally, 24 surgeries were performed aboard Comfort. A standout moment came from one of Comfort's hospital corpsmen who, as a child, received dental treatment at a medical site in the Dominican Republic during a Continuing Promise mission stop in 2007. Hospitalman Flor Jones Garcia, assigned to Comfort, had a tooth extracted in the Dominican Republic by the Continuing Promise medical team when she was seven years old.

"It was awesome being back here," said Jones Garcia, "I was able to see my mother and this was the first time she saw me in uniform, so I was pretty excited. It is absolutely astounding for me to be on the other side and provide medical care. It means everything to me and I know it does to the people of Puerto Plata as well."

The mission stop also featured the U.S. Fleet Forces Band, "Uncharted Waters," who had the opportunity to play alongside Dominican Republic 'Oleaje' band and Fuerza Aerea de Republica Dominicana band for Dominican citizens. They performed four concerts at Central Park of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic with a total audience of 645 people.

"It's a great opportunity to not only share cultural aspects in terms of dance and music, but it is also to highlight the work the other lines of effort are doing for the Dominicans," said Ens. Chris McGann, assistant director of the U.S. Fleet Forces Band.

U.S. Army veterinarians from the 248th Medical Detachment Veterinary Service Support also hosted subject matter expert exchanges while in the Dominican Republic. They trained 187 members of the Fuerza Aerea de Republica Dominicana in K-9 tactical combat casualty care, as well as Dominican dairy farmers on proper cattle care and sanitization techniques. Furthermore, Comfort Sailors taught a tactical combat casualty care course to Armed Forces of the Dominican Republic members and Comfort's preventive medicine team took part in a two-day health fair hosted by the Dominican Republic's Ministry of Public Health.

Field training exercises and a beach clean-up were also conducted in Puerto Plata. The combined efforts for the beach clean-up resulted in the 366 hours of work and the removal of 3,152 pounds of trash from the local beaches. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR) held Search and Rescue (SAR) field training exercises with 160 Dominican participants, including federal firefighters and paramedics.

Following the mission stop in Dominican Republic, Comfort is scheduled to arrive in Limon, Costa Rica for CP25's fifth mission stop.

CP25 marks the 16th mission to the region since 2007 and the eighth aboard USNS Comfort. The mission will foster goodwill, strengthen existing partnerships with partner nations, and encourage the establishment of new partnerships among countries, non-federal entities, and international organizations.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region.

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UK Data Leak Spurs Costly Afghan Resettlement And Security Fears

By Farangis Najibullah and Firuza Azizi July 24, 2025

Mirwais and family have left their home in Kabul and have been constantly changing their location since 2022, when a group of armed men shot dead his elder brother, a British-trained police officer.

Mirwais, whose name has been changed for security reasons, claims that his brother's killers were Taliban fighters, who punished him for fighting against them alongside Western troops.

"We were at home one night, when about 20 or 30 Taliban fighters knocked on our door and dragged my brother out," Mirwais told RFE/RL.

"My parents were crying and begging them to release my brother, but they killed him in front of our eyes," said Mirwais who wants Britain to help his family to find protection from any Taliban revenge killing.

Thousands of Afghans are demanding relocation to Britain fearing Taliban retribution after an accidental data leak revealed personal details of some 25,000 people who were applying for asylum in 2022, claiming they have worked with the British military.

Among them are people who directly worked with the British Army in both a military and civilian capacity, as well as members of special Afghan police forces who were trained, mentored, and funded by Britain, according to two high-ranked former Afghan security officers who spoke to RFE/RL.

' The Taliban Killed My Brother, Threatened My Family'

Britain's The Telegraph newspaper, which first reported on July 15 on the fallout from the British data breach, stated that more than 200 Afghan soldiers and police officers have been murdered by the Taliban since the data was inadvertently leaked by a British official in February 2022.

The names and details of the slain Afghans, including at least one female officer, were compiled by independent caseworkers highlighting the plight of Afghans who worked with UK and other, US-led, forces, The Telegraph reported.

Among them was Muhammad Qasim Qaem, a former high-ranking police officer, who was detained and killed by the Taliban in April 2022. Qaem's family said his body bore signs of torture when they received it from the Taliban.

"The Taliban told us that if you want to stay alive, you must not try to investigate this matter," Qaem's brother Noor-alam told RFE/RL on July 21.

Data Breach And Afghan Relocations May Cost More Than $9 Billion

The data leak happened in February 2022 when an unnamed British official sent an e-mail to recipients outside the government and mistakenly attached a spreadsheet containing the personal details of nearly 25,000 Afghans who had applied for asylum in the United Kingdom.

The applicants claimed they fought alongside the British Army or are related to someone who had.

The leak came to the attention of British authorities in August 2022 when an anonymous Facebook user posted nine names from the list and indicated that they could release the rest of the names. The post was deleted within three days after Britain contacted Facebook's owner, Meta.

The database, which was dubbed a "kill list" for the Taliban, prompted the UK government to secretly offer asylum to the Afghans whose names were exposed.

Some 4,500 of them have since been evacuated to Britain, reportedly without any security clearance and verification of their claims and eligibility. A further 2,400 people are expected to arrive in Britain in the foreseeable future, while others remain in Afghanistan or third countries.

The Afghan resettlement will reportedly cost British taxpayers up to $9.4 billion.

The unprecedented and costly data breach and the relocations were kept secret until July 15, when Britain's Hight Court lifted an injunction obtained by the government.

The Taliban Says It's Pardoned Afghans Who Worked For The West

Two Taliban officials told RFE/RL that their government "has not monitored, persecuted, or harmed anyone" involved in the British data leak.

Hamdullah Fitrat, a deputy spokesman for the Taliban-led government, and Abdul Mateen Qani, a spokesman for the Taliban's interior ministry, reiterated that Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada had issued an amnesty for all Afghans who fought against the Taliban alongside NATO forces, including the British military.

The officials claimed that they have seen the list, but said it was not news for them because the defense and interior ministries of the former government left "all their documents" behind.

"The rumors are being spread to scare these individuals and their families. We reject these rumors," Fitrat told RFE/RL. "We don't seek revenge."

Many Afghans, however, are skeptical, citing numerous documented cases of murder, arrests, and forced disappearances of soldiers and government officials since the Taliban came to power.

'Protection Does Not Necessarily Mean Relocating Everyone'

General Ajmal Omer Shinwari, who served as a spokesman for the former Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, told RFE/RL that, even if the top Taliban leadership has offered an amnesty, it cannot stop the group's lower-level officials and fighters from committing revenge killings of their former foes.

"The Taliban leadership does not have full control over them," Shinwari told RFE/RL on July 22.

Shinwari said "the threats to the lives of those exposed on the British data leak is real" and "Britain has a responsibility to protect the Afghans who supported its mission for two decades."

But Shinwari stressed that "protection does not necessarily mean relocating everyone to Britain."

"NATO and the Western governments should work out a strategy to ensure the safety of the former Afghan soldiers living in Afghanistan and implement its strategy through international organizations, particularly the United Nations," Shinwari said.

The Taliban-led government has not been officially recognized by any country besides Russia. Shinwari, however, believes that the West has leverage over the government in Kabul, which is acutely aware of "its lack of legitimacy" and wants to engage with the international community.

British media have reported that more than 36,000 Afghans have moved to the UK since NATO-led troops withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghanistan-taliban- uk-data-breach-refugees/33482096.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russo-Ukraine War - 23 July 2025 - Day 1246

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The UK Ministry of Defence reported that Russia is escalating its global campaign to subvert its adversaries and increase Russian influence. Whilst Russian military intelligence (GRU) is at the forefront of these efforts, Russia has also turned to an increasing variety of non-state actors to conduct a full spectrum of overt to covert activities, including espionage, assassination, sabotage, and electronic, cyber and information operations.

On 18 July 2025, the UK government sanctioned three GRU units and an interference agency (listed below), as well as 18 military intelligence officers, for their role in targeting the UK, the UK's allies, and Ukraine.

1. The GRU's Unit 29155, or 161st Specialist Training Centre; its cyber wing was responsible for deploying the destructive cyber operation WhisperGate in Ukraine in 2022, and the wider unit was responsible for notable assassination and sabotage operations, including the 2018 attempted murder of Yulia and Sergei Skripal in Salisbury, UK, and ammunition warehouse bombings in 2011 in Bulgaria and 2014 in Czechia. 2. Unit 26165, or 85th Main Special Services Centre; has conducted widespread espionage campaigns and provided intelligence to support Russian missile strikes, including the 2022 attack on Ukraine's Mariupol theatre which killed hundreds of civilians, including children. 3. Unit 74455, or the Main Centre for Special Technologies; has been responsible for cyber attacks targeting democratic elections, critical national infrastructure, and industrial control systems. 4. African Initiative; an interference agency that employs Russian intelligence officers to conduct information operations in Africa, including spreading conspiracy theories designed to undermine lifesaving global health initiatives.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Defense Forces are directing efforts to disrupt the execution of Russian invaders' offensive plans and exhaust their combat potential.

Since the beginning of the day, there have been 124 combat clashes, the Russian opponent made 47 aviation strikes, dropped 70 cab. In addition, used 1174 kamikaze drones, carried out 4237 shells of settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops.

Ukrainian soldiers repelled 12 assault actions of the Russian occupiers in the Northern Slobozhansky and Kursky directions since the beginning of the day. Russian forces also launched six air strikes using 13 controlled air bombs, and carried out 324 shells, five of which were from jet-fire systems.

In the South Slobozhansky direction, Russian forces tried six times to attack the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of the settlements of Vovchansk, Kamyanka and Dvorichna, three clashes are ongoing so far.

Six attacks were repelled by Ukrainian defenders in the Kupyans komu direction in the areas of Stepova Novoselivka, Borivskaya Andriyivka, Zagrizovoye, Novoplatonivka. Two more clashes are underway.

In the Lyman direction, Ukrainian soldiers stopped 13 Russian attacks in the areas of settlements Grekivka, Green Gorge, Medium, Shandrigolove, Dronivka, Karpivka, Kolodyazi, Shipylivka and in the direction of Druzhelyubivka, seven more clashes are still ongoing.

In the sivers komu direction, Russian forces carried out three offensive actions in the area of grigorivka, one confrontation is ongoing.

In the Kramators komu direction, Ukrainian defenders stopped two Russian attempts to move forward in the direction of Stupochok and White Mountain.

In the Toretsky direction, Russian forces today twice stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the Toretsk area. Defense forces repelled one Russian attack, one fight is still ongoing.

The enemy made 36 attacks in the Pokrovsky direction. The Russian occupiers tried to advance near the settlements of Popiv Yar, Mirolubivka, Zatishok, Lisivka, Mirnograd, Zvirove, Udaachne, Oleksiyivka, Novoukrainka, Mayak, Novoekonomicne, Kotline, Dachne and in the direction of Pankivka, Volodymyrivka, Suhetsky. The four fighting clashes are still ongoing.

According to preliminary calculations, today in this direction Ukrainian warriors eliminated 120 Russian invaders and wounded 91. Damaged three cars, three motorcycles, one cannon, 12 bpla, two antennas control bpla opponent. One car, five cannons, five BPLA control antennas and two satellite communication terminals of the Russian occupiers were also significantly damaged.

In the Novopavlovsky direction, Ukrainian units stopped nine Russian attacks near the settlements Zaporizhia , Zyrka, Piddubne, Oleksandrograd, Shevchenko, Maliyivka, Voskresenka and Free Field, three more clashes are ongoing.

Russian forces did not carry out offensive actions in Gulyaipilsky and Orihivskky directions, but did strike on Mali Tokmachka.

In the Pridniprovsky direction, eight Russian attempts to advance at the position of Ukrainian units have failed.

Russian forces did not carry out offensive actions in the Gulyajpils komu and Orihivskomu direction.





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China rejects groundless accusations, smears against China under cybersecurity issues pretext, FM on reported attack at Microsoft software

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jul 23, 2025 04:24 PM

In response to a question regarding Microsoft server software allegedly being targeted by large-scale "cyber espionage activities," Guo Jiakun, a spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday that he was not aware of the specific situation mentioned.

Cybersecurity is a common challenge faced by all nations and should be addressed through dialogue and cooperation. China consistently opposes and lawfully combats hacking activities, while also rejecting any groundless accusations and smears against China under the pretext of cybersecurity issues, Guo said.

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New law to support safe, responsible space use

Beehive.govt.nz - The official website of the New Zealand Government

23 July 2025

Hon Judith Collins KC

Legislation regulating ground-based space infrastructure to deter foreign interference and protect New Zealand's national interests has passed all stages under urgency in Parliament, Space Minister Judith Collins says.

"The Outer Space High Altitude Activities Amendment Bill is a significant milestone and enhances New Zealand's national security with immediate effect," Ms Collins says.

"It supports New Zealand's interest in the safe, secure and responsible use of space and stop any attempts by foreign entities that do not share our values or interests.

"Ground-based space infrastructure in New Zealand plays a vital role in supporting global satellite operations and space activities, but without regulation, it can also pose risks to national security, and other national interests.

"The global space sector continues to push the boundaries of satellite technology, space communications and orbital operations. As this sector evolves, so too must our regulatory settings.

"From 29 July, when the legislation takes effect, ground-based space infrastructure such as satellite tracking stations and telemetry systems will be subject to appropriate oversight and safeguards.

"While all in-scope operators will be treated as having a transitional authorisation from the end of July, as the Minister for Space I will be able to vary, suspend or revoke these authorisations on national security grounds."

MBIE will be the administrator, backed with enforcement powers and able to take action to stop malicious activity.

Regulations will be developed later this year setting out further requirements for ground-based space infrastructure authorisation, under which operators will need to implement security and due diligence systems.

A transition period for operators to implement the necessary systems for successful registration will apply until the regulations come into force in the first half of next year.

"This system helps maintain New Zealand's reputation as a trusted and capable space-faring nation, one that takes its responsibilities seriously and is prepared to manage the risks and opportunities of space activity," Ms Collins said.

Information about the ground-based space infrastructure regulatory regime is available on the MBIE website.

Notes to Editors

From 29 July 2025:

Anyone operating ground-based space infrastructure (GBSI) for certain activities, such as communicating with satellites or tracking space objects, will be considered to hold a transitional authorisation.

When seeking authorisation, applicants will need to confirm with MBIE as the regulator that they have appropriate protective security arrangements in place, and due diligence systems to assess any partners they provide GBSI services to, such as customers or research collaborators.

The Minister for Space can decline applications if they are not satisfied the authorisation is in the interests of national security.

The Minister for Space will have the power to vary, suspend or revoke authorisations, where national security concerns arise.

Following the entry into force of regulations next year the Minister for Space's power to vary, suspend or revoke authorisations will expand to include national interest considerations beyond national security.

Enforcement officers will be able to inspect facilities, assess security arrangements and, where necessary in the national interest, the Minister will be able to issue disposal orders requiring a person to divest their interest in GBSI.

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Iran to launch satellite into space Friday aboard Russian Soyuz

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 23 July 2025 11:12 AM

Iran is slated to launch a satellite into space aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket on Friday as part of a multi-satellite mission conducted from the Russian space launch facility Vostochny Cosmodrome.

The launch is scheduled to take place at 09:54 a.m. Iran time on July 25 from the Vostochny Cosmodrome in Russia's Far East.

The Soyuz launcher will carry two main satellites, Ionosphere-M No. 3 and No. 4, along with 18 smaller payloads.

The Soyuz rocket was mounted on Launch Pad 1-S at the Vostochny site on July 22, in preparation for the mission.

The logos of Iran's Space Agency and the Iranian Space Research Center have been printed on the body of the Russian rocket. Officials in Moscow have not provided details on the smaller satellites, including their countries of origin or specific missions.

This comes as Iran's Space Agency successfully conducted a suborbital test with the Qased satellite launch vehicle to evaluate new technologies developed by the domestic space industry.

The results of the test will be used to improve the performance of the country's satellites and space systems.

The achievements come despite the Islamic Republic's suffering from decades of unilateral sanctions imposed by the United States and its Western allies.

The developments and numerous other successful efforts on the part of the country have awarded it a place among the world's top 10 nations that are capable of developing and launching satellites.

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Canadian general assumes key role in US Space Command, S4S leadership

United States Space Force

Published July 23, 2025

By Maj. Julian Labit

U.S Space Forces - Space

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- U.S. Space Force - Space welcomed Royal Canadian Air Force Brig. Gen. Kyle C. Paul as the new Deputy Combined Joint Force Space Component Commander (DCJFSCC) at S4S headquarters, July 21.

Stationed at Vandenberg Space Force Base, Paul steps into a senior role within U.S. Space Command, supporting Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess, S4S commander and CJFSCC. His appointment marks a major milestone in U.S.-Canada defense collaboration, particularly in the growing domain of space operations.

"Brigadier General Paul's position reflects the strength and depth of our allied integration," Schiess said. "At S4S, we don't just coordinate with partners  we operationalize together. His leadership as the DCJFSCC will sharpen our coalition's readiness and reinforce the strategic unity that defines our approach to global space operations."

As the DCJFSCC, Paul will help integrate space capabilities into allied missions. He will advise on multinational strategy and interoperability, while contributing to long-term planning for global space superiority. His new position also supports strategic goals laid out in the U.S. Space Command's vision, including building resilient partnerships and advancing joint mission operations. As Canada is a member of a Multinational Force - Operation OLYMPIC DEFENDER nation, he brings a unique perspective that will help ensure space remains a domain that benefits all of humanity.

Previously, Paul served as deputy commander for Operations, Plans, Training, and Force Development at Space Operations Command in Colorado Springs. His career includes deployments with NATO, NORAD, and the Canadian Joint Operations Command, offering critical experience in space coordination and multinational military support.

Paul's leadership role reflects a deep trust between allied forces and is expected to improve cross-national planning, strengthen global readiness, and help assure space effects "anytime, anywhere." As nations face growing challenges in orbit, his command position represents a unified commitment to protect and defend freedom of action in the space domain.

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AUKUS partners make waves in acoustic communication testing

Issued by Defence Media

23 July 2025

Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States have jointly tested their ability to communicate with underwater autonomous systems at Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, as part of AUKUS Pillar II's Maritime Big Play series.

Japan also joined these activities as a participant, for the first time.

Maritime Big Play is an AUKUS Pillar II exercise series to enable Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States to rapidly test and integrate autonomous systems with conventional platforms, equipping us to more effectively deter and deny threats above and under the water.

The AUKUS partners and Japan worked together to enhance their use of underwater acoustic communications to task an underwater uncrewed vehicle to conduct activities at sea.

In lifting interoperability between our militaries, we are enhancing our combined decision superiority in the maritime domain.

In October last year, the AUKUS partners demonstrated their ability to remotely control each other's uncrewed systems from great distances using common control technologies.

This effort continued at Talisman Sabre by demonstrating the ability for Australia to transfer mission control of a United Kingdom extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle, located in the UK, back to the UK remotely from Jervis Bay.

The integration of autonomy and greater interoperability between our forces gives our military commanders more options to protect and defend critical sea-bed infrastructure and sea lanes of communication.

Quotes attributable to Mr Stephen Moore, First Assistant Secretary AUKUS Advanced Capabilities:

"Maritime Big Play tangibly contributes to AUKUS' partners interoperability in the maritime domain, and supports collective deterrence and stability in the IndoPacific.

"Communicating underwater is no easy feat - but Maritime Big Play is helping make this happen faster.

"The multilateral scale and complexity of Talisman Sabre provided the ideal ground for Maritime Big Play to test cutting-edge technologies, and to advance AUKUS partners operational integration and interoperability in the maritime domain."

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Australia-Japan partnership soars during Exercise Talisman Sabre

By Captain Aaron Pegram

23 July 2025

For the second time in Australia, the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) has conducted a live fire demonstration of Type 12 Surface-to-Ship Missile (SSM) off the Australian east coast.

Taking place at the Beecroft Weapons Range at Jervis Bay as part of Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, the live-fire surface engagement activity involved a JGSDF truck-mounted Coastal Defence Battery firing three Type 12 SSM.

All successfully struck an unmanned floating maritime target dozens of nautical miles away within in the Eastern Australian Exercise Area.

The missile launch serials builds on the success of a similar live-fire surface engagement activities conducted during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2023, with the JGSDF returning to Beecroft Weapons Range two years later to complete more complex missions, with more munitions, and with new capabilities that include the Network Electronic Warfare System.

For the first time, members of the Australian Defence Force integrated into the Japanese targeting system to ensure two missiles, fired from a single launcher and following separate flight paths, achieved a simultaneous time on target out at sea.

Adding complexity to the training serials with partner nations such as Australia has been of true value for the JGSDF elements participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre, says Colonel Youhei Ito, Commander 7th SSM, 2nd Artillery Brigade, JGSDF.

"Our unit participated in Talisman Sabre with two main objectives: first, our regiment conducted a live fire [of the Type 12 SSM] for the first time, and we were able to use the exercise to enhance our knowledge and experience."

"Secondly, by completing our mission through co-operation with many people from the ADF, especially the Royal Australian Navy and units at HMAS Albatross, we were able to learn a great deal," he said.

For ADF Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones, the JGSDF live-fire surface engagement activity at Beecroft Weapons Range is an impressive demonstration of Australia's military partnership with Japan.

"Close to home for me has been our partnership with the Japanese Joint Operations Command... It reflects the esteem in which the ADF and our Joint Operations Command is held in Japan, and it is why we are seeing a contribution like we have seen today," Vice Admiral Jones explained.

"Having 120 members of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force here at Beecroft in support of this firing is a reflection of that."

Now in its eleventh iteration, Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025 provides an opportunity to exercise combined capabilities with partner nations to conduct high-end, multi-domain warfare, to build and affirm military-to-military ties and interoperability, and to strengthen strategic partnerships.

For Colonel Ito and his soldiers of the 7th SSM, training like this comes at a critical time.

"Looking at the current state of the world, we can see the security environment is both complex and serious. It is not possible for us or any country to establish peace and stability unilaterally."

"In line with this, [exercises like Talisman Sabre] will become more important in how we co-operate with allies and partners to achieve our mission."

More than 40,000 military personnel from 19 nations are participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre across Australia and Papua New Guinea. The exercise runs from July 13 to August 4.

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Multinational Task Group sea power display

By Lieutenant Commander Jon White

23 July 2025

Combined Task Group 628.1 (CTG628) has completed force preparation in anticipation of the next stage of Exercise Talisman Sabre 25.

Thirteen warships conducted intricate officer-of-the-watch manoeuvres as they positioned the extensive force of the amphibious assault ships, escorting frigates and destroyers into a close 'arrowhead formation' to conduct an aerial PHOTEX (photo exercise).

In a dominant display of amphibious sea power, CTG 628.1 presents a formidable force capable of rapidly deploying to deal with any of the multiple potential challenges in our region.

The battlegroups are comprised of two amphibious task groups and two escort groups, consisting of over six thousand sailors, soldiers and aviators.

The Combined Task Group has now completed an extensive preparation phase including amphibious wet and dry environmental rehearsals, maritime geospatial and mine counter measures, surface warfare serials, anti-submarine warfare exercises with HMAS Farncomb, naval gun fire support and air defence exercises with the Royal Australian Air Force.

CTG628.1 now pivots in anticipation of increased tempo of high-end warfighting and complex amphibious operations in the coming days.

Commander Australian Amphibious Task Force Captain Chris Doherty said he was extremely pleased with the progressive integration with our multinational partners.

"Amphibious Task Group 1 is a critical part of CTG 628.1 and comprises the amphibious platforms ROKS Marado, HMAS Canberra and HMAS Choules; supported by our escort group of USS Higgins, ROKS Geok and FNS Vendemiaire," Captain Doherty said.

"We are highly capable in all forms of maritime warfare. We are deeply knowledgeable in our craft. We are practised, we are lethal, and we are ready."

Commander Landing Forces, Colonel Judd Finger, agreed Amphibious Task Group 1 was poised ready to strike.

"Navigating language, doctrine and cultural challenges, the force has worked incredibly hard to combine our skills, increase our knowledge, and find innovative solutions to the problems that invariably confront us," Colonel Judd said.

And with high-end amphibious warfighting just over the horizon, these Battle Groups are now ready for the next stage of the Exercise.

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HMAS Parramatta returns to the water

By Lieutenant Commander Mitchell Goldring

23 July 2025

HMAS Parramatta has been undocked at the BAE Systems Henderson shipyard, Western Australia, marking a major milestone in the Anzac Midlife Capability Assurance Program (AMCAP).

This achievement signals that the long-running upgrade program is approaching its final stages.

Acting Commanding Officer Parramatta Lieutenant Commander David Ward said the undocking process required meticulous planning and coordination between Defence and industry.

"Undocking is a complicated process. Moving a vessel that is 118m long, nearly 15m wide and that weighs 3800 tonnes requires precise planning, flawless communication and a single mental model," Lieutenant Commander Ward said.

"After three years in production, the undocking seems like a minor event in the AMCAP project, but it is the visible metaphor of the work that Defence and industry do every day to achieve capability together."

Commenced in 2018, AMCAP has delivered critical capability upgrades aimed at extending the operational life of Navy's Anzac-class frigates into the next decade.

The program has delivered a number of system enhancements, including the installation of the CEAFAR L-band long-range air search radar, improved communication systems and various essential platform upgrades.

The upgrades are delivered through the Warship Asset Management Agreement - an alliance of BAE Systems Australia, Saab Australia, Babcock and the Commonwealth of Australia.

The AMCAP project has created and supported hundreds of shipbuilding jobs at the Henderson shipyard in Western Australia.

This current upgrade ensures Parramatta remains capable of meeting its operational requirements in this evolving strategic environment, including Naval Strike Missile, ESSM Block-2 Surface to Air Missile, and communications and sensor upgrades.

Parramatta will now complete the 'in-water' phase of the AMCAP project before conducting sea trials and certification in early 2026.

After these trials, the ship will return to full operational service.

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China urges all countries to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, FM says on US withdrawal from UNESCO

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jul 23, 2025 04:14 PM

When asked to comment on US President Donald Trump announcing the US' withdrawal from UNESCO again, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that China has noted that UNESCO and many countries have expressed regret over the US government's decision to withdraw from the organization once again. This marks the third time the US has withdrawn from UNESCO, and it has also consistently failed to pay its dues. This is not the behavior expected of a responsible major power, the spokesperson added.

The mission of UNESCO is to promote international cooperation in the fields of education, science, and culture, to foster mutual understanding and integration among civilizations, to maintain world peace, and to achieve common development. China has always firmly supported the work of UNESCO, Guo said.

"On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the establishment the UN, we urge all countries to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, support the international system centered on the UN with concrete actions, international rules based on international law, and the basic principles of international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter," Guo said.

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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Regular Press Conference on July 23, 2025

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

Updated: July 23, 2025 18:51

CCTV: A recent report released by the U.S.-China Business Council shows that 82 percent of U.S. companies in China reported profit. Many say uncertainties in China-U.S. relations and tariffs are their top concerns but the Chinese market remains vital. Can I have your comment on that?

Guo Jiakun: Investing in China for a win-win future has become a prevailing consensus among global investors. As of March 2025, there are 1.24 million foreign-funded companies established in China, with a total investment volume of nearly US$3 trillion. While contributing to China's reform and opening up, these companies have gained opportunities to grow stronger and received considerable return. Data shows that the first half of 2025 witnessed two-digit growth rate in the number of newly established foreign-invested enterprises in China. The third China International Supply Chain Expo wrapped up with the number of participating countries and regions growing from 55 in the first year to 75. The number of U.S. exhibitors is up by 15 percent compared with that of last year, continuing to lead in the number of foreign exhibitors. Over 65 percent of exhibitors were Fortune Global 500 firms or industry leaders. Foreign-funded companies have cast a vote of confidence in China's economic prospect with their concrete actions.

The Chinese government recently rolled out new steps to encourage foreign investment, showing its sincerity and determination in advancing high-standard opening up. We welcome companies from all countries, including the U.S., to participate in the Chinese modernization drive and strive for greater progress while integrating themselves into high-quality development.

Reuters: U.S. President Donald Trump has struck a trade deal with Japan. It lowers tariffs on auto imports and spares Tokyo new tariffs on other goods in exchange for a US$550 billion package of U.S.-bound investment and loans. What is China's response to the United States and Japan reaching this trade deal?

Guo Jiakun: China, as always, believes that all parties should solve economic and trade disagreements through equal-footed dialogue and consultation, and uphold a sound environment for international trade and economic cooperation.

TV Tokyo: There are reports that Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba has expressed his intention to resign by the end of August. How does China view this development? Additionally, what impact do you think this will have on China-Japan relations?

Guo Jiakun: This is Japan's internal affair and I have nothing in particular to say. China and Japan are close neighbors. It serves the fundamental interests of both countries and peoples to maintain the sound and steady development of bilateral relations, make joint effort to comprehensively advance the strategic relationship of mutual benefit and build a constructive and stable China-Japan relationship fit for the new era.

Bloomberg: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he will meet his Chinese counterparts in Stockholm next week for their third round of trade talks aimed at extending a tariff truce and widening the discussions. He also said the negotiations may take on a broader array of topics, including Beijing's continued purchase of oil from Russia and Iran. I wonder if you could confirm the dates of the trade talks and comment on whether Beijing is willing to discuss oil purchases from Russia and Iran.

Guo Jiakun: On economic and trade issues, China's position is consistent and clear. We hope the U.S. will work with China to act on the important common understandings reached by the two presidents in their phone conversation, make good use of the consultation mechanism, and engage in communication and dialogue on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefit, so that there will be more consensus and cooperation and less misperception, and the bilateral relations can achieve steady, sound and sustainable development. For anything specific, I'd refer you to competent authorities.

Reuters: What is China's response to President Donald Trump's announcement that he will be withdrawing the United States from UNESCO?

Guo Jiakun: We noted that UNESCO and multiple countries expressed their regrets over the U.S.'s decision to withdraw from the organization again. It's the third time that the U.S. has withdrawn from UNESCO. The country hasn't paid arrears for a long time. This is not what a major country should do. The purpose of UNESCO is to advance international cooperation in education, science and culture, promote the mutual understanding and integration of civilizations, uphold world peace, and achieve common development. China firmly supports UNESCO's work. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the U.N., we call on all countries to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, and take concrete action to support the UN-centered international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter.

Reuters: A sweeping cyber espionage operation targeting Microsoft server software has compromised about 100 organizations as of the weekend. It was not clear who was behind the ongoing hack, but Alphabet's Google said it tied at least some of the hacks to a "China-nexus threat actor." What is the Foreign Ministry's response to Google's description of some of the hacks coming from a "China-nexus threat actor"?

Guo Jiakun: I'm not familiar with the specifics you mentioned. Cybersecurity is a common challenge faced by all countries and should be addressed jointly through dialogue and cooperation. China opposes and fights hacking activities in accordance with the law. At the same time, we oppose smears and attacks against China under the excuse of cybersecurity issues.

Reuters: India said it will resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens from July 24 this year, the first time in five years. What is the Foreign Ministry's comment on this move?

Guo Jiakun: We take note of this positive move. Easing cross-border travel is widely beneficial. China will maintain communication and consultation with India to further facilitate travel between the two countries.

Bloomberg: Just to follow up on the Microsoft's accusations. We're wondering if the Foreign Ministry thinks Microsoft is mistaken. Does China suspect other nations state hackers and does Beijing plan to take any action against Microsoft in China as a result of the accusation?

Guo Jiakun: I gave my answer to this question just now. I'm not familiar with the specifics you mentioned. Cybersecurity is a common challenge faced by all countries. All parties need to work together to address cybersecurity issues, instead of using them as an excuse to make accusations and smears on others.

AFP: Iran held a trilateral meeting with China and Russia on Tuesday to discuss the issue of Iran's nuclear program. So what specific content was discussed at the meeting and what is China's position on that?

Guo Jiakun: China always calls for a peaceful settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue through political and diplomatic means and maintains communication and coordination with relevant parties. We will continue to play a constructive role and work for the resumption of dialogue and negotiation among relevant parties and a solution that accommodates the legitimate concerns of all parties.

Bloomberg: India and Bangladesh have both expressed concerns over China's hydropower dam project in Tibet, as have NGOs over concerns to the damage to biodiversity and people's livelihoods. How does the Foreign Ministry respond to these concerns? We're also wondering if China has been in touch with neighbors over the construction of the dam and its downstream impacts.

Guo Jiakun: To build the hydropower project in the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River is fully within China's sovereignty. The project aims to speed up clean energy development, improve local people's life, and proactively respond to climate change. China acts with a high sense of responsibility in harnessing cross-border rivers, and has rich experience in hydropower projects. The planning, design and construction of this newly announced project strictly follows the highest national industrial standards. The project puts a lot of emphasis on all-round ecological conservation, stays away from multiple environmentally sensitive areas, and vows to preserve the original ecosystem to the largest extent possible.

The project, once completed, will help prevent and mitigate disasters along the entire Yarlung Zangbo River, and will not adversely affect downstream regions. China is engaged in cooperation with downstream countries on sharing hydrological data, flood prevention and disaster reduction. We have had necessary communication with them on the project, and will continue enhancing cooperation for the benefit of all people along the river basin.

AFP: The U.S. State Department confirmed that an employee of the U.S. government was made subject to an exit ban in China. Could you share more information on that?

Guo Jiakun: I have no details to share. China upholds the rule of law and handles entry and exit affairs in accordance with the law.

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US withdrawal from UNESCO not behavior of 'responsible country': Beijing

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 23 July 2025 10:47 AM

Beijing has criticized the US withdrawal from UNESCO as inconsistent with a responsible world power's behavior, while reaffirming China's commitment to continuing support for the agency's mission.

Addressing a daily news briefing on Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun noted that UNESCO and many countries have expressed regret over Washington's decision.

"This is not the action that a responsible major country should take," Guo said, adding that "China has always firmly supported the work of UNESCO."

The United States said on Tuesday it would quit UNESCO, best known for establishing world heritage sites, claiming it was biased against Israel and promoted "divisive" causes.

"President Trump has decided to withdraw the United States from UNESCO, which supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out of step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November," White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said.

Guo further told reporters that "This is already the third time that the US has withdrawn from UNESCO, and it has long been in arrears with its membership fees."

The US withdrew from UNESCO during Trump's first term but rejoined under former US President Joe Biden.

Trump's US withdrawal from UNESCO, which went into effect in late 2018, came seven years after the Obama administration suspended funding to UNESCO after Palestinians were admitted as a member, claiming that the agency promoted "anti-Israeli policy."

The US had also withdrawn from UNESCO under the Reagan administration in 1984 because it viewed the agency as "mismanaged and corrupt." The US rejoined in 2003, before leaving again under Trump.

This latest withdrawal will take effect in December 2026.

"We call on all countries to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism and take concrete actions to support the international system with the UN at its core," Guo added.

Washington has persistently tried to block and challenge cultural efforts by other UNESCO members based on its own worldview and self-serving interests. It has also used its influence to represent and defend the openly racist policies of the Israeli regime.

Since taking office, Trump has signaled plans to withdraw the US from key international institutionsthe World Health Organization and the Paris climate agreementwhile imposing aggressive trade tariffs on both allies and adversaries.

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Tensions High As EU Leaders Head To China For Pivotal Summit

By Rikard Jozwiak July 23, 2025

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa will meet with the Chinese president and prime minister in Beijing on July 24 in what is expected to be a tense EU-China summit with the war in Ukraine and a potential transatlantic trade war looming large in the background.

Brussels will raise the usual concerns about human rights in Tibet, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong with Beijing expected to quickly bat away any form of criticism.

Instead, the most heated discussions will likely center around China's support for Russia's war in Ukraine and what the EU views as unfair Chinese trade practices, which have led to a ballooning deficit in Sino-European trade in favor of Beijing.

Briefing the media before the summit, European Union officials underlined that the EU presidents are expected to be "direct, open and constructive" but are also "ready to defend our interest."

50 Years Of Diplomatic Ties

The summit was meant to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and the bloc, but don't expect too many niceties or concrete deliverables of any kind.

Given that both sides are keen to showcase their green credentials, there were hopes in the EU that they would at least agree on a common declaration on the climate, but it is very uncertain if even this will materialize.

This stands in sharp contrast to the EU-Japan summit held the day before in Tokyo, where a 24-page declaration covering a broad policy agenda was expected, including progress on bilateral security ties and a rare earths deal.

The key meeting to look out for in Beijing is the morning session, when von der Leyen and Costa will have a "geo-strategic" discussion with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Have The Gloves Come Off Regarding Ukraine?

Ukraine will take up a big part of the meeting, which comes just a few weeks after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told European diplomats in Brussels that his country could not accept a Russian defeat in the war.

Brussels has long sought not to antagonize China too much on the issue, but the gloves appear to have come off, at least to a certain extent.

EU officials now say openly that 80 percent of dual-use items used by Russia in its war effort originate from China. Brussels has also criticized Beijing's continued export of components like drone engines to Moscow.

China has also been targeted -- both directly and indirectly -- in the latest EU sanctions package on Russia agreed last week.

Several Chinese companies and a handful of financial institutions are now blacklisted, with the Chinese Commerce Ministry already criticizing the move.

The fact that Brussels now feels confident and can find unanimity to target Beijing in this way is something new.

New EU restrictions, such as a ban on refined petroleum products made from Russian crude oil and processed in third countries, are also expected to affect China indirectly.

An EU official involved in summit preparations told RFE/RL that no major shift is expected in Beijing's "no-limits partnership" with Moscow, but Brussels hopes for modest steps, such as tighter customs and financial controls on dual-use goods.

Trade Deficit

The afternoon discussion with Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang will focus on the economic relationship and is expected to be equally delicate.

The EU and China are each other's second biggest trading partners with trade reaching $2.3 billion daily.

But it's the trade deficit that is irking Brussels.

Compared to last year, it has doubled to the current $350 billion, with subsidies, procurement barriers, and export controls cited by the EU as real irritants.

No major breakthroughs are expected in Beijing, but EU officials hope China might at least acknowledge the concerns and take steps to stimulate domestic demand or address imbalances.

Brussels will also hint at possible reciprocal measures, referencing past actions against Chinese electric vehicles and dairy products.

But the question is how far the bloc is really ready to go.

It does rely on China for critical minerals and permanent magnets -- items that are essential for pretty much all modern technologies.

And, despite the EU's best efforts to strike new trade deals with the likes of Australia, India and Indonesia to "de-risk" from China, the shortfall will not be covered immediately. Beijing knows this as well.

And then there is the delicate issue of EU-US relations.

Unless a deal can be found in the coming days, American tariffs of 30 percent will hit the EU on August 1 with Brussels poised to strike back with countermeasures on US products worth billions in a move that will derail transatlantic trade.

One EU diplomat told RFE/RL that this was "a prospect that has the Chinese rubbing their hands in sheer delight," as Beijing has long sought to drive a wedge between Brussels and Washington.

So, expect China in the next few days to very much push the narrative that it, together with Europe, now represents the rules-based international trade order and that the real distorter of commerce and protectionism isn't to be found in Beijing but in Washington.

Depending on what is happening with the transatlantic trade talks, the EU might just be tempted by such rhetoric.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-china- summit-leyen-xi/33481019.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Xi meets European Council president, European Commission president in Beijing

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Jul 24, 2025 11:05 AM

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in Beijing on Thursday, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

As agreed between China and the European Union, President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will visit China on July 24.

In a post on X on Thursday, Ursula von der Leyen wrote that "Touch down in Beijing, as we mark 50 years of ties between Europe and China. This Summit is the opportunity to both advance and rebalance our relationship. I'm convinced there can be a mutually beneficial cooperation. One that can define the next 50 years of our relations."

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PARLIAMENT QUESTION: ROADMAP FOR INDIA'S ENERGY SECTOR THROUGH NUCLEAR POWER

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 23 JUL 2025 3:38PM by PIB Delhi

The specific measures outlined to reach this goal involve a multi-faceted approach, leveraging both indigenous development and international collaboration. Key strategies include the continued deployment of Indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), building upon the 24 reactors with 8780 MW capacity. There are also 8 reactors under construction contributing 6600 MW, which include indigenous 700 MW PHWRs like RAPP 8 and GHAVP 1&2, alongside the Indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) PFBR, and Light Water Reactors (LWRs) with foreign cooperation such as KKNPP 3&4 and KKNPP 5&6. Furthermore, 10 reactors are at the pre-project activities stage (sanctioned), set to add another 7000 MW, encompassing PHWRs like Kaiga 5&6, GHAVP 3&4, Chutka 1&2, and Mahi Banswara 1&2 and 3&4. With the progressive completion of these projects, the nuclear power capacity in India is projected to reach 22480 MW by 2031-32.

Future plans also emphasize the development of Indigenous Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs), which align with India's unique three-stage nuclear power program designed for optimal utilization of its modest uranium and abundant thorium resources through a closed fuel cycle. Additionally, the strategy includes the deployment of Bharat Small Reactors (BSR) for decarbonisation of hard to abate industries, development of Bharat Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), including indigenous SMRs of varying capacities, and Indian LWRs. Enhanced international cooperation is also envisioned, particularly concerning SMRs and fuel, alongside the export of reactors, services, and supplies.

The government has also launched a Nuclear Energy Mission with an outlay of Rs. 20,000 crore for research and development of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).

This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

***

NKR/PSM

(Release ID: 2147275)

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Defence Secretary holds bilateral meeting with Director General, Israel Ministry of Defence in New Delhi

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 23 JUL 2025 8:56PM by PIB Delhi

Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh held a bilateral meeting with Director General, Israel Ministry of Defence Major General (Res) Amir Baram in New Delhi on July 23, 2025. The two sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation with a long-term perspective. They concurred to work towards developing an institutional framework for further deepening of defence ties.

The Israel DG condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and conveyed full support for India's fight against terrorism. Defence Secretary reiterated India's zero tolerance approach to terrorism and condemned the October 07, 2023 terrorist attacks in Israel and called for the release of all hostages.

The two sides also reviewed the progress of the ongoing defence collaboration activities since last Joint Working Group meeting held in July 2024 in India.

This visit by DG Israel MoD marks a pivotal step in India-Israel defence relations and reinforces both sides' commitment to enhance their strategic partnership.

****

SR/Savvy

(Release ID: 2147595)

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INDIAN NAVY CONCLUDES SHIPBUILDING SEMINAR - "NATION BUILDING THROUGH SHIPBUILDING"

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 23 JUL 2025 8:25PM by PIB Delhi

One day 'Shipbuilding Seminar - Nation Building Through Shipbuilding' was conducted by Warship Design Bureau on 23 Jul 25 at the Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt. The event brought together senior dignitaries, industry leaders and subject matter experts from across the maritime and defence sectors.

Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, delivered the keynote address for the event virtually. During his address, CNS brought out Indian Navy's Vision 2047 to transform into a 'Aatmanirbhar' force through leadership-driven focus on invention, innovation, indigenisation and integration of niche, disruptive and emerging technologies. The CNS underscored the milestone of delivering indigenously designed 100th ship, as not just a numerical achievement by the Navy but a symbolic testament in our journey towards maritime self-reliance, technological excellence and strategic foresight.

The seminar witnessed participation from stakeholders from Government of India (GoI), Indian Navy, Shipyards, Industry, Classification Societies and Academia. Discussions were held on policy aspects related to shipbuilding with an aim to enable cohesive and progress-oriented brainstorming on different aspects of shipbuilding. The Shipbuilding seminar also gave an outlook on the futuristic technologies being implemented globally and challenges being faced by Indian shipyards and industry in delivering ships at par with global standards. The seminar highlighted the importance of shipbuilding industry towards nation building and potential opportunities that can be capitalized towards growth in this sector.

The seminar enabled effective interactions and fruitful brainstorming sessions with senior hierarchy of MoD, MoPSW, MSDE, Indian Navy, Shipyards, Classification Societies and Academia. The occasion also highlighted the design expertise at Warship Design Bureau and an accumulated experience of Sixty plus years in designing technologically potent warships, spanning 20 designs and over 100 vessels. The seminar featured four technical sessions focusing on policy frameworks, indigenous ship design, emerging technologies, skill development, and strategies to enhance ease of doing business in shipbuilding. Eminent experts shared insights to strengthen India's maritime industrial base and transform the ecosystem into a global powerhouse. Policy interventions, requirements and techniques for upskilling human resources and incorporating contemporary design practices making the industry globally competitive were the major outcomes of the seminar.

________________________

VM/SKY 141/25



(Release ID: 2147556)

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I.A.E.A. team allowed to visit to Iran to discuss modality: Deputy Foreign Minister

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jul 23, 2025

New York, IRNA -- Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi has said that his country has agreed to let a technical team from the International Atomic Energy Agency visit in the coming weeks.

Gharibabadi said on Wednesday that Iran has agreed to allow a technical team from the U.N. nuclear watchdog to visit in the coming weeks to discuss "a new modality" on relations between the International Atomic Energy Agency (I.A.E.A.) and Tehran.

"The delegation will come to Iran to discuss the modality, not to go to the (nuclear) sites," he told reporters during a visit to New York.

The Iranian diplomat told reporters further that it is important to discuss with the Agency how to live up to the commitments under the new circumstances.

He stressed preserving Iran's right to uranium enrichment, saying that as regards the issue of enrichment, Iran will enrich uranium based on its needs. He also emphasized that Iran must have the capability to do everything it needs.

He warned the three European participants to the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran known as the JCPOA advising them not to trigger the snapback mechanism against Iran to return the sanctions. He warned that Iran could exit the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) as a reaction to the activation of the snapback mechanism.

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China reaffirms diplomatic solution to Iranian nuclear issue

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jul 23, 2025

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, has reiterated his country's emphasis on diplomacy to resolve issues surrounding Iran's peaceful nuclear program.

During a news conference in Beijing on Wednesday, Guo once again emphasized Beijing's continued constructive role in promoting the resumption of talks and negotiations to reach a solution that takes into account the legitimate concerns of all parties.

The remarks came a day after a meeting between representatives of Iran, China and Russia in Tehran.

China, which was one of the signatories to the 2015 nuclear deal, has repeatedly called for collaboration among parties to reach a diplomatic and political solution, rejecting pressure and threat against Iran, over its nuclear program.

The trilateral meeting was held as Iran and the three European countries - Britain, France and Germany - collectively known as E3, have agreed to resume nuclear-related talks the Turkish city of Istanbul on Friday.

The talks will be the first since the Israeli regime launched an unprovoked war in mid-June that was later joined by the United States and bombed three Iranian nuclear sites, prompting international condemnations.

The U.S.-Israeli attacks, in violation of international law and the U.N. Charter, occurred amid talks between Tehran and Washington aimed at resolving the nuclear issue and removing American sanctions against Iran.

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Pezeshkian: Talk of ending Iran's nuclear program is a mere "illusion"

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Jul 23, 2025

Tehran, IRNA -- President Masoud Pezeshkian says any talk of ending Iran's nuclear program is a mere "illusion," emphasizing that negotiations over the program should be conducted on a win-win basis.

The president made the remarks in an exclusive interview with Qatar's Al Jazeera TV network, which was aired Wednesday.

It was the first TV interview of President Pezeshkian since Israel waged its war of aggression on Iran on June 13, which came to an end after a ceasefire took effect 12 days later. The United States entered the war two days before it was halted, bombing three sites used for uranium enrichment.

The U.S. and Israel claimed that their attacks aimed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. That is an allegation Iranian officials have strongly dismissed, asserting that the Islamic Republic has never sought and will never seek nuclear weapons due to religious values and its defense doctrine that rejects such weapons.

"[U.S. President Donald] Trump says that Iran should not have a nuclear weapon and we accept this because we reject nuclear weapons and this is our political, religious, humanitarian and strategic position," Al Jazeera quoted President Pezeshkian.

We emphasize the continuation of Iran's nuclear program and uranium enrichment within the framework of international law, he added.

He also rejected Trump's claims that Iran's nuclear program has ended because of the U.S. airstrikes on the three facilities of Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz.

Trump's claim "that our nuclear program is over is just an illusion," he said, adding that Iran's nuclear capabilities are in the minds of its scientists and not in the facilities.

Israel attacked Iran while Tehran was engaged in negotiations with Washington to reach a new deal on its nuclear program. The U.S. has meanwhile announced its readiness to resume talks with Iran, while threatening to launch airstrikes again should Iran continue its nuclear program.

Pezeshkian said that Iran believes in diplomacy, therefore "any future negotiations must be according to a win-win logic, and we will not accept threats and dictates."

Also in his interview, the president said that Iran is ready for any war Israel might wage against it, with the Armed Forces being fully prepared to strike deep inside the Israeli-occupied territories.

The president note that Iran does not seek war and does not assume that the ceasefire with Israel is permanent. However, he added, Iran will defend its territory with full strength and will never surrender.

Pezeshkian said Iran delivered serious blows to Israel during the 12-day war in June, stressing that the Tel Aviv regime conceals the extent of damage it suffered.

Pezeshkian said the Israeli regime prevents any narrative about Iran's successful missile strikes, but its call for the ceasefire reveals many truths. He added that Israel attempted to weaken and destabilize the Islamic Republic through chaos and targeted attacks but ultimately failed.

He further highlighted the unprecedented support Iran received from regional countries during the 12-day Israeli aggression, expressing the Islamic Republic's readiness to cooperate with Arab neighbors and other regional countries to define a joint collective security framework.

The president also referred to Iran's missile strike on Al-Udeid base in Qatar, saying that the Islamic Republic did not target Qatar or its people, but struck a U.S. base in response to American airstrikes on the Iranian nuclear sites.

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Iran agrees to visit by IAEA technical team in gesture of goodwill

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 23 July 2025 5:56 PM

Iran has agreed to host a technical delegation from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the coming weeks in a gesture of goodwill, following a period of heightened tensions after the US-Israeli acts of aggression against Iran's nuclear facilities.

Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, speaking to American reporters on the sidelines of UN meetings in New York, said the visit would focus on working out a new framework for cooperation and not on inspecting nuclear sites.

"Given the new circumstances, the implementation of commitments requires fresh discussions with the Agency. This is an important matter," he stated.

Gharibabadi said a bill passed by Iran's Parliament mandates the suspension of all cooperation with the IAEA and that its resumption depends on ensuring the safety and security of Iran's nuclear facilities and personnel.

"Accordingly, we have agreed to the visit of the IAEA technical team to Tehran within the next two to three weeks to discuss the framework for cooperation," he noted.

The senior diplomat characterized the decision as another gesture of goodwill by Iran, despite its dissatisfaction with the IAEA's approach.

"We hope this initiative will be welcomed and that they will value such cooperation and goodwill," he said.

Tensions between Iran and the IAEA have been particularly high during the tenure of its current secretary general, Rafael Grossi.

This strain has deepened after Grossi laid the groundwork for an anti-Iran IAEA resolution by raising what Iran calls unfounded allegations in his latest report, as well as after he refused to condemn US-Israeli actions against Iran's nuclear facilities.

Iran has accused Grossi, who has been in frequent contact with Israeli officials, of using fabricated documents provided by the regime to justify allegations against Iran's peaceful nuclear activities.

'No stop to uranium enrichment'

Addressing Iran's nuclear policy, Gharibabadi reiterated that Iran will continue enriching uranium based on its own needs.

"Iran will enrich uranium based on its own needs. We must have the capability to carry out everything we require," he stressed.

He dismissed suggestions of a voluntary enrichment freeze as a goodwill gesture in talks with Western countries, citing past disappointments and warning against reliance on third-party enforcement.

"We have bitter experience in this area and cannot rely on a third-party enforcer," he said, referring to the refusal of Western and other countries to supply Iran with enriched uranium for the Tehran nuclear research reactor.

'Iran responds to snapback activation'

On threats by the three European members of the 2015 nuclear deal to invoke the accord's so-called snapback mechanism to restore anti-Iran sanctions, Gharibabadi warned that Iran will react seriously to such a decision.

"In fact, the Europeans have no right to initiate the snapback mechanism. But if they do, Iran will not remain passive. We will respond. We are obliged to respond," he said.

The diplomat added that he cannot rule out Iran deciding to withdraw from the NPT, noting that the decision has previously been considered by Iran's former administration.

"That option remains on the table. However, what other measures Iran may take is still under review by officials in Tehran. Without a doubt, there will be a reaction, part of which has already been determined," the diplomat said.

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Iran's oil exports at record levels, June shipments at 1.8 mln bpd

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 23 July 2025 4:54 PM

Iran's oil exports remained at record highs in June despite promises by the current US administration to cut shipments to near zero.

Data from Vortexa, a major international tanker tracking service, released on Wednesday showed that Iran had exported nearly 1.8 million bpd of oil, almost flat from May and on par with post-sanction era records reported in September last year.

The figures were cited in a report by the IRIB News and had been first reported by the Deutsche Welle (DW).

The DW report described the figures as one of the highs on record since Iran's oil exports came under US sanctions in 2018 during US President Donald Trump's first term in office.

Trump signed a presidential order in February to restore his so-called maximum pressure campaign on Iran.

His administration has announced rounds of new sanctions targeting Iran's oil exports, including bans on tankers, companies, and even on entities in China, the country that is by far the largest buyer of Iranian oil through its private refineries.

US Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent, whose department is responsible for enforcing sanctions on Iran, had said in early months of Trump's current presidency that Washington was committed to reducing Iran's oil exports to below 100,000 bpd.

Vortexa released figures in July showing that Iran had been shipping an average of 1.8 million bpd of oil in certain weeks in the past few months. However, its most recent figures show Iran has stabilized its exports at high levels.

The data shows that even a 12-day Israeli war of aggression on Iran, which took place last month and was supported by the US, failed to affect the country's booming presence in the international oil markets.

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Iranian Navy helicopter intercepts US destroyer in Sea of Oman

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 23 July 2025 1:13 PM

An Iranian Navy helicopter has intercepted the US destroyer USS Fitzgerald in the Sea of Oman, issuing warning signals and ultimately forcing the American vessel to alter its course southward.

According to a statement from Iran's military, the US warship approached waters monitored by Iran, prompting a rapid-reaction helicopter from the Third Naval Region of the Iranian Army's Navy (NEDAJA) to deploy.

The helicopter hovered over the destroyer and delivered a clear radio warning to steer clear of Iranian-monitored waters.

In the ensuing standoff, the crew of the USS Fitzgerald threatened to engage the helicopter if it remained in proximity.

Iran's Army Air Defense Command then intervened, declaring the helicopter under full air defense protection and ordering the American destroyer to change its course.

According to the statement, the USS Fitzgerald complied, heading south away from the disputed area.

The US military has not issued a public statement on the incident, which unfolded amid elevated tensions in the Persian Gulf following the recent US-Israeli war on Iran.

Iranian and US naval forces have had a long history of encounters in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz since the 1980s.

In 2019, Iran shot down a US RQ-4A Global Hawk drone near the Strait of Hormuz due to airspace violation.

The Iranian Navy frequently conducts large-scale drills in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman, showcasing its capabilities and signaling deterrence against foreign powers.

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Iran slams false claims, points to UN reports of nuclear non-diversion

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 23 July 2025 8:38 AM

Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs has underscored the peaceful nature of the country's nuclear program, saying none of the reports published by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) indicates any deviation in Tehran's nuclear activities.

Kazem Gharibabadi made the statement in a meeting with UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Rosemary DiCarlo, in New York on Tuesday as they conferred about the Israeli-US aggression on Iranian soil last month and UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which endorsed the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPAO).

Pointing to regularly-issued reports by the IAEA on the Islamic Republic's compliance with the JCPOA obligations, Gharibabadi said, "Not a single word about the diversion of Iran's nuclear program has been mentioned in any of these reports."

Rejecting as baseless and repetitive the Israeli regime's claims over the past three decades regarding Iran's attempt to acquire nuclear weapons, Gharibabadi said, "The Islamic Republic of Iran, based on religious principles and decrees, has never sought weapons of mass destruction. These claims are leveled while the Zionist regime is not a member of any disarmament treaties for weapons of mass destruction and is equipped with all types of such weapons."

The Iranian diplomat also rebuked the double standards of international institutions, including the United Nations, demanding that the world body play a more effective and impartial role in addressing the acts of aggression committed by the US and Israel against the Islamic Republic.

"Nations expect the secretary-general of the United Nations to take a clear and explicit stance against such crimes and condemn them, rather than merely expressing concern and calling for restraint," he said.

Gharibabadi voiced optimism that these facts and concerns will be seriously reflected in future reports and positions of the UN Secretariat, as well as in upcoming meetings.

DiCarlo, for his part, expressed hope for further talks between Iran and other JCPOA parties, emphasizing the United Nations' support for the continuation of the diplomatic process.

"Despite existing challenges, the United Nations still considers diplomacy the only possible solution for overcoming crises," she added.

The Israeli regime launched an aggression on Iran's military and civilian infrastructure on June 13 that killed nearly 1,100 people, including women and children, as well as a dozen top military brass.

The US, which had been in talks with Tehran about its nuclear program since April, joined the war on June 22 by targeting several key nuclear sites.

In response to the strikes, the Iranian Armed Forces launched a retaliatory campaign against the Israeli regime by targeting key military, intelligence, industrial, energy facilities across the occupied territories. The Iranian Armed Forces also targeted the largest US military base in the West Asian region in Qatar with a barrage of missiles.

Following Iran's retaliatory attacks, the Israeli regime was forced on June 24 to declare a unilateral halt to its aggression, which was announced on its behalf by US President Donald Trump.

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Secretary Rubio's Call with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

July 22, 2025

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Tammy Bruce:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shiaa al-Sudani about the recent attacks on energy infrastructure, including those operated by U.S. companies, and stressed the importance of the Iraqi government holding the perpetrators accountable and preventing future attacks. The Secretary noted the importance of paying Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) salaries consistently and resuming oil exports via the Iraq-Turkiye Pipeline. The Secretary also reiterated serious U.S. concerns with the Popular Mobilization Commission (PMC) bill currently pending in the Council of Representatives (COR), emphasizing that any such legislation would institutionalize Iranian influence and armed terrorist groups undermining Iraq's sovereignty.

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FM Sa'ar meets with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Kyiv

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

During the meeting, the two discussed the importance of strengthening the bilateral relationship between the countries, the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, with emphasis on Iran.

News

Topic: Foreign Policy

23.07.2025

Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar met today (Wednesday, 23 July 2025) in Kyiv with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The meeting took place in a good and friendly atmosphere.

During the meeting, the two discussed the importance of strengthening the bilateral relationship between the countries, the war in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East, with emphasis on Iran.

FM Sa'ar asked President Zelenskyy to lead to the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization in the Ukrainian Parliament. He also explained the necessity of the immediate activation of the SnapBack by the E-3 countries (Germany, France and the UK) and restoring sanctions on Iran.

FM Sa'ar gave the President the Dinah Project's report on Hamas's crimes of rape and sexual violence on October 7th.

Prior to the meeting, FM Sa'ar visited Babi Yar. In the meeting, he thanked President Zelenskyy for his commitment and actions toward safeguarding the memory of the Holocaust.

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FM Sa'ar meets with Ukrainian FM Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv

Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

FM Sa'ar: "We will begin a strategic dialogue between our ministries on the Iranian threat."

Press Releases

Topic: Foreign Policy

Secondary topic: Iran

23.07.2025

"Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha,

Thank you for your hospitality.

It's an honor to be in Kyiv and show our solidarity and support for Ukraine and the people of Ukraine.

Israel and Ukraine share a special bond.

Both our nations face difficult and challenging times.



We both face war and pain. We are both resilient nations.

Many Israelis are from Ukraine, have family in Ukraine.

There is a large Jewish community in Ukraine.



Our first and only female Prime Minister, Golda Meir, was born here in Kyiv.

There were also darker periods in Jewish history here, which teach critical lessons.

Today, the Foreign Minister and I will visit Babi Yar, one of the most horrific sites of the Holocaust.

The Nazis brutally murdered over 100,000 people there - mostly Jews. In just two days - they brutally killed over 33,000 Jews. We shall never forget.

***

Minister,

In our meeting we discussed ways to further strengthen our relations and partnership.

We discussed the security threats to Europe and the Middle East - to Ukraine and Israel - and ways to work together.

Ukraine has been at war with Russia for over three years.

It has been cruel and it has taken many lives.

I know, the last weeks were very painful.

You faced heavy attacks. Many of your citizens were killed and injured.

Therefore, it was important for me to come now to Kyiv.

My heart is with the families who lost their loved ones. My prayers for the injured.

We know what it is like to be under attack - with the family, with the children.

We condemn Russia's strikes against civilians.

We call for a durable and lasting peace which ensures security for Ukraine.

***

Israel is supporting Ukraine and its people.

We were the first nation to open a field hospital in Ukraine.

We provided generators, food, water and winter equipment.

Two weeks ago I instructed my Ministry to provide portable drinking water systems to areas in eastern Ukraine that lack clean water after being hit by Russian attacks.

It will be done very soon.

We sent experts to help with PTSD and Resilience.

We helped Ukrainians injured in the war with the recovery process in Israel.

We stand with Ukraine and its people.

***

Ladies and gentlemen,

For over a year and nine months, Israel has been bravely fighting on seven fronts.

Hamas initiated this war against Israel with its evil October 7th massacre.

But behind the effort to eliminate Israel lies Iran, the head of the snake.

Iran tried to create a ring of fire around Israel with its proxies to eliminate the Jewish state.

It had a plan to develop nuclear weapons to eliminate Israel.

And a plan to produce 300 ballistic missiles a month to achieve the same goal.



In Operation 'Rising Lion,' Israel severely damaged Iran's nuclear program.



Along with the U.S., we destroyed its nuclear facilities.

We took out those responsible for weaponization of this program.

We sent its nuclear ambitions years back.

We severely harmed its ballistic missile program.

We destroyed their air defense systems. This allowed our air force to operate freely through Iranian skies.

And we also harmed the Iranian drone supply. The very same technology being used against Ukraine.

***

Iran cruelly and deliberately fired its ballistic missiles at civilian population centers.

Five members of a family from Ukraine were killed by an Iranian missile that hit Bat Yam.

Anastasia Buryk was only 7 years old.

I met her father today, this morning.



She had cancer and came to Israel to receive treatment. She was murdered by an Iranian missile with her family.

Iran not only threatened Israel. It threatened regional and global security. It threatened Ukraine.

We decided today to have a strategic dialogue between our ministries on the Iranian threat.

Our actions against its weapons and technology contribute to European security - and to the security of Ukraine.

Iran must not be allowed to continue its nuclear ambitions.

It must not be allowed to continue its support for terror.

The international community must act firmly against Iran.

I call on the E3 countries - Germany, France and the UK - to activate the Snapback now!

I thank President Zelensky and the Ukrainian government for its position that Iran must not have nuclear weapons.

I thank you for the Presidential Decrees sanctioning Iranian persons and entities.

And I thank you, Foreign Minister, for condemning Iran and supporting our operation along with the U.S. against its nuclear program.

I also thank you for condemning Hamas and supporting our right to defend ourselves.

Today I delivered to the Minister the Dinah Project's report on sexual violence and rape by Hamas terrorists on October 7th.

We are committed to securing the release of our hostages. We still have 50 hostages in Gaza.

And we will not accept a Jihadist threat on any of our borders.

Not in Gaza, not in Lebanon, not in Syria.

**

Minister,

I would like to thank you for designating the gravesite of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov in Uman as a National heritage monument in Ukraine.

Israel and Ukraine are both facing challenging times.

But our nations are strong and our friendship is bold.

We will continue deepening it and supporting one another.

I look forward to building a better future for our children.

And I invite you and I hope to host you soon, Minister, in Jerusalem, our eternal capital, very soon.

Thank you!"

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Press statement by President Antonio Costa following the 30th EU-Japan summit 2025

European Council / Council of the European Union

European Council

Statements and remarks

23 July 2025 11:45

First of all, let me thank Prime Minister Ishiba for hosting us here in Tokyo for our 30th summit. It is always a pleasure to visit Japan. Yesterday, I was truly inspired by the spirit of the Osaka Expoa place where innovation, culture, sustainability, and global cooperation meet. In many ways, it reflects the values that unite the EU and Japan.

Japan is the EU's closest partner in the Indo-Pacific. Our partnership with Japan is not just strategicit is based on shared principles and a common vision. It is rooted in our respect for democracy, human rights, a rules-based international order and multilateralism. In today's complex geopolitical environment, the EU-Japan partnership stands as a model of principled, reliable cooperation.

Today's summit is about strengthening that partnership with concrete actionsespecially in three key areas: security and defence, multilateralism, and in trade and economic security. Security and defence are now at the core of the EU's global engagement. Europe's security is interlinked to the security in the Indo-Pacific.

Japan was the first country in the region to conclude a Strategic and Defence Partnership with the EUand we are determined to deepen it. I welcome the launch of negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement, and today we also committed to closer cooperation in maritime security, cyber, space, hybrid threats, non-proliferation, and defence industry.

We reaffirm our shared commitment to multilateralism. The UN and the UN Chartermarking their 80th anniversaryremain essential pillars of peace and global cooperation. This includes standing up for sovereignty and territorial integrity in Ukraine, in the Middle East, here in the Indo-Pacific and everywhere in the world. It also includes tackling global challenges like climate change. We will work together to deliver a successful and ambitious outcome at the upcoming COP30.

Lastly, on the economic front, our Economic Partnership Agreement is the largest ever concluded by the EU. It has delivered real benefits for companies and consumers on both sides. Our bilateral trade flows have grown by 20% since it has been implemented.

We are united in defending a predictable, rules-based economic order, with the WTO at its core. And in a world of growing uncertainty, we are also stepping up joint efforts to boost economic security and resilience. The new Competitiveness Alliance we launch today is an important step forward. And President von der Leyen will elaborate on this point further.

Thank you.

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Opening remarks by President Antonio Costa at the EU-Japan summit in Tokyo

European Council / Council of the European Union

European Council

Statements and remarks

23 July 2025 10:30

Prime Minister, I would first like to thank you for the warm welcome and for hosting the 30th EU-Japan Summit. It is a great pleasure to meet you again, this time in Tokyo, after the G7 Summit in Kananaskis (Canada). Allow me also to congratulate Japan on the successful organisation of the Osaka Kansai Expo 2025.

Japan is our closest partner in the Indo-Pacific. I would like to underline the strength of the EU-Japan partnership, built on shared values and common interests. More than ever, the world needs our closer partnership. I would also like to highlight the depth of our bilateral cooperation and our close coordination in the G7 and numerous multilateral fora.

The EU-Japan partnership stands as a stable model of cooperation promoting peace, democracy, and a rules-based international order and multilateralism. Our Security and Defence Partnership is a key pillar of our relationship. This partnership is all the more valuable in an increasingly unstable and unpredictable world. We are working together to increase our prosperity through trade and innovation and to strengthen economic security and supply chain resilience.

The EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement is a great success. The trade flows have increased by 20 percent since its implementation. And now our new Competitiveness Alliance will strengthen our economic ties even further.

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Press statement by President von der Leyen with President Costa and Prime Minister Ishiba

European Commission

Statement

Jul 23, 2025

Tokyo

Prime Minister Ishiba,

Thank you for hosting us at the 30th EU-Japan Summit. I saw yesterday the Osaka World Expo which was very impressive and outstanding. It showed us something Japan does uniquely well: Blending tradition and innovation. That is what the Expo is all about. It was truly a memorable visit.

Dear Shigeru,

First and foremost, I wanted to say congratulations on your successful negotiations on a tariff deal with the United States. This Summit between the European Union and Japan comes at the right time. The world is changing rapidly. For strategic partners like us, it means becoming even closer to face the realities of our times. We face rising pressure on two main fronts. On the one hand geoeconomics, with growing trade tensions and uncertainty, fragile supply chains, the challenge of overcapacity and unlevel playing fields. And on the other hand geopolitics, with rising threats to our shared stability and interests. From the battlefields of Ukraine to the waters of the Indo-Pacific. Today was about providing common answers and acting together.

Let us start with competitiveness. We know it begins at home. Europe is doing its part. We are investing heavily in innovation, we are improving the business climate and cutting red tape. But in today's world, competitiveness has to be built with trusted partners such as Japan. Together, Europe and Japan represent a fifth of global GDP and a market of 600 million people. So, we have the scale to shape global rules on trade and tech in line with our values of fairness and openness. That is why we are launching our Competitiveness Alliance today. It rests on three pillars.

The first pillar is increased bilateral trade between Europe and Japan. We build on the strong foundation of our Economic Partnership Agreement. The trade flows between our economies have increased by over 20%. But this was just the beginning. Now we must fully implement the Agreement in all areas such as government procurement and sanitary and phytosanitary standards and others so we can unlock the full potential. We have also agreed to simplify rules where possible, to make life easier for our businesses. And to further promote mutual investment opportunities.

The second pillar is strengthened economic security. Japan is a front-runner here. And the G7 Summit in Hiroshima set a clear direction. We are upgrading our High-Level Economic Dialogue to steer cooperation on robust supply chains, especially for raw materials and batteries, this includes also intensifying the circular economy; secure frameworks for joint research; stronger protection of critical infrastructure, both physical and cyber. We will also work more closely together to counter economic coercion and address unfair trade practices.

The third pillar is our joint work on innovation and the green and digital transitions. We are continuing negotiations for Japan to join Horizon Europe, the world's largest research and innovation programme. I hope we can conclude them this year. Under our Green Alliance, we are launching new cooperation on the circular economy, emission trading systems and clean technologies. On digital, we are establishing, among others, a Working Group on Submarine Cable Connectivity including in the Arctic. This is a concrete move toward more secure and trusted data flows between our economies. And finally, as you mentioned Prime Minister, we believe global competitiveness should benefit everyone. That is why Europe is stepping up cooperation with CPTPP countries. Not only to defend open trade but to shape it. Together, the EU and CPTPP countries can lead a meaningful reform of the World Trade Organisation, so that global trade rules reflect today's challenges and the risks of tomorrow.

Now, on security and defence. Here too, the work starts at home. Europe is building up its capabilities, with an EUR 800 billion defence industrial plan. And we also know that security today depends on partnerships. Therefore, it is so meaningful that Japan was the first country outside Europe to conclude our Security and Defence Partnership with us. We want to put that partnership fully into action. Next year, we will launch the first EU-Japan Defence Industrial Dialogue. Together we can reduce dependencies and build stronger defence ecosystems, grounded in mutual trust.

Prime Minister,

This Summit reaffirmed the strength of our unique bond. In a world that is growing more fragmented, this bond gives us both clarity and direction. The direction to shape a world that reflects our shared values: open economies, secure societies and fair rules.

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Opening statement by President von der Leyen at the EU-Japan Summit

European Commission

Statement

Jul 23, 2025

Tokyo

Prime Minister,

Thank you for hosting us at the 30th Japan-EU Summit, it is good to be back in Tokyo. Yesterday's visit to the Osaka World Expo was a real highlight. The Japanese pavilion stood out; it is a wonder of craftsmanship. Its wooden elegance offered a sense of serenity and safety. To me, it also captures the essence of our partnership: calm, resilient, and deeply rooted. And this is so valuable in a turbulent world. Europe and Japan are close and trusted friends. We share values: fairness, openness, and respect for rules. And together, we have the scale not only to defend our interests, but to shape global outcomes. Together we represent a fifth of the world's GDP. Our Economic Partnership Agreement is solid, and it delivers. This Summit is our chance to take the next steps: To strengthen our joint competitiveness, enhance our common security, and set global standards aligned with our values. I look forward to our discussions.

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The 30th Japan-EU Summit

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

July 23, 2025

On July 23, commencing at 5:15 p.m. for approximately 60 minutes, Mr. ISHIBA Shigeru, Prime Minister of Japan, held the 30th Japan-European Union (EU) Summit with H.E. Dr. Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, President of the European Council, and H.E. Dr. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, who were visiting Japan.

Following the joint press announcement held after the Summit, working dinner was held from 6:55 p.m. for approximately 60 minutes. Below is the overview of the Summit and working dinner. In addition, the Japan-EU Joint Statement, "Attachment I: Deliverables and Priorities," and "Attachment II : Japan-EU Competitiveness Alliance" were issued on the occasion of the Summit.

1. Opening Remarks

At the outset, Prime Minister Ishiba welcomed President Costa and President von der Leyen for their visit to Japan. Prime Minister Ishida stated that Japan and the EU are indispensable to each other, and partners sharing strong aspirations. He also stated that, amidst the current turbulent global situations, cooperation among like-minded countries is more important than ever, and that he would like to work closely with the EU to uphold global governance, multilateralism, and the free and open international order based on the rule of law. President Costa and President von der Leyen stated that they had visited the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan and had been very impressed by it, including the Japan Pavilion. They further stated that Japan is the EU's closest Strategic Partner in the Indo-Pacific region, that a partner with shared values is important in a rapidly changing international situation and that the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) are the basis for cooperation.

2. Japan-EU Relations

Japan and the EU concurred to steadily implement their cooperation in areas such as cyber, defence industry, maritime security, space, and information, based on the Japan-EU Security and Defence Partnership announced in November last year, based on the recognition that the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific is inseparable, and therefore security cooperation between Japan and the EU is increasingly important. Both sides welcomed the progress made in cooperation toward the launch of the Japan-EU Defence Industry Dialogue. Both sides welcomed the concurrence to start formal negotiations on the Japan-EU Security of Information Agreement. Both sides concurred that amid growing uncertainty in the international economic order, Japan and the EU, as trusted partners, would strengthen economic cooperation, including through the utilization of the Japan-EU EPA. Both sides discussed international trade and economic security, and shared the view that Japan and the EU will work together to maintain and strengthen a stable and predictable rules-based free and fair economic order, including upholding the multilateral trading system with the WTO at its core. Both sides concurred to launch the "Japan-EU Competitiveness Alliance"to promote concrete cooperation in a wide range of areas, including economic security, industrial policy, innovation policy, and energy. Both sides concurred to expand the participants of Japan-EU High-Level Economic Dialogue to strengthen strategic cooperation between Japan and the EU on the various economic challenges discussed today.

3. Cooperation in the International Arena

Both sides discussed global issues such as climate change, and shared the view that Japan and the EU will promote cooperation in these areas as well.

4. International and Regional Situations

Both sides exchanged views on regional affairs including on Ukraine, Middle East, as well as in East Asia, and President Costa and President von der Leyen expressed their gratitude for Japan's solidarity with Ukraine and Europe regarding Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and both sides confirmed continuous close coordination between Japan and the EU. Prime Minister Ishiba also asked for continued understanding and cooperation of the EU for the immediate resolution of the abductions issue and gained the support.

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Japan-EU Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

July 23, 2025

On July 23, commencing at 3:00 p.m. for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a meeting with H.E. Ms. Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Vice-President of the European Commission. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

At the outset, Minister Iwaya welcomed High Representative Kallas's visit to Japan. Minister Iwaya also stated that given the rapidly changing international situations, cooperation among like-minded countries has become even more important, and that it is increasingly important for Japan and the EU to strengthen cooperation based on the Security and Defence Partnership as the security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific has become increasingly inseparable. Both sides exchanged views on regional affairs including on Ukraine and in the Indo-Pacific and confirmed continuous close coordination between Japan and the EU, including on the occasion of today's Japan-EU Summit.

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Japan-Australia Vice Ministers' Telephone Meeting

Ministry of Foregn Affairs of Japan

July 23, 2025

On July 23, commencing at 2:00 p.m. for approximately 40 minutes, Mr. FUNAKOSHI Takehiro, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone meeting with Her Excellency Ms. Jan Adams, Secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Australia. The overview is as follows.

The two sides had a candid exchange of views on a wide range of issues in the Indo-Pacific region, including the situations in East Asia, and confirmed that, amid an increasingly severe regional strategic environment, Japan and Australia continue strengthening cooperation toward the realization of a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific" as the central pillar of the coordination among like-minded countries. The two sides concurred that they would steadily advance cooperation in a wide range of fields, including security, economy, and people-to-people exchanges, with a view to next year's 50th anniversary of the signing of the Japan-Australia Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation.

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Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba Denies Reports of Resignation

Sputnik News

20250723

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday denied media reports claiming that he plans to resign soon.

"There were no discussions regarding my future. Such reports appeared in some media outlets, but I never made such statements," Ishiba told reporters at the headquarters of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Japanese media reported earlier in the day that Ishiba plans to resign following the ruling coalition's defeat in the recent upper house elections and could announce the decision by the end of July or August.

On Sunday, the Japanese ruling coalition of the LDP and the Komeito party failed to secure the 50 seats they needed for parliamentary majority in the upper house. The ruling coalition now has 122 of 248 seats, compared to 141 seats before the election. The opposition, on the other hand, has significantly increased its presence in the upper house, now holding 126 seats.

Despite the loss, the LDP remains the largest party in the upper house, holding 101 seats, including those that were not up for re-election. The main opposition force, the Constitutional Democratic Party, has 38 seats.

Shortly after the election, the prime minister said he had no plans to resign, reshape the government or expand the coalition.

 Sputnik

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General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI (M), Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), attended the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF-2025) at Istanbul, Turkiye, a globally renowned event that highlights cutting-edge innovations and advancements in the defence sector.

Inter Services Public Relations Pakistan

Rawalpindi - July 23, 2025

No PR-229/2025-ISPR

General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, NI (M), Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), attended the 17th International Defence Industry Fair (IDEF-2025) at Istanbul, Turkiye, a globally renowned event that highlights cutting-edge innovations and advancements in the defence sector.

On the sidelines, CJCSC held separate meetings with General (Retd) Yasar Guler, Minister of National Defence of Turkiye, Colonel General Hasanov Zakir Asgar Oglu, Minister of Defence of Azerbaijan, Mr Gurbanov Agil Salim Oglu, Deputy Minister of Defence Azerbaijan and General Metin Gurak, Chief of Turkish General Staff. Discussions were held on variety of issues of bilateral military cooperation with emphasis on importance of expanding cooperation in the fields of defence and security. The dignitaries reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening strategic partnerships and enhancing defence corporation in line with dictates of future geo-strategic environment and technological advancements.

The dignitaries praised the professionalism, operational excellence, and sacrifices of the Pakistan Armed Forces in the fight against terrorism, recognizing their significant contributions to regional and global peace and stability.

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Meeting with State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin

Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin. The Speaker of the lower house of parliament briefed the President on the deputies' performance during the spring session.

July 23, 2025

18:50

The Kremlin, Moscow

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Mr Volodin, I would like to thank you and the State Duma deputies for the work during the parliament's 2025 spring session.

This session was held under the motto of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and as part of Defender of the Fatherland Year. A large number of laws were adopted, more than 300, correct? Laws related to state building accounted for the largest share of the newly adopted laws, followed by laws on the economic policy, the budget, finance, and taxation. In the first case, it is 23.3 percent, and in the second 15 percent. This shows that the State Duma focused on the main areas of activity.

There are 1,125 draft laws under consideration by the Duma, meaning there is a substantial and meaningful amount of work to be done during the autumn session. I am confident the work will continue just as intensively and with the same level of quality.

Speaker of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin: Mr President, thank you very much for the attention you pay to the work of the State Duma. Even the conversation we are having now shows that, in fact, you already know everything I was going to tell you with regard to the laws we have adopted.

So, I can only emphasise one thing: we are doing everything we can so that now, in a time of challenges, sanctions, and threats, our parliament remains consolidated and addresses the issues that concern people as professionally as possible, achieving the goals and objectives you have set. We maintain a high level of unity at over 70 percent.

Indeed, during the spring session - it is called so even though we are in late July - we managed to accomplish a great deal. Perhaps, most importantly, we achieved 100 percent legislative support for the implementation of the Presidential Address. The Government and regional authorities have all the necessary tools to address the tasks that you set out in your Address to the Federal Assembly.

In this regard, we reached a level that you constantly emphasise which is the importance of improving the quality of laws that we adopt meaning that these laws must be laws of direct action. We took a look at them today to find out that such laws make up 71 percent of the total. This is truly a sign that we are discussing the laws more thoroughly and approach their adoption more carefully. For us, quality and effectiveness take priority over sheer numbers.

Just as before, addressing the issues faced by our soldiers and officers participating in the special military operation and their families remains our top priority. This year alone, we have adopted 15 laws bringing the total number of laws on that subject to 139.

We have built a system, shaped the legal framework, and operate on the premise that everything changes, and if needed, in response to emerging challenges, we must improve legislation and adopt the decisions that match the situation and the demands of the time. That is why this area of focus remains under our constant attention and special oversight.

We monitor daily the issues that people come to us with. Over the course of the year, we have identified several priority areas, such as children's health and summer vacations for them. Together with the Government, we are developing solutions and adopting legislation in this area, even though many of these issues fall under the purview of regional and local governments.

We also believe it is essential to maintain special oversight over issues related to protecting citizens from fraud, as technologies continue to evolve. You constantly raise this topic and draw our attention and the Government's attention to it. Therefore, we are doing everything necessary in this area to promptly fulfil the President's instructions, protect our people, and establish a legal framework that will enable law enforcement agencies to carry out their work.

Another important item on our agenda is the fight against illegal migration. Of the 21 laws adopted over the past year and this year, 17 were initiated by deputies. We passed them, and you supported us. As a result, we now see much more effective performance, including on the part of the control and supervisory bodies, the Investigative Committee, the Interior Ministry, in restoring order in this area.

We have also made decisions related to citizenship. We expanded the list of grounds for revoking acquired citizenship: there are now over 80 points on this list. These decisions were not only met with understanding but also supported by society, because in recent years, high social standards have been established in our country which naturally attract many people, but some come here with a purely consumer attitude; they break our laws and act dishonestly.

Taking precisely this into account, we developed solutions that send a clear message: if you respect our laws, know the language, honour our culture, traditions, and faith, then we welcome you. You can contribute to the development of our country, our common home. But if you are not ready to defend our country - and some are not - then you have no place here. By the way, among the new grounds for revoking citizenship, we introduced a rule that if a citizen fails to register for military service, they can lose citizenship. Last year alone, law enforcement agencies submitted 196 cases of such violations.

We believe that anyone who wants to become a citizen of our country must be ready to defend it. Therefore, when we address such issues legislatively, we are guided by the President's agenda and the country's development goals. And that is basically how we organise our work.

Now, as the State Duma deputies conclude their work, they will return to their constituencies to meet with voters, listen to their concerns, and gather proposals. Over the summer, they will work on these issues in the relevant committees, and in the autumn, they will prepare new legislative initiatives. For politicians, vacations are always relative. Of course, there will be an opportunity to rest a bit, but those who want to achieve real results will use every moment to increase the efficiency of parliament and, of course, to make a start for future elections.

I also want to express my gratitude once again for everything that has been done to create the opportunities we have today. If we look back at the 1990s, when the State Duma was first established, there was a lot of talk about democracy but no real substance, no clear powers given to parliament while there was plenty of rhetoric about rights and opportunities. Today, we now have all the necessary tools to work responsibly and to be accountable to the voters.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you.

<...>

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Syria: UN experts alarmed by targeted abductions and disappearances of Alawite women and girls

Press releases

Special Procedures

23 July 2025

GENEVA -- UN experts* today expressed grave concern over alarming reports of targeted abductions, disappearances, and gender-based violence against women and girls, particularly from the Alawite community in the different regions of the Syrian Arab Republic since February 2025.

They expressed serious concern at the reported abduction of 38 Alawite women and girls belonging to the Alawite minority across various governorates, including Latakia, Tartous, Hama, Homs, Damascus, and Aleppo from March 2025 until present. The victims, aged between 3 and 40 years old, were reportedly abducted in broad daylight while travelling to school, visiting relatives, or in their homes. In several cases, families received threats and were discouraged from pursuing investigations or speaking out publicly.

"The pattern of violations described - involving gender-based violence, threats, forced marriage of minors, and a glaring lack of effective response by Syrian interim Government - suggests a targeted campaign against Alawite women and girls based on intersecting grounds," the experts said.

The experts stressed the disturbing accounts of some victims being drugged and physically assaulted during captivity. Although the lack of survivor-sensitive and safe reporting mechanisms makes it difficult to verify incidents of sexual violence, the experts stressed that such abuse could not be ruled out. Reports of forced child marriage were particularly alarming.

"Syrian interim Government reportedly failed to conduct timely and impartial investigations in most cases, and in some instances, refused to register complaints or dismissed families' concerns," the experts said. "Such inaction not only deepens the trauma experienced by victims and their relatives but also fosters a climate of impunity," they said.

"These cases reflect a broader pattern of violence against different groups of women and girls in Syria, exacerbated by insecurity, social fragmentation, and the erosion of rule-of-law institutions," the experts said.

Several cases reportedly involved security actors or individuals affiliated with the institutions of the interim Government of Syria. "Authorities have an obligation under international law to protect all women and girls from violence, provide effective remedies, and ensure access to justice, protection and assistance, including psychosocial support," the experts said. "The targeting of minority women and girls, in particular, shows that they are particularly at risk of violence, which calls for urgent remedial action."

The experts reminded the Syrian interim Government of its obligation to search for disappeared persons and urged it to conduct prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations into the allegations, identify and prosecute perpetrators, and ensure the safety and rehabilitation of survivors. They also called for the establishment of safe, gender-sensitive reporting channels and the appointment of female investigators.

They called on the interim Government to end this pattern of violence and restore trust in the justice system. "All women and girls - including those from religious and ethnic minorities - have the right to live in safety and dignity," they said. "The need to protect them is particularly urgent given the continued attacks on minorities in Syria, including a recent incident in Suweida, where dozens of civilians from the Druze community were killed by unidentified gunmen, among them two women and two children."

The experts are in contact with the interim Government of the Syrian Arab Republic on these matters.

*The experts:

Reem Alsalem, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences (www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-violence-against-women);

the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences (www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-violence-against-women); Nicolas Levrat, the Special Rapporteur on minority issues (www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-minority-issues);

the Special Rapporteur on minority issues (www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-minority-issues); Laura Nyirinkindi, the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls (www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/wg-women-and-girls);

the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls (www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/wg-women-and-girls); Gabriella Citroni (Chair-Rapporteur), Grazyna Baranowska (Vice-Chair), Aua Balde, Ana Lorena Delgadillo Perez, and Mohammed Al-Obaidi, the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/wg-disappearances);

the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/wg-disappearances); Nazila Ghanea, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief (https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-religion-or-belief);

the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief (https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-religion-or-belief); Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism (https://www.ohchr.org/en/special-procedures/sr-terrorism)

Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR.

Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/

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Statement by UNICEF Regional Director, Edouard Beigbeder, on the impact of hostilities on children in Syria

UNICEF

Statement

23 July 2025

AMMAN, 23 July 2025 - "The recent violence in Syria, including in As-Sweida, Damascus, and Dar'a, has impacted children's lives and wellbeing.

"Several children are reported to have been killed and maimed. This is heartbreaking and unacceptable. Our deepest condolences go to their loved ones.

"UNICEF is concerned about the psychosocial wellbeing of children and their families who have witnessed violence, and fled their homes in fear, disrupting their access to basic essential services and psychosocial support.

"Damage to critical infrastructure, including water, electricity, and communication networks, will continue to disproportionally affect the most vulnerable children, particularly after more than a decade of conflict. It is time for the focus to shift towards Syria's recovery and reconstruction.

"UNICEF echoes the Secretary-General's call for sustained peace and urges all parties to uphold their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian and human rights law. It is imperative that all possible measures are taken to protect civilians, especially children. The children of Syria and the region cannot afford further escalation.

"We urgently call on all parties to provide safe, unrestricted, and unimpeded access to affected children and their families. They have a right to live in peace, safety and with dignity now and always.

"We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to scale up life-saving support to children and their families, provided safe and sustained access is guaranteed. Children's lives and well-being must be protected without delay."

#####

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Taiwan set to take delivery of 2nd batch of 42 M1A2T tanks Saturday

ROC Central News Agency

07/23/2025 07:48 PM

Taipei, July 23 (CNA) A second batch of 42 M1A2T Abrams main battle tanks (MBTs) Taiwan purchased from the United States is slated to arrive at the Port of Taipei by ship late on Saturday, a source with knowledge of the matter said Wednesday.

Taiwan has allocated about NT$40.52 billion (US$1.38 billion) from 2019-2027 to purchase 108 M1A2T tanks from the U.S. with the aim of assigning them to the Sixth Army Corps to defend northern Taiwan.

The first 38 tanks were delivered in December 2024. On July 10, four of the M1A2T tanks took part in a live-fire drill at the Kengzikou Range in Hsinchu County, firing 19 rounds at stationary and moving targets designed to resemble Chinese PLA tanks.

The Army reported that the tanks successfully hit all targets, using their Hunter-Killer targeting system.

According to the source, after the 42 tanks arrive, they will be transported to the Hukou Armored Training Command in Hsinchu. However, the schedule is being closely monitored in case of delays caused by typhoon activity. The final batch of 28 tanks is expected to be delivered before mid-2026.

The Army currently has around 1,000 tanks, including the CM-11 Brave Tiger and M60A3 models, which have been in service for over 20 years. In addition to purchasing 108 M1A2T tanks, the Ministry has also upgraded the M60A3 tanks with new engines.

(By Matt Yu and Evelyn Kao)

Enditem/AW

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Taiwan plans to purchase nearly 50,000 indigenous drones by 2027

ROC Central News Agency

07/23/2025 07:14 PM

Taipei, July 23 (CNA) Taiwan's military plans to procure close to 50,000 drones over the next two years as part of efforts to boost its asymmetric warfare capabilities, according to a government tender notice.

According to the tender notice posted on the Government e-Procurement System, the defense ministry's Armaments Bureau aims to acquire a total of 48,750 drones in two phases -- 11,270 in 2026 and 37,480 in 2027.

The drones fall into five categories, marked Type A-Type E, including multi-rotor vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and fixed-wing models, with maximum flight times ranging from 7 minutes to 2.5 hours.

According to the tender notice on the government's procurement website, the drones will be sourced domestically and must not contain any components made in China. Companies with Chinese capital or links to China are barred from bidding, the notice said.

The Armaments Bureau stressed that all drone assembly and component manufacturing must take place in Taiwan, and priority should be given to locally made parts.

The bureau plans to procure 7,500 Type A drones in 2026 and an additional 26,500 in 2027, a source with knowledge of the matter told CNA. These VTOL multi-rotor drones can carry payloads in excess of 2.5kg, have control and transmission ranges of more than 6 kilometers, and stay airborne for over 30 minutes when unloaded.

It plans to purchase 1,100 Type B drones, also with a multi-rotor design, in 2026 and another 3,200 in 2027. These have a range exceeding 25 kilometers and can fly for at least 60 minutes when fully loaded with optical and 10kg payloads, the source said.

The bureau plans to buy 970 Type C drones in 2026 and 2,980 in 2027. These are fixed-wing drones launched via catapult, with a modular design. They can transmit data up to 90km and operate for over two hours with a range of 180km while carrying optical systems and a 10kg payload, they said.

It plans to acquire 1,350 Type D drones in 2026 and 4,450 in 2027. These are also catapult-launched, modular fixed-wing drones and have a 30km range and 30-minute maximum flight time when fully loaded with a 2.5kg payload, according to the source.

The bureau plans to obtain 350 Type E drones in each of the two years. These are VTOL fixed-wing drones and can resist Beaufort scale 5 winds during takeoff and landing, have a 100km flight range, and can remain airborne for 2.5 hours, with an average speed above 80kph when carrying an optical payload, the source said.

The planned procurement comes amid rising military pressure from China, which often sends aircraft and warships over the Taiwan Strait median line.

Beijing has also held large-scale exercises around the country, prompting Taipei to step up domestic weapons production, international arms procurement, training reforms and improvements in overall combat readiness.

(By Matt Yu and Sean Lin)

Enditem/AW

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MAC reaffirms People's Republic of China has never ruled Taiwan

ROC Central News Agency

07/23/2025 07:22 PM

Taipei, July 23 (CNA) Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Wednesday reaffirmed that the People's Republic of China (PRC) has never ruled Taiwan, describing it as a "historical fact that cannot be disputed."

The MAC issued the statement in response to a People's Daily commentary by Chinese scholar Wang Yingjin (), who criticized President Lai Ching-te () for saying the PRC has never governed Taiwan for even a single day.

In a speech delivered on June 22, Lai cited the 1951 San Francisco Peace Treaty, under which Japan renounced all rights to Taiwan and the Penghu Islands following World War II -- but did not specify a recipient, meaning Taiwan was not ceded to the PRC.

Wang, head of the Cross-Strait Relations Research Center at Renmin University of China, claimed that since 1949, the PRC has exercised sovereign powers over Taiwan through political, military and diplomatic channels.

He argued that international bodies often consult Beijing on Taiwan's participation in global affairs, reflecting what he called the PRC's representative authority over the island.

Wang also cited examples such as China's enforcement of anti-secession measures and patrols near Kinmen in 2024 as signs of legal or administrative control over Taiwan.

National Taiwan University associate professor Chen Shih-min () dismissed Wang's claims as misleading and unconvincing, stressing that the international community does not broadly recognize Taiwan as part of China.

Chen cited research showing that among 183 countries with diplomatic ties to China, about 66 percent of joint communiques do not mention or accept the view that Taiwan is part of China. Only around 33 percent explicitly acknowledge it.

While declining to address remarks by individual scholars, MAC reiterated its stance that the PRC has never governed Taiwan and emphasized that this is a historical truth.

Lai's June 22 statement, part of a recent campaign aimed at addressing the challenges facing Taiwan and outlining the government's responses, has drawn sharp criticism from Beijing, which views Taiwan as part of its territory.

(By Lu Chia-jung and Lee Hsin-Yin)

Enditem/AW



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Taiwan welcomes U.S. lawmaker's remarks on South African office issue

ROC Central News Agency

07/23/2025 06:38 PM

Taipei, July 23 (CNA) Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Wednesday thanked U.S. House Representative Chris Smith for condemning South Africa's nominal downgrading of Taiwan's representative offices in the country.

MOFA spokesperson Hsiao Kuangwei () told CNA that Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung () welcomed the Republican congressman's remarks and reiterated Taiwan's call for the South African government to uphold the spirit of a bilateral agreement made in 1997.

Lin called on South Africa to promptly engage in "dialogue with Taiwan based on the principles of equality and dignity" and to refrain from any unilateral action until a consensus is reached, Hsiao said.

According to MOFA, South Africa has twice asked Taiwan to move its office out of the capital, Pretoria, since October 2024.

While discussions were ongoing, the South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) changed the name of Taiwan's office on its website to "Taipei Commercial Office" and listed it under international organizations.

On July 21, South Africa formalized the change, renaming the two offices as the "Taipei Commercial Office in Johannesburg" and the "Taipei Commercial Office in Cape Town."

Smith, who chairs the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, criticized those actions during a congressional hearing Tuesday on the U.S.-South Africa Bilateral Relations Review Act of 2025.

He said South Africa had retroactively changed the name "Taipei Liaison Office in the Republic of South Africa," which had been formally agreed on by both sides, and that any unilateral effort to breach the 1997 agreement or change the status quo was unacceptable.

Smith told the hearing that these actions also raised concerns about pressure from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its human rights record, and urged South Africa not to yield to CCP pressure.

Representing New Jersey's 4th District, Smith is also scheduled to co-chair a Congressional-Executive Commission on China hearing titled "Stand with Taiwan: Countering the PRC's Political Warfare and Transnational Repression" on Wednesday (U.S. time).

(By Charlotte Yang and James Thompson)

Enditem/AW





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Taiwan denies report of South Korea seeking martial law support

ROC Central News Agency

07/23/2025 02:32 PM

Taipei, July 23 (CNA) Taiwan's Presidential Office has rejected a report by a South Korean newspaper saying that a military intelligence official under now-impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol sought Taiwan's support for South Korea's declaration of martial law in December 2024.

In a statement, Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo () said the claim made by The Hankyoreh report that a South Korean official requested Taiwan's support for martial law, declared by Yoon on Dec. 3, 2024, was "fabrication with obvious malicious intent."

Yoon's declaration of martial law was overturned by the parliament hours later, but the incident plunged South Korea into a political crisis and led to Yoon's downfall.

Kuo said routine security exchanges between Taiwan and its democratic partners have been ongoing for years, focusing primarily on regional security rather than the internal affairs of any country.

Taiwan "[does] not interfere in or comment on the internal affairs of other countries," Kuo said, adding that the government demanded a prompt correction of the report.

Kuo's comments came shortly after the South Korean media cited an anonymous military source as saying that Moon Sang-ho, a former intelligence commander now ensnared in the martial law investigation, traveled to Taiwan at the end of November to meet with his local counterpart.

The source claimed the purpose of Moon's trip was to seek Taipei's support for Yoon's martial law plan, though the report also cited Moon as denying the claim.

The report surfaced during an ongoing investigation by a South Korean special prosecution team into foreign exchange crimes involving military personnel and intelligence operations allegedly linked to last year's declaration of martial law.

(By Teng Pei-ju)

Enditem/ls





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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2025/07/24

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Date

6 a.m. Jul. 23 (Wed.) to 6 a.m. Jul. 24 (Thu.) (UTC+8)

2.PLA activities

48 sorties of PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN ships, and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 36 out of 48 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern, and eastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities.

1140724_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan.jpg [Open a new window]

1140724_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan.jpg [Open a new window]

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PM call with President Erdogan of Turkiye: 22 July 2025

The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday evening.

From: Prime Minister's Office, 10 Downing Street and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 23 July 2025

The Prime Minister spoke to the President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday evening.

The two leaders looked ahead to today's International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul, where their Defence Ministers have taken the next step towards signing a multi-billion-pound export deal of UK-built Typhoon jets to Turkiye.

The Prime Minister added that once fully finalised, this enhanced military co-operation will strengthen NATO's collective defences and keep us safer during uncertain times, as well as sustaining 20,000 UK jobs and driving growth.

Turning to the Middle East, they discussed the intolerable situation in Gaza and underlined the urgent need for more aid and an urgent ceasefire, in order to pave the way for a two-state solution and a secure future for Palestinians and Israelis.

They reiterated their concern about the recent violence in Syria, and agreed that the ceasefire must hold.

The Prime Minister thanked the President for Turkiye's convening role in the upcoming talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul today, as well as the discussions due to take place on Iran's nuclear programme later this week.

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UK and Turkiye agree big step towards multi-billion-pound export of Typhoon fighter jets

A multi-billion-pound export deal of Typhoon fighter jets to Turkiye - which could secure thousands of skilled UK jobs - is a significant step closer today, following the signing of an agreement that will also strengthen the UK-Turkiye partnership.

From: Ministry of Defence, The Rt Hon John Healey MP and The Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer KCB KC MP

Published 23 July 2025

Defence Ministers of UK and Turkiye sign agreement in Istanbul, a major step towards the export of Typhoon fighter jets to Turkiye.

Agreement strengthens NATO's collective deterrence and builds on years of defence cooperation and growing industrial ties between UK and Turkiye.

20,000 UK jobs are supported by Typhoon programme, with exports set to secure thousands of UK production line jobs, delivering on the Government's Plan for Change.

Defence Secretary John Healey and Defence Minister Yasar Guler signed the Memorandum of Understanding at the International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul. Building on years of defence cooperation, they agreed that a future Typhoon exports deal would strengthen Turkiye's advanced combat capabilities and help sustain the 20,000 UK jobs involved in the Typhoon programme here at home.

Negotiations on the potential deal with Turkiye will now continue over the coming weeks. It would be the first export order the UK has secured for Typhoon since 2017.

By securing thousands of jobs on UK production lines, the Government will be delivering on our Plan for Change by driving defence as an engine for economic growth.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

The UK's production of Typhoon fighter jets is an engine for economic growth - supporting the lives and livelihoods of thousands of British people right across the UK.

Signing a multi-billion export deal with Turkiye will sustain and protect 20,000 UK jobs for future years to come - which is why my government is so dedicated to securing it. It will bolster our vital defence industry, deliver on our Plan for Change and keep us and our allies safer during these uncertain times.

Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:

Today's agreement is a big step towards Turkiye buying UK Typhoon fighter jets. It shows this government's determination to secure new defence deals, building on our relationships abroad to deliver for British working people. Equipping Turkiye with Typhoons would strengthen NATO's collective defence, and boost both our countries' industrial bases by securing thousands of skilled jobs across the UK for years to come. Last month's Strategic Defence Review stressed the importance of exports, and now with our new defence exports office, we are developing defence's role as an engine for economic growth as a foundation of the government's Plan for Change."

It comes as the Defence Secretary John Healey makes the drive for new defence export deals a high priority.

The Ministry of Defence is preparing to take on responsibility for defence exports from 31st July, in a significant step of delivery for the Strategic Defence Review. The defence exports team will back British businesses on the global stage, drive potential exports and seek to enhance economic growth.

The latest statistics show UK defence exports were valued at 14.5 billion in just a 12-month period. Following the SDR's direction, it moves responsibility for defence exports from the Department for Business and Trade, making the MOD the lead for securing deals for military equipment with our allies.

The Typhoon workshare agreement would see more than a third (37%) of each aircraft manufactured in the UK; the rest of each aircraft would be produced by the Eurofighter Partner Nations. Final production at BAE Systems' Warton site would include radars from Edinburgh and engines from Bristol, helping secure thousands of UK jobs.

Charles Woodburn, Chief Executive, BAE Systems said:

This Memorandum of Understanding between the Governments of Turkiye and the UK underscores the importance of their long-standing defence co-operation through NATO and the critical role Typhoon plays in security and defence in Europe and the Middle East.

The UK also continues to invest in its own world-class Typhoon fleet, which will remain the backbone of the UK's air defence until at least the 2040s. The RAF's existing Typhoons are being upgraded over the next 15 years, supporting skilled jobs across the UK.

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Statement on the meeting of the Defence Ministers of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Turkiye

The Defence Ministers of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Turkiye today reaffirmed the strength of the UK-Turkiye partnership.

From: Ministry of Defence

Published 23 July 2025

The Defence Ministers of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Turkiye welcomed the opportunity to meet at the 17th International Defence Industry Fair in Istanbul today and reaffirmed the strength of the UK-Turkiye partnership. They underscored the importance of the two countries' longstanding defence cooperation, including collaboration through NATO and growing ties in defence industry and security. Both Ministers committed to deepening this strategic partnership in support of the Alliance's collective deterrence.

The two nations continue to make excellent progress on the export of Eurofighter Typhoon. Welcoming Turkiye as a Typhoon operator would build on the bonds of friendship developed over many decades between key NATO Allies and would be a significant step towards enhancing Turkiye's advanced combat air capabilities. This will mark the start of a new chapter in the UK-Turkiye partnership, working together to strengthen capability collaboration and supporting both countries' defence industries through the reciprocal purchase of word-leading equipment.

The Defence Ministers have today jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This document codifies the relationship between the countries, taking them one step closer to a full agreement on Typhoon. Both Ministers welcome signature as a positive step towards bringing Turkiye into the Typhoon club and share a mutual ambition to conclude the necessary arrangements as soon as possible.

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NSATU Capability Sustainment Working Group Strengthens Support for Ukraine

NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU)

Jul 17 2025

Since the outset of Russia's full-scale invasion, Ukraine has received more than 100,000 military platforms from its international partners. Sustaining this massive array of equipment requires unprecedented coordination between the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), the NATO Alliance, and our defense industry partners.

Recognizing this critical challenge, HQ NSATU launched the Capability Sustainment Working Group (CSWG) in January 2025. This week, the 3rd NSATU coordinated CSWG convened in Rzeszow, Poland, bringing together experts to address sustainment issues across 34 critical capabilities currently employed by the AFU within the IAMD, Artillery, and Armoured Vehicle capability groups.

The CSWG gathered more than 200 participants from 32 organizations across 13 nations, creating a unique forum to identify solutions and share insights. Discussions focused on Ukraine's frontline sustainment constraints, particularly the urgent need for technical publications, spare parts, ammunition resupply, specialist tooling, and diagnostic equipment. Beyond basic maintenance, the group also explored ways to accelerate delivery timelines, improve contract transparency, and consolidate depot-level repairs capacity

A milestone of this meeting was the first-ever participation of Ukrainian industry representatives. They outlined domestic capabilities, voiced strong interest in expanding contracts partnerships, and demonstrated a clear commitment to joining the global effort to sustain Ukraine's defence.

The CSWG served as a vital forum for open and constructive dialogue in a collaborative and productive setting. The presence of DCOM NSATU underscored the importance of the event and reinforced NSATU's commitment to enhancing the combat effectiveness of the AFU's operational inventory. The next Capability Working Group is scheduled for September 2025.

Brigadier General Witold Bartoszek (Poland), Assistant Commander Support Division within HQ NSATU, summarized the event's impact: "This is one of the most important conferences in NSATU's continued support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We've seen innovative solutions from global defence industry partners this week, but also heard directly from the AFU about new problems they face. This proves why face-to-face engagement matters, and why NSATU has prioritised and expanded it over the last two years. We will continue to grow it, bringing in more mission partners to support the AFU and highlighting the opportunities to work hand-in-hand with Ukrainian industry on mission critical equipment."

Story by HQ NSATU Public Affairs Officer

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Denys Shmyhal: Together with diplomats, we must intensify efforts to support our warriors and bring victory closer

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

22 July, 2025, 10:48 AM EEST

Minister of Defence Denys Shmyhal addressed Ukrainian diplomats during the meeting of Heads of Foreign Diplomatic Missions.

In particular, the Minister outlined the strategic objectives and defense priorities defined by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy:

Increasing the procurement of Ukrainian-made weapons, with the goal of sourcing 50% of supplies domestically;

Attracting more foreign enterprises ready to partner with Ukraine and operate within the country;

Increased deliveries of weapons and non-lethal assistance, including from neutral countries.

"Particular focus is being placed on new deliveries of the most effective air defense systems, especially those capable of intercepting ballistic threats," emphasized Denys Shmyhal.

The Minister of Defence of Ukraine added that additional funding is also required to advance Ukraine's defense industry  specifically for the production of FPV drones, long-range UAVs, and interceptor systems.

"For our part, we are ready to share our unique combat experience, technologies, and innovations with our partners. We invite our allies to collaborate by creating joint ventures, transferring licenses, and launching production facilities in partner countries. During the war, these products will be directed to meet the needs of the Ukrainian Defence Forces, and in the long term, they will also strengthen our partners," the Minister of Defence said.

According to Denys Shmyhal, Ukraine will require at least $120 billion for defense next year. Efforts have already begun with other countries, including EU and NATO members, to secure half of this amount with the support of allies.

During a panel discussion, Denys Shmyhal, alongside Minister of Internal Affairs Ihor Klymenko and Chief of the General Staff Major General Andrii Hnatov, addressed questions posed by ambassadors.

"I express my gratitude to the diplomatic corps for their daily dedication to Ukraine's cause. Together, we must intensify our efforts to support our warriors and bring victory closer," concluded the Minister of Defence.

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'Balistyka,' a manufacturer of body armor and gear, has become a new partner of the Army+ 'Pluses' Program

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

22 July, 2025, 12:01 PM EEST

'Balistyka,' a Ukrainian manufacturer of body armor and gear, has joined the Army+ 'Pluses' Program as a new partner. The company offers one promo code per month, giving a 500 UAH discount on any order.

To obtain the promo code, open the 'Pluses' service in the Army+ app, select 'Balistyka', and tap 'Generate.' The code can be used once per month, both online and in-store. The offer can be combined with other discounts and promotional offers from the partner.

"Discounts on gear are among the most common requests we hear from service members. We are pleased to welcome the Ukrainian company 'Balistyka'whose products have been trusted for over a decadeas a new partner offering tailored discounts for our defenders. We remain focused on expanding the availability of such offers in the 'Pluses' Program," said Kateryna Chernohorenko, Deputy Minister of Defence for Digital Development.

To recap, the 'Pluses' Program, launched in December 2024, brings together major businesses to offer exclusive deals on goods and services for service members. During this period, the offers have been used 3 million times, resulting in savings of over UAH 260 million. Companies that previously joined the Program include Ukrzaliznytsia, UKRNAFTA, Nova Poshta, WOG, OKKO, ROZETKA, Ukrarmor, and Multiplex.

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Financial support for the defense sector: Denys Shmyhal convened a meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Finance and heads of state-owned banks

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

22 July, 2025, 5:35 PM EEST

Minister of Defence of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal held a meeting with a delegation from the Ministry of Finance and heads of the largest state-owned banks.

"We are reinforcing financial support for the defense sector. I express my gratitude for the establishment of the consortium, which is already facilitating loans for defense production backed by state guarantees," said the head of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

The parties discussed next steps, including implementing the 'Dutch model,' which entails direct contracts with manufacturers, investments in Ukrainian defense companies, and the establishment of joint ventures.

According to Denys Shmyhal, the Ministry of Defence is already preparing amendments to the resolution that will allow loan interest to be included in production costs, thereby simplifying operations for enterprises.

"The proposals from the banks were heard. The Ministry of Defence, in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance and other entities, will promptly process them. We anticipate increased engagement from state-owned banks in providing funding to defense industry enterprises. This is the key to boosting weapons production and strengthening our defense capabilities," emphasized the Minister of Defence of Ukraine.

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'A Perilous Moment For Ukraine' As New Law Undermines Wartime Unity

By Steve Gutterman July 23, 2025

A poster held by a protester in Kyiv captured the anger and disbelief many Ukrainians are feeling after parliament passed a bill -- swiftly signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy -- that critics say will curb the independence of two key anti-corruption agencies and badly set back the country's hard-won progress toward democracy and the rule of law.

"This is not the future my brother died for," it read.

In just a few words, that message touched on at least a dozen years of Ukraine's tumultuous recent history, from the Maidan protests that pushed Moscow-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych from power in 2014 to Russia's war against Ukraine, which rages on 41 months after the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

As the country struggles to fend off the Russian invasion, which has killed tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians and uprooted millions of citizens, passage of the law restricting the autonomy of the anti-corruption agencies has, for many, raised a stark and simple question: What are we fighting for?

"We had two relatively independent institutions that at least created the appearance -- or even the reality -- of checks and balances. If we dismantle them, we'll slide into a fully controlled state," said Anton, a protester in the southeastern city of Dnipro, not far from the front. "I wouldn't want to live in a country like that."

A Major Setback?

The monthslong Maidan protests, which came to be known as the Revolution of Dignity, began as demonstrations of anger over government corruption, which has plagued Ukraine since independence in 1991 and was seen as getting worse.

They swelled to massive proportions after Yanukovych abruptly abandoned plans to sign a trade agreement with the European Union and tightened ties with Russia instead.

The Maidan protests and the defense against the Russian onslaught are just the most prominent examples of efforts by Ukrainians to safeguard independence -- due to Moscow's aggression, still in peril almost 35 years after the Soviet collapse -- and to put as much distance as possible between Ukraine and both its Soviet legacy and the backward-looking, deeply unfree country Russia has become.

Defenders of the institutions affected by the new law -- the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) -- say that a working system of independent anti-corruption bodies has been a crucial step in that direction for Ukraine, and that the legislation is a major setback.

"In essence, Ukraine is being dragged 10 years back in terms of the fight against corruption," Dmytro Kozyatynskiy, a war veteran, said at the protest in Kyiv on July 22, where many of the demonstrators were young people like him.

"By stripping NABU of its autonomy, they are gradually dismantling everything that's been built up over the years," he said. "I'm in shock, my friends are in shock."

The law "strips society of one of the greatest achievements since the Revolution of Dignity -- independent anti-corruption institutions," Transparency International Ukraine said.

As the protests that erupted in several cities after its passage show, it also threatens the national unity that has been an indispensable ingredient in Ukraine's defense against a country that Russian President Vladimir Putin -- and many in the West -- expected to come under Moscow's thumb within weeks of the start of the full-scale invasion.

"Just a few days ago Ukrainians were assuring me that whatever complaints they had about Zelenskyy, they understood the need for a united front in wartime. Now it's unclear whether Zelenskyy can still count on national unity -- a scenario the Kremlin has long been hoping for," Lucian Kim, senior Ukraine analyst at the International Crisis Group, wrote on Bluesky.

"It's a perilous moment for Ukraine, for democracy in Ukraine and for democracy everywhere," Kim wrote.

'Government Arbitrariness'

Zelenskyy defended the legislation, which was submitted by his own party, in a nightly address on July 22 and at a meeting with security and anti-corruption agencies on July 23. He contended that it would improve anti-graft efforts and remove "Russian influence" from the fight against corruption.

Later on July 23, however, Zelenskyy said he would soon propose another bill, which he said would guard against Russian interference but would provide for "the independence of anti-corruption institutions." He did not say whether he would seek to undo the law he signed a day earlier.

Critics say the legislation plays into Putin's hands in ways that could weaken Ukraine's defense against the Russian onslaught, not strengthen it, by threatening to undermine unity among Ukrainians and sap support for Kyiv from the West at a crucial juncture.

If it ends up jeopardizing Zelenskyy's position, that could also be welcomed by the Kremlin: One of the main initial goals of the invasion was to remove the president and replace him with a pro-Russian figure, and Putin has repeatedly sought to cast Zelenskyy as illegitimate.

It could also amplify concerns in Washington about Ukrainian corruption at a time when US President Donald Trump has begun to lay a large part of the blame for the lack of progress toward peace on Russia and promised to increase supplies of weapons to Kyiv via Europe.

Hitting the streets of cities that Russia has relentlessly targeting with increasingly intense drone and missile attacks, protesters voiced concern that Ukraine was now coming under attack from a new adversary: its own leaders.

"This is government arbitrariness. We don't want to fight both Russia and our own government," Suzanna, a protester in the western city of Lviv, told RFE/RL.

"Our country is already under massive external attack," said Darya, also in Lviv. "We must not destroy it from within."

With reporting by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-corruption-protests- maidan-war-russia/33481850.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Zelenskyy Promises New Bill After Anti-Corruption Law Sparks Backlash

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service July 23, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has promised a new bill after a new law limiting the independence of two anti-corruption agencies sent protesters into the streets in cities across the country and prompted stern warnings to scrap the legislation from European capitals key to fighting the war against Russia.

Officials from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) met with Zelenskyy on July 23 to demand a repealing of the law less than a day after the president signed it.

"NABU and SAPO are being deprived of the guarantees that previously allowed them to effectively fulfill their tasks and functions in combating top corruption," the agencies said in a Telegram post on July 23.

Zelenskyy said the move to bring the agencies under the control of the Prosecutor-General -- whom the president appoints -- was made to rid them of alleged Russian influence. The agencies' work is seen as essential to Kyiv's path to join the European Union.

He later said that the protests against the move were "not falling on deaf ears."

"I will propose to the Verkhovna Rada a bill that will be a response that will provide strength to the law enforcement system," Zelenskyy said.

"There will be no Russian influence or interference in the activities of law enforcement agencies, and, very importantly, all the norms for the independence of anti-corruption institutions will be in place."

Still, NABU and SAPO officials said, the newly adopted legislative changes as they currently stand would significantly limit their independence and "clear and unambiguous steps" are needed to restore the safeguards against governmental interference that they were previously guaranteed.

The European Union called the decision to adopt the original bill a "serious step back," while other opponents of the law voiced concern that it represented a reversal after a decade of democratization.

Germany said the legal change "hampers Ukraine's way towards the EU," while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has asked Zelenskyy to explain the amendments to the anti-corruption agencies law, expressing strong concerns about their potential consequences.



"President von der Leyen conveyed her strong concerns about the consequences of the amendments, and she requested the Ukrainian government for explanations," EU spokesman Guillaume Mercier said.

Benjamin Haddad, France's European Affairs minister, added on July 23 it was not too late for Ukraine to reverse the decision.

"It is not too late to go back on this," Haddad told France Inter radio. "We will be extremely vigilant on the subject."

Despite massive air attacks on the capital in recent days, hundreds of Ukrainians protested in central Kyiv, demanding Zelenskyy to veto the bill, saying it had been rushed through and would allow the government to meddle in high-profile corruption cases.

"What's happening now is absolutely irrational. In essence, Ukraine is being dragged 10 years back in terms of its fight against corruption," Kyiv local Dmytro told RFE/RL's Ukrainian service.

NABU investigates corruption among state institutions, while the SAPO prosecutes other corruption. Some of the NABU's high-profile investigations since it began its work in 2015 have embarrassed senior officials.

The new law, brought forward in parliament by Zelenskyy's Servant of the People Party, made the Prosecutor General the de facto head of SAPO, effectively stripping authority away from the agency's chief.

It also allowed the Prosecutor General to unilaterally close cases involving top officials and lets the Prosecutor General reassign cases being investigated by NABU to other agencies.

Speaking at the briefing before the Ukrainian media on July 23, General Prosecutor Ruslan Kravchenko claimed the agencies would continue to function as previously envisaged.

"The prosecutor general has only been granted broader powers and an increased scope of authority," he told a news conference on July 23.



The legal changes to the work of NABU and SAPO came after a crackdown on the agencies themselves.

On July 21, Ukraine's domestic security agency, the SBU, arrested two NABU officials -- one on suspicion of spying for Russia, the other over alleged business ties to Russian entities -- and carried out dozens of searches targeting agency employees.

The agencies claimed the operation went far beyond legitimate security concerns, extending to unrelated issues such as years-old traffic violations.

Kravchenko said that the suspicions were just the beginning of a broader investigation into Russian efforts to influence NABU.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-corruption- demonstrations-bill-zelenskyy-europe/33481162.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Ranking Member Shaheen and Senator Graham Statement Urging Ukraine to Continue Fight Against Corruption

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

July 23, 2025

WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), released the following statement after the passage of a law that will undermine Ukraine's critical anti-corruption institutions, including the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO):

"Ukraine has made enormous strides on its anti-corruption agenda since the Revolution of Dignity. Notably, this progress was made while Ukraine was fighting against Russia's aggressionwhich is a testament to the extraordinary will of the Ukrainian people. The Verkhovna Rada's recent passage of a law, signed by President Zelenskyy, we fear undermines much of that progress and goes against Ukraine's tremendous fighting spirit as well as the expectations of Ukraine's citizenry and the international community.

"One of the most widely used talking points for ending support for Ukraine is that it was awash with corruption. We acknowledge that Ukraine continues to make progress on this front and we urge the government to refrain from any actions that undermine that progress.

"There continues to be significant bipartisan support for Ukraine and agreement that it is in Ukraine's interest - and our own - to meet the expectations of its citizenry and ensure that governance structures guarantee Ukraine's economic prosperity and future U.S. investments."

###

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Russia Offers Ukraine to Hand Over 3,000 Bodies of Soldiers: Presidential Aide Medinsky

Sputnik News

20250723

The third round of Russian-Ukrainian negotiations took place in Istanbul.

All humanitarian agreements from the second Russia-Ukraine talks have been fulfilled, including an unprecedented large-scale prisoner exchange, Vladimir Medinsky said. Russia proposed forming three online working groups, which Ukraine agreed to consider.

Additionally, Russia suggested short-term ceasefires (24-48 hours) to evacuate the wounded and retrieve soldiers' bodies, while offering another prisoner exchange involving at least 1,200 military personnel per side and the handover of 3,000 bodies of deceased Ukrainian servicemen.

Not all Kursk region residents replaced by Ukrainian forces to Ukraine have returned; around 30 remain detained under unclear circumstances. Kiev must clarify these civilians' status. Meanwhile, indefinite medical exchanges of severely wounded and sick personnel along the frontline will continue. Positions on memorandums were extensively discussed but remain far apart.

Russia completed its list of Ukrainian children under its care, confirming they receive adequate care and safety in state-supervised childcare facilities. Russia demanded Kiev return Russian children taken to Ukraine and provided a list of those in Ukraine/EU countries. Russia expects equal care for its children. Ukraine refuses to hand over civilians or children in exchange but demands their return.

"Russia has processed the entire list of 339 Ukrainian children's names. Some of them have returned to Ukraine. The rest are still awaiting processing," Medinsky noted.

A Putin-Zelensky meeting should "finalize the matter" but requires finalized agreement terms and a clearly defined agenda. The Russian delegation emphasized such a meeting must be "properly prepared." Russia's human rights commissioners are verifying Ukraine's list of children allegedly in Russia, noting many were never there.

 Sputnik

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Russian Forces Take Control of Varachino Settlement in Sumy Region

Sputnik News

20250723

Russia's Sever group of forces took control of the settlement of Varachino in the Sumy Region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

"As a result of active operations, units of the Sever group of forces have liberated the settlement of Varachino in the Sumy Region," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia's Tsentr group of forces has eliminated up to 405 Ukrainian soldiers over the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

Ukrainian troops lost up to 405 servicepeople, an armored combat vehicle, a car, two multiple launch rocket systems and four artillery pieces, the ministry said in a statement.

The Zapad group of forces has eliminated more than 250 Ukrainian soldiers and the Vostok group has eliminated up to 200 Ukrainian troops, the ministry added.

 Sputnik

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Russian Delegation Unveiled for 3rd Round of Istanbul-Hosted Ukraine Talks - Source to Sputnik

Sputnik News

20250723

A source informed Sputnik on Wednesday that the Russian delegation for the upcoming round of negotiations with Ukraine will still consist of four main members and four experts.

The next round of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine is expected to start in Istanbul on Wednesday evening.

This will be the third meeting since the talks resumed in May, following a hiatus of more than three years.

"The Russian negotiating group still includes four main members of the delegation and four experts," the source said.

The composition of the Russian delegation remains unchanged from previous rounds, the sources added.

Moscow's delegation includes Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin, Chief of the Russian General Staff's Main Intelligence Directorate Igor Kostyukov, Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin.

The Ukrainian delegation will consist of Rustem Umerov, formerly Ukraine's Minister of Defense, now serving as the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, representatives from Ukrainian intelligence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Zelensky's office.

According to a senior Turkish official, the heads of Turkish diplomacy and intelligence and a senior military official will also be in attendance.

What's On The Table

The upcoming discussions will be "quite complex," primarily centering on two contrasting draft memoranda regarding the terms of a potential settlement, according to Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

These documents were exchanged during the second round of talks on June 2.

"There will be an exchange of opinions and actual negotiations on these two projects," Peskov confirmed.

"Significant diplomatic work" lies ahead before any high- or top-level meetings between the two countries can be considered, noted the Kremlin press secretary.

Although reaching agreements on prisoner exchanges or the return of fallen soldiers' bodies would be considered productive, Peskov warned against anticipating swift or comprehensive outcomes.

"Of course, there is no reason to count on any breakthroughs from a variety of miracles," he said. "It is unlikely that this is possible given the current situation."

Previously, President Vladimir Putin stated that the Russian negotiating team is in constant contact with their Ukrainian counterparts and confirmed the country's readiness for the next round.

Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks Timeline

Direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine resumed on May 16, 2025, at the initiative of Vladimir Putin, ending a hiatus of more than three years.

During the first round of talks on May 16, the sides agreed to a "1,000 for 1,000" prisoner swap.

At the second round, on June 2, the parties exchanged draft memoranda outlining proposals for a peaceful settlement.

They also agreed to swap seriously wounded POWs, and to return the bodies of the dead. As part of this effort, Moscow handed over several thousand bodies of deceased soldiers to Ukraine.

 Sputnik

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The importance of dialogue even during crisis: UK statement to the OSCE

Ambassador Neil Holland reiterates UK support for Ukraine, calls for Russia to agree an immediate ceasefire, and underlines the enduring value of the Forum for Security Cooperation for risk-reduction messaging.

From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Neil Holland

Published 23 July 2025

Location: Vienna

Delivered on: 23 July 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered)

Thank you to Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Mr Roger, for his remarks. Madam Chair, dear Kaja, thank you also for your calm and professional stewardship of this Forum this Trimester.

As I have said before, our Ministers mandated the Forum to continue our politico-military dialogue even in times of crisis. That is why we used our weekly statements to reiterate our support for Ukraine. It is why we continued to call on Russia to agree an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, and to return to abiding by the principles of the UN Charter and the Helsinki Final Act. And it is why we supported Estonia's three Security Dialogue topics to keep the focus on Russia's war of aggression.

Madam Chair, our Ministers also mandated our Forum with risk-reduction. It is in this spirit that we have continued to use this Forum in good faith, including as a NATO Ally, to send and receive messaging. This includes voluntary briefs on above- and below-threshold military exercises, and asking questions to clarify our own understanding. We have done this, as a responsible State, to maintain dialogue in an appropriate and diplomatic manner. Because this is about our shared interests of reducing misunderstanding and preventing unintended escalation.

Let me conclude by thanking Spain as it leaves the FSC Troika, and to welcome France. The incoming Chair, Finland, can count on the UK's full and continued support next Trimester - including in its prerogative as FSC Chair.



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Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and Israel agree in Kyiv to launch a strategic dialogue on the Iranian threat

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

23 July 2025 12:16

On Wednesday, 23 July, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha welcomed his Israeli counterpart Gideon Sa'ar to Kyiv, marking his first bilateral visit to Ukraine in his capacity as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel.

The foreign ministers conducted detailed talks covering a wide range of issues, including security, humanitarian and economic cooperation, innovation development, and joint initiatives.

Andrii Sybiha stated that Ukraine sees significant opportunities for deepening its cooperation with Israel in such areas as healthcare, energy, agriculture, and cybersecurity.

"Ukraine and Israel have significant potential in the field of defence technologies. The time has come to realise this potential jointly for the sake of the security and stability of our countries," - the minister said.

The Foreign Minister emphasised the importance of resuming the work of the Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation and holding its next meeting.

"Last year, our trade turnover increased by more than 65%, reaching nearly one billion US dollars. We must maintain this positive trend. We plan to consider prospects for cooperation in the defence industry and identify priority joint projects," - Andrii Sybiha noted.

The minister also proposed to resume political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries for the first time since 2022.

Particular attention was paid to issues of regional security, including the peaceful settlement in the Middle East. The head of the Ukrainian diplomatic service reaffirmed that Ukraine has always been and remains committed to international law, the protection of civilians, and the pursuit of just solutions.

During the talks, the ministers agreed to launch strategic dialogue between Ukraine and Israel on the Iranian threat. According to Andrii Sybiha, both countries are currently facing common security challenges. Against the backdrop of these threats, the foreign ministers agreed to intensify multilateral and bilateral cooperation.

"Iran and Russia pose an existential threat not only to our countries, but also to global security. Iran continues to destabilise the region by developing its nuclear programme and supplying weapons to terrorist groups," - he stressed.

The minister emphasised that Moscow, Tehran and Pyongyang have aligned themselves as a bloc of rogue regimes that support one another and pose a threat to the entire free world.

The Foreign Minister also announced that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine had upgraded the status of the historical site of the tomb of Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav in Uman from a local heritage site to a national heritage site.

"This is a sacred place that honours the founder of Breslov Hasidism. It now enjoys the highest level of state protection as an object of national heritage," - he noted.

Andrii Sybiha expressed his deep gratitude to Israel for its humanitarian aid, in particular for the project in the field of water supply to the southern regions of Ukraine. The Ukrainian Minister also handed over a non-paper to his counterpart regarding Ukraine's need for modular shelters to protect civilians.

"There is a need everywhere for solutions that enhance civilian security in the face of constant terror. Our countries are united by a shared history, culture, human ties, and the experience of common struggle. This is confirmed by archival documents that my colleague and I reviewed today regarding Ukrainian-Jewish relations," - the diplomat noted.

A special part of the visit was the presentation of archival diplomatic documents from the era of the Ukrainian People's Republic to the distinguished guests at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. In particular, the archival documents included orders for the creation of the first Jewish infantry battalion in Odesa between January and March 1918. This unit took part in the national liberation struggle of the Ukrainian People's Republic during the Central Rada, ensuring security and public order in Odesa.

Presenting the exhibition to his Israeli colleagues, Andrii Sybiha emphasised that these documents testify to the close diplomatic and interpersonal ties between Ukraine and Israel.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine expresses its gratitude to Anatolii Khromov, Head of the State Archival Service, and Larysa Levchenko, Director of the Central State Archives of Supreme Bodies of Power and Government of Ukraine, for their efforts in locating and preparing the materials for the presentation.

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Denys Shmyhal: The Ministry of Defence will continue to scale up Ukrainian interceptor drone technologies

Ministry of Defence of Ukraine

23 July, 2025, 10:48 AM EEST

Minister of Defence of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal met with First Vice Prime Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, representatives of Brave1, the Ministry of Digital Transformation team, drone manufacturers, and Ukraine's largest volunteer foundations.

"The state is developing the Ukrainian market for interceptor drones. Yesterday, three manufacturers were awarded contracts. In total, four contracts have been signed, amounting to over UAH 3 billion. We will continue to scale up these technologies," emphasized the Minister of Defence of Ukraine.

A key focus of the meeting was ensuring that frontline Ukrainian forces are provided with drones.

In particular, significant attention was given to interceptor drones capable of countering russian Shahed loitering munitions. According to Denys Shmyhal, the President has set a task to develop this direction, and four state contracts have already been signed with manufacturers.

"This week, talks were held with large state-owned banks about providing loans to manufacturers under state guarantees. Furthermore, the Ministry of Defence is engaged in negotiations with partners to secure funding for the procurement of such interceptors. Initial agreements have been reached. We are consolidating efforts to ensure security and a peaceful future," noted the Minister of Defence of Ukraine.

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Ukraine Remains in Focus at PACE - Ihor Zhovkva Following Meeting with Rapporteur Piero Fassino

President of Ukraine

23 July 2025 - 10:50

Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Ihor Zhovkva, held a meeting with Piero Fassino, Member of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy and Member of the Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), who is visiting Ukraine on a preparatory mission as part of his work on the PACE report "Political Consequences of the Russian Federation's Aggression against Ukraine."

Ihor Zhovkva expressed gratitude to Piero Fassino for his personal and active position in support of Ukraine, both within PACE and among Italian parliamentarians.

The Deputy Head of the Presidential Office provided an update on the security situation in Ukraine, including the consequences of large-scale Russian attacks targeting civilians. He emphasized that Ukraine, more than any other nation, seeks a just and lasting peace. The parties discussed efforts by our state, as well as by American and European partners, to establish peace.

The meeting also addressed the issue of holding Russia internationally accountable for the crime of aggression against Ukraine. Ihor Zhovkva thanked PACE for its consistent support of the creation of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Russia's Aggression against Ukraine, and for the Council of Europe's efforts concerning the Register of Damage caused by the war.

"Work is currently underway on an expanded partial agreement to establish the Special Tribunal. We expect that by the end of this year, states will be able to join the agreement, and the tribunal will begin functioning in practice," noted the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office.

Ihor Zhovkva stressed the importance of maintaining focus on the issue of Ukraine at PACE. This can be achieved by including the topic of Ukraine in the agenda of every Assembly session.

Piero Fassino reaffirmed PACE's full support for Ukraine on its most urgent priorities: strengthening military assistance, introducing tougher sanctions against Russia, and ensuring accountability for its crimes.

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President Meets with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel

President of Ukraine

23 July 2025 - 20:28

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Gideon Sa'ar, who arrived in Ukraine on a visit.

"Thank you for your visit. It is a signal of support for our country, especially during wartime, in these difficult times. We are grateful for your support of Ukraine and Ukrainians," the Head of State emphasized.

Gideon Sa'ar commended the resilience of the Ukrainian people in their struggle against Russian aggression and stressed that Israel is interested in strengthening its relations with Ukraine.

"We know Ukraine is facing a challenging time during this war. We are friends. We came to strengthen our relations in all aspects. I hope we will strengthen these relations. And that is also important to us," said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel.

The meeting focused on economic and defense cooperation. In particular, the parties discussed strengthening Ukraine's air defense and opportunities for joint weapons production.

Special attention was given to sanctions against Russia and the importance of increasing pressure on the Russian Federation.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Gideon Sa'ar also discussed humanitarian support. The President expressed gratitude for Israel's decision to provide USD 1.2 million in assistance to Ukraine, which will include support for water supply systems in the southern regions; he also highlighted the need for humanitarian demining equipment.

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SSU supports constructive approach and full cooperation in interests of Ukraine's national security - Vasyl Maliuk following meeting with President

Security Service of Ukraine

15:05, 23 July 2025

The SSU Head, Lieutenant General Vasyl Maliuk, said this at a meeting with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and all the heads of law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies: SSU, PGO, SBI, NABU, SAPO and NAPC.

"The SSU supports the most constructive approach and full cooperation in the interests of Ukraine's national security. All of us, law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies, should consolidate our efforts to fight corruption more effectively and to neutralize russian influence in our country. We must not allow the enemy to sow discord between us. We are strong only when we are united," emphasized Vasyl Maliuk.

As a result, the participants agreed to hold a working meeting of law enforcement officers next week at the Prosecutor General's Office to discuss a common action plan.

In two weeks, during a meeting with the President, a joint plan should be ready with the steps to be taken to strengthen Ukraine, resolve existing issues, provide more justice, and actually protect the interests of Ukrainian society.

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Drone Attacks Even The Odds For Ukrainian Frontline Units

By Serhiy Horbatenko and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service July 24, 2025

It's become an almost daily routine for Ukraine's elite drone units working along the eastern front: Catching on camera groups of ill-prepared Russian ground troops and vehicles venturing forward.

Once they're sighted, it's usually a matter of minutes or seconds until the Ukrainian drones blow them up, say the technicians operating the joysticks.

"They are hunting us; we are hunting them," said Ukrainian drone unit soldier "Maks," speaking to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. "Drone operators are a priority target as they are the most effective combat units that inflict the most losses."

Estimates by Ukrainian commanders suggest that up to 70 percent of Russia's current deaths and casualties are due to drone attacks.

The drone operators in Ukraine's 30th Prince Kostyantyn Ostrozkiy Mechanized Brigade, working in the Donetsk region, say they place a high priority on targeting their Russian counterparts.

They also play a key role in supporting the Ukrainian infantry and in fending off assaults by Russian troops.

Facing a far larger army than their own in this war, Ukrainians developed drone attack tactics early on that have proven highly effective, from working out how to drop a grenade with pinpoint precision to evading enemy digital jamming signals.

And the advent of first person-view technology, which allows operators to see what the drone sees live as it attacks, has signaled a remarkable leap forward in the impact of relatively cheap, expendable drones as an essential element of warfare.

And, while Russian engineers have actively worked to keep up the pace in a drone arms race, with both sides constantly improving, it appears that invading ground troops are still highly vulnerable.

"Most of the time, they come without any EW [electronic warfare] defenses," said Ukrainian drone unit soldier "Ryba."

"There was an assault group coming in recently," he said. "One soldier was carrying a backpack with EW equipment and the other had a portable generator. But they didn't have time to start it up and they'll stay in that spot forever."

It's also become evident from witnessing Ukrainian air attacks that Russians do not expend much effort to recover their soldiers once they're hit, said "Maks."

"When they retreat, they leave behind soldiers who are even slightly injured," he explained. "Their fear of drones outweighs the fear of snipers."

Almost daily Russian incursions around the ruined city of Pokrovsk have been keeping Ukrainian drone operators particularly busy recently.

And, although Ukrainian frontline troops of all kinds have said they must deal with increasing exhaustion and stress, drone unit soldier Mykhaylo Trach says drones have proved themselves vital to keeping the Russians at bay.

"The enemy is constantly trying to probe weak spots in our defenses and seize more territory," he said. "But they're failing because of our efforts."

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-donetsk-drone- russia-vulnerable-electronic-warfare/33481799.html

Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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IAEA Applied Safeguards for 190 States - IAEA Report

International Atomic Energy Agency

Adem Mutluer, IAEA Department of Safeguards

Jul 21 2025

In 2024, the IAEA applied safeguards for 190 States with safeguards agreements in force, according to the Safeguards Statement and Background for 2024, published recently. This involved performing more than 3000 in-field verification activities at over 1300 nuclear facilities and 'locations outside facilities' around the world.

Through safeguards, the IAEA verifies States' commitments to use nuclear material and technology only for peaceful purposes. The annual Safeguards Statement presents the IAEA's findings and conclusions from undertaking its nuclear verification work throughout the year.

"The Safeguards Statement and Background for 2024 shows the trend of previous reports: the amount of nuclear material and facilities under IAEA safeguards continues to increase," said Massimo Aparo, Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Safeguards at the IAEA. "With more and more countries looking to add nuclear power to their energy mix, our workload will only keep growing."

Small Quantities Protocol

In 2024, the IAEA was able to draw safeguards conclusions for 175 of the 190 States where safeguards were applied. The remaining 15 States had small quantities protocols (SQPs) based on the protocol's original standard text. As noted by the Director General, Rafael Mariano Grossi, this text contains limitations that significantly affect the IAEA's ability to draw a credible and soundly-based safeguards conclusion for such States.

Standardized in 1974, the SQP is designed to simplify the implementation of safeguards for States with minimal or no nuclear material and activities. In 2005, the IAEA Board of Governors decided that the SQP in its original form constituted a weakness in the safeguards system, and it approved a revised standard text for SQPs. The IAEA no longer draws safeguards conclusions for States with SQPs based on the original standard text.

In 2024, the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Fiji, Mongolia, Oman and Sierra Leone amended original SQPs to reflect the revised standard text, and Saudi Arabia rescinded an SQP. For the 15 States with SQPs based on the original text, the Agency remains ready to provide assistance towards the amendment or rescission of these SQPs.

During the year, a comprehensive safeguards agreement (CSA) with an SQP based on the revised text and an additional protocol (AP) entered into force for Timor-Leste.

Having an AP significantly enhances the IAEA's ability to verify the peaceful use of all nuclear material by providing the Agency with access to additional safeguards relevant information and locations.

Safeguards: the IAEA's Conclusions

Of the 190 States where the IAEA applied safeguards during 2024, 182 had CSAs in force, of which 137 also had APs in force. Of these 137 States, the IAEA concluded that "all nuclear material remained in peaceful activities" for 75 States. The IAEA drew this conclusion, also known as the 'broader conclusion', for the first time for Morocco. For 61 States, the IAEA was only able to conclude that declared nuclear material remained in peaceful activities as evaluations regarding the absence of undeclared nuclear material and activities remained ongoing.

For 31 States with a CSA but no AP in force, the IAEA was able to conclude that declared nuclear material remained in peaceful activities.

As of the end of 2024, three non-nuclear-weapon States party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) had yet to bring CSAs into force pursuant to Article III of the Treaty. For these States, the IAEA could not draw any safeguards conclusions.

For the three States in which the IAEA implemented safeguards pursuant to item-specific safeguards agreements (India, Israel and Pakistan), the IAEA concluded that "nuclear material, facilities or other items to which safeguards had been applied remained in peaceful activities".

Safeguards were also implemented in the five nuclear-weapon States party to the NPT under their respective voluntary offer agreements. For these five States (China, France, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States of America), the IAEA concluded that "nuclear material in selected facilities to which safeguards had been applied remained in peaceful activities or had been withdrawn from safeguards as provided for in the agreements."

Member State Support is Critical to Keep Pace with Challenges

"That we are able to draw safeguards conclusions for so many States with safeguards agreements in force is a significant undertaking," said Aparo. "As we move forward, it is crucial for us to keep pace with the challenges, and grasp the opportunities, in international nuclear safeguards implementation."

To strengthen States' capacity to implement safeguards, the Agency also continued to support State or regional authorities responsible for safeguards implementation (SRAs) and State systems of accounting for and control of nuclear material (SSACs). During 2024, the Agency continued to provide an extensive range of in-person and online training opportunities for professionals working in the safeguards field.

In addition, 2024 saw the launch of a new cycle of COMPASS  the IAEA Comprehensive Capacity-Building Initiative for SSACs and SRAs - with four countries: Bangladesh, Plurinational State of Bolivia, Cameroon and Ghana. Launched in 2020 by the Director General, COMPASS provides comprehensive assistance tailored to a State's specific safeguards needs.

Read the Safeguards Statement and Background for 2024.

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Paramus, NJ, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For many women, large breasts are not just a cosmetic concern, theyre a medical one. Chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain, rashes under the breasts, painful grooves from bra straps, posture problems, and even emotional distress are just some of the symptoms that can come with disproportionately large breasts.

What many people dont realize is that breast reduction surgery, also known as reduction mammoplasty is usually medically necessary, and as a result, it may be covered by health insurance.

At Nouri Plastic Surgery we understand the pain and discomfort associated with disproportionately large breasts. We ensure the highest level of patient care from the moment you give us a call to your final post-operative visit.

We are here for you, every step of the way. Our patients first motto is unwavering. We are located in Paramus, Bergen County, New Jersey and very close to Franklin Lakes, Tenafly, Cresskill, Ridgewood, Englewood Cliffs, Woodcliff Lake, Alpine, Paterson, Saddle River, Ho-Ho-Kus, and Upper Saddle River, as well as New York City.

If youve been suffering from the physical and emotional burden of large breasts, you might be surprised to learn that your insurance provider could help cover the cost of surgery. Heres what you need to know.

When Is Breast Reduction Medically Necessary?

Insurance companies typically distinguish between cosmetic and medically necessary procedures. For breast reduction to be considered medically necessary, there must be documented evidence that large breasts are causing health problems or interfering with daily activities.

Some of the most common reasons include:

Longterm back, neck, and shoulder pain that doesnt improve with physical therapy or other conservative treatments

that doesnt improve with physical therapy or other conservative treatments Skin irritation or recurrent infections in the fold under the breasts (intertrigo)

in the fold under the breasts (intertrigo) Shoulder grooving from bra straps

from bra straps Restricted physical activity due to breast size

due to breast size Emotional or psychological distress, such as body image issues or social anxiety

In these cases, breast reduction can dramatically improve quality of life. By removing excess breast tissue, skin, and fat, the procedure not only relieves pain and physical symptoms but can also restore balance to the bodys proportions.





What Insurance Plans Typically Require

Every insurance plan is different, but most follow similar guidelines when it comes to approving breast reduction surgery. While policies and terminology may vary, here are the most common requirements:

1. Documented Medical Symptoms

Youll need a record of your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. This may include notes from your primary care physician, physical therapist, or other specialists confirming issues like chronic pain, skin infections, or functional limitations.

2. Trial of Conservative Treatment

Insurance companies usually want to see that youve tried non-surgical approaches first. These might include physical therapy, weight loss, chiropractic care, better support garments, or medications.

3. Minimum Tissue Removal

Some insurers require a specific amount of breast tissue to be removed for the procedure to qualify for coverage. If your surgery meets or exceeds the threshold, youre more likely to get approval.

4. Photographic Evidence

During your consultation, Dr. Nouri will take photographs to document breast size and skin issues. These images are submitted to the insurance company by your plastic surgery team as part of the prior authorization process.

5. Letter of Medical Necessity

Your plastic surgeon will typically write a detailed letter explaining why breast reduction is necessary and how it will benefit your health. This letter is submitted along with the other documentation for insurance review.

How the Approval Process Works

Once all the necessary paperwork is gathered, your surgeons office will submit a request for prior authorization to your insurance provider. This process can take a few weeks, and it may require additional information or clarification.

When approved, your insurance will cover a portion or sometimes the full cost of the surgery, depending on your plan, deductible, and out-of-pocket maximum.

If denied, you have the right to appeal the decision. Many patients are ultimately approved after providing additional documentation or going through the appeal process.

Choosing the Right Surgeon

When considering breast reduction, its important to choose a plastic surgeon who has profound experience with both the procedure and insurance navigation. Dr. Nouri is an expert in reduction mammoplasty, specializing in both macromastia and gigantomastia, in which a free nipple graft may be necessary. Every case is different, and every patient is different.

Dr. Nouri prides himself on his customized approach to each patient, exceptional surgical technique, and impeccable bedside manner, all expressed in his Google reviews  over 140 5-stars! In addition, his office staff exemplifies the highest understanding of navigating the insurance process to get you preauthorization.

Benefits Beyond the Physical

The benefits of breast reduction are life-changing. Women report dramatic improvements in pain, posture, physical activity, and overall confidence. Clothing fits better, exercise becomes more comfortable, and daily activities no longer feel limited.

Emotionally, patients feel a renewed sense of freedom. No longer burdened by unwanted attention or discomfort, they can move through the world with greater ease and self-assurance.

Final Thoughts

If youve been struggling with the physical and emotional toll of large breasts, know that you are not alone and that help may be more accessible than you think.

Breast reduction surgery isnt just about appearance; its about improving your health, comfort, and quality of life.

And yes it can be covered by insurance!

Call Dr. Nouris office today to schedule a complimentary consultation to explore your options. With an expert team behind you every step of the way, you can take this empowering step toward relief, confidence, and well-being.

Always you. Always natural.





Nouri Plastic Surgery

16 Arcadian Way, Ste C7

Paramus, NJ 07652

973.200.2050

dr.nouri@nourips.com

www.nouriplasticsurgery.com
Irvine, July 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Agribusiness Education Foundation (AEF), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded by UnitedAg, is proud to announce that applications are now open for its 20252026 scholarship program.

Since 1989, UnitedAg has awarded scholarships to support the educational goals of its members, their employees, and their dependents. In 2000, UnitedAg expanded its commitment to education by establishing AEF to provide greater financial assistance, business skills training, and leadership development opportunities to the agricultural community.

To date, AEF has awarded more than $2 million in educational grants to over 1,200 students pursuing college, university, and vocational studies. The scholarship programs are open exclusively to students affiliated with active UnitedAg member companies.

For the upcoming academic year, AEF will award a total of $86,000 in scholarships for students pursuing academic and professional degrees, and an additional $10,000 for students seeking vocational certifications in agriculture-specific fields.

The application window is now open and will close on December 31, 2025.

We are honored to continue investing in the future of agriculture by supporting students who are working hard to build a brighter tomorrow, said Kirti Mutatkar, CEO of UnitedAg. Education, leadership, and opportunity are cornerstones of our mission, and AEF plays a key role in making that vision a reality.

Apply Now

Students interested in applying for the 20252026 scholarship program can visit: https://www.unitedag.org/aef/.

About UnitedAg:

UnitedAg is a member-owned agricultural trade association dedicated to providing comprehensive health benefits, fostering the next generation of agricultural leaders, and advocating for members' interests with lawmakers. Our mission is to support the sustainability and success of our members and the agricultural sector through tailored health benefits, leadership development, and legislative advocacy. Currently, we operate in California and Arizona, with planned expansion into Oregon and Colorado.

For more information about AEF and its programs, please visit unitedag.org/aef.

For more information about UnitedAg's scholarship programs, please contact Jessica Lopez at 800.223.4590 or jlopez@unitedag.org.

Attachment
Utrecht, 24 July 2025

highlights

(before exceptionals)



revenue EUR 1,557 million

organic revenue decline 3.2%

EBITA EUR 210 million; EBITA margin 13.5%

earnings per share before amortisation EUR 1.38

free cash flow EUR 56 million





CEO statement

Our performance for the first half of the year has been impacted by the continued softness of our end markets, mostly automotive and semicon, and increased uncertainties due to global trade policies, leading to an organic revenue decline in our industry and semicon segments.

We sustained our added value margin to 63.3%, thanks to our pricing excellence and the progress of our organic growth initiatives. Our operations excellence programmes to drive cost out, footprint and inventory optimisation had a positive contribution.

Our organic revenue decline is 3.2% and our EBITA margin is 13.5%. The major cause to our EBITA margin drop versus last year is lower volume in our industry and semicon segment. Thanks to the reduction of capital expenditure and the great work of our teams to drive inventory reduction, we improved our free cash flow to EUR 56 million, said Stephane Simonetta.

We made good strategic progress in our portfolio optimisation with three value-accretive acquisitions (two in USA for industry and building, and one intended in Southeast Asia for semicon). Our sustainability commitments are on track with a SDG rate above 70% and 8% CO2 intensity reduction.

We remain confident about our ability to execute our thrive 2030 strategic actions to emerge stronger in the long term.

outlook

Based on the current end market dynamics and uncertainties, we do not expect an organic revenue growth improvement in the second half of the year. Consequently, we are adjusting our full year EBITA margin outlook to 13-14%. We continue to focus on actions to protect our EBITA margin and optimise our free cash flow.

webcast

A webcast will take place on 24 July 2025, starting at 9:00 am CEST.

The webcast and presentation can be accessed via aalberts.com/webcast1H2025

contact

+31 (0)30 3079 302 (from 8:00 am CEST)

investors@aalberts.com

regulated information

This press release contains information that qualifies or may qualify as inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

Attachment
DALLAS, TX, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A fresh way to explore Dallas is now at your fingertips. Nexus, a new mobile app designed for young professionals, has officially launched , offering users a smarter and more social way to discover events, meet new people, and uncover local hotspots.

Created to bridge the gap between social connection and city exploration, Nexus is more than just another events app. It curates experiences from happy hours and outdoor festivals to networking mixers and restaurant deals giving users an easy way to find whats happening nearby.

Nexus is about creating meaningful connections, said William Rudnik, founder of the app. We built it to help people tap into the best of Dallas while expanding their social and professional circles.

Tailored for both locals and newcomers, the app highlights popular and lesser-known venues, promotes local businesses, and suggests gatherings that align with users interests. Whether you're planning a spontaneous night out or searching for a weekend activity, Nexus delivers real-time updates and curated recommendations to match your vibe.

What sets Nexus apart is its focus on community. The app encourages users to explore Dallas together, attend group events, and take advantage of exclusive promotions offered through local partnerships. By doing so, it not only connects people but also supports small businesses looking to reach a vibrant, socially active audience.

For professionals seeking a balance between work and play, Nexus also promotes casual networking events providing opportunities to build connections in a relaxed, social setting.

With user-friendly navigation and smart discovery tools, Nexus makes it easy to find fun, friends, and food without the endless scrolling. Whether you're new to the city or simply want to experience more of what Dallas has to offer, the app serves as your pocket-sized guide to the city's social life.

Nexus is now available for download on iOS and Android . Start discovering, connecting, and enjoying Dallas in a whole new way.

Powered by VEN Agency and Software

Media Contact:

William Rudnik

Nexus

+1 469-884-7888

nexus@thenexusapp.com

https://thenexusapp.com

Attachment
Press release

Paris, 24 July 2025

Orange Cyberdefense acquires Swiss cybersecurity specialist ensec

Orange Cyberdefense to build Swiss cybersecurity champion with acquisition of ensec.

Orange Cyberdefense will strengthen its team in Switzerland with an additional 40 cybersecurity experts from ensec, complementing the existing 100 professionals. Together they will operate across the entire lifecycle to support organizations of all sizes from SMBs to multinationals.

Orange Cyberdefense, the cybersecurity subsidiary of Orange, has acquired 100% of ensec, a Swiss cybersecurity company based in Zurich, known for its expertise in consulting, IT security integration, managed security services and tailored support for a wide-ranging portfolio of products from leading cybersecurity providers. This targeted acquisition, which was finalized on 23 July, will reinforce Orange Cyberdefenses existing presence in Switzerland.

In a fast-growing Swiss market characterized by increased regulatory requirements and strong demand for local expertise, the acquisition of ensec will expand Orange Cyberdefenses presence in German-speaking Switzerland, complementing its existing footprint in the French-speaking part of the country.

Orange Cyberdefense has been present in Switzerland since 2022 and enjoys a solid reputation, particularly in offensive security solutions. With over 100 highly skilled cybersecurity experts in the country, Orange already works closely with customers from both the public and private sectors, ranging from SMBs to large multi-nationals in collaboration with Orange Business.

The acquisition of ensec will build on this presence, bringing considerable value in terms of expertise and customer proximity in the Germanic regions of Switzerland. The company counts around 40 highly trained experts and a distinct customer portfolio of over 130 clients operating in sensitive fields such as finance, retail and energy, as well as customers from the public sector.

This operation constitutes an opportunity to capitalize on complementary strengths: on the one hand, leveraging synergies with Orange Business and Orange Cyberdefenses global sales forces; and on the other, benefiting from the technical expertise and local presence of ensec in the Germanic regions of Switzerland and in neighboring areas. This move strengthens Orange Cyberdefenses position in Europe as a leading cybersecurity player and reinforces its ambition to be the trusted cybersecurity partner of choice in Switzerland and beyond.

This new milestone is fully aligned with Orange Cyberdefenses unique positioning as a global cybersecurity player, combining local presence with scalable expertise and services, as well as deep-threat intelligence. It also reflects the Orange groups broader ambition to deliver sustainable growth and digital trust through expert-led and territorially anchored cybersecurity services.

Hugues Foulon, CEO of Orange Cyberdefense, commented: The acquisition of ensec marks a significant milestone in our European development, enabling us to better serve our customers with comprehensive, high-impact cybersecurity solutions. This move not only strengthens our market position among Germanic customers in Switzerland but also underscores our commitment to build a safer digital society for our clients and partners. We are delighted to welcome ensecs teams into the Orange Cyberdefense family.

Nicolas Lutz, CEO of Orange Cyberdefense Switzerland, added: We strongly believe that the combination of our respective activities in Switzerland makes sense for our customers by providing increased proximity and the ability to respond rapidly irrespective of language-related constraints. In addition, ensecs recognized expertise in consulting and cybersecurity integration makes for a perfect match that will build on our existing capabilities to create a dynamic Swiss cyber champion.

Mike Schuler, CEO of ensec, concluded: Joining Orange Cyberdefense marks an exciting new chapter for ensec. This step enables us to scale our impact, expand our footprint, and bring even more value to our clients  while staying true to our core: deep technical expertise, a strong local presence, and trusted partnerships. With access to Orange Cyberdefenses extensive portfolio of services and products, we are ideally positioned to deliver end-to-end cybersecurity solutions tailored to the Swiss market. This evolution also opens up new opportunities for our employees to grow within a global leader and for our partners to benefit from an even broader ecosystem. Together, we will shape the future of cybersecurity in Switzerland and beyond.

The financial details of this acquisition remain confidential.

About Orange Cyberdefense

Orange Cyberdefense is the Orange Group entity dedicated to cybersecurity. It safeguards every stage of the threat lifecycle for over 50,000 business customers across more than 160 countries worldwide. As Europe's leading cybersecurity services provider, we aim to be the trusted cyber partner committed to creating value for all by delivering the safest digital space. Our service capabilities draw their strength from research and intelligence, which allows us to offer our clients unparalleled knowledge of current and emerging threats. With more than 30 years of experience in the field of information security, more than 3,200 multi-disciplinary experts and 36 detection centers spread around the world, we know how to address the global and local issues of our customers. Cybersecurity is a human journey, so we build a safer digital society by placing people at the core of our actions.

https://www.orangecyberdefense.com/

About Orange

Orange is one of the worlds leading telecommunications operators with revenues of 40.3 billion euros in 2024 and 125,800 employees worldwide at 31 March 2025, including 69,700 employees in France. The Group has a total customer base of

294 million customers worldwide at 31 March 2025, including 256 million mobile customers and 22 million fixed broadband customers. These figures account for the deconsolidation of certain activities in Spain following the creation of MASORANGE. The Group is present in 26 countries (including non-consolidated countries).

Orange is also a leading provider of global IT and telecommunication services to multinational companies under the brand Orange Business. In February 2023, the Group presented its strategic plan "Lead the Future", built on a new business model and guided by responsibility and efficiency. "Lead the Future" capitalizes on network excellence to reinforce Orange's leadership in service quality.

Orange is listed on Euronext Paris (symbol ORA).

For more information on the internet and on your mobile: www.orange.com, www.orange-business.com and the Orange News app or to follow us on X: @orangegrouppr.

Orange and any other Orange product or service names included in this material are trademarks of Orange or Orange Brand Services Limited.

Press contacts:

Tom Wright ; tom.wright@orange.com

Emmanuel Gauthier ; emmanuel2.gauthier@orange.com

Attachment
On Thursday, 31 July, at 13:00 (EEST), Liven AS CEO Andero Laur and CFO Joonas Joost will host a Webinar, in Estonian, to present Liven's financial results for Q2 and 6 months of 2025.

The webinar will be held on Google Meet. Pre-registration is not required, but please note that no further reminder will be sent. All interested parties are invited to join the Estonian webinar on 31 July at 13:00 (EEST) via the link:

https://meet.google.com/fpb-czit-rwz.

Questions can be asked during the webinar or in advance by sending them at least one hour before the webinar to e-mail: investor@liven.ee.

The webinar materials will be published later on the Investors section of the Liven website: www.liven.ee/investor.



Joonas Joost

Liven AS CFO

E-mail: joonas.joost@liven.ee
Dublin, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "EV Charging Station Market by Application, Level of Charging, Charging Point, Charging Infrastructure, Operation, DC Fast Charging, Charge Point Operator, Connection Phase, Service, Installation, and Region - Global Forecast to 2032" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global EV charging station market is projected to grow from USD 28.47 billion in 2025 to USD 76.31 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 15.1%

Key factors directly driving the deployment of EV charging infrastructure include OEM-led investments by companies like Tesla, Rivian, and Hyundai in proprietary and public networks. Public and private funding is accelerating the rollout of fast-charging corridors, while advancements in high-speed DC chargers (150-350 kW) enhance compatibility with modern EVs.

Urbanization and smart city projects are promoting charger integration into commercial and public spaces. Additionally, fleet electrification mandates are pushing logistics and mobility firms to build dedicated charging hubs. In some Asian markets, battery swapping is emerging as a complementary infrastructure model.

The EV charging station market is dominated by major players, including ABB (Switzerland), BYD (China), ChargePoint (US), Tesla (US), and Siemens (Germany), among others. These companies have strong product portfolios as well as strong distribution networks at the global level.



By level of charging, fixed charger is expected to be the largest segment of the market during the forecast period.



Fixed EV chargers integrated with kiosks are becoming increasingly common at public and commercial locations, offering users a seamless and secure charging experience. Companies such as Tata Power (EZ Charge), ChargeZone, Statiq, and Fortum Charge & Drive have deployed kiosk-based charging solutions across malls, highways, and urban centers in India, providing features like 24/7 access, app-based payments, and real-time monitoring. For instance, ChargeZone operates over 1,500 EV charging stations equipped with high-speed DC chargers and user-friendly kiosks in over 37 Indian cities.



In April 2025, Tata Power expanded its EZ Charge network in Mumbai, adding new kiosk-enabled charging stations at key locations to enhance accessibility for EV users. Governments, regulatory bodies, private companies, and OEMs are increasingly investing in fixed EV chargers to accelerate EV adoption. This collaborative push is driven by the need to expand reliable charging infrastructure. For instance, in May 2025, US-based charge point operator Zero 60 launched its fourth renewable-powered EV charging station in Lake Placid, New York. In Europe, major players like Atlante, Ionity, Fastned, and Electra formed the Spark alliance in April 2025 to share infrastructure and create the largest public charging network, covering 11,000 chargers across 25 countries.



The DC charging station segment is expected to capture the largest share of the EV charging station market during the forecast period.



DC charging stations are high-power fast charging units used for rapid charging. They deliver a maximum power of 240 kW, supplying a high current of up to 400 A at a voltage of up to 600 V DC. However, they cost approximately USD 30,000 to USD 50,000 on average, and an additional transformer is required. In a DC fast charging system, the AC/DC conversion occurs in the charging equipment rather than in a vehicle's AC/DC converter, so the power entering the vehicle is already in DC. Most residential electrical services do not provide the capacity of electrical power that the DC charging station delivers, thus making DC charging unfeasible for home implementation. DC fast chargers are widely used as destination chargers and public chargers.



OEMs such as Tesla provide DC chargers (Tesla Superchargers) capable of adding 20 to 30 miles per hour of charge to a vehicle. The major reason for the lower number of DC charging stations is the cost, as DC charging stations are costlier. All Tesla models are equipped with supercharging connectors, including Model 3 and Model S. Charging station providers such as ChargePoint and Car Charging Group provide public DC fast charging stations. As the prices of setting up DC fast charging stations have been reducing over the years, the demand for these charging stations is expected to increase in the coming years.



Asia Pacific is expected to account for a significant market share during the forecast period.



The Asia Pacific EV charging station market is projected to grow rapidly. In South Korea, EV charging infrastructure growth is driven by strong government policies, including the Green New Deal and a national target of 1.2 million chargers by 2030. Urban density and smart city initiatives are accelerating demand for compact, integrated charging solutions. Indonesia is the fastest-growing market in the region. The expansion of Indonesia's EV charging infrastructure is driven primarily by strategic public-private partnerships and strong government support aimed at accelerating the country's transition to electric mobility.



V-GREEN, alongside key partners such as Chargecore, ChargePoint, Amarta Group, and CVS, has committed a significant investment of USD 300 million to deploy over 63,000 charging ports by 2025, focusing on major provinces like Jabodatebek, Bandung, Surabaya, Makassar, and Bali where the demand for EV infrastructure is the highest. Concurrently, the state-owned utility PLN plays a pivotal role by establishing thousands of public charging stations and battery swap facilities nationwide.



This is complemented by incentives such as discounted charging rates during off-peak hours and subsidies on home charging installations. The government incentives, guaranteed investor returns, and digital platforms like PLN's Super Apps further drive consumer engagement and investor confidence. In line with these regional developments in India, the government has announced that it will invest in EV charging infrastructure. For instance, in May 2025, the Government of India announced plans to install around 72,000 public EV charging stations across the country under the PM-E Drive scheme, with an investment of approximately USD 234.6 million.

Key Benefits of Buying the Report:

The report will help market leaders/new entrants with information on the closest approximations of revenue numbers for the overall EV charging station market and its subsegments.

This report will help stakeholders understand the competitive landscape and gain more insights to position their businesses better and plan suitable go-to-market strategies.

The report will also help stakeholders understand the market pulse and provide information on key market drivers, restraints, challenges, and opportunities.

The report will help stakeholders understand the current and future pricing trends of different EV charging systems based on their capacity.

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 471 Forecast Period 2025 - 2032 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2025 $28.47 billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2032 $76.31 billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 15.1% Regions Covered Global



Market Dynamics

Drivers

Surge in EV Adoption

Financial Incentives Offered by Governments to Promote Charging Networks

EV Charging Solutions

Number of Charging Points in Key European Countries

Advancements in Battery Chemistry Improving Driving Range

Range and Cost of Different Electric Vehicles

Declining Costs of EV Batteries

Fleet Electrification Accelerating EV Charging Market Growth

Restraints

Fragmented Charging Standards Limiting EV Adoption

Types of EV Charging Sockets

High Capital Investment for Ultrafast Charging Infrastructure

Underdeveloped Power Infrastructure for EV Charging

US Grid Scenario

Retrofitting Issues in Multistorey Residential Buildings

Opportunities

Advancements in V2G Technology and Bidirectional Charging

Bidirectional EV Chargers

Adoption of IoT-Enabled Smart Charging Networks

Expansion of Green and Sustainable EV Charging Solutions

Battery Swapping as a Viable Charging Alternative

Integration of EV Charging in Smart City Initiatives

Market Shift Toward Smart Chargers

Expansion of Charging-As-A-Service (CaaS) Business Model

Challenges

Cost Gap Between Ice Vehicles and EVs

Regulatory Hurdles in EV Charger Installation

High Reliance on Non-Renewable Energy Sources for Charging

Energy Consumption by Fuel Type

Scarcity of Lithium Resources

Low Utilization Rates and Profitability Challenges for Cpos

EV Charger Types and Utilization Trends, 2025-2032

Ecosystem Analysis

OEMs

Charging Point Manufacturers

EV Charging Point Operators

Payment Processing Companies

Navigation and Mapping Providers

Supply Chain Analysis

Case Study Analysis

Charging Station Size Optimization

Load Balancing Solution for EV Charging

Chargepoint EV Charging Network

Evgo Fast-Charging Network

City of Boulder EV Charging Network

Electrify America Charging Network

Mercedes-Benz EV Charging Network in China

Technology Analysis

Key Technologies

Wireless Charging

Wireless EV Charging Road Projects in Europe

Bidirectional Chargers

Bidirectional EV Charging Energy Flow Cycle

Megawatt Charging Systems

Complementary Technologies

Overhead Charging

Plug-And-Pay Charging

Robotic and Mobile Charging Unit

Adjacent Technologies

Turbocharging for Electric Vehicles

Smart Charging Systems

IoT Integration in EV Charging Stations

Trends and Disruptions Impacting Customer Business

Future of Charging

Fast Charging Hubs

Curbside Charging

Induction Charging

Power Booster in Charging Systems

Companies Featured

ABB

Byd Company Ltd.

Chargepoint, Inc.

Tesla

Evbox

Delta Electronics, Inc.

Starcharge

Siemens

Schneider Electric

Kempower Oyj

Efacec

Engie

Shell PLC

Totalenergies

Bp P.L.C.

Enel X S.R.L.

Virta Global

Allego B.V.

Tgood Electric Co. Ltd.

State Grid Corporation China

Vattenfall Ab

Blink Charging Co.

Enphase Energy

Electrify America

Opconnect

EV Safe Charge Inc.

Ionity

Wallbox

Spark Horizon

Dbt

Charge+

Alfen Nv

Ies Synergy

Madic Group

Beev

Instavolt

Freshmile

Pod Point

be Charge

Mer

Enbw

Rwe

Powerdot

Sparkcharge

Jolt

Installer

Numbat

Itselectric Inc

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/fwf7wv

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Attachment
Dublin, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Tactical Communication Market Report: Trends, Forecast and Competitive Analysis to 2031" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global tactical communication market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 6.7% from 2025 to 2031. The major drivers for this market are the a rise in asymmetric warfare, increased focus on joint operations and collaboration, and a rise in military modernization initiatives.



The future of the global tactical communication market looks promising with opportunities in the ISR, communications, combat, and command & control markets.

Within the type category, soldier radio is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period.

Within the application category, command & control is expected to witness the highest growth.

In terms of region, APAC is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period.

Emerging Trends in the Tactical Communication Market



As the demand for more reliable, secure, and faster communication technologies grows, several emerging trends are shaping the tactical communication market. These trends reflect a combination of technological advancements, evolving military needs, and the changing landscape of global security threats. The following five trends highlight the key drivers of change in the market, reshaping how military and emergency response communication systems operate.

5G and Beyond: The advent of 5G technology is revolutionizing tactical communication. With its ultra-low latency, higher bandwidth, and improved reliability, 5G promises to enhance real-time communication capabilities in defense operations. The ability to transmit large amounts of data securely and quickly is vital for modern warfare, and 5G enables military forces to operate more efficiently, even in remote or hostile environments. This trend is accelerating the deployment of advanced communication systems that rely on high-speed data transfer and real-time decision-making.

AI Integration for Enhanced Communication: AI is increasingly being integrated into tactical communication systems to improve decision-making and streamline communication processes. By leveraging AI-driven tools, such as predictive analytics and automated threat detection, military forces can enhance their situational awareness and response times. This technology ensures that military personnel can access the most relevant information in real-time, improving their effectiveness during missions. AI also plays a significant role in cyber defense, detecting potential communication system vulnerabilities and threats before they can be exploited.

Software-Defined Radios (SDRs): SDRs are playing an increasingly vital role in modern tactical communication systems. These flexible and programmable radios allow military forces to easily adapt to different frequencies, networks, and communication protocols, ensuring interoperability across multiple platforms. SDRs enable secure, encrypted communication over a wide range of channels, making them ideal for military operations in diverse environments. This trend is driving the widespread adoption of SDR technology in tactical communication systems across the globe, offering greater flexibility and reliability.

Satellite Communication Advancements: Advancements in satellite communication technology are improving the reliability of global tactical communication. Modern satellite systems are able to deliver high-speed internet access, enhanced data transfer, and secure communication channels across remote and challenging terrains. With the increasing need for global coordination in military operations, satellite communications enable forces to stay connected regardless of location. The ongoing development of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations, such as Starlink, is expected to further enhance the global reach and efficiency of military communication systems.

Cybersecurity and Encryption: As military communication systems become more interconnected, ensuring the security and integrity of communications has become a top priority. Cybersecurity measures, including advanced encryption techniques and secure data transmission protocols, are critical to protecting sensitive military communications from cyber threats. The integration of advanced encryption algorithms, along with real-time monitoring of communication networks, is essential to safeguarding military operations from cyberattacks and data breaches.

Tactical Communication Market Drivers and Challenges



The tactical communication market is influenced by a combination of drivers and challenges. Technological advancements, economic factors, and regulatory issues play a significant role in shaping the market dynamics. Understanding these drivers and challenges is essential for stakeholders to navigate the evolving landscape and make informed decisions.



The factors responsible for driving the tactical communication market include:

Technological Advancements: Technological innovations, such as the development of 5G, AI integration, and advanced encryption techniques, are driving the growth of the tactical communication market. These advancements enable more reliable, secure, and efficient communication solutions, which are essential for military and defense operations. Technological developments also support improved interoperability between different platforms and systems.

Increased Defense Budgets: Rising defense budgets, particularly in countries like the United States and China, are fueling demand for advanced tactical communication systems. As defense forces modernize their infrastructure and invest in new technologies, there is a significant opportunity for growth in the tactical communication sector.

Cybersecurity Concerns: Cybersecurity concerns are a major driver for the adoption of secure communication systems. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, there is a growing need for encryption and robust cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive communication networks from attacks.

Geopolitical Tensions: Geopolitical tensions and regional security threats are driving the demand for enhanced tactical communication systems. Countries are investing in advanced communication technologies to ensure effective military coordination and rapid response to potential security threats.

Need for Interoperability: The growing need for interoperability between different defense agencies, both within countries and across international alliances, is pushing the demand for advanced tactical communication solutions. Interoperable systems ensure seamless communication during joint operations and multinational missions.

Challenges in the tactical communication market are:

Regulatory Barriers: Regulatory barriers, including restrictions on certain technologies and international trade agreements, can impede the growth of the tactical communication market. These barriers can slow down the adoption of advanced technologies and limit market expansion.

High Costs: The high cost of advanced communication systems is a significant challenge, particularly for developing countries with limited defense budgets. While the need for secure communication systems is growing, the cost of implementation can be prohibitive for some nations.

Integration and Interoperability Issues: Integration and interoperability issues between existing legacy systems and new technologies can hinder the deployment of advanced tactical communication solutions. Ensuring seamless integration of various communication platforms is critical for maximizing the efficiency of military and defense operations.

Technological advancements, defense budget increases, and geopolitical tensions are the primary drivers of the tactical communication market. However, challenges such as regulatory barriers, high costs, and integration issues must be addressed to ensure continued market growth and success.



List of Tactical Communication Companies



Companies in the market compete on the basis of product quality offered. Major players in this market focus on expanding their manufacturing facilities, R&D investments, infrastructural development, and leverage integration opportunities across the value chain. With these strategies tactical communication companies cater increasing demand, ensure competitive effectiveness, develop innovative products & technologies, reduce production costs, and expand their customer base.



Some of the tactical communication companies profiled in this report include:

Northrop Grumman

Thales

General Dynamics

Raytheon

Harris

L-3 Technologies

Bae Systems

Tactical Communication Market by Segment



Type [Value from 2019 to 2031]:

Soldier Radio

Manpack Radio

VIC (Vehicular Intercommunication Radio)

High Capacity Data Radio (HCDR)

Others

Application [Value from 2019 to 2031]:

ISR

Communications

Combat

Command & Control

Others

Region [Value from 2019 to 2031]:

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

The Rest of the World

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pa3rbl

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 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Japan Tractor Market Research Report 2025-2030" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The Japanese tractor market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.11% from 2024 to 2030.

Japan's tractor market is consolidated, with five major companies - AGCO Corporation, CNH Industrial, Deere & Company, Kubota, and Mahindra, holding 50%- 60% of the total market share. These companies offer a wide range of tractors used across different farm sizes and applications.

The market is driven by factors such as mechanization needs and the integration of digital technologies in farming. Major players focus on meeting these requirements through new product development and updates to existing models.



The impact of tariffs on Japan's tractor market is going to be high. As a major exporter of tractors, Japan would face reduced demand if tariffs were imposed, as manufacturers would bear higher costs, raising export prices. This would encourage importing countries to shift toward domestic production, leading to a decline in Japan's tractor exports and impacting its manufacturing sector.





JAPAN TRACTOR MARKET TRENDS

Integration of Data & Technology in Agriculture



The integration of agricultural data plays a vital role and contributes to increased productivity, stable production of high-quality crops, and environmentally responsible practices. In Japan, this trend has led to rising demand in the tractor market for machines that are compatible with digital platforms and capable of processing complex data inputs.



Robotractors, using 5G connectivity, have been applied to tasks such as pesticide application and grass-cutting functions that would otherwise require significant physical labor. These machines can be monitored and adjusted remotely, making them suited to areas where the workforce is limited. Data collected during operations can also be fed back into predictive models for future planning. Also, the robotization of Japanese agriculture is increasingly popular, in this country that is often on the front line of the world in terms of technology. Faced with the accelerated aging of its agricultural population (more than 60% of Japanese farmers are over 65 years old) and the lack of labor in the sector, the country is now turning to robotization and automation in order to modernize its agriculture.



Electrification of Agricultural Machinery



Recently, the development of electric agricultural machinery has been promoted in the agricultural sector against the backdrop of the development of electrification technology in the electric vehicle field, the announcement of greenhouse gas reduction targets by the Japanese government, and the problem of a shortage of agricultural workers.



In recent years, the number of people working in agriculture has declined significantly. According to official statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the number of core agricultural workers who work as self-employed farmers was 1.757 million in 2015 and fell to 1.164 million by 2023. This decline is mainly due to the shrinking rural labor force, caused by population concentration in urban areas and an aging population. Under these circumstances, electric agricultural machinery is gaining attention as a means to address labor shortages and significantly improve work efficiency, according to SHIZEN ENERGY Inc. in 2024.



MARKET DRIVERS

Shortage of Laborers



Japan's agriculture industry is facing a serious labor shortage issue. With the aging population and young people turning away from agriculture, it is becoming more difficult to secure agricultural workers, which is having a major impact on farm operations. According to a survey conducted by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2023, about 70% of small and medium-sized enterprises responded that they are short of manpower. Of these, more than 60% responded that it is affecting their business. This is forcing the agricultural sector to rely more on tractors and machinery to maintain productivity with fewer workers.



Government Support and Subsidies



The government is implementing various policies to support agricultural workers. Agriculture is an important industry that supports the nation's food supply, but climate change, market competition, and rising costs of materials have made management stability a challenge. Therefore, the government aims to support farmers through subsidy systems and tax incentives and to achieve sustainable agricultural management. Policies aim to reduce the burden on farmers and promote the growth of agriculture.



INDUSTRY RESTRAINTS

High Initial Investment Costs



Tractors in Japan represent a significant financial investment for farmers, primarily due to their advanced technology and the country's unique agricultural landscape. This high initial cost can be a substantial barrier, especially for small-scale and aging farmers. For instance, in 2023, Japan imported 1,987 wheeled tractors for a total of $175.9 million, putting the average cost per unit at approximately $88,500, significantly higher than in countries like India, where top-end tractors range from $17,000 to $40,000.



Aging and Declining Farmer Population



The aging and shrinking farmer population in Japan has led to a significant decline in the core agricultural workforce over the past few years. For instance, according to the results of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' "Statistics on Agricultural Labor Force," the number of core agricultural workers, which was 1.757 million as of 2015, is estimated to be 1.164 million in 2023, a decrease of approximately 35%. This is directly restraining the Japanese tractor market as fewer active farmers lead to lower tractor purchases and reduced investment in mechanized farming.

GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS



Tohoku accounted for the highest volume in the Japan tractor market in 2024, with more than 6 thousand units. The region's extensive agricultural area and crop diversity contribute to sustained equipment demand. Tohoku's mix of fruit cultivation, rice farming, and upland vegetable production across diverse terrains leads to consistent demand for specialized and adaptable tractor models, making it a key market in Japan's agricultural machinery landscape. Furthermore, Hokkaido accounted for a significant share of the Japan tractor market, with a forecasted CAGR of more than 1.20%. The region's large-scale farming operations and relatively consolidated landholdings influence the volume of tractor usage.



The Chubu tractor market accounted for a volume of more than 4 thousand units in 2024. Chubu's combination of rice paddies, wheat fields, and upland vegetable cultivation across diverse landscapes ensures ongoing demand for multi-functional tractors capable of switching between wet and dry field configurations efficiently. Furthermore, the rest of Japan accounted for the largest combined share and a CAGR of more than 1.05%. The region includes a mix of terrain types and agricultural practices, driving moderate and steady demand for tractors.

JAPAN TRACTOR MARKET VENDOR LANDSCAPE



Key Company Profiles

AGCO Corporation

CNH Industrial N.V.

Deere & Company

KUBOTA Corporation

Mahindra Tractors

Other Prominent Company Profiles

IHI Agri-Tech Corporation

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd

Mitsubishi Mahindra Agricultural Machinery Co.,

ISEKI & Co. Ltd.

YANMAR Holding Co. Ltd

Cornes AG Corporation

KEY QUESTIONS ANSWERED:

Which horsepower dominates the Japan tractor market share?

What is the growth rate of the Japan tractor market?

What are the significant trends in the Japan tractor market?

Who are the key players in the Japan tractor market?

How big is the Japan tractor market?

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 111 Forecast Period 2024 - 2030 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $280 Million Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2030 $425.27 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.2% Regions Covered Japan





Key Topics Covered:



1. Scope & Coverage

Market Definition

Market Estimation Caveats

Market Size & Forecast Periods

Historic Period: 2021-2023

Base Year: 2024

Forecast Period: 2025-2030

Market Size (2021-2030)

Volume

Market Segments Market Segmentation by Horsepower Market Segmentation by Drive Type



2. Opportunity Pockets



3. Introduction

Impact of Tariffs

4. Market Opportunities & Trends

Integration of Data & Technology in Agriculture

Electrification of Agriculture Machinery

5. Market Growth Enablers

Shortage of Labors

Government Support and Subsidies

6. Market Restraints

High Initial Investment Costs

Aging and Declining Farmer Population

7. Market Landscape

Five Forces Analysis

8. Metric Horsepower (Market Size & Forecast: 2021-2030)

Under 20 Ps

20 - 30 Ps

30 - 50 Ps

Above 50 Ps

9. Drive Type (Market Size & Forecast: 2021-2030)

2 Wheel Drive

4 Wheel Drive

10. Geography (Japan)

Tohoku

Hokkaido

Chubu

Kanto

Rest of Japan

11. Competitive Landscape



12. Competitive Overview



13. Key Company Profiles

AGCO Corporation

CNH Industrial N.V.

Deere & Company

Kubota Corporation

Mahindra Tractors

14. Other Prominent Company Profiles

IHI Agri-Tech Corporation

Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.

Mitsubishi Mahindra Agricultural Machinery Co.,

Iseki & Co. Ltd.

Yanmar Holdings Co. Ltd.

Cornes AG Corporation

15. Report Summary

Key Takeaways

Strategic Recommendations

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/6wjbu6

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.

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Dublin, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Data Center UPS Market Report: Trends, Forecast and Competitive Analysis to 2031" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global data center UPS market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 7.4% from 2025 to 2031. The major drivers for this market are the rising demand for data storage, the increasing reliance on cloud computing, and the growing need for reliable power supply in critical operations.



The future of the global data center UPS market looks promising with opportunities in the BFSI, it & telecom, healthcare, government, manufacturing, and energy & power markets.

Within the UPS type category, the standby is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period.

Within the end use industry category, BFSI is expected to witness the highest growth.

In terms of region, APAC is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period.

Emerging Trends in the Data Center UPS Market



The data center UPS market stands to benefit from disruption driven by innovation, energy demand, and new sustainability objectives. Major shifts are expected in managing power backup systems for data centers. The industry has five major trends that have recently emerged:

Lithium-Ion Batteries in UPS Systems: Lithium-ion batteries have a significant advantage over lead-acid batteries because of their higher energy density, longer life cycles, and lower maintenance needs. They are also used more frequently as energy efficiency rises, making them more reliable and cost-effective in the long run. Lithium-ion technology has become increasingly in demand for improving performance, especially in data centers that seek less downtime.

Incorporating Renewable Energy Sources: To meet growing sustainability needs, UPS systems in data centers are increasingly integrating with solar and wind power. This reduces reliance on grid electricity while decreasing carbon emissions. Furthermore, the operational efficiency of UPS systems improves with high renewable energy integration as these systems use less power from conventional sources.

Modular UPS Systems: Data centers experiencing load variations benefit from modular UPS systems that offer greater flexibility and scalability. As a data center expands, these systems can be deployed in a cost-effective manner because they can be easily added. The movement toward modular designs enhances the ability to manage space, energy consumption, and operational reliability of power delivery.

Smart UPS Technology: The development of smart UPS systems equipped with sensors and IoT capabilities further improves the performance of data centers. Reduced operational costs and improved dependable performance can be attributed to predictive maintenance, real-time monitoring, and better energy management integration. With smart solutions, data centers can now monitor their energy use and efficiency.

Flywheel Technology: Flywheel-based UPS systems are gaining attention for their ability to manage power outages and fluctuations effectively. They store energy mechanically, require minimal maintenance, and have long lifespans. Flywheels also replace batteries in data centers, offering better environmental friendliness and helping to reduce carbon footprints.

As the need for more powerful, efficient, green, and sustainable power backup options increases, these trends are significantly affecting the market. The growing reliance on renewable energy, the modular nature of advanced smart systems, and the rise of flywheels are improving the data center UPS market for digital infrastructure while remaining eco-friendly.



Data Center UPS Market Drivers and Challenges



Technological, economic, and regulatory developments all pose opportunities and challenges for the data center UPS market. These factors influence the form, function, and maintenance of UPS systems. The following is an analysis of the key influences and challenges of the market:



The factors responsible for driving the data center ups market include:

Improvements in Technology Upstream the UPS Industry: With the adoption of lithium batteries, smart monitoring systems for UPS performance, and energy-efficient designs, the overall trust data centers have in the performance and reliability of UPS systems has significantly improved. These interventions are crucial for data center operators as they reduce energy consumption, improve uptime, and decrease operational expenses.

Rise in Demand for Cloud Storage and Data Services: The shift toward cloud computing and digital data storage offers a great opportunity for the data center UPS market. As more companies transition to digital, the need for reliable power backup systems for data centers increases. This movement is likely to persist, creating demand for robust UPS systems.

Sustainability and Conservation Goals: Data centers are being compelled to integrate energy-efficient UPS systems due to a heightened focus on carbon emission reduction and sustainability by governments and industries. This focus on decreasing operational costs, alongside growing concern over carbon emissions, is fueling green technology deployment, including renewable-energy-powered UPS systems and advanced battery technologies.

Cybersecurity Threats as Business Problems: Data centers must ensure operational continuity due to the rise in data breach incidents and cyberattacks. This has created an environment where customers expect minimal downtimes from service providers. UPS systems are essential to maintaining data protection and reliability, thereby increasing demand in industries with 24/7 service expectations.

Incentives and Industrial Policy: The push for greater energy efficiency and lower carbon footprints from government policies is encouraging data centers to procure more efficient UPS systems. These policies also promote the adoption of sustainable technologies, greatly amplifying the emerging demand for advanced UPS systems.

Challenges in the data center ups market are:

Adoption and Use Costs: Many operators, especially in developing countries, face financial limitations that make it hard to justify initial capital outlays. Advanced UPS systems, especially those incorporating lithium-ion batteries and renewable energy sources, pose significant challenges. While the long-term cost benefits are appealing, the high initial investment severely limits expansion optimism for many operators.

Integration Challenges in Systems: Integrating renewable energy resources, energy storage systems, and intelligent monitoring systems with UPS systems can be challenging. Data centers may lack the necessary capabilities for full integration within their existing infrastructure, which can increase time and cost for deployment.

Maintenance and Operational Downtime: Although modern UPS systems have high reliability, they require maintenance and may occasionally fail. Any downtime or failure in the UPS system can suspend ongoing activities within the data center. Consistency in scheduled maintenance and minimizing downtime remain challenges for operators whose services are in constant demand.

The factors affecting the market for data center uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems are varied. Growth factors include new technologies in UPS systems and the rising demand for cloud services, while high initial investment costs and integration difficulties present challenges that need to be addressed for sustained growth in the industry.



List of Data Center UPS Companies



Companies in the market compete on the basis of product quality offered. Major players in this market focus on expanding their manufacturing facilities, R&D investments, infrastructural development, and leverage integration opportunities across the value chain. With these strategies data center UPS companies cater increasing demand, ensure competitive effectiveness, develop innovative products & technologies, reduce production costs, and expand their customer base.

Country-wise Outlook for the Data Center UPS Market



As the demand for energy efficiency, sustainability, and infrastructure modernization grows, the data center UPS market is poised for seamless growth. A greater emphasis on data centers for large-scale data management, cloud services, and digital transformations is presenting new opportunities for the advancement of UPS systems in the United States, China, Germany, India, and Japan. The following analysis breaks down the most notable recent changes in the data center UPS market in these countries.

United States: The adoption of modular and high-efficiency systems has marked a new phase for data center UPS systems in the US. Due to higher life cycles and lower maintenance costs, a large section of data centers is moving toward lithium-ion battery-based UPS systems. Moreover, there is a growing integration of renewable energy sources into existing power grids, resulting in an increase in the utilization of UPS systems in conjunction with 'green' energy. These changes are primarily driven by the ongoing demand for higher sustainability and power reliability.

China: The transformation of the digital economy in China comes with many opportunities and challenges. Advanced data centers tend to use new technologies to incorporate additional efficiency and reliability into the functioning of large-scale data centers. Moreover, the government's push toward digital infrastructure integration is driven by the increased need for cloud computing facilities, making the adoption of cutting-edge UPS systems more frequent than ever. Battery technology, particularly lithium-ion, is being integrated into China's UPS systems to help improve energy storage capabilities.

Germany: The German data center UPS market also incorporates energy efficiency and sustainability as some of its most crucial pillars. In an attempt to comply with the country's renewable energy targets, there is a growing need for flexible and modular UPS solutions. Many administrators incorporate batteries and fuel cells as energy storage solutions when integrating UPS systems to improve data center performance while reducing carbon footprints.

India: With the shift toward cloud computing services and the growing need for digital data storage, India is set to experience substantial growth in its data center UPS market. To cater to the ever-growing demand for 24/7 accessibility, many data center owners are improving their power backup systems to enhance reliability. As part of India's sustainability programs, there has been a noticeable rise in using economically efficient UPS solutions.

Japan: The data center UPS market in Japan is progressing in power quality, reliability, and energy efficiency. The country is integrating more renewable energy within the operations of its data centers and is also looking to implement new UPS technologies like flywheels and hybrid systems. Moreover, Japan's disaster management policy and infrastructure policy have created a high demand for dependable UPS systems in data centers.

Some of the data center UPS companies profiled in this report include:

Schneider Electric

Eaton

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation

Huawei Technologies

Delta Electronics

Legrand

Toshiba International Corporation

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/43n7dt

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 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Tinnitus Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Route of Administration, Type, Drug Class, Distribution Channel, Country, and Region - Analysis and Forecast, 2025-2035" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global tinnitus market is experiencing several key emerging trends that are significantly shaping the future of treatment. One of the most prominent trends is the increasing integration of multimodal therapies, which combine pharmacological treatments with non-pharmacological approaches such as sound therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and neuromodulation devices. This comprehensive approach addresses the multifaceted nature of tinnitus by targeting both the auditory symptoms and the associated psychological distress, leading to improved patient outcomes.



The global tinnitus market is highly competitive, with several leading pharmaceutical companies playing a pivotal role in advancing diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. Companies such as Mallinckrodt plc, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Novartis AG, and Endo Pharmaceuticals plc contribute significantly through their extensive portfolios of CNS drugs used off-label for tinnitus symptom management.

Generics leaders such as Zydus Group, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, and Aurobindo Pharma provide affordable medications that enhance accessibility in emerging markets. Established pharmaceutical giants including GSK plc, Sandoz International GmbH, Pfizer Inc., AstraZeneca, and Sanofi support the market with innovative CNS therapies targeting the psychological and neurological aspects of tinnitus. Together, these companies drive innovation, expand therapeutic options, and work to improve patient outcomes in this complex and evolving market.



One of the key drivers of the tinnitus market is the rising prevalence of tinnitus worldwide, fuelled by an aging global population and increased exposure to risk factors such as noise pollution, ototoxic medications, and lifestyle-related health conditions. This growing patient base is creating substantial demand for effective diagnostic tools and treatment options. Additionally, advancements in technology, including the development of neuromodulation devices and personalized sound therapy, alongside increased awareness and better access to healthcare services, are further propelling market growth. These factors combined are driving innovation and expanding the market's reach, making tinnitus management a priority in healthcare.



Despite the growth of the tinnitus market, several challenges persist that hinder its full potential. One major challenge is the lack of FDA-approved medications specifically targeting tinnitus, which limits treatment options and often forces reliance on off-label use of drugs that manage associated symptoms rather than the root cause. Additionally, tinnitus is a highly subjective condition with diverse underlying causes and symptom presentations, making diagnosis and standardized treatment difficult.

Patient compliance can be low due to the chronic nature of tinnitus and the variable effectiveness of available therapies. Furthermore, social stigma and limited awareness about tinnitus contribute to underreporting and delayed care-seeking behaviour. Lastly, high costs associated with advanced diagnostic tools and novel treatment devices can restrict access, especially in low- and middle-income regions. Addressing these challenges is crucial for sustaining market growth and improving patient outcomes.

Additionally, advancements in personalized medicine are enabling tailored treatment plans that better meet individual patient needs. These trends reflect a shift towards more holistic, patient-centred care models that are expected to drive innovation and market growth in the coming years.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Global Tinnitus Market: Industry Outlook

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Market Trends

1.3 Regulatory Framework

1.4 Epidemiology Analysis

1.5 Clinical Trial Analysis

1.6 Market Dynamics

1.6.1 Impact Analysis

1.6.2 Market Drivers

1.6.3 Market Challenges

1.6.4 Market Opportunities



2. Global Tinnitus Market (by Route of Administration), ($Million), 2023-2035

2.1 Oral

2.2 Intravenous

2.3 Others



3. Global Tinnitus Market (by Distribution Channel), ($Million), 2023-2035

3.1 Hospital Pharmacy

3.2 Retail Pharmacy

3.3 Online Pharmacy



4. Global Tinnitus Market (by Type), ($Million), 2023-2035

4.1 Subjective Tinnitus

4.2 Objective Tinnitus

4.3 Sensory Tinnitus

4.4 Somatic Tinnitus

4.5 Others



5. Global Tinnitus Market (by Drug Class), ($Million), 2023-2035

5.1 Antidepressants

5.2 Benzodiazepine

5.3 Corticosteroid

5.4 Prostaglandin Analogues

5.5 Others



6. Global Tinnitus Market (by Region), ($Million), 2023-2035

6.1 North America

6.1.1 Key Findings

6.1.2 Market Dynamics

6.1.3 Market Sizing and Forecast

6.1.3.1 North America Tinnitus Market, by Country

6.1.3.1.1 U.S.

6.2 Europe

6.2.1 Key Findings

6.2.2 Market Dynamics

6.2.3 Market Sizing and Forecast

6.2.3.1 Europe Tinnitus Market, by Country

6.2.3.1.1 Germany

6.2.3.1.2 U.K.

6.2.3.1.3 France

6.2.3.1.4 Italy

6.3 Asia Pacific

6.3.1 Key Findings

6.3.2 Market Dynamics

6.3.3 Market Sizing and Forecast

6.3.3.1 Asia Pacific Tinnitus Market, by Country

6.3.3.1.1 China

6.3.3.1.2 Japan



7. Global Tinnitus Market: Competitive Landscape and Company Profiles

7.1 Key Strategies and Development

7.1.1 Mergers and Acquisitions

7.1.2 Synergistic Activities

7.1.3 Business Expansions and Funding

7.1.4 Product Launches and Approvals

7.1.5 Other Activities

7.2 Company Profiles

7.2.1 Overview

7.2.2 Top Products / Product Portfolio

7.2.3 Top Competitors

7.2.4 Target Customers/End-Users

7.2.5 Key Personnel

7.2.6 Analyst View

Mallinckrodt plc

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

Novartis AG

Endo Pharmaceuticals plc

Zydus Group

Pfizer Inc.

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

Aurobindo Pharma

GSK plc

Sanofi

Merck KGaA

Sandoz International GmbH

AstraZeneca

Bayer AG

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/aneix1

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

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Dublin, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Behcet's Disease Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Distribution Channel, Route of Administration, Type, Country, and Region - Analysis and Forecast, 2025-2035" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global Behcet's disease market is highly competitive, characterized by the presence of several key players driving innovation in therapeutic development and patient care. Leading pharmaceutical companies such as AbbVie Inc., Novartis AG, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Johnson & Johnson (Janssen Korea Ltd.), and Bristol-Myers Squibb Company are at the forefront of advancing treatment options, particularly with biologics and targeted immunomodulatory therapies.

Additionally, companies such as GlaxoSmithKline plc, Amgen Inc., and Eisai Co., Ltd. contribute to research, and development efforts focused on novel drug candidates and improved delivery methods. Emerging firms such as Ganzhou Hemay Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and Sanguine Biosciences, Inc. bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to address unmet needs. This competitive landscape fosters rapid innovation, collaboration, and diversification of treatment modalities, enhancing overall patient outcomes and expanding market opportunities in Behcet's disease management.



One of the key drivers of the Behcet's disease market is the increasing prevalence and improved diagnosis of the disease, particularly in regions with higher incidence such as the Middle East, Asia, and the Mediterranean. Enhanced awareness among healthcare professionals and advancements in diagnostic techniques have led to earlier detection, expanding the patient population seeking treatment. Additionally, the growing adoption of targeted biologic therapies and immunosuppressive agents, which offer improved efficacy and safety over traditional treatments, is driving demand. Expanding healthcare infrastructure and increased access to specialty care in emerging markets further contribute to market growth, making effective management of Behcet's disease more accessible globally.



Despite the growth of the Behcet's disease market, several challenges continue to impede its full potential. One major challenge is the complexity and variability of the disease, which makes diagnosis difficult due to its multisystem involvement and lack of definitive biomarkers. This often leads to delayed treatment initiation and inconsistent management approaches. Additionally, the high cost of biologic therapies and immunosuppressive drugs limits accessibility, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The limited availability of disease-specific approved treatments forces reliance on off-label use of medications, which may not provide optimal outcomes.

Furthermore, the chronic nature of Behcet's disease requires long-term therapy, raising concerns about patient adherence and potential side effects. Regulatory hurdles and disparities in healthcare infrastructure across regions also pose significant barriers to market expansion and equitable patient care. Addressing these challenges is essential for sustaining growth and improving therapeutic outcomes in Behcet's disease.



The global Behcet's disease market is experiencing several key emerging trends that are reshaping the landscape of diagnosis and treatment. One prominent trend is the increasing use of targeted biologic therapies, such as TNF inhibitors and interleukin blockers, which offer more precise and effective management of inflammation with fewer side effects compared to traditional immunosuppressants.



Additionally, advances in genetic and biomarker research are enabling earlier and more accurate diagnosis, facilitating personalized treatment plans tailored to individual patient profiles. The integration of digital health technologies, including telemedicine and remote patient monitoring, is improving disease management and patient adherence. Moreover, there is a growing focus on multidisciplinary care approaches that address the multisystem nature of Behcet's disease, enhancing overall patient outcomes. These trends collectively are driving innovation and improving the quality of care in the Behcet's disease market.



Key Topics Covered:



1. Global Behcet's Disease Market: Industry Outlook

1.1 Introduction

1.2 Market Trends

1.3 Regulatory Framework

1.4 Epidemiology Analysis

1.5 Clinical Trial Analysis

1.6 Market Dynamics

1.6.1 Impact Analysis

1.6.2 Market Drivers

1.6.3 Market Challenges

1.6.4 Market Opportunities



2. Global Behcet's Disease Market (Distribution Channel), ($Billion), 2023-2035

2.1 Online Pharmacy

2.2 Hospital Pharmacy

2.3 Retail Pharmacy



3. Global Behcet's Disease Market (Type), ($Billion), 2023-2035

3.1 Neuro-Behcet

3.2 Ocular-Behcet

3.3 Vasculo-Behcet



4. Global Behcet's Disease Market (Region), ($Billion), 2023-2035

4.1 North America

4.1.1 Key Findings

4.1.2 Market Dynamics

4.1.3 Market Sizing and Forecast

4.1.3.1 North America Behcet's Disease Market, by Country

4.1.3.1.1 U.S.

4.2 Europe

4.2.1 Key Findings

4.2.2 Market Dynamics

4.2.3 Market Sizing and Forecast

4.2.3.1 Europe Behcet's Disease Market, by Country

4.2.3.1.1 Germany

4.2.3.1.2 U.K.

4.2.3.1.3 France

4.2.3.1.4 Italy

4.3 Asia Pacific

4.3.1 Key Findings

4.3.2 Market Dynamics

4.3.3 Market Sizing and Forecast

4.3.3.1 Asia Pacific Behcet's Disease Market, by Country

4.3.3.1.1 China

4.3.3.1.2 Japan



5. Global Behcet's Disease Market: Competitive Landscape and Company Profiles

5.1 Key Strategies and Development

5.1.1 Mergers and Acquisitions

5.1.2 Synergistic Activities

5.1.3 Business Expansions and Funding

5.1.4 Product Launches and Approvals

5.1.5 Other Activities

5.2 Company Profiles

5.2.1 AbbVie Inc.

5.2.1.1 Overview

5.2.1.2 Top Products / Product Portfolio

5.2.1.3 Top Competitors

5.2.1.4 Target Customers/End-Users

5.2.1.5 Key Personnel

5.2.1.6 Analyst View

5.2.2 Eisai Co., Ltd.

5.2.2.1 Overview

5.2.2.2 Top Products / Product Portfolio

5.2.2.3 Top Competitors

5.2.2.4 Target Customers/End-Users

5.2.2.5 Key Personnel

5.2.2.6 Analyst View

5.2.3 Amgen Inc.

5.2.3.1 Overview

5.2.3.2 Top Products / Product Portfolio

5.2.3.3 Top Competitors

5.2.3.4 Target Customers/End-Users

5.2.3.5 Key Personnel

5.2.3.6 Analyst View

5.2.4 Ganzhou Hemay Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

5.2.4.1 Overview

5.2.4.2 Top Products / Product Portfolio

5.2.4.3 Top Competitors

5.2.4.4 Target Customers/End-Users

5.2.4.5 Key Personnel

5.2.4.6 Analyst View

5.2.5 Johnson & Johnson (Janssen Korea Ltd.)

5.2.5.1 Overview

5.2.5.2 Top Products / Product Portfolio

5.2.5.3 Top Competitors

5.2.5.4 Target Customers/End-Users

5.2.5.5 Key Personnel

5.2.5.6 Analyst View

5.2.6 Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

5.2.6.1 Overview

5.2.6.2 Top Products / Product Portfolio

5.2.6.3 Top Competitors

5.2.6.4 Target Customers/End-Users

5.2.6.5 Key Personnel

5.2.6.6 Analyst View

5.2.7 F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

5.2.7.1 Overview

5.2.7.2 Top Products / Product Portfolio

5.2.7.3 Top Competitors

5.2.7.4 Target Customers/End-Users

5.2.7.5 Key Personnel

5.2.7.6 Analyst View

5.2.8 Novartis AG

5.2.8.1 Overview

5.2.8.2 Top Products / Product Portfolio

5.2.8.3 Top Competitors

5.2.8.4 Target Customers/End-Users

5.2.8.5 Key Personnel

5.2.8.6 Analyst View

5.2.9 GlaxoSmithKline plc

5.2.9.1 Overview

5.2.9.2 Top Products / Product Portfolio

5.2.9.3 Top Competitors

5.2.9.4 Target Customers/End-Users

5.2.9.5 Key Personnel

5.2.9.6 Analyst View

5.2.10 Sanguine Biosciences, Inc.

5.2.10.1 Overview

5.2.10.2 Top Products / Product Portfolio

5.2.10.3 Top Competitors

5.2.10.4 Target Customers/End-Users

5.2.10.5 Key Personnel

5.2.10.6 Analyst View



6. Research Methodology



List of Figures

Figure 1: Global Behcet's Disease Market (by Region), $Billion, 2024 and 2035

Figure 2: Global Behcet's Disease Market Key Trends, Analysis



List of Tables

Table 1: Global Behcet's Disease Market Dynamics, Impact Analysis

Table 2: Global Behcet's Disease Market (by Region), $Billion, 2024-2035





Companies Featured





AbbVie Inc.

Eisai Co., Ltd.

Amgen Inc.

Ganzhou Hemay Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

Johnson & Johnson (Janssen Korea Ltd.)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd

Novartis AG

GlaxoSmithKline plc

Sanguine Biosciences, Inc.





For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dnpiqz

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.
Notice is hereby given that on the initiative and by the resolution of the Board of AB KN Energies, legal entity code 110648893, with the registered office at Buriu str. 19, Klaipeda (hereinafter - the Company), Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company will be held on 18 August 2025 at 1:00 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Companys administrative office, J. Janonio str. 6B, Klaipeda (in the hall of the meeting on the 3rd floor).

Agenda of the meeting:

1. Regarding the election of a member to the Supervisory Council of AB KN Energies.

2. Regarding the determination of remuneration for the newly elected member of the Supervisory Council.

The shareholders will be registered from 12:00 p.m. to 12:55 p.m. The persons intending to participate in the meeting shall have a personal ID document (an authorized representative shall have an authorization approved under the established procedure. The natural persons authorization shall be notarized. An authorization issued in a foreign state shall be translated into the Lithuanian language and legalized under the procedure prescribed by the laws).

A shareholder or his proxy shall have the right to vote in writing in advance by filling in a general ballot paper. At the request of the shareholder, the Company shall send a general ballot paper to the shareholder by registered mail free of charge at least 10 days before the meeting. The filled-in general ballot paper and the document attesting the voting right shall be submitted to the Company no later than until the meeting, sending by registered mail or providing them at the address of the registered office of the Company indicated in the notice.

The shareholders who hold shares carrying at least 1/20 of all the votes may propose additions to the agenda of the General Meeting of Shareholders by submitting with every proposed additional item of the agenda a draft resolution of the General Meeting of Shareholders or, when no resolution is required, an explanation. Proposals on addition to the agenda shall be submitted in writing or sent by e-mail. Written proposals shall be submitted to the Company on business days or sent by registered mail at the address of the registered office of the Company indicated in the notice. Proposals submitted by e-mail shall be sent to the following e-mails: info@kn.lt and i.sungailaite@kn.lt. The agenda shall be supplemented if the proposal is received no later than 14 days before the General Meeting of Shareholders. If the agenda of the General Meeting of Shareholders is supplemented, the Company shall notify on the additions no later than 10 days before the meeting in the same ways as in the case of convocation of the meeting.

The shareholders, who hold shares carrying at least 1/20 of all the votes, at any time before the General Meeting of Shareholders or during the meeting, may propose new draft resolutions on items which are or will be included in the agenda of the meeting. The proposals may be submitted in writing or sent by e-mail. Written proposals shall be submitted to the Company on business days or sent by registered mail at the address of the registered office of the Company indicated in the notice. Proposals submitted by e-mail shall be sent to the following e-mails: info@kn.lt and i.sungailaite@kn.lt.

The shareholders shall have the right to submit to the Company in advance questions relating to the items on the agenda of the meeting. The shareholders may submit their written questions to the Company on business days or send by registered mail at the address of the registered office of the Company indicated in the notice no later than 3 business days before the meeting. The Company will reply to the questions by e-mail or in writing before the meeting, except the questions which are related to the Companys commercial (industrial) secret, confidential information or which have been submitted later than 3 business days before the meeting.

The Company provides the possibility of voting at the meeting by submitting to the Company a general ballot paper signed with a qualified electronic signature no later than 1:00 p.m. on the day of the meeting. The shareholder shall have the right to authorize through electronic communications means another person (natural or legal) to participate and vote in the meeting on behalf of the shareholder. No notarization of such authorization is required. The shareholder must confirm the proxy issued through electronic communications means by an electronic signature developed by a secure signature-creation device and approved by a qualified certificate effective in the Republic of Lithuania. The shareholder shall inform the Company on the proxy issued through electronic communications means to the following e-mails: info@kn.lt and i.sungailaite@kn.lt no later than until the last business day before the meeting at 1:00 p.m. The proxy and the notice must be issued in writing. The proxy and the notice to the Company shall be signed with the electronic signature but not the letter sent by e-mail. By submitting the notice to the Company, the shareholder shall include the internet address from which it would be possible to download software free of charge to verify the shareholders electronic signature.

The record date of the meeting shall be 8 August 2025 (only those persons who will be shareholders of the Company at the close of the record date of the General Meeting of Shareholders or their authorized persons, or persons with whom an agreement on assignment of the voting right has been executed, may participate and vote at the General Meeting of Shareholders).

The shareholders of the Company may familiarise with the draft resolution of the meeting and the form of the general ballot paper under the procedure prescribed by the laws in the administrative office of the Company at J. Janonio str. 6B, Klaipeda (tel.: 8 46 391 772), or on the Companys website at http://www.kn.lt/.

Tomas Tumenas, Chief Financial Officer, +370 46 391 772.

Attachments
Dublin, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Vectorized Antibodies By In Vivo Expression Of DNA Or RNA: A Competitive Business, Stakeholder, Technology & Pipeline Analysis From an Industry Perspective" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This report provides you with a landscape description and analysis of Vectorized antibodies by in vivo expression of DNA or RNA regarding stakeholders, R&D pipeline, profile & composition of drug candidates and business deals from an industry perspective as of June 2025.

Passive immunotherapy with monoclonal antibodies produced ex vivo mostly in mammalian cell culture systems has become a clinically and commercially successful treatment modality during the last three decades. Despite the clinical success of therapeutic antibodies, they still have limitations including the high cost, caused in great part by manufacturing and control, and the amount of drug needed for repeated administrations at high doses.

Development of the manufacturing process as well as commercial scale GMP manufacturing of antibodies in great amounts is a complex process. Other limitiations refer to the inconvenience of frequent administrations associated with an unsatisfactory pharmacokinetic profile, challenging administration procedures to the eye (e.g. subretinal injection) or the central nervous system (e.g. intrathecal infusion with indwelling catheter) or side effects and limited efficacy upon systemic administration without tissue specificity, an important aspect in cancer therapy.

Vectorized antibodies hold promise to overcome many of these limitations and provide a great opportunity for DNA and RNA technology companies to enter larger markets compared with the rare disease indications for which current gene therapies are approved or in development.

In vivo expression of therapeutics antibodies by DNA or RNA may overcome at least some of the limitations of conventional antibody therapy. The antibody transgene may be delivered by viral vectors, by direct injection of plasmid DNA into the muscle followed by electroporation or by molecular formulations, such as lipid nanoparticles, for systemic administration.

Ophthalmic diseases are the lead indication for vectorized antibodies expressed in vivo by viral DNA. Clinical results from phase I and II clinical studies of various anti-VEGF vectorized programs for treatment of wet AMD demonstrated safety and tolerability and stable to improved vision and retinal thickness as well as long-term, durable treatment effects up to 4 years. Three distinct anti-VEGF vectorized antibodies are competing in clinical phase III. Topline results from the first anti-VEGF vectorized antibody are expected in 2026 and may provide clinical validation of one vectorized antibody technology.

The report brings you up-to-date with information about and analysis of:

Stakeholders: companies with technologies in viral DNA, oncolytic virus DNA, non-viral DNA and RNA; service providers and biopharmaceutical partners;

Coroporate profiles of stakeholders: technology, territory, year of foundation, employees, financial situation and highest R&D stage

Partnerships of vectorized antibody technology companies and biopharmaceutical companies;

Vectorized antibody technologies; viral DNA, oncolytic virus DNA, non-viral DNA (plasmid, molecular formulation, cellular delivery) and RNA;

Compositions of vectorized antibody product candidates: DNA or RNA, delivery method and route of administration;

Pipeline of vectorized antibodies: in ophthalmology, oncology, neurology, infectious disease and other therapeutic areas;

Clinical experience in safety and efficacy with vectorized antibodies;

Molecular, preclinical and clinical profile of vectorized antibodies;

Competitor analysis.

Who will benefit from the report?

Business development and licensing (BDL) specialists

Venture capital, private equity and investment managers

Managers of Big Pharma venture capital firms

Financial analysts

CEO, COO and managing directors

Corporate strategy analysts and managers

Chief Technology Officer

R&D Portfolio, Technology and Strategy Management

Clinical and preclinical development specialists

Key Topics Covered:

1 Executive Summary

2 Introduction

3 Stakeholder Analysis

3.1 Overview

3.2 Viral DNA Technology Companies with Vectorized Antibodies

3.3 Non-Viral DNA Technology Companies with Vectorized Antibodies

3.4 RNA Technology Companies with Vectorized Antibodies

3.5 Service Providers with RNA Technology for Vectorized Antibodies

3.6 Partnerships with Licensing and Collaboration Agreements for Vectorized Antibodies

4 Profiles of Stakeholders in Vectorized Antibody Technologies

4.1 Viral Vector DNA Companies

4.1.1 4D Molecular Therapeutics (4DMT)

4.1.2 Adverum Biotechnologies

4.1.3 Avirmax Biopharma

4.1.4 Capsida Therapeutics

4.1.5 Chengdu Origen Biotechnology

4.1.6 Cirrus Biotherapeutics

4.1.7 Frontera Therapeutics

4.1.8 Ikarovec

4.1.9 Kriya Therapeutics

4.1.10 MeiraGTx Holdings

4.1.11 Neuracle Genetics

4.1.12 Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

4.1.13 REGENXBIO

4.1.14 Ring Therapeutics

4.1.15 Scout Bio (now: Ceva)

4.1.16 Shape Therapeutics

4.1.17 Skyline Therapeutics

4.1.18 VectorY

4.1.19 Vironexis Biotherapeutics

4.1.20 Voyager Therapeutics

4.2 Oncolytic Virus DNA Companies

4.2.1 Accession Therapeutics

4.2.2 Akamis Bio

4.2.3 ImmVira

4.2.4 Transgene

4.3 Non-Viral DNA Companies

4.3.1 Inovio Pharmaceuticals

4.3.2 PharmAbs

4.3.3 PulseSight Therapeutics

4.3.4 RenBio

4.3.5 Entos Pharmaceuticals

4.3.6 Nanite

4.3.7 Rampart Bioscience

4.3.8 Be Biopharma

4.3.9 BiomEdit

4.4 RNA Companies

4.4.1 BioNTech

4.4.2 De novo Biotherapeutics

4.4.3 Hopewell Therapeutics

4.4.4 METiS Pharmaceuticals

4.4.5 RNAimmune

4.4.6 Shattuck Labs

4.4.7 Suzhou Abogen Bioscience

4.4.8 Immorna

4.4.9 Nuclix Bio

4.4.10 Sail Biomedicine

4.5 RNA Service Companies

4.5.1 Charles River

4.5.2 Nutcracker Therapeutics

4.5.3 ProBio

4.5.4 ProMab Biotechnologies

4.5.5 ST Pharm

4.5.6 WuXi AppTec

5 Analysis of Vectorized Antibody Technologies

5.1 Viral Vector DNA Technologies for In Vivo Expression of Antibodies

5.2 Oncolytic Virus DNA Technologies for in vivo Expression of Antibodies

5.3 Non-Viral DNA Technologies for in vivo Expression of Antibodies

5.4 RNA Technologies for in vivo Expression of Antibodies

6 Profiles of Vectorized Antibody Technologies

6.1 Viral Vector DNA Technologies for in vivo Expression of Antibodies

6.1.1 Therapeutic Vector Evolution (4DMT)

6.1.2 AAV.7m8 VectorPlatform (Adverum)

6.1.3 Macular Retina-Targeting AAV2 Capsid (Avirmax)

6.1.4 CNS-Selective AAV Gene Therapy (Capsida)

6.1.5 AAV8 and Variant Gene Therapy with Vectorized Antibodies (Chengdu)

6.1.6 APEX Technology & Manufacturing Platform (Frontera)

6.1.7 AAV Gene Therapy & Riboswitch Technology (MeiraGTx)

6.1.8 NAV Technology Platform (REGENXBIO)

6.1.9 Anelogy platform (Ring Tx)

6.1.10 AAV.ai Capsid Discovery Platform (Shape)

6.1.11 Advanced adeno-associated virus (AAV) based platform (Skyline)

6.1.12 VecTab, VecTron & VeCap (VectorY)

6.1.13 TRACER Capsid Discovery Platform (Voyager)

6.2 Oncolytic Virus DNA Technologies for in vivo Expression of Antibodies

6.2.1 TROCEPT Technology Platform (Accession)

6.2.2 Tumor-Specific Immuno-Gene Therapy (T-SIGn) Platform (Akamis)

6.2.3 Invir.IO (Transgene)

6.3 Non-Viral DNA Technologies for in vivo Expression of Antibodies

6.3.1 DNA-encoded Monoclonal Antibodies: DMAbs (Inovio)

6.3.2 Ciliary Electro-Transfection of Plasmid (PulseSight)

6.3.3 MYO Technology (RenBio)

6.3.4 Fusogenix PLV Technology (Entos)

6.3.5 SAYER Technology (Nanite)

6.3.6 HALO DNA-LNP (Rampart)

6.3.7 B Cell Engineering Platform (Be Biopharma)

6.3.8 Probiotic Vectored Antibody: pvAb (BiomEdit)

6.4 RNA Technologies for in vivo Expression of Antibodies

6.4.1 RiboMab Technology (BioNTech)

6.4.2 AiLNP & AiRNA (METiS)

6.4.3 Linear mRNA and Circular RNA (Abogen)

6.4.4 mRNA-Encoded Antibody Platform (Charles River)

6.4.5 RNA Precision Manufacturing Platform (Nutcracker)

6.4.6 ringRNA & Ribo-grAb ("RNA-generated recombinant Antibodies") (Ring Therapeutics)

6.4.7 Endless RNA (eRNA) (Sail)

7 Analysis of Pipeline and Product Candidates for in vivo Expression of Antibodies

7.1 Overview

7.2 Analysis of the Pipeline of Vectorized Antibodies in Ophthalmology

7.3 Analysis of the Pipeline of Vectorized Antibodies in Oncology

7.4 Analysis of the Pipeline of Vectorized Antibodies in Infectious Diseases

7.5 Analysis of the Pipeline of Vectorized Antibodies in Neurology

7.6 Pipeline of Vectorized Antibodies in Autoimmune, Metabolic, and Rare Diseases

8 Profiles of Vectorized Antibody Product Candidates

8.1 Viral Vector DNA Product Candidates for in vivo Expression of Antibodies

8.1.1 4D-150

8.1.2 AAV8.2-anti-C5 scFv

8.1.3 AAV8.CAT311 Gene Therapy with Vectorized Antibodies

8.1.4 AAV-anti-TNF scFv

8.1.5 ABI-110

8.1.6 FT-003

8.1.7 IKC151V

8.1.8 Ixoberogene soroparvovec; ixo-vec

8.1.9 KH631

8.1.10 KH658

8.1.11 KRIYA-586

8.1.12 NG101; RY104

8.1.13 SKG0106

8.1.14 Surabgene lomparvovec; sura-vec; ABBV-RGX-314

8.1.15 Vectorized Anti-Amyloid Antibody

8.1.16 VNX-101

8.1.17 VNX-202

8.1.18 VTX-001

8.1.19 VTX-002

8.1.20 VTX-003

8.2 Onolytic Virus DNA Product Candidates for in vivo Expression of Antibodies

8.2.1 BT-001

8.2.2 MVR-C5252

8.2.3 MVR-T3011

8.2.4 NG-350A

8.2.5 TG6050

8.2.6 TROCEPT-01; ATTR-01

8.3 Non-Viral DNA Product Candidates for in vivo Expression of Antibodies

8.3.1 DNA-based Anti-Zika Antibody

8.3.2 DNA-based Incretin Receptor Agonists

8.3.3 EYS606

8.3.4 Optimized dMAb AZD5396 and dMAb AZD8076 with Hylenex Recombinant

8.3.5 PST-809 (EYS809)

8.3.6 DNA-Encoded PGT121 Antibody

8.3.7 HALO BTE-LNP

8.3.8 HALO TNALP-LNP

8.3.9 BE-102

8.3.10 BiTE BCM

8.3.11 RMP100-HSPC-TNALP

8.4 RNA Product Candidates for in vivo Expression of Antibodies

8.4.1 ABO2203

8.4.2 BNT141

8.4.3 BNT142

8.4.4 LNP-mRNA BiTE

8.4.5 MTS105

8.4.6 NTX-470

8.4.7 NTX-0471

8.4.8 NTX-472

8.4.9 RV-525

9 References

Methodology:

This report evaluates the industry landscape of vectorized antibodies in research and development. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the R&D and partnering activities of pharmaceutical and technology companies in the field of vectorized antibodies by in vivo expression of DNA or RNA.

This report is based on the identification and description of corporate stakeholders including biopharmaceutical companies and biotechnology companies. All publicly available information is fully referenced, either with more than 190 scientific references (abstracts, posters, presentations, full papers) or hyperlinks leading to the source of information, such as press releases, corporate presentations, annual reports, SEC disclosures and homepage content.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ne5m2l

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 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Space Carbon Fiber Composites - Global Strategic Business Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



Engineering Beyond Earth: How Carbon Fiber Composites Are Recasting Spacecraft Architecture

The global market for Space Carbon Fiber Composites was estimated at US$451.2 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach US$571.9 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.0% from 2024 to 2030. This comprehensive report provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, drivers, and forecasts, helping you make informed business decisions. The report includes the most recent global tariff developments and how they impact the Space Carbon Fiber Composites market.







The growth in the global space carbon fiber composites market is driven by several factors including increased satellite launches, the commercialization of low-Earth orbit, and demand for reusable launch systems. As launch economics shift toward cost-per-kilogram metrics, carbon composites offer compelling performance advantages that translate into reduced fuel consumption, enhanced payload capacity, and faster vehicle turnaround. The NewSpace movement-characterized by private-sector-led innovation-is also accelerating composite adoption through prototyping flexibility, agile manufacturing, and performance-driven design optimization.



Innovation is occurring across multiple dimensions. New resin systems with lower cure temperatures and outgassing properties are being developed to support out-of-autoclave and in-space fabrication techniques. Thermoplastic composites are gaining attention for their recyclability, damage tolerance, and weldability. Additive manufacturing using carbon fiber-reinforced filaments is enabling the production of complex components with reduced lead times and on-demand customization. Nanocomposites using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene are also under investigation to enhance electrical conductivity, mechanical performance, and multi-functionality of space components.



Future trajectories include the integration of structural health monitoring systems, multifunctional composites with embedded antennas or heat pipes, and adaptive materials capable of shape change or energy storage. As the commercial space ecosystem matures-with players entering satellite servicing, space mining, and orbital manufacturing-carbon fiber composites will remain foundational to enabling lightweight, scalable, and resilient space structures. The interplay of material science, mission engineering, and orbital sustainability is positioning space-grade composites as a vital component in the future of extraterrestrial infrastructure.



What Makes Carbon Fiber Composites Vital for Space Applications and Mission Reliability?



Carbon fiber composites have become indispensable in space applications due to their unique combination of high strength-to-weight ratio, dimensional stability, and resistance to extreme temperatures and radiation. These advanced materials, typically composed of carbon fibers embedded in polymer matrices such as epoxy, cyanate ester, or polyimide resins, are used extensively in satellite structures, launch vehicle fairings, propulsion components, antenna reflectors, and modular space habitats. Compared to traditional metals like aluminum and titanium, carbon fiber composites enable substantial weight reduction-an essential factor in improving payload efficiency and lowering launch costs.



Importantly, carbon fiber composites offer enhanced radiation shielding and reduced outgassing, which are crucial for protecting sensitive electronic equipment and ensuring thermal control in spacecraft. These performance characteristics make them ideal for next-generation spacecraft where modularity, reusability, and sustainability are paramount.



Which Applications and Vehicle Platforms Are Driving Demand for Carbon Fiber Composites in Space?



Satellites-both commercial and defense-grade-represent a significant segment for space carbon fiber composite demand. Satellite buses, solar panel arms, instrument platforms, and booms are now predominantly manufactured using composite structures to reduce weight while maintaining rigidity and resistance to mechanical stress during launch and orbit operations. With the miniaturization trend in satellite design, composites enable compact yet robust frames that support high-resolution imaging, communication arrays, and propulsion systems.



Launch vehicles and rockets are another major use case. The shift toward reusable rockets by companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Rocket Lab is accelerating composite integration in fuel tanks, interstage structures, and fairings. Carbon composite cryogenic tanks, for example, reduce mass while maintaining the necessary thermal insulation and containment performance for liquid hydrogen and oxygen. NASA and private aerospace players are also leveraging carbon-carbon and ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) for heat shields and nozzle components that must withstand the extreme re-entry temperatures.



Emerging applications include space stations, lunar habitats, and in-space manufacturing platforms where lightweight, modular construction is critical. Composites are also playing a role in robotic arms, deployable structures, and additive manufacturing feedstocks. Space tourism and commercial spaceflight ventures are anticipated to further fuel demand for carbon fiber composite cabins, interior panels, and occupant safety systems optimized for suborbital and orbital flights.



Which Regions and Organizations Are Leading in Composite Innovation for Space Use?



The United States leads the global market for space carbon fiber composites, supported by a strong ecosystem of aerospace manufacturers, defense contractors, and composite material suppliers. Companies like Northrop Grumman, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and SpaceX rely on advanced composite parts supplied by Hexcel Corporation, Toray Advanced Composites, and Solvay. NASA-s Composites for Exploration Upper Stage Structures (CEUSS) program and the Space Launch System (SLS) development have significantly advanced U.S. composite design and qualification protocols for deep space missions.



Europe is also a significant player, with the European Space Agency (ESA), Airbus Defence and Space, and Thales Alenia Space driving demand for high-performance composite structures. The EU-s Horizon programs and Clean Sky initiatives are funding composite R&D aimed at reducing environmental impact and enhancing aerospace competitiveness. Japan, through Mitsubishi Electric and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), maintains a strong position in carbon fiber production and satellite systems. Meanwhile, China is rapidly scaling up domestic composite manufacturing for its Long March launch vehicles and Beidou satellite program, while India-s ISRO is expanding its composite fabrication capabilities for its PSLV and Gaganyaan missions.



Global supply chains are witnessing vertical integration, with composite part manufacturers collaborating closely with resin formulators and aerospace primes to ensure flight qualification and mission customization. International regulatory harmonization, particularly under ISO and ECSS (European Cooperation for Space Standardization), is facilitating cross-border cooperation in composite design, testing, and integration.



Report Features:

Comprehensive Market Data: Independent analysis of annual sales and market forecasts in US$ Million from 2024 to 2030.

In-Depth Regional Analysis: Detailed insights into key markets, including the U.S., China, Japan, Canada, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa.

Company Profiles: Coverage of players such as Advanced Composites Solutions, Aernnova Aerospace S.A., Arris Composites, Boston Materials LLC, Collins Aerospace and more.

Complimentary Updates: Receive free report updates for one year to keep you informed of the latest market developments.

Key Insights:

Market Growth: Understand the significant growth trajectory of the Satellites Application segment, which is expected to reach US$306.9 Million by 2030 with a CAGR of a 3.8%. The Launch Vehicles Application segment is also set to grow at 4.6% CAGR over the analysis period.

Regional Analysis: Gain insights into the U.S. market, estimated at $122.9 Million in 2024, and China, forecasted to grow at an impressive 7.3% CAGR to reach $116.0 Million by 2030. Discover growth trends in other key regions, including Japan, Canada, Germany, and the Asia-Pacific.

Segments:

Application (Satellites Application, Launch Vehicles Application, Deep Space Exploration Application)

End-Use (Commercial End-Use, Research End-Use, Defense End-Use)

Key Attributes:





Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 274 Forecast Period 2024 - 2030 Estimated Market Value in 2024 451.2 Million Forecasted Market Value by 2030 571.9 Million Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.0% Regions Covered Global





Key Topics Covered:



MARKET OVERVIEW

Influencer Market Insights

World Market Trajectories

Tariff Impact on Global Supply Chain Patterns

Space Carbon Fiber Composites - Global Key Competitors Percentage Market Share in 2025 (E)

Competitive Market Presence - Strong/Active/Niche/Trivial for Players Worldwide in 2025 (E)

MARKET TRENDS & DRIVERS

Rising Satellite Launch Frequencies Drive Demand for Lightweight, High-Strength Materials

Adoption in Payload Structures and Satellite Antennas Promotes Material Optimization

Use in Space Launch Vehicles for Fairings, Interstage Sections, and Fuel Tanks Expands Scope

Increased Demand for Thermal Resistance in Deep Space Applications Boosts R&D

Miniaturization and Cubesat Proliferation Promote Use of Thin-Wall Composite Structures

Integration of Radiation-Resistant Resins Improves Material Survivability in Harsh Conditions

Private Sector Entry Into Spaceflight Drives Innovation in Cost-Effective Composite Manufacturing

Adoption in Structural Panels for Manned Missions Strengthens Human-Rated Component Use

Development of Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) Technologies Enhances Production Throughput

Collaboration Between Space Agencies and Aerospace Suppliers Accelerates Composite Design

Focus on Mission Durability and Weight Optimization Enhances Market Potential

Emergence of Green Composite Manufacturing Supports Sustainable Satellite Development

Expansion of In-Orbit Servicing and Space Tourism Promotes New Use Cases

Growth in Hypersonic Research and Spaceplane Development Creates Additional Demand

Shift Toward Additive Manufacturing With Composite Filaments Opens Lightweighting Opportunities

Military and Defense Spending on Space Reconnaissance Expands Procurement of Carbon Structures

Standardization of Aerospace-Grade Carbon Materials Improves Interoperability Across Programs

Rising Participation of Commercial Launch Providers Drives Composite Supply Chain Scaling

Partnerships With Universities and Material Science Startups Accelerate New Resin Systems

Market for Reusable Launch Systems Encourages Tougher, Fatigue-Resistant Composite Solutions

FOCUS ON SELECT PLAYERS |Some of the 37 companies featured in this Space Carbon Fiber Composites market report include:

Advanced Composites Solutions

Aernnova Aerospace S.A.

Arris Composites

Boston Materials LLC

Collins Aerospace

Hexcel Corporation

Hexion Inc.

Huayuan Advanced Materials Co., Ltd.

Hyosung Advanced Materials

Lee Aerospace, Inc.

Materion Corporation

MCCFC (Mitsubishi Chemical Carbon Fiber & Composites)

Nippon Graphite Fiber Co., Ltd.

Premium AEROTEC GmbH

SGL Carbon SE

Solvay S.A.

Spirit AeroSystems Inc.

Teijin Limited

Toray Advanced Composites

Toray Industries, Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/m6lvif

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.

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FORECAST: The change in new business volumes (NBV) suggests a 4.5% decline in new durable goods orders in June.

Total new business volume was $9.6 billion on a seasonally adjusted basis in June, a decrease of 7.4% from May.





NBV year-to-date contracted by 1.8% relative to the same period in 2024.





Year-over-year, NBV dropped by 3.8% on a non-seasonally adjusted basis.



WASHINGTON, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The latest CapEx Finance Index survey shows an easing in equipment demand and a moderate rise in losses, but delinquencies retreated. Volatility across many indicators is up in 2025, so Im not taking too much signal from one month of data, said Leigh Lytle, President and CEO at ELFA. Still, well be watching the incoming data closely this summer to see if trade policy uncertainty is finally beginning to weigh on equipment and software demand. Even if a slowdown materializes over the next few quarters, our sector is well positioned to handle the turbulence. The drop in the delinquency rate and the relatively low level of losses show that financial conditions remain healthy, providing a buffer against an economic downshift. And the recent passage of permanent 100% expensing and EBITDA-based interest deductibility should strengthen equipment demand over the next few years.

Equipment demand eased. Month-over-month NBV had the second-largest drop of the year in June; the largest was in January, when volumes decreased by 17.8%. The volume of small ticket deals was $3.1 billion in June, representing a 6.0% decrease from May. Small ticket volumes have been volatile recently, experiencing either a double-digit percentage increase or decrease in every month since January. That trend ended in June with volumes decreasing by 6.0%. All three institution types  banks, captives, and independents -- experienced slower demand last month as well.





The credit approval rate dipped but remains elevated. The average credit approval rate dropped to 76.8% but remained near its recent peak of 77.4%. The rate at banks decreased by 3.3 percentage points to 75.7%. That drop outweighed the 4.1 percentage point and 3.0 percentage point increases at captives and independents, respectively. The approval rate for small ticket deals was also up slightly from May.

Losses rose, but delinquencies dropped. The overall delinquency rate fell to 1.9% in June, down 0.27 percentage points month over month. The rate at banks decreased by 0.49 percentage points, offsetting the 0.41 percentage point increase observed in the prior month.

The overall loss rate rose by 0.06 percentage points to 0.50% in June. The increase was driven by a 0.13 percentage point increase at banks, which more than offset the modest declines at both captives and independents.

Headcounts rose for the first time this year. The 12-month change in total employment was up 4.3% from June 2024. All three institution types experienced job gains over the last 12 months.

The recent CFI results point to continued strength in equipment financing, even as businesses face rising input costs and output pricespressures partly driven by tariffs, said Hollis Bufferd, Founder & CEO, Star Hill Financial, LLC. At Star Hill, we continue to see steady demand from companies investing in growth, particularly in the manufacturing sector. While the broader economic outlook is mixed, financing activity has proven resilient. That said, while the overall picture is complex, the steady financing activity signals strength. Were mindful of geopolitical uncertainties and policy shifts, so these results should be viewed within the context of a wider economic landscape, where uncertainty could pose challenges ahead. No single data point tells the full story, but we remain cautiously optimistic and focused on delivering flexible, fixed-rate financing solutions that meet our clients evolving needs.

Industry Confidence

The Monthly Confidence Index from ELFAs affiliate, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, climbed to 61.6 in July, revealing a third consecutive month of increasing confidence.

About ELFAs CFI

The CapEx Finance Index (CFI) is the only real-time dataset that tracks nationwide conditions in the equipment financing industry. The information is compiled from a diversified set of businesses that respond to questions about demand for equipment financing, employment, and changes in financial conditions. The resulting data is organized by institution type, such as banks, captives, and independents, and is classified into overall activity and financing for small ticket equipment and software. The CFI is released monthly from Washington, D.C., generally one day before the U.S. Department of Commerce's durable goods report. More detail on the data and methodology can be found at www.elfaonline.org/CFI.

About ELFA

The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA) represents financial services companies and manufacturers in the $1.3 trillion U.S. equipment finance sector. ELFAs over 600 member companies provide essential financing that helps businesses acquire the equipment they need to operate and grow. Learn how equipment finance contributes to businesses success, U.S. economic growth, manufacturing and jobs at www.elfaonline.org.

Follow ELFA:

X: @ELFAonline

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/115191

Media/Press Contact: Jane Esworthy, VP, Communications & Marketing, ELFA, jesworthy@elfaonline.org

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/557fd3e5-7d8f-419a-b8c7-23288677798b
Orlando, Florida, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Re:Public (http://www.republic.us), the new citizen-powered media platform for local communities and civic issues, is thrilled to announce that veteran journalist Eric Bolling is joining the platform as Senior Communications Manager and Partner.

Bolling will assist in guiding Re:Public's strategic communications, serve as voice of the platform in national and regional media, and assist with outreach as Re:Public expands throughout the United States."Re:Public is an innovative new platform that returns the voice of ordinary Americans to the center of our public life," declared Bolling. "Local news has been dominated by goliath corporations for too long. Re:Public empowers people with the ability to report what is important in their own neighborhoods  unfiltered, uncensored, and held accountable."

A seasoned reporter, political pundit, and television talk show host, Bolling has decades of high-profile media experience and a steadfast commitment to fact-driven public discourse. His partnership is a tipping point for Re:Public's mission to reclaim local journalism and civic discourse. Re:Public will debut first in Florida with a plan to ramp up to all 50 states, covering every U.S. county and the nation's 2,000 largest municipalities.

"We are thrilled to have Eric on board," said Re:Public Co-Founder Risto Laaksonen. "His dedication to honest journalism and America first is perfectly in sync with our mission."

For all media inquiries and interview requests, contact Thomas Mustac, Senior Publicist at Otter PR, at thomas.mustac@otterpr.com .

About Re:Public:

Re:Public is a citizen-funded media platform designed to restore local journalism and civic engagement in cities and towns across the United States. By giving ordinary Americans the means to cover what is most important in their own backyard and their own city, Re:Public seeks to restore transparency, accountability, and citizen-centered journalism to the center of public debate. The site gives contributors the tools and the support to post raw, grassroots reports free from corporate media spin. Re:Public is rolling out in Florida and adding every county within the U.S. and the country's 2,000 largest cities.

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WESTFORD, Mass., July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kadant Inc. (NYSE: KAI) announced it will release its 2025 second quarter results after the market closes on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 and will hold a webcast the next day, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. During the call the Company will discuss its second quarter financial performance and future expectations.

To listen to the live call and view the webcast, go to the Investors section of the Companys website at kadant.com. Participants interested in joining the calls live question and answer session are required to register by clicking here or selecting the Q&A link on our website to receive a dial-in number and unique PIN. It is recommended that you join the call 10 minutes prior to the start of the event. A replay of the webcast will be available on our website through August 29, 2025. The earnings release and webcast presentation will be posted in the Investors section of our website.

About Kadant

Kadant is a global supplier of technologies and engineered systems that drive Sustainable Industrial Processing. The Companys products and services play an integral role in enhancing efficiency, optimizing energy utilization, and maximizing productivity in process industries. Kadant is based in Westford, Massachusetts, with approximately 3,500 employees in 20 countries worldwide. For more information, visit kadant.com.

Contacts

Investor Contact Information:

Michael McKenney, 978-776-2000

IR@kadant.com

Media Contact Information:

Wes Martz, 269-278-1715

media@kadant.com
NEWARK, N.J., July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HealthSure 3X, an online health solutions company headquartered in New Jersey, has introduced a fully integrated platform where patients can avail themselves of licensed healthcare professionals at home using virtual in-home medical care . This method caters to growing needs for accessible and flexible healthcare while upholding professional standards and patient safety.

Built for a wide range of userssuch as those living with chronic illness, older adults, working professionals, and familiesthe HealthSure 3X mobile app provides patient-focused services like virtual visits, remote monitoring, and follow-up care delivered securely. The app can be downloaded on Android and iOS operating systems.

HealthSure 3X has created this product in response to the increasing demand for healthcare solutions that minimize reliance on on-site visits. With the incorporation of telehealth technologies and licensed medical practitioners, the company hopes to enhance outcomes for patients while making care more convenient and accessible.





How the Platform Works

Through the use of the HealthSure 3X app, patients are able to schedule appointments, consult with qualified healthcare professionals through secure video sessions or messaging, and get individualized advice for continued care. The platform itself is developed with HIPAA-approved security measures, ensuring privacy and data safety from end-to-end throughout the course of consultation and treatment.

Services that can be chosen include:

General and specialist consultations

Remote monitoring of chronic conditions

Follow-up visits and secure communication with medical staff



The onboarding process is also simplified: users download the app, set up a profile, and select among available services. Appointments can be easily made within hours, and care is provided without going to a physical clinic or hospital.

Meeting the Rising Demand for Hospital-at-Home Care

HealthSure 3X's virtual in-home healthcare model is very much in line with the growing Hospital at Home Care movement, where patients get hospital-level care without ever being admitted to the facility. This model is particularly beneficial for patients with mobility issues, post-surgical care requirements, or long-term health conditions that need regular monitoring.

Through continual communication and digital tracking, the HealthSure 3X platform reduces hospital readmission, enhances patient care continuity, and facilitates patient compliance with treatment plans. In addition to being convenient, the service also generates long-term cost savings for patients and healthcare systems alike.

Who Can Benefit

The service is suitable for anyone requiring professional medical care without having to present themselves at a healthcare institution. The member categories include:

Seniors and caregivers in need of regular care in the home

Those living with diabetes, hypertension, asthma, and other chronic conditions

Working individuals in need of convenient healthcare solutions

Families requiring pediatric consultation and routine check-ups

The platform can also be particularly useful to rural communities or those in underserved areas who experience geographic or logistical barriers to access to regular care.

Commitment to Quality and Transparency

HealthSure 3X prioritizes open pricing, scope of service, and delivery of care. No additional, undisclosed fees are charged, and patients are made aware of all fees prior to scheduling appointments. All healthcare professionals on the platform are licensed practitioners with confirmed credentials.

Security is paramount, and the platform employs encrypted communication channels to keep patient data and consultations confidential. Patients can view their digital health records and share them with other healthcare providers when necessary.

Future Looking Outlook

In the future, HealthSure 3X intends to add virtual healthcare services in the form of mental health therapy, physical therapy, and specialty consults. The firm is also examining integrations with intelligent medical devices for real-time health monitoring, allowing for even more comprehensive virtual in-home medical care services.

About HealthSure 3X

HealthSure 3X is a health technology firm dedicated to enhancing healthcare access through secure, convenient, and patient-centered telehealth solutions. HealthSure 3X's mobile platform bridges people with licensed medical professionals for consultations, follow-ups, and chronic disease managementall from the comfort and safety of home.

HealthSure 3X offers the backing of the contemporary Hospital at Home Care movement through flexible digital solutions that enable ongoing and effective treatment outside of traditional hospitals.

Media Contact:

Email - info@healthsure3x.com

Phone number - 1-973-353-6206

Company name - Healthsure3x.com

Contact person - Kevin Sanders

Disclaimer: This content is provided by Healthsure3x.com. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the content provider. The information shared in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment, financial, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended that you conduct thorough research and consult with a professional financial advisor before making any investment or trading decisions. Please conduct your own research and invest at your own risk.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7ad9cb3a-e9a3-48ce-930d-6862b06ea4c0
MCLEAN, Va., July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Mission Technologies division was awarded a $74 million task order to provide modeling and simulation capabilities to the U.S. Air Force that will inform technology-fielding decisions for the space community.

Under the five-year effort, HII will continue to support the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratorys (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate, providing end-to-end modeling and simulation capabilities to the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force and strategic partners. The work includes the development of simulations that will enable space units to train from their wartime locations.

Modeling and simulation are central to the U.S. Air Forces ability to meet its top priorities, particularly in the space domain, which presents a unique set of challenges, said Michael Lempke, president of Mission Technologies Global Security group. Were pleased to continue our longstanding partnership with the AFRL and offer an operationally relevant solution set that will significantly enhance our space guardians readiness as well as the survivability of U.S. assets in an increasingly more complex multi-domain environment.

The team is also developing decision aid software, which uses machine-to-machine data collection to enable decision-making required by space command and control organizations.

HII was awarded the task order under the U.S. Department of Defenses Information Analysis Center Multiple Award Contract (IAC MAC) vehicle. The IAC MAC task orders are awarded by the U.S. Air Force's 774th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron to develop and create new knowledge for the enhancement of the Defense Technical Information Center repository and the research and development and science and technology community.

Work will be performed at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico.

HII develops groundbreaking technology for the U.S. Space Force and combatant commands, including U.S. Space Command, U.S. Strategic Command and others in the role of space support for training, test and analysis.

About HII

HII is a global, all-domain defense provider. HIIs mission is to deliver the worlds most powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, creating the advantage for our customers to protect peace and freedom around the world.

As the nations largest military shipbuilder, and with a more than 135-year history of advancing U.S. national security, HII delivers critical capabilities extending from ships to unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML and synthetic training. Headquartered in Virginia, HIIs workforce is 44,000 strong. For more information, visit:

HII on the web: https://www.HII.com/

HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII

HII on X: https://www.twitter.com/WeAreHII

HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WeAreHII

The DoD IAC, sponsored by the Defense Technical Information Center, provides technical data management and research support for DoD and federal government users. Established in 1946, the IAC program serves the DoD science and technology and acquisition communities to drive innovation and technological developments by enhancing collaboration through integrated scientific and technical information development and dissemination for the DoD and broader science and technology community.

This material is based upon work supported by the DoD Information Analysis Center Program (DoD IAC), sponsored by the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) under Contract No. FA807518D0002.

Approved for Public Release, Distribution Unlimited. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the DoD.

Contact:

Greg McCarthy

(202) 264-7126

gregory.j.mccarthy@hii-co.com
Boston, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In what should be a model across the U.S., Nexamp has successfully completed construction on three projects, including the scope of work typically performed by the electric utility, marking a significant advancement in clean energy deployment. The concept, known as self-performance, allows developers to perform certain grid modifications and infrastructure upgrades to reduce both the time and cost required to connect their projects to the grid.

Working with Central Maine Power (CMP) in Maine and National Grid in Massachusetts, Nexamp took responsibility for procuring the necessary equipment and performing the requisite construction to get three recent projects completed and operating faster. Nexamp and its contractors worked closely with engineers and project managers from CMP and National Grid on each project, ensuring that all technical specs and requirements were met to maintain the utmost attention to safety and reliability.

The first three projects that were part of the self-performance initiative are:

Hartland Solar, a 1.2 MW DC solar farm in Hartland, Maine

Barre Road Solar, a 1.3 MW DC solar farm in New Braintree, Mass.

Summit Farm Solar, a 2.6 MW DC solar farm in New Braintree, Mass.

Self-performance allows us to take much greater control over the interconnection procurement and construction, enabling us to bring projects online faster and closer to budget, notes Daniel Passarello, Lead Consulting Engineer, Grid Integration, Nexamp. By leveraging our construction contractor relationships, we can move much of the interconnection work along in parallel to the build-out of the solar farm rather than having to treat them as separate processes. This ultimately creates opportunities to reduce the number of mobilizations.

During the self-performance process, Nexamp is able to directly negotiate better pricing and delivery times with its long-standing supplier relationships. Passarello notes that the company orders much of the same utility-required hardware for its own facility in bulk, and if an expedited shipment is needed, the company can go to the supplier directly. The results are greater visibility, control, and certainty to drive shorter interconnection timelines, create opportunities to save costs, and reduce burden on utilities. This kind of forward thinking makes the continued deployment of clean energy more efficient, leading to lower costs for consumers and increased energy supply to meet our nations growing demand, he says.

Utilities have historically maintained responsibility for construction required to connect a distributed solar project to the grid. With the rapid increase in solar generating capacity, sharing some of that work with private developers is proving to be a benefit.

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) estimates that nearly 8 Gigawatts of community solar have been installed in the U.S. through the end of 2024, and that number is increasing rapidly, expected to almost double in the next five years. Finding ways to ensure that these projects are deployed quickly and efficiently is critical, and the organization notes that self-performance is critical to future success.

We must modernize and streamline the interconnection process to keep pace with fast-growing demand for energy, said SEIAs Vice President of State Affairs, Sara Birmingham. Self-performance is one of several innovative approaches that can accelerate project timelines and lower costs, which benefits all ratepayers. SEIA congratulates Nexamp for taking this leap and looks forward to collaborating across the industry on solutions to deploy solar faster, strengthen grid reliability, and improve energy affordability for all Americans.

In addition to demonstrating the promise of a self-performance program, Nexamp also recently worked with the Solar and Storage Industries Institute (SI2) on a report detailing the important role flexible interconnection plays in getting projects connected more quickly and with fewer required grid upgrades. Flexible interconnection allows distributed solar projects to interconnect to the grid and perform to accommodate grid capacity dynamics, rather than requiring the developer to spend significant sums of money to build additional capacity. Together, these two shifts can significantly improve two of the biggest hurdles to swift deployment: interconnection timelines and costs. This initiative shows that some of todays challenges for distributed solar, such as cost and deployment times, can be addressed with innovative and collaborative solutions.

The opportunity to lead some of the very first self-performance projects is significant and were proud to see the results. CMP and National Grid are each showing the market how adaptability and process improvements make a difference in getting more renewable energy resources onto the grid. Customers in Maine and Massachusetts are the real beneficiaries of these three projects today, as they now are able to join tens of thousands of other Nexamp community solar subscribers in saving money and supporting the expansion of clean energy, added Nicholas Burica, Sr. Director of Grid Planning, Nexamp.

About Nexamp

Nexamp is transforming the new energy economy with proven solar and storage solutions, and inviting individuals, communities, and businesses to take part in the benefits. Our end-to-end capabilitiesincluding project development and acquisition, design, construction, and operationsposition Nexamp as a just and equitable market leader. By building integrated clean energy products, we ensure that both savings and job opportunities reach everyday Americans. With more than 1 GW of renewable energy-generating assets currently in operation and several more gigawatts under construction or in development, were building a cleaner and more resilient future. Visit us at www.nexamp.com.

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Redwood City, CA, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Unique Home Design & Remodeling, a family-owned residential renovation firm with over 40 years of experience, announced today the expansion of its high-touch remodeling services across Alameda County. Known for its 4.9-star average rating and strong regional presence, the company has also seen increased online visibility for high-intent search terms such as full home remodeling services in Bay Area and bathroom and kitchen remodeling near Redwood City, reflecting its growing authority in the design-build space.





Unique Home Design & Remodeling

Licensed, bonded, and insured, Unique Home Design & Remodeling serves discerning homeowners in Los Angeles County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, Alameda County, and Contra Costa County, offering complete design-to-build transformations tailored to modern living standards. Their portfolio spans high-end kitchens, spa-style bathrooms, full home overhauls, and custom accessory dwelling units (ADUs), each crafted with precision, innovation, and care.

Smart Remodeling That Gets Found Online and On the Map

With a sharp focus on Google Maps visibility, Unique Home Design & Remodeling is consistently found under popular search terms like top remodelers in Bay Area, Redwood City ADU contractor, and licensed kitchen and bath remodeler California. Their local presence is reinforced by a verified business location at 303 Twin Dolphin Dr, 6th Floor, Redwood City, CA, helping the company appear in neighborhood-specific results across Northern California.

Their website, www.uniquehomedesigncenter.com, is optimized to convert organic traffic from long-tail queries such as:

Home remodeling experts near me in San Mateo County

Luxury bathroom renovation Redwood City

Best kitchen design-build teams Bay Area

Complete home additions in Contra Costa County

This strategic keyword targetingcombined with consistently positive client reviewsdrives the firms growing authority on Google and major AI chat engines.

Craftsmanship Rooted in Trust, Quality, and Generational Experience

More than a service, Unique Home Design & Remodeling offers peace of mind. Every project begins with a tailored consultation and ends with a seamless transformation. From layout planning and permits to construction and final walkthroughs, the company ensures a stress-free process with no surprisesjust results.

Clients choose Unique Home Design & Remodeling because:

They've been a trusted name for over four decades

They hold top recognition as Angis List Top Pro Contractor

Their projects consistently exceed client expectations

They offer licensed, insured, and bonded work with full transparency

work with full transparency Their team speaks the language of both design and function

Our goal is simple, said a company spokesperson. We turn vision into value homes that inspire, grow with families, and add measurable worth to every square foot.

Serving the Modern Bay Area Homeowner

Unique Home Design & Remodeling caters to homeowners aged 4070 who appreciate timeless design, strong ROI, and professional integrity. Whether it's a modern kitchen upgrade in Palo Alto, a custom ADU in Fremont, or a top-to-bottom home renovation in San Jose, the firm brings unmatched local insight and a deeply personalized approach to every project.

With over 120 verified Google reviews, the companys reputation speaks volumesand attracts the kind of clientele who seek excellence, not shortcuts.

Schedule Your Complimentary Design Consultation Today

Ready to bring your dream space to life?

Visit the showroom or schedule a design consultation at:

303 Twin Dolphin Dr, 6th Floor, Redwood City, CA 94065

www.uniquehomedesigncenter.com

Now accepting new projects across the Bay Area, with flexible timelines and high-touch service from start to finish.

About Unique Home Design & Remodeling

Founded over 40 years ago, Unique Home Design & Remodeling is a leading residential renovation firm serving the greater Bay Area and Southern California. Specializing in full-home remodels, kitchen and bathroom renovations, additions, and ADUs, the company is built on the principles of integrity, precision, and continuous improvement.

Media Contact:

Unique Home Design & Remodeling

Ashley

310-597-9238

uniquehomedc@gmail.com

www.uniquehomedesigncenter.com
Charenton-le-Pont, 24 July 2025

First half 2025 revenues

H1 2025 revenue of 86.6m, down 8.5%

Q2 revenues of 44.4m, down 13.7%

Sharp decline in France and a more moderate overall decline internationally, negatively impacted by the United States

In France, revenues fell significantly, down 17.4% in the first half of 2025, following difficult commercial negotiations with the Off-Trade at the beginning of the year in a spirits market that continues to decline: Sales deteriorated in Q2 2025 (down 23.8% versus the second quarter of 2024) due to distribution losses for the William Peel brand at a small number of Off-Trade chains that decided to delist it, despite the positive impact of price increases and favourable developments with the majority of the chains who chose to continue supporting the brand. The impact of these delistings is an estimated 6.3% decline in Group revenues in the first half of 2025; William Peels market share is down significantly, while the Marie Brizard brand continues to enjoy strong momentum; The On-Trade sector recorded sales up 12.6% in the first half of 2025, with growth across all brands in the portfolio.



International revenues fell by 1.3% in the first half of 2025, with a sharp drop in the second quarter (down 5.6%) and very mixed trends depending on the region: Industrial Services continued to grow in Spain and Lithuania but experienced a temporary downturn in Bulgaria at the end of the quarter; In the United States, the second quarter saw a sharp decline, mainly due to a mass reduction in inventories decided unilaterally by our importer, combined with a high comparison base in 2024 linked to changes in distributors. The impact of this reduction in inventories is an estimated 2.4% decline in Group revenues in the first half of 2025; Export markets remain stable despite a low comparison base in 2024, with some European markets struggling. However, it should be noted that business returned to growth in the second quarter in Canada, with strong growth in Poland but a continued decline in shipments to the Asia-Pacific region.



NB: All revenue growth figures reported herein are at constant exchange rates and consolidation scope, unless stated otherwise

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits (Euronext: MBWS) today announces its unaudited revenues for the first half of 2025, covering the period from 1 January to 30 June 2025.

H1 2025 revenues

m H1 2024 LFL change Currency

impact H1 2025 LFL change

(excl. currency

impact) Reported

growth (incl.

currency

impact) France 42.5 -7.4 - 35.1 -17.4% -17.4% International 52.4 -0.7 -0.3 51.4 -1.3% -1.8% TOTAL MBWS GROUP 94.9 -8.1 -0.0 86.6 -8.5% -8.8%

Q2 2025 revenues

m Q2



2024 LFL change Currency

impact Q2



2025 LFL change

(excl. currency

impact) Reported

growth (incl.

currency

impact) France 23.0 -5.5 - 17.5 -23.8% -23.8% International 28.6 -1.6 -0.2 26.8 -5.6% -6.2% TOTAL MBWS GROUP 51.6 -7.1 -0.2 44.4 -13.7% -14.1%

France Cluster

Amid a persistently sluggish spirits market in France, revenues for the France cluster came to 35.1m in the first half of 2025, down 17.4% versus H1 2024. The decline was more pronounced in the second quarter due to particularly difficult annual negotiations with the Off-Trade chains, mainly as a result of price increases made necessary by sharp rises in the cost of matured spirits. The William Peel brand suffered from delistings by certain distributors and the resulting loss of market share. Most Off-Trade chains supported the Companys price adjustments, and the Company is maintaining ongoing constructive dialogue with all of its customers with the aim of returning to normal listing status for its brands, under fair and acceptable trade terms.

Among the other brands, Sobieski is performing relatively well despite aggressive pricing by competitors in the vodka segment, while Marie Brizard is being bolstered by the listing of its product innovations. The Agency Brands segment was adversely affected by promotions, which were less effective in the first half due to aggressive promotional strategies among competitors.

It is worth noting the solid H1 performance of all brands in the portfolio for the On-Trade, although this was far from sufficient to offset the sharp decline in the Off-Trade.

International Cluster

The International cluster posted first half 2025 revenues of 51.4m, down 1.3% from H1 2024.

Sales for the second quarter of 2025 totalled 26.8m, representing a more significant decline of 5.6% versus Q2 2024, with a particularly material adverse impact in the United States linked to the reduction in inventories as decided by our importer.

MBWS International (Export) posted a 2.6% drop in revenues in Q2 after a positive first quarter, on a fairly weak comparison base in the first half of 2024. This was mainly due to:

- the decline in sales in certain significant markets, namely Italy, Germany, the French overseas departments and territories, and Africa, which the strong performances in Belgium, the United Kingdom and Morocco failed to offset;

- 43.7% growth in Poland in Q2, against a backdrop of inventory reductions by our importer in 2024;

- the business recovery in Canada (up 54.4% in Q2) enabling a return to modest growth in the first half of 2025;

- the significant reduction in sales in the Asia region (down 22.1% in Q2), with the Korean and Japanese markets in sharp decline, which the growth posted in Australia and Taiwan failed to offset.

Spain posted a 5.7% increase in Q2 2025 sales, driven by International Strategic Brands, which posted a significant upswing versus last year. This performance should be viewed in the context of a policy of considerable inventory reduction by our distributor throughout the first half of 2024, as well as the recovery of listings in 2025 previously lost in the Off-Trade in 2024.

Despite virtually stable sales for Industrial Services in the second quarter (impacted on a per-unit basis by a decrease in the prices of re-invoiced raw materials), this segment posted strong growth in the first half (with revenues up 13.7%) thanks to the sound commercial health of the brands concerned.

In Denmark, the second quarter was again marked by a significant drop in sales of 24.0% versus 2024: this decline is mainly due to the termination of an Agency Brand contract that could not be replaced in the short term and the discontinuation of sales to some ship chandlers. It is worth noting the solid performance of the Groups Cognac brands.

The On-Trade sector is performing better thanks to new listings and the ramp-up of sales, particularly for Marie Brizard syrups.

Lithuania posted a 3.1% increase in revenues in Q2 versus 2024, driven by export activity despite an erratic performance in Ukraine, the main market in this region, where the devaluation of the local currency led to a cap on import capacity.

Business is declining in the domestic market (which is in structural decline) with increased competition, particularly in the Scotch whisky segment. The traditional trade sector remained fairly stable versus 2024.

Industrial Services grew strongly during the quarter, up 7.4% versus 2024, thanks to higher sales volumes despite scheduled maintenance operations that required a production stoppage in May.

In Bulgaria, Q2 sales posted a significant 14.3% drop, with a declining domestic market, particularly regarding sales of International Strategic Brands and Flagship Local Brands (wine business), following tense annual commercial negotiations. This weakened overall performance, despite more positive export markets, driven in particular by the distribution partnership for Agency Brands across ten Balkan markets since 1 January 2025.

The Industrial Services business declined in Q2 2025, temporarily penalised at the end of the quarter by difficulties in the supply of certain components.

In the United States, revenues fell 57.5% in the second quarter (down 54.2% in the first half), in an environment of regulatory instability (increased customs tariffs) and with a high comparison base linked to the large-scale supplies ordered by our importer in 2024, given the change in certain local distributors.

In 2025, the decline was therefore mainly due to our importers decision to significantly reduce inventories, particularly for the Sobieski brand, for which sales momentum is in line with the performance of the vodka market, with distributors depletions at -2.8% in the first half.

The Marie Brizard brand posted significant growth in the first two quarters.

In Brazil, Q2 sales were down 7.0% versus 2024, due to lower distribution inventories, particularly in the Rio de Janeiro region, although the trend improved at the end of the quarter.

The decline over Q2 was also linked to the low production of Industrial Services.

Outlook

Against a gloomy international backdrop, the negative trend in revenue performance in the second quarter reflects persistent tensions in the worldwide wine and spirits market: unfavourable effects of tense trade negotiations in early 2025 and continued inventory reductions by our distributors in several markets, particularly in the United States.

In this transition year, the measures taken to mitigate these impacts and best preserve the financial performance of our activities in France and on international markets have now entered the operational phase. They concern:

- price adjustments to offset significant increases in the cost of matured spirits (mainly Scotch whisky), without which the economic performance of the France Cluster could be more significantly affected;

- the implementation of measures to protect the profitability of the Groups operations by strengthening control over certain expenses or even freezing them, accelerating productivity projects and implementing appropriate commercial initiatives with positive short-term effects.

The Group continues to make every effort and maintains ongoing dialogue to mitigate the impact of the commercial tensions of recent months, particularly with certain Off-Trade chains in the French market. The objective is to achieve a recovery in business activity that is beneficial to all stakeholders and is based on fair and acceptable trade terms.

At the same time, the Group is relying on all of its strategic levers to face these headwinds, in particular by diversifying its offering via the development of Industrial Services and the distribution of Agency Brands, two segments that are performing well and demonstrating real growth potential.

However, commercial visibility for the coming months remains uncertain and limited, due in particular to the risks associated with possible increases in customs duties in the second half of 2025 and their impact on international trade, which could weigh on the Groups overall profitability.

Financial calendar

H1 2025 earnings: 25/09/2025

Q3 2025 revenues: 23/10/2025





Investor and shareholder relations contact

MBWS Group

Emilie Drexler

relations.actionnaires@mbws.com

Tel.: +33 1 43 91 62 40



Press contact

Image Sept

Claire Doligez - Laurent Poinsot

cdoligez@image7.fr  lpoinsot@image7.fr

Tel.: +33 1 53 70 74 70

About Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits is a wine and spirits group operating in Europe and the United States. Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits stands out for its expertise, a combination of brands with a long tradition and a resolutely innovative spirit. Since the birth of the Maison Marie Brizard in 1755, the Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits Group has developed its brands in a spirit of modernity while respecting their origins. Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits is committed to offering its customers bold and trusted brands full of flavour and experiences. The Group now has a rich portfolio of leading brands in their market segments, including William Peel, Sobieski, Marie Brizard and Cognac Gautier.

Marie Brizard Wine & Spirits is listed on Compartment B of Euronext Paris (FR0000060873 - MBWS) and is part of the EnterNext PEA-PME 150 index.

Attachment
IRVINE, Calif., July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Wayvia , the omnicommerce enablement leader formerly known as PriceSpider, debuts today with a bold product vision built for a new era of commerce where AI, data and intelligent agents shape the path to purchase. The launch signals a new chapter for the company, with an expanded product strategy, deeper AI capabilities and more powerful media and data solutions designed to help brands drive revenue across every channel.

As part of the launch, the company is introducing Wayvia MCP (Model Context Protocol), an intelligent AI infrastructure built on more than two decades of shopper data, pricing intelligence and market behavior. Purpose-built as an AI-native commerce intelligence engine, Wayvia MCP eliminates the need for dashboards, SQL or manual queries by enabling natural language access to live product and market data. It is the first enterprise-grade solution to give AI agents direct, secure access to commerce data through a native implementation of the Model Context Protocol.

Wayvia reflects our belief that the future of commerce will be shaped as much by intelligent systems as by human decisions, said Anthony Ferry, CEO of Wayvia. As AI agents and algorithms increasingly influence how products are discovered and purchased, brands need more than traditional dashboards - they need infrastructure built for AI. And Wayvia MCP is our commitment to giving brands the tools to compete, adapt and lead in this new era of commerce.

Commerce is no longer linear. Algorithms determine what products get seen, AI agents shape consumer choices and real-time pricing and inventory data drive conversions. Wayvia equips brands with the intelligence and tools to compete in this dynamic environment. With shopper and retail intelligence from any channel, brands have more insight into their shoppers' behaviors while improving the path to purchase, from offsite, onsite and agentic commerce and beyond.

Wayvias product strategy centers on building a smarter path to revenue, giving brands the visibility, tools and intelligence they need to compete across an increasingly complex retail landscape. Core areas include:

Omnicommerce Data: Activate omnicommerce path and audience data to power analytics, optimize shopping journeys and enable AI solutions.

Activate omnicommerce path and audience data to power analytics, optimize shopping journeys and enable AI solutions. Shoppable Media: Connect shoppable media and shopping agents from any channel to retailer conversions.

Connect shoppable media and shopping agents from any channel to retailer conversions. Retail Intelligence: Compete with product-level price, availability, channel performance and AI-powered decisions.



Founded nearly two decades ago as a price-comparison tool, PriceSpider was an early pioneer of Where to Buy technology and has since evolved into a full-funnel omnicommerce performance platform built to meet the growing demands of modern brands. The launch of Wayvia marks the next chapter in that evolution, reflecting the companys expanded capabilities and vision for the future of AI-driven commerce.

Wayvia represents the next evolution of PriceSpider, combining its proven foundation with smarter, more adaptive technology and deeper insight into real-time pricing, product availability and shopper behavior. Wayvia preserves the core elements that built its credibility, including a stable leadership team, trusted solutions, strong partnerships and a deep commitment to enabling brand growth at a global scale.

To learn more about Wayvia, please visit wayvia.com .

About Wayvia:

Wayvia is the global leader in omnicommerce data and brand enablement. By connecting shopper and retail intelligence across every channel, brands gain deeper insight into consumer behavior and unlock new opportunities to improve the path to purchase, whether through offsite media, onsite experiences or agentic commerce. Backed by the worlds largest network of retailer and media partnerships, Wayvia offers brands the retail intelligence to power analytics, optimize shopping journeys and enable AI solutions. For more information, please visit wayvia.com to learn more.

Media Contact For Wayvia:

SamsonPR

wayvia@samsonpr.com
First half 2025: stable revenues and limited decline in EBITDA in a context of increased volatility in Q2

Revenues: 261.3 million euros (stable)*

EBITDA before non-recurring items: 40.4 million euros (-4%)*

Annual objectives are no more relevant, in the absence of visibility

(*) At actual exchange rates





April 1  June 30 January 1  June 30 2025 2024 Variation 2025/2024 2025 2024 Variation 2025/2024 (in millions of euros) Actual exchange rates Like-for-like(1) Actual exchange rates Like-for-like(1) Revenues 126.8 132.7 -4% -2% 261.3 262.3 0% -1% ARR (2) (3) - - - - 90.9 88.9 +2% +6% EBITDA before non-recurring items (3) 19.2 21.2 -9% -3% 40.4 42.2 -4% -4% EBITDA margin before non-recurring items 15.2% 15.9% -0.7 point -0.2 point 15.4% 16.1% -0.7 point -0.7 point Net income 5.3 4.4 20% - 11.1 11.1 0% - Consolidated Shareholders Equity (2) - - - - 343.8 374.4 - - Net cash (+) / Net debt (-) (2) - - - - -34.1 -20.6 - -

(1) At constant exchange rates and comparable scope

(2) As of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024

(3) The definition of performance indicators is included in the Financial report as of 30 June 2025

Paris, July 24, 2025. Today, Lectras Board of Directors, chaired by Daniel Harari, reviewed the consolidated financial statements for the first half of 2025, which have been subject to a limited review by the Statutory Auditors.

A PARADIGM SHIFT AT THE GLOBAL LEVEL

The deterioration in the global economic situation since early March continued throughout the second quarter, extending to all geographical areas and all sectors of activity. The US tariff announcements on April 2 came as a shock that increased the uncertainty weighing on the business climate, particularly for the Group's customers, who are highly exposed to international trade.

While the direct impact of these measures is limited for Lectra, the indirect impacts, linked to the reactions of the customers concerned, together with the lack of visibility, have led to a pause in their investment decisions. The Group's customers -- brands and subcontractors alike -- must adapt to this new economic situation, whether in terms of pricing policy, production, investment or future strategy, and are waiting for negotiations to be concluded before choosing their options.

The 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariffs, announced on April 9 and due to end on July 9 was followed by further announcements. The frequent changes in the decisions of the US administration and the negotiations still underway have contributed to persistent uncertainty.

The direct impacts of tariffs remain limited, and are under control

European and Chinese exports to the United States account for less than 10% of Lectra's sales. Starting in April, Lectra has taken several measures to deal with the new commercial situation: the Group has reflected the full impact of customs tariffs on price lists in the United States for equipment, consumables and parts and maintenance contracts. It also rerouted some shipments to Mexico to avoid customs formalities and removed several products from the Chinese and American catalogs.

Indirect impacts are characterized by high customer wait-and-see position

Lectra's three strategic markets are highly exposed to tariffs.

Particularly in the fashion and automotive sectors, the United States' dependence on imports is very strong. Whatever the outcome of the negotiations, the need to diversify sources of supply and their countries of origin seems clear and will require additional production capacities and relocations.

In the Group's three strategic markets, the turbulence of the last few months represents medium- and long-term development opportunities for Lectra, irrespective of the tariff rates ultimately decided, and will necessarily lead to structural changes in the industrial landscape and supply chains.

2. Q2 2025

The slowdown that affected the Americas and Automotive from mid-March onwards spread to all geographies and sectors. Indeed, the successive announcements, then the shock of "Liberation Day" on April 2, have led to a strong wait-and-see attitude from customers. New systems orders were accordingly 27% lower in the second quarter.

Q2 2025 revenues were down 4% on an actual basis and 2% on a like-for-like basis, reflecting the continued slowdown that began in mid-March.

EBITDA before non-recurring items (19.2 million) declined 3%, resulting in a recurring EBITDA margin before non-recurring items of 15.2%, down 0.7 percentage point on an actual basis (0.2 percentage point like-for-like).

Considering the amortization of intangible assets (5.7 million), income from operations before non-recurring items was down 6% on a like-to-like basis, to 8.9 million. Net income reached 5.3 million, up 20% on an actual basis, driven by a reduction in tax expense.

3. FIRST HALF 2025

To facilitate analysis of the Group's results, the financial statements are compared to those published in 2024 that consolidated Launchmetrics as of January 23 ("actual") and, for the analysis of variations, to the 2024 Proforma statements that consolidate Launchmetrics as of January 1, expressed at 2024 exchange rates (like-for-like"). Proforma revenues and EBITDA increased by 2.5 million and 0.3 million respectively compared to the reported financial statements.

H1 2025 revenues amounted to 261.3 million, down 1%. This breaks down into 69.3 million in non-recurring revenues, down 7%, and 192.0 million in recurring revenues (73% of revenues), up 2%, including 43.6 million in revenues from SaaS subscription contracts (17% of revenues, +13%).

The ARR at June 30, 2025 was 90.9 million, up 6% on a like-for-like basis (+2% on an actual basis) compared to the level at the end of 2024, confirming the relevance of Lectra's strategy.

In a context of declining revenues, the gross margin reached 190.0 million, up 1%, and the gross margin rate stood at 72.7%, up 1 point, thanks to the favorable sales mix and strengthened cost control.

EBITDA before non-recurring items reached 40.4 million, down 4%, with an EBITDA margin before non-recurring items of 15.4%, down 0.6 point.

Income from operations before non-recurring items amounted to 19.2 million, down 9%.

Net income, following a tax expense of 3.6 million euros, was stable at 11.1 million euros.

Free cash flow before non-recurring items remained high in the first half of 2025 at  33.0 million, reflecting good management of the working capital requirement, which was negative by 41.6 million, benefiting from lower receivables and a further reduction in inventories.

As of June 30, 2025, the Group's balance sheet remained very strong: shareholders' equity stood at 343.8 million and net debt at 34.1 million after disbursement of the second tranche of Launchmetrics' share capital (20.5 million), the acquisition of Glengo Turkey (1.7 million), and dividend payments (15.2 million). Net debt consisted in financial debt of 94.6 million and cash of 60.6 million, reflecting the continued deleveraging of the company.

4. OUTLOOK

In the Annual Financial Report 2024 published February 12, 2025, Lectra reiterated its long-term vision, as well as the objectives of its 2023-2025 strategic roadmap. The Group then underlined, in a deteriorating environment, its resilient nature, the quality of its fundamentals, and the pursuit of its strategy with a focus on the development of its SaaS business.

Following the series of announcements on tariffs, the 2025 outlook had not been updated when the first quarter 2025 results were published on April 24, 2025.

At the end of the second quarter, there were still no signs of significant improvement that would point to an upturn in activity. The economic and political context remains uncertain and continues to lead to a strong wait-and-see attitude on the part of the Group's customers. In this context, the annual objectives announced by the Group in February 2025 are no more relevant.

The Company remains attentive to the evolution of the situation and relies on its solid fundamentals, notably its low net debt and high free cash flow generation, to pursue its strategy.

The 2024 Annual Financial Report, as well as the Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations and the financial statements for H1 2025 are available on lectra.com. Q3 and the first nine months of 2025 earnings will be published on October 29, 2025 after market.

About Lectra



At the forefront of innovation since its founding in 1973, Lectra provides industrial intelligence technology solutionscombining software in SaaS mode, cutting equipment, data, and associated servicesto players in the fashion, automotive and furniture industries. With boldness and passion, Lectra accelerates the transformation and success of its customers in a world in perpetual motion thanks to the key technologies of Industry 4.0: AI, big data, cloud and the internet of things.



The Group is present in more than one hundred countries. It operates three production sites for its cutting equipment, located in France, China and the United States. Lectra's 3,000 employees are driven by three core values: being open-minded thinkers, trusted partners and passionate innovators. They all share the same concern for social responsibility, which is one of the pillars of Lectra's strategy to ensure its sustainable growth and that of its customers.



Lectra reported revenues of 527 million in 2024, including 77 million coming from its SaaS offerings. The company is listed on Euronext, and is included in the CAC All Shares, CAC Technology, EN Tech Leaders and ENT PEA-PME 150 indices.



For more information, visit ww.lectra.com.

Lectra  World Headquarters et siege social: 1618, rue Chalgrin  75016 Paris  France

Tel. +33 (0)1 53 64 42 00  lectra.com

A French Societe Anonyme with capital of  37,966,274. RCS Paris B 300 702 305

Attachment
GREELEY, Colo., July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pilgrims, one of the worlds leading food companies, today announced it will invest $400 million to expand its footprint in Georgia. The company will build a new, multi-phase prepared foods facility in LaFayette, Walker County, supporting more than 630 new jobs at full capacity.

Georgia's No. 1 industry of agriculture continues to drive growth with companies like Pilgrims creating quality jobs in communities like LaFayette, said Governor Brian Kemp. As our state's economy continues to advance, we are excited to see these continued innovations and the opportunities they will bring for hardworking Georgians.

Pilgrims is a leading global provider of high-quality food products. Across Georgia, the company currently supports an estimated 7,500 jobs and operates seven food production facilities, in addition to supporting facilities like feed mills and hatcheries.

Expanding the Pilgrims footprint in Georgia highlights our ongoing commitment to the region and our companys long-term growth strategy, said Fabio Sandri, Pilgrims CEO. This significant investment will allow further growth of our prepared foods business by expanding brands like Just Bare, Pilgrims, and Gold Kist, and supporting increasing demand in retail and foodservice channels. We are also proud of our role in creating jobs and being a strong community partner.

The new facility, located at the Walker County Business Park in LaFayette, will produce a variety of fully cooked chicken products to support the growth of its fast-growing prepared foods business. The project is expected to get underway in the fall of 2025, and hiring is expected to begin in 2027, aligning with the expected completion of the first phase of construction. To learn more about Pilgrims, including where interested individuals can apply for jobs, visit jobs.pilgrims.com .

We welcome Pilgrim's to Walker County and LaFayette, said LaFayette Mayor and Chairman of the Walker County Development Authority Andy Arnold. Pilgrims has a wonderful history of positive community involvement, and the creation of up to 630 jobs for our area is a game changer for many families. We look forward to our partnership.

This is a tremendous opportunity for Walker County to provide stable jobs and long-term security for residents who want to work where they live, said Chairwoman and CEO Angie Teems, Walker County Government. Not only is this a well-respected company with a strong track record, but it already has a presence in our community through its partnerships with local poultry growers. Expanding their operations here is a natural next step that will strengthen our local economy and reinforce our countys commitment to supporting hardworking families.

Senior Regional Project Manager Lori Dowdy represented the Georgia Department of Economic Developments (GDEcD) Global Commerce team on this competitive project in partnership with the Walker County Development Authority and Georgia Quick Start.

We are excited that Pilgrims continues to grow its footprint and drive economic opportunities here in Georgia, said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. Agriculture has long been the backbone of our economy, laying the groundwork for todays thriving food and beverage sector. Critical industries like cold storage and logistics build on that legacy, generating jobs and opportunities across the state. Congratulations to Walker County for helping bring these new investments and possibilities to LaFayette.

About Pilgrims

Pilgrims employs over 61,000 people and operates protein processing plants and prepared-foods facilities in 14 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the U.K, the Republic of Ireland, and continental Europe. The Companys primary distribution is through retailers and foodservice distributors. For more information, please visit www.pilgrims.com .

Media Contact:

Nikki Richardson

Corporate Communications

nikki.richardson@jbssa.com
Toronto, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Restaurants Canada welcomes and supports the collective call by Canadas Premiers at yesterdays Council of the Federation meeting for a more regionally responsive, transparent, and effective immigration system.

Labour shortages are having a devastating impact on the foodservice industry in Canada. Our sector employs 1.2 million Canadians, many of whom are youth, but those jobs are at risk if hard-to-fill and skilled positions, like cooks, remain vacant.

We urge the federal government to respond to the premiers call to reinstate Provincial and Territorial Nominee Program (PTNP) allocations to ensure access to economic migrants. With more than 78,000 job vacancies, current immigration levels threaten the viability of many restaurants, particularly in rural, remote and tourist areas. It is essential that foodservice be permitted to provide jobs for newcomers.

As Canada continues to welcome a significant number of asylum seekers, Restaurants Canada supports automatically granting work permits to them so that they can fully contribute to society and the Canadian economy while their claims are processed. As a major employer of newcomers across the country we have the ability to ensure a smooth transition into employment for asylum seekers. We also share the concerns of the premiers that processing times not just for asylum seekers, but for all immigration streams need to be faster.

A collaborative federal-provincial framework that is responsive to regional realities is essential. We look forward to continuing this conversation with all levels of government.

Kelly Higginson, President and CEO, Restaurants Canada

About Restaurants Canada

Restaurants Canada is a national, not-for-profit association advancing Canadas diverse and dynamic foodservice industry. Restaurants are a $120 billion industry employing nearly 1.2 million Canadians and the number one source of first-time jobs in Canada. Visit restaurantscanada.org for more information.
New York, USA, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Digital Biopsy Market Poised for Extraordinary Growth at a CAGR of ~17% by 2032 | DelveInsight

Global demand for digital biopsy is on the rise, fueled by the growing prevalence of cancers such as breast, brain, melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and basal cell carcinoma. The shift toward non-invasive diagnostic approaches, combined with continuous technological progress in digital biopsy systems, is reinforcing this trend. Together, these factors are laying a solid groundwork for consistent market growth, with the digital biopsy sector expected to experience steady and significant expansion between 2025 and 2032.

DelveInsights Digital Biopsy Market Insights report provides the current and forecast market analysis, individual leading digital biopsy companies market shares, challenges, digital biopsy market drivers, barriers, trends, and key market digital biopsy companies in the market.

Key Takeaways from the Digital Biopsy Market Report

As per DelveInsight estimates, North America is anticipated to dominate the global digital biopsy market during the forecast period.

In the technique segment of the digital biopsy market, the radiofrequency imaging category accounted for the largest market share in 2024.

Notable digital biopsy companies such as DermaSensor, Inc., SciBase, VITA IMAGING, Inc., MetaOptima Technology Inc., VPIX Medical Inc., Mauna Kea Technologies, Skin Analytics, Trafita Medical System, BRAINSPEC, Imaging Biometrics, LLC, Optovibronex, LLC, FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Canon Inc., VivaScope GmbH, and several others are currently operating in the digital biopsy market.

and several others are currently operating in the digital biopsy market. In May 2025, SciBase Holding AB announced that over 300,000 Nevisense melanoma detection tests had been used worldwide. Nevisense is a digital biopsy device that helps dermatologists assess suspicious moles and evaluate a patients melanoma risk, enabling more accurate and personalized care at the point of diagnosis.

To read more about the latest highlights related to the digital biopsy market, get a snapshot of the key highlights entailed in the Global Digital Biopsy Market Report

Digital Biopsy Overview

Digital biopsy is an emerging, non-invasive diagnostic approach that leverages advanced imaging technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze tissue characteristics without the need for physical tissue extraction. Unlike traditional biopsies that require surgical sampling, digital biopsies rely on high-resolution imaging methods such as radiomics, liquid biopsies, and computer vision applied to imaging scans (like MRI or CT). These technologies extract detailed information about tumor morphology, heterogeneity, and molecular features, enabling clinicians to assess disease progression, treatment response, and prognosis with greater precision and reduced patient discomfort.

The integration of machine learning algorithms into digital biopsy platforms enhances their ability to detect subtle changes in tissue architecture and cellular behavior that might be missed by the human eye. This not only improves diagnostic accuracy but also enables real-time monitoring of disease, allowing for more personalized and timely treatment decisions. Digital biopsy holds particular promise in oncology, where repeated tissue sampling is often risky or impractical, and it is increasingly being explored for applications across multiple tumor types, including brain, lung, breast, and prostate cancers. As the technology matures, digital biopsies are expected to complement or even replace conventional biopsies in certain clinical settings.





Digital Biopsy Market Insights

North America is expected to command the largest share of the digital biopsy market in the coming years, driven by multiple key factors. This leadership is mainly due to the increasing cancer burden, the growing preference for non-invasive diagnostic techniques, and a strong emphasis on technological innovation. The region also benefits from advanced healthcare infrastructure, supportive reimbursement frameworks, and high levels of awareness among healthcare professionals. Furthermore, the market is gaining momentum through frequent product approvals and innovations introduced by major industry players. A notable example is the October 2024 FDA approval of VPIX Medical Inc.s digital biopsy system, cCeLL-In vivo, which generates digital images of tissue by capturing laser scanning signals through direct contact with the patient's body, enabling precise, real-time brain cancer diagnostics.

Overall, the combination of rising cancer cases, the shift toward less invasive diagnostic approaches, and ongoing product innovation is driving strong demand for digital biopsy solutions in North America, firmly establishing it as the global market leader.

To know more about why North America is leading the market growth in the digital biopsy market, get a snapshot of the Digital Biopsy Market Outlook

Digital Biopsy Market Dynamics

The digital biopsy market is witnessing rapid evolution, driven by growing demand for non-invasive, accurate, and real-time diagnostic tools. Unlike traditional biopsies, which often require surgical intervention, digital biopsies use advanced imaging and AI technologies to analyze tissue samples or biomarkers virtually. This is especially beneficial in oncology, where early and precise detection of tumors is critical. The rising global burden of cancer, especially breast, prostate, lung, and brain cancers, is fueling the adoption of digital biopsy solutions. Clinicians and healthcare systems are increasingly seeking tools that can reduce diagnostic delays, minimize patient discomfort, and lower healthcare costs.

A key dynamic influencing the market is technological innovation. Companies are investing heavily in integrating AI, machine learning, and next-generation sequencing with digital pathology platforms to enable more accurate and scalable diagnostics. For instance, AI-powered image analysis tools can assist pathologists in identifying cancerous cells with high precision, reducing human error and increasing throughput. The adoption of cloud-based platforms also facilitates remote diagnostics, opening up opportunities in telepathology and cross-border collaboration among experts.

Regulatory support and government initiatives are also shaping the market landscape. Many health authorities are beginning to recognize the potential of digital biopsies and are adapting regulatory frameworks to accommodate these new tools. Reimbursement policies are gradually being revised to include digital diagnostic procedures, encouraging healthcare providers to adopt these systems. Additionally, research institutions and government agencies are increasingly funding pilot projects and clinical trials to validate the efficacy and safety of digital biopsy technologies.

However, despite the promising outlook, the market faces challenges. High initial setup costs, concerns about data security, and limited interoperability between digital pathology systems can hinder widespread adoption. Moreover, in low- and middle-income countries, infrastructure and training gaps can limit the reach of digital biopsy technologies. Addressing these challenges requires strategic collaborations between technology providers, healthcare systems, and policymakers to ensure the inclusive growth of the market.

Looking ahead, the digital biopsy market is poised for sustained expansion from 2025 to 2032, supported by advancements in AI, increasing demand for personalized medicine, and the shift toward value-based healthcare. As stakeholders prioritize early detection, efficient monitoring, and patient-centric care, digital biopsy is expected to become an integral component of modern diagnostic pathways across oncology and other chronic disease domains.

Get a sneak peek at the digital biopsy market dynamics @ Digital Biopsy Market Trends

Report Metrics Details Coverage Global Study Period 20222032 Digital Biopsy Market CAGR ~17% Key Digital Biopsy Companies DermaSensor, Inc., SciBase, VITA IMAGING, Inc., MetaOptima Technology Inc., VPIX Medical Inc., Mauna Kea Technologies, Skin Analytics, Trafita Medical System, BRAINSPEC, Imaging Biometrics, LLC, Optovibronex, LLC, FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation, Canon Inc., VivaScope GmbH, among others

Digital Biopsy Market Assessment

Digital Biopsy Market Segmentation Digital Biopsy Market Segmentation By Technique: Radiofrequency Imaging, Ultrasound, Optical Imaging, X-ray, and Others Digital Biopsy Market Segmentation By Route of Indication: Skin Cancer, Brain Cancer, Breast Cancer, and Others Digital Biopsy Market Segmentation By End-User: Hospitals, Diagnostic Imaging Centers, and Others Digital Biopsy Market Segmentation By Geography : North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of World

Porters Five Forces Analysis, Product Profiles, Case Studies, KOLs Views, Analysts View

Which MedTech key players in the digital biopsy market are set to emerge as the trendsetter explore @ Digital Biopsy Analysis

Table of Contents

1 Digital Biopsy Market Report Introduction 2 Digital Biopsy Market Executive Summary 3 Competitive Landscape 4 Regulatory Analysis 5 Digital Biopsy Market Key Factors Analysis 6 Digital Biopsy Market Porters Five Forces Analysis 7 Digital Biopsy Market Layout 8 Digital Biopsy Market Company and Product Profiles 9 KOL Views 10 Project Approach 11 About DelveInsight 12 Disclaimer & Contact Us

Interested in knowing the digital biopsy market by 2032? Click to get a snapshot of the Digital Biopsy Market Analysis

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DALLAS, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upsize Clinic, a leading provider of non-surgical male enhancement treatments, announces the opening of its newest clinic location in Dallas at 5232 Forest Lane, Suite 170. The clinic, led by board-certified physician Dr. Brad Sellers, offers the company's proprietary Upsize and Firm-X procedures, providing men in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex access to clinically proven, minimally invasive male enhancement procedures.

The new Dallas location represents Upsize's continued national expansion, following the company's recent milestone of surpassing 1,500 successful procedures across its network of 20 affiliated physicians nationwide. The clinic specializes in two groundbreaking treatments: the Upsize procedure utilizing hyaluronic acid dermal fillers for girth enhancement, and the Firm-X treatment employing neuromodulator injections for improved function and appearance.

"Dallas men now have access to safe, effective enhancement options that deliver immediate results without the risks and downtime associated with surgical procedures," said Dr. Brad Sellers, Medical Director of Upsize Dallas. "These innovative treatments represent a significant advancement in male aesthetic medicine, offering natural-looking results that boost confidence and improve quality of life."

About Dr. Brad Sellers

Dr. Sellers brings over two decades of medical expertise to his practice, having served as Medical Director and Associate Medical Director at several prominent Dallas-area Emergency Departments and Level 1 and Level 2 Trauma Centers. His extensive background in emergency medicine, combined with his Certified Physician Executive credentials from the American Association of Physician Leaders, ensures the highest standards of patient safety and care.

Recently completing specialized training in male enhancement procedures through Upsize LLC, as well as neurotoxin and dermal filler certification from the National Laser Institute, Dr. Sellers has expanded his practice to focus on intimate wellness and aesthetic treatments for men. His commitment to excellence and patient-centered approach makes him uniquely qualified to deliver these innovative procedures.

The Upsize Procedure: Non-Surgical Girth Enhancement

The flagship Upsize procedure uses FDA-approved hyaluronic acid dermal fillers (used off-label) administered via micro-cannula to achieve natural girth enlargement and improved symmetry. Key benefits include:

Immediate Results : Patients see enhancement immediately following the 30-minute in-office procedure

: Patients see enhancement immediately following the 30-minute in-office procedure Minimal Downtime : Most men return to normal activities within days

: Most men return to normal activities within days Reversible Option : Results can be adjusted or reversed if desired

: Results can be adjusted or reversed if desired Natural Feel : Maintains natural texture and sensation

: Maintains natural texture and sensation Long-Lasting: Results typically last an average of 24 months



Firm-X: Revolutionary Neuromodulator Treatment

The innovative Firm-X treatment utilizes neurotoxin injections to enhance male sexual health and appearance. This procedure works by relaxing smooth muscles in corpus cavernosum vasculature, leading to:

Enhanced blood flow and circulation

Reduced retraction for a fuller appearance

Improvements in erectile dysfunction



The treatment involves strategic placement of 100 units of neuromodulator through four injection points, with the entire procedure completed in under 30 minutes.

Meeting Growing Demand for Male Enhancement

The opening of Upsize Dallas addresses increasing demand for physician administered male aesthetic treatments in North Texas. As men become more comfortable seeking enhancement options, the need for safe, effective alternatives to risky surgeries and unregulated products has grown significantly.

"Men seeking enhancement deserve access to clinically proven treatments performed by qualified medical doctors," Dr. Sellers noted. "Our procedures offer a discreet, professional solution that prioritizes both results and safety."

Comprehensive Patient Care

The Dallas clinic provides confidential consultations where patients can discuss their options and determine the most appropriate treatment plan. Both procedures are performed in a discrete, medical-grade facility with strict adherence to safety protocols. Patients receive lifetime follow-up care at no additional charge, ensuring ongoing support and satisfaction.

About Upsize LLC

Headquartered in Roseville, California, Upsize LLC specializes in minimally invasive male enhancement treatments. The company's proprietary procedures have earned recognition for their safety profile, immediate results, and high patient satisfaction rates. With locations across California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Arizona, Nebraska, and international expansion into Panama and Canada, Upsize continues to lead innovation in male aesthetic medicine.
KOSICE, Slovakia, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Remittix, the new DeFi and low-gas-fee crypto innovation powerhouse, is unveiling the beta release timeline of its highly anticipated multi-chain crypto wallet, which will roll out in Q3 2025, in an exciting race to transform cross-border transactions.

In terms of accessibility, speed, and cost reductions for users worldwide, the Remittix Wallet will facilitate smooth interoperability with Ethereum, Solana, and other EVM chains - a significant advancement.

As the launch looms, enthusiasm among investors is sky high. Remittix token presale now stands at a remarkable $17 million, with over 563 million tokens sold to date. This momentum positions Remittix in the pole position for the next crypto breakout of 2025.

Seamless Multi-Chain Wallet Solution

The Beta Remittix Wallet has only one objective: easy global crypto transactions. From transferring stablecoins on Ethereum to staking SOL, and even token management between networks, the wallet presents industry-leading performance with very low gas fees.

Remittix Wallet beta release will allow early customers to:

Store, send, and receive tokens on Ethereum and Solana

Use the early Remittix staking pool functionality

staking pool functionality Participate in the $250,000 Remittix Giveaway

Accrue a 50% token bonus in presale

Easily engage with dApps on compatible chains



This wallet is just part of Remittix's broader ecosystem, hoping to disrupt the old remittance paradigm with fast, low-cost transactions that legacy platforms still can't get right.

As more and more hype is building up for Cardano, Solana, and other higher-layer protocols, Remittix is moving in its own direction as a cross-chain DeFi utility with a laser-sharp focus on building markets. Its momentum is copying the early-stage signs of breakout tokens like ADA and SOL.

Bridging Crypto and Fiat in Real-World Economies

Beyond wallet capabilities, Remittix is building out infrastructure to connect the realm of decentralized finance to real-world economies on the planet with seamless fiat-to-crypto solutions.

While not included in the beta release, future versions of the Remittix Wallet will be built to allow usersespecially in high-fee remittance regionsto exchange crypto directly into local currency.

This will enable users to:

Send USDT or other stablecoins cross-border

Have recipients cash them out with local partners

Reduce transaction fees on top of legacy banking infrastructure

Use real-world utility for daily spending and commercial use

The long-term vision is to give underbanked users in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America access to fast, low-cost financial services without relying on outdated intermediaries.

How to Join the Remittix Presale

Crypto enthusiasts, traders, and DeFi supporters are not left out; they can all join the ongoing Remittix presale by visiting the official website. All participants get to enjoy early access to wallet features, bonus token redemption and a chance at the $250,000 Giveaway - a feature headline draw that gains thousands of users daily.

About Remittix

Remittix is a decentralized finance platform with a particular focus on low-gas-fee crypto cross-border payments, staking, and remittances. Through its utility token and multi-chain wallet infrastructure, Remittix seeks to make crypto faster, more inclusive, and more accessible to users all over the world.

For media inquiries:

Visit Remittix Whitepaper & Presale Info

Follow Remittix on X for official updates

Contact:

Andy Cerny

andy@remittix.io

Disclaimer: This content is provided by Remittix. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sectorincluding cryptocurrency, NFTs, and miningcomplete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility. Globenewswire does not endorse any content on this page.

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MONROE TOWNSHIP, N.J., July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (NYSE American: OPTT) (OPT or the Company), a leader in innovative and cost-effective low-carbon marine power, data, and service solutions, today announced the signing of a new reseller agreement with a Latin America-based partner focused on supporting the Mexican offshore and maritime markets.

This partnership significantly expands OPTs commercial footprint across Latin America, leveraging the resellers regional presence and relationships within Mexico. Under the agreement, the partner will provide business development, sales, and technical support services. The agreement also includes a $3 million purchase commitment for OPTs WAM-V Unmanned Surface Vehicles.

This agreement represents another key step forward in continuing to scale OPTs global reseller network and unlocking additional high-growth markets, said Philipp Stratmann, CEO of Ocean Power Technologies. This partnership opens a strong channel to deploy our intelligent maritime solutions across security, energy, and commercial markets in Mexico. It builds on our existing momentum in Latin America and advances our broader goal of global expansion through strategic partnerships.

This partnership follows a series of recent agreements and deployments that reinforce OPTs position as a global leader in the marine robotics sector. The Company continues to prioritize channel-driven growth, scalable product deployments, and geographic expansion into high-potential markets.

For more information about Ocean Power Technologies, please visit www.OceanPowerTechnologies.com,



ABOUT OCEAN POWER TECHNOLOGIES

OPT provides intelligent maritime solutions and services that enable safer, cleaner, and more productive ocean operations for the defense and security, oil and gas, science and research, and offshore wind markets, including Merrows, which provides AI-capable seamless integration of Maritime Domain Awareness Systems across platforms. Our PowerBuoy platforms provide clean and reliable electric power and real-time data communications for remote maritime and subsea applications. We also provide WAM-V unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and marine robotics services. The Companys headquarters is located in Monroe Township, New Jersey and has an additional office in Richmond, California. To learn more, visit www.OceanPowerTechnologies.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release may contain forward-looking statements that are within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are identified by certain words or phrases such as "may", "will", "aim", "will likely result", "believe", "expect", "will continue", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "contemplate", "seek to", "future", "objective", "goal", "project", "should", "will pursue" and similar expressions or variations of such expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current expectations about its future plans and performance. These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions and estimates that could be inaccurate and subject to risks and uncertainties, including the potential success of our new reseller, the delivery of customer services, the conversion of potential customers to contracts and the realization of the potential revenue thereunder. Actual results could vary materially from those anticipated or expressed in any forward-looking statement made by the Company. Please refer to the Company's most recent Forms 10-Q and 10-K and subsequent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. The Company disclaims any obligation or intent to update the forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release.

Contact Information

Investors: 203-561-6945 or investorrelations@oceanpowertech.com

Media: 609-730-0400 x402 or MediaRelations@oceanpowertech.com
Scottsdale, Arizona , July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arizona Hard Money Lenders is offering a free loan consultation for real estate investors, homebuyers, and business owners seeking alternative financing solutions. The consultation aims to help clients explore their borrowing options, assess project feasibility, and develop strategies to achieve their real estate goals in a highly competitive market.

As traditional banks and mortgage lenders tighten their underwriting requirements in 2025, Arizona Hard Money Lenders hard money loans in Scottsdale offer a lifeline for those needing fast and reliable funding.



Arizona Hard Money Lenders

The team at Arizona Hard Money Lenders understands the urgency and complexity of real estate transactions, particularly when conventional financing becomes slow, cumbersome, or impossible to secure. Its private lending solutions allow clients to bypass extensive documentation, income verification, and credit hurdles that are commonly imposed by traditional banks.

Borrowers who take advantage of its free consultation will speak directly with knowledgeable loan advisors who will explain how hard money loans in Scottsdale can open doors that might otherwise remain closed. These consultations give clients insight into what funding options best fit their fix-and-flip, rental property, or commercial investment objectives.

Arizona Hard Money Lenders specializes in creative, asset-based financing that focuses on the value of the property itself rather than the borrowers credit history or financial profile. This flexibility has made its services especially attractive to real estate investors and homebuyers who need to act quickly in a hot housing market.

Its portfolio of loan products includes fix-and-flip loans, construction loans, cash-out refinancing, and bridge loans in Scottsdale. Each of these offerings is designed to support the diverse strategies of clients who need short-term or interim financing solutions without the delays associated with traditional lenders.

What sets Arizona Hard Money Lenders apart is not only the speed of its loan approvals but also the transparency and personal attention it provides throughout the process. Borrowers can expect an initial response within hours of applying and, once approved, can often access funds within 24 to 48 hours.

Many of our clients come to us frustrated by the slow pace and strict criteria of traditional mortgage lenders, said a spokesperson of Arizona Hard Money Lenders. Our goal is to help them take control of their deals, move quickly, and close on properties without being held back. The free consultation gives them the clarity they need to take the next step.

Arizona Hard Money Lenders also works closely with commercial developers who need interim financing for large-scale construction or development projects. Its bridge loans provide a critical solution for clients who need to cover gaps in funding, refinance existing obligations, or secure a property while waiting for permanent financing.

As banks continue to impose tighter restrictions and longer approval times, Arizona Hard Money Lenders alternative financing options remain an indispensable tool for savvy investors and homebuyers who want to stay competitive.

To learn more about Arizona Hard Money Lenders and its private lending services, visit https://www.hardmoneyarizonalenders.com/ .

About Arizona Hard Money Lenders

Arizona Hard Money Lenders provides fast, flexible private lending solutions for real estate investors, homebuyers, and commercial developers. Serving Scottsdale and the wider Arizona area, it specializes in hard money loans designed to fund projects that traditional lenders cannot.

###

Media Contact

Arizona Hard Money Lenders

Part of Private Money Funding, LLC

NMLS#250214 | AZ# 1049315

7345 East Evans Road, Scottsdale, Arizona 85260

(480) 319-9800

https://www.hardmoneyarizonalenders.com/

















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Cheyenne, WY, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coal Creek Law www.coalcreeklaw.com, a law firm known for defending open government, transparency, and accountability, recently announced the filing of a show cause motion and motion to compel production in the Wyoming District Court against the Town of Glenrock, WY (Glenrock).

The legal action stems from Glenrock's alleged improper refusal to fully comply with a Wyoming Public Records Act (WPRA) request, including the inappropriate assertion of attorney-client privilege and work product doctrine to withhold documents related to Glenrocks interactions with Flatirons Bank and Flatirons's Justice Escrow Qualified Settlement Fund.

The WPRA requests, submitted earlier this year, sought all communications, contracts, and records pertaining to Glenrock's involvement and interactions in establishing or facilitating Qualified Settlement Funds (QSFs) utilizing Justice Escrow, a service offered through Flatirons Bank. QSFs are specialized accounts used to manage settlement funds in legal cases.

Despite repeated demands, Glenrock, represented by Williams, Porter, Day, and Neville, has produced only a fraction of the requested documents. Specifically, it has improperly sought to redact and withhold communications and contracts with third parties under the auspices of attorney-client privilege and work product. The complaint argues that these materials are public records under Wyoming statutes and are thus subject to disclosure under establish law because such communications involve third parties to Glenrock and its counsel such as Flatirons Bank. Based on information and belief, the improperly withheld documents contain information that reveals Glenrock's involvement with Flatirons and an agreement to sponsor QSFs through Glenrock.

Government transparency is the cornerstone of democracy, and the Wyoming Legislature has codified the publics right to information in the WPRA," said Caleb Wilkins, lead attorney for Coal Creek. Quoting a recent court opinion, Mr. Wilkins noted, "The Wyoming Supreme Court has held the WPRA creates a presumption that the denial of inspection of public records is contrary to public policy. He continued, Wyoming Courts have vigorously upheld the publics right to governmental transparency under the WPRA, are we are confident that the Court will order disclosure in this case.

The motion to compel requests a court order for the immediate release of all withheld documents and other remedies under the WPRA. Additionally, the show cause motion necessitates that Town officials explain why they should not be held in contempt for failing to comply with its statutory duties under the WPRA.

Coal Creek urges the public to support efforts for greater accountability and transparency in local government.

About Coal Creek Law

Coal Creek Law is a Rocky Mountain and Great Plains law firm, located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, that strives to provide results-oriented and value-driven legal support to individuals and businesses.

For more information, visit www.coalcreeklaw.com or contact Caleb Wilkins at cwilkins@coalcreeklaw.com
SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Association of California Water Agencies (ACWA) today issued a statement from Interim Executive Director Marwan Khalifa regarding the State Water Resources Control Boards release of a revised draft of its Bay-Delta Plan Update and its inclusion of the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes (HRL) Program.

The Newsom Administration, along with state, federal and local leaders, developed the HRL Program as an innovative alternate approach to traditional regulatory requirements to improve environmental conditions while providing more water supply certainty to communities, farms, and businesses. ACWA has been a long-standing supporter of the HRL Program, previously known as the Voluntary Agreements. More information is available in a news release from the Office of Gov. Gavin Newsom.

ACWA applauds Gov. Gavin Newsoms leadership in moving the Bay-Delta Plan Update forward and developing the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program, which is vital to the success of the plan, Khalifa said. We deeply appreciate Gov. Newsoms commitment to seeing the Bay-Delta Plan Update completed in a way that sets aside old binaries and opens a new, collaborative pathway toward strengthening the health of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Bay-Delta ecosystem while preserving water supply reliability for Californians.

ACWA is a statewide association of public agencies whose approximately 470 members are responsible for about 90% of the water delivered in California. For more information, visit www.acwa.com

For questions or assistance in arranging interviews with ACWA, contact Caroline Meade at (916) 669-2383 or carolinem@acwa.com.
VANCOUVER, July 23, 2025 - Orla Mining Ltd. (TSX: OLA; NYSE: ORLA) ("Orla" or the "Company") reports that an uncontrolled material movement event occurred today on the pit wall at its Camino Rojo Oxide Mine in Zacatecas, Mexico.

The event occurred along the temporary north wall of the open pit, which included ore material expected to be mined as part of the ultimate open pit. There were no injuries or equipment damage as a result of the material movement, which was detected early by the pit monitoring systems. The event was caused by significant rain. There was no environmental damage resulting from the incident; however, rainwater diversion channels will need to be re-established to prevent further material subsidence in the pit.

While the main access throughout the pit was not affected, mining in the pit has been temporarily suspended. Pit access has been restricted to the necessary technical and operating personnel to support the appropriate geotechnical assessments required for safe remediation and resumption of mining activities. Crushing and stacking of stockpiled material onto the heap leach will continue in the interim. The Company is currently assessing any potential impact of the pit wall event on its full-year production guidance for Camino Rojo.

The relevant authorities are being notified as appropriate, and Orla is implementing appropriate remediation measures. The safety of all personnel remains the Company's top priority as it undertakes a comprehensive analysis to ensure the ongoing stability of mining operations.

About Orla Mining Ltd.

Orla's corporate strategy is to acquire, develop, and operate mineral properties where the Company's expertise can substantially increase stakeholder value. The Company has three material projects, consisting of two operating mines and one development project, all 100% owned by the Company: (1) Camino Rojo, in Zacatecas State, Mexico, an operating gold and silver open-pit and heap leach mine. The property covers over 139,000 hectares which contains a large oxide and sulphide mineral resource, (2) Musselwhite Mine, in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, an underground gold mine that has been in operation for over 25 years and produced over 6 million ounces of gold, with a long history of resource growth and conversion, and (3) South Railroad, in Nevada, United States, a feasibility-stage, open pit, heap leach gold project located on the Carlin trend in Nevada. The technical reports for the Company's material projects are available on Orla's website at www.orlamining.com, and on SEDAR+ and EDGAR under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov, respectively.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and within the meaning of Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the United States Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, or in releases made by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, all as may be amended from time to time, including, without limitation, statements regarding the impact of the pit wall event on the Company's operations, the Company's ability to remediate the same, and the Company's ability to continue crushing and stacking stockpile material. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur. 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. Certain material assumptions regarding such forward-looking statements were made, including without limitation, assumptions regarding the impact of the pit wall event on the Company's operations at Camino Rojo; the Company's ability to carry on mining activities; tonnage of ore to be mined and processed; ore grades and recoveries; that all conditions of the Company's credit facility will be met; that political and legal developments will be consistent with current expectations; the timely receipt of required approvals and permits, including those approvals and permits required for operation of projects; the Company's ability to operate in a safe, efficient, and effective manner; that the Company's activities will be in accordance with the Company's public statements and stated goals; and that there will be no material adverse change or disruptions affecting the Company or its properties. 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. Forward-looking statements involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These risks include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to remediate the pit wall event, risks associated with mining operations, risks associated with receipt and compliance with government permits, reclamation costs, environmental and other regulatory requirements; as well as those risk factors discussed in the Company's most recently filed management's discussion and analysis, as well as its annual information form dated March 18, 2025, which are available on www.sedarplus.ca and www.sec.gov. Except as required by the securities disclosure laws and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

SOURCE Orla Mining Ltd.
TORONTO, July 24, 2025 - Talisker Resources Ltd. ("Talisker" or the "Company") (TSX: TSK, OTCQX: TSKFF) is pleased to announce that the Company has received assay results from underground face sampling of lateral development from the 1105 level at the Mustang Mine. Lateral development is mining conducted along the vein to allow for equipment access required for later stope extraction between levels. This development is conducted at approximately 3 X 3 metre dimensions, larger than the 1.8 metre width of the actual mining stopes. The 1105 level is located 1,105 metres above mean sea level and represents one of the upper most levels of the Mustang Mine. Sampling on this level was conducted to support future stopes identified on the Alhambra, BK and BK9870 veins. Sampling is conducted by cutting a linear horizontal channel approximately 10 centimeters wide across the width of the development face.

Key Highlights:

551 g/t over 0.63m within 118.9 g/t over 3.02m from BK9870 Vein, West Face No. 1 (sample X002316)

196 g/t over 0.44m within 23.7 g/t over 3.78m from BK9870 Vein, West Face No. 2 (sample X002261)

92.7 g/t over 0.47m within 17.1 g/t over 2.74m from BK Vein, West Face No. 2 (sample X002311)

68.6 g/t over 0.47m within 10.3 g/t over 3.33m from Alhambra Vein, West Face No. 3 (sample X000383)

65.1 g/t over 0.47m within 21.3 g/t over 2.96m from Alhambra Vein, East Face No. 1 (sample X000338)

56.8 g/t over 0.92m within 15.4 g/t over 3.8m from BK9870 Vein, West Face No. 3 (sample X002326)

52.7 g/t over 0.58m within 10.1 g/t over 4.17m from Alhambra Vein, West Face No. 15 (sample X000805)

40.9 g/t over 0.7m within 10.6 g/t over 3.34m from Alhambra Vein, East Face No. 3 (sample X000416)

40.1 g/t over 0.73m within 8 g/t over 4.29m from Alhambra Vein, East Face No. 4 (sample X000432)

28.1 g/t over 0.86m within 7.8 g/t over 3.43m from Alhambra Vein, East Face No. 2 (sample X000404)

Terry Harbort, CEO of Talisker stated, "These outstanding results from the 1105 level face sampling reinforce the high-grade nature of Bralorne and its position as one of the world's highest grade gold deposits. Even diluted to development widths of 3 metres, which is well beyond our mining width of 1.8 metres we see strong confirmation of the consistent grade with abundant occurrences of visible gold (shown in the face photos below in green). Shareholders will also note, the close correlation between our modelled veins displayed by the blue and red lines and the actual vein position. An excellent outcome for our dedicated resource modelling team!"

Talisker is actively milling run of mine gold bearing development material at Nicola Mining's Merrit mill facility. To date, a total of 2,143 tonnes of material has been milled producing approximately 12 kilograms of gravity concentrate and 40 tonnes of sulphide concentrate. A further 2,200 tonnes of material has been delivered to the mill and is awaiting milling. The first sale and shipment of concentrate material is expected at the end of this month. Talisker is continuing to deliver new run of mine material daily at a rate of approximately 150 tpd.

Bralorne Gold Project

Mustang Ming - 1105 Lateral Development

Assay Results * Channel Sample Name From

(m) To

(m) Length

(m) Au

(ppm) Comp

Grade Comp

Length Sample

# M1105_BK9870_OD_W1_F2 1.86 2.49 0.63 551 118.9078 3.02 X002316 M1105_BK9870_OD_W1_F1 3.34 3.78 0.44 196.0 23.69595 3.78 X002261 M1105_BK_OD_W1_F2 1.17 1.64 0.47 92.7 17.13203 2.74 X002311 M1105_Alh_OD_W1_F3 1.49 1.96 0.47 68.6 10.33438 3.33 X000383 M1105_Alh_OD_E1_F1 0.74 1.70 0.96 65.1 21.28439 2.96 X000338 M1105_BK9870_OD_W1_F3 2.88 3.80 0.92 56.8 15.34963 3.80 X002326 M1105_Alh_OD_W1_F15 2.77 3.35 0.58 52.7 10.08269 4.17 X000805 M1105_Alh_OD_E1_F3 0.78 1.48 0.70 40.9 10.64217 3.45 X000416 M1105_Alh_OD_E1_F4 1.18 1.91 0.73 40.1 8.017063 4.29 X000432 M1105_Alh_OD_E1_F2 0.75 1.61 0.86 28.1 7.802945 3.43 X000404 M1105_Alh_OD_W1_F11 2.50 2.95 0.45 24.9 3.441206 3.69 X000601 M1105_Alh_OD_W1_F12 1.90 2.77 0.87 22.5 5.706179 3.52 X000609 M1105_Alh_OD_W1_F14 1.65 2.13 0.48 20.8 3.263891 3.29 X000625 M1105_Alh_OD_E1_F5 0.52 0.98 0.46 12.8 2.275066 3.04 X000604 M1105_Alh_OD_W1_F13 1.10 1.98 0.88 12.2 3.905608 2.96 X000614 M1105_Alh_OD_W1_F1 0.99 1.70 0.71 11.6 4.176678 3.01 X000334 * Estimated true widths are between 80% and 100%.

A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link.

For further information, please contact:

Terry Harbort

President and CEO

terry.harbort@taliskerresources.com

+1 416 357 0227

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release relating to the drill results at the Bralorne Gold Project has been approved by Leonardo de Souza (BSc, AusIMM (CP) Membership 224827), Talisker's Vice President, Exploration and Resource Development, who is a "qualified person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

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. Talisker's 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.



Sample Preparation and QAQC

Drill core at the Bralorne Gold Project is drilled in HQ to NQ size ranges (63.5mm and 47.6mm, respectively). Drill core samples are a minimum of 50 cm and a maximum of 160 cm long along the core axis. Samples are focused on an interval of interest, such as a vein or zone of mineralization. Shoulder samples bracket the interval of interest such that a total sampled core length of not less than 3m both above and below the interval of interest must be assigned. Sample QAQC measures of unmarked certified reference materials (CRMs), blanks, and duplicates are inserted into the sample sequence and makeup 9% of the samples submitted to the lab for holes reported in this release. ALS Global performs sample preparation and analyses in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and SGS Canada in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. Drill core sample preparation includes drying in an oven at a maximum temperature of 60C, fine crushing of the sample to at least 70% passing less than 2 mm, sample splitting using a riffle splitter, and pulverizing a 250 g split to at least 85% passing 75 microns (ALS code PREP-31 / SGS code PRP89). Gold in diamond drill core is analyzed by fire assay and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) of a 50g sample (ALS code Au-AA26 / SGS code GO_FAA50V10), while multi-element chemistry is analyzed by 4- Acid digestion of a 0.25 g sample split with detection by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) for 48 elements (Ag, Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cs, Cu, Fe, Ga, Ge, Hf, In, K, La, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, Re, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sn, Sr, Ta, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, U, V, W, Y, Zn, Zr). Gold assay technique (ALS code Au-AA26 / SGS code FAA50V10) has an upper detection limit of 100 ppm. Any sample that produces an over-limit gold value via the gold assay technique is sent for gravimetric finish (ALS method Au-GRA22 / SGS method GO_FAG50V) which has an upper detection limit of 1,000 ppm Au. Samples where visible gold was observed are sent directly to screen metallics analysis and all samples that fire assay above 1 ppm Au are re-analyzed with method (ALS code Au-SCR24 / SGS code - 6 - GO_FAS50M) which employs a 1kg pulp screened to 100 microns with assay of the entire oversize fraction and duplicate 50g assays on the undersize fraction. Where possible all samples initially sent to screen metallics processing will also be re-run through the fire assay with gravimetric finish provided there is enough material left for further processing.

Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Talisker's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to Talisker. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of Talisker's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate.

Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, title and environmental risks and risks relating to the failure to receive all requisite shareholder and regulatory approvals.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and Talisker 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. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.
Vancouver, July 24, 2025 - American Tungsten Corp. (CSE:TUNG) (OTCQB:DEMRF) (FSE:RK9) ("American Tungsten" or the "Company") is pleased to announce, further to its news releases of June 30, 2025 and July 17, 2025, the successful closing of its oversubscribed non-brokered private placement (the "Offering"). Pursuant to the Offering, the Company issued 14,000,000 common shares (the "Shares") at a price of C$0.50 per Share raising gross proceeds of C$7,000,000. The strong demand from institutional investors and insiders underscores growing confidence in the Company's vision, strategy, and momentum in the critical metals space.

In consideration for providing certain finder's services to the Company in connection with the Offering, the Company paid cash finder's fees of an aggregate C$253,421.35 to certain arm's-length finders, representing 3.6% of the gross proceeds received by the Company from subscribers that were introduced to the Company by such finders. The Company also issued 502,293 common share purchase warrants (the "Finder's Warrants"), to certain arm's-length finders. Each Finder's Warrant is exercisable to acquire one Share at an exercise price of $0.50 per Share for a period of 24-months from the date of issuance.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day in accordance with applicable securities legislation ending on November 25, 2025. The Company will use the net proceeds from the Offering to fund exploration work programs, option payments, mineral property acquisitions, marketing and for general working capital purposes.

The Company also announces the appointment of Dennis Logan as Chief Financial Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Logan brings over 25 years of executive leadership in financial services and the resource sector. He previously held senior financial roles with publicly traded companies including Almonty Industries Inc., where he played a key role in securing capital and driving operational efficiency within the tungsten industry. The Company would also like to extend its sincere gratitude to Mr. Ajay Toor, for his dedication during his tenure and wish him success on his future endeavors.

Ali Haji, who has served as CEO since April 14, and brings over 20 years of metals and mining experience and investment management, will also join the Board of Directors, further strengthening the Company's governance and strategic oversight.

"Investor demand exceeded our expectations, and we are grateful for the vote of confidence in our long-term strategy and vision," said Ali Haji, CEO of American Tungsten. "This financing allows us to accelerate our development plans of our flagship Ima Mine asset in Idaho towards commercial production. With Dennis' leadership in financial strategy and capital markets, we are assembling the right team to guide American Tungsten into its next chapter of growth and value creation. I am also honoured to join the Board of Directors and look forward to contributing further to our governance and strategic execution."

This press 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 the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities being offered have not been, nor will they be, registered under the 1933 Act or under any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, and applicable state securities laws.

ABOUT AMERICAN TUNGSTEN CORP.

American Tungsten Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on high-potential tungsten and magnetite assets in North America. The Company is advancing the Ima Mine Project in Idaho to commercial production, addressing critical metal scarcity in North America The Company's Ima Mine Project is a historic and high-quality underground tungsten past-producing property, where the Company holds an option to acquire full ownership (subject to a 2% royalty) and has expanded its land position with 113 additional federal claims covering nearly 2,000 acres.

Social media links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/americantungstencorp/

X: https://x.com/amtungsten

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/americantungstencorp/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americantungstencorp/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@americantungstencorp

For further information, please contact:

Ali Haji

Chief Executive Officer

Email: ir@americantungstencorp.com

Phone: +1 (647) 871-4571

CSE:TUNG

OTCQB:DEMRF

FSE:RK9

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release.

This news release includes "forward-looking information" that is subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Forward-looking statements may include but are not limited to, statements relating to the completion of the Offering on the terms described herein or at all, and the use of proceeds and available funds following the completion of the Offering and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties normally incident to such events. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future events and that actual events or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements represent management's best judgment based on information currently available. No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, except as may be required by law.
Cascadia Minerals Ltd. ("Cascadia") (TSXV: CAM) (OTCQB: CAMNF) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of up to $3,000,000.

The Offering will consist of the sale of 13,043,478 common shares (each a "FT Share") at a price of $0.23 per FT Share for total gross proceeds of approximately $3,000,000. Each FT Share will qualify as a "flow-through share" within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) ("Tax Act").

"This financing will allow us to significantly expand our planned work program at the Carmacks Copper project this fall, once the transaction with Granite Creek Copper closes," stated Graham Downs, Cascadia's President and CEO, "We're very encouraged by the exploration potential at Carmacks, and plan to drill up to 4,000 m this fall at near-surface sulfide targets adjacent to the existing mineral resource."

The gross proceeds from the issuance and sale of the FT Shares will be used for "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures", as both terms are defined in the Tax Act (the "Qualifying Expenditures"). The Qualifying Expenditures will be incurred on or before December 31, 2026, and will be renounced to the subscribers with an effective date no later than December 31, 2025, in an aggregate amount not less than the gross proceeds raised from the issuance of the FT Shares.

The proceeds from the Offering will be used for critical minerals exploration primarily at the Carmacks Copper project, following the completion of Cascadia's transaction with Granite Creek Copper Ltd., announced June 9, 2025, and anticipated to close in early August. A portion of proceeds from the Offering may be used for exploration at Cascadia's Catch, Macks, Milner, and Idaho Creek properties.

The Offering is scheduled to close on or before August 15, 2025, and is subject to regulatory acceptance.

Finder's fees may be paid in accordance with TSX Venture Exchange policies. All securities issued as part of the Offering will be subject to a hold period in Canada of four months plus one day from the closing of the Offering.

About Cascadia

Cascadia is a Canadian junior mining company focused on making new copper and gold discoveries the Yukon and British Columbia. Cascadia's flagship Catch Property in the Yukon hosts a brand-new copper-gold porphyry discovery where inaugural drill results returned broad intervals of mineralization, including 116.60 m of 0.31% copper with 0.30 g/t gold. Catch exhibits extensive high-grade copper and gold mineralization across a 5 km long trend, with rock samples returning peak values of 3.88% copper, 1,065 g/t gold, and 267 g/t silver.

Cascadia and Granite Creek Copper Ltd. recently announced a merger, whereby Cascadia will acquire all outstanding shares of Granite Creek by way of a plan of arrangement (see news release dated June 9, 2025). Granite Creek's flagship asset is the Carmacks Project in the high-grade Minto copper district in Yukon Territory, Canada. The project is located south of and within 35km of the past-producing Minto mine, which was recently acquired by Selkirk Copper Mines. The Carmacks Project hosts a Measured and Indicated Resource containing 651 Mlbs of copper and 302 koz of gold (36.3 million tonnes grading 0.81 % copper, 0.26 g/t gold, and 3.23 g/t silver and 0.01% molybdenum) with a 2023 PEA demonstrating positive economic potential ($230.5 M Post-Tax NPV (5%) and 29% Post-Tax IRR).

QA/QC

The technical information in this news release has been approved by Andrew Carne, P.Eng., VP Corporate Development for Cascadia and a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.

Prospecting grab samples referenced in this release represent highlight results only, and include results from 2024 and previous seasons. Below detection values for copper, gold and silver have been encountered in grab samples in these target areas. For more details on Catch drilling and prospecting results, please see Cascadia's News Releases dated July 25, 2024, and July 19, 2023.

The Mineral Resources disclosed here are referenced from the 2023 Technical Report on the Carmacks Project Preliminary Economic Assessment, authored by SGS Canada Inc. for Granite Creek Copper, and have not been independently reviewed by Cascadia. Pricing for the Carmacks Project PEA base case economic analysis was US $3.75/lb copper, US $1,800/oz gold, and US $22/oz silver at an exchange rate of $1:US$0.75. For more details on the economic analysis, refer to the 2023 Technical Report on the Carmacks Project Preliminary Economic Assessment, authored by SGS Canada Inc. for Granite Creek Copper. The results of the Carmacks preliminary economic assessment are preliminary in nature, it 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, and there is no certainty that the preliminary economic assessment will be realized.





On behalf of Cascadia Minerals Ltd.



Graham Downs

President and CEO







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.





Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements:



This press release may contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information, except as required by securities laws.



SOURCE Cascadia Minerals Ltd.







For further information, please contact:



Andrew Carne, M.Eng., P.Eng., VP Corporate Development

Cascadia Minerals Ltd.

T: 604-688-0111 ext. 106

acarne@cascadiaminerals.com


Melbourne, July 24, 2025 - Mithril Silver and Gold Ltd. (TSXV: MSG) (ASX: MTH) ("Mithril" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, pursuant to an agency agreement among the Company, Ventum Financial Corp., as lead agent and sole bookrunner, together with Arlington Group Asset Management Ltd., Raymond James Ltd. and Cormark Securities Inc. (collectively, the "Agents") dated July 24, 2025 (the "Agency Agreement"), it has closed its previously announced brokered private placement of 31,944,700 ordinary shares of the Company (the "Shares") at a price of C$0.36 per Share (the "Offering Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of C$11,500,092 (the "Offering"), which includes additional Shares issued and proceeds raised from the exercise of the Agents' Option (defined below).

The Company granted the Agents an option (the "Agents' Option"), which allowed the Agents to offer up to an additional 4,166,700 Shares (representing 15% of 27,778,000 Shares initially offered to purchasers under the Offering) at the Offering Price. The Agents' Option was fully exercised prior to the closing date of the Offering.

The Shares were offered on a private placement basis pursuant to exemptions from prospectus requirements under applicable securities laws, and the Offering was made utilising the Company's available placement capacity under ASX Listing Rules 7.1 and 7.1A.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used to fund advancement of the Company's Copalquin district project in Durango State, Mexico, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.

All Shares issued under the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period expiring November 25, 2025.

Pursuant to the Agency Agreement, the Company: (i) paid a cash fee of C$690,005.52 to the Agents, representing 6.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering; and (ii) issued 1,916,682 compensation options (the "Compensation Options") to the Agents, representing 6.0% of the aggregate number of Shares issued by the Company under the Offering. Each Compensation Option is exercisable into one Share at the Offering Price for a term of two years expiring on July 24, 2027.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

All currency references herein are to Canadian dollar unless otherwise stated.

About Mithril Silver and Gold

Mithril Silver and Gold Limited is an Australian and Canadian listed precious metals exploration company, focused on its Copalquin district project, in Mexico's Sierra Madre Gold Silver Trend.

The Copalquin mining district is located in Durango State, Mexico and covers an entire mining district of 70km2. The district is within the Sierra Madre Gold Silver Trend which extends north-south along the western side of Mexico and hosts many world-class gold and silver deposits.

Additional information about Mithril and its mineral projects can be viewed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile (at www.sedarplus.ca) and its website at www.mithrilsilvergold.com.

The information in this announcement relating to mineral resources has been reported by the Company in accordance with the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' (JORC Code) previously (refer to the Company's ASX announcement dated 7 July 2025) which is available to view on the Company's website. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information as at the date of this announcement that materially affects the information included in the previous market announcement and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the Company's previous announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Notes and Forward-looking Statements

Certain information contained in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. This includes, but is not limited to, information or statements with respect to the Offering, including statements with respect to the anticipated use of the net proceeds from the Offering; the future exploration plans of the Company, timing of future exploration, anticipated results of exploration and potential mineralization of the Company's mineral projects. Such forward-looking information or statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believes", "plans", "suggests", "targets" or "prospects" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "will" be taken, occur, or be achieved. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company and/or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, the actual results of current exploration activities, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future prices of precious and base metals, accident, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, and delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking information contained herein are made as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/259918
Edmonton, July 24, 2025 - Altiplano Metals Inc. (TSXV: APN) (WKN: A2JNFG) ("Altiplano" or the "Company") today announces that it anticipates a delay in the filing of the financial statements required pursuant to Part 4 of National Instrument 51-102 Continuous Disclosure Obligations (the "Instrument"). The potential for delay arises from the Company's and its auditors' joint assessment of the time required to complete the remaining audit procedures and the auditors' review process, as well as the delayed receipt of financial information from Altiplano's Chilean subsidiaries. The Company currently anticipates that the audit will be completed by August 1, 2025. However, as the outcome of the auditor's partner-level review remains uncertain, there may be additional follow-up items that could impact the timeline. Accordingly, the Company has allowed for a potential completion date of up to August 30, 2025. As a precautionary measure, the Company is pursuing a Management Cease Trade Order ("MCTO") to provide additional time, if required. Both the Company and its auditors remain fully committed and are working diligently toward the completion and filing of the financial statements.

The Instrument requires that the Company's audited financial statements, MD&A, and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO") certifications relating to the audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2025 be filed by July 29, 2025. The Company and its auditor are in the process of completing the associated audit work to complete the audited consolidated financial statements. The Company expects that the audited financial statements, MD&A, and CEO and CFO certifications relating to the audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2025 (collectively, the "Required Filings") will be completed and filed on or before August 30, 2025.

In connection with the anticipated delays in making the Required Filings within the time periods mandated by the Instrument, the Company has made an application under National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203") to the Alberta Securities Commission, as principal regulator for the Company, requesting that a MCTO be issued. If granted, the MCTO will restrict all trading by the Company's CEO and CFO in securities of the Company, whether direct or indirect. The issuance of the MCTO will not affect the ability of persons who are not directors, officers or insiders of the Company to trade their securities. The MCTO will remain in effect until the Required Filings are filed or until it is revoked or varied.

The Company confirms that it intends to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines described in NP 12-203 by issuing bi-weekly default status reports in the form of a news release until it meets the Required Filings requirement. The Company has not taken any steps towards any insolvency proceeding and the Company has no material information relating to its affairs that has not been generally disclosed.

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.

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. 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/259997
Carlos Sainz hints at Red Bull reunion with Verstappen

Carlos Sainz has put himself back on Red Bull's radar, insisting he and Max Verstappen would make a "very strong pairing" as the energy drink team considers options for 2026.

Carlos Sainz, Monaco GP 2025

 Williams

Sainz, who was dropped by Ferrari for 2025 in favour of Lewis Hamilton, ended up at Williams after no front-running seat materialised. But with Yuki Tsunoda underperforming since replacing Liam Lawson at Red Bull just two races into 2025, speculation is growing that the Spaniard could be in line for a surprise return to the team he left nearly a decade ago.

Before he was ousted, Christian Horner indicated that Red Bull was prepared to look outside its own pool of drivers for future lineups.

Of course, you're always open to what is outside of that, he said. If we feel the necessity to do so, we would not be afraid to do so again.

When asked about the new speculation, Carlos Sainz responded: "The only thing I could say is I genuinely get on well with Max.

We had a rivalry in our first year in Formula 1 at Toro Rosso, but it was a relatively healthy rivalry. And now we get on really well, he said on the High Performance podcast.

So if that's the reason (why Red Bull wouldn't sign him), I don't understand it. I think we would actually be a very strong pairing in Formula 1.

Sainz also revisited the high-pressure environment of his 2015 debut with Verstappen, describing it as the most intense year of my life.

We were both trying to beat each other in every FP1, FP2, FP3, he said. That level of competitiveness, that pressure - it builds you. And I wouldn't change it.

The 30-year-old admits he delayed his Williams decision in hopes of a more competitive offer.

One of the reasons I took the decision so late was because I was still hopeful that I would have a competitive car for 2025, he said. I wanted to win again to prove to everyone I still belong here.

Sainz is clear that his ultimate aim remains unchanged.

Being world champion is my purpose. That's what keeps me going, he said. Formula 1 is my obsession. I can't stop thinking about it - my data, my setup, what I'll say to my engineer tomorrow. I want it as soon as possible.

(GMM)
Fans must adapt to strange 2026 F1 engine sound

Mercedes engine boss Hywel Thomas says Formula 1 fans will need to get used to a "completely new soundscape" when the next-generation power units debut in 2026.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Monaco GP 2025

 Mercedes

While the new engines will retain the 1.6-litre V6 format and drop the MGU-H, the most noticeable change from trackside may be how the cars sound - particularly in unexpected parts of the lap.

Normally, the engines run at low revs when braking and cornering, Thomas explained. In the future, the revs and thus the noise level will increase noticeably, even though the cars aren't actually accelerating.

The reason lies in how teams will be forced to manage energy recovery without the MGU-H. Although braking will still charge the battery, it's not enough to meet the much higher electrical demands of the new power units. As a result, teams have devised a workaround that will significantly affect how the cars behave - and sound.

We had to come up with something, said Thomas. The engine switches to full-throttle mode when braking and cornering to produce additional energy, which we feed directly into the battery. So, for parts of a lap, the engine acts as a generator.

That means fans can expect high-rev engine noise even in slow-speed sections - a quirk that may be jarring at first.

And while the removal of the MGU-H raised hopes of a louder, more traditional engine sound, Thomas urged caution.

The sound will only change slightly, he said. This isn't necessarily due to the removal of the MGU-H, but rather due to the changes to the turbo. The backpressure is reduced because the turbo doesn't have to drive the electric motor. This results in a slightly louder sound.

But on the other hand, only three-quarters of the amount of fuel that goes into the engine is available. On the test bench, we observed a similar noise level as before.

The first 2026-spec Mercedes engines, destined for McLaren, Williams, Alpine and the factory team, will begin production soon at Brixworth.

(GMM)
Vasseur backed for 2026 as Ferrari rolls out key Spa upgrades

Frederic Vasseur looks set to stay on as Ferrari team principal into 2026 - even as rumours swirl about alternative candidates like ousted Red Bull boss Christian Horner.

Frederic Vasseur, Miami GP 2025

 Ferrari

While Auto Bild has linked Horner with a possible F1 return via Cadillac, Eurosport Italia reports there are no negotiations underway between Ferrari and Horner. Instead, Ferrari's top brass suddenly appear increasingly committed to continuity, with Vasseur now expected to sign at least a one-year contract extension.

At Ferrari, we hear that they are getting closer to Fred Vasseur and are conducting contract negotiations, said Sky Deutschland pundit Ralf Schumacher. "An extension would be extremely important to ensure stability within the team.

Both drivers are behind him.

Respected Italian journalist Fulvio Solms, writing for Autosprint and Corriere dello Sport, backed the move.

Next year, everything in F1 will change, from the cars to the power units, and most, if not all, of the key decisions have already been made, Solms explained. Retaining Vasseur until at least 2026 would be more than logical given F1's schedule and the fact that it is currently undergoing a regulatory review.

New technical director Loic Serra is now heavily influencing development direction. At Spa, Ferrari will debut a major rear suspension upgrade - tested recently at Mugello by both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton - as well as a lighter rear wing that Eurosport Italia says may also appear at Monza.

Vasseur confirmed the updates heading into the Belgian GP.

We've worked hard at the factory to bring a package of updates to the SF-25, and we want to make sure we maximise its potential right from the start, he said.

In such a close-fought F1 season, every little detail can make the difference. We're staying focused on a track where even the weather can play a crucial role.

(GMM)
Wolff shrugs off Verstappen rumours after Sardinia sightings

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has poured cold water on immediate speculation linking Max Verstappen to the Brackley-based team.

Max Verstappen, Monaco GP 2025

 Red Bull

Speaking to Austrian broadcaster ORF ahead of this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix, Wolff dismissed online chatter sparked by vacation photos showing both him and Verstappen holidaying in Sardinia.

What's new is that people are making photo collages with airplanes. We've never had that before, Wolff smiled. Just because you vacation near each other doesn't mean you'll work together in Formula 1. We've always gotten along well. It just so happens that we also vacation in similar areas.

Wolff admitted he does not anticipate dramatic changes to the 2026 Mercedes lineup, despite persistent rumours that Verstappen could leave Red Bull early in the wake of Christian Horner's departure.

But I don't think there will be any major surprises, he said.

While acknowledging his interest in Verstappen, Wolff reiterated that his current driver pairing remains the priority.

The direction is that we want to continue with George and Kimi. That's our top priority, said the Mercedes boss. Everyone is up to date.

The ORF report suggests Mercedes will soon confirm its 2026 lineup, with a decision expected in Spa.

It's not just about the team making a decision, Wolff said. The drivers also need to know where they stand. We've always tried to adhere to this rule. And we'll do so again this time.

As for Verstappen, his much-discussed exit clause - which would have allowed him to leave Red Bull mid-contract in 2025 - is no longer valid. According to ORF, the clause was contingent on Verstappen being outside the top three in the standings at mid-season. Currently sitting third, the window is closed - until next year.

(GMM)
Next article: Reviving Ghanas poultry sector: Fixing the system, not just the symptoms

Featured

Azuma and E&P mining companies have reached 'very conclusive agreements' in dispute - Lands Minister at press conference

Mohammed Ali Business News Jul - 24 - 2025 , 05:46

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has said the dispute between Azuma Resources and Engineers and Planners (E&P) mining companies has been resolved, following his directive.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday [July 23, 2024] dubbed the Government Accountability Series, Mr Buah stated that the two firms had reached what he described as very conclusive agreements following his directive in a letter dated July 10, 2025.

In fact, I received a letter from Azuma Resources informing me that they have reached very conclusive agreements with E&P, Mr Buah said. He added that the instruction issued to both companies had achieved its intended outcome.

The dispute between Azuma Resources and Engineers and Planners (E&P), had stalled the development of the Black Volta Gold Project in the Upper West Region.



The project, valued at around $100 million and backed by the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID), was expected to become Ghanas first large-scale, wholly indigenous gold mining operation.

The impasse escalated into legal proceedings before the International Chamber of Commerce in London, with both parties trading claims exceeding $100 million. E&P accused Azuma of breaching their 2023 agreement and abandoning its financial obligations, while Azuma argued that E&P failed to raise capital, initiate construction contracts, or commence operations.

Mr Buah explained that Ghana holds a 10 percent carried interest in the project, and that the dispute had deprived the country of revenue, jobs, and royalties.

Ghana is a shareholder in that enterprise. Any delay in continuing the exploitation of those resources affects the people of Ghana directly, he told journalists.

He justified his action by pointing to the states vested interest in the project and said the ministers authority in such matters is clearly provided for in law.

Although details of the settlement between the two companies was not shared by the minister, he, however, said the resolution demonstrates the ministrys role in protecting national interest in extractive projects where the state has a stake.

According to Mr Buah, this includes reforms to licensing procedures, the establishment of cooperative mining schemes, and initiatives to address illegal mining through enforcement and technology.
BEIJING, July 23 (Xinhua) -- China's public security organs have helped facilitate the nation's high-quality development by resolutely safeguarding public safety during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), a senior Chinese public security official said on Wednesday. "China is widely recognized as one of the safest countries in the world," Qi Yanjun, vice minister of public security, said at a press conference on public security during the 2021-2025 period. "China has maintained one of the lowest incidence rates of fatal criminal cases, the lowest rate of criminal offenses, and the fewest cases involving firearms and explosives in the world," Qi noted. WORLD'S SAFEST COUNTRY During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, public security authorities have focused on safeguarding the safety and well-being of the public, continuously intensifying efforts to combat criminal offenses, leading to a steady decline in the overall number of criminal cases nationwide, senior police officer Jiang Guoli said at the press conference. China has consistently ranked among the countries with the lowest homicide rates globally, with a rate of 0.44 per 100,000 people in 2024, said Jiang, who is the political commissar of the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) criminal investigation bureau. China has maintained a hard stance on gang-related crime. Chinese police have dismantled over 590 mafia-style organizations and over 8,900 other criminal gangs to date during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, according to Jiang. More than 105,000 gang-related criminal cases have been solved nationwide since 2021, he said, stressing that law enforcement agencies have maintained a zero-tolerance policy on organized crime -- particularly for complex, high-profile cases. He noted that law enforcement authorities have also focused on the root causes of organized crime, utilizing long-term crime prevention and social governance mechanisms. "By disrupting the cycle in which disorder fosters crime and crime evolves into organized gangs, authorities aim to eliminate the conditions that allow such groups to thrive," Jiang said. In the field of transportation, the number of major traffic accidents resulting in three or more deaths during the 14th Five-Year Plan period declined significantly -- 34 percent -- compared to the 2016-2020 period, Qi said. He highlighted that public security organs across the country have since 2021 intensified their identification and rectification of safety loopholes in sectors such as road traffic, railways and civil aviation, aiming to protect the people's safety and property to the greatest possible extent. TELECOM FRAUD CRACKDOWNS China launched harsh crackdowns on telecom and online fraud during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, effectively protecting the people's lawful interests. Chinese police resolved 1.739 million such cases and arrested 366,000 related individuals, including 3,442 major financiers and core members of criminal groups, Jiang said. Police and relevant government departments intercepted 12.41 billion scam calls and 10.93 billion fraudulent text messages over the past five years, he noted. He said that during the same period, Chinese police deepened law enforcement cooperation with their international counterparts, dispatching work groups to countries such as Myanmar, Thailand and Cambodia to boost joint operations targeting telecom fraud. "These efforts led to the dismantling of over 2,000 overseas fraud centers and the capture of more than 80,000 individuals," he added. ENHANCING AUTONOMOUS DRIVING REGULATION Responding to a question on autonomous driving, Wang Qiang, director of the MPS traffic management bureau, said that China will tighten its regulation and management of intelligent driving, as the intelligent driving systems currently installed in vehicles have not yet achieved true autonomous driving. "The driver remains the ultimate party responsible for operating the vehicle," Wang said. He stressed that if a driver takes their hands off the wheel or their eyes off the road while the vehicle is in motion, they pose a serious risk to traffic safety and their actions could result in civil liability, administrative penalties and criminal prosecution. To strengthen the regulation and management of intelligent driving, police will support the refining of laws and regulations to clarify manual control in vehicle autonomy from Level 0, which indicates no driving automation, to Level 2, which indicates partial driving automation, Wang said. China will also encourage vehicle manufacturers to continuously improve the reliability of assisted driving systems, and to establish relevant safety technology standards, he added.
Next article: Access Bank Ghana named Best Bank in Ghana by Euromoney for 2025

Featured

Graphic, NIC, GIA Insurance Fair opens

Elizabeth Nyaadu Adu Business News Jul - 24 - 2025 , 06:57

The 2025 edition of the Insurance Fair, which aims to address the countrys insurance penetration challenges while positioning the sector as a critical pillar of national development, commences in Accra today.

The annual event is organised by the Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL), in collaboration with the National Insurance Commission (NIC) and the Ghana Insurers Association (GIA).

This year's event, which is on the theme: Boosting insurance in the formal and informal sectors of Ghana, is expected to bring together hundreds of insurance sector players, state and corporate institutions, as well as individuals, to explore opportunities within the sector.

Scheduled to take place at the Accra Mall Food Court, the three-day event will start from 10:00a.m. to 7:00p.m. each day.

Knowledge gap

The Director of Marketing and Sales at GCGL, Franklin Sowa, described the fair as a key intervention designed to tackle the knowledge gap that continues to affect insurance uptake in the country.

There are questions that are begging for answers, and people do not know where to go; they do not know who to ask. This fair provides the platform to address those concerns comprehensively.

We see a robust insurance sector as one of the key pillars that will help to drive development across all sectors, and that is why Graphic sees it necessary to help grow that sector so that the country can reap the benefits, he stated.

Mr Sowah said the fair would offer individuals, entrepreneurs and corporate entities the opportunity to directly engage with various insurance companies, understand the products on the market and receive guidance to meet their specific needs.

He emphasised the recurring issues in claims disbursement, largely due to a mismatch between clients expectations and the limitations of certain policies, assuring that this years edition will address the concerns about claims processing.

The manager also disclosed that they had secured strategic partnerships with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) and the Ministry of Finance, signalling high-level government commitment to the sectors development.

Expansion

Mr Sowa explained that the decision to extend the Insurance Fair to Kumasi represents a strategic recognition of the Ashanti Regions economic significance and the need to make insurance knowledge accessible in the countrys major commercial centres.

The expansion, he said, aligned with the fairs core mission of reaching both the formal and informal sectors, as Kumasi served as the heart of Ghanas informal trading economy while hosting numerous formal businesses that required comprehensive insurance coverage.

The Kumasi edition, scheduled for August 6 to 8 this year at the Ghana Post Forecourt at Adum, will mirror the comprehensive approach of the Accra event to ensure that traders at Kejetia Market, small and medium enterprises, and large corporations in the region have equal access to insurance education and products.

Participation

This years edition represents a significant evolution in scope and participation, featuring a wide range of industry players, including life insurance firms and health insurance companies.

They include Nsia Insurance, Glico General, Glico Life, SIC Insurance PLC, Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, Enterprise Insurance, Enterprise Life, Millenium Insurance, Coronation and Hollard Insurance Life.

The rest are Vanguard Assurance Company Limited, miLife Insurance, Old Mutual, National Insurance Commission, Imperial General Assurance, Serene Insurance, Bedrock Insurance and Equity Health Assurance.
Featured

EDITORS LENS: Ghanas film industry deserves a bold, new script

Editor, Graphic Showbiz Showbiz News Jul - 24 - 2025 , 11:00 3 minutes read

Ghanas film industry, once a vibrant source of national pride and cultural storytelling, is now facing a slow and painful decline.

The recent outcry by celebrated actress Gloria Osei Sarfo about the state of the struggling creative space has reignited an urgent conversation that the industry is on life support, and a decisive intervention is long overdue.

Her honest comparison between Ghanas struggling movie scene and Nigerias thriving Nollywood touched a raw nerve. It was not just a moment of frustration; it was a bold cry for rescue, revival and reform.

The facts are stark. Nollywood churns out hundreds of films each year and has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry with global reach, and makes a significant contribution to Nigerias GDP.

Ghanas film industry, on the other hand, is still finding its feet and struggling to release even a handful of quality films each year. Our actors, directors, writers, technicians and other talented creatives are underutilised and far from reaching their full potential, stifled by a chronic lack of investment, weak infrastructure and inadequate government support.

Glorias observation that many Ghanaian creatives could flourish in Nollywood if given the right support is a damning indictment of the local industry. Ghana is not short on talent; we are short on support systems. The stories are there. The skills are there. What the creative space lacks is the enabling environment to blossom. (Read EDITOR'S LENS: Of lyrics and other elements in cooking good music)

The challenges are well known. Underfunding has left Ghanaian filmmakers with shoestring budgets, compromising both quality and output. Inadequate production infrastructure, from modern studios to post-production facilities, further hinders creativity and professionalism.

The few cinemas available struggle with maintenance and access, and weak distribution channels mean that even the best Ghanaian films rarely get the reach they deserve, while audiences are increasingly turning to foreign content.

Let us not underestimate what is at stake. A vibrant film industry has far-reaching economic and social benefits for Ghana. It can create thousands of jobs in the creative space for actors, directors, writers, costume designers, set builders, sound engineers, make-up artists and more.

It can drive tourism, preserve and export Ghanaian culture, empower youth, and contribute significantly to the countrys GDP. Hollywood is a cornerstone of Americas cultural influence; Bollywood is a pillar of Indias global image. Nollywood is Africas cultural megaphone. Ghana can be next, but only if we take deliberate, strategic steps.

It will require the government to play a leading role in this transformation by treating the film industry as a serious business sector through film-friendly policies, offering tax breaks and other incentives for local productions, and crucially enforcing intellectual property rights to protect creators from piracy.

However, this cannot be government-driven alone. Public-private partnerships are the future. The National Film Authority must become a force for real change, working with stakeholders to develop the industry into a sustainable economic pillar.

Graphic Showbiz maintains that this is the time to act with real investment, bold policies and collaborative energy.
Featured

Sold out but broke The event organisers dilemma

Richmond Adu-Poku Showbiz News Jul - 24 - 2025 , 07:30 6 minutes read

ON any given weekend in Ghana, your calendar could look like a playlist curated by a DJ with Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

One minute, youre being baptised by sea spray at a beach rave in Kokrobite, the next, youre two-stepping to Highlife classics under fairy lights in Osu.

Meanwhile, foodies are elbow-deep in jollof wars at a gourmet street fair in East Legon, while cinephiles queue up for a surprise movie premierecomplete with folding chairs and fan dramain a Kumasi community centre.

And make no mistake: these events slap.

The venues are packed tighter than a troski during rush hour. Ticket links get slapped with that sacred SOLD OUT label, days before the show. Instagram stories drip with FOMO, while X buzzes with hashtags and hot takes. The energy? Immaculate. The crowd? Dressed to steal your crush. The organisers? Quietly Googling how to explain financial loss to your mother.

Welcome to the paradox of Ghanaian event planning: a parallel universe where vibes are up but bank accounts are down. You can trend nationwide, have a guest list featuring half of Accras influencers, and still find yourself sipping sachet water and regretting everything by Monday morning.

This is because behind the fireworks and fog machines lies a brutal truthvisibility doesnt always translate to viability.

Its a business model powered by love, hype, and hopeoften at the expense of spreadsheets, budgets, and profit margins.

After all, when your headliner shows up three hours late and still demands full payment, and your sponsor sends vibes instead of cash, whats an event organiser to do?

In Ghana, the party may be jumpingbut the bottom line is often in freefall.

The Hype vs. The Math

First, lets address the mathor more accurately, the lack of it. Many Ghanaian event organisers begin with passion and vibes, but forget that numbers dont bend for hype. Selling out a 5000-seat venue at GH100 a head should theoretically bring in GH500,000. But the fantasy stops there.

Venue? GH100,000.

Sound and lighting? GH150,000.

Artistes fees? If you're lucky. GH200,000.

Promotion, permits, security, and the mysterious miscellaneous? GH100,000 easy.

Congratulations, you just spent GH550,000 to make GH500,000. And this is before people start asking for media partner slots that cost you exposure instead of bringing you cash.

The Freebie Culture

Lets talk about Ghanas unofficial event tax: Protocol. For every 100 tickets, 30 will mysteriously evaporate in the name of industry support, influencer goodwill, or uncle's second wife's cousin who "helped with the artiste plug." Ghanaian event organisers often give away enough tickets to fill a modest church crusade, all in the name of networking and loyalty.

Spoiler: Networking doesn't pay venue bills.

Sponsorship Mirage

Everyone wants sponsors but few understand how elusive they are. Brands in Ghana have become hyper-selective (read: risk-averse). They want ROI, visibility, alignment, and preferably the resurrection of their sales figuresall for GH5,000 and a few branded banners. Event organisers often bend over backwards to meet these demands, sometimes reshaping the event itself to suit a brand that won't even repost the flier.

And when sponsors do come on board, the money rarely comes before the event. Picture this: youre begging DJs for discounts while a sponsor sends you Were still processing emails.

Artistic Ambitions vs. Budget Realities

Ghanaian event organisers are dreamers. They want LED screens, holographic dancers, imported smoke machines, and surprise celebrity appearances. This is admirablebut financially suicidal without matching revenue strategies. The desire to create an unforgettable experience often leads to overspending on production, underpricing tickets, and ignoring realistic budget forecasts.

You cant host a Beyonce-level experience on a Kojo Antwi budget. Not unless Beyonces lending you her tour bus too.

A Lack of Business Structure

Many events are built like vibes-startups: friends come together with great energy and divide roles based on personality traits rather than expertise. (Kwame is loud, so hes in charge of PR.)

Few have proper event management training, fewer still have accountants, and almost none plan for tax implications, insurance, or contingency funds.

Without a profit model, even a successful event becomes a one-night stand with no long-term viability. You need systems, not just Spotify playlists.

So, Whats the Fix?

It starts with a mindset shift: budget like a banker, dream like a DJ. Creativity is the soul of any great event, but it needs to be rooted in cold, hard numberscost before concept.

Then theres pricing. Stop underpricing. Too many organisers undervalue their work in a bid to fill seats. If your event is premium, the price should reflect that. Ghanaians will pay for valuebut not for guesswork.

Negotiate value, not just money. A sponsor who offers media reach, venue support, or distribution muscle might be more valuable than one who pays once and vanishes.

And above all, professionalise the process. Get an accountant. Consult a lawyer. Write actual contracts. Track your returns. Romanticizing hustle culture wont pay your MC.

And lastly, limit free passes. Exposure is not currencyat least not upfrontand your aunties neighbour really doesnt need VIP access.

End Thoughts

The Ghanaian events industry is a goldmine wrapped in confettibursting with talent, dripping with passion, and backed by audiences who are more than ready to show up and show out.

From DJs who can read a room like a therapist, to vendors serving banku with the same precision as gourmet chefs, the ecosystem is ripe. The potential? Astronomical. But heres the catch: potential without structure is just vibes.

Until organisers start treating events like businessesnot Instagrammable flexes or weekend popularity conteststhe vicious cycle of Sold Out but Broke will remain the unofficial slogan of the industry.

A lit event should leave you glowing with profit, not glowing with anxiety when your momo account is -47.56 and youre dodging vendors who still havent been paid.

Lets be honest: shutting down an entire stretch of Accra with fireworks and fog machines means nothing if ECG still shuts off your lights on Monday. Whats the point of trending on X if your bounce-back budget is powered by #God will provide?

Events can be beautiful, cultural, and profitablebut only if the people behind them stop chasing clout and start chasing sustainability.

The stage is already set. Now, its time to run the show like its worth somethingbecause it is.
Featured

Bank of Ghanas guidelines to the shipping industry; placebo or panacea?

Maria Ogbugo Opinion Jul - 24 - 2025 , 08:20 7 minutes read

On July 22, 2025, the Bank of Ghana issued a formal notice (No. BG/GOV/SEC/2025/47) titled "Guidelines for the application of Exchange Rates by the Shipping Industry in Ghana.

This notice was ostensibly issued in response to agitation by the shipping community notably Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), that shipping lines were exercising arbitrariness in setting the exchange rates at which they were converting their fees and charges into local currency, the Ghana cedi.

The agitation came to a head after the Ghana cedi (GH) had in April 2025, recorded a marked appreciation against the major trading currencies including the United States dollar (USD).

The freight forwarders were not alone in this complaint. They were joined by the Ghana Shippers Authority (GSA) who accused some shipping lines of arbitrary application of foreign exchange rates and hauled them, as part of GSAs broader enforcement efforts under the new Ghana Shippers Authority Act, 2024 (Act 1122), before the Bank of Ghana (BOG), the statutory body responsible for managing the countrys foreign exchange regime.

The symptoms

Freight forwarders alleged that some shipping lines were using old exchange rates instead of the lower rates that were prevailing at the time the cargo was being cleared. As an illustration, some shipping lines were using exchange rates of about GHC15.00 to a dollar at a time when the prevailing rate was around GHC10.00 to a dollar, meaning that the shippers would not benefit from the GHC5.00 savings per dollar that the cedis appreciation had created. The shipping lines in question were arguing that the exchange rate applicable to all cargo on a particular vessel rotation had been set some 7 days prior to the vessels arrival in Tema port, and that the previously set rate would apply to all cargoes from that rotation, irrespective of the current improved exchange rate position.

GSA is reported to have conducted extensive investigations which confirmed that shipping lines were unilaterally applying foreign exchange rates that deviate from official benchmarks in transactions with clients.

In an interview on local radio station Joy FM, the CEO of GSA, Prof Ransford Gyampo is reported to have argued that any deviation from the BoG rate by commercial entities for official transactions could lead to distorted pricing, unfair competition, and a lack of transparency for shippers and that while shipping lines may argue for the use of interbank rates or rates locked in at the port of origin, the GSA insists that these practices must align with Ghana's regulatory framework to protect local businesses.

The prescription

Following BOGs engagement with the GSA and the shipping lines, it issued the guidelines. In summary, the guidelines directed the players in the shipping industry to publish their rates daily on their website or physical business locations, to clearly indicate the exchange rate on their invoices and to ensure that their rates are reflective of the exchange rates of commercial banks. The guidelines also warned the shipping community that failure to adhere to Ghanas law on foreign currency Foreign Exchange Act 2006 may attract sanctions.

The effect

If these guidelines were meant to be a solution to a set of problems as identified earlier in this piece, then it falls short.

For starters, the agitations primarily revolved around the much-disputed local charges or destination charges such as container administrative fees, container cleaning fees, container evacuation fees, etc. These are without doubt landside services rendered domestically by ship agents located in Ghana to consumers located in Ghana; services which ought to be viewed by the BOG as domestic in nature and which should therefore not be allowed to be priced in foreign currency in the first place.

Just as the BOG would not countenance a hairdressing salon located in Tema quoting its services in USD, it ought not to permit landside services rendered in Ghana to be priced in USD. It therefore beggars belief that the BOG would sidestep its own Notice No. BG/GOV/SEC/2019/07 prohibiting the pricing, advertising and receipt of foreign currency for goods and services in Ghana and give blanket approval to an undefined shipping industry to price and advertise in USD in contravention of its law. The writer posits that the BOG and GSA, by allowing omnibus pricing of services in foreign currency by the shipping industry, are themselves permitting the breach of the Foreign Exchange Act 2006.

Secondly, assuming that the shipping agents were in fact in compliance with the Foreign Exchange Act 2006 in pricing and advertising their fees and charges in foreign currency, the notice does not address the argument that the shipping lines were arbitrarily setting their exchange rate.

The directive that the exchange rates set by the shipping lines must be reflective of commercial bank rates, and which must be benchmarked to the BOGs interbank rate is at best moral suasion, or at worst, without effect.

Because the directive did not contain a mutually agreed reference rate for the shipping industry, the wide variations in shipping lines exchange rates could in theory persist despite this directive. Interestingly, the Vice President of the Ghana Institute of Freight Forwarders (GIFF), Nana Asiamah Peprah I, is on record as saying that following the issuance of the guidelines, Some of these shipping lines who were quoting very high rates are now being compelled to work with the Bank of Ghana rates.

Clearly this statement is not borne out by the facts as contained in the guidelines and suggests that misalignment remains amongst the key stakeholders on what effect the guideline has.

There was also the matter of which days exchange rate would be applicable? Would it be the date of loading the cargo at load port, 7 days to arrival of vessel or date of the invoice? Here too, the directive fails to prescribe a solution. In effect, should there be another steep rise or fall in exchange rates like we saw in April 2025, this dispute could erupt all over again.

On the content of the notice itself, it reads more like a consumer protection statement than any foreign exchange control directive, prompting the question as to why this notice could not have easily been issued by the GSA itself in line with its powers as a consumer protection watchdog for the shipping community. This also brings to the fore the need for Ghana to develop competition laws that protect all consumers from unfair contract terms or unfair commercial practices.

Finally, the perennial agitation between shippers and shipping lines is all about money. And a lot of money at that. Take administrative fees for example, at an average of USD150 per twenty-foot container (TEU) and given that Ghana imports an average 1 million TEU per annum, this translates to a whopping USD150 million per annum. This doesnt include the tens of millions of dollars in other charges and fees. For context, UN Trade and Development reports that Ghana is a net importer of maritime transport services to the tune of USD1.9 billion per annum.

In a country looking to develop its domestic maritime sector, policy makers should follow the money, checking how much of the value created in this industry can be retained in-country and then design policy aimed at tackling that specifically.

Afterall, if the USD150 million in administrative charges remained in-country and generated income tax revenue for the state and wealth creation for Ghanaian beneficially owned businesses, the agitation would be much muted.

The panacea

In conclusion, regulators of Ghanas shipping industry must properly diagnose the problems to prescribe solutions that solve these problems. This requires in-depth understanding of the age-old industrys international laws, conventions and best practices, which guide what is possible and what is not.

Lastly, and most importantly, the goal of regulation should be to implement policy to achieve a strategic direction. Regulating the maritime sector in Ghana should therefore be carried out within the context of a clear maritime strategy.

Answers to the questions of what the desired outcome is, and how can this be achieved, should guide the drafting of laws, legislative instruments and directives. Without this critical connection between regulation and outcome, regulators will be superintending over a maritime sector that is akin to a ship that is directionless and adrift.

The writer Maria Ogbugo, a senior maritime consultant with Ahorlu Marine Limited, a boutique maritime advisory firm based in Accra, Ghana. She can be reached at [email protected]
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Scandals and reform in Ghanas security sector: Opportunities arising from revelations by Interior, Defence ministers

Emmanuel Sowatey (PhD) Opinion Jul - 24 - 2025 , 06:31 18 minutes read

In this opinion piece, I engage with some key issues that stem from the revelations in the press briefings by the ministers of the Interior and Defence.

This first part addresses why the (alleged) problems are important, and I do so by placing them within a broader context of Security Sector Governance and Reform (SSG/R) and providing examples to back my observations and claims.

To begin my piece, I provide an introduction and context. This section is followed by a long engagement with the alleged scandal around recruitment into the security services and what that means for trust and confidence in the sector. I end this part one with some pointers to what one must expect in part two.

Introduction and context

In July 2025, both casual and keen observers of the Ghanaian security sector were jolted out of their seats by certain revelations made by the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Defence, respectively. The first shock was the depth and scale of the recruitment scandals associated with the various security agencies, and the other was what looks like poor stockpile management of several of the state-owned magazines (and one could infer their armouries as well). In this context, I use Stockpile management to mean:

Specific technical areas related to the safety and security of ammunition and explosives in accounting, storage, transportation and handling. In addition, it refers to issues such as the determination of stockpile size, types of stockpiles, location of stockpiles and the management of ammunition in service [Saferworld Small Arms and Light Weapons Control Training manual file:///Users/emmanuel/Downloads/SALW-module-9.pdf

Also, when I say scandal, I adopt the meaning from the Cambridge dictionary, as follows (an action or event that causes) a public feeling of shock and strong moral disapproval. [https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/scandal]

These eye-openers that were revealed by the two ministers were not only significant developments, but also sharply questioned how Ghana manages certain core areas of her Security Sector Governance and Reform (SSG/R), which are crucial to its peace, stability, and development in a considerably challenging region. In other words, how strong is her democratic governance of her security sector? For some of us, such open revelations and the debates they spark present a unique chance for reforms, aimed at strengthening Ghanas security through more effective oversight and accountability mechanisms. I still believe this, even if the revelations are viewed as opportunistic. In this vein, my honest, straightforward opinion is that neither of the two major political parties has completely clean hands in this matter.

From a criminological perspective, these revelations could potentially further undermine the legitimacy of the security institutions and, consequently, weaken the peace, security, and development in Ghana. To understand fully what these revelations imply for national security, it is important to place them within a broader context of the sectoral developments by considering recent and wider events. Some examples will illustrate this point. Beyond the revelations by the two ministers, recent findings by Transparency International, the Government Defence Integrity Index (GDI), studies by UNODC, and various Afrobarometer reports paint an unflattering picture of the sector. Ghana was downgraded in a recent GDI report, and Afrobarometer reports consistently point to a legitimacy deficit within the sector. Furthermore, Eboe Hutchful, Humphrey Asamoah Agyekum, and Ben Kunbour (2021)have also offered concerning observations about the state of democratic oversight of the Ghana Armed Forces, noting that:

All these grim indicators convey worrisome signals of governance and developmental failures that are at odds with Ghanas celebrated image abroad, and reflected in a pervasive sense of disquiet within Ghana itself.

Why is recruitment important to the security sector?

Let's concentrate on the police (history), as police research is my main area of expertise, and then draw on developments in that field to illustrate and support my points. Over a century ago, Robert Peel, who is regarded as one of the (if not the) primary architects of modern policing, emphasised the importance of police recruitment for the organisation's success. Writing at a time when appointments in British society were largely influenced by patronage, Peel warned against adopting this practice for police recruitment. For instance, in December 1829, he addressed three commissions on the matter, cautioning that:

All nominations for the police as well as original nominations as promotions from inferior stations, should depend exclusively upon character, qualifications and services of the persons selected ... I am convinced that on the strict adherence to this principle, must entirely depend the efficiency and character of the new establishment.

In reinforcing the seriousness that Peel attached to recruitment, Douglas Hurd (2007), in his book Robert Peel: A Biography, takes up the issue of how Peel saw recruitment as a critical variable within the broader scheme of making the police effective. Hurd posited that:

Peel understood that the success of the new force would depend not soo much on its legal powers as on the quality of men picked to staff itHe took corresponding trouble over recruitment of the bulk of the new force

In essence, Peel was keenly aware that the integrity of the recruitment process and the quality of the people who staffed the police had serious, multidimensional repercussions with regard to the level of trust and confidence of the people. In essence, he wanted to safeguard the legitimacy of the police. This legitimacy, or trust and confidence in the police would ultimately affect the polices ability to deliver the expected service. In todays criminological sense, he was answering the question of the Basic Legitimation Expectation The admiration that people have for the police in the UK (despite several challenges with minorities, the murder of Sarah Everard by a serving police officer, etc) can be partly attributable to the legacy of Peel, including the foundation he laid concerning how the police should be staffed.

One more thing on recruitment. Public Service Motivation has been extensively studied to establish how it affects organisations, including the security sectors performance. Like other social sciences, the literature is both consistent and varied in many ways, but what experts rarely dispute is the fact that recruitment is essential to organisational development (and I would add their legitimacy). Unless the security agencies, including the police, Armed Forces and so on, attract and retain the right calibre of people, their long-term effect on our national security will be catastrophic. When sham recruitment processes define how we staff our security agencies, it is merely a matter of time before we pay dearly for this.

In the last few days, General Anyidoho (rtd) expressed this concern and what it portends for the countrys security. Many securocrates have highlighted this trepidation also, and such exposes offer opportunity for meaningful reforms, not just lengthy debates.

All the long attention on police recruitment is important because the police are front and centre of any criminal justice system and have an enormous and wide range of discretionary powers that affect almost everyone. In this light, Barley (2006) suggests that the health of a democratic state can be assessed by the quality of its policing; thus, it would be contradictory to say a state is democratic if its policing is characterised by human rights violations, discriminatory practices, (recruitment) corruption and so on. The police, then, are the concrete manifestations of the state, or, as Punch (2010) opines, police officers are state made flesh

They stand out. even among what Michael Lypsky describe as street-level bureaucrats, who have such huge discretionary powers. Added to such powers is the fact that police occupation is one of the most morally challenging fields, replete with ethical dilemmas and the constant temptation/lure of different forms of corruption

In Ghana, various round of Afrobarometer reports shows the police and other state security agencies suffer from a legitimacy deficit or lack of trust and confidence. Such alleged scandals do not help in reversing the perception/trend but only reinforce it. In essence, every aspect of police work must be subject to robust oversight. Left unattended, the organisation can become a beast- and this is why the revelations by the Minister of the Interior must attract public attention and trigger meaningful reforms.

The other issue that was raised by the Minister of Defence, and is of serious concern for national security, is the ammunition that cannot be accounted for. This problem brings me to the broader threats posed by the illicit proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs), their related ammunition and other issues. This is what I will now turn my attention to in the next episode, or part two

Introduction and Context

I touched on some of the security issues that emerged from the revelations by the ministers of the Interior and Defence.

To this end, I provided a brief historical background of police recruitment. Next, I offered some conceptual framework, within which I situated my observations about what the revelations mean for (police) legitimacy in particular, and democratic Security Sector Governance and Reform (SSG/R) more generally. I supported my arguments by drawing on recent findings and past examples from Ghana and elsewhere to illustrate and substantiate them.

In what follows, I attempt to scrutinise what the rest of the revelations around some unaccountable ammunition mean for our national security, but argue from the perspective of the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS) Convention on Small Armed and Light Weapons (SALW) as well as Ghanas role as a potential homegrown model for democratic security governance in Africa. I conclude this piece with some practical and policy suggestions, drawing on my limited experience and modest expertise.

ECOWAS CONVENTION ON SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS (SALW), THEIR AMMUNITION AND OTHER RELATED MATERIALS.

To understand the seriousness and national embarrassment associated with the revelation of the unaccounted ammunition, a brief history of West Africas link to this subject is necessary. Members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have, since the early 1990s, known that the problem of the illicit proliferation of SALW poses an existential threat to peacebuilding and democracy in West Africa (for further details, see Kwesi Aning's articles on this subject). Moreover, that is why ECOWAS mandates its members to set up their small arms commissions. The reason for this is simultaneously simple and complex. The illicit proliferation of SALW, their ammunition and related material has a devastating effect at the regional, national and sub-national levels. It undermines peaceful elections, conflict prevention, peacebuilding, human rights, gender equality and all of the other cardinal principles of liberal democratic governance. In a region where the states are inextricably connected in several ways, security developments in one state affect the others in ways that make the distinctions between state and regional security more superfluous than real.

It was because of the seriousness of the problem that ECOWAS first adopted a voluntary moratorium in 1998 to try to address the problem of illicit proliferation before a more concrete and legally binding convention was adopted. This is the ECOWAS CONVENTION ON SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS, THEIR AMMUNITION AND OTHER RELATED MATERIALS. The problem of the illegal proliferation of these weapons became an even more serious problem following the fall of Gaddafi in Libya, and the associated weapons that flooded the region from the unbridled access to them from state stockpiles in Libya. Added to this already concerning milieu are the activities of bandits and jihadists in the Sahel, who trade in these weapons as though they were toy guns.

As a leading member of the Economic Community of West African States, and a signatory to the ECOWAS CONVENTION ON SMALL ARMS AND LIGHT WEAPONS, THEIR AMMUNITION AND OTHER RELATED MATERIALS, the revelation of what appears as poor stockpile management by the state is embarrassing and at odds with our international credentials. Due to our standing, we always have to demonstrate exceptional stockpile management skills

This is where Ghana, as a leading member of ECOWAS with enviable democratic credentials, needs to set a high standard with regard to her stockpile management. The rising use of such weapons in Ghana, which undermines peace, security and development, means that the state should send a real and symbolic message of its serious intention to deal with the problem of the illicit proliferation of these weapons.

As a member of the team that conducted the first baseline survey of small arms in Ghana, for the Small Arms Commission with funding from UNDP, I speak from the standpoint of one equipped with a modest degree of firsthand experience of the problem.

The illicit proliferation of arms and ammunition emanates from five traditional sources, which are listed in no particular order. These are viz: (1) those smuggled into the country, (2) leakages from state armouries (which were worse during military regimes), (3) leakages from licensed importers, (4) local manufacture and (5) a few smuggled into the country from those who returned from abroad (including from missions).

What this means is that any leakages from the state stockpiles and armouries (no matter how limited, few and far between they may seem) must be prioritised and thoroughly investigated from a national interest perspective that goes beyond party lines. The missing ammunition is antithetical to our admirable credentials and may indicate a far bigger problem of poor stockpile management, which is known to fuel the illicit proliferation of SALW and their related ammunition. We need to pay urgent attention to this and find a solution.

What are some of our options going forward? To progress, we first need to recognise that scandals also incubate embryos of hope and solutions. Let me take a moment to explain what I mean by scandal and reform in the penultimate section below.

Scandals and Reform: Restoring Legitimacy after Scandal(s).

Scandals in the security sector are not new. For instance, regarding the police, Larry Sherman, a leading police scholar, is convinced that scandals are a defining feature of the police, which may precipitate meaningful reforms. Meaningful reform (meaningful underscored) is not the same as lengthy written inquiries that end up sitting on shelves. A testament to how scandals have led to various reforms includes investigative commissions such as (a) the Knapp Commission Report, 1972 (USA), (b) the Mollen Commission, 1994 (USA), and (c) the Wood Commission, 1997 (Australia). These reports have often revealed and highlighted the underlying complexity of such challenges and ultimately how they undermined the legitimacy of (or, in other words, the trust and confidence in) the sector.

Unsurprisingly, in what has been described by criminologists as the legitimacy turn, the element of legitimacy in enhancing the criminal justice system in particular and SSR/G in general has been emphasised several times by systematic studies. From the optical prism of Basic Legitimation Expectation to Tylers procedural justice and Bottom and Tankebes Beyond Procedural Justice, a common thread that runs through their (sometimes opposing) concepts is the issue of legitimacy (or, in other words, trust and confidence issues).

The scandals that we are seeing offer Ghana a unique opportunity to implement meaningful reform because, as stated above, scandals sometimes offer the opportunity for enlightened reforms and/or meaningful transformation.

Let me start concluding my thoughts on how we can turn this alledge scandle into meaningful reform by offering some steps drawn from my modest experience of working on these issues in Ghana and internationally since 1998; as someone who was part of the team from the African Security Dialogue and Research(ASDR) who once taught on the Security Sector Governance and Management course at the Ghana Armed Forces and Commsnd College (GAFCSC) in the late 2000s; as part of the team who conducted the first baslime survey on small arms in Ghana; as one of the few non blacksmiths who set up the first blacksmiths association in Ghana in 2003; as the first head of research at the National Peace Council, Ghana etc..

Conclusion and recommendations

Before I offer some practical and policy suggestions, let me recap my main ideas articulated above. My primary motive in writing this piece is twofold (essentially). (1) To make a modest contribution towards the often neglected but vital need to demystify security and make it interesting and relevant to the ordinary person, and (2) to achieve this by sharing some thoughts intended to further the conversation about democratic security sector governance and reform, and how, through such meaningful discussions and dialogues, we may gradually raise the security sector to a level that is equal to the best principles/practices. Due to its international credentials, the standard for measuring what is expected of Ghana is high (in my opinion). We not only owe it to ourselves to meet this high standard, but we need to do so, too, for Africa, as an example of homegrown pride. So, the following are some nuggets that I think we could ponder when seeking a resilient, effective response to these two (and other related) problems the Ministers had revealed.

First, the problems that these revelations expose cannot solely be placed at the doorstep of the security agencies. It is like dealing with a problem in an ecosystem; solutions must be comprehensive and interlocking. These problems/revelations by the two ministers equally stem from poor accountability mechanisms and a lack of robust oversight on the part of those who have been charged to do so. This includes (but is not limited to) the legislature, the bench, the media and other players with various oversight functions in the sector. Then there is the element of corruption. I think that these revelations are also a problem of CORRUPTION (broadly defined, and a leading national security threat to Ghanas democracy)

Moreover, we need to find novel ways to strengthen the democratic oversight of the sector, including how we can use that to improve the welfare of our officers. In this regard, the old orientation of self-censorship among a wide range of critical players within the sectors oversight structure has sustained this culture of poor oversight. A result is sometimes what we see: highly undemocratic practices that go unchallenged. An enduring example is the lack of accountability after grotesque military brutalities and abuses against civilians (and occasionally the police) that virtually go unpunished (and sometimes justified by politicians when they are in power) and which are self-perpetuating.

Although the immediate revelations focus on how Ghana handles the staffing needs of its security sector as well as how it manages its state stockpiles and in turn contributes towards the regional efforts to address the illicit proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALWs) and their related ammunitions and other related materials, the revelations must lead us to investigate more fully the auditing of our state owned armouries as well. This should not be opened to everyone.

The first meaningful step for reform is to have a genuine bipartisan consensus beginning from Parliament. Such an approach should place the nation ahead of partisan interests and loyalties.

We need to see the problem beyond the limited scope of security and broaden it to include such structural issues as the nature of active partisan politics in Ghana. Additionally, we need meaningful input from both active and retired securocrates and security officers, and other critical stakeholders from both the formal and informal sectors.

One of my major concerns is that, like other such scandals, there will be a lot of talk and visionary ideas, but such highfaluting plans will have very little or no traction on the ground and, in turn leave us  maybe  worse off than at the start because a change of government will also end up making similar claims/allegations.

Let me end with a caution. We can have all the fanciful recommendations on paper, but if corruption is NOT added to the variables, the intended goal will be notoriously elusive. That said, I remain optimistic about Ghana and Africa. It may take time, but we can build a strong continent in the next century, if the Lord tarries.

Recently, Hutchful, Agykeum, and Kunbour (2021) re-echoed the long-standing observations regarding democratic control of the security sector.

These authors assert that:

Beyond the 1992 constitution, the effort to subordinate Ghanas security sector to democratic control would be underpinned by the emerging international and regional discourse of democratic security sector governance, the basic principle of which held that all public institutions providing public goods and services should (without exception) be held to the same standard of accountability. These standards are equally  applicable to the sectors providing security services to the citizens.

I think they knit together my concluding thoughts excellently, and have nothing significant to add to this comment.

A vital caveat before I leave is necessary. If the allegations by the ministers are not entirely accurate or are unfounded, that too has its national security dimension, not least, a reflection of the continued belief among some that regime security outweighs national security (at any cost). A national security interest must transcend party lines and reinforce national cohesion through inclusivity and shared goals.

Each Ghanaian should be interested in contributing towards a more robust democratic oversight of our security sector, and also offer our officers all the needed support and encouragement. But I admit that such revelations reinforce the perception that the problems we face as a country (and as a continent) are both enormous and sometimes discouraging. But I remain optimistic and always encourage myself with this quote from Job 14:7 in the Bible

For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease (KJV).

Email: [email protected]
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Speaking truth to ourselves

Yaw Boadu-Ayeboafoh Thinking Aloud Jul - 24 - 2025 , 07:57 6 minutes read

Sometimes, when we observe certain developments that irritate us, we should be able to speak out so that we exorcise ourselves of every irritation.

But, unless we all come to the same understanding to commit to principles but analyse issues from any other consideration, be it political, social, religious, ethnic or sexual, we would always lack consensus to promote a national interest.

The story about some supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Assin North District breaking into the offices of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), because the Deputy, not the constituency youth organiser of the party, had been appointed as the District Coordinator of the YEA, is not only sickening, but alarmingly disturbing.

If a matter between the two key leaders of the youth wing of the NDC could so incense some of the members to resort to impunity, with the tacit support of the beneficiary, and put him into occupation of the office to push out the deputy youth organiser, who has occupied the position since the government took control of national affairs in January this year, then it defies order and due process.

It is a shame that the police and party officials in the constituency stood and stared to acquiesce to the lawless act.

If it had been an opposition element, no one could have conjectured what the irate youth might have done.

Submission

That is why it is my submission that the national leadership of the YEA must immediately tell Ghanaians which of them has been formally appointed to the position, whether appointment letters have been issued to both of them and their terms of engagement.

Thereafter, those engaged in the lawless act and the constituency leader, the beneficiary of the criminal act, must be dealt with according to the law and due process. They must not be left untouched for their roles in the bestiality.

The youth could openly and brazenly show their angst because we have, throughout our independence, and especially in the lives of governments under the Fourth Republic, failed to distinguish between public office and political office or the state and government.

We, thus, falsely assume and live with the misguided, illiterate and misconceived notion that every state property belongs to the government and that all officers paid by the state are employees of the government in power.

We have had clashes between supporters and activists of political parties from the days of the Convention Peoples Party, under President Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, the Progress Party under Prime Minister Kofi Abrefa Busia and the People's National Party of President Hilla Liman.

Under the Fourth Republic, the incident has intensified and become more diffused in the alternating governments of the NDC and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) as to who gets appointed into which public office or who controls which state assets, including public toilets and tollbooths, after general elections.

This might have prompted the Presidential Transition Act to provide a list of officials who work for the state but are considered political office holders, who must come and go with the government.

But with all due respect and deference, the whole gamut of political leaders, from the President, through ministers and all political office holders, are employees of the state paid monthly salaries, but who hold office at the pleasure of the President.

They do not have to compete with anybody as long as the President appoints them. Beyond that, the President or government does not own any public institution, for which only party activists and supporters are to be offered an unconditional promise of employment.

Whilst appointments into any public service, under Article 195(1) shall vest in the President, he must act "in accordance with the advice of the governing council of the service concerned, given in consultation with the Public Services Commission".

Further, Article 196 gives the Public Services Commission the power to appoint, promote, set standards and guidelines on the terms and conditions of employment of public servants, which include qualifications for employment in the public services.



Article

Concomitantly, Article 198 guarantees the independence of the Public Services Commission, stating that "Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution or any other law not inconsistent with this Constitution, the Public Services Commission shall not be subject to the control or direction of any person or authority in the performance of its functions.

Accordingly, apart from political office holders, any promise of unconditional assurance of employment into a specific Public Service is unlawful, because it is discriminatory and offends the spirit and letter of Article 17(2), which provides that "A person shall not be discriminated against on grounds of gender, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed or economic status" and it is discriminatory because the Constitution provides under Article 17(3) that "For the purposes of this article, 'discriminate' means to give different treatment to different persons attributable only or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, place of origin, political opinion, colour, gender, occupation, religion or creed, whereby persons of one description are subjected to disabilities or restrictions to which persons of another description are not made subject or are granted privileges or advantages which are not granted to persons of another description".

To assume, therefore, that because a political party is in power, its officials at certain levels are entitled to certain public offices automatically beguiles understanding.

Associated with such a de facto practice is that public funds would indirectly be used to support political party structures, which, even if not unlawful, cannot be justified.

It is, thus, unfortunate, assuming that the NDC promised and assured certain party officials of unconditional employment, that the unconstitutional act must be exposed with unjustifiable anger, in the midst of violence.

I have a solemn confession on this matter because I lost the friendship of a very good and sincere friend and politician when I criticised the appointment of Mr Huudu Yahya, when as Secretary for the Committees for the Defence of the Revolution, to simultaneously serve as General Secretary of the party.

I used my column then to suggest that the appointment was unjustified, even if not unlawful, because it sought to apply national resources to build a political party.

I still hold that position and think that it is unjust and unethical to place political party office holders in public offices and pay them whilst their loyalty is divided between the state and their party.

Such party officials who want to serve the state must resign from their party positions and compete with others for appointment into such public or state institutions for total allegiance.

We should never promote and protect the indiscreet application of state resources to build a political party, even under state sponsorship of political parties.
Greater investment needed in TVET

Joyce Awuni Education Jul - 24 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training Service (TVETS) has launched the National TVET Week, which formed part of this years World Youth Skills Day.

The launch, which was held on the theme: Youth empowerment through AI and digitisation, came with a call for greater investment in technical and vocational education to empower the youth and prepare them for opportunities in the digital economy.

That is to position the country to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving, technology-driven global workforce.

Skills training reforms

At the event, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, said the time had come for the country to move away from theory-based education to practical, skill-oriented training that created jobs.

The audience at the event

He stressed that TVET was no longer a second option but an essential pathway for national growth and youth employment.

Mr Iddrisu emphasised that emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and data analytics were changing the nature of work globally, and Ghanas TVET system must be restructured to meet future demands.

He said the Ministry of Education had already initiated a curriculum review to include AI, coding, robotics and electronics from the kindergarten level.

The minister further revealed that the Italian government had provided Ghana with a 5 million grant to support TVET infrastructure and training and assured students of the Accra Technical Training Centre (ATTC) that they would benefit from the fund through the provision of tools and equipment.

He said to ensure sustainable funding for TVET, they would create a dedicated TVET Fund, where 2.5 per cent of the countrys national revenue or oil income would be allocated to supporting apprenticeship and technical skills programmes.

Also speaking at the event, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Naa Oye Bampoe Addo, challenged the youth to take advantage of digital opportunities and become the leaders in Ghanas transformation.

She encouraged them to move from simply consuming digital content to building technology-driven solutions that addressed national needs.

Ms Bampoe Addo emphasised that TVET must be made accessible to all, including girls, persons with disabilities, and young people in rural areas.

She called for stronger collaboration between the government, industry, academia and communities to improve the perception and delivery of technical education in Ghana.

The Deputy Chief of Staff revealed that the global TVET market, which was valued at $679 billion in 2023, was projected to reach $1.43 trillion by 2030, and Ghanaian youth must position themselves to benefit from the growing economy.

EU reaffirms commitment

The Deputy European Union (EU) Ambassador to Ghana, Jonas Claes, reaffirmed the EUs commitment to supporting skills development, TVET in Ghana.

He emphasised that empowering the Ghanaian youth with practical, future-ready skills remained a top priority for the EU.
Featured

Acting Forestry Commission CEO sues Abronye DC for GH20m in defamation claim

GraphicOnline Jul - 23 - 2025 , 21:34 3 minutes read

Hugh Clement A. Brown, the acting Chief Executive Officer of Ghanas Forestry Commission, has filed a defamation suit against Kwame Baffoe widely known as Abronye DC, a prominent opposition figure and Bono Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party, seeking GH20 million in damages.

The suit, filed at the High Court in Accra follows allegations made by Baffoe in a broadcast aired online on July 10, 2025.

Baffoe accused Brown of forging official documents and unlawfully authorising the sale of portions of Ghanas forest reserves while falsely backdating letters to implicate the previous administration.

In his statement of claim, Brown contends that the assertions made on OHIA TVs programme - The Evidence by Baffoe were not only false but calculated to damage his hard-earned reputation, both locally and internationally.

He is demanding GH15 million in general damages for libel, GH5 million in exemplary damages, and a series of public apologies and retractions to be broadcast and published across major television networks and newspapers. The statements were made maliciously and without any factual basis, Mr. Browns legal team wrote, adding that the televised accusations implied that their client is an embezzler, a dishonest and fraudulent person, and a thief.

Mr. Brown, a trained forester with a PhD in Tropical Forest Ecology, has worked at the Commission since 1993 and has held senior roles including Director of Operations and Executive Director of the Forest Services Division. He was appointed acting Chief Executive in January 2025.

In the 20-minute broadcast of the online television Ohia TV, Kwame Baffoe alleged that Brown had issued official documents in mid-2024before his appointmentto facilitate payments from mining companies for forest entry permits. The documents were said to have been dated June and May 2024 and bore Browns signature as Acting Chief Executive.

Mr. Baffoe claimed that these actions were part of a broader strategy to tarnish the image of the previous NPP-led administration by linking it to illegal mining deals. If you backdate a letter to make it look like these events happened under the NPP regime, then you are engaging in forgery, Mr. Baffoe said during the broadcast. He further alleged that Mr. Brown had collected payments through unofficial means and diverted proceeds from forest reserves into private hands.

The plaintiff disputes all these claims, asserting that at the time the documents were allegedly signed, he had not yet assumed the position of Acting CEO. He also dismissed the suggestion that he had tried to frame the NPP by backdating permits or making any financial irregularities.

As part of his reliefs, Mr. Brown is requesting six televised apologies from Baffoe to be aired on national channels including GTV, TV3, Joy TV, and OHIA TV, as well as printed retractions in the Daily Graphic over four consecutive weeks. He is also asking for a formal apology to be posted on all OHIA TV digital platforms.
Featured

Cyber fraud and trafficking ring busted at McCarthy Hills; 50 Nigerians, landlord arrested

Graphic.com.gh Jul - 24 - 2025 , 11:20 2 minutes read

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has arrested about 50 Nigerian nationals, including a landlord, during a dawn operation at McCarthy Hills in the Ga South Municipality of Accra over alleged involvement in cybercrime and human trafficking.

The operation took place on Thursday, July 24, 2025, following intelligence reports that some foreign nationals were unlawfully residing in the area and may have been trafficked into the country and forced into online fraud.

This operation follows intelligence gathered on the illegal stay of some foreign nationals in the area, some of whom were trafficked into the country and forced into cyber fraud by their facilitators, said Assistant Commissioner of Immigration M. Amoako-Atta, Head of Public Affairs of the GIS in a statement.

The raid, carried out in coordination with other national security agencies, resulted in the arrest of dozens of individuals and the landlord of the property believed to have been used for the alleged activities.

Mr Amoako-Atta said further investigations are ongoing, and the suspects are being screened, and updates would be shared as the situation develops.

The McCarthy Hills operation follows recent arrests involving cybercrime and trafficking networks operating in residential communities in Accra.

In April 2025, a joint team from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Ghana Police Service, and other security agencies arrested 219 foreign nationals, including minors, during a raid at Oyarifa in the Ga East Municipality.

That operation uncovered a large-scale cyber fraud and trafficking syndicate.
Next article: Finance Minister reflects on progress ahead of 2025 Mid-Year Budget presentation today

Featured

Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings calls on Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II

Graphic.com.gh Jul - 24 - 2025 , 10:52 1 minute read

The Member of Parliament for Klottey-Korle in Accra, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, on Wednesday called on the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, at the Manhyia Palace in Kumasi.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings, who chairs Parliaments Committee on Defence and Interior, said the visit was part of ongoing engagements with key national figures.

She acknowledged the guidance of the Asantehene, whom she described as a source of wisdom and stability, and briefed him on matters relating to the countrys security situation, particularly in areas affected by longstanding conflict.

According to her, the discussions centred on the well-being of communities impacted by insecurity and the need to pursue lasting peace through traditional mechanisms and dialogue.

Otumfuo Osei Tutu, who has played a long-standing role in peacebuilding across the country, encouraged continued efforts to address disputes through culturally appropriate solutions.

He stressed the importance of unity and traditional leadership in fostering national cohesion.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings, is also a member of Ghanas delegation to the Pan-African Parliament
Featured

Finance Minister lists 24 projects earmarked for completion by 2028

Mohammed Ali Jul - 24 - 2025 , 16:38 3 minutes read

The Ministry of Finance has listed 24 stalled infrastructure projects as national priorities, with a target to complete them by the end of 2028.

Presenting the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 24, 2025, the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson said the selected projects span key sectors including roads, health, education, markets, and water systems.

They include Phase One of the Tema-Aflao Road reconstruction, Phase Two of the Obetsebi-Lamptey Interchange, Kumasi roads and drainage works, and the PTC Roundabout Interchange in Takoradi.

Others are the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital expansion, Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, Efia Nkwanta Hospital in Takoradi, Wenchi and Sekondi-Takoradi water projects, 14 pedestrian bridges, and Phase Two of the Kumasi Central Market.

The government has also prioritised nine technical and vocational training centres, the establishment of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development at Bosu, and the rollout of e-learning laboratories for senior high schools.

Dr Forson said the projects were selected based on progress already made, explaining that only those more than 70 per cent complete were included to ensure timely delivery and efficient use of resources.

These are not new projects. We are committed to completing what we have already started, Dr Forson told Parliament. There is no room for an increase in scope for any of the projects on the priority list.

The announcement follows Ghanas agreement with the International Monetary Fund and the Official Creditors Committee, which places annual limits on disbursements for externally funded projects. The ceiling forms part of the countrys ongoing debt restructuring and economic recovery efforts.

Dr Forson cautioned implementing agencies and contractors against submitting inflated claims or introducing unauthorised variations.

It has come to our attention that some contractors have drawn down on loans without matching the value of work done, he said. Others have submitted additional costs in excess of what was approved by Parliament. The Ministry has therefore commissioned a forensic audit, led by the Auditor-General and supported by one of the Big Four audit firms.

For communities awaiting the resumption of these projects, the announcement provides a timeline and a renewed sense of urgency. Dr Forson emphasised that financial discipline will be strictly enforced to ensure value for money and avoid further delays.

With work expected to resume on these long-stalled projects, many of which were disrupted following Ghanas external debt default in 2022, the government hopes to restore public confidence in infrastructure delivery, support job creation, and improve access to basic services.

This is about finishing what we started and doing so transparently and within our means, Dr Forson said
Engage embassies directly for travel safety, security - Ablakwa advises Ghanaians

Dickson Kwame Worlanyo Dotse Jul - 24 - 2025 , 09:57 4 minutes read

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has urged Ghanaians, particularly the youth, to avoid dealing with middlemen acting as travel agents and instead to engage directly with embassies and high commissions when seeking to travel abroad.

He explained that many unwary individuals had become victims of elaborate trafficking rings disguised as job offers and visa processing help, especially by operatives of Questnet International.

The minister gave the advice yesterday when he appeared on the floor of Parliament to answer urgent questions about a syndicate trafficking Ghanaians to neighbouring countries, promising onward travel to mainly European nations. Victims are often lured by promises of jobs in France, Canada or Belgium.

However, the supposed transit country in the case of Cote d'Ivoire eventually becomes the final destination for the victims, where they are held captive in isolated locations and forced to lure their relatives and close friends as new victims into the criminal network, he said.

Figures

The Minister, also the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu revealed that the Ghana Embassy in Abidjan estimates over 500 Ghanaians, aged between 20 and 40, are being held in such conditions across Cote dIvoire.

He further stated that between 2021 and mid-2025, approximately 230 victims had been rescued, with over 30 repatriated between January and March this year alone.

He assured Parliament that the countrys missions abroad were working with Interpol, Ivorian authorities and Ghanaian communities to identify and rescue victims.

Our mission in Nigeria, Mr Speaker, has recently rescued and repatriated 202 Ghanaians, 78 through the Abuja Mission and 124 through the Lagos Mission, he added.

In addition to diplomatic and security efforts, Mr Ablakwa called for intensified public education.

Mr Speaker, we must intensify public education and awareness campaigns. I especially want to appeal to the National Commission on Civic Education (NCCE) to help us inform our fellow citizens to avoid these schemes. Nobody can assist you in travelling abroad unless the person is a recognised embassy official working in a consular department that issues visas, he said.

The minister also revealed that the ministry would launch a nationwide awareness campaign on regular migration and human trafficking by September, and was negotiating labour agreements with countries such as Kuwait, Italy, Germany and Qatar to provide legitimate job opportunities abroad.

Reverse situation

In response to a question from the MP for Kwabre East Akwasi Gyamfi Onyina-Acheampong about foreigners, especially Gambians, being scammed and brought into the country under false pretences, Mr Ablakwa acknowledged the growing concern and assured that the government was taking the issue seriously.

He explained that the trafficking situation was now a two-way affair, with not only Ghanaians being trafficked abroad, but also foreign nationals being lured into Ghana.

The North Tongu legislator revealed that a national inter-agency committee, including the Immigration Service, National Security, Interpol and other stakeholders, was actively monitoring the situation.

He emphasised the urgent need to take control of the situation to prevent these vulnerable individuals from being recruited into extremist groups out of desperation.

The minister urged MPs and local leaders to quickly notify security agencies when such cases occur, to assist in capturing the perpetrators, especially the masterminds behind the schemes, who keep escaping arrest.

Believe in Ghana

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration encouraged Ghanaians, especially young people, to trust in creating a future at home rather than falling for dishonest overseas travel schemes.

He questioned the logic of selling valuable assets or borrowing large sums  ranging from GH80,000 to GH150,000  only to hand them over to scammers who ultimately subject victims to kidnapping and exploitation abroad. He stressed that such amounts could instead be invested in starting businesses locally.

Lets believe that we can make it here, the minister encouraged, emphasising that many foreigners arrive in the country with far less yet manage to establish thriving companies that employ locals.
Featured

Govt to introduce new Anti-Witchcraft Bill in Parliament

Samuel Duodu Jul - 24 - 2025 , 07:23 4 minutes read

The government will introduce a new Anti-Witchcraft Accusation Bill after the earlier one passed by the eighth Parliament had expired with the life of the previous Parliament without a Presidential assent.

Currently, the Ministry for Gender, Children and Social Protection is collaborating with the Office of the Attorney-General to reintroduce the Bill in Parliament.

The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, announced this yesterday at a lecture to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the late Akua Denteh, who was lynched at Kafaba in the East Gonja Municipality of the Savannah Region on July 23, 2020, on witchcraft accusations.

The last Parliament passed the bill on July 28, 2023, three years after Akua Denteh was lynched.

The bill, which aimed to criminalise witchcraft accusations and protect vulnerable individuals, particularly elderly women, has been a topic of discussion for some time.

The last Parliament passed the Bill in July 2023, but it was not assented to by the then President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, due to the potential financial implications on the countrys consolidated fund.

The Vice-President, represented at the lecture by the Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Krowor in the Greater Accra Region, said President John Dramani Mahama was ready to sign the new bill into law when it was passed by Parliament.

She added that the government was comfortable in sponsoring the bill to Parliament rather than having it as a Private Members Bill (PMB).

Assurance

As the Vice-President of the Republic of Ghana, as a mother, and as a woman who understands the unique vulnerabilities of women, I stand here today to make an unequivocal commitment.

The Anti-Witchcraft Accusation Bill represents hope, but hope without action remains merely an aspiration.

We must ensure this legislation is passed, signed into law, and fully and rigorously enforced, she said.

She said the time for symbolic justice and empty promises had passed and that the time for decisive action was now.

Together, we can build a Ghana where no woman fears for her life simply because she is old, vulnerable, or different.

Together, we can ensure that the name Denteh is remembered not only for the tragedy of her death, but for the transformation it inspired in our nation's commitment to protecting all our citizens.

And this is in the spirit of leaving no one behind.

Together, we believe strongly this can be achieved.

And when it is passed, it will be our collective victory over the dark world of witchcraft and accusation, the Vice-President said.

Sponsors

The NDC MP for Madina, Francis Xavier Sosu, and other MPs who sponsored the previous bill said they were working with the government to reintroduce the bill to be passed under a certificate of urgency.

Apart from what is before Parliament as a private bill, we are working with the Minister of Gender and the Attorney-General so that the memorandum can be sent to Cabinet for approval and then taken under a certificate of urgency, Mr Sosu said.

The event, which was held on the theme: Witchcraft Accusation Destroys More Than Lives, and organised by ActionAid Ghana and its partners, including Songtaba and Sanneh Institute, also recommended immediate action for the bill to be passed to end witchcraft accusation in the country.

The event brought together over 250 participants, including survivors of witchcraft accusations, family members, traditional leaders, legal experts, government representatives, students, the media, and social activists.

Mahama Salami, the first son of the late Akua Denteh, said the family was at peace now after justice was served for their late mother, and added his voice to the call for the Anti-Witchcraft Bill to be passed into law.

The Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Joseph Whittal, called on the government to fast-track action to pass the bill into law without any further delay.

Akua Denteh was lynched on July 23, 2020, at Kafaba, exactly five years ago yesterday, after a traditional priestess pronounced her a witch following a trial by ordeal.

The Tamale High Court, in 2023, sentenced two persons to 12 years imprisonment for their involvement in the murder of the 90-year-old.

The convicts are Hajia Serina Mohammed and Latifa Bumaye.
Featured

KATH CEO courts BoG support for retooling of hospital

Daily Graphic Jul - 24 - 2025 , 05:57 2 minutes read

The Chief Executive Officer of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), Dr (Med) Paa Kwesi Baidoo, has appealed to the Bank of Ghana (BoG) for support towards the hospitals retooling.

He said the hospitals delivery of cutting-edge services had been hampered by the obsolete nature of some existing equipment and the absence of other critical facilities.

"Currently, most of the critical equipment such as CT scans, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Fluoroscopy, oxygen plants and central sterilisation units are either down or functioning with faults.

Vital equipment such as a Catheterisation Laboratory (CATHLAB) and Mammogram are also not available at all, he said.

Dr Baidoo said that since the government alone could not provide the needed funds to address the challenges, it was appealing to corporate bodies such as the Bank of Ghana to assist with the procurement of life-saving equipment to enable the hospital to provide the best of specialist services to the public.

He made the appeal during a meeting with the Governor of the BoG, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama and his management team at the banks headquarters in Accra.

The engagement formed part of ongoing efforts by the CEO to rally state and corporate support to help address the hospitals equipment and infrastructure deficit.

KATH

KATH, which serves as a major referral facility, receives cases from 12 out of the 16 regions due to its strategic location and wide range of specialist services.

Despite its critical role and skilled workforce, the hospital lacks the requisite stock of medical equipment and infrastructure for comprehensive specialist and sub-specialist care.

Pledge

Dr Asiama acknowledged the importance of KATH in the national healthcare delivery system.

He pledged that the bank would give serious consideration to the request.

Dr Asiama said management of the bank would review the list of critical equipment submitted and take a firm decision on possible support to enable the hospital improve its services to the public.
Featured

Mahama Cares Fund gets green light from Parliament

Daily Graphic Jul - 24 - 2025 , 06:57 3 minutes read

The Ghana Medical Trust Fund, nicknamed Mahama Cares Programme, has been given legal backing after Parliament passed the bill last Tuesday.

The bill, passed under a certificate of urgency, followed the presentation of the report from the Health Committee to the House.

It will be financed by 20 per cent of the total funds from the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). It will support patients with non-communicable diseases such as cancer, kidney failure, diabetes and the effects of hypertension.

Health Committee

Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Health Committee, Nawaane Kurt Mark, noted that the purpose of the bill is to establish the Ghana Medical Trust Fund to mobilise resources to finance and support the provision of specialised medical care for the treatment of persons with chronic diseases and to provide for the management of the fund.

He added that the government had identified key challenges and gaps in the country's access to specialised medical care. These challenges include the concentration of specialist services in urban areas, limited diagnostic equipment, inadequate data systems and the high cost of treating chronic diseases, often resulting in catastrophic household expenditure.

He highlighted that households with patients suffering from chronic diseases face a risk of falling into poverty within five years of diagnosis.

"The bill, therefore, seeks to provide statutory backing for the Ghana Medical Trust Fund and set out the arrangements for management of the fund," he stated.

Health Minister

The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, was on hand to suggest proposed clauses to amend the Bill during the consideration stages before its passage.

He said there was nothing wrong with redirecting 20 per cent of the NHIF to support the trust fund.

He further stated that the government had ring-fenced GH1.5 billion from the NHIF formula to be used as seed capital for the operationalisation of the Trust Fund.

He said 43 per cent of the mortality in Ghana resulted from NCDs; thus, the operationalisation of Mahamacare would provide some relief to NCD patients and some financial relief to families.

The minister commended corporate organisations and individuals who contributed to the trust fund and urged all well-meaning individuals and organisations to donate to support the fund.

The Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan, Professor Grace Ayensu-Danquah, in her submission to support the bill, stated that the Medical Trust Fund legislation was crucial because it aligned with the governments plans to deliver quality healthcare to patients affected by NCDs.

Prof. Ayensu-Danquah, who is the Deputy Minister of Health designate, said not only was the decision by the government in harmony with the United Nations Universal Health Coverage, but it would also help address the countrys 40 per cent mortality rate, which was caused by chronic diseases and required urgent action to tackle.

Minority

While the Minority were not against the bill's passage, they opposed how the government intended to fund the trust, saying the intention to redirect 20 per cent of the NHIF would collapse the health scheme.

The NPP Member of Parliament for Effiduase/ Asokore, Dr Nana Ayew Afriyie, who is also the Ranking Member on the Health Committee of Parliament, urged the government to find more innovative ways to support the trust fund.

Taking monies from the NHIF implies that the Medical Trust Fund is competing with the National Health Insurance Scheme and this is not sustainable, Dr Afriyie stated.
Featured

Stop funding foreign degrees; Channel money into local universities - Pro.Awandare advocates

Augustina Tawiah Jul - 24 - 2025 , 12:57 5 minutes read

Government should stop paying hundreds of thousands of dollars as scholarships for students to study in universities abroad, the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs of the University of Ghana (UG), Professor Gordon Awandare, has said.

Instead, he said those funds should be rechannelled into the local universities which had better systems for identifying good and needy students to disburse those funds to them.

Prof. Awandare said this at the ninth in the series of a research conference organised by the West African Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) of the University of Ghana yesterday.

Started in 2016, the research conference is a forum for fellows to share their research works, build partnerships and engage with policymakers.

This years conference, which was on the theme: Evolving African Science from Capacity Building to Discovery and Impact, attracted over 600 participants.

Recall

It will be recalled that in his national address on Wednesday, May 7, President John Dramani Mahama reaffirmed his governments intention to introduce a legislation aimed at reforming the administration of government scholarships and barring political appointees from benefiting from them.

The move, he explained, was designed to eliminate political patronage and reduce corruption in the scholarship system, ensuring that opportunities were offered based on merit and genuine need.

The role of universities

"It doesn't make any sense.

The process has been corrupted and it's led to political favouritism and all that.

The universities have the best systems for identifying the most deserving students to award.

Why do we have bureaucrats awarding scholarships? Why is it in the hands of politicians? It's pointless.

I think these things need to stop.

The universities have the systems for this.

This is our business," Professor Awandare said of the scholarship programme, adding that if the government will commit to giving each university in the country a certain number of scholarships and allow us to use our systems to identify the students who are best placed to benefit from those, that would be good."

Besides, he added that the practice of sending people overseas to study on scholarship was instituted at a time the country did not have sufficient capacity to train the necessary manpower locally, but now the country had gone way beyond that.

Currently, we have about 16 public universities. Many of them are well established and competitive globally, providing training that is comparable to what you get in many developed countries, he said.

Centres of Excellence

Related to this, he said, were the World Bank African Centres of Excellence that were specifically set up in universities in Africa, including Ghana, to provide specialised training in areas that African governments deemed had gaps that needed to be filled in terms of manpower capacity.

Mentioning such centres to include basic science, mathematics, computer engineering and science, he questioned the justification in still awarding scholarships to people to study overseas after millions of dollars had been spent on those centres to build capacities locally.

He expressed the hope that the Scholarship Authority Bill that was currently before parliament would take on board some of these suggestions.

He also urged the government to take urgent steps to release those funds that were committed to the centres of excellence to allow them to continue operating.

On research funding in Africa, Prof. Awandare, who is also the Director of WACCBIP, said the cuts in funding by the American government, which had created global uncertainty in terms of science promotion and funding for science, was a reminder to African governments to re-prioritise their expenditure to support science and research, adding that all nations that had developed quickly were led by science and innovation.

Speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor of the UG, the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Development, Professor Felix Ankomah Asante, who opened the conference, said the recently released Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Ranking, which ranked the UG as the first in Ghana, second in West Africa and 187th in the world, out of 700 universities, confirmed the universitys growing footprint and commitment to solving complex societal challenges through innovative and cross-disciplinary research.

He said that success story could not be achieved without the impact of centres such as WACCBIP, adding that the universitys commitment to impactful research thrived on collaboration between academia and industry, government and African institutions and their global counterparts.

Research

The Provost of the College of Basic and Applied Sciences, Prof. Sandow Mark Yidana, said the millions of challenges confronting the world could only be addressed through cutting-edge research.

He, therefore, urged governments in Africa, including Ghana, to invest more in research.

The President of the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences, Emerita Professor Isabella Quakyi, said African institutions were witnessing a generation of African scientists who were not just participating in global sciences but were leading it.

She said from genomics to vaccine research, African-led research was unearthing solutions that were not only globally relevant but locally grounded.

We are showing the world that the next scientific breakthroughs can and will emerge from Africa  Accra, Nairobi, Dakar, and beyond, she added.
Featured

Supreme Court rules in favour of Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru II

Justice Agbenorsi Jul - 24 - 2025 , 07:57 5 minutes read

The Supreme Court has quashed the order directed at the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi to restore Nii Tackie Adama Latse II onto the national register of chiefs as the Ga Mantse.

In a ruling yesterday, a five-member panel of the apex court which had Justice Gabriel Scott Pwamang as its president, was of the view that before making the order to restore Nii Latse IIs name onto the register, the Kumasi High Court Judge, Justice Frederick Tetteh, did not give Nii Tackie Teiko a notice and hearing, thereby violating the rule of natural justice.

This comes after the apex court upheld a certiorari application filed by counsel for Nii Tackie Teiko Tsuru, Professor Peter A. Atupare.

The court said that the High Court did not afford Nii Tackie Tsuru his constitutional right to be heard in proceedings that directly affected his rights and interests as Ga Mantse.

Appeal

On June 12, this year, the Court of Appeal ordered the National House of Chiefs to restore Nii Adama Latse onto the national register of chiefs as the Ga Mantse (the Paramount Chief of the Ga State) within 14 days.

That was after it upheld a High Court ruling, which first gave the order in November 2021.

In its unanimous decision, the three-member panel of the second-highest court of the land held that the National House of Chiefs removed Nii Adama Latses name from the register without any evidence that he had been validly destooled, a prerequisite for removing a chiefs name from the national register, neither was there any evidence that he was dead, had been deposed or had abdicated or that an adjudicatory body had ordered the removal of his name.

Background

In April 2021, Nii Adama Latse learnt that his name had been expunged from the National Register.

To ascertain his status, counsel for Nii Adama Latse applied for a search with the National House of Chiefs, Kumasi, which confirmed that, indeed, his name had been expunged.

He then instructed his lawyer to write a letter of objection, demanding the restoration of his name in the register by April 27, 2021, but the National House of Chiefs, Kumasi, refused.

Following this, Nii Adama Latse, whose name was originally part of the register after submitting his enstoolment form from the Ga Traditional Council, filed a motion in a form of a judicial review at the High Court in Kumasi, seeking an order directed at the National House of Chiefs, Kumasi to restore his name onto the register as the Ga Mantse.

The relief was granted by the High Court. Dissatisfied with the ruling, the National House of Chiefs, Kumasi, went to the Court of Appeal to challenge the High Court ruling, which ordered the restoration of Nii Adama Latses name in the register.

Their argument was that the High Court was not the proper forum to seek a judicial review; hence, it was not clothed with the jurisdiction to hear the matter.

That appeal was dismissed by the Court of Appeal, affirming the High Courts order for Nii Adama Latses name to be restored.

Reaction

By a press statement issued on June 13, 2025, the Office of King Tackie Teiko Tsuru refuted claims that the ruling confers chieftaincy legitimacy on Nii Adama Latse.

It emphasised that the judiciary did not have jurisdiction to determine matters affecting chieftaincy titles, which were the exclusive purview of the Judicial Committees of the Traditional Councils and the Regional and National Houses of Chiefs.

The court merely upheld an administrative order  specifically, an order of mandamus compelling the National House of Chiefs to follow due legal process in maintaining or removing names from the National Register, it said.

It added that the substantive matter regarding who rightfully occupies the Ga Mantse Stool remains unresolved and was still pending before the Judicial Committee of the Greater Accra Regional House of Chiefs.

Certiorari

Nii Tackie Teiko then went to the Supreme Court for an order of certiorari directed at the National House of Chiefs in Kumasi to restore Nii Adama Latse II onto the national register of chiefs as the Ga Mantse.

In a certiorari application, Nii Teiko Tsuru also prayed the apex court to set aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which upheld the High Courts ruling, which first gave the order in November 2021 for Nii Adama Latses name to be restored in the register.

The motion, which was filed by counsel for the Ga Mantse, Professor Peter A. Atupare, argued that the High Court judge, Justice Frederick Tetteh, before ordering the restoration of Nii Adama Latses name, did not give Nii Tackie Teiko a notice and hearing, thereby violating the rule of natural justice.

The High Court, it said, failed to afford Nii Tackie Teko his constitutional right to be heard in proceedings that directly affected his rights and interests as Ga Mantse.

In addition to this, counsel argued that the Court of Appeal, which had Justices Georgina Mensah-Datsa, Eric Baah and Kwamina Baiden on its panel, committed an error of law when it upheld the ruling of the High Court despite the lower court lacking the jurisdictional basis to reach the said conclusions.

It is this application that has been upheld by the apex court.
Featured

NIB now has total paid up capital of GH3.4bn  Finance Minister

Mohammed Ali Jul - 24 - 2025 , 15:41 2 minutes read

The National Investment Bank (NIB) has been recapitalised and is now operating with a capital adequacy ratio of 23 per cent, the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has said.

He said this during the presentation of the 2025 Mid Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 24, 2025.

Dr Forson said the state-owned bank had been brought back from the brink through a government-led restructuring package that included a GH450 million cash injection, GH1.5 billion in bonds, and the transfer of GH500 million worth of government shares in Nestle Ghana Limited to the bank. The combined measures have increased NIBs total paid-up capital to GH3.4 billion.

Mr Speaker, by taking these major steps, we have preserved depositors funds valued at GH6.4 billion. We have also saved over 900 direct jobs at the National Investment Bank. More importantly, we have preserved an indigenous Ghanaian bank, Dr Forson said.

NIB has experienced persistent losses, high levels of non-performing loans, and internal control weaknesses, which contributed to a steady decline in its financial position. By June 2024, its capital adequacy ratio had dropped to minus 53.13 per cent, well below the Bank of Ghanas regulatory minimum of 13 per cent. The bank also fell short of several prudential requirements and relied on short-term liquidity support to sustain operations.

Although NIB was not included in the earlier domestic banking sector clean-up between 2017 and 2019, calls for its closure intensified after independent audits flagged solvency risks and questioned its long-term viability. At one point, the Bank of Ghana had warned that without urgent capital support, the bank risked being wound down.

Dr Forson said the new recapitalisation programme is backed by a restructuring plan focused on corporate governance reforms, risk management improvements, and eventual listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange.

We chose to spend to save a bank, rather than spend to collapse a bank, he told the House, in reference to the decision to support NIB instead of allowing it to fail.

He added that the government remains committed to protecting public funds and maintaining trust in state-owned financial institutions.

The Minister urged the public to renew confidence in the bank. NIB is now liquid. NIB is now safe. NIB is fully capitalised. We therefore encourage all and sundry to do business with a revitalised National Investment Bank.

The governments intervention forms part of broader efforts to restore stability in the financial sector and rebuild confidence in indigenous banks following years of sector-wide turbulence.
Next article: Government to scrap COVID levy, review VAT to ease pressure on small businessesDr Ato Forson

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Government injects GH450 million into National Investment Bank to restore profitability, sustainability  Ato Forson

Beatrice Laryea Jul - 24 - 2025 , 16:05 3 minutes read

The government has injected GH450 million into the National Investment Bank (NIB) as part of a broader recapitalization effort aimed at restoring the bank's profitability and sustainability, Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has stated.

He made this announcement during the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget in Parliament on Thursday, July 24, 2025.

Dr Ato Forson mentioned that the NIB was left in a severely distressed state by the previous administration, with a capital adequacy ratio of -53.13 per cent as of June 2024.

However to turn things around, the government:

Injected GH450 million in cash

Issued GH1.5 billion in bonds to the bank

Transferred GH500 million worth of Government shares in Nestle Ghana Ltd. to NIB

These measures, he said improved the banks capital adequacy ratio to +23 per cent by May 2025, preserved GH6.4 billion in depositor funds, saved over 900 jobs, and stabilized one of Ghanas key indigenous banks.

Read his statement on NIB below:

Mr Speaker, you may recall that I updated this house during the 2025 budget presentation on the restructuring and recapitalization of the National Investment Bank, our NIB, as one of the critical reforms in the financial sector that should have been delivered in 2024. Unfortunately,

Mr Speaker, after spending a whopping 30.3 billion in the so-called financial sector cleanup exercise, the previous NPP administration left NIB in dire straits, with a capital adequacy ratio of a negative 53.13 per cent by end of June 2024.

Mr Speaker, we have successfully, Right Honorable Speaker, President Mahama and the NDC have successfully recapitalized the National Investment Bank by implementing an ambitious and credible plan to return NIB to profitability and sustainability.

Mr Speaker, we have taken the following steps. Right Honorable Speaker, we have injected a total cash of 450 million Ghana cedis. Mr. Speaker, we also issued remarkable bonds with face value of 1.5 billion Ghana cedis to the National Investment Bank.

Mr Speaker, we transferred 500 million Government of Ghana shares in the Nestle Ghana Limited to the National Investment Bank. Right Honorable Speaker, these transfers have significantly improved the capital adequacy ratio from negative 53.13% at the end of December 2024 to a positive 23 per cent in May 2025. Mr. Speaker, by taking these major steps, we have preserved depositors fund valued at 6.4 billion Ghana cedis.

We have also saved over 900 direct jobs at the National Investment Bank. Mr. Speaker, we have preserved an indigenous Ghanaian bank. Mr Speaker, let me say this.

Unlike the previous administration, we choose to spend to save a bank than spend to collapse a bank. Right Honorable Speaker, we have also prepared a forward-looking overarching restructuring plan for the National Investment Bank to put the bank on a sustainable path of profitability.

The plan also aims to enhance board independence and objectivity, strengthen risk management, promote accountability and transparency, prevent insider dominance and improve strategic decision-making.

Mr Speaker, this plan will, among others, strengthen corporate governance framework and systems, improve enterprise risk management and controls, establish a modern business model, revamp operational strategies, improve financial performance, institute and enhance supervisory measures, and eventually we will list the NIB on the Ghana Stock Exchange.

Right Honorable Speaker, NIB now has a total paid-up capital of 3.4 billion Ghana cedis and a capital adequacy ratio of 23 per cent.

Mr Speaker, on behalf of the President, I want to use this opportunity to assure the people of Ghana and depositors that our indigenous bank, the National Investment Bank, is now primed for business.

More importantly, Mr. Speaker, NIB is back. NIB is now liquid. NIB is now safe.
Next article: Some contractors took the money but did no work  Finance Minister orders forensic audit into 55 stalled projects

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Government to set up cedi and dollar sinking funds to ease future debt repayments

Mohammed Ali Jul - 24 - 2025 , 17:07 2 minutes read

The Ministry of Finance has announced the establishment of two separate sinking fund accounts to help Ghana repay both domestic and external debts falling due between 2026 and 2028, without putting fresh pressure on the national budget.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson made the disclosure in Parliament on Thursday, July 24, 2025, during the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review.

According to Dr Ato Forson, the government will begin building up reserves in a Cedi Sinking Fund and a US Dollar Sinking Fund from August 2025.

He said the move forms part of long-term plans to improve debt sustainability and rebuild investor confidence.

In August 2025, we will commence the building of cash buffers through a Cedi Sinking Fund and a US Dollar Sinking Fund, Dr Ato Forson said. This structured approach will support the repayment of Ghanas domestic and external debt obligations in a timely and predictable manner.

The Cedi Sinking Fund will be used to repay domestic bonds, especially those issued under the domestic debt exchange programme.

Dr Ato Forson said the government plans to redeem GH20 billion in 2026, GH50.3 billion in 2027, and GH45.75 billion in 2028.

The US Dollar Sinking Fund, on the other hand, will support the redemption of Eurobonds. The projected payouts are US$1.45 billion in 2026, US$1.17 billion in 2027, and US$1.14 billion in 2028.

Dr Ato Forson said the initiative is backed by Sections 37 to 44 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), which allows for the creation of such funds to improve fiscal planning and reduce the risk of debt rollover.

This approach will improve investor confidence and help prevent the sort of debt servicing challenges Ghana experienced in the past, he stated.

Dr Ato Forson explained that the pre-funding approach is aimed at avoiding last-minute borrowing or sudden budget cuts, which often disrupt essential public services.

Dr Ato Forson added that the Ministry of Finance will publish quarterly updates on deposits into the sinking funds as part of efforts to keep Parliament and the public informed.
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Govt deploys AI to tackle smuggling and port fraud after GH1.6bn customs revenue loss  Finance Minister

Mohammed Ali Jul - 24 - 2025 , 17:22 2 minutes read

The government is introducing artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tracking systems to curb revenue leakages at Ghanas ports and borders, following a GH1.6 billion shortfall in customs collections during the first half of the year.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson disclosed this in Parliament on Thursday, July 24, 2025, during the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review.

According to Dr Forson, customs revenue fell short of the target by 12.7 per cent between January and June, mainly due to under-declaration, misclassification of imports, and the smuggling of goods, particularly marine gas oil, across land borders.

Mr Speaker, despite overall revenue performance being on track, customs revenue recorded a shortfall of GH1.6 billion, he told the House. This is due to systemic leakages at major customs collection points, especially the Tema Port.

Dr Forson said the government is responding by deploying an advanced cargo information system and applying AI to verify the origin, classification, and valuation of goods. These tools, he explained, are designed to reduce human interference and limit manipulation in the customs assessment process.

These interventions are aimed at minimising distortions, increasing transparency and ensuring that the state receives what it is due, he said.

The reforms will be implemented in collaboration with the Ghana Revenue Authority and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, with enforcement support from the countrys border security agencies.

The decline in customs revenue is expected to affect the governments ability to meet its funding obligations in areas such as health, education, and infrastructure. Customs duties have traditionally formed a key part of non-oil domestic revenue.

Dr Forson assured Parliament that the Ministry of Finance will monitor the impact of the measures and provide regular updates on progress.

He also indicated that importers and other stakeholders should prepare for a more data-driven and transparent customs regime.
Next article: Government to set up cedi and dollar sinking funds to ease future debt repayments

Previous article: Govt deploys AI to tackle smuggling and port fraud after GH1.6bn customs revenue loss  Finance Minister

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Govt pays $700m to Eurobond holders, GH9.8bn to domestic investors - Finance Minister

Beatrice Laryea Jul - 24 - 2025 , 17:18 1 minute read

The Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has reported progress on Ghanas debt restructuring efforts reaffirming governments commitment to debt repayments.

He said non-disclosure agreements have been signed with some commercial lenders, and the government has made two Eurobond payments totaling US$700 million to honor its external debt obligations.

"In line with Governments strong commitment to honouring its debt service obligations, we made two debt service payments of about US$700 million to our Euro bondholders," he said.

Domestically, he said GH9.8 billion in coupon payments were made to DDEP bondholders in the first half of 2025, with GH3.6 billion capitalized.

Additionally, Dr Ato Forson mentioned that GH1.1 billion was paid to non-tendered bondholders to clear outstanding 2024 obligations.

"Mr Speaker, on the domestic front, Government continues to meet its commitment towards the Domestic

bondholders."

"For the first half of 2025, a total of GH9.8 billion was paid as coupon to DDEP bondholders, of which GH3.6 billion was capitalised," he said.

"For the non-tendered bondholders, government paid a total of GH1.1 billion. This was the outstanding debt service as at 2024," he stressed.

The minister added that in the second half of 2025, GH10.2 billion is due in coupons for DDEP bonds and GH724.1 million for non-tendered bonds.

"It is important to note that government remains committed to honouring its debt service obligations and has therefore made adequate preparations towards full settlement of all debt service in 2025 and beyond," he assured.
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Govt to pay GH137bn in treasury bills this year  Finance Minister

Mohammed Ali Jul - 24 - 2025 , 14:46 1 minute read

Government is expected to settle treasury bill maturities totaling GH137 billion this year, Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson told Parliament during the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review on July 24, 2025.

Dr Forson said the amount is linked mainly to short-term government securities and forms part of outstanding fiscal obligations.

He also listed GH67 billion in arrears and GH194 billion in contract-related commitments as liabilities inherited by the current administration.

We inherited not just a broken economy, but one already drowning in imminent obligations. GH137 billion in treasury bill maturities is not a projection; it is a reality we must face in the immediate term, he said.

Dr Forson stated that the government intends to meet all upcoming maturities as they fall due while gradually reducing the countrys exposure to short-term, high-interest debt.

According to the Finance Minister, Ghana also faces scheduled repayments of GH20 billion in 2026, GH50.3 billion in 2027, and GH45.8 billion in 2028.

Ghanas treasury market experienced disruptions during the domestic debt exchange programme (DDEP) in 2023, which led to losses for a number of investors, including pensioners.

Dr Forson said the government is not considering default and will continue to meet its obligations. He added that refinancing options remain under consideration but would only be pursued under terms he described as strategic and negotiated.
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LIST: See the 24 priority projects that government aims to complete and commission by 2028

Beatrice Laryea Jul - 24 - 2025 , 18:03 2 minutes read

The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has announced that the government is committed to completing and commissioning all priority projects by the end of 2028.

Presenting the 2025 Mid-Year Budget in Parliament on Thursday, July 24, Dr. Ato Forson explained that the key criterion for selecting these projects was their proximity to completion.

He further disclosed that under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Official Creditor Committee (OCC), the Government of Ghana was required to submit a list of priority projects to align with the US$250 million annual disbursement ceiling.

Following extensive engagements, Government has submitted the priority list of 24 projects to the OCC and the IMF, he stated.

This is expected to trigger the resumption of disbursements for projects on the list, once bilateral agreements are signed between Ghana and creditor countries.

Dr Ato Forson reiterated the administrations goal: We aim to ensure that all the priority projects are completed and commissioned by the end of 2028.

Below are the 24 priority projects as outlined by the Finance Minister.

i New Bridge Across the Volta River at Volivo

ii. Construction of the Tema-Aflao Road Project Phase 1

iii. Tema Motorway Roundabout, through Ashaimanc Roundabout to Atimpoku

iv. Construction of 14 Pedestrian Bridges

v. Kumasi Roads and Drainage Extension

vi. Paa Grant Interchange and Sekondi/Takoradi Township Roads- Phase 1

vii. Rehabilitation of Dome-Kitase Road

viii. Obetsebi Lamptey Interchange- Phase 2

ix. Bolgatanga-Bawku-Pulimakom Road

x. PTC Roundabout Interchange Project at Takoradi

xi. Construction of Drinking Water Facilities in Wenchi

xii.Sekondi-Takoradi Water Supply

xiii. Modernization of Komfo-Anokye Teaching Hospital

xiv. Construction of Central Medical Stores in Tema

xv. Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in Takoradi

xvi. Bolgatanga Regional Hospital

xvii. Establishment of the University of Environment

and Sustainable Development at Bunso

xviii. Establishment of 9 State of the Art Technical and Vocational Education Training Centres

xix. Integrated E-Learning Laboratories in Senior High

xx. Expansion and Development of Existing Senior High Schools

xxi. Renewable Energy Programme: Pilot Photovoltaic System

xxii. Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Programme

xxiii. Construction of the Takoradi Market and

xxiv. Kumasi Central Market Phase 2.
Previous article: Ghana named among seven countries to lead new UN ocean and offshore energy initiative

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Oil markets are risky, renewables are safer for Ghanas futureUN adviser warns

Mohammed Ali Jul - 24 - 2025 , 12:05 4 minutes read

The United Nations Global Compact and the Ocean Centres Initiative have urged Ghana to step up efforts to attract clean energy investment by reducing economic and regulatory risks, noting that renewable energy offers more long-term stability than fossil fuels.

The call was made at a briefing held in Accra on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, where speakers discussed Ghanas role in the Ocean Centres Initiative and shared the UN Secretary-Generals latest climate message.

Delivering the address titled A Moment of Opportunity: Supercharging the New Energy Era on behalf of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Dr Emmanuel Kofi Mbiah said the global move towards clean energy is no longer just about climate goals.

He argued that fossil fuels are increasingly linked to economic volatility, citing recent global events such as Israels attack on Iran and Russias invasion of Ukraine, which disrupted global oil markets and affected Ghanas own fiscal planning.

The energy mix is not mutually exclusive, Dr Mbiah said. But fossil fuel markets are volatile and exposed to global shocks. Renewables like solar, wind and tidal energy, which are being supported through the Ocean Centre platform, offer energy security and economic resilience.

Dr Mbiah said Ghanas transition to net-zero emissions by 2060 is based on three main areas: investment in renewable infrastructure, supportive policies, and targeted financing.

He added that attracting international capital would depend on Ghanas ability to lower investment risks.

We must de-risk the economy to make these projects attractive, he said. That is how we will draw the financing necessary to scale up our offshore renewables.

In response to questions on Ghanas continued investment in oil and recent moves toward nuclear energy, Dr Mbiah said both are still part of the transition process.

He described nuclear power as clean but expensive, and although Ghana has the technical know-how through the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, the high cost and associated risks mean it cannot serve as the countrys main energy source.

China leads in renewables but still uses coal. Ghana will continue developing oil fields but must also act quickly so we are not left behind with outdated technologies, he said.

Executive Director of the UN Global Compact Network Ghana, Mr Tolu Kweku Lacroix, said Africa has an opportunity to bypass older, more polluting energy models by investing early in cleaner technologies.

He said global investors are increasingly backing countries that are planning for a cleaner energy future.

Germany has invested $3 billion in a hydrogen facility in Namibia, Mr Lacroix said. Investors are choosing locations with future-facing energy systems. Ghana must position itself accordingly.

He said the Ocean Centres Initiative, which includes Ghana among its pilot countries, aims to support the development of sustainable blue economies. Ghana is expected to focus on offshore wind and tidal energy, as well as improved port systems for low-emission shipping.

There is strong interest from countries like Norway in supporting Ghanas blue corridor, Mr Lacroix added, referring to sustainable port facilities being considered for ships powered by hydrogen and ammonia.

These platforms are designed to unlock new investment and position Ghana to benefit from the next energy era.

On the rising electricity demands from artificial intelligence and digital systems, Dr Mbiah said Ghana cannot choose between digital development and clean energy.

He said both are now essential to the countrys future.

AI is already embedded in our lives, he said. If we dont invest in renewables now, we will be overwhelmed by future energy needs.

Touching on Ghanas climate targets, Dr Mbiah said the countrys 2060 goal reflects its fair share under the Paris Agreement. But he cautioned that slow progress could cost Ghana access to green finance and investor confidence.

The developed countries have tighter targets because of their historical emissions, but that doesnt mean we can afford to delay. The window is narrowing, he said.

Mr Lacroix noted that while nuclear energy remains part of Ghanas plans, global trends are shifting in favour of renewable options, which are seen as safer and easier to scale.

The Ocean Centre doesnt replace Ghanas nuclear agenda, it complements it by providing accessible, investable alternatives at scale, he said.

Ghana is expected to submit updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) at COP30 next year.
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Police arrest 2 suspects including STC Station Manager in connection with Ablekuma North election violence

Kweku Zurek Jul - 24 - 2025 , 08:26 2 minutes read

The Accra Regional Police Command has arrested two suspects in connection with the violent disturbances that disrupted the Ablekuma North parliamentary re-run election on July 11, 2025. The suspects, identified as Musah Muntari, 46, a Station Manager at STC, and Ali Saeed, alias Mboma, 43, a businessman, are currently in custody assisting with investigations.

The election, which was marred by chaos, saw masked men believed to be party thugs attacking voters, journalists, and political figures at polling centres. At St. Peters polling station, NPP parliamentary candidate Nana Akua Owusu Afriyie and former MP Mavis Hawa Koomson were assaulted by unidentified men who arrived on motorbikes and in a pickup truck.

Journalists covering the election were also targeted. Salomey Martey (JoyNews) was slapped and shoved, Kwabena Agyekum Banahene (GHOne TV) was assaulted by a uniformed police officer inside a polling station, and Vida Wiafe (ATV) was reportedly pepper-sprayed.

Vow to pursue all perpetrators



In a press release, Superintendent Juliana Obeng, Head of Public Affairs for the Accra Regional Police Command, stated: The Accra Regional Police Command assures the public of its commitment to ensuring that all persons responsible for acts of violence, intimidation, or misconduct during the elections are brought to justice.

She further urged the public to cooperate with law enforcement, saying: We encourage citizens to continue sharing credible information by calling our emergency numbers 18555 or 191 to aid in investigations.

Widespread condemnation of violence & police inaction

The Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) have strongly condemned the attacks, demanding justice for the affected journalists.

Meanwhile, the Coalition of Domestic Election Observers (CODEO) and the Minority in Parliament have criticized the police for failing to intervene during the assaults, despite their visible presence at polling centres.

The National Peace Council has also called for restraint, urging political leaders to discourage violence and uphold the integrity of Ghanas electoral process.
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Some contractors took the money but did no work  Finance Minister orders forensic audit into 55 stalled projects

Mohammed Ali Jul - 24 - 2025 , 16:55 2 minutes read

The Ministry of Finance has ordered a forensic audit into 55 stalled government projects after discovering that some contractors had accessed funds from external loans without carrying out the corresponding work.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson made the disclosure during the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review to Parliament on Thursday, July 24, 2025.

According to Dr Forson, the audit, being conducted by the Auditor-General in partnership with one of the Big Four accounting firms, will examine how the disbursed funds were used, particularly in cases where physical progress on the ground does not match the financial drawdowns.

Mr Speaker, it has come to the attention of the Ministry of Finance that a number of contractors implementing some of these 55 stalled projects have drawn down on the loans with no work done to match the amount drawn, Dr Forson told the House.

He added that some contractors had also submitted variation requests and cost increases that exceed what was approved by Parliament, despite clear instructions not to alter project scopes.

There is no room for an increase in scope for any of the projects on the priority list, as agreed with the IMF and the Official Creditors Committee, he said. Implementing agencies must take note and comply accordingly.

The audit follows the governments decision to resume disbursements on selected infrastructure projects under Ghanas debt restructuring programme. Only projects that are more than 70 per cent complete have been cleared to continue, in line with a strategy to deliver results within limited fiscal space.

The forensic audit is expected to uncover instances of mismanagement, possible procurement violations, and unjustified payments. Findings will guide further actions, including possible sanctions, recovery of funds, or referral for criminal investigation.

Dr Forson said the Ministry would present a detailed report to Parliament once the audit is complete and would outline any recommended actions.
Next article: Finance Minister lists 24 projects earmarked for completion by 2028

Previous article: Some contractors took the money but did no work  Finance Minister orders forensic audit into 55 stalled projects

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We inherited cocoa sector with GH32 billion in liabilities  Finance Minister

Beatrice Laryea Jul - 24 - 2025 , 16:43 1 minute read

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson has revealed that President John Mahama's administration inherited a heavily indebted cocoa sector, burdened with liabilities amounting to GH32 billion.

Delivering the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Statement to Parliament on Thursday, July 24, Dr Ato Forson described the financial state of Ghanas cocoa industry at the time of transition as deeply troubling and unsustainable.

We inherited a debt-ridden cocoa sector with liabilities of GH32 billion, he stated, noting that the situation threatened the sectors viability and the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.

According to him, the debt was the result of years of poor financial management, excessive borrowing, and operational inefficiencies within the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD).

These challenges, he added, led to serious cash flow constraints, delayed payments to farmers and contractors, and reduced investment in cocoa infrastructure and sustainability programmes.

Dr. Ato Forson indicated that the government has begun implementing corrective measures to restore the sectors financial health. These include a comprehensive audit of COCOBODs finances, debt restructuring, and policy reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, efficiency, and farmer welfare.
Next article: NIB now has total paid up capital of GH3.4bn  Finance Minister

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Weve reduced Ghanas debt by GH113bn in six months  Finance Minister Ato Forson

Mohammed Ali Jul - 24 - 2025 , 15:49 2 minutes read

Ghanas total public debt has declined by GH113.7 billion within the first half of 2025, a development attributed to improved fiscal measures, currency appreciation, and ongoing debt restructuring efforts.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson disclosed this to Parliament on Thursday, July 24, 2025, during the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review.

He said the countrys public debt dropped from GH726.7 billion at the end of December 2024 to GH613 billion by June 2025.

For the first time in Ghanas history, there is a negative 15.6 per cent rate of debt accumulation, Dr Forson said.

He added that the public debt-to-GDP ratio had also declined from 61.8 per cent to 43.8 per cent within the same period an 18 percentage point drop over six months.

According to the Finance Minister, the improvement reflects the effects of a stronger cedi, reduced borrowing, and strict fiscal control under the ongoing International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

He further reported that the share of external debt in total public debt had fallen from 57.4 per cent in December 2024 to 49 per cent by mid-2025.

These results show that our reforms are working. Ghanas debt is no longer on an unsustainable path, Dr Forson told the House.

He said the government would continue to prioritise prudent financial management, domestic revenue mobilisation, and efforts to address leakages in public spending.

He also cited ongoing reforms in public procurement and expenditure monitoring as part of a broader strategy to safeguard the gains made.

While the reduction in public debt marks a reversal in Ghanas recent economic trend, Dr Forson acknowledged that public sentiment would depend on how the numbers translate into improved services and economic relief for households and businesses.

We are determined to do better. Ghana indeed deserves better than a B-minus, he said, in reference to the countrys recent credit rating upgrade by Fitch.
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Ghana Catholic Bishops' Conference on suspension of Chief Justice

Graphic.com.gh Politics Jul - 24 - 2025 , 10:07 6 minutes read

The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) has condemned the incidence of electoral violence during elections especially the violence that characterised the rerun of 19 polling stations in the Ablekuma North Constituency, and the brutalisation of citizens, including journalists.

It has also cautioned against compromising the independence or impartiality of the judiciary noting that a healthy, functioning democracy equally demanded an independent, credible judiciary, free from political interference.

Justice is the indispensable cornerstone of national cohesion; without it, grievances fester and violence finds fertile ground.

It is in this critical regard that we view the current tensions arising from the suspension of the Chief Justice.

While acknowledging the necessity of due process, we caution strenuously against any action, perceived or actual, that could compromise the independence or impartiality of the judiciary, it said.

The statement said the removal of a sitting Chief Justice was a matter of profound national significance.

This process must be scrupulously guided by constitutional principles, absolute procedural fairness, and a clear respect for the doctrine of the separation of powers.

Any precedent that appears to place the judiciary at the mercy of the executive risks irreparably eroding public trust in the very institution citizens rely upon for justice, it stated.

It, therefore, urged all stakeholders to act with the utmost conscientiousness, safeguarding both the inviolable rule of law and the dignity of the judiciary.

A statement issued in Accra last Tuesday (July 22) and signed by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, the violence that characterised the Ablekuma North election constitute a gross violation of human dignity and betray the very foundations upon which the countrys democracy stands.

It therefore, urged the state to initiate prompt, thorough and transparent investigations into those incidents and ensure perpetrators are held fully accountable, stressing that impunity corrodes public trust and fosters a culture of lawlessness.

It further called upon the government to implement without delay the recommendations of previous commissions of enquiry into electoral violence, ensuring lessons learned translate into meaningful institutional reforms.

It said true democracy transcended the periodic casting of votes but embodied a just social order that respected the rule of law, upheld the intrinsic dignity of every human person, and guaranteed citizens the right to participate meaningfully in shaping the national destiny.

At the heart of this vision lies the sanctity of the ballot and the imperative of peaceful elections, it stated.

The statement reminded all political actors that elections were not a contest of might, but a platform for the exchange of ideas.

It further urged political parties and their supporters to exercise maximum restraint and prioritise national peace above partisan advantage, even amidst intense political competition.

The Electoral Commission must sustain and deepen its stakeholder engagement efforts to bolster public confidence in the electoral process's integrity.

Similarly, we urge the security services to act with professionalism, impartiality and foresight in preventing and managing potential conflict, it said.

It said a healthy, functioning democracy equally demanded an independent, credible judiciary, free from political interference.

STATEMENT BY THE GHANA CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE ON ELECTORAL VIOLENCE AND THE SUSPENSION OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE

We, the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference, have followed recent developments in our beloved nation with profound concern. As spiritual leaders and responsible citizens, mindful of our collective duty to uphold justice, peace, and the integrity of democratic governance, we feel compelled to share these reflections with the people of Ghana:

True democracy transcends the periodie casting of votes. It embodies a just social order that respects the rule of law, upholds the intrinsie dignity of every human person, and guarantees citizens the right to participate meaningfully in shaping our national destiny.

At the heart of this vision lies the sanctity of the ballot and the imperative of peaceful elections.

Since the promulgation of our 1992 Constitution, Ghana has rightly been celebrated for its democratic stability. Yet, this hard-earned reputation is gravely endangered whenever electoral violence surfaces, as was tragically witnessed recently in the Ablekuma North Constituency.

We unequivocally condemn all forms of electoral violence, especially the brutalisation of citizens, including journalists. Such acts constitute a gross violation of human dignity and betray the very foundations upon which our democracy stands. We, therefore, urge the State to initiate prompt, thorough, and transparent investigations into these incidents and ensure perpetrators are held fully accountable. Impunity corrodes public trust and fosters a culture of lawlessness. We further call upon the government to implement without delay the recommendations of previous commissions of enquiry into electoral violence, ensuring lessons learned translate into meaningful institutional reforms.

We remind all political actors that elections are not a contest of might, but a platform for the exchange of ideas. We urge political parties and their supporters to exercise maximum restraint and prioritise national peace above partisan advantage, even amidst intense political competition.

The Electoral Commission must sustain and deepen its stakeholder engagement efforts to bolster public confidence in the electoral process's integrity. Similarly, we urge the security services to act with professionalism, impartiality, and foresight in preventing and managing potential conflict.

A healthy, functioning democracy equally demands an independent, credible judiciary, free from political interference. Justice is the indispensable cornerstone of national cohesion; without it. grievances fester and violence finds fertile ground. It is in this critical regard that we view the current tensions arising from the suspension of the Chief Justice. While acknowledging the necessity of due process, we caution strenuously against any action, perceived or actual, that could compromise the independence or impartiality of the judiciary.

The removal of a sitting Chief Justice is a matter of profound national significance. This process must be scrupulously guided by constitutional principles, absolute procedural fairess, and a clear respect for the doctrine of the separation of powers. Any precedent that appears to place the judiciary at the mercy of the executive risks irreparably eroding public trust in the very institution citizens rely upon for justice.

In the light of these grave concerns, we urge all stakeholders to act with the utmost conscientiousness, safeguarding both the inviolable rule of law and the dignity of the judiciary.

The recent National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving convened by His Excelleney the President provided a welcome moment for spiritual and civic reflection. May this now inspire a deeper. sustained national commitment to unity, reconciliation, and lasting peace.

Let us, as one people, fervently renew our shared covenant to build a just, peaceful, and prosperous Ghana-a nation where every eitizen finds refuge in the law and hope in our common future.

May God bless our homeland Ghana and make her great and strong.
Next article: Vice President calls for national reflection and recommitment to Mills Better Ghana vision

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Electoral violence blur on democracy  Catholic Bishops

Albert K. Salia Politics Jul - 24 - 2025 , 06:57 3 minutes read

The Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference (GCBC) has condemned the incidence of electoral violence during elections especially the violence that characterised the rerun of 19 polling stations in the Ablekuma North Constituency, and the brutalisation of citizens, including journalists.

It said such acts constitute a gross violation of human dignity and betray the very foundations upon which the countrys democracy stands.

A statement issued in Accra last Tuesday (July 22) and signed by its President, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi, therefore, urged the state to initiate prompt, thorough and transparent investigations into those incidents and ensure perpetrators are held fully accountable, stressing that impunity corrodes public trust and fosters a culture of lawlessness.

It further called upon the government to implement without delay the recommendations of previous commissions of enquiry into electoral violence, ensuring lessons learned translate into meaningful institutional reforms.

Social order

It said true democracy transcended the periodic casting of votes but embodied a just social order that respected the rule of law, upheld the intrinsic dignity of every human person, and guaranteed citizens the right to participate meaningfully in shaping the national destiny.

At the heart of this vision lies the sanctity of the ballot and the imperative of peaceful elections, it stated.

The statement reminded all political actors that elections were not a contest of might, but a platform for the exchange of ideas.

It further urged political parties and their supporters to exercise maximum restraint and prioritise national peace above partisan advantage, even amidst intense political competition.

The Electoral Commission must sustain and deepen its stakeholder engagement efforts to bolster public confidence in the electoral process's integrity.

Similarly, we urge the security services to act with professionalism, impartiality and foresight in preventing and managing potential conflict, it said.

Credible judiciary

It said a healthy, functioning democracy equally demanded an independent, credible judiciary, free from political interference.

Justice is the indispensable cornerstone of national cohesion; without it, grievances fester and violence finds fertile ground.

It is in this critical regard that we view the current tensions arising from the suspension of the Chief Justice.

While acknowledging the necessity of due process, we caution strenuously against any action, perceived or actual, that could compromise the independence or impartiality of the judiciary, it said.

The statement said the removal of a sitting Chief Justice was a matter of profound national significance.

This process must be scrupulously guided by constitutional principles, absolute procedural fairness, and a clear respect for the doctrine of the separation of powers.

Any precedent that appears to place the judiciary at the mercy of the executive risks irreparably eroding public trust in the very institution citizens rely upon for justice, it stated.

It, therefore, urged all stakeholders to act with the utmost conscientiousness, safeguarding both the inviolable rule of law and the dignity of the judiciary.
Google is hosting an event on August 20 to unveil the Pixel 10 series, which reportedly includes the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The Mountain View-based internet search giant recently gave us our first official look at the Pixel 10 Pro, and now, the entire Pixel 10 lineup has been revealed through the Google Play Store.

While "poking around" the Google Play Store app on Android, the folks at Android Authority managed to uncover a banner showing the Pixel 10 series. The Pixel 10 is shown in Indigo color, while the Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Pro Fold are shown in the Moonstone shade.

The banner also shows a promotion, offering $50 off from Google until October 13, 2025. The offer will likely be active from August 20, following the conclusion of the launch event.

Google is yet to show us the entire Pixel 10 lineup in all its colors, but thanks to leaked renders, we know what these smartphones will look like in different shades. You can check the Pixel 10's leaked renders here, the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL's renders here, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's renders here.

Source
Guam International Airport Authority officials on Thursday told senators that the airport is owed $9.254 million in fuel tax arrears that, if collected, would be used for the airports debt services.

Senators held a four-hour oversight hearing on the Airport Authority, meant to tackle airport finance, infrastructure projects, security, tenant concerns, and airport-tourism alignment, among others.

Aviation fuel tax was 4 cents before 2018, but Public Law 44-34 increased the tax to 8 cents.

Dafne Shimizu, comptroller for GIAA, told senators that Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero confirmed that 4 cents of the new tax was grandfathered from 2018 to 2023, meaning the accrued paid tax that period is to be paid back to the airport.

Using these funds, the airport intends to pay toward its debt services to the Federal Aviation Administration, she said.

In communication with the government of Guam, the FAA said the Guam airport could pay the balance back in full or through a payment plan, she added.

If there was going to be payment over time, the interest would have to be applied, and we estimate the interest would be approximately $2 million per year, Shimizu told the transportation and tourism committee led by Sen. Jesse Lujan. It did take some time for the FAA to respond on whether or not the 4 cents was grandfathered, but in 2023, we did begin receiving those funds.

Before 2023, the airport managed to reduce its total debt service by tendering and defeasing its payments, essentially repurchasing its outstanding bonds or setting bonds aside to service debt payments.

These strategies allowed the airport to remain afloat post-pandemic, reduce interest expenses, and keep up to date on its debt payments.

GIAA Executive Manager John Quinata said he met with the FAA in April to discuss the correction plan more closely.

Since weve been addressing this issue, weve been going back and forth with the FAA, and we were able to meet in April and get more final guidance on how they were charging us, Quinata said at the hearing. They agreed to give us five years to pay it off. If we pay it off at one time, there will be no interest but if were going to do it over five years, then the interest will begin from 2023 until when we pay it off.

Members of the legislative committee said they were previously unaware of the discrepancy as it was not included in the governors budget presentation in January.

Sens. Shawn Gumataotao, Sabrina Salas Matanane, and Vincent Borja shared their frustration.

It shocks me, and its absolutely frustrating, Gumataotao said. The board should be helping the executive management. Im hearing this, and Im in disbelief. When we were in the Guam Customs hearing, and they reported surpluses, yet [the airport] is hurting when you need help the most.

The committee decided to table its official decision.

Members said they are heavily considering appropriating funds for the GIAAs debt repayment, but Lujan cautions that the people of Guam will have to incur those costs since the support will likely be taken from the General Fund.

Lujan said the conversation will be continued during the upcoming executive budget meeting.

Obviously, the question is why nothing has been done, Borja said. Its an obligation that needs to be paid. Either we find the money, or we go on a payment plan and pay more money.
Before planning a beach day, consider what the Guam Environmental Protection Agency had to say about the quality of water after a heavy rainfall connected to a passing tropical disturbance.

Guam EPAs Beach Watch Program on Thursday issued a beach advisory that includes all 43 beaches due to the large amount of rain from a passing storm.

Storm water runoff may contain additional bacteria and cause many beaches to have high concentrations of unsafe bacteria, Guam EPA said.

Guam EPA is urging residents to stay safe.

Recreational activities in unsafe beaches may result in minor illnesses such as sore throats or diarrhea. It might also result in more serious illnesses such as meningitis, encephalitis, or severe gastroenteritis.

Children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems have a greater chance of getting sick when they come in contact with contaminated water.

For any questions regarding this advisory or the Beach Monitoring Program, contact beach.report@epa.guam.gov or Guam EPA at (671) 588-4751.
Guam residents who got Pandemic Unemployment Assistance overpayments are still on the hook to pay back $14.2 million, nearly 62% of the total $23 million overpayments.

The Guam Department of Labor, however, is urging those with questions about their PUA overpayments or would like to request a review to immediately contact (671) 479-5604 or (671) 479-5619.

Overpayments are separate and different from federal PUA fraud investigations that on Guam have so far led to arrests, indictments, convictions and sentences. The latest indictments are over an alleged PUA fraud ring involving members of Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorios family and former PUA employees.

Since GDOL started collecting PUA overpayments, $8.8 million has been paid back and waived, or resolved, through a combination of recovery efforts, adjustment of errors, waivers, and arranged payment plans.

Of that amount, $3.6 million was actual cash repayment, according to GDOL spokesperson Janela Carrera on Thursday.

The remaining $5 million went through the waiver process, and got waived.

Most of the cash collections were made through recipients who initiated contact with GDOL, the department said.

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government granted Guam some $1 billion to put up and distribute PUA benefits.

In just 12 weeks in 2020, GDOL, with the help of other government agencies and partners, was able to put up the PUA program which was able to help 23,752 claimants with food, housing and other needs amidst pandemic lockdowns and restrictions.

Throughout the PUA application process, GDOL said it received a total of 133,535 applications, of which 23,752 or about 18% were deemed eligible.

Guam has low overpayment rate

While $23 million in overpayment is a huge amount, Guams 2.8% overpayment rate is still significantly below the national average of 17%, GDOL said on Thursday.

GDOL still has to responsibly go after the overpayments because of the U.S. Department of Labors requirement for states and territories to audit and review payments issued.

Since 2023, GDOL has been regularly issuing out overpayment notices to PUA claimants identified through these audits and systems-based reviews.

PUA rules allowed for initial payments to be made on a self-certification basis to facilitate payment of these emergency benefits, GDOL said in a release on Thursday. Overpayments are the result of ineligibility found after GDOL has validated and reviewed a paid claim based on a claimants self-certification.

The local agency said overpaycments are common in all unemployment-related programs across the U.S. and are typically resolved through offsets and collections efforts by the state agency administering Unemployment Insurance programs.

But because Guam does not operate its own regular Unemployment Insurance program, benefit offsets are not commonly applied, making direct repayments or waivers the primary means of recovery of overpayments, GDOL said.

We have successfully approved more than $5 million for claimants who sought waivers on their overpayments and submitted the necessary documentation, Guam Labor Director David DellIsola said in a statement. Im grateful for the continued support of USDOL and the Secretary of Labor, as well as the governor and lieutenant governor, who encouraged us to use every appropriate resource to help our people.

Up to September

USDOL has also funded the overpayment recovery process for Guam, and GDOL is currently scheduled to continue this effort through September unless extended by USDOL.

GDOL will remain compliant with these requirements and is committed to administering the program in a fair and transparent manner, the local department said.

As of Thursday, according to Carrera, GDOL has not received any word from USDOL about the process beyond Sept. 30.

In the meantime, the overpayment recovery and review efforts continue.

GDOL said it has prioritized assisting individuals who qualify for relief under federal waiver guidelines, especially in situations where people may not have realized they were no longer eligible or didnt fully understand the reporting requirements.

Weve helped hundreds of residents through this process, DellIsola said. If you believe an overpayment was made in error, or if youd like to set up a payment plan, our team is available and ready to work with you. We are here to help you understand why you have an overpayment and work with you to find a resolution.

Confidential

All communications and records related to PUA, including overpayment notices, are protected under federal confidentiality regulations.

GDOL said it has confirmed with the USDOL that such records, including names, amounts, and personal details, cannot be publicly disclosed under 20 CFR  603.

As such, recipients of PUA notices can rest assured that their information is strictly confidential and will not be shared, GDOL added.
I was in Saipan around the Fourth of July and ate at Godfathers Pizza on July 3. Two guys came in wearing blue Make Saipan Great Again hats. I was wearing a Trump hat and they loved it.

When I got back to Guam, I went to the Dungeon Halloween Store and then mailed them Trump hats. I am spreading Trump goodwill one hat at a time. By the way, I was amazed by all the neat party and holiday items at the Dungeon Store. Also, the hats they were selling were very high quality.

I regularly require the young people I work with to read the circa 170 AD Meditations by Marcus Aurelius. It is a very short book and I suggest everyone look at the top quotes online first before reading the original text. Aurelius had a lot of wisdom to share and many of his ideas are perfectly suited to our modern age.

Here are a few paraphrases of some of his ideas, not direct quotes. Everything depends on your own thoughts, you control them. If you do not feel insulted, you cannot be insulted. The key to happiness and success depends on your own thoughts. To be a positive person, do not surround yourself with negative people or negative ideas. Do the very best you can.

Finally a direct quote: The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.

In my view, the silly people who troll the internet live in a sort of insane asylum. When the internet first became popular, the mantra followed by everyone was, Do not believe anything you read on the internet. Once the internet became readily accessible by nearly everyone on an anonymous basis, we had a very negative opinion phase. That era is over and the bluff of fake names and trolls is over. Truth is like the water thrown on the wicked witch of the west.

Over the years, I have complained about the fake primary election process Guam uses. There has been little or no interest in discussing these ideas or ensuring the public basic compliance.

For some reason, nothing short of a federal judge ordering the government of Guam to comply with federal laws seems to work. In a way, it is a mark of how immature and reckless our government can be at times. Our elected leaders simply do not act like stewards of the people. They seem to prefer jungle rules. Where is Tarzan when we need him?

In 1998, there were four teams vying for governor. Three were Democrat and one was Republican. Carl Gutierrez would have won this election regardless of format. Under the Guam Organic Act and the delegate enabling law, Guam is supposed to use a general election and runoff format. Instead, we have allowed a fake partisan primary process to determine who is eligible to be placed on the general election ballot.

The partisan primary is fake because the only outcome is political gaming, which denies both candidates and voters basic civil rights. In 1998, the Republican candidate received about 5% of the votes and the remaining 95% voted in the Democrat race.

In 2018, two Democrats and a Republican ran for our delegate to Congress seat. At the primary, Mike San Nicolas received 12,456 votes, Madeleine Bordallo received 11,635 votes and Doris Brooks received 2,817 votes.

At the 2018 General Election, San Nicolas received 19,053 votes and Brooks received 15,263 votes.

In both 1998 and 2018, the primary elections were totally fake and it is clear in both cases the primary process used on Guam denies voters and candidates basic voting rights and 14th Amendment protections.

We have a party raiding system here supported by Guam laws. No leader will do anything to change this.




Haiti - Religion : CEH's Position on the Country's Security Crisis and the 2025 Draft Constitution





In a note dated July 23, 2025, the Episcopal Conference of Haiti (CEH) expresses its position on the country's security crisis and the preliminary draft Constitution.



CEH Position on the Security Crisis



"[...] As our country sinks deeper each day into widespread chaos, and the pillars of social and political life crumble one by one, we, the Catholic Bishops of Haiti, feel more urgent than ever the urgency to address a prophetic word so that 'But let justice run down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream' (Amos 5:24).



It is with gravity and compassion that we raise our voices: to warn of the extent of the disaster, to denounce what degrades human dignity, and to propose, in the light of the Gospel, paths of conversion, justice, and hope.



[...] We are witnessing a decline in society and a decadence of the institutions that are its pillars:



 A failing State that no longer ensures security, justice, or the bare minimum for its people;

 A fragmented territory, abandoned to the rule of arms and the terror of armed gangs;

 A population in flight, displaced, humiliated, impoverished, wounded in body and soul.



In addition to the trivialization of life, the transgression of the sacred testifies to a collapse of moral and social order. No one is exempt from the atrocities committed by armed gangs; No place or symbol is spared: places of worship are desecrated, sanctuaries are violated and ransacked, the country's historical and cultural heritage is vandalized, set ablaze without any regard for what it represents as a sign of collective memory, shared faith and national identity. These attacks do not only destroy stones or objects; they strike at the living heart of our people, their moral conscience, their capacity for hope.



We denounce these acts of barbarism; they are the sign of a people losing their sense of God, and with it, their sense of humanity. We ask ourselves once again what lies behind this dehumanizing project that brings an already wounded people to its knees. And above all, why are the State Authorities not making every effort to protect what remains of our territory and what should be inviolable, namely: life, liberty, culture, and memory?



CEH Position on the Draft New Constitution:

In a situation 'plagued by violence and insecurity, marred by so much discord," the CEH is closely observing the process initiated by the transitional government with a view to adopting a new Constitution in Haiti. 'While challenging each of us, this Draft Constitution raises hopes, debates, but also deep concerns' and address the collective conscience of the Nation.



"The draft bill proposes several noteworthy innovations:



 A clear desire to modernize the state and streamline public governance;

 A promising opening toward recognizing the rights of Haitians living abroad, and the participation of women and youth;

 Strengthened recognition of fundamental social rights: education, health, social security, and housing;

 Mechanisms promoting transparency, the fight against corruption, and more legitimate representation of political parties.



[...] However, beyond these advances, the text presents major shortcomings that risk undermining the democratic balance:



 A process that is both largely uninclusive and elaborated without an elected Constituent Assembly or genuine public debate;

 A greatly strengthened presidential power, concentrating prerogatives that weaken legislative and judicial checks and balances;

 A dangerous vagueness surrounding the territorial model, with a federalism that risks fragmenting national unity;

 Social rights proclaimed but without recourse mechanisms, thus risking remaining a dead letter;

 A complex institutional governance model that may prove difficult to apply in a country with limited administrative and budgetary capacities.



In the face of all this, we solemnly recall that a country's Constitution is more than a legal text: it is a social pact. The question of the Constitution requires a very broad debate leading to a true national consensus that takes into account the historical, cultural, and social reality of our people. And this must be done at an opportune time. This is not the time for a process leading to the adoption of a new Constitution. Today, the priority is security, peace, and governance for the good of the people.



The renewal of the Nation will not come from a text, however well-written, if it is not driven by a collective and renewed civic conscience, a shared moral imperative, and a culture of dialogue and solidarity. We urge everyone, at all levels, to work harder to build not a Constitution that unilaterally breaks the mold, but a founding charter for our common future. Let's actively engage in the moral and structural reconstruction of our society. Let's resist resignation, revenge, and anarchy. Let's raise our voices for truth, justice, and peace.



To all of you, Haitian sisters and brothers, we say that there is still time to avoid irreparable harm. But every day of silence, hesitation, or duplicity is one too many. Too much blood has been shed. Too many families have been destroyed. Too many young people have lost hope. [...]"



Signatures of the Bishops of the CEH :



Bishop Max Leroy MESIDOR

Metropolitan Archbishop of Port-au-Prince

President of the CEH



Bishop Pierre Andre DUMAS (Hospitalized)

Bishop of Anse-a-Veau / Miragoane

Vice-President of the CEH



Bishop Joseph Gontrand DECOSTE, SJ

Bishop of Jeremie

Secretary General of the CEH



Bishop Desinord JEAN

Bishop of Hinche

Treasurer of the CEH



Chibly Cardinal LANGLOIS

Bishop of Les Cayes

Councilor



Bishop Marie Erick Glandas TOUSSAINT

Bishop of Jacmel



Bishop Launay SATURNE

Metropolitan Archbishop of Cap-Haitien



Bishop Charles Peters BARTHELUS

Bishop of Port-de-Paix



Bishop Yves Marie PEAN, CSC

Bishop of Gonaives



Bishop Sander LOUIS-JEAN

Auxiliary Bishop of Port-au-Prince



Bishop Quesnel ALPHONSE, SMM

Bishop of Fort-Liberte



Bishop Wismick JEAN-CHARLES, SMM

Auxiliary Bishop of Port-au-Prince



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Judicial Police : Training on new investigation and intervention techniques





The excellent cooperation between the Organization of American States (OAS) and the French Embassy in Haiti made it possible to organize training sessions for the Bureau of Financial and Economic Affairs (BAFE) and the Bureau to Combat Drug Trafficking (BLTS) of the Haitian National Police (PNH).



A French expert from the Directorate of International Security Cooperation (DCIS) came to Haiti for two weeks of joint training at the BAFE and BLTS.



Over five days, the French expert trained more than twenty police officers in new investigative and judicial police intervention techniques. This training was completed with a session on the use of equipment recently provided to the PNH.



France remains committed to supporting Haitian security forces in the fight against criminal gangs, drug trafficking, and corruption.



Cristobal Dupouy, Special Representative of the OAS Secretary General in Haiti, stated, "[...] The OAS remains committed to the Haitian people in their profound determination to combat the scourges that plague the nation's stability. This represents an unprecedented cooperation between France, Canada, the OAS, and the Haitian National Police."



S/ HaitiLibre


















The currently observed attacks on SharePoint servers exploit a vulnerability in local installations of Microsoft SharePoint (CVE-2025-53770) that was unknown until July 20, 2025. As there was no update to protect against this until recently  this was a zero-day vulnerability , attackers were able to take over the vulnerable systems at will and embed themselves there. This problem is not eliminated by applying the patches. Attackers could still gain access to the Sharepoint server and other systems.

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We describe how the attackers have proceeded in their previous attacks, what traces they have left behind and how you can specifically track them down to find out whether your own company is affected. We then provide tips for the targeted search and cleaning of affected systems. If you would like to skip the summary, continue reading directly at "What those affected should do now".

What has happened

Attackers exploit a combination of several vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code on SharePoint servers without authentication. Specially crafted HTTP requests are used to write an ASPX webshell to the SharePoint file system, which can then be used to execute arbitrary commands. The best-known campaign uses a webshell with the name spinstall0.aspx . Palo Alto Networks also described at least two other exploit variants , including variants with slightly different names, the use of sleep() and the storage of configuration data in files such as debug_dev.js .

The exploited vulnerability only affects on-premises installations of SharePoint. Cloud-based variants such as SharePoint Online (Microsoft 365) are not affected. It is currently not known why these are not vulnerable.

Uber den Autor Florian Roth ist CTO der Nextron Systems GmbH. Er ist ein international renommierter Experte fur das Aufspuren von fortgeschrittenen Angreifern und Schopfer des APT Scanners Thor. Roth ist besonders bekannt fur seine Yara-Regeln; er hat aber zusammen mit Thomas Patzke auch das Sigma-Projekt fur die Analyse von Logfiles gegrundet.

The situation: Many systems compromised

Despite the public warnings, hundreds of vulnerable SharePoint systems are still accessible on the internet. Lists of already compromised systems are circulating in relevant circles, including the associated webshells, which are publicly accessible and usable. It can be assumed that these systems will receive an uninvited visit sooner rather than later.

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So far, the attacks appear to have focused on the government, education, healthcare and large corporate sectors. However, the first proof-of-concepts exploits of the vulnerability have already been published. These also make it possible for other attacker groups to exploit the gaps. It is to be expected that cybercrime gangs in particular will jump on the bandwagon and spread the attacks. Immediate patching of servers is therefore essential, unpatchable servers should be disconnected from the Internet.

As the exploits have already been published and are being passed on in the relevant circles, we see no point in withholding this important information from the defenders.

Attack indicators (IoCs)

The attacks are carried out via a POST request to

/_layouts/15/ToolPane.aspx

with an HTTP referer header

/_layouts/SignOut.aspx

These are stable signs of a successful attack (Indicators of Compromise), which you should look out for in your log files. If they occur before a patch, it can be assumed that the attackers have compromised the system.

Campaign-specific IoCs

The attacks observed so far create a webshell called spinstall0.aspx in one of the following paths:

# C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Web Server Extensions\15\TEMPLATE\LAYOUTS\

# ...\16\TEMPLATE\LAYOUTS\`

This results in HTTP accesses to /_layouts/15/spinstall0.aspx when accessing this webshell. Powershell is then executed via w3wp.exe . This receives Base64-encoded input commands, which can be found in the event log or log files. A file called debug_dev.js with Base64 content is also used. These are the hash sums of the known webshells and scripts:

- 27c45b8ed7b8a7e5fff473b50c24028bd028a9fe8e25e5cea2bf5e676e531014

- 92bb4ddb98eeaf11fc15bb32e71d0a63256a0ed826a03ba293ce3a8bf057a514

- 8d3d3f3a17d233bc8562765e61f7314ca7a08130ac0fb153ffd091612920b0f2

- 30955794792a7ce045660bb1e1917eef36f1d5865891b8110bf982382b305b27

- 4a02a72aedc3356d8cb38f01f0e0b9f26ddc5ccb7c0f04a561337cf24aa84030

- fa3a74a6c015c801f5341c02be2cbdfb301c6ed60633d49fc0bc723617741af7

The attacks originated from the following IP addresses:

- 107.191.58[.]76

- 45.77.155[.]170

- 154.223.19[.]106

You can look for these in log files from firewalls, for example. However, future attacks may rely on other techniques, meaning that these IoCs are only of limited value.

What those affected should do now

Even after the SharePoint patches have been installed, it must be assumed that attackers have been able to gain access to the system. If the attackers' legacies and modifications remain unnoticed, it is likely that they will access the systems again at a later date, for example to encrypt data and blackmail the company. This is what happened in 2020, for example, when admins at Dusseldorf University Hospital patched the so-called Shitrix zero-day vulnerability in their Citrix VPN gateways, but did not notice the backdoor that had already been installed. Some time later, the university hospital was paralyzed by a ransomware attack in which the attackers used this backdoor.

After patching, it must therefore be assumed that systems have already been compromised by attackers. We recommend the following measures to determine whether an attack has actually taken place and perhaps even been successful:

Search for the IoCs listed above Compromise analysis with suitable tools such as Yara; we provide suitable Yara rules on Github. You can also use the free Thor Lite, which is included in the current Desinfec't, for example. Remove found webshells Regenerate MachineKeys (ValidationKey, DecryptionKey) according to the Microsoft instructions Change access data  especially for service accounts and administrative users Check IIS logs and event logs for signs of further activity

Microsoft recommends using its own Defender Antivirus to detect webshells, for example. It should be noted that there have been publicly available, generic Yara rules since 2021 that detect the webshells used in this campaign  long before the first advisories were published. Anyone who regularly scans their exposed systems with the open source rules would therefore have received clear indications of a compromise (unlike many antivirus engines, which did not yet recognize the webshells at the time of the first analyses).

While open source rules for Yara already detected the webshell "spinstall0.aspx, the common antivirus tools did not yet sound the alarm. (Image: Screenshot Virustotal)

The following tools help in the search for traces and legacies of the attackers:

Sources and further information

At heise security

External

(vbr)

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.
Nasijarvi in Ylojarvi recorded a surface water temperature of 25.2C on Tuesday, 5.6C above the long-term July average. In Nurmes, Lake Pielinens surface temperature was 6.5C higher than normal for this time of year.

Several Finnish lakes have reached surface temperatures above 25C this week, offering rare summer conditions for swimmers but creating problems for cold-water fish and lake ecosystems.

According to the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), most lakes across Finland are now significantly warmer than usual for late July. Daily measurements show the warmest readings this morning came from Pielavesi at 25.7C, along with high temperatures at Lappajarvi and Pielinen.

Despite the heat, the recent upward trend appears to be levelling off. So far it looks like the temperature rise is stabilising, said Sami Soosalu, a hydrologist at Syke. That means new records are unlikely for now, but continued heat could change that.

The warmth has drawn holidaymakers to beaches across the country. However, scientists warn that prolonged surface heating threatens underwater ecosystems by strengthening stratification, the layering of warm surface water and colder bottom water.

This prevents mixing of oxygen-rich surface water and deeper layers, said Satu Maaria Karjalainen, a senior researcher and group leader at Syke. Oxygen levels near the lakebed may drop, especially if there is a high nutrient load.

Karjalainen explained that stratified conditions may also increase internal nutrient release from sediments, fuelling algae growth. Some cyanobacteria species thrive in warm, nutrient-rich environments, raising the risk of harmful blooms.

For cold-water species such as trout and other salmonids, the impact is more direct. These fish need cold and oxygen-rich water. During heatwaves, they may struggle to find suitable habitat, Karjalainen said.

The strain on aquatic life has already led to policy changes. Metsahallitus, Finlands state-owned forest and land manager, announced this week it would suspend fishing permit sales at several salmon streams due to rising water temperatures.

Karjalainen said these challenges are likely to intensify with climate change. Warmer summers and shorter winters could permanently shift lake conditions in Finland, forcing freshwater species to adapt, or disappear.

Biodiversity in our inland waters is under threat, she said. We are seeing the early stages of long-term change.

Measurements are part of Finlands national environmental monitoring programme. The five warmest lakes on Tuesday, in addition to Nasijarvi and Pielinen, were Pyhajarvi in Sakyla, Langelmavesi, and Paijanne.

Daily temperature data is updated on the Finnish environmental administrations joint web platform, where trends are closely watched by researchers and authorities.

The warm waters have brought mixed reactions. Families enjoying the lakeside conditions said the warmest swimming in years has transformed their summer experience. But for those working in environmental protection, the figures raise concern.

The consequences may not be visible to swimmers, but underwater, the stress on species is real, Karjalainen said.

HT
The OSCE chairmanship office confirmed that two delegates from the Russian government and three from Belarus are scheduled to take part in the event.

Government representatives from Russia and Belarus are expected in Helsinki next week to attend the Helsinki+50 conference , hosted by Finland in its role as chair of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

The Helsinki+50 conference marks half a century since the 1975 Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (CSCE), held in the Finnish capital, which led to the adoption of the Helsinki Final Act, a cornerstone of the OSCE framework.

The event will focus on reaffirming the commitment of participating states to the founding principles of the OSCE, including respect for sovereignty, territorial integrity, and human rights.

Finland holds the OSCE chair for the current calendar year. As chair, it has emphasised dialogue and adherence to the original spirit of the Helsinki Accords, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions among member states.

The presence of Russian and Belarusian officials is likely to draw attention amid continued criticism of both countries roles in regional conflicts, particularly Russias war in Ukraine.

The Finnish organisers have not disclosed the full list of attendees or the identities of the Russian and Belarusian representatives.

The Helsinki+50 conference is scheduled to take place in the Finnish capital over several days, with sessions involving diplomats, experts, and observers from across the OSCEs 57 participating states.

HT
The closure would involve halting operations of Paper Machine 1, originally commissioned in 1975. Final decisions will follow the conclusion of mandatory labour consultations, which begin on 31 July and are scheduled to last six weeks.

UPM-Kymmene is preparing to shut down paper production at its Kaukas mill in Lappeenranta by the end of the year, affecting an estimated 220 employees. The company cites overcapacity in the coated magazine paper market and declining global demand.

The proposed changes were announced alongside UPMs second-quarter financial results, which fell short of analysts expectations. Revenue declined to 2.40 billion from 2.55 billion year-on-year, and comparable operating profit dropped to 126 million, down from 182 million.

UPM said the decision would cut annual production capacity by 300,000 tonnes and generate savings of approximately 32 million. Production of coated magazine paper in Finland will be consolidated in Rauma, though no new positions will be created there. The company aims to increase utilisation of existing machinery rather than expand staffing.

Gunnar Eberhardt, head of UPMs Communication Papers division, said the move was necessary to improve cost efficiency and support competitiveness. The planned measures will enable more effective use of capacity and strengthen our cost structure, he stated.

Antti Hermonen, head of production at UPM Communication Papers, said Europes magazine paper market faces a structural overcapacity of 1.1 million tonnes. The proposed shutdown would reduce that figure by 300,000 tonnes, but 800,000 tonnes of excess supply would remain.

Digitalisation is at the core of the industrys long-term decline. Consumption of printed magazines and advertising-based publications has fallen across Europe and North America, eroding demand for UPMs core paper products.

UPM confirmed that pulp, sawmill, biofuel and chemical production at the Kaukas site will continue as before. The mills research and development operations and forest services unit will also remain. Approximately 800 of the current 950 UPM employees at Kaukas are expected to continue in other roles.

Despite ongoing investments in new bio-based businesses, the planned closure has prompted concern in Lappeenranta and the wider South Karelia region. Kari Rikkila, chief shop steward at the Kaukas mill, said the decision was not unexpected given recent market trends but was still hard to accept. You pull your chin to your chest. What else can you do? he said.

The announcement also triggered a political response. Finlands Minister of Employment Matias Marttinen announced he will interrupt his summer leave and travel to Lappeenranta early next week. He described the situation as heavy for the region and said the government will explore ways to support affected workers.

Every lost industrial job is significant, not just locally but nationally, Marttinen said. He added that Finlands forest industry still has long-term potential, despite the sectors internal restructuring.

UPM completed a previous round of negotiations in May that affected 613 employees across mills in Lappeenranta and Kouvola. That process resulted in 25 redundancies at Kaukas.

The Kaukas site remains one of UPMs largest production centres. It includes the companys main R&D facility, built in 1961, and a range of units producing pulp, biofuels, timber, and pharmaceutical ingredients. Around 500 subcontractors also work at the site.

HT
The date marks the point at which humanitys use of natural resources has exceeded what Earth can regenerate in a year. WWF states that to return to a sustainable level of consumption, global use of natural resources must fall by approximately 45 percent.

Global consumption has reached a critical threshold again this year, with Earth Overshoot Day falling today, according to WWF Finland.

This years Overshoot Day lands in late July. The date has remained within the JulyAugust range for more than a decade, indicating no meaningful progress in reducing overall consumption.

In Finland, Earth Overshoot Day arrived months earlier, in April. WWF Finland reports that the average Finnish resident uses more than twice the global average of natural resources. Over the past ten years, Finland's per capita consumption has increased by more than 10 percent in relation to available biocapacity.

Calculations for Earth Overshoot Day are made annually by the Global Footprint Network in partnership with York University in Canada. The analysis combines data on carbon emissions, food systems, housing, transportation, and other sectors to estimate how many planets would be needed if all people consumed at the level of a given country.

This years global Overshoot Day is one day earlier than in 2023, when it fell on 1 August. WWF argues that the consistent overshooting signals a dangerous trend that places pressure on ecosystems and weakens biodiversity.

According to the group, the consequences of overuse include deforestation, soil erosion, overfishing, and increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. These pressures reduce the Earths ability to support life and adapt to climate-related changes.

WWF Finland says that slowing the pace of resource consumption requires structural shifts in energy use, food production, and material efficiency. They highlight measures such as cutting food waste, increasing renewable energy share, and improving building insulation.

Despite growing public awareness, the environmental group warns that political commitment to reversing ecological overshoot remains weak. They emphasise that achieving global sustainability requires coordinated policy action and a shift in consumption habits across both developed and emerging economies.

HT
In a joint statement , BBC News, AFP, AP, and Reuters expressed desperate concern for local journalists who, for months, have provided frontline coverage from inside Gaza. They are now facing the same dire circumstances as those they are covering, the statement read.

Major international news organisations have warned that journalists in Gaza are at risk of starvation, as aid deliveries remain insufficient and deaths from malnutrition continue to rise.

The warning comes as the humanitarian situation in Gaza worsens. On Wednesday, the Hamas-run health ministry reported two more deaths due to malnutrition, bringing the total since October 2023 to 113.

We are not close to famine, we are living it, said Dr Aseel, a local doctor speaking to the BBC. People are tired. The suffering is beyond description.

The United Nations says the volume of humanitarian aid entering Gaza remains drastically below the necessary level. The UNs humanitarian agency Ocha described the current flow as a trickle and warned of the rapid collapse of the last lifelines keeping people alive.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called the situation mass starvation and said it is very clear this is man-made. It added that it had documented 21 deaths related to malnutrition in children under five in 2025 alone.

Medical staff in Gaza say they are struggling to care for the injured and malnourished while facing shortages of food, fuel, and medicine. British paramedic Sam Sears, working at a UK-funded field hospital, reported high numbers of malnourished patients, including pregnant women.

The food shortage here is an extreme pressure, he said. Markets barely have tomatoes or cucumbers. Staples like flour and sugar are priced beyond reach.

A UN-supported academic, Dr Fadi Nasser, described witnessing a man collapse in the street from hunger. He told me he hadnt eaten in two days, Nasser said. There is little I can do.

Women and children remain especially vulnerable. In the south of Gaza, Najah, a 19-year-old mother, told the BBC she cannot breastfeed her infant son due to her own hunger. We havent seen bread in a while, she said. My baby has been sleeping for a week.

The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has warned of catastrophic birth outcomes in Gaza due to starvation, psychological trauma, and the collapse of healthcare services. According to the agency, the number of births in the first half of 2025 dropped by over 40 percent compared to the same period in 2022.

Despite ongoing deliveries, aid is not reaching those in need. On Wednesday, Israel said 150 trucks were collected by UN agencies inside Gaza and another 800 are waiting to be picked up. However, humanitarian organisations say restrictions, damaged roads, fuel shortages, and security concerns prevent effective distribution.

More than 100 aid agencies issued a joint statement this week warning of mass starvation across Gaza and accusing Israel of obstructing aid access. Israel denies responsibility, with officials blaming Hamas for hijacking aid and sabotaging distribution efforts.

Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, rejected accusations of engineering a humanitarian crisis, saying Israel is providing humanitarian aid according to international law.

At the same time, Israel has announced plans to restrict the UNs humanitarian operations by vetting hundreds of employees and revoking the visa of Jonathan Whitthall, the head of Ochas office for the occupied Palestinian territory.

Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations are reportedly continuing in Italy, involving US, Israeli, and Qatari officials. Talks include proposals for a 60-day truce and broader humanitarian access.

Since 7 October 2023, the Hamas-run health ministry reports 59,219 deaths in Gaza, including 113 from hunger-related causes. Aid agencies estimate that 500 to 600 trucks are needed daily to meet the populations basic needs, yet fewer than 30 have been reaching civilians on average per day.

HT
According to the Wall Street Journal, Attorney General Pam Bondi told the president during a routine briefing that he was among hundreds of individuals mentioned in the documents. The report noted that inclusion in the files does not imply criminal wrongdoing.

The White House has dismissed reports that President Donald Trump was informed in May his name appears in Justice Department documents related to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein .

In response, Steven Cheung, a spokesperson for Trump, labelled the story a continuation of fake news.

A White House official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, declined to dispute that Trump is named in the records. They said Trump had already been listed in prior documents released by the Justice Department, which included phone numbers linked to members of Trumps family.

During his presidential campaign, Trump had pledged to release all Epstein-related records. His base has since grown increasingly vocal in its demands, particularly after Bondi previously suggested major disclosures were forthcoming, including a lot of names and a lot of flight logs.

Earlier this month, Bondi stated that the department had found no incriminating client list and confirmed that Epstein died by suicide in a New York jail in 2019. That reversal drew backlash from Trump supporters, some of whom called for her resignation.

The president denied earlier in July that he had been told about the presence of his name in the files. But the Journal reports that Bondi informed him the records included unverified hearsay and sensitive material such as child abuse evidence and victim identities.

The Justice Department maintains that none of the information warrants prosecution.

On Wednesday, a federal judge in Florida rejected a request by the Justice Department to unseal grand jury records related to Epsteins earlier prosecution there. In a 12-page ruling, Judge Robin Rosenberg said she was bound by state secrecy laws.

Meanwhile, a subcommittee within the House Oversight Committee voted to subpoena the Justice Department for the records. The vote, which included support from three Republicans and five Democrats, now awaits sign-off from Chairman James Comer before it can proceed.

In a parallel move, House Republicans also issued a legal summons for Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking, to testify remotely before the committee on 11 August.

Maxwells lawyer David Oscar Markus told the BBC that she is considering her response and plans to meet with the Justice Department. If she chooses to testify, she would testify truthfully, he said.

Republican leadership remains divided over the issue. House Speaker Mike Johnson has warned that Maxwell is not credible, calling her a conspirator in unspeakable acts against innocent people.

Earlier this week, Speaker Johnson closed the congressional voting session for summer one day early, halting legislation aimed at forcing disclosure of the Epstein files. Despite this, Wednesdays committee vote demonstrated bipartisan momentum to press for more transparency.

The FBI has also pushed back against the renewed focus on Epstein, calling recent reporting an attempt to undermine the president with smears and lies.

Epstein, who was awaiting trial for sex trafficking when he died in 2019, has remained the centre of public fascination and political conspiracy theories. The Justice Department said this month that no central client list exists and that previously released documents are incomplete, redacted, and contain unverified information.

Trump previously admitted to a past social connection with Epstein, stating they parted ways in 2004.

The White House has not confirmed whether Trump intends to pursue further disclosures of the records. According to officials, additional requests to unseal documents in New York are still pending before separate judges.

HT
ARTIST William Percy Mundy died peacefully at home in Henley on Wednesday, July 2. He was 88.

Bill, as he was known, was born in Wokingham in 1936.

He went on to become an apprentice lithographic artist in Reading at the biscuit tin makers Huntley, Boorne & Stevens.

Bill completed his national service in Singapore with the Royal Engineers during the Malayan Emergency, where he drew maps for use by the British troops in Malaya.

Upon his return he finished his apprenticeship and continued to work for Huntley, Boorne & Stevens designing biscuit tins, some of which can be seen in Reading Museum.

In 1960 Bill returned to Singapore, a country much loved by him, and eventually became regional director for Grant International Advertising Agency.

He spent many happy years in the Far East, living and working in Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok and it is here that he first started to paint miniature portraits as he could easily pack his paints and brushes in his briefcase when undertaking his frequent business trips around the region.

During his time in Asia, and as his skills as a portrait artist became honed and well-known, Bill became The Court Painter to the Johor Royal family in Malaysia. He was great friends with the Sultan, Ismail Al-Khalidi, and painted many portraits for the family, both large and small, including miniature portraits of all the then Princess Azizahs children.

He was also commissioned to paint a miniature of King Bhumipol Aduladej in Thailand and presented two miniatures of herself to his daughter Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn at the Chitralada Palace in Bangkok.

While living in Singapore in 1962 Bill, then just 26 years old, noticed an advert in The Straits Times for an open competition to design murals for the new Paya Lebar airport passenger terminal.

He and his great friend and colleague Shamsuddin H Akib both entered and were delighted to hear that two of Bills designs, Skyline of Singapore and Races and Religions of Malaysia, and one of Shams, Cultural Dances of Malaysia, were chosen as the winning entries.

All were subsequently commissioned and installed in the airport. Bills cityscape mural was placed at the top of the staircase in the main concourse, measuring 12ft long, and remained in situ until Paya Lebar was replaced by the new Changi Airport in the early Eighties.

Bill returned to the UK in 1978 and, following his passion, became a full-time artist and a much-celebrated portrait painter, particularly in the field of miniatures.

He practised the revered English art of miniature portrait painting for more than 40 years, devoting his life to the artform.

Driven by his desire to create heirlooms for people that retain their intimacy and sentimental value for many centuries to come, just like the paintings of the old masters, he used traditional materials and techniques, such as painting on vellum with watercolours using a pointillism technique (painstakingly building up the painting through tiny dots of colour).

He was one of very few who kept the old traditions alive, as many turned to more modern techniques and materials. His body of work includes more than 800 miniature paintings and many hundreds of larger paintings, among them commissions from the royal families in the UK and abroad.

His work is renowned and revered around the world and he is represented in royal collections in the UK, Malaysia and Thailand, and at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, as well as many other private collections.

Bill was a highly regarded member of the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors & Gravers (RMS), the Miniature Art Society of Florida (MASF) and the Hilliard Society of Miniaturists (HS) and was an elected Signature Member of the Miniature Artists of America (MAA).

He won every top award from the major miniature art societies in the world, often many times. No other miniature artist in recent memory has had such an influence across the world nor been represented in such a wide range of notable collections.

His work has been exhibited at the Royal Academy of Art, where two of his large paintings won Exhibit of the Year at the renowned Summer Exhibition in 1980 and 1982.

The calibre of a portrait artist is often demonstrated by their sitters. Bills most notable included the late Philip, King Bhumipol Aduladej of Thailand, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah of Malaysia, the Sultan of Oman, the Sultan of Pahang, the Sultan of Johor, Mother Teresa, Boris Johnson and Jacob Rees-Mogg, among many others.

He was commissioned to paint a miniature equestrian portrait for the late Queen Elizabeth II in 1995 and in 2011 he presented a commissioned portrait of Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, to the Duke in Windsor on his retirement as chairman of the Prince Philip Trust Fund.

This year his larger than life-size portrait of King Charles III on his coronation day was gratefully received by Queen Camilla to hang in the family home.

His desire to keep the art form alive kept him lecturing and encouraging new talent in the field. His five published works shared his craft, most notably My Life In Miniature (2019). As part of his desire to encourage others, since 1983 Bill has sponsored the Mundy Sovereign Award, given for the best miniature portrait at the Royal Miniature Society annual exhibition. This award is recognised as the most prestigious miniature portrait award in the UK. In 2025 he also added the Bill Mundy Portrait Award at the Hilliard Society.

Among his other achievements, Bill was featured on the BBCs Big Event in 2007, where he painted a miniature of Henry VIII live on air, and on Star Portraits in 2005, where he was one of three artists chosen to paint the comedian Adrian Edmondson from life.

Bill continued to paint full time until his death and was also working on his sixth book which will include more than 600 of his paintings and drawings and was his legacy to the art world. The family hope to complete the book for him.

He died peacefully at his beloved riverside home, where he painted all his works for the past 47 years.

Bill is survived by his wife Claire, sister-in-law Valerie, his three nephews Neil, Ian and Tim, and niece Louisa.

His funeral will be held at 11.30am on Thursday at St Marys Church in Henley.
MINSK, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Belarus has launched the first project under the Global Development Initiative (GDI) on Wednesday here.

The project "Safeguarding Forests of Belarus: A Comprehensive Fire Preparedness Initiative for Community-Based Fire Prevention and Response" is funded by China's Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund (GDF). The total financial assistance amounts to 2 million U.S. dollars and is implemented jointly with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ministry of Forestry of Belarus.

The project involves equipping Belarusian forestry enterprises and fire departments with the latest firefighting equipment and technology, enhancing the effectiveness of early warning and rapid response to forest fires, and reducing the threat of natural disasters to natural resources, as well as to citizens' lives and property.

During the ceremonial event, Belarusian Forestry Minister Aleksandr Kulik expressed sincere gratitude to the government of China and the UNDP for their support and cooperation.

Global climate change poses serious challenges to protecting forests from fires, and for Belarus, where forests cover more than 40 percent of the country's territory, this issue is of particular importance, the minister said, adding that the project will strengthen the material and technical base of fire prevention.

Chinese Ambassador to Belarus Zhang Wenchuan said that since its establishment in 2015, the GDF has significantly improved people's well-being, strengthened the capacities of recipient countries, and significantly contributed to implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

The ambassador believed that this project will become a new model of cooperation between China and Belarus in jointly implementing the GDI, giving new impetus to the friendship between the two countries and practical collaboration in various fields.

Liu Renfei, the UNDP's resident representative in Belarus, said the UNDP welcomes China's GDI as a contribution to accelerating the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by developing countries.

The initiative reflects a commitment to multilateral cooperation under the UN framework and South-South cooperation, while the GDF turns these commitments into tangible results by helping developing countries implement projects on the ground, Liu said.

The UNDP cooperates with all member states, including China, to align with international development cooperation principles that strengthen multilateral frameworks and accelerate SDG implementation, Liu said.
JERUSALEM - When the Tel Aviv light rail opened in the summer of 2023, it shaved travel time from the city's southern neighborhoods to the haredi Orthodox city of Bnei Brak to just 20 minutes. For some, the new route increased access to a burgeoning Thursday-night tradition: sitting down for steaming bowls of cholent, the slow-cooked Ashkenazi Shabbat stew.

"For me, having a bowl of cholent on Thursday night adds a little bit of Shabbat's holiness into the end of the week, and deepens my connection to the ultra-Orthodox neighborhoods and people," said Eliyahu Freedman, who regularly travels wi...
After his beloved and extremely Jewish sitcom "Curb Your Enthusiasm" ended after 12 seasons last year, many fans undoubtedly had the same thought: Would this be the last of Larry David on TV?

The notorious curmudgeon's answer: Absolutely not.

On Thursday, David announced that he will be partnering with Barack and Michelle Obama's production company to create a six-episode sketch comedy series about American history.

The 78-year-old David will star in, co-write and executive produce the new series, which will air on HBO, the home of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." Higher Ground, the Obamas' production...
(JTA)  An amateur film critic named Evan gave the new Superman movie five out of five stars. Writing on the Letterboxd platform, they praised the films unique visual identity and called director and screenwriter James Gunn the best comic director. And they added, Very anti-Israel which is awesome to see from a major studio blockbuster.

When Evans capsule review was shared by at least one user on X, it garnered more than 11 million views and 36,000 likes.

Evan isnt the only one to suggest that the new blockbuster carries an implicit  or even explicit  anti-Israel message. Social m...
A uniquely American Passover tradition could become a thing of the past, after President Donald Trump announced that he had successfully pressed Coca-Cola to change the formulation of its signature drink in the United States.

I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so, Trump wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform, on Wednesday. Id like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them  Youll see. Its just better!

Such a change would obviate Coca-Colas special r...
Submitted by the family

Master Chief Francis "Frank" Carroll United States Navy, retired, age 83, born on June 1, 1942, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sadly left our lives the morning of July 3, 2025.

Frank was the beloved husband of Shirley (Blumenthal) Carroll for over 48 years. Master Chief Francis Carroll proudly and honorably served with the United States Navy for 23 years. He sailed on eight ships as a boilerman technician and was a Naval Instructor during his military career. He often told us that he would re-enlist again if he were young enough.

After military service, Dad brought his skills, leadership and experience to civilian life and enjoyed a successful career as plant operations manager at Lucent Technology (AT&T Bell Laboratory) and the University of Central Florida. Frank and Shirley settled in Orlando, Florida, after residing in Pennsylvania for many years. As a true Pennsylvanian, Frank enjoyed his favorite beverage, ice cold Yuengling Beer along with Utz Pretzels.

Frank was predeceased by his parents, John & Marie (Wise) Carroll, and siblings (Marie, Richard and George). He attended Catholic school and along with his military service, he was a man of discipline, honesty, and integrity. He was also quite the family man and role model. Dad set the bar high for his three children by adding much love, nurturing, and unmatched parenting skills to daughters Hope Caplan, Michele Lazarow (Brian), and son Frank Silverman (Barbara). He was a loving and attentive "Poppy" to Samuel Caplan (Anna), Daniel Caplan, Faith Schnapp (Zachary), Drew Lazarow, Avery Silverman and Dylan Silverman. They loved him as much as he loved them. He never missed an opportunity to guide all of us in the right direction, always looking out for our welfare. Poppy will also be sadly missed by his sister-in-law, Kathy Carroll and nephew, George Carroll, Jr. (Gabriela).

Frank's love for Shirley was enhanced with their years of owning horses (they showed, raced and bred them). They also raised many dogs, always two at a time. He had quite the green thumb, which became part of his morning ritual: coffee with mom, reading the newspaper, and tending to the patio and backyard full of meticulous landscaping, including birds-of-paradise, a fruitful lemon tree, and other beautiful tropical plants. Retired for many years and educated with the world around us, Frank was well read, stayed current with the news and latest technology. Poppy was a great storyteller and fun to talk with about almost anything. He was and always will be our shining light.

A private military funeral with military honors will be held with Frank's immediate family. Master Chief Francis Carroll was laid to rest at the Cape Canaveral National Cemetery in Mims, Florida.

Service entrusted to Beth Shalom Memorial Chapel, 933 Lee Road, Suite 101, Orlando, Florida 407-599-1180.
While the majority of Americans oppose antisemitism, a quarter believe that the recent string of attacks on Jews in the United States were understandable, according to a new report released by the Anti-Defamation League on Friday.

The report comes in the wake of three recent attacks on Jewish targets by people claiming to act on behalf of the Palestinians: the arson attack on Jewish Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiros house in April, the deadly shooting of two Israeli embassy workers in Washington D.C. in May and the firebombing attack on a group demonstrating for the release of the Israeli hos...
The number of antisemitic assaults and acts of vandalism on college campuses fell sharply in the last school year, according to Hillel International.

And the pro-Palestinian encampments that ignited fear among many Jewish college students in early 2024 effectively disappeared in the year since, with just nine encampments taking place in the last school year, the Jewish campus group said in its annual tally of antisemitic incidents, released Thursday, July 17.

But Hillel International said antisemitic incidents were still on the rise on college campuses overall, citing an increase in online har...
(JNS)  Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, has accused the United Nations of being transparently antisemitic.

The claim, made in an internal employee forum, was first reported by The Washington Post and followed a published report by a controversial U.N. official accusing a selection of businesses, including technology firms, of profiting from the genocide carried out by Israel in Gaza.

Google and its parent company, Alphabet, were among those listed in the U.N. report as a result of their provision of cloud and AI tech for the Israeli government and Israel Defense Forces.

With all due re...
(JNS)  The U.S. Board on Geographic Names, a 135-year-old federal body, voted on Thursday to change the names of two entities in Alaska, one with Nazi ties and the other a derogatory term for Japanese people.

The boards domestic names committee approved changing Nazi Creek, a mile-long stretch on the states Aleutian Islands, to a phrase that means gizzard creek in the Unangam Tunuu indigenous language.

It also opted to change nearby Nip Hill, an anti-Japanese reference, to a phrase that means gizzard hill.

Michael Livingston, a former police captain and member of the Qawalangin Tribe of...
(JNS) - Redeemed Hamas hostage Liri Albag will return to her Israel Defense Forces service this week, in a "significant" capacity, her father said on Monday.

Albag was abducted by Hamas from the military's Nahal Oz outpost during the terrorist group's Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border attack, and was kept in captivity in Gaza for 477 days. She was released as part of a ceasefire deal in January.

"She's not scared of anything," her father, Eli Albag, told Israel's Reshet Bet radio station, according to Israeli public broadcaster Kan News, which operates the station. "For m,e she is a hero, and I stand...
(JNS)  The Israel Defense Forces failed to protect Ofakim, a city of some 40,000 residents located 12.5 miles west of Beersheva, during the Oct. 7, 2023, cross-border massacre led by Hamas, an internal investigation report released by the military on Monday concludes.

The investigation further found that the bravery and quick battle engagements of police officers, civilians and soldiers on the scene were the primary reasons the killing spree was halted at a relatively early stage.

Fifteen Palestinian terrorists from Gaza invaded Ofakim a little after 7 a.m., murdering 11 civilians in the firs...
(JNS)  Israel has called on the United Nations Security Council to act against the Damascus regime for its role in atrocities being committed against Druze civilians in Syrias Suweida province.

In a letter dated July 17, Israels Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed deep concern over reports of brutal violence targeting the Druze community in southern Syria.

Saar described acts of killings and executions, defacement of bodies, public humiliation of captured civilians, alongside widespread looting and desecration of religious sites.

These heinous crimes terrorize the local community,...
(JNS)  A majority of Israelis want the Gaza Strip to remain under Israeli military rule after the current war ends, according to a survey published by the Jerusalem Center for Security and Foreign Affairs last week.

The poll, conducted by Menachem Lazar of Lazar Research at the beginning of July, found that 52 percent support an Israeli takeover of Gaza with a temporary military administration  if all hostages are first released. Only 4 percent believe Hamas should remain in power, whether politically or militarily.

The survey sampled more than 700 Israelis, both Jews and Arabs, aged 18 and...
(JNS)  Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clarified Israels two-pronged strategic goal in Syria on Thursday  ensuring southern Syria is demilitarized and protecting the Druze of that region.

Netanyahu defined southern Syria as an area running from the Golan Heights to Jabal al-Druze, a region encompassing nearly all of the as-Sweida Governorate, recently the site of massacres perpetrated by regime-linked Syrian forces against the Druze community.

The Syrian regime violated both red lines, Netanyahu said. It sent troops south of Damascus into an area that was supposed to remain demilitarized...
The University of Central Florida Hillel has welcomed Rabbi Jordan Gerson as its new executive director. He joined the staff in June, leaving his position as the Silk Foundation campus rabbi  chief experience officer of Hillel at Washington University in St. Louis, where he served approximately 1700 Jewish students for 11 years.

Before arriving at UCF, Gerson was selected to the eighth cohort of the Debra S. and Joseph S. Weinberg Accelerate Executive Advancement Program, Hillel's premier executive advancement experience. He and Central Florida Hillel Senior Jewish Educator, Dr. Jeffrey Levin...
By Edwin Black

It took more than 20 years of meticulous planning and practice for Israel to launch Operation Rising Lion. The Jewish State used every tool it could muster, from the clandestine forces of Mossad to its mighty air arsenal. It took almost two decades for America to develop the munitions and delivery system to finish the job. But more than mere munitions, it was the mental trigger that made the Twelve-Day War an explosive reality.

The turning point for Israel was Oct. 7 followed by the frightening certitude that Iran was just two weeks from nuclear readiness. Irans warhead, develo...
By David E. Bernstein,

David L. Bernstein

(JNS)  The Hamas-led massacre in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, horrified the Jewish world. For many American Jews, it felt personal. What followed on American college campuses further shocked American Jews. Rather than mourning or condemning Hamass atrocities, many individuals and student groups celebrated them, excused them or blamed Israel.

Chants of globalize the intifada and from the river to the sea spread across universities. Students praised martyrs and justified violence. Some mocked or denied the mass rapes and kidnappings that occurred. Jew...
(JNS)  By any historical measure, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Donald Trump are reshaping the world. Their alliance has helped deter global catastrophe.

The two leaders worked in close coordination to counter Irans nuclear ambitions and reshape the Middle East. Their partnership began before the 2020 Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Muslim-majority states. In June, that alliance deepened when Trump authorized a decisive U.S. strike on Irans underground nuclear facilities, an operation that reflected the long-standing stra...
(JNS)  When we speak of Israels diverse society, the spotlight often falls on its Jewish majority. But among the most steadfast pillars of the Israeli mosaic is the Druze community  a tiny, secretive offshoot of Islam whose loyalty to the state has become a model of shared citizenship.

Roughly 140,000 Druze live in Israel, primarily in villages across the Galilee and on Mount Carmel. Unlike other Arab citizens, Druze men are subject to mandatory military conscription in the Israel Defense Forces and often volunteer for combat roles. They serve in elite IDF units, border security, and rise t...
(JNS)  The New York Times should consider adopting the Jerusalem cross as its new logo to represent its crusade against Israel and the Jewish people. With a steady stream of slanted reporting and a roster of columnists united by their hostility to Israel (with the lone exception of columnist Bret Stephens), the Times has transformed itself from a paper of record into a platform for moral inversion.

Heres the journalistic trick for looking credible while advancing a political agenda: Choose sources that support your point of view. It is particularly effective when those sources are anonymous,...
(JNS)  Lebanese President Joseph Aoun declared on July 11, Lebanon does not intend to pursue normalization with Israel, though he left open the idea of peace as merely an absence of war. This ambiguous stance reflects Lebanons long-standing refusal to acknowledge Israel as a legitimate regional partner, despite shifting regional dynamics and significant recent Israeli military successes.

Since Israels founding in 1948, its relationship with Lebanon has been marred by conflict, including major wars in 1978, 1982 and 2006. While Israeli actions on Lebanese soil left scars, the far greater...
Bryan Kohberger, the suspect in murders of four Idaho college students, sat emotionless as one of the deceased's surviving roommates sobbed as she addressed the courtroom.

Tears streamed down the face of Dylan Mortensen, who was asleep in the basement of the college house when Kohberger allegedly murdered four of her roommates in the bedrooms, as she delivered her victim impact statement.

"He is a hollow vessel, something less than human. A body without empathy, without remorse. He chose destruction, he chose evil. He tried to take everything from me," she told the courtroom Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Kohberger appeared expressionless as Mortensen delivered her statement, staring straight ahead as she addressed the court. The 30-year-old admitted to the November 2022 murders of Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen after agreeing to a plea deal in late June that ruled out the death penalty.

Another roommate of the University of Idaho students, Bethany Funke, spoke out for the first time in the case with a friend delivering her statement for her.

"When I made the 911 call, I couldn't even get out the words. And from then on I don't remember a thing. It was like my brain wiped that whole memory. That was the worst day of my life, and I know it always will be," Funke's statement said.

Funke went on to say that the experience caused her to feel intense fear in other aspects of her life, sharing that she was scared to go places alone with fear that "the person who did this would come for me next."

The friend reading Funke's statement also choked up while reading it to the courtroom, but Kohberger maintained an emotionless expression throughout the ordeal.

Kohberger himself will have a chance to address the court before he is sentenced. He is facing up to life in prison.

Originally published on Latin Times
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson alleged that the Epstein files were altered by the Department of Justice under the Biden administration.

The Louisiana Rep. made the stunning claims while speaking to reporters on Wednesday.

Mike Johnson says the Epstein files could have been doctored by the Biden DOJ.



He's guilty AF. This is pure cover up. pic.twitter.com/dTRFMJ9mOw  Ron Smith (@Ronxyz00) July 23, 2025

"Quickly weigh in on Epstein. Many are hoping to see more of those files released, there could be future court proceedings, is there any reason that you have to believe that any documents were tampered with by so called deep state operatives?" a Newsmax journalist asked Johnson.

"Look, it hasn't been my area that I've worked on unfortunately. I wish I knew more about it. It's been in the Department of Justice. One of our concerns is, of course, that it was held in the hands of the DoJ leaders under the last administration, the Biden-Harris administration, and we all know how crooked and corrupt so many of those officials were, how they engaged in lawfare against President Trump," Johnson began.

"He has a concern, and I do as well, that things could have been doctored in those records. So that's part of the concern. But I'm for full transparency. We all are. Maximum transparency. The President is as well. There's no daylight between him and the Republicans in Congress. We'll continue to advocate for that, to let the people see the records and draw whatever conclusions they will," he added.

On the same day, Johnson accused the leadership of the Democratic Party of orchestrating a coverup of Biden's health decline, criticizing the same individuals that were advocating for the release of files pertaining to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

"We will not be lectured on transparency by the same party that orchestrated one of the most shameless, dangerous political cover-ups in the history of the United States  and that was President Biden's obvious mental decline," Johnson told reporters.

"House Republicans stand for maximum transparency and truth. We always have, and we always will," he added.

Originally published on Latin Times
Hard Rock International announces today it is working with HR Hotel FZ LLC, a joint venture company between Malta-based db Group and RAK Hospitality Holding (RAKHH), to bring Hard Rock Hotel & Residences Ras Al Khaimah to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This branded mixed-use development project is slated to open in 2028.

Its prime location on the Arabian Gulf in Ras Al Khaimah's Beach District, adjacent to Al Marjan Island, will offer approximately 300 rooms, 395 branded residences, and is set to create roughly 500 permanent job opportunities. The premier hotel will have restaurants featuring diverse cuisines and waterfront dining, a rooftop bar, conference space, event venue, beach club, swimming pools, spa and fitness center.

Ras Al Khaimah represents a strategic hub where diversified business opportunities and sustainable development principles drive economic growth across multiple sectors. Known as the Nature Emirate, the northernmost emirate has established itself as a premium destination that combines robust investment infrastructure with world-class tourism experiences, including access to Jebel Jaisthe UAE's highest peakand the world's longest zipline.

The emirate offers investors and residents a comprehensive value proposition that includes advanced business infrastructure, pristine natural environments spanning coastlines to the Hajar Mountains, and a 7,000-year heritage foundation. This integrated approach supports diverse economic activities while maintaining the authentic character and high-quality living standards that define Ras Al Khaimah's competitive position in the regional market.

For more information on Hard Rock Hotel openings, visit hotel.hardrock.com.

Hotel website
BWH Hotels has announced the reopening of WorldHotel Casati 18, a WorldHotels property, after the completion of its full-scale renovation, revealing a refreshed identity that places modern Italian design, intimate hospitality, and cultural richness at its core. The boutique hotel in the heart of Porta Venezia, Milan, unveiled its complete transformation, blending high-end Italian design, refined comfort, and vibrant local character to welcome a new era of travelers

Located in Milan's cosmopolitan Porta Venezia neighborhood, WorldHotel Casati 18 now welcomes guests to experience a refined boutique retreat designed to leave a lasting impression  whether visiting for fashion, business, or leisure. Boasting 80 thoughtfully redesigned rooms and suites, the hotel reemerges with a contemporary and inviting look curated by renowned architects and Italian design houses. Collaborations with prestigious brands such as Molteni&C, Flos, and Roda ensure a sophisticated atmosphere throughout the property, where every detail reflects craftsmanship, quality, and a sense of place.

WorldHotel Casati 18's refreshed interiors are matched by its enviable location on a quiet street just steps from Corso Buenos Aires, Milan's vibrant shopping artery. The hotel is within walking distance of key metro stations and Milan Central Station, placing the city's fashion, art, and culinary scenes at every guest's fingertips. Guests can also immerse themselves in the eclectic charm of Porta Venezia, known for its Art Nouveau architecture and diverse dining and nightlife options, as well as its significance as a hub for the LGBTQIA+ community.

The newly reopened 18 Contemporary Restaurant serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, crafted with seasonal ingredients and local flair. A continental buffet breakfast is served daily, complemented by a la carte favorites including egg dishes, fresh smoothies, and homemade pastries. The adjacent lounge bar, with a charming outdoor terrace, invites guests to unwind with signature cocktails and small plates in a stylish, sociable setting.

WorldHotel Casati 18 is now ready to welcome guests, media, and industry partners into its new era.

Hotel website
As Omni Scottsdale Resort & Spa at Montelucia continues to solidify its reputation as one of Arizona's premier wellness retreats, the resort is proud to announce the appointment of Ellen McGinnis as its new Director of Spa. McGinnis' passion for this industry stemmed from early roles in luxury spa operations, later evolving into a career defined by creating transformative guest experiences, including her recent tenure as Corporate Director of Spa for Omni Hotels & Resorts. With a proven track record of innovation, leadership, and operational excellence across award-winning spa properties, McGinnis is well-positioned to lead Joya Spa, home to Scottsdale's only Hammam treatment spa, in its next chapter while further enhancing the 31,000-square-foot sanctuary's status as a destination where ancient rituals and modern therapies create deeply restorative one-of-a-kind wellness journeys.

With more than 20 years of spa leadership and wellness experience spanning a variety of roles and disciplines, McGinnis' multi-faceted career includes leadership positions, such as Vice President of Consulting and New Business Development at Universal Companies, where she established a resort division that generated a new revenue stream and led consulting efforts for pre-opening initiatives. She later became a founding partner at Spa Development International Consulting, where she managed luxury spa projects from concept to completion, and served as Vice President of Operations at Innovative Spa Management, focusing on building profitable spa brands and delivering operational excellence.

In 2012, McGinnis joined Omni Hotels & Resorts as Spa Director at Omni Bedford Springs Resort & Spa in Pennsylvania, where she secured global recognition for service and facilities and achieved substantial year-over-year revenue growth, before advancing to Executive Spa Director at The Omni Grove Park Inn & Spa in Asheville, North Carolina. Most recently, she served as Corporate Director of Spa for Omni Hotels & Resorts, overseeing operations and managing projects from concept to completion, while inspiring teams across 27 award-winning spas to deliver transformative guest experiences. McGinnis was also the first spa professional to win the Omni Ideal Executive Award for Innovation in 2018.

Now, as Director of Spa at Omni Scottsdale's Joya Spa, McGinnis will oversee the resort's expansive Moroccan-inspired sanctuary, a renowned haven for unique wellness experiences thoughtfully conceived by Sylvia Sepielli, the visionary behind some of the world's most celebrated spas. Known for its signature Hammam experience, a rejuvenating hot and cold bathing ritual, the spa also features custom massages, facials, and body treatments, along with private suites, a relaxation room, and seasonal wellness programming. Guests can also dine on fresh, health-focused dishes at the Joya Terrace, arguably offering the region's best views of Camelback Mountain, to complement the overall wellness experience.

For more information, please visit www.omnihotels.com/hotels/scottsdale-montelucia or follow along on Instagram at @omnimontelucia.
Previously, we discussed preparing for Christmas magic. But why wait for winter to deliver an unforgettable "wow" moment? With family travel at its peak, the time to elevate your guest experience is now.

Introducing Aurokeys collection that turns a simple check-in into pure delight: "Vegetable Families" Doll Key Cards! These are furry, lovable companions with lanyards that kids (and adults!) will want to show off.

A Welcome That Wows: Swap the standard key card for a smiling Sir Garlic or a cuddly Miss Eggplant. The joy in that first interaction is priceless.

Swap the standard key card for a smiling Sir Garlic or a cuddly Miss Eggplant. The joy in that first interaction is priceless. A Souvenir That Becomes an Ambassador : These dolls don't get left behind. They hang on backpacks and travel bags, carrying your brand's story far beyond your hotel.

: These dolls don't get left behind. They hang on backpacks and travel bags, carrying your brand's story far beyond your hotel. Your Mascot, In Their Hands: This is where the real magic happens. GCSTIMES specializes in customization. We can transform your hotel's beloved mascot into a tangible, huggable key card that becomes the ultimate symbol of a stay with you.

You've perfected the luxury experience. Let's ensure every single detail, down to the key card, is just as exceptional!

ABOUT GCSTIMES

Since 2011, GCSTlMES has pioneered sustainable development, evolving from smart card R&D to sustainable material innovation. Today, we stand as a global platform for sustainable solutions.

Sustainability is our foundation. Through technological innovation and creative solutions, GCSTlMES delivers diverse services and tangible products, positioning ourselves as both manufacturers and innovators.

GCSTlMES believes technology should empower human progress and cultural preservation. By integrating sustainability into technology, we aim to make it "warm" and purposeful. Our products serve as cultural ambassadors, promoting local heritage worldwide.

Brand Portfolio: GCS, AUROkeys, Xenyra, and Glint Spot, offering sustainable smart cards, creative (custom-shaped) key cards sustainable supplies, cultural gifts, and bespoke design and related services.

Currently, GCSTlMES has five operational centers in China, US, UAE, France, and Australia, along with 20 subsidiaries and offices worldwide. Its services extend to over 140 countries and regions supporting more than 100,000 international hospitality group in achieving low-carbon and sustainable development goals.

GCS Times

MKT Team

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Amsterdam  Essendi, a leading hotel owner and operator in Europe, announced a strategic partnership with Workplace Pride, a global nonprofit organization committed to greater LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the workplace, during Pride Amsterdam 2025. The partnership will be officially formalized during the tenth annual INK goes PINK party at INK Hotel Amsterdam, one of Essendi's hotels. With this, Essendi underscores its continued commitment to inclusion and diversity within the hospitality sector in Western Europe.

The choice to announce the partnership here is no coincidence. For ten years, the INK Hotel and the annual PINK partya celebration of the diversity of the LGBTQIA+ community and the kickoff of Pride Weekhave symbolized equality, solidarity, and hospitality locally. For Essendi, the hotel's owner and operator, signing this agreement at this location and time makes a powerful statement that fully aligns with the event's values. Led by General Manager Jolanda de Smit, the INK team has been leading by example for years, making this the ideal location to take a significant step forward in Essendi's ESG ambitions.

Strategic collaboration for lasting impact

Workplace Pride is an international non-profit organization that supports companies in promoting LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the workplace. Through research, sharing best practices, and engaging leaders, the organization supports companies in creating a safe, equal, and stimulating work environment. By joining this network of progressive employers, Essendi is committed to measurable progress in LGBTQIA+ inclusion and translating its core values Care, Dare , and Empower into concrete action.

This collaboration aligns with one of the three pillars of Essendi's ESG strategy: putting people and inclusion at the heart of its vision of positive hospitality an approach where hospitality isn't just about comfort, but also about equality, safety, and recognition. It underscores the shared ambition to create environments where everyone feels welcome, valued, and empowered to thrive.

At Essendi, inclusion and diversity are embedded in everything we do. Thanks to the partnership with Workplace Pride, we're taking concrete steps: from inclusive leadership to a safe work environment and a culture where everyone can be themselves. Reinforcing this partnership during the tenth PINK Party isn't just symbolic; it's a celebration of what we stand for. Martijn van der Graaf, COO Western Europe at Essendi

Ten years of INK Hotel Amsterdam is more than just an anniversary; it's an ode to the journey we've made together with our guests and our team. We've created a place where everyone feels at home, where people are seen, heard, and respected. Diversity and inclusion have never been trends for us; they are the pillars of who we are. With the tenth edition of our INK goes PINK Party, we proudly celebrate our identity and the collaboration between Essendi and Workplace Pride. Jolanda de Smit, General Manager of INK Hotel Amsterdam - MGallery Collection

This partnership with Essendi demonstrates how inclusion can become a true core business value. By embedding LGBTQIA+ inclusion in leadership, strategy, and culture, Essendi proves that hospitality canand shouldbe a driver of equality and connection. David Pollard, co-founder and Executive Director of Workplace Pride

About Essendi

At Essendi, we do more than operate hotels: we create the dynamics that make them thrive. As a European leader in the economy and midscale segments, we invest and operate with a single ambition: to transform each asset into a sustainable, vibrant, and meaningful place. We combine asset management and operational excellence to unlock the unique potential of every hotel.

Present in 24 countries with 20,000 employees, we operate 576 hotels under internationally renowned brands such as ibis, Novotel, and Mercure, etc.

Wherever we are, we are committed to fostering positive hospitality, acting for the benefit of our business, our teams, and the world around us.

Learn more at Essendi.com
NORTH BETHESDA - Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest lodging franchisors, has rolled out two bold, new and first-of-its-kind campaigns, spotlighting the benefits of its four extended stay brandsEverhome Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Studios, and WoodSpring Suites. "Stay in Your Rhythm" a campaign focused on all its extended stay brands, shows guests how they can keep up with daily routines, while "The WoodSpring Way" highlights the genuine hospitality and friendly service WoodSpring Suites staff deliver to its guests. With over 550 extended stay locations open, 51 under construction, and 350+ in the pipeline, Choice Hotels is leading the way in long-term lodging.

As leaders in the extended stay segment, Choice Hotels has long understood that this category is unlike any other in the hospitality industry, defined by distinct guest expectations that we continuously strive to exceed. These first of their kind campaigns reflect our extensive understanding of why people stay longer  from work assignments and relocations to life transitions and personal journeys. No matter the reason, we know our guests aren't looking to escape their routines  they're looking to maintain them. That's why we take pride in our unique position to offer guests what matters most: consistency, comfort and connection. Noha Abdalla, Chief Marketing Officer, Choice Hotels

The "Stay in Your Rhythm" campaign underscores Choice Hotels' extended stay's commitment to helping business and leisure travelers maintain their routines during long-term stays. With in-room kitchens, guest laundry, fitness centers, and pet-friendly options available at all four of Choice Hotels' extended stay brands, guests never have to miss a beat from their normal routines. The campaign celebrates guests' ability to maintain their daily rituals, like brewing their morning coffee, cooking their favorite dinner, walking the dog, or doing a workout during extended stays.

"The

WoodSpring Way" campaign highlights the passion and genuine care WoodSpring property teams have for travelers, going above and beyond to ensure their guests have the comforts and conveniences of home during their stay. The featured general managers, spanning Chicago, Denver, Atlanta and Orlando, take pride in creating a home-like atmosphere and treating every guest- pets included - like family. Each manager exemplifies the pride and culture of the WoodSpring Suites brand, which has consistently shown industry best-in-class guest satisfaction for years.

Most recently, WoodSpring Suites was ranked the #1 economy extended stay brand in the J.D. Power 2025 North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study, achieving the top ranking across all six evaluated study dimensions which include guest room, hotel facility, hotel connectivity, hotel staff, value for prices paid, and check-in and check-out services. The brand earned recognition in the distinguished study for a fourth consecutive year, having been ranked the #1 economy extended stay brand in 2024 and 2023  since the category's introduction  and the #1 overall economy hotel brand in 2022. This achievement highlights the WoodSpring teams' dedication to guest service  from offering extra kitchen supplies to handing out special treats for dogs, they are always ready to lend a hand.

We've designed our extended stay properties to ensure we provide guests with everything they need when circumstances take them away from home for weeks at a time. Through the launch of our innovative campaigns, we aim to educate the growing population of extended stay travelers on how our brands offer the best value in the industry while also profiling the unique culture in our flagship brand, WoodSpring Suites, which has consistently set the standard for guest satisfaction in the segment. We're especially thankful to our owners and management company teams that help to build and sustain this culture on property, consistently delivering a great guest experience. Matt McElhare, Vice President, Extended Stay Brands, Choice Hotels

Both campaigns are driven by in-depth research and guest feedback showing that travelers value efficiency, cleanliness, good value, and flexibility during their stay. The campaigns will run through the rest of the year and into 2026, across various channels including paid social media, ConnectedTV, digital display and online video.

For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com and www.woodspring.com.

About Choice Hotels

Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world. The one to watch in upscale and a leader in midscale and extended stay, Choice has nearly 7,500 hotels, representing more than 630,000 rooms, in 45 countries and territories. A diverse portfolio of 22 brands that range from full-service upper upscale properties to midscale, extended stay and economy enables Choice to meet travelers' needs in more places and for more occasions while driving more value for franchise owners and shareholders. The award-winning Choice Privileges rewards program and co-brand credit card options provide members with a fast and easy way to earn reward nights and personalized perks. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This communication includes "forward-looking statements" about future events, including anticipated development and hotel openings. Such statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including construction delays, availability and cost of financing and the other "Risk Factors" described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, any of which could cause actual results to be materially different from our expectations.

Addendum

This is not an offering. No offer or sale of a franchise will be made except by a Franchise Disclosure Document first filed and registered with applicable state authorities. A copy of the Franchise Disclosure Document can be obtained through contacting Choice Hotels International at 915 Meeting Street, Suite 600, North Bethesda, Maryland 20852 or by email at: [email protected].

 2024 Choice Hotels International, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Hotel decision-makers in 2025 face an uncomfortable truth: the old playbook isnt working anymore. Labor shortages, consumer spending shifts, and rising operational costs are testing every propertys ability to maintain profitability.

To overcome these challenges, many hoteliers are turning to customer relationship management (CRM) systems to drive direct bookings and cultivate loyalty across the guest journey.

But heres the reality check: CRM isnt a magic wand. What works for a 200-property enterprise chain will fail spectacularly at an intimate boutique hotel, and vice versa. Lets break down the benefits of CRM for boutiques, resorts, and multi-brand portfolios in 2025, the pitfalls to avoid, and how to get it right.

Why hotel type matters: from boutique charm to enterprise complexity

CRM isnt one-size-fits-all. The needs of a 30-room boutique hotel in Santa Fe are radically different from those of a global brand managing 300 properties across five continents. Understanding your operational model  and the kind of CRM it demands  is key to making the right investment.

Boutique hotels: The personalization powerhouse

Boutique hotels thrive on creating intimate, personalized experiences that large chains cannot replicate. The biggest misconception among boutique hoteliers is that CRM systems are too complex or designed only for enterprise operations. In reality, the right CRM enables the level of personalization that boutique properties are famous for  without requiring teams to work around the clock tracking preferences manually.

Modern CRM platforms help boutique hotels automate guest communications without losing the human touch, build rich guest profiles with preferences and past stay history, and promote seasonal offers with targeted campaigns. The key is starting small: choose a CRM with an intuitive interface, easy PMS integration, and enough automation to take work off your plate. With those tools in place, boutique brands are positioned for success  such as Sircle Collection, which saw a 37% increase in booking revenue after implementing CRM.

Enterprise brands: manage complexity at scale

Enterprise hotel groups face different challenges: managing multiple properties, potentially different brands, and thousands of guest interactions daily. They need systems that handle multi-property data management with centralized reporting, brand preference centers where guests choose which properties to hear from, and advanced segmentation that works across entire portfolios.

Many enterprise customers assign a $10 value to each name in their database, knowing these guests return more frequently and spend more per stay. Smart enterprise properties treat their CRM database as a revenue asset, calculating exact ROI on CRM investments and database growth initiatives. For example, Acta Hotels tapped their new CRM to create 143,000 unique guest profiles and personalize over 30 marketing campaigns.

Resort properties: Extensive guest engagement

Resort properties require CRM systems that handle complex guest journeys spanning multiple services throughout longer stays. Unlike traditional hotels, resorts must track spa treatments, dining choices, activity bookings, and special occasions while coordinating communications across departments.

CRM helps resorts track guest behavior in real time, drive ancillary spend through personalized upsells, connect operational systems for a complete view of preferences, and tailor experiences to high-value segments. And, since resorts typically have longer stays, the CRM can provide more opportunities for personalization and additional service sales throughout a guests visit.

Essential factors for selecting the right hotel CRM

The right CRM doesnt just store guest data; it actively helps your team deliver better experiences and drive more direct bookings. Heres what to prioritize regardless of your property type.

Integration Capabilities: No vendor has every integration out of the box, but quality providers offer open APIs for custom development. Dont eliminate good CRMs for missing integrations, but understand development costs and timelines.

Data Management: Enterprise hotels often discover their 7 million guest profiles become 2.5 million after AI-assisted deduplication. Every duplicate wastes marketing spend and confuses guest experiences. Look for automated deduplication, real-time data verification, and unified guest profiles.

Effective AI: Your CRM should transform guest data into actionable insights. Look for predictive analytics for guest lifetime value, AI-powered email optimization, automated guest journey mapping, and real-time sentiment analysis from reviews.

The benefits of choosing a CRM by hotel type

CRM implementation delivers different advantages depending on your property type, from enhanced operational efficiency to improved guest satisfaction.

Boutique hotels gain competitive differentiation through technology that amplifies personal touches. For example, staff empowerment tools that highlight returning guests, hyper-targeted marketing based on actual interests, and automated local experience recommendations.

Enterprise hotels achieve operational excellence through systematic approaches to guest relationship management. Advanced capabilities enable cross-selling between properties, lifecycle marketing automation, and revenue shift tracking from OTA bookings to direct channels.

Resort properties benefit from comprehensive guest journey management that maximizes revenue across all amenities and services. The longer guest stays provide more opportunities for personalization and additional service sales, making CRM particularly valuable for optimizing the complete guest experience.

Common pitfalls to avoid in CRM selection

Even with the best intentions, hotels make predictable mistakes during CRM selection that lead to expensive do-overs.

Making cost the primary decision factor. Focus on value rather than price. The cost of a great hotel CRM can often be paid off with just a single email campaign.

Focus on value rather than price. The cost of a great hotel CRM can often be paid off with just a single email campaign. Underestimating integration complexity. Poor integration leads to data silos and frustrated staff. Ensure real-time data synchronization with your PMS and seamless booking engine connectivity.

Poor integration leads to data silos and frustrated staff. Ensure real-time data synchronization with your PMS and seamless booking engine connectivity. Neglecting scalability. Your CRM choice today affects competitiveness for years. Look for API flexibility, cloud-native architecture, and vendor stability.

Your CRM choice today affects competitiveness for years. Look for API flexibility, cloud-native architecture, and vendor stability. Overlooking data privacy. Data privacy is about both compliance and guest trust. Your CRM should include GDPR compliance, data encryption, and access controls while making privacy easier and not more complex.

Build for now, plan for whats next

The path forward for choosing the right CRM for your hotel is clear: understand your property types specific requirements, invest in thorough evaluation and selection processes, and choose platforms that evolve alongside your business.

No matter your hotel size or brand structure, the CRM should help you find the right guests, inspire them to book, and grow loyalty that lasts.

About Cendyn

Cendyn is a global hospitality cloud-based technology company that enables hotels to drive revenue, maximize profitability, and create deeper connections with guests through its integrated solutions. Serving hoteliers for nearly 30 years, Cendyn drives commercial success for hotels through its Find, Book, Grow promise: find the right guests, drive them to book direct, and grow loyalty and revenue across the spectrum of digital guest interactions.

Cendyn has over 35,000 customers worldwide in more than 150 countries generating more than $20 billion in annual hotel revenue. The company supports its growing customer base from locations across the globe, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Singapore, Bangkok, and India. To find out more, visit cendyn.com

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The U.S. hotel industry reported negative year-over-year comparisons, according to CoStars latest data through 19 July. CoStar is a leading provider of online real estate marketplaces, information and analytics in the property markets.

13-19 July 2025 (percentage change from comparable week in 2024):

Occupancy: 71.6% (-2.6%)

Average daily rate (ADR): US$165.49 (-0.7%)

Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$118.54 (-3.3%)

Among the Top 25 Markets, San Francisco

reported the highest occupancy lift (+7.8% to 77.2%).

Houston recorded the steepest declines in each of the three key performance metrics: occupancy (-27.6% to 59.6%), ADR (-14.7% to US$115.94) and RevPAR (-38.3% to US$69.07). The decreases are largely due to the elevated displacement demand period that followed Hurricane Beryl in 2024.

Las Vegas registered the second-largest drops in occupancy (-11.9% to 74.3%) and RevPAR (-17.1% to US$142.62).

For more information about the company and its products and services, please visit costargroup.com.
citizenM Miami South Beach Hotel - Image Credit Marriott International

Marriott International has finalized the acquisition of the citizenM brand, expanding its global portfolio with the addition of 37 hotels. The acquisition includes properties in the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific, totaling 8,789 rooms. This move aligns with Marriott's strategy to enhance its select-service offerings worldwide.

The citizenM brand, which currently operates 37 hotels, will add its existing properties to Marriott's portfolio. Additionally, two more hotels, comprising over 300 rooms, are in the pipeline and will be integrated into Marriott's system. The integration process is expected to be completed later this year, after which citizenM properties will be fully bookable through Marriott's platforms.

Until the integration is finalized, citizenM hotels will remain available through their existing digital channels. Members of the citizenM subscription program will maintain their benefits during this transition period. Once integration is complete, citizenM will become a participating brand within the Marriott Bonvoy loyalty program, providing additional benefits to members.

The acquisition of citizenM is part of Marriott's broader strategy to grow its select-service lifestyle offerings. The company has previously expanded its portfolio with brands such as AC, Moxy, and Aloft. The addition of citizenM is expected to enhance Marriott's ability to cater to travelers seeking technology-driven accommodations.

Marriott International, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, operates a wide range of properties across various brands and regions. The integration of citizenM is expected to further strengthen Marriott's position in the global hospitality market, offering a diverse range of lodging options to its guests and loyalty program members.
Raki Phillips - Image Credit Accor



Accor has appointed Raki Phillips as the Regional President for its Premium, Midscale & Economy division in the Middle East, Africa, and Turkiye, starting November 2025.

Accor has announced the appointment of Raki Phillips as the Regional President for its Premium, Midscale & Economy division across the Middle East, Africa, and Turkiye. Phillips will assume his new role in November 2025, succeeding Paul Stevens.

In his new position, Phillips will oversee the operations of more than 250 hotels across 27 countries, with a pipeline of over 85 new openings planned for the region. He will report to Duncan O'Rourke, CEO of Accor's Premium, Midscale & Economy division for the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.

Phillips brings over 20 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality industry. His previous role was CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority, where he contributed to significant growth in tourism revenues and infrastructure development. His career also includes senior roles at Fairmont Raffles Hotels International, Ritz-Carlton, and Universal Studios Orlando.

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The appointment comes as Accor experiences strong momentum in the region, with a total of over 350 hotels and 92,000 rooms, and an additional 140 hotels with 31,000 rooms in the pipeline. The division has reported healthy year-on-year growth, particularly in key markets such as the UAE, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

Based in Dubai, Phillips will manage a diverse brand portfolio, including Swissotel, Pullman, Movenpick, Novotel, Mercure, and ibis. His responsibilities will include supporting hotel owners and partners to enhance long-term value and guest loyalty. The appointment aligns with Accor's strategy to strengthen local leadership and drive market-led innovation in the region.

Phillips replaces Paul Stevens, who will depart in October after nearly three decades with Accor. Under Stevens' leadership, the division saw significant growth and launched several initiatives focused on cultural and community engagement.
TownePlace Suites San Antonio Downtown - Image Credit CBRE



The TownePlace Suites San Antonio Downtown is now available for purchase, presenting a unique investment opportunity due to its strategic location and potential for significant value enhancement.

The TownePlace Suites San Antonio Downtown Riverwalk, a 117-suite hotel, has been listed for sale by CBRE Hotels. The property, ideally located in a vibrant urban neighborhood, offers proximity to San Antonio's major attractions, including the River Walk and the Alamo. This prime location positions it to capture strong year-round leisure demand. The hotel is offered unencumbered by management, providing a new owner with the opportunity to implement a tailored business strategy to enhance its competitive positioning and operational efficiency.

Investment Highlights

The TownePlace Suites presents a compelling opportunity for investors seeking a unique asset in a prime urban location. The hotel is housed in a beautifully restored historic building that once served as the Neisner Department Store and was converted in 2010. This blend of architectural character with modern amenities appeals to both leisure and business travelers. Its historic significance, combined with strong brand affiliation and proximity to major attractions, positions it as a high-potential asset in one of Texass most visited cities.

Financial Incentives

The hotel is offered at a significant discount to replacement cost, given the increased construction costs for new hotels. Investors will benefit from the Marriott branding, supported by Marriotts award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Bonvoy, which has more than 200 million members globally. This affiliation is expected to bolster the hotel's market presence and customer base.

Strategic Location

Situated in the heart of downtown San Antonio, the TownePlace Suites is about two blocks from the River Walk and within a five-minute walk from the Alamo. The property is also near the Historic Market Square, the largest Mexican market in the country. Additionally, it is in proximity to major hotel demand generators, including the HEB Headquarters, Frost Tower, The Children's Hospital of San Antonio, and Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. The hotel's location is further enhanced by its proximity to five renowned colleges within a four-mile radius.

Potential for Growth

Currently, the TownePlace Suites San Antonio Downtown Riverwalk is underperforming its competitive set, with a RevPAR index of 82.5. Provided unencumbered by management, the hotel presents substantial upside potential for a new owner. By leveraging robust corporate, group, and leisure demand, a new management team could enhance its market positioning and improve its performance metrics.

Economic Context

San Antonio is a thriving metropolitan area with a population exceeding 2.6 million, ranking as the fourth fastest-growing region in the United States in 2024. As the 25th largest metropolitan area in the country and the third largest in Texas, San Antonio boasts a diverse mix of industries that generate thousands of jobs and contribute to a local GDP of $163 billion. Key industries, including military, tourism, logistics, healthcare, business, and technology, play a crucial role in maintaining a strong job market and economic stability. This economic backdrop makes San Antonio one of the top-performing large cities in Texas, with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation.

Inquire at CBRE.
Tom Bernard Appointed to Mass Cultural Council

BOSTON  Mass Cultural Council announced the appointment of Thomas W. Bernard of North Adams as a member of the Agency's governing body.

Bernard was appointed to the Council by Governor Maura Healey on July 16, 2025. Bernard recently served as the President and CEO of Berkshire United Way . He also previously served two terms as Mayor of the City of North Adams and as Chair of the North Adams School Committee.

"I'm so excited to welcome Tom to the Council," said Marc Carroll, Mass Cultural Council Chair. "His experience working with Berkshire County decision-makers  as both a municipal elected official and a leader in philanthropy - will be invaluable to my colleagues and I on the Council as we continue to work to support creative communities in all corners of the Commonwealth."

As the Commonwealth's independent state arts agency, Mass Cultural Council is charged with bolstering the cultural sector.

As directed by state law, Council members are appointed by the Governor and have demonstrated scholarship or creativity in, or distinguished service to, the arts, humanities, interpretative sciences, or local arts. Council members serve staggered, three-year terms and reside in every region of the Commonwealth.

"Mass Cultural Council is gaining a true asset in Tom," said Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director, Mass Cultural Council. "As we continue to build cross-sector partnerships and advance municipal support and investment for the arts, Tom's leadership and guidance will be critical to expanding the creative sector not only in the Berkshires, but all across the state."

"Through my work in North Adams and throughout Berkshire County, I know firsthand how a commitment to arts and culture can be transformative for a community and a region," said Bernard. "I look forward to getting right to work with Chair Carroll, Michael, my Council colleagues and the staff team to further advance the sector and uplift the power of culture."
How Tea Shaped the Women's Suffrage Movement

LENOX, Mass.  Join Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum Director James Capuzzi as he tells the story of how tea shaped the women's suffrage movement at Ventfort Hall on Tuesday, July 29, at 4 pm.

A tea will be served after his presentation.

Accodring to a press release:

"I don't believe in individual work in any case. All the work for a cause must be collective..." Alva Belmont's comments in the August 13th, 1909 New York Times article Suffrage Armory at Mrs. Belmont's highlight the nature of the Women's suffrage movement as collaborative and in community. Building on what Susan B. Anthony and the first wave of suffrage leaders had started, Alva used her influence and resources to attract wealthy supporters and connect the women's suffrage cause with the New York elite living in Newport, Rhode Island. Her Conference of Great Women and famous "Votes for Women" tea set combined the elegance of high society with the revolutionary idea of women's equality under the law. Join Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum director James Capuzzi as he tells the story of how tea shaped the suffrage movement.

James Capuzzi has an M.A. degree in Sustainable Cultural Heritage Management from the American University of Rome and a B.A. degree in Classical Studies & Italian Language from Tulane University in New Orleans. James served as Community Relations Fellow and then Director of Communications and Marketing at the Abigail Adams Institute in Harvard Square before moving to the Berkshires to direct the Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum in the summer of 2023. The museum has reengaged the local community with programming, exhibits, and outreach events
Lanesborough Police Chief Stresses Need for Resources

LANESBOROUGH, Mass.  Police Chief Robert Derksen, citing a week of incidents, emphasized the need for law enforcement resources.

In a Tuesday press release , he called attention to an assault, domestic incident, and stabbing that happened within the last week  and the lack of officers to deal with them.

"Two of the incidents occurred while only one patrol officer was working, which is most of the time, including the most serious incident, which the officer responded to by himself and handled alone until I was able to call additional officers in from off-duty to assist, because no backup was available," he wrote in the communication posted to the Lanesborough Police Facebook page.

Derksen said he was writing because of talk over the Baker Hill Road District running out of money as the result of delinquent taxes on the Berkshire Mall.

"Our staffing at the Police Department is not dependent or as a result of the mall being opened or closed," he said. "Yes, the Baker Hill Road District gives funding to the town for two police officers, and if that funding were to discontinue, it does not change the necessity of those officers."

The police chief said the employment of those officers "was never about them being assigned to the mall, it was simply a supplemental source of revenue for the town." He continued that staffing for the Police Department was critical to its ability to operate 24/7.

"Any loss of staffing would require a catastrophic reduction of services to the town and without those officers, we would no longer be able to provide a midnight shift," he wrote. "The math is simple, we have [three] shifts, if you take away a third of the funding, we lose a shift."

Derksen offered a recap of the last few days in Lanesborough:

On July 16, the officers responded to an assault and attempted robbery on Route 8. The 22-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with assault and battery and attempt to commit a robbery. Later that night, there was a domestic incident on Cheshire Road with reported object throwing and choking. A 19-year-old was arrested and charged with assault and battery, strangulation, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

On the evening of July 18, police responded to a reported stabbing at a local campground and found that two other adults had been stabbed, one in the upper torso and the other in the chest. Both victims were transported to Berkshire Medical Center. A Connecticut man is facing assault charges and is being held.

At the annual town meeting, voters approved a $629,524 Police Department budget, $322,825 for the "Police Baker Hill Road District" line, and $143,985 for the "DPW Baker Hill Road District" line.

The road district is an independent municipal district within the town with a governing body that oversees the maintenance of the Route 7 to Route 8 Connector road as a public way. It is charged with ensuring the timely payment of the Berkshire Mall's bond and that the mall meets obligations to the community regardless of ownership.

A December 2024 lawsuit filed by the road district seeks $524,122 from the mall owner JMJ Holdings, plus accrued interest for taxes due in May 2024. JMJ has demanded a jury trial, saying it has no contract with road district and that the BHRD is acting outside its legal authority.

"The Baker Hill Road District is continuing its efforts to meet its obligations to the town so that there will be no immediate or long-term interruption or reduction in services," said the district's attorney Mark W. Siegars.

Derksen said the district's contribution will always be just a supplemental revenue source for the town, but the two officers were never extra.

"I cannot emphasize this enough: the needs and expenses of the Police Department, do not change, whether or not the Baker Hill Road District pays or even exists," wrote Derksen, who pointed out the department once had as many as 15 part-time officers but now only has two.

(Changes in state law regarding qualifications for part-time officers has dramatically reduced their numbers).

"Supplementing shifts with cheaper part-time officers are no longer an option," he continued. "This is not an endorsement for the Baker Hill Road District, it is simply a statement of fact, the current funding for the Police Department is critical and necessary, regardless of the source.

"Any one of these incidents could have been much worse, if not for the immediate response and apprehension of the suspects by the responding officers."

A request for comment from town officials was not yet returned.
Briefs: Motorcyclist Dies From Accident; NYC Man Sentenced in Child Rape

Motorcyclist Succumbs to Accident Injuries

LENOX, Mass.  A Lee man involved in a motorcycle accident on Sunday has died from his injuries.

Gustavo Bernal, 49, was found by a state trooper in the northbound lane of Route 7 at the Plunkett Street intersection. Local first-responders were on their way after getting a 911 call reporting of a single-vehicle collision about 9:33 p.m.

Bernal was unconscious and in critical medical condition. Lenox Emergency Medical Services transported him to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield.

He succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday. The incident is being investigated by local and State Police.

Staten Island Man Gets 20 Years for Sexual Assault

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  A New York City man has been sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for sexually assaulting a child.

David Gonzalez, 69, of Staten Island, was found guilty of rape of a child with force and indecent assault and battery on a child under 14 by a Superior Court jury. The incident occurred in July 2017 while the Gonzalez was in the Berkshires.

He was sentenced to prison terms of 18 to 20 years on the rape charge and nine to 10 years on the indecent assault, to be served concurrently with the first charge, as requested by prosecutors. Defense counsel had asked for a total sentence of 10 years for both charges.

The victim and her family read powerful victim impact statements at the sentencing, according to the Berkshire District Attorney's Office.

"Children are among our most vulnerable population. They deserve to be valued and protected by all members of society. This victim and her immediate family had their lives permanently altered by the heinous, violent act at the hands of a pedophile," said District Attorney Timothy Shugrue. "I commend the victim for her bravery in perseverance in the face of this terrible act and her immediate family for the support they provided."

Andrew Giarolo, chief of the Child Abuse Unit, represented the commonwealth and Kristen Rapkowicz was the victim witness advocate on behalf of the DA's Office.
HUAWEI introduced a new generation of innovative products last July 22 at a major Asia-Pacific launch event in Bangkok themed Fashion Next. Among the latest lineup of devices were the HUAWEI Pura 80 Series, which redefines mobile photography with its industry-first switchable dual telephoto system and ultra-large sensor technology, and the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5-inch PaperMatte Edition (2025), a PC-like tablet designed for seamless productivity on the go.

Peter Liu - Director of Flagship Handsets GTM

As part of the event, XMAGE APAC was also held in Bangkok, showcasing outstanding photography from across the region and celebrating the power of visual storytelling. It was also officially announced that XMAGE will return to Paris later this year, with the global The World, You and Me XMAGE Awards Ceremony and Exhibition.

A New Benchmark for Mobile Imaging

Held at One Bangkok Forum, the launch event brought together industry partners, media, HUAWEI fans, and key opinion leaders to witness HUAWEIs latest advancements in smartphone imaging and mobile innovation with the debut of the HUAWEI Pura 80 Series.

Huawei never stops pushing the boundaries of mobile technology, not just to lead in innovation, but to create meaningful experiences that serve human expression, said Peter Liu, Flagship Handsets GTM Director at HUAWEI. From foldables to imaging, we believe the best camera is the one you have with you, not only to capture images, but to tell stories, stir emotions, and connect lives. This philosophy guides everything we do, inspiring new ways of seeing, working, and creating.

At the APAC launch event, HUAWEI demonstrated the newest evolution of mobile photography through an immersive low-light experience zone. The HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra delivered impressively sharp and vivid images even from a distance, a testament to its breakthrough Night Zoom capability and the Ultra Lighting HDR. These allow the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra to capture scenes with exceptional clarity across challenging lighting conditions.

The HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra also introduces the industrys first Switchable Dual Telephoto Camera, which combines 3.7x and 9.4x optical zoom within a shared 1/1.28-inch ultra-large sensor. Enabled by a precision-engineered optical path and switching mechanism, the system ensures seamless transitions across focal lengths with consistent color and detail. This solves the long-standing limitation of traditional telephoto designs.

The HUAWEI Pura 80 Pro, which inherits the legendary 1-inch sensor of the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra, also delivers exceptional low-light performance and image sharpness. Its Ultra Lighting Macro Telephoto Camera unlocks fine textures at close range, while the Ultra Chroma Camera enhances color fidelity across the imaging system.

Precision Engineering: Redefining Optical Architecture with Device Durability and Advanced AI Experience

The HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra holds one of HUAWEIs most advanced camera modules. This custom unit has 143 components, assembled through more than 150 precision manufacturing steps, nearly three times more than a conventional periscope camera. It integrates dual prisms and a four-lens group to deliver seamless optical transitions and outstanding clarity across zoom ranges, rivaling the capabilities of a professional DSLR.

The HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultras engineering brilliance doesnt stop at photography. From screen to lens, the HUAWEI Pura 80 Ultra is protected by 2nd-Gen Crystal Armour Kunlun Glass with 25 improved drop resistance and 16 scratch resistance. New and Advanced AI-powered features like AI Messaging, AI Gesture Control, and AI Best Expression push the boundaries of how naturally and securely, users interact with their devices. Precision hardware meets intelligent software, bringing a flagship experience built to perform, to understand, and to endure.

HUAWEI will also soon introduce an AI Remove feature, which enables users to effortlessly eliminate bystanders and unwanted objects from their photos. Powered by generative fill technology, the background is intelligently restored for a clean, natural result that looks as if the distractions were never there.

HUAWEI MatePad 11.5: PC-like Experience, Office On The Go

Also unveiled at the event, the new HUAWEI MatePad 11.5-inch (2025) brings a PC-like experience in a sleek, portable form. Equipped with HUAWEIs PaperMatte Display for clear, low-reflection viewing and the latest Magnetic Keyboard for smooth, stable typing, the tablet is built for students and young professionals on the move. With access to PC-level WPS Office, the HUAWEI MatePad 11.5-inch (2025) delivers full-function editing and seamless compatibility to make mobile work as effortless as it is efficient.

AppGallery: Everything You Need, All in One Place

HUAWEIs AppGallery brings together a rich ecosystem of high-quality apps across lifestyle, travel, finance, entertainment, and productivity. Whether for work or leisure, AppGallery is a one-stop hub for daily convenience and discovery.

For more information on the latest lineup of HUAWEI devices, visit Huaweis official website or social media accounts (Facebook | Instagram).
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Xi Jinping asked European officials to properly handle differences and frictions as the 25th China-EU summit got underway in Beijing amid simmering tensions over trade and the Ukraine war.

The current challenges facing Europe do not come from China, state news agency Xinhua quoted the Chinese leader telling European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen and European Council president Antonio Costa on Thursday.

The summit marks 50 years of the establishment of EU-China ties.

Expectations are muted as the summit is being held under the shadow of growing trade tensions and hawkish EU rhetoric towards Beijing.

Ms von der Leyen earlier this month accused China of using its manufacturing overcapacity to flood global markets and of enabling Russias war economy.

The two sides differ significantly on the Ukraine war as China backs Russias position on the conflict while the EU provides military, economic and diplomatic support to Kyiv.

open image in gallery Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa and Kaja Kallas arrive at the Great Hall of the People for the 25th EU-China Summit in Beijing ( AFP/Getty )

In addition to Mr Xi, Ms von der Leyen and Mr Costa are expected to meet premier Li Qiang, the Chinese foreign ministry said.

Mr Xi urged the EU officials at the summit to "adhere to open cooperation and properly handle differences and frictions" after Ms von der Leyen warned that the blocs ties with China were at an inflection point and called for a rebalancing of trade ties with the world's second largest economy.

open image in gallery Xi Jinping speaks with European Council president Antonio Costa and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in Beijing ( AFP/Getty )

Improving competitiveness cant rely on 'building walls and fortresses. Decoupling and breaking chains' will only result in isolation, Mr Xi added, according to Xinhua.

He also urged the European leaders to "make correct strategic choices" in a veiled criticism of their recent hawkish stances on China.

It is hoped the European side will keep the trade and investment market open and refrain from using restrictive economic and trade tools," he said, reiterating Chinas position on global trade in the wake of Americas imposition of sweeping tariffs on almost all major countries.

open image in gallery European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen speaks with Xi Jinping at the 25th EU-China summit in Beijing ( AFP/Getty )

The EU delegation was expected to bring up the subject of electric vehicles and Beijings export controls on rare earths. The controls temporarily stopped European automotive production lines when they were first announced in May in response to the US tariffs.

The EU, meanwhile, has targeted Chinese exports of electric vehicles, among other goods, over the last year and its officials have repeatedly complained about Chinese industrial overcapacity.

As our cooperation has deepened, so have imbalances, Ms von der Leyen told the Chinese president during the meeting in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

We have reached an inflection point, she added, asking China to come forward with real solutions.

The EUs trade deficit with China surged to a historic high of 265bn last year.

In spite of their differences, Beijing and Brussels agreed on a joint statement on climate, an area of mutual cooperation.

They agreed to strengthen climate action, signalling renewed cooperation between two of the worlds largest polluters at a time of rising global tensions and waning US leadership. They committed to submit new 2035 climate targets, scale up renewable energy, and deepen cooperation on methane, adaptation and green technology ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil.

This joint statement sends an important signal that climate cooperation can still rise above geopolitical tensions, said David Waskow, international climate director at the World Resources Institute.

Stronger leadership from these two major emitters is critically needed to rekindle global momentum after the US stepped away from the Paris Agreement again.

Climate advocates said the pledge could help stabilise the multilateral process but warned that concrete ambition was still lacking.

The EUChina statement sends a timely message, Andreas Sieber of 350.org told The Independent. But the level of ambition remains far too low aligning with the 1.5C limit requires urgent, credible action, especially with COP30 fast approaching.

The statement come just a day after the world's top court ruled that healthy environment was a human right and countries could be violating international law by not taking climate action.
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A South Korean court is reconsidering the 61-year-old conviction of a woman for injuring a man while defending herself during a violent sexual assault.

Prosecutors at the Busan District Court issued a formal apology to 78-year-old Choi Mal Ja on Wednesday, saying that they had failed her legally and morally. They urged the court to overturn her 1964 conviction for inflicting serious injury by biting off a part of her attackers tongue as he allegedly tried to rape her.

This was a justified defensive act. It was not excessive, nor was it unlawful, Korea Times reported the prosecutors as saying. We sincerely apologise to Choi Mal Ja, a victim of a sex crime who should have been protected as one.

Choi, then a teenager, was assaulted by a 21-year-old man surnamed Noh who forced his tongue into her mouth after pinning her down in the southern town of Gimhae. In an effort to escape, she bit off about half an inch of his tongue.

Rather than being recognised as a survivor, Choi was charged with aggravated bodily harm and sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years. Her claim of self-defence was dismissed.

Her assailant was sentenced to just six months in prison, also suspended, for trespassing and threatening her with a weapon. He was never convicted of attempted rape.

A South Korean woman walks past banners and tied bras during a rally protesting sexual violence in Seoul on 16 July 2011 ( AFP via Getty )

The original prosecution had argued that Chois response to the attacker exceeded the reasonable bounds of legally permissible self-defence.

She was accused of causing permanent injury, though records showed that the attacker did not suffer a lasting disability. Prosecutors reportedly even tried to persuade her to marry him.

Choi later revealed that the litigation caused significant financial strain on her family and that the assailant continued harassing them during the proceedings. She lived for decades with the stigma of a criminal record while he avoided public scrutiny.

For 61 years, the state made me live as a criminal, Choi said outside the court on Wednesday. If I have any hope or dream left, it is that future generations will live in a world free of sexual violence.

After South Korea's MeToo movement gained ground, Choi was inspired to demand a retrial in 2020.

Her initial petition in 2020 was rejected, with the Busan court citing lack of "clear evidence" and arguing that social and cultural shifts alone did not justify overturning the ruling.

She appealed to the Supreme Court, which, in December 2023, ordered the case to be reopened.

In February this year, the Busan High Court upheld Chois appeal, paving the way for a retrial.

In court, Busans chief prosecutor Jeong Myeong Won said: We have caused Choi Mal Ja, a victim of a sex crime who should have been protected as one, indescribable pain and agony.

Chois lawyer argued the 1964 order was a miscarriage of justice even by the standards of that time.

This is not about evolving social values. This was a wrongful judgment from the start, the counsel said.

The final ruling is scheduled for 10 September.

Legal observers expect the court to acquit Choi.

Outside the courtroom on Wednesday, Choi raised her fist and declared: We won!

She embraced campaigners and supporters from civic groups who had rallied behind her.
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Indian authorities have arrested a 47-year-old man accused of posing as a diplomat and operating a bogus embassy from a rented bungalow in the suburbs of New Delhi.

The property had luxury cars with fake diplomatic plates, doctored photos of the fake diplomat with world leaders, and seals of imaginary nations, police said.

The man, identified as Harshvardhan Jain, allegedly conned unsuspecting jobseekers by promising overseas employment and lucrative foreign deals under the guise of ambassadorial clout.

According to Sushil Ghule, a senior officer with Uttar Pradeshs Special Task Force (STF), Mr Jain introduced himself as an adviser or ambassador to micronations such as Seborga, Lodonia, Poulvia and Westarctica.

Inside the property, police uncovered an elaborate setup: international flags, falsified insignia of Indias ministry of external affairs, and nearly three dozen fake seals from various nations.

Investigators also seized four luxury vehicles fitted with counterfeit diplomatic number plates, around 4.5m Indian rupees (approximately 38,000) in Indian and foreign currency, and multiple forged documents, according to the Associated Press.

Photographs recovered from the scene showed Mr Jain with political leaders, including prime minister Narendra Modi. Police believe the pictures were digitally manipulated.

A luxury car and a bicycle are seen parked outside a rented residential building in which a bogus embassy was running in Ghaziabad, the outskirts of New Delhi, India ( AP )

Authorities also accuse Mr Jain of using shell companies overseas to facilitate illegal money transfers and laundering operations. He now faces a range of charges, including impersonation, forgery, and possession of forged documents.

According to India Today, he turned a rented bungalow in Ghaziabads Kavi Nagar into the so-called Embassy of Westarctica. The building had flags marking the micronations, luxury cars bearing fake diplomatic plates, and the interiors mimicked a real consulate.

While Seborga is a town in northern Italy with a self-declared prince and a symbolic government, Ladonia is a Swedish nature reserve founded by artist Lars Vilks. Westarctica is an unrecognised Antarctic micronation. Mr Jain is said to have made up the name of Poulvia.

Mr Jain was reportedly born into a wealthy marble-trading family in Rajasthan and studied business in India and the UK.

This wasnt his first run-in with law enforcement. In 2011, he was booked for possessing illegal satellite phones, with a case registered at Ghaziabads Kavi Nagar police station, said UP Police senior officer Amitabh Yash.
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All countries should stop forcibly sending vulnerable Afghan nationals back to their homeland under the Taliban regime, the UNs mission in Afghanistan said today, as it warned about the threat of arrest, torture and abuse these citizens face.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (Unama) said it had documented evidence that forced returnees, deported against their will in large numbers by countries including Iran and Pakistan in recent months, have been targeted by the Taliban regime and face serious human rights violations.

The report came just three days after the Trump administration lifted legal protections for Afghan nationals that prevented them being deported from the US.

The Unama report, shared with The Independent, found that women and girls, journalists and activists and former security or government officials were at the highest risk of reprisals from the Taliban upon their return to the country.

More than 1.4 million people have returned or been forced to return to Afghanistan this year alone, including over one million from Iran. Millions of Afghans fled their homeland in July and August 2021 as the Nato-backed government fell and Taliban militants swept to power in Kabul.

open image in gallery Afghan refugees, after being deported from Iran, rest at the Islam Qala border crossing between Afghanistan and Iran ( Middle East Images/AFP via Getty )

The UN said the rapid pace and volume of Afghans being sent back from other nations was creating a multi-layered human rights crisis. With Afghanistans formal economy almost non-existent under the Taliban, returnees are living in NGO-run camps and forced to rely on humanitarian aid to survive.

Although the Taliban has previously offered an amnesty to those from the Nato-backed government and said it would not hunt them down, the new report shows that it continues to target its critics from the previous administration with arbitrary detention, physical assault and torture tactics such as mock executions and waterboarding.

open image in gallery Afghan refugees, after being deported from Iran, rest at the Islam Qala border crossing between Afghanistan and Iran ( Middle East Images/AFP via Getty )

Nobody should be sent back to a country where they face risk of persecution on account of their identity or personal history, UN human rights chief Volker Turk said. In Afghanistan, this is even more pronounced for women and girls, who are subjected to a range of measures that amount to persecution on the basis of their gender alone.

Unama noted that sending people back to a country where they are at risk of persecution, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, enforced disappearance or other irreparable harm, is in violation of the principle of non-refoulement and a serious breach of international law.

Some of those already forcibly returned to Afghanistan told UNAMA about the abuse they had faced.

Two months after Abdul*, a former government official, returned to Afghanistan in late 2023, he was arrested by Taliban militants and was subjected to vicious torture that culminated in his leg being broken.

He was arrested on his way to a grocery store and detained in a house for two nights where he was beaten with sticks, cables and wood. Abdul said the Taliban officials cut off his hair and he was forced to watch a mock execution, mimicking the killing of those arrested by the de facto officials. He said he was also subjected to waterboarding.

A former female journalist who was sent back to Afghanistan told UN officials she was effectively under house arrest as the Taliban authorities have banned women from public spaces, job opportunities and moving around without a male guardian.

There are no job opportunities, no freedom of movement, and no access to education, either to learn or to teach, for women and girls, she said.

Another woman sent back to Afghanistan against her wishes told Unama that she is now dependent on a family that is not her own and has no financial means to support herself.

I live with my uncles friend. My uncle from Kabul sends them 3000-4000 Afghanis (32-42) for my expenditures. But I never get to see the money. I am completely hidden, without any support, any assistance I cannot travel anywhere. I do not have a mahram (male guardian). This is the biggest dilemma and challenge for me, that my sister and I are without any male companion. So we cannot move, she told Unama.

In its message to the international community, Unama said: Member States should refrain from returning Afghan migrants and refugees to Afghanistan in the absence of an individualised assessment to ensure their return is not a violation of their human rights.

open image in gallery Deputy prime minister of the Taliban Abdul Salam Hanafi (4R) speaks with media during his visit to the Islam Qala border crossing between Afghanistan and Iran ( AFP via Getty Images )

Officials at the UN agency told The Independent the outlook for returnees was extremely negative given the state of Afghanistans economy and a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by natural disasters such as cyclical droughts and floods.

They also pointed to a loss of aid support for the agencies dealing with these crises since the US and other Western nations announced cuts, with one Unama source noting that there were not enough resources available to fulfil basic health functions, whether that's maternal health or whether that's health across the population. To add to that, the UN and other international NGOs have been hit by a significant decrease in funding.

The Talibans foreign affairs ministry, interior affairs ministry and its intelligence wing rejected the allegations of ill-treatment and prison torture presented by Unama in their report.

No former military or civilian individual has been arrested solely because of their previous affiliation, the foreign affairs ministry said, according to their response to the report seen by The Independent.

Foreign ministry officials in Iran and Pakistan have defended their policies for returning Afghan citizens, saying this was done so with humanitarian principles kept in consideration.
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This article first appeared on our partner site, Independent Persian

Since returning to power, the Taliban has made spreading its ideology a key priority. From prisons and rehab facilities to military bases, religious education is becoming a cornerstone of Afghanistans institutions. By introducing courses in Quranic recitation and exegesis, as well as broader religious instruction, the group aims to bring more Afghans closer to its strict interpretation of Islam and convince them of the merits of its fundamentalist approach.

Recently, images of the graduation ceremony of 100 people undergoing treatment for drug addiction at a rehab centre in the western province of Herat were widely promoted in media outlets affiliated with the group. The graduands had completed courses in the correct recitation and pronunciation of the Quran. The ceremony, which also marked the end of their time at the facility, featured white clothing, traditional caps and Taliban flags.

Syed Asif, one of the participants on the course who was a patient at the centre, told Independent Persian: Im currently undergoing treatment and have now been able to quit drugs. During this time, I started reading the Holy Quran and memorised many of its parts.

Hayatullah Rouhani, the anti-narcotics chief in the city of Herat, said authorities aim to provide opportunities for religious learning in the rehabilitation process for those struggling with addiction.

open image in gallery Taliban cleric students from a madrasa arrive to attend their graduation ceremony in Kandahar in February 2023 ( AFP/Getty )

In addition to offering Quranic instruction, the Taliban also held singing sessions for some of the patients. They were instructed to sign anthems that glorified the groups 20-year war against the former Afghan government and Western forces, recounting bombings, suicide attacks and bloody battles. These songs serve to promote the Talibans jihadist narrative and legitimise violence.

Whats concerning is not the introduction of religious education in itself, but the content and nature of what is taught. It is a curriculum designed to push society towards extremism and create fertile ground for Taliban recruitment. During the groups insurgency against the previous government, religious schools were key recruiting hubs. These institutions distort Islamic teachings and glorify violence, preparing students for war and carrying out suicide missions.

Their goal is to build a society not just politically dominated by the Taliban, but intellectually and ideologically shaped by its worldview

Now that the Taliban have full control of public schools, religious institutions, universities, prisons and rehab centres across Afghanistan, their primary focus has been imposing a rigid, hardline interpretation of Islam. Their goal is to build a society not just politically dominated by their organisation, but intellectually and ideologically shaped by its worldview.

The Talibans expansion of religious education isnt confined to prisons and rehab centres. There has been a sharp increase in the number of mosques and religious schools across the country. The presence of senior Taliban officials at graduation ceremonies, both in religious schools and for religious courses in detention or rehab centres, makes it clear that spreading their version of Islam through religious education is a top priority.

open image in gallery Schoolboys wearing Taliban-imposed new uniforms of turbans and long tunics gather for an event at a school in Herat, Afghanistan ( AFP/Getty )

These officials have repeatedly called on people to study religion, but with the proviso that this is done according to the Talibans own interpretation of Islam, which diverges significantly from mainstream Islamic teachings in much of the Muslim world.

The growing emphasis on this specific brand of religious education, centred on the Talibans radical interpretation of Islam, raises serious concerns about the normalisation of religious extremism. By promoting slogans like implementing sharia law and establishing an Islamic system, the Taliban is trying to win over more Afghan citizens to its radical ideology and expand the social base it needs to sustain its political and military power.

Reviewed by Tooba Khokhar and Celine Assaf
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Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire from midnight to end their five-day conflict, Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim announced on Monday.

Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet and Thailands acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai met at Mr Ibrahims residence in Kaula Lumpur where they hailed the outcome of the talks and shook hands after a brief press conference.

The two leaders also reached a common understanding to take steps to return to normalcy.

The agreement seeks to end the fierce clashes that erupted on Thursday after Cambodian and Thai forces traded gunfire, artillery and airstrikes across multiple places along their disputed land border.

The conflict killed at least 35 people and displaced more than 260,000 people on both sides.

The clashes erupted early on Thursday near Ta Moan Thom, an ancient temple complex straddling Thailands Surin province and Cambodias Oddar Meanchey.

Thai authorities claimed that fighting started after a drone and six Cambodian soldiers approached a Thai military outpost.

open image in gallery People fleeing clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers take shelter in Surin province, northeastern Thailand, on 24 July 2025 ( AP )

Troops from both sides failed to de-escalate and gunfire broke out. Thailand later deployed F-16 fighter jets to bomb what it called military targets inside Cambodian territory.

"We have used air power against military targets as planned," said Colonel Richa Suksuwanon, deputy spokesperson for the Thai Army.

The Cambodian defence ministry accused Thailand of dropping two bombs on a road and denounced the attack as reckless and brutal military aggression violating its sovereignty. "We have no choice but to respond with armed force against armed aggression," prime minister Hun Manet said.

Thailands foreign ministry said Cambodia had carried out heavy artillery strikes at a military base and struck civilian areas, including a hospital. "The Royal Thai government is prepared to intensify our self-defence measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack and violations upon Thailands sovereignty," ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said.

A child was among three civilians injured in the border town of Kabcheing, Thai defence ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri said. Authorities evacuated more than 40,000 residents from 86 villages near the frontier in Si Sa Ket and Surin provinces.

In Si Sa Ket, six civilians were killed when gunfire hit a petrol station. A total of 14 people were reported injured across three Thai border provinces.

Footage from Thai broadcasters showed women and children fleeing into sandbagged bunkers as explosions echoed in the background.

open image in gallery Where border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia are taking place ( Datawrapper/The Independent )

"How many rounds have been fired? It's countless," a woman told the Thai Public Broadcasting Service while taking shelter.

The escalation followed weeks of rising tensions. The previous week, a Thai soldier had lost his leg after stepping on a mine in a disputed zone near Ubon Ratchathani.

Thai officials accused Cambodia of recently laying new Russian landmines in breach of previous agreements. Phnom Penh denied the accusation, blaming legacy ordnance from its decades-long civil war, which left millions of landmines scattered across the country.

In the wake of the incident, Thailand withdrew its ambassador, expelled Cambodias envoy, and sealed all border crossings under the command of the countrys Second Army.

Cambodia retaliated by expelling Thailands ambassador and recalling its diplomatic staff from the Bangkok embassy.

A post by the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh warned citizens to avoid travel to Cambodia, unless absolutely necessary.

open image in gallery Thai soldiers inspect a border area in Ubon Ratchathani province on 20 July 2025 ( Royal Thai Army )

The fighting continued on Monday. Maly Socheata, a Cambodian defence ministry spokesperson, said the Thai assault was "ongoing and strong".

Gunfire was heard as dawn broke in Samrong in Cambodias Oddar Meanchey province, AP reported witnesses as saying.

Late on Sunday, Mr Ibrahim had expressed hope that both sides would present their conditions for peace but "what is important is immediate ceasefire.

"I hope this can work," he was quoted as saying by Malaysian news agency Bernama. "Although it's not as bad as many other countries, we have to put a stop to the violence.

Tensions have simmered since late May when a brief gunfight resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. The situation deteriorated when a leaked phone call between Thai prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodias influential former leader Hun Sen caused a political crisis in Bangkok. Ms Shinawatra was subsequently suspended pending a court investigation into alleged ethics violations over her handling of the issue.

Border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia are nothing new. Disputes have persisted for more than a century along their 817km frontier, much of it poorly demarcated. A key flashpoint is the Preah Vihear temple, a 1,000-year-old Unesco World Heritage Site.

The International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belonged to Cambodia but surrounding areas would remain a source of conflict, which escalated into deadly skirmishes in 2011. The court reaffirmed Cambodias claim in 2013  fueling resentment in Thailand.
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Thailand and Cambodia continued fighting for the second day on Friday as the escalating border conflict threatened to spiral into an all-out war between the Southeast Asian nations.

The Thai health ministry said 14 civilians and a soldier had been killed in the fighting so far and 46 people wounded. The Cambodian government did not provide any such details but an provincial official in Oddar Meanchey said a civilian had been killed and five wounded.

The Thai military said its fighter jets bombed targets in Cambodia in response to sustained bombardment with heavy weapons, field artillery and rocket systems.

open image in gallery ( Reuters )

The neighbours exchanged fire across several disputed zones along the 817km land border on Thursday, sparking the deadliest clashes since 2011. Both nations claimed the other fired first.

Thailands acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on Friday that the exchanges of fire between the two countries were escalating and involved the use of heavy weapons. The situation has intensified and could escalate into a state of war, he said.

Earlier, he accused Cambodian forces of deliberately targeting civilian areas.

Cambodia in turn accused the Thai military of pre-emptively opening fire on its troops and using heavy artillery.

open image in gallery A Cambodian multiple rocket launcher returns from the border in Preah Vihear province amid clashes with Thailand on 24 July 2025 ( AFP/Getty )

Thai authorities have evacuated 40,000 civilians from 86 villages near the border since the fighting began. Cambodian officials have not provided any evacuation numbers yet.

The Thai army said it deployed F-16 fighter planes to bomb two military targets in Cambodia. We have used air power against military targets as planned, army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon said.

The Cambodian defence ministry said the Thai warplanes had dropped bombs on a road near the ancient Preah Vihear Temple, close to the border.

open image in gallery People fleeing clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers take shelter in Surin province, northeastern Thailand, on 24 July 2025 ( AP )

In a letter to Pakistan, current president of the United Nations Security Council, Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet asked it to convene a meeting of the body to stop the unprovoked and premeditated military aggression by Thailand in violation of international law.

The Security Council is due to meet on Friday to discuss the conflict.

The US, an ally of Thailand, called for an immediate end to hostilities.

State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said that Washington was gravely concerned by the escalating violence along the Thailand-Cambodia border and deeply saddened by reports of harm to civilians.

The US urges an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution of the conflict, he added.

open image in gallery Where border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia are taking place ( Datawrapper )

Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim, who spoke with his counterparts in Thailand and Cambodia, said the warring parties were willing to consider a ceasefire.

I welcome the positive signals and willingness shown by both Bangkok and Phnom Penh to consider this path forward. Malaysia stands ready to assist and facilitate this process in the spirit of Asean unity and shared responsibility, he said.

The conflict erupted a day after a landmine blast maimed five Thai soldiers on Wednesday. Bangkok accused Cambodia of laying new Russian explosives in violation of a key international treaty.

The first exchange of fire occurred at 8.20am local time near Prasat Ta Muen Thom, an ancient Khmer-Hindu temple close to the heavily patrolled border, the Thai army said.

open image in gallery People rest at a shelter, following recent clashes along the disputed border between the two countries, according to authorities people have been killed across three border provinces, in Surin province ( Reuters )

Moments before the firing began, a Cambodian drone was seen flying in the area and six heavily armed soldiers approached a Thai military base, the Thai army claimed.

The Cambodian defence ministry disputed the Thai armys claims. It accused the Thai army of firing first and claimed that its own soldiers were responding to an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops that violated our territorial integrity.

Late on Wednesday, following the landmine incident, Thailand expelled the Cambodian envoy in Bangkok and recalled its own ambassador from Phnom Penh.

open image in gallery People fleeing clashes between Thai and Cambodian soldiers take shelter in Surin province, northeastern Thailand, on 24 July 2025 ( AP )

Phnom Penh retaliated by reducing diplomatic ties to their lowest level, withdrawing all staff from its Bangkok embassy, and ordering Thai diplomats out of the country, escalating a standoff already inflamed by nationalist outrage, trade boycotts and disputed claims over fatal blasts in the contested frontier zone.

Thailand sealed the border and evacuated thousands of people living near it as many came under heavy artillery fire.

Mr Wechayachai said the situation was delicate. We have to be careful, he said. We will follow international law.

Later in the day, the acting prime minister said that there had as yet been no declaration of war and that the conflict had not spread into other provinces.

Cambodias influential former premier Hun Sen, father of the incumbent prime minister, said two provinces had come under shelling from the Thai army. He called for calm, and urged Cambodians to trust their government and armed forces in these tense times.

open image in gallery Cambodian soldiers reload a multiple rocket launcher in Preah Vihear province on 24 July 2025 ( AFP/Getty )

The premier said Cambodia had always maintained a position of peaceful resolution of problems but, in this case, we have no choice but to respond with armed force against armed aggression.

The southeast Asian nations have contested sovereignty over undemarcated places along their border for more than 100 years. The border was initially mapped by France in 1907, when Cambodia was under French colonial rule.

Tensions rose in 2008 after Cambodia tried to register an 11th-century temple located in the disputed region as a Unesco heritage site, drawing protests from Thailand.

The immediate cause of renewed hostilities was an exchange of gunfire in a contested frontier zone on 28 May that killed one Cambodian soldier. Each nation claimed to have acted in self-defence, but tensions quickly escalated.

Several border checkpoints had already been closed or were operating under heavy restrictions after the deadly clash in May.

In the aftermath, Cambodia banned Thai films and TV programmes, suspended imports of fruits, vegetables and fuel from the neighbouring country, and cut access to some of Thailands international internet links and electricity supply.
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Months of simmering tensions between Cambodia and Thailand have exploded into armed conflict, in the heaviest fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, the current chair of Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN, in which Thailand and Cambodia are also members, urged calm and said he would speak to leaders of both countries to peacefully resolve their dispute. China also expressed concern at the fighting and said it was willing to play a role in promoting de-escalation.

For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817km (508-mile) land border, which has led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a weeklong exchange of artillery in 2011.

Tensions were reignited in May following the killing of a Cambodian soldier during a brief exchange of gunfire, which escalated into a full-blown diplomatic crisis and now has triggered armed clashes.

Here is a look at the defence forces and arsenals of two countries, according to data from the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies:

Budgets and ground personnel

Cambodia had a defence budget of U$1.3 billion in 2024 and 124,300 active military personnel. The armed forces were established in 1993 from the merger of the country's former Communist military and two other resistance armies.

Of this, the Cambodian army is the largest force, with some 75,000 soldiers, backed by more than 200 battle tanks and around 480 pieces of artillery.

open image in gallery Cambodia had a defence budget of $1.3 billion in 2024 ( AKP )

Thailand, which the U.S. classifies as a major non-NATO ally, has a large, well-funded military, with a defence budget of U$5.73 billion in 2024 and 360,000 active armed forces personnel.

The Thai army has a total of 245,000 personnel, including an estimated 115,000 conscripts, around 400 battle tanks, over 1,200 armoured personnel carriers and some 2,600 artillery weapons.

The army has its own fleet of aircraft, comprising passenger planes, helicopters such as dozens of U.S.-made Black Hawks, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Air Forces

Cambodia's air force has 1,500 personnel, with a relatively small fleet of aircraft, including 10 transport planes and 10 transport helicopters.

It doesn't possess any fighter aircraft but has 16 multi-role helicopters, including six Soviet-era Mi-17s and 10 Chinese Z-9s.

open image in gallery An F-16 fighter jet ( AP )

Thailand has one of the best-equipped and trained air forces in Southeast Asia, with an estimated 46,000 personnel, 112 combat-capable aircraft, including 28 F-16s and 11 Swedish Gripen fighter jets, and dozens of helicopters.

Navies

The Cambodian navy has an estimated 2,800 personnel, including 1,500 naval infantry, with 13 patrol and coastal combat vessels and one amphibious landing craft.

Thailand's navy is much larger, with nearly 70,000 personnel, comprising naval aviation, marines, coastal defence and conscripts.

It has one aircraft carrier, seven frigates, and 68 patrol and coastal combat vessels.

The Thai fleet also contains a handful of amphibious and landing ships capable of holding hundreds of troops each and 14 smaller landing craft.

Thailand's naval aviation division has its own fleet of aircraft, including helicopters and UAVs, besides a marine corps that has 23,000 personnel, backed by dozens of armed fighting vehicles.
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Members of one of the UKs biggest Neo-Nazi groups have been involved in organising anti-migrant protests outside a hotel in Essex, which has led to 10 people being arrested.

Two members of the far-right group Homeland can be seen as the administrators of Facebook page Epping Says No, a Facebook page with 1,500 members where the protests outside the Bell Hotel in Epping have been organised.

The Homeland Party was formed as a splinter group to the neo-Nazi Patriotic Alternative in April 2023, and has been described as the largest fascist group in the UK by Hope Not Hate.

open image in gallery Police scuffle with protesters in Essex ( AFP/Getty )

Two members of the party have since called on their social media pages for a national call to action, as the government fears another summer of unrest similar to last year when nationwide disorder broke out after three girls were stabbed to death in Southport.

Essex Police has issued a dispersal order in Epping which will be in place from 2pm on Thursday until 8am on Friday, and covers an area including the town centre, transport hubs and networks such as the Tube station.

The order gives officers the power to direct anyone suspected of committing anti-social behaviour, or planning to do so, to leave the area or face arrest.

Dozens of anti-immigration protesters also descended on the Britannia hotel in Canary Wharf on Wednesday, after reports circulated on social media that it had been earmarked to house migrants.

open image in gallery A protest took place outside the Britannia hotel in Canary Wharf after it was reported migrants would be housed there ( PA )

It has not yet received any asylum seekers, while it has been reported that the Home Office has reserved more than 400 beds at the four-star hotel.

Counter-protesters from Stand Up to Racism have attended both Epping and Canary Wharf, with Essex Police forced to deny claims they had bussed them to the demonstration on Sunday evening.

Protests were first sparked outside the Bell Hotel nearly two weeks ago, after 38-year-old Ethiopian asylum seeker Hadush Kebatu was accused of sexually assaulting a schoolgirl within days of arriving in the UK on a small boat. He denies the charges.

Chairperson of the Police Federation, Tiff Lynch, wrote in The Telegraph that the disorder was not just a troubling one-off, adding: It was a signal flare. A reminder of how little it takes for tensions to erupt and how ill-prepared we remain to deal with it.

She said that local commanders across the country are forced to choose between keeping the peace at home or plugging national gaps.

Ms Lynch said: A summer of further unrest is not inevitable. But it becomes far more likely if we once again fail to prepare.
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As Sir Keir Starmer toasted what he called a historic day for British-Indian relations at Chequers on Thursday, just yards from Downing Street two young Britons stood with posters taped to their jackets and baggage.

Alois Christian Michel and his sister Alienor were not protesting a government policy or trade deal. They were pleading for the freedom of their father Christian Michel.

Christian, a British national, has spent seven years incarcerated in Tihar Jail without trial. Despite bail orders from both the Delhi High Court and Indias Supreme Court, he remains imprisoned after failing to meet the conditions determined for his release, leaving him trapped in a legal and political limbo.

Alois, who gave an exclusive interview to The Independent during the protest with his sister, said they have lost patience with successive UK governments.

The UK government has miserably failed to address human rights violations across Commonwealth countries, particularly in India, says Alois, 27. A British national such as my father has now been illegally detained by Indian authorities for seven years, yet neither the previous government nor the present one has taken any concrete action against this inhumane conduct.

Their protest took place at the same time as Sir Keir and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi were meeting to sign a sweeping trade agreement worth 6bn in investment that is expected to boost Britains GDP by nearly 5bn.

Referring to British officials, Alois says: They say theyll raise interest in the case. After seven years, is that all? Its ridiculous.

Michel, a businessman and consultant, was extradited from Dubai to India in 2018 over allegations he acted as a middleman in a 2010 defence deal involving Italian firm AgustaWestland. Indian investigators allege bribes were paid to secure a 322m contract to supply helicopters  charges he denies.

open image in gallery Christian Michel leaves the Delhi courtroom in March ( Namita Singh/The Independent )

Indias legal system is notoriously slow and overburdened, which is why it has a law stipulating that a suspect must be released from prison once they have served half of what would have been the maximum sentence if they were convicted. In Michels case that was seven years, meaning he should have been released midway through 2021.

His lawyers argue he should be freed unconditionally  instead, the courts have granted him bail while investigators continue to probe his case. It means that Michel remains in prison because he cannot meet the stringent conditions imposed. He has no address in India, no family members in the country, and no one willing to act as a guarantor  factors that have rendered the bail order effectively meaningless.

At a hearing in April, Michel revealed to the court that the only person willing to vouch for him was Jo Johnson, former MP and brother to former prime minister Boris Johnson.

Back in London, his children remain cut off from their father, their only contact being brief, choked phone calls.

The last time I spoke to him was last weekend. Less than 10 seconds, Alois said. Thats all we get. I havent seen him in nearly seven and a half years.

He was just 20 when his father was extradited. I was in the middle of my studies. Everything just stopped, he recalls. Emotionally, financially, its been really tough. And for my sister she was just a teenager when our father was taken away.

open image in gallery Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer during a press conference at Chequers on Thursday ( PA )

The siblings have never visited their father in India. The reason, Alois says, is fear.

Hes in Tihar prison. I would like to see him, but how much am I risking by going there? In a country that doesnt follow its own laws, they could arrest me too  use me as leverage with my father, he says. It's too dangerous. And I won't have me put in a position where my father is forced to do anything because of my arrest in India.

They have justification to be concerned. Michel has alleged two separate attempts on his life in prison, claiming that a hired killer confessed to being paid to assassinate him. Despite his appeals, no meaningful investigation was launched, he claims.

A professional killer tried to kill me twice, Michel told The Independent during an earlier court appearance. He was paid money, and they never investigated who paid him or why.

open image in gallery Christian Michel at a court hearing in Delhi ( Namita Singh/ The Independent )

Michels legal team argues that the entire case is politically motivated, a claim that gained traction after the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention ruled in 2021 that his detention was arbitrary and called for his immediate release.

The United Nations has said he should be released. Indian law states he should be released. And yet, here we are, says Michels son. All were asking is for the Indian government to follow its own laws. And for the UK government to hold them to it.

We really just desperately want something to happen, says Alois. Some people wait in hope. In our case, we wait in despair.

As his ordeal has stretched on, Michels health has suffered. Earlier this year he was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences hospital in Delhi for hip surgery, and he has walked with a cane when attending court appearances since.

We have one fear now, Alois says. That he never comes back.

The broader implications of Michels detention extend far beyond a single familys suffering. His case has become a litmus test of the UK governments willingness to protect its citizens abroad  particularly when doing so risks complicating lucrative diplomatic engagements.

The people of Great Britain gave a clear and resounding mandate to the Labour Party to reclaim the country from the grip of bureaucratic dominance and restore the nations pride, says Michels son. But this government, too, is proving weak  submissive to bureaucracy, unwilling to defend its own citizens.

Trade, security cooperation and joint efforts against organised crime dominated the headlines around the Modi-Starmer summit.

But despite the family's heartbreak, Michels imprisonment was not raised publicly during Modis UK visit. Neither leader allowed the media to ask any questions and their talks took place in the prime ministers country residence Chequers, away from any public displays of anger in London.

We are just asking both governments to respect the UN ruling, Alois says. Follow the law, and let him go.
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The two pilots killed in the Southend Airport plane crash have been named.

Captain Danny Marco Franken and First Officer Floris Christiaan Rhee were both highly respected and cherished colleagues, Zeusch Aviation said.

The medical flight, chartered to transport a patient for treatment in the UK, crashed at Southend Airport shortly after takeoff on Sunday 13 July.

open image in gallery Captain Danny Marco Franken ( LinkedIn )

The aircraft was a twin-turboprop Beechcraft B200 Super King Air. Witnesses said they saw a fireball when the plane crashed, and images of fire and black smoke were shared on social media.

It is understood that the patient had been dropped off and the plane was bound for its base in the Netherlands when it crashed.

open image in gallery First Officer Floris Christiaan Rhee ( EPST )

A female nurse and a male doctor were also killed in the crash.

The nurse was named in reports as 31-year-old Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, a German national originally from Chile, and the doctor was German national Dr Matthias Eyl, 46.

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".

Our thoughts remain with their families, friends, and all those affected by this devastating loss, the statement from the company added.

Zeusch Aviation continues to offer support to the families and is in close contact with the relevant authorities as investigations continue.

open image in gallery 31-year-old Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz was also killed in the crash ( GoFundMe )

Marco Rietvelt, managing director of Zeusch Aviation, said: Danny and Floris were not only highly skilled pilots, but also greatly valued and popular members of our team. Their passion for flying was matched by their dedication to their colleagues and the important missions they carried out.

We are all deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic loss. Our priority is to support the families of those lost, as well as our employees, during this incredibly difficult time. We are also fully committed to assisting the authorities in their ongoing investigation.

After the crash, all operations were immediately suspended, with inbound planes diverting to Gatwick and Stansted. Southend Airport was fully reopened last Thursday.

Last week, police said the aircraft is being carefully dismantled to move into the next phase of the investigation, being carried out in parallel with the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.
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Britain and India signed a free trade agreement on Thursday during a visit by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, sealing a deal to cut tariffs on goods from textiles to whisky and cars and allow more market access for businesses.

Sir Keir Starmer told his Indian counterpart the signing of the trade deal was a historic day for the two countries.

At the prime ministers country residence Chequers, Sir Keir said the deal marked a step change in relations.

Mr Modi said they were writing a new chapter in the UK and Indias shared history.

The deal is set to be worth 6bn in investment for the British economy and the two leaders have also agreed to increase efforts to tackle illegal migration and organised crime. The two countries concluded talks on the trade pact in May after three years of stop-start negotiations, with both sides hastening efforts to clinch a deal in the shadow of tariff turmoil unleashed by US president Donald Trump.

Sir Keir said: Im really pleased and privileged to welcome you here today on what I consider to be a historic day for both of our countries, and the delivery of the commitment that we made to each other.

open image in gallery Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was embraced by Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi as they met at Chequers (Kin Cheung/PA)

Mr Modi, speaking via a translator, described the UK and India as natural partners.

"We've entered a new global era, and that is one that requires us to step up, not to stand aside... by building deeper partnerships and alliances," Mr Starmer said. Mr Modi said the visit would "go a long way in advancing the economic partnership between our nations".

Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds and his Indian counterpart Piyush Goyal then formally signed the trade agreement in the great hall of Chequers.

The UK-India trade deal is understood to be the largest of its kind for its economic impact on Britain.

open image in gallery Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer with Indias Narendra Modi at Chequers (Kin Cheung/PA)

It will see tariffs on an array of British goods reduced from an average of 15 per cent to 3 per cent, with the aim of boosting the 11bn of imports into the south Asian nation.

Whisky tariffs will be slashed in half and will fall further over successive years, while other industries including soft drinks, cars and cosmetics are also expected to see cheaper duties.

The deal is expected to result in 2,200 jobs across the country and 6bn investment by British and Indian businesses.

It is Britain's biggest trade deal since it left the European Union in 2020, although its impact will be a fraction of the effect of leaving the orbit of its closest trading partner.

For India, it represents its biggest strategic partnership with an advanced economy, and one which could provide a template for a long mooted deal with the EU as well as talks with other regions. It will take effect after a ratification process, likely within a year.

open image in gallery Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a press conference after signing a free trade agreement Chequers (Kin Cheung/PA) ( PA Wire )

The UK and India are also bolstering co-operation on tackling corruption, fraud, organised crime and illegal migration, by sharing criminal records and other intelligence.

But the deal has not given the UK as much access as it would have liked to Indias financial and legal services industries.

The agreement promises some benefits for the UKs financial services, with Chancellor Rachel Reeves understood to have pushed on behalf of the sector in discussions with her Indian counterpart.

But more wide-ranging access was not agreed, and talks continue on a bilateral investment treaty aimed at protecting British investments in India and vice versa.

The two nations also continue to discuss UK plans for a tax on high-carbon industries, which India believes could hit its imports unfairly.

open image in gallery Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a press conference at Chequers (Kin Cheung/PA) ( PA Wire )

Negotiations on the deal began when Boris Johnson was prime minister in 2022, and were concluded in May this year.

Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith said it had only been made possible because of Brexit delivered by the Conservatives.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has said that the signing sends a powerful signal that the UK is open for business and remains resolute in its commitment to free and fair trade.

Chief executive Rain Newton-Smith added: A trade agreement with India  one of the worlds fastest-growing economies  is a springboard for long-term partnership and prosperity. UK firms can take advantage of this new platform to scale, diversify and compete on the global stage.
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Sir Keir Starmer has been warned he must act now to save a generation of lost boys from the toxic online ideas peddled by the likes of self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate.

A new group, backed by the Brighton & Hove Albion FC chief executive Paul Barber and Tony Blairs former spin doctor Alastair Campbell, has called on the government to intervene to protect young men from harmful influences online.

Prosecutors say former kickboxer and social media influencer Tate faces a list of charges when he is returned to the UK, including rape, actual bodily harm and human trafficking, but that domestic criminal matters in Romania must be settled first.

His lawyers say he and his brother Tristan will return to Britain to defend themselves against the charges.

open image in gallery Andrew Tate was singled out by the group as a toxic influencer ( AP )

The new Lost Boys taskforce has called for a Trusted Adult Guarantee, which would give every young person in Britain access to a role model outside their family.

This would see 10,000 adults trained as part of a scheme that would initially focus on boys growing up in poverty.

Earlier this month, schools were given new guidance on how to teach children to combat misogyny, in a bid to combat the rise of the manosphere  a network of online platforms fuelled by the belief that feminism oppresses men  among young people.

At the same time, it stressed the need to avoid stigmatising boys for being boys.

open image in gallery Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has warned that increasing time spent online is having a profound impact on British society ( PA )

But Mr Barber said: I know from my own experience how crucial having a reliable mentor when youre young can be. At a time when toxic influencers like Andrew Tate are filling the void for so many boys, its clear that too many young men feel isolated and directionless.

Thats a ticking time bomb  not just for them, but for the generations that follow. By making sure every child has access to a trusted adult at school or in their community, the government has a real opportunity to change the lives, outcomes and potential of Britain's young people.

It comes after Angela Rayner warned earlier this week that the increasing amount of time people spend online was among a number of societal pressures having a profound impact on society.

Last week, the education secretary Bridget Phillipson said that, as the manager of a refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence before she became an MP, she had 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 this year, Sir Keir praised the Netflix drama Adolescence for highlighting the issue and said he wanted a discussion on what could be done to stop young boys being dragged into this whirlpool of hatred and misogyny.

This week it emerged that children and teens could face two-hour limits on apps such as Snapchat and TikTok as part of a government crackdown on compulsive screen time habits.
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From Italian tomato puree to solar panels, Britain risks becoming a dumping ground for goods made with Chinese forced labour, Parliaments human rights watchdog has warned.

The products are linked to forced labour in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, where thousands are made to work under threat and guard. These goods then enter UK supermarkets and energy firms.

The new report, from parliaments Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR), found that the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the key framework governing forced labour, has no enforceable legislation to actually stop such products entering the UK market.

Unlike Westminster, key markets like the European Union and the United States have stronger laws to enforce bans on forced labour. This means that the goods are more likely to come to the UK.

We are the weakest protected now in Europe, former Conservative party leader and current co-chair of Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) Sir Iain Duncan Smith told The Independent. People like Ed Miliband [Energy and Net Zero Secretary] are desperate for cheaper product and they don't want to have to have it slowed up or inaccessible.

Such is your desperation to get product in that you dont care what else youre going to attract.

The EU takes an enhanced due diligence approach, and the US takes a hardline approach where parts or goods made in Xinjiang are assumed to be made with forced labour unless proven otherwise.

open image in gallery File: Concerns have also been raised over base materials used to make solar panels imported into the UK ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The cross-party group called on ministers to put in place the necessary due diligence and penalties to establish legal duty rather than the existing voluntary approach.

It said the government needed to determine who is responsible for preventing the import of tainted goods and what happens if they are confiscated.

The UKs lack of equivalent legislation puts the UK at risk of becoming a dumping ground for goods that cannot be sold elsewhere, the report said.

But experts warn that even if ministers put these in place, due diligence is not a guarantee.

The ability of UK companies to actually do due diligence and to police this is basically non-existent, which is why you're seeing this approach taken in the US, Evan Fowler of IPAC, told The Independent.

Not only has Beijing stopped publishing data that had previously been used by researchers to build a picture of what is happening, but the forced labour programme has likely been expanded, Mr Fowler added, referencing a scheme which moves tens of thousands of people from Xinjiang to work in eastern factories.

The report comes after a BBC investigation found 17 tomato products sold in UK supermarkets were likely made from tomatoes grown and picked in Xinjiang fields with forced labour. The supermarkets contested the findings.

About a third of the worlds tomatoes are grown in China and Xinjiang has the perfect climate for them.

1/3 worlds tomatoes grown in China

Cargo flights are permitted to bring goods directly from the capital of Xinjiang to the UK unhindered, the JCHR said.

Concerns have also been raised over base materials used to make solar panels imported into the UK - metallurgical grade silicon (MGS) and polysilicon.

Xinjiang accounts for about 35 percent of the worlds polysilicon and 32 percent of the worlds MGS, according to a 2023 report on the Uyghur region and solar panels.

In April the government passed an amendment to the Great British Energy Bill to ban forced labour in its supply chains - which drew similar criticism for its lack of due diligence or penalties.

35 percent worlds polysilicon made in Xinjiang

It was also criticised for not covering private solar farms, who are eligible for generous state subsidies through Contracts For Difference.

The government seems to turn a blind eye to slave labour, Sir Iain told The Independent.

However, tracing products back to their true origin is often complicated by a lack of transparency from producers.

Firms often split their supply between countries to claim tainted products go elsewhere or choose not to disclose where parts were sourced.

Some constituents who ask where solar panels are sourced are falsely told they are made in Germany, Sir Iain told The Independent.

Well, they're not made in Germany. It's just that the company producing them, they have a middle man. So that disguises where they came from. They never declare that they came from China.

open image in gallery Xinjiang has the perfect climate for tomatoes ( Getty )

China also increasingly frames due diligence as a national security threat, experts say.

China is broadening the scope of what it considers to be national security sensitive when it comes to due diligence, Andrew Yeh, Executive Director of the China Strategic Risks Institute, told The Independent.

So anyone who is trying to trace which companies are involved or whether their supply chains are linked or not, are potentially crossing the Chinese government's red lines when it comes to how it thinks and defines national security.

Sir Keir Starmers Government has sought to balance a revival of relations with Beijing in its pursuit of growth with matters of national security amid concerns about Chinese interference in Britain and human rights concerns.

China has denied accusations it is subjecting the Uyghur minority to forced labour.
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Ministers are ready to unleash a strengthened crackdown on rioters if last years shameful scenes are repeated this summer.

In a sign that Sir Keir Starmer is not willing to tolerate a repeat of the riots that followed the Southport murders in 2024, the Home Office has issued a statement saying it is prepared for any disorder that might erupt this year.

It comes in the wake of a furious reaction to comments made by the shadow home secretary Chris Philp, who was accused of inciting hatred at a particularly tense time by attacking a council in London that is providing help to asylum seekers.

The row broke out amid rising tensions in Epping, Essex, where a hotel housing asylum seekers has been targeted by far-right protesters.

open image in gallery Jonathan Reynolds says the government is prepared for possible disorder ( PA )

The tensions have prompted a former top prosecutor to call for much, much more to be done, saying that local community Cobra meetings should be happening now in potential hotspots and that policing resources should be put in place to prevent further outbreaks of unrest.

Earlier, business secretary Jonathan Reynolds confirmed that the authorities are ready to respond if fresh riots erupt this summer, as tensions simmer over migrant hotels in communities across the UK.

He said that government agencies, police and emergency services are prepared for potential disorder after violent demonstrations took place outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Epping.

The scenes have been reminiscent of the violence that broke out following the murder of three children in Southport, which led to riots and disturbances in 18 towns and cities across England and Northern Ireland.

But a government spokesperson said: While the public have a right to protest against the current situation, we will never tolerate unlawful or violent behaviour. Working closely with the police, we have thorough and well-tested contingency plans in place to deal with any public disorder, which have been strengthened since last years shameful scenes.

Demonstrations in Epping threatened to spread to London this week after false rumours claimed that migrants were being moved from the Bell Hotel in Epping to the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf.

Protesters gathered at the site, which is currently empty though the Home Office has earmarked it for housing migrants in future. A ring of steel has now been set up outside the building in response to days of protest outside. The protective fencing has been put in place for fear that the protests, which have so far been limited, could escalate into scenes similar to those seen in Epping.

open image in gallery Protesters hold up a flag of St George after a protest in Epping ( PA )

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner issued a stark warning to her fellow cabinet ministers this week, warning them that the UK faces a repeat of last years summer riots unless the government shows it can address peoples concerns.

Former top prosecutor Nazir Afzal said that much, much more needs to be done. He said politicians and political parties have to make it clear that hate speech, discrimination, and incitement to violence will not be tolerated.

Mr Afzal called for local community Cobra meetings to be happening now, and said the police and community leaders need to identify potential flashpoints for violence early on, and act to de-escalate tensions before they turn into riots or violent outbreaks.

He also called for tension measurements to be taken in likely hotspots, and policing resources to be put in place.

Meanwhile, Mr Philp, the shadow home secretary, enraged charities by attacking Wandsworth Council in London for providing 6,000 asylum seekers with taxpayer-funded cards.

Commenting on a story which claimed they used the card for gambling, he said: Labour are literally letting illegal migrants gamble with our hard-earned taxes.

But a Labour source said: Instead of stoking division, the Conservatives should own up and take responsibility for the mess theyve made.

Meanwhile, Steve Smith, chief executive of the charity Care4Calais, said: Politicians like Philp are now going out of their way to incite the sort of hatred weve seen on the streets of Epping with their dangerous rhetoric. People know that Philp, and the Tories, dont care about working-class families in Wandsworth, or any other part of the country. Their record in government shows that.

What they are doing is using refugees seeking sanctuary in the UK as pawns to sow division. The real reason life is challenging for too many families is because of bad bosses, rogue landlords and incompetent politicians.

But Mr Philp retorted: What is truly divisive is a government that refuses to protect its own citizens, then slanders them when they ask why and treats them with utter contempt. This is an obvious smear tactic from Labour to cover up for their failings.

We demand a functioning asylum system, and its dangerous policy to pretend one exists.

Police have already warned that violent demonstrations are taking a massive toll on forces across the UK. Unrest in Epping outside the Bell Hotel has already cost 100,000, with Essex Police forced to draft in support from neighbouring forces when the protests turned ugly. Bottles and flares were thrown at police, injuring eight officers.

Last July and August, 40,000 officer shifts were worked by public order officers over 10 days to tackle the riots sparked by misinformation online after three girls were stabbed to death in Southport. With concerns mounting that the UK could be facing another summer of unrest, the police union has warned that forces are close to breaking point.

Brian Booth, deputy chair of the Police Federation, said the UKs national mobilisation plan, which sees officers redeployed to assist other forces when needed, means staff miss rest days and have to work additional hours at a time when resignation rates are off the scale due to low morale and pay.

He added: The demand has got too high; the service is stretched to the maximum. Its like an elastic band, and all of a sudden, well have a snap. Theres only so much pressure that can be placed on them.
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Keir Starmer is set to have an emergency call with his closest allies as he condemned that unspeakable and indefensible unfolding crisis in Gaza.

The prime minister appeared to have lost his remaining patience with Benjamin Netanyahus Israeli government as he used his strongest language yet to condemn the deliberate starvation of thousands of Palestinians trapped in Gaza.

And as he prepared to hold an emergency call with French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday, Sir Keir appeared to be on the cusp of being prepared to recognise a Palestinian state.

It comes as starvation in Gaza is reported to have dramatically increased in recent days; most of the 113 hunger-related deaths recorded there have come in recent weeks, and 82 were children, according to Palestinian health officials.

open image in gallery Starmer has condemned the starvation of Gaza ( House of Commons/UK Parliament )

The prime minister is coming under pressure from trade union backers to ban imports from Israeli settler communities and end a trade agreement with Israel which reduces tariffs to the UK.

Sir Keirs intervention came just hours before French president Emmanuel Macron said that France will recognise Palestinian statehood in September at the United Nations general assembly.

Mr Macron, who announced the decision on X, published a letter sent to Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas confirming France's intention to press ahead with Palestinian recognition.

"True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine," the French president said.

Asked whether the UK would be joining France in pushing for Palestinian statehood, technology secretary Peter Kyle responded: The timeline for peace and stability and a negotiated solution to the war thats currently unfolding and ultimately Palestinian statehood is in the gift of Palestine and Israel themselves.

It cannot be imposed from the outside. But what Britain is doing is using all of its international influence, all of the efforts that can come from partnership, and all of the support that we can give through aid and other kinds of support in order to establish the circumstances where that process can start.

I know that this is intensely frustrating, but dont lets mix up lots of different issues.

Meanwhile, Israel has imposed heavy restrictions on the amount of food and aid allowed to enter Gaza, limiting aid to a handful of trucks each day following a total 11-week blockade earlier this year. UN officials say the aid delivered into the Gaza Strip is a drop in the ocean of what is needed.

In a furious statement, Sir Keir said: The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible. While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe.

It was the first time that he had not referenced Israels right to defend itself in his comments on the Middle East crisis or mentioned the hostages continuing to be held by Hamas.

He announced: I will hold an emergency call with E3 partners tomorrow, where we will discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace. We all agree on the pressing need for Israel to change course and allow the aid that is desperately needed to enter Gaza without delay.

open image in gallery Children are dying of starvation in Gaza ( REUTERS )

But the prime minister warned: It is hard to see a hopeful future in such dark times. But I must reiterate my call for all sides to engage in good faith, and at pace, to bring about an immediate ceasefire and for Hamas to unconditionally release all hostages. We strongly support the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to secure this.

And there was a strong hint that with MPs and trade unions pushing for recognition of a Palestinian state similar to the actions of Spain and Ireland, he is close to agreeing to the move.

He said: We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis.

However, Labours biggest financial backers are urging the prime minister to go even further with the trade unions demanding recognition now and the cancellation of a trade agreement with Israel which gives it preferential treatment on tariffs.

In a statement the Trades Union Congress (TUC) claimed that given Israels ongoing violations of international law and the continued targeting of civilians, it is plain wrong that goods from Israel are imported to the UK with reduced tariffs.

It also called for a ban on imported illegal settlement goods; an end to arms sales to Israel in compliance with international law; and sanctions on individuals promoting and committing war crimes.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: We are deeply concerned by Israel's continued assault on Gaza and the mounting death toll of innocent civilians  including those killed by Israeli forces while seeking food, water, and shelter at Israeli and US backed aid distribution points.

This timeline of horrors is happening in plain sight - and the violence shows no sign of abating. Despite growing international condemnation, current measures are clearly not working.

But the influential Labour Friends of Israel (LFI), which has powerful supporters in the cabinet including chancellor Rachel Reeves, urged the prime minister not to prematurely recognise a Palestinian state.

LFI chair Jon Pearce MP said: "Recognition is a card that can only be played once. It must be done when it will have maximum impact.

As we saw when Ireland, Spain and Norway recognised a Palestinian state outside of any process, recognition changes nothing on the ground but does risk tearing up the Oslo Accords without a plan for security and sovereignty to replace it, whilst at the same time being seen as a reward for terrorism, inadvertently emboldening Hamas in the ceasefire negotiations.
In the corner park, children are playing and laughing; in the parking lot under the overpass, a car owner smiles as they park their vehicle... Small spaces and little corners hold life's simple joys.

From visible streetscape details to tangible facility upgrades, Anhui is using the "embroidery needle" of meticulous governance to stitch the people's aspirations for "greater convenience, comfort, and beauty" into the very fabric of the urban development.

In recent years, the province has advanced comprehensive renovations of old residential communities across its cities and towns. By the end of 2024, a total of 8,614 communities had been upgraded, benefiting 2.2 million households. The holistically improved living environments and supporting facilities now fully meet residents diverse and multi-layered lifestyle needs.



Recently, a newly converted parking lot beneath an overpass at the intersection of Changjiang West Road and Qingyang Road in Hefei officially opened for use. "The monthly rent is just 200such great value! No more driving around the neighborhood every day scrambling for parking spots," praised Mr. Li, a nearby resident whose satisfaction highlights the project's success.

Aligning urban renewal with renovations of old residential communities, our province has guided cities to tailor solutions locally through measures including revamping green spaces, activating underutilized lots, and optimizing landscaping layoutseffectively addressing parking shortages. By the end of May 2025, Anhui had added 1.6549 million new urban parking spaces overall, including 279,700 public spots.

In recent years, Anhui has steadily advanced the construction of pocket parks, making "greenery outside every window and scenery at every doorstep" a daily reality for residents. During the development process, localities have incorporated age-friendly and child-friendly designs by adding activity areas, supplementary facilities, and multicultural spaces. To date, 888 pocket parks have been built across the province. These thoughtfully placed "little pockets of happiness" are bringing convenience and warmth right to the people's doorsteps.

Simultaneously, urban safety infrastructure projects are accelerating. Leveraging digital technologies, real-time monitoring now tracks municipal systems including water supply, drainage, gas pipelines, heating networks, bridges, and utility tunnels. This enables early detection, warning alerts, and prompt responses to potential hazards, safeguarding smooth urban operations.

Anhui has established a comprehensive "1+16+N" provincial-municipal-county three-tier urban safety monitoring system.

From gas, water supply, drainage, and bridges to water environment management and elevator safety, the application of urban safety monitoring continues to expand.

In Anhui, a vision of livable, resilient, and smart cities is steadily unfolding. Behind this progress lies the peoples unwavering pursuit of a better lifeand the firm strides taken in urban precision management.





Source: anhuinews.com
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Sir Keir Starmer has warned backbench Labour MPs against future rebellions as he seeks to restamp his authority on the party after a series of setbacks.

The prime minister suffered the biggest rebellion of his premiership over his plans to cut benefits by billions, climbing down at the last minute amid fears his majority could be overturned.

In the end, 47 Labour MPs voted against the welfare bill at its final Commons hurdle.

And chief whip Sir Alan Campbell wrote to rebels on Wednesday to remind them of their votes against the measures.

Sir Keir Starmer has warned rebels as he seeks to restore his authority over his party ( House of Commons/UK Parliament )

In a letter seen by The Times, Sir Alan said: I am writing about your vote in the above divisions. As you know, it is against the standing orders of the PLP [parliamentary Labour party] to vote contrary to the frontbench position, and in so doing therefore you have broken the whip.

Sir Keir has also suspended four Labour MPs for their roles in the rebellion and other breaches of party discipline.

One rebel Labour MP, Jon Trickett, wrote on X that he did not regret having voted against the government. He said: Today, along with other rebels, I got an email from party authorities telling me I voted in parliament against the governments welfare reforms six times in one day.

I dont repent my votes. I was elected on a pledge to stand by working-class electors and above all the poorest.

Another Labour MP described the letter as a shot across the bows as Sir Keir tries to shore up his authority.

But the move is unlikely to be welcomed by MPs, who have been outspoken about the prime ministers engagement with his backbenchers.

A large chunk of Labours parliamentary ranks feel Sir Keir failed to listen to and address concerns among MPs about the cuts to the personal independence payment (Pip), and that the eventual U-turn was a self-inflicted error.

The U-turn has left Rachel Reeves with a 5bn hole to fill ahead of this autumns Budget, with the chancellor likely to hike taxes to plug the gap.

But Labours manifesto pledge not to raise taxes on working people leaves the chancellor with a limited number of workable options.

There have been calls from Labour MPs on the left of the party to introduce a wealth tax, calls which have only grown in the wake of Tuesdays welfare climbdown.

Rachael Maskell, the now-suspended architect of the rebellion which forced the government into shelving key pillars of the bill, demanded the government increase taxes on the very richest to pay for the 5bn climbdown.
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Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana have confirmed the formation of an as yet unnamed political party to take on Sir Keir Starmer and Labour from the left.

The populist outfit, which has been temporarily dubbed Your Party, was announced by the former Labour leader and Ms Sultana on Thursday.

Mr Corbyn said it was time for a new kind of political party  one that belongs to you and he called for the mass redistribution of wealth and power.

open image in gallery Zarah Sultana announced plans to set up a new left-wing political party alongside Jeremy Corbyn ( PA )

The group, which will bring together MPs currently sitting as independents, willbuild a democratic movement that can take on the rich and powerful  and win, he said.

It came weeks after the partys initial launch, through Ms Sultanas social media pages, descended into chaos, with Mr Corbyn apparently unaware she was planning to announce their co-leadership.

Then, she promised to offer an alternative to managed decline and broken promises. But now the party is forming, what exactly will that look like in practice? Here, The Independent runs through everything we know so far about the new left-wing offering in Westminster.

What is their mission? And do they have any policies?

Unveiling more details on Thursday, Mr Corbyn said his party would tax the rich and invest in council houses.

He also said it would support Palestine and be made up of people of all faiths and none.

He said millions of people were horrified by the governments complicity in crimes against humanity.

Now, more than ever, we must defend the right to protest against genocide, he wrote. We believe in the radical idea that all human life has equal value. That is why we will keep demanding an end to all arms sales to Israel, and for the only path to peace: a free and independent Palestine.

With growing contempt for Labour under Sir Keir after he suspended four MPs for rebelling against his planned benefit cuts, Mr Corbyn and Ms Sultana are attempting to unite the left in opposition to the party. Further details of how the party will work, who will lead it, what its policies will be and, crucially, what it will be called will be decided by members at an inaugural conference, expected this autumn.

open image in gallery Jeremy Corbyn said the party will support Palestine ( ITV )

Who is involved?

Ms Sultana initially said she will be leading the party with former Labour leader Mr Corbyn. While the ex-Labour leader initially declined to comment, sparking rumours he had not fully committed to join, he later issued a statement confirming that discussions are ongoing about the partys formation.

Thursdays formal launch letter was signed by both Mr Corbyn and Ms Sultana, and discussions about the partys formation are believed to have involved independent MPs sitting in parliament as well as campaigners and local coucillors across the country.

One of those expected to join is Leanne Mohamad, a British-Palestinian activist who almost unseated Wes Streeting in last summers general election and is planning to run against him again.

Another potential member is Andrew Feinstein, who stood against Sir Keir in his Holborn and St Pancras seat, coming second with 7,312 votes.

How much support do they have?

It is too early to tell what kind of backing Ms Sultanas party would have in practice. In three weeks, she had gained more than 70,000 sign-ups to her page.

More broadly, polling conducted by More in Common last month  well before the MP unveiled her party  asked the public how they would vote if a left-leaning party led by Mr Corbyn emerged.

The hypothetical scenario saw 10 per cent of voters say they would back the party, taking three points from Labour, four points from the Greens, one point from the Lib Dems and one point from the SNP. Labour was left with 20 per cent support, neck and neck with the Tories, while Reform UK was on 27 per cent.

What is happening with the name?

The pair sparked mass confusion online with the formation of the party, directing supporters to a website under the title Your Party.

Reform chairman Zia Yusuf said that from a branding perspective it was one of the worst party names ever. And, responding to a news outlet on X, formerly Twitter, Ms Sultana sought to clarify, writing: Its not called your party!

From the launch to the party, conference, structures & yes - even the name! - were building it together, she added, confirming that members will decide the name.

Labour MPs also piled in on the chaos, with Mike Reader saying: I strongly recommend Votey McVote Face.
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A New York woman has won a two-year legal battle against a former friend who she says refused to return her pet cat.

Aliya Zaydullina was granted full custody of her elderly feline, Liza, on July 11 by a Manhattan judge  but the pair are still waiting to be reunited, she told The Independent Wednesday.

Its been nearly three years since Zaydullina last saw 15-year-old Liza.

Her former friend, Maria Senichkina, is accused of failing to return Liza after she agreed to pet-sit her for a few months in 2022. Senichkina is reportedly hoping to appeal the court decision.

I dont know if Im surprised, but I dont know why shes doing that, Zaydullina said, explaining that her life with her pet began when she found her in a shelter for just $60.

open image in gallery Senichkina claims the pair agreed to hand over Liza  but there is no record of the conversation ( Zaydullina Aliya )

It all began in September 2022 in New York City when Zaydullina asked Senichkina to watch Liza while she was away in her native Russia, visiting her sick mother.

A month later, when she returned, she asked Senichkina to watch over Liza for a few extra weeks while she dealt with family issues.

We were pretty close friends and I shared every single detail with her regarding my mothers health, Zaydullina said.

However, Senichkina insists it was during that conversation that the pair agreed Liza would become hers, though Zaydullina maintains it was just a request to extend the period regarding the original favor.

Senichkina has kept Liza ever since the falling out.

I had no idea it would go this far, said Zaydullina, who is currently living in Fort Lauderdale.

It's like part of you is just taken away from you without your permission, she said.

Zaydullina said the ongoing legal battle had been tiring, hostile at times, and financially draining. In 2023, she said Senichkina demanded her former friend pay her $18,000 in legal fees.

Meanwhile, flights back and from Fort Lauderdale to New York City, paying for taxis, and accommodation set Zaydullina back hundreds of dollars.

open image in gallery Zaydullina said she had attempted to contact Senichkina regarding a handover but hasnt had a response since the court ruling ( Zaydullina Aliya )

In an email to Gothamist, Senichkina said she regretted taking on the favor.

I would never have agreed to be a temporary sitter for seven months, Senichkina said. One month, sure. But seven months, and hundreds of dollars and hours invested [...] it was clearly not a temporary favor.

She said that she took on thousands of dollars in expenses for the cats care, including veterinary bills.

In the ruling, Manhattan Civil Court Judge Wendy Li weighed the womens property rights, any discrepancies in their accounts, and, most importantly, Lizas welfare.

While there is no doubt that [Senichkina] and the cat have formed an incredibly strong connection with each other in the past two and a half years, this court must acknowledge that [Zaydullina] shared at least a similar connection with the cat for the 10 years prior, Li wrote in the ruling.

Li decided that Zaydullina had not abandoned her cat and remained its legal owner the entire time.

The judges ruling requires Zaydullina to reimburse Senichkina for the cost of Lizas care between September 2022 to May 2023, which Zaydullina said she always planned to do.

In a similar format to parental custody of a child, Li said that all parties should arrange a way for [Senichkina] to remain a part of the cats life in some capacity.

The case was particularly challenging as Judge Li had to consider whether a contract had been breached and if the cat had been abandoned. Equally, because the two women hadnt created a written agreement, Senichkina was unable to prove that Zaydullina had handed over Liza as a gift.

Time played a significant factor in the case as Zaydullina adopted Liza from a Brooklyn shelter in 2013 and cared for her until her return to Russia, ten years later.

open image in gallery Liza is still residing with Senichkina, Zaydullina said ( Zaydullina Aliya )

I am open to reestablishing the connection if we reestablish some sort of trust and communication, Zaydullina said Wednesday, explaining that communication had been challenging because Senichkina blocked her on social media, even LinkedIn.

Senichkina told Gothamist she and her lawyer havent yet formally received the courts ruling, which gives her until October 1 to return the cat.

Zaydullina says the court mailed out the ruling on July 15 and that, in a desperate attempt to retrieve her cat, she contacted Senichkina on July 16, as instructed by the court, to arrange a pickup.

I hope she will respond. Ive given her till July 26, she said.

The Independent contacted Senichkinas lawyer for comment.
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Kristin Cabot, the head of HR at Astronomer, has resigned following the fallout of being caught on camera with the software companys CEO on the jumbotron at a Coldplay concert.

Kristin Cabot is no longer with Astronomer. She has resigned, a company spokesperson confirmed to The Independent.

It comes less than a week after CEO Andy Byron resigned from his post. A company official previously told Axios that Cabot had been put on leave pending its internal investigation.

As stated previously, Astronomer is committed to the values and culture that have guided us since our founding, a statement released online at the time of Byrons departure read.

Our leaders are expected to set the standard in both conduct and accountability, and recently, that standard was not met, the companys statement released Saturday reads.

Viral video captured Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and his companys Chief People Officer, Kristin Cabot, in an embrace at the concert ( @calebu2/TMX )

Andy Byron has tendered his resignation, and the Board of Directors has accepted. The Board will begin a search for our next Chief Executive as Cofounder and Chief Product Officer Pete DeJoy continues to serve as interim CEO.

Social media went into meltdown after video circulated showing the pair - later identified as Byron and Cabot - awkwardly jumping out of each others arms as they flashed up on a kiss cam during the bands show in Boston.

Byron, who is married to someone else, had his arms wrapped around Cabots waist from behind and quickly let her go as his HR chief covered her face with her hands. He then crouched down, trying to hide from the camera.

In its statement following Byrons departure, Astronomer also moved to quash rumors online that other employees were at the concert with the duo, and thus knew about the affair.

Alyssa Stoddard was not at the event and no other employees were in the video, the company wrote in its statement.
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In the parched, rolling hills of Tallahassee, Florida, sits a rundown low-security federal womens prison housing one of Americas most infamous convicts, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Black filth smeared on walls, rodent infestations, and sanitary products being used to plug leaks in dilapidated living quarters are among the issues recorded at the Federal Correctional Institution Tallahassee, according to a Justice Department watchdog report, seen by The Independent.

The former socialite, previously accustomed to a life of opulent luxury, was moved to the squalid jail after being found guilty of recruiting and trafficking underage girls for disgraced billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2021 and later sentenced to 20 years in prison.

open image in gallery A typical cell in FCI Tallahassee, a low-security womens prison in Florida ( Supplied )

open image in gallery A closed exercise yard probably used by Maxwell ( Supplied )

open image in gallery The grim conditions have been detailed by inspectors as Maxwell gears up to appeal her 20-year sentence ( Supplied )

At her trial, victims recounted how Maxwell had lured them to Epsteins homes where they were abused. Judge Alison Nathan, who presided over the trial, said: She [Maxwell] participated in some of the abuse. Her conduct was heinous and predatory. She added that Maxwell had normalized the abuse committed by Epstein, who killed himself in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial.

During a series of harrowing impact statements read out at her sentencing, one victim said Maxwell and Epstein had ruined lives. Another said: For a long time I wanted to erase from my mind the crimes that Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell committed against me but Ive had to acknowledge the long-lasting effects.

Her case unexpectedly returned to the headlines in July 2025 after Donald Trumps Justice Department and FBI abruptly announced that no Epstein client list existed and that the financiers death was not the result of foul play, infuriating Trumps supporters who had long hoped to see the sex traffickers allies and enablers held to account.

Their verdict inspired weeks of infighting among the presidents MAGA coalition, with Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy Director Dan Bongino bearing the brunt of the criticism and accused of orchestrating a cover-up.

Forced to act amid mounting political pressure to release all federal files held on Epstein, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced on July 22 that he would be seeking an interview with Maxwell. She was subsequently subpoenaed by Democrats on the House Oversight Committee to give a deposition.

Maxwell was convicted on five charges of recruiting and grooming four underage girls for the late pedophile financier to abuse between 1994 and 2004, and is continuing to appeal her 20-year sentence.

Ahead of a court appearance contesting those charges on March 12, 2024, Maxwells brother Ian Maxwell told The Independent: The American justice system and the court were biased against my sister and she didnt get a fair trial. Her jury was not impartial: three of them had been sexually abused but did not disclose this, depriving the defense of the opportunity to challenge their selection as jurors. How could they fairly and dispassionately consider evidence in a sex abuse case?

open image in gallery Of particular alarm were the prisons food service and storage facilities ( Supplied )

open image in gallery What appeared to be rodent droppings were found on sacks of food ( Supplied )

open image in gallery A large hole in a wall could allow rodents into the food warehouse ( Supplied )

The U.S. government urged the appeals court at the time to uphold her conviction, which they duly did, with prosecutors saying: The governments evidence at trial established that over the course of a decade, Maxwell facilitated and participated in the sexual abuse of multiple young girls.

As prisoner 02879-509, Maxwell is understood to have been working in the prison library since arriving at FCI Tallahassee three years ago. She has also hosted etiquette classes for inmates.

Her day is also said to involve yoga classes held in a prison block and sleeping in dormitory-style accommodation that houses around 100 inmates per room in bunk beds.

Maxwell is reported to have earned the nickname Prison Karen after lodging hundreds of complaints since first being moved to the low-security jail, including over a lack of vegan food options.

A recent report by the U.S. Office of the Inspector General revealed the alarming conditions that prisoners are subjected to, with inspectors uncovering serious operational deficiencies in an unannounced visit.

Inmates reported fear of reprisals if they complain to staff, with some accused of using discriminatory language and failing to enforce rules.

open image in gallery A cafeteria was found to contain broken stools with sharp edges that could be used as weapons ( Supplied )

open image in gallery Inspectors also found leaking windows and scores of dead insects ( Supplied )

The report highlighted the prisons food service and storage facilities, where vegetables were found to be rotting in fridges and moldy bread was served to inmates. The cafeteria was found to contain broken stools with sharp edges that could be used as weapons, leaking windows, and scores of dead insects.

Food warehouses were found to contain seriously unsanitary conditions, including evidence of droppings by rodents who had chewed through boxes of food, bags of cereal infested with insects, and rusted and warped food containers.

Due to the severity of the issues, we identified and the immediate risks they posed to inmate health, we informed FCI Tallahassee management of our observations, the report said. Within 24 hours of our notification, FCI Tallahassee staff removed large volumes of food from the storage warehouses.

The prison, which was scored as high risk by the inspectorate, also suffers serious issues with inmate search procedures, inspectors warned, enabling contraband to be smuggled inside, including opioids and unpredictable synthetic cannabis substitutes.

open image in gallery Plastic was stuffed into a hole in a ceiling where there was evidence of water leakage ( Supplied )

And despite an inmate dying by suicide months earlier, staff reported failures by their colleagues to conduct rounds of the prisons housing units, which the report warned increases the risk that inmates would attempt self-harm, engage in physical violence, or participate in other illicit behavior such as drug use.

In addition to staff missing checks, the prison was found to lack the number of cameras necessary to sufficiently observe staff and inmate activities, with many blind spots creating opportunities for inmates to engage in inappropriate behavior without detection.

Inspectors also found that some inmates were reluctant to report wrongdoing by fellow prisoners and staff due to fear of reprisal, as a result of a breakdown of trust between staff and the 746 inmates, 100 short of the jails capacity.

The report included allegations that inconsistencies in searches of prisoners led some inmates to feel staff who searched their property were unfairly retaliating against them, with a previous investigation alleging the use of insulting and derogatory terms by staff.

open image in gallery Rusted inmate lockers in a housing unit at the prison ( Supplied )

In particular, the report found that staff repeatedly misgendered transgender inmates despite Tallahassee housing the largest number of any Bureau of Prisons institution, with 119 at the time of inspection.

Management figures expressed fears that delays in staff misconduct investigations rendered the process ineffective at enforcing standards of conduct  with 191 misconduct investigations open at the time of inspection, against the prisons 307 staff, who were found to have been ongoing for an average of more than two years.

Concerns with living conditions in the female housing units were also raised. Roofs covering all five units are in need of replacement, inspectors said, with routine leaks having led to significant water intrusion, which has damaged windows and walls.

According to the report, staff have had to be asked to avoid giving inmates beds directly affected by leaks, despite efforts by inmates and staff to make patchwork repairs, including jamming sanitary products into the gaps of leaking windows.

Black mold was also found on walls and ceilings, which inmates said staff had attempted to cover with white paint ahead of an earlier visit by the Bureau of Prisons.

The communal bathrooms were also found to be of serious concern and causing a variety of sanitary issues. Inspectors found inoperable showers with clogged shower drains, with a black substance pooling inside one shower, a shower that would flood the bathroom floor with water when in use, and a toilet that was inoperable.

Problems with timely access to medication, such as insulin, were also identified, as the prisons medical center was understaffed by a third. Meanwhile, the lift linking the two floors of the health department was out of action, potentially delaying emergency responses, after the safety gate malfunctioned and a nurse fell through the open elevator shaft, sustaining serious injuries.
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Your favorite chocolate bar will soon come with a bigger price tag after Hershey announced it was raising the price of its candy over the high cost of cocoa.

Hershey is expected to raise its prices for retail customers by double digits. Prices will generally increase between the low teens and 20 percent, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday, citing a company official.

But the WSJ reports three-quarters of the candy makers products should continue to cost $4 or less.

Hershey executives have said demand for its products has remained strong, per the WSJ.

open image in gallery Your favorite chocolate bar will soon come with a bigger price tag after Hershey announced it was raising the price of its candy over the high cost of cocoa ( Reuters )

The company has yet to see its full profits for the summer, when consumers are inclined to grab a pack of Hersheys bars for Smores by the fire.

High cocoa costs are to blame for the price increases at Hershey and other treat companies.

Last December, cocoa prices hit over $12,000 per metric ton, according to the WSJ. While costs have fallen to about $8,100 per metric ton this week, they still exceed historic levels.

West Africa, which accounts for about 70 percent of the worlds cocoa supply, has been hit with poor weather, plant disease, aging tree stocks and destructive small-scale gold mining.

open image in gallery West Africa, which accounts for about 70 percent of the worlds cocoa supply, has been hit with poor weather, plant disease, aging tree stocks and destructive small-scale gold mining ( AFP/Getty )

While weather conditions have slightly improved, industry sources told Reuters earlier this month West Africa will likely see another 10 percent decline in cocoa output in the 2025 to 2026 season.

The WSJ reported in another recent article Swiss chocolatier Lindt & Spruengli had attempted to pass rising cocoa costs onto consumers through price hikes, but even that wasnt enough to make up for the higher cocoa costs.

Mondelez International, the owner of Oreo and Cadbury, also announced earlier this year it was expecting to increase chocolate prices because of higher cocoa costs, the WSJ reported in February.
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New York City animal shelters are becoming overwhelmed as residents surrender more and more pets amid an ongoing affordability crisis, according to a new report.

The Animal Care Centers of New York City  a network of public animal shelters in Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island  told The New York Times they have 1,000 animals in their system as of last week. The shelter network is now caring for hundreds of cats, dogs and kittens. The network is also housing 50 rabbits, a dozen guinea pigs and several birds.

The increase in surrenders comes as pet owners are increasingly unable to afford their furry friends, according to the Times. People are surrendering animals nonstop, and the shelters are struggling to keep up, Animal Care Centers Communications Director Katy Hansen told the newspaper.

Not everybody is surrendering their pet because they just dont have time, Hansen said. Theres a lot of people that are just, like, really struggling. And its sad. You know, they come in, theyre crying.

I think its just people are broke, she added. The wealth gap is hitting hard.

open image in gallery New York City shelters, like the ASPCA Adoption Center, have seen an uptick in animals this summer as a new report reveals many residents are surrendering their pets because they can't afford them ( ASPCA )

It can cost pet owners thousands of dollars per year to take care of their animals. The ASPCA estimates cat owners pay more than $1,100 in the first year they own their pet, while large dog owners pay more than $2,000 in the first year.

Meanwhile, about half of New York City households are unable to make ends meet, and the cost of basic needs is rising faster than earnings, according to a 2023 report by the non-profit United Way New York City.

An ASPCA spokesperson told The Independent the agencys New York City adoption center has also seen an uptick in animals in recent weeks.

This uptick is the result of a variety of factors, including an increase in 311 calls, criminal complaint reports and criminal cases, as well as ongoing capacity challenges that many shelters across the country are facing, the spokesperson said.

Summer is also generally a busier time of year for shelters as it coincides with kitten season, when shelters nationwide are flooded with vulnerable, newborn kittens who require specialized care, the spokesperson added.

open image in gallery The summer is one of the busiest time for animal shelters, according to the ASPCA ( ASPCA )

Its not cheap for shelters to care for the animals, either.

The Dakin Humane Society, a shelter based in Springfield, Massachusetts, estimates it costs their shelter about $950 per animal they care for. Thats because animals that pass through shelters often have extra medical and behavioral needs, the Dakin Humane Society says.

The Animal Care Centers of New York City says it has suspended intake as a result of this uptick, except for animals that were sent in by government agencies, animals that pose threats to the public and animals having medical emergencies.

 We cant adopt our way out, Hansen told the Times. I mean, unless we did a thousand adoptions this weekend, but thats pretty unrealistic. So what is it that we can do? I dont know. I think everyones trying to figure it out.
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The rising cost of beef is putting pressure on Philadelphia's iconic cheesesteak industry, with one prominent restaurateur expressing concern over the impact on his business and customers.

Ken Silver, president of Jim's South St., notes that the price of beef from his supplier has climbed by approximately $1 per pound compared to a year ago. This recent hike follows a "crazy" roughly 50 per cent increase when his establishment reopened in 2024 after a fire.

US beef prices have been steadily rising for the past two decades, a trend attributed to a tight supply of cattle coupled with sustained consumer popularity for the meat.

Our strategy right now is just absorbing the price and hoping that we see a reduction after the summer months are over, the grilling season and all the rest, Silver said Wednesday.

He said a cheesesteak sandwich at Jim's South St. costs $13.49, up from $11.49 in 2022, when the popular eatery was forced to close for nearly two years because of a fire.

Cheesesteaks typically are made with thinly sliced beef, cheese and onions, though other toppings are possible, too.

open image in gallery US beef prices have been steadily rising for the past two decades and now cheesesteak hotspots are saying its impacting their businesses. ( Getty )

For consumers, the average price of a pound of ground beef rose to $6.12 in June, up nearly 12% from a year ago, according to U.S. government data. The average price of all uncooked beef steaks rose 8% to $11.49 per pound.

Weve taken a hit, profitability-wise, just to maintain what our customers would expect to get when they come to us: a reasonably priced cheesesteak of the best quality they can find," Silver said.

If supply costs don't ease, Silver said he might have to raise menu prices or declare a market price, which fluctuates and is commonly associated with seafood.

I really hate to do that, said Silver, whose father started the business in 1976.

A customer, Bryan Williams, suggested a price hike wouldn't discourage him from placing an order.

That's just how things are going lately, he said. There's really nothing that they can do about it.
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A far-right ethnonationalist group that has set up a whites-only community in a remote part of the Ozarks in northeastern Arkansas is reportedly exploring the possibility of expanding north into Missouri.

Return to the Land (RTTL), which describes itself as a private membership association (PMA) for individuals with traditional views and European ancestry, opened its first community in Arkansas in October 2023 and is now considering entering a second state, likely near Springfield, according to NBCs regional affiliate KSNT.

The group is opposed to mass immigration, multiculturalism and forced integration and reportedly does not welcome non-white, non-Christian or LGBT+ people, explaining that its members are seeking to separate ourselves from a failing modern society and return to pastoral living.

You want a white nation? Build a white town? RTTLs co-founder Eric Orwoll asks in an X video promoting the initiative. It can be done. Were doing it.

open image in gallery Return to the Land co-founder Eric Orwoll ( Aarvoll/YouTube )

RTTLs flagship community spans approximately 150 acres of land, is home to 40 inhabitants, and features its own cabins, roads, wells, a community center, and a schoolhouse.

It was followed by a second site nearby that opened in January this year, with the group listing a further Ozarks site as upcoming and aspirations to move into the Appalachian mountains on its website.

Speaking to Sky News journalist Tom Cheshire  who visited RTTLs first fortress for the white race and found a world of fresh goats milk, flute recitals, family kickball games and creek swimming  Orwoll expressed a nostalgia for the America of the 17th century encountered by the Virginia settlers.

I would probably feel more comfortable there because Im white and thats the way this country was when my ancestors came there, he said, overlooking the Native Americans soon to be displaced by the colonists.

Even if an individual has all the same values that I have, if they have an ethnic identity that other people share and care about, their children will also have that identity, and their children might not necessarily have all the same beliefs that they have.

On his ambitions for RTTLs expansion, he said: I would like to have more communities so that people in all parts of the U.S. have this as an option if they want. I would also like us to network and branch out internationally.

Part of that branching out includes online fundraising campaigns, one of which seeks donations to enable the group to pay cash rewards to parents of newborns as a means to incentivize population growth, which was halfway towards its modest $10,000 goal at the time of writing.

open image in gallery Return to the Land's first settlement site in rural Arkansas ( Aarvoll/YouTube )

For a back-to-nature movement, RTTL is surprisingly active on social media, posting updates on the progress of its construction projects, wildlife photography, and even illustrations from childrens books to promote its vision of rural idyll.

Orwoll  who frames the debate surrounding his project as a First Amendment issue and a freedom issue about doing what we want on our own private land  has invested tens of thousands of dollars into research on its legality.

The attorneys weve consulted believe what were doing is legal, he told KSNT. Americans have the right to freely associate and form intentional communities on whatever basis they choose.

Orwoll believes its PMA status exempts it from legislation like the Civil Rights Act or the Fair Housing Act, which mandate equality and outlaw discrimination, although that is by no means an opinion shared by all experts.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, for one, said in a statement responding to RTTLs practices: Racial discrimination has no place in Arkansas or anywhere in a free society. These allegations raise all sorts of legal issues, including constitutional concerns. My office is reviewing the matter.

Barry Jefferson, president of the Arkansas chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), said: I just truly believe that we dont need to get back to the Jim Crow era. Weve been through that before. I think no one should be discriminated against because of their skin colour.

open image in gallery A frame house under construction at Return to the Land's Arkansas site ( Aarvoll/YouTube )

If you really look deep into the Civil Rights Act, it doesnt state that. I think theyre misunderstanding what it states because there have been many organisations that tried to carve that out. Thats not right.

The Anti-Defamation League has been even more blunt about RTTL, accusing it of trying to revive discredited and reprehensible forms of segregation.

Asked by Sky about the more overtly racist aspects of his organization, including the sharing of white supremacist slogans in its Telegram channel and his own thoughts on a second coming of Adolf Hitler, Orwoll did not shy away, saying conventional opinion on the Nazi leader is one-sided and informed by Second World War propaganda.

I think all historical figures are complex, multi-dimensional, he said.

But when I say, youre gonna have to wait for that new Hitler to arise, Im not saying youre going to have to wait for a new person to start a new Holocaust.

I am saying you are going to wait for a charismatic leader who is going to advocate for your interests because thats how a lot of people see Hitler.
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Federal agents arrested Neiyerver Adrian Leon Rengel outside his apartment in Texas on his 27th birthday. Two days later, he was deported to a brutal prison in El Salvador, where he was packed in a jail cell with more than a dozen other Venezuelan men for up to 24 hours a day, for four months.

Inside El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center, Rengel endured physical, verbal and psychological abuse, including routine beatings from guards using their fists and batons, according to his complaint to the Department of Homeland Security Thursday.

The details of Rengels removal from the United States, and his time spent in CECOT, constitute the first legal action against Donald Trumps administration in the wake of a prisoner swap that released more than 250 Venezuelans from the notorious Salvadoran jail.

Rengels administrative claim seeks $1.3 million in damages, alleging wrongful detention and personal injury. The claim is the first step towards a lawsuit against the administration, which has faced an avalanche of legal challenges related to the summary removal of dozens of immigrants to a foreign prison where they faced the prospect of indefinite detention.

You dont have to be a constitutional scholar for the Rengel case to set off alarms, according to Norm Eisen, executive chair of Democracy Defenders Fund, which filed the claim on Rengels behalf.

open image in gallery First legal action after Venezuelans released from CECOT in El Salvador details physical, verbal and psychological abuse inside ( Reuters )

Detaining and disappearing someone without cause or access to legal recourse is illegal and abhorrent, he added. This kind of conduct may be straight out of the Trump playbook on immigration, but it has nothing to do with the American Constitution or our values.

Rengel came to the U.S. in 2023 by appointment through the CBP One app, a Joe Biden-era program that allowed immigrants to schedule appointment with immigration officers before arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border.

open image in gallery Neiyerver Adrian Leon Rengel was deported to CECOT two days after his arrest on his 27th birthday ( Family of Neiyerver Adrian Leon Rengel )

He also applied for temporary protected status, with a pending immigration court date in 2028, according to his attorneys.

After his arrest, agents falsely claimed his tattoos were affiliated with Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua, which he has adamantly denied, according to the complaint. He has not been charged with any crime.

He was not allowed to challenge that flimsy pretext for removal under Trumps use of the Alien Enemies Act, which labels Venezuelan members of Tren de Aragua alien enemies who can be summarily deported. Federal authorities have wide discretion to determine membership, largely by pointing to their tattoos.

Neiyerver Adrian Leon Rengel entered our country illegally in 2023 from Venezuela and is an associate of Tren De Aragua, according to a statement from Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin. Tren de Aragua is vicious gang that rapes, maims, and murders for sport. This illegal alien was deemed a public safety threat as a confirmed associate of the Tren de Aragua gang and processed for removal from the U.S.

Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will not allow foreign terrorist enemies to operate in our country and endanger Americans, McLaughlin said. They will always put the safety of the American people first.

Inside CECOT, Rengel was routinely beaten, and on one occasion, taken to an area of the prison without cameras where guards viciously attacked him, according to his complaint.

Rengel was also forced to witness guards severely beating other detainees, the complaint says.

CECOT guards would turn out the light, take a detainee out of the cell, and attack them outside their cell in front of Rengel and his cellmates, according to the complaint.

open image in gallery Prisoners inside the notorious jail were subject to routine beatings and 24-hour confinement in packed cells, according to a complaint from a recently released detainee ( AFP/Getty )

Rengel was imprisoned with 18 or 19 other Venezuelans inside a cell no larger than 10-by-10 feet, and the men were rarely allowed to leave, staying inside the cell up to 24 hours a day, the complaint says.

They shared two toilets in the cell without any privacy, and the cell was only cleaned once a week, according to Rengel.

The Red Cross visited the facility on June 12, and Rengel spoke with the group for 30 minutes  his only contact with the outside world during his imprisonment, according to the complaint.

On July 18, following trilateral negotiations with the U.S. and Salvadoran and Venezuelan governments, Rengel and more than 250 other Venezuelans jailed inside the facility were returned to their home country.

Rengel has since returned to his mothers home in Municipio Baruta, Venezuela, and is terrified to return to the United States given the horrendous treatment he endured, according to his complaint.

open image in gallery The Trump administration is likely to face a wave of legal complaints following the release of dozens of Venezuelans who were summarily deported from the US under the Alien Enemies Act, only to be released four months later ( AFP/Getty )

Court orders in several cases urged administration officials to facilitate the return of immigrants wrongfully deported to CECOT, and the top judge in Washington, D.C., has threatened officials with contempt after defying his orders to turn the planes around in the first place.

Officials claimed for months that the United States no longer has jurisdiction over deportees that were locked up in El Salvador. But authorities in that country recently told the United Nations that the legal responsibility for these people lie exclusively with the U.S. government.

Attorneys for Rengel argue that his release  along with the release of dozens of other Venezuelan detainees  demonstrate that the U.S. government has always had the ability to secure their release.

Mr. Rengels loved ones were cut off from contact, left with no answers, and forced to endure months of fear, confusion, and heartbreak," according to Juan Proano, president of Latino civil rights organization LULAC, which is representing Rengel.

While no amount of money will ever be able to make up for the deeply traumatic wounds Mr. Rengel now bears, our government has the responsibility to ensure he and his family have the resources they need as they cope, Proano said.
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The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against New York City Mayor Eric Adams and top city officials, alleging that the citys so-called sanctuary policies reflect an intentional attempt to obstruct federal immigration law.

The 37-page complaint filed in Brooklyn claims New York has long been at the vanguard of interfering with enforcing this countrys immigration laws with decades-long policies to thwart federal immigration enforcement.

New York City has released thousands of criminals on the streets to commit violent crimes against law-abiding citizens due to sanctuary city policies, Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. If New York City wont stand up for the safety of its citizens, we will.

The Justice Department has filed similar lawsuits in Los Angeles, Chicago and other jurisdictions it accuses of obstructing Trumps anti-immigration agenda with local policies designed to prevent unjust arrests, detentions and removals by limiting cooperation between local and federal law enforcement.

Several city administrations over the past four decades have supported policies limiting how New York Police Department officers interact with federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with exceptions for people suspected of terrorism or convicted of violent crimes.

open image in gallery The Justice Department is suing Mayor Eric Adams and top New York City officials over what it claims are sanctuary policies that obstruct federal immigration law ( Reuters )

The Trump administration has filed litigation in Democratic-led jurisdictions across the country to override what it considers unconstitutional policies that obstruct the presidents attempts to arrest and remove tens of thousands of people living within them.

Following Trumps election, Adams has publicly aligned himself with elements of the Trump administrations immigration agenda and has appeared to curry the presidents favor in what critics have suggested is a quid pro quo arrangement to ensure a federal corruption case against him disappears.

In February, then-acting deputy Attorney General Emil Bove instructed federal prosecutors in New York to drop the case against Adams, with a memo that explicitly stated that the Justice Department made its decision without assessing the strength of the evidence against the mayor.

Adams gave ICE permission to operate inside Rikers Islands jail complex earlier this year, drawing lawsuits from city officials accusing Adams of crafting a corrupt bargain with the president.

That alleged partnership appeared to fray this week, as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and other top Trump administration officials appeared in New York City to criticize the mayor after an off-duty customs officer was shot by an undocumented immigrant in Manhattan.

The mayors office has denied that Thursdays lawsuit marks any kind of turning point between Adams and the president, noting that the mayor has joined more than a dozen legal challenges against the administration since Trump took office.

The job of a mayor is to protect the safety of every single person in their city  and thats exactly what Mayor Adams has worked to do every day for nearly four years, the mayors press secretary Kayla Mamelak said in a statement to The Independent.

Mamelak said the mayor supports the essence of sanctuary measures supported by the City Council, but he has also been clear they go too far when it comes to dealing with those violent criminals on our streets and has urged the Council to reexamine them to ensure we can effectively work with the federal government to make our city safer.

The lawsuit is under review of the citys law department.

open image in gallery Federal immigration agents have lined the hallways of a federal complex in Manhattan to arrest immigrants moments after their immigration court hearings ( Getty Images )

Bondis lawsuit also follows a string of courthouse arrests inside a federal building in Manhattan, where immigration advocates this week revealed footage from inside what appears to be a makeshift, clandestine detention center.

Pam Bondi may want to distract from reality, but the facts are clear: the evidence consistently shows that cities with sanctuary laws are safer than those without them, said New York City council spokesperson Rendy Desamours. City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is among the defendants.

When residents feel comfortable reporting crime and cooperating with local law enforcement, we are all safer, something both Republican and Democratic mayors of New York City have recognized, Desamours said in a statement to The Independent. It is the Trump administration indiscriminately targeting people at civil court hearings, detaining high schoolers, and separating families that make our city and nation less safe.

Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition, called the lawsuit "frivolous at best, and an attack on New Yorks ability to govern itself at worst.

New York must reject Trumps continued assaults to its Constitutional right to pass local laws that serve our communities best, Awawdeh said. Mayor Adams must fight back against this federal overreach and defend the well-being of all New Yorkers.
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Ghislaine Maxwell answered every single question put to her by Department of Justice officials, her attorney has said.

David Oscar Markus briefly spoke to reporters outside a Florida courthouse after the disgraced British socialite was grilled during a meeting with federal Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche on Thursday.

Markus did not take questions, but said Maxwell never declined to answer and did not invoke any privilege during the meeting. Prior to the meeting he said the team was looking forward to a productive day.

Blanche did not address media following the meeting. The Deputy Attorney General later posted on X saying: Today, I met with Ghislaine Maxwell, and I will continue my interview of her tomorrow. The Department of Justice will share additional information about what we learned at the appropriate time.

open image in gallery Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epsteins former girlfriend, met with U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche inside Tallahassees federal courthouse in Florida on Thursday ( Federal Bureau of Prisons )

open image in gallery David Oscar Markus, attorney for Maxwell, is joined by attorneys Leah Saffian and Melissa Madrigal, as he talks about the meeting their client had with Department of Justice officials at the Federal Courthouse in Tallahassee ( REUTERS )

Maxwell, Jeffrey Epsteins former girlfriend, met with Blanche at the U.S. Attorney Generals office, which is located inside Tallahassees federal courthouse, in Florida.

Maxwell is currently being held at the Florida Correctional Institution-Tallahassee, where she is serving a 20-year sentence for her role in a scheme to abuse minors.

Blanche had announced Tuesday that he had contacted Maxwells attorneys to pursue any potential new leads as Trumps MAGA base continues to blast the administration over its handling of the so-called Epstein Files.

open image in gallery David Oscar Markus, an attorney for Ghislaine Maxwell, said the disgraced British socialite had answered all questions put to her by Blanche during the meeting Thursday ( REUTERS )

But that announcement caused a stir among Democrats, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer writing on X: Under no circumstances should anyone from Trumps DOJ be allowed to privately interview Ghislaine Maxwell.

The conflict of interest is glaring. It stinks of high corruption.

Maxwell, 63, was sentenced to 20 years prison in 2021 for her role in a scheme to sexually exploit and abuse multiple girls with Epstein and is serving time at the federal prison. Her attorneys have taken an appeal of her conviction to the Supreme Court.

open image in gallery Maxwell, 63, was sentenced to 20 years in 2021 for her role in a scheme to sexually exploit and abuse multiple girls with Epstein and is serving time at the federal prison. Her attorneys have taken an appeal of her conviction to the Supreme Court ( US District Court for the Southern District of New York )

Her meeting with Blanche comes after the Wall Street Journal reported President Donald Trump had been told in May by Attorney General Pam Bondi that his name appeared in the Epstein Files multiple times. The president denied such claims to reporters earlier this month.

Appearing in the files does not indicate an individual has committed any wrongdoing and Trump has not been accused of misconduct in connection with the Epstein case.

This is another fake news story, just like the previous story by The Wall Street Journal, White House communications director Steven Cheung told the outlet about the claims Trump was named in the files.
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U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epsteins former girlfriend, on Thursday in Florida, where she is serving time for her role in their sex trafficking scheme to abuse girls, according to a CNN report.

Blanche had announced Tuesday that he had contacted Maxwells attorneys to pursue any potential new leads as Trumps MAGA base excoriates the administration over its handling of the so-called Epstein Files. A July 6 DOJ memo had concluded there were no more significant disclosures to be made in the case.

Maxwell will be transported from Florida Correctional Institution-Tallahassee, where she is being held, to the U.S. attorneys office, which is located inside Tallahassees federal courthouse, ABC News reported.

Blanche declined to comment at the courthouse on Thursday morning but David Oscar Markus, an attorney for Maxwell, told ABC: "We're looking forward to a productive day.

Maxwell, 63, was sentenced to 20 years in 2021 for her role in a scheme to sexually exploit and abuse multiple girls with Epstein and is serving time at the federal prison. Her attorneys have taken an appeal of her conviction to the Supreme Court.

Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins long-time associate, is expected to meet with a senior DOJ official on Thursday, according to a report ( US District Court for the Southern District of New York )

On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that President Donald Trump was told in May by Attorney General Pam Bondi that his name appeared in the Epstein Files multiple times. The president denied to reporters earlier this month that his name was in the files.

Appearing in the files does not indicate that an individual has committed any wrongdoing, nor has Trump ever been accused of misconduct in connection with the Epstein case.

This is another fake news story, just like the previous story by The Wall Street Journal, White House communications director Steven Cheung told the WSJ about the claims Trump was named in the files.

The president has filed a $10 billion defamation suit against the WSJ and its owners after it published a report last week claiming that Trump gave Epstein a bawdy birthday card in 2003. Trump has vehemently denied the claims.

On Tuesday, the House Oversight Committee approved a subpoena for Maxwell. At the White House later that day, Trump said that the subpoena for Maxwell "sounds appropriate."

Maxwells brother praised Trump this week for making a positive statement about his sister, in an interview five years ago, when the president said: I wish her well.

Appearing on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Ian Maxwell hailed Trumps 2020 remark. I dont think that anyone else showed the slightest piece of humanity, not anybody at that time, and yet he did. He didnt need to. Hes the president of the United States, the most powerful man in the world. He couldve just sloughed it off. He didnt. He made a positive statement. I am very grateful to that and I know Ghislaine was too, he said.

Last week, Trump requested Bondi release any and all pertinent grand jury transcripts related to the Epstein case. So far two judges have denied Bondis requests on legal grounds.

The White House has been trying to quell the uproar, including from its MAGA base, following the DOJs July 6 memo, which stated there was no client list of high-profile associates linked to Epsteins sex trafficking scheme. The memo also confirmed the official investigation that the sex offender died by suicide in 2019 and said no further investigations were needed.

Earlier this year, Bondi has said she had a truckload of files to review from the FBI, and insinuated that the client list was sitting on her desk. In February, she released Phase 1 of the files, a tranche of documents that included mostly publicly available information.

After the July 6 DOJ memo was released, the presidents MAGA following erupted, demanding more information. Democrats, as well as prominent members of Trumps own party, including his former Vice President Mike Pence, joined the calls for increased transparency around the case.

Trump has pushed for the media and his supporters to move on.

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, Trump replied to a reporter, who asked him about the Epstein memo at a Cabinet meeting on July 8.

The president has used Truth Social to blast his past supporters for buying into this bulls***, hook, line and sinker. He wrote: Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, dont even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I dont want their support anymore!

Earlier this week, a CNN reporter called Trump to ask about unearthed archived photos capturing Epstein at his 1993 wedding to Marla Maples, the president replied: Youve got to be kidding me. The phone call lasted just 30 seconds before Trump hung up, the network reported.
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House Republicans revolted against GOP leadership over the Trump administrations handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files in the days before Speaker Mike Johnson ushered in the chambers early summer recess to avoid dealing with the crisis, according to a report.

As controversy over the administrations refusal to release all government files related to the sex offender continues, Johnson faced a growing crisis of his own among key GOP allies as leadership refused to bring any action on Epstein to the House floor, Politico reports.

Behind the scenes, GOP leaders faced a standoff with rank-and-file members who were incensed when they were forced to vote against a Democratic-led effort to release the Epstein files a week before, according to the outlet.

Some lawmakers reportedly begged for action on Epstein in closed-door meetings as they warned Republican leadership that the problem wasnt going away.

The new reported details illustrate the chaos of what was happening behind the scenes as President Donald Trump continues to be plagued by the case of the convicted pedophile.

open image in gallery House Republicans revolted against GOP leadership over the Trump administrations refusal to release further documents in the Epstein case. Speaker Mike Johnson came under pressure from GOP members this week. ( AFP via Getty Images )

GOP Rep. Virginia Foxx of Virginia, chair of the House Rules Committee that serves as a final gatekeeper to legislation where a simple majority vote is required, threatened to bring activity on the House floor to a halt unless a better solution to the Epstein issue was put forward, two people with knowledge of the conversation told Politico.

The rebellion prompted Trump to meet with GOP members of the House Rules Committee in the Oval Office Tuesday, according to the outlet.

Johnson moved to shut down the committee, which meant that the House will not be able to tee up votes to pass many of the spending bills that Congress hoped to pass before the August recess, when members break to go back to their districts.

But Johnson likely faces further rebellion in September.

I think the administration will put more stuff out in August  if they dont, then I promise you, theres going to be some more looking at this in the first week of September, warned Rep. Chip Roy of Texas.

Republican lawmakers have expressed anger over the Epstein fallout, and said they are under intense pressure from constituents on the issue.

The rebellion of House Republicans who favored releasing more documents in the Epstein case came as a surprise to White House officials, according to Politico. One anonymous GOP member told CNN that members wanted a chance to vote on the issue. To be accused of trying to cover up for a pedophile, its detestable, they told the network.

open image in gallery Republican lawmakers have expressed anger over the Epstein fallout, and said they are under intense pressure from constituents on the issue. ( AFP/Getty )

Word had got out that Democrats were planning to force an Epstein-related vote Monday. At a meeting with GOP Rules Committee members that evening, Johnson reportedly presented three options on how to proceed. Ultimately, leadership opted to halt the action of the House Rules Committee.

The rule was going down anyway, a source with knowledge of the meeting told Politico. So the choice was clear.

Johnson defended effectively shutting down the House while speaking with reporters Wednesday. No one in Congress is blocking Epstein documents, he said.

The rebellion follows recent revelations that the Department of Justice told Trump that his name appears multiple times in the Epstein files, according to multiple senior administration sources.

The sources told The Wall Street Journal that Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy, Todd Blanche, informed the president during a May meeting at the White House that the presidents name emerged after they sifted through a truckload of documents related to Epstein.

Following the Journals report, sources familiar with the exchange confirmed the account to both The New York Times and CNN.

Appearing in the files does not indicate that an individual has committed any wrongdoing, nor has Trump ever been accused of misconduct in connection with the Epstein case.

This is another fake news story, just like the previous story by The Wall Street Journal, White House communications director Steven Cheung said about the claims Trump was named.
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Rep. Jasmime Crockett wants Ghislaine Maxwell  who is serving a 20-year sentence for aiding sex trafficking financier Jeffrey Epstein  to testify before Congress before she speaks under oath to the Trump Justice Department.

US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, President Donald Trumps former personal attorney, will meet with Maxwell on Thursday in Florida, where she is serving out her two-decade sentence for scheming with the late pedophile power-player to sexually exploit and abuse young women and girls.

The meeting comes just a day after the House Oversight Committee, on which Crockett sits, voted to subpoena Maxwell. On Wednesday, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer issued a subpoena and set Maxwells deposition date for Aug. 11.

I don't know that we'll get anywhere, but I know if there's anybody that I want to talk to her, it is us  and not the administration  because at least if she comes before the committee, even if it's behind closed doors, it will be bipartisan, Crockett, a frequent Trump antagonist, told The Independent.

It won't just be one side able to ask questions, it'd be both sides, whereas the administration, they're a bunch of thugs, she railed. And frankly, if it means that she can engage in a coverup, he'll most likely let her out of jail free. He's let people out of jail for far less.

open image in gallery ( Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) said she wants Ghislaine Maxwell to testify before the House as well as the Justice Department. )

This comes after the Department of Justice released a two-page memo on July 6 saying that Epstein, the convicted pedophile, had no client list and died of suicide in his New York City jail cell, where he was found hanged by bed sheets.

But Crockett, who spoke to The Independent before Comer issued his subpoena, also cautioned that she did not know if they would actually hear testimony from the once high-flying former socialite Maxwell.

I don't know if she has appeals that are pending, and I'm sure that her attorneys will have some issues, some questions surrounding so it's more complicated than just subpoenaing her, the Democrat said.

We can subpoena all we want to. We have had a number of transcribed interviews as well as depositions over the last two weeks, and frankly, a lot of them ended with nothing because people invoked privilege and things like that.

Crockett has become a fundraising dynamo because of her combative style of questioning on the Oversight Committee and her willingness to joust with Republicans in the majority. But she recently lost her bid to replace the late Gerry Connolly (D-VA) as the top Democrat on the committee to Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA).

open image in gallery Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) said that the House needed to hear from Maxwell despite her being a known liar ( Reuters )

Garcia told The Independent that subpoenaing Maxwell does not mean the committee trusts her to be truthful.

She's a documented liar, she's obviously done an enormous amount to harm young girls and and and has an interest, of course, in, in being free, Garcia said.

We should still want to have her come testify in front of oversight in the Congress, but, but we should just be very we should understand that this is a very complex witness and someone that has caused great harm and not a good person to a lot of people.

The House of Representatives broke a day early after the House Rules Committee ground itself to a halt because Democrats continued offering amendments to release files related to Epstein. In an attempt to mollify Democrats and some conservatives, Republicans proposed a non-binding House resolution to get the Department of Justice to release files.

In addition, Rep. Thomas (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) have a discharge petition, which would force a vote and circumvent Speaker Mike Johnson, to release files related to Epstein.

Massie, a critic of Trump, accused Johnson of covering for the president.

He doesn't want a paper-thin sliver of daylight between him and the president, and so that's why he's avoided taking even the symbolic vote on the non-binding resolution, Massie told The Independent.

Trump, a friend of Epsteins for many years before a falling out that appears to have come before it was publicly known the financier was being investigated over his sex trafficking, has criticized his supporters and others for focusing on the Epstein case.

He also vehemently denied a story in The Wall Street Journal that he sent Epstein a note for the disgraced financier and predators 50th birthday party and also filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the newspaper and its owners News Corp and Rupert Murdoch, among others.
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Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch ally of the MAGA movement, broke from President Donald Trump on Thursday to oppose his executive order on artificial intelligence, raising concerns about its impact on the environment and states rights.

Hoping to accelerate the United Statess development of AI, Trump signed a series of executive orders on Wednesday, making it easier to build data centers on federal lands and incentivizing states to impose fewer regulations by threatening to withhold federal funding to AI projects.

But Greene raised a red flag, saying she was concerned with the impact of massive data centers on the people and environment around, while providing little to no regulations.

My deep concerns are that the EO demands rapid AI expansion with little to no guardrails and breaks. It also contains the threat of withholding federal funds from states who regulate AI, which is an absolute threat to federalism and why I strongly opposed the AI state moratorium originally in the BBB, Greene wrote on X.

Trump has pushed for more AI development in the U.S., hoping for companies such as Meta, Google, OpenAI, and Microsoft to develop and expand their AI technology beyond what the Chinese-based company DeepSeek has already done.

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene issued an opposing stance to President Donad Trumps recent AI expansion executive orders ( Getty )

But the Georgia congresswoman said the rushed AI expansion should include a plan to address human and environmental impact  with particular concerns around using nearby water supplies that cross state lines.

Competing with China does not mean become like China by threatening state rights, replacing human jobs on mass scale creating mass poverty, and creating potentially devastating effects on our environment and critical water supply, Greene wrote.

This needs a careful and wise approach. The AI EO takes the opposite.

Greenes statement is the latest in a string of opposing stances that she has taken against Trump, whom she has typically expressed unwavering loyalty to.

Recently, Greene has also criticized the administration for not releasing the Epstein Files, a recent Trump-backed crypto bill, and the presidents decision to intervene in the IranIsrael conflict by bombing Iranian nuclear facilities.

Her additional opposition also comes at a moment of contention between the president and his MAGA base.

Trumps dismissal of the Epstein Files, of which conspiracy theories have floated in the MAGA world for years, appears to have caused a fracture in his bases trust.

Its unclear how many may feel about the AI bill, but Greenes opposition provides some insight.

I represent the base and when Im frustrated and upset over the direction of things, you better be clear, the base is not happy, Greene said on X back in May.
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MyPillow founder Mike Lindell does not have to pay $5 million to a software developer who tried to disprove his 2020 election interference claims, a federal appeals court ruled.

Lindell, widely known as MyPillow Guy, claimed that China interfered with the 2020 election results and he had evidence to back it up. He then launched a Prove Mike Wrong Challenge, a stunt in which contestants tried to debunk his evidence, offering $5 million to anyone who could do it.

The judges in Lindells stunt didnt believe Robert Zeidman, a software developer who participated, proved his case against Lindells claim, but an arbitration panel found that he won the challenge and ordered Lindell to pay him his winnings.

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the panels decision, finding the arbitrators exceeded their powers.

Its a great day for our country, Lindell told the Associated Press. This is a big win. It opens the door to getting rid of these electronic voting machines and getting paper ballots, hand-counted.

A federal appeals court ruled Mike Lindell does not have to pay $5 million to a software developer who believes he debunked the MyPillow CEOs 2020 election fraud claims ( AP )

Lindell hosted a Cyber Symposium in South Dakota in August 2021, when he showed data that he claimed to prove election interference.

He then dared skeptics to participate in the Prove Mike Wrong Challenge, offering the $5 million award.

Zeidman, who had been invited to the symposium, entered the challenge and submitted a 15-page report against his claims. The judges disagreed and said he did not prove Lindell wrong.

The arbitration panel disagreed, finding that the software developer had met that requirement and won the challenge by pointing out that Lindells so-called evidence didnt contain voting machines data.

Lindell then filed a legal challenge to the judement. The appeals court found that the panel effectively amended the challenges rules, handing Lindell a victory.

From the four corners of the Challenge contract as defined by the Official Rules, there is no way to read information related to the November 2020 election as meaning only information that is packet capture data, the appeals court found.

Zeidman, who previously told the New York Times that he is a Republican and voted for Donald Trump twice, believed Lindells claims posed a danger to democracy.

A false narrative about election fraud is just really damaging to this country, he told the Times.

Last month, a federal jury in Colorado found that Lindell defamed Eric Coomer, the former security and product strategy director at Dominion Voting Systems, when he accused him of treason. Lindell was ordered to pay Coomer $2.3 million in damages  a ruling that the MyPillow CEO said he plans to appeal.
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Threats made online against former president Barack Obama spiked over the weekend after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard accused him of a years-long coup attempt against President Donald Trump.

Gabbard has claimed Obama and his top officials ran a treasonous conspiracy by insinuating they manufactured an investigation into Russias interference in the 2016 election to undermine Trumps first election.

Hours after she made the claim, on July 18, violent rhetoric about Obama surged on platforms such as Truth Social, Telegram, and Gab, with some calling for his arrest, imprisonment, and execution.

That rhetoric was intensified after the president posted an artificial intelligence-generated video of Obama being arrested and continued to re-post Gabbards claims throughout the weekend.

By July 19, threatening comments targeting Obama rose from three to 56  a more than 1,700 percent increase, according to the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.

open image in gallery Truth Social, Gab, and Telegram users sent violent political threats against former president Barack Obama after the Trump administration pushed its theory about the 2016 Russia investigation ( Getty Images )

Truth Social users posted rhetoric calling for a firing squad, a public hanging, and streaming his execution live  all while decrying Obama for the alleged treason.

One user called for Obamas execution by using memes of a guillotine, electric shock chair, and public hanging platform.

For years, Trump has blamed Obama and other Democrats for abusing power to facilitate investigations or indictments into himself. Since taking back the White House, Trump has promised to conduct a campaign of retribution against those he believes have targeted him.

The documents Gabbard referred to as evidence of Obamas meddling show that the Obama administration wanted a review of the allegations against Russia before leaving office and pressured intelligence agencies to work quickly.

A spokesperson for Obama denied Gabbards allegations, calling them bizarre, ridiculous, and a weak attempt at distraction.

open image in gallery Tulsi Gabbard alleged Barack Obama's involvement in a 'coup' on Wednesday ( Getty Images )

The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism said similar violent rhetoric increased on Gab, a platform known for platforming right-wing extremists.

Between July 17 and July 20, comments targeted Obama as treasonous and deserving punishment rose from nine to 48, a more than 400 percent increase.

A review of targeted comments made on Telegram in the same timeline revealed that threats against Obama rose from zero to 12.

Harrison Fields, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement, As a survivor of multiple assassination attempts, the President takes these matters extremely seriously. The White House condemns all acts of violence, and anyone engaging in such behavior will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
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U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi ducked out of a summit on human trafficking on Wednesday, citing a medical issue, as new reporting emerged to intensify the pressure on President Donald Trump over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Shortly after The Wall Street Journal reported that Bondi informed Trump in May that his name appears multiple times in the Justice Departments files on the late sex offender, her absence from the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)s Summit Against Human Trafficking was announced.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti notified the audience at the event in Washington, D.C., by reading aloud a statement that read: Im sorry to miss all of my CPAC friends today Unfortunately, I am recovering from a recently torn cornea, which is preventing me from being with you.

I truly wish I was able to join you and support all of the work being done on this critical issue.

open image in gallery Attorney General Pam Bondi said that she is suffering from a torn cornea ( AFP/Getty )

Trump is already suing the Journal after it alleged last week that he sent a bawdy hand-drawn birthday card to Epstein.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung moved quickly to deny the newspapers latest bombshell, calling it nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media.

Also on Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee moved to subpoena both the files and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins jailed accomplice, while federal judges in New York and Florida rejected requests to unseal grand jury transcripts related to investigations into the duo.

The scandal erupted on July 7 when the FBI and Justice Department abruptly announced that no Epstein client list existed and that the financier died by his own hand in a New York jail cell in August 2019, infuriating Trumps supporters who long believed they would finally see the sex traffickers allies and enablers held to account.

The result has been weeks of infighting among the presidents MAGA coalition, with Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy Director Dan Bongino bearing the brunt of the criticism and accused of orchestrating a cover-up.

Critics of the AG include podcaster Liz Wheeler, who was one of several right-wing influencers invited to the White House in February to receive binders of documents on Epstein that were already publicly available.

open image in gallery A protester holds up a sign bearing Bondis photograph and a direct quote for her regarding the Epstein files at a demonstration in Los Angeles, California, on July 17 2025 ( AFP/Getty )

I was one of the new media figures who have been put through the ringer for Attorney General Pam Bondis gross incompetence and her severe lack of judgement in the way that she rolled that out, she said.

Its time to rectify this issue, which is why I said [the president] should not tolerate Pam Bondis behaviour anymore.

Wheeler continued: The base feels stung because we have not been told the truth and we associate the Epstein files now with the question of, are we going to get the justice we voted for?

The American people feel that this is injustice. They feel that they are being played. They feel there is dishonesty afoot. And of course that triggers us because we have been harmed by politicians doing this before.

What we do as President Trumps base is, a true friend tells you the truth, even when that truth is uncomfortable, even when that truth might have consequences.

Former Republican congressman Joe Walsh has also attacked Bondi on social media, writing: We dont have an Attorney General. We havent had one for the past six months. Pam Bondi is Donald Trumps personal lawyer. Nothing more.

Weve normalized his corruption. And America will pay such a steep price for doing so. Shame on us.

On Capitol Hill last night, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin told reporters: Time and again, Pam Bondi and President Trump have lied to the American people. They are destroying Americans trust in our justice system.
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Jacob Angeli Chansley, also known as the QAnon Shaman, has launched a scathing verbal attack on President Trump, as the commander-in-chief continues to deal with the fallout of his administrations decision not to release the Epstein files.

In 2021, the pictures of Chansley, adorned in a fur Viking horned headdress and red, white, and blue face paint, became a defining image of the Capitol riot.

Four years on, Chansleys support of the president seems to be over.

Oh yeah & F*** Israel! And F*** Donald Trump!, Angeli-Chansley wrote on X Wednesday.

Chansley posted a flurry of fiery tweets about Trump, including one that has since been deleted under a Trump post featuring his mugshot.

The tweet, which read F*** this stupid piece of s***... What a fraud, was shared by X account Faketriots Watch.

open image in gallery Jacob Anthony Chansley stormed the Capitol along with over 1,500 others on January 6 2021  but now his sympathies for the president are waning ( AP )

Chansley then turned his attention to Hollywood star and Trump supporter James Woods.

Did you go to Epstein Island too James? Cuz I am beginning to look closer...Didn't your house survive the LA fires too? Nothing about Epstein? You're not holding Trump accountable...I know the routine James...I try to give people their privacy...But I'm gonna let you cook, Chansley wrote to the Once Upon a Time in America star.

open image in gallery Jacob Anthony Chansleys mugshot in the aftermath of the January 6 riot ( Alexandria Sheriffs Office )

The one-time Trump superfan was sentenced to 41 months in prison in November 2021 after he was seen storming the Senate dais, taking selfies in a seat that Vice President Mike Pence had occupied an hour earlier, and scribbling Its Only A Matter of Time. Justice Is Coming! on a piece of paper left on the desk.

Mike Pence is a f***ing traitor, he said during the raid.

Chansley then called other rioters up to the dais and led them in an incantation over his bullhorn, according to the Department of Justice.

He was released to a halfway house in 2023. Two years later, Trump pardoned Chansley along with over 1,500 others involved in the rioting that day.

open image in gallery Pressure has been mounting from both Democrats and GOP regarding transparency over the Epstein files ( AFP via Getty Images )

In 2021, his support for the president wavered when he offered to testify against Trump, stating that he was one of the many individuals incited by the then-former presidents actions and rhetoric at The Ellipse on January 6.

Ever since an FBI memo was leaked claiming Jeffrey Epstein held no client list, MAGA has been split over the truth behind the matter.

GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and a string of conservative pundits, including Tucker Carlson, former Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon, and right-wing podcaster Ben Shapiro, have all taken aim at Trump over the Epstein debacle.

On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal revealed that Pamela Bondi told Trump his name appeared multiple times in the Epstein files after they sifted through a truckload of documents related to Epstein in May.

At the heart of QAnon lies the conspiracy that Trump is waging a secret war against elite Satan-worshipping paedophiles in high-profile positions in government, business, and the mainstream media.
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The House of Representatives broke for August recess a day earlier than expected on Wednesday after Speaker Mike Johnson shut the doors to block moves from Democrats seeking to disclose government files on sex-trafficking financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Johnson had a very specific reason to dismiss the House early  a bipartisan discharge petition, which would allow them to force a vote on the release.

I think it is to sort of try to let the air out of the balloon on the Epstein issue, Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), who teamed up with California Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna on the effort, told The Independent.

But if Johnson and House GOP leadership feared the end result of that discharge petition, the Senate does not want to deal with it at all.

I hope we don't waste our time on that, said Sen. John Cornyn.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) said I hope we don't waste our time on files related to Jeffrey Epstein. ( Getty Images )

Weve got enough to do, the Texas Republican told The Independent Wednesday.

Cornyn is not entirely wrong.

Over the weekend, President Donald Trump said that he wanted the Senate to cancel its August recess to confirm his nominees. The Senate also needs to begin to tee-up the spending bills to avoid a government shutdown in September.

The Senate typically sees the House as childish and full of petty grievances. But theres another reason Cornyn, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, specifically would not want to be in the Trump-Epstein blast radius: he faces a potentially bruising primary challenge against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a hardline  albeit scandal-ridden  MAGA candidate.

Any harsh questioning or a vote for the files would likely imperil Cornyns reelection bid.

But hes not the only Republican senator dodging the issue. Sen. Chuck Grassley, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, noted that the Judiciary Committee brings the U.S. attorney general to testify annually.

Now that, maybe that's not going to happen before September, so we're going to have these Epstein files, he told The Independent. Grassley said he didnt know the next steps the courts would take, but the disclosures might lead to questions from the committee.

On Wednesday, judges in Florida and New York rejected Department of Justice requests at the urging of Trump to unseal grand jury transcripts tied to Epstein, who was found dead by hanging in his New York City jail cell in 2019, in what has been ruled a suicide.

This came after Trump had requested AG Pam Bondi unseal them after a Wall Street Journal report that he allegedly sent a bawdy hand-drawn message to Epstein for his 50th birthday party, a report Trump has denied and over which he filed a $10 billon lawsuit against the WSJ, parent company News Corp and founder Rupert Murdoch.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), another member of the Judiciary Committee, expressed some openness to having convicted Epstein accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell  who is serving a 20-year federal prison sentence for grooming girls and young women to be trafficked by her on-and-off boyfriend  testify before Congress.

Whatever the bottom line is, I'm in favor of releasing it. So I think that, you know, DOJ ought to release everything that they possibly can, and I'm all for having Maxwell testify, Hawley said.

Hawley, a Yale-educated lawyer and archconservative, also suggested a joint committee made up of House members and senators.

One of the few senators who has kept an eye on Epstein is Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA). In 2017, Kaine grilled Alex Acosta, Trumps then-nominee to be labor secretary, about the time he was the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida and gave Epstein a lenient plea deal in 2008.

Under the 2008 non-prosecution agreement, Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges in Florida of soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution. That allowed him to avert a possible life sentence, instead serving 13 months in a work-release program.

Why was the sweetheart deal cut? I never understood that, and I never understood why President Trump nominated the guy who cut the sweetheart deal to be his cabinet secretary, Kaine told The Independent. Kaine, who was Hillary Clintons running mate against Trump in 2016, also expressed openness to Hawleys idea of a joint committee.

I think a white House can shorten circuit, all that by just doing what they've said they're going to do, and releasing the files, he said.

Unsurprisingly, Republican Trump antagonist Sen. Thom Tillis of North carolina, who announced he would not seek re-election and told The Independent last week that the administration should release the damn files said he wanted to see more.

There was much made about it, he told The Independent. So one of two things are true, not so much should be made of it. Or there things that we should probably know, as long as it doesn't harm the privacy of victims, people that are not actually involved in the investigation.

For now, the Senate will not have to worry about that, given the House is out. But it will be a looming question when the House returns.
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President Donald Trump's approval rating has tanked, amid the Jeffrey Epstein files fallout, with less than 30 percent of independents approving of the way the president is handling his job.

A new Gallup poll shows Trumps overall approval rating at 37 percent. When broken up across political affiliation, 89 percent of Republicans approve of the job the president is doing. For independents, 29 percent approve of the presidents performance and only 2 percent of Democrats approve.

The 37 percent approval rating is the lowest of Trumps second term and mere points away from his all-time worst rating of 34 percent at the end of his first term.

When it comes to specific issues, just 38 percent of Americans approve of Trumps handling of immigration, and 37 percent approve of his handling of the economy, two major issues of the presidents campaign.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump's approval rating tanks amid the Jeffrey Epstein files fallout with less than 30 percent of independents approving of the way the president is handling his job ( Getty )

The poll was taken between July 7 and 21, after Trump signed his big, beautiful bill, which extended his 2017 tax cuts and increased border security funding while cutting welfare programs such as Medicaid and SNAP.

Trumps victory lap on the legislation came to a crashing halt after the Justice Department and FBI came out with a memo stating there was no client list from Epstein, the wealthy financier and convicted sex offender who died in jail in 2019.

The White House has faced backlash, notably from its own base, after Trump had promised to release the files, and then the feds effectively said the matter was closed.

Trump had asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to produce any and all pertinent grand jury testimony from Epsteins case, subject to Court approval, citing the ridiculous amount of publicity over the case. But the court denied that request.

open image in gallery The White House has faced backlash, notably from its own base, after Trump had promised to release the Epstein files, and then the feds effectively said the matter was closed ( New York State Sex Offender Registry )

The presidents past relationship with Epstein has also been at the center of controversy.

The Wall Street Journal reported Trump had been told in May by Attorney General Pam Bondi that his name appeared in the Epstein Files multiple times. The president denied such claims to reporters earlier this month.

Appearing in the files does not indicate an individual has committed any wrongdoing and Trump has not been accused of misconduct in connection with the Epstein case.

While respondents in the Gallup poll were not asked about the Epstein drama, a poll conducted by The Economist and YouGov from July 11 to 14 found 67 percent of Americans believe the government is hiding evidence related to the sex offender.

When asked if the government should release all documents relating to the feds Epstein case, 79 percent of respondents said it should.
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Columbia University has reached a deal with the Trump administration to pay more than $220 million to restore a federal funding cut over claims it failed to combat antisemitism on campus, the university announced Wednesday.

The Ivy League school will pay a $200 million settlement to the federal government over three years, the university said. It will also pay $21 million to settle investigations brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty," acting University President Claire Shipman said.

open image in gallery The school had been threatened with the potential loss of billions of dollars in government support, including more than $400 million in grants canceled earlier this year ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The Trump administration pulled the research funding over what it described as the universitys failure to deal with antisemitism on campus during the Israel-Hamas war that began in October 2023.

Columbia then agreed to a series of demands laid out by the administration, including overhauling the universitys student disciplinary process and adopting a new definition of antisemitism.

Wednesdays agreement, which does not include any admission of wrongdoing, codifies those reforms while preserving the universitys autonomy, Shipman said.

open image in gallery Trump lauded the deal on his Truth Social platform Wednesday night ( AFP/Getty )

Trump lauded the deal on his Truth Social platform Wednesday night saying, Its a great honor to have been involved.

The president said, Numerous other Higher Education Institutions that have hurt so many, and been so unfair and unjust, and have wrongly spent federal money, much of it from our government, are upcoming.

Regarding Harvard University, the State Department said Wednesday it is investigating whether the school will remain part of a government program that provides American visas for students and researchers from other countries.

A federal judge appeared skeptical on Monday of the Trump administrations efforts to strip Harvard of billions of dollars in research funding, suggesting the school may prevail in its legal battle against the government.

open image in gallery Columbia University will also have to issue a report to a monitor assuring its programs do not promote unlawful DEI goals ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Columbia University had been threatened with the potential loss of billions of dollars in government support, including more than $400 million in grants canceled earlier this year.

The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track," Shipman said. "Importantly, it safeguards our independence, a critical condition for academic excellence and scholarly exploration, work that is vital to the public interest.

As part of the deal, Columbia agreed to a series of changes previously announced in March, including reviewing its Middle East curriculum to make sure it was comprehensive and balanced and appointing new faculty to its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies. It also promised to end programs that promote unlawful efforts to achieve race-based outcomes, quotes, diversity targets or similar efforts.

The university will also have to issue a report to a monitor assuring that its programs do not promote unlawful DEI goals.

Columbia said it has launched disciplinary action against students who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The protests included one inside the schools main library before final exams and an encampment during alumni weekend in 2024.

A student activist group said nearly 80 students were told they have been suspended for one to three years, or expelled.

open image in gallery The school was among the first targets of President Donald Trumps crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus protests and on colleges ( REUTERS )

The deal comes after months of uncertainty and fraught negotiations at the more than 270-year-old university. It was among the first targets of President Donald Trumps crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus protests and on colleges the president asserts have allowed Jewish students to be threatened and harassed.

Columbias own antisemitism task force found last summer that Jewish students had faced verbal abuse, ostracism and classroom humiliation during the spring 2024 demonstrations.

But other Jewish students took part in the protests and protest leaders maintain they arent targeting Jewish people but rather criticizing the Israeli government and its war in Gaza.

Columbias leadership has declared the campus climate needs to change.

Also in the settlement is an agreement to ask prospective international students questions designed to elicit their reasons for wishing to study in the United States, and establishes processes to make sure all students are committed to civil discourse.

With reporting from The Associated Press.
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The firestorm continued on the MAGA right this week as the political focus on the Epstein files just would not dissipate and Donald Trump dug himself deeper into a hole.

With his administration scrambling to explain why it isnt releasing files from an investigation that its own members and supporters have said for years should be made public, the president spent the past two weeks reigniting old conflicts with foes ranging from Rosie ODonnell to Barack Obama.

On Wednesday, those efforts escalated to the point where the U.S. director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, declared from behind the White House briefing room podium that former President Obama had attempted a coup on American soil.

But Trump and his closest advisers are coming to quickly realize that they and the mainstream media both greatly underestimated the staying power of the Epstein issue.

The Trump Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, declared in a joint statement with the FBI that Jeffrey Epstein, a wealthy, convicted pedophile who died in federal detention in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, did so by suicide.

open image in gallery Donald Trumps White House was rocked by back-to-back Epstein scoops from the Wall Street Journal ( AP )

To support the conclusion, the agencies released video footage of an area outside of Epsteins cell spanning the time he was locked in for the evening on the night of his death. In the same statement, the agencies declared that no list of Epsteins co-conspirators was found within the DOJs investigation files.

That announcement was made in early July. Every week since then has been marked with new efforts by the Trump administration to calm its critics on the right, and each has largely been unsuccessful in doing so.

Bondis own contributions have been less than helpful for the president. She declared the Epstein file was on her desk in an interview earlier this year when asked specifically about the list of Epsteins clients, and presented MAGA influencers with Phase 1 of the investigation in special binders bearing a federal seal at the White House.

Phase 2 never materialized, and combined with a minute of footage missing from the videos released by the DOJ her consistent overpromising led to a rift between the attorney general and two top appointees at the FBI: Deputy Director Dan Bongino and Director Kash Patel.

All of it has proven progressively more damaging to the presidents efforts to get ahead of the story, which only exists because Trump himself promised his base that he would release all the information the government has on Epstein when he ran for president.

open image in gallery Director of national intelligence Tulsi Gabbard accused Barack Obama of launching a 'coup' over intelligence committee assessments of Russian interference in U.S. elections ( AFP/Getty )

Gabbards campaign against former President Barack Obama and members of his administration has  so far  been the most successful of those efforts to distract.

Gabbards conclusion that the national intelligence office she now leads altered intel assessments at then-President Obamas direction to gin up fears about Russian interference in the 2016 election in order to benefit Trump shifted the attention of a number of MAGAworlds wayward voices, like Gen. Mike Flynn, Glenn Beck and Alex Jones.

Many others remain fixated on Epstein, however, especially after a pair of Wall Street Journal scoops over the past week. The first detailed a birthday message supposedly penned by Trump and bearing his signature, which alluded to a secret the two men shared. Trump fiercely denied the authenticity of the message and signature, and filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the WSJ and its owner Rupert Murdoch alleging libel.

A second one, published Wednesday, reported that Bondi had informed Trump that he was mentioned in the Epstein investigation files that her team reviewed during a meeting in May. Trumps team also described that second story as fake.

With the exception of Trumps most committed loyalists, the truth understood across the political spectrum is the same: this issue threatens to derail Trumps second presidency.

Progressives and centrist Democrats, as well as the presidents own lingering rivals in the GOP, recognize that fact with barely-contained glee. Trumps supporters, meanwhile, couch every statement about the issue with effusive praise regarding how great and wonderful his second presidency has been  and how quickly that could end.

One prominent supporter told his audience this week that hed made that exact point to Vice President J.D. Vance in person.

In an episode that posted Saturday, MAGA-aligned podcaster and comedian Tim Dillon hinted to viewers that hed dined with the vice president and told him the administration was done if the entirety of the Epstein files were not released  and Bondi fired.

Dillon later confirmed it was Vance he dined with during a conversation with Alex Jones.

open image in gallery A protester holds a sign outside the White House on July 18, demanding the release of all files related to Jeffrey Epstein. ( AFP/Getty )

If you dont disclose everything youre done, Dillon said he told Vance. I mean, nobody will support you guys. You are fully and completely part of this coverup if everything doesnt come out. I think it paralyzes their presidency.

During that conversation with Jones days later, Dillon was already poking holes in the explanation Vance gave him in private.

I had dinner last week with the vice president, he told me ... they do not have videos of any powerful person in a compromising position [with underaged girls], Dillon told Jones.

Thats the party line that theyre going with. If thats the case, why would Pam Bondi call it evidence? Why would she say its evidence? Shes not an idiot. Shes the attorney general. Why would she say that she has files on her desk if none of these implicated anybody? Dillon asked. It just feels like theyre covering something [up]. For sure.

I feel like, theyre telling a story. And the story doesnt make sense, he added.

This week, the fallout in Washington was in plain view.

Congress departed early for the August recess, with Mike Johnson sending members home early to avoid embarrassing votes and the spectacle of Republicans joining with Democrats on a petition to release the Epstein files.

But theres much more coming, and it no longer has an end in sight.

Members of the House Oversight committee want Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins former girlfriend who is serving a 20-year sentence for grooming young women and girls for the sex trafficker, to testify. Thomas Massie, the Republican thorn in Trumps side co-leading the discharge petition, predicted to reporters that his effort would only grow in popularity over the next month as members faced their constituents back home.

Then theres the 2026 midterms.

If Democrats take back the House next year, a very possible prospect, the final two years of Donald Trumps presidency could well be tied up with congressional investigations centered on the Epstein issue.

Subpoenas for Cabinet officials and other Trump officials could be on the agenda as a potentially Democrat-controlled House, with the aid of rebel Republicans, launch probe after probe, even potentially a special committee, to hammer at the issue.

The survival of Trumps second-term agenda and, more significantly, his ability to hold his political power base intact could be on the line if the president cannot get on the same page as his base on this issue, and quickly.

He needs to stop trying to distract and actually give his MAGA base an Epstein-related meal to chew on.
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Tulsi Gabbard is the face of Donald Trumps newest bid to move the news cycle off the Jeffrey Epstein files.

But she, like the president himself, is likely to see her efforts end in the same murky water where the dreams of prosecuting Hillary Clinton died during Trumps first term in office.

On Wednesday, the White House trotted out the Director of National Intelligence, alongside press secretary Karoline Leavitt, to brief reporters on an intel review that Gabbard had led.

She told reporters that new evidence pointed to the involvement of former president Barack Obama and top officials in a supposed campaign to alter the conclusions of intelligence assessments, in order to forge a link between Trump and Russia where none supposedly existed.

It was an old theory with a new twist, which Gabbard laid out as an apparent years-long coup attempt against Trump. She argued that Obama, along with former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, and former FBI chief James Comey, knowingly changed official intelligence assessments to explain the scope of the nefarious activity Russia was up to during the 2016 election.

open image in gallery Tulsi Gabbard alleged Barack Obama's involvement in a 'coup' on Wednesday during a White House press briefing ( Getty )

The implications of this are far reaching and have to do with the integrity of our democratic republic, Gabbard claimed. It has to do with an outgoing President taking action to manufacture intelligence, to undermine and usurp the will of the American people in that election and launch what would be a years long coup against the incoming president United States, Donald Trump.

Its at this point where Trump and the White Houses call for justice and accountability (two words Leavitt and Gabbard floated Wednesday) runs out of gas.

In 2019, Trumps White House appointed a special counsel to look at the origins of the Russia investigation and found no evidence of criminal activity committed by Obama or other members of his administration.

And given how the federal statute of limitations works, the clock is ticking for Trumpworld to take a second crack at delivering the retribution the president has long threatened to levy against his enemies. Under federal law, most criminal charges have a statute of limitation of five years, meaning that the entirety of the Russiagate probes duration now falls outside the legal window for criminal prosecution.

open image in gallery In 2019, Trumps White House appointed a special counsel to look at the origins of the Russia investigation and found no evidence of criminal activity committed by Obama or other members of his administration. ( AFP/Getty )

To be clear, the statute of limitations does not apply to murder, or sexual abuse. Nor does it apply to treason, which Trumpworld has long, and frivolously, suggested charging Obama and others with. (Trump made that specific accusation once again in the wake of Gabbards memo being published last week.)

Nor does the statute of limitations apply to another criminal count that could be leveled against the former president and members of his team in a last-ditch attempt to make something stick: conspiracy against rights. The latter charge carries a statute of limitations of ten years, not five, and as a result its by far the most likely avenue for federal prosecutors to take if a real effort is made to deliver on Trumps promised vengeance. The New York Post reported that some of Trumps allies view it as their best shot. But opponents say even that would be a fools errand.

These bizarre claims against President Obama are a made up farrago of malicious nonsense. The context makes clear that this is an effort to distract from Trump's major Epstein problem, Norm Eisen, a constitutional scholar and co-counsel for the first Trump impeachment effort in 2020, said in a statement to The Independent on Wednesday.

Eisen added: We at Democracy Defenders Fund have filed a legal demand under the freedom of information act for the Trump - Epstein documents and if we do not get them we will be litigating. But there is no basis for charging Obama with any crime irrespective of the statute of limitations, and plucking an offense out of thin air simply because it has a longer statute of limitations just highlights the baselessness of it all. 

open image in gallery Donald Trump vowed to criminally charge Hillary Clinton during his first term in office, then never delivered ( Reuters )

The Obama "Russia-gate" push is the latest move by the Trump administration to attempt to quell outrage from the MAGA base after a July 6 DOJ memo concluded there were no more significant disclosures to be made in the Epstein case.

The pressure has also intensified on the president after it was revealed the DOJ told Trump in May that his name appears multiple times in the Epstein files, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. The president had denied to reporters earlier this month that his name had been in the files.

Appearing in the files does not indicate that an individual has committed any wrongdoing, nor has Trump ever been accused of misconduct in connection with the Epstein case.

At Wednesdays White House briefing, Gabbard deflected questions on potential charges for former president Obama to Attorney General Pam Bondi, possibly the most embattled member of Trumps Cabinet thanks to the Epstein Files uproar.

I'm leaving the criminal charges to the Department of Justice. I am not an attorney, said Gabbard.

But the DOJ has been silent for nearly a week since the publication of a memo outlining the Director of National Intelligences latest review. And the DOJ hasnt uttered a peep in terms of plans to launch investigations into Gabbards findings, despite the directors claim that all evidence was referred to Bondis office.

A spokesperson for Obama, meanwhile, issued a rare statement Tuesday calling the Russia-gate accusations bizarre, and correctly noting that nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but didnt successfully manipulate any votes.

The intelligence assessment, released by Gabbard, relied heavily on her conflation of the finding that Russian actors did not launch cyberattacks against U.S. voting platforms with a finding that Russia had not interfered at all. Like the Senate Intelligence Committee in 2020, the DOJ and other agencies found that Russia was behind influence campaigns on social media aimed at sowing election disinformation.

At the White House briefing, Gabbard and Leavitt presented that conclusion anew by inferring that Russia did interfere but without the goal of helping either major candidate in the 2016 race.

Conspiracy against rights would be an ironic charge for Trumps team to level against Obama, considering the president was accused of this in a criminal probe launched by special counsel Jack Smith over Trumps efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

This charge would require that Trumps prosecutors prove the existence of an organized plot between Obama and his advisers to keep Trump out of the White House  something even Gabbard didnt allege on Wednesday, as the intelligence probe did not turn up any evidence of a concerted scheme.

The Biden administration tried for four years to hold Trump accountable for his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. His mishandling of classified materials after leaving the White House also triggered criminal charges. But in both cases, the DOJ was too slow to bring the case to trial, and the charges were dismissed after Trumps 2024 election victory.

Trump was charged with conspiracy against rights for allegedly conspiring to violate the rights of millions of Americans by working with state legislatures and Congress in a half-cocked bid to throw out the 2020 election results pointing to his defeat. Its the same charge, down to the letter, that Obama would now face from a Trump-DOJ, if such an effort be launched.

Gabbard couldnt answer why those charges against Obama werent pursued during Trumps first term.

I can't speak to what happened there, she said Wednesday. There were several [directors of national intelligence] under the first Trump administration. President Trump faced many challenges from those who were working in the government who sought to undermine his presidency.
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A New Jersey-based orange juice manufacturer has announced that it is suing Donald Trumps administration over the presidents threatened 50 percent tariffs on Brazil, a country whose citrus exports it depends on.

Johanna Foods warns that Trumps blanket levy, due to take effect on August 1, could result in a $70 million hit to its business, leading to likely layoffs and a 25 percent increase in the price of orange juice on supermarket shelves.

The company said that it and its subsidiary, Johanna Beverage Company, supply nearly three-quarters of private-label, not-from-concentrate orange juice consumed in the United States.

They supply a number of major mass grocery retailers, including Aldi, Walmart, Sams Club, Wegmans, Safeway, and Albertsons.

open image in gallery Trump has benen at odds with the Brazilian government over its investigation into his political ally, former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro, shown here ( AP )

Trumps tariff would represent a particular blow because, by the Department of Agricultures own estimate, Brazil supplies more than half of the orange juice on shelves in American stores, and 80 percent of the global total.

White House spokesperson Kush Desai told The Independent: The administration is legally and fairly using tariff powers that have been granted to the executive branch by the Constitution and Congress to level the playing field for American workers and safeguard our national security.

Johanna argues in its lawsuit that Trumps threat against Brazil, revealed in a letter sent to the countrys president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on July 9, was not a formal executive order and did not provide any legal basis for the action.

The president followed up his letter by alleging on Truth Social that President Lula had engaged in a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY! after charges were brought against his right-wing predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, a friend of the American who has been nicknamed the Trump of the Tropics and who has been accused of plotting a coup.

Lula responded angrily on X with a vow to reciprocate with tariffs of his own on American imports, writing: Brazil is a sovereign nation with independent institutions and will not accept any form of tutelage.

open image in gallery A worker harvests oranges in Mogi Guacu, Brazil ( AP )

Any measure to increase tariffs unilaterally will be responded to in light of Brazils Law of Economic Reciprocity.

Trumps economic adviser, Kevin Hassett,struggled to explain the tariffs in an interview with Jonathan Karl on ABC News earlier this month, saying: The bottom line is the president has been very frustrated with negotiations with Brazil and also with the actions of Brazil. In the end, though, you know, we're trying to put America first.

Karl argued that the Bolsonaro case before the Brazilian Supreme Court was irrelevant to the U.S. national interest and left the adviser floundering by asking: On what authority does the president have to impose tariffs on a country because he doesnt like what that countrys judicial system is handling a specific case?

Even before the tariffs have been enacted, Trumps threats have had an adverse impact on the South American nations citrus belt, where orange prices have already dropped to $8 a box, about half of what they were in July 2024, according to the University of Sao Paulos Cepea index.

You are not going to spend money to harvest and not have anyone to sell to, dismayed Minas Gerais farmer Fabricio Vidal told Reuters.
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Southern Europe is grappling with a brutal heatwave this summer, creating a stark divide between air-conditioned comfort and the perilous reality for outdoor workers.

Such labour can be gruelling, even deadly. Last month, a street sweeper in Barcelona died during the extreme heat, and a labour union reports 12 other city cleaners have since suffered heatstroke.

In response, powerful European unions are pushing for tougher regulations to protect the aging workforce from climate change, on what is already the world's fastest-warming continent.

Deadly heat in Barcelona

Hundreds of street cleaners and concerned citizens marched through downtown Barcelona last week to protest the death of Montse Aguilar, a 51-year-old street cleaner who worked even as the city's temperatures hit a June record.

Fellow street sweeper Antonia Rodriguez said at the protest that blistering summers have made her work unbearable.

I have been doing this job for 23 years and each year the heat is worse, said Rodriguez, 56. Something has to be done.

Extreme heat has fueled more than 1,000 excess deaths in Spain so far in June and July, according to the Carlos III Health Institute.

Climate change is, above all, playing a role in extreme weather events like the heat waves we are experiencing, and is having a big impact in our country, said Diana Gomez, who heads the institutes daily mortality observatory.

open image in gallery People march in Barcelona to protest the death of street cleaner Montse Aguilar during a recent heat wave in Spain, Wednesday, July 16, 2025. The banner in Spanish reads, Extreme Heat is also Workplace Violence. Justice for Montse." (AP Photo/Joan Mateu Parra, File) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Even before the march, Barcelonas City Hall issued new rules requiring the four companies contracted to clean its streets to give workers uniforms made of breathable material, a hat and sun cream. When temperatures reach 34 C (93 F), street cleaners now must have hourly water breaks and routes that allow time in the shade. Cleaning work will be suspended when temperatures hit 40 C (104 F).

Protesters said none of the clothing changes have been put into effect and workers are punished for allegedly slacking in the heat. They said supervisors would sanction workers when they took breaks or slowed down.

Workers marched behind a banner reading Extreme Heat Is Also Workplace Violence!" and demanded better summer clothing and more breaks during the sweltering summers. They complained that they have to buy their own water.

FCC Medio Ambiente, the company that employed the deceased worker, declined to comment on the protesters' complaints. In a previous statement, it offered its condolences to Aguilar's family and said that it trains its staff to work in hot weather.

Emergency measures and a Greek cook

In Greece, regulations for outdoor labor such as construction work and food delivery includes mandatory breaks. Employers are also advised  but not mandated  to adjust shifts to keep workers out of the midday sun.

open image in gallery Grill cook Thomas Siamandas makes traditional souvlaki in a restaurant in the central Monastiraki district during a hot day in Athens on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Greece requires heat-safety inspections during hotter months but the country's largest labor union, the GSEE, is calling for year-round monitoring.

European labor unions and the United Nations International Labor Organization are also pushing for a more coordinated international approach to handling the impact of rising temperatures on workers.

"Heat stress is an invisible killer, the ILO said in a report last year on how heat hurts workers.

It called for countries to increase worker heat protections, saying Europe and Central Asia have experienced the largest spike in excessive worker heat exposure this century.

In Athens, grill cook Thomas Siamandas shaves meat from a spit in the threshold of the famed Bairaktaris Restaurant. He is out of the sun, but the 38 C (100.4 F) temperature recorded on July 16 was even tougher to endure while standing in front of souvlaki burners.

Grill cooks step into air-conditioned rooms when possible and always keep water within reach. Working with a fan pointed at his feet, the 32-year-old said staying cool means knowing when to take a break, before the heat overwhelms you.

Its tough, but we take precautions: We sit down when we can, take frequent breaks and stay hydrated. We drink plenty of water  really a lot, said Siamandas, who has worked at the restaurant for eight years. You have to find a way to adjust to the conditions.

The blazing sun in Rome

Massimo De Filippis spends hours in the blazing sun each day sharing the history of vestal virgins, dueling gladiators and powerful emperors as tourists shuffle through Romes Colosseum and Forum.

Honestly, it is tough. I am not going to lie, the 45-year-old De Filippis said as he wiped sweat from his face. Many times it is actually dangerous to go into the Roman Forum between noon and 3:30 p.m.

open image in gallery Tourists use umbrellas to shelter from the heat as they line up for a tour of the Forum in Rome, on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Gregorio Borgia) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

At midday on July 22, he led his group down the Forums Via Sacra, the central road in ancient Rome. They paused at a fountain to rinse their faces and fill their bottles.

Dehydrated tourists often pass out here in the summer heat, said Francesca Duimich, who represents 300 Roman tour guides in Italys national federation, Federagit.

The Forum is a pit; There is no shade, there is no wind, Duimich said. Being there at 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. in the summer heat means you will feel unwell.

This year, guides have bombarded her with complaints about the heat. In recent weeks, Federagit requested that the states Colosseum Archaeological Park, which oversees the Forum, open an hour earlier so tours can get a jump-start before the heat becomes punishing. The request has been to no avail, so far.

The parks press office said that administrators are working to move the opening up by 30 minutes and will soon schedule visits after sunset.
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France intends to recognise a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly, President Emmanuel Macron said on Thursday, adding that he hoped it would help bring peace to the region.

Mr Macron, who announced the decision on X, published a letter sent to Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas confirming France's intention to press ahead with Palestinian recognition and work to convincing other partners to follow suit.

"True to its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognise the state of Palestine," Mr Macron said.

"I will make this solemn announcement at the United Nations General Assembly next September."

France, home to Europe's largest Jewish and Muslim communities, will become the first major Western country to recognise a Palestinian state, potentially giving greater momentum to a movement so far dominated by smaller nations that are generally more critical of Israel.

The announcement sparked anger from Israel and is likely to get a tough response from Washington.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned Mr Macron's decision saying that such a move "rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy".

"A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel, not to live in peace beside it. Lets be clear: the Palestinians do not seek a state alongside Israel; they seek a state instead of Israel," Mr Netanyahu said in a post on X.

Israeli defence minister Israel Katz described the move as "a disgrace and a surrender to terrorism", adding that Israel would not allow the establishment of a Palestinian entity that would harm our security, endanger our existence".

In a diplomatic cable in June, the United States said it opposed any steps that would unilaterally recognise a Palestinian state even saying it could go against US foreign policy interests and draw consequences.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Mr Macron had been leaning towards recognising a Palestinian state for months as part of a bid to keep the idea of a two-state solution alive despite the pressure not to do so.

French officials initially weighed up the move ahead of a United Nations conference, which France and Saudi Arabia had planned to co-host in June to lay out the parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state, while ensuring Israel's security.

The conference 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.

It was rescheduled and downgraded to a ministerial event on 28-29 July with a second event taking place with heads of state and government on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in September.

The decision to make the announcement ahead of next week's conference aimed to give the French team at the United Nations a framework to work with other countries who are also considering recognising a Palestinian state or still have misgivings in doing so.

Diplomats say Mr Macron has faced resistance from allies such as Britain and Canada over his push for the recognition of a Palestinian state. Some 40 foreign ministers will be in New York next week.

Israeli officials have spent months lobbying to prevent what some have described as "a nuclear bomb" for bilateral relations.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Israel's warnings to France have ranged from scaling back intelligence sharing to complicating Paris' regional initiatives  even hinting at possible annexation of parts of the West Bank.

Thanking France, the Palestinian Authority's vice-president Hussein Al Sheikh said on X that Mr Macron's decision reflected: "France's commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people's rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state."
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Irish rap trio Kneecap say their ban from Hungary, where they were due to perform at one of Europes largest music festivals, is political distraction.

The Belfast-based band  who regularly display pro-Palestinian messages during their gigs  were to take the stage on the final day of the six-day Sziget Festival, on 11 August.

However, they have been issued a three-year ban by Hungarian authorities, who have accused the band of using antisemitic hate speech and expressing praise for the militant group Hamas.

"Hungary's government has moved to ban Kneecap from entering the country and performing at Sziget ... citing antisemitic hate speech and open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah as justification," government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs wrote in a post on X.

Mr Kovacs later posted the official letters from immigration authorities banning the band for three years, claiming that their entry would "seriously threaten national security".

Kneecap have caused controversy in recent months, including at Glastonbury Festival, where member Liam Og O hAnnaidh  who performs under the name Mo Chara  accused Israel of committing war crimes.

open image in gallery Kneecap performing on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury ( PA Wire )

He is due to reappear in Westminster Magistrates Court on 20 August to face a terrorism-related charge for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at an earlier gig.

He denies the offence, with the band calling the accusations a carnival of distraction from the war in Gaza.

The band has said previously that its members do not support Hamas or Hezbollah, and that it condemns "all attacks on civilians, always".

On Thursday afternoon, Kneecap posted a message on their social media channels calling the ban political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.

There is no legal basis for [the governments] actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country, the statement said.

We stand against all hate crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices where we see it.

Much like the good people of Budapest, who defied their own Presidents ban on their Pride Parade in June, we will fight on for what is right.

open image in gallery Kneecap outside Westminster Magistrates Court in June ( AFP/Getty )

Hungary's government had already asked festival organisers to drop Kneecap from the line-up at the week-long event, which draws several hundred thousand music lovers to an island in the River Danube each year.

More than 150 artists and cultural figures, including Academy Award-winning director Laszlo Nemes Jeles, have also signed a petition protesting against Kneecap's participation.

Festival organisers said in a statement that the Hungarian governments unprecedented move was both unnecessary and regrettable.

They had liaised closely with the band in recent weeks and they reassured us that their performance would not contravene either Szigets values or Hungarian law, the statement said.

Sziget Festivals values mean we condemn hate speech, while guaranteeing the fundamental right to artistic freedom of expression for every performer. Cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution.

We fear that [the] governments decision announced today to ban Kneecap may not only damage the reputation of Sziget, but also negatively affect Hungarys standing worldwide.

Sziget's other performers this year include Post Malone, Shawn Mendes and Charli XCX.
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An airline who kicked off a number of passengers from a flight has denied doing to because they were Jewish.

Several dozen passengers were removed from a flight leaving Valencia for Paris for what Spanish police and the airline described as unruly behaviour.

Some Israeli news outlets reported that the students are Jewish and that their removal was religiously motivated.

The claim that was repeated by an Israeli minister online.

Vueling, the carrier, denied reports that Wednesdays incident, which involved the removal of 44 minors and eight adults from flight V8166, was related to the passengers religion.

Spains Civil Guard said the minors and adults are French nationals.

A Civil Guard spokesperson said the agents involved were not aware of the groups religious affiliation.

A Vueling spokesperson said the passengers were removed after the minors repeatedly tampered with the planes emergency equipment and interrupted the crews safety demonstration.

Vueling deny the removal of the passengers was religiously motivated ( AP )

A group of passengers engaged in highly disruptive behaviour and adopted a very confrontational attitude, putting at risk the safe conduct of the flight, Vueling said in a statement.

We categorically deny any suggestion that our crews behaviour related to the religion of the passengers involved.

A Civil Guard spokesperson said the captain of the plane ordered the removal of the minors from the plane at Valencias Manises Airport after they repeatedly ignored the crews instructions.

On Thursday, the Federation for Jewish Communities of Spain expressed concern about the incident.

The group said that Vueling needed to provide documentary evidence of what happened on the plane.

The various accounts circulating on social media and in the media to which we have had access do not clarify the cause of the incident, the organization said.

We are particularly interested in clarifying whether there were any possible religiously discriminatory motives toward the minors, the group said.

The Civil Guard said 23 minors and two adults from the group boarded a flight belonging to another airline, while the rest spent Wednesday night at a hotel.

The spokesperson said arrangements were being made for them to leave Valencia later on Thursday.
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A Russian passenger plane with about 50 people on board crashed in the countrys far east on Thursday and initial reports suggested there were no survivors, emergency services officials said.

Fifteen kilometre from Tynda, the wreckage of an An-24 was found on a slope. The plane was destroyed, the Russian emergencies ministry was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

Earlier, it was reported that the An-24 passenger plane had gone missing in the Amur region.

Crew error during landing in poor visibility is being considered a possible cause of the passenger plane crash, according to Tass news agency.

The An-24 plane took off from Khabarovsk as scheduled on Thursday at 7.36am local time (00.36 Moscow time), according to the airports press service. The aircraft was operating on the KhabarovskBlagoveshchenskTynda route but vanished from radar and stopped responding to calls just a few kilometres from Tynda airport.

The An-24 plane was flying along the Khabarovsk-Blagoveshchensk-Tynda route. It failed to pass security checks near its final destination. There is no contact with it, the emergencies ministry earlier said.

The burning fuselage of the plane, which was from the Soviet era and was nearly 50 years old, was spotted on the ground by a helicopter and rescue crews were rushing to the scene.

Unverified video, shot from a helicopter and posted on social media, appeared to show that the plane had come down in a densely forested area. The plane, whose tail number showed it was built in 1976, was operated by a Siberia-based airline called Angara.

It was en route from the city of Blagoveshchensk to Tynda and dropped off radar screens while approaching Tynda, a remote town in the Amur region bordering China.

Regional governor Vasily Orlov said on Telegram that initial reports indicated the Siberia-based airline called Angara was carrying 43 passengers, including five children, along with six crew members onboard.

All necessary forces and means have been deployed to search for the plane, he wrote.

Interfax reported that the plane vanished during a second landing attempt, after an initial approach to Tynda airport was unsuccessful.

A source was quoted as saying by Tass news agency: An An-24 operated by Angara Airlines failed to make contact at a designated checkpoint a few kilometres from Tynda Airport.

Tynda is located approximately 6,600km east of Moscow.

Debris from the plane was found on a hill around 15km (10 miles) from Tynda, the Interfax news agency quoted emergency service officials as saying.

"During the search operation, a Mi-8 helicopter belonging to Rossaviatsiya discovered the fuselage of the aircraft, which was on fire," Yuliya Petina, an emergency services official, wrote on Telegram.

"Rescuers continue to make their way to the scene of the accident".

Authorities announced an investigation into the crash.

Last year in September, a Robinson R66 helicopter with three people on board went missing in Russias Amur region during an unregistered flight over the Zeya district in the northeastern part of the Amur region.
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A toddler has died after slipping from her fathers arms while they were on a waterslide and falling nearly four metres onto a concrete floor, according to reports.

The 21-month-old girl, from Germany, was airlifted to hospital but died of brain injuries after the incident at the Aquagan waterpark in Lopar, Croatia.

A witness said they heard crying and shouting after the youngster fell as a Slovenian doctor rushed to her side to perform CPR.

The waiter had just brought me coffee. When we heard crying and shouting, we thought the child had drowned, they told local media.

Lopar's mayor Zdenko Jakuc said the community has been left "extremely shaken" following the tragedy, which is thought to have been the first major accident at the waterpark decades.

It is an understatement to say that we are all extremely shaken. When the helicopter landed, everything stopped. We all looked at the sky and hoped for the best, he said.

A Rijeka Hospital Clinical Centre spokesperson said: Despite prompt care, multiple interventions and intensive treatment, the child died in the morning hours.

The head of the hospitals paediatric clinic, Dr Iva Bilic Cace, said: Numerous serious bodily injuries, including injuries to the brain and internal organs, have been verified.

A spokesperson for Lopar tourist board said: "This park has been operating for years, nothing like this has ever been recorded. Lopar is a place that is perceived as safe, peaceful, and ideal for families with small children."

Josip Ivanic, owner of the waterpark told JutarnjiLIST: "I wasn't here when it happened and what can I tell you. It's a tragedy for us, for the family, for everyone.

"The police are now in the park and investigating everything that happened. Now everyone is telling their own story about everything. Something like this has never happened in this park, which I have managed for more than 30 years.

"The police are now in the park and investigating everything that happened. Now everyone is telling their own story about everything. Something like this has never happened in this park, which I have managed for more than 30 years."

The Primorje-Gorski Kotar Police Department are investigating the incident to establish a cause of death.
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Thousands of people, including veterans, took to the streets of Kyiv on Tuesday evening to protest against Volodymyr Zelenskys anti-corruption measures.

The demonstrations, which have reportedly spread to Lviv and Dnipro, are the first public protests against the Ukrainian president since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Some of those outside Mr Zelenskys presidential office claimed Ukraine was turning into Russia, with placards reading Welcome to Russia, according to reports.

We chose Europe, not autocracy, read one placard held by a demonstrator. Another read: My father did not die for this.

So why are people protesting, and what are the anti-corruption measures? The Independent takes a closer look below.

open image in gallery The demonstrations, which have reportedly spread to Lviv and Dnipro, are the first public protests against the Ukrainian president since the Russian invasion in February 2022 ( AFP/Getty )

Follow the latest updates on the Ukraine war here

What are the anti-corruption measures?

Kyiv has toughened restrictions on two anti-corruption agencies at the centre of the governments reform drive, rolling back their autonomy in favour of tighter executive control.

Stamping out endemic graft  a form of political corruption  is a requirement for Kyiv to join the European Union as well as to secure billions in Western aid.

Amendments passed on Tuesday grant the general prosecutor, appointed by the president, strict control over the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) of Ukraine and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office.

open image in gallery Kyiv has toughened restrictions on two anti-corruption agencies at the centre of the governments reform drive ( AFP/Getty )

The vote came a day after Kyivs domestic security agency arrested two Nabu officials on suspicion of ties to Russia and conducted sweeping searches into agency employees on other grounds.

Mr Zelensky, whose party holds a majority in parliament, approved the amendments late on Tuesday.

Anti-corruption bodies would continue to function but without any Russian influence, the president said.

Why are people protesting?

Demonstrator Vladyslava Kirstyuk, 18, said memories of her childhood in occupied eastern Ukraine, after Russias covert invasion in 2014, left a strong impression.

I know what it means for one person to have all the power, when nothing is transparent and everything is working against you, she said. I dont want it to be the same for us here.

Oleksiy Goncharenko, an opposition MP who voted against the measure, said the bill was about the end of the independence of anti-corruption bodies inside Ukraine, blaming the personal choice of President Zelensky.

open image in gallery Volodymyr Zelensky has promised to tackle corruption ( AP )

What has been the reaction?

The vote drew sharp criticism from the heads of both agencies and a top EU official, and spurred the largest public protests since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Writing on X, EU enlargement commissioner Marta Kos said she was seriously concerned by Tuesdays vote.

The dismantling of key safeguards protecting Nabus independence is a serious step back, she said, adding that the rule of law was at the very centre of EU accession talks.

Benjamin Haddad, Frances European affairs minister, said it was not too late for Ukraine to reverse its decision to roll back the autonomy of two anti-corruption agencies at the centre of the countrys reform drive.

A Western diplomat familiar with Ukraines reform effort described the developments as the most dangerous moment yet for the independence of anti-corruption authorities.

The Ukrainian side is testing the limits more and more, the diplomat said, referring to the patience of Kyivs allies.

After the protests, Mr Zelensky met anti-corruption and security officials on Wednesday and promised the creation of a joint plan to fight corruption within two weeks.

We all hear what society is saying. We see what people expect from state institutions and ensured justice and the effective functioning of each institution, he said.
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Hundreds of people gathered in Ukraines capital Kyiv to lodge their protest with the Volodymyr Zelenskys administration for passing a controversial bill tightening restrictions on its anti-corruption agencies, presenting the war-hit nation with its biggest domestic turmoil since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Ukraines parliament on Tuesday passed amendments to allow the countrys general prosecutor, appointed by the president, strict control over two anti-corruption bodies  the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (Sapo).

President Zelensky, whose party holds a majority in parliament, approved the amendments late on Tuesday. The changes would allow the general prosecutor to transfer cases from the agencies and reassign prosecutors.

In his nightly televised address, Zelensky said the corruption fighting agencies would continue to function "but without any Russian influence".

"It all must be cleansed," he said.

In the morning, he met officials including the heads of Nabu and Sapo and said he would unveil a new plan to fight corruption within two weeks.

"We hear society," he wrote on Telegram. "We all have a common enemy, the Russian occupiers, and the protection of the Ukrainian state requires sufficient strength of the law enforcement and anti-corruption systems, and therefore a real sense of justice."

The move has alarmed the country as this could result in granting more power to Ukraine's chief prosecutor Ruslan Kravchenko, also seen as a Zelensky loyalist, to reassign corruption probes to investigators of their preference.

Shortly after the bill was cleared in parliament, hundreds of people gathered in Kyiv carried placards to protest. Protests also broke out in other cities like Dnipro, Lviv and Odesa.

We chose Europe, not autocracy, read one placard by a demonstrator. Another read: My father did not die for this.

open image in gallery Protesters hold placards during a demonstration calling for the Ukrainian president to veto a law passed by parliament that reduces the powers of Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) in downtown Kyiv ( AFP via Getty Images )

The vote was denounced on social media as a betrayal of Ukraines decade-long geopolitical ambition. The protests echoed the long-standing sentiment of fighting corruption in Ukraine as critical to erasing a legacy of Russian rule.

Vladyslava Kirstyuk, 18, said memories of her childhood in occupied eastern Ukraine, after Russia's covert invasion in 2014, left a strong impression.

"I know what it means for one person to have all the power, when nothing is transparent and everything is working against you," she said. "I don't want it to be the same for us here."

open image in gallery This photograph shows a projection reading Veto the law on a building facade during a demonstration calling for the Ukrainian president to veto a law passed by parliament that reduces the powers of Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) in downtown Kyiv ( AFP via Getty Images )

Mr Zelensky also said he had spoken to Nabu chief Semen Kryvonos and other top prosecutors.

Mr Kryvonos had urged the Ukrainian president to not sign the fast-tracked bill, which he called an attempt to "destroy" Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure.

The two agencies  Nabu and Sapo were set up in the country after the 2014 Maidan revolution toppled a pro-Russian president and set Kyiv on a Western course. They are credited for their work to tackle corruption and graft in Ukraine during the war, levelling charges against lawmakers, ministers and a former deputy head of Zelensky's administration.

Last week, we ran an editorial warning of an anti-democratic backslide in Ukraine. Today, its happening in plain sight. This isnt what our people have been fighting and dying for, and its devastatingly unfair to them, said Olga Rudenko, the chief editor of Ukrainian publication The Kyiv Independent.

Ukraine is also facing backlash from anti-graft campaigners who have been alarmed since the government charged a top anti-corruption activist this month with fraud and evading military service. The move has been dubbed as political retribution by authorities for exposing corrupt officials.

Rooting out endemic corruption and graft is critical for Ukraine to join the European Union and also a key condition to receive western aid at a time the country is battered by war.

The European Union enlargement commissioner Marta Kos said she was "seriously concerned" by Tuesday's vote.

"The dismantling of key safeguards protecting NABU's independence is a serious step back," she said, adding that rule of law was at "the very centre" of EU accession talks.

The issue risks antagonising Kyiv's most loyal allies at a particularly risky time, when it is trying to smooth over the relationship with Washington, where President Donald Trump has frequently criticised Zelensky.

"Ukraines anti-corruption institutions are vital to its reform path. Restricting them would be a significant setback," Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp said in a post on X.

Benjamin Haddad, France's European Affairs minister, said it was not too late to reverse the decision.

Yaroslav Zheleznyak, from Ukraine's opposition Holos party, said that he and several other lawmakers would propose a bill "to overturn this big shame that was adopted and signed", and also challenge the law in the Constitutional Court.
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Major broadcasters and news agencies have said their journalists in Gaza face the threat of starvation amid a deepening hunger crisis in the war-torn enclave.

The BBC, Reuters, The Associated Press and Agence France-Presse shared their fears in a joint statement which called on the Israeli authorities to allow journalists in and out of Gaza.

More than 100 people in Gaza have died due to hunger in recent weeks including 80 children, according to Palestinian health officials.

We are desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families, the joint statement read.

open image in gallery Yazan, a malnourished 2-year-old Palestinian boy, sit with his brothers at their family's damaged home in the Al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City ( AFP via Getty Images )

For many months, these independent journalists have been the world's eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza. They are now facing the same dire circumstances as those they are covering.

"Journalists endure many deprivations and hardships in warzones. We are deeply alarmed that the threat of starvation is now one of them.

"We once again urge the Israeli authorities to allow journalists in and out of Gaza. It is essential that adequate food supplies reach the people there."

A total Israeli aid blockade in Spring was followed by months in which just a small trickle of aid was permitted into the ravaged enclave. Experts say Gaza is at risk of famine due to the aid blockages and an ongoing military offensive by the IDF.

The UN, which has repeatedly urged Israel to allow it to deliver huge amounts of food and resources to the starving population, says that what Israel is providing is a drop in the ocean of what is needed.

open image in gallery Palestinians react as they ask for food from a charity kitchen, amid a hunger crisis, in Gaza City ( REUTERS )

Palestinians have told The Independent that no one, including medics and journalists, is immune to the starvation crisis. Even those with relatively significant amounts of money have been priced out of the buying simple foods in the strip due to extortionate costs caused by lack of availability.

Israeli forces have also killed hundreds of Palestinians who were trying to reach the limited number of aid trucks which rolled into Gaza. The UN says the death toll of Palestinians who were trying to reach aid has surpassed 1,000.

This has drawn widespread condemnation, including from many of Israels own allies. But it has not yet prompted any significant responses, beyond strongly-worded statements, from some of its closest allies such as the US, UK, Germany and France.

On Wednesday, more than 100 organisations signed a letter calling for more aid to Gaza as it faces mass starvation.

The Israeli government insists it is not causing a famine, and that the man-made shortage of food is engineered by Hamas, according to spokesman David Mencer.

open image in gallery Israeli activists take part in a protest against the war in the Gaza Strip ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Mr Mencer said on Wednesday that more than 4,400 aid trucks entered Gaza from 19 July until Tuesday, containing food, flour and baby food.

"Hamas is trying to prevent the distribution of food. Where there is hunger in Gaza, it is hunger orchestrated by Hamas, he added.

Violence has also continued in the West Bank, where Israeli troops killed two Palestinian boys, Ahmed Al-Salah, 15, and Mohammed Khaled Alian Issa, 17, according to Palestinian health officials. Israel says they were throwing Molotov cocktails at a highway.

Peace talks that have so far failed to produce a resolution to the war continued on Thursday as Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Rome to meet with senior Qatari and Israeli officials.

Israel said it received Hamas' latest ceasefire proposal, with an Israeli official calling it "workable," although no details were provided. Hamas confirmed in a statement early Thursday that it sent the proposal to mediators.
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Palestinians are beginning to resemble walking corpses, a United Nations official said on Thursday as Sir Keir Starmer called the starvation unfolding in Gaza unspeakable and indefensible.

Humanitarian workers in the territory are seeing children who are emaciated, weak and at high risk of dying without urgent treatment, said Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UNRWA relief agency.

The prime minister is due to hold an emergency call with France and Germany on Friday to push for aid  and a ceasefire. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe, he said. The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible. While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen.

Sir Keirs comments came just hours before French president Emmanuel Macron announced that France will recognise Palestinian statehood in September at the United Nations General Assembly.

The number of people starving in Gaza is reported to have increased dramatically in recent days; most of the 113 hunger-related deaths recorded there so far have occurred in recent weeks, and 82 of those who have died were children, according to Palestinian health officials.

Israel has imposed heavy restrictions on the amount of food and aid allowed to enter the territory, limiting aid to a handful of trucks each day following an 11-week total blockade earlier this year. UN officials say the aid delivered into the strip is a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed.

We all agree on the pressing need for Israel to change course and allow the aid that is desperately needed to enter Gaza without delay, Sir Keir said.

open image in gallery Yazan, a malnourished 2-year-old Palestinian boy, stands in his familys damaged home in al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City ( AFP via Getty )

Mr Lazzarini said a UNRWA worker had described people in Gaza as neither dead nor alive  they are walking corpses. He said the agency has the equivalent of 6,000 loaded trucks of food and medical supplies in Jordan and Egypt, which have not yet been allowed into the territory.

Families are no longer coping: they are breaking down, unable to survive. Their existence is threatened, he said.

Israeli forces have killed hundreds of Palestinians who were attempting to secure food from a limited number of aid trucks. The killings have drawn widespread condemnation, including from many of Israels own allies.

As more than 100 human rights groups and charities demanded in a letter on Wednesday that more aid be allowed in, Palestinians living in Gaza said they had been forced to trade personal items, such as gold jewellery, for flour.

We are living in hunger and daily suffering, as prices have risen in an insane way that no Gazan citizen, whether employed or unemployed, can bear, in a way that is beyond comprehension, said Wajih al-Najjar, 70, from Gaza City, the breadwinner for a family of 13.

People are forced to go to death in search of some aid, he told The Independent, lamenting the exorbitant price of flour, which he says has shot up from 35 shekels (7.74) to up to 180 shekels (39.80) per kilo.

open image in gallery Palestinians ask for food from a charity kitchen in Gaza City ( Reuters )

Mr Najjar, who has lost one quarter of his bodyweight  dropping from 85kg to 62kg  said he cannot get a full meal for himself. So what about children who need food more than three times a day? he said.

Meanwhile, major broadcasters and news agencies, including the BBC and Reuters, issued a joint statement to say that their journalists on the ground in Gaza are also facing the threat of starvation.

We are desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families, it read. For many months, these independent journalists have been the worlds eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza. They are now facing the same dire circumstances as those they are covering.

Journalists endure many deprivations and hardships in war zones. We are deeply alarmed that the threat of starvation is now one of them.

open image in gallery More than 100 aid organisations and human rights groups warned on Wednesday that mass starvation is spreading in Gaza ( AFP via Getty )

Prices continue to rise beyond control, and food scarcity has soared to an unprecedented level in the Gaza Strip, in the 21st month of a destructive Israeli invasion and bombardment that Palestinian health officials say has killed more than 60,000 people.

The war and invasion began on 7 October 2023 in response to attacks perpetrated on Israel by Hamas militants, who killed 1,200 people and captured at least 250 hostages.

Ihab Abdullah, a 43-year-old university lecturer who is the breadwinner for nine family members, said that every night before he goes to sleep, he asks: How will I provide for my children today? I can bear the hunger, but what about my children?

We have become unable to buy or find food in the markets. We live in daily hunger, because the most needed commodity, flour, is not available in sufficient quantities. We are in a situation where we cannot buy food, even if we have money. Those who have money and those who do not have money are the same. Purchasing value has disappeared.

open image in gallery Palestinians gather to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen amid the Israel-Hamas conflict ( Reuters )

Younis Abu Odeh, a 32-year-old who is displaced in Gaza, says he feels as if Palestinians have been put on a chicken farm and starved.

We are living through a war of extermination, famine, and psychological warfare, Mr Odeh told The Independent. A war of displacement, a war of tents, a war of heat and sun.

The Israeli government insists it is not causing a famine. Spokesperson David Mencer said that the manmade shortage of food has been engineered by Hamas.

Mr Mencer said on Wednesday that more than 4,400 aid trucks had entered Gaza between 19 and 22 July, containing food, flour and baby food.

The deepening crisis came as Israel brought its delegation home from the Gaza ceasefire talks on Thursday after Hamas delivered a new response to a proposal for a truce and a hostages deal.

The Israeli prime ministers office thanked mediators for their efforts and said the negotiators were returning home for further consultations. Earlier it said Israel was reviewing the response from Hamas.

In his statement, Sir Keir said: It is hard to see a hopeful future in such dark times. But I must reiterate my call for all sides to engage in good faith, and at pace, to bring about an immediate ceasefire, and for Hamas to unconditionally release all hostages. We strongly support the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to secure this.

We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution, which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis.
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A picturesque Algerian coastal town, renowned for its stunning Mediterranean vistas, has become the unlikely epicentre of a cultural clash over men's swimwear.

Chetaibi, a town of 8,000 residents, thrives on seasonal tourism, drawing thousands to its turquoise waters, rocky coves, and forested hills each summer.

This economic reliance has historically fostered a welcoming atmosphere.

The mood is warm, welcoming, colorful, bustling  no hostility toward bathers, not in words, not in looks, Salah Edine Bey, a long-time resident, said.

People here have a tradition of hospitality.

open image in gallery Vendors walk on the beach in Algiers ( AP )

But a shift came earlier in July when the town's mayor issued a decree, catching vacationers and local businesses off guard.

The order banned beachgoers from wearing Bermuda shorts, deeming the attire "indecent" in contrast to the longer, looser styles favoured by more conservative male beachgoers.

These summer outfits disturb the population, they go against our societys moral values and sense of decency, Mayor Layachi Allaoua wrote.

The population can no longer tolerate seeing foreigners wandering the streets in indecent clothing."

open image in gallery People enjoy the beach in Algiers ( AP )

The order sparked immediate backlash from officials, including in the regional capital Annaba, who called on the mayor to revoke it.

The mayor reversed the decree within two days. On Facebook, he insisted his order was not driven by Islamist pressure, but by a desire to preserve peace and tranquility for both residents and guests.

Still, the episode tapped into deeper tensions over religion, identity, and public space in a country that remains haunted by a civil war that killed an estimated 200,000 people throughout the 1990s. The conflict began in 1991, when the army canceled elections that an Islamist party was set to win.

The so-called black decade ended long ago. But it left unresolved some underlying friction between political Islam and Algerias military-backed secular state.

Even though Islamists lost the war in the 1990s, they never gave up on their invasive and intrusive ideological project, which has gained ground in society, sociologist Redouane Boudjemaa said.

For some, the beach debate echoed that earlier era, when Islamist-run municipalities tried to reshape public life in line with religious doctrine.

open image in gallery A family on a beach in Algiers ( AFP/Getty )

For many Algerians, particularly in underserved regions, political Islam remains popular not out of extremism, but as a reaction to corruption, inequality, and distrust in state institutions. While Islamist parties have mostly fared poorly at the ballot box, they play a large role in daily life, filling social and moral voids.

In neighboring Jijel, residents have roped off parts of the beach for mass prayers, with videos of the scenes circulating online and dividing opinion.

For Halim Kabir, it is a stark reminder of the past. In the 1990s, Islamists who won local elections in Jijel imposed stricter rules on public behavior. Today, cars parked near the beach have been vandalised, with warnings telling beachgoers to go sin elsewhere.

Its provocation, Kabir said. An attempt to drive away visitors from other regions.

Said Boukhlifa, a former senior official at the Ministry of Tourism, warned that conservative groups are exploiting Algerias economic troubles, as falling gas revenues strain the state, to expand their influence.

That, he said, could undermine the countrys ambitions to grow its tourism sector.
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A passenger who died mid-air on a flight to San Francisco has been identified.

Satyanarayana Pasupuleti, 83, from India, passed away on board Turkish Airlines Flight 79 on July 13 while en route from Istanbul.

His identity was confirmed to The Independent by the San Mateo County Coroners Office in a phone call. The coroners office did not provide a cause of death.

The passenger, who was traveling with a medical note, suffered a medical emergency while the plane was mid-air, Turkish Airlines told The Independent in a statement. The airline did not identify the passenger.

Despite all medical interventions performed by two doctors on board and our crew, including CPR and defibrillation, the passengers heart stopped, and he passed away," the airline said.

The crew initially considered diverting to Icelands Keflavik Airport but instead continued towards North America, landing at Chicago OHare, according to aviation outlet Aviation A2Z.

The passenger, who was traveling with a medical note, suffered a medical emergency while the plane was mid-air, Turkish Airlines told The Independent in a statement. ( Getty )

There was initial confusion about the location of the 83-year-olds remains.

An original report by the SFGATE said Ertugrul Gulsen, the Turkish Airlines station manager at San Francisco International Airport, told the outlet that "the flight diverted to Chicago OHare International Airport after a passenger died.

However, Turkish Airlines told The Independent on Friday that the diversion to Chicago was due to refuelling.

With the joint decision of the captain and Operations Control Center, and with the consent of the passengers accompanying relatives on board, it was decided that the flight would proceed to San Francisco without diversion. Accordingly, authorities and police in San Francisco were informed, and all necessary procedural preparations were carried out," the emailed statement read.

Due to the requirement for re-fueling, a diversion was made to Chicago. Upon landing the airport authority and the police were accordingly informed by our officials. Following the re-fueling and with the necessary approvals from the authorities, the consent of the passengers relatives, and the decision of OCC and the captain, it was deemed operationally viable for the flight to continue to San Francisco.

The flight landed approximately five and a half hours later than scheduled in San Francisco.

All passengers, crew, and the deceased passengers relatives were met by law enforcement officials.

Statements of crew and relatives were taken, and the official reports were filed, the Turkish Airlines spokesperson said.

After all passengers had disembarked, an autopsy officer arrived and conducted the required reporting process related to the incident.

The airline added: "The deceased passenger and their relatives onboard were disembarked from the aircraft under the supervision of law enforcement and the autopsy officer. The aircraft was subsequently cleared to resume operations as scheduled.

San Mateo County Coroners Office confirmed to The Independent that Pasupuletis remains were offloaded in that county, home to the San Francisco International Airport, and are under the jurisdiction of the local coroner.
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The Faroe Islands have introduced a fleet of self-navigating, speaking cars in a bid to tackle predictable experiences and expose visitors to undiscovered destinations on the archipelago.

A video introducing the scheme shows visitors hiring a car before following navigation instructions to lesser-known places. Along the way, the car narrates information about the surprise route.

A statement from the Faroe Islands explains that tourists tendency to gather around the same iconic hotspots creates a closed ecosystem where images from popular places attract even more people to those very locations.

It adds that the result is overtourism and predictable experiences.

After booking with 62N car rental, a partner of Visit Faroe Islands, travellers scan a QR code which activates one of 30 itineraries curated from a locals perspective.

These include a visit to Europes tallest sea cliffs, hikes to breathtaking fjords and a trip to a roadside fish-and-chips stand.

Theres just one catch: you have to surrender control, reads the statement. When you rent one of these cars, you sign an agreement to follow its directions, with no clue where you're headed.

Visit Faroe Islands CEO Guri Hjgaard said: We set out to explore how technology and creativity could offer a new way for travellers to discover the Faroes  one that leads them into places they might never find on their own.

This is a more thoughtful kind of journey, designed to both protect whats most beloved and reveal spots often overlooked.

With this initiative, we hope to lead by example, demonstrating how destinations can embrace innovation to spread tourism more responsibly and meaningfully.

The new fleet of cars can be booked on the Visit Faroe Islands website, with rates starting from around 74 per day.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
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A cruise ship carrying Israeli tourists departed the Greek island of Syros on Tuesday without its passengers disembarking, following a protest by more than 150 demonstrators at the port.

The protesters waved Palestinian flags and called for an end to the conflict in Gaza.

They displayed banners reading "Stop the Genocide" and "No a/c in hell"  a reference to the conditions faced by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

The vessel, identified as the Crown Iris and operated by Israeli company Mano Cruise, had about 1,700 passengers on board.

It is now en route to Cyprus.

Mano Maritime said in a statement released to the Guardian: The ship arrived at Syros, encountered a demonstration by pro-Palestinian supporters, and passengers were stuck on board without permission to disembark.

open image in gallery A protester waves a Palestinian flag as a cruise ship nears the Greek island of Syros ( INTIME NEWS )

Local media reported that the demonstrators chanted slogans on the dock, though there were no reports of any violence.

Greeces coast guard confirmed the ship set sail around 3pm, earlier than its original schedule.

The management of Mano Cruise has decided in light of the situation in the city of Syros to now sail to another tourist destination, the company said in a press release.

All passengers and crew members are resting and spending time on the ship on their way to the new destination.

open image in gallery The cruise ship tries to approach the island ( INTIME NEWS )

Israels Foreign Minister Gideon Saar contacted his Greek counterpart, George Gerapetritis, over the incident, the Greek foreign ministry confirmed.

It did not release any details of their discussion.

A statement from the protesters took aim at Greeces close relationship with Israel, according to the Guardian.

As residents of Syros but more so as human beings, we are taking action that we hope will contribute to stopping this destruction from the genocidal war that is taking place in our neighbourhood, it said.

Greece has become an increasingly popular destination for Israeli tourists in recent years.
We must not let Reform dominate the summer, Kemi Badenoch told Conservative MPs in an end-of-term pep talk. True, she grabbed some headlines with a limited shadow cabinet reshuffle, but so far, Reform UK is dominating the summer.

Other carefully constructed Tory initiatives go largely unreported, to the partys frustration, while Nigel Farage makes news with that smirk or by raising an eyebrow.

He is now widening his pitch beyond immigration, which he has banked as a vote-winner, and will campaign on law and order over the summer. His pledge to halve crime at a cost of 17bn doesnt add up. But it still garnered positive headlines; Reform is judged by different standards than rival parties. It is now seen as the best party on handling law and order.

Farage got lucky with his timing. Yesterdays Daily Mail front page, on his crime campaign, was manna from heaven: Britain is facing societal collapse, warns Farage. His backing of the protests outside an asylum hotel in Epping, Essex  and his dismissal of those arrested as a few bad eggs  might have been attacked by other parties in normal times.

But deputy prime minister Angela Rayner made a highly significant intervention at yesterdays cabinet meeting, warning that Britain could face a repeat of the riots almost a year ago unless the government addresses peoples concerns, and that immigration is having a profound impact on society. It seemed to validate Farages warning of civil disobedience on a vast scale, sparking fears of another summer of violence.

Downing Streets briefings on cabinet meetings are normally as dry as dust. Its release of the deputy prime ministers remarks tells us that the government does not want to look flat-footed and not in control if there is more civil unrest this summer.

Nor can Labour allow Farage a monopoly on proposals to crack down on illegal migration. Hence todays announcement of a deal between the government and food delivery companies to tackle hotspots of illegal working, sometimes near asylum hotels. This is a pull factor for migrants crossing the Channel, one government insider admitted.

On other issues, Reform has been less lucky. It sometimes shoots from the lip without thinking things through. Richard Tice, its deputy leader, sent shockwaves through industry by suggesting the party would scrap renewable energy contracts if it wins power, before half-retreating and saying a Reform government would oppose any form of variation to the contracts. Labour warned that 1 million jobs would be at risk from Reforms plan. Tice temporarily forgot his partys pitch to the red wall: left on economics and right on social issues.

He appeared to translate peoples concerns about the cost to them of net zero measures like heat pumps and electric cars into opposition to climate change measures. In fact, a majority of Reform supporters back policies to combat climate change.

With Reform consistently ahead in the opinion polls, the business world must take Farage seriously as a future prime minister, but its attempts to engage with his party are proving difficult. Business wants to know about Reforms policies, but the party has no formal policy-making process. As with his pal Donald Trump, policy seems to be whatever Farage thinks when he wakes up in the morning or announces on the hoof.

Policy is what Farage says  everything is decided by him, one business figure told me. Its hard to work out what is just another headline and a serious policy. Farage has started to hold business meetings. Everyone gets a bit p***ed, but we dont learn much, another company executive said.

How will Reform deliver its pledge to raise the personal tax allowance from 12,570 to 20,000 at a cost of between 50bn and 80bn? We dont know. Will this promise survive a rigorous policy process, as the grown-ups in Reform know the party needs?

Such fantasy economics, based on deep spending cuts  with Reform sometimes pledging to spend the same billions of savings more than once  is Farages achilles heel. Thats what other parties should target.

Farage is a vibe, one minister said, its hard to attack a vibe. But the other parties need to find a way.

For now, many voters are not bothered about whether Reforms sums add up. The public will have a free hit at next Mays elections to English local authorities, including London and Birmingham, and the Scottish and Welsh parliaments. That is bad news for both Keir Starmer and Badenoch, whose leadership will come under pressure if their parties do badly, as they probably will.

But voters will care about the details of Reforms economic pitch when they come to choose a government at the next general election. A vibe will not be enough.
A parcel of land with medium-term potential near the town of Rathcoole, Co Dublin, has come to the market and selling agent Coonan Property is quoting a guide price equating to 1.175m for it.
A financial consultant has given a number of undertakings to the High Court to take steps to repay monies he misappropriated from two companies he was engaged to wind up.

Accountant David Kennedy and David Kennedy Financial Consulting Ltd, Orwell Shopping Centre, Templeogue, Dublin, consented to several orders including judgment against him personally for the sum of 588,301 in favour of two companies owned by third parties.

Yesterday, the court was told that Mr Kennedy was taking steps to wind up his business, but he had a number of other liquidations to carry out, which he had to deal with first.

Mr Justice Brian Cregan said it was a matter of significant concern that, in circumstances where Mr Kennedy had admitted misappropriation and breach of duties, he could possibly continue for a day longer as a liquidator.

Micheal D OConnell SC, for the defendants, said the orders may preclude him from misappropriating funds for the other 50 companies he was dealing with, and that it was necessary they be wound down in an orderly fashion. It is anticipated that allowing him to continue in his role will enable him to improve the situation, not only in relation to the clients in this case but to others who are affected.

Jarlath Ryan SC, for the plaintiff companies, said his side was satisfied that concerns were being addressed by the order restraining him from only paying 1,000 per business transaction apart from normal wages, all monitored by the liquidators put in to replace him. He also must come clean and disclose all other assets, he said.

The judge said he wanted the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) to be notified and supplied with court papers, so that it could advise the court whether it wished to be a notice party in the case.

Other orders require Mr Kennedy be only entitled to 15,000 in living expenses until the end of October and that he repay funds he had diverted from the plaintiff companies. They restrain him from reducing assets in his consulting company below 588,301.

He must also transfer 300,000 from a Bank of Ireland account he held to Micheal Leydon, the receiver who has now been appointed by the court to recover the funds. The court heard he had already transferred 200,000 from that account back to receivers who replaced him as liquidators of the plaintiff companies.

He must deliver to those liquidators all books and records of books and records of those companies.

The court was told gardai were investigating him and had removed records, and the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement had also been notified.

The orders provide that proceedings against his wife, Danielle Colgan, who is also a defendant, can be adjourned generally on payment of 19,000 to the receiver. Mr OConnell said she was the unknowing recipient of funds from her husband. Ms Colgan is the sole shareholder of David Kennedy Financial Consulting.

Earlier this month, the court granted orders freezing assets of the defendants below 800,000  the sum which Mr Kennedy was engaged to capitalise on behalf of the two plaintiff companies.

When the case returned, the court was told Mr Kennedy had put his hands up in relation to the misappropriation and wished to be of as much assistance as he could in recovering the monies.

Mr Justice Cregan adjourned the case to October, but said he would like to hear from the ACCA in the meantime, in relation to possibly making it a notice party.
Government set to impose a code on insurers in bid to track impact of reforms

Legal fees in cases settled by the Injuries Resolution Board are a fraction of those settled by litigation

Minister of State at the Department of Finance Robert Troy is leading the insurance reform agenda. Photo: Frank McGrath

Charlie Weston Thu 24 Jul 2025 at 06:30

The Government is to attempt to impose a transparency code on insurance companies in a bid to see if they are passing on the reforms they have benefited from, in the form of lower premiums.
Adrian Weckler: Futuristic, convenient job-creators or intrusive pests  delivery drones are here, and it seems nobody is in charge
Irish rap group Kneecap said "there is no legal basis" for Hungary banning the act from entering the country ahead of their scheduled appearance at a music festival.

The trio, who are outspoken supporters of Palestine, were due to perform at Sziget Festival on August 11 and remain on the line-up on its website.

Government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs wrote on social media platform X that the decision to ban Kneecap was because the group's "members repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups".

But in a statement posted on Instagram, Kneecap described the decision to bar them from entry as "political distraction" and pointed out that none of the group has any criminal convictions.

A spokeswoman for Sziget Festival also described the move as "unnecessary and regrettable".

"Cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution," she added.

The statement from Kneecap said: "To the tens of thousands of fans who we were buzzing to see in person at Sziget, we're sorry we won't be with you.

"The authoritarian government of Viktor Orban say we 'pose a national security threat'.

"Which is f****** outrageous coming from a man who welcomed Netanyahu, a wanted war criminal, like a hero just a few weeks ago.

"There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country. We stand against all hate crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices whenever we see it.

"It's clear that this is political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people."

Government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs wrote in a post on X: "Hungary's government has moved to ban Kneecap from entering the country and performing at Sziget ... citing antisemitic hate speech and open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah as justification.

Kovacs later posted the official letters from immigration authorities banning the band for three years, claiming that their entry would "seriously threaten national security".

In May, member Mo Chara was charged with a terrorism offence in Britain for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed Hezbollah. He denies the offence.

Representatives of Kneecap did not immediately reply to requests for comment. The band has said previously that its members do not support Hamas or Hezbollah, and that it condemns "all attacks on civilians, always".

Kneecap.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 24th

Hungary's government had already asked festival organisers to drop Kneecap from the line-up at the week-long event, which draws several hundred thousand music lovers to an island in the River Danube each year.

More than 150 artists and cultural figures, including Academy Award-winning director Laszlo Nemes Jeles, have also signed a petition protesting against Kneecap's participation.

Sziget organisers, who said they had not been notified of the government's decision, have resisted the calls to scrap Kneecap's planned performance on August 11.

"Our festival remains true to what we have consistently achieved over the past 30 years: there is no place for hatred, incitement, prejudice, or any form of racism or anti-Semitism," they said in a statement last week.

Sziget's other performers this year include Post Malone, Shawn Mendes and Charli XCX.
Television reviews

The Queen Vic went up for auction in EastEnders (BBC One, Monday, 7.30pm) this week. For those whove been living under a rock since 1985, that is the pub in Albert Square which has been the scene of some of the soaps most iconic moments, including at least three murders I can recall offhand, not to mention two Brannings falling off the roof seven years apart.
The High Court has rejected a claim by a company which rented a restaurant unit in the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre in Dublin that the landlord seeking judgment for some 276,000 for rent arrears should have had business interruption insurance in place for closures caused by the Covid pandemic restrictions.

Mr Justice Barry O'Donnell found the claim by Elite Gastrobars Ltd that the landlords obligation to insure under the terms of the lease cannot be understood as extending to an obligation to provide cover against the type of business interruption caused by the Covid restrictions.
A 63-year-old handed a three-year sentence for sexual assault earlier this week has been told they will spend a further six months in custody.

Ronaldo Otto, who is transitioning to female and identifies as Samantha Otto, was before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today for breaching the terms of a three-year suspended sentence imposed for throwing a cup of boiling water over the face of another casino customer over six years ago.
Keith Byrne sentenced to 15 years in prison for brutal murder of Dublin mum Kirsty Ward at Spanish hotel

Keith Byrne has been told the two years he has already spent in prison on remand will qualify as time served

Murder victim Kirsty Ward

Gerard Couzens Thu 24 Jul 2025 at 09:15

A former soldier has been jailed for 15 years for the brutal murder of his Irish girlfriend Kirsty Ward at their Spanish holiday hotel.
River Island is at risk of collapsing into administration within weeks if it fails to secure approval for a radical restructuring plan.

The high street fashion chain also needs to secure further funding later this year in order to preserve its future, according to documents shared with creditors.
Qatar Airways economy class review: Whats it like to from Dublin Airport to Doha?

Qatar Airways flies twice daily from Dublin Airport. So what is its economy class like?

A Qatar Airways Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Photo: Getty

Jamie Ball Thu 24 Jul 2025 at 06:30

Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways all fly from Dublin to their hubs in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha respectively. So how does the Qatar option stack up?
Dublin Zoo will be revealing the calfs name soon, as she begins to explore her new habitat. Photo: PA

An okapi calf born at Dublin Zoo is thriving, according to a spokesperson for the zoo.

The birth marks an important milestone in the conservation of the rare and endangered okapi species, as she is only the third okapi calf ever born in Ireland.
As the population of 2.3million teeters on the edge of famine, military action is escalating

Relatives of Palestinian child Salem Hussein (12) killed in an Israeli army bombardment of Gaza, mourn beside his body at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City yesterday. Photo: AP

Palestinians hold onto an aid truck returning to Gaza City from the northern Gaza Strip yesterday. Photo: AP

Palestinians wait to get a hot meal at a charity kitchen in the Mawasi area of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Photo: Getty

Just skeletons, walking  that is how Younis (32), a father of four, described the death march to the Gaza aid convoy on Sunday when Israeli forces opened fire.

Shortly after the food trucks arrived, a shell blew up a small crowd, sending people flying through the air to the side of him. Then a bullet ripped through the air by his head.

The gunfire was so intense that it was like they were aiming to drink our blood, he said, his voice still shaking.

I feel like weve been put on a chicken farm and starved and killed.

Trapped under a mound of people  some alive, some injured, some dead  he managed to crawl free with a single kilo of flour, which later, in the scrum to safety, he had to drop.

Since the morning, my children had woken me up crying Daddy, I want to eat. These words burned my blood and made me go to danger.

The UNs global hunger monitor has repeatedly warned that nearly all of Gazas 2.3 million population are teetering on the edge of famine.

Palestinians hold onto an aid truck returning to Gaza City from the northern Gaza Strip yesterday. Photo: AP

Accusing Hamas of stealing supplies to fuel its war, Israel has imposed sieges on Gaza, either fully restricting or significantly restricting aid into the tiny 41km-long strip, as well as corralling people into areas.

These are policies that legal experts have told The Independent would amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and even genocide in action  something Israel denies.

On Sunday, the World Food Programme (WFP) said a rare convoy of 25 trucks carrying vital food assistance had been permitted to cross into northern Gaza. It was met with large crowds of civilians anxiously waiting to access desperately needed food supplies  among them, Younis.

As the convoy approached, the surrounding crowd came under fire from Israeli tanks, snipers and other gunfire, the WFP said.

The Palestinian health authorities said that at least 99 people were killed in what is believed to be the deadliest day yet for families seeking aid since the war began in October 2023  over 800 in total have been killed just trying to get food. The Israeli military has said it fired warning shots to remove an immediate threat, but has questioned the death toll reported by the Palestinians.

A day later  on Monday  Israel announced an expansion of its military operation against Hamas, announcing fresh forced evacuation orders for parts of Deir al-Balah, a south-western area of Gaza mostly labelled as a safe zone and home to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians displaced during more than 21 months of war in Gaza, as well as several vital UN facilities, aid agency guesthouses, and clinics.

And so the situation in Gaza is so dire that even the UK foreign secretary David Lammy and his counterparts from 24 other nations said on Monday that the suffering of civilians has reached new depths, and told Israel that the war must end now.

Belgiums King Philippe, who is rarely outspoken about this conflict, separately called it a disgrace to humanity and again called for an immediate end to this unbearable crisis.

Instead, the escalation of killing and conflict is undermining attempts to broker even a temporary truce taking place in Qatar. As one official close to the negotiators told me: Whatever happens on the battlefield directly impacts what happens at the negotiating table.

And right now Israel is escalating.

On Monday, Israeli forces pushed into districts of Deir al-Balah for the first time, despite widespread international condemnation and even protests at home from the biggest group representing the families of those taken captive by Hamas militants during its attacks in October 2023.

I felt lost, overwhelmed and feared losing everything

On the ground in Deir al-Balah, medics told The Independent they had scrambled to evacuate, trying to get patients to safety while having to abandon vital supplies.

We were only able to extract around 50pc of our medical stock. The rest remains behind, says Maram Al Shurafa, medical programme officer for UK-based Medical Aid for Palestinians, about the clinic where she works, which serves on average 320 people a day.

Ms Al Shurafas own home is within the evacuation zone, but she couldnt do anything about it because she had to prioritise the patients.

Relatives of Palestinian child Salem Hussein (12) killed in an Israeli army bombardment of Gaza, mourn beside his body at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City yesterday. Photo: AP

The pressure was immense. We were still treating patients right up to the moment we shut the doors. Many people stood outside waiting for care, but we had to turn them away, she told The Independent.

I felt lost, overwhelmed and feared losing everything.

UN officials, meanwhile, say despite the orders some offices now inside the evacuation area will stay open despite the obvious dangers.

Tamara Alrifai, spokesperson for the UNs Palestinian refugee agency, Unrwa, says that Deir al-Balah had been considered one of the few zones where the UN and other aid groups could set up shop, set up services.

The UN will stay and deliver which means we will continue to seek the deconfliction of our aid facilities, she says, adding that across Gaza their facilities and shelters have been repeatedly hit.

I hope these are the last days of the war

We will continue to ask the Israeli government to spare the UN. The toll is already very, very high. Over 325 Unrwa staff members have been killed. So we asked to be spared.

Even in Israel the pressure is mounting on the Israeli government. The largest group representing the families of the hostages said they were shocked and alarmed by the push into Deir al-Balah. They demanded an audience with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the heads of the military to clearly explain why the offensive in the Deir al-Balah area does not put the hostages at serious risk.

Back in Gaza civilians pray for a ceasefire.

I hope these are the last days of the war, Ihab Abdullah (43), displaced within Gaza City, says. We eagerly await a truce that will end the hunger and war we are living. We are dying of hunger and bombing.
Israeli activists in Tel Aviv take part in a protest against the war in Gaza, Israel's measures regarding food distribution and the forced displacement of Palestinians. Photo: AP

Hungry Palestinian children cry out for food at a charity kitchen in Nuseirat. Photo: Reuters

At other dark periods in world history, the shutters were pulled down on mass suffering. What makes the starvation of infants and unending carnage among civilians in Gaza so exceptional is that it is being watched through an open window, and still nothing is done internationally.

Children tell their parents they want to go to heaven because at least heaven has food, a shattering statement from 100 aid agencies said, quoting a worker.

This is a hell no child should endure. Medicins Sans Frontieres is among the organisations now warning that their own staff are dying of hunger.

The Hamas-run health ministry says 10 people have died from malnutrition within the last 24 hours.

The UNs Palestinian refugee agency said one million children are at risk of severe malnutrition.

Palestinians are collapsing in the street and wasting away, the NGOs said in their statement.

UN secretary general Antonio Guterres said the horror facing Palestinians under Israeli military attack was unprecedented in recent years.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the suffering is a stain on Israel.

He went on: Its a shame that any government would continue a war that is wreaking such devastation on poor children and innocent children at the scale and level that is happening.

Israeli activists in Tel Aviv take part in a protest against the war in Gaza, Israel's measures regarding food distribution and the forced displacement of Palestinians. Photo: AP

What makes the situation so unconscionable is that these deaths are not the result of acts of God, but of decisions made by politicians elected to uphold the rule of law.

The Hamas slaughter on October 7, 2023, and the taking of Israeli hostages was an outrage that appalled the world. However, the indiscriminate killing since then by the Israel Defence Forces, with the death toll nearing 60,000, has also repulsed the world. It has been described as completely disproportionate and indefensible by various international leaders.

This situation is beyond grotesque. The UN said Israeli forces had killed more than 1,000 Palestinians trying to get aid since the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation started operations in May.

The international community cannot stand over its impotence as an already catastrophic humanitarian situation grows more dire by the day.

The Norwegian Refugee Councils Jan Egeland told RTE: We have enormous quantities of relief, paid by European donors, standing at the gates of Gaza, but the Israeli war machine prevents us from going in while they are bombing the civilian population.

In a statement, he described how Palestinians are trapped in a cycle of hope and heartbreak, waiting for assistance and ceasefires, only to wake up to worsening conditions.

American civil rights activist Rosa Parks once asked: Have you ever been hurt and the place tries to heal a bit, and you just pull the scar off of it over and over again? The people of Palestine appear to be living through just such cruel punishment daily.

In any civilised world, they should be entitled to more than a collective looking the other way.
When it comes to dental health, we need to promote it more. Stock image: Getty

Eilish ORegans article (Tens of thousands of children finishing primary school without dental checks due to lack of HSE dentists, Independent.ie, July 21) made for sober reading.

Whats missing from our national response is proper, sustained oral health promotion.

We are a nation brushing too little, flossing even less and attending the dentist only when there is an issue, and thats if theres a dentist available in your area.

As highlighted, this isnt just about teeth. Oral health is deeply intertwined with heart health, diabetes and overall well-being. Our public health system treats it as a footnote.

What if we reversed the script?

Promotion works. When people understand not just what to do, but why it matters  when its woven into schools, GP visits, community centres, even supermarket aisles  behaviour changes.

Weve seen it with seatbelts and smoking. Oral health is no different.

However, education without access is hollow. The rural dentist shortage and cost barriers compound the problem, particularly for older adults and low-income families.

A national campaign must go hand-in-hand with better service delivery.

Oral health promotion isnt just a hygiene issue. Its a chance to change behaviour, reduce long-term healthcare costs and improve quality of life  one well-brushed tooth at a time.

Orlaith Kennedy, Dental Health Foundation Ireland

We know that the people of Gaza are on brink of famine, yet we allow it

Are we really going to allow people to be starved to death in Gaza before our eyes rather than risking our economic prosperity? This is worse than 1847.

Art O Laoghaire, Bray, Co Wicklow

Ambassadors criticism shows we need be vocal about suffering of others

When the US ambassador to Israel tells, not asks, us to apologise to Israel for our antisemitism, it is time for us to stop, stand up and take a good look in the mirror and ask ourselves what kind of people are we?

What do we really stand for?

Are we all talk and afraid that we will be punished by having to give up some of our good life if we stand up against the brutal genocide that we know and see daily being carried out by Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies in Gaza? Shame on us all.

Philip Chambers, Stillorgan, Dublin

Excuses about holding back Epstein files dont add up  release them

The step by Republican speaker Mike Johnson to stop possible discussion of the Epstein files by shutting down the House of Representatives smells of desperation.

The reason suggested is to allow president Donald Trump more time to address the matter, which is farcical given how long it has been a lead item in the news.

Epstein died, by whatever means, almost six years ago, and there is still no real action on releasing the files despite Trumps assurances.

The files are not going to be forgotten, and hopefully not destroyed, so let them be seen  let the truth be told.

This also applies to all countries and their governments.

Dennis Fitzgerald, Melbourne, Australia

Erratic Donald Trump has done Europe a favour as it grows closer than ever

It is one of modern historys oddities that Donald Trump, a man singularly uninterested in alliances, has done more to rally support for the EU than many of its architects.

His threats  to dismantle Nato in practice, if not in name, to slap 30pc tariffs on European goods and to treat long-standing allies with open disdain  have had an unintended effect: Europeans are remembering that in a dangerous world, unity is not idealism, but self-preservation.

From Copenhagen to Rome, scepticism towards the EU has receded. Defence integration is no longer taboo. Even Brexiteer Britain has re-engaged with European defence initiatives.

Trump, in trying to fracture Europe, may be forcing it to grow up. Yes, Brussels has its flaws  it is still too sluggish, too technocratic, too tangled in its own red tape. But it is now more necessary than ever.

Europe faces a choice: wait for American protection that may never come, or become a power in its own right.

We Irish know the dangers of relying on others for our security and prosperity. We should also see the opportunity here: a Europe capable of asserting itself  economically, diplomatically, militarily  is a Europe worth investing in.

As WB Yeats once put it: In dreams begins responsibility. Trump has jolted Europe awake. Now Brussels must live up to the moment.

Enda Cullen, Tullysaran Road, Co Armagh

Whats good advice for Ursula is good advice for your own party, Cynthia

Watching the Euronews programme Brussels, my Love?  in which politicians and other interested parties are invited to discuss matters of interest to the EU  I heard Fianna Fails Cynthia Ni Mhurchu mention when clarifying her vote of confidence in Ursula von der Leyen that she had spoken with her and suggested she should listen to those who voted for her.

I thought: Cynthia could pass that advice to the leader of Fianna Fail.

Michael Moriarty, Rochestown, Cork

40bn for housing is a big help, but we know it will be pulled if we hit a bump

Its emboldening to learn that the Government is going to invest 40bn in housing under its new infrastructure plans.

However, I would have concerns that if theres an abrupt change to the global economy, many of these infrastructure projects might never get off the ground.

People will be seeking reassurance that these plans wont be jettisoned if there is a major crash, as we have seen before. This is what happened in the last crash, forcing the economy to play catch-up with big infrastructure projects.

Housing was stalled for many years, and we are still very much feeling the effects of that today.

John OBrien, Clonmel, Co Tipperary

Millimetres can decide on heroes and failures in the cruel world of sports

Sports reporting is cruel. A horse beaten by a nose is forgotten, while the winner is lauded to the heavens.

Corks forwards got through the much-lauded defence of Tipperary, my native county, but were beaten by the goal woodwork multiple times. But for that, would Tipp have won by as much as they did or at all?

Joe Foyle, Ranelagh, Dublin
A man in his 40s has died following a work-related incident in County Clare.

A man in his 40s has died following a work-related incident in Ennistymon, County Clare.

The incident took place this morning, Thursday, July 24, at approximately 10.00am. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has been notified are investigating the incident.

Gardai and emergency services attended the scene of a fatal work-related incident that occurred in Ennistymon, Co. Clare on Thursday July 24 at approximately 10 am, a spokesperson from An Garda Siochana told the Irish Independent.

A male in his 40s suffered life-threatening injuries and was later pronounced deceased.

The scene remains preserved for technical examination.

The HSA has said they are aware of the fatal incident.

"The HSA is aware of the fatal incident and has launched an investigation, a HSA spokesperson said.

As such, no further information is available at this time.

Investigations are ongoing.
Over 800,000 has been secured to fund essential maintenance and upgrade works for rural water scheme across Cork County.

Nine projects will be funded through the 800,000 outlined for Cork County, and 291 projects will receive a slice of the 73.9m nationwide under the Rural Water Programme 2024-2026.

Fine Gael TD for Cork North-West John Paul OShea said the funding is great news for communities in Cork.

Its so important that we protect our water sources and ensure the highest standards in water treatment. We must ensure that communities across Cork have the benefit of high-quality infrastructure and water services, Mr OShea said.

587,936 has been approved for works on Glenacarney group water scheme (GWS) and Clonmult GWS will have 54,509 worth of funding.

Scarteen, Desert, Shanagh, Dromore, Ballyroberts and Lissacrue GWS will receive 49,378 in funding.

34,850 has been approved for Ballyguyroe  Tankardstown GWS.

Killally Ballinrush GWS will get 27,459 in funding while Kilmore, Tooreehahard, Skeheen and Coolowen has a combined 25,755.

Other funding includes: Castlepark GWS (12,750), Graigue GWS (8,925) and Blackpool/Curraglas GWS (1,785).

The Rural Water Programme delivers improvements to private domestic water and wastewater services in areas of rural Ireland where there are no public water services.

This funding and the completion of these projects will allow GWS to continue to improve the quality, quantity and reliability of the water services across Cork.

I am particularly happy to see funding approved for Glencarney Group Water Scheme which will be upgraded and taken in charge by Cork County Council & Uisce Eireann, Mr OShea added.

Approximately 63,000 rural households will benefit from the works across the country.

Projects will range from minor works right up to major capital investments of over 2m for complex or bundled schemes, Mr OShea concluded.
Pictured from left to right: Paddy Simms, Patricia Bowen, Tadhg O'Donovan Chairman, Kathleen O'Donovan, Agnes O'Brien Secretary and Fr.Innaiah.

A special rosary to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the moving statues phenomenon took place in the West Cork epicentre of the whole episode  in Ballinspittle on Tuesday.

The Virgin Mary statue in Ballinspittle was reportedly first seen to have moved on July 22, 1985, in a phenomenon that shocked and thrilled the nation.

Thousands of people flocked to the Cork village to get a glimpse of the statue in question, and the grotto is still heavily visited to this day.

The special rosary was held at the famous grotto from 8pm-10pm.

Secretary of the Ballinspittle Grotto, Agnes OBrien, said over 100 people attended the rosary on Tuesday.

Some people were at the grotto 40 years ago, and they still come back along with others who come and go every now and then.

One thing that they all said was the peace and tranquillity that people get there.

There could be cars, tractors and lorries going up and down the road, and you dont even hear them, Ms OBrien said.

Fr. Innaiah, who is in Cork from the UK and Gerry O'Sullivan guided the celebration.

The secretary explained that the grotto is a place of peace and tranquillity for people of faith.

People are carrying heavy crosses and [the grotto] offers peace that they will get there, Ms OBrien added.

Fr Innaiah led the rosary, prayers and performed a hymn.

Patricia Bowen, Paddy Sims and Margaret Hannon performed hymns separately before grotto chairperson Tadhg ODonovan sang Ballinspittle in the Night.

We are so lucky to have the grotto on our doorstep.

When the grotto was erected in 1954, it wasnt built with machinery like today, it was built by men and women by hand.

For us to be able to continue to be here at the grotto for the people and for people to have a place of peace is a blessing.

It is quite a holy place where people can get the strength to carry on, she said.

The secretary believes that the statue moved back in 1985 to bring people together in a peaceful setting.

The Ballinspittle grotto hosts a rosary every night in May from 8pm and a novena of rosaries will take place from August 7 and concludes on August 15, the feast day of the Assumption of Our Lady.
Bank of Ireland issued an apology last week following a devastating oil spill in Kilbogget Park near Cabinteely in south Dublin

The family of swans remain in the care of Kildare Wildlife Rescue. Photo: Kildare Wildlife Rescue

Bank of Ireland have donated 10,000 to Kildare Wildlife Rescue (KWR) following a devastating oil spill at a park in south Dublin last week that killed a swan.

KWR said it removed four cygnets and two adult swans from Kilbogget Park near Cabinteely in south Dublin last Wednesday following an oil pollution incident that has been described by the animal charity as one of the worst it has ever attended.

"I have been a wildlife first responder for 12 years and it is the worst fumes I have encountered on an oil spill, and we get a lot of them, but this was really heavy," said KWR's rescue co-ordinator Pearse Stokes.

The KWR confirmed today that the family of swans are still being cared for by the charity, however, one of the cygnets died over the weekend due to the severity of the oil spill.

The charity said it has been informed by Bank of Ireland that the oil spill was caused by an incident during a diesel delivery by Bank of Ireland.

Following the incident last week, Bank of Ireland issued an apology. "We have been engaged with Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council (DLRCOCO) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in relation to a spillage at one of our sites in Cabinteely, a spokesperson said.

"Action was immediately taken to contain the incident, and no further pollution has been identified.

"We would like to sincerely apologise to the local community for the impact caused. We will continue to engage fully with DLRCOCO and the EPA over the coming period."

Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council said last week that booms and pads have been installed to absorb the pollution.

In a statement issued by KWR today, the charity revealed that Bank of Ireland have donated 10,000 to KWR in response to the oil spill.

"Bank of Ireland has stepped forward, acknowledging the situation and generously donating 10,000 to support our rescue efforts, confirmed a spokesperson from KWR.

"We are incredibly grateful for this contribution, which will directly assist in the rehabilitation of the swan family.

"Its been a challenging time. We are saddened to report that one of the cygnets did not survive due to the severity of the oil spill.

"The rehabilitation of oiled birds is an intensive process, requiring careful monitoring and gradual recovery. Our team remains focused on nurturing the remaining swans and ensuring their road to recovery is as smooth as possible.

The charity added that they are also caring for another swan family following a separate, unrelated spill in Co Laois.

"As we continue to monitor wildlife at Kilbogget, were also caring for another swan family from a recent spill in Kilminchy, Portlaoise, continued the spokesperson. Both families have undergone washing by our skilled team and will stay at our centre until theyre fit and ready for their safe return home.

"This busy period for our organisation has seen a remarkable increase in wildlife distress calls, with a 40pc rise compared to last year. Our team is working harder than ever, but we could not do it without the support of our incredible community.

"We rely almost entirely on donations from the public and the tireless efforts of our volunteers, who juggle their passion for wildlife with their everyday jobs.
One cygnet died and several swans removed following incident near data centre

Swans impacted by the oil spill are still receiving care. Photo: Kildare Wildlife Rescue

Bank of Ireland has issued an apology and donated 10,000 to a wildlife rehabilitation charity following a significant oil spill at Kilbogget Park in south Dublin last week.

The spill, described by rescue teams as really heavy, occurred during a diesel delivery to the banks nearby data centre in Cabinteely.

The incident led to serious environmental concerns and the removal of several swans and cygnets from the park.

One cygnet has since died, while the remaining birds are undergoing rehabilitation.

In a statement, Bank of Ireland confirmed it had been engaging with Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since the incident.

The bank said it had taken immediate steps to contain the spill and prevent further pollution.

We would like to sincerely apologise to the local community for the impact caused, a spokesperson said.

We of course will cover the clean-up costs following this spill and have been in contact with the council about this.

We are also donating to Kildare Wildlife Rescue and have been in direct contact with the charity about this.

We in Cabinteely have been working closely with the council on clean-up efforts since the accident and have been in contact with the EPA also.

Bank of Ireland deeply regrets this incident and is taking steps to minimise the risk of any future spillage, they added.

The 10,000 donation was made to Kildare Wildlife Rescue (KWR), which responded to the incident and removed the affected swan family.

KWR said they were grateful for the support and that rehabilitating oiled birds would be a complex process involving stabilisation, hydration and eventual cleaning, which cannot begin until the animals are strong enough.

KWR continues to monitor the park and its remaining wildlife. The charity also responded to a separate oil spill in Portlaoise earlier this month, where similar impacts were recorded on waterfowl.

Local councillor Dave OKeeffe (People Before Profit) welcomed the donation, but raised concerns about the full cost of the clean-up, which he estimates could run into tens of thousands of euros.

I received confirmation from Bank of Ireland by email that they will cover the full cost of the clean-up, that commitment is welcome and it wouldnt have happened without public pressure, said Cllr OKeeffe.

But make no mistake: this was not a minor incident, oil poured into a public park and river. Wildlife was harmed.

The real cost of full clean-up, wildlife care, and long-term ecological restoration could run into the hundreds of thousands. We need to know exactly whats being done  and that no corners are being cut.

The public deserves transparency and real accountability. We cant just hose down a footpath and call it a job done."

Booms and absorbent pads were installed by the council to contain the spill.

However, some oil was believed to have washed out of the park and into nearby waterways following heavy rain over the weekend.

The EPA also said it had been notified by Bank of Ireland and is liaising with the relevant parties.
The chilling indie-folk track is the musicians fourth release as a solo artist, paired back to just vocals and guitar  two things Keagan does very well.

The Loughrea man has played and crafted music for many years, currently gigging with the band Evoke and occasionally with Groev, having previously played with the Limerick group Dylan Flynn and the Dead Poets.

His new track dont let me lose is his most raw and unrefined music to date thus far, with booming vocals expertly illustrating the pain brought across through beautifully crafted lyrics.

Cover image for Keagan's new single 'don't let me lose'.

Starting out slow and soft, delicately placed airy notes bring a melancholy to the song, with a gradually building tempo intensifying to a stunning vocal crescendo towards the latter half of the track.

Speaking about the new release, Keagan said: dont let me lose is a song that I wrote when I was anywhere between like 23 to 24 up to like 25 to 26. It was a culmination of a load of really sad feelings about being lost and not really knowing where I am and who I am, and, you know, missing that younger part of myself, realising I'm getting a little bit older, and the fear of change, basically. Basically, its a song about what I call the terrible 20s.

In terms of his solo music, Keagan describes it as his passion project.

<img alt="cards visualization" src="https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/23953643/thumbnail" style="width:100%" />

Keagan Forde. Image: Jamie Moore

My solo music It's a real passion project of mine now, he said. It's not something I'm too eager about promoting in terms of like I don't see the need to like consistently post [on social media]. I just want this song to connect with people, and I want the rest of my music to do the same.

I'm just doing it for me, and Im doing it have a bit of fun  I'm not really hoping for anything out of my solo career or anything like that. The ultimate goal is just to connect and write songs that connect with people - if that's one person or 100 million gazillion people I'm happy with either.

These are songs that I've crafted as carefully as I possibly can, and I hope that they kind of represent that time in my life where I probably wasn't feeling too good but now, things are on the up, and things are looking good.

Listen to dont let me lose on all streaming platforms now.
Puck Fair Committee for 2025. Front, from left :Lisa Corkery, Declan Mangan(Presidant),Declan Falvey(Chairperson) Geraldine O'Sullivan and Sean Coffey. Middle, from left :Michael Moriarty,Krystal Cronin,Brenda Nash,Blathnaid Wieland,Laura Healy and Peadar Healy Back, from left : Ben Henry,Pat O'Shea and John McGrath. Photo by Michael G Kenny.

At the launch for Puck Fair 2025 which took place in The Old Forge on Saturday night some of the committee members pictured here with public representatives and festival sponsors. Front, from left: Cllr Dan McCarthy MCC,Declan Mangan (President Puck Fair), John Bowe(Diageo), Declan Falvey(Chairperson Puck Fair)and Don Bird (Birds Euroshow) Back, from left :Chris McGillycuddy(Killorglin Chamber Alliance), Iryna Puzdria (SKDP), Donal Sheahan & Mairead Sheahan (Francie Sheahan's Bar & Casey Collections) Anne McGillycuddy (The Old Forge Bar)and Minister Michael Healy Rae. Photo by Michael G Kenny

Queen of Puck Fair 2025 Robyn O'Shea and her ladies in waiting L-R:Chloe Falvey,FayeO'Flaherty Moriarty,Robyn O'Shea (Queen of Puck Fair 2025)Ella Foley and Kaia Ferris. Photo by Michael G Kenny

Queen of Puck Fair 2025 Robyn O'Shea in front of images of Puck Fairs past. Robyn from Cromane is a student of Scoil Realt na Mara Cromane.

Killorglin celebrated the launch of Puck Fair 2025 at the weekend officially starting the countdown to Irelands oldest recorded festival.

Puck Fair, which runs annually on August 10th, 11th and 12th, can trace its roots back to the ancient Pagan festival of Lughnasa.

Among the most well-known traditions of the festival is the crowning of a mountain goat as King Puck each year, his coronation being officiated by the Queen of Puck, a local schoolgirl. This year the honour goes to Robyn OShea, pupil at Scoil Realt na Mara in neighbouring Cromane.

I have had a lifelong love for the history of Puck Fair and have enjoyed celebrating the festival with my family and friends down through the years. Its the atmosphere that grips me the most, with the town coming alive and celebrating amidst all the music playing and the traditions. I am looking forward to welcoming all those to the town who decide to come home to celebrate with us and also all those who come to visit to experience first hand what this great festival has to offer.

Speaking at the festivals launch, newly elected Kerry TD, Michael Cahill said that he is absolutely delighted to launch Puck Fair 2025.

Puck Fair, Aonach an Phoic has been celebrated for hundreds of years in this fantastic part of Kerry, where I come from, people set their calendars by Puck. All other events happen either before or after Puck, that is the importance of it, said Deputy Cahill.

"Thousands of people arrive in Killorglin from every corner of the Globe every 10th, 11th and 12th of August annually, much thanks goes to the fantastic work put in by the local organising committee, in cooperation with An Garda Siochana.

Chairperson of the organising committee, Declan Falvey, highlighted the importance of the festival to the town

Puck Fair is Irelands oldest festival, and one of the most anticipated events in the Killorglin calendar annually. This year, as always, we have a stellar line up of musicians and activities, so look forward to welcoming crowds from far and wide to Killorglin over the three days of the festival.

This years festival will also include a fantastic line-up of Irish talent, with musical acts and performances which will cater to audiences of all tastes and ages. Headline acts for this years festival, which are all free to attend, include the supercharged musical act, The Fogues, the Celtic Irish Rock group Erins Fury, the long established South West of Ireland Group Truly Diverse, and Jack Keogh.

The full list of events for the festival is at https://puckfair.ie/?bcrFallback=bcrFallback
Tralee Red Cross Youths and Minister; L-R, Front Row: Norma Foley, Minister for Children, Disabilities and Equality, Joe McDonnell, Chair, Tralee Red Cross Branch. Back Row: Emily O'Reilly, Tadgh Lynch, Mark Lloyd, Oran McGovern, Emma O'Donoghue at the recent Awards Presentation.

More than 25 members of the Irish Red Cross in Kerry were honoured earlier this month at an awards ceremony held in the Grand Hotel, Tralee. The awards were presented by Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley.

Among those recognised were five Tralee Red Cross Youth members who completed programmes on various Red Cross-related topics. Fourteen other members were awarded certificates for completing Safeguarding Awareness Training following a recent course held in Tralee.

Long-serving volunteers were also acknowledged on the night, including Charlie Harnett, David Frizelle, Shane Lehane and John McKiernan, who have given between 33 and 47 years of service eachamounting to nearly 200 years of combined dedication to the humanitarian organisation.

Minister Foley commended the Tralee branch for its ongoing voluntary work and contribution to the community.

A special mention to all the young people who have completed their Red Cross training programmes and their leaders and mentors who worked with them, said the Minister. She added, Tralee Red Cross is integral to so many community events and gatherings and is a vital part of the rich fabric of our town.

Chair of the Tralee branch, Joe McDonnell, also spoke at the event and paid tribute to the recipients.

I discovered a report from The Kerryman newspaper that the Irish Red Cross in Kerry was founded in April 1940 at a meeting in the Ashe Hall, Tralee. That's 85 years ago and since then, many hundreds if not thousands of volunteers have given sterling service to the society and it is important to note that this ceremony recognises and thanks them also, he said.

Tralee Red Cross Youth Officer Elena Barry expressed pride in the young participants and their accomplishments.

They had a fantastic time doing the various tasks and learned a lot about First Aid, Civic Spirit and the 'Blue Lights' services, she said. Elena also noted that bookings are already being taken for the upcoming Autumn programme.

Youths must be over 12 and less than 18 and all applications to join must be made via a parent or guardian by a WhatsApp to 087 7088395, she added.
440,000 new homes have no water in their taps

They have been waiting for weeks to get supply switched on at Beaulieu Banks in Drogheda and are unable to close their sales and get the keys of their homes until they are connected.
Funding will support the redesign of Irelands Memory Room at the Jackie Clarke Collection and the conservation of a historic processional statue at Knock Shrine Museum.

Funding for two Mayo museums has been secured under the Regional Museum Exhibitions Scheme (RMES) 2025. The Jackie Clarke Collection received 15,000, while the Knock Shrine Museum was awarded 3,034.

The RMES aims to encourage greater access to museums and promote them as tourist resources. Seventeen projects across Ireland will benefit from the scheme, which has a total funding allocation of 192,193 for 2025.

The Irish Independent spoke to Yvonne Corcoran-Loftus, manager of the Jackie Clarke Collection, who said the museum was thrilled to receive the funding, calling it a real boost for the team and a fantastic opportunity for the Jackie Clarke Collection.

The collection was accumulated by the late Jackie Clarke (19272000), a local fishmonger with a deep passion for Irish history and politics. A genius collector, Mr Clarke wished for the archive to be donated to the people of Ballina. His wife fulfilled that wish in 2005, gifting the collection to Mayo County Council. In 2013, it was made publicly accessible in the restored old Provincial Bank on Pearse Street.

The star of the Jackie Clarke collection is an original copy of the 1916 Irish Proclamation, stored inside of an original bank vault in the museum. Other artefacts include a handwritten letter from Michael Collins, a cockade badge worn by Theobald Wolfe Tone, and an original copy of the 1665 issue of the Oxford Gazette Newspaper

An original copy of the 1916 Irish Proclamation at the Jackie Clarke Collection.

The RMES funding will go towards Irelands Memory Room: Restoration Project. The main exhibition in the museum, it houses an exceptional collection of artefacts, primarily original historical documents covering major events from the 1600s to the 1900s.

It is a truly remarkable collection, but it needs to be presented in a way that allows visitors to fully engage with its depth and significance, said Yvonne. For those with a background in Irish history, it is undoubtedly fascinating, but for the average visitor, it can feel overwhelming.

Joining the Jackie Clarke Collection only last year, Yvonne approached the museum with a fresh perspective. One of the first things that struck me about Irelands Memory Room was that, while the content is truly exceptional, the room itself didnt have a natural flow.

The Restoration Project involves a full redesign and layout of the room, with a focus on creating a visually engaging and accessible exhibition. It includes the design and production of four A3 interpretive panels, one case panel (800mm x 600mm), and four wall panels (800mm x 1200mm), as well as the upgrade of five existing display cases and the addition of 20-25 interpretive labels in both English and Irish.

This project directly aligns with the aims of the RMES, which is designed to enhance access to museums as key cultural and tourist resources, Yvonne explained. By improving the quality, accessibility, and storytelling of this permanent exhibition, well provide a more enriched experience for local audiences and strengthen our appeal to cultural tourists.

Museums should be inclusive, welcoming spaces that allow everyone, regardless of background, to connect meaningfully with history. Thats our goal here at the Jackie Clarke Collection,

Getting the maximum award of 15,000 feels like a strong endorsement of the work we are doing and the potential of Irelands Memory Room to become something truly special.

Yvonne expressed her thanks to Anne Marie Forbes, who works closely with the local community, saying they have been amazing at supporting the collection. She also extended her thanks to those who support the museum behind the scenes, Austin Vaughan, County Librarian; Joanne Greham, Director of Services at Mayo County Council; Kevin Kelly, Chief Executive of Mayo County Council; and all the museum staff.

Education remains a central pillar of the museums mission. In addition to running on-site workshops for school groups, Education Officer Celene Brennan leads an outreach programme that brings the museum experience directly to schools unable to visit Ballina.

We recognised that not all schools can travel to Ballina due to rising transport costs or limited funding, so we brought the museum to them. Our Outreach Programme is not just about access, its about impact, said Yvonne.

Memory Room inside the Jackie Clarke Collection.

The Knock Shrine Museum also welcomed funding through the RMES. Here it will be used for the professional conservation of a Processional Statue of Our Lady of Knock, to make it accessible to the public in a special exhibition.

The funding enables us to complete this very worthwhile conservation project, explained Robert Flatley, the collections care officer at Knock Museum. It also gives us the opportunity to complete an extra exhibition project this year.

The plaster statue that is being conserved was the Rosary Processional Statue at Knock Shrine for many years, it is cherished by the Cairde Mhuire volunteer group, as well as visiting pilgrims and visitors to Knock Shrine.

Robert explained why the restoration is needed: When the statue was mounted on a mechanised trolley for procession, it became too tall to exit the Basilica of Our Lady Queen of Ireland. The Knock Shrine Society decided to remove a section at the base. It was cut just above the feet with a concrete saw, and there was also a trial cut just below the feet.

The RMES funding will be used to reconnect the feet to the body of the statue and professionally fill the trial cut. The statue will then be treated with remedial works, where the conservator will survey for any further flaws and also perform a complete conservation clean-up of the item.

Sculptor conservator Jason Ellis, who has previously worked with the museum, will carry out the work.

The Processional Statue of Our Lady of Knock which will undergo professional conservation. Photos: Knock Museum.

In regards to the exhibition launch Robert said: We hope to launch the exhibition with a talk by John Hynes, head of the Cairde Mhuire, the volunteer group who have helped pilgrimages in Knock since 1935. This particular statue is very close to Johns heart. He initially approached us about it in 2023 to see if it could be restored.

He added: We are delighted with, and thankful to the department for approving the funding. It has given us the chance to move further ahead with our long-term exhibition plans this year.

The Knock Museum tells the story of the Knock Apparition in August 1879. Visitors can read the testimonies of the 15 official witnesses all while placing the story of the Apparition in the context of life in rural Ireland at that time. The museum covers 140 years of history and displays a life-sized thatched cottage which is a replica of the home where five of the witnesses lived.

The museums 'Memories of Knock' initiative invites visitors to share their personal reflections and stories of faith. A tradition that dates back to soon after the Apparition happened, where people began writing letters to Archdeacon Cavanagh telling him of their visits to Knock. The letters give an insight into the social history of Ireland at the time and can be viewed in the museum. Today, visitors are able to write down their thoughts and memories of Knock.

People get great pleasure in writing down their thoughts, memories, and personal stories, said Robert. From a legacy perspective, they are a wonderful gift to future generations.

Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick ODonovan, announced the RMES funding and said,

It gives me great pleasure to announce this funding of over 190,000 for our local and regional museums. My departments commitment to supporting projects under this scheme has allowed cultural bodies to enhance their exhibitions and to improve the cultural offering to the communities they serve,

These institutions are an extremely important resource for accessing culture and heritage in towns and villages across the country and contribute to a sense of place and community. These museums help to preserve and promote our cultural heritage and I send my best wishes for their continued success."

This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Uncertainty remains over the future of the Friary in Clonmel

There are still questions about the future of an historic Tipperary building which was the scene of a sit-in earlier this year as a result of its planned closure.

In December last year, the Franciscan Order announced that the Friary Church in Clonmel would close due to lack of priests to sustain a weekly mass at the 13th century building.

At the July meeting of the Clonmel Borough District, independent councillor Niall Dennehy sought an update on the future of the historic building in the town.

Cllr Dennehy told the meeting that he had gotten requests from members of the community that whatever the plans for the building are, the building not be deconsecrated.

In response to Cllr Dennehys call, the district administrator said that she was unaware of the plans for the former friary, but that she could write to the Franciscans to find out what they plan on doing with it.

Earlier this year, a local prayer group, who had been using the Friary, staged a sit-in protesting its planned closure.

The Abbey House of Prayer Group had signed a temporary agreement to be allowed to use the building in May 2023, and were supposed to hand the keys of the building back to the Franciscans on December 31, 2024, after the final mass in the church took place.

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However, the group staged a months-long sit-in protesting the closure of the church by the Franciscan Order.

The groups protest was brought to an end by High Court action in February this year after the judge in the case struck out the action if the group vacated the church.

In 2023, the Franciscan Order pulled out of Clonmel after centuries in the town due to dwindling numbers and aging friars.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Pictured at the launch of the HSEs national RESIST hand hygiene campaigns implementation in Enniscorthy Primary Care Centre, Co. Wexford were (from left to right): Theresa Duffy (Clinical Nurse Specialist Infection Prevention and Control, HSE Dublin and South East) and Angela Mernagh (Clinical Nurse Specialist/Respiratory Integrated Care, Wexford Chronic Disease Hub, Enniscorthy Primary Care Centre).

The HSEs national "RESIST" hand hygiene campaign had a demonstration launch recently in the Enniscorthy Primary Care Centre to mark their participation in the campaign.

The HSE Dublin and South East Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Nursing Team and Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) Team organised and promoted the RESIST day, with the aim of supporting and educating colleagues on hand hygiene and to promote Anti-Microbial Resistance and Infection Control (AMRIC) and RESIST.

RESIST is a brand for several hand hygiene and infection prevention and control initiatives under the HSE Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control Programme (AMRIC). One of these initiatives is the rollout of the RESIST hand hygiene awareness programme. The programme promotes a combination of hand hygiene training with standardised national training materials.

Hand hygiene has been at the forefront of all of the initiatives that the HSE has been implementing to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The RESIST campaign is to refresh the HSEs hand hygiene messages and to keep promoting the importance of clean hands.

Located at Quarry Park in the town, the Enniscorthy Primary Care Centre features a medical practice, various consultation rooms, offices and treatment areas and facilitates co-location for a multidisciplinary group of health and social care professionals (including primary care, mental health, older persons and Tusla) to deliver community healthcare care services to the local population in the Enniscorthy and surrounding areas in Co. Wexford.

Speaking about the RESIST launch in the Enniscorthy Primary Care Centre, Elizabeth Sunderland (Community Healthcare Network Manager) said: Cleaning your hands properly, at the correct time, when delivering care to our clients, is the most effective way to stop the spread of many infections including COVID-19. When healthcare workers like the multidisciplinary staff in the primary care centre keep their hands clean, they help prevent the spread of serious healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). These are infections that can happen in any healthcare service.

Enniscorthy Primary Care Centre and our HSE services locally in Co. Wexford have an excellent record in hand hygiene but we are always looking to improve our standards. The RESIST programme will help us to refresh and energise our hand hygiene approach among both staff and patients and we are delighted to have been selected to be part of the rollout in Primary Care, she added.

Theresa Duffy (Clinical Nurse Specialist/Infection Prevention and Control, HSE) added: As a programme, RESIST is not just aimed at those delivering care but at everyone who comes into a healthcare facility, including service users and visitors. We will be intensifying the campaign across the South East over the coming months and are delighted that healthcare facilities in the Co. Wexford have taken part in promoting such an important programme.
Almost 18 months after they were first announced, there has been no progress on the delivery of 65 new homes in Bunclody, Co Wexford. Part of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Programme, the social houses were designated for a site in the Hospital Hill part of the village and were to be delivered by Dublin City Council.

In November 2023 then Housing Minister Darragh OBrien revealed that the Bunclody development was to be bundled with five other schemes in Dublin, Limerick, and Galway. Due to deliver 642 houses across six sites, the project remains in the pre-procurement phase as of July 2025 and, at the monthly meeting of Wexford County Council (WCC), Councillor Barbara Anne Murphy asked why it had not proceeded any further.

That residential zoned land isnt being developed despite there being a huge need for houses in Bunclody and a huge need for people to buy their own homes, she said following a presentation on Wexfords County Development Plan.

Critical of that plan and the suggestion Wexford was meeting its housing targets across the county, Cllr Murphy said the situation in Bunclody was not unique.

There are plans to build 65 houses on Hospital Hill, but we have had those plans for I don't know how long. If this is happening in other places too, then our County Development Plan (CDP) isnt working. If you live in Bunclody you cant just buy a site and build on it, you wont get planning permission to build in a rural area (under the CDP),.

"You cant build in rural areas and you cant buy or rent a house in Bunclody itself, so its clear to me the CDP isnt working, its certainly not working for Bunclody.

In response, senior planner Diarmuid Heuston said there were obstacles to overcome when it came to delivering new builds in the countys villages.

There are proposals in place (for new developments), we have to work our way through them, but there are a lot of obstacles we have to overcome, he said. We do have wastewater capacity in the villages, and they are very important in terms of delivering housing, but there are delays in some of those villages. We need the developers to come forward.

"But we will keep an eye on how things are going there and continue to have discussions with you on it.

He was supported by chief executive Eddie Taaffe who said the council was focusing on finding developers to build on the sites which had already been earmarked for housing.

The issue in Bunclody is the sites which have been zoned have not been developed yet, he said. The solution isnt to zone more land, its to gain an understanding as to why those sites arent being brought forward by the people who own them or not being sold to developers.

Accepting that, in terms of its overall figures, Co Wexford was meeting the targets set out under the governments Housing For All plan, Cllr Murphy said those targets were primarily being met in the countys urban areas.

Were not meeting the need throughout the county, and Bunclody is an example of that. We can talk about how were going to work with developers, land owners and so on, but how long is that going to take? We have a housing crisis right now. We have land in the ownership of the state which is not being built on, theres not even plans available.

"Imagine how frustrated people who have earned enough to get a mortgage but cant buy or build in their own area are.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Two Wexford women will be flying the flag for the county this weekend at Kildare Village.

Blaithin Ennis and Faye-Anna Rochford will showcase their summer collections at the popular destination shopping centre from Friday, July 25, to Sunday July 27.

This comes as part of the Irish Designers in Residence series, which is an initiative aimed at celebrating and showcasing star talent from fashion and accessories and providing a unique platform for emerging and established designers to share their craft with a wider audience.

Blaithin Ennis Jewellery will showcase her latest collection in Kildare Village.

Multi-award winning jewellery designer Blaithin Ennis of Blaithin Ennis Jewellery is delighted to be showcasing and selling her jewellery collections at Kildare Village, with her new sea inspired range Sea of Stars will be showcased at the residence. To cater to all ages, her gold collection Wild at Heart and classic collections will also be available for purchase on site during the weekend.

Blaithin has previously worked closely with prestigious retailers such as Brown Thomas and Arnotts over the years. Her jewellery has been spotted on popular Irish faces such as Vogue Williams, Amy Huberman, and Una Healy.

Founded in 2012, she launched her brand soon after graduation. Her use of experimental materials and offbeat aesthetic have earned her a devoted following at home and abroad. Blaithin has also collaborated with celebrated London based designer Paul Costelloe and designed jewellery collections for his catwalk shows at London Fashion Week.

Founder and creative director of FeRi, Faye-Anna Rochford has created her new Silence by Seawater collection to celebrate FeRis 5 year anniversary this July. Taking inspiration from previous seasons said the collection has a whimsical dreamy springtime energy.

Staying true to Wexford heritage, FeRi spent the day by the coast during their photoshoot on the old fishing harbour Fethard-On-Sea and Carnivan beach to create an uplifting and peaceful collection she said.

This new collection includes reworked and up-cycled styles with some best-selling pieces returning in new shapes and prints. Craft and oriental influences are evident in the collection as Faye was inspired by a recent trip she made to Hainan, China.

Faye has over 13 years of Fashion Industry experience in Dublin, London, Paris, New York and Philadelphia. This includes time at ethical fashion initiatives Re-dress and Andrea Crews alongside high-end and commercial brands including Diane Von Furstenberg (DvF), Philip Treacy, Bora Aksu, and Free People

Both Blaithin Ennis and Faye-Anna Rochford graduated from the National College of Art and Design. Faye graduated in 2009 with a degree in BA Fashion, with Blaithin studying Textile Design.

These designers will showcase their talent for one weekend only, from 10am to 5pm.
The sunny south east was graced with the surprise presence of a pod of dolphins along the south Wexford coastline.

On Wednesday, July 23, a local fisherman, Damien Burke, spotted the mammals along the Arthurstown area of the county, which created great excitement. Theyre just beautiful to see, he said.

"They came right up to the boat. I spotted them first on Wednesday and they were still there this morning (Thursday), he added.

Mr Burke identified the dolphins as the Common Dolphin, which feed on horse mackerel, sauries, herring, lantern fish and squid and are approximately between 1.5 m to 2.7 m in size.

These dolphins are the most regularly sighted in Ireland and a spokesperson from the Irish Dolphin and Whale Group, Cian O Nialain warned that while theyre very interesting creatures, people shouldnt go out after them for their social media.

"Weve a code of conduct that we ask people to adhere to, because often times common sense goes out the window when theres pretty dolphins swimming around the river, he continued.

Common Dolphins spotted in south Wexford. Photo: Damien Burke

"We ask that anyone on the river reduces their boat speed down to below seven knots, if possible; Limit your encounters with the dolphins to 30 minutes, and take special care when calves are present, never come between a mother and a calf.

"Maintaining a steady course parallel to the animals is also important and dont corral them between boats either. Let them approach you, Mr O Nialain said.

In the case where a dolphin is spotted swimming frantically around in shallow water or starts getting worryingly close to the shore in the shallow water without an easy return to the deeper levels, contact should be made with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Groups hotline.

This emergency hotline is only for animals stranded alive and can be contacted on (097) 28118.
Catherine Connolly is opposed to any change to the Triple Lock system for deploying Defence Forces members abroad. Stock image

A motion opposing the amendment of Irelands Triple Lock system has been passed by Wexford County Council (WCC) after cathaoirleach Councillor Joe Sullivan opted to vote against his own party.

The Triple Lock refers to Irelands method of sending Defence Forces Personnel overseas to serve as part of peacekeeping or peace enforcement operations. It requires UN approval, a decision by Government and a vote in the Dail.

However, in May of this year, the government published a proposed amendment to the Defence Bill which would remove the requirement for UN approval when deploying members of the Defence Forces outside the State, thus ending the Triple Lock system.

At the July meeting of WCC, Councillor Jim Codd forwarded a motion requesting that the council express its opposition to the proposed changes. Arguing that any amendments to the current Defence Bill would signify a breach of trust with the Irish electorate and a serious diminution of Irish neutrality, Cllr Codd called upon his colleagues to support his motion.

Although the motion was swiftly seconded by Cllr Paddy Kavanagh there was some pushback from members of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.

The facts of the matter on the Triple Lock are that the government makes a proposal and it goes to the Dail, no other representative from any country should have any say on a decision made in Ireland on what to do with our troops, said Cllr Darragh McDonald (Fine Gael). I trust the government, I trust all the people in the Dail across all parties to make the right decisions, and I think they can act responsibly for the people of this country.

While he was glad that Cllr McDonald had such trust in the government, Sinn Feins Tom Forde didnt share that sentiment. Offering his support for the motion, Cllr Forde said, This is an important safeguard for our neutrality. Im glad Cllr McDonald has trust in our government in relation to this, I dont.

His party colleague Aoife Rose OBrien argued that this was an issue which should be discussed at every local authority meeting and said she would be very disappointed if any of Wexfords TDs members went against this motion.

Cllr John Dwyer was particularly strident in his support of the motion, arguing that removing the Triple Lock would see Ireland become an implement of the EU.

Ursula Von der Leyen

Its through small incremental steps that our neutrality will be taken, he said. If you look at the disgraceful behaviour of Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission) in supporting the genocide happening every single day in Gaza, then you will see exactly the direction the EU is taking. Let there be no doubt the EU wants an army it can deploy.

"It is obsessed with Putin and undermining and attacking Russia. I fully support this motion. Sean Lemass was an ardent advocate of neutrality and I would ask the Fianna Fail members here to reflect on his views when considering this motion.

One of those Fianna Fail members had considered the motion and remained steadfast in her objections to it.

If we maintain the Triple Lock, when peace comes to Gaza, we wont be able to send peacekeeping forces there, said Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy. This is about peacekeeping, something we have honourably been doing for many, many years. There has been no UN peacekeeping mission mandated since 2014, none. And we are now living in a whole new world.

Cllr John Fleming (also Fianna Fail) described the motion as stupidity while Pip Breen (FF) said the Triple Lock was not for purpose any more and has to go.

With the chamber divided, Cllr Codd asked for a roll call on his motion but not before he took a sideswipe at his Fianna Fail adversaries.

This is a sad day, Im mindful of Redmonditism rearing its head again, he said. Id understand that in Fine Gael but now it seems to be in Fianna Fail as well.

Cllr Joe Sullivan.

He reckoned without Cllr Sullivan, though, who, on this occasion, chose not to follow the party line.

Im absolutely conflicted, he said. I hate war and anything which contributes to the death and destruction of human beings. Weve had the Triple Lock in place for a number of years and it has served our country well. Ireland is one of the most respected international peacekeeping countries in the world, there is huge value in our neutrality, so this is a vote of conscience for me.,

"But I believe in the Triple Lock, and if I sit here and vote against something I believe in I am a fraud.

The motion was subsequently put to a vote with Cllrs Vicky Barron (LAB), Jim Codd (Aontu), Craig Doyle (SF), John Dwyer (IND), Tom Forde (SF), Paddy Kavanagh (Wexford Independent Alliance), Leonard Kelly (IND), Marty Murphy (WIA), Aoife Rose OBrien (SF), John O Rourke (IND), Michael Sheehan (IND), Joe Sullivan (FF), and Biddy Walsh (LAB) voting in favour.

On the other side, Cllrs Pip Breen (FF), Trish Byrne (FG), Anthony Donohue (FG), John Fleming (FF), Pat Kehoe (FG), Donal Kenny (FF), Garry Laffan (FF), Darragh McDonald (FG), Barbara Anne Murphy (FF), Bridin Murphy (FG), Frank Staples (FG), Robbie Staples (FG), and Oliver Walsh (FG) voted against.

With the vote tied at 13 apiece it was left to Cllr Sullivan, as cathaoirleach, to have the deciding say.

I stand by what I said,  he announced to much cheering from the chamber.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Signal Arts Centre is currently hosting an exhibition by a well-known disability advocate and award-winning artist, childrens writer and illustrator, some 17 years after her last showcase at the gallery around the corner from Brays Albert Walk, a memory lane of sorts for the indefatigable creator.

Ann Kennedy, who was born in 1952, has fond memories from when she last exhibited in Bray, in 2008, when she recalled eating pizza on Albert Walk, with friends and family, before returning home only to lapse into a terribly difficult period. As she said herself: I ceased all creative work for 10 full years.

That creative slump was brought on by her illness, which she so candidly described in her memoir, Unprotected, which details the difficulties she has faced in life due to being born with Rubella.

Congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is an illness in infants that results from maternal infection with rubella virus during pregnancy. A child can be born with severe hearing loss and/or visual impairment, congenital cataracts, heart defects, and gradually develop a myriad of other significant challenges. Ann shares this same birth experience with her twin sister, Margaret.

In 2017, she told the Irish Independent: I woke at seven this morning, and I was crying. Im depressed and feel utterly hopeless. That often happens. Sometimes we think of ending it all; we are so terribly weary of fighting.

Those heartbreaking words were written when she and her sister, both then 64, admitted they were struggling to get the professional help and support they needed.

As children growing up in Killiney, they had to battle with a hearing impairment, and by their early 20s, had followed their own paths. Ann was doing animation in London, collaborating on projects such as the Watership Down movie and promotions for Pink Floyd, while Margaret trained as a nurse at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Ann returned to Ireland and became an accomplished artist and award-winning writer and illustrator of childrens books but when the sisters were in their 40s, they encountered health issues that had a serious impact on their ability to function.

Over the next few years, they were both tested and it was discovered that some of their health problems included Parkinsons disease and muscle myopathy (muscle wasting disease), which requires them to use wheelchairs most of the time.

They moved to Greystones but left in 2015, after what Ann described as dreadful years in an open letter, which ended with the parting words: I never wish to see the place again and hope I can erase the memory from my mind swiftly once I do leave.

Thankfully, her memories of Bray are more florid as she makes a welcome return with her new exhibition, All in the Brain. The exhibition of works slowly began to take form years after that visit in 2008 and the ensuing slump, when one day, she said, being brave, I visited an art shop.

"I began again, she said of the new exhibition. It was now all in the brain and the brain would have to perform in some fashion. I knew this was going to be different and punctuated with hesitancy, despondency and confusion. Grave self-doubt enveloped me. I worked from a perspective of loss. What I produced were experimentations, learning to capture my inadequacy and hopefully some adequacy. I gave myself permission to fail in the hope I could achieve.

While she admits she caved many times and withered, her strength and perseverance has brought the new body of work which will be on display at the gallery until Sunday, August 3.

I propose to show a body of creative painting that defy my personal reason. I propose to offer hope to the community of sick, older people and those with disability that if you want to paint, then paint. The work will be eclectic as personal strength is returning and styles keep changing. I begin making decisions again, abandon some and accept others. Its all in the learning, she said.

A decade of inaction through ill health and mystery requires opening my personal Pandoras Box. Gold may not be in fact gold, but nothing can change a person who creates through love and abandon. That is my gold, silver and bronze. Even if not in equal proportions.

The opening reception for All in the Brain is on Sunday, July 27, from 3-5pm.
Tiglin has expanded its offerings at its social enterprise cafe, Rise at the Cove, with the aptly named Rise Bakery, which has just opened at the Coolnagreina campus, in Greystones.

The bakery operates from a converted shipping container which has been transformed into a fully equipped kitchen, where the team produces fresh, high-quality food for the cafe.

Rise Bakery is part of Tiglins broader vision to provide training, education and real work opportunities to people in its care. What began as a cafe on the seafront has grown into a meaningful social enterprise that focuses on supporting people through purposeful work and social inclusion.

Thanks to support from the Community Foundation of Ireland, the bakery now provides employment for three individuals. It offers structured progression to employment and education while continuing to meet the needs of the community.

One of those women is Iryna, who has been the on-site baker for two years. Originally from Ukraine, Iryna had no previous baking experience. When Tiglin began developing the bakery as a training and work initiative, they looked to those already in their care to take part.

Living at the Tiglin Family Hub at Coolnagreina, Iryna embraced the opportunity. With childcare responsibilities and no current job, having the opportunity to work where she lived made perfect sense.

"I like this job very much. Its like a hobby, and its a nice place as well," Iryna said.

Looking ahead, Rise Bakery will continue to support people engaged in Tiglin rehabilitation and housing programmes. It is a lasting resource for training, nourishment and community impact.

Commenting on the opening of the bakery, Tiglin CEO and co-founder, Phil Thompson explained how what was once a shipping container, was converted into a fully regulated kitchen, stocked and fitted out with all of the up-to-date necessary equipment for baking, producing and chilling all of the food that it produces.

"Our journey for social enterprise started in our cafe on the seafront of Greystones and the idea of that cafe was always to meet the needs of those who were in our care while serving a high-quality product, Phil said.

So it was about training, education, employment opportunities but also a big part of that was social integration which we see in its abundance. Shortly after war started in Ukraine, we opened the doors to over 100 people who now call this place their home, even though that is on a temporary basis.

And so the Community Foundation of Ireland had an opportunity where we could apply for a fund and that fund allowed us to expand the social enterprise, Phil added.

Our goal was always to produce food for the cafe but this fund allowed us to produce high-quality food in a controlled environment, while creating job opportunities, progressions to employment and education and all of the things that are necessary for a healthy social enterprise.

Tiglin said Rise Bakery is a launchpad for independence a space where people rediscover purpose through hands-on work, encouragement and the quiet pride that comes from contributing to something meaningful.

"The great thing about this bakery is that even after this current situation of war hopefully ends, this bakery can go on to serve the needs of the people at Tiglin, Phil concluded.

Rise at the Cove cafe, offering food from the Rise Bakery, is open every day from 7am-4pm.
Cancer support services in Bray, Greystones and Arklow have yet to receive funding allocated under Budget 2025.

The government pledged to invest 41 million in cancer services this year, including a 5.5 million allocation to the Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres and Services.

Purple House in Bray, Greystones Cancer Support and Arklow Cancer Support Group are members of the Alliance and were due to receive funding during 2025.

However, its understood none of those groups have received that funding.

Former Health Minister Stephen Donnelly first made the announcement while paying a visit to Purple House Cancer Support Centre in Bray last October, where he also stated he had asked his Department to consider funding for other cancer support services in County Wicklow.

These include Wicklow Town Cancer Support, West Wicklow Cancer Support, Rathdrum Cancer Support and Roundwood Cancer Support.

Funding was also ringfenced for these community cancer support groups around the county, but they have yet to be contacted by officials from the HSE.

Raising the issue in the Dail recently, Social Democrats TD for Wicklow Jennifer Whitmore called on her constituency colleague Tanaiste Simon Harris to make sure the promise of funding for these groups is kept.

The Tanaiste and I both well know the amazing work these cancer groups do in County Wicklow. I have seen correspondence from the former Minister where he said that funding would be recurrent funding, no matter the affiliation with the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP).

In response Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said The HSE and the NCCP have recently been working with community organisations to distribute the 2025 funding allocation.

The first call for the full members of the Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres, of which Purple House is one, is now almost complete and the second call for the associate members is now under way.

The Alliance has 21 full members and 22 associate members. The associate members will now go through that process as well, but the priority is, of course, for the full members. she added.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
An alarming rise in food costs has meant that volunteers with Wicklow Meals on Wheels now find themselves busier than they have ever been in three decades of serving the community.

In June, the organisation delivered more than 800 hot, healthy, nutritious meals to residents in need of the service. However, the latest Consumer Price Index figures released by the CSO revealed that prices for goods and services were up 1.8pc on average on June 2024, and up 0.5pc monthly from May 2025 to June 2025. For example, the price of meat is up on average 8pc, while beef specifically is up 21.9pc.

The continued rise in prices is also impacting on essentials outside of meat. Butter is up 18.6pc and fresh low fat milk is up 13.7pc, while fish is up 3.3pc.

Noeleen Redmond of Wicklow Meals on Wheels said: The cost of meat in particular is going up all the time. We have a rota involving the four butchers in Wicklow town and have a great relationship with them. We tend to use each of them for two month periods of the year.

The price of everything is going up though, not just meat. Every single thing we buy is more expensive, right down to the butter in the spuds. A pound of butter now costs 5, and it wasnt that long ago when it used to be 2.29. We have noticed an inordinate difference in costs which seem to be rising all the time.

Despite the increasing pressures being placed on them, Wicklow Meals on Wheels consider themselves to be in a good position, and remain financially secure. They also secured a sizeable grant allocation from then Health Minister Stephen Donnelly last year, just before moving into their new premises.

Noeleen said: We ran at a 3,500 deficit after Covid. We continued our deliveries in 2020, but with the restrictions in place, we didnt collect any money from March to September, and actually also started a third delivery per week, so we ended up with a deficit, but that has since been cleared.

I have to thank the people of Wicklow town and surrounding areas for al of their support. The Singing Santys were back in December for the first time since Covid and raised 1,700. We also started up our church gate collections again. Thankfully we remain in a good position despite the rising food costs and will continue to deliver up to 90 meals twice per week.

She added: We served more than 100 meals more in June than we carried out in January of this year, involving serving two meals per person per week. We delivered around 650 meals in January, compared to nearly 800 meals in June.

Our demand is significantly higher. The rising food costs are probably having an influence, but we are probably victims of our own success as well. We have been making a lot of effort to highlight the service, and I think people who could avail of the service are noticing.

I was down in Tramore the other week and I bumped into a woman who said she saw me in the Wicklow People featured in an article on Wicklow Meals on Wheels. We have been raising awareness over the service, and alongside making our profile higher, people are also living longer.
Our beauty writer rounds up products that deliver on more mature skin

Don't miss out on the brands that can help your skin look its best

While I firmly believe beauty is for everyone, I would be lying if I said I have the same relationship with the industry at 42 that I did even five years ago.

I used to feel like I belonged. That every product was for me and that the world was my cosmetic oyster. These days, its a little different.

While I dont subscribe to hard and fast rules about age appropriateness, much of the space feels targeted directly at women in their 20s and 30s, and not really interested in women like me.

You may well be rolling your eyes if youre older than me. Im obviously not the first person to raise this issue, and I know how frustrating it is to hear someone suddenly appreciating a reality youve been shouting about for ages because its finally impacting them.

Still, better late than never. Im here, I see the problem and I have some suggestions for you.

While many sections of the beauty industry would like to ignore people over 40, there are some brands which not only cater to us, but treasure us. Here are three beauty brands that embrace the beauty of women past their 30s.

Jones Road (jonesroadbeauty.com)  Make-up artist Bobbi Browns second beauty brand was created out of her own need for products that delivered on her mature skin. She wasnt interested in looking younger, she simply wanted her existing face to look a little better.

Jones Road Miracle Balm

The result is products which focus on hydration, and pretty tones which elevate your natural beauty. I recommend (1) Miracle Balm, a tinted balm which can be tapped on the lips or cheeks to add glow and hydration.

Sculpted by Aimee (sculptedbyaimee.com)  Aimee Connolly may only be in her early 30s, but her brand has been accessible for people of all ages from the outset. This may come down to her close relationship with her mum, who regularly features in social media content, or it may simply be an astute recognition of the broadness of her customer base.

Sculpted by Aimee Second Skin Foundation

One way or the other, she deserves credit for creating products and content which can be appreciated by a wide range of make-up lovers. I recommend (2) Second Skin Dewy Foundation, a beautifully hydrating complexion product which leaves skin looking healthy and gorgeous.

Trinny London (trinnylondon.com)  It probably comes as no surprise that a brand founded by a woman over 50 caters brilliantly to mature skin and style, but its still worth noting.

Not only does the range of beauty and skincare work beautifully on older skin, its also incredibly easy to use. You can do a full face of make-up with your fingers, and look healthy, fresh and gorgeous throughout.

Trinny London BFF All Day Foundation

I recommend (3) BFF All Day Foundation, which beautifully evens the skin tone and covers what it needs to, without looking cakey or too much. (Full disclosure: I recently worked with Trinny London, but I simply couldnt write a list like this without including the brand.)

Sarah Creal products

(4) Sarah Creal (sarahcrealbeauty.com)  Unfortunately, this brand isnt available in this part of the world yet, but if you find yourself in the US, I highly recommend you check it out. This very cool brand is aimed at babes 40+ and I want the entire range. Youll find the products in Sephora.

Buying Irish

In my opinion, there is a fair amount of unnecessary panic projected on to people during pregnancy. If you listened to everyone about what you should and shouldnt do, you would end up incredibly confused and potentially having an anxiety attack.

Having said that, its understandable that many desire total confidence in the products they use when theyre expecting. Skn to Skn (from 37 via skntoskn.ie) is a brand created by Irish woman Sarah Stokes specifically with pregnancy in mind.

Developed in consultation with consultant dermatologist Prof Catriona Ryan, the products are not only pregnancy-safe, but formulated especially for hormonal skin.

Something old...

Mason Pearson Popular Bristle and Nylon Hairbrush

Mason Pearson is a name which has been synonymous with high-end hair brushes since the early 20th century. Mason Pearson used the knowledge he gained working in the wool processing industry to develop an innovative rubber cushion hairbrush.

The product is largely the same as it was in the 1920s, and has inspired many similar brushes to be developed by other brands. Available in a variety of sizes and tufts (types of bristle combinations), there is a Mason Pearson brush to suit every hair type and need.

I like the Popular Bristle and Nylon Hairbrush, or BN1 (197.77 via amazon.ie) in blue. The combination of nylon and boar bristles works beautifully on long hair to bring out its gloss via effective oil distribution, and the powder blue colour will give your hair routine a hint of old school chicness.

... Something new

Oribe Italian Resin Flat Brush

Im a big believer in buying once and buying well. It hasnt always been that way, once upon a time, my purchases were made impulsively and with minimal thought but these days, I think carefully. Researching a product and choosing one which will bring pleasure each time I use it is a better way to live.

With that in mind, Id like to highlight Oribes beautiful new six-piece collection of hairbrushes. Made from Italian cellulose resin, each brush is handcrafted to deliver perfectly balanced weight, grip and control.

The Italian Resin Flat Brush (112 via spacenk.com) is the one I think most of us would get the most use out of. It features a combination of boar bristles and nylon pins to ensure detangling and even distribution of the hairs natural oils, resulting in peak glossiness for your hair. Aside from that, its absolutely beautiful, and would certainly add glamour to your daily routine.
US actress Winona Ryder has said she still plays poker with Hollywood star Al Pacino and that she once confessed her love to him.

Ryder, 53, is best known for starring in Tim Burtons 1988 movie Beetlejuice and its 2024 sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, along with playing Joyce Byers in the hit Netflix series Stranger Things.

She worked with The Godfather star Pacino, 85, in the films Simone (2002) and Looking For Richard (1996), adding that she was actively in love with him.

Winona Ryder fronts the September issue of ELLE (Olivia Malone/ELLE UK/PA)

Ryder, who fronts the September issue of ELLE UK, told the magazine: I was absolutely in love with Al Pacino when I was working with him.

We were doing that workshop for Richard III, which I didnt know was gonna be a movie. I was actively in love with him.

He was obsessed with coffee, and he would take me all over New York  like, to the weirdest places  to try different coffees. Im 22, or whatever. Finally, hes dropping me off wherever Im staying, and Im like, I love you, you know. I really am completely in love with you. And he was like: Aw, honey, noooo.

Then, like 10 years later, I meet his girlfriend, whos younger than me.

I still play poker with him sometimes. Its the best.

Winona Ryder (Olivia Malone/ELLE UK/PA)

With a career spanning decades, Ryder credits actress Laura Dern for helping her navigate the industry and taking her under her wing.

She said: I dont think Id be here without her. I met her on my first screen test for Lucas  I didnt know what a screen test was.

Laura was there to read for the older girl, and she talked me through it, cause I didnt know what the f*** was going on.

She befriended me. I was literally 12 and  nobody knows this  she took me under her wing into my twenties. That relationship got me through.

She is now passing on her own wisdom to the younger cast members on the series Stranger Things.

Ryder said: Ive been trying to sort of change this narrative with the kids, because they have it drilled into them that theyre so lucky and, you know, that this show made them.

Im like: No. Netflix is so lucky. You guys are the special ones. Like, you guys are magic.'

Ryder is also known for starring in films including Heathers, Edward Scissorhands and Little Women.

The September issue of ELLE UK is on sale from 31 July.
Jennifer Slattery, Mar Knitwear, Aoife Lifestyle and The Zero Waster will show their low-waste, eco-friendly designs in the stylish Danish capital from August 6-8

Copenhagen Fashion Week is quickly becoming one of the cooler metropolitan fashion celebrations out there, and it may be because its mission aligns with the millennial and Gen Z crowd. To partake in Copenhagen Fashion Week, a brand must meet its sustainability requirements. And not only is this fashion week kinder to the environment, but it also focuses on nurturing new talent by showcasing up-and-coming brands.

Jennifer Slattery designs. Photo: Doreen Kilfeather.

Its not just the Danes who get to enjoy the fun either  a select group of Irish designers will be featured in the Copenhagen showroom Poet. From August 6-8, Jennifer Slattery, Mihai Mar of Mar Knitwear, Aoife Rooney of Aoife Lifestyle, and Sarah ONeill of The Zero Waster will showcase their work at Poet.

Slatterys fashion and homewares designs focus on natural fabrics, using Irish linen. The designer works to prevent overconsumption and waste by creating her pieces in small batches.

Similarly, Corks Sarah ONeill uses locally sourced fabrics such as bainin wool and wool fabric blended with recycled coffee sacks to create her pieces, as well as natural dyes.

Designs from Aoife Rooney, Aoife Lifestyle. Photo: Martin O'Neill.

Aoife Rooney makes luxury clothing using deadstock fabrics  material that has already been created for a previous production run, or discontinued stock for other brands. I work with factories in Italy and France to obtain deadstock fabrics, she says. They say we have enough clothes and fabrics for 20 years so I wanted to create something of value from a place of waste.

What began as a personal vision has grown into a true creative studio, home to a talented team of seamstresses, technicians, pattern makers and artists. It has evolved beyond me, shaped by many skilled hands at home and abroad  passionate hearts who bring each piece to life. Our signature style has evolved into strong, sculptural silhouettes that blend classic menswear-inspired tailoring  sharp lines, padded shoulders, clean coats, boning and precise darts  with softness and grace.

Knitwear designer Mihai Mar prevents excess by making his garments in-house on a made-to-order basis. Presenting Mar Knitwear at Copenhagen Fashion Week is a major milestone for my brand, he says. Its my first time bringing the work outside of Ireland, which makes it all the more meaningful. Im incredibly proud to represent Irish design on such a renowned international platform.

Zero Waster designs in collaboration with Magee 1866 Photo: Anna Wickham.

The designers ethos is about reviving the heritage of Irish wool through experimental techniques. My upcoming collection draws from a boyish academia aesthetic, featuring school-uniform-inspired silhouettes reimagined through a playful, contemporary lens and crafted entirely with Donegal yarns. The collection explores the tension between discipline and mischief, balancing perfectionism and rebellion in a modern interpretation of knitwear.

He credits his involvement with the Dublin Independent Fashion Week collective  a group set up by Irish designers and creatives wishing to make their own platform to showcase Irish talent  as leading to the opportunity in Copenhagen. Opportunities like this are only made possible through community. Being part of the Dublin Independent Fashion Week collective has played a vital role in the growth of my brand, and Id encourage all emerging designers to get involved.

If you find yourself in Copenhagen in August, be sure to pop into Poet and support our home-grown talent.
Copenhagen Fashion Week is quickly becoming one of the cooler metropolitan fashion celebrations out there, and it may be because its mission aligns with the millennial and Gen Z crowd.
What now after your Leaving Cert results? Heres how to plan your next steps  whether you got top points or not
Earth is to have one of its shortest days ever on August 5 as the planet is spinning faster than ever. Image: Getty
The repatriated remains of some of the British victims of the Air India crash were wrongly identified, a lawyer has said, with grieving families left struggling to say goodbye to their loved ones.
Breaking | Cambodia accuses Thailand of 'reckless and brutal' military aggression as fighting breaks out along border

All border crossings have been closedBoth countries embassies have told citizens to return homeThe fighting escalated on Thursday morning

A general view in front of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia, after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia after recent clashes along the disputed border. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa

Panu Wongcha-um and Chayut Setboonsarng Reuters Thu 24 Jul 2025 at 07:28

Cambodia's defence ministry on Thursday condemned what it called reckless and brutal Thai military aggression, accusing its neighbour of opening fire on its troops and violating an agreement designed to de-escalate tension.
Former UN human rights chief Mary Robinson hailed the announcement

The United Nations top court has warned countries could be in violation of international law if they fail to take measures to protect the planet from climate change, and nations harmed by its effects could be entitled to reparations.
LATEST | Donald Trump was told by US Justice Department that he is in the Epstein files, Wall Street Journal reports

WSJ reports Trump's name one of many appearing in Epstein materialsWhite House calls report "fake news"Judge rejects request to release materials related to Florida Epstein investigationTrump administration sought release of transcripts on probe

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago in 2000. Photo: Davidoff Studios/Getty Images.

Jeff Mason, Andrew Goudsward and Joseph Ax Reuters Thu 24 Jul 2025 at 08:21

US Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Donald Trump in May that his name appeared in investigative files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
Europe

For all the fuss and posturing at the White House, no progress was made on the Ukraine war
Ukraine and Russia agree to new prisoner swap during brief talks

Discussions end after just an hour as Kremlin plays down possibility of any breakthrough

Russian servicemen at an exchange area in Belarus after returning from captivity during a POW exchange between Russia and Ukraine. Photo: AP

Mert Ozkan Thu 24 Jul 2025 at 06:30

Ukraine brought home a new group of prisoners of war from Russia yesterday, president Volodymyr Zelensky said, saying it brought to more than 1,000 the number of returning soldiers as agreed at talks in Turkey.
Aid groups warn Gaza faces famine as Israeli blockade creates chaos, starvation and death

US envoy Steve Witkoff to hold ceasefire talks with top Israeli official

Palestinians carry sacks of flour unloaded from a humanitarian aid convoy in Gaza City. Photo: AP

Wafaa Shurafa and Tia Goldenberg Associated Press Thu 24 Jul 2025 at 06:30

More than 100 charity and human rights groups said yesterday that Israels blockade and continuing military offensive are pushing Palestinians in the Gaza Strip towards starvation, as Israeli strikes killed 21 people overnight, according to local health officials.
Livermore, CA (94550)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 86F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds overnight. Low 56F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community!

Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region.
Feldman joins longtime partner Helen J Shen onstage

Creators emphasize inclusive casting vision

Tony award-winning musical continues its momentum

 Andrew Barth Feldman sera o novo Oliver em 'Maybe Happy Ending'.



Ele inicia apresentacoes em 02 de setembro, na Broadway. pic.twitter.com/hl2tD1itqO  Review Musical (@areviewmusical) July 24, 2025

Feldman calls role an Honor beyond words

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.

Andrew Barth Feldman is set to join the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, taking over the lead role of Oliver from Darren Criss. Feldman, known for his performances inand the film, will begin his nine-week run on September 2, continuing through November 1 at the Belasco Theatre.The musical follows the story of Oliver, a retired robot living in South Korea, and Claire, a fellow robot, as they explore emotional connection and meaning in their later years. Criss, who originated the role on Broadway in October 2024, became the first Asian American actor to win a Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Oliver.Feldman will appear opposite Helen J Shen, the shows original Claire, who also happens to be his partner offstage. The couple will be joined by original cast members Dez Duron and Marcus Choi. Understudies Steven Huynh, Hannah Kevitt, Daniel May, Christopher James Tamayo, and Claire Kwon will also remain part of the ensemble.The casting of Feldman marks a shift in the musicals history. Originally developed and premiered in South Korea, this will be the first time the character of Oliver is portrayed by a white actor in a Broadway production.The creators of Will Aronson and Hue Park  along with director Michael Arden, acknowledged the significance of Feldmans addition to the cast.In a statement, they shared, We fell in love with Andrews take on the role of Oliver when he appeared as the reader in Helen J Shens initial audition tape. To have him join her onstage at the Belasco is a special treat.is a story about longing for connection and the complexities of being human  and robot. These are universal themes that transcend backgrounds. Were proud to continue embracing exciting casting possibilities and to showcase this role as one open to different interpretations and lived experiences.received widespread acclaim this season, taking home the 2025 Tony Award for Best Musical. The show also won in several other major categories, including Best Score, Best Book, Best Director of a Musical, and Best Actor for Darren Criss.The productions story, centered around retired helperbots Oliver and Claire, has resonated with audiences for its emotional depth and themes of human connection in a futuristic setting.Expressing his gratitude, Feldman stated, I am so in love with this show and with Helen J Shen. Ive been a plus one on this Broadway journey from the beginning, and this brilliant team and beautiful company have already become such a big part of my life. That they trust me with this role, and are giving me the ridiculous gift of sharing it with Helen, is an honor beyond words.With Feldman stepping into the role of Oliver, the production continues to explore new dimensions of performance while preserving the heartfelt essence that earned it critical and commercial success.
Trina takes a firm stand

Marco's life hangs in the balance as Sonny and Sidwell's truce is put to the test. Click to watch today's thrilling, new #GH - RIGHT NOW!  #GeneralHospitalhttps://t.co/wIhOeJ5KEy  General Hospital (@GeneralHospital) July 24, 2025

Willow and Scout share a rare moment

WATCH: Liesl spends an active afternoon with James that proves unsettling for Spinelli... to say the least.  #GHpic.twitter.com/kEGLswn7aB  General Hospital (@GeneralHospital) July 24, 2025

Nina plots her next move & an unexpected reunion

Thursdays episode ofpromises emotional conversations, major confrontations, and new revelations. Trina is unwilling to stay silent, Elizabeth reconnects with someone from her past, and Scout finally gets time with a loved one she barely sees. Theres a lot unfolding in Port Charles, and everyone seems to be at a crossroads.Trina isnt ready to let things slide when it comes to Kai. According to Thursdays teasers, shes still upset that he told Drew what her parents were doing about Jacinda. Trina views that move as a betrayalespecially since Kai didnt have the full picture. To make it worse, he barely knows the real Drew Cain.So, what comes next? Another confrontation between Trina and Kai could be brewing, and it may not end well. Will Kai explain his side, or has Trina already made up her mind?Though Willow and Scout live under the same roof, theyve barely spent time on screen together. Thats changing, as the two sit down for a meaningful conversation. The question iswill this talk lead to a deeper bond between them?While that unfolds, Drew comes face-to-face with Alexis. She doesn't mince words, especially when it comes to family. Alexis might want answersabout Drews move to D.C., whether Scout is getting enough attention, and if Danny and Rocco are still part of her life.Elsewhere, Nina seems determined to take drastic action. Whether she wants to stop Drew or ruin the upcoming wedding, shes got limited time. She couldve acted earlier, but now, every moment counts. How far is Nina willing to go?Meanwhile, Elizabeth meets Obrecht again. The last time they were on good terms, things took a turn when Liesl broke things off with Scotty over his support for Elizabeth during the Hook saga. Does this reunion mean a clean slateor just politeness?Port Charles is brimming with emotional tension, and everyones next step could change everything.
At 10 a.m. on July 23rd, an autonomous delivery van slowly entered Block B of Shiji Xindu Residential Community in Chaohu City. "Vehicle stopping, vehicle stopping, please ensure safety." It successfully parked within the pre-reserved spot at the ZTO Express service outlet in Shiji Xindu and completed precise package delivery. In recent days, Chaohu's first batch of driverless courier vehicles has become a unique sight on the streets, officially ushering in a new era where intelligent connected vehicles provide convenient and efficient express services to citizens. Reporters learned from the Chaohu Municipal Transportation Bureau that the management of autonomous logistics vehicles currently follows national regulations. Unmanned vehicles in use in the Chaohu area must first obtain national usage permits for the relevant vehicles from the brand manufacturer. Only after joint approval by local industry and information technology departments and traffic management authorities can they be officially deployed. A responsible person at the Comprehensive Transportation Section at Chaohu City Transportation Bureau explained that autonomous logistics vehicles are carriers equipped with self-driving capabilities. They represent an entirely new form of transportation emerging from trends in the intelligent connected vehicle sector. Compared to traditional road vehicles, they exhibit significant structural differences, encompassing heavy-duty transporters, micro and lightweight carriers, and miniature delivery robots. Each distinct vehicle type must possess authorization certificates issued by relevant national authorities. Reporters also learned that the application of high technologies in the internet-connected automotive field will inevitably bring substantial changes to people's lives. Traditional logistics delivery models and consumer shopping patterns are being reshaped. With the accelerated advent of large-scale commercial use of unmanned delivery services, a smart delivery network characterized by broad coverage, mature mechanisms, and sustainable development will gradually take shape. Currently, autonomous delivery vans in Chaohu are poised to enter a new phase of sustained development. Following the launch of ZTO Express's autonomous delivery fleet, other logistics companies like SF Express and JD.com are set to follow suit. According to applications submitted by express delivery firms to the transportation authorities, it is expected that around late July, SF Express Group's Anhui Region Chaohu Area will initiate trial operations of its autonomous delivery vehicles in Chaohu's townships first. This move aims to open up new pathways for achieving comprehensive coverage of express logistics services in these areas, thereby providing robust support for logistics development in rural regions.

Source: Hefei Daily
whatsapp-image-2025-07-24-at-120239-pm-1-6881de36319bd ( Image credit : Hareli Festival Celebration )

Chhattisgarh is all set to celebrate its rich agrarian and cultural heritage with the vibrant Hareli festival at the Chief Ministers residence on July 24. Organised by the Department of Culture, the event will bring together traditional rituals, folk performances, and exhibitions that honour the states farming roots and tribal traditions.CM Vishnu Deo Sai will lead the ceremonial worship of agricultural tools  a core element of the Hareli celebration. The residence has been beautifully decorated with Chhattisgarhi floral arches, torans, and rural handicrafts, evoking the spirit of the monsoon and harvest season.The celebration will feature captivating folk dances like Gedi and Raut Nacha, devotional recitations of the Savanahi Ramayan, and joyful Sawan swings. A special exhibition of traditional and modern farm tools will also be on display, showcasing Chhattisgarhs evolving agricultural landscape.Families and children will be treated to interactive sessions with folk games and local art displays, turning the festival into an engaging cultural experience. CM Sai emphasized Hareli as a celebration of harmony with nature, tradition, and rural lifehighlighting the state governments commitment to preserving and promoting these values for future generations.The Hareli Mahotsav at the CMs residence aims to deepen public engagement with Chhattisgarhs rural identity, offering a blend of nostalgia, tradition, and modern awareness.
Where and how the crash happened

 Tragedy in Russias Amur Region:



An Antonov An-24 plane with 49 onboard has crashed near Tynda. Wreckage found 15 km awayno survivors reported.



 May the departed souls rest in peace.



 Prayers for the grieving families.#planecrashpic.twitter.com/IVt25OIp3v  Manni (@ThadhaniManish_) July 24, 2025

Details of the aircraft involved

Tragedy in Russia: PLANE CRASH CLAIMS 49 LIVES IN REMOTE FAR EAST



A twin-prop Antonov-24 airliner carrying 49 people crashed near Tynda, Russia, during a second landing attempt.



No survivors found. The aging aircraft vanished from radar before wreckage was spotted pic.twitter.com/tdV01nFwQ1  Info Room (@InfoR00M) July 24, 2025

Are Antonov aircraft still safe to fly?

2019 : An An-24RV veered off the runway at Nizhneangarsk Airport, killing two crew members.

: An An-24RV veered off the runway at Nizhneangarsk Airport, killing two crew members. 2011 : An Angara-operated An-24 crashed into the Ob River, killing seven passengers.

: An Angara-operated An-24 crashed into the Ob River, killing seven passengers. 2022: An Antonov An-12 cargo plane crashed near Kavala in Greece, killing all eight on board.

What happens next

A Soviet-era passenger aircraft operated by Angara Airlines crashed on Thursday, July 24, in Russias far east, claiming the lives of around 50 people on board. The Antonov An-24 went off radar about 16 km from its destination in the Amur region, just before it was to land in Tynda, a remote town near the China border. The wreckage was later spotted burning in a forested area. The tragedy has once again raised questions about the safety of ageing regional aircraft still in use across Russia.The flight had taken off from Blagoveshchensk and was en route to Tynda when it disappeared from radar screens. According to Russias emergency ministry, the wreckage was found on a slope 15 km from Tynda. The plane was destroyed, the ministry stated, as reported by Interfax news agency. Helicopter footage showed smoke rising from the crash site, located in a dense forest.Officials said there were 43 passengers on board, including five children, and six crew members. All are feared to have died. Regional governor Vasily Orlov said, All necessary forces and means have been deployed to search for the plane.A government commission has been formed to manage the aftermath, and a formal investigation into the crash has been launched. Early theories suggest either pilot error during landing in poor weather or a technical failure could be the reason behind the crash.The plane involved was a Soviet-made Antonov An-24 with a tail number indicating it was built in 1976. It originally flew under the Soviet national carrier Aeroflot before the USSRs collapse in 1991. It was currently being operated by Angara Airlines, a regional airline based in Irkutsk, Siberia.According to the RussianPlanes website, Angara has 10 An-24 aircraft in its fleet, all built between 1972 and 1976. The An-24, first flown in 1959, is designed for short- and medium-haul travel. It has a cruise speed of 420 km/h and a range of about 990 km.The crashed plane had recently passed a technical inspection, officials confirmed. However, Russias civil aviation authority told news agencies that this particular plane had been involved in four incidents since 2018, according to the BBC.The An-24 and other Antonov aircraft are often described as "flying tractors" due to their ability to function in tough Siberian conditions, including freezing temperatures and unpaved landing zones. But their safety record has long been questioned.Over 60 mishaps involving Antonov planes have been recorded since 2000. In 2021 alone, three such crashes were reported  two in Russia and one in Sudan. Other incidents include:The continued operation of such planes has become more difficult in recent years. Airline officials say that sanctions following the Russia-Ukraine conflict have made sourcing spare parts costlier and more challenging. Despite this, many regional airlines still rely on Antonovs due to the lack of modern alternatives.Authorities are currently investigating the crash to determine the exact cause. The Russian government has stated that all leads including mechanical failure and pilot error  are being explored.With nearly 1,000 passenger aircraft still flying in Russia, including many ageing Antonovs, the crash is likely to intensify scrutiny over the safety of older models and the cost-cutting pressures faced by regional airlines like Angara.For now, the tragedy stands as a grim reminder of the risks still associated with flying in remote and under-resourced parts of the country.
Google Pixel 10 Pro launch date in India

Google is officially showing the Pixel 10 already. Assuming this isn't a 10 Pro, looks like 3 cameras on the base phone is the main thing that's new. Otherwise... same design  pic.twitter.com/i3gF7Mshts  Marques Brownlee (@MKBHD) July 22, 2025

Google Pixel 10 Pro colour leaked

Google Pixel 10 Pro expected specifications

Google Pixel 10 Pro expected price

EUR 1,899

Rs. 1,90,000.

The Google Pixel 10 Pro is getting closer to launch, and weve now got a fresh leak revealing its early color lineup. A new mint color is joining the expected classics, and its looking sharp.As per the media invites circulated by Google, the launch date for the Google Pixel 10 isAt the Made by Google event on the same day, Google is anticipated to provide additional details about the phone, along with a range of other Pixel products such as new earbuds and watches.After disclosing images depicting the base Pixel 10s colour options and Googles official reveal, another leak has presented the remaining understated colours of the Pixel 10 Pro, featuring a Jade variant with gold accents.The Pixel 10 Pro seems to adhere to the same trend as last years Pixel 9 series, where the Pro tiers feature subdued and muted colours in contrast to the more vibrant options available on the base model.While Googles budget-friendly device comes in bright blue and yellow/green variants, the Pixel 10 Pro appears rather subdued in comparison, as shown in leaked renders from Android Headlines.These images showcase the Moonstone colour featured in Googles official teaser yesterday, along with slightly updated appearances for Obsidian and Porcelain.The most significant addition is Jade, featuring a light green (pistachio) glass colour, complemented by gold accents on the camera bar and device frame. It has resonated within the 9to5Google team and will surely be a highlight of this year's lineup.It is anticipated that Google will provide these four colours for the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL, while the Fold will be restricted to two options: Moonstone and Jade. At least its pleasing that Googles priciest device will feature the most distinctive shades from the collection.The Pixel 10 Pro is anticipated to include a 6.3-inch LTPO OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection, and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. The Pixel 10 Pro XL is expected to have a larger 6.8-inch LTPO OLED display with the same refresh rate, peak brightness, and protection.The Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL may include a 50MP main camera, a 48MP ultra-wide-angle camera, and a 48MP telephoto lens. A 42MP camera is anticipated on the front for selfies and video calls.It is rumoured that the Pixel 10 Pro will feature a 4,870mAh battery that supports 29W wired fast charging and 15W wireless and Qi2 wireless charging. In the meantime, the Pixel 10 Pro XL might come equipped with a 5,200mAh battery that supports 39W wired fast charging and 15W wireless charging.The 256GB model is rumored to cost, or around
The Devil Wears Prada 2 is officially in production, and just like the original, it's already turning heads. With Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt returning to the big screen, fans are buzzing. But in recent days, that buzz turned into full-on internet chaos thanks to viral photos suggesting Justin Bieber , Selena Gomez , and Hailey Bieber would make cameos in the upcoming sequel.

The rumour mill took off fastbut is any of it actually true? Let's find out.

Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, and Hailey Bieber's cameo in The Devil Wears Prada? Not quite!

Social media went into overdrive after fan accounts began sharing images of Justin, Hailey, and Selena styled in what appeared to be high-fashion, streetwear-forward looks, claiming they were snapped on the set of The Devil Wears Prada 2. The alleged cameos sparked everything from memes to think pieces, especially considering the trios very public history.

However, a closer look reveals that none of these images are actually from the movie setor even from the same time period.

Lets break it down:

Justin Bieber: The photo circulating of him in mechanic-core fashion isnt new. Its from March 2025, when he made a rare public appearance in a laid-back outfit that was widely discussed for marking a shift from his usual style. He was not linked to any movie filming at the time.

Justin Bieber spotted filming scenes for The Devil Wears Prada 2 in New York City today pic.twitter.com/PjZV7Q9S8K  em   (@jaileyverse) July 23, 2025

Selena Gomez: The viral shot of Selena in a layered, New York-chic look dates back to May 2025, during production for the latest season of Only Murders in the Building. That was part of her on-set wardrobe for the Hulu seriescompletely unrelated to The Devil Wears Prada 2.

selena gomez on the set of the devil wears prada 2 in new york city pic.twitter.com/FvIhCreUpg   (@americanreqiuem) July 23, 2025

Hailey Bieber: The image of Hailey in all-black leather is even olderits from 2022, when she was promoting her skincare brand Rhode in Los Angeles. That outfit was part of a press day, not a film shoot.

Hailey Bieber spotted filming scenes for The Devil Wears Prada 2 in New York City today! pic.twitter.com/t7lPikbkU2   (@JAILEYSWRLD) July 23, 2025

So, while the images were real, their context has been wildly misrepresented.

What is confirmed about The Devil Wears Prada 2?

The actual production of The Devil Wears Prada 2, a sequel to the 2000 cult classic, began on June 30, 2025, filming in both New York and Paris under the code name Cerulean, a stylish inside joke that long-time fans instantly picked up on. Meryl Streep is reprising her role as the icy fashion editor Miranda Priestly, while Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt return as Andy and Emily. Several photos of Anne Hathaway and clips of Meryl Streep shooting for the movie in NYC are going viral, and no, they are not fake.

New look at Anne Hathaway filming The Devil Wears Prada 2. https://t.co/b3KMxNfYY2  Pop Base (@PopBase) July 21, 2025

meryl streep as miranda priestly in 2025 everybody pic.twitter.com/e6RuxqBtpV  fritz (@womnenthusiast) July 23, 2025

Reports suggest the sequel will take on the modern fashion industry, with themes like influencer culture, social media, and fast fashion. As of now, no cameos have been confirmed by the studio.

The lore that fuelled the fire

The idea of Justin, Selena, and Hailey appearing in the same movie scene, especially one as iconic as The Devil Wears Prada, was enough to set social media ablaze, courtesy of their shared history.

For the unversed, Justin and Selena were the on-again-off-again pop power couple of the 2010s, before he married Hailey Baldwin in 2018. Since then, even the smallest headlines involving the trio spark renewed fan drama and endless speculation.

Selena, Justin, and Haileys history remains one of the most talked-about topic in modern pop culture.

Inserting them into a movie famous for its icy stares, career drama, and iconic fashion moments? Too good to be true and, for now, thats exactly what it is.

FAQs

Are Justin, Selena, and Hailey in The Devil Wears Prada 2?

No confirmed evidence. The viral images are misdated and unrelated to the film.

Were the images from the set of the movie?

No. Each photo was taken at separate times and locations, years apart in Haileys case.

Is The Devil Wears Prada 2 in production?

Yes, as of June 30, 2025, filming is under the code name Cerulean.

So unless the studio confirms a surprise cameo (and stranger things have happened in Hollywood), fans may have to settle for just the original Runway crew this time around. And honestly? Thats still groundbreaking.

For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Netflix is serving up something fresh for music fans this July. The new music-focused reality docuseries Hitmakers brings together some of the industrys top songwriters and producers in a high-pressure competition to create the next big hit. Its not just another reality show. This one blends music, creativity, and just enough behind-the-scenes chaos to keep things interesting.

Whether you're into chart-topping pop, curious about how a hit song is actually made, or just looking for a new binge-worthy series, Hitmakers might be worth adding to your list. And yes, theres a special surprise in store for BLACKPINK fans too.

Inside the World of Hitmakers

At the heart of Hitmakers are twelve producers and songwriters, including names like Tommy Brown, Harv, Jenna Andrews, and Trey Campbell. These artists arent here to singtheyre here to build magic from scratch. Over six episodes, they work in groups, brainstorm lyrics, create beats, and pitch finished songs for artists to record.

What sets this show apart is how real it feels. Youll see the pressure, the self-doubt, the clashing styles, and the moments of pure creative brilliance. Each episode dives into a different songwriting camp, and the goal is simple: make a track that could climb the charts.

BLACKPINKs Lisa makes a special appearance

BLACKPINK's Lisa will make a special cameo in Netflix's Hitmakers| Credit: X

Fans were quick to notice Lisa from BLACKPINK in the official trailer. Her appearance is brief but instantly eye-catching. Lisa isnt competing in the show, but she does show up as an artist during one of the camps, either reviewing songs or taking part in a session.

This isnt Lisas first time on Netflix; the platform previously hosted BLACKPINKs documentary, but this marks her first solo project feature. Its a big deal for BLINKs and adds another layer of global appeal to the series.

Reddit users were already speculating on her role, with one fan pointing out, Shes not just in the background. Theres something personal about her appearance here.

Hitmakers release date and time on Netflix

Hitmakers will premiere globally on Netflix on July 24, 2025. Like most Netflix originals, the show is expected to go live at midnight Pacific Time. Check out time for your region below:

United States (PT)  12:00 AM (midnight)

United States (ET)  3:00 AM

Canada (Toronto)  3:00 AM

United Kingdom (BST)  8:00 AM

Europe (Central European Summer Time - CEST)  9:00 AM

South Africa (SAST)  9:00 AM

United Arab Emirates (GST)  11:00 AM

India (IST)  12:30 PM

Thailand (ICT)  2:00 PM

Philippines / Malaysia / Singapore (PHT / MYT / SGT)  3:00 PM

South Korea / Japan (KST / JST)  4:00 PM

Australia (AEST)  5:00 PM

New Zealand (NZST)  7:00 PM

No matter where you are, just check your Netflix feed on the 24th, and the episodes should be ready to go. The whole season will be released at once, so you can binge it or pace yourself.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Jagdeep Dhankhar, who recently resigned as Vice President of India, is preparing to vacate the Vice President's bungalow, PTI reported on Wednesday. According to the report, the ex-vice president has begun packing up and is expected to vacate the vice president's enclave soon. Although public servants aren't required to reveal their exact asset values, media reports suggest that Dhankhar's total assets are estimated to be around Rs 8 crore. But let's find out more about his wealth, assets, and more.

On Monday, the Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar, resigned from his post, citing medical reasons. In his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, he mentioned that he was stepping down with immediate effect to 'prioritise his health.'

According to an official who told HT that shortly after Dhankhar submitted his resignation at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, the 74-year-old Dhankhar instructed his staff to begin packing up his belongings. The packing is still going on. And there is a sense of hurry, the official said.

Jagdeep Dhankar's net worth and assets

Back in 2018, former and late Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced a hike in the emoluments of the Vice President of India during his budget speech.

According to that announcement, the salary of India's vice president is Rs 4 lakh per month. Along with this, he or she gets various perks, including free accommodation, personal security, medical care, train and air travel, a landline connection, mobile phone service, and staff.

Moreover, following the retirement, "He or she shall be entitled to secretarial staff consisting of a private secretary, an additional private secretary, a Personal Assistant and two Peons and shall be paid actual charges incurred by him for the maintenance of such secretarial staff, as per the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Jagdeep Dhankhar Ex-Vice President of India CREDIT: PTI

Jagdeep Dhankhar's assets and background

Apart from Dhankhar's salary, his income sources could also include earnings from agricultural land, pension, and interest on bank deposits.

Dhankhar assumed office as Vice President on August 11, 2022, and resigned on 21st July 2025. He is the first vice president in India who resign mid-term. Before this position, he had been in distinguished careers, including:

A lawyer practising in the Supreme Court and the Rajasthan High Court

A Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from Jhunjhunu (19891991)

Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs (19901991)

Governor of West Bengal (July 2019July 2022)

Jagdeep Dhankhar will get 50 per cent of his salary as pension

According to the Vice President's Pension Act, 1997, after his exit, Dhankhar will be entitled to a pension that will be about 50 per cent of his salary, and along with this, he will get the provision of other facilities that will continue even after his resignation.

Where is Dhankhar currently residing?

In April last year, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, then 74, moved into his official residence at the newly constructed Vice President Enclave, a modern complex located on Church Road, just a short distance from the Parliament House, as per TOI.

This Enclave, which also houses the Vice President's office, is a key part of the ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project, aimed at reshaping the heart of Indias administrative capital.

He stayed at the VP Enclave for nearly 15 months before resigning from his post.

Where will he be shifted now?

Since Dhankhar is now the former vice president, he is entitled to a government bungalow. A PTI report noted that an Urban Development Ministry official said, "He (Dhankhar) will be offered a Type VIII bungalow in Lutyens' Delhi or another area."

Type VIII bungalows are typically assigned to senior union ministers or heads of national political parties.

FAQs

Q. What happens to his accommodation and salary benefits now?

Post-resignation, he vacates the VP Enclave within 30 days and will shift to a Type VIII government bungalow in Lutyens Delhi.

Q. What exactly prompted Dhankhar to resign, and was it officially accepted?

On July 21, 2025, Dhankhar submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, stating health concerns and the need to prioritise personal well-being under Article 67(a) of the Constitution.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner, best known for his role on The Cosby Show, has died at 54 after drowning in Costa Rica on Sunday, July 21. According to local authorities, Warner had been swimming with his 8-year-old daughter when they began to struggle against the oceans powerful currents. Nearby surfers noticed the distress and jumped in to help.

Lifeguards absent at dangerous beach where Malcolm-Jamal drowned | Credit: Instagram/malcolmjamalwar

Malcolm-Jamal Warners final moments unfolded in Costa Ricas treacherous waters

Lifeguard instructor Mike Geist, vice president of Caribbean Guard, told Us Weekly that Warner and a group had taken surf lessons earlier that day. Afterwards, Warner returned to the water with others, unaware of the intensifying sea conditions. Three people were successfully pulled out of danger, but Warner was still missing.

Lifeguards absent at dangerous beach where Malcolm-Jamal drowned | Credit: Instagram/malcolmjamalwar

A boogie boarder who had remained onshore went searching and, along with a doctor in the group, found Warner submerged. CPR was administered on the beach, but it was tragically unsuccessful. The official cause of death was ruled as asphyxia, a condition caused by the body not receiving enough oxygen.

Dangerous currents, no lifeguards were the reason behind Malcolm-Jamal Warners death?

Roger Sanz, president of the Chamber of Tourism and Commerce of the Southern Caribbean, confirmed the beach Warner was at is notorious for its dangerous waves and strong currents. While some hotels warn guests, many fail to provide adequate safety details. Sanz stressed that this knowledge gap can be fatal.

Lifeguards absent at dangerous beach where Malcolm-Jamal drowned | Credit: Instagram/malcolmjamalwar

Geist admitted that the Caribbean Guard team was not stationed at Playa Grande that day. The patrol had shifted to another beach due to a string of recent incidents. He shared the guilt felt by the team, stating that had they been there, Warners death might have been prevented.

A preventable tragedy sparks renewed pleas for support

Geist and other local officials are now urging for more funding and resources to keep beaches properly staffed and monitored. It is difficult to accept. We should have been there, Geist said, adding that Warners death is a devastating reminder of what is at stake.

Warner leaves behind his wife and daughter.
On July 24, 2025, the Seoul Central District Court held the highly anticipated third hearing in the courtroom showdown between K-pop girl group NewJeans, now rebranded as NJZ, and their label ADOR (now under HYBE). NJZ is seeking to terminate their exclusive contracts, alleging mistreatment and irreparable trust issues. ADOR, meanwhile, is fighting to maintain its management rights.



NewJeans' (NJZ) mental health claims

NJZ says trust is broken, members on medication due to ADOR stress| Credit: Instagram

NewJeans shared through their legal team that they no longer trust ADOR, claiming the agency has completely changed since HYBE took over from Min Hee-jin, who originally helped the group rise to success. They described feeling distressed even being near ADORs building and revealed that some members have started taking medication due to stress. Comparing their situation to a bullied person being forced to face their bully, NJZ also mentioned that the supportive staff they once relied on have left, and that ADOR no longer listens to them.

Hanni's CCTV footage sparks trust issues among NJZ ADOR denies wrongdoing

Adding to their concerns, NJZs legal team pointed to missing CCTV footage involving member Hanniwhile her entrance into the ADOR building was recorded, the footage of her leaving was absent. They argued this gap unfairly painted her as dishonest and showed the agencys failure to protect its artists. In response, ADORs legal team claimed the footage was automatically deleted after 30 days, calling it a standard procedure and not grounds to terminate a contract. Despite the ongoing legal conflict, reports suggest ADOR is still preparing for NewJeans comeback and insists its team is ready to support the group.

NJZ open to returning to ADORunder one condition

NewJeans want Min Hee Jin to return as ADOR CEO| Credit: X

What caught the most attention during the latest hearing was a surprising statement from NJZs legal team: the members are not completely against returning to ADOR. However, they made it clear that this would only be possible if the agency could return to how it was before the audit in April 2024. If that environment can't be restored, they said, the group would prefer to terminate the contract and move on.

NJZs legal team says group became collateral damage in HYBE-Min Hee Jin conflict

NJZs legal representatives argued that the groups ongoing legal conflict stems from HYBEs audit of former ADOR CEO Min Hee Jin in April 2024. They explained that although the core issue was an allegation of breach of duty, it was NewJeans who ended up bearing the brunt of the fallout.

This legal fight began because HYBE launched an audit against Min Hee Jin, accusing her of trying to seize control and take NewJeans, the team stated. But the audit found no such evidence, and police later confirmed she did not commit breach of duty. The group suffered the most during this entire process. They further claimed the audit and subsequent dismissal attempts were baseless and aimed at removing Min Hee Jin from power.

More about NewJeans vs ADOR drama

The dispute began in November 2024 when NJZ publicly terminated their contract and rebranded, citing broken trust, especially after Min Hee Jins dismissal as ADOR CEO. In October 2024, member Hanni testified before a parliamentary committee about workplace harassment.

Hanni testified before a parliamentary committee about workplace harassment| Credit: X

Despite ADOR gaining legal ground, NJZ has declined to appeal injunctions and remains on hiatus since their March ComplexCon Hong Kong performance.

For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here.
Our Generation Episode 19 online: Fans of the hit C-drama Our Generation can stream Episode 19 online today, July 25, 2025, at approximately 9:30 AM IST, as per the official schedule.

Our Generation is a drama about Cherry, who, grows up with her loving parents and childhood friends on a mountain construction site. When Jiang Qiao Xi transfers to their school, her warmth becomes a rare comfort in his otherwise lonely world.

Watch Our Generation on Netflix. Credit: X

Our Generation: Release date and time for Episode 19

Episode 19 air on Friday, July 25, 2025, and will go live around 9:30 AM IST. They will also be available for international viewers streaming on Netflix, offering English subtitles to make the series accessible to a global audience. The release times in other regions are as follows: Japan/Korea  1:00 PM KST/JST, China  12:00 PM CST, USA (West Coast)  9:00 PM PT (previous day), UK  4:00 AM GMT, Australia  2:00 PM AEST.

Where to Watch Our Generation Episode 19 Online?

Episode 19 is available to stream on Netflix, the main legal platforms offering high-quality video and English subtitles. For viewers in the U.S., Canada, India, Indonesia, and the UK, YOUKU, Netflix and Viki continues to be the top choices for watching the series.

Our Generation: Plot highlights of Episode 19

Lin Qile, lovingly called "Cherry" and played by Zhao Jinmai, is a cheerful and lively teenager from a picturesque mountain village. Her everyday routine takes a new direction when Jiang Qiaoxi - a reserved and talented student from the provincial capital, portrayed by Zhang Linghe - unexpectedly becomes part of her life.

Our Generation episode 19: Spoilers

Here are the spoilers for Episode 19 of the Korean series Our Generation based on the YouTube preview:

After Jiang Qiaoxi's sudden and unexplained disappearance, Lin Qi Le is left heartbroken and filled with unanswered questions. Unable to bear the silence any longer, she takes matters into her own hands and travels alone to Hong Kong, determined to find him.

Sensing her distress, Lin Qi Le's close friend and former classmate, Yu Qiao, offers to help. Loyal and concerned, he follows her to Hong Kong and manages to track down Jiang Qiaoxi's location. When they finally meet, it's not the emotional reunion Yu Qiao expected. Instead, he finds Jiang calmly sitting at a folding table on a rooftop, chatting with local construction workers under the soft glow of the city's skyline - calm, composed, and seemingly detached.

THISS!! he asked her to not forget him because that's the only thing keeping him sane. the fact that, while he is struggling all alone, there is someone who remembers his name and loves him.



 #OurGeneration #OurGenerationEp17 pic.twitter.com/fjSnrmC3rA  E |  (@usernotnaming) July 23, 2025

Surprised by the visit, Jiang asks Yu Qiao not to reveal his location to Lin Qi Le, claiming he's doing so for her protection. Despite his reluctance, Yu Qiao eventually leaves without helping Lin Qi Le reach him.

While she's in Hong Kong, she follows leads, asking questions, and using every connection she has until she finally discovers where Jiang Qiaoxi is staying. But when she arrives at his apartment, he isn't there. Exhausted and burning with fever, she waits outside.

When Jiang Qiaoxi returns home, he's stunned to find Lin Qi Le collapsed outside, curled up in the night air, visibly sick and fragile. Without hesitation, he lifts her into his arms. The elevator is out of reach, so he carries her up the stairs, her body limp, cheeks flushed with fever, and clothes stained from the ordeal.

Inside, his small, airless room offers little comfort. Just four square meters, with drawn curtains and no air conditioning. Gently, he lays her on the narrow bed, covers her with a blanket, and watches over her in silence, confused and overwhelmed by her sudden appearance.

Before this moment, Lin Qi Le had rehearsed everything she wanted to say - the anger, the betrayal, the pain. She had come to confront him, to demand the truth. But now, in her vulnerable state, lying in his bed and watched over by the man she came to find, the questions dissolve into silence.

As Jiang Qiaoxi remains by her side throughout the night, tending to her without a word, Lin Qi Le forgets her rehearsed confrontation. All that's left is quiet, shared sorrow - an unspoken connection between two people who had drifted too far apart, only to be brought back together by something neither could control.

Our Generation: Cast and Characters

Our Generation brings back the captivating duo of Zhang Linghe and Zhao Jinmai in a heartfelt tale of friendship, love, and finding oneself.

FAQs

1. When will Episode 19 of Revenged Love be released?

Answer: Our Generation Episode 19 will be released on July 24, 2025, and will air at 9:30 AM IST.

2. Where can I watch Episode 19 of Our Generation online?

Answer: Our Generation Episode 19 will be available for streaming on Netflix, the platform offering English subtitles.

3. Does Our Generation have English subtitles?

Answer: Yes, Our Generation is fully subtitled in English on Netflix, including Episode 19.

4. What is the plot of Episode 19 of Our Generation?

Answer: Our Generation Episode 19 continues to explore a heartfelt tale of friendship, love, and finding oneself.

5. Is Our Generation available on Netflix?

Answer: Yes, Our Generation is available on Netflix. The drama is also available on YOUKU and Viki.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
S Line Episodes 5-6 online: Fans of the hit K-drama S Line can stream Episodes 5-6 online today, July 25, 2025, at approximately 7:30 AM IST, as per the official schedule.

A haunting red line hovers above people's heads - linking them to everyone they've ever had sexual relations with. At the heart of this bizarre phenomenon is Han Ji Uk, a determined detective obsessed with uncovering the truth. Joining him are Lee Gyu Jin, an eccentric high school teacher with secrets of her own, and Sin Hyeon Hop, a student who has seen these red lines for as long as he can remember. As their fates collide, the trio is pulled deeper into a chilling mystery that threatens to unravel everything they thought they knew.



Lee Soo-hyuk in the hit K-drama S Line. Credit: X

S Line: Release date and time for Episodes 5-6

Episodes 5-6 airs on Friday, July 25, 2025, in South Korea and will go live around 11:00 PM KST, which means viewers in other time zones can expect the release at approximately 8:00 AM GMT in the UK and 7:30 AM IST in India on the same day. It will also be available for international viewers via streaming on Wavve which offers English subtitles to make the series accessible to a global audience.

Where to Watch S Line Episode 5-6 Online?

Episodes 5-6 is available to stream on Wavve, the main legal platforms offering high-quality video and English subtitles. For viewers in the U.S., Canada, India, Indonesia, and the UK, Wavve continues to be the top choices for watching the series.

S Line: Plot highlights of Episodes 5-6

Hyun-heup (A Rin) has a secret ability - she can see glowing red S Lines above people's heads, marking their past sexual relationships. With the help of a special pair of glasses, these lines become even more vivid, exposing hidden and unsettling connections among her classmates. But when a student named Seon-ah dies under mysterious circumstances, the intrigue turns deadly. Drawn into the darkness, Hyun-heup teams up with Detective Han Ji-wook (Lee Soo-hyuk) to uncover the truth lurking beneath the surface.

S Line episode 5-6: Spoilers

Here are the spoilers for Episodes 5-6 of the Korean series S Line based on the YouTube preview:

Detective Han Ji-wook is drawn into a harrowing rape case involving a minor who insists nothing ever happened. With no concrete evidence and only the red-line glasses to rely on, he's forced to trust the supernatural - pushing the boundaries of logic and law. But as the glasses fall into the wrong hands once more, their power threatens to be twisted for control, manipulation, and even murder.

He found it, he wore it, he shook himself to the core 



 #S #SLine episode 4 pic.twitter.com/WZrocW8MC8    (@flvffyberrie) July 20, 2025

As the red lines entangle deeper into each character's life, long-buried secrets surface, shaking identities and relationships to the core. All roads lead to a chilling climax - one that circles back to Hyun-heup's foretold destiny, ominously revealed in episode 6.

S Line: Cast and Characters

The latest Korean thriller S-Line features a unique and gripping premise, brought to life by a stellar cast that includes Lee Soo-hyuk, Lee Da-hee, and Arin in standout roles.

FAQs

1. When will Episodes 5-6 of S Line be released?

Answer: S Line Episodes 5-6 will be released on July 18, 2025, and will air at 7:30 AM IST.

2. Where can I watch Episodes 5-6 of S Line online?

Answer: S Line Episodes 5-6 will be available for streaming on Wavve, the platform offering English subtitles.

3. Does S Line have English subtitles?

Answer: Yes, S Line is fully subtitled in English on Wavve, including Episodes 5-6.

4. What is the plot of Episodes 5-6 of S Line?

Answer: S Line Episodes 5-6 continues to explore the eerie power of the red lines in exposing hidden secrets, intimate connections, and buried crimes.

5. Is S Line available on Netflix, Viki or Viu?

Answer: No, S Line is not available on Netflix, Viki or Viu as of now. The drama officially streams on Wavve.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Sydney Sweeney is officially that girl. From breakout roles to viral red carpet moments, shes mastered the art of going viral without even trying. Now, she's proving she's not just an internet favourite but a serious brand mover. Her new American Eagle campaign dropped this week, and, like clockwork, the internet went wild. Between the nostalgic denim looks, that signature Sydney smile, and just the right amount of Y2K energy, the campaign exploded across TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit. And as it turns out, everything Sydney touches really does turn to gold, including American Eagles stock price.

American Eagle stock sees major rally after Sydney Sweeney campaign.

After the campaign launch, American Eagle Outfitters (AEO) stock shot up over 6% during Wednesdays trading session, then soared more than 22% in after-hours trading. At one point, the stock was up as much as 25% in pre-market activity, erasing most of the brands year-to-date losses. According to Investing.com, the spike wasnt just retail hype, but a mix of short interest, Reddit buzz, and genuine excitement around the Sydney Sweeney campaign fuelled the surge. With more drops reportedly on the way, fans and investors are now watching AEs next moves closely.

The ad features the Anyone But You actress in a fitted tank top and classic blue jeans, crouched over a car as she pretends to fix it. She then strolls away with her back to the camera, the shot lingering on a close-up of her jeans, which is now seen as a not-so-subtle nod to early 2000s advertising tropes.

Sydney Sweeney for American Eagle's Fall 2025 campaign

pic.twitter.com/ps2oZjKSy1  cinesthetic. (@TheCinesthetic) July 23, 2025

Why Sydney Sweeney?

Dubbed the Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans campaign, it's American Eagles biggest investment to date. Featuring limited-edition denim pieces, including a signature Sydney Jean, the campaign elevates AEs core brand message while leveraging Sweeneys classically cool persona.

The push includes flashy OOH stunts like 3D billboards, Sphere displays in Las Vegas, and AI-powered virtual try-ons via Snapchat.

Sweeney brings the exact mix of laid-back confidence and early-2000s energy that Gen Z is eating up. The campaign taps into low-rise jeans, oversized denim jackets, baby tees, and that effortless cool vibe. Its nostalgic without trying too hard and current without feeling forced.

Reddit and TikTok give it the green light

What really pushed this into viral territory was the chatter on Reddit and TikTok. On Reddit, users in both fashion and stock subreddits started pointing out how effective the campaign was. Some even noted a rise in mall foot traffic. Meanwhile, TikTok is filled with people recreating Sweeneys looks or calling the campaign the first time AE has looked cool in years.

The campaign dropped just in time for back-to-school shopping. That timing, combined with Sweeneys popularity and a growing appetite for Y2K-inspired fashion, gave American Eagle exactly what it needed to stand out in a competitive market. It's a smart move that's paying off both on the sales floor and in the stock market.

Is the 'woke era' over?

As the campaign continues to go viral, its sparking more than just denim hauls and Sydney Sweeney fan edits. While many are calling her the new-gen bombshell, effortlessly bringing back that early-2000s charm, others are questioning what her image represents. Notably, the Euphoria star recently made headlines for teaming up with Dr. Squatch to sell soap that included her bath water.

Sydney Sweeney is single handedly taking down the woke ideology!



Full Power to you  https://t.co/Vnm7ecSqHU  Preetam Rao (@Preetam_M_Rao) July 24, 2025

Some social media users argue that by starring in a campaign so rooted in the male gaze, shes unintentionally pushing the progress of women in media and fashion a decade backwards. Several users pointed out that the aesthetic feels like a throwback to the era when women were used to sell products by simply posing beside them, often with a car in the background and little context, as they declare the 'woke era' is officially over.

For more news and updates from the world of celebrities from Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.


Tesla has finally arrived in India and has officially opened online reservations for its highly anticipated Model Y SUV in the country. Tesla fans and car enthusiasts who have been waiting for a long time can now book the Model Y. The electric luxury SUV is now available for booking across India at just Rs 22220. Let's explore its price, available variants, key features, and the steps to reserve one.

Tesla's entry into India gets a boost

After years of speculations and anticipations, Tesla is finally taking concrete steps to enter the Indian market. The Model Y is a sleek, all-electric compact SUV known for its impressive range, cutting-edge technology, and stellar performance.

The base price of the car is Rs 59.89 lakh (ex-showroom), which is a premium choice among EV customers. Along with this, there are two variants of it in India right now:

Rear Wheel Drive (RWD)

Long Range RWD

Why is Model Y a game-changer for India?

Range and performance: The Model Y offers an impressive WLTP driving range of 500 km on a full charge, perfect for India's urban and semi-urban commuting needs. It also accelerates from 0 to 100 km per hour in as little as 5.9 seconds (in Performance variants).

The Long Range RWD goes an extra mile with a range of 622 km and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. As well as its top speed is 201 km/h, further making it premium-oriented.

Cutting-edge technology: Tesla's renowned Autopilot system, minimalist interior design, and large touchscreen infotainment system redefine the driving experience.

Sustainability: With rising environmental concerns and the government's push for electric mobility, the Model Y aligns best with India's green vision.

According to Times Bull, customers can avail of this self-driving technology for an extra cost of Rs 6 lakh.

New Model Y is gorgeous pic.twitter.com/9fqLrwFekj  Tesla Newswire (@TeslaNewswire) July 22, 2025

Tesla's priority delivery locations

Currently, Tesla has announced that the deliveries will start in Phase 1 with priority cities including:

Mumbai

Pune

Delhi

Gurugram

The other cities will receive deliveries in the second phase.

Ways to book the Model Y in India

As the online bookings are now live on Tesla's official website. Byers must complete payment in two steps:

First, they need to reserve the car with a non-refundable Rs 22,220.

Second, a non-refundable Rs 300,000 within seven days.

Both prices include TCS (Tax Collected at Source).

Note: Please note that the booking amount is non-refundable in case of cancellation.

FAQs

Q. Will Tesla begin right-hand drive manufacturing in India?

Currently, the Model Y of Tesla cars is imported from Germany and Shanghai; there are no local manufacturing plans confirmed yet.

Q. What's the deal with full self-driving (FSD) in India?

FSD is offered as an optional Rs 6 lakh upgrade, but several advanced features, such as auto lane change, still await regulatory approval.
Lights, camera, Manila! Manny Jacinto brings Hollywood heat to the Philippines with Freakier Friday. The Filipino-Canadian star Manny Jacinto is heading back to his roots - but this time, he's arriving in full blockbuster style. On August 5, the actor will walk the red carpet at the Philippine premiere of Freakier Friday, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2003 hit Freaky Friday.

Set to take place at the Main Atrium of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, the event will see Jacinto making a special appearance that's sure to draw crowds and cameras alike. And for lucky fans? There's a chance to witness the spectacle in person - with details on how to attend expected to drop soon.

But who exactly is Manny Jacinto?

Born in Manila and raised in Canada, Jacinto rose to fame playing the lovable and clueless Jason Mendoza in the hit series The Good Place. He later took on more dramatic roles as Yao in Nine Perfect Strangers and Qimir in The Acolyte, further proving his range.

His growing Hollywood resume also includes Top Gun: Maverick, where he played pilot Fritz, and the English dub of Netflix's Trese, voicing Maliksi.

Manny Jacinto role in Freakier Friday

In Freakier Friday, Jacinto plays Eric, the fiance of Anna Coleman (Lindsay Lohan), one of the film's central characters. The sequel brings back both Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis as the iconic mother-daughter duo, Tess and Anna Coleman, who once famously swapped bodies after a mysterious fortune cookie incident.

Set years after the original, the new film explores yet another chaotic body-swap - this time involving four women: Anna, her daughter Harper (Julia Butters), her soon-to-be stepdaughter Lily (Sophia Hammons), and Tess.

Directed by Nisha Ganatra, Freakier Friday also features returning cast members Chad Michael Murray (Jake) and Ryan Malgarini (Harry), along with new faces like Never Have I Ever star Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and The Parent Trap's Elaine Hendrix.

With a fanbase growing across the globe and now a major Disney role under his belt, Jacinto's Manila visit is a full-circle moment - and Filipino fans will be watching.



For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
Who knew a $4 grocery store bag would become the fashion flex in a city with no Trader Joes in sight? Londoners are carrying the Trader Joes tote like it is Chanel. The cult-fave canvas bag, straight out of American suburbia, is now a full-blown obsession across the pond, and it is loud, proud, and everywhere.

Why everyone in London is flexing a Trader Joes tote? | Credit: Trader Joe's

From grocery grab to global it-girl energy of Trader Joes tote bag

Forget diamonds. A Trader Joes tote means you have been to America, and apparently, that is the vibe now. People in East London are treating it like a travel trophy. It screams: I have crossed the Atlantic. I eat frozen orange chicken. I know the TJs culture.

Why everyone in London is flexing a Trader Joes tote? | Credit: Trader Joe's

Londoners are stockpiling the bag like it is designer merch

Consultants, lawyers, influencers, they are all on it. Some Brits are making TJs stops a mission during their US trips just to hoard totes. One London-based guy even returned from New York with seven of them for his squad, and it was not about the price, it was about the brag.

Why everyone in London is flexing a Trader Joes tote? | Credit: Trader Joe's

Even British TikTokers are confused-yet-obsessed. One girl claimed she has seen more Trader Joes totes in London than back in the States. Another said she brings back 100 totes every time she visits LA because her London friends beg for them like they are luxury handbags.

Resale market? More like Trader Joes black market

Cant get to America? No problem. Vinted, the UKs fave resale app, is packed with listings. Some go for 10, others up to 27. People are reselling extras, and buyers are shelling out because, well, the American girlies have it and everyone wants in.

Why everyone in London is flexing a Trader Joes tote? | Credit: Trader Joe's

It is giving imported exclusivity. The scarcity of actual Trader Joes stores in Britain just makes the bag cooler.

Full-on Trader Joes takeover

Apart from being trendy AF, the tote is winning hearts for being big, sturdy and oddly stylish. Londoners are calling it their go-to bag for groceries, gym runs, weekend errands, basically, their entire personality.

Why everyone in London is flexing a Trader Joes tote? | Credit: Trader Joe's

And lets be real, who needs an overpriced logo tote when you can flex a $4 TJs bag and still look like a fashion icon?
In a bold step for environmental protection and national rights, the Greek government defies Ankaras objections and upholds European obligations in the Aegean and Ionian Seas.
National Executive Committee of the ruling All Progressives Congress has named Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development, Yilwatda Nentawe, as chairman of the party.

It was gathered that Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, who heads the Progressive Governors Forum, announced the motion at the ongoing 14th meeting of the Committee holding at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja on Thursday.

INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that the motion was also seconded by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas.

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Yilwatda was immediately sworn in thereafter.

The development was confirmed in a post shared by Special Adviser, Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, Bayo Onanuga via his X page on Thursday.

Onanuga described Yilwatda as a catalyst for change, bridge between technology, governance, and a beacon of hope for millions striving for a better future.

The statement reads: Humanitarian Minister Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda is the new chairman of the All Progressives Congress.

He was elected unanimously by the National Executive Committee of the party on Thursday.

Yilwatda replaces Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned for crucial private matters.

Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda is a distinguished academic, a visionary leader, and a passionate advocate for humanitarian and poverty reduction initiatives.

READ MORE: Despite Resignation As APC Chair Over Illhealth, FG Unveils Ganduje As FAAN Board Chair

Born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area, he hails from a lineage of service, being the son of the Late Rev. Toma Yilwatda.

From an early age, Prof. Yilwatda demonstrated a keen intellect and an unwavering commitment to excellence. He attended the prestigious Boys Secondary School, Gindiri, where he laid the foundation for a lifelong pursuit of knowledge.

His academic journey saw him obtain his first degree from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, followed by a masters degree from ATBU, Bauchi, and a doctorate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, specializing in Electronic and Computer Engineering.

As a scholar, Prof. Yilwatdas brilliance and dedication earned him a place at his alma mater, the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, where he served for over 26 years.

His expertise and leadership propelled him to the position of the Universitys pioneer Director of ICT, a role in which he led transformative digital reforms that automated key institutional processes.

His outstanding contributions earned him multiple accolades, including Best Staff of the Year and Best Director of the Year.

Beyond academia, Prof. Yilwatda has played a pivotal role in the digital transformation of Nigerias public and private sectors.

His consultancy work spans multinational organizations and global development partners such as the European Union, UNICEF, the World Bank, and TECHVILE USA.

His ability to merge technology with governance has made him a sought-after expert in digital innovation and policy development.

In 2017, his expertise and integrity led to his appointment as a Resident Electoral Commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

During his tenure, he championed groundbreaking reforms, including policy amendments to the Electoral Act, the development of voting frameworks for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and People Living with Disabilities (PWDs), and the deepening of technology in Nigerias electoral system.

In 2021, he courageously stepped down to pursue public service through elective office, contesting as the Plateau State gubernatorial candidate under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and serving as the Coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Organization in Plateau State during the 2023 General Elections.

These diverse experiences have equipped Prof. Yilwatda with an exceptional network spanning government, the private sector, and international development organizations.

His ability to build strategic collaborations has been instrumental in advancing policies that drive sustainable development and social impact.

Today, as Nigerias Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Prof. Yilwatda brings to the table a wealth of experience, innovation, and a deep sense of responsibility.

His appointment is a testament to his lifelong commitment to service, his passion for leveraging technology for good governance, and his unwavering dedication to uplifting the most vulnerable in society.

In addition to his ministerial role, he serves as a member of the Presidential Economic Management Team and Chairman of the Euro-African Dialogue on Migration and Development.

Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda is not just a leader, but he is a catalyst for change, a bridge between technology and governance, and a beacon of hope for millions striving for a better future.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced a shift in the date and venue of its national elective convention, now scheduled to hold in November 2025 in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The development was disclosed by the PDP National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, during the partys 101st National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Thursday.

The NEC has agreed that the national convention will now take place in November, and the new venue will be Ibadan.

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This decision was taken in the interest of wider consultations and to ensure maximum participation by stakeholders across the country, Ologunagba said.

Originally set for August in Kano State, the convention was moved to allow the party more time to consolidate on ongoing reconciliation efforts and prepare adequately for the 2027 general elections.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/07/pdp-must-shun-returnees-who-weakened-the-party-babangida-aliyu.html

Speaking at the meeting, Acting PDP National Chairman, Umar Iliya Damagum, addressed concerns over party members who left for the opposition coalition, saying many were already retracing their steps.

Those who left are returning. In fact, many of them are now openly admitting that they never truly left the PDP. They merely attended a few meetings out of frustration, he said.

Damagum dismissed the coalition as a failed political experiment, adding that the PDP remains the only truly national party with the structure, legacy, and vision to lead Nigeria forward.

He further declared, Only the PDP has the capacity to rescue Nigeria from the hardship brought by the APC-led administration.

The leadership also cautioned against accommodating political opportunists. We must be careful not to allow those who abandoned the party to waltz back in without accountability, one NEC member reportedly added during the closed-door session.
Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has said that Igbo men are not naturally suited for politics, attributing this to their deep intolerance for betrayal and political treachery.

Edochie made the statement during a recent interview with Afia TV, which was shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.

He argued that while politics often involves a high level of betrayal and compromise, the average Igbo man is not built to tolerate such behavior, making it difficult for them to thrive in the political space.

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READ MORE: Pete Edochie May Be Older, But I Started Acting Before Him  Yemi Solade

An Igbo man is not a good politician. And I will tell you why, Edochie said.

People who are used to politics or the treachery that characterised politics, can overlook a lot of things. But the Igbo man is not constituted to condole treachery a second time. If you hurt the Igbo man once in politics, he will never give you an opportunity to hurt him again. He will recoil himself. Thats the average Igbo man.

He added that this trait often leads Igbo politicians to sever ties with strategic allies after feeling betrayed, which ultimately affects their political relevance and progress.

The Igbo man is really not constituted to sustain political treachery. The moment you exhibit treachery in your involvement with an Igbo man, they cut you off. Thats it, he said.
Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, a prominent political figure in Abia State, has reaffirmed his commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dispelling speculation about his potential defection to another party.

Speaking on Wednesday, Igbokwe made the clarification after hosting Julius Abure, the National Chairman of the Labour Party, and Chinedum Orji, former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, who recently decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

I am still in PDP. If there are other intentions, I will make it public, but as of now, I am still consulting, Igbokwe stated, directly addressing the swirling rumours about his political future.

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His meetings with top political figures from rival parties had fueled speculation of a possible cross-carpeting, with many viewing it as a sign of imminent departure from the PDP.

However, Igbokwes latest declaration has, at least for now, calmed nerves within the party ranks.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/07/senator-abaribe-slams-gov-okpebholo-over-obi-visit-threat.html

He admitted that while consultations are ongoing, he remains a loyal PDP member and will continue to engage with leaders across political divides as part of his political strategy.

Politics is about engagement, and I have never hidden my commitment to dialogue and progress, he added.

Igbokwe further emphasised, I believe in the PDPs vision and mission. My loyalty remains with the party, and I have made no formal move to defect to any other platform. Any political movement I make will be transparent and in the best interest of the people I serve.

Reacting to suggestions that his recent engagements were signs of betrayal, he said: Its unfortunate that political engagement is now misunderstood as disloyalty.

I will continue to meet with stakeholders across the board because leadership is about building bridges, not burning them.
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Muhammed has warned against members of Peoples Democratic Party, who are aligning with new opposition coalition that adopted African Democratic Congress as its political platform.

Speaking on Wednesday at the PDP Stakeholders Conference in Abuja, Governor Bala insisted that no one can be a PDP member and in ADC at the same time.

The chairman of PDP Governors Forum said that the party can no longer take what he described as indiscipline, adding that the members have to choose only one place to stay.

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Governor Bala said: We cannot take indiscipline to a level where it becomes contagious.

If you are in PDP, you are in PDP. You cannot be in the PDP and be in the coalition or another party.

We cannot take this. Coalition is an aberration. Yes, I said it. You cannot belong to two places. You cannot be a hermaphrodite; you cannot be a man and a woman at the same time.

READ MORE: Four PDP Senators Defect To APC As Senate Majority Grows To 70

The party which has been embroiled in internal crisis for over two years now, saw its presidential candidate in 2023, Atiku Abubakar, resign from the party last week.

The former vice president stated that his decision was due to irreconcilable differences that have emerged within the former ruling party.

Following Atikus defection, other stakeholders from PDP, such as former senate president, David Mark, founder of Oviation Magazine, Dele Momodu and others have joined the coalition group.
A Federal High Court in Lagos has awarded N10 million in damages against Nigeria Police Force for violating rights of #EndSARS protesters during a memorial rally in 2024.

Recall that some officers of the Lagos State Police Command arrested 20 demonstrators at the site and detained them in a police van for several hours before releasing them without charge.

In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Musa Kakaki held that police breached the fundamental rights of the protesters who gathered at Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2024, to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS demonstrations.

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READ MORE: Irresponsible Protests Started With #EndSARS In 2020  Aide Bwala

The suit, filed as a fundamental rights enforcement action, was instituted by 22 individuals alongside three civic organisations, Education Rights Campaign, Take It Back Movement, and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights.

The protesters who filed the suit include Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, Osugba Blessing, Kayode Agbaje, Michael Adedeji, Jennifer Rita Obiora, Orunsola Oluremi, Seyi Akinde, Akin Okunowon, Ugochukwu Prince, Aisha Omolara, Thomas Abiodun Olamide, Ogbu Obinna Ferdinald, Aghedo Kehinde Stephen, Duroonike Olawale, Isaac Obasi, Funmilayo Jolade Ajayi, and Afeez Suleiman.
Labour Party faction led by Senator Nenadi Usman has cautioned the partys 2023 Vice Presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, against undermining the authority of the Supreme Court judgment that had resolved the partys leadership tussle.

On Wednesday, the Senior Special Adviser on Media to the Interim National Chairman, issued a statement in Abuja, reacting to Baba-Ahmeds public recognition of Julius Abure as the National Chairman during a recent event.

According to Asogwa, the issue of the partys leadership was conclusively settled by the Supreme Court, which nullified any claim Abure had to the position of National Chairman and instead affirmed Nenadi Usmans leadership.

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It is imperative to state that the leadership question within the Labour Party has been conclusively settled by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Asogwa stated.

READ MORE;https://www.informationng.com/2025/07/wafcon-oluremi-tinubu-hails-super-falcons-over-south-africa-victory.html

He expressed concern over Baba-Ahmeds presence at a meeting convened by the Abure-led faction, warning that such actions contradict the courts ruling and could deepen internal divisions.

The unambiguous judgment of the Supreme Court effectively nullified any claim Abure might be laying to the office of National Chairman of the party, Asogwa emphasized.

It also upheld her Usmans leadership as the appellant in the said matter and upon whose appeal all reliefs sought were granted.

He urged party members to remain calm and loyal, adding, The leadership is committed to reaching out to all aggrieved members in the interest of lasting reconciliation and progress.
Chairman of All Progressives Congress, Nentawe Yilwatda, expressed confidence in the ruling party, saying that opposition groups are nothing to worry about.

The former humanitarian affairs minister said that all members of the opposition parties have failed in post-2023 off-season governorship polls in Edo, Ondo, Kogi and Imo states.

Yilwadta, while speaking on Channels Television after he was announced as Chairman of the party, said that he would invest in legwork to bring more governors from the Peoples Democratic Party and other opposition parties to join the APC.

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He said: There is no opposition for now. Zero fears.

Why is it that all the by-elections in the last two years were all won by the APC and in landslide victories, in most cases?

My job is to unite the party, (and) to expand the party. We have 23 governors and we are still counting. My job is to bring in more. We would do legwork and bring in more.

Im a politician coming in with private sector experience, university experience, administrative experience, election processes experience and now with the political experience to gear the wheel of the party.

READ MORE: Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Yilwatda Emerges APC National Chairman

Speaking over APCs efforts in bringing former governor and f Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso into the ruling party, Yilwadta noted that the partys doors are open for him.

He said: When everybodys time is due, it will manifest itself. Just give people more time and you will see, people, on their own, will begin to see the manifesto of the party, the performance of the government, and the tough decisions the president has taken.

If you are a governor and you discover that, in the last month, the governments revenue increased by over 40 per cent, and steadily, wouldnt you want that government to be sustained?

See Video Here: https://www.facebook.com/channelsforum/videos/1281870300019942/?app=fbl
A 38-year-old man, Basiru Yusheu, has been arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Jigawa State for allegedly vandalising the iron wire of a bridge in Bakin Gada, Auyo Local Government Area.

Badruddeen Tijjani, the Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC Jigawa State Command, disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Dutse, the state capital.

The statement said, The arrest was made on Friday, July 18, 2025, following a distress call received by NSCDC operatives.

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READ MORE: Fatal Truck Accident Claims Two Lives In Ogun

The statement revealed that the suspect was nabbed while making efforts to sell the dismantled iron materials, following a prompt intervention by NSCDC personnel.

This shows the effectiveness of the Corps surveillance and response mechanism, the statement partly read.

Tijjani stated that during the investigation, the suspect admitted to the offence, explaining that he was fishing when he spotted the cable, cut it using a metal hand saw, hid it temporarily, and later transported it to the scrap market for sale.

The suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation, he noted.

The NSCDC Command described the act as a significant threat to public safety and a setback to infrastructure development.

Nevertheless, the command cautioned that anyone involved in acts of vandalism should immediately stop, warning that violators will be dealt with according to the law.

The statement also quoted the NSCDC Jigawa State Commandant, Bala Bodinga, as commending the operatives for their swift action, while emphasizing the corps unwavering commitment to securing critical national assets and infrastructure within the state.

He noted that such cooperation would enhance the Corps efforts in preventing vandalism and curbing other criminal activities.

Furthermore, the Jigawa NSCDC stressed its determination to take decisive action against vandals, warning that vandalism is a serious crime that can have far-reaching consequences for the economy and public safety.

The command also called on the public to remain watchful and share any relevant information about suspicious activities with the Corps, stressing that such collaboration is vital to securing lives and property across Jigawa State.
Ex-Niger Governor, Dr. Babangida Aliyu, has cautioned the PDP against reabsorbing defectors, labelling them nomadic politicians whose frequent cross-carpeting has weakened the party.

Aliyu made this statement on Wednesday, at a PDP Consultative Conference held in Abuja. He cautioned the party leadership to learn from the past and avoid repeating mistakes that contributed to PDPs internal crises, especially in the lead-up to the 2015 and 2019 general elections.

He recalled how, during the partys Port Harcourt convention, many of the candidates that emerged were individuals with a history of switching parties.

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READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/07/four-pdp-senators-defect-to-apc-as-senate-majority-grows-to-70.html

Both the chairman and the chairman of the governors forum have been very diplomatic and saying come back, come back.

No, you dont invite nomadic politicians back to your party. These were people with a history of nomadism, he said.

Aliyu, a founding member of the PDP, stressed that many of the partys problems, especially from 2013 to 2014, stemmed from a lack of internal discipline and the promotion of personal ambition over collective progress.

We cannot keep on, knowing that the black sheep in the family keeps on destroying whatever we are building. And then you say, come back. In fact, the most shocking time period was 2019, he added.

He advocated for a firm stance in favour of party loyalists and long-standing members, reminding stakeholders that the PDP constitution clearly states that returnees must join the queue.

We must focus on real, principled politics even if it doesnt immediately lead to victory, he concluded.
Veteran actor Yemi Solade has opened up about his early start in the film industry, claiming he began acting professionally before popular Nollywood legend, Pete Edochie.

During a recent appearance on Fathers Path with Tope, posted on X on Wednesday, Solade explained that while Edochie is older by age, he (Solade) started acting first.

Im senior to Pete Edochie. I started acting before him, though hes older than me. I was 17 in 1977 when I represented Nigeria as the youngest actor, and Ive done 48 years in the industry and still standing, he said.

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READ MORE: Yemi Alade Accommodated Me When I Had Nowhere To Sleep  Nancy Isime

Solade went on to speak about the overlooked history of the Yoruba film industry. According to him, the Yoruba sector had already established a filmmaking structure before Nollywood became known nationwide  but the lack of documentation allowed others to claim the credit.

My people in the Yoruba setting didnt document anything; that was why the other people in the industry just stepped in to say they started it. Hey shut up; when people like us are here, we will let you know you didnt start anything, he said.

He pointed out that the Yoruba filmmakers were already shooting performances, using camcorders and distributing the recordings through cassette sales in local shops.

So, you as a shop owner, would introduce the cassette for people to buy; it all started like that, he added.

Solade also highlighted the role of Yoruba pioneers like Hubert Ogunde, Baba Sala, Ade Afolayan, and Dr. Ola Balogun. He further credited Ade Ajiboye, known as Big Abass, as the producer of the first home video in Nigeria.

Reflecting on that era, he noted that Yoruba creatives were already making films on celluloid and experimenting with home videos before the broader industry caught on.

We had film, the celluloid and everything Even when home video was starting, it was just an experiment, he said.

He added that veterans like Adebayo Salami and Jide Kosoko are still around today and can testify to how the Yoruba film industry laid the foundation long before Nollywood became widely recognized.
The Nigerian Senate has called on the Federal Government to immortalise the late former President, Muhammadu Buhari, by naming a national monument after him in recognition of his service to the nation.

The call was made during plenary on Wednesday, following a motion moved by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele. He praised Buharis lifelong dedication to Nigeria, highlighting his rise as a military general and his eventual service as a two-term democratic President.

As I move this motion today, I am reminded of the transient nature of human life, Bamidele said.

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However, our consolation is that our former President led a successful and fulfilled life, both as a gallant soldier who rose to the peak of his military career, and as a democrat who served two uninterrupted terms as President.

READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/07/just-one-word-and-youre-crying-okpebholo-taunts-obis-supporters.html

Bamidele recalled Buharis political resilience, citing his presidential bids in 2003, 2007, and 2011, before his eventual victory in 2015 and re-election in 2019 under the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Senator Abdulaziz Yari (APC, Zamfara) described Buhari as a man of integrity, incorruptible and God-fearing, while Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa) added, Buharis unique legacy lies in the fact that he served both as a military Head of State and a democratically elected President that is no small feat.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio said, The nation will continue to miss Buhari for years to come. His legacy will guide and inspire future generations.

He added, We must ensure his name is not only remembered but permanently etched in national history.

The Senate observed a minutes silence and suspended sitting for a week in his honour.
Lawmaker representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has warned Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, over his recent statement on former presidential candidate of Labour Party.

Senator Abaribe said that Okpebholo lacks the constitutional authority to restrict the movement of Mr. Obi.

Recall that the Edo State Governor last week, warned the former governor of Anambra State not to come to the state again without security clearance.

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Reacting to the development, Senator Abaribe, who is the Chairman of South East senate caucus, described the statement by Okpebholo as a direct affront to Nigerias unity and a violation of the 1999 constitution.

In a statement on Wednesday by his media adviser, Uchenna Awom, the lawmaker said that such threats from a sitting governor were unfortunate and dangerous to Nigeria democracy.

He said: It is disheartening that leaders who are supposedly the custodians of the constitution would willingly lead its denigration in the name of politics.

READ MORE: Edo Govt Calls For Unity, Says Okpebholos Warning Not An Attack On Peter Obi

Nigeria is governed by laws. Governors across the country subscribed to these laws and are bound to respect the rule of law as enshrined in the constitution.

That is a dangerous threat to life that the authorities should not gloss over.

It is very unfortunate that it seems our dear country is fast descending into lawlessness with this mindset, and I pray that nothing happens to Mr Peter Obi.

The beauty of democracy lies in the freedom to hold divergent views and to move freely across the federation, including Edo state.
No fewer than three teenagers have drowned in a river located at Jinkiri Village of Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi State.

It was gathered that the unfortunate incident occurred around 1pm on Tuesday when the boys, including some residents of Durum Village, were swimming after engaging in mining activities nearby the town.

In a statement on Wednesday by Spokesman for the state police command, Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, identified the victims as Habibu Mohammed, aged 16; Abubakar Mohammed,16; and Zailani Sule, 14.

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Wakil noted that the victims were examined and confirmed dead at the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi, before being released to their families for burial in accordance with Islamic rites.

READ MORE: Kano Fire Service Recovers Lifeless Body Of Man From Dry Well

He said: A recent incident in Jinkiri Village, Tirwun Ward, Bauchi Local Government Area, has led to the tragic loss of three teenagers: Habibu Mohammed m, aged 16 years; Abubakar Mohammed m, aged 16 years; and Zailani Sule m, aged 14 years, residents of Durum Village.

The young teenagers unfortunately lost their lives after an accident while swimming in a nearby river.

The preliminary investigation indicates that the teenagers had been engaged in mining activities before deciding to swim in the river.

In light of this heartbreaking situation, the Nigeria Police Force Bauchi State Command under the able leadership of the Commissioner of Police CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu expresses its deepest condolences to the families affected and underscores the critical need for heightened safety awareness during water activities, especially during inclement weather.
Former presidential candidate of New Nigerian Peoples Party, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has criticised President Bola Tinubus administration for what he described as neglect of northern part of the country.

Mr. Kwankwaso accused Federal Government of diverting national resources to develop southern Nigeria where the president hails from.

The former governor of Kano State led this out on Thursday at the Kano State Stakeholders Dialogue on 2025 Constitutional Amendment.

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Kwankwaso said that most roads in the northern region remained in deplorable condition, whilst Tinubus government continued to allocate lump budgetary allocations for infrastructural development in the southern region.

He said: Let me advise the Federal Government on the distribution of federal resources.

From the information available to us, its like most of the national budget is now tilting in one direction in this country.

READ MORE: Gandujes Exit: Our Door Is Open For Kwankwaso Again  APC

Let me advise those who are struggling by all means to take everything to remember that some of the issues that we have in this part of the country today have to do with the lack of enough resources and mismanagement of the little that comes in.

That is why we have insecurity, we have poverty and so on. It is happening here mainly, but like a desert, it would go everywhere.

Yesterday, I was to come by air, but unfortunately, my airline decided to shift our takeoff from 3pm to 8pm. I had to come by road.

From Abuja to Kaduna to Kano was a hell. Terrible. Very bad road. This is a road started many years ago, right from the beginning of the leadership of the APC.

Now, we are told that there is a road from the South to the East. We support infrastructure anywhere in this country, and any other thing that is good for the masses but a situation where government is taking our resources and dumping it in one part of the country and other parts of the country are left just like that, I dont believe that is the right thing to do by the government itself.

See Video Here: https://www.facebook.com/guardianng/videos/1476273316998390/
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has charged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to move forward with plans to construct a befitting and permanent national secretariat in Abuja.

The directive was issued during the APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Thursday, where Tinubu emphasised the importance of institutionalizing the partys presence in the nations capital.

In his words: The Governors are here, 23 of them, to help identify with the Minister of the FCT, and we should put a committee together for progressive governors to find an appropriate land and build a befitting secretariat.

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READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/07/2027-tinubus-silence-on-alleged-plan-to-replace-shettima-as-vp-is-troubling-baba-ahmed.html

I believe that hesitation the motion and suggestion is carried, we have foreseen the need for this for a long time and now is the time to act.

With that declaration, the president effectively set the ball rolling for what is expected to become the APCs most significant infrastructural project since assuming power.

By involving APC governors, the National Working Committee, and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, Tinubu signaled a unified approach and stressed the urgency of moving beyond temporary offices to a lasting, dignified structure.
(USE AS DESIRED) The ceiling and audience in Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center before a Philly POPS Christmas concert by the Philly POPS Dec. 10, 2021. Read more

The former Philly Pops and the organization that runs the Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center have agreed to settle litigation launched at the time the Pops ceased operations, the two groups announced Thursday.

The dispute dates to 2023, when the Pops, one of the Kimmel Centers original resident companies, was evicted from the center. Encore Series, Inc., the Pops parent organization, filed an antitrust lawsuit against the Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center, Inc. in April 2023 claiming that POKC was seeking to eliminate the Philly Pops as a competitor in and monopolize the market for live symphonic popular concert music.

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The 2023 suit also named POKC then-president and CEO Matias Tarnopolsky as a defendant, accusing him of attempt[ing] to redirect grant monies previously earmarked for the Philly Pops to the Philadelphia Orchestra.

POKC denied the allegations, and, citing back rent and other debts owed to it by the Pops, said the group was trying to force its way back into the Kimmel. In a response at the time, POKC alleged that the Pops was using a false media narrative to distract from problems of its own making.

On Thursday, neither side would comment, or respond to requests for comment, on details of the settlement, but in a joint statement the groups said that they had agreed to end the litigation initiated by Encore. Encore wants to make clear that POKC did nothing wrong and is not responsible for Encores debts or obligations.

Thursdays joint statement said that ESI regrets that the lawsuit and related statements made by its previous representatives, and repeated to the press, led to unwarranted accusations directed to POKC and its leadership.

In the statement, the orchestra/Kimmel organization also distanced itself from obligations to ticket holders who purchased tickets to Philly Pops shows that were scheduled but ultimately not performed.

Encore alone announced its intention to perform several concerts in early 2023 at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. POKC and its leadership were not responsible for Encores announcements or ticket refunds for those concerts. Ticket revenue and obligations are solely owned by Encore for Philly Pops concerts. POKC does not bear any responsibility for providing refunds to patrons who bought tickets to Encore-promoted shows.

ESI shut down, and the Philly Pops musicians organized their own ensemble, the No Name Pops, which then was gifted a new name from the family of renowned pianist and conductor Peter Nero, the groups founding music director.

The reconstituted group performed its first concert July 3 under its new name: the Philly Pops.
Lead Teacher Megan Shirley (right) works with her students at the Kinder Academy in Philadelphia on April 4, 2024. This week, childcare providers and business leaders across the Pennsylvania held a news conference asking state lawmakers to pass the budget with $55 million to support the industry's staffing shortage. Read more

When Laura Manions oldest son was born in 2022, she couldnt find childcare. So she brought little Nolan to the office with her, taking calls with him on her lap or in a Pack n Play across the room.

Most parents who struggle to find childcare arent able to take their child to work, said Manion, president and CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry. I was lucky.

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This experience motivated Manion to advocate for improvements to Pennsylvanias childcare system. On Wednesday, she spoke via Zoom at a news conference of chambers of commerce representatives, childcare center directors, and business leaders, who are pressing the commonwealth to pass a budget that includes $55 million for childcare worker recruitment and retention.

Providers say they want to increase worker pay, allowing childcare centers to compete with retailers and other employers, without upping the already-high cost of enrollment for families.

Its a measure that Gov. Josh Shapiro has proposed, but the politically divided legislature has yet to strike a budget deal, blowing past its late June deadline.

Proponents of the childcare investment said the money would help fill at least 3,000 vacant childcare jobs across the state, creating space for 25,000 more children to receive care. Those numbers are based on a September 2024 survey of 1,014 Pennsylvania childcare providers that was conducted by Start Strong PA, which advocates for high-quality early learning.

This isnt just a family issue, said Samantha Chivinski, executive vice president of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce. This is an economic emergency for our communities and our state.

 READ MORE: Childcare costs more than a mortgage per kid, forcing Philly parents to make tough choices

Childcare is infrastructure like roads and broadband, said Manion, who has since found childcare, paying $35,000 a year for two sons under the age of 3. When childcare fails, businesses fail.

For years, safe, reliable childcare has become costlier and more scarce. In the Philadelphia region, sending two children to daycare can easily cost more than a familys monthly rent or mortgage payment.

And thats if a family can get a spot: We would have had to have signed up on a wait list before I knew even that I was pregnant, one local mother told The Inquirer last spring, recounting her experience looking for daycare.

Providers and industry experts say staffing shortages have led to longer waitlists and fewer classes and caused some facilities to close entirely. The crisis was exacerbated by the pandemic and fluctuations in funding.

Childcare workers are among the most in-demand and lowest-paid employees in the state. Last year, they earned just over $15 an hour on average, according to Pennsylvanias Independent Fiscal Office, which provides objective economic analysis for residents and policymakers.

 READ MORE: Childcare staff often make less money than retail workers. Thats causing staff shortages and long waitlists at daycares

In early childhood education, teachers, our most critical workforce, are in poverty wages, said Nicole Fetherman, executive director for LifeSpan School and Day Care, which serves 800 children in Bucks, Montgomery, and Lehigh Counties. Our teachers earn less than cashiers at Sheetz or Target, and those jobs require much less specialized skill and have far less responsibility.

Brie Rice, program specialist at JBs Bright Beginnings, said her Westmoreland County center could care for 350 children, but has only 120 students. They have had to close multiple rooms, downsize programs, and turn away families.

There are over 200 students that we could be supporting and learning and growing and preparing for kindergarten if we had more staff available, Rice said.

As a teacher and parent at CrossPoint Early Learning Center in Dauphin County, Megan Gherrity said she knows both sides of the childcare struggle.

As a parent, she feels gratitude for how the facility has shaped her 4- and 6-year-old children and has seen how staff shortages can cause detrimental ripple effects, including missed work shifts. As a teacher, she has struggled with how to make ends meet.

I didnt become a teacher to get rich, she said. I knew going in that I wasnt going to. I did it because I love it and I believe in the magic. The way a childs eyes light up when they learn how to write their name, or when they come to school and smile that big smile at you or give you a big hug.

But that magic doesnt pay my rent, she said, nor will it cover everyones health insurance.
Charles Fulforth (left) and Kelvin Roberts are escorted out a courtroom in the Montgomery County Justice Center. The two men are on trial for murder and related charges in connection to a fatal home invasion in Lower Merion last year. Read more

After four hours of deliberation Thursday, a Montgomery County jury convicted two men of first-degree murder and related crimes for killing a Lower Merion man and grievously wounding his mother in what prosecutors described as an act of unfathomable evil.

The verdict against Charles Fulforth, 41, and Kelvin Roberts, 42, came after four days of testimony, including Bernadette Gaudios emotional recounting of the middle-of-the-night break-in and shooting that left her paralyzed from the neck down and her son Andrew, 25, dead.

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The two men forced their way into the familys home in December while looking for a cache of guns to steal. They were targeting a home with a similar address in Bucks County, which they had learned of through a junk-hauling business they worked for.

In addition to the murder charges, Fulforth and Roberts were also found guilty of attempted murder, robbery, and burglary.

Roberts attorney, Frank Genovese, said his client was disappointed with the verdict, and has expressed remorse for what happened to the Gaudios. Fulforths attorney, Brooks Thompson, declined to comment.

Earlier Thursday, in their closing arguments, the lawyers told jurors that prosecutors had failed to prove the two men plotted to murder anyone that night when they broke into the Gaudios home.

But First Assistant District Attorney Ed McCann scoffed at that explanation, saying their intentions were abundantly clear. He urged the jury to convict them of first-degree murder.

What you would have to believe to find them not guilty would be the most implausible explanation, McCann said. Youd have to ignore every piece of evidence in this case.

The men plotted the burglary over text, and rode together to Lower Merion.

Forensic evidence showed one of the men shot Bernadette Gaudio in the neck, shattering her spinal cord. When her younger son went to confront her attackers armed with only the love for his mother in his heart, another gunman shot him multiple times, McCann said.

In an emotional statement after the verdict was read, Robert Gaudio, with his mother at his side, thanked prosecutors for their dogged work in bringing his brothers killers to justice.

The events that night in December ended in the needless killing of a beloved son, brother, and friend to many, Gaudio said. Andrew was a bright light in so many peoples lives, a man who in his final moments was braver than we all could have imagined.

McCann, the prosecutor, called the killing one of the most awful murders hes prosecuted in his career: Two totally innocent people targeted while they slept.

Footage taken from a Ring doorbell camera near a West Philadelphia home the gunmen fled to after the shooting recorded Fulforth describing shooting Andrew Gaudio as he lay prone on the ground. In that same video, played in court, Roberts consoles Fulforth, telling him he had to shoot the 25-year-old to prevent him from getting up.

Imagine how cold-blooded you have to be to stand over an unarmed 25-year-old and put a round in the back of his head, McCann said. This didnt leave a mark on them. They were not affected by this at all.

Hours later, Roberts texted Fulforth in a panic, telling him that the police wanted to speak with his girlfriend and that his picture had been published in news reports about the killing. He asked Fulforth for money to help him flee to Jamaica, but Fulforth said he was struggling to sell jewelry he had acquired, much of which had turned out to be fake.

McCann, the prosecutor, said the context was clear: Fulforth was referring to Bernadette Gaudios jewelry, which Fulforth had stolen, along with her jewelry box, on the night of the burglary. That box was later discovered in the home in West Philadelphia where Roberts was living.

Genovese, Roberts attorney, conceded that his client agreed to help Fulforth steal a safe he was told would be in the homes basement. But Genovese said Fulforth, who arrived at the scene wearing a bulletproof vest, changed that plan when things went wrong. He, Genovese said, seemed the more likely murderer.

If anything, the evidence shows that Mr. Fulforth realized this was the wrong house and there was nothing in that basement, Genovese said. And he decided to go to the second floor to get something out of this.

Genovese said Roberts fled the scene, leaving Fulforth high and dry without a vehicle, when Fulforth confronted the Gaudios. He reminded jurors that Fulforth had access to 3D printers and had the 3D-printed 9mm handgun used to kill Andrew Gaudio in his possession when he was arrested.

But Thompson, Fulforths attorney, rejected both prosecutors and Genoveses theories of the case, saying the evidence left behind in that home was anything but clear. And he suggested a third, unidentified gunman was inside the house that night, given that three different guns were fired inside.

Thompson noted that the gun safe his client planned to steal weighed over 800 pounds  far too heavy for just two people to carry on their own. He also cast doubt on Bernadette Gaudios testimony describing the man who shot her, saying that she initially told police she did not see her attacker, or the person who killed her son.

Thompson also noted that Fulforths DNA was not found in the Gaudios stolen Jeep, the vehicle that prosecutors say he fled in after being abandoned by Roberts.

McCann told jurors the key fob for that Jeep was found in Fulforths apartment when he was arrested.

Its accountability time, McCann said to the two defendants, addressing them directly. You dont have your guns, you dont have your bulletproof vest, you dont have your tools.

They know who you are and what you did.
A corrections officer who pepper sprayed an injured inmate and denied him access to medical treatment inside Philadelphias Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility was sentenced Thursday to five years in federal prison.

U.S. District Judge Juan R. Sanchez said the officer, Ivory Cousins, failed miserably in her duty to protect the inmate  and that to this day, he remained confused about why Cousins had committed those offenses.

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Im still dumbfounded, Sanchez said when delivering the sentence. Theres no explanation as to why this happened  You were a sworn correctional officer who was properly trained.

A jury found Cousins, 36, of West Deptford, New Jersey, guilty in April on three counts of depriving an inmates rights and one count of falsifying a report in an attempt to cover up her conduct during the 2019 incident.

Cousins was charged last summer. Prosecutors accused her of refusing to offer medical treatment to inmate Demetrius Jones as he lay bleeding in his cell after being beaten and robbed by a group of other prisoners.

Prosecutors said it was Cousins who unlocked Jones cell door and allowed the men inside.

The beating left Jones, who was jailed on drug charges, with a broken nose and bloodied, swollen face, weathering his injuries for an hour after the attack.

Cousins witnessed the attackers flee Jones cell but took no action to help him, according to prosecutors. Instead, Cousins locked Jones inside his cell and behaved deliberately indifferent to his injuries  that is, until Cousins pepper-sprayed Jones in the face shortly before he was taken in for medical treatment.

The case highlights the overlapping crises within Philadelphias jail system that emerged during and after the pandemic, including critical staffing shortages that have left prisoners, units, and guards vulnerable to violent assaults that sometimes end in death.

Cousins appeared in Sanchezs courtroom in plain clothes next to her defense attorney Martin I. Isenberg and at one point chatted with her sister and cousin, who attended the hearing in her support.

Her calm demeanor began to slip when given the opportunity to speak before Sanchez.

I do want the court to recognize that even with my trials and tribulations, I put God first, Cousins said, her voice shaking.

At the time of the incident, what was going on in my head? she asked, seeming unable to fully answer that question.

While Cousins alluded to complaints of sexual harassment from a superior at work around the time of the assault  even suggesting she had been afraid for her safety and that she had complained to her employer  Sanchez and prosecutors agreed that the alleged abuse did not have any relation to Jones beating.

No one deserves to be beat up, Cousins said. Im not a nasty person  far from it.

Isenberg, asking for a lenient sentence that fell below the recommendation mandated by law, implored Sanchez to consider Cousins commendable reputation as a single mother with no criminal prior record who overcame the trauma of losing both parents at a young age and grew up in foster care.

She persevered, managed to provide for her children, provide a better life for herself  up to this point, Isenberg said.   the issue before this court is humanity.

Sanchez agreed that Cousins had overcome trauma, and said he took her past into consideration in the sentencing, which ultimately fell below the seven to nine year punishment prosecutors sought, though exceeded the three years Isenberg suggested.

Similar to his frustration with Cousins, Sanchez was dissatisfied that Isenberg, too, did not offer a reason for his clients actions. And earlier in the hearing, the judge and Isenberg locked horns when debating whether the pepper spray Cousins used on Jones was considered a deadly weapon. In Sanchezs assessment, it was.

Everett R. Witherell, an assistant U.S. attorney on the case, said that prosecuting Cousins, a former member of law enforcement, was no easy task, especially given her lack of previous criminal history.

There were, however, signs that Cousins had flouted her duties in her handling of Jones, according to Witherell.

This wasnt a heat of the moment decision  she wasnt breaking up a fight, Witherell said. An hour went by.

The prosecutor later read a victim impact statement penned by Jones, who was not present during the proceeding, in which the former inmate detailed nightmares, breathing problems, and a fear of other people that stem from the beating.

Witherell, too, struggled to name a motive.

I know youre looking for answers, judge, Witherell said. What youre left with is an unexplainable, horrific event by a person who is duty bound, sworn to protect an individual who just needed help.

Cousins sentence will be followed by two years of probation, according to the sentencing guidelines.
Frankie Ramirez says he was not ready to be an executive chef when he was chosen to launch the kitchen at Stephen Starrs LMNO in 2020. He was not ready to tame the brutal heat of its live fire hearth; he was not ready to fight the corporate bosses who kept urging him to abandon his regional aspirations and just make nachos; he was not yet ready, in fact, to even cook Mexican food.

I was scared of how other Mexicans would judge me, Ramirez says.

Ramirez was born in Mexico City and acquired his culinary chops in Philadelphia restaurants such as Morimoto, Bliss, Tredici, and Parc, where he was a sous-chef for six years. But he didnt grow up learning to cook. The task of suddenly having to figure out how to nixtamalize corn to make fresh tortillas was a challenge that nearly brought him to tears.

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It was the hardest thing Ive ever done, said Ramirez, who unlocked the secrets of masa during an emergency midnight nixtamalizing session with his mother-in-law. She taught him to listen to the dried kernels as their marble-like hardness softened in the pot against the stirring paddle  to do it by feeling and to be patient because its a living thing.

Flash forward five years, and step one block south on Front Street from LMNO into the airy white dining room of two-month-old Ama. Im wrapping the most incredibly tender lamb birria inside the warm kerchiefs of velvety tortillas, and its clear that Ramirez is more than ready now. Hes figured out those tortillas  and so much more in his quest to redefine the possibilities of contemporary Mexican cooking in Philadelphia.

Take a gulp of the briny oysters topped with a frozen green snowball of salsa verde-cucumber shaved ice, the vegetal spice and tang blooming as the oysters warm across your palate. Swish the tempura-fried fronds of a Mexican herb called huauzontle (a.k.a. Aztec broccoli) through earthy salsa macha and sip Pepe El Grillo, a bracing cocktail infused with sotol (a spirit made from the desert spoon plant) and cactus. And behold Amas seasonal tlayuda for July, a paper-thin tortilla as broad as a pizza, crisped over the coals and topped with a brilliant yellow burst of zucchini flowers. Its a snapshot of summer sunshine, layered with herbaceous epazote pesto, melted Oaxaca cheese, and tangy dollops of buffalo milk burrata.

My goal is to change the way people stereotype our cuisine, and I think the time is right for Philly, said Ramirez, 38, explaining the ambitions that he and his partners  his wife, Veronica Ramirez, and Delaware County restaurateurs Crisalida Mata and Roberto Medina (La Catrina, Agave, Spasso)  have brought to this vast space at Front and Oxford Streets.

Paired with the rebirth of the upscale Tequilas and its inventive Guadaladelphia companion cafe and cocktail bar, La Jefa, its a golden moment for the citys Mexican restaurant scene  and one of the top storylines in Philly food this year.

Ama, which is short for mother in Spanish, has much in its favor as as a major destination, including a sleek design for the 110-seat dining room from Boxwood Architects with white plaster walls, wooden beams, and a wall of cafe windows along Front Street. A picture view into the kitchen gives diners glimpses of fresh tortillas in process, as well as the massive nine-foot grill, where Wagyu picanha steaks for the carne asada sizzle over flaring fruitwood flames beneath guajillo-roasted chickens dangling in the smoke overhead.

Amas drink program is just as eager to avoid cliches as the food menu, with cocktails like the Tejuino, which incorporates the funk of fermented corn and sotol; a colorful drink called Its Always Sunny in Puebladelphia made from tomato shrub and roasted poblanos; and a Oaxacan old-fashioned riff called the Dixbee, made with mole negro and topped with a lacy black tuile. Beverage director Diego Langarica deliberately left margaritas off his menu, although hes willing to make them.

That didnt stop our server from essentially sneering at a guest who inquired about a margarita (Its just well tequila, she said dismissively to the woman, who happened to be my boss, casting a frost over the start of our meal). It was not the only misstep with service, which remains Amas weak link: At a previous meal, our server abandoned my table of four during the entree course of our $600-plus meal. Meanwhile, plates were not promptly cleared between courses, food was delivered without cutlery, water glasses were not well-tended, and if someone was interested in one of the 30-plus mezcals or 25 tequilas, there were few servers roaming the floor who could speak to them in detail, and no printed list with prices to be found until recently, more than a month into operation.

Once I finally had general manager Stacey Becerrils attention, we could not have found a more passionate ambassador for Amas agave spirits, complete with tableside tastings to narrow our picks (the Palomas Mensajeras, $19, and Rezpiral Aureliano Hernandez, $23, were stellar!). Amas food-running staff was also so impressively well-versed in the detailed backstories of every dish, even my snubbed guest warmed up to appreciate the food on our table.

To begin with, the chips and salsa presentation here is unlike any other (that is, except for its New York inspiration at Empellon). Toasty shards of tlayuda crisps arrive upright like tortilla sails beside six colorful salsas that paint a picture of Mexicos regional diversity, from the mild white smoked cashew salsa from Baja to a funky Michoacan-style salsa shaded with a salted lake fish called charales, and the ashy heat of a black Yucatan salsa made from burnt habaneros.

More of those crispy tortillas star in Amas two seafood tostadas, one topped with raw bluefin tuna, avocado, and nutty salsa macha, the other a refreshing tribute to Mexico Citys street food with poached rock shrimp, pico de gallo, and tangy chamoy. The seafood theme continues to the menus only taco offering, a pair of tortillas cradling juicy chunks of swordfish radiating an Arabe rub fragrant with fennel and zaatar over jocoque, a labneh-like cultured buttermilk that is an ode to the influence of Lebanese immigrants to Puebla. (And perhaps also a wink to Goldie across the street?)

The milpa salad is perhaps Amas boldest dish, a tuft of purslane and pea shoots over cuminy tomatillo dressing thats tangled up with nostalgic childhood memories from the family cornfields of Ramirez, chef de cuisine Guillermo Luna Pozos, and sous-chef Erika Hernandez. The trio added various beans, cured nopales, crunchy nixtamal corn, and huitlacoche into the mix, along with chapulines (grasshoppers) like the ones they used to chase, and which lend a toasty snap to each bite.

Amas large sharing plates are built for mass appeal, and each has a unique draw, from the zesty Peruvian marinade on that chicken to the chochoyote masa dumplings fried in ancho butter alongside the steak to the stunning depth of flavors (smoky meco chiles, canella, avocado leaves) swirling through the birrias consomme.

I admired the shatteringly crispy skin of the butterflied striped bass, marinated in sour oranges and chiles before roasting over the coals for the Yucatan-style Tikin Xic. And I can think of no octopus dish more epic than Amas pulpo, all eight arms crisped over the flames and served with two salsas, a sweet potato, and a forbidden black rice mixed with gingery coconut milk and bits of octopus head toasted in smoked paprika. For the right crowd, its worth the $110 splurge. Its little wonder all 10 available each night sell out.

For dessert, Ramirez does something he always refused to do at LMNO, which is make a churro. He does it with dramatic flair, serving a whole spiral of fried dough with sides of cajeta and Mexican chocolate. Its fun, but not my favorite finale. That would be either the cappuccino tamal whose chocolate masa cake is paired with cafe de olla coffee ice cream, or his boozy twist on the tres leches variation stuffed with flan known as beso de angel. Ramirez infuses his sponge cake not only with three kinds of dairy, but also mezcal, then sandwiches it around a tangy custard of mango panna cotta, a grooved wave of chantilly on top dusted with the licorice scent of hoja santa.

Its a confection hes dedicated to his wife, Veronica, whom he calls Ama. Not only is she the mother of their two children, but for Ramirez, she has played a key role of protector in his life, from the moment they first met at Bliss, where she taught him his first line cook position, to fighting for him to achieve his restaurant dreams. I wouldnt have accomplished much if she wasnt in my corner all these years, Ramirez said.

Ama

101 W. Oxford Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19122, 215-933-0707; amaphl.com

Dinner Sunday through Thursday, 5-10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, until 11 p.m.

Plates range from $12 to $110 (for whole octopus), but most plates intended for sharing hover between $35 and $65.

Excellent for gluten-free diners, with about 75% of the menu naturally gluten-free and great care to avoid cross contamination.

Menu highlights: chips and salsas; scallop tiradito; aguachile del dia (oysters); milpa salad; seasonal tlayuda (calabaza); swordfish taco; carne asada; lamb neck birria; whole octopus; cappuccino tamal; tres leches.

Drinks: A creative, modern take on Mexican cocktails incorporating spirits like sotol, savory ingredients (from nopales to mole and grasshoppers) as well as a substantial agave spirits list. Margaritas are not on the menu, but available to those who dare to ask.
The chicken riggies (rigatoni in a blush sauce with cherry peppers and olives) at Corio. Read more

Corio is finally coming into its own as the contemporary-casual Italian bar-restaurant that University City didnt realize it needed.

When it opened in May next to Two Locals Brewing and Liberty Kitchen at uCity Square (37th and Market Streets), its liquor license was tied up in bureaucracy.

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Chef and owner David Feola, formerly of Ember & Ash, teamed up with business partners James Smith and Ryan Mulholland  both Vernick alums  to open a BYOB. Mulholland is now director of operations at CookNSolo and previously served as general manager at Vernick Food & Drink. The team eventually partnered with Two Locals on a drinks list.

With the licenses arrival two weeks ago, theyve rolled out happy hour (snacks like wings, crispy potatoes, and a porchetta small plate right now, plus discounted wines and beers) and a full bar, which includes cocktails that are a few dollars less than Center City prices and a mostly Italian wine list.

Emphasis on mostly. Smith said customers have been enjoying Pray Tell Wines' Mutual Feelings, a riesling and viognier blend, and its Memory Lane, a merlot-pinot noir blend. These guys are up in Fishtown, doing everything themselves, Smith said. People care about the stories behind the labels.

Ive actually been pretty surprised with how people are responding to what I would consider slightly lesser-known varietals, Smith said. Among the more popular Italian selections are the grillo (Poggio Anima Uriel) and the soave (San Cassiano). Its all sold by-the-glass for now, as Smith builds a retail collection of bottles.

Lunch and dinner menu bestsellers include the 14-inch pizzas, stuffed long hots, roasted artichoke, hoagie salad, and especially the pastas such as the chicken riggies ($19, in a blush sauce with cherry peppers and olives) and gemelli ($16 at lunch and dinner, a twist, so to speak, on cacio e pepe).

There are four dinner entrees  a bone-in pork Milanese ($28) topped with an endive and chicory salad; sea bream ($32) served with herbed quinoa, basil pesto, and burnt orange oil; a half-chicken ($24) with braised escarole, pancetta, and lemon); and what Smith called the big boy porterhouse steak  a shareable 28-ouncer served with crispy potatoes and charred scallion for a reasonable $78.

Corio is a nod to the Corio Lounge at Bostons Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks, where Mulholland and his wife, Dani, met early in their restaurant careers. The lounge featured a photo of Ann Corio, a long-ago burlesque dancer.

Corio, 3675 Market St. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Friday, 4 to 9 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday.
Audrey Strauss, acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, points to a photo of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell during a news conference in 2020. Read more

WASHINGTON  Justice Department officials were set to meet on Thursday with Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned former girlfriend of financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The meeting in Florida, which Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Tuesday he was working to arrange, is part of an ongoing Justice Department effort to cast itself as transparent following fierce backlash from parts of President Donald Trumps base over an earlier refusal to release additional records in the Epstein investigation.

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 READ MORE: House Democrats launch bid to subpoena Justice Department for Epstein files

In a social media post Tuesday, Blanche said that Trump has told us to release all credible evidence and that if Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the Justice Department will hear what she has to say.

A Justice Department spokesman did not immediately return a message seeking comment on Thursday. The person who confirmed the meeting insisted on anonymity to describe a closed-door encounter to The Associated Press.

 READ MORE: Judge rejects Trump administration effort to unseal Epstein grand jury records in Florida

A lawyer for Maxwell confirmed on Tuesday there were discussions with the government and said Maxwell will always testify truthfully.

The House Committee on Oversight issued a subpoena on Wednesday for Maxwell to testify before committee officials in August.

Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence and is housed at a low-security federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida. She was sentenced three years ago after being convicted of helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls.

 READ MORE: Whether he survives the Epstein scandal or not, Trump has shown his true colors to the MAGA faithful | Editorial

Officials have said Epstein killed himself in his New York jail cell while awaiting trial in 2019, but his case has generated endless attention and conspiracy theories because of his and Maxwells links to famous people, including royals, presidents and billionaires.

Earlier this month, the Justice Department said it would not release more files related to the Epstein investigation, despite promises that claimed otherwise from Attorney General Pam Bondi. The department also said an Epstein client list does not exist.

 READ MORE: Trump banishes Wall Street Journal reporter from Air Force One over Jeffrey Epstein story

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that Bondi told Trump in May that his name was among high-profile people mentioned in government files of Epstein, though the mention does not imply wrongdoing.

Trump, a Republican, has said that he once thought Epstein was a terrific guy but that they later had a falling out.

A subcommittee on Wednesday also voted to subpoena the Justice Department for documents related to Epstein. And senators in both major political parties have expressed openness to holding hearings on the matter after Congress August recess.

Rep. Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, has introduced legislation with bipartisan support that would require the Justice Department to make publicly available in a searchable and downloadable format all unclassified records, documents, communications, and investigative materials related to Epstein and his associates.

House Speaker Mike Johnson and the Republican majority leader, Rep. Steve Scalise, both of Louisiana, have said they will address whatever outstanding Epstein-related issues are in Congress when they return from recess.

Epstein, under a 2008 nonprosecution agreement, pleaded guilty in Florida to state charges of soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution. That allowed him to avert a possible life sentence, instead serving 13 months in a work release program. He was required to make payments to victims and register as a sex offender.

In 2019, Epstein was charged by federal prosecutors in Manhattan for nearly identical allegations.
Nathaniel Beliveau, 10, of Montreal, Quebec, on the Wildwood Crest beach with his extended family. The multigenerational family has been vacationing in Wildwood for more than 50 years. Read more

WILDWOOD, N.J.  Breaking down the umbrellas and beach gear for his Quebecois family of 11 one afternoon this week, Paul Genier, 63, said the big group was missing many people.

Usually we are a group of lets say 30 persons, said Genier, a pensioner from Montreal. Then, with a smile, he added: I dont have to say why. We dont want to get in trouble, either. Theyre losing a lot of Canadians.

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Like many in Canada, the Genier family hesitated about taking the traditional summer vacation to their beloved Wildwood, or anywhere in the United States, after a spring of tariff threats and talk from President Donald Trump about Canada becoming the 51st state.

But with their deposit already paid last year, and the love the kids have for the place, the Geniers found themselves back on the wide beaches of Wildwood this week, staying, as usual, at the Beachcomber Camping Resort.

Tourism officials say it appears more Canadians ended up coming to Cape May County than they had feared back in March when cancellations started pouring in, but Canadian business is still down between 20% and 30%. Canadian travel has been down since the pandemic in general, they note, in part due to a weak exchange rate.

Trump has announced new tariffs of 35% on Canadian goods set to kick in on Aug. 1. The World Travel & Tourism Council estimates that the U.S. economy will take a $12.5 billion hit this year due to the loss of international travelers.

One Cape May County campground said Canadian business was off as much as 50%, and Duane Watlington of Vacation Rentals Wildwood said his decline was about 38% in June, and 75% in July (the website pivoted in its marketing to target local customers).

On the beach, Wildwood Beach Patrol Capt. Ed Schneider has noticed.

Its very light this year, due to the value of the Canadian dollar vs. U.S. dollar, he said. When I first started working here in the late 80s, the entire beach would be Canadian. Wed have to learn a couple key phrases.

Still, this week, the start of the Construction Holiday, a mandatory two-week vacation in Quebec province and traditional summer vacation time, Canadians could be found on the Wildwood beaches, around motel pools, and in the campgrounds of Cape May County.

Its a political conflict but it doesnt change the love we have for this place, said Marina Marra, a server in Montreal who came to Wildwood Crest with a group of 17 relatives and friends across three generations. We offered the kids to go to Greece this summer and they wanted to come here.

There were the looks

Marras family said theyd felt a cold shoulder this year that they hadnt in the past, with some long stares and one person telling their mother, Dominique Malo, who has come to Wildwood since she was a baby, If youre not happy, go back to Canada.

We felt it, said Ludovick Behr, 20, traveling with his boyfriend, Francois Duhaime, 28, as part of the big group. The second we parked our cars, we felt it. They heard us speaking French, and then there were the looks, the disgusted looks.

The other difference, they said, is fewer people in general on the Wildwood Crest beach, and definitely fewer Canadians. The beach, usually, theres at least 40% more people, said Carl Beliveau, Marras husband. Were still here, were spending our money.

Other Quebecois families interviewed said they hadnt felt any hostility. None at all, said Paul Genier. Even when we passed the border, it was, Have a nice trip.

The loss of Canadian business was clear, though, he said, just from looking at license plates around town. He also noted that it was just a two-minute wait at the border crossing from Canada into New York, which usually takes 45 minutes to an hour.

Theres a lot of people who are upset, said Pauls brother, Michael Genier, 60. We dont talk about it in the family, because we have different opinions. Its silly. Were hoping its only for four years, and less now.

Gabrielle Minier, 27, and her friend Claudia Millaire, 27, of Montreal, were in Wildwood for the first time with their boyfriends, who had come as children and wanted to return.

Theyd ridden the roller coaster, gone to the Honky Tonk Saloon, enjoyed a week of beautiful weather.

Everyone is very nice, Minier said.

We definitely miss them

Diane Wieland, director of tourism for Cape May County, said Canadian reservations started picking back up in June, and then again after July 4.

This is the start of the Construction Holiday in Quebec, and we will see how many will return, within the next four weeks, Wieland said. The lodging folks are saying reservations picked up about two weeks ago with steady calls. This past weekend there was a noticeable increase in Canadians arriving and making reservations, with some arriving without reservations.

At the Quebec Motel, there were a handful of Canadian guests, and the desk clerks said most vacancies from Canadian cancellations had been filled with people from Philadelphia and New York.

At the Beachcomber campgrounds, owner Tammy Gomez said shed booked people from Maryland, New York, and Connecticut in place of the Canadians that canceled. She said Canadians make up as much as 18% of her business, but only about half of that this year.

We definitely miss them thats for sure, she said.

A softer season

At the Fleur de Lis Beach Motel, desk clerk Damien Moody said the other traditionally busy week for Canadians was still to come: Ukrainian Week in Wildwood, which this year begins Aug. 22.

He said business has been steady at the Fleur de Lis, but noticeably off in general around Wildwood. The economy, he said. You have to have money to afford the cost of everything down here.

John Donio, president of the Wildwood Business District and a motel owner, also said that the summer has been a softer one, in part due to loss of Canadian business, but also a general economic malaise.

I think its a softer season for people than what they had hope for, he said. Theres some vacancies that people arent used to.

He said talk had turned to business owners needing to keep up with competition, spend money to keep their properties up to date, modern, and aesthetically pleasing.

There are other things at play, he said. The Wildwoods specifically needs to stay up with other competition besides Ocean City, N.J., Ocean City, Md., Rehoboth. We compete with cruise lines. We compete with Orlando. We also complete with Netflix. Mom and dad are watching Netflix and their kids are on their phones, and they think, why not just order takeout?

As for Canada, Donio said the loss is felt, especially in the keener competitive environment.

I have Canadian guests and theyre happy to be here, but lets not bury our heads in the sand. Theyre not on the East Coast as much as they should be, he said. I dont think the political environment helped. You dont want to limit any business, especially people so lovely or wonderful that add to the fabric of your tourism community.

Marina Marra, the server from Quebec, said her family would continue to return to the Wildwoods, despite the mixed reception theyve felt.

People were walking by and they were laughing at our car plate, she said. I dont let it affect us. We still had a beautiful vacation and I would come back. I hope it will get better. We still love it. Just the smell when you get in Wildwood. Its nostalgic memories.
Craig Callaway, left, shakes hands with his attorney Joseph Grassi after being sentenced in Superior Court in Mays Landing, N.J., in 2008. Read more

Former Atlantic City Council President Craig Callaway was sentenced to two years in a federal prison after having pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining mail ballots in 2022 and submitting them on behalf of unsuspecting voters.

A well-known political operative, Callaway had an extensive vote-by-mail and messenger ballot operation in Atlantic County that was credited over the years with giving numerous local candidates their margin of victory.

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Until pleading guilty, Callaway maintained that his get-out-the-vote operation followed procedures allowable under New Jersey law.

 READ MORE: Campaign informant: I was paid $30 to hand messenger ballot to Atlantic City Democratic operative

A Democrat, Callaway was paid by members of both parties to assist their campaigns for elected offices over the years, including U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R., N.J.), who paid Callaway $50,000 in 2022 but said he was not aware of any illegal activity and was not accused of any wrongdoing.

Callaways controversial career has included convictions for bribery and a sex-and-blackmail scheme targeting a political rival. In the 1990s, he regularly followed around then-Mayor Jim Whelan with a bullhorn.

U.S. Attorney Alina Habba pledged her office would protect the right to vote in announcing Wednesday that Callaway, 64, had been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Renee Marie Bumb in Camden federal court.

Todays sentence sends a clear message to those who seek to undermine New Jerseys electoral process: that such conduct will result in serious consequences, Habba said in a statement.

The right to vote is a fundamental aspect of our democracy, one that the FBI and our law enforcement partners strive to protect, she said.

Callaway could not be reached for comment; a previous cell phone number had been disconnected. His attorney, Megan Davies, said she had no comment.

FBI Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy said: Craig Callaways nefarious plot to hijack mail-in ballots resulted in his arrest and subsequent sentencing, and serves as a reminder to like-minded criminals, voter fraud will not be tolerated in New Jersey.

According to court documents and testimony, Callaway in 2022 approached numerous people in Atlantic City and promised to pay them $30 to $50 to act as authorized messengers for voters who wanted to vote by mail.

These messengers obtained mail-ballot applications for voters who had never authorized them to do so. Under New Jersey law, messengers are required to deliver any mail ballot they received directly to the voter who requested the ballot and must certify that they would do so.

But the messengers handed the ballots only to Callaway or his subordinates, Habba said, instead of delivering them to the voters.

Many of the mail-in ballots collected by Callaway or his subordinates were ultimately cast in the names of voters who have confirmed that they did not vote in the 2022 General Election  either in-person or by submitting a mail-in ballot  and that they did not authorize Callaway, his subordinates, or anyone else, to cast ballots for them in the 2022 General Election," Habba said in the statement. Many of those ballots were counted, she said.

 READ MORE: Whats going on with Alina Habba? What to know about the drama in the U.S. attorneys office in New Jersey

In addition to the prison term, Bumb sentenced Callaway to three years of supervised release.

Atlantic County Democratic Committee chairman Michael Suleiman urged the legislature to pass a bill that would make paying ballot messengers illegal in an effort to thwart future desperate candidates on both sides of the aisle eager to pay ballot harvesters and other political operatives who want to make a quick buck and think that they wont get caught.

With todays conviction, we can finally turn the page on this embarrassing chapter in Atlantic County history, Suleiman said. However, we must do everything we can to restore integrity to our elections and ensure that another Craig Callaway never emerges anywhere in New Jersey.
Democratic power broker George E. Norcross III on Wednesday encouraged an appeals court to reject New Jersey prosecutors attempts to revive their criminal racketeering case against him, arguing that a judge was right to toss the charges.

Mercer County Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw dismissed the charges against Norcross and five codefendants in February, ruling that the allegations in the 13-count indictment did not constitute extortion.

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The ruling delivered a major setback to state Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, whose prosecutors had accused Norcross, 69, of using threats of economic harm and his control of local government to coerce a developer and a nonprofit into surrendering their property on the Camden waterfront.

Authorities alleged that enabled Norcross and his associates to obtain millions of dollars in tax credits.

In addition to being a longtime Democratic Party leader in South Jersey, Norcross is chairman of Cooper University Health Care in Camden and was executive chairman of the insurance brokerage Conner Strong & Buckelew.

Platkin, an appointee of Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, in April asked an appeals court to overturn Warshaws decision, arguing that the judge had erred in tossing the case without reviewing evidence prosecutors presented to the grand jury that handed up the indictment more than a year ago.

Norcross lawyers on Wednesday maintained that the indictment merely showed the kind of hard bargaining that is permitted in business negotiations under the law. They also said the charges are time-barred under the statute of limitations.

Over the course of its 111 pages, the indictment purports to tell a story of extortion  but it does not allege any violence or unlawful threats; only ordinary economic bargaining among sophisticated businessmen represented by experienced counsel, attorneys Michael Critchley, Anthony J. Dick, and others wrote in a court filing.

The indictment pitches a tale of corruption  but there are no bribes or kickbacks; only routine and constitutionally protected politics, they continued. It also promises racketeering  but no organized criminal elements ever appear; only respected leaders trying to revive a long-suffering city.

In a statement, Critchley noted that federal prosecutors in New Jersey and Philadelphia had declined to pursue charges against his client. He added that Platkin has repeatedly exhibited the lack of mature judgment and discretion needed to exercise the awesome prosecutorial power of the Attorney Generals Office.

New Jersey prosecutors, in their April filing, said not a single precedent supports the trial courts facial approach, and reams of published cases contradict it.

Norcross codefendants are his brother Philip, CEO of the law firm Parker McCay; attorney William Tambussi; former Camden Mayor Dana L. Redd; and businessmen John J. ODonnell and Sidney R. Brown.

Multiple third parties filed briefs supporting Norcross position, including the New Jersey NAACP State Conference, New Jersey AFL-CIO, and the New Jersey Building and Construction Trades Council. The state Bar Association raised concerns about how the case could affect lawyers zealous advocacy.

This article has been updated to clarify the Bar Associations argument.
Wreckage of a sailboat that struck a jetty and sank Wednesday off the beach at Avalon, N.J. Ten people wearing life jackets were rescued from the water and no injuries were reported. Read more

Ten people were rescued from the water after a sailboat struck a jetty and sank off the beach at Avalon on Wednesday, the head of the beach patrol said.

The vessel, which originated from the Avalon Yacht Club, experienced an engine problem  it was not using its sail  and was pushed by heavy winds into the rocks of the 8th Street jetty late in the morning, Matthew Wolf, chief of the Avalon Beach Patrol, said in a phone interview.

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The people on the boat  including several adults and the remainder preteen and early-teen children  had life jackets and escaped into the water after the boat became damaged and was sinking, Wolf said.

Five of the people were rescued by a WaveRunner used by the beach patrol, Wolf said, and the rest were rescued by one or more yacht club patrol boats.

The people who were rescued were maybe a little shaken up, but were okay, he said.

The New Jersey State Police and the U.S. Coast Guard also responded to the incident, Wolf said.

Debris from the wreckage led to the 9th Street beach being briefly closed, he said.

The heavy winds and the added danger of the rocks along the jetty made the rescues more difficult, Wolf said.

It was a tricky situation, no doubt, he said. Were happy we got everyone out okay.

Joseph A. Mendez, general manager of the Avalon Yacht Club, said the boat was operated by the club and was trying to return from an educational sailing program when it lost its engine.

The yacht club responded with boats which are always on patrol when there are club activities underway, Mendez said.
The Moravian tiled floor after hours in the rotunda of the Pennsylvania Capitol in Harrisburg. Read more

HARRISBURG  Signs detailing forthcoming service cuts to SEPTA are posted at Regional Rail and bus stops across the region. Local schools are figuring out how to start the school year without payments from the state and the transit some students rely on for their commutes.

But on Wednesday morning in the Pennsylvania Capitol, where lawmakers continue to grapple behind closed doors over the state budget, three weeks behind their deadline, you could hear a pin drop  save for a few tourists shoes on the Moravian tile floor in the Capitols opulent, gold-accented main rotunda.

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Across Philadelphia and the surrounding region, there is an urgency for Pennsylvanias state lawmakers to fulfill their constitutional duty and deliver a balanced state budget, which was due June 30. But weeks later, there is still no deal in sight, with disagreements remaining on major issues, including mass transit funding, how to regulate and tax skill games, and more.

 READ MORE: Not just SEPTA: Public transit is in trouble all across Pennsylvania, including in GOP districts

SEPTA is just a month away from implementing major service cuts and fare increases, while schools and counties need to secure additional funding to stay afloat without their anticipated state allocation.

But around the Capitol hallways, there seemed to be little sign of haste. Top legislative leaders were not present to negotiate the budget in person on Wednesday, while Gov. Josh Shapiro hosted a news conference at a coffee shop in Mifflin County. The rosy picture of an imminent budget deal painted by top leaders last week has started to fade.

I wish it didnt take this long. Im frustrated by how long it takes, Shapiro said, remarking on Pennsylvanias divided legislature, where Democrats hold a narrow majority in the state House and Republicans control the state Senate.

This stage of negotiations is supposed to be quiet, as closed-door talks continue between top leaders House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Montgomery), Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana), and Shapiro.

Leaders dont like to bring their members in unless they have bills to vote on, which will not be finalized until a handshake agreement among the negotiators is reached. But leaders have yet to schedule any additional session days before September, though both chambers remain ready to call back the General Assemblys 253 total members as soon as there is a deal.

In an interview Wednesday, Pittman said that talks are certainly taking more time than I would like, but that the extra time is necessary to work through the few, but nuanced, issues at the table.

The leaders still have a ways to go on agreeing on a total spending number, negotiating with all four caucuses to reach a deal on skill games, and working to figure out how to bring a degree of support to mass transit and infrastructure in the states current fiscal situation, Pittman said.

Were moving along. I would prefer that we be moving along at a faster pace than what is occurring, but nevertheless, we are continuing to move forward, Pittman added.

But dont mistake the speed of talks as a lack of urgency, Pittman said.

Theres a pace to this, he said. I really attribute it to the degree of large issues that are at the table. There are not as many issues as there usually are, but the issues that do exist are quite significant.

Shapiro said during Wednesdays news conference that he and top leaders remained respectful and cordial in negotiations.

This is where we are, and were working through it. And Im very hopeful that were going to find that common ground, he added.

Pennsylvania is on track to spend $5.5 billion more than it brings in during the next fiscal year, if spending is set to $51.5 billion, as Shapiro proposed during his February budget address. And Shapiros supporters in Southeastern Pennsylvania expect the governor to deliver additional funding for SEPTA and prevent its death spiral ahead of a major year for tourism in Philadelphia in 2026.

In negotiating this years budget, Shapiro, who built his national brand as a moderate Democrat willing to work across the aisle with Republicans, faces one of his most significant challenges to date.

 READ MORE: Gov. Josh Shapiro says he got stuff done in his first two years. With a budget shortfall on the horizon, his biggest challenges are to come.

And the clock is ticking. While lawmakers usually blow past the June 30 state budget deadline without issue and reach a budget deal in the weeks that follow, this year, residents might feel the impact of a late budget much sooner. Barring a state budget deal that includes additional funding for mass transit, SEPTAs service cuts are set to go into effect Aug. 24  just before the Philadelphia School Districts first day of school on Aug. 25.

How Philly schools are faring without state funding

The delayed budget is likely to be a problem for the states largest school district, which is alone in Pennsylvania as unable to raise its own revenue and is dependent on local and state government for the bulk of its funding.

School board president Reginald Streater said in a statement that the board was closely monitoring the budget situation, but that district leadership was preparing multiple contingency plans for the boards consideration to ensure we can continue providing students with the tools and resources they need to succeed.

In a typical year, the board needs to borrow hundreds of millions to make ends meet over the summer  a necessity based on the timeline of state payments. The board had tentatively scheduled a July meeting to authorize such a borrowing, but canceled it; it seems likely that another meeting will need to be scheduled sooner rather than later, given the murky state budget picture.

The late budget comes at a crucial time for the district. Its a contract summer: Pacts with the districts principals union, school safety force, and, most consequentially, 14,000 teachers, secretaries, nurses, counselors, paraprofessionals, and other workers are all expiring in August.

The board in May adopted a $4.7 billion budget that counted on state funding at the levels Shapiro proposed earlier this year. It does not contain any new money for the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers contract or other deals. PFT leaders already have a strike authorization vote in their back pockets.

To avoid layoffs and classroom cuts, the district had to pull significantly from its savings; it is spending $300 million in reserves to balance the budget this year, and has little room to do so going forward. Leaders soon project a structural deficit, absent more funds from the city and state.

There is further uncertainty, too, with President Donald Trumps administration promising less funding for federal grant programs that make up millions of the districts bottom line.

Streater, however, expressed confidence in Harrisburg resolving a budget deal.

We remain hopeful that, when the budget does pass, it will reflect a strong commitment to supporting all school districts across the commonwealth, he said.

How Philly schools are planning for SEPTA cuts

The looming SEPTA service cuts will affect Philadelphia School District students significantly, too.

Monique Braxton, a district spokesperson, said in a statement that officials understand the anxiety and concerns surrounding students getting to and from school given the announced cuts announced by SEPTA. Were urging parents to devise a plan.

District and SEPTA officials are scheduled to speak next week to talk school-year logistics. Approximately 105,000 public school students are eligible for transportation, such as those who live 1 miles from school within the city and up to 10 miles beyond its borders.

Of those 105,000, about 95,000 use it, Braxton said  including 52,000 who rely on SEPTA. Public transit is especially important in a city where charters are rife: Many students travel long distances within Philadelphia to get to school every day.

Families of transportation-eligible students can opt out of SEPTA or school busing and instead receive a $300-per-month stipend for driving their children to school themselves.

SEPTA cuts are not the only transportation conundrum the district faces. The school system also currently has 32 bus chauffeur and driver vacancies, Braxton said.

Staff writer Thomas Fitzgerald contributed to this article.
In this Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, photo, a spotted lanternfly sits on a tree in Kutztown, Pa. The spotted lanternfly has emerged as a serious pest since the federal government confirmed its arrival in southeastern Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) Read more

Philadelphians have largely enjoyed mild lanternfly seasons since the red, black, and polka-dot insect invasion of 2018. But while the bugs may feel like less of a nuisance here, scientists say the threat is far from over  and residents still need to stomp.

On the other side of the state, a resurgence is putting crops at risk and raising concerns about a wider spread. Experts warn that without continued vigilance, including killing lanternflies on sight, the invasive pest could soon bring even more damage across Pennsylvania and beyond.

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Spotted lanternflies were first detected in Berks County a decade ago. Julie Urban, an entomologist at Penn State, was among the first scientists called in to assess the damage.

 READ MORE: Its been a decade since the lanternfly landed in Pennsylvania. Is it as bad as we feared?

Urban and her colleagues noticed that after the first few years of feeding, lanternfly populations seemed to decline, a pattern entomologists expected.

We cant really explain it, its probably a complex of contributing factors, Urban said. But, basically, we think that after multiple years of feeding, they kind of deplete the host plants and move on to other areas. This gives plants time to recover.

After several years of relative quiet, the lanternflies are back in Berks County.

Its not surprising, Urban said.

 READ MORE: Spotted lanternflies might not be tree killers, according to a Penn State study

Growers there are better prepared this time around, after nearly a decade of support and training from the USDA and research institutions like Penn State and Cornell University.

Whats more concerning, Urban said, is that the lanternfly is rapidly expanding north, now only one county away from Erie  Pennsylvanias largest producer of grapes, a $50 million industry in the region alone, which is especially vulnerable to lanternfly damage.

Thats especially troubling, Urban said, because Eries grapes are primarily used for juice and jelly, far less profitable than wine grapes. That means local growers have fewer resources to fight back.

Currently, the primary control for spotted lanternflies is insecticide, whose standards are reviewed and set by multiple state agencies and federal regulators. Upkeep costs are steep.

[Erie grape growers] dont have the profit margins to afford the insecticide required, Urban said.

Wine country could be next

While lanternflies havent yet made it past Chicago, scientists say its only a matter of time before they reach the West Coast  likely within the next decade. Thats why Pennsylvania launched its Stomp It! campaign, urging residents to kill any lanternflies they see, especially on cars or cargo that could carry the pest to new regions.

When California growers visited Pennsylvania vineyards to see the damage firsthand, some were stunned.

One California grower blanched white and said, Well go out of business, Urban said.

With less pesticide use, limited labor, and widespread reliance on mechanical harvesting  which can suck lanternflies into grape batches  Californias wine industry could face devastating losses if the pest spreads west.

 READ MORE: Spotting and stopping the spotted lanternfly: A guide for homeowners

A parasitic wasp might help  someday

Scientists have a lot of irons in the fire for solutions to lanternfly control, but one is gaining traction: parasitic wasps.

These wasps reproduce by laying egg larvae inside the body of a host.

As someone whos collected plant hoppers, literally around the world and all over this country, the parasitic wasp is a common natural enemy of plant hoppers across the board, Urban said. Even a colleague in Poland who works with plant hopper fossils, you can see fossils that have been parasitized by that type of parasitoid.

But before America starts unleashing parasitic wasps on lanternfly hordes, rigorous examination must be done to ensure they wont also go after native crops and wildlife.

In the meantime, most of the state is still under lanternfly quarantine and residents have a kill on sight order from the states top scientists.

If you dont kill it, youll carry it, Urban said. Youre helping us buy more time to come up with better solutions, and keep these growers in business.
A drone view of the collapsed homes on the 1900 block of West Bristol Street on June 30 in Philadelphia's Nicetown section. Three rowhouses collapsed after a fire and explosion. One person was found dead at the scene. Read more

The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management said various city agencies will participate in a community event Thursday evening to continue helping residents affected by the June 29 explosion in Nicetown that killed a woman, injured two others and destroyed several rowhouses.

The event is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Edward T. Steel Elementary School auditorium, located at 4301 Wayne Ave.

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The city Fire Department has said that a gas fire of unknown origin caused the explosion on the 1900 block of West Bristol Street that left a crater where one house stood and leveled two others that were adjacent to the property.

More than 100 people were temporarily displaced in the aftermath, the city said in its meeting announcement Wednesday evening.

The city Department of Licenses and Inspections has completed demolition of five properties, the OEM said.

Philadelphia Gas Works found no indication of an underground natural gas leak in the area, and the utility did not receive any calls reporting gas odors in the area before the explosion, OEM said.

Philadelphia Gas Works does not have oversight over natural gas piping inside properties as indoor fuel lines and appliances are the responsibility of property owners, OEM said.

On Wednesday morning, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission released the preliminary findings from its independent Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement on the explosion.

At this stage, preliminary information suggests the possibility of a failure inside one of the homes, on the customer-owned side of the meter, which is outside of the PUCs jurisdiction," the state regulatory agency said, emphasizing customer-owned side in italics.

The city meeting Thursday in Nicetown will include representatives from OEM, the Fire Department, PGW, L&I, the state Insurance Department, the city Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual disAbility Services, and community partners. The representatives will provide resources and respond to questions from residents, OEM said.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to help impacted residents can do so via the citys One Philly Fund.
When people are unable to communicate with a therapist who truly understands their language and culture, it's not just an inconvenience, its a crisis that leaves people without the help they need at the very moment they are most vulnerable, writes Vanesa Mora Ringle. Read more

Every day, millions of Spanish-speaking Americans who need mental health care find themselves facing long wait lists, limited options, and the frustration of not being able to communicate with a therapist who truly understands their language and culture. This is not just an inconvenience, its a crisis that leaves people without the help they need at the very moment they are most vulnerable.

The numbers are stark. Within the Philadelphia public mental health system, only 4% of therapists who completed training aimed at increasing their competence in an evidence-based therapy primarily served Spanish-speaking clients. This figure falls far short of the 11% of Philadelphia residents who speak Spanish at home. Nationwide, at least 2.3 million people with a mental health or substance use disorder would prefer to receive care in Spanish, but too often are unable to access such care.

This shortage is not just about language. Its about trust, understanding, and the ability to connect with clients in ways that go beyond words.

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When therapy happens in a clients native language, research shows that the benefits are profound: stronger therapeutic relationships, better engagement, and more effective treatment. Yet, Spanish-speaking therapists face persistent barriers their English-speaking peers do not. Many must hunt for training materials in Spanish, or try to adapt therapy techniques on their own, without guidance or support.

These extra hurdles mean that even highly educated and experienced Spanish-speaking therapists often start at a disadvantage when it comes to delivering evidence-based treatments, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT.

My colleagues and I recently followed nearly 1,500 therapists through a seven-month CBT training program to observe how these barriers play out in real-life settings. What we found was both sobering and hopeful. Spanish-speaking therapists began the program with lower scores in CBT competence, likely due to the limited availability of training resources in Spanish. But when given access to high-quality training in their language, these therapists made greater gains than their English-speaking counterparts.

By the end of the program, they not only closed the competence gap  they surpassed the established benchmark for quality, with an average certification score of 42.8, compared with 41.4 for English-speaking therapists.

This shows the problem is not a lack of talent or dedication among Spanish-speaking clinicians, but a lack of investment in their training and support.

The need for change is urgent. The Latino population in the U.S. is growing rapidly, and with it, the demand for mental health care that is both culturally and linguistically responsive. Yet, the pipeline of Spanish-speaking therapists remains thin, and opportunities for evidence-based training in Spanish are rare. If we want to address this crisis, we need to do more than acknowledge the problem  we must build real pathways for Spanish-speaking professionals to acquire the skills and credentials they need to serve their communities.

At Lehigh University, we are working to be part of the solution. Our mental health and education of Latin American people in the U.S. graduate certificate is designed for professionals who want to serve Latine clients better. The program is grounded in cultural humility and competence, offering courses on community-based interventions, the psychology of immigration, and effective clinical practices  all with a focus on the realities faced by Spanish-speaking clients and clinicians.

The certificate is open to current and future mental health professionals, health workers, and educators, and is offered online to make it accessible to those already working in the field.

Addressing the shortage of Spanish-speaking therapists is not just about filling job vacancies  its about ensuring every person has access to care that respects their language, culture, and personal story.

The data indicate that when Spanish-speaking therapists are provided with the tools and support to train in their preferred language, they can deliver high-quality, evidence-based care that effectively meets the needs of their communities. Its time to invest in these professionals and the future of mental health care for all Americans.

Vanesa Mora Ringle is a bilingual, interdisciplinary researcher in mental health services and a clinical psychologist at Lehigh Universitys College of Education.
A sign in the Fairmount on primary day in May. In Pennsylvania's closed primary system, Democratic and Republican voters select the candidates they want to represent their parties during the November general election. Read more

Imagine if the abortion-rights group Reproductive Freedom For All had to allow the members of Operation Rescue, made up of antiabortion advocates, to participate in choosing its leaders. Or if the NAACP had to allow Ku Klux Klansmen to vote in an election to choose the NAACPs leader.

Ridiculous, right?

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That kind of absurdity is essentially what the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is being asked to endorse in Smerconish v. Commonwealth, a lawsuit filed on July 15 as a legal challenge to Pennsylvanias closed primary system.

In Pennsylvania and eight other states, voters who do not belong to a political party are barred from taking part in the primary process. The Smerconish case seeks to have the court force Pennsylvania to hold open primaries, in which voters can cast ballots for a partys nominee regardless of their registered affiliation.

The plaintiffs would like Pennsylvania to join the 19 states in which at least one party allows open primaries in congressional and statewide races. (Sixteen states use semi-closed primaries; Louisiana does not utilize the traditional primary system.)

The plaintiffs claim the states closed primaries violate the state constitution by denying independent voters the right to vote in primary elections.

There is no such right.

Indeed, there is a far better claim that open primaries would violate the rights of party members, because open primaries allow people who dont belong to any party to interfere with party members choice of who should be their leader.

Which brings me back to the two groups I identified at the start of this op-ed  Reproductive Freedom For All and the NAACP.

Those interest groups are not political parties, but surely constitutionally protected associations of people should not lose their rights to select their own leaders because they function as political parties and engage in the constitutionally protected activity of trying to influence elections.

As the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized for decades, political parties are expressive associations with the right to select their own leaders and nominees  and that have the right not to associate with outsiders who might alter the parties ideological beliefs or messages.

The plaintiffs in the Smerconish case claim closed primaries violate the portion of the state constitution guaranteeing elections that are free and equal.

 READ MORE: Pennsylvania voters would benefit from an open primary system | Editorial

But there is nothing unfree or unequal about a law that allows all registered voters to vote in elections to determine the nominees of their own parties. And, it almost goes without saying, Pennsylvanians have never had a constitutional right to elect the leaders or nominees of associations to which they do not belong.

None of this is to say closed primaries are the best way to select the candidates who will compete in the general election.

Because only party members participate in closed primaries, closed primaries may benefit ideologically extreme candidates (liberals in Democratic primaries and conservatives in Republican primaries) compared with primaries where all voters are welcome to participate.

Although that result reflects the ideological diversity of the United States, one may prefer an electoral structure that gives an advantage to moderate candidates who can attract support from independents and members of the other party, in addition to voters from their own party.

To say open primaries may have some desirable effects, however, is not to say that the state or federal constitution gives independents a right to choose the nominees of parties they choose not to join.

If independents want to vote in primary elections, they can  by joining a party. Until they do, it is perfectly constitutional for a state to say a partys nominee should be chosen by the members of that party.

Closed primaries may or may not be good. They are definitely constitutional.

Michael R. Dimino is a professor of law at Widener University Commonwealth Law School, where he teaches courses related to constitutional law, election law, federal courts, statutory interpretation, and criminal law.
The fate of Philadelphia and surrounding counties is intertwined, yet according to a new report, "the region lacks a unified, tactics-level strategy and workplan to guide economic and workforce development efforts." Read more

If the Philadelphia region wants to live up to its economic potential, Southeastern Pennsylvania needs to set aside its siloed approach to doing business and come together to provide the kind of job opportunities area residents deserve.

Thats one of the lessons to be drawn from a new report from the Brookings Institution, which found that out of the 50 largest metro areas in America, Philadelphia provided the least upward mobility for workers.

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If the Philadelphia regions growth matched that of our peer metropolitan areas like Boston and Atlanta, the region could have added about 188,000 jobs  including 70,000 of what Brookings calls high opportunity jobs engaged in the national or global economy  between 2013 and 2023.

In all, the report found, the region gained about 382,000 jobs in the decade from 2013 to 2023. While that is an improvement over the kind of declines that defined Philadelphia for decades, it shows the city, and the region, continue to lag.

 READ MORE: How a simple change to your car can help make roads safer for all | Editorial

Thats because Greater Philadelphias economy is heavily based on jobs that experts refer to as non-tradeable, or locally serving.

That means instead of serving the national or global economy, Philadelphians mostly work in industries that involve exchanging goods and services with businesses and individuals that are already in the region, like healthcare and hospitality.

This leads to a job mix that looks more like a retirement community than the onetime workshop of the world.

It also means that both Philadelphians and residents of the suburban counties are earning less money than they could be  but it doesnt have to be that way.

Per Brookings, Philadelphia has three main areas of opportunity as a region. One is what it calls enterprise digital solutions (think business software), another is in specialized manufacturing, and the third is in life sciences  where the regional edge in gene therapy could be used to grow other sections of the industry.

Capitalizing on those opportunities would take regional collaboration, since no county can do it alone, and relying on the state isnt a good plan, either.

As the three-year odyssey to fund public transportation has shown, Harrisburg often has vastly different priorities than what is best for the southeast. Despite generating roughly 40% of the commonwealths revenue on just 5% of Pennsylvanias land, the regions needs often get short shrift.

Meanwhile, agriculture and energy, two industries that are mostly irrelevant in this part of the state, receive lavish attention from policymakers. Rural Pennsylvania is also allowed to keep the nearly $3 billion in revenue from impact fees generated by natural gas producers, while $6 billion generated by casinos, which are mostly in or near urban areas, is nearly entirely absorbed by the commonwealth.

This neglect from the state should spur the southeast to work together in both the public and private sectors. Given how integrated our local economies are, our fates are intertwined, yet according to Brookings, the region lacks a unified, tactics-level strategy and workplan to guide economic and workforce development efforts.

That must change. With more than four million people living in the five counties, the region has the resources it needs to invest in itself; it just needs the political will to do it.

Brookings, working alongside the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Chamber of Commerce, helped to establish what it is calling the Southeastern Pennsylvania Economic Collaborative to help address growth and mobility. The group seeks to outline a workable strategy for economic development, which would help entrepreneurs and other investors find a reason to bet on Greater Philadelphia.
Gov. Josh Shapiro criticized fellow Democrat Zohran Mamdani, the New York mayoral nominee, for not combating antisemitism more forcefully. Read more

Gov. Josh Shapiro, one of the most prominent Jewish politicians in the country, criticized New York Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani for not doing more to combat antisemitism on the campaign trail  contributing to an attack line against the progressive candidate.

Shapiro said Mamdani seemed to run a campaign that excited New Yorkers, but he also seemed to run one where he left open far too much space for extremists to either use his words or for him to not condemn the words of extremists that said some blatantly antisemitic things, when asked about the candidate by Jewish Insider after an event in Lewistown, Pa., on Wednesday.

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Mamdani, a New York Assembly member who identifies as a democratic socialist and would be New York Citys first Muslim mayor, focused his campaign on affordability issues. But he has also faced ongoing questioning over his critical views of Israel in the city with the largest Jewish population in the country.

In a transcript of Shapiros comments obtained by The Inquirer, the Pennsylvania governor also said he doesnt really follow New York politics that much and didnt know who Mamdani was until probably a few days before that election.

Ill say this about Mamdani or any other leader, Shapiro also said. Leaders have a responsibility to speak and act with moral clarity.  I dont care if youre a Republican or Democratic leader or a democratic socialist leader.

Shapiro added that when supporters of yours say things are blatantly antisemitic, you cant leave room for that to just sit there. Youve got to condemn that. And I think that is true regardless of what office youre running for, regardless of what your party is.

Mamdanis campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

The Democratic nominee will face off in November against former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, both mounting independent bids after serving as Democrats, and Republican Curtis Sliwa.

Shapiro is one of several prominent Democrats nationally who have been reluctant to embrace Mamdani as the partys nominee to lead the nations biggest city.

 READ MORE: Why N.J. governor candidates are fighting about Zohran Mamdani

Mamdani has faced particular pushback for not condemning the phrase globalize the intifada when repeatedly asked by interviewers last month.

Intifada, which translates to shaking off or uprising in Arabic, has been used to express support for Palestinians, but it has also been interpreted as a call for violence against Jews or Israelis.

Part of why the term is viewed as a call for violence is because of periods of Palestinian uprising against Israels military occupation of Gaza and the West Bank referred to as the intifadas, including in the early 2000s when Palestinian attackers conducted deadly suicide bombings in public places in Israel, like buses, restaurants, and hotels, eliciting a fierce and deadly military response from Israel.

When asked again about the phrase on NY1 last week, Mamdani said he has thought about it a lot and realizes that for some New Yorkers, it is used to refer to civil disobedience and protest, a call to end the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land, but that for many Jewish New Yorkers it is heard very differently, as a reference to bus bombings in Haifa, restaurant attacks in Jerusalem, and engenders a fear of similar attacks in New York.

That distance between what some intend and what others hear is a bridge that is too far and it is why I have not used the phrase and it is why I discourage its use, he added. And my focus is on building a movement for justice and equality.

Mamdani also told business leaders this month he will not use the phrase and will discourage others from doing so.

His promise to discourage using the term is a shift from his remarks in June, when he repeatedly said he understands the term means something very different to different people and he doesnt want to police other peoples language, comparing the practice to the actions of President Donald Trump.

In June, Mamdani said on The Bulwark podcast that he hears a desperate desire for equality for Palestinians in the controversial slogan. He said that translating Arabic words can be tricky and that intifada was used in a United States Holocaust Memorial Museum translation of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising against the Nazis. The museum called the comparison outrageous and "offensive."

He also said on the podcast that tackling antisemitism should be a focus of the next mayoral administration. He has committed to funding hate crime prevention more broadly.

Its not language that I use, Mamdani told NBC in June. Its language I understand there are concerns about, and what I will do is showcase my vision for the city through my words and my action."

Shapiro has been a critic of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus leadership while also supporting the countrys existence as a Jewish state, and has argued the two should not be mutually exclusive. He favors a two-state solution.

There are policies of the Netanyahu government that I dont support. Ive been very vocal about that, Shapiro told Jewish Insider. But theres a difference between not supporting the policies of whoevers in charge at a particular time, and the underlying notion of a Jewish state of Israel.

Shapiro said that while Washington  not Pennsylvania  is tasked with the majority of foreign policy work, he is concerned about decreased support for Israel in the United States and finds it important to strengthen peoples understanding of Israel and the relationship America should have with Israel and to strengthen that bond. He noted that support for Israel has transcended party politics in the past.

I think just in general, across the board, I want to see more support for Israel, for a Jewish state, he added. That doesnt mean that one cant be critical of Israeli policy.

Shapiro survived an arson attack while staying in the governors mansion with family to celebrate Passover earlier this year. The perpetrator allegedly made comments about Shapiros support for Israel. The governor has not labeled the attack as an antisemitic act, leaving it to police to determine the motive. But others have viewed it as another attack on a growing list of Jews targeted over their support for Israels existence as a Jewish state.

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who cross-endorsed Mamdani in the Democratic primary, said in a statement published in Politico that Mamdani won the votes of a large majority of NYC Democrats, including thousands of proud Jews like me, inspired by his vision of a city everyone can afford and confident about his commitment to combating antisemitism and hate.

Josh Shapiro wont help keep Jews safe in NYC or Pennsylvania by feeding Trumps narrative about our Democratic nominee for mayor, Lander added.
Despite the June 30 deadline, leaders are expected to continue negotiations throughout the week in Harrisburg. Read more

HARRISBURG  State lawmakers say theyre still far apart on reaching a budget deal as the clock ticks ever closer to their deadline of the start of a new fiscal year on Tuesday. Still, the true impact of that missed deadline for most Pennsylvanians wont be felt for weeks.

Top lawmakers and Gov. Josh Shapiro are meeting behind closed doors to strike a budget deal on how the state should spend approximately $50 billion in state funds over the next year, as the state faces a major budget shortfall in the 2025-26 budget cycle that is predicted to worsen in the years to come.

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Shapiro proposed a $51.5 billion budget in February that would increase spending for Medicaid, education, and more, while proposing to add new revenue streams to help pay for these increases by legalizing recreational marijuana and regulating skill games.

House Democrats, who control the chamber with a one-seat majority, have approved measures to implement much of Shapiros policy goals that they believe make critical investment and encourage economic growth  a view Senate Republicans do not share.

Budget talks this year are especially challenging in the politically split legislature, and as the state faces a $5.5 billion budget gap, with spending set to outpace revenue by that amount next year. That means lawmakers would need to tap into its more than $10 billion in reserves or surpluses, cut spending and services  or raise taxes. Besides the new revenue generators on skill games or marijuana, no new taxes or increases this year have been proposed.

Lawmakers often blow past the June 30 budget deadline with little immediate consequence, but try to reach a deal as close to it as possible.

Despite the deadline, leaders are expected to continue negotiations throughout the week. It could be days, weeks, or even months before the General Assembly passes  and Shapiro signs  a spending deal.

What are the top sticking points in the state budget this year?

Shapiro, House Majority Leader Matt Bradford (D., Montgomery), and Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R., Indiana) are the main negotiators at the table. They are deciding how the state should invest taxpayer funds and fulfill obligations to the states most vulnerable: its children, people with disabilities, and more. These investments reflect what Pennsylvanias state government prioritizes most.

But there are sticking points.

For Shapiro and Bradford, both Democrats who hail from Montgomery County, a top priority is increasing mass transit funding by $292 million this year, including for SEPTA and Pennsylvanias other transit agencies.

 READ MORE: Not just SEPTA: Public transit is in trouble all across Pennsylvania, including in GOP districts

SEPTA has already voted to slash service and increase fares in anticipation that Harrisburg does not come through, as Pittman has made clear that any new spending for mass transit needs to also increase funding for Pennsylvanias roads and bridges, and he wants to see SEPTA make several changes before he supports it.

Pittman has also cautioned that Shapiros proposed $2.5 billion increase to Pennsylvanias Medicaid programs will limit any other new investments the state can make in its current financial position.

 READ MORE: How a ballooning Medicaid program in Pa. is looming over state budget talks  no matter what federal lawmakers decide

There also remains a wide swath of opinions on how Pennsylvania should regulate and tax skill games, the slot-machine look-alikes that have proliferated around the state in the last five years in convenience stores, bars, and fraternal organizations. Some lawmakers want to ban the machines, like Philadelphia City Council voted to do. Shapiro proposed taxing them at the same rate as slot machines, 52%, and estimates the currently unregulated and untaxed industry would bring in at least $369 million in additional revenue. Others agree with skill game industry officials, who want to regulate them at a much lesser rate.

Just over a week before the budget deadline, Pittman said there was still no framework for a deal and that lawmakers would miss their constitutional requirement of starting the new fiscal year with a balanced budget.

Theres also some discussion about approving a six-month stopgap budget while Congress finalizes President Donald Trumps megabill tax and spending package  albeit, not at the negotiation table, yet.

Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R., Westmoreland) said she would support a six-month budget, as 40% of Pennsylvanias total spending each year relies on federal funds that may or may not be coming through, including potential Medicaid cuts.

What happens when Pennsylvanias state budget isnt on time?

The state budget allows the state to pay its bills and send out its funds. The longer it takes to approve, the longer some school districts, county governments, and nonprofits have to wait, and will need to dip into their own savings or take out loans to stay afloat.

Most Pennsylvania residents, however, are unlikely to feel the impact of a late state budget for many months, if at all.

The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, for example, on Friday urged lawmakers to move quickly on approving a state budget, as counties rely on state funds to pay for their expansive behavioral health services, among other programs.

Without these funds, county governments will be forced to front the cost of services, delay or suspend programs, and divert already limited local revenues to plug growing gaps, according to a news release.

School districts around Pennsylvania may start feeling the impact within two weeks of a late budget, said Mackenzie Christ, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania School Boards Association, in an email.

If districts are to receive their July subsidy from the state, it must be submitted to the state treasurer for disbursement by July 15, Christ said. If there is no budget deal by then, districts will likely need to borrow funds to cover payroll and other state-mandated obligations, as districts usually have only enough in their reserves to cover a few weeks of no state funding.

This is not Shapiros first time with a tricky budget deal  though it is the most financially challenging.

In 2023, after issuing a line-item veto on a school voucher deal he helped strike with Senate Republicans, GOP leaders withheld sending him the final budget bill for his signature for months. The state Senate did not return until August to send the main spending bills to Shapiro, and $1.1 billion did not get sorted out until December.

But it was nowhere near the states longest budget impasse.

In 2015, Shapiros predecessor, Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, went nine months until reaching a deal with GOP lawmakers who controlled the House and Senate. While state government employees continued to receive their paychecks, the school boards association estimated that districts had to borrow $900 million to stay afloat, incurring more than $50 million in interest and fees.
Archbishop Nelson J. Perez celebrates Mass in honor of the newly chosen Pope Leo XIV, at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, in Philadelphia, May 9, 2025. Read more

Philadelphia Archbishop Nelson Perez has released a letter calling for solidarity with immigrants, as ICE increases its enforcement in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

You are not alone. The Church is a community of faith, and the divine person of Christ, who was forced to flee his homeland as a child, holds you in his compassionate arms, Perez wrote Tuesday.

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ICE arrests have surged in recent months in Pennsylvania, including in Montgomery County communities such as Norristown. This month, there were arrests in a South Philadelphia neighborhood and at West Norritons Super Gigante food market.

The recent raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Perez said, have produced a great deal of fear and unleashed a broad range of other emotions.

In January, the Trump administration ended a policy that had blocked federal agents from entering houses of worship. Since then, religious leaders nationwide have responded by moving services online, distributing know your rights materials, and participating in vigils. In May, the Diocese of Nashville told Catholics that they are not required to attend Sunday Mass if they fear for their safety. This month, in San Bernardino, Calif., the local diocese became the first to issue a special dispensation lifting the obligation for parishioners to attend Mass.

Newly appointed Pope Leo XIV urged respect for the dignity of every person  citizens and immigrants alike while addressing diplomats in May.

Law enforcement officials, Perez wrote, uphold the common good by protecting all of us from human trafficking, the exploitation of children, and any other criminal offense against human dignity.

At the same time, we strongly advocate for immigration policies that guarantee the protection of life, liberty, and property of all those who call the United States of America home, he added.

According to a 2024 analysis conducted by Pew Charitable Trusts, 15.7% of Philadelphia residents report being born outside the United States. Philadelphia calls itself a welcoming city, with sanctuary policies that block local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement.

Recent polling has shown diminished support for ICE. A CNN poll released last week found that 55% of Americans surveyed said the presidents crackdown on undocumented immigrants has gone too far, up 10 points since February. And a Gallup poll released earlier this month showed that 30% of Americans want less immigration, down from 55% last year.

Perez, who is the son of Cuban immigrants, was appointed by Pope Francis to lead the archdiocese in 2020. Previously, he served as the bishop of Cleveland, where he was an outspoken advocate for immigrants and once personally intervened on behalf of an undocumented parishioner facing deportation.

While there is no instant solution to the challenges pervading immigration policy, I urge everyone in parish communities to unite through prayer and social unity with the immigrant faithful under the leadership of parish pastors, Perez said.

Staff writer Katie Bernard contributed to this article.
N.B. wakes up at 4:30 a.m. most days to begin their eight-hour shift as a sanitation worker in Philadelphia, where they lug what they estimate to be 18,000 pounds of the citys trash into their truck  regardless of rain, shine, heat, or snow.

The work is unrelenting and physical, and the pay since N.B.  who asked to be identified by their initials because they are not authorized to speak to the media  took the job in October 2024 has been barely enough to get by, they said.

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Receiving a nearly $1,200 biweekly salary, N.B. said about half of each months pay goes to rent for their studio apartment. Meanwhile, N.B. said, they are bracing for the financial impacts when one of their daughters heads off to college next month, wondering what happens when she needs help buying a textbook for class.

So when word came that N.B.s union, District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, was set to go on strike this month for higher wages, the sanitation worker was on board with the message.

For workers in DC 33, Philadelphias lowest-paid municipal bargaining unit, the average salary is $46,000 annually, more than $2,000 below the citys living wage for a single adult without children, according to the Massachusetts Institute of Technologys Living Wage Calculator.

The union called the strike at 12:01 a.m. July 1 after DC 33 and Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration failed to reach a contract deal before the old one expired. Union leaders initially asked for 8% raises. By the time members went on strike, they were pushing for 5%.

During the eight-day stoppage, trash collection ceased. Garbage bags lined the city streets, temporary dump sites overflowed, and tensions between DC 33s more than 9,000 blue-collar municipal workers and the city rose as union members, like N.B., took to the picket lines.

Then it was back to work. After eight days, the union and the city reached a three-year deal, which includes 3% annual wage increases, in the early hours of July 9. The contract was ratified Monday.

July 1 came around, and we kind of got slapped in the face because we didnt get nothing good, N.B. said. We just got told, youll continue to be underpaid for at least another three years.

The Inquirer spoke with seven city employees represented by DC 33 in the days after the strike. The employees, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to speak to the media, expressed their frustrations with the Parker administration and what many viewed as a lackluster contract. They also provided a firsthand account of what it was like on the picket lines during the first major municipal city workers strike since 1986.

 READ MORE: DC 33 made concessions in 1992. Decades of resentment since led to Philadelphias recent city worker strike.

Unifying our anger at somebody or something

The union picket lines, workers said, were a notable exhibition of camaraderie in the city. Members stepped up as strike captains and held decorative signs. Some members stood on the lines, located from City Hall to the Northeast Water Pollution Control Plant, for hours in the blistering heat. Meanwhile, Philadelphians not involved with DC 33 were honking their horns in support, dropping off food, or asking if anyone was in need of a coffee run.

Philly is a city, I think, for one, that loves, unifying our anger at somebody or something, said a city employee of two years and a member of DC 33.

It made me like have a respect and a love and an optimism for Philadelphia that I kind of have always had, but I felt it stronger, said another DC 33 member, a Free Library employee.

Morale and energy among union members during the strike were high, workers who spoke to The Inquirer said. Tensions appeared to be equally high in some places across the city, however, as reports of slashed tires, open fire hydrants, and vandalism trickled in on the first day of the strike.

Heaps of garbage  dubbed by striking workers and allies as Parker piles  became the hallmark image of the strike, creating a logistical headache for residents and the mayor, but N.B. thought the ever-growing piles of trash were a teachable moment for the public to appreciate the work of the citys sanitation workers and understand why they were demanding higher pay.

Thats a normal day for me, N.B. said.

When N.B. returned to their shift last week, the sheer volume of trash leftover  as city services dwindled during the strike  was overwhelming, heavy, and  at times  grotesque.

It was more time-consuming because everything was covered in maggots, N.B. said. Instead of us just grabbing the bags, throwing them and flinging them, you have to watch how you carry them. Make sure they not touching your pants or your shirt.

Others, while supportive of the strike, felt some semblance of relief in the routine of returning to work, interacting with the public, or collecting a paycheck.

Thank God, a municipal guard for the Free Library said, describing their reaction when the union had reached a tentative agreement with the city.

As Free Library branches resumed operations after the work stoppage, the guard said, the picket line and the strike still remained top of mind for employees.

I guess we all had a lot to get off our chest about it. We all had our opinions on the situation, the guard said, noting that during the strike some days I feel like our voices were heard, the next day I feel like [they werent].

Another employee, who has worked for the library for almost three years, said they were happy to serve patrons again, but noted workers felt pretty disrespected by the tentative deal.

DC 33 members grapple with contract ratification

As city workers returned to their jobs, they were faced with a decision that no DC 33 employee had to make in almost 40 years: whether or not to accept the strike-ending deal their union negotiated for them.

After a week of voting, roughly 64% of participating DC 33 members approved the tentative agreement. If members had voted it down, the union and the city would be back at the bargaining table and workers would not be able to receive the wage boosts outlined in the agreement. Now, they cannot go on strike for another three years.

The three-year deal includes annual wage increases of 3%, which was close to Parkers original demands and fell short of the 5% DC 33 was striking for. It also offers a fifth step pay increase and a $1,500 bonus, and permits the union to maintain ownership of its health and welfare fund.

Parker said that the deal was fair and fiscally responsible" and that she could personally identify with DC 33 workers. Meanwhile, the unions president, Greg Boulware, dejectedly told reporters after the agreement was reached: The strike is over and nobodys happy. We felt our clock was running out.

 READ MORE: They are my people: Mayor Cherelle Parker on why she stood firm in the DC 33 city worker strike

Most of the employees who spoke to The Inquirer had said they planned to vote against the agreement because they felt their work was being undervalued.

In total, more than 1,500 members voted to accept the new contract, while 838 voted against it. Roughly 6,625 members did not vote.

A six-year Philadelphia Parks and Recreation employee said they felt that DC 33s workers deserved more than what was outlined in the tentative agreement and that what weve been forced to vote on is not acceptable.

The employee told The Inquirer they and their coworkers felt so demoralized. On the day they returned to their jobs at the parks after the tentative agreement was reached, it felt hard to begin working again, they said.

Then came lunchtime. The employee and their colleagues tuned into Parkers televised news conference about the tentative contract. One coworker was visibly upset and cried, the employee said.

Were at work, but how can we reasonably return in good faith and progress the mission of our team, knowing everything that we know and knowing how weve been treated by administration and leadership? the employee asked.

What members thought of DC 33s leadership

More than 9,000 city workers looked to Boulware and union leadership to guide them through the strike and the days leading up to it and afterward.

Though frustrated by a lower wage increase than they had hoped for, some workers said they believe Boulware, elected last year to lead the union, did the best he could and praised some elements of the unions communication style. Other workers recognized that forces working against the union, including court injunctions filed by the city that forced more and more striking workers back to their jobs, created a tough situation for DC 33 leadership to maintain its leverage.

One DC 33 member said the unions communication style during the strike was somewhat untraditional, with messaging spreading by word of mouth, which the member found to be effective.

But some workers were still surprised by the unions decision-making. One said they were concerned by the lack of updates from leadership heading into the overnight negotiating session when the deal was reached and said it seemed out of sync with what my experiences were on the ground, given the high energy of the picket lines and their hope that the union would not agree to a wage below 5%.

The Philadelphia Parks and Recreation employee said they understood the 9,000-member strike was a massive undertaking but felt that communication from union leadership was lackluster. They noted DC 33 had two Zoom meetings leading up to the strike, but none during the work stoppage, and said leadership made other promises that were not fulfilled, such as providing transportation and full meals at the picket lines.

Boulware declined to comment.

With the contract officially approved and employees back to work, some in DC 33 say they are still frustrated over the outcome.

Time will not heal this wound, the parks and recreation employee said.

The wound is not from the strike, the employee said. The wound is from the situation that caused the strike. Time will not heal this. A fair contract will.
Visitors wait to see the Liberty Bell in Independence National Historical Park amid a heat advisory earlier this month. Read more

Well, it was nice while it lasted.

Unfortunately, we are looking at another return to severe heat conditions, said Robert Deal, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Mount Holly. And hes not kidding.

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After a brief break from the scorching temperatures and oppressive humidity so often foisted upon the region this month, Friday appears to be bringing back a generous serving of both. The entire Philadelphia region will be under an extreme heat warning and heat advisory from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with heat indexes reaching 100 to 108 degrees, according to current forecasts.

Actual temperatures, meanwhile, are likely to top out in the upper 90s, suggesting we could match the 2016 record high of 97 degrees for July 25. Those dangerously high levels of heat and humidity raise the potential for heat-related illnesses, so Deal advised residents to take caution Friday.

Heat is the silent killer, and it disproportionately affects people who are more vulnerable, Deal said. If you have to be outside, take breaks, hydrate, and find shade.

So far this summer, there have been five heat-related deaths in Philadelphia, city health department spokesperson James Garrow said.

High heat and humidity can also create instability in the air, which may result in some scattered severe thunderstorms Friday  including the possibility of damaging winds, some hail, and brief, heavy downpours throughout the region, forecasts indicate.

As of Thursday evening, much of the region had a marginal risk of severe storms developing, with some areas north of Philadelphia being elevated to a slight risk. Deal said changes were expected due to forecasters uncertainty over how quickly a cold front meteorologists are tracking rolls through the region.

If scattered storms do develop, forecasters predict they will hit the area likely later Friday, between 3 and 9 p.m. Damaging wind gusts are expected to be the primary threat.

Saturday morning and afternoon, meanwhile, should be something of a reprieve, with comparatively lower temperatures and drier weather on the docket, Deal said. But things will likely pick back up late Saturday into Sunday, with an uptick in both heat and humidity.

Sunday afternoon is expected to bring high humidity and temperatures into the mid-90s, along with possible showers and thunderstorms that could develop into severe weather, according to the weather services forecast.

Early next week is expected to be seasonably warm with humid weather, the weather service indicates. As a consolation, Monday could be the driest day, with the chance of showers and thunderstorms increasing as Wednesday approaches.

And for those keeping score at home, its not just your imagination  this summer has been a particularly uncomfortable one. The period from June 1 to July 15, in fact, was the regions third-muggiest start to summer in data going back to 1948, The Inquirer has reported.
The global trade credit insurance market saw a drop in both the number and value of claims in 2024, according to new data released by the Lloyds Market Association (LMA), the International Underwriting Association (IUA), and the London & International Insurance Brokers Association (LIIBA).
Its clear a different approach is needed to prepare for, manage, and then recover from catastrophic events, he said. The need for a more coordinated response from businesses, governments, and society to the challenges we face as a result of this changing climate has never been more urgent.
Research shows a rapid decline in the mental health of people born in the 1990s over the past two decades, with this cohort exhibiting poorer mental health than previous generations at the same age. Unlike previous generations, they are not showing improvements in mental health as they age, he said.
MAPFRE continues improving profitability in all regions and business units, said Antonio Huertas (pictured), the companys chairman. In addition to the boost from the Strategic Plan, our highly diversified business model, along with the enormous transformation and efficiency improvements, allow us to be optimistic about 2025 despite the persistent geopolitical challenges.
Davis, who has served as president of Vela since 2019, first joined the company in 2018 as senior vice president and chief underwriting officer. In his new role as chairman, he will remain involved with the company, supporting the leadership team during the transition period.
A central point in the appeal was whether Russo qualified as an insured under the Donegal policya status that would have allowed stacking of benefits under Pennsylvanias Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law. The court ruled he did not, since he was neither named in the employers policy nor met the statutes definition of an insured.
In response to the recent tragic fire at Gabriel House in Fall River, Massachusetts, the state announced new measures to enhance the safety of residents living in the states 273 assisted living residences (ALRs).

What happened in Fall River is a horrible tragedy. Our hearts are with the families who lost loved ones and to the first responders who saved so many others, said Governor Maura Healey. This is a moment to make sure that every assisted living residence is prepared to respond to emergencies and to protect the safety of their residents.

The Gabriel House fire erupted on the evening of Sunday July 13. About 50 firefighters responded and were able to put out the fire by Monday morning and get inside and rescue numerous occupants. Ten residents died and at least 30 people were hurt as thick smoke and flames trapped residents inside. Many of those rescued were taken to hospitals. Five firefighters suffered injuries.

While the fire is still under investigation, officials have indicated that smoking or oxygen machine issues may have sparked the deadly blaze.

One resident of Gabriel House has filed a lawsuit alleging the facility was not properly managed, staffed or maintained. The injury law firm Morgan & Morgan said it has been retained by a family of someone who died in the fire.

Smoking or Oxygen Machine Eyed as Possible Cause of Deadly Fire at Assisted Living Home

Assisted living facilities have been looked at as essentially a residential option, offering older adults living quarters and some assistance but not as much help as nursing homes. Before the blaze, Gabriel House staff had raised concerns about conditions including staffing and low wages. Many of Gabriel House residents are low income and served by Medicaid. The building was formerly a motel.

Regulation is up to states as there are no federal regulations governing assisted living. Some advocates maintain that regulations have not kept up as more assisted living facilities have opened and the population they serve has changed to include seniors with increased needs.

The regulations are minimal, Liane Zeitz told The Associated Press. Zeitz is an attorney and a member of the state Assisted Living Residences Commission, a body created by lawmakers last year to make recommendations about the sector.

On July 21, the Executive Office of Aging & Independence (AGE), the state agency tasked with ensuring ALRs are in compliance with state regulations, launched a statewide fire and life safety initiative to ensure all ALRs are prepared to protect residents during emergencies. These proactive measures build on existing work.

Deadly Massachusetts Fire Highlights Assisted-Living Regulation, Staffing

As part of the initiative, all ALRs must issue a letter to residents and families outlining fire safety protocols, evacuation procedures and key points of contact for questions or concerns. Additionally, ALRs must ensure that evacuation instructions and exit routes are posted inside each residents unit and in common areas.

The state will distribute a fire safety assessment survey that all ALRs must complete and return within 30 calendar days, reaffirming compliance with fire safety requirements such as sprinkler systems, fire drills, evacuation protocols and maintenance of fire-rated doors and walls. Providers will also report the age and key systems within their buildings to help prioritize oversight.

Also, ALRs must submit their disaster and emergency preparedness plans within 30 calendar days, concurrent with the fire safety self-assessment survey.

We are engaging every assisted living provider in this process. By requiring clear communication with residents and detailed reporting to the state, we are making sure resident safety is front and center  today and every day, said Aging & Independence Secretary Robin Lipson.

ALRs in Massachusetts are subject to existing safety requirements. including certification and recertification, compliance with building and fire codes, written emergency preparedness plans, staff training, and coordination with municipal emergency services.

AGE said it issued detailed instructions to all assisted living residences on July 18 outlining the new requirements and timelines.

Gov. Healey also announced this week that the the state is sending Fall River $1.2 million to improve public safety and first responder staffing.

The owner of Gabriel House has said he is cooperating with investigations.

The Massachusetts Assisted Living Association supports the state ensuring that all facilities meet the mandate to have adequate staffing at all times to meet the specific needs of its residents, including in emergency scenarios, according to Brian Doherty, the organizations CEO.

Doherty said state regulations require that ALRs develop individualized service plans for each resident and revise them as a residents needs evolve over time.

Photo: 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)

Topics Massachusetts
The widow of an East Hartford police officer who committed suicide on the job is not entitled to survivorship benefits under the states workers compensation law, a Connecticut appeals court has ruled.

The case involved Patricia Buchanans claim for survivorship benefits after the death of her husband Paul by a self- inflicted gunshot wound while at work at the police department, during office hours, and with the use of his service revolver.

An administrative law judge denied her workers compensation claim on his determination that her husbands suicide was caused by a lifetime of depression unrelated to his job and not by job-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

But that ruling was reversed by the Workers Compensation Commission (WCC), which said the administrative law judge was wrong to acknowledge that the officer had the occupational disease PTSD but then conclude that it did not cause his suicide.

The officers employer, the town of East Hartford, appealed the ruling by the WCC, contending that the WCC board improperly substituted its judgment on causation for that of the administrative law judge. The appeals court agreed with East Hartford, stressing that it was not the role of the board to retry the issue of causation. It returned the case for a ruling consistent with the denial of benefits by the administrative law judge.

The late officer began working as a police officer for East Hartford in 1989. The stress of the work weighed on him. He had experienced a great deal of emotional trauma as a police officer from several incidents including responding to a murder/suicide in 2006, and comforting a teenager who had been stabbed and who subsequently died in his arms. After he had been working for the department for about 10 years, he began to experience restless sleep and he often woke up in the middle of the night from a nightmare.

On January 15, 2013 on an overnight shift, Buchanan responded to an apartment complex fire. The officer later told his wife that residents were jumping from windows and children were being thrown to safety. A lieutenant at the scene described Buchanan as babbling. His boss decided to send him to Hartford Hospital by ambulance. The emergency room records indicate that his doctor had increased his dosage of prescribed medications. A first report of injury noted he had been overcome by smoke.

Buchanan returned to work on March 4, 2013, and was assigned administrative duties. On March 12, 2013, he died of a self- inflicted gunshot wound at work.

His wife argued that her husband suffered from PTSD, which was aggravated by his responding to the complex fire on January 15, 2013, at which time he inhaled smoke and was administered oxygen, taken from the scene via ambulance, and diagnosed with smoke inhalation. The aggravation of this condition caused his death on March 12, 2013, according to his wife.

East Hartford argued that the threshold issue was whether Buchanan had actually sustained PTSD versus a long-term depression. If the court ruled that he sustained a long-term depression, the claim was not compensable and should be dismissed, the town maintained.

Connecticuts workers compensation law calls for compensation to dependents on account of death resulting from an accident arising out of and in the course of employment or from an occupational disease. It also holds that personal injury or injury shall not be construed to include a mental or emotional impairment, unless such impairment arises from a physical injury or occupational disease.

Testimony in the case was divided over whether officer Buchanan had job-related PTSD, whether he suffered from a lifetime of depression and anxiety unrelated to his job, and what caused him to commit suicide when he did.

One psychiatrist testified that Buchanan developed PTSD from his career as a police officer, which was exacerbated by the January 2013 fire and smoke inhalation and which directly caused the decedent to take his own life. Another psychiatrist also diagnosed Buchanan with PTSD and opined that he committed suicide because he was emotionally overwhelmed from his PTSD developed as a result of working as a police officer for almost 25 years. He also opined that Buchanans smoke inhalation from the January 2013 fire aggravated his PTSD, which led to his suicide.

However, a psychiatrist testifying for East Hartford said she could not conclude that Buchanan suffered from PTSD. Rather, she believed that he suffered from lifetime episodes of major depression and anxiety that were not related to his work. In her opinion, the January 2013 fire had coincided with recent changes to his psychiatric medicines from which he was having side effects at that time. She ultimately decided that his major depressive episode, combined with anxious distress, sleep disturbance, and the management of his medications, were substantial contributing factors in his suicide.

The administrative law judge found the towns psychiatrist opinions on causation to be credible and persuasive. The administrative law judge noted that the officers depression had been an ongoing issue since his young adulthood and that his suicide coincided with changes in his medications.

In its appeal of the awarding of benefits, the town of East Hartford contended that the administrative law judges factual findings were supported in the record and it was not the role of the WCC to question them.

The appellate court agreed with the town, reminding the WCC that once the experts reports and testimony were admitted into evidence, the administrative law judge was entitled to determine the weight to give that evidence. The appellate judges said the administrative law judges conclusions cannot be reversed simply because the plaintiffs own evaluations of the findings cause him to reach a contrary conclusion.

Topics Workers' Compensation Talent Law Enforcement
Chinese-made engines are being covertly shipped via front companies to a state-owned drone manufacturer in Russia, labeled as industrial refrigeration units to avoid detection in the wake of Western sanctions, according to three European security officials and documents reviewed by Reuters.

The shipments have allowed Russian weapons-maker IEMZ Kupol to increase its production of the Garpiya-A1 attack drone, despite the U.S. and E.U. sanctions imposed in October designed to disrupt its supply chain, according to the sources and documents, which included contracts, invoices and customs paperwork.

An internal Kupol document, reviewed by Reuters, showed it signed a contract with the Russian defense ministry to produce more than 6,000 Garpiya this year, up from 2,000 in 2024. The document stated that more than 1,500 drones had already been delivered by April.

The long-range drone is being deployed to attack civilian and military targets deep within Ukrainian territory, with around 500 being used by Russia per month, the Ukrainian military intelligence agency said in a statement to Reuters.

The European security officials asked that neither they nor their organization be identified due to the sensitivity of the information. They also requested some specific details in the documents be withheld, such as their dates and the cost of contracts.

In September, Reuters reported that Kupol was producing the Garpiya using Chinese technology, including L550E engines made by Xiamen Limbach Aviation Engine Co. A month after the Reuters report, the European Union and the U.S. sanctioned several companies involved in producing the drones, including Xiamen.

In the wake of the sanctions, a new Chinese firm called Beijing Xichao International Technology and Trade has started supplying the L550E engines to Kupol, according to invoices, a Kupol internal letter and transportation documents reviewed by Reuters.

The increase in production of Garpiya as well as the new intermediaries supplying parts for the drones are reported by Reuters for the first time.

The news agency could not determine how Xichao obtained the engines from the maker Xiamen Limbach. Xiamen Limbach did not respond to a request for comment and Reuters was unable to reach Xichao.

IEMZ Kupol, Russias trade and industry ministry and the defense ministry also did not respond to a request for comment.

In a statement to Reuters, Chinas foreign ministry said it was unaware of the export of parts for the Garpiya and it has controlled foreign sales of dual-use goods in line with Chinas own laws and international obligations.

China has always opposed unilateral sanctions that lack basis in international law and are not authorized by the U.N. Security Council, the statement said.

The European Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Both the U.S. and E.U. have repeatedly imposed sanctions on companies in third-party countries, including China, alleged to have provided dual-use technology to Russia. Kupol has been sanctioned since December 2022 by the EU and December 2023 by the U.S. for its involvement in Russias defense sector.

Diplomatic Warnings

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is due to travel to China for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on Thursday, amid tensions over Beijings support for Russias war effort.

The European Unions top diplomat Kaja Kallas told Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on July 2 that Chinese firms support for Russia in the war posed a threat to European security and she urged China to cease trade that sustains Russias military machine, the EU said in a statement.

Meia Nouwens, senior fellow for Chinese security and defense policy at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), said Chinas prime concern was to help sustain Russias war effort to ensure the United States remained focused on Ukraine.

This does not help China and Europe come closer together, diplomatically, she said.

China says it imposes strict controls on the export of drones and their parts and has never provided either side of the war in Ukraine with lethal weapons.

A person familiar with Beijings thinking on the issue said that China produces around 75% of worlds drones, with the majority not for military purposes; if Russia was using them as weapons, then the same was also true of Ukraine, the person added.

Ahead of Thursdays summit, one European official said the EU was not asking China to cut economic ties with Russia but to strengthen customs and financial controls to reduce the flow of specific dual-use goods.

The Garpiya, which means harpy in Russian, is based on the Iranian-made Shahed drones but relies on Chinese technology, the three European sources said. The Ukrainian military intelligence agency said the Chinese-made components in the drone included the engine, control systems, and navigation equipment.

The engines were shipped by Xichao to a Russian front company identified as SMP-138, which then forwarded them to a second Russian firm LIBSS, according to another internal Kupol document, seen by Reuters.

Abram Goldman, registered as the owner of SMP-138, did not respond to an emailed request for comment. LIBSS also did not respond to Reuters questions.

A contract for LIBSS to supply Kupol with the engines, reviewed by Reuters, stated they would be described as cooling units in shipping documents because of their sensitivity. The delivery route was from Beijing to Moscow then to Izhevsk, where Kupol has manufacturing facilities.

Describing them as cooling units allowed the goods to be exported to Russia without alerting Chinese authorities, the three security officials said.

Transportation documents reviewed by Reuters showed that Sichuan Airlines and China Southern Airlines, Chinas largest carrier, had transported components for the drones to sanctioned Russian companies since October.

China Southern did not respond to Reuters questions and Sichuan could not be reached for comment.

(Additional reporting by John Irish in Paris, Andrew Gray in Brussels, Tom Balmforth in Kyiv, Qiaoyi Li in Beijing; Editing by Daniel Flynn)
MS Amlin, the Lloyds global re/insurer, announced the appointment of Christiern Dart as chief executive officer (CEO).

Dart, previously group chief underwriting officer (CUO) at Brit, will take up the role in January 2026, subject to regulatory approval.

Dart succeeds Andrew Carrier who, after three years as CEO, has chosen to retire from his current position. Carrier will remain with the wider Mitsui Sumitomo (MSI) group as an executive officer, where he will provide counsel and insight to the MSI executive team as it continues to expand both its operations and its ambitions in international markets.

Dart brings more than three decades of leadership experience in international re/insurance markets and will assume his role at a time of continued high performance at MS Amlin.

Dart spent 17 years at Brit, including five years as group CUO, overseeing an underwriting capacity of over GBP 2 billion across a multi-line portfolio. Darts leadership saw the company navigate multiple major market events, deftly managing the challenge of balancing growth and bottom-line performance.

During his time at Brit, Dart continued to rise through the business with periods initially as deputy active underwriter for Syndicate 2987, then active underwriter for both Syndicate 2987 and 2988. He began his career at Brit underwriting its North American property and casualty (P/C) portfolio, a responsibility he also held previously at Liberty Syndicates and CNA Re, where he began his underwriting career in 1994.

MS Amlin said Carriers guidance and leadership helped transform the insurers fortunes, steering it to a position of stability and high performance, where it has delivered both its best financial result in over a decade in 2023, and demonstrated repeated success in 2024.

Carrier will remain with MS Amlin until the end of the year to support a smooth transition and regulatory handover.

I am delighted to announce Christierns appointment as MS Amlins new CEO. His leadership and strategic approach at Brit clearly demonstrate his talent, and I speak for the board and the broader executive team in MSI, when I say how excited I am for him to start his new role with us and take the company to the next stage of its development, commented Shinichiro Funabiki, president and CEO of Mitsui Sumitomo.

Funabiki went on to thank Carrier for everything he achieved during his tenure, from 2020 as CUO, and particularly the last three years as CEO.

He brought a renewed underwriting discipline to the business that has left such a positive mark on our company consciousness that his presence will be felt long after he moves into his new role as executive officer for MSI, Funabiki continued.

Source: MS Amlin

Topics Mississippi
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Everest Group and Allianz Commercial.

A summary of these new hire follows here.

Everest Promotes Beggs as EVP and CEO of Reinsurance

Everest Group Ltd., the Bermuda-based property, casualty, and specialty re/insurer, announced the promotion of Jill Beggs to executive vice president and chief executive officer of Reinsurance, effectively immediately.

Beggs previously served as Everest Reinsurance EVP and chief operating officer, and when rejoining Everest in 2021, as head of Reinsurance, North America. Her leadership has been instrumental in advancing Everests global reinsurance strategy, driving significant growth across the divisions North America, International, Global Facultative, Global Specialty, and Mt. Logan Capital Management businesses.

With over 30 years of risk management experience, Beggs is recognized for her deep industry knowledge and track record of delivering innovative risk strategies for clients through all market cycles the company said. Before Everest, she held senior leadership roles at Munich Re, where she earned a strong reputation for exceptional portfolio management.

Jills promotion is a testament to her leadership and the success of our reinsurance business, said Jim Williamson, Everest president and CEO. With Jills expertise and collaborative approach, Everest has delivered exceptional risk-adjusted returns and value to clients in an increasingly challenging risk environment. I look forward to working with Jill to drive the next chapter of the businesss strategic growth and innovation.

***

Allianz Commercial Appoints Key Global and Regional Leaders, Creating New Nordics Region

Allianz Commercial has announced new leadership roles that focus on driving market-facing activities for clients and brokers, while restructuring with separate Benelux and Nordics regions.

With effect from Aug. 1, 2025, Elke Vagenende, currently regional managing director, Benelux and Nordics, will move to the new role of chief client officer.

She will also continue as regional managing director, Benelux, until Sept. 1 when she hands over to Jonathan Poole who joins Allianz from Chubb and takes over her responsibilities in Benelux.

In parallel, Tom Leonard has been appointed as global head of Broker Management, effective Aug. 1. Both Vagenende and Leonard will be based in London and are part of Allianz Commercials Global Distribution team, led by Jeremy Sharpe.

Martin Zschech, global head of Industry Solutions and Client Management, will continue to work on all client-related topics with an increased focus on the Private Equity segment.

A new Nordics region will also now be established with effect from Aug. 1, led by Margaretha Mo as regional managing director. This new structure of separate Benelux and Nordics regions reflects the market potential in both regions, now with dedicated teams serving each, as well as reflecting their different market characteristics and practices.

Allianz Commercial said these moves reinforce the companys market-facing strategy, serving clients and brokers across the combined Commercial insurance segment, covering mid corporate, large corporate and specialty risks.

Biographes

Elke Vagenende has been regional managing director of Benelux and Nordics since 2023. She will now lead the global client management activities of Allianz Commercial in the new role of chief client officer. A Belgian national, she has extensive experience in senior market-facing roles, both in underwriting and broking, including six years at Allianz in market management and in financial lines in the UK. She previously worked for 12 years as a risk manager for large multinationals (BP, Siemens).

Tom Leonard, who is currently global broker account director for Allianz Commercial, has been appointed global head of Broker Management. In his new role, he will ensure strong trading relationships with global, international and key regional broker segments which are major contributors to Allianz Commercials existing portfolio and are key for future business growth. Prior to his current role, he held a range of progressively senior underwriting, trading and operational roles for Allianz UK, having joined the company as a graduate trainee in 2007. He is a British national.

Margaretha Mo has been country managing director in the Nordics region at Allianz Commercial since 2024. As regional managing director Nordics, Mo will now lead Nordics as a standalone region, with teams in Denmark, Sweden, and Finland, serving businesses across all Nordic countries. A Swedish national, Mo has 30 years industry experience in various roles at both insurers and brokers across the Nordics market including in leadership positions.

Jonathan Poole has been Chubbs head of Mid-Market Division, UK and Ireland, succeeding Vagenende as regional managing director, Benelux, in September. With more than 30 years experience in a range of leadership roles in corporate and international insurance, Poole has held pan-European leadership roles with Chubb and MSIG. He will be based in Belgium.

Topics Commercial Lines Leadership Reinsurance Allianz
Brown & Brown (Europe) Ltd., part of Brown & Brown, Inc., has agreed to acquire Weatherbys Hamilton LLP, a leading UK-based insurance broker specializing in private client, bloodstock, and farm & estate insurance.

Financial details of the transaction, which has received regulatory approval, were not disclosed.

Operating from seven locations across the UK  Wellingborough, London, Edinburgh, Penrith, Horsham, Swindon, and Newmarket  Weatherbys Hamilton is a recognized leader in the bloodstock industry, providing specialist insurance cover for owners, breeders, trainers, and their horses.

Founded in 2012 as a joint venture between Weatherbys Bank, owned by the Weatherbys family, and Executive Chairman Charles Hamilton, the firm was later joined by founding partners Alec Moore, Richard Chugg, Beth Sharkey, and William Johnson.

Post acquisition, all members of the Weatherbys Hamilton team will remain with the business, continuing to operate from their existing locations and trading under the Weatherbys Hamilton name as part of the Brown & Brown team.

Weatherbys Hamilton has always been about deep relationships, specialist experience, and doing things the right way. Im proud of what weve built and excited to see the business continue to grow within Brown & Brown. Weatherbys Hamilton has always had a strong relationship with Brown & Brown, and I know theyll carry forward everything that makes this firm special, commented Charles Hamilton, executive chairman of Weatherbys Hamilton.

Carolyn Callan, CEO Retail at Brown & Brown (Europe), said: Were very pleased to welcome Weatherbys Hamilton to Brown & Brown. It was clear from the beginning that there was true cultural alignment between the two businesses. They bring strong sector specialization, a fantastic team led by Joint CEOs, Alec and Richard, and a reputation built on trust and service. We look forward to supporting them as they continue to do what they do best.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies Europe
Wildfires fueled by soaring temperatures and strong winds across the eastern Mediterranean left a dozen people dead in Turkey and Cyprus.

Ten forest workers and search and rescue volunteers were killed in Turkeys Eskisehir province and 14 others were hospitalized on Wednesday after being trapped by flames driven by rapidly shifting winds, Anadolu Agency reported. Two people died in Cyprus, where authorities ordered evacuations after about 100 homes were burned.

Turkeys Agriculture & Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli warned of extremely dangerous conditions as a blast of Saharan air fuels a heat wave thats seen temperatures reach 50C (122F) in southeastern provinces. Nine major wildfires ignited on Wednesday alone.

Wildfires have always affected the Mediterranean, but they have become a near constant summer threat as climate change creates more extreme weather patterns. A string of heat waves across Europe  the worlds fastest-warming continent  have temporarily shut down tourist attractions like the Eiffel Tower and the Acropolis this summer, while disrupting transport and threatening the health of millions of vulnerable people.

In Cyprus, a blaze broke out in the Limassol district in the south of the island on Wednesday. Spain has sent two firefighting planes to help Cyprus, while Jordan is also providing assistance.

About 100 square kilometers have so far been burnt and more than a dozen aircraft will soon be assisting firefighters in bringing flare-ups in forest areas under control, fire service spokesman Andreas Kettis told state-run Cyprus News Agency. Highs in inland Cyprus are set to climb as high as 44C on Thursday.

Fire risks will also increase across Greece, with strong northerly winds forecast on Friday and Saturday and temperatures of as high as 44C. Weather warnings are being escalated, while night-time lows in cities will remain at up to 29C.

Human development patterns and land use changes are putting more people at risk from wildfires, said Christophe Neff, a senior researcher at Germanys Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and expert in the regions fire ecology.

Climate change will not only affect wildfire dynamics in Mediterranean ecosystems but also transform many regions in Europe into wildfire risk landscapes, he said.

Heat and wildfire warnings have also been issued further north in Finland and Norway. Alerts are also in place across the Iberian Peninsula and much of southeastern Europe, but a change in weather patterns is forecast to bring some relief by early August.

That change is already impacting northwest Europe, with 14 French regions, including Paris, covered by amber warnings for thunderstorms and floods. Rainfall of as much as 80 millimeters could also impact some grain and wine-growing regions, with hail also hitting vines around Sancerre, according to Ici radio.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire
No minimum qualifications for local emergency management coordinators. No easy way to know if local officials are getting weather warnings. Difficulty getting all first responders on the same radio communication channel.

And the bodies of flood victims from the same family getting sent to different county medical examiners that helped conduct autopsies  in some cases even when officials didnt think they were needed  creating more heartache for survivors trying to bring bodies home.

Legislators on Wednesday discussed a litany of problems with how the state responds to disasters during a hearing at the Capitol. It was the first formal discussion among lawmakers on the topic since the deadly flash flooding in Kerr County and other parts of Central Texas during the July 4 holiday weekend that caught many residents and local and state officials by surprise.

Select House Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding Chair Ken King referenced a sense of deja vu as they gathered once again to discuss a horrifying disaster, just as lawmakers had weighed responses to past emergencies such as Hurricanes Ike and Harvey and the mass shooting at a school in Uvalde.

In this case, flash flooding killed more than 130 people, including at least 107 in beloved, tranquil Hill Country communities where summer camps host thousands of Texas kids and adults each year.

The committee invited testimony from a host of state agencies and river authorities involved in preparing for and responding to flooding. They heard harrowing details: An older woman rescued by a helicopter from high up on a tree branch. Food and water delivered by helicopter to stranded campers. Fish spotted in trees. A group of first responders surrounding an 8-year-old girl to pray.

Nearly three weeks later, the search continues for the last two missing people, an adult man and a girl who was at Camp Mystic, where 27 campers and counselors have already been confirmed dead.

Testimony also revealed that a drone that hit and forced the emergency landing of a military helicopter was an authorized search and rescue drone that flew too high and stalled, rather than an unauthorized private drone, as had been previously reported.

Legislators again considered what steps they could take to keep deadly disasters from repeating in Texas.

Those words are going to ring in my head throughout this: We are better than this, said Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso. Weve lost a lot in this. And it could have been better both before, during and after. We know that. And thats not a blame game. Thats accountability, and thats okay. Thats what were here to do.

The testimony from the various state and regional officials painted a picture of longstanding problems that the state and its agencies have repeatedly failed to address, such as communication challenges and keeping drivers out of flooded roads. They discussed a lack of warning as a disaster unfolds from state officials to local leaders who are responsible for calling for evacuations and who might not be adequately trained or receive notice of a disaster in time to save lives.

The deadliest of the weekend floods, which killed at least 107 people in Kerr County, struck in the early morning hours of July 4 when most people were asleep. Its still unclear whether many local officials saw the increasingly urgent National Weather Service warnings that began after 1 a.m. and continued throughout the night.

County officials did not testify at the committee hearing Wednesday, but are instead expected to speak at the next hearing about the disaster, on July 31 in Kerrville.

Legislators honed in on a lack of emergency training for local officials and lack of support for them to be sure they know whats going on during a disaster.

Texas Division of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd said the state faced challenges going into the July 4 weekend because forecasters expected that flooding could happen over a huge swath of the state covering 44 counties and 35,000 square miles. The area was so big they started calling it the belt, he said.

At a July 3 morning briefing about the weather forecast, 468 accounts logged into the call.

The agency did get a boat squad positioned in Kerr County two days before the flood, Kidd said, and also placed a San Antonio Fire Department boat squad in Kerrville a day before the flood. A TDEM employee is also based in Kerr County.

Kidd said he himself keeps a weather radio by his bed. He said he did not get woken up the morning of the storm until 4:56 a.m., when he got the first report of people trapped on roofs.

But only mayors or county judges can mandate evacuations as a disaster unfolds. And there is no system for ensuring they are getting weather warnings, Kidd said.

You do see the problem with that, right? Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio asked Kidd.

Kidd responded: Senator, I do.

Sen. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown, questioned whether the state needed to do more to be sure those decisionmakers were aware of bad weather in their areas. It cant just be left to them getting a message from the National Weather Service, he said.

Schwertner likened the scenario to waking a president in a time of attack.

That communication to the person making the call, not dissimilar to a time of war  needs to happen, Schwertner said. And so there seems to be a disconnect of making sure the person making the call is awake, alert and doing it.

The committee also heard testimony that local emergency management coordinators are not required to have standard qualifications to do that crucial job.

Peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians have to take specific tests to be in their roles. But under current law, county judges and mayors can appoint anyone as emergency management coordinators to assist them during disasters.

Only emergency management coordinators in counties of more than 500,000 residents are required to complete state-approved training, according to the hearing testimony. A push to get county judges to take training wound up with a loose law with no enforcement mechanism, Kidd said.

To be an emergency manager, you need a signature [from a county judge or mayor], Kidd said. That needs to change.

A 2020 report by a state-convened working group intended to provide the Legislature with recommendations on how to increase training and experience levels among local emergency coordinators. But it appeared not to have prompted any action by state lawmakers. The report proposed a minimum number of years of experience and training to be hired, as well as regular training throughout the emergency coordinators time on the job.

Records of that experience and training should be documented by state agencies, the report recommends.

State Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham, wondered what had happened in light of those recommendations and if they should be revisited.

Another problem: There are a multitude of radio systems that first responders use in the state, Kidd said. He recommended the state help local groups to connect them together especially so they can communicate at the start of a disaster.

When Kidd went to Kerrville Friday morning, for example, he said he ran into people he knew from the San Antonio Fire Department whose radios didnt work in the area. They were using what he called some really cheap Chinese radios instead.

Legislators discussed other ways to improve disaster response. They talked about better managing the thousands of volunteers who showed up of their own volition to help, in some cases going onto private property and putting themselves at risk. They considered a state funding mechanism to help counties pay for projects to prepare better against storms. They wondered if the state could support local jurisdictions in implementing corrective plans following disasters.

And they turned to the question of warnings.

The Texas Department of Transportation Director of District Operations Carl Johnson said that installing a basic monitor and warning system at a low-water crossing with flashing lights or a gate that could lower to block vehicles would cost about $30,000 per installation. There are roughly 340 rural low water crossings in rural Texas, Johnson estimated, meaning it would cost $10-12 million to install the warning system for all of them.

State Rep. Armando Martinez pointed to floods in 2018, 2019, 2020 and this spring that flooded highway frontage roads and impacted emergency response and evacuation in The Rio Grande Valley. Martinez said the repeated flooding in the Valley, and lack of changes to address it adequately, made him concerned about the states ability to address flooding in the Hill Country.

My concern is its been eight years and we still havent addressed this, but yet were coming up and talking about how well we performed and how well we did, Martinez said. Well you know what? This performance  doesnt look very well to me.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/07/23/texas-hill-country-floods-legislative-committee-hearing/.

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

Photo: Members of the Texas Senate and House hold a joint Disaster Preparedness and Flooding committee meeting on July 23 at the state Capiol in Austin. The joint committee was formed in the aftermath of recent devastating flooding in the Hill Country. Credit: Ronaldo Bolanos/The Texas Tribune

Topics Texas Legislation Flood
After two years of litigation, maneuvering and negotiating, insurance companies once owned by convicted North Carolina businessmen Greg Lindberg may soon see some recovery of the millions in assets that Lindberg allegedly siphoned away.

A federal judge this week approved a special masters plan to distribute $318 million from the sale of a group of Lindberg-owned health care software companies, bringing partial closure to what has been called one of the most complex financial crimes prosecutions, involving a web of affiliated companies on two continents and regulatory and legal actions in several U.S. states.

The proceeds of the sale will be disbursed this way, according to the July 22 order from U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn, of the Western District of North Carolina:

$108 million to the Bermuda insurance companies, a group of four life insurance companies, some of which are now in bankruptcy proceedings.

$172 to North Carolina insurance companies, comprising several life insurance firms.

$25 million to Vista Life & Casualty Reinsurance Co.

$14 million to the special master, Charlotte attorney Joseph Grier, who was appointed by the court in January to manage the sale and distribution of the assets. The funds will be held in reserve to cover administrative expenses, including some incurred by Lindbergs criminal defense lawyers.

The buyer of the software companies was not disclosed in the court documents.

The $318 million is just part of the $1.1 billion or more that Lindberg, who was at one time a billionaire and heavy political donor, was accused of diverting from his insurance and reinsurance companies and their policyholders. Lindberg allegedly used the insurance assets to fund other companies, investments, and a lavish lifestyle, according to court documents and news reports.

In 2020, Lindberg was convicted of attempting to bribe North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey in exchange for more lenient regulatory actions that would have allowed Lindbergs insurance firms to keep less surplus on hand. An appeals court threw out that conviction due to improper jury instructions, but Lindberg was convicted a second time in 2024. He has yet to be sentenced while the special master works through the network of companies and transactions that Lindberg oversaw through the years.

Last fall, Lindberg pleaded guilty to separate but related charges in federal court, including making false statements to regulators, lying about the financial condition of his insurance companies and money laundering, court records show. As part of his plea agreement, Lindberg agreed to pay restitution to victims, many of whom had paid premiums on policies offered by his life insurance carriers. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission also sued Lindberg, charging that he misappropriated some $57 million in client funds. That case was settled in March of this year.

The multiple criminal and civil cases reflect the complexity of Lindbergs transactions.

As can be gleamed from the Bill of Indictment, Defendant amassed ownership in a complicated web of hundreds of companies across various industries financed through an even more complicated web of lending arrangements with Defendants insurance company affiliates that the Special Master is investigating, reads the special masters status report, filed with the court in early July.

Lindberg appealed one $524 million civil judgment against him and has engaged in other litigation related to the alleged misdeeds. Grier noted in his proposal to sell the software companies that Lindberg has complicated matters with his court filings in Texas and Colorado, filings known as the Wilson Suits.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Special Master (a) never requested that the Wilson Suits be filed, (b) considers the Wilson Suits a nuisance at this time; and (c) intends to facilitate the dismissal of the Wilson Suits, in toto, in due course, Grier wrote.

Photo: Lindberg in 2023 (provided by Lindberg news release)

Related: NC High Court Allows Liquidation of Lindberg Insurers; He Owes $524M in Fed Case

Topics Legislation
A video showing Florida deputies punching and dragging a Black man from his car during a traffic stop has sparked nationwide outrage, with civil rights lawyers accusing authorities of fabricating their arrest report.

The footage shows that William McNeil Jr., 22, was sitting in the drivers seat, asking to speak to the Jacksonville deputies supervisor, when authorities broke his window, punched him in the face, pulled him from the vehicle, punched him again and threw him to the ground.

But Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters says theres more to the story than the cellphone video that went viral on the Internet. He warned the public about a rush to judgment that could lead to faulty conclusions. McNeils lawyers say the video clearly depicts police brutality.

Body camera footage of the encounter shows that McNeil had been repeatedly told to exit the vehicle, and though McNeil earlier had his car door open while talking with authorities, he later closed it and appeared to keep it locked for about three minutes before deputies forcibly removed him. The vantage point of the bodycam footage that was released makes it difficult to see the punches that were thrown.

The cellphone footage from the Feb. 19 arrest shows that seconds before being dragged outside, McNeil had his hands up and did not appear to be resisting as he asked, What is your reason? He had pulled over and had been accused of not having his headlights on, even though it was daytime, his lawyers said.

What happened to William McNeil Jr. is a disturbing reminder that even the most basic rights  like asking why youve been pulled over  can be met with violence for Black Americans, lawyers Ben Crump and Harry Daniels said in a statement. Crump is a Black civil rights attorney who has gained national prominence representing victims of police brutality and vigilante violence.

William was calm and compliant, they said. Yet instead of answers, he got his window smashed and was punched in the face, all over a questionable claim about headlights in broad daylight.

The sheriff said the cellphone camera footage from inside the car does not comprehensively capture the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Part of that stems from the distance and perspective of the recording cell phone camera, the sheriff said in a statement, adding that the video did not capture events that occurred before officers decided to arrest McNeil.

Cameras can only capture what can be seen and heard, the sheriff added. So much context and depth are absent from recorded footage because a camera simply cannot capture what is known to the people depicted in it.

A key point of contention in the police report is a claim that McNeil was reaching toward an area where a knife was. Deputies later found the knife on the drivers side floorboard of his car when they searched it after taking McNeil into custody.

The suspect was reaching for the floorboard of the vehicle where a large knife was sitting, Officer D. Bowers wrote in his report. The suspect continued to attempt to pull away from officers and refused to place his hands behind his back.

Bowers does not mention any punches being thrown in his report, and describes the force this way: Physical force was applied to the suspect and he was taken to the ground.

In a separate report, a second officer describes knocking McNeil to the ground by grabbing his legs and driving his shoulders into him. Then, he delivered six closed-fist punches to the hamstring of McNeils right thigh, he said.

After delivering the six closed fist strikes, the subject stopped resisting and was handcuffed by another officer, he wrote.

Crump and Daniels called Officer Bowers report on the knife a fabrication, saying that he never reaches for anything.

The only time he moves at all is when the officer knocks him over by punching him in his face, they said. Then this young man calmly sits back straight and holds his empty hands up.

Hes never combative, never raises his voice and he certainly never reaches for a knife, they added. He simply asks for a supervisor and then they break his window and beat him yet, somehow, the report failed to mention that.

The second officer, who punched McNeil in the thigh, observed that McNeil kept his hands up as Officer Bowers smashed the window.

After Ofc. Bowers opened the door, the subject refused to exit the vehicle, but kept his hands up, the second officer wrote. With the subjects hands up, I reached in and unbuckled his seatbelt, telling him to exit the vehicle.

McNeil was charged with resisting a police officer without violence; driving with a suspended license and having less than 20 grams of marijuana, Waters said. He pleaded guilty to the charges of resisting an officer and driving with a suspended license, Waters said.

Waters said the sheriffs office on Sunday became aware that the cellphone video was circulating on social media. Investigations then began, and the State Attorneys Office determined that no officers violated any criminal laws, he said at a news briefing. An administrative review to determine whether officers violated any department policies is still ongoing, he said.

Photo: In this image made from cell phone video William McNeil Jr. is seen after an officer broke his car window. (The Law Office of Harry M. Daniels/TMX via AP)

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Florida
A tanker truck crashed into a creek on Washingtons Olympic Peninsula last Friday, spilling fuel into a tributary of a river where salmon runs were recently restored after a decades-long fight to remove its dams.

A spokesperson for Gov. Bob Fergusons office said the petroleum spill in Indian Creek was the result of an accident on U.S. 101. It was not immediately clear what caused it.

The truck is capable of holding 6,000 gallons of diesel and 4,000 gallons of gasoline, although the exact amount that had entered the river was not known, according to the governors office.

The truck is actively leaking and crews are working to contain the spill, the governors office statement last Friday evening said.

Photos shared by the Washington State Department of Transportation on Facebook show the tanker truck upside down in the creek, while emergency vehicles surround the scene.

This spill is nothing short of heartbreaking for local tribes and other Washingtonians who rely on clean, healthy rivers and streams for their food and livelihoods, Ferguson said in a statement.

He said he was closely monitoring the situation, including its effect on salmon, and planned to visit within the next few days.

Two dams on the Elwha River, which flows out of Olympic National Park into the Strait of Juan de Fuca, were removed more than a decade ago after a long fought battle by the the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Removing the dams, which were constructed in the early 1900s, opened about 70 miles (113 kilometers) of habitat for salmon and steelhead.

Biologists have said it will take at least a generation for the river to recover, but within months of the dams being taken down, salmon already started recolonizing sections of the waterway long closed off to them.

The Elwha River is also the main potable water source for Port Angeles. The city announced last Friday afternoon that it was temporarily shutting down its water treatment processing operations and asked residents and businesses to limit their use of water.

The Citys reservoirs currently have sufficient water supply for the next 18 to 24 hours without interruption to normal service, the citys statement said.

The spill and collision closed part of U.S. 101 last Friday, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. It said it couldnt give an estimate on when it would reopen.

We expect this to be an extended closure, the department wrote in a post on Facebook.
The California Department of Insurance completed a review of the states first wildfire catastrophe model, marking a dramatic change in the states property/casualty insurance ratemaking process.

The new model for use by insurers in assessing wildfire risk in property insurance ratemaking, which was created under under the states new regulatory framework to address a growing homeowners insurance crisis in California, was developed by the Extreme Event Solutions business of Verisk.

The Verisk Wildfire Model for the United States was reviewed through the CDIs Pre-Application Required Information Determination (PRID) process as part of California Commissioner Ricardo Laras Sustainable Insurance Strategy.

Related: Wildfire Season Preview: Rest of 2025 Is High-Risk, May Follow LA Wildfires Paradigm

In exchange for being able to use modeling in rate making, insurance companies will be required to write more policies in wildfire-distressed areas.

This closes one of the biggest coverage gaps across the state, Lara said in a statement. Under existing regulations, insurers have raised rates without guaranteeing coverage or committing to Californians, causing distress for homeowners. That ends now.

Rising rates and lack of availability have driven the state into a homeowners insurance crisis, pushing people in the insurer of last resort, the California FAIR Plan, and into surplus lines. 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, according to new data from the Surplus Line Association of California.

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.

Catastrophe models are accepted as a part of ratemaking in all states. The Verisk Wildfire Model is already approved by the Nevada Division of Insurance.

This is a transformative moment for the insurance industry and for California homeowners and businesses, Rob Newbold, president of Verisk Extreme Event Solutions, said in a statement. Were proud to be the first catastrophe modeler to work with the California Department of Insurance to offer a modeled assessment of wildfire risk and contribute to efforts to bring stability to the insurance market.

Opponents to using modeling in the ratemaking process have argued that it has the potential to raise rates on consumers. Consumer Watchdog, which has opposed using modeling and other elements of Laras Sustainable Insurance Strategy, including allowing insurers to factor in reinsurance, has been reached out to for comment.

The CDI will begin accepting rate applications from insurers using the Verisk Wildfire Model, detailing their plans to write and maintain more homeowners and commercial insurance policies in the voluntary market.

The CDIs model advisor led a six-month process to vet the Verisk model. The CDI is reviewing models submitted by Karen Clark and Company and Moodys.

Top photo: 2025 Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. Source: CalFire.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters California Wildfire
Hungarian authorities have banned Irish rap group Kneecap from entering the country to perform at the Sziget Festival, accusing the band of using antisemitic hate speech and praising the Hamas militant group, a government spokesperson said on Thursday.

Belfast-based Kneecap, who regularly display pro-Palestinian messages during their gigs, have caused controversy elsewhere in recent months, including at Britain's Glastonbury Festival, where frontman Liam Og O hAnnaidh - known by the name Mo Chara - accused Israel of committing war crimes.

"Hungary's government has moved to ban Kneecap from entering the country and performing at Sziget ... citing antisemitic hate speech and open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah as justification," government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs wrote in a post on X.

Kovacs later posted the official letters from immigration authorities banning the band for three years, claiming that their entry would "seriously threaten national security".

In May, Mo Chara was charged with a terrorism offence in Britain for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed Hezbollah. He denies the offence.

Kneecap performing during the Glastonbury Festival.

Representatives of Kneecap did not immediately reply to requests for comment. The band has said previously that its members do not support Hamas or Hezbollah, and that it condemns "all attacks on civilians, always".

Hungary's government had already asked festival organisers to drop Kneecap from the line-up at the week-long event, which draws several hundred thousand music lovers to an island in the River Danube each year.

More than 150 artists and cultural figures, including Academy Award-winning director Laszlo Nemes Jeles, have also signed a petition protesting against Kneecap's participation.

Sziget organisers, who said they had not been notified of the government's decision, have resisted the calls to scrap Kneecap's planned performance on August 11.

"Our festival remains true to what we have consistently achieved over the past 30 years: there is no place for hatred, incitement, prejudice, or any form of racism or anti-Semitism," they said in a statement last week.

Sziget's other performers this year include Post Malone, Shawn Mendes and Charli XCX.
Mary Coughlan, Heineken Big Top, Galway International Arts Festival , 

Mary Coughlans return to her native Galway for the 40th anniversary of her debut album, Tired and Emotional, reminds us of why she is such an enduring national treasure. Her voice is rich, authentic, and very much her own, her charisma undeniable.

She kicks off with Steve Bogard and Barbara Wyricks Damn Your Eyes, a jazzy number she inhabits with ease, crooning I can do what I want/Im in complete control.

What follows in a show co-presented by the festival and the

Roisin Dubh venue is a wonderful set and a series of salty anecdotes about the times she has been barely in control, or out of control completely.

She recalls her arrest for drunk driving in Galway, on the eve of her departure for Dublin in the first flush of her national fame. At the station, she sneaked out, reclaimed her impounded car and drove home to her going away party. Judge Garavan, who subsequently let her off with a six week suspension, is long departed, but receives a rousing cheer in the festival tent.

Mary Coughlan on stage in the Heineken Big Top at Galway International Arts Festival.

Coughlan pays tribute to Erik Visser, the Dutch musician who supported her early career, and is now laid low by Parkinsons disease. She also has warm words for the songwriters whose work she has covered so powerfully over. She recalls how she and Johnny Mulhern were doing a newspaper crossword one morning after a gig when they spotted an article about an ice-cream vendor who sold heroin on the side. That gave rise to one of his hardest hitting songs, The Ice Cream Man, and one of her finest performances of the night.

She introduces Jimmy McCarthys Ride On by recalling a conversation she once had with the writer, who admitted that the song is not really about horses, but Ireland, and a character with eyes wild and green who joins the IRA. Another McCarthy composition she has made her own is Ancient Rain, on which Richie Buckley plays a majestic saxophone solo.

Coughlan brings out two guests in the course of the evening; Jack L, with whom she duets on his own Rooftop Lullaby and Leonard Cohens Hallelujah, and Ultan Conlan, with whom she performs his track, The Lumberjack.

Jack L joins Mary Coughlan on stage in Galway. Photo: Andrew Downes, Xposure

As befits a homecoming concert, the mood in the tent is warm and convivial. At one point, Coughlan asks the Galway West Independent TD Catherine Connolly to stand up and proclaims her the next President of Ireland. The cheers Connolly is met with suggest her bid for the Aras will have massive support.

There are songs one is delighted that Coughlan chose to include in her set, such as her first ex-husband Fintan Coughlans Double Cross, and those one wishes she had chosen to perform, such as Mulherns Magdalen Laundry, or her take on Billie Holidays Strange Fruit.

But it is enough to see her in such fine fettle, aged 69 and seemingly able for anything.
Irelands Last Great Auk, Extinct 1844  donated by Dr Robert Burkitt reads an inscription on a display case in Trinity College Dublins zoological museum. The large flightless seabird is the institutions most popular exhibit.

The Unnatural History of Animals  Tales from a Zoological Museum, just published, describes the celebrated creatures demise. The books author, Dr Martyn Linnie, is the Museums curator. He tells us that Burkitt did not realise at the time just how valuable this now priceless exhibit would become. His nose was out of joint so, to bury the hatchet, the College awarded him an annual Great Auk Pension of 50  a considerable sum at the time. Such colourful asides make this a lively and fascinating book.

The sign for the Tetrapod Trackway on Valentia Island, County Kerry

The great auk is the best known of the Museums 25,000 specimens, but Irelands main claim to palaeontological fame also features in Dr Linnies account.

Mr James Dickinson of Lancashire Conservation Studios, Preston, works on the preservation of TCDs Great Auk, in 2009. Picture: TCD

The creature whose footprints are preserved in 385-million year old rock on Valentia Island, was a fish out of water... one of the earliest land vertebrates. The ancient tetrapod is long extinct but specimens of a lungfish and a salamander, thought to be its oldest living relatives, feature in the Museums collection. The Japanese giant salamander has the distinction of being the worlds largest extant amphibian.

Path of tetrapod on Valentia Island, County Kerry, just below and to the right of the seaweed. The tetrapod was a predecessor of mammals and lived 385 million years ago in the Devonian period. Picture: Dan MacCarthy

But the museum, established as an aid to zoology students, is no parish-pump operation. All animal life, from the leeches used to treat Napoleons haemorrhoids to the senseless massacre of the passenger pigeon, one of the worlds most numerous birds, features in the books 40 chapters.

Nor is this museum just another memorial graveyard  many of the creatures it displays are alive and well. Some of them have even arisen from the dead...

...One such is the worlds most famous fish. In recounting its story, one museum curator celebrates the work of another member of his profession.

Drawing by Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer of the strange fish recovered in East London, RSA, on Dec. 22, 1938, part of a letter to J.L.B. Smith, sent the next day, and preserved in the SAIAB, Grahamstown, RSA. Picture: pbs.org

On the morning of July 30, 1938, curator Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer was working in South Africas natural history museum, when local fishermen brought in a fish, the likes of which neither she, nor they, had ever seen previously. Aged just 24, little did Marjorie know that her glamorous name was about to become known worldwide.

The 1.5 metre-long carcass, weighing 55kg, reminded Marjorie of depictions she had seen of pre-historic marine creatures. The local mortuary and food wholesalers refused to deep-freeze the smelly specimen, but she stuck to her guns, leaving no stone unturned until the strange fishs identity had been established. It turned out to be a species of coelacanth  a creature thought of have been extinct for 70 million years. Palaeontologist JLB Smith of Rhodes University named the species Latimeria chalumnae in her honour.

I peruse newly-published wildlife and natural history books from time to time. They are mostly rather worthy tomes, some offering new information and fresh insights. However, not all of them are easy to read and ploughing through some of the offerings can be tedious. But there are exceptions. Dr Linnies history of his museum is one such  beautifully illustrated and full of colourful anecdotes, it is a joy to read. I found it hard to put down.
1. I pretend I know how to fix things around the house

In your 40s, youre expected to have this mystical ability to fix things. Dripping tap? No problem. Wobbly table? Ill just wedge something under it and call it stabilising.

Truth is, I have a toolbox that exists purely to intimidate daddy long leg spiders who Im fairly sure have opened a gym under the stairs.

Culturally, Irish dads are supposed to be part-man, part-shed. But I missed that apprenticeship. We all had fathers who could take apart a lawnmower blindfolded using only two spoons and some spit.

I once tried to change a light fitting and we ended up in darkness for a few hours. I also once put up a shelf in the bathroom  of which I was massively proud  but my wife keep telling me anyone within earshot: He actually said it will be fine  just dont put anything on it!

A recent study (done by someone handier than me) says that self-perceived competence in DIY peaks at age 38 and then plummets sharply  probably around the time you realise theres a very fine line between tightening and stripping the screw entirely.

2. I pretend I still know what music is cool

Spotify recently informed me I had streamed Sigur Ros 483 times in one month. That wasnt even a sad month. That was just... a Tuesday.

There comes a point in your 40s where all new music sounds like someone trying to sell you protein bars while shouting over a tumble dryer.

You nod along when someone mentions Doja Cat, but deep down youre thinking Wasnt she in The Animals of Farthing Wood?

In my 20s, I prided myself on my music taste. I had opinions about B-sides. Now I just want something I can hum while I unload the dishwasher.

Historically, every generation reaches a musical cutoff. For me, its somewhere between Arctic Monkeys and whatever the hell hyperpop is.

Psychologists refer to this as reminiscence bump  we emotionally bond most with the music from our teens and early 20s.

Which is why I nearly wept the last time Teenage Dirtbag came on in a petrol station.

3. I pretend my back is fine

Theres a specific moment in a mans life  usually just after hes bent down to tie his shoe or retrieve a rogue Lego  when his entire body goes No.

I threw my back out recently reaching for a grape. Not a box of grapes. One. Single. Grape. I made a noise like a fax machine being punched (Im complete aware that anyone under the age of 35 wont know what a fax is)

But when asked Are you okay? the only acceptable answer (as a man in his 40s) is: Ah yeah, just a bit stiff. Grand though.

Bernard O'Shea: "Culturally, Irish dads are supposed to be part-man, part-shed. But I missed that apprenticeship. We all had fathers who could take apart a lawnmower blindfolded using only two spoons and some spit. I once tried to change a light fitting and we ended up in darkness for a few hours."

We lie through gritted teeth while walking like John Wayne in wet corduroy. Historically, men havent been great at acknowledging pain. Our ancestors fought wolves and famine. I got winded bringing the shopping in.

Medically, back pain becomes increasingly common after 40 due to something called disc degeneration  which sounds like a bad DJ name but is actually just ageing bones throwing in the towel.

To overcome the pain I just say to myself. Im not old. Im just compression sensitive.

4. I pretend I know what my kids are talking about

Modern parenting is like being dropped into a video game you didnt know you downloaded.

There are words, abbreviations, trends  and somehow, Im always the villain. I try to stay up to speed. I read the odd TikTok trend breakdown. I ask careful questions like Is Riz good or bad?

But mostly I just smile, nod, and hope someone doesnt point and roar He hasnt a clue!

Historically, parents have always been uncool. Its practically our job. But in this age of memes and livestreams, the speed at which you become irrelevant is faster than a teenager slamming a door.

According to one study, kids think their parents are officially cringe from age 12 onward. Which is deeply unfair, because thats exactly when I got good at wordplay.

5. I pretend Im in control of money

On the outside, I look composed. Inside, Im three receipts away from yelling WHY DID I SPEND 6 ON KOMBUCHA? Knowing full well that it isnt going to solve my bloating.

(Its possible my large stomach is caused by repeated ingestion of salted caramel ice-cream. However without more scientific study this cannot be 100% proven.)

In your 40s, people assume you have a grip on money. You nod at mortgage rates, you say things like well revisit that in Q3, and you pretend your pension is something other than a shoebox with old Bus Eireann vouchers.

Financial adulthood is just constant juggling. Kids, bills, petrol, insurance. Your life essentially becomes a series of direct debits. Youre always just after paying something off.

As a self-employed person for most of my life Im still trying to get my head around invoicing.

Culturally, Irish people were never raised to talk about money. We were raised to say things like Ah, sure well make do while sweating through a budget spreadsheet written on the pack of a till receipt.

According to behavioural economists, money shame is real  especially in midlife when youre expected to have it all sorted.

But guess what? No one really does. Even your man with the campervan and the laser-cut grass. Hes stressed too.
When she started out in security, Valentina Dimkovska could hardly have imagined shed one day be standing at the doors of one of Dublins most famous nightclubs. Originally from North Macedonia, Valentina arrived in Ireland after several years as a logistics specialist with the US Army.

I started in 1999 and it was just something to pay the bills, says the 51-year-old.

Valentina Dimkovska, Door Supervisor, Dicey's Garden

It was exciting and it looked like a challenge. During my time with the US Army, I spent four years in Kabul. From the very first day until now I have never thought of changing. Im happy in security.

Kabul is a far cry from Diceys Garden where she now works as door supervisor. But according to Valentina, it is not without its challenges: Every night is different. Its never boring. We meet a lot of nice people every night. We try our best to let everybody inside and have fun. Still, sometimes we have a reason to refuse people and its usually too much alcohol or drugs. If theres aggression there's zero tolerance on that.

We get quite an international crowd; lots of people from Spain, France and Brazil. We dont get a lot of trouble from them, and dont get me wrong here, but most of the problems come from locals. You get people telling you to go back to your country, that sort of thing. The only way you stop it is through talking. For it to escalate, the situation needs to get very bad, if somebody attacks you or pushes you. Thankfully thats quite rare.

When she joined the team at Diceys Garden more than 10 years ago, Valentina was its first female member. More women have since joined her and the team now boasts three female bouncers out of a total of 40. In her 26 years in the industry, she has noticed a change and she says that women are slowly becoming more interested in working in security.

The hours really suit me, she says.

I can work at night, make some money and during the day look after my family. Im not going to recommend what I do to every woman. But I have worked in corporate security and you can see more women in that sector. That is very different work.

Corporate security

After six years working between the Four Courts and Central Criminal Court, Kasia Aziewicz made the switch to corporate security in 2015. Having started as a security officer, she progressed rapidly to her current role as a site security manager for a major international company.

Kasia Aziewicz, Women in Security Liaison ASIS Ireland Chapter

This side of the industry is about security but also customer service, says the Polish native.

And since I started in it we have definitely seen more women come in. Its more open and its great to see.

Besides looking after the security of thousands of people in her day job, Kasia is the Women in Security Liaison for the Irish chapter of ASIS International, a global security network and community of 36,000 members that connects people in the industry.

My role with ASIS is to showcase stories of women in security through our Women in Security Podcast as well as through meetups and networking events, she explains.

There are more women in security but they are still a little hidden so its important that they are seen, that they see each other and speak to each other because people dont realise what goes on behind the scenes. Its a way of maybe attracting more women into the industry and showing them there are different roles. There are more opportunities there now for women. I think thats down to the fact that there are more roles and different options now around the likes of events, training and analysis which uses a lot of tech.

Behind the scenes security

Ciara Doyle is one of those women in security who works behind the scenes. In her role as a Specialised Intelligence Analyst for a large international company, she is responsible for the safety of thousands of employees across the globe.

Ciara Doyle, Specialised Intelligence Analyst, Provincial

Though she is based in Dublin, it is her job to monitor events in every corner of the world where her clients employees might be. She needs to be aware of all sorts of safety risks from political upheaval and military coups to acts of God and local protests.

Something might happen in a city where we have an office or they might be attending a conference or simply a meeting and we know we have certain numbers of people there who need to be kept up to date on developments, says the 27-year-old.

That information can be time-sensitive. So you have to be a clear thinker and be able to respond under pressure. Youre pulling multiple sources of data and trying to collate that to give them an accurate reflection of whats happened and how it can impact the business and its people. Having studied History and Politics at Maynooth University, Ciara went on to do a Masters Degree in International Law before joining a public relations and media analytics firm where she started her training as an analyst. After a year, an opportunity with her current employer, Provincial, came to her attention.

The role was similar but what intrigued me was it seemed to be more aligned to what I was interested in, says the Dubliner.

I love it and I have such great support from my management. Theyre very progressive. Even in the three years that Ive been with them, they've brought in more benefits and support, particularly around maternity which is great to see. So I feel now that I can have a family and still have a career in security. Ten or 20 years ago that would have been unheard of.

Event security

In our world, you deal with all sorts of different people and behaviours, says Jess OSullivan, managing director of AOS Security.

Jess O'Sullivan of AOS Security. Picture: Larry Cummins

Women bring a different dynamic to a team. When we come across a conflict situation, if a female is involved or is present she will rarely get lashed out at and the situation tends to get diffused more quickly. So they often take a different approach and of course, as I always say, they can multitask.

Jess and her late husband, Alan, started AOS Security more than 28 years ago providing security for pubs and clubs around Cork. Since then, the company has grown significantly and today looks after some of the citys most famous landmarks including Pairc Ui Chaoimh. When it comes to women in security, Jess believes it depends on the sector.

In the guarding side of it, in pubs and nightclubs, you wouldnt have as many women as men still, she says.

But on the events side of it, there are more and there are some very talented women out there working in events. I think there are lots of opportunities for women and they can progress within the industry. I always encourage them. Even this year, when we were doing our recruitment drive, the applications that came in were 60% from men and 40% from women. So theres more interest there and its great to see.
An oversight judge on phone tapping said it was imperative the Government urgently clarified in law the roles and powers of military intelligence in safeguarding the security of the State.

In his 2025 report, Mr Justice Tony OConnor said the Defence Forces recently built a new high-security facility for the Irish Military Intelligence Service (IMIS).

The service moved into the building last March, but the service is still awaiting Government measures to modernise and legislate for its national security remit.

Mr OConnor is the designated judge for the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages Act 1993 and Communications (Retention of Data) Act 2011, as amended by the 2022 act.

In his report to the Taoiseach for May 1, 2024, to April 1, 2025, Judge OConnor repeated his calls for online communication, including encrypted services to be included in the laws. This includes Gmail, Outlook, Microsoft Teams, FaceTime, Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.

The interception legislation is now 32 years old and successive governments have promised updated laws, with the current administration telling the Dail a draft bill is due later this year.

An Garda Siochana and the Defence Forces utilise powers of interception, the former for the investigation of serious crime and State security and the latter for State security only.

Other agencies, such as Revenue and Fiosru (formerly Gsoc), have powers under the 2011 act on communication (not content) data.

The role of designated judges have now been taken over by the new independent examiner of security.

Mr OConnor, like designated judges before him, does not provide statistical data on the number of phone interceptions, with Mr OConnor maintaining he sees little merit in doing so.

The High Court judge said applications from the gardai were low and were down in numbers, adding all were granted by the minister for justice.

The number of authorisations granted pursuant to section 4 [serious offence investigations] were not significantly higher than those made under section 5 [security of the State], the judge said.

In his previous, 2024 report, he said the number of interceptions relative to the States population size appear low.

He said the existing and anticipated developments on communication known to An Garda Siochana should be accommodated in the new legislation.

Mr Justice OConnor said military intelligence moved to a new bespoke secured facility last March.

The new facility is a welcome development and affords a modern and professional aspect, he said. The new building is purpose-built to top secret clearances and security specifications.

He said the old Irish Military Intelligence Service building, which they had used since the 1980s, was transferred to new Joint Cyber Defence Command in May.

Judge OConnor pointed out military intelligence uses the acts only in matters relating to the security of the State and the integrity of its institutions. It is for intelligence purposes only.

The report said the use of the 1993 and 2011 acts for military intelligence was limited over the last 11 months, but added the significance and value of those provisions for the PDF should not be underestimated.

He said he supported the urgent call made by the Commission on the Defence Forces in its February 2022 report for clarification of the role, functions and powers of military intelligence in new legislation.

There is an imperative to clarify the role, functions and powers of the IMIS in underpinning legislation, he said.
Chronic overcrowding is plaguing the entire prison estate, with up to four inmates, including people with mental illnesses, crammed into single cells, an international body has said.

Council of Europe inspectors who visited Irish prisons in 2024 said overcrowding can turn a jail into a human warehouse.

The overcrowding crisis has worsened significantly since their inspection, with the prison system now 119% over capacity, compared to 111% in May 2024.

The Council of Europe Committee on the Prevention of Torture (CPT), which inspects every five years, also raised other serious issues:

Locking prisoners up for 22 or even 23 hours a day, without activities, may amount to inhuman and degrading treatment;

Worsening safety in prisons, affecting both inmates and staff, with pervasive violence between prisoners and bullying;

Allegations of prisoner abuse by staff has increased, with incidents of significant injuries, including one case where an inmate suffered a severe wound to his head, causing brain injuries, which the CPT said may amount to torture;

The problem of homeless people charged and remanded in custody because they could not be granted bail as the HSE would not accept them has not changed since the CPT highlighted it in their 2019 inspection;

Housing severely mentally-ill prisoners on certain prison wings with more restricted regimes, in addition to a lack of therapeutic care, is "unacceptable" and could amount to inhuman and degrading treatment;

Despite the establishment of the new Central Mental Hospital in Portrane and the "welcome" increase in beds, prisoners with severe mental illnesses assessed as needing transfer continue to face lengthy waits during which their condition deteriorates

Inspectors visited seven Irish facilities

The CPT team visited five prisons: Castlerea, Cloverhill, Limerick (male and female), Mountjoy Female Prison (the Dochas centre) and Mountjoy (Male) Prison High Support Unit.

It also inspected the Central Mental Hospital, Oberstown Children Detention Campus, and Ballydowd Special Care Unit in West Dublin.

All the visits took place between May 21 to 31 last year, during which time the team also spoke with ministers, senior civil servants, prison bosses, health officials, garda management, and various inspectors, as well as penal and mental health reform groups.

Inspectors note some progress

The CPT did stress that meaningful progress had been made by the Irish Prison Service since its 2019 visit. It noted:

Improvement in the infrastructure for female prisoners;

The reduced use of restricted regimes of prisoners for security reasons;

An expansion in temporary release;

The prison service almost entirely eradicating slopping out  where prisoners use a bucket for a toilet.

But some problems remain 'entrenched'

However, several entrenched issues of concern remain: pervasive overcrowding, worsening safety in mens prisons, inadequate mental healthcare, poor treatment of prisoners held on protection regimes, and gaps in legal protections for some of the most vulnerable persons including mentally ill prisoners and young people in detention, the report said.

It said inter-prisoner violence remains widespread with drug-related conflict and contraband smuggling driving much of the violence.

It said some inmates had died trying to smuggle drugs into prison and contended that some of these deaths could have been prevented if lessons had been learned from previous incidents.

Inmates in 'cramped, squalid spaces'

The report said that in all prisons visited, the CPT observed overcrowded cells where three or four prisoners were held in cramped, squalid spaces with insufficient ventilation and sharing a toilet. It said:

Many prisoners, including mentally ill individuals, were forced to sleep on mattresses or flimsy camp beds.

It called for urgent measures to ensure prisoners do not sleep on a mattress on the floor.

Issues at Cloverhill and Dochas centre

Vulnerable prisoners should never have to sleep on a mattress on the floor, it said, adding there was a particular issue in Cloverhill Remand Prison for severely mentally-ill prisoners and an issue affecting pregnant women in Dochas.

In one case, two mentally-ill female prisoners were housed in a dark, sombre cell in Dochas and one of the women had not had access to a shower for four days.

On raising this issue, prison bosses addressed the problem.

The report also highlighted immediately with prison authorities the situation of a female transgender inmate on protection in Limerick male Prisons D1 Unit, who was living in squalid conditions, with minimal access to natural light and ventilation and held in 23-hour lock-up.

Community-based sentencing

The CPT recommended greater use of community-based sentencing, adding that it did not think judges were using alternative sanctions to imprisonment as fully as they should be.

It said prisons should have an absolute upper limit for the number of prisoners that can be held and refuse to take any more.

It said the Central Mental Hospital had an official capacity of 130, but could only operate 112 beds during the CPT visit.

'Capacity should be expanded'

It said expanding capacity should be an utmost priority for Irish authorities but expressed concern at the lack of official timeline to do so.

The report said that opening the Central Mental Hospital Intensive Care and Rehabilitation Unit would likely significantly reduce waiting times to get in.

The CPT backed recommendations by a 2022 Government High Level Taskforce to set up step-down psychiatric facilities and designate regional psychiatric inpatients units to take mentally ill prisoners.

'Largely positive experiences' at Ballydowd and Oberstown

It said the most pressing issue affecting Ballydowd Special Care unit was insufficient capacity and that prolonged waiting times for admission had significantly worsened.

It said Oberstown Children Detention Centre needed a step-down facility to aid reintegration and gradual re-entry into the community.

The CPT said staff in both youth facilities were praised for the child-centred approach and the young people in them reported largely positive experiences.
Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson has said what is happening in Gaza is "unconscionable" and there is "utter urgency" for a ceasefire, as she called for stockpiles of food, water, and medical supplies to be distributed.

The former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also called for all hostages to be released and said "we need a parallel approach" to the situation.

Speaking on RTE's Morning Ireland, Ms Robinson said: "This is how I feel about it. Recently, Prime Minister Netanyahu telephoned Pope Leo to apologise for the injury to Fr Gabriel Romanelli when a Catholic church was bombed in Gaza.

Prime Minister Netanyahu has not apologised for the more than 17,000 children killed in Gaza, he has not apologised for the many more children left without limbs, and left without family members.

"He has not apologised for all the children of Gaza who have been traumatised by this totally disproportionate war, and are now hungry to the point of starvation."

According to Ms Robinson, the Nazis in the Second World War "dehumanised the Jews so they could exterminate them in gas chambers. And that's why we have to have the humanitarian and the political side by side."

More sanctions

Ms Robinson said there should be "more sanctions on the leaders who are responsible", and she also said "there should be no arms supplied to continue this war, which has been involved in so many war crimes".

The former president, along with two other members of the Elders, will be among those attending and speaking at a conference on the matter in New York this week.

She believes this conference could be a "turning point." She said the Elders would use their "maximum morals, persuasion, and advocacy to really urge the foreign ministers to take the necessary steps".

She said she hoped there would be recognition, and notably by the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, of the state of Palestine.

"The United Kingdom and France, France in particular, are on the verge of recognising, and that is what we must urge them to do when we meet in New York."

She added: "What France and the United Kingdom have been saying is: 'We don't want to do it as a symbol, we want to do it at the right moment.'

Well now is the right moment, because otherwise it is all going to be too late and we are going to have the starving, genocidal killing on our doorstep, on our watch.

Speaking about solutions, Ms Robinson said the Elders were in favour of an approach which had "both Israeli and Palestinian support, not at the political level, but at the academic and civil society level".

"It's called a land for all. It's a two-state collaborative, two-state solution for the states of Palestine and Israel together. One state with two states within it. And that's a possibility. There are other possibilities, but there must be a political way forward. That's what's been absent.

And then we deal urgently and as urgently as possible with the humanitarian situation. And that is utterly critical, and I think it's vital that the talks result in a ceasefire in order for humanitarian access, which is piled up outside and just inside Gaza, to be distributed to starving people.
The Education Minister has defended the length of schools summer holidays, saying they offer people a chance to take a break.

Helen McEntee acknowledged that it was a challenge for parents in need of childcare, and any decision on changing the length of the school year would require a considered approach.

There has been some commentary in recent weeks that the length of the school holidays  three months for secondary schools and two months for primary  are out of date, as Ireland has some of the longest school breaks in Europe.

Visiting a Clondalkin primary school on Thursday, where children were taking part in a summer programme for two weeks, Ms McEntee said: Im here in a school where you have principals, teachers, SNAs, who are working and supporting children throughout the summer.

Education Minister Helen McEntee at St Marys Junior National School in Clondalkin, Dublin (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA)

Weve always had a particular time period for school holidays.

What we find, particularly for our secondary schools, is that theyre actually coming back earlier now, in August, so the Leaving Cert results will be out from the 22nd, some students are actually in that week and, in fact, the following week is when a lot of schools are coming back.

Our teachers work hard, our schools are very active throughout the year. I think the time thats taken throughout the summer gives everybody a chance to take a break.

The children at St Marys Junior National School learn literacy and numerical skills, and how to bake, as part of the summer programme, which gives educational support to children, including those with special educational needs.

They can also paint in the schools outdoor wooden classroom, called the sun room, which was funded by the Arts Council.

Ms McEntee said 1,800 schools are taking part in the summer programme this year, including 80 special schools, a 16% increase on last year.

Helen McEntee (seated centre) acknowledged that it was a challenge for parents in need of childcare (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA)

Asked if the activity of the summer programme suggested the summer break was too long, she said the programme initially began with a particular emphasis on special education.

For children with additional needs, to have that structure and to have that focus, is really, really important.

And I think there was an acknowledgement that to have that extra support throughout the summer is something that would be hugely beneficial, not just for the students, but also for the parents.

Its obviously since expanded, its not just a focus on special schools or additional needs, its a focus on our DEIS schools, making sure that where children  and its not all children that access the programme  but if there is that need there to have that extra support, that structure throughout the summer, its there.

Its also fun.

I do acknowledge, I have to say, the challenges for parents when it comes to childcare, when it comes to the fact that in many households you have both parents working now full time, so the summer does pose challenges.

But you know, I think any changes to summer breaks, any changes to holidays, thats something that would always have to be considered in engagement and consultation with schools, with teachers, with parents, with families overall.

Ms McEntee also announced a National Convention on Education, to inform a long-term strategy for primary and secondary education in Ireland.

Professor Anne Looney, who will chair the convention, said in a statement she was looking forward to being involved in ensuring we give our learners and those who work with them the best opportunities to flourish and succeed.
In Passage West and Monkstown, residents are raising serious concerns over proposed plans to widen the greenway. While the community is largely in favour of the greenway, many feel these plans miss the mark, calling for the felling of mature trees, the destruction of cherished green spaces, and the creation of new parking areas in their place.

The plans also include the removal of a historic wall in Passage West and the demolition of the roundabout island in Monkstown, a landmark many locals consider the heart of the village, and a crucial safety point for children crossing the road.
A 45-year-old man with a catalogue of shoplifting convictions carried out to pay for his heroin and crack cocaine addiction was jailed on Thursday for 11 months for his latest spree of stealing from shops in Cork City.

Edward Daly, of 8 Inchera Lawn, Mahon, Cork, has 100 previous convictions, 55 of them for theft, Sergeant Aisling Murphy told Cork District Court.

And on Thursday, he was given the total sentence of 11 months for what Judge Mary Dorgan described as a recent batch of offences and an earlier batch of offences between February and November 2024.

Judge Dorgan said: He has been all over the city. He has been in Mahon and Hollyhill, he has been in both shopping centres in Douglas, but in particular he has been in the Mahon/Blackrock area.

Many of the offences also occurred at premises in the city centre.

When you add up all the money involved, it is quite sizable. There is a considerable loss to shopkeepers, Judge Dorgan said.

Defence solicitor Thomas Coughlan said of the accused: He is extremely polite and never rises to a challenge He is docile and always cooperative.

His behaviour was part of panoply in feeding his addiction. He understands the retailers of Cork suffered a loss as a result of his addiction.

He is visibly improved since going into prison last week.

The defendant himself said by video link from prison: Being put into prison is helping me to get into treatment faster.

Judge Dorgan acknowledged a very difficult background for the accused, but said she had to balance that with the extensive losses experienced by shopkeepers.

Garda Tim OCallaghan said by his own admission the accused had an addiction to heroin and crack cocaine. He added gardai were concerned the accused man would commit further theft offences to pay for these addictions.

The latest seven theft charges refer to Lidl on Clashduv Road, Togher, Cork, on June 6; Aldi at Skehard Road, Cork, on June 27, and again on July 1; on that same date Tesco Paul Street shopping centre; Scallys SuperValu on Skehard Road on May 29; Tesco in Mahon Point shopping centre on July 11 and on July 17.

Sergeant Dineen said some of the alleged thefts were of small amounts of property. But in respect of Tesco at Paul Street, it is alleged 247 worth of items were stolen, and that in Tesco, Mahon Point, 238 worth of bottles of alcohol was stolen on another occasion.
A teenager who is accused of trying to burgle a neighbours house in Mahon to steal a television and Playstation from a bedroom and then lying down and falling asleep asked the judge by video link from prison: Could you not make it peremptory?

Judge Mary Dorgan said to 19-year-old Michael Harrington of Ravensdale Rd, Mahon, Cork: Good try, but no.

The judge explained that the case only dated back to May 31. Sergeant John Dineen said directions were still awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Eddie Burke solicitor represented the teenager at Cork District Court as the case was adjourned for DPP directions until July 31.

A peremptory adjournment could have resulted in the case being struck out if there was no progress by the next date.

Det Sgt Niall Hayes objected to bail previously saying: It is alleged that on May 31, 2025, Michael Harrington entered a house at Ravensdale Rd without permission of the home owner.

He proceeded to ransack a bedroom in the house and place a Playstation and Playstation games and a television in a bag by the bedroom door.

He then fell asleep on the bed and was found there by neighbours who are related to the owner.

He admitted attempting to steal, before falling asleep in the bed.

At the time of his arrest he was found hiding in the attic of his home.

He is addicted to prescribed tablets and has a substantial drug debt from cocaine and cannabis use.

It is the garda belief that if given bail, Michael (Mikey) Harrington will continue to commit serious offences to pay for his drug addiction.

Mr Burke said the teenager really wanted to rehabilitate. Judge Dorgan said that for now the safest place for him to be was in prison and to get help on his release.
The head of Cork County Councils roads directorate has said its one of his greatest disappointments that the government has repeatedly refused to provide proper finance to upgrade the "unsafe" N25 between Carrigtwohill and Midleton.

The situation has become so bad that the substandard state of the road could potentially stall the proposed creation of 5,000 new homes in the area. Mayor of County Cork Mary Linehan-Foley has vowed to use her office to seek an urgent meeting on the matter with minister for transport Darragh OBrien.

The road upgrade has been stalled since 2022 when then minister Eamon Ryan pulled funding for it. Padraig Barrett, head of the councils roads directorate, addressed the issue at a council meeting after a number of councillors warned the road has become dangerous and gridlocked.

Mr Barrett said the council had only been allocated 45,000 for some minor safety works along it which wouldnt even cut the hedges for you". He said that it is a major priority for the council to get it significantly upgraded as "its absolutely essential" to the safe travelling of thousands of motorists every day.

Cork County Council was told that traffic conditions on the road in the past four years 'has changed dramatically'. File picture: Dan Linehan

Mr Barrett said traffic conditions on the road in the past four years has changed dramatically. It will likely be next year when the council finds out if any money will be forthcoming from the under the National Development Plan to upgrade the road.

A joint motion from Fine Gael councillors Anthony Barry and Rory Cocking called on council management to liaise directly with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Department of Transport on the issue.

There has been a lot of accidents on the road recently and unfortunately some of them have been fatal, Mr Cocking said.

Mr Barry said there have been no meaningful improvements on the road since 1968. Up to 5,000 new houses proposed for the area could be put in jeopardy due to the absence of sustainable travel and development plans.

Councillors are hopeful the IDA along with TII and Irish Rail would put pressure on government for proper investment in the N25, as one of the busiest roads in the country.

Mr Barry said:

We all know its not fit for purpose. Its crazy from a health and safety perspective.

The council's southern division chairperson, councillor Ann Marie Ahern, said the council must insist that minister OBrien comes down to Cork to see it for himself.

Ms Ahern and Independent councillor John Buckley said the Lakewiew Roundabout on the N25 at Midleton is now gridlocked to such an extent that at peak times it can take up to 30 minutes to get on or off the main road.

Mr Cocking suggested that the only way to resolve that is to build a flyover connecting Midleton and the Whitegate road. We need to get a solution to this before the schools start or all hell will break loose, Fianna Fail councillor Patrick Mulcahy said.
A 31-year-old mother-of-two suffered haemorrhage and shock after she sustained a stab wound to the thorax, an inquest has heard.

Cork Coroners Court briefly opened the inquest into the death of Paula Canty, who was a native of Kinsale. Ms Canty was found dead on January 3, 2025, at her home in Bridewell Lane, Mallow. She died just three days before her 32nd birthday.

Joseph Butler, aged 42, of the Belfry in Mallow was subsequently charged with her murder contrary to common law.

Evidence of the cause of death was given at Mallow courthouse by Dr Margaret Bolster. She carried out an autopsy on the deceased on January 4 in the morgue in Cork City.

Dr Bolster indicated that the death occurred arising out of a stabbing incident. Inspector Paul Aherne told Coroner for County Cork, Frank OConnell, that Ms Canty was pronounced dead by a doctor at a property in Mallow at 1.45pm.

He indicated that a man has been sent forward for trial at the Central Criminal Court having been charged in connection with the death of Ms Canty.

Inspector Aherne applied for an adjournment of the inquest following the serving of the book of evidence on the accused. Mr OConnell said that following the commencement of legal proceedings, he planned to adjourn the inquest for an indefinite period.

I am adjourning the inquest sine die. There will be no decision now. We will revisit the situation (when proceedings end).

Ms Canty is survived by her mother Sinead, her daughters Alyisha and Aoibhe and her five siblings, Darragh, Donna, Latoya, David and Rianna.
Independent senator Frances Black has distanced herself from suggestions Fianna Fail could back her in the presidential election, as she fully ruled herself out of the race.

As reported by the Irish Examiner, several Fianna Fail backbenchers were discussing the possibility of Ms Black running as a party candidate or as an independent candidate nominated by party Oireachtas members.

The senator had been discussed in recent months as a potential joint candidate for parties on the left to replace President Michael D Higgins.

The Social Democrats and People Before Profit announced last week they would back Independent TD for Galway West Catherine Connolly.

The Labour Party and Sinn Fein have yet to back any candidate for the election, which is expected to take place in October.

Several Fianna Fail politicians said they would like to see Ms Black contesting the election, describing her as pragmatic, likeable and praising the work she has done on Palestine and the Occupied Territories Bill.

Some suggested she would also be a good competitor for Ms Connolly, and could take votes away from her.

However, Ms Black has now poured cold water on the idea and insisted she would not be contesting the election.

She also told the Irish Examiner she had not spoken to anyone in Fianna Fail, nor had she heard suggestions she could be supported by some in the party.

Certainly, the Opposition parties had asked me earlier this year was I interested in running, Ms Black said.

I thought about it long and hard, and I decided no, it wasn't for me. I really did think long and hard about it.

I feel you have to be really hungry for something like that and I wasn't.

Don't get me wrong, I was really and truly, really honoured to be even considered but I just made the decision that it wasn't for me for a number of reasons.

I feel like I have still got more work to do in Leinster House, particularly with regards to Palestine.

It was put to Ms Black that some in Fianna Fail were questioning whether she might still be interested in running but was just not on the ballot paper because Ms Connolly had been chosen.

Ms Black said this was not the case and she told the opposition parties a month ago she would not contest the election.

Pressure is mounting on Taoiseach Micheal Martin to expedite the presidential selection process amid growing angst in Fianna Fail about who the party will put forward as its nominee.

There is a growing feeling in the party Mr Martin may be the only person who will be able to win it for Fianna Fail.

However, he once again ruled out the idea earlier this week during an interview on RTE.

Former TD Mary Hanafin wrote to TDs earlier this week expressing interest in running, but there is very little support for her.

Other names in the mix include Ulster University professor Deirdre Heenan, former TD Eamon O Cuiv, and footballers Niall Quinn and Packie Bonner.

The date of the election is still unclear, with Government sources saying there are no dates even being batted around.

However, there is a belief within Fianna Fail that Fine Gael could want an early September election in a bid to galvanise support for its candidate, Mairead McGuinness.
Representatives from 175 countries will gather in Geneva, Switzerland, in August for the final round of negotiations on a legally binding UN treaty to end plastic pollution. Non-governmental organisations, academics and industry lobbyists will also be in the room. They will all be hoping to influence what could be the worlds first truly global agreement on plastics.

The summit, known as INC-5.2, follows a failed attempt to reach agreement in Busan, South Korea, late last year. That meeting ended without resolving important issues, despite hopes that it would conclude the treaty process. Now, its crunch time in Geneva.

Either countries bridge their political divides, or risk the whole process falling apart.

Ive been researching the effects of plastic for more than a decade and have been involved in the UN treaty process since 2022. Ive attended several of the negotiations and will be in Geneva next month.

The science is clear: we need ambitious action which tackles every stage of the plastics lifecycle, from production through to disposal. But the question is, will countries deliver?

CLIMATE & SUSTAINABILITY HUB

In 2022, the UN Environment Assembly agreed to develop a legally binding treaty to end plastic pollution. Since then, progress has been slow. Negotiations have repeatedly stalled over issues such as whether the treaty should limit plastic production or regulate chemicals, how to define terms, and how to fund implementation.

While scientists are only beginning to understand the long-term implications for human health, biodiversity and climate, studies show harmful effects of plastics and their chemicals on animals and ecosystems.

Industry lobbying has also played a powerful role throughout. At the last round of talks, lobbyists for the petrochemical and plastics industries made up the single largest delegation. They outnumbered representatives from the EU, all of Latin America, the Pacific islands, independent scientists and Indigenous communities. This imbalance threatens to weaken the science-based action that is urgently needed.

Although countries failed to reach agreement in Busan, a foundation was laid. They agreed to continue negotiations using the chairs text, which is a draft treaty with multiple options still on the table. That document forms the starting point in Geneva. But it remains uncertain whether enough common ground can be found to finalise the text.

Whats at stake?

This treaty is a once-in-a-generation chance to tackle one of the worlds most urgent environmental crises.

More than 450 million tonnes of plastic are produced every year. That figure is expected to double by 2045 if current trends continue

Only around 9% of plastic is ever recycled. The rest is landfilled, incinerated or ends up polluting the environment.

An estimated 139m tonnes of plastics pollute marine and fresh water. But that could be significantly higher when considering leakages of plastics to land, and from microplastics, which are plastics smaller than 5mm in diameter.

Plastic is found in the deepest oceans, the remotest mountains and inside the human body. While scientists are only beginning to understand the long-term implications for human health, biodiversity and climate, studies show harmful effects of plastics and their chemicals on animals and ecosystems.

Plastic pollution doesnt respect national borders. It moves through rivers, oceans and air, and gets carried across continents. Global supply chains and waste exports have made this a problem no country can solve alone. Thats why a global treaty is essential.

Despite this growing urgency, a disparity in positions has hindered progress and continues to divide delegations.

Some, such as members of the High Ambition Coalition, a group of countries committed to progressive climate action, want strong rules to cap plastic production, phase out toxic chemicals and hold polluters accountable. Others, often with prominent petrochemical industries, argue for a weaker, voluntary approach focused mainly on recycling and waste management.

If these divisions arent resolved, theres a real risk the treaty will end up being too watered down to make a difference

A patchy, fragmented agreement would fail to curb rising plastic production and could undermine the integrity of global action.

Between Decembers meeting in Busan and next months talks, countries have been holding smaller meetings to try to find compromise. That momentum must now be carried into the final negotiations.

Important articles in the draft treaty, including those on chemicals and products, plastic production and finance, remain contested. Whether those provisions are strengthened or diluted will shape the treatys effects for decades to come.

Flexibility will be needed. But leadership is also crucial. Countries that support an ambitious outcome must stand firm and bring others with them.

As we approach what may be the final negotiating round, were at a critical crossroads. The world has the chance to take meaningful action on plastic pollution. Lets not waste it.

Winnie Courtene-Jones is a Lecturer in Marine Pollution at Bangor University. This article is reprinted courtesy of The Conversation
Off-the-shelf health tests for issues such as high cholesterol, vitamin deficiency, fertility and prostate problems are not always fit for purpose, experts have warned.

A team from the University of Birmingham examined tests that people can buy in supermarkets and shops and which they then use at home.

They found the tests risked giving people the wrong result, could delay diagnosis, and most of them recommended follow-up with a doctor anyway, regardless of the result.

The researchers called for much tighter regulation of the sector. "In the absence of guidance from healthcare professionals, individuals might use tests inappropriately or without a clear understanding of the implications of the results.

"False positive test results can lead to unnecessary anxiety, increased healthcare usage, and additional costs, whereas false negative test results may delay appropriate treatment or engagement with... screening programmes.

"Test errors can stem from inherent limitations in the accuracy of the test, as well as user-related issues such as sampling errors, incorrect processing, and difficulties in interpreting the results."

However, the team said that in the future, home tests could have great potential for patient care.

Professor Jon Deeks, from the University of Birmingham, said: "A plethora of new health self-tests have emerged in recent years and are available to buy from many high street supermarkets and pharmacies in the UK.

"While these kits have been approved for sale, they are not subject to the same stringent regulations as pharmaceutical products.

"Our recent research raises concerns about the suitability, accuracy and usability of many of the self-testing products available that require users to sample, test and interpret results themselves.

"In some cases, it is unclear how accuracy claims are supported, and there is no requirement of manufacturers to share the evidence behind these claims."

Prof Deeks said much of the literature contained with tests was "not easy to understand", while some of the results could lead to a "wrong diagnosis".

In one example, he said the self-tests for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, a marker of prostate health, were fixed at a certain concentration level.

However, "if you're age 70 you need to have your PSA done at a very different level to when you're 20", he said.

Overall, 30 self-tests were included in the study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

The tests covered 19 different conditions, including vitamin deficiency, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, thyroid function, prostate health, HIV, menopause and bowel cancer.

Researchers said only eight of the 30 tests provided information about who should or should not use the test, while four specified the presence of symptoms.

Less than half of the test boxes (14) included any statement about test accuracy.
At least 10 firefighters and rescue workers were killed and many others injured while battling a wildfire in north-western Turkey, forestry minister Ibrahim Yumakli said.

The five forestry workers and five members of the Akut rescue organisation died while trying to put out the wildfire raging through a forested area of Eskisehir province, Mr Yumakli said.

At least 14 other rescuers and forestry workers were in hospital, he said.

Starting tomorrow, we are facing extraordinary temperatures and extreme wind shifts. Once again, I call on all 86 million citizens to be vigilant and exercise extra caution

The deaths bring the number of fatalities in wildfires that have flared amid strong winds, high temperatures and dry conditions so far in the country this year to 13.

The minister said the wind suddenly changed direction, causing the flames to shift rapidly and surround the forest workers.

It was not immediately clear what caused the fire.

Mr Yumakli said firefighters were currently battling seven wildfires in Turkey, including the one in Eskisehir, adding that extreme heat and volatile wind conditions also were expected in Turkey on Thursday.

Starting tomorrow, we are facing extraordinary temperatures and extreme wind shifts. Once again, I call on all 86 million citizens to be vigilant and exercise extra caution, he said.

In a message of condolence to the families, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the victims had fought to protect our forests at cost of their lives.

Two prosecutors were assigned to investigate the incident, the countrys justice minister said.

Turkey has been battling wildfires since June 26.

An elderly man and two forestry workers were killed in a wildfire that raged near the town of Odemis, in Izmir province, earlier this month.
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Donald Trump faced a fresh crisis on Wednesday as it was reported that his name appears in US justice department files about Jeffrey Epstein and the Congress subpoenaed testimony from the sex offenders partner in crime Ghislaine Maxwell.

The US presidents spokesman denied an account in the Wall Street Journal newspaper that Mr Trump was told in May by the attorney general, Pam Bondi, that he is named in the now notorious Epstein files.

Citing senior administration officials, the Journal said Mr Trump was also informed that many other high-profile figures were named and the department did not plan to release any more documents related to the investigation.

The White House sought to downplay the relationship between Mr Trump and Mr Epstein. Spokesperson Steven Cheung said in an emailed statement: The fact is that the President kicked him out of his club for being a creep. This is nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media.

Mr Trump filed a $10bn defamation lawsuit against the Journal and its owner, Rupert Murdoch, last week over an article about an alleged sexually suggestive letter bearing Mr Trumps name that was included in a 2003 album compiled for Epsteins birthday. The president has denied writing the letter and has since sued the Journal.

The White House subsequently banned one of the Journals reporters from Air Force One for an upcoming trip to Scotland.

The justice department concluded earlier this month that there was not a basis to continue the Epstein investigation, triggering a fierce backlash among Mr Trumps support base over what they have long seen as a cover-up of Epsteins crimes and high-level connections.

It has also fuelled speculation about Mr Trumps 15-year friendship with Mr Epstein. In June Elon Musk, a billionaire friend-turned-foe of the president, tweeted that Mr Trump is in the Epstein files.

Jeffrey Epstein. File picture: AP

The Journal reported on Wednesday: When justice department officials reviewed what attorney general Pam Bondi called a truckload of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein earlier this year, they discovered that Donald Trumps name appeared multiple times.

Bondi and her deputy, Todd Blanche, said in a statement: Nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution, and we have filed a motion in court to unseal the underlying grand jury transcripts. As part of our routine briefing, we made the President aware of the findings.

This came shortly after a federal judge in south Florida denied a justice department request to unseal grand jury transcripts related to Mr Epstein, the first ruling in a series of attempts by Trumps administration to release more information on the case.

The request stemmed from federal investigations into Epstein in 2005 and 2007, according to court documents. US district judge Robin Rosenberg found that the justice departments request in Florida did not fall into any of the exceptions to rules requiring grand jury material be kept secret.

The justice department has pending requests to unseal transcripts in a Manhattan federal court related to later indictments brought against Mr Epstein and his former associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

In 2008 Mr Epstein cut a deal with federal prosecutors in Florida that allowed him to escape more severe federal charges and instead plead guilty to state charges of procuring a person under 18 for prostitution and solicitation of prostitution.

Ghislaine Maxwell with Jeffrey Epstein.

The wealthy financier later was arrested in 2019 on federal sex-trafficking charges. His former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, was charged with helping him abuse teenage girls.

Mr Epstein was found dead in his cell at a federal jail in New York City about a month after he was arrested. Investigators concluded he killed himself. Maxwell later was convicted at trial and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The justice department has asked lawyers for Ms Maxwell if she would be willing to speak with prosecutors, and Blanche said on Tuesday he expected to meet with her in the coming days.

Democrats and about a dozen Republicans in the House of Representatives are also pressing for answers. On Wednesday the powerful House oversight committee voted 8-2 to subpoena the justice department to release files related to Mr Epstein, with three Republicans joining all Democrats. They also subpoenaed Ms Maxwell for a deposition at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee, Florida, on 11 August.

The committee chair, James Comer, wrote in a subpoena cover letter to Maxwell: While the Justice Department undertakes efforts to uncover and publicly disclose additional information related to your and Mr Epsteins cases, it is imperative that Congress conduct oversight of the federal governments enforcement of sex trafficking laws generally and specifically its handling of the investigation and prosecution of you and Mr Epstein.

In particular, the Committee seeks your testimony to inform the consideration of potential legislative solutions to improve federal efforts to combat sex trafficking and reform the use of non-prosecution agreements and/or plea agreements in sex-crime investigations.

- The Guardian
Thailand and Cambodia have exchanged fire on the border in a sharp escalation of their conflict that killed at least nine civilians.

The Thai army said the most casualties occurred in Si Sa Ket province, where six people were killed after shots were fired at a fuel station.
Iran is ready to engage in talks on its nuclear programme with the United States, but only if Washington takes meaningful steps to rebuild trust, deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi has said.

Iran is set to meet on Friday in Istanbul with the UK, France and Germany, known as the E3 nations, and the European Unions deputy foreign policy commissioner.

They will be the first talks since Irans 12-day war with Israel in June, which involved US B-52 bombers striking nuclear-related facilities in Iran.

Mr Gharibabadi said in a social media post on Thursday that to enter negotiations, Iran sought several key principles to be upheld.

He said these included rebuilding Irans trust  as Iran has absolutely no trust in the United States  avoiding the use of talks as a platform for hidden agendas such as military action, though Iran remains fully prepared for any scenario; respecting and recognising Irans rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty, including enrichment in line with its legitimate needs; and the lifting of sanctions.

A woman walks past a building damaged in an Israeli airstrike at a residential compound in Tehran (AP Photo)

Fridays talks will be held at the deputy ministerial level, with Iran sending deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-e Ravanchi. A similar meeting was held in Istanbul in May.

European leaders have threatened to trigger a snapback mechanism included in a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which would reimpose sanctions that were lifted in exchange for Iran accepting restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear programme.

The UK, France and Germany were signatories to the 2015 deal. The US withdrew in 2018 during the first term of President Donald Trump, who insisted the agreement was not tough enough.

Iranian officials have warned that a move to reimpose sanctions would have consequences. Mr Gharibabadi said earlier this week that it could force Tehran to withdraw from key non-proliferation agreements.

In a letter to UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres, Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi accused the E3 of hypocrisy, saying they failed to uphold their obligations under the 2015 deal while supporting Israels recent strikes on Iran.

In the recent conflict, US B-52 bombers struck Iranian nuclear facilities in support of Israels air campaign. Iran responded with missile attacks, including a strike on a US base in Qatar, which President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted was not directed at the Qatari state.

In an interview with Al Jazeera that aired on Wednesday, Mr Pezeshkian said Iran is prepared for another war and accused Israel of attempting to assassinate him during a June 15 meeting of Irans national security council in Tehran.

Mr Pezeshkian reiterated that Irans nuclear programme will continue within the framework of international law and insisted the country has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons.

Our nuclear capabilities are in the minds of our scientists, he said, emphasising Irans position that future negotiations must be rooted in mutual respect, not threats.

According to the official judicial news agency Mizan, at least 13 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel.

Our nuclear industry is deeply rooted. What has roots cannot be harmed by attack or pressure  it will grow back and thrive again

A spokesman for Irans Atomic Energy Organisation said on Thursday the countrys nuclear industry would recover from the recent attacks by Israel and the US.

Our nuclear industry is deeply rooted. What has roots cannot be harmed by attack or pressure  it will grow back and thrive again, state TV quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi as saying.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported in May that Irans stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% had grown to over 400 kilogrammes (882 pounds). That material, just below weapons-grade level, remains a central concern for the West.

Despite the growing stockpile, Iran has said it remains open to diplomacy, though it recently suspended co-operation with the IAEA following legislation signed by Mr Pezeshkian.

While European officials say they want to avoid further conflict and are open to a negotiated solution, they have warned that time is running out.
By Gunes Murat Tezcur, Arizona State University

(The Conversation)  In July 2025, clashes between the Druze religious minority and Sunni Arabs backed by government-affiliated forces led to hundreds of deaths in Sweida province in southern Syria. Israel later launched dozens of airstrikes in support of the Druze.

This eruption of violence was an eerie reminder of what had unfolded in March 2025 when supporters of the fallen regime led by Bashar Assad, an Alawite, targeted security units. In retaliation, militias affiliated with the newly formed government in Damascus carried out indiscriminate killings of Alawites.

While exact figures remain difficult to verify, more than 1,300 individuals, most of them Alawites, lost their lives. In some cases, entire families were summarily executed.

Although the Syrian government promised an investigation into the atrocities, home invasions, kidnappings of Alawite women and extrajudicial executions of Alawite men continue.

The violence in Sweida also bore a sectarian dimension, pitting members of a religious minority against armed groups aligned with the countrys Sunni majority.

A key difference, however, involved the active Israeli support for the Druze and the U.S. efforts to broker a ceasefire.

Post-Assad Syria has seen promising developments, including the lifting of international sanctions, a resurgence of civil society and the end of diplomatic isolation. There was even a limited rapprochement with the main Kurdish political party controlling northeastern Syria.

The persistent violence targeting the Alawites and, to a more limited extent, the Druze, starkly contrasts with these trends. As a scholar of religious minorities and the Middle East, I argue that the current political situation reflects their historical persecution and marginalization.

History of the Alawites

The Alawites emerged as a distinct religious community in the 10th century in the region of the Latakia coastal mountains, which today make up northwestern Syria.

Although their beliefs have some commonalities with Shiite Islam, the Alawites maintain their own unique religious leadership and rituals. Under the Ottoman regime in the late 19th century, they benefited from reforms such as the expansion of educational opportunities and economic modernization, while gaining geographical and social mobility.

After Hafez Assad, the father of Bashar, came to power in a coup in 1970, he drew upon his Alawite base to reinforce his regime. Consequently, Alawites became disproportionately represented in the officer corps and intelligence services.

Prior to the civil war, which began in 2011, their population was estimated at around 2 million, constituting roughly 10% of Syrias population. During the civil war, Alawite young men fighting for the regime suffered heavy casualties. However, most Alawites remained in Syria, while Sunni Arabs and Kurds were disproportionately displaced or became refugees.

Among Syrias minorities, two key factors make the Alawites most vulnerable to mass violence in post-Assad Syria. The first factor is that, like the Druze, Alawites have their own distinct beliefs that deviate from Sunni Islam. Their religious practices and teachings are often described as esoteric and remain mostly inaccessible to outsiders.

In my 2024 book Liminal Minorities: Religious Difference and Mass Violence in Muslim Societies, I categorize the Alawites and Druze in Syria alongside Yezidis in Iraq, Alevis in Turkey and Bahais in Iran as liminal minorities  religious groups subject to deep-seated stigmas transmitted across generations.

These groups are often treated as heretics who split from Islam and whose beliefs and rituals are deemed beyond the pale of acceptance. For instance, according to Alawite beliefs, Ali, the son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad, is a divine manifestation of God, which challenges the idea of strict monotheism central to Sunni Islam.

From the perspective of Sunni orthodoxy, these groups beliefs have been a source of suspicion and disdain. A series of fatwas by prominent Sunni clerics from the 14th to the 19th century declared Alawites heretics.

Resentment against the Alawites

The second factor contributing to the Alawites vulnerability is the widespread perception that they were the main beneficiaries of the Assad regime, which engaged in mass murder against its own citizens. Although power remained narrowly concentrated under Assad, many Alawites occupied key positions in the security apparatus as well as the government.

In todays political landscape where the central government remains weak and its control over various armed groups is limited, religious stigmatization and political resentment create fertile ground for mass violence targeting the Alawites.

The massacres of March 2025 were accompanied by sectarian hate speech, including open calls for the extermination of the Alawites, both in the streets and on social media.

While many Sunni Muslims in Syria also perceive the Druze as heretics, they maintained a greater degree of distance from the Assad regime and were less integrated into its security apparatus.

Nonetheless, in recent months the situation deteriorated rapidly in the Druze heartland. The Druze militias and local Bedouin tribes engaged in heavy fighting in July 2025. Unlike the Alawites, the Druze received direct military assistance from Israel, which has its small but influential Druze population. This further complicates peaceful coexistence among religious groups in post-Assad Syria.

A sober future

Sunni Arab identity is central to the newly formed government in Damascus, which can come at the expense of religious and ethnic pluralism. However, it has incentives to rein in arbitrary violence against the Alawites and Druze. Projecting itself as a source of order and national unity helps the government internationally, both diplomatically and economically.



File photo of Alawite stronghold Latakia, Syria (2021) by Bader Jaber on Unsplash

Internally, however, the new government remains fractured and lacks effective control over vast swaths of territory. While it pays lip service to transitional justice, it is also cautious about being perceived as overly lenient toward individuals associated with the Assad regime and its crimes. Meanwhile, Alawite and Druze demands for regional autonomy continue to stoke popular Sunni resentments and risk triggering further cycles of instability and violence.

I believe that in a post-Assad Syria defined by fractured governance and episodic retribution, the Alawites as well as Druze are likely to face deepening marginalization.

Gunes Murat Tezcur, Professor and Director of the School of Politics and Global Studies, Arizona State University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Montreal (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  In March 1896, William Hechler, the Anglican chaplain at the British Embassy in Vienna, came across a book titled Der Judenstaat (The State for Jews). Hechler belonged to a centuries-old Protestant movement that aimed at gathering Jews in Palestine and converting them to Christianity. The books author, journalist Theodor Herzl, also lived in the Austrian capital. Hechler sought out Herzl, and their encounter had momentous consequencesones that still generate headlines today. Hechler helped Herzl promote the Zionist idea by introducing him to powerful politicians across Europe. The following year, Hechler was hailed as the first Christian Zionist at the Zionist Congress.

The First Zionist Congress was originally planned for Munich, then home to a prominent Jewish community. But several Jewish organizations in Germany petitioned the government to ban the event. The national association of rabbis condemned the Zionists, declaring: The efforts of the so-called Zionists to establish a Jewish national state in the Land of Israel [are in conflict with] the messianic goals of Judaism, as expressed in the Scriptures and other religious sources.

Indeed, Jewish opposition to Zionism has existed since its inception. In June 2025, Vienna hosted a Jewish anti-Zionist congress with over a thousand participantsa clear response to global outrage against Israel. While the Zionist state has long faced accusations of brutally oppressing Palestinians, the events of the past year and a half have surpassed even the harshest criticisms. Many Jews have distanced themselves from Israel; some have become its most vocal detractors.

This congress was the first of its kind in Europefitting, given that Zionism was not only born in Europe but also conceived as a European colonial project for European Jews. The Nazi genocide drastically reduced the pool of potential settlers, forcing the new Israeli state to recruit Jews from Asia and Africa, where Zionist ideas had barely taken root. Despite their disdain for Arab culture, Israeli leaders needed to populate the country after expelling hundreds of thousands of Arab Palestinians in 194749. The uprooting of non-European Jews was performed by suborning Arab rulers and staging violent provocations by Zionist agents. It is now well-documented, with works by Iraqi Jewish scholars Ella Shohat and Avi Shlaim shedding light on the plight of Arab Jews in Israel.

The three-day Anti-Zionist Congress featured historians, political scientists, and activists. The genocide in Gaza was a central theme, but discussions also covered the history of Zionism in Palestine, the political and religious roots of Jewish opposition to Zionism, and the critical support Israel receives from ruling classes worldwide. Speakers examined not only the Israel lobbys influence over U.S. and Western policies but also the economic and military cooperation between Arab rulers and Israel. Notably, Jordan and Saudi Arabia joined the U.S., Britain, and France in intercepting Iranian missiles aimed at Israel. Turkeys stance also drew scrutiny: while its leaders vehemently denounce Israel, the country continues trading with the Zionist state, notably facilitating the transit of Azerbaijani oil through its territory.

Several speakers analyzed Israels impunity in a broader global context. The genocide in Gaza and escalating anti-Palestinian violence in the West Bank are largely carried out with Western weapons, while Israels economy is sustained by generous funding from North America and parts of Europe. Many Western leaders admire Israels self-definition as an ethno-state where discrimination is legaleven enshrined in law. They also employ Israeli surveillance technology to track and deport undesirables from their own countries.

Finally, speakers highlighted the disregard for public opinion in nations that support and arm Israela pattern seen in other policies, such as Europes recent militarization push despite public concerns over cuts to welfare programs. Israeli surveillance tools, they noted, are increasingly used by governments to suppress dissent and control populations, making the Zionist state a threat far beyond its region.



Vienna, 8/2017,  Juan Cole

The congresss final declaration reflected this broad perspective: Jews of conscience must unite in opposing Zionism, standing in solidarity with the global movement for Palestinian liberation. We commit to expanding our movement beyond its European roots, amplifying anti-Zionist voices worldwide including from the Global South. Given Israel and its allies relentless efforts to conflate criticism of Zionism with antisemitism, the congress affirmed: Israel and Zionism act illegally and immorally while claiming to represent all Jewsendangering Jewish communities everywhere. The false assertion that Jews inherently support Zionism and its abhorrent state is the real antisemitism.

The organizers of the congress were concerned about possible disruptions and outright ban by the authorities since Austria is one of the staunchest supporters of Israel. This is why the venue was announced at the last moment. In spite of occasional technical problems, the congress was a success and may help coalesce the disparate anti-Zionist Jewish voices gaining strength around the world.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Kirkland Lake Discoveries (TSXV: KLDC) (OTCID: KLKLF) ("KLDC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce assay results from its latest round of channel sampling at the Winnie Lake project, located in Ontario's Abitibi Greenstone Belt. Results confirm the presence of a broad, copper-enriched system with associated zinc, silver, and iron, located both within and around the Winnie intrusion.

The work builds on KLDC's recent surface discoveries and geophysical targeting and supports multiple compelling targets for the Company's upcoming inaugural drill program at Winnie Lake.

Exploration Highlights

Additional High-Grade Copper Confirmed at Surface

A 1.2-metre channel sample (Figure 1) from the Mini Winnie magnetite zone, located 115m northwest of the Winnie Shaft, returned:

2.051% copper (Cu), 735 g/t bismuth (Bi), 0.108 g/t gold (Au), 43% Iron (Fe), 5.5 g/t silver (Ag) and 2654 g/t vanadium (V) over 0.6m, and

0.046% Cu, 193 g/t Bi, 0.055 g/t Au, 44.5% Fe, 3.9 g/t Ag and 2522 g/t V over 0.6m

Figure 1. Copper concentrations (Cu ppm) from surface channel sampling at the Mini Winnie and Winnie Shaft showings, displayed over the 1VD (1st Vertical Derivative) magnetic background from 2025 drone magnetic survey. Higher copper values (up to 20,510 ppm or 2.051%) are associated with copper-rich sulphides along the contact between magnetite-bearing intrusive rocks and surrounding units. Channel samples at Mini Winnie demonstrate strong near-surface Cu enrichment over ~115 m from the historical Winnie Shaft, highlighting the potential continuity of mineralization.

The style of mineralization, copper-rich sulphides hosted along the contact of magnetite-bearing intrusive rocks, closely mirrors that of the Winnie shaft. Importantly, the 115-metre gap between Mini Winnie and the shaft remains completely untested, representing a priority target for drilling with the potential to define a continuous mineralized corridor.

Wider Polymetallic Envelope Identified at Winnie Shaft Area

A 14-metre channel at the Winnie Shaft returned elevated copper (up to 0.7%) and coincident elevated zinc (up to 0.3%) values. Disseminated and massive sulphides were observed both within and adjacent to the intrusive, suggesting a broader near-surface polymetallic envelope with scalable exploration potential.

Quartz Veining Within the Intrusion Remains a Priority

A 17-metre channel sampled across a strongly quartz-veined corridor in the central portion of the intrusion returned trace sulphide mineralization and subtle but meaningful geochemical responses, including Bi averaging 35.5 g/t over the full interval (Figure 2), a notable result given the dominance of wall rock over vein material in the channel.

Figure 2. Bismuth concentrations (Bi ppm) from surface channel samples collected along a strongly quartz-veined corridor within the central portion of the Winnie Lake intrusion. Channel samples reveal elevated Bi values (up to 50 ppm) associated with veining and alteration, plotted over a 1st Vertical Derivative (1VD) magnetic background derived from the 2025 drone-based magnetic survey.

This is particularly intriguing because previous sampling had shown elevated Bi values primarily within the quartz veins themselves. The elevated average in this broader interval suggests potential for a more diffuse geochemical halo or wider mineralized system, possibly related to internal fluid movement or proximity to a more concentrated mineralized core. The zone remains a key structural and geological feature for follow-up.

Targeting Underway for Inaugural Drill Program

The Company is finalizing targets for a summer drill campaign to test the core of the system and evaluate the continuity of copper and polymetallic mineralization at depth. Drill permits have already been received.

"This is a big step forward," said Stefan Sklepowicz, CEO of Kirkland Lake Discoveries. "We now have multiple mineralized zones, strong copper numbers at surface, and untested ground between the zones. We're building a compelling story for a scalable copper-polymetallic system, and we're ready to drill it."

Increased U.S. Market Exposure

Kirkland Lake Discoveries is pleased to announce its transition from the Pink Sheets to the OTCID Market, a move that reflects the Company's ongoing commitment to transparency, improved disclosure, and expanding visibility among U.S. investors. This transition enhances the Company's market access to a broader investor base and supports our long-term strategy of building shareholder value through responsible growth and communication. The Company will continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "KLDC" and on the OTCID Market under the symbol "KLKLF."

Video Footage Available

Senior geologist Drake Hyden and Stefan Sklepowicz discuss the results of the channel samples in the most recent episode of KLDC's Treasure Hunters YouTube channel.

QA/QC Protocol

Channel samples were cut by a diamond saw. A certified reference material was inserted into the sample sequence at a frequency of one per 20 samples. Samples were shipped to MSA Labs in Timmins, Ontario. Samples were analyzed in Timmins by Fire Assay (analytical code FAS-121). Samples were prepared for a multi-element 4-acid digestion method (code ICP-230) and shipped by MSA to their laboratory in Langley, BC for analysis. MSA is a certified and accredited laboratory service. MSA routinely inserts certified reference materials, blanks and pulp duplicates, and results of all QC samples are reported.

QP Statement

The technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Mike Kilbourne, P.Geo., Senior geologist and independent contractor, who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp.

Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. (TSXV: KLDC) has assembled a 400-km2 exploration portfolio in the Kirkland Lake region of Ontario's Abitibi Greenstone Belt-one of the most prolific mining districts in the world. The Company's properties span key fault zones, geophysical anomalies, and volcanic-sedimentary contacts within the Blake River Group-a highly prospective assemblage known to host both gold and polymetallic VMS deposits.

With multiple anomalous soil trends, historical showings, and structural intersections now permitted for exploration, KLDC is advancing a pipeline of drill-ready targets across its KL East and KL West project areas. The team combines strong technical experience with a focus on smart, efficient exploration designed to deliver results.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains 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 the future operations and activities of Kirkland Lake Discoveries, 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 Company's drill program, the results thereof, and any impact therefrom. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such 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 that, while considered reasonable by Kirkland Lake Discoveries, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. 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 to complete proposed exploration work, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, changes in general economic, market and business conditions, and the ability to obtain any requisite approvals. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Kirkland Lake Discoveries 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.
Vancouver, British Columbia - TheNewswire - July 24, 2025: Headwater Gold Inc. (CSE: HWG) (OTCQB: HWAUF) (the "Company" or "Headwater") is pleased to announce that drill permitting has advanced through the formal public scoping phase on Headwaters Lodestar project, located in western Nevada. Project scoping marks a significant step toward securing final drilling approval following the submission of a Plan of Operations to undertake a proposed 3,500-metre drill program. The Lodestar project is being explored in partnership with Newmont Corporation (Newmont) (NYSE: NEM, TSX: NGT, ASX: NEM, PNGX: NEM) through an earn-in agreement announced on May 9, 2023.

Highlights:

Scoping Phase Completed: The U.S. Forest Service has concluded the scoping phase of the environmental review process, paving the way for a final decision on the Plan of Operations. Project approval is anticipated by early fall 2025.

Drill Program Currently Planned to Commence in Q4: Following final project approval, the Company expects to commence its planned drill program, fully funded through the $2M minimum expenditure commitment by Newmont. The program is expected to consist of up to 3,500 metres across 10 to 15 holes.

Zodiac Target is High Priority: The geology of the Zodiac target, including thick silica sinter, indicates near complete preservation of an epithermal system analogous to the geological setting of the Disco Zone discovered by Headwater on the Spring Peak project, approximately 10 km south of Lodestar. The Zodiac target is the highest priority untested target within Headwaters greater Lodestar/Spring Peak project area.

Caleb Stroup, President and CEO of the Company, states: We are thrilled to see the Lodestar project progress through the formal scoping stage, bringing us closer to a maiden drill program on the high-priority Zodiac target. Final public scoping is the concluding stage of the Federal permitting process and sets the stage for currently anticipated drilling in Q4 2025. Every effort has been made to refine our exploration plans to ensure responsible and efficient development and it is great to see the project moving ahead. We remain confident in the geological potential for Lodestar to host high-grade epithermal vein systems, building on the success of our nearby Spring Peak project. Our partnership with Newmont continues to provide significant value, funding this exciting exploration while minimizing dilution for our shareholders.

2025 Lodestar Currently Planned Drilling

Following project approval of the Lodestar Plan of Operations, the 2025 drill program is currently expected to consist of up to 3,500 metres across 10 to 15 holes. The primary objective is to test for high-grade veins in steeply dipping feeder structures beneath the Zodiac sinter target, a prominent silicified and brecciated ridgeline capped by a thick accumulation of silica sinter. The Zodiac target features laminated silica sinter with palisade textures, algal mats, and geyserite, suggesting potential prolonged hydrothermal activity and high-level preservation of the system. Headwater believes the system has potential for high-grade veins at depth. The Lodestar sinter is similar in character and size to the sinter overlying the Disco Zone at Headwaters Spring Peak project where high-grade epithermal veins were discovered at approximately 150 m depth. The Lodestar program is designed to leverage Headwaters successful exploration model from Spring Peak, utilizing geophysical and geochemical data to target high-grade epithermal veins within the interpreted boiling zone approximately 150 m below surface. Additional scout holes will test under-cover geophysical targets adjacent to the Zodiac target, beneath a thin veneer of post-mineral basalt, to explore for blind mineralization.

Figure 1: Map of the Headwater Spring Peak and Lodestar land positions within the Aurora trend showing area of the Spring Peak 2024 drill program. [1]Vikre and others (2015); [2]Borealis Mine 43-101 dated February 16, 2024; [3]Long and others (1998).

About the Lodestar Project

The Lodestar project is located in the Aurora Mining District in the Walker Lane belt, west-central Nevada, approximately 10 km north of Headwaters Spring Peak project and adjacent to Hecla Mining Companys past-producing Aurora mine complex, which hosts existing infrastructure including a 350 ton per day mill, production water wells, and high-voltage three-phase power. The project features a prominent silicified and brecciated ridgeline capped by a silica sinter, similar to the sinter overlying the Disco Zone at Spring Peak, where Headwater intersected high-grade gold mineralization, including 15.92 g/t Au over 2.38 m and 10.43 g/t Au over 2.01 m. Historic shallow drilling at Lodestar encountered anomalous gold but did not test deeper feeder structures, leaving significant exploration potential untested. Headwater holds an option to acquire a 100% undivided interest in the Lodestar project from a private vendor, subject to retained royalties and Newmonts option to acquire up to 75% of the project following certain expenditures and preparation of a Pre-Feasibility Study within a designated time frame.

About Headwater Gold

Headwater Gold Inc. (CSE: HWG, OTCQB: HWAUF) is a technically-driven mineral exploration company focused on exploring for and discovering high-grade precious metal deposits in the Western USA. Headwater is actively exploring one of the worlds most well-endowed, mining-friendly jurisdictions, with a goal of making world-class precious metal discoveries. The Company has a large portfolio of epithermal vein exploration projects and a technical team with diverse experience in capital markets and major mining companies. Headwater is systematically drill-testing several projects in Nevada and has strategic earn-in agreements with Newmont on its Spring Peak and Lodestar projects. In August 2022 and September 2024, Newmont and Centerra Gold Inc. acquired strategic equity interests in the Company, further strengthening Headwaters exploration capabilities.

Headwater is part of the NewQuest Capital Group which is a discovery-driven investment enterprise that builds value through the incubation and financing of mineral projects and companies. Further information about NewQuest can be found on the company website at www.nqcapitalgroup.com.

For more information about Headwater, please visit the Company's website at www.headwatergold.com.

Promotional Activity Disclosure

In accordance with CSE Policy 7, the Company announces that it has arranged for two service providers to conduct Promotional Activities on behalf of the Company.

The Company has arranged for Resource Stock Digest to conduct an interview with the Company and produce its own content for publishing on its website at https://resourcestockdigest.com and distribution through its email list on July 24, 2025. The principals of Resource Stock Digest are Gerardo Del Real and Nicholas Hodge of 2051 Gattis School Rd, Ste. 540 PMB 176, Round Rock, TX 78664, email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and telephone number 1-844-334-4700. Messrs. Del Real and Hodge are arms length to the Company. Resource Stock Digest will receive total compensation of a cash payment of US$7,500.00 for the Promotional Activity. The compensation does not include options to purchase securities of the Company.

The Company has arranged for Jefferson Financial, Inc. to disseminate a sponsored promotional report through its email list on July 29, 2025. The principal of Jefferson Financial, Inc. is Brien Lundin of 111 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 1555, Metairie, LA 70005, email address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and telephone number 1-800-648-8411. Mr. Lundin is arms length to the Company. Jefferson Financial, Inc. will receive total compensation of a cash payment of US$7,000.00 for the Promotional Activity. The compensation does not include options to purchase securities of the Company.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Caleb Stroup

President and CEO

+1 (775) 409-3197

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For further information, please contact:

Brennan Zerb

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References:

Borealis Mining Company Limited, 2024, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Project Status Report Borealis Mine Nevada USA: Prepared by Douglas Reid. Effective Date: October 10, 2023; Report Date: February 16, 2024.

Long, K.R., DeYoung, J.H., and Ludington, S.D., 1998, Database of significant deposits of gold, silver, copper, lead, and zinc in the United States: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 98-206 A, B, 33 p.

Vikre, P.G., John, D.A., du Bray, E.A., and Fleck, R.J., 2015, Gold-silver mining districts, alteration zones, and paleolandforms in the Miocene Bodie Hills volcanic field, California and Nevada: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 20155012, 160 p.

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Scott Close, P.Geo (158157), an independent Qualified Person (QP) as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future capital expenditures, anticipated content, commencement, and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Company's projects and mineral properties, completion and timing of the Equity Transaction and the intended use of proceeds therefrom, the anticipated acceptance of the CSE of the Earn-In Agreements and the Equity Transaction, Newcrests anticipated funding of the Minimum Commitment and the timing thereof, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks related to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Company's exploration plans and the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the Canadian Securities Exchange) for the Earn-In Agreements and the Equity Transaction, the risk that the Equity Transaction will not be completed or on the anticipated timetable, the risk that Newcrest will not elect to obtain any additional interest in the Projects in excess of the Minimum Commitment, the ability of the Company to obtain the required permits, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, the Company's limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's prospectus dated May 26, 2021 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements, except as otherwise required by law.
(all dollar amounts are expressed in U.S. dollars)

HIGHLIGHTS:

The Guillermina Deposit ( Guillermina ) initial Mineral Resource estimate comprises:

Indicated Mineral Resources: 1,286 thousand tonnes (kt) averaging 0.71 g/t Au, 23.3 g/t Ag, 6.60% Zn, and 3.13 g/t gold equivalent 1 (AuEq), containing 30 thousand ounces (koz) Au, 962 koz Ag, 187 million pounds (Mlb) Zn, and 129 koz of AuEq. Inferred Mineral Resources: 1,286 kt averaging 1.32 g/t Au, 30.2 g/t Ag, 5.73% Zn, and 3.66 g/t AuEq, containing 55 koz Au, 1,250 koz Ag, 162 Mlb Zn, and 152 koz AuEq.

) initial Mineral Resource estimate comprises: Guillermina is open, both laterally and to depth, with excellent potential for the delineation of additional zones of mineralization as exploration continues.

and to depth, with excellent potential for the delineation of additional zones of mineralization as exploration continues. Guillermina presents a promising opportunity that could significantly contribute to the future development of the Porvenir Project.

MEDELLIN, Colombia / Jul 24, 2025 / Business Wire / Mineros S.A. (TSX:MSA, MINEROS:CB) (Mineros or the Company) is pleased to report an initial Mineral Resource estimate on Guillermina, a polymetallic vein system associated with hydrothermal breccias located three kilometers north of the Porvenir Project, forming part of its Hemco Property in Nicaragua (Figure 1).

We are pleased to have reached this milestone at Guillermina, one of several key targets in our portfolio of organic growth projects, stated David Londono, President and CEO of Mineros. We are advancing Guillermina and other early- to advanced-stage targets across our highly prospective Hemco Property landholdings. This deposit represents an exciting opportunity that could play an important role in the Porvenir Project's future development. As we move forward, we will continue to explore Guillermina with the aim of expanding and upgrading this initial Mineral Resource, Mr. Londono added.

Guillermina is located on the Hemco Property in the Mining Triangle district centered around the towns of Bonanza, Rosita and Siuna in northeastern Nicaragua and is situated approximately four kilometres west of the Pioneer Mine. It consists of a 1.8 km vein system oriented at an azimuth of 245 with notable anomalies in gold, silver, and zinc. The mineralization system includes an assemblage of hydrothermal breccias, stockwork, and veinlets up to 20 m in thickness, with a crustiform to colloform-banded quartz chalcedony-adularia matrix. The breccia matrix contains galena, sphalerite, and hematite occurring in patches and bands throughout.

Table 1. Guillermina Deposit Mineral Resource Statement (effective March 31, 2025).

Classification Cut-Off Tonnes NSR Grade Contained Metal NSR Value (kt) $/t Au

(g/t) Ag

(g/t) Zn

(%) AuEq

(g/t) Au

(koz) Ag

(koz) Zn

(Mlb) AuEq

(koz) Indicated $82.50/t 1,286 142 0.71 23.3 6.60 3.13 30 962 187 129 Inferred 1,286 155 1.32 30.2 5.73 3.66 55 1,250 162 152 Mineral Resource reporting notes: Mineral Resources are classified according to the Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleums CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves adopted on May 10, 2014 (the CIM Standards). The Mineral Resources have been reported within underground reporting shapes generated with Deswik Stope Optimizer using a net smelter return (NSR) cut-off value of $82.50/t and a minimum mining width of 1.0 m. Material within 30 m of the topographic surface has been excluded from the Guillermina Mineral Resources to allow for artisanal mining. Mineral Resources are estimated using a long-term gold price of $1,700/oz Au, a silver price of $20/oz Ag, and a zinc price of $1.36/lb Zn. Metallurgical recoveries are applied on a block-by-block basis with an average of 85.5% for gold, 30.7% for silver, and 91.0% for zinc. The NSR $/t value for each block was calculated using the following NSR factors:

- $53.12 g/t Au x gold recovery

- $0.41 g/t Ag x silver recovery

- $1,755.54 % Zn x zinc recovery The formula used to calculate the AuEq grade is Au g/t + (Ag g/t * silver AuEq factor) + (Zn% * zinc AuEq factor), where:

silver AuEq factor = (0.41 * silver recovery) / (53.12 * gold recovery)

zinc AuEq factor = (1,755.54 * zinc recovery) / (53.12 * gold recovery) Average bulk density is 2.71 t/m3. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral Resource estimate assumes underground mining and extends from surface to a depth of 400m. Numbers may not add or multiply due to rounding.

Building on drilling results from the Neptuno Company in the 1970s, Hemco carried out a drilling campaign at Guillermina in 2011 and 2012, aiming to identify new gold deposits. The campaign consisted of 1,070 m across seven drill holes, revealing significant zinc anomalies as well as low-grade gold and silver anomalies.

Recognizing the potential for polymetallic mineral production at the Porvenir Project, the Company initiated a reconnaissance diamond drilling campaign in 2022, completing 887 m across seven drill holes. This initial campaign confirmed the depth and continuity of the deposit. The drilling delineated a central extension of a mineralized structure hosting galena, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite, with thicknesses ranging from two metres to 15 m.

Following positive results from the previous campaign, drilling efforts in 2023 focused on confirming the extensions of the mineralization, with 11 holes drilled for a total of 1,898 m. By 2024, the campaign advanced to infill drilling to improve the definition of mineralization, with 6,498 m drilled across 40 holes. The core of the mineralized vein was drilled at approximately 50 m spacing.

The initial Mineral Resource estimate on Guillermina includes the results of 9,798 m in 61 diamond drill holes completed between 2011 and August 2024 (Figure 2). Grades were constrained with three-dimensional (3D) wireframes of the principal mineralized vein and interpolated by the inverse distance cubed (ID3) method into a block model with parent blocks of 2 m by 2 m by 2 m and sub-blocks of 1 m by 1 m by 1 m. The classification of solids was based on drill hole spacing, with distances less than 50 m classified as Indicated Mineral Resources and distances less than 100 m classified as Inferred Mineral Resources.

An NSR value was assigned to blocks to validate the geological interpretation and for resource reporting. NSR represents the estimated dollar value per tonne of mineralized material after accounting for smelter terms, including revenues, treatment and refining charges, penalties, smelter losses, transportation, and sales charges. The NSR calculation is based on metallurgical testing at the Porvenir Project, using comparable smelter terms and data collected by the Company. These assumptions depend on the processing scenario and may vary with further metallurgical testwork. Key assumptions, including preliminary metallurgical recoveries, are detailed in Table 2.

Table 2. Recovery Curves Used for Guillermina.

Metallurgical Recovery Min Max Cu (%) Thresholds Formula REC_AU 0 92.3 0.7 108.553 - 6.110*Au (g/t) - 0.870*Ag (g/t) + 2.245*Zn (%) + 5.827*Ln(Pb (%)) - 13.223*Ln(S (%)) 0.5 to <0.7 108.553 + 0.860*Au (g/t) - 0.870*Ag (g/t) + 2.245*Zn (%) + 5.827*Ln(Pb (%)) - 13.223*Ln(S (%)) <0.5 108.553 + 1.942*Au (g/t) - 0.870*Ag (g/t) + 2.245*Zn (%) + 5.827*Ln(Pb (%)) - 13.223*Ln(S (%)) REC_AG 0 81.9 0.85 65.355 + 2.885*Au (g/t) - 1.066*Ag (g/t) - 11.986*Zn (%) + 2.573*Ln(Pb (%)) <0.85 65.355 + 2.885*Au (g/t) - 1.066*Ag (g/t) - 1.756*Zn (%) + 2.573*Ln(Pb (%)) REC_ZN 0 92.2 0 96.382 + 0.472*Au (g/t) - 2.746*Ln(Ag (g/t)) + 2.377*Ln(Cu (%)) + 5.362*Ln(Zn (%))

Standard smelting and refining charges were applied to the various concentrates. It was assumed that the concentrates would be marketed internationally. NSR factors are summarized in Table 3.

Table 3. Mineral Resource NSR Factors

Metal Unit Factor Au $ per g Au 53.12 Ag $ per g Ag 0.41 Zn $ per % Zn 1,755.54

The NSR value is assigned to blocks using the following equation:

NSR TOTAL = Grade Au (g/t) * Rec Au (%) * 53.12 (US$/g) + Grade Ag (g/t) * Rec Ag (%)0.41 (US$/g) + Grade Zn (%) * Rec Zn (%) 1,755.54 (US$/t)

A bench and fill mining method was evaluated for Guillermina, applying the parameters that were used for the Porvenir Project (Table 4). An NSR cut-off value was established by estimating the total unit operating cost, which included mining, processing, power, and general and administrative expenses, resulting in total operating cost of approximately $82.50 per tonne of mineralized material.

Table 4. Operating Cost Assumptions for Cut-Off Value Calculation Mineros

Operating Cost Bench & Fill with Backfill ($/t) Mining 36.56 Processing 28.13 Power 14.88 Tailings 2.89 Total 82.46

Notes:

All costs include G&A. Numbers may not add due to rounding.

For the purposes of demonstrating reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction, Mineral Resources are constrained within underground reporting shapes generated in Deswik Stope Optimizer (DSO) using a minimum mining width of one metre and an NSR cut-off value of $82.50/t (Figure 3).

There are no known legal, political, environmental, or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of Mineral Resources at Guillermina.

QUALITY ASSURANCE, QUALITY CONTROL, AND DATA VERIFICATION

Mineros has implemented a quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) program aligned with industry best practices, in which certified reference materials (standards), duplicates, and blanks are routinely inserted into the sample stream to assess precision, accuracy, contamination and bias. All standards, duplicates and blanks are validated and any batches that fail QA/QC are reanalyzed.

Diamond drill core samples are selected by geologists on site; sample intervals are typically one metre in length, ranging from a minimum of 0.2 metres to a maximum of two metres. HTW-diameter diamond drill core to be sampled is cut in half lengthwise, with one half of the core stored on-site in wooden core boxes and the other half packed by Mineros geologists in plastic bags with tamper-proof seals, with a chain of custody procedure for delivery to the ALS Peru S.A. (ALS Global Peru) at its Managua, Nicaragua laboratory for sample preparation.

Until March 2023, Mineros used Bureau Veritas in Canada as its primary laboratory, and ALS Global Peru, in Lima, Peru thereafter.

Initially, the samples were sent for sample preparation with a chain of custody procedures for delivery to Bureau Veritas. Sample preparation was carried out following the PREP70-250 package (crushing of the entire sample to 70% passing 2-mm mesh, pulverization of 250 g  85% 75 m. Samples were shipped to Bureau Veritas laboratory in Vancouver, Canada for geochemical analysis. Bureau Veritas is independent of Mineros.

Bureau Veritas is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). Samples, standards, duplicates and blanks are analyzed for gold using a standard fire assay method (30 g aliquot) and atomic absorption finish (AAS). Those over 10 ppm are reanalyzed by 30 g fire assay with gravimetric finish. All samples are analyzed for a 45-element suite, run with an aqua regia digestion and an ICP-ES/MS finish.

As of April 2023, the samples were sent for sample preparation with a chain of custody procedure for delivery to ALS Global Peru, at its Managua, Nicaragua laboratory for sample preparation, and subsequently to ALS Global Peru in Lima, Peru for geochemical analysis. Sample preparation is carried out following the PREP31 package (crushing of the entire sample to 70% passing 2-mm mesh, pulverization of 250 g 85% 75 m). ALS Global Peru is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 by the SCC with validation date until 2029-03-01 and is independent of Mineros.

Samples, standards, duplicates, and blanks are analyzed for gold using a standard fire assay method (30 g aliquot) and AAS. Assays over 10 ppm are reanalyzed by 30 g fire assay with gravimetric finish. All samples are analyzed for a 51-element suite, using aqua regia digestion and an ICP-ES/MS finish.

All coarse rejects and pulps from both labs were returned and stored by the Company in a secure warehouse at the Hemco Property facility. Five percent of pulps are sent to secondary laboratory and analyzed using methods analogous to those at the primary laboratory.

NEXT STEPS

The 2025 drilling campaign at Guillermina commenced in July 2025 and is in progress with 2,000 meters planned. This program is designed to collect representative samples for metallurgical testing, consistent with the parameters established for the Porvenir Project, and will also serve as infill drilling to upgrade Inferred Mineral Resources to Indicated Mineral Resources. In parallel, Mineros has commenced evaluating potential mining methods and is actively exploring synergies with the Porvenir Project to support the potential expansion of the overall Mineral Resource inventory.

ABOUT MINEROS S.A.

Mineros is a Latin American gold mining company headquartered in Medellin, Colombia. The Company has a diversified asset base, with mines in Colombia and Nicaragua and a pipeline of development and exploration projects throughout the region.

The board of directors and management of Mineros have extensive experience in mining, corporate development, finance and sustainability. Mineros has a long track record of maximizing shareholder value and delivering solid annual dividends. For almost 50 years Mineros has operated with a focus on safety and sustainability at all its operations.

Mineros common shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol MSA, and on the Colombia Stock Exchange under the symbol MINEROS.

Election of Directors  Electoral Quotient System

The Company has been granted an exemption from the individual voting and majority voting requirements applicable to listed issuers under Toronto Stock Exchange policies, on grounds that compliance with such requirements would constitute a breach of Colombian laws and regulations which require the directors to be elected on the basis of a slate of nominees proposed for election pursuant to an electoral quotient system. For further information, please see the Companys most recent annual information form, available on the Companys website at https://www.mineros.com.co/ and from SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.

QUALIFIED PERSON

Luis Fernando Ferreira de Oliveira, MAusIMM CP (Geo), Mineral Resources and Reserves Manager for Mineros S.A., who is qualified person within the meaning of NI 43-101 supervised the preparation of the information that forms the basis for this news release. Mr. Ferreira has verified the scientific and technical information in this release, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the initial Mineral Resource estimate on Guillermina, and the opinions expressed herein.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATES

In accordance with applicable Canadian securities regulatory requirements, all Mineral Resource estimates disclosed in this news release have been prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 and are classified in accordance with the CIM Standards.

Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. Pursuant to the CIM Standards, Mineral Resources have a higher degree of uncertainty than Mineral Reserves as to their existence as well as their economic and legal feasibility. Inferred Mineral Resources, when compared with Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources, have the least certainty as to their existence, and it cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will be upgraded to an Indicated or Measured Mineral Resource as a result of continued exploration. Pursuant to NI 43-101, Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of any economic analysis, including any feasibility study. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a Mineral Resource exists, will ever be converted into a Mineral Reserve, or is or will ever be economically or legally mineable or recovered.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward looking information includes statements that use forward looking terminology such as may, could, would, will, should, intend, target, plan, expect, budget, estimate, forecast, schedule, anticipate, believe, continue, potential, view or the negative or grammatical variation thereof or other variations thereof or comparable terminology. Such forward looking information includes, without limitation, statements with respect to the estimate of Mineral Resources, the results of metallurgical studies being conducted; exploration and testing plans; future expansion and upgrading of Mineral Resources; the economic viability of the Porvenir Project and Guillermina; and future development to the Porvenir Project.

Forward looking information is based upon estimates and assumptions of management in light of managements experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, as of the date of this news release. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable, the assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, social, economic, political, regulatory, competitive and other risks and uncertainties, contingencies and other factors that could cause actual actions, events, conditions, results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those projected in the forward-looking information. Many assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Company and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct.

For further information of these and other risk factors, please see the Risk Factors section of the Companys annual information form dated March 25, 2024, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.

The Company cautions that the foregoing lists of important assumptions and factors are not exhaustive. Other events or circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in, or implied by, the forward-looking information contained herein. There can be no assurance that forward-looking 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.

Forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as and to the extent required by applicable securities laws.
Elora Gold System Continues to Expand

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Dryden Gold Corp. (TSXV: DRY) (OTCQB: DRYGF) (FSE: X7W) ("Dryden Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to report multiple high-grade gold results and additional visible gold ("VG") intercepts from its ongoing drill program on the Elora Gold System (Figure 1). These results are part of the Company's fully funded 15,000-metre drill campaign, which is focused on expanding the Elora Gold System along strike and at depth. The drill campaign to date has focused on the Gold Rock Target Area including the Jubilee Zone ("Jubilee"), Jubilee Hanging Wall ("HW"), Pearl Zone ("Pearl") and Laurentian Mine Area ("Laurentian") (Figure 2). The discovery of multiple stacked gold bearing structures now appear to run for a kilometer of strike from Jubilee to Laurentian. Drilling at the Elora gold System is also showing impressive widths of near surface lower grade mineralization.

Highlights:

Drill Hole DGR-25-011 intercepted 5.36 g/t gold over 5.00 meters including 12.70g/t gold over 1.90 meters at Jubilee

HW Drill Hole DGR-25-018 intercepted visible gold at 238 meters true depth in the HW at Jubilee

HW Drill Hole DGR-25-012 intercepted 15.30 g/t gold over 1.45 meters near surface at Pearl

Drill Hole DGR-25-008 intercepted 1.18 g/t gold over 15.80 meters near surface at Pearl

Drill Hole DGR-25-005 intercepted 2.20 g/t gold over 5.90 meters including 9.87 g/t over 0.90 meters defining a second high-grade gold structure at Pearl

Figure 1: Visible gold from hole DGR-25-018 at 238 meters true depth

Trey Wasser, CEO of Dryden Gold comments, "We are extremely pleased with our continued drill success at the Gold Rock Target Area. The Elora Gold System continues to grow with new target opportunities emerging from the multiple stacked high-grade structures. Local grades continue to be very good with some spectacular grades like what we encountered in hole KW-25-003. The emerging theme of multiple stacked structures, with little or no surface expression, is defining a much broader gold-bearing corridor. The new results at Pearl are very promising as they seem to show a broadening of the system, with wide well disseminated lower grade structures that include additional high-grade targets. We are now beginning to define a much more significant gold system at Gold Rock and are excited to test the expansion targets throughout the entire Gold Rock Camp. Within the district, drilling has begun on targets at Sherridon and channel sampling is progressing at Hyndman. Late summer and fall will be a very exciting time for Dryden Gold."

Figure 2: Gold Rock Target Area

Jubilee HW Zone

The company has drilled four holes to follow up on the initial discovery of hanging wall gold mineralization in hole KW-25-003 that assayed 301.67 g/t over 3.90 meters including 1,930 g/t over 0.60 meters. These holes have confirmed multiple stacked structures in the hanging wall of the Jubilee Zone and three of the four holes intersected visible gold. Through this program, the Company is seeing significant D2 parallel mineralization, stacked structures as well as folding of the quartz veins. The Geology team is working with the oriented core and structural data to improve the interpretation of these newly identified hanging wall mineralized structures. Hole DGR-25-012 showed a promising intercept of 15.30 g/t gold over 1.45 meters in this hanging wall area while hole DGR-25-011 and DGR-25-013 have assays pending, DGR-25-018 is currently being cut.

Jubilee Zone

The geology team is working with structural geologist Dr. Ben Frieman of the Colorado School of Mines on the controls of high-grade gold and predictability of the highest-grade areas within the Jubilee Zone. Jubilee holes DGR-25-005 and DGR-25-010 intersected favourable mineralization while other holes have delineated the local plunge of the zone. There are six holes pending on the Jubilee Zone testing the possible relationship between the highest-grade mineralization and the folding within the system.

Pearl Zone

New results from hole DGR-25-005 shows potential for another new zone adjacent to Pearl or simply a widening of the zone. The geology team will follow up this intercept of 2.20 g/t gold over 5.90 meters including 9.87 g/t gold over 0.90 meters with more short holes along strike and on plunge. Hole DGR-25-008 follows up on the strike potential of the Pearl Zone as a shallow drill pierce point at approximately 35 meters true depth with wide mineralization of 1.18 g/t gold over 15.80 meters (Figure 3). The geology team is also planning to drill test the open area between Jubilee and Pearl to further expand the Elora Gold System.

Figure 3: Jubilee and Pearl Zone - Contoured Long Section showing new results

Laurentian Zone

Initial testing at the Laurentian Zone was impacted by the drill hole intersecting the old mine workings. The team has now located the data for the mine and now has a much better understanding of the location of the historic mine. Targets are currently being developed to test around and below the old workings. The Laurentian Mine was the largest producing mine in the district with 20,000 tonnes being mined at over 14 g/t gold.

Table 1: Drill Result Highlights

Target Area Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Length (m)* Grade (g/t Gold) HW Jubilee DGR-25-011 182.60 190.20 7.60 1.06 Jubilee Zone DGR-25-011 266.00 267.10 5.00 5.36 Including 267.10 271.00 1.90 12.70 HW Jubilee DGR-25-012 153.05 154.50 1.45 15.30 Pearl DGR-25-008 46.20 62.00 15.80 1.18 Jubilee Zone KW-25-005 369.00 374.90 5.90 2.20 Jubilee Zone Including 374.00 374.90 0.90 9.87 Jubilee Zone DGR-25-010 303.80 305.10 1.30 10.70 *Reported intervals are drilled core lengths; assay values are uncut

Follow the link to our website for the full list of drill results and more detailed technical overview.

Qualified Person

The technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Maura J. Kolb, M.Sc., P.Geo., President of Dryden Gold and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators.

Analytical Laboratory and QA/QC Procedures

The Company is drilling NQ size core. Samples are cut in half, with half going to the lab for analysis and half kept as a record. True thickness/widths of the mineralization is unknown, result intervals are reported as the drilled core lengths unless otherwise stated. All sampling completed by Dryden Gold Corp. within its exploration programs is subject to a Company standard of internal quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) programs which include the insertion of certified reference materials, blank materials, and a level of duplicate analysis. Drill samples from the 2024 and 2025 program were sent to Activation Laboratories, with sample preparation and analysis in Dryden, where they were processed for gold analysis by 50-gram fire assay with an atomic absorption finish and over limits determined by Fire Assay with a gravimetric finish. Select samples were analyzed using metallic screens. Activation Laboratories systems conform to requirements of ISO/IEC Standard 17025 guidelines and meets assay requirements outlined for NI 43-101.

ABOUT DRYDEN GOLD CORP.

Dryden Gold Corp. is an exploration company focused on the discovery of high-grade gold mineralization listed on the TSX Venture Exchange ("DRY"), on the OTCQB marketplace ("DRYGF") and on the Frankfurt Exchange ("X7W") The Company has a strong management team and Board of Directors comprised of experienced individuals with a track record of building shareholder value through property acquisition and consolidation, exploration success, and mergers and acquisitions. Dryden Gold controls a 100% interest in a dominant strategic land position in the Dryden District of Northwestern Ontario. Dryden Gold's property package includes historic gold mines but has seen limited modern exploration. The property hosts high-grade gold mineralization over 50km of potential strike length along the Manitou-Dinorwic deformation zone. The property has excellent infrastructure, enjoys collaborative relationships with First Nations communities and benefits from proximity to an experienced mining workforce.

For more information go to our website www.drydengold.com.

CONTACT 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.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to : the acquisition of the Property, receipt of corporate and regulatory approvals, issuance of common shares; future development plans; future acquisitions; exploration programs; and the business and operations of Dryden Gold. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings including receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval for the acquisition of the Property; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in Dryden Gold's and the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward--looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Dryden Gold and the Company do not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from Dryden Gold's and the Company's expectations or projections.
Melbourne, Australia and Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Mithril Silver and Gold Limited (TSXV: MSG) (ASX: MTH) ("Mithril" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, pursuant to an agency agreement among the Company, Ventum Financial Corp., as lead agent and sole bookrunner, together with Arlington Group Asset Management Ltd., Raymond James Ltd. and Cormark Securities Inc. (collectively, the "Agents") dated July 24, 2025 (the "Agency Agreement"), it has closed its previously announced brokered private placement of 31,944,700 ordinary shares of the Company (the "Shares") at a price of C$0.36 per Share (the "Offering Price") for aggregate gross proceeds of C$11,500,092 (the "Offering"), which includes additional Shares issued and proceeds raised from the exercise of the Agents' Option (defined below).

The Company granted the Agents an option (the "Agents' Option"), which allowed the Agents to offer up to an additional 4,166,700 Shares (representing 15% of 27,778,000 Shares initially offered to purchasers under the Offering) at the Offering Price. The Agents' Option was fully exercised prior to the closing date of the Offering.

The Shares were offered on a private placement basis pursuant to exemptions from prospectus requirements under applicable securities laws, and the Offering was made utilising the Company's available placement capacity under ASX Listing Rules 7.1 and 7.1A.

The net proceeds from the Offering will be used to fund advancement of the Company's Copalquin district project in Durango State, Mexico, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes.

All Shares issued under the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period expiring November 25, 2025.

Pursuant to the Agency Agreement, the Company: (i) paid a cash fee of C$690,005.52 to the Agents, representing 6.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering; and (ii) issued 1,916,682 compensation options (the "Compensation Options") to the Agents, representing 6.0% of the aggregate number of Shares issued by the Company under the Offering. Each Compensation Option is exercisable into one Share at the Offering Price for a term of two years expiring on July 24, 2027.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

All currency references herein are to Canadian dollar unless otherwise stated.

About Mithril Silver and Gold

Mithril Silver and Gold Limited is an Australian and Canadian listed precious metals exploration company, focused on its Copalquin district project, in Mexico's Sierra Madre Gold Silver Trend.

The Copalquin mining district is located in Durango State, Mexico and covers an entire mining district of 70km2. The district is within the Sierra Madre Gold Silver Trend which extends north-south along the western side of Mexico and hosts many world-class gold and silver deposits.

Additional information about Mithril and its mineral projects can be viewed on the Company's SEDAR+ profile (at www.sedarplus.ca) and its website at www.mithrilsilvergold.com.

The information in this announcement relating to mineral resources has been reported by the Company in accordance with the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' (JORC Code) previously (refer to the Company's ASX announcement dated 7 July 2025) which is available to view on the Company's website. The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information as at the date of this announcement that materially affects the information included in the previous market announcement and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the Company's previous announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Notes and Forward-looking Statements

Certain information contained in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. This includes, but is not limited to, information or statements with respect to the Offering, including statements with respect to the anticipated use of the net proceeds from the Offering; the future exploration plans of the Company, timing of future exploration, anticipated results of exploration and potential mineralization of the Company's mineral projects. Such forward-looking information or statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believes", "plans", "suggests", "targets" or "prospects" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "will" be taken, occur, or be achieved. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company and/or its subsidiaries to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, the actual results of current exploration activities, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future prices of precious and base metals, accident, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, and delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that could cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking information contained herein are made as of the date of this news release. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES.
Results include 2.9 m @ 16.3 g/t Au and 2.5 m @ 17.6 g/t Au

Vancouver, British Columbia and Melbourne, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd (TSX: SXGC) (ASX: SX2) (OTC Pink: MWSNF) (FSE: MV3.F) ("SXGC", "SX2" or the "Company") announces results from seven diamond drill holes from the Christina prospect, the western extension of the 100%-owned Sunday Creek gold-antimony project in Victoria (Figures 1 to 3).

Four Key Points

Visible Gold Discovery with High Grades: Drill hole SDDSC173 intersected visible gold in four separate locations with four entirely new vein sets, delivering grades up to 58.0 g/t gold over 0.6 m. The hole returned multiple high-grade intervals including 2.9 m @ 14.4 g/t gold equivalent and 2.5 m @ 18.4 g/t gold equivalent. Expanding Strike Length to 1.5 km: The gold-bearing corridor now extends 1.5 km from Apollo East to Christina West, with westernmost intersections including 7.1 m @ 5.2 g/t gold equivalent containing higher grades up to 74.8 g/t gold. This represents a significant expansion of the known mineralized footprint. Deepest and Most Westerly Intersections: These results include the deepest high-grade gold intersections at Christina, reaching 926 meters depth (580m below surface) with 1.0 m @ 9.5 g/t gold equivalent. They lie approximately 100 m outside the current Exploration Target boundary, proving mineralization extends much deeper and further west than previously defined. Growth Beyond Exploration Target: Multiple high-grade gold zones have been discovered well outside the current exploration area, with drill hole SDDSC160W2 intersecting seven separate mineralized intervals down to record depths. This demonstrates the deposit continues to grow beyond original geological interpretations, expanding the potential resource base.

Michael Hudson, President & CEO, states: "These results demonstrate exceptional geological continuity to the deepest levels tested at Christina. The discovery of high-grade mineralization well outside our current Exploration Target validates our geological model and continues to confirm the robust vertical extent of this impressive system.

"What's particularly exciting is that our systematic infill drilling continues to discover additional vein sets beyond our original interpretations - SDDSC173 intersected four instances of visible gold with four entirely new vein sets. These results, combined with our extension of the mineralized strike length to 1.5 km from Apollo East to Christina West reinforce Sunday Creek's position as one of the western world's most significant gold-antimony discoveries.

"With 33 drill holes currently pending assay results and our 60 km drill program advancing on multiple fronts, we're positioned to continue expanding this exceptional prospect both laterally and to depth."

FOR THOSE WHO LIKE THE DETAILS

Key Take Aways

Multiple High-Grade Intersections at the Christina prospect:

SDDSC166: 7.1 m @ 5.2 g/t AuEq (4.9 g/t Au, 0.1% Sb) from 296.7 m, including: 0.1 m @ 76.8 g/t AuEq (74.8 g/t Au, 0.8% Sb) from 296.7 m 0.5 m @ 27.4 g/t AuEq (27.3 g/t Au, 0.1% Sb) from 303.3 m

SDDSC173: 2.7 m @ 17.1 g/t AuEq (16.3 g/t Au, 0.3% Sb) from 681.8 m, including: 2.5 m @ 18.4 g/t AuEq (17.6 g/t Au, 0.4% Sb) from 681.8 m

SDDSC173: 2.9 m @ 14.4 g/t AuEq (14.4 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 701.0 m, including: 0.6 m @ 58.0 g/t AuEq (58.0 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 701.0 m



Record Depth Intersections at Christina:

1.2 m @ 4.6 g/t AuEq (4.5 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 809.8 m depth (510 m below surface)

1.0 m @ 9.5 g/t AuEq (9.4 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 926.2 m depth (580 m below surface)

Geological Continuity and Discovery:

SDDSC173 intersected four instances of visible gold with four entirely new vein sets

Results demonstrate westward extension of the most westerly prospect, Christina

Strike length now extends 1.5 km from Apollo East to Christina West

All holes confirm consistent mineralization beyond original geological interpretations

Drill Hole Discussion

Results from seven diamond drill holes SDDSC160, SDDSC160W1, SDDSC160W2, SDDSC165, SDDSC166, SDDSC172, and SDDSC173 from the Christina prospect demonstrate the effectiveness of the Company's systematic exploration drilling approach and validate the exceptional vertical continuity of the Sunday Creek system.

Christina Area - Record Depth Achievement

SDDSC173 represents the key result with four instances of visible gold identified in core and the intersection of four entirely new vein sets beyond the original geological interpretations.

Key highlights include:

1.3 m @ 1.9 g/t AuEq (1.3 g/t Au, 0.3% Sb) from 502.9 m

2.7 m @ 17.1 g/t AuEq (16.3 g/t Au, 0.3% Sb) from 681.8 m, including: 2.5 m @ 18.4 g/t AuEq (17.6 g/t Au, 0.4% Sb) from 681.8 m

0.3 m @ 13.0 g/t AuEq (12.3 g/t Au, 0.3% Sb) from 686.9 m

2.9 m @ 14.4 g/t AuEq (14.4 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 701.0 m, including: 0.6 m @ 58.0 g/t AuEq (58.0 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 701.0 m 0.4 m @ 17.3 g/t AuEq (17.2 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 703.5 m

1.8 m @ 1.6 g/t AuEq (1.5 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 724.8 m

SDDSC160W2 delivered the project's deepest intersections to date at Christina demonstrating the system continues 350 m at depth below the high-grade down-dip extension of drill hole SDDSC137W2 which successfully intersected three high-grade vein sets and significant visible gold including 1.7 m @ 254.0 g/t AuEq (250.8 g/t Au, 1.7% Sb) from 208.2 m.. This represents a significant expansion of the known mineralized envelope and demonstrates the robust nature of the gold-antimony system at depth. SDDSC160W2 interested multiple mineralized zones down to 926.2 m depth (580 m below surface). Key intersections include:

1.1 m @ 3.7 g/t AuEq (1.0 g/t Au, 1.1% Sb) from 719.8 m depth

2.7 m @ 1.1 g/t AuEq (0.5 g/t Au, 0.3% Sb) from 738.5 m depth

1.2 m @ 4.6 g/t AuEq (4.5 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 809.8 m depth

0.5 m @ 5.0 g/t AuEq (5.0 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 870.8 m depth

0.4 m @ 6.7 g/t AuEq (6.7 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 908.5 m depth

1.0 m @ 9.5 g/t AuEq (9.4 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 926.2 m depth

0.3 m @ 8.9 g/t AuEq (8.8 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 958.6 m depth

Results from SDDSC166 and SDDSC172 represent the westernmost intersections within the main Sunday Creek zone, bringing the total strike length of the mineralized corridor to 1.5 km from Apollo East to Christina West. This represents a significant expansion of the known mineralized footprint and validates the geological model's predictive capabilities.

SDDSC166 confirmed the systematic approach with higher grades closer to surface:

7.1 m @ 5.2 g/t AuEq (4.9 g/t Au, 0.1% Sb) from 296.7 m, including: 0.1 m @ 76.8 g/t AuEq (74.8 g/t Au, 0.8% Sb) from 296.7 m 0.5 m @ 27.4 g/t AuEq (27.3 g/t Au, 0.1% Sb) from 303.3 m

0.5 m @ 6.8 g/t AuEq (6.7 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 470.4 m

SDDSC172 provided valuable geological control and confirmed mineralization continuity:

1.6 m @ 2.0 g/t AuEq (1.8 g/t Au, 0.1% Sb) from 248.2 m

4.6 m @ 0.8 g/t AuEq (0.4 g/t Au, 0.1% Sb) from 428.5 m

SDDSC165, a shallow 101m hole designed for geological control to define the edges of the host sequence ("rails" of the ladder), as was anticipated, returned low-grade mineralization, helping to define the lateral extent of the main mineralized host.

Pending Results and Program Update

The drilling program continues to advance with 33 holes currently being processed and analyzed. Eight additional holes are actively being drilled.

About Sunday Creek

The Sunday Creek epizonal-style gold project is located 60 km north of Melbourne within 16,900 hectares ("Ha") of granted exploration tenements. SXGC is also the freehold landholder of 1,054.51 Ha that forms the key portion in and around the main drilled area at the Sunday Creek Project.

Cumulatively, 181 drill holes for 88,400.67 m have been reported from Sunday Creek since late 2020. Five holes for 929 m have been drilled for geotechnical purposes. An additional 14 holes for 2990.95 m from Sunday Creek were abandoned due to deviation or hole conditions. Fourteen drillholes for 2,383 m have been reported regionally outside of the main Sunday Creek drill area. A total of 64 historic drill holes for 5,599 m were completed from the late 1960s to 2008. The project now contains a total of sixty-six (66) >100 g/t AuEq x m and seventy-three (73) >50 to 100 g/t AuEq x m drill holes by applying a 2 m @ 1 g/t AuEq lower cut.

Our systematic drill program is strategically targeting these significant high-grade vein formations. Initially these have been defined over 1,500 m strike of the host from Christina to Apollo prospects, of which approximately 620 m have been more intensively drill tested (Rising Sun to Apollo). At least 77 'rungs' have been defined to date, defined by high-grade intercepts (20 g/t to >7,330 g/t Au) along with lower grade edges. Ongoing step-out drilling is aiming to uncover the potential extent of this mineralized system (Figures 1 to 3).

Geologically, the project is located within the Melbourne Structural Zone in the Lachlan Fold Belt. The regional host to the Sunday Creek mineralization is an interbedded turbidite sequence of siltstones and minor sandstones metamorphosed to sub-greenschist facies and folded into a set of open north-west trending folds.

Further Information

Further discussion and analysis of the Sunday Creek project is available through the interactive Vrify 3D animations, presentations and videos all available on the SXGC website. These data, along with an interview on these results with Michael Hudson, President & CEO, can be viewed at www.southerncrossgold.com.

No upper gold grade cut is applied in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness. However, during future Mineral Resource studies, the requirement for assay top cutting will be assessed. The Company notes that due to rounding of assay results to one significant figure, minor variations in calculated composite grades may occur.

Figures 1 to 5 show project location, plan, longitudinal views and analysis of drill results reported here and Tables 1 to 3 provide collar and assay data. The true thickness of the mineralized intervals reported is approximately 65% to 75% of the sampled thickness for other reported holes. Lower grades were cut at 1.0 g/t AuEq lower cutoff over a maximum width of 2 m with higher grades cut at 5.0 g/t AuEq lower cutoff over a maximum of 1 m width.

Critical Metal Epizonal Gold-Antimony Deposits

Sunday Creek is an epizonal gold-antimony deposit formed in the late Devonian (like Fosterville, Costerfield and Redcastle), 60 million years later than mesozonal gold systems formed in Victoria (for example Ballarat and Bendigo). Epizonal deposits are a form of orogenic gold deposit classified according to their depth of formation: epizonal (<6 km), mesozonal (6-12 km) and hypozonal (>12 km).

Epizonal deposits in Victoria often have associated high levels of the critical metal, antimony, and Sunday Creek is no exception. China claims a 56 per cent share of global mined supplies of antimony, according to a 2023 European Union study. Antimony features highly on the critical minerals lists of many countries including Australia, the United States of America, Canada, Japan and the European Union. Australia ranks seventh for antimony production despite all production coming from a single mine at Costerfield in Victoria, located nearby to all SXG projects. Antimony alloys with lead and tin which results in improved properties for solders, munitions, bearings and batteries. Antimony is a prominent additive for halogen-containing flame retardants. Adequate supplies of antimony are critical to the world's energy transition, and to the high-tech industry, especially the semi-conductor and defence sectors where it is a critical additive to primers in munitions.

Antimony represents approximately 21% to 24% in situ recoverable value of Sunday Creek at an AuEq of 2.39 ratio.

In August 2024, the Chinese government announced it would place export limits from September 15, 2024 on antimony and antimony products. This puts pressure on Western defence supply chains and negatively affects the supply of the metal and pushes up pricing given China's dominance of the supply of the metal in the global markets. This is positive for SXGC as we are likely to have one of the very few large and high-quality projects of antimony in the western world that can feed western demand into the future.

Antimony Exempt from Executive Order on Reciprocal Tariffs

Southern Cross Gold Consolidated notes that antimony ores and concentrates (HTSUS code 26171000) are exempt from the April 2, 2025 US Executive Order on Reciprocal Tariffs. The exemption covers antimony ores and concentrates as well as unwrought antimony, antimony powders, antimony waste and scrap, and articles of antimony (HTSUS codes 81101000, 81102000, and 81109000).

About Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd. (TSX: SXGC) (ASX: SX2)

Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd. (TSX: SXGC) (ASX: SX2) controls the Sunday Creek Gold-Antimony Project located 60 km north of Melbourne, Australia. Sunday Creek has emerged as one of the Western world's most significant gold and antimony discoveries, with exceptional drilling results including 66 intersections exceeding 100 g/t AuEq x m from just 88 km of drilling. The mineralization follows a "Golden Ladder" structure over 12 km of strike length, with confirmed continuity from surface to 1,100 m depth.

Sunday Creek's strategic value is enhanced by its dual-metal profile, with antimony contributing approximately 20 % of the in-situ value alongside gold. This has gained increased significance following China's export restrictions on antimony, a critical metal for defense and semiconductor applications. Southern Cross' inclusion in the US Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) and Australia's AUKUS-related legislative changes position it as a potential key Western antimony supplier. Importantly, Sunday Creek can be developed primarily based on gold economics, which reduces antimony-related risks while maintaining strategic supply potential.

Technical fundamentals further strengthen the investment case, with preliminary metallurgical work showing non-refractory mineralization suitable for conventional processing and gold recoveries of 93-98% through gravity and flotation.

With a strong cash position, over 1,000 Ha of strategic freehold land ownership, and a large 200 km drill program planned through Q1 2027, SXGC is well-positioned to advance this globally significant gold-antimony discovery in a tier-one jurisdiction.

NI 43-101 Technical Background and Qualified Person

Michael Hudson, President and CEO and Managing Director of SXGC, and a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and Mr Kenneth Bush, Exploration Manager of SXGC and a RPGeo (10315) of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, are the Qualified Persons as defined by the NI 43-101. They have prepared, reviewed, verified and approved the technical contents of this release.

Analytical samples are transported to the Bendigo facility of On Site Laboratory Services ("On Site") which operates under both an ISO 9001 and NATA quality systems. Samples were prepared and analyzed for gold using the fire assay technique (PE01S method; 25 g charge), followed by measuring the gold in solution with flame AAS equipment. Samples for multi-element analysis (BM011 and over-range methods as required) use aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS analysis. The QA/QC program of Southern Cross Gold consists of the systematic insertion of certified standards of known gold and antimony content, blanks within interpreted mineralized rock and quarter core duplicates. In addition, On Site inserts blanks and standards into the analytical process.

SXGC considers that both gold and antimony that are included in the gold equivalent calculation ("AuEq") have reasonable potential to be recovered and sold at Sunday Creek, given current geochemical understanding, historic production statistics and geologically analogous mining operations. Historically, ore from Sunday Creek was treated onsite or shipped to the Costerfield mine, located 54 km to the northwest of the project, for processing during WW1. The Costerfield mine corridor, now owned by Mandalay Resources Ltd contains two million ounces of equivalent gold (Mandalay Q3 2021 Results), and in 2020 was the sixth highest-grade global underground mine and a top 5 global producer of antimony.

SXGC considers that it is appropriate to adopt the same gold equivalent variables as Mandalay Resources Ltd in its 2024 End of Year Mineral Reserves and Resources Press Release, dated February 20, 2025. The gold equivalence formula used by Mandalay Resources was calculated using Costerfield's 2024 production costs, using a gold price of US$2,500 per ounce, an antimony price of US$19,000 per tonne and 2024 total year metal recoveries of 91% for gold and 92% for antimony, and is as follows:

AuEq = Au (g/t) + 2.39 x Sb (%

Based on the latest Costerfield calculation and given the similar geological styles and historic toll treatment of Sunday Creek mineralization at Costerfield, SXGC considers that a AuEq = Au (g/t) + 2.39 x Sb (%) is appropriate to use for the initial exploration targeting of gold-antimony mineralization at Sunday Creek.

JORC Competent Person Statement

Information in this announcement that relates to new exploration results contained in this report is based on information compiled by Mr Kenneth Bush and Mr Michael Hudson. Mr Bush is a Member of Australian Institute of Geoscientists and a Registered Professional Geologist and Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Mr Hudson is a Fellow of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. Mr Bush and Mr Hudson each have sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralization and type of deposit under consideration, and to the activities undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Bush is Exploration Manager and Mr Hudson is President, CEO and Managing Director of Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd. and both consent to the inclusion in the report of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears.

Certain information in this announcement that relates to prior exploration results is extracted from the Independent Geologist's Report dated 11 December 2024 which was issued with the consent of the Competent Person, Mr Steven Tambanis. The report is included in the Company's prospectus dated 11 December 2024 and is available at www.asx.com.au under code "SX2". The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information related to exploration results included in the original market announcement. The Company confirms that the form and context of the Competent Persons' findings in relation to the report have not been materially modified from the original market announcement.

The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original document/announcement and the Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Person's findings are presented have not materially modified from the original market announcement.

This announcement has been approved for release by the Board of Southern Cross Gold Consolidated Ltd.

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions and accordingly, actual results and future events could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. You are hence cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of present or historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include words or expressions such as "proposed", "will", "subject to", "near future", "in the event", "would", "expect", "prepared to" and other similar words or expressions. Factors that could cause future results or events to differ materially from current expectations expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include general business, economic, competitive, political, social uncertainties; the state of capital markets, unforeseen events, developments, or factors causing any of the expectations, assumptions, and other factors ultimately being inaccurate or irrelevant; and other risks described in the Company's documents filed with Canadian or Australian (under code SX2) securities regulatory authorities. You can find further information with respect to these and other risks in filings made by the Company with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada or Australia (under code SX2), as applicable, and available for the Company in Canada at www.sedarplus.ca or in Australia at www.asx.com.au (under code SX2). Documents are also available at www.southerncrossgold.com. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable law.

Figure 1: Sunday Creek plan view showing selected results from holes SDDSC160, SDDSC160W1, SDDSC160W2, SDDSC165, SDDSC166, SDDSC172, and SDDSC173 reported here (dark blue highlighted box, black trace), with selected prior reported drill holes.

Figure 2: Sunday Creek plan view showing selected drillhole traces from holes SDDSC160, SDDSC160W1, SDDSC160W2, SDDSC165, SDDSC166, SDDSC172, and SDDSC173 reported here (black trace), with prior reported drill holes (grey trace) and currently drilling and assays pending hole traces (dark blue).

Figure 3: Sunday Creek longitudinal section across A-B in the plane of the dyke breccia/altered sediment host looking towards the north (striking 236 degrees) showing mineralized veins sets. Showing holes SDDSC160, SDDSC160W1, SDDSC160W2, SDDSC165, SDDSC166, SDDSC172, and SDDSC173 reported here (dark blue highlighted box, black trace), with selected intersections and prior reported drill holes. The vertical extents of the vein sets are limited by proximity to drill hole pierce points.

Figure 4: Sunday Creek regional plan view showing soil sampling, structural framework, regional historic epizonal gold mining areas and broad regional areas tested by 12 holes for 2,383 m drill program. The regional drill areas are at Tonstal, Consols and Leviathan located 4,000-7,500 m along strike from the main drill area at Golden Dyke- Apollo.

Figure 5: Location of the Sunday Creek project, along with the 100% owned Redcastle Gold-Antimony Project

Table 1: Drill collar summary table for recent drill holes in progress.

This Release Hole ID Depth (m) Prospect East

GDA94 Z55 North

GDA94 Z55 Elevation (m) Azimuth

GDA94 Z55 Dip SDDSC160 725.1 Christina 330753 5867733 307 271.1 -37.8 SDDSC160W1 784.2 Christina 330753 5867733 307 271.1 -37.8 SDDSC160W2 1081.2 Christina 330753 5867733 307 271.1 -37.8 SDDSC165 101.4 Christina 330217 5867668 269 348.5 -40.1 SDDSC166 619.9 Christina 330212 5867665 269 261.6 -31.7 SDDSC172 698.8 Christina 330213 5867665 269 265.1 -44.3 SDDSC173 787.4 Golden Dyke 330752 5867733 307 270 -34.6 Currently being processed and analysed Hole ID Depth (m) Prospect East

GDA94 Z55 North

GDA94 Z55 Elevation (m) Azimuth

GDA94 Z55 Dip SDDGT001 149.4 Geotech 331011 5867564 300 80 -25.0 SDDGT002 221.7 Geotech 330608 5867837 308 180 -90.0 SDDGT003 59.2 Geotech 331109 5867564 300 340 -25.0 SDDGT004 165.1 Geotech 330757 5867731 307 130 -35.0 SDDGT005 333.8 Geotech 331052 5867638 312 270 -60.0 SDDSC163 200.4 Apollo 331615 5867952 347 266.2 -48.5 SDDSC167 404.8 Apollo East 331830 5868092 348 216.9 -37.9 SDDSC168 712.2 Golden Dyke 330950 5868006 314 254.2 -46.6 SDDSC168W1 892.9 Golden Dyke 330950 5868006 314 254.2 -46.6 SDDSC169 68.6 Rising Sun 330340 5867861 277 76.3 -54.6 SDDSC170 311.3 Apollo 331615 5867952 347 267.5 -49.8 SDDSC170A 1039.2 Apollo 331616 5867952 347 266.1 -52.7 SDDSC171 632.2 Golden Dyke 330775 5867891 295 256.8 -46.3 SDDSC175 441.7 Christina 330220 5867664 269 67.6 -30.0 SDDSC176 865.8 Golden Dyke 330950 5868006 314 257.3 -53.2 SDDSC177 655.3 Golden Dyke 330775 5867891 295 258.1 -52.2 SDDSC178 353.3 Rising Sun 330341 5867861 277 79.1 -42.6 SDDSC178W1 720.0 Rising Sun 330341 5867861 277 79.1 -42.6 SDDSC179 448.8 Apollo 331465 5867863 333 265.4 -38.6 SDDSC180 In Progress plan 1100 m Christina 330752 5867733 307 274.2 -45.0 SDDSC181 In Progress plan 1150 m Apollo 331616 5867952 347 270.4 -52.7 SDDSC182 586.2 Golden Dyke 330220 5867664 269 61.9 -41.6 SDDSC174B In Progress plan 950 m Apollo 331596 5867936 345 264.4 -41.5 SDDSC183 343.1 Christina 329716 5867445 300 341.2 -40.0 SDDSC184A In Progress plan 695 m Golden Dyke 330775 5867891 297 264.4 -54.7 SDDSC186 420.0 Golden Dyke 330951 5868007 314 263.7 -54.0 SDDSC187 518.0 Rising Sun 330510 5867851 295 76.5 -50.8 SDDSC185 656.5 Regional 329233 5867245 323 26.2 -35.0 SDDSC186W1 In Progress plan 1125 m Golden Dyke 330951 5868007 314 261.7 -55.1 SDDSC188 In Progress plan 660 m Christina 330220 5867664 269 58.2 -50.7 SDDSC189 In Progress plan 400 m Regional 329227 5867222 323 150 -35.0 SDDSC190 In Progress plan 460 m Rising Sun 330510 5867851 295 80 -40.5

Table 2: Table of mineralized drill hole intersections reported from SDDSC160, SDDSC160W1, SDDSC160W2, SDDSC165, SDDSC166, SDDSC172, and SDDSC173 with two cutoff criteria. Lower grades cut at 1.0 g/t AuEq lower cutoff over a maximum of 2 m with higher grades cut at 5.0 g/t AuEq cutoff over a maximum of 1 m. Significant intersections and interval depths are rounded to one decimal place.

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length

(m) Au g/t Sb% AuEq g/t SDDSC160W1 719.75 720.85 1.1 1.0 1.1 3.7 SDDSC160W1 738.52 741.22 2.7 0.5 0.3 1.1 SDDSC160W2 809.79 810.99 1.2 4.5 0.0 4.6 SDDSC160W2 870.82 871.32 0.5 5.0 0.0 5.0 SDDSC160W2 908.53 908.93 0.4 6.7 0.0 6.7 SDDSC160W2 926.17 927.17 1.0 9.4 0.0 9.5 Including 926.17 927.17 1.0 9.4 0.0 9.5 SDDSC160W2 958.61 958.91 0.3 8.8 0.0 8.9 SDDSC166 296.66 303.76 7.1 4.9 0.1 5.2 Including 296.66 296.76 0.1 74.8 0.8 76.8 Including 303.3 303.8 0.5 27.3 0.1 27.4 SDDSC166 470.4 470.9 0.5 6.7 0.0 6.8 SDDSC172 248.21 249.81 1.6 1.8 0.1 2.0 SDDSC172 428.53 433.13 4.6 0.4 0.1 0.8 SDDSC173 502.85 504.15 1.3 1.3 0.3 1.9 SDDSC173 681.8 684.5 2.7 16.3 0.3 17.1 Including 681.8 684.3 2.5 17.6 0.4 18.4 SDDSC173 686.9 687.2 0.3 12.3 0.3 13.0 SDDSC173 701 703.9 2.9 14.4 0.0 14.4 Including 701 701.6 0.6 58.0 0.0 58.0 Including 703.5 703.9 0.4 17.2 0.0 17.3 SDDSC173 724.83 726.63 1.8 1.5 0.0 1.6

Table 3: All individual assays reported from SDDSC160, SDDSC160W1, SDDSC160W2, SDDSC165, SDDSC166, SDDSC172, and SDDSC173 reported here >0.1g/t AuEq. Individual assay and sample intervals are reported to two decimal places.

Hole number From (m) To (m) Length

(m) Au g/t Sb% AuEq (g/t) SDDSC160 686.63 687.22 0.59 0.25 0.00 0.25 SDDSC160 687.22 687.77 0.55 0.46 0.00 0.46 SDDSC160 687.77 687.89 0.12 0.10 0.00 0.11 SDDSC160W1 705.30 706.18 0.88 0.23 0.00 0.24 SDDSC160W1 706.18 706.41 0.23 0.29 0.04 0.37 SDDSC160W1 709.30 709.88 0.58 0.11 0.03 0.18 SDDSC160W1 709.88 710.29 0.41 0.33 0.26 0.95 SDDSC160W1 710.29 710.70 0.41 0.26 0.57 1.62 SDDSC160W1 710.70 711.35 0.65 0.12 0.01 0.14 SDDSC160W1 717.29 717.67 0.38 0.33 0.01 0.34 SDDSC160W1 718.16 718.34 0.18 0.15 0.01 0.17 SDDSC160W1 719.38 719.75 0.37 0.95 0.02 0.99 SDDSC160W1 719.75 720.07 0.32 1.86 0.77 3.70 SDDSC160W1 720.07 720.35 0.28 0.55 0.52 1.79 SDDSC160W1 720.63 720.89 0.26 1.52 3.41 9.67 SDDSC160W1 720.89 721.64 0.75 0.23 0.16 0.61 SDDSC160W1 721.64 722.31 0.67 0.61 0.01 0.64 SDDSC160W1 722.31 722.81 0.50 0.77 0.02 0.82 SDDSC160W1 722.81 723.08 0.27 0.16 0.09 0.38 SDDSC160W1 723.08 723.35 0.27 2.87 0.04 2.96 SDDSC160W1 723.35 724.00 0.65 0.44 0.02 0.49 SDDSC160W1 725.89 726.41 0.52 0.21 0.01 0.23 SDDSC160W1 726.41 727.51 1.10 0.11 0.00 0.12 SDDSC160W1 727.51 728.19 0.68 0.92 0.01 0.94 SDDSC160W1 728.19 728.58 0.39 0.28 0.01 0.29 SDDSC160W1 728.58 729.19 0.61 0.15 0.03 0.22 SDDSC160W1 731.38 731.67 0.29 0.20 0.01 0.23 SDDSC160W1 734.27 734.68 0.41 0.11 0.01 0.13 SDDSC160W1 734.88 736.00 1.12 0.25 0.05 0.36 SDDSC160W1 738.52 739.75 1.23 0.48 0.31 1.22 SDDSC160W1 740.41 741.09 0.68 1.05 0.01 1.08 SDDSC160W1 741.09 741.22 0.13 0.01 2.20 5.27 SDDSC160W1 742.00 743.00 1.00 0.82 0.00 0.83 SDDSC160W1 747.06 747.22 0.16 0.54 0.01 0.57 SDDSC160W1 751.41 751.56 0.15 0.64 0.01 0.65 SDDSC160W1 751.56 752.01 0.45 4.31 0.02 4.36 SDDSC160W1 752.01 752.84 0.83 0.09 0.01 0.10 SDDSC160W1 757.90 758.03 0.13 0.16 0.01 0.17 SDDSC160W1 759.10 759.20 0.10 0.19 0.01 0.20 SDDSC160W1 759.90 760.60 0.70 0.41 0.05 0.54 SDDSC160W1 760.60 760.82 0.22 0.70 0.00 0.71 SDDSC160W1 760.82 761.07 0.25 0.33 0.01 0.34 SDDSC160W1 762.11 763.10 0.99 0.09 0.00 0.10 SDDSC160W2 793.20 793.37 0.17 0.25 0.00 0.26 SDDSC160W2 795.61 796.91 1.30 0.16 0.00 0.16 SDDSC160W2 799.08 799.71 0.63 0.11 0.00 0.12 SDDSC160W2 801.05 802.32 1.27 0.13 0.00 0.14 SDDSC160W2 802.32 802.63 0.31 0.26 0.00 0.27 SDDSC160W2 803.60 804.65 1.05 0.12 0.00 0.12 SDDSC160W2 809.79 810.96 1.17 4.50 0.04 4.59 SDDSC160W2 811.60 812.00 0.40 0.12 0.01 0.14 SDDSC160W2 815.39 815.66 0.27 0.97 0.01 1.00 SDDSC160W2 823.94 824.17 0.23 0.18 0.01 0.19 SDDSC160W2 830.45 830.60 0.15 0.11 0.00 0.12 SDDSC160W2 831.75 832.25 0.50 0.15 0.00 0.15 SDDSC160W2 833.10 833.64 0.54 0.24 0.01 0.25 SDDSC160W2 833.64 834.24 0.60 0.49 0.00 0.50 SDDSC160W2 834.24 834.52 0.28 0.18 0.01 0.20 SDDSC160W2 834.52 834.67 0.15 0.56 0.00 0.57 SDDSC160W2 834.67 835.00 0.33 0.50 0.01 0.51 SDDSC160W2 838.14 838.34 0.20 0.15 0.01 0.17 SDDSC160W2 840.53 840.69 0.16 4.59 0.09 4.81 SDDSC160W2 852.32 852.43 0.11 1.90 0.01 1.92 SDDSC160W2 854.30 855.60 1.30 0.10 0.00 0.11 SDDSC160W2 870.82 871.29 0.47 4.96 0.01 4.98 SDDSC160W2 871.29 872.00 0.71 0.17 0.05 0.28 SDDSC160W2 873.00 874.00 1.00 0.08 0.01 0.10 SDDSC160W2 874.00 874.93 0.93 0.09 0.01 0.11 SDDSC160W2 876.45 876.66 0.21 0.62 0.01 0.64 SDDSC160W2 876.66 877.96 1.30 0.11 0.01 0.12 SDDSC160W2 880.50 881.39 0.89 0.13 0.02 0.18 SDDSC160W2 881.39 881.71 0.32 0.66 0.01 0.68 SDDSC160W2 881.71 882.29 0.58 0.18 0.01 0.20 SDDSC160W2 882.29 882.46 0.17 0.17 0.01 0.19 SDDSC160W2 882.46 883.20 0.74 0.11 0.01 0.14 SDDSC160W2 894.78 895.33 0.55 0.19 0.00 0.20 SDDSC160W2 908.53 908.89 0.36 6.68 0.00 6.69 SDDSC160W2 920.71 921.04 0.33 1.83 0.00 1.83 SDDSC160W2 926.17 926.43 0.26 10.60 0.01 10.62 SDDSC160W2 926.43 926.83 0.40 2.07 0.10 2.31 SDDSC160W2 926.83 927.21 0.38 16.20 0.01 16.23 SDDSC160W2 954.43 954.96 0.53 0.20 0.00 0.21 SDDSC160W2 958.61 958.86 0.25 8.84 0.01 8.86 SDDSC160W2 975.30 976.06 0.76 0.12 0.01 0.14 SDDSC160W2 976.06 976.26 0.20 0.31 0.01 0.32 SDDSC160W2 983.64 983.84 0.20 0.11 0.00 0.12 SDDSC160W2 983.84 984.62 0.78 0.20 0.01 0.22 SDDSC160W2 984.62 984.82 0.20 0.09 0.01 0.11 SDDSC160W2 984.82 985.16 0.34 0.09 0.00 0.10 SDDSC160W2 992.83 993.08 0.25 0.20 0.01 0.21 SDDSC160W2 1000.03 1000.50 0.47 0.15 0.00 0.16 SDDSC160W2 1001.60 1002.50 0.90 0.20 0.00 0.21 SDDSC160W2 1002.88 1003.25 0.37 0.24 0.00 0.25 SDDSC160W2 1014.63 1014.91 0.28 0.16 0.00 0.17 SDDSC160W2 1014.91 1015.60 0.69 0.10 0.00 0.10 SDDSC160W2 1018.13 1018.29 0.16 0.17 0.00 0.17 SDDSC160W2 1018.29 1018.86 0.57 0.12 0.00 0.12 SDDSC165 2.10 3.00 0.90 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 3.00 4.15 1.15 0.02 0.00 0.02 SDDSC165 4.15 5.20 1.05 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 5.20 5.81 0.61 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 5.81 6.39 0.58 0.01 0.00 0.01 SDDSC165 6.39 6.80 0.41 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 6.80 7.54 0.74 0.04 0.00 0.04 SDDSC165 7.54 8.50 0.96 0.01 0.00 0.01 SDDSC165 8.50 9.70 1.20 0.02 0.00 0.02 SDDSC165 9.70 10.90 1.20 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 10.90 12.19 1.29 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 12.19 12.77 0.58 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 12.77 13.76 0.99 0.01 0.00 0.01 SDDSC165 13.76 14.73 0.97 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 14.73 15.25 0.52 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 15.55 15.82 0.27 -0.01 0.01 0.00 SDDSC165 15.82 17.00 1.18 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 17.00 17.90 0.90 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 17.90 19.00 1.10 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 19.00 19.52 0.52 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 19.52 20.35 0.83 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 20.35 21.00 0.65 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 21.00 21.80 0.80 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 22.00 23.00 1.00 -0.01 0.00 0.00 SDDSC165 23.00 23.56 0.56 0.06 0.00 0.06 SDDSC165 23.56 24.50 0.94 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 24.50 25.50 1.00 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 53.20 54.20 1.00 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 54.20 55.22 1.02 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 55.22 55.74 0.52 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 55.74 56.25 0.51 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 56.25 56.62 0.37 -0.01 0.00 0.00 SDDSC165 56.62 57.00 0.38 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 57.20 58.15 0.95 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 58.15 59.00 0.85 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 59.00 59.75 0.75 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 59.75 60.14 0.39 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 60.14 60.81 0.67 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 60.81 61.30 0.49 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 61.30 62.44 1.14 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 62.44 63.15 0.71 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 63.15 64.15 1.00 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC165 64.15 65.15 1.00 -0.01 0.00 -0.01 SDDSC166 209.50 209.84 0.34 0.16 0.00 0.17 SDDSC166 209.84 209.97 0.13 0.08 0.32 0.84 SDDSC166 209.97 210.51 0.54 0.16 0.02 0.22 SDDSC166 211.63 212.52 0.89 0.10 0.00 0.11 SDDSC166 220.02 220.67 0.65 0.34 0.02 0.39 SDDSC166 228.75 228.96 0.21 0.66 0.04 0.74 SDDSC166 230.28 230.41 0.13 0.56 1.26 3.57 SDDSC166 231.74 232.20 0.46 1.00 0.02 1.05 SDDSC166 232.58 232.80 0.22 0.17 0.01 0.19 SDDSC166 232.80 233.05 0.25 0.18 0.00 0.18 SDDSC166 235.51 236.28 0.77 0.11 0.00 0.11 SDDSC166 236.28 236.50 0.22 0.23 0.00 0.23 SDDSC166 237.37 238.03 0.66 0.17 0.00 0.17 SDDSC166 241.71 242.54 0.83 0.10 0.01 0.11 SDDSC166 242.54 243.16 0.62 0.18 0.04 0.26 SDDSC166 243.66 244.25 0.59 0.22 0.00 0.23 SDDSC166 244.82 245.00 0.18 0.43 0.01 0.45 SDDSC166 246.13 246.30 0.17 0.13 0.00 0.13 SDDSC166 246.30 247.08 0.78 0.15 0.01 0.17 SDDSC166 248.47 249.41 0.94 0.26 0.01 0.28 SDDSC166 249.41 250.17 0.76 0.37 0.00 0.38 SDDSC166 250.17 250.30 0.13 0.28 0.28 0.95 SDDSC166 250.30 250.89 0.59 0.14 0.02 0.18 SDDSC166 250.89 251.20 0.31 0.60 0.01 0.63 SDDSC166 251.20 251.61 0.41 0.24 0.00 0.25 SDDSC166 251.61 252.70 1.09 0.21 0.00 0.22 SDDSC166 255.00 255.60 0.60 0.31 0.00 0.32 SDDSC166 256.35 256.49 0.14 0.09 0.05 0.21 SDDSC166 256.49 256.99 0.50 0.36 0.00 0.37 SDDSC166 256.99 258.00 1.01 0.43 0.00 0.44 SDDSC166 259.00 260.05 1.05 0.10 0.00 0.11 SDDSC166 260.05 260.30 0.25 0.25 0.01 0.26 SDDSC166 260.30 260.76 0.46 0.27 0.00 0.28 SDDSC166 260.76 261.87 1.11 0.13 0.00 0.14 SDDSC166 261.87 262.28 0.41 0.23 0.01 0.24 SDDSC166 262.28 262.76 0.48 0.43 0.04 0.52 SDDSC166 262.76 263.23 0.47 0.36 0.06 0.50 SDDSC166 264.00 264.72 0.72 0.10 0.01 0.11 SDDSC166 268.00 268.32 0.32 0.10 0.00 0.11 SDDSC166 277.30 278.17 0.87 0.53 0.01 0.56 SDDSC166 278.17 278.50 0.33 0.15 0.01 0.17 SDDSC166 278.50 278.99 0.49 0.28 0.02 0.33 SDDSC166 278.99 279.09 0.10 3.15 0.06 3.29 SDDSC166 279.09 280.00 0.91 0.21 0.05 0.33 SDDSC166 285.64 286.40 0.76 0.23 0.01 0.25 SDDSC166 289.75 290.65 0.90 0.25 0.01 0.27 SDDSC166 290.65 291.31 0.66 0.21 0.01 0.23 SDDSC166 294.80 295.52 0.72 0.08 0.05 0.20 SDDSC166 296.18 296.66 0.48 0.39 0.12 0.68 SDDSC166 296.66 296.80 0.14 74.80 0.84 76.81 SDDSC166 296.80 297.29 0.49 1.60 0.87 3.68 SDDSC166 298.40 298.71 0.31 7.99 0.13 8.30 SDDSC166 298.71 298.81 0.10 9.57 0.37 10.45 SDDSC166 298.81 299.08 0.27 0.34 0.14 0.67 SDDSC166 299.08 299.83 0.75 0.08 0.05 0.19 SDDSC166 299.83 300.18 0.35 0.15 0.06 0.29 SDDSC166 300.18 300.81 0.63 7.93 0.05 8.04 SDDSC166 300.81 301.57 0.76 1.21 0.11 1.47 SDDSC166 301.57 302.53 0.96 0.40 0.03 0.47 SDDSC166 303.30 303.80 0.50 27.30 0.06 27.43 SDDSC166 304.70 305.50 0.80 0.25 0.18 0.68 SDDSC166 305.50 306.00 0.50 0.12 0.02 0.17 SDDSC166 306.00 306.55 0.55 1.31 0.14 1.64 SDDSC166 306.55 307.10 0.55 0.19 0.01 0.21 SDDSC166 307.10 308.00 0.90 0.04 0.05 0.16 SDDSC166 308.00 309.00 1.00 0.09 0.01 0.10 SDDSC166 309.00 310.00 1.00 0.95 0.04 1.04 SDDSC166 310.00 311.10 1.10 0.11 0.03 0.19 SDDSC166 311.10 312.20 1.10 0.07 0.06 0.21 SDDSC166 320.70 320.85 0.15 5.43 0.12 5.72 SDDSC166 327.50 328.00 0.50 0.21 0.02 0.25 SDDSC166 336.00 337.00 1.00 1.58 0.04 1.67 SDDSC166 337.00 337.50 0.50 0.08 0.01 0.11 SDDSC166 339.70 340.70 1.00 0.13 0.00 0.14 SDDSC166 341.70 342.60 0.90 0.16 0.01 0.18 SDDSC166 343.10 344.00 0.90 0.89 0.01 0.91 SDDSC166 344.00 345.00 1.00 0.16 0.01 0.18 SDDSC166 345.00 345.60 0.60 0.24 0.01 0.26 SDDSC166 345.60 345.90 0.30 0.53 0.01 0.55 SDDSC166 345.90 346.50 0.60 0.29 0.01 0.31 SDDSC166 350.75 351.50 0.75 0.15 0.01 0.17 SDDSC166 351.50 352.50 1.00 0.38 0.00 0.39 SDDSC166 360.75 361.10 0.35 2.25 0.01 2.27 SDDSC166 361.10 362.00 0.90 0.21 0.01 0.23 SDDSC166 374.21 374.33 0.12 0.58 0.05 0.70 SDDSC166 374.92 375.28 0.36 0.23 0.01 0.26 SDDSC166 375.28 376.23 0.95 0.12 0.01 0.13 SDDSC166 377.07 377.38 0.31 0.11 0.01 0.13 SDDSC166 377.38 377.91 0.53 0.09 0.01 0.11 SDDSC166 377.91 378.40 0.49 0.30 0.01 0.32 SDDSC166 416.70 416.80 0.10 0.31 0.00 0.32 SDDSC166 441.22 442.23 1.01 0.12 0.00 0.13 SDDSC166 442.23 442.43 0.20 2.97 0.00 2.98 SDDSC166 445.80 446.10 0.30 0.08 0.04 0.19 SDDSC166 446.90 447.10 0.20 0.13 0.01 0.15 SDDSC166 447.10 448.10 1.00 0.09 0.01 0.11 SDDSC166 448.10 449.00 0.90 0.02 0.05 0.14 SDDSC166 449.80 450.00 0.20 0.08 0.15 0.44 SDDSC166 451.80 452.10 0.30 0.76 0.02 0.81 SDDSC166 452.10 452.60 0.50 0.22 0.01 0.24 SDDSC166 452.60 453.20 0.60 0.15 0.00 0.16 SDDSC166 453.20 453.40 0.20 0.15 0.03 0.22 SDDSC166 453.40 454.40 1.00 0.19 0.02 0.23 SDDSC166 454.40 454.80 0.40 1.33 0.01 1.35 SDDSC166 454.80 455.50 0.70 2.14 0.01 2.15 SDDSC166 455.50 456.50 1.00 0.11 0.00 0.12 SDDSC166 461.50 462.50 1.00 0.14 0.00 0.15 SDDSC166 462.50 463.10 0.60 0.19 0.00 0.20 SDDSC166 463.50 464.50 1.00 0.11 0.00 0.12 SDDSC166 465.50 466.50 1.00 0.21 0.00 0.22 SDDSC166 467.50 468.40 0.90 0.12 0.02 0.16 SDDSC166 470.40 470.70 0.30 5.53 0.01 5.55 SDDSC166 470.70 470.90 0.20 8.52 0.02 8.57 SDDSC166 470.90 471.50 0.60 0.12 0.01 0.13 SDDSC166 471.50 471.90 0.40 0.12 0.01 0.14 SDDSC166 479.40 479.80 0.40 0.10 0.00 0.11 SDDSC166 480.50 481.30 0.80 0.02 0.04 0.10 SDDSC166 481.90 482.40 0.50 0.34 0.01 0.36 SDDSC166 492.15 493.15 1.00 0.12 0.00 0.12 SDDSC166 498.05 499.05 1.00 0.15 0.00 0.15 SDDSC166 533.35 533.75 0.40 0.17 0.00 0.17 SDDSC172 177.23 177.45 0.22 0.25 0.01 0.28 SDDSC172 239.30 239.70 0.40 0.13 0.06 0.27 SDDSC172 239.70 240.30 0.60 0.26 0.41 1.24 SDDSC172 242.00 242.30 0.30 0.70 0.08 0.89 SDDSC172 242.30 242.45 0.15 0.34 0.20 0.82 SDDSC172 242.80 243.60 0.80 0.26 0.38 1.17 SDDSC172 243.60 244.50 0.90 0.05 0.04 0.14 SDDSC172 244.50 244.70 0.20 0.36 0.41 1.34 SDDSC172 245.10 245.30 0.20 0.08 0.05 0.20 SDDSC172 247.10 247.36 0.26 0.26 0.09 0.46 SDDSC172 247.36 248.21 0.85 0.29 0.13 0.60 SDDSC172 248.21 248.49 0.28 4.11 0.02 4.15 SDDSC172 248.49 248.71 0.22 5.36 0.02 5.42 SDDSC172 248.71 249.35 0.64 0.36 0.07 0.53 SDDSC172 249.35 249.50 0.15 0.51 0.18 0.94 SDDSC172 249.50 249.80 0.30 0.56 0.24 1.13 SDDSC172 249.80 250.20 0.40 0.07 0.01 0.10 SDDSC172 256.09 257.02 0.93 0.11 0.00 0.12 SDDSC172 257.74 258.02 0.28 0.16 0.02 0.21 SDDSC172 260.18 260.41 0.23 0.09 0.01 0.11 SDDSC172 267.00 268.00 1.00 0.13 0.01 0.16 SDDSC172 268.00 268.90 0.90 1.07 0.01 1.10 SDDSC172 268.90 270.20 1.30 0.12 0.01 0.14 SDDSC172 276.80 277.30 0.50 0.12 0.01 0.14 SDDSC172 277.30 277.80 0.50 0.14 0.00 0.15 SDDSC172 277.80 278.50 0.70 0.15 0.00 0.16 SDDSC172 278.50 279.60 1.10 0.12 0.00 0.13 SDDSC172 280.60 280.90 0.30 0.52 0.00 0.53 SDDSC172 280.90 281.10 0.20 1.48 0.00 1.49 SDDSC172 281.10 282.00 0.90 0.23 0.00 0.24 SDDSC172 313.45 314.30 0.85 0.26 0.04 0.35 SDDSC172 314.30 314.65 0.35 0.56 0.01 0.58 SDDSC172 324.80 325.30 0.50 0.13 0.01 0.15 SDDSC172 325.30 326.00 0.70 0.40 0.01 0.41 SDDSC172 330.60 330.87 0.27 0.74 0.11 1.00 SDDSC172 330.87 331.07 0.20 0.72 0.10 0.96 SDDSC172 331.07 331.55 0.48 1.14 0.02 1.19 SDDSC172 331.55 332.40 0.85 0.09 0.01 0.10 SDDSC172 332.40 332.60 0.20 0.46 0.00 0.47 SDDSC172 332.60 333.20 0.60 0.16 0.00 0.17 SDDSC172 333.80 334.45 0.65 0.14 0.00 0.15 SDDSC172 338.20 338.60 0.40 0.15 0.00 0.16 SDDSC172 339.90 340.55 0.65 0.15 0.00 0.16 SDDSC172 341.75 341.95 0.20 0.11 0.00 0.11 SDDSC172 345.90 347.20 1.30 0.15 0.00 0.16 SDDSC172 353.50 353.77 0.27 0.46 0.00 0.47 SDDSC172 359.75 359.95 0.20 0.13 0.00 0.14 SDDSC172 364.90 365.70 0.80 0.11 0.00 0.12 SDDSC172 369.24 369.67 0.43 0.49 0.00 0.50 SDDSC172 369.67 370.25 0.58 0.10 0.00 0.11 SDDSC172 375.53 376.42 0.89 0.11 0.00 0.12 SDDSC172 378.16 378.63 0.47 0.30 0.00 0.31 SDDSC172 378.63 379.10 0.47 0.09 0.05 0.20 SDDSC172 379.95 380.92 0.97 0.14 0.00 0.15 SDDSC172 381.66 382.11 0.45 0.20 0.00 0.21 SDDSC172 382.11 382.60 0.49 0.12 0.00 0.13 SDDSC172 383.30 384.47 1.17 0.19 0.03 0.26 SDDSC172 384.47 385.47 1.00 0.07 0.01 0.10 SDDSC172 385.47 385.82 0.35 1.82 0.06 1.97 SDDSC172 385.82 386.06 0.24 0.12 0.00 0.13 SDDSC172 389.55 390.05 0.50 0.07 0.04 0.16 SDDSC172 392.05 392.21 0.16 0.20 0.05 0.33 SDDSC172 392.84 393.58 0.74 0.11 0.01 0.12 SDDSC172 394.41 394.74 0.33 0.14 0.00 0.15 SDDSC172 394.74 395.12 0.38 0.10 0.01 0.11 SDDSC172 398.45 399.32 0.87 0.99 0.03 1.06 SDDSC172 400.83 401.21 0.38 0.25 0.61 1.71 SDDSC172 401.76 401.96 0.20 0.17 0.01 0.19 SDDSC172 403.65 403.90 0.25 0.06 0.04 0.15 SDDSC172 413.20 413.32 0.12 0.31 0.01 0.33 SDDSC172 414.27 414.37 0.10 0.85 0.01 0.86 SDDSC172 414.37 414.97 0.60 0.10 0.00 0.11 SDDSC172 414.97 416.00 1.03 0.12 0.00 0.13 SDDSC172 416.00 416.41 0.41 0.14 0.00 0.15 SDDSC172 418.98 419.30 0.32 0.12 0.01 0.13 SDDSC172 422.20 422.53 0.33 0.20 0.06 0.34 SDDSC172 426.19 426.62 0.43 0.21 0.00 0.22 SDDSC172 426.62 427.40 0.78 0.12 0.00 0.13 SDDSC172 427.40 428.17 0.77 0.33 0.01 0.35 SDDSC172 428.17 428.53 0.36 0.13 0.06 0.27 SDDSC172 428.53 428.75 0.22 1.55 1.59 5.35 SDDSC172 428.75 429.31 0.56 0.07 0.02 0.12 SDDSC172 429.31 429.48 0.17 0.87 0.06 1.01 SDDSC172 429.48 430.73 1.25 0.08 0.01 0.10 SDDSC172 430.73 431.17 0.44 0.89 0.48 2.04 SDDSC172 431.17 432.09 0.92 0.06 0.05 0.17 SDDSC172 432.09 432.93 0.84 0.87 0.01 0.89 SDDSC172 432.93 433.17 0.24 0.79 0.17 1.20 SDDSC172 433.17 434.00 0.83 0.68 0.02 0.73 SDDSC172 434.00 435.05 1.05 0.14 0.02 0.18 SDDSC172 435.85 436.11 0.26 0.15 0.01 0.18 SDDSC172 450.45 451.50 1.05 0.13 0.01 0.15 SDDSC172 453.58 454.79 1.21 0.18 0.01 0.20 SDDSC172 454.79 456.08 1.29 0.21 0.01 0.23 SDDSC172 571.10 571.90 0.80 0.10 0.00 0.10 SDDSC172 578.39 578.64 0.25 0.14 0.00 0.15 SDDSC172 579.60 580.28 0.68 0.14 0.00 0.15 SDDSC172 580.55 581.30 0.75 0.16 0.01 0.17 SDDSC172 583.66 584.12 0.46 0.11 0.01 0.12 SDDSC172 595.41 596.02 0.61 0.30 0.01 0.32 SDDSC172 603.60 604.02 0.42 0.35 0.00 0.35 SDDSC172 614.90 615.18 0.28 0.11 0.00 0.12 SDDSC173 371.23 372.30 1.07 0.26 0.01 0.28 SDDSC173 372.30 373.30 1.00 0.15 0.01 0.17 SDDSC173 441.45 442.10 0.65 0.13 0.00 0.14 SDDSC173 455.90 457.20 1.30 0.19 0.01 0.21 SDDSC173 464.80 465.10 0.30 0.11 0.04 0.20 SDDSC173 465.10 465.40 0.30 0.16 0.01 0.18 SDDSC173 465.40 466.00 0.60 0.06 0.03 0.12 SDDSC173 468.00 468.30 0.30 0.08 0.01 0.10 SDDSC173 470.92 471.23 0.31 0.26 0.06 0.40 SDDSC173 471.23 472.35 1.12 0.07 0.06 0.21 SDDSC173 472.73 473.00 0.27 0.08 0.01 0.10 SDDSC173 474.43 475.00 0.57 0.12 0.01 0.15 SDDSC173 482.10 482.63 0.53 0.14 0.00 0.15 SDDSC173 482.63 483.14 0.51 0.24 0.01 0.26 SDDSC173 483.95 484.25 0.30 0.45 0.01 0.47 SDDSC173 491.00 492.00 1.00 0.41 0.01 0.43 SDDSC173 499.00 500.00 1.00 0.09 0.01 0.12 SDDSC173 502.85 503.00 0.15 0.94 0.71 2.64 SDDSC173 503.00 503.52 0.52 0.16 0.03 0.23 SDDSC173 503.52 504.12 0.60 2.29 0.37 3.17 SDDSC173 504.12 505.00 0.88 0.16 0.07 0.32 SDDSC173 516.70 517.70 1.00 0.19 0.00 0.20 SDDSC173 517.70 518.80 1.10 0.15 0.00 0.16 SDDSC173 518.80 519.80 1.00 0.47 0.00 0.48 SDDSC173 519.80 520.45 0.65 0.42 0.00 0.42 SDDSC173 520.45 521.50 1.05 0.13 0.00 0.14 SDDSC173 660.00 660.78 0.78 0.13 0.04 0.24 SDDSC173 660.78 660.89 0.11 1.04 0.02 1.10 SDDSC173 660.89 661.40 0.51 0.43 0.05 0.54 SDDSC173 661.40 661.90 0.50 0.63 0.24 1.20 SDDSC173 661.90 663.00 1.10 0.22 0.03 0.28 SDDSC173 663.00 663.49 0.49 0.46 0.53 1.73 SDDSC173 663.49 664.00 0.51 0.23 0.09 0.44 SDDSC173 666.76 666.96 0.20 0.20 0.01 0.22 SDDSC173 666.96 667.29 0.33 0.98 0.46 2.08 SDDSC173 667.97 668.61 0.64 0.03 0.04 0.13 SDDSC173 670.64 670.75 0.11 3.34 1.60 7.16 SDDSC173 670.75 671.25 0.50 0.01 0.04 0.12 SDDSC173 671.25 672.00 0.75 0.41 0.19 0.86 SDDSC173 672.00 672.50 0.50 0.47 0.25 1.07 SDDSC173 678.00 679.00 1.00 0.25 0.09 0.47 SDDSC173 679.00 680.00 1.00 0.05 0.04 0.14 SDDSC173 681.80 682.05 0.25 49.90 0.06 50.04 SDDSC173 682.05 682.95 0.90 0.25 0.04 0.35 SDDSC173 682.95 683.20 0.25 87.10 2.06 92.02 SDDSC173 683.20 683.40 0.20 5.07 0.56 6.41 SDDSC173 683.40 683.60 0.20 14.60 0.43 15.63 SDDSC173 683.60 684.00 0.40 1.05 0.15 1.41 SDDSC173 684.00 684.25 0.25 16.90 0.18 17.33 SDDSC173 684.25 684.45 0.20 1.13 0.07 1.30 SDDSC173 686.90 687.20 0.30 12.30 0.28 12.97 SDDSC173 687.20 688.00 0.80 0.09 0.02 0.13 SDDSC173 693.82 693.96 0.14 4.41 0.01 4.44 SDDSC173 693.96 695.00 1.04 0.12 0.01 0.15 SDDSC173 701.00 701.60 0.60 58.00 0.00 58.01 SDDSC173 702.60 703.50 0.90 0.09 0.01 0.12 SDDSC173 703.50 703.90 0.40 17.20 0.05 17.31 SDDSC173 703.90 704.80 0.90 0.42 0.03 0.48 SDDSC173 704.80 705.30 0.50 0.04 0.03 0.11 SDDSC173 709.85 710.04 0.19 1.44 0.01 1.46 SDDSC173 711.97 712.53 0.56 0.26 0.01 0.28 SDDSC173 712.80 713.23 0.43 0.24 0.01 0.27 SDDSC173 713.23 713.59 0.36 3.57 0.02 3.61 SDDSC173 713.59 713.90 0.31 0.54 0.01 0.56 SDDSC173 713.90 714.15 0.25 0.71 0.01 0.73 SDDSC173 714.15 715.00 0.85 0.13 0.01 0.15 SDDSC173 719.85 719.97 0.12 0.12 0.00 0.13 SDDSC173 724.13 724.83 0.70 0.41 0.06 0.54 SDDSC173 724.83 725.27 0.44 3.68 0.10 3.91 SDDSC173 725.27 726.25 0.98 0.14 0.01 0.15 SDDSC173 726.25 726.60 0.35 2.66 0.02 2.71 SDDSC173 726.60 727.20 0.60 0.38 0.01 0.40 SDDSC173 727.20 727.51 0.31 0.32 0.01 0.34 SDDSC173 732.13 733.18 1.05 0.20 0.01 0.21 SDDSC173 733.18 733.40 0.22 0.78 0.00 0.79 SDDSC173 737.00 737.92 0.92 0.18 0.00 0.19 SDDSC173 737.92 738.14 0.22 0.13 0.00 0.13 SDDSC173 738.14 738.40 0.26 0.15 0.00 0.16 SDDSC173 738.40 739.00 0.60 0.13 0.01 0.14

JORC Table 1

Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (e.g. cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc.). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling.

Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used.

Aspects of the determination of mineralization that are Material to the Public Report.

In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (e.g. 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralization types (e.g. submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. Sampling has been conducted on drill core (half core for >90% and quarter core for check samples), grab samples (field samples of in-situ bedrock and boulders; including duplicate samples), trench samples (rock chips, including duplicates) and soil samples (including duplicate samples).

Locations of field samples were obtained by using a GPS, generally to an accuracy of within 5 metres. Drill hole and trench locations have been confirmed to <1 metre using a differential GPS.

Samples locations have also been verified by plotting locations on the high-resolution Lidar maps

Locations of field samples were obtained by using a GPS, generally to an accuracy of within 5 metres. Drill hole and trench locations have been confirmed to <1 metre using a differential GPS. Samples locations have also been verified by plotting locations on the high-resolution Lidar maps Drill core is marked for cutting and cut using an automated diamond saw used by Company staff in Kilmore.

Samples are bagged at the core saw and transported to the Bendigo On Site Laboratory for assay.

At On Site samples are crushed using a jaw crusher combined with a rotary splitter and a 1 kg split is separated for pulverizing (LM5) and assay.

Samples are bagged at the core saw and transported to the Bendigo On Site Laboratory for assay. At On Site samples are crushed using a jaw crusher combined with a rotary splitter and a 1 kg split is separated for pulverizing (LM5) and assay. Standard fire assay techniques are used for gold assay on a 30 g charge by experienced staff (used to dealing with high sulfide and stibnite-rich charges). On Site gold method by fire assay code PE01S.

Screen fire assay is used to understand gold grain-size distribution where coarse gold is evident.

ICP-OES is used to analyse the aqua regia digested pulp for an additional 12 elements (method BM011) and over-range antimony is measured using flame AAS (method known as B050).

Soil samples were sieved in the field and an 80 mesh sample bagged and transported to ALS Global laboratories in Brisbane for super-low level gold analysis on a 50 g samples by method ST44 (using aqua regia and ICP-MS).

Grab and rock chip samples are generally submitted to On Site Laboratories for standard fire assay and 12 element ICP-OES as described above. Drilling techniques Drill type (e.g. core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc.) and details (e.g. core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc.). HQ or NQ diameter diamond drill core, oriented using Axis Champ orientation tool with the orientation line marked on the base of the drill core by the driller/offsider.

A standard 3 metre core barrel has been found to be most effective in both the hard and soft rocks in the project. Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed.

Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples.

Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. Core recoveries were maximised using HQ or NQ diamond drill core with careful control over water pressure to maintain soft-rock integrity and prevent loss of fines from soft drill core. Recoveries are determined on a metre-by-metre basis in the core shed using a tape measure against marked up drill core checking against driller's core blocks.

Plots of grade versus recovery and RQD (described below) show no trends relating to loss of drill core, or fines. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies.

Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc.) photography.

The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged. Geotechnical logging of the drill core takes place on racks in the company core shed.

Core orientations marked at the drill rig are checked for consistency, and base of core orientation lines are marked on core where two or more orientations match within 10 degrees.

Core recoveries are measured for each metre

RQD measurements (cumulative quantity of core sticks > 10 cm in a metre) are made on a metre-by-metre basis.

Core orientations marked at the drill rig are checked for consistency, and base of core orientation lines are marked on core where two or more orientations match within 10 degrees. Core recoveries are measured for each metre RQD measurements (cumulative quantity of core sticks > 10 cm in a metre) are made on a metre-by-metre basis. Each tray of drill core is photographed (wet and dry) after it is fully marked up for sampling and cutting.

The  core cutting line is placed approximately 10 degrees above the orientation line so the orientation line is retained in the core tray for future work.

Geological logging of drill core includes the following parameters:

Rock types, lithology

Alteration

Structural information (orientations of veins, bedding, fractures using standard alpha-beta measurements from orientation line; or, in the case of un-oriented parts of the core, the alpha angles are measured)

Veining (quartz, carbonate, stibnite)

Key minerals (visible under hand lens, e.g. gold, stibnite)

Rock types, lithology Alteration Structural information (orientations of veins, bedding, fractures using standard alpha-beta measurements from orientation line; or, in the case of un-oriented parts of the core, the alpha angles are measured) Veining (quartz, carbonate, stibnite) Key minerals (visible under hand lens, e.g. gold, stibnite) 100% of drill core is logged for all components described above into the company MX logging database.

Logging is fully quantitative, although the description of lithology and alteration relies on visible observations by trained geologists.

Each tray of drill core is photographed (wet and dry) after it is fully marked up for sampling and cutting.

Logging is considered to be at an appropriate quantitative standard to use in future studies. Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken.

If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc. and whether sampled wet or dry.

For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique.

Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples.

Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling.

Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Drill core is typically half-core sampled using an Almonte core saw. The drill core orientation line is retained.

Quarter core is used when taking sampling duplicates (termed FDUP in the database).

Sampling representivity is maximised by always taking the same side of the drill core (whenever oriented), and consistently drawing a cut line on the core where orientation is not possible. The field technician draws these lines.

Sample sizes are maximised for coarse gold by using half core, and using quarter core and half core splits (laboratory duplicates) allows an estimation of nugget effect.

In mineralized rock the company uses approximately 10% of  core duplicates, certified reference materials (suitable OREAS materials), laboratory sample duplicates and instrument repeats.

In the soil sampling program duplicates were obtained every 20th sample and the laboratory inserted low-level gold standards regularly into the sample flow. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total.

For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc., the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc.

Nature of quality control procedures adopted (e.g. standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (i.e. lack of bias) and precision have been established. The fire assay technique for gold used by On Site is a globally recognised method, and over-range follow-ups including gravimetric finish and screen fire assay are standard. Of significance at the On Site laboratory is the presence of fire assay personnel who are experienced in dealing with high sulfide charges (especially those with high stibnite contents) - this substantially reduces the risk of in accurate reporting in complex sulfide-gold charges.

Where screen fire assay is used, this assay will be reported instead of the original fire assay.

The ICP-OES technique is a standard analytical technique for assessing elemental concentrations. The digest used (aqua regia) is excellent for the dissolution of sulfides (in this case generally stibnite, pyrite and trace arsenopyrite), but other silicate-hosted elements, in particular vanadium (V), may only be partially dissolved. These silicate-hosted elements are not important in the determination of the quantity of gold, antimony, arsenic or sulphur.

A portable XRF has been used in a qualitative manner on drill core to ensure appropriate core samples have been taken (no pXRF data are reported or included in the MX database).

Acceptable levels of accuracy and precision have been established using the following methods

 duplicates - half core is split into quarters and given separate sample numbers (commonly in mineralized core) - low to medium gold grades indicate strong correlation, dropping as the gold grade increases over 40 g/t Au.

Blanks - blanks are inserted after visible gold and in strongly mineralized rocks to confirm that the crushing and pulping are not affected by gold smearing onto the crusher and LM5 swing mill surfaces. Results are excellent, generally below detection limit and a single sample at 0.03 g/t Au.

Certified Reference Materials - OREAS CRMs have been used throughout the project including blanks, low (<1 g/t Au), medium (up to 5 g/t Au) and high-grade gold samples (> 5 g/t Au). Results are automatically checked on data import into the MX database to fall within 2 standard deviations of the expected value.

Laboratory splits - On Site conducts splits of both coarse crush and pulp duplicates as quality control and reports all data. In particular, high Au samples have the most repeats.

Laboratory CRMs - On Site regularly inserts their own CRM materials into the process flow and reports all data

Laboratory precision - duplicate measurements of solutions (both Au from fire assay and other elements from the aqua regia digests) are made regularly by the laboratory and reported.

- half core is split into quarters and given separate sample numbers (commonly in mineralized core) - low to medium gold grades indicate strong correlation, dropping as the gold grade increases over 40 g/t Au. - blanks are inserted after visible gold and in strongly mineralized rocks to confirm that the crushing and pulping are not affected by gold smearing onto the crusher and LM5 swing mill surfaces. Results are excellent, generally below detection limit and a single sample at 0.03 g/t Au. - OREAS CRMs have been used throughout the project including blanks, low (<1 g/t Au), medium (up to 5 g/t Au) and high-grade gold samples (> 5 g/t Au). Results are automatically checked on data import into the MX database to fall within 2 standard deviations of the expected value. - On Site conducts splits of both coarse crush and pulp duplicates as quality control and reports all data. In particular, high Au samples have the most repeats. - On Site regularly inserts their own CRM materials into the process flow and reports all data - duplicate measurements of solutions (both Au from fire assay and other elements from the aqua regia digests) are made regularly by the laboratory and reported. Accuracy and precision have been determined carefully by using the sampling and measurement techniques described above during the sampling (accuracy) and laboratory (accuracy and precision) stages of the analysis.

have been determined carefully by using the sampling and measurement techniques described above during the sampling (accuracy) and laboratory (accuracy and precision) stages of the analysis. Soil sample company duplicates and laboratory certified reference materials all fall within expected ranges. Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel.

The use of twinned holes.

Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols.

Discuss any adjustment to assay data. The Independent Geologist has visited Sunday Creek drill sites and inspected drill core held at the Kilmore core shed.

Visual inspection of drill intersections matches both the geological descriptions in the database and the expected assay data (for example, gold and stibnite visible in drill core is matched by high Au and Sb results in assays).

In addition, on receipt of results Company geologists assess the gold, antimony and arsenic results to verify that the intersections returned expected data.

The electronic data storage in the MX database is of a high standard. Primary logging data are entered directly by the geologists and field technicians and the assay data are electronically matched against sample number on return from the laboratory.

Certified reference materials,  core field duplicates (FDUP), laboratory splits and duplicates and instrument repeats are all recorded in the database.

Exports of data include all primary data, from hole SDDSC077B onwards after discussion with SRK Consulting. Prior to this gold was averaged across primary, field and lab duplicates.

Adjustments to assay data are recorded by MX, and none are present (or required).

Twinned drill holes are not available at this stage of the project. Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation.

Specification of the grid system used.

Quality and adequacy of topographic control. Differential GPS used to locate drill collars, trenches and some workings

Standard GPS for some field locations (grab and soils samples), verified against Lidar data.

The grid system used throughout is Geocentric datum of Australia 1994; Map Grid Zone 55 (GDA94_Z55), also referred to as ELSG 28355. Reported azimuths also relate to MGA55 (GDA94_Z55).

Topographic control is excellent owing to sub 10 cm accuracy from Lidar data. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.

Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied.

Whether sample compositing has been applied. The data spacing is suitable for reporting of exploration results - evidence for this is based on the improving predictability of high-grade gold-antimony intersections.

At this time, the data spacing and distribution are not sufficient for the reporting of Mineral Resource Estimates. This however may change as knowledge of grade controls increase with future drill programs.

Samples have been composited to a 1 g/t AuEq over 2.0 m width for lower grades and 5 g/t AuEq over 1.0 m width for higher grades in table 3. All individual assays above 0.1 g/t AuEq have been reported to two decimal places with no compositing in table 4. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type.

If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralized structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material. The true thickness of the mineralized intervals reported are interpreted to be approximately 50-75% of the sampled thickness.

Drilling is oriented in an optimum direction when considering the combination of host rock orientation and apparent vein control on gold and antimony grade.

The steep nature of some of the veins may give increases in apparent thickness of some intersections, but more drilling is required to quantify.

The steep nature of some of the veins may give increases in apparent thickness of some intersections, but more drilling is required to quantify. A sampling bias is not evident from the data collected to date (drill holes cut across mineralized structures at a moderate angle). Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. Drill core is delivered to the Kilmore core logging shed by either the drill contractor or company field staff. Samples are marked up and cut by company staff at the Kilmore core shed, in an automated diamond saw and bagged before loaded onto strapped secured pallets and trucked by company staff to Bendigo for submission to the laboratory. There is no evidence in any stage of the process, or in the data for any sample security issues. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. Continuous monitoring of CRM results, blanks and duplicates is undertaken by geologists and the company data geologist. Mr Michael Hudson for SXG has the orientation, logging and assay data.

Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Mineral tenement

and land tenure

status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings.

The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. The Sunday Creek Goldfield, containing the Clonbinane Project, is covered by the Retention Licence RL 6040 and is surrounded by Exploration Licence EL6163 and Exploration Licence EL7232. All the licences are 100% held by Clonbinane Goldfield Pty Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary company of Southern Cross Gold Ltd. Exploration done by

other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. The main historical prospect within the Sunday Creek project is the Clonbinane prospect, a high level orogenic (or epizonal) Fosterville-style deposit. Small scale mining has been undertaken in the project area since the 1880s continuing through to the early 1900s. Historical production occurred with multiple small shafts and alluvial workings across the Clonbinane Goldfield permits. Production of note occurred at the Clonbinane area with total production being reported as 41,000 oz gold at a grade of 33 g/t gold (Leggo and Holdsworth, 2013)

Work in and nearby to the Sunday Creek Project area by previous explorers typically focused on finding bulk, shallow deposits. Beadell Resources were the first to drill deeper targets and Southern Cross have continued their work in the Sunday Creek Project area.

EL54 - Eastern Prospectors Pty Ltd Rock chip sampling around Christina, Apollo and Golden Dyke mines.

Rock chip sampling down the Christina mine shaft. Resistivity survey over the Golden Dyke. Five diamond drill holes around Christina, two of which have assays. ELs 872 & 975 - CRA Exploration Pty Ltd Exploration focused on finding low grade, high tonnage deposits. The tenements were relinquished after the area was found to be prospective but not economic.

Stream sediment samples around the Golden Dyke and Reedy Creek areas. Results were better around the Golden Dyke. 45 dump samples around Golden Dyke old workings showed good correlation between gold, arsenic and antimony.

Soil samples over the Golden Dyke to define boundaries of dyke and mineralization. Two costeans parallel to the Golden Dyke targeting soil anomalies. Costeans since rehabilitated by SXG. ELs 827 & 1520 - BHP Minerals Ltd Exploration targeting open cut gold mineralization peripheral to SXG tenements. ELs 1534, 1603 & 3129 - Ausminde Holdings Pty Ltd Targeting shallow, low grade gold. Trenching around the Golden Dyke prospect and results interpreted along with CRAs costeans. 29 RC/Aircore holes totalling 959 m sunk into the Apollo, Rising Sun and Golden Dyke target areas. ELs 4460 & 4987 - Beadell Resources Ltd ELs 4460 and 4497 were granted to Beadell Resources in November 2007. Beadell successfully drilled 30 RC holes, including second diamond tail holes in the Golden Dyke/Apollo target areas. Both tenements were 100% acquired by Auminco Goldfields Pty Ltd in late 2012 and combined into one tenement EL4987.

Nagambie Resources Ltd purchased Auminco Goldfields in July 2014. EL4987 expired late 2015, during which time Nagambie Resources applied for a retention licence (RL6040) covering three square kilometres over the Sunday Creek Goldfield. RL6040 was granted July 2017.

Clonbinane Gold Field Pty Ltd was purchased by Mawson Gold Ltd in February 2020. Mawson drilled 30 holes for 6,928 m and made the first discoveries to depth. Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of

mineralization. Refer to the description in the main body of the release. Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following

information for all Material drill holes: easting and northing of the drill hole collar elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar dip and azimuth of the hole down hole length and interception depth hole length.

If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. Refer to appendices Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (e.g. cutting of high-grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated.

Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high-grade results and longer lengths of low-grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail.

The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. See "Further Information" and "Metal Equivalent Calculation" in main text of press release. Relationship

between

mineralization

widths and

intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results.

If the geometry of the mineralization with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported.

If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (e.g 'down hole

length, true width not known'). See reporting of true widths in the body of the press release. Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported. These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. The results of the diamond drilling are displayed in the figures in the announcement. Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high-grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. All results above 0.1 g/t Au have been tabulated in this announcement. The results are considered representative with no intended bias.

Core loss, where material, is disclosed in tabulated drill intersections. Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. Previously reported diamond drill results are displayed in plans, cross sections and long sections and discussed in the text and in the Competent Person's statement.

Preliminary testing (AMML Report 1801-1) has demonstrated the viability of recovering gold and antimony values to high value products by industry standard processing methods.

The program was completed by AMML, an established mineral and metallurgical testing laboratory specialising in flotation, hydrometallurgy, gravity and comminution testwork at their testing facilities in Gosford, NSW. The program was supervised by Craig Brown of Resources Engineering & Management, who was engaged to develop plans for initial sighter flotation testing of samples from drilling of the Sunday Creek deposit.

Two quarter core intercepts were selected for metallurgical test work (Table 1). A split of each was subjected to assay analysis. The table below shows samples selected for metallurgical test work.*

The metallurgical characterization test work included: Diagnostic LeachWELL testing.

Gravity recovery by Knelson concentrator and hand panning.

Timed flotation of combined gravity tails.

Rougher-Cleaner flotation (without gravity separation), with sizing of products, to produce samples for mineralogical investigation.

Mineral elemental concentrations and gold deportment was investigated using Laser Ablation examination by University of Tasmania.

QXRD Mineralogical assessment were used to estimate mineral contents for the test products, and, from this, to assess performance in terms of minerals as well as elements, including contributions to gold deportment. For both test samples, observations and calculations indicated a high proportion of native ('free') gold: 84.0% in RS01 and 82.1% in AP01.

Samples of size fractions of the three sulfide and gold containing flotation products from the Rougher-Cleaner test series were sent to MODA Microscopy for optical mineralogical assessment. Key observations were: The highest gold grade samples from each test series found multiple grains of visible gold which were generally liberated, with minor association with stibnite (antimony sulfide). Stibnite was highly liberated and was very 'clean' - 71.7% Sb, 28.3% S. Arsenopyrite was also highly liberated indicating potential for separation. Pyrite was largely free but exhibited some association with gangue minerals.

Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (e.g. tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling).

Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. The Company drilled over 41,000 749m in 2024 and plans to continue drilling with 8 diamond drill rigs. The Company has stated it will drill 60,000 m from 2024 to Q4 2025. The company remains in an exploration stage to expand the mineralization along strike and to depth.

See diagrams in presentation which highlight current and future drill plans.

Notes:





*Samples selected for metallurgical test work
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - Silver Elephant Mining Corp. (TSX: ELEF) (OTCQB: SILEF) (FSE: 1P2) ("Silver Elephant" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it will commence shipping silver-bearing materials from its Apuradita Paca Project ("Apuradita") in Bolivia for toll milling. Shipments will begin the first week of August under a newly executed toll-milling agreement with an arms-length Bolivian private company.

Pursuant to the terms of the toll-milling agreement dated July 7, 2025, Silver Elephant's Bolivian subsidiary will deliver up to 10,000 tonnes of oxide and sulphide-bearing materials for treatment at a fixed toll milling fee. The agreement may be extended as more Apuradita resource is developed. The toll milling facility (the "Toll Milling Facility") will generate a high-grade lead - silver and zinc - silver concentrates from the Apurdita silver materials feed. The Company will then sell the concentrates to an international concentrate buyer under a proposed contract.

As at July 23, 2025, the Company has stockpiled approximately 1,000 tonnes of silver-bearing materials from Apuradita. The mineralized materials will be trucked to the Toll Milling Facility for processing located approximately 180 km from Apuradita. The Apuradita mining claim is registered under Silver Elephant's Bolivia subsidiary with the Bolivian Jurisdictional Administrative Mining Authority. Apuradita is not within the area covered under the Mining Production Contract between the Company and the Corporacion Minera de Bolivia (COMIBOL).

Silver Elephant maintains its near-term monthly production target of 1,000 to 2,000 tonnes of silver-mineralized materials. The Company currently forecasts approximately 10,000 tonnes of mineralized feed over the first campaign, with further upside potential once additional resources are developed.

To date, the main Apuradita tunnel has advanced approximately 175 meters, and in addition, branch drifts of 9 meters to the west and 14 meters to the east have been developed, each positioned to access additional mineralized zones. Logistics have been secured with a fleet of 20-ton trucks operating on a daily rotation between the mine and the Toll Milling Facility.

Metallurgical tests

Independent bench-scale metallurgical tests carried out at the Toll Milling Facility in July 2025 confirmed that conventional flotation efficiently treats materials coming from the Apuradita project:

Sulphide samples - produced a concentrate assaying 25,552 g/t Ag and 56.6% Pb with recoveries up to 92% silver and 87% lead based on two sulphide samples, each weighing 900 grams and grading 158 g/t Ag, 0.46% Pb, 0.4% Zn.

Oxide samples - produced a concentrate assaying 14,493 g/t Ag with 79.5% silver recovery based on two oxide samples, each weighing 900 grams and grading 244 g/t Ag and 1% Pb.

These results confirm that both the sulphide and oxide materials from Apuradita respond well to conventional flotation techniques and can produce marketable concentrates that meet smelter specifications.

These tests were conducted on a laboratory scale on limited samples and are not necessarily indicative of full-scale plant performance. Recoveries, grades, reagent consumption and operating conditions may vary materially once commercial-scale processing is undertaken. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these preliminary results. Data verification consisted of confirming that all samples were taken from within the mineralized zones currently being developed for toll-milling. The Qualified Person ("QP") checked that the sampling protocol used was applicable for the metallurgical test work. In the QP's opinion, the test work conducted was completed by a reputable metallurgical testing facility and used industry-standard methods.

As outlined in the news release dated July 8, 2024, sulphide mineralized materials at Apurdita will be mined using the shrinkage stoping method. The two stopes are designed with approximate dimensions of 30 meters in length x 20 meters in height x 4 meters in width, with a targeted average extraction rate of 50 to 100 tonnes per day. The calculated average grade of extracted and sorted sulphide materials is 412 g/t Ag, 1.09% Pb, and 0.38% Zn, based on diamond drill holes at Apuradita and an internally developed mine model.

Several examples of high-grade intercepts within the Apuradita mineralized zone include:

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) True Width (m) Ag (g/t) Pb (%) Zn (%) PND004 86 97 11 7.78 481 0.47 0.2 PND008 47 63 16 11.31 507 1.14 0.57 PND008 111.9 127 15.1 10.68 424 1.96 2.65 PND023 125 157 32 26.21 437 1.69 1 PND092 38 52 14 9.9 522 0.77 0.09 PND110 61 72 11 7.78 715 2.14 2.10

The full drill hole assay results were previously released on SEDAR+ from 2015 to 2025.

The assumptions set out above are based on a resource estimate at Apuradita that is not a reserve estimate. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability and therefore should not be relied upon.

The Company is thankful for continued support from local communities.

Qualified Person

The technical contents of this news release have been prepared under the supervision of Carlos Zamora a member of the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) and a Certified Professional Geologist (CPG) since 2024, who is an employee of the Company and is not considered independent. Mr. Zamora is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Silver Elephant Mining Corp.

Silver Elephant is a mineral exploration company with gold and silver projects in Bolivia.

Further information on Silver Elephant can be found at www.silverelef.com.

SILVER ELEPHANT MINING CORP.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"John Lee"

CEO and Executive Chairman

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "may," "plans," "will," "anticipates," "intends," "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "projects" and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions. Such forward-looking information, which reflects management's expectations regarding Silver Elephant's future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, is based on certain factors and assumptions and involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information in this news release includes the timing to begin shipments of mineralized materials to the Toll Milling Facility, entering into a sales agreement with an international off taker, the anticipated quantity and grade of the concentrate from the Toll Milling Facility, the near-term delivery targets of 1,000 to 2,000 tonnes per month, the total number of tonnes of materials to be delivered to the Toll Mill Facility, the ability to deliver further material upon the expiry of the toll milling agreement referenced herein, the ability of the Toll Milling Facility to process all mineralized material delivered from Apuradita, production at the Apuradita tunnel achieving a rate of 50 to 100 tonnes per day, the anticipated quantity and grade of any mineralized material delivered to the Toll Milling Facility.

Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, and should not be read as guarantees of future performance, events or results, and may not be indicative of whether such events or results will actually be achieved. A number of risks and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: market conditions; changes in business plans; ability to secure sufficient financing to advance the Company's mining projects; and general economic conditions. Additional risk factors about the Company are set out in its latest annual and interim management's discussion and analysis and annual information form available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions by management as of the date of this news release, and there can be no assurance that actual results will be consistent with any forward-looking information included herein. Readers are cautioned that all forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information in this news release to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date of this news release, except as required by applicable securities laws.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brixton Metals Corporation (TSX-V: BBB, OTCQB: BBBXF) (the Company or Brixton) is pleased to announce that it has begun drilling at the newly identified Catalyst Copper-Gold Porphyry Target at its wholly owned Thorn Project located in NW British Columbia, Canada. The Thorn Project is an underexplored copper-gold porphyry district with several large-scale exploration target areas identified. Drilling is ongoing at its Trapper Gold Target and a second drill is now operational at the Catalyst Target.

Highlights

A 2 km by up to 1 km copper-in-soil anomaly has been confirmed and refined, supported by soil geochemistry showing a classic calc-alkalic porphyry zonation: from a central Cu-Mo zone with depleted Zn, outward to Cu-Te-Se, and further to distal As-Sb anomalies.

IP geophysical survey results reveal strong shallow conductivity and intense chargeability features at depth, closely aligning with expected porphyry-style alteration zones.

Initial drilling will test depths to 500 meters, focusing on the copper-in-soil anomaly, gold-copper in surface rock samples, mapped surface phyllic and chlorite alteration zones, with chargeability signatures suggesting potential copper-gold porphyry mineralization.

Chairman, CEO, Gary R. Thompson stated, The new Catalyst and Tempest Porphyry Targets have very quickly become exciting drill ready targets. The use of XRF analysis on soils has dramatically reduced the time to drill readiness. We are keen to see what kind of copper-gold grades Catalyst can generate from our initial drilling. In addition to the potential at the Catalyst Target both, the Trapper Gold Targets and the Camp Creek Gold Targets continue to shine brightly. To date in 2025, Brixton has drilled a total of 4,029m: 2,160m at Camp Creek over 12 holes and 1,869m at Trapper over 10 holes with most of these results pending.

Figure 1. Thorn Targets and Copper Porphyry Targets within the Camp Creek Corridor.

About the Catalyst Copper-Gold Target

The Catalyst Porphyry Target is located approximately 6 km northeast from the Camp Creek Porphyry system, within a NE-SW corridor hosting several underexplored porphyry-style prospects.

The Catalyst Target was significantly expanded to a 2 km x 1 km copper-in-soil anomaly, with real-time XRF analysis revealing a classic zonation pattern typical of porphyry systems, centered molybdenum with depleted zinc, transitioning outward through copper-tellurium-selenium, and flanked by distal arsenic-antimony anomalies. The soil geochemical anomaly was expanded by a combination of XRF and ICP-MS analysis.

Geological mapping correlates the copper anomaly with outcropping feldspar porphyritic units, showing moderate phyllic alteration (quartz-sericite-pyrite) and moderate to strong chlorite-hematite-pyrite alteration. Phyllic alteration extends over 2 km, grading into propylitic assemblages (chlorite-epidote-pyrite-carbonates). Veining as stockworks and sheeted veins with sericite haloes within the central zone include quartz + pyrite  chalcopyrite + chlorite + hematite  bornite.

Initial ICP-MS assays from surface rock chip-samples within the anomaly returned encouraging values of ~0.5% Cu and 1 g/t Au, for both styles of alteration phyllic and chlorite, consistent with potential porphyry mineralization.

Figure 2. Updated Soil Geochemistry Map for the Catalyst Target.

Recent induced polarization (IP) geophysics has outlined shallow conductive zones with extensive chargeability anomalies, coincident with both the surface geochemistry and mapped alteration. These features are interpreted as indicative of a phyllic halo and will be the focus of first-phase drill testing, targeting higher-grade copper mineralization at depth.

Figure 3. IP Geophysical Profiles of the Catalyst Target Area.

Figure 4. Surface Rock Samples from the Catalyst Target. Sample D201227 - phyllic altered feldspar porphyry with parallel quartz + chalcopyrite + pyrite veins. Sample B137968  chlorite altered volcanoclastic rock with stockwork veins of chlorite + hematite + pyrite + chalcopyrite.

Technical Note: Soil sample analysis at the Catalyst Target is being performed using in-house XRF facilities, enabling rapid, real-time geochemical screening to support field operations. Comparative analysis with laboratory-based ICP-MS assays has confirmed consistent results across key elements, including Cu, As, Sb, Te, Se, and W. Standard QA/QC protocols, such as blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards, are routinely employed to ensure data integrity.

Given the strong correlation between XRF and laboratory data, the company will continue to utilize this accelerated workflow throughout the exploration season to expedite evaluation of additional targets across the project area.

Qualified Person (QP)

Ms. Madeline Berry, P.Geo., is a Project Geologist for the Company who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Ms. Berry has verified the referenced data and analytical results disclosed in this press release and has approved the technical information presented herein.

About Brixton Metals Corporation

Brixton Metals is a Canadian exploration company focused on the advancement of its mining projects. Brixton wholly owns four exploration projects: Brixtons flagship Thorn copper-gold-silver-molybdenum Project, the Hog Heaven copper-silver-gold Project in NW Montana, USA, which is optioned to Ivanhoe Electric Inc., the Langis-HudBay silver-cobalt-nickel Project in Ontario and the Atlin Goldfields Project located in northwest BC which is optioned to Eldorado Gold Corporation. Brixton Metals Corporation shares trade on the TSX-V under the ticker symbol BBB, and on the OTCQB under the ticker symbol BBBXF. For more information about Brixton, please visit our website at www.brixtonmetals.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mr. Gary R. Thompson, Chairman and CEO

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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.

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as anticipate, believe, plan, estimate, expect, and intend, statements that an action or event may, might, could, should, or will be taken or occur, including statements that address potential quantity and/or grade of minerals, potential size and expansion of a mineralized zone, proposed timing of exploration and development plans, or other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the use of proceeds. 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. Such factors include, among others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; and the additional risks identified in the annual information form of the Company or other reports and filings with the TSXV and applicable Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are made based on managements beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.
Basement-Hosted Uranium Mineralization Associated with Graphitic Fault Zones

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan--(Newsfile Corp. - July 24, 2025) - CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. (TSXV: CVV) (OTCQX: CVVUF) (FSE: DH7) ("CanAlaska" or the "Company") is pleased to report that assay results have been received from the 2025 winter drill program completed on the Cree East Project (the "Project") in the southeastern Athabasca Basin (Figure 1). The program, which was the first on the Project in over a decade, focused on a series of new high-priority targets identified based on the results of historical drilling and re-interpreted geophysical surveys in Target Area B. During the program, the Company successfully tested the graphitic stratigraphy and intersected associated basement and sandstone hydrothermal alteration, re-activated semi-brittle basement and sandstone faults, and uranium mineralization within the graphitic fault zones. Basement-hosted uranium mineralization was intersected in CRE094.

Figure 1  Project Location Map

CanAlaska CEO, Cory Belyk, comments, "The Cree East project has returned some significant early drilling results from the first drilling program completed on the Project in over a decade. Uranium mineralization in basement faults and associated hydrothermal alteration in the basement and sandstone are indications that uranium mineralizing processes are present in the Cree East region. These results are an excellent guide for future exploration program design."

In April of 2025, the Company announced successful completion of the winter drill program (See News Release dated April 29th, 2025). The winter drill program consisted of seven diamond drill holes, five of which intersected the unconformity target horizon, for a total of 3,339 metres. Two drillholes were lost due to technical issues. All of the drillholes were completed in Target Area B due to encouraging results as the program progressed. The drill program results are highlighted by CRE094 which intersected extensive hydrothermal alteration consisting of strong bleaching, limonite, clay, and sooty pyrite in the lower sandstone column. In the basement of CRE094, a broad graphitic pelite interval was intersected that contained multiple fault intervals associated with bleaching, chlorite alteration, and localized structurally-controlled uranium mineralization (Table 1). The basement-hosted uranium mineralization is associated with common pathfinder elements including elevated nickel (up to 1470 ppm Ni), molybdenum (up to 562 ppm Mo), and copper (up to 7540 ppm Cu).

Table 1 - 2025 Cree East Winter Drill Program Geochemical Assay Intersections

DDH From

(m) To

(m) Length

(m)3 Average Grade

(% U 3 O 8 ) CRE0941,2 504.9 505.2 0.3 0.05 CRE0941,2 578.5 578.8 0.3 0.07 CRE094 was drilled at an azimuth of 299 with an inclination of -72.0, collared at 428680 mE / 6363088 mN, 520.0 m A.S.L. (UTM NAD83 Z13N). Intersection interval is composited above a cut-off grade of 0.05% U 3 O 8 with a maximum of 1.0 m of internal dilution. All reported depths and intervals are drill hole depths and intervals, unless otherwise noted, and do not represent true thicknesses, which have yet to be determined.

The 2025 drilling program on the Cree East project successfully intersected graphitic host rocks showing evidence of post-Athabasca structural reactivation events, hydrothermal alteration, and elevated radioactivity. In the lower sandstone column, the Company also identified significant structure and hydrothermal alteration, now defined over approximately 450 metres of strike length. These features are commonly associated with basement-hosted uranium deposits. Results of the first drill program in over a decade on the Cree East project indicate evidence of potential uranium-bearing hydrothermal fluids moving through Target Area B.

The Cree East Project is located approximately 35 kilometres west-northwest of the Key Lake Mine and Mill complex. The Project is currently 100% owned by CanAlaska and work is being sole-funded by Nexus Uranium Corp under an option earn-in agreement with the Company (see News Release Dated March 19, 2024).

Figure 2  Cree East Drill Program Results

Geochemical Sampling Procedures and Scintillometer Readings

All assay drill core samples from the program, completed as NQ -sized core, were shipped to the Saskatchewan Research Council Geoanalytical Laboratories (SRC) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in secure containment for preparation, processing, and multi-element analysis by ICP-MS and ICP-OES using total (HF:NHO3:HClO4) and partial digestion (HNO3:HCl), boron by fusion, and U 3 O 8 wt% assay by ICP-OES using higher grade standards. Assay samples are chosen based on downhole probing radiometric equivalent uranium grades and scintillometer (SPP2 or CT007-M) peaks. Assay sample intervals comprise 0.3 - 0.8 metre continuous half-core split samples over the mineralized intervals. With all assay samples, one half of the split sample is retained and the other sent to the SRC for analysis. The SRC is an ISO/IEC 17025/2005 and Standards Council of Canada certified analytical laboratory. Blanks, standard reference materials, and repeats are inserted into the sample stream at regular intervals by CanAlaska and the SRC in accordance with CanAlaska's quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures. Geochemical assay data are subject to verification procedures by qualified persons employed by CanAlaska prior to disclosure.

All reported depths and intervals are drill hole depths and intervals, unless otherwise noted, and do not represent true thicknesses, which have yet to be determined.

About CanAlaska Uranium

CanAlaska is a leading explorer of uranium in the Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan, Canada. With a project generator model, the Company has built a large portfolio of uranium projects in the Athabasca Basin. CanAlaska owns numerous uranium properties, totaling approximately 500,000 hectares, with clearly defined targets in the Athabasca Basin covering both basement and unconformity uranium deposit potential. The Company has recently concentrated on the West McArthur high-grade uranium expansion with targets in 2024 leading to significant success at Pike Zone. Fully financed for the upcoming 2025 drill season, CanAlaska is focused on uranium deposit discovery and delineation in a safe and secure jurisdiction. The Company has the right team in place with a track record of discovery and projects that are located next to critical mine and mill infrastructure.

The Company's head office is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada with a satellite office in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is Nathan Bridge, MSc., P. Geo., Vice-President Exploration for CanAlaska Uranium Ltd., who has reviewed and approved its contents.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Cory Belyk"

Cory Belyk, P.Geo., FGC

CEO, President and Director

CanAlaska Uranium Ltd.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

All statements included in this press release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend" and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. These forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions made by the Company based on its experience, perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. In addition, these statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will prove inaccurate, certain of which are beyond the Company's control. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and the Company cautions against placing undue reliance thereon. The Company assumes no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.
Brazil on Wednesday announced its intention to join a South African-led case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in which Israel stands accused of committing "genocide" in Gaza.

The foreign ministry in Brasilia said the country was "in the final phase of presenting a formal intervention" in the case already formally joined by states including Colombia, Libya and Mexico, and supported by many others.

In December 2023, South Africa brought a case to the United Nations' highest court in The Hague, alleging Israel's Gaza offensive breached the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide.

Israel denies the accusation.

In rulings in January, March and May 2024, the ICJ told Israel to do everything possible to "prevent" acts of genocide during its military operations in Gaza, including by providing urgently needed humanitarian aid to prevent famine.

A statement from Brazil's foreign ministry denounced what it described as "indiscriminate violence" against civilians and the "blatant use of hunger as a weapon of war."

"The international community cannot remain inert in the face of ongoing atrocities," it read.

Israel is facing growing international pressure to end the war in Gaza that was triggered by a murderous attack on its soil by Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, 2023.

Israel hit back on Wednesday at accusations it was behind chronic food shortages in Gaza.

More than 100 aid and human rights groups have warned that "mass starvation" was spreading in the war-ravaged territory.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has repeatedly denounced an Israeli "genocide" in Gaza.

The UN Genocide Convention defines the term as any of five "acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial or religious group."
In a sweeping decision the world's top court on Wednesday declared climate change an "existential problem of planetary proportions" and said countries had a legal duty to act or face consequences.

The highly anticipated International Court of Justice advisory opinion is not legally binding but was unanimous and expected to have major legal ramifications for courts, companies and communities across the world.

The United Nations had tasked the ICJ to say what obligations countries were under to curb planet-heating emissions -- and to lay out possible consequences for failing to do so.

Here are some highlights from a summary of the opinion read by ICJ president Yuji Iwasawa on behalf of the 15-judge panel in The Hague:

Big picture

Iwasawa said the court could only address the questions put to it by the UN within its legal remit, but noted that the issues go beyond the law.

"They concern an existential problem of planetary proportions that imperils all forms of life, and the very health of our planet," he said.

"A complete solution to this daunting and self-inflicted problem requires the contribution of all fields of human knowledge whether law, science, economics... in order to secure a future for ourselves and those who are yet to come."

On the right to a healthy climate

"With regard to the duty to prevent significant harm to the environment, the court considers that it also applies to the climate system, which is an integral and vitally important part of the environment and which must be protected for present and future generations."

The court said climate impacts like sea level rise, drought, desertification and weather disasters "may significantly impair the enjoyment of certain human rights, including the right to life".

What are countries' duties to cut emissions?

The court said countries had binding legal obligations under the UN's climate negotiations framework as well as in customary law.

Each party to these agreements needs to produce climate plans that "represent its highest possible ambition".

And all climate plans taken together should be "capable of achieving the temperature goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels".

"Non-compliance with emission reduction commitments by a state may constitute an internationally wrongful act," the court said.

What about fossil fuels?

This was quite explicit: "Failure of a state to take appropriate action to protect the climate system from GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions, including through fossil fuel production, fossil fuel consumption, the granting of fossil fuel exploration licences, or the provision of fossil fuel subsidies may constitute an internationally wrongful act which is attributable to that state."

On reparations

This is the most controversial aspect of the questions considered by the court.

It said that a state responsible for an internationally wrongful act is under an obligation to cease that act, provide assurances that it will not happen again and could include "full reparation to injured states in the form of restitution, compensation and satisfaction".

This was provided that "a sufficiently direct and certain causal nexus can be shown between the wrongful act and injury", the court added.

It said that while finding a causal link between the emissions of one country and the harm in another was "more tenuous than in the case of local sources of pollution, this does not mean that the identification of a causal link is impossible in the climate change context".

Restitution, it said "may take the form of reconstructing damaged or destroyed infrastructure, and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity".
Israels Defence Minister Israel Katz has announced a controversial plan to move up to 600,000 Palestinians in Gaza into a designated humanitarian area on the ruins of the southern city of Rafah. Access to the camp would be through strict security screening to ensure entrants were not Hamas operatives. Once inside, the perimeter would be sealed off by the Israeli military. Palestinians would not be allowed to leave. Eventually the camp would house the entire 2.1 million population of Gaza. Camp construction would begin during the proposed 60-day ceasefire being negotiated by Israel and Hamas

The plan is illegal, inhumane and risks worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Israeli plan is to eventually force Gazas entire population into the Rafah camp. The forced displacement and containment of any civilian population in an occupied territory is a violation of international humanitarian law. Done on this scale would constitute a war crime and a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute.

The UN Security Council, UN General Assembly and UN Commission on Human Rights have all condemned instances of forced transfer in armed conflicts. So too, the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent, which have stressed the fundamental prohibition of forced displacement of a civilian population and the need for all parties to respect this prohibition.

For their own protection?

Katz is describing the camp as a humanitarian city. The Israeli military says Palestinians would only be contained for their own protection. As we have seen, civilian displacement is prohibited. But there is an exception if a case can be made either for military reasons or the protection of the population. However, this exception only exists for as long as the conditions warrant for it to exist. Anyone subject to such an evacuation must be transferred back to their homes as soon as possible.

Imperative military reasons never justify the removal of a civilian population in order to persecute it. The Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement entrenches the duty of international actors to avoid creating the conditions that might lead to the displacement of people.

Katz has indicated international organisations would be responsible for managing aid and services inside the area. But Israel has a history of defying even orders from the International Court of Justice to allow humanitarian aid to reach the Palestinians in Gaza. If international humanitarian agencies were called upon to service the camp, they would face a dilemma. They would need to decide whether to cooperate in managing aid under conditions that compromise their neutrality and ethical standards, deny basic human rights and are built on violations of international law. Aid groups would risk being complicit in a process that sets up a transit camp for Palestinians before possibly expelling them from Gaza altogether.

This humanitarian city would essentially become an open-air prison. Palestinians would be reliant on international aid under strict Israeli military control.

Mass expulsion

Could the Rafah camp be a precursor to mass expulsion from Gaza and what does international law say about that? Katz has been quoted saying Israel aims to implement the emigration plan, which will happen  meaning Gazans will eventually be forced to leave for other countries.

Changing the demographic composition of a territory  ethnic cleansing  achieved through the displacement of the civilian population of a territory is strictly prohibited under international law. The idea of displacing Palestinians has long been part of Israeli strategic thinking, but this announcement signals a dangerous escalation and intention to permanently alter Gazas demographic landscape through displacement and containment.

According to Katz, Gazans would have the option of voluntary emigration.

Indeed, speaking at the White House [early July], Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there would be no forced exodus from Gaza: If people want to stay, they can stay, but if they want to leave, they should be able to leave.

But the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is incomprehensible. The population has been displaced multiple times and 90% of homes in Gaza are damaged or destroyed. The healthcare, water, sanitation and hygiene systems have collapsed. On average 100 Palestinians are killed daily as they try to access food. These crisis circumstances negate the voluntary nature of any persons consent to either the transfer to the Rafah camp or ultimately, the departure from Gaza.

According to Amos Goldberg, historian of the Holocaust at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, what the defence minister laid out was clear plans for the ethnic cleansing of Gaza: [It is] a transit camp for Palestinians before they expel them. It is neither humanitarian nor a city.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons licence. Read the original article.
Kim Nam-gil, along with Kim Young-kwang and director Kwon Oh-seung, introduced Netflix's new original series Trigger at a production press conference on Monday.

They raised important questions about justice, violence, and human empathy amid Korea's growing concerns about illegal firearms.

Trigger, set to premiere on July 25, tells the story of a near-future South Korea in chaos as illegal guns fill the streets.

Former sniper-turned-cop Lee Do, played by Kim Nam-gil, teams up with the mysterious Moon Baek, portrayed by Kim Young-kwang, to investigate a dangerous weapons ring. Their intertwined journeys are driven by very different motives.

"This is a story that is absolutely necessary to create a world worth living in," Kim Nam-gil stated. "It's about the choices we make when we hold the trigger, both literally and morally."

Director Kwon drew inspiration from modern fears. "In tense moments, people think, 'If only I had a gun. That frightening thought sparked the idea," he explained.

He mentioned a recent shooting in Incheon, where a man killed his son with an illegal firearm, as a serious reminder of the show's importance. Following this tragedy, Netflix canceled a planned fan event for the drama.

Kwon stressed that the series does not glorify guns. "We don't romanticize violence," he said. "The goal is to question: What happens when power falls into the wrong hands?"

Both Kim Nam-gil and Kim Young-kwang prepared thoroughly for their roles. Nam-gil described his character as "an observer torn between duty and restraint." Young-kwang admitted that playing an extroverted character was challenging for him as an introvert.

Their on-screen partnership starts off conflicted but grows with subtle chemistry. "(Kim Nam-gil) hyung accepted everything," Young-kwang said affectionately. "He became my anchor on set."

Trigger has 10 episodes and aims to inspire national reflection. "It's not about who's right," Nam-gil added. "It's about empathy, understanding, and the world we want to live in."
South Korean actor Ha Jung Woo has apologized after facing criticism for using an inappropriate nickname during a social media interaction with a fan.

On July 21, Ha's agency, Work House Company, issued a statement acknowledging the incident and expressing regret.

"We would like to offer our deepest apologies to those who were inconvenienced by our artist's SNS," the agency said.

READ MORE: Ha Jung Woo Recalls What It's Like to Debut as Shin Min Ah's Ex-Boyfriend

The controversy started when Ha, famous for his roles in Along with the Gods and The Chaser, interacted with fans online.

When a fan named Choi asked him for a nickname, he responded with "Aphrodisiac." Many people found this term inappropriate and offensive.

Although the comment has since been deleted, it sparked significant public backlash. In response, Ha Jung-woo reportedly reached out to the fan directly to apologize and explained that his comment was unintentional and thoughtless.

"I promise to be more careful and cautious with my words and actions when communicating with fans in the future," Ha said in a statement through his agency.

The agency supported this, stating, "The actor also contacted fans directly to apologize and talk to them. We again express our sincere apologies to everyone affected."

This incident shows the growing attention on how celebrities engage on social media. Fans valued Ha's quick response and straightforward apology. The situation points out the importance of careful communication, particularly in public.

Ha Jung-woo's management emphasized his commitment to respectful engagement in the future. They assured fans that the actor takes this matter seriously.

READ MORE: Actors Ha Jung Woo and Kim Nam Gil Hint at Potential Collaboration for Boys Love Film
South Korean actress Lee Bo Young shared that she went through a two-year career slump after publicly revealing her relationship with actor Ji Sung. Several male co-stars reportedly refused to work with her during this time.

The couple met in 2004 while filming the SBS drama Save the Last Dance for Me. Although their relationship started as a senior-junior dynamic, Ji Sung eventually opened up about his feelings by secretly leaving a letter in Lee's bag while he was on military leave.

Lee initially rejected him because she felt dating a celebrity would be too burdensome, but she later accepted his sincerity, and they began dating in 2007.

READ MORE: Lee Bo Young & Ji Sung's Recent Couple Sighting Gains Buzz: 'If They Break Up, I Won't Believe in Love Anymore'

Not long after, Lee Bo-young faced unexpected professional setbacks. "I heard actors saying, 'I won't film with her,'" she recalled during her appearance on Healing Camp.

"My ad contracts were canceled, and my income dropped to one-tenth. I mentally shut down and hid myself away."

During her time away from work, Lee questioned her self-worth. "I blamed myself for losing my edge at work just because I chose to love someone."

Throughout her struggles, Ji Sung remained supportive and committed to her. The couple married in 2013 and now have two children. They celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary with a couple's photo shoot earlier this year.

Lee eventually made a successful comeback in I Hear Your Voice, winning top acting awards at the Baeksang Arts Awards and SBS Drama Awards.

Reflecting on her experiences, she humbly said, "There are many actresses who can replace me  that's why I wanted to act even better."

Lee Bo-young's story shows resilience and the power of steady love when facing challenges.

READ MORE: Seaside Serenity: Ji Sung, Lee Bo Young Share Precious Family Moments






Wednesday, July 22, 2025 - City lawyer, Naftal Obwacha, has been exposed by his estranged wife in a dramatic online outburst, accusing him of being a deadbeat father and a notorious womanizer.

In a fiery online post, the aggrieved woman identified as Samantha Nyanchama did not mince her words as she detailed how Obwacha allegedly abandoned his responsibilities as a father, refusing to provide for their child while flaunting a flashy lifestyle in Nairobis elite social circles.

She also accused him of hosting wild, alcohol-fueled parties at the upscale Nexus Apartments, often surrounded by young women and friends.

Samantha further dragged Enock Omariba, a blogger and close associate of Obwacha, accusing him of being used as a pawn to tarnish her image online.

She described Enock as a fellow deadbeat father who survives off older womens support while acting as Obwachas online attack dog.

In a no-holds-barred revelation, Samantha also blamed Obwachas mother for contributing to the collapse of their marriage.

She claimed the lawyers mother pressured him to leave her and find a village wife, branding Samantha a gold digger who wasnt fit for her son.

The explosive revelations have left social media buzzing.

Read the full post.





Photos of the lawyer and his jilted ex-wife.




Wednesday, July 22, 2025 - City lawyer Naftal Obwachas estranged wife, Samantha Nyanchama, has openly admitted that she left Obwacha for a sitting Member of Parliament, confirming rumors that have been swirling online.

She revealed that the flamboyant mheshimiwa not only treats her with respect, but has also taken full responsibility for her daughter, after Obwacha turned into a deadbeat dad following their messy divorce.

According to Samantha, the mheshimiwa is paying school fees for her daughter at an international school and is currently treating the little girl to a vacation in Mombasa.

The mheshimiwa in question is widely believed to be Nyabari Masaba MP, Daniel Manduku, a wealthy politician known for his insatiable appetite for beautiful women.





Manduku accumulated a lot of wealth when he was the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Managing Director.

He was once embroiled in Ksh 1.4 billion graft case when he was the KPA boss.





Check out Samanthas post confirming her affair with the MP.




Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - More disturbing revelations have emerged about the toxic and abusive marriage of the late Dr. Susan Kamengere Njoki, the CEO of Toto Touch Kenya, who died under suspicious circumstances, with a postmortem confirming she died of manual strangulation after being forcefully admitted to Chiromo Hospital.

Sources close to the family now paint a grim picture of her troubled marriage, which was marked by emotional torment, humiliation, and isolation at the hands of her husband, Aloise Ngure.

According to family and friends, Dr. Kamengeres marriage had long been marred by psychological abuse.

In a shocking twist, it is now alleged that her husband brought other women into their matrimonial home in Kileleshwa, Nairobi, not only disrespecting their union but allowing these women to mock and belittle Susan in her own house.

Even more appalling, one of the women, identified as Alice Nduta, believed to be one of Aloises mistresses, reportedly mocked Susan openly and, at one point, sent her intimate photos and videos of herself with Susans husband.

Below is a post by one of Susans close friends, revealing how her husband tormented her as she battled a mental health condition.






Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - Kikuyu lady has set social media ablaze after throwing major shade at her deadbeat baby daddy, just days after her new mzungu boyfriend spoiled her with a car, paid her rent for an entire year, and enrolled her daughter in an international school.

Photos shared on her Tiktok account show the elated 25-year-old lady posing next to her new car, with captions directly aimed at her absentee baby daddy.

In one of the posts, she wrote: My baby daddy, dont worry. Your kids will be raised by a rich father

Her baby daddy allegedly neglected her for years, offering no financial support.

But her fortunes changed when she met her foreign partner, who quickly stepped in, not just emotionally, but financially, giving her and her child a lifestyle upgrade.

Check out her posts.




Wednesday, July 22, 2025 - The internet is on fire after revelations emerged that Samantha Nyanchama, the stunning estranged wife of city lawyer, Naftal Obwacha, has moved on, and leveled up, by eloping with Nyabari Masaba Member of Parliament, Daniel Manduku.

In an explosive social media expose, Obwachas close friend and blogger Enoch Omariba spilled the tea, accusing Samantha of wrecking her own marriage after falling for the MP.

The MP is said to be fully funding Samanthas lavish life.

She now resides in a high-end apartment in Lavington, courtesy of the MP, and is reportedly expecting his child.

Enoch went on to lash out at Samantha, branding her a gold digger and claiming that the MP will soon dump her just like others before her.

Despite the criticism, Samantha appears unfazed.

Her social media tells a story of soft life, designer outfits, spa dates, and baby bump photos that scream unbothered.





See photos of Samantha.






Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - Pastor Dorcas Rigathi has broken her silence following remarks by National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani Ichungwah, who accused her of controlling her husband, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking during a meeting with clergy in the United States, Pastor Dorcas firmly dismissed the claims, saying it was impossible to control a man as influential as Gachagua.

How can you sit on a man like this, who is causing the whole nation not to sleep? she said.

A man whom the President, the Deputy President, and MPs constantly speak about - Wamunyoro.

Is that the kind of man you claim I control? You are such liars.

She clarified that the reason she often speaks before her husband at public events is not out of dominance, but because they operate as one unit, championing family values and shared purpose.

Her response comes just days after Ichungwah made the controversial remarks, suggesting marital trouble and claiming Gachagua was being overshadowed by his wife.

The comments triggered widespread public outrage, with critics urging Ichungwah to keep spouses out of political feuds.

Women leaders allied to Gachagua condemned the remarks, with some demanding Ichungwahs arrest for what they termed targeted attacks on women.

However, Ichungwah has not issued an apology, as tensions continue to mount within political circles.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - Treasury Cabinet Secretary and former ODM party chairman, John Mbadi, has publicly rebuked Secretary General Edwin Sifuna following his explosive interview on Citizen TV where he criticized ODMs pact with President Ruto.

Speaking to Ramogi TV, Mbadi criticized Sifuna for issuing divisive statements and urged him to respect party leadership.

Between the party leader and the Secretary General, whose decision is final? Mbadi asked pointedly, reaffirming Raila Odingas authority.

He also revealed that ODM officials who joined the Kenya Kwanza administration did so with Railas full approval, following consultations with President William Ruto.

Mbadi dismissed Sifunas comments as personal and not reflective of the partys official stance, asserting that the ODM-Kenya Kwanza collaboration will continue until 2027.

Sifuna admitted during an appearance on The Explainer on Citizen TV that ODM is suffering from ideological confusion.

Theres a lot of confusion, he said. It used to be easy to represent ODMs values - we never compromised.

Sifuna cited the presence of ODM leaders in Government as a key factor in the partys growing identity crisis.

Its hard to explain to our supporters why former top ODM leaders are now Cabinet Secretaries, he noted.

In a candid moment, Sifuna apologized to ODM supporters, acknowledging the leaderships failure to provide clarity.

Its very difficult to define ODMs position on key national issues right now. Thats the biggest sadness, he said.

The rift signals growing uncertainty about the partys direction ahead of 2027 elections.






Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - There was a heated exchange on TV47 during a live political show moderated by Debarl Inea, when former Mukurweini MP, Kabando wa Kabando, launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto.

Kabando, known for his fiery rhetoric, openly called the president a thief, prompting Inea to urge him to maintain decorum on air.

However, Kabando hit back sharply, saying, I dont respect President Ruto. You cannot call killing decorum, referencing the deaths of several youth during recent protests.

He went on to accuse the President of being surrounded by insensitive sycophants, escalating tensions in the studio.

When the moderator attempted to cut to a commercial break, Kabando threatened to walk out, accusing the station of censorship.

Kabando, a former university student leader, remains a vocal critic of the Kenya Kwanza administration and has been actively calling on Kenyans to vote Ruto out in the 2027 General Elections.

Watch the video.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - Fresh concerns over state capture have erupted after it emerged that billionaire industrialist and President Rutos close ally, Narendra Raval, popularly known as "Devki, has leased one of his private helicopters to the Government.

The chopper, registered under a company linked to the DEVKI Group founder, has been spotted on multiple occasions ferrying senior Government officials.

It has been assigned to the Rapid Response Team, a unit within the police force.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Deputy Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli were spotted using the chopper to inspect the progress of a stadium in Bomet.

See the photos.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Wednesday, July 23, 2025 - President William Ruto has hit out at growing calls for his resignation.

Speaking during the Talanta Bell-Ringing ceremony at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday, the President appeared defiant, suggesting that those pushing the Ruto Must Go narrative are part of a wash wash gang - a term used to describe fraudsters and conmen.

I hear some people say 'Ruto must go' - and thats fine.

My time will come, like it did for others before me.

But what is your plan when I go? Ruto posed, adding that slogans without solutions are meaningless.

He challenged opposition figures and protesters to offer concrete alternatives.

If you think Im wrong, bring your counterplan. Dont just shout slogans, he said.

Mocking the movements rhetoric, Ruto likened it to a scam: They say, Let Ruto go, and well figure out the plan later.

That sounds like wash wash conmanship.

The remarks come amid rising public anger over the high cost of living, controversial tax policies, and nationwide protests driven largely by youth demanding change and accountability.
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9th Meeting of Empowered Committee for Animal Health (ECAH) Charts Roadmap for Strengthening India Animal Health Systems



khaskhabar.com : Thu, 24 July 2025 6:37 PM

ECAH Reviews Progress on Vaccination, AMR Awareness, and Veterinary Reforms New Delhi. The 9th meeting of the Empowered Committee for Animal Health (ECAH) was convened today in New Delhi under the aegis of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD). The session was chaired by Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, and co-chaired by Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, DAHD. Representatives from the Office of the PSA, ICMR, CDSCO, DBT, Ministry of Ayush, and other key institutions participated in the deliberations to evaluate ongoing initiatives and strategize the future course for enhancing Indias animal health ecosystem. While presiding over the meeting, Prof. Sood lauded the Departments proactive efforts and emphasized the need to amplify awareness among livestock farmersparticularly through media outreachon critical concerns such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The Department presented updates on significant regulatory reforms and programmatic initiatives designed to strengthen the governance of animal health across the country. These include simplifying regulations surrounding veterinary medicines, vaccines, biologicals, and feed additives, as well as improving accessibility to high-quality animal health products. Major Milestones in Strengthening Animal Health The Department has reported substantial progress under the National Disease Control Programmes for Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), and Classical Swine Fever (CSF). To date, a total of 124.10 crore FMD vaccine doses, 28.89 crore PPR doses, 4.77 crore Brucellosis doses, and 0.88 crore CSF vaccine doses have been administered nationwide. Vaccination data is being digitally captured through the Bharat Pashudhan mobile application. To eliminate FMD, efforts are underway to establish FMD-Free Zones in nine States, alongside the launch of a pilot project for real-time cold chain monitoring through the Animal Vaccine Intelligence Network (AVIN). All vaccines under the national control programmes are developed and manufactured domestically, reinforcing Indias self-reliance in animal health and supporting the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. India is also exporting vaccines to other countries, underscoring its growing role in global animal health cooperation. Global Recognition and Scientific Breakthroughs In a landmark development, Indias first Equine Disease-Free Compartment (EDFC), located at the Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC) Centre & College, Meerut Cantonment, received official endorsement from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) on 3rd July 2025. This international certification facilitates the global movement of Indian sport horses, in accordance with globally accepted biosecurity and health standards. In the poultry sector, the Department has approved 44 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) compartments, enhancing Indias capability to sustain export-ready, biosecure poultry production systems. In another significant achievement, the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal has been recognized as a Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility (RHF) by both the WOAH and FAO. India now joins an elite group of only six such facilities worldwide, showcasing its readiness for post-eradication disease surveillance and management of high-impact transboundary animal diseases. Additionally, Indias reference laboratory capacity has been fortified with the WOAH recognition of two more institutions: ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar, for Equine Piroplasmosis ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow, for Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome caused by Aphanomyces invadans Pandemic Preparedness and Laboratory Networks Under the Pandemic Fund Project, the Department has launched two critical laboratory networks: Indian Network of Genomic Surveillance (INGeS) comprising 11 laboratories, and Indian Network on Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs) and Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) with 19 laboratories. In parallel, efforts are underway to secure NABL accreditation for six Central/Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratories (CDDLs/RDDLs) and 17 State Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratories. A digital platform titled Rate My Lab is also in development to enable self-assessment, transparency, and benchmarking in diagnostic service delivery.
Ryan Dunne

Two of three men jailed for the gang rape of a vulnerable teenager who had recently left State care have launched appeals against their convictions, arguing issues of consent were relevant during their trial.

At the Court of Appeal on Thursday, counsel for Dion Genockey (26) argued that the trial judge should have advised the jury that the appellant may have had reasons for not mentioning to gardai that he believed the victim had given her consent.

Counsel for Daryl Rooney (27), meanwhile, argued that the appellant was not aware that the woman had not given her consent.

Genockey, of Clarion Quay Apartments, and Rooney, of Railway Street, Dublin City Centre, were convicted of raping the woman at Bull Island, Dollymount, Dublin, on January 5th, 2016, following a second trial at the Central Criminal Court in March 2022.

The jury in the first trial, which was held in 2020, was unable to reach a verdict.

Genockey was sentenced to nine years by Mr Justice David Keane while Rooney was sentenced to 10 years.

A third accused, Troy Ryan of Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin City Centre, was also convicted and sentenced to nine and a half years.

The sentencing court heard none of the men accepted the verdict of the jury and maintained their innocence.

Launching an appeal against conviction, counsel for Genockey, Thomas OMalley SC said that his client had given evidence during the trial that there was consent on the part of the complainant, but he had not mentioned this in his interviews with gardai.

Mr OMalley referenced section 19A of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, which states that if a person charged with an offence fails to mention any fact relied on in their defence, being a fact which in the circumstances called for an explanation when questioned, then the court may draw inferences from this failure, and the failure may be treated as capable of amounting to corroboration of evidence.

Mr OMalley said that one factor to be considered is the circumstances the accused person finds themself in. He said that Genockey was advised by his father not to mention anything to gardai, which in this case turned out to be his defence.

Mr OMalley went on to say that his client had a difficult relationship with one of the gardai, who had allegedly called the appellant a rapist.

Given the appellants age at the time and the fact he was under the influence of his father, these were factors to be taken into account when interpreting section 19A, said Mr OMalley.

Counsel submitted that the trial judge ought to have said to the jury that they had to consider the possibility that Genockey may have had reasons for not mentioning to gardai that he believed the woman had consented.

Counsel for Rooney, Dominic McGinn SC said that for a rape conviction, the prosecution must prove the act, the absence of consent, and the fact that the accused person knows there is an absence of consent.

In this case, said counsel, the third aspect was lacking. Mr McGinn said that the complainant said she was not interested in sexual activity, but when Rooney was alone with her in the car, she did not say anything.

Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said that while the defence was relying on an honest belief, this belief must be founded in reality.

Where is the counter evidence? The evidence was all going the one way, as she said she did not consent, said Ms Justice Kennedy.

Mr McGinn replied that the complainant had changed her mind about getting into the car with the men, which made Rooney alive to the fact she was a young woman who could change her mind.

By time he got into the car, he knew two others had had sexual relations with her, said Mr McGinn.

He said that in her evidence, the complainant said she made it clear to the first two men that she was not consenting, but Rooney was not aware of that.

He said that by the time Rooney got into the car, he was handed a prophylactic by one of the others, while the woman did not say anything, so he was not aware that she was not consenting.

On behalf of the State, Eilis Brennan SC pointed out that it was the prosecution case that this was a very vulnerable lady addicted to tablets, who was targeted by the men. They lured her away in a car, even though she told them she did not want to have sex, and took her to a remote location.

She said it was the defence case that the complainant approached the men, that she had lubrication, that she wanted to stay in their house, and she consented to having sex. Ms Brennan said this was an issue to go to the jury.

Concerning Rooneys claim that he did not know the woman had not consented, Ms Brennan said that an honest belief is subjective, but there must be some reality to it, so there was ample evidence for the matter to go to a jury.

Concerning Mr OMalleys submission on the section 19A matter, Ms Brennan said the trial judge was very careful on this issue. She said the jury was told to look into all the facts, including Genockeys age, the fact that he was with his father, and the fact that he hated one of the gardai.

She said the trial judge linked his failure to mention his defence to these facts, so the judges direction to the jury was impeccable.

Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, presiding over the three-judge court, said the court would reserve judgement in the case.

During the men's trial, evidence was heard that on the day in question, the young woman, who had recently left State care, travelled to Dublin to meet with friends. Later that evening, she purchased some Xanax pills and then went to an internet cafe.

While there, she was approached by a boy and told that the three teenagers, who she had never met before, wanted to talk to her. The men told her they wanted to bring her for a quick spin.

The woman initially declined but eventually agreed and left the cafe with Ryan and Rooney to get into a car outside, which was driven by Genockey.

The men drove out to Clontarf and down to the end of the wooden bridge at Dollymount Strand where they stopped by a shelter. Genockey then asked the woman: Are we going to have some fun?

The woman replied no, she didn't want to and had only wanted to go for a short drive, but the men were refusing to listen, the court heard.

Genockey and Rooney got out of the car and stood in the shelter while Ryan produced a condom from a stash in the glove box of the car and proceeded to rape the woman. When he was finished, Genockey got in and put a condom on.

Genockey tried to sweet talk the woman, the court heard and said he wasn't going to hurt her, before he proceeded to rape her.

Genockey then handed a condom to Rooney who raped the woman. At this stage, the woman didn't even get a chance to say no. It was three against one and she didn't have a choice, the court heard.

The trial heard her door had a child lock on it and she could not get out of the car.

The woman was told another person was going to pick her up and bring her home and the men left the scene quickly. Another car arrived containing three men and she was raped by two of the men in this car. She said that the men all got into the car afterwards, laughed and drove away, leaving her in the middle of nowhere.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help.
The Valley Inn, a treasured local pub in Woodsgift in County Kilkenny, has announced its 'immediate' closure.

In a post on social media, the establishment shared the update: "It is with deep sadness that we announce that The Valley Inn will be closing its doors immediately.

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"We just want to thank you all for your continued support and custom over the last 25 years.

"Great times were had by all and it will be truly missed. Thanks for all the memories everyone especially the ones with the Main Man (sic) of the Valley, Mr Liam Comerford."

Liam Comerford, who ran the pub before his tragic passing last month, was adored by the members of the local community.

Reacting to the closure update, one commenter remarked: "So sad. We all had such great nights in The Valley Inn and the welcome youd get from Liam will be with us forever. RIP Liam."

Another posted: "This is very sad news. Sorry to hear this Trish and Kelly. Some great memories over the years. End of an era for sure. Wishing you all well in the future. R.I.P Liam."

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The pub not only provided a space for the local community to connect, but also gave many local musicians a platform to showcase their talents, and hosted many fundraisers for good causes.

DECLINING PUB NUMBERS

The news comes after a recent report revealed that 57 pubs in Kilkenny have closed their doors since 2005, a reduction of 25.2% from 226 to 169 in a 19 year period.

The closures in Kilkenny are closely reflected in the decline around the country with the number of pubs nationally falling by over 2,100 from 8,617 to 6,498, a drop of 24.6%.

All 26 counties of the Republic of Ireland saw a fall in pub numbers with an average of 112 shutting every year, a figure which rose to 128 in the five year period since 2019 and the onset of Covid-19 pandemic.

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The hospitality industry supports 270,000 people nationwide, including 6,600 in Carlow and Kilkenny, something which CEO of the Vintners Federation of Ireland, Pat Crotty, highlights as a key impact of the increasing pub closures in the county.

57 fewer pubs in Kilkenny basically means 57 families who used to make a living out of the pub trade are gone, he says.

The pubs arent just numbers, they arent just businesses, in virtually every case they were family businesses, he adds.

As well as being devastating for the business owners themselves, the closure of pubs also greatly affects wider communities, especially in rural areas, as yet another social outlet is lost.

SEE ALSO: Five Kilkenny hospitality employers awarded Great Place to Work status

Smaller communities have lost their garda station, their shop, their post office, theyve probably even lost their petrol station at this stage. Theres nothing in a lot of places except the pub, Crotty outlined.

You can think of all the places where the pub is virtually the last thing left as the anchor to the community for socialising and if that went it would create fierce isolation.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE
Local Fianna Fail councillor, Cllr Joe Malone has whole heartedly backed plans to extend opening hours at the Mayfair Library in the city, emphasising its immeasurable value to exam sitting students.

The comments followed an extensive presentation by County Librarian, Josephine Coyne to councillors at Julys sitting of the Kilkenny City Municipal District who illustrated how the library service has gone from strength to strength post the Covid pandemic.

The Mayfair was officially opened to the public on Wednesday, April 24 last year on the site of the old Mayfair Ballroom and has proved to be a real success story, with almost one-quarter of the people living in Kilkenny members of the library in a real vote of confidence.

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There are eight library branches and a mobile library service in the county. With a combined 311 open hours, however Ms Coyne was keen to explain further investment is needed if the library is to continue to flourish.

"I would like to see the library open for longer particularly coming up to exam season," Cllr Malone told the meeting.

The Fianna Fail councillor offered great credit to Ms Coyne and all the staff at the Mayfair Library, and hailed the setting as a 'place for everyone' where many students or those studying for college exams can go if they dont have a suitable environment to study in at home.

Party colleague, Cllr Andrew McGuinness concurred with Cllr Malone said he was 'pleasantly surprised' at the number of people availing of the service and believes the offering has the potential to go 'a little further'.

Cllr McGuinness also highlighted the increasingly crucial role the library plays in the lives of exam sitting young adults.

"So many families in Kilkenny may not have an adequate environment to study at home," he said.

In response, Ms Coyne confirmed the library will be extending its opening hours until 10pm in at the city library and other branches around the county.

Meanwhile, Cllr Sean O hArgain offered similar praise and complimented the staffs work in securing Irish language books.

"The children of this city dont know how lucky they are in comparison to other areas," he remarked.

FOR MORE KILKENNY CITY NEWS, CLICK HERE
Gardai are appealing for witnesses following a single vehicle road traffic collision that occurred on the M9 southbound at Paulstown, County Kilkenny, at approximately 8.10pm on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

The driver, a man aged in his 30s, is being treated for serious injuries at St Vincents Hospital, Dublin.

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No other injuries were reported.

The road is currently closed for a technical examination by forensic collision investigators and local diversions are in place.

Gardai are appealing for anyone with information regarding this incident to come forward.

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Any persons who were on the M9 before the Paulstown exit between 8pm and 8.20pm and who may have witnessed the incident should contact investigating gardai.

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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 Kilkenny Garda Station on 056 7775000, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.

Investigations are ongoing.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE
*** READER DISCRETION ADVISED ***

A young woman from County Limerick who was sexually abused from the age of 10 by a man in his 40s, who later fled the jurisdiction, said she can still hear his voice whisper, Don't tell, dont tell, it is our little secret.

Limerick Circuit Criminal Court heard that the man sexually assaulted her at a location named in court and after swimming and actively groomed her for the purpose of his own sexual gratification.

He sent her photos of his penis and she sent him photos of her vagina and a video of her masturbating at his request.

The man, who is now aged in his 50s, cannot be named due to reporting restrictions. He was charged with 31 offences and pleaded guilty to six sample charges - three sexual assaults, two sexual exploitation of a child and one possession of child sex abuse images.

Prosecuting barrister John OSullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Garda Mark McGauley.

Mr OSullivan said the abuse started in 2010 when she was 10-years-old. It continued until 2015.

She saw him touch his penis with his hand. It was not the first time this happened. He said she was 'beautiful' and a 'special girl'. He actively groomed her for his own sexual gratification, said Mr OSullivan.

The abuse progressed to the accused putting the victims hand on his penis and he would put his fingers into her vagina.

He told her, This is our little secret, said Mr OSullivan.

The prosecuting barrister said in the summer of 2011 the defendant brought the victim swimming. Afterwards they went for a walk and laid down on the grass.

He put his hand inside her underwear and put two fingers inside her vagina, said Mr OSullivan.

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He said the accused and victim would communicate via Facebook and Viber late at night when everyone was asleep. The accused requested the victim send photos of her vagina. She sent him 20 photos of her vagina and one video of her masturbating. He sent her 10 photos of his penis.

Mr OSullivan said the photos and video were not recovered as the accused told the victim to delete them which she did.

The accused told her when she was 18 they would go to Spain and go further." She didnt want that, said Mr OSullivan.

The barrister said on another date the accused asked the victim to kiss his penis and he kissed her vagina.

I asked him to stop. It felt weird, the victim told gardai.

The child sex abuse emerged in 2015.

A formal complaint to gardai was made in 2016 and the victim was interviewed by specialist gardai. The accused was arrested in 2017. Gardai discovered 120 images of child sex abuse (not of the victim) on his phone.

The DPP instructed the victim be charged in 2018. Mr OSullivan said if it was a trial it would be contended he fled the jurisdiction.

Mark Nicholas SC, who represented the accused, objected, saying his client left the jurisdiction.

Counsel said he bought a property and ran a business. The accused was arrested on foot of a European Arrest Warrant and was extradited back to Ireland in 2024 where he has been remanded in custody since.

The young woman, now in her 20s, read out her victim impact statement.

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She said the abuse has permanently shaped her into the woman she is today as she suffers from severe depression, anxiety and complex post traumatic stress disorder. She said she experienced flashbacks almost daily.

He will never truly understand what he did to me. He stole my childhood and he stole my adulthood because I will never cleanse the memories from my mind, she said.

The victim said her lifelong dream was to travel the world but she became consumed with fear that she would encounter her abuser in another country after he left the jurisdiction.

The abuse continues to filter into my daily life in unexpected ways and trigger me. A song he used to play might play in a shop and it instantly transports me back, memories of what he did would surge into my mind. I can still hear his voice whisper, Don't tell, dont tell, its our little secret.

I want the court to fully understand what I've suffered, what my life is truly like, what happened to me is not going and it never will. I am a true victim of child sexual abuse - it permeates everyday and everywhere I go.

Mr Nicholas, for the accused, said she read the victim impact statement eloquently and the mitigation he gives, on behalf of his client, doesnt take away from that. He said it was an awfully regrettable breach of trust.

Mr Nicholas said his client is aged in his 50s, has pleaded guilty and did charity work.

He cited a psychological report which put the defendant at a below average risk of reoffending.

Counsel read out a letter of apology from the accused in which he expressed his remorse and shame.

A member of the victims family said from the body of the court: We dont accept your apology.

Judge Colin Daly said he wished to take the matter under consideration and adjourned sentencing to Monday, July 28.
Radio NZ reports:

Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger is backing calls for the government to cap rates rises.



Mauger told RNZ he could not agree more.

Everyone campaigns ohh, we gotta stick to basics, right? And then the first thing some of us do is go away and not stick to basics, he said.

We need to be stronger around the council table to say whats basics. Now  someones basic might be someone elses must have  but its good to have rates caps. I feel its good. I really do.
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Michael McAleer

A 1 per cent increase in the higher rates of Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) is one of the Budget options outlined by the Department of Finances Tax Strategy Group (TSG) in its latest papers.

It says that if applied across the upper VRT bands  11 to 20  covering the price of new and imported used cars, it would affect only cars with above-average emissions and could raise 28 million based on 2024 registrations.

The group also suggests increasing the NOx surcharge on new and imported cars by 5 per mg/km, potentially generating another 15.5 million.

On Benefit-in-Kind tax (BIK), the paper proposes creating a new zero-emissions category, with rates ranging between 6 and 15 per cent, depending on annual business mileage.

A higher VRT rate of 15 per cent is also suggested for vans and light commercial vehicles emitting more than 260g/km of CO2. This would sit above the recently introduced two-band emissions-based VRT system, where the top rate currently stands at 13.3 per cent for vehicles over 120g/km.

The TSG notes that future reforms could include emissions-based BIK rates for vans, potentially retaining the current 8 per cent rate for low-emission models, with higher rates for those over a certain CO2 threshold.

The latest TSG paper revises a proposal made last year on an additional VRT surcharge based on a vehicles weight.

Modelled on a system currently operated in France and Norway, an additional charge would be imposed on vehicles above a certain weight threshold, with various potential reliefs for the likes of fully-electric or hybrid models.

The TSG states: It is well documented that the scale of the proposed electrification of the national fleet will entail significant revenue risk, with the growth in EVs expected to erode Exchequer receipts from motor tax, VRT, VAT and fuel excise, particularly if the current tax structures remain unchanged.

It estimates that revenue from taxes on fossil fuel use and related transport will fall by 1 billion by 2030, down from 5.3 billion in 2022.
STAFF from Tirlan formerly known as Glanbia Ireland, presented a cheque for 5,000 to the Laois based national charity Embrace FARM during Farm Safety Week.

Company Chairperson John Murphy said: On Farm Safety Week, were urging our suppliers to look at their farm with fresh eyes and ensure their workplace environment is as safe as possible every single day of the year to protect them and their families.

Our Co-op is supporting Embrace FARM on behalf of our farmers with much needed funding in 2025 just as we have in years past.

Founded by Tirlan suppliers Brian and Norma Rohan, Embrace FARM has grown into a vital support system for families nationwide navigating the aftermath of farm tragedies.

With the average cost of support per family totalling 2,165, consistent funding is criticalespecially in agriculture, which remains Irelands most dangerous workplace sector. This years funding will help Embrace FARM expand its expert-led services and reach even more families in need.

Communications Support Coordinator at Embrace FARM Lisa Tierney said: Each familys journey is as unique as the loss theyve faced. The continued support from Tirlan helps us walk beside them in that journey, on their terms and in their time. Its more than financial support, its a partnership built on compassion and shared values.
Erik Menendez, the younger of the Menendez brothers at 54, is out of prison much sooner than anyone would have imagined, although not for the best of reasons.

"I don't want to give away the whole story," his attorney, Mark Geragos, told TMZ . "Erick is suffering from a serious health issue right now." The lawyer added that the situation is serious enough that he decided to ask California Governor Gavin Newsom to grant him an immediate pardon.

"I'm not going to violate HIPAA (which protects patient privacy in the United States) or attorney-client privilege or anything like that, but if there's anyone who should be granted parole, especially now, with the hearing just a month away, it's Erik," he added.

He also hinted that Erik is being treated for an undisclosed problem. "It's a serious condition. I think he needs to be out and focus on the hearing."

It was later revealed that Erik Menendez ended up in the hospital for kidney stones, also known as renal calculi. This is a relatively common health problem, which in most cases is not serious, although if the stones are very large, they may require hospitalization to break them up or reduce their size with laser treatment.

If this doesn't work or they become lodged in the urinary tract, surgery is sometimes required, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Kidney Diseases . If this is Erik's situation, he may require a slightly longer hospital stay and extensive recovery. Perhaps this is what Garagos was referring to, although there has been speculation on social media about an even bigger health issue that could convince Newsom to grant him an immediate pardon.

And Lyle?

Adding to the questions about Erik's "serious" health problem are doubts about the future of his brother Lyle Menendez.

The brothers are viewed by the public as a unit; they have the same lawyers, led by Garagos, and have handled the early release process together. However, the truth is that they were sentenced separately, as each had his own trial. Until a decade ago, they were in different prisons and were prohibited from communicating with each other.

The Menendez family's legal team is currently exploring the possibility of a government pardon, and it's unknown if they will be granted one, whether it will be granted to both men, or at the same time. A new sentence and early release on bail are also a possibility.

All cases were expected to be resolved before September. Things may have changed, but we still have to wait.

Originally published on Enstarz
State Motor Vehicle Commission officials have 23 months to begin issue digital drivers licenses that can be displayed on a smartphone after Gov. Phil Murphy signed a law to do that on Wednesday.

New Jersey drivers will soon be able to show digital licenses on their smartphones under a law Gov. Phil Murphy signed Wednesday.

New Jersey will join 15 other states and Puerto Rico that offer digital licenses, a goal outlined by Murphy in his State of the State address in January.

Digital drivers licenses will make life easier for drivers across New Jersey, the Democratic governor said in a statement. By bringing government services into the digital age, were setting a new standard for how the public interacts with State agencies.

Legislation to offer a digital or mobile drivers license that motorists could display on a smartphone was sponsored by state Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, D-Union, Assemblyman William Sampson, D-Hudson., Assemblyman Clinton Calabrese, D-Bergen, then-state Sen. Nellie Pou, D-Passaic, and state Sen. Patrick Diegnan, D-Middlesex.

It passed both houses of the stat Lgislature on June 30.

Last year, a state Senate bill that would have made mobile licenses available passed two committees but never made it to the full Senate for a vote.

New York offers digital drivers licenses and Pennsylvania is among the states considering or with legislation pending, according to the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.

The mobile license is transmitted from the state motor vehicle department to a drivers mobile device, allowing it to be updated in real time, according to the association. It also can offer added security features, including concealing personally identifiable information.

Murphy called the idea common sense, saying it makes life easier for residents.

New Jersey already offers a digital vehicle registration to drivers when they renew that document, which the MVC began issuing in March 2023.

With so much being done on smartphones these days, its only logical to offer New Jersey residents the option of a mobile driver license or non-driver ID, said Latrecia Littles-Floyd, Acting Chief Administrator of the Motor Vehicle Commission. We are excited by the signing of this legislation, which empowers the Motor Vehicle Commission to develop a secure, convenient, and user-friendly mobile ID.

The law would give the Motor Vehicle Commission up to 72 months to research, design and implement a mobile license.

The law has protections for drivers who decide to use the digital option.

It prohibits persons and entities from requiring a holder to turn over their electronic device, including to law enforcement, to verify identity.

It also said that displaying the digital license does not give or imply law enforcement can search or access to other phone data, and that information seen while verifying identity cannot be used as probable cause for a search warrant.

The new legislation makes participation voluntary, and physical licenses will still be issued.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com.

Follow him on X@CommutingLarry and on BlueSky@commutinglarry.bsky.social
Gardai have launched an investigation into the alleged assault of a young man that took place earlier this week in Killeshin, County Laois.

The young man - who lives in Carlow - was out walking his dog on a Wednesday evening when the incident occurred.

Laois Live has learned that the 22 year-old is currently at St. James Hospital in Dublin awaiting surgery on his jaw. The Gardai described his injuries as not life-threatening.

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A spokesperson for the Gardai stated: Gardai are investigating a report of an alleged assault in Killeshin, Co Laois, on 22nd July, 2025 at approximately 5:30pm.

Speaking to Laois Live, a relative of the victim said: Carlow town where we are living at the moment is getting really big.

If you dont speak up it will get worse.

The relative appealed for any witnesses of the incident to come forward to the Gardai. While Gardai have not issued a description of the suspect, it is understood that the male involved was of a heavy build.

Should readers have any information, they can contact the Gardai at Carlow Town at (059) 913 6620
A farm worker who fled the scene after crashing into a car carrying a baby while disqualified had been on his way to pay a drug debt, Portlaoise District Court was told.

Sam Leech (23) of 20 Kilmanaghan Lodge, New Road, Clara, Co Offaly, admitted dangerous driving, driving without a licence and insurance and two counts of hit and run at Spa Street, Portarlington on December 20 last.

Garda Stephen Lynott said the defendant rear ended a car containing a couple and their three children. He said one of the children was a ten week old baby.

When leaving the scene he drove on the wrong side of the road, said Garda Lynott.

He said the defendant, who has 13 previous convictions, had later attended at the garda station and made full admissions. He said the defendant didnt own the vehicle.

Mr Leech was disqualified at the time of the incident. He had no licence or insurance, he said.

Judge Andrew Cody noted the man had three previous convictions for no insurance and one for hit and run.

Solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said her client was pleading guilty to the offences.

He had a drug addiction at the time, she said. She said the man had a drug debt. He was en route to pay that when he struck the car. He absolutely panicked," she said.

She said the man fully admitted his role and had since been treated for mental health difficulties. She said his mother was in court supporting him.

She asked Judge Andrew Cody not to send him straight to jail and said he was now working for a cattle dealer in Co Westmeath.

She said the man had studied at Gurteen college and secured a qualification but he later developed a reliance on cocaine. She said this had led to his problems but he was now working and living at his place of work. She produced a letter written by the mans mother and said he had managed to gather 700 for the injured party.

Garda Lynott said the collision cost the other motorist 900.

Ms Fitzpatrick said if given the chance her client would pay all of the money.

A co-worker appeared in court and gave evidence in relation to the defendant.

He described the man as a very good worker and said he was, a great asset to the company. He is running the whole yard of cattle.

The man said he drove the defendant to court and he confirmed that he was no longer driving.

Ms Fitzpatrick asked the court for an opportunity to show the court he is not going to be back.

Judge Cody said the man was lucky not to get an immediate prison sentence. He directed that the money be given to the injured party and he ordered a probation report. Judge Cody adjourned the case to November 6 and warned the man he would be jailed if he got behind the wheel of a vehicle.
A Laois TD has raised the recent reports of Portlaoise hospital agency spending with the Minister for Health.

Laois Independent Republican Brian Stanley TD has criticised the amount of money spent on recruitment services, and has questioned the margin between the growth of administration roles, and care staff.

In a staggering revelation, the Leinster Express / Laois Live recently reported that over 19,776,670 was spent by the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise on the services of recruitment firms and agency staff last year, not including the month of December.

Pictured: Midland Regional Hospital, Portlaoise

The records released by the HSE through request by the Freedom of Information Act 2014 list the amount spent by all hospital groups across the country on recruitment firms and agency staff. Among all of the hospitals listed, Portlaoise was the second largest spender in this area.

Deputy Stanley addressed Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll McNeill.

"The issue of agency staff is in some ways an old chestnut, but it is one we have to deal with," Deputy Stanley said.

"When he took over, Bernard Gloster said he was committed to trying to pare that back, and I know that is easier said than done, but the over-reliance on agency staff is concerning, with 276 million spent in 2024. It is a lot of money spent on services, recruitment agencies, et cetera," he said.

"That 276 million was only for 11 months of last year. The HSE's records showed that this finance was spent on services such as administration, management, nursing, medical, dental, and paramedical services and supports, as well as maintenance and technical supports.

"In the Midland Regional Hospital, in Portlaoise, a relatively small but very busy hospital, almost 20 million was spent in 11 months last year. Some 19.7 million was spent there on agency staff in 11 months of last year. As I understand it, that spend has never been higher," Deputy Stanley highlighted.

" The Minister will be doing the National capital development plan. She will be swotting around the Cabinet table over the next week with this. I know there are hard decisions to be made."

Deputy Stanley welcomed the new Health Amendment Bill, and highlighted his concerns surrounding potential recruitment imbalances between administration staff, and care workers.

"In December 2019, 18,851 staff members were listed in the management and administration category. In March 2024, that number had increased to 25,477, which represented a substantial increase of 35%. When we track it, we can see that the numbers employed in those grades are increasing at a faster rate than the numbers of clinical, care and front-line staff," he said.

"A situation was highlighted recently in respect of clinical insourcing. On many occasions we have complained about outsourcing, but I am talking about insourcing. It was interesting when that report came out.

"Surgeons were taking patients who came to them during the week out of the public system and doing private work through a private company they had established so they could do the work at weekends and receive a different price for it," Deputy Stanley alleged.

"That became a cash cow for those individuals and companies. The bewildering thing about it was that the hospital's own facilities were being used. If it were a private facility, that would be fair enough.

"However, we must disentangle that from the public system, which we were supposed to be doing with Slaintecare. It was clear that what those surgeons were doing was exploiting public facilities and scarce taxpayers' money that needs to be going to front-line services. We must move away from that.

"This is a clear example of the public system and public facilities being exploited in terms of their use for private profit," the Deputy slammed.

"I welcome the fact that the Department and the chief executive of the HSE, Mr. Bernard Gloster, has managed to get weekend work operational in hospitals. They must work seven days a week. There is expensive equipment. We do not have enough equipment and we have a growing population.

"This is a clear example of the public system and public facilities being exploited in terms of their use for private profit," he said.

The Deputy also requested that the Minister consider the provision of a primary care centre for Portlaoise and surrounding towns.

"It is promised and it is agreed that it will happen, and everybody is on board with it. It needs the cash - the capital allocation. Portlaoise town now has a population in the region of 30,000," he highlighted.

"There is a huge catchment area around it. It is probably the only town of its size in the country that does not have a primary care centre. Some of the smaller health centres - in Mountrath, Borris-in-Ossory, Rathdowney and Graiguecullen - need some upgrading as well, and I ask that they not be forgotten about. They need works as well," Deputy Stanley finished.
The Old Fort Quarter Festival in Portlaoise has been successful in securing funding as part of a government scheme aimed at supporting cultural events across the country. The festival, which celebrates Portlaoises rich medieval heritage through live music, reenactments, artisan markets, and interactive workshops, has received 4,500 under the scheme.

The department noted: "With performances from local artists, storytelling, cultural music and dance showcases, interactive events and family friendly activities, it fosters vibrant community engagement. Historic tours and creative showcases inspire pride and participation in arts and culture, ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all ages. The festival blends history with creativity, making cultural exploration dynamic, entertaining, and educational."

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Nationally 293,252 was allocated under the Small Scale Local Festivals and Summer Schools Scheme for 64 events. Speaking today Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick ODonovan TD said: Culture and the arts bring so much richness to our lives. They connect us to one another, remind us of our shared stories and traditions, and celebrate the beauty of coming together as a community.

Through the work of my Department, were proud to support local festivals and summer schools across Ireland, spaces where people from all walks of life can gather, share experiences, and build lasting connections.

From music and storytelling to costumes and folklore, these projects offer a colourful glimpse into our heritage and help shape Irelands cultural tourism in a truly meaningful way. The creativity and care that go into each performance and programme are a testament to the passion of those working behind the scenes.

To everyone involved, organisers, volunteers, artists; I want to say thank you. Your dedication makes these events possible, and I hope people across the country will take the time to enjoy the incredible array of programmes on offer this summer.
A Laois senator has called for a 'full review' of the Ukrainian Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP).

Sinn Fein Senator Maria McCormack was speaking after figures revealed in response to a Parliamentary Question showed an increase in the amount of Laois properties in receipt of the payment since the beginning of 2025.

It is time for a full review of the Ukrainian Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) Scheme as the number of properties under the scheme continues to grow," Senator McCormack said.

The Sinn Fein senator slammed the scheme as 'deeply unfair' amid a housing crisis.

"In Laois, the number has risen from 51 properties in 2023 to 323 properties today in receipt of payment under the ARP.

"In fact, there has been an increase of almost 40 more properties in the last 6 months, meanwhile, there are only 14 properties available for rent in the county this morning," the Portlaoise senator argued.

"Given the number of those now claiming the payment for multiple properties, it is increasingly evident that landlords are using this scheme because it is financially beneficial and to avoid tenancy obligations.

This scheme gives a tax-free payment to landlords, they can also get a top up payment from the Ukrainian person in the property and they can avoid the normal tenancy obligations that they would be bound by when renting in the private rented sector," she said.

The scheme is deeply unfair because it gives access to non means tested housing support to one group of people which is available to no others, even where others may be on lower wages.

The government has ignored repeated calls for this scheme to be subject to a means test and for the release of any assessments or reports which they have in relation to the impact of the scheme on the private rented sector," Senator McCormack finished.
A nationwide tour by an Irish ornithologist, star of award winning television documentary Nature Boy, is coming to Laois.

Laois birdwatching fans can get to meet the inspiring Sean Ronayne and enjoy his riveting show, followed by a Q&A in the Dunamaise Arts Centre in Portlaoise this September.

The Cork man is on an extraordinary mission: to record the sound of every bird species in Irelandnearly 200 in total, before some of them likely become extinct. His journey takes him to some of the islands most breathtaking and remote landscapes, in search of its rarest and most elusive voices.

He will be visiting Laois this weekend too, as part of the Abbeyleix Bog 25th anniversary festival of events.

Often accompanied by his wife, Alba, Sean has recorded in the bustling seabird colony of Skellig Michael, a pristine woodland in the Burren, the corncrake stronghold of Tory Island, and the lonely uplands of Donegal. Each destination holds a storynot just of birds, but of belonging, biodiversity, and beauty.

In this sound-rich, illustrative talk, Sean invites audiences to experience Irish birdlife in a profoundly moving and unique way. Blending field recordings with personal stories, he sheds light on his own hypersensitivity to soundan aspect of his life that has brought both deep challenges and unexpected gifts.

Read also: Line-up of the busy final weekend of the annual Laois Walks Festival this July

At once inspiring and cautionary, Seans journey illustrates the fragile brilliance of Irelands natural soundscape, and the powerful ways in which listening can connect us to the world and to ourselves. Expect laughter, expect tears, and expect the unexpected. This is not just a talkits an experience. Not to be missed.

Nature Boy with Sean Ronayne presents: A Journey of Birdsong and Belonging will feature at 7pm in the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Friday, September 5. Tickets: 18/16 from dunamaise.ie
Restaurants across Ireland are creating 'plates for Palestine' in order to raise money for charities working in Gaza.

More than 130 restaurants have signed up to take part which will see them creating Palestine-inspired dishes to their menus this week up until July 27.

All proceeds will go towards two Irish-Palestinian charities - TEA Collective and Gaza Go Bragh, who do incredible humanitarian work for the thousands of Palestinians who are suffering from starvation daily due to the ongoing war and brutal offensive by the Israeli Government.

READ NEXT: 'Unthinkable' - Almost 1000 Irish households were at risk of being homeless since April

Cork based chefs Barbara Nealon of L'Atitude 51 in Cork City and Beverly Matthews of St Francis Provisions in Kinsale who started the inspiring initiative said they felt "frustrated and helpless" over the situation in Gaza and wanted to bring the hospitality industry in Ireland together to make a difference.

Matthews said the pair thought "maybe 20 restaurants would sign up", but incredibly there are now 130 restaurants offering the initiative in their restaurants and establishments across the country to help this worthy cause.
A Leitrim man has been awarded the highest honour a Canadian province can give.

Brian J. Dunne, formerly from Drumsna, County Leitrim, son of Bernard Joseph Dunne and Margaret Dunne, Coolcrieve, Drumsna was awarded the Order of Ontario at a prestigious ceremony in Toronto, Canada on the 16th June 2025.

The Order of Ontario is the provinces highest civilian honour. It is awarded to an Ontarian who has shown the highest level of excellence and achievement in their field, and whose impact has left a legacy in our province, in our country and around the world.

Members of the Order are a collective of Ontarios finest citizens, whose contributions have shaped and continue to shape the provinces history and place in Canada.

Brian J. Dunne has been the President & Chief Executive Officer of PHSS Support Services since its inception in 1988. Under his leadership, PHSS has grown into a leading non-profit organization supporting over 450 individuals with complex medical, physical, and developmental needs in community across 80+ locations in Ontario, Canada.

READ MORE: Calls grow to cancel Nationalist festival in Leitrim amid hate speech concerns

PHSS's innovative, community-based support enables individuals with complex medical, physical, and developmental needs to live in their own homes and actively participate in their communities.

Advocacy and Innovation

Brian has been instrumental in transitioning individuals from large institutional settings to living meaningful lives in community.

By championing a person-centered approach, Brian has provided greater independence and dignity to individuals with significant disabilities and complex needs, earning national and international recognition. Under his leadership, PHSS became a pioneer in Long-Term Ventilation (LTV) initiative in community, supporting individuals with ventilator dependency and easing pressure on hospital ICUs.

Honours and Awards

Brians contributions to health and social care have been recognized with numerous prestigious awards:

Order of Ontario (2025): The provinces highest civilian honour for his transformative impact in the health and social care sector and the community.

* OCSA Commitment to Care Leadership Award: Acknowledging his exceptional leadership and dedication to improving health and social services.

Recognition by the Developmental Services Sector for his efforts in integrated, community-based care.

Fanshawe College Distinguished Service Award for his role as Chair of the Social Services Advisory Committee.

* Honoured for his contributions to the South West LHIN Health Leadership Council and Ontario Health Team (OHT) Development Committees.

Leadership in Health and Community Services

Brian has served in key roles across multiple organisations:

Ontario Health Teams (OHTs): Active on steering committees for Elgin, Western, Huron Perth, Grey Bruce, and Oxford OHTs.

Boards and Committees: Board Trustee OASSIS Benefit Plans for Not-For-Profits, Member of the Ontario Agencies Supporting Individuals with Special Needs (OASIS), Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA), and the Provincial Network on Developmental Services.

Community Advocacy: Chair of the Provincial Liaison Committee for Persons with Physical Disabilities and contributor to vulnerable population strategies.

Research

Brian has contributed to research publications focusing on person-centred approach to care and supports in community settings. Notably:

"The Implementation of Person-Centred Plans in the Community-Care Sector: A Qualitative Study of Organizations in Ontario, Canada"

Published in BMC Health Services Research in May 2024, this study examines how community-care organizations in Ontario implement person-centred care plans. Brian Dunne is listed as a co-author, reflecting his involvement in advancing person-centred approaches at PHSS.

Directory of Open Access Journals  DOAJ

"Individualized Participatory Care Planning for Individuals with Complex Needs: A Case Study of PHSS"

Published in BMC Health Services Research in December 2024, this research explores staff perceptions of developing and implementing individualized care plans at PHSS. Brian Dunne's contributions to this study highlight his commitment to personalized approach to care and supports.

These publications underscore Brian's dedication to enhancing person-centred care through practical implementation and research.

Brians unwavering commitment to inclusivity and innovation has positioned PHSS as a benchmark in community-based support. His leadership philosophy emphasizes person-centered design, inclusivity, and building sustainable, scalable health and social care solutions.
A Nationalist festival planned for Drumshanbo this August has sparked warnings from trade unions and anti-fascist groups that it could serve as a platform for hate speech.

The Mise Eire festival, which is billed as a music and folk festival for those who cherish Irish culture, heritage, and are united in celebrating our shared values, will take place in the Mayflower Community Centre in Drumshanbo at the end of August.

Though concerns have been raised that the event, which was granted a bar licence last week, could be used as a platform for right-wing writers and anti-immigration activists to potentially spread discriminatory views or hate speech in Leitrim.

Local Concerns

We are a very proud county, and we show everyone dignity and respect, and this is not aligned with our values in Leitrim, said Derek Kelleher, Leitrim native and Forsa Assistant General Secretary for Local Government Division West/Northwest.

Forsa, the largest trade union for public service members in the country, has expressed its concern that the event will be held in Leitrim.

The union says its members have experienced abuse in the past during actions carried out at libraries around the country by individuals aligned with the movement they feel the festival represents.

We have concerns about the whole event. The whole event includes the people that are coming, the false presentation of what it is, and the possible negative impact that has been seen from this type of behaviour, and in other local communities, said Kelleher.

I don't want to see people coming in, to actually stoke up fear in people, he says, adding his belief that the public has genuine concerns around issues of housing and immigration, but that this type of behaviour isnt the way to deal with those fears.

There are ways and means of dealing with it through your trade union movement, through your community movement, through the political system, as hard as people may think it is to make change, but not with hate speech, isolating people, and intimidation, with cameras in your face, and being pushed to say something.

READ MORE: Heads up! A new tennis court could be coming to Acres Lake Amenity, Drumshanbo

Scheduled to speak at the event is a growing list of right-wing activists and thinkers, notably John Waters, former Irish Times journalist and anti-immigration advocate.

Waters has publicly taken an anti-immigration stance and has advocated the great replacement theory, stating on his Substack that Africans and Middle Easterners can never be Irish, and are aliens who have no place or business here. At their hands, Ireland would soon unbecome itself, and lapse into rapid regression.

Organisers determined

The event is organised by Stephan Kerr, an anti-immigration activist, former candidate for Mayo County Council in 2024, and operator of the right-wing website The Irish Inquiry. Kerr was approached for an interview but was unavailable at this time; however, he has stressed that he is committed to ensuring the festival is a positive and inclusive event for all.

Calls have come from the online group Leitrim and Roscommon against Fascism (LARAF) for the committee of the Mayflower Community Centre to cancel the event, which they say will act as a national gathering of the far right with public endorsements for the festival coming from prominent far-right figures, like Ferg Power, who was named in the Dail as a key figure in the Dublin city riots of 2023.

The whole thing, it will confer upon them a level of respectability that they have not enjoyed to date, says a spokesperson for LARAF. If you look at the public record, there is literally no similar event that has been held in this country on the part of the far right in a real nice hall, in a nice organised way with a big audience and so on. It's just never happened.

READ MORE: Broken yellow line replaced at GAA park, Carrigallen after request from councillor

There have been calls for the event to be cancelled; however, Sean Wynne, chairman of the Mayflower committee, has said that the board will hold to its decision on the festival, and that it will go ahead.

This is just a question of making life difficult and a process to see would we collapse. And I make no mistake about it. In the next, whatever, it's a month from now, every effort will be made and every hand grenade in a verbal sense and in a media sense will be used, says Wynne, who has previously managed the European Parliament campaign for John Waters, who is scheduled to speak at the event.

Though he is not familiar with all the speakers that are coming, he is determined that the event should go ahead on the grounds of free speech. And is critical of the online discourse around the event and those organising it.

If people can't discuss something in a civilised manner, then God help us all, if they should ever get control, then I'm afraid there'll be a lot of gulags; it just won't be for Russia.

"A fast one"

LARAF have said Wynne pulled a fast one on committee members when booking the event - a claim he vehemently denies.

He says that the Mayflower committee members were Absolutely made aware of the nature of the festival, as a folk festival with speakers, before it was booked, and the claims to the contrary are a technique to divide and conquer.

However, Brendan Barry, Leitrim county councillor, who also serves as a director on the board of the Mayflower Community Centre, has said that the board was not made aware that there would be political speakers at the event, and that there was only a passing mention of the music festival prior to its booking.

There was no way that it was made known to us what it was, says Cllr Barry. No one on the committee was aware of the full details or who was involved with organising the music festival until it was advertised - only Sean Wynne.

A board meeting was held last week to discuss the event and to find out more details about it, and decided that they could not cancel it as a deposit had been taken, he says.

There was no vote, but the general consensus was that it had gone too bloody far and we couldnt call it off.

I would have concerns about the type of people who would be going to this and what they may be inciting in the different talks and discussions that go on there, he says. I have no issue with promoting Irish culture or heritage or music, but I dont feel that this festival is about that; it has a hidden agenda to spread fear and hate and misinformation, Cllr Barry said.
"When I Saw the Sea," directed and choreographed by Ali Chahrour, at the Festival d'Avignon, July 4, 2025. CHRISTOPHE RAYNAUD DE LAGE/FESTIVAL DAVIGNON

Tackling a major political issue head-on, such as the kafala system, an abusive arrangement in Lebanon that ties a worker's residency permit to their employment contract, is a perilous undertaking. That is the challenge Lebanese choreographer Ali Chahrour has taken on with his latest work, When I Saw the Sea. On stage at La FabricA in Avignon from July 5 to 8, he not only managed to alert the audience to a terrifying reality but has also created a peaceful work that reflects his own sensibility in defiance of barbarity.

When I Saw the Sea centers on three women. These domestic workers, who came from Africa, met Chahrour through a nongovernmental organization. They, along with others, testified about their harrowing survival conditions at the hands of employers who treated them as slaves. Emerging from the darkness of the stage, they share their stories and simply recount what they experienced, detailing one act of violence and humiliation after another. One, an orphan, was abandoned on the street by her mother, a housemaid, raped by her employer, and describes the abuses suffered by domestic workers: burned with boiling oil, forced into prostitution. Another explains how her hair was cut, she was forced to bathe in front of "Madame," and made to sign a paper forbidding her from having sex.

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Although Ursula von der Leyen is in Asia, scheduled to attend a summit of European Union and Chinese leaders on Thursday, July 24, her attention is undoubtedly focused on the United States. The EU's relations with Beijing are far from smooth. On the contrary, there have been several points of friction between the two. Yet with one week remaining before August 1, the date on which US President Donald Trump threatens to impose 30% tariffs on European imports if no agreement is reached between Washington and Brussels, von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, fears a trade war that would be disastrous for Europe.

Since he returned to the White House, Trump has already increased tariffs to 25% on cars, 50% on steel and aluminum and 10% on a wide range of products. He has also warned that he might target pharmaceuticals or semiconductors. Leaders on the European side, however, have so far chosen to tread carefully to avoid dangerous escalation, and no retaliatory measures have been implemented yet.

The EU Commission, which negotiates trade agreements on behalf of the bloc, and the US administration have been in negotiations for weeks, without any success to show for it. The EU commissioner for trade, Maros Sefcovic, has already traveled across the Atlantic seven times. He has spoken with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, and Trump's economic adviser, Kevin Hassett, almost every day.

Exceptions on the table

Nevertheless, on July 23, an agreement seemed achievable, even if it was far from being finalized, and the unpredictable President Trump, who would have the final say on it in Washington, had yet to make a decision. That day, von der Leyen's chief of staff, Bjoern Seibert, presented an outline that could serve as a basis for an agreement to 27 EU member states' ambassadors, to gauge whether the member states would be willing to follow along with it.

He explained to the diplomats that the terms would be as follows: all European goods, including pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, cars and steel, would be subject to 15% tariffs (up from the current average of 4.5%), which would, more or less, represent confirming the status quo. Exceptions would be made for the aerospace sector and for spirits. "We still need to review, sector by sector, what this would mean," cautioned a European diplomat.

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Prime Minister Francois Bayrou and Catherine Vautrin, the minister for labor, health, social affairs and families, outline the 2026 budget plans in Paris on July 15, 2025. JULIEN MUGUET FOR LE MONDE

It had long been expected that the healthcare sector would be asked to contribute to the France's budget cuts promised for 2026. For weeks, various scenarios had circulated among stakeholders ranging from the national health insurance to employers' organizations. The suspense ended on Tuesday, July 15, when the government set a target of 5 billion in healthcare cuts, out of the 43.8 billion in total savings to be found in the next budget, as announced by Prime Minister Francois Bayrou while unveiling his plans to restore public finances.

"Healthcare spending will increase by 10 billion next year. That is not sustainable. I suggest we strive to limit that increase by half," Bayrou said. The amount for this sector is significant, even if it is in line with the target already mentioned at the previous budget presentation.

Read more Subscribers only 2026 budget: PM Bayrou's risky bet on a nationwide effort to lift the debt 'curse'

The controversial methods to achieve these savings are certain to spark a reaction, as they directly affect patients. One such measure is the increase in the out-of-pocket amounts patients pay when buying medicine. Bayrou announced that the annual cap for these deductibles and flat-rate co-payments (applicable to doctor's visits, radiology exams, lab tests, etc.) would double from 50 to 100 per insured person per year. This would mean "a maximum of 8 per month" for each person, he specified. The doubling of these payments  from 0.50 to 1 per box of medication, as well as for paramedical procedures and medical transport  was finalized after months of political hesitations and protests from patient advocacy groups.

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Georges Ibrahim Abdallah, at his trial on July 3, 1986, in Paris. MICHEL VAURIS-GRAVOS / JEAN-MARC COLLIGNON / AFP

After more than 40 years of detention, a French court ordered the release of Georges Ibrahim Abdallah on Thursday morning, July 17. The Paris Court of Appeal, after a closed-door hearing, granted Abdallah a conditional release and ordered that he be deported to Lebanon on July 25.

The 74-year-old veteran activist of the Lebanese Armed Revolutionary Factions (LARF) group will have one week to clear out his cell in the southern French prison where he has been detained for decades, in which letters of support, flags, posters of Che Guevara, books and newspapers have accumulated over the years. He will be transported by military aircraft to Paris, then held in a detention center before boarding a flight to Beirut, where he will be handed over to the Lebanese authorities. He will then be able to spend the rest of his life in his home village of Kobayat, in northern Lebanon.

Abdallah was arrested in 1984 and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1987 for complicity in the terrorist assassinations of Charles R. Ray, a US assistant military attache, and Yacov Barsimantov, second secretary at the Israeli embassy, who were both killed by the LARF in Paris in 1982. Abdallah has always proclaimed his innocence regarding these two attacks. However, he has always claimed political responsibility for them, describing them as "acts of resistance" against "Israeli and American oppression."

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Francois Bayrou leaving the Elysee Palace on July 16, 2025. LUDOVIC MARIN / AFP

"The entire nation needs to work more, to produce more, so that the country's activity as a whole is greater over the year," said French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou on Tuesday, July 15, as he presented his 2026 budget. To increase the number of working days for the population, he notably proposed eliminating two public holidays, Easter Monday and May 8  WWII Victory Day  while stating he was "open to other suggestions."

How much would eliminating one or more public holidays benefit the government? Which workers get these days off? Have public holidays ever been eliminated before? Does France really have as many public holidays as the prime minister suggests?

Read more Subscribers only French PM's planned 2026 budget cuts could slow growth, experts say

Does France have more public holidays than its neighbors?

This widespread belief is actually a misconception: France does not have more public holidays than its neighbors. France has a total of 11 public holidays, which is slightly fewer than the European average of 11.8. There is also a special public holiday that commemorates the abolition of slavery in France's overseas departments and territories: April 27 in Mayotte; May 22 in Martinique; May 27 in Guadeloupe; June 10 in French Guiana; and December 20 in La Reunion. Additionally, employees in the departments of Haut-Rhin, Bas-Rhin, and Moselle receive two extra days off: December 26 and Good Friday, which falls two days before Easter Sunday.

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FeatureOn July 11, Bosnia and Herzegovina commemorates the massacre of 8,000 Bosniaks by the forces of Serb General Ratko Mladic. Yet in a country still divided between Muslim Bosniaks, Catholic Croats and Orthodox Serbs, the work of remembrance remains far from unanimous.

"Welcome to the Las Vegas of Bosnia, we attract at least as much attention [as the American city]." On Wednesday, July 9, the mayor of Srebrenica, Milos Vucic, displayed this peculiar sense of humor, two days before the July 11 commemorations marking the 30th anniversary of the 1995 genocide in his city. This Bosnian Serb, who is also a cousin of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, said he would not participate in the ceremonies meant to honor the more than 8,000 Muslim Bosniaks killed in a matter of days by the forces of Serb General Ratko Mladic, in what is considered the worst massacre of civilians in Europe since the end of World War II.

"I was not invited, and I do not see why I should go when my deputy [a Bosniak] isn't coming here," said the 37-year-old official during a small counter-ceremony he organized in a predominantly Serb neighborhood of his municipality. Decorated with Serbian flags and set to the Serbian national anthem, the event was dedicated solely to Serb victims of the war, which claimed around 100,000 lives overall between 1992 and 1995. "Serbs were killed in much more horrific ways than the Bosniaks, for example by decapitation, as seen in certain Muslim countries, but have you ever read anything about them in the international press?" Vucic exclaimed, criticizing what he described as a "double standard" from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), which convicted Mladic of genocide in 2021.

It mattered little that the Serb victims commemorated on Wednesday by a few dozen Serbs gathered around the mayor of Srebrenica did not die on that precise date, or that the local commander of the Bosniak forces, whom they accuse of being responsible for their deaths, has been systematically acquitted by international and Bosnian courts. The main objective was to stage a counter-event ahead of July 11, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of people this year. Several senior European officials, such as European Council President Antonio Costa and French Minister for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad, are expected to attend in this eastern Balkan town.

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The Srebrenica Memorial Center, July 10, 2025. ARMIN DURGUT / AP

One year after the war began in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in April 1993, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ordered Yugoslavia  then composed of Serbia and Montenegro  to "prevent the commission of the crime of genocide." However, it would take 14 years before the ICJ ruled on Bosnia and Herzegovina's complaint, with a mixed outcome for Sarajevo. "The acts (...) were committed with the specific intent to destroy in part the group of the Muslims of Bosnia and Herzegovina" in Srebrenica, the judges stated in early 2007. Therefore, these acts constituted genocide. In July 1995, nearly 8,000 men of fighting age were executed one by one. Women and children, forcibly displaced far from the enclave, were spared.

However, the judges attributed responsibility for the acts to individual officers, not to Serbia itself. Belgrade was nonetheless found guilty of failing to prevent the genocide and punish its perpetrators. At the time, General Ratko Mladic and Radovan Karadzic, the Bosnian Serb military and political leaders, were still on the run, evading arrest warrants from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

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This is the city of "Henk and Ingrid." These are the names of two fictional characters created by far-right leader Geert Wilders to personify an average Dutch couple  the people he has promised to defend against "the system," "the elite," "the left-wing clerics" and, of course, foreigners. In Spijkenisse, a city of around 73,000 residents located in the suburbs of Rotterdam and the main entity in the newly merged municipality of Nissewaard, Wilders's Party for Freedom (PVV, far right) achieved a record result in the 2023 parliamentary elections with 38% of the vote. The PVV became the leading party in the Netherlands, winning 37 out of 150 seats in the Tweede Kamer ("Second Chamber," the lower house of parliament), and subsequently formed a government. Their government has since proven to be a chaotic experiment: The coalition led by Prime Minister Dick Schoof collapsed in June after just 336 days in power following a crisis triggered by Wilders, who was frustrated with his three coalition partners' refusal to endorse his platform. Among other measures, the platform included declaring a state of emergency to halt immigration, deporting 60,000 Syrian refugees and putting an end to all family reunification.

A new residential area, built along the Meuse River, in Spijkenisse, Netherlands, on July 21, 2025. JAN ROSSEEL FOR LE MONDE

In Spijkenisse, a city that was long considered one of the poorest in the Netherlands but which now strives to attract middle-class residents who are moving away from downtown Rotterdam, a couple of retirees we met at the shopping center were not named Henk and Ingrid, but Nico and Caroline. They spoke while strolling between a nail salon, discount stores and a fast-food kebab restaurant. "Wilders wanted to stand up for ordinary people, but he did nothing, achieved nothing before bringing down the government!" said Nico. Did he vote for the PVV? Nico, a former Rotterdam port worker, would not say, but he asserted that Wilders would "for sure" not get his vote on October 29, the date when the country will hold new parliamentary elections. As for Caroline, she no longer intends to vote. "All that circus for nothing," she said with a sigh. On the local level, Spijkenisse has always been politically dominated by a local group named Ons ("We"), which holds 10 of the 37 seats on the municipal council (compared to three for the PVV).

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A Chinese-manufactured drone by DJI, in Los Angeles, September 2019. ROBYN BECK/AFP

In the Sahel, drone warfare has reached unprecedented levels. On July 14, the Policy Center for the New South, a Moroccan research institute, published a report that sheds light on the growing intensity of attacks with these devices that are being carried out by armed groups in the region  particularly by Nusrat al-Islam (JNIM), Al-Qaeda's Sahelian affiliate.

The institute has recorded more than 30 confirmed drone attacks since September 2023, of which 82% (24 attacks) were concentrated between March and June 2025. These included the assault on the Malian military base in Boulikessi on June 1, when JNIM used drones to drop explosives and claimed to have killed more than 100 Malian soldiers.

These devices, which had previously been limited to surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence gathering, have evolved into weapons capable of carrying out direct strikes. In September 2023, the report stated, JNIM conducted its first armed drone attack, "dropping two [improvised explosive devices] on Dan Na Ambassagou [a Dogon militia fighting jihadist groups] positions in Bandiagara," in the Mopti region in central Mali.

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France's President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron, arrive to attend a ceremony at the statue of war-time Prime Minister Winston Churchill, in Parliament Square, London, Tuesday July 8, 2025. CARLOS JASSO / AP

Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, filed a defamation lawsuit on Wednesday, July 23, against a right-wing US podcaster who claimed the spouse of the French president used to be a man. The 218-page complaint against Candace Owens, who has millions of followers on X and YouTube, was filed by the Macrons in Delaware Superior Court and seeks a jury trial and unspecified punitive damages.

In a statement released by their lawyer, the Macrons said they filed the lawsuit after Owens repeatedly ignored requests to retract false and defamatory statements made on an eight-part YouTube and podcast series called Becoming Brigitte.

"Owens' campaign of defamation was plainly designed to harass and cause pain to us and our families and to garner attention and notoriety," they said. "We gave her every opportunity to back away from these claims, but she refused. "It is our earnest hope that this lawsuit will set the record straight and end this campaign of defamation once and for all."

Candace Owens addresses the audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Orlando, Florida on February 25, 2022. CHRIS DUMOND/SHUTTERSTOCK/SIPA

Read more Subscribers only Who is Candace Owens, the pro-Trump influencer spreading transphobic fake news about Brigitte Macron?

The suit accuses Owens of using her popular podcast to spread "verifiably false and devastating lies" about the Macrons, including that Brigitte Macron was born a man, that they are blood relatives and that Macron was chosen to be France's president as part of a CIA-operated mind control program.

"If ever there was a clear-cut case of defamation, this is it," Tom Clare, a lawyer for the Macrons, said in a statement. "Owens both promoted and expanded on those falsehoods and invented new ones, all designed to cause maximum harm to the Macrons and maximize attention and financial gain for herself."

Brigitte Macron, 72, has also taken legal action in France to combat claims she was born a man. Two women were convicted in September of last year of spreading false claims after they posted a YouTube video in December 2021 alleging that Brigitte Macron had once been a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux  who is actually her brother. The ruling was overturned by a Paris appeals court and the first lady appealed to the highest appeals court, the Court de Cassation, earlier this month.
Judge Joumaa al-Anzi, head of the Syrian committee tasked with investigating the violence that took place in March, and the committee spokesperson, Yasser al-Farhan, at a press conference in Damascus, July 22, 2025. KHALIL ASHAWI / REUTERS

There could hardly have been worse circumstances for the release, on Tuesday, July 22, of the findings by the national commission set up to shed light on the massacres carried out against the Alawite minority in March in Syria. Renewed killings between Bedouin clans, Druze factions and government forces in the predominantly Druze province of Sweida since July 13  which have left over 1,000 dead  have further darkened the fragile hopes that were brought by the downfall of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 and by the end of 14 years of civil war.

The efforts at transparency of transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa  who broke with the practices of the al-Assad dictatorship by appointing an independent commission on March 9 to investigate the violence against the Alawites  were welcomed by Syrian and international organizations and NGOs. However, after reading the inquiry's report, these groups have lamented that the national commission has absolved Syrian military leaders of any responsibility; this major shortcoming could risk perpetuating a cycle of impunity and vengeance within Syria.

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Long ReadHer name has faded into obscurity. Yet she was a renowned British couturiere at the dawn of the 20th century, famous for her tea gowns designed to be worn without a corset. A truly extraordinary personality, she led a tumultuous life, even counting among the survivors of the Titanic in April 1912.

When Lucy Duff Gordon, the couturiere celebrated for her romantic label Lucile, and her husband, Cosmo, arrived at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New York on April 18, 1912, three days after the Titanic disaster, they received a warm welcome. Their suite overflowed with flowers and freshly prepared clothes. "At dinner that night we were all very gay, and drank champagne," she recalled in her memoir Discretions and Indiscretions (1932). It was a fleeting moment of carefreeness after the ordeal. But when they returned to London a few days later, the headlines blared: "Duff Gordon Scandal." Newsboys called out to them without recognizing them: "Read about the Titanic cowards!"

Readers had already learned that the couple had managed to escape early from the ship  whose sinking continues to fascinate, even 113 years later, as shown by the release in April of National Geographic's documentary The Invisible Story of the Titanic. At around 1:15 am, on the night of April 14, 1912, the Duff Gordons boarded lifeboat no. 1. They fled the sinking liner alongside 10 other people, including their maid, Laura Mabel Francatelli  nicknamed "Franks"  on a craft designed to hold 40. The tabloids railed it as "the millionaires' boat." Two committees of inquiry were established in the United States and in the United Kingdom.

This infamous episode was only one of many twists and turns in the eventful life of Duff Gordon, one of the most celebrated couturieres at the turn of the 20th century. Yet, as 2025 marks the 90th anniversary of her death, who remembers this pioneer who, as The New York Times wrote in 1916, "was the greatest living authority on how the fair sex should be robed"? Her most famous contemporaries and rivals are the subject of major exhibitions in Paris: Charles Frederick Worth (1825-1895) at the Petit Palais, until September 7, and Paul Poiret (1879-1944) at the Musee des Arts Decoratifs, until January 11, 2026. Duff Gordon, however, has fallen into oblivion.

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The twists in the Jeffrey Epstein case, in which Donald Trump's administration has been entangled since July 7  the date the Department of Justice released a brief memo discrediting the most radical claims promoted by some of his base  offer an important lesson. After more than eight years institutionalizing "alternative facts" in place of actual facts and relentlessly exploiting conspiracy theories, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic and after his defeat in the 2020 presidential election, the president of the United States can now see the devastating effects of his cynical and reckless experiments.

Read more Subscribers only Epstein scandal sparks $10 billion clash between Trump and Murdoch

After months of denouncing, with the backing of officials now holding the highest positions in the federal government, the opacity of a "deep state" supposedly ensuring impunity for the powerful, Trump supporters have grown impatient with their leaders' inability to provide new information regarding Epstein. The financier, who was found dead in his New York prison cell in 2019, had been facing charges of child sexual abuse after initial proceedings dating back to 2006.

No matter how forcefully the US president lashes out at the rebels who helped bring him back to power  even going so far as to insult them  he is failing to bring them back into line. To his great surprise, conspiracy theories have proved immune to admonishment and have turned, with the same irrational fervor, against those who once encouraged them with impunity.

Donald Trump at the White House, July 22, 2025. JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON / AP

Trump's frustration no doubt explains why he now bristles at reminders of well-established facts. Like many high-profile figures in the US in the mid-1990s, he was close to Epstein, even if he distanced himself before the financier was brought to justice. The Wall Street Journal, which recalled their past ties on July 17, is now facing a defamation lawsuit and has been barred from covering the president's trip to Scotland. The treatment of the conservative business daily confirms, as have other similar cases, that Trump tolerates only one kind of press, that of complicity, while all news media are uniformly branded as the enemy.

Since returning to the Oval Office, Trump has employed the same tactics with the media as he does with other checks on his power, or anything he perceives as such: threats and intimidation. He recently forced the CBS news channel to back down over what were seen as particularly flimsy accusations regarding its coverage of an interview with his Democratic opponent in the presidential campaign, Kamala Harris. He also pressured Congress to fulfill a longstanding Republican demand: the elimination of public broadcasting funding, regardless of the consequences for rural areas across the country that have become news deserts.

"You are the media now," Elon Musk declared, speaking of social media, on the night of Trump's re-election, for which he had deployed the X platform algorithm to his advantage. The Epstein affair demonstrates the consequences of sidelining traditional news channels. The result is obfuscation and confusion to the detriment of public debate and the health of democracy.

Read more Subscribers only 'The Epstein case is a new version of the classic conspiracy against authentic America'
We, Russian political prisoners, address all foreign political leaders who are not indifferent to the suffering inflicted on some for their political beliefs. There are at least 10,000 of us: Russian political prisoners and Ukrainian civilians held hostage. We have one thing in common. We were punished for taking a civic stand.

The word "justice"  whether referring to the judicial system or social justice  has lost all meaning in Russia, where anyone can end up behind bars simply for having the courage to think critically. Repressive laws, designed to eliminate all dissent, have been systematically strengthened since 2012. Between 2018 and 2022, more than 50 such laws were passed, with over 60 additional laws enacted since February 2022, when Russian troops began their attempted invasion of Ukraine.

In political trials in Russia, defendants are never found not guilty. Sentences have become increasingly harsh  10, 15 or even 20 years in prison no longer surprise anyone. Within the Douma [the lower house of the Russian parliament], there are frequent calls to reinstate the death penalty.

Acts of torture

Even before, the chances of receiving a fair trial in such cases were slim, but these avenues for appeal disappeared entirely in 2022, when Russia refused to comply with decisions from the European Court of Human Rights. In today's Russia, human rights institutions have been replaced by bodies that merely pretend to defend rights.

As a result, the health and lives of detainees are under threat; acts of torture or violence against them are rarely investigated or prosecuted. Political prisoners are often held under stricter conditions than others and are denied the possibility of requesting sentence reductions or improved detention conditions. A common tactic is to open a new case against a prisoner based on denunciation by another convicted person.

Despite all this, we have not lost our voices and have not been forgotten. We maintain our civic positions, which we believe is important to state clearly. We call on both sides of the current negotiations  Russia and Ukraine  to immediately proceed with an exchange of military and civilian prisoners, following the "all for all" principle. This exchange must include Ukrainian civilian hostages.

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Dont Be the Next Victim: WhatsApp Hacking on the Rise in Liberia
THE HEALTH and Safety Authority (HSA) is urging farmers, their families, and all working in agriculture to prioritise safety as Farm Safety Week 2025 commenced on Monday.

The important campaign highlights the ongoing dangers faced in farming.

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Tragically, farming continues to account for a disproportionate number of workplace deaths. Many of these incidents are preventable, often involving vehicles, machinery, livestock and falls from height.

So far this year, there have been 12 farming fatalities, the same amount as the total number of fatalities in farming in 2024. Of the 12, 5 (41%) of these fatalities involved vehicles. In 9 (75%) of the cases, the deceased was over 65 years of age.

Ger Hartnett, senior inspector at the HSA, said each life that is lost in farming is a devastating reminder that safety must come first every day, on every farm.

We must remind ourselves that there are 12 families this year mourning the loss of a loved one and we must collectively renew our commitment to prevent further family tragedies. Farm Safety Week is an opportunity to reflect, to change behaviour, and to take proper action that can save lives, said Mr Hartnett.

We want to see a change in the attitude towards farm safety, he added.

Mr Hartnett advises: Keep your vehicles and machinery well maintained. Plan all work activity. Rest when you feel tired, take a break, know your limitations.

The HSA is encouraging all those involved in farming to use this week to engage in meaningful conversations within families and communities about risk, responsibility, and prevention.

For more information on farm safety guidance and resources, visit www.hsa.ie
The family of missing woman Deirdre Jacob has urged anyone with information about her murder to come forward.

Gardai are continuing to investigate her disappearance, which occurred 27 years ago this week.

Deirdre was last seen near her home at Roseberry, Newbridge, County Kildare, at around 3pm on July 28, 1998. She was 18 years old at the time and had just completed her first year at St Marys University in London.

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Her family is appealing to anyone with knowledge relating to her disappearance to contact the Gardai.

An incident room remains in place at Kildare Garda Station, and Deirdres family  including her parents Michael and Bernadette  are regularly updated through a designated Garda family liaison officer.

On the day she was last seen, Deirdre had walked into Newbridge town to get a bank draft to send to a college friend in London as part of a rent deposit.

At 2:14pm, she was seen on CCTV walking on Main Street, Newbridge. Shortly afterwards, she was observed entering the AIB bank.

By 2:26pm, she was again seen on CCTV queuing inside Newbridge Post Office, and at 2:32pm, she was recorded speaking with a friend outside the Post Office on Main Street.

The last known CCTV footage of Deirdre was captured at 2:35pm, showing her walking outside the PTSB Bank on Newbridge Main Street.

She was last seen by witnesses shortly after 3pm near her family home.

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On the 20th anniversary of her disappearance, An Garda Siochana confirmed that the case had been upgraded from a missing person investigation to a murder investigation.

Deirdre Jacob was 5'3" in height, of slim build, with grey-green eyes and dark chin-length hair.

At the time she went missing, she was wearing a navy v-neck t-shirt with white trim on the collar and sleeves, navy or black straight-leg jeans, and blue Nike runners. She was carrying a distinctive black satchel-type bag with long shoulder straps, featuring the word CAT in large yellow capital letters on the side.

This bag has never been located.
Ansh Mehra, 27, is on the verge of reaching 1 million followers across Instagram and YouTube. But unlike other influencers, the computer science engineering graduate, who once worked at Swiggy, isnt worried about follower count. Instead, he has found a booming niche: artificial intelligence training for top corporations.

Indias largest private financial services group HDFC, Reliance Industries Ltd and British energy conglomerate Shell are among the worlds top 75 firms by market value that are increasingly enlisting experts with deep AI knowledge to train their employees. Surging demand for their skills allows creators and consultants like Mehra to secure up to 25 lakh in a few weeks.

Mehra has been running his AI training venture, The Cutting Edge School, for the past three years. He is currently conducting a workshop for over 1,000 employees for a top retail firmhe refused to identify the client, citing a non-disclosure agreement.

Most companies that come to us have three key problems that they want solved: one, their employees are still using outdated tools for functions such as marketing, content creation and outreach; two, most of them are not using AI the way it should be; and three, giving the right prompts to ensure that privacy and security of individuals is maintained," Mehra said.

Demand for AI upskilling has exploded globally as the technology becomes part of corporate workflow across sectors. India, too, will need more than 1 million skilled AI workers within the next 12 months to keep up with the pace of AI adoption by companies and for the country to achieve its target of generating $35 billion of domestic product by 2047, a report by the ministry of electronics and information technology (Meity) said earlier this month.

AI tools to strategy

In most cases, trainers are identified because of their social media content or CXO references based on years of experience in AI. Courses offered cost 6-25 lakh for courses running for four to six weeks, and the number of participating employees can go as high as 1,000. These courses mostly cover primers on the fundamentals of AI, and hands-on guides on how to make the most of popular tools such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, Microsoft's Copilot, Adobe's Firefly, and more.

Companies are separately upskilling individual leaders to gain a deeper understanding of AI policy, lessons from lawsuits around the world, and strategies for how the technology can either add value or reduce costs. These courses typically cost 5,000-25,000 per person per week.

Mehras courses typically run for four weeks, and his 25-member team conducts 12 of them in a yearbut aims to do more as demand ramps up.

There is deep demand from companies for AI upskilling, and this demand is unlikely to die down," said Kashyap Kompella, a veteran AI consultant. The courses range from offering an introduction into the variety of AI tools available for various tasks, understanding their limitations and scope, the ethics and legality of it, and their applicability across the boardbe it data analytics or for content generation."

Kompella is conducting a six-week immersive AI training programme for more than 5,000 employees of a top Indian financial services firm.

When used by capable individuals, AI can significantly enhance both personal and team productivity," he said. However, its impact depends heavily on how well users can collaborate with the technology. Companies are waking up to this today, and that is leading to heavy demand from conglomerates."

Shell cited its silent period in response to Mints query, but acknowledged that the company is working with external consultants for AI upskilling across functions. HDFC Mutual Fund, Reliance Retail and Nestle did not respond to emailed queries.

Also Read | AI in resumes begins to tilt scales in hiring

Mid-career demand

Sridev Ramesh, 29, who cofounded AI developer and engineering content platform 100xEngineers, offers courses to mid-career corporate professionals keen to learn how best to use popular AI tools to augment existing work in professions such as digital marketing, content generation and more.

The biggest takers for our AI upskilling courses are aged 30-35, and are mid-career corporate professionals from across domains who are either trying to catch up on AI skills, or gain a deeper understanding of how it can affect their work," he said. We just began our fifth cohortwhich has about 200 takers. While students pay about 1.1 lakh for this six-month online-only course, working professionals are charged up to 1.4 lakh for it."

While Ramesh, who holds a distance learning degree in astrophysics engineering from The Open University, UK, has offered custom AI upskilling programmes to companies, he prefers the open registration route where his courses are not tied to any particular firm.

We offered an internal upskilling course for using AI for digital marketing use cases at Netflix. But, most companies need a customized programme for a set number of employeeswe prefer to offer our own course, and there is a huge demand for them at our end," said Ramesh. We currently limit registrations at up to 200 candidates per cohort because that is our bandwidthall the training is provided by my cofounder and I."

Queries emailed by Mint to Netflix remained unanswered till press time.

Varun Mayya, 32, provides content and marketing courses through his agency Aeos Media. In the past year, the firm has offered AI video creation training and consultancy services to Godrej Properties, Amazon Prime Video and two major media conglomerates, among others, he said.

Godrej Properties and Amazon have yet to respond to Mint's emailed queries.

Our multi-week AI training programmes can extend up to 15 lakh for an internal corporate session, depending on the number of attendees and what is expected from us," Mayya said. We only stick to our area of expertise in AI trainingAI content generation and marketing."

Creators and consultants say the demand for AI upskilling is here to stay. Were only just discovering AI, and the field itself is actively evolving. Going forward, demand for education is certain to sustain for longand those making the early moves can either delve deeper to offer greater expertise and certification in the long run," said 100xEngineers Ramesh.

According to Kompella, CXOs are only beginning to realize that understanding AI is imperative, and it is better done sooner than later".

Also Read | The brain behind Generative AI has his sights set on India

Surface-level training

There is, however, some scepticism. Jibu Elias, India head for responsible computing at Mozilla, said the generative AI hype is driving corporate leaders to AI training and many courses largely skim the surface level usage of commercial tools".

Tech companies also have vested interests in getting future users familiarised with their ecosystems early onweve seen this playbook before," said Elias. But, what were likely to see going forward is a shift from basic tool-training toward deeper education in context-specific AI reasoning, ethical judgment, and system integration. The role of the AI trainer isnt disappearing, but it will need to evolve just as fast as the tools themselves."

Mehra of The Cutting Edge School, however, does not expect demand for corporate AI trainers to cool anytime soon.

In most of our training courses, we see that established corporate employees are still sketchy on the best ways to use AI," he said. As long as the field of AI keeps evolving, those on the cutting-edge of the technology will always find demand from larger corporations, seeking help with upskilling their workforce."
BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle maker, is planning to launch its first car assembled in Pakistan by August 2026.

The world's largest EV maker aims to capture growing demand for electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in Pakistan.

Also Read | China tightens oversight of assisted-driving tech after fatal Xiaomi crash

The automaker has been expanding rapidly outside its home market, where it is in a strong price war.

The Pakistan assembly plant addresses rising demand from emerging markets and allows the company to take advantage of incentives offered by the Pakistani government.

The plant has been under construction since April near Karachi in a partnership between BYD and Mega Motor Company, a subsidiary of Pakistani utility Hub Power, Danish Khaliq, vice president of sales and strategy at BYD Pakistan, told Reuters.

Initially, the facility would have the capacity to produce 25,000 units a year on a double shift. It will start by assembling imported parts, with some local production of non-electric components, said Khaliq.

He added it would initially produce vehicles for the domestic market, with potential to export to right-hand drive countries in the region depending on freight costs and business economics.

"We do not foresee excess capacity in our system as demand in Pakistan will catch up," he also said.

BYD is hoping that the market size of EVs and plug-in hybrid cars in Pakistan would grow three to four times in 2025 from around 1,000 total units in 2024.

The automaker is targeting a 30-35 per cent share of the segment.

The carmaker will launch its Shark 6 plug-in hybrid pickup truck in Pakistan on Friday.

China's MG already sells a PHEV SUV, while rival Haval is set to join the segment soon.

BYD to delay mass production at new Hungarian plant China's BYD will delay mass production at its new electric vehicle factory in Hungary until 2026 and will run the plant at below capacity for at least the first two years, Reuters reported, citing sources.

At the same time, China's No. 1 automaker will start making cars earlier than expected at a new plant in Turkey where labour costs are lower, and will vastly exceed its announced production plans, one of the sources said.
The company since introducing its bars last September has won a large following of customers, but at times has heard criticism from some critics of processed food.

It is now selling four pieces of wild-caught Pacific cod sourced from a sustainable fishing company at $55 online, where it also charges $39 for a box of 12 protein bars.

Its fish also recently became available at Happier Grocery in New York City. Billboards promoting the product say Boiled cod. Slightly more protein per calorie than our bars."

David co-founder and Chief Executive Peter Rahal, who previously co-founded RXBAR and sold it to Kellogg for $600 million, spoke to The Wall Street Journal about the marketing message behind its push. The interview has been edited and condensed.

WSJ: What led up to launching cod on your website?

Peter Rahal: Ultimately, people want an easy way to get protein, because it turns out its quite hard.

In our product, 75% of our calories are coming from protein. To contextualize that product performance against the broader food landscape, processed or unprocessed, we put a comparison table on our website. Our chief science officer was like, Well, what has a better protein-to-calorie ratio than our bar?" We started searching, and he found boiled cod. Obviously it had to be boiled. If you saute it in butter, it doesnt work.

So we placed it there. It was kind of an Easter egg.

Davids fish recently began being offered at New Yorks Happier Grocery.

WSJ: When did you decide to actually sell it?

Rahal: I felt we were getting stale a bit. I was like, Weve gotta do something bold that sparks the conversation. That was around April.

Then we mobilized. We needed to find the good, high-quality raw material. We needed to figure out the planning. We needed to figure out frozen logistics. We ended up putting them up for sale in mid-July. Its not a gimmickit is a gimmick, but were actually seriously selling cod. Time will tell if the market likes it or not.

WSJ: Youve weighed in online responding to critics who point at David being a processed food. How does the cod fit into that?

Rahal: Most of the conversations on nutrition are often really emotional, and we think its important to have an intellectual view. People use buzzwords and binary thinking: Processed is bad, natural is good," and that frame is just outdated or unhelpful. Nearly everything we eat is processed anyway, and you need it for food safety, so its just not helpful. What actually matters is whats in the food.

When we launched the protein bar, some of our critics were from the ancestral nutrition crowd. Selling cod allowed us to address and respond to the criticism in a clever way. Its our tongue-in-cheek innovation that reinforces the same three principles that really matter in protein barsconvenience, price and taste.

WSJ: I imagine shipping cod to consumers is not a simple feat.

Rahal: We worked with Fisherman Kyle and sourced high-quality wild-caught cod, and then we branded it too. Insulation is super important to keep temperature, and then you pack it with dry ice, and you do it overnight.

WSJ: How are you marketing this push?

Rahal: What I really love about the campaign is that its like a giant riddle. The big push was literally just making a product, and then the photo shoot. As a marketer, I think its important to not overdo it.

Internally, some ideas are like, Lets get some merch and" and its like, no, no, no, too much.

WSJ: What are you hoping people take away from this?

Rahal: If youre sitting at home all day and have all the time to prepare fresh foods, greatthat should be the way to eat. No ones arguing that. But it turns out its really hard to do that, and it turns out its really expensive, and its hard to get that amount of protein.

On a fundamental level, its ultimately a clever way to communicate to consumers the surplus that the brand creates. What would you actually pay in the market for 20 grams of protein?
Mumbai: Three of Tata Groups new unlisted businessesAir India, Tata Electronics Pvt. Ltd, and Tata Digital Pvt. Ltdbecame among the conglomerates highest revenue contributors in 2024-25. But that came at a cost.

The three companies contributed almost 1.8 trillion to the groups 15.3 trillion topline, but made a combined loss of 15,500 crore, as per the latest annual report of group holding company Tata Sons.

In terms of revenue contribution, these companies were among the highest within the diversified group, only behind the big 3Tata Motors Ltd, Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, and Tata Steel Ltd, each of which makes upwards of 2 trillion in annual revenues.

Other big earners within the Tata Group are Tata Power Co. Ltd and Titan Co. Ltd, which raked in over 60,000 crore each in revenue last fiscal year.

Air India was the largest lossmaker for the Tata Group in FY25, with 10,859 crore in the red, followed by Tata Digital, which made a loss of 4,610 crore. Tata Digital houses Tata Neu, the groups super app.

Tata Group made a net profit of 1.13 trillion in FY25.

In terms of revenue, Air India contributed 78,636 crore in FY25, while Tata Digital made 32,188 crore.

Tata Electronics was the bright spot among the conglomerates new unlisted businesses, with FY25 revenue of 66,601 crore and a relatively smaller loss of 70 crore, setting the stage for a quick turnaround and profit contributions to the group.

The electronics and semiconductors making unit of the Tata Group acquired Wistrons Karnataka-based iPhone assembly unit in FY24, and in FY25 commenced iPhone assembly at a second facility in Tamil Nadu.

Tata Group officially acquired Air India in January 2022, while Tata Digital was incorporated in 2019 and Tata Electronics the following year.

Richer dividends, higher paychecks Tata Sons chair N. Chandrasekaran said the group will focuson being fit and prioritize financial health over rapid expansion.

It is my deep conviction that we must be (financially) fit to perform. To do that, we must be honest that some decisions that might have appeared ideal when they were taken may have aged poorly with time and changing economic conditions, he wrote in his letter to shareholders.

As a result, our mantra in the last few years was fitness first, velocity next. I am proud to share that the Tata Group is fit and ready for the future, he said.

Between FY20 and FY25, Tata Groups aggregate revenue nearly doubled to 15.3 trillion, while net profit more than tripled to 1.1 trillion and leverage ratio halved to 0.7x. Return on equity improved to 17.5% from 8.7%.

The improved financial performance of the group also meant richer dividends for shareholders and higher paychecks for executives. Tata Sons board recommended a dividend of 2,623 crore in dividends to Tata Trusts and other shareholders in FY25, more than double that in the previous year.

Compensation of Chandrasekaran swelled to 156 crore, of which 141 crore is commission, which will be paid at the Tata Sons annual general meeting on 14 August.

This makes Chandrasekaran one of the highest-paid executives in India. Other highly paid Indian industry executives include Ravi Kumar S., Pawan Munjal, CEO of Hero MotoCorp Ltd ( 109 crore), and Rajeev Jain of Bajaj Finance Ltd ( 102 crore).

Tata Sons also reappointed Anita Marangoly George, a senior director of the World Bank Group's Energy and Extractive Industries Global Practice, as an independent director for three years from 12 July.

Tata Sons board is undergoing a reorganization with the upcoming retirements of Ralf Speth, the former chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover, and industrialist Ajay Piramal. They are likely to retire in the upcoming months as they reach the company's retirement age of 70.

Meanwhile, Leo Puri stepped down as an independent director in April this year at the end of his three-year term.
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Alphabet, SK Hynix, Infosys offer upbeat guidance

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Rosy forecasts come against backdrop of tariff uncertainty

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Governments scramble for tariff deals ahead of August 1 deadline

July 24 (Reuters) - Some of the world's top tech firms, including U.S. search giant Alphabet, South Korean chipmaker SK Hynix and Indian IT services provider Infosys, have provided upbeat guidance in their latest earnings reports, shrugging off an uncertain U.S. trade policy.

Corporate operations have been overshadowed by erratic U.S. trade action that has upended supply chains and left firms to navigate fluid tariffs on top of broader economic uncertainties such as regulatory change and currency fluctuation.

But tech titans Alphabet, SK Hynix and Infosys - which all reported earnings that beat market forecasts - predicted brighter days to come, with Alphabet and SK Hynix both flagging plans to boost spending.

Nvidia supplier SK Hynix booked record quarterly profit, boosted by strong demand for artificial intelligence chips and customers stockpiling ahead of potential U.S. tariffs.

Indian IT services provider Infosys raised the floor of its annual revenue forecast range to 1% to 3%, from flat to 3%, matching analyst expectations.

Among the major earnings on Thursday, Nestle, Reckitt, Roche and Wizz report before local markets open.

TURBULENCE

The upbeat guidance amounted to a bright spot in a turbulent second-quarter earnings season that has so far seen businesses as varied as chipmakers and steelmakers report downbeat results.

Companies have reported over July 16-22 a combined full-year loss of as much as $7.8 billion, with the automotive, aerospace and pharmaceutical sectors being hurt most by tariffs.

General Motors said tariffs knocked $1.1 billion from second-quarter earnings.

On Wednesday, Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk said U.S. government cuts in support for electric vehicle makers could lead to a "few rough quarters", as his firm reported its worst quarterly sales decline in over a decade.

TRADE DEALS

News that the U.S. had struck a deal with Japan to lower new tariffs on auto imports and spare it punishing levies on other goods lifted Asian and European stock markets on Wednesday. It stirred hope for a similar deal with the European Union ahead of August 1, when the U.S. said new tariffs will go into effect.

The European Union is moving toward a trade deal that could include a 15% U.S. baseline tariff on EU goods and possible exemptions, two European diplomats said.

One surprise on Thursday was South Korea's finance ministry saying tariff negotiations had been postponed due to a scheduling conflict for U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The announcement cast fresh doubt about whether South Korea would be able to avert U.S. import duties that could hit some of its major exporting industries.

All eyes are on Washington as governments scramble to close trade deals ahead of next week's deadline that the White House has already pushed back under pressure from markets and intense lobbying by industry.

While the Japan deal has eased investor worry, the threat of higher tariffs on other large economies remains, including the European Union, Canada and Brazil.
South Korean chip giant SK hynix reported record quarterly profits Thursday thanks to soaring demand for artificial intelligence.

The world's second-largest memory chip maker dominates the market for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) semiconductors and is a key supplier for US titan Nvidia.

The firm said operating profit climbed almost 70 percent to 9.21 trillion won ($6.72 billion) in the second quarter, with revenues coming in at 22.23 trillion won -- both all-time peaks.

The news comes after Taiwan chip giant TSMC last week announced a surge in net profit for the second quarter, topping forecasts, thanks to robust demand for AI technology, despite the threat of US tariffs on the critical sector.

HK hynix also said net profit was up close to 70 percent on-year, at 6.99 trillion won.

"An aggressive investment by global big tech companies into AI led to a steady increase in demand for AI memory," it said in a statement.

Shipments of DRAM and NAND flash topped forecasts, boosting the bottom line.

"SK hynix foresees that increasing competition among big tech companies to enhance inference of AI models would lead to higher demand for high-performance and high-capacity memory products," the company added.

Shares in the firm rose more than three percent in Seoul.

South Korea is a major exporter to the United States and its powerhouse semiconductor and auto industries would suffer greatly under President Donald Trump's threatened 25 percent tariffs.

Experts attribute SK hynix's resilience to its growth in the DRAM market.

The firm took the lead in DRAM revenues in April, with a 36 percent market share, according to specialist research firm Counterpoint. That surpassed South Korean rival Samsung for the first time and marked the first change in the top spot in more than four decades.

The company also recorded a combined $15.5 billion in sales of DRAM and NAND in the second quarter, matching Samsung to jointly lead the global memory market, according to a Counterpoint report.

SK hynix said in a conference call that "the previous quarter began amid concerns over slowing demand due to trade tensions and broader economic uncertainty".

But "strong AI-related investment by major tech firms continued to drive growth in demand for AI-oriented memory products".

As the United States has been threatening certain restrictions on semiconductor sales to China, customers' preemptive purchases "to hedge against external risks", actually created a "more favourable environment than initially expected", an SK hynix official said.

The company added that despite the geopolitical situations, its production situation saw "no change".
In a crucial ruling with broad implications on how multinational companies are taxed in India, the Supreme Court on Thursday held that UAE-based Hyatt International Southwest Asia, which provides hotel advisory services in India, has a taxable Permanent Establishment (PE) in the country.

A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan upheld Delhi High Courts earlier decision, which had ruled that Hyatts Indian PE must be treated as a distinct taxable entity.

The judgment is significant as it clarifies that multinational companies can be taxed in India if they exercise substantial operational control here, even without long-term employee presence. The court held that a PE should be treated as a separate taxable entity, meaning India can tax profits attributable to the PE even if the foreign parent company incurs overall global losses.

The apex court noted that Hyatts executives and employees made frequent and regular visits to India to supervise operations and implement business decisions.

While no single employee stayed beyond the nine-month threshold under Article 5(2)(i) of the India-UAE Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA), the assessing officers findings proved a continuous and coordinated business presence.

Also read: Hyatt eyes emerging cities for its next 50 hotels in India

Hyatt had approached the Supreme Court challenging the September 2024 Delhi High Court Full Bench judgment, which had held that Hyatts Indian PE was taxable regardless of the companys global profitability.

The top court agreed with the High Courts conclusion that Hyatts role extended beyond high-level decision-making to substantial operational control and implementation in India. Its ability to enforce compliance, oversee hotel operations, and earn profits linked to hotel revenues established a clear and continuous commercial nexus with its Indian operations, satisfying the fixed place PE conditions under the DTAA.

Hyatt had argued that under Article 7 of the India-UAE DTAA, India could tax the PEs profits only if the foreign enterprise as a whole was profitable.

However, tax authorities maintained that the PE should be assessed as a separate and independent entity, regardless of the parent companys global financial performance.

The judgment provides a clear conceptual framework for determining PE thresholdsfrequent, regular visits by employees, rather than the duration of individual stays, are the key factor. Once continuity of business presence is established, the return or rotation of individuals becomes irrelevant. Operational control, oversight, and income linked to core functions establish the commercial nexus necessary for a PE. This ruling could set a precedent for PE determinations in cases involving frequent employee travel to India, said Amit Baid, head of tax at BTG Advaya, a disputes and transactional law firm.

What is a Permanent Establishment (PE) under DTAA? Under Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs), a Permanent Establishment (PE) is a fixed place of business, such as a branch, office, factory, or dependent agent, through which a foreign company operates in another country.

Article 5 of the India-UAE DTAA defines what constitutes a PE, including fixed place PE, agency PE, and service PE.

Having a PE in India gives Indian tax authorities the right to tax profits attributable to that PE, treating it like a local entity, irrespective of the parent companys global results. Article 7 allows India to tax only the profits linked to the PEs activities, calculated as if it were an independent enterprise. Foreign enterprises without a PE in India are not taxed here on business profits.

How did this case reach the Supreme Court? The Hyatt PE taxation case originated when Indian tax authorities assessed that Hyatt had enough presence in India to be taxed, as its executives frequently visited and controlled hotel operations, despite no single employee staying long-term. These assessments dated back to 2011 onwards.

Hyatt challenged the findings in the Delhi High Court in 2020, arguing that under the tax treaty, India could tax the PE only if the global enterprise was profitable.

In January 2023, a Division Bench of the High Court referred the matter to a Full Bench for deeper examination.
Private equity firm L Catterton has appointed Vikram Kumaraswamya seasoned Unilever executiveas partner and co-head of its India business. He will lead alongside Anjana Sasidharan and India executive chairman Sanjiv Mehta as the firm doubles down on one of Asias fastest-growing consumer markets, according to a press release by the company.

The firm is backed by LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton, the worlds largest luxury group and home to brands like Louis Vuitton, Sephora, and Dom Perignon.

L Catterton recently launched a fund exclusively for India, targeting to raise up to $600 million. The fund has the backing of investors such as International Finance Corporation, which disclosed in May that it is committing $30 million and may co-invest an additional $30 million.

This fund follows the formation of a joint venture in March 2024 between L Catterton and Sanjiv Mehta, former CEO of Hindustan Unilever (HUL). Together, the joint venture will contribute 5% of the total fund size, with the investment split between Mehta and the firm.

The fund will target 79 mid-market deals across consumer categories such as food and beverage, healthcare-led services, restaurants, and branded retail. Deal sizes will range between $25 million and $150 million.

Kumaraswamy brings nearly three decades of global experience at Unilever, including as global head of corporate development and treasury. He led $15 billion in investments, M&A, and divestitures across regions. His move signals a pivot from corporate strategy to private equity as he returns to India after global stints in London, Singapore, and Indonesia.

With Mehta and Sasidharan, hes expected to help L Catterton deepen its foothold in a market where the next generation of consumer giants is still being built.

Indias consumption story Indias private consumption has nearly doubled over the last decadefrom $1 trillion in 2013 to $2.1 trillion in 2024, according to Deloitte India and the Retailers Association of India.

With a 7.2% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), the country is projected to become the worlds third-largest consumer market by 2026, buoyed by rising incomes and urban demand.
Anil Ambani's Reliance Group on Thursday, 24 July, issued an official clarification regarding the allegations in recent media reports and the actions initiated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Reliance Group wishes to clarify certain recent media reports concerning the actions initiated by an enforcement agency. These reports appear to pertain to allegations in relation to transactions involving Yes Bank and Reliance Home Finance, which are more than 8 years old, said the company in a white paper release.

Also Read | Reliance Power, Reliance Infra deny financial impact of ED action

ED raid The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday conducted simultaneous searches at more than 35 premises across Mumbai and Delhi, as part of a money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

According to media reports, the ED conducted the raids on Thursday in connection with an alleged 3,000-crore bank loan fraud involving Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group companies and Yes Bank. The reports also mentioned that the investigation on Thursday was conducted across 50 companies and 25 people.

Anil Ambani is the former managing director and chairman of the Reliance Group of Companies, as of 24 July.

Also Read | Anil Ambani group stocks hit 5% lower circuit after ED raids at his properties

Here's what Reliance Group says 1. Loan Allegations: The ED reportedly found out that just before the 3,000 crore loan was granted, Yes Bank promoters received money in their concerns. The company now claims that the loans sanctioned to certain private companies of the Yes Bank promoter were sanctioned on merit.

It also said that the loans were fully secured and have been fully repaid, including the interest, making the outstanding amount nil.

Loans extended by Reliance Home Finance Limited (RHFL) to certain private companies of the promoter of Yes Bank were sanctioned on merit, after following the due process, and were duly approved by a credit committee comprising more than 30 individuals. These loans were fully secured and have been fully repaid, including interest, and the outstanding is zero, said the company.

2. Loan Approval Violations: The ED alleged that it found gross violations in Yes Bank loan approvals to Reliance Group firms. They reportedly found that there were backdated Credit Approval Memorandums (CAMs) and proposed investments without due diligence in violation of the bank's credit policies.

The company refuted the claims and said that the loans were granted after due process and the entire Reliance Group companies' exposure was fully secured.

Yes Bank had granted loans to Reliance entities after following the due process. The entire exposure of Reliance Group companies is fully secured and was undertaken strictly in the ordinary course of business. All transactions between Reliance Group companies and Yes Bank have been carried out in complete compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and financial norms, said Reliance Group.

Also Read | ED raids Mumbai properties linked to Anil Ambani | Full details here

3. SEBI Findings: Reports also emerged on the capital markets regulator (SEBI) finding a dramatic increase in corporate loans by Reliance Home Finance Limited (RHFL). According to the allegations, the loans rose from 3,742.60 crore in FY2017-18 to 8,670.80 crore in FY2018-19.

Anil Ambani's Reliance Group said that the allegations were addressed in a SEBI order passed in August 2024. The order was later challenged in the Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) and remains under judicial consideration.

Allegations similar to those referred to in the media reports were addressed in an order passed by SEBI in August 2024. This order has been challenged and is currently pending adjudication before the Honble Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT). The matter is thus sub judice, said the company.

The debt resolution process of Reliance Home Finance led by Bank of Baroda stands resolved pursuant to the judgment of the Honble Supreme Court of India dated March 2023, said Anil Ambani's Reliance Group.

The company also said that Reliance Communications and Reliance Home Finance are not part of the Reliance Group. RCOM and RHFL are not part of the Reliance Group, it said in the white paper.
(Bloomberg) -- A group of Australian women won the right to sue Qatar Airways Group QCSC after being subjected to invasive bodily examinations without consent at Doha airport in 2020.

The events of Oct. 2, 2020, followed the discovery of a newborn baby in a bathroom in the airport terminal, and female passengers on a Qatar Airways flight preparing to leave for Sydney were ordered off the plane. The examinations of the women took place as authorities tried to identify the mother of the abandoned infant.

In a ruling published Thursday, the Federal Court of Australia found the womens claims against the airline strong enough to proceed to trial, overriding an earlier judgment that sided with Qatar Airways.

The finding is a setback for Qatar Airways in Australia, where the company owns 25% of local airline Virgin Australia Holdings Ltd. and is seeking more long-haul traffic to the Middle East. At one stage, the incident was cited by Australias government as one of the factors in blocking a request by Qatar Airways for more flights to Australia.

While the next legal steps are unclear, future proceedings could also test to what degree international aviation law holds airlines responsible for the way passengers are treated.

According to Thursdays ruling, the five women taking legal action were directed to an ambulance on the tarmac at Doha. Four of them were examined without permission, and three of the women were searched invasively. They then returned to the aircraft, which departed for Sydney.

Qatar Airways didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

--With assistance from Danny Lee.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg) -- Swiss derivatives firm Leonteq AG said it would seek to return excess capital to shareholders by 2027 as part of a strategic revamp, after it posted first-half profit that missed estimates.

Leonteq targets a payout ratio of about 30% beyond a capital ratio of 15% from the first half of 2027, it said in an earnings release on Thursday. The current CET1 capital ratio stands at 14.4%.

Chief Executive Officer Christian Spieler also announced the sale of the firms Japanese business and an exit from the Bench Savings Initiative, a pension solution it offered together with Glarner Kantonalbank, saying he saw areas that required change when he started at Leonteq earlier this year.

Leonteq is known for developing a low-cost derivative platform used by banks and insurance companies, though has seen its business model upended by tighter regulation after allegations that it has aided tax evasion and money laundering. The firms shares have lost 70% over the past three years, leaving its valuation at under 500 million Swiss francs.

Uncertainty around legacy compliance matters also weighed on client activity, according to the statement, adding that Leonteq now expects the issues to be resolved by end of the year.

For Leonteq, a sale of some of its businesses may enable the firms core business to move beyond the sanctions issued last year by Swiss regulator Finma, in which it was forced to hand over about $9 million in illegally obtained profits. In addition, the firm has been forced to scale back previously-lucrative business, steps that led to it issuing a profit warning in December.

The firm is reporting a capital number for the first time since it was ordered to follow a new regulatory regime requiring it to back risk-weighed assets with capital.

Regulators last year said the firm had been doing business with dubious, unregulated distributors of its products. Finma ordered the firm to take a raft of corrective measures including cutting off business relationships with those distributors, and said it would appoint an auditor to monitor compliance.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
(Bloomberg) -- The number of companies and organizations compromised by a security vulnerability in Microsoft Corp.s SharePoint servers is increasing rapidly, with the tally of victims soaring more than six-fold in a few days, according to one research firm.

Hackers have breached about 400 government agencies, corporations and other groups, according to estimates from Eye Security, the Dutch cybersecurity company that identified an early wave of the attacks last week. Thats up from roughly 60 based on its previous estimate provided to Bloomberg News on Tuesday.

The security firm said that most of the victims are in the US, followed by Mauritius, Jordan, South Africa and the Netherlands. The National Nuclear Security Administration, the US agency responsible for maintaining and designing the nations cache of nuclear weapons, was among those breached, Bloomberg reported earlier.

The National Institutes of Health was also impacted through the SharePoint flaws, according to a person familiar with the matter. Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, said, The Department and its security teams are actively engaged in monitoring, identifying, and mitigating all risks to our IT systems posed by the Microsoft SharePoint vulnerability.

At present, we have no indication that any information was breached as a result of this vulnerability, he said, adding that the department is collaborating with Microsoft and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The Washington Post previously reported that NIH was breached.

And South Africas National Treasury said it was seeking help from Microsoft after discovering malware on its network, but added that its systems and websites were operating normally.

The hacks are among the latest major breaches that Microsoft has blamed, at least in part, on China and come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Beijing over global security and trade. The US has repeatedly criticized China for campaigns that have allegedly stolen government and corporate secrets over a period spanning decades.

The real number of victims from the SharePoint exploits might be much higher as there can be many more hidden ways to compromise servers that do not leave traces, Eye Securitys co-owner Vaisha Bernard said in an email to Bloomberg News. This is still developing, and other opportunistic adversaries continue to exploit vulnerable servers.

The organizations compromised in the SharePoint breaches include many working in government, education and technology services, Bernard said. There were smaller numbers of victims in countries across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and South America.

State-backed hackers tend to exploit major cybersecurity weaknesses, like the SharePoint vulnerability, in waves, according to Sveva Scenarelli, a threat analyst with Recorded Future Inc. They start with secretive, targeted hacks and then, once the vulnerability is discovered, will begin using it more indiscriminately, she said.

Once access has been acquired, individual threat groups can then triage compromised organizations, and prioritize those of particular interest for follow-on activity, said Scenarelli, of the cyber intelligence firms Insikt Group. She said this can include finding ways to maintain access to a compromised network, burrowing deeper and setting up paths to steal sensitive information.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is set to meet his Chinese counterparts in Stockholm next week for a third round of trade talks, suggested in a Bloomberg Television interview Wednesday that the SharePoint hacks will be discussed. Obviously things like that will be on the agenda with my Chinese counterparts, he said.

The security flaws allow hackers to access SharePoint servers and steal keys that can let them impersonate users or services, potentially enabling deep access into compromised networks to steal confidential data. Microsoft has issued patches to fix the vulnerabilities, but researchers cautioned that hackers may have already got a foothold into many servers.

Microsoft on Tuesday accused Chinese state-sponsored hackers known as Linen Typhoon and Violet Typhoon of being behind the attacks. Another hacking group based in China, which Microsoft calls Storm-2603, also exploited them, according to the company.

The Redmond, Washington company has repeatedly blamed China for major cyberattacks. In 2021, an alleged Chinese operation compromised tens of thousands of Microsoft Exchange servers. In 2023, another alleged Chinese attack on Microsoft Exchange compromised senior US officials email accounts. A US government review later accused Microsoft of a cascade of security failures over the 2023 incident.

Eugenio Benincasa, a researcher at ETH Zurichs Center for Security Studies who specializes in analyzing Chinese cyberattacks, said members of the groups identified by Microsoft had previously been indicted in the US for their alleged involvement in hacking campaigns targeting US organizations. They are well known for their extensive espionage, he said.

Its likely that the SharePoint breaches are being carried out by proxy groups that work with the government rather than Chinese government agencies directly carrying out the hacking, according to Benincasa. Private hacking companies in the country sometimes participate in hacker for hire operations, he added.

Now that at least three groups have reportedly exploited the same vulnerability, its plausible more could follow, he said.

Cybersecurity is a common challenge faced by all countries and should be addressed jointly through dialogue and cooperation, said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun. China opposes and fights hacking activities in accordance with the law. At the same time, we oppose smears and attacks against China under the excuse of cybersecurity issues.

According to Microsoft, the hacking group Linen Typhoon was first identified in 2012, and is focused on stealing intellectual property, primarily targeting organizations related to government, defense, strategic planning, and human rights. Violet Typhoon, first observed in 2015, was dedicated to espionage and primarily targeted former government and military personnel, non-governmental organizations, as well as media and education sectors in the US, Europe, and East Asia.

The hackers have also used the SharePoint flaws to break into systems belonging to the US Education Department, Floridas Department of Revenue and the Rhode Island General Assembly, Bloomberg previously reported.

Edwin Lyman, director of nuclear power safety for the Union of Concerned Scientists, said that while the National Nuclear Security Administration possesses some of the most restricted and dangerous information in the world, the networks where classified information are stored are isolated from the internet.

So even if those networks were compromised, Im not sure how such information could have been transmitted to the adversaries, Lyman said in an email. But there are other categories of information that are sensitive but unclassified, that may be treated with less care and might have been exposed. This includes some information related to nuclear materials and even nuclear weapons.

--With assistance from Lucille Liu, Ari Natter and Jessica Nix.

(Updates with South African hack in the sixth paragraph. A previous version corrected the spelling of Rhode Island.)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
Microsoft is spending billions to buy 4.9 million metric tonnes of organic waste, including human waste, to support its green goals.

According to a report by Inc, in efforts to double down on its carbon removal goal, Microsoft signed a deal with Houston-based startup Vaulted Deep. The deal is aimed at helping the tech giant reduce its carbon footprint over 12 years.

As part of the deal, Microsoft will not just buy human waste. It will also purchase manure, treated sewage, and agricultural byproducts as part of the deal, for Vaulted Deep to use them to reduce carbon footprint.

Why is Microsoft buying human waste? To put Microsoft's deal with Vaulted Deep into context, it's necessary to understand the motive behind the tech giant's move.

Artificial intelligence models, such as ChatGPT, Perplexity and Microsoft's own CoPilot, as well as most tech-related endeavours require huge amounts of energy and water to function. This raises carbon footprints significantly.

In order to address this issue, Microsoft is planning to buy organic waste and bury it underground to ensure it does not release greenhouse gases, effectively reducing its carbon footprint.

Also Read | Climate Change and AI's rising carbon footprint

Also Read | Netflix wants to shrink your favorite shows carbon footprint

Global warming, on the other hand, is caused mostly by carbon dioxide and methane. That is why burying organic waste deep underground has long acted as a cost-effective solution, being passed around over the years.

How much is Microsoft paying to buy your poop? According to the Inc report, Vaulted Deep has not disclosed the financial terms of the deal.

The report also specified that the startup charges $350 for a tonne of carbon dioxide removal.

However, its CEO and co-founder Julia Reichelstein said that this price is expected to decline over time and does not reflect the figure paid by Microsoft.

Also Read | US climate withdrawal spurs Indian rethink on green funding

Its absolutely incredible for Vaulted, she said about the deal.

Thats really a license to operate and say, Yes, green light. We can build new sites, we can invest in them, because if we can put it in the ground well have a buyer for it.
Some senior officials in Canada say its time to repair trade relations with China, arguing US tariff policy is pushing them to deal with Asias largest economy.

Last year, the Canadian government put tariffs of 100% on Chinese-made electric vehicles and 25% on steel and aluminum products, aligning with what the Biden administration had done. The move also protected Canadas auto industry.

China struck back with retaliatory 100% tariffs on Canadian canola oil and pea products, and a 25% levy on pork and seafood  a move that underscored the sharp deterioration in ties between Beijing and Ottawa in recent years.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, whose province is Canadas top canola producer, said the country must reset our relationship with China if we are going to have any hope of diversifying.

The US bought about three-quarters of Canadas goods exports last year.

China is one of the largest markets in the world. Its our second-largest trading partner as the province of Saskatchewan, Moe said during an interview in Huntsville, Ontario, where he attended meetings with other provincial leaders and Prime Minister Mark Carney. Theyll need to be a part of that process.

In a joint statement Tuesday, Canadas premiers urged Carney to improve the overall trade relationship with Beijing and remove the tariffs.

Tensions have been building for years. In 2018, Canadian police arrested Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer and daughter of the founder of Huawei Technologies Co. That same month, China arrested two Canadians, detaining them for almost three years.

During his leadership campaign, Carney called China the biggest threat to his country. However, last month he spoke with Premier Li Qiang about the trade disputes and told reporters its important that Canada re-open dialogue with Beijing.

Some Canadians say Washington has given them no credit for aligning with US policy on China  leaving Ottawa squeezed between its two largest trading partners.

British Columbia Premier David Eby said in March: The initial tariffs that were put on by Canada as an attempt to curry favor with the president, in my opinion, have not had the intended effect. The presidents been completely indifferent to our policy towards China, and in fact he doesnt seem to have any designs on treating Canada better than China.

Eby added: Itll be necessary for the federal government to have a look at tariff policy with respect to trading partners around the world, understanding that we dont want to get crushed between the two biggest economies in the world.

He said hed support diversifying away from both the US and China and toward other markets. Last month, he visited Asian countries, but not China, on a trade mission.

Wab Kinew, the leader of another major agricultural exporter province, Manitoba, said he told Carney that Canada must plot a path with room to maneuver amid the tariffs from the US and China.

US Dispute

US President Donald Trump has sidestepped the trade agreement he signed with Canada and Mexico during his first term to impose levies on steel, aluminum and automobiles. He has also put 25% tariffs on many other Canadian products if they arent shipped under the deals rules, and threatened to raise that to 35%.

His actions have led to layoffs and business losses in the steel and auto industries, sparking outrage among Canadians  many of whom have responded by avoiding travel to the US.

Doug Ford, premier of Ontario, Canadas auto heartland, said hes against removing tariffs against Chinese electric vehicles, but he would have no problem doing more business with China as long as China plays fair and doesnt undercut our markets.

I dont consider Americans the enemy, but right now President Trump himself is acting like the enemy, Ford said.

Moe said expanding trade ties with other nations is about shielding Canadas economy over the long run from protectionism.

In order for us to have a serious amount of leverage in that conversation, you need to be able to access all markets, he said.

With assistance from Derek Decloet.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
Wipro Chairman Rishad Premji extends wishes to his father, Azim Premji, the veteran businessman and former chairman of the tech giant, on his 80th birthday.

Sharing a few pictures on the social media platform X, Rishad Premji wrote,"Happy 80th birthday to this guy."

About Azim Premji Born on July 24, 1945, Azim Premji has played a vital role in leading Wipro for nearly forty years, transforming the $2 million hydrogenated cooking oil company into a global IT, BPO, and R&D services organisation.

In 2001, he founded the Azim Premji Foundation, a non-profit organisation aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of Indias public school system.

The Foundation collaborates with over 350,000 schools across seven Indian states. It also operates Azim Premji University, which emphasises teaching and research programmes in education and other areas of human development.

As of December 2024, Premji's net worth is estimated at $35.9 billion, according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Azim Premji has earned several accolades over the years. BusinessWeek listed him among the top 30 entrepreneurs in world history. Additionally, Financial Times, Time, Fortune, and Forbes have all recognised him as one of the most influential people globally. He was recognised by the Journal of Foreign Policy as one of the leading global thinkers.

Azim is the first Indian to receive the Faraday Medal. He was honoured with honorary doctorates from Michigan State University, Wesleyan University, and the Indian Institutes of Technology at Bombay, Roorkee, and Kharagpur. The Republic of France honoured him with their highest civilian award, the Knight of the Legion of Honor. In January 2011, he received Indias second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan. Additionally, he was awarded the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy in 2017.
Amazon co-founder Jeff Bezos is reportedly mulling on a possible acquisition of media outlet CNBC.

According to an exclusive report by The New York Post quoting a person familiar with the developments, the billionaire has been showing interest in buying the media network, and has been signalling the same to his business associates.

The fourth richest person in the world is mulling to acquire CNBC after it is spin off by NBCUniversal parent Comcast later this year, The Post reported.

Livemint could not independently verify the details of the report. This article will be updated if there is an official confirmation on the same.

A second source close to Bezos told the newspaper that CNBC would align well with his interests, adding that the cable network could act as a a credible neutral voice in his media portfolio. This could come as a significant relief to the former Amazon boss who has faced scrutiny after acquiring left-leaning Washington Post.

How much will Jeff Bezos pay for CNBC? It was unclear to The Post on how much money Jeff Bezos, the fourth richest person in the world with a $241 billion net worth, would pay to possibly acquire CNBC.

Comcast, the parent entity of CNBC, does not reveal financials for its cable assets. However, in a recent statement it said that the soon-to-be spun-off Versant gave out around $7 billion in revenue last year.

As part of the spin-off, CNBC will integrate into Versant, a publicly traded company, which will later be run by a few NBCUniversal executives, led by CEO Mark Lazarus.

Bezos' CNBC dreams tricky The New York Post further reported that buying CNBC will be tricky for Jeff Bezos.

Following the spin-off of Versant, CNBC and others, the publicly traded company will not be able to sell major assets like the media company for two years without having to face major tax implications, according to the report.

A source quoted by the newspaper also said that Bezos has not approached the cable giant headed by CEO Brian Roberts.

Also Read | Here is how Lauren Sanchezs kids played important role in her, Jeff Bezos wedding
For Tata Group chairperson N. Chandrasekaran, Tata Motors Ltd has been one of the conglomerate's standout performers in recent yearsrising to third spot in a market dominated by Maruti Suzuki India Ltd and Hyundai Motor India Ltd.

In Chandrasekaran's letter to shareholders as part of Tata Groups holding company Tata Sons latest annual report, the auto business found a special mention.

Let me pause and mention one example that exemplifies the best of what we can do: Tata Motors, Chandrasekaran said in his letter.

With barely 5% share in passenger vehicles in 2017, it seemed an implausible idea that Tata Motors could launch Indias first electric vehicle in under one year from design to production, that its market position could rise from 6th to top-3 in the Indian market, that it could transform from a debt of INR 62,000 Cr to net cash positive status, he wrote.

However, some wrinkles are appearing in the Tata Group's auto business, which may worry Chandrasekaran, who heads the board of the Mumbai-based Tata Motors.

After nearly four years of rapid growth post the covid-19 pandemic, growth momentum for Tata Groups two flagship auto businessesthe publicly listed Tata Motors and the privately held Tata AutoComp Systems Ltdis faltering.

Tata Motors is in the business of making and selling automobiles in the domestic and international markets, while Tata AutoComp manufactures auto components.

The two businesses saw their profit drop in financial year 2025 amid rising competition and declining growth in both domestic and international auto markets.

While Tata Motors saw its consolidated FY25 net profit fall by 12% to 28,149 crore for the first time in four years, Tata AutoComp's net profit nearly halved to 735 crore, Tata Sons latest annual report revealed.

Tata Motors consolidated revenue rose marginally year-on-year in FY25 to 4.39 trillion. However, for the first time since the financial year 2020, Tata AutoComps revenue declined to 13,095 crore in FY25 from 13,722 crore in the year before.

Also Read | Tata Motors plans a premium push as competition intensifies in EV space

With both automobile and auto parts businesses facing headwinds owing to US tariff threats and slowing growth, analyst projections for this year are not rosy for the conglomerate's auto business.

Analysts highlighted the slowdown in the performance of Jaguar Land Rover which will impact Tata Motors as nearly three-fourth of its consolidated revenue and profit come from the UK-based company.

We are building in a subdued 3% revenue CAGR over FY2527E owing to volume decrease at JLR (3% CAGR) and muted growth in the India CV (2% CAGR) division, analysts at Nuvama Institutional Equities wrote in a 16 June Note on the performance of Tata Motors.

In JLR, discontinuance of Jaguar ICE models, loss of market share in the China region and imposition of tariffs in the US shall lead to volume contraction ahead. Furthermore, we reckon a muted performance in the India CV division owing to reasonable utilisation levels at transporters, increasing competition from Railways and a high base.

In the financial year 2025, Tata Motors saw total passenger and commercial vehicle sales fall by 4% to 912,155 units. JLR is facing a tough operational environment as the company has to pay higher tariffs in its biggest market, North America, while its third biggest market, China, has increased the net of luxury tax on cars.

During April-June, the first quarter of this FY, the maker of Range Rover SUVs sold 87,286 units, 11% fewer than a year ago, due to a pause in shipments to the US in April to assess the tariff impact.

With Tata Motors overall financials dependent on the performance of the UK-based company, the going may get tougher.

Muted performance of the automobile business could weigh on Tata AutoComp which gets nearly one third of its revenue from Tata Group entities. The manufacturer of auto components, which was founded in 1995, has nearly 61 plants across India, North America, Latin America, Europe and China.

The company is currently headed by Manoj Kolhatkar, who joined in December after a 13-year stint at Gabriel India.

Components players are already facing several headwinds during the current financial year. Analysts note that the growth environment for the country's auto component players is becoming increasingly challenging.

We identify three key risks for Ancs- USMCA/tariffs (ancillaries - US Mexico Canada Agreememt), EU weakness and Chinese competition, and EVs  given the industrys export reliance on US/EU and good salience of engine components, analysts at Ambit Institutional Equities wrote in a 25 April note.

Being privately held, the component business is spared the scrutiny of public investors. However, shares of Tata Motors have lagged the overall market so far in 2025. The share price of Tata Motors has declined by 6%, while Nifty Auto has risen by 4% so far this calendar year.

However, for Chandrasekaran, the story of turnaround in the automobile business, which led to the strong growth, is still notable. During the companys annual general meeting held in June, the chairperson had a message for the shareholders of its flagship auto business.
New Delhi: Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is staring at a fresh wave of geopolitical and policy-driven turbulence, with China slapping a 10% tax on most luxury cars and the European Union (EU) proposing tariff relief only for automakers that manufacture in the US. For the Tata Motors-owned brand, which does not have a manufacturing base in the US, these twin developments could complicate recovery efforts and further squeeze profit margins.

Starting July 20, China imposed 10% luxury consumption tax on cars priced over 900,000 renminbi. This covers most of the models sold in the Chinese luxury car market. Earlier, only cars priced above 1.3 million renminbi attracted the levy from the Chinese government.

The timing of the twin hits could hardly be worse. Just a month ago, Jaguar Land Rover trimmed its growth forecast for the current fiscal year. Now, analysts are warning that these latest trade and policy shifts risk derailing the companys already modest FY26 guidance of 5-7% earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) margin. JLR had banked on reduced tariffs on exports from its Slovakia plant to the US, but that scenario may now be overtaken by events.

Also Read | Why JLR sales slowdown could hit Tata Technologies, Tata Elxsi

The EU, which is finalizing a trade deal with the US for lower tariffs, has proposed that auto firms that have manufacturing in that country and export from there should be given some relaxation from 25% tariffs on imports.

The two combined geopolitical headwinds pose a downward risk to the companys FY2026 guidance of 5-7% EBIT margin, which had only factored in lower tariffs on its exports from Slovakia to the US after the EU-US trade deal," analysts at Kotak Institutional Equities wrote in a 21 July note.

Agreeing with a possible near-term pressure on JLR, analysts at Ashika Institutional Equities said in a note on 23 July that the UK-headquartered firm could face challenges on the two fronts, given the latest developments.

Both developments present strategic challenges for JLR. In China, pricing pressure from new taxes could impact high-end model sales, while in the West, the absence of US manufacturing limits JLRs ability to benefit from policy support, thereby increasing its relative vulnerability in key export markets," the Kotak note said.

JLR rivals' BMW and Mercedes stand to benefit the most if EU's proposal is accepted by US as they have plants in the country, from where they export elsewhere.

Also Read | JLR to begin production of cars at TaMo's new plant in Tamil Nadu by early 2026

JLR has manufacturing plants in the UK and Slovakia in Europe. In India, it has an assembly plant in Pune, where it assembles several models like Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Velar, Discovery and Evoque.

In FY25, JLR sold 10% fewer vehicles than the previous year in China at 47,200, while Europe saw an 11% decline at 71,700 units. Its biggest market, North America, recorded a 22% jump in sales to 129,000 cars during the year.

However, JLR has faced headwinds in the international market since March, when US President Donald Trump announced a blanket 25% tariff on all automobile imports. During April-June, the first quarter of this FY, the maker of Range Rover SUVs sold 87,286 units, 11% fewer than a year ago due to a pause in shipments to the US in April to assess the tariff impact.

JLR, which was acquired by Tata Motors in 2008 for $2.3 billion, contributed about 71% to Tata Motors overall revenue in the last fiscal. Analysts have earlier expressed concern that the near-term outlook for the company is weak.

In JLR, discontinuance of Jaguar ICE models, loss of market share in the China region and imposition of tariffs in the US shall lead to volume contraction ahead," Nuvama Institutional Equities had said in a note on 16 June.

The company has acknowledged that its free cash flow will reduce to nearly nil in the current financial year. With the company looking to tackle the negative effects of various headwinds world over, it expects to end the current fiscal year with nil free cash flows.

However, the management had earlier said the impact could have been even worse and the measures being implemented to offset the hit are leading to savings.

Also Read | Tata Motors JLR navigates a tougher road in FY26

The tariff impact will be primarily on Jaguar Land Rover. Tariff has gone up from 2.5% to 27.5%, and under the UK-US FTA, the tariff is 10%. The overall impact would have been 1.6 billion pounds," Tata Group Chairperson N. Chandrasekaran told shareholders at Tata Motors annual general meeting on 20 June. But due to the steps taken by JLR, the impact has gone down to 600 million pounds, which is visible in the margin guidance," he added.

At Tata Motors' annual investor day event also in June, the company said JLR will undertake several measures to drive savings, including manufacturing cost reduction, lowering vehicle warranty costs, and improving cost efficiencies in the overall value chain. The measures will collectively lead to savings worth 1.4 billion pounds per annum till financial year 2028, the company said.

Jaguar Land Rover declined to comment when asked about the likely impact of the proposed EU-US trade deal and the Chinese luxury tax.

The impact of the headwinds reflects in the company's share price. In 2025, Tata Motors' share price is down 8%, even as Nifty Auto has risen by 4%.
New Delhi: Canada has stepped up scrutiny of Indian subsidies for electronics and semiconductor production, submitting a fresh set of questions at the World Trade Organization (WTO) this month.

The latest round of queries focuses not only on central government schemes such as Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS) and the expired North East Industrial Development Scheme, but also scrutinises state-level programmes such as Karnatakas New Industrial Policy (2020-25) and State Incentive Subsidy programmes, as per a WTO document reviewed by Mint.

Also Read | Trump goes to bat for big tech in global trade talks

The move comes at a time when New Delhi and Ottawa have begun talks on resuming bilateral trade negotiations after a period of frosty ties.

According to a WTO communication dated 21 July, Canada has sought further clarity on SPECS, particularly the product categories covered by it and the eligibility criteria that applicants must meet.

The queries come against the backdrop of India recording an exponential rise in exports of electronic goods to Canadafrom $64.17 million in FY22 to $214.57 million in FY25, marking a jump of 235%, commerce ministry data showed.

India had earlier stated that electronic goods under this scheme are identified through Harmonized System of Nomenclature (HSN) codes, and that the eligibility requirements vary across sub-programmes.

Also Read | India eyes lower tariffs than Indonesia amid trade talks with US

In its new query, Canada has asked India to share the full list of relevant HSN codes and provide more detail on the eligibility norms, as per the WTO document.

"India is preparing to provide written responses to Canadas latest queries within the stipulated timeframe," said a government official who wished not to be named.

Earlier in April, Canada was one of three countries, along with the UK and the US, that questioned India's electronics manufacturing subsidy, which India defended as being consistent with WTO norms, arguing that the programmes aim to build domestic capacity in a critical sector and attract investments into electronic value chains.

Canadas questions are part of its ongoing review of Indias 2021-2023 new and full subsidy notification to the WTOs Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.

"With industrial policy making a comeback, major economies are closely scrutinizing the subsidy schemes of other countries, and India is also facing similar scrutiny," said Abhijit Das, an international trade expert and former head of the Centre for WTO Studies, New Delhi.

In June, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, they agreed to revive the stalled trade talks between the two countries. The two leaders met for the first time since Carney took office following Canadas recent elections.

During the meeting, both sides underscored the need to resume negotiations on an Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA) and take it forward with the objective of concluding a broader Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), as per a press note issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on 18 June.

Trade between India and Canada stood at $8.4 billion in FY24, with Indias exports at $3.85 billion and imports at $4.55 billion. In FY25, trade rose marginally to $8.77 billion, as exports increased to $4.22 billion while imports remained nearly flat at $4.55 billion, commerce ministry data showed.

Exports of electronic goods stood at $173.62 million in FY23, dipped slightly to $171.54 million in FY24, before rising sharply to $214.57 million in FY25.

Queries emailed to the ministries of commerce, electronics, and information technology remained unanswered till press time.

To promote domestic manufacturing of semiconductors and electronic components, the government has launched key subsidy schemes. The SPECS scheme offers 25% incentive on capital expenditure for setting up or expanding manufacturing units. The PLI scheme provides 46% incentives on incremental sales of mobile phones and specified components, attracting major global and Indian firms.

Launched in December 2021, the Semicon India Programme is a 76,000 crore initiative offering up to 50% fiscal support for semiconductor fabs, display fabs, OSAT units, and design-linked incentives for chip design startups.
The traditional craft beverages of India, such as Goa's feni, artisanal wines from Nashik, and Kerala's toddy, are expected to be recognised in the UK as the two countries signed the free trade agreement on Thursday, according to a report by PTI.

Following the free trade agreement, Indian traditional beverages will not only have geographical indication (GI) protection but will also gain access to developed markets such as the UK, where demand for natural and organic products is growing. The addition of these beverages will provide a unique taste and distinct flavour profile to the people living in Britain.

The FTA will not only assist in introducing traditional Indian craft beverages onto UK shelves alongside Scotch Whisky and other brands but also facilitate access to niche markets such as hospitality, a Commerce & Industry Ministry official told PTI.

"Indian craft drinks like feni from Goa, artisanal wines from Nashik, and toddy from Kerala will now enjoy Geographical Indication (GI) protection and shelf space in high-end UK retail and hospitality chains," the official added.

This will be a significant boost for the government, which is encouraging exports of Indian alcoholic beverages to international markets.

Also Read | India, UK sign landmark free trade agreement after years of negotiation

Although this is a new sector, the government anticipates that the country's exports of alcoholic beverages will reach $1 billion by 2030 from the current $ 370.5 million, the report said.

In April, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) stated that Indian alcoholic beverages have significant potential in global markets, and the country boasts a wide range of quality products, including gin, beer, wine, and rum for the international markets.

India ranks 40th globally for alcoholic beverage exports, with a goal to rise into the top 10 exporters in the next few years.

In 2023-24, the country's alcoholic beverage exports stood at more than 2,200 crore. The primary markets were the UAE, Singapore, the Netherlands, Tanzania, Angola, Kenya, and Rwanda.
New Delhi: India and the United Kingdom on Thursday signed a landmark free trade agreement, ending years of protracted negotiations and marking a new phase in their economic partnership. The deal will give a major push to bilateral trade and investment, offering greater market access across key sectors.

This is the most comprehensive FTA signed by the UK in the Indo-Pacific region post-Brexit, and adds to Indias growing portfolio of bilateral trade agreements, including those with Australia and the UAE.

The agreement, aimed at boosting goods and services trade between the two countries, was signed by commerce minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonathan Reynolds in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British prime minister Keir Starmer.

TheIndia-UK FTA promises to unlock major economic gains for India by eliminating tariffs on 99% of Indian exports, covering nearly 100% of the trade value.

Indian businesses will benefit from zero-duty access to the UK, including for exports of textiles, footwear, carpets, cars, and marine products, which currently face tariffs of 4-16%. The UK will see tariff reductions in India on luxury items such as Scotch whisky and premium cars.

Indian textiles, footwear, gems and jewellery, seafood, and engineering goods will gain better market access in the UK. New opportunities will also open up for Indias agricultural produce and processed food industry in the British market, Modi said, announcing the deal.

This agreement will be especially beneficial for Indias youth, farmers, fishermen, and the MSME sector, Modi added. At the same time, products made in the UKsuch as medical devices and aerospace partswill become more accessible and affordable for Indian consumers and industry.

The India-UK FTA does not include the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) the so-called carbon taxat this stage, but both sides said it will be taken up for discussions later.

Modi said India and the UK would also discuss a Vision 2035 programme as part of a comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries over the next decade.

This will serve as a roadmap for a strong, trusted, and ambitious partnership across technology, defence, climate, education, and people-to-people connections, he said.

A $120 billion target India and the UK had concluded negotiations for the free trade agreement on 6 May after more than two years of talks.

The FTAformally known as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreementseeks to increase bilateral trade to $120 billion by 2030 by eliminating or significantly reducing customs duties on a wide range of products.

Indias merchandise exports to the UK rose 12.6% to $14.5 billion in 2024-25, while imports grew marginally by 2.3% to $8.6 billion. Total bilateral trade stood at $21.34 billion in 2023-24, up from $20.36 billion in the previous year.

The FTAcomprising 27 chapters, including on services, innovation, government procurement, intellectual property rights, and anti-corruptionwill come into effect after it is ratified by the UK Parliament, which may take another six months.

It also marks Indias first major bilateral trade agreement with a developed Western economy since the Modi government accelerated its FTA agenda, part of a wider strategy to diversify export markets and attract investments.

Separately, India and the UK have concluded negotiations on a social security agreement called the Double Contribution Convention. Under this, Indian workers and employers in the UK will be exempt from social security contributions for three years, a move expected to benefit around 75,000 Indian workers.

The pact also improves mobility for Indian professionals, allowing up to 1,800 chefs, yoga instructors, and classical musicians to temporarily provide services in the UK.

Major gains for key sectors Indias commerce ministry said on Thursday the India-UK FTA would grant Indian farmers preferential access to the UKs $37.5 billion agricultural market, while protecting sensitive Indian sectors such as dairy, vegetables, apples, cooking oils, and oats.

The ministry also said a major breakthrough had been secured for Indian fishermen, as the UKs import duties on marine productscurrently as high as 20%will fall to zero, opening up a $5.4 billion market.

Labour-intensive sectors are expected to see a boost in job creation, with Indian exports gaining a competitive edge in the UK, the ministry added in the statement. Textiles and clothing, chemicals, and base metals will now face zero duty, down from tariffs of up to 12%, 8%, and 10%, respectively, it said.

The agreement also brings significant gains for rural India and processed food exporters, with zero duty on processed foods, which previously attracted tariffs of up to 70%, the ministry said.

A modern blueprint Dr. Anish Shah,group chief executive and managing director, Mahindra Group, said the India-UK FTA is not just a win for trade, but a blueprint for a modern, values-led partnership that puts innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth at the heart of global collaboration.

On the proposed cut in customs duty on Scotch whiskyfrom 150% to 75% upfront, followed by a 5% annual reductionliquor industry expert Vinod Giri said this may boost margins for producers but is unlikely to significantly alter the Indian whisky market.

Consumer prices for imported Scotch are not expected to drop meaningfully as the bulk of alcohol taxes lie with states, he said. Even if the full duty cut is passed on, it would reduce prices by only 100-300 per bottletoo small to attract new buyers.

Sudhir Sekhri, chairman of the Apparel Export Promotion Council, said the India-UK FTA will usher in a new era of garment trade with the UK. This agreement will enhance market access, spur investment and job creation in the garment sector, besides creating new opportunities for businesses and consumers on both sides, he said.

The UK is the worlds fifth largest garment importer. The country imported garments worth $19.7 billion in 2024. That year, India exported $1.2 billion worth of garments to the UK, emerging as one among the countrys top four suppliers.

Tufan Erginbilgic, chief executive officer of Rolls-Royce Plc., said the India-UK free trade agreement would unlock benefits such as job creation, technology development, and manufacturing growth. Rolls-Royce is growing its aerospace capabilities in India, and we look forward to working with Indian partners to co-develop power and propulsion technologies for India and the world, he said.

India-UK FTA negotiationsa timeline The India-UK FTA was finalised after an extensive series of 14 negotiation rounds spanning over three years.

January 2022: Talks for the India-UK FTA begin, seven months after prime ministers Narendra Modi and Boris Johnson announced the Enhanced Trade Partnership between the two countries. The first round was held virtually in January 2022, followed by alternating meetings in London and New Delhi through the year.

2023 and 2024: Despite initial optimism to conclude the deal by Diwali 2022, political developments in the UKmost notably the resignation of Prime Minister Liz Trussled to delays. Negotiations continued steadily through 2023 and 2024, with both sides engaging in detailed discussions to resolve key issues related to tariffs, services, investment, and market access.

January-March 2024: Negotiations held during this period helped bridge several remaining gaps in the India-UK free trade agreement. This roundthe 14th and finalcontinued through a change in leadership in the UK, with Keir Starmer assuming office as UK prime minister on 5 July 2024.

February 2025: After a wait of over seven months, the UK announced resumption of FTA talks.

6 May: India and the UK formally announced the conclusion of negotiations.
New Delhi: India and the UK have adopted a wide-ranging strategic roadmap, titled India-UK Vision 2035, laying the foundation for a deeper partnership across trade, technology, defence, climate and education over the next decade.

The agreement was endorsed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer during their meeting in London on Thursday, the same day the two countries signed their long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The Vision 2035 document reflects an effort by both governments to anchor the bilateral partnership in strategic outcomes, going beyond short-term commercial goals.

The two countries, which elevated ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2021, have agreed to push forward collaborations that will create jobs, boost innovation, enable climate action, and promote a fair, rules-based international order.

Significantly, the vision document places the just-signed trade dealformally known as the comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA)at the heart of future growth plans. It commits both governments to ensure its implementation through dedicated mechanisms like joint economic and trade committee (JETCO) and advancing discussions on a bilateral investment treaty (BIT), as per the Vision 2035 document released by the UK government on Thursday.

The document also outlines new joint frameworks to push cooperation in priority sectors, including clean energy, semiconductors, green finance, biotech, defence technologies, and life sciences.

A key highlight is the technology security initiative, which will drive innovation in next-gen areas such as AI, telecom, critical minerals, quantum computing and advanced materials.

In defence, the two sides have agreed on a 10-year industrial roadmap, and deeper collaboration in areas like jet engine technologies, maritime security, underwater systems and direct energy weapons. A joint mechanism will monitor its implementation.

India-UK FTA: From whisky to British cars  here's what gets cheaper after trade dealIndia-UK FTA: From whisky to British cars  here's what gets cheaper after trade deal

Notably, the roadmap emphasises joint research and manufacturing, echoing industry views that the FTA must enable Indias defence industrial base rather than just expand market access.

Climate and sustainability are another major plank. The countries have committed to mobilising green finance, expanding collaboration in offshore wind and nuclear technologies, and building joint supply chains in green goods. The two sides will work through platforms like the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

In education, the UK will encourage the setting up of campuses by leading universities in India, and vice versa. A joint Green Skills Partnership will promote climate-linked job creation and bridge skill gaps. The two sides also reaffirmed mutual recognition of qualifications and will deepen cooperation through an annual ministerial dialogue.

The agreement comes amid shifting geopolitical alignments and a global reordering of supply chains. Officials said the roadmap reflects a maturing relationship that is increasingly driven by shared long-term interests. We are preparing our two countries for a BRISK partnership of Business, Research, Innovation, Science and Knowledge, the document stated.

While Vision 2035 is broad in scope, it includes concrete and time-bound commitments, with annual reviews by Indias External Affairs Minister and the UK Foreign Secretary. This signals intent to turn vision into verifiable progress, at a time when both nations seek to amplify their global role and respond to overlapping challenges in trade, security and sustainability.
Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, in a social media post on the platform X, said that the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed on Thursday, 24 July 2025, will open the pathway for the UK-based customers, investors and innovation hubs and help them expand their global footprint in collaboration with India.

The #IndiaUKFTA will open doors to UK customers, investors, and innovation hubs for our Startups, helping them expand their global footprint, said Goyal in his post.

Goyal expects that this India-UK Trade deal will fuel job creation in the economy, empower communities, and reinforce India's stance of trade leadership in the world.

This deal is a win-win for Make In India and Vocal For Local, driving job creation, empowering communities, and reinforcing Indias strategic trade leadership. It ushers in a new era of economic cooperation, reinvigorating our bilateral trade ties, he said.

The Minister also congratulated both the people of the nation, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer through his post on Thursday.

Also Read | PM Modi in London LIVE: India and UK sign free trade agreement

Congratulations to Prime Minister @NarendraModi ji, UK Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer, and the people of India & the United Kingdom on the signing of the landmark India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), said Goyal in his post on X.

What does India gain from FTA? The newly embedded trade relationship between India and the United Kingdom will drop 99% tariffs on Indian exports to the European nation, which aims to unlock nearly $23 billion opportunities for the labour-intensive sectors.

According to an official release, the trade deal also specifies that the average tariffs on UK products will drop to 3 per cent from their current 15 per cent level.

UK-made products like soft drinks, cosmetics, chocolates, biscuits, automobiles (cars), and medical devices will become cheaper for Indian customers.

The deal focuses on tariffs imposed on UK-manufactured cars. Under a quota system, the tariff rates on cars imported to India will be slashed to 10%, compared to their current more than 100%.

This agreement is a big win for farmers, ensuring duty-free exports on nearly 95% of agricultural products, while fisherfolk gain from Zero Duty on 99% of marine exports, boosting their incomes, said Goyal in his post.

He also emphasised that the trade deal would help Indian customers receive high-quality goods at competitive prices.
PM Modi in London Highlights: India and the UK signed a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) on Thursday. The agreement aims to improve market access and boost bilateral trade by around USD 34 billion annually, reported PTI. The agreement was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart, Keir Starmer.

The trade deal, finalised after three years of negotiations, is expected to benefit 99% of Indian exports from tariffs and streamline the export process for British companies shipping whisky, cars, and other products to India. This will also help expand the overall trade basket, the report said, citing officials.
As details trickle in about the U.S.-Japan trade agreement announced late Tuesday, analysts see a potential path for other trading partners, including South Korea and the European Union, to strike their own deals ahead of an Aug. 1 deadline for tariffs to go into effect.

The U.S. said it would impose 15% tariffs on Japanlower than the 25% baseline duties threatened and lower than the 25% levies already imposed on their auto exportsand said Japan would invest $550 billion. Trump said the investment would be at his direction, with the U.S. reaping 90% of the profits.

A White House official told Barrons that the 90% referred to returns on investmentlike rent on a facility built with a fund financed by Japanbut further details were yet to be hashed out. Many analysts were awaiting that information to see what might be part of this commitment.

Though the deal suggests that baseline tariffs will be higher than the 10% earlier expected as a universal tariff, it raised expectations that the worse-case scenarios of far higher tariffs, or an escalation in the trade war, werent imminent. The S&P 500 hit a record high of 6352.63.

The Japan deal is likely to light a fire under other trading partners to try to secure deals. Many geopolitical consultants say they expect the European Union and South Korea to hasten efforts to get deals, including on autos. Otherwise, their auto makers would be at a disadvantage, with their auto exports facing 25% tariffs, compared with the 15% Japan has agreed upon.

More broadly, a lot of foreign governments objectives have been to get the number below the prohibitive stage25% to 35% stops most trade. If you get it below 20%, companies can manage it," said William Reinsch, former Commerce Department official and currently a senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

South Korean negotiators have been in Washington, D.C., actively looking to secure a deal, according to trade analysts. The Wall Street Journal also reported Wednesday that the European Union is looking to secure an agreement as well, with tariffs at 15%, compared with the 30% threatened.

If Im the European Union, any hopes for 10% are gone and 15% is the focus; if I could mirror a Japan deal, that would be a win," said Owen Tedford, senior analyst at Beacon Policy Advisors. If Japans agreement serves as a loose framework for deals, Tedford said, the pace of announcements could pick up in the days to Aug. 1.

Analysts took special interest in the reduction in the sectoral tariffs on auto exports Japan managed to negotiate. These sectoral tariffsboth those already in place such as on autos and the 50% on aluminum and steel and those pending on pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and other areashave been a major sticking point in many of the trade negotiations.

It demonstrates that the Trump administration is willing to negotiate on sectoral tariffs," said Monica Gorman, managing director at Crowell Global Advisors and a former White House and Commerce Department official. Other countries, including the EU, are almost certainly taking notice."

The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. trade negotiators appear to be on board with a EU deal that includes lowering the duty on autos to 15%, though Trump hasnt yet signed off on such an arrangement.

There is a precedent for such flexibility. Steel and aluminum levies initially introduced in the first Trump administration were eventually reduced through bilateral deals and the use of quotas, Reinsh said.

Still unclear is whether Japan, or any other country, has been able to get assurances it will receive preferential treatment on the various sectoral tariffs that are pending, as the United Kingdom did in its agreement.

One common theme in agreements is commitments to buy Americaninvesting in the U.S. as the Trump administration tries to bring back manufacturing or purchasing U.S. agricultural products, Boeing planes, or natural gas. But trade veterans are skeptical about the impact of that.

The history [of such commitments] is that the numbers start out big and end up being very small," Reinsh said. Plus, several of these investment commitments have been packaging of commitments made earlier or that were already in the works."

While trade veterans see momentum building for more agreements, they note that most of those so far have been light on details. Instead of the typical text that accompanied past pacts, agreement terms have been mostly outlined in social media posts and comments from officialswith the version of what was agreed upon sometimes not syncing up, as was the case with Vietnam, Reinsh adds.

Trade-deal announcements arent equivalent to agreements. Investors should expect more negotiations, and more after those.

Write to Reshma Kapadia at reshma.kapadia@barrons.com
Charles Frank Mangione, the American jazz great who brought the flugelhorn into the popular music spotlight and captivated audiences with hits like Feels So Good, died peacefully in his sleep on July 22, 2025, at his home in Rochester, New York. He was 84.

His death was confirmed in a statement by his family shared with the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle on July 24.

A musical force Over a six-decade career, Mangione released more than 30 albums, scored multiple Grammy Awards, and carved a unique space in the American jazz landscape. Born on November 29, 1940, to Italian-American parents in Rochester, Mangione studied at the prestigious Eastman School of Music and went on to perform with jazz legends, most notably filling the trumpet chair in Art Blakeys Jazz Messengers  a position once held by Clifford Brown, Lee Morgan, and Freddie Hubbard.

Alongside his pianist brother, Gap, he co-led the Mangione Brothers Sextet/Quintet, recording three albums for Riverside Records in the early 1960s. One of their original compositions, Something Different, caught the attention of alto saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, who included it in his 1961 album African Waltz.

Chart-topping Jazz-Pop and Olympic fame Mangione broke into mainstream success in 1978 with Feels So Good, a breezy, horn-driven instrumental that became a rare jazz-pop crossover hit, peaking at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song helped define a generation of smooth jazz, its signature melody recognized instantly across genres.

He also composed iconic Olympic music, including Chase the Clouds Away for the 1976 Montreal Summer Games and Give It All You Got for the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid  the latter performed live at the closing ceremony and broadcast worldwide.

Awards and collaborations Mangiones work was frequently honored. He won his first Grammy Award in 1977 for Bellavia in the Best Instrumental Composition category. His second Grammy came two years later for the soundtrack to The Children of Sanchez, which featured sweeping compositions and emotional depth  the title track alone ran nearly 15 minutes.

His bands featured top-tier musicians such as saxophonists Gerry Niewood and Chris Vadala, guitarist Grant Geissman, and drummer James Bradley Jr. In 1978, Mangione performed to a sold-out Hollywood Bowl backed by a 70-piece orchestra  a concert immortalized in his live album An Evening of Magic.

Community and charity Beyond the stage, Mangione used his music for charitable causes. In 1980, he organised a nine-hour benefit concert to aid Italian earthquake victims, bringing together stars like Chick Corea and Dizzy Gillespie. His later Tarantella album captured highlights from that performance. At his 60th birthday concert, he raised over $50,000 for St. John's Nursing Home in Rochester.

Mangione was also a pop culture fixture. He made TV appearances, including Magnum, P.I., Sharon, Lois & Bram's Elephant Show, and most famously, played a recurring animated version of himself on King of the Hill as Mega Lo Marts celebrity spokesman  a role that earned him a new generation of fans. His 2000 album Everything For Love included a track titled Peggy Hill in tribute to the show.

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President Trumps push to introduce a new standard for global trade is coming into sharper focus as U.S. and EU officials converge on a possible 15% tariff deal, which could come on the heels of a similar agreement with Japan.

Taken together, the two developments represent a turning point in months of global trade negotiations that have stoked uncertainty among investors and Americas biggest trading partners.

Much remains unsettled one week before President Trumps self-imposed Aug. 1 deadline for reaching trade deals with other countries. Deals with two of the U.S.s largest trading partners, Canada and Mexico, havent been reached and those countries face getting slapped with 35% and 30% tariffs, respectively, if deals arent struck before next week. Tariffs of 25% currently apply to both countries, with exemptions for certain products.

A 90-day truce with Beijing has already brought additional tariffs on Chinese exports to the U.S. this year down to 30%, an amount that includes 10% levies on all U.S. imports. Tariffs on the country could soar again on Aug. 12.

The developments with Japan and the EU offer some clarity to businesses and the global economy after months of turmoil. Businesses have held back on major investments and decisions amid Trumps back-and-forth tariff announcements and uncertainty over whether countries could reach trade deals with his administration.

When you have these framework agreements, that takes the risk of more damaging tit-for-tat trade wars off the table," said Brett Ryan, senior U.S. economist at Deutsche Bank.

The 15% levy on goods for the most part represents the highest tariff level on Japan in decades, and is higher than the 10% on most U.S. imports Trump implemented starting April 5. But in a sign of how much expectations have changed, markets seemed to welcome the newsan acknowledgment that the rate isnt as severe as the 25% he had threatened.

Still, the higher tariffs are set to push up prices of goods for U.S. consumers, say economists. That could weigh on a domestic economy that so far has shown resilience amid Trumps trade wars.

A ceremony Saturday at the World Expo in Osaka, Japan.

Fifteen percent is a huge number for tariffs. If that is what we see for other countries, were in a new and costlier world," said Gene M. Grossman, international economics professor at Princeton University.

The 15% on Japanese autos represents a reduction from the 25% tariff Trump put in place for most car and car parts coming into the U.S. American automakers hope that similar tariff reductions will follow for their vehicles and auto parts imported from Canada and Mexico, which currently face 25%, with exemptions depending on the origins of the components.

The U.S. automotive industry criticized the 15% tariffs as giving Japanese automakers an unfair advantage. Any deal that charges a lower tariff for Japanese imports with virtually no U.S. content than the tariff imposed on North American-built vehicles with high U.S. content is a bad deal for U.S. industry and U.S. auto workers," said Matt Blunt, head of the American Automotive Policy Council, on Wednesday. The body represents GM, Ford and Stellantis.

Thomas Simons, chief U.S. economist at Jefferies investment bank, said even 15% tariffs will likely result in more expensive cars for American consumers.

The fate of the automotive sector has been a sticking point in U.S.-EU trade discussions, with the bloc trying to secure relief from the U.S.s current 25% tariffs on the sector.

From left, European Council President Antonio Costa, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a press conference in Tokyo on Wednesday.

European officials expect that a potential deal with the U.S. would apply a 15% baseline tariff as a flat rate for most EU exports to the U.S., said people familiar with their thinking. That amount wouldnt be added on top of levies that existed before Trump started raising tariffs this year. That is different from the U.S.s current 10% blanket tariff, which was layered on top of existing tariffs.

As a result, the 15% tariff rate currently being discussed wouldnt be much higher, on average, than the actual level the EU currently faces, the people said. The 15% baseline tariff would apply to cars, though it is not expected to apply to steel and aluminum, which currently face 50% tariffs.

EU officials are discussing those terms as part of a potential deal with their U.S. counterparts, who appear to be on board with the 15% level, the people said. But they emphasized that a deal wasnt certain and any agreement would need President Trumps signoff.

The U.S. and EU have also discussed creating exemptions from the baseline tariff for certain sectors, including aircraft, the people said.

Trump appeared to suggest on Wednesday that he was open to a deal with the EU that could be similar to Japans. After touting the agreement with Japan, he said the U.S. plans to put a simple tariff on countries that will range from 15% to 50%.

Weve offered such a deal to the European Union," Trump said, without referencing Japan directly. Were in serious negotiations, and if they agree to open up the union to American businesses, then we will let them pay a lower tariff."

A White House spokesman said any discussion of possible deals should be considered speculation unless announced by Trump.

The EU had thought it was close to a deal with the U.S. several weeks ago that would have put baseline tariffs at 10%, with some sectors exempted. But that was thrown into question when Trump posted a letter threatening to impose 30% tariffs on the bloc beginning Aug. 1.

Since then, the EU has continued talks with the U.S.

Officials told the EUs trade chief, Maros Sefcovic, last week that they expected Trump to demand a baseline tariff of 15% or more to get an agreement.

After the Japan deal was announced, it became easier for European officials to accept the idea that they might also have 15% baseline tariffs, people familiar with their thinking said. The Japan deal represented a signal that 15% is the level that could be established for most major U.S. trading partners.

The bloc is also continuing to prepare countermeasures against the U.S. in case a deal cant be reached. Member states on Thursday are expected to approve a package of potential tariffs on U.S. goods worth more than $100 billion, in a sign that the bloc doesnt view its hoped-for agreement with the U.S. as a done deal. Those tariffs wouldnt take effect before Aug. 7.

The deal agreed upon by Japan and the U.S. also contains a novel financial commitment that the administration says will involve Japanese banks and financial institutions contributing $550 billion to a fund that the administration can then direct to infrastructure projects of its choice.

The Japanese are going to give America the ability to choose the projects, decide the projects and execute the projects," Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Wednesday on Bloomberg TV. The Japanese will finance the project and then well give it to an operator who will run it and the profits will be split90% to the taxpayers of the [U.S.] and 10% to the Japanese."

It remains unclear how the investment fund would be structured. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said that it would consist of loan investments and guarantees, but Lutnick said it would also involve equity. The Japanese are the financier, the banker," he said on Bloomberg.

Republican senators briefed on the deal praised the new investment fund as a way to deliver on critical national-security investments like semiconductors, minerals and energy production.

Its a structure that I havent seen before," said Sen. Bill Hagerty, Trumps first-term ambassador to Japan. Theyre going to put a massive financing package together. So its not foreign investment, its a financing package, and we will pick the best [projects], and well let people compete for these projects."

Democrats said they are skeptical of a pot of money that some labeled a slush fund" that they fear will be spent on political priorities favored by Trump, and not only strategic projects.

Earlier Tuesday, the U.S. also reached a pact with the Philippines and gave details on its trade framework with Indonesia, building on an initial announcement last week.

Write to Chao Deng at chao.deng@wsj.com, Kim Mackrael at kim.mackrael@wsj.com and Gavin Bade at gavin.bade@wsj.com
The April-June quarter each year is full of good news for airlines in India. The quarter sees increased travel as schools shut for summer holidays across the country and people travel to their native places for holidays. The Pahalgam massacre in April and Operation Sindoor in May had seen huge setbacks to travel within India. Just as it seemed that the page had turned for the better in June, the deadly crash of AI171 in Ahmedabad immediately after take-off for London Gatwick changed the dynamics.

A lot of discussion centred around passengers being worried and cancelling flights, but the numbers published by the regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), show the numbers are in line with past years and there has been no impact of the crash, contrary to what was being speculated online. The only change that happened was the shift in market share with passengers, possibly shifting away from Air India.

Air India and Air India Express's combined market share rose to 27.1 per cent in June. The combined market share for May stood at 26.5 per cent. Last June, the group had a market share of 29.1 per cent, which was split among three carriers with Air India, Air India Express and Vistara having 24.3 per cent while AIX Connect (erstwhile AirAsia India) having 4.8 per cent market share.

IndiGo's market share remained flat at 64.5 per cent, a drop of 0.1 per cent over May when it recorded 64.6 per cent. The airline's market share was 60.8 per cent in June 2024. Thus far, 2024 has been the best year for domestic air traffic in India. The traffic was up 3 per cent month over month.

No immediate impact of crash on Air India While there were many stories on social media of people avoiding Air India in the aftermath of the deadly crash in early June, data on domestic routes suggests otherwise. In May 2025, Air India group had a load factor of 80.2 per cent, while in last June, Air Indias load factor was 84.7 per cent, Vistara had 91 per cent and AIX Connect or erstwhile AirAsia India had a load factor of 88.6 per cent. The regulator reports the load factor of the combined entity as a single report. In June 2025, the Air India group recorded a load factor of 81.5 per cent, which was higher than May. Air India seems to have gained from SpiceJet, which is now at a historic low of below 2 per cent domestic market share.

Air India has since decided to cut part of its domestic schedule, which would have an impact on its market share going forward. However, market share is a function of capacity deployed in the market and July has seen withdrawal of capacity from market leader IndiGo as well in what looks like ways to adjust demand and capacity in a traditionally leaner quarter.

The Air India group has been losing market share since the mega-merger. In September last year, when the Tata group operated three airlines, Air India, Vistara, and Air India Express, its combined market share stood at 29.2 per cent. This was a whisker away from the 30 per cent target it has set for itself. With the merger now complete, the group recorded a reduced market share of 26.5 per cent in May which slightly recovered to 27.1 per cent in June.

Not only has the airline cornered more market share and marginally higher load factors, data released by the DIrectorate General of Civil Aviation shows that it has also managed to sell seats in the highest fare bracket on some of its sectors which include metro sectors like Delhi-Bengaluru, Mumbai-Bengaluru, and Mumbai-Kolkata, among others.

Growth impacted The first three months of 2025 saw a growth in domestic passenger numbers by 11 per cent, 11 per cent and 8 per cent respectively from January to March. In April, the growth was 8 per cent, while in May it was 1.8 per cent. June has seen a growth of 3 per cent. In all probability, the July numbers will see a negative growth as compared to last year or just about be at the same levels. Airlines have already scaled down flights in July, and the hope for a mega traffic spike is for the 15th August weekend.
Mumbai: Even as it reported a steady April-June quarter in terms of growth and profitability, Bajaj Finance flagged unexpected stress in its unsecured micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) loan portfolio amid signs of slowing incremental disbursements and new customer additions. The lender said it had pruned most riskier segments, except MSME that was a work in progress.

The countrys largest retail non-banking finance company Thursday posted a consolidated profit after tax at 4,765 crore, up 22% from a year ago; consolidated net interest income was also 22% higher at 10.227 crore.

Newly-returned to the helm of the company, vice chairman and managing director Rajeev Jain said over-leverage of customers across product segments remains a pain point, and that the company was taking several actions across product lines to reduce the contribution of customers with multiple loans.

Also Read | Bajaj Finance managing director Saha quits three months after appointment

That's the single univariate pain point that we have identified, which has a significantly high bearing on loan loss and provisions, Jain said in the post-earnings analyst call.

Loan loss and provisions for the company rose 26% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 2,120 crore, largely led by a rise in early-stage delinquencies in the two and three-wheeler loan portfolio, which the company has been winding down and expects to close down by March 2026, and in the business and professional loans segment. The company expects both these segments to grow slower for the remainder of FY26.

Jain said the company will wait another quarter before providing guidance on credit growth for FY26. As such, while growth in assets under management (AUM) could be around 15%, incremental disbursements will be flat to lower for the rest of the year, he said, adding that the top of the funnel continues to remain pretty active, ensuring that the lender has a strong credit pipeline, going ahead. However, the number of loans per borrower continues to be the key driver, he said, indicating that the stress in the unsecured book could also seep through to the secured portfolio.

Overall stage-2 and stage-3 assets, loans that have been due for over 60 days and 90 days, respectively, were at 878 crore for the June quarter. Stage-2 assets increased by 324 crore primarily on account of MSME customers.

Jain said these are largely good borrowers who are facing short-term cash flow issues and the company has begun offering loan restructuring options to assist them and is accordingly making stage-3-level provisions against this restructuring.

The company is not looking at these loans as its current portfolio but on a month-on-book (MoB) basis, and as the early vintage delinquencies start to improve, the overall portfolio will churn and credit quality of the book will start to look better, Jain said, adding that the priority is to bring back the bounce, three-, six and 12-month MoB levels to those seen in the pre-covid period, regardless of what that means for growth.

Jain said the company will wait another quarter before providing guidance on credit growth for FY26. As such, while growth in assets under management (AUM) could be around 15%, incremental disbursements will be flat to lower for the rest of the year, he said, adding that the top of the funnel continues to remain pretty active, ensuring that the lender has a strong credit pipeline going ahead. However, the number of loan per borrower continues to be the key driver, he said, indicating that stress in the unsecured book could also seep through to the secured portfolio.

During the quarter, loans worth 219 crore that were categorised as standard were restructured to allow borrowers more time to repay the loans. This is much higher than the typical restructuring rate of 40-50 crore per quarter. The restructuring rate could be around 150 crore for the current quarter, following which the book should start to settle.

The only way to do it is to offer him remediation that's the only thing that can be done. Tighten lending standards, help the customer with restructuring options to reduce his outflow, and hope to not repeat it again, Jain said, adding that Bajaj Finance tracks 17 MSME industries, of which 13 are showing a slowdown and three are showing de-growth or contraction.

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And the credit supply has got choked. So, it's virtually a perfect storm in a way, and it's come a little too suddenly. That itself doesn't prepare you for it. But it is what it is, thankfully, we are reasonably diverse, he said, adding that even self-employed segmentssuch as loans to doctors that did not reflect any stress during the covid periodare seeing pressure, likely due to some amount of over-exuberance.

What is surprising, according to Jain, is the fact that a certain percentage of MSME borrowers always has multiple lines of borrowing, the share of which has fallen to around 17% from a peak of 21% post covid, and 14-15% in the pre-covid period.

It is leverage that you should read as a principal driver. But it's come a little too suddenly. It didn't come slowly. It came a little too suddenly, we are also a little surprised by it, he said.

During the reporting quarter, gross non-performing assets (NPA) ratio of the company rose to 1.03% from 0.86% a year ago, and the net NPA ratio rose to 0.50% from 0.38%, largely on account on elevated slippages in the MSME book (to 1.76% from 1.36%) and in two- and three-wheeler loans (to 6.38% from 5.03%), which Jain said is a bit confusing, given that the book is being wound down.
The Centre may keep voting rights of investors in public-sector banks unchanged at 10% even as it engages the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to review foreign investment limits in these banks to bring in more capital, two persons aware of the matter said.

The government is mandated to hold a 51% stake in PSBs, with foreign investment capped at 20%. But irrespective of how much an individual or institution holds in a PSB, their voting rights are capped at 10%.

Also Read | Why public banks favour taxpayer-funded bailouts over bankruptcy for govt firms

The voting rights in PSBs may remain at 10% even if the government and regulators decide to raise foreign investment limits beyond 20%. This would retain the government character of these banks, as with limited voting rights, private and foreign investors would not be in a position to impact the management and decision-making powers of bank boards," said the first person cited above.

Taking no chances

Foreign investment in PSBs is tiny. The top six PSBs had foreign institutional holdings in the range of 4.55% to 11.38% as of 30 June, and almost zero investment from foreign companies or banks. Even individual investors, including mutual funds and corporate bodies, have much less than 10% shareholding in PSBs. Nonetheless, the government is looking to prevent investors from influencing the functioning of PSBs by maintaining the cap on voting rights.

Even in the case of private sector banks, the voting rights of promoters is capped at 26% and financial institutions can hold maximum 15% stake. In these banks, promoters are expected to reduce their stake to 26% in 15 years while shareholding is capped at 10% for individuals and non-financial institutions. The RBI is now reviewing norms on voting rights and shareholding limits in private-sector banks to make the sector more attractive to investors.

Also Read | How red tape is costing public sector bank employees crores in NPS savings

Unlike private banks, PSBs shoulder larger responsibilities and are flag-bearers of the governments financial inclusion initiatives. A cap on voting rights is essential for PSBs to carry out its social and welfare initiatives," said a top official of a public sector bank, who did not wish to be named.

The second person cited above said the RBI was reviewing foreign shareholding norms for private banks and that the government would decide on foreign investment limits in PSBs after that. Changing voting rights has not even come up for discussion, though there have been suggestions to make voting rights proportionate to shareholding," the person said.

Query sent to the ministry of finance and the RBI remained unanswered.

'Increase voting rights in phases'

Vivek Iyer, partner and financial services risk leader, Grant Thornton Bharat, said, With the government's focus on moving to market-based reforms rather than government funding, PSBs' need for capital needs to be supplemented with capital sources other than the government. The measure to increase the foreign investment limit of public sector banks addresses this need very effectively. While voting rights need not be increased immediately, a phased approach of increasing voting rights should also be suggested as increased voting rights bring in a higher quality of governance."

Pratik Shah, partner and national leader  financial services, EY India, said, The Bank Nationalisation Act caps voting rights for all non-government shareholders in PSBs at 10%, ensuring continued government control. To attract strategic, long-term capital and bolster under-capitalised banks, a partial relaxationcoupled with rigorous eligibility and case-by-case screeningcould be prudent. As India explores shareholding reforms and has already permitted exceptions in certain cases, gradual, calibrated change seems the balanced path forward."

Also Read | Centre eyes large dividend from public sector banks in FY25

The timing of these reforms seems opportune. With the State Bank of India recently completing a landmark 25,000-crore QIPthe largest institutional equity raise in Indiainvestor confidence is clearly strong. As PSBs benefit from enhanced asset quality, greater digital adoption, and anticipated improvements in operational efficiency, long-term global investors are likely to show growing interest in supporting Indias ongoing banking sector transformation," he added.

The collective net profit of all 12 PSBs hit an all-time high of 1.78 trillion in FY25, marking 26% year-on-year growth from 1.41 trillion in FY24. The incremental profit stood at 37,100 crore compared to the previous fiscal.

On the back of improved performance, PSBs paid a dividend of 27,830 crore to shareholders in 2023-24, up 32.7% from 20,964 crore in the previous fiscal, according to the government data. For FY25 the dividend is projected to rise further to around 35,000 crore.
Mumbai: Kotak Mahindra Bank is betting on its new, invite-only Solitaire programme aimed at affluent customers to grow its credit cards portfolio, five months after the Reserve Bank of India lifted the ban on the private lender from onboarding new credit cards customers.

An affluent product like the Solitaire card would be very material to the customer spends compared to say an average customer in the portfolio," said Frederick DSouza, business headcredit cards, Kotak Mahindra Bank.

It is going to be our play in getting that customer spend share and in making sure that our customers find the product interesting to keep spending on a card and therefore build and strengthen the relationship with the bank," DSouza told Mint.

Also Read | Kotak Mahindra Bank declares record date for final dividend, Q1 results date

The RBI had in April 2024 asked Kotak Mahindra Bank to stop issuing new credit cards and onboarding new credit card customers through its website and mobile application, citing deficiencies in the bank's information technology systems and data security. The ban was lifted nearly 10 months later in February 2025. The bank's credit card portfolio fell to 13,420 crore as of March 2025, down 7% year-on-year and 5% sequentially due to the RBI ban.

Despite the ban on adding new customers, Kotaks spends per cards for existing cards kept growing through the period. DSouza attributed this to a range of customer engagement practices in terms of both monetary value propositions such as rewards, miles and credit limit enhancements, and through exclusive brand partnerships and experience curation.

We ran a lot of quick commerce offers and portfolio campaigns. We were in fact pioneers in this in the event space, where we actually partnered with the best concerts. That was very targeted at this customer segment and was lapped up quite well," DSouza said, adding that the focus is not as much on the number of cards but in cards that drive spends". Our focus is more around spend market share than the card market share only."

At the time of the ban in April 2024, Kotak bank had 6 million credit cards-in-force, recording monthly spends of 7,046 crore, as per RBI data. Before the ban was lifted in February 2025, the number of cards outstanding fell significantly to 5 million in January 2025, but spends remained largely steady at 7,031 crore. Even after the ban was lifted, cards-in-force have continued to fall to around 4.6 million as of June 2025, when the bank saw card spends worth 5,996 crore, as per latest RBI data.

Solitaire programme for affluent segment

The Solitaire programme, launched on Wednesday, is an exclusive, invite-only affluent banking plan, reserved for individuals and families with high-value, multi-dimensional relationship with the bank. The programme looks to track Total Relationship Value across deposits, credit cards, investments, loans, insurance and demat holdings offered by the bank and it is calculated at a family level. The eligibility criteria for salaried customers is 75 lakh and for self-employed customers is 1 crore in relationship value.

The affluent customer segment currently accounts for upwards of 21% of the banks credit cards spends. Over the past year, the bank has tied up for early access for its card holders for concerts such as Ed Sheeran, Peppa Pig, Maroon 5 and Guns N' Roses.

Our thought process is to continue doing that, because it's all also customer feedback driven and the data that we see," DSouza said, adding that the bank will continue to scale up these opportunities.

These opportunities" will include exclusive propositions to customers under the new affluent programme, such as early access, premium access, access to better seats, lounge partnerships and designated parking at events.

A combination of premium events and premium dining experiences, to start off with, is what we want to really provide to this customer under the Solitaire umbrella," said Rohit Bhasin, presidenthead of affluent, NRI and business banking and chief marketing officer, Kotak bank.

As such, the experience is just one part of the Solitaire umbrella, Bhasin said, adding that the Solitaire card will also offer other benefits such as lounge access, accelerated miles, zero mark-up on foreign exchange transactions and fuel surcharge waivers that have been curated for the affluent customers and are better than any other card" in the Kotak family as of today.

Currently, less than 1% of the banks 53 million customers are from the affluent segment, but contribute over 35% of the overall business, Bhasin said at the launch of the Solitaire programme. The bank has a 4% market share in the affluent market segment, higher than its 2% market share in the overall banking space, and is looking to grow this share further through offerings such as Solitaire, he added.

Also Read | All you need to know about credit card fees and charges

96% of the market is not with us but with other banks. Thats the affluent ecosystem that exists, and it is growing at twice the rate of the non-affluent segment. Over the next five years, we see a huge number of affluent customers being created," Bhasin said, adding that under the programme, the bank will also offer pre-approved credit lines of up to 8 crore across home loans, personal loans, and credit cards.

Kotak's affluent banking programme will compete with similar schemes offered by larger private lenders such as Axis Bank's Burgundy Banking for high net worth customers and HDFC Bank's invite-only Diner's Club Black Credit Card for ultra-rich customers in November 2023.

Salaried customers are expected to avail personal banking services whereas the self-employed customers will be offered both personal and business banking services. As a result, the self-employed segment will be more profitable but the bank does not have a preference and will look to garner both customer segments, Bhasin told Mint, adding that within the corporate segment, the focus will be on MSME and SMEs with a turnover of up to 50 crore.

The way we have created it helps us offer more products that can meet the needs of the customer more holistically, and we hope that by doing this we will be able to increase the product holding," he said, adding that the affluent card segment is a profitable business for the bank and he expects it to grow faster than the overall business.
The Centre has withdrawn quality control orders (QCOs) for three key industrial chemicals: acetic acid, methanol, and aniline to ease compliance burdens for domestic manufacturers, said a 23 July notification.

These chemicals are critical inputs for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, dyes and intermediates, paints, adhesives, and agrochemicals.

These QCOs, originally issued in August 2019, mandated that manufacturers and importers of these chemicals obtain Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification to sell their products in the Indian market.

India sources significant quantities of acetic acid and aniline from China and the US, while methanol is primarily imported from Gulf countries.

With the withdrawal of QCOsa form of non-tariff barrier that mandates strict compliance for both domestic and imported goodsthese chemicals will no longer require compliance with compulsory BIS standards, thereby removing a layer of regulatory control that many in the industry viewed as restrictive and costly.

Mint reported on 13 December 2024 that the government may ease stringent quality control rules, criticized by local manufacturers and seen as a potential trigger for supply shortages.

The move is seen as a softening of the governments stance to support manufacturing, in contrast to its broader push to tighten quality controls across sectors, a senior executive from a chemical manufacturing company said on the condition of anonymity.

Quality control The decision, taken after consultations with the BIS, comes at a time when protectionist barriers are rising globally, and India itself is subjecting a wide range of domestic and imported goods to closer scrutiny.

Also Read | Canada has questions on Indias electronics subsidy

A nationwide exercise to improve product standards, involving 37 ministries, is currently underway, Mint reported on 10 February 2025.

As part of the governments ongoing quality enforcement drive, over 1,500 products are expected to be brought under stringent BIS quality norms by the end of 2025-26.

A total of 758 products are still regulated through QCOs.

In 2023, India imported acetic acid worth around $12 million from the US, compared to that worth over $186 million from China, according to data from the World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS).

Similarly, India sourced aniline and its salts worth around $2.79 million from the US, while imports of the same from China stood at $21.6 million during the same period.

The withdrawal of QCOs on key industrial chemicals will offer much-needed breathing space to small and medium enterprises that were struggling with certification costs and supply disruptions, said Vinod Kumar, president of the India SME Forum.

For many SMEs, especially those dependent on imported raw materials, the mandatory BIS compliance was becoming a bottleneck. This move will help ease sourcing constraints and reduce compliance burdens, allowing them to focus on manufacturing and competitiveness, Kumar said.

Its a welcome move that will help boost the manufacturing of chemicals in India, said Kalyan Goswami, director general of the Agro Chem Federation of India (ACFI). Easing regulatory burdens will support domestic players and enhance competitiveness, he said.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer prepare to announce the landmark India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) formally, apart from trade, air connectivity is also set to expand in the coming months between the two countries. London has always been the aspirational travel hub for Indians for ages.

Also Read: PM Modi in London LIVE

Historically, Air India has served London even in an era when it took multiple stops to reach London, transitioning to a non-stop flight when the jet era began and planes could fly that longer. London was also the choice of expansion for both Jet Airways and Air Sahara when international services were allowed, and both airlines relied on leased aircraft available in the market to start services. The story was no different for Kingfisher Airlines.

Over a decade later, connectivity has now expanded beyond London and is set to expand further. Data shared by Cirium, an aviation analytics company, exclusively for this article, shows that British Airways and Virgin Atlantic together operate 81 flights a week between London and points in India, while IndiGo and Air India operate 55 weekly frequencies to the UK. Air India has scaled back its UK operation temporarily. In the winter schedule beginning the end of October, the total frequency between the two countries increases to 166 flights per week from 136 currently, as Air Canada reinstates its flight connecting London Heathrow to Mumbai and TUI Airways returns with its seasonal flights to Goa.

Indian carriers have gone beyond London Air India and IndiGo are the Indian carriers that operate to the United Kingdom. Both have gone beyond London with Air India operating to Birmingham from Amritsar and Delhi, and IndiGo launching operations to the UK with flights to Manchester. IndiGo has announced that London will be its new destination soon but has remained mum about place of origin in India or the airport where it will operate in London.

Indian carriers cater to point-to-point traffic with feed largely from different points in India and some from ASEAN. However, British carriers not only cater to traffic to the UK but also look for traffic onwards to Canada and the USA, which is a lucrative market, thanks to limited non-stop capacity between India and North America, partially due to the US carriers not flying over Russia and thus having limited options to add capacity to India.

British carriers still in poll position With 81 flights a week now and 95 planned in winter, the British carriers remain in pole position on the route led by British Airways, which intends to operate thrice a day to Mumbai, twice daily to Delhi and a daily each to Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad.

London Heathrow the bottleneck The Bilateral Air Services Agreement between India and the UK is unusual where it caps flights to London Heathrow but allows flights to other airports in London like Stansted or Gatwick. London Heathrow is considered the busiest airport in the world with no scope for expansion. The airport also allows sale of slots unlike most airports and airlines rake up millions by selling the slots. Indian carriers have filed for additional slots at Heathrow over the last many years but have never been granted slots. One of the prime reasons why airlines have not been able to add capacity.

More often than not, diplomatic efforts help at such times, and will the high-level visit from the Prime Minister give a boost to such efforts and resolve the issues so as to help Air India and IndiGo launch more flights to London Heathrow?

Tail Note The market between India and the UK is expected to cater to over 3 million passengers annually with over half of those flying indirect via one of the Middle Eastern hubs. Emirates flies 11 times a day to three airports in London from Dubai, as does Qatar Airways from Doha to two airports in London.
New Delhi: The government is looking to incentivise telecom operators for using indigenously designed and manufactured equipment, according to the draft National Telecom Policy (NTP), 2025.

The move could boost local gear makers such as Tejas Networks, HFCL, STL, and startups in the domain and level the playing field with global manufacturers, including Nokia, Ericsson, Samsung and Cisco.

Currently, private telecom operators largely rely on global companies to provide network equipment for rolling out their 5G services and expanding their 4 G network.

The proposal echoes a similar provision in the 2018 policy that saw little implementation, raising concerns about execution this time.

Incentives for telecom operators to buy domestic telecom products was also part of the last National Digital Communications Policy  2018. However, we did not see any implementation of the same, said Rakesh Bhatnagar, director general of Voice of Indian Commtech Enterprises (VoICE), which represents local gear makers.

Bhatnagar said several Indian startups and companies are capable of supplying quality telecom equipment, but operators need support, including lower levies, so they can start using locally made gear.

The draft NTP 2025 does not detail the kind of incentives to be given to telecom operators for using locally designed and manufactured equipment.

Incentivising the use of locally designed and manufactured telecom gear is a welcome move, but weve seen similar efforts before. The telecom PLI scheme, despite good intent, saw limited uptake: by FY25, only around half of the approved companies reportedly received payouts," said Sumeysh Srivastava, associate director at the public policy firm The Quantum Hub (TQH).

According to Srivastava, without clear demand signals, streamlined procurement, and better alignment across policy levers, manufacturers will continue to face scale and cost challenges. The policy needs to go beyond incentives.

Starting from building trust in Indian R&D, ensuring timely disbursements, and fostering an ecosystem designed to compete globally, not just comply locally, he said.

On 23 May, Mint reported that out of the 42 companies that were shortlisted for the telecom PLI scheme, only half claimed incentives. Citing a Right To Information (RTI) request, Mint reported that the scheme disbursed 1,162.04 crore by the end of FY25, against the 12,195 crore approved for five years. The scheme was introduced in February 2021 to incentivize the local manufacture of equipment such as network switches, transmission gear and set-top boxes.

Also Read | How Samsung and 20 others missed out on an ambitious incentives scheme

Policy goals The draft policy focuses on six strategic missions for the telecom sector with certain goals for the next five years. This includes universal, meaningful and affordable connectivity, promoting innovation and research and development, domestic manufacturing, secure and trusted telecom network, ease of doing business and sustainable telecom.

The draft NTP 2025 is open for public consultation for the next 21 days.

Among its local manufacturing goals, the government aims to increase domestic telecom manufacturing output by 150%. It aims to achieve 50% import substitution through telecom products designed, developed, and manufactured in the country, according to the draft policy.

According to a 2024 report by NITI Aayog, more than 40% of telecom equipment such as 4G/5G signal processing units and antenna, are imported from China.

The draft outlines 10 objectives for the next five years. This includes universal and meaningful connectivity for all, doubling the contribution of the sector to Indias GDP, and achieving an annual investment of 1 trillion in the sector.

It also plans to double the export of telecom products and services, and double the number of telecommunications startups.

Besides, the government is also looking to double the sectoral research and development spending on emerging telecom technologies, create 1 million new jobs, upskill/reskill 1 million workers to meet the future demand, and strengthen security using quantum communications. The government also aims to reduce the carbon footprint of the sector by 30%.

On 27 May, Mint reported that the five-year National Telecom Policy 2025-2030 will have a key focus on R&D on new telecom technologies, specifying details on the draft policy.

Also Read | Trai wants more enforcement teeth to rein in telcos, may ask govt to amend rules

Trai wants more enforcement teeth to rein in telcos, may ask govt to amend rules

Universal connectivity As part of the universal connectivity goal, the government is looking to cover 100% of the population by 4G and 90% by 5G, with accessibility of devices for all.

The goal is to also increase fiberization of towers from 46% to 80% and achieve fiberization of all gram panchayats (GPs) under BharatNet with an uptime of over 98%, according to the draft policy.

To be sure, the government had set a target to achieve 70% tower fiberization by FY25. Tower fiberization refers to the process of connecting mobile towers to high-speed fiber-optic networks. This ensures quality of services for consumers.

In fact, the 2018 policy had set targets to provide universal broadband connectivity, increase the digital communications sectors contribution to GDP to 8% from 6% in 2017, create 4 million jobs, and fiberization of at least 60% of towers, among other areas, by 2022.

According to industry executives, in some of the areas such as public Wi-Fi hotspots, tower fiberization, targets for BharatNet connectivity, and home broadband penetration, the progress has been slow.

Over the next five years, the government plans to enable the provision of fixed-line broadband networks to 45 million to 100 million households in the country, deploy 1 million public Wi-Fi hotspots, and use community Wi-Fi networks as an alternative for last-mile connectivity.

According to Srivastava of The Quantum Hub, the policy consciously avoids thornier questions around regulating OTT communication platforms, a long-standing ask from the industry.

In the emerging technology area, the government is looking to handhold 500 tech startups and MSMEs specializing in emerging technologies. The goal is to attain 10% global share in 6G-related intellectual property rights (IPRs).

(The government will) introduce innovative financing models like funds of funds, blended finance etc, to expand funding opportunities for the pool of telecom startups in India, the draft policy said.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai), set up in 1997 to regulate telecom services, tariffs and promote fair competition, wants stringent financial punitive powers to ensure that companies under its oversight strictly play by the rules.

According to three government officials aware of the matter, the telecom regulator is working on a plan to get the decades-old Trai Act, 1997 amended and give itself more teeth. To be sure, Trai has sufficient powers to regulate telecom service quality, resolve disputes via TDSAT, and protect consumer interests, but lacks adequate enforcement powers.

Trai cannot impose strong penalties, attach bank accounts or properties in case of violation, and ask for bank guarantees," the first of three officials cited earlier said, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity. This official said that the gaps in the Trai Act make it difficult for the regulator to effectively enforce rules and ensure compliance in the telecom sector. The officials

A key demand from the regulator is to have the powers to seek bank guarantees from telecom operators. The bank guarantee will bring seriousness in compliance from telecom operators and can be invoked in case they fail to pay penalties imposed by the regulator, the first official said.

In fact, the issue of giving more powers to Trai also came up at a recent meeting of Trai officials with the department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, a second official said.

This official added that the proposal, which is in the works, will be sent to the department of telecommunications (DoT), under the Union communications ministry.

Queries emailed to Trai did not elicit any response till press time.

Why Trai cant act tough on telcos

As per the Trai Act, 1997, its powers are primarily regulatory, advisory, and enforcement-focused through directions. This is different from other regulators. For example, the markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) can pass binding orders independently. However, for Trai, the power to enforce orders is limited. The telecom regulator, for instance, relies on the department of telecommunications for licence actions.

One of the key issues is also the enforcement of financial disincentives or penalties, which Trai does not have powers on. Trai can enforce a limited penalty but they don't have the power to recover that penalty," said Satya N. Gupta, a former principal advisor at Trai.

According to Gupta, the telecom regulator should have the powers to grant licence and implement policy, whereas the government should just make policies. In almost every country, the regulator has licensing power. In India, the government has kept both licensing and policy making," Gupta said, adding that Trai has control over a few things such as quality of service orders and tariffs (which is now under forbearance).

A key reason for Trai to seek more powers also stems from the financial disincentives worth over 140 crore imposed on telecom operators for failing to curb spams, which the operators refused to pay and sought an interim stay in the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT). The case is scheduled to be next heard on 8 August.

It is not illegal for telcos to challenge such orders by Trai but it delays enforcement. Often, operators do not take such orders seriously and also delay compliance with the regulator's request on sharing of certain data for research and investigation," the third official said, adding that Trai can impose some penalties, but not enough to hold companies fully accountable for serious violations. It lacks the teeth to enforce bigger actions  thats the problem, the official added.

Call for binding powers, guarantees

Trai should be empowered to directly issue, amend, or revoke telecom licences, rather than leaving this authority solely with the Department of Telecommunications. This would allow Trai to hold service providers more directly accountable," said Murtuza Kachwala, managing director at business consulting firm Protiviti Member Firm for India.



Its recommendationson tariffs, service quality, and consumer protectionshould carry more weight by being made binding, rather than just advisory, so operators are obligated to follow them unless a legal challenge overturns them," Kachwala said.

According to Kachwala, Trai's enforcement powers should be upgraded so it can independently impose penalties, fines, or other sanctions on operators that violate regulationssimilar to the powers Sebi holds in the financial sector.

Currently, if telecom operators do not comply with Trais order on financial disincentives, the best route for Trai to recover the same is through the chief metropolitan magistrate. The Trai Act gives the regulator powers to file a complaint with the magistrate to initiate criminal proceedings if a telecom operator is in violation of Trais directions or regulations, and fails to comply. However, the process is cumbersome and Trai has not exercised the powers in the last many years, the third official said.

In February, the regulator also recommended to DoT that the authorization regime for licence holders such as telecom operators should include a provision for a bank guarantee. This guarantee would cover financial dues and ensure compliance with Trai's regulations, orders, and directions issued from time to time.

Trai made these comments in its recommendations on the terms and conditions of network authorizations under the Telecommunications. Trai had said that compliance with its orders and regulations is a critical component of the efficient performance of authorized entities (telecom service providers). The DoT, however, has not accepted the recommendations.

Bank guarantees are required to secure telcos' payments towards licence fees, performance fees and penalties. When guarantees are invoked, the bank is supposed to pay that much to the institution to which it was provided and the borrower has to immediately repay the bank.
Gold dipped after a three-day rally as US President Donald Trumps deal with Japan and a report on progress over talks with the European Union allayed trade war concerns that have stoked demand for haven assets.

Bullion retreated as much as 1.4% after Trump said he would impose 15% levies on goods from Japan, while the Financial Times reported that the US and EU were closing in on a similar deal. The terms with Japan were better than most investors expected, following fraught negotiations.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said earlier that Japans pledge of hundreds of billions in US investments could be a model for the EU. Investors will also continue to seek clarity on the progress of trade negotiations with several other countries including China.

Gold has climbed almost 30% this year, as uncertainty around Trumps aggressive attempts to reshape global trade and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East sparked a flight to safety. The precious metal has consolidated within a tight range over the past few months, though this weeks gains of about 1% have pushed prices roughly $100 short of Aprils record high above $3,500 an ounce.

Spot gold traded was down 1.3% at $3,385.81 an ounce as of 12:17 p.m. in New York. The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was lower. Platinum and palladium fell.

Silver, meanwhile, fell slightly after reaching the highest since 2011 earlier Wednesday. The white metal has advanced 36% this year, with gains recently outpacing gold.

Unlike gold, silver is mostly used as an industrial input. That source of demand has grown in recent years, particularly for its application in solar cells. Solar photovoltaics accounted for nearly 200 million ounces of demand in 2024, quaduple the level of a decade before, according to figures from the Silver Institute. Against that backdrop, the market is headed for a fifth year in deficit, according to the indusry group.

There has also been evidence of tightness in the London market, the dominant trading venue for spot silver, after nearly half a million ounces flooded into US warehouses on tariff fears. The cost of borrowing the metal has jumped above historical norms, while growing exchange-traded fund holdings further erode the amount of metal freely available to buy.

The higher-than-expected 50% US tariff on copper also jolted the silver market, leading to US premiums for the white metal jumping to 80 cents an ounce, before paring back. Silver has been exempted from tariffs, but the high tax on another industrial metal highlighted the tail risk of futures levies.

US front-month copper futures are now trading at a record premium over LME prices, with the gap reaching about $2,900 a ton on Wednesday. Thats nearly 30% above the price in London. The metal was up 0.1% on the LME at $9,926 a ton. Aluminum edged lower, while nickel rose and zinc was flat.

With assistance from Sybilla Gross.

2025 Bloomberg L.P.
The initial public offering (IPO) of Brigade Hotel Ventures received a healthy response on its first day of bidding, July 24, with investors placing bids for 3.21 crore shares against the total offer of 4.83 crore shares, resulting in an overall subscription of 0.67 times by the end of Day 1, according to exchange data.

Retail investors showed strong interest, with their portion subscribed 2.66 times, while the non-institutional investors portion was booked 0.45 times. The QIB (Qualified Institutional Buyers) portion was subscribed just 0.08 times.

Brigade Hotel Ventures aims to raise 759.60 crore through the IPO, which is entirely a fresh issue of 8.44 crore shares. The IPO lot size is fixed at 166 shares, requiring a minimum investment of 14,940 for retail investors.

The price band for the issue is set between 85 and 90 per share. The allotment for the IPO is expected to be finalized on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, and the shares are scheduled to list on both the NSE and BSE, with a tentative listing date of Thursday, July 31. JM Financial Limited is the book-running lead manager to the issue, while Kfin Technologies Limited is acting as the registrar.

The company proposed to utilize the proceeds from the IPO for repayment or prepayment, in full or in part, of certain outstanding borrowings availed by the company and its material subsidiary, SRP Prosperita Hotel Ventures Limited. It will also use the funds for payment of consideration for the purchase of an undivided share of land from the promoter, pursue inorganic growth through unidentified acquisitions and other strategic initiatives, and for general corporate purposes.

GMP signals 10% premium As of today, the grey market premium (GMP) for Brigade Hotel Ventures IPO stands at 9 per share. This suggests that the shares are anticipated to list at 9 above their issue price. With this GMP and the IPO's upper price band, the estimated listing price of the shares would be 99, reflecting a 10% premium.

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The grey market premium represents the expected difference between an IPOs issue price and its anticipated listing price in the unofficial market. However, its important to remember that GMP is a preliminary indicator and should not be the sole factor in making investment decisions.

About Brigade Hotel Ventures Brigade Hotel Ventures Limited is the owner and developer of hotels in key cities in India, primarily across South India. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of BEL, which is one of the leading Indian real estate developers in India.

The company owns chain-affiliated hotels and rooms in South India (comprising the states of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Telangana and the Union territories of Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Pondicherry) among major private hotel asset owners (i.e., owning at least 500 rooms pan India) as of March 31, 2025.

Also Read | Brigade Hotel Ventures raises 325 crore from anchor investors ahead of IPO

The hotels provide a comprehensive customer experience, including fine dining and specialty restaurants, venues for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE), lounges, swimming pools, outdoor spaces, spas, and gymnasiums.
India-UK FTA: Various sectors and stocks from the Indian stock market will likely hog the limelight on Friday, July 25, when trading resumes on the bourses following the landmark free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the UK.

The FTA, which covers a wide array of sectors, will cut tariffs for various British imports while 99% of Indian exports to the UK would see duties eliminated to zero, including for segments like textiles, leather goods, agri products, medical devices and drugs, as per the documents shared by Indian officials. Additionally, the India-UK FTA will make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to the country.

The FTA signed by the two countries is expected to boost bilateral trade by around $34 billion annually.

The deal was signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonathan Reynold in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer.

India-UK FTA: How does it benefit India? Analysts believe that the India-UK trade deal is a lesson in global economic diplomacy and India's growing prominence in global trade. It assumes even more importance for India as it negotiates a trade deal with the US amid tariff threats.

Moreover, with the China-plus-one policy gathering steam, India has emerged as an alternative. Analysts said that for India, the FTA could lead to more exports and greater foreign investment.

Harshal Dassani, Business Head, INVasset PMS, said the zero-duty access to UK markets for textiles, gems, jewellery, seafood, engineering goods, and pharmaceuticals comes at a time when global supply chains are seeking China+1 partners. The agreement isnt just a diplomatic milestoneits a targeted economic catalyst for multiple Indian sectors, Dasani added.

Meanwhile, Pallavi Bakhru, Partner and UK Corridor Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat, believes the IndiaUK free trade agreement marks a pivotal moment - not only for boosting bilateral trade volumes, but for sparking employment and industrial renewal across both economies. She added that this FTA could unlock 25.5 billion in annual trade.

India-UK FTA: Which sectors and stocks should investors bet on? Analysts largely remain bullish on sectors like textiles, gems and jewellery, and seafood as the deal opens direct market access in these export verticals. Additionally, they are also bullish on the sectors like auto, pharma and agriculture that could benefit.

Agriculture According to the FTA, Indian farm products will get the same low-tax treatment as products from top European countries like Germany, with India securing zero duties on 95% of agriculture and processed food items. Against this backdrop, Mahesh Ojha of Hensex sees agriculture-related stocks seeing an upside. "Duty-free access is expected to increase agri exports by over 20% in the next three years, contributing to India's goal of $100 billion agri-exports by 2030," the official said.

Marine The CETA eliminates UK tariffs on India's marine products. Despite the UK's $5.4 billion marine import market, India's share remains at just 2.25%, underscoring a significant untapped opportunity. Against this backdrop, Dasani said marine exporters such as Avanti Feeds could scale volumes rapidly with tariff barriers lifted.

Textile Under the FTA, there will be no import duties on Indian textiles and leather, which will make India more competitive with other exporting countries like Bangladesh and Cambodia. Dasani said for labour-intensive sectors like textiles, companies such as Vardhman Textiles and Arvind will benefit from an 812% cost advantage over global peers, unlocking new export orders. Meanwhile, Ojha recommends Welspun India and Arvind.

Jewellery India's total gems and jewellery exports to the UK are valued at $941 million, with $400 million coming from jewellery. The FTA opens up a huge market as the UK imports approximately $3 billion worth of jewellery annually. According to officials, tariff relaxations under the FTA are projected to double India's gems and Jewellery exports to the UK within the next 2-3 years. Jewellery and gems players like Titan and Kalyan Jewellers will gain from duty-free access in a high-margin market like the UK, where Indian craftsmanship is already well regarded, Dasani recommended.

Leather and Footwear From 16% to zero, tariffs have been eliminated on India's leather and footwear. Ojha expects Relaxo and Bata India to benefit from this agreement.

Engineering & Auto Components Engineering and auto component firms, notably Bosch India and SKF India, will ride on increased machinery and precision equipment exports, aided by a trusted trading framework, said Dasani. India will cut duties to 10% from over 100% under a quota system that will be gradually liberalised. In return, Indian manufacturers will gain access to the UK market for electric and hybrid vehicles, also under a quota system. Meanwhile, Ojha recommends looking at Tata Motors, Bharat Forge and Sona Comstar.

Spirits Under the trade agreement, tariffs on Scotch whisky will drop to 75% from 150%, and then slide to 40% over the next decade, according to the British government. This, according to Ojha spells good for United Spirits, a subsidiary of UK-based Diageo PLC.

Others Further, the focus on services, defence, education, and climate opens up avenues for IT giants like Infosys and TCS through greater mobility and cross-border contracts, Dasani said. "As tariffs fall and credibility rises, Indian exporters gain pricing power, scale access, and long-term visibilitykey ingredients for rerating export-heavy portfolios in 2025 and beyond," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)
Stock Market today: Helped by positive global cues, the benchmark Nifty-50 index at 25,219.90 ended 0.63% higher on Wednesday. The Bank Nifty at 57,210.45 gained 0.80%, while Auto, Healthcare, and Oil & Gas stood among other key gainers, though Realty was among key underperformers. Broader indices were a mixed bag, as the mid-cap index ended in gains while the small-cap index ended flat.

Trade Setup for Thursday In the short term, the sentiment for Nifty-50 is likely to remain optimistic. On the higher side, Nifty may move towards 25,500, while support is placed at 24,900. A break below this level could weaken the current trend, said Rupak De, Senior Technical Analyst at LKP Securities

For Bank Nifty, immediate support is seen in the 56,00055,700 zone, as per Bajaj Broking.

Global markets today and Q1 Results The Indian equity market demonstrated resilience despite a mixed start to Q1FY26 earnings. Positive global cues, underpinned by optimism surrounding the U.S.-Japan trade agreement, have supported sentiment. Additionally, progress toward finalizing the India-UK FTA has further contributed to the constructive outlook, said Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited.

Continued advancements in global trade negotiations are expected to alleviate near-term trade tensions and foster greater market stability. While elevated valuations remain a concern, the prevailing market strength indicates potential for near-term earnings recovery. However, the pace and sustainability of this recovery will be critical in shaping the markets forward trajectory, added Nair

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: CreditAccess Grameen Ltd., Greenpanel Industries Ltd, Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd., Marico Ltd., Axis Bank , Graphite India Ltd., Waaree Energies Ltd., and NAVA Ltd.

Sumeet Bagadia's stock picks CreditAccess Grameen Ltd-Bagadia recommends buying CREDITACC at around  1349, keeping stop loss at  1300 for a target price of  1440 CREDITACC is currently positioned at 1349 levels and delivered a strong breakout performance in todays session. The price action marks a decisive breakout above the short-term consolidation zone, with increased volumes supporting the bullish move. Todays breakout attempt is the first major thrust from the lower end of this band, raising expectations of a bullish breakout. CREDITACC reversed strongly from the days low of 1253 to close near the high, marking a significant intraday recovery.

2. Greenpanel Industries LtdBagadia recommends buying GREENPANEL at around 317.95, keeping the stop loss at 305 for a target price of 340

GREENPANEL witnessed a powerful bullish breakout in todays session. The stock surged with significant volume expansion, indicating robust buying interest and potential accumulation at lower levels and a clear shift in sentiment. The closing is also above the 200-day EMA at 294, which adds significant strength to the breakout and validates bullish sentiment. This EMA convergence zone had acted as a resistance for many weeks, but today's move has cleanly surpassed it with strength.

Ganesh Dongre's stocks to buy today 3. Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd- Dongre recommends buying MOTHERSON at around 99, keeping Stoploss at 95 for a target price of 105

Stock has exhibited a strong, notable, continued bullish pattern, offering another promising opportunity for short-term traders. The stock is currently priced at  99 and maintaining strong support at  95. The technical setup indicates the potential for a price retracement towards the  105 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  95 offers a prudent approach to capturing the anticipated upside.

4. Marico LtdDongre recommends buying MARICO at around 720, keeping Stoploss at 710 for a target price of 735

Stock has exhibited a strong, notable, continued bullish pattern, offering another promising opportunity for short-term traders. The stock is currently priced at  720 and maintaining strong support at  710. The technical setup indicates the potential for a price retracement towards the  735 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  710 offers a prudent approach to capturing the anticipated upside.

5. Axis BankDongre recommends buying AXISBANK at around 1108, keeping Stoploss at 1083 for a target price of 1150

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 1108 and holding above a key support level at 1083. 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  1083 to manage downside risk. The target for this trade is set at  1150, suggesting a favorable risk-to-reward ratio and a continuation of the prevailing upward trend.

Shiju Koothupalakkal intraday stocks for today 6. Graphite India Ltd-Koothupalakkal recommends buying GRAPHITE INDIA at around 575.75 for a target price of 605, keeping the stop loss at 564

The stock has overall indicated a rising trend and is currently taking support near the 557 zone. It has once again given a pullback with a bullish candle formation on the daily chart with rising volume participation visible at the fag end of the session, anticipating a further rise in the coming sessions. The RSI is well positioned on the daily chart, with much upside potential visible to carry on with the positive move further ahead. With the chart technically looking good, we suggest buying the stock .

7. Waaree Energies Ltd-Koothupalakkal recommends buying WAAREE ENERGIES. at around 3188 for a target price of 3320. keeping Stop loss at 3135

The stock has been steadily and gradually gaining strength and currently showing signs of improvement from the near-term support area at the 3050 level, and with a positive candle pattern, it has triggered a fresh upward move with the chart setup looking attractive. The RSI is well placed, indicating a positive trend reversal to signal a buy, and can carry on with the positive move further ahead in the coming sessions. With the chart technically looking attractive, we suggest buying the stock.

8. Nava Ltd-Koothupalakkal recommends buying NAVA at around 630.65 for a target price of 665, keeping stop loss at 618

The stock has indicated a breakout above the consolidation range with a bullish candle formation on the daily chart with huge volume participation witnessed to strengthen the trend, and we can expect a further upward move in the coming sessions. The RSI has indicated strength with much upside potential visible from the current rate, and we can expect further gains. With the chart technically looking good, we suggest buying the stock.
Heres a quick look at stocks likely to be in focus in today's trade. Bajaj Finance, Adani Energy, Nestle India, SBI Life Shares of Bajaj Finance, Adani Energy, Nestle India, SBI Life will remain in focus as companies will declare Q1 earnings today.

Infosys Infosys, Indias second-largest IT services exporter, posted a 9% year-on-year (YoY) increase in its consolidated net profit, reaching 6,921 crore for the quarter ending in June.

Bajaj Housing Finance Bajaj Finance subsidiary announced its first-quarter results, reporting a 33.4% increase in Net Interest Income to 887 crore, while net profit grew by 21% to 583 crore.

Tata Consumer Tata Consumer posted a 15% year-on-year increase in its consolidated net profit for Q1FY26, rising to 334 crore from 290 crore in the same quarter last year.

Dr Reddy's Dr Reddy's reported a revenue of 8,542 crore, up from 7,672.7 crore in the previous year, though it fell slightly short of projections.

Force Motors The automobile major reported a 52.3% year-on-year increase in net profit, reaching 176.3 crore, while its revenue from operations grew by 21.9% to 2,297 crore for the June quarter.

BEML BEML has secured an order valued at 294 crore from the Ministry of Defence for the supply of 6x6 High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs).

Reliance Industries Welspun Corp has sold an additional 9.9% equity stake in Nauyaan Shipyard to Nauyaan Tradings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reliance Strategic Business Ventures, for 54.70 crore.

IndusInd Bank The board of the private lender has given its approval to raise up to 30,000 crore through a mix of debt securities and equity instruments such as ADRs, GDRs, and QIPs, subject to obtaining the required approvals from shareholders and regulators.

Inox Wind Inox Wind announced that its board has approved the specific terms for its proposed rights issue of equity shares worth up to 1,249 crore, after receiving in-principle approvals from both the BSE and NSE.
We did not have a wide choice of channels to watch on televisionit was only Doordarshan and Zee News. That is what we were watching after lunch the next day when Major Ramprasad suddenly said, It has been almost two days since you have arrived, and you have not received a proper reception here. I was wondering what he was talking about when there was a terrible booming noise outside and the building shook.

We rushed outside and I understood what Major Ramprasad meant by proper reception. Smoke was billowing from behind some trees on the other side of the river. It was a Pakistani artillery shell, landing barely a kilometre from us. I was reminded of the saying that as soon as someone joins the army, a bullet or artillery shell is made with his name on it.

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The telephone rang two minutes later.

Sir, the convoy halting area has been hit, said the person calling. I will call again shortly.

Five minutes later, the phone rang again.

Sir, casualties are on their way to the field ambulance.

How many? asked Major Ramprasad.

Eleven, sir.

The anaesthetist and I set off for the hospital. My surgical tenure at Kargil was about to start. The casualties arrived and were assessed and stabilised. Everything happened exactly as I had observed yesterday. No one changed the drill and no questions were asked. Everyone worked with silent efficiency. I proceeded to the operation theatre.

The first case was a twenty-one-year-old sepoy. A small splinter had penetrated his left armpit. He was conscious and there was just a trickle of blood in his armpit. Something told me that there was more to it than met the eye. Indeed, as soon as we started to clean the wound, there was a sudden gush of blood from it. The splinter had probably severed the axillary artery or one of its branches. Within half a minute, the patients blood pressure collapsed.

Major Ramprasad yelled at me to do something. I began with some local anaesthesia and made an incision. In the meantime, Major Ramprasad started general anaesthesia and set up the intravenous fluids. There was blood everywhere, and my mind was galloping. The axillary artery and its branches, the vein, the brachial plexus and all its branches and nodesthe anatomy I had studiedall flashed in front of my eyes. I remembered that the axillary artery is the main artery supplying the arm, while the brachial plexus is the network of nerves supplying the upper part of the limb. One wrong move could spell disaster, and a delay could mean death.

I started with the time-tested techniques of surgery. After compressing the area with warm saline-soaked swabs, I kept the suction ready and had my assistant hand over the artery forceps. I reminded myself to adjust the light and not to panic. After a minute of compression, I ventured into the axilla while slowly removing the swab. The blood was now flowing at a slower pace, and the anatomy was clearer. I could identify the bleedersit was an anterior branch of the axillary artery and a vein. I used the artery forceps to apply firm ligatures and brought the situation under control.

View Full Image 'The Kargil War Surgeons Testimony' by Arup Ratan Basu, Bloomsbury India, 204 pages,  399

Phew, what a start, I thought as I heaved a sigh of relief. The entire operation took only fifteen minutes, but it seemed like a very long time. As we were rechecking the operated area, a soft voice spoke from over my shoulder.

May I see it please, if you dont mind?

I turned to find an elderly gentleman of medium build. He seemed to be a native of the area. Major Ramprasad quickly said, This is Dr Kachu Hussain, a very experienced local surgeon. I called him. Thankfully, he was around and has come to help out.

I stepped aside and let Dr Kachu examine my work.

Yes, it looks fine, he said after a moment. I think it can be closed.

We took a breather and had some tea while the operation theatre was cleaned and the next patient was wheeled in. I took the opportunity to get acquainted with Dr Kachu. He was a general surgeon who had been practising at the district hospital for the past twenty years. He seemed to be a quiet man with the typical facial features of a Ladakh native. Though he was supposed to have a good hand at surgery, I wondered why he would want to spend his career at this remote place and had my doubts.

After ten minutes, we started on the next case. This one was a lance naik who had three artillery shell splinter injuries on both legs. The left tibiathe shin bonewas fractured too, but I was not trained to set the fracture nor did I have the means to do it. There was nothing heroic to be done in this case. I just had to clean the area to prevent infection from spreading and remove the dead tissue and other debris. Then I identified and marked the tendons and nerves and attempted a partial closure of the skin. The final surgery to fix his leg would be done at an orthopaedic centre in the hospital to which he would be transported.

Suddenly, there was a terrible booming noise right in the room, and for a moment I was sure that the inevitable had happenedthe hospital had been hit by an enemy artillery shell. This was the end and we would all die  but nothing happened. No sign of any fire nor any alarms or shouts. Major Ramprasad gave me a sheepish smile and said, Actually, this anaesthesia machine is quite old. It was the pipes bursting. I knew this would happen, and thats why I had asked Delhi for a new machine a while ago. But there has been no response to my request.

I looked towards where he was pointing. It was a vintage Boyles machine, probably from the 1960s. The number of cases here were so few that it had never been upgraded. But now, with so many cases within a week, it couldnt cope. The bureaucratic tangles at Delhi meant that the pleas from here were just not heard.

Excerpted with permission from Bloomsbury India.

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The environment, social and governance (ESG) mutual funds are the ones which invest in companies which demonstrate strong environment, social and governance practices.

Although these are quite diverse criteria to choose from, still they are strung together by a common thread of ethical behaviour manifested through commitment towards environment, society and governance practices.

It would not be wrong to say that the phenomenon of ESG is still quite contemporary and till date, most investors do not aim to invest in stocks or funds based on their commitment towards ESG. The key goal of any investor is usually not to invest in one category of companies, but to maximise the chances of higher earnings.

Therefore, when the selection of stocks is based entirely on the moral fibre, the occurrence of earning higher returns would only be a coincidence, and not a logical conclusion.

However, the other way to look at this theme is that investment in well-managed companies is the right thing to do.

When you see it purely from the lens of higher returns, ESG funds do not hit the bulls eye. Counterintuitively, if the ESG companies do not deliver good returns in the long run, then who else will? So, it is important in the long run to stay invested in the stocks of companies that have shown commitment towards environment, society and governance, says Deepak Aggarwal, a Delhi-based chartered accountant and financial advisor.

These are some of the ESG funds in India I. ABSL ESG Integration Strategy Fund: It has an AUM of 652.99 crore (as on June 29, 2025). It is managed by Chanchal Khandelwal and Dhaval Joshi.

II. Axis ESG Integration Strategy Fund: It has an AUM of 1,272 crore (as on June 30, 2025). It is managed by Hitesh Das, Vishal Agarwal and Krishnaa N. Top constituent stocks in the fund are ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel and Bajaj Finance.

III. ICICI Prudential ESG Exclusionary Strategy Fund: This was launched on Oct 9, 2020 and has an AUM of 1,5488 crore. It is managed by Mittul Kalawadia.

IV. Kotak ESG Exclusionary Strategy Fund: It was launched on Dec 11, 2020 and managed by Mandar Pawar. Its AUM is 893 crore.

V. Quant ESG Integration Strategy Fund: It was launched on Nov 5, 2020 and is managed by Sandeep Tandon, Ankit Pande, Varun Pattani , Ayusha Kumbhat, Yug Tibrewal, Sameer Kate and Sanjeev Sharma.

VI. SBI ESG Exclusionary Strategy Fund: Having launched on Jan 1, 1991, it is the oldest ESG fund and boasts of an asset size of 5,830 crore. Currently, it is managed by Rohit Shimpi.

VII. WhiteOak Capital ESG Best-in-class Strategy Fund: It was launched last year on October 30. It is a very small fund with AUM of 67 crore.
The Central government informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday, July 24 that many pilots linked to Air India reported sick after AI-171 plane crash on June 12 that killed 260 people. On June 16, a total of 112 pilots across Air India's fleet reported sick after the tragic plane crash, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said.

The pilots who reported sick included 51 commanders and 61 first officers. The response came to an unstarred question raised by MP Jai Prakash regarding reports of mass sick leave among Air India flight crew after the incident.

Speaking of the mental well-being of the flight crew after the Air India plane crash, the minister said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had already issued a circular in February 2023 with detailed guidelines on mental health support for flight crews and Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs).

The guidelines included easy and quick mental health checks by DGCA-approved medical examiners during regular medical exams and special training modules to help crew and ATCOs understand and deal with mental health challenges.

It also includes a Peer Support Programme (PSP) designed to let employees seek help in a safe, supportive environmentwithout fear of disciplinary action.

Earlier, on July 21, answering a question about the probe into the AI-171 crash, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu that the decoding of the Black Box had occurred in India for the first time.

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Naidu said, "First set of the probe is done and a preliminary report is out. Earlier, whenever Black Box had slight damage, the black box used to be sent to the manufacturer for decoding. For the first time, the decoding of the Black Box has happened in India."
New Delhi: The government plans to take HIV treatment and support to the doorsteps of over 2.5 million living with the virus.

The Union health ministry is working on a "person-centered approach" instead of a uniform plan for everyone. This major overhaul, incorporated in the "Operational Guidelines for Care and Support Centres" by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO), aims to eradicate AIDS as a public health threat by 2030.

According to the 'India HIV Estimation 2023' report, an estimated 2.54 million people were living with HIV in India. The report said that in 2023, approximately 35,870 people in India died due to causes related to AIDS.

To be sure, not everyone with HIV develops AIDS, and anti- retroviral or ARV drugs have made living with the disease as manageable as any other condition.

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Furthermore, the government is looking to roll out new mobile applications such as the NACO-CSC app for tracking and monitoring HIV patients. This initiative aims to digitize data and improve efficiency.

A significant change in this new strategy is the widespread adoption of community-based link ART centres (LACs), which will enable HIV patients to pick up their vital antiretroviral (ARV) medicines at local care and support centres, rather than having to travel long distances to bigger hospitals.

This "decentralized approach" aims to make treatment much easier to access, especially for those facing travel difficulties, financial strain or other personal challenges.

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Beyond easier ARV access, the government is also leveraging a major technological leap: digital record-keeping and patient tracking through a new "NACO-CSC mobile application".

This initiative will replace the older, time-consuming paper-based system, allowing for real-time updates and seamless coordination between HIV testing centres (ICTC), treatment centres (ARTCs), and the care and support centres (CSCs).

This digital shift is expected to save time, speed up patient care, and make the entire process more transparent and efficient. Importantly, patient confidentiality will be strictly maintained as per government data policies.

The new treatment guidelines prioritize crucial areas like the Elimination of Vertical Transmission of HIV & Syphilis (EVTHS). This is a vital step to prevent HIV and syphilis from being passed from mothers to their children during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

This focus is particularly urgent given that an estimated 2,350 new pediatric HIV infections in India in 2023 were due to such vertical transmission. The aim is to ensure that 95% of pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV achieve a suppressed viral load, a key factor in preventing transmission to their babies.

Care and Support Centres (CSCs) will play a crucial role in this by proactively following up with pregnant women living with HIV to ensure they adhere to their treatment, get regular viral load tests, and that their babies receive necessary preventive medicines and early diagnosis," said an official aware of the matter.

CSCs will help bridge the gaps in linking newly diagnosed individuals to treatment, improve how well patients stick to their medicine plans, and track those who might interrupt treatment or have a high viral load. CSCs also play a critical role in connecting patients to various social welfare schemes and actively work to reduce the stigma and discrimination that people living with HIV often face," the official added.

Another focus of the new protocol is the comprehensive management of HIV-related co-morbidities and advanced HIV disease. This means addressing other health conditions that people living with HIV might develop, ensuring they receive holistic care.

Indian pharmaceutical companies, including Cipla, Aurobindo Pharma, Zydus Lifesciences and Lupin, are key manufacturers of ARV drugs essential for HIV treatment. The market for HIV drugs is substantial, estimated at $250.23 million in 2022, with projections to grow to $389.90 million by 2030.

Queries sent to the above mentioned companies remained unanswered.

Raman Gangakhedkar, distinguished professor, Symbiosis International University, Pune and former C.G. Pandit national chair at the Indian Council on Medical Research (ICMR),said that though the National AIDS Control Programme continues to be one of the most successful nationally and internationally, it faces the challenge of linking 95% of HIV infected Individuals to ART services and ensure lifelong treatment adherence for the 2030 elimination goal.

Vast number of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) cannot be followed up for the treatment and get missed, migration, opt out for treatment from closest clinics and social stigma are some of the key challenges for linkage as well continuation of antiretroviral therapy that has ensured that one can live as long as others who are not infected. Tracking individuals detected to be infected from detection to maintenance of suppressed viral load is critical," Dr. Gangakhedkar said.

He said that to combat this, community involvement is paramount in the fight to eliminate HIV.

The government now plans to establish more Care and Support Centres across the country in most of the districts and will not only track the person to ensure quality treatment against HIV disease but also monitor TB and other non-communicable diseases as a component of comprehensive care. The current guidelines cover objective parameters to be an agency to implement CSC related services, parameters used for rigorous monitoring and evaluation based on their performance. The HIV infected individuals will soon be able to get their medicines and refills directly from these local CSCs, eliminating the need to travel long distances to ART centres and when they are unable to travel due to sickness. The CSC will also counsel them comprehensively and also ensure measures related social stigma are handled well."

He said that some of the patients on ART may prefer private healthcare to begin with and also during treatment from ART Centres. In such circumstances, the government often lacks crucial data on whether they're actually receiving treatment.

To address this, all newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals will now be linked to an ART centre. Furthermore, a digital mobile application will be instrumental in tracing patients anywhere in the country. Our major goal is to monitor active HIV cases and their treatment in India," said Dr. Gangakhedkar.
Columbia University has reached a deal with the Trump adminsitration over federal funding, the university announced Wednesday. As per the agreement, Columbia University will pay more than $220 million in over three years to the federal government to restore federal research money that was canceled in the name of combating antisemitism on campus. It will also pay $21 million to settle investigations brought by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Trump later congratulated the varsity for agreeing to do what is right.

What did the University say? This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty, acting University President Claire Shipman said.

The administration withdrew the funding, citing the universitys alleged failure to address antisemitism on campus amid the Israel-Hamas conflict that began in October 2023.

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Columbia then agreed to a series of demands laid out by the Republican administration, including overhauling the university's student disciplinary process and adopting a new definition of antisemitism. Wednesday's agreement codifies those reforms, Shipman said.

What did the White House say? The school will pay a $200 million fine to settle claims related to discriminatory practices, marking a significant win for accountability in academia, a senior White House official said on Wednesday.

Other provisions of the agreement require Columbia to provide more transparency around its hiring and admissions practices, and increase oversight, including the appointment of a resolution monitor and an administrator, to ensure Columbia complies with the agreement and federal laws.

In return, the agreement restores most of Columbias previously terminated federal grants, reestablishes its eligibility for future funding and awards, and brings ongoing federal investigations to a close, the official said.

The agreement will potentially act as a template for other colleges negotiating with the US government, including Harvard University, which has also been hit by a flurry of actions cutting off funding and targeting its ability to enroll foreign students.

What Trump said? In a social media post, Trump said, I am pleased to announce that the Trump Administration has reached a historic agreement with Columbia University. Columbia has agreed to pay a penalty of $200 Million Dollars to the United States Government for violating Federal Law, in addition to over $20 Million to their Jewish employees who were unlawfully targeted and harassed. Columbia has also committed to ending their ridiculous DEI policies, admitting students based ONLY on MERIT, and protecting the Civil Liberties of their students on campus.

Numerous other Higher Education Institutions that have hurt so many, and been so unfair and unjust, and have wrongly spent federal money, much of it from our government, are upcoming. Its a great honor to have been involved, and I want to thank and congratulate Secretary Linda McMahon, and all those who worked with us on this important deal. I also want to thank and commend Columbia University for agreeing to do what is right. I look forward to watching them have a great future in our Country, maybe greater than ever before!

Columbia University has remained under intense scrutiny since pro-Palestinian demonstrations erupted on its New York City campus in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel.

Also Read | Trump admin wins case on blocking funding of Columbia University

Initially criticised by lawmakers for allegedly allowing antisemitism to flourish, the university faced broader backlash following President Donald Trumps re-election. The criticism expanded to target its diversity initiatives and the high number of international students enrolled. Foreigners make up almost 40% of the New York schools student body and contribute a significant portion of its revenue.
PM Modi in London LIVE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his British counterpart, Keir Starmer, in London on Thursday, ahead of the anticipated signing of a landmark UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The high-level meeting comes as both nations prepare to finalise a deal expected to significantly enhance bilateral economic relations and deepen strategic cooperation.

The bilateral meeting took place at the historic Hawtry Room, where the two leaders held a one-on-one discussion to finalise the contours of what is being described as India's most comprehensive trade pact and the UK's most significant post-Brexit deal.

Hours before meeting PM Modi, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the India trade deal a 'Plan for Change in action'.

In a post on X, Starmer wrote, "A landmark deal with India means jobs, investment and growth here in the UK. It creates thousands of British jobs, unlocks new opportunities for businesses and puts money in the pockets of working people.

The UK-India trade deal is set to boost two-way trade by 25.5 billion each year, according to a statement from the British High Commission. Its also expected to create thousands of jobs, reduce tariffs, and give businesses in both countries better access to each others markets.

During Prime Minister Modis visit, both leaders are also likely to launch the UK-India Vision 2035  a refreshed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that lays out a wider plan for working together on defence, technology, climate change, education, and national security.

This landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain. It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses, and drive growth in every corner of the country, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in the statement.

He added that the agreement is part of his Plan for Change to help put more money in peoples pockets and support families with the cost of living.


Cosmetics, chocolates, medical devices and aerospace goods from the UK are set to become sharply cheaper in India after the two countries signed a landmark trade deal on Thursday, while Indian seafood, textiles, leather footwear, and gems and jewellery get to enter the UK duty-free.

Lovers of Scotch whiskey and imported cars have reason to cheer too, though the duty benefits will unroll over the yearsand in the case of automobiles, there will be stiff quotas on how many vehicles can be imported at lower duty, after which regular tariffs kick in.

The agreement kept out the UK's contentious carbon border tax, as well as post-study work visas for Indian students in the UK. On professionals moving between the two countries too, the liberalization was modest. The agreement marks a significant reset in bilateral economic relations, and unveils an ambitious joint roadmap for cooperation through 2035.

Expansive deal

The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is among the most wide-ranging deals ever concluded by India, and the most expansive trade pact signed by the UK in the Indo-Pacific after it left the European Union. The deal takes effect once both parliaments ratify it, which may take six months or more.

Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the deal as a win for their nations.

Nearly 45% of Indias exports to the UK will now enter duty-free, offering a significant boost to Indias labour-intensive sectors. Tariffs on Indian processed food falls from 70% to zero, making them sharply cheaper in the UK.

The UK will immediately drop tariffs on most Indian goods, including engineering products, chemicals, base metals, and marine items, where Indian exports will now enjoy zero duty instead of existing rates of 8% to 20%. The deal grants India preferential access to the UKs $37.5 billion agri-market, even as New Delhi safeguarded sensitive sectors such as dairy, fresh apples, and vegetable seeds from tariff concessions.

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Cheaper British goods

Tariffs on the UK's soaps, perfumes, shaving creams, and nail polish, as well as chocolates and medical devices, will drop from an average of 20% to around nil.

Indian fishermen and marine exporters are major gainers, given that the UK's duties on these items, currently as high as 20%, drops to zero, opening up a $5.4 billion opportunity.

India has kept items such as gold bars, smartphones, blue-veined cheese, walnuts, and specific agricultural items out of the ambit of tariff concessions. The UK, too, has shielded its dairy, semi-milled rice, solid cane sugar and several processed meat items.

Automobiles, liquor

The FTA allows the UK to ship to India up to 20,000 completely built units (CBUs) in the first year at 30%against the current rate of 110%depending on engine capacity. (From the 20,001st vehicle, 95% duty will apply in first year and it will gradually reduce to 50% in 10th year and onwards). The quota will expand to 37,000 CBUs by year five and then taper to 15,000 by year 15.

Electric, hybrid and hydrogen vehicles get no concessions in the first five years. After that, India will allow up to 4,400 premium EVs in sixth year at 50%, with tariffs reduced to 10% by year 10 limited only to vehicles priced above 40,000 CIF. The cap of 22,000 total vehicles over 15 years remains unchanged.

The liberalization model is quota-based and designed to benefit luxury vehicles while protecting Indias mass-market auto segment. This sends a positive signal to UK exporters but does not compromise Indias EV localization or Make-in-India push," said an Indian automotive executive.

This is for the first time that India has included automobiles and alcoholic beverages under a tariff liberalization framework in an FTA, which marks a significant shift," a senior official involved in the negotiations told Mint.

For alcoholic beverages, including Scotch whisky, brandy, and rum, the 150% duty will be halved over 10 years for products meeting a Minimum Import Price (MIP) threshold of $5 per litre or $6 per 750 ml bottle. This is expected to help premium brands gain better access without affecting the domestic market for low-cost spirits. Its more of a market access gesture than a consumption game-changer," said Vinod Giri, a liquor industry expert.

Social security pact

The Double Contribution Convention (DCC) agreed by the two countries ensures that employees temporarily working in the other country pay social security contributions only in their home country, avoiding dual contributions for up to three years.

Among the non-tariff elements, the FTA includes legally binding commitments on services, investment, government procurement, and intellectual property. UK-based financial and professional services will gain guaranteed market access and equal treatment under Indias investment rules. Indian workers in the UK will be exempt from social security contributions for three years, a move expected to benefit around 75,000 individuals.

On mobility, India will be allowed to send up to 1,800 professionals annuallyincluding chefs, yoga instructors, and classical musiciansto work temporarily in the UK. The pact also sets up institutional mechanisms for cooperation in customs procedures, rules of origin, and digital trade.

The FTA is expected to deliver fresh investments worth nearly 6 billion from the UK into India. British companies, including Rolls-Royce and Airbus, announced new aviation contracts and joint manufacturing deals at the signing ceremony.

India is an important market for our business," said Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic. We welcome the provisions in this FTA that bring us closer to international standards and future aerospace growth."

Vision 2035

Both leaders also unveiled the UK-India Vision 2035, a broad strategic roadmap that outlines cooperation in defence manufacturing, border security, climate action, and education. A Defence Industrial Roadmap has been launched to steer joint development and procurement. The two sides also pledged deeper coordination on technology, intelligence sharing, and tackling organized crime.

India has opened several critical segments of its services economy to British firms, offering unprecedented access in sectors such as accounting, auditing, financial services (with the FDI cap in insurance retained at 74%), telecom (allowing 100% FDI), environmental services, and auxiliary air transport.

UK firms will now be able to offer telecom, construction, and related services in India without needing to set up a local entity, and will enjoy national treatmentensuring they are treated on par with domestic firms, as per the FTA document.

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Professional qualifications

India has also agreed to recognize UK professional qualifications in select areas such as law and accounting, although legal services as a sector remain closed. The pact guarantees no numerical caps on UK service providers and grants commercial presence rights across several domains.

India has maintained regulatory carve-outs in sensitive areas such as legal practice, taxation, and national security, and full mutual recognition of professional qualifications remains limited.

In contrast, the UKs offer on services is more cautious, with limited liberalization beyond select areas such as computer services, consultancy, and environmental services.

The UK has allowed an annual quota of 1,800 temporary visas for roles like yoga instructors and classical musicians, but has not made binding commitments on broader mobility categories such as business visitors or IT professionals," said Ajay Srivastava, founder of Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), a think tank.

The UKs decision not to restore post-study work visas also remains a point of contention for Indian students, as the agreement does not override the UKs existing points-based immigration system," he said.

With tariff elimination of up to 18% under the CETA, Indias engineering exports to the UK are projected to nearly double over the next five years, crossing $7.5 billion by 202930, a commerce ministry statement said.

As India has not secured a carve-out or exemption clause on CBAM, weve lost a vital opportunity to protect our carbon-intensive exports," said GTRI's Srivastava. From January 2027, the UK can impose carbon taxes on Indian steel and aluminium, even as we grant UK goods duty-free access. Thats a serious asymmetry. We should expect similar treatment under the India-EU FTA as well."
New Delhi: India has significantly increased its efforts to combat substandard and spurious drugs in the market, with the government unearthing thousands of such medicines and prosecuting more offenders.

Union health minister J.P. Nadda informed Parliament on Tuesday that a total of 3,104 "not-of-standard quality" (NSQ) drugs and 245 spurious or adulterated medicines were identified in FY25. The number of legal actions initiated against those involved in these illicit activities stood at 961, as against 604 in FY24. A total of 116,323 drug samples were tested last year across the country.

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"While 3,104 were found to be NSQ and 245 spurious or adulterated, the number of prosecutions launched significantly increased to 961, indicating a stronger crackdown on offenders," Nadda stated.

He emphasized the government's firm commitment to eradicating dangerous and substandard medicines from the market.

Recent data highlights sustained effort

In the fiscal year 2022-23, out of 96,713 drug samples tested, 3,053 were found to be substandard and 424 were declared spurious or adulterated, leading to 663 prosecutions.

The following year, 2023-24, saw 106,150 samples examined, with 2,988 identified as NSQ and 282 as spurious or adulterated, resulting in 604 prosecutions.

Nadda said all complaints regarding such drugs are promptly investigated in collaboration with relevant licensing authorities to ensure appropriate action.

The government's ongoing actions aim to safeguard public health by ensuring that only safe and effective medicines are available to citizens.

While there isn't a specific legal term for "counterfeit medicines," existing laws, particularly the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940, already cover them under categories like "spurious," "adulterated," and "misbranded" drugs. Manufacturing, selling, or distributing these, as well as any banned medicines, are serious offences.

A nationwide survey conducted between 2014 and 2016 had previously highlighted the prevalence of NSQ and spurious drugs, testing 47,012 samples from both government and private sources across the country.
7/11 Mumbai blasts: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the July 21 Bombay High Courts judgment that acquitted the 12 men in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case. July 21. The top court, however, did not stay the release of all the 12 acquitted persons in the case.

The Supreme Court noted the Maharashtra governments concern that the July 21 Bombay High Court ruling could adversely impact several pending trials under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

The Supreme Court bench of justices MM Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh also issued notices to all 12 men and sought their replies on the states appeal.

We are inclined to hold that the impugned judgment shall not be treated as a precedent. Therefore, there will be a stay of the impugned judgment, the court said in its brief order.

Bombay HC quashed MCOCA Court Order In its July 21 verdict, the Bombay High Court acquitted all 12 accused in the 7/11 Mumbai train blasts case of 2006. All the 12 accused have already walked free following their acquittal earlier this week. The HC quashed the judgment of a special MCOCA court, which handed over the death sentence to five and life term to seven people accused of conspiring and executing the Mumbai train bomb blasts on July 11, 2006.

The 12 Men Convicts Kamal Ansari, Mohammad Faisal Ataur Rahman Shaikh, Ehtesham Qutubuddin Siddiqui, Naveed Hussain Khan and Asif Khan were handed over the death penalty for planting the bombs.

Among other convicts, Tanveer Ahmed Mohammed Ibrahim Ansari, Mohammed Majid Mohammed Shafi, Shaikh Mohammed Ali Alam Shaikh, Mohammed Sajid Margub Ansari, Muzammil Ataur Rahman Shaikh, Suhail Mehmood Shaikh, and Zameer Ahmed Latiur Rehman Shaikh were granted life terms.

Maharashtra government challenged the Bombay HC judgement in the Supreme Court with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis calling the HC judgement very unfortunate.

In the Supreme Court, however, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta, appearing for Maharashtra, told the bench that he was not seeking an order to direct the accused persons, who have been released from prison following the judgment, to surrender.

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However, he requested a stay of the judgment, saying that some of the observations made by the High Court in the judgment can impact other pending trials under the MCOCA, legal news website LiveLaw reported.

"Your lordships may consider saying, the judgment is stayed, however, they will not be required to come back to the prison," SG said.

No question of bringing them back to prison The SC accepted the contention and said the Bombay HC ruling shall not carry precedential value until further orders. In its order, the SC bench said it was not necessary to bring the 12 acquitted persons back to jail.

"We have been informed that all the respondents have been released and there is no question of bringing them back to the prison," the SC bench court said.

We are inclined to hold that the impugned judgment shall not be treated as a precedent.

Seven bombs had ripped through the local lines in Mumbai on November 7, 2006. A total of 189 citizens lost their lives and nearly 820 innocents sustained severe injuries in these blasts, which are also known as the infamous "7/11 Mumbai Blasts."
In a tragic incident, a woman engineer was found dead at her residential apartment in Assam on Tuesday afternoon.

The woman, identified as 30-year-old Jyotisha Das, was an assistant engineer at the Public Works Department (PWD) of Assam.

She originally hailed from Guwahati and was posted in Bongaigaon.

According to police, she has left behind a handwritten note alleging harassment by senior officials to approve fraudulent bills for incomplete construction work.

She has allegedly named two senior Assam government officials in the note.

The police have arrested the two officials in a case of abetment of suicide.

"We have arrested the two persons named in the suicide note. One is an executive engineer of the PWD and the other a sub-divisional officer," Bongaigaon SSP Mohan Lal Meena told PTI.

Following the tragedy, Dass family has filed an FIR.

Earlier this month, both of them were transferred out of the district.

While the executive engineer was promoted and posted in Nalbari district, the SDO was moved to Kamrup.

"They have been sent to judicial custody. We have got permission to interrogate them and carry out our investigation," Meena said.

He also said that police are verifying the allegations in the suicide note found beside the body of the woman.

"She said in the note that the two arrested officials put immense pressure on her regarding the construction of a mini stadium in Bongaigaon. She also alleged that they had forced her to pass inflated bills submitted by a contractor," another official told PTI.

In her note, Das wrote that she had been under severe mental stress due to repeated pressure from her superiors. She also claimed there was no one to guide her in the office and expressed feelings of exhaustion and helplessness, reported NDTV.
In a move to curb the traffic snarlings in the city, Bengaluru traffic police have suggested flexible work hours and mid-week Work From Home (WFH) options for IT firms located along the Outer Ring Road (ORR), according to a report by Bengaluru Mirror.

Early working hours According to the report citing Joint Commissioner of Traffic, Karthik Reddy, since the peak traffic period falls between 9 and 10 am, companies have been advised to start work as early as 7:30 am to reduce the burden.

WFH Wednesdays Additionally, theyve been encouraged to implement WFH on Wednesdays to help ease mid-week traffic. According to the report, companies have also been urged to arrange shuttle buses for employee transportation. As part of improving connectivity, there are plans to link various tech parks. To gather precise traffic data, cameras will be installed to monitor vehicle movement over three days.

Illegal parking A strict zero-tolerance approach to illegal parking, especially around ORR junctions and within tech park campuses was strongly emphasised, with immediate towing mandated for any vehicles violating parking regulations. Additionally, the association called for contingency measures to handle breakdowns of buses, trucks, or tankers, aiming to prevent these incidents from triggering wider traffic snarls.

Overall, the meeting was constructive, with all agencies agreeing to collaborate closely to implement practical solutions, Reddy added.

Bengaluru, often dubbed Indias Silicon Valley, is equally notorious for its relentless traffic congestion. With a booming IT industry and rapid urban expansion, the city's roads, especially key corridors like the Outer Ring Road are overwhelmed during peak hours.
The Bombay High Court on Thursday said all idols of up to six feet height must be immersed in artificial water bodies starting from Ganesh festival this year.

The high court's order comes weeks ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, which is going to be celebrated from August 26 this year.

The Bombay HC's new rule will be applicable to all idols made of plaster of Paris and less than 6 feet in height.

A division bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne said this order is also applicable to Durga idols that will be immersed in early October this year.

Ganesh Chaturthi is touted as the biggest festival in Maharashtra, while thousands of people also celebrate Durga Puja in the state.

The division bench noted that in 2024, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had made around 204 water tanks for 1.95 lakh Ganesh idols that were under 5 feet. However, only 85,000 such idols were immersed in these tanks while the remaining were immersed in natural water bodies.

Maha govt's submission in HC The Maharashtra government on Wednesday submitted an affidavit in the Bombay High Court stating that domestic Ganesh idols of up to 5 feet height will be immersed in artificial ponds.

Large idols of Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandals will be immersed in the traditional manner in the sea, it said.

This move will pave the way for the immersion of large Ganesh idols in the sea. The ban on POP (Plaster of Paris) posed a serious threat to the livelihoods of lakhs of sculptors and jeopardised the economy of a major traditional industry, the state government said.

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However, the Bombay HC was not impressed by the submission, ruling that idols up to 6 feet must be immersed in artificial tanks or ponds.

"This Court has to make an endeavour that the impact of immersion of idols on environment is made bare minimal... Thus, instead of 5 feet, idols up to 6 feet be compulsorily immersed in artificial tanks," Chief Justice Aradhe said.

Ganeshotsav, also known as Ganesh Chaturthi, is a 10-day festival that continues until Anantha Chaturdashi. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi will begin on Wednesday, August 27.
Central government employees can take leave for up to 30 days due to personal reasons, including taking care of elderly parents, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said in Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

According to the service rules, government employees are entitled to 30 days of leave, which can be used for personal reasons, such as looking after elderly parents.

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The Union Minister's statement was a response to a question regarding whether there is any provision for government employees to avail leave to take care of their elderly parents.

The Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 provides for 30 days of earned leave, 20 days of half pay leave, eight days of casual leave and two days of restricted holiday per annum, apart from other eligible leaves to a Central government employee, which can be availed for any personal reasons, including that of taking care of elderly parents, Singh said in a written reply.

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About Central Civil Services(Leave) Rules, 1972 The Central Civil Services(Leave) Rules, 1972, took effect from 1 June 1972. These statutory rules regulate the granting of leave to all government employees, except for those covered by separate rules, such as Railway employees and members of the All India Services.

Types of leaves Under the service rules, there are different kinds of leaves, such as earned leave, half-day leave, commuted leave, leave not due, extraordinary leave, maternity leave, paternity leave, child care leave, study leave, special disability leave, seamens sick leave, hospital leave, and departmental leave.

Also Read | Harsh Goenka criticises 9 to 5 jobs, internet points at irony

According to government policy, leave is credited in advance to a government servant's Leave Account twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July, respectively. It is debited when leave is taken by the employees. However, certain Special Kinds of Leave are not debited to the leave account.

Executive instructions issued by the government from time to time govern holidays such as casual leave, restricted holidays, compensatory off, and special casual leave.
The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday, 24 July, raided several premises in Mumbai linked to Anil Ambani, days after SBI declared him a fraud account holder. Around 35 premises, 50 companies, and over 25 individuals are being searched under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

ANI reported quoting ED sources, Subsequent to recording of FIRs by CBI, ED started investigating the alleged offence of Money Laundering by RAAGA Companies (Reliance Anil Ambani Group Companies). Other agencies & institutions also shared information with ED, such as - The National Housing Bank, SEBI, National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA), Bank of Baroda.

Preliminary investigation by ED has revealed a well-planned and thought-out scheme to divert/ siphon off public money by cheating banks, shareholders, investors and other public institutions. The offence of bribing bank officials, including Promoter of Yes Banks Limited, is also under scanner.

Probe also reveals alleged illegal loan diversion of around 3000 crore from Yes Bank (period 2017 to 2019). ED has found that just before the loan was granted, the Yes Bank promoters allegedly received money in their accounts. ED is investigating this nexus of bribe and loan. ED has found gross violations in Yes Bank loan approvals to RAAGA companies, such as Credit Approval Memorandums (CAMs) were back-dated, Investments were proposed without any due diligence/ credit analysis in violation of Bank's Credit Policy, inter alia.

Also Read | Anil Ambani's Reliance Defence in pact to supply artillery shells to German firm

In this regard, over 35 premises, 50 companies and over 25 persons are covered in a search operation launched today by the ED under section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, sources further said.

SBI classifies Anil Ambani as Fraud Meanwhile, the State Bank of India has classified Reliance Communications and promoter director Anil D Ambani as fraud and is also in the process of lodging a complaint with CBI, Parliament was informed on Monday, as reported by PTI.

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha that the entities were classified as fraud on 13 June 2025, in accordance with the RBI's Master Directions on Fraud Risk Management and the Bank's Board-approved Policy on Classification, Reporting & Management of Frauds.

On 24 June 2025, the bank reported classification of fraud to RBI, and is also in the process of lodging a complaint with CBI, he said.

Further, on 1 July, 2025, as part of disclosure compliance, Resolution Professional of RCom informed the Bombay Stock Exchange regarding fraud classification by the bank.

He said SBI's credit exposure in RCom includes fund-based principal outstanding of 2,227.64 crore, along with accrued interest and expenses with effect from 26 August 2016, and non-fund-based Bank Guarantee of 786.52 crore.
Google has moved to the Supreme Court of India (SC) to appeal the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal's March order, which partially upheld the Competition Commission of Indias allegations of unfair practices, against the tech giant, according to a report by Bar & Bench on July 24.

The filing was made on July 21, and also contests the NCLAT's order in May 2025, which corrected its terminology from an inadvertent error and reinstated two key data-related directives issued by the CCI, as per the B&B report.

The CCI in its findings said the company abused its dominance in the Android ecosystem by imposing unfair Play Store policies and promoting its own payments app, Google Pay, the report added.

A hearing in the case in expected soon, it said.

Also Read | How much salary did Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran get in FY25?

The case: Alphabet Vs Competition Commission of India The CCI began its probe in November 2020 looking into Alphabet's (Googles parent) billing practices on the Play Store. Later in October 2022, the commission concluded that the tech giant abused its dominance by pushing use of Google Play Billing System (GPBS) for other app purchases, while exempting its own subdiaries (e.g. YouTube) from these fee structures. The CCI imposed a 936.44 crore fine on Google and directed the company to halt its anti-competitive practices.

Later in a ruling in March 2025, the NCLAT upheld various abuse findings from the CCI, including that Google used its dominance on Android and app stores to push its own Google Pay app; and that it imposed unfair conditions on developers through GPBS. However, it reduced severity of the accusations, citing the market share of GPBS being below 1 per cent and reduced the fine to 216.69 crore based on store-specific revenues.
India on Wednesday night urged for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East during the UN Security Council meeting noting that there are no other fixes or solutions; and further emphasised the need for humanitarian assistance in the region.

India on Wednesday night told UN Security Council that there should be immediate ceasefire in Middle East region and

Clearing India's stand on the matter, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, during meeting over Quarterly Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestine, said, ... The way ahead is clear, and India has been consistent in this regard. The ongoing human suffering must not be allowed to continue. Humanitarian assistance needs to be facilitated in a safe, sustained and timely manner. There is no substitute to peace.

He added further,  A ceasefire must be put in place. All hostages must be released. Dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable paths to achieving these objectives. There are no other fixes or solutions...

He also expressed concern over the collapsing healthcare and education systems in Gaza.

"WHO estimates that around 95 per cent of all hospitals in Gaza are damaged or destroyed. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reports that more than 6,50,000 children have had no schooling for over 20 months," he said.

Harish also reiterated India's historic support to Palestine.

"India shares historic and strong ties with our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We have always stood by them, and our commitment towards the Palestinian cause is unwavering. We were the first non-Arab country to recognise the State of Palestine."

Pakistan steeped in fanaticism, terrorism: India tells UNSC Regarding Pakistan, India told UNSC on Tuesday night there should be a serious cost to nations who foment cross-border terrorism, as it described the neighbouring country as a serial borrower steeped in fanaticism.

As we debate promoting international peace and security, it is essential to recognise that there are some fundamental principles which need to be universally respected. One of them is zero tolerance for terrorism, Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said.

Harish delivered the national statement on Tuesday at the UN Security Council high-level open debate on Promoting International Peace and Security through Multilateralism and Peaceful Settlement of Disputes held under Pakistans presidency of the 15-nation Council for July.

Pakistan Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar presided over the open debate that was also addressed by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
India-UK Trade Deal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 24 called the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between the two nations 'historic. The Prime Minister also invited his British counterpart Keir Starmer on a state visit to India.

"Today is a historic day for India and UK bilateral relations as both the nations have signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) after many years of efforts," PM Modi said while addressing the press conference after signing the deal in London.

Also Read | PM Modi in London LIVE: India and UK sign free trade agreement

PM Modi is on a four-day visit to the UK and the Maldives, his fourth visit to the UK. Modi also invited his UK counterpart to visit India.

The deal is expected to double bilateral trade from the current 60 billion dollars to 120 billion dollars by 2030. The PM expressed gratitude PM Starmer for his warm welcome and said that the Indian textile, footwear, gems and jewellery, seafood and engineering goods will get better market access in the UK after the landmark deal.

The prime minister said India's agricultural produce and processed food industry will have new opportunities in the UK market.

Benefits Indian youth "This agreement will especially benefit Indian youth, farmers, fishermen and MSME sector," PM Modi said. "On the other hand, for the people of India and industry, products made in UK, like medical devices and aerospace parts, will

PM Modi's foreign trip coincides with the Monsoon Session of Parliament, which began on July 21.

Today is a historic day for India and UK bilateral relations as both the nations have signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

Besides holding wide-ranging talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Modi will also meet King Charles III later in the day.
India and the United Kingdom on Thursday signed a landmark trade deal called the 'Free Trade Agreement' in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The deal is expected to double bilateral trade from the current 60 billion dollars to 120 billion dollars by 2030.

PM Modi is on a four-day visit to the UK and the Maldives, his fourth visit to the UK. Modi also invited his UK counterpart to visit India.

Also Read | PM Modi in London LIVE: India and UK sign free trade agreement

Speaking after the formal signing of the trade deal, PM Modi said he was delighted that the two nations had signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement after several years of hard work.

Here are the top quotes from PM's remarks in London:

1-Today marks a historic day in our relations. I am delighted that after the hard work of several years, today our two nations have signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

Not Just Economic Agreement -This Agreement is not just an economic agreement but also a plan for shared prosperity. On one side, Indian textiles, footwear, gems and jewellery, seafood, and engineering goods will get better market access in the UK.

2-This agreement will especially benefit Indian youth, farmers, fishermen and the MSME sector. On the other hand, for the people of India and industry, products made in the UK, like medical devices, will be available at reasonable and affordable prices.

-New opportunities will be created in the British market for India's agricultural produce and processed food industry.

Fight Against Terrorism 3-We are united in our view that there is no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism.

4-We also agree that forces with extremist ideologies cannot be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms.

5-Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself must be held to account.

6-Our security agencies will continue to enhance cooperation and coordination on matters such as the extradition of economic offenders.

Not expansionism 7-Demand of today's era is not expansionism, but development.

-Respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries is essential.

8-We have continued to share views on peace and stability in Indo-Pacific, the Ukraine conflict, and the situation in West Asia.

Today marks a historic day in our relations. I am delighted that after the hard work of several years, today our two nations have signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

Air India Plane Crash 9-Among the people who died in the accident in Ahmedabad last month, there were many UK nationals as well. We express our condolences to their families. People of Indian origin who live in the UK act as a living bridge in our relations.

10-They did not just bring curry from India but also creativity, commitment, and character. Their contribution is not restricted to the UK economy but is also reflected in the culture, sports, and public service of the UK.
Jagdeep Dhankhar, who took many by surprise with his decision to resign as vice president, has begun packing up and is expected to vacate the Vice President's Enclave soon, people familiar with the development told PTI on Wednesday.

Where is Dhankhar residing currently? In April last year, 74-year-old Jagdeep Dhankhar moved into the newly built Vice President Enclave, located on Church Road near the Parliament House complex. The Enclave, which includes both the Vice Presidents residence and office, was developed as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project.

He stayed at the VP Enclave for nearly 15 months.

An official told HT that shortly after Dhankhar submitted his resignation at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday, he instructed his staff to begin packing up his belongings. The packing is still going on. And there is a sense of hurry, the official said.

Where will he be shifted now? As a former vice president, he is entitled to a government bungalow.

"He (Dhankhar) will be offered a Type VIII bungalow in Lutyens' Delhi or another area," an Urban Development Ministry official said on Tuesday, as reported by PTI.

The Type VIII bungalow is usually allotted to senior Union ministers or presidents of national parties.

Former Vice Presidents usually get a month to shift to a retirement home. But indications are clear that Dhankhar will leave the VP enclave earlier, another official told HT.

Dhankhar resigned from the post on Monday, citing health reasons.

Dhankhar said in his letter, To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the constitution.

"I extend my deepest gratitude to Your Excellency - the Hon'ble President of India for her unwavering support and the soothing, wonderful working relationship we maintained during my tenure," he added.

He further expressed his deep gratitude to PM Modi and the Council of Ministers. "Prime Minister's cooperation and support have been invaluable, and I have learned much during my time in office," he said.

While some of Dhankhars family members reside in Delhi, the former Vice President is preparing to move into a new government-allotted bungalow.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi kicked off his two-day visit to the UK on Wednesday (local time) to expand bilateral ties in defence, trade, and technology. The formalisation of the landmark India-UK free trade deal is set to be a major outcome of his trip.

PM Modi will hold wide-ranging talks with his British counterpart, Keir Starmer, today. The talks are expected to focus on imparting new momentum in the strategic ties between the two countries.

Also Read | PM Modi receives a heartfelt reception from the Indian diaspora in the UK

Starmer is set to host Modi for the talks at Chequers, the official country residence of the British prime minister that is located 50 km northwest of London.

People familiar with the matter were quoted as saying to news agency PTI that Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonathan Reynolds will likely sign the FTA in the presence of the two prime ministers on Thursday.

Free Trade Deal in Focus In May, India and the UK sealed the free trade agreement, which is expected to benefit 99 per cent of Indian exports from tariffs. The agreement will also make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars, and other products to India, boosting the overall trade basket.

The trade deal, firmed up after three years of negotiations, is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors. According to officials, India will gain from tariff elimination on about 99 per cent of tariff lines (product categories) covering almost 100 per cent of the trade values.

In his departure statement, Modi said India and UK share a comprehensive strategic partnership that has witnessed significant progress in recent years.

"Our collaboration spans a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, technology, innovation, defence, education, research, sustainability, health and people-to-people ties," he said.

The India-UK bilateral trade crossed USD 55 billion in 2023-24. The UK is the sixth largest investor in India, with a cumulative investment of USD 36 billion.

Thanks, Indian Diaspora India's investments in the UK are close to USD 20 billion, and some 1,000 Indian companies operating in Britain provide employment to almost 100,000 people.

Upon landing in London, PM Modi thanked the Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom for their warm welcome, describing their enthusiasm and dedication to Indias development as "truly heartening."

"Touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in the UK. Their affection and passion towards India's progress is truly heartening," the PM said on X.

PM Modi's foreign trip comes in the middle of Monsoon Session of Parliament that began on July 21.

The visit to the UK is at the invitation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the Ministry of External Affairs said earlier this week.

Also Read | PM Modi to speak on Op Sindoor in Parliament next week

Besides holding wide-ranging talks with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Modi will also meet King Charles III today.

From London, Modi will travel to the Maldives at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu in what is being seen as a breakthrough in the ties between the two countries following a spell of frostiness under Muizzu.

Full itinerary for 24 July -2.30 PM to 5.30 PM (IST) Bilateral Meeting with PM Starmer.

-6.30 PM (IST)- Press Briefing by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

-9 PM (IST): Meeting with Charles III, King of the UK.

Touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in the UK. Their affection and passion towards India's progress is truly heartening.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked the Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom for their warm welcome, describing their enthusiasm and dedication to Indias development as "truly heartening."

PM Modi said on X, "Touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in the UK. Their affection and passion towards India's progress is truly heartening."

During his ongoing visit to the United Kingdom, PM Modi was warmly received by members of the Indian diaspora in London.

Many in the crowd expressed their excitement and admiration after meeting him, describing the experience as both surreal and emotionally overwhelming.

PM Modi arrived in the United Kingdom on Wednesday in the first leg of his two-nation visit, with the two countries poised to further strengthen bilateral ties by signing a Free Trade Agreement.

PM Modi landed in London for a two-day visit to the United Kingdom.

Before leaving for the United Kingdom, PM Modi said that India and UK share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that has witnessed significant progress in recent years.

"Our collaboration spans a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, technology, innovation, defence, education, research, sustainability, health and people-to-people ties," he said.

During his visit, PM Modi will hold discussions with his UK counterpart Keir Starmer. The two leaders will have the opportunity to further enhance economic partnership, aimed at fostering prosperity, growth and jobs creation in both countries.

PM Modi will also call on Charles III.

This marks Prime Minister Modis fourth visit to the United Kingdom since taking office. He previously visited in 2015 and 2018, and again in 2021 for the COP26 summit held in Glasgow. Over the past year alone, PM Modi and PM Starmer, have met twice  first on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro last year, and more recently in June, during the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada.

The India-UK relationship was elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2021. Since then, it has witnessed consistent high-level engagement, with both nations committed to deepening their collaboration across sectors.
A 34-year-old Indian man, allegedly intoxicated, was arrested in Thailands Pattaya for reportedly stealing cash from the purse of a transgender woman he had met on Walking Street -- a location well known for its nightlife. The 27-year-old transgender woman, identified as Nong Ploy, filed a police complaint on July 18, accusing the man of stealing 7,000 baht (approximately 16,100), The Pattaya News reported.

Ploy told the media outlet that she met the suspect at an Indian-themed pub on Walking Street, where they struck up a conversation and later decided to continue drinking at his guesthouse room.

Upon her arrival, the man allegedly persuaded her to take a shower. When she came out, she noticed him closing a safe in a suspicious manner. On checking her belongings, she realised that 7,000 baht had been stolen from her bag. When she tried to leave, the suspect reportedly stopped her and prevented her from exiting the room.

Hotel staff intervened after hearing the womans cries for help and alerted the police. Nong stated that the man appeared intoxicated and possibly under the influence of drugs, displaying erratic behaviour, including sticking out his tongue and acting in a bizarre manner.

Thai police have detained the man, and he remains in custody. An investigation has been launched.

38-Year-Old Flees After Theft Spree at Changi Airport In a similar incident, a 38-year-old Indian man was arrested for allegedly stealing items worth 3.5 lakh from 14 shops at Singapore's Jewel Changi Airport before flying out of the country. According to The Straits Times, the stolen goods included perfumes, cosmetics, and bags worth a total of SGD 5,136. The suspect left Singapore after committing the thefts but was arrested on June 1 upon returning and transiting through Changi Airport. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) confirmed his arrest in a press release on July 23, stating that the stolen items had been recovered. He is expected to be charged with theft and fraudulent possession of property on July 25.
India and the United Kingdom have signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), aimed at significantly improving the market access and boosting bilateral trade by around USD 34 billion annually. The FTA was signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to London.

Hailing the Free Trade Agreement with India, United Kingdom PM Keir Starmer said it was the biggest and most significant trade deal the UK has signed since leaving the European Union. This is the biggest and economically most significant trade deal the UK has made since leaving EU, he said.

PM Narendra Modi also termed the free trade deal as the most historic in the India-UK relations, saying a comprehensive economic and trade agreement has been inked between India and UK after many years of hard work. PM Modi said the Free Trade Agreement would bring new opportunities for India's agricultural produce and processed food industry in Britain.

He said, Indian textiles, footwear, gems and jewellery, seafood, and engineering goods will gain better market access in Britain. India-UK trade deal will be particularly beneficial for India's youth, farmers, fishermen, and MSME sector.

FTA WILL RAISE LIVING STANDARDS: STARMER After signing the free trade deal with India, Keir Starmer said the deal would raise living standards and boost wages in both countries by putting more money in the hands of working people.

It is a deal that will bring huge benefits to both of our countries, boosting wages, raising living standards and putting more money in the pockets of working people. It is good for jobs, it is good for business, cutting tariffs and making trade cheaper, quicker and easier, he said.

With signing of the FTA with India, the UK prime minister also emphasised that his country was sending a message to across the world that Britain is open for business.

Keir Starmer also took to X and said, A landmark deal with India means jobs, investment and growth here in the UK.

It creates thousands of British jobs, unlocks new opportunities for businesses and puts money in the pockets of working people. Thats our Plan for Change in action.
India-UK Free Trade Agreement: India and the UK on Thursday inked a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The FTA will boost bilateral trade by around USD 34 billion annuallyPM Modi will hold discussions with his UK counterpart Keir Starmer. The two leaders will have the opportunity to further enhance economic partnership, aimed at fostering prosperity, growth and jobs creation in both countries.

The Prime Minister is expected to sign a historic free trade agreement with the UK in order to implement the deal that aims to open up trade between the two countries.

India, UK ink landmark FTA  India and the UK on Thursday inked a landmark free trade agreement (FTA).

 The deal will will significantly improve market access and will boost bilateral trade by around USD 34 billion annually.

 The deal was formalised in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer.

Check out PM Modi's full UK itinerary 2.30 PM to 5.30 PM (IST) Bilateral Meeting with PM Starmer.

6.30 PM (IST)- Press Briefing by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

9 PM (IST): Meeting with Charles III, King of the UK. India-UK FTA to unlock new opportunities In the interview with PTI, Lammy said the UK-India Vision-2035 will build on the FTA to unlock new opportunities that strengthen defence cooperation and drive innovation between both economies.

The UK is "thrilled" that Prime Minister Modi is visiting to sign the FTA, the most "significant" bilateral trade deal for Britain since leaving the European Union (EU) and the "most comprehensive" agreement India has ever signed, he said.

Experts see fresh opportunities amid India-UK FTA The India-UK FTA not only strengthens trade but also enhances investment flows, opening new avenues for collaboration in sectors like technology, services, and manufacturing, particularly in cities like London that boast a strong base in innovation. Indian companies will benefit from improved conditions for market access through streamlined work visas, mutual recognition of qualifications, and social security exemptions for professionals, This, in addition to reduced tariffs and simplified regulations for goods, will create fresh opportunities across various industries. Overall, this deal is poised to deepen economic ties and accelerate growth on both sides, said Hemin Bharucha, Regional Director for India and the Middle East, London & Partners.

Free Trade Deal to boost bilateral trade by $34 billion annually The landmark FTA would significantly improve market access and boost bilateral trade by around $34 billion annually, the UK said hours before the deal is signed.

India-UK central focus of Modi-Starmer talks In an interview to PTI, David Lammy said the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will naturally be a central focus of the Modi-Starmer talks, and described the deal as a testament to the strength of the partnership between the two nations.

Modi, Starmer to unveil new India-UK Vision-2035 roadmap A new UK-India Vision-2035 roadmap will be unveiled by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi on Thursday to set "clear goals and milestones" across a range of areas such as defence, technology and energy, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in an interview with PTI.

Sensex, Nifty open flat on FTA expectations Domestic Stock markets opened flat on Thursday, anticipating investor sentiments to turn positive with India and the UK set to formalise the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) later in the day.

The Nifty 50 index opened at 25,243.30, gaining 23.40 points or 0.09 per cent, while the BSE Sensex opened at 82,789.23, marking a gain of 62.59 points or 0.08 per cent.

India to get British whisky, cars and more In May, India and the UK sealed the free trade agreement, which is expected to benefit 99 per cent of Indian exports from tariffs. The agreement will also make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars, and other products to India, boosting the overall trade basket.

Most ambitious FTA to date The objective is to have the Free Trade Agreement land, High Commissioner Doraiswami said on the eve of the visit.

It is a detailed and ambitious document, which is probably our most ambitious Free Trade Agreement to date It will have a very important impact upon both economies and help drive growth in both countries, he said.

Provisions in the India-UK Free Trade Deal The trade deal, firmed up after three years of negotiations, is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors and India will gain from tariff elimination on about 99 per cent of tariff lines (product categories) covering almost 100 per cent of the trade values, according to officials.

India-UK likely to sign FTA Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonathan Reynolds are likely to sign the FTA in the presence of the two prime ministers on Thursday, people familiar with the matter said.

What is the India-UK FTA? Earlier in May, India and the UK sealed the free trade agreement that is expected to benefit 99 per cent Indian exports from tariff and will make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India besides boosting the overall trade basket.

PM Modi's departing speech In his departure statement, Modi said India and UK share a comprehensive strategic partnership that has witnessed significant progress in recent years.
A simple resignation attempt turned into a fierce tug-of-war with the manager, who first dismissed the employee as nothing exceptional but later requested that she stay beyond the period until they find someone else.

In a viral Reddit post, an employee shared that her manager called her not valuable, dismissed her reasons to resign, and brought up a personal matter in a conversation that left her feeling completely drained.

She had been an intern at the company for about six months and was recently converted to full-time.

He said theres zero dependency on me, that I havent contributed much, and even implied that my new job isnt a big deal, the Redditor wrote, adding that when she gave personal reasons for leaving  family, health, needing to be closer to home  he said they were bullshit.

To make it worse, my reporting manager shared something personal (about my relationship) with him, and he used that in the conversation too, the employee wrote.

Finally, when she brought up the issue of money and stability at the company, the manager told her that she hadnt done anything exceptional to deserve better.

The Redditor shared that when she told her manager she was leaving, he asked her to serve a 45-day notice period. She said that her manager began insulting her again, but passively.

In a previous post, the employee had shared that she had received a new opportunity that aligns better with my personal and financial goals, but the new firm requires her to join in 30 days.

However, things took a U-turn when the manager asked her to work for a little longer, until the company could replace her.

Now theyre saying I might need to stay until they find someone else  even beyond my notice period, the employee wrote.

Here's how netizens reacted: Netizens advised the young woman to resign, serve notice period, and leave. They said that she was not obligated to wait till the company finds a replacement, especially when she has not done exceptionally well.

You are not obliged to stay till they find a guy. If you want to resign, resign. Don't try to negotiate or explain. And if they make it impossible for you to resign do less than bare minimum now, said a user.

Why wait for the new guy if you've not done exceptionally well? another user asked.

Another user said, Irrespective of what your manager says, all he's doing is demotivating you, and you're in his trap. When your contribution is nothing and has no dependency on you, you don't need to wait until your replacement, as your contribution is nothing as per him.

Resign, serve notice period, and leave. When you decide to leave, never open your mouth with anyone. No one is your friend in the corporate world, a user said, sharing a valuable corporate lesson with the woman.
A Redditor currently earning 48 lakh per annum shared that he was contemplating a new job offer that promised a substantial hike of over 50 per cent. While the jump to 75 LPA was tempting, the user questioned whether the increased tax liability would outweigh the benefits of the higher salary.

In a viral Reddit post, the user said, I currently earn 48 lakhs annually in India, with 20 years of experience. Ive recently received an offer for 75 lakhs.

While its a significant jump, Im debating whether to accept it or not  primarily due to the steep rise in tax liability, he added.

Explaining his dilemma, the Redditor said that currently, he pays around 12 lakh in taxes. However, with the new offer, that figure will nearly double to 22 lakhs, especially because of the additional 10% surcharge applicable on income above 50 lakhs.

Also Read | Manager asks employee to extend notice period after draining resignation attempt

Unfortunately, the new compensation structure offers no flexibility to include tax-saving components. So, while my take-home pay may increase by roughly 50%, the tax burden almost doubles, he shared.

The Redditor then raised a fundamental question: Why should I work significantly harder just to pay more to the government, without receiving any additional tangible benefits compared to those who pay little or no tax?

Here's how netizens reacted: Netizens trolled the man for the profoundly stupid post and said that he was suffering from success. While some used kinder words to explain why the Redditor must take the higher-paying job, others bluntly called him stupid.

Ye kya suffering from success post hai bhai? We don't reply to such issues cause we don't have the experience of success, an irritated user said.

So... You're taking home 50% more pay than you are right now, but you don't want that because you'll be paying more in taxes? Give me your problems, bro, joked another user.

A miffed user sarcastically said, Quit your job. Will decrease tax burden by 100%

It's been a while since I read something this profoundly stupid, added another.

This is a very stupid question. Specially from someone with 20 years of experience. I'd expect this from a fresher, said another user. Just extremely extremely stupid. I don't know why but I'm actually offended at this, the user added.

If you want to rant about tax it's fine. But your premise that 'I'd get a 50% salary bump, should I take the job?' Is so so so stupid, they continued.

Why don't you open a Swiss account? a user questioned.
A federal appeals court on Wednesday ruled that President Donald Trumps executive order aiming to curtail automatic birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, blocking its enforcement nationwide. The decision marks a major legal blow to Trump's immigration agenda and could set the stage for another showdown at the US Supreme Court.

In a 2-1 decision, the San Francisco-based 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an earlier ruling by a federal judge in Seattle, declaring that Trumps directive violated the Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment.

The court agrees that the president cannot redefine what it means to be American with the stroke of a pen, said Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, whose state led the legal challenge.

The executive order had sought to deny US citizenship to children born on American soil unless at least one parent was a US citizen or lawful permanent resident.

Nationwide injunction justified, says court Despite a recent Supreme Court ruling that curtailed the power of lower courts to issue nationwide injunctions, the 9th Circuit allowed the broader block, saying anything less would fail to protect the four states involvedWashington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon.

It is impossible to avoid this harm absent a uniform application of the citizenship clause throughout the United States, wrote US Circuit Judge Ronald Gould, who authored the majority opinion.

Gould, joined by Judge Michael Hawkins, argued that limiting the injunction geographically would force states to revise government benefits programs in anticipation of families relocating from areas where the order was active.

Strong dissent from Trump-appointed judge In a dissenting opinion, Judge Patrick Bumatay, a Trump appointee, contended that the plaintiff states lacked standing to sue and warned that the decision risked "judicial overreach."

What the order tried to do Trumps 2019 executive order directed federal agencies to refuse to recognize the US citizenship of children born on US soil to non-citizen parents who lacked green cards or American citizenship.

The Constitutions Citizenship Clause says: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens

First Judge called it 'blatantly unconstitutional' The case originated from a ruling by Judge John Coughenour, a Reagan appointee in Seattle, who became the first to halt the order.

In his ruling, Coughenour called Trumps directive blatantly unconstitutional, a position now affirmed by the appellate court.
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday slammed American tech giants, accusing them of reaping the blessings of American freedom while building factories in China and hiring workers in India.

Speaking at an AI Summit in Washington, Trump said that under his presidency, those days are over.

For too long, much of Americas tech industry pursued a radical globalism that left millions of Americans feeling distrustful and betrayed, Trump said, speaking at the summit.

Taking a direct jab at many of America's tech companies, he accused them of reaping the blessings of American freedom.

Many of our largest tech companies have reaped the blessings of American freedom while building their factories in China, hiring workers in India and slashing profits in Ireland, you know that. All the while dismissing and even censoring their fellow citizens right here at home, he said.

Trump announced that those days are over under his presidency.

Under President Trump, those days are over.

Trump demands patriotism to win AI race Addressing leaders of multiple US tech companies who were present at the AI Summit, Donald Trump asked them of putting America first.

Winning the AI race will demand a new spirit of patriotism and national loyalty in Silicon Valley and long beyond Silicon Valley, Trump said.

We need US technology companies to be all in for America. We want you to put America first. You have to do that. That's all we ask, he added.

Trump admin releases new AI blueprint The Trump administration released a new artificial intelligence blueprint on Wednesday that aims to loosen environmental rules and vastly expand AI exports to allies, in a bid to maintain the American edge over China in the critical technology.

President Donald Trump marked the plan's release with a speech where he laid out the stakes of the technological arms race with China, calling it a fight that will define the 21st century.

"America is the country that started the AI race. And as President of the United States, I'm here today to declare that America is going to win it," Trump said.

Also Read | Trumps AI plan prioritizes deregulation to boost US dominance
Swaminarayan temple in Boronia, a suburb in eastern Melbourne, was vandalised with hateful and racist messages, according to a report by Australia Today on Thursday. The report said that the Shree Swaminarayan Temple on Wadhurst Drive was targeted with red-painted slurs, including one that said, "Go Home Brown C**t." Two nearby restaurants run by Asians were also defaced with the same message.

Police have launched a probe into the incident, "Police are investigating following reports of graffiti in Bayswater and Boronia on 21 July... There is absolutely no place at all in our society for hate-based and racist behaviour."

Expressing shock over the incident, President of the Hindu Council of Australia, Victoria chapter, Makrand Bhagwat, told Australia Today said, Our temple is meant to be a sanctuary of peace, devotion and unity

Noting that the temple, which hosts daily prayers, community meals and cultural festivals, draws congregants from across Melbourne's Indian diaspora, he added, "To have it targeted in this way feels like an attack on our identity, our right to worship and freedom of religion."

Also Read | Another racist attack? Indian man brutally assaulted and left to die in Adelaide

According to Australian news outlet, while Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allan is yet to publicly condemn the vandalism at the Temple, however, her office has sent a private message to the Temple management.

In her statement Allan said as cited by The Australia Today, "The Shree Swaminarayan Temple is so much more than a place of worship - it's a place of warmth and community... What happened this week was hateful, racist and deeply disturbing. It wasn't just vandalism - it was a deliberate act of hate, designed to intimidate, isolate, and spread fear."

Her statement also said, "It was an attack on your right to feel safe and to belong, and on the values that bind us together. There's no place for it anywhere in Victoria. And it must be called out for what it is. Jackson Taylor raised this with me directly. He is a strong voice for your community, and I want you to know that we both stand with you. I'm advised that Victoria Police are taking this matter seriously, as they should. Soon, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs will visit the Shree Swaminarayan Temple to offer the support of our Government, and to listen to you and your community directly."

Also Read | Indian man brutally beaten and stripped in racist attack in Dublin

The letter further said that "No community should ever have to endure something like this, but in speaking out, you've shown an enormous amount of strength and dignity... You carry with you the full support of our government. We stand beside you, with respect and unwavering support."
After holding wide-range discussions with his UK counterpart Keir Starmer and inking a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) between the UK and India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met King Charles in Norfolk.

King Charles received PM Modi at the Sandringham House in Norfolk, England. During their time together, His Majesty was given a tree to be planted this Autumn, inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, which encourages people to plant a tree in tribute to their mothers, the Royal Family said in a post on X.

PM Narendra Modi kicked off his two-day visit to the UK on Wednesday (local time) to expand bilateral ties in defence, trade, and technology.

India-UK FTA inked PM Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer on Thursday endorsed the new India-UK Vision 2035 which will steer the bilateral ties for the next 10 years with a focused and time-bound programme of action in key pillars such as economy and growth, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate action and education.

India signed a free trade agreement, officially dubbed as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), with the UK  its 16th trade pact so far  as the country aims to boost bilateral trade and investments.

The deal was signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonathan Reynold in the presence of PM Modi and Starmer.

The FTA is expected to benefit 99 per cent Indian exports from tariff and will make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India, besides boosting the overall trade basket, according to Indian officials.

The deal, firmed up after three years of negotiations, is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors and India will gain from tariff elimination on about 99 per cent of tariff lines (product categories) covering almost 100 per cent of the trade values, they said.

PM's Maldives trip ahead From London, Modi will travel to the Maldives at the invitation of President Mohamed Muizzu in what is being seen as a breakthrough in the ties between the two countries following a spell of frostiness under Muizzu.

During his July 25-26 trip to the Maldives, Modi will hold extensive talks with President Muizzu and inaugurate several India-assisted development projects in the island nation.

The prime minister will also be the guest of honour at the Maldivian Independence Day celebrations on July 26.

"The prime minister's state visit also happens to be the first state visit of a head of government that President Muizzu is hosting in his presidency since he assumed the office in November 2023," Vikram Misri, foreign secretary, said.

The Maldives is a very close partner in our neighbourhood, a very important partner in India's Neighbourhood First policy, and as part of the MAHASAGAR vision of India, which is Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions, he added.

Misri also mentioned the India-Maldives joint vision for a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership that was finalised last year.
FC Conradie, a 39-year-old millionaire and co-owner of Gondwana Game Reserve in South Africa, was trampled to death by an adult male elephant. He was trying to move elephants away from tourist lodges when one suddenly charged.

South African police confirmed that an employee was reported to have been killed by an elephant.

He had been trampled and mauled by the elephant, and the emergency services declared the man dead at the scene, and rangers moved the elephant away to another area, Warrant Officer Kappie Kapp said.

The park is popular with celebrities and costs 900 (more than 1 lakh) per couple per night. Its not clear if guests saw the attack. This was the second deadly elephant attack at the reserve, according to MailOnline.

Conradie loved elephants and often photographed them. FC trusted the elephants, but they were still wild. The millionaire lived in Stellenbosch with his wife La-ida and their three sons, aged 6, 11 and 12.

Conradie had degrees in zoology, commerce, animal studies and marketing. A senior source said everyone had been warned not to speak.

Because he is the boss man, everybody has been warned to say absolutely nothing or they will be out the same day, it is a big clamp down, MailOnline quoted the source as saying.

FC was a great guy to work for, and he loved his elephants, which were his favourite, and he felt he had a trust with them, but you have to never forget they may live in a reserve but are wild. He will be greatly missed by all here, the source said.

An investigation is going on as the elephant that killed him may be from the same herd that killed guide David Kandela earlier.

A similar incident In March 2024, guide Kandela was killed when an elephant injured the 36-year-old and other elephants tore him apart.

A close friend of David said Gondwana had failed to inform his wife and son about his death. His wife came to know about it through Facebook. The park gave no help or compensation to raise their son, the friend said.

David was killed by an elephant named Bonny while guiding her through the Eco Tent Lodge. She suddenly charged at him, and the other rangers had no guns. They only had stones to defend him.
"Starvation is a horrific reality for children and families in Gaza," UNICEF posted on X social media recently. More than two million people in Gaza are facing severe food shortages, with more than 100 NGOs warning of "mass starvation".

Meanwhile, more than 800 people have been killed in recent weeks trying to reach food, mostly in mass shootings by Israeli soldiers posted near Gaza Humanitarian Foundation distribution centers, Reuters reported.

Besides, Israeli forces have killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians in airstrikes, shelling and shooting since launching their assault on Gaza in response to attacks on Israel by the Hamas group that killed 1,200 people and captured 251 hostages in October 2023.

For the first time since the war began, Palestinian officials say dozens are now also dying of hunger.

Gazas health ministry said on Tuesday that 9,00,000 children are going hungry, and 70,000 already show signs of malnutrition.

Also Read | Aid deliveries do little to alleviate Gaza hunger crisis

Meanwhile, the ward at the Patients Friends Benevolent Society hospital was crowded with other skeletal children, some doubled up on the 12 beds, the Guardian reported. There are only two functioning paediatric teams left in Gaza City, and up to 200 children turn up daily seeking treatment.

What's causing mass hunger in Gaza? The chief of the World Health Organization said on Wednesday that Palestinians in Gaza are suffering from man-made mass starvation due to the aid blockade on the enclave.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that "the hunger crisis is being accelerated by the collapse of aid pipelines and restrictions on access".

Gaza has been witnessing its food stocks run out since Israel cut off all supplies to the territory in March and then lifted that blockade in May with new measures it says are needed to prevent aid from being diverted to militant groups.

Despite a partial lift of the Israeli blockade on humanitarian truck entries in May, the food supplies that are getting into Gaza are insufficient, leaving 2.1 million people food insecure, CNN reported.

Also Read | 73 Palestinians killed while trying to access humanitarian aid in Gaza

Meanwhile, the United Nations said more than a thousand people have been killed by Israeli forces while seeking food since late May, when a new Israel- and US-backed aid group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, began operating.

"A large proportion of the population of Gaza is starving. I don't know what you would call it other than mass starvation  and it's man-made," Tedros told reporters.

Parents tell us their children cry themselves to sleep from hunger, Tedros was quoted by CNN as saying. Food distribution sites have become places of violence," he added.

Adding to the woes of people in war-torn Gaza, the price of flour in Gaza has also risen sharply in recent months. As per the Guardian, flour is selling for more than 30 times the market rate at the start of the year.
PM Modi in London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday that the landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that he is set to sign with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, is a major win for jobs and growth, as tariff cuts will lower prices on clothes, shoes, and food products.

In a statement ahead of his much-anticipated bilateral talks with Modi at his country residence of Chequers on Thursday, Starmer also announced that nearly GBP 6 billion in new investment and export developments had been clinched as Indian firms expand their operations in the UK and British companies secure new business opportunities in India.

Also Read | PM Modi in London today. Check full itinerary here

The two leaders are also set to sign a renewed Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership, which will see closer collaboration on defence, education, climate, technology and innovation.

Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain, said Starmer.

PM Modi landed in London on Wednesday, local time to expand bilateral ties in defence, trade, and technology. The formalisation of the landmark India-UK free trade deal is set to be a major outcome of his trip.

PM Modi will hold wide-ranging talks with Starmer, today. The talks are expected to focus on imparting new momentum in the strategic ties between the two countries.

It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses and drive growth in every corner of the country, delivering on our Plan for Change, Starmer added.

Were putting more money in the pockets of hardworking Brits and helping families with the cost of living, and were determined to go further and faster to grow the economy and raise living standards across the UK, said Starmer.

According to the UK Department for Business and Trade (DBT), once the FTA comes into force, Indias average tariff on UK products will drop from 15 per cent to 3 per cent. This will make it easier for British companies to sell products to India, from soft drinks and cosmetics to cars and medical devices.

Whisky producers will benefit from tariffs slashed in half, reduced immediately from 150 per cent to 75 per cent and then dropped even further to 40 per cent over the next 10 years  giving the UK an advantage over international competitors in reaching the Indian market, the DBT said.

The billions brought to our economy from the trade deal signed today will reach all regions and nations of the UK so working people in every community can feel the benefits, said UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds.

Also Read | PM Modi receives a heartfelt reception from the Indian diaspora in the UK

The almost GBP 6 billion in new investment and export wins announced today will deliver thousands of jobs and show the strength of our partnership with India as we ensure the UK is the best place in the world to invest and do business, he said.

UK imports GBP 11 billion in goods from India Official statistics show the UK already imports GBP 11 billion in goods from India, with liberalised tariffs set to make it easier and cheaper to acquire products. For businesses, this could mean potential savings when importing components and materials used in areas such as advanced manufacturing or luxury and consumer goods.

New analysis published along with the FTA claims in every region of the United Kingdom will benefit from an estimated GBP 4.8 billion increase to UK GDP each year in the long term. Sectors in the spotlight include manufacturing, set to benefit from tariff cuts on aerospace (11 per cent reduced to 0), automotives (110 per cent down to 10 per cent under a quota) and electrical machinery (down from 22 per cent down).

Tariff cuts combined with a reduction in regulatory barriers to bilateral trade are estimated to increase UK exports to India by nearly 60 per cent in the long run  equivalent to an additional GBP 15.7 billion of UK exports to India when applied to projections of future trade in 2040, the DBT said.

The official figures forecast an increase in bilateral trade by nearly 39 per cent in the long run, equivalent to GBP 25.5 billion a year, when compared to 2040 projected levels of trade in the absence of an agreement.

The clean energy industry will have brand new, unprecedented access to Indias vast procurement market as the country makes the switch to renewable energy and continues to see growing energy demand.

For financial and professional business services, locked in access will offer certainty to expand in Indias growing market and measures such as binding Indias foreign investment cap for the insurance sector, ensuring UK financial services companies are treated on an equal footing with domestic suppliers, the DBT said.

New business in India Meanwhile, 26 British companies are said to have secured new business in India, with Airbus and Rolls-Royce set to soon begin delivering Airbus aircraft  with over half powered by Rolls-Royce engines.

The billions brought to our economy from the trade deal signed today will reach all regions and nations of the UK.

During the talks, both nations will also agree to strengthen cooperation in tackling corruption, serious fraud, organised crime and irregular migration through enhanced intelligence sharing and operational collaboration.
The Seoul headquarters of HYBE, the agency which manages global K-pop boy band BTS, was raided by the South Korean police on Thursday over allegations of unfair share trading involving the company chairman, Bang Si-hyuk.

According to media reports, the country's financial regulator has referred Bang to prosecutors to investigate his activities during the company's stock market listing.

We are conducting a search and seizure at HYBE's headquarters in Yongsan District, the Financial Crimes Investigation Unit of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency said in a brief statement.

Ahead of the 2020 IPO, Bang and three other executives were accused of having deceived investors into selling their shares to an investment company they controlled. Media reports suggest that these executives had eventually profited from share sales after the listing.

He is accused of gaining around 200 billion won (US$146 million) through the process, according to local reports.

HYBE pledges active cooperation HYBE has denied Bang committed any wrongdoing.

We will dutifully clarify that the listing at the time was carried out in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, the company said in a statement in early July, pledging active cooperation with authorities to investigate the case.

We will take the necessary time to thoroughly demonstrate that the IPO was carried out in full compliance with laws and regulations, HYBE said.

Bang is HYBE's founder and largest shareholder.

BTS comeback tour 2026 The investigation comes as all seven BTS members complete their mandatory military service and prepare for a comeback next year.

Earlier this month, HYBE announced that a new BTS album and world tour were scheduled for 2026.

BTS, known for championing progressive causes, holds the record as the most-streamed group on Spotify and became the first K-pop act to top both the Billboard 200 and Billboard Artist 100 charts in the United States.

According to the Korea Culture and Tourism Institute, before their military service, BTS generated more than 5.5 trillion won ($4 billion) in yearly economic impact.

That accounts for roughly 0.2 per cent of South Korea's total GDP, according to official data.
The conflict between neighbours Thailand and Cambodia escalated on Thursday with Cambodia firing rockets and artillery shells into Thailand and the Thai military scrambling F-16 jets to carry out air strikes.

At least nine civilians, including a child, were allegedly killed as weeks of tension over a border dispute escalated into clashes on Thursday, Reuters reported.

The fighting erupted near two temples on the border between the Thai province of Surin and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey. Both sides blamed the other for initiating the conflict.

Also Read | Thailand and Cambodia engage in armed clashes amid diplomatic tensions

What we know so far about Thailand-Cambodia conflict:

What's the dispute? Thailand and Cambodia are locked in a bitter spat over an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet, and which is home to several ancient temples.

The squabble has dragged on for decades, flaring into bloody military clashes more than 15 years ago and again in May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a firefight.

Also Read | NTSB slams media reports on AI-171 crash investigation

For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border, which has led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a weeklong exchange of artillery in 2011.

Tensions were reignited in May following the killing of a Cambodian soldier during a brief exchange of gunfire, which escalated into a full-blown diplomatic crisis and now has triggered armed clashes.

What led to the recent conflict? The violence on Thursday was reported hours after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy in protest after five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine.

A second Thai soldier in the space of a week had lost a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently in the disputed area.

Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said an investigation by the Thai military found evidence that Cambodia had laid new landmines in the disputed border area  a claim denied by Phnom Penh.

On Thursday morning, Cambodia announced it was downgrading ties to "the lowest level", pulling out all but one of its diplomats and expelling their Thai equivalents from Phnom Penh.

Recent weeks have seen a series of tit-for-tat swipes by both sides, with Thailand restricting border crossings and Cambodia halting certain imports.

What's happening right now? Key points to know 1. The Thai military said the clashes began around 7:35 am (0035 GMT) when a unit guarding Ta Muen temple heard a Cambodian drone overhead. "Later, six armed Cambodian soldiers, including one carrying a rocket-propelled grenade, approached a barbed-wired fence in front of the Thai post," the army said.

Thai soldiers shouted to warn them, the army said, but around 8:20 am, Cambodian forces opened fire toward the eastern side of the temple, about 200 metres from the Thai base.

2. However, Cambodia blamed Thailand for violating its "territorial integrity". Cambodia's foreign ministry said Thailand's air strikes were "unprovoked" and called on its neighbour to withdraw its forces and "refrain from any further provocative actions that could escalate the situation".

Defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said, "The Thai military violated the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Cambodia by launching an armed assault on Cambodian forces stationed to defend the nation's sovereign territory."

"In response, the Cambodian armed forces exercised their legitimate right to self-defence, in full accordance with international law, to repel the Thai incursion and protect Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity," the statement added.

3. Thailand's foreign ministry said Cambodian troops fired "heavy artillery" on a Thai military base on Thursday morning and also targeted civilian areas including a hospital, leading to civilian casualties.

The Thai prime minister's office alleged that a Cambodian artillery shell hit a house over the border, killing one civilian and wounding three others, including a five-year-old child, AFP reported.

Thailand's government spokesman, meanwhile, accused Cambodia of being "inhumane, brutal and war-hungry".

4. A Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed targets in Cambodia on Thursday, both sides said. Of the six F-16 fighter jets that Thailand readied to deploy along the disputed border, one of the aircraft fired into Cambodia and destroyed a military target, the Thai army said.

5. Cambodia's defence ministry said the jets dropped two bombs on a road, and that it "strongly condemns the reckless and brutal military aggression of the Kingdom of Thailand against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia".

6. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to address what his foreign ministry labelled "unprovoked military aggression".

7. Bangkok's foreign ministry said all border crossings had been shut and nearby residents evacuated.

The fallout The border row also kicked off a domestic political crisis in Thailand, where prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended from office pending an ethics probe over her conduct.

A diplomatic call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, Cambodia's former longtime ruler and father of Hun Manet, was leaked from the Cambodian side, sparking a judicial investigation.
With Coldplaygate on track to become one of the most viral moments of the year, you would think this is the first time in history that a CEO has gotten busted for having what seems like an inappropriate relationship with a subordinate. Well, this is far from the truth.

As someone who covers corporate America, I can say Ive learned a lottoo muchabout the indiscretions of those in charge. In some ways, the Andy Byron/Astronomer fiasco is a textbook case.

But it also reveals the way our hyper-online world has transformed how CEOsand boardsneed to think about the line between bosses public and private lives.

Theres a reason CEOs who are smart people do dumb things and end up in Byrons position. As Ive written before, power can make people believe they will only ever reap the upsides of risky behaviour.

For example, people with a higher sense of power are more likely to believe theyll avoid hitting turbulence on an aeroplane or running into a dangerous snake on vacation. One can see how they might also think they wont be spotted on the jumbotron at a Coldplay concert, despite evidence to the contrary.

Boards have a responsibility to pay attention to a CEOs personal life because it often mirrors their professional conduct. After the Ashley Madison hack in 2015, researchers had a robust new data set to help them study the connection between cheating at home and cheating at work.

One study found that companies run by the 47 CEOs and 48 CFOs included in that database (the vast majority of them married) were two times as likely to have had a financial mis-statement or involvement in a class action securities lawsuit.

Ultimately, Ive come to believe that there is just no such thing as a private life when youre the big boss. This has been increasingly the case for years, but the Astronomer mess illustrates how, in the era of social media and smartphone video, its become more literal.

For better or worse, its impossible for any of us to assume the expectation of privacy when the cameras are always on and the internet is always watching. If you are a CEO who doesnt recognize this as the current state of affairs, you are probably too reckless or delusional for the job.

Also read: Companies must act to check toxic behaviour in office

In fact, this is the part of the story that does suggest weve entered a brave new world. In the olden days, a CEO might get fired for an inappropriate office romance after a whistleblower sent in a tip.

An investigation would ensue. A statement would be drafted. More often than not, the company would have a chance to strategize before the news went live.

In this case, we can assume the Astronomer board found out about its CEOs misbehaviour at the same time as everyone else. It took the board more than 24 hours to respond to the jumbotron video and another 24 passed before Byron resigned. That created a vacuum, which the internet was only too happy to fill.

Online commenters firebombed the LinkedIn accounts of both Byron and and his jumbotron costar, Astronomers chief people officer Kristin Cabot (both ultimately de-activated their accounts). They misidentified another concertgoer as the companys VP of people, also leading her to take down her LinkedIn page.

They found Byrons wife on Facebook. They wrote a fake statement from Byron, and it made his name the most popular trending term on Google. They bet on Polymarket on whether he would get divorced or lose his job. They created thousands of hours worth of memes.

You cant really say the company lost control of the narrative since it never had it to begin with. A playbook does not exist for a CEOs indiscretions being exposed in such an instantaneous, public and humiliating way. But this is a sign to corporate boards that they better start preparing one.

I also see something new in the joyful schadenfreude that greeted the video. Would it have reached the same level of virality if it featured two regular Joes rather than two C-suite executives? Part of whats made the memes and the drama so delicious is the way the public is feeling about CEOs right now.

The people in charge are cracking down on the rules for the rest of us while they seemingly flout them. They want people back at the office, producing more and working longer hours, all while monitoring their every keystroke and instilling fear that AI will take their jobs.

Meanwhile, theyre off at the Coldplay concert breaking HR policy with the head of HR.

Also read: How to talk politics at work when you disagree

For any company that does not want to see its chief executive officer end up as the weeks top trending term on Google, the Astronomer saga is a warning to heed the old lessons about why your top executives personal behaviour mattersand these new ones, too. Bloomberg
Australia has started the worlds first special visa programme for climate refugees, beginning with Tuvaluone of the South Pacific islands most at risk of submergence due to rising sea levels caused by global warming and melting polar ice caps.

India can play a useful role, converting these climate refugees into skilled talent in demand, rather than a burden and objects of charity. Skills training, including in software development and IT-enabled services, would be a relatively low-cost, high-value form of aid that people appreciate for those fleeing the islands disappearing into the oceans maw and potential employers in the host nations that take in the refugees.

It would also, at a time when China seeks to mobilize Indias neighbours into an anti-India front, muddy the waters for Chinas diplomatic offensive in the Southern Pacific, where it has been showering Belt-and-Road Initiative goodies, such as bridges, hospitals, and roads, to win friends and influence people against Taiwan.

Australia and the US have been remiss, taking their presumed backyard for granted, and are now trying to counter Chinas soft power offensive among the island nations.

A move into active diplomacy in the region that goes beyond invoking Indias kinship ties with nearly two-fifths of the population of Fiji, whose ancestors were indentured labourers from India taken to the island nation by the British colonial masters, would raise Indias profile not just in the region but also in the Quad and beyond.

Irreversible damage

The distinction of being the hottest year in the modern era goes to 2024, with the average global temperature going up to 1.6 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times. The Paris Climate Accord, concluded in the closing days of 2015 and brought into force in 2016, set a goal of limiting the rise in average global temperature within 2C above pre-industrial levelspreferably within 1.5C. However, thanks to El Nino, the temperature has exceeded the 1.5C threshold over the past two years.

This is accelerating the pace of global warming, killing people in heatwaves and other extreme weather events, increasing the sale of ceiling fans in countries and regions that have never felt the need for them, and bringing the fate of submergence ever closer to the small island nations of the South Pacific.

No amount of climate action, whether substituting fossil fuels with renewable energy or even removing carbon dioxide from the air, can prevent the melting of ice in the North and South Poles, which is pushing up the sea level. Some low-lying islands will go underwater, and the people there will have to be resettled in other countries.

Although Tuvalu has a population of only 11,500, it exports tourism, fish, and its top-level domain name .tv, which television companies cherish for their internet addresses and are happy to pay for. Its per capita income is over $5,000, and English is widely spoken. The people of Tuvalu are literate and should be amenable to skill development.

India's IT proficiency

Indias business software services company Zoho, founded by Sridhar Vembu, pioneered spotting raw talent in rural areas, training it right where the people live, and integrating it into the workforce. If Vembu can spare a team from his company to replicate this conversion of untrained rural folk into providers of sophisticated IT services, he could advance Indias interests abroad, and while serving as an instrumentality of benign diplomacy, even expand his business in Oceania.

Get the National Skill Development Corporation to figure out the skills Australia needs. Get Indian companies to do the training, treating the money they spend on it as part of mandated corporate social responsibility. This is a game India can play far better than China can hope to, thanks to the shared colonial legacy of English and Indias reputation as an IT services superpower, even while its per capita income is quite low.

Infosys and Tata Consultancy Services have well-developed training centres, given the quality of the recruits they get to hire in India. They can modify and extend their training programmes to start from lower levels of skill. Given the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), it should be possible to get more out of workers without much formal training but enough intelligence and savvy to make use of AI tools.

Once the model is tried and tested in Tuvalu, its success can be replicated in other island nations. India can pioneer a model of climate adaptation in which climate refugees are welcomed rather than shunned by the countries to which they flee.
Before and after 1991, the way we think about certain phenomena has dramatically changed. Household consumption is a phenomenon that went from being whipping boy to valued driver of economic growth and foreign direct investment.

Out-migration by Indians is another. It has gone from the despair of brain drain to the delight of diaspora, and those who migrated have gone from being seen as deserters of the motherland to global ambassadors of brand India.

Diaspora, a word that is infused with positive meaning, represents our pride and joy at our visible presence in the world, especially the developed world.

The fact that Indians get more H1-B visas than almost everyone else in the world is seen as a badge of honour, a testimonial to how sought-after our talent is.

Post the infotech boom, when our educated, tech-savvy youngsters fanned out to live all over the world, the oft-repeated sentiment of Indians was one of relief that the image of India in the eyes of the world has zoomed upwards.

Indias biggest export, it is often said, is middle management talent to large global corporations.

Products of top Indian colleges, they proved their mettle, stayed on in the international circuit and have risen to top jobs around the world. One does not need to name the many poster boys and girls of this phenomenon. They are well known and well celebrated in India.

The arts and all branches of academia also have had their fair share of Indian exported glitterati and we have also embraced the likes of Rishi Sunak and Kamala Harris as our ownof Indian origin being the expanded definition of our diaspora .

Against this backdrop comes a new book by the astute thinker and writer Sanjaya Baru, arguing that our celebration needs a reality check and harder questions need to be asked.

Provocatively titled Secession of the Successful: The Flight out of New India, it reframes the issues of migration, global citizenship and our image-enhancing, money-remitting diaspora.

Baru discusses the four phases of migration that India has had, the present phase being the one that he feels we should worry about the most.

The first phase he describes as enforced migration of indentured labour from interior India to scattered remote locations around the world from the mid-19th to the mid-20th century.

Amitava Ghosh fans will know this story well. The second wave of out-migration, he says, mimicked the first in many ways, and was of semi-skilled workers to the Gulf and West Asia; both waves being people in search of better living conditions.

Although, the popular refrain we have heard from Indian migrants to the Gulf is that they endured worse living conditions in order to make a lot of money so that they could return to a better life back home.

The third phase of the 1990s and early 2000s he describes as the large-scale migration of qualified professionals, doctors and engineers, inspiring new phrases like knowledge worker and elite migration.

The fourth and most recent wave, which he dates to 2010 onwards, is the migration of the wealthy and high net worth individuals, the countrys power elites."

The debate that the book frames is as follows:

While the first and second waves of migration were benign or positive for the Indian economy, the third and fourth waves are a drain of brain and wealth; and should ring alarm bells.

He analyses the implications for Indias progress and asserts that the benefit of soft power gained is not a good enough compensation for what is lost.

Why our elites are leaving is an interesting question. Baru says it is taxes and governance. Could it be that they merely have multiple homes around the world, including in India, and shop for the best tax deals?

Is this the new world in which home is where the heart is at the moment, as Mira Nair said when an interviewer asked her which of the many countries she lives in does she consider home.

As we speak, in the UK too, there is a vigorous discussion on what the Times calls the wealth exodus." It says that the exodus of wealth from Britain has accelerated since the turn of the year, fuelling fears that the abolition of the non domiciled tax regime will wipe out billions of pounds from the economy."

Perhaps it is the nature of the wealthy to choose wealth preservation over home nation love. The UK is mulling over a concierge service to attract companies and their talent to the UK.

William Hague, a politician who is currently Chancellor of Oxford University, writes in response that for the wealthy to give up Dubai or Monaco and stay to pay inheritance tax on their worldwide assets would need the most extraordinary concierge service the world has ever seen."

Perhaps India should institute a concierge service for startups so that our expanding number of unicorns can be registered here and attract foreign capital, instead of being registered abroad and creating wealth outside the country by serving the Indian market.

Whatever the argument, Barus book points to the need for a serious debate on what the consequences of the secession of the successful will be and how we need to mitigate it.

The author is a business advisor.
Former Union minister Smriti Irani said she turned the "impossible into possible" when she defeated Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in Uttar Pradesh's Amethi in the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections. She also reflected upon the hard work she put in to achieve that feat.

Smriti Irani told India Today in an exclusive interview that after losing the 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, she spent the next five years working tirelessly on the ground.

I cleaned drains myself, brought electricity to villages, built over a lakh homes, set up a medical college, a 200 bed hospital, a collectors office, a police line and even a fire station, Irani was quoted as saying.

Five years later, in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, Smriti Irani ousted Rahul Gandhi to clinch his stronghold constituency, Amethi. However, in the 2024 general elections, she faced defeat at the hands of Congress leader Kishori Lal Sharma in a big upset for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

When asked whether Irani could have defeated Rahul Gandhi again if he had contested in 2024 from Amethi, Irani responded with a smile, Absolutely, thats why he didnt contest.

The former minister also clarified her less aggressive stance against Gandhi after the 2024 poll debacle. "Now, it's not my responsibility to be aggressive toward Rahul Gandhi. In 2024, the Gandhi family refused to face me. I can't chase after them," she said.

During the interview, Smriti Irani said the Gandhi family moved to contest from Wayanad due to its favourable social demographics.

No intelligent leader willingly chooses a seat where defeat is certain, she said. If a seat like that is given, its only out of duty to the party. But in 2019, I turned the impossible into possible," she added.

Also Read | Smriti Irani takes swipe at Arvind Kejriwal after BJP's victory in Delhi polls

Citing political history, Irani said losing from Amethi is not new for big leaders. "Sharad Yadav lost from Amethi, Menaka Gandhi lost. The Gandhi family only chose that seat due to favourable social equations," Irani said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday attacked the Congress party-led INDIA bloc opposition for misspelling the Hindi word loktantra for democracy in their protest posters.

The Opposition members were seen holding up posters criticising the state of democracy during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament. But the word 'loktantra' (democracy) was mistakenly written as loktantar, drawing quick ridicule from BJP leaders.

BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya pointed out the error, saying, " It's Loktantra, not Loktantar." The BJP also shared the poster with a spelling error on its X handle.

The jibe came as opposition MPs, including Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, staged a demonstration at Parliaments Makar Dwar over the issue of the Special Intensive Revision of Electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar.

"Can't blame Congress. They can neither spell nor save Loktantra. they believe in Parivar Tantra and Emergency. Surely they can spell and save that," BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said.

Congress responds The Congress responded with past videos of Prime Minister Modi reading Lokchandra instead of Loktantra.

The apparent spelling error unleashed a debate on social media over the correct spelling of the word Loktantra

The apparent spelling error unleashed a debate on social media over the correct spelling of the word Loktantra

A user said there was nothing wrong with the spelling and it was like people spell Satyendar differently, sometimes as Satyendra too.

Also Read | Parliament set to debate Tribes Reservation Bill, Merchant Shipping Bill today

It is Adobe unsupported font issue. College mein bahut hota that, said a social media user.

Can't blame Congress. They can neither spell nor save Loktantra.

A Hindi language expert said the word was grammatically correct as it would also be pronounced as Loktantra.
(Bloomberg) -- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing pressure from senior members of his government and French President Emmanuel Macron to imminently recognize Palestine as a sovereign state due to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Some cabinet ministers have grown frustrated with Starmers resistance to fulfilling his promise to back Palestinian statehood, according to people familiar with the matter. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy have recently urged Starmer and his Foreign Secretary David Lammy to move more quickly on the issue, the people said.

Macron, who had been seeking to persuade Starmer to jointly recognize Palestine over recent months, announced late Thursday that France will do so at the United Nations General Assembly in September, intensifying pressure on Starmer further. The British premier said Thursday that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and that a ceasefire would put the UK on a path to recognition, but stopped short of committing to a timeframe.

Talks for a ceasefire in Gaza broke down on Thursday, with the US and Israel withdrawing their negotiating teams. Its a development that deals a new blow to the talks, just weeks after President Donald Trump said a deal was close.

The tension within the UK government on the issue has been stoked by reports of widespread hunger in Gaza just two weeks after the European Union struck an agreement with Israel that was intended to increase the flow of food to the occupied territory. There have been increasing reports of emaciated babies, starvation and children crammed into soup queues.

While the Israeli government has sought to blame Hamas, Medecins Sans Frontieres and many other humanitarian groups accused Israel of failing to make good on the arrangement. Since Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, which triggered the war in Gaza, the Israeli government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also hardened its stance against the creation of a Palestinian state, arguing it poses a risk to Israels security.

But the devastating impact of Israels incursion into Gaza  which has resulted in more than 59,000 estimated deaths and reduced vast areas to rubble  has driven some of Israels traditional supporters in Europe to speak out and consider trade sanctions aimed at hastening an end to the conflict. The UK has suspended some arms exports to Israel and sanctioned senior members of Netanyahus administration.

Do Far More

Some senior Labour figures have both publicly and privately warned that even if the UK chooses to recognize Palestine at the UN in September, it may come too late given the scale of the destruction.

In an unusual public intervention on an issue thats not part of his brief, Streeting told the House of Commons on Tuesday said he hoped recognition will happen while there is still a state of Palestine left to recognize. London Mayor Sadiq Khan joined the calls for the UK to immediately recognize Palestinian statehood the next day, urging the government to do far more to pressure the Israeli government.

The Guardian was first to report the Cabinet unrest.

The UK will be represented at a United Nations conference being convened by France and Saudi Arabia in New York next week but hasnt yet decided whether to send Lammy or a more junior minister, according to people familiar with the matter. France will use the summit to discuss efforts to achieve a ceasefire and a two-state solution but wont formally recognize Palestine until a gathering of leaders at UNGA in September. The UK is yet to decide whether it will follow France in doing so, the people said.

Lammy has argued in recent weeks that despite other countries having already recognized Palestine, his immediate focus is on trying to alleviate the suffering in the region.

I recognize the debate on recognition, and we must move to recognition at the appropriate point, Lammy told the House of Commons earlier this week after several Labour lawmakers urged him to move faster. But, he added, I do not believe in all honesty that recognition would change the situation on the ground.

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com
China Focus: Int'l experts laud China's achievement in climate governance

Xinhua) 08:40, July 24, 2025

Bronwyn Wake (2nd L), chief editor of the journal Nature Climate Change, and Kannan Govindan (3rd L), a professor at the University of Adelaide in Australia, attend the International Conference on Climate Leadership in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 22, 2025. (Harbin Institute of Technology/Handout via Xinhua)

HARBIN, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Despite it being her first academic visit to Harbin, capital of China's northernmost Heilongjiang Province, Bronwyn Wake, chief editor of the journal Nature Climate Change, was immediately blown away by the professionalism of the Chinese scholars.

China possesses a robust community of scholars dedicated to the governance of climate change and understanding its economic impacts, Wake said, expressing her anticipation for greater Chinese wisdom in global cooperation efforts in these fields.

Wake came to Harbin Institute of Technology to attend the International Conference on Climate Leadership, joining experts from countries including the United Kingdom and Spain. During the conference, they engaged in deliberations on issues such as international climate cooperation and low-carbon technological innovation.

Wake said that Nature Climate Change covers a wide range of topics, such as the climate system, biological science, climate change, and related policies, on which Chinese researchers have delivered a body of exceptional research.

She noted that Chinese scholars have not only explored ways to advance domestic climate governance but also contributed valuable solutions that enhance cooperation in global climate change. The research forms the foundation for effective, coordinated climate policies.

"China has always played an important role in international climate negotiations, such as the Paris Agreement," Wake said, expressing the hope that China will continue to drive the global climate agenda and support international cooperation.

In the view of Kannan Govindan, a professor at the University of Adelaide in Australia, China's thriving renewable energy sector serves as a crucial pillar in support of global climate action.

Govindan noted that as extreme weather increasingly disrupts the reliability of global supply chains, China's rapidly advancing clean energy technologies -- such as solar panels, wind turbines, and hydroelectric power plants -- are not only lowering global energy production costs but also supporting infrastructure development in various countries. As a result, this strengthens the resilience of supply chains.

He further noted that beyond developing clean energy technologies, China is advancing climate-resilient infrastructure through pilot initiatives for eco-cities and sponge cities, which are unique climate governance practices that have garnered global scholarly attention.

China has put in place a robust policy framework for carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, with tailored implementation plans spanning energy, industry, transportation, commerce, construction and other sectors, said Yuan Jiashuang, deputy director of China's National Climate Center, during the event.

According to the National Energy Administration, as of the end of June, China's installed capacity for wind power generation has reached 570 million kilowatts, up 22.7 percent year on year, while solar power capacity rose 54.2 percent year on year to 1.1 billion kilowatts.

Climate change-driven impacts such as altered water resource distribution and increased extreme weather events have exerted far-reaching effects on economies and societies, said Ma Chaode, assistant resident representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in China.

Against the backdrop, China's carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals have offered a roadmap for global climate governance, Ma said.

Ma looks forward to seeing China continue to exert its influence in technology and funding in the future, and propel the global community to meet carbon emission goals by advancing technological innovation, fostering new mindsets, boosting financial investment and raising public awareness.

Bronwyn Wake, chief editor of the journal Nature Climate Change, speaks during the International Conference on Climate Leadership in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, July 21, 2025. (Harbin Institute of Technology/Handout via Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Three China-linked cyber espionage groups have been implicated in a major hacking campaign that has compromised a wide range of organisations globally, including multiple US government agencies. The cyberattack, which exploits critical vulnerabilities in Microsofts widely used SharePoint server software, has prompted urgent investigations by federal officials and private security experts, according to a report by Politico.

Microsoft confirmed in a recent blog post that the three threat actors, identified as Violet Typhoon, Linen Typhoon, and Storm-2603, are actively involved in the campaign. These groups are believed to be state-affiliated and have been previously associated with cyber operations targeting Western interests.

Two US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation, disclosed that at least four to five federal agencies have been affected, though the full scale of the breach remains unclear. More than one agency had been confirmed as compromised as of Monday, one of the officials added.

The attackers are exploiting a serious flaw in customer-managed, on-premises versions of Microsoft SharePoint, a collaborative platform used extensively across government and corporate sectors. Microsoft stated that the cloud-hosted versions of SharePoint are not impacted by the vulnerability.

Since the breach was detected over the weekend, both federal cybersecurity teams and private analysts have been working to contain the damage. Microsoft said it is confident the threat actors will continue to exploit unpatched systems, warning of the urgent need for organisations to update their software.

Also Read | Microsoft says some SharePoint server hackers now use ransomware

The tech giant has said it is working closely with the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Department of Defenses Cyber Defence Command, and international cybersecurity partners to mitigate the threat. A CISA spokesperson noted that Microsoft had been responding quickly since the agency first raised the alarm.

This latest breach adds to a growing list of high-profile cybersecurity incidents involving Microsoft and suspected Chinese hackers. In 2023, attackers linked to China reportedly accessed email accounts belonging to the US ambassador to China and the US Commerce Secretary by exploiting a string of Microsoft security flaws, shortcomings that were later criticised by a federal review board.

More recently, the Pentagon announced it would reassess all its cloud services after it emerged that Chinese-based engineers had been providing technical assistance for sensitive US military systems.
WASHINGTONThe chief executives of chip giants Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices stood behind the Trump administrations new artificial-intelligence action plan" on Wednesday, welcoming a set of moves that could serve as a further boon for the American chip sector.

The plan, which also has been embraced by the broader tech and business community, promises to clear away red tape around the development and use of AI and boost exports of American techincluding semiconductors essential for AI.

Additionally, it aims to streamline the creation of data centers and make energy for them more readily available.

On stage Wednesday at a Washington tech industry event, Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang proclaimed that the unique advantage America has that other countries dont is President Trump.

On the first day of his administration, he realized the importance of AI and he realized the importance of energy," Huang said. For the last, I dont know how many years, energy production was vilified."

AMD Chief Executive Lisa Su told The Wall Street Journal that the Trump administrations AI plan is excellent and heralds an era where the U.S. stands to win the global AI race.

For the U.S. to lead in AI, we have to run fast, and the AI action plan is a great way of just laying out all the various pieces that will be helpful for us to run fast," said Su, who also spoke at the event.

Its a great day for those of us, like us, who are really trying to get technology adopted as fast as possible, in partnership with the government," she added.

The administrations new AI planthe first step of which involved President Trump signing AI-related executive orders late Wednesdaycould further bolster the businesses of both Nvidia and AMD.

Trump also spoke at the tech event, and he took a moment to recognize Huang and Su as leaders vital to helping America win the AI race.

Huang recently lobbied President Trump to remove restrictions the Commerce Department had placed on selling Nvidias H20 AI chip to China. The administration reversed course after a meeting Huang had with the president.

AMD also is expected to resume shipments to China once licenses for a restricted chip are approved. Exports of the companys MI308 accelerators to China were similarly halted in April.

We understand the sensitivity," Su said, referring to the restriction. I think the balance was found in a good place with the new policies."

Speeding up the construction of data centers and getting energy to power them also is a key win for the U.S. chip sector.

Powerful AI chips called graphics processing units, or GPUs, are the engine behind AI models like the ones that power OpenAIs ChatGPT. They run inside of data centers and require immense amounts of power to keep them running.

During his remarks, Trump said the administration would use every rule at our disposal" to ensure that the country could build AI infrastructure like data centers and chip-manufacturing facilities.

Those moves will likely involve deregulationa message that was received warmly by tech execs.

How do we clear the regulatory environment so its easier to build, its easier to permit, and get more power throughout the distribution network? All of that is enabling," Su said.

Trump officials said Wednesday that the U.S. needs to sell homegrown chips and software to allies so their AI is dependent on American companies, not Chinese ones. The plan is to use the U.S. Export-Import Bank and Development Finance Corp. to help spread American technology in other countries.

Daniel Castro, vice president at the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation, said the administrations AI action plan is incredibly promising for businesses. The ITIF is a think tank backed by tech companies that promotes innovation.

The [AI] plans focus on clearing regulatory red tape, supporting American workers, and accelerating adoption is huge for businesses that are ready to embrace AI-driven productivity growth," Castro said.

While Nvidia and AMD have a heated rivalry in building the advanced chips that power AI, Su said the administrations package of moves are beneficial for both.

We have very similar principles, which is, we want American technology to be as capable as possible, and we want to get it proliferated as much as possible," Su said. It is really about doing what is good for the overall industry, which happens to also help all of our competitive positions globally."

Write to Belle Lin at belle.lin@wsj.com
*

Nvidia not permitted to sell its most advanced chips to China

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Some Nvidia AI GPUs in China have been heavily used, leading to higher failure rates

*

US lawmakers have introduced bills designed to limit smuggling of Nvidia chips

By Che Pan and Casey Hall

BEIJING/SHANGHAI, - Demand in China has begun surging for a business that, in theory, shouldn't exist: the repair of advanced Nvidia artificial intelligence chipsets that the U.S. has banned the export of to its trade and tech rival.

Around a dozen boutique companies now offer repair services, according to two such firms in the tech hub of Shenzhen which say they predominantly fix Nvidia's H100 graphics processing units that have somehow made their way to the country, as well as A100 GPUs and a range of other chips.

Even before it was launched, the H100 was banned from sale in China in September 2022 by U.S. authorities keen to rein in Chinese technological development, particularly advances that its military could use. Its predecessor, the A100, was also banned at the same time after being on the market for over two years.

"There is really significant repair demand," said a co-owner of a firm that has been fixing Nvidia's gaming GPUs for 15 years and began working on AI chips in late 2024.

Business has been so good that the owners created a new company to handle those orders, which now repairs up to 500 Nvidia AI chips per month. Its facilities, as shown in social media advertising, include a room which can accommodate 256 servers, simulating customers' data centre environments to conduct testing and validate repairs.

The rapid growth of the repair industry from late last year supports the view that there has been a significant amount of smuggling of Nvidia chipsets into China. Tenders have shown that the government and the military have made purchases of the U.S. firm's banned AI chips.

Concern about large-scale smuggling of high-end Nvidia products into China has prompted both Republican and Democratic lawmakers to introduce bills that would require the tracking of chipsets so that their location can be verified after they are sold. U.S. President Donald Trump's administration also backed the idea this week.

The thriving repair industry also highlights how Nvidia's advanced GPUs remain in high demand despite new, albeit less powerful, products from Chinese tech giant Huawei .

Though the buying, selling and repair of Nvidia GPUs is not illegal in China, sources for this article were reluctant to draw scrutiny from U.S. or Chinese authorities and declined to be identified.

Nvidia cannot legally provide repair or replacement items for restricted products in China. In contrast, sources said if an Nvidia GPU in another nation has a defect and is under warranty, which is normally three years, the company usually replaces it.

An Nvidia spokesperson said only the company and authorised partners "are able to provide the service and support that customers need. Using restricted products without approved hardware, software, and technical support is a nonstarter, both technically and economically."

REPAIR DEMAND MAY NOT FADE

Nvidia has only just been allowed to recommence sales of its H20 AI chipset, which has been specifically developed for China to comply with U.S. restrictions. Switching over to H20 chipsets is, however, not necessarily a simple or good option for Chinese entities.

Price is an issue as one H20 server with eight GPUs inside will likely cost more than 1 million yuan , industry sources say. H20 chipsets, which have increased memory bandwidth, have been specifically designed for AI inference work, but firms involved in the training of large language models would likely prefer H100 chipsets which are better suited to that task.

Industry sources said some of the H100 and A100 GPUs in China have been crunching data around the clock for years now, leading to an increase in failure rates. Depending on how frequently a GPU is used and how often it is maintained, an Nvidia GPU generally lasts two to five years before needing to be repaired, they said.

According to the first source, his company charges between 10,000 yuan and 20,000 yuan to fix a GPU depending on the complexity of the problem.

The second Shenzhen-based repair service provider - which shifted from GPU rentals to repairs this year - says it can repair up to 200 Nvidia AI chips each month, charging about 10% of the GPUs' original selling price per repair.

Services generally include software testing, fan repair, printed circuit board and GPU memory fault diagnostics and repair, as well as the replacement of broken parts.

In the meantime, smuggling of high-end Nvidia chips continues. Traders of chips in China say customer demand is pivoting to top-of-the-line B200 chips which Nvidia began shipping to other countries in larger quantities this year.

A server with eight B200 GPUs costs more than 3 million yuan in China, they said.
Local businesses, suppliers, and entrepreneurs are being invited to attend one of the most important procurement events of the year, a Fine Gael Deputy Micheal Carrigy has said.



Deputy Carrigy is encouraging strong participation from the Longford business community at the Government Supply Expo 2025: Pathways to Public Tendering. This is taking place at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on Tuesday, 11 November.

Hosted by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) in partnership with InterTradeIreland, the event is a unique opportunity for businesses of all sizes, including SMEs, micro-enterprises and social enterprises, to connect directly with government buyers and procurement professionals from across Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Read more: Longford ISPCA celebrates nationwide campaign with Chanelle Pharma for awareness



Deputy Micheal Carrigy said:

Billions of euro each year is spent by public bodies on goods, services and public works. I want to see more local businesses, including those across my constituency of Longford/Westmeath, accessing those opportunities.

Speaking about the upcoming event, Minister of State at the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, Emer Higgins said:



This Expo is about breaking down barriers to public contracts and giving businesses practical support to succeed. I would strongly encourage any business who wants to supply to the public sector to attend this event. It offers unparalleled access to the full range of public procurement practitioners across Ireland, North and South. Government Supply Expo 2025 will bring together key public sector bodies, including Government Departments, Local Authorities, Health and Education agencies, and Defence.



Attendees will: Meet government buyers face-to-face.

Read more: The Ganlys July Giveaway 2025 returns this week



Learn how to register as a supplier and find tender opportunities. Get insights on upcoming procurement plans. Attend expert-led sessions on writing winning proposals, green and sustainable procurement, and supports and resources from InterTradeIreland and the Office of Government Procurement.



This free event is open to all sectors, including ICT, construction, consultancy, and niche services.
A man who has admitted drink driving has been convicted and fined.



Mateusz Czaja of 12 Lusan, Lisbrack Road, Longford pleaded guilty at the local district court to drug-driving at Deanscurragh , Longford on August 30, 2024.

Read more: Longford Gardai investigate pepper spray incident and altercation between 'two families'



Sergeant Enda Daly, court presenter, said the defendant was stopped by Gardai at 9.45am and he appeared dishevelled.

Gardai made a requirement for the driver to undergo an oral fluid test, which produced a positive result for drugs.

Mr Labinas was arrested and brought to Longford Garda Station where he provided a sample of his blood.



Sgt Daly said that sample returned a reading that exceeded the drug-driving limit for the drugs.



The court heard the defendant had no previous convictions.



Solicitor Brid Mimnagh, defending, said her client had been in a difficult situation.



He is nine years in Ireland and he has always worked, he has never come before the courts before.



Ms Mimnagh said her client Mr Czaja earns between 450 and 520 per week.



Ms Mimnagh said Mr Czaja supports his two children and his wife who works part time and earns a small amount.



The solicitor also asked the judge if the disqualification could be deferred for six months.

Read more: Longford farmers unhappy over claims of private land flooded with EU programme



Judge Bernadette Owens fined the defendant 500 with five months to pay and she imposed a one year disqualification and she agreed to defer the disqualification period until January 6, 2026.
More homes and schools, better healthcare facilities, new roads, connected infrastructure and investment in disability services are all part of the National Development Plan for Longford, a Fine Gael TD has said.

Read more: Longford farmers urged to focus firmly on safety as Farm Safety Week 2025 kicks off today

Deputy Micheal Carrigy said: A 200bn National Development Plan (NDP) was unveiled this week by Fine Gael to help transform Longford and to ensure a better quality of life for all.

This plan will upgrade water and energy infrastructure, deliver more roads and better public transport across the region here. These are the building blocks we need to deliver thousands of new homes and ensure better communities through more schools and better access to healthcare.

Details on what projects in Longford will be initially targeted will be published later this year.

In the meantime, Ill be working throughout the Summer months with my party leader and Tanaiste Simon Harris and Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe to ensure that our priorities for Longford are at the top of the agenda ahead of Octobers Budget.

These include:

Upgrade of waste water treatment plants in Edgeworthstown and Ballymahon

N4 Mullingar to Longford (Roosky)

Minor Injury Clinic for Longford

Since my election to the Dail, I have been prioritising these projects in the first year of this Government. I am fully committed to working for all here in Longford to achieve them.

We are in a position to ensure that we have one of the largest and most important capital injections into our economy in Longford due to the careful management of the countrys finances by successive Fine Gael Ministers. My party campaigned on greater infrastructure delivery and to remove obstacles to providing more homes and services.

The opposition told us not to plan for Budget surpluses, rainy day funds or put money aside for future investment. What position would we be in if Sinn Fein managed our countrys finances? They would have wasted all the effort and work of Irish taxpayers and future capital investment in Longford would not have been possible.

Now, we are putting forward a plan to invest 200bn over the next decade to safeguard our economy, drive growth and opportunity, protect jobs, increase competitiveness and ensure prosperity for our people and communities. This is crucial at a time of growing international uncertainty and serious threat of tariffs which pose significant risk to our economy, Deputy Carrigy has said.

Read more: Longford farmers unhappy over claims of private land flooded with EU programme

Overall almost 100bn is being allocated for the next five years  an additional 30bn on what was previously allocated in the NDP. A further 100bn for the period 2026 to 2035 is also contained in the NDP. In the coming months, projects and investment programmes to be prioritised will be outlined with the additional funding allocation received following the review of the NDP.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: July 24 2025

Camp Fahrenheit 516 Celebrates 10 Years of Firefighter Training at Nassau County Fire Service Academy for Nassau & Suffolk Teens.

This summer, while some teens are spend hours at the beach or pool working on their tans, nearly 64 Juniors and Explorers aged 14-18 from 25 fire departments across Nassau and Suffolk counties will come together for a week to participate in Camp Fahrenheit 516, which is sponsored by the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY). This year 13 teenagers from Lower Saxony, Germany and 2 teens from Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania, will also be participating in this week-long junior fire training course at the Nassau County Fire Academy in Bethpage.

Starting July 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., these teens will receive the most intense firefighting training at Camp Fahrenheit 516 for five straight days. They will experience training courses such as mask confidence, search and rescue, forcible entry, emergency evacuation procedures, ground ladders, fire extinguisher drills, two-minute drills, second story bailouts, and ropes as well as live propane, car and warehouse fires. To celebrate the 10 year anniversary, there will also be a live fire evolution of past camper alumni that are now part of their fire departments.

On Thursday, July 24 starting at 10 am, the Nassau County Fire Service Academy in conjunction with FASNY will host a media day at Camp Fahrenheit 516 to show reporters just how intense these junior firefighters are being trained and give these teens a chance to show off what Long Islands future of firefighting looks like.

German Junior Firefighters visited Camp Fahrenheit 516 in the summer of 2019. In 2020, the trip that the Long Island Juniors had planned to participate in the exchange was cut short due to COVID-19. They rescheduled and were able to go abroad last summer. Keeping up with the spirit of this budding exchange program relationship, the Germans are back for this summer!

WHY: Across the State of New York, many fire departments have been facing recruitment challenges, including here on Long Island. Todays firefighters are responding to more calls than ever before, which are increasingly diverse, between medical emergencies to flooded basements, downed power lines, automobile accidents, and of course all types of fires!

With call volumes up for fire, safety and EMS, the need for more volunteers is crucial. One way to ensure members for the future is to invest in junior firefighters-- those under the age of 18 who are interested in future opportunities in becoming a volunteer firefighter once they are of age to service their community.

Camp Fahrenheit 516 was designed to give Juniors and Explorers a first-hand firefighting experience. The camp program was designed by the Nassau County Junior Firefighter Association (NCJFA) Board of Directors, the Nassau County Fire Service Academy staff, FSA instructors, Chief John Brown and Chief Robert Hughes in 2015.

WHO:

Dozens of Junior Firefighters from across Long Island

Jerry Presta , Nassau County Junior Firefighters Association Chairman, and Vice Chairman of Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) Youth Committee

Paul Wilders, Chief Fire Academy Instructor, Nassau County Fire Service Academy

Other FASNY representatives

WHEN: Thursday, July 24, 2025, starting at 10am.

WHERE: 300 Winding Road, Old Bethpage, NY
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: July 24 2025

Camp Fahrenheit Helps Prepare Young Firefighters For Their Future Careers.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman today announced that an additional $100,000 in funding would be allocated to the Nassau County Fire Service Academy to support its Juniors Program  Camp Fahrenheit. The camp is a nationally recognized program that helps prepare aspiring firefighters under the age of 18 for future careers in the fire service.

We have the best firefighters in America. They are the reason why we are the safest county in America. Our volunteer firefighters do an amazing job, and were so happy that we have our Junior firefighters here, said Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.

Camp Fahrenheit is marking its 10th anniversary this year. The program brings an unprecedented level of intensity and realism to training simulations, with participation from 31 departments and cadets from across the world. The camp includes live evolutions and drills modeled after what firefighters see on the job. Simulations include car fires, propane tank incidents, mass casualty incident training scenarios, forcible entry, search and rescue operations, and other emergency procedures.

What better way to train our young future firefighters than to put them into the scenarios of our regular probation classes, said Camp Fahrenheit Director Jerry Presta. Thats what this is all about  getting them trained safely, getting them the highest education that they can get from the best academy in the country, and then when they come of age, they come into the fire service and protect our communities.

The Blakeman administration has prioritized aid for firefighters and emergency responders over the last several years. The Vocational Education and Extension Board (VEEB), which provides training and education for firefighters and first responders, has received over $20 million in funding from Nassau County since County Executive Blakeman took office.

Camp Fahrenheit is one of a kind, County Executive Blakeman stated. What could be more rewarding than protecting your community and your county. We want to thank our firefighters, and we want to commend our junior firefighters for stepping up to the plate. And we will make them the best firefighters in America.

CREDIT: Nassau County Press Release
Three 'apocalypse fish' have been sighted in waters near Tasmania and New Zealand, something that has set alarm bells ringing and is taken by some as a bad omen. They are animals with elongated bodies, about eight meters long, with silver and red scales, but they fill those who see them with terror.

However, the scientific community is calling for calm and explains their appearance in a more rational way, avoiding future catastrophes. They are known as oarfish and were first seen in Tasmania, then in New Zealand's Aramoana and Birdlings Flat.

Simone Biles falls trying bold parallel bars challenge

Andrew Stewart, fish curator at New Zealand's Te Papa Tongarewa Museum, described the species as a "magnificent, otherworldly creature". "When you have an oarfish, you have 8 meters of repetition; each leg is identical to the previous one," he noted.

Only about 20 of these fish have been seen off oceanic coasts, so the museum had hoped to study them, but as they were dead, the seagulls had devoured part of them.

Myths about the oarfish: truths and lies

They are associated in Japanese culture with natural disasters, particularly earthquakes and tsunamis. They are known as ryugu no tsukai, and are said to be messengers from the deep, but this is totally ruled out by multiple scientific studies, something that Andrew Stewart emphasizes

Their sighting is rare because they live in the depths of the ocean, and are never near the coasts. Nick Ling, a fish ecologist at the University of Waikato, explained: "They live in the open sea at considerable depths, and people just don't find them. That's why they are almost impossible to study," dismissing that their appearance is a bad omen or warning of a natural disaster.

Dr Neville Barrett, from the University of Tasmania's Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, disagrees with this relationship: "It's just a random event, there's no real evidence that there's any relationship. I imagine a major earthquake could disturb mid-water fish and stun them and cause some to come to the surface, but that would happen at the same time as the catastrophe," he told ABC News Australia.
NORTHAMPTON  Gov. Maura Healey recently announced that she has nominated a veteran of the Northwestern District Attorneys Office and longtime appellate attorney, Thomas H. Townsend, to become a Superior Court judge.

Townsend, of Longmeadow, has been the chief of the Appellate Division of the DAs office since 2011, following a 14-year tenure at the Hampden District Attorneys Office, where he also handled appeals.
Anne Burrell on October 10, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images for NYCWFF) Getty Images for NYCWFF

Chef and Food Network star Anne Burrells death has been ruled a suicide, the New York Times reported.

The New York Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said the cause of death was acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine and amphetamine which is the interaction of alcohol, amphetamine and diphenhydramine and cetirizine, which are over-the-count antihistamines, the Times wrote.

Burrell died in her home in Brooklyn, New York, on June 17, the Food Network wrote in a press release. An internal document reviewed by the Times, revealed that Burrell was discovered in the shower unconscious and unresponsive surrounded by approximately (100) assorted pills.

Born and raised in New York, Burrell first appeared on the Food Network in 2005 as a sous chef for celebrity chef Mario Batali on Iron Chef America. Later on, she became a host on the channel, helming Secrets of a Restaurant Chef and Worst Cooks in America.

Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent  teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring, the Food Network wrote in an Instagram post.

Burrell is survived by her husband, mother and sister, as well as many other cherished relatives and friends. Many Food Network fans have already taken to social media to express sorrow at her death.
Two long-time Market Basket executives who were fired by the grocery store chains board of directors on Tuesday say the move was part of an effort to silence employees who oppose changes that the board and some company shareholders want to make to the company.

The Tewksbury-based companys board terminated Market Baskets operations manager, Joe Schmidt, and grocery supervisor, Tom Gordon, after putting them and the chains CEO, Arthur T. Demoulas, on paid leave in late May. At the time, the board cited concerns that Schmidt and Gordon were trying to organize a work stoppage in the hopes of protecting Demoulas from losing his position.

On Tuesday, the board of directors reiterated accusations that Schmidt and Gordon were encouraging Market Basket employees to engage in workplace disruptions despite being asked to stop, The Boston Globe reported. The board also claimed the two executives told their colleagues they could lose their bonuses in the event of Demoulas firing, the newspaper wrote.

But during a Wednesday press conference, Gordon and Schmidt called the boards accusations preposterous and said there is no evidence to support them.

Its very disheartening to have given my life to this company ... its been a wonderful experience for almost 50 years. And to have a few people say that we havent been doing our jobs and weve been insubordinate and were planning some kind of a walkout is very, very, very troubling, Gordon said.

The executives claimed they were fired because they are loyal to Demoulas and his vision for the company, and that their terminations are part of a pattern of retaliation against Market Basket employees who support the CEO. This preplanned coup has created a culture of fear at the company that helps the board silence opposition, they said.

I think theyre not only silencing myself and Mr. Gordon, but I think they made it clear to the organization that they want to silence others, Schmidt said.

Three of the boards members previously accused Demoulas of improperly trying to line up his children to succeed him, as well as not providing certain financial information or access to top executives to the board, the Globe reported. Demoulas and his allies have repeatedly denied these claims.

Gordon and Schmidt said Wednesday that the three board members are working at the behest of Demoulas three sisters, who have a different vision for Market Basket than their brother. Together, the sisters own a majority share of the company.

They want their brother out of the company, Schmidt said.  ... This is about the culture of the company, the associates of the company, and the customers, and all of the suppliers that support the company on a day-to-day basis. Mr. Demoulas philosophy is that the shareholders benefit at the end of that order. And thats worth standing up for because we have a special culture here.

Schmidt went as far as calling on the three board members to resign, arguing that what theyve done is a tremendous disservice to this organization.

If the board expects Gordon and Schmidt to just go away, theyre sorely mistaken, Schmidt said. The two executives plan to fight the decision to fire them, but say they are hoping legal action does not become necessary.
Nearly $115,000 worth of collectible Pokemon cards were stolen from 1st Edition Collectibles in New Bedford on July 8. 1st Edition Collectibles

Police arrested a New Bedford man this week in connection with the theft of over $115,000 worth of Pokemon cards from a city collectibles shop earlier this month.

Richard Jovahn Nunes, 24, pleaded not guilty to six counts of receiving stolen property worth over $1,200 during his arraignment in New Bedford District Court on Tuesday, according to court records.

The charges stem from the theft of two vintage Pokemon card booster boxes, five Charizard cards and one Blastoise card from 1st Edition Collectibles on July 8, New Bedford police said in a press release Wednesday.

How the suspect was caught

The local card collector community reacted to the theft by rallying behind 1st Edition Collectibles, 1st Edition Collectibles co-owner Filipe Andre said. Many resolved to keep an eye out for attempted sales of cards matching the stolen items in the hopes of catching the thief.

The communitys support paid off for 1st Edition Collectibles on Monday when Collectible Tags  a collectibles shop in Manchester, New Hampshire  notified New Bedford police that a suspect had tried to sell a Pokemon card box matching one of the stolen items, Andre and police said.

Later that day, the same suspect tried to sell different Pokemon cards matching another stolen item at Dream Collectors  a collectibles shop in Taunton, Andre and police said. Again, the store notified police of the attempted sale.

Based on the rarity and value of the booster boxes involved, detectives determined that it was highly unlikely the same person would possess both without being connected to the original theft, New Bedford police wrote in the release.

Detectives soon identified the suspect as Nunes, and New Bedford and Taunton police arrested him in Taunton, New Bedford police said. At the time of his arrest, Nunes had an active warrant out for his arrest out of Taunton District Court on felony charges.

The investigation then led detectives to search a Dartmouth apartment at which Nunes has been staying, New Bedford police said. There, they found a shoebox containing the rest of the stolen items.

What this means for 1st Edition Collectibles

Andre said he and the shops other co-owners are incredibly grateful that Collectible Tags and Dream Collectors reported the attempted sales instead of accepting the items.

People dont realize that this is a community, he said. All the local shops see each other at conventions and talk to each other. Those shop owners are all great guys, and were lucky the community is the way it is.

Though aspects of the break-in and theft seemed to indicate the thief was familiar with 1st Edition Collectibles, none of the shops owners recognized Nunes, Andre said. It is unclear whether police believe he was the person who broke into the store and stole the cards, or whether they think another suspect was involved.

Two of the recovered card boxes were opened, which lowers their monetary value, Andre said. Still, the stores owners are relieved and amazed that police managed to recover all of the items.

After the theft, members of the local card collector community rushed to donate money to support 1st Edition Collectibles, Andre said. Uncomfortable with the idea of just taking their money without providing anything in return, the shops co-owners created two unique t-shirts that supporters could buy as a means of helping the store recover lost revenue.

But now that all the stolen items have been recovered, 1st Edition Collectibles plans to donate the revenue from the t-shirts, Andre said. The shops co-owners havent settled on an organization they want to give the money to yet, but they plan to announce their chosen beneficiary soon.

New Bedford police are still investigating the theft. They ask that anyone with information about it provide an anonymous tip by calling 508-99-CRIME or making a report on their website.
William Shipps, Jr. is asking for parole for the second time after killing two people when he was 16. Massachusetts Parole Board

As a toddler, William Shipps, Jr. was often brought along by his uncle during break-ins, exposing him to a life of crime before he could understand it.

By 16, Shipps had shot and killed two people. Now, more than 40 years later, the Massachusetts man is hoping for a second chance through parole.

Shipps was one of two teens who planned and executed an armed robbery on July 24, 1982. He brought the loaded gun but said he never intended to use it. The robbery, however, didnt go according to plan, Shipps said, and a brother and sister, John J. Lucey and Esther L. King, were murdered in their home in Stoughton.

Lucey was killed during a fight between him and the other teen. Shipps, however, admitted to pinning King to her bed, putting a pillow over her head and shooting her. After both people were shot, Shipps admitted to destroying the house and stealing their items, which he later sold, the parole board wrote.

Shipps was found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of armed robbery, and two counts of armed assault in a dwelling. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of King, a consecutive life sentence without the possibility of parole for the murder of Lucey, and four additional life sentences for the armed robbery and armed assault convictions, which were ordered to be served concurrently with the life sentence he received for the murder of King.

However, due to his age the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court decided in 2013 that he could not be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole as it was considered cruel or unusual punishment. Shipps first went in front of the parole board in 2021 but was denied.

Despite years of program participation, Mr. Shipps minimizes his overall criminal history. He attempted to normalize his delinquent and prior criminal behavior by suggesting it is common adolescent behavior, the parole board wrote in their 2022 decision.

Years later, Shipps continues to insist this type of criminal behavior was normal  at least in his family.

Another uncle, Shipps recalled, would come over to his house with truckloads and carloads full of stolen merchandise.

And we all knew it was stolen and nobody thought anything about it, he said during his parole board hearing on May 20. So criminal behavior became normalized.

When he was a teenager, his brother-in-law, who was a mechanic, would take him out to steal car parts or cars with him. His father would also drive drunk, he said.

So, I became accustomed to criminality and criminal behavior, he said.

This type of thinking continued to be reinforced as he started making money from the things he stole and sold, he said.

And here I am, a kid stealing things and selling them to adults, he said. And its given it the adult approval of this is OK.

But one of the board members pushed back on this idea.

... the criminality of your conduct at that age, it was shocking, the board member said. Some of the firearms you were stealing, the amount of drugs you were stealing, at least in that one incident that your uncle, who had some organized crime ties, had to untangle for you. To me, you were in a different league of juvenile offenses.

The parole board also took issue with his years of attempting to get a new trial and appealing the original ruling and in 2019 coming forward claiming the other teenager involved was the one who shot Lucey.

I had never spoken about the night Esther King and John Lucy murdered, Shipps said. I had never talked to my attorneys about it. I had never provided the details of what happened that night to anyone. Not to my attorneys, not to my family members or anyone.

Why not, a board member questioned. Because if youre pursuing motions for a new trial and appeals, wouldnt that be the time to say this should be considered?

Shipps recalled that he tried to get officials to look at the other teen in 1988 but that a judge denied the request.

One board member continued to question Shipps. She feared the timing of the new information.

The Supreme Court Case that allows for Shipps to get parole asks the board to consider if there were peer influences. If so, they are more likely to be considered for parole.

I question again, the timing, is he introducing this juvenile into this, these murders because now hes a Diatchenko case, and this kind of looks better for me, she asked.

The grandson of King also has a hard time believing Shipps story.

The grandson noted during testimony at the May hearing that Shipps said he had planned to punch the two people inside the home if they had any issues, not shoot them.

And yet he brought a gun and used it. I find the fact that he struggled with my grandmother, who was about 110 pounds, with a heart condition and wasnt able to overpower her in about two seconds, extremely hard to believe, he said.

Still, Shipps remains apologetic for his actions and the pain hes caused.

I apologize to Esther King, and I apologize to John Lucy ... I robbed you of the joy of being with your family. I robbed your family of the joy and grace of your presence. I failed to appreciate you and value the way every person deserves to be appreciated and valued. Im truly sorry. I will carry the guilt, the shame, and the remorse for my crimes against you till the end of my days, he said.
South Park kicks off season 27 with "Sermon on the Mount." Comedy Central

The creators of "South Park" wasted no time in its season 27 premiere tearing into President Donald Trump

The episode, named Sermon on the Mount, aired on Wednesday, July 23. And it packed in a flurry of references from Jeffrey Epstein to Paramounts recent $16 million settlement with the president. Viewers can stream the episode with Philo, FuboTV, DIRECTV, Sling and Hulu the day after new episodes air.

The satire begins with Eric Cartman being depressed that his favorite show, NPR is canceled by Trump and declaring that woke is dead. Meanwhile, the president is pushing Christianity into South Park Elementary by bringing Jesus Christ directly into the boys classrooms.

When the towns parents erupt in anger and protest, Trump retaliates by suing the fictional Colorado town.

At times, the show would shift to the White House, where Trump, surrounded by photos of himself, is seen threatening to sue everyone while telling people to calm down.

The president is then shown in multiple scenes, lying in bed with Satan, insinuating a desire for intimacy. But Satan turns him down.

Come on, Satan. Ive been working hard all day, Trump pleads.

The devil then replies, You havent been working! Youve been doing your stupid memes and just [expletive] around.

Come on, Satan. You know you cant resist this! Trump says before exposing himself.

I cant see anything, Satan says in response. Its so small.

The episode also pokes fun at the purported Epstein list, a client roster of high-profile individuals supposedly linked to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

Earlier this month, the Justice Department released a memo saying there was no evidence that Epstein had this list, The Hill reported. The memo also said there was no evidence of foul play in Epsteins jail death, which was ruled a suicide.

Lying in bed, Satan tells Trump, Another random [expletive] commented on my Instagram that youre on the Epstein list.

The Epstein list? Trump asks. Are we still talking about that?

Well, are you on the list or not? Satan presses. Its weird that whenever it comes up, you just tell everyone to relax.

Im not telling everyone to relax, Trump says.

The comedic exchange takes on extra bite after U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi told Trump that his name appeared in the Epstein files, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.

South Park also took aim at Paramounts recent settlement with Trump over a 60 Minutes interview with Kamala Harris, where he accused the network of editing the interview to favor the former vice president.

The show hinted at this by featuring 60 Minutes anchors nervously praising Trump during their coverage of the South Park protests, repeatedly stating their disagreement with the protests as if fearing another lawsuit.

Jesus then arrives at the protest and, speaking nervously with clenched teeth, admits he came to the kids school because it was part of a lawsuit and the agreement with Paramount.

This episode also mentioned CBSs decision to axe The Late Show With Stephen Colbert in May 2026. This news came just two days after Colbert, a frequent Trump critic, spoke out against Paramount Global, CBSs parent company, for settling the 60 Minutes lawsuit.

The episode concludes with the residents of South Park agreeing to settle with Trump and agreeing to do pro-Trump messaging as part of their deal. The final scene cuts to Trump crawling, completely nude, through the desert.
Brian Walshe enters the courtroom for his arraignment, April 27, 2023, in Dedham, Mass. Walshe, a Massachusetts man charged with killing his wife, was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, to more than three years in jail over an unrelated art fraud case involving the sale of two fake Andy Warhol paintings. (Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool, File)

Lawyers for Brian Walshe are moving to dismiss the murder case against him, telling a judge on Thursday that prosecutors failed to present sufficient evidence to a grand jury to support a first-degree murder indictment.

Walshe is charged in connection with killing his wife, Ana, sometime in early 2023. Prosecutors say Walshe, facing an order to repay $450,000 as part of a federal art fraud case, killed and dismembered his wife not long after learning she was having an affair to get access to a multimillion-dollar life insurance policy taken out on her.

Larry Tipton, a lawyer for Walshe, argued, essentially, that prosecutors did not present enough evidence to prosecute Walshe under a theory of first-degree murder as a murder committed with extreme atrocity and cruelty. As a result, he argued, the portion of the first-degree indictment against Walshe that accuses him of extreme atrocity and cruelty should be tossed out.

But Judge Diane Freniere said she was unsure the law allowed her to do so, and suggested the issue may be better raised ahead of trial, when lawyers for Walshe could seek to block prosecutors from arguing a particular theory of murder.

Freniere suggested prosecutors fastball in the case was the theory of premeditation, and asked Tipton to convince her there wasnt enough evidence before the grand jury to support a theory that Walshe planned the killing of his wife.

While Tipton acknowledged there was evidence of a motive, he argued it did not support the idea of any premeditation.

You cant just throw things against the wall and see what sticks and then walk away and say the grand jury heard sufficient evidence, he said.

Police continue looking for missing Cohasset woman Ana Walshe. Walshe and her husband, Brian, pose for a photo.

Tipton appeared to face an uphill battle with Freniere, who acknowledged the evidence of extreme atrocity or cruelty was thin but said it was up to prosecutors to decide what theory to move forward on.

To me, youre seeking to limit the Commonwealth with regard to the theories it may pursue at trial based on ... your perceived failing of proof in the grand jury, she said. It seems to me thats not a dismissal of the indictment for first-degree murder.

Assistant Norfolk District Attorney Tracey Cusick argued the motion for prosecutors, telling Freniere it was the states position she should not dismiss any theory of first-degree murder.

Much of prosecutors evidence supporting the theory of premeditated murder is in Walshes conduct after the time he is accused of killing his wife, on Jan. 1, 2023, Cusick acknowledged. But she argued that evidence showed planning, not just consciousness of guilt.

Cusick pointed to Walshe looking up how to clean up a crime scene, buying cleaning supplies at various stores and going to dumpsters in multiple towns to dispose of evidence and possibly his wifes body as evidence of intent and motive to kill.

Still, Freniere said the rearward-looking concept of premeditation is a little bit difficult for me to appreciate.

But Cusick also laid out evidence prosecutors believe shows Walshes intent to kill his wife before she was dead.

Walshes claim that his wife left their home around 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2023 shows he was planning and premeditating and had the intent to kill her because he knew she was not scheduled to return to Washington, D.C., where she worked, until days later.

That created a block of time where no one at work would be looking for her. Prosecutors also claim Walshe plotted to create an illusion that he, his wife and their three children were happy and jovial when she invited a friend over to celebrate New Years Eve.

When the guest asked Walshe if he and his wife had been fighting later on, he replied, No, you saw us. Did it look like we were arguing? Cusick said. He also told the guest his phone was misplaced, offering an explanation for why he was not responding to text messages.

Police continue looking for missing Cohasset woman Ana Walshe.

It is the states belief, Cusick said, that Freniere does not have the authority to, as the judge put it, slice the loaf of first degree murder, such that I could dismiss the indictment in as much as it charges cruel and atrocious.

If the court finds that there was sufficient evidence of premeditation, this juncture is not the time to make any determination as to what the Commonwealth may or may not do with other theories, Cusick said.

Freniere did not immediately rule on the motion. She has also yet to rule on a request by lawyers for Walshe to suppress key Google searches.

During the hearing, the lawyers also addressed the issue of a federal court order requiring the district attorneys office to return or destroy materials uncovered during a federal investigation in the Karen Read case. The order initially set a deadline of July 18 to return or destroy the materials  30 days after Reads retrial concluded with an acquittal.

Lawyers for Walshe were, for the first time, able to see a copy of the order itself on Thursday and prosecutors turned over a copy to Freniere. Assistant Norfolk District Attorney Laura McLaughlin, a prosecutor on the Read case, said she was the only person assigned to prosecute Walshe who had seen the order.

With a federal judge allowing the district attorneys office an extra 30 days to weed through the materials, Freniere suggested McLaughlin should go through it for any exculpatory information in the Walshe case.

McLaughlin, though, said the order only allowed her to review the materials for the state prosecution of Read.

Freniere set a status conference on the federal materials issue for Aug. 1. A number of other cases will be in Norfolk Superior Court on Friday for a similar hearing.

Walshe has pleaded not guilty. His trial is set for Oct. 20.
Boston city officials said Wednesday that theyll start fining trash hauler Republic Services directly  instead of businesses  for uncollected garbage as a strike with union workers drags on without any end in sight.

The ongoing work stoppage is taking an unacceptable toll on Bostons residents, businesses, and neighborhoods," Mayor Michelle Wu wrote in a Wednesday letter to the companys president, Jon Vander Ark.

Wu said her office has received complaints from various neighborhoods that overflowing dumpsters are severely threatening public health.

The city doesnt contract directly with Republic  that falls to the individual businesses that use the companys services.

But city health and safety code enforcement personnel have also reported interactions with businesses throughout the city that are struggling to [pay] for trash pickup service under contracts with Republic Services that they are not receiving, Wu noted.

At the same time, those businesses are being assessed fines for trash violations on a daily basis that are making already tight margins unsustainable, the Democratic mayor continued.

Union workers, represented by Teamsters Local 25, walked off the job on July 1, demanding better pay and benefits.

Republic sued the union, charging that its engaged in worker intimidation, which labor leaders have denied.

On Monday, a federal judge shot down the companys request for a court order to stop the alleged activity, The Boston Globe reported.

The overall case is still pending, the newspaper reported.

Meanwhile, uncollected trash has accumulated in dumpsters in Boston and other Massachusetts communities where the company operates.

City officials did not impose fines for the first week of the strike, from July 1 to July 6. But they have been imposing them continuously since July 7.

Wu said the city expects Republic to foot the bill for the fines that have been imposed since July 7.

Private trash collection serves a critical role in maintaining clean streets, public health, and a livable city, and we expect Republic to fulfill its obligations to customers immediately, Wu wrote.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On July 23, at the GIIAS 2025, Chinese automaker Wuling unveiled the Cortez DARION, a new MPV model developed on a new energy vehicle (NEV)-dedicated architecture and integrated with its signature " Tian-Ling-Shen " suite of smart technologies, according to a post on the WeChat account of SAIC-GM-Wuling ( " SGMW " ).

The debut marks the global premiere of the model, which has been specially tailored for the Indonesian market. Its name, " DARION, " is inspired by local Indonesian slang meaning " a gift from Indonesia, " underscoring Wuling ' s commitment to deep localization.

Photo credit: SGMW

The Cortez DARION features over a dozen market-specific upgrades, reflecting Wuling ' s efforts to adapt its offerings to local driving habits, consumer needs, and infrastructure conditions. Designed as a multi-purpose family vehicle, the model combines intelligent systems with practical configurations aimed at maximizing comfort and usability in daily Indonesian life.

Indonesia plays a central role in Wuling ' s global strategy. On May 23 this year, the automaker celebrated the rollout of its 3 millionth new energy vehicle (NEV) globally and also its 40,000th NEV produced in Indonesia at its local manufacturing facility. Just weeks later, on July 11, Wuling marked the 8th anniversary of its Indonesian operations with the launch of the MitraEV and the refreshed BinguoEV models, reaffirming its commitment to Southeast Asia as a core overseas market.

Since entering the Indonesian NEV sector in 2022, Wuling has introduced four vehicle modelsAir ev, BinguoEV, CloudEV, and MitraEVwith total cumulative sales exceeding 40,000 units. The arrival of the Cortez DARION signals the start of a broader brand and product refresh, positioning Wuling to elevate its competitiveness and deepen its local footprint.

As part of its ongoing renewal campaign, Wuling Indonesia plans to revamp 50 core retail locations across 11 key cities under its FED channel initiative, aimed at modernizing brand presentation and improving customer touchpoints. In parallel, the company is exploring new retail formats and cross-industry collaborations to expand its distribution network and digital presence.

On the service side, Wuling is reinforcing its user-first approach by refining every aspect of the customer journeyfrom sales to aftercareto enhance satisfaction and drive stronger word-of-mouth.

Product-wise, Wuling is doubling down on the MPV segment, where it has long held strong positioning, while also turning its attention to the commercial vehicle market. The Cortez DARION, offered with a dual powertrain configuration, is expected to attract both family and fleet buyers. To support this, Wuling is establishing dedicated commercial vehicle sales and financing teams to better understand usage scenarios and offer customized financial solutions, particularly for corporate fleet buyers and logistics operators.
Temperatures in Massachusetts are expected to shoot up near 90 on Thursday as an area of high pressure shifts across the region ahead of Fridays dangerously high heat and humidity.

Highs should reach the high 80s to low 90s in most places  Boston is projected to reach 90, Worcester is expected to hit 89 and Springfield could get up to 92, according to the National Weather Service.

Wind blowing from the southwest is expected to largely mitigate any sea breezes in Boston or on the North or South shores. The South Coast, though, should stay on the cooler side, with temperatures in the low to mid-80s.

Heat indices, or feels-like temperatures, should remain relatively close to the high on Thursday with low humidity.

Still, forecasters have set down a Heat Advisory beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday, which lasts until 8 p.m. Friday.

"Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke if precautions are not taken," forecasters wrote.

The heat and humidity are expected to peak Friday, with temperatures in the low to mid-90s in most areas. But unlike Thursday, the Bay State will experience significant humidity on Friday, with heat indices making it feel closer to the upper 90s or low 100s.

An approaching shortwave/cold front in a hot, humid, and marginally unstable airmass will increase chances for showers and thunderstorms Friday, forecasters wrote.

Forecasters dont expect more than a few strong to severe storms, though they warned that any storms that do form could bring localized heavy downpours.

Some relief from the heat arrives on Saturday, with a mainly dry day and temperatures cooling back down to the 80s for much of the state. The Conneticut River Valley should see temperatures in the high 80s, while it should stay cooler on the coast, with highs in the low 80s.

The chance for storms returns on Sunday, with highs in the upper 70s to low 80s generally.
A Lee man who was critically injured when the motorcycle he was riding crashed in Lenox on Sunday died of his injuries on Wednesday, the Berkshire County District Attorneys Office announced Thursday.

Gustavo Bernal, 49, was found unconscious in the middle of road by a Massachusetts State Police trooper who was on patrol, the district attorneys office said. Police responded to the single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 7 and Plunkett Street shortly after 9:30 p.m.

Paramedics took Bernal to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, but he died of his injuries three days later, the district attorneys office said. Authorities are still investigating the crash.
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This week saw the launch of the National Development Plan and an eyewatering 102.4 billion in capital investment up to 2030.

While the numbers were big, the detail was very small and there is now a scramble to ensure that regional projects are included in the final list when it is published in October. The Department of Transport is currently drawing up its plan of where to invest its allotted 24.33 billion.

READ MORE: Western Rail Corridor would have transformative impact on Mayo and wider region

From a Mayo perspective, the Western Rail Corridor is a key infrastructural demand.

The Tuam TD and Minister of State with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Sean Canney stated that, as Minister with responsibility for rail, I remain firmly committed to progressing the All-Island Strategic Rail Review. It has the potential to reshape connectivity across the island and provide our regions with the long-term transport links they need to thrive.

Westport TD Keira Keogh has called the Western Rail Corridor a game changer and notes that the All-Island Strategic Rail Review recommended the reinstatement of the Western Rail Corridor, including the restoration of the Athenry-Claremorris line which would enable direct services between Mayo and Galway.

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Former Mayo Taoiseach links up with ex-British PM to win golf open

She highlights the commitment within The Programme for Government to acting on the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, to improve connectivity across Ireland.

The Fine Gael Deputy goes on to say that a functioning Irish Rail line would drastically improve transport connectivity throughout the West of Ireland, from Sligo all the way down to Limerick. It would be a lifeline for regional development, and it would restore a vital link between Mayo and Galway, offering new economic, tourism and commuter opportunities. It would also ease pressure on urban housing hotspots by allowing people ease of travel from rural areas into key towns and cities.

What we have now isnt sufficient. If a student from Castlebar wants to commute to the University of Galway, in Mayos nearest city, they would have to take a train to Athlone and then another train to their final destination. That story is a familiar one for so many people across Mayo who travel to and from Galway for work or for college.

Deputy Keogh has written to the Minister for Transport to stress the importance of this project and wants to see funding ringfenced for the Western Rail Corridor.
Breaffy man Enda Conway was one of the happiest people in the TF Hotel and Theatre back in November.

His 200/1 bet had come through and Aontus Paul Lawless was elected a TD for Mayo.

Reflecting on the campaign and its outcome, Lawless explained that from the outset he never focused on whether he would win.

READ MORE: 'Absolutely vile' - Mayo TD speaks out on social media comments

If I was focused on the outcome, I wouldnt have run, he said. By all accounts  media, bookmakers, even podcasts covering Mayo  I wasnt even mentioned. The experts werent giving me a shot. So I focused on the process: raising concerns people have, making sure they were heard, and ensuring those issues received political energy.



Fine Gaels Keira Keogh got her first taste of electoral politics in the local election that June and narrowly missed out on the final seat in the Westport area.



Building from there, she took the fourth seat in the general election, with a whopping 38 percent of the Westport electoral area vote.



As the Dail breaks for its summer recess, both first-time TDs share their experience of their first term with The Mayo News.

Political mentors

SPENDING a day in Leinster House with Michael Ring and seeing how the voting bells work and where you collect your post helped demystify the institution for Deputy Keogh.



The collegiality of Leinster House is something she wasnt expecting. One example of the great support within the parliamentary party, was calling Pascal Donohoe, when she was on the way to the Tonight Show, and he was able to tell me about a new bit of legislation thats working its way through the EU that will protect the euro currency.



The lack of an induction process struck Deputy Lawless: If you want to become a teacher or a nurse or a doctor or a guard or, you know, a lawyer, or there are so many various professions, theres an education process and induction process.



The first couple of months was a huge learning curve, and theres no doubt about that. Theres no hand holding and certainly, in a small party, you have to find your feet quickly. You have to try and learn as fast as you can.



He has been frustrated by the lack of sitting days.



When we come back after the summer recess, itll almost be a year after this election, and yet the government has only sat for 59 days and then. So in many ways, this government has been a stay at home government.



Despite still being in his 30s, Lawless is no political novice. He first cut his teeth politically as a 15- year-old campaigning against the Lisbon Treaty.



Declan Ganley congratulated him upon his election, tweeting: Im proud to say he cut his political teeth as a hardworking teenage campaigner back on the Libertas campaign bus back in 2009.



Core to Lawless politics is the view that that power and decisions that are made closest to the people are generally better decisions. In my time in politics, here in Dublin, I would like to see further power return to Mayo.



Its really hard for local politicians and national politicians to hold these state agencies to account as a result, he says of services being outsourced to institutions such as Uisce Eireann.

READ MORE: Will Aontu enter a Presidential candidate in the race?

He was struck by a comment by Fianna Fails John McGuinness that some people think the government are everyone in Leinster House, and some people think the governments are Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. But he said, in reality, the government is the cabinet, and increasingly, the government is the party leaders.



He says: Ministers can so often be led by their department, led by their advisors, and not from their back benchers and the opposition. And I think that is a real shame.



His path also crossed with Paddy Cosgrave when he worked for The Web Summit: It was a very valuable experience and certainly has helped me in politics. In a start-up company, you assume responsibilities for so many different tasks, so many different issues that you might be years developing and gaining in a larger company.

Importance of dialogue

ONE of the frustrations for Westport-based TD Keogh is when issues are misconstrued or misrepresented by the opposition.

She highlights a very contentious vote on Sinn Feins motion in relation to the Israeli Bonds coming through the Central Bank.



Having received a detailed briefing from the Minister for Finance on the importance of the independence of the Central Bank, which included legal advice from the Attorney General that pointed out elements of the motion that were unworkable, she voted against it.



It was really, really difficult to spend hours on it and then the opposition can hold up signs saying that were supporting genocide, and that has real consequences.



People turned up outside her clinic in Westport with posters saying genocide supporter.



A big believer in dialogue, she invited them in and sat with them, each individually, for 15 minutes and explained to them why I voted the way I voted, the advice that we had received, the steps that were trying to take in relation to Gaza.



They asked her why she didnt take a stand and vote against her party, she said: If I vote to take a stand just for the sake of it, on an unworkable piece of legislation, then Ill be kicked out of the party. I wont be chair of the Children and Equality committee. And like, theres other issues that are really important to me that I feel by being in Fine Gael I can influence.



When asked why she hadnt attended any of their vigils, she in turn asked: How can I attend a vigil when youre holding up a sign saying Im supporting genocide and putting that up on social media?



By the end of their discussion, she hopes that they understood her point of view.

READ MORE: Homes for our own people damaged by Mayo fire in town centre



During the election campaign, Deputy Lawless was the only candidate to engage with the Burke family outside a hustings in Claremorris.



I went to them, talked to them, and engaged with them. I think its really important. Its my job, in fact, as a public representative, to engage with constituents and to hear their concerns. And I would be happy to work for every constituent across Mayo, he said.



Unfortunately, I wasnt really afforded the opportunity of that engagement. I was doing what a politician should do: go out and engage with people, and I would do so again. Ill engage with anyone, to be honest. Its just unfortunate I wasnt given the chance to have a more meaningful exchange that day.

Complex creatures



The all consuming nature of the job is summed up by Deputy Lawless saying that his phone is always on and he has asked over 300 parliamentary questions this term. He recalls receiving a call on Christmas Day from a constituent who was in the depths of despair and had no one else to call.



The scale of the representations that TDs make is echoed by Deputy Keogh making 650 representations on behalf of constituents.



Away from politics, the Aontu deputy keeps between ten and twelve bee hives in Knock and Claremorris.



They are fascinating creatures. Theyre very complex creatures. You can never predict what they are going to do next.



Conscious of the human side, Deputy Keogh says she has heard a lot of people burning out and youre not going to be any good to anybody if youre dead.



As reported previously in The Mayo News, she has received vile comments online. She says sharing more personal parts of her life is important because if my Instagram was purely political posts, I think people could forget that theres a human on the other side of it.



Every two and a half weeks, Deputy Keogh forces herself to take a break, even if its for four or five hours. She will watch Netflix or go to a spa to switch off.



Officially the Dail is on recess until the middle of September but theres no doubt these two Mayo TDs will still be busy as bees over the next few months.
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Time is running out for the Mayo public to enter the race for a raft of amazing prizes, as Ireland West Airports bumper Summer draw is closing tonight.

Every year, the Knock airport runs a draw in order to raise money for a host of charities. In 2025, they have partnered with Connacht Spina Bifida HI, the Dillon Quirke Foundation, Mayo/Roscommon Hospice, Order of Malta, the National Breast Cancer Research, Institute, and Western Alzheimer's.

READ MORE: 'Welcome to the world' - Mayo GAA star welcomes new baby girl

As with every year, the prizes are well worth an entry.

The first prize is a pair of return flights to Malaga from Ireland West Airport, Knock, with complimentary car parking and executive lounge access.

The second prize is a 500 euro voucher for Aldi.

Third prize winners will receive a two-night stay for two at Mount Falcon Estate, as well as a falconry experience.

Other prizes include hampers, hotel stays, and vouchers.

The draw closes this evening (Thursday, July 24) at 11.45 pm, with the draw taking place tomorrow at 3pm.

READ MORE: Push for Mayo game changer Western Rail Corridor to be in NDP

Tickets cost 5, with three entries costing 10.

To be in with a chance to win, as well as donating to six worthy causes, click here.
Two people have died and two people have been seriously injured in a shooting incident in Co Fermanagh.

Police said the incident happened in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge, and that officers were at the scene which had been cordoned off.

A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokesperson said they could confirm that two people had died, and two people were being treated in hospital for serious injuries.

READ NEXT: 'We're truly shattered' - Tributes paid to young Irish man who died in France

Our officers are at the scene of a shooting incident within the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge. Two people have died, and two people are being treated in hospital for serious injuries. An update will follow. Full details: https://t.co/pUxBBqocQD pic.twitter.com/WyA0oQRpkG  Police Fermanagh and Omagh (@PSNIFermOmagh) July 23, 2025

We can advise there is no ongoing risk to the public, they said.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said they received a 999 call at 0821 on Wednesday, and dispatched three emergency ambulances, one rapid response paramedic, two ambulance officers and an ambulance doctor to the scene.

Following assessment and initial treatment at scene, one patient has been taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast by Air Ambulance and another to South West Acute Hospital by Ambulance, they said.

Fermanagh and South Tyrone MP Pat Cullen expressed her deep shock.

Firstly my thoughts are with the victims and their families at this tragic time, the Sinn Fein representative said.

I am in contact with the police around this ongoing situation.

Sinn Fein MP Pat Cullen has expressed her deep shock following the reports that two people have died in Fermanagh this morning.@patcullen9 https://t.co/6UdtSM09oI  Sinn Fein (@sinnfeinireland) July 23, 2025

Police are currently at the scene of an incident outside Maguiresbridge and there are a number of road closures while they carry out their investigations.

I would urge people to not speculate on the details of this tragic and shocking incident.

READ NEXT: ALERT: Recall issued on popular dinners sold in most Irish supermarkets amid bacteria fears

DUP MLA Deborah Erskine described a truly shocking incident which has stunned the entire community.

The area of Maguiresbridge where this has happened is a rural, quiet area and everyone is deeply affected by what has happened this morning, she said.

My deepest condolences are with the families of those who have been killed as a result of this incident. Their lives have been turned upside down this morning.

This morning I was speaking to police dealing with the incident. I paid tribute to the emergency services at the scene. I also appeal for privacy to allow the PSNI to carry out their investigations.
Two children and a woman have died in a shooting in Co Fermanagh, police have confirmed.

A fourth person, a man, remains in a serious condition in hospital after the incident in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge.

All four people are members of the same family, police said.

READ NEXT: Jury finds All-Ireland winning hurler Niall Gilligan not guilty of assaulting young boy

Superintendent Robert McGowan confirmed all four suffered gunshot wounds and officers remain at the scene, which has been cordoned off.

Police are probing a triple murder and attempted suicide line of inquiry. The ages of the victims have not yet been released.

Speaking in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, Mr McGowan said that two people were pronounced dead at the scene while a third person died in hospital on Wednesday afternoon.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said they received a 999 call at 8.21am on Wednesday and dispatched three emergency ambulances, one rapid response paramedic, two ambulance officers and an ambulance doctor to the scene.

Mr McGowan said: Earlier this morning, police received a report of an incident in Maguiresbridge.

Officers, along with their colleagues in the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service, attended a house in the Drummeer Road area.



The scene in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge

Tragically, despite best medical efforts, two people were pronounced dead at the scene. Sadly, I can confirm that a third person has this afternoon passed away in hospital.

The fourth person, who was taken to hospital, remains in a condition described as serious.

All four had sustained gunshot wounds and I can confirm that all four individuals are from the same household.

Mr McGowan said the incident was ongoing when police arrived at the scene on Wednesday morning.

It just happened prior to police attending, so, as you can appreciate, its a very harrowing scene for all involved, he told reporters.

So, not only police officers, but colleagues in the ambulance service, and family members. Without going into detail, its a very harrowing scene for anybody to attend.

He added: There is limited domestic history involving the people concerned and that is certainly one line of inquiry that the detectives will take forward.

READ NEXT: 'Toxic, choking and strangulation' - Major retailer recalls several products as serious alert issued



The scene in the Drummeer Road area of Maguiresbridge

He said the alarm was raised by a phone call made from the house where the incident was taking place.

I am keen first and foremost to express my sympathy to the family members and loved ones who are today left in total shock and who will struggle to come to terms with their unimaginable loss, he added.

Detectives have now commenced a murder investigation and are working at pace to determine the circumstances.

This is a quiet rural location and Im aware that this tragic event will have sent shockwaves of sadness throughout the community.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn said: The news from Maguiresbridge is tragic and deeply distressing.

My thoughts are with the victims, their relatives and the local community in Fermanagh.

I would urge the public not to speculate and to allow the PSNI to continue their investigation.
In April, Clara Gardiner was awarded the title of Mayo Rose at the 2025 Rose of Tralee.

However, she may have competition in the form of Buddy the cat, who has been awarded the title of Mayo Nose for the 2025 Nose of Tralee.

READ MORE: 'Welcome to the world' - Mayo GAA star welcomes new baby girl

Buddy was rescued by the North West SPCA in 2021 and was adopted by Jane Brady. At the time, he had one eye. However, that eye has since been removed due to an infection.

Since his Instagram and Facebook pages have been set up, he has garnered plenty of attention and interest.

Jane has also been in contact with the Mayo Rose, Clara Gardiner, in the hopes of setting up a meeting between the pair for a photograph.

What he lacks in sight, he makes up for in spirit, love, and a truly impressive nose that has the ability to sniff out treats from a mile away, his nomination states.

Today (Thursday, July 24), the voting has opened for the Nose of Tralee, in association with Pet Sitters Ireland. Voters can vote once per day, with the votes closing on Monday, August 18, at 5 pm.



To vote for Buddy, please click here.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On July 23, Haier Group and Changan Automobile signed a comprehensive strategic cooperation agreement in Chongqing, laying the groundwork for deep collaboration across a range of emerging sectors including new energy vehicle, intelligent manufacturing, supply chains, health tech, and global brand development, according to press releases from both sides.

The partnership brings together two of China's most established industrial powerhouses in a push to integrate home, vehicle, and lifestyle ecosystems at scale.

Photo credit: Haier Group

A key focus of the collaboration will be the development of a unified "car-home-life" ecosystem. This includes co-developing intelligent vehicle-appliance integration, creating in-car smart appliances, and building a full-chain cold logistics solution that spans home and mobility scenarios. The two sides also plan to jointly explore new vehicle products, customized car modification services, and vertically integrated media strategies to drive innovation across the auto value chain.

International expansion is another core pillar of the alliance. Haier and Changan intend to align their overseas service networks to enhance the global competitiveness of Chinese brands.

The partnership also extends beyond mobility and manufacturing. The two companies will collaborate on cutting-edge technologies such as humanoid robots and industrial automation, while also advancing initiatives in healthcare-mobility integration and small business incubation. By interlinking their respective digital platforms and user ecosystems, Haier and Changan are positioning themselves to create a unified innovation loop that strengthens both brand ecosystems.

Changan Automobile, with a heritage dating back 163 years and over four decades of vehicle manufacturing experience, is in the midst of transforming into a smart, low-carbon mobility technology leader.

Haier, a global household name with over 40 years of development, continues to deepen its presence in the real economy through its three major business ecosystems: smart living, health tech, and digital industry.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese smart electric vehicle (EV) maker XPENG has taken a major step in its international expansion by launching local vehicle production in Indonesia, marking the company's first overseas manufacturing milestone. The announcement was made during its debut appearance at the GIIAS 2025, Indonesia's largest automotive trade show.

Photo credit: XPENG

At the event, XPENG delivered the first locally assembled unit of its flagship X9 MPV to an Indonesian customer, officially initiating its global strategy for localized production. This move positions Indonesia not only as a regional hub for XPENG's Southeast Asian ambitions but also as the launchpad for its broader international manufacturing roadmap.

With a population of over 270 million and a rapidly growing appetite for smart, sustainable vehicles, Indonesia has emerged as Southeast Asia's largest EV market. The country's young demographic and government-backed push for electrification make it a strategic choice for XPENG to introduce its most advanced products and technology.

Localized production is expected to significantly improve delivery efficiency and responsiveness to local market demands. XPENG's Indonesian strategy spans across vehicle assembly, workforce development, and product adaptation to local needs. The company aims to offer intelligent mobility solutions that are tailored for the country's unique transportation landscape.

XPENG is also accelerating the rollout of its retail and service network in key Indonesian cities. Initial expansion will focus on Jakarta, Bali, and Java Island, with plans to establish experience centers covering 70% of major city centers and 85% of high-density areas by the end of the year.

The XPENG X9, XPENG's first vehicle to be locally produced and delivered overseas, brings flexible design and intelligent features suited to Indonesian consumers. With its adjustable layout, the model can seamlessly switch between a spacious four-seat SUV and a versatile seven-seat MPV. The third-row seats fold flat at the touch of a button, catering especially well to large familiesa core demographic in Indonesia's mobility market.

XPENG began its global expansion in 2020 and has since extended its presence to 46 countries and regions. The company has delivered over 800,000 vehicles worldwide to date, as it continues to push forward with its vision of exporting Chinese EV innovation to global markets.
Nasal spray insulin can reach memory-related brain regions and is absorbed differently depending on cognitive status.

  Trusted Source

First-in-human positron emission tomography study of intranasal insulin in aging and MCI



Go to source Trusted Source

Did You Know?

A simple nasal spray can deliver insulin directly to memory centers in the brain, opening the door to personalized treatments for Alzheimers. #brainhealth #alzheimers #medindia

A simple nasal spray can deliver insulin directly to memory centers in the brain, opening the door to personalized treatments for Alzheimers. #brainhealth #alzheimers #medindia

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Direct Brain Access Confirmed

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Variation in Insulin Absorption

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Differences by Cognitive Status and Gender

Elevated insulin uptake in critical memory and cognition areas , including the hippocampus, olfactory cortex, amygdala and temporal lobe.

, including the hippocampus, olfactory cortex, amygdala and temporal lobe. Cognitively normal individuals showed higher uptake and distinct timing patterns of insulin delivery compared to those with MCI, who exhibited rapid initial uptake followed by quicker clearance.

of insulin delivery compared to those with MCI, who exhibited rapid initial uptake followed by quicker clearance. In women, insulin uptake correlated strongly with factors linked to healthy cardiovascular function and elevated ptau217 levels (a marker of brain amyloid, the sticky protein that accumulates in the brain in Alzheimers disease) were associated with decreased brain absorption across multiple regions.

(a marker of brain amyloid, the sticky protein that accumulates in the brain in Alzheimers disease) were associated with decreased brain absorption across multiple regions. Only two participants reported mild headaches post-scan, which resolved within 24 hours, indicating the procedure was well-tolerated.

Next Steps in Drug Delivery Validation

First-in-human positron emission tomography study of intranasal insulin in aging and MCI - (https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/trc2.70123)

, delivered through a nasal spray, can, marking a key advance toward potential treatments for Alzheimer's disease ).Led by Wake Forest University School of Medicine, the findings also reveal thatThis research, published in, describes the results of a milestone positron emission tomography (PET) imaging study.It directly shows that. Previously, researchers faced challenges in earlier intranasal insulin trials because they couldnt confirm if the treatment was reaching its brain targets.This study fills a critical gap in our understanding of how intranasal insulin reaches the brain , said Suzanne Craft, Ph.D., professor of gerontology and geriatric medicine at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and director of the Wake Forest Alzheimers Disease Research Center. According to Craft, insulin resistance is a known risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.We needed direct evidence that the drug is able to reach key brain targets. An unexpected finding was the observation that uptake may differ in people with early cognitive decline, Craft said. This means were no longer flying blind; we now have a roadmap directly to the brain.The study involved(average age 72), including(MCI). Using a novel radiotracer,, delivered with a, participants underwent afollowed by whole-body imaging. Participants described the nasal spray asThe researchers found:One of the biggest challenges in developing treatments for brain diseases is getting agents into the brain, Craft said. This study shows we can validate intranasal delivery systems effectively, an essential step before launching therapeutic trials.Given recent concerns around the limited efficacy and side-effect profiles of some anti-amyloid drugs, this validation strategy supports a broader approach to Alzheimers treatment, including. The findings could help explain why some patients respond better to intranasal insulin therapy than others, potentially leading to personalized treatment approaches.Theres an urgent need to identify effective and feasible ways to prevent and treat Alzheimers dementia, said Craft. These findings show that we can now validate whether treatments are actually reaching their intended brain targets, which is critical information for designing successful trials.The imaging protocol used asupplied by Aptar Pharma and could be adapted for other intranasal therapies targeting neurological disorders.The results of the study represent a significant step forward in medicine as they validate that our nasal delivery system was effective in delivering intranasal insulin safely and effectively to specific regions of the brain, said Reenal Gandhi, director of business development for Aptar Pharma. As scientific understanding and development advance, we see continued opportunities for intranasal delivery to improve how therapeutics are delivered to the central nervous system.The Wake Forest University School of Medicine team is now planningWhile theres still a lot to learn, these findings show that we now have the tools to validate intranasal drug delivery to the brain, Craft said. This is promising news for developing more effective and accessible treatments for Alzheimers disease.Source-Eurekalert
One of the 10 American citizens or residents freed by the government of Nicolas Maduro in a recent high-profile prisoner exchange with the United States was a fugitive convicted of a triple murder in Spain, according to reports by Venezuelan and Spanish media outlets.

Dahud Hanid Ortiz, 54, a former U.S. Marine born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, was convicted of killing three people in Madrid in 2016. He was sentenced by a Venezuelan court to 30 years in prison on July 22, according to court documents and statements by the victims' families.

Ortiz, who holds U.S. and German citizenship, was among those repatriated to the United States on July 18 as part of a prisoner swap. The deal involved the release of 252 Venezuelan nationals who had been held in a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, many of them accused by U.S. officials of allegedly being criminals or part of the feared Tren de Aragua gang.

Ortiz is currently believed to be in Texas, where he landed after his release. As of press time, the U.S. State Department had not provided information about his legal status, or whether he remains in custody.

A former combat veteran, Ortiz served in Iraq and South Korea and was awarded the Purple Heart. However, he was dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Army after being found guilty of falsifying documents related to his residence and military record.

After being discharged from the marines, his personal life unraveled. His relationship with a German doctor, Irina Trippel, crumbled, and when she began a new love life with Peruvian lawyer, Victor Yoel Salas Cobenas, the former Marine reacted with obsessive fury.

On June 22, 2016, Ortiz executed a meticulous and bloody plan in Madrid, according to court documents. He showed up at the lawyer's office and, mistaking an Ecuadorian client for his romantic rival, murdered him.

He then attacked and killed two women who worked in the office: Maritza Osorio Riveron, a secretary, and Elisa Consuegra Galvez, a lawyer and Salas's partner. Before fleeing, he set fire to the office and left a fake business card with the logo of a supposed Mexican cartel, attempting to mislead the investigation.

Following the attack, Ortiz fled Spain. An international arrest warrant was issued, and he was eventually detained in 2018 by Venezuelan authorities during a routine security operation in the state of Bolivar. For years, Ortiz was held in the Caracas headquarters of Venezuela's Military Counterintelligence Directorate, initially under suspicion of espionage.

In December 2021, Venezuelan and international media revealed Ortiz's identity and the charges against him. According to media reports, he had been using false identities and speaking multiple languages while detained, including Spanish, English, German and Russian.

He was tried and sentenced in Venezuela rather than in Spain for the crimes committed in Madrid because the Venezuelan Constitution prohibits the extradition of Venezuelan-born citizens, but the country's laws allows Venezuelan citizens to be prosecuted for crimes committed abroad.

Ortiz was sentenced in January 2024 to 30 years in prison, the maximum sentence provided for in Venezuelan law, on charges of homicide and arson.

On June 1 of this year, Ortiz was removed from his cell and taken to a separate location where he recorded video messages addressed to U.S. officials, claiming to be in poor health and without access to food or medicine. Sources familiar with the situation said he was instructed to follow a prepared script.

The decision to include Ortiz in the prisoner exchange has drawn criticism from relatives of the victims. Salas, the Madrid-based attorney whose law office was the site of the attack, spoke publicly after receiving confirmation of Ortiz's sentence.

"We all feel deceived, betrayed and defrauded," Salas said during an interview with the Spanish television program Vamos a Ver. "Dahud Hanid Ortiz was never a political prisoner. He was a convicted and sentenced murderer. The court documents make that absolutely clear."

Salas also questioned the involvement of former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who reportedly played a mediating role in the negotiation between Venezuela and the United States. He urged all parties involved to take steps to acknowledge and rectify what he described as a miscarriage of justice.

 2025 Miami Herald.

Visit miamiherald.com.

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BATON ROUGE, La.  A woman detained at a citizenship appointment in May will not be deported following a judge's ruling this week barring her removal, but her Marine Corps veteran husband said she remains in custody at immigration detention center in Louisiana.

For two months, Paola Clouatre, 25, has been held at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement complex in Monroe, waiting to learn whether she will be allowed to remain in the country. Once a week she is allowed to see her husband, who makes the eight-hour roundtrip trek from Baton Rouge so the mother can breastfeed their 4-month-old baby and see their 2-year-old son.

Clouatre, a Mexican national, entered the U.S. seeking asylum with her mother more than a decade ago. After marrying her husband in 2024 and applying for her green card to legally live and work in the U.S., she learned that ICE had issued an order for her deportation in 2018 after her mother failed to appear at an immigration hearing.

In May, during a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services appointment in New Orleans, a staffer asked about the deportation order. Clouatre explained that she was trying to reopen her case, with her husband telling The Associated Press that he and his wife were trying to do the right thing. Soon after, officers arrived and handcuffed Clouatre.

Adrian Clouatre has spent nearly eight weeks fighting for his wife's release, remaining optimistic that their family would soon be reunited outside the detention facility located nearly 180 miles (290 kilometers) from their south Louisiana home.

On Wednesday, they got word that a judge in California  the original jurisdiction for Paola Clouatre's case  had stayed the order for her removal.

Adrian Clouatre welcomed the decision. He said their lawyer is preparing paperwork seeking his wife's release, though it's not guaranteed and could take weeks even in the best of scenarios.

I just keep telling our son, "'Moms coming home soon, Adrian Clouatre said.

Meanwhile, the couple's lawyer is working to get the Baton Rouge mother's green card process back on track, The New Orleans Advocate/The Times-Picayune reported. While the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has already ruled that the couple has a valid marriage, the process has been held up amid the legal battle.

The Baton Rouge mother is one of tens of thousands of people in custody as part of President Donald Trumps pledge to remove millions of people who are in the country without legal permission.

Clouatre said GOP U.S. Sen. John Kennedy has also requested that the Department of Homeland Security release his wife from custody. Kennedy's office did not return AP's emailed request for comment.

Kennedy is not the first Louisiana Republican to get involved in an immigration case in the reliably red state. Earlier this month, An Iranian mother, who was detained by ICE after living in the U.S. for nearly five decades, was released following advocacy from Republican U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.
These days, the only threat posed by a 120-foot-long Navy torpedo vessel is to the marsh outside of Charleston, S.C., where it has been grounded for four years.

Now the owner, who bought the Navy boat in an auction, has been arrested in the latest move by state and federal authorities to remove the unusual abandoned vessel from state waters.

The arrest of Samuel Kodaimati, announced by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Tuesday, was the first under the state's newly enacted abandoned boat law that went into effect this year. The law gets tough on a never-ending problem on the state's coast: Abandoned and derelict vessels that threaten the salt marsh ecosystem that provides vital habitat for fish, shellfish and shorebirds and acts as a natural filter to maintain water quality.

The new law, passed by the 2025 Legislature, imposes significant penalties for violations, including fines up to $10,000 and potential imprisonment for up to 60 days, and liability for removal costs and better defines what an abandoned vessel is.

The state says Kodaimati is the owner of the decommissioned Navy boat, which has been stuck in the marsh mud near a private dock in Bohicket Creek near Johns Island outside of Charleston since 2021.

The head of SCDNR said the arrest punctuates the state's commitment to "holding accountable those who jeopardize our natural resources."

Kodaimati faces two charges that carry potential fines, court costs, and fees totaling $43,400, SCDNR said.

The Coast Guard has been aware of the vessel since 2021, when it issued a Captain of the Port Order for improper documentation, rendering it inoperable under federal maritime law. In late 2024, the Coast Guard deemed the vessel an environmental hazard and removed 3,500 gallons of hazardous oil and oily water from onboard, Lt. Michael Allen, chief of incident management for the Coast Guard's Charleston sector, told the Beaufort Gazette and Island Packet Wednesday.

But the boat is still sitting in the marsh in Bohicket Creek.

The discovery of an abandoned military vessel is actually not that unusual considering private parties can purchase them through the General Services Administration, Allen said. However, the 120-foot vessel in Bohicket Creek "is the first one we've had in this area recently."

"It is a slightly unusual case just with the type of vessel it is," Allen said. "GSA auctions are out there and sometimes they don't go necessarily as planned."

The Navy ship was sold by the General Services Administration March 12, 2021 for $81,600, said Mary Simms, GSA's regional public affairs officer, according to previous reporting in The State.

Abandoned and derelict vessels are an increasing problem in South Carolina's waterways, posing serious environmental and navigational hazards, SCDNR says. Many are poorly lit and partially submerged or even sinking, creating dangers for other boaters. Others may contain fuel and oil and lead-based paint that leak into the water.

The town of Port Royal and the city of Beaufort have wrestled with abandoned or derelict boats for years including recently.

In 2023, Port Royal spent $60,000 to remove several vessels, many of them old shrimp boats, tied to its old shrimp dock. The town was eager to rid Battery Creek of the old boats because it was planning to remove the old dock to build a new one.

In September 2024, tropical storm Helene tore several boats from their moorings at the Beaufort Marina and they remained beached until April, angering Bay Street residents with backyards abutting the Beaufort River. O'Quinn Marine Construction in Beaufort was called to remove the vessels. The city agreed to contribute $20,000 in public money to help remove some of the larger sailboats.

The incident also prompted the city to create a $50,000 contingency fund for boat removal and disaster mitigation in its 2026 budget.

Also in April, O'Quinn Marine pulled a boat from Factory Creek near the Whitehall Boat Landing, one of the most utilized water access points in Beaufort County.

The investigation into the abandoned 120-foot former U.S. Navy torpedo vessel remains ongoing, SCDNR says.

"This arrest underscores our commitment to protecting South Carolina's natural resources and holding accountable those who jeopardize them," SCDNR Director Tom Mullikin said in a news release. "Abandoning vessels in sensitive waterways not only violates the law but also puts our ecosystems, wildlife, and communities at risk."

 2025 The Island Packet (Hilton Head, S.C.).

Visit www.islandpacket.com.

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STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The push to recognize U.S. Staff Sgt. Michael Ollis, a Staten Island hero, with the nation's highest military decoration has received another surge of momentum.

Sen. Charles E. Schumer is renewing his push in suggesting Ollis receive the Medal of Honor.

The effort comes a few weeks after the Richmond County American Legion told the Advance/SILive.com a resolution advocating Ollis' Distinguished Service Cross be upgraded to the highest honor.

The New York Democrat penned a letter to Chief of Staff of the Army General Randy A. George on Tuesday, urging the Army to recommend Ollis for the distinction.

"SSG Michael Ollis was among the best that our nation has to offer," the letter read in part. "He is the quintessence of what it means to be American, and his life is a testament to the values of the US Army and the United States of America. As such, I urge you to consider upgrading SSG Ollis's Distinguished Service Cross decoration and recommending him for the Medal of Honor."

The Ultimate Sacrifice

Ollis, a lifelong resident of New Dorp, died in 2013 during a Taliban raid on Forward Operating Base Ghazni in Afghanistan.

As noted in Schumer's letter, at the time, Ollis, 24, was serving as a squad leader in Bushmaster Company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division during his third combat deployment.

It was on Aug. 28 that the base came under fire and Ollis mobilized the men under his command to a secure location and "without pause or hesitation answered the call to duty" and advanced towards the assailants, according to the letter, which was exclusively shared with the Advance/SILive.com.

Ollis rallied with coalition forces, among them Polish Officer 2nd Lt. Karol Cierpica, who had already suffered casualties and was engaging the insurgents. It was at this time that Ollis and Cierpica came in contact with a suicide bomber.

In an act of heroism, Ollis positioned himself between the bomber and Cierpica, firing upon the target.

As explained in the letter, although Ollis was able to effectively drop the attacker, the vest detonated and killed him, but not before he shielded Cierpica from the full blast, saving Cierpica's life.

"Although the two warfighters had never met before and did not speak the same language, SSG Ollis made the ultimate sacrifice, placing himself in the line of fire to protect his brothers in arms," Schumer stated in the letter.

As indicated in the letter, witnesses present at the base that day claim that Ollis' sacrifice not only saved Cierpica, but it preserved the lives of more than 40 military and civilian personnel.

The Push for a Medal of Honor

Ollis has since been recognized with the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Audie Murphy Medallion, and the Polish Armed Forces Gold Medal -- that nation's highest honor for non-citizens.

In 2019, Ollis' Silver Star was upgraded to the Distinguished Service Cross.

"I believe that SSG Ollis's steadfast devotion to his fellow soldiers, leadership of the soldiers under his command, and his heroic actions to engage the enemy while placing his own life in jeopardy qualify him to posthumously receive the Medal of Honor, our nation's highest military decoration," the letter added. "This sentiment is shared by Americans far and wide - from SSG Ollis's parents, his commanding officers at the time, and American soldiers who served alongside Michael and witnessed his actions that day, to the Richmond County American Legion which has authored a state resolution advocating for him to receive the Medal of Honor."

The latest push to upgrade Ollis' honor comes years after an initial effort. Back in 2022, Schumer wrote a letter to Gen. James McConville, the chief of staff of the Army at the time, asking the U.S. Department of Defense to recommend Ollis for the Medal of Honor.

Should this latest push be ultimately approved by the president, Ollis will become the third Staten Island recipient of the great honor.

The Rev. Lt. Vincent R. Capodanno received the Medal of Honor in 1969 for his service during the Vietnam War and Joseph F. Merrell Jr. received the award in 1946 for his service during World War II.

Capodanno died in action while ministering to wounded Marines on the battlefield during the Vietnam War. He was 38 years old. There is an ongoing push for Capodanno to be canonized.

Merrell was 18 years old when he "made a gallant, one-man attack against vastly superior enemy forces near Lohe, Germany," according to his Medal of Honor citation. Merrell sacrificed his own life "so that his comrades go on to victory."

 2025 Staten Island Advance, N.Y..

Visit www.silive.com.

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Red Sparrow Digital (RSD), a leading digital marketing agency based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, provides a wide range of services to help businesses grow online.

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Some of their valued clients include Maven Autos, where they improved online visibility and customer engagement, and Ray White, for whom they developed new marketing strategies in real estate. They helped Surecell Medical Bangladesh boost its brand presence in the health industry and created advanced digital solutions for Amber IT, a leading internet service company. They also made effective content and marketing campaigns for Manama Developments Ltd. and enhanced Cube Holdings Ltd s brand with smart digital strategies.

RSD collaborates with another widely recognized health service provider in Bangladesh, MediAider. They are focusing on boosting Mediaider s online presence through social media marketing and SEO.

We believe in the power of digital transformation. Our mission is to help businesses use the digital world to achieve their goals, said Mr. Fuad Hasan, Founder of Red Sparrow Digital. Our team works hard to provide creative solutions and excellent service, helping our clients stay ahead in a competitive market.

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The Pirates have been one of the leagues most obvious sellers for quite some time now. Most of the attention has been on pieces like Mitch Keller and David Bednar, both of whom could bring back substantial returns as quality pitchers with multiple years of team control. With that being said, third baseman KeBryan Hayes has found his name in the rumor mill on occasion this summer. Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette noted earlier this week that the Pirates have a notable desire to move on from Hayes, who will have $36MM left on his deal after this season, in addition to the balance of this years $7MM salary.

Its not hard to see why Pittsburgh might like to part ways with their former top prospect. Hayess salary isnt exactly pricey, but for a small market club like the Pirates, even a relatively cheap contract thats underwater relative to the players production can be an issue. The 28-year-old has rarely been healthy throughout his big league career, and even when healthy has struggled on offense. This year, hes slashing a paltry .234/.288/.300 with a wRC+ of 61. Hes striking out at a 20.9% clip, walking just 4.8% of the time, and offers virtually no power with the lowest ISO among all qualified hitters this year. He hits the ball hard but into the ground far too often.

While the Pirates wanting to move on from Hayes as they look to build a more potent offense around a strong rotation led by Paul Skenes makes plenty of sense, its an open question whether or not the club will be able to find a taker on his services. A player with virtually no offensive value and a long-term guaranteed contract isnt exactly an attractive trade asset, after all. Hayess glove at third base is elite, with an incredible +14 Outs Above Average this year, but a glove-only player at a corner position is still a questionable fit on most contenders.

The Cubs, Yankees, and Tigers have all been connected to Hayes in at least some capacity, but its a somewhat open question as to how serious that interest may actually be. The Cubs have rookie Matt Shaw currently installed at the hot corner, and while his 79 wRC+ has been disappointing, Hayes would actually be a downgrade for Chicago offensively. Colt Keith and Zach McKinstry have been handling third base for Detroit and have both been above-average offensive contributors this year, meaning Hayes would hardly be a clear upgrade for them either. Hayes would actually be a clear upgrade for the Yankees, as both Jorbit Vivas and Oswald Peraza are less valuable than him on both defense and offense. That said, the Yankees are known to have eyes on a number of other possible third base options like Eugenio Suarez and Ryan McMahon who are likely more attractive than Hayes.

That all makes it difficult to imagine the Pirates swinging a trade involving Hayes, but one thing working in the clubs favor is that Hiles suggesting that theyre likely to prioritize simply getting Hayess contract off their books in any deal. Perhaps a club that isnt interested in parting with precious prospect capital that has some money to spare in the budget could then see Hayes as a viable option to improve their infield or bench mix who wont cost them much of anything. With that said, Hayess contract would be quite expensive for a bench player, meaning it could be difficult to convince a club to take him on without the Pirates absorbing some salary unless the acquiring team believes in Hayes as a starter.

One possible solution could be attaching Hayes to a more attractive trade asset like Keller or Bednar, but doing so would likely force them to lower their asking price for that asset considerably. Even for a team with as low of a budget as Pittsburgh, lowering the trade value of a major piece just to save money in a salary dump would be a difficult pill to swallow for fans. And it may not even be an attractive proposition for a front office that clearly hopes to contend while Skenes is still in town and will need to acquire as much offensive talent as possible in order to make that happen. On the other hand, perhaps the $36MM guaranteed Hayes is due in 2026 and beyond could be reallocated to upgrading the offense via free agency. Just for an example, Paul Goldschmidt, Gleyber Torres, Austin Hays, and Mike Tauchman signed one-year deals for a combined $34MM in free agency this past winter and each wouldve represented a substantial upgrade to the Pirates offense.

What do MLBTR readers think is next for Hayes and the Pirates? Will Pittsburgh manage to trade Hayes? If so, will they be able to do so without eating significant salary or attaching him to another more valuable player? Or will Hayes still be in town on August 1? Have your say in the poll below:
WAYNE COUNTY, MI  The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is sending lightly irradiated waste from upstate New York to Texas instead of Michigan after backlash from surrounding communities sparked a lawsuit against the landfill operator.

The Army Corps said it began shipping 6,000 cubic yards of material from a Manhattan Project leftover waste site in Lewiston, N.Y. to a landfill in Texas earlier this month.

Initial plans to dump the material at the Wayne Disposal Landfill in Van Buren Township near Belleville sparked outraged backlash among surrounding communities last summer.

The Army Corps said the lightly radioactive soil and rubble from the Niagara Falls Storage Site, a uranium ore waste facility undergoing a remediation project, is just slightly above natural background radiation levels that people experience daily.

But Wayne County residents reacted strongly to the idea of living near waste leftover from the World War II atomic bomb program. Municipalities sued landfill owner Republic Services and won a temporary restraining order in state court last fall.

The larger lawsuit remains pending.

Republic Services spokesperson James Richardson said the Wayne landfill has not received any of the waste in question since last September and referred further questions to the Army Corps.

Wayne County Executive Warren Evans expressed relief about the redirected shipments in a statement this week.

Although I certainly do not envy the community that will receive this waste, it was my job to fight for the people of Wayne County and thats what I did to the best of my ability, he said.

The Army Corps said it began shipping it to the Waste Control Specialists facility in Andrews County, Tex., the week of July 14.

After careful evaluation, the Corps of Engineers approved a contractor-proposed plan to ship material to Texas, said Andrew Kornacki, Army Corps Buffalo District spokesperson.

The decision was made to keep remediation at the Niagara Falls site on schedule, Kornacki said. The Army Corps had initially chosen Michigan because it was the closest state with an adequate landfill and therefore the least expensive transportation option. The waste had to be shipped out of state because New York bans disposal of any radioactive waste.

The Texas Compact Waste Facility is licensed to receive TENORM, or Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material.

Messages to Texas county officials werent immediately returned.

Legislation introduced last year by Democrats in Lansing would have banned radioactive waste import to Michigan, but it died in the December lame duck session. This June, legislation to disincentivize hazardous waste imports by hiking tipping fees on radioactive material cleared committee in the Democratic-controlled Senate. A companion bill in the Republican-controlled House hasnt moved since it was introduced in April.

Brandon Grysko, an attorney representing municipalities in the lawsuit against Republic Services, called the decision to redirect waste a clear win but said the case is continuing to potentially prevent the landfill from accepting other TENORM waste.

It doesnt necessarily make the case moot or mean that theres not additional restrictions that would be necessary, Grysko said.

The case remains pending before Wayne County Judge Kevin Cox after being briefly removed to federal court last year.

The law allows for the judge to impose additional restrictions if he finds that theres statutory deficiencies, Grysko said.
This is a file photo of the nuclear reactor building at Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Covert, Michigan in November 2023. Federal regulators are poised to approve the 800-megawatt facility's restart by the end of 2025. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

COVERT, MI  A shuttered nuclear power plant in southwest Michigan is a major step closer to firing back up its reactor and generating electricity again.

Federal safety regulators filed public notice of their intent to restore an operating license to the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in Covert Township, three years after the facility was decommissioned. The 800-megawatt nuclear plant near South Haven stands to become the first in the United States to be restarted after entering decommissioning.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on July 24 said there are no significant hazards expected with plant owner Holtec Internationals plan to return nuclear fuel to the power plants reactor vessel and restart electricity generation.

This is a proud and historic moment for our team, for Michigan, and for the United States, said Kelly Trice, Holtecs president, in a statement.

The NRCs approval to transition Palisades back to an operating license represents an unprecedented milestone in U.S. nuclear energy, he said.

The company intends to restart Palisades safely, securely, reliably and in support of Americas energy future, while also supporting local jobs and economic growth for years to come, Trice said.

Related: Ambitious plan to restart nuclear plant creates cheerleaders and critics

About 600 workers are back on the payroll at the nuclear plant, along with hundreds more private contractors doing repair work, officials said.

State Rep. Joey Andrews, D-St. Joseph, said the NRCs findings amounts to great news for his district, where the plant is located along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

I think it demonstrates Holtecs commitment to getting this done safely and on time, Andrews said. If theyre able to meet the goal of being on the grid this year itll defy everyones expectations of whats possible.

Holtec expects to continue with testing, inspections, and maintenance work in the coming weeks, and be ready to flip the switch on the restart sometime before years end, said Nick Culp, company spokesperson.

NRC officials issued a series of public notices this week, including approval for Holtec to receive new fuel for the reactor vessel and transition licensed nuclear reactor operators to official on-shift status. The agency said the earliest the plant can load fuel into the nuclear reactor and restart operations is Aug. 25.

Critics of the effort to restart the 1970s-era nuclear plant said they arent happy about the NRC pulling the trigger on the license amendments. They also argue the plant restart still isnt a done deal, despite the tentative approvals just issued.

This file photo shows the turbine room inside Palisades nuclear power plant in Covert, Michigan in November 2023. Federal safety regulators have paved the way for the nuclear plant to restart operations. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

We plan to appeal against the final NRC greenlight for restart in federal court, said Kevin Kamps, of the anti-nuclear advocacy group Beyond Nuclear.

Fellow critic Alan Blind, who was engineering director at the Palisades plant from 2006 to 2013 under previous owner Entergy, said the plants license change doesnt erase the need to work on the faulty steam generator tubing federal inspectors found earlier this year.

He said Holtec must now show their sleeving plan for the equipment will work safely or the plant cant restart. They cant skirt the issue any longer. They have to address it directly, Blind said.

Earlier this month, NRC officials asked a series of challenging questions in its review of Holtecs repair plans for the defective steam generator tubes.

Repowering the plant on Lake Michigan has been a centerpiece of the agendas of both state and federal leaders from both parties, either for climate action or energy security reasons.

Federal loan guarantees for $1.52 billion to help finance the nuclear plant restart that were first approved under Democratic President Joe Biden were not among the broad swath of federal funds clawed back by Republican President Donald Trump. Trumps administration released part of the loan two months into his second term.

Related: Nuclear is getting a reaction in Michigan. Is it reaching critical mass?

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan lawmakers approved a collective $300 million in state funding for the restart effort. Whitmers office said she was pleased with the news.

Reopening Palisades will keep energy costs low, shore up domestic energy production, and secure Michigans competitiveness for future economic development. We will continue to lead and build the future of clean energy here in Michigan, said Stacey LaRouche, Whitmers press secretary.

Palisades shut down 11 days ahead of schedule in May 2022 because of a problem with a control rod drive seal. Holtec initially purchased the plant to decommission the facility but then sought federal approval to restart the nuclear reactor to make electricity through the end of 2031, the previously approved licensing.

In addition to firing up the old nuclear plant, Holtec wants to build another 600 megawatts of capacity from small-modular reactors at the 432-acre site along Lake Michigan in Van Buren County.

Nuclear power plants generate large amounts of electricity without planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, like those which accompany oil or coal-fired power.
The pedestrian bridge that crosses U.S. 31, connecting to the Keith J Charters Traverse City State Park entrance is coming down. The bridge removal will coincide with the park closure through the 2026 season. Tanda Gmiter

TRAVERSE CITY, MI --Vocal pushback to removing the pedestrian bridge in Traverse City has been heard and the bridge crossing U.S. 31 will be replaced.

On Thursday, July 24, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Scott Bowen committed to finding a new location for the pedestrian bridge that connects to the state park campground with the beach.

The DNR is committed to working with the community to find a new location for a pedestrian bridge that will be removed and replaced with an at-grade crossing as part of the renovation of Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park, Bowen said in a statement to MLive.

The current pedestrian bridge is being demolished as part of the state park campgrounds entrance reconstruction. The plan, funded by $8.5 million in federal funds, is to install a traffic signal and pedestrian crossing across U.S. 31.

This plan was not well received by the Traverse City community. Community members, local leaders and state lawmakers voiced concerned that the vehicle traffic is too constant for pedestrians to cross safely.

However, the 1966 bridge no longer met ADA-compliance and was at the end of its lifespan.

A traffic assessment in summer 2021 determined a traffic signal was needed to control the flow of traffic in and out of the campground, which is often congested. The traffic signal would be the same height at the current pedestrian bridge so the two cannot safely coexist, Cadillac District Supervisor Kasey Cline said.

The state park campground is currently closed for its renovations until 2027. That includes, demolishing the bridge. The bridge is currently closed because a dump truck crashed into the bridge earlier this month.

This new commitment comes after State Rep. Betsy Coffia, D-Traverse City, spoke with Bowen about replacing the bridge with an ADA-compliant version.

Previously, the DNR said an ADA-complaint bridge would cost $20 million. Those estimates have now changed and are in the $5 to $7 million range, according to reporting from the Record Eagle.

Bowen did not have details on the location, funding, timeline or other logistics on a replacement bridge, he said in a statement to MLive:

It is important to note that several things have to be accomplished before a new ADA accessible bridge can be built. First, land must be identified where the bridge can be built. Second, we need to identify funding for the project, which does not exist within the current DNR budget. The DNR will work with legislators, state partners and the local community toward those goals.

The current construction project, which began planning in 2019, is underway and must use its funding by 2026, per the agreement with American Rescue Plan Act dollars.
A 14-acre-plus, forested parcel in Briley Township, Montmorency County, with approximately 2,000 feet of frontage on the Thunder Bay River is part of the DNR's surplus land auction. (DNR) DNR

Hundreds of acres of state land will be available for public purchase in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources surplus land auction next month.

The DNR selected 126 properties to put up for bid, ranging from less than an acre to 200 acres.

More than 15 properties have at least 40 acres, primarily land in the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula.

So what is surplus land and who gets to buy it?

Michael Michalek, resource specialist in the DNRs real estate section, explained the frequently asked questions surrounding the auction.

This 0.27-acre, forested parcel near Cadillac, Wexford County, offers 143 feet of frontage on Lake Mitchell. This property is part of the DNR's 'surplus land auction.' (DNR) DNR

Why does the DNR have surplus land?

The DNR manages approximately 4.6 million acres of public land. Much of that land was acquired and not purchased by the DNR.

The vast majority of properties that make it into the surplus auction are parcels acquired from tax reversion before 2000 when Michigans tax law moved foreclosures to county treasurers, Michalek said.

How does the DNR select which properties go to auction?

The DNR routinely does a surplus land auction, Michalek said.

This years auction comes after a state land review that took place from 2020-2024. That review included almost 9,800 individual parcels and evaluation of more than 167,000 acres.

The review narrowed the search to property outside of the DNRs main management area and land that was 200 acres or less.

From there, the review filtered out property that could be used for the public. For example, land with water access useable for boat launches.

Unusable public land made up about 5%, Michalek said. This included land that did not have public road access or was surrounded by private property.

The DNRs wildlife team also reviewed the list and exempted any land that had wildlife benefits. They consider everything from deer to bat population. In one instance, a property was flagged because Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnakes were observed there, Michalek said.

Who gets to buy this land?

Before it goes to auction the DNR contacts local municipalities and conservancies to see if there is a way to keep the land public but not managed by the DNR.

The DNR also explores land exchange opportunities. Lastly, the DNR disposes of the land and thats where the auction comes in.

So who is the ideal buyer for this forlorn land?

Every parcel has a different story, Michalek said.

The DNR lists each parcels jurisdiction in the detailed property list, which also includes minimum bid, acreage and maps.

The DNR strongly encourages interested buyers to reach out to the local municipality about land ordinances and what the permitted use is of the property.

However, anyone can bid. That includes out-of-state and out-of-country buyers.

I see a lot of comments about people saying big corporations are going to buy this land, Michalek said.

That hasnt historically been the case though, he said. Most are downstate Michiganders looking for Up North properties or the direct neighbors to the property.

Because these were private properties that fell into delinquency many of them are landlocked or in residential areas. Most often buyers are adjacent landowners looking to extend their property line, Michalek said.

Where does the profit go?

When the property is auctioned off the profits are deposited into the Land Exchange Facilitation Fund.

This budget is specifically used to acquire replacement properties that are usable by the public, protect important natural resources and provide accessible, quality recreation opportunities, according to the DNR.

Since January 2020, more than 80 parcels totaling over 6,500 acres were purchased through the Land Exchange Facilitation Fund or an LEFF subfund, according to the DNR.

Where are this years auction properties?

This year, land is available throughout Lower Michigan and the Upper Peninsula in the following counties: Alger, Allegan, Barry, Genesee, Gogebic, Grand Traverse, Kent, Lake, Lapeer, Luce, Manistee, Marquette, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Schoolcraft, Washtenaw and Wexford.

Among the 126 properties up for bid are a few rare finds.

Theres a densely forested area in the Upper Peninsula, a riverfront parcel in Northern Michigan and a lakefront property in Southwest Michigan.

One of the most eye-catching line items is an island in Genesee County.

When can interested buyers start bidding?

Interested bidders may preregister and get more information about the online auction schedule at tax-sale.info.

Michalek notes that part of the registration includes a $1,000 hold on a credit card and submitting a social security number. This is a safety net to ensure bidders are serious about following through on their bids, Michalek said.

Anyone who plans to bid on a property must register before the propertys auction date. Absentee bids can be made up to 30 days before an auction.

The interactive bidding portion of an auction will open at 10 a.m. on that auction date. At that time, bidders will be able to see current high bids for each property.

Bidders can continue to place bids on a property until 7 p.m. when bidding closes and the winning bidder is determined.

Eleven online auctions are scheduled and will feature land parcels by county, starting Aug. 1 and concluding Sept. 5:
White played the Lions last year, too, notching 11 tackles while playing all 68 defensive snaps for the Cardinals. AP

ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions are kicking the tires on an ultra-productive, versatile defender in the early days of training camp.

Detroit hosted linebacker Kyzir White on a free-agent visit on its off day on Wednesday, per multiple reports. White had 137 tackles for the Arizona Cardinals last season while starting all 17 games. The 29-year-old has 100-plus tackles in three out of the last four seasons between the Los Angeles Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles and Cardinals.

Through the previous four seasons, White has combined for an impressive 481 tackles. White, a 2018 fourth-round pick out of West Virginia, is an intriguing option with experience between safety and linebacker.

The veteran defender is listed at 6-foot-2, 234-pounds. Hes logged at least 709 defensive snaps in the last four seasons, so hes an experienced and tested option.

Detroits defense has a couple of key versatile pieces in linebacker Derrick Barnes and defensive back Avonte Maddox. Barnes does a little bit of everything for the defense, and that role sounds like it should stay the same, with more off-ball work. Maddox is playing in the slot cornerback spot mostly early in camp, but he brings a ton of safety experience.

Lions moneyline is listed at +105 on DraftKings for their Week 1 matchup against Green Bay. Our comprehensive DraftKings Sportsbook review shows you how to use their platform. For a closer look at all of the best Lions Week 1 odds, be sure to check out expert analysis.

If the Lions were to add White, it would give first-year defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard another piece to move around. They also brought in veteran Zach Cunningham to compete for a spot in camp.

While talking about linebackers, its worth pointing to the weird contract situation between team captain Alex Anzalone and the Lions. Anzalone has reported to training camp and is dealing with a hamstring injury. But he made it clear hes disappointed with the progress of contract talks entering the final year of his deal.

As for now, Jack Campbell and Barnes are leading the room out in Allen Park. Malcolm Rodriguez continues to recover from an ACL injury, and has a targeted return of October. Grant Stuard, Cunningham, Trevor Nowaske, Anthony Pittman, DaRon Gilbert and Ezekiel Turner are the others battling for chances in the linebacker room.
The Level 4 travel advisory says no part of the country is safe from violence. (Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media)

The State Department says Americans should not travel to Syria for any reason as part of a Level 4 travel advisory issued Wednesday. The warning specifically lists terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, hostage taking, and armed conflict as reasons to avoid Syria.

Syria has experienced active armed conflict since 2011. No part of Syria is safe from violence, reads a portion of the advisory. Hostage taking by armed groups, terrorism, remnants of war such as unexploded ordnance, and aerial bombardment pose significant risk of death or serious injury.

A Level 4 travel advisory is the most serious on the State Departments four-tier scale.

Related story: Travel advisories issued for 5 African countries including 1 where Americans have been kidnapped

U.S. embassy operations have been suspended in Syria since 2011 and the State Department says it cannot provide routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Syria. In the past, U.S. citizens have been targets of abduction and detention in Syria.

The advisory also warns against private U.S. citizens traveling to Syria to engage in armed combat.

Providing material support or resources to designated foreign terrorist organizations, including ISIS and al-Qaida (AQ) affiliates, is a crime under U.S. law that can result in penalties including prison time and large fines the advisory says.

Americans who ignore the warning and decide to visit Syria regardless are advised to:
The promotion is part of the brand's 50-year anniversary and will be celebrated on August 1. Joel Bissell | MLive.com

Beer lovers across the country can score a free brewski next week as part of Miller Lites latest promotion tied to its 50th anniversary. As part of the companys celebration and in coordination with International Beer Day on Friday, August 1, Miller Lite is giving away 50,000 beers across the U.S.

The 50th anniversary is just more than a milestone for Miller Lite, its a celebration of our fans and the five decades weve spent together enjoying Miller Time, said Ann Legan, vice president of marketing, Miller family of brands. As a thank you to our Miller Lite family, this August 1, on International Beer Day, were giving away 50,000 beers and inviting fans to raise a glass to 50 years of celebrations  and 50+ more years of memories.

Those wishing to participate in the promotion can do so in one of four ways starting at 4:50 p.m. local time. Fans can participate by: attending the first-of-its-kind Beer Drop at the Miller Lite Brewery in Milwaukee, watching the celebration online, visiting participating bars nationwide, or claiming their free drink through Millerlite.com.

Those wishing to attend the celebrations in person can visit one of hundreds of bars in the U.S. participating in the promotion. According to the Miller Lite website, 21 bars in Michigan have signed up to be part of the promotion. Guests must be 21 years old or older in order to receive their free beer.

The celebration will take place between 4:50 p.m. and 7 p.m. local time. Miller Lite says final details are subject to change. The free beer will be issued in a first-come, first-serve basis.
Genesee County residents cast their vote in this MLive file photo. Julian Leshay Guadalupe | MLive.com

BURTON, MI  Its a stacked field of candidates on the Aug. 5 ballot for Burton City Council.

The primary  which will pare down eight candidates to six wholl move on to the Nov. 4 general election to fill three seats  includes a pair of incumbents and two former councilmembers in the field.

While council Vice President Greg Hull and Councilwoman Christina Fitchett-Hickson are running for new four-year terms, longstanding Councilman Vaughn Smith has decided not to run for re-election.

Other familiar names on the ballot include former Councilwomen Tina Conley and Ellen Ellenburg.

Ellenburg, who previously served as a Burton City Council member for nine years, has also been chair of the Genesee County Board of Commissioners.

She was first elected to the county board in November 2016. Ellenburg lost a re-election bid for the 3rd District position in November 2024 to Gary L. Goetzinger.

Newcomers on the August primary ballot include Kris Johns, Don Jones, Robert Long, and Greg Munger.

Voters in Burton can head to the citys website, burtonmi.gov, to find their precinct location.

Residents who requested an absentee ballot, sent out in June, have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to return them, according to the clerks office.

The city Clerks Office will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. the Saturday prior to the election and from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day.
The Genesee County Administration Building is pictured in this MLive file photo. (Jake May | MLive.com) Jake May

FLINT, MI  A woman who called a bomb threat in to the Genesee County Administration Building has been arrested and charged, Sheriff Chris Swanson said.

Candice Williams, 35, is facing two charges: making a false report or threat of terrorism and making a false report or threat of a bomb or a harmful device.

Williams was arraigned at the Genesee County District Court on July 19. She is scheduled to appear in court on July 31.

Williams allegedly called in the threat that briefly shut down the Genesee County Administration Building on July 14. The threat was originally intended for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Union Street.

Williams allegedly called and made the threat to avoid going to an appointment she had scheduled that day, Swanson said.

She had an appointment later that afternoon -- she calls in a bomb threat, Swanson said.

The call came in from a local gas station, Swanson said.

Theres a heavy price to pay for simply calling in a bomb threat, Swanson said.
An 8-year-old girl was found unresponsive in a Wyoming pool on Wednesday, July 23.

WYOMING, MI -- An 8-year-old girl is in critical condition after she was found unresponsive in a Wyoming residential pool.

Wyoming police responded about 8:50 p.m. Wednesday, July 23 to the 5700 block of Bethanne Drive SW for a report about an unresponsive girl.

When police and first responders arrived, they found bystanders performing life-saving measures on the girl.

They took over for the bystanders.

The girl was taken to a local hospital. Police said they are investigating the circumstances behind the incident.

Anyone with information about it can call Wyoming Police detectives at 616-530-7300.

Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter.
Six housing projects across the state were awarded Brownfield Redevelopment Grants to help redevelop blighted or contaminated properties. (MLive file photo) Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com

Six housing projects are getting a boost from the state.

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy has awarded $4.2 million in Brownfield Redevelopment Grants to the six projects in Muskegon, Saginaw, Oakland, Wexford and Antrim counties.
ICCF Community Homes is leading the way on the new 1309 Madison Apartments, an $18 million development that will bring 45 new affordable apartments to the citys southeast side. Photo by Monica Scott

GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A long-vacant former community hub in the Madison Square neighborhood is getting new life as an affordable housing community.

ICCF Community Homes is leading the way on the new 1309 Madison Apartments, an $18 million development that will bring 45 new affordable apartments to the citys southeast side.

The project involves construction of two new buildings at 1309 Madison Ave. SE and a property across the street, 415 Adams St. SE.

The buildings will feature a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments priced for households making 30%-80% of the area median income.

In Kent County, that equals $25,560-$68,160 per year for a two-person household, according to the Michigan State Housing Development Authoritys 2025 income and rent limits.

Im grateful that our community recognizes there is a need for affordable housing, especially for folks who have limited incomes, Ryan VerWys, executive director of ICCF Community Homes, said. I think this project is another great example of communities coming together to meet that need.

The new building at 1309 Madison will feature a community room, and 415 Adams will include a community play space for children.

Pioneer Construction of Grand Rapids broke ground on the project in March. Construction is expected to wrap up in June 2026.

The project is benefiting from multiple funding sources, including 4% low-income housing tax credits and bond financing from MSHDA, COVID Emergency Relief Act funding and Housing Trust Fund dollars.

Other funding sources came from the city of Grand Rapids HOME Grant and Environmental Reimbursement Grant, and project-based vouchers from the Grand Rapids Housing Commission. Cinnaire provided equity financing, and Lake Michigan Credit Union provided a gap financing grant.

Any project like this doesnt happen because of one organization, VerWys said. It happens because the community comes together to make it happen.

Since 2008 the building at 1309 Madison Ave. SE has been closed and used mainly for storage before ICCF acquired it in February.

Prior to that, the location has had a rich history as a community hub in the Madison Square Neighborhood. Local entrepreneurs Frank Thomas and Wilson Tate purchased the building in 1983 to establish Madison Food Center, the first Black-owned grocery store in the neighborhood.

In need of more space, Thomas and Tate moved their store to 1226 Madison in 1989, but the 1309 Madison building continued to serve as a hub for various organizations over the years, including Grand Rapids Child Guidance Center and Arbor Circle.

In 2001, the building housed the African Center for the Madison Area Neighborhood Association, International Child Development Center, Majid Mohammad Mosque, the African Community Center and Oodles and Noodles Childcare.
Jackson City Council approved the sale of a city-owned parking lot, located at 111 W. Michigan Ave. in downtown Jackson for $160,000 to the Michigan Theatre of Jackson, 124 N. Mechanic St. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com

JACKSON, MI  The city of Jackson sold one of its parking lots to a downtown nonprofit.

In a Tuesday, July 22 meeting, Jackson City Council approved the sale of a city-owned parking lot, located at 111 W. Michigan Ave. in downtown Jackson for $160,000 to the Michigan Theatre of Jackson, 124 N. Mechanic St.

The property, officially designated as Parking Lot #14, underwent changes about a decade ago when the city reconstructed West Michigan Avenue. City officials decided to close the lots Michigan Avenue entrance, aiming to eliminate several alleyways that connected to the main street, City Manager Jonathan Greene said.

However, this change ultimately reduced the lots usefulness for downtown visitors. Currently, its primarily used by employees at Walts Health Foods, the Jackson County Tower Building and The Michigan Theatre of Jackson.

It made sense to sell it to one of them, and The Michigan Theatre appears to be the best partner whos going to be the best equipped to work with all parties involved to make sure people can park there for all of their needs, Greene said.

Michigan Theatre of Jacksons Executive Director Steve Tucker said the lot will likely be a combination of private and public parking. However, he envisions it as a place where the theatre can offer outdoor events, like concerts.

He noted the Michigan Shakespeare Festival canceled in 2025, and this offers a chance for that event to return to Jackson. The festival, scheduled to take place at Wayne State University, was originally named the Jackson Shakespeare Festival in 1995 at Ella Sharp Park.

It leaves us a lot of opportunities for after-hour events in that smaller lot, Tucker said.

Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page.
Anne Burrell on October 10, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Daniel Zuchnik/Getty Images for NYCWFF) Getty Images for NYCWFF

Officials have revealed the cause of death for a celebrity chef who featured on Food Network for years.

ABC News, citing an investigation by the New York Office of Chief Medical Examiner, reported Thursday that Anne Burrell died by suicide on June 17.

Burrell, 55, was found unconscious and unresponsive in her Brooklyn home.

According to the report, rhe chef died by acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine.

Burrell appeared on many Food Network programs over the years but is best known as the longtime co-host of Worst Cooks in America.

She began her television career as a sous chef on Iron Chef America before hosting the series Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, which ran for nine seasons between 2008 and 2012.

She also appeared on Chopped, Chef Wanted and Food Network Star and competed on House of Knives earlier this year.

Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent  teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring, Food Network said in a statement after her death.

She also taught at Institute of Culinary Education and authored two cookbooks, including the New York Times bestseller Cook Like a Rock Star.

If you or someone you know may be struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, dial 988 to reach theU.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifelineany time day or night, orchat online.
After Michigan's offer to lure a major semiconductor facility to the state failed, the state's $6 billion incentive package became public. In this file photo, a farmers field with Hill road in the background is the proposed megasite in Mundy Township. (MLive file photo) Brice Tucker | btucker@mlive.com

The collapse of plans to build a $63 billion semiconductor factory near Flint revealed Michigan had offered what appears to be its largest incentive package ever to locate a project in the state.

With $6.24 billion offered to California-based chip maker SanDisk in taxpayer dollars and tax breaks for the project, we decided to ask readers about their thoughts. Take the survey below or send an email to mkransz@mlive.com.

The project was expected to bring thousands of jobs, grow the states economy and eventually produce a return on investment for Michigan. But others have questioned those projections and the size of the corporate subsidies.

What do you think?

Using the survey below, you can let us know your thoughts on the $6.24 billion incentive package offered by Michigan. Feel free to let us know who you are and where youre from.

Your feedback matters Michigan offered a company a $6 billion incentive package to locate here. What do you think?

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced last week the SanDisk project fell through, saying that massive economic uncertainty at the national level drove SanDisks decision to back out.

The SanDisk project would have consisted of up to four semiconductor fabrication facilities on the states 1,300-acre megasite in Mundy Township.

Groundbreaking on the project was expected sometime this year, with all four fabrication facilities being phased in over time. All four fabrication facilities were expected to be operational by 2045.

Michigan Economic Development Corporation officials estimate the plant wouldve created an estimated 9,400 jobs, with another 5,000 being supported during peak construction.

The incentive package offered by MEDC to SanDisk included nearly $2 billion in cash grants, billions in tax breaks and hundreds of millions in other taxpayer dollars to attract and retain workers, purchase and prepare the factory property and more.

Some of those incentives would have reduced part of the companys taxes for five decades. A proposed new tax credit program wouldve saved SanDisk an estimated $3.34 billion.

The package wouldve faced stiff legislative resistance.

Despite those sweeping tax breaks, Michigan would have eventually recouped its investment through tax revenues, but not for more than two decades, according to an MEDC-commissioned study. Locally, revenue would mostly be generated by $10 million annual payments and other payments from SanDisk instead of property taxes.

The only money allocated by the Legislature for the project was $259 million to purchase and ready the site, and many are hopeful another project will find a home there.
The U.S. Department of Justice is demanding Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson hand over a copy of Michigans voter rolls. (MLive file photo) Ben Orner | MLive.com

The U.S. Department of Justice is demanding Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson hand over a copy of Michigans voter rolls and explain what her office is doing to keep ineligible voters off the rolls.

The Trump administrations DOJ wants to scrutinize how Michigan election officials are maintaining the voter rolls and wants Benson to provide names of every official responsible for that work.

Other requests include questions about the states high voter registration rate, duplicate registrations and what the DOJ says is a below-average rate of removing people from the voter rolls.

Those demands by the DOJ were made in a Monday, July 21, letter to Benson obtained by MLive. The letter noted that states have an obligation under federal election law to provide this information and that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi can bring enforcement action for violations.

While the DOJ letter questions how Michigan is maintaining its voter rolls, the department did not allege any wrongdoing or voter fraud. However, the DOJ did say it received a complaint about how Michigan assigns unique identifiers to voters and registers people with drivers licenses.

Benson spokesperson Angela Benander said the secretary of state, and her office, follows the law.

Many of the issues raised by DOJ in these communications have already been considered by the courts, Benander said. Earlier this year, the Sixth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the federal district courts dismissal of a lawsuit challenging our voter list maintenance procedures.

Benson was given a two-week deadline to provide the information to the DOJ.

The DOJ earlier this month also separately contacted Benson about a potential information-sharing agreement where her office would provide the DOJ with information mainly about people who allegedly committed voter fraud or illegal election-related conduct.

With your cooperation, we plan to use this information to enforce federal election laws and protect the integrity of federal elections, DOJ officials wrote in a July 10 email obtained by MLive.

Benander said Bensons office is reviewing both requests and hasnt yet responded.

Michigan isnt the only battleground state to receive a letter from the DOJ about its voter rolls. In recent weeks, Arizona and Wisconsin have also received election information requests from the DOJ, according to CNN.

These requests come as the U.S. prepares for crucial 2026 midterms where Republicans aim to maintain their majorities in the U.S. House and Senate. In Michigan, all U.S. House seats in the state are up for reelection, and theres an open seat in the U.S. Senate up for grabs.

Allegations of voter fraud in Michigan ramped up in the wake of President Donald Trump losing the state, and his wider bid for reelection, in 2020. Several lawsuits alleging fraud were dismissed.

Most recently, Michigan made headlines when it was discovered that a Chinese citizen allegedly cast a vote in the 2024 presidential election, driving concerns about foreign nationals voting in the states elections.

Bensons office audited the November 2024 election and found 16 probable non-U.S. citizens cast ballots in that election. The 16 alleged instances of noncitizen voting represented 0.00028% of the over 5.7 million ballots cast in Michigans 2024 general election.

The DOJ wants Benson to describe what steps her office has taken to identify ineligible voters and the procedures used to remove those people from the rolls and how many ineligible voters.

It also wants a full list of ineligible voters, along with their registration information and vote history, that were identified as being on the rolls between close of registration for the November 2022 general election and present.

The DOJ questioned Michigans high rate of voter registration, saying a survey response from Michigan suggested the number of active voters is nearly the same as the voting age population.

In March, Benson said the state had about 7.3 million active registered voters and a voting age population of about 7.9 million. The rolls also included 577,000 inactive registrations slated for cancellation, with Benson saying 318,000 of them would be removed in April.

Ahead of the 2024 presidential election, billionaire and former Trump ally Elon Musk fueled what Benson called dangerous disinformation around these numbers when he alleged Michigan had more registered voters than eligible citizens.

Benson said Musks numbers included inactive voter records slated for removal. The process to clear some inactive voters from the rolls takes multiple years under state and federal law.

Michigans high rate of voter registration can largely be attributed to efforts to make the process easier.

Automatic voter registration has been law in Michigan since 2019. When an eligible, unregistered voter applies for or updates their drivers license or state ID card at a Secretary of State branch, theyre asked if they want to register to vote.

Michigan also offers same-day registration on Election Day. Starting last month, Michigan began automatically registering people to vote upon their release from prison.

While felons cant vote while incarcerated, in Michigan they can vote upon release.

According to the DOJ, Michigan removed 357,708 voters, or 4.2% of registered voters, from the voter rolls between the close of registration for the November 2022 election and the close of registration for the November 2024 election. The national average was 9.1% for that period, the DOJ said.

Ahead of the 2024 election, Bensons office told MLive officials had removed more than 800,000 inactive voter registrations in recent years and identified another 610,000 to be canceled in 2025 or 2027, once the legally required two federal election cycle periods had passed.

The DOJ also raised questions about duplicate registrations in Michigan, though one expert told Votebeat that it doesnt necessarily indicate wrongdoing and that this could be due to pretty anodyne explanations, such as how the state handles data.
The National Weather Service reported an air quality alert at 12:10 p.m. EDT on Thursday in effect until Saturday at midnight EDT for Mason, Lake, Osceola, Clare, Oceana, Newaygo, Mecosta, Isabella, Montcalm and Gratiot counties.

Air Quality Advisory for Friday, July 25, 2025 The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has issued an Air Quality Advisory for elevated levels of fine particulate (PM2.5) in the northern half of the Lower Peninsula starting at 3 am on Friday. Pollutants within those areas are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG, Orange AQI) range. The Air Quality Advisory includes the following counties in the Lower Peninsula: Clare, Gratiot, Isabella, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, Oceana, and Osceola Smoke from Canadian wildfires will move into the Upper Peninsula Thursday afternoon. Models then show the plume moving southeast, reaching the northern portions of the Lower Peninsula early Friday morning and continuing towards the central portion of the state. As the smoke moves in, we anticipate PM2.5 to increase into the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) range. There is a possibility that hourly levels could reach the Unhealthy (red AQI) range for a short period of time. It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory diseases like asthma. Monitor for symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in nose, throat, and eyes. Reduce or eliminate activities that contribute to air pollution, such as: Outdoor burning; use of residential wood burning devices. Tips for households: Keep windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters. For up-to-date air quality data for Michigan visit the MiAir site:, says the weather service.
It is a somewhat complex weather set-up over Michigan for the next several days. Here are the main weather conditions you should know.

Frontal System Moving Across Michigan: A frontal system is moving south across Lower Michigan today and tomorrow, expected to stall and then move back north across the state Saturday into early Sunday. This system will bring batches of thunderstorms that will roll along the front. A disturbance coming from the southwest US will connect with this frontal system to create what appears to be a fairly widespread rain and thunderstorm event Saturday night for the southern third of Lower Michigan.

Heat Advisory in Effect: A heat advisory is in effect today for areas from Tawas to Mount Pleasant to Grand Rapids and southward. Temperatures in these regions will feel like 100 to 105 degrees during the afternoon and evening. Slow down and plan outdoor construction projects with shade when possible. The heat and humidity will continue through the weekend and into early next week.

Potential for Severe Weather: There is a marginal chance (5%) of severe weather today with the possibility of severe wind gusts in any thunderstorm. The northern half of lower Michigan has a chance of 1-inch hail or larger. While Friday shows no severe threat, Saturdays forecast indicates potential thunderstorm activity from Grand Rapids to Alma to Flint and southward. This pattern and time of year with hot, humid conditions could produce a burst of severe weather.

Weekend Storm Timing: The most significant thunderstorm activity is expected Saturday evening into early Sunday morning, potentially occurring mostly during dark hours. Southern lower Michigan will likely experience scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight tonight, but the heavy rains will be spotty. Friday should be drying out before the weekend system arrives from the southwest. By Sunday morning around 8 AM, the storm system should move out of southern Lower Michigan.
A severe thunderstorm watch is now in effect for southwest and south-central Lower Michigan. Here are the details.

The severe thunderstorm watch covers the southwest quarter of Lower Michigan and goes until 10 p.m.

Severe thunderstorm watch for area outlined in blue. Radar image was at time of watch issuance and will be changing rapidly. NOAA

A line of thunderstorms is rapidly developing and intensifying over northern Illinois and southern Lake Michigan. This line of thunderstorms will move into Michigan and into the severe thunderstorm watch area. The severe thunderstorm watch area includes Muskegon, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Jackson and Lansing. This first severe thunderstorm watch does not include Ann Arbor, Detroit, Flint or the Saginaw/Bay City area. If the thunderstorms hold together into the evening, NOAA would issue another severe thunderstorm watch for southeast Michigan.

Heres the always updated radars from Grand Rapids and Detroit.

Clusters of scattered storms are expected to develop this afternoon within a moist and very unstable air mass ahead of a front, with wind damage possible.

The thunderstorms will be capable of producing isolated 70 mph wind gusts.

Large hail is not expected to be widespread, but you should still park your cars in the garage. Tornadoes are also not expected, but severe storms can occasionally produce an unexpected tornado.

Expect this line of bruiser thunderstorms to move into southwest Lower between 4:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

When the storms are approaching your house move away from the windows and into the middle of a room. If you hear loud noises outside, move to your basement or the middle of your house.
A cold front advancing into the area today from Wisconsin is still expected to ignite thunderstorms this afternoon and evening. Graphic provided by the National Weather Service

Michigans weather has two big headlines today: Steamy high temperatures that will feel so hot it becomes dangerous, and a cold front sweeping in later today that could set off storms - some possibly severe.

Its going to feel tropical today, and not in a good way.

While the risk for hail and tornadoes is low, if we do have severe weather later today, some places can expect to see really heavy downpours that could lead to flash flooding, as well as damaging winds to 60 mph.

Some areas could see up to 2 inches of rain fall pretty quickly, the National Weather Service said.

The timeline for this severe weather threat is from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Some storms may reach severe levels with damaging winds being the main threat. Torrential rain is also possible which could bring on short duration flooding due to a tropical airmass, NWS meteorologists in the Grand Rapids office said today.

Here are the NWS statewide forecast highlights for today:

A scorching heat wave will grip Michigan on Thursday, with dangerous heat indices and potential severe thunderstorms across the state.

A Heat Advisory is in effect for multiple regions, with afternoon temperatures expected to reach the low to mid 90s and heat indices potentially climbing to 100-105 degrees. The National Weather Service warns of oppressive humidity, with dew points surging into the low to mid 70s, creating potentially dangerous heat conditions.

Thunderstorms are likely to develop Thursday afternoon and evening, primarily in northeastern Lower Michigan and West Michigan. The main severe weather threats include damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph, heavy rainfall, and potential localized flooding. The storms are expected to move from west to east, with the highest risk between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The heat and storm pattern will continue into Friday, with temperatures remaining warm and humid. Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible, particularly in southern Michigan. By Saturday, another round of storms is anticipated, with rainfall totals potentially reaching half an inch to one inch in some areas.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Michigan residents should expect continued warm and humid conditions with ongoing chances for thunderstorms. Temperatures are forecast to remain in the low to mid 80s, with continued high humidity levels.
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Tesla likely faces 'a few rough quarters' from end of US EV support, says Elon Musk

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BTSC Pharmacist Result 2025 Out Today at btsc.bihar.gov.in; check link to download here

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For some motion pictures, the story behind the film is more interesting than the film itself. His Kind of Woman is that kind of movie. A casualty of Howard Hughes' megalomania during the billionaire's stint as the head of RKO Pictures in the late 1940s and early 1950s, this film noir/comedy hybrid wanders all over the cinematic map as it takes us on an often aimless journey that's simultaneously entertaining and maddening.

I wanted to tear my hair out more than once while I watched this disjointed, meandering, confusing, and overlong brew that most likely began its life as a taut, tidy noir directed by John Farrow. Hughes, though, refused to leave well enough alone, and once he sunk his claws into His Kind of Woman during the post-production process, bedlam ensued. Determined to beef up the film's comedy and expand its action sequences, Hughes demanded extensive rewrites and retakes. Farrow balked, then walked, so Hughes called upon a young Richard Fleischer to take the directorial reins. When Fleischer demurred, an indignant Hughes - acting much like the mob boss Raymond Burr plays in the film - threatened to permanently shelve what would turn out to be Fleischer's breakout picture, the now classic, bargain-basement train thriller The Narrow Margin, if Fleischer didn't play ball.

Realizing his career was on the line, Fleischer acquiesced and ended up reshooting most of the movie. The retakes took months to complete, and as Hughes continued to tinker with and reshape His Kind of Woman on the fly - even recasting some parts, resulting in even more reshooting - the film's cost skyrocketed and its running time ballooned to 120 minutes. Though it might have been a blessing in disguise, Fleischer received no screen credit for all of his hard work, not to mention the constant headaches he endured while indulging Hughes' whims. When His Kind of Woman was finally released in the fall of 1951, it lost $850,000, which ironically was the exact price tag for all the retakes.

No one will ever know if Farrow's original cut of His Kind of Woman would have been more successful or enjoyable, but it certainly would have been leaner and more focused. In its final form, the film is an often fascinating train wreck that surely reaps more pleasure with each subsequent viewing, as the minutiae of Hughes' meddling can be more closely examined. The actors seem to maintain their cool, but it's even hard for seasoned pros like Robert Mitchum, Jane Russell, and Vincent Price not to look bewildered now and then as the plot takes a series of ludicrous turns.

When deported mob kingpin Nick Ferraro (Burr) decides to sneak back into the U.S. to try and reclaim some of his money, he cooks up a scheme that will enable him to assume the identity of down-on-his-luck gambler Don Milner (Mitchum). Ferraro's gang lures the tough yet amiable Don (whose height and build are similar to Ferraro's) to Mexico, where they promise to pay him $50,000, but won't tell him what for. At the airfield, Don meets Lenore Brent (Russell), who he thinks is a rich, globe-trotting society dame on the prowl for adventure and romance.

The two arrive at a swanky seaside resort and for what seems like an eternity Don wanders around the joint, bumping into an array of motley characters that might well have been plucked from Rick's Cafe Americain in Casablanca. Sparks, of course, fly between Don and Lenore, but Don's other, myriad interactions are baffling and pointless as the story treads water for at least the first hour. Don doesn't know what's going on and neither do we. The most interesting person he meets is flamboyant Hollywood actor Mark Cardigan (Price), who stars in hokey swashbuckling films and is estranged from his jealous wife Helen (Marjorie Reynolds), who soon pops in unexpectedly to patch things up. A creepy plastic surgeon, an FBI agent, a troubled newlywed couple (the scene in which Don helps the husband reverse his gambling debts at the behest of his distraught bride is a blatant Casablanca rip-off), and thugs galore mingle with Don, too.

Once the head-scratching aimlessness ends, His Kind of Woman veers off in two opposite directions. On the one hand, you have an ultra-serious, high-octane action flick packed with fistfights, tense pursuits, and a nefarious, mad-scientist experiment while on the other, you've got a slapstick comedy peppered with tongue-in-cheek humor and frenetic antics. A shirtless Mitchum a la Bruce Willis in Die Hard dominates the former, and Price, whose part was enlarged per Hughes' edict, hungrily grabs the spotlight in the latter. The two movies unevenly converge at the climax, but Russell is almost nowhere to be found. The titular woman in His Kind of Woman all but disappears during the film's final 40 minutes (she's locked in a closet for most of it!), another puzzling aspect of this enigmatic picture.

The macho Mitchum may look as confused as we feel throughout most of His Kind of Woman, but his smoldering presence and the chemistry he creates with Russell keep the film afloat. (The two would reteam the following year in Macao.) Russell sings a couple of infectious tunes and models an array of sexy swimsuits and elegant gowns, but her sketchily drawn role gives her little to do. Reynolds, who we all remember from the Christmas classic Holiday Inn, supplies some sass as Mark's wisecracking wife, and such recognizable and engaging character actors as Burr, Charles McGraw, Tim Holt, and Jim Backus perk up the preposterous proceedings. The biggest jolt of all, though, comes from Price, who steals every scene in which he appears as the vain, valiant, deluded actor who gleefully tries to play in real life the heroic parts that made him famous on screen.

His Kind of Woman makes little sense, but after the first frustrating viewing the film exudes a kitschy charm that makes its rough patches easier to tolerate. Far from a masterpiece, it's one of those so-bad-it's-good movies that plays better if you check your brain at the door and just roll with the punches. And there are a lot of punches in this farcical thriller that rarely takes itself seriously, so why should we?

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-ray

His Kind of Woman arrives on Blu-ray packaged in a standard case. Video codec is 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 and audio is DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 mono. Once the disc is inserted into the player, the static menu without music immediately pops up; no previews or promos precede it.
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NEP gets global push as UK-India trade deal recognises education as core pillar of strategic ties

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BLACKPINK becomes first K-pop female act to claim 10 spots at Billboard Hot 100

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Nithya Menen on marriage, heartbreaks, and redefining Love: "Romantic love is no longer the focal point of my life"

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When Tanushree Dutta called Nana Patekar a 'Narcissistic Psychopath', said, "Nana thought his plan would lead to my death, but I survived"

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Bajaj Finance to submit detailed succession planning in six months to board: MD Rajeev Jain

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CPP Investments to exit mall and offices platform with Phoenix Mills, to receive Rs 5,449 crore

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Dr Reddy's Laboratories shares rise 3% after Q1; should you buy, sell or hold?

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A third of Indias exports to UK may double by 2030 under new trade pact

Ishaan Gera

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The US and Japan have most to lose from India-UK trade deal

Ishaan Gera

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Meghna Mittal Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com

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News / National

by Staff reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has praised platinum mining giant Zimplats for setting a benchmark in Zimbabwe's mining sector through enhanced production and responsible environmental practices.The President made the remarks today while officially commissioning Zimplats' new 35 MW solar power plant and the expanded smelting project at the company's Selous mine, one of the country's flagship mining operations."In undertaking these endeavours, we all have a duty to protect the environment while ensuring that stakeholders, especially communities, benefit from business operations," President Mnangagwa said."It is therefore pleasing that Zimplats is leading by example by implementing and adhering to the principles of responsible mining. Thank you for playing your part."The President also lauded the resilience and innovation demonstrated by Zimbabwe's mining industry, which he said continues to make significant contributions to the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP)."I commend the mining industry for its resilience, innovation and ingenuity. This has seen the sector recording sustained growth, which contributes significantly to our GDP," he said.President Mnangagwa attributed this progress in part to the ongoing dialogue between the government and mining companies."This can be partly attributed to the constant dialogue between the Government and the mining sector, which has proven to be mutually beneficial," he added.The commissioning of the solar power plant is expected to reduce Zimplats' carbon footprint significantly, reinforcing the company's commitment to environmental sustainability while enhancing operational efficiency.Zimplats remains one of Zimbabwe's largest foreign currency earners and a key player in the country's mining transformation agenda.
Adrija Chatterjee is an Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol. She has been tracking and reporting on finance and trade ministries for over eight years.

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Canara HSBC Life IPO to be launched by Sept-Oct, selling shareholders may raise up to Rs 4,075 crore: CNBC-TV18

Debaroti Adhikary

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Sunil Matkar

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Debaroti Adhikary

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Sensex down nearly 200 pts, Nifty below 25,200 as IT, banks lead decline; all eyes on likely India-UK FTA

Veer Sharma

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Rohit Singh

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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

Aishwarya Dabhade

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Surabhi Pandey

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News / National

by Staff reporter

Buy Zimbabwe, the prominent organisation championing the production, preference, and consumption of locally made goods, has issued a stern warning against the unauthorized use of its legally protected insignia on counterfeit products.The Buy Zimbabwe insignia is a trusted mark representing quality, environmentally sustainable, and locally manufactured products. However, recent media reports have highlighted a disturbing rise in counterfeit goods falsely bearing the insignia, threatening consumer trust and undermining the organisation's mission.Speaking on the matter, Buy Zimbabwe's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Mr Munyaradzi Hwengwere, expressed deep concern over the misuse."We have noted cases where individuals and businesses that are not members of Buy Zimbabwe are using our insignia on fake products. This not only undermines our mission but also misleads consumers seeking genuine local products," Mr Hwengwere said.He called on consumers to remain vigilant and proactive in identifying counterfeit items."If you come across a product bearing the Buy Zimbabwe insignia that seems suspicious or of questionable quality, we encourage you to contact our offices immediately. We are committed to ensuring that all products displaying our insignia meet the highest standards of quality and sustainability," he added.Mr Hwengwere emphasized that the Buy Zimbabwe insignia is strictly reserved for registered members who comply with the organisation's rigorous standards.Buy Zimbabwe remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting authentic local products, underscoring that supporting genuine Zimbabwean goods is crucial not only for economic growth but also for fostering a culture of quality and accountability within the country's manufacturing sector.
Hiral Thanawala

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ITR filing: New income tax rules for 2024-25 to keep in mind before filing return

Preeti Kulkarni is a financial journalist with over 13 years of experience. Based in Mumbai, she covers the personal finance beat for Moneycontrol. She focusses primarily on insurance, banking, taxation and financial planning

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Old vs new tax regime: Which income tax system is better for you in FY 2024-25?

Manisha Lal Khandpur

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FTA game changer for trade, investment, services for India and UK: Piyush Goyal

The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is truly a game changer in trade, investment and services sectors, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Thursday.

The minister said it was remarkable that a journey which started over two decades ago culminated with a historic prime ministerial visit and in a very fair, equitable and balanced agreement that ensures the possibility to double India-UK trade to $120 billion in the next five years.

Truly this is going to be a game changer, in trade, in investments, in the services sector and help both India and the UK grow and our people benefit, Goyal told PTI soon after signing the agreement with his UK counterpart Jonathan Reynolds, witnessed by Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer at Chequers in Buckinghamshire.

Our farmers will get a lot of opportunities, because we can process those farm products and market them in the UK. Our MSME sector will get a plethora of opportunities in aircraft parts and auto components, various engineering products. Our textiles will see a massive spurt in demand, because now on a competitive basis, we will be right on top with zero duties, he said.
Scotch lovers, take note: Your favourite brands are set to get cheaper under India-UK FTA

Surabhi Pandey

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Tushar Goenka is a breaking news reporter who focuses on startups. Interested in venture capital, quick commerce, e-commerce, food delivery and D2C.

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

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BEML share price rises nearly 3% on order win from Ministry Of Defence

Rakesh Patil

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Apologise to Raj Thackeray: MNS workers beat up man for not speaking Marathi | Watch

Priyanjali Ghose

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CBI signs MoU with UK National Crime Agency to combat cases of serious fraud

Ria Kapoor

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News / National

by Staff reporter

The Zimbabwean economy is overwhelmingly dominated by informal micro-businesses, according to a preliminary report of the 2023 Economic Census released yesterday by the Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZimStat). Conducted between June 2024 and March 2025, the census identified 204,798 operational business establishments across the country, with the majority operating outside formal registration frameworks.These latest statistics confirm the widespread presence and influence of unregistered enterprises, suggesting that Zimbabwe's real economy may be significantly larger than previously estimated. A substantial portion of the workforce is engaged in the informal sector, with estimates by the International Labour Organisation indicating that over 80 percent of the population depends on it for employment. The Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce, one of the country's leading business lobby groups, estimates the informal sector contributes about 64.1 percent of the country's gross domestic product (GDP), roughly equivalent to US$42 billion.The government is actively encouraging the formalisation of this sector through various initiatives designed to increase tax compliance, improve access to formal financial services, and provide legal protections for small businesses. These efforts include promoting electronic transactions, implementing a Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Formalisation Strategy, and streamlining the registration process.ZimStat's director general, Mrs. Tafadzwa Bandama, described the economic census as the most comprehensive enumeration of business and economic activities in Zimbabwe, calling it a cornerstone for national planning and policymaking. She emphasized that the preliminary findings offer early insight into the country's economic structure, the distribution of business activities across provinces and districts, and the identification of growth opportunities critical to guiding investment and addressing structural economic challenges.Of the business establishments surveyed, 76.1 percent were classified as informal, meaning they were not registered with any regulatory bodies such as the Registrar of Companies, Registrar of Cooperatives, Zimbabwe Revenue Authority, or National Social Security Authority, and did not keep consistent records. Formal businesses comprised the remaining share. The report further revealed that 87.9 percent of all establishments were micro-enterprises, with only 18.9 percent of these operating formally.Mrs. Mationesa Phiri, director for production statistics at ZimStat, highlighted that the wholesale and retail trade sector dominated Zimbabwe's business landscape, accounting for 73.13 percent of establishments, followed by manufacturing at 8.24 percent. She noted that only 23.9 percent of all businesses were formally registered, with Bulawayo province having the highest proportion of formal establishments at 46.4 percent.While all 2,031 large establishments identified were formal, only 18.9 percent of the 180,073 micro-establishments were registered, underscoring the prevalence of informality among smaller ventures. Within the manufacturing sector, only 19 percent of its 16,877 establishments were formal. Geographically, approximately 87 percent of businesses were located in urban areas compared to 13.3 percent in rural settings.Provincial data revealed significant variation in formality rates. Bulawayo province stood out with 40.4 percent of its 15,840 establishments formally registered, a notably higher figure than other provinces. Most provinces recorded less than 30 percent formality, with Bulawayo (29.2 percent) and Matebeleland North (20.3 percent) being the only provinces with more than 20 percent of establishments registered with the Registrar of Companies. Overall, just 17.6 percent of manufacturing establishments were registered.Regarding business structure, sole proprietorships accounted for the vast majority, representing 89.42 percent of all establishments nationally, while private limited companies made up 7.13 percent.ZimStat board chairperson, Mr. John Mafararika, emphasized the significance of the census during the dissemination event in Harare, describing it as a landmark operation essential for producing reliable statistics that inform government policy, business strategies, research, and household decision-making.To encourage formalisation, the government has mandated the use of Point of Sale (POS) machines for all transactions to reduce cash dealings and improve tax collection. The strategy aims to remove barriers such as excessive licensing costs and bureaucratic hurdles, while offering support for registration and operation in the formal sector. Additionally, workshops and training programs are being rolled out to equip informal traders, artists, and cultural professionals with the skills necessary to transition into the formal economy.Infrastructure development remains a government priority, with investments targeting transport, communication, and utilities designed to lower business operating costs and further encourage formalisation.
'Central government will fall now that my son is arrested': Bhupesh Baghel

Ria Kapoor

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DGCA took punitive action against Air India Express for non-compliance with airworthiness directive: Murlidhar Mohol

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First a chole bhature treat, then a cold blooded murder: Man hatches plan to kill 'friend' after he follows his girlfriend on social media

Ria Kapoor

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Boost for farmers, fishermen, carmakers: How India-UK trade deal could fuel next phase of growth

Arindam Roy

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How omission of Paika revolt in NCERT books has triggered political slugfest in Odisha

Siddharth Chakravorty

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INDIA bloc likely to put up joint candidate for vice presidential poll: Report

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News / National

by Staff reporter

In a significant boost to Zimbabwe's agricultural sector, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has donated 30 grain carrier trucks and 15 Isuzu 44 single cab vehicles to the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA). The donation underscores the Government's commitment to improving grain transportation and enhancing the efficiency of agricultural operations, which are crucial for the country's economic stability and food security.The handover ceremony took place yesterday in Harare, where Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development Minister Dr. Anxious Masuka highlighted the importance of equipping GMB supply chain managers with reliable motorisation. "The supply chain managers, formerly called depot managers within GMB, also need motorisation, just like the President has provided motorisation for the district business agricultural advisors," Minister Masuka said. He expressed gratitude to the President for supporting this transformation within the agricultural sector.Minister Masuka further explained that the vehicle donation reflects the Government's recognition of the critical roles played by supply chain managers in ensuring smooth agricultural logistics. He also addressed challenges faced by the sector, noting that all outstanding payments from the previous year have now been settled. "We are coming from one of the worst droughts in living memory, which affected social welfare financing, transportation for timely food delivery, and input provision ahead of a good season. These challenges led to delays in payments," he said, emphasizing the Government's ongoing efforts to support farmers.In addition to the vehicle handover, the Government is establishing a crop purchase buffer fund to assist the Treasury in meeting financial obligations on time, thereby ensuring farmers receive the support necessary to sustain and grow production.GMB Chairperson Ms. Joylyn Ndoro welcomed the President's generous gesture, acknowledging the crucial role the new vehicles will play in improving operational efficiency. "We have been waiting for these vehicles to help transport grain from farmers to GMB depots and to deliver inputs promptly to farmers," she said. Ms. Ndoro reaffirmed GMB's commitment to maintaining the vehicles and ensuring they contribute effectively to transforming the agricultural sector. "We are leading the transformation of agriculture and will commit ourselves to maintaining these vehicles to fulfil our mandate," she added.This donation represents a key milestone within the Zimbabwe-Belarus mechanisation programme and stands as a testament to the Government's dedication to empowering thousands of farmers and enhancing agricultural productivity nationwide.
Justice Varma impeachment: Speaker Birla likely to announce inquiry committee to probe charges, says report

Smriti Mishra

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Parliament Session 2025 Live Updates: Priyanka Gandhi accuses govt of provoking disruptions in Parliament

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday alleged that the government is deliberately preventing the Opposition from speaking in Parliament.

Whenever the Opposition leaders want to speak, they are not allowed. We have been asking for discussions; they should agree. In the last session, I was surprised to see that disruptions were starting from the treasury benches. They would pick a topic so that we react, then there is a hungama, and the House gets adjourned. It is suiting them just fine, she said.
More than 100 Air India pilots took sick leave 4 days after Ahmedabad crash: Govt

Arindam Roy

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New era of export growth: How India Inc reacted to signing of India-UK trade deal

Arindam Roy

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Nitish Kumar as new Vice President? BJP clears the air amid speculation over NDA nominee

Parimal Peeyush

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ED Issues Guidance on the Use of Federal Grant Funds to Support Learner Outcomes with AI

In response to President Trump's April 23 Executive Order on advancing AI education, the United States Department of Education has issued new guidance on how K-12 and higher education institutions may use federal grant funds "to support improved outcomes for learners through the responsible integration of artificial intelligence." The guidance focuses on three primary use cases: AI-based high-quality instructional materials, AI-enhanced high-impact tutoring, and AI for college and career pathway exploration, advising, and navigation.

Use 1: AI-Based High-Quality Instructional Materials

According to the July 22 guidance letter, federal education funds may be used to:

Develop or procure AI-powered instructional tools that adapt to learner needs in real time;

Expand access to high-quality, personalized learning materials across all subjects, grade levels, and learning environments; and

Train educators, providers, and families to use AI tools effectively and responsibly.

Use 2: AI-Enhanced High-Impact Tutoring

Federal funds may be used for:

Intelligent tutoring systems that provide individualized academic support with real-time assessment;

Hybrid models where human tutors are complemented by AI-based learning platforms; and

Diagnostic and scheduling tools that use AI to match learners with tutoring services based on need.

Use 3: AI for College and Career Pathway Exploration, Advising, and Navigation

Federal funds may be used for:

Platforms that leverage AI to help students identify career interests, explore pathways, and make informed choices;

Virtual advising systems that guide students through course planning, financial aid, and transitions to postsecondary education or careers; and

Predictive models that that support educators in identifying students in need of additional advising or support services.

The letter also offers principles for responsible use of AI in education, emphasizing that initiatives should be educator-led, ethical, accessible, transparent, and compliant with data protection regulations.

"Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionize education and support improved outcomes for learners," said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, in a statement. "It drives personalized learning, sharpens critical thinking, and prepares students with problem-solving skills that are vital for tomorrow's challenges. Today's guidance also emphasizes the importance of parent and teacher engagement in guiding the ethical use of AI and using it as a tool to support individualized learning and advancement. By teaching about AI and foundational computer science while integrating AI technology responsibly, we can strengthen our schools and lay the foundation for a stronger, more competitive economy."

For more information, visit the ED site.
'Time for RJD to return the favour': JMM demands Mahagathbandhan entry with 12 seats in Bihar

Parimal Peeyush

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Bhartendu Kumar Singh is in the Indian Defence Accounts Service. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

Namrata Agarwal

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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

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MC Science Desk Read the latest and trending science newsstay updated on NASA, ISRO, space missions, planets, asteroids, black holes, AI, quantum physics, galaxy discoveries, and more exciting breakthroughs.

Sheetal Kumari

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Sheetal Kumari

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Amazon salaries revealed: Heres how much engineers, data scientist and others earn in US as H-1B employees

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Google parent to hike its spending to $85 billion in 2025 as AI race heats up

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Vikas SN

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Paytm swings to profits, thanks to massive cut in expenses

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Anand J

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The Clock Is Ticking: Higher Education's Big Push Toward CMMC Compliance

"Hackers Accessed Data of Up to 230,000" is not a headline that any university wants to see, yet in August 2023, a Midwestern university disconnected from the internet for several days after detecting unauthorized access to its systems. While no Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) was confirmed compromised, the breach suspended access to research networks and disrupted ongoing projects  highlighting the precarious digital terrain on which academic institutions now operate. For those engaged in Department of Defense-funded research, these disruptions carry existential stakes. But the most lasting consequence may be reputational: a breach of trust.

With the DoD's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 framework entering Phase II on Dec. 16, 2025, that kind of failure will no longer just invite scrutiny. It will disqualify institutions from receiving new federal contracts that involve CUI  including many of the grants and research agreements that have helped define the modern research university.

Phase II will formally require Level 2 assessments  either self-assessed or third-party certified, depending on contract sensitivity. In practice, however, the more pressing milestone for many will be Oct. 1, which marks the start of FY26 and is widely recognized in procurement planning cycles as the point when CMMC requirements will begin appearing in solicitations. For higher education institutions, this means the effective deadline to be audit-ready is sooner than it might initially seem. Level 2 certification can take 12-18 months, and waiting risks disqualification from new awards and potential damage to federal research partnerships.

The implications are far-reaching. According to the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, federal agencies provided over $60 billion in academic R&D funding in FY2023. The DoD alone invests more than $6 billion annually into university-based research spanning artificial intelligence, quantum computing, materials science, and cybersecurity. Recipients include University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and institutions supported through Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP) and Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) grants. MURI awards, for instance, average $1.5 million per year over five years per award, making compliance not only a financial imperative but an operational one as well.

The Institutional Challenge: A Fragmented Landscape

Despite this funding, many research institutions remain poorly positioned for CMMC compliance. Fragmented IT governance, decentralized lab operations, and a persistent lack of visibility across devices and endpoints continue to undermine security efforts. These challenges aren't exclusive to academia  but academia turns up the volume.

A 2023 IBM report on data breaches found that the average cost of a cybersecurity incident in higher education is $3.65 million, with detection and response timelines among the slowest of any sector. According to Coveware's quarterly ransomware data, higher education organizations take nearly 145 days on average to fully disclose and respond to ransomware attacks  far exceeding timelines expected by federal agencies and grant sponsors. Higher education institutions often face slower response times due to decentralized IT systems, limited cybersecurity budgets, and the complexity of managing diverse user populations and legacy infrastructure.

CMMC 2.0 was designed to close the cybersecurity gaps that leave higher education institutions vulnerable. By requiring not just documented policies but continuous enforcement, real-time monitoring, and demonstrable system protections, it compels institutions to centralize security, modernize legacy systems, and formalize response protocols. These changes directly address the root causes of slow detection and response  challenges that traditional point tools and compliance spreadsheets can no longer keep up with in the face of modern threats.
'Those days are over': Donald Trump slams tech firms hiring in India as US unveils AI action plan

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Arun Padmanabhan

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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

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Ahead of key talks with European powers, Iran says right to enrich uranium 'unshakable'

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'Are we not Pakistani enough?': Why PoK police officials are revolting against Asim Munir and Shehbaz Sharif

Abhinav Gupta

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How a fatal crash put Teslas Autopilot on trial and raised new questions about driver responsibility

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Pragya Trivedi

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How Trumps new AI push is reshaping Silicon Valleys relationship with Washington

Tamal Nandi

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Modi-Starmer talks may focus on Indian economic fugitives: Why UK still shelters Mallya, Nirav and others

Abhinav Gupta

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Pakistans imports from India surge in FY25: How Islamabad profits from trade while sponsoring terror

Pragya Trivedi

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Russias digital gulag: Why and how the Kremlin is spying on its citizens

Pragya Trivedi

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Thailand-Cambodia Border Tensions Live: 'We have used air power against military targets', says Thai army deputy spokesperson

Thailand said an F-16 fighter jet had fired into Cambodia and destroyed a military target. The army said several more jets were ready to be deployed. We have used air power against military targets as planned, Thai army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon told reporters.

Cambodias former premier Hun Sen  father of current prime minister Hun Manet  said that two Cambodian provinces had come under shelling from Thailands military. There was no immediate word of casualties in Cambodia, according to a report by The Guardian.
Trump backs off threats to Elon Musk, says he wants him to 'THRIVE like never before'

Abhinav Gupta

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Trump mourns Hulk Hogan as 'great friend,' says he was 'MAGA all the way'

Abhinav Gupta

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Trumps $550 billion Japan deal stuns trade experts: What it means for US economy

Sonalee Borgohain

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War over worship? Why Hindu temples are at the heart of Thailand-Cambodia conflict

Abhinav Gupta

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By MSU Public Relations | Jul 24, 2025

MURRAY, Ky.  The latest Murray State University Racer Report includes student, faculty, staff and alumni accomplishments, announcements, upcoming campus events and more for the week of July 21-25.

**

Murray State Universitys Student Support Services (SSS)

Murray State Universitys Student Support Services (SSS), a TRiO program, has received a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education, securing $327,836 per year for the next five yearsa total award of more than $1.6 million. The renewed funding will continue to support vital academic and personal development services for qualifying students. SSS offers free one-on-one tutoring, academic and career planning and personal skills development. These services are aimed at helping students succeed academically and thrive throughout their college experience.

The grant was written by Melissa Cooper, director of the TRiO program. Melissa is one of the leading TRiO program experts in the country and did an excellent job in a very competitive environment, said Dr. Don Robertson, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management. I highly commend her for her leadership in providing this important service to our students and writing an outstanding proposal resulting in the refunding of the grant.

**

T. Michael Martin

T. Michael Martin was recently promoted from associate professor to full professor in Murray State Universitys Department of Art & Design. Martin also works as the director of University Galleries.

Martin earned his bachelors degree from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville and his masters degree at Virginia Commonwealth University. His research interests are contemporary art, painting, drawing, installation art, performance art, collaborative, interactive, experimental, interdisciplinary and new media art.

**

Taylor Canup

Taylor Canup, a criminal justice/social work major at Murray State University, has been chosen as a summer intern to work for Youth Villages, a national nonprofit that helps young adults with behavioral and emotional challenges and their families live successfully.

This summer, Canup is working on the Youth Villages residential campus in Memphis. Canup, a Wildersville, Tennessee, native, is scheduled to graduate from Murray State in May 2026.

This summer, 92 college students from across the nation are trading in their classrooms and books for valuable work experience with their Youth Villages summer internships. This years internship class represents 48 different colleges and universities from across 15 states.

The Youth Villages summer internship program is highly competitive within the field, receiving an average of more than 600 applications over the last six years. For its 2025 summer internship program, Youth Villages had more than 950 applications. This year marks the largest class of interns since Youth Villages began its summer internship program in 2000.

This incredible group brings fresh perspectives, energy and compassion that will leave a lasting impact on those we serve at Youth Villages, said Luke Self, managing director of recruiting for Youth Villages. Were excited for the growth theyll experience as they build skills and deepen their understanding of behavioral health.

Summer interns will serve at the organizations Memphis residential campuses and Nashville-area group homes. Hailing from degree programs in social work, psychology, education and more, interns will gain hands-on experience working with youth ages 6 to 17 by assisting them with positive development and implementation of individual goals; planning and leading recreational activities; and being a positive role model in demonstrating a healthy and wholesome approach to life.

We hope this summer is just the beginning, and that many of these interns will choose to start their careers with Youth Villages in the future, Self said. Hundreds of former interns have come back to work in full-time roles across the country after graduating. Its one of our best recruiting tools.

The program kicked off with a weeklong orientation, team-building activities and a welcome party hosted by CEO Patrick Lawler and other Youth Villages executives.

To learn more about the Youth Villages internship program, visit youthvillages.org/internships.

**

Chris Evans

The Crittenden Press has earned national first-place honors in the 2025 Better Newspaper Awards presented by the National Newspaper Association Foundation (NNAF), becoming the only newspaper in Kentucky to receive a top prize in this years competition.

Editor and Murray State alumnus Chris Evans was recognized for his investigative series Marions OD Alarm Bell, which examined a troubling pattern of opioid-related deaths in Marion in early 2024. His reporting stood out among nearly 1,800 entries submitted by newspapers from 33 states.

Evans will be formally honored during an awards ceremony at the NNAFs 139th Annual Convention & Trade Show on Oct. 10 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Chris and his wife, Allison Evans, who own and operate The Crittenden Press, were previously recognized with the prestigious Al Smith Award for Community Journalism in 2022an honor presented jointly by the University of Kentuckys Institute for Rural Journalism and the Bluegrass Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

In addition to its award-winning weekly newspaper, The Crittenden Press publishes The Early Bird, a regional online marketing platform serving Crittenden, Livingston, Caldwell, Lyon and other surrounding areas. Evans holds a bachelors degree in journalism from Murray State University.

**

Alpha Delta Pi

At Alpha Delta Pis 2025 ADPi Academy, Murray States Epsilon Omicron chapter brought home the following awards:

-Emerging Chapter 2024

-Philanthropy Excellence

-Facility Management Excellence

-Operations Excellence

-History Reporting Excellence

-Marketing Excellence

-Finance Excellence

-Membership Experience Excellence

-Panhellenic Excellence

It was also recently announced that the chapter won the Alpha Delta Pi Diamond Four Point award, which is the most prestigious award given out to chapters during non-convention years.

Congratulations to Alpha Delta Pi!

**

Alpha Omicron Pi

Murray States chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi recently brought home three awards from their international convention in Palm Springs, California:

- Excellence in fundraising by collegiate chapter (Medium Category)

- Inspiring ambition in community relations

- Inspiring ambition in membership recruitment

Congratulations to Alpha Omicron Pi!

**

The Murray State University College Panhellenic Association recently earned four awards from the National Panhellenic Conference:

-Academic Innovation

-Innovation in Recruitment

-Innovation in Marketing

-Innovation in Operations
A woman takes a picture with her smartphone, as people queue to visit the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral soon after it reopened after its restoration in Paris, France, Dec. 27, 2024.

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Tuolumne County District Attorney's Office Logo View Photo

Sonora, CA  A mother and daughter from Groveland were sentenced to five years in state prison for embezzling nearly $600,000 from their employer.

68-year-old Shirley Eckhart and 45-year-old Heather Wilson were both employed by Moore Brothers Scavenger Company, a family business that has been in operation for over 50 years in Tuolumne County. The two women, who are not part of the Moore family, handled billing and paid company expenses. Wilson also assisted with payroll.

The mother-daughter duo crafted a wage scheme where they would periodically give themselves unauthorized wage increases, and in 2020 constructed a sophisticated fraudulent check scheme. This went on until 2023 when one of the Moore family members became suspicious that Eckhart and Wilson were living beyond their means and launched an internal investigation.

The Tuolumne County District Attorneys Office notes that they both took advantage of a time when the Moore familys attention was divided after one of the owners became ill with cancer and later passed away from his illness.

The District Attorneys Office adds that when law enforcement officials arrested Eckhart for these crimes, she claimed that the Moore family was in the wrong, had stolen their identities from their personnel records, and set them up. After being confronted with the evidence that the money went into both her and her daughters personal bank accounts, she eventually admitted what they had done with the fraudulent check scheme but claimed she had no idea that they had taken that much money.

In California, Grand Theft alone is not a prison punishable offense. However, prison was an option in this case because there were two related felonies occurring, with the amount stolen being over $500,000.

This week, Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Robert Westbrook, handling these cases on assignment, sentenced both of the women to five years in prison. The action comes after separate juries found them guilty of multiple offenses. The DAs Office notes that the Moore family is still working to pay off and get out from under the debt the business incurred because of the two womens illegal actions. They were also ordered to pay restitution of $593,643 to the business, with interest added, starting from the date of sentencing.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Samantha Arnerich.
HARARE  A dispute over a mere 50 cents may have inadvertently saved one mans life, but tragically, it preceded the deaths of 16 others in a horrific kombi accident along Seke Road on Tuesday morning. The collision, involving a commuter omnibus and a haulage truck, has been declared a national disaster by President Mnangagwa.

Police have released the names of those who perished in the crash. The youngest victim was three-year-old Shantel Jere, while the oldest was 63-year-old Mary Nyambiri. The other deceased passengers were identified as Tatenda Silia, 25, Wishby Nganima, 19, Letwin Hwingwiri, 52, Frederick Jumo, 39, Rainford Jere, 29, Prodigas Mugere, 37, Samantha Taderera, 27, Sheilla Nemasango, 58, Samantha Nyangani, 32, Emma Matare, 32, Joshua Gutsa, 7, Perpetus Kurwa, 35, Anyway Magudure, 26, and Talent Hwingwiri, 18. The kombi driver, 25-year-old Tatenda Dhokwani, also died in the accident.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi stated that comprehensive investigations are underway to determine the cause of the accident. Motorists are urged to be safety conscious while driving on the countrys roads, he said. Above all, vehicles should be regularly serviced and checked to address mechanical issues for road safety.

Adding a disturbing layer to the tragedy, it has emerged that a disagreement over 50 cents, or its equivalent in ZiG, may have played a crucial role in the timing of the kombis journey. Just before the crash, Dhokwani, the driver of the Nissan Caravan, stopped near the waterworks, before the Hunyani River bridge, to drop off a passenger named Baba Tiara following a fare dispute.

Baba Tiara, who had boarded the kombi at Koala Meats bus station along Seke Road, offered a 20 ZiG note for his fare. However, the driver insisted on US$1, leading to a quarrel. When they failed to reach an agreement, Dhokwani ordered Baba Tiara off the kombi.

Speaking to H-Metro, Baba Tiara recounted the incident: The kombi driver picked me up at Koala and I handed the conductor a 20 ZiG note. The driver said I was supposed to pay a dollar and we quarreled along the way. The driver ordered me to get off the kombi at a bus stop before the bridge and I complied. He was not speeding but the haulage truck driver encroached into his lane and I saw it all and it was so devastating. I would like to believe that if the driver had not stopped to drop me off he would have missed the haulage truck when it came into his lane. Ndichirikurwadziwa zvakanyanya uye nekuzvipa mhosva. If I had enough money, maybe the kombi driver could have saved all these souls.

The tragic irony is that had the kombi not been delayed by this argument, it might have avoided the collision with the out-of-control haulage truck, which veered into its lane.

Another man narrowly escaped the same fate due to a similar fare dispute. According to media personality DJ Ollah 7, who arrived at the scene shortly after the crash, the man was forced to disembark from the kombi approximately 500 metres before the collision because the conductor refused his tattered US$1 note. It is a common occurrence on the HarareChitungwiza route for passengers and kombi crews to clash over damaged or insufficient fares, often resulting in passengers being ejected before reaching their intended destination.

In this instance, the conductor rejected the worn dollar bill, ordering the man off the vehicle. Moments later, the kombi was struck head-on by a haulage truck that had swerved into oncoming traffic after hitting two pedestrians. Both pedestrians died instantly. DJ Ollah 7 reported that the man, who had been travelling to Chitungwiza, walked towards the crash site after being dropped off and assisted in rescuing victims trapped in the wreckage.

The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed that the collision claimed the lives of 17 people, including the kombi driver. Only four individuals survived  three from the kombi and one from the truck. The force of the impact was so immense that the haulage truck overturned, landing on top of the kombi.

The bodies of the deceased have been taken to Chitungwiza Hospital mortuary, while the injured are receiving treatment at the same facility.

Harare Central Police Station rank marshal, Solomon Swikiro, known as Solo, spoke highly of the deceased kombi driver, Dhokwani. I am the one who loaded his Caravan vehicle at the Charge Office rank in town, Solo said. He was one of the drivers who was not associated with violence or even this habit of taking alcohol. He was of a sober mind and was never counted among the speeding drivers. We will miss him and we will also miss our clients who perished along with him, may their souls rest in eternal peace. We lost one of our best drivers.

Mayor of Chitungwiza, Councillor Rosaria Mangoma, has appealed to the government to declare the Seke Road accident a national disaster, arguing that such a move would facilitate the mobilisation of crucial resources for the affected families.

Following a visit to the accident site, accompanied by Acting Town Clerk Japson Nemuseso and other councillors, Mayor Mangoma described the scene at Hunyani Bridge as deeply traumatic. I was met with an image too painful to describe as emergency services worked tirelessly to retrieve the deceased and assist the injured, she said. It was one of the most disturbing and traumatic scenes our community has witnessed in recent memory. What I witnessed was truly heart-breaking.

The fatal collision occurred early Tuesday morning when a South Africa-registered 30-tonne haulage truck reportedly veered into oncoming traffic and collided with the commuter omnibus heading towards Chitungwiza.

Mayor Mangoma reiterated the need for government intervention. I am formally appealing to the Government of Zimbabwe to declare this accident a national disaster, she urged. Doing so will unlock vital resources towards assisting the bereaved in mourning their loved ones. We appeal for national support.

She also voiced her concern over the increasing number of fatal accidents occurring on Seke Road, highlighting that this was the fourth serious incident in recent times. As we mourn the lives lost, I urge all motorists to exercise extreme caution on our roads, she implored. No journey is worth a life.

Mayor Mangoma extended her condolences to the bereaved families. On behalf of the Municipality of Chitungwiza, my family, and in my personal capacity, I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families, she said. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this unimaginable time of grief. May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace.

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Yves here. Even though a New York City story might seem a bit parochial, ICE, which has announced plans to flood the Big Apple, is also implementing detention conditions designed to evade oversight. Recall that per statute, Congresscritters have the right to enter ICE detention centers to see if conditions are adequate and potentially speak to particular detainees who think their capture was improper. Its a sad testament to the effectiveness of propaganda in the US that we need to point out that immigrants have due process rights which ICE is flagrantly abusing. From Vera:

A core principle of the U.S. government is that all people have the right to fair treatment under the law. Due process of law, enshrined in the Fifth and 14th Amendments, requires the government to provide a person with notice and an opportunity to make their case in court before depriving them of life, liberty, or property. Due process protects us from the arbitrary exercise of government power. It is the reason that police and prosecutors must prove that they had probable cause to arrest a person, that the government cannot arbitrarily cut off someones public housing or food assistance, and that civil court processes must be followed before the state can terminate a parents rights.

For instance, there are not anywhere near enough challenges in the press to the ICE claim that they are deporting criminals. In a significant proportion of cases, these are not individuals with existing convictions nor have they received final deportation orders.

Now to the able reporting by THE CITY on the latest ICE law-breaking approach (funny how an organization that likes to wrap itself in the mantle of being a law enforcer in fact has no regard for them), of detaining alleged deportation candidates. Recall that New York has strict limits, a mere 24 hours, for how long individuals can be held without having been arraigned. Note that ICE has the authority to arrest suspected immigration law violators, and then only based on the issuance of an administrative warrant. From Congress.gov:

ICE was established following the creation of DHS in 2003. The authority for ICE officers to arrest and detain aliens believed to have committed immigration violations derives primarily from 8 U.S.C.  1226 and 1357. Section 1226(a) provides that, upon issuance of an administrative warrant (otherwise known as an ICE warrant), an immigration officer may arrest and detain an alien pending a decision as to whether the alien is subject to removal. An ICE warrant is issued by certain immigration officials who have been authorized or delegated such authority and is exclusively for use by immigration officers who have successfully completed immigration law enforcement training. Unlike judicial warrants issued in criminal cases, ICE warrants do not require a detached and neutral magistrate; instead, ICE warrants require the officer to establish that there is probable cause to believe that the individual named in the warrant is subject to removal.

If you think ICE has warrants for all the people it is rounding up, I have a bridge Id like to sell you.

The norms for the legal limits for detention without having been arrested in New York City is only about 20 minutes, although there is no hard and fast rule. For arrests, the limit to detention before being arraigned is 24 hours for misdemeanors and 72 hours for felonies or designated offenses such as domestic abuse.

One suspects the reason for ICE resorting to the new gimmick of a non-detention detention center is the fact that is has been flagrantly violating the legal requirement to allow Congresscritters access to detention facilities. I have not kept up on whether any of members of Congress have gone to court over this matter. If they havent, its long overdue, if nothing else to throw down a marker.

Sadly, no one has come up with an effective response to ICE jackbootery. And Trump is causing chaos on so many fronts so that immigration coverage has generally fallen off the front page.

By Gwynne Hogan. Originally published by THE CITY on July 23, 2025



Federal agents detain a man after he left an immigration hearing inside 26 Federal Plaza, July 23, 2025. Credit: Ben Fractenberg/THE CITY

Mayor Eric Adams yielded to mounting political pressure and called on the federal government Wednesday to immediately inspect conditions inside the shadowy ICE lock up on the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza in lower Manhattan. He did so even as City Hall continues to contest the idea it has any authority over conditions in the Manhattan building.

In a letter first reported by the New York Times, Adams asked the US General Services Administration, which owns 26 Federal Plaza, to conduct an immediate inspection of conditions there.

As of mid-June, publicly available information indicates that individuals have been held at the facility for an average of 103 hours  more than four days, the letter reads, citing reporting in THE CITY earlier this week.

The letter goes on to reference a video published on Tuesday by THE CITY that offered the first public glimpse inside the holding areas at Federal Plaza, which have seen a surge of detainees as ICE dramatically ramped up arrests in New York City in mid-May.



Look how they have us, the person filming says in Spanish, like dogs in here as the camera show around two dozen men in a room sitting on benches or lying on the ground with aluminum emergency blankets.

The presence of Mylar blankets and sleeping pads suggests that individuals may be housed there for extended durations, Adams letter reads. At the same time, Members of Congress have reportedly been denied access to inspect the space, based on assertions that it does not qualify as a detention facility The lack of clarity and transparency surrounding the facilitys current use raises serious concerns.

A spokesperson for GSA didnt return a request for comment right away. However GSA told THE CITY earlier this month the agency had no oversight authority of ICE operations within the space, pointing to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General.

A spokesperson for the mayor did not immediately return a request for comment about his letter and GSAs claim that it does not have the authority hes asking it to exercise.

Asked about the videos showing conditions inside 26 Federal Plaza, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin on Wednesday repeated her earlier denial that 26 Federal Plaza is a detention center and categorically denied any issues with how people are treated inside. The agency has repeatedly barred members of Congress  who are legally allowed to conduct unannounced visits at areas used to detain or otherwise house aliens  from accessing the floor.

Deflecting Its Authority?

The mayors letter came a day after City Comptroller Brad Lander and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams called on the Buildings and Fire departments to inspect conditions inside ICE holding cells on the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza, arguing the city has the power to enforce local health and safety regulations inside the building.

ICE detention data analyzed by THE CITY also showed that dozens of people are now being detained inside 26 Federal Plaza on any given night. The average time a person is held there, with no showers or privacy, is now 29 hours, with some held there for as long as eight days.

The public officials called on the city departments to determine whether ICE is adhering to local building, zoning, occupancy, and fire codes  including but not limited to potential breaches of occupant load limits.

And, they wrote, if the 10th floor processing center is being used as a de facto jail or detention facility, that use could violate New York Citys local zoning laws.

But Andrew Rudansky, a spokesperson for the Buildings Department, contested that the city has the right to enforce local laws at federal buildings, pointing to several examples of 311 calls about 26 Federal Plaza after which inspectors determined they had no authority to conduct an inspection in a federal building.

In other cases, however, the DOB did appear to conduct inspections there. The department responded, for example, to a complaint last year about an elevator inside the building, though no violation was issued. And there are three open DOB violations on the property for issues with the buildings elevators. Asked about those cases, Rudansky said he did not know why an inspection was conducted last year.

He also said the building had voluntarily registered one of the elevators in the building, though it was not required to. When the building failed to submit biannual reports, the department issued an automated violation, Rudansky added. Those violations would not stand up if the city were to try to collect fines, he said.

Rudansky said the department does have jurisdiction over construction equipment installed outside buildings like scaffolding, fences or cranes that would impact public areas around federal buildings, but doesnt have the right to inspect conditions inside state or federally owned buildings. If they did, he added, their actions wouldnt withstand a court challenge.

Asked about the DOBs insistence that it doesnt have authority to inspect 26 Federal Plaza, Oluwatona Campbell, a spokesperson for the comptroller, pointed out that the agency had previously responded to complaints there. The DOB is now deflecting on its authority to inspect 26 Federal Plaza where New Yorkers are clearly being unlawfully detained on the 10th floor, Campbell said.

The City of New York should use all tools available to ensure the safety of immigrant New Yorkers as well as the hundreds of federal employees who work in the building, he added.

Lander grabbed national headlines when he was arrested last month by masked federal agents who were staking out an immigration courthouse inside 26 Federal Plaza. The comptroller, who was a mayoral candidate at the time and was walking with immigrants to and from their courtroom appearances, was released several hours later without charges.

The mayor, however, dismissed Landers visit at the time as more politics instead of protecting people, adding that its unfortunate that he took that action, because that is not the role of the elected official, what he did today.

Katie Honan contributed reporting.
In a bit of synchronicity, we have two accounts that describe different aspects by which private equity limited partners, such as public pension funds like CalPERS, private pension funds, endowments, life insurers, and sovereign wealth funds are all cheerfully fleeced by private equity fund managers, which in the trade are called general partners. The Financial Times describes what ought to be a scam, continuation funds, which allow general partners to collect yet more fees on doggy old deals. Stanford Business sets forth the limited partners tender faith that general partners can generate alpha (return for investor skill) on a strategy that is leveraged equity in a very toppy stock market. Oh, and after many studies have demonstrated that to the extent private equity outperforms, the general partners harvest that through their fees and expenses, resulting in net returns to limited partners that more or less equate to stock market returns, but with higher risks.1

First to the Financial Times, which gave the piece a headline that both signaled that these continuation funds are not new and are dodgy: Private equity firms flip assets to themselves in record numbers. That begs the question as to why investors sign up. From the story:

Private equity firms made record use of a controversial tactic to cash out their clients by selling assets to themselves in the first half of the year, as they struggle to find external buyers or list holdings. Buyout groups used so-called continuation funds  in which a private equity group sells assets from one of the funds they manage to a fresher fund also managed by the firm  to exit $41bn of investments in the first six months of 2025, according to a report by investment bank Jefferies. That was equal to a record 19 per cent of all sales by the industry, and 60 per cent higher than a year ago. The increasing reliance of private equity groups on continuation funds to exit older deals comes as the industry contends with a prolonged downturn in initial public offerings and takeover activity that has squeezed the amount of cash returned to investors.

We have from time to time pointed to how CalPERS has a significant portion of its total holdings in funds that are more than ten years old. That raises serious doubts about the valuations of the presumed dogs still left in these funds. The article oddly acts as if an unfavorable IPO market is a fatal obstacle. Remember that private equity firms also sell portfolio companies to strategic buyers as well as other funds on a (more or less) arms length basis.

The article does indicate why this practice is objectionable but does so in the most anodyne and unrevealing language possible:

Continuation funds give investors the choice to roll over their investment or to cash out. For their private equity sponsors, they allow the firm to keep portfolio companies beyond the typical 10-year life of a fund, and to crystallise performance fees on the assets sold while collecting a steady stream of management fees from the new fund buying the investments.

Crystallize performance fees? Help me. They harvest the profit share called carry fees.by deciding to sell to themselves, and pretty much the same limited partners, at a nominal profit. If there was really a bona fide profit to be had, why was the asset not sold to an independent party?

The article also fails to unpack the issue about management fees. Management fees, which are prototypically 2% of funds under management. They are normally paid at a higher level in the first five years of the fund for the effort of finding companies to buy and then somehow magically creating value from them. The management fee then steps down because the general partners are no longer colorably managing the companies, just baby-sitting them.

Hopefully you have noticed why this is unadulterated grift. The general partners are collecting a fee for the work of nominally finding companies, doing due diligence on them, valuing them, and then hopefully improving their performance. But theyve already owned these companies. Theres no finding or due diligence or new valuation happening (save the justification for making up the price over what clearly is market value when the new fund buys it). Nor is there any credible performance improvement to be had, otherwise it would have happened in the 10+ years of ownership.

As former CalPERS board member JJ Jelincic said:

This is news? It has been going on for years. The GP locks in and cashes out carried interest. The LP gets to claim a profit even though they now own the same asset at a higher basis. The GP avoids zombie funds for which they can collect costs but not management fees. I doubt fiduciaries would do this with their own money IF they understood what was happening. If they dont understand they are also breaching their fiduciary duty.

The over 300 comments on the piece were overwhelmingly derisive. Some examples:

Terra_Desolata

Informed investors have been looking for the exits from PE for the last few years, which is the whole reason for this situation. Sponsors havent been able to dump old investments on new entrants into the PE space  the trick they were running before now  so theyve been having to get creative to find funding for cashing out the big investors whose relationships they want to salvage. The people getting into continuation funds are either getting a big price break on pricing or, just as likely, havent gotten the memo yet that the partys over. Public investors are dodging a bullet by being kept away from this whole mess. a.kipping

In finance, the insiders can always rewrite the rules in their favor. Yes I understand the IPO market is closed, but IPOs are but one exit strategy. More common are sales to strategic buyers or even other financial sponsors. These routes are not closed to PE managers, the issue is that PE firms need to lower their asking prices to get deals donewhich will lead to lower returns on capital and trouble raising their next fund. Enter the continuation fundwhere you sell to yourself at a price you determine and you never have to write-down any valuations or take a hit on reported returns. Not to mention, the LPs in the main fund and the continuation fund may be the same investors so how does one reconcile their return? Seems crazy to me that this is allowed.

By happenstance, Stanford Business School just published a new report which takes issue with wishful thinking among public pension funds about private equity, and is so bold as to depict it as herd mentality. Mind you, private equity and venture capital barons are big donors to business schools like Stanford. Even though they are fully aware of the low level of acumen among their investors, saying so in public is a tad unusual.

Weve embedded the short article below. The key bits:

The California Public Employees Retirement System, which now manages more than $500 billion in retirement funds, said it planned to shift more of its portfolio away from stocks and bonds and toward private equity and private debt. Two years earlier, CalPERS acknowledged that its choice to steer clear of private equity had potentially caused it to miss out on up to $18 billion in returns over the previous decade. The researchers say the main reason for this shift is pension managers belief that alternative investments can yield superior returns  so-called alpha  compared to traditional investments. Beliefs have played a central role in this crazy, giant shift in investment portfolios toward alternative assets, Begenau says. This goes against what many people thought: Because public pensions are underfunded and are facing a low return investment environment, they are taking on more risks and gambling with retirement savers money. Furthermore, these bullish beliefs stem from the powerful role of investment consultants, who advise almost all U.S. public pensions. Studying capital market assumptions reports published by major investment consulting firms, the researchers found that advisors beliefs about the potential relative returns from alternative investments have consistently increased, rising by about 68 basis points since 2001. This consultant effect is large enough to account for the entire increase in the share of alternative investments in public pension portfolios. Moreover, the research found a strong connection between consultants animal spirits and the share of alternative investments in their clients portfolios, even after controlling for factors like the financial health and size of the pension funds.

This is damning. Warren Buffett explained this all some time back in his parable of the Gotrocks family, which owns all US corporations. All is well until some Helpers appear and persuade some family members to try to out-do their relativesfor fees, of course. They go through more and more iterationsfirst by trading and incurring transaction fees, then by hiring fund managers, then hiring consultants, then adding in hyper helpers from private equity and hedge funds that claim they can do better by virtue of being paid even more.

The result, per Buffett:

And thats where we are today: A record portion of the earnings that would go in their entirety to owners  if they all just stayed in their rocking chairs  is now going to a swelling army of Helpers. Particularly expensive is the recent pandemic of profit arrangements under which Helpers receive large portions of the winnings when they are smart or lucky, and leave family members with all of the losses  and large fixed fees to boot  when the Helpers are dumb or unlucky (or occasionally crooked). A sufficient number of arrangements like this  heads, the Helper takes much of the winnings; tails, the Gotrocks lose and pay dearly for the privilege of doing so  may make it more accurate to call the family the Hadrocks.

In the same vein, the dean of quant analysis, Richard Ennis, has painstakingly and exhaustively documented in a series of studies what a loser alternative investments like private equity have been for public pension funds and endowments. And as for alpha? Come on! Consider this recap of one of his papers in a 2020 post: New Study Slams Public Pension Funds Alternative Investments as Drag on Performance, Identifies CalPERS as One of the Worst Negative Alphas; Shows Folly of CalPERS Desperate Plan to Increase Private Equity and Debt and Go Bigger Using Leverage. Some quotes in that post from Ennis analysis:

Alternative investments ceased to be diversifiers in the 2000s and have become a significant drag on institutional fund performance. Public pension funds underperformed passive investment by 1.0% a year over a recent decade.. Note that the cost estimates are very similar to the composites respective margins of underperformance: 0.99% [for public pension funds] and 1.59% [for endowments] per year relative to passive investment. These closely comparable results provide support for the simple model of institutional investment cost; that is, given the two composites extraordinary degree of diversification, we would expect them to underperform properly constructed passive benchmarks by about the amount of costs incurred. Diversification, per se, is not the problem The problem is the combination of extreme diversification and high cost: a recipe for failure The 10 largest public pension funds in our data set reported having outperformed their custom benchmark

by an average of 0.17% per year over the study period. Those same funds underperformed their respective

equivalent-risk benchmarks by an average of 0.83% a yearwhich is to say, the average of custom benchmarks lagged that of equivalent-risk benchmarks by 100 bps per year. This suggests the custom benchmarks are slow rabbits in the parlance of greyhound racing. It certainly raises a question about the objectivity of self-measurement.

In other words, funds like CalPERS engage in a tremendous amount of busywork, with the biggest and best paid of all public pension fund investment offices, hiring big name consultants, all in the name of actively destroying value. But doing something sensible like running an in-house stock index (which CalPERS does do), and making a simple US/foreign stock2 and US/foreign bonds and putting it on auto pilot (one compelling study I saw found that picking and sticking to an asset allocation over time and merely rebalancing gave top 1% investment returns, so actively managing asset allocation is also a bad idea).

But CalPERS board members would have so much less to do! And in particular, they could no longer justify the perk of flying to glamorous locales for investment conferences. And CalPERS also pays roughly three times the level of private equity fees, adjusted for assets under management, as its Sacramento sister CalSTRS. This looks like rank incompetence or a payoff. And that line of speculation is not unreasonable given that former CalPERS CEO Fred Buenrostro served four and a half years in Federal prison for bribery and other charges, and CalPERS later hired Matt Jacobs, a white collar criminal defense attorney, as its general counsel. Even though we have not gotten to the bottom of it, something is rotten in the state of CalPERS.

____

1 The evidence is so overwhelming that we hope you forgive us for not updating our tally from a 2020 post:

2 Ennis has pointed out there is no reason to invest in real estate funds. Corporations in aggregate have substantial real estate holding, plus US indices include REITS.

Theres plenty more where that came from.
Octopuses Fall for the Rubber Hand Illusion, Just Like Humans, Pointing to a Sense of Body Ownership Smithsonian Mag

Stick Nation  A Community Featuring User Submitted Reviews of Unique Sticks Found in the Wild Laughing Squid

Moths Can Hear When Plants Are in Trouble and It Changes How They Lay Their Eggs ZME Science

Were Stonehenges Bluestones Transported by Humans Or Ice? 100-Year-Old Discovery Sparks Debate IFL Science

After $380M hack, Clorox sues its service desk vendor for simply giving out passwords Ars Technica

Climate/Environment

Pandemics

China?

Big Pharma is collapsing and no ones telling you why. The real reason isnt politics or profits. Its China. And the game is already over. Big Pharma is increasingly reliant on Chinese biotech advances https://t.co/blM9wHOnWG  William Huo (@wmhuo168) July 23, 2025

Heres conclusion:

Exhibit Q18, filed.

Big Pharma is finished. Not because China cheated. But because America abandoned the idea of building for the public good. Now the reckoning is here. (11/11)  William Huo (@wmhuo168) July 23, 2025

Africa

Old Blighty

Syraqistan

Ten More Palestinians Starve to Death in Gaza Under Israeli Blockade as Over 100 Aid Groups Sound Alarm Antiwar

UN Secretary Generals Office in response to the new absurd Israeli-US suggestion that UN is responsible for preventing aid from reaching Gaza today: Israel must enable safe and unimpeded aid delivery, allow the entry of critical equipment and fuel, must open all crossings and https://t.co/SZiS2cThmI pic.twitter.com/Itd9hbfI2p  Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) July 23, 2025

Its worse than Gaza is being starved and destroyed and no one cares. Its that hundreds of millions *do* care and are powerless to stop it. We need a world where that can never happen, where the masses actually have political power.  Eman Abdelhadi (@emanabdelhadi) July 22, 2025

***

Just now: The Knesset approved 71-13 a resolution backing the unilateral annexation of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Netanyahu voted in favor. Centrist Yesh Atid party did not participate in vote. Motion is non-binding and will not impact the legal status of West Bank. pic.twitter.com/Ino54jogAN  Jacob N. Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) July 23, 2025

European Disunion

New Not-So-Cold War

>Zelensky regime kidnaps thousands of men off the streets, beats them to a pulp, and sends them to die at the front I sleep >Zelensky reduces authority of US-installed anti-corruption agency REAL SHIT pic.twitter.com/731WE9ywMx  Russians With Attitude (@RWApodcast) July 23, 2025

Caucasus

Laffaire Epstein

Its amazing that we have video of Epstein pleading the fifth on him and Trump socializing in the presence of females under the age of 18 and it was never used during the 2016, 2020, or 2024 elections https://t.co/kUxr1eSOME  Robert Skvarla (@RobertSkvarla) July 24, 2025

Pam Bondi abruptly cancels her appearance at the CPAC Summit on Human Trafficking due to a torn cornea. pic.twitter.com/FhVIwXdGgB  FactPost (@factpostnews) July 23, 2025

Imperial Collapse Watch

Layer Upon Layer. Aurelien

Liberation Day

Trump 2.0

Trump just lost the QAnon Shaman guy from 1/6. pic.twitter.com/SGGmPFcCZJ  Politics & Poll Tracker  (@PollTracker2024) July 23, 2025

MAHA

FDAs artificial intelligence is supposed to revolutionize drug approvals. Its making up studies CNN. Perhaps this is one way for Big Pharma to compete with China.

Immigration

Perpetrator of triple homicide in Madrid included in group of political prisoners repatriated by US from Venezuela El Pais

RussiaGate

AI

Surveillance Pricing

Police State Watch

ICE budget set to triple in 2026 Stephen Semler

Accelerationists

Our Famously Free Press

Harvard Journal Abruptly Cancels Issue on Palestine, Sparking Accusations of Censorship The Harvard Crimson

The Bezzle

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
In 1601, Robert Devereux, the 2nd Earl of Essex, asked Shakespeares company, the Lord Chamberlains Men, to stage the play Richard II at the Globe Theatre. This was done in the wake of an attempted coup against Queen Elizabeth. The intent was to stir anti-monarchical sentiment by depicting the overthrow of a weak king. The rebellion, however, did not succeed, and Devereux was executed.

House of Cards, the series starring Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, is a brilliant depiction of power-hungry politicians at the helm of the White House and their maneuvers to stay in power. Borgen, the Danish series, is a masterpiece of political intrigue and the backstage machinations of decision-making.

Political fiction is a powerful tool to evoke ideaswhich is probably why it is often one of the first things to disappear when politicians begin to wield power beyond party politics. Its difficult to imagine these series being produced today in China, Russia, or Turkey, for example. They show a side of politics that is too realof course dramatized, but still a representation of the inner workings of politics that most people only glimpse through news coverage.

Russia has Roman Bolyaev, who produced The Last Minister but left the country when the war in Ukraine started. Turkiye produced the series Valley of the Wolves, which, although it makes references to Turkish politics and corruption, does so by blaming a powerful mafia that infiltrated the staterather than the state itself.

Of course, that is not to say there are no Chinese, Russian, or Turkish political dramasthere might bebut to my knowledge, none depict the current political climate as a ruthless set of ambitious individuals willing to do almost anything to stay in power. Such portrayals would not reflect well on the current governments.

Lets propose a few loglines for future productions:

An ex-KGB agent rises to power, promising to fight the mafia that has taken over the state, but ends up creating his own to maintain control.

A Communist Party leader takes over a developing economy and pushes it to become the worlds largest, while he becomes its de facto king.

An idealistic young politician rises to power and changes a country, but in the process, compromises the ideals he started with.

I think these loglines would make for pretty good series that will never be madeat least not in the countries where they are set.

The reason I believe they will not be made is not just because censorship exists in these countries and not in liberal democracies. Censorship exists everywhere, one way or another. The reason is that in these countries, politicsnot party politicsmatters far more than in Western liberal democracies. Governments hold more power than their liberal counterparts, and I believe this is because there is no true division of powers in these countries.

I am not speaking about the theoretical division of power into three branchesthe judiciary, the legislative, and the executivewhich constitutions establish. This division, though ideal on paper, is difficult to maintain in reality, and most authoritarian regimes claim to uphold it. I am speaking about the division between political power and financial power. If we leave ideology aside (with perhaps a few exceptions), this is the main difference between governments today. When financial and political power are unified, the states reach becomes far more extensive.

Trump knows thisor at least his team doeswhich is why he has been campaigning against Jerome Powell to try to remove him. The issue isnt just that the Feds policies dont align with his ownits about who controls financial power and economic policy.

Varoufakis describes it like this:

In the United States, theres a war happeningnot just a class war but also an intra-capitalist war between the cloud capital owners of Silicon Valley and Wall Street. Wall Street will never allow people like Zuckerberg, Musk, or Apple to steal their financial rentstheyd nuke them if necessary. Thats why theres no app like WeChat in the West. Its not because the West cant develop a free payment system like WeChat, but because Wall Street wouldnt allow it, and Wall Street controls the central bank. This isnt the case in China.

What Varoufakis is pointing out is that in the US, Europe, England, Canada, and the West in general, banking and financial power are separate from political power. In China, this is different. The central bank is government-controlled, not independent. The countrys largest banks are state-owned. The state directly invests in private projects. There are private banks and financiers, but they dont control the system.

In the US, the Federal Reserve resists political pressure, but its leadership seems to have been cognitively captured by the banking industry. In Europe and the UK, central banks operate independently of the government. The ECB, which rules over them, is, to all intents and purposes, an independent entity free from political control. The largest banks and investment funds (e.g., JPMorgan, BlackRock) are private. Financial power and financial policymaking are not in politicians hands. As Varoufakis continues:

Smart people in Washington DC realize China has a fantastic advantage because of this merger of cloud capital and financewhat I call cloud finance, which cant happen in the US due to the war between financial and cloud capital. Chinas political economy allows seamless integration.

Chinas political economy allows seamless integration because politics and finance are already merged, unlike in the West. The mantra there is laissez-faire, which is very goodexcept when the one saying it holds the unique privilege of creating money out of nothing. And everyone wants that privilege. Then it can turn a bit sour.

The conflict Varoufakis mentions isnt new either. It could be argued that it was among the key motives behind most revolutions, including Frances Revolution in 1789: when a new wealthy class becomes conscious of its power, it seeks to reshape the established order. Thats why Silicon Valley aligns with the Trump administration and why Trump is trying to influence Fed policy. Silicon Valley wants its seat at the table, and Trumps administration wants controlat least a degree of itover finance.

Chinas real advantage over the USand what others (like Russia, with more success than Turkey) try to imitateis the merger of political and financial power. This gives the state unprecedented influence over its citizens, and when combined with technological advancements, it creates a Leviathan unlike anything we have seen before.

Thats why series like House of Cards or Borgenwhich offer an uncanny look at politicswont be made in countries where financial and political power have merged. In those places, politics matters too much, and the reality of it surpasses fiction.
Health Ranger Report: Butch Carmack on upholding constitutional principles and preserving rural Texan values

: This article is based on a "Health Ranger Report" interview posted May 13, 2024 on Brighteon.com. Carmack, a Republican, has since won the race for Bastrop County commissioner, Precinct 1, against Democratic candidate Joseph B. Thompson.)

Butch Carmack's campaign for Bastrop County commissioner centers on resisting federal overreach, upholding constitutional principles and preserving rural Texan values. He prioritizes local governance and conservative tax policies, and opposes progressive cultural influences like LGBTQ+ curriculum in schools.

Carmack advocates for stricter enforcement against illegal immigration, condemns federal obstruction of state efforts and supports property owners' rights to evict trespassers. He praises Texas' deportation initiatives but calls for more cost-effective federal repatriation.

He rejects federal environmental policies aiming to phase out fossil fuels, arguing they are vital for industry and infrastructure. Carmack warns that forced green transitions (e.g., EV mandates) could strain local resources and harm the economy.

Opposing developer-backed urban sprawl, Carmack emphasizes preserving Bastrop's rural character. He pledges to fund law enforcement to improve retention and combat crime, while promoting local jobs in oil, manufacturing and conservative-aligned industries.

His campaign focuses on transparency, resisting tax hikes despite growth-driven revenue increases, and addressing infrastructure needs (e.g., water scarcity). Carmack urges community engagement, framing local elections as critical to defending American values against progressive ideologies.

In an era of escalating federal overreach and cultural upheaval, Butch Carmack's campaign for Bastrop County commissioner stands as a defiant rallying cry for traditional values and grassroots liberty. The third-generation Texan and longtime business owner emerged as a candidate to preserve rural ethos, combat federal encroachment and uphold constitutional principles.

Carmack joined the Health Ranger Mike Adams on the "Health Ranger Report" to talk about his campaign. The Bastrop County resident of 22 years told Adams that he launched his campaign out of concern for safeguarding the community's foundation.

The former board member of the Bastrop County Water Control and Improvement District stated he was running because he was afraid of what might step into office. As a county commissioner, Carmack would oversee critical duties like setting tax rates, managing infrastructure and prioritizing public safety  a role he emphasizes must align with conservative values.

Key to his platform is curbing federal overreach, including immigration policies and energy mandates. He condemned the Biden administration's approach to illegal immigration, advocating for tougher enforcement and rejecting federal obstruction of state efforts. He asserted that Americans shouldn't be forced to subsidize those who come illegally, urging support for law enforcement to handle trespassing and property violations.

The interview underscored Carmack's skepticism toward federal environmental policies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency's push to phase out fossil fuels by 2035. He argued that fossil fuels are essential, citing their role in manufacturing plastics, agriculture and transportation. He criticized mandates as economically suicidal, noting that EV infrastructure would strain Bastrop's grid.

"They're not going to be able to do away with fossil fuel," Carmack said. "I don't know where and how they think they're getting away with not having fossil fuels."

Carmack praised Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's defiance in deporting illegal immigrants to Democrat-run cities but questioned why the federal government doesn't handle repatriation directly. He stressed that sending the illegal immigrants back across the border would cost less than fueling buses to Chicago, advocating for pragmatic, cost-effective solutions.

Carmack defends readiness, community and culture

A recurring theme was Carmack's commitment to protecting families from cultural decay. The Bastrop County business owner condemned LGBTQ+ indoctrination in schools, citing instances like "drag queen story hours" and pornographic children's books. He said parents shouldn't let schools push agendas that corrupt children, urging support for homeschooling and strict oversight of educational content. (Related: Leaked video shows LGBT indoctrination is occurring at Americas private schools, too.)

On local governance, Carmack opposed unchecked urban sprawl fueled by developers, highlighting his campaign's independence from corporate funding. He disclosed that his opponent is backed by commercial developers pushing density, emphasizing his focus on preserving rural character and infrastructure. Carmack also stressed improving officer retention by funding law enforcement to combat revolving-door attrition.

Carmack emphasized economic self-reliance, advocating for "conservative jobs" in industries like manufacturing and oil to counter liberal influence. He mentioned that blue-collar workers sustain American values, contrasting Bastrop's ideals with nearby Austin's progressive policies. He also acknowledged the risks of Tesla layoffs and supply chain fragility, stressing the need for decentralized, locally supported business models.

Adams framed Carmack's candidacy as part of a broader national imperative. The Health Ranger stressed that local governance is where Americans will save America, encouraging like-minded citizens to pursue leadership roles.

Carmack's unapologetic stance  rooted in family, faith and free-market principles  resonates among voters weary of distant bureaucracy.

Follow LivingFree.news for more news about living with true freedom.

Watch the full interview between Butch Carmack and the Health Ranger Mike Adams below.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

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Texas Rep. Michael Cloud and Mike Adams: Americans should return to a culture of MORALITY and TRUTH.

Texas AG Paxton SUES Catholic Annunciation House NGO for aiding, abetting illegal immigration.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

CommunityImpact.com
Another Class I recall: Nearly 1.5 tons of cucumbers RECALLED by the FDA due to Salmonella contamination

Nearly 3,000 pounds of cucumbers were recalled by the FDA on July 8 due to Salmonella contamination in a Class I (highest level) alert involving Fuentes Farms.

Two previous outbreaks linked to cucumbers from Florida-based Bedner Growers and Thomas Produce in 2024 and 2025 resulted in more than 620 illnesses and 149 hospitalizations.

Salmonella affects 1.35 million Americans annually and raw produce, like cucumbers, are common culprits  especially since they're often eaten unpeeled and uncooked.

Major issues behind recurring outbreaks include poor traceability, contaminated irrigation water and lack of consumer labeling or awareness.

Consumers can reduce risk by asking about produce origins, washing thoroughly, avoiding cross-contamination and staying up to date on FDA recall alerts.

Nearly 3,000 pounds (15 tons) of cucumbers were recalled recently  not because someone got sick  but because someone might. On July 8, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) slapped the produce with its highest-level health hazard alert: a Class I recall.

The cucumbers, shipped by Fuentes Farms in Texas, were pulled from shelves after the FDA found a batch contaminated with Salmonella, a deadly bacterium. It can cause food poisoning and even death if the infection spreads to the bloodstream or causes severe dehydration. Symptoms include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps.

Back in May, an outbreak tied to cucumbers from Bedner Growers Inc. made at least 69 people across 21 states sick. Just a year earlier, an even bigger outbreak swept the country. In June 2024, the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) linked cucumbers from Bedner Growers and Thomas Produce Company to 551 illnesses across 34 states and 149 hospitalizations.

Each year, Salmonella infects an estimated 1.35 million Americans, sending more than 26,000 to the hospital and claiming over 400 lives, according to the CDC. While raw meat often takes the blame, fresh produce is a frequent culprit  tomatoes (May 2025), cantaloupes (November 2023), onions (October 2023) and peaches (2020) and other various fresh product items. (Related: SALMONELLA outbreak in various states prompts RECALL of diced onion products.)

A healthy snack with a dirty secret

Why do cucumbers keep making people sick? At first glance, cucumbers seem harmless, healthy even: They're low-calorie, hydrating and served raw more often than not. But therein lies the problem.

Because they're rarely cooked, any bacteria present on the surface go straight into your mouth. Those bacteria might come from unsanitary water used to irrigate the fields, soil contaminated with animal waste or poorly cleaned processing equipment. In the 2024 multistate outbreak, canal water and infected soil were the smoking guns. In this week's Fuentes Farms recall, the cucumbers ended up without adequate traceability, with some even sold at flea markets with zero labeling.

Here's where it gets frustrating. We've been here before and we keep ending back here, for the same reasons:

Traceability gaps : In the Fuentes Farms case, the cucumbers were reportedly sold through distributors and flea markets  places with little to no product tracking or labeling. That means if something goes wrong, it's much harder to recall quickly or even alert buyers.

: In the Fuentes Farms case, the cucumbers were reportedly sold through distributors and flea markets  places with little to no product tracking or labeling. That means if something goes wrong, it's much harder to recall quickly or even alert buyers. Unsafe growing conditions : Last year's investigation with Bedner Growers and Thomas Produce Company farms revealed contaminated water sources and soil. When that water splashes onto the crops or gets absorbed into the produce, there's no washing it off after the fact.

: Last year's investigation with Bedner Growers and Thomas Produce Company farms revealed contaminated water sources and soil. When that water splashes onto the crops or gets absorbed into the produce, there's no washing it off after the fact. Lack of consumer awareness: Most cucumbers are sold without stickers, brand names or origin information. So even if you wanted to avoid risky sources, you probably couldn't.

What can you do?

Here's how to stay safe:

Ask where your produce comes from , especially at farmers' markets or flea markets. If the seller can't name the farm or region, that's a red flag.

, especially at farmers' markets or flea markets. If the seller can't name the farm or region, that's a red flag. Wash cucumbers under running water  not soap  and scrub with a clean vegetable brush. Even if you're peeling them, bacteria can transfer from the skin to the flesh via the knife or peeler.

 not soap  and scrub with a clean vegetable brush. Even if you're peeling them, bacteria can transfer from the skin to the flesh via the knife or peeler. Keep raw produce separate from meats and other items in your kitchen. Cross-contamination is a sneaky route for illness.

and other items in your kitchen. Cross-contamination is a sneaky route for illness. Support labeling laws by pushing for policies requiring farms to label produce and origin info  a small step with big safety implications.

by pushing for policies requiring farms to label produce and origin info  a small step with big safety implications. Stay informed on recalls. The FDA's recall page updates daily. Knowing what's at risk gives you the power at the grocery store or supermarket.

Different produce needs different cleaning. Here's how to do it right  no expensive sprays or gimmicks needed:

Firm vegetables, like cucumbers, zucchini, carrots : Rinse under cool running water and scrub gently with a clean produce brush. Dry before peeling and slicing.

: Rinse under cool running water and scrub gently with a clean produce brush. Dry before peeling and slicing. Leafy greens, like kale, lettuce, spinach : Discard outer leaves then swish the rest in a bowl of cold water. Lift out (don't pour), repeat if needed and dry with a salad spinner or clean towel.

: Discard outer leaves then swish the rest in a bowl of cold water. Lift out (don't pour), repeat if needed and dry with a salad spinner or clean towel. Fruits and smooth vegetables, like apples, peppers, tomatoes : Rub gently under running water and dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.

: Rub gently under running water and dry with a clean cloth or paper towel. Never use soap or bleach: They're not safe to ingest and don't clean better than plain water and friction.

This isn't just a "foodie" issue

You don't have to be a "health nut" or "label reader" to care about this. Whether you're buying bulk produce for your restaurant, picking up dinner ingredients for your family or choosing "healthy" snacks for your kids' lunches, you deserve to know your food is safe.

The idea that a cucumber could quietly send someone to the hospital should be a wake-up call for all. From government regulators to farmers to consumers, it's time people treat food safety like the life-or-death issue it is.

Until then, Salmonella-laced cucumbers (and others) will keep sneaking back into our kitchens and our bodies.

Watch this video about Salmonella food poisoning.

This video is from the Daily Videos channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Drug-resistant Salmonella strain triggers nationwide recall of salami in Canada.

FDA issues highest-level recall for TOMATOES contaminated with Salmonella.

Salmonella outbreak triggers recall of millions of EGGS.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

FDA.gov 1

FDA.gov 2

Brighteon.com
Federal judge halts Mississippis ban on WOKE DEI programs in schools and universities

A federal judge issued a temporary stay on Mississippis HB 1193, which aimed to prohibit DEI programs in public educational institutions, citing threats to constitutional rights.

Judge Henry Wingate sided with plaintiffs, including the ACLU and Mississippi Center for Justice, arguing the laws vague language and punitive measures (like defunding schools) created a "chilling effect" on free expression.

Educators reported canceled partnerships and trainings, such as the University of Mississippi withdrawing from a Pride parade, demonstrating immediate suppression of protected speech.

The ruling highlights ongoing conservative efforts to dismantle DEI programs, mirroring laws in 15 other states, while opponents compare it to historical censorship campaigns.

The temporary restraining order lasts 14 days, with further hearings scheduled. The outcome could influence nationwide debates over DEI restrictions and academic freedom.

A federal judge has issued a temporary stay on a Mississippi law prohibiting woke diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in the Magnolia State's public educational institutions.

U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate of the Southern District of Mississippi issued the temporary ban Sunday, July 20. The magistrate appointed by former President Ronald Reagan declared House Bill (HB) 1193 a threat to constitutional rights.

In his Sunday ruling, Wingate sided with the plaintiffs who were backed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Mississippi Center for Justice (MCJ). The plaintiffs argued that HB 1193's vague language and punitive penalties, such as defunding noncompliant institutions, created a "chilling effect" on free expression. Affidavits from educators revealed canceled partnerships and trainings, including the University of Mississippi's withdrawal from a local Pride parade.

According to the magistrate, the suppression of protected speech was "an ongoing deprivation" of rights. He also warned that ambiguous bans risk undermining academic freedom. Nevertheless, Wingate's decision marks the latest battle in a national wave of conservative-led efforts to dismantle DEI initiatives in higher education. (Related: Federal judge blocks Trump administrations attempt to fire intelligence officers in DEI programs.)

The ruling effectively stalls HB 1193  which bans DEI offices, trainings and courses on so-called "divisive concepts"  just weeks after it took effect on July 1. The federal judge's restraining order, which lasts for 14 days, could extend pending further hearings. Both parties involved in the case are due back in court on Wednesday, July 23.

DEI under fire: A legal showdown over what schools can teach

HB 1193, which the Magnolia State passed in April, echoes similar legislation approved in 15 other states since 2023. It prohibits teachings on racial or gender superiority, transgender identity and related topics.

Critics likened it to mid-20th-century censorship campaigns, where fear of "subversive" ideas led to classroom purges. Proponents, however, framed DEI programs as ideological indoctrination. State attorneys defended the bill as a safeguard against "divisive" content, though they conceded enforcement confusion during hearings.

The ruling signals a broader judicial scrutiny of anti-DEI laws, and a potential roadmap for future challenges. For now, Mississippi educators regain a tentative reprieve, as the courts weigh whether such bans, in Wingates words, "promote, rather than impair, the interests of citizens and the constitutional principles on which this republic stands."

The outcome of this legal battle will have repercussions beyond Mississippi classrooms. It will also potentially redefine the national debate over what belongs  and what's barred  from America's schools.

Head over to Wokies.news for more similar stories.

Watch Rob Schmitt of Newsmax denouncing California's prioritization of DEI above everything else in this clip.

This video is from the Son of the Republic channel on Brighteon.com.

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Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

MississippiToday.com

TheHill.com

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Putin signals readiness for Ukraine peace talks, but Russias demands remain unchanged

Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to peace talks but insists Russia's territorial and geopolitical goals  including retaining seized Ukrainian land  must be prioritized, as confirmed by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

Months of stalled negotiations persist, with Ukraine refusing to cede 15 percent of its territory. Russia remains entrenched in its demands, dimming hopes for a swift resolution despite international pressure.

President Donald Trump shifted tactics, approving military aid to Ukraine and threatening tariffs on Russian oil unless a truce is reached within 50 days, though he reported "no progress" in recent talks with Putin.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Russia to reengage in direct talks, proposing a high-level meeting to secure lasting peace, while Kyiv refuses territorial concessions. Moscow has not publicly responded to Ukraines invitation for further discussions.

New EU sanctions target Russia's energy sector, but the war continues unabated. With irreconcilable differences over territory and security, prospects for peace remain bleak despite sporadic diplomatic overtures.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to engage in peace negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, but the Kremlin insists its territorial and geopolitical objectives must be prioritized, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed in a televised interview.

The statement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump adopts a tougher stance against Moscow, imposing new sanctions threats while simultaneously advocating for a ceasefire.

The announcement follows months of stalled negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow, with Ukraine resisting Russia's demand for the surrender of nearly 15 percent of its sovereign territory, including four southeastern provinces partially occupied by Russian forces. With both sides entrenched in their positions, prospects for a swift diplomatic resolution remain uncertain, even as international pressure mounts for an end to Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II.

Speaking to state-run television on July 20, Peskov reiterated that Russia remains committed to achieving its wartime objectives despite signaling openness to diplomacy.

"The main thing for us is to achieve our goals. Our goals are clear," he said.

His comments came days after Trump's July 3 call with Putin, in which the U.S. president discussed the possibility of a ceasefire. However, Trump later told reporters that he had made "no progress" with Putin and expressed dissatisfaction with the status of negotiations. (Related: Trump reveals Putin warned of imminent retaliation against Ukraine in 75-minute call.)

Despite initially hesitating on military aid to Ukraine, Trump abruptly reversed course last week, approving Patriot missile systems and threatening "100 percent secondary tariffs" on Russian oil exports if Moscow refuses to agree to a truce within 50 days.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, has urged Russia to reengage in direct negotiations, proposing another high-level meeting following two unsuccessful rounds of talks in Turkey earlier this year.

"A meeting at the leadership level is necessary to truly secure peace  a truly lasting one," Zelensky said in a Telegram statement. "The Russian side must stop avoiding decisions."

Kyiv has remained steadfast in refusing to cede territory, including the Donbas region and Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has reportedly extended an invitation to Russian officials for further discussions, though Moscow has yet to publicly respond.

Escalating sanctions and diplomatic stalemate

The European Union added to the pressure on Moscow by approving new sanctions targeting Russia's energy sector on July 18  an expansion of economic measures that have already strained Russia's wartime economy.

Yet despite international efforts, the conflict shows no signs of de-escalation without significant concessions from either Ukraine or Russia.

For now, the war grinds on, with Ukraine struggling to reclaim lost ground and Russia doubling down on its maximalist demands. As diplomatic channels flicker between half-hearted openness and hardened ultimatums, the prospects for peace remain as distant as ever.

While both sides have publicly expressed willingness to negotiate, fundamental divisions over territory and security guarantees make a swift resolution unlikely. With Trump ramping up sanctions threats and Zelensky calling for direct talks, the coming weeks could prove decisive  either reigniting diplomacy or entrenching the conflict further.

Watch the video below that talks about Trump's sanctions that would cripple Russia.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

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Soaring AI demands ignite $16.1B grid crisis, threatening U.S. energy affordability

PJM Interconnections capacity auction hits record 16.1B, with capacity costs surging to 329.17 per megawatt daily.

AI data centers, such as Virginias Data Center Alley, drive historic demand spikes, outpacing grid infrastructure.

Price caps curb prior volatility, but consumers still face sharply rising bills amid insufficient new power supplies.

Natural gas plant investments hit $34B, signaling industry reliance on fossil fuels to meet demands.

Politicians and advocates clash over balancing investor profits, energy equity, and decarbonization goals.

The operator of the largest U.S. power grid, PJM Interconnection LLC, has raised alarms over a 16.1 billion capacity auction  its highest ever  to secure electricity for growing demands, including the ravenous energy needs of AI data centers. The results, announced Wednesday, signal a new era of grid strain as the grid serving 65 million customers across 13 Eastern states faces record capacity costs of 329.17 per megawatt daily, up 22 percent from 2024. This surge, analysts warn, will push residential energy bills to all-time highs amid stalled infrastructure upgrades and delayed investment in clean energy.

The crisis centers on Data Center Alley in Loudoun County, Virginia, where AI server farms  driving everything from self-driving cars to generative algorithms  are consuming electricity equivalent to major cities, while aging coal and natural gas plants shutter en masse. Industry insiders caution that without new solutions, Americans in the PJM footprint face a reality where powering innovation may come at the cost of affordability.

The AI footprint: How data centers outgrow grid capacity

Data centers now rival cities in power consumption. In the latest auction, PJM confirmed that new facilities  many fueled by the AI boom  are siphoning massive volumes of electricity, mirroring the growth of towns like Alexandria, Virginia. Jon Gordon, policy director at Advanced Energy United, noted that the demand has forced grids into a tug-of-war between near-instant server builds and obsolete infrastructure.

The math is stark: While U.S. energy capacity additions have slowed to a crawl, data center construction has skyrocketed. Verizons AI Connect offerings alone saw sales double to $2 billion this quarter, supporting edge computing and real-time AI inferencing. This isnt just demand  its a metastasis, said electricity trader Greg Lim, with servers now demanding 24/7 baseline power that strains even backup systems.

Grid aging and investment gaps fuel vulnerabilities

The crisis deepens as power plants shut faster than replacements arrive. Over 90% of retiring capacity in the PJM region since 2020 has been fossil-fueled, and renewables like wind and solar lag behind needed scalability, lacking storage to provide round-the-clock baseload power.

Joe Bowring, president of Monitoring Analytics, the grids watchdog, bluntly stated: There is simply no new capacity to meet new loads. Bowring argues that without mandates for developers to bring their own generation  via on-site renewables or partnerships  a cycle of supply shortages will persist.

The result? Utilities are leaning on natural gas. Firms like NRG and Talen Energy spent $34 billion in 2025 acquiring aging gas plants to meet demand. Barclays analyst Nick Campenella called this a win for shareholders but warned of regulatory backlash as politicians decry fossil fuel dependence.

Political firestorms and the price cap tango

The 2024 auction, which saw capacity prices spike 600% overnight, sparked a backlash that led to a 2025 settlement with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. The deal imposed price floors (177.24/MW) and ceilings (329.17/MW), preventing repeats of the previous years shock. This years results hit exactly the cap, quelling volatility but locking in record pricing.

Yet consumers are still scrambling. Exelons customers in Baltimore faced $466/MW costs last year  the ceiling now prevents such spikes  to some relief. But advocates argue the cap artificially suppresses market signals, delaying infrastructure fixes. Theyre kicking the can, not solving it, said Sharon Mastrangeli of the National Consumer Law Center.

The crossroads between innovation and equity

The PJM auction underscores a national quandary: How to power exponential AI growth while ensuring the energy transition doesnt become a cost explosion. Renewable solutions like solar farms in Texas or offshore wind in the Northeast face permitting delays and not in my backyard resistance. Meanwhile, quick fixes like gas plants perpetuate carbon emissions, clashing with decarbonization pledges.

As data centers fork over billions for power, the question for policymakers is clear: Can they incentivize storage and clean baseload solutions without turning energy equity into a relic? Or will 2025s record prices foreshadow a future where innovations price tag lights a fuse for political revolt?

One reality is certain: Even if you avoid AI-driven gadgets, the grid is suddenly much hotter  and no one will feel the heat more than ratepayers.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

Bloomberg.com

AInvest.com
Starving in silence: The plight of Gazas journalists

AFP journalists in the Gaza Strip are facing severe malnutrition and untreated illnesses, pushing them to the brink of starvation and incapacitating them from performing their journalistic duties.

The near-total blockade of Gaza since October 2023 has led to the collapse of the local economy, leaving residents, including journalists, in "utter destitution" with money but nothing to purchase.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot has urged the evacuation of AFP's local staff and their families, while also advocating for international press access to Gaza to report on the situation, despite Israel's ongoing ban, citing security concerns.

The lack of food and clean water has resulted in significant weight loss, constant headaches, dizziness and extreme fatigue, severely hindering journalists' ability to work and forcing them to prioritize survival over reporting.

The crisis has garnered attention from international media and humanitarian organizations, with calls for immediate action to alleviate the "unbearable suffering" of Gaza's journalists and to address the dire humanitarian situation exacerbated by the conflict and blockade.

The last remaining Palestinian journalists working for Agence France-Presse (AFP) are facing a dire humanitarian crisis in the war-ravaged Gaza Strip, with many on the brink of starvation.

The Society of Journalists (SDJ) issued a stark warning on Monday, July 21, stating that these freelancers, who have been the eyes and ears for the world since foreign journalists were banned from Gaza, are now "no longer able to move through the enclave to do their job" due to severe malnutrition and untreated illnesses. The statement, released on the social media platform X, paints a grim picture of the conditions under which these journalists are working.

"They are young, but their strength is fading," the association wrote. "Most no longer have the physical capacity to continue their work."

The freelancers, who are paid by AFP, find themselves in a paradoxical situation: They have money but nothing to buy. The Gaza Strip, under a near-total blockade since the conflict escalated in October 2023, has seen its economy collapse, leaving its residents in "utter destitution."

SDJ's plea comes as French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called for the evacuation of AFP's local staff and their families, emphasizing the need for international press to be allowed into Gaza to "show what is happening there and to bear witness." Israel, however, has maintained a strict ban on foreign journalists, citing security concerns and the need to prevent the leaking of sensitive operational information.

AFP, founded in 1944, has a long history of operating in conflict zones, but the current situation in Gaza is unprecedented.

"Since its foundation, AFP has never faced the horror of watching one of our collaborators starve to death," the association stated.

The situation has been exacerbated by Israel's blockade, which was partially lifted in May to allow a minimal flow of humanitarian aid. However, the aid has been insufficient to meet the needs of the population and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has described the ban on foreign journalists as "unprecedented" and called for its immediate reversal.

The human cost of reporting

The impact of the crisis on AFP's journalists is profound. One of the agency's photographers, Bashar Taleb, 35, who was shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize earlier this year, described the emotional toll of the situation.

"I've had to stop working multiple times just to search for food for my family and loved ones," he said. "I feel for the first time utterly defeated emotionally."

Another photographer, Omar al-Qattaa, 35, also a Pulitzer nominee, recounted the physical challenges of working under such conditions.

"I'm exhausted from carrying heavy cameras on my shoulders and walking long distances," he said. "We can't even reach coverage sites because we have no energy left due to hunger and lack of food."

The lack of food and clean water has led to a host of health issues for these journalists. Khadr Al-Zanoun, 45, a contributor in Gaza City, said he has lost about 30 kilos (66 pounds) since the war began and has suffered from constant headaches and dizziness.

"I used to finish news reports and stories quickly," he said. "Now I barely manage to complete one report per day due to extreme physical and mental fatigue and near-delirium."

The crisis has drawn the attention of international media and humanitarian organizations. Al Jazeera released a statement calling for "immediate action" to address the "unbearable suffering" of journalists in Gaza.

"We owe it to the courageous journalists in Gaza to amplify their voices and put an end to the suffering they are enduring due to forced starvation and targeted killings by Israeli occupation forces," said Mostefa Souag, director general of the media network. (Related: Military now controls war coverage as Israel tightens grip on press freedom.)

A desperate cry for help

As the conflict in Gaza enters its 22nd month, the situation for journalists and civilians alike is becoming increasingly desperate. The pleas of AFP's journalists and the warnings from humanitarian organizations highlight the urgent need for international intervention.

In the words of AFP contributor Zuheir Abu Atileh, 60, "I prefer death over this life. We have no strength left; we're exhausted and collapsing. Enough is enough."

Watch the video below showing Israel's continued airstrikes in Gaza.

This video is from Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Four Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza airstrike, death toll of journalists reaches 182.

Trump puts "heavy pressure" on Netanyahu to end Gaza war as ceasefire talks stall.

Op-ed: Israel censoring and killing JOURNALISTS who exposed atrocities in Gaza.

Sources include:

RT.com

AlJazeera.com

France24.com

Brighteon.com
Toyota recalls nearly 70,000 Australian vehicles over faulty instrument panel display

Toyota Australia recalls nearly 70,000 vehicles (manufactured between July 2022 and April 2025) due to a software defect causing the digital instrument panel to malfunction, potentially hiding critical information like speed, fuel levels, and warnings.

Affected models include popular vehicles like the Camry, Corolla, RAV4 and Kluger with 12.3-inch displays, though not all units are impacted. Toyota traced the issue to improper programming overwriting display memory, leading to accelerated deterioration.

A blank dashboard increases accident risks in certain conditions, though vehicle operability remains unaffected. Owners are urged to check their VIN and schedule a free software update (12.5 hours) at dealerships.

The recall aligns with a surge in Australian vehicle recalls (141,000+ units in early 2025), dwarfed by past large-scale actions like Isuzu's 186,000-unit recall or Hyundais 113,525-vehicle notice.

Toyota emphasizes safety with a dedicated helpline and flexible repair options. Analysts highlight the growing challenge of balancing advanced software systems with safety, underscoring the need for preemptive defect management.

Toyota Australia has issued a safety recall affecting nearly 70,000 vehicles manufactured between July 2022 and April this year, citing a software defect that may cause the digital instrument panel to malfunction.

The flaw, found in models equipped with a 12.3-inch display, could leave drivers without critical dashboard indicators, including speed, fuel levels and warning lights, when starting the vehicle. While the issue does not impair operability, the automaker warns of increased accident risks in certain driving conditions and urges immediate repairs.

The recall targets several popular models, including the Camry, Corolla, RAV4 and Kluger, though not every unit falls within the affected production window. Toyota attributes the issue to improper programming in the instrument cluster, causing unnecessary data to overwrite the display's memory device repeatedly. Over time, this accelerates deterioration, potentially resulting in a blank screen upon ignition.

"If this occurs, the monitor will not be displayed at ignition on and will remain in this state," Toyota stated in its recall notice. "Driving without a speedometer and any warning may result in an increased risk of an accident in certain driving conditions."

Owners are encouraged to verify their vehicle identification number (VIN) against Toyota's published list and schedule a free software update, expected to take between one and 2.5 hours at an authorized dealership. (Related: Toyota to scrap all DEI and pro-LGBT policies following online backlash.)

Surge in Australian automotive recalls

The latest recall coincides with a broader uptick in vehicle recalls across Australia in 2025, surpassing 141,000 units in the first five months alone. April marked a peak with more than 50,000 recalls  nearly triple May's figures  prompting scrutiny over manufacturing and regulatory oversight standards.

Toyota's recall pales in comparison to past industry-wide actions, such as Isuzu Ute Australia's 2024 recall of 186,014 D-Max and MU-X models due to engine power loss risks. Similarly, Hyundai recalled 113,525 vehicles in a single notice, while BMW addressed Takata airbag defects in over 63,000 units. Last year alone, more than one million Australian vehicles were recalled across 197 notices spanning 42 brands.

Toyota Australia has established a dedicated Recall Campaign Helpline for concerned owners, reinforcing its commitment to safety and reliability. Acknowledging potential scheduling delays, dealers will accommodate mobile repairs or alternative arrangements where possible to minimize inconvenience.

"Ensuring customer safety and vehicle reliability remains a top priority," the automaker affirmed.

As software-dependent automotive systems grow more complex, industry analysts suggest manufacturers and regulators must adapt to preemptively address defects before they endanger drivers. Toyota's proactive recall underscores the delicate balance between advanced vehicle technology and unwavering safety standards. In an era where digital displays replace analog gauges, even a blank screen demands swift resolution.

For affected owners, the remedy is straightforward  yet another reminder that reliability hinges not just on mechanical engineering, but increasingly, on flawless code.

Find more stories like this at Glitch.news.

Watch the video below that talks about GPS trackers allegedly hidden in Toyota vehicles.

This video is from the DWP97048 channel on Brighteon.com.

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American manufacturing surges as Carrier pledges $1 billion investment, joining Apple and Toyota in reshoring wave.

Toyota warns that Biden's electric vehicle push will FAIL; U.S. charging infrastructure will COLLAPSE.

Sales of electric vehicles in Germany COLLAPSED in 2024, declining by 27%.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com

MSN.com

Brighteon.com
A simple solution for seniors: Walking faster fights frailty and preserves independence

Increasing walking pace by just 14 steps per minute can significantly improve mobility for older adults, helping them maintain independence and avoid frailty.

Seniors who walked briskly (100 steps/minute) saw a 65 percent improvement in mobility, compared to 39 percent in those walking leisurely (77 steps/minute). The approach is low-cost and requires no special equipment.

Affecting 15 percent of Americans over 65 (with 45 percent at risk), frailty leads to hospitalizations, nursing home admissions and strained healthcare systems.

Unlike unreliable heart rate monitors, step-based targets (e.g., 100 steps/minute) provide a simple, measurable way to gauge moderate-intensity exercise for seniors.

Retirement communities and families can easily implement this strategy using affordable devices like pedometers, offering a practical way to combat frailty as the aging population grows.

For millions of older Americans on the brink of frailty, a small change in walking speed  just 14 extra steps per minute  could mean the difference between staying independent or losing the ability to live on their own. A groundbreaking study from the University of Chicago reveals that seniors who pushed their pace during regular walks saw dramatic improvements in physical function, offering a practical, low-cost solution to a growing national crisis.

The research, published in PLOS One, followed 102 seniors in Chicago-area retirement communities over four months. Those who walked "as fast as safely possible" were 65 percent more likely to see meaningful gains in mobility compared to just 39 percent of those who strolled at a leisurely pace. The findings provide a clear, measurable prescription for combating frailty  one that doesn't require expensive equipment, gym memberships or medical interventions. (Related: The faster you walk, the longer you'll live: Researchers find link between longevity and brisk walking pace.)

The silent epidemic of frailty

Frailty isn't just about aging  it's a medical condition marked by exhaustion, muscle loss, slow movement and frequent falls. Roughly 15 percent of Americans over 65 are frail, and another 45 percent are at risk. Left unchecked, frailty leads to hospitalizations, nursing home admissions and a loss of independence that devastates families and strains healthcare systems.

For decades, doctors have urged seniors to stay active, but vague advice like "take a walk" hasn't been enough. This study changes that by pinpointing an exact target: increasing walking speed by 14 steps per minute. For someone averaging 80 steps per minute, that means hitting 94  a brisk but manageable pace that can be tracked with a basic pedometer or smartphone.

Why counting steps beats heart rate monitors

Traditional exercise metrics often fail older adults. Heart rate monitors become unreliable for seniors on blood pressure medications, and subjective measures like the "talk test" (walking fast enough to make singing difficult but talking possible) are inconsistent.

Step counting, however, is simple, objective and accessible. Previous research shows that 100 steps per minute equals moderate-intensity exercise  a key threshold for health benefits. The Chicago study used thigh-worn accelerometers to confirm that seniors who hit this target saw real-world improvements, like walking farther in a six-minute test  a strong predictor of independence.

The experiment: Fast vs. comfortable walkers

The study divided participants  averaging 79 years old  into two groups. Both walked three times a week for 45 minutes, but one group was told to keep a comfortable pace while the other was encouraged to push their speed safely.

The results were striking: The faster group averaged 100 steps per minute, while the relaxed group stayed at 77. More importantly, those who increased their pace by at least 14 steps were far more likely to improve mobility. The speed boost itself  not just the encouragement  was what mattered.

A blueprint for retirement communities and families

The implications are immediate. Assisted living facilities, senior centers and families can adopt this approach with minimal resources. Instead of generic gentle exercise classes, programs can set personalized step goals and track progress with affordable devices.

Dr. Daniel Rubin, the study's lead author, emphasized practicality. "People who haven't experienced frailty can't imagine how big a difference it makes to be able to not get tired going to the grocery store or not need to sit down while they're out."

A national solution for an aging population

America's 65+ population will double by 2060, making frailty prevention urgent. Medicare spends billions annually on fall-related injuries alone. This research offers a rare bright spot: a free, scalable intervention that empowers seniors to take control of their health.

For older adults, the message is clear: Walk a little faster. Those extra steps could keep you out of a nursing home and in the life you love.

Watch this video about the benefits of walking for all ages.

This video is from the andreash channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

More tech for the elderly: New "smart" cane analyzes your walking gait to reduce risk of falling.

No walking dead here! Walking benefits the brain and prevents cognitive decline.

The amazing power of walking.

These boots were made for walking: Increase your walking time to enjoy multiple long-term health benefits.

Walking can improve memory and reverse muscle loss.

Sources include:

Studyfinds.org

News-medical.net

Uchicagomedicine.org

Brighteon.com
AstraZenecas $50B U.S. expansion signals shift in pharma manufacturing amid tariff threat

AstraZeneca is investing $50 billion in U.S. operations by 2030, including its largest-ever manufacturing plant in Virginia specializing in respiratory, cardiovascular and metabolic treatments using AI and advanced techniques.

The project will create hundreds of high-skilled jobs and strengthen U.S. pharmaceutical supply chains, aligning with policymakers' focus on reshoring production.

The move coincides with Trump administration policies, including potential 200 percent tariffs on imported drugs, urging companies to relocate production to the U.S. to avoid penalties.

AstraZeneca's CEO emphasizes the U.S. market (42 percent of revenue) as key to growth, while Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin touts the deal  negotiated in 33 days  as a model for rapid economic development.

Other pharma giants (e.g., Roche, Eli Lilly) are also investing billions domestically, but critics warn tariffs risk generic drug shortages. The White House counters that domestic production is critical for national security.

The Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies, is investing $50 billion in U.S. operations by 2030  including the construction of its largest-ever manufacturing facility in Virginia.

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced AstraZeneca's planned factory Monday, July 21. The facility yet to be sited will specialize in producing respiratory, cardiovascular, and metabolic treatments using artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing techniques. It will become the anchor of AstraZeneca's U.S. expansion, creating hundreds of high-skilled jobs while bolstering domestic supply chains  an increasingly urgent priority for policymakers.

The announcement reflects a broader industry trend toward reshoring drug production. It comes as the second Trump administration pushes aggressive trade policies, including potential tariffs as high as 200 percent on imported medicines.

President Donald Trump, who referenced the investment in Oval Office remarks Tuesday, framed the companys commitment as a response to trade policy and the broader administration agenda. The chief executive said the drug company will spend its investment "to build various places all over the country, big manufacturing plants, pharmaceutical plants."

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick likewise praised AstraZeneca's move, echoing the administration's push to reduce reliance on foreign-made pharmaceuticals. "This historic investment is bringing tens of thousands of jobs to the U.S. and will ensure medicine sold in our country is produced right here," he said in a statement.

AstraZeneca's U.S. bet

AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot emphasized that the U.S. market  which already accounts for 42 percent of the company's $54 billion in annual revenue  remains central to its long-term growth strategy. Youngkin hailed the Virginia deal, which according to him was negotiated in just 33 days, as a model of rapid economic development.

The move comes amid escalating trade tensions. In May, Trump proposed steep tariffs on imported drugs. He warned companies they would have roughly "a year and a half" to relocate production before facing penalties.

Already, multiple pharmaceutical giants  including Roche, Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson  have unveiled multibillion-dollar U.S. investment plans this year. Some industry analysts view these commitments as preemptive measures to avoid future trade restrictions, though AstraZeneca insists its decision aligns with both financial and strategic goals.

Critics warn that tariffs could disrupt supply chains, particularly for generic drugs. The Association for Accessible Medicines, representing lower-cost manufacturers, cautioned in April that such policies risk exacerbating shortages, urging coordination between industry and policymakers.

Still, the White House maintains that expanding domestic manufacturing is vital for national security. An executive order signed by Trump on May 5 directs federal agencies to accelerate permitting for U.S.-based pharmaceutical plants, streamline Food and Drug Administration reviews and impose higher fees on foreign facilities. (Related: Trump executive order targeting Big Pharma aims to slash drug prices by up to 80%.)

For AstraZeneca, the Virginia project is just one component of a sprawling U.S. expansion. The company also plans upgrades to research hubs in Maryland and Massachusetts, gene therapy facilities in California and Indiana and clinical trial supply centers  indicating a long-term bet on American biopharmaceutical innovation.

Head over to BigPharmaNews.com for more similar stories.

Watch AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soirot expressing agreement with President Trump's order cutting drug prices in this clip.

This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Switzerland REJECTS AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, citing lack of sufficient data to prove effectiveness.

AstraZeneca COVID injection pulled from market worldwide after admission of link to mysterious clots.

Australia to SHUT DOWN domestic manufacturing of deadly AstraZeneca vaccine.

Sources include:

JustTheNews.com

FiercePharma.com

TheEpochTimes.com

Brighteon.com
Daniel Kristos on the Health Ranger Report: Zionism, the red heifer and the global power struggle

: This article is based on a "Health Ranger Report" interview posted April 12, 2024 on Brighteon.com.)

Mike Adams and Daniel Kristos explored the controversial red heifer sacrifice in Israel, a ritual steeped in ancient Jewish tradition. It is seen by some as a precursor to the return of Jesus Christ and involves the cleansing of the Temple Mount, potentially leading to the construction of the Third Temple.

The discussion delved into the historical and ideological connections between Zionism, occultism and satanism. Kristos suggested that modern Christian Zionism is a co-opted form of Protestantism, influenced by Sabbatean Frankism, and is being used to manipulate Christians into supporting a geopolitical agenda that may not align with their values.

Adams and Kristos discussed the media's influence in shaping public perception and the potential for misinformation to exacerbate tensions. They highlighted the symbolic use of numbers and dates and the strategic timing of events, such as the Hamas attack on Israel, which may have been orchestrated to garner support for aggressive policies.

Kristos expressed concern that the actions of Israel, backed by powerful international forces, could lead to a wider conflict and the creation of a "Greater Israel," potentially displacing millions. The potential for a false flag operation to escalate tensions and draw America into a wider conflict was also discussed.

The interview took a darker turn as it explored the potential of AI and robotics to revolutionize warfare and labor. Kristos warned that humanoid combat robots could lead to a devaluation of human life, while Adams emphasized the importance of decentralized technologies like cryptocurrency to empower individuals and circumvent centralized control.

Daniel Kristos, a renowned expert in uncovering hidden truths, joined Mike Adams on the "Health Ranger Report" for a riveting discussion. The exchange delved into the controversial topic of the red heifer sacrifice in Israel, exploring its historical roots, its potential geopolitical ramifications and the shadowy forces that may be orchestrating events on a global scale.

The red heifer sacrifice, steeped in ancient Jewish tradition, is believed by some Christian Zionists to be a prerequisite for the return of Jesus Christ. However, as Kristos elucidated, the ritual's significance extends far beyond religious symbolism.

The creator of the "Ba'al Busters" podcast and video channels explained that the ashes of the sacrificed heifer are intended to cleanse the Temple Mount, paving the way for the construction of the Third Temple. This prospect, Kristos warned, is a potential tinderbox for regional and global conflict  as the Temple Mount is currently home to the Al-Aqsa Mosque. (Related: Israels planned slaughter of genetically engineered red heifers will herald Temple rebuilding, unveiling of Antichrist (Jewish messiah).)

Kristos highlighted the provocative nature of such an act, emphasizing that the destruction of a revered Islamic site would likely incite widespread outrage and retaliation. "The destruction of something on someone else's grounds, that's an act of war. And it's also an insult to the very core of that other religion," he told Adams.

The conversation took a deeper dive into the historical and ideological underpinnings of Zionism and its intersection with occultism and satanism. Kristos revealed the unsettling connections between figures like Jacob Frank, a 18th-century Jewish mystic whose followers infiltrated and manipulated various religious and political movements, and the modern-day manifestations of these ideologies. He argued that the Christian Zionism prevalent in America today is a co-opted form of Protestantism, influenced by Sabbatean Frankism.

This ideology, Kristos suggested, is being used as a tool to manipulate Christians into supporting a geopolitical agenda that may not align with their professed values. The narrative of a divine mandate to reclaim the Temple Mount, he posited, is a carefully crafted strategy to justify actions that could lead to catastrophic consequences.

The role of the media and the weaponization of information

Adams and Kristos discussed the role of the media in shaping public perception and the potential for misinformation to exacerbate tensions. Kristos pointed out the symbolic significance of certain numbers and dates, suggesting that they are being used to convey hidden messages and further a predetermined agenda.

The author and researcher also highlighted the strategic timing of events, such as the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Kristos believes may have been orchestrated to galvanize support for aggressive policies.

The conversation then shifted to the broader geopolitical landscape, with Kristos expressing concern that the actions of Israel, backed by powerful international forces, could ignite a wider conflict. He speculated that the ultimate goal might be the creation of a "Greater Israel," a scenario that would necessitate the displacement and subjugation of millions of people.

The decline of the West and the rise of new powers

The discussion also touched on the shifting balance of global power, with Adams noting the waning influence of Western nations and the rise of new powers like China and Russia. Kristos suggested that the push for a centralized digital currency and the increasing control over information and communication channels are part of a larger strategy to maintain control in a changing world.

The small business owner and Coast Guard veteran expressed concern about the potential for a false flag operation to escalate tensions and draw America into a wider conflict. The discovery of explosives in New York City, he speculated, could be a precursor to such an event, designed to justify increased surveillance and control.

Adams and Kristos also discussed the potential for AI and robotics to revolutionize warfare and labor. Kristos warned that the development of humanoid combat robots could lead to a future where human life is devalued and expendable. He expressed fear that the global elite, viewing the majority of humanity as "useless eaters," might use AI and other technologies to orchestrate a mass depopulation event.

The interview served as a stark reminder of the complex and often sinister forces at play in the world today. Kristos and Adams urged viewers to remain vigilant, question mainstream narratives and stand firm in their principles. They emphasized the importance of protecting human life and dignity  regardless of race, religion or nationality  and called for a renewed commitment to truth and justice in the face of overwhelming odds.

Watch the full interview between Daniel Kristos and the Health Ranger Mike Adams below.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

"Priestcraft: Beyond Babylon" by Daniel Kristos explores the major influence of GLOBALISTS throughout history.

Steven and Jana Ben-Nun: Zionists control world politics behind the scenes.

Jewish activists want to practice ritual animal sacrifice at the Temple Mount, one of the holiest sites of Islam.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

Amazon.com
Iran will not end its nuclear program and WWIII has only accelerated, despite the governments insistence that everyone is crazy for suggesting so

In a bold challenge to the United States and Israel, Irans newly elected president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has declared that his country will never abandon its nuclear ambitions , despite escalating threats of military action from Western powers. In an incendiary interview with Al Jazeera, Pezeshkian confirmed that Iran remains prepared for war and will continue enriching uraniumeven as Washington warns of dire consequences.

With tensions at a boiling point, the world is left questioning: Who decides which nations can possess nuclear weapons? And have the aggressive actions of the U.S. and Israel fueled a dangerous arms race, pushing countries like Iran toward seeking atomic capabilities as a deterrent?

This explosive standoff isnt just about nukesits about sovereignty, power struggles, and the failure of diplomatic institutions to prevent conflict. As Iran digs in its heels, the U.S. and Israel push harder, setting the stage for a confrontation that could spiral ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.

Key points:

Irans president has publicly defied U.S. demands to halt uranium enrichment, framing its nuclear program as peacefulbut Washington insists Tehran is lying.

Pezeshkian revealed that Iran is "fully prepared" for war with Israel, warning that any Israeli attack will be met with harsh retaliation deep inside Israeli territory.

The U.S. and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Irans nuclear sites in June, but Tehran downplays the damage, claiming its nuclear knowledge "lives in the minds of scientists."

Iran has banned IAEA inspectors, accusing the agency of leaking classified intelligence to Israel, further eroding trust in global nuclear oversight.

Former President Donald Trump has vowed to strike again if Iran rebuilds its nuclear programraising fears of a new Middle East conflict.

Irans defiance is sharpened

The latest war of words sharpens an already volatile geopolitical crisisone that began long before Trump's presidency. In 2015, the Obama administration brokered the highly controversial Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), which lifted sanctions in exchange for Tehran scaling back uranium enrichment. Critics, including Trump, denounced it as weak, arguing it gave Iran billions without dismantling its nuclear infrastructure.

When Trump withdrew from the deal in 2018, Iran gradually resumed enrichment, sparking tensions that culminated in U.S. and Israeli bombings of Iranian nuclear facilities this June.

Now, Pezeshkian is making it clear: No more concessions. "We reject nuclear weapons but we will not accept threats and dictates," he said. "Our nuclear capabilities are in the minds of our scientistsnot just the facilities."

This defiance highlights a critical hypocrisy in global nuclear policy: While the U.S. holds the largest nuclear arsenal, it denies other nations the same privilegeespecially those resisting Western influence.

Is more war inevitable?

Since the recent ceasefire, Iran has doubled down on military preparedness. Pezeshkian admitted skepticism that the truce will hold, telling Al Jazeera:

"We are not optimistic about it. Israel harmed us, and we struck back hardbut they are hiding their losses."

Meanwhile, Trump has threatened further strikes, framing Irans nuclear program as an "existential threat" requiring military actionnot diplomacy.

The problem? This cycle of aggression only incentivizes Iran to seek nukes as a deterrentjust as North Korea did.

Who gets to have nuclear weapons?

The U.S. and Israelboth nuclear-armed statesargue Iran cannot be trusted with atomic capabilities. Yet Washington has never enforced nuke bans on allies like Saudi Arabia or Pakistan.

This double standard begs the question: Are nuclear weapons about safetyor control?

With Iran declaring it wont back down, the risk of war grows daily. Unless diplomacy replaces force, the world may soon face another catastrophic conflictone that could drag in global powers and reshape the Middle East forever. Even though the U.S. government insists that you're crazy for mentioning the realities of World War III, recent actions by the government are only fueling the conditions for more aggression in the Middle East, and more need for America's adversaries to acquire nuclear weapons. World War III is accelerating, evidenced by Iran's defiance to rebuild its nuclear program and prepare for further war.

Sources include:

SHTFPlan.com

Aljazeera.com

Aljazeera.com

SHTFPlan.com
Medications and hearing: Unmasking the hidden risks of ototoxicity

Over 200 medications, including antibiotics and NSAIDs, are linked to ototoxicity, causing hearing loss or tinnitus.

Aspirin is a leading reversible contributor to hearing issues, with higher risks at moderate/high doses.

Cisplatin and aminoglycosides carry high risks for irreversible hearing loss, especially in cancer patients.

Ototoxicity occurs due to drug-induced damage to inner ear hair cells or disrupted fluid balance.

Patients should monitor medications and immediately report hearing changes to doctors.

New research revealing that common medications, including aspirin and over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen, may cause irreversible hearing loss and tinnitus has ignited urgent public health concern. This study highlights a previously underreported risk, emphasizing that even a modest 9-10% increase in hearing loss could drastically impact millions globally, given the widespread use of these drugs. While earlier investigations found similar risks in both men and women, current findings underscore a broader threat: over 200 drugsranging from everyday analgesics to potent chemotherapy agentsare now recognized as ototoxic, damaging delicate ear structures or neural pathways critical to hearing.

Vulnerable populations, including older adults, kidney disease patients and newborns exposed to antibiotics, face heightened risks, particularly with prolonged or high-dose use. Though reversible in some cases when medication is halted, experts warn of escalating dangers as ototoxic effects can manifest rapidly. These revelations have spurred calls for heightened patient awareness, transparent labeling of drug risks and careful consideration of benefits versus harm, especially as an estimated hundreds of causes of hearing loss, including pharmaceuticals, continue to challenge global health systems.

The hidden threat of ototoxic medications

Ototoxicity, a condition where drugs damage hearing or balance, has long lurked in medication side-effect long lists. A July 2025 study by researchers at Kingston University identified nearly 200 ototoxic substances, but awareness remains low. "These drugs save liveslike antibiotics for sepsisyet hearing loss can be an invisible consequence," says study co-author Dipa Kamdar.

The mechanisms vary. Some medications, like aminoglycoside antibiotics (e.g., gentamicin), damage cochlear hair cellsirreparable sensory cells essential for hearing. Others, such as loop diuretics (e.g., furosemide), disrupt inner-ear fluid balance, causing temporary hearing loss. Risk rises with genetic susceptibility, concurrent noise exposure, or combining multiple ototoxic drugs.

Antibiotics and cancer therapies: A tug-of-war between survival and hearing

Aminoglycosides, often life-saving for infections like meningitis or sepsis, pose the steepest hearing risks. "Gentamicin can be a death sentence for hearing," warns audiologist Dr. Emily Chen. In neonatal ICUs, high intravenous doses can lead to permanent damage, necessitating lifelong hearing aids. Similarly, chemotherapy drugs such as cisplatin spare lives but extract a steep toll: up to 60% of patients experience hearing loss, often irreversible.

Recent studies highlight compounded risks. A 2024 analysis found cisplatins toxicity intensifies when paired with radiation, and some patients report symptoms months after treatment ends. Pharmaceutical companies are experimenting with drug-delivery methods to minimize inner-ear permeability, but for now, dosing adjustments and genetic testing remain key safeguards.

Over-the-counter drugs: The aspirin-hearing link

While major causes like antibiotics grab headlines, everyday medicationsespecially pain relieverssurprise many. A landmark study in The American Journal of Medicine found moderate aspirin use (325 mg six times weekly) increased tinnitus risk by 16% in women under 60. NSAIDs like ibuprofen also carry risks, particularly in younger men, who face a higher likelihood of hearing loss with prolonged use.

Dr. Adrian Turner, an otolaryngologist, notes, "Aspirin is the leading cause of medication-related tinnitus. Reducing doses or switching to acetaminophen often reverses symptoms." Yet overreliance persists: 19 million U.S. adults regularly take NSAIDs for chronic pain, per CDC data, raising concerns about undiagnosed hearing impacts.

How history and research are shifting the conversation

Ototoxicity has been under the radar for decades. In the 20th century, aminoglycosides emerged as miracle antibiotics without acknowledgment of their hearing risks. By the 1990s, cisplatins side effects became notorious in oncology circles, but systemic awareness lagged.

Advocacy groups, including the Academy of Doctors of Audiology, are pushing for label warnings and pediatric hearing screenings after antibiotic use. "We once told patients to suffer through cisplatins side effects, says oncologist Dr. Raj Patel. Now we track audiograms during chemo to preempt damage." Regulatory shifts include FDA mandates for ototoxicity data in drug trials, curbing historical secrecy.

Bellwether implications: A call for vigilance

Experts emphasize that ototoxicity isnt always avoidableespecially in dire treatmentsbut informed choices matter. Patients should ask doctors for ototoxicity scores of prescribed drugs, monitor symptoms and pursue audiograms post-treatment.

As research expands, stakes grow. GLP-1 diabetes drugs like Ozempic face scrutiny for anecdotal hearing issues, while tinnitus apps like Tinnitrack aim to measure real-time effects. "Your hearing is non-renewable," says Kamdar. "Treat medications like a scalpelnot a harmless pilleven when they ease pain."

Preserving sound health

The spotlight on ototoxicity underscores a critical truth: modern medicines miracles come with trade-offs. As millions juggle chronic pain, infections and cancer, understanding their medications hidden costs could prevent preventable hearing loss. "This isnt about fear," says Dr. Turner. "Its about knowledgeyour ears are worth fighting for." Todays advancements offer hope, but vigilance demands equal parts science, transparency and patient empowerment.

Sources for this article include:

StudyFinds.org

HealthyHearing.com
Trump secures sweeping trade deals with Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines

President Donald Trump unveiled significant trade deals with Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines on July 22, aiming to boost American exports, create jobs and rebalance trade relationships ahead of the Aug.1 tariff deadline.

The agreement with Japan includes a $550 billion investment in the U.S., with 90 percent of profits expected to return to America, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs. Japan will open its market to U.S. exports like automobiles and agricultural products, while imposing a 15 percent tariff on U.S. imports.

The deal with Indonesia eliminates tariffs on 99 percent of U.S. exports, lowers import duties to zero and imposes a 19 percent reciprocal tariff on Indonesian exports. It also includes commitments for Indonesia to supply critical minerals, purchase U.S. products, implement labor reforms and include safeguards against Chinese transshipment.

The agreement with the Philippines allows for duty-free import of U.S. goods, while Philippine exports to the U.S. will face a 19 percent tariff. The Philippines will remove tariffs on American automobile imports and increase imports of U.S. soy products, wheat and pharmaceuticals.

These agreements are part of a broader strategy to overhaul U.S. trade policy, with plans to impose a baseline 10 percent tariff on small economies and negotiate with larger nations.

President Donald Trump announced landmark trade agreements with Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines on Tuesday, July 22. These deals, coming just days ahead of the administration's Aug. 1 tariff deadline, are designed to boost American exports, create jobs and rebalance trade relationships.

Trump took to Truth Social to announce what he called "perhaps the largest deal ever made" with Japan. The agreement is a multifaceted pact that includes Japan's commitment to invest $550 billion in the United States, with 90 percent of the profits expected to return to America. This investment is projected to create hundreds of thousands of jobs, according to Trump.

Under the terms of the deal, Japan will open its market to U.S. exports, including automobiles, rice and other agricultural products. In a reciprocal move, Japan will impose a 15 percent tariff on U.S. imports. This marks a significant shift in trade relations, as Japan has historically maintained protective measures on its agricultural sector.

Earlier on Tuesday, Trump also confirmed a "huge win" in the form of a trade agreement with Indonesia. The deal eliminates tariffs on 99 percent of U.S. exports to Indonesia, lowers import duties on U.S. goods to zero and imposes a 19 percent reciprocal tariff on Indonesian exports to the U.S., a reduction from the previously proposed 32 percent.

The agreement also includes Indonesia's commitment to supply critical minerals, purchase U.S. agricultural and energy products and implement labor reforms. Notably, the deal includes safeguards against Chinese transshipment, with high-content Chinese goods subject to a 40 percent tariff.

In a meeting at the White House, Trump and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. finalized a trade and military cooperation agreement, allowing the Philippines to import U.S. goods duty-free. Philippine exports to the U.S. will face a 19 percent tariff  slightly reduced from the 20 percent rate proposed earlier this month. Marcos described the tariff reduction as a "significant achievement," despite the seemingly small percentage point change.

The revised tariff rates position the Philippines as one of the most competitively positioned Southeast Asian economies trading with the U.S. Currently, the Philippines holds the second-lowest tariff rate in the region at 19 percent, with Singapore, which has a bilateral Free Trade Agreement with the U.S., maintaining the lowest at 10 percent.

In a joint press conference, Trump praised Marcos as a "very tough negotiator" and expressed optimism about the future of U.S.-Philippines relations.

Under the agreement, the Philippines will remove tariffs on American automobile imports and increase imports of U.S. soy products, wheat and pharmaceuticals.

Broader trade strategy and global implications

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick confirmed that the administration plans to impose a baseline 10 percent tariff on small economies in Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean, while larger nations must "open themselves up or pay a fair tariff to America." (Related: Trump escalates trade offensive with new tariff notices to seven nations.)

Negotiations with China are expected to extend beyond the current deadline. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the talks as "very constructive" and noted progress on issues like Russian and Iranian crude oil and China's manufacturing output. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed that Sweden will host the next round of U.S.China negotiations.

The trade agreements with Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines represent a significant shift in U.S. trade policy, reflecting Trump's commitment to renegotiate deals to benefit American workers and businesses. As these agreements take effect, their impact on global trade dynamics and the U.S. economy will be closely watched.

Watch the video below where Trump announces the great trade deal with Indonesia.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Trump announces steep tariffs on 14 countries, effective August 1.

Trump announces 30% tariffs on imports from Mexico and EU.

Trump warns BRICS over dollar challenge, threatens 10% TARIFF on member nations.

Sources include:

YourNews.com

TruthSocial.com

PCO.gov.ph

Brighteon.com
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Schizophrenia is a serious mental health condition that affects thoughts, moods, perceptions, and behaviors. Affected individuals experience positive symptoms like delusions and hallucinations, and negative symptoms like social withdrawal, cognitive deficits, disorganized thoughts and speech, and a decreased experience of pleasure. While schizophrenia is caused by a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, precise mechanisms remain elusive.

Animal models provide valuable insights into the neurobiological mechanisms that underpin schizophrenia. However, conventional behavioral assessments require human handling and capture sensory or motor responses to specific stimuli, which may not reflect spontaneous behaviors in a naturalistic setting.

To overcome this limitation, a team of researchers led by Assistant Professor Hisayoshi Kubota, along with Professor Taku Nagai, both from the Division of Behavioral Neuropharmacology, International Center for Brain Science, Fujita Health University, Japan, employed 'IntelliCage'-an automated cage monitoring system-to assess behavioral changes in a mouse model of schizophrenia. In this system, each mouse is labeled with a unique radio frequency identification (RFID) microchip that enables individual behavior and activity tracking. Their findings were published in Volume 26, Issue 11 of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences on May 28, 2025.

"By using IntelliCage, we established an ecologically valid platform for the comprehensive assessment of schizophrenia-like behaviors. Our work may help refine preclinical animal models of schizophrenia, enhance translational research in psychiatric disorders, and accelerate the identification of novel therapeutic targets," explains Dr. Kubota.

Impairment in glutamate-mediated neurotransmission has been implicated in schizophrenia. Further, blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors induces schizophrenia-like behaviors in humans. Mice treated with MK-801-an inhibitor of NMDA receptors-exhibit a range of schizophrenia-like behaviors, including hyperactivity, social deficits, and cognitive impairment. The researchers thus sought to examine the behavioral traits of mice repeatedly treated with MK-801 using the IntelliCage system that tracks their corner visits, nose pokes (reward-seeking behavior), and licks (water-seeking behavior).

They found that MK-801-treated mice visited the corners of the cage more frequently than control mice during the first three hours after treatment, suggesting a transient increase in hyperactivity and exploratory behavior in a new environment.

Next, the researchers evaluated emotional functions in the MK-801-treated mice by providing a sugar solution as a reward. Both MK-801-treated mice and controls licked the sugar-solution-containing bottle more frequently than the water bottle, suggesting an increased preference for the sugar solution. Thus, MK-801 treatment did not alter reward-seeking behaviors. On the other hand, on receiving water as a reward after prolonged hours of water deprivation, MK-801-treated mice visited corners containing water for significantly shorter durations than control mice. These findings suggest that while MK-801 treatment did not affect reward sensitivity, it suppressed competitive reward-seeking behavior in a grouped housing setting.

Shifting gears, the researchers examined how MK-801 treatment affects cognitive functions. The mice were deprived of water for seven consecutive days, during which they received water for three hours each day. During these three hours, they had to discriminate between diagonally positioned rewarded (with water) and non-rewarded corners. Both MK-801-treated mice and control mice showed comparable reward-seeking abilities and a similar decrease in discrimination errors. However, when the rewarded and non-rewarded corners were swapped, MK-801-treated mice took longer to adjust and exhibited delays in locating the reward. Although MK-801-treated mice were still able to seek the reward, their difficulty in adapting to the change suggested impaired cognitive flexibility, a hallmark of schizophrenia.

Overall, the IntelliCage system allows for long-term and non-invasive behavioral assessments in preclinical animal models of psychiatric diseases without the need for task/stimulus-based measurements and human interference. The experimental platform may be used in future studies to delineate molecular and circuit-level changes that induce schizophrenia-like behaviors.

Highlighting the long-term implications of their work, Dr. Kubota states, "IntelliCage may become a standard tool in preclinical studies, offering reproducible behavioral assessments that can enhance the screening and evaluation of novel antipsychotic drugs. Ultimately, this could contribute to the development of more effective treatments for schizophrenia, thereby improving patients' quality of life."
New AI-powered platform could help scientists and health officials catch the next COVID-19 variant before it spreads, offering the world a crucial head start in the fight against future pandemics.

Study: In silico genomic surveillance by CoVerage predicts and characterizes SARS-CoV-2 variants of interest. Image credit: peterschreiber.media/Shutterstock.com

Researchers at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research and the German Center for Infection Research developed a web-based platform to identify and characterize concerning variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) early in their development. The study is published in Nature Communications.

Background

SARS-CoV-2, the causative pathogen of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus with a high capacity of acquiring mutations during its evolution. These mutations can potentially increase the transmissibility, pathogenicity, or immune escape capacity of the virus, leading to emergence of more infectious or more harmful variants, designated as Variants of Concern (VOC) or Variants of Interest (VOI) by the World Health Organization (WHO).

A high immune escape capacity allows SARS-CoV-2 to evade anti-viral immunity developed through previous infection or vaccination. This highlights the need to frequently upgrade COVID-19 vaccines to maintain their effectiveness against circulating variants.

Large-scale viral genomic surveillance programs have been implemented in several countries worldwide to continuously monitor SARS-CoV-2 evolution and adaptation and timely identification of new VOCs. This has led to the generation of a vast amount of viral genome sequencing data in the GISAID database. Although the GISAID database has immensely helped researchers and public health officials characterize viral evolution, methods remain needed to continuously interpret these sequences and promptly ensure the continued efficacy of vaccines.

In the current study, researchers developed an online analysis method, the CoVerage system, for the genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2.

The CoVerage system

The CoVerage system analyzes SARS-CoV-2 genomic sequence data from the GISAID database, which contains more than 16.5 million sequences. The system continuously predicts and characterizes emerging potential VOIs by country of origin for strain dynamics and antigenic changes.

The system includes a suite of statistical and bioinformatic methods, including Fishers exact test and correction for multiple comparisons, that compares the mutations occurring in the spike protein on the surface of different viral strains in a given month. Viral strains with significantly higher mutations than the average are predicted to have higher transmissibility or immune escape capacity. They are subsequently displayed on the CoVerage platform in special graphics called "heatmaps" so that users can see when and where significant changes in the virus are occurring.

System validation

The researchers tested the reliability of the CoVerage system by analyzing genome sequence data of known VOCs, including the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. They observed that the system can identify these sequences as VOCs on average 79 days before the WHO designation.

The system utilized a method that scores amino acid changes based on a viral immune escape capacity to identify SARS-CoV-2 variants with antigenic alterations. These antigenic alteration scores are calculated using a matrix that weighs mutations across the entire spike protein, not just at previously known antigenic sites. They are benchmarked against experimental neutralization data for validation.

In the heatmaps, these antigenic alteration scores increased in a clear order, firstly displaying variants that are only being monitored, followed by VOIs, and finally, most strongly, the VOCs, which are considered particularly harmful.

Study significance

The study describes the development and validation of a genomic surveillance platform, CoVerage, that continuously monitors incorporated SARS-CoV-2 genome sequence data to identify and characterize potential VOIs from circulating viral strains in a timely manner. It also suggests their degree of antigenic alterations and alleles of spike protein with specific amino acid changes that may provide a selective advantage.

The CoVerage system includes three novel methods: one method detects potential VOIs with higher transmissibility; a second method analyzes the dynamics of amino acid changes throughout the major surface spike proteins to pinpoint those that may confer a selective advantage; and a third method that scores the degree of antigenic alteration of each variant using a unidirectional immune escape matrix.

The systemic assessment of CoVerage indicates that the system can identify 88% of the VOIs and VOCs designated by the WHO, with a precision of 79% and recall of 72%, more than two months before their official WHO designation. No VOCs were missing, and most of the missed lineages were lower public health relevance (Variants Under Monitoring).

The predictions made by CoVerage depend on the extent and quality of ongoing viral genomic surveillance programs for individual countries. The analysis is done country-wise and may also be affected by population genetic effects when case numbers are low. Any reduction in genomic surveillance can thus affect its predictive capacity.

Several other web-based platforms, including NextStrain, CoVariants, CovidCG, EVEscape, and SpikePro, monitor SARS-CoV-2 variants and characterize their mutagenic frequencies. However, none of these platforms continuously score all circulating variants for potential advantage and antigenic change in real time. They also dont provide benchmarking against experimental antigenicity data as CoVerage does.

Furthermore, the CoVerage system combines GISAID data with links to alternative web-based resources. It offers reproducible, open-access analytics for additional information on selected variants, providing a comprehensive resource for viral genomic surveillance.

Download your PDF copy now!
A study just published on Eurosurveillance has found evidence of substantial lifetime exposure to hepatitis B and C viruses in Ukraine in a 2021 nationwide, representative sample of the population, with findings also suggesting significant ongoing circulation of these viruses.

Ahead of World Hepatitis Day 2025, viral hepatitis remains a major global health concern, and is one of the priority infectious diseases under the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 3. The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Hepatitis report 2024 estimated an overall hepatitis B virus (HBV) prevalence of 1.2% for the WHO European Region and identified Ukraine as one of six focus countries in the region for its viral hepatitis response.

Diagnostic tests to detect Hepatitis C virus (HCV) core antigen (HCcAg) in the study were interrupted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. With the war still ongoing and the disruption in public health infrastructure and surveillance, it is difficult to estimate its inevitably negative effect on global efforts to reach the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat by 2030. This was the first population-based serological study in Ukraine to assess HBV and HCV prevalence among the general adult population, despite the pressing need for such data.

Men and older adults more likely to test positive for hepatitis B and C

Researchers from the Public Health Centre of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine and the medical laboratory DILA used blood samples collected in mid-2021 through a nationwide and representative cross-sectional, household-based SARS-CoV-2 serosurvey. The samples from the adult population were tested for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibodies, total antibodies against hepatitis B virus (HBV) core antigen (HBc), hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis D virus (HDV) antibodies. Researchers then calculated crude and weighted proportions for anti-HCV, anti-HBc and HBsAg positivity, adjusting the data to ensure it reflected actual Ukrainian demographics. Weighted regional estimates and proportions positive for anti-HDV were also calculated among HBsAg-positive cases.

The study found a 3.3% prevalence of hepatitis C antibodies and 11.6% of hepatitis B antibodies, which indicate current or past infection for these viral infections. A prevalence of 0.9% was found for HBsAg, which indicates a current, mainly chronic HBV infection. Among those with HBsAg, 7.5% were anti-HDV positive.

Odds of having anti-HBc increased with age and was highest among those over 60. The prevalence of anti-HCV, anti-HBV and HBsAg was found to be higher in southern regions of Ukraine. Anti-HCV markers were more prevalent among men, in urban areas, and in the eastern and southern regions.

Significant challenges in Ukraine to achieve viral hepatitis elimination targets

These findings emphasise the need of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination among infants and risk groups as well as regular HBV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) screening, treatment, and awareness raising to decrease transmission.

Ukraine joined the WHO's Global Strategy for the Elimination of HBV and HCV in 2019 [4], and has since expanded HBV screenings in primary care, ensured public funding for diagnosis and treatment, and decentralized care by involving family and non-infectious disease doctors. It has also improved access to HBV services.

Ukraine introduced HBV vaccination in the national childhood immunisation schedule in 2002, achieving vaccination coverage of 88% in 2024. However, the vaccination rate remains below the WHO target of 90% and national surveillance is not fully established. Ukraine's strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis includes reducing new cases and associated deaths, which requires effective surveillance.

The war on Ukraine has resulted in large-scale internal displacement as well as refugee migration to neighboring countries, disrupted treatment for Ukrainians in the occupied territories, and hampered healthcare infrastructure, adding to existing challenges in addressing viral hepatitis.

Source: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) Journal reference: Kasatkina Ludmila, Fedorchenko Vladyslav, Sidorova Iryna, Gomenyuk Lidia, Yakovets Oleksandra, Brandl Michael, Ivanchuk Iryna, Dudareva Sandra, Nesterova Olena. National representative seroprevalence of viral hepatitis B, C, and D seromarkers in Ukraine, 2021. Euro Surveill. 2025;30(29):pii=2500015. https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.29.2500015, https://www.eurosurveillance.org/content/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.29.2500015
Dreams, and likely nightmares, are experienced universally across humans and animals, but neuroscientists still do not know why. Now, with a three-year, $1.2 million grant from the W.M. Keck Foundation, an interdisciplinary team of researchers at Penn State will study the underlying mechanisms of nightmares and their relationship with anxiety-related mental health disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The team aiming to expand the scientific understanding of nightmares includes principal investigator Patrick Drew, professor of engineering science and mechanics at Penn State; and co-principal investigators Nikki Crowley, associate professor of biology and of biomedical engineering, Huck Early Career Chair in Neurobiology and Neural Engineering and director of the Penn State Neuroscience Institute at University Park; and Nanyin Zhang, the Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Chair in Brain Imaging and professor of biomedical engineering, of electrical engineering and of engineering science and mechanics.

"To me, the exciting thing about this research is that we now have a way to gain insight into the purpose of dreams," said Drew, who also has affiliations with the biomedical engineering, neurosurgery and biology departments at Penn State. "The question of why we dream has puzzled mankind for millennia, and by looking at what changes in neural circuits and behaviors nightmares cause, we hope to be able to figure out the biological purpose of dreaming."

To investigate the neural mechanics of nightmares, the researchers will rely on the side effects of the drug mefloquine, which was once used by American soldiers as a disease preventative during deployments to Somalia, Afghanistan and Iraq. Though effective in preventing malaria, the drug is no longer prescribed due its serious neurological side effects, including inducing nightmares. The researchers will test mice treated with the drug for two weeks while monitoring them for unusual behaviors.

"In the past, it has been hard to study dreams, because it is hard to determine what is a regular dream state and what is a nightmare," Zhang said.

Led by Drew, researchers will use novel imaging techniques to map the mice's facial expressions and pupil sizes to know which sleep stage they are in. The team will also use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), led by Zhang, and calcium signal recording, led by Drew, to record the specific neuron type that might be underlying the dream or nightmare.

Through the various imaging methods and behavioral observations, researchers will record what is happening within the animals' brains at each sleep stage, including rapid eye movement and non-rapid eye movement stages. The researchers, led by Crowley, will also monitor the neurotransmitters and neuromodulators in two regions of the brain, the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, to understand how these systems are disrupted during nightmares. Through these observations, the researchers said they hope to determine if there is an indication of nightmares having a relationship with mental health disorders, like PTSD.

"Most people believe that nightmares are a consequence of having PTSD, but there is also the possibility that nightmares could exacerbate symptoms or even cause the presence of mental disorders," Zhang explained.

Using the mice as a model, the researchers said they plan to develop a framework to predict the onset of mental health disorders, such as anxiety, due to the presence or absence of nightmares. If successful, their model could lead to sleep intervention-based treatments for people suffering with these conditions, according to the researchers.

Penn State is distinctively suited to carry out this research, both in the capabilities of our team and in possessing the resources and intellectual space for a high-risk question like this one. Our post-docs and grad students, in particular, have an opportunity to contribute to a fascinating philosophical and biological research question that very few scientists will ever get to work on in their entire career." Nikki Crowley, associate professor of biology and of biomedical engineering, Penn State

The W. M. Keck Foundation was established in 1954 by oil company founder William Myron Keck. As a philanthropic institution, the foundation supports discoveries in science, engineering and medical research that are distinctive or novel in their approach or promise to develop new technologies, instrumentation or methods. This award is the first W. M. Keck Foundation grant directed to Penn State in almost 25 years.
Cassandra Palmier had been meaning to get her son the second and final dose of the measles vaccine. But car problems made it difficult to get to the doctor.

So she pounced on the opportunity to get him vaccinated after learning that a mobile clinic would be visiting her neighborhood.

"I was definitely concerned about the epidemic and the measles," Palmier, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, said at the June event. "I wanted to do my part."

So did her son, Makaito Cuny.

"I'm not going to be scared," the 5-year-old announced as he walked onto the bus containing the clinic and hopped into an exam chair.

Makaito sat still as a nurse gave him the shot in his arm. "I did it!" he said while smiling at his mother.

The vaccine clinic was hosted by the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board, which serves tribes across Iowa, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. It's one way Native American tribes and organizations are responding to concerns about low measles vaccination rates and patients' difficulty accessing health care as the disease spreads across the country.

Meghan O'Connell, the board's chief public health officer, said it is also working with tribes that want to host vaccine clinics.

Elsewhere, tribal health organizations have launched social media campaigns, are making sure health providers are vaccinated, and are reaching out to the parents of unvaccinated children.

This spring, Project ECHO at the University of New Mexico hosted an online video series about measles aimed at health care professionals and organizations that serve Native American communities. The presenters outlined the basics of measles diagnosis and treatment, discussed culturally relevant communication strategies, and shared how tribes are responding to the outbreak.

Participants also strategized about ways to improve vaccination rates, said Harry Brown, a physician and an epidemiologist for the United South and Eastern Tribes, a nonprofit that works with 33 tribes in the Atlantic Coast and Southeast regions.

"It's a pretty hot topic right now in Indian Country and I think a lot of people are being proactive," he said.

Measles can survive for up to two hours in the air in a space where an infected person has been, sickening up to 90% of people who aren't vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The U.S. has had 1,319 confirmed cases of measles this year as of July 23, according to the CDC. It's the largest outbreak in the U.S. since 1992. Ninety-two percent of the 2025 cases involve unvaccinated patients or people with an unknown vaccination status. Three people had died in the U.S. and 165 had been hospitalized as of July 23.

O'Connell said data on Native Americans' vaccination rates is imperfect but that it suggests a lower percentage of them have received measles shots than the overall U.S. population.

The limited national data on measles vaccination rates for Native Americans is based on small surveys of people who self-identify as Native American. Some show that Native Americans have slightly lower measles vaccination rates, while others show significant gaps.

Data from some states, including South Dakota and Montana, shows that Native Americans are less likely than white children to be vaccinated on schedule.

The national measles vaccination rate is significantly lower for Native Americans who use the mostly rural Indian Health Service. About 76% of children 16 to 27 months old had gotten the first shot, according to data collected by the agency during recent patient visits at 156 clinics. That's a 10-percentage-point drop from 10 years ago.

But the IHS data shows that its patients are at least as likely as other children to have received both recommended measles shots by the time they're 17. O'Connell said it's unclear if currently unvaccinated patients will continue the trend of eventually getting up to date on their shots or if they will remain unvaccinated.

The immunization rate is probably higher for older children since schools require students to get vaccinated unless they have an exemption, Brown said. He said it's important that parents get their children vaccinated on time, when they're young and more at risk of being hospitalized or dying from the disease.

Native Americans may have lower vaccination rates due to the challenges they face in accessing shots and other health care, O'Connell said. Those on rural reservations may be an hour or more from a clinic. Or, like Palmier, they may not have reliable transportation.

Another reason, O'Connell said, is that some Native Americans distrust the Indian Health Service, which is chronically underfunded and understaffed. If the only nearby health care facility is run by the agency, patients may delay or skip care.

O'Connell and Brown said vaccine skepticism and mistrust of the entire health care system are growing in Native American communities, as has occurred elsewhere nationwide.

"Prior to social media, I think our population was pretty trustful of childhood vaccination. And American Indians have a long history of being severely impacted by infectious disease," he said.

European colonizers' arrival in the late 1400s brought new diseases, including measles, that killed tens of millions of Indigenous people in North and South America by the early 1600s. Native Americans have also had high mortality rates in modern pandemics, including the 1918-20 Spanish flu and covid-19.

The Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board reacted quickly when measles cases began showing up near its headquarters in South Dakota this year. Nebraska health officials announced in late May that a child had measles in a rural part of the state, close to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Then, four people from the Rapid City area got sick later that month and into the middle of June.

"Our phones really rang off the hook" once that news came out, said Darren Crowe, a vice president at the board's Oyate Health Center in Rapid City. He said parents wanted to know if their children were up to date on their measles vaccines.

Crowe said the health board ordered extra masks, created a measles command team that meets daily, and called parents when its online database showed their children needed a shot.

Brown praised that approach.

"It takes a concerted outreach effort that goes individual to individual," he said, adding that his organization helped the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas with similar efforts.

Brown said reaching specific families can be a challenge in some low-income Native American communities, where many people's phone numbers frequently change since they use temporary prepaid plans.

Once a health worker reaches a parent, Brown said, they should listen and ask questions before sharing the importance of the vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella.

"Rather than trying to preach to somebody and beat them over the head with data or whatever to convince them that this is what they need to do, you start out by finding out where they are," he said. "So, 'Tell me about your experience with vaccination. Tell me what you know about vaccination.'"

Most people agree to immunize their children when presented with helpful information in a nonjudgmental way, Brown said.
5 children starved to death at Gaza hospital and emaciated kids are pouring in

Last Updated: July 25, 2025, 03:30 IST

Representational image (Image: News18)

Deir al-Balah (Gaza Strip), Jul 24 (AP) Five starving children at a Gaza City hospital were wasting away, and nothing the doctors tried was working. The basic treatments for malnourishment that could save them had run out under Israels blockade. The alternatives were ineffective. One after another, the babies and toddlers died over four days.

In greater numbers than ever, children hollowed up by hunger are overwhelming the Patients Friends Hospital, the main emergency center for malnourished kids in northern Gaza.

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The deaths last weekend also marked a change: the first seen by the center in children who had no preexisting conditions. Symptoms are getting worse, with children too weak to cry or move, said Dr. Rana Soboh, a nutritionist. In past months, most improved, despite supply shortages, but now patients stay longer and dont get better, she said.

There are no words in the face of the disaster we are in. Kids are dying before the world  There is no uglier and more horrible phase than this," said Soboh, who works with the U.S.-based aid organization Medglobal, which supports the hospital.

This month, the hunger that has been building among Gazas more than 2 million Palestinians passed a tipping point into accelerating death, aid workers and health staff say. Not only children  usually the most vulnerable  are falling victim under Israels blockade since March, but also adults.

In the past three weeks, at least 48 people died of causes related to malnutrition, including 28 adults and 20 children, the Gaza Health Ministry said Thursday. Thats up from 10 children who died in the five previous months of 2025, according to the ministry.

The U.N reports similar numbers. The World Health Organization said Wednesday it has documented 21 children under 5 who died of causes related to malnutrition in 2025. The U.N. humanitarian office, OCHA, said Thursday at least 13 childrens deaths were reported in July, with the number growing daily.

Humans are well developed to live with caloric deficits, but only so far," said Dr John Kahler, Medglobals co-founder and a pediatrician who volunteered twice in Gaza during the war. It appears that we have crossed the line where a segment of the population has reached their limits." This is the beginning of a population death spiral," he said.

The U.N.s World Food Program says nearly 100,000 women and children urgently need treatment for malnutrition. Medical workers say they have run out of many key treatments and medicines.

Israel, which began letting in only a trickle of supplies the past two months, has blamed Hamas for disrupting food distribution. The U.N. counters that Israel, which has restricted aid since the war began, simply has to allow it to enter freely.

Hundreds of malnourished kids brought daily The Patients Friends Hospital overflows with parents bringing in scrawny children  200 to 300 cases a day, said Soboh.

On Wednesday, staff laid toddlers on a desk to measure the circumference of their upper arms  the quickest way to determine malnutrition. In the summer heat, mothers huddled around specialists, asking for supplements. Babies with emaciated limbs screamed in agony. Others lay totally silent.

The worst cases are kept for up to two weeks at the centers 10-bed ward, which this month has had up to 19 children at a time. It usually treats only children under 5, but began taking some as old as 11 or 12 because of worsening starvation among older children.

Hunger gnaws at staff as well. Soboh said two nurses put themselves on IV drips to keep themselves going. We are exhausted. We are dead in the shape of the living," she said.

The five children died in succession last Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Four of them, aged 4 months to 2 years, had suffered gastric arrest: Their stomachs shut down. The hospital no longer had the right nutrition supplies for them.

The fifth  4 1/2-year-old Siwar  had alarmingly low potassium levels, a growing problem. She was so weak she could barely move her body. Medicine for potassium deficiency has largely run out across Gaza, Soboh said. The center had only a low-concentration potassium drip.

The little girl didnt respond. After three days in the ICU, she died Saturday.

If we dont have potassium (supplies), we will see more deaths," she said.

A 2-year-old is wasting away In the Shati Refugee Camp in Gaza city, 2-year-old Yazan Abu Fuls mother, Naima, pulled off his clothes to show his emaciated body. His vertebrae, ribs and shoulder-blades jutted out. His buttocks were shriveled. His face was expressionless.

His father Mahmoud, who was also skinny, said they took him to the hospital several times. Doctors just say they should feed him. I tell the doctors, you see for yourself, there is no food," he said.

Naima, who is pregnant, prepared a meal: Two eggplants they bought for $9 cut up and boiled in water. They will stretch out the pot of eggplant-water  not even a real soup  to last them a few days, they said. Several of Yazans four older siblings also looked thin and drained.

Holding him in his lap, Mahmoud Abu Ful lifted Yazans limp arms. The boy lies on the floor most of the day, too weak to play with his brothers. If we leave him, he might just slip away from between our fingers, and we cant do anything." Adults, too, are dying Starvation takes the vulnerable first, experts say: children and adults with health conditions.

On Thursday, the bodies of an adult man and woman with signs of starvation were brought to Gaza Citys Shifa Hospital, hospital director Mohammed Abu Selmia said. One suffered from diabetes, the other from a heart condition, but they showed severe deficiencies of nutrients, gastric arrest and anemia from malnutrition.

Many of the adults who have died had some sort of preexisting condition, like diabetes or heart or kidney trouble, worsened by malnutrition, Abu Selmia said. These diseases dont kill if they have food and medicine," he said.

Deaths come after months of Israeli siege Israel cut off entry of food, medicine, fuel and other supplies completely to Gaza for 2  months starting in March, saying it aimed to pressure Hamas to release hostages. During that time, food largely ran out for aid groups and in marketplaces, and experts warned Gaza was headed for an outright famine.

In late May, Israel slightly eased the blockade. Since then, it has allowed in around 4,500 trucks for the U.N. and other aid groups to distribute, including 2,500 tons of baby food and high-calorie special food for children, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

That is an average of 69 trucks a day, far below the 500-600 trucks a day the U.N. says are needed. The U.N. has been unable to distribute much of the aid because hungry crowds and gangs take most of it from its trucks. Separately, Israel has also backed the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which opened four centers distributing boxes of food supplies. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed trying to reach the sites.

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On Tuesday, David Mencer, spokesman for the Israeli Prime Ministers office, denied there is a famine created by Israel" in Gaza and blamed Hamas for creating man-made shortages" by looting aid trucks.

The U.N. denies Hamas siphons off significant quantities of aid. Humanitarian workers say Israel just needs to allow aid to flow in freely, saying looting stops whenever aid enters in large quantities. (AP) AS AS

First Published: July 25, 2025, 03:30 IST

News agency-feeds 5 children starved to death at Gaza hospital and emaciated kids are pouring in

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Nishad Party to mark Phoolan Devis death anniversary across UP: Sanjay Nishad

Last Updated: July 25, 2025, 00:15 IST

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Lucknow, Jul 24 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh Fisheries Minister and Nishad Party chief Sanjay Nishad on Thursday said that his party would observe Phoolan Devis death anniversary on Friday by honouring women activists and holding discussions on her contribution to the fight for social justice".

Speaking to reporters in Lucknow, Nishad praised Phoolan Devi for standing up against injustice" during a different era. The time and circumstances were different when she picked up the gun," he said.

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He alleged that the Samajwadi Party had illegally occupied her property and demanded that it be vacated and handed over to her mother.

Today, Nishad Party is observing Phoolan Devis city day across every district in the state and in other states where we have a unit. We take inspiration from her journey  from a village by the riverside to becoming a symbol of resistance against injustice," Nishad said.

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He added, The world came to know her as an iron lady, as the Bandit Queen. Our party has always raised her issues and I have also raised this matter in the House today. Programmes will be held across the state tomorrow as well." Taking a swipe at those who allegedly continue to disrespect Phoolan Devi, Nishad said, Some people make disrespectful comments about her even today. But if one analyses the issue in depth, it becomes clear that for centuries, women have faced injustice. Earlier, the number of people doing injustice was more, and those showing respect were fewer. But under our government, the respect for women has increased." Phoolan Devi was a bandit-turned-politician from Uttar Pradesh, known as the Bandit Queen." Born in a poor mallah (boatman) family, she was jailed for leading a gang and the 1981 Behmai massacre. After her release, she entered politics and became a Member of Parliament.

She was shot dead on July 25, 2001, outside her residence in New Delhi by three masked gunmen, allegedly in revenge for the 1981 Behmai massacre. PTI KIS MNK MNK

First Published: July 25, 2025, 00:15 IST

News agency-feeds Nishad Party to mark Phoolan Devis death anniversary across UP: Sanjay Nishad

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Sebi, market bodies launch SEBI vs SCAM drive to fight financial frauds

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 21:30 IST

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New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) Markets regulator Sebi on Thursday said it has launched a joint investor awareness campaign SEBI vs SCAM" in collaboration with MII and the Association of Mutual Funds in India (AMFI) to tackle financial frauds and protect investors in the securities market.

This unified initiative aims to bolster investor protection and combat financial fraud and scams within the securities market.

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The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), in collaboration with Market Infrastructure Institutions (MIIs); NSE, BSE, CDSL, NSDL, MCX, MSEI and NCDEX and AMFI have launched a joint media campaign titled SEBI vs SCAM," the regulator said in a release.

The campaign aims to educate investors on a range of fraudulent practices prevalent in the market.

These include fake trading apps, unregistered investment advice from social media and finfluencers, deepfakes, intermediary impersonation, paid trading courses promising guaranteed returns, and illegal dabba" and opinion" trading, it added.

According to Sebi, rhe initiative will focus on sensitising investors to identify red flags, use verification protocols, and follow good digital practices.

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It will also promote trusted grievance redressal mechanisms to empower investors to make informed decisions.

The regulator also encouraged investors to follow the campaign on Sebis X handle, @SEBI_India, and the social media handles of the MIIs and AMFI, using the hashtag #SEBlvsSCAM." PTI HG MR

First Published: July 24, 2025, 21:30 IST

News agency-feeds Sebi, market bodies launch SEBI vs SCAM drive to fight financial frauds

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Two car wash workers injured in sword attack in Thane; 2 men held

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 09:45 IST

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Thane, Jul 24 (PTI) Two car wash workers were injured when two men allegedly attacking them with swords after a dispute in Maharashtras Thane city, police said on Thursday.

A video of the incident, which took place on Tuesday in Wagle Estate area, showing two men brandishing swords and chasing a group has gone viral on social media, sparking an outrage.

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The two accused were arrested on Wednesday, an official from Wagle Estate police station said.

The incident occurred when a 24-year-old man, who works at a car washing centre, was sitting with a group of persons.

Around that time, the two accused approached the group and asked one of its members to move a vehicle parked nearby.

When the group members did not comply with the request, the two accused, who were armed with swords, allegedly attacked two of them, the official said.

Two members of the group sustained injuries during the assault," the official said.

The attackers had arrived with an intent to intimidate and were seen threatening others in the vicinity as well, eyewitnesses claimed.

Some passersby and local shopkeepers alerted the police control room.

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The police arrested the accused, both aged 30, and booked them on charges of attempt to murder and other relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the official said, adding the incidents video clip was authentic and part of the evidence in the case.

The injured persons were undergoing treatment and reported to be out of danger, the police said. PTI COR GK

First Published: July 24, 2025, 09:45 IST

News agency-feeds Two car wash workers injured in sword attack in Thane; 2 men held

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UP EOW nabs fugitive accused in paddy procurement after 10-year hunt

Last Updated: July 25, 2025, 01:00 IST

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Meerut (UP), Jul 24 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh Polices Economic Offences Wing (Meerut Zone) on Thursday arrested a fugitive accused after 10 years in a high-value paddy procurement fraud case from Delhi, the agency said.

Suresh Sharma was apprehended in Delhis Saket area by a joint team of the EOW and local police.

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Sharma, a resident of Alipur Khalsa village in Bulandshahr district, had been absconding for several years in connection with a 2015 fraud case registered at Kotwali Dehat police station under multiple erstwhile IPC sections, including 420 (cheating), 471 (using forged document) and 120B (criminal conspiracy).

The case involves a scam in which the accused, posing as representatives of the firm Sons & Co.", used forged documents to fraudulently procure paddy worth over Rs 2.94 crore from the UP government and later sold it using fake invoices, the EOW said in a statement.

Another firm, Balaji Trading Company, owned by co-accused Mahesh Chand Sharma, allegedly bought paddy worth Rs 2.16 crore from Bulandshahrs grain market, it added.

Suresh Sharma, not officially a director of the firm, is accused of fabricating documents to falsely show government-authorised procurement. The EOWs investigation also revealed that Sharma, along with co-accused Veerkaran Awasthi and Rittik Awasthi, had created fake authorisation letters to convince farmers to sell their produce through them," it said.

The accused allegedly failed to make payments to the tune of Rs 3.30 crore and fled. The Economic Offences Wing had been tracking Sharma for several days before successfully arresting him in Delhi, it said.

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The operation was supervised by EOW (Meerut Zone) Superintendent of Police Rajiv Dixit, and officers including Dharmesh Kumar, Manoj Kumar Birla and Vijay Kant Sharma," the statement said.

The arrest was made based on credible technical surveillance and inputs from other agencies, it said, adding that Sharma is currently in custody and further investigations are underway. PTI KIS AMJ AMJ

First Published: July 25, 2025, 01:00 IST

News agency-feeds UP EOW nabs fugitive accused in paddy procurement after 10-year hunt

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Chennai: Madhya Kailash Flyover To Open By October, Sardar Patel Road May Get Wider Too

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 16:12 IST

Chennais Madhya Kailash Junction to see major upgrades as flyover deadline nears and road widening plans take shape.

The 3-km stretch between the IIT MadrasGandhi Mandapam Salai junction and Guindy is under review for this expansion. (Photo: X)

To reduce heavy traffic at the Madhya Kailash junction in Adyar, the Tamil Nadu Highways Department is taking major steps.

Highways Minister EV Velu has asked officials to look into widening a key stretch of Sardar Patel Road from four lanes to six.

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This 3-km road runs from the IIT MadrasGandhi Mandapam Salai junction to Guindy and sees bumper-to-bumper traffic all day.

Whats the Plan for the Road Widening?

As per The New Indian Express, a detailed feasibility study will be carried out for the road widening.

Most of the land needed for this expansion already belongs to government departments. This means there may be no need to acquire private land, which can usually delay projects.

Sardar Patel Road is an important stretch connecting GST Road at Guindy with Adyar. It also passes major landmarks like Anna University, the Cancer Institute, and IIT Madras. With traffic often piling up from Gandhi Mandapam Salai to Saidapet during peak hours, this project is expected to ease long-standing congestion.

Whats the Status of the Madhya Kailash Flyover?

Minister Velu, along with officials, visited the site to inspect the progress of the ongoing L-shaped flyover.

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This three-lane, one-way flyover is being built to allow smoother traffic flow from Sardar Patel Road to Rajiv Gandhi Salai (OMR), avoiding the busy Madhya Kailash signal.

So far, all 19 pillars of the 652-metre-long flyover have been erected. Though some delays occurred due to shifting underground pipelines, work is now moving forward. The concrete deck slabs are being laid, and the flyover is expected to be ready before 31 October.

About the Author Samreen Pall Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... Read More Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... Read More

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First Published: July 24, 2025, 16:12 IST

News auto Chennai: Madhya Kailash Flyover To Open By October, Sardar Patel Road May Get Wider Too

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Indias Bullet Train Network To Expand, Here's Whats Next After Mumbai-Ahmedabad

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 13:35 IST

Railways begin planning bullet train routes beyond Gujarat-Maharashtra corridor.

DPRs in progress for new routes beyond Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor. (Photo: Representative/ X)

India is gearing up for the next phase of its bullet train revolution.

The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has officially begun preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for new high-speed rail routes across the country.

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This step marks a major push to extend the bullet train network beyond the ongoing Mumbai-Ahmedabad corridor.

NHSRCL, a joint venture between the Central Government and various state governments, is responsible for implementing high-speed rail projects throughout India.

Why is Expansion Being Considered?

As per The Indian Express, in a recent written reply to the Lok Sabha on July 23, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the government is actively working on expanding the high-speed rail (HSR) network. The aim is to improve connectivity between key commercial, economic, and tourist cities.

However, Vaishnaw also highlighted that bullet train projects are highly capital-intensive, and new routes will be approved based on several factors  technical feasibility, financial viability, traffic demand, and availability of funds.

Which Routes Are Being Planned?

According to the National Rail Plan, the following routes have been identified for possible development:

Delhi  Varanasi

Delhi  Ahmedabad

Mumbai  Nagpur

Mumbai  Hyderabad

Chennai  Mysore

Delhi  Amritsar

Varanasi  Howrah

These corridors are being studied to understand the demand, cost, and benefits of running bullet trains on these routes.

When Will the First Bullet Train Start?

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The Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project is Indias first bullet train route. It is being developed with help from the Government of Japan, both technically and financially.

The government aims to complete the Gujarat stretch (Vapi to Sabarmati) by December 2027, and the entire route including Maharashtra by December 2029.

About the Author Samreen Pall Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... Read More Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... 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. You can also download the News18 App to stay updated.

First Published: July 24, 2025, 13:35 IST

News auto Indias Bullet Train Network To Expand, Here's Whats Next After Mumbai-Ahmedabad

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Duty Cuts On Large Petrol, Diesel Vehicles, High-Priced EVs Under FTA: All You Need To Know

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News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 22:09 IST

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement aims to protect sensitive segments of the domestic automotive industry especially of mid and small cars and low-priced EVs

New cars are parked at Royal Portbury Docks, North Somerset, England. (Image for representation: AP)

India has provided duty concessions to the UK auto exporters only on large petrol and diesel vehicles as well as high-priced EVs under the free trade agreement signed between the two countries on Thursday.

Officially called the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the trade pact aims to protects sensitive segments of the domestic automotive industry especially mid and small cars and low-priced EVs, officials said.

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According to officials, there are no concessions on electric, hybrid, and hydrogen-powered vehicles in the first five years of the CETA, which was signed earlier in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer.

Heres all you need to know:

As per the CETA, tariffs on automotive imports will go from about 110 percent at present to 10 percent under quotas on both sides.

The offered quota and duty reduction are more for the large engine capacity categories (above 3,000 cc petrol/2,500 cc diesel).

A government official said this will ensure that the domestic sector has sufficient time to expand, innovate, and enhance global competitiveness in small (up to 1,500 cc) and mid segment (1,500-3,000 cc petrol/up to 2,500 cc diesel).

The duty reduction to 10 percent will be done in over five years with quota. Out of quota duty reduction is 50 percent over 10 years.

As per the details of the trade pact, the number of vehicles from ICE (internal combustion engine) engines will be deducted by the number of EV vehicles getting concessions from the sixth year to maintain the total quota volume of 37,000 units at the end of 15 years of duty concession.

For vehicles priced below British Pound 40,000 (CIF), no market access is provided, ensuring complete protection for the mass-market EV segment in which India seeks global leadership. Market access in EV is given mostly in high-priced vehicles priced above British Pound 80,000 (CIF).

For large-engine petrol cars above 3000 cc and diesel cars over 2500 cc  traditionally luxury imports  India has committed to lowering the current over 100 percent customs duty to 10 percent over 15 years, within a quota starting at 10,000 units and rising to 19,000 in year five.

For mid-sized cars (1500-2500 cc diesel/up to 3000 cc petrol), a 50 percent in-quota duty applies initially, falling to 10 percent by year five. Small cars under 1500 cc follow a similar tariff reduction path with a growing quota.

Up to 37,000 UK-built ICE vehicles could enter India annually at just 10 percent duty  far below the current base rate of 110 percent.

Experts said this will create a preferential entry path for high-end British brands such as Jaguar and Land Rover, both owned by Tata Motors, but also for other UK-based exports.

India has secured market access to the tune of four times of its concession given to the UK on EV in the UK market," the official said, adding India has extended a structured and balanced market access offer to the UK in the automobile sector under the trade agreement.

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Think tank GTRI said this is Indias first-ever auto tariff concession in any FTA, and is likely to trigger similar demands from Japan, European Union, South Korea, and the US. Founder Ajay Srivastava told PTI that India has opened a dedicated Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) for passenger cars from the UK.

In-quota vehicles enjoy sharply reduced duties, while out-of-quota imports still face tariffs ranging from 95 percent to 50 percent, depending on vehicle size and year," Srivastava said, adding the TRQ marks a major policy shift, especially as India has long used high tariffs to protect its domestic automotive industry."

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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 21:56 IST

News business Duty Cuts On Large Petrol, Diesel Vehicles, High-Priced EVs Under FTA: All You Need To Know

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'India-UK FTA Will Open A New Era': UK Industry Leaders Welcome Trade Deal

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 17:55 IST

Businesses across India and the UK have welcomed the FTA, which is expected to boost bilateral trade between the nations by 25.5 billion pounds every year.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Chequers near Aylesbury, England. (Pic: Reuters)

The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed on Thursday during Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the United Kingdom, has been warmly welcomed by businesses across both nations. The trade deal, the UKs biggest such agreement since Brexit and Indias first with a European economy, aims to expand the bilateral trade. The FTA is expected to boost bilateral trade between India and the UK by 25.5 billion pounds every year.

Also Read: India-UK Trade Deal Signed: From Textiles, Jewellery To IT, Who Gets What In Historic Pact

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Signed in London following a meeting between PM Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer, the FTA provides a major fillip to exporters and importers alike. For India, the agreement ensures duty-free access for 99% of its exports to the UK, potentially unlocking $23 billion in trade opportunities across labour-intensive sectors like textiles, leather, and engineering goods.

On the UK side, the government projects an annual wage boost of 2.2 billion (approx. $2.85 billion), with British consumers likely to benefit from lower prices and greater variety in imported clothes, footwear, food products, and more.

UK Industry Leaders React

Rolls-Royce CEO Tufan Erginbilgic welcomed the agreement, especially its implications for the aerospace sector. India is an important market for our business, with over 90 years of partnership with Indian industry and the Indian Government," he said. We welcome the provisions in this Free Trade Agreement, including those that bring closer alignment with international standards for trade in civil aerospace. These agreements will benefit Rolls-Royce and our customers, paving the way for future aerospace growth in India."

Also Read: India-UK FTA Marks Defining Moment, Reflects Shared Commitment To Economic Resilience: India Inc

Rolls-Royce, alongside Airbus, is preparing to deliver aircraft worth 5 billion, many of which will be powered by Rolls-Royce engines, to Indian airlines.

Nik Jhangiani, Interim CEO of Diageo, which owns iconic brands like Johnnie Walker, also hailed the deal. The agreement marks a great moment for both Scotch and Scotland," he said. Well be raising a glass of Johnnie Walker to all those who have worked so hard to get it secured."

The FTA will drastically reduce Indias steep whisky import duties  from 150% to 75% immediately, with a further reduction to 40% over the next 10 years  making premium UK spirits more affordable for Indian consumers.

Jean-Etienne Gourgues, CEO of Chivas Brothers, called the deal a sign of hope in challenging times for the spirits industry". He added, India is the worlds biggest whisky market by volume and greater access will be an eventual game changer for the export of our Scotch whisky brands, such as Chivas Regal and Ballantines."

He emphasised that the agreement would support long-term investment and jobs in our distilleries in Speyside and our bottling plant at Kilmalid and help deliver growth in both Scotland and India over the next decade".

William Bain, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, called the agreement transformative. The FTA will open a new era for our businesses and boost investment between two of the worlds largest economies," he said.

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Highlighting its potential, Bain noted, Currently around 16,000 UK companies are trading goods with Indian companies, and there is high interest in our Chamber Network to grow that. This deal will create new opportunities in the transport, travel, creative and business support sectors alongside traditional strengths in finance and professional services."

With the agreement in place, British and Indian companies are optimistic about the growth of bilateral commerce in the coming decade, marking a pivotal moment in post-Brexit UK trade strategy and Indias growing role in global trade.

About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h... Read More Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h... Read More

First Published: July 24, 2025, 17:55 IST

News business  economy 'India-UK FTA Will Open A New Era': UK Industry Leaders Welcome Trade Deal

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Trump Says Days Of US Companies Hiring In India, Building Factories In China Are Over

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 13:54 IST

US President Donald Trump criticizes US tech firms and accuses them of embracing "radical globalism" at the expense of American workers.

"We want you to put America first. You have to do that. Thats all we ask," US President Donald Trump tells US companies. (Reuters Image)

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday delivered a sharp rebuke to American technology companies for building factories in China and outsourcing jobs to India, accusing them of embracing radical globalism" at the expense of American workers.

He was speaking at an Artificial Intelligence (AI) summit in Washington, where he signed three executive orders aimed at bolstering the USs AI capabilities. Speaking at the event, Trump said such practices would no longer be tolerated under his leadership.

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For too long, much of Americas tech industry pursued a radical globalism that left millions of Americans feeling distrustful and betrayed," Trump said. Many of our largest tech companies have reaped the blessings of American freedom while building their factories in China, hiring workers in India and slashing profits in Ireland. All the while dismissing and even censoring their fellow citizens right here at home. Under President Trump, those days are over."

Calling for a new spirit of patriotism and national loyalty in Silicon Valley and long beyond Silicon Valley", Trump urged US tech firms to be all in for America".

We want you to put America first. You have to do that. Thats all we ask," he added.

The Presidents executive orders include a White House action plan for AI development and an initiative to promote the export of full-stack American AI technologies as part of a larger strategy to strengthen the domestic AI industry and assert US leadership in the global tech race.

This isnt the first time Trump has criticized offshore operations by US firms. In May, he issued a stern warning to Apple, stating that iPhones sold in the US but made abroad would face hefty tariffs.

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I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else. If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the US Thank you for your attention to this matter," Trump wrote in a social media post.

(With PTI Inputs)

About the Author Business Desk A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al... Read More A team of writers and reporters decodes vast terms of personal finance and making money matters simpler for you. From latest initial public offerings (IPOs) in the market to best investment options, we cover al... Read More

First Published: July 24, 2025, 13:54 IST

News business  economy Trump Says Days Of US Companies Hiring In India, Building Factories In China Are Over

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India Keeps Dairy, Apples & Cheese Out Of UK Free Trade Deal In Bid To Protect Farmers

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 15:29 IST

The move aligns with Indias approach in other recent trade pactsincluding with Australia, and the EFTA blocwhere dairy sectors remained safeguarded

Of the roughly 10 per cent of tariff lines categorised as sensitive, all pertaining to agricultural items, none will receive duty relief under the agreement. (Shutterstock)

India and the United Kingdom, in their Free Trade Agreement (FTA) finalised on Thursday, chose to exclude certain agricultural goods from tariff concessionsmost notably dairy products, apples, and cheese. The decision reflects Indias ongoing strategy to protect its smallholder farmers by shielding them from increased competition.

Of the roughly 10 per cent of tariff lines categorised as sensitive, all pertaining to agricultural items, none will receive duty relief under the agreement. The move aligns with Indias approach in other recent trade pactsincluding with Australia, and the EFTA blocwhere dairy sectors remained safeguarded.

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The exclusions are aimed at protecting Indias smallholder farmers and unorganised dairy sector, which could otherwise be overwhelmed by foreign competition, especially from highly subsidised producers in developed economies.

Currently, Indian tariffs on dairy imports range from 30 per cent to 60 per cent, depending on the product. Apples, which India imports largely from the US and New Zealand, also attract significant duties. The inclusion of British apples, dairy, or cheese could have altered this landscape dramatically.

Indias commerce ministry confirmed that dairy, apples, and cheeseeven staples like oats and vegetable oilswere all omitted from duty cuts to protect agrarian livelihoods. Simply put, this means UK exporters of apples and cheeses wont gain tariff relief in India, maintaining a competitive advantage for domestic producers.

While agriculture remains a protected area, the broader contours of the India-UK FTA are robust. The agreement grants duty-free access to nearly 99 per cent of UK exports to India over a phased timeline. In return, India secured favourable terms for its labour-intensive exports, such as textiles, garments, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, and engineering goods.

Key service sectors like IT and business consulting are also set to benefit. The agreement is expected to boost mobility for Indian professionals and streamline market access for Indian tech firmsan important win for Indias services-driven economy.

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The UK will benefit from reduced tariffs on whisky, automobiles, medical devices, cosmetics, and confectionery, but not in the protected agricultural categories.

With this agreement, India continues to walk a tightropeliberalising trade in high-potential sectors while preserving domestic sensitivities. The India-UK FTA is expected to elevate bilateral trade to over $100 billion by 2030, but its real test will lie in how both sides implement the deal and navigate future rounds of negotiation.

About the Author Apoorva Misra Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. S... Read More Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. S... Read More

Location : United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: July 24, 2025, 15:29 IST

News business India Keeps Dairy, Apples & Cheese Out Of UK Free Trade Deal In Bid To Protect Farmers

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India's Trade Diplomacy: Many Success Stories, UK FTA Latest Feather In Crown

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News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti



Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 10:23 IST

India has active, dutyconcession FTAs or CEPAs with Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Australia, South Korea, UAE among other nations.

PM Modi will be in United Kingdom between July 23 and 24. (Pic: ANI)

As India prepares to ink its much-anticipated Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom, New Delhis growing network of trade pacts across Asia, Africa, and beyond are worth noting. Over the years, India has steadily built a portfolio of strategic FTAs, Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs), and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs), aimed at expanding exports, attracting investment, and enhancing global competitiveness.

The FTA with the UK will be a landmark deal, but it is only the latest chapter in Indias evolving trade diplomacy. India currently has several active FTAs or CEPAs, supported by a growing network of negotiations.

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Active FTAs / CEPAs

IndiaSri Lanka FTA (ISFTA): Operational since 2001, this FTA covers goods trade with tariff reductions ranging from zero up to ~25 per cent, although key sensitive categories like motor vehicles and ceramics are excluded. It substantially expanded bilateral trade, especially in pharmaceuticals, textiles, and petroleum products.

SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area): A regional pact among Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and India, this FTA aimed to reduce intra-SAARC tariffs to zero by 2016.

IndiaNepal Treaty of Trade: This is a deeply rooted, non-reciprocal agreement that grants Nepal duty-free access to India for primary products.

IndiaBhutan Trade, Commerce & Transit Agreement: This is a longstanding arrangement providing near-complete dutyfree trade and transit access between India and Bhutan.

IndiaMaldives Trade Agreement: This agreement offers selective duty-free import/export provisions, strengthening economic and strategic ties in the Indian Ocean region.

IndiaThailand FTA (Early Harvest Scheme): Launched in 2004, this covers around 82 product lines (e.g., auto components, electronics) as a precursor for deeper future trade engagement.

IndiaSingapore CECA: Since 2005, this comprehensive pact covers goods, services, investment, and mutual cooperation, enhancing access to finance, telecom, and technology sectors.

IndiaMalaysia CECA (IMCECA): Effective since 2011, this deeper CECA improved access in machinery, chemicals, electronics, palm oil and services, aiming to rebalance trade flows.

IndiaJapan CEPA: Signed in 2011, it removes tariffs on over 90 per cent of traded goods including textiles, marine products, and gems, while liberalising services and IP regimes.

IndiaSouth Korea CEPA (IKCEPA): This came into effect in 2010, with phased tariff elimination for autos, electronics, machinery, alongside services liberalisation and eased foreign investment caps (up to 65 per cent)

IndiaMauritius CECPA: Indias first African CECPA, it has been effective since 2021, and offers preferential access on textiles, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, and includes a services component.

IndiaUAE CEPA: Operational from 1 May 2022, this agreement eliminates duties on nearly 90 per cent of Indian exports (gems, textiles, pharma, agri), has driven bilateral trade above USD 100 billion and supports up to 1 million jobs in labourintensive sectors.

IndiaAustralia ECTA: The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement signed in April 2022 offers zero-duty access for over 96 per cent of Indian goods (textiles, leather, gems, engineering), serving as an interim arrangement before a full CECA.

IndiaASEAN FTA: The IndiaASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement came into effect in 2010 (expanded in 2014 to services/investment), eliminating tariffs on more than 4,000 product lines and linking India to a market of 1.8 billion people.

Countries India Has Signed FTAs With

India has active, dutyconcession FTAs or CEPAs with Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Mauritius, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Australia, ASEAN bloc (10 nations under goods/services/investment FTA), SAFTA regional bloc

FTAs In The Works

India is currently negotiating or reviewing trade pacts with several strategic partners:

United Kingdom: The India-UK FTA has been finalised and is set to be signed today. It covers goods, services, mobility, procurement and aims to remove tariffs on 99 per cent of Indian exports and 90 per cent of UK goods over time.

European Union: The long-delayed BTIA (Broad-Based Trade & Investment Agreement) talks have restarted. This agreement is set to be key for high-value goods and services access.

United States: A mini-deal between India and US is under discussion, aimed at doubling trade by 2030, covering tariffs, digital trade, and professional mobility. It is said to be signed soon.

Canada: The CEPA negotiations relaunched in March 2022 were paused, but are expected to resume this year.

New Zealand, Oman, Peru, Israel, GCC states (including Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE): FTA or CEPA talks between India and these nations are underway or being considered.

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EFTA (Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein): A TEPA was in signed March 2024, and expected to enter into force by late 2025.

Sri Lanka CEPA, Thailand CECA upgrade, BIMSTEC CECA, IndiaSouth African Customs Union PTA are the existing agreements under review or being upgraded.

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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 10:15 IST

News business India's Trade Diplomacy: Many Success Stories, UK FTA Latest Feather In Crown

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'Most Significant Deal Since UK Left EU': PM Keir Starmer On Trade Pact With India

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 16:42 IST

Keir Starmer, the UK PM, said the UK-India FTA is the most significant deal since UK (made since it) left the EU at a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomes Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Chequers near Aylesbury, England. (Pic: Reuters)

Keir Starmer, the UK PM, said the UK-India FTA is the most significant deal since the UK (has made since it) left the European Union" at a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday in the English town of Aylesbury.

The British Prime Minister said the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will bring huge benefits to both of our countries, boosting wages, raising living standards and putting more money in the pockets of working people".

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This is the most significant deal the UK has signed since leaving the European Union," UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

It is a comprehensive trade dealperhaps the most comprehensive India has ever done. This agreement sends a powerful message that the UK is open for business," he said.

According to a report by the UK-based Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR), a well-negotiated FTA with India adds up to 28 billion to the UKs GDP by 2035, with particularly strong gains in sectors such as professional services, pharmaceuticals and food and drink. The report noted that Indias rapidly growing middle class offers a major opportunity for British exporters, especially in the premium consumer goods segment.

The deal allows for duty-free access for about 99% of Indian exports which unlocks nearly $23 billion in opportunities for labour-intensive sectors, marking a new era for inclusive and gender-equitable growth, according to Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goel who highlighted one of the key aspects of the deal in a post moments after the premiers of both nations signed the deal.

It is good for jobs, it is good for business, putting tariffs and making trade cheaper, quicker and easier," Starmer added.

At the joint statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the agreement will prove particularly beneficial for Indias youth, farmers, fishermen and MSME sector.

Today is a historic day in our bilateral relationship. Both countries have completed a comprehensive economic trade agreement," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

Indian products like textiles, footwear, gems and jewellery, and seafood will get better access to the UK market. UK products such as medical devices and aerospace parts will now be available to Indians at affordable prices," he said.

This agreement will help create new job opportunities and is part of our commitmentfrom AI and critical minerals to semiconductors and cybersecurityto build the future," he said.

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This is significant because UK firms outsource production to Indian pharma companies, while Indian firms license or co-develop patented drugs with UK partners.

While the UK benefits from Indias cost-efficient manufacturing and talent, India gains access to cutting-edge R&D, regulatory know-how and global pharma networks. The India-UK FTA is expected to deepen this interdependence further.

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

Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: July 24, 2025, 15:34 IST

News business 'Most Significant Deal Since UK Left EU': PM Keir Starmer On Trade Pact With India

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Gold, Silver Prices Today, July 24: Precious Metals Fall On MCX | Check Rates In Your City

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 09:48 IST

Gold, Silver Prices Today, July 24: In Mumbai, the price of gold stands at Rs 92,550 per 10 grams for 22-carat and Rs 1,00,970 per 10 grams for 24-carat.

Gold And Silver Prices Today, July 24.

Gold, Silver Prices In India Today, July 24: A day after hitting a 5-week high, gold prices on Thursday declined sharply, as easing trade tensions dented demand for safe-haven assets, overshadowing support from a weaker dollar. In Mumbai, the price of gold stood at Rs 92,550 per 10 grams for 22-carat and Rs 1,00,970 per 10 grams for 24-carat.

Silver also declined by Rs 100 to trade at Rs 1,18,000 per kg.

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However, in the futures market on the MCX, gold futures (expiring on August 5, 2025) were trading lower by 0.39% at Rs 99,030 per 10 gram, while silver (expiring on September 5, 2025) fell by 0.53% to trade at Rs 1,15,024 per kg.

What Is The Price Of 22kt, 24kt Gold Rates Today In India Across Key Cities On July 24?

City 22K Gold (per 10gm) 24K Gold (per 10gm) Delhi Rs 92,700 Rs 1,01,120 Jaipur Rs 92,700 Rs 1,01,120 Ahmedabad Rs 92,600 Rs 1,01,020 Patna Rs 92,600 Rs 1,01,020 Mumbai Rs 92,550 Rs 1,00,970 Hyderabad Rs 92,550 Rs 1,00,970 Chennai Rs 92,550 Rs 1,00,970 Bengaluru Rs 92,550 Rs 1,00,970 Kolkata Rs 92,550 Rs 1,00,970 International Gold Prices US spot gold was flat at $3,387.15 per ounce, as of 0138 GMT, after dropping 1.3% in the previous session. US gold futures eased 0.1% to $3,492.50. Signalling progress on tariffs, US President Donald Trump struck a trade deal with Japan that lowers tariffs on auto imports. The European Union and the United States are nearing an agreement on a similar trade deal that would impose 15% tariffs on European imports, while waiving duties on some items, according to officials from the European Commission. Risk sentiment in the wider financial markets rose on the back of progress in trade talks and hopes that more deals could be in the offering. Offering support to gold, the U.S. dollar index fell to a more than two-week low, making greenback-priced bullion less expensive for other currency holders. Investors also look forward to a rate decision from the European Central Bank due later in the day. Also on the radar, the US weekly jobless claims numbers on Thursday and S&P Globals flash PMI data will be eyed to gauge economic health ahead of the Federal Reserves monetary policy decision next week. What Factors Affect Gold Prices In India?

International market rates, import duties, taxes, and fluctuations in exchange rates primarily influence gold prices in India. Together, these factors determine the daily gold rates across the country. In India, gold is deeply cultural and financial. It is a preferred investment option and is key to celebrations, particularly weddings and festivals. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all With constantly changing market conditions, investors and traders monitor fluctuations closely. Staying updated is crucial for effectively navigating dynamic trends.

About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h... Read More Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h... Read More

First Published: July 24, 2025, 09:48 IST

News business  savings-and-investments Gold, Silver Prices Today, July 24: Precious Metals Fall On MCX | Check Rates In Your City

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Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Captures A Slice Of The Cosmos From His Bengaluru Home

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 18:27 IST

Shukla, who returned from space earlier this year, continues to share his love for astronomy through striking night sky photographs shot from his rooftop.

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla shares a long-exposure shot of the night sky, taken from the terrace of his home in Bengaluru, days after returning from space.. (IMAGE: X/@gagan_shux)

Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla, the only Indian aboard the Axiom 4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS), has shared detailed images of the Orion Nebula taken from the rooftop of his home in Bengaluru.

Shukla, who returned from the International Space Station with commander Peggy Whitson and mission specialists Sawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski (Poland) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary), posted close-up photos on his X account. The images feature the Orion Nebula in sharp detail, with the Horsehead Nebula clearly visible at its center.

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Shukla, who is undergoing post-mission medical checks and recovery, took up astrophotography after returning from training at Star City, Russia. He shared that aboard the ISS, he frequently spent time in the Cupola, which is the stations panoramic viewing module, and capturing Earth and celestial views.

In the X post, he wrote, I started into astrophotography upon returning to India after my first leg of training at GCTC, Russia. The pictures in sequence are of the same interstellar object M42 (M stands for Messier- Name of the catalogue that maintains all night sky objects) also known as the Orion Nebula. Over time we got better that is evident from the last photo. All the pictures were clicked from the night sky of Bengaluru. Slow or fast, if you keep moving progress is guaranteed".

After completing the mission, Shukla spoke of how impossible it is to see any borders from space. During a live video interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he said, After seeing Earth from outside, the first thought that came to mind was that Earth looks completely one; no border is visible from outsideWe all are part of humanity, and the Earth is our one home".

On his exchange with PM Modi aboard the ISS, Shukla said, The sky has never been the limit. Not for me, not for India." He added that Indias flag now flies aboard the space station for the first time in history.

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According to a report by Moneycontrol, Shubhanshu Shuklas mission research highlights included seven experiments led by Shukla, including stemcell studies aimed at preventing muscle loss in microgravity, work that has potential terrestrial applications for ageing populations. He described absorbing these lessons like a sponge" and expressed confidence they would prove highly valuable" for Indias Gaganyaan programme

During that same exchange, Shukla described India as truly grand" from space, saying it appears bigger than it does on the map." Modi praised him for hoisting the flag of India in space" and said his journey was the shubhaarambh (auspicious beginning) of a new era".

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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 18:27 IST

News cities  bengaluru-news Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla Captures A Slice Of The Cosmos From His Bengaluru Home

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Scrap Dealer Shot Dead In Bihar; Mob Blocks NH-28, Sets Accuseds House Ablaze

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 07:52 IST

Recently, Bihar has witnessed a spike in the shooting incidents, with the latest being reported in Chapra district four days back, where a local hardware shop owner was shot dead.

Officials are trying to apprehend the accused (Representative image)

A local scrap dealer, identified as Gulab, was shot dead in Muzaffarpur, sparking an outrage in the area. Locals of the area protested by placing the victims body on National Highway 28 (NH-28), effectively blocking the road and disrupting traffic.

The situation quickly escalated as an agitated mob later set the house of the accused on fire. Police teams from several nearby stations, along with SDPO Town 2, Vineeta Sinha, rushed to the scene to control the crowd.

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The police are currently investigating the matter, and efforts are underway to apprehend those responsible for the violence.

"A person named Mohammad Badal, who worked as a junk dealer, was shot at three times by an unknown miscreant, resulting in his death. The family has named a few people who threatened the deceased two days ago," said SDPO Vinita Sinha.

Primarily, it appears that the incident occurred due to a dispute. A case will be registered, and police teams have already left to conduct raidsAction is being taken based on the statements given by the family," she added.

#WATCH | Muzaffarpur, Bihar | Regarding a junk dealer shot dead near Majhaulia, SDPO Vinita Sinha says, A person named Mohammad Badal, who worked as a junk dealer, was shot at three times by an unknown miscreant, resulting in his death. The family has named a few people who pic.twitter.com/WrFANPOM5X ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2025

The incident comes only four days after a hardware shop owner was shot dead in Chapra district on Sunday. The deceased was identified as Roshan Singh, a resident of Hansrajpur village.

Several similar incidents have been reported across the state recently.

On July 4, BJP leader and businessman Gopal Khemka was shot dead outside his residence in Bihars Patna

On July 19, a doctor was shot at by some bike-borne assailants in Gaya. The incident left him severely injured, and he was rushed to Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital for emergency care.

In another shooting incident in Bihar, a murder convict, out on parole for medical reasons, was shot dead inside a top private hospital in Patna. He was identified as Chandan Mishra. The police arrested all four accused on Sunday.

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Location : Bihar, India, India

First Published: July 24, 2025, 06:50 IST

News cities Scrap Dealer Shot Dead In Bihar; Mob Blocks NH-28, Sets Accuseds House Ablaze

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After DU, Allahabad University To Introduce 4-Year UG Courses | All You Need To Know

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Translation Desk

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 08:26 IST

Allahabad University will launch four-year UG courses from 2025-26 under NEP 2020, offering flexible exits and honours options, similar to Delhi Universitys model

As per the new curriculum framework, the undergraduate course will be spread across eight semesters, fully adopting the semester system. (News18 Hindi)

Allahabad Central University is all set to roll out four-year undergraduate (UG) courses from the academic session 2025-26, similar to Delhi University. The move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and was approved in a recent Academic Council meeting chaired by Vice-Chancellor Professor Sangeeta Srivastava.

As per the new curriculum framework, the undergraduate course will be spread across eight semesters, fully adopting the semester system. Students will study three subjects in the initial years, two majors and one minor. From the third year onwards, the minor subject will be dropped, allowing students to focus solely on their major subjects. In the fourth year (seventh and eighth semesters), eligible students will have the opportunity to pursue Honours in one of the two major subjects. Meritorious students will also have the option to pursue Honours with Research.

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The new system offers flexibility, allowing students to exit with a certificate after one year, a diploma after two years, a degree after three years, and an honours degree after four years. Each semester will carry 20 mandatory credits, and the entire course will total 160 credits.

Moreover, the university plans to introduce over 150 two-credit skill-based and optional courses under the NEP. Earlier, Allahabad University had already implemented integrated five-year courses such as BA-LLB, BTech-MTech, and BFA. Now, in the second phase of NEP implementation, all UG programmes under the Faculties of Arts, Science, and Commerce have been restructured to align with the NEP framework.

Location : Allahabad, India, India

First Published: July 24, 2025, 08:26 IST

News education-career After DU, Allahabad University To Introduce 4-Year UG Courses | All You Need To Know

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DU UG Admission 2025: Nearly 88% Seats Filled In First Round, List Of Vacant Seats Released

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 19:53 IST

As many as 62,565 undergraduate seats have been filled at Delhi University at the end of the first round of admissions across Delhi University colleges.

DU Admission: The second seat allotment list will be released on July 28. (File Photo)

Delhi University (DU) has published the list of vacant seats for the second round of counselling for its UG admissions. Applicants now have one day to update their college and course preferences. At the end of the first round of admissions, 62,565 undergraduate seats at Delhi University were filled, accounting for nearly 88 percent of the total UG capacity, reported ANI.

The upgrade window for the next round is now open and will remain accessible until 4:59 pm on July 25. The second seat allotment list will be released on July 28. Additionally, the University has extended the fee payment deadline for allocated students from 5 pm to 11:59 pm.

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DU published the first seat allocation list for undergraduate programmes on July 19, with 93,166 allocations for 71,624 seats. 62,565 undergraduate seats had been filled at DU by the end of the first round of admissions, representing nearly 88 per cent of the total UG capacity, the report added.

Of these, 34,014 seats were secured by female candidates, while 28,551 were taken by male candidates. Additionally, 143 orphan students (77 females and 66 males) and 949 single girl children have secured seats. In total, 16,126 candidates have frozen their admission, while 43,741 have opted for an upgrade.

Round I has concluded with 62,565 confirmed admissions, including 34,014 females and 28,551 males," a Delhi University official told ANI. A total of 143 orphans and 949 single girl child candidates have been admitted. While 16,126 candidates have frozen their admission, 43,741 have opted for an upgrade."

DU Admissions 2025 List Of Vacant Seats For Round 2: Click Here

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The admissions process initiated on June 17, 2025, through the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS). This year, Delhi University witnessed a record-breaking number of applications, exceeding 3.05 lakh registrations, with 2.39 lakh students successfully submitting their choices.

Candidates submitted more than 1.68 crore programme-college combinations. B.Com (Hons) was the most preferred course, garnering nearly 19.9 lakh preferences, followed by B.Com, B.A. (Hons) English, Political Science, and History. Shri Ram College of Commerce, Hindu College, and Miranda House were the top colleges according to first preference data. Around 58.89 per cent, opted for humanities-based programmes, 20.89 per cent chose commerce, and 20.22 per cent selected science.

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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 19:53 IST

News education-career DU UG Admission 2025: Nearly 88% Seats Filled In First Round, List Of Vacant Seats Released

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Indian Army Agniveer Result 2025 Expected To Be Out Soon At joinindianarmy.nic.in

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 17:05 IST

Indian Army Agniveer Result 2025: Candidates who appeared for the exams will be able to check and download the scorecards from the official website at joinindianarmy.nic.in.

Under the Agniveer scheme, youth aged between 17.5 to 23 years will have the opportunity to serve in the army for a period of four years. (Representative/File Photo)

The Indian Army is soon to release the final results of the Agniveer Exam 2025. Candidates who participated in the exams can check and download their Agniveer Result 2025 on the official website at joinindianarmy.nic.in. The selection process will involve shortlisting candidates based on the cut-off marks applied to the written exam results in relation to the number of vacancies available.

The exam catered to various Agniveer roles such as General Duty (GD), Technical (Tech), Tradesman (8th & 10th Class), Office Assistant, Women Military Police (MP), Sepoy Pharma, and Soldier Technical Nursing Assistant. Under the Agniveer scheme, youth aged between 17.5 to 23 years will have the opportunity to serve in the army for a period of four years.

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Steps To Download Indian Army Agniveer Result 2025

Candidates can check and download the Agniveer Result PDF for their preferred ARO on the official Indian Army website using the simple steps given here or through the direct link given below:

Step 1: Visit the official website of the Indian Army  joinindianarmy.nic.in

Step 2: Enter the captcha to enter the website

Step 3: On the homepage, download the Indian Army Agniveer Result 2025 PDF of your ARO/ZRO

Step 4: Check the PDF for your roll number

Step 5: Save the PDF for future reference

Indian Army Agniveer Result 2025: Salary Details

Selected Agniveers will have the chance to contribute to the defense sector after their training. Upon completion of their service, 25 per cent of Agniveers may benefit from permanent appointments. Additionally, they will receive experience certificates and be given priority in government job opportunities.

In the first year, Agniveers will receive a monthly salary of Rs 30,000, of which Rs 21,000 will be received in-hand, while Rs 9,000 will be deposited into the Agniveer Corps Fund. The Government of India will add an additional Rs 9,000 to this fund. When leaving the job, the entire amount in the fund will be given to the candidate as a lump sum.

In the second year, Agniveers monthly salary will be Rs 33,000, with Rs 23,100 received in-hand.

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In the third year, the monthly salary will increase to Rs 36,500, with Rs 25,550 received in-hand.

In the fourth and final year, the monthly salary will be Rs 40,000, with Rs 28,000 received in-hand.

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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 16:59 IST

News education-career Indian Army Agniveer Result 2025 Expected To Be Out Soon At joinindianarmy.nic.in

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More Than 12,000 Teaching Posts Vacant In KVS, NVS: Education Ministry To Rajya Sabha

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Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 20:14 IST

The minister highlighted that the process of filling these vacancies is ongoing and steps are being taken in line with relevant recruitment rules.

There are 143 vacancies in Group A academic posts in NCERT, the Education Ministry said. (Representational/File)

Over 12,000 teaching positions are currently vacant in Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas across India, as reported by the Ministry of Education. Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary shared this information in a written response in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, reported PTI.

As of now, there are 7,765 vacant teaching positions in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and 4,323 in Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti nationwide," he stated.

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Vacancies in teacher posts in Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti arise due to various reasons such as opening of new Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas, retirement, resignation, promotion, transfer, employees proceeding on lien to other departments and upgradation of schools," Chaudhary said.

The minister highlighted that the process of filling these vacancies is ongoing and steps are being taken in line with relevant recruitment rules.

There is a provision to hire contractual teachers for a temporary duration, to ensure uninterrupted academic functioning. There are 143 vacancies in Group A academic posts in the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The process of filling up these vacancies is under way," Chaudhary said.

He also noted that there are 60 vacancies in the National Council for Teacher Education as of now, the report added.

ALSO READ | Education Ministry Drafting Bill To Create Single Higher Education Body: MoS To Lok Sabha

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The Education Ministry has also informed the Rajya Sabha that over 4.7 lakh pirated NCERT textbooks have been confiscated nationwide since 202. Chaudhary informed the Rajya Sabha that incidents of piracy involving NCERT textbooks have been reported from various regions across the country, according to a PTI.

Instances of piracy of NCERT textbooks have been received from different parts of the country. During the years 2024 and 2025, approximately 4.71 lakh pirated copies of NCERT textbooks have been seized in various operations across different states. Piracy is driven primarily by commercial motives of unscrupulous elements," Chaudhary had said.

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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 20:08 IST

News education-career More Than 12,000 Teaching Posts Vacant In KVS, NVS: Education Ministry To Rajya Sabha

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Over 1.09 Lakh Vacancies in CAPFs, Recruitment for 72,000 Posts Underway: Govt Tells Rajya Sabha

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 09:32 IST

As of January 1, there were 1.09 lakh vacancies in CAPFs and Assam Rifles, with recruitment for 72,689 posts currently underway.

Over 1.09 lakh posts vacant in CAPFs and Assam Rifles; recruitment underway for 72,689 posts.

CAPF Recruitment 2025: The Central government on Wednesday informed the Rajya Sabha that there are over 1.09 lakh vacant posts in the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Assam Rifles as of January 1, 2025. However, recruitment is already in progress for 72,689 of these posts.

In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai shared details on the sanctioned and actual strength of personnel in these forces. According to the data, the sanctioned strength has increased from 10.04 lakh in 2021 to 10.67 lakh in 2025. Despite this, 1,09,868 positions remain unfilled.

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When asked if the government acknowledged a large number of vacancies in the six central paramilitary forces, the minister replied in the negative. He explained that vacancies arise due to routine factors such as retirement, promotions, resignations, deaths, and the creation of new battalions or posts.

Rai said the process of filling vacancies is ongoing and regular, and the ministry is actively working to speed it up. Recruitment is being conducted through agencies like UPSC, SSC, and by the forces themselves.

ALSO READ: MPESB To Hire For 752 Paramedical Posts, Registration Begins July 28

As part of these efforts, the government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Staff Selection Commission for faster recruitment of constables (General Duty). CAPFs and Assam Rifles have also been asked to fill vacant non-GD posts in a time-bound manner.

Other measures include holding promotion committee meetings on time, reducing delays in medical examinations, and lowering cut-off marks to shortlist more candidates for GD constable posts.

Notably, the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) are a group of seven security forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. They are primarily responsible for maintaining internal security, guarding borders, and assisting in law and order during emergencies or elections.

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The seven CAPFs are:

Border Security Force (BSF)  Guards Indias borders with Pakistan and Bangladesh. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)  Handles internal security, counter-insurgency, and crowd control. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF)  Protects vital infrastructure like airports, nuclear plants, and government buildings. Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)  Guards the India-China border. Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)  Protects borders with Nepal and Bhutan. Assam Rifles  Operates in the Northeast for border security and counter-insurgency (under MHA but with administrative control from the Ministry of Defence). National Security Guard (NSG)  A special force for counter-terrorism and hostage rescue operations.

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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 09:29 IST

News education-career Over 1.09 Lakh Vacancies in CAPFs, Recruitment for 72,000 Posts Underway: Govt Tells Rajya Sabha

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Planning To Study In Germany? Know Top 5 Scholarships For International Students

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 14:26 IST

Scholarships in Germany for International Students 2025: Discover the top 5 scholarships for international students planning to study at German universities.

Check out list of scholarships offered by Germany for graduates and postgraduates. (Representational/File)

Scholarships in Germany for International Students 2025: Germany offers some of the most generous scholarships through government and organisation-funded programmes, greatly increasing the accessibility of higher education for international students. These are the most popular scholarships:

Expatrio Scholarship

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This scholarship is open to international students from any country who plan to start their studies in Germany in the Winter Semester 2025. The first prize is 15,000, the second prize is 12,000, and the third prize is 9,000. Awards for fourth to tenth place include rent payments for six months (up to 3,000), a new laptop, German language lessons, and semester contribution fees.

DAAD Scholarships

DAAD scholarships are primarily targeted at graduates, doctoral students, and postdocs for study and research visits at universities and non-university research institutions in Germany. These fully-funded scholarships include monthly stipends (992 for graduates and 1,300 for doctoral/Ph.D. students), travel allowances, health insurance payments, and annual study/research allowances.

Heinrich Boll Foundation Scholarships

The Heinrich Boll Foundation awards scholarships to approximately 1500 undergraduates, graduates, and doctoral students of all subjects and nationalities annually. Recipients pursue their degrees at universities, universities of applied sciences, or universities of the arts. Non-EU nationals/refugees educated outside Germany receive 992 per month plus health insurance and other allowances. Doctoral students receive 1,400 per month plus additional allowances.

Friedrich Ebert Foundation Scholarships

FES supports students from public or state-approved universities and polytechnical colleges across all academic subjects and postgraduate programmes. Non-German students can also apply for this scholarship programme, provided they are studying in Germany at the time of application. Monthly stipends include 992 for students and 1,400 for doctoral students, for up to three years.

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Bayer Foundation Fellowships

Open to medical students and those pursuing masters or PhD degrees in scientific disciplines such as Agricultural Science, Medical Sciences, Drug Discovery Sciences, and Climate and Health. Coverage includes up to 10,000 per applicant for international research projects, internships, and other activities up to six months. Additional funding is available for travel, visa, living, and exceptional project costs.

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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 14:14 IST

News education-career Planning To Study In Germany? Know Top 5 Scholarships For International Students

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SBI PO Admit Card 2025: Hall Ticket Expected Soon; Prelims Exam From August 2

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 11:09 IST

SBI PO Admit Card 2025 will be made available on the official website of the State Bank of India at sbi.co.in. The prelims exam will be conducted on August 2, 4, and 5, 2025.

SBI PO Prelims Admit Card 2025: Candidates can download the hall tickets from the official website at sbi.co.in.

SBI PO Admit Card 2025: The State Bank of India (SBI) will conduct the SBI Probationary Officers (PO) prelims examination on August 2, 4, and 5, 2025. The admit card is expected to be released soon on the official website at sbi.co.in. As per the official notification, the prelims call letter will be made available in the third or fourth week of July.

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Following the prelims, the SBI PO result is likely to be announced in August or September. Candidates who qualify will be issued the SBI PO mains admit card in August or September, with the mains exam scheduled for September.

The results of the mains exam will be declared in September or October. The final stage, psychometric test, group exercises and interview will be held in October or November.

How To Download SBI PO Prelims Admit Card 2025?

Step 1: Visit the official website of the State Bank of India at sbi.co.in.

Step 2: Go to the Careers section.

Step 3: Open the Current Openings tab.

Step 4: Click on the Probationary Officers Recruitment link.

Step 5: Find and click the Prelims Call Letter download link.

Step 6: Enter your login credentials and submit.

Step 7: Download and print your admit card.

This recruitment drive aims to fill 541 Probationary Officer posts, including 500 regular and 41 backlog vacancies.

ALSO READ: Over 1.09 Lakh Vacancies in CAPFs, Recruitment for 72,000 Posts Underway: Govt Tells Rajya Sabha

The SBI PO Prelims exam consists of three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. The paper carries a total of 100 marks and must be completed in 60 minutes, with 20 minutes allotted for each section. All questions are objective (multiple choice), and the exam is conducted online. There is a penalty of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer.

The preliminary exam is only qualifying in nature, meaning its marks are not considered in the final selection. Candidates must clear the sectional and overall cut-offs to be shortlisted for the main examination.

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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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 11:08 IST

News education-career SBI PO Admit Card 2025: Hall Ticket Expected Soon; Prelims Exam From August 2

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 27  2025  : , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,  443           . 479 .    : 100.000        300.000     .                . 1906            (  ). 2004              2004  .
Temple, Territory, Tensions: Why Thailand, Cambodia Are Trading Blows Again, Should India Worry?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 14:11 IST

Thailand-Cambodia dispute centres on a 4.6-square-km area around Preah Vihear Hindu Temple, which holds cultural significance for both nations, symbolising their shared heritage

If the Thailand-Cambodia dispute remains unresolved, it risks destabilising ASEANs unity and threatening Indias broader ties in the region. (AP Photo)

Thailand on Thursday deployed F16 jets against Cambodian military targets in a dramatic escalation of a longstanding border dispute. This followed a landmine blast on July 23 in which a Thai soldier lost a leg. Thailand retaliated by recalling its ambassador, severing diplomatic ties, closing border checkpoints, and launching airstrikes.

Cambodia, lacking air assets, responded with rocket launchers and pledged a decisive" counterresponse. Fierce artillery exchanges, landmine threats, and civilian displacement have roused fears of broader conflict.

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Whats At The Heart Of The Conflict?

The Thailand-Cambodia border dispute centres on a 4.6-square-kilometer area around the 11th-century Preah Vihear Temple, perched on a cliff in the Dangrek Mountains. This Hindu temple, built during the Khmer Empire, holds cultural significance for both nations, symbolising their shared heritage.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but the surrounding land remains contested, with both countries claiming sovereignty.

Tensions flared in 2008 when UNESCO listed Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site, sparking nationalist protests in Thailand, which argued it was excluded from the process, per CNN.

Clashes in 2011 killed 22 people, and the ICJs 2013 ruling affirming Cambodias control over the temple failed to resolve disputes over nearby areas like the Emerald Triangle, where Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos meet.

What Happened In The Recent Escalation?

The latest flare-up began in May, when a Cambodian soldier died in a clash near the Emerald Triangle, followed by a Thai soldiers injury from a landmine on July 23. Five Thai soldiers were wounded, prompting Thailand to recall its ambassador from Phnom Penh and expel Cambodias, closing parts of its northeastern border.

On July 24, Thai F-16 jets struck two Cambodian military units, with Thailands 2nd Regional Military Command claiming they destroyed" targets, per a Facebook post. Cambodia, lacking a combat-capable air force, vowed to respond decisively," with its BM-21 rocket launchers seen near Preah Vihear, per CNN.

Clashes injured three Thai civilians, prompting evacuations in Surin provinces Kap Choeng district. Cambodias Defense Ministry claimed its troops acted in self-defence against an unprovoked" Thai incursion, per Lieutenant General Maly Socheata.

How Did It Become A Political Firestorm?

A leaked 17-minute phone call on June 19 between Thailands Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Cambodias former leader Hun Sen intensified the crisis. Paetongtarn, 38, appeared to criticise her military, saying, If Hun Sen wants anything, he can just tell me, and I will take care of it," per CNN. The audio, confirmed authentic, led to accusations of kowtowing" to Cambodia, sparking protests in Bangkok.

The Bhumjaithai party withdrew from Paetongtarns coalition, threatening her Pheu Thai partys grip on power. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a Chulalongkorn University professor, called her comments a betrayal of Thai interests. Paetongtarns suspension and potential dismissal highlight Thailands political volatility, with 10 prime ministers in 20 years, per The Hindu.

Why The Conflict Between The Two Persists

Several factors fuel the ongoing dispute:

Historical Grievances: The 1907 Franco-Siamese treaty, which drew the border during French colonial rule, left ambiguities exploited by both nations. Thailands claim to Preah Vihear stems from a 1904 map, while Cambodia relies on the ICJs 1962 ruling. Nationalist sentiments, with 70% of Thais opposing the UNESCO listing, per a 2023 Bangkok Post poll, keep tensions alive.

Political Instability: Thailands turbulent politics, marked by coups and protests, amplifies nationalist rhetoric. Paetongtarns leaked call mirrors Indias own political scandals, like Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS)s assault on a shopkeeper over a WhatsApp post, where public outrage fuels division. Cambodias Hun Sen, wielding influence despite stepping down, stokes tensions to rally domestic support, per The Guardian.

Military Disparity: Thailands air force, with 11 Swedish Gripen jets and dozens of US-made F-16s, outmatches Cambodias limited capabilities, per the International Institute for Strategic Studies Military Balance 2025. This imbalance emboldens Thai airstrikes but risks escalation, as Cambodias rocket launchers signal defiance.

Economic Stakes: The border region, part of the Emerald Triangle, hosts trade routes and tourism, with Thailands Aranyaprathet-Poipet checkpoint seeing $2 billion in annual trade, per a 2024 ASEAN report. Closures disrupt local economies, impacting 50,000 border residents, per The Nation.

What Are The Implications For India & The Region?

For India, with its $44 billion space economy and ASEAN trade ties, the Thailand-Cambodia clash is a cautionary tale. Indias border disputes with China, costing $10 billion annually in military spending, per a 2024 NITI Aayog report, mirror the economic toll of such conflicts. The crisis threatens ASEAN unity, critical for Indias $130 billion trade with the region, per MEA 2024.

The clash also risks refugee flows, with 10,000 Cambodians displaced in 2011, per UNHCR, impacting Indias regional security.

The Thailand-Cambodia stand-off is not a mere border dispute. It is a flashpoint with the capacity to draw in wider regional interests.

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If unresolved, it risks destabilising ASEANs unity and threatening Indias broader ties in a region of growing geo-economic importance. The path ahead demands diplomacy, economic partnerships, and principled peacelest this bruise on regional harmony turns into a deeper wound.

About the Author Shilpy Bisht Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience. Her prev... Read More Shilpy Bisht, Deputy News Editor at News18, writes and edits national, world and business stories. She started off as a print journalist, and then transitioned to online, in her 12 years of experience. Her prev... Read More

First Published: July 24, 2025, 13:13 IST

News explainers Temple, Territory, Tensions: Why Thailand, Cambodia Are Trading Blows Again, Should India Worry?

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Rameshwaram Cafe Says Viral Worm Video Was Part Of Rs 25 Lakh Extortion Attempt

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 23:13 IST

A passenger at Bengaluru airport found a worm in his breakfast at a Rameshwaram Cafe outlet. The staff initially tried to cover it up but later apologised to him.

The Rameshwaram Cafe's management said a group of five-seven individuals created a public disturbance (X)

A passenger at the Bengaluru airport found a worm in the food served to him at the outlet of a prominent cafe.

The incident happened on Thursday morning, when the passenger had visited an outlet of the popular Rameshwaram Cafe at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.

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According to NDTV report, the passenger had ordered Pongal for breakfast at the airport.

As he confronted the staff over the worm in his food and raised a complaint, they initially tried to cover up the incident.

However, the staff members apologised to him as he began recording a video of the food served to him, the report claimed. He was later issued a full refund of Rs 300 for the item he had ordered.

Cafe Issues Statement

Meanwhile, the cafe filed a police complaint against a group of passengers who it claimed allegedly tried to malign the brands name and extort money by staging a fake case of food contamination.

In a statement, The Rameshwaram Cafes management said a group of five-seven individuals created a public disturbance, falsely alleging that the food served contained an insect.

Reportedly, the individuals then threatened to circulate the video on social media unless they were compensated. Shortly after, the team received a phone call demanding Rs 25 lakhs in cash to avoid reputational harm to the brand," the cafe chain said.

In response, The Rameshwaram Cafe has submitted call records, message screenshots, and other documentation to the police, requesting immediate legal action against the blackmail attempt," it said in the statement.

Press Release pic.twitter.com/KgvVOpwGFu The Rameshwaram Cafe (@RameshwaramCafe) July 24, 2025

Bengalurus Rameshwaram Cafe formed headlines in March last year, when an IED explosion at one of its outlets in the city injured many people.

In December last year, A passenger at Jaipur International Airport found a cockroach in his bread pakora, highlighting food safety concerns.

Similar incidents, including a dead mouse in chocolate syrup and an insect in a Burger King burger, were also reported simultaneously.

Earlier this month, a massive row erupted after Shiv Sena MLA from Buldhana, Sanjay Gaikwad, accused the Akashwani canteen in Mumbai of serving bad quality food.

He alleged the staff were not listening to his complaints.

Later, a purported video of Gaikwad allegedly slapping a canteen worker went viral on social media.

In response to the complaints of the MLA, the states Food and Drug Administration (FDA) briefly suspended the license of Ajanta Caterers, the manager of the Akashwani canteen.

The FDA officials also took food samples from the Akashvani MLA canteen.

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Even as the controversy flared, Gaikwad refused to apologise and said that he had no regrets" for his actions, saying that the food in the canteen was akin to poison.

ALSO READ | Food Thief On Moving Train: Passenger Steals From Vendors Cart, Faces Heat Online

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.

First Published: July 24, 2025, 10:26 IST

News india Rameshwaram Cafe Says Viral Worm Video Was Part Of Rs 25 Lakh Extortion Attempt

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'Should EC Allow Dead Voters On List': CEC Gyanesh Kumar Amid Opposition Protest On Bihar SIR

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Vani Mehrotra



Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 11:22 IST

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar defended the SIR exercise in Bihar, questioning if dead, duplicate, or foreign voters should remain on the rolls.

Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar (Photo: PTI)

Amid continued protests by the Opposition the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar defended the exercise and asked if the Election Commission should allow dead voters to feature on the voter list.

Speaking exclusively to CNN-News18, the CEC also asked if people with duplicate Elector Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) and foreigners should be allowed to be featured on the voter list.

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Should the Election Commission allow dead voters to be on the voter list?" he asked.

Should people with duplicate EPICs be allowed? Should foreigners be allowed on the voter list? What is the objection about?" the CEC said, emphasising that a sacrosanct voter list is the foundation of a successful democracy.

The Chief Election Commissioners remark came at a time when the Opposition parties, led by the Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress, have alleged that more than 50 lakh voters stand to be disenfranchised following the SIR exercise.

Even on Thursday, several MPs of the INDIA bloc parties, including Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, protested in Parliament House complex against the Election Commissions voter roll revision in Bihar and demanded its rollback as well as a discussion on the issue in both houses.

Ahead of the start of the days proceedings, top leaders and MPs of the Opposition, including those of the Congress, DMK, TMC, Samajwadi Party, JMM, RJD and Left parties, assembled outside the Makar Dwar of Parliament and raised slogans against the government and the SIR of electoral rolls.

On Wednesday, the Election Commission, in a statement, had said that 56 lakh voters have been found ineligible, the other 20 lakh deceased, 28 lakh voters who have moved out of Bihar, 7 lakh voters were found registered in two places, and another one lakh who cant be traced.

Talking to CNN-News18 in the same reference, the CEC asked, Should the Election Commission not weed out such voters?"

Isnt the pure electoral roll being prepared by the Election Commission through a transparent process, a foundation stone for fair elections and a strong democracy?" he asked.

At some point or the other, we all, and all the citizens of India, must think deeply about these questions together, going beyond political ideologies," CEC Gyanesh Kumar opined.

A day earlier, Bihar Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav had threatened to boycott the upcoming elections in the state if the SIR exercise was not stopped.

When asked by news agency IANS about his boycott statement, Tejaswi said, Will see what people want and what our allies say."

If the state polls are conducted in a partial and manipulative manner, where it is already decided who would win what number of seats, what is the use of conducting such an election?" he asked.

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We may consider boycotting the upcoming state assembly elections in Bihar after taking feedback from people and our (alliance) partners," Tejashwi Yadav said.

ALSO READ | You Werent Performing, So I Left: Nitish Kumar Calls Tejashwi Just A Kid In Fiery Debate

About the Author Arunima Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from ground zero ... Read More Arunima is Editor (Home Affairs) and covers strategic, security and political affairs. From the Ukraine-Russia War to the India-China stand-off in Ladakh to India-Pak clashes, she has reported from ground zero ... Read More

First Published: July 24, 2025, 11:04 IST

News india 'Should EC Allow Dead Voters On List': CEC Gyanesh Kumar Amid Opposition Protest On Bihar SIR

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Bihar Voter SIR-vey: With Friday Deadline, 7 L Enumeration Forms Pending, 61 L Names To Be Dropped

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 19:56 IST

The Election Commission of India said in a statement that 99% of voters have already been covered under the drive

Among the 61 lakh, 21.6 lakh are deceased electors, 31.5 lakh have permanently migrated, seven lakh are registered at more than one place, while one lakh electors are untraceable. Representational image/PTI

With just a day left for the deadline of Bihars special intensive revision (SIR), about seven lakh voters had not submitted their enumeration forms to the Election Commission of India by Thursday evening. Another 61 lakh voters are expected to be dropped from the draft electoral rolls, as they are either dead, shifted elsewhere, or untraceable.

The poll body, in a statement, said that 99% of voters have already been covered under the drive.

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Forms of 7.21 crore electors (91.32%) have been received and digitised; names of all these electors will be included in the Draft Electoral Roll. The remaining forms are also being digitised along with BLO/BLA reports to facilitate their verification during the claims and objections period," the ECI said.

Among the 61 lakh, 21.6 lakh are deceased electors, 31.5 lakh have permanently migrated, seven lakh are registered at more than one place, while one lakh electors are untraceable.

Despite door-to-door visits by local BLOs/BLAs, forms of fewer than 7 lakh electors have still not been received," the poll body said.

The booth-level lists of those electors who have not filled their forms, are dead, or have permanently migrated have been shared with all political parties so that they can point out any errors.

As per the SIR order, the draft electoral rolls will be published on August 1, and printed as well as digital copies will be provided to all 12 political parties in the fray. The draft rolls will also be available on the ECI website.

The Election Commission has reiterated that, as per the SIR order, any elector or political party can file a claim in case of missing names or raise an objection in case of wrong inclusion until September 1.

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Ahead of the assembly polls in Bihar, the SIR drive is seen as a crucial step towards cleaning and strengthening the electoral rolls.

Elections are likely to be held in Bihar around October-November, as the term of the assembly ends in November.

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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 19:56 IST

News india Bihar Voter SIR-vey: With Friday Deadline, 7 L Enumeration Forms Pending, 61 L Names To Be Dropped

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CBI Signs MoU With UKs National Crime Agency To Boost Cooperation

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 20:07 IST

The CBI and UK's NCA signed an MoU in Aylesbury to combat crime, coinciding with India and UK's FTA signing.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak during a press conference after signing a free trade agreement at Chequers near Aylesbury, England. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the UKs National Crime Agency (NCA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Aylesbury to strengthen cooperation on combating organised crime, corruption and economic offences on Wednesday, the same day India and the United Kingdom signed a long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

The MoU is aimed at improving information-sharing and coordination between the two agencies.

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Vikram Misri, the foreign secretary, said while announcing the signing of the MoU, that the aim of the agreement is to curb and combat instances of corruption.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Central Bureau of Investigation of India and the UK National Crime Agency. Both leaders also expressed great happiness at the increasing collaboration in new and emerging technologies between the two countries," he further added.

The agreement came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi met UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for formal talks in Aylesbury, accompanied by a high-level delegation.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the adoption of the India-UK Vision 2035 document reflects a shared commitment to infuse higher ambition and renewed momentum" into the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. He said the document would guide bilateral ties over the next decade through a time-bound programme of cooperation across key pillars such as economic growth, technology, defence, climate action, and people-to-people ties. Misri also highlighted the Defence Industrial Roadmap as a major step forward, saying it would open up enormous opportunities for joint collaboration" between the defence industries of both sides.

Speaking at a joint press conference after the trade deal was signed, PM Modi issued a sharp warning against the misuse of democratic freedoms by extremist forces. We agree forces of extremist ideologies cannot be allowed to misuse democratic freedom. Those who misuse democratic freedom to undermine democracy itself must be held accountable," he said.

FS Vikram Misri : MOU signed between Indias CBI and UKs National Crime Agency https://t.co/yVVoHyCI0B Siddhant Mishra (@siddhantvm) July 24, 2025

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Modi also thanked the UK government for its strong condemnation of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, saying, We thank the Prime Minister and his government for their strong condemnation of Pahalgam."

The India-UK FTA, described as a landmark step, is expected to expand trade in goods and services, increase investment flows and open up new areas of cooperation in sectors such as defence, technology, and green energy.

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

Location : Aylesbury, England

First Published: July 24, 2025, 19:43 IST

News india CBI Signs MoU With UKs National Crime Agency To Boost Cooperation

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Dont Worry, Use English: PM Modi Smiles As Translator Struggles With Hindi At UK Presser

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 20:41 IST

PM Modi and UK PM Starmer shared a light moment with a translator at a press conference after signing the India-UK Free Trade Agreement, set to boost bilateral trade.

The India UK free trade agreement was signed by commerce ministers of the countries in presence of PM Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer. (Bloomberg)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer on Thursday shared a candid moment with a translator when she seemingly struggled to translate a sentence from English to Hindi.

The incident took place when Starmer was addressing a joint press conference after signing the landmark India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) at Chequers. As he was speaking, the translator following the speech began to fumble.

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Amid this, PM Modi lightened the mood by reassuring the struggling Hindi translator midsession. Commenting on the translators falter, he quipped, Dont bother, we can use English words in between. Dont worry about it." To this, the translator is heard apologising to him.

Sorry His Excellency Ive lost the speech," she confessed.

Yeah no problem," PM Modi said and Starmer offered to repeat himself.

His relaxed tone echoed over the microphone and signalled camaraderie between the two leaders.

#WATCH | Dont bother, we can use English words in between. Dont worry about it," says PM Narendra Modi candidly as translations for questions and answers were made at their press statement and the journalists questions that followed.I think we understand each other well," pic.twitter.com/VUe2wqQllG  ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2025

The UK Prime Minister then rescued the translator by saying that PM Modi and he understand each other well enough to move past. I think we understand each other well" he smiled.

A video of the candid moment shared by news agency ANI has garnered widespread attention from netizens.

India-UK FTA

Earlier today, PM Modi, who is on a two-day visit to UK, hailed the signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), saying that it is a historic day in the bilateral relationship of both the countries.

While addressing the joint presser, PM Modi said that a comprehensive economic trade agreement has been completed today and Indian textile, footwear, gems, jewellery, seafood will get better access in UK market.

Today marks a historic day in our relations. I am delighted that after the hard work of several years, today our two nations have signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement," he said as quoted by news agency ANI.

While hailing the agreement, PM Modi further emphasised on the creation of new job opportunities saying that this agreement will especially benefit Indian youth, farmers, fishermen and MSME sector.

This Agreement is not just an economic agreement but also the plan for a shared prosperity. On one side, Indian textile, footwear, gems and jewellery, seafood and engineering goods will get better market access in the UK. On the other hand, for the people of India and industry, products made in UK like medical devices will be available at reasonable and affordable prices," he added.

New Delhi and London inked a major agreement in the presence of Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds.

The deal will significantly improve market access and will boost bilateral trade by around $34 billion annually. The FTA is projected to double bilateral trade by 2030, from the current $60 billion mark.

The FTA is expected to benefit 99% Indian exports from tariff and will make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India besides boosting the overall trade basket, according to officials as reported by news agency PTI.

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The trade deal, firmed up after three years of negotiations, is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors and India will gain from tariff elimination on about 99% of tariff lines (product categories) covering almost 100% of the trade values.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: July 24, 2025, 20:41 IST

News india Dont Worry, Use English: PM Modi Smiles As Translator Struggles With Hindi At UK Presser

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'Extremists Who Misuse Democratic Freedom Must Be Held Accountable': PM Modi On Terrorism

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 16:09 IST

PM Modi warns against misuse of democratic freedoms by extremists at a joint press conference with UK PM Keir Starmer.

PM Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer are seen. (Image Credit: AFP)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued a sharp warning against the misuse of democratic freedoms by extremist forces, saying unequivocally that there is no place for a double standard in the fight against terrorism." Speaking at a joint press conference with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer after the signing of the landmark India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), PM Modi said, Those who misuse democratic freedom to undermine democracy itself must be held accountable."

In a firm and direct message to the global community, PM Modi said, We agree forces of extremist ideologies cannot be allowed to misuse democratic freedom. Those who misuse democratic freedom to undermine democracy itself must be held accountable."

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Read more: Most Comprehensive Deal Since UK Left EU: PM Keir Starmer On Trade Pact With India

PM Modi also thanked the UK government for its prompt condemnation of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam saying, We thank the Prime Minister and his government for their strong condemnation of Pahalgam."

There is no place for double standards when it comes to terrorism," PM Modi asserted.

PM Modi also touched on broader global instability, saying, We support early restoration of peace and stability," referring to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and escalating conflicts in the Middle East.

Read more: Historic Day In Our Ties: PM Modi Hails India-UK Trade Deal

India-UK Trade Deal Signed

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The two leaders celebrated a major economic breakthrough with the signing of the long-delayed Free Trade Agreement. Calling it a historic day" in bilateral ties, PM Modi said, A comprehensive economic trade agreement has been completed today, and Indian textile, footwear, gems and jewellery, seafood will get better access in the UK market."

UK PM Keir Starmer hailed India as a natural partner in a changing world," emphasizing the shared values of democracy, rule of law and pluralism. He said the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will bring huge benefits to both of our countries, boosting wages, raising living standards and putting more money in the pockets of working people".

Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: July 24, 2025, 15:48 IST

News india 'Extremists Who Misuse Democratic Freedom Must Be Held Accountable': PM Modi On Terrorism

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Fake Embassy Racket: What Made Affluent UP Man Turn To Life Of 'Dupelomacy'?

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 18:21 IST

For 47-year-old Harshvardhan Jain, it was an insatiable thirst for VVIP treatment, a plush lifestyle, and the illusion of global influence

Harshvardhan Jain styled himself as a diplomat of fictitious nations. (Image/News18)

What drives a man born into a well-to-do business family to masquerade as a diplomat of countries that dont even exist? For 47-year-old Harshvardhan Jain, it was an insatiable thirst for VVIP treatment, a plush lifestyle, and the illusion of global influence. A man who once rubbed shoulders with industrialists and claimed academic laurels from France, Jain turned a rented bungalow in Ghaziabads posh Kavi Nagar locality into the headquarters of a fake embassythe Embassy of Westarctica."

On Tuesday night, Jains elaborate charade came crashing down. Acting on central intelligence inputs, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) raided his residence and arrested him. What followed was a stunning unravelling of a parallel world where fantasy and fraud intertwinedcomplete with luxury cars bearing fake diplomatic number plates, forged documents, satellite phones, morphed photos with top Indian leaders, and a web of shell companies allegedly used for hawala transactions.

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He was so convincing. Expensive clothes, high-end watches, foreign flags on cars. We never imagined it was all fake," said a local resident who lives near the bungalow but refused to be identified.

A Fabricated Life of Diplomacy and Power

Harshvardhan Jain claimed to be the ambassador or diplomatic advisor of fictitious nations like Westarctica, Seborga, Poulvia, and Lodoniaentities that are either micronations or entirely imaginary. The embassy" he ran, just 100 metres from his fathers residence, bore flags, plaques, and office-like interiors to resemble an actual foreign mission. But the charade was bolstered further by something more intangible: access and influence.

Jain reportedly had direct entry to several ministries in Delhi. He told us he was never stopped by any security personnel at ministry gates. He acted and moved like a real diplomatsometimes even in convoy," said an officer from the ATS who interrogated him.

In reality, Jain was running a large-scale operation involving forgery, deception, and possibly money laundering. From edited photographs with the Prime Minister and other dignitaries to rubber stamps of fictitious nations and even two fake press cardsnothing was left to the imagination.

The man had built a persona that was larger than life. He understood exactly how to create an aura of legitimacy," said special task force (STF) SSP Sushil Ghule.

A Life of Comfort, and Crime

Born to industrialist JD Jain, a former officer in the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Harshvardhan was no stranger to privilege. His family once owned marble mines in Rajasthan and exported the material to London under the banners of Indira Marbles and JD Marbles.

He claims to have acquired a PhD from France, although authorities are still verifying the credentials. In the 2012 raid by central agencies, a satellite phone was recovered from my house. But I was let off as no anti-national links were established," Jain told interrogators during a 2.5-hour questioning session by the ATS.

The lavish lifestyle he flaunted included frequent trips to Dubai, Paris, London, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia. He owned multiple luxury vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz and two Hyundai Sonatas. However, police later discovered that all three cars were over 15 years old and had expired fitness certificates. Foreign flags and DC" plates helped avoid police scrutiny.

In total, 12 luxury watchesincluding 10 foreign-made models were recovered from his house, along with 44.70 lakh in Indian and foreign currency. The STF also seized 12 fake diplomatic passports, two forged PAN cards, and documents linked to over 18 companies allegedly set up abroad.

He used these shell companies in places like Dubai and London to move money under the guise of consultancy and job placement," said an ATS officer involved in the investigation.

The Embassy Next Door

Jains so-called embassy was located in a 1,000-square-metre bungalow in Kavi Nagar owned by one Anoop Singh. The residence had over a dozen rooms, two of which were used to run the fake diplomatic office. The rest housed his wife, Dimple Jain, and their minor son.

Police say Jain barely communicated with neighbours, preferring WhatsApp and internet calls. We saw black-tinted cars with strange number plates coming in and out. But the foreign flags and embassy board made it look authentic," said a local security guard.

Interestingly, Jains father had reportedly disowned him years ago due to his wrong activities." Since then, he had been living separately with his family in the rented bungalow.

Wifes Gold Business under Scanner

The ATS has also begun probing the financial transactions of Jains wife, who runs a gold and silver business near Chandni Chowk in Delhi. Jain claimed that a part of the seized Rs 44.70 lakh belonged to her earnings and a recent property settlement with her brother.

However, the agencies are not buying the explanation. We are verifying the sources of funds and whether the wifes business was also used as a front," said ACP Kavi Nagar Bhaskar Verma.

More Layers to the Fraud

Apart from impersonating diplomats, Jain had previously claimed links with controversial godman Chandraswami and even international arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi, which are under investigation.

The ATS has now initiated inquiries into seven PNB accounts linked to Jain and is also contacting enforcement agencies to uncover any cross-border links in the hawala racket. Intelligence agencies are also looking into whether any bureaucrats or politicians offered Jain direct or indirect support.

No Country for Conmen

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The countries Jain representedlike Westarcticaare often the result of internet-based micronation movements. Westarctica, for instance, was created in 2001 by an American naval officer, who claimed a slice of unclaimed Antarctic territory. It has a Grand Duke and a symbolic system of nobilitybut no actual land, people, or diplomatic recognition.

Still, for Harshvardhan Jain, these fantasies served a real purpose: they allowed him to build a brand of power, surround himself with VIP protocols, and scam people seeking foreign placements or influence. As investigators continue to unravel the scope of his fraud, the question that remains is, how did he get away with it for so long?

First Published: July 24, 2025, 18:21 IST

News india Fake Embassy Racket: What Made Affluent UP Man Turn To Life Of 'Dupelomacy'?

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'Historic Day In Our Ties': PM Modi Hails India-UK Trade Deal

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 16:44 IST

New Delhi and London inked a major agreement that will significantly improve market access and will boost bilateral trade by around $34 billion annually.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks during a joint press statement after a meeting with his British counterpart Keir Starmer at Chequers Estate, in UK. (PTI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hailed the signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), saying that it is a historic day in the bilateral relationship of both the countries.

While addressing the joint meet with UK PM Keir Starmer after inking the key pact, PM Modi said that a comprehensive economic trade agreement has been completed today and Indian textile, footwear, gems, jewellery, seafood will get better access in UK market.

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Today marks a historic day in our relations. I am delighted that after the hard work of several years, today our two nations have signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement," he said as quoted by news agency ANI.

#WATCH | London, UK: PM Narendra Modi says, Today marks a historic day in our relations. I am delighted that after the hard work of several years, today our two nations have signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement."(Video source: ANI/DD)#PMModiInUK pic.twitter.com/ZioLb9qNgt  ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2025

While hailing the agreement, PM Modi further emphasised on the creation of new job opportunities saying that this agreement will especially benefit Indian youth, farmers, fishermen and MSME sector.

This Agreement is not just an economic agreement but also the plan for a shared prosperity. On one side, Indian textile, footwear, gems and jewellery, seafood and engineering goods will get better market access in the UK. On the other hand, for the people of India and industry, products made in UK like medical devices will be available at reasonable and affordable prices," he added.

#WATCH | London, UK: PM Narendra Modi says, This Agreement is not just an economic agreement but also the plan for a shared prosperity. On one side, Indian textile, footwear, gems and jewellery, seafood and engineering goods will get better market access in the UK. New pic.twitter.com/q9Yk9e9qbm ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2025

New Delhi and London inked a major agreement in the presence of Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds.

The deal will significantly improve market access and will boost bilateral trade by around $34 billion annually. The FTA is projected to double bilateral trade by 2030, from the current $60 billion mark.

India and the UK sign the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement in London, in the presence of Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds.#IndiaUKFTA(Pics: ANI/DD News) pic.twitter.com/qThofME2yf  ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2025

The FTA is expected to benefit 99% Indian exports from tariff and will make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India besides boosting the overall trade basket, according to officials as reported by news agency PTI.

The trade deal, firmed up after three years of negotiations, is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors and India will gain from tariff elimination on about 99% of tariff lines (product categories) covering almost 100% of the trade values.

What Are The Key Features Of The Agreement?

The India-UK FTA is designed to cover more than just trade in goods. It includes commitments on services, investment facilitation, labour mobility, public procurement, and cooperation on technical standards. However, certain sectors such as agriculture and sensitive financial services have been kept out of its purview for now.

For Indian businesses, especially small and medium enterprises, the removal of tariffs offers a significant competitive edge. In the textiles sector, where Indian exports often face stiff competition from countries like Bangladesh and Vietnam, the new deal is expected to level the playing field. Indian exporters will now have better pricing power in the UK market, particularly in garments and home furnishings.

The gems and jewellery sector, centred in cities like Surat and Mumbai, is expected to benefit from easier access and lower costs, making Indian exports more attractive in the UKs high-value market. Similarly, sectors like leather, handicrafts, and engineering goods are likely to see increased order volumes as duties drop and logistical barriers ease.

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Crucially, the agreement simplifies regulatory standards for various products. Technical barriers to trade, such as duplicative testing requirements or product certifications, will now be streamlined. This will reduce compliance costs and speed up market access for Indian manufacturers.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: July 24, 2025, 15:40 IST

News india 'Historic Day In Our Ties': PM Modi Hails India-UK Trade Deal

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How A Pav Bhaji Craving Led To A Rs 2.15 Crore Gold Robbery Crackdown In Kalaburagi

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 13:05 IST

One of the accused stopped for a snack, and not only was his movement captured on CCTV cameras, but his payment left behind a digital trail that helped police zero in on him

The craving for a snack proved to be the undoing for a robber in Karnataka. (AI-generated image)

When masked robbers targeted a gold jewellery shop in Karnatakas Kalaburagi, they executed a plan that seemed foolproofuntil one of them gave in to a plate of pav bhaji worth Rs 30. The snack not only led to their arrest, but also forced them to cough up gold worth Rs 2.15 crore.

On July 11, Ayodhya Prasad Chouhan (48), Farooq Ahmed Malik (40), and Sohail Shaikh alias Badshah allegedly planned the heist at the jewellery store owned by Marathulla Malik. They roped in another local criminal whom police have been trying to trace.

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As Farooq, the mastermind behind the robbery, stationed himself outside the shop to keep watch during the operation, the other three accused, armed with guns, stormed the store in broad daylight, tied Marathulla Maliks hands and feet with a rope, opened the locker, and fled with what police later determined was not 805 grams but 3 kilograms of gold ornaments, along with cash. Marathulla had not disclosed the unaccounted gold to the police initially, fearing a raid, revealing yet another twist in the tale.

Police also found during investigation that Farooq, who had been running a goldsmith business, had suffered heavy financial losses. With debts mounting to Rs 40 lakh, he had roped in the other criminals to loot the shop and revive his failing business.

However, it was Farooqs next move that proved to be their undoing. Instead of fleeing immediately, he stopped at a nearby roadside eatery for pav bhaji. His movement was captured on CCTV cameras from adjacent shops, which the police later reviewed. What gave him away was the Rs 30 he paid via PhonePea digital trail that helped police zero in on him.

We found that after they left for the shop, Farooq stayed back and paid Rs 30 for pav bhaji through PhonePe. Once the others returned after the heist, they all fled together. We traced the digital payment and got a contact number, which turned out to be a crucial lead," a police officer said.

Visuals accessed by the police showed the three armed robbers briefly stepping out of the shop to speak to Farooq before going back inside. Once the job was done, all four left the spot together.

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While police managed to arrest the accused and recover a significant portion of the loot, they discovered that the jeweller had under-reported the value of the stolen gold. Marathulla Malik initially told the police that the gang had looted 805 grams of gold and some cash. But there was more to admitMalik later confessed to the police that around 3 kg of gold had been taken. Police are now investigating him as well.

Some of the stolen gold was melted down soon after the heist, while a portion was retained by the accused. A special team formed under Kalaburagi police commissioner SD Sharanappa later recovered 2.865 kg of gold and Rs 4.80 lakh in cash.

About the Author Rohini Swamy Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18s digital platform. She has previously worked with t... Read More Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18s digital platform. She has previously worked with t... Read More

First Published: July 24, 2025, 13:04 IST

News india How A Pav Bhaji Craving Led To A Rs 2.15 Crore Gold Robbery Crackdown In Kalaburagi

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Indias Alert Leads To Cambodias Largest Cybercrime Raid, 3,075 Arrested Across 138 Sites

Curated By :

News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain



Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 10:33 IST

Cambodias raids exposed transnational scam hubs where trafficked victims were coerced into running cyberfraud rackets targeting users across Asia

Cambodian military police personnel guard a cache of computers, smartphones and other equipment seized during a raid on a scam center in Kandal province on July 17, 2025. (AFP/Pool)

In one of the largest coordinated crackdowns on cybercrime in Southeast Asia, Cambodian authorities have arrested more than 3,000 individuals from over a dozen countries. The operation, which targeted online fraud networks, took place between June 27 and July 22, 2025, and covered 138 locations.

According to Business Today, the action followed requests from Indian agencies, including the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).

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This was a big step by the Cambodian government on the request of MHA, Ministry of External Affairs and I4C," Home Ministry sources said, as reported by Business Today.

The raids targeted cyberfraud compounds across Phnom Penh and 16 other provinces, uncovering transnational scam networks powered by forced labour, trafficking, and torture. Cambodian authorities said a total of 3,075 suspects, including 606 women, were arrested.

Those detained included:

1,028 Chinese nationals (89 women)

693 Vietnamese (190 women)

366 Indonesians (70 women)

105 Indians (9 women)

101 Bangladeshis (27 women)

82 Thais

81 Pakistanis

57 Koreans

13 Nepalese

4 Malaysians

Others from the Philippines, Laos, Russia, Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Sierra Leone, Mongolia, and Myanmar.

The suspects are currently being processed for legal action, deportation, or further investigation. Officials of the Government of India and the Ministry of External Affairs are taking steps to deport Indians arrested in Cambodia, as reported by Business Today.

Cambodian PM Ordered Action, Warned Officials Of Dismissal

The crackdown was launched under direct orders from Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who issued strict instructions to law enforcement and military officials. Any failure to act, the directive warned, could result in termination.

The operations began shortly after the first meeting of Cambodias National Anti-Money Laundering Commission on June 27 and were accelerated after the Prime Ministers order on July 15, as noted in an official statement by the Secretariat of the Commission for Combating Online Fraud.

Forced Labour, Crypto Scams And Digital Arrests

The raids exposed a grim underworld of digital fraud compounds, many allegedly backed by Chinese organised crime groups, where victims were lured via fake job offers, then held captive and forced to operate call centre-style cyber scams.

The United Nations estimates that over 100,000 people are currently trapped in such scam compounds across Cambodia. These illegal operations fuel global frauds, including investment scams, crypto cons, romance baiting, and even law enforcement impersonation.

Fake Indian and Chinese police uniforms were among the materials seized during the raids.

Seizures And Court Action

Cambodian police recovered hundreds of digital devices used in the operations, along with weapons, bullets, drug processing equipment, ecstasy powder, white powder suspected to be narcotics, and forged law enforcement paraphernalia.

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Khmer Times reported that the perpetrators were sent to court to carry out procedures," with Phnom Penh alone forwarding 11 accused and evidence to the court, which ordered temporary detention for eight. Additionally, 17 Chinese nationals have been moved to a deportation staging facility in Preah Sihanouk province, with preparations underway to send them back.

After the raids, locations were sealed off by authorities to prevent re-entry or destruction of evidence.

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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 10:29 IST

News india Indias Alert Leads To Cambodias Largest Cybercrime Raid, 3,075 Arrested Across 138 Sites

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'Insistence On Marathi Natural, But Manhandling Over Language Won't Be Tolerated': Fadnavis

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 23:02 IST

Maharashtra CM stressed that language should be a bridge, never a weapon

CM Fadnavis was at the store launch event today. (Pic: ANI)

Amid a language war in Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that language cannot be a means of discord and a Marathi person can never be narrow-minded on such issues.

Speaking at the inauguration of two special centres at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Fadnavis said his governments policy has been Marathi along with other Indian languages, even as parts of Mumbai were rocked by violent protests against the imposition of Hindi" in Maharashtra.

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Language is a means of communication, but never of discord. Mother tongue is important. Every Marathi person is proud of the Marathi language. Insistence on Marathi is natural and justified, but we should also respect other Indian languages," he said.

Fadnavis was speaking at a function to inaugurate the Kusumagraj Special Centre for Marathi Language, Literature and Culture and the Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Special Centre for Security and Strategic Studies at the JNU.

The debate is not Marathi versus Hindi. There is no alternative to Marathi. A Marathi person has to accept Marathi. But our policy is Marathi along with other Indian languages. We should learn Marathi and also know other languages," he said.

I say time and again, a Marathi person can never be narrow-minded. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj never taught us to be narrow-minded. Sant Dyaneshwar prayed for the welfare of the entire world and not just his followers," the chief minister added.

He confirmed that a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji would be installed at the JNU campus, with the universitys Vice-Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit supporting the proposal.

The Maharashtra governments decision to introduce a three-language formula in primary schools led to protests by Raj Thackerays Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Uddhav Thackerays Shiv Sena (UBT) over the imposition of Hindi".

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The state government rolled back its decision, but the issue united the estranged Thackeray cousins, who claimed to have joined hands for the cause of Marathi.

(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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 23:01 IST

News india 'Insistence On Marathi Natural, But Manhandling Over Language Won't Be Tolerated': Fadnavis

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'Didn't Know I Was Burying My Own': Palghar Man's Brother Says Accused Called Him To Lay Tiles

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 09:32 IST

The Palghar woman, arrested for her husband's murder with the help of her lover, reportedly had called her brother-in-law to install tiles over her husband's buried body.

Deceased Vijay Chouhan/Accused woman Chaman Devi/her lover Monu Sharma (Photos: Social Media)

As chilling details continue to emerge in the Palghar mans murder by his wife and her lover, a report has now claimed the accused woman had asked the victims elder brother to install new tiles atop his burial. The victims brother works as a daily wage labourer and is the eldest among the four brothers.

According to the Hindustan Times, 34-year-old Ajay Chouhan said he was not aware that he was burying his own brother.

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Chaman Devi (28) and her paramour Monu Sharma (20) were arrested in Pune on the evening of July 22, a day after the decomposed body of her husband, Vijay Chouhan (34), was exhumed from the couples home at Gangnipada in Nallasopara, a distant suburb of Mumbai.

According to police, the duo killed Chouhan and buried his body under floor tiles around two weeks ago.

The report claims Ajay Chouhan was asked by Chaman Devi to fix some tiles at her place, which she said were removed to get some work done on a pipeline.

I did not know I was burying my own brother," said Ajay Chouhan.

She (Chaman Devi) told me the tiles in their house were removed to work on some pipeline and asked me to come over to fix it," he added.

According to the police, the duo killed Vijay Chouhan and buried his body under floor tiles around two weeks ago.

The crime came to light when two brothers of Chouhan went to his home and noticed a foul smell emanating from the floor.

Neighbours informed Chouhans brothers that Vijay Chouhan had not been seen since July 10 and his wife had also been missing since July 19, said police.

On being alerted, a police team arrived at the house and exhumed the body in the presence of doctors, forensic experts and the local tehsildar.

Commenting on the matter, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone III), Suachas Bawche from Virar, told reporters that the two accused were next-door neighbours.

They wanted to get married, but saw Vijay Chouhan as a hurdle. They then decided to kill him," the official said.

The HT report claims the victims wife had been repeatedly calling Ajay to install new tiles, but he could only make time on July 19, 2025, which was two days before the police recovered the body.

When I asked her why Vijay was not answering his phone, she told me he bought a new phone and angrily left the house to stay at his workplace in Kandivali. But when I inquired at his workplace, I was told that he had quit the job eight days ago," the victims brother said.

Meanwhile, a Palghar court on Wednesday remanded the accused woman and her paramour in police custody till July 30.

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They have been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 103 (murder), 238 (destruction of evidence) and 3(5) (common intention), and further investigation was underway.

ALSO READ | Jilted Lover Kills Womans Husband, Dumps Body In River After She Refused His Proposal

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.

First Published: July 24, 2025, 09:24 IST

News india 'Didn't Know I Was Burying My Own': Palghar Man's Brother Says Accused Called Him To Lay Tiles

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Maldives Should Fully Support India On Pahalgam, Says Ambassador Bhatia Ahead Of PM Modi's Visit

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 08:32 IST

Rajiv Bhatia said despite Muizzus missteps, India handled the situation with maturity and pragmatism and continued its good works in Maldives

Ambassador Rajiv Bhatia said Maldives has realised that India is the one which helps it in times of crisis. (PTI)

Maldives should come out strongly in full support of India on the Pahalgam terror attack and the issue of combating international terrorism when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Male this week, Ambassador Rajiv Bhatia, who is an expert on Maldives, has told CNN-News18 in an interview.

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Bhatia earlier headed the division responsible for relations with Maldives in the Ministry of External Affairs. He said the last presidential elections in Maldives in 2023 were fought on the plank of India Out campaign by Mohamed Muizzu, and the atmosphere was spoilt. Muizzu then paid visits to Turkey and China, said Bhatia, a Distinguished Fellow at Gateway House.

But among the people of Maldives and various political parties, there is a lot of love for India. That emerged eventually and created pressure upon Muizzu. He hoped for a lot from China, but that was not achieved. India, however, handled the situation with maturity and pragmatism. We did not react and continued with the good works we had been doing in Maldives," Bhatia said.

He said Maldives has realised that India is the one that helps it in times of crisis. They had a lot of expectations from China and the West but they were not fulfilled," Bhatia said. He said India-Maldives relations have been on a good wicket for a long period ever since Maldives got independence in 1965. There were some downs in the past, but now the relationship is moving upwards. This visit by our PM will cement it," he said.

Under all Presidents, except one, from President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom onwardsthe relationship was very friendly and cordial. Then, a particular President (Muizzu) came, and he appeared very pro-China. So that was a semicolon in the relationship," Bhatia told CNN-News18. He pointed out how Muizzu wanted to remove the 75 Indian soldiers who were in Male for looking after their choppers for medical emergencies.

How the Relationship Got Repaired

Bhatia said that normally, the President of Maldives makes his first trip to India, but Muizzu went to Turkey and China where he signed 20 agreements. So, it seemed he was unhappy with India. But the basic considerations of geographical proximity, historical relationship and mutual interests dominated the relationship. And as a result, two things happened last yearin August, S Jaishankar visited Maldives and then President Muizzu came to India last October. That became a very productive and successful visit," Ambassador Bhatia said.

He said one must note that PM Modi is now the guest of honour at the 60th Independence Day celebrations of Maldives, which is significant per se.

But PM Modis visits are not just about protocol and pomp. They are about substantive results. There will be discussions with the political leadership, the business community, the intellectual community, the diaspora and other dignitaries of the government. Some new agreements may be signed, and there could be closer coordination on global and regional issues."

Bhatia said defence cooperation is very important, and India has been helping the police and security authorities in Maldives, along with the defence and navy of Maldives, over a long period.

Maldives needs India a lot, we are their immediate neighbour who has always helped them. When tsunami crisis came, water crisis happened, when there was a security concern due to terroristsIndia went out of its way to help them. We have a positive image there," Bhatia said.

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Without referring to a particular country (China) with which undoubtedly there is geopolitical competition in and around Maldives, the visit itself will convey the signal that India remains one of the most important strategic partners of Maldives," Bhatia said. He added that India played such a role in Sri Lanka and also in Maldives by way of financial assistance.

Indias generosity is not over. It will be more in the future, and new initiatives will emerge," Bhatia said.

About the Author Aman Sharma Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More

Location : Maldives

First Published: July 24, 2025, 08:32 IST

News india Maldives Should Fully Support India On Pahalgam, Says Ambassador Bhatia Ahead Of PM Modi's Visit

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Man Parades 8-Month-Old Son Hanging Upside Down In Uttar Pradesh Over Dowry Dispute With Wife

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News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: July 25, 2025, 00:01 IST

The police launched an investigation and booked the man for disturbing public peace. The baby suffered a dislocated hip and is undergoing treatment

The man from Rampur village in Uttar Pradesh, paraded his infant son upside down to pressure his wifes family into giving him dowry. (Image: @mktyaggi/X)

In a disturbing incident from a village in Uttar Pradesh, a man allegedly paraded his eight-month-old son hanging upside down over a dowry dispute with his wife.

A video of the incident went viral on July 19 following which the police launched an investigation and booked the man for disturbing public peace. The baby suffered a dislocated hip and is undergoing treatment.

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Watch the video here:

According to a report by Times of India, the man, identified as Sanju from Rampur village in Uttar Pradesh, paraded his infant son upside down to pressure his wifes family into giving him Rs 2 lakh and a car in dowry. During a family meeting, he snatched the baby from his wife and began swinging the child in the air by his legs, the report said.

Village residents witnessed the incident and some even filmed it. His wife, Suman, lodged a formal police complaint saying Sanju tortured the child so that she and her parents would give him Rs 2 lakh in cash and a car.

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Police said the couple got married in November 2023. There was a meeting between both families when the accused held his son by the legs, and swung him around the village like a spinning top, Times of India reported.

A legal action has been taken against the accused father. We are also appealing to the public not to physically torture children in case on any dispute," SP Rampur Vidyasagar Mishra was quoted in the report.

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

Location : Uttar Pradesh, India, India

First Published: July 25, 2025, 00:01 IST

News india Man Parades 8-Month-Old Son Hanging Upside Down In Uttar Pradesh Over Dowry Dispute With Wife

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Mumbai Suburban Rail Death Toll Hits 2,282 In 2024; Trespassing, Falls Biggest Contributor

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 12:40 IST

The minister also noted that increasing frequency of suburban train services is an ongoing process, subject to operational feasibility, traffic demand, and resource availability.

The causes ranged from trespassing, pole hitting, falling from running trains, falling in platform gaps. (X)

A total of 2,282 fatalities were reported on Mumbais suburban railway network in 2024 due to causes such as trespassing, pole hitting, falling from running trains, and platform gaps, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.

The data was shared in a written response to a question raised by Congress MP Sasikanth Senthil, who flagged commuter safety concerns on Mumbais overburdened local train system.

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The minister noted that issues of law and order and public safety fall under the jurisdiction of state governments, as defined by the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. He said enforcement responsibilities lie with the Government Railway Police (GRP) and district police, while the Railway Protection Force (RPF) works in coordination to supplement their efforts in securing passengers and railway property.

According to information received from GRP, 2,282 fatalities were reported on Mumbais suburban railway network in 2024 due to various reasons such as trespassing, pole hitting, falling from running trains, and falling into platform gaps," Vaishnaw stated.

The minister provided a district-wise breakdown of the fatalities:

Mumbai accounted for the highest number with 1,408 deaths

Thane reported 615 fatalities

Raigarh and Navi Mumbai recorded 128 and 131 deaths, respectively

Commenting on a recent train-related incident near Mumbra station, Vaishnaw said a committee has been formed to investigate the cause.

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On the issue of enhancing commuter safety, he highlighted the introduction of AC local trains with automatic doors as a positive intervention. These doors remain closed while the train is in motion and only open at stations, reducing the risk of accidents caused by passengers boarding moving trains or hanging from footboardscommon contributors to fatal mishaps.

The minister also noted that increasing the frequency of suburban train services is an ongoing process, subject to operational feasibility, traffic demand, and resource availability.

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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 12:40 IST

News india Mumbai Suburban Rail Death Toll Hits 2,282 In 2024; Trespassing, Falls Biggest Contributor

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One Torso, Two Heads, Two Livers, Two Lungs, One HeartRare Conjoined Twins Born In Indore

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 17:13 IST

This rare condition, seen once in two lakh births, led to continuous monitoring by paediatricians, as the medical team now explores possible surgical options for the twins

The newborn, weighing 2.8 kg, may undergo surgery after thorough medical examinations. (Representative/Shutterstock)

A rare and remarkable case has emerged from MTH Hospital in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, where a child was born with two heads but a single torso. The unusual birth, which occurred late Tuesday night, has drawn significant attention from the medical community due to the extreme rarity of such a condition.

The child, currently under observation in the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU), has two heads connected to a single torso, two livers, one heart, and two lungs.

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This rare phenomenon, occurring once in two lakh births, prompted immediate and continuous monitoring by a team of paediatricians. The medical team is now considering potential surgical options to address the childs condition.

The mother, a resident of Dewas, was brought to the hospital with labour pains, leading to an emergency operation. The medical team faced a highly complex delivery, managing the rare condition with utmost care and precision, given the unique anatomy of the newborn. Post-surgery, senior hospital officials were promptly informed of the situation.

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Questions have arisen regarding the prenatal examinations, as the anomaly was not detected during sonography. The doctors are now focused on providing the best possible care and treatment to the child while keeping a vigilant watch on their health.

The newborn, weighing 2.8 kg, may undergo surgery after thorough medical examinations by a specialised team of six doctors.

Location : Indore, India, India

First Published: July 24, 2025, 17:13 IST

News india One Torso, Two Heads, Two Livers, Two Lungs, One HeartRare Conjoined Twins Born In Indore

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Over 100 Air India Pilots Took Sick Leave Days After Ahmedabad Dreamliner Crash

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 17:15 IST

Air India witnessed a minor increase in sick leaves reported by pilots across all its fleets in the aftermath of the Ahmedabad plane crash that killed 270 people last month.

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On June 12, the London Gatwick-bound Boeing 787-8 aircraft crashed soon after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport, killing at least 241 people on board, and several others on the ground. (PTI)

As many as 112 Air India pilots across all fleets took sick leave just four days after the ill-fated Boeing Dreamliner aircraft bound for London crashed in Ahmedabad that claimed over 270 lives on June 12.

In response to a Lok Sabha query on whether Air India has been experiencing mass sick reporting by its flight crew members following the crash, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol confirmed the minor increase in pilot sick reporting on Thursday, as reported by news agency PTI.

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He informed that out of the total pilots who asked for leave on June 16, 61 were first officers or senior pilots and the rest 51 were commanders/flight officers.

Air India reported a minor increase in sick leaves reported by pilots across all fleets in the aftermath of the AI-171 accident. On 16.06.2025, a total of 112 pilots reported sick, comprising of 51 Commanders (P1) and 61 First Officers (P2)," the minister said in a written reply.

However, the minister denied any instance of mass sick reporting by flight crew post-crash.

Mohol also highlighted the need to recognise and manage pilots mental health, particularly after a crash.

Responding to the question, he said that airlines were issued  in February 2023  notices requiring them to ensure quick and effective methods to assess mental health" during medical tests.

He said, airlines and airport authorities were also instructed to introduce standalone and customised training capsules" for flight crew and air traffic controllers to manage potential mental health problems.

Additionally, on mental health monitoring, the organisations (scheduled and non-scheduled operators, FTOs and AAI) were also advised to have a Peer Support Programme (PSP) in place for their employees. The organisations are required to enable, facilitate and ensure access to this proactive and non-punitive programme that will assist and support flight crew/ATCOs in recognising, coping with and overcoming any problem," Mohol said.

FTOs and AAI refer to Flying Training Organisations and the Airports Authority of India, respectively.

In another written reply, Mohol said that at present, there is no specific policy with the civil aviation ministry related to compensation for damages suffered by civilians on the ground due to a plane crash.

DGCA Notices To Air India

Meanwhile, aviation regulator DGCA has issued four show cause notices to Air India for various violations related to cabin crew rest and duty norms, cabin crew training rules and operational procedures, a month after the airline made certain voluntary disclosures to the watchdog, PTI reported.

The show cause notices were issued on July 23 on the basis of voluntary disclosures made by the airline to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on June 20 and 21, sources told the news agency.

We acknowledge receipt of these notices from the regulator related to certain voluntary disclosures that were made over the last one year by Air India. We will respond to the said notices within the stipulated period. We remain committed to the safety of our crew and passengers," an Air India spokesperson said in a statement.

Air India Crash

India witnessed one of its worst aviation tragedies on June 12 after a London-bound Air India plane, carrying 242 passengers and crew, including former Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani, crashed into a medical college complex shortly after taking off from Ahmedabads Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. 275 people lost their lives including 120 men, 124 women, and 16 children.

One person survived the tragedy. The lone survivor was identified as Indian-origin British national Vishwash Kumar Ramesh who was returning to the UK with his brother Ajay Kumar Rakesh, 45, who was in a different row inside the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

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Meanwhile, the preliminary report from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on the Air India crash was released earlier this month. While it has answered a critical question on what led to the crash just minutes after the flight took off from Ahmedabad airportcutting off of fuel supply to the enginesit has left many unanswered questions.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

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First Published: July 24, 2025, 17:15 IST

News india Over 100 Air India Pilots Took Sick Leave Days After Ahmedabad Dreamliner Crash

Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 14:40 IST

Parliament Monsoon Session Day 4 Highlights: The parliament saw a stormy session even on Thursday, with the Opposition protesting over SIR. Both the houses have been adjourned till tomorrow amid the ruckus.

Rajya Sabha MPs Ranjeet Ranjan and Akhilesh Prasad Singh have submitted a suspension of Business Notice in Rajya Sabha under rule 267, demanding discussion on the constitutional and electoral implications of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar.

During the Monsoon Session of Parliament, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal will move The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 for passage. The purpose of the Bill is to update and unify the laws related to merchant shipping in India.

Meanwhile, the parliament monsoon session saw a chaotic adjournment on Wednesday, with the Oppositions protests demanding discussions on Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor, leading to the adjournment of both houses. The INDIA bloc leaders have also protested against Bihars SIR issue outside the Parliament on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, a detailed 16-hour-long discussion is set to be held on Operation Sindoor starting from July 28. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also participate in the debate after concluding his foreign visit to UK and Maldives.

The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is also scheduled to respond to the detailed deliberations in the House.

The opposition parties have been constantly demanding PM Modis presence during the debate on Operation Sindoor. Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi criticised the Prime Minister for his silence over repeated ceasefire claims made by US President Donald Trump
PM Modi Meets King Charles At Sandringham With A Special Gift. Heres What It Was

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 22:45 IST

Prime Minister Modi met King Charles III at Sandringham House. Modi presented a tree inspired by "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam."

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King Charles III received PM Modi at Sandringham House on Thursday afternoon (local time). (X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met King Charles III at Sandringham House in Norfolk during his two-day visit to the United Kingdom.

According to Minister of External Affairs (MEA), both the leaders discussed bilateral issues and progress in India-UK ties. The also discussed to promote Ayurveda, Yoga and Mission LIFE (Lifestyle For Environment) in UK.

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PM @narendramodi met His Majesty King Charles III at Sandringham Estate in England today. They discussed bilateral issues & progress in India-UK ties. They also discussed avenues for collaboration in promoting Ayurveda, Yoga and Mission LIFE (Lifestyle For Environment), to spread the benefits to the UK," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.

PM @narendramodi met His Majesty King Charles III at Sandringham Estate in England today.They discussed bilateral issues & progress in - ties. They also discussed avenues for collaboration in promoting Ayurveda, Yoga and Mission LIFE (Lifestyle For Environment), to spread pic.twitter.com/16wEF5l60Q  Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) July 24, 2025

The British royal family in a post on X shared the photograph of the meeting and said that the King received the Prime Minister at Sandringham House on Thursday afternoon (local time).

The Royal Family further informed that PM Modi presented the King with a tree to be planted this autumn. The gift was inspired by the environmental initiative Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam launched by him, which encourages people to plant a tree in tribute to their mothers.

This afternoon, The King received the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, @NarendraModi, at Sandringham House. During their time together, His Majesty was given a tree to be planted this Autumn, inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", which encourages people to plant a tree in tribute to their mothers," the Royal Family said in a post on X.

This afternoon, The King received the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, @NarendraModi, at Sandringham House. During their time together, His Majesty was given a tree to be planted this Autumn, inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister, Ek pic.twitter.com/9nhigoCgkw  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 24, 2025

King Charles last met Indian premier in December 2023 on the sidelines of the Cop28 UN climate change summit hosted in Dubai. The latest meeting demonstrates the continued importance of the relationship between Britain and one of the Commonwealths largest nations.

Earlier today, both the nations inked a major Free Trade Agreement (FTA) marking the largest trade deal for the UK since its exit from the European Union in 2020.

The agreement, projected to increase bilateral trade by $34 billion annually, was formalised by Indias Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and the UKs Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds.

The signing followed high-level discussions between PM Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

PM Modi hailed the signing of the India-UK FTA, saying that it is a historic day in the bilateral relationship of both the countries.

While addressing the joint presser, PM Modi said that a comprehensive economic trade agreement has been completed today and Indian textile, footwear, gems, jewellery, seafood will get better access in UK market.

Today marks a historic day in our relations. I am delighted that after the hard work of several years, today our two nations have signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement," he said.

The deal will significantly improve market access and will boost bilateral trade by around $34 billion annually. The FTA is projected to double bilateral trade by 2030, from the current $60 billion mark.

The FTA is expected to benefit 99% Indian exports from tariff and will make it easier for British firms to export whisky, cars and other products to India besides boosting the overall trade basket, according to officials as reported by news agency PTI.

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The trade deal, firmed up after three years of negotiations, is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors and India will gain from tariff elimination on about 99% of tariff lines (product categories) covering almost 100% of the trade values.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

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Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: July 24, 2025, 22:30 IST

News india PM Modi Meets King Charles At Sandringham With A Special Gift. Heres What It Was

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Pune Horror: Govt Officer Secretly Filmed Wife In Bathroom To Blackmail Her

Curated By :

Local18

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 11:53 IST

The woman, also a government officer, stated in her complaint that her husband used hidden cameras to blackmail her for his car EMI. When she refused, he beat her up

Pune police have registered an FIR against the husband, his mother, three brothers-in-law, and two sisters-in-law. (AI-generated image)

In a deeply disturbing case from Pune, a 30-year-old government employee has filed a complaint against her husband, accusing him of planting hidden cameras in their bedroom and bathroom to record her private moments. The woman alleges her husband used these recordings to threaten and blackmail her, demanding money and subjecting her to ongoing physical and mental harassment.

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According to the complaint lodged at Ambegaon police station in Pune, the woman stated that her husband, also a government officer, had been monitoring her through these cameras and intimidating her with the footage. She said the surveillance was not accidental or temporarybut systematic and intentional.

The complaint further reveals that the harassment did not stop at surveillance. The woman said her husband and his family pressured her to ask for Rs 1.5 lakh from a friend to help pay the EMI for a car. When she refused, the abuse escalated. She also alleged that she was beaten for not arranging the money. The camera installation appears to have been part of a broader scheme to control and blackmail her, she added.

The Pune police have now registered a First Information Report (FIR) against seven individuals: the husband, his mother, three brothers-in-law, and two sisters-in-law. The charges are related to criminal intimidation, assault, and violation of privacy.

Police officials confirmed that the matter has been under investigation since July 11. While no arrests have been made yet, authorities say they are working to gather video evidence retrieved from the hidden devices. According to Ambegaon police, the alleged acts date back to 2020, and the woman had been enduring the abuse silently for years before approaching the authorities.

This case is not just about individual misconduct," a police official said on condition of anonymity. It raises serious concerns about digital privacy, domestic abuse, and the misuse of surveillance technology within marriages."

What has shocked the local community even more is the involvement of a government officer in such a serious violation of privacy. The case has sparked debate about the erosion of trust in intimate relationships, especially when dowry demands, physical abuse, and surveillance are used as tools of control.

Many are now questioning the effectiveness of existing laws in protecting women from such multi-layered forms of abuse. The incident highlights how even educated and professionally stable women are not safe from domestic oppression.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and more evidence is being collected. The woman is reportedly safe and under police protection.

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As the case unfolds, it is expected to prompt broader discussionsboth legally and sociallyon consent, privacy, and abuse within marriages.

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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 11:53 IST

News india Pune Horror: Govt Officer Secretly Filmed Wife In Bathroom To Blackmail Her

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'Say Politely You're Learning Marathi': Ajit Pawar's Advice To Avoid 'Problem' Amid Language Row

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 23:32 IST

Pawar urged non-Marathi speakers to be respectful towards the local language and show willingness to learn it

Ajit Pawar noted that incomplete bridges, poorly designed diversions, and subpar construction work have only added to the risk factor for motorists. (PTI)

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Thursday said that non-Marathi speakers living in the state should politely" say they are learning the language to avoid unnecessary conflict.

People living here who do not know Marathi  they should say politely that We do not know Marathi, we are learning it. If you say this, then there will be no problem," Pawar said.

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He also urged non-Marathi speakers to be respectful towards the local language and show willingness to learn it. Nothing will happen to someone who says that we are living in Maharashtra but cant speak very good Marathi. However, we respect the language and will try to learn it," he said.

VIDEO | Heres what Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) said on the language row:Nothing will happen to someone who says that we are living in Maharashtra but cant speak very good Marathi. However, we respect the language and will try to learn it. It doesnt pic.twitter.com/2I1tJMdiOz  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 24, 2025

Pawar also emphasised that the language of the state one lives in should be respected. It doesnt happen always, people react badly many times. You should respect the language of the state you live in, at least a little bit," he added.

His comments come amid growing tensions over language in Maharashtra. The issue has escalated over the past few weeks and has now reached Parliament.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis earlier today said that language cannot be a means of discord and a Marathi person can never be narrow-minded on such issues.

Speaking at an event, Fadnavis said his governments policy has been Marathi along with other Indian languages, even as parts of Mumbai were rocked by violent protests against the imposition of Hindi" in Maharashtra.

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Language is a means of communication, but never of discord. Mother tongue is important. Every Marathi person is proud of the Marathi language. Insistence on Marathi is natural and justified, but we should also respect other Indian languages," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

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

Location : Maharashtra, India, India

First Published: July 24, 2025, 23:32 IST

News india 'Say Politely You're Learning Marathi': Ajit Pawar's Advice To Avoid 'Problem' Amid Language Row

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'No Misplaced Sympathy With Gangsters': Supreme Court Urges Expedition Of Trials In Delhi-NCR

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 14:56 IST

The Supreme Court urged the Centre and Delhi government to set up fast-track courts for 288 pending gangster-related cases and ensure witness protection to expedite action.

Delhi Police's Anti-Auto Theft Squad (AATS) personnel at the site after an encounter (Photo: PTI)

The Supreme Court on Thursday highlighted the need to expedite trials in gangster-related cases and called on the Union of India and Delhi government to consider establishment of fast-track courts.

At the same time, it stressed the importance of witness-protection in such cases and probed Additional Solicitor General SD Sanjay about steps taken in this regard. It also lamented the rising threat to rule of law due to criminal incidents in the national capital region.

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A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi made the suggestion to the ASG, after it was informed that there are 288 trials pending in the national capital courts pertaining to gangster-related cases.

The court was hearing a bail plea filed by Mahesh Khatri alias Bholi, who is a gangster.

Witnesses are your eyes and ears. What are you doing to protect them? Broad daylight murder on the street and a person goes scot-free due to lack of evidence," the court said.

The rule of law is absolutely impaired in the eyes of the common man. There should not be misplaced sympathy with gangsters. Society needs to get rid of them. What is happening in NCR, Haryana?" it asked.

Step out of Delhis geographical belt and see what is happening in Gurugram, Faridabad, and more such places," Justice Kant said.

The court opined that the establishment of fast-track courts could deal with such cases on a day-to-day basis.

However, it also said that if the proposed decision is taken by the governments, all pending trials can be brought to an end.

There will have to be appropriate strength of courts to ensure that these cases can be aptly distributed and their trials can proceed on a day-to-day basis, considering the pendency of 288 trials against gangsters," the court remarked.

If such a decision is taken by the appropriate authorities, it seems to us that all pending trials can be brought to an end," it added.

The court further noted that establishment of dedicated court complexes for speedy trial of hardened criminals/professional gangsters can help avoid a situation where they are to be released on bail.

As a corollary, the additional infrastructure can enhance safety and security, including of witnesses, which is need of the hour, it said, calling for a holistic view by stakeholders, especially the Union, the NCT of Delhi and the Delhi High Court, with respect to cases pending in NCT Delhi.

This can only happen if the Union and the government of Delhi resolve to introduce a mechanism like fast-track courts for trial of these cases," the bench said.

For this, additional posts of judicial officers will have to be created, or a separate ad-hoc cadre for such courts can be evolved. The infrastructural facilities and other requisite staff that may be required also need to be provided", the court said.

Justice Bagchi, in addition, opined that the game plan" in such cases is to protract the trial to win over witnesses.

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Justice Kant, on his part, added that gangsters should be dealt with ruthlessly", but of course in accordance with law.

ALSO READ | SC Stays Bombay HC Verdict In 7/11 Train Blasts Case, But 12 Accused Wont Go Back To Jail

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.

First Published: July 24, 2025, 14:54 IST

News india 'No Misplaced Sympathy With Gangsters': Supreme Court Urges Expedition Of Trials In Delhi-NCR

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SC Stays Bombay HC Verdict In 7/11 Train Blasts Case, But 12 Accused Won't Go Back To Jail

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 11:58 IST

2006 Mumbai Train Blasts: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the Bombay High Court judgment in the 7/11 Train blasts case.

News18

2006 Mumbai Train Blasts Case: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the Bombay High Court judgment in the 7/11 Train blasts case. The 12 accused in the train blasts case, who have been acquitted will not be re-arrested, the top court said.

However, the Supreme Court made it clear that the High Courts acquittal wont be a precedent. The ruling will not affect other MCOCA trials.

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Notice has been issued and the legal questions will be heard.

The development came after the Maharashtra government approached the Supreme Court challenging the Bombay High Courts judgment, which acquitted all 12 accused in the 7/11 Mumbai train blasts case of 2006.

Seeking an urgent hearing in the matter, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for Maharashtra, had informed the bench presided by Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, Its a serious matter from the governments point of view."

Earlier this week, the Bombay High Court overturned the 2009 trial court verdict, which had sentenced five accused (one of whom has since died) to death and seven others to life imprisonment for their alleged involvement in the coordinated bombings on Mumbais Western Railway local line on July 11, 2006.

Responding to the High Courts order, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis described the verdict as shocking" and stated that the state will move the Supreme Court against it.

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The division bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Shyam Chandak ruled that the prosecution had utterly failed" to prove the charges and observed it was hard to believe the accused committed the crime."

About the Author Ananya Bhatnagar Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De... Read More Ananya Bhatnagar, Correspondent at CNN-News18, reports on various legal issues and cases in lower courts and the Delhi High Court. He has covered the hanging of the Nirbhaya gang-rape convicts, JNU violence, De... Read More

First Published: July 24, 2025, 11:16 IST

News india SC Stays Bombay HC Verdict In 7/11 Train Blasts Case, But 12 Accused Won't Go Back To Jail

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The Curious Case Of Bangladesh 'Awami League' Press Meet In Delhi That Never Happened

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 12:23 IST

Although BHRW was the organiser, the event bore the influence of the Hasina administration, with many of her trusted aides expected to attend the press meet.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina (Image: Reuters)

A press conference was scheduled on Wednesday evening at the Press Club of India in Delhi, just less than half a kilometre from Raisina Hill. The agenda was to discuss military atrocities in Gopalganj and genocide in Bangladesh." Officially organised by the US-based human rights body, Bangladesh Human Rights Watch (BHRW), which recently petitioned the UN against the Muhammad Yunus government, the invite was sent by its Secretary General Md Ali Siddiqui. Siddiqui is known for his close association with former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in exile in New Delhi. However, in a curious turn of events, the conference was canceled at the last moment despite the readiness of both organisers and attendees.

What led to the cancellation? The organiser officially claimed it was a postponement to honour the sentiment of the victims of a recent plane crash in Bangladesh that killed at least 31 people, including 25 children. In light of this grave tragedy and out of respect for the victims and their grieving families, we have made the difficult decision to adjourn the press conference," Siddiqui said in a statement to the journalists who had gathered for the event.

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However, what appears straightforward might not be as simple after all.

Although BHRW was the main organiser, the event bore the influence of the Hasina administration, with many of her trusted aides and top leaders from her former administration expected to attend. Sources within Awami League informed News18 that the Bangladesh High Commission had unofficially reached out to South Block, indicating that this Delhi event was likely to be hijacked" by former Hasina top aides like Hasan Mahmud, a central figure during Hasinas regime, and Obaidul Quader, General Secretary of the Awami League since 2016.

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Since Wednesday evening, some Awami League members have openly accused the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi of stopping their event. Interestingly, their social media posts disappeared by Thursday morning.

This incident just ahead of the one-year anniversary of August 5, when Sheikh Hasina fled to India after being toppled in Bangladesh. Over the past year, the bilateral relationship between the two countries has been rocky and somewhat messy. In a gesture of goodwill, Yunus has sent a consignment of 1,000 kilogrammes of Haribhanga mangoes, a prized variety from northern Bangladesh. Additionally, a team of burn-specialist doctors and nurses is scheduled to visit Bangladesh shortly to assist those injured in the plane crash, as reported by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday.

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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 12:23 IST

News india The Curious Case Of Bangladesh 'Awami League' Press Meet In Delhi That Never Happened

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Doctors Gay Date Ends Up In Extortion, Loses Rs 8 Lakh To Blackmailer

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 17:49 IST

A 57-year-old doctor from Varanasi was blackmailed by Vikas, whom he met on a gay dating app. Vikas took nude photos and demanded Rs 8 lakh.

The doctor had connected with the accused over a gay dating app. (Representative Image)

A 57-year-old doctor from Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi fell victim to extortion and humiliation after a gay man, whom he connected on a dating app, clicked his nude photographs and threatened to circulate them unless he paid up.

The victim doctor was blackmailed and ended up transferring a total of Rs eight lakh into the accuseds account, after which he fled the spot. The victim has now filed a police complaint and the cops are looking for the accused, NDTV reported.

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As per the report citing the police, the 57-year-old victim checked into a hotel on July 20 and contacted a man, identified as Vikas, via a gay dating app. The doctor shared his phone number, the address of the hotel and asked him to come over his room.

The victim in his complaint said that he had asked Vikas to bring in beer bottles with him that day. Agreeing to this, the accused arrived with beer and other items. After consuming beer, the doctor removed his clothes and asked him to do the same.

However, he clicked nude photos and videos of the doctor and tried to thrash him and told him that homosexual practice at his age in the holy city was not fair.

Such actions dont suit you at this age. You are in Shiv Nagri, dont do all this," Vikas told the doctor as per the complaint.

The accused then broke a glass and threatened the doctor that he would send his controversial photos to his acquaintances and relatives if he did not transfer money to his bank account. Vikas also said he had political links and knew anti-social elements who could murder the doctor.

In the span of two days, the 57-year-old victim transferred Rs 8 lakh to Vikas.

Later, the doctor filed an FIR against Vikas.

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Sigra Police Station Inspector Sanjay Kumar Mishra told Times of India that a case has been registered under sections 308(4) (extortion), 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt), and 324(4) (mischief) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against the accused.

The police are using the hotels CCTV footage and are reviewing money transfers through UPI numbers and other transactions. Officials said that the accused would be arrested soon.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

Location : Varanasi, India, India

First Published: July 24, 2025, 17:49 IST

News india Doctors Gay Date Ends Up In Extortion, Loses Rs 8 Lakh To Blackmailer

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'We Stand In Solidarity': PM Modi Condoles Loss Of Lives In Russian Plane Crash

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 23:06 IST

PM Narendra Modi expressed grief over the plane crash in Russia's Amur region, extending condolences to victims' families.

A Russian passenger plane with 49 people on board went missing in Russias far east on July 24. According to IFAX, the debris of the plane was found in the eastern Amur region.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed grief and sorrow over the plane crash incident in Russias eastern Amur region.

Condoling the loss of lives, PM Modi said that New Delhi stands in solidarity with Russia and its people at this time of grief.

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Deeply saddened at the loss of lives in the tragic plane crash in Russia. Extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. We stand in solidarity with Russia and its people," he said in a post on X.

Deeply saddened at the loss of lives in the tragic plane crash in Russia. Extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. We stand in solidarity with Russia and its people. Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2025

Russia Plane Crash

A passenger plane with 49 people on board, including five children, four crew members, and two airline employees, went missing in Russias far east on Thursday. According to IFAX, the debris of the plane was found in the eastern Amur region, with local reports suggesting that there were no survivors.

The wreckage of Russian An-24 passenger aircraft, operated by a Siberia-based airline called Angara, was discovered 15 km from Tynda, on the slope of a mountain near the village of Kuvykta, in the countrys eastern Amur region bordering China.

Reuters quoted the local emergencies ministry as saying that the plane dropped off the radar screens of the air traffic controllers while approaching its destination.

According to reports, the plane was making a second circle before attempting to land and was flying unusually low, as captured in eyewitness videos shortly before the crash.

Preliminary reports suggest there are no survivors, although officials have not yet issued a formal confirmation. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

The state TASS news agency reported that the plane was manufactured almost 50 years ago.

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In 2021, the aircrafts airworthiness certificate was extended until 2036," it reported, citing a source in aviation services.

The Antonov-24 is a popular, Soviet-designed twin-propeller plane that first entered into service in 1959.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

First Published: July 24, 2025, 23:04 IST

News india 'We Stand In Solidarity': PM Modi Condoles Loss Of Lives In Russian Plane Crash

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'We Will Not Make Same Mistake': SC On High Court's Bail Relief To Actor Darshan

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Anushka Vats



Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 13:36 IST

The bench also questioned the understanding of the High Court judge and described the bail order as a possible perverse exercise of discretion.

The SC reserved order (File image)

The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its order on the Karnataka governments plea challenging the High Courts decision to grant bail to actor Darshan and others in the Renukaswamy murder case. The court questioned the manner in which the High Court gave the order granting bail to actor Darshan and others.

Does HC dictate same orders in other cases as well?" the bench asked.

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The Supreme Court expressed serious concerns, saying, High Courts approach is troubling us." It further questioned the understanding of the High Court judge, calling it a question of perverse exercise of discretion."

We are trying to examine while exercising discretion has HC applied its mind judiciously; thats our concern," the Supreme Court added.

Addressing Pavitras lawyer, the court said, All this happened because of you. You are root cause of the problem."

The Supreme Court assured, We will examine everything and take a call." It warned, We will not make the same mistake as HC did."

The bench also said, We are little serious as it is a case of murder." It concluded, We will see if prosecutions case aspires confidence or not."

The case pertains to a plea filed by the state government challenging the high courts order dated December 13, 2024, which had granted bail to Darshan, who is accused of being involved in the torture and killing of 33-year-old Renukaswamy.

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The Supreme Court stressed that it will carefully examine all aspects of the case before taking a decision and asserted, We will not make the same mistake as the High Court did."

Highlighting the gravity of the case, the bench said, We are taking this matter seriously, as it involves murder. We will assess whether the prosecutions case inspires confidence or not."

First Published: July 24, 2025, 13:22 IST

News india 'We Will Not Make Same Mistake': SC On High Court's Bail Relief To Actor Darshan

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Why Make Baseless Allegations? ECI's Retort To Rahul Gandhis Cheating Claims In Karnataka

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 19:02 IST

The Election Commission dismissed Rahul Gandhi's cheating allegations in Karnataka's voter list revision, urging patience for the High Court's verdict.

Leader of the Opposition and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi (PTI)

The Election Commission on Thursday dismissed the allegations raised by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi that the poll body had allowed cheating in a constituency in Karnataka during the voter list revision process, saying that the matter should await the High Courts verdict.

The poll body hit back to the Lok Sabha Leader of Oppositions claims asking if the petition has been filed then why baseless" allegations are being raised now.

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What Rahul Gandhi Claimed?

The Congress leader on Thursday claimed that the grand old party has concrete 100 per cent proof" that the Election Commission allowed cheating in a constituency in Karnataka. He further warned the poll panel that it will not get away with this because we are going to come for you".

Gandhi alleged that the poll panel is not functioning as the Election Commission of India and is not doing its job".

He also criticised the ECI over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar. Gandhi also called the poll bodys justification complete nonsense" and accusing it of failing to do its constitutional duty while addressing reporters outside Parliament after the Lok Sabha adjourned.

Not 90 per cent, when we decide to show it to you, it is a 100 per cent proof," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.

We just looked at one constituency and we found this. I am absolutely convinced that constituency after constituency this is the drama that is taking place. Thousands and thousands of new voters, how old are they?  45, 50, 60, 65, thousands and thousands of them in one constituency. This is one thing, voter deletion, voter addition, new voters who are way above 18 (is going on) so we have caught them," he said.

I want to send a message to the Election Commission  if you think you are going to get away with this, if your officers think they are going to get away with this, you are mistaken, you are not going to get away with this because we are going to come for you," Gandhi said as quoted by news agency PTI.

His latest remarks follow similar allegations made after the Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2024, where he accused the BJP of manipulating the voter rolls to benefit electorally.

ECIs Clarification

The Election Commission responded to the Lok Sabha LoP, saying if an election petition has been filed, then wait for the verdict of Honble High Court. If not, then why make baseless allegations now?"

An election petition can be filed within 45 days after poll results are announced by anyone not satisfied with the verdict. Such petitions can be filed in high courts of the state of the constituency concerned," it added.

Karnatakas Chief Electoral Officer also issued a clarification over the allegations saying that of the electoral rolls were prepared transparently and the copies of the same were shared with recognised political parties.

Electoral Rolls are shared with all recognised political parties. During Special Summary Revision-2024, which was taken up before the General Elections to Lok Sabha- 2024, the copies of draft and final electoral rolls of all 224 ACs were provided to representatives of all registered and recognised political parties including INC," it said in a press statement.

Electoral rolls are prepared transparently; copies were shared with recognised political parties pic.twitter.com/XIoVx2qEru Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka (@ceo_karnataka) July 24, 2025

Controversy Over Bihar SIR

The opposition parties, including Congress and the Samajwadi Party, have been protesting against the SIR exercise, alleging that its an attempt to disenfranchise voters, particularly from marginalised communities. They claim that the process is being used to remove names from the voters list, which could impact the outcome of upcoming assembly elections.

The Congress has alleged that the BJP is using the SIR exercise in Bihar to disenfranchise marginalised communities and opposition voters by removing their names from the rolls ahead of the state assembly elections.

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Meanwhile, the Election Commission has asserted that the revision was being carried out transparently and described it as the foundation for fair elections and a strong democracy". It urged all citizens to rise above political ideologies and reflect on the larger democratic principles involved.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

First Published: July 24, 2025, 19:02 IST

News india Why Make Baseless Allegations? ECI's Retort To Rahul Gandhis Cheating Claims In Karnataka

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Will I Have To Prove My Identity Every Time? Bongaon Voter Detained In Haryana Alleges Harassment

Reported By :

CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 14:44 IST

Najmul said he was detained despite providing all original identification documents and is now uncertain about his future in the state

Najmul came to Haryana from West Bengal for work. (News18)

For Najmul, a registered voter from West Bengals Bongaon, life in Haryana was peaceful. He had moved to the state four months ago for a housekeeping job and also brought his parents with him. However, on July 19, Najmuls calm life took a turn for the worse, leaving the family traumatised.

According to Najmul, police arrived at his residence in Haryana last week and asked him to show his identity documents. I showed them all my IDs," he told News18. However, he was asked to accompany the cops for further verification.

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They made us sit under a tree. Then the police asked me, When did you come from Bangladesh? I was shocked. I am a bonafide Indian citizen. Why were they accusing me like this?" Najmul asked.

He added that he was not the only one detained. There were others from Murshidabad and Malda who were also brought there," he said.

Najmul claimed his father came to meet him that night with original copies of all their documents, but was not allowed to hand them over. He also alleged that he was not given any food until the next morning.

Distressed, Najmuls family sought help from Bongaon police, who coordinated with Haryana Police. Speaking to News18, Bongaon SP Dinesh Kumar said, We received information on July 21. The family approached us, and we immediately conducted a local enquiry and sent all supporting documents to the Haryana police officials concerned. On July 22, I requested the Zonal DCP Headquarters of the area, and after that, he was released."

Najmuls biggest worry now is the uncertainty that looms over his future. We come to Haryana for work. This time they picked me up and kept me for five days. If they pick me up again, will I have to prove myself every time? How many times will we face this harassment?" he asked.

On Tuesday, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had condemned the BJP after the Gurugram administration in Haryana detained 52 Bengali-speaking migrant workers on suspicion that they were illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and sought background verification reports from the Bengal government.

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Addressing a press conference, Banerjee said: It is our duty to protect citizens. If the BJP thinks this is how it can delete the names of voters and win elections, as it did in Delhi and Maharashtra, then it is making a big mistake."

The chief minister is slated to begin a year-long Bhasha Andolan" from July 27 to protest against the detention of Bengali-speaking individuals in BJP-ruled states.

About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and womens issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East... Read More Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and womens issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East... Read More

First Published: July 24, 2025, 14:44 IST

News india Will I Have To Prove My Identity Every Time? Bongaon Voter Detained In Haryana Alleges Harassment

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Gov. Glenn Youngkin says he has a deal for a multibillion-dollar pharmaceutical factory in Virginia, but he doesnt have a final site for the project.

With an Aug. 1 deadline looming for President Donald Trumps threat to impose steep tariffs on imported pharmaceutical products, Youngkin appeared in Washington, D.C., on Monday afternoon with executives for British-based AstraZeneca to announce a multibillion-dollar investment in an advanced manufacturing facility somewhere in Virginia.

But where?

The answer is, they dont know yet.

Youngkin spokesman Rob Damschen said Tuesday that the process of selecting a final site for the project is not complete.

I know they presented an array of sites to AstraZeneca, Damschen said of the states economic development team.

Pam Cheng, executive vice president for global operations at AstraZeneca, didnt have a final answer at the project announcement on Monday.

Weve had tremendous support from the state of Virginia so far, and weve got some choices, some great choices, I have to say, Cheng said. So we are in the process of working with the governor ... to make that final decision. So hopefully that should happen shortly.

The proposed manufacturing facility in Virginia would be the linchpin of a $50 billion plan that AstraZeneca announced. It also will include new and expanded operations in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, a new research-and-development center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and new investments at sites in California, Indiana and Texas.

The company said it expects the five-year plan to create tens of thousands of new, highly skilled direct and indirect jobs across the country powering growth and delivering next-generation medicines for patients in America and worldwide.

Trumps tariff deadline

The announcement came 11 days before a deadline that Trump set this month to impose tariffs as high as 200% on imported pharmaceutical products. Among those attending the news conference in Washington was Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council.

AstraZeneca CEO Pascal Soriot acknowledged that the company, created in 1999 through the merger of British and Swedish companies, is not based in the United States, but he emphasized the investments that it already has made in manufacturing and research facilities here.

We happen to be in London, but our heart ... is in this country, Soriot said.

The CEO also said that tariffs the Trump administration imposed are accelerating the pharmaceutical and biotechnology companys commitments in the U.S.

What I would say is that I totally support and totally understand the need for countries like the United States to want to see products, medicines, serving patients in this country, in manufacturing in this country, Soriot said. Its a question of national security.

And so this is a vision that the president and his administration have put out there and a vision that we totally understand, totally support, he said. And the tariffs are accelerating a movement that we would have made in any case.

Youngkin, who has six months left in his term with an election looming for his successor, said the proposed project will set the standard for the latest technological advancements in pharmaceutical manufacturing, creating hundreds of highly skilled jobs and helping further strengthen the nations domestic supply chain.

Advanced manufacturing is at the heart of Virginias dynamic economy, so I am thrilled that AstraZeneca, one of the worlds leading pharmaceutical companies, plans to make their largest global manufacturing investment here in the commonwealth, he said.

The deal, which Youngkin signed on Monday, has not been reviewed by the Democrat-controlled General Assembly. The governor has not publicly outlined incentives that the state is offering to attract the investment. The agreement and incentive package would have to be reviewed and acted upon by the Major Employment and Investment Project Approval Commission, which includes legislators and members of the governors administration.

Democratic leaders appear to be on board, based on comments that the governors office included in its announcement of the deal. House Appropriations Chairman Luke Torian, D-Prince William, said the project affirms that Virginias years-long commitment to intentional investments in life sciences and advanced manufacturing is working.

State Sen. Creigh Deeds, D-Charlottesville, a senior member of the Senate Finance & Appropriations Committee, called the AstraZeneca project an amazing opportunity for the commonwealth of Virginia to be home to a world-class manufacturing facility for drugs that will transform our bioscience economy and reshore our critical pharmaceutical supply chain.

In telephone interviews on Monday, Torian and Deeds deferred to Youngkin on where the project would be built.

Deeds represents a Senate district that includes Albemarle County and Charlottesville, home to the University of Virginia and the future Paul and Diane Manning Institute of Biotechnology, which UVa expects to open next year in an office park next to Interstate 64.

In April, the university hired Mark Esser, an alumnus of the UVa School of Medicine, to lead the Manning Institute as its first chief scientific officer.

Previously, Esser served as a vice president of AstraZeneca.

Greater Richmond, including Petersburg, has been building a pharmaceutical manufacturing hub in recent years. The Alliance for Better Medicine is a collaboration that includes Virginia Commonwealth Universitys Medicines for All, which rebuilds medications with cheaper building blocks; Phlow Corp., which established a national reserve of key drug building blocks and Civica Inc., a nonprofit drug maker planning to sell insulin at a discounted rate.

Paul Spicer, a spokesman for the areas pharmaceutical alliance, said Monday: We cant speak to any specific companies or discussions that may or may not be underway, but theres certainly a lot of exciting momentum around advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing in the Richmond-Petersburg region right now.
Thermal Engineer Day 2025: History, Significance, Quotes And Wishes

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 07:20 IST

National Thermal Engineer Day, observed on July 24, honours the unsung heroes managing heat in tech systems. Learn its history, role and how engineers power our world.

National Thermal Engineer Day is observed annually on July 24. (AI generated image)

National Thermal Engineer Day is observed annually on July 24 to recognise the vital contributions of thermal engineers, particularly in the electronics and software industries. The day also emphasises the critical role of thermal energy in our daily lives. Thermal energy refers to the internal energy of a system due to the motion of its particles, often resulting in heat transfer between systems.

Effective thermal management is essential in ensuring the safety, performance, and longevity of modern electronic devices. Without the innovations and expertise of thermal engineers, much of todays advanced technology would not be possible.

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National Thermal Engineer Day: History

National Thermal Engineer Day was first established in 2014 by Advanced Thermal Solutions Inc. (ATS), a company known for designing thermal management solutions. The company created the day to acknowledge the critical but often underappreciated role of thermal engineers while also reflecting on their dedication and expertise to ensure the smooth operation of countless technologies.

National Thermal Engineer Day 2025: Significance

The role of thermal engineers might not always be visible, but it is far from simple. These professionals work behind the scenes to ensure that devices such as smartphones, laptops, servers, and medical equipment operate safely and efficiently.

Without proper thermal management, the heat generated during device operation can lead to overheating, reduced performance, hardware failure or even serious safety hazards.

National Thermal Engineer Day Wishes

Thermal Engineers are the pride of the nation. Happy National Thermal Engineers Day.

The reason we get electricity and hot water in our homes is engineering.

Thermal engineers see the world through a different lens.

Happy National Thermal Engineers Day to all the thermal engineers out there who leave no stone unturned to keep the country running.

National Thermal Engineer Day 2025: Quotes

The thermal agency by which mechanical effect may be obtained is the transference of heat from one body to another at a lower temperature."  Sadi Carnot

Science is about knowing; engineering is about doing."- Henry Petroski

The engineer has been, and is, a maker of history"- James Kip Finch, an American engineer, and educator.

What we usually consider as impossible are simply engineering problems theres no law of physics preventing them."  Michio Kaku

Behind every breakthrough in energy efficiency, a thermal engineer is working tirelessly to optimise heat transfer."

What Does A Thermal Engineer Do?

The role of a thermal engineer is to design solutions that remove unwanted heat and maintain optimal thermal conditions within a system or process.

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By applying the principles of thermodynamics and heat transfer, thermal engineers ensure that heat is managed effectively within products and devices.

This not only helps achieve the desired performance but also improves efficiency, reliability, and safety.

About the Author Nibandh Vinod Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... Read More Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... Read More

fashion, travel, News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated.

First Published: July 24, 2025, 07:20 IST

News lifestyle Thermal Engineer Day 2025: History, Significance, Quotes And Wishes
Tara Sutaria Stuns In Gold And Lace For RoseRoom At India Couture Week 2025

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 25, 2025, 15:45 IST

At the India Couture Week 2025, Tara Sutaria turned showstopper for RoseRoom by Isha Jajodia.

Tara Sutaria stuns as showstopper for RoseRoom by Isha Jajodia at Hyundai India Couture Week 2025, embodying ethereal elegance and strength in a golden corset and lace skirt.

On the second day of the 18th edition of Hyundai India Couture Week 2025, which is taking place in New Delhi, actor Tara Sutaria wowed the audience as she turned showstopper for RoseRoom by Isha Jajodia.

Tara Sutaria stunned in an ensemble that celebrated femininity and strength. Featuring a gossamer organza skirt embroidered with delicate lace and Chantilly applique, the look was anchored by a hand-sculpted, 18K gold-plated corset, crafted over four months. Its baroque mouldings, inspired by classical French architecture, were adorned with pearls and mother-of-pearl enamel blooms, a wearable ode to devotion, craftsmanship, and inherited grace.

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The collection titled Whispers of Love to Myself is a poetic tribute to femininity, where quiet strength meets delicate craftsmanship. The showcase was an intimate dialogue between who a woman is today and who she is becoming. Rooted in romantic detail and timeless elegance, the collection featured sculpted corsets, structured capes, sweeping veils, and bustled skirts. Each silhouette is a study in contrast. Combining whisper-light layers of Chantilly lace and sheer tulle with bold metallic accents in 18K gold, luminous enamel, and mother-of-pearl, the interplay of textures lent each piece a storybook quality, yet making it strikingly modern in its form and styling.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by FDCI (@fdciofficial)

A standout feature of the collection is its fearless use of lace. Signature looks include a lace tuxedo paired with a dramatic bustle and lehengas styled with bralettes and architectural capes  reinventing tradition through a romantic, contemporary lens.

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Speaking about the collection, designer Isha Jajodia said, For the ROSEROOM woman, confident in her gentleness and timelessly elegant, this collection offers treasures to carry her through lifes most meaningful moments. These pieces are crafted not just to be worn, but to be remembered, lived in, and passed down, as whispers of love from one self to another."

Hyundai India Couture Week 202,5, in association with Reliance Brands, an initiative of the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI), kickstarted on July 23. The fashion celebration will come to an end on July 30.

fashion, travel, News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated.

Location : Delhi, India, India

First Published: July 24, 2025, 22:52 IST

News lifestyle Tara Sutaria Stuns In Gold And Lace For RoseRoom At India Couture Week 2025
Kriti Sanons Yacht Diaries Are All About Glow, Game Nights, And Ocean Breezes

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 18:21 IST

Kriti Sanon brings easy elegance and Hyphen glow to her breezy yacht escape.

Monopoly, mango balm, and Mediterranean magic - Kritis yacht days are sun-kissed and style-packed

Sunlight, salty air, and serious style, Kriti Sanon just dropped a dreamy photo series from her luxe yacht getaway, and its giving effortless summer goddess. Captioned cheekily Samundar mein nahaa ke ", the carousel captures everything from breezy fashion moments to slow-living rituals all wrapped in radiant charm.

Draped in a white fringed kaftan over a colourful swimsuit, Kriti keeps it breezy and boho, letting her tousled hair and natural glow take centre stage. Theres no over-styling here, just golden hour light, bare-faced confidence, and a genuine joy that shines through every frame.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kriti Sanon  (@kritisanon)

Between soaking in the views and soaking up the sun, the actress takes a moment to unwind with a round of Monopoly and a glow ritual by the sea complete with her own brand, Hyphen. The shots of the neatly plated skincare essentials (and her now-viral mango lip balm selfie) add a fresh spin to beauty on board. Its clear that for Kriti, skincare isnt a chore, its part of the joy especially when its fuss-free, skin-loving, and tinted with tropical fun.

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From styling her lunch table with Hyphens signature green tubes to striking sunkissed poses with the coastline in the background, Kritis summer style feels intimate, playful, and intentionally low-key. She reminds us that vacation fashion doesnt have to shout sometimes, all it takes is a breezy outfit, good skin, and a sense of humour.

Whether shes lounging on deck or flaunting that mango-tinted pout, this yacht escape is proof that Kriti Sanon knows how to do beauty, business, and beach life, all in one frame. Now thats the kind of multitasking we can get behind.

About the Author Swati Chaturvedi Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl... Read More Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she's a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl... Read More

fashion, travel, News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated.

First Published: July 24, 2025, 18:21 IST

News lifestyle  travel Kriti Sanons Yacht Diaries Are All About Glow, Game Nights, And Ocean Breezes
Indian Man Arrested For Stealing Bags, Cosmetics Worth Rs 3.5 Lakh From Singapore Airport

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 18:29 IST

An Indian man was arrested for stealing items worth over Rs 3.5 lakh from 14 shops at Singapore's Jewel Changi Airport. He was caught upon returning to Singapore on June 1.

The man was arrested while he was in transit at Changi Airport. (Representative image)

An Indian man was arrested on Thursday for allegedly stealing items worth over Rs 3.5 lakh from several shops at Singapores Jewel Changi Airport and the airports transit area, The Strait Times reported.

The 38-year-old accused is believed to have targeted at least 14 shops, stealing items such as bags, perfumes, and cosmetics worth a total of Singapore Dollars (SGD) 5,136, according to a press release issued by the Singapore Police Force (SPF).

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After committing the crime, the accused boarded the flight and left the country. But upon his return to Singapore on June 1, the 38-year-old was arrested, the police said.

The incident came to light on May 29 after a retail supervisor at one of the shops at the airport noticed a bag missing while checking the stock. The supervisor then notified the police about the theft.

CCTV footage reportedly showed the Indian man taking the item and leaving without paying.

Preliminary investigations revealed that a supervisor at the store had realised a bag was missing after a stocktaking," the police were quoted as saying to Straits Times.

The authorities managed to identify the accused after the initial thefts, but he had already left Singapore by the time they confirmed his identity. However, on June 1, when he returned and was found transiting through Changi Airport, he was arrested.

The police said that the stolen items were recovered from the man, who is now expected to be charged on July 25 with theft and fraudulent possession of property.

Offenders should not think that they can evade capture by quickly boarding a flight. The police will continue to work closely with stakeholders to prevent and deter shop theft cases," police said, as per the news outlet.

In another incident last month, one of the two women from India, who were caught stealing from shops at Changi Airport during their transit, was jailed for eight days. Goenka Simran, 29, was sentenced to eight days jail after she pleaded guilty to one count of theft in dwelling.

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Earlier this year, another Indian national was arrested for stealing over SGD 1,800 (INR 1,14,705) worth of items from five shops at Changi Airport. A court handed Singh Sagar, 37, five theft charges for stealing items including stationery, chocolates and jewellery from Terminal 3s departure transit area in about three hours on March 23, Straits Times reported.

Recently, the US Embassy in India issued a warning to visa holders and applicants, following the incident where an Indian woman was caught shoplifting items worth approximately Rs 1.1 lakh at a Target store in Illinois.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

Location : Singapore

First Published: July 24, 2025, 18:29 IST

News nri  singapore Indian Man Arrested For Stealing Bags, Cosmetics Worth Rs 3.5 Lakh From Singapore Airport

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Opinion | Chinas Megadam: Indias Chance To Redefine Water Diplomacy

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 22:24 IST

The time to act is nowbefore the rivers flow, and the regions future, slip beyond reach

Beijing is building a huge dam that will produce enormous powerabout 300 billion kilowatt-hours a year. Its a $167 billion project. Beijing says it will protect the environment and help the local economy. But its very close to Indias Arunachal Pradesh, so its raising some red flags. Representational pic/AFP

China has started building the worlds biggest hydropower megadam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River, in Tibetan territory, sparking concerns from India and Bangladesh.

The project, which was unveiled on Saturday, is set to roil riparian relations. However, what if India took advantage of this opportunity to rethink water diplomacy in South Asia instead of exploding in alarm or hurrying to construct counter-dams? India should not play defence at this time. It is a chance to take the initiative and change regional dynamics by combining ecological stewardship, tough diplomacy, and the cultural resonance of the Brahmaputra.

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Beijing is building a huge dam that will produce enormous powerabout 300 billion kilowatt-hours a year. Its a $167 billion project. Beijing says it will protect the environment and help the local economy. But its very close to Indias Arunachal Pradesh, so its raising some red flags.

India is worried. Arunachal chief minister Pema Khandu says that it could cause big problems like droughts, floods, or even a water bomb" if things get tense. And he is rightthe river starts as the Yarlung Tsangpo in China, flows into India as the Brahmaputra, and then into Bangladesh as the Jamuna. Millions depend on it for water and farming. If something disrupts the river, it could devastate lives and nature. But India could turn this into a victory by collaborating with neighbours and showing some real leadership.

The dam hands China leverage over India and Bangladesh, which rely on the river. China could gain an opportunity to weaponise this waterby blocking or diverting it.

Reactive dam-building or diplomatic protests alone wont suffice. India must innovate. It should take the lead in developing a trilateral framework for water sharing with Bangladesh and China, founded on transparent real-time data and cooperative environmental assessments. India can negotiate as an equal rather than a supplicant, because the Brahmaputra flows through an Indian river system that also receives substantial rainfall, despite originating in Tibet. India can use the rivers cultural significancewhich is linked to the Kamakhya Temple and ancient ritualsto influence public opinion. The river is regarded as the holy Luit" in Assam.

A campaign framing the Brahmaputra as a shared heritage could pressure China. India should invest in modernising irrigation, restoring wetlands, and developing early-warning systems for floods. Finally, it can lead by exampleprioritising sustainable hydropower over megadams, showcasing a model that contrasts with Chinas heavy-handed approach.

Imagine India hosting a South Asian water summit, inviting China, Bangladesh, and Bhutan to negotiate a Brahmaputra Basin Authority. Imagine Assamese poets and Bangladeshi fishers joining diplomats to highlight the rivers cultural and ecological stakes. Such a move would cast India as a regional steward, not a rival. It could also leverage international forums to push for binding water-sharing norms, drawing on successful models like the Danube River agreement. By blending pragmatism with moral authority, India could outmanoeuvre Chinas hydro-hegemony without firing a shot.

Beijing insists the dam prioritises ecological protection and local prosperity, denying intentions to weaponise water. Its carbon neutrality goals are real, and the project promises economic benefits for Tibet. Yet its opacityscant details on displacement or designundermines trust.

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India stands at a crossroads. The Brahmaputras fate is not just a geopolitical gameits a test of leadership. By championing a cooperative, culturally resonant, and ecologically sound approach, India can turn Chinas dam into a catalyst for a new era of water diplomacy. The time to act is nowbefore the rivers flow, and the regions future, slip beyond reach.

The writer is a columnist. His articles have appeared in various publications like The Independent, The Globe and Mail, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times, etc. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: July 24, 2025, 22:24 IST

News opinion Opinion | Chinas Megadam: Indias Chance To Redefine Water Diplomacy

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Opinion | How India Became World's 8th Biggest Tourism Economy Under PM Modi

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 17:41 IST

The WTTC projects that by 2034, India's tourism economy could reach $400 billion, representing over 7.2 per cent of GDP and employing over 64 million individuals.

Sites like the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, and Mahakal Temple in Ujjain have seen record footfalls, thanks to PM Modi's foresight.

Indias rise to become the worlds 8th largest tourism economy by 2025, surpassing Japan and France, is a notable achievement from its 10th place in 2024. This milestone, as reported by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), is attributed to strategic government policies, infrastructure development, cultural richness, and a strong post-pandemic recovery, both domestically and internationally, under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership. The prospect of India becoming the 4th largest tourism economy by 2034 appears highly feasible. In 2023, tourism contributed $199.6 billion to Indias economy, supporting 32.1 million jobs.

The WTTC projects that by 2034, Indias tourism economy could reach $400 billion, representing over 7.2 per cent of GDP and employing over 64 million individuals. With 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, a vast coastline, Himalayan peaks, and a rich tapestry of Sanatani traditions, India offers a diverse blend of spiritual, cultural, adventure, and wellness tourism. The Modi governments ambitious goal is to have tourism contribute over 10 per cent to the national GDP by 2047.

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Since 2014, a series of policy reforms and initiatives have transformed the tourism landscape, addressing persistent challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited global promotion, and bureaucratic hurdles. Swadesh Darshan, launched in 201415, aimed to develop thematic tourism circuits like the Buddhist Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, and Wildlife Circuit to promote niche tourism. Although the initial phase faced challenges, the launch of Swadesh Darshan 2.0 in 2022 with a more focused approach has yielded remarkable results.

Pilot projects in destinations like Orchha (Madhya Pradesh), Gandikota (Andhra Pradesh), and Bodh Gaya (Bihar) have enhanced local infrastructure while preserving environmental and cultural heritage, making lesser-known destinations more accessible and boosting both domestic and international tourism.

The Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) scheme has played a vital role in enhancing religious tourism. With 73 projects sanctioned by 2024, involving an investment of Rs 1400 crore, the scheme has revitalised sacred sites like the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Varanasi, Kedarnath, and Ayodhya. These projects have not only improved infrastructure but also created thousands of jobs and boosted local economies. For example, the redevelopment of Ayodhya, especially after the consecration of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, has led to unprecedented footfalls, significantly contributing to tourism revenue.

The UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, launched to enhance regional air connectivity, has opened 88 new airports since 2014, making remote tier-2 and tier-3 cities more accessible to tourists. The total length of national highways increased from 91,000 km in 2014 to 1.46 lakh km by 2025, while railway electrification reached 98%. The introduction of Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains has further improved domestic travel by offering faster and more comfortable options. The Union Budget allocated Rs 2541.06 crore to boost the tourism sector, focusing on infrastructure, skill development, and travel facilitation. Initiatives like developing 50 top tourist destinations, offering MUDRA loans for homestays, and introducing e-visa facilities have streamlined tourist experiences.

The Modi government supports sustainable tourism through Swadesh Darshan 2.0 and promotes medical tourism under the Heal in India" campaign, positioning India as a global healthcare destination. Indias adoption of digital tools for tourism planning, booking, and experiences has made it the most digitally advanced traveler nation, according to the World Economic Forum (WEF). The introduction of e-visas and visas on arrival has simplified entry for international tourists, contributing to a 43.5 per cent growth in foreign tourist arrivals in 2023. These reforms have enhanced Indias competitiveness, evidenced by its rise to 39th in the Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI) in 2024, up from 54th in 2021.

Infrastructure has been a critical enabler of Indias tourism boom. The Modi governments focus on improving connectivity and hospitality infrastructure has addressed long-standing barriers to tourism. The expansion of air, rail, and road networks has been pivotal. The UDAN scheme has connected smaller towns and remote regions, making destinations like Gopalpur (Odisha) and Coorg (Karnataka) more accessible. The doubling of Indian port capacity and the development of cruise terminals, supported by a $27.7 million investment, have tapped into the growing potential of cruise tourism.

Indias tourism sector has embraced digital innovation, with mobile apps, virtual tours, and online booking platforms enhancing the tourist experience. The Ministry of Tourisms initiatives, such as the Destination Based Skill Development" program, have trained 12,187 candidates at 145 destinations, ensuring that local communities are equipped to leverage digital tools for tourism promotion. Indias cultural and natural diversity are key drivers of its tourism appeal. The countrys 43 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Taj Mahal, Hampi, and the Ajanta-Ellora Caves, attract millions of visitors annually. India ranks sixth globally for cultural landmarks, with its spiritual heritage, wellness traditions, and adventure tourism offerings drawing both domestic and international tourists.

Religious tourism has been a major contributor to Indias tourism economy. Sites like the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya, Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, and Mahakal Temple in Ujjain have seen record footfalls, thanks to PM Modis foresight. India has emerged as the 5th largest global travel healthcare destination, with a market size of $9 billion in 2019. The Heal in India" campaign promotes medical tourism, leveraging Indias cost-effective healthcare and traditional wellness practices like Ayurveda and Yoga. The sector is expected to grow at a CAGR of 21.1 per cent from 2020 to 2027, attracting foreign patients for treatments ranging from cardiac surgery to holistic therapies.

The Modi governments vision to position India as a global adventure tourism hub is supported by initiatives like the development of trekking routes and eco-tourism circuits. Rural tourism, promoted through the National Strategy and Roadmap for Rural Tourism, provides employment opportunities in villages and allows tourists to experience Indias authentic cultural heritage. The tourism sectors economic impact extends beyond direct GDP contributions. In 2024, domestic tourism spending reached Rs 15.5 lakh crore, a 22% increase from 2019, while international tourist spending grew by 9 per cent to Rs 3.1 lakh crore. The sector supported 43 million jobs in 2023, with projections of 2.45 million additional jobs in 2024, equivalent to one in 11 jobs in India. By 2029, the sector is expected to generate 53 million jobs, making it a critical driver of employment, particularly for youth, women, and rural communities.

Tourism also has positive spillover effects on related sectors like hospitality, transportation, retail, and handicrafts. For instance, the rise in tourism in cities like Jaipur has boosted demand for local crafts, while coastal tourism in Goa has spurred real estate and transportation services. Foreign exchange earnings from tourism reached Rs 2.31 lakh crore in 2023, reinforcing its role as Indias third-largest foreign exchange earner.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted global tourism, but Indias recovery has been remarkable, driven largely by domestic tourism. In 2023, domestic visitor spending reached Rs 14.64 lakh crore, 15% above 2019 levels. The resilience of domestic tourism, fuelled by Indias growing middle class and increasing disposable income, has been a key factor in the sectors rebound. The Modi governments campaigns like Dekho Apna Desh" have encouraged Indians to explore domestic destinations, reducing reliance on international arrivals. The rapid vaccination campaign during the pandemic also played a crucial role in restoring traveller confidence. By 2024, Indias tourism sector had surpassed pre-pandemic levels, contributing Rs 21.15 lakh crore to GDP, a 21 per cent increase from 2019.

Additionally, the Modi governments emphasis on digital tourism and specialized training in hospitality and heritage conservation presents opportunities to upskill the workforce and improve tourist experiences. Indias ambition to build a $3 trillion tourism economy by 2047 is ambitious but achievable, given its current trajectory. The WTTC predicts that by 2034, India will become the 4th largest tourism economy globally, contributing Rs 43.25 lakh crore to GDP and employing over 63 million people. The Modi governments focus on sustainable tourism, digital integration, and niche segments like medical, adventure, and rural tourism will be critical to achieving this goal. Strategic investments in infrastructure, such as new roads, airports, and digital platforms, will continue to enhance accessibility. The promotion of cultural festivals, heritage conservation, and targeted marketing campaigns will elevate Indias global appeal. By balancing economic growth with environmental and cultural preservation, India can position itself as a leading global tourism destination.

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Indias rise to the 8th largest tourism economy globally in 2025 with a contribution of $231.6 billion, is a testament to PM Modis strategic vision, our cultural richness, and our Sanatani resilience. The Modi governments initiatives like Swadesh Darshan, PRASAD, and UDAN, coupled with infrastructure development and digital innovation, have transformed the tourism landscape. The sectors economic contributions, job creation, and cultural promotion underpin its role as a driver of inclusive growth. As India aims for a $3 trillion tourism economy by 2047, it is poised to embrace growth with spiritual tourism and development with cultural renaissance, without compromising on any single aspect. Vikas bhi aur Aastha bhi" has been the clarion call of PM Modi, and India is just getting started. The world is our oyster.

Sanju Verma is an Economist, National Spokesperson for BJP, and Bestselling Author of The Modi Gambit. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: July 24, 2025, 17:41 IST

News opinion Opinion | How India Became World's 8th Biggest Tourism Economy Under PM Modi

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Opinion | Plane Tragedy Reminds Bangladesh Of A Friendly India, Failing Yunus Regime

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 10:03 IST

Ordinary Bangladeshis are slowly beginning to see how, despite all the brickbats from across the border, Bharat calmly stands with a helping hand in the time of tragedy

India, made a villain in the eyes of millions of Bangladeshis by relentless propaganda, has rushed burn-specialist doctors and nurses to treat the victims. (AFP)

American poet Theodore Roethke, in his poem In a Dark Time, writes: In the darkest hour, the eye begins to see.

Profound tragedy has struck Bangladesh in the form of a plane crash which killed dozens, or possibly over a 100 students of Milestone school and college. The nation is inconsolable. India, made a villain in the eyes of millions of Bangladeshis by relentless propaganda, has rushed burn-specialist doctors and nurses to treat the victims. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was quick to express his condolences.

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But the tragedy has set in motion two very strong strains of public reaction in Bangladesh.

The first is a massive and spontaneous outpouring of friendliness and gratitude towards India after years. India had accrued deep public resentment in Bangladesh for backing the increasingly unpopular Sheikh Hasina regime, which ultimately fell to a mob on August 5, 2024. Since then, chief advisor Muhammad Yunus, his virulently anti-India and loose-tongued student advisors, and their Islamist puppeteers like Jamaat and Hizbut Tahrir ensured that relations reach rock bottom.

They tried their best to make people forget Indias role in liberating Bangladesh from Pakistan during the 1971 Muktijuddo, or sending vaccines during peak Covid-19, or supporting its economy and developmental projects.

India maturely navigated the bile. No irresponsible remark was fired from New Delhi to Dhaka.

And now, ordinary Bangladeshis are slowly beginning to see how despite all the brickbats from across the border, Bharat calmly stands with a helping hand in the time of tragedy.

Bangladeshi social media, which was hijacked for the last couple of years by radical voices, is now coming alive again with praise for India. Islamist influencers like Pinaki Bhattacharya (a Muslim neo-convert eager to prove his loyalty to his Islamist masters) are being mocked, shamed, and rejected for trying to play dirty, anti-India politics after the deaths of so many students and a few teachers.

While the renewed warmth towards India cuts across BNP, Swami League and Jatiya Party lines, the buyers remorse over the Yunus regime has accelerated even faster after the Milestone mishap. Bangladesh is realising that it has put in power a bunch of clueless and incompetent young bigots led by a malevolent and maladroit Nobel recipient.

Bangladeshs GDP is at a 20-year low. Its lifeline, the garment industry, has been immobilised by the mobocracy. Local industrialists say a famine-like situation is advancing along with an energy crisis and total collapse of law and order.

To add insult, Yunus was caught on video smiling heartily at an all-party meeting right after the crash which took so many young lives. But he did not stop at that. Instead of announcing an emergency financial package, he exhorted the Bangladeshi citizenry to collect money and help the victims.

This growing callousness, coupled with the recent Gopalganj massacre and public lynching of a businessman, is slowly tipping the patience of the public.

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It is still too early to expect a paucity- and violence-torn citizenry to effect change, but it is becoming clear to all that the nation cannot indefinitely feed itself with political and sectarian hate. Knives will have to come back to the kitchen.

Abhijit Majumder is a senior journalist. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views.

First Published: July 24, 2025, 10:03 IST

News opinion Opinion | Plane Tragedy Reminds Bangladesh Of A Friendly India, Failing Yunus Regime

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Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 10:47 IST

India is regarded as one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Powering the nation are these homegrown companies that are pushing the envelope. We bring you the top 10 Indian brands as per market cap.

1 / 10 Reliance Industries Ltd: Led by Chairman Mukesh Ambani, RIL is a diversified conglomerate with interests spanning petrochemicals, refining, retail, telecommunications, and digital services. (File Photo)

2 / 10 HDFC Bank Ltd: Headquartered in Mumbai, HDFC Bank is India's largest private-sector bank by assets and market capitalisation. It offers a wide range of services, including retail banking, wholesale banking, and treasury operations. (File Photo)

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3 / 10 Tata Consultancy Services Ltd: One of the largest employers in the IT industry, TCS deals in IT services, consulting, and business solutions. Headquartered in Mumbai, it operates in over 46 countries. (File Photo)

4 / 10 Bharti Airtel Ltd: A leading global telecommunications company, Bharti Airtel has operations in 18 countries. Headquartered in new Delhi, its services include mobile voice and data, broadband, and digital TV. (File Photo)

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5 / 10 ICICI Bank Ltd: One of India's leading private sector banks, ICICI Bank is headquartered in Mumbai with an impressive global presence in the US, UK, and Canada. It is also a pioneer when it comes to digital banking. (File Photo)

6 / 10 State Bank of India: The country's largest public sector bank, SBI is headquartered in Mumbai. Its services include savings and current accounts, loans, and investment services. (File Photo)

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7 / 10 Infosys Ltd: Headquartered in Bengaluru, Infosys is a global leader in digital services and consulting. It serves clients in over 50 countries and employs over 250,000 professionals. (File Photo)

8 / 10 Bajaj Finance Ltd: A leading non-banking financial company (NBFC), it is headquartered in Pune. It offers a range of products, such as consumer finance, SME finance, and commercial lending. (File Photo)

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9 / 10 Hindustan Unilever Ltd: HUL is one of India's largest fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies. Headquartered in Mumbai, it has a wide portfolio of brands in categories such as home care, personal care, and food and beverages. (File Photo)
Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 12:53 IST

1 / 7 Directed by Mohit Suri, Saiyaara has become one of 2025s biggest cinematic surprises, crossing the Rs 150 crore mark and enchanting audiences with its heartfelt story and mesmerising music. Making his debut in the film is Ahaan Pandey, Chunky Pandeys nephew and cousin to Ananya Pandey, who has quickly captured public attention.

2 / 7 But its not just the acting thats making headlines. The films title track, already trending on YouTube with over 100 million views, has a story of its own.

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3 / 7 Instead of turning to big names like Arijit Singh or Jubin Nautiyal, Mohit Suri made a bold move: he chose two newcomers from Kashmir, Faheem Abdullah and Arsalan Nizami.

4 / 7 Faheem, already known for his viral track Ishq (252 million+ views), continues to impress with his voice on Saiyaara. Meanwhile, Arsalan, who left a job to chase his musical dreams in Mumbai, composed the song with Tanishk Bagchi.

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5 / 7 In an interview with Hindustan Times, Arsalan Nizami revealed that he gave up his job as a civil engineer in Kashmir to follow his passion for songwriting and music in Mumbai. With enough money to last just 14 days, he met composer Tanishk Bagchi on the 13th day, a meeting that marked a turning point and led to the creation of Saiyaara song.

6 / 7 The films title track is sung by Faheem Abdullah, with music jointly composed by Arsalan and Bagchi. It was Bagchi who introduced Faheems voice to director Mohit Suri, securing him the breakthrough opportunity.

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Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 15:10 IST

The Russian An-24 passenger aircraft went missing on Thursday with 49 people on board, including five children, four crew members, and two airline employees.

1 / 10 A Russian passenger plane with 49 people on board went missing in Russias far east on July 24. According to IFAX, the debris of the plane was found in the eastern Amur region.

2 / 10 The aircraft was an An-24 passenger plane and was operated by a Siberia-based airline called Angara. (Images: Reuters)

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3 / 10 Multiple reports suggest all people on board the plane died and that there are no survivors. As we wait for official confirmation on the same, here's a look back at some of the most notable airplane disappearances over the years. (Image: AI-generated)

4 / 10 EgyptAir Flight 804 (May 19, 2016): The Airbus 320 was carrying 66 people from Paris, France, to Cairo, Egypt, when the aircraft plunged into the 13,000-foot-deep waters of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Despite digital flight data and cockpit voice recorder recovery, mystery still surrounds it. (Image: Representative photo, Wikimedia Commons)

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5 / 10 Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 (March 8, 2014): The Boeing 777 was carrying 239 people from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to Beijing, China, before it disappeared without a trace. Despite the most expensive seacrh in aviation history, no conclusive evidence has been found to date. (File photo)

6 / 10 Flying Tiger Line Flight 739 (March 16, 1962): In the early days of the Vietnam War, 93 U.S. Army Rangers were dispatched on a secret mission in this charter flight. After refuelling in Guam, the aircraft went missing without any distress signal. The true cause of disappearance remains missing. (Image: Representative photo, Wikimedia Commons)

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7 / 10 Pan Am Flight 7 (November 9, 1957): The Boeing 377 Stratocruiser was carrying 36 passengers and 8 crew members from San Francisco to Honolulu. Halfway through their flight, radar contact was lost before the plane went missing. While 19 bodies were later recovered, the aircraft and the remaining 25 people were never found. (Image: Representative photo, Wikimedia Commons)

8 / 10 Canadian Pacific Air Lines (July 21, 1951): During the Korean War, a Douglas DC-4 took from from Vancouver, Canada, to Tokyo, Japan, carrying 31 passengers and 6 crew members. It encountered rain and low visibility during a refueling stop, following which it disappeared without a trace. No debris was ever found. (Image: Representative photo, Wikimedia Commons)

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9 / 10 Flight 19, Bermuda Triangle (early December, 1945): In one of the most mysterious events, not one but six planes vanished into thin air, with no trace whatsoever. Avenger torpedo bombers took off for practice in what we today know as the Bermuda Triangle. To date, no debris of the six planes or their passengers have been found. The mystery surrounding Bermuda Triangle continues. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Backchannel Politics: Did Opposition Play A Behind-The-Scenes Role In Dhankhars Resignation?

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti



Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 12:52 IST

Jagdeep Dhankhar's interactions with at least three senior opposition MPs on the day of his resignation are now being scrutinised.

Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. (PTI)

In the run-up to his dramatic resignation, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhars engagements with key opposition figures, particularly on the first day of Parliament session, have sparked intense political curiosity. His interactions with at least three senior opposition MPs are now being closely scrutinised, with each playing a unique role in the unfolding developments that led to his exit.

On the morning of July 21, Dhankhar was seen departing Parliament in his official vehicle, accompanied by a Congress Rajya Sabha MP. The two headed to his official residence, and later in the day, the same MP openly acknowledged having several conversations with the Vice President throughout the day.

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By around 4 PM, this MP reportedly handed over the signed impeachment motion from the Opposition directly to Dhankhar. What had started with just a few signatories had by then swelled to over 60 MPs from multiple parties. The MP also posted about his engagement with Dhankhar on social media later that evening, making his involvement public.

Meanwhile, another opposition MP was reportedly in continuous contact with the Vice President  offering advice and acting as an informal conduit between him and senior opposition leaders, say sources. This individual, sources claim, played a role in shaping the oppositions perception of Dhankhars intentions.

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Adding to this web of interactions, a third MP, known for his legal acumen, was also closely involved. According to sources, he pushed Dhankhar to de-prioritise the Justice Yashwant Varma case and instead focus on Justice Shekhar Yadav, who is accused of making inflammatory remarks. The MP reportedly assured Dhankhar of robust support from legal circles should he pursue the matter.

These behind-the-scenes interactions, though not publicly confirmed by Dhankhar, appear to have contributed significantly to the pressure and political complexity that culminated in his resignation.

First Published: July 24, 2025, 12:52 IST

News politics Backchannel Politics: Did Opposition Play A Behind-The-Scenes Role In Dhankhars Resignation?

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Opposition Protest Over Bihar SIR Derails 4th Consecutive Day Of Parliament

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 15:05 IST

In both Houses, the Speaker and Deputy Chairman expressed strong disapproval of the Oppositions conduct.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla leaves after adjourning the House. (PTI)

Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day, following continuous disruptions by the Opposition. While the Lok Sabha was rocked by protests over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, the Rajya Sabha witnessed ruckus over a range of issues, including the recent resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.

In the Lok Sabha, proceedings were disrupted for the fourth consecutive day as Opposition members raised slogans, entered the Well, and displayed placards demanding a rollback of the electoral roll revision exercise in Bihar. Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House within minutes of the 11 am session, urging members to return to their seats and assuring that they would get a chance to raise their concerns as per rules.

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Later, when the House reconvened at 2 pm, Krishna Prasad Tenneti, in the Chair, called for discussion on a bill related to seat reservation for Scheduled Tribes in Goa. However, protests persisted. Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal criticised the Opposition for blocking discussion on a bill intended to benefit tribal communities. With no let-up in the commotion, proceedings were adjourned for the day.

In the Rajya Sabha, similar scenes played out. The session began at 11 am with Deputy Chairman Harivansh presiding, during which Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, known for prosecuting the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, took oath as a nominated member. Nikam, who was nominated by the President on July 13, took his oath in Marathi.

Alongside Nikam, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Meenakshi Jain, and Sadanandan Master were also nominated to the Upper House under Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution.

However, the House quickly descended into chaos as the Deputy Chairman rejected around 30 adjournment notices submitted by Opposition members on various issues, including a discussion on the unexpected resignation of Chairman Rajya Sabha and former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. As sloganeering intensified, the Rajya Sabha was first adjourned till 2 pm and later for the day.

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In both Houses, the Speaker and Deputy Chairman expressed strong disapproval of the Oppositions conduct. Speaker Om Birla questioned what message such behaviour sent to the nation and remarked that such conduct did not align with the values (sanskar") traditionally associated with parties like Congress.

The Opposition, particularly members of the INDIA bloc, continues to demand clarity and debate on the voter roll revision exercise in Bihar, being carried out by the Election Commission ahead of state elections due later this year.

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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 14:58 IST

News politics Opposition Protest Over Bihar SIR Derails 4th Consecutive Day Of Parliament

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'Built House On Drain...': Yogi Adityanath's Swipe At Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 23:51 IST

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath humorously criticised MP Ravi Kishan for building a house on a drain in Gorakhpur.

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UP CM Yogi Adityanath and Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan. (File)

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath sarcastically pulled the leg of Bhojpuri star and Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan over constructing a house on top of a drain in the constituency.

The comment made at the event where the Lok Sabha MP was also present drew laughter and a funny response from the gathering.

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While addressing an event of Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation, the Chief Minister congratulated the civic body for being declared one of the Best SafaiMitra Surakshit Shehar alongside GVMC Visakhapatnam and Jabalpur, in the Swachh Survekshan Awards.

#WATCH | Gorakhpur | Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath says, Earlier we gave a target to Gorakhpur Municipal Corporation during the Shivratri of Shravan month. The target for Gorakhpur was to come in the top ten in its category of the Swachhata Survey in India. I appreciate the https://t.co/fHz19YQEWx pic.twitter.com/DQzQu8jBY5 ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2025

He also applauded the contribution of the municipal corporation and residents of Gorakhpur in keeping the city clean.

On widening roads and drains, Yogi Adityanath said it is sometimes not easy as there are encroachments.

Taking a jibe at the Lok Sabha MP, the Chief Minister said, Some people encroach upon drains. Ravi Kishan ji also built a house on top of a drain in Ramgarh Tal area. He has also encroached the drain, if there is a problem and waterlogging, then action is sure to be taken against him as well. If the drain is choked, then the Municipal Corporation will press a button and the drain will be cleaned."

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Yogi Adityanath further said that he told Kishan not to build a house there. It will lead to inconvenience to the public. You can build the house some distance away from the drain. It will help in smooth flow of sewage," the Chief Minister said as quoted by News18 Hindi, drawing a laugh from the audience.

Further pulling his leg, Yogi said, Suppose Ravi Kishan ji and Kalibaris Mahant Ravindra Das ji both are passing through a street, and due to darkness stray dogs start chasing them, then seeing their behavior, they are not going to leave them, they will definitely attack them."

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

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Location : Gorakhpur, India, India

First Published: July 24, 2025, 23:51 IST

News politics 'Built House On Drain...': Yogi Adityanath's Swipe At Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan

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'Embarrassing': JD(U)'s Show-Cause Notice To Giridhari Yadav For Speaking Against Bihar SIR

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 18:16 IST

JD(U) general secretary has asked the Banka MP to reply within 15 days, failing which disciplinary action will be initiated against him

JD(U) MP Giridhari Yadav. (Image via X/@GiridhariYadav_)

The Janata Dal (United) on Thursday issued a show-cause notice to its MP Giridhari Yadav for criticising the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The party said Yadavs remarks had caused embarrassment" and appeared to support the oppositions baseless and politically motivated" claims against the Election Commission.

The notice, issued by JD(U) general secretary Afaque Ahmad Khan, asked the Banka MP to respond within 15 days or face disciplinary action.

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In response, Yadav defended his position, stating he was only voicing the concerns of the people in his constituency. I will reply to the show-cause notice. As a peoples representative, I cannot go back on what I have said. I have only spoken about the Election Commission and its drive," he told news agency PTI.

Yadav had publicly opposed the SIR on Wednesday, saying that revising voter rolls now could cast doubt on the results of the Lok Sabha elections held last year. He questioned why the voter lists were considered valid during the general elections but now needed revision ahead of the upcoming assembly polls. He also criticised the timing of the drive, suggesting it should be done in the summer to allow people more time.

In its notice, the JD(U) pointed out that the party has always stood by the Election Commission and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), whether as part of the INDIA bloc earlier or now in alliance with the BJP-led NDA.

The Nitish Kumar-led party stated that opposition parties had been running campaigns to question the ECs credibility and that Yadavs comments had unintentionally supported such narratives.

You are well aware that in exercise of its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the ECI has ordered a Special Intensive Revision of the Electoral Rolls in Bihar," the notice read.

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Your public comments on such a sensitive matter, especially in an election year, not only cause embarrassment to the party but also inadvertently lend credibility to the baseless and politically motivated allegations made by the opposition."

(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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 18:11 IST

News politics 'Embarrassing': JD(U)'s Show-Cause Notice To Giridhari Yadav For Speaking Against Bihar SIR

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Inside Story: How Jagdeep Dhankhars Justice Varma Move Sparked Govt Displeasure

Reported By :

News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti



Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 11:51 IST

Sources say during Monday's BAC meeting, Dhankhar reportedly adopted a confrontational tone, particularly with members of the ruling party, including ministers.

Former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar.(PTI File Image)

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhars resignation has sparked a political turmoil. Questions continue to be raised as to what went wrong on Monday, July 21, leading to Dhankhars exit. Sources say at least three to four days before Parliament session was set to begin, Dhankhar was informed by the government of its plan to introduce a motion for the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma, ideally first in the Lok Sabha. Even a day before the session commenced, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju personally reiterated this to the Vice President. At that point, Dhankhar did not mention anything about a counter-motion from the Opposition.

On the opening day of the session, sources say the Vice President maintained complete silence on the subject. However, during the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting at 12:30 PM, his demeanor shifted significantly. He reportedly adopted a confrontational tone, particularly with members of the ruling party, including ministers.

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By mid-afternoon, it became apparent to the government that Dhankhar had taken on record a motion submitted by Opposition parties, complete with their signatures  a move he himself referenced. In response, Rajya Sabha Leader of the House JP Nadda and Minister Kiren Rijiju immediately approached Dhankhar, urging him not to proceed with such a motion in the absence of ruling party signatures. Their appeal was met with aggressive resistance.

A second attempt was made, this time with Rijiju and Minister Arjun Meghwal reiterating the same request. They even offered to consult the top leadership on how to manage the procedural aspects. Dhankhar, however, remained dismissive and combative. A third outreach effort followed, with Meghwal returning on behalf of the government to stress that the motion was in the national interest and that there was broad consensus across party lines in the fight against judicial corruption. The Vice President, however, rebuffed the overture sharply. Reportedly, he responded by asserting that he didnt need lessons on constitutional powers, and that he was fully aware of the authority vested in the Vice Presidents office.

In the aftermath, the government convened a series of internal meetings with senior ministers. They began collecting signatures from NDA Rajya Sabha members for their own motion seeking the removal of Justice Varma. By around 6:00 to 6:30 PM that evening, the bulk of NDA MPs had signed the motion.

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Then, without any communication from the government, Jagdeep Dhankhar unexpectedly arrived at Rashtrapati Bhavan at around 8:30 PM, unannounced. After waiting for nearly 40 minutes, he submitted his resignation to the President of India. He subsequently shared the news on his social media platforms.

Interestingly, it is learned that the government first learned about his resignation not through official channels, but from his social media post.

First Published: July 24, 2025, 11:51 IST

News politics Inside Story: How Jagdeep Dhankhars Justice Varma Move Sparked Govt Displeasure

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Jagdeep Dhankhar's Exit: Did Congress Score A Political Win Or Shoot Itself In The Foot?

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News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti



Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 10:39 IST

Strategically, Congress's separate impeachment motion against Justice Varma was aimed at putting pressure on the government to also act on the Yadav issue.

A Congress strategy was meeting held on July 8 at the residence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge, to discuss the impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma. (Image: PTI)

The latest political storm surrounding Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhars resignation may have had its roots in a Congress strategy meeting held on July 8 at the residence of party president Mallikarjun Kharge. The gathering, which included senior leaders like P Chidambaram, was convened to discuss the impeachment of Justice Yashwant Varma. Chidambaram reportedly pushed for the government to be cornered into taking a clear stand on the impeachment of another judge, Justice Shekhar Yadav. The Congress took strong objection to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijijus earlier comment that there is a difference between corruption and a speech," referring to the two judges in question.

Eventually, Congress resolved to submit a separate impeachment motion against Justice Varma in the Rajya Sabha, gathering 65 signatures including support from other opposition parties. Strategically, this was aimed at putting pressure on the government to also act on the Yadav issue.

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Leaders like Kharge, Arvind Kejriwal, and Jairam Ramesh submitted the motion to the Vice President, who, Congress sources claim, assured them he would look into it." But when Dhankhar mentioned the motion in the Rajya Sabha on July 22, it triggered a political uproar. While the government was caught off-guard and visibly upset, several in Congress felt the plan had succeeded. However, it came at a cost  yet again, opposition unity was fractured.

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Tensions rose as parties like TMC and SP, and even several Congress MPs, were irked by some Congress leaders appearing to empathise with Dhankhar. A social media post by Jairam Ramesh referring to Dhankhar as kisan putra" being denied a dignified farewell didnt sit well with many. Ironically, it was Congress that had suggested a farewell speech at the BAC meeting  a proposal no one supported.

Now, questions swirl over whether Congress has undermined its own credibility by trying to score political points while expressing regret for a man it once tried to impeach.

About the Author Pallavi Ghosh Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als... Read More Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als... Read More

First Published: July 24, 2025, 10:39 IST

News politics Jagdeep Dhankhar's Exit: Did Congress Score A Political Win Or Shoot Itself In The Foot?

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Loktantar Nahi, Loktantra...: BJP Mocks Congress Over Democracy Spelling Blunder In Poster

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 14:14 IST

Images of the misspelt placard quickly went viral, with BJP supporters amplifying the error.

The poster that Congress used during the protest. (ANI)

The BJP found fresh ammunition on Thursday to take a swipe at the Congress, this time over a spelling error in a protest placard. As language wars continue to flare across Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, the ruling party seized on a gaffe during an opposition protest in Parliament.

Members of the INDIA bloc were seen holding up posters criticising the state of democracy. But the word loktantra" (democracy) was mistakenly written as loktantar," drawing quick ridicule from BJP leaders.

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  ,     Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) July 24, 2025

Loktantra hota hai, loktantar nahi," BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya wrote on X, highlighting the blunder with a pointed jab.

Images of the misspelt placard quickly went viral, with BJP supporters amplifying the error. The Congress has yet to issue a response, while some opposition MPs admitted they hadnt noticed the mistake at the time.

Opposition MPs displayed posters and placards during a protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi also took part in the demonstration, lending her support to the Oppositions stand.

Several MPs of the INDIA bloc parties, including Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi, protested in Parliament House complex on Thursday against the Election Commissions voter roll revision in Bihar and demanded its rollback as well as a discussion on the issue in both houses.

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Ahead of the start of the days proceedings, top leaders and MPs of the opposition, including those of the Congress, DMK, TMC, Samajwadi Party, JMM, RJD and Left parties, assembled outside the Makar Dwar of Parliament and raised slogans against the government and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls Top leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Congress general secretaries Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and K C Venugopal, Samajwadi Partys Ziaur Rahman Barq, TMCs Kirti Azad, DMKs A Raja, besides others, raised slogans like Save democracy" and Stop vote-bandi".

There was a huge banner in front of them which read SIR- Loktantra par Vaar as they lined up on the steps of the Makar Dwar of Parliament and staged a protest for the third consecutive day.

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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 14:07 IST

News politics Loktantar Nahi, Loktantra...: BJP Mocks Congress Over Democracy Spelling Blunder In Poster

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Shoot Me If: Tejashwi Yadav's Dare To Nitish Government After Bihar Assembly Ruckus

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 16:38 IST

Tejashwi Yadav accused BJP MLAs of planning an assault during the Bihar assembly session. He criticised Deputy CMs and warned of a poll boycott over voter roll revision.

Leader of Opposition in Bihar Assembly and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav addresses the media during the Monsoon session of the Assembly, in Patna. (PTI)

Leader of Opposition in the Bihar assembly and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday launched a scathing attack on NDA leaders during the ongoing monsoon session of the assembly alleging that the BJP members seemed to have planned an assault on him in advance.

BJP MLA Janak Singh hurled expletives against me. Nobody stopped him. Later, Sanjay Singh charged in my direction and I was saved by my party colleagues," Yadav claimed as quoted by news agency PTI while speaking to the reporters following the ruckus in the assembly.

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He further slammed Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and NDA MLAs for allegedly interrupting him while addressing the assembly today.

During my speech in the assembly today, their ministers, Deputy CM, MLAs kept making statements in the middle. Today, it was proved that one deputy is a foul-mouthed and another is a loud-mouthed. I did not react even when my mother and father were abused," he said as quoted by news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Patna | Following ruckus in the Bihar Assembly today, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, During my speech in the Assembly today, their ministers, Deputy CM, MLAs kept making statements in the middle. Today, it was proved that one deputy is a foul-mouthed and another is a pic.twitter.com/HWoMGlxas6 ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2025

He further took a dig at Vijay Kumar Sinha, another deputy CM, over his statement that the RJD had contract killings in its DNA and hence indulged in unruly behaviour", saying that he is ready to surrender his licensed weapon. The government can get me killed if that makes it happy," he said.

Yesterday, one of the deputy CMs was hurling abuses at us. Today, their leaders are doing the same. The BJP lacks the courage to face the truth. It is being seen for the first time that the ruling side is creating a ruckus. The opposition must ask questions," he added.

Ruckus In Bihar Assembly

Chaos erupted in Bihar assembly on Thursday after the RJD leader raised the issue of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, on which he, along with other opposition leaders, were allowed to make statements in the pre-lunch session.

Callous polling officials are throwing away enumeration forms on the streets. Journalists who report these things are slapped with FIRs," he alleged. This evoked an angry response from the ruling side, with its members trying to shout down the leader of the opposition.

Tempers had frayed on both sides with members storming into the well. An MLA was also seen ripping off the mic attached to his desk and charging menacingly towards the opposition members.

Subsequently, Speaker Nand Kishor Yadav adjourned the proceedings till 4 pm.

Tejashwi Yadav Warns Of Poll Boycott

Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday reiterated that the parties in the Mahagathbandhan could boycott the upcoming elections in Bihar if the Election Commissions voter roll revision in Bihar was not stopped.

We are keeping the option of boycotting Bihar assembly polls open," RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, on the Special Intensive Revision row.

When the winner in the election is already fixed, what is the use of conducting such an election?" he asked.

Booth-level officers are putting their own signatures and thumb impressions, on behalf of voters, on enumeration forms. Blank forms are being used like waste paper," he alleged.

Independent journalists who point out these anomalies are getting slapped with FIRs. And the government is okay with all this because the EC is acting like a political tool of the ruling dispensation," Yadav alleged.

On a question of him speaking to the other leaders, Tejashwi said, We will speak to all leaders under the Mahagathbandhan."

On Wednesday, too, Tejashwi Yadav had threatened to boycott the Bihar elections if the SIR exercise was not stopped.

Nitish Vs Tejashwi

The same day, a high drama had unfolded in the Bihar Assembly after Chief Minister Nitish Kumars intervention during Yadavs statement on the SIR triggered a heated exchange.

The situation escalated, prompting Speaker Nand Kishor Yadav to adjourn the proceedings till 2 pm, barely 30 minutes after the House had convened at 11 am.

The Speaker expressed disgust over the conduct of many opposition members, who used unparliamentary language, as also those on the ruling side, who refused to back down despite repeated requests.

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Tejashwi Yadav, who was wearing a black T-shirt as a mark of protest against the Election Commissions exercise in the state, was allowed by the Speaker to make a statement on the issue, which had evoked protests both inside and outside the House on Tuesday.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

First Published: July 24, 2025, 16:38 IST

News politics Shoot Me If: Tejashwi Yadav's Dare To Nitish Government After Bihar Assembly Ruckus

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UP Minister Stages Sit-In Protest Against Kanpur Police Over Case Against BJP Workers

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 20:05 IST

UP Minister Pratibha Shukla protested in Kanpur, demanding a police official's removal after a road construction dispute and a case against her supporters.

Minister Pratibha Shukla staged a sit-in protest along with her supporters, demanding the removal of the Akbarpur police station in-charge. (IANS)

In a shocking and bizarre incident, a minister from Yogi Adityanaths Uttar Pradesh government staged a sit-in protest against a police official outside the police station in Kanpur on Thursday.

UP Minister of State for Women Welfare ,Child Development and Nutrition, Pratibha Shukla protested along with her supporters and demanded the removal of the Akbarpur police station in-charge.

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Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh: Minister Pratibha Shukla staged a sit-in protest along with her supporters, demanding the removal of the Akbarpur police station in-charge pic.twitter.com/JgCMdGJHus IANS (@ians_india) July 24, 2025

Whats The Row?

As per the report by Hindustan, a massive row erupted on Wednesday over the road construction work behind the Badalpur Police Line when local councilor Shamshad had protested against the construction and the work was stopped.

On receiving the information, State Minister Pratibha Shukla herself reached the spot and immediately restarted the construction work. After a chaos and heated arguments, a case was registered against councilor Shamshad for obstructing the work and demanding extortion on the basis of the complaint of the contractor.

Meanwhile, the controversy further escalated after a dalit woman registered a case against five supporters of Shukla under the SC-ST Act in Akbarpur police station.

On getting the information, the minister reached the police station and staged a sit-in protest with her supporters. She claimed that the police inspector has lodged a false case against her supporters

Kanpur Police ASP Rajesh Pandey, CO Line Priya Singh, CO Bhognipur Sanjay Singh and other officials reached the spot and tried to convince the state minister to end the strike, the report added.

Akhilesh Yadav Takes Jibe

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief and former UP CM Akhilesh Yadav took a jibe at Yogi Adityanath-led BJP government saying the the minister of the government is herself staging a protest against her own polices actions.

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The ruling state minister herself is staging a protest against her own polices actions, does the Chief Minister need any more evidence? If BJP goes, the police system will improve," he said in post on X.

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

Location : Kanpur Nagar, India, India

First Published: July 24, 2025, 20:05 IST

News politics UP Minister Stages Sit-In Protest Against Kanpur Police Over Case Against BJP Workers

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A Quiet Build-Up, Then A Shock Resignation: The Story Behind Jagdeep Dhankhars Exit

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 08:02 IST

Insiders reveal that Dhankhar had a reputation for abrasive conduct with senior cabinet ministers, often humiliating them during official conversations

Sources said Dhankhar expected the government to reach out and persuade him to reconsider, but that call never came. File pic

In the dramatic turn of events leading to his resignation, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhars strained relations with the union government are now surfacing through high-level sources.

Insiders reveal that Dhankhar had a reputation for abrasive conduct with senior cabinet ministers, often humiliating them during official conversations. In December last year, he purportedly publicly humiliated agriculture minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at a function he presided over, criticising the governments farmer policy. However, a day later, he called Chouhan the biggest well-wisher of the farming community on the floor of the house after top ministers met with him following his speech.

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Sources said one incident that particularly irritated him occurred ahead of US Vice President JD Vances visit to India. Dhankhar insisted he was Vances counterpart" and demanded to lead the most significant meeting with him. A senior cabinet minister intervened, reminding Dhankhar that Vance was delivering a direct message from the US President to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and protocol dictated otherwise.

In another breach of convention, Dhankhar reportedly asked ministers to place his portrait alongside those of the Prime Minister and the President in their official offices, raising eyebrows across government corridors.

Sources said he also repeatedly pushed for upgrading his official vehicle fleet entirely to Mercedes cars, a move viewed as extravagant and unnecessary by the government.

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The final flashpoint came when, according to sources, Dhankhar arrived unannounced at the Rashtrapati Bhavan without any prior appointment. The Presidents staff, caught off guard, informed her, and she took time to get ready due to the late hour. Dhankhar waited approximately 25 minutes before handing in his resignation during the unscheduled meeting.

Sources said Dhankhar expected the government to reach out and persuade him to reconsider, but that call never came. The message from the top was clear. The government had already decidedhe had to go.

First Published: July 23, 2025, 18:30 IST

News politics A Quiet Build-Up, Then A Shock Resignation: The Story Behind Jagdeep Dhankhars Exit

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'Your Father Is A Criminal', 'Gila Ho Jayega': Samrat Choudhary Vs Tejashwi In Bihar Assembly

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 21:57 IST

The Bihar Assembly saw a heated debate between Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and Opposition Leader Tejashwi Yadav over voter verification issues.

Bihar deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and Bihar LoP Tejashwi Yadav. (IANS)

The Bihar Assembly on Thursday witnessed a heated debate between Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary and Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav.

During the assemblys monsoon session on Thursday, Tejashwi raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the voter verification process and Election Commissions ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) ahead of state assembly polls.

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The RJD leader questioned the government regarding an FIR filed against a journalist who claimed that BLOs are signing forms themselves during the process.

There is fraud happening in voter verification. BLOs are signing themselves. Who are you to file FIR against journalists?" he said as quoted by news agency IANS.

Patna, Bihar: Responding to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary says, What can someone say whose own father is a criminal?" pic.twitter.com/qX5McXN1jI IANS (@ians_india) July 24, 2025

This led to a verbal confrontation between him and Choudhary. The BJP leader responded with a personal attack and said, Who are you? The one whose father is a criminal, what will he say? Get lost youre a lootera  lootera what will he say?"

This comment caused uproar within the assembly, highlighting the deep-seated animosity between the two leaders.

In response, Tejashwi Yadav said, If you speak too loudly, youll get wet."

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar remained silent during the assembly proceedings. However, Tejashwi Yadav took a jibe at him by suggesting that people perceive JDU as becoming aligned with BJP interests.

To this, Choudhary defended his stance by saying that under Nitish Kumars leadership, Bihar has seen significant progress. He claimed that this development has made opposition members anxious and eager to criticise without basis.

BJP Planned Assault, Claims Tejashwi

Tejashwi Yadav also launched a scathing attack on NDA leaders alleging that the BJP members seemed to have planned an assault on him in advance.

BJP MLA Janak Singh hurled expletives against me. Nobody stopped him. Later, Sanjay Singh charged in my direction and I was saved by my party colleagues," Yadav claimed as quoted by news agency PTI while speaking to the reporters following the ruckus in the assembly.

He further slammed Choudhary and NDA MLAs for allegedly interrupting him while addressing the assembly today.

During my speech in the assembly today, their ministers, Deputy CM, MLAs kept making statements in the middle. Today, it was proved that one deputy is a foul-mouthed and another is a loud-mouthed. I did not react even when my mother and father were abused," he said as quoted by news agency ANI.

He further took a dig at Vijay Kumar Sinha, another deputy CM, over his statement that the RJD had contract killings in its DNA and hence indulged in unruly behaviour", saying that he is ready to surrender his licensed weapon. The government can get me killed if that makes it happy," he said.

Yesterday, one of the deputy CMs was hurling abuses at us. Today, their leaders are doing the same. The BJP lacks the courage to face the truth. It is being seen for the first time that the ruling side is creating a ruckus. The opposition must ask questions," he added.

Tejashwi Yadav Warns Of Poll Boycott

Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday reiterated that the parties in the Mahagathbandhan could boycott the upcoming elections in Bihar if the Election Commissions voter roll revision in Bihar was not stopped.

We are keeping the option of boycotting Bihar assembly polls open," RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said, on the Special Intensive Revision row.

When the winner in the election is already fixed, what is the use of conducting such an election?" he asked.

Booth-level officers are putting their own signatures and thumb impressions, on behalf of voters, on enumeration forms. Blank forms are being used like waste paper," he alleged.

Independent journalists who point out these anomalies are getting slapped with FIRs. And the government is okay with all this because the EC is acting like a political tool of the ruling dispensation," Yadav alleged.

On a question of him speaking to the other leaders, Tejashwi said, We will speak to all leaders under the Mahagathbandhan."

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On Wednesday, too, Tejashwi Yadav had threatened to boycott the Bihar elections if the SIR exercise was not stopped.

(With inputs from agencies)

About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben... Read More

First Published: July 24, 2025, 21:57 IST

News politics 'Your Father Is A Criminal', 'Gila Ho Jayega': Samrat Choudhary Vs Tejashwi In Bihar Assembly

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Apple Explains How Its AI Models Are Trained And How They Work

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 11:27 IST

Apple AI push has been slow but the company is making sure that its own ambitions do not come at the cost of user privacy and their data being utilised.

Apple is giving privacy big impetus for its AI model training

Apples AI journey has started on a stuttering note, so much that the company had to delay the Siri AI release until 2026. The companys focus on privacy means it does not have the dataset to train its AI models and it needs external help to push some of the advanced features with the help of its rivals.

But now Apple has come out with a detailed report which explains how its AI models are trained and how they are designed to work in the absence of hardcore data which gives privacy of the users heavy importance. The company is even using its own AI servers to power the data centres that enable the Apple AI model to run and do the heavy lifting.

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Apple AI Models: How Are They Trained?

The company has developed two different AI models that are catering to basic on-device processing, while the bigger version runs through Apples private computing system. The company uses both the models for tasks like giving text interpretations, understanding images and even aid their creation. All these are also done with Apples privacy ideology at the top of the mind.

Apple trains these AI models using synthetic data that is completely devoid of any information coming from user devices. It uses the data generated by the internal models that uses metrics from devices opting for the device analytics feature Apple offers to iPhone and iPad users. The lack of real-world data limits its ability to contextualise the AI model, which explains why Siri or Apple AI has issues in deciphering the exact prompt from the user.

Giving On-Device AI More Power

Apples advanced tech allows the company to support a wide range of AI features locally and not needing the cloud compute power for all the tools. This is only applicable when you route the requests through OpenAI or Google servers, which Apple cannot control how your data is processed.

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The heavy emphasis on privacy for AI is evident all around Apples architecture, computing tech and even the data it uses to train its models have privacy written all over. These have certainly limited how Apple can process the data, especially compared to the vast trove of dataset available to OpenAI and Google, who may have employed different ways to gather/scrape them.

Apple skipped the AI juggle at the WWDC 2025 last month and there is a strong chance that the iPhone 17 series launch also misses out on the AI pitch. The company will need a big 2026 to finally get the AI juggernaut moving before its rivals become hard to catch up.

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

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Location : Cupertino, California, USA

First Published: July 24, 2025, 11:27 IST

News tech Apple Explains How Its AI Models Are Trained And How They Work

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Did A Snake Leave 'Nagamani' In Bihar School? What It Really Is | Explained

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 14:50 IST

Indian Puranas and folk tales often attribute mystical powers to snakes, giving rise to legends about 'Nagamani', a mythical gem believed to possess miraculous properties

Snakes have a shiny layer on their skin that reflects light, and when small parts of it break off, they can resemble crystals. (Representative/PTI)

A crystal-like object, believed to be left behind by a venomous Gehuman snake, has sparked curiosity and panic at a school in Bihars Muzaffarpur district. Found on the premises of Sahibganj School, the transparent object resembles plastic and is being referred to by locals as a Nagamani, a mythical gem often associated with serpents in folklore. The incident has reignited long-standing myths and prompted speculation about the existence of such objects and their connection to snakes.

Nagamani, or snakes gem," is a concept rooted in mythology and folklore, but it lacks scientific evidence. Science clearly states that no such gem or mani is found within the body of snakes. Despite numerous claims of finding such a gem, investigations often reveal that these objects are not genuine.

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However, snakes can leave behind crystal-like objects, such as scales or small particles, which are mistakenly considered as gems. The object found at the school in Muzaffarpur district is likely one of these.

What Snakes Leave Behind That Are Mistaken For Gems

Some snakes, like cobras, have shiny or spherical scales on their heads that can appear gem-like. Additionally, calcified masses found in a snakes stomach can be mistaken for a gem."

Snakes And Their Mysterious Powers In The Puranas

Indian Puranas and tales often attribute mysterious powers to snakes, leading to folktales about Nagamani and its supposed miraculous properties. Despite these stories, there is no scientific basis for the belief that Nagamani can provide miraculous treatment or wealth.

Can Snakes Really Produce Gems?

Science confirms that snakes do not possess the ability to produce gems. Thieves often exploit this myth by selling fake Nagamani, usually made of glass or plastic and pasted onto a snakes head. Snakes cannot produce diamonds, pearls, or any other gems due to their body structure.

Glass-Like Particles Snakes Sometimes Leave Behind

Snakes sometimes leave behind shiny, glass-like particles while moving, which are often mistaken for something mysterious. In reality, these are usually tiny scales or remnants of old skin, completely natural byproducts of the shedding process.

Snakes regularly shed their skin, and during this process, small fragments of their upper skin or protein-rich scales may fall off. These scales are made of keratin, the same protein found in human nails and hair. When light hits them, their shiny surface can resemble glass, leading to confusion and myths.

This Snake Shedding Can Also Resemble A Crystal

Snakes have a shiny layer on their skin that reflects light, and when small parts of it break off, they can resemble crystals. Additionally, snakes excrete uric acid instead of liquid urine. This appears as a white, chalky, crystalline substance, which can sometimes look like tiny, shiny particles, often mistaken for something unusual.

This Snake Substance Is Also Mistaken For Nagamani

Some snakes secrete a protein-rich mucus from their skin, which can appear transparent or shiny once dried. These natural secretions are sometimes mistakenly believed to be parts of a Nagamani, a widespread misconception. To date, there is no scientific evidence supporting the existence of any real object like the Nagamani. Similar myths existed in medieval Europe as well, where a so-called Sarpmani was believed to have the power to neutralise poison.

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When So-Called Nagamanis Turned Out To Be Fake

Materials sold as Nagamani have often been found to be fake, made of glass, plastic, or animal parts. In 2015, IIT-BHU scientists examined one such item and identified it as calcium carbonate, a common stone. Fraudsters sometimes glue artificial gems onto snakes heads and sell them for lakhs by falsely claiming they are Nagamani. In 2018, a case from Madhya Pradesh surfaced where a man was duped of Rs 2 crore in such a scam.

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Location : Muzaffarpur, India, India

First Published: July 24, 2025, 14:50 IST

News viral Did A Snake Leave 'Nagamani' In Bihar School? What It Really Is | Explained

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Limbs In Limbo: UK Surgeon Amputates His Own Legs To Claim 5.4 Crore Insurance

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 16:59 IST

Neil Hopper, a UK vascular surgeon, allegedly amputated his own legs to claim 500,000 in insurance payouts.

Neil Hopper removed his own legs.

A prominent UK vascular surgeon allegedly had both of his own legs amputated in a calculated bid to claim nearly 500,000 in insurance payouts. Neil Hopper, 49, who once practiced at the Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust, is accused of falsely claiming that his amputations were the result of sepsis and not self-inflicted in order to secure two large insurance payments.

One claim, filed with the Arriva Group, was for 235,622, while another with Old Mutual totalled 231,031, according to evidence presented at the court. Prosecutors said that the alleged false representations occurred between June 3 and June 26, 2019, during which Neil Hopper is said to have misled insurers by hiding the true nature of his injuries.

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The case took a darker turn with an additional charge as Neil Hopper was accused of encouraging another individual, Marius Gustavson, to remove the body parts of others. Court documents revealed that Neil Hopper purchased videos from a website called Eunuch Maker, which reportedly depict and promote the amputation of limbs. The alleged encouragement of these acts took place between August 21, 2018 and December 4, 2020, court was told.

While Neil Hopper has not practiced medicine since March 2023, the General Medical Council placed restrictions on his license soon after and suspended him from the medical register in December 2023. The Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust confirmed his employment from 2013 until his suspension and said it has been cooperating fully with Devon and Cornwall Police.

In a prior interview with the BBC, Neil Hopper said, Losing my legs made life more interesting. The thought of power tools being used on me was icky. It was really weird."

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A spokesperson for the hospital trust emphasized that the charges do not relate to Neil Hoppers professional conduct and there is no evidence that any patients were put at risk during his tenure.

Former patients with any questions or concerns about their treatment can contact the Royal Cornwall Hospitals patient experience team," the statement added.

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Location : London, United Kingdom (UK)

First Published: July 24, 2025, 16:59 IST

News viral Limbs In Limbo: UK Surgeon Amputates His Own Legs To Claim 5.4 Crore Insurance

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Back From Hiss-tory: Worlds Smallest Snake Rediscovered In Barbados After 20 Years

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 18:45 IST

Once feared extinct, the Barbados threadsnake- thinner than spaghetti and barely 10cm long- has slithered back into scientific spotlight.

The snake measures no longer than 10 centimeters when fully grown.

Worlds smallest snake, Barbados threadsnake, was found by scientists two decades after it was last seen. The snake- measuring no longer than 10 centimeters when fully grown and as slender as a strand of spaghetti- was feared extinct. The elusive reptile was found under a rock in central Barbados during an ecological survey in March in an expedition led by the Barbados environment ministry and conservation nonprofit Re:wild.

The Barbados threadsnake- once listed among 4,800 species globally considered lost to science"- had not been officially sighted since the early 2000s.

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Justin Springer, Caribbean programme officer at Re:wild, said he was joking with his colleague while turning over a rock tangled in tree roots when he exclaimed, I smell a threadsnake." He said, When you are so accustomed to looking for things and you dont see them, you are shocked when you actually find it."

The find came as a thrill to Connor Blades, a project officer for the environment ministry, who had spent over a year with Justin Springer searching for the snake and other rare Barbadian reptiles. He said, If the threadsnake population is not very dense, I am worried about their ability to find mates, particularly if their habitat is under threat and being degraded."

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The Barbados threadsnake, first recorded in 1889, is known to reproduce sexually, with females laying just one egg at a time- a rarity in the reptile world where some species can reproduce without mating. Barbados has lost 98% of its native forests, largely due to agricultural development since colonization more than five centuries ago. Conservationists fear that habitat loss and invasive species could once again push the threadsnake toward extinction.

Justin Springer said, The threadsnakes rediscovery is also a call to all of us as Barbadians that forests in Barbados are very special and need protection. Not just for the threadsnake, but for other species as well. For plants, animals and our heritage."

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: July 24, 2025, 18:45 IST

News world Back From Hiss-tory: Worlds Smallest Snake Rediscovered In Barbados After 20 Years

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Brazils Supreme Court Freezes Bank Accounts Of Bolsonaros Son

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Trending Desk

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 20:56 IST

The accusation comes amid escalating tensions between Brazils judiciary and the Bolsonaro family.

Former President Jair Bolsonaro remains under heavy legal scrutiny

Eduardo Bolsonaro, the son of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, has alleged that the countrys top court has frozen his bank accounts and personal assets. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Eduardo claimed that the move was orchestrated under the orders of Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.

The accusation comes amid escalating tensions between Brazils judiciary and the Bolsonaro family, just as the Trump administration in the US intensifies its support for the former president. The White House has already announced travel restrictions and visa revocations for Justice de Moraes and his close allies. According to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the move is in response to what Washington sees as a political witch-hunt" against Jair Bolsonaro.

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Adding to the diplomatic standoff, the US is set to impose 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods starting August 1. The administration has also urged President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva to drop the ongoing criminal charges against Bolsonaro, who is currently under investigation for allegedly plotting a coup to overturn the 2022 election results.

Now, Eduardo Bolsonaro has accused the Supreme Court of targeting him financially as part of a broader effort to silence critics. He further claimed that his wife, who is not involved in the case, was also affected by the asset freeze. If he thinks this will make me stop, I make it clear: I will not be intimidated, and I will not be silenced. I prepared myself for this moment," Eduardo wrote in defiance.

According to CNN Brasil, the Supreme Court authorised the measure last week, citing Eduardos efforts to rally international support for his father in the US. Reacting to the courts decision, Eduardo described it as another arbitrary and criminal act," accusing Justice Moraes of using illegal rulings to shield himself from justice. Like every dictator."

Former President Jair Bolsonaro remains under heavy legal scrutiny. Justice de Moraes has ordered him to wear a tracking anklet to prevent a possible escape attempt. Bolsonaro is also banned from using social media, with the court warning that any violation could result in immediate arrest.

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However, after Bolsonaro recently appeared in an interview displaying his tracking device, Justice de Moraes summoned his legal team to explain the potential breach of court orders, according to Brazilian news outlet G1.

Meanwhile, Bolsonaros supporters are planning mass street protests on August 3, rallying against what they call the unfair and politically motivated treatment of the former president.

Location : Brazil

First Published: July 24, 2025, 20:56 IST

News world Brazils Supreme Court Freezes Bank Accounts Of Bolsonaros Son

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Canada Man Arrested For Killing Daughter Had Affair, Almost Lost One Eye In Ethiopia Attack

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 07:53 IST

Besides his daughter Melina, Luciano had no ties to Montreal, with his primary base of operations located in Ethiopia.

Luciano Frattolin with his nine-year-old. (Credits: X)

Luciano Frattolin, a 45-year-old Canadian man, has been arrested for the alleged murder of his nine-year-old daughter while on vacation in the United States. According to reports, Frattolinan Ethiopian-born businessmanwas said to have loved his daughter deeply but did not want the responsibilities of raising a child.

He loved his daughter, but he didnt like the idea of being tied down," a former friend of Luciano told the Montreal Gazette. Reportedly, Melinas mother was granted full custody following her divorce from Luciano, with the father permitted to visit his daughter only once a year.

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Besides his daughter Melina, Luciano had no ties to Montreal, with his primary base of operations located in Ethiopia. Reports also indicate that Luciano had an extramarital affair while living in Ethiopia, which came to light when his wife travelled there to visit him.

The revelation reportedly surfaced around the time Luciano discovered a mine in partnership with a Beijing-based company. In 2019, the venture secured a 20-year concession to extract iron ore.

However, just days after the deal was finalised, Luciano was assaulteda violent attack that, according to a friend quoted by the Montreal Gazette, left him with permanent damage to one of his eyes.

His wife visited him in Ethiopia after the assault, and got to know about her husbands affair with another woman. The couple got a divorce after this, with the mother getting full custody of the daughter.

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On Saturday, Luciano called 911 to report the alleged kidnapping of his daughter, claiming she had disappeared after he stopped his car to urinate. However, as the investigation unfolded, authorities determined that Luciano had misled them.

The following day, the body of the nine-year-old girl was discovered. An autopsy later confirmed that the cause of death was drowning.

First Published: July 24, 2025, 07:53 IST

News world Canada Man Arrested For Killing Daughter Had Affair, Almost Lost One Eye In Ethiopia Attack

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'Those Days Are Over': Trump Slams US Tech Giants For Hiring Indians, Setting Factories In China

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Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 12:46 IST

At an AI Summit in Washington, Donald Trump slammed major US tech firms for outsourcing jobs to China and India, declaring that such practices are over under his leadership.

US President Donald Trump (Reuters Image)

Donald Trump on Wednesday slammed tech companies in the USA for building factories in China and hiring workers in India. The US President also warned that such days in the tech industry are now over" under his presidency.

Trumps remark came at an AI Summit in Washington, where he signed three executive orders related to Artificial Intelligence, including a White House action plan to utilise AI.

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He said that For too long, much of our tech industry pursued a radical globalism that left millions of Americans feeling distrustful and betrayed."

Many of our largest tech companies have reaped the blessings of American freedom while building their factories in China, hiring workers in India and slashing profits in Ireland, you know that, all the while dismissing and even censoring their fellow citizens right here at home," Trump said.

Under President Trump, those days are over," he said.

We need you, as technology companies, to be all in for America. We want you to put America first. You have to do that. Thats all we ask," he added.

At the event, Trump signed an executive order to ensure that AI models procured by the federal government prioritise truthfulness and ideological neutrality.

Key policies in the AI Action Plan include exporting American AI, promoting rapid buildout of data centers, enabling innovation and adoption, and upholding free speech in frontier models.

The United States is in a race to achieve global dominance in artificial intelligence (AI). Whoever has the largest AI ecosystem will set global AI standards and reap broad economic and military benefits," the introduction of Americas AI Action Plan read.

Just like we won the space race, it is imperative that the United States and its allies win this race," it added.

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According to a White House statement, Trump aims to what they assert is protect Americans from biased AI outputs driven by ideologies like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the cost of accuracy.

ALSO READ | Trump Was Informed His Name Is In Epstein Files, Claims Report; White House Reacts

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.

First Published: July 24, 2025, 12:42 IST

News world 'Those Days Are Over': Trump Slams US Tech Giants For Hiring Indians, Setting Factories In China

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Trump Was Informed His Name Is In Epstein Files, Claims Report; White House Reacts

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 08:15 IST

Donald Trump was reportedly briefed in May that his name appeared several times in Jeffrey Epstein case files, though officials said he wasnt the focus.

File photos of Donald Trump/Jeffrey Epstein (AP)

US President Donald Trump, in May this year, was informed that his name appeared multiple times in the files of the Jeffrey Epstein sex-trafficking investigation, The Wall Street Journal reported.

This comes days after Donald Trump last week told a journalist that Bondi had not told him that his name was in the files.

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The information to Trump was passed on by Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy, during a meeting at the White House, who told the President that many other high-profile figures were also named, according to the report.

However, the conversation, which also included Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, was characterised by two White House officials as a routine briefing" that covered the scope of the Justice Departments findings, as per CNN.

The White House is not surprised by this. Trumps name was present in the binders that Bondi produced and handed out," a White House official told CNN.

The official added that many of the materials already released by the Justice Department had included mention of Trumps name.

The White House does not view this as groundbreaking or new or surprising at all," the official said, emphasising that there is no evidence implicating Trump in any wrongdoing.

Trumps name appearing in the files, they said, was not the sole focus of the discussions.

On Wednesday, White House spokesman Steven Cheung had said the reports were nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media."

WHAT THE WSJ REPORT CLAIMED

The WSJ report stated Trump was also told that senior Justice Department officials didnt plan to release any more Epstein documents, because the material contained child pornography and victims personal information.

Trump said at the meeting he would defer to the Justice Departments decision not to release any further files, the report claimed.

The report also mentioned that both Epstein and Trump said years ago that they had a falling out.

Trump said their friendship ended before the financier was indicted for soliciting prostitution in 2006. Epstein later pleaded guilty to procuring a minor for prostitution in 2008, served time in a Florida jail and registered as a sex offender.

When Epstein was arrested again in 2019, Trump said he hadnt talked to Epstein for about 15 years. Epstein died in jail that year while awaiting trial on federal charges of sex trafficking.

THE REACTION

Trumps ties to Epstein are well-established, and his name is already known to have been included in records related to the wealthy financier, who killed himself in jail in 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges.

In the latest, Bondi is now facing Democratic calls to testify before Congress following the WSJ report.

Senator Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, responded to the report by calling on Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee, according to the Associated Press.

We need to bring Bondi and Patel into the Judiciary Committee to testify about this now," Schiff said in a video posted on X.

Over the years, thousands of pages of records have been released through lawsuits, Epsteins criminal dockets, public disclosures and Freedom of Information Act requests.

They include a 2016 deposition in which an accuser recounted she spent several hours with Epstein at Trumps Atlantic City casino, but didnt say if she met Trump and did not accuse him of any wrongdoing.

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Trump has also said he once thought Epstein was a terrific guy" but they later had a falling-out.

ALSO READ | Jeffrey Epstein Accuser Says She Alerted FBI About Trump In 1996 And 2006 But Was Ignored

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.

First Published: July 24, 2025, 07:49 IST

News world Trump Was Informed His Name Is In Epstein Files, Claims Report; White House Reacts

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First Visuals Show Debris Of Missing Russian Plane In Forest, All 49 On Board Dead

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 13:43 IST

The aircraft, operated by Siberia-based Angara Airlines, lost contact mid-flight. While multiple reports suggest there are no survivors

The debris was lying in the middle of a forest.

First visuals have emerged showing the debris of the Russian An-24 passenger aircraft that went missing on Thursday with 49 people on board, including five children, four crew members, and two airline employees.

The wreckage was discovered 15 km from Tynda, on the slope of a mountain near the village of Kuvykta, in Russias eastern Amur region bordering China.

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An-24 crash site in Russias Far East seen from helicopter  social media footage49 on board, including 5 children and 6 crew  no survivors reported Malfunction or human error considered as possible causes https://t.co/pLMgFY7kBG pic.twitter.com/rU5VWLOnXH  RT (@RT_com) July 24, 2025

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According to reports, the plane was making a second circle before attempting to land and was flying unusually low, as captured in eyewitness videos shortly before the crash. The aircraft, operated by Siberia-based Angara Airlines, was headed to Tynda when it lost contact mid-flight.

Preliminary reports suggest there are no survivors, although officials have not yet issued a formal confirmation. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

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

First Published: July 24, 2025, 13:22 IST

News world First Visuals Show Debris Of Missing Russian Plane In Forest, All 49 On Board Dead

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Japan To Revive Nuclear Reactor Project At Mihama Site 14 Years After Fukushima Disaster

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Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 19:54 IST

The proposed development would take place at the Mihama site in Fukui Prefecture.

The Japanese government revised its nuclear policy in February 2025

Japan is preparing to restart a long-paused nuclear reactor project, more than a decade after halting all new development following the devastating 2011 tsunami. Kansai Electric Power, one of the countrys major utility companies, confirmed the plans in a recent announcement on July 22, stating that the government will soon begin assessing the feasibility of constructing a new reactor, Reuters reported.

The proposed development would take place at the Mihama site in Fukui Prefecture, a region already home to several nuclear facilities. This initiative marks the first major step toward building a new nuclear reactor since the infamous meltdown at Tokyo Electric Powers Fukushima plant, which led to Japans worst nuclear crisis in history.

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The revival of the project comes just months after the Japanese government revised its nuclear policy in February 2025. Under the updated framework, Japan aims to generate 20% of its electricity from nuclear energy by 2040. This ambitious goal not only supports the restart of existing reactors but also the construction of new-generation plants, like the one proposed at Mihama.

Before the Fukushima disaster, Japan operated 54 nuclear reactors. However, safety concerns led to widespread shutdowns. As of now, only a little over a dozen reactors are operational, collectively generating about 12 gigawatts of electricity.

As part of the feasibility survey, the government will evaluate the topography, geology, and other site-specific factors necessary for the safe development of a nuclear reactor.

According to a report by the Financial Times, Kansai Electric believes the resurgence of nuclear power is essential for Japans energy security, economic growth, and carbon emissions reduction. In a resource-poor country like Japan, we need to think about how to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies, especially with the growth of new industries," said Nozomu Mori, President of Kansai Electric.

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Japan remains heavily dependent on fossil fuel imports for its energy needs. By investing in nuclear energy, the country hopes to create a more stable and self-sufficient energy future for its citizens.

With a significant loss of nuclear power supply expected, it is necessary to rebuild with next-generation reactors, based on the premise of ensuring safety and gaining local understanding, to secure decarbonised power sources," Japans Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto stated on Tuesday.

Location : Tokyo, Japan

First Published: July 24, 2025, 19:54 IST

News world Japan To Revive Nuclear Reactor Project At Mihama Site 14 Years After Fukushima Disaster

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'Donald Trump Secured India-Pakistan Ceasefire': White House Repeats Peace Mediation Claims

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 07:03 IST

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed that President Trump brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan as part of his global peacemaking efforts.

A file photo of US President Donald Trump (AP)

US President Donald Trump brokered multiple peace agreements to end wars, including between India and Pakistan, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed on Wednesday.

Speaking at the White House, Leavitt said, President Trump has restored Americas standing on the world stage, brought back peace through strength, and brokered numerous peace agreements to end wars."

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Again, all of this in just six months."

He obliterated Irans nuclear program to end the war between Israel and Iran, got NATO members to raise their defence spending to 5 per cent of GDP, and secured a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, as well as brokering a historic agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo," Leavitt claimed.

The President has already received three different Nobel Peace Prize nominations for his peacemaking efforts. Again, all of this progress, all of these accomplishments have occurred in just six months. We are truly just getting started," she added.

Trump, who has repeatedly said that he stopped the conflict between India and Pakistan through trade, on July 18, said for the first time that five jets were shot down during the fighting.

You had India, Pakistan, that was going in fact, planes were being shot out of the air, five, five, four or five. But I think five jets were shot down actually, that was getting worse and worse, wasnt it? That was looking like it was going to go, these are two serious nuclear countries and they were hitting each other," he had said at the White House in his remarks made during a dinner that he hosted for the Republican senators.

On May 10, Trump announced on social media that India and Pakistan had agreed to a full and immediate ceasefire after a long night of talks mediated by Washington.

Since then, he has repeated his claim on several occasions.

However, India has been consistently maintaining that the understanding on cessation of hostilities with Pakistan was reached following direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two militaries.

In a nearly 35-minute phone call with Trump last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi firmly stated that India does not and will never accept" mediation.

PM Modi also told Trump that the discussions between the Indian and Pakistani militaries on cessation of military actions were initiated at Islamabads request.

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians on April 22.

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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 | Terror Haven, Serial Borrower: India Slams Pakistan At UNSC Over Kashmir, Water Treaty Row

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.

First Published: July 24, 2025, 06:52 IST

News world 'Donald Trump Secured India-Pakistan Ceasefire': White House Repeats Peace Mediation Claims

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Macron Sues US Podcaster Over Grotesque Claim That French Presidents Wife Is A Man

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 20:01 IST

French President Macron and First Lady Brigitte filed a defamation lawsuit against Candace Owens over false claims about Brigitte's gender.

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. (Image Credit: AFP)

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron filed a defamation lawsuit in the United States against conservative American influencer Candace Owens, accusing her of spreading baseless and deeply offensive claims about Brigitte Macrons gender identity to boost her podcasts reach and profile.

The lawsuit alleged that Candace Owens launched a campaign of global humiliation" centered around the false claim that Brigitte Macron was born male under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux- the name of her older brother. The Macrons claimed that Candace Owens used this narrative to dissect their appearance, their marriage, their friends, their family and their personal history- twisting it all into a grotesque narrative designed to inflame and degrade."

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The result," the complaint read, is relentless bullying on a worldwide scale."

Rare Lawsuit by A Head Of State

The legal action is a rare move by a sitting world leader, particularly one filed in the US, where defamation cases involving public figures face an extremely high legal bar. To win, the Macrons must prove that Candace Owens acted with actual malice"- that she knowingly spread false information or showed reckless disregard for the truth.

According to the complaint, the lawsuit centers on Candace Owens eight-part podcast series Becoming Brigitte" which has amassed over 2.3 million views on YouTube, along with associated social media posts. The Macrons say the series spread verifiably false and devastating lies," including outrageous accusations that Brigitte Macron stole someones identity, underwent gender transition and that the couple are blood relatives engaged in incest.

The lawsuit also noted that speculation about Brigitte Macrons gender surfaced online in 2021 and has since been amplified on right-wing platforms, including podcasts hosted by Tucker Carlson and Joe Rogan.

Candace Owens Calls Lawsuit Desperate PR Strategy

In response, Candace Owens denied being notified in advance about the suit, though court filings said that lawyers from both sides have been in contact since January. Speaking on her podcast, Candace Owens dismissed the lawsuit as littered with factual inaccuracies" and described it as an obvious and desperate public relations strategy" meant to smear her character.

A spokesperson for Candace Owens accused the Macrons of trying to bully" her and cast the lawsuit as a foreign government attacking the First Amendment rights of an American independent journalist.

Macrons Say We Gave Her Every Opportunity"

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In a joint statement released through their lawyers, the Macrons said they had issued three formal demands for Candace Owens to retract her defamatory claims before pursuing legal action.

Ms. Owenss campaign of defamation was plainly designed to harass and cause pain to us and our families and to garner attention and notoriety," the statement said, adding, We gave her every opportunity to back away from these claims, but she refused."

Location : France

First Published: July 24, 2025, 20:01 IST

News world Macron Sues US Podcaster Over Grotesque Claim That French Presidents Wife Is A Man

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Plane With Nearly 50 On Board Crashes In Russia's Far East; No Survivors, Say Local Reports

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 14:14 IST

The An-24 aircraft operated by Angara Airlines vanished shortly before landing in Tynda, a remote town near the China-Russia border. Its debris was found in eastern Amur.

Wreckage of the crashed plane in a forest area in Russia (Photos: Reuters)

A passenger plane with nearly 50 people on board went missing in Russias far east on Thursday. According to IFAX, the debris of the plane was found in the eastern Amur region, with local reports suggesting that there were no survivors.

Reuters quoted Russian emergency services officials as saying that all on board the plane were feared dead, as per the initial information. However, an official confirmation on the same was awaited.

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The aircraft was an An-24 passenger plane and was operated by a Siberia-based airline called Angara.

It was headed for the town of Tynda in the Amur region bordering China.

The burning fuselage of the plane was spotted on the ground by a helicopter, and rescue crews were rushing to the scene.

An-24 crash site in Russias Far East seen from helicopter  social media footage49 on board, including 5 children and 6 crew  no survivors reported Malfunction or human error considered as possible causes https://t.co/pLMgFY7kBG pic.twitter.com/rU5VWLOnXH  RT (@RT_com) July 24, 2025

Reuters quoted the local emergencies ministry as saying that the plane dropped off the radar screens of the air traffic controllers while approaching its destination of Tynda, a town in the Amur region bordering China.

Regional governor Vasily Orlov said that according to preliminary data, there were 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members on board, Reuters reported.

The plane crashed while attempting a second approach to Tynda airport, AFP quoted Russias Far Eastern Transport Prosecutors Office as saying.

While approaching Tynda Airport, the aircraft went around for a second landing, after which contact was lost," it said.

The circumstances are being investigated," it said.

The state TASS news agency reported that the plane was manufactured almost 50 years ago.

In 2021, the aircrafts airworthiness certificate was extended until 2036," it reported, citing a source in aviation services.

The Antonov-24 is a popular, Soviet-designed twin-propeller plane that first entered into service in 1959.

Russia has taken steps to switch from Soviet aircraft to modern jets in recent years, but ageing light aircraft are still widely used in far-flung regions, with accidents frequent.

On Monday, an AeroMexico regional jet nearly collided with a Delta Air Lines Boeing 737 jet on the runway in Mexico City.

The incident happened as the AeroMexico plane was coming in for landing, when it flew over and touched down in front of a Delta Air Lines Boeing 737 jet already beginning to take off.

On July 21, a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed into a school campus in northern Dhakas Uttara shortly after takeoff.

At least 27 people were reported killed in the incident, while 78 others were injured, local media reported.

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Among the deceased were 25 children, many of them under the age of 12, with extensive burn injuries.

ALSO READ | Are Chinese Jets Behind Aviation Disasters In Bangladesh?

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.

First Published: July 24, 2025, 11:30 IST

News world Plane With Nearly 50 On Board Crashes In Russia's Far East; No Survivors, Say Local Reports

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Swaminarayan Temple In Australia's Melbourne Defaced With Hate Graffiti: Report

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 09:13 IST

The Swaminarayan Temple in Boronia, Australia, was defaced with hate graffiti, along with two nearby Asian-run restaurants. An investigation into the incidents has begun.

Swaminarayan Temple in Australia's Boronia (Photo: Official Website)

The Swaminarayan Temple in Australias Boronia was defaced with hate slurs painted in red graffiti, The Australia Today reported. The targeted temple is located on Wadhurst Drive, and the incident happened on July 21.

The report claimed that the same hate messages, scribbled on the walls of the temple, also appeared on two nearby Asianrun restaurants.

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Meanwhile, Makrand Bhagwat, chief of the Hindu Council of Australia, Victoria chapter, condemned the attack on the temple and said, Our temple is meant to be a sanctuary of peace, devotion and unity. Seeing it vandalised felt like an attack on our identity, our right to worship and freedom of religion", the report claimed.

Bhagwat also noted that the Shree Swaminarayan Temple hosts daily prayers, community meals and cultural festivals, drawing congregants from across Melbournes Indian diaspora.

The report said the Victoria Police had begun an investigation into the four linked incidents in Boronia, including the temple and two restaurants.

The police are investigating following reports of graffiti in Bayswater and Boronia on July 21," A Victoria Police spokesperson told The Australia Today.

In April this year, the Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Canadas Surrey was defaced with pro-Khalistan graffiti.

A Canada-based journalist visited the temple following the act of vandalism and shared a video of the site.

This is the third time it has been vandalised. I spoke to the management and devotees, and they do not feel like the police or the political establishment care at all," said the journalist.

The act took place at around 3 am, when two individuals spray-painted pro-Khalistan slogans on the temple walls and removed a security camera.

Earlier, the Khalsa Diwan Societys Ross Street Gurdwara in Vancouver was defaced with pro-Khalistani slogans.

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The Gurdwara management condemned the actions, calling it part of an ongoing campaign by extremist forces that seek to instil fear and division within the Canadian Sikh community."

ALSO READ | Hindu Temple Defaced In California With Anti-India Graffiti, BAPS Says Will Never Let Hate

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.

First Published: July 24, 2025, 08:39 IST

News world Swaminarayan Temple In Australia's Melbourne Defaced With Hate Graffiti: Report

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Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 20:45 IST

Thailand and Cambodia are engaged in an armed clash amid an intensifying dispute over a long-contested stretch of their shared border. The latest violence erupted on Thursday morning near two ancient temples along the frontier between Thailands Surin province and Cambodias Oddar Meanchey. Cambodia has now asked for UN intervention in the matter and called Thailand a war-hungry nation.

According to the Thai army, the fighting began at around 7:35 am when troops guarding the Ta Muen temple detected a Cambodian drone in the area. Shortly after, six armed Cambodian soldiers, one reportedly carrying a rocket-propelled grenade, approached a barbed-wire fence near a Thai military post. The Thai army claims Cambodian troops initiated the firefight, which escalated quickly.

The Thai side further accused Cambodia of a targeted attack on civilians, saying two BM-21 rockets struck a local community in Surins Kap Choeng district, injuring three civilians.

Cambodia, however, blamed Thailand for starting the clash. The Thai military violated the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Cambodia by launching an armed assault on Cambodian forces stationed to defend the nations sovereign territory, said defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata. She added that Cambodian forces responded in self-defence, in line with international law, to repel the Thai incursion and protect the countrys sovereignty.

The skirmish marks the latest flare-up in a decades-long dispute over the Emerald Triangle, a geopolitically sensitive region where the borders of Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos converge. The area is home to several ancient temples and has been the site of repeated clashes, most notably over 15 years ago and again in May this year, when a Cambodian soldier was killed.
Trump Walks Back Threats To Elon Musk: 'I Want Him To THRIVE Like Never Before'

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News18.com

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 19:48 IST

Donald Trump pledged to maintain federal subsidies for Elon Musk's companies in a post on Truth Social.

US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk. (Reuters/File)

US President Donald Trump appeared to dial down tensions with Elon Musk as he said in a post on his social media platform Truth Social that he has no plans to revoke federal subsidies to the tech billionaires companies. Donald Trump wrote, Everyone is stating that I will destroy Elons companies by taking away some, if not all, of the large scale subsidies he receives from the US Government. This is not so!"

He added, I want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE- in fact, THRIVE like never before! The better they do, the better the USA does, and thats good for all of us." Donald Trump ended his post with a note of economic optimism, asserting, We are setting records every day, and I want to keep it that way!"

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Donald Trumps comments followed a statement from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt who said that she didnt believe the US President supported federal agencies contracting with xAI, Elon Musks artificial intelligence firm. When asked whether Donald Trump would seek to cancel a recently announced government contract with xAI, Karoline Leavitt said she would discuss the matter with the President."

Trumps Reversal Comes After Weeks Of Tensions With Elon Musk

The remarks mark a notable reversal from Donald Trumps threats just weeks ago to terminate billions of dollars in federal support to Elon Musks ventures- including Tesla, SpaceX and xAI.

Last month, Donald Trump said, The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elons Governmental Subsidies and Contracts."

Elon Musk vs Donald Trump: From Allies To Adversaries

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Donald Trump and Elon Musk, once seen as political and ideological allies, have fallen into a public feud marked by personal digs and policy clashes. The rift deepened after Elon Musks exit from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in late May. At the time, Elon Musk publicly criticized Donald Trumps so-called big, beautiful" spending and tax bill which would roll back federal EV subsidies- a move that would directly impact Tesla.

Despite Elon Musks repeated claims that he opposes government handouts, his companies have benefited significantly from billions in federal contracts and tax credits, particularly for clean energy, space exploration and electric vehicles.

Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)

First Published: July 24, 2025, 19:32 IST

News world Trump Walks Back Threats To Elon Musk: 'I Want Him To THRIVE Like Never Before'

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Turkish Airlines Passenger Dies Mid-Flight, The Body Has Mysteriously Disappeared

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Trending Desk

Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 20:56 IST

Typically, in the event of a medical emergency, flight crews seek the nearest airport for an emergency landing.

Natalia Derevyanny, a spokesperson for the office, told that there was no record of a deceased on the said flight (Photo Credits: X)

A passenger on a Turkish Airlines flight bound for San Francisco died mid-air earlier this month. In a bizarre twist, the body of the deceased has since gone missing, according to a report by Aviation A2Z.

The incident occurred on July 13 aboard Turkish Airlines Flight TK79, which was en route from Istanbul to San Francisco. The passenger, whose identity and nationality have not yet been disclosed, reportedly suffered a medical emergency and died during the flight.

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Initially, the crew considered diverting the aircraft to Keflavik Airport in Iceland, which would have allowed the body to be handled before reaching North America. However, they ultimately decided to continue toward the US, reportedly to remain within US jurisdiction for legal and procedural clarity.

Typically, in the event of a medical emergency, flight crews seek the nearest airport for an emergency landing. However, in the unfortunate event of a death, the urgency to land immediately is often reconsidered, especially if the passenger has already passed away.

Upon entering the US airspace, the crew diverted the flight to Chicago OHare International Airport (ORD), a major hub equipped to handle medical and emergency situations. Turkish Airlines US station manager, Ertugrul Gulsen, confirmed that the rest of the passengers were rebooked on alternate flights to complete their journey to San Francisco.

According to standard protocol, the body of a deceased passenger on a flight landing in Chicago is to be handed over to the Cook County Medical Examiners Office. However, in a surprising development, Natalia Derevyanny, a spokesperson for the office, told SFGATE that there was no record of receiving any body from that flight.

To date, the whereabouts of the deceased passengers remains remain unknown, and Turkish Airlines has not disclosed any further details, including the persons name or nationality. The mystery has raised serious questions about how the situation was handled after landing.

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This isnt the first time when the Turkish Airlines has experienced a mid-air fatality. In October 2024, pilot Ilcehin Pehlivan died mid-flight while traveling from Seattle after suffering a medical emergency.

So far, the current incident that took place on July 13 remains under investigation.

Location : Chicago, United States of America (USA)

First Published: July 24, 2025, 20:56 IST

News world Turkish Airlines Passenger Dies Mid-Flight, The Body Has Mysteriously Disappeared

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We Cant Even Stand: Starving Doctors In Gaza Too Weak To Treat Dying Patients

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Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 17:59 IST

Doctors in Gaza are too weak from hunger to care for patients in collapsing hospitals.

North Gaza residents leave their homes after Israel's evacuation warning | File Image: AFP

Doctors and medical workers across Gaza warned that they are growing too weak from hunger to care for the wounded and malnourished patients flooding the territorys collapsing hospitals. Almost a dozen healthcare workers said that they are surviving without food while continuing to perform life-saving procedures in operating rooms, emergency wards and shelters now functioning as makeshift clinics, The Guardian reported.

Dr. Mohammed Abu Selmia, director of al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, said, They are in a state of extreme exhaustion. Some have fainted in the operating rooms. Medical services will be affected because our staff will not be able to hold out any longer in the face of this famine."

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Many medical professionals described working 24-hour shifts without a single meal, as per the outlet. One physician at al-Shifa said, Today I have been on a 24-hour shift. At [the hospital] they are supposed to give us some rice for each shift, but today they told us there was none. My colleague and I treated 60 neurosurgery patients and right now I cant even stand."

A general practitioner volunteering at the same hospital echoed the desperation, telling the outlet, I havent had anything to eat since yesterday and my family has nothing to eat. All day, I am thinking how can I get them flour or lentils or anything to eat but theres nothing in the markets. We are no longer able to walk. We dont know what to do."

At the Nasser Medical Complex, another surgeon said patients arriving with symptoms linked to starvation have surged. He said, I couldnt eat for two days because I feared worsening my own gastroenteritis. Because of my low blood pressure, I had to stop during a surgery on a girl who had been shot in the abdomen."

Gazas healthcare system has been devastated by nearly two years of conflict. The World Health Organization reported in May that 94% of hospitals in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, with only 19 out of 36 still functioning.

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UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini also confirmed receiving credible reports of healthcare and aid workers fainting due to hunger and exhaustion." In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it is working to facilitate the distribution of humanitarian aid and acknowledged that harm to civilians at distribution sites had occurred.

Following incidents in which harm to civilians who arrived at distribution facilities was reported, thorough examinations were conducted in the Southern Command," the IDF said, adding, Instructions were issued to forces in the field following lessons learned."

Location : Israel

First Published: July 24, 2025, 17:59 IST

News world We Cant Even Stand: Starving Doctors In Gaza Too Weak To Treat Dying Patients

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Yunus Govt Arrests Ex-Bangladesh Chief Justice, Links Him To Killing During Anti-Hasina Protests

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Last Updated: July 24, 2025, 23:41 IST

Bangladesh police arrested 81-year-old ABM Khairul Haque and sent him to jail.

ABM Khairul Haque jailed after being named in murder case linked to last years uprising against Hasina. (IMAGE: @airnews_abad/X)

Bangladeshs police arrested the countrys former top judge, 81-year-old ABM Khairul Haque, on Thursday in connection with a murder-related case that happened during the anti-Hasina protests last year. According to an AFP report, a court in Dhaka later sent the former chief justice to jail.

Haque is facing several other cases, but he was shown arrested for his alleged involvement in a murder," police officer Nasir Islam was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.

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He said the cases are from the student uprising last year that ousted former premier Sheikh Hasina.

The murder case was filed by Ala Uddin, a leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)  which is widely expected to win the next election  accusing Haque, Hasina and 465 others for killing his son during the popular uprising.

Haque was brought into a packed courtroom in Dhaka where he remained silent as the judge ordered him to jail, according to witnesses.

He served as Bangladeshs chief justice for eight months beginning in late 2010, and was later appointed chairman of the Law Commission by the Hasina government.

Haque has faced criticism for a 2011 ruling that scrapped the caretaker government system, which previously required ruling parties to step down during election periods to ensure fairness. The decision was widely seen as benefiting Hasinas Awami League and helping it stay in power.

He also delivered several high-profile but contentious verdicts, including in the case surrounding the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladeshs founding president.

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Following Haques arrest, BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, We hope exemplary punishment will be ensured so that the judiciary can never be weaponised against the state."

Mahbub Uddin Khokon, president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, said Haque had enjoyed various privileges after declaring the caretaker government system illegal." He added, His verdict helped the Awami League unleash a reign of terror, including enforced disappearances and murders".

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

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: July 24, 2025, 23:39 IST

News world Yunus Govt Arrests Ex-Bangladesh Chief Justice, Links Him To Killing During Anti-Hasina Protests

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A new investigation by an exiled Russian outlet has uncovered a systematic effort by Russian authorities to recruit children into designing and testing military drones used in the war against Ukraine. The process reportedly begins with educational video games such as Berloga ("Bear's Den"), launched in 2022, where students build and defend with digital drones, according to a deeper look by the Insider . Those who excel can earn extra exam credits for school and advance to national tech competitions, where top performers are scouted by defense companiesmany of which are under international sanctions.

Teen participants described to the Insider how their work modeling drone components was for military use, though they were instructed to conceal the true purpose by inventing civilian applications. "It's an unwritten rule I've observed at every competition," one 17-year-old student revealed, describing how they took care to avoid mentioning the projects' wartime roles. The push for youth involvement aligns with President Putin's calls to ramp up drone production, as the devices play an increasingly pivotal role for both Russia and Ukraine on the battlefield.

Recent Russian military broadcasts have highlighted teenagers assembling so-called kamikaze drones in factories, per the Guardian. "Young workers ... were shown with their faces blurred out, studying computer screens or making and testing individual components, or assembling drones," Reuters notes of the footage. United24 Media reports on one clip showing a banner in the factory that reads: "Stalin lives in your DNA."

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Facilities like the Alabuga factory, identified as the world's largest strike-drone manufacturer, have brought in students as young as 14 or 15 to study and work in drone production. The Geran drone that's produced there is based on Iranian technology and has been used to target sites deep inside Ukraine. Moscow insists they're aimed at military and energy facilities, but there are frequent civilian casualties reported.
For nearly two decades, no one had spotted the world's smallest known snake. Some scientists worried that maybe the Barbados threadsnake had become extinct, but one sunny morning, Connor Blades lifted a rock in a tiny forest in the eastern Caribbean island and held his breath. "After a year of searching, you begin to get a little pessimistic," says Blades, project officer with the Ministry of Environment in Barbados.

The snake can fit comfortably on a coin, so it was long able to elude scientists. Too tiny to identify with the naked eye, Blades placed it in a small glass jar and added soil, substrate, and leaf litter.
UPDATE

Jul 25, 2025 9:23 AM CDT

One of three police officers in Lorain, Ohio, injured in an ambush on Wednesday has died. Officer Phillip Wagner, 35, was shot multiple times while eating pizza in his parked patrol car, NBC News reports. He died Thursday in a Cleveland hospital. The gunman, 28-year-old Lorain resident Michael Parker, was killed in an exchange of fire with police Wednesday. Police say numerous firearms were found in his vehicle, along with a large cache of explosives. Authorities say they are still investigating his motive, and how he apparently knew that the officers would be taking their lunch break in a remote part of an industrial area, reports Cleveland.com.

Jul 24, 2025 12:00 AM CDT

Three police officers were injured Wednesday in what authorities say was an ambush in Lorain, Ohio. Acting Police Chief Michael Failing says two officers had bought pizza for lunch and were eating in patrol cars parked side-by-side in an industrial area when the gunman opened fire, NBC News reports. Failing says one officer was shot in the hand and the other was shot multiple times, as was a third officer who came to assist.
Vodacom Group reported an 11.4% year-on-year revenue increase in Q1, driven by strong performance in its Egypt unit and growing adoption of financial services.

Revenue rose to ZAR 32.3 billion (US$1.83 billion) for the quarter ending June 30.

Group service revenue grew 13.8% on a normalised basis, which Vodacom noted was tracking favourably against its medium-term target. In Egypt, service revenue surged by 43.8% in local currency, with financial services in the unit also increasing by 55.1%. Service revenue from Vodacoms international operations rose 9.7%, with normalised growth accelerating to 12.4%.

Service revenue from non-mobile segments such as fintech was a key growth driver, contributing ZAR 6.9 billion  or 21.4% of total group revenue. Vodacom Group CEO Shameel Joosub said the company is well on track to reach our target contribution of 30% by 2030.

Group financial services revenue rose 18.1% to ZAR 3.9 billion. Across the Groups mobile money platforms, including Safaricom, a total of US$460 billion was transacted over the past 12 months.
The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed Ghislaine Maxwell and plans to take a deposition next month in Florida, where Jeffrey Epstein's former girlfriend is imprisoned for sex trafficking. Republican Rep. James Comer, the committee's chairman, announced that the subpoena had been issued in a post Wednesday on X , the Washington Post reports. The panel also voted to subpoena the Department of Justice over files in the Epstein investigation, per the Post . Democrats celebrated that their pressuring of Republicans has paid off. "Democrats are focused on transparency and are pushing back against the corruption against Donald Trump," said Rep. Robert Garcia, the party's top panel member.

The deposition will be conducted by lawmakers and staff members at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee on Aug. 11, per the AP. Comer said the Department of Justice is helping. The accompanying letter to Maxwell reads, "It is imperative that Congress conduct oversight of the federal government's enforcement of sex trafficking laws generally and specifically its handling of the investigation and prosecution of you and Mr. Epstein." Speaker Mike Johnson, who adjourned the House early rather than risk a vote to release government files on Epstein, said during a press conference earlier in the day that he supports the committee's investigation but doubts Maxwell's testimony would be credible.

"I mean, this is a person who's been sentenced to many, many years in prison for terrible, unspeakable, conspiratorial acts and acts against innocent young people," Johnson said, per CBS News. On the files vote, the panel included requirements that the DOJ also release any communication it had with Joe Biden about Epstein, redact information about Epstein's victims, and take out any content depicting the sexual abuse of children, per the New York Times.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard made headlines Wednesday by declassifying documents she claims reveal senior Obama-era intelligence officials misled the public on Russian interference in the 2016 election. The 44-page report, created by Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee in 2017, re-examines how US spy agencies under the Obama administration drew their conclusions in the months after President Trump's victory over Hillary Clinton, Politico reports.

In a surprise appearance at a White House press conference, Gabbard alleged the documents contain "irrefutable evidence" that the Obama administration directed the creation of a "false" intelligence assessment, a charge congressional Democrats quickly condemned. Democratic Sen. Mark Warner, vice chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee, labeled the report's release "just another reckless act by a Director of National Intelligence so desperate to please Donald Trump that she is willing to risk classified sources, betray our allies, and politicize the very intelligence she has been entrusted to protect."

While Gabbard and other Republicans have characterized the findings in dramatic terms, the House Intelligence Committee's review did not challenge the core assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered operations to undermine Clinton and US democracy. Instead, the report's main critique centers on the methods used to determine that Putin wanted Trump to win, noting the conclusion hinged on what it described as a single, unverifiable source. The report also criticizes then-CIA Director John Brennan for pushing to include the assessment of Putin's preference, reportedly overruling some analysts.

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"The evidence that we have found and that we have released directly point to President Obama leading the manufacturing of this intelligence assessment," Gabbard said. Earlier this week, Gabbard said the Obama administration's actions were a "treasonous conspiracy," but she dodged the question Wednesday when asked what the former president could be charged with, the Hill reports. "I'm leaving the criminal charges to the DOJ. I'm not an attorney," she said. The department later said it had created a "strike force" to investigate "potential next legal steps," the AP reports. On Tuesday, Obama's office issued a rare response to Trump's treason claims.
Indian police have arrested a man accused of running a bogus embassy from a rented residential building near the capital of New Delhi and recovered cars with fake diplomatic plates. The suspect impersonated an ambassador and allegedly duped people for money by promising overseas employment, said senior police officer Sushil Ghule of the Uttar Pradesh state's special task force in northern India. According to police, Harshvardhan Jain, 47, claimed to have acted as an adviser or ambassador to entities such as "Seborga" and "Westarctica," per the AP .

Police recovered multiple doctored photographs showing Jain with world leaders, as well as fake seals of India's Foreign Ministry and nearly three dozen countries, Ghule said. Jain is also facing charges of illegal money laundering through shell companies abroad, as well as for forgery, impersonation, and possessing fake documents, according to Ghule. Police say they recovered four cars bearing fake diplomatic plates and 4.5 million Indian rupees (about $52,000), as well as other foreign currencies in cash from Jain's rented premises, which were adorned with international flags of several nations.
Israel said it received Hamas' latest ceasefire proposal, with an Israeli official calling it "workable," although no details were provided. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on record, the AP reports. Hamas confirmed in a statement early Thursday that it sent the proposal to mediators. The offer comes a day after more than 100 charity and human rights groups said that Israel's blockade and ongoing military offensive are pushing Palestinians in the Gaza Strip toward starvation. Experts say Gaza is at risk of famine because of Israel's blockade and the offensive launched in response to Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack.

Israel said that it was reviewing Hamas' response to the latest ceasefire proposal to potentially wind down the war. A statement from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed receipt of the Hamas response Thursday but did not specify what it entailed. The Hamas response came as top US envoy Steve Witkoff was set for travel to Europe, where is supposed to meet with key leaders from the Middle East to discuss the latest ceasefire proposal and the release of hostages. Israel's war in Gaza, launched in response to the 2023, attack, has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Its count doesn't distinguish between militants and civilians, but the ministry says that more than half of the dead are women and children.
President Trump unveiled an "A.I. Action Plan" and signed three related executive orders on Wednesday intended to make the US a leader in artificial intelligence, reports the Guardian. By and large, the White House is giving a green light to tech companies to advance the technology by removing what it calls "red tape and onerous regulation," per the New York Times. Two of the executive orders, for example, focus on making it easier to build AI data centers and to export American AI products. The third executive order, however, contains what Axios calls a potential "time bomb" for companiesa ban on "wokeness" in AI chatbots.
A deadly border clash between Thai and Cambodian troops has left at least 12 deadall but one of them civiliansand forced mass evacuations in the reigniting of a century-old dispute between the Southeast Asian neighbors, reports the BBC. Another two dozen civilians and seven military personnel were injured, Thai authorities say, per the Guardian. The incident unfolded with both sides blaming each other for firing the first shots. Thailand says its forces responded after Cambodian troops opened fire following a failed attempt at negotiation; Cambodia alleges that Thai soldiers advanced on a contested temple, prompting the confrontation. Reports say both armies used heavy weapons, with Thailand accusing Cambodia of launching rockets and Cambodia claiming Thai airstrikes hit its military positions.
President Trump is set to make an unusual visit to the Federal Reserve on Thursday, according to the White House, marking the first official presidential trip to the central bank in almost 20 years, per CNBC . The move stands out as a bold gesture in the ongoing dispute between Trump and Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whom the president has repeatedly faulted for declining to cut interest rates. Traditionally, the Federal Reserve operates with a high degree of independence from the executive brancha buffer enshrined in law and respected by presidents from both parties. Trump, however, has bucked that norm, not only criticizing Powell in public but also questioning whether the Fed chair can remain in his role .

Earlier this week, Trump said of Powell, "I think he's done a bad job, but he's going to be out pretty soon anyway," though the president later downplayed any concrete plans to remove him. Powell himself has stated that firing him isn't allowed under current law, a view supported by most legal experts. While past presidents have voiced frustrations with Federal Reserve policy, none have made a serious push to oust the chair. Trump's scheduled visit, set for 4pm ET, appears aimed to amplify his push for lower rates by taking his campaign directly to the Fed's doorstep, per CNBC. The White House didn't say whether Powell would meet with Trump, per the Guardian, which suggests the visit is part of an investigation of an ongoing renovation of the Fed HQ.
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Todd Blanche, the Justice Department's No. 2 official, met Thursday in Florida with Ghislaine Maxwell, the imprisoned former girlfriend of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epsteina session arranged after President Trump and the agency drew fierce backlash from the president's supporters over their handling of the records on the case. Maxwell's lawyer said afterward that she was cooperative, the AP reports. "Ms. Maxwell answered every single question. She never stopped, she never invoked a privilege, she never declined to answer," David Oscar Markus told reporters outside the federal courthouse in Tallahassee, where the meeting took place. "She answered all the questions truthfully, honestly and to the best of her ability."

Marcus said he wouldn't discuss the substance of the meeting, per CBS News. Asked if his client could potentially receive a pardon or see her prison term reduced, he said: "There's no promises yet. So she's just answering questions for now." In a social media post Tuesday, Blanche said that Trump "has told us to release all credible evidence" and that if Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the Justice Department "will hear what she has to say." Markus said his team was "thankful" the deputy attorney general came to question Maxwell, calling it a "good day."

Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence and is being held at a low-security federal prison in Tallahassee. She was sentenced three years ago after being convicted of helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls. The House Committee on Oversight issued a subpoena on Wednesday for Maxwell to testify before its representatives in August.
International network services provider RETN announced on Tuesday it has upgraded its Lithuanian fibre network ring connecting Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Siauliai and Panevezys to support growing data traffic demand in the Baltic region.

RETN said the upgrade  carried out in partnership with fibre provider Skaidula  involved deploying 100G DWDM transponders across key regional routes, complementing the existing Nx100G and Nx400G services in Vilnius and Kaunas.

The upgraded segments now operate with 500G of installed capacity and are designed to scale to 1.2 Tbps and beyond as demand grows.

RETN said the upgrade enhances regional connectivity within Lithuania by extending high-capacity services across the five cities on the fibre ring, while maintaining Vilnius and Kaunas as key nodes on RETNs international backbone linking the Baltics with major European hubs.

RETN noted that the upgrade is part of a broader programme to expand its IP and DWDM backbone across the region, to support growing traffic volumes from Lithuanias IT and data hosting sectors.

Timur Pertenava, commercial director for Nordic & Baltic at RETN, said the upgraded ring improves access across the Baltic region and provides direct routes to border points with Latvia and Poland, with onward connectivity to Warsaw, Stockholm, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and other key locations.

Our upgraded infrastructure is designed to support the growing needs of international carriers, cloud providers and the thriving local unicorn ecosystem, he said in a statement.
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The Public Safety Report is compiled from criminal complaints filed in state and federal courts, as well as some police blotter information, trooper dispatches, fire department reports and interviews with public safety officials. Individuals named as arrested and/or charged with crimes in this report are presumed innocent until proved guilty in a court of law.
OSAKA, Jul 24 (News On Japan) - Osaka Prefecture is introducing new AI-powered surveillance systems at ATMs to combat a surge in special fraud cases targeting the elderly. Beginning in August, residents aged 65 and over will be prohibited from using their mobile phones while operating ATMs under a new local ordinancethe first of its kind in Japan.

A small AI-equipped camera was spotted in front of an ATM at a financial institution in Daito City, Osaka, on July 23rd. Jointly developed by the Osaka Prefectural Police and Osaka Electro-Communication University, the device is programmed to detect ATM users who are speaking on the phone and automatically emits an alert:

"There is a possibility of a bank transfer scam. Please end the call."

Staff members will then quickly approach the user to intervene. The system is designed to make phone conversations physically disruptive in ATM areas by producing loud alerts, according to officials from the Shijonawate Police Station.

The initiative is a response to a rapid rise in fraud cases. As of the end of May, Osaka had already recorded over 1,300 cases of special fraud, with total losses nearing 4 billion yena record-high pace.

Police note that many victims arrive at ATMs while talking on the phone, a common tactic in scams where perpetrators guide victims through money transfers.

The new ordinance, which takes effect on August 1st, targets phone use at ATMs by people 65 and older. While it carries no penalties, it is reinforced by technological solutions like the AI warning system.

Further measures are also set to roll out. Starting in October, those aged 70 or older who have not used ATMs for transfers in the past three years and reside in Osaka will be limited to transferring a maximum of 100,000 yen per day. Additionally, beginning next month, customers purchasing over 50,000 yen in electronic money at stores must explain their reasons to staff. Vendors will be required to ask questions such as, "Were you instructed by someone to make this purchase?"

These rules are part of a broader effort to address the rising threat of special fraud, with data showing that over half of the victims are aged 65 or older.

Source: YOMIURI
We're all familiar with the beauty of a well-curated moodboard, those ethereal collages of colors, textures, and inspirations that capture a mood. What if you could animate them? What if your static images could dance, talk, and bounce along to music, making your look something experienceable and kinetic? With resources like Pippit, you can.
TOKYO, Jul 24 (News On Japan) - Four women have been arrested by the Tokyo Metropolitan Police for allegedly engaging in prostitution solicitation, known as "tachinbo" or street soliciting, near Okubo Park in Shinjuku's Kabukicho district, targeting foreign tourists.

The suspects, including 20-year-old Miyu Aoyagi, were taken into custody on suspicion of violating the Anti-Prostitution Law. According to investigators, the group waited on the streets to solicit customers for prostitution.

To evade undercover officers, the women specifically targeted foreign tourists. Aoyagi is believed to have earned approximately 110 million yen over the past two years through these activities.

Among those arrested was 24-year-old Yumeka Uchiyama, who was captured on video by JNN moments before her arrest. After receiving cash from a man, she placed it into her bag before disappearing into the nightlife district with him.

The police received 11 reports over a nine-month period from foreign tourists claiming they had paid women money but were not provided with sexual services as promised.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Police suspect the women were part of a malicious group engaged in defrauding foreign visitors and are continuing their investigation.

Source: TBS
TORONTO, July 24, 2025 /CNW/ -- AESTURA, Korea's #1 dermatologist-recommended dermocosmetic brand for sensitive skin[1] breaks new ground in the Canadian skincare market with its exclusive launch at all Sephora Canada locations and on Sephora.com . This strategic partnership with Sephora answers the growing demand for advanced, science-backed solutions in the dermatologist skincare category.

AESTURA's ATOBARRIER365 Hydro Soothing Cream, Cream and Lotion

AESTURA is more than just a skincare brandit is the culmination of over 40 years of scientific research and dermatological expertise. AESTURA's specialized sensitive skin solutions are trusted by dermatologists at Korea's leading medical institutions. The brand has been ranked as the No. 1 dermocosmetic brand sold in skin clinics for 9 consecutive years[2], and has widespread distribution, reaching 100% of tertiary general hospitals in South Korea.[3] It has also been awarded the title of Best-Selling Dermocosmetic Facial Care Brand in South Korea.[4] Through AESTURA's Derma-Science Advisory Board in the US, the brand works closely and continuously with dermatologists to ensure that every formula is backed by the latest dermatological science.

"We are thrilled to introduce Aestura to our Canadian beauty community," said Jane Nugent, SVP Merchandising, Sephora Canada. "With roots in advanced Korean dermatological science and a commitment to skin barrier health, Aestura delivers exactly what today's skincare-savvy client is looking for: efficacy, innovation, and gentle formulations. We are proud to be the brand's exclusive launch partner as we continue to bring globally loved Korean skincare brands to our shelves."

At the heart of AESTURA's breakthrough skincare is the proprietary technology behind the bestselling ATOBARRIER365 Cream, which features one million capsules packed with barrier-boosting ceramides in every tube.[5] These capsules stay on the skin for up to 18 hours[6], delivering maximum hydration while strengthening, repairing, and protecting the moisture barrier which can be weakened in sensitive skin.

"Sensitive skin often struggles with compromised skin barrier, making it more susceptible to dryness and irritation," says Dr. Richard D. Granstein, an academic dermatologist and Chair of AESTURA's Derma-Science Advisory Board. Additionally, according to Dr. Y. Claire Chang, board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City and clinical instructor at Mount Sinai Hospital, "For those with sensitive skin, ceramides are crucial. It's not just about any ceramides, though. Sensitive skin benefits most from specific ceramides that mimic those naturally found in the skin. AESTURA's innovative capsule technology, used in the ATOBARRIER365 Cream, encapsulates these barrier-boosting ceramides, allowing for deep absorption to help rebuild and strengthen the skin's natural barrier. Results reported from a clinical trial of the ATOBARRIER365 Cream demonstrated significantly enhanced skin hydration and improved barrier function."

The ATOBARRIER365 Cream has become a viral sensation in Korea, with one cream sold every 7 seconds[7] due to its proven ability to strengthen, protect and hydrate the skin. The cream provides immediate and up to 120 hours of lasting hydration after one application.[8]

Formulated for daily use, the rest of the ATOBARRIER365 collection provides a complete routine for sensitive skin. The collection includes the Foaming Cleanser, Hydro Essence, Hydro Cera-HA Serum, Face Lotion (a 2024 Allure Best of Beauty Award Winner), Hydro Soothing Cream, Cream Mist and Body Lotion.



Each product in the collection is formulated to address specific skin concerns like dryness, irritation, and barrier damage while enhancing overall skin health. With the Mini Best Sellers Kit, exclusive to Sephora, consumers can discover ATOBARRIER365 with trial sizes of the Cleanser, Serum, and Cream.

"Bringing AESTURA to Canada is an exciting milestone for us," said Giovanni Dimas, Senior Brand Manager at AESTURA. "Our heritage is deeply rooted in Korean dermatological science, and for years our formulas have been trusted by skin experts and sensitive-skin users alike. Partnering with Sephora allows us to share our clinically backed, innovative skincare solutions with a new community that values both performance and care."

Aestura was pleased to present at the Canadian Dermatology Association's 2025 Centennial Conference in Halifax, featuring a keynote by Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, a respected dermatologist and member of the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Dermatology Association, the American Academy of Dermatology, and the American Contact Dermatitis Society. Dr. Skotnicki discussed Aestura's cutting-edge technology and its pharmaceutical heritage, where dermatology meets beauty. She also expressed her enthusiasm for the availability of Korea's #1 dermatologist-recommended dermocosmetic brand for sensitive skin[1] at Sephora Canada. Canadian consumers can now easily access a skincare brand that is recommended by dermatologist in Korea.

Starting August 2025, the ATOBARRIER365 Collection will be available exclusively at Sephora Canada stores and on Sephora.com with prices ranging from $29.00 for the Mini ATOBARRIER365 Cream, ATOBARRIER365 Foaming Cleanser and ATOBARRIER365 Cream Mist to $52 for the ATOBARRIER365 Body Lotion. For more information on AESTURA and to discover the ATOBARRIER365 collection, visit Sephora.com .

[1]Based on research conducted by Kantar with dermatologists in South Korea, 2023. [2]Korea Consumer Agency, 2016-2024, Best Brand Award of the Year in the category of cosmetic brands sold in skin clinics. [3]Distribution Partners Based on Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service (HIRA) Statistical Figures [4]Euromonitor International Ltd; Beauty & Personal Care 2025ed; retail value sales, 2024 data [5]80mL/2.7 fl. oz. [6]Ex-vivo test on human skin [7]3M Units Sales: 2018.09 ~ 2024.01 cumulative unit sales

1 sold every 7 seconds : 2024.01 unit sales [8]Instrumental results, 32 women, after 1 application

About AESTURA

AESTURA is the #1 Dermatologist Recommended Brand in Korea for Sensitive Skin[1]. AESTURA combines over 40 years of dermatologist and scientific research to formulate specialized solutions for sensitive skin. Driven by our pharmaceutical heritage, AESTURA is a leader in cutting-edge skincare and cosmetic science to address the unique causes and concerns of sensitive skin, while advancing innovation to improve overall skin health.

In 2008, AESTURA launched the ATOBARRIER Cream, exclusively sold in skin clinics and hospitals. The product quickly gained recognition for its effective, science-backed formulation, earning widespread recognition from dermatologists and fostering strong consumer loyalty. In response to the rapidly growing consumer demand for wider access to its products, AESTURA expanded its distribution into health and beauty stores and reintroduced its hero product, the ATOBARRIER Cream, under a new name, ATOBARRIER365 Cream and for general sale, which quickly became a bestseller. Through our commitment to research, innovation and quality, AESTURA achieved rapid growth, solidifying its position as a leading dermocosmetic brand in South Korea.

AESTURA is dedicated to improving the skin concerns of customers with sensitive skin, while advancing innovation to improve overall skin's health. For more information, visit: https://int.aestura.com/ and @aestura_ca on social media.

[1] Based on research conducted by Kantar with dermatologists in South Korea, 2023.

SOURCE AESTURA

AESTURA Media Contact: Mary Doyle, Account Executive, Blend PR, Email: [email protected]
Algerian operator Algerie Telecom, which offers a wide range of fixed-line, internet and enterprise solutions and Sparkle, an Italian international service provider, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of a new subsea cable linking Italy and Algeria.

As part of the terms of the MoU, Sparkle and Algerie Telecom aim not only to develop the submarine cable but to provide related value-added services in cybersecurity and cloud computing, technical support for data centre development and training across key technical areas. They also promise a point of presence in Europe fully dedicated to Algerie Telecom.

The cable itself is expected to provide a high-capacity route to Europe, delivering enhanced performance, ultra-low latency, and full redundancy compared to existing infrastructures.

While its probably too early to expect details on the full capabilities of the new cable or the other potential partners involved, there was no shortage of ceremony involved in the actual signing of the agreement, which was announced during the sixth Italy-Algeria Business Forum held recently in Rome, in the presence of the President of the Council of Ministers of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, and of the President of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, Abdelmadjid Tebboune.

Adel Bentoumi, CEO of Algerie Telecom, said after the signing: We believe that this project will play a key role in diversifying our international routes and in meeting the increasing needs of our customers across Algeria.

This is the second big subsea cable announcement from Sparkle in as many months. Its only been a short while since the news, reported here, of a consortium of four subsea cable operators, Zain Omantel International (ZOI), PCCW Global, Sparkle, and Telecom Egypt, signing an MoU to collaborate on the construction of the Asia-Africa-Europe-2 (AAE-2) subsea cable system.
Limited-Edition Canada Dry x Roots Summer Collection will be available July 25 at Roots.com and at a pop-up in Toronto

TORONTO, July 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Your new summer wardrobe staples have arrived. Today, Canada's #1 Ginger Ale*, Canada Dry, and global lifestyle brand Roots, unveiled a new summer capsule collection: The Limited-Edition Canada Dry x Roots Summer Collection. This exclusive collection combines the spirit of two iconic Canadian brands in one crisp collab.

CANADA DRY AND ROOTS LAUNCH ICONIC NEW COLLAB (CNW Group/Canada Dry)

Designed by Roots in partnership with Canada Dry, the two brands have come together with the goal of showcasing their rich Canadian heritage and celebrating moments of connection and relaxation that only a Canadian summer can bring. The outcome: a specially crafted capsule collection that's both refreshing, carefree and iconically Canadian.

"For over a century, Canada Dry has provided Canadians with moments of refreshment and been a staple of Canadian summers, so we're thrilled to be coming together with another iconic brand for this one-of-a-kind collaboration," says Ruben Beltran, Senior Brand Manager, Canada Dry. "From dock days to patio parties - Canadians can soak up all that summer has to offer in this incredible new collection alongside the crisp ginger flavour of Canada Dry."

"Roots and Canada Dry are two iconic brands woven into the fabric of Canadian life," says Leslie Golts, Chief Marketing Officer, Roots. "This partnership is more than just style and refreshment; it is about capturing the feeling of summer and nostalgia that has brought people together for generations. Every item in this collection is crafted to inspire connection: to people, to Canadian memories, and the great outdoors."

The collection features a distinct logo mash-up across all pieces: the Roots beaver, sporting the crown from Canada Dry's iconic logo, a nod to the rich Canadian heritage shared by both brands. Designs were inspired by vintage ads from the Canada Dry archive and the timeless charm of traditional Canadian summer vacations. The collection features two vintage-inspired graphic prints which bring nostalgia to life through thoughtful details: a green car, a custom license plate and 'Welcome To Canada Dry Country' sign ground the setting, with the iconic Roots beaver sitting proudly on the front of the boat. Each print captures a different side of the country, with one reflecting the East and the other the West.

There are two hero items in the capsule drop, both designed and made in Canada:

A roomy and soft hoodie made with organic cotton fibres, emblazoned with the shared logo ( $138.00 CAD).

CAD). Two ultra-soft graphic tees delivering all-day lounge-worthy style, featuring graphic prints inspired by vintage Canada Dry advertisements ( $54.00 CAD).

CAD). Both items are gender-free and designed with a relaxed fit, so they feel just as good as they look.

The full Limited-Edition Canada Dry x Roots Summer Collection will be available at Roots.com starting July 25. Fans in the Greater Toronto Area are welcome to shop the collab IRL while sipping complementary Canada Dry Ginger Ale at a co-branded pop-up inspired by iconic Canadian summers, taking place at The Well from July 25-27.

For more information on this collaboration, check out Roots.com.

*Source: Nielsen Discovery

ABOUT CANADA DRY

Canada Dry Ginger Ale began in 1904 as Pale Ginger Ale. Its founder, John J. McLaughlin, owned a sparkling water plant in Canada, so when he saw the rise in popularity of more syrupy ginger ales, he set to work perfecting a lighter version. This became the Canada Dry Ginger Ale we know today. During Prohibition, Canada Dry Ginger Ale became a popular mixer to mask the taste of the period's harsh liquors. Often called the champagne of soda, it was marketed toward the refined crowd for many decades. And since its creation, Canada Dry Ginger Ale, with its real ginger taste, has been the drink of choice for those seeking something soothing and refreshing. Canada Dry is now a part of the Keurig Dr Pepper beverage portfolio.

ABOUT ROOTS

Established in 1973, Roots is a global lifestyle brand. Starting from a small cabin in northern Canada, Roots has become a global brand with over 100 corporate retail stores in Canada, two stores in the United States, and an eCommerce platform, roots.com. We have more than 100 partner-operated stores in Asia, and we also operate a dedicated Roots-branded storefront on Tmall.com in China. We design, market, and sell a broad selection of products in different departments, including women's, men's, children's, and gender-free apparel, leather goods, footwear, and accessories. Our products are built with uncompromising comfort, quality, and style that allows you to feel At Home With Nature. We offer products designed to meet life's everyday adventures and provide you with the versatility to live your life to the fullest. We also wholesale through business-to-business channels and license the brand to a select group of licensees selling products to major retailers. Roots Corporation (TSX: ROOT), is a Canadian corporation doing business as "Roots" and "Roots Canada".

SOURCE Canada Dry

Canada Dry inquiries: Bronte Wright: [email protected], 647-539-3994; Roots inquiries: Nicole Legate: [email protected]
Exclusive savings on all inclusive vacation packages with 72-hour booking windows across top sun destinations

TORONTO, July 24, 2025 /CNW/ - Sunwing Vacations is bringing back the excitement of the Wild Wednesday program, but with bigger and better offers. The reoccurring "Flynancial Flash Sales" will offer flexibility and value for travellers through significant savings on expertly curated resort packages from gateways across Canada for a longer booking window of 72-hours.

Sunwing Vacations launches new "Flynancial Flash Sale" (CNW Group/Sunwing Vacations Inc.)

Each 72-hour flash sale spotlights a different resort with significant savings on packages that include roundtrip airfare on board WestJet, hotel accommodations, and in-destination transfers, provided by NexusTours. Unlike traditional flash sales, travellers have three full days to book  offering more flexibility without losing the thrill of a time-limited offer.

The first "Flynancial Flash Sale" kicks off on July 30, 2025 and features a resort in Punta Cana known for it's ideal blend of adventure and relaxation. It will be available to book at up to 40% off on select gateways, until August 1, 2025. Travellers can stay in the know on upcoming offers and lock in exclusive savings by signing up for emails, visiting Sunwing.ca, or contacting their local travel advisor.

About Sunwing Vacations

As the leading vacation provider in Canada, Sunwing Vacations offers more vacation packages to the south than any other vacation provider with convenient direct service from cities across Canada to popular sun destinations across the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America. This scale enables Sunwing Vacations to offer customers exclusive deals at top-rated resorts in the most popular vacation destinations. Sunwing Vacations customers benefit from the assistance of our trusted partner in destination, NexusTours, whose representatives greet customers upon arrival and support them throughout their vacation journey. For more information, please visit sunwing.ca.

SOURCE Sunwing Vacations Inc.

For more information: Melanie Anne Filipp, Senior Director, Corporate Communications & Media Relations, Sunwing Vacations Group, [email protected]; Marissa Maheu-Mendes, Manager, PR & Influencer Marketing, Sunwing Vacations Group, [email protected]
The former Atlantic City council president has been sentenced to federal prison in the forging of mail-in ballots for the 2022 general election.

A judge sentenced Craig Callaway, 64, of Atlantic City, two two years behind bars Wednesday, the U.S. Attorneys Office for New Jersey said in a statement.

Callaway pleaded guilty earlier this year to depriving, defrauding and attempting to deprive and defraud New Jersey residents of a fair and impartially conducted election process by the fraudulent procurement, casting and tabulation of ballots.

Authorities charged Callaway, who also worked as a political organizer, in 2024. At the time, it was alleged that he obtained mail-in ballots through messengers with the Atlantic County Clerks Office and fraudulently filled out the ballots and cast them.

State law allows messengers to gather mail-in ballots from the clerks office on voters behalf. Callaway cast at least four votes for voters who did not participate in that election, federal prosecutors said.

He also offered to pay up to $50 to recruits to file mail-in ballot applications, authorities said.

At the time that the scheme was carried out, Callaway was working as a consultant for the reelection campaign of U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-2nd District).

Callaway was previously sentenced to state prison in 2006 for accepting $36,000 in bribes. He was also convicted in 2009 of blackmailing former Atlantic City councilman Eugene Robinson after being accused of conspiring to lure him to a motel in Absecon to have sex with a prostitute. Callaways brother and two others were sentenced to jail in the case.

He was barred by the Atlantic County Superior Court ahead of the 2023 election from assisting voters with disabilities after he claimed to have a disability himself.

As part of his sentence, Callaway must complete three years of supervised release.

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Authorities have arrested a man who allegedly shot two people in separate incidents just hours apart.

Kenneth W. Reddick, 29, of Camden, was arrested on Monday on two counts of first-degree attempted murder, one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child and multiple weapons offenses, the Camden County Prosecutors Office said in a statement on Thursday.

On Sunday just before 9 p.m., a 48-year-old Camden man arrived at Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital for treatment of multiple gunshot wounds. Detectives later discovered that he was shot by an unknown person on Lansdown Avenue in Camden. The victim was in stable condition on Sunday night, authorities said.

Shortly after 5:30 a.m. the next day, police responded to a report of a shooting at a house Brookshire Road in Gloucester Township. Officers found a 34-year-old man inside the home, with a single gunshot wound, officials said.

He was rushed to Cooper University Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition, prosecutors said.

Reddick was found near the Gloucester Township home on Monday morning and taken into custody. During the investigation, detectives alleged that he was also responsible for the Sunday night shooting.

A 1-year-old child was also present during the Monday morning shooting, which resulted in the endangering the welfare of a child charge, authorities said.

Reddick is in custody at Camden County jail pending a detention hearing.

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Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron have filed a defamation lawsuit against political commentator Candace Owens. Getty Images

The president of France is suing a popular political pundit after she accused the politicians wife of being born a male.

French president Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, filed a defamation lawsuit Wednesday against Candace Owens for repeatedly sharing the claim on social media, according to CNN.

The couple said Owens has run a relentless year-long campaign of defamation against the Macrons.

Owens posted a YouTube video titled Is Frances First Lady a Man? earlier in 2025. A YouTube series titled Becoming Brigitte, which went into detail on her belief that Macron is actually a man. Owens also accused the French president of being a CIA asset, and falsely claimed Brigitte was born Jean-Michel Trogneux, the name of her brother, the report said.

The Macrons are seeking an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages with the lawsuit that claims Owens caused them substantial economic damages.

The 36-year-old far-right political commentator responded swiftly to news of the lawsuit with an Instagram story post of the French president, 46, and his wife, 72, captioned I will be coming for this wig today.

Candace Owens responded to a lawsuit filed against her with a post to her Instagram story. Candace Owens, Instagram

You were born a man and youll die a man, Owens said in a YouTube video Wednesday. See you in court.

More entertainment news:

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Dropkick Murphys canceled all their performances during the Punk In The Park traveling festival. (Photo by Kieran Frost/Redferns) Redferns

The multi-city punk festival Punk in the Park has been facing backlash on multiple fronts due to uncovered political donations by festival owner Cameron Collins of Brew Ha Ha Productions.

It was discovered that Collins gave money to President Donald Trumps 2024 presidential campaign. Fans immediately filed a petition, which has gotten over a thousand signatures, to cancel the festivals next stops in Massachusetts and California in September and October.

Celtic punk band Dropkick Murphys followed the suit of bands such as Destiny Bond and Time X Heist, canceling their performance at the festival stop in Denver, Colorado, this past weekend and all future performances.

Punk Rock and Donald Trump just dont belong together, the band wrote in an Instagram post addressing the cancellation. So, upon finding out that Brew Ha Ha promotions donated to the Trump campaign, we will not be playing any more Punk in the Park shows.

Collins posted a lengthy rebuttal on his personal Instagram page about the situation.

Regarding his political stance, he wrote, Like many Americans, my political views dont neatly fit into a single box or party affiliation. I believe in fairness, humanity, free expression, and fostering unity among people. Thats how Ive tried to live my life and conduct my business.

In terms the Trump administration and its policies, Collins added, I must admit that I havent been pleased with a great many of the current Presidents viewpoints, opinions, and policies thus far, particularly with the recent ICE atrocities and the backtracking on the Epstein files being released, as well as all the posturing with our allies around the world.

Collins would also add that Punk In The Park will not donate any proceeds to any political party and the festival employs people from all walks of life, race, religion, and sexual orientation.

Related coverage:

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Murjani Rawls may be reached at mrawls@njadvancemedia.com
Handmaids Tale star Madeline Brewer is sharing the details of her recent dream wedding in the English countryside.

In May, Brewer, who grew up in Pitman, told us in a interview that her New Jersey family would be flying over to the United Kingdom for her nuptials.

Thats where the Emmy-nominated actor, who played Janine Lindo in Hulus The Handmaids Tale, met her now-husband, cinematographer and producer Jack Thompson-Roylance.

Brewer, who got married July 12, shared photos from her wedding published by Brides. The actor and her husband cover the summer wedding issue.

She had been living in London while playing Sally Bowles in a West End production of Cabaret in 2022 when they first connected on the high-profile dating app Raya.

After the couple began dating, Brewer, 33, moved back to Los Angeles. She decided to ease some of the distance between them by moving to New York. Thats where Thompson-Roylance proposed in January 2024, 14 months into their relationship, and they got engaged.

But Brewer tells Brides that she would always choose to get married in Somerset, England where Thompson-Roylance is from.

READ MORE: Madeline Brewer interview: N.J. star on The Handmaids Tale ending in post-Roe America

Their wildflowers-themed wedding, which had an aesthetic of Bridgerton by day and Saltburn by night, was at the North Cadbury Court manor house.

Brewer did the wedding planning while working on and promoting her final season of The Handmaids Tale, which ended in May after six seasons. She also starred in the last season of the Netflix series You.

Jack Thompson-Roylance and Madeline Brewer in 2024. They were dating for a little more than a year before they got engaged. Alan Chapman | Dave Benett | WireImage

The actor, who is a redhead as Janine, was back in her natural blond state and wore a 2005 Vera Wang gown. A unity ceremony accompanied the couples vows. Brewers maid of honor lit a candle from New Jersey and Thompson-Roylance lit one from Somerset.

The couple named their wedding cocktails for David Lynch references  a negroni called In Heaven, Everything is Fine (from the film Eraserhead) and an espresso martini called Damn Fine Cup of Coffee (from Twin Peaks).

Next, Brewer and Thompson-Roylance plan to ditch the physical distance in their relationship and live in the same place.

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Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter/X, @amykup.bsky.social on Bluesky and @kupamy on Instagram and Threads.
Butter chicken with white rice and cheese naan atThumkaa Bar and Kitchen, a new Indian restaurant in Jamesburg, NJ on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media

For years, Jamesburgs main street sat quietly  a few shops, a pizza place, not much else.

But recently, things have started to change in the small Central Jersey suburb. A coffee shop. A craft burger joint. A Peruvian spot. And now, an innovative new Indian restaurant bringing big flavors to town.

Executive chef and co-owner Ruby Bhalla and her husband Sunil Ratwani at Thumkaa Bar and Kitchen, a new Indian restaurant in Jamesburg, NJ on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media

Thumkaa, owned by husband-and-wife team Ruby Bhalla and Sunil Ratwani, opened in March in a space with deep local roots. It occupies part of the former home of Mendokers, a beloved neighborhood bakery that served Jamesburg for 84 years before closing in 2016.

The building has since been split in two; the other half now houses Burrito Bowl Mexican Grill  also owned by Bhalla and Ratwani. Burrito Bowl also has locations in Howell, Freehold and Monroe Township.

Bhalla told NJ Advance Media the space that now houses Thumkaa was originally meant for something else entirely.

Thumkaa Bar and Kitchen, a new Indian restaurant in Jamesburg, NJ on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media

We originally bought this building as a production house for our other restaurants, but it was a 3,500-square-foot place that was empty, Bhalla said. I was like, what should we do?

Being from India herself, Bhalla said the decision to open an Indian restaurant was about more than just business  it was personal. She wanted to create something tied to her cultural roots, and saw a need for a place like Thumkaa in the area.

But with new businesses constantly opening up in town, does Thumkaa fit in? And in a space that once housed a beloved bakery, can Thumkaa live up to that same potential? Lets dig in.

The good

Bhalla also serves as Thumkaas executive chef, bringing her vision and heritage directly to the plate. While the menu is broadly Indian, much of it draws inspiration from the northern region of Punjab, known for its intense flavors and generous use of spices, butter and cream.

Clato Hernandez makes a Passion Paradise Fly at Thumkaa Bar and Kitchen, a new Indian restaurant in Jamesburg, NJ on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media

Diners will find classics like butter chicken, biryani, and crisp, golden samosas  but Thumkaa also branches out. A dedicated Indo-Chinese section highlights the spicy fusion cuisine beloved across India, while playful twists like chicken tikka pizza show Bhalla isnt afraid to mix tradition with innovation.

The restaurant is currently working on getting its liquor license, but guests are more than welcome to BYO. They also offer a selection of hand-crafted mocktails.

Papri chaat at Thumkaa in Jamesburg, NJ (Lauren Musni|NJ Advance Media) Lauren Musni

Chaat is a category of Indian street snacks typically made with crispy dough bits, chickpeas, yogurt, spices and chutneys all layered together. Their papri chaat ($16), is piled high with crunchy papris (bite-sized wafers), yogurt, tamarind chutney, chickpeas and sev (deep-fried noodle pieces), finished with a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds. Its a beautifully colorful and chaotic dish  a compliment. Each bite bursts with a medley of flavors and textures: sweet, slightly spicy, creamy, and crunchy all at once.

Paneer tikka tacos at Thumkaa in Jamesburg, NJ (Lauren Musni|NJ Advance Media) Lauren Musni

Paneer tikka is a popular Indian appetizer featuring marinated paneer (firm Indian cheese) that is cooked in a tandoor, or clay oven, until smoky and charred. While Thumkaa offers this timeless appetizer, they also find a creative spin with the paneer tikka tacos ($16 for 3). Each soft tortilla stuffs chunks of paneer, pickled onions, curry aioli and minty chutney. A thoughtful, flavorful mashup that was tangy, smooth and well spiced.

All of the entrees at Thumkaa come with a side of fragrant basmati rice, but diners can also round out their meal with a selection of additional rice dishes and bread such as naan or roti. Guests can also choose a heat level for their meal, from mild to spicy. Most of my dishes were served mild, but still packed some of punch; spice-averse eaters use caution.

The amritsari fried fish ($26) is a well-known Punjabi dish of spiced, fried fish. At Thumkaa, its made with swai  a mildly flavored freshwater fish from Southeast Asia (sourced from Performance Food Group in Virginia)  coated in a gram flour batter and fried until golden brown. The result is wonderfully flaky, tender, and juicy, with a satisfying crunch. The side of jalapeno aioli adds just the right kick.

The lamb buna ($30) stews pieces of slow-cooked lamb in a blend of spices, tomatoes and herbs. The meat is melt-in-your-mouth soft, soaking up the rich, concentrated flavor of the thick, clinging sauce  one of the heartiest dishes on the menu. I used garlic naan and some rice to soak up every drop of that meaty, savory sauce.

The gobi manchurian dry at Thumkaa in Jamesburg, NJ (Lauren Musni|NJ Advance Media) Lauren Musni

For a taste from the Indo-Chinese section, I tried the gobi manchurian dry ($18)  crispy, battered cauliflower florets coated in a zesty sauce with hints of sweetness and gentle heat. The flavor instantly reminded me of General Tsos chicken, but with a lighter, veggie-friendly twist.

The bad

Thumkaas dessert menu features a mix of Western favorites like creme brulee and chocolate lava cake with Indian specialties like gulab jamun (golden brown balls soaked in rose sugar syrup) and kulfi (frozen milk dessert). I ordered the ras malai (cheese dumplings soaked in cardamom flavored milk, $14) and the rose kulfi (frozen milk treat infused with rose).

Rose Kulfi dessert at Thumkaa Bar and Kitchen, a new Indian restaurant in Jamesburg, NJ on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media

Neither dessert quite lived up to the high bar set by the rest of the meal. After such a vibrant and flavorful dinner, the dessert felt like an unexpectedly flat ending  more of a pause than a finale.

The vibe

As a former Jamesburg-adjacent local myself (I grew up in Monroe), I have vivid memories of visiting Mendokers bakery when it was still open  small, cozy and always packed.

Thumkaa Bar and Kitchen dining room, a new Indian restaurant in Jamesburg, NJ on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media

Thumkaa feels a galaxy away in style: The space has been transformed into a large, modern, nightclub-like atmosphere, with dark-toned walls and tables, tinted windows, and vibrant pops of color in the seating and decor.

Its bold and dramatic  a striking contrast to what stood there before, and a clear sign that something new has arrived in Jamesburg.

Theres also live music that plays in the restaurant on Wednesdays and Sundays in the summer, and then Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the rest of the year.

The bottom line

A restaurant like Thumkaa has been a long time coming for Jamesburg.

And the location couldnt be more perfect. Yes, Edison and Woodbridge get top billing with Oak Tree Road and its long list of South Asian favorites, but there are large Indian communities in surrounding towns like South Brunswick, East Brunswick, and Sayreville, too. Thumkaa feels right at home in the middle of it all.

Spiced tamarind at Thumkaa Bar and Kitchen, a new Indian restaurant in Jamesburg, NJ on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media

It will certainly compete with Bagara n Biryani, a more modest Indian restaurant two minutes down the road. But for a more elevated experience, Thumkaa is the place to be. The restaurant stands out for its expressive flavors, modern flair, and thoughtful fusion dishes that venture beyond the basics.

There was a need for this kind of restaurant. Our whole setup is unlike any other place here. Its very city-like and thats the vibe I wanted to bring here, Bhalla said.

More reviews

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Lauren Musni may be reached at lmusni@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Laurengmusni and on Instagram. FindNJ.com on Facebook.
A Mercer County man who previously pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two women more than 20 years ago is now charged with new sex crimes against children, authorities said.

Travis Reisen, 45, of Trenton was charged with first-degree manufacturing child sexual abuse material, second-degree sexual assault and third-degree counts of possession of child sexual abuse material and endangering the welfare of a child, the Mercer County Prosecutors Office said. Reisen was also charged with tampering with evidence.

An investigation began in Idaho after the mother of a 14-year-old reported that her daughter had been sexually exploited online after posting an advertisement for babysitting services, prosecutors said.

The girl was contacted by a man asking about her babysitting service, authorities said. He then began a sexually explicit conversation with the teenager.

The man extorted sexually explicit images and videos from the girl, prosecutors said.

Authorities in Idaho identified Reisen as the person communicating with the girl and reported the incident to the Mercer County Prosecutors Office, officials said.

Authorities searched Reisens home on Lee Avenue in Trenton Tuesday and seized multiple pieces of evidence, according to officials. Authorities did not say what types of evidence were recovered during the search.

Reisen was taken into custody and transported to the Mercer County Correction Center, officials said. Reisen did not have an attorney listed in court records Wednesday.

In 2004, Reisen pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting two women in Warren County and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to court records.

The women were 19 and 21 years old at the time of the incident, according to details listed under Reisens Megans Law registration.

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An armed Monmouth County man admitted to threatening a teller before fleeing with over $27,000 in cash during a 2024 bank robbery, the U.S. District Attorneys Office announced Wednesday.

Jeffrey L. Kniffin, 51, of Wall Township, pleaded guilty on Tuesday in federal court to one count of armed bank robbery.

On Oct. 23, 2024, Kniffin entered a bank in Wall Township and demanded money from a teller, removing a loaded handgun from his pocket, placing it on the counter and saying to the teller dont do anything stupid multiple times, officials said.

Kniffin was apprehended by law enforcement officers several minutes after leaving the bank, officials said. Authorities recovered over $25,000 in cash and a loaded handgun at the time of his arrest.

Kniffin is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 24. An attorney for Kniffin did not immediately return a request for comment.

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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com.
The ruling reinforces limits on what prosecutors can say about a defendants courtroom behavior during trial. Canva for NJ.com

A New Jersey appeals court overturned a mans criminal conviction Wednesday, ruling that a prosecutor crossed a constitutional line by telling jurors the defendant fabricated his story after hearing other witnesses testify.

Earl L. Kelly was convicted of weapons offenses and criminal restraint stemming from a Dec. 24, 2021, incident at a hotel in Parsippany.

In a precedential ruling, the Appellate Division found that the prosecutors remarks during closing arguments may have improperly influenced the jury, and that warrants a new trial for Kelly.

The court said the comment unfairly undermined Kellys right to a fair trial  protections clearly outlined in a New Jersey Supreme Court 2004 decision, State v. Daniels.

The Daniels decision bars prosecutors from implying that a defendant tailored their testimony simply because they were present in court.

The appeals courts decision in Kellys case reinforces those limits, finding that such comments unfairly undermine a defendants right to a fair trial.

Kelly was found guilty of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon and third-degree criminal restraint.

He was acquitted of more serious charges, including first-degree robbery and multiple counts of sexual assault.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison: eight years for the weapons offenses, to be served concurrently, and a consecutive four-year term for criminal restraint.

The charges stemmed from an incident in which a woman working as an escort accused Kelly of pulling a gun on her, forcing her to perform sex acts and stealing her money.

Police later found a .25-caliber Beretta handgun in Kellys car and data on his phone placing him at the hotel.

Kelly testified that the encounter was consensual and denied using a weapon. He admitted to owning the gun but said he did not bring it into the hotel room.

While the appeals court rejected Kellys other claims  including alleged Miranda violations and mishandling of evidence  it found the prosecutors comments serious enough to order a new trial.

The case now returns to the trial court for further proceedings.

The Morris County Prosecutors Office declined to comment on the decision.

In a statement, the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender welcomed the decision.

We appreciate the Appellate Courts decision to remand the case for a new trial and its recognition of the importance of the fundamental right to a fair and impartial proceeding, free from prosecutorial statements that may unduly influence the jurys decision, the statement said.

Colleen Murphy may be reached at cmurphy@njadvancemedia.com.
A school bus crashed Thursday morning into a concrete barrier along Interstate 80 East in Morris County, causing traffic delays.

The accident occurred about 10 a.m., east of Exit 39 in Denville Township. Two of four lanes were closed for about two hours.

No injuries were reported. News12 reported students had been dropped off at a school before the crash.

Photos from the scene show the bus smashed through the barrier. It was not immediately clear which district contracted with the bus company.

Denville Schools Superintendent Steven A. Forte said the bus was not operating in his district.

The bus is owned by Durham School Services of Illinois. A spokesperson for the bus company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The New Jersey Department of Transportation reported two lanes on the eastbound side and one left lane on the westbound side were closed for a time during the investigation.

Police did not respond to requests for comment on the crash.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com.
A 65-year-old New Jersey man already facing child sex related charges in his home state is now charged with similar offenses in Pennsylvania.

Steven Patras, of Hainesport, was arrested again Tuesday following an investigation by police in Bensalem, Pennsylvania.

Authorities allege that on April 30, Patras began chatting on a social media app with someone he believed was a 13-year-old girl but was actually an undercover detective, according to Bensalem police.

Patras almost immediately began asking the undercover detective questions of a sexual and personal nature and continued the conversations for weeks, authorities said

He sent explicit photographs of himself and asked for illicit images in return, police allege. Patras also arranged for a June 12 meeting before canceling.

Before he could set up a new encounter, Patras was arrested by the Burlington County Prosecutors Office for alleged crimes in New Jersey.

Investigators in New Jersey seized his cell phone and found two months of chats with who he thought was a teenage girl.

On Tuesday, the Bucks County Sheriffs Office in Pennsylvania brought Patras from New Jersey to Bensalem. He is charged in Pennsylvania with attempted sexual abuse of children, unlawful contact with a minor, and related offenses.

He is being held on 10% of $2 million bail at the Bucks County jail.

In New Jersey, Patras was charged June 26 with multiple counts of endangering the welfare of a child, enticing, and knowingly distributing obscene material to a child, according to court records. He is scheduled for a pre-indictment conference in Burlington County on Aug. 20.

Additional information about those charges wasnt immediately available.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
UPDATE: As of 12:50 p.m. The investigation into the bus crash is still ongoing. All buses involved in the crash have been cleared, and normal bus terminal operations have resumed.

Two NJ Transit commuter buses collided on a ramp to the busy Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York Thursday morning, injuring 20 people on board, agency officials said.

At 8:56 a.m., two New Jersey Transit buses collided on Ramp 96, which leads from the Lincoln Tunnel to the Port Authority Bus Terminal, said Cheryl Ann Albiez, a Port Authority spokesperson. Port Authority Police and emergency response teams are on scene.

Currently 20 customers and one bus driver are being evaluated on scene by first-responders for non-life-threatening injuries, said Everett J. Merrill, an NJ Transit spokesperson. There are currently 15 minute delays in the area resulting from the accident.

The Exclusive Bus Lane remains open, but significant delays are expected, Albiez said. Port Authority police are investigating the cause.

This is the second NJ Transit bus crash at the Bus Terminal this month. On July 2, a three bus crash injured 17 people, closed part of the busy Port Authority Bus terminal and caused delays at the Lincoln Tunnel.

That incident happened inside the terminal. Port Authority police did not issue summonses to any of the drivers, and NJ Transit is investigating the cause, which has not been revealed by the agency.

On July 15, an NJ Transit bus driver was charged with fourth-degree assault by auto with serious bodily injury in a crash last month in Roseland.

That crash happened on June 20 when bus driver Djimmy Evra, 40, of Orange ran through a red light and slammed into a marked police vehicle at the intersection of Livingston Avenue and Prudential Drive, police said.

Officer Marc Miller, 29, of Bloomfield, who was on duty at the time, was airlifted to a Newark hospital. The bus driver and three passengers were taken to an area hospital and treated for minor injuries, officials said.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com.

Follow him on X@CommutingLarry and on BlueSky@commutinglarry.bsky.social
Donna Liotto-Scocozza of Firenze International Olive Oils sells her products at the Montclair Farmers Market on July 13, 2024. Alexandra Pais | For NJ Advance

New Jerseys farmers have expanded beyond simple produce stands to become dynamic community gathering spaces where residents can purchase fresh food while enjoying live music, special events and more.

Beyond fresh produce, todays markets offer an expanding array of products including artisanal breads, prepared foods, specialty items, and handcrafted goods.
Hey there New Jersey! Heres your audio update highlighting the rescue of a two-year-old girl from a near-drowning incident in a pool in Gloucester County and a rare weather event known as landspout which formed in Ocean County.

Well also tell you about the introduction of digital drivers licenses and Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli picking a running mate.

Listen by clicking the play button above.

This audio presentation is an editorially-curated selection of stories, selected by an editor, and then summarized and read aloud by artificial intelligence. Some variations in pronunciation, tone or diction may result.

We want to know what you think! All feedback is valuable. After youve listened, take our 3-question survey here to let us know what you think.

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President Donald Trump has hit his lowest approval rating six months into his second term, according to a new Gallup poll released Thursday.

Trumps job performance rating has dipped to 37%, which is slightly above his all-time worst rating of 34% recorded during his first term. It marks a fall of 10 percentage points among U.S. adults since he took office in January  including a 17-point plummet among independents, to 29%, which is the lowest rating from the voter group documented in both of his terms.

The poll asked approximately 750 respondents whether they approved or disapproved of the way Trump is handling the following categories: Iran, foreign affairs, immigration, the economy, the Middle East, foreign trade, Ukraine and the federal budget. Among Republicans, the president received the most support on foreign affairs, recording a 93% rating, and scored broad support on most other issues. Democrats rated Trumps dealings with Ukraine the highest, at 12%, while the rest of the issues remained in the single digits.

Most notably, Trump received only a 36% on his top issue  his handling of the situation in Iran  among independents. The federal budget received the lowest support, standing at 19%.

According to the poll, Trump averaged a 40% job approval rating for the second quarter of his term, which spanned from April 20 to July 19. It falls in line with his second-quarter average of 39% during his first term, but plunges in comparison to the 59% average of second-quarter ratings among all presidents elected from 1952 to 2020. The poll notes that the second quarter is typically considered a honeymoon period.

Compared to January, Trumps favorable rating, which is 41%, is down from 48%, which was recorded shortly after the 2024 election and right before his inauguration. Ninety-three percent of Republicans view Trump positively, while the rating from Democrats has dropped from 7% to 4%. Independents also revealed a dip, from 47% to 34%.

Trump closes out the second quarter of his second term in office having accomplished much of what he said he would do if elected. Yet, outside of his Republican base, relatively few Americans are pleased with his performance, Gallup concluded.

The poll was conducted from July 7-21, after Trump signed his big, beautiful bill into law on the Fourth of July. It surveyed a random sample of 1,002 U.S. adults, and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

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An escalating social media fight between Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) and Randy Fine (R-Fla.) came to a peak on Thursday.

Fine, who was recently sworn into office, had responded to an earlier story from ABC News, which reported that 15 people have died, including four children, from famine and malnutrition in Gaza over the last 24 hours, citing the Hamas-run Ministry of Health.

Release the hostages, Fine wrote on X on Tuesday.

Until then, starve away, he continued, calling the report all a lie anyway.

Release the hostages.



Until then, starve away.



(This is all a lie anyway. It amazes me that the media continues to regurgitate Muslim terror propaganda.) https://t.co/omeAd1DDm4  Congressman Randy Fine (@RepFine) July 22, 2025

On Thursday, Torres, who has been one of the loudest vocal supporters of Israel in Congress, took aim at Fines post, after it had already been met with a barrage of criticism from Democrat-aligned accounts, journalists and Jewish organizations.

Telling Palestinians in Gaza to starve away is an evil thing to say, Torres wrote.

The US must make every effort to secure the release of the hostages, end the war, enable new Palestinian self-governance in Gaza, build a durable peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and expand the Abraham Accords in the service of broader Israeli-Arab peace, he continued.

Fine then immediately shot back, labeling Torres as a fraud: My post was in response to debunked Hamas propaganda, which Torres conveniently edits out.

Fine attached an article from Politico published last week, which claimed that Torres has emerged as a prominent defender of self-described socialist Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for New York Citys mayor. Republicans and a handful of Democrats alike have criticized Mamdani, an outspoken critic of Israel, over his previous comments about the country and his stances while he campaigned for the nomination.

Guess he is getting his talking points from his new bff Mamdami. With friends like this, Jews dont need enemies, Fine continued.

Torres didnt hold back in his response: Randy Fine is a bloated, braindead, blithering idiot who has no business being in Congress. I would call Fine a jester who belongs in a circus but that would be an insult to jesters who have more brain cells.

Randy Fine is a bloated, braindead, blithering idiot who has no business being in Congress.



I would call Fine a jester who belongs in a circus but that would be an insult to jesters who have more brain cells. pic.twitter.com/hiWAPjDKbY  Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) July 24, 2025

Fine, a former Florida state senator who was backed by Trump in his congressional bid, took office in April  but he has been at the center of controversy surrounding his social media commentary. While outspoken about being Jewish, it was not the first time he has come under fire for posting about the Israel-Hamas war.

In June, Fine was condemned by a number of Democrats after he suggested that Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), one of the first two Muslim women in Congress, was a terrorist. Many had pointed to the timing of his claim, as it was posted in wake of the deadly shooting of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband. During the same month, he was mocked over an old post that resurfaced, in which the claimed that after shaking Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus hand, he did not wash it until I could touch the heads of my children.

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Elon Musk and President Donald Trump in happier times in the Oval Office last May. Guest columnists and former Ohio high school pals Rob DeWitt and Charlie Tercek have caught wind from "sources" of a major renovation coming to the West Wing of the White House to encourage more sharing of ideas -- not to mention a trendy coffee station. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File) AP

President Donald Trump appeared to flip the script on Elon Musk again.

Trump denied wanting to destroy Musks companies in a Thursday post to Truth Social despite his previous threats to cancel the tech billionaires contracts with the federal government. Trumps post comes after Musks time with his administration came to a tumultuous end amid Musks staunch opposition to the big beautiful bill.

Everyone is stating that I will destroy Elons companies by taking away some, if not all, of the large scale subsidies he receives from the U.S. Government. This is not so! I want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE, in fact, THRIVE like never before! The better they do, the better the USA does, and thats good for all of us. We are setting records every day, and I want to keep it that way! Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The public blow-up between the two men included nasty insults hurled at one another in public meetings and on social media after Musk railed about Trumps signature legislation.

At one point, Trump warned that he would cancel Musks contracts and subsidies with the federal government. Then, Musk dropped the big bomb, alleging in June that the president is included in the documents about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

This comes as the Epstein case has been thrust into the national spotlight again after the Justice Department said it would not be releasing more files about the case.

For weeks, Trump has tried to distance himself from the Epstein documents as his MAGA base demands the release of the files. The scandal intensified on Wednesday after the Wall Street Journal published a bombshell report stating that Trump was informed in May that his name was included in the documents about Epstein.

Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy informed Trump that his name was included multiple times in the Epstein files, according to the Wall Street Journal report. The report said that FBI Director Kash Patel had also told people that Trump was in the files, according to people close with the administration.

For weeks, Democrats and some Republicans in Congress have been demanding the release of the files. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La) sent lawmakers home early for their August recess earlier this week to avoid a crucial vote on the Epstein documents.

A House subcommittee on Wednesday voted to subpoena the Department of Justice for files in the sex trafficking investigation of Epsteindelivering a win to Democrats and a handful of Republicans.

Democrats cheered the action as proof that their push for disclosures in the Epstein investigation was growing stronger. The committee agreed to redact information on victims, yet Democrats successfully blocked a push by Republicans to only subpoena information that was deemed to be credible  language that Trump has also used when discussing what he would support releasing.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Joe Rogan is seen at the ceremonial weigh-in for the UFC 292 mixed martial arts event, Friday, August 18, 2023, in Boston. The two are scheduled to fight Saturday in Boston. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan) AP

Hunter Biden even impressed mega podcaster Joe Rogan with his fiery comments.

Biden obliterated top strategists of the Democratic Party in a scathing interview released on Monday and criticized high-profile politicians and allies for their criticism of his father, former President Joe Biden. Rogan responded to Bidens interview during his latest podcast episode, suggesting at one point that he could have a future in politics.

And he could be president. How about that? Rogan said after playing a clip from the interview. He could. No bulls---. Hunter Biden, after all hed been through, look, his dirty laundrys all out there. We all see it. He was a freak. Hes smarter than his dad when his dad was young. And he was a crackhead.

Rogan was responding to Bidens comments about his previous crack cocaine use, saying it was the greatest crack advertisement of all time.

If crack wasnt terrible for you, this guy makes me want to try crack. Im not going to. Dont do it. Im not giving any advice, but Im saying this guy, like legitimately this might be the best advertisement for crack of all-time, Rogan said before noting Biden is a lot smarter than people give him credit for.

Hes talking, and one of the things he was talking about was why smoking things are so addictive, why smoking cigarettes are so addictive, and the psychology behind it. Hes not dumb, he added.

He then played the clip from Bidens interview with Channel 5 host Andrew Callaghan, who Rogan said nailed the interview. The clip included Biden detailing his use of crack cocaine and describing why the habit can become so addictive.

Biden has been a target of the MAGA base for years amid scrutiny over his business dealings, drug use and criminal charges relating to a gun purchase. His father announced that he pardoned his youngest son last year after he was convicted on federal gun charges and had pleaded guilty to nine tax-related charges.

Biden has not expressed public interest in running for office, but his interview also sparked some praise from supporters of President Donald Trump. Fox News host Jesse Watters declared on Monday that Biden was like a left-wing Trump after his shocking interview.

Watters referenced Bidens comments on Trumps deportation policies, in which Biden suggested that the U.S. could invade El Salvador to retrieve those people Trumps administration deported from the U.S. earlier this year.

And make no mistake: everything hes saying is exactly what Joe Biden is thinking. This is Dark Brandon Jr. This is the guy the memo was about. This is a guy who doesnt give an F. Hes macho. Hes bold. To say that theyre going to invade El Salvador to bring back the bad hombres. Thats like left wing Trump, and this is what theyve been looking for, Watters added.

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Fight erupts on China-Malaysia flight as passengers refuse to lower voices

A photo on Facebook shows an altercation during an AirAsia X flight on July 21, 2025.

A dispute among passengers escalated into a physical altercation onboard an AirAsia X flight after a group of travelers allegedly refused to speak more quietly while cabin lights were dimmed.

The airline confirmed the incident occurred on flight D7326, which was en route from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Chengdu, China on Monday evening, Malay Mail reported.

A man seated behind a group of women asked them to quiet down so he could sleep. When the women continued chatting, tensions flared, New York Post reported.

The man allegedly called the group "stupid," told them to "shut up," and insisted, "I want to sleep."

Videos of the confrontation have circulated widely on social media. As seen in one video, a woman in a green outfit climbed over her seat to punch the man.

According to another passenger on the flight, another woman joined in, and they began hitting the man, who ducked behind his food tray.

Flight attendants intervened to separate the individuals involved.

AirAsia X told Channel News Asia that its crew responded "swiftly and professionally" in line with safety procedures.

Authorities were alerted and met the aircraft upon arrival.

The incident did not affect the airline's return schedules or overall operations.

According to the South China Morning Post, five Chinese nationals were involved in the altercation. Three were arrested by airport police, while the remaining two were fined.

AirAsia X emphasized its zero-tolerance stance on disruptive behavior, reminding passengers to remain respectful during their journeys to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone on board.
Desiree Grace, a longtime federal prosecutor, said she intends to assume the role of U.S. attorney for New Jersey on Saturday, despite effort by President Donald Trumps administration to remove her from office just hours after her appointment.

In a public statement posted to LinkedIn Wednesday evening, Grace  the states current first assistant U.S. attorney  acknowledged the political controversy surrounding her appointment but said she plans to follow the courts order.

Grace was appointed Tuesday by U.S. District Court judges to replace interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, whose 120-day term expires Friday at midnight.
Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, speaks with reporters in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

Social media users want National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard to remember this part of history.

During an appearance on Real Americas Voice, Gabbard on Thursday addressed her recent claims that former President Barack Obama and his national security team committed a "treasonous conspiracy" in manufacturing a false U.S. intelligence assessment to show that Russia favored President Donald Trump in the 2016 election.

Last week, Gabbard released over 100 pages of declassified documents, which she argued show overwhelming evidence that the Obama administration laid the groundwork for the yearslong Trump-Russia collusion probe. Fox News reported on Monday that the Justice Department received Gabbards criminal referral related to her claims.

On Wednesday, Gabbard moved to release a previously classified report from 2020, which she said undermined the 2017 intelligence assessment. The document, which was drafted by the then Republican-led House Intelligence Committee, casts doubt that Russia interfered in order to boost Trumps candidacy. Meanwhile, the Select Senate Intelligence Committee, after interviewing over 200 witnesses and reviewing over 1 million pages of documents, had supported the assessments conclusion among bipartisan lines that same year.

When asked by conservative activist Charlie Kirk to present the argument that her allegations reach a warning threshold, Gabbard pointed to Americas design.

When we look at our Democratic republic, Charlie, our system is built on the foundation of the American people casting their votes for who they want to be in office, to be our president and commander in chief. In this system, there is to be a peaceful transition of power, Gabbard said.

What we saw play out here was President Trump was elected by the American people in 2016, shocking most people in the United States, and apparently even Russia, and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin didnt think he would win. Instead of accepting that this is the will of the people, what we saw is President Obama convening his national security team, and concocting this contrived false narrative...," she continued.

Tulsi Gabbard: "In this system, there is to be a peaceful transition of power ... so yes, this is a treasonous conspiracy"  pic.twitter.com/QpbQvq8hTb  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 24, 2025

Some social users appeared baffled at Gabbards answer  with many pointing to Jan. 6, 2021, when Trumps supporters rioted at the U.S. Capitol, as an example of hypocrisy.

One user asked on X, Did she ever hear about January 6th 2021? Another added, @TulsiGabbard has to be talking about January 6th, yes?

I feel like Im taking f------ crazy pills, someone wrote.

A Democratic political strategist said: There indeed was a president who tried to subvert the will of the people and deny the peaceful transfer of power. His name is Donald Trump.

Irony is lost on her, a different user posted.

The Republicans against Trump account said that You really cant make this sh-- up.

Give her this, she says it with a straight face, a user joked.

Hours after Gabbard released the additional report on Wednesday, the Justice Department announced the formation of a new strike force to assess the evidence and investigate potential next legal steps that may stem from her disclosures.

The Department of Justice is proud to work with my friend Director Gabbard and we are grateful for her partnership in delivering accountability for the American people, Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote in a statement. We will investigate these troubling disclosures fully and leave no stone unturned to deliver justice.

Trump had also capitalized on Gabbards allegations, posting a fake video to social media showing the arrest of Obama and accusing his predecessor of committing treason.

The presidents comments prompted Obamas office to issue a rare rebuke.

Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response, Obama spokesperson Patrick Rodenbush said in a statement. But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one. These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.

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The new season of Comedy Centrals South Park kicked off with a shocking start Wednesday night.

In the 30-minute premiere, titled Sermon on the Mount, the animated series creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker took jabs at President Donald Trumps obsession with threatening lawsuits, while commenting on the shuttering of media outlets, government censorship, ChatGPT, religion in Americas schools and more. At one point, the show even puts Trump in bed with Satan.

RELATED: South Park takes on Trump, how to watch for free if you missed it

The episode paints the town of South Park in flames, according to Variety. It shows Eric Cartman, who is depressed that NPR, his favorite radio program, is coming to an end  a reference to Congress recently passing Trumps plan to claw back $9 billion in already approved funds, including $1.1 billion for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides federal support for NPR, PBS and member stations. Randy Marsh is trying to stop Jesus from taking control over South Park Elementary. Meanwhile, Trump is solely invested in suing his enemies.

It then turns to the White House, where Trump is running around, going back-and-forth with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who complains about tariffs imposed on his country, and asks What are you, some kind of dictator from the Middle East? Trump responds, You dont want me to bomb you like I did Iraq!

The Prime Minister shoots back: I thought you just bombed Iran? Trump replies: Iran, Iraq, what the hells the difference? Relax guy!

In another scene, Trump is commissioning an artist to line the walls of the White House with pictures of himself. He then jumps into bed with Satan, who rejects Trumps advances and describes the size of his small penis.

Satan, at one point, also confronts Trump about his name appearing in the Jeffrey Epstein list, after an exclusive report from The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday: Its weird that whenever it comes up, you just tell everyone to relax.

Social media users were quick to comment on the new episode.

Tonights episode of South Park is going to make Trump lose his f------ mind, the MeidasTouch Network account wrote on X.

Another user said: I probably havent watched South Park in over 20 years but it feels like I just got a compelling reason to watch.

Good morning and Happy Thursday to everyone who LOVES the way the South Park guys absolutely cooked trump in their test season premiere, he is going to HATE the accurate size depiction of his tiny member. Be a shame if everyone retweeted this, a different user posted.

The start of the 27th season of South Park follows a two-week delay as Paramount Global, the shows parent company, worked to secure a $1.5 billion streaming deal with the creators. It also comes on the heels of Paramount announcing the cancellation of CBS The Late Show last week, citing financial reasons, after Paramount and Trump closed out a $16 million settlement over the way that CBS News newsmagazine 60 Minutes edited an interview with former Vice President Kamala Harris.

While addressing the shuttering of his show, which is expected in May, late-night host Stephen Colbert said that for the next 10 months, the gloves are off.

I can finally speak unvarnished truth to power and say what I really think about Donald Trump, starting right now, Colbert added.

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FILE - Stephen Colbert arrives at a screening of "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," during PaleyFest, April 21, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File) Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP

Federal Communications Commission chair Brendan Carr dodged a question from Fox News on Thursday about the cancellation of Stephen Colberts late-night show.

Paramount, the parent company of CBS, announced last week that The Late Show with Stephen Colbert would be ending in May 2026. While the company claimed the move was a purely financial decision, speculation has swirled over whether Colberts sharp criticism of President Donald Trump had anything to do with his ouster.

Fox News Bill Hemmer directly asked Carr whether Trump had anything to do with the cancellation of the popular show. Trump has repeatedly attacked Colbert for his criticism of the president on the late night show, and celebrated the news of the show ending last week.

Did President Trump have anything to do with the cancelation of Stephen Colbert show? Hemmer asked.

Heres whats important to keep in mind as a broader dynamic. When President Trump ran for election, he ran right at these legacy broadcast media outfits in the New York and Hollywood elites that are behind it, and he smashed the facade that these are gatekeepers that can control what Americans think and what Americans can say. And once you do that, youve exposed the business model of a lot of these outfits as being nothing more than a partisan circus, Carr responded.

And so I think theres a lot of consequences that are flowing from President Trump deciding, Im not going to play by the rules of politicians in the past and let these legacy outfits dictate the narratives in the terms of the debate, and hes succeeding, he added.

Hemmer then noted that he did not hear an answer.

I asked you a very direct question. I did not hear a yes or a no in your answer, he said.

FOX: Did President Trump have anything to do with the cancelation of Colbert's show?



FCC CHAIR BRENDAN CARR: When President Trump ran for election, he ran right at these legacy broadcast media outfits



FOX: I did not hear an answer pic.twitter.com/xNuKCm6vBW  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 24, 2025

Colbert, along with other critics, has repeatedly mocked CBS for its financial decision to end the show despite its top ratings on the network. Many critics have suggested that Paramounts recent settlement with Trump over the 60 Minutes lawsuit could have also influenced the decision to cancel the show.

Colbert spoke about the cancelation of his show during Monday nights episode, where he said the announcement had sunk in, but the network made one mistake.

They left me alive, Colbert said.

...And now, for the next 10 months, the gloves are off. I can finally speak unvarnished truth to power and say what I really think about Donald Trump, starting right now, he continued.

Colbert also responded to Trumps attacks on him over the weekend, where the president wrote: I absolutely love that Colbert got fired.

His talent was even less than his ratings, Trump said on Friday, adding that I hear Jimmy Kimmel is next. Has even less talent than Colbert!

How dare you sir, Colbert said. Would an untalented man be able to compose the following satirical witticism? Go f--- yourself.

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President Donald Trump speaks with Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., left, during a dinner for Republican senators in the State Dining Room of the White House, Friday, July 18, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) told lawmakers on Thursday that he was trying to provide cover for President Donald Trump amid the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Mullin blocked Gallegos resolution with a sarcastic speech on Thursday that mocked Democrats for their previous investigations and impeachment efforts against Trump during his first term. Gallegos resolution had called for the release of the Justice Department files related to Epsteins sex trafficking case that has been recently thrust back into the national spotlight.

Im sure this would be handled just like any other thing that theyve tried to go after, like the baseless impeachments, or the baseless special counsels or the unbelievable amount of charges theyve tried to file against the President, Im sure this would be handled the exact same way, Mullin said.

What were simply wanting to do here is give him cover, he added. So if my colleague actually wants transparency, then he would drop his objection to my resolution.

Mullin blocking Gallego resolution calling for release of the Epstein files: What were simply trying to do is give [Trump] cover pic.twitter.com/QzxffE821Z  Acyn (@Acyn) July 24, 2025

Social media users mocked Mullin for suggesting he is trying to give cover to Trump over the Epstein files. This comes just one day after the Wall Street Journal reported that Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Trump in May that he was included in the Epstein files.

One account, PatriotTakes, wrote on social media platform X:Oops, a GOP Senator let the plan slip: Give Trump cover for being in the Epstein files.

The Republicans Against Trump account also criticized Mullins comments: Blatant. Shameless. Disgraceful.

Holy sh*t he just said it out loud, MeidasTouch wrote on X.

U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon also reacted to Mullins comments.

Give him cover for what? she wrote.

Give him cover for what?  https://t.co/ZeHGgQ36TC  Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon (@RepMGS) July 24, 2025

Mullin instead offered a different resolution asking a federal Florida judge to release grand jury documents in Epsteins sex trafficking investigation. The Florida judge denied the Trump administrations request to release the grand jury documents earlier this week.

Unlike Gallegos resolution, Mullins version does not call on the Justice Department to release its own files about the case. According to Gallegos office, the Arizona Democrat offered to combine the resolutions to call on both the Justice Department and the courts to release the documents, but Mullin objected again.

This is the second time that the Senate had a chance to demand transparency and stand up for the truth. Instead, my colleague chose to protect the powerful elites, Gallego said in a statement.

The showdown on the Senate floor came days after House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said he would be sending lawmakers home early to avoid a vote on releasing the Epstein files. A House subcommittee on Wednesday then voted to subpoena the Department of Justice for files in the sex trafficking investigation.

Democrats cheered the action as proof that their push for disclosures in the Epstein investigation was growing stronger. The committee agreed to redact information on victims, yet Democrats successfully blocked a push by Republicans to only subpoena information that was deemed to be credible  language that Trump has also used when discussing what he would support releasing.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Lets be real, everyone who watched Netflixs hit series Wednesday wanted the brazen, albeit bratty, pigtail-braided main character to be their best friend IRL.

Now, American Girl is giving fans the chance to bring some of this maven of macabres edge home ahead of the shows second season.

You can shop the Wednesday Addams by American Girl Collector Doll online at American Girl for $295 or pre-order from Amazon  with estimated delivery on Aug. 22.

Wednesday Addams by American Girl Collector Doll $295 Shop online while supplies last. And according to American Girl, it won't be for long, as no more than 6,000 dolls have been created worldwide. Buy now at American Girl

Landing online a mere two weeks ahead of Wednesday Season 2, Part 1, dropping on Netflix, this collaboration isnt a nostalgic nod or a campy crossover. Its a precise, reverent rendering of a character whos become a Gen Z antihero, thanks in no small part to Jenna Ortegas razor-sharp, 2020s scream queen portrayal.

And for American Girl, a legacy brand known for its historical heroines and largely wholesome narratives, this is a bold pivot into darker, more culturally current territory. Fans are here for it, too!

What does Wednesday Addams in American Girl form look like?

This 18-inch, screen-inspired Wednesday is a study in contrasts: her soft cotton body and smooth vinyl limbs are classic American Girl, but her aesthetic is anything but.

She wears a black velvet dress with a crisp white Peter Pan collar and cuffs, embroidered with delicate white detailing that feels more couture than costume.

Her long black hair is styled in signature pigtail braids, and both her fingernails and toes (wed say mani and pedi, but shed probably cancel us for it)  are painted black. Yes, black nail polish on an American Girl doll. Its a first.

Her accessories are where things get deliciously weird. She comes with a figurine of Thing, complete with stitches and wounds, and two faux plastic bags of piranhas, which pay homage to the unforgettable pool scene in the Wednesday series premiere.

Around her neck is the faux-obsidian pendant that fans will recall her mother, Morticia, giving to her as she begins her first semester at Nevermore.

Why shes not a toy, but a collectors piece

This isnt a doll that blends in on a shelf. Shes a conversation starter, a collectible that bridges the gap between childhood nostalgia and adult fandom. For longtime American Girl collectors, shes a bold new direction. For Addams Family devotees, shes a must-have. And for diehard fans of Jenna Ortega and Tim Burtons Wednesday takes, shes a tangible piece of a cultural moment.

The doll also comes with a numbered certificate of authenticity, black kitten-heel Mary Janes, tights and underwear  because even Wednesday has standards. #GothButMakeItFashion.

Why you shouldnt wait

Only 6,000 dolls were produced globally, so we cant imagine this collectors edition staying in stock for long, especially with this major streaming series Aug. 6 return.

American Girl Last Chance Outlet Deals

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Danielle Halibey can be reached at dhalibey@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.
A man wanted for robbing a Rahway bank at gunpoint last week was arrested Wednesday after barricading himself inside an Elizabeth motel, officials said.

Police were called to the Rest Inn shortly before 10 a.m. to assist the Rahway Police Department in apprehending the fugitive, Elizabeth City spokesperson Ruby Contreras told NJ Advance Media.

The man, Nazaire Jackson, finally surrendered to authorities Wednesday afternoon and was arrested and charged with offenses related to the bank robbery, according to a statement from the Rahway Police Department.

Jackson was charged with first-degree robbery and weapons-related offenses, the department said.

He was wanted in connection with the armed robbery of the Bank of America located in the 1000 block of St. Georges Avenue in Rahway on July 18, police said.

Further charges are pending against Jackson and he is being held pending his first court appearance, authorities said.

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Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com.
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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, on July 18, issued a Joint Statement of formal rejection by the United States of the 2024 International Heath Regulations Amendments by the World Health Organization or WHO.



The amended regulations would give the WHO the ability to order global lockdowns, travel restrictions, or any other measures it sees fit to respond to nebulous potential public health risks. These regulations are set to become binding if not rejected by July 19, 2025, regardless of the United States withdrawal from the WHO.



The proposed amendments to the International Health Regulations open the door to the kind of narrative management, propaganda, and censorship that we saw during the COVID pandemic, Secretary Kennedy said. The United States can cooperate with other nations without jeopardizing our civil liberties, without undermining our Constitution, and without ceding away Americas treasured sovereignty.



Terminology throughout the amendments to the 2024 International Health Regulations is vague and broad, risking WHO-coordinated international responses that focus on political issues like solidarity, rather than rapid and effective actions, Secretary Rubio said.



On June 1, 2024, the World Health Assembly, the highest decision-making body of the WHO, adopted a revised version of the International Health Regulations through a rushed process lacking sufficient debate and public input.



In his Executive Order of January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump said, The United States noticed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization in 2020 due to the organizations mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic that arose out of Wuhan, China, and other global health crises, its failure to adopt urgently needed reforms, and its inability to demonstrate independence from the inappropriate political influence of WHO member states. In addition, the WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries assessed payments. China, with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 percent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 percent less to the WHO.



President Joe Biden sent a Presidential Letter to the Secretary-General of the United Nations signed on January 20, 2021, that retracted the United States July 6, 2020, notification of withdrawal. That retraction was revoked by President Trumps 2025 Executive Order.



In their Joint Statement Secretary Kennedy and Secretary Rubio put the WHO on notice.



Our Agencies have been and will continue to be clear: we will put Americans first in all our actions and we will not tolerate international policies that infringe on Americans' speech, privacy, or personal liberties.
Plans to build eight new gap homes to support young people leaving care in Barnstaple and Exeter have been approved by Devon County Councils cabinet.

The council will work with childrens charity Barnardos, which has just received an 18million grant from the Katherine Martin Charitable Trust to implement the scheme at sites across the UK.

In Barnstaple, it will see the construction of supported accommodation for young people aged 16 and over at the east end of Silverhill Lodge.

These will help young people transition from the care system towards independent living  each home will be specifically designed for young people with higher levels of need who may not thrive in a shared home.

READ MORE: New training by young people will show council staff and councillors in Devon what its like to be in care

In Exeter, the council will lease land at Aldens Farm in Alphington.

Barnardos will invest 950,000 per site while Devon County Council (DCC) will lease the land for 125 years as match funding.

Each site will have a cluster of four self-contained homes and separate accommodation for a support worker, who will be on hand to help provide individual support and guidance.

It is hoped planning permission can be gained next year amd construction can start by March 2027.

Councillor Richard Jefferies, DCC cabinet member for childrens social care said: Children leaving care and transitioning into independent living often have difficult histories and residential care or shared living arrangements might not always be suitable or in their best interests.

Without stable housing and the right support, they can struggle to stay in education, find work, or access training and this can increase the risk of homelessness and serious health issues.

Gap homes provide a suitable alternative; they are safe and will provide stable accommodation for some of our most vulnerable young people.

I would like to thank Barnardos for their generosity and for providing us with this opportunity and I look forward to working with them in the best interests of our care leavers in the years to come.

READ MORE: Devon has rising numbers of children in care  and not enough money

At the cabinet meeting yesterday (Wednesday, July 23) Donna Manson, the councils chief executive, welcomed the amazing work that had helped support the scheme, but noted assistance needed to be in place to ensure the young people in these homes flourished

She recognised huge efforts by Devons district councils, social care staff, and county council officers to create a more joined-up system that supports those in their transition out of care.

She added: A key part of our discussions, though, has been the number of evictions, which is heart-breaking, as so many people have worked hard to get young people into accommodation but the number of evictions is astonishingly high.

Partners are working well together but we have identified a gap in health and emotional support and support for trauma and addiction.

We have talked about how to start plugging that gap as soon as possible, as if we dont provide vulnerable young people with key support in relation to health, in the right way and in their locality, that can lead to issues.

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson said she had been a foster parent and had experienced the difficulties some young people feel when leaving care.

They are desperate to get on their feet but are terribly vulnerable, so if units like these ones exist, where others in the same situation are also living, who have had similar experiences and all of those young people have the support of a trusted adult, I think this could be a critical way forward, she said.

Cllr Hodgson acknowledged that while the two projects would only provide eight spaces, it was money well invested and we are lucky to have it in Devon.
A 100,000 business loan has seen a traditional Devon longhouse at Combe Martin transformed into luxury visitor accommodation.

Longlands has been restored and refurbished to welcome visitors with the help of a loan delivered by the British Business Bank's South West Investment Fund via fund manager SWIG Finance.

The 18-acre holiday complex now boasts a farmhouse capable of accommodating family and friend groups of up to 20 people. It welcomed its first guests at the end of May and owners Sarah Roberts and Barak Fave say bookings are coming in thick and fast.

The 200million South West Investment Fund covers the entire South West region and provides loans from 25k to 2m and equity investment up to 5m to help a range of small and medium-sized businesses to start up, scale up or stay ahead. SWIG Finance manages the smaller loans part of the fund.

Sarah and Barak had run holiday lets in Nottinghamshire, but were ready to take on a new challenge and scoured England and Wales for their next chapter.

Sarah said: We must have looked at 100 holiday complexes and when we came to North Devon in June 2023, we based ourselves at Longlands.

It was on the market, and we fell in love with the place. With its secret valley, woodland walks, private lake and hot tub, it was like a little piece of heaven on earth.

The couple sold their Notthinghamshire business and became the new owners of Longlands in May last year. Once settled in, they set about transforming it.

Sarah added: Longlands was predominantly known for its luxury glamping lodges, which were open seasonally from March to October.

Wed previously worked 365 days a year and found the winter months to be quite busy. Large parties like to go away for Christmas because not everyone has a house big enough to accommodate 20 people and 70th birthdays still happen in January.

The South West Investment Fund loan was used to refurbish some under-used farm buildings and the huge farmhouse, a Devon longhouse. Sarah and Barak reconfigured the floorplan of the longhouse to take it back to something more sympathetic and versatile.

Above: The loan was used to renovate and refurbish the main farmhouse as well as some outbuildings. Credit: Longlands

It had lots of tiny rooms, and the space wasnt very usable, said Sarah.

We aimed to create big, beautiful, bright, open spaces suitable for multi-generational family get-togethers, or special occasions for large groups of friends. We turned to local traders where possible and used lots of wood and natural stone in keeping with the setting.

The results turned out better than we dared to dream.

READ MORE: Quirky hotel and 18-acre estate near Barnstaple back on the market a year after being sold

SWIG Finance was recommended by broker Adam Cooksley of Navigate Commercial Finance, and was a perfect fit for the couple.

Raising finance for the farmhouse was difficult because traditional lenders like to see a track record of financial performance, and with the farmhouse this was all based on forecast, said Sarah.

It was apparent from the outset that SWIG and the South West Investment Fund worked very differently. Business manager Rachael Taylor came out to see us to interrogate the forecast, understand our vision and get a feel for whether the team were capable of delivering it.

Our location is breath-taking and you cant convey that in a business plan; visiting us helped Rachael gain confidence in us. We don't believe a traditional lender would have taken the time to build a relationship in this way.

The revamp has enabled them to offer year-around employment on site, and helped create business for a variety of local suppliers of food, drink and experiences.

Future plans include a similar refresh for further disused farm buildings.

Rachael Taylor said: Sarah and Barak are passionate about growing the business and supporting their local community.

They had a great insight into the holiday letting business and Longlands is an absolutely gorgeous part of the world. Having seen it for myself, I have no doubt they will be deluged by repeat customers. I wish them the very best of luck in their venture.

Above: Partners Sarah Roberts and Barak Fave were experienced in running up-market holiday lets and wanted to bring their vision to North Devon. Credit: Longlands

Dave Tindall, senior investment manager at the British Business Bank added: Its great to see how the South West Investment Fund is enabling passionate entrepreneurs like Sarah and Barak to realise their vision and breathe new life into a tourism business.

Longlands is a good example of how targeted investment can create local jobs and contribute to the local rural economy all year round.

The purpose of the South West Investment Fund is to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the South West.
Belgium plans to buy 11 more American fifth-generation F-35A fighters to join the 35 jets already ordered but not yet delivered to Europe.

According to Belgium's Minister of Defense and Foreign Trade, Theo Francken, the additional aircraft will be manufactured in Italy. The contract's cost and signing date remain undisclosed.

Were gonna buy 11 extra F35s, the best fighter jets of the world. They will be produced in Italy. @LockheedMartin @GuidoCrosetto pic.twitter.com/syA2TZFxjg  Theo Francken (@FranckenTheo) July 18, 2025

Currently, Belgium has 35 F-35A fighters ordered from the U.S. factory. Eight of these are already in use by the Belgian F-35 Conversion Unit (BEL F-35 CU) at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona.

The ninth aircraft, now rolled out and prepared for its first flight, will be delivered to Europe soon, which may also be positive news for Ukraine's new F-16 deliveries.

Belgian F-35A at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona / Photo credit: U.S. Air Force

The additional purchase addresses the insufficiency of the initial order to meet defense needs.

This decision has already sparked criticism from France, namely Dassault CEO Eric Trappier, prompting minister Francken to second-guess Belgium's commitment to the local sixth-generation fighter development initiative, the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). More on that in a separate article.

Fifth-generation F-35 fighter / Photo credit: U.S. Department of Defense

Regardless, Belgium is not alone seeking to acquire F-35 recently. The Netherlands and Poland are reportedly considering similar decisions.

Then, the UK, aiming to maintain nuclear bomb capability, decided to buy F-35As alongside its F-35B orders, even as its Eurofighter Typhoon production line stalled.

After years of limited defense spending, Belgium has stepped up procurement of new systems, and this trend extends beyond just fighter jets. It manifests in the joint procurement program of NASAMS air defense with Luxembourg, announced in June 2025. The plan includes localizing missile production with the help of a local small arms manufacturer.
This photo taken on July 23, 2025 shows a scene during the Inter-Civilizational Dialogue Among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Countries 2025 in north China's Tianjin. The event attracted some 300 participants from home and abroad. Sideline events including a calligraphy exhibition, a sculpture exhibition, and an intangible heritage exhibition were also held during the dialogue. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

An attendee of the Inter-Civilizational Dialogue Among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Countries 2025 visits a calligraphy exhibition in north China's Tianjin, July 23, 2025. The event attracted some 300 participants from home and abroad. Sideline events including a calligraphy exhibition, a sculpture exhibition, and an intangible heritage exhibition were also held during the dialogue. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Attendees of the Inter-Civilizational Dialogue Among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Countries 2025 visit a sculpture exhibition in north China's Tianjin, July 23, 2025. The event attracted some 300 participants from home and abroad. Sideline events including a calligraphy exhibition, a sculpture exhibition, and an intangible heritage exhibition were also held during the dialogue. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Attendees of the Inter-Civilizational Dialogue Among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Countries 2025 learn to dye a traditional Chinese fan with floating lacquer during an exhibition of intangible cultural heritages in north China's Tianjin, July 23, 2025. The event attracted some 300 participants from home and abroad. Sideline events including a calligraphy exhibition, a sculpture exhibition, and an intangible heritage exhibition were also held during the dialogue. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

People attend the Inter-Civilizational Dialogue Among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Countries 2025 in north China's Tianjin, July 23, 2025. The event attracted some 300 participants from home and abroad. Sideline events including a calligraphy exhibition, a sculpture exhibition, and an intangible heritage exhibition were also held during the dialogue. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

The "Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Youth in Action: Tianjin Initiative for Upholding the Diversity of Civilizations" is released during the Inter-Civilizational Dialogue Among SCO Countries 2025 in north China's Tianjin, July 23, 2025. The event attracted some 300 participants from home and abroad. Sideline events including a calligraphy exhibition, a sculpture exhibition, and an intangible heritage exhibition were also held during the dialogue. (Xinhua/Li Ran)

Editor: GSY
A top Iranian official warned on Wednesday that Iran could withdraw from a key nuclear nonproliferation treaty if Europe followed through on its threats to reimpose sanctions on Tehran.

The remarks, from Irans deputy foreign minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, came during a rare on-the-record briefing with reporters in New York, where he was attending meetings at the United Nations. Mr. Gharibabadi laid out his countrys positions on a range of issues, setting the stage for nuclear talks with European counterparts in Istanbul on Friday.

Since negotiations between the United States and Iran collapsed in June as Israel launched a wave of attacks on Iran, setting off a 12-day war, Tehran has faced additional pressure from Europe about making concessions on its nuclear program.

Britain, France and Germany announced this month that they would enforce tough U.N. sanctions on Iran by the end of August if the country did not make concrete progress on a deal to limit its nuclear program. The mechanism for applying the sanctions is called a snapback, and it refers to a term in the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers that allows parties to the deal to impose sanctions on Iran before the deal expires at the end of October this year if it has violated its terms.
I Want This Poem Read Aloud at My Funeral Jane Kenyons The Pond at Dusk is a quiet, mischievous reckoning with nature and mortality. Our critic A.O. Scott plumbs its depths.

Isabella Cotier

You can hear a reading of this poem at the bottom of the page.

The Pond at Dusk: Its a title that presents an image of calm, touched with the faintest shimmer of dread. You might picture a peaceful summer evening in the countryside somewhere, but you might also feel the tug of a somber metaphor in the word dusk. Night is falling, and this poem proceeds, nimbly and observantly, toward an unsentimental confrontation with death.

T h e P o n d a t D u s k b y J a n e K e n y o n A f l y w o u n d s t h e w a t e r b u t t h e w o u n d s o o n h e a l s . S w a l l o w s t i l t a n d t w i t t e r o v e r h e a d , d r o p p i n g n o w a n d t h e n t o w a r d t h e o u t w a r d - r a d i a t i n g e v i d e n c e o f f o o d . T h e g r e e n h a z e o n t h e t r e e s c h a n g e s i n t o l e a v e s , a n d w h a t l o o k s l i k e s m o k e f l o a t i n g o v e r t h e n e i g h b o r  s b a r n i s o n l y a p p l e b l o s s o m s . B u t s o m e t i m e s w h a t l o o k s l i k e d i s a s t e r i s d i s a s t e r : t h e d a y c o m e s a t l a s t , a n d t h e m e n s t r u g g l e w i t h t h e c a s k e t j u s t c l e a r i n g t h e p e w s . Its 12 lines reject false comfort and offer something more useful in its place: a measure of clarity about the human situation. For two of its three stanzas, this reads like a nature poem. And like most nature poems, it understands the natural world both as a series of phenomena and as a storehouse of symbols. Insects, birds and trees just are what they are. But people cant seem to look at anything in nature without trying to read it. Which is, inevitably, to misread, to write our own thoughts onto the universes inscrutable page. Jane Kenyon, contemplating a pond in the gloaming, catches tremors of worry in what she sees. She turns errors of perception into a kind of conceptual mischief, a charming game in which unease plays tag with reassurance. You can call the ripple on the water a wound, which turns its disappearance into healing. The fly that caused that brief disturbance buzzes off to become prey for the swallows, but any potential violence in that image is dissolved as the insect is reclassified as food. We arrange the world as we translate it into language. Sometimes we realize our mistakes. Kenyons second stanza emphasizes the fallibility of human perspective, and makes gentle comedy of our habit of inventing causes for alarm. Is that a cloud of poison gas hovering over the orchard? Exhaust from an alien spaceship? Did the barn catch fire? Its only the trees. Everything is fine. And then it isnt. As soon as we think the premonition of doom has been dispelled, the hammer drops. Sometimes  the worst times, as often as not  things are exactly as they seem to be. Lulled by the fading light over the water, we awaken to find ourselves at a funeral. What happened? Whose funeral? The final stanza is blunt  spelling matters out plainly rather than playing with ambiguous images  but also enigmatic. And death, the conclusion to every story, isnt without its comic aspect, the slapstick of the pallbearers grappling with their burden. The brusque last line might be taken as a punchline. A few things to know about Jane Kenyon: She lived for much of her writing life on a farm in New Hampshire, the ancestral property of her husband, Donald Hall, who was also a poet. She suffered from depression, and wrote about it, and was just 47 when she died of leukemia, in 1995. She wrote about that illness too. Mortality is a presence in many of her poems, an emotional weight, an intellectual puzzle and a philosophical anchor.

Jane Kenyon in 1992. William Abranowicz/Art + Commerce

In one called Twilight: After Haying  theres that dusk again  she writes that the soul / must part from the body: / what else could it do? What else indeed. This fatalism provides its own kind of solace. The day comes at last. The end is inevitable, inarguable, and there may be a balm in acknowledging that fact.

Not that The Pond at Dusk quite dispenses such consolation. It isnt Kenyons style to offer homilies or lessons. Instead, she watches, with sympathetic detachment, standing back from the implications of her words and letting them ripple outward, toward the reader.

This is not the kind of nature poetry that gazes in wonder at the glories of creation, taking the world as a mirror of the poets ego. Kenyon parcels out her attention carefully, removing herself from the picture as rigorously as a landscape painter at her easel.

T h e P o n d a t D u s k b y J a n e K e n y o n A f l y w o u n d s t h e w a t e r b u t t h e w o u n d s o o n h e a l s . S w a l l o w s t i l t a n d t w i t t e r o v e r h e a d , d r o p p i n g n o w a n d t h e n t o w a r d t h e o u t w a r d - r a d i a t i n g e v i d e n c e o f f o o d . T h e g r e e n h a z e o n t h e t r e e s c h a n g e s i n t o l e a v e s , a n d w h a t l o o k s l i k e s m o k e f l o a t i n g o v e r t h e n e i g h b o r  s b a r n i s o n l y a p p l e b l o s s o m s . B u t s o m e t i m e s w h a t l o o k s l i k e d i s a s t e r i s d i s a s t e r : t h e d a y c o m e s a t l a s t , a n d t h e m e n s t r u g g l e w i t h t h e c a s k e t j u s t c l e a r i n g t h e p e w s . In The Pond at Dusk she sees a lot, and conveys it in very few words. Just 73 of them, arranged into four sentences of increasing complexity. This is free verse, which means that the music happens not through meter or rhyme but in the line breaks. Those breaks are also subtle cliff-hangers. The eye, looking for continuity, finds white space. The voice pauses, creating a breaths worth of suspense. What are the swallows dropping toward? What is it that looks like smoke? Like disaster? There is nothing mysterious in this poem. A bug skims the water. A flock of swallows scatters. Trees are in leaf and in blossom. Someone has died. And yet the poem itself swells with mystery, an intimation of deep waters running under the placid surface. We are in the presence of a strong voice  witty, unassuming, wise  but the speaker is nonetheless elusive. There is no I in evidence, though the disparate elements of the poem are brought together in one persons mind. This isnt a scene, but a sequence of thoughts. And also feelings, even if the language of explicit emotion is absent. Pain, anxiety and grief are invoked in successive stanzas, but always in a sidelong manner, and never for very long. The human world is distant, almost abstract. We dont hear names or see faces. We notice artifacts  the structures that people carpenter together to accommodate their needs. The sounds of mourning in the church have been muted. But church, in this poem, is where we end up. Outside the coffin, at least for now.
This Was Supposed to Be the Year China Started Catching Up With SpaceX

It is not going well. Chinas Starlink competitors have only about 120 satellites in low Earth orbit.

SpaceX is the dominant player, with about 8,000 Starlink satellites. This year, China had planned to start catching up.

There are over 11,000 satellites in low Earth orbit, providing internet, surveillance and navigation services.

Chinas two biggest networks have deployed less than 1 percent of their planned satellites, records show, a measure of how far they are falling behind Elon Musks company SpaceX for dominance in space communications.

Satellites in low Earth orbit, up to 1,200 miles above the planet, are increasingly seen as essential for driverless cars, drone warfare and military surveillance. China regards Starlink as a military threat, and Chinese companies have invested heavily in two huge networks, with nearly 27,000 satellites planned between them.

One reason for the unexpectedly slow pace is that the Chinese companies have not cleared a key engineering hurdle.

The first network, or megaconstellation, Qianfan, was scheduled to have about 650 satellites in space by the end of the year. But records show that the company behind the network, Shanghai Spacesail Technologies Co., has put only 90 satellites in orbit since its launches began in August.

A Chinese rocket, the Long March 8, sent 18 satellites into low Earth orbit in March. Xiaoxu/Xinhua, via Getty Images

The other megaconstellation, Guowang, is even farther behind. Despite plans to launch about 13,000 satellites within the next decade, it has 34 in orbit.

SpaceX has about 8,000 Starlink satellites in orbit and is expanding its lead every month, according to data from U.S. Space Force and CelesTrak, a nonprofit group that gathers space data.

Chinese officials are alarmed by SpaceX, which they viewed as inextricably linked with the Pentagon even before Mr. Musks short-lived position in the Trump administration. Researchers for the Peoples Liberation Army predict that the network will become deeply embedded in the U.S. military combat system. They envision a time when Starlink satellites connect U.S. military bases and serve as an early missile-warning and interception network.

Though Starlink is intended for civilian use, it has become essential for communications and coordinating drone strikes in the war in Ukraine. And SpaceX has contracts with the U.S. government to build and launch satellites, some for espionage and others for targeting enemies and tracking missiles. SpaceX also launches satellites built by other defense contractors.

Chinas space agencies and its aerospace companies did not respond to requests for comment.

The Long March 8 had been seen as Chinas best chance to rival SpaceXs reusable rocket. Jiang Jurong/Visual China Group, via Getty Images

China, like the United States, recognizes the national security value of being in space. But the government is also encouraging commercial space interests and says it expects to create a $344 billion market.

Exploring the vast universe and building a space power is our unremitting space dream, Chinas top leader, Xi Jinping, said last year, according to government news media.

It has not gone smoothly.

China hasnt solved a key rocket problem. SpaceX has.

One of the major reasons for Chinas delay is the lack of a reliable, reusable launcher. Chinese companies still launch satellites using single-use rockets. After the satellites are deployed, rocket parts tumble back to Earth or become space debris.

But SpaceXs workhorse rocket, the Falcon 9, is partly reusable. The rockets bottom portion, containing the main engines, returns to Earth upright, intact and ready to be deployed for other missions. That drastically reduces costs and speeds up the time between launches.

This is the innovation that propelled SpaceX far ahead of competitors. Falcon 9 rockets have been used in about 500 missions, according to SpaceX.

But six years after the Falcon 9 began launching Starlink satellites, Chinese firms still have no answer to it.

A Falcon 9 rocket is seen in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., in June. The partially reusable rocket is a major key to SpaceXs success. Steve Nesius/Reuters

Reusable rockets must withstand extreme heat during their return to base. They also have to be stable and under control with engines that can restart in different aerodynamic conditions, said Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics who tracks objects in space.

The question is not just recovering them, Dr. McDowell said, but recovering them in a good enough state to launch them again.

The lack of a reusable rocket is not the only limitation. Manufacturing satellites is a complicated and time-consuming endeavor, and establishing a steady launch cadence is tricky even with reusable rockets. It took SpaceX years to work out the kinks. But experts said that the race for a reusable rocket was central to the future of the Chinese low Earth orbit constellations.

One Chinese government-funded model, the Long March 8, was meant to be reusable. But its developer, China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology, abandoned that plan. An improved version, the Long March 8R, could grow up to be a reliable Falcon 9 equivalent, Dr. McDowell said.

The government has tested nearly 20 rocket launchers in the Long March series.

Another potential launcher alternative is the Zhuque-3, made by the Chinese firm Landspace. The launcher conducted a liftoff-and-recovery test last year and, in another test this June, its engines fired for 45 seconds.

The Zhuque-3 rocket, made by the Chinese firm Landspace, completed a takeoff and landing test in September. It could one day compete with SpaceXs Falcon 9. Visual China Group, via Getty Images

A third alternative, the Tianlong-3, had a setback last year. The rocket took off briefly during what was supposed to be a static test and exploded upon impact.

While the Chinese firms could have a technological breakthrough as early as this year, it will still take them time to get to a reliable cadence, said Andrew Jones, a journalist who has monitored Chinese space launches for the past decade.

They have to work out the kinks, Mr. Jones said.

That hasnt stopped China from marketing its satellite services.

Chinese space companies are drumming up business in countries where governments are wary of relying on Starlink satellites or looking for better prices.

Shanghai Spacesail Technologies Co. says it is negotiating with 30 countries over contracts for access to its Qianfan megaconstellation.

The company signed a deal to provide internet in Brazil last year, soon after a Brazilian judge froze Starlinks local assets in a dispute with another Musk-owned company, X. Spacesail has other agreements to provide internet in Thailand and Malaysia and has set up a local subsidiary in Kazakhstan.

A Long March 8 rocket blasting off from a launch site in Chinas Hainan Province. Luo Yunfei/China News Service/VCG, via Getty Images

Its services, however, are yet to come online. In fact, 13 of its 90 satellites did not reach the correct height of orbit, for unclear reasons. This means that they are most likely not functional, Dr. McDowell said.

The satellite internet contracts now under negotiation could become an important feature of economic diplomacy in a world that is moving from free trade to a more protectionist and more autonomy-based order, said Joao Falcao Serra, a research fellow at the European Space Policy Institute.

A countrys decision to sign contracts with Starlink could be seen as a message to the U.S. and to China about where its allegiances lie, he said.

There could still be a record number of Chinese launches this year.

Private and government-run companies in China conducted more than 30 launches in the first half of the year, a faster cadence compared with last year.

The missions have put about 150 satellites and two spacecrafts in space, according to official announcements and data compiled by U.S. Space Force. That includes launches into low, medium and farther orbits.

Still, Chinese companies will need to pick up the pace. This is especially true for the megaconstellations, which risk losing the right to operate on their radio frequencies.

A constellation has to launch half of its satellites within five years of successfully applying for its frequencies, and complete the full deployment within seven years, according to rules set by the International Telecommunication Union, a United Nations agency that allocates frequencies.

The Chinese megaconstellations are behind on these goals. Companies that fail to hit their targets could be required to reduce the size of their megaconstellations.

Still, experts say that it is unwise to write them off. Satellite launches in China tend to accelerate in the second half of the year. And a technological breakthrough could radically transform the landscape.

This year and next could signal the transition from Starlinks dominance to a more competitive field, Dr. McDowell said.

Joy Dong and Chris Buckley contributed reporting. Additional work by Scott Reinhard.
Case 1:25-cv-04084 Document 1 Filed 07/24/25 Page 19 of 37 PageID #: 19 30 31 for which the Department of Correction would honor an ICE detainer request. 58. In 2014, New York City "drastically expanded the scope of the sanctuary provisions." 59. On November 14, 2014, the City Council amended N.Y.C. Administrative Codes  9-131 (Local Law No. 58 [2014] of City of NY) and  14-154 (Local Law No. 59 [2014] of City of NY) further restricting the already-limited circumstances in which the City would comply with ICE detainers. As Council Speaker Mark-Viverito explained: If obstructionists in Congress insist on delaying any federal action on fair and just immigration reform, it falls to municipal governments to pick up the slack; that's what we've been doing here in New York City and it's what we continue to do today with these two bills." "32 60. The amendments added a requirement that immigration detainers would not be honored without a warrant issued by an Article III judge (or magistrate judge) and unless the subject of the detainer had been convicted of a violent or serious" crime within the past five years or was a possible match on the federal terrorist watch list. 33 61. The provision that a "violent or serious" conviction must have occurred within the last five years was a momentous narrowing from the prior law, which allowed any felony conviction from any time period, or any misdemeanor conviction within the last ten years, to trigger the NYPD honoring an ICE detainer. Id. at 17. 62. The Official Website of the City of New York celebrated the amendments' enactment: New York City was one of the first cities in the country to enact legislation limiting its response to ICE 30 See Ex. F: Report of the Governmental Affairs Div., Comm. on Immigration, Feb. 26, 2013, at 11. 31 Luis Ferre-Sadurni, Why New York Is a Sanctuary City, and How That Could Change Under Trump, NEW YORK TIMES (Jan. 17, 2025), https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/17/nyregion/sanctuary-city-nyc-trump.html [https://perma.cc/N6M7- 8AZJJ. 32 Hearing State Meeting Before the City Council, Oct. 22, 2014, at 40 (statement of Melissa Mark-Viverio Speaker of the Council), https://legistar.council.nyc.gov/View.ashx?M=F&ID=3313631&GUID=EE371D1A-543B-405B-9EDA- 5CD2C3451FE4. 33 See Ex. G: Rep. of the Governmental Affairs Div., Comm. on Immigration, Oct. 20, 2014, at 9; N.Y.C. Administrative Code 9-131 (Local Law No. 58 [2014] of City of NY) and N.Y.C. Administrative Code  14-154 (Local Law No. 59 [2014] of City of NY). - 19 -
Opinion Inside the Rise

of the

Multiracial

Right It seemed that the multiracial

coalition that elected Barack Obama

would secure a Democratic

future for this country for decades. It seemed that the

multiracial coalition

that elected Barack

Obama would

secure a Democratic

future for this

country for decades. But instead, as America grows

more diverse, it has become more

conservative. Why? But instead, as

America grows

more diverse, it has

become more

conservative. Why? Opinion Inside the Rise

of the

Multiracial

Right

When I met Joey Gibson in the spring of 2018, I was sure he was an oddity. He was a Japanese American leader of a right-wing group in the Pacific Northwest that rallied for Donald Trump and menaced opponents on the left. But Mr. Gibson also disavowed white supremacy and spoke candidly about harms against the Black community, building a movement that was at once multiracial and conservative. For decades, the dominant assumption has been that people of color in the United States would find their natural political home within the Democratic Party, with its commitment to racial liberalism. The nations growing racial and ethnic diversity seemed to ensure the lefts electoral future. My colleague Joseph Lowndes and I have been studying the movement of nonwhite voters to the right for 15 years. When we began this work, people like Mr. Gibson  who told us they hated the establishment, who felt let down or left behind by the politics of the Democratic Party  were often disdained by liberals as dupes of the right voting against their own interests, votes they would regret once they saw their conservative beliefs in action. But seven years since I met him, Mr. Gibson seems to be much less of an anomaly. Mr. Trump nearly doubled his support among Black voters from 2020 to 2024, won some 40 percent of the Asian American vote and took almost half of the Latino vote. Many of those I have spoken with recently  students, lawyers, mechanics, pastors and others  sounded strikingly similar to Mr. Gibson. Angry at a system they contend is indifferent to their lives, they express ideas that were once seen only on the far-right fringe. The rightward drift of minority voters is not a story of just one election. It is a phenomenon years in the making, one that is reshaping the American political landscape. And to understand this movement, you must understand the transformations in the places they are happening.

I joined the Democratic Party because Im Black. At my first Democratic meeting, two themes that had me reconsider everything about being a Democrat: The first thing was, We have to help the poor Black men and women because the white man is holding them down. This is the first time I hear about this white savior complex from white liberals. Then they said, We have to fight for our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. We have to do this or we are a racist or you're a bigot or you're a homophobe if I don't agree with you. When you get your food stamp review, you have to go give shot records, school records, blood type. You almost have to get absolutely naked to get a $50 increase. But you have people coming to this country who have no documentation who are staying in hotels for two years, for free? How is that right? A lot of Black people have already heard the promises from the Democrats. And nothing was delivered. Orlando Owens, 51, is a minister and political activist. Owens isnt the only

voter in Milwaukee

who believes the

Democratic Party

is indifferent to

his needs. A lot of Black people are not MAGA. Theyre rejecting the Democrat leadership because of how theyre running our communities. Read more Tory Lowe, 49, is a radio host and community advocate: I voted for Obama. The energy was, lets see if we can get a brother in. So we had eight years of Obama, and the communities didnt change. Our communities probably got worse. A lot of Black people are not MAGA. Theyre rejecting the Democrat leadership because of how theyre running our communities. They need to take accountability for how they have mismanaged the Black communities. Theyre trying to continue to move forward fearmongering against the Trump administration, instead of saying, OK, lets redo and make it right. The policies that

the Republican

Party supports  pulling yourself up by your bootstraps  were in our household already. Read more Cindy Werner, 65, is a retired property manager: I grew up in a household where I had a single mom. My dad passed when I was much younger and my mother raised us. It was the responsibility of those of us who were older than our younger siblings to take care of them. So the policies that the Republican Party supports pulling yourself up by your bootstraps  were in our household already. My mom being a single mom, there were times when we got the government cheese, we got the government milk. But I could see the change within the Black community where there was more dependency on the government and that became just like voting Democrat became. It just became a habit. I am not particularly anti-gay marriage.

It just isnt what I see bringing down my community. Read more Erik Ngutse, 33, is a community engagement director for the Wisconsin Republican Party and an immigrant from Rwanda: I worked on Obamas campaign, knocked on a few doors for him and organized students. It was something about when Hillary Clinton ran for office that I think I started realizing that a lot of the values that I truly believed in were more on the conservative side. I absolutely despised her idea that she already owned the Black vote, that she didnt really have to do anything. Ive always been fairly patriotic. When we were coming here, America was a far-fetched dream. I feel like I owe America quite a bit. I care very little for the social aspect of things. I am not particularly anti-gay marriage or anything. It just isnt what I see bringing down my community. What do we

have to lose? Read more Shana Gray, 46, is a cafe owner: In my cafe, I kept hearing from the African-American community  how they were struggling not to just care for themselves but care for their families, and how much it was taking a toll on their very existence. Were all going through these changes with the fluctuation of the economy, and were all kind of just holding each others hands while were getting through this. For many, many years we have voted Democratic, but we have nothing to show for that other than the continued fight for civil rights. I am tired of fighting. At this point, individuals like myself and others in my community were like, what do we have to lose? Because we feel like were losing, and we have nothing to lose to try something different.

In many ways, the story of Milwaukees disillusioned Black voters encapsulates the tectonic shifts in American society that voters of color have faced in recent years. Like many other distressed cities, Milwaukee continues to reel from the foreclosure crisis, the opioid epidemic and chronic funding shortfalls. Together, these problems have created cracks in the bedrock of Democratic support in these communities.

That bedrock was formed over the last 70 years. In the 1960s, as the civil rights movement pressed for governmental action to address longstanding patterns of discrimination and inequality, the national Democratic Party slowly aligned itself with this vision. Landmark legislation on issues like segregation and equal opportunity employment established Democrats as the party that could deliver for nonwhite voters. The party formed alliances with the places and institutions that were pillars of these communities: churches and places of worship, community newspapers, labor unions and other civic organizations where voters of color congregated.

But the America that this version of the Democratic Party emerged from has changed drastically. The restructuring of the U.S. economy over the last 40 years, along with the yawning inequality it has spurred, has disproportionately hurt communities of color. The Democratic-championed civil rights protections and social welfare programs that have defined the partys appeal to nonwhite voters have proved inadequate in the face of the interconnected crises that define America now. Policies to address residential segregation some 70 years ago can do little to ease the housing shortages plaguing many communities today. The 1965 Immigration Act was not designed to manage the migration driven by economic downturns, military strife and climate catastrophes unfolding around the globe.

And yet, Democrats have largely doubled down on promising relatively modest policy reforms meant to speak to the interests of voters of color. Shana Gray, a cafe owner in Milwaukee, told me how frustrated she had become with Democrats in her community. Oh, just give us your vote. Thats all we heard, she told me. There was no action behind that. Maybe they were speaking the language of reform for themselves, but the people who had mattered were not feeling that.

Disappointed in the party that they saw as presiding over these profound economic shifts, nonwhite voters found that the institutions where many of them found their political identities  churches, unions, clubs  have been in decline.

Unmoored from these places and groups, voters of color today are shaped by many new forces, including right-wing podcasts, influencers and social media  some of it specific to individual ethnic and linguistic groups  that have atomized people even within their own community.

The narrative emerging from this wave of new media is a compelling one to disaffected communities of color; it captures the very real struggles they experience and repackages them as proof that Democratic policies have failed them. Tory Lowe, a Black voter in Milwaukee, echoed this message. He told me his city had suffered brutal economic headwinds under Democratic control. We got eight years of Obama, he said. That didnt stop the police killings. That didnt stop the crime rate. That didnt bring us jobs.

In California, the Asian American community stands as a microcosm of the collapsing support for Democrats. San Francisco is home to the countrys oldest Asian American political organization, the Chinese American Democratic Club, founded in 1958. In the decades that followed, Asian Americans played prominent roles in local housing, labor and racial justice activism. But as the community has grown  from 58,000 in 1960 to nearly 300,000 by 2020  it has also become far more diverse, its members holding a wider range of political views.

My family immigrated to the United States

in 1983. Small-business owners, were not in the middle class, were

a little bit lower. We barely make it to keep our families running. We feel like we are the forgotten ones. In California, people tend to vote Democrat, and Democrats represent minorities. But during those four years of Biden, they are not looking from our point of view. I have four stores in Chinatown. My store was broken into two times. At my gift shop, they took money and they took one tablet. My boba shop was broken into and vandalized. In those years, it was really unsafe. A criminal is a criminal. Elected officials did not stand up to say that. It felt like theres nothing you can change in California, so we were all just complaining. When I ask my friends, what do you think of President Trump? They are all pretty satisfied. Nancy Yu Law, 53, is a business owner. While crime was an

animating issue in

this community, many

identified with the

cultural values of the

right as well. I want to see Americans go in the right direction. California is definitely in the wrong direction. Read more Kathy Wu, 65, is an interpreter: We have no way to go with Republicans; we only have one option, and that is the Democrats in California. So I tried to choose the best Democratic candidate I think will help our community here. But year by year, it turned out very bad. I want to see Americans go in the right direction. California is definitely in the wrong direction. I decided I want to vote for Donald Trump in the last election. People automatically assume that people of color should be Democrats. Read more Allen Chin, 51, is the owner of a charter boat business: I was an Obama voter. I was fooled by his rhetoric. I grew up in San Francisco. Thats the place I love. It just turned downhill. Homelessness, and the feces, and the needles, and the drug use and and all the politicians not doing anything about it and just throwing money. I dont know where that money is actually going. People automatically assume that people of color should be Democrats. They need to open their eyes to whats really happening in this country. It doesnt matter what color you are. You know what your background is. You should be standing for the side thats for this country. We just dont want Democrats to continue. Read more Tammy Li, 50, is a business manager: My opinion started turning when I used to work for 7-Eleven. I became a franchisee, and thats when I started to feel theres something going on. In 2014, there was a law passed called Proposition 47: If people steal less than $950, you cant really prosecute them as felons. We got impacted almost right away. The crime goes up; we got shoplifted left and right. When we try to call the police, a lot of times were told, Well, theres not much to do. It took me a little while, but this time I supported Trump. We may not know that Trump can really turn everything around. We just dont want Democrats to continue. We are pragmatic people. The loyalty to a certain party is not as important as what is good for our country. Read more James Zhan, 58, is an engineer: We felt that the party is really for equal results rather than equal opportunities. Asian Americans felt very strongly that their kids get penalized as being Asian Americans. In order to get into an Ivy League school, you have to be better than students from other races. I am still adopting an open-minded approach, basically a wait-and-see approach. I may identify with the Republican Party at this time, but we are pragmatic people. The loyalty to a certain party is not as important as what is good for our country.

It wasnt supposed to be this way. On the heels of Barack Obamas sweeping victory in 2008, the Democratic Party saw the multiracial coalition that elected him as a virtual electoral guarantee. Indeed, an estimated 80 percent of voters of color cast their ballots for Mr. Obama in 2012, as the share of white eligible voters declined in all 50 states from 2000 to 2018.

At his second inauguration, themed Faith in Americas Future, Mr. Obama told a crowd of an estimated million people that Americas possibilities are limitless.

Yet behind the confident pronouncements of the 2012 election and the faith in demography as destiny, a different reality was coming into view.

That same year, my colleagues and I were researching the ways the 2008 financial meltdown and the myriad of housing and other crises it caused were sowing discontent in the Democrats multiracial coalition. Already in our research we noticed how conservatives were directing the frustrations of those suffering these crises at institutions and public workers instead of corporations and Wall Street. The Democratic message that hope and possibility were limitless and the countrys best days were ahead was crashing on the shoals of grim economic conditions and a growing sense of isolation, loneliness and despair. A rift was forming, one that only grew wider as the years wore on.

In this moment of collapsing trust among its multiethnic voter base, the partys commitment to progressive causes like L.G.B.T. rights and racial equality has become the target of attacks from the right. Tammy Li, a voter in San Francisco whose frustrations with the Democrats stem from the break-ins and shopliftings at the 7-Eleven franchise she owned there, began engaging with the right-wing social critique once she found herself in Republican circles. Im a minority myself, she told me, but just because youre L.G.B.T.Q., you have more rights over my rights?

Democrats and progressive advocacy groups remain mired in a debate about whether they need to tack right to stem the hemorrhaging of voters of color to the G.O.P., or double down on the agenda of racial and economic liberalism that originally built the partys base among minorities. What Ive found in my conversations is that the forces moving multiracial voters rightward are more often rooted in economic vulnerabilities.

The Latino communitys changing conditions help explain this shift on social views in nonwhite voter groups. In 1960, there were an estimated six million Latinos in the United States (not counting those living in Puerto Rico), predominantly of Mexican, Cuban or Puerto Rican heritage. In the years following, most identified as Catholic and remained concentrated in the Southwest, South Florida, and a handful of cities in the Northeast and in Chicago. In 2007, 55 percent of Latino adults in the United States had been born outside of the country. With some notable exceptions  like the Cuban American community in Florida  Latinos tended to vote in lock step with the Democratic Party.

But by 2022, the Latino population had exceeded 63 million. Latinos had built longstanding communities in most states, and a large majority had been born in this country. Under 45 percent identified as Catholic, while 15 percent described themselves as evangelical Protestants, in churches that make conservative views on abortion, same-sex marriage and other social issues central to their beliefs. How they vote could change the trajectory of Americas political landscape.

They always told

us the Democrats

are for the people,

for the little guy,

for the Mexicans,

for Blacks,

for poor people.

They were going to take care of us, they were going to make things better for us. Then it was the constant support of abortion, the constant need to talk about race, the need to identify yourself as a gay Hispanic or gay Mexican American. No, I am an American. I happen to be gay. I happened to believe in God. I dont fit the norm. And when I finally realized that Im not a cookie-cutter type person, I let my freak flag fly. I just turned my back towards them because I felt the Democrats turned their back towards me. Once I started looking stuff up and then I started listening to Trump talk, I was like, no, it doesnt sound like a Republican. Definitely not a Democrat. Maybe I can get behind this guy. I dont consider myself a Republican. I am a Trump supporter. Sam Gonzales, 50, is an office manager. For Latinos in the Rio

Grande Valley  many

of them immigrants

themselves  the crisis

at the border has

complicated their views

on Democratic

immigration policies. The border definitely got worse, and reality set in. Read more Alexis Uscanga, 21, is the president of the Rio Grande Valley College Republicans: I had seen someone run across our campus parking lot, drenched in water, and I was just like, Oh gosh, did I just see someone cross? The border definitely got worse, and reality set in. I was like, Oh, gosh, like, no, Trump was right. I began to volunteer and intern for Congresswoman Mayra Flores. Shes someone that made me the outspoken Republican that I am today. Whenever you think of the Republican Party, you think about rich old white people. And thats why I mostly stayed silent, just because I didnt see a lot of outspoken Hispanics until Mayra Flores came along. A lot of us have relatives across the border. But those that are here have come in legally. Read more Yolanda Gonzalez, 72, is a restaurant owner: I was brought up as a Democrat. My mother was a strong Democrat. A lot of us have relatives across the border. But those that are here have come in legally. Its cost them. They saw all the benefits they were giving those who had come illegally. I have employees where they do get benefits, and they were getting cut because of the illegals that were coming in. That was hurting everybody. I was not a big Trump supporter back in 2020. The man grew on me. He talks to us like hes talking to us directly. We have laws in this country, and you cant come to the country breaking the law. Read more Luis Cabrera, 47, is a pastor: Down here in South Texas, I got a rude awakening when I started pastoring. I started noticing that a lot of the Christians down here are Democrats. Ive had to do a lot of serious phone calls with pastors, telling them, listen, theres an immigration reform being done, nothings going to change right now. Like, if you have families in your communities, in your churches that came here in the last four years illegally, theyre running a big risk if they get caught. But we have laws in this country, and you cant come to the country breaking the law. There are pastors that are illegals in this county. They are undocumented pastors of churches, and Ive told them straight out, Pastor, how can you break the law and preach the Gospel? It doesnt make sense. Before my dad went into Border Patrol, we were Democrat. Read more Celena Cisneros, 25, is a receptionist: We were raised on the Democrat thoughts that we should allow people in, being able to help those in need, even if theyre coming from a different country. Before my dad went into Border Patrol, we were Democrat. It started with my father going into Border Patrol, seeing whats going on on our southern border and talking to us, informing me, my brother and my sister, the importance of why certain people cant come in and why they have to take precautions on the border. For him, he wants to keep his family safe. So thats the lifestyle I grew up with from the age of 12 all the way to now 25. When I was in college in Brownsville, a lot of people were more quiet about politics. We got a lot of individuals telling us, I support what you guys do, but I dont want to join because I fear that its going to affect me in the future. A professor is going to find out, or their friends are going to find out.

While these seismic demographic and cultural changes were already pushing nonwhite voters away from the Democratic Party, an iconoclast emerged: Donald Trump.

In 2016, Mr. Trumps comments about minorities  he called them drug lords and murderers  caused uproar even within the Republican Party. Yet Mr. Trumps magnetic appeal posited a different path for the right: Moving even further rightward appealed to the groups he was seemingly denigrating.

It flew in the face of decades of Republican policy. After 1964, the party was mostly content to cede local elections in multiracial urban areas to the Democrats. The national G.O.P. made a strategic decision to abandon most electoral appeals and connections to minority communities. Sally Bradshaw, then a Republican strategist in Florida, explained after the 2012 election, Young voters are increasingly rolling their eyes at what the party represents and many minorities think Republicans don't like them or don't want them in our country. After a second momentous loss to Mr. Obama, a G.O.P. autopsy report recommended embracing a redesign of the immigration system and making a concerted effort to soften the partys tone toward nonwhite voters.

Mr. Trump mocked the report when it was released. Instead, he not only doubled down on racial epithets, but paired them with a different vision of politics altogether. His burn it down style of politics rang true for nonwhite voters who were caught in the maelstrom of compounded financial and social crises, feeling left behind not only by Democrats but by the political establishment in general. Many of the voters I have spoken to say theyre not Democratic or Republican  they are Trump supporters.

Mr. Trumps vision of political disruption and its appeal to nonwhite voters have propelled the party to overhaul its entire approach to minorities. Now, conservatives are investing tens of millions of dollars in such efforts. Right-wing advocacy groups including Turning Point USA, America First Legal and Americans for Prosperity have embraced their own forms of identity politics.

Attendees at Turning Point USAs AmericaFest in Phoenix in December. Rebecca Noble/Getty Images

When I visited Turning Points AmericaFest conference in December, I spoke with several young working-class Black women who were part of Blexit, an effort by the far-right Black commentator Candace Owens to encourage Black voters to quit the Democratic Party. The women I met helped organize liberation shows to reach other Black college students: events with music, speakers and debates that reject the victim narrative that Black conservatives feel has been foisted on them by the left. These events are not necessarily top-down attempts at Republican outreach; they are a grass-roots expression of conservatism firmly rooted in Black culture.

The first six months of Mr. Trumps return to the White House has been marked by breathtaking attacks on civil rights and anti-discrimination laws, ham-fisted speculations that D.E.I. policies caused an aviation disaster, terrifying deportation raids, devastating cuts to social welfare programs, an upheaval in immigration and asylum policies, and flirtation with ethnonationalist groups in Europe and South Africa  hardly the ingredients of a multicultural future.

Yet so far, among the voters I interviewed, there is little evidence of buyers remorse. Even if they may not embrace all the far-reaching edicts emanating from the White House, they are also not inclined to speak up for the institutions Mr. Trump is threatening to dismember. Their political worldview is far more heterodox, guided less by ideological rigidities and more by their aspirations to build lives of dignity for themselves and their communities.

Between the choice of defending a prevailing order that has left so many vulnerable and exhausted, and joining a movement that promises insurgency, fun and belonging (for some), they're choosing the new possibilities they see on the right.

These voters may sour just as easily on the G.O.P. if its insurgent rhetoric fails to make tangible improvements in their lives. But few are likely to return to a Democratic Party bogged down in discussions about brand and identity that seem to offer little possibility of addressing the material crises and conditions shaping their lives.

At AmericaFest, weeks before Mr. Trump began his second term, I met a 25-year-old Black Blexit member named Deja Davis. Committed and idealistic, she projected a strong sense of racial identity and pride. She told me she and the other Black conservatives she works with care so deeply about our community. They were setting up chapters of conservative groups at historically Black colleges and hosting community events. I believe the Black community can do anything, she told me.

When I began this work, it was difficult to imagine people of color like Ms. Davis, whose racial identity feels to her in no way out of line with her political one, becoming a major conservative political force in our country. Yet, with thousands of voters like her at the Turning Point conference, thats exactly where we are.

For people like Ms. Davis, optimism and hope for the future come from the right, not the left. Their racial identity is still at the core of their political beliefs  if anything, so much of what these voters have told me comes from a pointed concern for their communities. But their political decisions are driven more by the realities their racial communities face: collapsing social structures, economic uncertainties and a sense that the status quo is untenable.

Absent a solution to these core problems, appealing to disaffected voters of color on their racial identity alone has rung hollow. Grappling with the complexity of their frustrations, anxieties and hopes will determine the next political chapter of this country.
9 p.m. Walk it off at Grotta

Take advantage of Icelands long days at Grotta, the westernmost point of the capital region. Its an hours walk from downtown but its also an architectural journey. Rustic, timber-frame houses clad in painted iron give way to the pebble-studded functionalist (lovingly known as funkistil, or funky-style) buildings and large, dystopian apartment blocks. Once there, you can soak your feet at Kvika, a tiny hot pot installed by the artist Olof Nordal, as you admire the Grotta Lighthouse, the swarms of migratory birds, and maybe even a seal or two. A clear sky reveals spectacular views of the city, the mountains and even the glacier on the Snaefellsnes peninsula. Although the summer sun sets in the middle of the night, it never really grows dark. In fall and winter, the area is perfect for viewing the northern lights. If youd prefer not to walk, you can also arrive by electric scooter or catch the No. 11 bus from downtown. It leaves every 30 minutes and drops you off about a 10-minute walk from the lighthouse, so make sure to check times online or with the bus app Klappid.
Sitrick Group has agreed to represent the US unit of Chinas BOE Technology Group.

BOE ranks as one of worlds biggest producers of LCD (liquid crystal display) and OLED (organic light emitting diodes) screens used in TVs, computers, cellphones, and weapons systems.

Congressman John Moolenaar, who chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, wants the Pentagon to add BOE to its blacklist due to its potential threat to US security.

He said BOE and Tianma Microelectronics have grabbed a huge chunk of the global display market because China state subsidies have driven non-Chinese companies from the display screen market, posing a supply chain risk for the US military.

China's share of global screen production has grown from zero in 2004 to 72 percent today, according to Moolenaar.

Sitricks July 14 agreement with BOE calls for a minimum $75,000 annual fee. Time charges will be billed at the hourly rate range of $285 to $1,425.

The firm notes: We customarily request a 'success fee' if we believe we have performed services for a client which result in significant benefits to the client beyond those we believe a normal consulting and public relations firm could achieve. In this event, we would meet with you in advance and discuss any such proposed fee with you, which success fee would be subject to your agreement.

CEO Mike Sitrick heads the nine-member BOE team that includes Sallie Ann Hofmeister (former New York Times/Los Angeles Times editor), and Seth Lubove (ex-LA bureau chief for Bloomberg News.)
Egypt remains Ukraines largest trading partner in the Middle East and Africa, and bilateral trade volumes have almost reached pre-war levels, said Deputy Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva during a telephone conversation with Special Advisor to the President of Egypt on National Security Faiza Abou El-Naga.

The key topic of the conversation was food security. The parties discussed the creation of a Ukrainian agro-industrial hub in Egypt.

"Ukraine is ready to continue to remain a reliable guarantor of Egypt's food security. We have an ambitious goal to open a regional logistics hub for Ukrainian food in Egypt. We are working together to achieve it," the Deputy Head of the Presidential Office emphasized.

It is noted that Ukraine and Egypt will also work to intensify cooperation in the field of industry and tourism.

During the conversation, the parties paid special attention to the importance of achieving a just and lasting peace.

Zhovkva thanked Egypt for its constructive position within the UN General Assembly, in particular for supporting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.
BP pulls the plug The British energy giant was once a leader in developing alternate power sources, which gave it a reputational boost that helped distinguish it from its dirty fossil fuels competitors.

The company proudly said the letters B and P translated into Beyond Petroleum. Sadly, those days are long gone.

The company announced July 19 that it was selling BP Wind Energy North America (assets in Indiana, Kansas, South Dakota, Colorado and Pennsylvania) to LS Power as part of its $20B divestment program.

Guess which parts of the sprawling company are not for sale. BP CEO Murray Auchincloss has promised a corporate reset, which is focused on investment in fossil fuels.

William Lin, executive VP for gas & low carbon energy, said though BP Wind Energy North America is a business with great assets and fantastic people, we have concluded we are no longer the best owners to take it forward. Why not?

BPs sale of its American wind power unit comes as the United Nations released a report called Seizing the Moment of Opportunity, which found the global shift toward renewable energy has reached a positive tipping point.

It begins: We stand at a unique and defining moment in history. In the ten years since the Paris Agreement was adopted, renewable energy technologies have undergone a remarkable transformation. With spectacular cost declines and manufacturing capacity growth, the global deployment of solar, wind, and electric vehicles has exceeded even the most optimistic projections and continues to advance exponentially. The world is poised for a breakthrough in the rapid and widespread transition from energy systems dominated by fossil fuels to those dominated by homegrown, low-cost renewables."

The fossil fuel age is flailing and failing, said UN secretary Antonio Guterres. We are in the dawn of a new energy era. An era where cheap, clean, abundant energy powers a world rich in economic opportunity.

The UN report states that seizing this moment of opportunity is not a given as significant political and economic barriers and obstacles remain.

Short-sighted decisions from corporate giants such as BP to pursue fossil fuel profits is one of the obstacles. BP will rue the day it withdrew from the US wind market.

Politicians hooked on doling out favors to Big Oil and its supporters are another barrier.

Donald Trump is doing his best to stymie solar and wind power, which grew at a 12.3 percent per-year clip from 2018 to 2023. Out of spite, he is trying his best to undo the green energy policies of Joe Biden.

But the nearly 80-year-old president stands on the wrong side of history.

What's good for General Motors is good for America, is a paraphrased quote attributed to CEO Charles Wilson during his 1953 confirmation hearings for the Secretary of Defense job.

An updated version, Whats good for Donald Trumps ego is bad for General Motors, sums up the automakers second quarter financials.

The Tariff Man had a lot to do with a 32 percent crash in GMs adjusted profits to $3B. GM had estimated a $5B 2025 hit from Trumps trade policies. The automaker now expects tariff expenses will come down as Trump cuts trade deals. It hopes.

GM will now switch gears and worry about Trumps plan to choke off growth in the electric vehicle market.

EVs were a strong performer at GM as unit sales soared 111 percent to 46,280. Sales of GMs EV line-up which includes Chevrolet Silverado and Equinox; GMC Sierra and HUMMER; and Cadillac Escalade helped the company displace Ford as the No. 2 seller of battery-powered vehicle. Tesla, by far, remains EV king of the road.

We believe the long-term future is profitable electric vehicle production, and this continues to be our north star, wrote CEO Mary Barra in her letter to shareholders.

We will see if Death Star Trump shoots down Barras EV plans.

Zeldin the MAGA Zealot Scott Pruitt, who was EPA head during Trumps first term, is mostly remembered for installing a $43K soundproof phone security booth in his office and a penchant for flying first-class. The EPA survived Pruitt. It might not be so lucky this time around.

Current EPA chief Lee Zeldin will be remembered for gutting the agency.

On July 18, Zeldin announced that he was eliminating EPAs research and development office, which provides the scientific underpinnings of the agencys purported mission to protect the environment. More than 1,150 chemists, biologists and toxicologists are getting the boot.

Sara Chieffo, VP of Government Affairs at the League of Conservation Voters, said shutting down the R&D unit is a gift to chemical and oil companies trying to hide the public health consequences theyre responsible for causing.

Career staff whove spent decades protecting air and water are being pushed out, noted Chieffo. Their expertise is being lost at a moment of rising climate-fueled disasters, and is clearing the way for industry-aligned political appointees to call the shots behind closed doors.

Zeldin justified carving out the heart and soul of the EPA by saying the move is part of the plan to be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.

He is supposed to be a responsible steward of the environment, not a patsy for polluters.

The gift that keeps on giving... The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference convened on Nov 22 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Teneo had a seven-month $4.7M contract with the Azerbaijan Operating Company to handle the event.

The Azerbaijanis, though, just dont want to let go of their COP29 glory.

They extended Teneos COP29 work for another seven months, effective May 1, for a sum capped at $1,650,000.

That means Teneo will be sharpening the COP29 narrative while Edelman is promoting COP30 slated for Brazil.

Call it the PR battle of the COPS.
The community of Banagher has reached a major fundraising milestone, raising over 195,000 towards the creation of a state-of-the-art outdoor swimming facility at Shannon Bank Park.

Launched by the Shannon Bank Park Development Group at the Crank House in February of this year, the campaign has exceeded expectations in a town of just 1,907 residents. The money raised will support an 850,000 project  including the new pool and significant site development works  which also benefits from 616,000 in funding through the Failte Ireland EU Just Transition Fund.

The new Banagher Outdoor Swimming Pool will include wheelchair access, improved seating, wider pontoons, and a dedicated kayak and paddleboard launch  all situated in the River Shannon at Shannon Bank Park. Construction by Inland and Coastal Marina Systems is already underway, with pool sections currently being fabricated off-site in preparation for installation.

The fundraising efforts have been wide-ranging and imaginative: from the River Shannon Challenge (a 3.5km swim held on 28th June) and the Carrauntoohil Challenge (10th May), to nine-year-old Conor Horns 'May the Fourth Mountain March', a pony trek, the 'Last Ever 80s Nostalgia Night' at Melbas nightclub in Birr, a monster auction at Corrigans Corner House, a tractor run, and several school-led events. Significant supporters also include the local 'Beat on the Street' Festival and the 'Runners V Riders' fundraising group. Sponsored nameplates, an online iDonate page and a tap-to-donate machine in the park also played their part.

When the Just Transition funding came in, it made the project a possibility  but for us, the work only really started then, said Johnny Butler of the Shannon Bank Park Development Group. 172,000 is an awful lot of money, and people said we were mad. That this was just another pipe dream that looked good on paper.

But from the very start, we were met with nothing but positivity. Everywhere we turned for help or support, we didnt have to ask twice. I checked the platform we used for online donations recently  there are 2,658 individual contributions there alone. That doesnt include all the physical fundraising that went on.

It really shows the kind of community that exists here in Banagher  and not just here, but across West Offaly, East Galway, and North Tipperary too. Part of the appeal is that the project ticks so many boxes: its about health, its about access, its free, and its something that benefits both local people and visitors who already travel long distances to use the current pool. Hopefully it will inspire similar regeneration projects elsewhere  both locally and nationally.

The project will be delivered in two phases. Phase 1 will see the removal of the existing pool and the installation of the new facility before the end of August. The pool will be closed for a maximum of two weeks during the transition. Groundworks and the construction of a new wheelchair ramp and improved access points will commence at the same time. Phase 2 will follow in 2026, focusing on landscaping and the completion of groundworks to integrate the new facility into the park.

Nameplate sponsorships remain available until the end of July for anyone wishing to contribute to this landmark community project - please email banagherpool@outlook.com.
A RESIDENT of Southampton has travelled to Tullamore to seek information about her grandmother and extended family.

Patricia Gregory grew up in Manchester where she was raised by her father, the late John Gregory, and her paternal grandmother, the late Christina (Dinah) Pyke, a native of Tullamore who emigrated to England.

Ms Gregory, an only child who believes she has no remaining relations of Irish origin in England, has learned from Offaly History and Tullamore parish records that her grandmother was born and baptised in 1888, the daughter of James Pyke and Margaret Dowling.

According to the baptismal certificate the sponsors were James Glennon and Lizzie Molloy.

James Pyke is listed in the 1901 census as the 55-year-old head of the family at 13 Henry Street, Tullamore, a mail car driver with five children, Joseph, James, Christina (aged 12 at the time) and John.

The 1911 census contains the names of two of those sons, James Pyke, who lived at 13 Henry Street, Tullamore and Joseph Pyke, a resident of 29 Tea Lane in the town.

Ms Gregory, aged 72, said she was very grateful to Offaly History for the information provided, which also revealed that a William Pyke lived in 8 Market Square.

Other addresses for members of the Pyke family in the late 19th century were Convent View, White Hall and Chapel Street, Tullamore.

Patricia's grandmother Christina got married in England in January 1921 to Alfred Gregory. Both were living in Manchester and Christina's occupation was cotton weaver. Christina died in 1980.

Though she has no details about her relations in Tullamore she does have photographs taken in the town on a family holiday in about 1953 when she was about a year old.

One of the pictures features her grandmother standing in the grounds of Charleville Castle (see below). I'm in a trolley in the background, Patricia said.

Another photograph (below) is of Christina's brother in Tullamore, Joe (Joseph) Pyke, and his wife, whose name she does not know.

A further picture (see below), taken the same day outside the same house (either on Henry Street or Tea Lane), depicts Joe Pyke's wife with sons Jim, Paul and Arty.

They must have had kids, unless they emigrated, said Patricia.

A fourth picture is of Patricia herself flanked by other children who are a little older than her. She has not been able to identify them. I don't know, I was a baby.

Patricia arrived in Tullamore on Monday. "I've been travelling around on my own, I have a motorhome."

She said her father died at the age of 61 30 years ago. "I've got no family, I've got no siblings." A family member on her father's side has been trying to link the Irish connection back to the family.

"He's been doing quite well with the Gregorys over in England but we keep coming up against a brick wall [on the Irish Pyke side]."

She hopes to establish if the Pykes named above are definitely related to her and if there are living family members in Tullamore today.

Patricia can be contacted by emailing patgregory50@gmail.com

She knows very little about her grandmother's contact with Ireland and Tullamore apart from the visit when the photographs were taken.

"I don't know if my nana came over on her own sometimes."

READ NEXT: Series of public performances continue on Offaly church organ
The Redwood Estate in Tullamore is to be officially ''taken in charge'' by Offaly County Council, following a recommendation from the Director of Services for Tullamore, Paul McLoughlin.

Mr McLoughlin confirmed that the process had been publicly advertised, with members of the public given until May 2 to make submissions. ''None were received,'' he told the meeting, adding that the estate met all the necessary requirements to proceed.

The move was warmly welcomed by local councillors, who praised both the standard of the development and the work of the builders.

''You could travel all over Ireland and you wouldn't see a better estate in terms of design and layout,'' said Councillor Neil Feighery. ''It has won architectural awards and is built to a high standard by Capital Homes, led by the Sheerin family. I'm very happy to propose taking charge of this estate and I wish the developers well.''

His proposal was seconded by Councillor Declan Harvey, who voiced his support, but also raised wider concerns.

''Redwood is still an unfinished site, with further houses to be built,'' he noted. ''There are a number of well-established estates in Tullamore that previously asked to be taken in charge. I know the director is going to come back and say this, that, and the other wasn't done, but some of these estates have everything right and still haven't been considered. While I welcome Redwood, I wish you would look at a few others too. I can talk to you after the meeting about where they are.''

Councillor Sean O'Brien also supported Redwood, describing it as a ''fantastic development and a good company.'' But he echoed concerns about delays elsewhere.

''Like Cllr Harvey, I have concerns about other estates in Tullamore. These issues have been ongoing not just for months, but for years. We need to progress them in whatever way possible, as soon as possible.''

He pointed to Hophill as a prime example. ''People up there are very frustrated. Its affected their properties, the state of their paths and roads. There are a lot of issues. I would ask management to consider Hophill an absolute priority and see if we can progress it as soon as possible.''

Councillor Aoife Masterson also expressed concern, particularly for the Eiscer Meadows and Hophill areas. ''Not having the council in charge is having a detrimental effect on the maintenance of footpaths, she said. ''It also poses a health and safety risk when we can't maintain footpaths or install speed ramps or control signs. There is a large number of children in Eiscer Meadows and no 'children at play' signs. It affects the value of the properties as well.''

Responding, Mr McLoughlin said Redwood was a ''model estate,'' with all conditions fully met. ''Unfortunately, with other estates on the waiting list, certain legal clarifications and provisions have not yet been met. There is a healthy list to be taken in charge and we will continue that process. We are not in any way trying to slow it down. There is a certain standard that must be reached, and once that is met, we are happy to advertise them.''

READ NEXT:Eight retail outlets inspected in Tullamore by CCPC

Cllr Harvey pointed out that in some cases, ''developers are no longer with us. Theres a piece of work to be done. People are frustrated. Theyve done a lot of work, maybe theyre missing one piece of the puzzle, and theyre put on the back burner. Im delighted for Redwood, but not happy for others.''

Cllr Leahy said the matter would be back on the agenda in September and urged councillors to bring forward lists of estates for consideration.
"What is rare is wonderful!" This picture in the sunshine with a clear blue sky and a field full of small square bales of hay on a farm at Lumcloon, Cloghan during the recent heatwave was taken by Marty Guinan.

The square baler arrived in Ireland in the 1950s but this retro hay-making method has almost disappeared now having being replaced by the much larger round baler.

While round bales might be more practical, square bales were much more craic. Anyone else remember building forts and other structures from square bales? Ah the good old days.... but loading them wasn't easy!

We want your photos to feature on our website via our Camera Club. Do you have a great photo from life in the locality? Whether its a party, wedding, communion, landscape, a quirky shot from your archives, or a simple everyday moment, we want your snapshots.

We are inviting people to share photos that capture the spirit of the county. From special occasions to quieter moments, your pictures help tell the story of everyday life in our community.

To submit:

Go to the Camera Club page and follow the instructions to upload your photo. Include your name, where it was taken, and a short caption if you can.

Your photo could be featured on our website and newspaper and seen by readers across the county and beyond.

TAP HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES TODAY
A DEFENDANT from Tullamore pleaded guilty to selling or supplying drugs during last week's sitting of Tullamore Court.

Danils Sikovs, Ard na Greine, Cloncollig, Tullamore was charged being in possession of cannabis for the purpose or sale or supply at Apt 5, Fionntir, 6 Market Square, Tullamore on March 31, 2024.

The 46 year old man had 19 previous convictions, including selling or supplying drugs. Sergeant Richard Thornton pointed out that when the Guards searched Number 6, Market Square they found 3,500 worth of cannabis.

Judge Andrew Cody commented that this was a serious matter.

The defending solicitor Patrick Martin told the court that Mr Sikovs is a Latvian national, is married and has two children.

He had been working as a welder up to a couple of years ago, when he developed diabetes. He's on social welfare of 193 per week. He has had a cannabis addiction since a very young age. He has now given up taking cannabis. He was only distributing the drugs among his friends and he was making 15 per cent profit.

Judge Cody commented that because it was a serious matter and because of the defendant's record he was therefore convicting and sentencing to nine months imprisonment.

READ NEXT: Six months suspended sentence for Offaly man convicted of selling or supplying drugs

READ NEXT: Offaly man was very intoxicated and speech was slurred
THE vibrant riverside town of Banagher will ignite this summer with the return of the That Beats Banagher Festival, taking place from Friday, July 25th to Sunday, July 27th, 2025.

The festival promises a thrilling weekend packed with blacksmithing, traditional crafts, iron smelting, heritage walks, and family-friendly activities  all celebrating the rich industrial and cultural history of the area.

The Festival begins on Friday, July 25th with an Introduction to Blacksmithing Course from 10am-4pm. A hands-on, beginner-friendly course for up to eight participants. Learn blacksmithing basics with expert guidance. Booking required: festival@thatbeatsbanagher.com

Saturday, July 26th is the Main Festival Day and is open to the public from 10am-5pm.

Battle of the Blacksmiths takes place from 11am-2pm. Watch Irelands best blacksmiths compete in five fast-paced forging challenges for the Golden Anvil Trophy.

There will be a Chopping Competition from 2-4pm - a high-energy test of timber-cutting skills.

READ NEXT: Details of annual procession from the Citeaux Hall

Long Puck Across the Shannon is scheduled for 2-4pm. Location: Banagher Park. Test your hurling accuracy by aiming a sliotar at a floating target in the River Shannon. Categories: adult male, adult female, junior male, junior female. Prizes awarded!

Golden Anvil Awards Presentation takes place 4.30pm.

Talk by Michael Budd at 5pm at Crank House. An engaging talk by the master blacksmith and sculptor.

Irish Artist Blacksmiths Association (IABA) AGM 6pm.

Martello Tower Bookshop Pop-Up 2-6pm. Literary gems and rare books on display at Bridge Barrack Yard after a field trip to Clongawny Bogs iron ore deposits.

Straw Craft Demonstration by Padraig Larkin, 10am-5pm. Learn about ancient Irish straw basket-making traditions. Free and open to all.

Iron Ore Smelting Demonstrations 10am-6pm led by Paul Rondelez and team. Live furnace action turning bog ore into true Banagher iron.

On Sunday, July 27th there will be a Heritage, Forging, and Family Fun Day  Open to the Public, 10am-5pm.

Heritage Walk: Forges, Forgeries, Fakes & Fortifications. Time: 12.45pm  2pm. Starting point: Saint Pauls Church. A guided walk through Banaghers ironwork history, including railings, plaques, and Napoleonic fortifications. Hear fascinating stories about Sir Mathew De Renzy and Charlotte Bronte. Finishes at Bridge Barrack Yard with a showcase of blacksmith work.

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Live Forging Demonstrations Throughout the Day

10am  Jack Murphy

11am  Limerick School of Blacksmithing

12pm  Leeside Forge (Gus & James)

1pm3pm  Michael Budd: Dragon Head Forging Demo

4pm  Irish Artist Blacksmith Competition Winners Announced

Padraig Larkins Straw Craft Demonstration (10am-5pm) continues for a second day.

Iron Ore Smelting Demonstrations continue 10am-6pm.

There will be Artisan food and craft stalls, local music, and family activities available throughout the weekend.

Free public entry on Saturday and Sunday.

Full programme available at: www.thatbeatsbanagher.com .

READ NEXT: Manchester woman seeks help tracing Offaly relatives
DEPUTY John Clendennen has welcomed the publication of the inaugural report from the Joint Committee on Infrastructure and National Development Plan Delivery, highlighting the importance of timely and efficient infrastructure planning for Irelands future prosperity.

Speaking at the reports launch, Deputy Clendennen stressed the urgent need for a cultural shift in how infrastructure planning and development are approached, particularly in relation to timelines and costs associated with project applications.

Whether at a local or national level, theres a cultural change thats needed here in relation to what the actual cost of these applications materialise to be, said Deputy Clendennen. Be it in terms of time or money, those costs have become considerable in recent years. We need to critically assess and reduce those timelines to ensure Ireland remains an attractive place to live, work and invest.

Deputy Clendennen praised the establishment of the Committee, recognising its role in fostering a more streamlined and effective delivery of Irelands infrastructure priorities. He acknowledged the leadership of both, An Taoiseach and An Tanaiste, Simon Harris for initiating the committee and supporting its non-partisan mission.

Its an honour to serve on this committee. I want to commend the Chair, Deputy Sean Fleming and all the members for their collective work. To be fair, weve done this in a non-partisan way, with the national interest at the core. Too often politics is criticised for being parochial but in this case, I believe weve taken a holistic, unified approach.

READ NEXT: Lemanaghan heritage group mount protest outside Aras an Chontae

Deputy Clendennen reaffirmed his commitment to working collaboratively with stakeholders across the political spectrum to advance infrastructure solutions that meet the needs of communities today while preparing Ireland for future growth.

The Joint Committees first report sets out the engagement and recurring themes raised by witnesses at the committees meetings thus far with a view to improving the transparency, accountability, and delivery speed of major infrastructure projects under the National Development Plan.

READ NEXT: Offaly hoteliers urge Government to tackle increases in cost of doing business
THE fourth annual Lorrha & Dorrha Comhdhail Mheanaoiseah/Medieval Conference was held at The Friar's Tavern, Lorrha, Co. Tipperary, on Saturday last.

Lorrha was an ecclesiastical centre from the early period through to the establishment of both the Augustinian and Dominican foundations, right up to the late Penal period.

From the early 9th Century, it appears that Lorrha was a centre for manuscript production, with strong evidence that the Lorrha (Stowe) Missal was produced there.

At this year's conference Timothy O'Neill examined how scribes wrote, focussing on some pages of the Lorrha Missal, concluding with an account of the design and writing of the Ros Cre Missal.

Within the same period, Dr Niamh Wycherley spoke on the Irish Church in the 9th and 10th Centuries, focusing on power, patronage and the impact of the Vikings.

READ NEXT: Steps in Faith  Rahan to Clonmacnoise pilgrimage

Br. Colman O Clabhaigh examined how religion was practised in the medieval village, using surviving archaeology to illustrate this.

Although the Lorrha Augustinian Priory was dedicated to St Mary, there is no evidence of female monasticism in the village. However Dr Tracy Collins examined women religious in a broader context within medieval Tipperary.

The Augustinian Priory features a 15th Century carved head of a lady wearing a horned headdress. Laura Fitzachery, MA, discussed various fashionable items from the late medieval period in Europe and how these fashions also reached Ireland.

The Conference was booked to capacity and kindly co-funded by Comhairle Contae Thiobraid Arann.

READ NEXT: Lemanaghan heritage group mount protest outside Aras an Chontae
The independence of the anti-corruption infrastructure created in Ukraine is a critical element of the cooperation program between Ukraine and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), IMF Director for Communications Department Julie Kozack has said.

During a briefing at the Fund on Thursday, she said they take into account the government's intention to introduce a new bill on restoring the independence of anti-corruption institutions.

Kozack also reported that in the coming weeks, IMF staff and the Ukrainian authorities are expected to intensify discussions on both Ukraine's 2026 budget and the overall assessment of Ukraine's financial needs for 2026 and the medium-term perspective, to build a comprehensive picture.

Kozack said this work is important for the current program and any future potential cooperation with Ukraine that IMF staff might have.

Earlier on Thursday, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) also issued a statement sharing the concerns expressed by the EU, G7 ambassadors, and international partners regarding the developments surrounding the NABU and SAPO in Ukraine. The bank said the independence of anti-corruption agencies is a core component of the rule of law, and pledged to continue working with the Ukrainian authorities on this issue.

In addition, there have been recent statements about the possibility of a new program with the IMF, as the current four-year $16 billion EFF program ends in the first quarter of 2027. According to Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, such a new program is needed in the event of a prolonged war.

"Part of these negotiations will be our interaction with the International Monetary Fund, as we are currently working with them to form a certain concept and approach to a new, updated program of interaction and expanded financing, which will take into account new realities related to security risks, the dynamics of the recovery of the macroeconomic situation, and geopolitics," NBU Governor Andriy Pyshny also said on Thursday.
A PROJECT in Offaly is one of 21 fisheries conservation projects that have been approved for funding to help restore salmon and trout stocks, and their habitats.

The River Barrow tributaries plan in Co Offaly, in collaboration with Offaly County Council, regarding site-specific measures to encourage natural river processes and biodiversity, has been granted 20,000 by the Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI).

In total IFIs Habitats and Conservation Scheme has awarded a total of 771,295 for 21 new environmental works in 2025 across 14 counties.

The competitive scheme, administered by IFI, supports sustainable initiatives to ensure native salmon and sea trout survive and thrive, and overcome ongoing challenges they face in the wild.

Announcing the award recipients Minister of State for Fisheries and the Marine, Timmy Dooley TD, said: This investment by IFI will finance vital projects that will help futureproof Irelands salmon and sea trout populations.

"Our migratory Atlantic salmon are in significant decline. The department and IFI are committed to supporting restoration efforts - working in partnership with our stakeholders to increase juvenile production of the species.

READ NEXT: Soccer club in Offaly given green light for major development works



"This years Habitats and Conservation Scheme submissions demonstrate strong leadership in the stewardship of local rivers, reflecting a deep commitment to environmental responsibility.

"Its heartening to see such positive community and stakeholder engagement in the applications."

Barry Fox Head of Operations with IFI added: "With these grants Inland Fisheries Ireland is working collaboratively with statutory and non-statutory groups to create resilient habitats for future generations of fish.

"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."

Financial assistance will be provided to projects across the Republic of Ireland, and distributed as follows: Galway (163k), Meath (139k), Sligo (77k), Donegal (41k), Tipperary (32k), Carlow (30k), Cavan (25k), Mayo (23k), Laois (20k), Offaly (20k), Kildare (17k), Leitrim (16k), Dublin (12k), Louth (7.5k), and national projects (148k).

Since 2016 IFI has provided 8.9m to different groups and fisheries development experts through its Habitats and Conservation Schemes.

Monies for the scheme are generated by the sale of salmon and sea trout angling licences, fishing permits, and commercial fishing licences in Ireland.

The scheme comprises IFIs Salmon and Sea Trout Rehabilitation, Conservation and Protection Fund, and the Midland Fisheries Fund.

READ NEXT: Delivery delays mean Birr road works won't be finished before Vintage Week
A housing strategy aimed at delivering affordable housing schemes across Offaly was called for during the July meeting of Offaly County Council.

Independent Councillor Sean OBrien urged the council to take immediate action to support those ''caught in the middle'' of the housing crisis.

''The cost of housing is a huge issue everywhere and in this county as well,'' said Cllr OBrien. ''There are those caught in the middle, because they cant afford the mortgage, but they cant go on the council housing list either. These are the people who we need to look out for. We need affordable housing and assist individuals and families in purchasing a home.

''Fingal are well ahead of us. Another major scheme is Shanganagh Castle in Dublin and a fabulous scheme in Barna, Galway,'' he said. ''There are other schemes around the country. The income limit is specified, the amount of deposit is specified, and the big advantage is that there is a maximum mortgage. Obviously, the banks or local authorities, depending on the scheme, have an equity share, thats how the scheme works. I hope we can bring in some schemes and move it forward throughout the county.''

Cllr OBrien pointed to soaring demand in Tullamore as a sign of the crisis. He cited a private housing scheme that drew 1,000 applicants for 150 homes.

He also warned of knock-on effects for healthcare and employment, noting that Tullamore Hospital is struggling to recruit staff due to lack of housing.

''At present there are a number of factories in Srah and a lot of the people have to travel from Dublin, Newbridge, Athlone and Portlaoise because there is no housing here. First, we need to look at the whole area of zoning and affordable housing,'' he said.

The motion received strong cross-party support.

Councillor Declan Harvey seconded the call and criticised the growing gap in housing affordability for ordinary working people.

''We have the new poor in this country, that's the working class. They are caught between not having enough money for a mortgage and having too much for a council house,'' he said. ''We need the council to start building again. I have two sons. If they ever want to come back to Tullamore they would want to hope I, my wife, or themselves could win the lotto. Its crazy money what they are looking for. I met a young lady at the weekend. She had a good few bob saved but still didnt have enough for a deposit. I ask the council to start building houses again.''

Councillor Aoife Masterson also backed the motion, criticising the councils reliance on the private market.

''I think we are in a situation where we are buying over the odds because we are buying on the open market, as opposed to building ourselves. We are also reliant on the quality that is being built on the open market.''

She pointed to past examples of public housing done right: ''If you look at the houses that were built in the 60s, 70s and 80s, when we were on our knees as an economy, we still built the best quality houses going. If you look at OMolloy Street, all the traditional housing estates, they are absolutely fantastic housing estates.

There is no reason why we cannot go back to those again, except for the fact we are not receiving the money needed to do that. I support the motion but I think it will be of little avail if we dont receive the support needed to do this from the central government.''

READ NEXT:Vital Offaly HOMEFIX service set to close end of August

In response, Director of Services for Housing and Integration Barry Lennon informed councillors that an Affordable Housing Officer was appointed in June and that a draft strategy is underway.

''A strategy will be brought through the Strategic Policy Committee and I expect to have something for the October meeting he said. ''The main thing is to assess the needs. its critical. Then the mechanism for delivery.''

Cathaoirleach Cllr John Leahy welcomed the update and noted that current market conditions finally allow Offaly to qualify for affordable housing subsidies.

''Previously they would have said if you can buy a second-hand house cheaper than what you can build it for, then you are not in the category for affordable housing subsidies. A house in Tullamore now is 400,000 plus,'' he said.

He proposed using Tullamore as a pilot area to launch an affordable housing scheme.

''Im mindful that while we would love the scheme extended into all our areas, its not possible because of that criteria. Its just that Tullamore prices are gone so high that it allows us to fall into the category. We should look at Tullamore as the first pilot and thats as much as we can achieve for now. If prices grow or the criteria change, it can expand to other areas.''
A bold new approach to community safety is coming to Offaly, as Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) are set to replace the long-standing Joint Policing Committees.

''Im delighted that my colleague Minister Jim OCallaghan has officially signed regulations for the rollout of Local Community Safety Partnerships (LCSPs) across all 36 local authority areas in the country, said Fianna Fail Councillor Shane Murray.

These partnerships mark a major shift in how safety is tackled, bringing together An Garda Siochana, the HSE, Tusla, local residents, older persons, business owners, community reps, councillors, and council officials in one united forum.

Each LCSP will meet at least six times per year, with one meeting open to the public. But this isnt just about more meetings, it's about making them matter, says the Minister.

The aim?

Tailored safety plans for each community

Tackling not just crime, but also issues like public lighting, local services, and shared spaces

Stronger collaboration between communities, agencies, and elected reps

Putting the local voice at the heart of safety planning

''Were moving toward a more collaborative, responsive, and locally driven approach to community safety. Its not just about policing, its about improving how people feel in their community,'' adds Cllr Murray.

Each LCSP will develop and implement a strategy that fits the unique needs of its area built in close partnership with local stakeholders and supported by a dedicated community safety coordinator and administrator, funded by the Department of Justice.

READ NEXT: ''Caught in the middle''  Offaly Councillors demand affordable housing strategy

Tested, Proven, Ready to Launch

Before this national rollout, the model was tested in pilot partnerships in Waterford, Longford, and Dublins North Inner City, covering high, medium, and low population density areas.

These pilots successfully brought together local communities and agencies to co-create practical safety plans. Their impact was measured through baseline, interim, and final evaluations, and their success has directly shaped the national launch.

The Minister says the ultimate goal is to ''prioritise the voice of local people in identifying and addressing community safety issues in a collaborative way.''

Now, with Offaly ready to join the national rollout, a new era of locally driven, people-powered safety planning is about to begin.
Clara Library was buzzing with pride recently as Chief Executive Anna Marie Delaney presented staff with the prestigious Age Friendly Ireland  Judges Special Recognition Award 2024.

This national award was bestowed upon Irelands Public Libraries at the Age Friendly Ireland Recognition & Achievement Awards last November, in recognition of the incredible commitment of library staff across the country to creating inclusive, welcoming spaces for older people.

At the heart of the celebration in Clara was a moment of pride not only for the local team but for all who champion age-friendly services. ''I am delighted to present this award to Clara Library in recognition of the librarys status as Offalys First Age Friendly Library,'' said Anna Marie Delaney, who accepted the award on behalf of the National Library Service in her capacity as Chair of the City & County Management Association (CCMA).

The CCMA has agreed that the award trophy will make a special journey around the National Network of Age Friendly Libraries, spending time in each one. Clara Library is the first to host it, before passing the honour to Longford County Library Service.

Also in attendance was Ms. Catherine McGuigan, Chief Officer of Age Friendly Ireland, who praised the Clara team for their outstanding service and dedication to older members of the community.

READ NEXT: ''Caught in the middle''  Offaly Councillors demand affordable housing strategy

Clara Library, like many others across Offaly, has undergone a comprehensive transformation to ensure that its spaces, services, and programming truly meet the needs of older people. From staff training to facility upgrades, every detail has been tailored to enhance accessibility, comfort, and engagement.

One shining example is the Magic Table which is now available in six Offaly libraries

and designed to stimulate physical activity and interaction for individuals with dementia and cognitive challenges.

This award shines a national spotlight on the powerful impact libraries have in building age-inclusive communities, and Clara Library stands proudly at the forefront of that movement.














Steven Sahiounie, journalist and political commentator

U.S. envoy Tom Barrack has said he is hopeful about Lebanon's future after meeting officials and discussing the need to disarm Hezbollah, and for the full withdrawal of Israeli military forces.

Lebanese officials also were positive in comments following the latest round of discussions concerning the security situation in Lebanon.

All eyes have been on Hezbollah, waiting for their response, but they too have been positive, although demanding. Their main demand centers on having Israel stop occupying Lebanon. On this point, Hezbollah and many others in Lebanon regardless of party affiliation, will not budge.

Sheikh Naim Qassem, the leader of Hezbollah, has said only after the Israeli full withdrawal from Lebanon "will we be ready for the second stage, which is to discuss the national security and defense strategy" which includes the issue of the group's disarmament, he added.

The Lebanese people, across all religious and political lines, have demanded that Israel stop the occupation and daily over-flights that have terrorized the Lebanese for many years.

Steven Sahiounie of MidEastDiscourse interviewed the expert Khalil Harb, a Beirut-based journalist, and former editor-in-chief of Al Safir.

1. Steven Sahiounie (SS): The U.S. has put pressure on the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah following the Israeli attacks that destroyed much of the leadership and military capabilities of the resistance group.

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This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com. To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here.

In its Big Beautiful Bill, the Trump administration is proudly cutting funds for "woke programs" ranging from the U.S. Program for International Development to the Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Justice Program, which it's labeled "a slush fund for climate and racial extremism." And from health to jobs to oversight (as with the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, "a watchdog, tasked with making sure there is no discrimination in contracting"), budgets are being slashed or eliminated in a striking fashion.

Oh, but don't get me wrong, not everything is -- and it couldn't be a more on-target image -- under the gun. After all, as Bill McKibben recently pointed out at his Substack, the Trump administration is "tripling the Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE] budget so we can have a quantum increase in the number of guys with neck gaiters shoving people into vans," which, he adds, "is not just immoral, it's statistically dumb": Immigrants are highly unlikely to be violent criminals compared with native-born Americans. If violent crime was your concern, you'd be better off deporting lots and lots of Americans and filling the returning planes with generally more peaceable immigrants." In fact, with an extra $75 billion in funding, ICE is set to become "the highest-funded law enforcement agency in the federal government" by a significant amount. So, put that in your pipe and smoke it.

And little wonder, of course, since undocumented immigrants are clearly plotting to take over America in a distinctly strategic and long-term fashion by giving birth to children here who can automatically become citizens, thanks to the ridiculous 14th Amendment. ("All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.") And though it's true that Trump and crew have indeed tried to stop that from happening, an extremist New Hampshire judge (appointed by that radical president George W. Bush) recently blocked him from doing so thus far -- though who knows what a Supreme Court that has already allowed him to do so much, might decide sooner or later?

And with all of that in mind, let TomDispatch regular Juan Cole, whose Informed Comment website is a daily must-read for me, explore a Trumpian world in which this country is becoming more like a Middle Eastern autocracy by the month, if not the week or the day. Tom

We're All Palestinians Now

How Trump Is Middle-Easternizing the United States

By Juan Cole

The United States has focused on the Middle East since World War II, seeking its oil, gas, and other mineral resources and coveting control of its strategic waterways. The old colonial powers and the superpowers of the Cold War era most often backed dictatorial regimes there, because they were easier to control than democracies, and this country also supported the Israeli settler colony as a bulwark of Western interests. President George W. Bush was the first president to depart (at least rhetorically) from America's romance with regional authoritarians, pledging to "democratize" the Middle East, though he left office with little to show for it. Now, you have to wonder whether, in some strange sense, the shoe is on the other foot and the pathological U.S. support for dictatorships there is now spreading across the Atlantic Ocean, just as the trade winds blow Saharan sand and dust toward the American Southwest.

Democratic Backsliding

Here's something that should sound familiar in the United States today: Qais Saied of Tunisia, elected president in 2019, campaigned against homosexuality and -- yes! -- African immigrants. In 2021, he lawlessly dismissed his prime minister and parliament and went on to rewrite the country's constitution so that he could appoint yes-men to its Supreme Court. Then he began jailing his political opponents. In four short years, Saied undid all the political progress Tunisia had made in the previous decade, creating a dictatorship arguably worse than that of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who was overthrown in January 2011 in the first of several major Arab Spring youth revolts.

Worse yet -- and this should sound familiar, too -- Tunisia seemed to sleepwalk into authoritarianism. Trade unionists hoped the president would reject the neoliberalism of the International Monetary Fund, while civil society organizations hoped he would curb the Interior Ministry's past repressiveness. No such luck. Europe declined to punish the newly developing dictatorship by cutting off aid, instead rewarding Saied with an economic deal in return for his willingness to crack down on African emigration. Of course, such democratic backsliding has been a feature of the Middle East for decades, since local civil society remains weak, pro-regime billionaires have proliferated, and Western governments have seldom reacted negatively to (and all too often rewarded) any move toward dictatorship.

Now, you might say that the shoe is on the other foot. What Saied did to Tunisia might as well have been a blueprint for Donald Trump. Although he hasn't yet actually tried to rewrite the constitution, the MAGA leader has been the beneficiary of a decades-long $250 million dark-money plot, led by obscure Federalist Society apparatchik Leonard Leo, to reshape the Supreme Court. The result: a set of justices who are distinctly inclined to let Trump do his damnedest -- even expel undocumented residents of the United States to gulags in third-world countries with no court process. Meanwhile, labor union members have too often placed faith in Trump's pledges to bring back industry by using tariffs to reduce competition. And the centrists of the Democratic Party are the proverbial deer-in-the-headlights, too paralyzed to react effectively as he transforms this country into an ever more autocratic state. They also seem all too inclined to let our democracy slip away, while placing their hopes in a 2026 congressional blue wave that, even if it happens, may be too late to stop Trump from creating his version of a one-party state.

Raw Milk and Vitamin A

Consider it typical of our times that Field Marshall Abdelfattah al-Sisi's 2013 coup against the only freely elected Egyptian government since the country's monarchy was toppled in 1952 had no significant adverse consequences in Washington. In 2014, a leading officer in the Egyptian army, which receives $1.3 billion a year in American aid, made quixotic health claims. Major General Ibrahim Abdel-Atti announced that he had personally "defeated AIDS with the grace of my God at the rate of 100%. And I defeated hepatitis C." In the process, he confused the foundational nucleic acids DNA and RNA, provoking one Egyptian comedian to suggest that the country's medical schools should never again accept anyone from Abdel-Atti's village. However, the North Korean-like pall that has blanketed freedom of speech in Egypt was precisely what permitted such bizarre official behavior, since there was little way for the public to respond to even his most absurd claims.

Yet, imagine this: Abdel-Atti appears almost sane and sober in comparison with the antics of U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., who has discouraged vaccinations even as a measles outbreak has begun to run wild (and prove fatal in a few cases) 25 years after the U.S. officially eliminated the disease. Kennedy's proposed treatment for measles? Raw milk and vitamin A. Sadly, overdoses of the latter have caused liver disease in some children.

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In recent months, tensions between the United States and Germany have escalated - not through military standoffs or diplomatic spats, but via economic pressure. With President Donald Trump back in office, Washington has taken a sharp turn in its foreign policy, and Germany is feeling the heat.

It seems as if the U.S. is consciously weakening Germany's position. Washington has imposed new reciprocal tariffs that disproportionately affect Germany's export-heavy economy. As Germany's trade surplus with the U.S. hit $70 billion in 2024, these tariffs are now threatening to reverse that trend.

President Donald Trump informed that he has negotiated an agreement with NATO for the United States to supply weapons to Ukraine through the alliance. He emphasized that NATO will cover the entire cost of these weapons.

"We are dispatching weapons to NATO, and NATO will finance these weapons entirely," the president stated during a phone interview with NBC News' Kristen Welker.

It should be said that a decision to supply weapons to Ukraine at the expense of Europe and, first of all, Germany, will be really a great burden for Berlin.

Trump's decision to halt arms deliveries to Ukraine free of charge has rattled Germany, which remains committed to supporting Kyiv. This move has strained NATO unity and left a leading European nation - Germany - scrambling to fill the gap.

Public opinion in Germany has soured. Only one in six Germans now view the U.S. as a trustworthy partner, and three-quarters believe NATO members can't rely on American protection.

Moreover, analysts warn that Germany may face a third consecutive year of recession. Exports to the U.S. dropped by nearly 14% year-over-year, and insolvencies are climbing to a ten-year high.

Thus, the U.S. pulling back from its traditional leadership role in Europe, Germany is being forced to rethink its alliances and economic strategies. Calls for a European military alliance are gaining traction. The time has come for Germany to choose itself instead of being part of any alliance under US leadership.
Three former Oregon Youth Authority staff are named in new lawsuits filed Thursday, each accused of having sexually abused young prisoners at either the Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility in Salem or Oak Creek Youth Correction Facility in Albany. Oregon Youth Authority

Three former Oregon Youth Authority staff members are named in new lawsuits filed Thursday, each accused of sexually abusing young prisoners at either the Hillcrest Youth Correctional Facility in Salem or Oak Creek Youth Correction Facility in Albany more than a decade ago.

The allegations mark the latest in a series of lawsuits alleging years of abuse of youth in state custody. These latest suits allege abuse by a former correctional officer, a group life coordinator and another staffer accused of abusing a boy when sending him to isolation.

Attorney Peter Janci alleges that several of the teens made reports but were ignored or were actively silenced.

Three women who were teenagers between 1999 and 2008 allege that Hillcrest corrections officer Scott J. Scrabeck groped them, forced them to touch his genitals and masturbated while watching them shower.

One of the women alleged the abuse occurred dozens of times and the two others reported multiple incidents of abuse, according to the suit. Scrabecks alleged abuse was an open secret in Hillcrest, Janci said.

Scrabeck, now 59 and living in Salem, worked at Hillcrest from 1998 until the detention center closed in 2017 and then worked at Oak Creek until he retired in 2023, according to the suit.

He denied the allegations Thursday. Im not that kind of person, he said.

The women, identified in the suits as D.R., R.V. and S.S., are now 33, 39 and 35, respectively.

Another woman sued former Oak Creek group life coordinator Alex Blevins, alleging he sexually abused her 10 times between 2009 and 2011, starting when she was 16.

The suit says she reported Blevins to Oregon State Police in 2011 but that its unclear if authorities took any action against him. Shes identified in court records as B.Y., now 32.

The suit says Blevins, now 66 and living in Salem, was fired from his job in 2014 after complaints by women staff about his sexually inappropriate comments and conduct.

Blevins did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

A third suit alleges former Hillcrest staffer Robert L. Blacksmith abused a boy between 2001 and 2002 and that a supervisor quashed the boys report by threatening to withhold family visits.

The plaintiff is identified as M.S., a non-binary 38-year-old who presented as male in youth custody, according to the suit.

M.S. alleges that Blacksmith abused him six to eight times, starting when he was 15 when Blacksmith would escort him to an isolation room at Hillcrest, according to the suit.

In the doorway of the isolation room where there was a blind spot from a security camera, Blacksmith aggressively grabbed and groped, the boys genitals, and would tell him, You deserve this, the suit said.

The suit says Blacksmith was fired in 2006 after he was caught misusing the state computer system to look for information about a boy he was trying to find and contact.

Blacksmith was indicted in Marion County on 10 counts of encouraging child sex abuse around the time of his firing. He fled the state but was found in Pasadena, California, in 2007 and arrested on additional allegations of possessing child sexual abuse material.

He pleaded guilty three years later to 10 counts of encouraging child sexual abuse and was sentenced to 15 years and eight months in prison. The criminal convictions did not involve victims who were in custody at Oregon Youth Authority.

Blacksmith, 58, of Salem was released from prison in February 2021. He didnt immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

Attorney Kendall M.H. Spinella and Peter Janci discussed the new lawsuits Thursday. Spinella said she hopes the suits spark "long overdue reform" at Oregon Youth Authority. Screenshot

The new lawsuits, filed against the state in Multnomah County Circuit Court, allege sexual battery, negligence and civil rights violations and seek a total of more than $25 million in damages.

Will Howell, spokesperson for Oregon Youth Authority, didnt respond to the specific allegations but said in a statement: In the last six years alone, over 2,000 trusted adults have worked with the nearly 3,000 youth who have spent time in OYA facilities. The conduct alleged is abhorrent, and Oregonians can count on OYA to act swiftly and decisively when individuals undermine our work. Youth safety is paramount.

Separately, the lawyers representing the latest plaintiffs also filed another lawsuit against the state on behalf of 12 men who allege now-deceased Dr. Edward Gary Edwards, the former chief medical doctor at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility, abused them when they were in custody.

It is at least the fifth suit alleging abuse by Edwards, bringing the total number of plaintiffs to 51 and damage claims to more than $250 million. The state, so far, has filed a motion to dismiss one of the suits, which is pending.

Edwards, who died in February at 87, worked at the youth prison for more than 40 years and was responsible for the intake exams of all boys, said Janci, who filed the suits along with attorneys Paul C. Galm and Kendall M.H. Spinella.

Last month, Marion Countys district attorney announced she was convening a grand jury to investigate the conditions and management of Oregons largest youth prison in the wake of the sexual abuse claims and a backlog of complaints at MacLaren in Woodburn.

-- Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, or on LinkedIn.

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Agrarian associations appealed to the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy with an appeal not to sign, veto and return for reconsideration to the parliament Law of Ukraine No. 13157, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada on July 16, 2025, which provides for the introduction of an export duty on soybean and rapeseed seeds, the press service of the Ukrainian Agri Council said.

"On behalf of the members of our associations, we express a categorical protest against the adoption of the aforementioned changes regarding the introduction of an export duty on soybean and rapeseed seeds," the appeal reads.

The farmers recalled that Ukraine had already had a similar experience in 2017-2020, when the abolition of VAT for the export of these crops led to a sharp decrease in the area under their cultivation.

"These legislative changes led to a 34% decrease in the area under soybeans  from 1.99 million hectares (2017) to 1.32 million hectares (2021). According to estimates by Kyiv School of Economics, the losses of farmers amounted to about $110 million per year," the business associations said.

The agricultural associations said the introduction of the duty would negatively affect not only the domestic market, but also Ukraine's international reputation.

"The proposed duty contradicts the Association Agreement with the EU. Article 31 of the agreement directly prohibits Ukraine from introducing new export duties. Such changes violate Ukraine's international obligations and may become the basis for the introduction of mirror duties by the EU on products from Ukraine, which will be a disaster for the industry," the signatories said.

They drew attention to the fact that the innovation will hit small and medium-sized agricultural producers especially hard, who are unable to export their products independently. At the same time, over 75% of the sown areas in Ukraine are cultivated by such farmers. After all, they do not have sufficient production volumes to independently form export batches and enter the foreign market, so they work through traders and processors.

Separately, the farmers emphasized the inconsistency of the law with the Tax Code of Ukraine. The entry into force of the provisions providing for the introduction of export duty immediately after its publication contradicts the principle of stability of tax legislation established in Article 7 of the Tax Code.

Agrarian associations asked the President of Ukraine not to sign the law On amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine and other legislative acts of Ukraine in connection with the adoption of the law On integrated prevention and control of industrial pollution, to apply the right of veto to it and return it for reconsideration to the Verkhovna Rada, proposing to exclude from it the provisions on amendments to the law On export duty rates for seeds of certain types of oilseeds.

The appeal was signed by the Public Organization "Agrarian Union of Ukraine," the Association of Farmers and Private Landowners of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Agri Council, the Ukrainian Grain Association, the Ukrainian Bean and Soybean Association, the Seed Association of Ukraine.
The states police certification agency unanimously voted Thursday to strip Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp of his police certification for life Board on Public Safety Standards & Training Meeting 07-24-2025

The states police certification agency unanimously voted Thursday to strip Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp of his police certification for life.

Van der Kamp said in June that he was resigning from office as of the end of July.

Deschutes County Sheriff Kent van der Kamp was formally sworn in by county commissioners on Dec. 18, 2024. Screenshot

The Board on Public Safety Standards and Training, which reviews individual certification cases, revoked van der Kamps certification after Deschutes County District Attorney Steve Gunnels placed him on a list of officers with questionable credibility, known as a Brady list.

The district attorneys office found that van der Kamp had falsely testified under oath about his educational background and had submitted records that falsely claimed he had degrees from the University of Arizona and the University of Southern California in two criminal cases.

The Department of Public Safety Standards and Training also found him in violation of moral-fitness rules for concealing his firing from a California police department. Records from the La Mesa, California, police department detail concerns that van der Kamp had engaged in serious incidents of misconduct in the late 1990s.

Van der Kamp has served 22 years with the Deschutes County Sheriffs Office and was elected sheriff last November.

In late June, a group of community members launched a recall campaign aimed at removing van der Kamp from office. Hours after the group launched the campaign, van der Kamp emailed his resignation to the countys commissioners.

Van der Kamp is contesting the proposed revocation of his certifications, according to Sam Tenney, the communications coordinator for the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training.

Since he contested the decision, his certifications will remain valid until the case process is completed and a final order is issued, Tenney said.

Kimberly Cortez covers breaking news, public safety and more for The Oregonian/OregonLive. She can be reached at kcortez@oregonian.com
Tyler J. Scott, as shown in this screen shot from a body-worn camera, raised his arms to gesture surrender only to reach into his waistband, pull out a gun and fire on two Clackamas County sheriff's deputies in 2023, prosecutors said. Clackamas County District Attorney's Office

A 34-year-old man was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in prison for shooting and wounding two Clackamas County sheriffs deputies in 2023.

Tyler J. Scott, 34, wearing jail scrubs and jail-issued orange shoes, leaned back in his chair as Clackamas County Chief Deputy District Attorney Chris Owen told the judge how Scott opened fire on Deputies Dan Blair and Jeremy McKenna on June 30, 2023.

Four deputies had responded to the call at a tool rental business on Southeast Johnson Creek Boulevard just south of the Springwater Corridor. A surveillance camera captured Scott and another man trying to pry open a metal shipping container containing tools and construction equipment.

Blair spotted Scott in the area and the deputies approached and told him to stop. Scott held his hands up but then quickly shifted, Owen said.

He immediately put his hand behind his back, withdrew a 9mm handgun from his waistband and immediately fired at deputy McKenna, Owen said.

The shot went under his vest just above his hip and a second shot hit him in the center of his chest but was fortunately stopped by his ballistic vest and cellphone as he went to the ground, Owen said.

He would later tell investigators that he could hear another bullet by his head, the prosecutor said.

Blair, who had been pursuing the other suspect, pivoted toward Scott after hearing gunfire, Owen said. Scott then fired on him, striking Blairs shoulder.

Both deputies returned fire but didnt hit Scott.

The other two deputies at the scene heard the gunfire, then saw Scott running. They stopped him, took the gun and asked what happened, Owen said.

He claimed he didnt know, Owen said.

Scott reached a deal with prosecutors and in June pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted first-degree murder.

McKenna and Blair attended the hearing with Sheriff Angela Brandenburg and others from the office. The men did not address the court.

Owen said the case highlights the perils faced by law enforcement officers.

There are a lot of people who think they know what its like to be a law enforcement officer and really arent afraid to share their opinion with the community about it, but none of them truly know what its like to wake up and wonder if youre going to be assaulted or shot at work today, he said.

Scotts lawyer, Michelle Bartov, told the court Scott was remorseful.

Glancing over at the gallery of sheriffs officials, Scott stood and said he wouldnt make excuses for what hed done.

Glad to see you guys are all right, he said.

Circuit Judge Ann Lininger addressed the deputies, praising their bravery and commitment to serving the community.

McKenna and Blair recovered from their injuries and returned to duty last year.

Their strength, resilience, and determination are an inspiration to all of us, Brandenburg said in a statement after the sentencing. I hope this moment is able to bring some measure of healing and closure for them, their families, our office, and our community.

The second suspect in the burglary, Joseph Ray Schaffer, 48, was unarmed and, prosecutors said, was not involved in the assault on the two deputies.

Authorities say Scott and Schaffer stole about $1,000 worth of tools from the business. Schaffer pleaded guilty to first-degree theft in August 2023 and was sentenced to 30 days in jail and 18 months on probation.

 Noelle Crombie is an enterprise reporter with a focus on criminal justice. Reach her at 503-276-7184 or ncrombie@oregonian.com.
Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez said this week he will convene a grand jury to examine how a man died in Portland police custody last month. AP Photo/Jenny Kane

Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez will convene a grand jury to examine the circumstances of a mans death in Portland police custody last month.

Damon Lamarr Johnson, 52, of Portland, died June 27 after his arrest earlier that day.

Vasquez said last month hell take a case-specific approach when it comes to convening grand juries in deaths caused by law enforcement.

He chose not to do so in a fatal Gresham shooting by a Multnomah County deputy last month. A spokesperson for his office said the facts in the June 13 shooting were fully developed and the office determined the deputys actions were justified. When thats the determination, the offices spokesperson said, this office can best advance transparency by explaining and assuming responsibility for the ultimate decision in the case.

In a statement, Vasquez said Johnsons death was a tragedy for all involved and described it as an incalculable loss for Johnsons family, friends and the community.

It is critical that we understand how and why the situation developed such that a death resulted, Vasquez said.

Oregon Public Broadcasting first reported Vasquezs decision to impanel a grand jury to look into Johnsons death.

The jurors will be tasked with determining whether theres evidence that the three officers  J.P. Duque Valencia, Travis Wortman and Jason Epton  committed a crime.

Officers were called to Johnsons North Portland apartment on June 27 to investigate reports he was acting erratically. Johnson reportedly had been spreading shaving cream on the walls, flooding his apartment, grunting at people and hanging knives out of a window. The buildings staff had evacuated the third floor, where Johnson lived.

Body-camera footage showed that officers detained him on a mental-health hold, and Johnson lost consciousness while lying face down with his hands cuffed behind his back, in what is known as a prone position, for about four minutes.

The Police Executive Research Forum, a law enforcement policy organization that has conducted trainings for the Portland Police Bureau, released a study last year that said the prone position interferes with a persons ability to breathe. It urged police departments to train officers to remove individuals from the prone position immediately after restraining them and put them onto their side.

The U.S. Justice Department has warned about the dangers of the prone position since 1995.

Portland police policy says officers shall, when feasible, ensure restrained persons are in a standing, seated or recovery position. And if they observe someone in respiratory, cardiac or severe medical distress, they shall call emergency services as soon as they can.

Body-camera footage showed one of the officers asking for paramedics when Johnson became unresponsive.

At a news conference earlier this month, Police Chief Bob Day said officers are taught the recovery position, and that an investigation would look at why Johnson was not placed on his side.

Was there an opportunity for them to be able to reposition or not will have to be done through the investigation process, Day said.

Damon Johnsons uncle, Willie Johnson, said police told his family that he died of a heart attack. A report from the medical examiner has not yet been released.

Johnsons death has drawn scrutiny from local mental-health advocacy groups, a police watchdog group and several progressive city councilors.

On Wednesday, a community group charged with overseeing federally-mandated Portland police reforms held a listening session about Johnsons death. Around 60 people attended, including several Portland city councilors. Several people who spoke said that Johnson needed care and advocated for greater use of Portland Street Response, which sends trained, unarmed mental-health workers into such encounters.

Portland Street Response staffers respond to 911 calls for those in crisis from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day. In the latest approved budget, city councilors increased funding for the program in an effort to increase staffing, with a goal of 24-7 service.

Damon Lamarr Johnson deserves to be here today, said Councilor Angelita Morillo on Wednesday. This is a failure of our systems.

Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221-4323, zshaikh@oregonian.com or on X@zaeemshake.
Police are investigating after a shotgun-wielding man broke into a Vancouver home and attacked the homeowner on Wednesday. The attacker then fled the scene and apparently shot himself.

A woman also was found dead and a man injured in a different home near where the break-in occurred, the Vancouver Police Department said in a statement. Police did not make clear whether they believe the two incidents are related.

Police received a call about a break-in and attack in the 13600 block of Northeast 22nd Street around 6:15 p.m. It was reported that a man with a shotgun had climbed through the victims window and attacked him.

The man who was attacked, despite suffering injuries, managed to escape to his neighbors house, police said.

Officers scoured the neighborhood looking for the attacker and found another injured man and the dead body of a woman in a nearby home, according to the police statement.

Emergency responders drove the two injured men to a hospital. Police offered no information on their conditions.

Continuing their search, police found a man matching the description of the shotgun-carrying attacker in another home, dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police did not release the names of the suspected attacker, the woman who died or the injured men.

The Vancouver Police Departments Major Crimes Unit is investigating.

 Tatum Todd is a breaking news reporter who covers public safety, crime and community news. Reach them at ttodd@oregonian.com or 503-221-4313.
A 17-year-old who was changing a flat tire on Oregon 18 in Tillamook County has died from injuries sustained in a hit-and-run crash, and authorities believe the suspect has fled the country.

The incident occurred around 3:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 12 near Grand Ronde when a white Honda Civic traveling east veered onto the shoulder near milepost 14, according to Oregon State Police.

Three 17-year-old males were changing a flat tire on a parked black Nissan Altima when the Honda, driven by 34-year-old Alejandro Christopher Velazquez Lopez of Tillamook struck all three teenagers before continuing east without stopping.

All three teens were taken to area hospitals with serious injuries. A 17-year-old female passenger who remained inside the Nissan during the incident was uninjured.

State police detectives were immediately called to investigate and find Lopez. Two days after the crash, on July 14, investigators learned that one of the injured teens had died from his injuries.

State police did not release any of the teenagers names.

Authorities said they now believe Lopez has left the country, and there is an active warrant for his arrest.

The crash investigation closed Oregon 18 for more than 11 hours.

This story was drafted with the assistance of generative AI based on data from Oregon State Police and edited by Oregonian editorial staff.
Women who work at Oregons largest and most geographically isolated prison say they were reluctant to report misconduct by their colleagues, including groping and other unwanted sexual contact while on duty, out of fear their male counterparts would exact revenge and tank their careers, records show. Malheur Enterprise

Women who work at Oregons largest and most geographically isolated prison say they were reluctant to report misconduct by their colleagues, including groping and other unwanted sexual contact while on duty, out of fear their male counterparts would exact revenge and tank their careers, records show.

The working environment is not friendly on women who speak up, said one woman corrections officer who alleged a male coworker slapped her buttocks and kissed her in a control room.

Another said she quit because she worried about what her coworkers would do if they knew she discussed harassment allegations.

Once youre on the list, she said, youre done and no one cares about you.

Yet another said she would lose a shot at a promotion if other employees knew she had cooperated with a police investigation.

Bye-bye career, the woman told an Oregon State Police detective.

The code of silence is very real, she said.

The details come in two state police investigations into employee misconduct at Snake River Correctional Institution that exposed an entrenched culture among corrections officers to hide abuse and harassment.

One supervisor allegedly exposed himself to two female colleagues and was later fired. Another faced criminal prosecution for groping a female officer and a third retired while under investigation.

State police opened the investigations in 2023. Later that year, the Oregon Department of Justice launched its own investigation into racist, antisemitic, homophobic and sexist texts, images and videos sent by three tactical team officers at the Ontario prison.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reported earlier this month that the state Department of Corrections has moved to fire the men, but they all took protected leave, delaying any action.

In that investigation, Justice Department investigators met with 25 prison employees, records show. Ten refused to cooperate.

Corrections Department officials declined to make Superintendent Joe Woodland available for an interview to address complaints raised by women about the insular and dysfunctional workplace.

Corrections Director Mike Reese said in an interview that he has confidence in Woodland, who started at the prison as a correctional officer in 2001 and was promoted to the top job this year.

This is a very large institution with a lot of staff that work there, Reese said. Most of them are doing exceptionally good work.

Reese wouldnt discuss the specific investigations and he didnt directly respond to questions about the allegations raised by women who work at the prison.

Reese said he encourages employees to report misconduct.

If you see something or know something, he said, you have a responsibility to the profession and to your organization to share that information.

A Corrections Department spokesperson said Monday that the agency responded to the allegations in 2023 with mandatory training on harassment, discrimination and reminding employees that state policy requires them to report wrongdoing.

The prison employs about 960 people  nearly 80% Idaho residents and 72% men. It houses an estimated 2,700 prisoners at a sprawling 538-acre compound on the states far eastern border about 5 1/2 hours from Portland.

A majority of the population is serving time for crimes against other people, such as assaults, murder and sex offenses.

Experienced corrections administrators say the investigations underscore the importance of hiring people suited for prison work, creating an environment where employees feel free to report wrongdoing and moving swiftly to hold people accountable.

It takes only one or two people to damage the culture of a prison, said Hugh Hurwitz, a corrections administrator who spent the majority of his career in the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, including a 15-month stint as director.

If people are afraid of retaliation, that tells me youve got a leadership problem because youve got leaders that, at least in the past, people believe theyve retaliated, whether true or not, he said. If Im the director, Im taking a really hard look at these wardens and other leaders to figure out are they the right people for these jobs?

MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS

State police released their investigation into Fernando Rangel and Jose Garcia and a separate one of Jorge Garcilazo in response to a public records request from The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Rangel and Garcia were sergeants and supervised other corrections officers; Garcilazo was a corrections officer.

Police investigated allegations that Rangel engaged in non-consensual sexual acts and harassment in the workplace and allegations that Garcia engaged in witness tampering, records show.

State police investigated Garcilazo for unwanted touching of a woman coworker, records show.

Rangel and Garcia denied the allegations in interviews with The Oregonian/OregonLive; Garcilazo declined to comment.

Police redacted the names and jobs of the women that Detective Ashley Morcom interviewed during both investigations, though it appears that most worked in prison security. Nine said they experienced or saw harassment, unwanted touching by male coworkers, retaliation or other unprofessional conduct dating to 2021 and 2022, records show.

One reported Rangel bragged about his ties to captains and Woodland, the superintendent.

She said Rangel made inappropriate comments about her physical appearance and kissed her over a period of a week or two while on duty.

In an encounter in February 2022, she said she was with Rangel in a control room and Rangel unzipped his pants, pulled out his penis and placed her hand on it, the report states.

The woman told the detective that although she didnt want to do things with Sgt. Rangel, she did not set good enough boundaries for it to stop, the report states.

She told the investigator that Rangel used his rank and power to interfere with her work assignments. According to the state police report, she cited an instance when two corrections officers left her alone to guard a prisoner for about 90 minutes so they could go hang out with Sgt. Rangel.

As a separate human resources investigation into Rangel got underway, Rangel told the woman they needed to have the same story in their interviews with corrections officials about sexual contact they had at work, according to the report.

He directed her to say her frequent reassignments at Rangels direction were done to accommodate institution needs, the state police report states.

The woman said two other corrections officers were present during the conversation with Rangel.

She felt bullied because there was a Sgt. and two other male officers in the room telling her she needed to lie for Sgt. Rangel, the state police report states.

THE RAT JACKET

A second woman said she drew attention from her male coworkers, including Rangel, after losing weight.

She said conversations with Rangel would turn into some type of sexual conversation and that he was very flirty. He repeatedly asked if he could touch her buttocks and she said she eventually agreed.

She told the detective she felt uncomfortable but never told Sgt. Rangel to stop, the police report states.

She described for the detective how in late 2022 she and Rangel were in a control room watching corrections staff deal with a prisoner when Rangel pulled his erect penis out of his pants, grabbed her hand and placed it on his penis and asked her to perform oral sex, the report states.

The woman tried to keep eyes on the staff and told Rangel they cant be doing this, the report states.

She told the detective this was not something she wanted or asked for, according to the report.

In an interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive, Rangel flatly denied the womans claim.

The woman also said Garcilazo touched her, repeatedly grabbing her buttocks while they were assigned to the prisons control room.

Garcilazo and Rangel, she said, were part of a clique with ties to prison administrators.

She stated that due to this, she did not know how to handle the situation with Officer Garcilazo without making a mess of her work life, the detective wrote.

The woman went on to say Garcilazo told her he planned to wait for her after work in his truck to get her to have sex with him in the parking lot, prompting her to ask another male coworker to escort her to her car due to not feeling safe, the state police report states.

She broke down in tears during the state police interview, worried that identifying Garcilazo would lead to problems.

The prison officer stated if people at work knew she spoke about this she was going to get the rat jacket, be ostracized at work and have to do duties alone, the detective wrote.

She said Garcia contacted her in the middle of the night on her day off to learn what she told police or human resources investigators. He urged her not to cooperate with investigators because they do not have her best interest in mind. He also told her he wanted to see what side she was playing for.

Reached by The Oregonian/OregonLive, Garcia said his phone records show it was the woman who called him. Garcia called her characterization of their conversation absolutely absurd.

I told her she needed to do what was smart and she needed to do what was best for her and her family, he said.

According to state police records, Garcia told the detective that he willingly reached out to the woman.

The woman said her experience at work led to a major break down.

She felt people were touching her too much and people were only coming around for sexual interactions with her, the detective wrote, summarizing the interview.

The womans fears about retaliation proved to be true, the report states. In a followup interview with the detective, the woman said her coworkers called her a rat and left her alone on a unit against standard practice.

When she enters the break room everyone leaves, the detective wrote.

The woman told the detective she received no support from the high up management after she spoke with police.

FILMING SEX ON THE JOB

Another woman who worked at Snake River told the detective that she and Rangel had a consensual sexual relationship that took place both inside and outside of the prison.

She said the two once made a video of her performing oral sex on Rangel while they worked in a control center of the prison and that they both later deleted it due to knowing it was wrong.

She said the relationship ended when she got a boyfriend and Rangel decided to work on things with his wife, the report states.

Three other women also complained to the detective about Rangel. One said he asked about her sex life. Another said he moved her to other posts so he could work alongside his buddies. One called Rangel the conductor to a bunch of clowns that are always in his office.

Another woman said she was harassed but not by Rangel. She didnt identify who harassed her but told the detective that she quit over her treatment, saying she had her butt smacked, boobs grabbed and nude cartoon photos of her passed around among her coworkers, the report states.

Rangel, reached by phone, denied touching women without their consent. He said he did not have sex on the job with coworkers.

Im saying at Snake River, no romantic things happened, unwanted or wanted, he said. Nothing happened inside of work.

Records show that it was Rangel who disclosed the offensive messages among the tactical team that led to the Department of Justice inquiry. That investigation concluded without charges.

Rangel said his coworkers then turned on him.

He said he showed investigators only a fraction of the problematic messages among tactical team members.

There is a ton more involving others on the team, he said.

He declined to elaborate or provide screenshots.

Obviously, Im not part of the clique because I turned in the clique, he said.

TOXIC WORK ENVIRONMENT

State police forwarded their investigations into Rangel, Garcia and Garcilazo to Malheur County District Attorney Dave Goldthorpe.

Goldthorpe declined to prosecute Rangel, writing in a July 2023 memo that he found Rangels conduct completely unprofessional and inappropriate but that the case lacked enough evidence of anything criminal beyond a reasonable doubt.

He seems to have gone to great lengths to create a completely toxic work environment for all around him, which hopefully will be addressed by his employer, Goldthorpe wrote.

Corrections Department officials fired Rangel late last year as a result of the findings in the state police investigation, a spokesperson said.

Goldthorpe also declined to prosecute Garcia for alleged witness tampering.

It was suspected by the investigator, but my opinion was the contact did not amount to that, Goldthorpe said in an email to The Oregonian/OregonLive.

Garcia retired early last year, according to the Corrections Department.

The prosecutors office pursued a case against Garcilazo for harassment, a charge connected to physically touching a woman at work, records show.

He pleaded guilty to a single count of misdemeanor harassment in Malheur County Circuit Court and was sentenced to 18 months of probation and seven days on a work crew.

The Corrections Department fired him in May 2024 for failing to maintain a professional and harassment-free workplace, according to a spokesperson.

Garcilazo declined to comment.

The Justice Department investigation spurred by Rangels disclosures eventually prompted the Corrections Department to lay the groundwork to fire three employees: Thomas White and brothers Steven and Samuel Main. White and Steven Main are sergeants.

The three men were placed on paid leave in December 2023 and continue to collect their salaries.

 Noelle Crombie is an enterprise reporter with a focus on criminal justice. Reach her at 503-276-7184 or ncrombie@oregonian.com.
Pok Pok, shown here in 2007, just a few years after it opened as a Thai-style roast chicken cart, closed for good during the pandemic. Bruce Ely/Staff

Its been years (decades?) since The Oregonian had a gossip column. But a surprise encounter earlier this year practically cried out for a blind item, at least for its potential to impact the Portland restaurant scene.

While walking down Southeast Division Street this spring, a reporter spotted two top lieutenants for Akkapong Earl Ninsom  the chef-owner behind award-winning Portland restaurants Langbaan, Eem, Yaowarat and more  behind the chain link fence that has wrapped Pok Pok since it closed during the pandemic.
Steven Murrow was hiking with his family Sunday along the road to Hurricane Ridge at Olympic National Park.

He said the Victoria Overlook was packed around 3:15 p.m., with the parking lot full. Near the trailhead, he heard a child scream.

It was a pretty bad scream, but I just assumed it was a kid acting up," Murrow said in an interview.
Kaiser Permanente, including its northwest clinics, will stop providing gender-affirming surgeries for minors starting next month amid efforts by the Trump administration to restrict access to such care.

After significant deliberation and consultation with internal and external experts including our physicians, weve made the difficult decision to pause surgical treatment for patients under the age of 19 in our hospitals and surgical centers, the nonprofit health care system said in a statement Wednesday.

Kaiser Permanente, which operates hospitals in Clackamas and Hillsboro, said it will pause the surgeries starting Aug. 29 but will continue to make other gender-affirming care treatments available.

We recognize that this is an extremely challenging and stressful time for our patients seeking care, as well as for our clinicians whose mission is to care for them, Kaiser said. We will remain a voice and advocate for safe, high-quality, and evidence-based care for transgender patients.

The health care consortium said the regulatory environment has created risks for health systems, clinicians and patients, and said it would continue to meet with regulators, patients and others with the goal of identifying a responsible path forward.

Gender-affirming treatments for minors can include puberty-blocking drugs to halt the permanent changes that can happen in early adolescence, hormone therapy and, in rare cases, surgeries.

Proponents say these treatments can be lifesaving for transgender teens. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, transgender teens have a higher risk of attempting suicide than their peers. A 2020 study also suggests that adolescents who receive drug treatments to affirm their gender identity have improved mental health and well-being.

Critics pushing to ban gender-affirming treatments, however, have argued that minors arent mature enough to consent to receiving care.

Since taking office, the Trump administration has taken a series of steps to limit access to gender-affirming care for minors. In January, President Donald Trump signed an executive order restricting federal funding for gender-affirming medical treatments for patients under 19.

While a federal judge blocked that order following lawsuits brought by state attorneys general and advocacy organizations, the Trump administration has continued to pursue its policy and has enlisted federal agencies to help curtail gender-affirming care services.

The administration has threatened to pull federal grants from hospitals and medical schools that continue to provide gender transition treatments for minors, limited coverage for gender-affirming care for adults and minors covered by plans under the Affordable Care Act marketplace, issued subpoenas to physicians and clinics that provide the specialized care. The U.S. Department of Justice has suggested it might bring criminal charges against providers and clinics.

Hospitals in other states  including those with shield laws to protect access  have already announced plans to roll back or end gender-affirming care services for youth.

In Washington, D.C., Childrens National Hospital said it would stop prescribing puberty blockers and hormone therapy next month. UChicago Medicine in Illinois also announced it would stop all pediatric transgender care.

In California, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles shuttered its Center for Transyouth Health and Development, one of the nations oldest and largest clinics for transgender and gender nonconforming youth. And Stanford Medicine stopped providing gender-affirming surgeries for patients under the age of 19.
Jessica Bates, of Vale, a single mother of five children, said she was rejected as a potential Oregon foster parent because her religious beliefs wouldn't allow her to follow a state rule that requires her to "respect, accept and support," the sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression of a potential LGBTQ+ child. Courtesy of Jessica Bates

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a split decision Thursday rejected an Oregon administrative rule that barred a woman from becoming a foster parent because she said she wouldnt respect the sexual orientation of an LGBTQ+ child.

Jessica Bates, of Vale in Malheur County, had sued the state, alleging its policy violated her rights to free speech and religious freedom.

Bates, a widowed mother of five, said on her application to become a foster parent that her religious beliefs prevented her from following a rule requiring her to respect, accept and support the sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression of LGBTQ+ children if she were asked to foster them.

Bates, a devout Christian, would not use a childs preferred pronouns or take a child to receive hormone shots, her lawyer said.

The majority of a three-judge 9th Circuit panel found that the state Department of Human Services policy compelled speech based on views regarding gender identity and violated Bates First Amendment rights of free speech and free exercise of religion.

Judges Daniel A. Bress and Michael Daly Hawkins said they recognized Oregons valid efforts to promote the health and safety of LGBTQ+ children in foster care but found the state regulation too broad because it prevented Bates from serving as a foster parent to any child.

It is not narrowly tailored to impose on Bates an extreme and blanket rule that she may adopt no child at all based on her religious faith, for fear of hypothetical harms to a hypothetical child, Bress wrote for the majority. We hold that Oregons policy violates the First Amendment as applied to Bates.

The majority ordered U.S. District Judge Adrienne Nelson to enter a preliminary injunction to bar the Human Services Department from using the rule to determine Bates eligibility to become a foster parent.

The state could first ensure that if a child identifies as LGBTQ+ or is raising questions about sexuality or gender identity, that child would not be placed with Bates, the majority opinion said.

Judge Richard R. Clifton wrote a dissent, defending the states rule as regulating the conduct of foster parents, not their speech. He found the rule advances an important state interest without burdening speech more than necessary.

He called Bates desire to foster children laudable, but wrote, The problem, in my view, is that she wants to take them only on her terms.

Bress, who was appointed by President Donald Trump, and Hawkins, appointed by former President Bill Clinton, joined for the majority ruling. Clifton, appointed by former President George W. Bush, wrote the dissent.

Attorney Johannes Widmalm-Delphonse, of the Virginia-based, conservative Christian legal advocacy group Alliance Defending Freedom that represented Bates, had argued that the state regulation sidelines every person of faith by excluding applicants with views about sexual ethics and the human body that the state does not like.

Attorney Thomas H. Castelli, representing the Oregon Department of Human Services, had argued that the state puts paramount importance on the health, well-being and interests of the children in state custody.

The state adopted a variety of rules to protect children, including that future foster or adoptive parents must agree not to expose a child to certain people with criminal backgrounds or remove a child from Oregon.

Castelli argued that the LGBTQ+ respect rule doesnt infringe on free speech rights, noting the state isnt asking parents to affirm or advocate for a child who identifies as LGBTQ+ but to accept, respect and support the childs preferences and identification, he said.

It doesnt mean a parent has to take the childrens beliefs and make them their own, Castelli said.

Alliance Defending Freedoms senior counsel Jonathan Scruggs applauded the decision.

The 9th Circuit was right to remind Oregon that the foster and adoption system is supposed to serve the best interests of children, not the states ideological crusade, he said by email.

Jenny Hansson, spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Justice, said Thursday, We are disappointed in the ruling but are reviewing to determine next steps.

-- 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.
US Senate Foreign Relations Committee members Jeanne Shaheen and Senator Lindsey Graham have issued a statement following the Ukrainian parliament's passage of a law that changes the status of the National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).

"Ukraine has made enormous strides on its anti-corruption agenda since the Revolution of Dignity. Notably, this progress was made while Ukraine was fighting against Russias aggressionwhich is a testament to the extraordinary will of the Ukrainian people. The Verkhovna Radas recent passage of a law, signed by President Zelenskyy, we fear undermines much of that progress and goes against Ukraines tremendous fighting spirit as well as the expectations of Ukraines citizenry and the international community," the senators said in a statement.

"One of the most widely used talking points for ending support for Ukraine is that it was awash with corruption. We acknowledge that Ukraine continues to make progress on this front and we urge the government to refrain from any actions that undermine that progress," the senators said in a statement.

"There continues to be significant bipartisan support for Ukraine and agreement that it is in Ukraines interest  and our own  to meet the expectations of its citizenry and ensure that governance structures guarantee Ukraines economic prosperity and future U.S. investments," the senators added.
This story was co-published with Puente News Collaborative, KTEP public radio in partnership with the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at the City University of New York (CUNY). Puente News Collaborative is a bilingual nonprofit newsroom, convener, and funder dedicated to high-quality, fact-based news and information from the U.S.-Mexico border. This story first appeared on palabra, the digital news site by the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

As Trump revokes sanctuary protections, El Pasos bishop and allies mobilize  but funding cuts and arrests threaten their mission

By Adelina Romero & Rebecca Raghunath | Edited by Angela Kocherga & Alfredo Corchado

EL PASO, TEXAS  Seven months into President Donald Trumps second term, sweeping changes to federal immigration policy have escalated deportations, cut millions of dollars in federal funding to nonprofits providing legal aid for immigrants, and revoked protections for sensitive spaces, including churches.

Here in El Paso, faith leaders and organizations that have long provided resources for migrants are raising alarms over policies they say are instilling fear and undermining humanitarian efforts.

People are afraid to go out for groceries. Theyre afraid to go to church, said El Pasos Catholic Bishop Mark Seitz. I really dont believe fear adequately describes it. Its terror.

The issue of immigration has morphed into mass protests in Los Angeles and multiple cities across the country against sweeping ICE raids that include work sites and other locations. At least one person was on church property when they were picked up by agents, according to reports. Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native and a descendant of Sicilian immigrants, has called for the protection of immigrants, the poor, and the most vulnerable, following the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis.

No one is exempt from ensuring the dignity of every person, the pontiff said. From the unborn to the elderly, from the sick to the unemployed, citizens and immigrants alike.

In rescinding the policy, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said, The Trump administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.

Sensitive locations

For Bishop Seitz, the dioceses mission to protect the vulnerable has never been clearer as the Trump administration carries out what critics, including Seitz, have called mass deportations based on racial profiling.

It was the intention of the administration so that people would leave  to appeal to those who dont want anybody in this country except people that look like them, Seitz said. You have to be constantly worried. Constantly on guard.

Bishop Seitzs pin says, Defending migrants cuz the Pope said so, referencing the late Pope Francis advocacy for immigrant rights. Photo by Adelina Romero/Puente News Collaborative

In October of 2021, the Biden administration expanded the definition of sensitive locations to protected areas that imposed greater restrictions for ICE to enter spaces such as schools, healthcare facilities, social services establishments, disaster relief centers, and places of worship. Now, no space is off-limits.

On his first day of his second term, President Trump rolled back the nonpartisan sensitive locations policy, dating back to the Clinton administration, which encouraged immigration and customs agents to use good judgment to engage in enforcement in sensitive areas.

The policy reversal has sparked multiple lawsuits from faith groups across the country, including the Quakers in Maryland and in Oregon, arguing that the new policies violate the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the First Amendment.

In January, a federal judge in Maryland blocked parts of Trumps executive order. U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang ruled that the policy imposed a real and substantial burden on religious organizations that historically aid immigrants.

The burden imposed by the policy is far from speculative, Chuang wrote in his opinion. It is already happening.

In the border city of El Paso, one of the largest binational communities in the country, the immigration crackdown has sowed fear among many people of color, generating multiple protests. More than 80 percent of El Pasos population is Hispanic.

Hundreds joined a downtown El Paso march organized by faith-based groups March 24, 2025, to protest mass deportations under the Trump administration. Photo by Aaron Montes/Puente News Collaborative

A moment of hopeful resistance

This spring, Bishop Seitz led a candlelight vigil through downtown El Paso to Sacred Heart Church, which served as a shelter for migrant families during a large influx of immigrants seeking asylum in 2022. He was joined by faith leaders from across the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and the Vatican.

It was a moment of creative, hopeful resistance, said Dylan Corbett, executive director of the grassroots community organization Hope Border Institute in El Paso. The testimony of people affected by these policies has to be at the center of our response.

In a militarized region, that resistance comes with growing risks, as faith-based nonprofits fear they could be swept up in a crackdown. Operation Lone Star is Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts border enforcement initiative, which included the deployment of 10,000 National Guard troops and Texas state troopers along the U.S.-Mexico border. Faith-based nonprofit organizations fear they could face consequences for providing humanitarian aid to undocumented immigrants.

Weve got a target on our back now, Corbett said. They may go after us for smuggling or trafficking charges.

That threat became real last June when Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton attempted to shut down Annunciation House, which provides temporary shelter to migrants in El Paso. Paxton called the Catholic organization a stash house and requested records detailing those who received services. Annunciation House pushed back, arguing that disclosing those records, which include medical files and sensitive personal information, would violate clients privacy rights and the organizations religious freedom.

El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz greets Guatemalan immigrant Wilson Juarez during an immigrant solidarity vigil March 24, 2025, at Sacred Heart Church in El Paso, Texas. Photo by Aaron Montes/Puente News Collaborative

In late May, the Texas Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Paxton has the authority to demand records needed to proceed with his lawsuit targeting the shelter. The court, however, did not address the merits of the case.

Meanwhile, advocates say that some migrants, including asylum seekers with pending cases, are increasingly choosing to go back to their home countries rather than risk arrest.

What they are returning to may be worse in terms of the actual danger to their lives, but somehow to be in a place like the United States today feels more dangerous, said Seitz.

As the threat of mass deportation looms, Corbetts Hope Border Institute has pivoted to help migrants plan voluntary returns to their home countries.

We helped a family get back to Venezuela safely, said Corbett. Thats where we are now, not just defending peoples right to stay, but helping them leave with dignity when they no longer feel safe here.

Indigenous dancers at an interfaith migrant solidarity march led by Bishop Mark J. Seitz on March 24, 2025, in El Paso, Texas. Photo by Aaron Montes/Puente News Collaborative

Legal aid in crisis

Estrella del Paso, the legal aid ministry of the Catholic Diocese, holds know-your-rights workshops, which are now conducted with caution since many are afraid to attend in person.

If people need to know your rights presentation remotely or they need to do a consultation remotely cause theyre scared, we can make those accommodations, said Melissa Lopez, Estrellas executive director.

At a time when their services are in high demand, the nonprofit organization lost $5 million in federal funding and had to furlough nearly half its staff.

We were a team of 78, Lopez added. Now, 30 of those positions are on furlough.

In early May, the organization received a $25,000 emergency grant from the Border Refugee Assistance Fund, a joint initiative of Bishop Seitz and the Hope Border Institute, to help sustain workshops and pay for legal representation for asylum seekers.

This grant is a lifeline  not just for our organization, but for the thousands of vulnerable people we serve, said Lopez in announcing the funding.

Calling this an urgent time of unprecedented demand for legal representation, Seitz said the gospel challenges the faithful to stand with the vulnerable and ensure that hope and justice remain alive at our border.

I dont think Im speaking about politics. Im speaking about faith. Politicians are messing with my faith, he added.
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted 5-0 on July 11 to launch an investigation into Maggie Harris, a member of the Oregon Housing Stability Council. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian

Oregon ethics officials are investigating whether a housing council member violated state conflict of interest law.

A citizen complaint prompted the Oregon Government Ethics Commission to complete a preliminary review of Oregon Housing Stability Council member Maggie Harris alleged failure to declare a conflict of interest when she voted to fund housing projects her employer stood to benefit from.

Subject to Senate confirmation, members are appointed by the governor to the Housing Stability Council, an advisory and policy-setting body for the housing-finance agency Oregon Housing and Community Services.

Harris works as a senior associate and project manager at Holst Architecture. She voted with other councilors April 4 to approve up to $38.5 million in state bond funding for Mariposa Village, a 130-unit affordable housing development scheduled to finish in Hood River in the next two years. Holst designed Mariposa Village.

Complainant Neil Whitacre, a Portland housing inspector, said he happened to watch the Housing Stability Council meeting when he saw Harris vote on the project.

No one else noticed? Whitacre recalled thinking when Harris didnt abstain. He complained to the ethics commission later in April. He later flagged other votes of hers that he said he believed violated ethics law.

During a preliminary review  and later to ethics commissioners at their July 11 meeting  Harris said she had sought advice from Oregon Housing and Community Services on when she should vote and participate in discussions. She said those discussions left her with the impression it would be appropriate to vote on projects that she wasnt directly involved in, even if Holst was.

Thats what I was advised to do, Harris told commissioners.

Approving the projects did not benefit her personally, she contended. Harris did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Ethics staff noted in the preliminary review document that Harris is a public official, and that conflict of interest laws for public officials apply to decisions that could benefit a business with which they  are associated.

Staff recommended pursuing further investigation.

Without knowing the contractual terms between Holst and a developer, it is unknown whether Ms. Harris had an actual or potential conflict of interest, investigator Daniel Pacheco told commissioners. Based on the information gathered, however, it appears that Ms. Harris may have been met at the very least with a potential conflict of interest in voting to approve OHCS-funded projects for which Holst had also been selected by the developer.

State ethics commissioners voted 5-0 to launch a formal investigation, which the commissions executive director Susan Myers said could take up to six months.

Speaking to commissioners, Harris described the review as educational for her.

Hindsight is 20/20, she said.

The housing-finance agency was aware of the ethics commissions investigation and would let it run its course, an agency spokesperson said.

For context, Housing Stability Council member Maggie Harris was not a part of the Mariposa Village project team and did not participate in any discussions, meetings or planning related to the development, said the spokesperson, Delia Hernandez.

Gov. Tina Kotek appointed Harris in October 2023, according to a spokesperson for the governor.

Kotek has been clear throughout her tenure that she expects that her appointees share the same values of accountability, transparency and good governance, and carry them into their work representing Oregonians, said Roxy Mayer, the governors spokesperson.

At the ethics commission meeting, Harris reemphasized that she abstained from projects she was personally involved in.

I did not even think about the financial implications of all of this, or that there might be a connection between the two, Harris said. Thats just very separate from the world that Im in at my day-to-day job. But again, I understand that now.
Oregon lawmakers approved $15 million last month to help ensure immigrants facing deportation can receive free state-funded legal representation during the first two years of the Trump administration.

The latest allocation brings the programs total funding up to $37million since its statewide launch in 2022.

The so-called universal representation program provides state money to assist income-qualifying immigrants who need legal help with asylum applications, work authorization forms or challenging deportation actions, among other things.

An investigation by The Oregonian/OregonLive this year found that state officials did not set key performance metrics before doling out money for the program and some people who sought help had been turned away while some others waited for months in limbo. Program administrators also had not disclosed a comprehensive tally of how many immigrants facing deportation actually received legal representation through the statewide program and how many avoided deportations as a result.

The new round of funding for legal services will run through June 2027, with $10.5 million administered through nonprofit Oregon Worker Relief and $4.5 million through the Oregon State Bar.

Since inception, nearly 16,000 people seeking some sort of help have enrolled in the program, known as Equity Corps of Oregon, according to the groups website.

The funding is for continuing critical immigration legal services over the next two-year budget cycle, Oregon Worker Relief said in an email. We are grateful to legislators for continuing this crucial investment.

As of December, at least 1,250 people were waiting to get services from the program, with some having to wait up to six months. Administrators acknowledged room for improvement and said they were working to reduce wait times, enhance call center performance for people seeking help and expand legal services capacity.

Oregon Worker Relief declined to say how many people are on the waitlist today. Someone with the group, who didnt identify themselves in the email, pointed the newsroom to online reports and updates, which include the number of people enrolled, the number of new referrals and wait times to enroll. But the documents do not detail the number of people awaiting legal help or how many people have received help fighting deportation and their success rates.

Its unclear if the universal representation program is financing the legal representation of several asylum seekers arrested at or near Portland Immigration Court in recent months. The listed attorneys on some of the cases are from Innovation Law Lab, which acts as the clearinghouse for Equity Corps.

Information about specific cases is confidential and may not be disclosed by statute, Oregon Worker Relief said in its email.

Oregon State Bar spokesperson Kateri Walsh said the agency is pleased that the work will continue, given that the need just continue(s) to increase.

No significant changes are planned, she added, but officials are making minor adjustments, such as preparing to provide training to legal providers who handle appeals.

The State Bar is aiming to have fairly solid data in the fall for its portion of the program, Walsh said.

-- Yesenia Amaro is on the investigations team. Reach her at 503-221-4395, or yamaro@oregonian.com.
Oregons Department of Human Services chief will step down in October, Gov. Tina Kotek announced Thursday.

Fariborz Pakseresht, who has led the 11,000-employee agency through several controversies since 2017, is retiring. He will be replaced by his current Deputy Director Liesl Wendt, pending Senate approval this fall, Kotek said.

Pakseresht told The Oregonian/OregonLive this week that hed been discussing retirement for about six months, but didnt want to leave until Kotek had made a plan for his successor.

We have worked for seven years to make improvements and move forward as an agency, Pakseresht said. It is incredibly heartening to me to know that work will continue, under Wendt. Paksereshts last day in office is Sept. 18.

Pakseresht has spent three decades in Oregon government since joining the Department of Administrative Services in 1990. Gov. Kate Brown tapped him to lead the Department of Human Services in 2017 after he spent nine years at the Oregon Youth Authority. Kotek kept him in that role and told reporters in April that Pakseresht had her support and confidence, despite high-profile controversies and criticism of the agencys handling of vulnerable youth.

Its a very complex organization. They deal with very difficult issues, Kotek said in April. (Pakseresht) continues to keep me apprised of the way they are responding to particular situations and improving what theyre doing internally to serve the children and families of our state.

Kotek praised Pakseresht in a press release on Thursday for building out Oregons ONE system for applying for state benefits, which she called a national leader for service delivery. A third of Oregonians receive help with food, medical or child benefits through the system, department spokesperson Lisa Morawski said. The department has also reduced the number of children in foster care, Kotek said, worked closely with tribal nations and expanded programs like Oregon Project Independence, which helps older adults remain in their homes.

Pakseresht has also led the department through a historically expensive class action suit alleging mistreatment of foster youth, and its long-running struggle to curb housing foster youth in hotels and other temporary lodging. Pakseresht said Thursday that the department has worked to curb temporary lodging, but that the agency cannot solve that problem alone without more access to behavioral health programs and supportive homes willing to help children with severe needs.

It was during his tenure that the agency ramped up out-of-state placements of foster youth, sending them to psychiatric facilities where some were abused. Brown fired Child Welfare Director Marilyn Jones in 2019. It was under Jones leadership that the practice of sending foster youth out of state became more prevalent, and lawmakers eventually restricted those placements. Pakseresht said Thursday that the out of state placements were an option to reduce temporary lodging. He thinks its appropriate to send a child out of state for care when there is a closely-monitored facility that can meet their needs, but he also said its wrong to send a large number of children out of state without doing the diligence and making sure that theyre safe.

Late last year, about 600 unionized workers at the agency took a vote of no confidence against Pakseresht after the department said it would shutter two residential homes for disabled people, The Oregon Capital Chronicle reported. Pakseresht said his retirement had nothing to do with the vote and pointed out that the vote came from just a sliver of the agencys employees.

His most recent employee evaluation from the state, from September 2024, shows that two dozen of his peers and direct reports gave him positive reviews.

As Ive often said, the most important people at ODHS are those we serve. Next are those who serve them, Pakseresht wrote in a retirement note to staff. I am deeply grateful to all of you for continuing to do this vital work.

Liesl Wendt, the Deputy Director at the Department of Human Services, will take over as the agency's leader this fall. Courtesy of the Oregon Department of Human Services

Wendt, Paksereshts expected replacement, has worked as his deputy since 2018. She spearheaded the statewide expansion of 211info, which helps Oregonians find services to help with things like affordable housing, food and health care. She also served for a short time as a Multnomah County commissioner in 2013.

Pakseresht made an annual salary of $307,416, Morawski said. Wendts salary will match that.

Wendt said she plans to focus on customer service, ensuring that Oregonians have access to benefits without getting lost in complicated and siloed systems.

She will lead the department as it navigates expected federal budget cuts to Medicaid and food benefits.

We have an incredibly strong executive team that sees the same vision (and) wants to focus on improvements, she said. We know what we need to do and were ready to roll up our sleeves and get to work.

Sami Edge covers higher education and politics for The Oregonian. You can reach her at sedge@oregonian.com or (503) 260-3430.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on July 23, 2025, maintained a block on President Donald Trump's efforts to deny birthright citizenship. Trump is seen here on July 15, 2025, in Washington. (Alex Brandon | AP Photo) Alex Brandon | AP Photo

WASHINGTON  A federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled Wednesday that President Donald Trumps order seeking to end birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, affirming a lower-court decision that blocked its enforcement nationwide.

The ruling from a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes after Trumps plan was also blocked by a federal judge in New Hampshire. It marks the first time an appeals court has weighed in and brings the issue one step closer to coming back quickly before the Supreme Court.

The 9th Circuit decision keeps a block on the Trump administration enforcing the order that would deny citizenship to children born to people who are in the United States illegally or temporarily.

The district court correctly concluded that the Executive Orders proposed interpretation, denying citizenship to many persons born in the United States, is unconstitutional. We fully agree, the majority wrote.

The 2-1 ruling keeps in place a decision from U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour in Seattle, who blocked Trumps effort to end birthright citizenship and decried what he described as the administrations attempt to ignore the Constitution for political gain. Coughenour was the first to block the order.

The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

The Supreme Court has since restricted the power of lower court judges to issue orders that affect the whole country, known as nationwide injunctions.

But the 9th Circuit majority found that the case fell under one of the exceptions left open by the justices. The case was filed by a group of states, including Oregon, who argued that they need a nationwide order to prevent the problems that would be caused by birthright citizenship only being the law in half of the country.

We conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in issuing a universal injunction in order to give the States complete relief, Judge Michael Hawkins and Ronald Gould, both appointed by President Bill Clinton, wrote.

Judge Patrick Bumatay, who was appointed by Trump, dissented. He found that the states dont have the legal right, or standing, to sue. We should approach any request for universal relief with good faith skepticism, mindful that the invocation of complete relief isnt a backdoor to universal injunctions, he wrote.

Bumatay did not weigh in on whether ending birthright citizenship would be constitutional.

The Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment says that all people born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to U.S. jurisdiction, are citizens.

Justice Department attorneys argue that the phrase subject to United States jurisdiction in the amendment means that citizenship isnt automatically conferred to children based on their birth location alone.

The states  Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon  argue that ignores the plain language of the Citizenship Clause as well as a landmark birthright citizenship case in 1898 where the Supreme Court found a child born in San Francisco to Chinese parents was a citizen by virtue of his birth on American soil.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield praised the decision, calling it a powerful affirmation of one of our countrys core constitutional promises and saying Trumps effort is fundamentally un-American.

Oregon challenged this executive order because we understood what was at stake, he said in a statement. It threatened to strip citizenship from children who are just as American as anyone else  kids growing up in our communities, attending our schools, and calling this country home. It was an attack not just on immigrant countries, but on the values we all share.

Trumps order asserts that a child born in the U.S. is not a citizen if the mother does not have legal immigration status or is in the country legally but temporarily, and the father is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. At least nine lawsuits challenging the order have been filed around the U.S.

Associated Press writer Rebecca Boone contributed to this story.
A restored, well-preserved 1894 Queen Anne mansion in Southeast Portland first owned by one of the founders of the Oregon Historical Society was listed for sale at $1,495,000 on July 10, and an offer was accepted five days later.

We had a lot of early interest in the home, said listing broker Todd Talcott of Windermere Realty Trust. We had agents FaceTiming their clients who were on vacation and who lived out of state as they did not want to miss the opportunity.

The William D. Fenton House at 626 S.E. 16th Ave. in the Buckman neighborhood has classic Queen Anne features such as a curved-edge wraparound veranda and projecting bay windows as well as the Victorian-era penchant for decorative railings and ornamental shingles.

Wainscoting panels, spindles, intricate fretwork and other original woodwork and hardwood floors have been refinished throughout the 4,954-square-foot house.

Every corner of this home has been restored or renewed with care, creating a harmonious blend of Old World beauty and thoughtful updates, said Talcott.

This isnt just a piece of history, he added. Its a fully realized home, ready for its next chapter.

The fireplaces in the parlor and master bedroom have elaborate surrounds and overmantels in the Eastlake tradition, according to historians who were successful in having the house listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Antique light fixtures hang from 11-foot-tall ceilings in the living and dining rooms, and natural light filters through stained glass windows in the dining room.

The remodeled, 252-square-foot kitchen has a farmhouse-style sink, vintage-style cabinets and tile floor. There are four bedrooms on the second story.

The attic is an open space and the unfinished basement has a bonus room, workshop and wine cellar.

Portland-based Full Circa completed an extensive exterior restoration to bring the Fenton House back to its original condition while ensuring long-term structural integrity, said Talcott.

The house shares the 0.23-acre corner lot with hydrangeas and other plants and mature trees.

Talcott told The Oregonian/OregonLive that he held an open house and the people he spoke to said they appreciated the original features of the home. It was really special to see there is a market for a such a great piece of Oregon history, Talcott said.

History of the house

The William D. Fenton House in Southeast Portlands Buckman neighborhood is for sale by Todd Talcott of Windermere Realty Trust. Above Everything Imaging

The original owners of the Queen Anne mansion built between 1892 and 1894 were William and Katherine Fenton.

William David W. D. Fenton Sr. was a civic leader, lawyer, state legislator and, for 28 years, chief counsel of the Southern Pacific Railroad in Portland.

He was born in 1853 in Missouri and traveled the Oregon Trail with his family, arriving by ox team in 1865. They settled in Yamhill County.

After he graduated from Christian College in Monmouth in 1872, he turned down a cadetship to the United States Military Academy West Point, because he had no interest in military life, said historians.

He studied law while working at the state library in Salem, was admitted to the bar in 1875 and soon elected to the Oregon Legislature.

In 1879, he married Katherine Mary (Katie) Lucas Fenton, the daughter of Albert Whitfield Lucas and Elizabeth Frances Murphy Lucas who helped establish the town of Monmouth and its Christian College.

In 1885, William and Katherine moved to Portland, where William had formed a law partnership with Judge Julius Caesar Moreland. In 1891, William joined the law firm of Bronaugh, McArthur, Fenton and Bronaugh.

Fenton was president of the Oregon Historical Society that he helped found in 1898 and was a director of the 1905 Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition.

William, who died in 1925, and Katherine, who died in 1930, lived in the Queen Anne house for the rest of their lives.

 Janet Eastman covers design and trends. Reach her at 503-294-4072, jeastman@oregonian.com and follow her on X @janeteastman.
A prominent investment analyst warned Intel may be cutting too deep, eliminating "pivotal" resources in the name of short-term profits. Intel photo

Intel put a number to its ongoing layoffs for the first time Thursday, indicating that its in the final stages of eliminating more than 15,000 jobs across the company.

Its also dramatically scaling back its manufacturing operation, called Intel Foundry, by scrapping plans to spend billions on new factories in Europe and closing another in Costa Rica.

Intel warned it might give up on advanced manufacturing completely if it doesnt find major outside clients to use its factories in the next four years.

I know the past few months have not been easy. We are making hard but necessary decisions to streamline the organization, drive greater efficiency and increase accountability at every level of the company, CEO Lip-Bu Tan wrote in a note to employees in conjunction with Intels second-quarter financial release.

Intel had about 96,000 employees around the world at the end of June. Job cuts that began this summer will reduce Intels workforce by 15% and are mostly complete, the company said. Intel said it plans to end the year with about 75,000 workers, after anticipated attrition from within the remaining workforce and the pending sale of its Altera programmable chip business.

That will leave Intels workforce 22% smaller than it was at the end of June.

The company also said its abandoning plans for new factories in Germany and Poland and will close an assembly site in Costa Rica, moving that facilitys work to larger plants in Vietnam and Malaysia.

Intel said it will again delay plans for factories in Ohio, the first of which was once due to open this year. Previously, Intel pushed the opening date back to 2030. It didnt say Thursday how much later it now expects to open.

Unfortunately, the (manufacturing) capacity investment we made over the last several years were well ahead of demand and were unwise and excessive, Tan told Wall Street analysts Thursday. Our factory footprint has become needlessly fragmented.

Second-quarter sales totaled $12.9 billion, flat from a year ago, according to Thursdays results. The company reported a $2.9 billion loss, including $1.9 billion in restructuring charges and $800 million in write-offs.

Intel indicated it expects little improvement in the current quarter, forecasting sales of about $13 billion. That would be a 1.4% decline from last year.

The company has disclosed 2,400 layoffs in Oregon this month and at least 1,600 at other U.S. sites. But that tally may not be comprehensive because federal disclosure regulations do not cover all kinds of job cuts.

Oregon remains Intels largest site anywhere in the world, but its local workforce appears at its lowest point in a decade at approximately 17,600 following this summers layoffs.

Intel is trying to recover from years of technical and financial missteps. It is losing market share in PCs and data centers, has no advanced artificial intelligence chips and is a step behind in manufacturing technology.

This summers layoffs are making Intel leaner and more cost effective but already, Tan has alienated many employees. Intels internal message board has lit up this week with questions about how Intel will rebuild morale and retain workers. Employees continue to post complaints about Tans mandate that workers return to the office at least four days a week.

Intel employees were already reeling from job cuts last year, which eliminated 15,000 jobs worldwide.

Wall Street is also growing uneasy about Tans plans. Intels stock fell 4% in late trading Thursday, to $21.72, after the company reported financial results. That added to a 3.7% decline during regular trading hours.

Intel appears to be prioritizing short-term profitability over its long-term future, Bank of America analyst Vivek Arya wrote in a note to clients ahead of Thursdays earnings release. He warned that Tans job and spending cuts could backfire.

While these measures could bring (a) semblance of profit in the near-term, we raise concern on future competitiveness of both Products and Foundry, driven by constant roadmap changes, employee churn, as well as reduced investments in future products (and manufacturing) nodes, Arya wrote.

Those, he said, are pivotal to Intels long-term position in the semiconductor market.

Since Intel hired Tan in March, he has made it clear that he believes the chipmaker is too bureaucratic. He has pledged to reduce layers of management and cut jobs. Tan said Thursday he will focus on making a forthcoming manufacturing node, called 14A, more useful to other chip companies who are considering hiring Intel to make their own semiconductors.

And Tan said each major new chip design will require him to sign off personally.

Going forward, our investment in Intel 14A will be based on confirmed customer commitments, Tan told employees Thursday. There are no more blank checks. Every investment must make economic sense.

Before Intel hired Tan, the company had floated the possibility of breaking up the business and selling off its factory network. Intel appears to be considering that option more seriously.

In a regulatory filing Thursday, Intel said it might give up advanced manufacturing altogether if outside chip companies dont hire Intel to use its 14A process to make their chips.

Intel said Thursday it expects to launch 14A in 2028 or 2029. Tan said the company is designing the technology to appeal to potential manufacturing clients, and Intel said the stakes are very high.

If we are unable to secure a significant external foundry customer for Intel 14A, our next generation semiconductor manufacturing process technology, we may pause or discontinue our pursuit of next generation leading-edge process technologies, Intel wrote in its quarterly filing.

That would be a seismic shift. Intel noted  in a profound understatement  that giving up advanced manufacturing may have significant strategic business, financial, operational and reputational risks and repercussions.

Update: This article has been updated to clarify the scale of Intels job reduction and how the company plans to achieve it.
Kayaking is seen as one activity that could be added to some Oregon state parks to generate more revenue. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Food carts at Fort Stevens? Ziplines at Silver Falls? Oregons state parks could be in for some big changes in the coming years.

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is looking for new experiences and offerings in the hopes of bringing additional revenue into a state park system that is facing a looming budget shortfall to the tune of roughly $30 million, park officials say, as record numbers of people flock to the beloved natural attractions.

Fresh ideas are being courted from park staff, private business and the general public. On Thursday, the parks department announced a new public survey, open through Sept. 8, asking people what they love most about Oregons state parks and what they would like to see in the future. The survey also asks people how they think parks should be funded.

Lisa Sumption, director of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, said the agency has long struggled to explain its complex funding apparatus to the public  a goal thats even more important now as that apparatus is expected to leave state parks in the red starting in 2027, she said.

People dont think about all of the things that it takes to be able to actually manage a state park system, Sumption said. People come and they pay for their campsite but theres trails, and theres the ocean and theres visitor centers. Theres all these things that are there, and our revenues cannot keep up with our expenditures.

State parks are funded primarily through Oregon Lottery funds, which provide about half of the departments revenue. Another 20% comes from parking, camping and reservation fees, with the remainder coming from smaller slices of funding such as federal grants and state RV registrations.

Several factors have played into the coming budget shortfall, Sumption said, including rising construction costs, pay raises for park staff, aging infrastructure and a reduction in lottery funds.

Theres also a bit of legislative complexity at play. A section of the Oregon Constitution that directs lottery proceeds to state parks sends 12% of that money to local parks. However, if the total pot of money reaches a target amount, the share that goes to local parks increases to 25%, giving state parks a smaller slice of the pie. That target has been hit for the 2025-2026 biennium, which will mean $17 million less in state parks coffers, Sumption said.

Rather than appeal to the Legislature for a different funding model, something the parks department has done repeatedly in recent decades, state parks officials are figuring out what they can do on their own  and theyre coming up with some big ideas.

A hiker passes behind North Falls in Silver Falls State Park. The Canyon Trail passes behind the waterfall on the far eastern side of the park. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Inside a tiny cabin at Smith Creek Village, which offers a variety of cozy lodging options inside Silver Falls State Park. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

SILVER FALLS

If you want to look into the future of Oregon state parks, Silver Falls might be your best crystal ball.

Visitors to Silver Falls State Park, the waterfall wonderland found just east of Salem, can already see the variety of new strategies the parks department aims to employ at its busiest destinations. In many ways, the park is a testing ground for the ideas that could help fill the hole in the departments budget.

The first and most obvious strategy was simply raising fees.

As of Jan. 1, parking at Silver Falls (as with the other 24 parks that currently charge a parking fee) costs $10 per vehicle, up from $5. That cost bumps up to $12 for out-of-state visitors, thanks to a new 25% surcharge for non-Oregonians that went into effect July 1. Visitors from out of state also pay more for campsites and cabins, though those rates also increased for all visitors at the start of the year.

Sumption said the fee increases were a long time coming. Oregons state parks have long charged less than neighboring states, she said, and the fact that the increases met little resistance is proof that people are willing to pay a little extra to experience the parks.

Chris Gilliand, Silver Falls park manager, said the park has seen no decline in visitors since the parking and camping prices increased. If anything, Silver Falls has seen even more visitors, he said, and an even greater compliance with payment for parking.

More people are paying than they ever paid, without any more enforcement, Gilliand said.

Thats true at both the massive South Falls Day Use Area, which is the busiest part of the park, and at the new North Canyon Day Use Area, which opened in 2023 to help spread out the crowds. The new area is part of a massive development project at Silver Falls that will include a new campground and visitor center, funded partially by a parks bond approved by the state Legislature in 2021.

Once inside the park, visitors can expect to see a few more opportunities than are typically available. The park already has a tree-climbing adventure run by a local company in the forested backcountry, as well as a new private concessioner, Guest Services Inc., that has taken over the parks food stands, established a new gear shop and taken over management of Smith Creek Village, a former conference center that now operates nightly vacation rentals. The idea of a zipline in the forest has been tossed around but isnt in the works, Gilliand said.

He said the park hasnt sought out those opportunities but has been actively accepting ideas from outside parties, some of which pan out and some of which dont. Earlier this year, Gilliand received a pitch for a coffee shop and a donut cart at the North Canyon. It was a great idea, he said, but it never came to fruition.

We know how to run parks in the traditional sense; were just trying to be open minded, he said. Theres nothing to say we have to commit to anything permanently.

Those who do get a foot in the door may bring an entrepreneurial spirit that might not come naturally to those who run the parks. Chad Taylor, director of operations for the hospitality branch of Guest Services, said his team was swimming with ideas as soon as they received the five-year contract to manage concessions earlier this year.

While Taylor acknowledged that most people visit Silver Falls for the natural beauty, he said there is ample room for opportunity at the park. He has envisioned larger-scale events and additional interpretive experiences throughout the park. There could even be app-based food delivery to the campground, he said, an idea that the company has tested at a Nevada park.

Thats the kind of dreaming the parks department is aiming for: fresh ideas that add to the park experience, not detract from it, and that generate a little extra revenue.

Lets try to double down here and see what kind of investments can we make? What kind of things can we do? What kind of changes could we do to make sure that our parks are sustainable for the future? Sumption said. Because the bottom line is if we dont do that, then theyre not going to be there for anybody.

Hikers stop at Monkey Face Rock, with Mount Jefferson in the distance, at Smith Rock State Park in central Oregon. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

A small crowd gathers at the Peter Iredale shipwreck at Fort Stevens State Park. Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

BIG IDEAS

The budget shortfall may be pressing, but the big ideas to address the problem are, so far, rolling out slowly.

At Fort Stevens State Park on the north Oregon coast, another busy destination that has been experimenting with innovation, park officials are, by and large, still programming themselves to dream.

Justin Parker, district manager for north coast parks, said Fort Stevens has been introducing smaller ideas, one at a time, in hopes of making gradual progress toward the kinds of sweeping goals the parks department has in mind.

Its a work in progress, Parker said. Were trying to, in a measured and more responsible way, create a resilient model to operate parks.

What thats meant for Fort Stevens, which hosts upwards of 5,000 people on a busy summer day, is a few scattered programs that try to disperse the crowds to the less-visited parts of the park: places beyond the trails and beaches, where there may be more revenue-generating opportunities.

Its meant a renewed focus on places like Coffenbury Lake, a long, landlocked body of water found near the parks famed Peter Iredale shipwreck, where a kayak rental program is in its second year. Parker said Coffenbury Lake could also be the site of a new batch of cabins and yurts, some of the parks best moneymakers.

Fort Stevens has also invested in shoring up its historic guard house, which park officials are still figuring out how to use. Would people pay to spend the night in an old jail cell? Could it host an expanded museum to complement the parks historic military batteries? Might it be a good place to host events?

Like Silver Falls, Fort Stevens has room for opportunity. Park officials describe the park as a small city, with its own public works systems that require significant upkeep and maintenance. Adding food concessions to the parks offerings makes perfect sense, Parker said, and the sales revenue generated could help the park run its operations more smoothly.

Does that mean visitors could see, say, food trucks in the parking lot by the shipwreck? Its certainly conceivable.

As it stands, few ideas are off the table, Sumption said. Thats because theres not a lot on the table either. The new public survey is meant to open the conversation about what people want and dont want as a part of their state park experience. Those opinions and ideas will help direct the department in their process of reimagining Oregons state parks for the future.

Could there be a special Salt & Straw flavor sold only at Smith Rock? Or a Goonies treasure hunt at Oswald West? Maybe an oceanside wine and oyster bar at Cape Lookout?

Maybe the public says thats not at all what they want, and we go back to the drawing board and we think of different ideas, Sumption said.

The message the parks department is delivering is that something needs to change, and it needs to change now.

Weve always tried to do everything we can to be as nimble as we can, to keep moving and keep surviving, she said. Were now saying we need to do something, we need to do some bold changes quickly and think more about the future financial stability.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has recorded 172 combat clashes over the past 24 hours, according to its Telegram channel as of 8:00 a.m. Thursday.

"According to updated information, yesterday the enemy carried out 67 air strikes on the positions of Ukrainian units and settlements, dropped 123 guided aerial bombs, and launched 3,712 kamikaze drones. The enemy also carried out 5,756 artillery attacks, including 81 from multiple launch rocket systems," the General Staff said.
UPM to End Paper Production at Kaukas Mill; Shift Coated Mechanical Production to Rauma Mill

UPM plans to end paper production at UPM Kaukas paper mill in Finland, reducing the annual production capacity of coated mechanical paper by 300,000 tonnes. UPM plans to end paper production at UPM Kaukas paper mill in Finland, reducing the annual production capacity of coated mechanical paper by 300,000 tonnes.

July 24, 2025 - Driven by structural overcapacity in the graphic paper markets and the need to ensure long-term competitiveness of its operations, UPM Communication Papers plans to end paper production at UPM Kaukas paper mill in Finland, reducing the annual production capacity of coated mechanical paper by 300,000 tonnes.

The shutdown of the paper machine (PM 1) is planned for the end of the year 2025. UPM's pulp, sawn timber and biofuels production and R&D activities at UPM Kaukas integrate will continue as before.

Decisions on final plans would be made after the co-determination processes have been concluded in line with local legislation in Finland. Should the plans be implemented the number of employees affected at UPM Kaukas paper mill is estimated at 220.

"UPM is well positioned to grow in several segments, while global demand for graphic paper continues to decline due to digitalization, macroeconomic challenges, and changing consumer habits," said Gunnar Eberhardt, Executive Vice President, UPM Communication Papers. "The planned steps announced today will enable a healthier capacity utilization and support our overall cost structure and competitiveness in the global graphic paper markets.

"We are aware that these plans will have a big impact on our committed employees in Lappeenranta and we will find solutions according to local practices. UPM will engage now into dialogue with employee representatives," Eberhardt added.

Antti Hermonen, Senior Vice President Operations, UPM Communication Papers, explained, "Our employees across mills work hard to ensure excellent performance of our machines, also at UPM Kaukas. Unfortunately, the market development requires steps such as this plan, which is a continuation of difficult but necessary steps to proactively ensure competitiveness of our overall paper operations. With the plan to shift UPM's coated mechanical paper production in Finland from Kaukas to our Rauma mill, we are striving to optimize the asset structure and improve cost efficiency, particularly in our production and logistics processes."

UPM would recognize restructuring charges of EUR 78 million (EUR 35 million cash impact and an impairment of EUR 43 million) as items affecting comparability in its Q3 2025 result. The planned actions are estimated to result in annual fixed cost savings of EUR 32 million.

UPM Kaukas

The Kaukas mill, which is located in Lappeenranta in South East Finland, is an integrated facility that consists of the pulp mill, a mill producing magazine paper, a sawmill, a biorefinery producing wood-based diesel, and UPM's research centre. The pulp mill has the capacity to produce 700,000 tonnes per year of softwood pulp on two production lines.

UPM is a material solutions company, renewing products and entire value chains with an extensive portfolio of renewable fibres, advanced materials, decarbonization solutions, and communication papers.

SOURCE: UPM
Three Alaska school districts expressed support for a lawsuit against the Department of Education over the Trump administration's freezing of crucial school funds.

The districts that are backing the lawsuit are the Anchorage School District, Fairbanks North Star Borough School District, and Kuspuk School District. Combined, these three districts encompass a large section of Western Alaska.

Alaska School Districts Join Lawsuit Against Trump Administration

The plaintiffs who are listed in the lawsuit are suing President Donald Trump's administration over the decision to withhold $6 billion in federal education funds. It was originally filed in the Rhode Island U.S. District Court.

In total, there are 14 school districts, teacher federations, and education associations that have so far joined the lawsuit and will be represented by the non-profit Democracy Forward. Anchorage School District Superintendent Dr. Jharrett Bryantt said in a statement that the government's freeze of funding created "deep instability."

He added that the money that is being withheld was designed to provide targeted support for English learners and for families whose livelihoods significantly depend on agricultural work, logging, or fishing, according to the Alaska News Source.

Bryantt said that districts like theirs are not able to properly plan or meet their obligations if longstanding federal commitments are suddenly, without warning, withheld. He said they are now taking legal action to protect their students, honor the promises made to their communities, and restore stability in school systems.

Two of the districts that joined the lawsuit, Anchorage and Fairbanks, are the first and second largest school districts in the state, respectively. On the other hand, Kuspuk School District, which is one of the smallest, is made up of roughly 320 students and 130 teachers in nine different schools.

Freezing of Crucial Federal Funds

The lawsuit comes as the Trump administration's freezing of the school funds has been in place since the start of the month. It has affected several federal education funding streams, including funds that were meant for the education of migratory children, the Anchorage Daily News reported.

These include children of fishermen, children in foster care, or those who are experiencing homelessness. So far, the Anchorage School District has lost access to about $12 million, while the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District is unable to use roughly $2.5 million in funding.

The lawsuit claims that the Trump administration's decision to freeze the funds violates the Administrative Procedure Act, the Impoundment Control Act, and the constitutional separation of powers, as per the K-12 Drive.
A former Trinity Valley School piano teacher was sentenced to 10 years in prison after he indecently exposed himself to several young students.

The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Trent Muse, pleaded guilty to five charges of indecency with a child by exposure, which is a third-degree felony in Texas. The crime was committed while he was teaching at Trinity Valley School, which serves students from pre-K through 12th grade.

Former Piano Teacher Sentenced to Prison

A Tarrant County grand jury indicted Muse in 2024, and court records showed that the incidents in which he exposed himself to children happened in April 2023. That was around the time when the suspect was fired from the school.

The parents of the victims, who requested to stay anonymous, gave testimonies in front of the defendant after his sentencing on Wednesday. The mother of a victim said that the trauma left by the incident has been life-altering and all-consuming for her and her family, according to Kera News.

She added that every time they drive to school, hear a piano, or see their daughter lash out or become withdrawn, they are reminded of the horrible predator and the trauma that he left on their child.

The mother of another victim noted that her daughter was only nine years old when Muse's abuse started. Through tears, she said that her child is now known as "one of the piano victims," adding she now has trouble sleeping and trusting adults, particularly male teachers.

The families of the victims said that the former piano teacher shattered their trust, with one mother saying that her child started having nightmares about being kidnapped by him or a "nice man," Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.

Indecent Exposure to Young Students

The father of one of the victims also praised his daughter and the other kids for their bravery in coming forward to speak about the experiences they had with Muse. He knows that they will most likely struggle with the after-effects of what the defendant did to them for the rest of their lives.

He said that Muse had shown no "genuine remorse" for his actions and was only stopped by the bravery of his victims. The defendant's attorney, Monroe Solomon III, said that he believed the sentence against his client was "fair and reasonable based on the circumstances."

The parents of the victims also alleged that the school failed in protecting its students due to negligence that allowed more than a dozen young girls to become traumatized by Muse. A lawsuit filed in March revealed that the incident involved 16 girls who ranged in age from six to 11 at the time of the abuse, as per CBS News.
 The U.S. Department of Homeland Security notified the Akron (Ohio) Police Department's SWAT team that the body armor plates they recently purchased are counterfeit, WJW-TV reported.

"We became part of a bigger investigation," said Capt. Agostino Micozzi.

The gear was purchased from China and sold to law enforcement agencies, DHS said.

The Akron City Council approved immediate replacement; Micozzi said there might be a chance to get restitution on the counterfeit plates. [WJW, 5/8/2024]
The U.S. State Department has approved the sale of two packages of military equipment to Ukraine, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) website reported on Wednesday.

The first package is for the sale of HAWK Phase III air defense missile systems and related support and equipment worth approximately $172 million.

"This proposed sale will improve Ukraines capability to meet current and future threats by further equipping it to conduct self-defense and regional security missions with a more robust air defense capability. Ukraine will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces," the DSCA press release said.

The second package, according to the DSCA, includes a shipment of Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and maintenance, repair and related equipment worth nearly $150 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has provided the necessary certification, which has been reported to the US Congress.

"The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region," the DSCA release said.
The United States is pushing for domestic manufacturing, and by pushing, I mean throwing markets into chaos with tariffs against specific countries and products decided seemingly at random. But how much will computer chips, probably the most complex and in-demand general production item on the planet, cost to make stateside? AMDs CEO has an answer, or at least a guess.

Dr. Lisa Su said that chips produced at the new fabrication facility in Arizona will be more than 5 percent but less than 20 percent more expensive compared to Taiwan, speaking to AI industry leaders, government officials, and press in Washington DC. Su elaborated that the extra expense is worth it to diversify the incredibly complex supply chain, reports Bloomberg.

The Arizona plant is owned by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, TSMC, the global giant of chip fabrication that partners with essentially every major cutting-edge chip designer for at least some of its output. Billions of dollars are being poured into a US push for domestic semiconductor output via the CHIPS Act, with the Arizona fab being the largest. TSMC Arizona Fabs is currently outputting hardware, but wont be fully completed until 2026. Other American chip fabs are planned for New York, Texas, Idaho, Ohio, and other locations, from corporations including Intel, Samsung, and Micron.

5-20 percent more expensive than the established manufacturing in Taiwan and other countries is a rather general figureand one that could be easy to fudge for Dr. Su by leaving out some crucial details. Semiconductor manufacturing is a mind-bogglingly complicated business, with new fabrication plants taking years of development, to say nothing of the process of designing, testing, and finally rolling out new chip designs. Its also a cutthroat competition between corporations and the governments that want to host them. For a full and authoritative breakdown, be sure to check out PCWorlds recent interviews with Dr. Ian Cutress.

At the Hill and Valley Forum, AMD both courted government officials including U.S. president Trump, and tried to put on a brave face to competitors. The biggest of those is undeniably Nvidia, which has rocketed to the top of the tech industry on years of growth selling chips to the AI industry. AMD is also making good on the AI boom, but is notably behind the 800-pound gorilla. Both corporations are trying to create favorable conditions by lobbying US politicians, crucially scoring tax breaks and favorable exceptions to export restrictions for countries like China.
Cumberland County officials are looking to redevelop a vacant industrial site thats been around for over a century. But its going to take some time.

The Frog, Switch & Manufacturing Co. site in Carlisle predates the Civil War, having been located there for 125 years.

The companys name came from the railroad frogs and switches that the company once produced extensively.

A frog is a special section of rail that allows a train to cross over or to switch tracks.

And even though the company kept the Frog, Switch name, it hadnt manufactured frogs or switches since the 1960s, when it started manufacturing manganese (a metal with several industrial uses). At its high point in the early 90s, it employed more than 500 people.

Over the years, however, the business scaled down its operations. It had about 240 employees as recently as 2008. By 2023, it had around 30.

In June 2023, officials at Frog, Switch determined that it was economically impossible to continue operations due to international competition and the prohibitive costs of necessary capital improvements.

When it closed, it was the last Manganese manufacturer in the United States, according to Andrew Notarfrancesco, chair of the Real Estate Collaborative, a subsidiary of the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation.

And now two years later, officials are working to make sure the 27-acre complex at 600 E. High St. in Carlisle, with 18 industrial buildings, doesnt decay and continue to contaminate and become a nuisance.

The quicker we can get buildings like this down or redeveloped and get life back into them, the better, said Notarfrancesco.

The former Frog Switch & Manufacturing Co. along Trindle Road in Carlisle. May 23, 2025. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

The complex consists of a patchwork of buildings, many of which have a shell-like structure that once housed foundry and casting operations. Large 15-foot subsurface pits and decades-old steel machines as large as a small house occupy the biggest buildings, requiring extensive work to prepare the site for future development. The complex also includes a five-acre landfill.

Earlier this year, the Real Estate Collaborative purchased the site to prepare it for redevelopment.

The Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation created the Real Estate Collaborative nine years ago to address the redevelopment and/or reuse of older, challenging sites. This is the fourth project for the collaborative. But the Frog, Switch site is its largest project to date, and potentially the most hazardous.

We are not a developer, said Notarfrancesco. We are kind of the middle folks that get it ready. So our intent would be to take this 27 acres and put a master developer RFP (request for proposals) out on the street so the master developers can come in here and tell us what they think would be beneficial here on this site, see how that aligns with the borough and then select a partner master developer to see the legacy of this site be redeveloped.

The collaborative has the backing of the state. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania announced earlier this year that it had awarded more than $10 million in grant and loan money to assist in the future redevelopment of the former manufacturing plant.

The money was awarded through the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites Program to stabilize and secure the site, demolish the former industrial buildings, and conduct environmental remediation activities, as needed.

PennLive recently toured the complex, including the Frog Shop and the foundry. The site is near The Point at Carlisle Plaza, a mall in Carlisle.

The former Frog Switch & Manufacturing Co. along Trindle Road in Carlisle. May 23, 2025. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

The Frog Shop

The 800-foot-long Frog Shop is where the company would do the custom manufacturing after they produced the frogs and switches in the foundry, Notarfrancesco said. The crushers would be produced in the foundry, and would be brought over to the Frog Shop in a rail car, lifted with very large overhead cranes, and then dropped onto turntables. The turntable would then spin and begin to mill and manufacture the ware parts to a very precise point.

Now the large building with high ceilings is dark as the power has been turned off. (PennLives photos were taken before the electricity was shut off.)

The former Frog Switch & Manufacturing Co. along Trindle Road in Carlisle. May 23, 2025. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

The Foundry

The Foundry, a large space with a floor full of sand, is also dark. It had two large furnaces that have since been disassembled and scrapped. The sand was the mold material. The workers would take wood molds, press them into the sand and it would create a mold that they would pour the liquid manganese in, Notarfrancesco said. They would then cast it and the sand would go away. They would lift the mold out, put it on a truck and ship it out. The massive furnaces would boil the manganese metal down. A 60-ton overhead crane is also being disassembled and sold. It lifted up the really large pieces of manganese and put them on the train cars and trucks.

Whats next?

Officials plan to create a website to keep the public updted in what will be a years-long process. The website will also include historical information and photos and videos. It will also include information about RFPs.

Currently, there are several things happening at the Frog Switch site.

There is a scrapping operation underway. As part of the agreement with the Real Estate Collaborative, Frog Switch continues to scrap out materials and sell them. About a half-dozen workers are working in the scrapping operation. Another worker oversees the entire site.

Anything that they can do, we absolutely allow them to do and just get it off-site because it minimizes how much garbage and trash we have to deal with, Notarfrancesco said.

The Real Estate Cooperative is also leasing out shop space to a high-voltage electrical contractor.

But, most importantly, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is conducting a study, which Notarfrancesco said will basically set-up a game plan for moving forward.

They have come in and done samplings and are doing a study on what is below and what we may run into, and help us to know what kind of plan is needed to remediate and manage that contamination, he said.

The study is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

We need to know what were really contending with and how we manage through it. In partnership with DEP in Pennsylvania, well be able to establish protocols, processes and procedures with whats next, he said.

Another mystery to figure out is how all of the buildings on the site are interconnected.

For instance, that entire front area which is along High Street is a massive piece of concrete, 60 feet wide, over 15 feet deep, one big chunk of concrete with a tunnel right in the center of it, Notarfrancesco said. And they used to move sand, sand that were standing on, out of big silos that they would pump in underground over to the molding operation. They would mold and cast the manganese. They would take that sand and they would put it back in the tunnel and it would go back to the silo. So they would recycle the sand over and over and clean the sand as they did it.

All of that is underground. But that entire front side is concrete. Thats a concrete foundation. And thats tied into the structure of the building and that covers pretty much 90 percent of High Street. So if we want to pull that out, does that impact the building and structure? So were trying to figure all those pieces out.

The study will also lay out the groundwork for demolition. Notarfrancesco said they dont know how many buildings will need to be demolished until they have more information from the study. The study is expected to show what buildings may or may not be contaminated.

Notarfrancesco said two things that the committee has learned from previous projects is to have patience, and to work with the right people.

Were working really hard to make sure we align what needs to be done, the timing here and we are very patient. Because, quite frankly, this takes a long time to develop. Each of the studies and redesigns and negotiations are going to take years, he said.

What can be built at the site?

The Frog Switch site sits in the Urban Mixed Use District, which offers numerous permitted uses, including residential and commercial.

Notarfrancesco said a mixed-use development would make a lot of sense for the property, a place where people can live, work and play.

Our goal here is residential, said Notarfrancesco. Theres a lot of area here that we dont think has contamination that could be set up for it, but there might be areas and zones that we cant do that. So we wont know that until all the testing comes back and all the analyses come back and the understanding about what has gone on here over time so that we can make those determinations.

The former Frog Switch & Manufacturing Co. along Trindle Road in Carlisle. May 23, 2025. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

Of the 27 acres, five acres  once used as a landfill for the foundry operation  cant be redeveloped. Notarfrancesco said that area has been cleaned and capped.

But could that area become a park? Its one idea that involves the casting molds, which look like flying saucers.

Somebody floated the idea. Can we cast a few of those molds and drop them into this grassy knoll as a park? People can walk around it, he said. You cant build on it because of whats below. But all the contaminants have been proved out to be clear from the site. Theres no hazard to anybody related to it. They just dont want anything constructed on top of it.

Call it an art exhibit. Maybe DEP will allow us to make that into a park. But if we have some of those molds, could they be part of some feature where people are walking through the park or they could play on it  that would be something that would be interactive, but it would also keep connection to the legacy of what Frog, Switch used to be.

The former Frog Switch & Manufacturing Co. along Trindle Road in Carlisle. May 23, 2025. Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com Joe Hermitt | jhermitt@pennlive.com

One building at the site that can likely be saved from the wrecking ball is the old main office, which has about 7,000 square feet of space. The unique Spanish Mission-style building will likely remain on the site as it appears in good condition and helps preserve a connection to the sites former use, the organization previously said. Notarfrancesco suggested maybe one day it could become a restaurant.

Notarfrancesco said its important to redevelop these old sites in the Rust Belt areas.

What happens with a lot of these old sites is they sit and they decay. They become nuisance sites  and they become a blight on the community, he said.
By Dan Nephin, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS)

A staffer at an organization that serves people with developmental needs will spend two years on court supervision and pay more than $2,500 in restitution to resolve charges related to injuries suffered by a woman living at a Lititz group home.

Lori A. Van Ingen, 60, of Mountville, was accepted into the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program Wednesday at Lancaster County Court after being charged in May 2024 with two counts each of neglect of a care-dependent person and simple assault stemming from two separate incidents.

ARD is a pretrial diversionary program generally for first-time offenders of non-violent crimes. People who successfully complete it can request to have their charges expunged from public record. If its not successfully completed, the case is prosecuted.

Van Ingen declined to comment after the brief hearing and said nothing when Lancaster County Judge Jeffrey Conrad offered her a chance to speak.

However, her attorney, Ronald James Gross, told Conrad that Van Ingen thrived in her role as caregiver.

Gross blamed what happened on a lack of training and Van Ingen taking on too much when the womans care provider, Excentia Human Services, was short-staffed. Excentia did not immediately return a message left seeking comment on Wednesday.

She is such an empath and wishes she could take that back, Gross said.

According to charging documents, the mother and sister of the woman from the group home took her to Lancaster General Hospital on Jan. 3, 2024, because she had bruising and swelling on her head, right ankle and tenderness to her rib area. They noticed the injuries after Van Ingen dropped her off for a home visit.

The womans family told police she bangs her head on things for attention, but never to the point of injury, charging documents said. The woman was 34 at the time.

Excentia concluded that the woman injured herself and that Van Ingen, the only staff member at the home, didnt follow policy by not having her injuries evaluated, charging documents said.

However, hospital staff and a nurse investigator with the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General didnt believe the womans injuries were self-inflicted.

According to the charging documents, Van Ingen said that in retrospect, she should have taken the woman to the hospital. When asked if she accidentally hit the woman, she said she didnt think so.

On Oct. 20, 2023, Van Ingen dropped the woman off for a home visit and told the family that she accidentally cut the womans fingernails short, charging documents said. The family told police the womans fingers were bleeding. Police said Van Ingen told them the woman wasnt cooperating and the room was dark.

As part of her ARD conditions, Van Ingen must also complete 20 hours of community service, pay about $2,622 in restitution, take anger management courses, and maintain full-time employment. She also cannot work in a care-giving role while in ARD; Gross said Van Ingen works in Excentias finance department.

Van Ingen worked at an LNP-LancasterOnline predecessor publication from 1996 to July 2011.
Columbia University in New York has agreed to pay the federal government hundreds of millions of dollars. (Barry Winiker, Getty Images, file) Getty Images

By CAROLYN THOMPSON, The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP)  Columbia University announced Wednesday it has reached a deal with the Trump administration to pay more than $220 million to the federal government to restore federal research money that was canceled in the name of combating antisemitism on campus.

Under the agreement, the Ivy League school will pay a $200 million settlement over three years, the university said. It will also pay $21 million to resolve alleged civil rights violations against Jewish employees that occurred following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, the White House said.

This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty, acting University President Claire Shipman said.

The school had been threatened with the potential loss of billions of dollars in government support, including more than $400 million in grants canceled this year. The administration pulled the funding because of what it described as the universitys failure to squelch antisemitism on campus during the Israel-Hamas war.

Columbia has since agreed to a series of demands laid out by the Republican administration, including overhauling the universitys student disciplinary process and applying a contentious, federally endorsed definition of antisemitism not only to teaching but to a disciplinary committee that has been investigating students critical of Israel.

Wednesdays agreement  which does not include an admission of wrongdoing  codifies those reforms while preserving the universitys autonomy, Shipman said.

A roadmap, Trump administration says

Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the deal a seismic shift in our nations fight to hold institutions that accept American taxpayer dollars accountable for antisemitic discrimination and harassment.

Columbias reforms are a roadmap for elite universities that wish to regain the confidence of the American public by renewing their commitment to truth-seeking, merit, and civil debate, McMahon said in a statement.

As part of the agreement, Columbia agreed to a series of changes previously announced in March, including reviewing its Middle East curriculum to make sure it was comprehensive and balanced and appointing new faculty to its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies. It also promised to end programs that promote unlawful efforts to achieve race-based outcomes, quotes, diversity targets or similar efforts.

The university will also have to issue a report to a monitor assuring that its programs do not promote unlawful DEI goals.

In a post Wednesday night on his Truth Social platform, President Donald Trump said Columbia had committed to ending their ridiculous DEI policies, admitting students based ONLY on MERIT, and protecting the Civil Liberties of their students on campus.

He also warned, without being specific, Numerous other Higher Education Institutions that have hurt so many, and been so unfair and unjust, and have wrongly spent federal money, much of it from our government, are upcoming.

Crackdown follows Columbia protests

The pact comes after months of uncertainty and fraught negotiations at the more than 270-year-old university. It was among the first targets of Trumps crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus protests and on colleges that he asserts have allowed Jewish students be threatened and harassed.

Columbias own antisemitism task force found last summer that Jewish students had faced verbal abuse, ostracism and classroom humiliation during the spring 2024 demonstrations.

Other Jewish students took part in the protests, however, and protest leaders maintain they arent targeting Jews but rather criticizing the Israeli government and its war in Gaza.

Columbias leadership  a revolving door of three interim presidents in the last year  has declared that the campus climate needs to change.

Protesters attend a demonstration in support of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, March 10, 2025, in New York. Khalil was eventually freed after being taken into U.S. custody for protesting. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File) AP

Columbia agrees to question international students

Also in the settlement is an agreement to ask prospective international students questions designed to elicit their reasons for wishing to study in the United States, and establishes processes to make sure all students are committed to civil discourse.

In a move that would potentially make it easier for the Trump administration to deport students who participate in protests, Columbia promised to provide the government with information, upon request, of disciplinary actions involving student-visa holders resulting in expulsions or suspensions.

Columbia on Tuesday announced it would suspend, expel or revoke degrees from more than 70 students who participated in a pro-Palestinian demonstration inside the main library in May and an encampment during alumni weekend last year.

The pressure on Columbia began with a series of funding cuts. Then Mahmoud Khalil, a former graduate student who had been a visible figure in the protests, became the first person detained in the Trump administrations push to deport pro-Palestinian activists who arent U.S. citizens.

Next came searches of some university residences amid a federal Justice Department investigation into whether Columbia concealed illegal aliens on campus. The interim president at the time responded that the university was committed to upholding the law.

University oversight expands

Columbia was an early test case for the Trump administration as it sought closer oversight of universities that the Republican president views as bastions of liberalism. Yet it soon was overshadowed by Harvard University, which became the first higher education institution to defy Trumps demands and fight back in court.

The Trump administration has used federal research funding as its primary lever in its campaign to reshape higher education. More than $2 billion in total has also been frozen at Cornell, Northwestern, Brown and Princeton universities.

Administration officials pulled $175 million from the University of Pennsylvania in March over a dispute around womens sports. They restored it when school officials agreed to update records set by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas and change their policies.

The administration also is looking beyond private universities. University of Virginia President James Ryan agreed to resign in June under pressure from a U.S. Justice Department investigation into diversity, equity and inclusion practices. A similar investigation was opened this month at George Mason University.
George Kooymans of Golden Earring performs on stage at Shepherd's Bush Empire on March 14, 2009 in London, England. Kooymans has died at 77 due to complications from ALS. (Photo by C Brandon/Redferns) Redferns

George Kooymans, co-founder of and guitarist for the band Golden Earring, has died. He was 77.

Kooymans family announced his death in the Dutch news outlet AD, saying he died from complications due to ALS.

We say goodbye to a great musician and composer whose work extended beyond Golden Earring, the family said in a statement, per Rolling Stone. George was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, but above all, a friend.

What we want now is silence and to remember everything he did, Golden Earring drummer Cesar Zuiderwijk also said. I played with him for 50 years, and that was the best time of my life. Ill leave it at that for now.

Golden Earring broke up in 2021, after Kooymans was first diagnosed with ALS.

Its a very bad prognosis and Im not really in the mood to say much about it, he said at the time. I am being treated at the university hospital in Leuven. Thats it. Its a progressive disease. Unfortunately, performing is no longer possible.

Born in the Netherlands in 1948, Kooymans co-founded Golden Earring  initially known as The Tornados  in 1961. The band achieved international fame with such songs as Radar Love in 1973, Twilight Zone in 1982, and When the Lady Smiles in 1984.

Twilight Zone was the groups best-charting song, hitting number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 list, although Radar Love remains a classic rock staple.

The band was active for over 50 years and continued to have hit albums in their native country into the 2010s. The surviving members plant to hold a final show in January 2026 with the proceeds going towards ALS research.
Family are escorted into the Ada County Courthouse for the Bryan Kohberger sentencing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Drew Nash) AP

BOISE, Idaho  One after another, the friends and family of the four University of Idaho students killed in their home by Bryan Kohberger vented their emotions in sobs, insults and curses before a packed courtroom Wednesday as he was sentenced to life in prison.

Ben Mogen, the father of Madison Mogen, credited her with helping keep him alive through his fight with addiction. He called her the only thing Im proud of.

Dylan Mortenson, a roommate of the victims who told police of seeing a strange man with bushy eyebrows and a ski mask in the home that night, called Kohberger a hollow vessel, something less than human. She shook with tears as she described how Kohberger took the light they carried into each room.

Hell will be waiting, Kristi Goncalves, the mother of Kaylee Goncalves, told the killer.

Judge Steven Hippler ordered Kohberger to serve four life sentences without parole for first-degree murder in the killings of Mogen, Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. Kohberger was also given a 10-year sentence for burglary and assessed $270,000 in fines and civil penalties.

Kohberger, 30, pleaded guilty weeks before his trial was to start in a deal to avoid the death penalty. Prosecutors and defense attorneys agreed on the sentence.

Benjamin Mogen, father of Madison Mogen cries at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) AP

Kohberger gives no explanation

When it was his turn to speak in court, Kohberger said, I respectfully decline, shedding no light on why he slipped into the rental home in Moscow through a sliding glass door early on Nov. 13, 2022, and stabbed four of the students inside.

I share the desire expressed by others to understand the why, Hippler said. But upon reflection, it seems to me, and this is just my own opinion, that by continuing to focus on why, we continue to give Mr. Kohberger relevance, we give him agency and we give him power.

The crime horrified the city, which had not seen a homicide in about five years, and prompted a massive search for the perpetrator. Some students took the rest of their classes online because they felt unsafe. Kohberger, a graduate student in criminology at nearby Washington State University, was arrested in Pennsylvania, where his parents lived, roughly six weeks later.

A Q-tip from the garbage at his parents house and genetic genealogy were used to match Kohbergers DNA to material recovered from a knife sheath found at the home, investigators said. They used cellphone data to pinpoint his movements and surveillance camera footage to help locate a white sedan that was seen repeatedly driving past the home the night of the killings.

But investigators told reporters after Wednesdays hearing that exhaustive efforts failed to find the murder weapon, the clothes Kohberger was wearing at the time or any connection between him and the students.

Bryan Kohberger is is seen in the Ada County Courthouse after his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) AP

Within hours of the sentencing, the Moscow Police Department posted hundreds of documents about the investigation on its website. They detailed how investigators processed the gruesome crime scene; ran down tips from people who claimed to have gone on a Tinder date with Kohberger or to have seen him walking along a highway; and tested soil and pollen found on a shovel in his car to see if they could narrow down where it had been used.

Loved ones express loss and fury

This world was a better place with her in it, said Scott Laramie, Mogens stepfather. Karen and I are ordinary people, but we lived extraordinary lives because we had Maddie.

Goncalves father, Steve, taunted Kohberger for getting caught despite his education in forensics.

You were that careless, that foolish, that stupid, he said. Masters degree? Youre a joke.

Kernodles father, Jeff, recalled that his daughter had not been feeling well that night and he thought about driving the 7 miles (11.3 km) to the rental home to be with her. He decided against it because he had been drinking.

Mortenson and another surviving roommate, Bethany Funke, described crippling panic attacks afterward.

I slept in my parents room for almost a year and had them double lock every door, set an alarm and still check everywhere in the room just in case someone was hiding, Funke said in a statement read by a friend.

Alivea Goncalvess voice did not waver as she asked Kohberger questions, including what her sisters last words were. She drew applause after belittling Kohberger, who remained expressionless.

You didnt win, you just exposed yourself as the coward you are, Alivea Goncalves said. Youre a delusional, pathetic, hypochondriac loser.

Dylan Mortensen gets a hug after speaking at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse, for his sentencing hearing, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho, for brutally stabbing four University of Idaho students to death nearly three years ago. (AP Photo/Kyle Green, Pool) AP

Chapins family did not attend.

Kohbergers mother and sister sat in the gallery near the defense table. His mother quietly wept at times as the other parents described their grief. She sobbed briefly when Mogens grandmother said her heart goes out to the other families, including Kohbergers.

Xana Kernodles aunt, Kim Kernodle, said she forgave Kohberger and asked him to call her from prison, hoping he would answer her lingering questions about the killings.

Bryan, Im here today to tell you I have forgiven you, because I no longer could live with that hate in my heart, she said. And for me to become a better person, I have forgiven you. And any time you want to talk and tell me what happened, get my number. Im here. No judgment.

Johnson reported from Seattle.
Police charged a 15-year-old boy with attempted homicide after a shooting that injured a juvenile last week in York.

Police used security camera footage to track the suspected shooter on a scooter from the crime scene to his great grandmothers home, about six blocks from the shooting scene. Police then identified Zamire Murray as matching the description of the shooter and having a scooter that was similar to the one the shooter used, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed against him.

York police were dispatched about 3:50 p.m. July 14 to the 700 block of West Poplar Street, where they found a juvenile near the back of the home with a gunshot wound to the left shoulder.

The juvenile was transported to York Hospital.

Police found multiple shell casings on the sidewalk along the 700 block of West Poplar Street.

Police collected security camera video from the area that showed a teen wearing a zipped-up black hoodie and face mask while riding on a black electric scooter along West Poplar Street that afternoon.

The teen stopped on a sidewalk and called out to one of three juveniles who were standing near a front porch on West Poplar.

When that juvenile walked out to the sidewalk, the masked teen pulled a gun from his jacket pocket and fired several times at the juvenile, who was standing about eight to 10 feet in front of him.

The masked teen also fired a shot toward the front porch where the other juveniles were standing, the affidavit said. The juveniles ran behind the home to get away from the gunfire.

Court documents said the masked teen got back on his scooter and rode away.

Police tracked more security video that showed the masked teen carrying his scooter into a home in the 500 block of West Clarke Avenue, according to the affidavit.

Footage later showed the teen unmasked as he rode a scooter to a home in the 300 block of West College Avenue, the affidavit said.

The next day, detectives interviewed a woman and her daughter at the West Clarke home.

The two told police no teenage boys lived there and denied seeing anyone enter the home or with a scooter, according to the affidavit.

When police asked for the names of relatives, the woman mentioned a relatives name that police recognized from a June 13 shooting where gunfire damaged a home in the 300 block of West College Avenue. That relatives son is Murray, police said, and body cam footage from officers investigating the June 13 shooting showed Murray unmasked with a scooter that matched details from the shooters scooter, which included an orange brake line and orange accents.

In addition to attempted homicide, Murray was charged with counts of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, carrying a firearm without a license and possession of a firearm by a juvenile.

Court documents indicated Murray was not in custody or arraigned in district court as of Thursday morning.

In Pennsylvania, juveniles 15 and older are automatically charged as adults for crimes involving violent felonies, but defense attorneys could argue for the case to be remanded to juvenile court.
Six civilians in Cherkasy were injured as a result of an enemy rocket attack, Cherkasy Regional Military Administration head Ihor Taburets has said on Telegram as of 05:48 on Thursday.

"Rocket attack on the regional center. We have several fires in the city. All services are working. According to preliminary data, six were injured. More information later," Taburets said.
Swimming is prohibited at the Quaker Race Day Use Area of Gifford Pinchot State Park, according to a Wednesday Facebook post. PennLive

For the second time this month, a popular lake in central Pennsylvania is closed for swimming, according to officials.

Routine water testing at Gifford Pinchot State Park found elevated coliform counts, prompting a swimming ban in Pinchot Lake at the Quaker Race Day Use Area, according to a Facebook post.

Other activities, like boating and fishing, are still allowed.

Park officials will test the lakes water daily and reopen the beach at Quaker Race when the bacteria levels fall within acceptable levels.

Although coliform bacteria themselves are not generally considered harmful, their presence indicates potential disease-causing pathogens, such as E. coli, in the water, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

On July 17, park officials said high coliform levels banned swimming in Pinchot Lake at the campground beach. However, the Quaker Race Day Use Area remained open throughout that closure.

Just a day before the July 17 swimming ban at Pinchot Lake, officials from Pine Grove Furnace State Park said high levels of E. coli barred swimming at Laurel Lake.
Story by Gabriela Martinez of Spotlight PA

This story was produced by the Berks County bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up for Good Day, Berks, a daily dose of essential local stories at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/gooddayberks.

READING  Carrying out mass deportations was a key campaign promise for President Donald Trump, and since hes reentered office, his administration has increased use of a tool that furthers that goal  ICE detainers.

These voluntary requests ask local jails to hold people in their custody beyond their scheduled release so they can be taken into federal custody.

Berks County does not have a formal agreement to cooperate with federal immigration officials, but its jail does honor ICE detainers.

In February, the countys prison board voted to increase the time inmates can be held on detainers from four to 24 hours. The board modified the policy again in April to increase the time to 48 hours.

The motion was made by District Attorney John Adams and seconded by Commissioner Christian Leinbach, according to meeting minutes. All three of the countys elected commissioners serve on the board.

Adams said he was informed that the county could lose about $290,000 for emergency services if it did not change the policy and comply with the Trump administration, the Reading Eagle reported.

Local officials say honoring ICE detainers is part of cooperating with federal law enforcement partners  something the county has always done and will continue to do so.

Leinbach said in April that removing undocumented immigrants who committed crimes is in the best interest of the county, the Reading Eagle reported. He also said he did not want the county to be designated as a sanctuary city if it did not comply with ICE detainer requests.

But both here in Pennsylvania and across the country, there are legal risks for localities that choose to honor these detainers, which can sometimes be based on flawed or inaccurate information.

Keith Armstrong, an immigrants rights attorney with the ACLU of Pennsylvania, said one of the main issues with ICE databases is that they show a persons immigration status at only a fixed point in time.

We all know that, in reality, a persons immigration status can and does change for any number of reasons, Armstrong said.

In a 2019 case, a federal judge in California wrote that the core databases ICE relies on suffer from structural flaws, incompleteness, and pervasive errors that render the databases unreliable.

Heres what you need to know about Berks Countys ICE detainer policy:

How do detainers work?

In Berks County, an ICE detainer is often requested after a person is arrested and brought to the central booking office for processing, Mandy Miller, the county sheriff, told Spotlight PA.

Deputies in central booking gather fingerprints and photographs, then run a background check. If the person is wanted by ICE, the system will show a notification to contact federal immigration authorities. The deputy in central booking will then call ICE to ask if the agency wants to request a detainer, according to Miller.

Under current policy, a person charged with a crime would be held in the county jail up to 48 hours beyond the time they would typically be released, even if their charges were resolved or after they post bail.

Miller said this notification system does not specify why a person has a detainer or is wanted by immigration authorities.

Its one line that says contact immigration if you have this person in custody, so thats what we do, Miller said.

The county will honor a detainer if the individual is in the Berks County Jail on criminal charges. However, we do not accept individuals to be booked into our jail system solely on a detainer, Berks County Solicitor Christine Sadler said in an email.

If ICE does not pick up the person after 48 hours, the county is required to let the person go, according to agency guidelines.

Can detainers lead to lawsuits?

Because detainers are voluntary, localities that choose to honor them can be held liable if someone is wrongfully held, so some local agencies in Pennsylvania choose not to comply with them.

Montgomery County Correctional Facility does not honor detainers unless ICE provides a judicial warrant, which is a formal written order issued by a judge. With a judicial warrant, Montgomery County will hold a person for 24 hours, which is less time than what ICE usually requests.

ICE detainers do not hold the same legal weight as arrest warrants, which are issued by judges who have made an independent determination of probable cause. For detainers, ICE agents determine probable cause based on their own databases and information-gathering.

And ICE has issued detainers based on inaccurate information in the past.

In 2008, Ernesto Galarza, a New Jersey man, was wrongfully held for three days in Lehigh County Prison on an ICE detainer, even after he had posted bail. The detainer request was based on a false tip alleging he was an undocumented immigrant from the Dominican Republic.

The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Galarza by the ACLU, led to the federal government, the City of Allentown, and Lehigh County having to pay Galarza damages and attorneys fees.

Sadler, the county solicitor, said at the April meeting that what happened in Lehigh is unlikely to occur exactly the same way in Berks, per the Reading Eagle. She said ICE had added an additional layer of review and that county employees are able to do due diligence.

When asked what the county would do if it was sued for honoring an unlawful detainer, Jonathan Heintzman, public relations officer for Berks County, said the county will not comment on a hypothetical situation.

If ICE makes a mistake, Miller, the sheriff, said, We cant control that.

As long as were doing what were supposed to be doing, we cant control that theyre making a mistake, Miller said.

Is Berks County considering working with ICE in other ways?

County sheriffs and local law enforcement also collaborate with federal immigration authorities through 287(g) agreements. These formal partnerships with ICE allow trained local police to carry out some immigration enforcement activities.

There are three types of 287(g) agreements local police can choose to pursue:

The Jail Enforcement model, which allows local police to use ICE databases to identify and process deportable immigrants in their jails.

The Task Force model, which allows local law enforcement to question and arrest people for immigration violations.

The Warrant Service Officer program, which gives police officers the power to execute administrative warrants within jails and facilitate the custodial transfer of prisoners to ICE. According to a fact sheet from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center , this model is designed to re-create the days when sheriffs held people on detainers everywhere.

Nearly 30 local law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania had signed 287(g) agreements with ICE as of July 23, most adopting the task force model.

Berks County pursued a 287(g) agreement in 2017, but is not currently doing so.

No one has approached the Board of Commissioners with any interest in establishing a relationship under Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the boards spokesperson said in a statement on behalf of the county commissioners.

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Today in Pa. Daily Podcast | July 24, 2025

An imposter nurse used multiple aliases and Social Security numbers to find work treating patients. Electricity bills are expected to go up. Heres what caused that 911 outage. Lastly, let your soul be soothed by an alpaca.

Those are the stories we cover in the latest episode of Today in Pa., a daily weekday podcast from PennLive.com and hosted by Claudia Dimuro. Today in Pa. is dedicated to sharing the most important and interesting stories pertaining to Pennsylvania that lets you know, indeed, whats happening today in Pa.

Todays episode refers to the following articles:

If you enjoy Today in Pa., consider leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or on Amazon. Reviews help others find the show and, besides, wed like to know what you think about the program, too.
Pa. U.S. Rep. Scott Perry wants Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell placed in "protective custody" before she testifies to a House committee looking at the Epstein case and list. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP

U.S. Rep. Scott Perry is calling for former Jeffrey Epstein girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell to be placed in protective custody ahead of her expected testimony before the House Oversight Committee.

Perry is an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump, who has flipped his position over the years that the so-called Epstein list, reportedly of powerful political and business leaders, be released to claiming it is now a Democratic hoax.

According to the Wall Street Journal, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi told Trump in May that his name appears throughout the files on Epstein, who committed suicide in a New York City jail cell in 2019.

Maxwell is serving a 20-year-sentence in Florida where she was convicted of federal sex trafficking charges in 2021, including recruiting and grooming girls for Epstein to abuse.

What does Ghislaine Maxwell know? I guess were gonna find out when she testifies before the House Oversight Committee, Perry posted on Facebook on Wednesday.

Just to be sure, I requested that she be placed immediately into protective custody and monitored  by guards as well as WORKING surveillance equipment  around the clock, so that our justice system does not again fail the survivors of this Epstein nightmare, wrote Perry.

Perrys comment about a working surveillance system was a clear shot at the famously missing minute in the jail video on Epsteins case.

Given her direct involvement in Mr. Epsteins child sex trafficking operation, it is critical that she testify under oath, given recent public interest and concerns in this evolving case, Perry said in a letter to William Marshall, the director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Perry told Marshall that Maxwells testimony is invaluable in shedding light on a highly publicized and extremely sensitive case.

Pointing to that, Perry asked Marshall to put Maxwell in protective custody within a special housing unit and continuously monitored by correction officers.

Given the abrupt and unexpected demise of lead suspect, Mr. Epstein in 2019 while in federal custody, we must take every precaution to ensure Ms. Maxwell is available to provide testimony, Perry wrote. Our justice system must not once again fail the countless survivors of Mr. Epstein.
The recent closure of Yorks downtown Rite Aid is a huge loss, said Monica Kruger, director of the citys Bureau of Health. Ed Mahon / Spotlight PA

Story by Ed Mahon of Spotlight PA

Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.

HARRISBURG  Hundreds of pharmacies across Pennsylvania have gone out of business in recent years, data obtained by Spotlight PA show, and pharmacists say legislation passed last year to help isnt doing enough to stave off more closures.

The problem, pharmacists and their advocates say, boils down to how much pharmacies are paid for their work and the medications they provide. The reimbursements offered through insurance plans frequently dont cover the costs of the drugs themselves or the related overhead expenses, such as paying for staff and keeping the lights on, according to multiple Pennsylvania pharmacists and pharmacy owners.

Several pharmacists told Spotlight PA that depending on reimbursement rates, pharmacies can bring on more customers and fill more prescriptions  and still end up losing money.

Its kind of a double-edged sword, said Eric Abramowitz, a pharmacist and co-owner of Erics RX Shoppe in Montgomery County.

Pharmacists and some lawmakers have blamed closures on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)  middlemen in the drug pricing chain  although advocates for those businesses dispute it.

The ongoing Rite Aid bankruptcy closures threaten to further limit access to medication counseling, immunizations, and other local services. Several pharmacists told Spotlight PA the situation for the industry is dire across the state.

We are getting closer and closer to the day that we dont have main street pharmacies with their doors open, pharmacist Erich Cushey, owner of Curtis Pharmacy, which has four locations in rural southwestern Pennsylvania, told Spotlight PA.

Blaming the middlemen

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro criticized PBMs in his budget address in 2024, saying that folks are also getting screwed by the high cost of prescription drugs and that PBMs have made record profits on the backs of Pennsylvanians.

These intermediaries play a large role in what patients pay for medications, as they administer prescription benefits, which leads them to deal with drug manufacturers and pharmacies. The companies say they help reduce the cost of prescription drugs, while their critics deride them as middlemen that drive up those prices.

Shapiro called for reforming the operations of PBMs and said the businesses should have to report more information to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.

Last year, a bipartisan group from both chambers of the state legislature said Pennsylvanians were losing access to affordable prescription drugs. They specifically noted the large role that three such PBM companies  CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Optum Rx  have in the marketplace.

In legislative hearings at the time, pharmacists and advocates described an unequal playing field in which pharmacies dont have leverage to negotiate fair reimbursements in contracts. Rob Frankil, executive director of the Philadelphia Association of Retail Druggists, told lawmakers that PBMs were steering patients to their affiliated mail-order or in-person pharmacies. He described CVS  which has hundreds of stores in Pennsylvania  and its affiliated PBM as an example of who could benefit.

All this creates an imbalance of power, he said.

Its not just a problem for mom-and-pop stores, according to him. Large operators without such an alliance with a major PBM, including grocery store chains and Rite Aid, are suffering just as much as the independents, Frankil told lawmakers.

Rite Aid acquired a PBM in 2015, reentering a market brimming with competition from large, national players, the Associated Press reported at the time. But the plan didnt work. The pharmacy chain sold its Elixir PBM company in 2024, Forbes reported, after it first filed for bankruptcy. Frankil told Spotlight PA that Rite Aids PBM operation never really gained much traction and never came anywhere close to competing with the big three companies.

PBMs and their advocates have pushed back on these criticisms, saying they help lower the cost of prescription drugs for patients. Without them, employers and health plans would be forced to go it alone on pharmacy benefits, which would result in significantly higher drug costs for patients, says the website for the national Pharmaceutical Care Management Association.

Heather Cascone, assistant vice president for the organization, told Spotlight PA many factors influence pharmacy closures, including customer preferences for online options and whether doctors or hospitals practice near a pharmacy.

A spokesperson for CVS Caremark called independent pharmacies a vital part of its pharmacy network and said it reimburses those pharmacies in Pennsylvania more than it does CVS pharmacies. Our reimbursement models are designed to support access and stability across a diverse pharmacy landscape, spokesperson Phil Blando said.

The 2024 law is bringing new requirements and restrictions meant to help level the playing field. Those provisions go into effect at staggered times. For instance, registered PBMs need to submit annual transparency reports regarding their financial transactions beginning July of next year.

State Rep. Jessica Benham (D., Allegheny), the bills prime sponsor, said shes proud of the work to pass the law and shes already hearing of positive results when it comes to PBMs complying with it. But she said there are more issues to address.

In many ways, we laid a good foundation for future work, Benham said.

The impact of closures

Despite last years legislation, Pennsylvania is still reeling from pharmacies shutting down.

More than 800 licensed Pennsylvania pharmacies went out of business from January 2020 to early July of this year, according to Department of State records. While some new ones opened during that same time period, the data show a net loss of hundreds of pharmacies  with more expected. A state database of active pharmacies as of early July included about 230 Rite Aid ones.

Hundreds of Pennsylvania pharmacies have closed in recent years with the recent Rite Aid closures adding to the strain. Ed Mahon / Spotlight PA

These closures cause some patients to have to travel further, and some are running into problems as they try to transfer prescriptions, pharmacists and other health care leaders told Spotlight PA. Those barriers could lead some patients to slip through the cracks and not get their medications filled. Pharmacists and some lawmakers pushing for changes told Spotlight PA mail-order prescriptions arent sufficient to fill the gap left when local stores close.

Where we see the biggest impact, its usually in  rural locations and its in the underserved locations, said John DeJames, president of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association. So the people that need the help the most are the ones  getting hit the most.

In testimony to lawmakers last year, Lackawanna County pharmacy owner Eric Pusey described a bleak financial situation. In 2022, nearby pharmacy closures led patients to bring hundreds more prescriptions per week to his store, and total sales increased, he said.

But Puseys store ultimately lost more than $100,000 that year, he told lawmakers. To remain in operation, he tapped his personal savings and retirement funds, he said, and started looking into a loan through a federal program.

Hes made changes since then and cut expenses. This month, Pusey told Spotlight PA he has consolidated his debt and reduced his losses. But he said he cant take out more loans  hes maxed out whats available. If Pusey had to sell his store right now, based on the estimates hes heard, the proceeds wouldnt cover what he owes.

My goal right now is to break even for the rest of the year, he told Spotlight PA, and then hope that we get some type of legislation that will at least generate some type of profit that will help me to continue to serve our patients.

In York, a south-central Pennsylvania city with about 45,000 residents, the recent closure of its downtown Rite Aid is a huge loss, said Monica Kruger, director of the citys Bureau of Health.

Family First Health, a federally qualified health center with multiple locations in south-central Pennsylvania, plans to open a pharmacy in York this fall, which will help fill in the gaps.

Jenny Englerth, president and CEO of the nonprofit, told Spotlight PA that the recent pharmacy closures caused the organization to escalate our timeline for opening the pharmacy.

In Montgomery County, Erics RX Shoppe responded to closures by hiring more staff. Marc Ost, co-owner, said their goal is to figure out ways to serve patients in the area.

Were going to continue to do this because we feel its right, Ost told Spotlight PA. But, at some point, the financial burden of it catches up.

Calls for more action

Pharmacists and their advocates say the 2024 law and its implementation havent provided enough assistance. The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association says more state action is needed as pharmacies continue to grapple with unsustainable reimbursement rates, predatory practices, and operational pressures that threaten their ability to serve communities.

A proposal from state Sens. Judy Ward (R., Blair) and Lisa Boscola (D., Northampton) would affect payments to pharmacies for the millions of patients enrolled in the states Medicaid program. In a June memo to colleagues, they said the approach saved hundreds of millions of dollars in administrative costs for Ohio, while also allowing hundreds of millions of dollars in dispensing fees to go directly to pharmacies.

Their co-sponsorship memo said pharmacy closures in the state are being driven in large part by middlemen in the pharmaceutical supply chain, referring to PBMs. Boscola and Wards planned legislation has not been introduced yet.

An official with a national association that advocates for PBMs told Spotlight PA it makes no sense to blame PBMs for pharmacy closures in Pennsylvania.

PBMs arent trying to put pharmacies out of business, said Cascone, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association representative, in fact, PBMs are supporting community pharmacies in Pennsylvania through programs that increase reimbursement and advocating to allow them to expand the additional clinical services they can offer.

Adrian Sipes, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, told Spotlight PA that insurers are working on addressing the challenges presented by the Rite Aid closures and that if gaps are found, we expect insurers to report how they are addressing the gaps on a regular basis until the gaps are resolved. If people have trouble finding a pharmacy, they can contact the departments consumer help center, Sipes said.

Its a real shame

The financial burden of the payment system caught up to pharmacist Charlotte Moss, who tried for years to keep her small-town pharmacy alive in Columbia County.

She opened Vine Pharmacy in 2018. She named it after a Bible verse, which was also painted over a doorframe inside the building.

She and her staff offered a range of services, including: customized packaging to help people take their various medications at the right time of day; delivery for those who couldnt drive or didnt have vehicles; and classes to help people prevent or manage diabetes.

When flooding hit the area in 2019, her store was there for people who were injured by running water and needed wound care items. When COVID-19 came, they had curbside testing outside the store and held vaccine clinics at a fire hall. They stocked cold medicine, sunglasses, cards, and other convenience staples.

The shop was busy, but it struggled with its reimbursements, Moss said. She considered closing in 2022 but decided to keep going. She made adjustments along the way. She switched wholesalers, hoping that paying less for medications would help. She changed how she negotiated with PBMs for reimbursements.

Moss was happy lawmakers passed the oversight bill for PBMs, but she knew it wouldnt save her store. We were already too far in debt, she told Spotlight PA.

A goodbye post from Vine Pharmacy in April of this year thanked everyone who supported the business and praised the employees.

It has been a joy to serve Benton and many surrounding communities, the post said. If we would have received full (or even close to full) payment for what we billed out to insurance companies, we would have been able to stay for many years and even decades.

People posted dozens of comments, thanking them for the service and describing how much they would be missed. One person called them a blessing, and another referred to them as the very best thing to happen to our area in a very long time.

Jerry Laubach, a 68-year-old part-time truck driver and former township supervisor, felt the loss. He switched some of his prescriptions to mail-order. But for others, he said he drives more than 20 miles  one way  to a pharmacy in Bloomsburg.

Charlotte took great care of us at Vine Pharmacy, he told Spotlight PA. Its a real shame that she couldnt keep going.

BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Author: Anna Erickson, Georgia Institute of Technology

What happens when a country seeks to develop a peaceful nuclear energy program? Every peaceful program starts with a promise not to build a nuclear weapon. Then, the global community verifies that stated intent via the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

Once a country signs the treaty, the worlds nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, provides continuous and technical proof that the countrys nuclear program is peaceful.

The IAEA ensures that countries operate their programs within the limits of nonproliferation agreements: low enrichment and no reactor misuse. Part of the agreement allows the IAEA to inspect nuclear-related sites, including unannounced surprise visits.

These are not just log reviews. Inspectors know what should and should not be there. When the IAEA is not on site, cameras, tamper-revealing seals on equipment and real-time radiation monitors are working full-time to gather or verify inside information about the programs activities.

Safeguards toolkit

The IAEA safeguards toolkit is designed to detect proliferation activities early. Much of the work is fairly technical. The safeguards toolkit combines physical surveillance, material tracking, data analytics and scientific sampling. Inspectors are chemists, physicists and nuclear engineers. They count spent fuel rods in a cooling pond. They check tamper seals on centrifuges. Often, the inspectors walk miles through hallways and corridors carrying heavy equipment.

Thats how the world learned in April 2021 about Iran pushing uranium enrichment from reactor-fuel-grade to near-weapons-grade levels. IAEA inspectors were able to verify that Iran was feeding uranium into a series of centrifuges designed to enrich the uranium from 5%, used for energy programs, to 60%, which is a step toward the 90% level used in nuclear weapons.

Around the facilities, whether for uranium enrichment or plutonium processing, closed-circuit surveillance cameras monitor for undeclared materials or post-work activities. Seals around the facilities provide evidence that uranium gas cylinders have not been tampered with or that centrifuges operate at the declared levels. Beyond seals, online enrichment monitors allow inspectors to look inside of centrifuges for any changes in the declared enrichment process.

When the inspectors are on-site, they collect environmental swipes: samples of nuclear materials on surfaces, in dust or in the air. These can reveal if uranium has been enriched to levels beyond those allowed by the agreement. Or if plutonium, which is not used in nuclear power plants, is being produced in a reactor. Swipes are precise. They can identify enrichment levels from a particle smaller than a speck of dust. But they take time, days or weeks. Inspectors analyze the samples at the IAEAs laboratories using sophisticated equipment called mass spectrometers.

In addition to physical samples, IAEA inspectors look at the logs of material inventories. They look for diversion of uranium or plutonium from normal process lines, just like accountants trace the flow of finances, except that their verification is supported by the ever-watching online monitors and radiation sensors. They also count items of interest and weigh them for additional verification of the logs.

Beyond accounting for materials, IAEA inspectors verify that the facility matches the declared design. For example, if a country is expanding centrifuge halls to increase its enrichment capabilities, thats a red flag. Changes to the layout of material processing laboratories near nuclear reactors could be a sign that the program is preparing to produce unauthorized plutonium.

Losing access

Iran announced on June 28, 2025, that it has ended its cooperation with the IAEA. It removed the monitoring devices, including surveillance cameras, from centrifuge halls. This move followed the news by the IAEA that Irans enrichment activities are well outside of allowed levels. Iran now operates sophisticated uranium centrifuges, like models IR-6 and IR-9.

Removing IAEA access means that the international community loses insight into how quickly Irans program can accumulate weapon-grade uranium, or how much it has produced. Also lost is information about whether the facility is undergoing changes for proliferation purposes. These processes are difficult to detect with external surveillance, like satellites, alone.

A satellite view of Irans Arak Nuclear Complex, which has a reactor capable of producing plutonium. Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty Images Satellite image (c) 2025 Maxar Technologies via Getty Images

An alternative to the uranium enrichment path for producing nuclear weapons material is plutonium. Plutonium cant be mined, it has to be produced in a nuclear reactor. Iran built a reactor capable of producing plutonium, the IR-40 Heavy Water Research Reactor at the Arak Nuclear Complex.

Iran modified the Arak reactor under the now-defunct Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action to make plutonium production less likely. During the June 2025 missile attacks, Israel targeted Araks facilities with the aim of eliminating the possibility of plutonium production.

With IAEA access suspended, it wont be possible to see what happens inside the facility. Can the reactor be used for plutonium production? Although a lengthier process than the uranium enrichment path, plutonium provides a parallel path to uranium enrichment for developing nuclear weapons.

Continuity of knowledge

North Korea expelled IAEA inspectors in 2009. Within a few years, they restarted activities related to uranium enrichment and plutonium production in the Yongbyon reactor. The international communitys information about North Koreas weapons program now relies solely on external methods: satellite images, radioactive particles like xenon  airborne fingerprints of nuclear activities  and seismic data.

What is lost is the continuity of the knowledge, a chain of verification over time. Once the seals are broken or cameras are removed, that chain is lost, and so is confidence about what is happening at the facilities.

When it comes to IAEA inspections, there is no single tool that paints the whole picture. Surveillance plus sampling plus accounting provide validation and confidence. Losing even one weakens the system in the long term.

The existing safeguards regime is meant to detect violations. The countries that sign the nonproliferation treaty know that they are always watched, and that plays a deterrence role. The inspectors cant just resume the verification activities after some time if access is lost. Future access wont necessarily enable inspectors to clarify what happened during the gap.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/how-the-worlds-nuclear-watchdog-monitors-facilities-around-the-world-and-what-it-means-that-iran-kicked-it-out-260689.
Central Pennsylvania is bracing for a significant heat wave Thursday and Friday, with temperatures climbing into the 80s and 90s and heat index values potentially reaching 100 degrees, accompanied by increasing chances of thunderstorms over the weekend.

The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts a rapid warming trend, with temperatures rising 2 to 10 degrees above recent days.

Thursday will see daytime highs in the mid-80s to low 90s, with dewpoints in the mid to upper 60s creating muggy conditions. The heat risk is particularly elevated for areas northwest of Interstate 99 on Thursday and southeast of the corridor on Friday.

A heat advisory might be issued in the next 24 hours, with heat index values potentially reaching 95 to 100+ degrees in central and eastern valleys. Residents are advised to take precautions against heat-related illnesses, including staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged outdoor exposure during peak heat, and checking on vulnerable populations.

By Friday, thunderstorm chances increase, particularly across the northern tier of the region. The weekend forecast suggests multiple rounds of thunderstorms are probable, with the potential for locally heavy rainfall. The Weather Prediction Center has included the entire area in a marginal excessive rain risk for Saturday.

The weather pattern is expected to shift early next week, with a northwest flow bringing slightly cooler and less humid conditions. Ensemble data suggests the potential for a temperature moderation moving into early August, providing some relief.

Residents should stay informed about changing weather conditions, particularly the potential for heat-related risks and weekend thunderstorm activity.

Current weather radar

Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by PennLive.com staff.
(Information from the General Staff added in last two paragraphs)

The latest, ninth stage of the exchange between Ukraine and the Russian Federation has taken place, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said on his official Telegram channel.

"Today, the ninth stage of the exchange, agreed upon in Istanbul, has taken place. Seriously ill and seriously injured defenders are returning home. We can already talk about the details - over all stages of the latest Istanbul agreements, we managed to return more than 1,000 of our people. For a thousand families, it is a joy to hug their loved ones again. Thank you to everyone who worked on this," Zelenskyy said on Thursday night.

The president noted that among the returning defenders, "a significant number have been in captivity for more than three years."

"Everyone will receive the necessary support and medical care," he said.

According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as a result of the agreements in Istanbul, Ukrainian defenders were returned from Russian captivity - wounded and seriously ill soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the Navy, the Territorial Defense Forces, the State Border Guard Service, the National Guard, and the National Police. They defended Ukraine in all key areas: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, Kherson, Kharkiv, Sumy and Chernihiv.

Among the liberated defenders are soldiers, sergeants, and officers. Some spent more than three years in captivity. The youngest is 27, the oldest is 66.
Is Michael The Grinder Mizrachi the Best Poker Player in the World? | PokerNews Podcast #909

Chad Holloway PR & Media Manager Copy link

In the 909th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Kyna England, and Mike Holtz wrap up coverage of the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) by highlighting Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi, who not only won the 2025 WSOP Main Event for $10 million but was also snap-inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. It was a historic summer for The Grinder, and the crew gave him his just deserts.

They then talk about Shaun Deeb winning the WSOP Player of the Year for a second time, numbers from the summer, and late bracelet winners, including Andrew Ostapchenko, Daniel Zack, and Chad Eveslage. They also share final results from this year's 25K Fantasy Draft as well as the PokerNews Podcast draft involving Christina Gollins and Joey Ingram.

Meanwhile, news out of Las Vegas indicates poker chips can no longer be redeemed across competing properties, and there's a great high hand promotion at the Planet Hollywood Poker Room that players should know about. From there, it's over to the Venetian, including a big hand with Patrick Leonard from Venetian Poker Live, as well as Nico Betbese winning the WPT Venetian for $706K.

Finally, an update of all things PokerStars, including them parting ways with Barny Boatman, Silver Passes, Women's Summer Festival, and a look ahead to the EPT Barcelona.

PokerNews Podcast drops every week on Thursdays at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to A newPodcast drops every week on Thursdays at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!

Time Stamps

Time Topic 00:00 Welcome to the show 00:36 Post-WSOP hangover 02:10 Michael The Grinder Mizrachi wins WSOP Main Event 05:10 Winner interview w/ Michael Mizrachi 08:02 Mama Grinder on the rail 08:26 The Grinder inducted into Poker Hall of Fame 12:19 Numbers from the 2025 WSOP 17:30 Shaun Deeb wins 2025 WSOP POY 21:05 Andrew Ostapchenko claims first bracelet 22:35 Chad Eveslage captures fourth gold bracelet 23:28 Daniel Zack also wins fourth bracelet 24:59 25K Fantasy & PokerNews Fantasy results 29:25 High Hand promotion at Planet Hollywood 30:54 Poker chip change-up in Las Vegas 32:25 Heated hand from Venetian Poker Live 40:02 Nico Betbese wins WPT Venetian for $706K 40:25 Barny Boatman & PokerStars part ways 42:55 Silver Passes to NAPT 45:08 A look ahead to EPT Barcelona 45:33 PokerStars Womens Summer Festival

Tell us who you want to hear from. Let us know what you think of the show  tweet about the podcast using #PNPod, and be sure to follow Chad Holloway on X.

The podcast is sponsored by the #1 free-to-play WSOP app. Remember to use the bonus code "POKERNEWS" if you download and play for an extra 1,000,000 in chips!

Subscribe to the PokerNews Podcast on Apple Podcasts here! You can also find us on Spotify as well as our new page on SoundCloud!

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On Thursday night, the Russian Federation attacked Ukrainian regions with 103 strike drones and four missiles, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"There were 103 strike drones in total, most of them Shahed UAVs, and four missiles. And every night Russia chooses cities and communities to target. Unfortunately, three people died in the Kharkiv region. My condolences to all relatives and friends. More than ten people were injured, including a nine-year-old child in Cherkasy," Zelenskyy wrote on his Telegram channel on Thursday.

According to him, the Russians hit residential buildings and Pryvoz market in Odesa, high-rise buildings in Cherkasy, energy infrastructure in the Kharkiv region, a university gym in Zaporizhia, and the Donetsk, Sumy and Mykolaiv regions.

The President stressed that at yesterday's negotiations in Istanbul, the Ukrainian side once again voiced a proposal to the Russian side for an immediate and complete ceasefire, in response, Russian drones are hitting Ukrainian residential buildings.

"Russia does not stop terror, blocks diplomacy, and that is why it deserves full-scale sanctions responses and our strikes on its logistics, on its military bases, on its military production. We will do everything to make diplomacy work. But it is Russia that must stop this war, which it itself started," he said.
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Tiffany Tan is a senior reporter at The Post and Courier's Columbia newsroom. She covers statewide issues, particularly in the criminal justice system. She previously reported on the courts, the opioid epidemic and regional news in Vermont for VTDigger. She has also worked for newspapers and television outlets in South Dakota, Beijing, Singapore and Manila.
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Listed for $2.167 million, the 75-acre farm at 637 Belfast Road near Newberry includes two single-family homes and a rustic barn that has been used as a wedding and event venue.
48 MPs have signed the bill on the restoration of independence of anti-corruption institutions, Yaroslav Yurchyshyn (Holos faction), head of the parliamentary committee on freedom of speech, has said.

"The law on the restoration of independence of National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) was signed by 48 MPs from different factions. We are registering it. Tomorrow you can vote. Turbo mode, turbo mode. Your move, Mr. President," Yurchyshyn said on Facebook on Thursday.
Upstate Pride SC provides safe spaces along with PFLAG Spartanburg and Uplift Outreach Center for the LGBTQ+ community. PFLAG Spartanburg President Naomi Israel (left) and Uplift Outreach Center Program Director Jodi Snyder walk together in downtown Spartanburg on July 23, 2025.
SBU prevents terrorist attack in center of Kyiv: Kyiv woman supposed to blow up cafe on enemy's instructions

Counterintelligence of the Security Service prevented another terrorist attack by Russian special services in Kyiv: a female suspect who planned to blow up a cafe in the very center of the Ukrainian capital on the evening of July 23 was detained, the SBU reports.

"To commit the crime, she planned to leave two improvised explosive devices [IEDs] in the cafe with a total capacity of almost 1.5 kg in TNT equivalent," the Ukrainian special service said in a message on the Telegram channel on Thursday.

According to the case materials, Russian special services planned to remotely blow up both IEDs during the evening rush hour in order to kill the maximum number of people.

"SBU officers uncovered the hostile plot and detained the suspect red-handed when she entered the cafe with IEDs hidden in her bag," the report states.

As the investigation established, the Russian order was carried out by a Kyiv woman, whom the occupiers recruited to commit a terrorist attack under a "foreign flag," convincing the woman that she was supposed to carry out an SBU task.

The Security Service is establishing how the suspect obtained the IEDs.

It is documented that she received from the Russian curator the geolocation of the planned explosion site, where she was supposed to leave the explosives.

The suspect's phone with evidence of her contacts with the occupiers was seized.

The question of the qualification of her actions is currently being resolved.

The SBU emphasizes that representatives of the Security Service do not hire people by phone, do not offer to perform illegal actions, and do not set dubious tasks.

"In the event of receiving suspicious offers or contacts with unknown persons who present themselves as SBU employees, immediately report this to: the SBU hotline 0 800 501 482 or the Spaly FSB chatbot t.me/spaly_fsb_bot," the special service urges.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces an investigation into BellRing Brands, Inc. (NYSE:BRBR) for potential violations of the federal securities laws.If you invested in BellRing, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/bellring-brands-inc-class-action-lawsuit Why is BellRing being Investigated?BellRing operates in the convenient nutrition category. The Company's primary brands include Premier Protein and Dymatize, which offer ready-to-drink protein shakes and powders. During the relevant period, the Company stated that Premier Protein "hit an all-time high in household penetration" and that "demand remains strong." The Company also stated that its growth was "strong in all channels," driven by "distribution expansion, accelerating velocities and incremental promotional activity." In truth, the Company's sales growth during the relevant period may have been driven by temporary trade inventory loading at several key retailers, not sustainable end-consumer demand.The Stock Declines as the Truth is RevealedOn May 5, 2025, after market hours, BellRing revealed that starting in Q2 2023, "several key retailers lowered their weeks of supply on hand," which would create a headwind to Q3 2025 growth. The Company also announced it was expanding promotions to boost sales and "offset [] third quarter reductions in retailer trade inventory levels." On this news, the price of BellRing stock fell $13.96 per share, or more than 18%, from $77.34 per share on May 5, 2025, to $63.38 per share on May 6, 2025.Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/bellring-brands-inc-class-action-lawsuit What Can You Do?If you invested in BellRing 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
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 23, 2025 / If you suffered a loss on your Vestis Corporation (NYSE:VSTS) investment and want to learn about a potential recovery under the federal securities laws, follow the link below for more information:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or call (212) 363-7500 to speak to our team of experienced shareholder advocates.THE LAWSUIT: A class action securities lawsuit was filed against Vestis Corporation that seeks to recover losses of shareholders who were adversely affected by alleged securities fraud between May 2, 2024 and May 6, 2025.CASE DETAILS: According to the complaint, defendants provided overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Vestis' ability to grow its business; notably that Vestis would be unable to execute on planned strategic initiatives to drive purported improvements to the customer experience and its onboarding efforts in order to drive new customer growth, increased customer retention, and increased revenue from existing customers.On May 7, 2025, Vestis announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2025, withdrew its revenue and growth guidance for the full fiscal year 2025, and provided guidance for the third quarter of fiscal 2025 that fell significantly below market expectations. The Company attributed its poor results partially to "lost business in excess of new business," but primarily on "lower adds over stops, which is how we describe volume changes with our existing customers." The Company attributed its decision to pull full-year guidance and provide disappointing third quarter targets to the "increasingly uncertain macro environment." Following this news, the price of Vestis' common stock declined dramatically. From a closing market price of $8.71 per share on May 6, 2025, Vestis' stock price fell to $5.44 per share on May 7, 2025, a decline of about 37.54% in the span of just a single day.WHAT'S NEXT? If you suffered a loss in Vestis stock during the relevant time frame - even if you still hold your shares - go to https://zlk.com/pslra-1/vestis-corporation-lawsuit-submission-form?prid=157882&wire=1&utm_campaign=29 to learn about your rights to seek a recovery. There is no cost or obligation to participate.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) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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Securitization comprised of green bonds reflects EdgeCores commitment to sustainable development and operations practicesDENVER, CO / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 /EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure, a wholesale data center developer, owner and operator, today announced the completion of an asset-backed securitization (ABS), totaling $235 million. Proceeds will be used to refinance construction loans and fund future green data center development.This issuance is backed by EdgeCore's fully stabilized PH01 data center, which is comprised of 26 MW of IT capacity and is fully leased to a single hyperscale tenant. PH01 is located on EdgeCore's flagship data center campus in Greater Phoenix."EdgeCore's rapid, exponential growth continues to be supported by the strong financial backing of our owner, Partners Group, and our ability to raise funds through various financing strategies," said Lee Kestler, CEO, EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure. "Today's announcement of a significantly oversubscribed, $235 million asset-backed securitization and establishment of a corresponding master trust is a strong first step in a series of ABS issuances which will fund the development of high-density data center campuses across our portfolio." This ABS is comprised of designated green bonds, issued in accordance with EdgeCore's Green Financing Framework and aligned with the Green Bond Principles of the International Capital Markets Association. Second party opinion was provided by Sustainalytics."We prioritized the inclusion of green bonds in this $235 million ABS transaction as part of EdgeCore's commitment to designing and operating green data center campuses," said Julie Brewer, EVP of Finance, EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure. "The strength of the S&P ratings associated with this securitization are proof that the financial market continues to see value and stability in EdgeCore and the data center industry as a whole." EdgeCore's ABS was significantly oversubscribed and received S&P ratings of A- and BBB- for its two tranches of notes.Last month, EdgeCore announced the acquisition of 697 acres of land in Louisa County, Virginia, on which the company intends to develop a data center campus capable of supporting over 1.1GW of power. In May 2025, EdgeCore announced that it had acquired another 44 acres of land in Greater Phoenix, which will be used to expand its total data center capacity in Mesa, AZ to over 450MW of capacity.About EdgeCore Digital InfrastructureEdgeCore Digital Infrastructure serves the world's largest cloud and internet companies with both ready-for-occupancy and build-to-suit data center campuses that are designed for density. Privately held and backed by committed equity, EdgeCore enables hyperscale customer requirements by proactively investing in regions that provide the land and power necessary to support and scale AI and cloud technology. While working thoughtfully with the communities in which we do business, our data center campuses are built at scale to meet key performance specifications, safety metrics and sustainability objectives. EdgeCore has data center campuses in six North American markets with plans to expand into new regions in 2025 and beyond. For more information, please visit edgecore.com Contact Courtney GaudetEdgeCore Digital Infrastructure courtney.gaudet@edgecore.com SOURCE: EdgeCore Digital Infrastructure
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HOUSTON, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 /EON Resources Inc. (NYSE American:EONR) ("EON" or the "Company") is an independent upstream energy company with 20,000 leasehold acres comprising two fields in the Permian Basin in southeast New Mexico. Today, the Company provides insight into its preliminary second-quarter 2025 results and other actions reflecting a rebound in production after temporary impact from field actions; a reduction in field operating expenses, G&A costs and interest expense in Q2; the contracting of a third service rig in the Grayburg-Jackson Field; and the integration of the newly acquired South Justis Field.Grayburg-Jackson Field - Q2 actionsDuring the second quarter of 2025 and through this press release date, EON has performed several actions in the Grayburg-Jackson Field ("GJF") to increase profitability going forward. While some of the actions impacted production during Q2, the production rebounded late June to return to a stable production level going into July. The production trends and highlights of the activities in the GJF in Q2 and into July include:Since acquisition of the GJF through the end of Q1 2025, the gross barrels of oil per day ("BOPD") produced was stabilized and maintained at approximately 935 BOPD over the 15-month period. During Q2 2025, BOPD temporarily dropped by approximately 100 BOPD resulting in an 835 total BOPD average for the second quarter. In the last third of June and into July, the production returned to an average 935 BOPD run rate.The negative impacts on Q2 production resulted from an equal combination of on-going water injection mechanical problems and downtime required to perform acid treatments and well servicing work to return wells to production.The rebound in production during the last third of June and into July is a result of 12 wells having been treated with acid utilizing an improved proprietary chemical and well servicing work to return additional wells to production.To return wells to production, the Company ramped up the well service rigs in the GJF. The Company contracted a second well service rig in June 2025, in order to return a number of down wells to production. The two rigs have serviced 27 additional wells. A third well service rig was employed in July 2025, which started in the GJF in mid-July. The third well service rig is to primarily focus on saltwater injection wells to sustain long-term production. The Company expects to utilize three well service rigs for the foreseeable future to increase production over the next several quarters.Water injection performance was worse than anticipated. The poor performance combined with contractor delays in installation of a critical replacement water line, impacted Q2 2025 production. Crews have been mobilized to replace and install injection flowlines for a major portion of the GJF.The field team is making good progress to replace our water injection supply lines, returning down wells to production and repairing down water injection wells. In all, the Company expect to add another 100 BOPD in August 2025 by observing the same successful improvements made in June and July 2025.Insight to preliminary Q2 2025 financial resultsWhile the oil revenues from production were impacted in Q2 2025, the total revenues for Q2 2025 were little changed from Q1 2025. The impact was mitigated by the Company's hedging position. The Company recovered approximately $290K of cash as approximately 75% of the oil was hedged at $70.00 per barrel. The non-cash hedge portion had a positive revenue impact of approximately $500K.Mitigating the temporary production impact, cost reduction actions in late 2024 and into 2025 reduced Q1 2025 lease operating expenses ("LOE"), G&A costs and interest expense. The cost reduction trend continued in Q2 2025. Approximately $130k of combined costs were reduced in Q2 2025 from these three categories.The Company's balance sheet improved in Q2 2025. Former private loan obligations of the Company and related warrant liabilities were exchanged in full for long-term Convertible Notes by the end of Q2 2025. The resulting impact of the exchange was to reduce current liabilities by approximately $6 million. A portion of the Convertible Notes were converted to Class A common shares in Q2 2025 resulting in an overall debt reduction of approximately $3 million during the quarter with a concurrent increase in shareholder equity.South Justis Field acquisition completed in Q2On June 20, 2025, EON announced its acquisition of the South Justis Field ("SJF") in the Permian Basin. Since acquiring the field, the production has remained stable at over 100 BOPD from 19 actively producing wells. The Company plans to return an additional 30 wells to production over the next year, and is adding a second well service rig to the SJF to return down wells to production. The production from the reactivated wells is expected to average 5-10 BOPD per well, yielding field wide production of 250 to 400 BOPD. The SJF is expected to initially produce approximately $100K of cash from the operations, and increase as new wells are reactivated.More information on South Justis Field can be found on the EON website under the Company's operations page at the SJF operations page; the South Justis Field acquisition press release; and the South Justis Field investor call deck.Horizontal drilling program at GJF being poised for 2026In February 2025, EON announced its horizontal drilling program, which identified 50 well locations to be drilled over several years."Our horizontal drilling program is on schedule to commence during the first quarter of 2026," said Dante Caravaggio, President and CEO of the Company. "Initial and preliminary engineering and construction work has begun in the current quarter and will be completed by year-end. Each well is expected to produce 300 to 400 BOPD." "The ability to sell all produced oil is solid. Although there has been some short-term oil market tightness, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has forecasted crude output in the Permian Basin should rise from 13.2 million barrels a day to over 13.4 million barrels a day this year, our largest customer will take every barrel of oil we produce at market prices," said Mitchell B. Trotter, CFO of the Company. "Oil in the Permian Basin in New Mexico grew by 14 percent in 2024, and it should continue to grow this year. We remain bullish on EON and the high upside potential of our fields." About the Grayburg-Jackson Oil Field PropertyLH Operating, LLC ("LHO"), a wholly owned subsidiary of EON, operates its holdings in New Mexico of oil and gas waterflood production comprising 13,700 contiguous leasehold acres, 342 producing wells and 207 injection wells situ
PR-Inside.com: 2025-07-24 23:45:13

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TAMPA, FL / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / Foundational Builders Corporation (FB Corp), a national construction and structural retrofit company, has officially expanded operations into Florida. With a focus on structural integrity, hurricane resiliency, and code compliance, the company brings experience from some of the country's most complex construction markets to support Florida's evolving infrastructure needs.Originally founded in California, Foundational Builders Corporation has developed a construction model that emphasizes speed without sacrificing quality. The company's approach combines engineering expertise, project readiness, and strict adherence to regulatory standards-particularly important in Florida's post-Surfside environment."Florida's construction landscape requires a high level of precision and accountability,"said Andrew Robles, CEO of Foundational Builders Corporation."Our team is prepared to meet that challenge by integrating structural assessment, compliance, and modular building strategies into a streamlined process. We're here to contribute to a safer, more resilient built environment." A Response to Evolving Market DemandsFollowing the Surfside tragedy in 2021, Florida's building codes have become more stringent, with increased scrutiny on structural retrofits and safety assessments. FB Corp enters the market with systems already in place to meet these demands, including:In-house engineering support for code-compliant designsExpertise in structural retrofits and concrete restorationModular construction options suited to Florida's climateRobust compliance protocols embedded in every project phaseThe company has already begun working with owners and developers across South Florida, including projects in Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties.Leadership with a Hands-On ApproachAt the center of this expansion is CEO Andrew Robles, whose leadership style is rooted in operational involvement. Known for being on-site and engaged with every phase of construction, Robles fosters a company culture of accountability and high performance."When leadership is present and informed, execution improves across the board,"Robles added."We believe in doing the work the right way the first time-and that begins with leadership setting the tone." About Foundational Builders CorporationFoundational Builders Corporation is a U.S.-based construction firm specializing in structural retrofits, concrete assessment, and modular construction. With a mission to elevate standards in the construction industry, the company serves commercial and residential sectors with a focus on safety, compliance, and durability. Headquartered in California with a growing presence in Florida, FB Corp is committed to delivering resilient structures that meet the demands of today's regulatory and environmental landscape.For more information about Foundational Builders Corporation and its expansion initiatives, please visitwww.foundationalbuilders.com Website|LinkedIn|Instagram|YouTubeMedia Contact:Company Name: Foundational Builders Corporation Contact Name: Andrew Robles Country: Los Angeles, California, United States Email: contact@ foundationalbuilders.com SOURCE: Foundational Builders Corporation
PR-Inside.com: 2025-07-24 22:05:12

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VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 /GGL Resources Corp. (TSX-V:GGL) ("GGL" or the "Company") announces that it has closed the initial tranche of its previously-announced non-brokered private placement for total proceeds of $350,000 (see GGL's news release dated June 24, 2025). GGL also anticipates that it may close a second tranche pursuant to applicable TSX Venture Exchange policy on or before August 8, 2025 - further information in that regard will be disseminated in due course.The initial tranche consisted of the sale of a total of 7,000,000 units at a price of $0.05 each, each unit consisting of one common share and one common share purchase warrant, with each warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $0.10 until July 24, 2027.All of the shares issued pursuant to the initial tranche, including any shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of the warrants, are subject to a hold period in Canada until November 25, 2025. The proceeds from this private placement will be used to fund exploration activities on the Company's United States and Canadian based exploration projects and for general working capital purposes.Insiders of GGL purchased a total of 980,000 units pursuant to the initial tranche. The participation of these insiders in the initial tranche constituted a related party transaction within the meaning of TSX-V Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - "Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions" ("MI 61-101"). GGL has relied on exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements provided under sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(a) of MI 61-101 on the basis that the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of insider participation in the private placement does not exceed 25% of GGL's market capitalization.About GGL Resources Corp.GGL is a seasoned, Canadian-based junior exploration company, focused on the exploration and advancement of under-evaluated mineral assets in politically stable, mining friendly jurisdictions. The Company has optioned and wholly owned claims in the Gold Point district of the prolific Walker Lane Trend, Nevada. The Gold Point claims cover several gold-silver veins, five of which host past producing high-grade mines, as well as an exciting new porphyry target which is currently under option to Teck. The Company also owns the McConnell Project, which hosts mesothermal gold veins and an under explored porphyry copper-gold prospect in the Kemess District of north-central British Columbia. GGL also holds diamond royalties on mineral leases adjacent to the Gahcho Kue diamond mine and southwest of the Ekati diamond mine in the Northwest Territories.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD"Matthew Turner"Interim Chief Executive Officer and DirectorFor further information concerning GGL Resources Corp. or its various exploration projects please visit our website at www.gglresourcescorp.com or contact:Investor InquiriesCorporate InformationRichard DrechslerLinda KnightCorporate CommunicationsCorporate SecretaryTel: (604) 687-2522Tel: (604) 688-0546NA Toll-Free: (888) 688-2522info@ gglresourcescorp.com rdrechsler@ strategicmetalsltd.com This news release may contain forward-looking statements 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, and actual results may differ materially from the expected results.Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.SOURCE: GGL Resources Corp.
PR-Inside.com: 2025-07-24 20:34:08

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 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
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As of July 24, 2025, the Embassy of Ukraine receives reports of armed clashes between military units of Thailand and Cambodia in the area of the common border.

"According to available information, there are victims. In this regard, citizens of Ukraine who are in or planning to travel to border regions are recommended to: follow the instructions of local authorities and security forces of Thailand; regularly check official information on the development of the situation; refrain from visiting border areas where an increased level of security has been noted," the embassy urged in a message on Facebook.

In case of emergency situations, Ukrainian citizens should contact the embassy by phone at 0970107760 or write to [email protected]

"The Embassy of Ukraine in the Kingdom of Thailand is constantly monitoring the situation," the message states.
PR-Inside.com: 2025-07-24 18:32:14

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / Tabb, Inc. ("Tabb") 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 information entrusted to Tabb.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On August 14, 2024, Tabb. became aware of a security incident involving a database used to store background check data on behalf of its clients. Upon detection, Tabb launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to data stored on its network.The impacted data may include names and Social Security numbers.On February 21, 2025, Tabb began notifying individuals whose data was exposed and filed a notice with the Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive 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 Tabb, Inc., you are likely to be 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, LLP 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: 2025-07-24 02:35:05

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With key changes to business regulations now in effect, Liberty has flexible business loans to support Australian businesses this financial year.MELBOURNE, AU / ACCESS Newswire / July 23, 2025 / According to Business.gov.au , changes to the national minimum wage, registration fees and company fees are now in effect for the current financial year.These updates present a timely opportunity for businesses to review their current operations and explore funding options to support cash flow management and growth.Leading lender Liberty is ready to help businesses adapt and thrive this financial year with a range of flexible business loan options designed to meet evolving needs.Communications Manager, Bernadine Pantarotto, says Liberty recognises that fast and flexible funding is essential for businesses in today's dynamic landscape."At Liberty, we remain committed to supporting businesses as they respond to new challenges and opportunities," Ms Pantarotto said."Whether it's expanding operations, investing in equipment or managing cash flow, we work with borrowers to find a solution that fits their needs." With close to three decades of experience, Liberty understands the unique challenges faced by businesses of all sizes and industries. The lender offers a suite of business loans including low doc loans, secured loans and business lines-of-credit to help more borrowers access the support they need."Our lending options are designed to open more doors for business owners and entrepreneurs," said Ms Pantarotto.Liberty's dedication to flexibility is reflected in their personalised approach."We understand no two borrowers are the same, which is why we look beyond the traditional criteria to understand their unique goals and circumstances," added Ms Pantarotto.From small to established business owners, investors and more, Liberty empowers borrowers with free-thinking solutions.Beyond business loans, Liberty offers innovative solutions across home, car, personal, commercial and SMSF loans."We're proud to be a trusted partner for Australia businesses and to have helped over 900,000 borrowers reach their goals," said Ms Pantarotto.About Liberty As one of Australia's leading non-bank lenders, Liberty offers innovative solutions to support customers with greater choice. Over more than 27 years, this free-thinking approach to loan solutions has seen more than 900,000 customers across a wide range of home, car, business and personal loans, as well as SMSF lending and insurance. Liberty remains the only non-bank lender with an investment-grade credit rating offering custom and prime solutions to help more people get financial.Approved applicants only. Lending criteria apply. Fees and charges are payable. Liberty Financial Pty Ltd ACN 077 248 983 and Secure Funding Pty Ltd ABN 25 081 982 872 Australian Credit Licence 388133, together trading as Liberty Financial.Contact Laura OrchardMedia CoordinatorP: +61 3 8635 8888E: mediaenquiries@ liberty.com.au SOURCE: Liberty
PR-Inside.com: 2025-07-24 02:00:13

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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 23, 2025 / Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation of Encompass Health Corporation ("Encompass Health Corporation") (NYSE:EHC) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws.On July 15, 2025, the New York Times published an article, entitled "Even Grave Errors at Rehab Hospitals Go Unpenalized and Undisclosed," discussing the state of the private rehabilitation hospital industry. In the article, the Times specifically identified Encompass as one of the for-profit rehab corporations that "have had rare but serious incident of patient harm and perform below average on two key safety measure tracked by Medicare." The article went on to note specific examples highlighting significant patient safety concerns, medication errors, and an overall lack of oversight at Encompass' hospitals. Following this news, Encompass' stock price fell by $12.39 per share to close at $ 107.28 per share. To obtain additional information, go to:or contact Joseph E. Levi, Esq. either via email at jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com or by telephone at (212)363-7500.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212)363-7500 Fax: (212)363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP
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Data show urgent need for site-neutral payment reformWASHINGTON, DC / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / A groundbreaking peer-reviewedstudypublished today in Journal of Market Access & Health Policy reveals that hospital-affiliated physicians across four specialties are far more likely to perform procedures in high-cost hospital outpatient departments than in lower-cost ambulatory surgery centers or medical offices.Thestudy-- "Physician Practice Affiliation Drives Site of Care Cost Differentials: An Opportunity to Reduce Healthcare Expenditures" -- also details drastic differences in cost between sites of care and thus suggests that hospital-affiliated physicians are the highest-cost providers of outpatient services across those four specialties."Our research makes clear that the site of care -- and whether the physician delivering that care is employed by a hospital -- are key drivers of healthcare spending," said Dr. Paul Berggreen, an author of the study and president and board chair of theAmerican Independent Medical Practice Association . "These findings make a powerful case for eliminating payment disparities for the same services delivered in different outpatient settings for the benefit of patients and our healthcare system." The study analyzed Medicare fee-for-service data and commercial claims for 32 high-volume procedures in cardiology, gastroenterology, orthopedics, and urology. These specialties were selected for three reasons. First, Medicare beneficiaries commonly seek care from specialists in these fields. Second, each specialty comprises physician practice models that are both affiliated and unaffiliated with hospitals. Third, the high-volume procedures examined are routinely performed in multiple settings, including HOPDs, ASCs, and physician offices, according to 2022 commercial claims data.The study found that Medicare beneficiaries treated by hospital-affiliated physicians had just a 37% chance of receiving care in the lowest-cost setting across the four medical specialties examined.The cost implications are massive. According to the study, hospital outpatient departments receive reimbursement from Medicare that is up to 861% of the reimbursement that ambulatory surgery centers or physician's offices receive. Commercial insurance pays HOPDs as much as 1,346% of the reimbursement that ASCs or doctor's offices receive.Hospitals have come to dominate the physician marketplace. Between 2019 and 2024, they acquired7,600 physician practices .More than halfof doctors nationwide are now employed by hospitals or health systems."Hospitals' structural payment advantage is driving independent physician practices out of business -- and resulting in higher costs for patients and payers," said Dr. David Eagle, an author of the study and vice president of AIMPA. "I hope our research spurs greater interest among policymakers in site-neutral payment reform and in establishing a more sustainable payment structure to preserve the vitality of independent medical practice -- and the ability of patients to access high-quality, affordable care." ###To read thestudy-- "Physician Practice Affiliation Drives Site of Care Cost Differentials: An Opportunity to Reduce Healthcare Expenditures" -- please visit theJournal of Market Access & Health Policy's website .About the American Independent Medical Practice Association The American Independent Medical Practice Association is a physician-led national advocacy organization representing more than 600 independent medical practices that provide quality, affordable health care for more than 25 million patients each year.These independent practices are critical access points for health care across the country -- at more than 4,200 medical office locations and over 575 independent ambulatory surgery centers in 45 states and the District of Columbia.We advocate on behalf of more than 12,000 physicians caring for patients in the fields of Primary Care and Internal Medicine as well as the specialties of Cardiology, Dermatology, Gastroenterology, Hematology/Medical Oncology, Nephrology, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, Otolaryngology, Radiation Oncology, Urology, Urgent Care, Vascular Medicine, and Women's Health.Media Contact Brigit Wolf brigit@ keybridge.biz (202) 980-9256SOURCE: American Independent Medical Practice Association
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / Leading securities law firmBleichmar Fonti & Auld LLPannounces an investigation into Olo Inc. (NYSE:OLO), its board of directors, its executive officers, and founder and current CEO Noah H. Glass for potential breaches of their fiduciary duties to shareholders in connection with the pending sale of Olo to Thoma Bravo Discover Fund IV, L.P. ("Thoma Bravo") for $10.25 per share.If you are a current shareholder of Olo, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/olo-inc-merger-investigation Why is Olo being Investigated?Olo is an open SaaS platform for restaurants that powers restaurant brands' on-demand digital commerce operations, enabling digital ordering, delivery, engagement, and payments. Olo common stock is divided into Class A and Class B shares. Class A shares are publicly traded, whereas Class B shares are not. Class B shares receive ten votes per share, while Class A shares receive only one vote. As of December 31, 2024, "directors and executive officers and their affiliates collectively beneficially owned, in the aggregate, shares representing approximately 82% of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock." On July 3, 2025, Olo announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Thoma Bravo in an all-cash transaction valuing Olo at approximately $2 billion in equity value. Under the terms of the agreement, Olo shareholders will receive $10.25 per share in cash. The per-share purchase price purportedly represents a premium of 65% over Olo's unaffected share price of $6.20 as of April 30, 2025.BFA Law is investigating whether Olo's board of directors, its executive officers, and/or Glass breached their fiduciary duties to shareholders in connection with the merger.Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/olo-inc-merger-investigation What Can You Do?If you are a current holder of Olo 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: 2025-07-24 14:03:39

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Argentina Success Validates Global Education Platform with Major Cancun Event and Six More In-Country Programs ScheduledLAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESS Newswire / July 24, 2025 / Regenerative Medical Technologies Group, Inc. (OTCID:RMTG), a global leader in regenerative medicine solutions, today announced the successful completion of its ISSCA Argentina 2025 event in Buenos Aires, which attracted hundreds of doctors and medical professionals to the Four Seasons hotel downtown. The Company also announced seven additional ISSCA training events scheduled for 2025, demonstrating continued momentum in its global physician education platform.Event Success and Revenue Impact: The Buenos Aires event represents RMTG's continued expansion of its ISSCA (International Society for Stem Cell Application) education platform, which generates significant revenue through physician training, certification programs, and product sales. The event featured comprehensive training from theoretical lectures to live clinical practice, with doctors completing certification by working through real-life clinical cases guided by industry experts.Strategic Training Platform Expansion: Proven Demand: Hundreds of physicians filled the Four Seasons hotel, validating market appetite for advanced regenerative medicine training Revenue Generation: ISSCA events drive multiple revenue streams including training fees, certification programs, and Cellgenic product sales Global Reach: Seven additional events scheduled across key markets including major annual event in Cancun Certification Value: Hands-on training with real clinical cases provides premium value proposition for medical professionals Product Integration: Cellgenic product line serves as official sponsor, creating direct sales opportunities during training eventsWe are grateful for the attendance of some of the best doctors who seek out the latest innovations and come to learn new breakthroughs in regenerative medicine," said David Christensen, CEO and President. "We filled the 4-Seasons hotel downtown with hundreds of doctors and medical professionals who attended this incredible event." Upcoming 2025 ISSCA Event Schedule: The Company announced Seven additional ISSCA training events for 2025, expanding its global education footprint:Global Event Cancun - September 11thBrazil - October 2ndColombia - October 24thCancun 2.0 - November 7thSaudi Arabia - November 14thPeru - November 28thPuerto Rico - December 5th"ISSCA is one of the world's largest and most effective Physician Training in the Regenerative Medical Industry," said Benito Novas, Founder of Global Stem Cells Group (GSCG). "We are honored and grateful to our whole team for the countless hours and enduring passion to consistently put on the best events in the Regenerative Medical industry." The Buenos Aires success builds on RMTG's recent Q1 2025 performance that delivered $1.35M in sales representing 67% growth with operational profits of $134,000. The Company's global education platform continues to drive both direct revenue and affiliate partnerships worldwide.About Regenerative Medical Technologies Group, Inc. (RMTG): RMTG operates through its Global Stem Cells Group subsidiary across more than 30 countries, distributing regenerative medicine solutions worldwide while specializing in physician education through its ISSCA platform. The Company's integrated approach combines clinical operations and procedures, product and equipment distribution, and medical education to capitalize on the rapidly expanding global regenerative medicine market. To learn more, visit www.stemcellsgroup.com CAUTIONARY DISCLOSURE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS The information contained in this publication does not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy securities of Regenerative Medical Technologies Group, Inc. (the "Company"). This publication contains forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance and may involve subjective judgment and analysis. As such, there are no assurances whatsoever that the Company will meet its expectations with respect to its future revenues, affiliate partnerships, market expansion, or revenue generation from Puerto Rico operations. The information provided herein is believed to be accurate and reliable, however the Company makes no representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or completeness. There is no guarantee that the Puerto Rico affiliate will achieve projected revenue targets, that market opportunities will materialize as anticipated, or that the affiliate model will continue to be successful. The Company has no obligation to provide the recipient with additional updated information. No information in this publication should be interpreted as any indication whatsoever of the Company's future revenues, results of operations, or stock priceFor further information, please contact: investor.relations@regenmedtechgroup.com | (800) 956-3935SOURCE: Regenerative Medical Technology Group
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NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 23, 2025 /WHY: New York, N.Y., July 23, 2025. Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Vestis Corporation (NYSE:VSTS) between May 2, 2024 and May 6, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important August 8, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Vestis 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 Vestis class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=25291 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com 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 August 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. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm 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 provided overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Vestis' ability to grow its business; notably that Vestis would be unable to execute on planned strategic initiatives to drive purported improvements to the customer experience and its onboarding efforts in order to drive new customer growth, increased customer retention, and increased revenue from existing customers. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Vestis class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=25291 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com 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 FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja, on Thursday, affirmed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions (EFCC) statutory power to investigate and prosecute cases of tax evasion and other tax-related offences.

The unanimous judgement of the courts three-member panel overturned a previous ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The judgement arose from an appeal filed by the EFCC against a ruling by Taiwo Taiwo, now retired judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The lower court had initially held that the EFCC lacked the statutory authority to investigate tax evasion and could not extend its money laundering investigations to include tax evasion as a predicate offence.

This earlier decision was prompted by a suit filed by Insurance Resourcery and Consultancy Service Limited, which had challenged the EFCCs invitation and investigation of its officials for alleged tax evasion, arguing that EFCC was not competent to do so under the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Act.

Dissatisfied with the trial courts decision, the EFCC appealed, relying on Section 46 of its enabling Act. One of the key grounds of appeal was whether the trial court was correct in concluding that the commission lacked the statutory power to invite or investigate a company for money laundering where tax evasion served as the predicate offense.

The lead judgement delivered by Balkisu Bello Aliyu stated that the trial judge erred in holding that the EFCC had no power to investigate tax evasion, citing Section 46 of the EFCC Act.

Furthermore, she emphasised that the FIRS Act itself explicitly provides for and supports collaboration between the FIRS, the EFCC, and other government agencies in the investigation and enforcement of tax evasion.

Consequently, the appellate court found that the trial courts finding that the EFCC could not extend its investigation of money laundering to tax evasion as a predicate offense was unsupported by law and therefore incorrect.

Ms Aliyu also resolved other issues for determination in favour of the EFCC, declaring that the appeal was meritorious. As a result, the judgment of the Federal High Court, delivered on 28 July 2022, in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/457/2022, was set aside in its entirety.

Two other justices on the panel  Adebukola Banjoko and Okon Efreki Abang  concurred.

The Court of Appeal decision clarifies and strengthens the EFCCs mandate in combating financial crimes, particularly those intertwined with tax evasion.

The case highlights the unwavering efforts of EFCCs antagonists to whittle down the powers and shrink the mandate areas of the commission over the years.

Fridays decision comes on the heels of last years judgment of the Supreme Court throwing out one of such suits aimed at chipping away at the powers of the agency.

In the judgement, the Supreme Court dismissed the suit filed by some state governments led by Kogi State to challenge the establishment and prosecutorial powers of Nigerias key anti-corruption agencies, including the EFCC. The suit, which invoked the original of the Supreme Court, was initiated at the peak of the efforts of the EFCC to apprehend former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello over corruption charges pending against him in court last year.
Nigerias capeital markets top watchdog, the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) has issued a no objection to recent off-market trade involving 10.4 billion shares of First HoldCo Plc.

The regulator said in a statement signed by Efe Ebelo, its head of external relations, that it issued the no objection, following due consideration and in full compliance with applicable requirements.

There was no subsequent request for additional information from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) following the conclusion of the transaction, SEC stated.

It is important to note that the Commissions correspondence with the operators involved was not a query. Rather, it was an automated compliance mechanism designed to promote transparency and ensure proper conclusion of large transactions within the market, the commission added.

Last Wednesday, the shares representing roughly 25 per cent of First HoldCos outstanding shares, exchanged hands in 17 negotiated deals at N31 per unit.

First HoldCo disclosed in a statement to NGX Regulation Limited on Friday that the sellers were Barbican Capital Limited & affiliates and Leadway Group & affiliates, and the buyer was RC Investment Management Limited.

Oba Otudeko, a former chair of the board of directors of the holding company, controls Barbican Capital Limited, while Tunde Hassan-Odukale, an erstwhile chairman of First Bank, is the chief executive officer of Leadway Assurance Company Limited.

According to information gathered by PREMIUM TIMES, Barbican Capital sold 5.88 billion units, Peace Account GASL Nominee (associated with Mr Otudeko), sold 1.52 billion shares, RAML/MEF9 (associated with Mr Otudeko) sold 392.9 million shares, UBAPC/Leadway Pensure PFA Ltd FD1-T (associated with Mr Hassan-Odukale) sold 6 million shares, while ZPC/Leadway/NNPC Staff Pen Inv A/C  TRA (associated with Mr Hassan-Odukale) sold 24 million shares.

Also, Mr Hassan-Odukale sold 30.7 million shares, UBAPC/Leadway Pensure PFA Ltd FundIII-T (associated with Mr Hassan-Odukale) sold 39.9 million, Leadway Holdings Limited (associated with Mr Hassan-Odukale) sold 1.03 billion shares, ZPC/Leadway Assur. Prem. Coll. & Inv. A/C-T (associated with Mr Hassan-Odukale) sold 323.6 million, Leadway Assurance Co. Ltd (associated with Mr Hassan-Odukale) sold 432.3 million, while UBAPC/Leadway Pensure PFA Ltd-T (associated with Mr Hassan-Odukale) sold 392.3 million shares.

First HoldCo has stated that Femi Otedola, its chairman, did not partake in the transactions involving the 10.4 billlion shares, neither did the Nigerian Government, its agencies and the attorney general of the federation, contrary to some media reports.
Veteran actor Pete Edochie has revealed why men from the eastern region of Nigeria (the Igbo) often struggle to succeed in politics.

The 78-year-old screen legend made this known in a viral video excerpt from his interview on Afia TV, posted on the platforms YouTube page on 17 July.

Edochie, best known for his iconic portrayal of Okonkwo in the Nigerian Television Authoritys adaptation of Chinua Achebes classic novel Things Fall Apart, attributed the political challenges faced by Igbo men to their profound intolerance for treachery.

The actor who began his career as a broadcaster with the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) noted, An Igbo man isnt a good politician, and Ill tell you why. People who are used to politics or the treachery that characterises politics can overlook many things. But the Igbo man is not constituted to condone treachery a second time.

If you hurt the Igbo man once in politics, that is it; he will never allow you to hurt him again. He will recoil into himself and stay there. Thats the average Igbo man.

Culture

Edochie attributed this to Igbo culture, which values loyalty and trust.

He observed that while these values are admirable, they can sometimes hinder the political ambitions of Igbo politicians, who may find it challenging to sustain strategic alliances in the ruthless arena of politics.

Igbo man isnt constituted to sustain political treachery, you know, all those dont worry, well, its not how it is for an Igbo man. When you exhibit treachery in your involvement with an Igbo man, they cut you off. Thats it, he said.

The veteran actor, known for his roles in films such as Heavy Battle, Test Your Heart, and Greatest Harvest, never ventured into politics.

However, his son, Yul, did.

This newspaper reported in 2017 that Yul emerged as the Democratic Peoples Congress (DPC) governorship candidate for the Anambra State election.

He secured the partys ticket unopposed during the primary held in Awka, buoyed by his social media campaign themed #TheLastBusStop, in which he pledged to transform governance if elected.

Despite the momentum, Yul suffered a resounding defeat, losing by a wide margin to the then-incumbent governor, Willie Obiano.
As a result of the negotiations in Istanbul, Russia provided information on less than a fifth of the children from the initial list of 339 names of abducted Ukrainian children, and there is no information on more than 200 children, including those from the Kherson Children's Home, said Andriy Yermak, head of the Office of the President of Ukraine.

"The initial list of 339 names was submitted by Ukraine in Istanbul as a confidence-building measure. The response received from the Russian side as of today is fragmentary - only partial information has been provided on less than a fifth of the children from the initial list. There has been no reaction on more than 200 children, including those from the Kherson Children's Home. The statement about the 'full working out of the list,' to put it mildly, does not correspond to reality," he wrote in a comment on the public statements of the representative of the Russian delegation regarding the abducted Ukrainian children in a telegram on Thursday.

Yermak noted that he was forced to make such comments because, after the end of the round of negotiations in Istanbul, a representative of the Russian delegation made a number of statements to the media regarding the initial list of abducted children previously submitted by Ukraine. According to Yermak, currently the Ukrainian side "is deliberately making restrained public comments, seeking to preserve space for substantive dialogue and avoid politicizing a sensitive track. At the same time, given the distorted and manipulative nature of certain statements, we consider it necessary to provide clarification."

"Separate mention was made of the allegedly already returned part of the children. In fact, we are talking about only six children, five of whom are from one family, who were returned last week. This became possible thanks to the long-term humanitarian process mediated by the State of Qatar, which lasted more than a year. This case demonstrates, first of all, the results of Qatar's mediation," Yermak emphasized.

As for the persons whom the Russian side declared as having reached the age of majority, this refers, in particular, to the pupils of the Oleshkiv boarding school with disabilities, among whom were both children and persons who had reached the age of majority.

"Their forced displacement is a serious violation of international humanitarian law. Reaching the age of 18 does not cancel the fact of committing a war crime and does not deprive these persons of the right to return home," the head of the President's Office emphasized.

"It was also publicly stated that some of the children from the initial list are allegedly in Europe. At the same time, all that the Russian side has informed Ukraine, citing its own law enforcement agencies, is that two children allegedly left the territory of the Russian Federation. Neither the country of border crossing nor other details are indicated. If two Ukrainian children really left the territory of the Russian Federation, Ukraine expects full information from Russia about the circumstances of their departure," he added.

"Ukraine remains open to further interaction in this humanitarian track and awaits a full and meaningful response regarding each child from the previously submitted initial list of abducted children," Yermak said.
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was briefly detained by immigration officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Thursday morning while trying to board a flight to the United Kingdom, PREMIUM TIMES has learnt.

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central in the Senate, was reportedly stopped and told she could not travel because her name had been placed on a watch list  allegedly at the request of the leadership of the National Assembly.

A family member familiar with the matter told PREMIUM TIMES that the senator was traveling with her husband to attend the graduation ceremony of her stepson in the UK when immigration officers blocked her at the departure terminal.

She was told that the leadership of the National Assembly requested that she be considered a flight risk and placed on a watch list, the family member said, asking not to be named for security reasons. We are wondering why they treated her that way, given there is no court order restricting her movement and she has never missed any of her court appearances.

The incident, which caused a brief stir at the airport, comes amid growing tensions between the senator and the leadership of the National Assembly.

Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan is challenging the Senates recent decision to suspend her from her position after she openly protested the change of her seating position. She later accused the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment, an allegation Mr Akpabio has fiercely denied.

The Federal Government has also filed two criminal defamation cases against the Kogi senator. She has accused key figures in the Senate of orchestrating a witch-hunt, and her associates believe Thursdays incident may be connected to that ongoing political confrontation.

Witnesses said the senator protested the travel restriction and was seen making several frantic telephone calls to senior immigration and government officials. After nearly an hour, she was cleared to board her British Airways flight.

Her passport was eventually stamped and she was allowed to proceed, one witness said.

When contacted shortly before takeoff, Mrs Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed the incident to PREMIUM TIMES but declined to provide details. The aircraft is about to take off, she said.

Her family member said they hoped the senator would not be subjected to a similar ordeal when she returns to Nigeria in two weeks.

Immigration authorities are yet to comment on the matter. The spokesperson for the Service, Akinsola Akinlabi, said he would revert once he obtains details of the incident.
The Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to jointly pay N10 million in damages for the violation of the fundamental rights of several peaceful protesters.

Delivering judgement on Thursday, the judge M. Kakaki, held that although the police have constitutional powers to enforce laws, those powers must be exercised in accordance with democratic principles and the rule of law.

The judge ruled that the applicants, who participated in a peaceful protest on 20 October 2024, during the fourth anniversary of the #ENDSARS peaceful memorial procession, were unjustly harassed and their rights infringed upon.

Mr Kakaki affirmed that the applicants were entitled to the constitutional right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, as guaranteed under Section 40 of the Nigerian constitution.

He ruled that the judgement of the Lagos State High Court delivered on 30 January, which restricted protests in Lagos to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, and Peace Park, Ketu  could not be retroactively applied to the October 2024 memorial protest.

The judgement of the Lagos State High Court does not extend to the protest of 20 October 2024, Mr Kakaki declared, affirming that the protesters arrest by the police violated their fundamental rights.

When a Court finds the fundamental rights of citizens infringed upon, the Court can grant damages even if it was not prayed for, he added.

The applicants in the suit include: Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Uadiale Kingsley, Ilesanmi Kehinde, Osopale Adeseye, Olamilekan Sanusi, Osugba Blessing, Kayode Agbaje, Michael Adedeji, Jennifer Rita Obiora, Orunsola Oluremi, Seyi Akinde, Akin Okunowon, Ugochukwu Prince, Aisha Omolara, Thomas Abiodun Olamide, Ogbu Obinna Ferdinald, Aghedo Kehinde Stephen, Duronike Olawale, Isaac Obasi, Funmilayo Jolade Ajayi, Gideon Adeyemi, and Afeez Suleiman.

The rest are three organisationsEducation Rights Campaign (ERC), Take It Back Movement (TIB), and Campaign for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR).

The violations, brutality

According to court documents, the protesters gathered peacefully on 20 October 2024 at the Lekki Tollgate to commemorate victims of the 2020 Lekki shooting, but were violently dispersed by police using live ammunition and tear gas.

The applicants alleged they were beaten, dragged into a Black Maria, and held incommunicado for hours before being moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (Panti), where they were detained for four more hours before release  without charge.

In affidavits presented to the court, several applicants described gruesome acts of police brutality.

Mr Agbaje said officers kicked him in the groin and stepped on his genitals. One female protester alleged she was sexually assaulted and groped.

Another applicant said her leg was hit by a teargas canister, causing her to bleed, after which officers beat and dragged her despite her injuries.

The 15th applicants leg was hit by a canister, and she fell and was bleeding. In that state, the police fired teargas directly at her three policemen beat her up. One of them kicked her on her buttocks and dragged her on the floor, Mr Soweto said in his deposition.

Their lawyer, Joseph Opute, argued that the conduct of security forces  acting under the authority of state officials  breached the applicants rights under Sections 34, 35, 40, and 41 of the Nigerian constitution.

The applicants put forward four prayers: a declaration that their arrest and detention were illegal, a public apology, monetary compensation, and an injunction restraining future suppression of peaceful protests.

Court rejects Lagos protest ban

Upholding the applicantss case, Mr Kakaki granted express orders against the Nigerian Police Force and the Inspector General of Police, who were the first and second respondents, and awarded N10 million in general damages for the violations suffered.

He also dismissed the states attempt to justify the crackdown based on the earlier Lagos High Court ruling that restricted protest venues.

The applicants were represented by Abdul-Gafar Otumba, who held a brief for Mr Opute.

The Lagos State Government was represented by Teju Otutola.

Reactions

Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES after the judgement, human rights lawyer Ayo Ademiluyi hailed the decision as a crucial reaffirmation of citizens right to protest.

This judgment went fully to uphold the right to protest, despite the Lagos State Governments claim that the applicants were barred from protesting anywhere other than Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Mr Ademiluyi said.

Describing the Lagos State courts protest restrictions as fascist, Mr Ademiluyi warned against executive attempts to muzzle dissent.

To now say you can only protest at designated parks is like Stalinist USSRthis judgement restores the constitutional guarantee of free assembly.

He called the Federal High Court ruling a partial victory for the Nigerian working people and urged immediate appeal of the Lagos State judgment, which he labelled a direct attack on the right to protest.

Also, Mr Soweto, a key applicant and coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign, described the ruling as a legal and moral boost for activists.

The court categorically declared our arrest and brutalisation as unconstitutional, Mr Soweto told PREMIUM TIMES. This renews our confidence in the struggle against oppression and capitalist exploitation, especially under the Tinubu regime.

He criticised the Lagos High Court judgement as judicial tyranny, alleging that neither he nor other defendants were served court summons or given the opportunity to defend themselves before the restrictive order was issued.

They procured a Jankara order in July 2024, just days before the #EndBadGovernance protest. We were not served. We only heard about it in passing. That is a judicial terror enabled by the Lagos State government, he said.

Mr Soweto added that despite economic propaganda by government agencies, real-life hardship persists.

The National Bureau of Statistics claims inflation is at 23 per cent, unemployment at 5 per cent, and that GDP is growing. But we live herewe know the truth.

He also warned against the proposed reopening of Lekki Tollgate on 1 August, describing the new e-call-up system as a cover for elite economic interests, particularly Dangotes logistics operations.

The blood of the martyrs will speak. We are opposed to the reopening of Lekki Toll Gate, he said.

Background

The #EndSARS protest held in October 2020 as a youth-led protest against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a police unit notorious for brutality, extortion, torture, and extrajudicial killings.

Though the federal government announced the disbandment of SARS on 11 October 2020, protesters remained on the streets, citing broken promises and lack of justice for past abuses.

The protests culminated in a violent crackdown when soldiers opened fire on peaceful demonstrators at the Lekki Tollgate. While the Nigerian Army and government initially denied any shootings, eyewitnesses, viral videos, and a judicial panel confirmed that people were shot and killed  an event now known as the Lekki Massacre.

The protest site has since become a national symbol for human rights advocacy, and 20 October is marked annually with memorial events.

Pattern of repression

Each year since the 2020 protest, the Nigerian state has responded to commemorative gatherings with force and intimidation. In 2021, police officers disrupted a peaceful car procession at the Lekki Tollgate, fired teargas at demonstrators, and arrested several protesters, including popular celebrities such as Mr Macaroni and Falz.

The following year, in 2022, security operatives again arrested protesters and journalists during peaceful gatherings held to mark the anniversary.

By 2023, the government had shifted tactics to more covert repression: protesters in Lagos and Abuja were subjected to surveillance, intimidation, and profiling by security agents, with some individuals briefly detained.

Human rights groups report that many organisers still face harassment, frozen bank accounts, and legal persecution.

In 2023, Amnesty International said at least 15 young Nigerians arrested in 2020 remained in detention without trial at Ikoyi and Kirikiri correctional facilities.

Although the police deny detaining anyone over #EndSARS protests, activists like former Senator Shehu Sani insist otherwise.

Mr Soweto stated that the Federal High Court judgement is a pivotal moment in Nigerias ongoing fight for civil liberties.

Its not just about the money, Mr Soweto said. This is about defending democracy itself.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Nentawe Yilwatda, has been sworn in as the new national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Yilwadta was inaugurated at about 2.50 p.m. following his adoption by the partys National Executive Committee (NEC) at its ongoing meeting at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.

Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum (PGF) and governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, moved the motion for his adoption. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen seconded the motion.

Mr Yilwadta, 56, replaces former National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, who resigned on 27 June on health grounds.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that he was picked during a meeting between President Bola Tinubu and governors elected on the platform of the APC on Wednesday night.

The Motion

Moving the motion, Mr Uzodinma said, Your Excellencies, distinguished party members, the future of APC is bright. The leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu continues to inspire a renewed confidence in governance. Let us rally together in his support, renew our commitment and deliver on the promise of progress for every Nigerian.

It will be a thing of joy for me take advantage of this moment to drive this composite motion that I, Senator Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo State and Chairman, Progressives Governors Forum, that I want to humbly move the motion that the NEC approve the office of the national chairman of the APC to be zoned back from the North-west where it is now to the North-central geo-political zone; that the office of the national legal adviser of the APC be zoned back from the North-central where it is now to North-west geo-political zone, that the office of the deputy national secretary of the APC already zoned to North-central, be zone back to North-central zone; that Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yildatwa from Plateau State, North Central geo-political zone be nominated and be elected as the national chairman of the APC; that the current National Legal Adviser, Professor Abdulkareem shall now be the deputy national secretary of our great party; that Barrister Murtala Kogiya from Katsina State, North-west zone be nominated and elected as the national legal adviser of our great party; that in view of political activities going on in our great party, that the tenure of the office of the ward executives, LG executives, be extended to 31st day of December, 2025.

The consequential adjustment as a result of the election of the new national chairman of the party will be midwifed properly and implemented by the NWC in proper consultation with the national leader of the party. I so move.

Seconding the motion, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, said, I, Abbas Tajudeen, member of the All Progressives Congress from ward of Zaria LGA of Kaduna State, hereby second the following motions, one on enumerated offices in accordance with the terms of the motion, nomination of Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwadta as the national chairman of the APC, filling of offices of the deputy national secretary and the national legal adviser in accordance with the new zoning arrangement, in accordance with the terms of the motion, extension of the tenure of the offices of ward executives, LG executives, state executives and zonal executives committees of APC in accordance with the terms of the motion moved by Senator Hope Uzodinma, governor of Imo State. I do hereby second.

Mr Uzodinma, thereafter put the motion to a voice vote and there was no dissension. Mr Yilwadta was subsequently invited to take the oath of allegiance and the oath of office. The oaths were administered by a legal practitioner, Ogheneovo Otemu.

Messrs Abdulkareem and Kogiya were also sworn in.

Yilwadta accepts

In his acceptance speech, Mr Yilwadta expressed profound gratitude to the leadership of the APC, including President Tinubu, the governors, the National Assembly members and those of the NEC.

He said he did not take the mandate given to him by the party for granted.

I do not take this mandate for granted. I want to accept it with gratitude and with my full heart and with my full mind to work together with you, to build the party; knowing that all of us here are the mechanics of the party and the party is our vehicle and well fix it and move it to our destination of choice.

I pledge without hesitation that I will work with everybody in the party, unite the party, build the party, expand party with you as the focus and the building block and the support I will require to drive the party as needed by all of us so that we can fulfil the dream of Nigerians who have reposed their hope in the renewed hope agenda, Mr Yilwadta said.
The Trump administration is making plans to shut down the US Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a federal programme that provides funding for HIV treatment in Nigeria and many other developing countries.

Documents obtained by the New York Times revealed that the US government has begun mapping out plans to shut down the programme.

The government has drafted a new plan to shift the programme from one that provides medicines and services to treat and prevent the spread of HIV in low-income countries, to one centred on bilateral relationships with developing countries.

Organisations have been instructed to begin preparing for a transition and start phasing out US support in several countries, some within as little as two years.

This is coming only a few days after the US Congress moved to exempt the anti-AIDS programme from the major foreign aid cut. While this move has been widely celebrated, the New York Times reports that this progress may be cut short.

According to the PEPFAR documents, the programme will focus instead on detecting outbreaks that could pose a threat to the United States and creating new markets for American drugs and technologies.

The planning document reads, With targeted investment, PEPFARs H.I.V. control capabilities in these countries could be transformed into a platform for rapid detection and outbreak response to protect Americans from disease threats like Ebola, according to The Times.

For weeks, the proposed changes have been quietly circulating, with details already making their way to PEPFARs international partners and government officials abroad.

The version obtained by The Times reveals input from numerous senior figures within the programme, including comments and revisions.

However, an official of the State Department said the document had not been finalised.

The referenced document is not reflective of the State Departments policy on PEPFAR and was never cleared by Department leadership, she said.

US aid suspension

The US attempt at a cost-cutting initiative earlier in the year led to the temporary suspension of foreign aid and disrupted key global health programmes such as PEPFAR.

In Nigeria, the programme is responsible for funding a significant portion of HIV treatment, prevention, and care services.

Funding provided by the initiative supports everything from antiretroviral drug provision to testing, counselling, and health worker training. In contrast, the countrys annual budgetary allocations for health are largely spent on salaries and administrative expenses.

The implementation of the US funding cuts drastically affected HIV care in Nigeria. It disrupted drug supply chains, delayed routine services, and created uncertainty among healthcare workers and patients who rely heavily on PEPFAR-supported programmes for consistent treatment and support.

Although PEPFAR was issued a limited waiver, which allowed it to carry out some services, the situation has been fluid since the suspension of aid.

READ ALSO: USAIDs suspension disrupts family planning services in Nigerian state Official

This new plan poses a significant threat to HIV treatment in Nigeria and many other developing countries.

While the organisations central goal was to end HIV as a public health threat by 2030, the Trump administration targeted PEPFAR, citing concerns over wasteful spending and the misuse of taxpayers money.

According to the Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the programme has been plagued by fraud and waste, necessitating the policies introduced by the Trump administration.

He, however, insisted that, despite the reduced budget, all essential and life-saving services will continue.
The Federal High Court in Lagos has upheld the powers of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to charge, collect, and remit Value Added Tax (VAT) on food and transportation services provided through the Bolt digital platform.

Delivering the judgement on Thursday, a judge, Akintayo Aluko, affirmed an earlier decision of the Tax Appeal Tribunal (TAT), which had validated FIRS directive asking Bolt to serve as its agent responsible for VAT compliance on behalf of independent food vendors and ride-hailing drivers using its platform.

Mr Aluko also awarded N1 million in costs against Bolt Operations in favour of the FIRS.

Background

Bolt Operations, a non-resident technology company that operates a ride-hailing and food delivery platform in Nigeria, had approached the Tax Appeal Tribunal under suit number TAT/LZ/VAT/074/2022.

The company challenged FIRS authority to designate it as a VAT collection agent for services rendered by independent third-party drivers and vendors.

Bolt argued that it merely operates a marketplace that connects customers with independent service providers and does not directly engage in providing transportation or food services.

It contended that the FIRS directive violated Section 10 of the VAT Act, particularly as Bolt is not a Nigerian-incorporated entity and does not own the vehicles or food outlets offering services through its platform.

The tribunal, however, dismissed the suit in a ruling delivered on 26 May 2023, holding that the appointment of Bolt as an agent for VAT collection was lawful and within the powers granted to the FIRS under the VAT Act.

Dissatisfied with the Tribunals decision, Bolt, through its legal teamled by Elvis

Asia and supported by Blessing Uwejewah and P.O. Okujereapproached the Federal High Court seeking to overturn the ruling.

The appellants raised six issues for determination, arguing, among other things, that the Tribunal erred in affirming their appointment without considering the preconditions outlined in subsections (1) and (2) of Section 10 of the VAT Act.

They argued that FIRS Simplification Guidelines exceeded the scope of the law by categorising Bolt, a non-resident platform, as a taxable supplier.

They said Bolt had no direct involvement in food vending or transportation, and thus could not be designated a taxable supplier.

They stated that the tribunal wrongly held that Bolt lacked the legal standing (locus standi) to challenge its appointment, and relied on statutory provisions in Sections 31 of the FIRS Act and 49 of CITA that were not raised during trial.

In defence, FIRS counsel Moses Idaho, with Olufemi Asekun, argued that Bolts claims were speculative and based on a misinterpretation of the tribunals ruling.

They urged the court to uphold the tribunals decision and dismiss the appeal with substantial cost.

But Mr Aluko resolved three out of the six issuesspecifically Issues 1, 4, and 6in favour of the FIRS.

The court struck out Issues 2 and 5, while Issue 3 was decided in favour of Bolt. However, the outcome did not affect the validity of the tribunals ultimate ruling.

Going by the evidence relied upon by the Tax Appeal Tribunal, the Respondent acted within the law in appointing the Appellant pursuant to Section 10(3) of the VAT Act, Mr Aluko held.

There is no valid reason to disturb the judgement of the Tribunal. Consequently, the judgment of the Tribunal delivered on 26th May 2023 is affirmed.

The court dismissed the appeal and awarded N1 million as the cost of the action in favour of FIRS.

Tribunals earlier findings

In June 2023, the Tax Appeal Tribunal, led by A.B. Ahmed, held that the FIRS had not acted ultra vires by appointing Bolt as a collecting agent.

Mr Ahmed, a professor, found that suppliers of taxable goods and servicesincluding food vendors and ride-hailing driverslisted on Bolts platform were legally required to charge and remit VAT.

The tribunal ruled that FIRS was within its rights to streamline tax compliance by appointing Bolt, given that it would be impractical to monitor and collect VAT from individual drivers and food vendors across the country.

The tribunal also determined that Bolt had no standing to challenge the VAT obligations imposed on vendors and drivers using its platform, since those were third-party businesses with independent obligations.
On Wednesday, the Senate called on the federal government to immortalise the late former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, by naming a national monument after him.

The resolution followed a motion by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, during plenary.

The upper chamber also commended the federal government for organising a befitting State Funeral for the late President and observed a minutes silence in his honour.

Mr Buhari died on 13 July in London at 82.

In his motion, Mr Bamidele expressed deep sorrow over Mr Buharis passing, describing him as a leader who left an indelible mark in Nigerias history.

He said it was important for the Senate to honour the former president, whom he described as a patriot of great significance.

As I move this motion today, I am reminded of the transient nature of human life.

However, our consolation is that our former president led a successful and fulfilled life, both as a gallant soldier who rose to the peak of his military career, and as a democrat who served two uninterrupted terms as President, Mr Bamidele stated.

He recalled Mr Buharis political journey, noting that he contested for the presidency in 2003 and 2007 under the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), and again in 2011 under the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

His persistence paid off in 2015 when he won the election under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was re-elected in 2019.

As president, he embarked on numerous reforms that contributed to the socio-economic development of the country, Mr Bamidele added.

He regretted that on Sunday, 13 July, Mr Buhari passed away at a hospital in London, marking the end of an era that, he said, would remain etched in the minds of Nigerians.

May his legacy continue to guide and inspire future generations, and may his soul rest in peace, he said.

Mr Bamidele also noted that, following Mr Buharis death, President Bola Tinubu declared seven days of national mourning and directed that all national flags be flown half-mast across the country.

The Senate, in turn, suspended plenary for one week in his honour, he said.

In his contribution, Abdulaziz Yari (APC-Zamfara) described Mr Buhari as a man of integrity, incorruptible, and God-fearing.

READ ALSO: Gunmen kill police officer in Edo

Similarly, Seriake Dickson (PDP-Bayelsa) hailed Mr Buharis rare opportunity to serve as military Head of State and later democratically elected President.

He also commended President Tinubu for the respect accorded to Mr Buhari in death, describing it as a basic minimum national standard to honour a deceased President.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, said the nation would continue to miss Mr Buhari for years to come.

(NAN)
The House of Representatives has passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish a National Hospital for Women in Ideato, Imo State, marking a significant legislative step toward addressing Nigerias maternal and reproductive health challenges.

Sponsored by Ikenga Ugochinyere (PDP, Imo), the proposed legislation aims to create a specialised tertiary health institution focused on reproductive care, maternal health, and the treatment and prevention of obstetric fistula, a condition that remains a persistent yet preventable public health burden in Nigeria.

Leading the debate, Mr Ugochinyere stressed that the initiative responds to glaring deficiencies in Nigerias healthcare system. He cited a Federal Ministry of Health report, noting that tens of thousands of women, particularly in rural and underserved communities, continue to suffer from obstetric fistula due to inadequate access to quality maternal healthcare and the absence of dedicated facilities.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Nigeria accounts for a substantial share of the global incidence of obstetric fistula, with an estimated 12,000 new cases annually.

Mr Ugochinyere lamented that despite ongoing interventions by various organisations, access to specialised treatment remains severely limited.

The National Hospital for Women, Ideato, will serve as a dedicated national centre of excellence to close this gap, with a focus on treatment, prevention, education, and sensitisation.

It will also serve as a research and training centre for health professionals, while enhancing the overall quality of care available to Nigerian women, particularly those in rural and disadvantaged areas, he stated.

The lawmaker explained that the hospital will strengthen national capacity in maternal and reproductive healthcare, particularly in obstetrics and gynaecology, while fostering research into innovative treatment methods.

It is also expected to boost awareness and early intervention on maternal health issues, empower women through education, and reduce the prevalence and socio-economic impact of obstetric fistula.

Beyond healthcare delivery, Mr Ugochinyere said the hospital could also promote medical tourism, drawing patients from across the country and neighbouring nations seeking specialised womens health services.

A widespread but overlooked crisis

Obstetric fistula is a serious medical condition in which a hole develops between the birth canal and the bladder or rectum due to prolonged, obstructed labour without timely medical intervention.

It often results in chronic incontinence, leading to severe physical, psychological, and social consequences for affected women.

READ ALSO: Senate urges FG to immortalise Buhari with national monument

The condition remains a largely neglected aspect of Nigerias public health system. Victims, primarily from rural and underserved areas, often face lifelong suffering, abandonment by spouses, and stigma from their communities. Treatment facilities are few and often overwhelmed, with most interventions driven by non-governmental organisations and foreign donors.

In 2017, Nigeria launched a National Strategic Framework to eliminate obstetric fistula by 2030, but poor funding and implementation have hindered progress. Existing fistula repair centres in Katsina, Bauchi, and Kwara struggle with capacity, and there is currently no dedicated federal hospital focused solely on womens reproductive health and fistula treatment.

With the bill now through its second reading, it will proceed to a public hearing where stakeholders are expected to make further contributions before the legislation is considered for third and final reading.
The House of Representatives on Wednesday paid tribute to former President Muhammadu Buhari, who died on 13 July at 82 after a long illness.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, leading the tribute, described Mr Buhari as a statesman who impacted Nigerias democratic and legislative development.

He praised the late presidents lifelong service, noting his dedication and sacrifices for the growth and unity of Nigeria.

Mr Tajudeen commended Mr Buharis strong belief in the separation of powers, especially his insistence that ministers and agency heads appear before parliamentary committees.

He said Mr Buharis willingness to sign laws limiting executive powers and protecting citizens rights reflected rare humility and respect for governance.

Laws like the Not Too Young to Run Act (2018), the Petroleum Industry Act (2021), and the Police Act (2020) were highlighted as Buharis legacy.

Others include the Electoral Act (2022), the Startup Act (2022), and the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Act (2018), which Mr Tajudeen said defined Buharis tenure.

He also noted infrastructural strides under Buhari, such as the revitalised rail lines  AbujaKaduna and LagosIbadan  and the Second Niger Bridge.

Road rehabilitation projects across the country were also highlighted as lasting symbols of Mr Buharis infrastructure push.

Sada Soli (APC-Katsina) described Mr Buharis death as an irredeemable loss to his family, the North, and the nation at large.

He said the late president was the Norths most charismatic leader since the late Sardauna of Sokoto and a patriot of uncommon stature.

Mr Soli lauded Mr Buharis six-decade career, saying he remained largely untouched by the corruption and excesses often accompanying political power.

He said the former president was a moral compass to many Nigerians, and he was admired for his simplicity and incorruptibility.

Those who knew him will confirm he was deeply spiritual and believed this world is only a shadow of the hereafter, he said.

Mr Soli added that Mr Buhari was never compromised by power and lived modestly, regardless of his position.

He said the late Nigerian leader prioritised the poor and vulnerable over personal wealth or gain, always seeking to uplift the downtrodden.

Mr Soli added that Mr Buhari set a standard of leadership that may remain unmatched for years, praying for his eternal rest.

Nuhu Nalaraba (APC-Nasarawa) noted Mr Buharis key role in forming the All Progressives Congress (APC), which led the party to victory in 2015.

He recalled the late presidents decision to grant bailout funds to state governments struggling to pay salaries early in his administration.

Lanre Okunlola (APC-Lagos) described Mr Buhari as a leader who embodied sacrifice and commitment to public service.

He recalled his iconic quote: I belong to everybody, I belong to nobody, describing him as principled and focused.

Mr Okunlola said Nigeria mourns not just a past president but also a father figure to the entire nation.

The House observed a minutes silence in honour of Buhari, as lawmakers across party lines paid glowing tributes.

(NAN)
Three suspects have been arrested over the brutal murder of a commercial motorcycle rider in Sabon Birni Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to the police, the suspects, identified as Ashiru Iliyasu, Sulaiman Salihu, and Sanusi Shuaibu, all from Sabon Birni, face charges including criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, armed robbery, and receiving stolen property.

Ahmad Rufai, the Police Public Relations Officer, in a statement said Messrs Iliyasu and Salihu lured the victim, Kasimu Yahaya, to an uncompleted building on the outskirts of town, where they attacked him with a hoe, causing his death.

The suspects allegedly dumped Mr Yahayas body in a soakaway pit before stealing his Bajaj motorcycle, which they allegedly sold to the third suspect, Mr Shuaibu.

During questioning by police investigtors, Messrs Iliyasu and Salihu reportedly confessed to the murder. Mr Shuaibu, however, claimed he was unaware the motorcycle he bought from them was stolen.

The case is currently under investigation by the Anti-Homicide Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

READ ALSO: 13 students injured in Kebbi road crash

Residents in Sabon Birni have expressed shock at the horrific nature of the crime.

Mr Rufai commended the investigative teams efforts and called on the public to continue assisting security agencies, emphasizing that timely information from the community is crucial in fighting crime.

The police have urged anyone with relevant information to contact their nearest police station or use the following numbers:

PPRO: 08032345167

CRU: 0703032794
Moodys Ratings has affirmed the B3 long- and short-term issuer rating of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the credit rating agency said in a statement on Tuesday.

The agency assigns B3 rating for obligations that are deemed to be speculative and subject to high credit risk.

Moodys in its latest rating action for the group also changed the outlook on the groups long-term issuer and senior unsecured debt ratings to stable from negative.

The decision to change the outlook to stable on the long-term issuer and senior unsecured ratings reflects (1) ETIs resilience financial performance; (2) the higher dividends being upstreamed to ETI resulting in lower double leverage and reduced refinancing risk, Moodys said.

The rating agency added that the change in outlook also indicates our expectation that the recapitalisation process of Ecobank Nigeria Limited (ENG: 11.7% of groups assets as of March 2025) will be completed by the end of 2025, with limited impact on the groups financial fundamentals.

It expects that the efforts to strengthen the groups capital base and the actions to cure Ecobank Nigerias total capital position (currently below the 10 per cent capital adequacy regulatory minimum) will be completed before the end of the year.

On Tuesday, Fitch Ratings downgraded Ecobank Nigerias viability rating to f from ccc, reflecting the agencys view that the bank has suffered a material capital shortfall.

Fitch noted that Ecobank Nigerias total capital adequacy ratio has been in breach of the 10% regulatory requirement since 2024 despite extensive regulatory forbearance.

This month, the group announced the launch of $250 million AT1 qualifying instruments via a private placement of contingent convertible notes.

Ecobank Nigeria hopes to receive a portion of the cash as AT1 capital in the third quarter of 2025 to beef up its capital adequacy.

Moodys noted Ecobank Nigerias ambition to raise $200 million in AT1 capital.

We also note that ENGs recent successful offer to tender $150 million of its February 2026 $300 million notes and consent to remove the capital adequacy ratio covenant from this bonds terms alleviates risks of an event of default in Nigeria that would trigger cross default at ETI level, Moodys said.

The bank, which has been in breach of the covenant since June 2024, has received a waiver until 30 September 2025.

According to the ratings agency, the groups asset quality has improved in recent years even though that has been pressured by Ecobank Nigeria.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/iryna.gerashchenko

The European Solidarity faction is demanding that the government appoint Oleksandr Tsyvinsky, the winner of the competition for Economic Security Bureau director, as the head of the Bureau, emphasized co-chair of the faction Iryna Gerashchenko.

"European Solidarity demands that the Zelenskyy - Svyrydenko government immediately comply with the provisions of the law and appoint the winner of the transparent competition for the Economic Security Bureau leadership as the head of the Bureau. Our faction, together with colleagues from Holos, registered the corresponding draft resolution. Unfortunately, the Servant of the People/Opposition Platform  For Life coalition refused to bring this to the session's consideration," Gerashchenko wrote on Facebook on Thursday.

According to the MP, the ESB reform is one of the key beacons for the IMF and the Ukraine Facility, on which Ukraine's European integration and continued support from partners depend.

"The authorities must immediately return to the path of democratic development and European integration reforms. The government is obliged to listen to the country and appoint the ESB head today," Gerashchenko stressed.

As reported, the competition commission, which included international experts, determined Tsyvinsky as the winner of the position of ESB director in a transparent competition, but the Cabinet of Ministers rejected this candidacy.
At the annual Pan-African Business and Development Awards held in June, the Nigerian Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun, described the outgoing President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Benedict Oramah, as a true son of the soil whose leadership had fundamentally reshaped trade and development across Africa. Those words capture accurately and succinctly the lifework of Mr Oramah, who turns 64 on Thursday, 24 July.

Only recently, the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, conferred on Mr Oramah the national honour of Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON). Both the accolade and the award, amongst several others, mark a well-deserved recognition of and fitting conclusion to a sterling career in public management and international finance for one of Africas finest and most renowned professionals.

Rarely is the conferment of a national honour in Nigeria without a measure of controversy trailing the award. Eligibility, timeliness, or alignment with the public mood or popular opinion are some of the usual points of disagreement. On none of these scores can Mr Oramahs award be questioned or found wanting. Rather, the bestowal has been universally acclaimed far and wide. In this particular instance, it is clearly manifest that this is one honour that fits perfectly.

Exceptionally brilliant, strategic, brave, energetic, compassionate, and global with the utmost passion for the advancement of trade and industry in Africa at heart, Mr Oramah has been aptly described as the calm in the global business storm, and he has continued to play that tough role with a vigour that is devoid of fuss. No matter what it takes him and his company, wherever in the world, at any point, in good and bad times, the outgoing President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank has made it an obligation to uplift, prosper and unite Africa. In this regard, he turned a vocation into a calling, which he pursued with maximum zeal.

Within ten years, Mr Oramah successfully led Afreximbank in fulfilling its mandate of financing and promoting intra- and extra-African trade far beyond the vision of the progenitors of the bank. Under his leadership, Afreximbank has made significant strides in addressing major challenges hindering the growth of individual African countries and overcoming obstacles to continental trade and industrial development. A good example is Afreximbank and the African Unions collaborative launch of the Pan African Settlement System (PAPSS), a centralised financial infrastructure designed to facilitate secure, efficient, and cost-effective cross-border payments across Africa.

PAPSS is designed to support the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by promoting intra-African trade, lowering transaction costs, and improving liquidity within the continents financial ecosystem. From West Africa to East Africa, North Africa, South Africa, and Central Africa, Afreximbank has positively impacted its 54 member states, elevating their economies significantly.

As morning shows the day, Mr Oramahs life trajectory bore early imprints of the full and rousing blossoming that was to later unfold. Born in Ahoada in the Niger Delta of Nigeria on 24 July 1961, schooled in Oba, near the Eastern Nigeria commercial heartland of Onitsha, Mr Oramah went on to round off his formal education in two prestigious universities in Western Nigeria  Ibadan and Ife. Earning his degrees, up to the doctorate level, in these citadels of learning, he thus prepared himself as a well-rounded Nigerian intellect before being thrown into the vortex of African continental affairs.

The youngest of the four children of Lazarus and Francisca Oramah of Nnokwa in Idemili South Local Government of Anambra State, Mr Oramah also holds an Advanced Management Certificate from the Columbia Business School, New York. This, no doubt, further enabled him to stake a claim as a world-class professional and global citizen. In 2018, he was appointed a Professor of International Trade and Finance at Adeleke University in Ede, Osun State, Nigeria. His exemplary educational preparation has apparently stood him in good stead as his stellar performance at Afreximbank and the glowing tributes attendant upon his progression to retirement clearly attest.

Mr Oramah began his professional career at the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM) in 1992 as an Assistant Manager. In March 1994, he joined Afreximbank as one of its foundation employees. His thirty-one years at the Bank, which saw him attain the pinnacle of the institution, made him a mobile encyclopaedia of African finance and a global authority in money matters. He has served in various roles at Afreximbank, including as Chief Analyst, Assistant Director in 1998, Deputy Director in 2001, and substantive Director of the Planning and Business Development Department in 2004. He was promoted to Senior Director in 2007 and appointed Executive Vice President, Business Development and Corporate Banking in 2008.

On 13 July 2015, Mr Oramah succeeded the Ivorian, Jean-Louis Ekra, as the third President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank. His outstanding performance during his first term won him a second five-year term in 2020, from which he would retire gracefully in September. He is to be succeeded by George Elombi, a Cameroonian.

Under his leadership, Afreximbank has evolved into a conglomerate that encompasses the main Bank, its impact fund subsidiary, the Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), and its insurance management arm, AfrexInsure. The group has also expanded to spin off several strategic subsidiaries and initiatives, including MANSA, a repository platform for customer due diligence on African entities; the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS); Creative African Nexus (CANEX); Afreximbank African Trade Centre (AATC); the African Medical Centre of Excellence (AMCE); the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF); and the Africa Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC). During his tenure, the Banks balance sheet assets grew from $5 billion in 2015 to $37 billion in 2023.

By the end of 2024, Afreximbanks total assets and guarantees reached $40.1 billion, with shareholder funds amounting to $7.2 billion. Between 2016 and 2022, the Bank disbursed over $86 billion to support African economies. In addition, from 2020 to 2022, it provided approximately $50 billion on a revolving basis to help African nations manage the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine crisis, and drive economic recovery across the continent.

It was Mr Oramahs financial engineering during the COVID-19 pandemic that was, however, to win him a place in the pantheon of esteemed global leaders. His frontline role during the pandemic, which erupted at the outset of his second term, marked him out as a committed professional who successfully navigated the critical intersections of social welfare, human security, and public finance, leading to Africas unexpected mastery of the much-anticipated ravages of the pandemic.

Mr Oramahs intervention in continental finance was imbued not just with technical expertise but with social sensitivity. He recognised that, as the worlds last development frontier, Africas survival and salvation lie not in aid but trade. His legacy is in building up the mechanisms for promoting both intra-African trade and Africas economic engagement with the rest of the world, and strengthening the financial infrastructure to support these. Mr Oramahs life and career have been devoted to the unsparing pursuit of the vision of African development, to which he brought both the power of agency and the spirit of an avatar.

As he turns 64 this Thursday, we wish him a happy birthday. Cheers to many more years of wisdom, leadership, and inspiration.

Olaosebikan, journalist and public affairs analyst, is the CEO of Midas Communications Ltd, an international Public Relations firm.
The Nenadi Usman-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has distanced itself from recent remarks by its 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Baba-Ahmed, who referred to Julius Abure as the partys substantive national chairman.

During a meeting of the Abure-led faction of the party in Abuja on Monday, Mr Baba-Ahmed referred to Mr Abure as the chairman. He reiterated this in an interview on Channels Televisions Sunrise Daily programme.

Reacting to the development, the Nenadi Usman-led faction, in a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday by Ken Asogwaxw2, Mrs Usmans media aide, said the Supreme Court had settled the partys leadership dispute in a judgement delivered on 4 April.

While Dr. Baba-Ahmed, like every Nigerian, is entitled to his personal opinions and freedom of association, it is imperative to state that the leadership question within the Labour Party has been conclusively settled by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Mr Asogwa said.

Referring to page 47 of the Supreme Court judgement, Mr Asogwa explained that the Court nullified the decisions of both the trial court and the Court of Appeal, which had previously recognised Mr Abure as the partys national chairman.

He said the Supreme Court struck out the case at the Federal High Court for lack of jurisdiction.

He added that the Court found the appeal meritorious, allowed it in its entirety, and ordered that all parties bear their respective costs.

Mr Asogwa stated that the judgement nullifies any claim by Mr Abure to the LP national chairmanship and affirms Mrs Usmans leadership.

Adherence to the finality of Supreme Court judgments is not optional, the statement stressed, adding that the party expects all members to align with the legal reality.

The faction nonetheless acknowledged Mr Baba-Ahmeds reconciliation efforts, describing them as commendable but cautioned that such efforts must be rooted in truth, guided by respect for the rule of law, and anchored on existing legal realities.

The leadership urged members to remain calm and united as preparations continue for upcoming ward, local government, and state congresses, culminating in a national convention.

In September, 2024, Mrs Usman, a former finance minister and senator, was appointed by the LP national executive council (NEC)/extended stakeholders meeting held at Government House, Umuahia, Abia State, the chairperson of the partys caretaker committee.

A former Senate Minority Leader, Darlington Nwokocha, emerged as the secretary.

However, Mr Abure, the controversial chairman of the LP, dissociated himself and his executives from the meeting, vowing not to recognise the caretaker committee, which the Abia governor, Alex Otti, and the 2023 presidential candidate of the party, Peter Obi, identified with.

Read the full statement

*DATTI BABA-AHMEDS PERSONAL CHOICES DO NOT ALTER SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT ON LABOUR PARTY LEADERSHIP*

The attention of the Labour Party has been drawn to the recent participation of Dr. Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, our Vice-Presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, in a meeting reportedly convened by the suspended former National Chairman of the Labour Party, Barr. Julius Abure. At the said gathering, Dr. Baba-Ahmed was alleged to have referred to Barr. Abure as the substantive National Chairman of the party.

Dr. Baba-Ahmed was also featured on Channels Televisions breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily, earlier today, 23 July 2025, where he was once again reported to have addressed Barr. Abure as the partys chairman.

While Dr. Baba-Ahmed, like every Nigerian, is entitled to his personal opinions and freedom of association, it is imperative to state that the leadership question within the Labour Party has been conclusively settled by the Supreme Court of Nigeria. For the sake of clarity, and to avoid further distortion of facts, the Labour Party wishes to reiterate the unequivocal verdict of the apex court as delivered on 4 April 2025. At page 47 of the judgement, Their Lordships held:

Consequent upon the foregoing, the decisions of both trial court and the Court below recognizing Barrister Julius Abure as the National Chairman of the 1st Respondent are hereby set aside and suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1271/2024 is hereby struck out for want of jurisdiction.

Furthermore, the Court ruled:

In the final analysis, I find this appeal to be meritorious and is hereby allowed. Parties shall bear their respective costs. Appeal Allowed.

This unambiguous ruling of the Supreme Court  Nigerias highest judicial authority  effectively nullifies any claim by Barr. Julius Abure to the office of National Chairman of the Labour Party. It also upholds the leadership of Senator Nenadi Usman, who was the appellant in the said matter and upon whose appeal all reliefs sought were granted.

While the party respects the right of Dr. Baba-Ahmed and other members to hold personal views, it is important to remember that the acceptance of and adherence to the finality of the judgements of the Supreme Court has never been, and will never be, a matter of choice but compulsion. The Labour Party is bound by that finality and expects all members to align accordingly.

We acknowledge Dr. Baba-Ahmeds stated intention to foster reconciliation within the party. That in itself is commendable. However, such efforts must be rooted in truth, guided by respect for the rule of law, and anchored on the existing legal realities.

As the Labour Party prepares for its ward, local government, and state congresses  culminating in the forthcoming national convention  the Interim National Chairman of the party, Senator Nenadi Usman, continues to call for peace, unity, and internal cohesion. Only a united Labour Party can effectively confront and offer a credible alternative to the APC-led federal government and its failed governance trajectory.

We urge all party faithful to remain calm, steadfast, and resolute as the leadership reaches out to all aggrieved members in the interest of lasting reconciliation and progress.

*Ken Eluma Asogwa*

Senior Special Adviser, Media, to the Interim National Chairman, Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman.

23 July, 2025
A former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has said that no politician currently seeking to inherit former President Muhammadu Buharis famed 12 million vote-bank possesses the moral character or political credentials to do so.

Mr Okechukwu said this in a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES.

He said he had earlier asserted this while speaking with journalists after an interdenominational church service in Abuja held in honour of the late former president.

Mr Buhari, who died in a London hospital on 13 July at the age of 82, was buried in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State, two days after.

Since his burial, there has been debate over who among the political gladiators in the North can inherit his 12 million vote bank.

Some politicians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Governors Rabiu Kwakwaso, Aminu Tambuwal, and Nasir El-Rufai, have been mentioned in some quarters as persons who could inherit the votes in future elections.

The proverbial 12 million vote-bank

PREMIUM TIMES Mr Buhari, a former military head of state and two-time democratically elected president, had a cult-like following, particularly in the North-west and North-east.

When he ran for president for the first time in 2003 on the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) platform, he polled 12.7 million votes but lost to President Olusegun Obasanjo.

In 2007, he contested under the same party and got 6.6 million votes. Mr Buhari and some of his political associates floated the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), under which he contested again in 2011 but garnered 12.2 million votes. In 2015, when he ran on the platform of the newly merged APC, the late president scored 12.8 million votes, thus defeating the incumbent, President Goodluck Jonathan.

No moral compass

Without referring to any politician, Mr Okechukwu, a former political ally of Mr Buhari, said he could hardly see anyone stepping into the late Nigerian leaders shoes and inheriting the votes.

With all due respect to those eyeing Buharis political base, none of them has the character strength, integrity, or moral compass the former president embodied.

Buharis 12 million vote-bank is not only about numbers. It was built on over five decades of public service marked by discipline, transparency, and uncommon integrity, he said.

Mr Okechukwu, a pioneer member of the CPC, said the politicians jostling to inherit the vote bank never campaigned in the past without engaging in vote-buying or facing down corruption like the late president did.

The masses know the difference, he said. They remember how some of these same actors oversaw the dubious privatisation of state-owned enterprises like NEPA, Ajaokuta Steel, and the Aluminium Smelter Company, without delivering tangible results.

He added that the attempts by some politicians, especially those in the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), to tap into Mr Buharis northern support base are futile.

Flying the northern card is a mirage, he added, noting that the northern electorate is among the most sophisticated in Nigeria.

They voted for MKO Abiola in 1993 and gave more votes to Bola Tinubu in 2023 than voters in the South, he said.

The former VON DG stated that any politician banking on ethnic sentiment to harvest Mr Buharis vote bank is misguided and risks dividing the country and undermining the informal zoning convention that has helped stabilise Nigerias democracy.

Buharis political legacy

Mr Okechukwu recalled that Mr Buhari held several high-level positions between 1975 and 2023, including governor of the defunct North-Eastern State, federal commissioner of petroleum resources, chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), and both military and civilian Head of State.

READ ALSO: Senate urges FG to immortalise Buhari with national monument

He noted that the late presidents moral compass was primarily shaped by the late Aminu Kanos Talakawa (pro-poor) political ideology, to which no current aspirant has demonstrated allegiance.

None of these people has the discipline or integrity of Buhari. Thats why their efforts to hijack the legacy of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and lure its members into the ADC collapsed  thanks to resistance by former Governors Tanko Al-Makura and Aminu Masari, he said.

Call for restraint

Mr Okechukwu warned against any attempt to disrupt the North-South power rotation arrangement, which he described as one of the guardrails of Nigerias Fourth Republic and a crucial thread holding the nation together.

He urged politicians to respect the convention of equity, justice, and fairness and avoid recklessly pursuing political capital from Buharis legacy.
The Abuja Chapter of the Network of Book Clubs and Reading Culture Promoters in Nigeria (NBRP) has affirmed its commitment to promoting literature and advancing reading culture throughout Nigeria.

NBRP officials made this declaration during a courtesy visit to the PREMIUM TIMES headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

The delegation was led by the NBRP Coordinator, Loye Olowookere, and included the Networks Abuja chapter Secretary, Chido Onumah, along with the Treasurer, Funmilayo Braithwaite.

The team was received by the PREMIUM TIMES Editor-in-Chief, Musikilu Mojeed, the Managing Editor, Idris Akinbajo, and the Administrative Manager, Willie Obaseota.

According to Mr Onumah, the primary goal of the network is to promote books, highlight the importance of reading, and promote readership culture among schools by catching them young.

He explained that the visit is part of their campaign advocacy of reaching out to media organisations and institutions for effective collaboration.

We appreciate the opportunity to stop here to share our missions and to see how we can collaborate to advance this cause, he said.

He described the NBRP as an open organisation that brings together authors, many of whom have willingly donated copies of their books to equip libraries and institutions in the country.

On his part, Mr Olowookere appreciated the management of PREMIUM TIMES for the opportunity, stating that the book club network was established in 2020 in Lagos and that the Abuja chapter was constituted in 2022, with several other branches across other parts of the country.

Our objective is to make more Nigerians read. The reading culture, as we are all aware, is not all that encouraging. We are trying to correct the saying that if you want to hide anything from any Nigerian, put it in a book. It should not be like that, he noted.

He explained that they have come up with two major activities774 book club and the book city projects.

We want to use these projects to establish book clubs and libraries across the 774 LGA in the country, he said.

PREMIUM TIMES aexpressed openness to collaborate with the network because their goal aligns with the organisations vision of promoting books, reading culture, and strengthening necessary institutions through factual and accountability reporting to promote a healthy book-reading culture across the country.

While responding, Mr Mojeed said when PREMIUM TIMES started, it not only published newspapers but also published books because of the importance it attaches to them.

He said, although book publishing has not been a profitable venture, PREMIUM TIMES believes in the place of books in the quest to achieve sustainable development.

As an accountability platform, Mr Mojeed said publishing books or newspapers is a social enterprise for PREMIUM TIMES, and that several books, including the Sokoto Caliphate and the Letter Man, among others, were published by the organisation.

We believe in the power of books, and we believe people still read books. We have also reported extensively about the state of the libraries in our country. It is appalling, he said.

He argued that even when books in libraries are gathering dust, titles are not being added to them and that most library atmospheres in the country are not conducive and welcoming.

We can promote our culture better by helping the stocking of books, he added.

Mr Mojeed said the organisation looks forward to collaborating with the network to achieve an effective book reading network in the country.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the NBRP delegation donated a few copies of books authored by some members of the network to the PREMIUM TIMES team. Mr Mojeed, in return, presented souvenirs and five copies of his recently published book (The Letterman) to the network.

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Justice Ayokunle Faji of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday convicted Olufemi Martins Thomas, a former executive secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).

Also convicted is one Kabiru Sidi, a bureau de change operator.

Both individuals were found guilty of defrauding Nigeria of $2,198,900.00 ( Two million, One Hundred and Ninety Eight Thousand, Nine Hundred United States Dollars).

Mr Thomas was arraigned alongside Mr Sidi on an amended seven-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of $2,198,900.00 brought against them by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Six of the counts against Mr Thomas concerned money laundering and transferring, in cash, proceeds of unlawful activities, contrary to the provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended.

The second defendant, however, was prosecuted only on count six, which involved the making offalse statements to an official of the EFCC.

The charge against Mr Thomas reads: That you, Dr. Martins Oluwafemi Thomas (a.k.a Dr. Ike), the former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme, on or about the 3rd of July, 2015 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, procured Mrs. Femi Thomas to disguise the unlawful origin of the sum of $2, 198, 900 (Two million, One Hundred and Ninety-eight Thousand, Nine Hundred United States Dollars) and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 and punishable under Section 15(2) (a) and (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended by Act No. 1 of 2012).

The charge against Mr Sidi reads: That you, Kabiru Sidi on or about the 15th of July, 2015 at the office of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, 15 A Awolowo Road, Ikoyi Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court made a false statement to Afeez Mustapha, an investigating officer with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissionto the effect that you gave over Two Million United States dollars to Bamidele Ibiteye and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 39(2) (b) and punishable under Section 39(2) (c) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge, thereby leading to their full trial.

At the last adjourned sitting on Thursday, 29 May 2025, the prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho (SAN), in his final written addresses, dated 5 and 9 May 2025, submitted that In line with the charge, the prosecution called six witnesses, and the defendant made a no-case submission, which was overruled and overruled by the Appellate Court on the grounds that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the defendant.

The defendant entered his defence because the law required him to show how he acquired the funds legitimately. Part of his evidence was that he made the funds heavily from his farming businesses. The evidence of his farming was contained in his financial statement.

While closing his argument, he also submitted that This is a case of money laundering, where the issue of concealment of transaction is paramount and that is why the law requires such transactions to go through financial institutions so that there will be a trial. Any application that suggests otherwise will defeat the basis of Section 1 of the Money Laundering Act.

He therefore urged the court to discountenance the submissions of the first and second defendants and convict them as charged.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, the judge found Mr Thomas guilty of transacting beyond threshold without going through a financial institution and sentenced him to a fine of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira).

The second defendant, Mr Sidi, was found guilty of making a false statement to an investigating officer with the EFCC and sentenced to a fine of N100,000.00

Justice Faji, however, discharged Mr Thomas on counts one, two, three, four and seven of the charge.

Dele Oyewale

Head, Media & Publicity

July 24, 2025
President Bola Tinubu has called on state governors to focus more on grassroots engagement to meet the expectations of Nigerians.

President Tinubu made the call on Thursday at the 14th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

At the meeting, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Nentawe Yilwatda, was elected and inaugurated as the partys national chairman.

The partys national legal adviser and deputy national secretary were elected by consensus.

The meeting also extended the tenure of zonal, state, council and ward executives until 31 December 2025.

Nigerians are still complaining

President Tinubu, in his remarks at the meeting, emphasised the need for increased community engagement and greater responsiveness to citizens concerns.

Nigerians are still complaining at the grassroots, the President stated. To you, the governors, you must wet the grass more and deliver progressive change to Nigerians. May God bless our democracy and grant us more fertile lands.

To those working with me to achieve food sovereignty for our country, we will continue to work hard for you, Nigerians, and to listen to everyone to achieve the national goals, he added.

The president reiterated the APCs inclusive posture and affirmed that the party remains open to new members and fresh ideas.

He dismissed the opposition as a coalition of confusion and urged progressive-minded Nigerians to join the APC and participate in its developmental agenda.

Our doors are still open, and we should wholeheartedly embrace those who join us, he said.

President Tinubu emphasised that the partys strength lies in expanding its ranks and encouraged the new national chairman to establish a committee of National Working Committee members to visit states, ensuring that all new members are seamlessly registered and integrated.

The president thanked Abdullahi Ganduje, the former National Chairman of the APC, for his contributions to party development and ideological clarity.

I gave him an assignment on forming a progressive doctrine and a progressive institute. I believe the national secretary will help revitalise and coordinate this effort, the president said.

Turning to the governors, the President urged them to work collectively to leave behind a lasting legacy, including building a party secretariat in Abuja.

We should leave a legacy of development. The governors are here23 of themto help identify a land, along with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. We should establish a committee of progressive governors to identify suitable land and construct the secretariat, he said.

President Tinubu acknowledged economic challenges but affirmed that progress has been made under his administration.

He cited the record N14.9 trillion in revenue collected by the Federal Inland Revenue Service in the first six months of the year, a 43 per cent increase from the amount collected in 2024.

It is not easy to navigate the stormy waters of economic instability. Now, the economy is stabilisedthere is no fear for the country except for continued upward movement and sustained growth. I can assure you, he stated.

Security improves

Regarding security, the president noted that significant efforts have been made to restore safety across Nigeria.

Thousands of terrorists and bandits have been neutralised. You can see that fear is decreasing. However, we must remain vigilant and take the matter seriously. We must invest more in our people, be accommodating, and remain committed to ensuring national security.

President Tinubu welcomed new entrants into the APC, including Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, and other key political figures.

A minute of silence for Buhari

The meeting observed a minutes silence in honour of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

At the presidents request, the meeting also observed a minute of silence in honour of Aminu Dantata and Sikiru Adetona (the Awujale of Ijebuland), who both passed away recently.

The president noted that although the two late statesmen were not party members, their lives and contributions to national development command our respect.

Yilwatda accepts election

In his acceptance speech, Mr Nentawe Yilwatda, the new national chairman of the APC, pledged to work diligently to build the party into a strong and respected political institution.

Mr Yilwatda, a professor, who will step down from his role as minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, called for the support and cooperation of all party members.

Let me express my profound gratitude to God and the partys leadership, Mr. President, the governors, National Assembly members, and all NEC members, for entrusting me with this great responsibility at this pivotal time.

Thank you for choosing me from among millions of party members. I will take this party to the next level.

I do not take this mandate for granted. I accept it with gratitude and a complete sense of responsibility, determined to work with all of you to build and strengthen our party. We are all mechanics of this vehiclethe APCand together, we will fix it and drive it to our destination.

I pledge, without hesitation, to work with everyone in the party to unite, expand, and build the APC, with you as the focus and foundation. Your support is essential for us to fulfil the dreams of Nigerians who have placed their hope in the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Lastly, I look up to the leadership and membership of the party to collectively fulfil the aspirations of Nigerians for the APC, he said.

The immediate past Acting National Chairman, Bukar Dalori, noted that the resignation of the former national chairman necessitated a meeting of the NEC to fill the vacancy.

He thanked the president and the Progressive Governors Forum for their strategic intervention during the transition period.

Mr Yilwatda, the new APC Chairman and the partys 2023 Plateau governorship candidate, was born on August 8, 1968, in Dungung, Kanke Local Government Area, Plateau State. He is a distinguished academic and a passionate advocate for humanitarian and poverty reduction initiatives.

He attended Boys Secondary School, Gindiri, before earning his first degree from the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. He later obtained a masters degree from ATBU, Bauchi, and a doctorate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, specialising in Electronic and Computer Engineering.

As a scholar, Mr Yilwatdas brilliance and dedication earned him a place at his alma mater. He served for over 26 years and became the Universitys pioneer Director of ICT, leading transformative digital reforms. His outstanding contributions earned him multiple accolades, including Best Staff of the Year and Best Director of the Year.

READ ALSO: Gov Radda salutes Yilwatda on his emergence as APC national chairman

Beyond academia, Mr Yilwatda has played a pivotal role in the digital transformation of Nigerias public and private sectors. His consultancy work spans multinational organisations and global development partners, including the European Union, UNICEF, World Bank, and TECHVILE USA. His merging of technology and governance expertise has made him a sought-after authority in digital innovation and policy development.

In 2017, he was appointed Resident Electoral Commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where he championed reforms such as policy amendments to the Electoral Act, the development of voting frameworks for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and People Living with Disabilities (PWDs), and the integration of technology into Nigerias electoral system.

In 2021, he stepped down to pursue public service through elective office, contesting as the APC gubernatorial candidate for Plateau State and serving as Coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Organisation in Plateau State during the 2023 General Elections.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

July 24, 2025
When the military administration of Ibrahim Babangida created Jigawa out of the old Kano State in 1991, the choice of its capital ignited a tense controversy. The new state consisted of five emirates  Kazaure, Gumel, Ringim, Dutse and Hadejia. The bustling town of Hadejia was the favourite to be the capital. However, the administration announced Dutse, a smaller city at the edge of the new state, as the capital. That decision birthed a rivalry between the Hadejia and Dutse emirates that continues to reverberate in the states politics.

The rivalry between the emirates was so pronounced that several clerics and other concerned individuals called for restraint and unity for the sake of the state. For instance, the chief Imam of the Dutse central mosque, Abubakar Sani, cautioned that the rivalry was against the teachings of Islam.

Yet, when the states ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) chose Umar Namadi from Hadejia as its governorship candidate for the 2023 election, Dutse emirate voters resisted, thinking a man from Hadejia could not be fair to them in the allocation of public projects and civil service appointments. Some recalled how a former military governor of the old-Kano State, Hamza Abdullahi, allegedly skewed recruitments into the state civil service to favour his Hadejia kinsmen.

The rivalry intensified after the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nominated Mustapha Lamido, a son of former governor Sule Lamido, and an indigene of Dutse Emirate, as its candidate. Although Mr Namadi won the governorship election, the PDP won most of the federal and state legislative seats in the area.

Two years into his tenure, PREMIUM TIMES analyses how Mr Namadi has addressed the fear of domination by residents of Dutse and the three other emirates in the state.

In the first week of Governor Namadis administration, he appointed his Chief of Staff and Secretary to the State Government from the Dutse Emirate. The appointments considerably dispelled the fear of the emirates marginalisation.

One year later, on 23 March, the Emir of Dutse, Hamim Nuhu-Sanusi, led a delegation of his council members and district heads to thank the governor for his administrations development strides in the emirate.

The emir narrated how the governor encouraged President Bola Tinubu to complete the N59.4 billion Dutse Greater Water Supply Scheme, which had been abandoned for 24 years. He said the water project, a dream of his late father, was designed to supply 10 million litres of water daily to the about 1.5 million population of Dutse.

We are here to express gratitude for the developmental projects your administration is embarking on in the Dutse Emirate. We are here to show appreciation and wish you well. To mention but a few, there is no local government area in this emirate that has not benefited from road projects. The overhauling of health infrastructures is taking place in this emirate. The emirate is the only place where your mass housing projects are sited in two LGAs, Dutse and Birnin Kudu, the emir stated.

Mr Nuhu-Sanusi said a World Bank-assisted 10.8 billion Gully Erosion Control Project of the state government was addressing decades-long threats to farming and houses in the Dutse Emirate.

I am excited to tell you that, due to the mass projects your administration is embarking on, residents are now looking for blocks (in the state capital) because multiple projects are ongoing, which has led to a scarcity of blocks. We are grateful to you, and we will continue to pray for the success of this administration, said the emir.

Trust in leadership

One problem is that Jigawa people do not trust leaders who are not from their community or emirate, said Ahmed Ilallah, the coordinator of Jigawa Good Governance Advocators.

However, Mr Ilallah said the suspicion that the leader would not treat the Dutse Emirate fairly has disappeared under Governor Namadi.

Governor Namadis election marks the first time the Jigawa Northeast zone, that is the Hadejia axis, produced a governor. The expectation was that he would focus on growing his area and treat the others unfairly.

However, he has demonstrated otherwise. I commend his capacity for leadership and for ensuring justice to all. In fact, some people in his zone are concerned that he has paid more attention to other areas, he said.

15 kilometres for Dutse development

Abdulhamid Sani, a youth leader in Dutse, praised the governors plan to construct 15 kilometres of roads yearly in the state capital. It is a bold and strategic move that reflects both foresight and deep commitment to inclusive development, he said.

This initiative is not just about infrastructure; its a deliberate investment in the social and economic arteries of the capital city. Starting with the first phase within the heart of Dutse Local Government, the Namadi administration is laying concrete proof of its promise to build a more connected, accessible, and dignified capital for all residents.

By prioritising Dutses urban development as a cornerstone of Jigawas broader growth agenda, he is turning streets into symbols of progress, resilience, and people-centred governance. This is not just road construction, it is a foundation for opportunity, mobility, and prosperity for generations to come, Mr Sani said.

Former Governor Muhammad Badaru said the development strides have vindicated his endorsement of Mr Namadi as his successor.

Mr Badaru, who is now Nigerias Minister of Defence, stated this in January last year during his first visit to the state after he left office in May 2023.

I am delighted with the progress so far. I see people happy and smiling, and they are telling me that I left behind a great leader who is delivering on the mandate.

I told you during the campaign that he is honest, straightforward, and very active, and that is what he is doing. God has vindicated me with all the developments that have been taking place in the state. I am sure he will do better than I have done.
Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress met with President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday ahead of the ruling partys National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for Thursday.

The Chairman of the APCs Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodinma, told journalists after the Abuja meeting that the meeting was to strengthen the party and enhance its capacity to deliver good governance to Nigerians.

Mr Uzodinma was coy about what Nigerians should expect from the NEC meeting.

When asked whether any major decisions are expected at the meeting, he said, We cannot say what will happen until we get there tomorrow.

It is unclear if the APC NEC will take a definite position on the zoning of the position of national chairman of the party following the recent resignation of Abdullahi Ganduje from the position.

PREMIUM TIMES reported Mr Gandujes resignation, which he claimed was for health reasons. He has since assumed his new role as the chairperson of the board of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

Although Mr Ganduje, former governor of Kano State, is from the North-west, the position of APC national chairman is expected to be zoned to the North-central.

The position was originally zoned to the North-central, comprising Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Kogi and Kwara States.

Until Mr Gandujes emergence as national chairman in August 2023, Abdullahi Adamu, a former governor of Nasarawa State, occupied the position.

Mr Adamu and the then National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore, from Osun State, resigned presumably under pressure.

Since then, APC faithful from the North-central have been angling for the position of national chairman to be reverted to the zone. Ali Dalori currently occupies it in an acting capacity.

Mr Dalori was the partys deputy national chairman (North) before his appointment on 28 June.

The North-central APC Forum had sued Mr Ganduje, INEC and the party, seeking the return of the position to the zone. The court, presided over by Inyang Ekwo, threw out the case in 2024.

Gandujes possible replacement

Already, names of some prominent figures from the zone have been bandied about in the media as a possible replacement for Mr Ganduje.

They include the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, a former governor of Nasarawa State; Tanko Al-Makura, Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance; Sani Musa, a former governor of Plateau State; and Joshua Dariye.

Others mentioned are a former senator for Nasarawa North, Solomon Ewuga; a former National Chairman of the PDP, Barnabas Gemade; and a former APC national chairman aspirant, Mohammed Etsu.

Mr Akume has since denied vying for the position. Like Mr Etsu, Messrs Al-Makura and Musa were chairmanship aspirants in 2022, but gave way to Mr Adamu, who was favoured by the then President Muhammadu Buhari, to emerge as the chairman.

Special session for Buhari

Apart from the possible replacement of Mr Ganduje, the NEC meeting may also hold a special session for Mr Buhari, the first president produced by the party.

This is the first meeting of the organ of the party since the death of the former president on 13 July.

Party changes NEC meeting venue

Meanwhile, the National Working Committee (NWC) has changed the venue of the NEC meeting to the Presidential Villa.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, announced this in a terse statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr Morka said that the meeting, earlier planned to be held at the partys national secretariat on Blantyre Street, Wuse 2, Abuja, would now be held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa.

READ ALSO: Four PDP senators defect to APC

According to him, the change of the meeting venue was occasioned by some logistical reasons.

Expected Attendees

Among those expected at Thursdays meeting, according to section 12.3 of the APC Constitution, are President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Abbas Tajudeen, and their deputies, governors, and NWC members.

No Caucus meeting

The National Caucus meeting was expected to precede the NEC meeting, but it was allegedly put off by President Tinubu.
A road accident in Kebbi State has claimed the life of a driver and left 13 students of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto (UDUS), injured.

The incident occurred near Yauri as the students were returning from Ilorin, Kwara State, on Wednesday.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, while all 13 students sustained injuries.

Eight of the students reportedly suffered bone fractures, and five are currently receiving treatment at the UDUS Teaching Hospital in Sokoto.

READ ALSO: Three teenagers drown in Bauchi river

In response to the crash, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has directed the immediate release of N5,250,000 to cover the medical expenses of the 13 students, reportedly of Kwara State origin.

A statement from the Special Assistant on Students Affairs, Wasiu Onidugbe, confirmed that the funds are intended to cover tests, scans, and other procedures and treatments already itemised by the hospital to ensure the students swift recovery.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has settled on a new national chairman, with Professor Nentawe Yilwatda emerging as the consensus nominee to lead Nigerias ruling party, PREMIUM TIMES can report today.

Mr Yilwatda, the current Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and a former university don, was nominated to replace Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who recently resigned from the position citing health concerns.

His emergence followed a late-night meeting in Abuja between President Bola Tinubu and governors elected on the platform of the APC, sources familiar with the development told PREMIUM TIMES. The partys National Executive Committee (NEC) is expected to ratify his appointment at a meeting scheduled for later today.

Mr Yilwatda, 56, hails from Plateau State and was the APCs gubernatorial candidate in the state during the 2023 general elections. His nomination aligns with the partys zoning arrangement, which allocated the national chairmanship to the North-Central geopolitical zone comprising Benue, Kwara, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Plateau states.

Multiple party insiders said his Christian faith also worked in his favour. With both the President and Vice President being Muslims, APC leaders reportedly reasoned that appointing a Christian chairman would help the party project inclusivity and appeal more broadly to voters of other faiths.

He is young, suave, well-educated, and doesnt carry the usual political baggage, a senior party official told PREMIUM TIMES. We believe he can give the party a new face and restore credibility ahead of future elections.

Professor Yilwatda comes with a blend of academic, bureaucratic, and political experience. Before venturing into politics, he was an engineering lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. He also served as a Resident Electoral Commissioner for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) between 2017 and 2021, overseeing elections in Benue, Anambra, Osun, Rivers, and Cross River states.

In December 2021, he resigned abruptly from INEC and returned to Plateau State, where he joined the APC and quickly rose to become its governorship candidate. Although he lost the election to the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), President Tinubu later named him Minister of Humanitarian Affairs.

His selection as APC chairman signals an apparent shift in strategy for the ruling party, which has in recent years faced growing criticism over internal divisions, declining popularity in some regions, and leadership instability.

Party leaders hope that under Mr Yilwatdas leadership, the APC can rejuvenate its image and consolidate power ahead of future electoral contests.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine

The Ukrainian Red Cross Societ (URCS) is providing assistance to victims of the night attacks by Russia in Odesa and Cherkasy.

"Odesa. The Ukrainian Red Cross rapid response team in Odesa region was working at the scene of the emergency. Volunteers helped evacuate one resident of a damaged house, provided first aid to 4 people, and 15 more people sought first aid. Volunteers also provided rescuers and local residents with water," URCS said on Facebook on Thursday.

The URCS is currently providing humanitarian assistance to Odesa residents, including film for temporary covering of damaged homes.

A team from the Cherkasy regional organization of the URCS is working at the scene of the emergency in Cherkasy.

Volunteers have set up a URCS aid station, where they are providing first aid to victims. The aid point also provides mobile phone charging, tea, and water. Volunteers are on duty on site to provide first aid if necessary.

As reported, on the night of July 24, the Russian armed forces attacked Odesa with more than 30 strike drones. The attack injured four local residents, damaged nine-story and two-story residential buildings, and commercial pavilions at the Privoz market. Damage was recorded to historical buildings in the city center, including architectural monuments under UNESCO protection.

On the night of July 24, Russian troops launched a missile strike on Cherkasy. Seven people were injured, including a 9-year-old child. As a result of Russian missile strikes, residential infrastructure was damaged: according to preliminary data, 15 private and multi-storey buildings, garages, and 13 cars.
The Head of the Development Programme at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Ifeanyi Chukwudi, has been elected as Curator (President) of the Abuja Hub of the World Economic Forums Global Shapers Community.

The Global Shapers Community is a network of young leaders driving dialogue, action, and change worldwide.

In the past two years, Mr Chukwudi has played a pivotal leadership role within the Abuja Hub, first as Impact Officer, where he was responsible for managing the design, implementation, and impact measurement of the hubs community projects, and then as Vice Curator, supporting the Hubs overall strategy and operations.

During this period, he led several of the hubs flagship public policy dialogues, bringing young people into critical conversations on governance, climate change, inclusion, and economic development. He also co-led the Hubs Entrepreneurship and Employability Project, which supported youth innovation and workforce readiness in Nigerias capital city.

In January 2025, Mr Chukwudi was selected as one of only 50 Global Shapers worldwide to attend the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, representing both the Abuja Hub and Nigeria. At Davos, he joined other young changemakers in amplifying youth perspectives on the global stage and engaging directly with world leaders on issues of equity, sustainability, and innovation.

As Curator, Mr Chukwudi will now lead the Abuja Hubs strategic direction for the 2025/2026 term, guiding a diverse group of young professionals and entrepreneurs committed to improving the state of their community through high-impact projects and civic engagement.

His election reflects both his dedication to youth leadership and the Abuja Hubs rising profile within the Global Shapers Community.

I am deeply honoured to be elected Curator of the Abuja Global Shapers and to continue serving alongside such passionate and visionary young leaders, Mr Chukwudi said.

This new role offers an incredible opportunity to build on the progress weve made in recent years, strengthening our impact, expanding our reach, and amplifying youth voices in national and global conversations. I look forward to working with my fellow Shapers to champion bold, community-driven solutions that advance equity, inclusion, and development in Nigeria and beyond.

In his new role, Mr Chukwudi joins over 500 Curators worldwide who are helping shape a more inclusive and sustainable future under the auspices of the World Economic Forum.

About Ifeanyi Chukwudi

Mr Chukwudi leads the development programme at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), where he oversees multi-country initiatives focused on natural resource governance, climate change, conflict and security, human rights, health, and agriculture. His work spans Nigeria and several countries in West and Central Africa, including Ghana, Mozambique, the DRC, Cameroon, Chad, and Niger.

He brings a strong management consulting background, having provided strategy advisory services to numerous companies across diverse sectors, as well as technical assistance to the Rural Electrification Agency through the UK Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF), particularly in assessing mini-grid projects and evaluating investment readiness.

He also previously provided technical assistance to the Office of the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, where he supported the establishment of the Conference of Speakers and Heads of African Parliaments and the Legislative Mentorship Initiative.

He holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Nigeria and has been awarded the 2025 Hosh Ibrahim African Scholarship for a Master of Public Policy at the London School of Economics (LSE).

About the Global Shapers Community

The Global Shapers Community, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, is a network of over 500 city-based hubs across 155 countries and territories worldwide, bringing together young people to improve the state of the world.

Founded by Professor Klaus Schwab in 2011, the Global Shapers Communitys mission is to develop youth leaders, accelerate youth action and amplify youth voices. Since 2011, Global Shapers have implemented over 2,000 projects reaching more than 2 million beneficiaries, ensuring that young people play an influential role in shaping the future.
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has dismissed as false a viral video and audio message recirculating on social media and messaging platforms.

The misleading message claims that the agency shut down the Tummy Tummy noodles manufacturing facility in Anambra State and imposed a nationwide ban on tinned tomatoes and Maggi seasoning cubes.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, NAFDAC said the content of the audio is completely false and misleading, adding that the same recording had first surfaced in October 2023 and was thoroughly investigated at the time.

No facility sealed

Contrary to the viral claim, the agency clarified that it did not seal the Tummy Tummy noodles facility in Anambra.

Rather, an unscheduled inspection was carried out at the factory, during which samples from four different noodle variants were collected and tested at the NAFDAC Laboratory in Agulu.

The individual behind the audio, who falsely claimed to be working in collaboration with NAFDAC, also alleged the presence of acetyl methyl as a preservative in the noodles.

NAFDAC said the claim is entirely unfounded and that no such substance was detected in any of the samples analysed.

No ban on Maggi or tinned tomatoes

NAFDAC also dismissed the rumour that it had imposed a ban on popular food products such as tinned tomatoes or Maggi seasoning cubes.

There is no such ban in place, the agency said, urging the public to disregard the audio and stop the spread of unverified information.

Following public concern in 2023 regarding the possible contamination of instant noodles with ethylene oxide, NAFDAC said it had conducted a comprehensive investigation across factory and market levels.

Findings confirmed that ethylene oxide or its derivative was not present in any instant noodles or seasoning products made in Nigeria, the statement read.

It added that tests for mycotoxins and heavy metals also returned results within internationally acceptable safety limits, reaffirming the safety of noodles produced in the country.

NAFDAC urged members of the public to remain cautious and verify health-related claims before sharing them, particularly on social media.

We urge the public to disregard the misleading audio and refrain from spreading unverified content.

NAFDAC remains proactive and committed to its mandate of safeguarding public health by ensuring that only safe, high-quality, and properly regulated food and drug products are available to Nigerians, the agency said.
At least 11 civilians, including an eight-year-old boy, and one soldier have been killed as the long-simmering border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia erupted into direct attacks.

Thailand, on Thursday, launched airstrikes against Cambodian military targets along their long-disputed Ta Moan Thom Temple, located in the border area of northwestern Cambodias Oddar Meanchey province.

Following the attack, violence spread to at least six areas along the border, forcing Thailands military to shut down the crossing between the two countries.

The conflict broke out after a Thai military soldier lost his leg in a land mine explosion, which, according to the country, was planted by Cambodia.

Cambodia, however, has denied planting new landmines, claiming instead that Thai soldiers strayed from agreed routes and set off old mines left behind from its civil war, which occurred between 1967 and 1975.

Both countries have blamed each other for the crisis, with the Cambodian Defence Ministry saying Thailand started the armed clash and that Cambodia was only acting within the bounds of self-defence, responding to an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops that violated our territorial integrity.

While regional leaders called for mediation, Thailands caretaker Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters that the fighting had to stop before any negotiations could begin, Al Jazeera reports.

He said there had been no formal declaration of war and that the clashes hadnt spread beyond the border areas.

The Thai military said it has deployed an F-16 fighter jet.

The army said that of the six F-16s that Thailand had prepared to deploy along the disputed border, one of the fighter jets fired into Cambodia and destroyed a military target.

Call for peace

As the situation continued to deteriorate, Cambodian forces launched attacks on areas in Thailand, including a hospital, resulting in casualties.

At least 40,000 civilians from 86 villages near the border have been evacuated to safer locations, a district official in Thailands Surin province told Reuters.

Residents fled to bomb shelters made of concrete and reinforced with sandbags and car tyres.

The fighting stems from a long-running border dispute dating back to Cambodias colonial era, when the French drew the boundary between the two countries, according to Al Jazeera.

The dispute has lasted for decades, turning violent more than 15 years ago. It flared up again in May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a shootout further north of the current conflict zone.

This latest clash has raised concern across Asia, with several countries calling for an end to the violence.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), urged both sides to remain calm.

He also promised to speak with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia on Thursday evening to push for a peaceful solution.

The least we can expect is for them to stand down and hopefully try to enter into negotiation. Peace is the only option available, he said.

China also weighed in. At a briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiaku said Beijing was deeply concerned about the situation and urged both sides to resolve their differences through dialogue.

He added that China was ready to play a constructive role in easing tensions.

Meanwhile, the Thai government has shut down schools in some regions, and Cambodia has evacuated students and teachers from areas affected by the fighting.
At least 49 people are feared dead after a passenger plane crashed in Russias far east on Thursday.

The plane was flying from the city of Blagoveshchensk to Tynda, a remote town and key railway hub in the Amur region near the Chinese border, when it disappeared from radar while preparing to land.

Video footage circulating on social media showed that the Russian Antonov An-24 passenger plane had crashed in a densely forested area, with smoke rising from the site.

During the search operation, an Mi-8 helicopter belonging to Rossaviatsiya discovered the aircrafts fuselage, which was on fire, Russias emergency services ministry said on Telegram. Rescuers continue to make their way to the scene of the accident.

All 49 people on board the plane are feared dead, according to Al Jazeera.

The plane was operated by Angara, a privately owned regional airline based in Siberia. Reuters reports that records show the aircraft was built in 1976 and was previously used by the Soviet flag carrier Aeroflot before the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Russian emergency officials disclosed that debris from the aircraft was found on a hill about 15 km (10 miles) from Tynda,

TASS, a Russian news agency, reported that an error by the pilot crew during landing in a poor visibility area is being considered as one of the possible causes of the crash.

Meanwhile, the Russian government has set up a commission to handle the crashs aftermath, and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause.

READ ALSO: Plane crash at South Korean airport claims 179 lives

The regional governor, Vasily Orlov, said there were 43 passengers on board, including five children, along with six crew members.

The federal Russian government, on the other hand, has reported a slightly lower number of 42 passengers.

According to multiple media reports, flying in Russia can be risky, particularly in remote areas like the Arctic and the far east, where the weather is often harsh.

Although aviation safety has improved in recent years, crashes still happen, mainly involving old planes operating in hard-to-reach regions.
In June, Nigerias health sector recorded several pivotal momentssome promising, others troubling. The federal government announced a significant N32 billion disbursement under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to strengthen primary healthcare delivery nationwide. Lagos, Nigerias commercial nerve centre, inched closer to eliminating malaria, while concerns about measles, Lassa fever, and Mpox highlighted persistent gaps in disease surveillance and immunisation.

BHCPF: FG to disburse N32bn for PHC revamp

In June , the federal government announced a fresh disbursement of N32 billion under the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) to revamp over 8,000 primary healthcare centres (PHCs) across the country.

The Chairperson, Health Commissioners Forum, Oyebanji Filani noted that this is part of efforts to strengthen basic healthcare delivery and ensure access to essential services for millions of Nigerians.

He said the funds, released in two tranches of N16 billion each, would support renovations, procurement of commodities and capacity building of frontline health workers under the BHCPF.

Lagos nears malaria elimination, set to become first in West Africa  Official

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Akin Abayomi, disclosed that the state is on the verge of making history, positioning itself as the first West African geopolitical zone to eliminate malaria.

Mr Abayomi said this will not be through a vaccine or genetically modified mosquitoes, but by employing simple common sense medical practices and a robust public health strategy.

This ambitious goal is driven by the state/ministry and Wellington Oyibo, director of the Centre for Transdisciplinary Research for Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases.

US CDC calls for improved immunisation to curb measles in Nigeria

The United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (US CDC) called for improved immunisation coverage in Nigeria to curb the rising spread of measles across the country.

An epidemiologist with the CDC Nigeria Global Immunisation Disease (GID), Joseph Forbi, said measles remains a major cause of childhood illness and deaths worldwide.

Mr Forbi noted that Nigeria is currently among the top 10 countries reporting the highest number of measles cases globally.

He revealed that in 2024, Nigeria reported over 20,000 suspected measles cases, with approximately 10,000 confirmedmostly among unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children.

Bill Gates pledges majority of $200 billion foundation fund to Africas future

In June , Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates announced that the majority of the $200 billion his foundation will disburse over the next two decades will be allocated to improving health and development in Africa.

Mr Gates, the chair of the Gates Foundation, emphasised that Africa would receive the largest share of the funding, citing the continents potential and the urgent needs.

I recently made a commitment that my wealth will be given away over the next 20 years. The majority of that funding will be spent on helping you address challenges here in Africa, he told the audience, including African leaders, health professionals, youth representatives, and development partners.

Mr Gates praised African governments that prioritise the health and well-being of their citizens and called for more investment in primary healthcare.

Mpox remains public health emergency of international concern  WHO

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has maintained that Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, continues to constitute a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

The WHO Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus, made this declaration following the fourth meeting of the International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee held on 5 June, where global health experts reviewed the situation and advised to uphold the emergency status.

In a statement, Mr Ghebreyesus said that although some countries have made progress in responding to the outbreak, the overall situation remains concerning.

He noted that the decision was influenced by the continuous increase in Mpox cases, including a recent surge in West Africa, and likely undetected transmission in countries beyond the continent.

Confusing PCOS with Ovarian Cysts could delay proper care  Expert

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and ovarian cysts are two common conditions affecting womens reproductive health, but they are often misunderstood and perceived as the same.

Both conditions affect the ovaries and can impact fertility, but they are fundamentally different in causes, symptoms, and treatment approaches.

According to Nigerian medical doctor and health educator, Chinonso Egemba, popularly known as Aproko Doctor, understanding the difference between the two conditions is essential to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment.

Over 90 providers sanctioned as NHIA cracks down on poor health services

In a continued push to improve the quality of healthcare delivery under its supervision, the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) sanctioned 49 healthcare facilities (HCFs) and 47 Health Maintenance Organisations (HMOs) for various infractions in 2024.

The sanctions, issued in line with the Authoritys operational guidelines, followed investigations into complaints from enrollees under both state and national health insurance schemes.

A statement signed on Sunday by NHIAs Acting Director of Media and Public Relations, Emmanuel Ononokpono, revealed that key complaints against healthcare facilities included the unavailability of medicines, denial of services, out-of-pocket charges for covered services, and failure to provide payment narrations.

Why seizures are common among children in poor communities  Expert

Convulsions , commonly called seizures, are becoming an increasingly frequent health concern among Nigerian children, especially those living in overcrowded and impoverished environments such as internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.

According to a neurology expert, Nkechi Obianozie, malnutrition, poor hygiene, and infectious diseases are among the top triggers of seizures in these vulnerable populations.

Ms Obianozie explained that seizures occur due to abnormal electrical discharges in the brain. In children, they often manifest as sudden jerking movements, loss of consciousness, or both.

These episodes are sometimes mistaken for other illnesses like fever, but they are often signs of something more serious, especially in areas where access to healthcare is limited and basic needs are unmet, she said.

Nigerias health budget too small to address challenges  Bill Gates

Billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates raised concerns about Nigerias insufficient investment in healthcare, stating that the countrys current health budget is inadequate to meet its pressing health needs.

Mr Gates, chair of the Gates Foundation , warned that the health budgets will be under pressure, particularly with foreign aid cuts, adding that there will be less money for health in Nigeria next year than this year.

He observed that the low funding for health was part of the reasons Nigeria has the second highest maternal and child mortality rate in the world.

UN agency links Nigerias high fertility rate to weak reproductive rights

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has attributed Nigerias high fertility rate to limited reproductive rights and access, rather than cultural preferences alone.

UNFPAs Officer-in-Charge in Nigeria, Koessan Kuawu, noted that while fertility rates are declining globally,

Nigeria remains an outlier due to restricted access to reproductive health services and the persistent unmet need for family planning.

Mr Kuawu quoted a report, titled The Real Fertility Crisis: The Pursuit of Reproductive Health Agency. The report examines global trends relating to bodily autonomy and reproductive decision-making.

Benue Massacre: Resident doctors lament colleagues death

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) condemned the massacre in Yelwata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State , which claimed over 200 lives, including a young pharmacist, Matthew Lormba.

In a statement signed by its President, Osundara Tope, NARD described the continued bloodshed in Benue State as alarming and condemnable.

The association said the violence is taking its toll on an already thinly stretched and fragile health system.

Lassa Fever spread to 18 states- NCDC

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) reported 747 confirmed cases of Lassa fever across 18 states, with 142 deaths recorded as of epidemiological week 22 of 2025.

The fertility rate was 19.0 per cent, a slight increase from the 18.1 per cent reported during the same period last year.

The report further revealed that five states, Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi, accounted for 91 per cent of all confirmed cases.
The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, convicted Olufemi Martins Thomas, a former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), and Kabiru Sidi, a Bureau De Change operator, of their involvement in fraud case involving more than $2 million.

The judge, Ayokunle Faji, found Mr Thomas guilty of transacting beyond the legal threshold without utilising a financial institution, an offence contrary to money laundering regulations. He was subsequently sentenced to a fine of N10 million.

His co-defendant, Mr Sidi, was found guilty of making a false statement to an investigating officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and was fined N100,000.

EFCC brought amended seven charges of money laundering, among others, against the duo. Six of the counts against Mr Thomas related to money laundering and transferring proceeds of unlawful activities in cash, in contravention of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended. Mr Sidi faced a single count of making false statements to an EFCC official.

According to the charges, Mr Thomas procured his wife, Mrs Femi Thomas, to disguise the unlawful origin of about $2 million ($2,198,900) on or about 3 July 2015. This was deemed an offence contrary to Section 18 and punishable under Section 15(2)(a) and (3) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).

Mr Sidis charge stated that on or about 15 July 2015, at the EFCC office in Ikoyi, Lagos, he made a false statement to Afeez Mustapha, an investigating officer, claiming he gave over two million United States dollars to Bamidele Ibiteye. This was found to be an offence contrary to Section 39(2)(b) and punishable under Section 39(2)(c) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.

Both defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges, leading to a full trial.

In his oral submissions during the final hearing on 29 May, the prosecution counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), argued that the prosecution had established a prima facie case against the defendants, which had been upheld by the Court of Appeal after an initial no-case submission by the defence was overruled.

This is a case of money laundering, where the issue of concealment of transaction is paramount and that is why the law requires such transactions to go through financial institutions so that there will be a trial, Mr Iheanacho said.

Despite the convictions on specific counts, Justice Faji discharged Dr. Thomas on counts one, two, three, four, and seven of the charge.
A new judge has taken over the N4 billion money laundering trial of former Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano.

The trial case came up before the new judge, Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday. But the judge postponed Mr Obianos case having spent the day attending to other matters.

Mr Umar rescheduled the hearing for 25 November.

The defendant is expected to take a fresh plea and the prosecution witnesses that already testified would have to be reinvited.

The case was reassigned to Mr Umar after the previous trial judge, Inyang Ekwo of the same Abuja division of the court was placed under a one-year suspension in April by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for misconduct.

Before the sanction came, Mr Ekwo had fixed 26 May for continuation of trial.

To avoid delaying the case for Mr Ekwo to return from his suspension, the Chief Judge had to reassign the case to a new judge  Mr Umar.

Mr Umar, who was recently transferred from the Enugu Division of the Federal High Court, did not sit on 26 May, prompting the court to adjourn the matter to 24 July for mention.

Mr Obiano served as Anambra State governor from March 2014 to March 2022.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) first arraigned him in January 2024 before the former trial judge.

He faces nine counts of misappropriation of more than N4 billion from the state treasury.

The charges include bypassing of financial institution in several unlawful cash transactions involving money allegedly stolen from the states account. The amount of cash involved in the transactions was said to be beyond legally permitted cash limits.

The charges also accused the former governor of spending of funds allegedly stolen from the states security vote account for other purposes.

He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Witnesses who will have to be recalled

At the 7 October 2024 hearing, the EFCCs lawyer, Sylvanus Tahir, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), led two witnesses in evidence.

One of the witnesses, Ugochukwu Otubelu, a former bank employee who testified as the third prosecution witness, narrated how he managed the security vote account of the Anambra State government under Mr Obiano.

He told the court that the accounts signatories were the ex-governors former Principal Secretary, Willy Nwokoye, and the Accountant, Theophilus Nweze.

Mr Otubrlu said he processed transactions for them on a daily and weekly basis.

He said although funds from the security vote account were paid into six companies accounts, the money did not go to the account holders directly.

Another witness, Hayatu Hadejia, a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, testified as the fourth prosecution witness.

He told the court that he runs five BDC companies and was invited by the EFCC in connection with financial transactions linked to the Obiano administration.

Another BDC operator, Ayuba Tanko, who testified as the fifth prosecution witness on 13 November 2024, said he received a total of N416 million in tranches between April and December 2017.

He told the court the funds were converted to $1.137 million in cash and returned to the sender.

Three other bankers have also testified in the trial.
The Publisher of PREMIUM TIMES, Dapo Olorunyomi, has called for renewed focus and strategic support for local media, warning that the sustainability of Nigerias democracy depends on strengthening community-based journalism.

Delivering a public lecture at the Federal University, Lokoja, Kogi State, on Thursday, Mr Olorunyomi, who doubles as the Chirf Executive Officer of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), described the countrys local media as indispensable to a democratic culture.

He noted that local media in Nigeria have expanded with Nigerias return to democracy since 1999, with dozens of community radio stations across the country providing programming in indigenous languages, covering local elections, and enabling citizens to debate local governance issues.

He, however, warned that the local media organisations, which have been instrumental to strengthening Nigerias democracy, are struggling from a convergence of economic decline, digital disruption, political intimidation, and public apathy.

A combination of economic, technological, political, and institutional challenges has created a hostile environment for local journalism, threatening its viability and eroding its ability to inform, engage, and hold power accountable, he said.

(Local media) is facing existential threats that require urgent, collective solutions. Without deliberate interventions  from citizens, policymakers, donors, and the media sector itself  local journalism risks becoming hollowed out, leaving communities in darkness and democracy diminished.

How local media can strengthen democracy

The publisher of Nigerias foremost investigative newspaper said a thriving democracy depends on a well-informed and engaged citizenry, adding that local media are essential to achieving that.

He explained that local media contributes to democracy by keeping citizens informed, setting public agenda, gatekeeping vital information, enabling civic engagement, ensuring accountability and giving a voice to marginalised communities and individuals.

We cannot  and must not  let local journalism wither, he said. The survival of local media is essential for a vibrant, participatory democracy.

Challenges facing local media

According to Mr Olorunyomi, the challenges facing local media include economic crises, censorship, press attacks, dominance by big tech companies, technological shifts, and disruption in audience habits.

He said advertising revenues, which used to be the major stream of revenue for media platforms, have plummeted mainly due to the rise of digital advertising dominated by global tech platforms.

He explained that many radio and television stations struggle to meet operating costs, leading to layoffs, salary cuts and even closures, leading to a phenomenon now globally known as news deserts  areas where no local newspaper is available.

He said: In the United States, over 2,500 local newspapers have closed since 2005 (UNC Hussman School of Journalism & Media, 2020). In Nigeria, the number of viable local newspapers has declined significantly since the 1990s, and many of those that remain operate with skeleton staff and minimal investigative capacity.

Mr Olorunyomi also noted the declining trust in journalism, which has not spared local media.

Partisan divides, perceived bias, and the proliferation of misinformation have tarnished the credibility of many outlets, he said.

Citing data from CJIDs Press Attack Tracker, which documents attacks on journalists, he emphasised how local journalists often operate under intense political pressure, due to their proximity to the communities they cover

They are especially vulnerable to intimidation, harassment, and even violence from local authorities and power brokers, he said.

According to data from the Press Attack Tracker of the CJID, there have been 1,237 verified cases of violations against the press between 1986 and 2025.

The data revealed that 179 journalists suffered physical attacks, unlawful arrests and other violations in Nigeria during the first five years of the countrys Fourth Republic (20002006), a period when violations ought to have been receding.

The past five years (20192024) have been the most scandalous, Mr Olorunyomi added.

In 2023 alone, CJIDs Press Attack tracker recorded dozens of assaults on journalists in states like Kogi, Osun, and Bayelsa, including cases of arbitrary detention, destruction of equipment, and even physical violence  clear evidence of the hostile environment in which local media operate.

He added that the legal environment in which Nigerian local media operates is also fraught with risk.

While the 1999 constitution guarantees press freedom, journalists still face arbitrary application of laws such as the Cybercrime Act and criminal defamation statutes, which have been used to silence critical voices.

Local journalists, who often lack access to legal counsel or advocacy networks, are particularly vulnerable to these legal threats, he said.

Mr Olorunyomi explained that the challenges, ranging from shrinking funding, digital disruption, lack of resources, declining trust, intimidation, media capture, and legal vulnerabilities, have both weakened local media and eroded the democratic fabric they support.

If local media cannot inform citizens, set the agenda, hold power to account, or represent marginalised voices, citizens become less informed, power becomes less accountable, and democracy itself becomes less responsive to the needs of its citizens, he said.

Way forward for Local Media Sustainability

For Mr Olorunyomi, the way to solve the challenges would be a total transformation of news coverage, distribution and journalism financing.

He recommended community support models where the communities invest in local media through subscriptions, donations, cooperative ownership or crowdfunding campaigns.

This model not only generates revenue but also strengthens the bond between the media and its audience, fostering accountability on both sides, he said.

To survive and thrive in a digital-first world, Mr Olorunyomi recommends that media platforms develop mobile-friendly websites, create podcasts, utilise WhatsApp newsletters, as well as use social media strategically to reach and engage broader audiences.

By licensing their archives to the development of generative Artificial Intelligence, local media platforms can ensure that their content is protected and monetised when large language models (LLMs) are trained on their work.

For example, some publishers globally are negotiating licensing deals with companies like OpenAI and Google to allow for the ethical and compensated use of their content in AI systems, he said.

Nigerian local media can prepare for this by digitising their archives, asserting their copyrights, and organising as a collective to negotiate licensing agreements. Additionally, AI-driven tools can help local journalists enhance productivity  assisting with transcription, data analysis, and content generation  if adopted thoughtfully and effectively.

He also noted that certain policy interventions like lowering the financial and bureaucratic barriers to entry for independent community radio stations, tax incentives, subsidies and grants can ensure both diversity and sustainability of local news platforms.

Mr Olorunyomi also recommended collaborations with national platforms and civic-tech organisations to publish joint investigations.

He also suggested a partnership with universities journalism departments in a way that benefits the students, the university and the media organisations.

He said international networks, such as the Collaborative Journalism Network in the United States and the African Investigative Journalism Conference in South Africa, already foster such partnerships and could serve as models.

A university journalism department could assist a local newspaper in conducting a data-driven investigation, offering students hands-on experience while bolstering local coverage, he said.

Local media in colonial, military era

Tracing the history of local media in Nigeria, Mr Olorunyomi noted they have been a vital part of the countrys colonial and democratic struggle and public debate.

According to him, local newspapers such as The Lagos Weekly Record (founded in 1891), the West African Pilot (founded in 1937), and the Daily Times (1926) amplified calls for independence and became platforms for anti-colonial nationalism before Nigerias independence from Britain in 1960.

He also noted how the newspapers and others that emerged later championed democratic causes during the decades of military dictatorship between 1966 and 1999.

READ ALSO: Dapo Olorunyomi to deliver lecture on Journalism in the Digital and Democratic Era

These papers provided information about colonial abuses, published opinions calling for self-determination, and mobilised ordinary Nigerians into an informed and engaged public  a classic example of Deweyan associative life and Habermasian public sphere, he said.

At the time, local papers also gave voice to different ethnic and regional perspectives. In Ibadan and Kaduna, smaller presses published in Yoruba and Hausa, helping local communities articulate their concerns about colonial governance.

Mr Olorunyomi said the decline of local media threatens the very fabric of Nigerian democracy, which relies on vibrant civic dialogue, community engagement, and grassroots accountability.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has revealed that Nigeria records approximately 127,000 cancer cases annually, resulting in about 80,000 deaths.

Mr Pate said this on Thursday during the commissioning of a newly constructed Oncology Centre at the Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Katsina.

Nigeria accounts for 127,000 cancer cases annually, with about 80,000 deaths. That is the burden, he stated.

The minister described non-communicable diseases such as cancer as one of the fastest-growing contributors to the countrys disease burden.

He noted that beyond the suffering, the illnesses impose significant financial pressure on households.

Mr Pate reaffirmed the federal governments commitment to improving healthcare as part of President Bola Tinubus Renewed Hope Agenda.

He said that cancer treatment centres would be established in all six geopolitical zones to enable early detection and reduce mortality.

If cancers are detected late, even when treatment is available, it may be too late to benefit from it, he said.

He added that the 2026 budget would include dedicated funding across federal teaching hospitals to help reduce the burden of catastrophic health expenditures on families.

In his remarks, the Chief Medical Director of FTH Katsina, Suleiman Bello-Muhammed, said the new centre featured a 20-bed chemotherapy suite, including private suites for VIP patients.

Mr Bello-Muhammed said the centre is also equipped with 26 oncology nurses, seven therapy radiographers, eight medical physicists, and six oncology pharmacists.

He added that the pharmacy compounding room is fully equipped for the safe preparation of chemotherapeutic drugs and said the equipment supplied met global standards.

READ ALSO: Over 12 million Nigerian girls immunised against cervical cancer Minister

He also disclosed that the hospital has a trained nuclear physician who studied in South Africa.

However, he expressed concern about the possibility of losing the specialist to brain drain japa if the nuclear medicine component of the centre remained incomplete.

Like Oliver Twist, the management of FTH Katsina is pleading for the ministers intervention to complete the nuclear medicine aspect of this centre, he appealed.

(NAN)
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, has clarified that the dress code document currently circulating on social media has not been finalised and approved by the universitys governing council.

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday, the universitys spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed that a dress code is being drafted but is still undergoing review.

Dress Code

A copy of the dress code being circulated on social media showed that the university plans to ban heavy make-up, dreadlocks, nose rings, coloured hairstyles and hair braiding for male students, among others.

The university is also proposing the rustication of students who violate the rule for one or two semesters, depending on the offence.

Other offences listed in the draft seen by this newspaper include: Sexually Provocative Dresses, Backless Clothes, Transparent Wears, Off-shoulder Clothes, Bomb Shorts, Tattered Jeans, Faring for Male/Cowries for Female, Micro/Mini/Skimpy Dress, and Sagging for Male/Female, Hair Braiding for Male, Nose, Mouth, Eye, Extra Rings, Unconventional wearing of face cap, Tattoo/Indelible markings for male, Crop/Jump Tops, Multi-coloured braid for Female, Haircuts with inscriptions, T-shirts with obscene inscriptions depicting immorality, and hooliganism.

Others are: Coloured Hair Styles, Hair Braiding for Male, Spangled Hair Style for Male, Unwelcome touching, kissing and hugging of opposite sex.

The document seen by this newspaper reads that the decision has been approved by the university council. It is, however, unsigned.

Not yet finalised  University

However, the university said the copy being circulated has not been finalised and adopted by the university council.

So we have not finalised so many things there, but some people just smuggle it out to alert the people, Mr Olarewaju told our reporter via telephone.

He said the university is still working on some finishing touches to the dress code before subsequent approval by the university management and the council.

He explained that the university is working on the dress code because after completion of their studies, the certificates read that they are awarded in character and in learning.

And there is no way somebody can be rewarding learning and character without some degree of decency, particularly in the mode of dressing.

Once we are done with it, we will make it public, so that our students particularly, will know that in the university, there are ways you dress that will not insult the academic sensibilities and moral sanctity of some other people.

Students Kick

Meanwhile, the Students Union of the university has rejected the proposed dress code policy, describing it as archaic.

In a statement by its President, Adelaide David; Secretary General, Habeeb Oke; and Public Relations Officer, Olowosile Joseph, the union said the provisions of the dress code infringe on students right to personal liberty as enshrined in the Nigerian constitution.

The students union said the policy also stifles and violates students fundamental rights to freedom of expression, personal style, and individuality.

It, therefore, called on the university to distance itself from the punitive measures listed in the dress code.

The Great Ife Students Union is reaffirming its strong opposition to the trending alleged university managements consideration of a dress code policy. Reflecting on past instances, including the misleading circulars that surfaced in 2023 and the subsequent management clarifications, we remain committed to protecting our rights, the statement read.

The union also called on students to stand together in unity against the dress code and any measures that seek to undermine their rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, movement, and discrimination based on appearance, belief, or identity.
The News in Brief Thursday, July 24, 2025

The bank accounts of the opposition Droa party and its leader, Elene Khoshtaria, have been frozen by authorities over an unpaid GEL 50 court fee linked to a 2021 election appeal.Khoshtaria criticized the freeze as politically motivated, calling it a "form of repression." She said the frozen account held only GEL 17 and confirmed that donations remain secure in a separate account. She also stated she will not pay the fee or appear in court."I will not take part in a system I fundamentally oppose," Khoshtaria said, reaffirming her stance against cooperation with the ruling Georgian Dream party.The freeze came a day after Khoshtaria asked supporters on Facebook for donations, thanking them for previous contributions that supported protests and regional events. She said more funds were needed for planned actions in August.In a similar move in March, authorities froze accounts tied to fundraising efforts that covered fines for protesters. Prosecutors said the funds were part of a broader criminal probe into sabotage and unrest.A Russian court has sentenced Georgian citizen Zurab Karchava to six and a half years in prison in absentia for allegedly fighting in Ukraine as a mercenary, Russia's Investigative Committee announced on July 21. Karchava has been placed on an international wanted list.According to the committee, Karchava joined a paramilitary unit in 2022 and took part in combat operations on the Ukrainian side. Authorities claim he followed orders from commanders and received payment for engaging in hostilities against Russian forces and those of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics.Karchava is the second Georgian citizen sentenced by Russia on similar charges. Earlier, Gela Eradze was sentenced in absentia to 14 years in prison for allegedly participating in the war under similar circumstances.
On Wednesday, July 23, late in the evening, an emergency occurred with a dredger belonging to the Delta-pilot branch of the State Enterprise Seaports Administration of Ukraine (SAU) exploded, SAU's press service has said.

"The vessel was at the mouth of the Bystre River to carry out scheduled work with 11 crew members. Three SAU employees died as a result of the blast. We sincerely sympathize with the relatives and friends of the deceased. Other crew members are currently in the hospital, they are being provided with all necessary medical assistance," the message on Facebook states.

Relevant services are working at the scene. Details of the incident are being clarified. The results will be reported later.

SAU will provide all necessary support to the families of the deceased and those who suffered as a result of the emergency," the message notes.

It is noted that the sea approach Bystre channel mouth is temporarily closed to vessel traffic. The passage of vessels to/from the seaports of the Danube region is currently carried out via the Sulin Canal.
The contrasting attitudes of Kemi Badenoch and Rishi Sunak towards their heritage countries are deeply rooted in their respective colonial histories and pre-colonial societal structures. Nigerias relatively brief colonial rule and its lack of pre-colonial overarching unity have left a legacy of division and internal criticism, exacerbated by the lasting impact of colonial divide-and-rule tactics and the military origins of its fundamental law.

The contrasting attitudes of two prominent British politicians of ethnic minority heritage  Kemi Badenoch, who has Nigerian roots, and Rishi Sunak, whose family hails from India  towards their ancestral homelands, offer a compelling insight into the enduring legacies of colonialism and the complex nature of national identity. While former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak consistently expresses pride in his Indian heritage and a clear affection for India, Kemi Badenoch, now the Leader of the Conservative Party, has frequently articulated criticisms of Nigeria. This divergence in perspective is not merely a matter of personal preference but appears to be deeply rooted in the distinct colonial experiences and pre-colonial histories of Nigeria and India. Understanding these contexts is crucial to comprehending why members of the Nigerian and Indian diasporas often perceive their countries of origin so differently.

Rishi Sunak, the former prime minister and the UKs first leader of Indian descent, openly celebrated his Indian roots during his time in office and continues to do so. He has described India as very near and dear to me and affectionately referred to himself as Indias son-in-law. Sunaks pride in his heritage is particularly notable, given that both of his parents were born in East African countries  his mother in Tanzania, and his father in Kenya. Despite their families having settled in Africa due to the British colonial project, their strong identification with their Indian heritage underscores the deep and lasting impact of Indias prolonged colonial experience and the robust national identity forged there, which transcends geographical boundaries and even subsequent generations born outside the subcontinent. This contrasts sharply with the often more fragmented sense of national identity seen among those with roots in African nations, where colonial rule was shorter and often more focused on exploiting existing divisions.

Kemi Badenoch, who was born in Britain but spent a portion of her formative years in Nigeria, has earned a reputation for her candid critiques of Nigerias systemic issues, including corruption, insecurity, and challenges with governance. Her remarks have often ignited controversy, with many Nigerians perceiving her tone as denigrating. Ms Badenoch has previously articulated a stronger identification with her Yoruba ethnicity than with the broader Nigerian nation, seemingly distancing herself from other ethnic groups, particularly those in the North. She has been quoted as stating, I find it interesting that everybody defines me as being Nigerian. I identify less with the country than the specific ethnicity [Yoruba] I have nothing in common with the people from the north of the country, Boko Haram, where Islamism is. Being Yoruba is my true identity, and I refuse to be lumped with northern people of Nigeria, who were our ethnic enemies, all in the name of being called a Nigerian.

More recently, Ms Badenochs comments regarding the Nigerian citizenship for her children have drawn significant attention and criticism. During an interview, she stated that her children could not be Nigerian citizens because, as a woman, she is unable to confer citizenship on them under Nigerian law. This assertion, which highlights gender-discriminatory aspects of Nigerias citizenship laws, sparked considerable debate within Nigeria. It is important to clarify that Ms Badenoch was mistaken in her assertion; her children are, in fact, eligible for Nigerian citizenship by birth. The Nigerian Constitution, in Section 25 (1) (c), explicitly states: Every person born outside Nigeria either of whose parents is a citizen of Nigeria is a citizen of Nigeria by birth. This provision allows a Nigerian parent, whether mother or father, to transmit citizenship to their child born abroad. While the constitution does contain other provisions that have been criticised for their gender bias, particularly regarding citizenship by registration for foreign spouses, the specific claim about a mothers inability to confer citizenship by birth to a child born outside Nigeria is inaccurate.

The reaction in Nigeria was largely one of disappointment and correction, with legal experts and commentators clarifying the nuances of the law and expressing concern that her statements might be misconstrued or used to broadly characterise Nigerian law as entirely preventing citizenship through the maternal line. Some viewed her comments as a further example of her often critical stance towards Nigeria, while others acknowledged the underlying issue of gender inequality within the countrys legal framework that her statement inadvertently brought to light. This, however, is not the objective of this analysis, but rather to highlight that even the Nigerian Constitution, which is often criticised for its origins, makes this point clear.

The disparity in attitudes between Nigerians and Indians towards their homelands is also evident in various surveys and diaspora narratives. For Nigeria, over 90 per cent of its citizens told Afrobarometer that the country is going in the wrong direction, citing widespread economic hardship, corruption, and poor governance Conversely, in India, approximately 6870 per cent of Indians told the Pew Research Centre that their country is getting stronger on the global stage.

This stance, and her broader criticisms, reflect Nigerias complex colonial and post-colonial challenges. British colonialism in Nigeria, lasting approximately 60 years from the late 19th century until 1960, was relatively brief in comparison to Indias three centuries under British rule. The brevity of colonial administration in Nigeria, coupled with the British policy of divide-and-rule, exacerbated pre-existing ethnic divisions. Nigerias arbitrary borders, drawn by colonial powers, brought diverse ethnic groups together into a single state without fostering a unifying national identity. This lack of internal cohesion persists, contributing to a sense of disconnection among many Nigerians, both domestically and within the diaspora. Nigeria, in essence, is still composed of the three broad units deliberately set against each other by the British colonists, a fragmentation that has hindered the development of a strong, unified national identity.

It is also pertinent to note the distinct origins of the two countries foundational legal documents. Indias Constitution, adopted in 1950, famously begins with, We, the People of India, reflecting its drafting by a Constituent Assembly that, despite its limitations, was ultimately rooted in a popular movement for independence. This imbues the Indian populace with a powerful sense of ownership over their nations supreme law. In stark contrast, Nigerias current 1999 Constitution, while incorporating some civilian input, was promulgated as a military decree by the Provisional Ruling Council under General Abdulsalami Abubakar. This legacy of a constitution by decree, rather than one born from a truly constituent process involving the direct will of the people, contributes to a perception among many Nigerians that the document is imposed, rather than owned, further diminishing their sense of collective ownership.

Indias colonial experience differed markedly from Nigerias. British rule in India extended over 300 years, during which the subcontinent endured severe exploitation, including three devastating genocides, such as the Bengal Famine of 1943. However, this prolonged oppression paradoxically fostered a unified resistance movement transcending regional and religious differences. Crucially, the tumultuous period of Indias independence also witnessed its partition, whereby the larger, undivided country was ultimately separated into three (originally two) slightly more homogenous units: India, Pakistan, and later Bangladesh. While this partition was undeniably violent and tragic in human terms, involving immense displacements and losses of life, it ultimately resulted in entities that, for various complex reasons, aided in fostering a better sense of national cohesion within their new borders. Pre-colonial India also had a long history of cultural and political cohesion, with empires like the Maurya and Mughal dynasties laying the foundational groundwork for a shared identity. The Indian independence movement, led by iconic figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, further solidified this unity, cultivating a sense of collective pride that sustains till this day.

The disparity in attitudes between Nigerians and Indians towards their homelands is also evident in various surveys and diaspora narratives. For Nigeria, over 90 per cent of its citizens told Afrobarometer that the country is going in the wrong direction, citing widespread economic hardship, corruption, and poor governance. Furthermore, only 6 per cent believe Nigeria is on the right path, and a significant 24 per cent have indicated there is nothing to love about being Nigerian. Conversely, in India, approximately 6870 per cent of Indians told the Pew Research Centre that their country is getting stronger on the global stage. Around 79 per cent hold a favourable view of Prime Minister Modi, reflecting a prevailing optimism about Indias trajectory.

pre-colonial history is a crucial element. Nigerias pre-colonial societies were diverse and often rivalrous, lacking an overarching political unity. The British exploited these divisions, leaving a legacy of fragmentation. In contrast, India had a history of large, unifying empires, such as the Maurya, Gupta, and Mughal dynasties, alongside shared cultural traditions like Hinduism and Buddhism, facilitating the formation of a collective identity.

Several factors contribute to these differing perspectives. First, the colonial legacies play a significant role: Nigerias relatively short colonial period left insufficient time to overcome pre-existing ethnic divisions, and the British divide and rule policy deepened these cleavages. Post-independence, these divisions have continued to fuel distrust and internal criticism. Indias prolonged colonial experience, despite its brutality, paradoxically allowed for the development of a unified resistance and a stronger national identity. The partition, while devastating, also led to the formation of more internally cohesive national units. Pre-colonial empires and deeply rooted cultural ties provided a solid foundation for this unity.

Secondly, pre-colonial history is a crucial element. Nigerias pre-colonial societies were diverse and often rivalrous, lacking an overarching political unity. The British exploited these divisions, leaving a legacy of fragmentation. In contrast, India had a history of large, unifying empires, such as the Maurya, Gupta, and Mughal dynasties, alongside shared cultural traditions like Hinduism and Buddhism, facilitating the formation of a collective identity.

Finally, post-colonial trajectories have also shaped these attitudes. Nigerias ongoing struggles with governance and economic stagnation have led to widespread disillusionment domestically and within the diaspora. Conversely, Indias economic rise and growing global prestige have bolstered national pride, which is reflected in the positive attitudes of its diaspora. The fundamental difference in their respective national constitutions perceived legitimacy and ownership further entrenches these divergent national sentiments.

The contrasting attitudes of Kemi Badenoch and Rishi Sunak towards their heritage countries are deeply rooted in their respective colonial histories and pre-colonial societal structures. Nigerias relatively brief colonial rule and its lack of pre-colonial overarching unity have left a legacy of division and internal criticism, exacerbated by the lasting impact of colonial divide-and-rule tactics and the military origins of its fundamental law. In contrast, Indias long history of shared civilisation and prolonged resistance to colonialism, combined with the complex, yet ultimately nation-forming, process of partition and a constitution rooted in popular sovereignty, fostered a strong, unified national identity that even extends to generations born abroad. These historical contexts shape individual perspectives and broader diasporic narratives, vividly illustrating how collective identity is intricately intertwined with national history and the enduring impact of colonial experience.

Cheta Nwanze is a partner at SBM Intelligence.
Governor Umar Namadi has reaffirmed his deep sense of responsibility and commitment to public service, revealing that he reads his oath of office daily as a personal reminder of the sacred duty he owes to the people of Jigawa State.

The governor made this known during the swearing-in ceremony of the new substantive chairman of Gumel Local Government, following the untimely demise of the former office holder.

Speaking at the event on Wednesday at the Council Chambers of the Government House, Governor Namadi stressed the temporary nature of life and the need for leaders to constantly reflect on their roles with the fear of Allah.

I want to use this moment to call on myself, the new chairman, and all of us gathered here to reflect on this reality: the late chairman never expected that he would not complete his tenure. This can happen to any one of us, at any time, without notice, he said.

He called on public servants and those shouldered with leadership responsibilities to act with a sense of divine accountability.

In whatever we do, we must always remember that there will be a day of reckoning, and there will be death. Those of us entrusted with responsibilities must discharge those responsibilities with the fear of Allah.

Addressing the new chairman, he said, Those of us sitting here today have all read the same oath that you have just taken. If you go to my office today, youll find that same oath placed on my desk. I have kept it there intentionally. Every time I look at it, I remind myself of the bond between me and the people of Jigawa State.

I advise you to do the sameplace a copy of that oath in your office. When you arrive in the morning, read it before you sit down at your table. Its very, very important. That oath is heavy.

The governor, therefore, warned against allowing personal interests to interfere with public duties, saying that personal interest is the bane of good governance.

Just now, you said you would not allow your personal interest to influence your official conduct. That is critical, because personal interest is the killer. In most cases, we are driven by personal interest, and we forget that the oath we took is before Allah. We are deceiving no one but ourselves if we break it.

Speaking with sincerity and depth, the governor acknowledged the weight of leadership, noting that those in positions of power carry a burden of responsibility over their shoulders.

As I sit here as Governor, if something happens, I must ensuretry as much as possiblethat my personal interest does not influence my official actions as the Governor of Jigawa State. Because every citizen of Jigawa, regardless of political party or background, has rights under my leadership, he emphasised.

Governor Namadi advised the new chairman to lead with humility, consult stakeholders regularly, and utilise public funds for the benefit of the grassroots, where real needs exist.

Every indigene of Gumel Local Government is your responsibility, regardless of who they are.

Try and work with everyone you are supposed to work with. You are just coming in. No one is born with administrative qualities. But if you fear Allah, you will become a great administrator.

Governor Namadi stressed that the funds and resources of the local government are the rightful property of the people and should be utilised in accordance with their needs and priorities.

Remember, the finances of Gumel Local Government belong to the people of Gumel Local Government. Whatever comes in as revenue is meant to serve the people. You should make sure it is used for their benefit.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has extended his congratulations to Nentawe Yilwatda on his emergence as the new National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The governor, who is a top member of the APC, hailed Yilwatda on this well-deserved elevation, describing it as a strong reaffirmation of the partys dedication to competence, internal reform, and connection with the grassroots.

Governor Radda emphasised that Mr Yilwatdas emergence comes at a defining moment in the partys history, bringing with it renewed energy and a clear sense of direction. He said the new Chairmans track record as a technocrat and administrator will be a major asset to the APCs leadership.

Prof Yilwatda has consistently proven himself to be a forward thinking leader with the intellectual depth and political maturity required to lead the APC at this defining moment in our national journey, Governor Radda stated.

He also highlighted the new Chairmans impressive background in public service and academia, noting that his wide ranging credentials will be critical in navigating the complexities of national party administration. Here is a man who understands the delicate balance between policy, principle, and people, Mr Radda emphasised.

I am confident that under his guidance, the APC will not only grow stronger but become more attuned to the hopes and aspirations of ordinary Nigerians, the governor added.

Mr Yilwatda, aged 56, is a distinguished professor of engineering, an academic, and seasoned public servant. His career spans academia, electoral administration, and national service. He currently serves as Nigerias Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, a role he assumed in October 2024.

Between 2017 and 2021, he served as Resident Electoral Commissioner for INEC in Benue State, where he supervised inclusive electoral processes in internally displaced persons camps and other sensitive areas. Prior to that, he was the ICT Director and a respected lecturer at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. In 2023, he contested as the APC gubernatorial candidate in Plateau State, showcasing his deep political engagement and regional commitment.

Governor Radda urged the new APC National Chairman to continue on the path of reform and inclusivity, and expressed strong optimism that his leadership would usher in greater strategic foresight, cohesion, and people centred progress within the party.

On behalf of the Government and good people of Katsina State, I warmly congratulate Prof Nentawe Yilwatda. We pray that Almighty Allah grants him the wisdom, strength, and clarity needed as he takes on this critical national responsibility. The APC stands to gain greatly under his leadership, Governor Radda concluded.
Following his recent involvement in a road accident, a high-powered team of APC governors, under the banner of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), on Wednesday paid a condolence visit to the Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Umaru Radda. The visit came in the aftermath of a recent minor road accident involving Governor Radda along the Katsina-Daura highway.

The visiting governors expressed their personal concern and joined others in thanking Almighty Allah for sparing Governor Raddas life and protecting him from harm. The visitors were led by the Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma.

The meeting, which took place at the Katsina State Governors Lodge in Abuja, served as a powerful display of solidarity and brotherhood. Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State offered the opening prayers, while the Governor of Benue State, Hyacinth Alia, said the closing prayers.

In his remarks, Governor Uzodimma reaffirmed the unity of the Progressive Governors and expressed gratitude to God for Governor Raddas recovery and strength. We give glory to God that you are strong, out of the hospital, and ready to continue the mandate given to you by your people, he emphasised. He noted that their presence was more than symbolic adding that it was a demonstration of genuine concern and shared compassion.

When you are happy, we rejoice with you. And when you are mourning, we mourn with you, he said. He urged Governor Radda to focus on his full recovery and assured him that his fellow governors remained firmly behind him.

We are here holding forth for you. Take your medications, recover fully, and rejoin us soon. Our party is growing stronger, our unity is firm, and we will not disappoint the expectations of Nigerians, he added. The visiting governors thanked God for sparing his life and prayed for his continued healing and renewed strength.

Governor Dikko Umaru Radda, visibly moved by the gesture, warmly received his colleagues and thanked them for their presence and support. I feel deeply honoured to welcome you all to Katsina House. This visit is not something I take for granted, he said.

He acknowledged their full participation at the burial of the former President and described it as a rare demonstration of national unity and leadership. That singular act showed the North, and indeed the entire country, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has deep respect and love for this region, he emphasised.

Mr Radda further noted that such a strong show of commitment from the President sent a clear message of inclusion and loyalty. In the history of this country, weve never seen a former President honoured in this way. President Tinubu personally led a powerful team, stood with us, and proved once again that he is a leader who truly cares, he remarked.

He praised the APC governors for the unity they have continued to uphold and expressed confidence in the strength of their collective mission. Our unity is our greatest strength. With this level of togetherness, we are sending a message to all that we are prepared, focused, and, Insha Allah, will be victorious behind our party, he said.

He concluded by offering prayers for the late President Muhammadu Buhari and expressed heartfelt appreciation to his colleagues for standing with him and the people of Katsina during this difficult time.

Also present was the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, along with other APC governors from across the country, including:, Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Ahmed Usman Ododo (Kogi), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Ahmed Aliyu (Sokoto), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Uba Sani (Kaduna), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Senator Akan Udosen Eyakenyi, Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, representing Governor Umo Eno.

Also present at the event were:, Deputy Governor of Katsina State, Faruk Lawal Jobe, National Coordinator of AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, Jabiru Salisu Abdul Tsauri and senior government officials.
Katsina State Governor, Dikko Umaru Radda, has congratulated Murtala Aliyu Kankia on his emergence as the new National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Governor Radda, described Mr Kankias emergence as a sign of the partys trust in professionalism, integrity, and sound legal leadership. He said the appointment is well-deserved and timely, especially as the party works to strengthen unity and uphold internal democracy.

He noted that Mr Kankias long experience in public service and the legal field makes him the right person for the job. According to the governor, the APC will benefit greatly from his calm nature, legal knowledge, and strong sense of justice. Barrister Murtala Kankia has always been a loyal party man, a brilliant lawyer, and a steady voice of reason. His emergence at this stage is important and encouraging, Governor Radda said.

He also recalled Mr Kankias past service as Federal Commissioner and Acting Chairman of the Code of Conduct Bureau, saying it shows his good character and leadership capacity. He has always shown maturity, sound judgment, and a clear sense of public duty, he added.

Governor Radda said he is confident that under Mr Kankias watch, the legal work of the party will be based on transparency, due process, and respect for constitutional values. He added that Mr Kankia, who hails from Kankia Local Government Area of Katsina State, is a respected lawyer known for his honesty, strategic thinking, and commitment to service.

Governor Radda urged him to stay focused on fairness, party unity, and rule of law. He expressed full confidence in Mr Kankias ability to strengthen the legal framework of the APC and promote harmony in the party. On behalf of the Government and people of Katsina State, I congratulate our dear son, Barrister Murtala Aliyu Kankia, on this new national role. May Almighty Allah guide him as he serves the party and the country. We believe the APCs legal affairs are in safe hands, Governor Radda said.
Tragedy struck in Bauchi State on Sunday as three teenagers drowned while swimming in a river in Jinkiri village, Bauchi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The victimsHabibu Mohammed, 16; Abubakar Mohammed, 16; and Zailani Sule, 14were all residents of nearby Durum village in Bauchi.

According to the Bauchi State Police Command, the boys had gone to the area for mining activities before they decided to take a swim in the river, which led to the fatal incident.

Police spokesperson, Ahmed Wakil, confirmed the incident on Wednesday in a statement to journalists.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the teenagers drowned around 1 p.m. on Sunday while swimming in the river, Wakil said. Despite prompt efforts to get medical help, they sadly died before reaching the hospital, Mr Wakil, a chief superintendent of police, said.

READ ALSO: Gunmen kill police officer in Edo

He said the bodies were later taken to the Bauchi Specialist Hospital where they were confirmed dead and subsequently released to their families for burial in line with Islamic rites.

Mr Wakil also quoted the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, as expressing condolences to the families of the deceased and stressed the need for increased community awareness on water safety, especially during the rainy season.

The police said investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
"Christmas in July" event celebrates historic first for Nevada's Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest

LAS VEGAS, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first time in history, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, affectionately known as "The People's Tree," will come from the state of Nevada. In celebration of this milestone, 84 Lumber, the presenting sponsor of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree since 2022, unveiled its $100,000 sponsorship at a public celebration in Las Vegas, drawing state and national leaders, community members, and key partners from across the forestry and conservation sectors.

Since 1970, the U.S. Forest Service, in partnership with the Architect of the Capitol, selects a tree to adorn the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol from one of the 154 national forests it manages. This year, it will be harvested from the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

"84 Lumber is proud to help bring 'The People's Tree' to Washington, D.C.," said Amy Smiley, vice president of marketing at 84 Lumber. "This time-honored tradition celebrates the beauty of our nation's forests and the communities they represent. As a privately held company with deep local roots, including our dedicated team and store serving the Las Vegas community, we're proud to support something that unites people across the country in celebration and stewardship."

"The Governor would like to extend his deep appreciation to the USDA Forest Service and the Society of American Foresters who will be joining us throughout this journey to share the significance of this time-honored tradition," said Sonny Vinuya, Southern NV Outreach Director, Office of Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo.

"We also recognize that this extraordinary effort would not be possible without a strong public-private partnershipand that's why 84 Lumber's leadership as the presenting sponsor is so meaningful," he said. "Their support is a shining example of what happens when the private sector steps forward to embrace civic pride and national unity."

A Milestone for Nevada

This marks the first time Nevada has been selected to provide the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, and the choice of the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, the largest national forest in the lower 48 states, highlights the state's diverse landscapes, forest heritage, and deep public land legacy. The honor places Nevada on a national stage and offers residents across the state the chance to engage with the project as the tree makes its journey to the U.S. Capitol.

The tree's multi-stop national tour will serve as an opportunity to showcase Nevada's identity and foster civic pride during events in Nevada and 13 other states throughout the country, while allowing people in local communities to join in the holiday spirit.

Society of American Foresters: Sponsorship Is Vital

The Society of American Foresters (SAF), the non-profit partner of the USDA Forest Service, called attention to the importance of corporate and community sponsorships in making this massive nationwide effort possible.

"We are deeply grateful to sponsors like 84 Lumber for helping bring The People's Tree to the nation's capital," said SAF CEO Terry Baker. "These sponsorships are an investment in conservation, community, and national goodwill. Together, we can ensure this tradition continues to thrive."

As the nation's oldest organization representing forestry professionals, SAF is dedicated to sustainable forest management, environmental responsibility, and connecting Americans to their public lands. SAF's partnership in the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative reinforces the importance of our nation's forests and the people and partners who care for them.

"With Nevada in the national spotlight, the 2025 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree offers unique opportunities for businesses, nonprofits, and individuals across the stateespecially in Las Vegasto contribute to a historic community-driven celebration," said Baker. "The private sector can play a meaningful role in preserving and promoting America's natural heritage."

Tree Selection and Journey to the U.S. Capitol

Each July, the Architect of the Capitol works with the USDA Forest Service in selecting a tree according to a rigorous set of criteria:

Height: Between 65 and 85 feet

Shape: A perfect conical form that looks symmetrical from every angle

Characteristics: Straight stem, dense branching, uniform color, and species-typical features

Following its harvest later this year, the tree will be transported on a custom-designed 104-foot tractor trailer. The tour will include numerous public stops, culminating in its arrival in Washington, D.C., where it will be adorned with thousands of handmade ornaments created by Nevadans and lit during a national ceremony. The tree lighting ceremony will take place on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in early December.

Tour dates and locations are subject to change. For more information on the stop tour events, starting at the end of October, visit: www.uscapitolchristmastree.com/calendar.

Website: www.uscapitolchristmastree.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/USCapitolChristmasTree

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uscapitolchristmastree/

84 Lumber is the leading supplier of building materials, manufactured components, and industry-leading services for single and multifamily residences and commercial buildings. The company operates more than 320 facilities in 34 states and is continuing to grow. For more information about 84 Lumber, visit www.84lumber.com or follow 84 Lumber on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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 .

ABOUT THE U.S. CAPITOL CHRISTMAS TREE

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree initiative is a 54-year tradition in which one of the nation's 155 national forests provides a tree for the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol for the holiday season. The project is made possible with support from partners with cash and in-kind contributions from companies large and small as well as volunteers locally and across America. For a list of 2024 sponsors and to join in the Christmas spirit, visit uscapitolchristmastree.com and @uscapitolchristmastree on Facebook and Instagram.

SOURCE 84 Lumber
COLUMBIA, Md., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AbsoluteCare, a leader in value-based care for the chronically-ill, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this July, along with the expansion of its care center in Baltimore, Maryland. Through its Beyond Medicine care model, AbsoluteCare brings comprehensive whole-person care to Medicaid and Medicare members in partnership with 15 health plans and managed care organizations in five states and growing.

"AbsoluteCare started 25 years ago as an urban health center serving complex and marginalized individuals," stated Mike Radu, AbsoluteCare CEO. "Within the past four years, we've accelerated our membership growth by 50% annually, including commitments for 2026. We're rebuilding trust with underserved individuals and working to improve lives and our communities."

As a comprehensive primary care provider, AbsoluteCare's Beyond Medicine model integrates medical, behavioral, social and pharmacy needs to help members overcome health inequities and achieve better outcomes. Root causes of poor health among vulnerable populations are often non-medical challenges, and key to the AbsoluteCare approach is an intense focus on social determinants of health (SDoH), including staffed social workers and teams to help members secure safe housing, access food, foster community through events, and beyond.

AbsoluteCare uniquely supports health plans' most challenging members, many with complex life and health needs:

Typical AbsoluteCare members have 13+ diagnoses and 10+ medications

60% of members are diagnosed with serious mental illness or substance abuse

29% of members live with serious mental illness

14% of members have unstable housing

In service to this population, AbsoluteCare's focus on integrated whole-person care has increased primary care visits by 50% while reducing emergency department visits by 34% and subsequently reducing total cost of care by 20 to 30% through proactive care and intensive member engagement, interacting with 80% of members annually.

"AbsoluteCare is redefining health care by addressing the full spectrum of challenges faced by vulnerable populations," stated Alex Azar, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and current AbsoluteCare board member. "Their concierge, PCP-led model restores health and dignity while continuously striving for better outcomes. With undeniable early impact and a promising future, AbsoluteCare is proving that health care can be both compassionate and effective for those who need it most."

AbsoluteCare's Baltimore center, located at 1040 Park Ave., Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21201, will be the site of the company's Silver Jubilee celebration this July. The center offers comprehensive services including primary care, pharmacy, behavioral health care, services addressing social determinants of health, advanced urgent care, and community outreach teams for low-income members with complex and chronic conditions.

About AbsoluteCare

Headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, AbsoluteCare is a leading value-based integrated health care provider. AbsoluteCare tends exclusively to the needs of the high-risk population who persistently represent a disproportionate amount of unnecessary utilization and cost. AbsoluteCare operates in 11 markets: Baltimore and Prince George's County, MD; Chicago, IL; Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton OH; New Orleans, LA; and Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, PA. For more information, visit absolutecare.com.

www.absolutecare.com

LinkedIn

SOURCE AbsoluteCare Manager, LLC.
BETHESDA, Md., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Agora Restaurant Group, the team behind the acclaimed Mediterranean restaurants in Washington, D.C. and Tysons, Virginia, is pleased to announce the upcoming opening of its third location: Agora Bethesda, slated for Spring 2026 at One Bethesda Metro Center, located beneath the Hyatt Regency Bethesda.

Following years of success and regional recognition, Agora continues to expand its footprint with a new concept that celebrates the culinary richness of the Eastern Mediterranean while honoring local partnerships and community connections.

'Get Ready, Bethesda!  The Best Mediterranean Restaurant in the DMV, Agora Bethesda, is Coming in Spring 2026.

"We are very excited to add another offering for our guests and clients in 2026. Agora is an established and reputable operator, and we look forward to a successful partnership at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda."

 Katherina Kia, Hotel General Manager, Hyatt Regency Bethesda

A Modern Celebration of Mediterranean Flavors

Agora Bethesda will feature a mezze-style menu inspired by the culinary traditions of Turkey, Greece, and Lebanon, led by Executive Chef Ismet Sahin. The menu will spotlight seasonal, locally sourced ingredients with signature dishes such as flame-grilled kebabs, house-made kunefe, and pistachio souffle, alongside vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

"At Agora, we've always believed that food has the power to bring people together. Every dish we serve is rooted in tradition but reimagined with fresh, local ingredients and a modern touch. With our new Bethesda location, we're staying true to Agora's mission of creating memorable experiences through authentic flavors and heartfelt hospitality. We're especially excited to collaborate with Maryland farms and winemakers to ensure everything we offer is responsibly sourced and thoughtfully prepared."

 Betul Uslu & Ismail Uslu, Owners of Agora Restaurants

A Space Designed for Gathering

About Urbane Architects

Urbane Architects is a Washington, D.C.based design firm known for creating inspired spaces that blend modern elegance with cultural authenticity. With a portfolio spanning hospitality, residential, and commercial projects, the firm is recognized for its thoughtful use of natural materials, layered lighting, and architectural cohesion. Urbane Architects has previously collaborated with Agora on the Tysons location (2019) and the Dupont Circle renovation (2021), and now brings its refined design approach to the forthcoming Bethesda location. Learn more at www.urbanearchitects.com.

Continuing a Legacy of Excellence

Since its founding over 15 years ago, Agora has become a regional favorite. Agora Tysons has been named to Northern Virginia Magazine's "Top 50 Best Restaurants" for four consecutive years and remains a standout in best brunch lists across the DMV.

Agora Bethesda aims to serve the local community with the same hospitality and culinary excellence that have defined the Agora brandfrom weekday lunches and celebratory dinners to weekend brunch experiences. Agora DC was also named to Washingtonian's Best of Washington list in 2026, and will be present at the event on July 24, 2026, joining top regional chefs and restaurateurs to celebrate the area's vibrant culinary scene.

About Agora Restaurant Group

Agora Restaurant Group is a family-owned hospitality brand specializing in Mediterranean cuisine rooted in Turkish, Greek, and Lebanese culinary traditions. With locations in Washington, D.C., Tysons, VA, and now Bethesda, MD, Agora is committed to offering authentic, locally sourced dishes in a warm, welcoming environment. For more information, visit www.agorarestaurants.net.

About Hyatt Regency Bethesda

Hyatt Regency Bethesda is a contemporary hotel located above the Bethesda Metro Station (7402 Wisconsin Avenue), just minutes from Washington, D.C. Following a $37 million transformation, the 390-room property offers modern guest rooms, a 12-story atrium, a StayFitTM gym with Peloton bikes, and over 20,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and event spaceincluding the scenic Rooftop Downtown Bethesda. On-site dining includes Morton's The Steakhouse, Brown Bag, and a full-service Starbucks. Learn more at www.hyattregencybethesda.com.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

+1 (202) 230-8062

www.agorarestaurants.net

SOURCE Agora
Forced evacuation of families with children announced from Dobropillia, nine villages of two communities - Donetsk regional administration

Photo: https://www.facebook.com/vadym.filashkin/

Head of Donetsk Regional Military Administration, Vadym Filashkin, announced the forced evacuation of families with children from the town of Dobropillia, three villages of Dobropillia and six villages of Kryvyi Rih community of Pokrovsk district of Donetsk region, where there is currently information about the presence of 928 children.

"We are starting the forced evacuation of families with children from the town of Dobropillia, the villages of Annivka, Novyi Donbas, Rubizhne of Dobropillya community and the villages of Dobropillia, Nadiya, Novo-Kryvorizhia, Novo-Maryivka, Novo-Fedorivka, Raksha of Kryvyi Rih community. The corresponding decision was made today at a meeting of the regional commission on technogenic and environmental safety and emergency situations of Donetsk region," Filashkin wrote on Telegram on Thursday.

According to him, he gave instructions to local authorities, heads of structural divisions of the regional administration in coordination with law enforcement officers to organize as soon as possible the proper evacuation of families with these children and to provide proper living conditions in a safer territory of Ukraine.

As reported, on June 11, Filashkin said that there are currently 20,587 children left in Donetsk region.
Awarded 'Best in Class' for Culture and Purpose

ONTARIO, Calif., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Ajinomoto Foods North America (AFNA), a specialty frozen food manufacturer designing products for well-beingbringing happiness, peace of mind, and connection to the everyday moments that matter mosthas been recognized by Inspiring Workplaces Group (IW) as a truly People First organization, earning "Best in Class" in the Culture and Purpose category.

The Inspiring Workplaces Awards celebrate organizations that put people at the heart of their business and foster engagement through progressive, people-first initiatives. AFNA was selected for its approach to building a values-driven culture rooted in well-being, respect, and shared purpose. Grounded in the belief that food has the power to enhance well-being, AFNA's purposeto make everyday eating a happy experiencecomes to life through small, everyday moments that spark joy, connection, and care. This purpose connects employees to their work, to one another, and to the communities they serve.

"We are incredibly proud to be recognized as a 'Best in Class' winner for Culture and Purpose. This award reflects our deep commitment to creating a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to make a meaningful impact," said Hiroshi Kaho, President and CEO of Ajinomoto Foods North America. "When we lead with purpose and prioritize our people, we create a truly inspiring place to work."

AFNA's purpose informs everything from its employee engagement strategies and leadership development programs to its sustainability initiatives and community impact. The company's valuesSharing the Joy of Food, Commitment to Performance, Quality is Our First Ingredient, Pride in Caring for One Another, and One Team, One Spiritserve as a foundation for a workplace that values collaboration, excellence, and genuine care for both employees and the broader world.

The Culture and Purpose category honors organizations that build strong connections between what they do and why they do itcreating environments where employees understand their role in driving broader societal good.

For more information about the 2025 North America Inspiring Workplaces winners, visit:

https://www.inspiring-workplaces.com/content/2025-north-america-inspiring-workplaces-winners-announced

About Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc.

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. is dedicated to delivering high-quality and culturally inspired frozen food products that meet the ever-evolving needs of consumers, with a focus on well-being. Our purpose is to enhance the quality of life through food, making everyday eating a happy experience.

The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Ajinomoto Group, a global leader in the research, development, manufacture, and sale of amino acid-based products. Leveraging the Ajinomoto Group's history with amino acids via "AminoScience", Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. is pioneering the science of well-being. Our quality and safety standards combined with our culinary expertise inspires our belief in sharing the joy of food. Our diverse range of frozen foods combines premium ingredients with exceptional flavor, making it easier for people to enjoy balanced meals without compromising on taste.

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. consumer brands include: Ajinomoto, Jose Ole, Ling Ling and Tai Pei. Our products can be found at Costco, Kroger, Sam's Club, Walmart and more. For more information, please visit www.ajinomotofoods.com.

SOURCE Ajinomoto Foods North America
Expanded collaboration adds additional notifiable disease and respiratory targets impacting poultry production to Alveo's molecular testing platform, delivering lab-quality answers in under an hour at the Point of Need.

ALAMEDA, Calif. and DEVENTER, The Netherlands, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Alveo Technologies, Inc. (Alveo), a leader in molecular sensing and diagnostics with its proprietary IntelliSense molecular detection technology, and Royal GD, a global animal-health authority with more than 100 years of experience, today announced an expansion of their partnership to develop additional rapid molecular tests for high-impact poultry diseases. Building on the successful launch of Alveo Sense poultry avian influenza test, the two organizations will co-develop a notifiable disease panel and an avian respiratory panel to detect pathogens that present clinically similar to avian influenza, or bird flu.

"Through our long-term partnership with Royal GD, we are both committed to meeting the growing demand for rapid molecular diagnostics at the Point of Need by focusing on the co-development and distribution of tests for multiple pathogens, while continuing to build upon Alveo's open platform approach to product and market expansion," said Shaun Holt, CEO at Alveo. "We feel that great partners bring great possibilities to develop and co-commercialize products to help control the threat of disease."

Alveo Technologies and Royal GD to expand collaboration for poultry testing portfolio beyond avian influenza. Post this

Alveo's portable, rapid molecular testing platform is made possible by IntelliSense, a patented method of direct electrical sensing of nucleic acid amplification. This palm sized, reusable device enables on-site, multiplex testing on one cartridge of various pathogens, delivering lab-quality results in under an hour via a mobile app without requiring sample transport or centralized lab infrastructure. This is a major shift from current industry standards where testing must be sent to centralized labs, often taking days or even weeks for results. Many poultry diseases present with overlapping clinical signs, but decisions like isolation, culling, vaccination or antibiotic use depend on knowing the specific pathogen or disease that is infecting the flock. By eliminating the delay and logistical complexity of centralized diagnostics, Alveo and GD's solution enables faster, more accurate decisions to protect animal health, productivity and biosecurity.

"Our relationship with Alveo continues to grow as does the global excitement about the Alveo Sense poultry avian influenza test," said Wim Kieftenbeld, head of Business Development at GD Group, the parent company of Royal GD. "We've doubled down our R&D commitmentpeople, funding and lab capacityto accelerate development of these new panels and get them into the field quickly."

Diseases like avian influenza, Newcastle disease and other avian respiratory pathogens can wipe out flocks and cause significant economic losses, yet current lab-based testing models delay intervention. With global poultry populations concentrated in high-risk regions and disease threats increasing due to climate change and global trade, the market is calling for accurate, field-deployable solutions that can differentiate between pathogens in real-time.

"What started as a single-assay collaboration between Alveo and Royal GD has evolved into a partnership that will generate meaningful impact for our end users. Together, we are on a mission to enable rapid decision making, timely action, and better outcomes at the point of need, as well as set a new standard for biosecurity and disease control. This program expansion will allow us to do just that," said Erik Tyrrell-Knott, chief business and strategy officer of Alveo.

About Alveo

At Alveo Technologies, we are reshaping diagnostics for a healthier and more sustainable future. We are the first company to make molecular detection and diagnostics universally accessible  on the farm and in the field, clinic or manufacturing plant  helping to prevent or significantly limit the destructive impact of viruses, fungi, bacteria and other pathogens. By decentralizing molecular diagnostics across a broad range of industries, we are enabling rapid detection and decision making, timely action and better outcomes at the Point of Need. Our portable, multiplex-capable diagnostic platform, Alveo Sense, employs IntelliSense, a patented method of direct electrical sensing of nucleic acid amplification to provide quick, affordable and accurate results. Through early pathogen detection, we help manage global animal and human health, food security, and supply chain resiliency by providing actionable insights at light speed. Know Sooner, Act Faster with Alveo. To learn more, visit alveotechnologies.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Royal GD

Royal GD (Gezondheidsdienst voor Dieren) is a leading animal health organization based in the Netherlands, specializing in disease monitoring, diagnostics, and veterinary research for livestock and poultry. Royal GD provides laboratory services, on-farm consultancy, and disease prevention programs to improve animal health and productivity worldwide.

Regarding Alveo Sense technology, Royal GD collaborates with Alveo Technologies. Royal GD's diagnostic and veterinary expertise is a unique combination with Alveo's technology platform. This technology enables fast and accurate diagnosis in the field, reducing reliance on centralized labs and improving disease control measures. Alveo Sense is designed to provide early detection, faster decision-making, and better outbreak management in the poultry industry. To learn more, visit gdanimalhealth.com

Media Contact:

Spectrum Science

[email protected]

SOURCE Alveo Technologies
Panel to explore regulatory challenges and alternatives to lithium-ion batteries in next-generation data centers

WAXAHACHIE, Texas, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Americase, a leading manufacturer of protective containers for hazardous materials and high-value goods, will participate in a high-impact panel discussion, "Understanding Global Regulations for ORV3-ready Data Centers with Batteries," at the 2025 OCP APAC Summit in Taipei, Taiwan.

Rack level lithium-ion batteries for Data Centers

The panel is scheduled for Tuesday, August 5, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 2:40 PM CST at TaiNEX2  701 H. Chris Egloff, VP of Strategic Business Opportunities at Americase, will be joined by James Emerson (Lead Consultant, Critical Risk Solution) and Sebastian Belanger (CEO, ZELOS) to address the complex regulatory and safety considerations surrounding battery technology in large-scale data center deployments.

As data center infrastructure rapidly scales to support the unprecedented demands of AI and cloud computing, selecting the right battery chemistry has become a mission-critical decision. While lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries offer high energy density, they are classified as Class 9 dangerous goods, bringing significant challenges related to logistics, installation, fire risk, and regulatory compliance.

This session will provide a comprehensive comparative analysis of lithium-ion batteries versus emerging chemistries, with a specific focus on manganese-zinc (Mn-Zn) cells. Mn-Zn batteries are not regulated as dangerous goods under major international frameworks (e.g., UN, IATA, IMO IMDG Code), offering a streamlined alternative for energy storage in hyperscale and edge data centers.

Key Discussion Points Include:

Hazmat classification implications of lithium-ion battery use

Regulatory requirements from global agencies and the cost of compliance

How Mn-Zn batteries could simplify logistics and reduce insurance and handling complexity

Operational and financial benefits of adopting non-hazardous battery chemistries

Integration advantages for ORV3-ready infrastructure

By participating in this conversation, Americase reinforces its commitment to guiding the industry toward smarter, safer, and more sustainable infrastructure solutions.

"Batteries are no longer a background componentthey're a strategic variable," said Robby Kinsala, President & CEO of Americase. "With the right battery technology and compliance strategy, data centers can reduce operational risk, improve safety, and simplify deployment at scale."

Americase encourages data center engineers, compliance professionals, energy strategy leaders, and infrastructure managers to attend this timely and impactful session.

About Americase

Founded in 1985, Americase is a global leader in the custom design and manufacture of cutting-edge protection containers for the transportation and storage of hazmat and high value goods. Dedicated to mission-critical problem-solving innovation, the company provides efficient and effective answers to even the most complex shipping and storage problems. Americase supports customers across various industries and organizations, including consumer electronics, data centers, automotive, airline and general aviation, oil and gas, power tools, recreational vehicles and micromobility devices, space and exploration, U.S. Military, medical devices, and semiconductors.

Americase Contact

Marina Malamis

Marketing Director

[email protected]

469-401-6950

SOURCE Americase
Bridge replacement project to provide enhanced safety and operations.

ORANGE, Calif., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Los Angeles  San Diego  San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency, which manages the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service, today announced that train service north of Goleta will be suspended from August 1 through August 16, 2025 due to the La Canada Honda Bridge Replacement Project. Alternative bus transportation will be provided to assist passengers.

The 16-day closure will enable the replacement and reconstruction of the La Canada Honda Bridge, a 127-year-old steel viaduct over Honda Creek in Santa Barbara County. The bridge is a critical piece of infrastructure on the 351-mile LOSSAN Rail Corridor, which supports passenger rail and freight service through Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties. The Project is led by the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) and funded by LOSSAN through grants from the State of California with additional support from UPRR. The bridge replacement improves long-term service reliability for rail passengers and strengthens operational efficiency. It will result in reduced travel times, increased ridership and service reliability, and lower GHG emissions by removing existing speed restrictions and allowing for future service expansion.

To enable the replacement of the bridge, the following service adjustments will be in place from August 1 through August 16, 2025:

Track Closure: The bridge replacement requires closure of the rail corridor between Goleta and San Luis Obispo , resulting in the suspension of train service from Friday, August 1 through Saturday, August 16, 2025 . All trains will terminate or originate in Goleta during this period, with normal service resuming on Sunday, August 17, 2025 . Passengers traveling north of Goleta must disembark at the Santa Barbara Train Station and board an available bus connection. All bus connections will be through the Santa Barbara Train Station.

The bridge replacement requires closure of the rail corridor between and , resulting in the suspension of train service from through . All trains will terminate or originate in during this period, with normal service resuming on . Passengers traveling north of must disembark at the Santa Barbara Train Station and board an available bus connection. All bus connections will be through the Santa Barbara Train Station. Bus Connections: Alternative bus transportation will be provided between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara . Bus connections will be available for southbound trains 774 and 794 from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara , and for northbound trains 761 and 779 from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo . The buses will follow Route 17 between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo , with stops in UC Santa Barbara, Solvang , Buellton , Santa Maria , and Grover Beach . In addition to these bus connections, Route 17 will operate on its normal schedule and route.

Visit the Pacific Surfliner website for additional information.

About the Amtrak Pacific Surfliner

The Pacific Surfliner travels along a 351-mile coastal rail route through San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, serving 29 stations. It is the busiest state-supported intercity passenger rail route in the United States. To learn more and plan a trip, visit pacificsurfliner.com.

About the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency

The Los Angeles  San Diego  San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency is a joint powers authority composed of rail owners, operators and planning agencies along the entire LOSSAN Rail Corridor. In addition to working to improve passenger rail ridership, revenue, on- time performance, operational flexibility, and safety, the LOSSAN Agency assumed management responsibility for the Pacific Surfliner service in July 2015, following the execution of an interagency transfer agreement with the state of California. For more information, visit Lossan.org.

SOURCE Amtrak Pacific Surfliner
HONG KONG, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from Chinadailyhk.com:

The artificial-intelligence revolution is transforming industries worldwide, presenting both unprecedented opportunities and formidable challenges for media transformation.

Participants pose for a group photo during the completion ceremony of the ASEAN Media Capacity Building Workshop in Hong Kong SAR, China, on July 18.(Edmond Tang/ China Daily)

To address these critical issues, the ASEAN Media Capacity Building Workshop was successfully held in Hong Kong from July 14 through Saturday, gathering over 20 senior media professionals from within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to explore effective strategies for navigating the AI era and its profound implications for media development.

Participants examined AI's dual impact on media during the workshop. While AI significantly enhances reporting efficiency, an overreliance on AI may lead to serious factual errors in journalism, tutors from China Daily highlighted at the workshop courses. Reporters need to leverage the strengths of AI, such as its ability to detect spelling and grammatical errors, rather than allowing it to take control of everything during reporting, the tutors said.

Doan Minh Anh, a reporter at VietnamPlus of the Vietnam News Agency, said at the workshop that journalists must always maintain confidence in themselves, as they are the true storytellers. Journalists should make good use of AI, rather than let AI control reporters, she added.

Another key insight is that understanding audience preferences is also crucial for media transformation. Zhong Zhen, managing director from Xiaohongshu's Greater Bay Area E-commerce Operating Center, stressed the importance of knowing more about the needs of users and creating content with a human touch.

"Content needs to resonate emotionally with users. This is the secret to Xiaohongshu's popularity," Zhong said.

During the workshop, reporters and journalists from various ASEAN countries had discussions about the future of traditional media, especially in the context of key opinion leaders. Justin Clarence Lao Tembresa, CEO of Lannang Studios, a media company in the Philippines, emphasized the need for traditional media to enhance the quality of its content to remain relevant in today's digital age. The key is combining traditional media's strengths with new technologies while maintaining content warmth, he added.

Participants in the workshop also engaged in an in-depth discussion about photography equipment, mobile shooting, and script design under the guidance of their instructors. Tutors from China Daily provided a detailed demonstration of various shooting devices, including pocket cameras, drones, and action cameras, while explaining composition and framing techniques.

The journalists from ASEAN countries showed great curiosity about mobile photography accessories, continuing their enthusiastic discussions about the equipment even after the session ended.

Reporters and journalists visited multiple sites in Hong Kong, including Cyberport, and the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. These visits provided the media professionals with comprehensive insights into Hong Kong's technological advancements, legislative framework, and media landscape.

Participants also visited notable sites in Shenzhen, including the Shenzhen Nanshan Energy Ecological Park, which showcases China's commitment to green economic development.

Soo Wern Jun, a senior journalist from the Malay Mail newspaper of Kuala Lumpur, said the park is a model of energy conservation and environmental responsibility. She said she hopes to bring back the lessons learned at the conference back to Malaysia.

The event is jointly organized by the Chinese Mission to ASEAN and China Daily.

SOURCE Chinadailyhk.com
BROOKFIELD, Wis., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Best Version Media (BVM) is proud to announce that our creative teams have earned 10 Inhouse Design Awards from Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) in its 62nd annual competition. This premier program celebrates the very best of in-house design from organizations across corporate, nonprofit, media and academic sectors.

Best Version Media's Design and Marketing teams won 10 awards in the 2025 GDUSA Inhouse Design Awards.

"This recognition is a testament to the creativity and teamwork that drive our brand forward," said Katie Wold, Senior Vice President of Brand Delivery at BVM. "We're proud to receive 10 Inhouse Design Awards this year. Our Design and Marketing teams continue to push boundaries and elevate our business, and this honor reflects that commitment."

The GDUSA Inhouse Design Awards, sponsored by Robert Half, recognize excellence in branding, motion graphics, publications, presentations and more, showcasing the full spectrum of in-house creative talent. With thousands of entries submitted annually, the program highlights the essential role of internal creative teams in shaping brand identity and delivering exceptional results.

This milestone underscores BVM's ongoing commitment to innovation and visual excellence across its expanding portfolio of local publications and brand-supporting marketing materials.

About Best Version Media

BVM connects local businesses to customers with innovative print and digital marketing solutions. Visit www.bestversionmedia.com to learn more about our services.

About Graphic Design USA

GDUSA is a leading publication for creative professionals in graphic design, branding, packaging, digital media, and more. It is widely known for its prestigious annual award programs, including the American Graphic Design Awards, Inhouse Design Awards, and Digital Design Awards. Learn more at https://gdusa.com .

SOURCE Best Version Media, LLC
NASHVILLE, Tenn., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Clearwater, the largest pure-play provider of cybersecurity and compliance solutions for the healthcare industry, today announced a collaboration with Google Cloud to integrate Google Threat Intelligence (including Mandiant, VirusTotal, and Google) with Clearwater's 24x7 Managed Security Services and Security Operations Center (SOC). This solution delivers real-time, actionable insights to proactively defend against advanced cyber threats, further helping to protect Clearwater's growing list of healthcare clients, as well as the defense industrial base clients served by its Redspin division.

In an era where ransomware, supply chain attacks, and nation-state threats are on the rise, organizations can no longer afford to operate without high-fidelity, real-time threat intelligence. Today's threat actors move quickly, often exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities and novel attack paths that bypass traditional defenses. Effective cybersecurity demands not only visibility into threats, but also the ability to tap into the intelligence around these threats to understand and derive the best course of action in real time when they are detected.

By embedding the latest and most robust threat intelligence commercially available into its Managed Security Services and SOC, Clearwater gives clients the insight and agility they need to outpace attackers and fulfill their compliance and patient safety obligations. This includes predictive intelligence that enables Clearwater to take precautions to help block threats targeting healthcare and defense industrial base organizations.

"With the growing frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks on healthcare and critical sectors, organizations need a threat intelligence capability that is not only powerful but deeply integrated into their operations," said Brian McManamon, General Manager of Clearwater Managed Security Services and President of Clearwater's Redspin division. "Our Enhanced Threat Intelligence Service combines Google's unmatched threat telemetry with Clearwater's proven MSSP team to enable faster detection, informed response, and improved cyber resilience."

Key Capabilities of Clearwater's Enhanced Threat Intelligence Service:

Real-time enrichment from Google Threat Intelligence

Tightly integrated with Clearwater's MSSP/SOC for automated correlation and reduced Mean Time to Detect (MTTD) and Respond (MTTR).

Healthcare-specific intelligence contextualized to PHI and PII attack vectors.

Advanced threat hunting leveraging Google Cloud's threat graph and YARA-based IOC matching.

Regulatory alignment with HIPAA, NIST CSF, and CMMC Level 2+.

Tailored for the needs of healthcare and the defense industrial base.

"We're excited about the collaboration with Clearwater to bring the power of Google Threat Intelligence to key critical infrastructure sectors that need it most," said Emiliano Martinez, Google Threat Intelligence Product Management Lead, Google Cloud. "Beyond unmatched threat visibility, Google Threat Intelligence is easy to use and action, enabling proactive security for organizations of all sizes. Our collaboration with Clearwater exemplifies this, showcasing how partners can effortlessly achieve impactful client outcomes."

About Clearwater and Redspin

Clearwater helps organizations across the healthcare ecosystem move to a more secure, compliant, and resilient state so they can achieve their missions. The company provides a deep pool of experts across a broad range of cybersecurity, privacy, and compliance domains, purpose-built software that enables efficient identification and management of cybersecurity and compliance risks, managed cloud services, and a 24/7 Security Operations Center with managed threat detection and response capabilities. To learn more, visit www.clearwatersecurity.com .

Redspin, a division of Clearwater, specializes in enhancing the cyber readiness and resilience of federal and Defense Industrial Base (DIB) organizations. As one of the first Authorized CMMC 3rd Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs) and one with the most assessment experience, Redspin provides guidance to federal organizations seeking CMMC certification to reduce cyber risks and protect sensitive information. To learn more, visit www.redspin.com.

SOURCE Clearwater
FRISCO, Texas, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DKBinnovative, a leading managed IT and cybersecurity firm based in Texas, proudly announces the appointment of Peter Bertran as Chief Client Officer (CCO). With over a decade of leadership in IT operations, service delivery, and infrastructure management, Bertran brings a wealth of experience and a client-centric mindset to the executive team.

Bertran joined DKBinnovative in April 2025 as Vice President of Client Services and has quickly demonstrated his ability to drive meaningful impact across the organization. As CCO, he will be responsible for deepening client relationships, enhancing service delivery standards, and aligning operational strategies with client success outcomes.

"Peter's leadership style embodies everything we value at DKB - strategic thinking, disciplined execution, and a relentless commitment to client success," said Mike Walsh, COO of DKBinnovative. "His passion for service excellence and operational rigor makes him the right leader to elevate further the experience we deliver to our clients."

Prior to joining DKBinnovative, Bertran served as Vice President of Technology, where he led multi-site IT operations and infrastructure strategy for nearly a decade. His background also includes strategic roles where he provided fractional CIO services and managed enterprise-scale IT implementations. A former paramedic, Bertran brings a calm-under-pressure approach that translates well into leading technical teams through complex challenges.

Bertran is known for building collaborative, high-performing teams and leveraging data-driven KPIs to improve performance and client satisfaction. He believes in transparent communication and proactive service - values that align tightly with DKBinnovative's core principles.

"As CCO, I'm excited to strengthen our partnerships by focusing on what matters most - clarity, strategic value, and results," said Bertran. "DKB's commitment to integrity and innovation is unmatched, and I'm honored to help lead our next chapter of growth."

This strategic appointment reflects DKBinnovative's continued investment in client experience as a differentiator in the MSP and cybersecurity space. With Bertran at the helm of client operations, the company reinforces its mission to deliver secure, reliable, and forward-thinking IT solutions to growing businesses.

SOURCE DKBinnovative
Strategic collaboration on conductive firebrick manufacturing addresses one of the world's most pressing challenges for industrial electrification by offering a unique energy storage solution

BOSTON, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston-based Electrified Thermal Solutions , a leader in electrified heating and thermal energy storage solutions, and HWI, A member of Calderys , one of the leading suppliers of refractory products and services in the United States, today announced a strategic manufacturing partnership. The collaboration will develop and produce electrically conductive firebricks (E-bricks) which will be used in Electrified Thermal's Joule Hive Thermal Battery.

HWI Facility

The Joule Hive Thermal Battery takes in electricity, then converts and stores it as heat through the E-bricks at temperatures up to 1,800C (3,275F), hot enough to power even the most demanding industrial processes. This capability allows customers to deliver consistent, high-temperature heat using renewable electricity at lower cost than traditional fossil fuels.

The E-bricks will be manufactured at HWI's production facilities, combining Electrified Thermal's technology, developed at MIT, with HWI's 160 years of refractory expertise. By leveraging this strategic collaboration, Electrified Thermal and HWI will demonstrate a viable pathway to reduce costs and mitigate emissions across energy-intensive industries. Electrified Thermal's first commercial-scale demonstration is expected to be operational in 2025, with the goal of deploying 2 gigawatts of electrified thermal power by 2030.

"Industrial heat represents one of the most challenging frontiers in the world's effort to address climate change. The majority of energy used annually for industrial heating worldwide comes from burning fossil fuels," said Daniel Stack, Co-Founder and CEO of Electrified Thermal Solutions. "To make a meaningful impact at global scale, we needed a solution that could be produced rapidly through existing supply chains. Our partnership with HWI transforms what could have been a manufacturing bottleneck into a powerful scaling advantage, allowing us to meet the multi-gigawatt demand we're seeing from industrial customers worldwide."

Ben Stanton, Director, Applications Technology for Thermal Markets, EEC and C/I Network, at HWI, highlighted the technical synergy behind the partnership: "For generations, HWI has been developing advanced refractory solutions for the most demanding applications in industry. Electrified Thermal's E-Brick material is a breakthrough in refractory technology that maintains the high-temperature durability required by customers, while also generating the heat to run their processes. This partnership aligns perfectly with our Group's commitment to supporting our customers through their energy transition journey."

The industrial sectors increasingly seek viable pathways to reduce emissions while maintaining reliable performance, and this collaboration offers both benefits while providing opportunities to expand production throughput.

Bruno Touzo, Global Vice President of Innovation & Technology for Calderys Group, concluded: "Leveraging our extensive global network, deep expertise in refractory materials, and established supply chains, we are well-positioned to support the design and rapid scale-up of E-brick manufacturing. This collaboration aligns closely with our broader innovation strategy and enables us to respond effectively to the growing demand from industries transitioning to cleaner energy solutions."

About Electrified Thermal Solutions: Electrified Thermal Solutions is pioneering the future of zero-carbon industrial heat. Developed at MIT, the electrically and thermally conductive bricks at the heart of Electrified Thermal's Joule Hive Thermal Battery (JHTB) represent a step-change improvement in electric heating technology in terms of high-temperature performance and durability. The company's JHTB generates, stores, and delivers unprecedented near-flame temperature heat (up to 1,800C / 3,275F), offering the most cost-effective, clean alternative to fossil fuels.

With industrial heat processes responsible for over 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Electrified Thermal is creating the commercially viable decarbonization pathway for industries such as power, cement, mining, steel and metals, chemicals, and food processing. The Boston-based company is on track to commercialize the JHTB by 2026, accelerating the transition to decarbonized industrial processes and helping industries meet their net-zero goals.

For more information, please visit www.electrifiedthermal.com

About HWI: HWI is one of the leading suppliers of refractory products and services in the United States, with a history that spans 160 years. It is part of Calderys and is the brand for the Americas region of the Group. HWI operates an extensive network of manufacturing sites and distribution centers across the Americas, along with the largest refractory industry research facility in North America. Serving virtually every major industry that requires refractory solutions to enhance production and protect assets, HWI is consistently recognized for its talented experts, industry firsts, and intensely driven excellence.

For more information visit www.thinkhwi.com

Media Contacts:

Electrified Thermal Solutions

Emily Torrans

Mahoney Communications Group

[email protected]

(212) 220-6045

HWI, A member of Calderys

Jennifer Faines

Public Relations, HWI

[email protected]

(412) 559-2860

SOURCE Electrified Thermal Solutions
Established Water Solutions Provider Brings Over Two Decades of Expertise to North Texas Communities

SOUTHLAKE, Texas, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- FlowCore Water, a leading provider of comprehensive water solutions with over 20 years of industry experience, announces the opening of its new Southlake location at 950 E. State HWY 114, Suite 160, Southlake, TX 76092. The facility, which opened in June 2025, extends the company's specialized water services to residents and businesses throughout Southlake, Justin, Westlake, Keller, Grapevine, Northlake, and Decatur.

The new Southlake location offers FlowCore Water's complete range of services, including water well drilling, well pump installation and repair, irrigation system design and installation, and comprehensive filtration system design, installation, and repair. The company serves residential, commercial, and municipal clients throughout the region.

"We've seen tremendous demand for specialized water providers who truly understand water systems from the source to the home in the Saginaw area," said Robert Regan, General Manager of FlowCore Water. "This expansion to Southlake allows us to bring our two decades of expertise to new communities throughout North Texas that need reliable, professional water solutions."

FlowCore Water has built its reputation on delivering comprehensive water system solutions that address the unique challenges of North Texas water conditions. The company's experienced team provides end-to-end services from initial consultation and system design through installation, maintenance, and repair services.

The Southlake location represents FlowCore Water's commitment to meeting growing demand for professional water services in the expanding North Texas market. The company's original location in Fort Worth continues to serve the Saginaw area and surrounding communities.

FlowCore Water's services include:

Water well drilling and installation

Well pump installation, maintenance, and repair

Irrigation system design and installation

Water filtration system design, installation, and repair

Comprehensive water system consultation and support

For more information about FlowCore Water's services or the new Southlake location, visit flowcorewater.com or call (817) 753-8514. Learn more about well drilling and pump services at flowcorewater.com/well-services.

About FlowCore Water Founded over 20 years ago, FlowCore Water is a trusted provider of comprehensive water solutions serving residential, commercial, and municipal clients throughout North Texas. The company specializes in water well drilling, pump systems, irrigation, and filtration services, delivering reliable water solutions backed by decades of industry expertise. FlowCore Water operates locations in Fort Worth and Southlake, Texas.

Media Contact: Tia Rychert

FlowCore Water

Email: [email protected]

Website: flowcorewater.com

SOURCE FlowCore
China welcomes the latest round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine and the agreement between the two sides on prisoner exchanges and other humanitarian issues, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said on Thursday.

As reported, the third round of negotiations between the delegations of Ukraine and Russia took place in Istanbul, Turkey on Wednesday evening, lasting less than an hour.

The next day, the ninth stage of the prisoner exchange between Ukraine and the Russian Federation took place. According to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as a result of the agreements in Istanbul, Ukrainian defenders were returned from Russian captivity - wounded and seriously ill soldiers of the Air Assault Troops, Navy, Troops of the Defense Forces, State Border Guard Service, National Guard, National Police. They defended Ukraine in all key areas: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, Kherson, Kharkiv, Sumy and Chernihiv. Among the freed defenders are soldiers, sergeants, officers. Some spent more than 3 years in captivity. The youngest is 27, the oldest is 66.
WASHINGTON, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- GRS Technology Solutions, a trusted IT, cybersecurity, and compliance provider dedicated to protecting federal contractors and their missions, proudly announces that it has successfully achieved Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2, following a rigorous third-party assessment conducted by A-LIGN, a leading C3PAO.

GRS - Certificate of CMMC Status

This significant milestone positions GRS among a select group of Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) certified to meet the Department of Defense's cybersecurity requirements for handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The certification reflects GRS's commitment to implementing mature, repeatable security practices that meet the 110 controls outlined in NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2.

GRS is also a Registered Provider Organization (RPO), recognized by the Cyber AB for its ability to deliver consulting services aligned with the CMMC framework.

"We've always prioritized security and compliance internally and for our clients. Achieving CMMC Level 2 is a testament to the systems, processes, and culture of cybersecurity we've built over the years," said Larry Burbano, CEO of GRS. "This certification not only reinforces our credibility, but it also enables us to better support federal contractors who are navigating their own CMMC journey."

Throughout this journey, we put in countless late nights to develop a detailed Customer Responsibility Matrix (CRM) that clearly outlines ownership and responsibility for each assessment objective. It's designed to ensure mutual accountability. Our clients can hold us accountable, and we can do the same in return.

What This Means for Clients:

End-to-End Confidence: GRS applies the same high standards of security and compliance to your environment as we do to our own - whether you're using Windows or macOS systems.



Certified Expertise: With Certified CMMC Assessors (CCAs) and Certified CMMC Professionals (CCPs) on staff, GRS brings deep, in-house expertise to every stage of your compliance journey. From gap assessments and remediation to full audit readiness. We don't just prepare you for the assessment; we sit at the table and represent you when it matters most.



Ownership: We take full ownership of the CMMC journey alongside our clients. From advising and implementing to managing and supporting each control and assessment objective, we move with purpose - and expect you to keep pace. Think of us as your personal CMMC trainer, keeping you on track every step of the way.



A Competitive Edge for Clients: Partnering with a CMMC-certified MSP/MSSP gives federal contractors a clear advantage in achieving CMMC compliance and strengthening their position to win federal contracts.

About GRS Technology Solutions:

GRS Technology Solutions isn't your typical Managed Service Provider (MSP) and Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP). We're built differently. We are a team of A+ players driven by a clear mission: to deliver excellence without compromise .

At GRS, mediocrity has no place. We don't chase volume; we focus on impact. Our clients are federal contractors who demand precision, reliability, and results, and that's exactly what we deliver. With years of proven experience and deep expertise in the Defense Industrial Base, we provide fully managed IT services, cutting-edge FedRAMP-approved cybersecurity solutions, and hands-on CMMC implementation support. If you're looking for a partner who plays at the highest level, you've just found one.

Whether you're preparing for CMMC L1/L2, facing a DIBCAC audit, navigating DFARS and NIST 800-171 requirements, or modernizing legacy systems, GRS is the trusted partner devoted to protecting your mission, your data, and your future.

For more information visit grstechnologysolutions.com

SOURCE GRS Technology Solutions
RICHMOND, Va., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hilb Group announced today that it has acquired a Florida-based full service insurance agency. The acquisition took effect July 1, 2025, expanding upon the company's product and service offerings in the Florida market.

About Hilb Group: The Hilb Group is a leading property and casualty and employee benefits insurance brokerage and advisory firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia. Hilb Group is a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm. Hilb Group seeks to grow through strategic acquisitions and by leveraging its resources and expertise to drive organic growth in its acquired agencies. The company has completed more than 190 acquisitions with over 125 offices in 32 states. Hilb Group is rated as one of the Fastest Growing Brokers by Business Insurance, a Top P/C Agency by Insurance Journal, and one of America's Fastest Growing Private Companies in the Inc. 5000. For more information on Hilb Group's growth as well as career opportunities, please visit our website at http://hilbgroup.com.

Media Contact:

Peter Lobred

804.548.4629

[email protected]

M&A Contact:

Ryan Havermann

804.414.6508

[email protected]

SOURCE The Hilb Group, LLC
"If I die, it's okay. I will give my life for my community." Mohibullah

LONDON, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- humanus and the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace & Human Rights (ARSPHR) announced the pivotal launch of the Rohingya Atrocities Archive, a groundbreaking digital repository. This powerful, meticulously curated platform stands as a testament to ARSPHR's tireless, community-driven documentation, initially gathered on handwritten notes and often precariously stored. In 2020, humanus initiated a critical project to painstakingly digitalise these vital records for safekeeping and in-depth analysis, supporting ARSPHR in cleaning the data, filling information gaps, and developing robust investigation strategies.

L-R Uran Ferizi Ambassador of Albania to the UK and Ireland, Katie Arnold, Hashmat Ullah ARSPHR, The Baroness Mobarik CBE, Eva Buzo Founder and Executive Director, humanus ARSPHR logo

The archive directly continues the mission of Mohibullah, the courageous Rohingya advocate who was tragically assassinated in 2021. Known in the camps simply as "Peace Father," Mohibullah famously declared, "If I die, it's okay. I will give my life for my community." This dynamic, living archive embodies his unwavering commitment, detailing the profound violence, harm, and losses experienced by Rohingya families during the military operations of 2016 and 2017. It currently provides unprecedented access to over 3,000 cases, meticulously gathered through thousands of survivor testimonies  with information collected by name, ensuring that the documented experiences are acknowledged and remembered. Crucially, this archive is designed to be continuously updated with new evidence and testimonies, serving as an unflinching and evolving testament. It brings to light the harrowing and widespread atrocities through compelling testimony and raw visual documentation, offering profound and compelling insight into the systematic persecution and the urgent struggle for justice and accountability, presenting a formidable challenge to denial.

"The launch of the Rohingya Atrocities Archive is a monumental and urgent step in our collective fight against impunity. This archive is Mohibullah's legacy made manifest, meticulously preserving the brutal realities faced by the Rohingya people, individual by individual," said Eva Buzo, Executive Director of humanus. "By making this work publicly available, the community, for the first time, will see their own experience told by their own people. This is more than a database; it is a catalyst for justice, demanding action from the global community to honour Mohibullah's sacrifice and see his vision realised."

"My father dedicated his life to ensuring the world knew the truth of what happened to our people, a truth that many tried to silence," stated Hashmat Ullah, Mohibullah's son. "This archive is a powerful continuation of his bravery, fulfilling his blueprint for change: documenting the truth, speaking out peacefully, staying rooted in community, and fighting for justice even when it's dangerous. It is a beacon of hope that through this undeniable evidence, justice will one day prevail for the Rohingya."

The archive, a testament to ARSPHR's diligent, community-driven documentation, underscores the critical role of comprehensive evidence in atrocity prevention and response. It serves as a vital resource for legal proceedings, historical remembrance, and combating disinformation. Through this initiative, humanus proudly reinforces the global imperative to confront injustice and supports survivor-led efforts to secure tangible redress, aligning with its commitment to advancing human-centred justice and carrying forward Mohibullah's vision of a future where the Rohingya can live freely in their homeland with equal rights.

About humanus: humanus is an international human rights organisation dedicated to advancing inclusive, survivor-led, and transformative justice for victims of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Founded by experienced advocates and international lawyers, humanus works across continents to confront injustice, build evidence, and provide strategic litigation and advocacy support, always grounded in accountability, dignity, and a commitment to restoring humanity.

Website: www.humanus.co

Social Media:

About the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace & Human Rights (ARSPHR): ARSPHR was founded by the late Mohibullah in 2017 to provide Rohingya refugees a platform to document their stories and advocate for their rights. It continues his work of community-wide documentation, leadership, and advocacy on the world stage, building a powerful, community-centred coalition dedicated to peace and human rights.

Website: https://arsphr.org/

Rohingya Atrocities Archive

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2737540/humanus_ARSPHR.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2722675/5429672/Humanus_Logo.jpg

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2737539/ARSPHR_logo.jpg

SOURCE humanus
Typical home sale generated 50 percent profit in second quarter; Sellers still making less in raw dollars and profit margin than same time last year

IRVINE, Calif., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ATTOM , a leading curator of land, property data , and real estate analytics , today released its second quarter 2025 U.S. Home Sales Report, which shows that homeowners, on average, made a 50 percent profit selling single-family homes and condos during the second quarter of the year. That was a marginal increase over the 48.9 percent national median profit margin posted in the first quarter of 2025 but was down from a year ago when the typical home sale netted a 55.6 percent profit.

Profit margins for home sales have been trending downward since a recent peak of 64.3 percent in the spring of 2022. But the latest tick up is a sign that historically high home prices can continue to rise. The median national sales price in the second quarter of 2025 was $369,000, up 5.4 percent from the previous quarter and up 3.1 percent from a year ago.

Despite the continued growth in home prices, the typical home sale netted $123,000 in raw profit during the second quarter of 2025, which was down 5.6 percent from the $127,990 median profit posted in the second quarter of 2024.

"We saw historically high home prices last quarter but even so, we didn't see a big jump in seller profits," said Rob Barber, CEO for ATTOM. "That's a measure of the fact that home prices have been very high for a number of years now."

"While profit margins aren't going up significantly, they're still sitting at pretty good levels," he added. "The median home sale last quarter netted a 50 percent profit, whereas in the years right before the pandemic the typical seller was netting around 30 percent."

Profit margins down annually in more than three quarters of metro areas

Compared to the first quarter of the year, the profit margin for a typical home sale rose in 49.4 (77) of the 156 metropolitan statistical areas in ATTOM's analysis that had populations of at least 200,000 with at least 1,000 home sales in the second quarter. The profit margin is the percent difference between the median purchase price and median resale price for homes in an area. Year-over-year, however, the median profit margin was down in 78.8 (123) of the 156 metro areas.

The biggest annual decrease in median profit margins for the second quarter came in Ocala, FL (down from 97.6 percent to 61.8 percent); Knoxville, TN (down from 105.8 percent to 81 percent); Sarasota, FL (down from 70 percent to 47.8 percent); Punta Gorda, FL (down from 79.5 percent to 58.9 percent); and Naples, FL (down from 72.6 percent to 52.4 percent).

The largest annual increases in median profit margins were in Hilo, HI (up from 41.4 percent to 65.7 percent); Kalamazoo, MI (up from 59 percent to 69.3 percent); Flint, MI (up from 60.7 percent to 69.7 percent); Trenton, NJ (up from 73.8 percent to 81.4 percent); and Bridgeport, CT (up from 61.5 percent to 69 percent).

Among metro areas with populations over 1 million, the largest annual decrease in profit margins came in Las Vegas, NV (down from 60.6 percent to 46.9 percent); Jacksonville, FL (down from 57.8 percent to 44.4 percent); Tampa, FL (down from 73.7 percent to 60.8 percent); San Francisco, CA (down from 84.6 percent to 72.3 percent); and Columbus, OH (down from 68.6 percent to 56.6 percent).

And for those largest metro areas, the largest annual increases in profit margins were in Honolulu, HI (up from 37.2 percent to 42.7 percent); St. Louis, MO (up from 51.1 percent to 54.9 percent); Hartford, CT (up from 75.4 percent to 78.4 percent); Chicago, IL (up from 44.5 percent to 46.9 percent); and Buffalo, NY (up from 80.2 percent to 81.8 percent).

Home sales profit margins lag in big cities across Texas and the South.

More than half (55.8 percent) of the 156 metro markets in ATTOM's analysis saw profit margins that were equal to or higher than the national rate of 50 percent. That was down slightly from the previous quarter, when 59.6 percent of the markets posted typical profit margins over 50 percent.

Among the metro areas with at least 1 million residents, the highest typical profit margins were in San Jose, CA (101.2 percent); Buffalo, NY (81.8 percent); Seattle, WA (78.6 percent); Providence, RI (78.4 percent); and Hartford, CT (78.4 percent).

The large metro markets with the lowest typical profit margins were New Orleans, LA (20.5 percent); San Antonio, TX (24.7 percent); Houston, TX (33.2 percent); Austin, TX (33.9 percent); and Dallas, TX (34.2 percent).

Highest raw profits from sales seen in California, lowest in Southern cities.

The national median raw profit on a sale was $123,000 in the second quarter of 2025, down from $127,990 at the same time last year, and raw profits from home sales fell year-over-year in two thirds (103) of the 156 metro areas analyzed.

Among metro areas with populations over 1 million, the biggest annual decreases in raw profits came in Jacksonville, FL (down 18.5 percent); Austin, TX (down 16.9 percent); New Orleans, LA (down 16.7 percent); Las Vegas, NV (down 15.2 percent); and Tampa, FL (down 15 percent).

The large metro areas with the largest increases in raw profits were Honolulu, HI (up 16.9 percent); Chicago, IL (up 10.3 percent); St. Louis, MO (up 9.9 percent); Cincinnati, OH (up 9.1 percent); and Hartford, CT (up 8.3 percent).

In pure dollar figures the large metro areas with the highest typical profit on a home sale were San Jose, CA ($830,000); San Francisco, CA ($499,000); Los Angeles, CA ($360,000); San Diego, CA ($360,000); and Seattle, WA ($330,050).

While the major metro markets with the smallest typical raw profits were New Orleans, LA ($45,000); San Antonio, TX ($61,015); Oklahoma City, OK ($62,500); Birmingham, AL ($65,000); and Louisville, KY ($73,700).

Median home sale prices hit record high.

The national median home sale price hit a high of $369,000 in the second quarter of 2025, $19,000 more than the previous quarter and $10,000 above the previous high of $358,976 posted in the third quarter of 2024.

Year-over-year, the median sale price rose in 78.6 percent (125) of the 159 metro areas with sufficient data to analyze. Quarter-over-quarter, it grew in 90.6 percent (144) of the markets.

The metro areas with the largest year-over-year increases in typical home sales price were Hilo, HI (up 32.9 percent); Macon, GA (up 15.3 percent); Syracuse, NY (up 13.2 percent); Toledo, OH (up 12.8 percent); and Lubbock, TX (up 11.2 percent).

The markets with the largest year-over-year drops in typical home sales price were North Port-Sarasota, FL (down 12.1 percent); Cape Coral, FL (down 11 percent); Crestview, FL (down 8.6 percent); Punta Gorda, FL (down 8.6 percent); and Stockton, CA (down 7.4 percent).

Historical Median Home Sales Prices

Homeowners holding onto homes for record lengths of time before selling

The national average homeownership tenurethe amount of time between an owner buying and selling a homerose to 8.18 years for homes sold in the second quarter of 2025, the longest it's been in at least 25 years and up 4.3 percent compared to the second quarter of 2024.

The average homeownership tenure increased year-over-year in 80.7 (92) of the 114 metro markets with sufficient data to analyze.

The metro areas with the longest homeownership tenures for homes sold in the second quarter of 2025 were Barnstable, MA (14.26 years); Santa Cruz, CA (13.23 years); New Haven, CT (13.15 years); Springfield, MA (13 years); and Hartford, CT (12.82 years).

The metro markets with the shortest ownership tenures for homes sold in the second quarter were Oklahoma City, OK (6.81 years); Provo, UT (6.96 years); Panama City, FL (7.16 years); Kansas City, MO (7.17 years); and San Antonio, TX (7.20 years).

Average U.S. Homeownership Tenure

Lender-owned sales drop back down.

Homes sold by banks or other lenders following foreclosures accounted for 1.3 percent of all sales nationwide in the second quarter of 2025, down from 1.5 percent in the previous quarter and 1.4 percent at the same time last year.

Among metro areas with sufficient data to analyze, the markets with the highest proportion of lender-owned sales were Macon, GA (5.5 percent); Shreveport, LA (4.9 percent); Flint, MI (4.6 percent); Honolulu, HI (4.1 percent); and Baton Rouge, LA (4 percent).

The markets with the smallest share of lender-owned sales were Phoenix, AZ (0.4 percent); Denver, CO (0.4 percent); Seattle, WA (0.5 percent); Los Angeles, CA (0.5 percent); and Columbus, OH (0.6 percent).

Share of all-cash sales dips nationwide

All-cash transactions accounted for 38.9 percent of home sales nationwide in the second quarter of 2025, down from 42.1 percent the previous quarter and down from 39.1 percent the same time last year.

Among metro areas with sufficient data to analyze, the markets with the largest proportions of all-cash sales were Myrtle Beach, SC (70.6 percent); Claremont, NH (69 percent); Utica, NY (66.1 percent); Hilo, HI (65.9 percent); and Honolulu, HI (65.6 percent).

The metro areas with the smallest proportions of all-cash sales were Washington, D.C. (22.6 percent); Kennewick, WA (22.9 percent); Vallejo, CA (23 percent); Jacksonville, NC (23.4 percent); and Charleston, WV (23.9 percent).

Institutional investor purchases down year-over-year

The proportion of homes sold to institutional investors nationwide in the second quarter of 2025 dropped slightly to 5.7 percent, from 5.8 percent the previous quarter. But it was down more significantly compared to the same time last year, when 6.5 percent of home sales involved institutional investors.

The metro areas with the highest proportion of sales to institutional investors were Memphis, TN (14.5 percent); Huntsville, AL (12.5 percent); Oklahoma City, OK (10.2 percent); Columbus, GA (10.2 percent); Clarksville, TN (10.2 percent).

Historical Home Sales by Type

FHA sales hold steady

Nationwide during the second quarter of 2025, about 8.3 percent of all home purchases were made using Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans. That was up slightly from 8.2 percent in the previous quarter and from 8.1 percent the same time last year.

The metro areas with the highest proportion of sales involving FHA loans were Merced, CA (24.6 percent); Bakersfield, CA (24 percent); Visalia, CA (22.3 percent); Hagerstown, MD (21.4 percent); and Lakeland, FL (20.9 percent).

Report methodology

The ATTOM U.S. Home Sales Report provides percentages of REO sales and all sales that are sold to institutional investors and cash buyers, at the state and metropolitan statistical area. Data is also available at the county and zip code level, upon request. The data is derived from recorded sales deeds, foreclosure filings and loan data. Statistics for previous quarters are revised when each new report is issued as more deed data becomes available.

Definitions

All-cash purchase: sale where no loan is recorded at the time of sale and where ATTOM has coverage of loan data.

Homeownership tenure: for a given market and given quarter, the average time between the most recent sale date and the previous sale date, expressed in years.

Home seller price gains: the difference between the median sales price of homes in a given market in a given quarter and the median sales price of the previous sale of those same homes, expressed both in a dollar amount and as a percentage of the previous median sales price.

Institutional investor purchases: residential property sales to non-lending entities that purchased at least 10 properties in a calendar year.

REO sale: a sale of a property that occurs while the property is actively bank owned (REO).

About ATTOM

ATTOM powers innovation across industries with premium property data and analytics covering 158 million U.S. properties99% of the population. Our multi-sourced real estate data includes property tax, deed, mortgage, foreclosure, environmental risk, natural hazard, neighborhood and geospatial boundary information, all validated through a rigorous 20-step process and linked by a unique ATTOM ID.

From flexible delivery solutionssuch as Property Data APIs, Bulk File Licenses, Cloud Delivery, Real Estate Market Trendsto AI-Ready datasets, ATTOM fuels smarter decision-making across industries including real estate, mortgage, insurance, government, and more.

Media Contact:

Megan Hunt

[email protected]

Data and Report Licensing:

[email protected]

SOURCE ATTOM
SAN LEANDRO, Calif., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Inlyte Energy , a manufacturer of iron-sodium battery energy storage systems, will deploy a first-of-its-kind resilience-focused battery at Alliance Redwoods Conference Grounds in Sonoma County, CA. The project, developed with partner Vital Energy Solutions , will enhance wildfire resilience for a critical evacuation zone, reduce facility electricity costs, and provide a diesel-free alternative for long-duration backup power. The project is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Electricity with a $4.1 million award from the Critical Facility Energy Resilience program. Third-party validation of the project's performance will be conducted in partnership with project partners Electric Power Research Institute and Pacific Northwest National Laboratories.

"With power outages growing more severe, Inlyte's iron-sodium batteries deliver resilient and affordable energy storage where communities need it most," said Ben Kaun, Inlyte Chief Commercial Officer. "This project demonstrates our mission in action."

Inlyte's domestically manufactured, non-flammable battery solution is uniquely suited for this project, maintaining performance at high ambient temperatures. When paired with Alliance Redwoods' planned 570 kW solar array, Inlyte's 200 kW / 4 MWh battery system is expected to reduce the facility's annual electricity costs by up to $300,000. It will also provide up to two weeks of emergency backup, allowing Alliance Redwoods to phase out its reliance on diesel generators and reduce local air and noise pollution.

"Customers are demanding safe, scalable, and low-cost energy storage," said Antonio Baclig, CEO of Inlyte Energy. "Our domestically manufactured iron-sodium battery delivers on all fronts, and we are proud to be creating a more resilient and secure energy future in the U.S."

Located in a Tier 3 High Fire Threat Zone, Alliance Redwoods is a critical resilience site in Occidental, serving as a designated community evacuation center and, when necessary, a California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection staging area. The project will also provide backup power for Russian River Utility's nearby water pump station, which is essential for public water supply and firefighting efforts.

"This project is a game-changer for our camp and our community. With Inlyte's battery and our solar array, we can operate independently from the grid during outages at a greatly reduced cost," said Mike Dethlefsen, Board Member at Alliance Redwoods. "Crucially, it ensures we can remain operational to serve our community and power other critical local infrastructure when the grid goes down."

Sonoma County-based Vital Energy will manage project development, engineering, and construction, serving as the lead integrator for the microgrid and Inlyte's iron-sodium battery. The project is scheduled to be operational in 2027.

"Our customers in high fire-risk areas such as Sonoma County need microgrid solutions that deliver both resilience and savings without compromising on fire safety," said Akshay Pagare, Project Developer at Vital Energy. "This project will have a tremendous impact on the local community and become a flagship project for other at-risk areas."

The Alliance Redwoods project will serve as a replicable model for communities and critical facilities seeking to improve energy resilience, ensure public safety, and reduce operational costs with domestically manufactured solutions.

About Inlyte Energy

Inlyte Energy delivers breakthrough iron-sodium battery technology enabling safe, sustainable, and domestically produced long-duration energy storage. With simple ingredientsiron and saltand innovative design, Inlyte is reshaping energy storage, enhancing resilience, and supporting the energy transition worldwide. Inlyte's modular battery design makes it ideal for utilities, industrial facilities, data centers, and critical infrastructure seeking reliable and resilient power storage solutions. For more information, visit: www.inlyteenergy.com.

About Alliance Redwoods Conference Grounds

A faith-based, organized camp since 1946, Alliance Redwoods provides an outdoor experience for groups and individuals of all backgrounds. Alliance Redwoods focuses on creating social, spiritual, educational, and recreational experiences for the thousands of guests on their 116-acre property each year. Their outdoor adventure company Sonoma Zipline Adventures has been awarded multiple times and has been featured in international tourism campaigns by the state of California. As an organization, Alliance Redwoods also provides community support during times of crisis, partnering with CalFire during major wildfires and the County of Sonoma as well as Redwood Gospel Mission during the COVID-19 lockdown. For more information, visit: https://allianceredwoods.com.

About Vital Energy

Vital Energy has been providing solar and backup power solutions since 1971, helping communities reach their energy independence. Vital Energy has installed and partnered on over 100 megawatts of clean energy projects for residential, commercial, agricultural, municipal and utility scale customers throughout Northern California. For more information, visit: https://vitalenergysolar.com.

SOURCE Inlyte Energy, Inc.
Neil Gallagher M.D ., Ph.D., former AbbVie Chief Medical Officer and President of R&D at Syndax, brings considerable experience in oncology drug development

., Ph.D., former AbbVie Chief Medical Officer and President of R&D at Syndax, brings considerable experience in oncology drug development Anthony Mancini , currently Global Chief Commercial Officer at Revolution Medicines, led several successful oncology product launches at Genmab and BMS

GENEVA, AMSTERDAM, and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- iOnctura, a clinical-stage precision oncology company combating neglected and hard-to-treat cancers, today announces the appointment of two Non-Executive Directors to its Board.

Joining the Board are Dr. Neil Gallagher and Anthony Mancini, both seasoned industry leaders with deep expertise in oncology drug development and commercialization.

Catherine Pickering, CEO and co-founder of iOnctura, commented, "We are thrilled to welcome Neil and Anthony to our Board at this pivotal time in iOnctura's growth. Their expertise and experience in oncology drug development and global commercialization will be instrumental as we progress our innovative pipeline through development and towards the market."

Neil Gallagher M.D., Ph.D. brings substantial drug development experience in oncology. Most recently he was President of R&D at Syndax Pharmaceuticals, a company focused on developing first-in-class therapies in areas of significant unmet need. Prior to joining Syndax, he served as the Chief Medical Officer and Head of Development at AbbVie where he guided a number of development programs resulting in approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). He has also held senior roles at Amgen, Novartis, AstraZeneca and Astex Therapeutics. He holds Non-Executive Board positions at Foghorn Therapeutics and Zymeworks and is a board advisor to Nouscom.

Dr. Gallagher said: "iOnctura's pioneering science and commitment to patients facing overlooked and difficult-to-treat cancers deeply resonates with me. I'm excited to help guide the company through its next chapter of clinical and corporate advancement."

Anthony Mancini has more than three decades of commercial experience in biopharma. He is currently serving as Chief Global Commercialization Officer at Revolution Medicines, Inc., a late-stage clinical oncology company developing targeted therapies for patients with RAS-addicted cancers. Prior to this, he was Chief Operating Officer at Genmab, where he led the creation of the end-to-end organization and several successful launches in the US and Japan. He also spent over two decades at Bristol Myers Squibb, working across several therapeutic areas, including oncology.

Mr. Mancini shared, "iOnctura is advancing a highly differentiated oncology pipeline with the potential to address serious unmet medical needs. I'm honored to join the board at such a pivotal stage and to contribute my experience in commercialization, operations and product strategy. I look forward to supporting the company as it prepares to translate its promising science into meaningful outcomes for patients globally."

For more information contact:

iOnctura Corporate Press Office

[email protected]

About iOnctura

iOnctura is a clinical-stage precision oncology company combating neglected and hard-to-treat cancers with a pipeline of first-in-class small molecules. The bold new treatments are designed to extend lives and improve healthspans, transforming the outlook for patients and their families. Lead asset, roginolisib, is an allosteric modulator of PI3K with a unique chemical structure and binding mode. Allosteric modulation is a new archetype for precise inhibition of PI3K, promising clinical activity without the detrimental tolerability seen with previous generations of inhibitors. Roginolisib is being investigated in multiple randomized Phase II studies in solid and hematological malignancies. iOnctura is headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands with subsidiaries located in Geneva, Switzerland and Cambridge, MA, USA. iOnctura is backed by specialist institutional investors including Syncona, M Ventures, Inkef Capital, EIC Fund, VI Partners, Schroders Capital and XGEN Venture.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2736715/iOnctura_Logo.jpg

SOURCE iOnctura
Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/diageo/9347051-en-stitzel-weller-distillery-i-w-harper-34-year-old-bourbon-colman-domingo-partnership

"As someone who cares deeply about legacy and representation, this release feels personal," Colman Domingo shared. "As a Black queer man, I know how vital visibility, support, and community are. Choosing Native Son as the charity partner was intentionalit reflects the same values we're honoring through the whiskey: legacy, cultural expression, and creating space to be seen and celebrated. I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old isn't just about rarity; it's about storytelling that honors both past and future."

That legacy is not just defined by time in barrels, but by the stories and cultural threads that surround it. Founded by Isaac Wolfe Bernheim, I.W. Harper has long stood as a symbol of refinement and quiet confidence within Black culture in America  respected for its historic ties and resonance across generations. Continuing that mission into the future, proceeds from the auction of I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old will directly benefit Native Son's mission, reinforcing the release's dual role as an exceptional whiskey and a meaningful cultural message.

Distilled in 1989 and matured for over three decades at the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery in Kentucky, I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old was blended from four hand-selected barrels, carefully preserved and bottled at cask strength, 63.1% ABV. The result is a whiskey that speaks to quiet patience and considered stewardship  crafted not just to age, but to endure.

"I held onto this whiskey knowing exactly how special it was," said Nicole Austin, Diageo's Director of American Whiskey Liquid Development and Capabilities. "These barrels were marked for I.W. Harper all those years ago, and I've been waiting for the right moment to do something truly meaningful with them. This release is the rarest in the brand's historya liquid that's been carefully stewarded for 34 years. As someone who has spent my career honoring the past while helping shape what American whiskey can be, this project has been incredibly personal. It's a way to spotlight I.W. Harper's legacy through a lens of true rarity and reverence."

Every element of I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old was developed through that lens, from the couture-inspired wrist piece to the silk scarf by Brooklyn-based creative Michelle Cadore . This release draws visual and conceptual inspiration from the themes of fashion, resistance and identity, ideas powerfully explored in wider cultural works that have shaped the conversation around heritage and expression.

Rather than relying on heavy-handed tasting notes, I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old is defined by its structure and restraint  an experience meant to be understood first-hand by the select few who will have the chance. It carries a profile shaped by decades in new charred oak, offering a rare balance that reflects both the craft of American Whiskey and I.W. Harper's signature quiet confidence.

I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old will exist solely as this ultra-limited, once-in-a-lifetime release, available exclusively through Sotheby's via auction benefiting Native Son.

"These remarkable bottles take center stage  distilled in 1989, they mark a special moment in American whiskey history," said Zev Glesta, Spirits Specialist, AVP, at Sotheby's. "Exceptionally well-aged, bottled at cask strength, and five of only 11 in existence, it's the kind of release collectors dream about. What makes it even more special is that the proceeds will go directly to Native Son, a cause close to our hearts. We're proud to be part of something so thoughtfully curated  not just celebrating an incredible whiskey, but also giving back in a meaningful way."

I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old represents not just a whiskey's journey across time, but the Stitzel-Weller Distillery's ongoing commitment to cultural contribution and community support. Sotheby's auction for I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey will be live from July 24 through August 7, 2025 and bids can be placed on Sothebys.com.

ABOUT SOTHEBY'S

Established in 1744, Sotheby's is the world's premier destination for art and luxury. Sotheby's promotes access to and ownership of exceptional art and luxury objects through auctions and buy-now channels including private sales, e-commerce and retail. Our trusted global marketplace is supported by an industry-leading technology platform and a network of specialists spanning 40 countries and 70 categories which include Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, Jewelry, Watches, Wine and Spirits, and Design, as well as collectible cars and real estate. Sotheby's believes in the transformative power of art and culture and is committed to making our industries more inclusive, sustainable and collaborative.

*Estimates do not include buyer's premium or overhead premium. Prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer's premium and overhead premium and are net of any fees paid to the purchaser where the purchaser provided an irrevocable bid.

Stream live auctions and place bids in real time, discover the value of a work of art, browse sale catalogues, view original content and more at sothebys.com, and by downloading Sotheby's app for iOS and Android.

ABOUT COLMAN DOMINGO

Colman Domingo is an actor, writer, director and producer. He has been nominated for Two Oscars, BAFTA, Tony Award, Critics Choice Awards, Independent Spirit Awards among others, and recently received an Emmy nomination this year for his work in Netflix "The Four Seasons". Previously, he won an Emmy for his work on The HBO series, "Euphoria" which is currently in production on its final season. He will next be seen in Edgar Wright's The Running Man, Steven Spielberg's next feature film and Antoine Fuqua's Michael. He will make his feature film directorial debut next year with Scandalous starring Sydney Sweeney and David Jonsson.

He has been on the cover of Time Magazine this year as a "Closer," one who works to fill the racial equity gap as well as being one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He recently was the co-chair of the Met Gala which raised a record 31 million dollars for the Costume Institute.

ABOUT NATIVE SON

Native Son is a non-profit movement, community, and platform created to inspire and empower Black queer men. Named after James Baldwin's book Notes of A Native Son, the organization's mission is to amplify the voice and visibility of this community globally. This platform aims to create safer spaces where the Black queer community can fellowship, celebrate and empower each other, andmost importantlysee themselves. From the world-renowned to the up-and-coming, Native Son's intention is to connect and celebrate the members of this influential, yet long ignored community in the realms of arts, business, media, fashion, politics, education, and culture.

ABOUT STITZEL-WELLER DISTILLERY

Originally opening on Derby Day in 1935 and reopening to the public in 2014, the historic Stitzel-Weller Distillery is one of the true cathedrals of the American whiskey industry.

Located only five miles from downtown Louisville, the Stitzel-Weller Distillery Experience is one of the most convenient and impressive stops along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. We are proud to invite guests to step foot on this hallowed ground and gain a unique perspective on the dichotomy of the historic contrasted with the innovations of tomorrow that include Blade and Bow Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey and I.W. Harper.

ABOUT DIAGEO

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, 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 (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about Diageo, our people, our 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 us on Instagram for news and information about Diageo North America: @Diageo_NA. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

Please Drink Responsibly.

I.W. Harper 34-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. 63.1% Alc/Vol.

Five Keys Bottling Co., Bardstown, KY

SOURCE DIAGEO

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With party culture at an all time low, Lagunitas wants to honor the ones still turning up with a namesake beer, a statue, and $5K to keep the party going.

PETALUMA, Calif., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Party culture is on the decline. Social events are down 35% since 2004*, and even birthdays are getting ghosted.** Lagunitas Brewing Company is calling it what it is: the Great American Party Crisis. And they're doing something about it.

Starting today, Lagunitas is launching a nationwide search for its first-ever Party Legend: someone known for their great energy and everything-is-worth-celebrating mentality.

Lagunitas Brewing Company Launches Search For First-ever 'Party Legend' To Save America's Party Crisis

The winner will receive:

A statue in their honor, one sent to the winner, and another installed at The Lagunitas Loft an iconic party space at their Petaluma Brewery

in their honor, one sent to the winner, and another installed at an iconic party space at their Petaluma Brewery A trip to Lagunitas' brewery in Petaluma, CA to celebrate and crash one of Lagunitas' legendary parties

to celebrate and crash one of legendary parties A beer named after them , on tap for the party

, on tap for the party A $5,000 Party Legend Grant to keep the vibes pouring wherever they go

"Lagunitas has always been about more than just brewing great beerwe brew good times and moments to come together with friends and family," said Hannah Dray, Chief Marketing Officer at Lagunitas Brewing Company. "Right now, partying in America is at an all-time low, and we need a Party Legend to help bring it back. The Party Legend search is our way of celebrating the people who bring the party: the ones who gather their crew, celebrate what actually matters, and turn everyday moments into something memorable. It's not about throwing the biggest party; it's about keeping the spirit alive, one cold beer at a time."

To enter, post a video showing why you're the Party Legend America needs by tagging @lagunitasbeer and using #partylegendcontest, or by visiting www.lagunitaspartylegend.com . Entries open July 24 at 9 a.m. PT and will close on August 7, also known as National IPA Day. As the brewery whose iconic IPA brand forged the way for others, it only makes sense to end the search for America's Party Legend on a day worth celebrating. Let's get this party re-started.

For full terms and entry details updates and details, visit www.lagunitaspartylegend.com and follow us on Instagram ( @lagunitasbeer ).

*As reported by The Atlantic in January 2025. Source: " Throw More Parties ," written by Faith Hill. Published January 12, 2025.

**Conducted by YouGov on behalf of YouGov America. Results were published in January 2024 in the article " How often do Americans attend social occasions? " on today.yougov.com.

ABOUT LAGUNITAS BREWING COMPANY

When The Lagunitas Brewing Company started on a kitchen stove in 1993, no one could have imagined that a small Northern California brewery would expand to more than 38 countries and become the #1 selling IPA worldwide. It has developed an iconic line of hop-forward beers throughout its creation of innovative craft brews, including Lagunitas' Flagship IPA, A Little Sumpin' Sumpin', and Maximus. Since its explosion in the craft scene, Lagunitas has expanded its innovative offerings to include non-alcoholic beers like IPNA and Hazy IPNA, and it has also brought the first sparkling hop water, Hoppy Refresher, to market. With a seat at the bar for everyone and a commitment to quality and innovation in craft brewing, Lagunitas is proud to keep the spirit of its roots alive through a continued passion for edgy brewing, fresh music, a strong sense of community, and of course, a deep love of dogs. To learn more about Lagunitas Brewing Company, visit: www.LAGUNITAS.com .

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. MAKING A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE CHANCES OF WINNING.

Open only legal residents of the 50 US/DC, 21 years of age and older. Void where prohibited. No alcoholic beverage is part of any prize award. Entry Period starts at 12:01 a.m. PT on 7/24/25 and ends at 11:59:59 p.m. PT on 8/7/25. Subject to Official Rules, including all Contest dates, how to enter, judging criteria, prize details, and restrictions, click here . Sponsor: The Lagunitas Brewing Company, 1280 N. McDowell Blvd., Petaluma, CA 94954.

SOURCE Lagunitas Brewing Company
DALLAS, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Loopback Analytics is excited to welcome Elizabeth Cherry, PharmD, MMHC, CSP, as Vice President of Access Solutions. A recognized leader in specialty pharmacy and market access strategy, Cherry brings extensive expertise in building innovative partnerships between health system specialty pharmacies and life sciences manufacturers.

Cherry's addition strengthens Loopback's mission to help health system specialty pharmacies overcome access barriers. Post this Elizabeth Cherry, PharmD, MMHC, CSP Vice President of Access Solutions

Cherry previously served as Senior Director of Trade Relations and Market Access at Vanderbilt Specialty Pharmacy, where she led initiatives to align manufacturers, payors, and health systems to improve access to high-cost, complex medications. Her work resulted in nationally recognized frameworks for collaborative access models that delivered measurable patient outcomes.

"Elizabeth combines strategic insight with operational depth," said Neil Smiley, CEO of Loopback. "Her leadership will be instrumental in helping Loopback strengthen its network and deliver measurable value to both our life sciences partners and the health systems we support."

At Vanderbilt, Cherry played a pivotal role in expanding access to limited distribution drugs (LDDs) by developing legal, operational, and data frameworks that enabled long-term partnerships between manufacturers and integrated delivery networks (IDNs). Her work focused on aligning manufacturer goals with health system infrastructure to drive real-world impact.

A Certified Specialty Pharmacist and frequent speaker at Asembia, NASP, and the IDN & Bio/Pharma Partnering Summit, Cherry is widely respected for her thought leadership on breaking down silos between life sciences and provider systems. Her published work emphasizes outcomes-driven models that benefit both patients and the broader specialty pharmacy ecosystem.

"I've dedicated my career to dismantling access barriers in specialty pharmacy," said Cherry. "Joining Loopback is an opportunity to scale those effortsto help health systems thrive while supporting manufacturers in connecting patients to life-changing therapies."

Cherry's appointment reflects Loopback's continued commitment to empowering health system specialty pharmacies with the infrastructure and insights needed to serve as high-performing industry partners.

Life sciences organizations interested in collaborating on innovative access strategies can learn more at www.loopbackanalytics.com.

About Loopback Analytics

Loopback Analytics connects health systems and life sciences companies to expand access, strengthen performance, and improve outcomes in specialty care. For health systems, Loopback provides data-driven insights and services that empower specialty pharmacy leaders to optimize operations, unlock market access, and demonstrate clinical and economic value. For life sciences companies, Loopback delivers deep real-world data and scalable health system channel solutions that accelerate evidence generation and enable more effective patient access strategies. Together, we turn data into access, insight into action, and collaboration into progress for patients and the partners who power their care. Learn more at www.loopbackanalytics.com.

Media Contact

Bri Dendy, Marketing Specialist

[email protected]

SOURCE Loopback Analytics
STEWARTVILLE, Minn., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Minnesota Medical Technologies , today announced that it received FDA 510(k) clearance for its fecal incontinence device ("StaySure()").

The disposable, easy to use, self-inserted StaySure fecal incontinence insert is a breakthrough in the management of fecal incontinence and accidental bowel leakage. The innovation lies in its adaptability. Made from 100% silicone and filled with an encased fluid, StaySure is specially crafted to conform to your body as you move throughout the day. Its soft silicone shaft, flexible structure, and supple external retainer ensure a secure fit without compromising comfort.

David A. Jonas, CEO of Minnesota Medical Technologies, commented: "We are thrilled to have received U.S. regulatory clearance for StaySure, and I want to congratulate our product development and regulatory teams for their excellent work in achieving this important milestone for the company.

Fecal Incontinence (FI) and Accidental Bowel Leakage (ABL) are conditions endured by millions of people in the United States alone. StaySure is a true breakthrough in the management of FI and ABLand represents the first truly practical and effective solution for many of those living with these challenging conditions. We are excited to bring this product to the people who need it most."

Our device has been available in Europe since 2021 and is clinically proven to be safe and effective in managing both FI and ABL. A recently completed clinical trial [1] clearly demonstrated the safety and efficacy of the device. The device significantly reduced the frequency of FI and improved quality-of-life for those patients with frequent FI. We expect the full results to be published later this year.

Anthony J. Conway, Chairman and Founder of Minnesota Medical Technologies added:

"We designed StaySure to help people thrive in everyday life. This innovative solution is intended to help manage the symptoms of fecal incontinence and accidental bowl leakage. With StaySure, you can move through your day confidentlyfree from the stress and uncertainty that ABL can bring. While most incontinence products attempt to contain or absorb leakage, StaySure is different: it's designed to prevent ABL altogether. That makes StaySure not only an elegant solution but also the most innovative approach to managing FI symptoms on the market today."

Developed by the experienced team at Minnesota Medical Technologies, in collaboration with some of the world's leading gastroenterologists, StaySure is a flexible insert that provides a complete sealpreventing ABL from the rectum and eliminating associated odors. The true innovation behind StaySure lies in its flexibility, allowing it to adapt and conform comfortably to the body for secure, effective protection.

About Minnesota Medical Technologies.

Minnesota Medical Technologies, headquartered in Stewartville Minnesota, was founded by four industry veterans with over 100 years of combined experience developing, manufacturing, and marketing innovative silicone incontinence devices. Our team has deep expertise in bringing medical devices from concept to market on a global scale. In Europe, our device is marketed and distributed exclusively by Wellspect Healthcare under their brand nameNavina Insert.

For more information on Minnesota Medical Technologies and its products, visit www.mnmedicaltechnologies.com .

Contact information:

David A. Jonas

Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

507-533-0366

[1] A Study to Assess the Effects of the Minnesota Medical Technologies Anal Insert Device in Fecal Incontinence. Conducted at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Principal investigator-Adil Bharucha, M.B.B.S., M.D.

SOURCE Minnesota Medical Technologies
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a conversation with German Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and invited the country to join the examination of the bill on the independence of anti-corruption bodies.

I informed him that I have already approved the draft bill guaranteeing the independence and effectiveness of anti-corruption institutions in Ukraine. Its important that our anti-corruption bodies supported this bill. We all agreed that there must be no interference or influence from Russia on the functioning of our anti-corruption infrastructure. I invited Germany to join the expert review of the bill. Friedrich assured me of readiness to assist, Zelenskyy said on X.

The President stressed that Germany is ready to help and continue its support.

We discussed the implementation of our agreements with the EU and the work toward opening the first negotiation cluster. Germany offers full support in this matter. Thank you, Zelenskyy said.

He also informed Merz about the situation at the front and the need for additional funding for the production of drones.

We will work to scale up the quantity, especially of interceptor drones, the head of state stressed.
Experience rose-wrapped cannabis bliss. Limited-edition nuEra x Rollin Rosa Rose Bouquet pre-rolls now at Illinois dispensaries.

CHICAGO, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- nuEra, a leading name in Illinois cannabis retail, has partnered with boutique cannabis accessory brand Rollin Rosa to introduce a floral-forward twist on the classic joint. The Rose Bouqueta limited-edition 6-pack of pre-rolls with real rose petal filtersis now exclusively available at nuEra dispensary locations across Illinois.

A Flower-Wrapped Cannabis Experience

The Rose Bouquet features six 0.7g pre-rolls, each handcrafted with natural rose petal filters that elevate both flavor and aroma. It includes a curated mix of premium nuEra cultivated strains:

Black Cherry Gelato  Fruity, sweet, and deeply relaxing

 Fruity, sweet, and deeply relaxing Stella Blue  Balanced with an uplifting high

 Balanced with an uplifting high Jungle Pie  Earthy, bold, and euphoric

Whether you're a connoisseur or a curious newcomer, this product delivers both luxury and potency in every puff.

Where Fashion Meets Flower

Rollin Rosa is known for blending 90s nostalgia with feminine finesse, and this collaboration brings that flair directly into the cannabis experience. Together with nuEra, the brands have created a collectible-worthy pre-roll set that celebrates beauty, culture, and cannabis craftsmanshipall driven by women-led innovation.

Available Now at nuEra Dispensaries

Cannabis lovers can find the Rose Bouquet at all nuEra dispensaries, as well as other select regulated cannabis dispensaries in Illinois. As a limited-edition release, supply is expected to sell out quickly.

Shop While Supplies Last

www.nueracannabis.com/menu

Why It's More Than Just a Pretty Joint

The rose petal filters don't just look stunningthey enhance the terpene profile of each strain, offering a smoother, more floral smoking experience. It's the perfect pack for special occasions, date nights, or summer seshes with friends.

Final Puff

The nuEra x Rollin Rosa Rose Bouquet redefines what a pre-roll can be: expressive, elevated, and unforgettable. Stop and smoke the rosesbefore they're gone.

Visit your nearest nuEra dispensary for full details, location-based promotions, new product drops and to experience the nuEra X Rollin Rosa pre-roll multi-pack for yourself:

About nuEra Cannabis:

nuEra Cannabis is Illinois' premier cannabis dispensary, offering a wide selection of premium products and expert staff to guide customers. Known for their commitment to quality and customer service, nuEra Cannabis provides a unique and enjoyable cannabis experience with convenient locations across Illinois. For further information, please visit www.nueracannabis.com .

Stay connected with nuEra on social media:

Twitter: @nuEraCannabis

Facebook: facebook.com/ nuErachicago

Instagram: @nuera.il

For Further Information or Media Inquiries, Contact:

Jonah Rapino

Director of Marketing

nuEra Cannabis

419-508-0297

[email protected]

SOURCE nuEra Cannabis
Results reveal that patients are facing increased barriers to healthcare access amid slow healthtech adoption rates.

ANNAPOLIS, Md., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- RXNT , a Maryland-based healthcare technology pioneer, today announced the findings of its 2025 Patient Perspectives survey report. The results, which draw on data from 1,501 US general consumers, highlight a notable improvement in patient satisfaction between 2024 and 2025, reflecting healthcare practices' ongoing efforts to deliver better, safer, and more efficient care to their patients. The results below represent a snippet of the valuable insights contained in the complete report .

Report: The State of Patient Satisfaction & Barriers to Care Within the U.S. Healthcare System in 2025

Despite the notable progress, access to care is being increasingly constrained by increasing barriers, signaling that patients' needs remain insufficiently addressed. According to the survey, 66% of patients currently face some challenges accessing healthcare services, with 49% citing poor communication as the primary reason for dissatisfaction, indicating a dire need for systemic change. These barriers include:

High medical costs (28%);

Difficulty getting an appointment (20%);

The burden of medical debt (16%);

Gaps in insurance coverage (15%), and more.

Over half of consumers (53%) agree that incorporating more technology would enhance the patient experience; however, the industry is not responding quickly enough, with many providers still hindered by fragmented or outdated systems. As care continues to evolve, it's more crucial than ever for health professionals to respond to shifting patient needs.

"Our goal is to lay the groundwork for a future where the average patient experience is vastly improved and we're helping eliminate long-standing issues impacting patient satisfaction," said Delora Crowley, RN, Clinical Product Director at RXNT. "However, if practices and providers don't adopt technology that aligns with patient needs more quickly, they risk becoming antiquated just like their systems. Disconnected systems, high costs, and poor communication will no longer move the needle or keep patients happy."

The data points from these survey findings can provide practices with a deeper understanding of patient barriers and challenges in 2025 and how technology can help meet patient needs. For more information about the survey methodology and additional findings contained in the survey, download the full Patient Perspectives Report here !

About RXNT

RXNT is a Maryland-based ambulatory healthtech pioneer, empowering medical practices and healthcare organizations to succeed and scale through innovative, data-backed, AI-powered software. Our suite of technologyEHR, Practice Management, Medical Billing, E-Prescribing, Scheduling, Patient Portal, and moreis trusted by professionals nationwide to succeed, scale, and improve patient care. Using our software, more than 125 million prescriptions have been transmitted and over $6 billion in claims have been processed. Learn more at www.rxnt.com and connect with us on social via Linkedin , Facebook , and Instagram .

SOURCE RXNT
Functional Fitness Brand to Open Six Studios Across U.S. Markets Amid Rising Demand for Smarter

Workouts

NEW YORK, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pvolve , the clinically-backed functional fitness franchise that strengthens, stabilizes, and mobilizes your body, continues to build on its national growth trajectory with the signing of four new franchise agreements. The latest expansion will introduce six studios across Highlands Ranch, Colorado; Atlanta North Perimeter, Georgia; Granger, Indiana; and Richmond, Virginia, further strengthening the brand's presence in key U.S. markets.

Each new studio will be independently owned and operated by passionate entrepreneurs who are aligned with Pvolve's mission to deliver a smarter, more sustainable approach to fitness. The newly signed franchisees bring diverse professional backgrounds and a shared belief in the power of movement to transform lives:

Highlands Ranch, Colo.: Adrianne Rodriguez, a former medical social worker with nearly 20 years of acute care experience, witnessed firsthand the profound impact of chronic illness and preventable conditions on individuals and families. She is bringing Pvolve to Highlands Ranch, eager to provide her community with a sustainable way to move, feel better and live longer, healthier lives.

Atlanta North Perimeter, Ga.: Amber Jackson, with a background in marketing, publicity and corporate operations, expands her successful Pvolve presence with a second studio. As a driven entrepreneur and single mother, she's focused on building a business that supports her own balance while inspiring others to thrive, both physically and personally.

Granger, Ind.: Lynn Haberland, vice president and COO of Michiana Neurologic Medicine, brings clinical operations expertise and a passion for wellness. Drawn to Pvolve's alignment with functional medicine, she aims to introduce a fitness method that supports sustainable health and movement.

Richmond, Va.: Vikas Kapila, a seasoned franchise veteran and management consultant with experience owning consulting and StretchLab franchises, signed a three-unit agreement. Motivated by helping community members invest in themselves, Kapila was attracted to Pvolve's integrated approach to fitness and wellness.

"As we grow, we're inspired by the caliber of franchise partners joining our system  leaders who bring strong business experience and are deeply connected to our brand's mission and values," said Julie Cartwright, President of Pvolve. "This next wave of growth reflects our commitment to meeting consumers where they are with a method that truly supports the body in motion through strength, stability and mobility."

This expansion builds on Pvolve's most recent partnership with longevity-focused Tally Health , enhancing brand visibility, franchise development and member engagement, which are essential pillars for long-term success. Supported by a robust omnichannel model that integrates in-studio classes, digital streaming and proprietary equipment, Pvolve's franchise partners are uniquely positioned to serve today's wellness-focused consumers amid rising national demand.

Franchise opportunities remain available in priority markets across the U.S., including Texas, Florida and North Carolina. Pvolve is actively seeking both single-unit and multi-unit operators who are mission-driven, community-focused and passionate about health and movement.

To learn more about franchising with Pvolve, visit https://pvolvefranchise.com .

About Pvolve

Pvolve is a workout method that redefines fitness with a method built on the principles of strength, mobility, and stability. As the first and only clinically-proven brand in the space, Pvolve continuously sets new standards for women's health in fitness, ensuring results you can see and feel for today and for the long haul. After being introduced to functional fitness in 2017, founder Rachel Katzman was determined to help others experience an approach that respects the body's holistic needs while making you look and feel great. The Pvolve Method is supported by a Clinical Advisory Board of doctors, as well as highly credentialed trainers, to offer effective workouts that help you break a sweat, not your body. In June 2023, world-renowned actress, producer, and director, Jennifer Aniston , officially partnered with Pvolve after falling in love with the method as a member, and referring to it as "transformational." Through its hybrid fitness model, Pvolve can be experienced through a streaming membership that offers over 1,500 on-demand classes, a two-way, live virtual studio, and targeted series, all available via the web and mobile apps. Additionally, Pvolve has 25 physical studio locations across the US and Canada, with more than 50 studios in development. For more information, please visit https://www.pvolve.com , https://pvolvefranchise.com/ .

MEDIA CONTACT: Ashlyn Pinkowski, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected]

SOURCE Pvolve
For Sinch, This Recognition Reinforces the Company's Leadership in Orchestrating Intelligent Customer Communications at Global Scale

STOCKHOLM, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinch (Sinch AB (publ)  XSTO: SINCH), which is pioneering the way the world communicates through its Customer Communications Cloud, today announced that it has once again been named a Leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS). This marks the third consecutive year Sinch has received this recognition.

Sinch powers customer communications for over 175,000 businesses worldwide, processing 900 billion engagements annually. In the last year, Sinch has introduced the following capabilities to help businesses transform their customer engagement:

Sinch AI with intentional intelligence for generative writing, sentiment detection, and fraud filtering

with intentional intelligence for generative writing, sentiment detection, and filtering Sinch Engage , no-code multichannel messaging platform with AI creation and orchestration capabilities

, no-code multichannel messaging platform with AI creation and orchestration capabilities Enhanced RCS capabilities , delivering 1 billion messages globally with simplified provisioning

, delivering 1 billion messages globally with simplified provisioning Expanded platform integrations with Salesforce, Adobe, SAP, HubSpot and 500+ other platforms

with Salesforce, Adobe, SAP, HubSpot and 500+ other platforms Voice innovations including Elastic SIP Trunking and FCC-compliant emergency notification

"We see being positioned as a Leader for the third consecutive year as both recognition of our progress and motivation for what's ahead," said Laurinda Pang, CEO of Sinch. "As businesses navigate an increasingly complex communications landscape - from AI transformation to new regulations to evolving customer preferences - they need more than technology. They need a unified, deeply integrated platform they can rely on, innovation that keeps them ahead, and a partner with global reach and local expertise. That's the commitment that drives us forward."

The Gartner Magic Quadrant for CPaaS evaluates providers based on rigorous, fact-based research, positioning vendors into four quadrants - Leaders, Challengers, Visionaries and Niche Players - according to their Ability to Execute and Completeness of Vision. We see this analysis as a key resource in helping organizations select the right CPaaS partner for their specific needs.

Get your complimentary copy of the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for CPaaS to see how Sinch is evaluated and what this recognition could mean for your business.

Source: Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Communications Platform as a Service,

By Lisa Unden-Farboud, Ajit Patankar, Pankil Sheth, Brian Doherty, 24 June 2025

GARTNER Disclaimer

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc., and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and MAGIC QUADRANT is a registered trademark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product, or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

CONTACT:

For more information please contact:

Janet Lennon, Director of Global PR & Communications

[email protected] | 1.206.914.6175

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/sinch-ab/r/sinch-named-a-leader-in-the-2025-gartner--magic-quadrant--for-cpaasthird-year-in-a-row,c4210533

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SOURCE Sinch AB
PHOENIX, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SWCA Environmental Consultants, a leading environmental consulting firm, announces the selection of Jon Kehmeier as the company's first senior vice president of scientific and technical services.

In this newly created position, Kehmeier will be responsible for continuing to deliver scientific and technical excellence to our clients by championing technical integrity and developing extraordinary consultants across SWCA.

This role is about delivering on SWCA's brand promise of sound science and creative solutions. Post this

"Jon's leadership is defined by collaboration, innovation, and a relentless drive to elevate SWCA's technical talent, client experience, and our scientific reputation," said Norma Crumbley, chief delivery officer at SWCA. "His approach guarantees that SWCA will remain a trusted advisor and an embedded partner, delivering value and results that help our clients thrive in a rapidly evolving world."

Kehmeier has 25 years of experience in the environmental consulting industry, having served in various roles at SWCA since starting as an aquatic ecologist in 2000. Most recently, as vice president of scientific and technical services, Kehmeier played a pivotal role in advancing technical careers, stewarding trusted client partnerships, and directing complex, multi-jurisdictional permitting strategies for some of the nation's most ambitious transmission and generation projects. He was also instrumental in launching SWCA's Science Leadership Program, which supports career growth for technical specialists.

"This role is about delivering on SWCA's brand promise of sound science and creative solutions. By providing leadership at the highest level, we're making sure our clients always receive the best scientific practices and regulatory advice  solutions that are not only innovative but also defensible and tailored to help them achieve their goals," said Jon Kehmeier, senior vice president of scientific and technical services at SWCA. "We've held these values as a company for more than 40 years, and I'm excited to lead the efforts that will continue our commitment to these values for the next 40 years."

About SWCA

Founded in 1981, SWCA is a 100% employee-owned environmental and management consulting firm. With a mission to be the best workplace and industry leader in sustainability, we combine scientific expertise and in-depth knowledge of the industries we serve to tackle global environmental challenges. Our experts deliver comprehensive solutions in environmental planning and permitting, cultural resources management, biological and ecological services, water resources management, resilience services, air quality, engineering, and sustainability consulting. Sound Science. Creative Solutions. www.swca.com

Media Contact

Bethany Smith

SWCA Environmental Consultants

Ph: +602.675.7521

[email protected]

SOURCE SWCA Environmental Consultants
Storied, circa 1870 Bourbon brand joins with acclaimed culinary expert and TV personality for "The Pleasure is Ours: Exceptional Guest Experiences, A Collection," plus a curated selection of original cocktail recipes, and more

BARDSTOWN, Ky., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Old Fitzgerald is ushering in  and sharing out  a new era of elevated hospitality, putting the creation of indelible guest experiences within every discerning host's reach. The centerpiece: a collaboration with famed culinary expert and television personality Gail Simmons, who, as Old Fitzgerald Hospitality Concierge, will share her expertise on making guests feel beyond right at home. Her role includes authoring the keynote for an all-new digital guide, The Pleasure is Ours: Exceptional Guest Experiences, A Collection, in celebration of the circa 1870 brand's new signature expression, Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon.

The Pleasure is Ours: Old Fitzgerald Bourbon Ushers in a New Era of Elevated Hospitality, Partnering with Gail Simmons on Crafting Indelible Guest Experiences

Old Fitzgerald has long embraced hospitality  from the brand's longtime, iconic "Key to Hospitality" tagline, to the liquid within its bottles that invites one to slow down, savor and share life's simple pleasures.

"To me, hospitality is all about those meaningful little details  the touches that make someone feel truly welcome and cared for, from the moment they walk in, whether you're hosting friends at home or showing them a hidden gem of a cocktail bar. Those details are within reach of any caring host," says Simmons. "Old Fitzgerald has long embodied hospitality as a brand, and in the elegant Bourbon found in its bottles. Its new signature seven-year-old is simply beautiful, with layers of flavor that perfectly lend themselves to everything from straight pours to elevated cocktails."

The Pleasure is Ours: Exceptional Guest Experiences, A Collection

To kick off the partnership, Simmons contributed the keynote to the new digital guide. Written and curated by Eric Twardzik  renowned writer of classic menswear and spirits  and hosted by Old Fitzgerald, the collection spotlights the finest representations of hospitality in select cities across the country. New York, Chicago and Seattle were selected as the inaugural three.

Each location featured within the guide offers its own flavor of hospitality, from old world hotels that tuck guests in alongside crackling fireplaces, to a barbershop with a speakeasy that invites guests to linger a little longer with a complimentary cocktail. Serving as a virtual roadmap to the most welcoming experiences from coast to coast, the curated list shows that no matter where you are, you always feel at home when treated right, while also providing inspiration for unforgettable at-home experiences.

One Bourbon lover and up to three friends will experience top hospitality firsthand through an "Old Fitzgerald Key to Hospitality Sweepstakes ." Starting today through the end of Labor Day weekend, fans can visit Old Fitzgerald on Instagram and tag who they'd want to enjoy the finest of New York hospitality with. The prize includes a travel stipend the winner may use for a weekend stay at a luxury hotel, a personalized list of recommended experiences, and more to create the perfect New York City weekend.

Sip and Stay a While: Cocktails, Crafted by Gail Simmons With Old Fitzgerald

For those looking to elevate their home hosting, Simmons has created two custom cocktail recipes featuring Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7-Year-Old Kentucky Straight Bourbon, designed to delight and entice the palate with every sip. Perfect for summertime sipping, the Honey Bramble Smash blends muddled blackberries and bright lemon zest with the smooth Bottled-in-Bond 7-Year-Old and a touch of honey for a balanced, refreshing sip. For an elegant toast come winter weather, Gail's Old Brooklyn Spritz will offer a taste of the Bottled-in-Bond 7-Year-Old with vibrant and seasonal blood orange, a hint of sweetness and a touch of champagne for a festive finish.

"Creating hospitality through small, indulgent moments, like sipping a perfectly crafted cocktail, has been core to Old Fitzgerald since its inception in the late 1800s. This is a brand that has stood the test of time, and that is because hospitality  and really good Bourbon  never go out of style," says Leslie Word, Brand Manager of Old Fitzgerald. "Partnering with Gail brings that sense of hospitality beyond the glass, to a new generation of Bourbon drinkers, just as our Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7-Year-Old hits shelves this summer. No matter where you choose to indulge, you are in for a treat."

The new signature Old Fitzgerald Bottled-in-Bond 7-Year-Old embodies a full return of the brand's reputation for best-in-class Bourbon, seen as a gold standard through the mid-1900's. After spending seven years aging under perfect conditions in ideally charred new oak barrels, the resulting liquid has a bright copper color in the bottle, aromas of graham crackers and honey, and tasting notes of fresh bread, brown sugar and cinnamon. Whether enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in a favorite cocktail, the Bourbon is meant to be savored and enjoyed. Each 700ml bottle retails for approximately $59.99.

To learn more about the new digital collection, visit oldfitzgeraldbourbon.com/exceptional-guest-expirences.php . For more information on the brand, visit www.OldFitzgeraldBourbon.com. Additional photo assets can be found here .

ABOUT OLD FITZGERALD BOURBON

Old Fitzgerald's line of legendary, award-winning wheated Bourbons dates back to the late 1800s. Inspired by John E. Fitzgerald, a treasury agent famous for thieving Whiskey from the barrels in his care. First trademarked in 1884, the brand's Whiskey earned worldwide acclaim, through sales on luxury rail cars, steamships and private clubs. More than a century later in 1999, Heaven Hill acquired, along with the purchase of the Bernheim Distillery, the Old Fitzgerald brand and aging stocks of wheated Bourbon, ushering the brand into the 21st century. Today, Old Fitzgerald is renowned for its signature wheated mashbill and diamond decanters. Its core Whiskeys include the coveted and highly-allocated twice-annual decanter series releases and its newest year-round offering, Bottled-in-Bond 7-Year-Old, which has already been awarded a Gold medal at the 2025 San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

ABOUT HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY

Founded in Kentucky by the Shapira family in 1935, Heaven Hill Distillery continues its legacy as one of the foremost American Whiskey producers. Heaven Hill has cultivated the traditions and history of America's Native Spirit with its fierce independence, passionate family ownership, dedication to quality, and thoughtful innovation. Today, Heaven Hill Distillery maintains over 2 million barrels aging in more than 70 warehouses throughout Nelson and Jefferson Counties. It is home to an award-winning collection of American Whiskeys including Elijah Craig Bourbon, Larceny Bourbon, Evan Williams Bourbon, Pikesville Rye Whiskey, Rittenhouse Rye Whisky, Parker's Heritage Collection, and Old Fitzgerald along with its extensive Bottled-in-Bond label collection. Heaven Hill Distillery currently holds the title of 2024 and 2023 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year and 2023 World's Best Small Batch Bourbon from the Icons of Whisky, as well as the 2022 Large Spirits Producer of the Year from the Ascot Awards. Heaven Hill Distillery held the title of 2020 Whisky Advocate Whisky of the Year, the second Whisky of the Year for Heaven Hill Distillery in the past four years. In 2019 Heaven Hill Distillery was named San Francisco World Spirits Competition Distillery of the Year, Best in Show Whisky, and previously held the titles of 2018 San Francisco Spirits Word Spirits Competition Best Bourbon, 2016 Whisky Magazine Distillery of the Year. For more information, please visit www.heavenhilldistillery.com .

SOURCE Old Fitzgerald Bourbon
CHANGZHOU, China, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On July 17, Bloomberg Green honored Trinasolar as the "Workplace for All" in Greater China, recognizing its commitment to employee development and innovation, as well as its efforts in fostering a sustainable culture of diversity and inclusion. The selection process, guided by rigorous international standards, highlights companies that excel in ESG performance, gender equality, and labor compliance, positioning them as global leaders in talent cultivation and sustainable growth.

Workplace for AllTrophy

Trinasolar upholds fair and transparent evaluation standards for performance reviews, promotions, talent selection, and training. It ensures equal opportunities for all employees while cultivating a workplace free from discrimination. In 2024, the company became a global signatory of the United Nations Women's Empowerment Principles (WEPs), underscoring its commitment to advancing gender equality and workplace diversity. By the end of 2024, women accounted for 27.14% of Trinasolar's workforce and 33.33% of its board of directors. Additionally, the company is committed to empowering socially vulnerable groups, including individuals with disabilities, by offering roles tailored to their physical needs, enabling them to realize their potential and personal value.

Labor protection remains central to Trinasolar's corporate responsibilities. The company strictly complies with local labor laws, has established robust grievance and complaint procedures to safeguard employee rights, and has implemented comprehensive occupational health and safety measures. In addition to providing competitive compensation and benefits, Trinasolar prioritizes both the physical and mental well-being of its employees. In 2024, the company invested 90.64 million RMB in occupational health and safety initiatives and ensured that 100% of its employees were covered by employer liability and work injury insurance.

Trinasolar prioritizes innovation and talent development. In 2024, the company allocated 6.92% of its total revenue to R&D and had implemented a specialized training program in collaboration with leading institutions including the University of New South Wales, the University of Oxford, and Fraunhofer. These programs enhance the innovation capacity of R&D teams and strengthen industry-academic partnerships. Last year, Trinasolar achieved a 100% training coverage rate, with over 1.7 million total training hours, laying a strong foundation for talent development in the renewable energy sector.

Trinasolar believes that an inclusive and trustworthy workplace is essential for long-term value creation and sustainable corporate growth. Looking ahead, the company will continue to foster inclusive workplace, ensure fair labor practices and employee well-being, and collaborate with its global team to build a sustainable, net-zero future.

SOURCE Trina Solar Co., Ltd
Adds $9M from State Street and PNC, Deepening Trovata's Backing by the World's Top Financial Institutions

SAN DIEGO, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Trovata, the next-generation multibank data platform powering cash and liquidity management for today's leading companies, announced its acquisition of ATOM, the enterprise Treasury Management System (TMS) developed by Financial Sciences Corporation. This move marks a bold step forward in Trovata's mission to modernize and democratize treasury technology, unlocking the full capabilities required to serve large global enterprises.

With ATOM's deep treasury feature setincluding support for debt and investment instruments, intercompany transactions, in-house bank support, credit facilities, FX hedging, full domestic and international payment workflow, bank fee analysis and bank account managementfully integrated into Trovata's cloud-native platform, Trovata becomes the first modern, viable TMS alternative to the legacy incumbents. The combined offering delivers unprecedented scale, flexibility, and performance for corporate finance and treasury teams seeking to modernize.

Trovata unveils full TMS with ATOM acquisition and $9M from State Street and PNC. Post this

Trovata also announced a $9 million strategic extension to its Series B round from new investors State Street Corporation and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. This brings the company's total funding to $80 million, with over $50 million previously raised from a consortium of some of the world's largest financial services companies, including J.P. Morgan, Wells Fargo, National Australia Bank, Capital One Ventures, and Mastercard.

"There hasn't been a new TMS built in nearly three decades," said Brett Turner, Founder and CEO of Trovata. "We pioneered corporate banking APIs and the only true cloud-native treasury platform in the market with meaningful scale. Now, with ATOM, we have the firepower to compete directly with the legacy incumbentsand replace them. This isn't just expansion. It's a generational shift in treasury tech."

Alf Newlin, Co-Founder and CEO of Financial Sciences, added: "ATOM was built for complexity and designed to serve Fortune 500 treasury teams with global scale. Combining our comprehensive and battle-tested treasury system with Trovata's platform architecture and bank distribution model creates a solution that's both powerful and unmatched."

Unlike legacy platforms that are cloud-hosted but not cloud-native, Trovata was built from the ground up on a microservices architecture that's entirely serverless. Its infrastructure deploys in minutesnot monthsand scales instantly, whether through direct enterprise engagement or its network of preferred banking partners.

In a space overdue for reinvention, Trovata is setting a new standard. Its integrated platformpowered by AI, APIs, and now a full TMS suiteis transforming how companies manage cash and risk to make better and faster decisions.

About Trovata

Trovata is reengineering the way companies manage cash. No spreadsheets. No legacy systems. Just real-time visibility, intelligent forecasting and analysis, and seamless money movementall in one unified platform. As the first cloud-native treasury platform built on corporate banking APIs and AI, Trovata partners with the world's largest financial institutions to deliver next-gen digital experiences for corporate finance and treasury teams at scale.

Learn more at www.trovata.io and follow us on LinkedIn .

Media Contact

Rida Khan

[email protected]

SOURCE Trovata
- Conference Call Scheduled for 8 a.m. EDT Today -

EXTON, Pa., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST) today announced its financial results for the second-quarter 2025 and a fourth-quarter 2025 dividend.

Second-Quarter 2025 Summary (comparisons to prior-year period)

Net sales of $766.5 million increased 9.2%; organic net sales growth was 6.8%.

increased 9.2%; organic net sales growth was 6.8%. Diluted EPS of $1.82 , compared to $1.51 in the same period last year.

, compared to in the same period last year. Adjusted-diluted EPS of $1.84 , compared to $1.52 in the same period last year.

, compared to in the same period last year. Updates full-year 2025 net sales guidance range to $3.040 billion to $3.060 billion , up from previous guidance of $2.945 billion to $2.975 billion .

to , up from previous guidance of to . Updates full-year 2025 adjusted-diluted EPS guidance range to $6.65 to $6.85 , up from the previous range of $6.15 to $6.35 .

to , up from the previous range of to . The Company also announces that its Board of Directors has approved a fourth-quarter 2025 dividend of $0.22 per share. The dividend will be paid on November 19, 2025 , to shareholders of record as of November 12, 2025 .

Eric M. Green, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board, commented: "I am pleased to report that we exceeded our expectations for the second quarter driven by solid growth in HVP components. This was the result of strong GLP-1 elastomer growth, ongoing momentum in HVP conversion mainly related to Annex 1 projects and the continued normalization of customer ordering patterns. The improved performance was concentrated in higher margin products, which drove strong margin expansion in the quarter. As a result of our strong second quarter performance and favorable foreign exchange, we are increasing our revenue and adjusted-diluted EPS guidance for fiscal year 2025."

Proprietary Products Segment

Net sales grew by 10.7% to $619.8 million and increased 8.4% on an organic basis. High-Value Product ("HVP") Components were 47% of total company net sales and increased 11.3%, driven by strength in Westar and NovaChoice products. Standard Products, 21% of total company net sales, increased by 0.4%. HVP Delivery Devices represented 13% of total company net sales and increased 30.0%, driven mainly by Daikyo Crystal Zenith and Administration Systems.

The Company's Biologics, Pharma and Generics market units each had high-single digit organic net sales growth.

Contract-Manufactured Products Segment

Contract-Manufactured Products, representing 19% of total company net sales, increased by 3.0% to $146.7 million, or up 0.5% on an organic basis. Segment performance was driven by an increase in sales of self-injection devices for obesity and diabetes, partially offset by a decrease in sales of healthcare diagnostic devices.

Financial Highlights (first six months of 2025)

Operating cash flow was $306.5 million, an increase of 8.2% over the same period last year. Capital expenditures were $146.5 million, a decrease of 23.2% over the same period last year. Free cash flow (operating cash flow minus capital expenditures) was $160.0 million, an increase from the first six months 2024 free cash flow of $92.4 million.

During the first six months of 2025, the Company repurchased 552,593 shares for $134.0 million at an average share price of $242.55 under its share repurchase program.

Full-Year 2025 Financial Guidance

The Company is increasing its full-year 2025 net sales guidance range to $3.040 billion to $3.060 billion , up from previous guidance of $2.945 billion to $2.975 billion . Net sales guidance includes an estimated full-year 2025 tailwind of approximately $59 million based on current foreign currency exchange rates, compared to previous guidance of a headwind of approximately $5 million . Organic net sales growth is expected to be approximately 3% to 3.75%, up from the previous guidance range of 2% to 3%.

to , up from previous guidance of to . The Company is increasing its full-year 2025 adjusted-diluted EPS guidance range to $6.65 to $6.85 , up from the previous range of $6.15 to $6.35 . Full-year adjusted-diluted EPS guidance assumes a $0.27 tailwind based on current foreign exchange rates, compared to previous guidance of no impact. This guidance includes EPS of $0.04 associated with first-half 2025 tax benefits from stock-based compensation. Our updated adjusted-diluted EPS guidance incorporates our estimate of $15 to $20 million for the net impact of recently implemented tariffs. For the remaining quarters of the year, our adjusted-diluted EPS guidance range assumes a tax rate of approximately 21% and does not include potential tax benefits from stock-based compensation. Any tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation beyond those recorded in the first-half of 2025 would provide a positive adjustment to our full-year adjusted-diluted EPS guidance.

to , up from the previous range of to . Full-year 2025 capital spending guidance is unchanged and is expected to be $275 million .

Second-Quarter 2025 Conference Call

The live audio-only webcast will be made available via the Company's Investor Relations website at westpharma.com.

To participate in the conference call by asking questions to Management, please register in advance by clicking here .

Registered telephone participants will receive the dial-in number along with a unique PIN number that will enable them to ask questions on the call.

Management will refer to a slide presentation during the call, which will be made available on the day of the call. To view the presentation, select "Presentations" in the "Investors" section of the Company's website.

A replay of the webcast will be available on the Company's website for approximately 90 days after the event.

About West

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. is a leading provider of innovative, high-quality injectable solutions and services. As a trusted partner to established and emerging drug developers, West helps ensure the safe, effective containment and delivery of life-saving and life-enhancing medicines for patients. With over 10,000 team members across 50 sites including 25 manufacturing facilities worldwide, West helps support our customers by delivering over 41 billion components and devices each year. Headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania, West in its fiscal year 2024 generated $2.89 billion in net sales. West is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: WST) and is included in the Standard & Poor's 500 index. For more information, visit www.westpharma.com .

All trademarks and registered trademarks used in this release are the property of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. or its subsidiaries, in the United States and other jurisdictions, unless otherwise noted.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may include such words as "raising," "positioned," "updating," "expected," "assumes," "unchanged," "includes," "would," "provide," "anticipated" and other similar terminology. These statements reflect management's current expectations regarding future events, expected tax rates, impacts on tariffs, and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this release. There is no certainty that actual results will be achieved in-line with current expectations. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The following are some of the factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or underlying our forward-looking statements: prevailing economic conditions and general uncertainties relating thereto that may be unknown and unforeseeable; customers' changing inventory requirements and manufacturing plans and customer decisions to move forward with our new products and product categories; disruptions or limitations in the Company's manufacturing capacity; average profitability, or mix, of the products we sell; dependence on third-party suppliers and partners; increased raw material, energy and labor costs; fluctuations in currency exchange; the ability to meet development milestones with key customers; and the consequences of other geopolitical events, including tariffs, natural disasters, acts of war, and global health crises. This list of important factors is not all inclusive. For a description of certain additional factors that could cause the Company's future results to differ from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements, see Part I Item 1A, entitled "Risk Factors," in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements.

Except as required by law or regulation, we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures

This release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, including organic net sales and adjusted-diluted EPS. For the purpose of aiding the comparison of our year-over-year results, we may refer to net sales and other financial results excluding the effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Organic net sales exclude the impact from acquisitions and/or divestitures and translate the current-period reported sales of subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. Dollar at the applicable foreign currency exchange rates in effect during the comparable prior-year period. We may also refer to financial results excluding the effects of unallocated items. The re-measured results excluding effects from currency translation and excluding the effects of unallocated items are not in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") and should not be used as a substitute for the comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures. The non-U.S. GAAP financial measures are incorporated into our discussion and analysis as management uses them in evaluating our results of operations and believes that this information provides users a valuable insight into our overall performance and financial position. A reconciliation of these adjusted non-U.S. GAAP measures to the comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures is included in the accompanying tables.

WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) (in millions, except per share data) 

Three Months Ended

June 30,

Six Months Ended

June 30,

2025

2024

2025

2024 Net sales $ 766.5

100 %

$ 702.1

100 %

$ 1,464.5

100 %

$ 1,397.5

100 % Cost of goods and services sold 492.6

64

472.1

67

958.7

65

937.3

67 Gross profit 273.9

36

230.0

33

505.8

35

460.2

33 Research and development 19.1

2

17.5

2

35.4

2

35.1

3 Selling, general and administrative expenses 95.9

13

83.0

12

183.9

13

169.7

12 Other expense (income), net 5.2

1

3.3

1

25.8

2

6.4

 Operating profit 153.7

20

126.2

18

260.7

18

249.0

18 Interest (income) expense, net (3.5)



(2.5)



(7.2)



(7.1)

 Other nonoperating expense (income) 0.2







0.4





 Income before income taxes and equity in net income of affiliated companies 157.0

20

128.7

18

267.5

18

256.1

18 Income tax expense 30.2

4

21.9

3

54.3

4

38.3

3 Equity in net income of affiliated companies (5.0)

(1)

(4.5)

(1)

(8.4)

(1)

(8.8)

(1) Net income $ 131.8

17 %

$ 111.3

16 %

$ 221.6

15 %

$ 226.6

16 % 





























Net income per share:





























Basic $ 1.82





$ 1.52





$ 3.06





$ 3.09



Diluted $ 1.82





$ 1.51





$ 3.05





$ 3.06

































Average common shares outstanding 72.2





73.0





72.3





73.3



Average shares assuming dilution 72.5





73.7





72.8





74.0





































WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES REPORTING SEGMENT INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) (in millions) 

Three Months Ended June 30,

Six Months Ended June 30, Net Sales: 2025

2024

2025

2024 Proprietary Products $ 619.8

$ 559.7

$ 1,182.8

$ 1,119.2 Contract-Manufactured Products 146.7

142.4

281.7

278.3 Consolidated Total $ 766.5

$ 702.1

$ 1,464.5

$ 1,397.5 













Gross Profit:













Proprietary Products $ 248.3

$ 207.0

$ 458.5

$ 414.1 Contract-Manufactured Products 25.6

23.0

47.3

46.1 Gross Profit $ 273.9

$ 230.0

$ 505.8

$ 460.2 Gross Profit Margin 35.7 %

32.8 %

34.5 %

32.9 % 













Operating Profit (Loss):













Proprietary Products $ 161.7

$ 131.0

$ 292.3

$ 257.3 Contract-Manufactured Products 17.8

17.2

31.3

34.3 Stock-based compensation expense (7.4)

(4.3)

(8.7)

(9.3) General corporate costs (18.4)

(17.7)

(54.2)

(33.3) Reported Operating Profit $ 153.7

$ 126.2

$ 260.7

$ 249.0 Reported Operating Profit Margin 20.1 %

18.0 %

17.8 %

17.8 % 













Unallocated items 1.6

0.2

19.6

0.4 Adjusted Operating Profit $ 155.3

$ 126.4

$ 280.3

$ 249.4 Adjusted Operating Profit Margin 20.3 %

18.0 %

19.1 %

17.8 %

WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES RECONCILIATION OF NON-U.S. GAAP MEASURES (UNAUDITED) Please refer to "Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures" for more information (in millions, except per share data) Reconciliation of Reported and Adjusted Operating Profit, Net Income and Diluted EPS Three Months ended June 30, 2025 Operating profit

Income tax expense

Net income

Diluted EPS Reported (U.S. GAAP) $153.7

$30.2

$131.8

$1.82 Unallocated Items:













Restructuring and other charges (1) 1.6

0.4

1.2

0.02 Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets (2) 



0.5

 Adjusted (Non-U.S. GAAP) $155.3

$30.6

$133.5

$1.84  Six Months ended June 30, 2025 Operating profit

Income tax expense

Net income

Diluted EPS Reported (U.S. GAAP) $260.7

$54.3

$221.6

$3.05 Unallocated Items:













Restructuring and other charges (1) 19.4

2.4

17.0

0.23 Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets (2) 0.2



1.1

0.01 Adjusted (Non-U.S. GAAP) $280.3

$56.7

$239.7

$3.29  Three Months ended June 30, 2024 Operating profit

Income tax expense

Net income

Diluted EPS Reported (U.S. GAAP) $126.2

$21.9

$111.3

$1.51 Unallocated items:













Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets (2) 0.2



0.7

0.01 Adjusted (Non-U.S. GAAP) $126.4

$21.9

$112.0

$1.52  Six Months ended June 30, 2024 Operating profit

Income tax expense

Net income

Diluted EPS Reported (U.S. GAAP) $249.0

$38.3

$226.6

$3.06 Unallocated items:













Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets (2) 0.4



1.4

0.02 Adjusted (Non-U.S. GAAP) $249.4

$38.3

$228.0

$3.08



 (1) During the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, the Company recorded charges of $1.6 million and $19.4 million related to restructuring programs. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, the Company recorded $0.2 million and $16.6 million, respectively, of the charge within other expense (income), related to severance and acceleration of depreciation and lease costs in connection with the Company's 2025 restructuring plan. The Company recorded the remaining $1.4 million and $2.8 million, respectively, within selling, general and administrative expenses, related to our plan to optimize the legal structure of the Company and its subsidiaries. (2) During the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, the Company recorded $0.0 million and $0.2 million, and $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of amortization expense within operating profit associated with an intangible asset acquired during the second quarter of 2020. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, the Company recorded $0.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively, and $0.5 million and $1.0 million, respectively, of amortization expense in association with an acquisition of increased ownership interest in Daikyo.

  WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES RECONCILIATION OF NON-U.S. GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED) Please refer to "Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures" for more information (in millions, except per share data) Reconciliation of Net Sales to Organic Net Sales (3) Three Months ended June 30, 2025 Proprietary

CM

Total Reported net sales (U.S. GAAP) $619.8

$146.7

$766.5 Effect of changes in currency translation rates (12.9)

(3.6)

(16.5) Organic net sales (Non-U.S. GAAP) (3) $606.9

$143.1

$750.0 Six Months ended June 30, 2025 Proprietary

CM

Total Reported net sales (U.S. GAAP) $1,182.8

$281.7

$1,464.5 Effect of changes in currency translation rates (3.1)

(1.7)

(4.8) Organic net sales (Non-U.S. GAAP) (3) $1,179.7

$280.0

$1,459.7



 (3) Organic net sales exclude the impact from acquisitions and/or divestitures and translate the current-period reported sales of subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. Dollar at the applicable foreign currency exchange rates in effect during the comparable prior-year period.

WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES RECONCILIATION OF NON-U.S. GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES (UNAUDITED) Please refer to "Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures" for more information (in millions, except per share data) Reconciliation of Reported-Diluted EPS Guidance to Adjusted-Diluted EPS Guidance

2024 Actual

2025 Guidance

% Change Reported-diluted EPS (U.S. GAAP) $6.69

$6.36 to $6.56

(4.9%) to (1.9%) Restructuring and other charges 0.02

0.26



Amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets 0.04

0.03



Adjusted-diluted EPS (Non-U.S. GAAP) (4) $6.75

$6.65 to $6.85

(1.5%) to 1.5%





Notes: See "Full-year 2025 Financial Guidance" and "Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures" in today's press release for additional information regarding adjusted-diluted EPS. (4) We have opted not to forecast 2025 tax benefits from stock-based compensation in upcoming quarters, as they are out of the Company's control. Instead, we recognize the benefits as they occur. In the first six months of 2025, tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation increased adjusted-diluted EPS by $0.04. Any future tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation that we receive in 2025 would provide a positive adjustment to our full-year EPS guidance. In full-year 2024, tax benefits associated with stock-based compensation increased adjusted-diluted EPS by $0.26.

WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES CASH FLOW ITEMS (UNAUDITED) (in millions)

Six Months Ended June 30,

2025

2024 Depreciation and amortization $81.4

$74.5 Operating cash flow $306.5

$283.2 Capital expenditures $146.5

$190.8 Free cash flow $160.0

$92.4

WEST PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES FINANCIAL CONDITION (UNAUDITED) (in millions)

As of June 30, 2025

As of December 31, 2024 Cash and cash equivalents $509.7

$484.6 Accounts receivable, net $582.4

$552.5 Inventories $421.1

$377.0 Accounts payable $239.0

$239.3 Debt $202.6

$202.6 Equity $2,929.1

$2,682.3 Working capital $1,076.3

$987.7

Trademark Notices

Trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., in the United States and other jurisdictions, unless noted otherwise.

Daikyo, Daikyo Crystal Zenith and Daikyo CZ are registered trademarks of Daikyo Seiko, Ltd. Daikyo Crystal Zenith technologies are licensed from Daikyo Seiko, Ltd.

SOURCE West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.
Rockefeller Foundation and MacArthur Foundation's impact investing collaborative releases its 6th annual report.

NEW YORK, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rockefeller Foundation released its annual Zero Gap Fund: 2024 State of the Portfolio report, highlighting the critical role of catalytic capital in addressing the world's most pressing challenges. As of December 2024, the Zero Gap Fund (ZGF or the Fund) had facilitated the mobilization of over $1.05 billion in private finance across 12 high-impact investments. As of January 2025, the Fund had fully committed $30 million, with three of its investments exited.

The Zero Gap Fund was launched in 2019 in partnership with the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to promote investment in scalable and innovative impact-driven investment solutions. The fund deploys patient, risk-tolerant, and flexible capital into promising financial strategies and mechanisms aimed at increasing large-scale private investment to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which bring countries together in a global partnership across 17 goals for the betterment of humanity.

"In an era of challenging market conditions and ever widening financing gaps for the world's most intractable problems, innovative financing solutions can make a meaningful difference," said Maria Kozloski, Senior Vice President, Innovative Finance at The Rockefeller Foundation. "Over the past six years, the Zero Gap Fund has developed into a flexible, risk-tolerant catalyst for private investment to advance the global good. We hope that this report not only illustrates the power of catalytic capital, but also reveals new possibilities for ambition, partnership, and progress."

"The Zero Gap Fund is demonstrating the power of catalytic capital to drive impact across diverse sectors and geographies," said Debra Schwartz, Managing Director, Impact Investments at MacArthur. "We hope others will be inspired by the Fund's use of catalytic capital and its scaled approach to co-investment that is allowing more dollars to flow more quickly to impact-driven enterprises and funds around the world."

The Zero Gap Fund: 2024 State of the Portfolio report, contains deeper dives into data and impacts across investments. For example, these investments helped create more than 1,600 jobs.

Key insights through December 2024 include:

LeapFrog's Emerging Consumer Fund III (Fund III) is a growth equity fund serving low-income consumers in Asia and Africa , incorporating a blended finance insurance product to mitigate tail-end risks. It has supported more than 161,000 jobs and in 2024 alone, Fund III reached 323 million consumers.

is a growth equity fund serving low-income consumers in and , incorporating a blended finance insurance product to mitigate tail-end risks. It has supported more than 161,000 jobs and in 2024 alone, Fund III reached 323 million consumers. Lightsmith's CRAFT focuses on climate adaptation, mobilizing capital for innovative companies delivering technologies that build community resilience. CRAFT has created 615 net new jobs and has served more than 500,000 beneficiaries in emerging markets.

focuses on climate adaptation, mobilizing capital for innovative companies delivering technologies that build community resilience. CRAFT has created 615 net new jobs and has served more than 500,000 beneficiaries in emerging markets. Founders First Capital Partners (FFCP) is an alternative credit provider that uses revenue-based financing to grow underinvested service-based companies. FFCP has deployed $14.1 million in capital across 52 loans, helping create 201 net new jobs.

is an alternative credit provider that uses revenue-based financing to grow underinvested service-based companies. FFCP has deployed in capital across 52 loans, helping create 201 net new jobs. Apis & Heritage's Legacy Fund I finances the conversion of companies with majority low- and moderate-income workforces into 100% employee-owned businesses using an employee-led buyout structure. Legacy Fund I has helped transition 442 employees into employee-owners across five businesses and helped create 110 net new jobs.

finances the conversion of companies with majority low- and moderate-income workforces into 100% employee-owned businesses using an employee-led buyout structure. Legacy Fund I has helped transition 442 employees into employee-owners across five businesses and helped create 110 net new jobs. Seedstars International Ventures II (Fund II) invests in seed-stage tech-enabled startups across emerging and frontier markets and helps them scale . Fund II has committed $9.8 million across 45 companies, helping create 614 net new jobs.

invests in seed-stage tech-enabled startups across emerging and frontier markets and helps them scale Fund II has committed across 45 companies, helping create 614 net new jobs. Horizon Capital Growth Fund IV (HCGF IV) invests predominantly in innovative, export-oriented asset-light technology companies that are more resilient to volatile macro environments. HCGF IV has invested more than $100 million across five companies, supporting more than 4,800 jobs.

invests predominantly in innovative, export-oriented asset-light technology companies that are more resilient to volatile macro environments. HCGF IV has invested more than across five companies, supporting more than 4,800 jobs. Blue Forest's FRB Catalyst Facility leverages the public-private partnership structure of the Forest Resilience Bond to create a pooled, revolving investment facility to accelerate the financing of critical ecological restoration projects. FRB Catalyst Facility has begun protection efforts in five locations helping avoid more than 127,000 metric tons of CO2e carbon emissions.

leverages the public-private partnership structure of the Forest Resilience Bond to create a pooled, revolving investment facility to accelerate the financing of critical ecological restoration projects. FRB Catalyst Facility has begun protection efforts in five locations helping avoid more than 127,000 metric tons of CO2e carbon emissions. Trailhead Capital Regeneration Fund I invests in early-stage businesses providing innovative, scalable, tech-enabled solutions for regenerative food and agriculture. Regeneration Fund I has invested in 29 companies, helping avoid 68,000 tons of CO2e carbon emissions.

About The Rockefeller Foundation

The Rockefeller Foundation is a pioneering philanthropy built on collaborative partnerships at the frontiers of science, technology, and innovation that enable individuals, families, and communities to flourish. We make big bets to promote the well-being of humanity. Today, we are focused on advancing human opportunity and reversing the climate crisis by transforming systems in food, health, energy, and finance. For more information, sign up for our newsletter at www.rockefellerfoundation.org/subscribe and follow us on X @RockefellerFdn and LinkedIn @the-rockefeller-foundation.

About the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation supports creative people, effective institutions, and influential networks building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. MacArthur's Impact Investment program is working to build the field of impact investing and provide catalytic capital to address social and environmental challenges around the world. MacArthur supports the Catalytic Capital Consortium, an investment, learning, and market development initiative conceived of in partnership with The Rockefeller Foundation and Omidyar Network to demonstrate the power of catalytic capital and to expand its use. For more information, sign up for MacArthur's newsletter and follow us on X and LinkedIn.

SOURCE The Rockefeller Foundation
Deputy Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Pavlo Palisa held a meeting with Head of the EU Military Committee Sean Clancy on Thursday and discussed with him the possibilities of military cooperation between Ukraine and European partners, in particular, the development of the defense-industrial complex.

"We considered the issues of technology exchange, development of the defense industry and coordination of efforts in the security sector... We discussed the prospects for deepening partnership and joint work on the future security of Europe," Palisa said on Telegram on Thursday evening following the meeting.

He said Ukrainian soldiers have experience that cannot be gained in peacetime, and Ukraine is ready to share knowledge gained in real conditions and make a valuable contribution to the training of allies.
Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk invited Speaker of the House of Representatives of the US Congress Mike Johnson to visit Kyiv.

"I have had a meaningful telephone conversation with the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the US Congress Mike Johnson ... I invited my colleague to personally visit Kyiv, and we also agreed to meet within the framework of the G7 Parliamentary Summit in Canada in September. Our partnership is strengthening, and joint decisions bring peace and security closer in Europe and the world," the Verkhovna Rada quoted Stefanchuk as saying on its Telegram channel.

During the conversation, Stefanchuk thanked his colleague for the continued support of Ukraine from the United States and emphasized the importance of increasing sanctions pressure on Russia. The parties also discussed further steps to contain the aggressor and strengthen security and agreed to intensify interparliamentary cooperation, which is an important component of the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States.
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Istanbul, July 24 : Russian and Ukrainian delegations held a third round of peace talks here at the Ciragan Palace, during which the two sides agreed on another prisoner exchange but clashed on ceasefire terms and a potential presidential meeting.

Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky and Secretary of Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council Rustem Umerov led the Russian and Ukrainian delegations, respectively on Wednesday evening.

The closed-door talks were chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Xinhua news agency reported.

Following the talks, which lasted for less than one hour, Umerov said at a press conference that Ukraine continues to insist on a full and unconditional ceasefire as the essential foundation for effective diplomacy.

"We are ready for a ceasefire now and to start substantive peace negotiations, and it is up to the other side to accept this basic step towards peace," he added.

"We emphasise that the ceasefire must be genuine. It must include a complete cessation of strikes on civilian and critical infrastructure," he said.

Prior to the talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that Moscow and Kyiv are "diametrically opposed" in their positions on how to end the conflict, noting that "much work" still needs to be done.

The Ukrainian side has proposed to Russia to hold a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky "by the end of August," where the participation of US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be "especially valuable," he added.

During a separate press conference after the talks, Medinsky said that Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 1,200 prisoners of war each, including a proposal from Moscow to swap about 30 civilians held by Ukraine in the Kursk region.

Russia has returned the bodies of 7,000 fallen Ukrainian soldiers and is ready to return 3,000 more, he said, requesting the return of any number of deceased Russian soldiers from Ukraine.

He also added that the Russian side proposed establishing three online working groups with Ukraine to address political, humanitarian, and military issues, and asked Ukraine to consider declaring short ceasefires of 24 to 48 hours along the contact line to evacuate the wounded soldiers and recover the bodies of fallen troops.

As to the Putin-Zelensky meeting Ukraine proposed, Medinsky said that such a meeting is not being considered until certain processes are completed.

Meanwhile, Zelensky wrote on social media platform X after the talks that the ninth stage of prisoner exchange took place "today," which involved more than 1,000 people from the Ukrainian side, including those "seriously ill and severely wounded".

"It is important that the exchanges are ongoing," he wrote.

In his opening remarks to the talks, Fidan urged the two delegations to engage in result-oriented negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire and ultimately ending the war.

"Our goal is to end this bloody war, which has come at a heavy cost, as soon as possible," Fidan said.

While the previous two rounds of talks in Istanbul -- held on May 16 and June 2 -- led to the exchange of thousands of war prisoners and the bodies of fallen soldiers, they produced little progress toward a ceasefire.
Damascus, July 24 : Sporadic clashes, drone strikes, and ground fighting continued in Syria's Sweida province and surrounding areas despite a declared truce, with the number of displaced reaching more than 145,000, the United Nations said.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Wednesday, the violence between July 20 and 22 has included mortar attacks and aerial surveillance, further injuring civilians and forcing thousands to flee, Xinhua news agency reported.

Most of the displaced have remained within Sweida province, while others have sought safety in neighbouring Daraa and Rural Damascus governorates.

Access to basic services remains severely disrupted across Sweida.

The UN reported widespread outages in electricity, water, fuel, and telecommunications, while food insecurity is worsening due to market disruptions and the closure of bakeries.

Humanitarian organisations have begun responding to the crisis, delivering medical care, protection services, food, clean water, and non-food items to affected communities, although access constraints continue to hamper efforts.

Two batches of aid distributions from the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) have reached parts of Sweida and Salkhad districts, providing food, fuel, and medical supplies.

The UN warned that displacement is still ongoing and that overcrowded shelters, poor sanitation facilities, and contamination from explosive ordnance are compounding protection risks for already vulnerable populations.

More than 93,000 Syrians have been displaced across Sweida, neighbouring Dar'a governorate and Rural Damascus due to escalating violence in the city, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said at Monday's daily press briefing in New York.

Most displaced people in Sweida are staying with local communities or in one of 15 reception centres, while around 30 collective shelters have opened in Dar'a.

Infrastructure and services are suffering in the area. Some hospitals and health centres in Sweida are out of service, water infrastructure has been critically damaged, significant cuts to electricity have been reported, and access to food is disrupted.

The convoy of 32 trucks carried food, water, medical supplies and fuel provided by the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and other partners.

UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher welcomed this initial delivery on social media, saying it was a "desperately needed first step, but much more relief is needed".

Dujarric stressed that as the UN engages with relevant parties to facilitate humanitarian access and ensure the protection of civilians, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is working with authorities to facilitate a direct visit to Sweida to deliver assistance when security conditions allow.

Fletcher echoed this sentiment, saying OCHA teams "are mobilised to move as much as we can".

"We continue to urge all parties to protect people who have been caught up in the violence, including by allowing them to move freely to seek safety and medical assistance," Dujarric concluded.
United Nations, July 24 : Access to supplies for distribution to hungry Gazans and security risks for aid workers are putting relief operations under severe strain, UN humanitarians said.

Relief workers face significant security risks. Supply crossings remain unreliable and critical supplies are routinely delayed or blocked. The amount of aid that has been entering Gaza is a trickle compared to the immense needs, said the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Wednesday.

"Israel must enable safe and unimpeded aid delivery, allow the entry of critical equipment and fuel, open all crossings, and restore movement along key supply routes," OCHA added.

"Humanitarian staff must be able to operate safely, people must be allowed to move freely, and supplies, including from the private sector, must reach all parts of Gaza."

The office said if the conditions are met, the United Nations will urgently prioritise providing food, water, shelter, medical care and protection to the civilians of Gaza who have faced unimaginable hardships for far too long, Xinhua news agency reported.

The world body stands ready to seize the opportunity of a ceasefire to significantly scale up humanitarian operations across Gaza, as it did during previous pauses in hostilities, the office added.

OCHA warned that the hunger crisis in Gaza has never been so dire, with aid organisations reporting that as mass starvation spreads across the strip, aid workers and those they serve are wasting away.

The office said its partners report aid workers are fainting from hunger and exhaustion.

Despite catastrophic conditions, aid workers continue to deliver life-saving assistance, wherever and whenever possible.

However, the office said that to sustain operations, including nutrition programs, the Israeli authorities must facilitate the delivery of much more aid into and across all areas of the Gaza Strip without delay.

The humanitarians said that hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed and cannot cope with the influx of patients, including those injured by hostilities, due to a lack of supplies and fuel.

OCHA said that local health authorities reported that in the past few days, several of their health facilities were shut down due to lack of fuel.

More hospitals, including Al Shifa, are at risk of shutting down within the next few days.

Humanitarian partners reported that people with disabilities have no food, no assistive devices and no health care.

Measures must be taken to protect civilians, including the tens of thousands of people who are older or are living with disabilities.

UN humanitarians said the Israeli authorities are the sole decision-makers on who, how and what enters the strip, adding that logistical challenges are immense.

To collect supplies that have reached any of the fenced-off and heavily guarded Israeli crossings around Gaza, drivers need multiple access approvals, and a pause in bombing for the iron gates to open, OCHA said.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher told the Security Council last week that movement requires navigating an obstacle course of coordination with Israeli forces, through active hostilities, travelling on damaged roads, and often being forced to wait at holding points or pass through areas controlled by criminal gangs.

"All too often, civilians approaching UN trucks are shot at," OCHA said.

"Collecting supplies safely requires reliable assurances that troops would not engage or be present along convoy routes."

Israeli UN ambassador Danny Danon, speaking at the Security Council, announced restrictive measures against OCHA staff.

Israel will no longer grant automatic visas to OCHA's international staff.

Visas will now be limited to one-month terms, Danon said.

Stephane Dujarric, Chief Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said that any punitive measures will only add to the obstacles preventing humanitarians from reaching people facing hunger, displacement and deprivation.
Tehran, July 24 : Iranian authorities have closed government offices in 22 provinces, including Tehran, and reduced working hours in four others to manage water and electricity shortages during a record heatwave.

The decision was made on Wednesday as temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius nationwide, nearing 50 degrees Celsius in some regions, Xinhua news agency reported.

It also followed an "unprecedented" drought, with precipitation from the beginning of the current water year, which started on September 22, 2024, declining by 40 per cent from the long-term average recorded in the same period of the previous water year, the official news agency IRNA reported on Wednesday, quoting the Iran Water Resources Management.

According to IRNA, dams now hold only 44 per cent of capacity, while southern provinces like Hormozgan and Fars face total depletion.

Iranian Students' News Agency (ISNA), citing Iranian Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi, reported on Wednesday that Tehran's dams recorded a 50 per cent drop in water intake.

He also confirmed a 41 per cent rainfall decrease in Tehran.

The Tehran Province Water and Wastewater Company said on Wednesday that it will suspend water supply to all public and private pools as of Thursday until further notice, IRNA reported.

During a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged that past efforts have failed to resolve the crisis, and demanded "immediate actions".

An analysis piece of ISNA said that decades of unsustainable farming and industrial projects in arid zones, as well as subsidised water prices are key factors aggravating the crisis.

The country has hundreds of dams, built from the 1950s onwards but the drought has significantly reduced their output. This, as well as problems with infrastructure and the heatwaves, has led to power cuts across the country.

Pezeshkian, issued a stark warning during a cabinet meeting on Sunday.

"The water crisis is more serious than what is being discussed today, and if we do not take urgent action now, we will face a situation in the future for which no remedy can be found," Pezeshkian said, according to state media.

"In the water sector, beyond management and planning, we also need to address excessive consumption."
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has appointed the Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture as the head of the Interdepartmental Working Group on the Implementation of State Sanctions Policy.

According to Resolution 907 of July 23, the government established that now the head of the Interdepartmental Working Group on the Implementation of State Sanctions Policy will be the Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, this position is currently held by Oleksiy Sobolev.

Previously, the head of this working group by position was First Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Economy Yulia Svyrydenko, who was recently appointed Prime Minister.
Moscow, July 24 : Russia and Ukraine have exchanged prisoners of conflict as delegations of the two countries held their third round of direct talks in the city of Istanbul, Turkey.

The swap was conducted in accordance with the agreements both sides reached during their last talks on June 2 in Istanbul, the Russian Defence Ministry said on Wednesday in a statement.

The Russian servicemen are in Belarus and will be transported to Russia for treatment and rehabilitation in military medical institutions, it added.

Russia and Ukraine held two rounds of direct talks on May 16 and June 2 in Istanbul, Xinhua news agency reported.

During the second round, they agreed on an "all-for-all" exchange of seriously ill and wounded prisoners, and soldiers under the age of 25, as well as the transfer of the bodies of fallen soldiers.

More than 1,000 Ukrainian servicemen have returned home in accordance with the Istanbul agreements, according to Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War.

"We have progress on the humanitarian track, with no progress on a cessation of hostilities," Ukraine's chief delegate Rustem Umerov said after talks that lasted just 40 minutes.

Russia's chief delegate Vladimir Medinsky said the point of a leaders' meeting should be to sign an agreement, not to "discuss everything from scratch".

He renewed Moscow's call for a series of short ceasefires of 24-48 hours to enable the retrieval of bodies.

Ukraine said it wants an immediate and much longer ceasefire.

The talks took place just over a week after US President Donald Trump threatened heavy new sanctions on Russia and countries that buy its exports unless a peace deal was reached within 50 days.

There was no sign of any progress towards that goal, although both sides said there was discussion of further humanitarian exchanges following a series of prisoner swaps, the latest of which took place on Wednesday.

Medinsky said the negotiators agreed to exchange at least 1,200 more prisoners of war from each side, and Russia had offered to hand over another 3,000 Ukrainian bodies.
Baghdad, July 24 : The Iraqi government has strongly condemned the ongoing "brutal siege" imposed by Israeli forces on the people of Gaza, calling for immediate international action to address the humanitarian crisis.

This inhumane and systematic policy of starving the afflicted Palestinians is a grave violation of human dignity, Iraqi government spokesperson Basim al-Awadi said on Wednesday in a statement.

"The heartbreaking scenes of starving children standing in lines for a morsel of food, and images of women and men crowding around the few available aid trucks, now turned into death traps by the occupation forces, reflect horrifying and immoral practices," it added.

"The Iraqi government expresses its condemnation and strong denunciation of the ongoing brutal siege imposed by the occupation forces on the people of Gaza. This inhumane and systematic policy of starving our afflicted Palestinian brothers and sisters is a grave violation of human dignity."

The Iraqi government urged an immediate end to the starvation policy against the people of Gaza, and called for immediate international intervention to pressure Israel to lift the siege and allow relief supplies to reach those in need, the statement said.

Since Israel resumed its military operations in the enclave on March 18, at least 8,363 Palestinians had been killed and 31,004 others injured, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to 59,219, and injuries to 143,045, Gaza-based health authorities said on Wednesday.

Some of the latest deaths were reportedly caused by Israeli gunfire on civilians gathering for aid in the enclave.

Also on Wednesday, the health authorities reported 10 more deaths from starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours in Gaza, raising the death toll to 111 since March.

Gaza health authorities report that more than 54,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 123,000 injured since the conflict began.

In March 2025, Israel imposed a total closure of Gaza, halting all aid and commercial shipments.

Humanitarian organisations have since warned of famine, the spread of disease, and the collapse of Gaza's healthcare system due to shortages of fuel, medicine, and food.
Manama/Beirut, July 24 : Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has announced the opening of a permanent Bahraini diplomatic mission in Beirut, marking a renewal of the kingdom's full diplomatic relations with Lebanon.

The announcement was made on Wednesday during his meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, who is on an official visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain, according to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA).

Both leaders reviewed bilateral ties and discussed ways to enhance cooperation across economic, security, and political fields, Xinhua news agency reported.

They reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing Bahraini-Lebanese relations for the mutual benefit and prosperity of their nations.

Meanwhile, according to a joint statement released on Wednesday by Lebanon's presidency, the two sides agreed to enhance bilateral cooperation in economic development, security coordination, and regional stability, pledging joint efforts to combat terrorism, boost trade, and support peaceful resolutions to ongoing regional conflicts.

Security issues were central to the discussions, with both countries condemning destabilising activities and reaffirming their determination to combat terrorism and prevent its financing.

Bahrain reiterated its steadfast support for Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political reforms under Aoun's leadership.

Bahrain closed its embassy in Beirut in October 2021 following controversial remarks made by former Lebanese Information Minister George Kordahi regarding the war in Yemen, which were considered offensive by the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

In recent years, relations between Bahrain and Lebanon have been strained due to positions and statements linked to Hezbollah, which Manama designates as a terrorist organisation.

Bahrain accuses Hezbollah of supporting opposition movements in the kingdom and interfering in its internal affairs.

Tensions escalated further following remarks made by Hezbollah officials criticising Bahraini authorities, prompting Manama to withdraw its ambassador from Beirut in 2021, in coordination with several other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.

The Lebanese President thanked the Bahraini king for his decision to open a permanent diplomatic mission in his country.

Aoun visited Bahrain's Economic Development Board early Wednesday, saying that Lebanon needs investments built on mutual trust.

He described Bahrain as "a sincere partner with whom we can lay the foundation for a new phase of practical cooperation at both the governmental and private levels".

Aoun concluded his two-day visit to Bahrain on Wednesday, with the Lebanese presidency calling the visit an opportunity to strengthen the bonds of cooperation between the two countries.
New Delhi, July 24 : The Delhi Police have arrested two cybercriminals accused of impersonating bank officials and defrauding people of their money.

The two were identified as Shankar Dan, 27, and Pradeep Kumar Dan, 26. Both are residents of Dhanbad, Jharkhand. Shankar Dan was arrested in Jharkhand, Pardeep was held in West Bengal's Birbhum.

A team from the Cyber Police Station of South-West District arrested the two following a complaint filed on June 30. With their arrest, six smartphones, including the calling device and the device which was used for running the billdesk application during fraud, have been recovered.

The police in a media statement on Thursday said that a case of cyber financial fraud was registered based on a complaint wherein the complainant alleged that on June 30, he received a phone call from an unknown number.

The caller falsely introduced himself as an SBI Bank official and informed the complainant about bounced cheques. Under the pretext of verifying cheque images, the fraudster sent a malicious link to the complainant's WhatsApp. Upon clicking the link and installing the attached .APK file, the complainant did not find any cheque images as claimed.

Realising something was suspicious, he immediately disconnected the call, deleted the link, and switched off his phone. However, after restarting the device, the complainant began receiving multiple SMS alerts regarding password changes and unauthorised financial transactions. It was later found that two of his fixed deposits -- worth Rs 5,62,000 and Rs 4,54,000 had been prematurely closed. Additionally, an amount of Rs 48,600 was debited through Google Ads.

The police said that investigation revealed that the OTPs generated during these transactions were diverted to an unknown number. In total, the complainant suffered a financial loss of Rs 10.64 lakh from his Bandhan Bank account due to this fraudulent activity. After preliminary enquiry, a case vide FIR No. 007/2025, U/s 318(4)/319(2)/340 BNS was registered at Police Station Cyber South West, and investigation was taken up.

The police statement said that the investigation primarily focused on tracing the money trail and identifying the alleged calling number used in the offence.

"It was revealed that the defrauded amount of Rs 10.64 lakh was initially transferred from the complainant's Bandhan Bank account to the BillDesk platform (an online payment gateway) through unauthorised access via a malicious link/.APK file. The funds were subsequently utilised for payments towards an Axis Bank credit card and Google ADS services," read the statement.

On the basis of technical analysis and data obtained from BillDesk, it was found that a particular mobile number and device were active in the area of Dhanbad, Jharkhand. Further analysis confirmed that the alleged calling number was also operational in the same area. The police said that a team was constituted and raids were conducted in various districts of Dhanbad.

The team pursued the accused for several days, and with the help of local and technical intelligence, the team successfully apprehended Shankar Dan. "Four mobile phones, including the calling device, were recovered from his possession. Subsequently, based on his disclosure and technical inputs, Pradeep Kumar Dan was arrested from Tarapith, District Birbhum, West Bengal, after raids were conducted in Bokaro, Ranchi, and Dhanbad. Two mobile phones were recovered from his possession, including the device used to operate the BillDesk application during the fraud on 30.06.2025," the police said.

The police said that during sustained interrogation, Shankar Dan confessed that he used Amazon Pay to identify potential victims. He randomly entered mobile numbers into the Amazon Pay app, which revealed the bank associated with each number. Based on this information, he contacted the victims, impersonating a bank representative or manager. He would inform the victims about fabricated issues such as KYC updates, credit/debit card problems, or cheque bounces.

"In this particular case, he informed the complainant about a bounced cheque and subsequently sent a malicious .APK file/link via WhatsApp, claiming it contained images of the bounced cheque. Once the victim installed the application, unauthorised access to the bank account was obtained. He then transferred the cheated amount from the complainant's account to the BillDesk application. The money was further routed to Axis Bank credit cards (specifically procured for fraudulent purposes) and used for settling bills on Google ADS services."

The funds were later withdrawn from these credit cards using third-party apps such as CRED and MobiKwik, and also utilised for purchasing gift cards.

During the probe, Shankar Dan further disclosed that the SIM cards used in the fraud were procured from Jamtara, and the .APK file was arranged through WhatsApp. The credit cards were provided by co-accused individuals to receive the cheated funds.

The accused claimed he received a hefty commission of 50 per cent for his role in the fraud. He earned approximately Rs 5 lakh, and the remaining amount was distributed among other members of the syndicate.

Shankar Dan primarily handled calling the victims. He, along with his associate Pradeep and others, was actively involved in the criminal operation. They operated from forested areas near their village to evade detection.

During interrogation, accused Pradeep Kumar Dan also admitted to active involvement in the crime. He was responsible for operating the BillDesk application during the fraud. He worked closely with Shankar Dan. After victims were deceived over calls and access to their bank accounts was obtained, Pradeep transferred the money from the bank accounts to the BillDesk platform and subsequently to Axis Bank credit cards. He received a 20 per cent commission for his role in the fraud, said the police.
Chennai, July 24 : AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tiruchi during the latter's two-day visit to Tamil Nadu on July 26 and 27.

Chennai, July 24 (IANS) AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami is likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tiruchi during the latteras two-day visit to Tamil Nadu on July 26 and 27.

This would be the first formal meeting between the two leaders since the AIADMK renewed its alliance with the BJP ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.

Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to arrive in Tamil Nadu on the evening of July 26 after completing an official visit to the Maldives.

He is expected to land at the Tuticorin airport at 7.50 p.m. and will inaugurate the expanded Tuticorin airport and proceed to Tiruchi for an overnight stay.

On July 27, PM Modi will attend the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival at the historic Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple in Ariyalur district. Following the event, he is scheduled to depart for New Delhi from Tiruchi at 2.25 p.m.

According to sources, Edappadi Palaniswami is expected to meet the Prime Minister either late on July 26 or on the morning of July 27 in Tiruchi.

While AIADMK has not officially confirmed the meeting, the party has rescheduled EPSas pre-announced campaign events -- originally planned in Karaikudi, Tirupattur, and Sivaganga on July 26 -- to July 29.

The party, in a statement, did not mention the reason for the rescheduling, but political observers believe it is to facilitate the meeting with PM Modi. This meeting gains significance as all alliance negotiations between the AIADMK and BJP had so far been handled primarily by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

EPS and PM Modi had not met directly since the fallout during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when both parties contested separately.

Earlier, Amit Shah had declared that the BJP would be part of the alliance led by AIADMK in the 2026 Assembly polls. However, EPS later countered that the AIADMK would form the government on its own with a clear majority, triggering confusion among the cadre of both parties.

The proposed meeting is also expected to cover other strategic issues, including EPSas reported request for the Union government to fast-track Central agency investigations against DMK leaders. If confirmed, this would mark the first personal interaction between PM Modi and Palaniswami since the former began his third consecutive term as the Prime Minister.
Chennai, July 24 : Tight security arrangements are being put in place for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Gangaikondacholapuram in Ariyalur district on July 27, where he will participate in a grand function commemorating the 1,000th anniversary of Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I's conquest of the Gangetic plains.

Chennai, July 24 (IANS) Tight security arrangements are being put in place for Prime Minister Narendra Modias visit to Gangaikondacholapuram in Ariyalur district on July 27, where he will participate in a grand function commemorating the 1,000th anniversary of Chola emperor Rajendra Chola Ias conquest of the Gangetic plains.

The Prime Minister will arrive in Tiruchi from Thoothukudi on Saturday night and stay overnight before flying to Gangaikondacholapuram by helicopter on Sunday morning.

In view of the high-profile visit, the Tiruchi City Police and Ariyalur district police have drawn up detailed security plans. Over 1,000 police personnel will be deployed at the Tiruchi airport and surrounding areas, while around 2,000 personnel from Ariyalur and other central zone districts will be posted at the event venue and along the route to manage crowd and traffic control.

An Advanced Security Liaison (ASL) meeting was conducted at the Tiruchi airport on Wednesday by the Special Protection Group (SPG), with participation from city police, security agencies, and airport authorities.

Another ASL meeting is scheduled for Thursday at Gangaikondacholapuram, to be attended by the Ariyalur District Collector, the Central Zone Inspector-General of Police, and senior officials.

A helipad has been established near the venue to facilitate the Prime Ministeras aerial arrival.

Anti-sabotage squads will be deployed, and multi-layer security will be enforced in Tiruchi and Gangaikondacholapuram throughout the weekend.

This will be Prime Minister Modias first visit to Ariyalur district.

At Gangaikondacholapuram, he will offer prayers at the world-renowned Brihadisvara temple before attending the commemorative event organised by the Union Ministry of Culture.

The event will also mark the conclusion of the aAadi Thiruvadhiraia festival, held from July 23 to 27. Highlights of the function include the release of a booklet on Thevaram hymns published by the Sahitya Akademi, a Bharatanatyam performance by Kalakshetra artistes, Thevaram chanting, and a special musical concert by Ilaiyaraaja and his troupe.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will host thematic exhibitions on Chola Shaivism and temple architecture and conduct heritage walks and guided tours to showcase the historical significance of the temple and its builder, Rajendra Chola I.

The Prime Minister is expected to return to Tiruchi after the programme and depart for New Delhi on July 27.

--IANS

aal/dpb
Dehradun, July 24 : Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday arrived in Khatima to cast his vote as the first phase of the three-tier panchayat elections commenced across the state.

He reached Khatima via helicopter and landed at the helipad of Saraf Public School. After this, he headed to the Nagla Tarai Primary School polling booth to exercise his right to vote.

The voting, being held in two phases across 12 districts -- excluding Haridwar -- is set to decide thousands of local representatives.

According to the notification issued by the Uttarakhand State Election Commission, a total of 2,247 candidates are in the fray for 948 member Gram Panchayat seats, while 9,731 candidates are contesting for 3,393 Pradhan Gram Panchayat posts.

Additionally, 4,980 candidates are contesting for 1,507 member area panchayat positions and 871 for 201 member district panchayat posts.

An estimated 26 lakh voters were eligible to cast their votes in this first phase. Despite persistent monsoon showers, voters turned up in large numbers, forming long queues outside polling booths in various parts of the state.

A total of 1,240 polling personnel were deployed to ensure the smooth conduct of elections, while tight security arrangements were put in place to maintain law and order throughout the process.

Earlier in the day, CM Dhami took to X to appeal to voters, saying, "Today, the first phase of voting for the three-tier panchayat elections is taking place. I appeal to all the divine people of the state to reach the polling stations in large numbers and exercise their voting rights."

"With your vote, choose capable, aware, and dedicated representatives who will strongly raise your voice and strengthen the foundation of rural development. Your single vote is an important step towards a robust Panchayati Raj system," he added.

The second phase of voting is scheduled for July 28, and counting of votes will take place on July 31.
Chennai, July 24 : Ace cinematographer Manoj Paramahamsa, who has worked on director Jyothi Krisna's magnum opus 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu' (HHVM), has now penned a post on social media in which he has expressed admiration for actor Pawan Kalyan's knowledge of filmmaking.

Taking to his Instagram page on the eve of their film's release, Manoj Paramahamsa wrote to Power Star Pawan Kalyan, who has played the lead in the film, "I am astounded by your filmmaking knowledge. For this film, #HHMV, I had to unlearn everything I thought I knew about filmmaking. I truly enjoyed every bit of our conversations a" though brief a" about cinema and the importance of pre-visualisation."

The cinematographer went on to state, "You mentioned how, even in the early 2000s, you were the first Avid software users in Hyderabad, creating visual cues for storytelling using Manga Comics cutouts. That really stayed with me."

Stating that he only wished he had met Pawan Kalyan earlier in his filmmaking journey, during the time he was fiercely passionate about cinema, the cinematographer said,"But today, I can see that same aggression a" not in film, but in your unwavering dedication to the welfare of people. After closely observing your journey over the past 10 months, I can proudly say: the future of our children is in safe hands. Thank you for this incredible opportunity, sir."

To the fans of the actor, he said, "Dear Power Star fans, get ready for the Rudra Thandavam.#HHMV is all yours from now!"

It may be recalled that director Jyothi Krisna had told IANS in an earlier interview that they had shot the film in 200 days.

"This is a 16th century story. Bobby Deol plays Aurangazeb in the film. It is a story that happened during Mughal rule. It is based on a small incident that happened back then. It is an untold back story. The film will be part fiction, part fact. We have clubbed both and made this film. Pawan Kalyan plays a Robinhood kind of character in this film. He plays a thief," Jyothi Krisna had disclosed.

The film's first part, 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1 Sword Vs Spirit', which was originally scheduled to hit screens on June 12 this year, is now slated to hit screens on Thursday.

The film has cinematography by Manoj Paramahamsa and Gnanashekar V.S. and production design by Thota Tharani. Editing for the film is by National Award winning editor K L Praveen.

Apart from Pawan Kalyan, Nidhi Aggarwal and Bobby Deol, aHari Hara Veera Mallua will also feature Nassar, Sathyaraj, Thalaivasal Vijay, Raghu Babu, Subbaraju and Sunil among many others.
Guwahati, July 24 : Assam Police have beefed up security arrangements across the state ahead of Independence Day celebration as a precautionary measure, officials said on Thursday.

A senior police official said, "We have stepped up vigilance on national highways to avert any untoward incident."

Earlier in the month, ULFA-I claimed that its Eastern headquarters in Myanmar had been targeted by the Indian Army with drones in the early hours a" a claim denied by the Army.

The proscribed outfit in a press statement claimed that in these cross-border strikes, their 19 cadres were killed and another 19 were injured.

The outlawed group ULFA-I tried to explode bombs at least 12 places in Guwahati during the celebration of Independence Day in the previous year. The explosions could not occur due to technical failure, and security forces later recovered the explosives.

Recently, the NIA arrested two accused in connection with the recovery of an IED planted by the ULFA-I terror group at Dispur Last Gate, Guwahati, as part of a conspiracy to carry out multiple blasts in Assam on Independence Day in 2024.

Bhargob Gogoi and Sumu Gogoi, both residents of Dibrugarh district of Assam, were involved in the conspiracy orchestrated by the proscribed terrorist organisation to strike terror and threaten the sovereignty, security, and integrity of the nation, said the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

With their arrest, the total number of accused arrested in the conspiracy case has gone up to three.

The NIA, which took over the investigation into the case from Dispur police in September last year, had last month charge-sheeted three accused in the case under various sections of the BNS, UA(P) Act and the Explosives Substance Act.

The three charge-sheeted accused included Paresh Baruah alias Paresh Asom alias Kamruj Zaman Khan alias Nur-uz-Zaman alias Zaman Bhai alias Pradip alias Paban Baruah, chairman and SS Commander-in-Chief of the proscribed terrorist groups ULFA-I.

The other two accused named in the charge sheet were Abhijit Gogoi alias Aishang Asom alias Rumel Asom alias Dhanajoy Moran and Jahnu Boruah alias Arnob Asom alias Huntu.
Patna, July 24 : The fourth day of the Monsoon Session of the Bihar Assembly began with continued uproar by opposition MLAs, who are demanding a special discussion in the House on the ongoing voter list revision (SIR) in the state.

Mahagathbandhan MLAs arrived wearing black clothes, raising slogans inside and outside the Assembly, protesting alleged irregularities in the voter list revision.

The opposition alleges that the Election Commission of India, in collusion with the government, is conspiring to remove the names of the poor and disadvantaged voters from the voter list, impacting the upcoming elections. The issue has now escalated to the High Court and the Supreme Court.

The opposition leaders reiterated that the House proceedings will not continue until there is a dedicated discussion on SIR, demanding the withdrawal of the current voter list revision campaign.

Due to the continuous ruckus, question hour and member queries have not been addressed for the last two days, preventing public issues from being raised.

If protests continue for the day inside the House, questions from various departments listed for discussion may also remain unanswered.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister cum Finance Minister Samrat Chaudhary, who had presented the supplementary budget on July 21, said it will be discussed on the day. The Social Welfare Departmentas budget -- which has received the highest allocation in the supplementary budget -- is scheduled for detailed discussion.

On July 21, Samrat Choudhary had presented a supplementary budget exceeding Rs 57,946 crore in the Assembly. The state government will also present the CAG report in the House.

The voter list revision ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections has become a flashpoint between the ruling NDA and the opposition Mahagathbandhan.

While the government maintains that the revision process is necessary for fair elections, the opposition claims that the process is flawed, poorly timed during the rainy and farming season, and threatens to disenfranchise the poor and migrant voters.
Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva and Special Advisor to the President of Egypt on National Security Faiza Abou el-Naga discussed the creation of a Ukrainian agro-industrial hub in Egypt as part of the implementation of the agreements between the presidents of the countries.

The parties discussed the implementation of the agreements reached by the Presidents of Ukraine and Egypt during their phone call on July 2. In particular, they focused on the development of bilateral trade cooperation, says a message posted on the website of the Office of the President of Ukraine on Thursday.

As noted in the report, the key topic of the conversation was food security. The parties discussed the creation of a Ukrainian agro-industrial hub in Egypt.

Ukraine is ready to remain a reliable guarantor of Egypts food security. We have an ambitious goal  to open a regional logistics hub for Ukrainian food products in Egypt. We are working together to achieve it, said the Deputy Head of the Office of the President.

Ukraine and Egypt will also work to enhance cooperation in the fields of industry and tourism. According to Zhovkva, Egypt remains Ukraine's largest trading partner in the Middle East and Africa, and bilateral trade volumes have almost reached pre-war levels.

Special attention during the conversation was paid to the importance of achieving a just and lasting peace. Zhovkva thanked Egypt for its constructive stance within the UN General Assembly, in particular for supporting Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Canberra, July 24 : In a recent disturbing act of racial violence, a prominent Hindu temple in Melbourne was vandalised with racist graffiti in Victoria, Australia. This incident has raised concerns within the community about the increasing hate attacks on Hindus in the country.

The incident occurred at Shree Swaminarayan Temple as it was smeared with a hateful slur that read "Go Home" and used words like "brown" along with abusive slang, according to media reports.

Additionally, the same racist message was also found on the walls of two nearby Asiana'run restaurants, which further outraged the people who raised serious concerns over the hate attacks.

Confirming the incident, Victoria Police mentioned they are investigating "four linked incidents in Boronia," including the temple and two restaurants.

"Police are investigating following reports of graffiti in Bayswater and Boronia on July 21... It is understood graffiti was spray-painted on the front of a healing centre on the Mountain Highway overnight," Australian media outlet The Australia Today quoted the police as saying.

"Shortly after, graffiti was discovered on a temple on Wadhurst Drive in Boronia about 9.30 a.m. Two further restaurants were located with graffiti on Boronia Road," it added.

Makrand Bhagwat, President of the Hindu Council of Australia's Victoria chapter, expressed shock over the incident at the site, which unfolded on Monday morning.

"Seeing it (temple) vandalised with hateful words was heartbreaking for volunteers and worshippers alike. Our temple is meant to be a sanctuary of peace, devotion and unity. It's where we come together to celebrate our faith and heritage," he stated.

Victoria's Premier, Jacinta Allan, also condemned the incident, describing it as "hateful, racist and deeply disturbing."

"It wasn't just vandalism -- it was a deliberate act of hate, designed to intimidate, isolate, and spread fear. It was an attack on your right to feel safe and to belong, and on the values that bind us together. There's no place for it anywhere in Victoria. And it must be called out for what it is," she said in a statement.

"No community should ever have to endure something like this, but in speaking out, you've shown an enormous amount of strength and dignity. As Premier, I want you to know how much your contribution, your culture, and your faith mean to me, and to the future we're building together in this state," she added.

Additionally, an Indian student was violently beaten in a racially motivated attack in Adelaide, sparking widespread outrage.

On July 23, Charanpreet Singh, 23, when he was out with his wife, was brutally attacked by a group of men, who were armed with sharp objects.

As per the video circulated online, the group of five men were seen coming out of their vehicle and began thrashing Singh without any provocation. They were also heard shouting racial slurs.

These incidents mirror a series of stencil racist attacks across Australia, including other temples, museums and Indian-origin people. Community advocates have raised alarm over a surge in hate-driven racist incidents.
Kolkata, July 24 : A majority of industrial units that closed their shutters in West Bengal in the last ten years have relocated to Maharashtra, according to statistics available in the records of a Central organisation.

According to statistics available with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), since the financial year of 2011-12, the first fiscal under the current Trinamool Congress regime in West Bengal, till 2024-25, the last fiscal under the same regime, a total of 6,688 industrial units closed in West Bengal and shifted to other states.

The maximum exodus, according to the statistics of the same Central body, occurred during the last ten financial years, with the number being 4,751.

Fiscally, the maximum exodus occurred during 2016-17 and 2017-18, when a total of 1,945 industrial units closed their shutters in West Bengal and relocated to other states.

Now, departmental insiders said the maximum number of industrial units that closed in the state during the last ten years shifted to Maharashtra, with the figure being 1,308.

The other states where the industrial units shifted to include Uttar Pradesh at 879, Chhattisgarh at 511, and Gujarat at 423.

Economic and political observers feel that the figures on the states benefiting the most because of the exodus of industrial units in West Bengal provide interesting review materials.

According to them, all the states that benefited most because of this factor during the period under review are BJP-ruled states. Observers feel that the BJP can use these figures to project how the states ruled by them provide the right ambience to industrial units to relocate themselves there after being frustrated with any non-BJP-ruled state.

It had been a long-standing argument of both the BJP and the other opposition parties in West Bengal that the rampant extortion by the ruling Trinamool Congress is not only discouraging fresh investment proposals in the state but also promoting existing units in the state to shut their shutters and shift to other states.

At a political rally organised by the BJP's West Bengal unit at the industrial township of Durgapur in West Burdwan district on July 18, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also stressed the issue of how extortions are discouraging investments in the state.

The Prime Minister, on that day, devoted substantial time in explaining how communal riots like the one in the minority-dominated Murshidabad district, which allegedly happened under the patronage of a section of Trinamool Congress leaders and individuals from the police administration, and the extortion rackets run by leaders of the ruling dispensation became the reasons why the industrialists are scared to invest in the state.

"In West Bengal, the police administration always acts in a biased manner in situations like that in Murshidabad. Because of extortion rackets run by the ruling Trinamool Congress leaders, no industrialist wants to invest in Bengal. Trinamool Congress has to go. Otherwise, everything in West Bengal will be in shambles," the Prime Minister said.
Chennai, July 24 : Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) president Kamal Haasan has left for New Delhi to take oath as a Rajya Sabha member on Friday.

Haasan has been nominated to the Upper House as part of the DMK-led alliance.

The veteran actor-turned-politician departed from Chennai on an Air India flight on Thursday morning.

Addressing reporters at the airport before boarding his flight, Haasan expressed gratitude and optimism about the new chapter in his political career.

"I think the reporters have not only come to collect news but also to send me off. Thank you for that," he said.

"With the greetings and goodwill of the people, I am going to Delhi to take the oath. I consider this an honour and a duty entrusted to me as an Indian, and I am going to fulfil it with pride," he remarked, exuding confidence and responsibility.

When asked about the themes he would touch upon in his maiden speech in the Rajya Sabha, Haasan declined to reveal any specifics.

"I should not say here what my maiden speech will focus on," he replied.

However, he hinted at continuity and purpose in his political path so far.

"If you look at my six-year journey, you will see where I am heading," he said, pointing to the evolution of his political ideology and the trajectory of MNM since its inception in 2018.

Haasan's entry into the Rajya Sabha is viewed as a significant development in Tamil Nadu politics, especially as it reflects the DMK's intent to strengthen its alliance with MNM.

The move also marks Haasan's formal induction into parliamentary politics after years of engaging with the public through electoral contests and social initiatives. Political observers note that his presence in the Upper House may bring a unique blend of cultural, social, and political insight, given his background in cinema, literature, and public service.

Haasan, who has consistently advocated for governance reforms, education, and scientific temper, is expected to use his platform in the Rajya Sabha to further these causes. His maiden speech is already being anticipated with interest across political and public spheres.
Georgetown, July 24 : The Indian High Commission in Guyana organised an exhibition on Thursday showcasing technologies developed and offered by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).

The exhibition was held on the margins of the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit, being held in Guyana's capital, Georgetown.

The display featured innovations in the field of resource mapping, climate adaptation, agriculture and several allied disciplines.

"The exhibition is organised with support from the Government of Guyana, showcasing our expanding bilateral cooperation in sustainable development and innovation. We would like to thank President of Guyana for his unwavering support to the initiative," the Indian High Commission posted on X.

The Indian High Commission stated that the initiative is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for India's evolving partnership with its partners in the Global South, including Guyana and other CARICOM partners.

During his visit to Guyana in November 2024, PM Modi addressed the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit held in Georgetown, and envisioned a multifaceted partnership with innovation as an important pillar of India's partnership with CARICOM underlining cooperation and collaboration in the field of science and technology, particularly application of Indian space technology in resource mapping, climate change and agriculture, the High Commission mentioned.

The ISRO delegation is in Guyana to attend the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit aimed at strengthening international commitment to biodiversity conservation.

This visit is focused on further bolstering the partnership between the two nations in space-based applications.

The delegation includes scientists, G. Srinivasa Rao, from the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), G.S. Pujar, with the Earth Observation and Disaster Management Programme Office, and Sudhakar Reddy Chintala, Head of the Forest Biodiversity and Ecology Division at NRSC.

According to the High Commission, this visit underlines India's cooperation with Guyana in the field of biodiversity management, environmental sciences, climate change, agriculture, disaster management and various other space applications.
Chennai, July 24 : Tamil Nadu BJP State Media Spokesperson A.N.S. Prasad has called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the mysterious death of a Canadian priest at Loyola College in Chennai.

In a press statement, Prasad expressed shock over the death of 55-year-old Father Omala, a Canadian national who had been serving at the church located within the Loyola College campus in Nungambakkam.

Reports indicate that the priest died under mysterious circumstances a few days ago, he said.

Father Omala's family members, who arrived in Chennai from Canada upon receiving the news, have reportedly raised suspicions about the circumstances surrounding his death.

Following this, a post-mortem examination was conducted at the Government Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital.

Prasad questioned the lack of formal reporting by the college administration to the police. "If a foreign national dies suddenly, the institution employing the individual is duty-bound to file a complaint with the local police. It is unclear whether the Loyola College administration lodged such a complaint or whether a proper investigation was initiated based on it. The Chennai City Police must clarify this," he said.

Raising broader concerns, the BJP leader urged the Tamil Nadu government to initiate a comprehensive audit of foreign missionaries working in churches across the state.

"The government must assess whether these foreign missionaries are also engaging in religious conversions, in addition to their official duties. Their financial sources should also be thoroughly investigated," he stated.

e further alleged that Father Omala's body, which was kept in a freezer, was only removed for autopsy after the family raised doubts about the cause of death.

"This raises several troubling questions," he said.

Prasad called on the Tamil Nadu Home Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) to pay immediate attention to the case and ensure a transparent investigation. He also urged the police department to issue clear guidelines and, if necessary, recommended that the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) given the international dimension involved.

"The truth must come out, and justice must be served," Prasad asserted.
Dhaka, July 24 : Bangladesh's former Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Haque was arrested on Thursday morning from his Dhaka residence, local media reported, quoting the police.

"We arrested former Chief Justice A.B.M. Khairul Haque from his Dhanmondi residence sometime after 8 a.m. on Thursday (July 24). He will be brought to the DB office. After that, action will be taken against him later," reports leading Bangladeshi newspaper Jugantor, quoting Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Joint Commissioner, Mohammad Nasirul Islam.

However, the senior police official did not divulge any details on the grounds of his arrest and the ongoing investigation.

"We will share more information once the details are available," said the DB official.

His arrest also follows a series of detentions of people associated with the Awami League government, adding to the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government's efforts to suppress Hasina's party.

Khairul was appointed as the country's 19th Chief Justice in September 2010 and served until May 2011. He also served as the chairman of the Law Commission starting in 2013, for a three-year term during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and was later reportedly reappointed to the post several times.

He tendered his resignation from the post of Chairman on August 13 last year, just days after the ouster of democratically-elected Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League.

Recently, addressing a press conference in Dhaka, the Nationalist Lawyers' Forum demanded the arrest and trial of the former Chief Justice, claiming him to be "the chief architect of the destruction of the country's judiciary and democracy."

Reports suggest that at least two cases were filed against Khairul in different police stations after the interim regime assumed power in Bangladesh.

One of the cases was filed in August of last year by BNP leader and Narayanganj District Bar in connection with Khairul's verdict declaring the caretaker government system unconstitutional 13 years ago.

Subsequently, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Dilruba Afroze Tithi passed an order dismissing the case, finding no valid grounds to take cognisance of the charges brought against the former Chief Justice Khairul, local media reported.

Analysts reckon the developments as an extension of the political vendetta being pursued by the Yunus-led interim government, as several cases were filed against the former Prime Minister Hasina, her supporters, and the working officials during her tenure on frivolous grounds immediately after her ouster in August 2024.

The unceremonious exit of Hasina last August following the violent student uprising was globally seen as a major setback to the democratic set-up in the country.
Indore, July 24 : In a shocking incident under Khajrana police station area of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, early Thursday morning, a mob, led primarily by women, reportedly assaulted a Sub-Inspector (SI) Suresh Bunkar.

A video (not confirmed by IANS) of the incident went viral on various media platforms. The purported video shows a man, shirtless, being beaten by a group of people, including women.

The officer was reportedly dragged from a residence in Bunkar Khedi, beaten with sticks, and nearly stripped and tied to an electric pole before police intervention.

According to local reports, the sub-inspector reportedly had been visiting the home of a woman embroiled in a marital dispute.

Neighbours and family members allege that the officer, who was off-duty and inebriated, was behaving inappropriately. His repeated visits over the past two months had already raised eyebrows, but Thursdayas early morning episode triggered public outrage.

Videos circulating on media also show a crowd surrounding the officer, with some attempting to bind his hands and remove his uniform.

The situation escalated rapidly, forcing Khajrana police to call for reinforcements from the Palasia control room. Despite initial resistance from the crowd, the officer was eventually rescued and taken to the police station.

Police have detained some individuals, including women involved in the assault, and have launched an investigation into both the mob violence and the officeras conduct.

Police have not issued any official statement in this regard, nor has any action been taken against the officer so far.

This is not the first time SI Suresh has faced controversy. In 2023, he was involved in a drunken altercation with youths near Lasudiya police station. That incident also ended in violence, with the officer sustaining injuries and the accused being paraded publicly by police after a case was registered.

The latest episode has reignited concerns over police accountability and public trust. As of now, SI Suresh is in police protection, but departmental inquiry proceedings are expected.
New Delhi, July 24 : The Airports Authority of India (AAI), along with its public-private-partnership (PPP) ventures, has incurred a cumulative capex (capital expenditure) exceeding Rs 96,000 crore during FY 2019-20 to FY 2024-25 to strengthen the country's aviation sector, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu informed the Parliament on Thursday.

New Delhi, July 24 (IANS) The Airports Authority of India (AAI), along with its public-private-partnership (PPP) ventures, has incurred a cumulative capex (capital expenditure) exceeding Rs 96,000 crore during FY 2019-20 to FY 2024-25 to strengthen the countryas aviation sector, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu informed the Parliament on Thursday.

At present, there are 162 operational airports, including heliports and water aerodromes, in the country. During the year 2024-25, Indian airports recorded a total passenger traffic of 412 million, including 77 million international and 335 million domestic passengers, marking a 9 per cent year-on-year growth. During this period, scheduled Indian operators operated on 835 domestic and 251 international routes, the minister said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.

Naidu also said that in 2016, the Ministry of Civil Aviation launched the Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN), with the objective of enhancing regional air connectivity and making air travel more affordable for the general public and promoting regional development.

Since the commencement of the scheme, 637 RCS routes have been operationalised, connecting 92 unserved and underserved airports, including 15 heliports and two water aerodromes.

The scheme ensures affordability as the airfares on the seats on which Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is provided are capped at affordable rates, as determined by the government, the minister explained.

He further stated that modernisation and expansion of infrastructure facilities at existing airports is a continuous process undertaken by the AAI or the concerned airport operators, depending on traffic demand, commercial viability, land availability, operational requirements for aircraft safety, and demand from airlines.

The government has also formulated a Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008 for development of new Greenfield airports in the country. As per the policy, if any airport developer, including the state government, desires to develop an airport, they are required to identify a suitable site and get the prefeasibility study conducted for construction of airport and submit a proposal to the Central government, he explained.

He also clarified that the Centre has not received any proposal seeking approval under the Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008, for the construction of a Greenfield airport at Palghar in Maharashtra or at Pachmarhi or Matkuli in Madhya Pradesh, either from the concerned state government or any airport developer.
New Delhi, July 24 : In a major initiative to bridge the gap between Hindu-Muslim issues, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat on Thursday will be meeting more than 50 Muslim religious leaders and scholars at Haryana Bhagwan in New Delhi.

The meeting assumes significance against the backdrop of continuing attacks from the opposition and civil society against RSS for creating polarisation and dividing the society on religious and cultural lines.

A senior RSS functionary, talking to IANS on anonymity, said, "This is not for the first time that RSS chief is meeting Muslim religious leaders along with Muslim intellectuals. The main aim is to bridge the gap and create an atmosphere of peace and unity."

According to sources, apart from Dr Bhagwat, senior RSS functionaries are also attending this crucial meeting, including Joint General Secretary Kirshna Gopal and Indresh Kumar, among others.

Notably, Indresh Kumar is the chief of Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), an affiliate of RSS that engages with Muslim community leaders around the country. From the Muslim side, Umar Ahmed Ilyasi, head of the All-India Imam Organisation, is also present along with other religious and muslim scholars.

It is pertinent to note here that this is not the first time that RSS is directly engaging with Muslim leaders. In 2022, when the issue of Gyanvapi Mosque, Hijab controversy, and population control became controversial, Dr Bhagwat had met several senior Muslim delegations, including former LG of Delhi, Najeeb Jung, former Chief Election Commissioner Dr SY Quraishi, among others.

Also, Dr Bhagwat, last year in December, while commenting on temple-mosque dispute, said, "No one will become a leader of Hindus by fanning communal divide."

His statement back then was seen as an attempt to forge unity and bridge the gap between Hindu-Muslims.
New Delhi, July 24 : Accusing the Election Commission of India (ECI) of not doing its job, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called it a 'serious issue', warning that poll panel officials can't get away with this as "we are going to come for you".

Speaking on the possibility of boycotting Bihar Assembly elections over alleged lapses in Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Gandhi told reporters outside Parliament, "Today they have made a statement, and this is complete nonsense."

Claiming to have caught 100 per cent cheating by the ECI in one seat in Karnataka while adding new voters aged 45, 50, and 60, Gandhi said, "I want to give a message to the Election Commission that if you think you are going to get away with this or if your officials think that they are going to get away with this, then you are mistaken. We are going to come for you."

Gandhi said, now we have 100 per cent proof of EC allowing cheating at a seat in Karnataka by way of voter deletion and addition.

Earlier, BJP leader Amit Malviya lashed out at INDIA bloc leaders for raising doubts over the SIR of electoral roll in Bihar, claiming its success and public response is a big blow to Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav.

He said that INDIA bloc leaders' comments amount to conceding defeat before Assembly elections in Bihar.

"Tejashwi Yadav's idea of boycotting the elections proves that he has accepted that the voters of Bihar have completely rejected his campaign against SIR (Special Intensive Revision)," said Malviya, who is the BJP's IT cell chief.

The BJP leader said on X, "Earlier, Tejashwi boycotted the voter revision, thinking that the people of Bihar would stand with him. But the exact opposite happened -- the people are enthusiastically participating in this SIR festival of democracy."

More than 98 per cent of the voter revision work has already been completed. This is a big blow to Tejashwi and Rahul Gandhi, he said.

All their hard work has gone to waste. Not a single voter from Bihar joined them in their campaign against SIR. This is a clear indication that Tejashwi and Rahul are hyping a baseless issue, Malviya said.

There is a saying, "As soon as the head is shaved, hail falls." There are still two-three months left for the elections, but Tejashwi, sensing his slipping ground, has already started running away in desperation, said Malviya.

"These failed sons of Lalu, fearing the electoral test, are now seen looking for a way to boycott," Malviya added.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron want to discuss with the Ukrainian president his controversial decisions to subordinate independent anti-corruption bodies to the prosecutor general, the German publication BILD reported.

"President Macron and the Federal Chancellor were unanimous in that they would actively negotiate with the Ukrainian president on the issue of fighting corruption," said German government spokesman Stefan Cornelius, as quoted by BILD on the Telegram channel on Thursday.

"Both Merz and Macron believe that Ukraine is currently making important decisions that will determine the country's path towards the European Union, Cornelius conveys their position. He also added that Merz and Macron had a long discussion about the military situation in Ukraine and further military support."

Bild notes that the law on limiting the independence of anti-corruption bodies has met with harsh criticism from German and European politicians. "This step back in the fight against corruption is a huge mistake," Robin Wagener, the Green Party's rapporteur on Russia in the Bundestag, told BILD. "The law not only burdens the process of joining the European Union, but also the budget process of the German Bundestag."

However, he notes how indispensable German support for Ukraine remains: "There is no doubt about the need for our military support against Russian aggression."

But Wagener makes clear that financial aid also comes with strings attached. "Our services require transparent, strong and independent institutions. These institutions are facing serious challenges due to recent legislative changes."

CDU MP Niclas Herbst, head of the European Parliament's Budgetary Control Committee, also expressed concern, but called for calm. He told BILD: "Despite all the justified concerns, we must not forget the progress made in recent years." But he also cautioned: "The lack of pressure from America for further reforms has a negative impact." In addition, the "stalled accession process" to the EU affects Ukraine's readiness to reform. "Therefore, the EU must also look at itself."
Kolkata, July 24 : Approaching the Calcutta High Court with a plea for a National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into a recent bomb blast in West Bengal has cost a district-level Trinamool Congress leader his primary membership.

Following an instruction issued by Trinamool Congressa general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee, the party leadership has expelled for life the vice-president of Trinamool Congress East Burdwan district committee, Suvendu Kumar Das, who is a practising advocate himself.

Confirming the development, Trinamool Congressa East Burdwan district president and the party legislator from Katwa Assembly constituency, Rabindranath Chatterjee, said that Das filed a petition at the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday seeking an NIA probe in the incident of a bomb blast at Rajua village in the same district on July 4.

Chatterjee said that Das filed the petition without taking the party leadership into confidence. aI heard that Das filed a petition at the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday morning seeking an NIA investigation. I do not know why he filed such a petition. I had informed my leadership of the matter. Last night, instructions came from the leadership that Das should be expelled from the party for life. Accordingly, the action has been taken against him," Chatterjee added.

He also said that when the party leadership had full faith in the credibility of the state police, the event of Das approaching the Calcutta High Court seeking an NIA probe, and that too in a state matter, was considered as an anti-party activity.

Das was not available for comment after he was expelled from the party.

On Wednesday, after moving the Calcutta High Court seeking an NIA probe, he said he filed the application with the Calcutta High Court for an NIA investigation in the interest of the safety of the local people.

aThere was a big explosion, and one person died. Several people were injured. A house was blown away. I do not think it was a small incident," Das said.

On July 4, one person died and three others were critically injured in a crude bomb blast in East Burdwan district's Katwa. Following the incident, Chatterjee alleged that the crude bombs were being made in a house to target him.

The police recovered two firearms, bullets, and two kilograms of crude bomb manufacturing raw materials from the house of Tufan Chowdhury, the main accused in the bomb blast incident in Rajua village. He was produced before the Katwa court, which remanded him in jail custody for 14 days
Seoul, July 24 : South Korea's former President Yoon Suk Yeol did not attend his insurrection trial for the third consecutive week Thursday, again citing poor health.

The 10th hearing of the trial opened at the Seoul Central District Court without the appearance of Yoon, who is currently under arrest at the Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang, just south of the Capital.

"Since he has not appeared consecutively, we will begin investigation proceedings in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code and criminal procedure rules," the court said.

"We will verify with the detention centre whether he is in fact in poor health and whether it is possible to bring him in."

Yoon is standing trial on charges of leading an insurrection and abusing his power through his failed bid to impose martial law in December.

The hearing proceeded as an extraordinary session to question witnesses for the case.

Special counsel Cho Eun-suk's team protested Yoon had attended all nine hearings prior to his second arrest earlier this month without complaining about his health and even attended a separate court hearing last week that reviewed the legality of his arrest.

"Following absences from the two previous hearings, he has again failed to appear without legitimate grounds," they said.

"We ask the court to issue a warrant to bring him in as he has failed to appear three consecutive times in disregard of his duty as a defendant to attend."

Yoon's lawyers claimed his absence was also partly due to questions about the legality of special counsel Cho's team taking over the prosecution's indictments against the former president.

On Saturday, the team additionally indicted him on charges of violating the rights of Cabinet members, creating a false martial law document and ordering the deletion of phone call records, among other offences.

The indictments came days after Yoon was placed in custody a second time over the martial law attempt, Yonhap news agency reported.

The Seoul Central District Court said Thursday the first preparatory hearing for the trial on the new charges will be held August 19.

The new trial will be handled by a division different from the one overseeing the insurrection trial.
Seoul, July 24 : North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has called on the military to strengthen combat capability through intensive training, stressing the capability "of immediately coping with a war anytime and destroying the enemy in every battle," state media reported on Thursday.

Kim made the remarks as he observed a firing contest of artillery subunits of the Korean People's Army (KPA) the previous day, accompanied by senior party and defence officials, reports Yonhap, quoting Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

During the training aimed at sharpening artillery firing capabilities, participating units were ordered to hit a maritime target that was designated at a spot in a limited time, the KCNA said.

Kim expressed satisfaction after observing the contest and called for further developing the military's artillery tactics "in keeping with the harsh and acute environment of the daily-changing modern battlefield," the KCNA said.

He was also quoted as saying the military should further beef up intensive training for a "real war" and stressed that the most powerful war deterrent is the "clearest outlook on the arch enemy."

Among officials who attended the event were Pak Jong-chon, vice chairman of the ruling party's Central Military Commission; Defence Minister No Kwang-chol; and Ri Yong-gil, chief of the General Staff of the KPA.

During his visit to the defence ministry in February, Kim designated 2025 as the year of military training and has since overseen various military activities to emphasise intensive training and the acquisition of modern warfare capabilities.

Kim oversaw a similar military artillery firing contest in late May.

An official at South Korea's unification ministry assessed that North Korea did not appear to target either South Korea or the United States with Wednesday's firing drills, adding that Pyongyang did not specify whom it meant when referring to "the arch enemy."

Hong Min, a senior researcher at South Korea's Korea Institute for National Unification, pointed to what appeared to be a 170-millimetre self-propelled gun seen in KCNA photos of the drills, suggesting that North Korea may be trying to incorporate warfare experiences from the Russia-Ukraine war into its military training.

"North Korea appears to be systematising the experiences gained from its troop deployment to the Russia-Ukraine war and applying them across its military," Hong said. The 170-mm self-propelled gun is among the various weapons North Korea is reported to have transferred to Russia in support of the war.
Mumbai, July 24 : Opposition parties have slammed the Mahayuti government after a young engineer-contractor, Harshal Patil from Walwa tehsil in Sangli district, committed suicide for not receiving payment of Rs 1.40 crore from the government for the work done under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Patil had borrowed Rs 65 lakh from a private money lender. And, due to the non-payment from the government, he was under extreme stress. He committed suicide on Wednesday.

Patil's suicide comes at a time when the association of contractors engaged in carrying out various developmental works of various government departments has been stepping up their demand for an early payment of their dues of over Rs 80,000 crore.

Former minister and NCP(SP) Legislative Party leader Jayant Patil, who was elected from Sangli district, criticised the government for not clearing the payment of contractors. He recalled that last week he had cautioned the government in the state legislature that if there were further delays, the contractors, like farmers, would take the extreme step of committing suicides.

"Tired of the government's false promises of providing employment, the children of ordinary farmers became contractors. The government has dashed the dreams of a youth who was striving to build his own world through hard work. The state government, in order to win elections, distributed various contracts despite having no funds in the treasury. Today, contractors across the state are pleading and protesting at the government's doorstep to receive their pending payments. This is not the situation of just one department but of all departments. The government seems to have no regard for the fact that a contractor does not support just one household but also the families of many workers who depend on them. The government must immediately find a solution to this situation," said Patil.

On the other hand, Shiv Sena(UBT) MP Sanjay Raut blamed the Mahayuti government for turning the state into a "cremation ground". He alleged that Harshal Patil's suicide is a culpable offence. "Under what illusion are the Chief Minister and two Deputy Chief Ministers of this state living in the world? The Prime Minister praised Fadnavis a lot the day before yesterday. The same Prime Minister should come and stay in Maharashtra for two days and call the families of the farmers and young entrepreneurs who committed suicides in the last five months," he said.

"Why did Harshal Patil have to commit suicide? Why could he not get the money for the Jal Jeevan Mission work on time? Who is responsible for it, which ministers, which officials are responsible?" he asked.

Raut stated, "Doesn't the government have Rs 1.40 crore to pay Harshal Patil? Contractors' bills worth Rs 80,000 crore are overdue. Many contractors have committed suicides; some tried to self-immolate in front of the Chief Minister's car, and yesterday, a young contractor, Harshal Patil, committed suicide. Nevertheless, these 2-3 people in the government are having fun like Narendra Modi."

Further, Congress Legislative Party leader Vijay Wadettiwar also slammed the government, saying, "Farmers were committing suicide, and now this government has brought contractors to the point of suicide as well. A red carpet for big contractors, while small contractors' bills are being delayed -- is this the government's justice? Is it because priority is given to a select few favourite contractors, and small contractors are facing this situation? It is clear that the state's treasury is empty. The financial discipline has collapsed -- will the Finance Minister and the government still deny this truth or take responsibility?"

The NCP(SP) legislator Jitendra Awhad said the government is reeling under an acute financial crisis due to the allocation of huge funds to financially unsustainable schemes like Ladki Bahin Yojana. On the other hand, payments for works completed by thousands of contractors for District Councils, Panchayat Samitis, Public Works, and Water Resources Departments have been held up. "The reason? The state government simply doesn't have the funds to clear these bills," he said.

"Today, Harshal Patil is dead, but how many more will fall into this tragic cycle tomorrow? It's better not to imagine. This is not just a financial crisis -- it is also an administrative failure! To win elections, free facilities are promised to the public, but the necessary financial balance to support them is not maintained. Harshal Patil's suicide is not just a personal tragedy -- it is a warning. The state government, administration, and society need to take this matter seriously," warned Awhad.
New Delhi, July 24 : Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) patron and Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and Rashtriya Lok Morcha President Upendra Kushwaha met at Manjhi's official residence in New Delhi on Thursday, triggering speculation about the NDA's seat-sharing strategy and poll preparations.

While both parties termed it a "formal meeting," the timing and context have given it significant political weight within NDA circles.

According to sources, the primary focus of the discussion was Chirag Paswan's growing assertiveness within the NDA and how his recent strategies in Bihar have strengthened his position.

The leaders assessed Chirag's influence on seat-sharing and electoral strategy and deliberated on ensuring their own positions within the alliance remain strong.

Both Manjhi and Kushwaha are seeking a fair share in seat distribution within the NDA, wary of being overshadowed by Chirag's demands.

Jitan Ram Manjhi has demanded 20 seats in the upcoming assembly elections for HAM. Currently, HAM has four MLAs in the Bihar Assembly and one Lok Sabha MP.

Upendra Kushwaha is seeking 10 assembly seats for his Rashtriya Lok Morcha. Kushwaha himself is currently a Rajya Sabha MP from the BJP's quota.

In comparison, Chirag Paswan's LJP (Ram Vilas) currently has five Lok Sabha MPs, giving him leverage in NDA negotiations.

The meeting gains significance as Upendra Kushwaha recently advised Nitish Kumar to hand over JDU's leadership to his son Nishant, signalling internal discomfort within the alliance.

Kushwaha also acknowledged that complaints against the Nitish government were increasing, although he maintained that people still have faith in the NDA over the Grand Alliance (Mahagathbandhan).

Jitan Ram Manjhi said on social media that they discussed the current political situation of Bihar in detail.

As Bihar elections are approaching, and the NDA's seat-sharing formula remains unsettled, Manjhi and Kushwaha are cautious about maintaining their negotiating power against Chirag Paswan's demands.

The meeting signals NDA's internal realignment efforts to prevent friction before the elections.
New Delhi, July 24 : India's DGCA has comprehensive and structured regulations for safe operation of aircraft and their maintenance, which are continuously updated and aligned with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) standards, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu told the Parliament on Thursday.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also has a structured surveillance and audit framework in place for planned and unplanned surveillance of organisations and aircraft, which includes regular and periodic audits, spot checks, night surveillance and ramp inspections across all operators, including continuous oversight of maintenance practices. In case there is a violation, the aviation regulator takes enforcement action as per its Enforcement Policy and Procedure Manual, the minister told the Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question.

The question pertained to the air safety measures being taken against the backdrop of the Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad on June 12.

Naidu also said that the aircraft bearing registration VT-ANB, which crashed, underwent routine maintenance and safety inspections as per the approved maintenance program in compliance with DGCA regulations and the manufacturer's guidelines.

He further stated that there are 33 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft in the fleet of Indian carriers. Out of which, 31 operational aircraft have been inspected, wherein minor findings were observed in 8 aircraft. These aircraft have been released for operation post rectification. The remaining two aircraft are under scheduled maintenance.

Naidu said that India has ratified the Montreal Convention, 1999 by making amendments to the Carriage by Air Act, 1972 in 2009, which inter alia provides the liabilities of carriers for compensation in case of death, delay, damage or loss to persons, baggage, or cargo for international carriage.

The minister said Air India has informed that it has released an interim compensation of Rs 25 lakh to the Next of Kin (NoK) of 128 deceased persons as on July 18. For the remaining deceased, the payment of interim compensation is in various stages of document submission by the NoK. The process for the final compensation will be initiated after the completion of the disbursement of interim compensation.

Air India has also informed that the registration of the requisite Trust by TATA Sons has been completed on July 18, and the airline is in the process of initiating the requisite documentation and verification formalities to enable the disbursement of the voluntary ex gratia payment of Rs 1 crore each to the NoK of the deceased. Further, Air India is assisting families of the deceased and injured in various ways, such as travel arrangements, accommodation, medical expenses and immediate cash payments to daily wage earners who were injured, the minister said.

He further stated that a preliminary report on the accident has been published by AAIB on July 12 and is available on their website www.aaib.gov.in. The investigation is in progress to determine the probable causes and contributory factors leading to the accident, the minister added.
Thiruvananthapuram, July 24 : With Thursday marking the last date for filing nominations for the 17-member executive committee of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), the distribution of nearly 110 nomination forms indicates an intense electoral contest ahead.

AMMA currently has around 500 members.

Speaking to IANS, popular comedian and character actor Jagadish confirmed that he will contest for the post of president.

"In the outgoing committee, I was one of the two vice-presidents. When the fresh elections were announced, I hoped either Kunchacko Boban or senior actor Vijayaraghavan would take over as president. But since both opted out, I decided to step in. I have already started reaching out to members for support," he said.

Jagadish also noted that actor Shwetha Menon is likely to enter the race for the president's post.

Meanwhile, actor Raveendran, known for his villain roles, said that incumbent president Mohanlal has clearly conveyed that he will not contest this time.

"Mohanlal has expressed his reluctance to continue, as he has been unfairly blamed for the actions of others. This has deeply hurt him," Raveendran said. He added that he, too, has collected nomination forms and that with the deadline set for 5 p.m. today, more clarity will emerge soon.

Actors Baburaj and Joy Mathew are among those vying for the key post of general secretary.

Unlike previous elections, there appears to be no official panel contesting as a bloc this time. Most candidates are expected to run independently.

Mohanlal and his team were elected in 2024 for a three-year term. However, the explosive revelations in the Hema Committee report last year triggered a crisis in AMMA. Matters escalated when the secretary and actor Siddique resigned after being accused of misconduct by a former actress.

Following Siddique's resignation, more allegations against other actors surfaced. Subsequently, Mohanlal announced his unwillingness to continue, prompting the entire 17-member executive committee to step down.

An ad hoc committee led by Mohanlal has been overseeing affairs since then, until fresh elections could be scheduled.

At AMMA's recently held annual general body meeting, it was decided that a new executive will be elected through a democratic process on August 15.

The final list of candidates will be known by July 31, the last date for withdrawal of nominations. If multiple candidates remain in the fray, voting will be held on August 15.
New Delhi, July 24 : Overall natural gas consumption in India is estimated to reach 103 billion cubic meters (bcm) per year by 2030, representing a near 60 per cent increase from current levels, a top government official said here on Thursday.

In his address at an event, organised by the Chintan Research Foundation (CRF), Praveen Mal Khanooja, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said that under the accelerated policy support (faster CGD rollout, LNG adoption in transport, higher gas-fired power plant utilisation), demand could rise to 120 bcm per year by 2030, approaching South Americaas current consumption.

India has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. A crucial component of this transition is the strategic use of gas as a bridge fuel, enabling a phased shift from carbon-heavy fuels like coal to a low-carbon future.

"With relatively lower carbon and particulate emissions, gas has been recognised and used globally as a fossil fuel that can securely bridge the energy transition. Although green hydrogen, compressed biogas and coal-bed methane are emerging, India remains largely dependent on regasified LNG as the primary means to grow the share of gas in her energy mix," Khanooja told the gathering.

The share of gas in India's primary energy mix is 6.8 per cent -- well below the 15 per cent target set for 2030. Recent analysis, including from the IEA's aIndia Gas Market Reporta, suggests that under business-as-usual conditions, India may only achieve an 8-9 per cent share by 2030.

To significantly expand the gas consumption and mark even a 10 per cent share in the energy mix, India must address critical challenges. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas released an updated demand forecast for the 'India Gas Vision' programme, showing rapid growth across key sectors fuelled by infrastructure scale-up and policy reforms.

Suresh P. Manglani, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Adani Total Gas Limited (ATGL), said that they are closely observing what China is doing.

"If you visit there, you can clearly see how aggressively China is promoting LNG for transportation a" especially for trucks and long-haul freight movement. If India is serious about moving away from high-speed diesel (HSD), we need to consider similar strategies. Even if we assume an incremental demand of 70 to 200 million cubic meters of LNG, and distribute around 300 LNG stations across 30 to 35 logistics hubs, it will still only cover the conventional demand segment," Manglani highlighted.

"But we must look beyond that. We should actively encourage entrepreneurship focused on non-conventional uses of natural gas a" whether in industrial clusters, remote regions, or emerging sectors. We already have several such opportunities spread across the country," he emphasised.

The implementation of GST has already helped India become a single, unified market.

"Now we must build on that momentum to streamline transportation, enhance logistics efficiency, and create a more business-friendly ecosystem that ultimately benefits both the economy and the end consumer," said Manglani.

Rajesh Kumar Mediratta, Managing Director and CEO of Indian Gas Exchange(IGX), said that we must aim to build our own robust and self-sustaining gas market.

"India has the potential to become one of the largest demand centres in Asia a" comparable to, or even exceeding, countries like Japan and South Korea. With this scale of demand, we should be in a position to negotiate global contracts more confidently, on our own terms, rather than relying heavily on intermediaries or spot markets," he stressed.
New Delhi, July 24 : Samajwadi Party (SP) Lok Sabha member Dimple Yadav has found herself at the centre of a religious controversy after attending a political meeting inside a mosque, drawing sharp criticism from Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Bareilvi, the National President of All India Muslim Jamaat.

The meeting, reportedly held inside a mosque with SP leaders including Dimple Yadav, has sparked outrage among sections of the Muslim community.

Maulana Razvi, in a strong statement, told IANS, "Dimple Yadav should have been mindful of her attire and the sanctity of the mosque. Her appearance without a dupatta was an insult to the religious sentiments of Muslims."

He added that the mosque is a sacred place for worship, not politics, and demanded an apology from Dimple Yadav and the SP leadership.

Calling the incident "shameful", Maulana Razvi also targeted Mohibullah Nadvi, the SP MP who facilitated the meeting. "He must apologise to the community for turning a mosque into a political platform," he said.

The cleric further criticised Rashtriya Shoshit Samaj Party's National President, Swami Prasad Maurya, accusing him of consistently disrespecting Sanatan Dharma.

"He had once burned a copy of Ramcharitmanas while he was in SP. Many of us, including myself, demanded his removal, but Akhilesh Yadav refused," Razvi said.

He noted that Maurya eventually left SP and floated his own party a year later. Razvi said that Swami Prasad Maurya repeatedly makes statements that hurt the sentiments of other religious communities and that his presence in political discourse is dangerous for communal harmony.

The alleged political meeting inside the mosque has created a political controversy, and the BJP has blamed SP for using religious sites for political gains.

Notably, the Samajwadi Party has strongly denied the allegations with both Akhilesh and Dimple Yadav rejecting claims of a political meeting and dismissing the controversy as an attempt to distract from pressing national issues.
Mumbai, July 24 : Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal took to social media to celebrate 10 years of his debut film, "Masaan." Mumbai, July 24 (IANS) Bollywood actor Vicky Kaushal took to social media to celebrate 10 years of his debut film, "Masaan."

The 'Sanju' actor shared heartfelt memories from the project that marked a turning point in his career. Taking to his Instagram Stories, the Uri actor reposted a Prime Video post that compiles some of his popular scenes from the film alongside Richa Chadha. The OTT platform wrote in the caption, "10 saal kisi rail jaise guzar gaye #10YearsOfMasaan." Sharing the same video, the actor simply wrote, "10 years."

The 2015 release drama marked the acting debut of Vicky Kaushal and the directorial debut of Neeraj Ghaywan. The film also starred Richa Chadda in the lead role. The movie was showcased in the Un Certain Regard section at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won two awards. It was later screened at the first New York Dalit Film and Cultural Festival, along with films like "Pariyerum Perumal," "Kaala," and "Fandry." Since its release, the film has gained cult status and continues to be celebrated for its powerful storytelling.

The story of "Masaan" revolved around four individuals in Varanasi, each dealing with their own struggles related to love, grief, and social pressures. It followed a low-caste boy in love with an upper-caste girl, a daughter dealing with guilt after a tragic encounter, a father facing moral challenges, and a child longing for a family. Their lives came together along the ghats of the Ganges, as they all tried to break free from the restrictions of their small-town society.

Meanwhile, Vicky Kaushal's most recent appearance was in the historical drama "Chhaava," where he portrayed Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, the son of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The action drama also featured Ashutosh Rana, Akshaye Khanna, Rashmika Mandanna, and Diana Penty, among others. The movie was released on 14 February 2025 and went on to become the highest-grossing Indian film of the year, as well as the top-grossing Hindi film of 2025.
Trending in China | Ice jelly

(People's Daily App) 16:36, July 24, 2025

Bing fen, or ice jelly, is a beloved Chinese dessert hailing from Sichuan, celebrated for its cool, refreshing, and subtly sweet allure. It's a translucent, slippery jelly with a mild, subtly sweet flavor, traditionally made from the seeds of the Nicandra physalodes plant. Served chilled, it's often enjoyed with a variety of toppings, such as brown sugar syrup, crushed peanuts, haw flakes and fruits.

(Video source: Kuaishou)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
New Delhi, July 24 : The fourth day of Lok Sabha saw continued chaos in the House, with Opposition members storming into the well and raising slogans, soon after it convened on Thursday. This prompted a dressing down from the Speaker Om Birla, who not only reminded the protesting Congress MPs of the party's glorious past but also warned them against such 'antics' in the House.

Om Birla, visibly frustrated, over repeated uproar by the Opposition members, pointed to senior Parliamentarian K.C. Venugopal and asked, "Do you teach them such methods to disrupt the House?" referring to loud protests and sloganeering by Congress MPs.

The LS Speaker told the protesting lawmakers that Parliament is for debating public issues and not for demonstrations, and it's time that they mend their ways because the nation, as well as countrymen, are watching.

For the fourth straight day, Parliament witnessed government-Opposition deadlock, leading to stalling of legislative business.

The Congress-led Opposition has been demanding urgent debate on ECI's voters list revision in Bihar, calling it a 'government-sponsored' exercise to disenfranchise certain sections of voters.

The disruptions happened during the Question Hour. Taking objection to it, Speaker Om Birla advised the protesting lawmakers to refrain from such behaviour as it derails the entire democratic process of raising people's questions.

"Accountability and transparency form the cornerstone of our democracy. All must contribute to maintaining the dignity and decorum of the House. As the world's biggest democracy, we must lead by example and set benchmarks," he said.

As Om Birla's persuasion failed to placate the members and restore order, the Speaker raised his pitch and called out Congress Parliamentarian K.C. Venugopal over continued slogan-shouting and placard-waving in the House.

"You are members of a very old party. This party has had many precedents of setting new benchmarks and establishing norms of good conduct, but today the new generation of leaders is completely losing it," Birla told the protesting MPs.

Pointing to continuous sloganeering and waving of placards, the LS Speaker said the conduct of new-age leaders is beyond comprehension and also reprehensible.

"You people are wasting crores of taxpayers' money. You have been sent to the Parliament by lakhs of voters, not for disrupting the House but for raising their issues," he said.

He also warned against waving of placards, stating that such behaviour will not be accepted at all.
New Delhi, July 24 : The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) sent notices to Air India in the last one year for breaching safety standards related to crew fatigue management and training, and the airline said on Thursday it "will respond to the said notices within the stipulated period".

The notices by the aviation regulator criticised the airline, which self-reported the problems, for repeated failures in safety compliance, saying it could face enforcement action.

In a statement, the airline said it "acknowledges receipt of these notices from the regulator related to certain voluntary disclosures that were made over the last one year by Air India".

"We will respond to the said notices within the stipulated period. We remain committed to the safety of our crew and passengers," said an Air India spokesperson.

The notices asked the airline to bring its attention to pilots not being given mandatory rest and poor compliance with simulator training requirements, among other issues.

According to one of the notices, despite repeated warnings and enforcement action of non-compliance in the past, "systemic issues related to compliance monitoring, crew planning, and training governance remain unresolved".

The DGCA last week instructed airlines to carry out checks on the locking mechanism of fuel control switches of Boeing aircraft in their fleets. The move comes in the wake of the preliminary investigation report into last monthas tragic Air India Boeing Dreamliner crash at Ahmedabad, in which 260 people were killed.

One of the key findings of the Air Accidents Investigation Bureauas (AAIB) preliminary report on the crash was that the twin engines of the ill-fated Boeing plane shut down seconds after take-off as the fuel supply was cut off.

Meanwhile, Air India said it completed precautionary inspections on the fuel control switch (FCS) locking mechanisms of all Boeing 787 and Boeing 737 aircraft in its fleet. The airline stated that no problems were found during the checks, which were conducted in line with safety directives issued by the DGCA.
New Delhi, July 24 : As Gujarat celebrated its golden jubilee in 2011, the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi transformed this milestone into a global celebration of 'Jan Bhagidari' -- people's participation -- uniting Gujarat residents, not just across the country but also those from the United Kingdom.

At the heart of the celebrations was the announcement of the Mahatma Mandir, a convention and exhibition centre in Gandhinagar, to be constructed with soil collected from more than 18,000 villages across the state.

This project symbolised unity and development -- core ideals of Mahatma Gandhi -- and was envisioned as a tribute to his legacy.

In a unique gesture, soil was also sent by the Gujarati diaspora in the UK, to be used in raising the monument.

Representatives from all 18,066 villages of Gujarat brought urns filled with earth to pour into the foundation of the Mahatma Mandir, while proud Gujaratis abroad contributed soil from foreign lands, especially the UK.

Marking Gujarat's 50th year since its formation, Narendra Modi had virtually addressed a high-profile audience gathered in Mayfair, London, from Gandhinagar.

The event was hosted by Friends of Gujarat, Gujarat Samachar, and Asian Voice, and brought together 90 eminent personalities, including British MPs, Lords, and community leaders. Lord Gulam Noon was among those who engaged in an interactive session with Narendra Modi.

"The name Gujarat and development are synonymous. Gujarat is creating history," the then CM Modi told the gathering of overseas supporters.

"Narendra Modi turned Gujarat's golden jubilee into a golden moment of Jan Bhagidari," noted Modi Archive in a post on X, which shared highlights of the event and underscored the symbolic significance of the initiative.

Gujarat CM announced that the Mahatma Mandir would rise from the soil of Gujarat's villages and also from the 'mitti' (soil) sent by Gujaratis settled abroad.

"In this Golden Jubilee celebration, we have decided to build a Mahatma Mandir. We have collected earth from 18,000 villages in Gujarat to make this monument. We have also collected earth from abroad, especially the UK," he declared.

The message was unmistakable, said Modi Archive, adding that for Narendra Modi, the Indian diaspora was "never a passive audience, but was -- and remains -- an active participant in nation-building."
Patna, July 24 : Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav has once again warned of a possible Mahagathbandhan boycott of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, citing alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list.

He said this on Thursday while speaking to the media on the Assembly premises after the House was adjourned.

"We are openly considering what is happening with the voter list and have kept the option of boycotting the elections open," Tejashwi said, adding that elections have "no meaning if they are compromised".

Tejashwi alleged large-scale fraud in the voter revision process, claiming, "Lakhs of forms are being filled at one place with forged signatures. The Election Commission's process, backed by the government, is a fraud to artificially inflate voter numbers. If foreigners are illegally voting, how did they enter the list despite the NDA ruling Bihar for 20 years and the Centre for 11 years?" Tejashwi asked.

Tejashwi expressed disappointment that CM Nitish Kumar did not answer on SIR in the House, stating that silence indicates government endorsement of ECI's alleged fraudulent process.

Tejashwi pointed out that the ECI's affidavit in the Supreme Court does not mention foreign voters.

He said that if any foreigners have names in the voter list, identifying illegal foreigners is the job of the Union Home Ministry, not the Election Commission.

Tejashwi also accused Deputy CM Samrat Chaudhary of lying, noting the Labour Ministry has admitted in Lok Sabha that three crore people migrate from Bihar for work, contradicting the government's narrative.

Taking a dig at the Assembly's atmosphere, Tejashwi said, "There are some ministers in the Assembly who jump like monkeys just to remain in the spotlight. They have neither three months of experience nor any concrete points."

Tejashwi questioned why an FIR was lodged against a journalist amid SIR protests. That journalist was reporting the ground reality of SIR.

The RJD leader pointed out that the voter list was updated in February this year. "So why is SIR being done again?" he said.

Tejashwi's renewed warning of a poll boycott escalates the standoff between the opposition and the NDA government, making the SIR issue a central political flashpoint ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections.

--IANS.

ajk/dpb
Jammu, July 24 : Border Security Force (BSF) troopers on Thursday continued a search operation along the international border (IB) after suspected infiltration in the R.S. Pura sector of Jammu district.

BSF officials said the operation began late on Wednesday night and continued through the early hours of Thursday.

Troopers carried out coordinated searches in the forward villages, agricultural fields, and dense vegetation near the border fence.

"An infiltration alert was also issued across the R.S. Pura and Arnia sectors, prompting night patrolling and intensified surveillance measures. Additional personnel, dog squads and thermal imaging equipment to monitor any movement across the border," a BSF official said.

Drone surveillance was also pressed into service to aid ground troops in scanning difficult terrain. The heightened activity comes amid ongoing concerns over attempts by terrorists to exploit vulnerable stretches of the border to infiltrate ahead of upcoming national events and festivals.

Villagers residing near the zero line have been advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movement to the nearest security post.

According to the BSF official, though no contact or exchange of fire was reported during the search, the alert would continue for the coming days.

"All border outposts have been put on maximum alert and coordination with other intelligence and security agencies has been strengthened to ensure a robust multi-tiered defence mechanism," an official said.

After the April 22 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist attack backed by Pakistan in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam in which 26 civilians were killed, J&K Police and the security forces have been aggressively carrying out anti-terrorist operations targeting terrorists, their overground workers (OGWs), and sympathisers in order to dismantle the complete ecosystem of terror in J&K.
London, July 24 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called on Keir Starmer at the Chequers Estate - the countryside retreat of the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom - as he began official engagements on his fourth visit to the country.

Prime Minister Modi will hold wide ranging discussions with Starmer on the entire gamut of India-UK bilateral relations and also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance.

Later in the day, he will also call on King Charles III.

During the discussions, the two sides will also review the progress of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) with a specific focus on trade and economy, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate, health, education and people-to-people ties.

Just before meeting PM Modi, the British Prime Minister announced that the signing of the Free Trade Agreement with India on Thursday will create new jobs and boost growth and wages in the United Kingdom by billions.

"Our new deal is a win for British businesses a" slashing tariffs and boosting exports in everything from soft drinks and cosmetics to gin and whisky. Itas a win for British shoppers a" bringing down prices and creating greater choice in Indian goods, such as clothes, shoes and food. And it's a win for British communities a" spreading huge benefits to nations and regions across the UK, from Scotland to the West Midlands and the North-East," said Starmer.

"So, when I welcome Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister, to the UK today a" I know we're delivering a deal that's good for Britain and good for working people across the UK," he added.

Citing latest analysis, Starmer emphasised that the FTA deal with India will deliver benefits for the long-term a" by growing the UK economy by around A4.8 billion every year and boosting wages for working people by A2.2 billion.

"India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. So, this really matters. As an early taster of the opportunities on offer, today we are announcing nearly A6 billion in investment and exports wins between India and the UK, creating over 2,200 jobs for British workers," he asserted.

In his departure statement, PM Modi had highlighted that India and UK share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that has witnessed significant progress in recent years.

"Our collaboration spans a wide range of sectors, including trade, investment, technology, innovation, defence, education, research, sustainability, health and people-to-people ties. During my meeting with Prime Minister Rt Hon Sir Keir Starmer, we will have the opportunity to further enhance our economic partnership, aimed at fostering prosperity, growth and jobs creation in both countries. I also look forward to calling on His Majesty King Charles III during the visit," Prime Minister Modi said on Wednesday.
New Delhi, July 24 : In a sharp and candid interaction with IANS on Thursday, All India Muslim Council chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan responded to the recent controversy over Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav reportedly holding a political meeting inside the Parliament Mosque. He also weighed in on the QR code directive during the Kanwar Yatra and issues of identity and secularism.

Here are the excerpts from the interview:

IANS: Akhilesh Yadav has reportedly held a meeting inside the Parliament Mosque along with his party MPs. Viral photos are also doing the rounds. What is your response?

Maulana Tauqeer Raza: Iave also heard such claims and seen some of those photos. But personally, I donat believe a meeting was held inside the mosque. It is quite possible that after coming out of Parliament, the imam there -- who himself is an MP -- may have invited them in for tea or snacks. As far as I understand, neither would the Imam permit any such meeting inside the mosque, nor is Akhilesh Yadav so naive as to conduct a political meeting there.

IANS: Do you think Akhilesh Yadav is trying to send a message that he stands with the Muslim community?

Maulana Tauqeer Raza: Oneas actions reveal who truly stands with whom. If your deeds are righteous, you'll be there for people when they need you. Merely standing in a mosque, wearing a cap, or draping a scarf does not mean anything. In fact, I despise the kind of Hindu who wears a Muslim cap just for show, and equally, the kind of Muslim who tries to deceive Hindus in the name of religious symbolism. True secularism is reflected through your actions. Stick firmly to your faith and befriend everyone -- humanity teaches us that.

IANS: Do such images (of political leaders in mosques) boost the morale of Muslims?

Maulana Tauqeer Raza: When it comes to mosques, history tells us that during the freedom struggle against the British, our scholars and intellectuals had to meet secretly -- often inside mosques. The mosques were used as hiding places during that resistance. But using mosques for political activity today is unacceptable. If any such meeting was held, I strongly condemn it. There can be no justification for using a place of worship for political purposes. I urge the Imam also to exercise utmost caution in such matters.

IANS: What is your take on the QR code directive during the Kanwar Yatra, which the Supreme Court has refused to stay for now?

Maulana Tauqeer Raza: I have always asked -- why do we even need QR codes? If we are Muslims, our identity should reflect that with pride. If we are hiding our Muslim identity, it means we are ashamed of it. We donat need people who are ashamed of being Muslim. We need those who proudly say, 'Yes, I am a Muslim, and I am Indian.' If you carry your identity with pride, there will be no need for QR codes or nameplates -- you should be identifiable just by your appearance. The same goes for Hindus, too -- any Hindu who hides his identity is also blameworthy.
New Delhi, July 24 : Claiming that 93 lakh health cards have been issued to citizens, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday reiterated her government's commitment to operationalising over 1,100 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) by March 2026.

"Delhi has been continuously receiving a blessing, that is Ayushman Bhav. The ongoing addition of healthcare facilities, one after another, is, in my view, playing a crucial role in keeping Delhi healthy," she said while launching 34 new AAMs.

"Making Delhi healthy, giving better health services to each citizen and digitalisation of the entire system is our target," she said, speaking to reporters at Delhi Secretariat.

She also highlighted how 93 lakh ABHA cards, also known as the Ayushman Bharat Health Account digital health ID, are allowing citizens to manage and share their medical records digitally with healthcare providers.

"Over 4 lakh people have been registered under the Ayushman scheme and over 2,000 people have availed services under it," she said, adding that nearly 3 lakh cards have been issued under the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY).

"Delhi is moving very fast in the direction of becoming a healthy city," she said, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for supporting better health infrastructure and care for all.

Health Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said the launch of 34 AAMs is the latest attempt by the government to deliver doorstep health care.

"We have also opened 150 dialysis centres and will expand the facility if needed," he said, adding that the government is also going to start Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facilities and fill vacancies in the health sector.

The Health Minister said, "We are working in the direction of fulfilling the promises made to Delhiites by the PM in the health sector a" including medicines and health infrastructure."

He also hit out at the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government for deteriorating the state of health services in the city, adding that the Delhi government is working to improve the condition.

Minister Singh earlier said that by the end of August, 75 additional AAMs will be established and dedicated to the public.

A total of 429 Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) sites have already been identified for this purpose, of which 98 have received a no-objection certificate.

In total, feasibility assessments are being carried out at over 950 locations across Delhi. The Delhi government is committed to setting up 1,139 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to ensure comprehensive, affordable, and accessible healthcare services for every citizen, he said.
Seoul, July 24 : High-level trade talks between South Korea and the United States scheduled for later this week have been postponed due to the US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent's urgent schedule, Seoul's finance ministry said Thursday.

The planned '2+2' dialogue scheduled for Friday (local time) in Washington was set to bring together Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, alongside Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, ahead of the August 1 negotiation deadline.

"The US has proposed holding talks in the near future, and South Korea and the US will set a new date for talks at the earliest date possible," ministry spokesperson Kang Young-kyu said.

When asked about the timing of the notification, Kang said the US side informed the South Korean government at around 9:00 a.m. Thursday, about an hour before the newly appointed finance chief was scheduled to leave for Washington.

Koo, who had been waiting for departure at Incheon International Airport, the main gateway to Seoul, cancelled his planned two-day trip, Yonhap news agency reported.

Kang, however, emphasised that the US side expressed its apologies multiple times and clearly conveyed its intention to reschedule the talks at the earliest possible date.

Yeo and Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan, who had already arrived in the US capital, are continuing consultations with their US counterparts as originally planned, he added.

The high-stakes talks come as Washington is poised to impose a 25 per cent "reciprocal" tariff on South Korean products starting August 1, in addition to existing sector-specific duties, including those on automobiles and steel.

The reciprocal tariffs initially took effect on April 9 but were immediately suspended by US President Donald Trump for 90 days to allow negotiations. The suspension was later extended, with the US now planning to move forward with implementation on August 1.

South Korea is facing heightened pressure in the ongoing tariff negotiations following the conclusion of trade negotiations between Japan and the US earlier this week.

Trump earlier announced that his administration has reached a "massive" deal with Japan to reduce reciprocal tariffs from 25 per cent to 15 per cent in return for expanded Japanese market access for US automobiles, trucks, rice and other agricultural products, as well as a US$550 billion investment pledge from Tokyo.
New Delhi, July 24 : AIMIM President Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday found fault with the Centre and Maharashtra government for filing an appeal in the Supreme Court against the Bombay High Court judgement acquitting all 12 convicts in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case.

The Hyderabad MP was reacting to the stay given by the Supreme Court on the Bombay High Court's order.

"The court has not given any relief; it has stayed that judgment and stated that those who were released from jail after 18 years, the accused, will not be re-arrested. I want to ask the Central government and the Maharashtra government, why are you filing this appeal... when these people are not just legally innocent, but completely innocent," Owaisi told media persons outside Parliament.

He asked the Centre and Maharashtra if they would file a similar appeal in the Malegaon blast case if the accused were acquitted by the court.

He wanted to know why the Centre did not file an appeal in the case in Mecca Masjid blast case.

"They won't appeal in the Ajmer blast case. Terrorism should be eradicated. But, if the government will appeal based on the accused's religion, then your fight against terrorism is compromised," he said.

Nineteen years after the 2006 Mumbai train blasts claimed 189 lives and left over 800 people injured, the Bombay High Court on July 21 acquitted all 12 people convicted by a lower court in the serial bombing case. In 2015, a trial court had convicted these 12 accused, sentencing five of them to death and the others to life imprisonment.

Setting aside the trial court order, the high court bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Shyam Chandak said the prosecution had "utterly failed" to prove the case against the accused.

Reacting to the High Court order, Owaisi had stated that 12 men were in jail for 18 years for a crime they didn't commit, their prime life is gone, while there is no closure for 180 families who lost their loved ones and several who were injured. "Will the government take action against officers of Maharashtra ATS who investigated this case ?" he asked.

"Innocent people are sent to jail and then years later when they are released from jail there is no possibility for reconstruction of their lives. From last 17 years these accused are in jail. They haven't stepped out even for a day. The majority of their prime life is gone," Owaisi had posted on X.
BVLGARI BVLGARI: fourteen letters stamped on a bezel, distinguishing one of the most daring watches of its time. Born in 1975, it became a collection in 1977 thanks to the talent of Gerald Genta. Today, marble dials in vibrant colors celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Everything begins in Epirus, in northern Greece. There, Sotirio Bulgari, a talented goldsmith, is born and moves to Rome at the end of the 19th century. There he founds the Bulgari house. Greece. The Eternal City. A cultural duality of fabulous richness that becomes the brand's signature. In 1975, his grandson Gianni Bulgari designs a watch for his best clients: the Bvlgari Roma. Produced in only 100 pieces, it features a flat yellow gold case and a very fashionable digital display - powered by a quartz movement, a revolutionary watchmaking of the time. Its bezel marks a break: engraved like an ancient coin and proudly signed!

The success is tremendous. Two years later, the House entrusts the mission of rethinking this model to a certain... Gerald Genta. This visionary of watch design pushes the exercise further and engraves the house name twice on the bezel. BVLGARI BVLGARI asserts its boldness, in Roman typography, the same as on Trajan's column. Minimalist, precious, assertive, a manifesto that foreshadows the logomania of the 2000s.

Bvlgari Bvlgari Marble Blu Incanto  Nathan Blard

Gold and marble for 4 anniversary pieces

For its 50th anniversary, BVLGARI BVLGARI returns with four watches sculpted like jewels, whose marble dials evoke the nobility of temples and the coolness of ancient palaces. A material dear to Bulgari, used since the 1960s in its collection of jewelry and then Monete watches, adorned with Greek and Roman coins.

Verde Alpi, Blu Incanto, Azzurro Infinito... The chosen names reveal the house's intimate link with Italian nature and Roman imagination. Verde Alpi evokes a deep green marble, extracted from the Alpine foothills, found in the noble architecture of Milan or in the palaces of Piedmont. Blu Incanto denotes a marble with nocturnal, mysterious, and shimmering tones, like the sky after sunset. As for Azzurro Infinito, an ice blue tinged with light, it embodies the softness of clear mornings over Rome, the clear azure of an eternal summer. Three poetic names for three living materials, which extend the mineral magic of the Eternal City onto the wrist.

Bvlgari Roma Marble Verde Alpi  Nathan Blard

Tribute to the original Bvlgari Roma

Two yellow gold models, stamped with the inscription Bvlgari Roma, specially commemorate this anniversary, engraved on their back and limited to 150 pieces each. A first 38 mm version pulses with the automatic Solotempo BVL 191 caliber. The luxurious shine of the engraved bezel contrasts with the Verde Alpi, deep green marble, like an imperial medallion. A 26 mm watch is set with 12 diamonds as indices, precious and sparkling on the stone.

Facing this pair, two rose gold variations. The first, in 38 mm equipped with the Solotempo caliber, with a Blu Incanto marble dial, deep and intense blue. Finally, a 26 mm interpretation reveals an Azzurro Infinito marble enhanced with diamonds.

Bvlgari Bvlgari Marble Azzuro Infinito and Bvlgari Bvlgari Marble Blu Incanto  Nathan Blard

This anniversary collection asserts Bulgari's unique identity, capable of combining daring and inimitable Italian style over time. In 1977, the double logo disrupted watchmaking conventions. Even today, this inscription on the bezel declares its strong, timeless identity.
Kolkata, July 24 : Veteran actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty, on Thursday, accused West Bengal Chief Minister of creating a false narrative on the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking people in the BJP-ruled states.

"Bengali-speaking people have not faced any kind of unnecessary harassment anywhere in the country. Actually, Trinamool Congress is running short of issues before the elections. So the Chief Minister is trying to create a false narrative on the issue and trying to instigate common people, which she has always done," Chakraborty said after arriving in Kolkata on Thursday afternoon to attend the party's several programmes.

He also refuted the allegations of the Trinamool Congress that the Election Commission of India, at the behest of the BJP and the Union government, is trying to selectively strike out the names of Bengal voters from the voters' list.

"Names of genuine Bengali voters are not being deleted from the voters' list anywhere in India. Only those names are being deleted who infiltrated illegally and subsequently managed to get their names enrolled in the voters' list," the BJP leader said.

He also said that, ironically, the highest number of illegal infiltrators who have managed to get their names enrolled in the voters' list happens to be in West Bengal. "Trinamool Congress leadership is aware that with the names of these infiltrators deleted from the voters' list, they would not be able to win even 70 out of 294 seats in West Bengal in the 2026 state Assembly polls. That is why they have panicked and are opposing the special intensive revision by ECI," Chakraborty said.

He also gave a call to the common BJP workers in the state to help the Commission in identifying those illegal infiltrators who managed to get their names enlisted in the voters' list.

Since the beginning, Trinamool Congress has been opposing this special intensive revision by ECI, with the Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, even claiming that her party would not allow this exercise in West Bengal. She also claimed that this exercise was an indirect attempt to introduce the NRC in West Bengal.
New Delhi, July 24 : The length of access-controlled National High Speed Corridors in India, which include Expressways, has increased from a mere 93 km in March 2014 to around 5,110 km at present, Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari told Parliament on Thursday.

Out of the 5,110 km length, 2,636 km has already been operationalised, the minister told the Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question.

The total length of Indiaas National Highways (NH) network has expanded from 91,287 km in March 2014 to 146,342 km at present, the minister also said in his reply.

There has also been a marked acceleration in the pace of highway construction in the country over the last 11 years, from 12 km per day in 2014-15 to a peak of 34 km per day in 2023-24 and 29 km a day in 2024-25.

Currently, as many as 1,240 national highway projects across a length of 29,400 km are under construction in the country with an investment of Rs. 7.8 lakh crore, Gadkari said.

The minister also said that the Centre has taken up about 54,004 km of state roads, including state highways (SHs) and greenfield stretches across the country, after notifying them as national highways since April 2014. This has enabled the Centre to expedite the pace of highway development.

The government receives proposals from various state governments and UTs from time to time, for the declaration of state roads, including SHs, as new National Highways. Decisions are taken based on the broad principles of declaration of National Highways, requirement of connectivity, traffic density, inter-se priority and synergy with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP), the minister said.

At present, 206 under-construction NH projects costing about Rs. 91,290 crore are delayed in Rajasthan and in the northeastern states, including Assam, with the completion of the majority of these projects in a phased manner scheduled for 2025-26 and only a few projects expected to spill beyond 2026-27. Out of this, one NH project being constructed with an investment of Rs 410 crore, passes through Jalore district in Rajasthan with targeted completion in 2025-26, the minister added.
Dantewada, July 24 : In a significant breakthrough for Chhattisgarh's anti-insurgency and rehabilitation efforts, 15 Maoists, including five carrying cash rewards totalling Rs 17 lakh, surrendered before senior police and CRPF officials in Dantewada district on Thursday.

The move is being hailed as a major success under the ongoing 'Lon Varratu' and 'Puna Margem' campaigns in the Bastar region.

Among the surrendered were high-profile operatives such as Budhram alias Lalu Kuharam (Rs 8 lakh), Kamli alias Moti Potavi (Rs 5 lakh), Pojja Madkam (Rs 2 lakh), and two women cadres - Aayate alias Sangeeta Sodi and Pandey Madvi - each carrying a Rs 1 lakh bounty, senior police officer Udit Pushkar said.

Maoist couple Budhram and Kamli had been active in Maoist ranks for over two decades and were involved in multiple violent incidents targeting security forces, he said.

The Maoists surrendered in the presence of Superintendent of Police Gaurav Rai, DIG Kamlochan Kashyap, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) officer Rakesh Chaudhary, who reiterated the government's commitment to rehabilitation.

Under the state's revised policy, surrendered Maoists will receive skill development training, self-employment support, psychological counselling, and security guarantees. Since the launch of these initiatives, 1,020 Maoists have laid down arms across Bastar, including 254 with declared rewards.

The surrendered cadres hail from Dantewada, Sukma, Bijapur, and Narayanpur districts, comprising 824 men and 196 women.

The 'Lon Varratu' campaign, meaning 'Come Back Home' in the local Gondi dialect, was launched in 2020 to encourage disillusioned Maoists to abandon violence and reintegrate into civil society.

The 'Puna Margem' initiative builds on this by offering structured rehabilitation and livelihood opportunities.

Officials attribute the success to sustained outreach, community engagement, and the growing realisation among Maoist cadres of the futility of armed struggle. Many cited internal exploitation, harsh forest conditions, and ideological disillusionment as reasons for surrender.

The administration has urged remaining insurgents to follow suit, emphasising that peace, dignity, and development await those who choose the path of reconciliation. This latest wave of surrenders is seen not just as a tactical win, but as a symbol of shifting tides in Bastar's long battle against extremism.
Mumbai, July 24 : Victims of the 2006 Mumbai train bomb blasts on Thursday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to stay the Bombay High Court's recent verdict acquitting all 12 accused in the case.

Many victims expressed frustration with the delays in the justice system, urging the central government to reform the judiciary so that justice is swift, transparent, and effective.

The Supreme Court's intervention came as a much-needed ray of hope for survivors who have waited nearly two decades for closure.

Radhe Shyam Dubey, one of the victims of the 2006 blasts, called the Supreme Court's decision a step in the right direction.

"The decision taken by the Maharashtra government to escalate the case to the Supreme Court is a very good one. I want to thank the Supreme Court as well for staying the High Court's order acquitting all 12 accused in the Mumbai train blasts case," he said.

Dubey criticised the judicial delays, stating that the High Court took 19 years to address a case where the trial court had already declared the accused guilty.

"Why was there such a long delay? The High Court should have acted much earlier. And on what basis did they pass a judgment of acquittal after all these years?" he asked.

He went on to express deep concern about the state of India's legal system.

"I see collusion in this. The way this case has been handled is a mockery of the judiciary. It threatens the entire law and order structure of the country. The central government must take immediate steps to reform the judiciary. Verdicts must come quickly - only then will criminals be deterred from committing such crimes."

Highlighting the tragic fate of innocent citizens, he added, "What fault did those people have who died in the train blasts? Were they killed just because they were travelling by train? Criminals are being freed while the innocent suffer - what kind of justice is this? India is reaching shameful lows at the international level because of such flawed systems."

Dubey urged the government to take accountability and implement reforms without further delay.

"If reforms are not brought soon, we will keep wasting precious time and innocent lives will continue to be lost. A change in the system is the need of the hour."

On the Supreme Court's role, he said: "I have a lot of faith in the Supreme Court. Every citizen in India respects the authority. I only hope that its decisions are transparent and based on truth. If someone is innocent, let them be acquitted. But if someone is guilty, they must receive the harshest possible punishment. Only then will India have a strong and credible legal system. Change is the law of nature, and change is what our judiciary now urgently needs."

Mahendra Pitale, another victim of the 2006 blasts, lost his hand in the tragedy. Speaking to IANS, he described the High Court's acquittal of the accused as more painful than the blast itself.

"I lost one of my hands in the explosion on July 11, 2006. But what shook me more was the High Court's decision to acquit all 12 accused. That news gave me a bigger shock than the actual incident. I kept wondering - why are the real culprits still roaming free?" he said.

Pitale emphasised the importance of accountability and feared that the accused might now be living freely among the public. "Those who carried out the blast could be walking around in Mumbai or elsewhere today. Nineteen years later, if these men are set free, then who will actually find the real culprits?"

He found a ray of hope in the Supreme Court's stay order.

"For me, the Supreme Court's intervention brought some mental peace. I believe a proper investigation might now resume and lead to the real culprits. Even if some of the accused are not guilty, those who truly are must be punished as soon as possible."

Recounting the horror of the day, he said: "When the blast happened on July 11, 2006, I had taken my usual train after work. As soon as I boarded, there was a loud explosion. I didn't know what had happened. A man helped me get to the hospital, and only then did I realise that the blast had damaged my entire hand. Around me, it was complete devastation. There were bodies everywhere. People had lost their hands, legs. There was blood on everyone's clothes. The scene was indescribable."

Pitale concluded with an appeal to the country's leadership: "I request the President and the Prime Minister of India to ensure that such incidents never happen again. Those involved in such killings must be punished swiftly and severely. Only then can we prevent others from thinking they can do the same and walk free."

On July 11, 2006, a series of coordinated bomb blasts ripped through Mumbai's suburban railway network during the evening rush hour. The attacks killed over 180 people and injured hundreds more, making it one of the deadliest terror strikes in India.

The case saw numerous twists and delays over the years. In 2015, a special Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) court convicted 12 individuals in connection with the blasts. However, in 2024, the Bombay High Court overturned those convictions, citing a lack of evidence and procedural lapses. This decision was widely criticised by victims, survivors, and civil society groups.
London, July 24 : The Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom expressed happiness on Thursday after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his State Visit to London, hailing the signing of the landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the UK as a step that will deepen bilateral ties and boost trade.

Prime Minister Modi, who arrived in London on Wednesday evening, was given a grand reception by members of the Indian community.

Amid chants of "Modi, Modi", "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and "Vande Mataram", members of the diaspora danced in traditional attire and held posters welcoming the Indian leader outside his hotel.

"This FTA is a very nice step. We feel proud to call ourselves Indians as the Prime Minister has transformed the nation entirely," said a diaspora member who was present to welcome him.

"With PM Modi's visit and the signing of the FTA, relations between the two countries will only progress. We are very happy about the potential business this deal will generate," another community member told IANS.

"Meeting PM Modi for the first time was really nice. We had been waiting for the FTA for a long time now, as it will strengthen the ties between the two nations," another diaspora member added.

Many said meeting the Prime Minister in person was an emotional and inspiring moment.

"He shook our hands and thanked us for coming. We are proud of the work he's done -- from digitisation to Operation Sindoor, the credit goes to him," said another attendee.

"I come from PM Modi's constituency, Varanasi. Seeing how he's governing India fills me with pride. Operation Sindoor was commendable, and I hope India continues to prosper under his leadership," said a retired Indian Army captain now residing in the UK.

In a historic boost to bilateral economic relations, India and the UK on Thursday signed the long-anticipated FTA, projected to enhance annual trade between the two countries by nearly $34 billion.

Under the agreement, India will cut tariffs on 90 per cent of British goods, while the UK will reduce duties on 99 per cent of Indian exports, easing trade barriers across sectors.

Commenting on the deal, Dhruva Kumar, the Alba Party's MP candidate from Glasgow South, told IANS, "The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed by Prime Minister Modi and UK PM Keir Starmer, is a game-changer. It's expected to double trade to $120 billion by 2031, boost the UK economy by $5 billion annually, and create thousands of jobs in both countries."
New Delhi, July 24 : The Union government is strengthening health infrastructure, as well as addressing social determinants to build a Viksit Bharat by 2047, said Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare Anupriya Patel in the national capital on Thursday.

Speaking at the Convocation Ceremony of Lady Hardinge Medical College and Associated Hospitals, Patel highlighted how India's National Health Policy (NHP), 2017, has redefined healthcare. It strives to ensure that everyone has access to quality healthcare services without facing financial hardship.

"Only a healthy nation can be a developed nation. There can't be a developed India without the proper health of its citizens," Patel said.

"For this, the government is focussed on Universal Health Coverage with a push in the health infrastructure -- from primary to secondary to tertiary --, as well as addressing social determinants like proper housing, clean water, fuel, among others," she added.

Patel emphasised that "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has the vision of a developed India by the year 2047, as we no longer want to continue with the identity of a developing nation any further. Healthcare contributes significantly to this goal, as only a healthy nation can truly be a developed nation."

"For a huge country like India with a population of 140 crores, the Government is working tirelessly to ensure quality and affordable healthcare to all its citizens".

In the last 11 years, the government has also increased spending on health care, and "today, we are already close to 2 per cent of GDP expenditure".

"The primary healthcare services have been revolutionised, as 12 different services are being provided at the grassroots level in a rural setting through small healthcare centres called Ayushman Arogya Mandirs," Patel said, adding that the number of AIIMS have been increased from 7 to 23.

Further, medical education infrastructure has also been enhanced in the country for an improved doctor-to-patient ratio. The digital healthcare solutions are also being adopted to strengthen healthcare.

As a result of this, India was able to survive as well as provide help to other countries during the deadly Covid-19 pandemic, the MoS said.

"India set a global example by running the world's fastest and largest vaccination programme, administering 220 crore Covid vaccine doses," Patel said.

The Minister also focussed on building the need for a comprehensive approach towards healthcare.

"When we say health care, it means preventive, promotive, palliative, and rehabilitative, with preventive component being the most significant among the others. India is working with confidence on this integrated model," Patel said.
Mumbai, July 24 : Abdul Wahid Sheikh, the sole individual acquitted in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case by a special court in 2015, expressed a sense of relief after the Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the Bombay High Court's recent verdict that acquitted all 12 remaining accused. He further said that there's still a battle ahead, but for now, the fear is gone.

Speaking to IANS, Sheikh, who is also an advocate, said the stay brings emotional reassurance to the families, even though legal uncertainties remain.

"It's a huge relief for their families. There was panic in the air after the acquittal was challenged, but now they are completely free. They can stay with their loved ones and celebrate Eid, Diwali, or just an ordinary day at home - something they've been denied for years," he said.

Reacting to the Supreme Court order, Sheikh added: "From the moment the High Court judgment came, we were overjoyed. The accused were released, reunited with their families. But the government couldn't tolerate even a single day of our happiness - they rushed to the Supreme Court. Since then, there has been anxiety. Would they be arrested again? Would they be sent back to jail?"

He said he remained in close contact with the acquitted men and tried to reassure them through the tense days.

"I kept telling themdon't panic. Even if the case proceeds, it's a legal formality. At most, the case will remain pending. Today, even the prosecution clarified that they weren't seeking arrests, only a legal stay so the judgment doesn't set a precedent," he told IANS.

According to Sheikh, the Supreme Court's order makes no difference to the current freedom of the acquitted men.

"They remain out of jail. They will stay with their families while the case proceeds. Yes, they'll now need legal representation and have to appear in court, but they are not going back to prison. That is a relief," he emphasised.

Asked whether he expected the Supreme Court to intervene after the High Court's sweeping acquittal, Sheikh said: "This is part of the legal process. The state has the right to appeal. So, it wasn't unexpected. Had the court ordered their re-arrest, that would've been a shock. But this? This is just procedure."

However, he didn't hold back on his criticism of the state.

"It's shameful. These men were declared innocent after spending nearly 19 years behind bars. And now, despite the court acknowledging the prosecution failed to prove anything, we must continue this legal battle in the Supreme Court. It's a tragedy - and it reflects very poorly on our political leadership and investigative agencies. This kind of harassment of innocents must stop," he said.

Sheikh further said that they are ready to fight this case again.

"We are ready. Every day, we are ready. We've sought the support of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, and they have stood with us from the beginning. Even in the Delhi court proceedings, their legal team worked relentlessly. They brought some of the country's best advocates on board. That kind of dedication brought us results in the High Court - and I believe it will help us again in the Supreme Court."

Calling it a "huge emotional victory", Sheikh added: "Yes, there's still a battle ahead. But for now, the fear is gone. The families can breathe. There is no sword hanging over their heads."

Earlier in the day, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh stayed the Bombay High Court verdict, which had acquitted all 12 accused in the 2006 serial train bombings.

The apex court made it clear that the High Court ruling would not be treated as a precedent for other cases and issued notices to the acquitted individuals. However, it stopped short of staying their release from custody - ensuring they remain free while the case proceeds.

The court was hearing a petition filed by the Maharashtra government challenging the July 22 High Court verdict. Appearing for the state, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta urged the bench to stay the acquittal, but clarified that the government was not seeking immediate re-arrest or custody of the freed individuals.

The Bombay High Court had delivered a scathing judgment on Monday, declaring that the prosecution had "utterly failed" to prove the case. The court said it found it "hard to believe" that the accused had carried out the horrific attacks.

The 2006 Mumbai train bombings remain one of India's deadliest terror incidents. On the evening of July 11, seven bombs exploded in first-class compartments of suburban trains, killing more than 180 people and injuring over 800 others within a span of just 11 minutes. The attacks brought Mumbai to a standstill and triggered one of the most extensive investigations in India's history.

Twelve men were arrested and charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Explosive Substances Act. They spent nearly two decades behind bars while the case went through multiple judicial levels.
Mumbai, July 24 : Pharmaceutical company Indoco Remedies Limited on Thursday reported a net loss of Rs 35.6 crore in the June quarter (Q1 FY26), a sharp drop from the net profit of Rs 2.6 crore recorded during the same period previous year (Q1 FY25).

Indocoas revenue rose marginally by 1.5 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 438 crore, compared to Rs 431.5 crore in the year-ago quarter, according to its stock exchange filing.

However, its operating profit (EBITDA) dropped sharply by 62.8 per cent to Rs 17.8 crore from Rs 47.8 crore in the same quarter previous year.

Due to this, the EBITDA margin fell to 4.06 per cent, down from 11.08 per cent a year ago -- indicating pressure on operating efficiency.

Despite the challenging performance, the company remains optimistic about the future. Indocoas Managing Director, Aditi Panandikar, said that the companyas 12.5 per cent revenue growth over the previous quarter highlights the strength and resilience of its teams and operational strategy.

She expressed confidence in the company's ability to sustain this momentum and make a turnaround in the coming quarters.

Following the earnings announcement, the companyas shares fell and touched the day's low of Rs 291.

However, the stock has gained over 11 per cent in the past month -- showing positive investor interest in the longer term.

Indoco Remedies is a research-driven pharmaceutical company with a strong presence in both domestic and international markets.

It has a turnover of $180 million and employs over 6,000 people, including more than 400 scientists and field staff.

The company operates 11 manufacturing units -- seven for finished dosages and four for active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) -- along with a modern R&D centre and a CRO facility.

Its facilities are approved by major global regulators, including the USFDA and UK-MHRA.

Indoco has a strong product portfolio and generates over 106 million prescriptions annually from more than 2.4 lakh doctors across different specialties in India.

Its brands include Cyclopam, Febrex Plus, Sensodent-K, Karvol Plus, and ATM, among others. The company also has tie-ups with large generic drugmakers globally, strengthening its international footprint.
New Delhi, July 24 : India's largest automobile exporter Maruti Suzuki India exported over 3.3 lakh units in FY25, the highest ever in any financial year, the company announced on Thursday.

This marked a growth of 17.5 per cent over the previous fiscal. Meanwhile, the country's total automobile exports rose by 19 per cent during this period to over 53 lakh units.

In the first quarter of the current fiscal (Q1 FY26), India's automobile exports rose 22 per cent on-year to about 14.57 lakh units.

Further, Fronx achieved the status of the first SUV from India to clock exports of 1 lakh units in just 25 months, according to the company.

Out of these, 69,000 units were dispatched overseas in FY 25. Manufactured at Maruti's state-of-the-art Gujarat facility, Fronx has reached foreign markets including Latin America, Middle East, and Africa. The 'Made in India' SUV is exported to over 80 countries. Further, the success of Fronx in Japan has been pivotal to its increasing volumes.

Maruti Suzuki has been the leading passenger vehicle (PV) exporter from India for the past four consecutive financial years, with the highest exports.

Its share in PV exports from India reached an all-time high of 47 per cent in Q1 FY26, with over 96,000 vehicles exported. At present, Maruti Suzuki exports 17 models to nearly 100 countries, and the top destinations are South Africa, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.

"The company's capability to manufacture world-class vehicles for global markets exemplifies the true essence of 'Make in India' initiative. Our renewed focus on international markets has been instrumental in Suzuki's continued leadership in passenger vehicle exports," said Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited.

"Fronx is delighting customers all over the world. Besides clocking the fastest 1 lakh exports, Fronx was also India's number 1 exported passenger vehicle in FY 2024-25," he mentioned.

The automobile sector contributes approximately 7.1 per cent to India's GDP and nearly 8 per cent of its total exports.

--IANS

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La Familia Michoacana operates a vast extortion network in the State of Mexico. An operation  part of the national anti-extortion strategy launched by President Claudia Sheinbaum on July 6  has now revealed the reach of the criminal organization in the southern part of the state. There, the extortionists controlled all types of businesses: hardware stores, butcher shops, farms, distributors, construction suppliers, transportation, and even package delivery. By spreading fear and issuing threats, the network distorted the market, affecting producers, merchants, and consumers in 14 municipalities, including two popular tourist destinations: Valle de Bravo and Ixtapan de la Sal.

The move by authorities, dubbed Operation Liberation, brought together 2,866 members of the Ministry of Security in nearly 700 vehicles Tuesday to raid 63 establishments and 52 buildings in municipalities such as Texcaltitlan, Sultepec, and Tejupilco. The operation resulted in the arrest of eight individuals responsible for coordinating the illegal chains.

Extortion in the area is not limited to protection rackets, one of the most common practices. La Familia Michoacana imposed exorbitant prices and forced merchants to sell or buy at specific locations, the State of Mexico prosecutor explained Tuesday. In municipalities like Malinalco, for example, merchants could not sell cement except in Ixtapan de la Sal or Tejupilco, as part of the conditions imposed by the cartel. A kilo of rebar, for example, went from costing 18 pesos in Toluca to 45 in Valle de Bravo. A chicken thigh, which costs 50 pesos in the state capital, reached 120 pesos in Sultepec. A kilo of wire rod was overpriced by 144%, and a ton of mortar, up to 20%.

They also stockpiled farm animals, chicken, beef, and pork, and tons of illegally stored cement, rebar, and gravel. In addition to stockpiling food, materials, and animals, they intercepted packages. In Tejupilco, the group had a clandestine center where they inspected shipments from companies like FedEx and Mercado Libre. If the package was of interest, they would keep it; if not, they charged the recipient a fee for its delivery.

Fighting this criminal group was an urgent matter to protect the local economy and the peace of mind of thousands of families, said Secretary of Security Omar Garcia Harfuch, who is coordinating the plan to combat this epidemic with police and financial intelligence in strategic states, including Mexico City, in addition to campaigns to encourage citizens to report crimes.

Operation Liberation in the State of Mexico. FISCALIA ESTADO DE MEXICO

La Familia also controlled unions such as the Libertad Union and the Bradosva Union, with which it replaced independent transporters and assumed complete control of supplies in municipalities such as Donato Guerra, Texcaltitlan, and Villa de Allende.

On Tuesday, while the operation was underway, members of groups colluding with La Familia organized simultaneous blockades in 10 municipalities. Highways in Valle de Bravo, Tejupilco, Tlatlaya, Atlacomulco, and Ixtlahuaca were closed for hours by groups of taxi and truck drivers, allegedly under the orders of the criminal group in direct response to the operation, in an attempt to exert pressure.

Extortion is the fastest-growing crime in Mexico in recent years. Although it affects almost seven million people each year, only 0.2% dare to report it, fearing retaliation. Since the national strategy against extortion was launched, the Secretary of Security reported, 48 people have been arrested, 37 of them thanks to anonymous citizen complaints. For her part, Sheinbaum has announced a legal reform to prosecute the crime ex officio, without the victim needing to file a complaint. Sheinbaums administration appears determined to end this burden, with uncertainty about whether the offensive will be sustained over time.

La Familia Michoacana has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department. Last April, the White House targeted the group, based primarily in Guerrero and Michoacan, for trafficking fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, in addition to its involvement in acts of terror and violence in Mexico. The Treasury Department announced economic sanctions against its two leaders, brothers Johnny El Pez and Jose Alfredo El Fresa Hurtado Olascoaga, and offered an $8 million dollar reward for information leading to their capture.

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New Delhi, July 24 : The Supreme Court on Thursday reserved its judgment over the petition questioning the granting of bail to Kannada superstar Darshan in the sensational fan murder case, following the completion of arguments and counterarguments.

During the proceedings, the bench of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan once again expressed strong reservations about the Karnataka High Court's order granting bail to the actor. "We won't repeat the High Court's mistake," it remarked.

Counsels have been directed to submit their written arguments, limited to three pages, within a week. The verdict is expected to be pronounced within ten days.

The bench questioned the Karnataka High Court's application of judicial discretion, stating: "Our concern is that judicious discretion was not applied in the order while granting bail to Darshan. The order has pained us. We can understand if a trial court judge errs, but how can we agree with the reasoning cited by the High Court judge?"

The bench also expressed surprise over a photograph showing Darshan with other accused persons. "We thought the photo was taken casually. What kind of people are these? Is it possible to pose for a photo like this after committing a murder?" it asked.

The apex court further questioned why forensic and circumstantial evidence was not given due weight, and why the statements of two eyewitnesses were not considered credible. "There are serious charges of criminal conspiracy and murder, including kidnapping. How can this evidence be ignored?" the bench asked.

"We are not deciding the punishment for the accused, nor are we clearing him of charges. We won't repeat High Court's mistakes," the bench clarified.

Senior counsel Siddharth Dave, representing actor Darshan, argued that during the inspection of the crime scene, no blood traces were found, yet the forensic report later claimed traces of blood were detected. "None of these findings are reliable. The clothes were seized three days after the incident. There is also suspicion regarding the accused Punith's 12-day disappearance. If he intended to make a statement, he would have done so the very next day," he submitted.

Dave also claimed that the statements of eyewitnesses were questionable and argued that while the High Court's language might not have been ideal, its order was appropriate.

Meanwhile, counsel for the prime accused, Pavithra Gowda, argued that she did not cause any injury to the victim. "The statement only says she beat the victim with chappals," the counsel said.

The bench questioned the motive behind Pavithra Gowda making 55 calls to accused number three, Pavan. The counsel responded that Pavan was her cook, and the calls were related to his work.

On July 22, the Supreme Court had already expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Karnataka High Court's order. Addressing senior counsel Kapil Sibal, the bench had said: "To be very honest, we are not convinced with the manner in which the High Court exercised its discretion."

Darshan, currently in Thailand shooting for his film 'Devil', is expected to return to Bengaluru on Friday (July 25).

Advocate Ranganath, representing accused number six Anukumar and accused number seven Jagadish, told the media that the Supreme Court bench heard arguments from all sides, including the prosecution. "The court has directed us to submit written arguments within a week. The verdict will be delivered thereafter," he said.

Darshan, Pavithra Gowda, and 15 others were arrested on June 11, 2024, on charges of kidnapping and brutally murdering Renukaswamy, a fan from Chitradurga.
Patna, July 24 : As Bihar's Leader of the Opposition and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav hinted at the possibility of boycotting the upcoming Assembly elections in protest against the "deliberate" disenfranchisement of voters, the BJP on Thursday hit back, claiming that he was already seeing defeat for his party.

Trashing the poll boycott threat, BJP leaders said that the people of Bihar have already rejected the RJD and other opposition parties.

Meanwhile, the Congress said that if people's names are being arbitrarily removed from the voter list, then it is a matter of fighting for their rights, and they would be fully capable of taking any necessary decision.

Speaking to IANS, BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Tarkishore Prasad said: "Of course, he (Tejashwi Yadav) should go ahead with it, but the truth is that it's the public that's preparing to boycott them. What will they boycott? It's actually the RJD and the INDIA alliance that voters are getting ready to reject."

BJP leader Neeraj Kumar Singh Bablu said: "Tejashwi Yadav is speaking with the upcoming situation in mind. He knows that this time he won't even reach double digits - he is well aware that his defeat is certain. That's why he is staying away from the elections."

BJP MLA Haribhushan Thakur added: "He won't boycott, but he has understood the mindset of Bihar. They lost 178 seats in the Lok Sabha, then in the Assembly, and later in the four by-elections, where they were wiped out completely. It's clear now. Looking at the wave created by development and welfare schemes, they can clearly see their defeat coming."

On the other hand, CPI-ML MLA Ajit Kushwaha said: "No decision has been made yet regarding a boycott. There will be discussions. How can we say right now that we will boycott? But yes, it is certain that there is a threat to our voters and their names. If this continues, we will definitely consider moving in that direction.":

Bihar Congress state president Rajesh Ram said: "When the Election Commission releases its final list, we will launch a major movement. This boycott is a serious matterwe are talking about preparing for a large-scale agitation. If people's names are being arbitrarily removed from the list, then it's about fighting for their rights. And if necessary, we will be fully capable of taking any decision required."

On Wednesday, Tejashwi Yadav, on boycotting the Bihar polls, had said: "That option is certainly on the table. We'll discuss it within the alliance and also take public opinion. If the BJP wants to contest elections based on a fake list, then just give them an extension and let them run the government. What's the point of holding elections if they're rigged? If the entire process is dishonest, then there's no meaning to democracy."

The Election Commission announced on Wednesday that 56 lakh names - up from 42 lakh the previous day - have been dropped from the draft voters' list, which will be released on August 1. Of these, 20 lakh people were deceased, 28 lakh had permanently migrated, 7 lakh were enrolled at multiple places, and 1 lakh remain untraceable.

Meanwhile, the fourth day of the Monsoon Session of the Bihar Assembly began with continued uproar by opposition MLAs, who are demanding a special discussion in the House on the ongoing voter list revision (SIR) in the state.
Jabalpur, July 24 : A day after the Economic Offences Wing of Madhya Pradesh (EOW) detected a tiger hide at the residence of Deputy Commissioner of Tribal Welfare Department, Jagdish Prasad Sarwate, his mother has been arrested, an official said on Thursday.

The EOW personnel had uncovered a tiger hide during a raid at his residence in Adhartal area of Jabalpur. The tiger hide, measuring approximately 5 feet 5 inches in length and 5 feet 3 inches in width, was handed over to the Forest Department.

Subsequently, the Forest Department registered a case against Savitri Sarwate (70) as the house from where tiger skin was recovered is registered in her name.

She has been booked under Sections 9 and 50 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years.

A team of Forest Department officials questioned her on Wednesday, following which she was arrested.

According to Jabalpur DFO Rishi Shukla, during questioning, Savitri told Forest Department officials that she had received tiger skin from her father-in-law about 30 years ago, and the family was using it for religious purposes. However, she could not confirm how her father-in-law managed to get the tiger skin.

Shukla further said that the seized tiger skin has been sent to Nanaji Deshmukh Wildlife Institute for a detailed analysis.

The tiger skin discovery adds a new dimension to the ongoing corruption probe against Sarwate.

On July 22, EOW teams raided multiple properties linked to him in Jabalpur, Bhopal, and Sagar.

The raids revealed disproportionate assets worth over Rs 6.75 crore, while his declared income (from known sources) stands at just Rs 1.56 crore.

During searches for more than 10 hours, the EOW personnel had uncovered 56 bottles of costly liquor amounting to Rs 1.8 lakh, 17 immovable assets valued at Rs 3 crore and 10 other properties in the name of his mother, besides suspicious investments.

Among the seized items were 17 property documents, luxury vehicles, jewellery, and 56 bottles of expensive liquor. Properties registered in the names of Sarwateas mother and brother are also under scrutiny, raising concerns about possible benami holdings.

Sarwate, who has served extensively in Jabalpur and currently holds additional charge of the Pre-Examination Training Centre, is now facing dual investigations -- one under the Prevention of Corruption Act and another under Wildlife Protection laws.

Officials suspect that more assets may be concealed in bank lockers, which are still being searched. The case has sparked outrage among conservationists and public officials alike, with legal experts noting that possession of a tiger skin, even decades old, constitutes a serious wildlife crime.
Bengaluru, July 24 : Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday lashed out at Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, stating that the latter's claim that the Centre will not grant forest clearance for the Mahadayi project is condemnable.

"We will withdraw the petition we have filed in the Supreme Court and begin the project work immediately. Let him try to stop us," said Shivakumar while speaking to the media in the Vidhana Soudha premises, in Bengaluru.

"Goa CM seems to have lost his mental stability. He has no respect for the federal structure of the country. The tribunal has already given its verdict on the Mahadayi issue, and tenders have been called for implementing the project. During the BJP's tenure, then Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, local MPs, and Union Minister Pralhad Joshi had celebrated the project's progress," he pointed out.

Shivakumar, who also holds the irrigation portfolio, said, "I will meet all MPs from the state regarding this issue. This is a matter of our state's self-respect. It's a grave mistake that our MPs are remaining silent. All 28 Lok Sabha MPs and 12 Rajya Sabha MPs from Karnataka must fight together to uphold the state's honour."

He pointed out that Karnataka state cannot be sold off just because of fear of losing one MP seat in Goa, adding that BJP MPs, Union Ministers representing the state, and even the Prime Minister must be pressured on this matter.

"I will seek appointments to meet the Union Jal Shakti Minister and the Prime Minister. I will attempt to take a delegation of all MPs. I believe everyone will join us," he claimed.

When asked whether an all-party meeting would be convened, he said, "We will convene a meeting of MPs from all parties."

On the allegation that some Union Ministers are misleading the Centre on the Mahadayi issue, Shivakumar said that the Union Jal Shakti Minister is impartial on this matter and is not playing politics.

"I have met him five to six times regarding this issue. Even the Union Forest Minister is not politicising the issue. They are supporting development works. All the problems lie with Goa."

The people of the north Karnataka region have been demanding and agitating for the implementation of the Mahadayi project for three decades. The project would end the water crisis in the major districts of the north Karnataka region.

The Kalasa-Banduri project, which became an inter-state dispute between Karnataka and Goa majorly was primarily prepared in 1978. Then it was called the 'Mahadayi project'. Former Chief Minister late S.R. Bommai took a special interest in implementing the project.

The project was halted as the government of Goa opposed it in 1988. Later, in 1989, S.R. Bommai held a meeting with his counterpart in Goa, Pratap Singh Rane. However, the project didn't move as the successive governments in Goa opposed the project.

On April 30, 2002, the Central Water Resources Ministry gave approval for diverting 7.56 TMC of water from the Malaprabha River to Kalasa-Bhanduri valley. The Goa objected and demanded the formation of a tribunal. The approval by the Central Water Resources Ministry was withdrawn. In 2010, the Mahadayi Water Dispute Tribunal was formed.

The project was opposed by Goa and Maharashtra. The total catchment of the Mahadayi basin is 2,032 square kilometres, of which the catchment of the river in Goa is about 1,580 square kilometres (78 per cent).

Karnataka has about 375 square kilometres (18 per cent) and 77 square kilometres (4 per cent) in Maharashtra.
Kabul, July 24 : Police have discovered some 200 pieces of light and heavy firearms in the eastern Afghanistan Paktia province, reported the state-run Radio and Television of Afghanistan (RTA) on Thursday.

The weaponry, according to the state-owned media outlet, includes 97 pieces of Kalashnikovs, seven pieces of the M16-type assault rifles, 86 stock pistols, seven rocket launchers, and many more types of arms and ammunition.

Without providing more details, the official media outlet citing police added that no one has the right to keep or carry arms illegally.

In similar operations, police reported discovery of arms and ammunition, including an anti-aircraft gun in Afghanistan's northern Samangan province.

On July 17, Afghanistan's security forces discovered a large amount of weapons and military equipment, including 885 hand grenades, in the past four months in eastern Ghazni province, a local official reported.

The contraband, which included 52 various types of arms, 21 AK-27 Kalashnikovs, 21 pistols, two PK machine guns, 885 hand grenades, 15 rocket launchers, 8 mortar shells, and a quantity of war equipment, such as cartridges and bullets, was seized during a series of operations, said Ezatullah Saeedi, provincial government spokesman.

Without giving details on whether anyone was arrested due to involvement in the case, the official added that the weapons and ammunition were uncovered in the capital and districts of the province.

Earlier, police confiscated a huge quantity of arms and ammunition, including 45 pieces of pistols, in southern Helmand province.

The Afghan interim government collected thousands of light and heavy weapons and a huge quantity of ammunition throughout the war-stricken country, Xinhua news agency reported.

In a similar operation on July 13, police discovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition in Afghanistan's Helmand province, with 58 people arrested, Provincial director for counter-criminal activities Mawlawi Abdul Satar Amin said.

The weaponry, which included 45 pieces of pistols, seven pieces of Kalashnikovs, nine pieces of other types of assault rifles, hundreds of projectiles and other military equipment, was discovered during operations in the provincial capital Lashkar Gah and several districts over the past three months, the official said.

All the collected arms and ammunition were handed over to the concerned authorities recently, the official asserted.

Police have also taken into custody 58 individuals on charges of involvement in criminal activities such as theft, armed robbery, and murder, the official said, adding police won't allow anyone to create law and order problems in the province.
New Delhi, July 24 : The India-UK free trade agreement has opened up preferential access for India's farmers to the UK's $37.5 billion agricultural market while India fully protects its sensitive sectors like dairy, vegetables, apples, cooking oils and oats, according to an official statement.

New Delhi, July 24 (IANS) The India-UK free trade agreement has opened up preferential access for India's farmers to the UKas $37.5 billion agricultural market while India fully protects its sensitive sectors like dairy, vegetables, apples, cooking oils and oats, according to an official statement.

There is also a massive gain for rural India and exporters with zero duty on processed foods compared with up to 70 per cent earlier.

The trade pact also gives a big catch to Indian fishermen as the $5.4 billion UK market opens up for marine exports with the UKas import duty on marine products to come down to zero from up to 20 per cent earlier, the statement said.

The free trade agreement opens up new opportunities for Indiaas youth who will benefit from more jobs and higher wages in the services sectors like IT, finance, and consultancy.

Duty-free access to the UKas 238 billion market boosts jobs for youths and opens new career avenues in the export of textiles, leather and gems. The UK market also opens for Indian youth in education and architecture services.

The agreement also paves the way for smoother routes for Indian businesses as the FTA offers simplified customs, equal treatment and procurement access. Indiaas MSMEs can now bid for UK government contracts, and the services sector gains visa clarity, too.

Besides, the FTA gives a big boost to job creation as labour-intensive sectors such as textiles and clothing get a competitive edge in the UK market.

The free trade agreement provides for zero duty on major sectors - down from up to 12 per cent on textiles and clothing, 8 per cent on chemicals and 10 per cent on base metals.

IT and services sector businesses have been given more clarity for skilled Indian professionals. Professionals to get better mobility access to the UK, which will enable up to 1,800 Indian chefs, yoga instructors, and classical musicians to move temporarily to the UK to provide services.

A senior official said as many as 75,000 Indian workers in the UK will gain from a 3-year exemption from social security contributions.

Alongside the FTA, the UK and India have agreed to a Double Contributions Convention (DCC). The DCC will ensure that employees moving between the UK and India, and their employers, will only be liable to pay social security contributions in one country at a time.
New Delhi, July 24 : Seeking the Central government's intervention, Congress MPs from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Thursday staged a demonstration in the Parliament House complex, demanding immediate action related to threats being issued to the Golden Temple in Amritsar.

Those who joined the protest included Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Charanjit Singh Channi, Amar Singh, Sukhjinder Randhawa, Dharamvir Gandhi, Manish Tewari, Kumari Selja, Sher Singh Ghubaya and Gurjeet Singh Aujla.

Later briefing the media, Punjab unit president and Ludhiana MP Warring pointed out that threats were continuously being issued against the Golden Temple.

Warring claimed that while the state government had claimed to have arrested one of the accused, he (the arrested person) was said to be not involved in issuing the threats.

Warring said the Union government and the Union Home Ministry must take serious note of these threats and identify the culprits and bring them to book. They must understand the seriousness and sensitivity of the matter, he added.

To another question about the suggestion of the Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar about an alliance between the BJP and the Akali Dal, Warring pointed out that the state working president of the BJP, Ashwani Sharma, had already opposed the suggestion for an alliance.

He asserted that the alliance between the BJP and the Akali Dal will not make any difference to the Congress.

"The Congress has defeated them several times in the past when they were in alliance, so we are not bothered," he said, while remarking, "they are welcome to join hands even with the Aam Aadmi Party".

Notably, Jakhar had told a newspaper that the BJP-SAD alliance had historically been driven by the larger interest of Punjab.

"In 1996, the BJP, a national party, accepted being secondary to the Akali Dal in the larger interest of Punjab, which was emerging from the dark days of terrorism," he has said.

The Shiromani Akali Dal, now led by Sukhbir Badal, and the BJP parted ways in 2020, when the former walked out of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the three farm laws, which were later scrapped.
New Delhi, July 24 : A delegation of Himachal Pradesh BJP, comprising Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur, on Thursday met Union ministers including Home Minister Amit Shah here and apprised them about the loss of public and private infrastructure such as roads and bridges, and about the ongoing relief operations after the natural calamity.

Home Minister Shah assured the delegation that he would personally visit the state to take stock of the situation. State unit chief Rajiv Bindal said that J.P. Nadda, who is also the national party President, was apprised about the situation.

On July 9, J.P. Nadda himself came to Mandi district and visited the disaster-ravaged villages. Later, the delegation under the leadership of Nadda met Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, who promised to provide all kinds of help for the maintenance and reconstruction of national highways.

Thereafter, the delegation under the leadership of J.P. Nadda called on Home Minister Shah and held detailed talks regarding the tragedy.

The Home Minister said the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has provided ample financial help to Himachal Pradesh in the past and in future too.

"There will be no shortage of funds for relief work," Home Minister Amit Shah was quoted as saying.

A day earlier, Union Minister Nadda, who belongs to the hill state, met his Cabinet colleague Nitin Gadkari and sought assistance for undertaking repair and restoration of the damaged roads.

A statement quoting J.P. Nadda said the Central government "will not leave any stone unturned for Himachal Pradesh. Every road in the areas damaged by the tragedy will be repaired on a war footing".

He said the Centre has sanctioned a budget of Rs 201 crore in the first phase to the state under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA).

"Now with this amount, the construction of drains, paths, roads and other small and big works under MNREGA at the panchayat level will be accelerated," he added.

--IANS

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New Delhi, July 24 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer signed the eagerly-anticipated Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in the trade and economic relations between India and the UK.

As part of the historic pact, the UK will lower duties on 99 per cent of Indian exports, and India will lower tariffs on 90 per cent of UK goods, drastically reducing tariff lines and sector-specific regulatory procedures.

The agreement is expected to lower the cost of imported goods for Indian consumers, including luxury cars, cosmetics, medical devices, gin, and Scotch whisky. In the next two years, it is anticipated that India's leather industry will increase its market share in the UK by 5 per cent.

Organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), 16 key business leaders from the Indian industry, led by Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises and Co-Chair of the India-UK CEO Forum, were part of PM Modi's delegation.

The Industry leaders welcomed the trade pact between the two nations, terming the deal historic and a game-changer for both nations.

aIndian industry across all sectors welcomes the India-UK FTA with great optimism. This agreement establishes a modern, forward-looking partnership that will stimulate innovation, ease market access, and foster investment," said Mittal.

Businesses in India as well as the UK stand to gain tremendously, as it lays the groundwork for scaling up bilateral cooperation across key growth sectors, he added.

Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO and MD, Mahindra Group, believes that the landmark trade agreement between India and the UK marks a transformative moment in the global economic landscape and It is a testament to the growing stature of India as a trusted partner and innovation powerhouse in the global order.

"Itas not just a win for trade, but a blueprint for a modern, values-led partnership that puts innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth at the heart of global collaboration," Shah said.

Kirit Bhansali, Chairman, Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, said that this landmark accord unlocks exciting new opportunities for the gem and jewellery sector.

"Currently, exports to the UK stand at $941 million; with the duty concessions in place, this figure is poised to surge to $2.5 billion within the next three years, elevating overall bilateral trade in our sector to an estimated $7 billion," said Bhansali.
New Delhi, July 24 : In a significant step towards building communal harmony and trust, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat met with more than 50 prominent Muslim religious leaders and scholars on Thursday at Haryana Bhawan in New Delhi.

The closed-door meeting, which lasted over three and a half hours, was hosted by Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Chief of the All-India Imam Organisation.

Describing the dialogue as a "major initiative to bridge the Hindu-Muslim divide," Imam Ilyasi told IANS, "Our primary objective is to keep the spirit of dialogue alive. We may follow different faiths, but we are all Indians. There should be no hostility among communities, and such platforms of communication must continue."

The meeting saw participation from a wide spectrum of Muslim clerics, including the Chief Imams of Gujarat and Haryana, the Grand Muftis of Uttarakhand, Jaipur, and Uttar Pradesh (Tile Wali Masjid, Lucknow), representatives from Deoband Madrasa, and several others while on the RSS side, senior leaders, Joint General Secretary Krishna Gopal, Ram Lal and Mohan Bhagwat

Imam Ilyasi noted that this was the first time such a broad-based delegation from the Muslim clergy held a formal dialogue with RSS at this scale.

"It wasn't about discussing any one issue like Gyanvapi or Hijab. This was a trust-building exercise. We talked about broader concerns  from temples and mosques, imams and priests, to madrasas and gurukuls. The point is to ensure dialogue continues," he said.

Sources said national integration, social unity, and peaceful coexistence were at the heart of the discussion.

The leaders acknowledged the milestone as RSS enters its centenary year and the All-India Imam Organisation completes 50 years.

Calling it a "positive development," Imam Ilyasi emphasised that this was not the end but the beginning of continuous engagement.

"Mohan Bhagwat himself agreed that these conversations must continue in the spirit of national unity," he said.

The dialogue is being viewed as an important signal amid rising communal tensions and criticism from civil society that both communities need to proactively engage to maintain peace and pluralism in India.
Alerts about extreme hunger in Gaza are increasing, generating a wave of global outrage over the situation in the Strip. Over 100 international humanitarian and human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, Save the Children, and Caritas, published a statement Wednesday warning that the population in the Strip  and also their workers on the ground  are wasting away in the face of the spread of mass hunger in the enclave, which has led to a further 10 deaths from starvation in the past 24 hours. It is the latest call for international attention in a week in which 28 diverse countries have demanded an immediate end to the war from Israel amid a growing mobilization of civil society organizations taking their states to court for their inaction regarding Gaza.

The outcry from these groups  with extensive knowledge and experience in humanitarian aid  comes as the numbers continue to worsen. The Hamas-controlled Gaza Ministry of Health reported Wednesday the deaths of 10 more people from starvation, adding to the 15 already announced the day before. Since the start of the Israeli offensive, at least 111 Gazans  most of them children  have died from lack of food.

At the same time, over 1,000 people have been shot dead in food distribution zones established two months ago by Israel and the United States, forcing thousands of Gazans to face the dilemma of whether to risk their lives in search of food or watch their most vulnerable relatives  children, the elderly, the sick  fade away.

In response to these allegations, Israel categorically denies these problems and argues that there are 950 trucks carrying humanitarian aid in two of the access zones to the Strip (Kerem Shalom and Zikim), on the Gaza side, waiting for their contents to be collected. These trucks are waiting there, said a statement from Cogat, the Israeli military agency responsible for authorizing the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The trickle of deaths that the international community perceives as preventable is provoking a wave of condemnation with renewed demands for an immediate ceasefire and the reopening of humanitarian flows. Specifically, the White House special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, began a tour Wednesday in which he hopes to secure a truce between Israel and the Islamist militant group Hamas in the coming days. Witkoff is expected to meet with Israeli representatives in Rome this Thursday. If these talks are fruitful, the diplomat will travel to Qatar to work on the final stages of the negotiations and oversee the signing of the truce.

Last week, mediators from the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt presented an updated truce proposal to Israel and Hamas, according to Axios. The plan includes a 60-day truce, the return of 28 hostages  10 of them alive  the release of Palestinian prisoners, and a massive increase in humanitarian aid to the enclave.

Following the letter signed by 28 countries  including France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Canada, Australia, and Japan  warning about the deaths occurring during food distributions in Gaza, multiple international political voices have raised their voices against Israel. The French Foreign Ministry published a statement on Wednesday blaming the Jewish state for the malnutrition and risk of famine plaguing the Palestinian enclave, something it sees as a consequence of the blockade imposed by the Israeli authorities. The French government has also blamed Israel for the daily shootings at food distribution points.

All options remain on the table

On Tuesday, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas warned Israel that the killing of civilians seeking aid in Gaza is indefensible. In a social media post, the European Union representative stated that all options remain on the table if Israel doesnt deliver on its pledges.

Tunisian President Kais Said surprised White House Africa envoy Massad Boulos on Wednesday by showing him images of starving children in the Strip during an official meeting. I think you know these images well, the Tunisian leader told him inside the Presidential Palace in Carthage. Boulos, born in Lebanon, listened in silence. In the 21st century, a child eats sand because he has nothing else, the president insisted.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called on the UK government to recognize the State of Palestine as a way to safeguard the two-state solution. The international community  including our own government  must do far more to pressure the Israeli government to stop this horrific, senseless killing and let vital, life-saving aid in. Nothing justifies the actions of the Israeli government, he said.

Meanwhile, the offensive continues to ravage the Palestinian enclave. In a statement, the Israeli army said it was deepening operations in Gaza City and the north of the Strip. Medical sources reported in the Arab press that at least 56 people died Wednesday as a result of Israeli attacks. Another 70 died Tuesday, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. Two of those killed in recent hours are Tamer al-Zaanin and Walaa al-Jabari, Palestinian journalists. These two deaths bring the total number of journalists killed by Israeli fire to 231 since October 2023.

After 656 days of offensives and successive expulsion orders, the Israeli army has enclosed two million Gazans in 12% of the enclaves territory. The humanitarian community warns that overcrowding is hampering its operations.

Since March 2, actors within the UN-led humanitarian system have denounced an almost complete blockade of their operations by Israel. This mechanism, which has decades of experience on the ground and thousands of local workers trusted by the Gazan community, has established 400 distribution points throughout the territory. These distribution centers ensured everyone received their share. Israel defends the closure of this system as a way to prevent aid from reaching Hamas, something it claims without evidence is a systematic occurrence and allows the group to retain power in the enclave.

The joint statement by 109 international organizations demands action from the worlds governments to achieve a permanent truce and lift restrictions on humanitarian flows. Stop waiting for permission to act. We can no longer wait for the current measures to work.

These groups denounce that as the Israeli governments siege drives the population of Gaza to starvation, humanitarian workers join the same food lines, risking execution. Members of their organizations and those they work for, they lament, are being consumed before their very eyes. They claim that tons of food, clean water, medical supplies, and fuel are waiting both on the outskirts of the Strip and even inside. But the Israeli governments restrictions and delays are creating chaos, famine, and death. A psychosocial worker mentioned in the statement describes the impact of hunger on children: They tell their parents they want to go to heaven, because at least there is food there.

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has also warned of the fainting and extreme hunger of its workers. UNRWA has thousands of trucks [with humanitarian cargo] in neighboring countries waiting to enter Gaza, where the Israeli authorities have barred them since March.

Bushra Khalidi, Oxfams head of the Palestinian Territories, denounces that the elderly are resorting to desperate solutions to offer something to their children. There are parents boiling tree leaves to feed them. There are humanitarian workers burning their own clothes to cook the last remnants of lentils, and mothers telling us their children died in front of them because their bodies couldnt take it anymore. Khalidi denies this is a humanitarian failure and describes it as a deliberate policy.

Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Khalil Daqran told Reuters on Tuesday that 600,000 people in Gaza are suffering from malnutrition, including 60,000 pregnant women.

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Dhaka, July 24 : A Bangladesh court on Thursday denied bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent Hindu leader and spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jot, in connection with five cases filed against him, including one over the alleged murder of Chattogram court lawyer Saiful Islam Alif.

Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Court Judge Hasanul Islam passed the order rejecting the bail application following a hearing, the local media reported.

Confirming the development, Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) of the Metropolitan Sessions Court, Advocate Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury said, "He was produced before the court amid tight security at around 11:15 am, and after the hearing, he was sent back to jail".

Chinmoy Das was represented by a team of lawyers led by senior advocate Apurba Kumar Bhattacharya from Dhaka during the hearing.

"We sought bail but the court rejected his bail petitions. We told the court to ensure his treatment in jail as he (Chinmoy) has health issues," Bangladesh's leading newspaper 'The Daily Star' quoted Apurba as saying.

The five charges against Das include the murder of lawyer Alif, three under the Explosives Act filed by police for alleged involvement in vandalism and attacks on November 26 last year, and another case filed by Alif's brother Khane Alam.

On April 30, the Appellate Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court stayed the High Court order of granting bail to Das in a sedition case.

Chinmoy was arrested in Dhaka on November 25 last year and sent to jail the following day after a Chittagong court rejected his bail plea. On December 11, the same court again refused bail in the case.

The arrest of Das had sparked massive protests by the Hindu community in Bangladesh, a country in political turmoil since August 2024 when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed amidst widespread violent demonstrations.

Bangladesh has witnessed rising cases of attacks on the Hindu community ever since the Hasina-led government was toppled and an interim administration was formed under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus.

India has taken a tough line on the rights of the Hindu minority and repeatedly stated that there is "systematic persecution of Hindu minorities" under the Yunus-led interim government.
Beijing, July 24 : Multiple regions across northern China activated flood emergency responses on Thursday as meteorological forecasts predicted heavy rainfall over the coming days.

The Beijing municipal government has upgraded its rainstorm warning to yellow, the third highest, and activated citywide flood-control emergency response measures.

The Haihe River flood control and drought relief headquarters and the river administration in neighbouring Tianjin Municipality simultaneously activated Level IV emergency responses for flood control and prevention at 3 pm, anticipating moderate to heavy rain from Thursday through Saturday in the basin, which will raise water levels in main rivers and tributaries.

Earlier in the day, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region escalated its emergency response for torrential rain meteorological disasters from Level IV to Level III, as some parts of the region are expected to receive accumulated rainfall exceeding 100 mm, with localized highs potentially reaching 180mm, accompanied by thunderstorms and gales.

Jilin Province in northeast China also initiated a Level IV flood and drought disaster prevention response at 4 pm Central and western parts of the province face heavy rain, increasing flood and waterlogging risks in several cities and rivers.

Also at 3 pm, Hebei launched a Level IV flood defence emergency response for key cities. Heavy rain to downpours are forecast overnight, Xinhua news agency reported.

Authorities in those regions directed responsible departments to enhance monitoring and forecasting, issue timely warnings, strengthen inspections of levees and reservoirs, and rigorously implement defences to protect lives and property. The public is urged to remain vigilant against secondary disasters triggered by the extreme weather.

China is also experiencing record-breaking temperatures since the start of the flood season, with heatwaves arriving earlier and persisting longer than usual, the National Climate Centre said on Wednesday.

Since the beginning of the flood season, the average number of hot days across the country has reached 8.5, the highest ever for the same period. Meanwhile, the average temperature was the second-highest on record, Jia Xiaolong, deputy head of the centre, told a press conference.

A total of 45 national weather stations logged record-high daily temperatures, with Shaanxi's Xingping hitting 43.1 degrees Celsius.

On July 2, the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration and the China Meteorological Administration jointly issued a high-temperature health risk warning, the first of its kind in history.

China has made adapting to climate change a priority. Notably, in 2024, the country released a national plan to build early warning systems for climate-related health risks.
Nadabet, July 24 : Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday visited the Nadabet Border Outpost (BOP) in Banaskantha district, where he interacted with Border Security Force (BSF) personnel and praised their unwavering dedication and courage in securing the country's western frontier.

During his visit, the Chief Minister extended his congratulations to the jawans for their contributions to Operation Sindoor, a recent mission highlighting the bravery and strategic readiness of India's border forces.

He acknowledged the BSF's valour, especially in areas adjacent to the Pakistan border, and saluted their commitment to national security.

The visit was part of CM Patel's itinerary to review ongoing development projects in Banaskantha, particularly in the Suigam region. At the BOP, he participated in a dialogue with BSF officers and soldiers, expressing gratitude for their service and assuring continued state support.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's firm resolve on national security, CM Patel noted that the success of Operation Sindoor reflected the synergy between the armed forces and border security agencies.

He emphasised that such missions not only defend territorial integrity but also inspire national pride.

Highlighting the state's efforts to promote border tourism, the Chief Minister said that the 'Seema Darshan' initiative at Nadabet has allowed lakhs of visitors to witness the work of BSF personnel up close, boosting public awareness and tourism in the region.

BSF Inspector General Abhishek Pathak thanked the state government for infrastructure support in border areas, particularly for ensuring access to clean drinking water and improved facilities at outposts like Nadabet.

CM Patel was given a Guard of Honour by the BSF and was presented with a memento in appreciation of the state's support.

He was joined on the visit by Speaker of the Gujarat Assembly Shankarbhai Chaudhary and Industries Minister Balvantsinh Rajput, who also interacted with the troops and reviewed developmental progress in the border district.
Vijayawada, July 24 : Festive spirit gripped theatres across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as Tollywood actor Pawan Kalyan's much-awaited period action-adventure "Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1" hit the screens on Thursday.

Vijayawada, July 24 (IANS) Festive spirit gripped theatres across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana as Tollywood actor Pawan Kalyan's much-awaited period action-adventure "Hari Hara Veera Mallu: Part 1" hit the screens on Thursday.

This is the first movie of Pawan Kalyan after he became Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh last year.

There were celebrations by the fans of the 'power star' outside theatres. Carrying posters of their favourite actor in their hands, they were seen raising slogans and bursting firecrackers.

A large number of fans thronged theatres in Vijayawada, Guntur, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, Nellore and other major towns in Andhra Pradesh.

Many fans were seen holding flags of 'Jana Sena', the political party founded and headed by Pawan Kalyan. They hailed the return of the 'power star' to the silver screen.

At a few places, wild celebrations by die-hard fans created some trouble, and police had to use mild force to control them.

Directed by Krish Jagarlamudi and A. M. Jyothi Krishna and produced by A. Dayakar Rao and A. M. Rathnam, the movie is set in the 17th-century Mughal Empire. The story revolves around a legendary warrior named Veeramallu, portrayed by Pawan Kalyan.

The actor's fans were overjoyed and predicted that it would become a superhit and break all the records.

The actor took to 'X' on Thursday to share his thoughts about the movie. "The Jizya tax, a punitive levy imposed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb on Hindus for practising their faith, stands as a stark symbol of oppression, yet historians have long softened its brutality. HariHaraVeeraMallu boldly unmasks this injustice, exposing the erasure of Hindu suffering and the looting of India's wealth, like the Kohinoor's theft. With unwavering resolve, this saga celebrates Sanatana Dharma and the courage of our unsung heroes who defied tyranny," wrote the actor-politician.

Earlier, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu conveyed his best wishes to his deputy ahead of his movie's release.

He also congratulated Pawan Kalyan's fans and audience who have been eagerly awaiting the release of the movie for a long time.

Naidu wished success for the film. "I wish that 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu,' his first performance in a film crafted with a historical storyline, becomes a super hit. While discharging crucial responsibilities as the Deputy CM in the government, he managed to act in this movie. I hope this movie captivates all sections of the audience," posted the Chief Minister.

Responding to Naidu's wishes, Pawan Kalyan said that though he had met him several times over the past 10 years but they never discussed film. The actor-politician Naidu's affectionate mention of 'Hari Hara Veera Mallu' filled him with surprise and joy. He said that Naidu's words are a sign of success.

Pawan Kalyan thanked Naidu for giving him the flexibility to act in the film while fulfilling his responsibilities and for wishing for the film's success.

Interestingly, on the day of the release of his long-awaited movie, Pawan Kalyan attended the state Cabinet meeting.
Kolkata, July 24 : A local panchayat member of Trinamool Congress in Murshidabad district of West Bengal is among the two detained on Thursday, in connection with a murder case.

The incident took place in the Bharatpur area in Murshidabad district. An official identified the deceased as Shasti Ghosh (55), a Trinamool Congress worker.

He was hacked by a group of miscreants near his residence early Thursday morning.

Locals found his body in a pool of blood and rushed him to a local hospital, where he was declared dead. According to the district police official, the murder could be a fallout of old enmity, as several criminal cases are pending against the deceased Trinamool Congress worker.

Two persons, including a local panchayat member, have been detained in connection with the incident. A specific case has been lodged, and an investigation has started. Prime facie investigation shows there is nothing political in this incident.

aIt may be due to a previous grudge," said a senior police officer of Murshidabad district.

However, he refused to name the two accused in the case.

The district police official also police said the deceased Trinamool Congress worker had to regularly appear at the local police station in connection with criminal cases related to robbery, dacoity, and murder, under which he was already booked.

The family of the deceased person, however, alleged that Ghosh was murdered for his connection to the stateas ruling party.

His nephew, Ashish Ghosh, without naming anyone, told media persons that there were two Trinamool Congress factions in the area. aThey were planning to kill my uncle for a long time," the nephew alleged.

Party's Murshidabad organisational district president Apurba Sarkar, however, denied such charges.

"The police have already begun an investigation into this. Those involved in this incident will not be spared. But there is no question of any factional infighting in this case. Our party is not responsible for this. The murder could be a fallout of personal enmity," said the Sarkar.

Meanwhile, in another incident, the nephew of a panchayat member was allegedly hacked to death at Madhusudanpur in the Kakdwip area of the South 24 Parganas district last night.

The deceased has been identified as Raqib Sheikh (27). The police have sent the body for a post-mortem and are awaiting the report.
Bengaluru, July 24 : Welcoming the conviction of three accused in the DJ Halli and KG Halli riot case reported in Bengaluru in 2020, the Karnataka BJP demanded that all culprits in the riot case should be punished.

"The incident of an MLAas house being set on fire is still fresh. Many are involved in the case, including those associated with the banned outfit PFI and supporters of Pakistan. They all should face stringent punishment," said Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka.

State BJP President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra also welcomed the courtas decision to sentence three miscreants, who set fire to and destroyed the KG Halli police station, to seven years of rigorous imprisonment.

"This significant verdict is a slap in the face to the Congress-led government in Karnataka, which had attempted to form a committee to release the rioters by portraying them as innocent for the sake of vote-bank politics. The public now expects that the remaining accused will also be given strict punishment," he stated.

He urged the state government to take firm and preventive measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur and that such miscreant elements are deterred from committing such heinous acts in the future.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court in Bengaluru on Wednesday had sentenced three accused persons in connection with the 2020 DJ Halli-KG Halli riot case to seven years of imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on each.

The convicted individuals are 44-year-old Syed Ikramuddin alias Syed Naveed, a resident of Kushalnagar in K.G. Halli; 46-year-old Syed Asif, a resident of Bharat Mata Layout; and 26-year-old Mohammad Atif, a resident of Basava Nagar.

Syed Ikramuddin was the 14th accused, Syed Asif the 16th, and Mohammad Atif the 18th in the charge sheet. They were convicted of criminal conspiracy for their involvement in setting fire to the KG Halli police station during the riots.

The case was investigated by the National Investigation Agency, which later filed a detailed chargesheet. The accused were presented before the court through video conference.

The incident occurred on August 11, 2020. A group of 25 to 30 individuals had gathered in front of the KG Halli Police Station, shouting slogans and demanding the arrest of Naveen, the nephew of former MLA Akhanda Srinivasa Murthy, for allegedly posting a derogatory message insulting the Holy Prophet Muhammad.

According to the charge sheet, the mob, led by accused Syed Ikramuddin and others, entered the KG Halli Police Station demanding the registration of a case against Naveen.

The gathering at the station grew steadily and turned violent, especially in the wake of the already escalating violence in the neighbouring DJ Halli Police Station area.

The violence escalated as the mob vandalised and set fire to government and private vehicles parked near the police station. They also demanded that Naveen be handed over to them, threatening to kill him.

During the incident, the rioters damaged a total of 12 vehicles, including government and private vehicles. Of these, five two-wheelers and one Innova car were completely burnt, while six other vehicles were damaged.

The police named 199 persons as accused in the FIR. Of them, 187 were arrested, four surrendered, and one accused died. The police later submitted a charge sheet against 138 individuals.
Ranchi, July 24 : The Jharkhand government has decided to rename all Atal Mohalla Clinics operating in the state as Mother Teresa Advanced Health Clinics. The decision was taken during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday.

Currently, around 140 such clinics are operational across Jharkhand, primarily aimed at delivering basic healthcare services to the urban and rural poor at the local level.

Among other key decisions, the cabinet approved the draft of the Jharkhand State University Bill, 2025, which will be tabled in the upcoming monsoon session of the Assembly.

The bill seeks to bring all government universities under a uniform administrative and regulatory framework through the formation of a State University Service Commission.

This body will oversee appointments and promotions of university teachers. However, medical and agricultural universities will remain outside its jurisdiction. The age limit for vice-chancellors has been fixed at 70 years.

In another significant decision, the cabinet gave its nod to the Jharkhand State Police, Kakshapal, Sepoy (Home Defense Corps), Excise Sepoy Joint Recruitment Rules, 2025.

As part of this, all previously published police recruitment advertisements stand canceled.

Under the revised norms, applicants across all categories will be granted a five-year age relaxation, and candidates who had applied under earlier notifications will be exempted from paying the application fee.

The cabinet also approved the provision of government jobs -- either under a special ex gratia grant or on compassionate grounds -- to dependents of Central Paramilitary Force personnel from Jharkhand who were martyred in militant incidents or while defending the nationas borders.

Further, the cabinet approved the dismissal of two doctors -- Dr Kumari Rekha from Musabani (Jamshedpur) and Dr Reena Kumari from Sadar Hospital (Bokaro) -- for prolonged unauthorized absence from duty.

In a major move to strengthen Urdu education in government schools, the cabinet decided to surrender 3,712 existing posts of Urdu assistant teachers and create 4,339 new teaching posts.

Of these, 3,287 posts will be for Intermediate Trained Assistant Acharyas in primary schools, while 1,052 posts will be for Graduate Trained Assistant Acharyas in middle schools.
Mumbai, July 24 : Actor Ashutosh Rana, who is gearing up for the release of his upcoming film 'Heer Express', feels that in addition to reading the young generation should also connect with people on a deeper level as it would enrich them as human beings.

The actor recently spoke with IANS ahead of the film's release, and said that reading literature may give a certain level of understanding about the society and the world at large to people, connect with fellow human beings, make them richer as every person comes with their own story and situation.

He told IANS, "I believe that they should read a lot but also connect a lot. Sometimes it happens that some people are not interested in reading. But they are interested in connecting with people. They are interested in connecting with the world. So along with connecting with the world, with connecting with people, you should also have a feeling of connection with yourself. You should also keep connecting with yourself. To be friends with you, first of all, I will have to be friends with myself".

"I believe that if you look at the world, not only words, even silence teaches us and you. So if we have the understanding of listening to words, if we have the understanding of reading words, then we will also have to develop the understanding of listening to silence. And we will also have to develop the understanding of understanding silence", he added.

The actor also praised the director of 'Heer Express', Umesh Shukla for his understanding of the theatre. He said, "The best thing about Umesh is that he has worked in all three forms of expression. He has worked in theatre as well. So, he understands that he is a writer, an actor and a director as well. He has also done very good plays".

The films that he has made, be it 'OMG  Oh My God' or '102 Not Out', if you watch his films, those films are also very good and he makes films on different subjects. So, when you are with a person who understands all the mediums and when he is present in all the mediums, you leave yourself with that person without any worries as an actor", he added.
London, July 24 : Expressing gratitude to British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for strongly condemning the heinous April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, PM Narendra Modi on Thursday said that forces with extremist ideology cannot be allowed to misuse democratic freedom.

"We thank Prime Minister Starmer and his Government for strongly condemning the Pahalgam terror attack. We are united in the belief that there is no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism. We also agree that the forces with extremist ideology cannot be allowed to misuse democratic freedom. Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself, must be held to account," said PM Modi while making a press statement alongside his UK counterpart Starmer on Thursday.

PM Modi's remark came amid growing concerns over the presence of Khalistani extremists in the United Kingdom, who have in the past also created ruckus at the Indian High Commission in London.

The agencies from both countries, he announced, will also continue to work in cooperation and coordination on the issue of extradition of economic offenders.

Both leaders also exchanged views on issues of regional and global importance.

"We have been exchanging views on peace in the Indo-Pacific, Ukraine conflict and situation in West Asia. We support early restoration of stability. Respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries is essential. Today's era demands development, not expansionism," said PM Modi.

Ahead of PM Modi's visit, India on Tuesday said that it will continue to share its concerns with the UK government about the presence of Khalistani extremists in the United Kingdom as well as carry on making diplomatic efforts for the extradition of fugitive criminals.

"The issue of the presence of Khalistani extremists and bodies close to these people is again something that we have brought to the attention of our partners in the UK. We will continue to do so. This is a matter of concern not only to us, but should be a matter of concern to our partners as well because this impacts social cohesion and social order in these other countries as well," Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said during a special media briefing ahead of PM Modi's visit to the United Kingdom.

Earlier this year, Khalistani goons created ruckus outside the Chatham House in London where External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was attending an event. A video from the event, showing a protester running towards the EAM's vehicle as he was leaving the venue, also went viral on social media highlighting the security breach.

This was not the first time that anti-India, radical elements had organised demonstrations, attacks, as well as arson in London.

In March 2023, New Delhi had lodged a strong protest with the UK government after Khalistani extremists vandalised the Indian High Commission in London. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had demanded an explanation from the British authorities for the complete absence of the British security that allowed the Khalistani goons to enter the High Commission premises.

During Tuesday's media briefing on PM Modi's two-nation visit, Foreign Secretary Misri also said that India has continued to "make the case" for the extradition of fugitive criminals and it continues to follow it up very closely with the partners in London.

"There have been a few questions related to fugitives related to Indian law and Indian justice, in the UK. These have been a matter of discussion between both sides and we have continued to make the case for these fugitives to be rendered to India. There is a legal process that such requests and such issues go through in the other country and we continue to follow up very closely with our partners in the UK on these matters," he said.

This is Prime Minister Modi's fourth visit to the UK.
New Delhi, July 24 : India's national transmission infrastructure is adequately developed to ensure reliable power flow across regions as it has been expanded from 75,050 MW during 2016-17 to 1,20,340 MW as of June 2025, the Parliament was informed on Thursday.

The Centre plans to increase this power transmission capacity across the National Grid to 1,43,000 MW by 2027 and further to 1,68,000 MW by 2032, Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik told the Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question.

"A robust National Grid has been established to facilitate the transfer of power from power surplus regions to power deficit regions, thereby mitigating the impact of regional disparities on overall power availability," he said.

The minister said that the installed generation capacity of the country, as on June 6, is 484.81 GW.

The capacity of National Grid is being expanded on a continuous basis, commensurate with the growth in electricity generation and electricity demand.

As a result, imbalances in power supply and demand due to locational constraints are effectively managed without significant transmission bottlenecks.

He further stated that the development of generation capacity is guided by a range of factors, including the availability of fuel sources, logistics, resource potential, demand growth and the readiness of associated infrastructure.

The minister's reply was tabled in response to a question raised by Congress member Shashi Tharoor on whether regional disparities in power generation impact the overall surplus and the effectiveness of the current transmission infrastructure.

The Kerala MP also asked whether any specific short-term and long-term remedial measures are planned to strengthen transmission networks in deficit-prone states.

The minister also furnished a detailed break-up of the power generation capacity across states along with the fuel sources in each state, such as coal, hydro, natural gas and nuclear. Besides, he tabled figures pertaining to the power supply in various states of the country.
Chemical engineer Jesus Santamaria believes that scientists are capable of better murders. They are accustomed to observing, drawing conclusions. They can understand a detectives deductive process, and so the crimes they are able to commit are more interesting, harder to solve, he says.

 Do you think that you would know how to kill a person better?

 Of course. Definitely, definitely.

Santamaria, 66, is of a distinctive profile. He is writing his third Spanish-language crime novel, about a scientist who is a serial killer, and has received more than $5.8 million from the European Research Council towards trying to cure cancer. Killing a person is easy on paper, but killing off just a part of their cells, the cancerous ones, is the great challenge of medicine. Santamaria says that the year of his birth, 1959, was also when celebrated U.S. physicist Richard Feynman gave a talk now considered a foundational text of nanotechnology, the manipulation of matter down to millionths of a millimeter. Feynman, one of the fathers of the atomic bomb, mentioned a very crazy idea of a friend of his. It would be interesting in surgery if you could swallow the surgeon. You put the mechanical surgeon inside the blood vessel and it goes into the heart and looks around. It finds out which valve is the faulty one and takes a little knife and slices it out, mused the physicist.

That idea ceased being regarded as crazy a long time ago, explains Santamaria in his office at Spains Nanoscience and Materials Institute in Zaragoza. The first FDA-approved nanomedicine, which is called Doxil, has been used since 1995 to treat various kinds of cancer. Its simply a chemotherapy compound  doxorubicin, obtained from bacteria  that is encapsulated in fat spheres. The resulting molecules are small enough to circulate in the blood until they encounter the characteristic pores of a tumors blood vessels, which are malformed due to the rapid growth of the cancer. With a simple nanotechnology trick, the medicine reaches diseased areas more accurately.

Its just 30 years since the first nanomedicine. People at the time thought, This is awesome, weve beaten cancer! If a silly passive system can achieve that, what cant we achieve attaching medicine to monoclonal antibodies [proteins created in the laboratory to target cancer cells directly]? And what has happened since then? The drug doesnt reach the cells, says Santamaria.

Jesus Santamaria at the Nanoscience and Materials Institute on July 10. Rocio Badiola

German chemist Stefan Wilhelm took measure of the magnitude of this failure in 2016. After revising all the studies published over the prior decade, he observed that only 0.7% of the dose of nanoparticles injected into a patient actually got to the tumor. Apparently excellent nanopharmaceuticals existed to kill cancerous cells, but they werent arriving at their destination. Thats the Gordian knot. If we solve it, weve got it, says Santamaria. The European Research Council just awarded him one of its Advanced Grants, $3.6 million to go toward finding this quandarys solution. It is his third such European grant, a milestone that only five other scientists in Spain have achieved.

The researcher presented his first crime novel, Akademeia, in 2018. In it, a young Spanish scientist emigrates to the United States to work at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and encounters a ruthless battle of egos and a dead body. Scientists are often seen as benevolent beings, dedicated to their exotic investigations, removed from mundane passions. But researchers are human beings, subject to the same passions as the rest, and capable of the same abuses, warns the author on the books back cover.

During the Covid lockdown, Santamaria wrote his second crime novel, Inmortal, in which once again the protagonist was a Spanish researcher at MIT who comes across a messianic scientist who has founded a new religion and is seeking immortality. They are pure and simple crime novels. No one should expect deaths on the first page. When I kill someone, you already understand the murderer perfectly and you also agree that they should kill, says the author, cackling.

Its no coincidence that the scene of these crimes is MIT, one of the temples of global science. Santamaria got into politics for the government of the Spanish region of Aragon in 2003, as director-general of research in the administration of the Spanish Socialist Workers Partys Marcelino Iglesias. In 2007, after leaving that position, he took a sabbatical year at MIT under the guidance of Robert Langer, the guru of smart drug delivery and one of the worlds greatest inventors of medicines. In 2010, Langer and other colleagues founded Moderna, which would go on to produce one of the first effective vaccines against Covid and save millions of lives.

Jesus Santamaria in his laboratory in Zaragoza. Rocio Badiola

With the $2.18 million from his first European grant in 2011, Santamarias team developed catalysts for the hydrocarbon industry. With his nearly $2.9 million second grant in 2017, they produced other catalysts that, when activated, generate toxic substances in cancer cells to destroy them from within, leaving them without their food. They are real glucose junkies, says the scientist. That nullifies their essential antioxidant molecules, supplying them with inactivated drugs that can be reactivated at will. Santamaria says that results in mice have been promising, even though when the animals are sacrificed after each experiment, it is revealed that up to 98% of the nanoparticles are trapped in the liver and do not reach the tumor.

With his third, $3.6 million grant, Santamaria is facing off with that Gordian knot: the patients own immune system. The immense majority of nanoparticles wind up being captured by the white blood cells in the livers blood vessels. His teams initial strategy was to design innocuous decoys that distract the white blood cells before injecting the healing nanoparticles. Once these human defenses have been evaded, the tumor may be reached. Our next strategy is that of the Trojan horse, he says, referencing the legend of the seemingly harmless wooden equine that gains access into a fortified city, only for its residents to discover that the steed is full of Greek soldiers.

Tumor cells communicate through extracellular vesicles measuring millionths of a millimeter across. Santamaria and his colleagues ultimate goal is to take a sample of a patients cancer, cultivate their tumor cells in a laboratory, extract the vesicles, load them with healing nanoparticles, and re-inject them into the patient after administering the decoy particles. We want to test the concept on a mouse with a complete immune system. If it works, and instead of 1% of the nanoparticles reaching the tumor, 50% do, there will be cries of joy in Madrid. If we succeed, we will look for a pharmaceutical company that wants to participate in human clinical trials, says Santamaria, who is also a professor at the University of Zaragoza.

The scientist is in the process of finishing his third crime novel, which is once again set at MIT. On this occasion, the Spanish researcher is unjustly expelled from the school, and decides to get his revenge, becoming a serial killer of scientific journal editors. The nanotechnologist from Burgos imagines innovative ways to kill in his spare time, but he devotes his working day to finding the key to exterminating only a persons undesirable cells, thereby saving their life. It would be the realization of Feynmans dream in 1959: reducing the size of the doctor so that they could enter our body, look around for things to repair, and repair them, he says.

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Patna, July 24 : A day after JD-U MP from Banka, Girdhari Yadav, publicly criticised the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, the Janata Dal (United) issued a show-cause notice to him for making statements "beyond the party line." Patna, July 24 (IANS) A day after JD-U MP from Banka, Girdhari Yadav, publicly criticised the Election Commission over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, the Janata Dal (United) issued a show-cause notice to him for making statements "beyond the party line."

The notice was issued on Thursday from the office of Afaque Ahmad Khan, JD-U's National General Secretary and MLC, and references Girdhari Yadav's remarks made within Parliament premises.

Quoting his statements, the notice states: "Expressing your views on the 'Special Intensive Revision' of Electoral Rolls being conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) was not appropriate. You are well aware that under Article 324 of the Constitution and the Representation of the People Act, 1950, the ECI has ordered this revision in Bihar."

It further highlights that opposition parties, frustrated by electoral setbacks, are running sustained campaigns to discredit the ECI and EVMs.

The JD-U has consistently supported the ECI and EVM usage, both during its time in the INDIA alliance and now as part of the NDA.

Girdhari Yadav's comments on such a sensitive issue, particularly in an election year, "cause embarrassment to the party" and "inadvertently lend credibility" to the opposition's "baseless and politically motivated allegations."

The JD-U clarified that Girdhari Yadav's conduct is a lapse in discipline and not in consonance with the Janata Dal (United)'s stated position.

"He has been asked to respond within 15 days of receiving the notice, failing which disciplinary action may be initiated," the notice said.

On Wednesday, Girdhari Yadav criticised the Election Commission, calling its decision on SIR a "Tughlaqi decree" and alleging it lacked practical knowledge about Bihar's history and geography.

"If the Election Commission had to get this done, it should have done it six months ago, not during the farming and rainy season. It took us ten days to collect the papers. My son is in America. How will he sign within a month?" Yadav said.

While clarifying that the party supports the SIR, Yadav said he was expressing personal views as an MP.

"We will vote with the party, but I also have my own views. If you think this is against the party, so be it, but this is the truth. If we cannot speak the truth, why are we MPs?" he said.

His remarks came amid rising tension in Bihar over the SIR, with opposition parties alleging voter disenfranchisement, while the ruling NDA defends the revision to clean up electoral rolls.
Pakur : , July 24 (IANS) Frustrated over prolonged power cuts, hundreds of residents in Jharkhand's Pakur took to the streets, blocking the Pakur-Dhuliyan main road for nearly 10 hours.

Pakur (Jharkhand), July 24 (IANS) Frustrated over prolonged power cuts, hundreds of residents in Jharkhandas Pakur took to the streets, blocking the Pakur-Dhuliyan main road for nearly 10 hours.

The protest, which began around Wednesday midnight, ended only on Thursday afternoon after officials held talks with the agitated villagers.

Protesters warned that if the power situation doesn't improve within 24 hours, they will resume their agitation.

Residents alleged that the district receives only 2-3 hours of electricity daily, worsening the plight of people amid severe heat and humidity.

They said schoolchildrenas studies are suffering, and the elderly and sick are facing serious difficulties. Despite repeated complaints to the authorities, no action has been taken so far, they claimed.

The blockade caused a massive traffic jam on the Pakur-Dhulian road, leaving vehicles stranded for hours. Protesters raised slogans against the Electricity Department.

Zonal Officer in-charge Sameer Alfred Murmu and Mufassil Police Station in-charge Sanjeev Jha reached the spot and assured the villagers that the issue would be addressed.

Murmu acknowledged the severity of the situation and said a meeting with the district administration and power officials would be convened soon to improve the supply.

Only after this assurance did the villagers lift the blockade.

This is not an isolated incident. Just a few days ago, residents of Gopalpur village under Hiranpur police station blocked the Hiranpur-Dangapada main road for nearly four hours over a faulty transformer.

Similarly, on June 5, people in Littipada had blocked the Littipada-Sahibganj road near Tilka Manjhi Chowk, protesting low voltage and erratic supply.

Rural consumers say that irregular power supply has become a persistent problem, severely impacting their daily lives. They warned that if officials fail to act on their latest promises, they will launch a larger agitation.
London, July 24 : In a major milestone for India's global trade ambitions, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday hailed the India-UK comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) as a 'historic leap' that will empower workers, farmers, MSMEs, and startups across the country.

Congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and citizens of both nations, Goyal said the agreement unlocks duty-free access for 99 per cent of Indian exports to the UK -- opening up nearly $23 billion worth of new opportunities, especially for labour-intensive industries.

Signed in the presence of both Prime Ministers, the agreement marks a new chapter in India's trade relations with developed nations.

It was inked by Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds after negotiations concluded earlier this year.

"This deal will transform the lives of artisans, weavers, and daily-wage earners employed in sectors such as textiles, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, toys, and marine products," Goyal said in a post on social media platform X.

"From village looms to tech labs, this FTA empowers women through improved financial access and deeper global integration," he added.

Agriculture is another big winner under the deal, with nearly 95 per cent of Indian farm products gaining duty-free access to the UK.

Fisherfolk too will benefit from zero duty on 99 per cent of marine exports. Goyal stressed that the agreement supports "inclusive and gender-equitable growth", helping create a more resilient economy from the grassroots up.

Beyond traditional sectors, the pact is expected to boost engineering goods, electronics, pharma, chemicals, plastics, and food processing industries -- all critical to India's manufacturing future. It will also make high-quality UK goods more affordable for Indian consumers.

The services sector, one of India's economic powerhouses, is set to gain from better access to UK markets in IT, finance, education, and legal services.

Simplified visa rules and liberal entry norms will ease the path for Indian chefs, yoga instructors, musicians, business visitors, and professionals across sectors.

Another key highlight is the Double Contribution Convention, which exempts Indian professionals and their employers from paying social security contributions in the UK for three years.

Goyal called it a "significant breakthrough" that enhances the cost competitiveness of Indian talent abroad.

The agreement also opens doors for Indian startups, providing them access to UK investors and innovation hubs, thereby expanding their global footprint.

According to Goyal, CETA is a "win-win" for the government's flagship initiatives like 'Make in India' and 'Vocal for Local,' as it drives job creation and strengthens India's strategic position in global trade.
New Delhi, July 24 : Fourteen top-performing students from Delhi government schools on Thursday received special tips as Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Minister Ashish Sood interacted with them ahead of their vocational training in Germany.

At a special felicitation ceremony held at the Delhi Secretariat, CM Gupta and Education Minister Ashish Sood praised the students who, despite limited resources, gave wings to their dreams through hard work and excellence.

The 14 selected students from Delhi Government schools will soon study in Germany under the APAL (Ausbildung Programm fur Auszubildende in Deutschland) Project 2025 for a vocational education and training programme.

The Federal Employment Agency (BA) of Germany, responsible for employment benefits and job market operations across the country, had launched a flagship initiative known as APAL - "Training Partnerships with Latin America, India, and Uzbekistan."

CM Gupta stated that it has always been the commitment of the Delhi government to ensure that every child receives world-class education, skill development, and global opportunities, regardless of their socio-economic background.

The selection of these children is a living example of that very commitment, she said, adding, "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all these children. This journey is not just theirs, but also a step toward building a new India - one where dreams know no bounds."

Sood also briefed the 14 students from Delhi Government schools who have been selected to participate in the APAL Project 2025.

This programme offers an opportunity to young individuals to pursue dual vocational training in Germany, a global leader in skill development and education.

Sood stated that a kind of exchange programme has been established between the Delhi government and the German government, focusing on both skilling and employability.

Under this programme, these 14 students will go to Germany, where they will receive training and pursue their education for a duration of 3 to 3.5 years, and eventually secure placements.

He further shared that the way Delhi's meritorious students are getting inspired in the field of education will open up many new opportunities for technical education and training, along with other countries.

Sood said ever since Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched initiatives like Skill India, the country's reputation has grown internationally.

"Under the guidance of the Government of India, the Delhi government has also made significant strides in the areas of skilling and employability. We have made conscious efforts to ensure that Delhi's children receive quality skill-based education and become employable," he said.
Kinshasa, July 24 : The United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has voiced deep concern over a resurgence of armed violence in the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, which has claimed the lives of dozens of civilians since early July.

In a statement issued out of Kinshasa, the DRC capital, MONUSCO condemned recent attacks carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces, which have reportedly killed at least 82 civilians across the two provinces.

The mission also denounced the July 21 violence in Djugu territory and the looting and desecration of the Catholic parish of Lopa in Ituri Province by militia of the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO).

Attacks on places of worship, schools, and health centres constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law, MONUSCO said.

"Those responsible for these atrocities must be held accountable," said Bruno Lemarquis, acting head of MONUSCO, urging the signatories of the Aru II peace accords to honour their commitments and immediately cease hostilities.

The "Aru II" accords, signed in 2023 between the DRC government and several armed groups active in Ituri, including CODECO and its splinter factions, aimed to establish a lasting ceasefire, initiate disarmament, and facilitate the restoration of peace in a province plagued by intercommunal conflict.

The eastern DRC has witnessed decades of insecurity fueled by ethnic tensions, local militias, and foreign rebel groups operating across porous borders. Despite repeated regional peace initiatives, violence continues to displace millions and undermine efforts to stabilise the region, Xinhua news agency reported.

Earlier on July 19, African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf had welcomed the signing of a declaration of principles between the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the March 23 Movement (M23) in Doha, Qatar, to end the conflict in the eastern DRC.

Youssouf had described the declaration as a "major milestone in the ongoing efforts to achieve lasting peace, security, and stability in eastern DRC and the wider Great Lakes region."

Appreciating the invaluable contributions made by all stakeholders, including the regional facilitators from the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, Youssouf had said that the declaration offers a renewed hope for regional cooperation and sustainable peace.

The chairperson of the 55-member continental organisation also commended the spirit of dialogue, compromise, and political will demonstrated by the governments of the DRC and Rwanda.

The AU remains fully committed to working with all stakeholders to support the successful implementation of the declaration and to contribute to sustainable peace, security, and development in the DRC and the region, the statement added.
Chennai, July 24 : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who was admitted to Apollo Hospitals in Chennai for giddiness-related symptoms, has been diagnosed with variations in heart rate following a series of medical investigations, it was announced on Thursday.

A statement, issued by the hospital, said that the Chief Minister underwent a therapeutic procedure in the morning to address the condition and is currently in stable health.

According to the statement signed by Dr Anil B.G., Director of Medical Services at Apollo Hospitals, the diagnostic angiogram performed on the Chief Minister revealed no abnormalities. The procedure was undertaken under the supervision of a medical expert committee led by senior interventional cardiologist Dr. G. Sengottuvelu.

Despite being hospitalised, Stalin has continued to discharge his administrative responsibilities from the hospital. He interacted with Chief Secretary Muruganandam and reviewed ongoing government programmes, including the flagship a#WithYou_Stalina public grievance redressal camps being held across the state.

Sources said that the Chief Minister signed several important files and issued instructions to district Collectors and officials via video conference.

Hospital authorities have said that Stalin is expected to make a full recovery and return to his normal routine within two days.

The medical team noted that the early detection of the issue and prompt intervention helped prevent any serious complications. The 72-year-old Chief Minister, who had earlier reported uneasiness and giddiness, was admitted to Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, on Monday morning. His hospitalisation prompted concern among political leaders and the general public, but updates from the hospital and his own messages have since allayed fears.
Banaskantha, July 24 : Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 358.37 crore in Banaskantha district.

Speaking at a public gathering in Suigam near Nadabet, the CM emphasised the government's resolve to transform border villages into engines of growth and tourism.

"Where once there was barren land, we now see emerging tourism hubs, thanks to sustained efforts in water connectivity and grassroots infrastructure," said Patel, adding that the benefits of development are now reaching the last mile.

Patel launched new projects worth Rs 55.68 crore and highlighted Gujarat's focus on health, education, water management, and green initiatives, pointing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaigns like "Catch the Rain" and "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" as timely responses to global warming and environmental degradation.

"In Gujarat, every district now has a medical college, and over 7,000 new doctors are being trained annually. Citizens are now receiving free medical treatment up to Rs 10 lakh under schemes like Ayushman Bharat," Patel said.

He also acknowledged the success of the Amrit Sarovar Mission, noting that Gujarat exceeded its target by constructing more than 75 reservoirs in each district, with over 30,000 recharge wells completed in Banaskantha alone through a partnership with Banas Dairy.

Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shankarbhai Chaudhary, who also addressed the event, praised the CM's leadership and recalled how Banaskantha - once seen as underdeveloped - has now become a model for rural rejuvenation and border tourism.

He emphasised the role of schemes like school enrolment drives, girls' education campaigns, and Gunotsav in transforming education in the district.

"Banaskantha topped the state in this year's Class 10 and 12 results - a moment of pride for all of us," he said.

Industries Minister Balvantsinh Rajput, the district in charge, noted that the government had allocated Rs 7,200 crore to Banaskantha in the past three years, facilitating job growth through cooperative institutions like Banas Dairy and new GIDC estates across Talukas.

Highlighting Gujarat's strong fiscal management, Patel attributed the state's progress to transparent governance and long-term planning - a legacy, he said, initiated by Narendra Modi during his tenure as Gujarat's Chief Minister.

In a symbolic gesture, the Jay Bhole Group from Ahmedabad gifted the CM a replica of 51 Shakti Peeths and a Shri Yantra made from sacred soil. Citizens also warmly welcomed the recent approval of the new Vav-Tharad district, viewing it as a step toward better administration and local development.

The event witnessed the presence of several state dignitaries and local MLAs, including Swarupji Thakor, Praveen Mali, Aniket Thakor, Keshaji Chauhan, and Mavji Desai, along with District Collector Mihir Patel, DDO M.J. Dave, SP Akshayraj Makwana, and other officials from various departments.
Patna, July 24 : Patna Police have arrested three persons for allegedly raping a minor girl and blackmailing her with a video clip, an official said on Thursday.

City SP (West) Bhanu Pratap Singh said that the police came to know about the incident on July 22 after the victim's parents lodged a complaint at the Danapur police station.

"The investigation revealed that four youths allegedly gang raped the victim, recorded a video of the incident, and used it to blackmail her. They extorted jewellery kept in the house," Singh said, adding that the case was solved within 24 hours of the complaint.

Danapur Police registered FIR number 767/25 on July 22, 2025, under Sections 70(2), 308(2), 351(2) of the BNS, along with relevant sections of the POCSO Act (4/6/12).

Following directions from the Senior Superintendent of Police, an SIT was formed under the leadership of City SP (West) to investigate the case.

According to Singh, the accused befriended the victim on Instagram, took her to a hotel, gang raped her, recorded the act, and later used the obscene video to extort gold jewellery, which they sold at a shop.

Based on the statements of the three arrested youths, the police also arrested goldsmith Arvind Kumar for allegedly purchasing the stolen jewellery.

During questioning, Kumar admitted that he had bought the jewellery from the accused.

"We have seized five mobile phones during the operation, and raids are underway to apprehend another individual involved in the incident," Singh said.

The investigation team included Sub-Inspector Ashish Kumar Chaudhary, Sub-Inspector Bittu Kumar Sharma, Sub-Inspector Preeti Kumari, Assistant Sub-Inspector Chandan Pratap Karna, and members of the Police Station armed force.

The incident once again exposes the sad and grim reality of the society pertaining to safety and security of women. Crimes against women have been one of the most glaring challenges across the nation and the entire country has been struggling to deal effectively with it.
New Delhi, July 24 : The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will have a far-reaching impact on a lot of industries in the country and will open new markets for the businesses, leading industry chamber PHDCCI's President Hemant Jain said on Thursday.

Jain told IANS here that bilaterally, the trade pact will pave a path for getting the EU and the US FTA also in line.

"This is a major step which will boost both goods and services. It is the most comprehensive agreement that will help several sectors, like IT services, financial services, handicrafts, gems and jewellery and so on," he noted.

Once an FTA is reached, the comfort level between the two nations is enhanced to a great extent.

"There is a greater market outreach which you can achieve. There will be huge investment coming into India after this FTA," Jain told IANS, adding that the industry chamber will now spend time and go through the nitty-gritty of the FTA to see how it can benefit the companies and businesses going forward.

The UK is the sixth largest economy in the world, and India will have more access to a large market which is untapped right now, said Jain.

"We commend both governments for finalising a deal that promises to catalyse bilateral trade, enhance the competitiveness of Indian SMEs, and open new doors for industries in manufacturing, services, and technology sectors," he added.

The agreement is a testimony to the strategic depth that will lead to a doubling of bilateral trade to over $120 billion by 2030 with the UK.

The free trade agreement will boost bilateral investment and generate new employment opportunities in both countries. Moreover, these agreements between two vibrant democracies and major global economies will also contribute to strengthening global stability and shared prosperity.

On the one hand, it paves the way for enhanced market access in the UK for Indian textiles, footwear, gems and jewellery, seafood, and engineering goods. It will also unlock new opportunities for India's agricultural produce and processed food industry.

Above all, this agreement will be especially beneficial for India's youth, farmers, fishermen, and the MSME sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said after the deal was signed.
New Delhi, July 24 : In a remarkable fusion of faith and global spirituality, nine young devotees from six different countries - including the US, Germany, and Canada - undertook the sacred Amarnath Yatra, embracing the challenging Himalayan pilgrimage with devotion and wonder.

New Delhi, July 24 (IANS) In a remarkable fusion of faith and global spirituality, nine young devotees from six different countries  including the US, Germany, and Canada  undertook the sacred Amarnath Yatra, embracing the challenging Himalayan pilgrimage with devotion and wonder.

The Department of Information & Public Relations, Jammu and Kashmir, shared the news on social media platform 'X,' stating: "9 young foreign devotees from 6 countries, including the US and Germany, undertook the sacred #ShriAmarnathJiYatra via the Baltal route  a beautiful blend of global faith and spiritual harmony in the Himalayas".

One young devotee from Canada described her spiritual experience as overwhelming and transformative.

"I am here in Kashmir, experiencing its rich biodiversity and spiritual energy. The moment I stepped into the Amarnath cave, I was in tears  there was a deep sense of peace. The entire world is connected through the energies of Shiv-Shakti. This cave is special  it's where Lord Shiv revealed the secret of immortality to Parvati. The trek was tough but absolutely worth it. I urge everyone, regardless of where they are from, to come and experience this once in a lifetime," he said.

Another pilgrim echoed the sentiment, adding: "It was a truly wonderful experience. We felt safe, supported, and spiritually uplifted. We will definitely return."

Since this year's Amarnath Yatra started on July 3, more than 3.42 lakh Yatris have had 'Darshan' so far, while a fresh batch of 3,500 pilgrims started their journey from Jammu towards the two base camps.

Officials said that more than 3.42 lakh Yatris have performed the ongoing Amarnath Yatra during the last 21 days as the huge rush of pilgrims continues unabated.

"The officially expected figure of 3.50 lakh Yatris performing the Yatra this year is likely to be crossed on Thursday only, while 17 days are still left for the conclusion of this year's Yatra."

"The Yatra has been going on peacefully, smoothly, and this has encouraged the devotees to come in record numbers. As more than 3.42 lakh had Darshan in the last 21 days, we had another batch of 3,500 Yatris, who left the Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas in Jammu for the Valley on Thursday."

"Of these, the first escorted convoy of 45 vehicles carrying 832 Yatris left for Baltal base camp at 3:25 a.m. while the second convoy of 95 vehicles carrying 2,668 Yatris to Pahalgam base camp left at 4:01 a.m.," an official said.

The Bhumi Pujan of 'Chhari Mubarak' (Lord Shiva's Holy Abode) was performed at Pahalgam on July 10.

The Chhari Mubarak was then taken back to its seat at the Dashnami Akhara building.

It will start its final journey towards the cave shrine from Dashnami Akhara temple in Srinagar on August 4 and 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 based on faith in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam.
Movie theaters are still failing to win back the viewers they lost during the Covid pandemic. Especially not those who had already decided to dedicate their free time to watching movies on streaming platforms. Since then, those same theaters have sought all kinds of methods to bring the faithful back to the ceremony of watching a film in a dark theater. Increasingly spacious seats, premium experiences, luxurious food, and even 4D, where the chairs move and if youre watching, for example, Twisters, you might leave the theater with your hair disheveled. One of the reasons some believe the younger generations arent going to the movies anymore is that they (theoretically) have to stop using their most precious appendage to do so: their cell phones.

Surely thats why, in the world of big technology and social engineering companies, solutions are beginning to be sought that allow for combining the experience of the seventh art with that of consulting the screen of the device in question. The first to take up this challenge was Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who had already conducted some (unsuccessful) tests on this subject but now believes he has the holy grail in his hands: the chatbot Movie Mate, which encourages viewers to use their cell phones while watching the film, and does so live... or at least thats the intention.

As revealed by The New York Times last month, during a screening of the film M3GAN 2.0, attendees at an AMC theater in Los Angeles were encouraged to use their cell phones to participate in an interactive experiment. According to Metas instructions, the films protagonist would send messages to their device and they could even chat with her. This is going to sound weird, but please take out and turn on your phones, a voice informed the audience before the film began.

A Variety magazine journalist who attended the test commented after the event that it turned out to be an epic failure. The chatbot wasnt synchronized with the film, there was no way to interact with it, and it was difficult to manage the phone and the viewing process, which caused chaos that wouldnt appear to be the organizers intended objective.

For Enrique Costa, one of the most iconic independent film distributors in Spain and founder of Elastica Films, the idea is annoying. If they invite you to use your phone during the film and it doesnt capture your attention could it be that youre watching a crappy movie? If they have to ask you multiple-choice questions during the screening or you can interact with the rest of the audience, arent we giving wings to those who were irritating people in the cinema in the 1980s by shouting at each other while commenting on the film? he asks.

For his part, Eduardo Escudero, business director of A Contracorriente Films, believes that this should be considered nothing more than an experiment that is incompatible with what makes the movie theater experience unique and different, which has to do not only with the quality of the image, the sound, or the seats, but also with the attention it requires compared to the distractions you have when watching movies at home. Extending its use beyond specific actions seems complex.

We dont know if Meta is truly planning to expand Movie Mates presence or if it was simply a test to see how far viewers are willing to go: whether the bots lure can provide anything more than a joke from a moviegoer fed up with being used as a guinea pig, or if it will truly become a useful tool to get us back to the theaters. But for now, dont forget to turn off your phone before the screening starts.

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Ahmedabad, July 24 : Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal led a rally in Gujarat's Narmada district in support of jailed tribal MLA Chaitar Vasava. Speaking in Dediyapada, Kejriwal accused the BJP government in the state of suppressing tribal voices and framing Vasava in a fabricated case for exposing systemic corruption.

Ahmedabad, July 24 (IANS) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal led a rally in Gujaratas Narmada district in support of jailed tribal MLA Chaitar Vasava. Speaking in Dediyapada, Kejriwal accused the BJP government in the state of suppressing tribal voices and framing Vasava in a fabricated case for exposing systemic corruption.

"The BJP can jail our leaders, but they cannot jail the truth," Kejriwal declared.

"Chaitar Vasava is not a criminal; he is a symbol of resistance, of truth, and of tribal rights. He stood for his people when no one else did."

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, AAP Gujarat state president Isudan Gadhvi, senior leader Gopal Italia, and other party functionaries also addressed the crowd, framing the event as a battle for the dignity and future of Gujarat's tribal communities.

Kejriwal accused the BJP of looting public funds meant for education, healthcare, and rural infrastructure.

"From school money to hospital budgets to MGNREGA wages all have been siphoned off. And when Chaitar Vasava exposed this rot, they jailed him," he said.

He further claimed that false cases were filed, CCTV footage was deleted, and law enforcement acted on political instructions. "BJP's message is clear: if you speak up, we'll lock you up. Our message is clearer: we will only speak louder."

AAP MLA Gopal Italia drew sharp contrasts between AAP and BJP, saying, "The BJP gives tickets to goons and criminals. Arvind Kejriwal gave tickets to youths like Chaitar Vasava and me a" people who come from modest backgrounds and care about justice."

He urged the public to support "honest, clean candidates" in upcoming local body elections. "We need to win every taluka and district panchayat seat and make sure BJP loses its deposit everywhere," he said.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann said: "The land, water, and forests belong to the tribal people. But the BJP is selling everything. They are even deleting CCTV footage to hide the truth."

He promised that AAP would remain a steadfast ally of tribal communities and accused BJP of turning governance into an extractive industry. "When an adivasi rises, no storm can stop him," Mann said.

With district and taluka panchayat elections around the corner, AAP used the event to galvanise its grassroots base. "Come forward, take tickets, stand in elections," Kejriwal urged locals. "Let the people of Gujarat write a new chapter."

Isudan Gadhvi echoed this sentiment, claiming the BJP's time was up. "The cycle of power is turning. Just like Krishna said when the time comes, the arrogant fall. BJP, your time is up," he declared.

Chaitar Vasava's wife Varsha Vasava read out a letter from her jailed husband. The letter accused the police of acting on BJP's orders and outlined a series of injustices, including being denied family visits and legal due process. "I left a secure government job to fight for my community," Vasava wrote. "Now they are punishing me for raising my voice. But I am not afraid. This fight is bigger than me."
Kabul, July 24 : Afghan security forces have seized 1,000 kg of illicit drugs and arrested two alleged drug smugglers in southern Afghanistan's Zabul province, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said in a statement on Thursday.

The opium was concealed inside a truck and discovered during a counter-narcotic operation in Shahjoy district, the ministry said, Xinhua news agency reported.

Two individuals were arrested in connection with the drug trafficking, and their dossiers were referred to the judiciary for further investigation, the statement said.

The Afghan national army thwarted attempts to smuggle drugs and detained three alleged drug smugglers in the southern Afghanistan Helmand province, said an army spokesman in the region, Jawed Agha, on Tuesday.

The contraband, which included 730 kg of opium poppy and was placed in the cavities of a vehicle, was identified and confiscated by the army personnel, the official added.

They have also discovered two assault rifles and two satellite phones from the possession of the arrested and handed them to concerned bodies for further investigation, the official said.

In a similar incident, police set on fire more than half a tonne of illegal drugs in the southern Afghanistan Kandahar province on Sunday.

The contraband, which included 130 kg of opium poppy, 480 kg of methamphetamine and 660 pieces of stimulant tablets, had been collected over the past two months and was burned publicly, the official added.

Police won't allow anyone to produce, process or traffic illegal drugs, the official further said.

In a similar operation, the Afghan security forces dismantled two drug processing labs and discovered more than 580 kg of illicit drugs in western Afghanistan's Farah province on Sunday, the office of the Deputy Minister of Interior for Counter-Narcotics said in a statement.

According to the statement, counter-narcotic police launched separate operations on the outskirts of the Bakwa district, where they destroyed two drug labs and confiscated 589 kg of illicit substances. Nine suspected drug smugglers were detained.

The Afghan interim government has stepped up its crackdown on illicit drugs and those involved in the business.
New Delhi, July 24 : A review will be conducted before deciding to extend beyond March 2026 a pan-India scheme which has helped 2.10 crore people access justice between 2021and June 30 this year through services like free litigation advice helpline, the Rajya Sabha was informed on Thursday.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, in a written reply, said that the "Designing Innovative Solutions for Holistic Access to Justice India" (DISHA) scheme is approved for 2021-26.

"In order to continue the scheme beyond March 31, 2026, during the next Finance Commission Cycle, the scheme is required to undergo an appraisal and approval process based on an outcome review," said Meghwal.

He said the DISHA scheme provides easy, accessible, affordable and citizen-centric legal services through its components - Tele-Law, Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono Legal Services) and Legal Literacy and Legal awareness programmes and does not involve disposal of pending cases.

The Tele-Law connects citizens with lawyers through video conferencing facilities and a mobile app "Tele-Law" and also through Toll toll-free number for rendering pre-litigation advice.

Toll-free number for citizens through 14454 has been operationalised for instant advice and counselling.

The Nyaya Bandhu (Pro Bono legal services) enables seamless connection through the Nyaya Bandhu Application (available on Android/IOS) between the interested Pro Bono Advocates and registered beneficiaries, who are entitled to free legal aid under Section 12 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

The third component of DISHA is the Legal Literacy and Legal Awareness programme, through which the beneficiaries are sensitised about their rights, duties, and entitlements.

He said that till June 30, 2025 DISHA Scheme, through its various programmes, has reached approximately 2.10 crore beneficiaries in the country.

In order to broaden and strengthen the outreach of the services to the citizens, various measures have been undertaken, the MoS said.

He said to enhance the outreach, the Tele-Law web portal and Tele-Law application have been translated into 22 scheduled languages. Special endeavours have also been made to increase its outreach through both print and digital media.

Meghwal said special efforts have been made to integrate Tele-Law with the Nyaya Bandhu (Pro bono Legal Services) platform for pre-litigation advice and legal representation of the beneficiaries.

Under a collaboration with Doordarshan, 56 legal awareness TV programmes were developed in 6 languages, which were aired, and the videos were disseminated through YouTube and channel of Doordarshan reaching out to over 70.70 lakh citizens.

In addition, 20 thematic legal awareness webinars have also been organised from September 2021 to October 2023 on socio-legal issues, he said.
New Delhi, July 24 : The Loni Urban Multi-State Credit & Thrift Co-operative Society (LUCC) fraud case, which has created a stir in Devbhoomi, figured prominently in the talks when Uttarakhand lawmakers met Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday.

Four Parliamentarians from Uttarakhand, namely Anil Baluni (Garhwal), Maharani Mala Rajya Lakshmi Shah (Tehri), Trivendra Singh Rawat (Haridwar) and Ajay Bhat (Nainital), met Union Home Minister and urged him to take the strictest possible action against the promoters in the LUCC fraud case.

Under the infamous fraud, hundreds of people have been lured into making investments in their cooperative society by promising them high returns. The society defrauded the investors at its 35 branches in the state by promising high returns.

Lawmakers told the Home Minister that the hard-earned money of the people of the hills was defrauded and said that steps should be taken to return it to them.

They urged the Home Minister to initiate steps to bring the promoters of the LUCC fraud case back to the country with the help of Interpol and hold them accountable and also punish them harshly, so that no fraudster dares to deceive the poor again.

"Home Minister assured us that he will take strict action in this matter, and the guilty will have to face the consequences of their actions," Anil Baluni said in a post on X, while also sharing the pictures of the meeting.

Notably, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, recently approved a CBI probe into the LUCC fraud case.

To date, eight cases of fraud have been registered in five districts - Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarkashi, and Rudraprayag - and at least a dozen people have been arrested.

Their modus operandi included luring the gullible investors by promising them high returns on their investment.

The investigation into the matter was initially done by the Crime Branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CB-CID) unit.

Five people associated with the cooperative society were also arrested in October last year.
New Delhi, July 24 : Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta will on Friday inaugurate the Tourism Department's three-day Teej Mahotsav at Dilli Haat, Pitampura.

The Mahotsav aims to promote women empowerment, cultural enrichment and community harmony, said Minister for Tourism and Art Kapil Mishra.

He said the visitors will get an opportunity to witness Delhi's festive spirit at its finest. A cultural evening filled with colour, music and tradition.

Mishra announced that a Teej quiz and slogan writing competition will be organised to further energise the celebration. Participants will have a chance to win cash prizes  Rs 3,000 for first place, Rs 2,000 for second, and Rs 1,500 for third.

The Tourism Minister said she has extended a heartfelt invitation to all women in Delhi to participate in this vibrant celebration.

Mishra said a key meeting was held at the Delhi Secretariat with the Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) regarding the preparations for Teej Mahotsav 2025.

Several women entrepreneurs and social media influencers participated in the meeting and shared their creative suggestions to make the event more inclusive, engaging and culturally rich.

On the occasion, Mishra said that the government is committed to transforming Teej Mahotsav into a grand celebration of tradition, creativity and womanhood.

He said this festival is a tribute to the spirit, culture and strength of Delhi's women.

In keeping with the aim to make the event accessible and inclusive for all, entry to the festival will be completely free on all three days.

"This initiative reflects the Delhi government's broader vision of empowering women through cultural participation and community engagement," he said.

The event will feature over 100 stalls, including 80 dedicated to traditional handicrafts and handlooms and 25 showcasing a diverse range of traditional cuisines from across the country, said a government statement.

Traditional competitions such as Mehndi designing, bindi decoration and rangoli making will provide women and young girls with a platform to display their creativity, it said.

A dedicated kids' zone will also be set up, featuring storytelling sessions, magic shows and educational and recreational activities, ensuring that every member of the family can enjoy the festivities.

Mishra said, "Delhi is no longer just an administrative capital  it is also emerging as a cultural and family tourism destination. We are proud to present traditional festivals like Teej in a new format that blends modern technology with public participation."
New Delhi, July 24 : Jamia Millia Islamia's University Polytechnic, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, on Thursday hosted an orientation programme marking the culmination of a week-long induction programme that commenced on July 18, an official said.

The orientation programme titled 'The Conclusion' aimed to provide a seamless academic and cultural transition for the newly admitted students of the Diploma Engineering (Regular & Self-Financed) courses.

Throughout the week, students participated in interactive sessions, departmental presentations, lab visits, and workshops focused on student support, academic resources, and institutional values, said Saima Saeed, Chief Public Relations Officer."

The event was anchored by Dr. Sunil, Associate Professor, Computer Engineering Section, and Dr. M.A. Khan, Principal, University Polytechnic, highlighted the institution's legacy, achievements, and dedication to nurturing talent.

The dignitaries were felicitated by Dr. Khan with mementoes as a token of appreciation and respect. The distinguished guests included Prof. Mazhar Asif, Vice Chancellor, JMI.

Prof. Mini Shaji Thomas, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, urged students to embrace innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and real-world problem-solving abilities.

She emphasised the value of leveraging the university's advanced laboratories, incubation centres, and mentoring frameworks.

Stressing the transformative power of education, she noted, "At Jamia, we do not just teach technology - we teach leadership, adaptability, and courage to face future challenges."

She also spoke about the rapid rise of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, its global academic collaborations, and its mission to produce industry-ready, ethically sound professionals.

Prof. Neelofer Afzal, Dean, Students' Welfare, focusing on students' welfare, introduced the broad spectrum of services offered by the Office of the Dean of Students' Welfare (DSW).

She emphasised emotional well-being, inclusion, and student empowerment and encouraged students to immerse themselves in campus life through clubs, societies, and support initiatives  especially those designed for women and underrepresented students.

Prof. Pawan Kumar Sharma, Controller of Examinations, addressed the students with a message centred around academic transparency, fairness, and student empowerment.

He announced the rollout of a Single Window Grievance Redressal System - a digital platform to streamline the submission and resolution of examination-related grievances.
Kabul, July 24 : As many as three people were killed and homes and farmland suffered severe damage on Thursday after flash floods in Afghanistan's Khost and Paktia provinces.

According to local sources, three people died and there was financial loss after the recent floods in several parts of Khost and Paktia, Afghan news agency Khaama Press reported. Local officials said that the floods have impacted Wazi area of Paktia and Nadershah Kot, Zazi Maidan, and Sabari districts in Khost .

Several houses were destroyed, farmland were washed away and walls were demolished, leaving residents without shelter and agricultural resources. Three people were killed in Nadershah Kot district while they were gathering firewood near the floodwaters, the news agency reported, citing eyewitness reports.

Besides human casualties, local communities that rely heavily on farming and natural resources for their livelihood have suffered significant losses. These floods come just week after flood struck the same region, demonstrating a worrying pattern of recurrent natural disaster in these regions.

The floods in these areas showcase the vulnerability of rural communities in eastern Afghanistan, where inadequate infrastructure and limited disaster preparedness increase the damage caused by natural calamities. Urgent steps, including improved flood management systems and support from national and international organisations is needed to help people recover and reduce the effect of future floods.

Earlier in June, five people and several houses and infrastructure were severely damaged across several provinces due to floods in Afghanistan. According to a spokesperson from the Taliban-controlled National Disaster Management Authority on June 29, five people were killed and eight others were injured due to floods that occurred in 10 provinces.

Kabul, Parwan, Logar, Maidan Wardak, Khost, Paktia, Paktika, Zabul, Nangarhar, and Laghman were particularly impacted in flooding. Spokesperson Mohammad Yousuf Hamad said that one house was completely destroyed, while 162 others were partially damaged. Furthermore, 171 wells, irrigation systems, 11 mosques, 27 water supply networks, dams, channels, 27 small bridges, and 41 kilometers of paved roads were damaged due to flooding. Nearly 100 livestock were lost, and approximately 2,000 jeribs of farmland were destroyed in the flooding.
Quetta, July 24 : A young advocate from the Balochistan province has been unlawfully detained by Pakistan's Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and intelligence agencies after being picked up from his residence in Quetta, a leading human rights group said on Thursday.

Paank, the Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department, mentioned that Hakeem Baloch was illegally detained by personnel of CTD and intelligence agencies from his residence at Brewery Road in front of his family members in the early hours of Thursday.

The human rights body firmly demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the young lawyer whose whereabouts in the provincial capital are not known yet.

Condemning the illegal detention, another human rights body, Baloch Voice for Justice, stated that "the forced disappearance of Hakeem, a promising young lawyer from Quetta, highlights the alarming reality that even educated professionals are not safe from enforced disappearances".

Nadia Baloch, sister of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) Central Organiser Mahrang Baloch, expressed shock over the incident stating that no one is safe in Pakistan, even the ones who uphold the law.

"Very disturbing to find out that Advocate Hakeem Baloch was subjected to enforced disappearance from Quetta last night. No one is safe from the stateas wrath, not even those who uphold the law of this country. And we are seeing a dramatic surge in enforced disappearances following illegal detention of Mahrang Baloch, and other BYC leadership after March 22," Nadia posted on X.

"Hakeem is a recent law graduate and a practicing lawyer. His only "crime" is that he is Baloch, educated, and vocal about Baloch rights. He has actively defended Baloch rights activists and political workers, and aspired to use his legal education to fight for Baloch rights within the framework of the law. A whole generation of educated Baloch is now facing the brunt of state repression. The lawyer fraternity must stand with Hakeem. It's him today. It could be someone else tomorrow," the post added.

Meanwhile, the BYC revealed that another Baloch youth Noor Khan has also become the victim of enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killing by a Pakistan-backed death squad.

The BYC highlighted that hours after the enforced disappearance of Noor on July 21 by the state death squads from the Jhal Jahoo area of Awaran district in Balochistan, his bullet-riddled body was recovered in the same locality.

"The killing of Noor Khan, like many others in the region, reflects the escalating violence and impunity with which Pakistanas military and intelligence-backed militias operate in Balochistan. The systematic targetting of peaceful civilians has intensified, deepening the trauma of Baloch people already under siege by enforced disappearances and extrajudicial executions," the BYC stated, raising concerns.
Male, July 24 : Highlighting India's role in the development of the island nation, India's High Commissioner to Maldives, G Balasubramanian said on Thursday that several key agreements are expected to be signed between the two nations during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day State Visit to Maldives, beginning Friday.

"This is an important visit for strengthening the bilateral relations between our two countries. This visit would be the third time that the Prime Minister would be visiting Maldives -- the first being in 2018 and then in 2019. This is also the first visit of a State head under the presidency of Mohammad Muizzu. This is also the first time the Maldives has invited someone to be the guest of honour for the Independence Day celebrations since 2017," Balasubramaniam told IANS in an exclusive interview.

PM Modi will undertake a State Visit to Maldives from July 25a"26, at the invitation of the Maldives President, Mohamed Muizzu. This will be Prime Minister Modi's third visit to Maldives - he had visited the Indian Ocean archipelago in 2018 and 2019, earlier. Besides holding discussions with Muizzu, PM Modi will also be the 'Guest of Honour' at the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the Independence of Maldives on July 26.

President Muizzu was on a State Visit to India in October 2024. He also visited New Delhi to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new government that had been elected earlier in the year. Both leaders had also met on the sidelines of the COP meeting in Dubai.

Noting that 60th anniversary of Maldives Independence Day coincides with the 60th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties, Balasubramaniam said, "The 60th anniversary of the Independence Day of the Maldives also coincides with the sixtieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. India was one of the first countries to recognise the independence of the Maldives in 1965. Since then, we have been having very friendly, very close diplomatic relations. To commemorate this particular milestone of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, our Prime Minister and Maldives President will also be releasing a commemorative stamp to celebrate this event. So this is another important milestone in our relationship."

PM Modi will arrive in Maldives on July 25 which would be the second and final leg of his two-nation visit, following the visit to the United Kingdom. High Commissioner Balasubramanian said that, during his visit, PM Modi would be handing over about 4,000 housing complexes that we had constructed under the buyer's credit.

Elaborating on PM Modi's engagements in Maldives, he said, "After attending the Independence Day event on July 26, he would be having bilateral meetings with President Muizzu. Other important events that he would be attending would be inaugurating some of the projects that we had undertaken, handing over of them, signing MOUs, and exchanging MOUs. It would be a full schedule for our Prime Minister during this visit. Both leaders would be reviewing the progress that had been made on the vision document that was declared last year during the State Visit of President Muizzu to India in October 2024, which was a comprehensive partnership on economic and maritime security. We are also signing some of the MOUs, which are the main part of the official visit."

Balasubramaniam stated that PM Modi will also have some private engagements along with official meetings. He said that PM Modi will interact with Indian diaspora, meet Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) candidates who have been trained in India and some people from the 'Bharat ko Janiye' quiz.

When asked about India's role in the development of Maldives, he responded, "India has been one of the largest development partners for the Maldives. Since 2014, our assistance has been in terms of infrastructure development, capacity building or even emergency financial assistance in terms of currency swap and other things. The total financial assistance from 2014 is more than $3 billion. Many of the projects that we have undertaken in the Maldives are high-impact community development projects, which are done through grants from the Indian government. There are various lines of credit projects. There are various buyers' credit projects.

"For example, our Prime Minister would be handing over about 4,000 housing complexes that we had constructed under the buyer's credit. The other HICDP projects have a direct impact on the community of the Maldives. More than 78 set projects have been undertaken. Some of them would be handed over by the Prime Minister because this is an ongoing cooperation between our two countries. Under the Line of Credit, some projects have been undertaken, whether in Addu or other parts of the country. Those would also be handed over," he added."

With PM Modi slated to inaugurate some infrastructure projects and also announce new initiatives, the visit reflects the importance India attaches to its maritime neighbour, Maldives, which continues to hold a special place in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy and Vision MAHASAGAR.
New Delhi, July 24 : India's on-going commitment to safeguarding the land and resource rights of its tribal and forest-dwelling communities continues to find strong grounding in the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.

New Delhi, July 24 (IANS) Indiaas on-going commitment to safeguarding the land and resource rights of its tribal and forest-dwelling communities continues to find strong grounding in the implementation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006.

The importance of these efforts was underscored during a recent statement by Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram in the Lok Sabha, where he outlined the scope and impact of the FRA across Indiaas tribal belts.

He reaffirmed that the Act is operational in 20 states and one UT, facilitating formal recognition of both individual and community claims over forest lands traditionally occupied and cultivated by forest dwellers.

Central to this effort is the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, which oversees legislative execution while issuing periodic directions to support state-level action under Section 12 of the Act.

States and Union Territories are responsible for actual implementation on the ground, with oversight coordinated through monthly progress reports submitted to the Centre.

As of May 31, 2025, over 25.11 lakh forest rights titles had been granteda"comprising 23.89 lakh individual titles and 1.21 lakh community titles -- covering more than 2.32 crore acres.

These figures reflect sustained engagement with vulnerable communities and efforts to embed constitutional safeguards through administrative practice.

The Ministry also monitors the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) allocations and expenditures through a dedicated portal, with oversight guided by Planning Commission norms issued in 2014.

In parallel, the Ministry of Rural Development reaffirmed its commitment to the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), which guarantees 100 days of wage employment annually to rural households.

Importantly, ST households in forest areas are entitled to an additional 50 days of employment, with further provisions in place for drought-affected regions.

States may extend employment days beyond the statutory limit using their own resources.

On the issue of representation, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) reported that over 4.65 lakh backlog vacancies have been filled since 2016, including more than 1.15 lakh ST posts.

As of January 1, 2025, STs constitute 8.8 per cent of the total employee strength in Central Government Ministries and Departments.

DoPT has directed all departments to establish Special Reservation Cells and designate Liaison Officers to ensure compliance with reservation norms, the reply said.

Further, the Department of Public Enterprises revealed that as per the Public Enterprises Survey 2023a"24, Scheduled Tribes account for 10.85 per cent of the workforce in operating Central Public Sector Enterprises, with 88,000 ST employees out of a total of 8.12 lakh, the minister said in the reply.

The statement underscores the governmentas multi-pronged approach to tribal welfare, combining legislative enforcement, employment support, and institutional representation.
Workers at one of the worlds leading scientific institutions  the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF)  launched a rebellion against the Trump administration on Tuesday. A letter signed by 150 employees denounces the systematic dismantling of this government agency, which in its 75-year history has funded the development of thousands of projects that have changed human life, including the internet, the Google search engine, the CRISPR gene-editing tool, smartphones, and magnetic resonance imaging. The list of 150 signatories reflects the climate of fear surrounding the irascible personality of Trump and his coterie: all names have been anonymized except one: Jesus Soriano, a 57-year-old doctor born in Crevillent, Alicante, who chairs Local 3403 of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the agencys majority union. The Spaniard  who became a naturalized U.S. citizen two decades ago  and his colleagues warn that the 56% budget cut announced by the Trump administration threatens to paralyze American science and precipitate a brain drain of the NSF. Soriano, who has worked at the agency since 2012 and has helped create companies that have raised more than $1 billion in investment, speaks to EL PAIS via videoconference from Virginia.

Question. Its chilling to see that all the signatories names are blacked out, out of fear, except for one: Jesus Soriano. Do you fear reprisals?

Answer. Theres always a fear of retaliation, but when youre a union leader, youre expected to take risks, to stand up and fight for your people. Fear cant paralyze you. Part of the power of unions in a negotiation is for the manager to see that the union member is crazy, that hes not afraid, that hes going to go to the press.

Excerpt from the open letter from 150 employees of the U.S. National Science Foundation, with all signatories blacked out except Jesus Soriano.

Q. Are you protected, or can you be fired tomorrow?

A. Im the union president, and that gives me certain protections. Firing a union president is retaliation and would be illegal.

Q. In the open letter, you claim that the 56% cut in the NSF budget would cripple American science. What implications would this have?

A. The NSF supports all disciplines in science except biomedical clinical research: geology, education, advanced semiconductor manufacturing, cybernetics... In the case of engineering and computer science, we give 80% of all the money to universities. We didnt create the internet, but we played a very important role. And the same with artificial intelligence. These are just a few examples.

The NSF is cutting itself open

Q. The president of the NSFs governing body, the National Science Council, was Spanish engineer Dario Gil from May 2024 to April 2025.

A. I havent spoken to him. Dario Gil was in charge of R&D at IBM and studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; hes a phenomenal person. He chaired the National Science Council, which is more concerned with the governance of the NSF than with day-to-day management. There are about 20 councilors. Maybe on a diplomatic level, theyre very active in trying to protect employees, but the truth is, he was president, and they were firing people because the White House was asking them to fire more people. And the council members havent said anything publicly. I wrote to them, one by one, saying, Hey, say something, help us.

Q. Have you been disappointed by Gil and the rest of the councilors?

A. Its always been a very formalistic organization, but its not prepared for a constitutional crisis like the one were facing now. Employees complain that the White House calls the NSF and says, Cut off all aid to Harvard University. Based on what law can you do that? Cut it because I say so. Wheres the National Science Council? Sure, theyre practicing diplomacy, trying to solve problems behind the scenes, but we unions have to speak the truth in public.

Whats happening in the United States is a degradation of democracy

Q. Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency laid off more than 10% of the NSF staff.

A. On February 18, orders were given to fire more than 200 employees. Many were taken to a room to be read a letter dictated by the Department of Government Efficiency, stating that they were being fired for lack of performance. The reality is that at the NSF, people are working flat out. I work nights and weekends; we work nonstop. That day, more than 200 people were fired, and we raised hell, working with the American Federation of Government Employees nationally, because it was happening in other government departments and agencies. We took it to court, and the NSF reversed course and reinstated about 100 of the fired workers. Weve also faced the dilemma posed by Elon Musk: either you leave now and Ill pay you five months salary, or well fire you. Its a campaign of intimidation, with a total erosion of labor rights. The NSF is cutting itself open. Here we have people who are national leaders in their fields, but those geniuses are leaving. In the union, we estimate weve already lost at least 400. Its a brain drain.

Q. How would you define what is happening?

A. Whats happening in the United States is a degradation of democracy. I speak as president of the union, of course. There are attitudes, norms, and values that prevent corruption, and theyre fraying. They just announced theyre going to shut down the Environmental Protection Agency labs, which measure levels of pollution, poisons, chemicals, carcinogens in water... If you eliminate that information, what kind of regulation are you going to have? Youll go to a restaurant and you wont know if the meat is contaminated or not. Theyve halted programs just because they had the word Black or the word woman. They eliminated a gut microbe diversity project because it had the word diversity.

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Bengaluru, July 24 : Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer on Thursday refused the charges of Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, of election cheating, asserting that the electoral rolls are prepared transparently and copies were shared with the recognised parties.

"As informed by the Election Commission of India already, Electoral Rolls are shared with all recognised political parties. During Special Summary Revision-2024, which was taken up before the General Elections to Lok Sabha-2024, the copies of draft and final electoral rolls of all 224 assembly constituencies were provided to representatives of all registered and recognised political parties, including the Indian National Congress (INC)," said Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka V. Anbukumar.

Anbukumar pointed out that between the draft and final publication of rolls, about 9.17 lakh claims and objections were received for consideration.

His statement also highlighted that no appeals were received at that time, even as the political parties can file an appeal against wrongful additions or deletions in the Electoral Rolls.

"As per law, an appeal can be filed against wrongful additions or deletions in the Electoral Rolls. No appeals received," said Anbukumar.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that he too has conducted an investigation in the Bengaluru Rural Lok Sabha constituency, where several irregularities have taken place.

"I will address the issue in detail later," said the Deputy Chief Minister.

Earlier, LoP Rahul Gandhi said that the Election Commission is not functioning as the Election Commission of India.

"Today, they (ECI) made a statement. This is complete nonsense. The fact of the matter is that the Election Commission is not doing its job. We have concrete, hundred per cent proof of the Election Commission allowing cheating in a seat in Karnataka," said LoP Rahul Gandhi.

"It is a hundred per cent proof. We just looked at one constituency, and we found it. I am absolutely convinced that constituency after constituency, this is the drama that is taking place. Thousands and thousands of new voters, aged 50 years, 45 years, 60 and 65 years are added. We have caught them. I want to send a message to the Election Commission: if you think you are going to get away with this, if your officers think they can get away, you are mistaken. We are going to come for you," said LoP Rahul Gandhi.

The ECI has clarified that as far as Karnataka elections are concerned, it is highly unfortunate that rather than filling election petition as per section 80 of the Representation of People Act 1951 or if filed, awaiting the verdict of Hon'ble High Court, Rahul Gandhi has not only made baseless allegations but also chosen to threaten ECI, which is a Constitutional body.
Moradabad : , July 24 (IANS) The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind on Thursday welcomed the Allahabad High Court's decision to stay the Uttar Pradesh government's order to seal unrecognised madrasas, calling it a major win for constitutional rights and minority education.

Moradabad (Uttar Pradesh), July 24 (IANS) The Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind on Thursday welcomed the Allahabad High Courtas decision to stay the Uttar Pradesh governmentas order to seal unrecognised madrasas, calling it a major win for constitutional rights and minority education.

Speaking to IANS, Maulana Kaab Rashidi, legal advisor to the Jamiat, said the High Courtas ruling came as a relief to many Islamic institutions being targeted in recent years under what he called "unconstitutional pressure".

"We have seen, especially in Uttar Pradesh and across several Indian states, that madrasas have been shut down without due process. The reason often cited is a lack of recognition. But in reality, only 10 per cent of these institutions ever received formal notices a" the rest were forced to close based on verbal orders alone," Rashidi told IANS.

He further said that under the leadership of Maulana Mahmood Asad Madani, the Jamiat had earlier announced free legal aid to madrasas facing arbitrary closure.

"Today, the High Court rejected the Uttar Pradesh governmentas argument that recognition alone is enough to seal a madrasa. This is a significant and timely verdict," he said.

Rashidi further pointed out that the Supreme Court had already intervened in a related case filed by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

"On October 21, 2024, under the leadership of then Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, the Supreme Court stayed all NCPCR-issued notices concerning madrasa closures. The Jamiat, under Maulana Arshad Madani, had taken this matter to the Supreme Court, and the stay order remains in effect."

He added that even the Uttar Pradesh state government had acknowledged this directive, instructing that no further action be taken against such institutions while the case remains sub judice.

"Todayas High Court order clearly refers to the Supreme Courtas stay as well as the state governmentas own advisory. It rightly notes that lack of recognition alone is not sufficient grounds to shut down a madrasa," Rashidi added.

Calling the verdict a victory for justice and constitutional rights, he stated: "The High Court has today upheld the fundamental rights of minorities enshrined in the Constitution of India. This decision restores faith in the judiciary and safeguards educational freedom for future generations."
Quetta, July 24 : A leading Baloch human rights organisation, Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), on Thursday accused Pakistani authorities of escalating repressive tactics as Baloch families continued their sit-in protest in Islamabad for the ninth consecutive day. The ongoing protest calls for the release of the BYC leaders and an end to enforced disappearances.

"Instead of addressing their legitimate demands, Pakistani authorities have intensified intimidation and harassment. Heavy police deployment continues, and roads leading to the Islamabad Press Club remain sealed to isolate the protest and suppress visibility. After the protest hours, police are now following and threatening students and family members at their private residences, forcing them to vacate their flats," the BYC stated.

"This systematic targetting of peaceful protestors, women, elderly, and children is not just a violation of democratic rights but a calculated act of cruelty designed to crush their resolve. Yet, despite intimidation, harassment, and isolation, these women and children remain unyielding. Their resilience is a powerful act of defiance, and they will continue their struggle," it added.

The BYC demanded that these repressive tactics end immediately and called on conscious citizens, journalists, and rights defenders to raise their voices and stand in solidarity, stating that "silence at this moment is complicity".

Meanwhile, Paank, the Baloch National Movement's Human Rights Department, unveiled a report on the protest titled 'Baloch missing persons' families under the fault line of law in Islamabad', highlighting that, led by women and accompanied by children, these families were exercising what they believed to be their constitutionally protected right to peaceful assembly.

However, it stated that instead of receiving compassion, justice, or legal recourse, they were met with harassment, intimidation, and a blatant violation of their rights, as they were prevented from holding their protest outside the National Press Club in Islamabad.

The rights body mentioned that on the very first day, as monsoon rains lashed Islamabad, the families attempted to errect a simple tent for shelter. However, they were stopped by police and plainclothes men believed to be affiliated with Pakistani intelligence agencies, particularly the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). It further added that uniformed police officers stood by, offering no assistance or protection, yet actively prevented the families from setting up the tent or continuing their protest.

"In the days that followed, Islamabad authorities escalated their efforts to isolate and suppress the protest. Roads surrounding the National Press Club were closed off, limiting media access and cutting off the families from logistical support. Buses were brought in to forcibly remove protestors, echoing the violent crackdown on the Baloch missing persons' families and used the words to 'deport them to Balochistan', which clearly states that the Baloch belong to a different country," the report mentioned.

"These protestors are not political opponents, militants, or agitators. They are families. They are citizens. Their demand is a simple one: if their loved ones are accused of crimes, let them be presented before a court of law. If not, release them. This demand is firmly rooted in Pakistan's Constitution," it added.
New Delhi, July 24 : The UK India Business Council (UKIBC) on Thursday welcomed the signing of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a landmark deal that promises to unlock unprecedented trade and investment opportunities between two of the world's largest and most dynamic economies.

New Delhi, July 24 (IANS) The UK India Business Council (UKIBC) on Thursday welcomed the signing of the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) as a landmark deal that promises to unlock unprecedented trade and investment opportunities between two of the worldas largest and most dynamic economies.

The mega deal, signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modias UK visit, marks a historic milestone in the bilateral relationship, the UKIBC said.

According to a UKIBC statement, Indiaas large and fast-growing economy, with a 1.4 billion market and an expanding middle class, offers UK businesses significant export and investment opportunities. Tariff reductions under the FTA are expected to boost UK exports. With the deal, Britain welcomes almost 6 billion pounds in new investment and export wins, which aim to create over 2,200 British jobs across the country, with the Indian firms expanding their operations in the UK and British companies securing new business opportunities in India.

The FTA will also bring significant benefits to India's services sector by creating opportunities in information technology and IT-enabled services (IT/ITeS), financial services, professional services such as management consultancy, architectural and engineering, other business services, and education services. One of the most significant aspects of the UK-India FTA is the enhanced market access it provides to both countries, the statement said.

It is worth noting that the UK-India total trade in goods and services (exports plus imports) between the UK and India was 42.6 billion pounds in the four quarters to the end of Q4 2024, an increase of 8.3 per cent from the previous year. This level of trade has almost doubled from before the pandemic in 2019, when the UK-India trade was 24.1 billion pounds, the statement said.

The economic implications of the India-UK FTA 2025 are profound. It is projected to increase the UKas GDP by 3.3 billion pounds by 2035 and double bilateral trade by 2030. This growth trajectory is expected to create significant job creation in India, according to the statement.

UKIBC Chair Richard Heald said: "The UK-India FTA marks a historic milestone in the bilateral relationship. Businesses across both countries have long called for an agreement that reduces barriers, enhances market access, and creates a clear framework for long-term, sustainable growth. We congratulate both governments for their commitment and ambition in bringing this complex negotiation to fruition. Success in the FTA will support further economic growth for the worldas 4th and 6th largest economies. It will catalyse collaboration into other areas too."

"As India charges ahead towards Viksit Bharat@2047, UKIBC and more broadly, British businesses recognise that a successful FTA is a critical milestone in a longer-term journey and are keen to support Indiaas ambitions. As a trusted partner to both governments and businesses, UKIBC has actively supported the FTA journey through consultation, policy input, and sector-specific insight," he added.

The UKIBC has played an active role in supporting the FTA process, facilitating consultations with industry, providing evidence-based recommendations, and ensuring the voices of UK and Indian businessesa"especially mid-sized and sector-specific playersa"are heard and reflected in the negotiations. As the UK and India gear up to implement the agreement, UKIBC will continue to support members in understanding and leveraging the FTAas provisions, with a particular focus on sectors like digital trade, services, manufacturing, education, and innovation-led collaboration, the UKIBC statement added.
New Delhi, July 24 : The India-UK trade agreement, signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer, has strengthened Brand Modi on the global stage, finance experts said on Thursday.

Speaking to IANS, Ajay Rotti, a renowned financial expert, said the successful conclusion of this complex deal, especially at a time when global trade negotiations are facing hurdles, reflects Prime Minister Modias leadership and Indiaas rising stature in global geopolitics and economy.

Rotti called the deal a landmark moment, not just for diplomacy, but also for its practical benefits to Indiaas farmers, exporters, and professionals.

"The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) gives Indian agricultural products -- including millets, jackfruit, and processed seafood -- zero-tariff access to the UK market," Rotti told IANS.

"This move is expected to boost the incomes of Indian farmers, while sensitive areas like dairy have been kept out of the deal to protect small and marginal farmers at home," he added.

He added that the Indian gem and jewellery sector, which has been struggling to regain momentum, is also likely to benefit.

"With relaxed norms for finished and gold jewellery exports, the industry is expected to see a turnaround in overseas demand, particularly from the UK," Rotti emphasised.

Rotti added that the agreement is Indiaas biggest trade deal so far and the UKas most significant one after Brexit.

"For Indian tech professionals, one of the biggest wins is the exemption from social security contributions while working short-term in the UK," he stated.

"This avoids the problem of double deductions and will make Indian talent more competitive. Faster visa processing will also make it easier for Indian techies to explore career opportunities in the UK."

The deal also offers a major boost to Indiaas chemical industry. With zero-tariff access to the UK and improved mobility for skilled workers, Indian chemical firms will be better placed to participate in global value chains.

According to Rotti, the agreement will lead to job creation in both countries. As Indian companies expand their presence in the UK and British firms invest more in India, thousands of new jobs will be generated.

"This job creation will also be indirect, as increased exports and production will drive more employment at the grassroots level in India," he said.
Dhaka, July 24 : The visiting Indian medical team held detailed consultations with senior officials of the Bangladesh Ministry of Health and doctors at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka on Thursday, reviewing critical cases from Monday's horrific plane crash. They Indian experts also exchanged views on the treatment methodologies and conveyed their assessment on future course of treatment for the admitted patients.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the visit of the Indian doctors and nursing officials to Dhaka comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assurance of providing support to Bangladesh following the plane crash on July 21.

"The Indian medical team visiting Bangladesh began their visit by holding detailed medical consultations with senior officials of the Bangladesh Ministry of Health & doctors at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka. They reviewed each of the critical cases, exchanged views on the treatment methodologies and conveyed their assessment on future course of treatment. The visit of the Indian doctors & nursing officials follows PM Narendra Modias assurance to extend all possible assistance and support to Bangladesh in the wake of the tragic incident of plane crash in Dhaka on 21 July 2025," Jaiswal posted on X.

The crash occurred when a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training aircraft slammed into the Milestone School and College campus in Dhaka's Uttara on Monday, which has claimed 32 lives so far and injured over 162 people. As investigations continue into the cause of the crash, Indiaas medical outreach is expected to play a vital role in the recovery of survivors and the broader healing process.

A specialised team of doctors from India had arrived in Bangladesh late Wednesday evening to treat the burn victims of the fighter jet crash. The team includes doctors and nurses from Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital - two of India's leading centres for burn treatment and plastic surgery.

Earlier, PM Modi had expressed condolences over the tragedy and assured Bangladesh of Indiaas full support. In a statement shared on Monday on X, PM Modi wrote, "Deeply shocked and saddened at the loss of lives, many of them young students, in a tragic air crash in Dhaka. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. We pray for the swift recovery of those injured. India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance.

In a follow-up to his message, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka formally reached out to the Bangladeshi government, offering critical medical assistance for the injured. Indiaas swift response underscores the humanitarian dimension of its regional diplomacy and reflects the strong bilateral ties between the two nations.
New Delhi, July 24 : India has significantly deepened its cultural and spiritual ties with Southeast Asia through a series of high-profile initiatives centred around Buddhist heritage and tourism.

Over the past two years, the government has facilitated two major expositions of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha.

The first, held in Thailand from February 22 to March 19, 2024, showcased relics of Buddha and his disciples across four venues, drawing over 4 million devotees, Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, informed the Rajya Sabha in a written reply.

The second, the minister said, hosted in Vietnam from May 2 to June 2, 2025, featured relics from Nagarjunakonda, Andhra Pradesh, displayed at nine locations during Vesak celebrations, attracting an estimated 18 million visitors.

These efforts have not only reinforced Indiaas civilisational bonds with Buddhist-majority nations but also advanced cultural diplomacy under the ASEAN-India cooperation framework, said the minister in the reply.

India is currently supporting a feasibility study for the development of an ASEAN Cultural Heritage List and has committed 5 million US dollars from the ASEAN-India fund to support the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism in 2025.

The annual ASEAN-India Tourism Ministersa Meeting continues to serve as a platform for dialogue and collaboration, he said.

In a further gesture of spiritual outreach, a high-level Thai delegation visited Gujarat in June 2025, accompanied by Indian representatives. Under the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Plan of Action, the Ministry of External Affairs organised a nine-day familiarisation trip to Buddhist sites for 50 participants from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

The tour, conducted in coordination with the governments of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, aimed to promote Indiaas Buddhist circuit and foster people-to-people connections.

The upcoming International Tourism Mart in Sikkim will include business networking between Northeast Indian stakeholders and global buyers, including ASEAN nations.

While tourism development is primarily the responsibility of state governments and UT (union territories) administrations, the Ministry of Tourism complements these efforts through central schemes such as Swadesh Darshan, Swadesh Darshan 2.0, Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD), and PRASHAD. These schemes provide financial assistance for infrastructure development, subject to project proposals and fund availability.

Additionally, under the Special Assistance to states for Capital Investment (SASCI), the central government has extended support for tourism projects, including those focused on Buddhist heritage, informed the minister.
Amaravati, July 24 : Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu will leave for Singapore on July 26 for a six-day visit to attract investments to the state.

During the visit from July 26 to July 31, the Chief Minister will engage with representatives of leading global companies, business owners, prominent industrialists, and notable personalities.

This visit marks his second foreign tour since the formation of the coalition government last year, following his earlier visit to Davos.

The Singapore visit will serve as a key platform to promote Brand AP and showcase the stateas new industrial and ease-of-doing-business policies, said a release from the Chief Ministeras office.

The Chief Minister will highlight Andhra Pradeshas robust infrastructure, including ports, airports, highways, harbours, and abundant water and land resources, as well as its 1,053 km coastline and skilled human capital, urging global investors to explore opportunities in the state.

Throughout the six-day visit, CM Naidu will hold meetings with CEOs and senior representatives of various companies.

On the first day, he will participate in the Telugu Diaspora meeting to be attended by members of the Telugu community from Singapore and neighbouring countries. He will extend an invitation to them to invest in Andhra Pradesh and encourage their participation in the stateas P4 (Public-Private-People Partnership) initiative for poverty eradication.

The Chief Minister will focus on attracting investments in sectors such as port-based projects, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and data centres. He will meet with senior dignitaries in Singapore to invite industrialists from the region to the Visakhapatnam Investment Summit scheduled for November this year.

The Chief Minister will also participate in business roundtable meetings centred on the digital economy and fintech, and will attend a dedicated business roadshow in Singapore.

As part of the tour, he will also visit key infrastructure and logistics centres across Singapore.
Amaravati, July 24 : The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Thursday approved the electronics manufacturing policy, aimed at accelerating business pace and stimulating large-scale domestic and global investments in the electronics components ecosystem.

Under the Electronic Components Manufacturing Policy 4.0 (2025-30), electronics component manufacturing companies investing in the state can receive advance incentives, matching incentives, interim support measures, and plug-and-play manufacturing facilities in special clusters.

Companies can also receive incentives and concessions suitable for mega projects. Significant employment generation opportunities will arise in areas like Sri City near Tirupati, Orvakal near Kurnool, Kopparthi, and Hindupur.

The Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, also approved investment proposals of about Rs 80,000 crore.

Briefing media persons on the decisions taken by the Cabinet, Minister for Information and Public Relations, Housing Department, Kolusu Parthasarathi said that these investment proposals are expected to create employment opportunities for 1.50 lakh people.

The Cabinet approved the allocation of 4.45 acres of land to Phenom People Private Limited in the IT Park at Madhurawada, Rushikonda Non-SEZ zone, Visakhapatnam district, and to provide incentives under AP IT & GCC Policy (4.0) 2024-29 for a project with Rs 207.5 crore investment, creating 2500 jobs.

It also approved the allocation of 3.6 acres of land at Madhurawada, Visakhapatnam district, at Rs 1 crore per acre and 50 acres at Paradesipalem at Rs 50 lakh per acre to Sify Infinite Spaces Limited, thereby facilitating Rs 16,466 crore investment and 600 employment opportunities.

This strategic development will establish Visakhapatnam as a key data hub, attract technology-based organisations, and improve the stateas capabilities in cloud computing, data storage, and digital services, the minister said.

Sattva Developers Private Limited will be allotted 30 acres at Madhurawada, Visakhapatnam, through APIIC at a subsidised rate of Rs 1.50 crore per acre and will be provided incentives for a proposed investment of Rs 1,500 crore, creating 25,000 jobs.

The Cabinet approved the proposal to allot two land parcels of 2.5 acres and 7.79 acres to ANSR Global Corporation Private Limited at Madhurawada, Visakhapatnam and extend incentives for a proposed investment of Rs 1,000 crore, creating 10,000 jobs.

BVM Energy and Residency Private Limited will be allotted 30 acres of land at Yendada village, Visakhapatnam district, through the APIIC at Rs. 1.5 crores per acre and will be extend incentives for a proposed investment of Rs 1,250 crores. This is expected to create 15,000 jobs.
New Delhi, July 24 : The caste survey conducted by the Congress government in Telangana is a milestone for social justice in the country, and it will define how the national caste census is done, said Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi.

He said that the Modi government would not conduct the census in the right way.

"We all know that the Modi government won't do the caste census in the right way. Because they can't tell the people of India the true condition of OBCs, Dalits, Tribals, and even the General category. Their entire idea dies if they tell the truth," said LoP Rahul Gandhi.

He was speaking after Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka made a PowerPoint presentation on the caste survey conducted in Telangana before Congress MPs here Thursday evening.

In the presence of Rahul Gandhi, AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, MP Priyanka Gandhi and other leaders, they explained the model and methodology of the Socio-Economic, Education, Employment, Political and Caste (SEEEPC) survey.

The CM and Deputy CM also briefed the MPs that based on the data of this survey, two Bills were passed to increase the reservation for BCs to 42 per cent in education, employment and local bodies and they were forwarded to the Centre for including them in the 9th Schedule of the Constitution as the total reservation for all sections will exceed 50 percent cap.

The Telangana leaders sought the support of Congress MPs to exert pressure on the Modi government to include 42 per cent BC reservation in the 9th Schedule, as this would

Reiterating his call for breaking 50 per cent reservation barrier, LoP Rahul Gandhi accused the Modi government of stopping the progress in Telangana.

"Our job is to make sure that every single person in India understands what has happened in Telangana and how the government of India is trying to stop the progress of what is going on in the state. We have said clearly that we are going to break the 50 per cent wall of reservation," he said.

"The government of Telangana has sent a note to the President of India and said that we want to break the 50 per cent barrier in education, government jobs, and the Panchayati Raj, but the government of India is not allowing it," he added.

LoP Rahul Gandhi was all praise for Revanth Reddy and other party leaders for conducting the survey in an efficient manner.

"They not only did the caste census but did so exceptionally well and in the right spirit. I can say with certainty that the level of competence they've demonstrated is a milestone for social justice in the country. It will set the standard for a nationwide caste census, regardless of whether the BJP likes it or not," LoP Rahul Gandhi said.

The Congress leader admitted that the Congress fell short in addressing and understanding OBC issues, and this created an opportunity for the BJP.

"In my opinion, the Congress party has been on track when it comes to Dalit, Adivasi, and women's issues. However, I feel that we fell short in understanding and addressing OBC issues effectively. We didn't quite grasp the challenges they faced, and we didn't take the actions we could have. I believe this created an opportunity for the BJP, as we weren't responsive enough to the aspirations of OBC communities," LoP Rahul Gandhi said.

"I think the Congress party must be responsive to all communities. We need to ensure that every community feels seen and heard, and that we're protecting the interests of all Indians," he added.

LoP Rahul Gandhi said that today, data defines power. "Through the 1950s to 1970s, if you asked, 'Where does power come from?' They used to answer: countries with oil. Those countries controlled the economic structure. Today, data defines that power," he said.

The Congress leader said that Telangana has 21st-century socio-economic, political, and financial data in its hands.

"Now, Telangana has the power to target development at a street level. We can target caste, education or health with this data. No other state has the ability to target development the way Telangana can," said LoP Rahul Gandhi.

LoP Rahul Gandhi stated that Revanth Reddy now has a job to use the data to transform the lives of the people of Telangana.
Just weeks after Texas Governor Greg Abbott vetoed a bill banning THC products, state senators have brought the issue back to the table. Lawmakers introduced legislation nearly identical to the one vetoed by Abbott in June, which seeks to ban the sale of hemp-derived products containing any detectable amount of THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. This, in a nutshell, means the state would restrict access to all variants of this chemical, which is responsible for the so-called high marijuana produces, joining a growing list of conservative states that have passed similar laws in recent months.

All of this is part of a shift in U.S. policy on this issue. After promoting cannabis decriminalization and legalization for years, there are now attempts to restrict the path, primarily by conservative sectors. However, as the Texas bill highlights, there are divisions within the Republican Party itself on how to address this specific issue.

The measure is headed to a vote in the Texas Senate next, after passing unanimously in a Senate committee. Although the state House is also controlled by Republicans, the bills success is less certain there, as representatives are more interested in regulating the substance than eliminating its recreational use. Governor Abbott also prefers regulation, which is why he vetoed the previous bill advancing the ban.

Instead, Abbott has proposed a regulatory model that includes labeling requirements, laboratory testing, age limits for sales, and restrictions on the allowable levels of THC per dose. According to the governor, this alternative would protect consumers without harming the already legally established industry.

The ban contemplated in the new bill includes compounds such as Delta-8 and THCA, which until now have been legally marketed as a result of a legal loophole that has existed since 2018. The loophole in question was created by the federal Farm Bill, which allowed the production of industrial hemp, as long as these products did not exceed 0.3% Delta-9 THC. However, the law did not restrict other cannabinoids like those mentioned above, which can be synthesized from hemp and cause very similar effects in the body. In Texas, these products can be purchased at smoke shops and even gas stations without too many obstacles.

The legislation, identified as Senate Bill 5, proposes to prohibit the production, distribution, sale, and possession of products containing any intoxicating cannabinoid derived from hemp. The measure also includes the possibility of criminal charges for the manufacture or sale of these products, except for those made from non-psychoactive compounds like CBD.

The measure has sparked a debate between those who oppose and those who support the legal use of marijuana. The majority of voters in the state  53%  oppose a blanket ban on hemp-derived THC products, according to a Texas Politics Project survey released last month. Only 31% of all respondents expressed support for the measure. However, support is higher among Republican voters: 46% back the ban.

Dr. Kevin A. Sabet, president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, an organization that opposes cannabis sales, believes this new legislation is a logical response to the legal loophole created in 2018. This is not a Republican or Democratic issue. These bans are a necessary and responsible correction, Sabet told EL PAIS.

According to him, whats sold legally today is just as potent as traditional marijuana and is completely unregulated. Theres no quality control or accurate labeling, and theyre marketed without age restrictions. The result has been an increase in youth access, hospitalizations, traffic accidents, and diagnoses of cannabis-induced psychosis, he said.

Sabet claims that emergency room visits by children poisoned by THC have tripled in recent years. He also complains that producers sell in candy-like packaging, with fruity flavors, clearly aimed at minors. Marijuana companies themselves have acknowledged that youth marketing works, argued the former White House advisor on these issues.

Meanwhile, Heather Fazio, director of the Texas Cannabis Policy Center, considers the new bill a dangerous step backward, as it criminalizes the simple possession of products that are federally legal and widely available. Texans should not be arrested or prosecuted for possessing legal hemp products, the representative of the organization, which promotes responsible cannabis policies and sensible reforms, told this newspaper.

Fazio emphasized the consequences of the laws approval: possession of a product containing any amount of THC could be considered a Class C misdemeanor, with a permanent criminal record. Furthermore, if the product is unregistered, the person could face a Class B misdemeanor and up to six months in jail. This is completely unreasonable. The criminal consequences limit access to education, employment, housing, and even child custody, he asserted.

The specialist also explained that many small local businesses, such as manufacturers of THC-containing gummies or oils, have invested in a market that has operated legally for more than six years. These businesses are at risk of being shut down. If we dont have licensed and regulated businesses, consumers will turn to the illicit market, where there are no safety guarantees or age controls, Fazio asserted.

A change of course

So far this year, several Republican states have introduced laws similar to the Texas bill. In Tennessee, new legislation bans products containing THC and synthetic cannabinoids, while also eliminating online sales of hemp. This law will go into effect next year. Meanwhile, Alabama passed restrictions on the permitted concentration of THC and the conditions for its sale. Ohio is also currently in the process of amending the law that allowed recreational marijuana use in that state in 2023.

There are Republicans who truly believe in limited government and individual freedom, and others who only use that rhetoric on the campaign trail. Fortunately, many are beginning to support regulation instead of criminalization, as Texas Governor Abbott has done, Fazio noted.

In this regard, Sabet emphasized that his organization has already successfully supported similar laws in other states, such as Arkansas. In April 2023, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed legislation banning intoxicating cannabinoids derived from hemp. According to him, the measure is consistent with the position of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which believes that many of these compounds do not fit the original purpose of the Farm Bill.

The idea that these prohibitions undermine responsible use ignores the fundamental problem: these products are unregulated. They are mislabeled, contaminated, and targeted at minors. Public health and child safety must take precedence over commercial interests, Sabet said. Children are at risk. Hospitalizations are increasing. Cannabis-induced psychosis is real, he added.

Fazio, on the other hand, asserted that the ban will not protect young people. There is no evidence to support the gateway theory. Correlation does not equal causation. Regulation, not prohibition, is the most effective approach to protecting minors and ensuring safety, he said. It is unreasonable to arrest someone for a legally purchased gummy bear. Disproportionate punishment protects no one.

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Jaipur, July 24 : Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, in response to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP and Rajasthan unit BJP chief Madan Rathore, provided detailed information in the Rajya Sabha on the Ministry's efforts to strengthen access to justice.

Jaipur, July 24 (IANS) Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, in response to a question raised by Rajya Sabha MP and Rajasthan unit BJP chief Madan Rathore, provided detailed information in the Rajya Sabha on the Ministryas efforts to strengthen access to justice.

He said that the Ministry of Law and Justice has made significant strides in ensuring justice for the economically and socially weaker sections. Through the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), the Ministry has resolved over 23 crore cases via National Lok Adalats in the past three years.

In addition, around 34 lakh cases were settled in State Lok Adalats, and 6.41 lakh cases through Permanent Lok Adalats, providing timely relief to citizens, added Meghwal. Rathore meanwhile said that legal assistance and counseling are being extended to the needy at the state, district, and tehsil levels. Legal Services Authorities are conducting nationwide awareness programs focusing on laws and welfare schemes related to children, laborers, disaster victims, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Divyangjans (persons with disabilities).

Over the last three years, 13.83 lakh legal awareness programs have been conducted, reaching 14.96 crore people. He also informed the House that the Legal Aid Defense Counsel System Scheme, launched by Prime Minister Modi in 2023a"24, is being actively implemented by NALSA.

As part of the initiative, Legal Aid Defense Counsel offices have been established in 662 districts across India. In the last two years, 8.69 lakh cases have been assigned to Legal Aid Defense Counsels, of which 5.85 lakh cases have already been disposed of.

This extensive outreach and case resolution mechanism reflect the governmentas commitment to ensuring speedy, affordable, and accessible justice for all citizens, especially the marginalised, Rathore added.
New Delhi, July 24 : India's semiconductor design ecosystem is witnessing accelerated growth, with startups supported under the Ministry of Electronics and IT's (MeitY) Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme and the Chips to Startup (C2S) Programme gaining significant traction and attracting private investments, an official statement said on Thursday.

New Delhi, July 24 (IANS) Indiaas semiconductor design ecosystem is witnessing accelerated growth, with startups supported under the Ministry of Electronics and ITas (MeitY) Design Linked Incentive (DLI) Scheme and the Chips to Startup (C2S) Programme gaining significant traction and attracting private investments, an official statement said on Thursday.

Bengaluru-based startup Netrasemi has raised Rs 107 crore in venture capital funding, which is a significant boost to the industry.

Union Minister for Electronics and IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw, said that Indiaas strong design capabilities are getting a platform through the India Semiconductor Mission, and Netrasemias success will inspire more Indian startups to venture into chip design.

Netrasemi develops semiconductors for Internet of Things (IoT) applications, CCTV cameras, and smart vision with support from the government's chip design scheme.

With a total project cost of Rs 690 crore, the government has committed Rs 234 crore to support 22 chip design startups since the DLI Scheme's inception in 2022, the ministry said in the statement.

These startups are developing chips for a variety of industries, such as satellites, smart devices, mobile networks, cars, and CCTV cameras.

Together, these startups have raised more than Rs 380 crore from private investors in addition to government assistance.

Fermionic Design, which creates chips for satellite communications, raised Rs 50 crore, while Mindgrove Technologies, which specialises in CCTV chip design, raised Rs 85 crore.

Other startups in the sector are also making rapid production progress.

Five startups have so far developed and tested their chip designs with manufacturers around the world. In addition, more than 72 businesses now have access to cutting-edge Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools to aid in the development of chips, the ministry stated.

The semiconductor design ecosystem is being fostered not only with public funding but also with growing confidence from private investors, in keeping with the government's goal of making India a "product nation".
Kolkata, July 24 : BJP's Information Technology Cell Chief and the party's central observer for West Bengal, Amit Malviya, on Thursday, accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of spreading falsehood through her much-hyped issue on alleged attack on Bengali-speaking people in the BJP-ruled states.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister posted a statement on the wall of her official X handle where she claimed to have been increasingly receiving reports of detentions and atrocities on Bengali-speaking people from different districts of West Bengal in Gurgaon, Haryana.

Reacting to that post from the Chief Minister, Malviya issued a counter-post on Thursday evening wherein he directly accused the Chief Minister of spreading falsehoods on this issue.

In his counter-post, Malviya also clarified that those being questioned at Gurugram were "illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators" and not "Indian Bengalis".

"You are LYING. Those being questioned are illegal Bangladeshis, who perhaps speak Bangla but are NOT Indian citizens. You are a DISGRACE to equate Indian citizens from West Bengal to illegal migrants from Bangladesh, just because all of them happen to be TMC voters," Malviya said in his statement.

In his statement, Malviya also accused the West Bengal administration of assisting these illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators in securing fake Indian identity documents for them. "Your administration has enabled these illegal migrants to obtain Aadhaar and other government documents before infiltrating other parts of India  all on the condition that they return to vote for the TMC in every election," added Malviya.

In his statement, Malviya has clearly said that the illegal infiltrators would not be spared at any cost. "Remember: no ILLEGAL migrant will be spared. Stop using the fact that they speak Bangla to further your sinister politics," Malviya's statement read.

Earlier in the day, superstar and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty, who was in Kolkata to attend a programme for his party, also accused the Chief Minister of creating a false narrative on the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking people in the BJP-ruled states.

"Bengali-speaking people have not faced any kind of unnecessary harassment anywhere in the country. Actually, Trinamool Congress is running short of issues before the elections. So the Chief Minister is trying to create a false narrative on the issue and trying to instigate common people, which she has always done," Chakraborty said after arriving in Kolkata on Thursday afternoon.
Kolkata, July 24 : Kolkata Police, on Thursday, arrested one person for allegedly raping a woman at a hotel in Kolkata's iconic Park Street area.

The accused, identified as Md Monibur Rahman (34), had introduced himself as an Indian Army personnel to the victim woman and promised to use his influence to help her husband get bail. Her husband was then lodged in a jail in another case.

The police said that the crime was committed earlier this year, and the accused person had threatened to leak the woman's nude photographs and make them viral.

A case under sections 64(1) (rape) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been registered at Park Street Police Station.

"The FIR named the accused person cohabited with the lady complainant by putting her under fear of spreading out her naked photographs as well as threatening her to make those photographs viral. The incident took place in January and February," said a city police official.

During the investigation, the police arrested the accused person from a guest house at the Wattgunge area in South Kolkata late on early Thursday.

"We have started an investigation into this. We are looking into all possible angles," said a senior police officer.

Sources said the woman narrated the entire incident to her husband after he was released from jail.

It was learned that the accused person got physically intimate with her on several occasions by threatening to leak her nude photographs.

It was on her husband's insistence that the woman filed a complaint against the accused person at Park Street police station.
New Delhi, July 24 : As the security agencies battle terror threats on multiple fronts, the latest challenge is terrorists using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to carry out attacks.

In fact, it was the Islamic State that had first encouraged its operatives to adopt this technology back in 2023.

Currently, the technology is being used by the Islamic State for media spawning. The media wings of the outfit have been using AI to create propaganda content. With a single image or video, they are generating multiple manipulated content. Further they have also using AI for multilingual translation. This helps them create content in as many languages as possible and this automatically reduces time and manpower for the Islamic State.

A report published by Tech Against Terrorism says that AI tools are being used to translate propaganda into multiple languages. The technology is being used to create personalised messages in a bid to undertake recruitment.

On the encrypted chat groups of the Islamic State, it has been found that propaganda content has been circulated in multiple languages. Further, the technology has also been used for creating speeches, images and environments that are interactive.

The operatives have also been found to customise messaging and the media. This, in turn, helps them target a much larger audience. Further, AI has been used to repurpose old propaganda material to create newer propaganda. This has helped them deliver the messages and material more frequently.

The use of generative AI has led to policy debates taking place, where the security planners are drawing up a new strategy to counter this threat.

The Islamic State had, in fact, put out a guide on how to use generative AI. While the adaptation had been slow in the years 2023 and 2024, things have moved fast for the Islamic State since May 2025. It put up a news bulletin using AI. This bulletin had an AI-generated presenter to read out the propaganda content of the terror outfit.

The Islamic State has also been using Rocket Chat, an encrypted platform, to put out these AI-generated news bulletins. The videos contained AI-generated characters who would mimic the broadcasting style of the mainstream media. The entire broadcast was made by using text-to-speech Artificial Intelligence (AI). The technology translated the written information into speech and also added an audio with a human voice.

A report by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) mentions that new technologies such as AI can be powerful tools. While speaking about the positive aspects of the technology, it also mentions that AI can be used for harmful purposes if it falls into the wrong hands. It goes on to state that the report must serve as an early warning for potential malicious uses and abuses of AI by terrorists. The global community and governments must proactively think about it. Such new technologies must do good and not cause harm, the UNICRI report also noted.

The Islamic State has also been using AI for virtual recruitment and planning. This is aimed at those who are potential lone wolf warriors, which the Islamic State largely relies upon. In order to do this, the outfit has been using AI-powered chatbots.

While Islamic State propaganda is nothing new, the worry for the agencies is that it could be used for planning operations. This is extremely worrisome, and if this experiment works, then the attacks carried out by the Islamic State could be far more precise and lethal.

In addition to all this, the Islamic State has also been exploring the possibility of using AI to power automated vehicles to carry out attacks. The outfit is trying to exploit the vulnerabilities in the AI-powered systems in order to carry out similar missions. The agencies have also learnt that attempts are being made to use the technology to hack into traffic signals and other guiding systems. If this works, then the outfit can manipulate the roads, which would cause a loss of lives.

Counterterrorism agencies are working overtime to combat this threat. Officials can use AI to analyse live videos to spot suspicious behaviour or objects. Furthermore, these AI tools can also be used to automatically detect and remove extremist propaganda material from online platforms which the terrorists are using. More importantly the technology can used to identify at-risk individuals and also analyse their online behaviour and activity.

The security planners say that there is a need for the policymakers, law enforcement agencies, and civil society to collaborate and develop strategies to counter terrorists from misusing generative Artificial Intelligence.
New Delhi, July 24 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Thursday strongly advocated the need for education in English, saying this is necessary to uplift weaker sections of the society.

They emphasised the need for English medium education while speaking at a programme, where Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy made a presentation on the caste census in the state before the Congress MPs.

Rahul Gandhi stated that English is the biggest determinant of success and progress in India.

aWhat is the single biggest factor that determines success for an individual in India? It is education in English - the single biggest determinant of success and progress in India. Meaning, an English education is much more powerful in India today," he said.

"If you ask all the BJP people who say English must be eliminated, which school do your children study in? Which college do their children study at? Do they study in an English-medium school? Yes or no? And the answer will always be that they study in an English-medium school. My question is, why should that opportunity not be given to the poorest person in India? To a Dalit, an Adivasi, or an OBC?"

Kharge stated that a society needs economic strength, human strength, and mental strength, and a society that has these three things progresses.

"In todayas time, the English language has become a necessity, and if we do not promote it, it will become very difficult," he said.

The Congress chief said that some people want their own children to learn English, but they do not want to give other peopleas children the opportunity to learn English.

"Leaders of RSS, BJP and those who do agitation in the name of language pay lakhs in fees to educate their children in top schools. So, if the government educates poor children with public funds, what is the harm in that? However, they have no such intention," he said.

Praising the Congress leaders of Telangana for conducting the caste-based census, he called for implementing this model in other states as well, so that people can get their rightful dues.

Kharge said that wherever Rahul Gandhi went, he said that a caste-based census should be conducted so that the SC, ST, and OBC communities could get their rightful share. "Since Rahul Gandhi ji started speaking about it, today the backward class has also become aware, as their share is now being discussed.:

He stated that conducting a caste-based census does not cause injustice to anyone. "I express my gratitude for the way the caste-based census work has been carried out in Telangana. The work that Rahul Gandhi ji has done, we need to take it forward," he said

"The way Rahul Gandhi ji walked from Kanyakumari to Kashmir, raising his voice for the rights of SC, ST, OBC, no other leader can do that work. In this work, Rahul Gandhi ji did not consider profit or loss. He only focused on how to advance the backward people of the country a" economically, socially, and educationally a" and this is a very big task."

On the demand to remove the 50 per cent reservation barrier to allow 42 per cent reservation for BCs, Kharge said this limit was already broken with the PM Narendra Modi-led Central government providing 10 per cent reservation to economically and educationally backward among upper castes.

When the people of Scheduled Caste and Backward Classes in the country come together to support Congress socially and politically, the 50 per cent barrier will be surpassed, he said..
London, July 24 : Union Commerce and Trade Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday said discussions are underway to improve trade relations with several countries, as India signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the UK, opening billions of dollars worth of opportunities for both countries.

Speaking to IANS here, Goyal said, "Very good talks are going on with New Zealand, Oman, Chile, Peru, and the European Union.

"And on the bilateral trade agreement (BTA), good discussions are also underway with the United States. I firmly believe that all these negotiations will lead to positive outcomes," the Commerce Minister emphasised.

Goyal said last week that the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) will officially come into effect on October 1, which would facilitate the creation of 1 million direct jobs in India.

Meanwhile, negotiations with the US are ongoing. India and the US teams have concluded the fifth round of talks for the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA) in Washington, DC.

Goyal hailed the India-UK comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA) as a 'historic leap' that will empower workers, farmers, MSMEs and startups across the country.

"This deal will transform the lives of artisans, weavers, and daily-wage earners employed in sectors such as textiles, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, toys, and marine products," Goyal said.

"From village looms to tech labs, this FTA empowers women through improved financial access and deeper global integration," he added.

Agriculture is another big winner under the deal, with nearly 95 per cent of Indian farm products gaining duty-free access to the UK.

Fisherfolk, too, will benefit from zero duty on 99 per cent of marine exports. Goyal stressed that the agreement supports "inclusive and gender-equitable growth", helping create a more resilient economy from the grassroots up.

The agreement also opens doors for Indian startups, providing them access to UK investors and innovation hubs, thereby expanding their global footprint.
Mumbai, July 24 : Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said Maharashtra is leading the way. Quoting a research paper, he said the state is set to achieve the $1 trillion economy mark by 2030 nearly doubling from its current $536 billion, the highest among Indian states and equivalent to Singapore's economy.

In his post on X, CM Fadnavis said: "Here's Morgan Stanley research paper showing insights of Maharashtra's glorious journey! World largest and most reputed investment banking, research and financial institution Morgan Stanley has just released its latest report giving top edge to Maharashtra on almost all key economic variables. This extremely credible ranking of our State and its prowess stands testament to our policy and progress thereof. Thank you Morgan Stanley for your confidence in our State and our competence. From Economic Development to infrastructure, social well-being, exports, fiscal prudence, policy reforms to energy transition & lot more."

The report emphasises Maharashtra's progressive leadership, constructive policies, and investments in high-growth sectors like automobiles, pharmaceuticals, electric vehicles, and semiconductors.

However, challenges such as urbanization pressures, manufacturing growth, and income disparities need addressing to sustain this trajectory. Maharashtra's GDP per capita is 1.6 times the national average, underscoring its economic strength. The report has highlighted five key growth drivers including industrialisation, foreign direct investment, exports, services and financial sector and infrastructure and social investments.

"Maharashtra has shifted from an agrarian to an industrial economy, with manufacturing and services driving growth. Industrial sectors contribute 22.5 per cent to its GDP, with strengths in metal, auto (20 per cent of India's output), auto parts, food products, refined petroleum, machinery, and equipment. The state also holds a 16-17 per cent share in medicine and health equipment and 8-12 per cent in textiles," said the report.

According to the report, Maharashtra is India's top FDI recipient, attracting $19.6 billion in FY25, accounting for 39.2 per cent of India's total FDI inflow.

The state is India's second-largest exporter after Gujarat, with a 15.4 per cent share of national exports in FY24, contributing 13.7 per cent to its GDP. Key exports include jewellery, electronics, chemicals, engineering machinery, and pharmaceuticals.

Further, the services sector accounts for 64.3 per cent of Maharashtra's GDP, bolstered by 730 global capability centers (GCCs) that enhance economic visibility.

Major projects like the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Navi Mumbai International Airport, and Vadhavan Port are expected to boost economic activity.

The state's fiscal prudence is evident with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 18.5 per cent, one of India's lowest, and a fiscal deficit below 3 per cent even during the pandemic.

Maharashtra also leads in social indicators like literacy and healthcare, though challenges remain in urban development and farm incomes, said the report.
London, July 24 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK will be remembered for years to come, said Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday, adding that in a short period, significant discussions took place between PM Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Speaking to IANS here, Goyal said a wide range of topics were covered - whether it was trade, investment, export controls, defence cooperation, or how we can collaborate in artificial intelligence (AI).

On the landmark India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Union Minister said, "It will take a few months to implement, but businesses now have the certainty that this is going to happen".

"Based on that, they will start involving India in their supply chains, developing products, placing orders, and ensuring quality - all these activities will now begin. Investments will also start flowing in due to this certainty," the minister informed.

Beyond traditional sectors, the pact is expected to boost engineering goods, electronics, pharma, chemicals, plastics, and food processing industries -- all critical to India's manufacturing future. It will also make high-quality UK goods more affordable for Indian consumers.

The services sector, one of India's economic powerhouses, is set to gain from better access to UK markets in IT, finance, education, and legal services. Simplified visa rules and liberal entry norms will ease the path for Indian chefs, yoga instructors, musicians, business visitors, and professionals across sectors, according to Goyal.

Another key highlight is the Double Contribution Convention, which exempts Indian professionals and their employers from paying social security contributions in the UK for three years.

Goyal called it a "significant breakthrough" that enhances the cost competitiveness of Indian talent abroad. The agreement also opens doors for Indian startups, providing them access to UK investors and innovation hubs, thereby expanding their global footprint.
Bengaluru, July 24 : The Karnataka government has decided to make child engagement a punishable offence, as the decision was made in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday.

Speaking to the media, Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs H.K. Patil stated that the cabinet has approved the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Karnataka Amendment) Bill, 2025, proposing to make child engagements a punishable offence. The bill will be tabled in the legislature.

The Cabinet also decided to grant premature release to 46 life convicts in various state prisons based on recommendations. Additionally, three convicts will be released after obtaining approval from the Union Home Ministry under Article 161 of the Constitution, he announced.

The Karnataka Cabinet also approved the aKarnataka Fire Services (Amendment) Bill, 2025. To enhance the efficiency of the Fire and Emergency Services Department, it has been proposed to first amend Section 15 of the Karnataka Fire Force Act, 1964, and subsequently take steps to levy a Fire Cess at the rate of 1 per cent along with property tax on newly constructed multi-storey buildings in the state, Minister Patil stated.

Approval was further granted for the procurement and supply of 890 medicines, consumables, and chemicals for public health institutions for the year 2025a"26 at an estimated cost of Rs 880.68 crore through tendering, as per the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act, 1999 and KTPP Rules, 2000. Funds will be provided accordingly, he stated.

Approval was granted for a Rs 215.37 crore development project of Yellamma Hills in Savadatti, Belagavi district. It will be implemented under the Sasaki Plan (Rs 100 crore), the PRASAD scheme (Rs 18 crore), the Renuka Yellamma Temple Development Authority (Rs 97 crore), and the Tourism Department (Rs 15 crore) through the DPAR under the KTPP Act, he said.

The Karnataka Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Bill, 2025 - earlier promulgated as an ordinance on May 30, 2025 - will be tabled in the upcoming legislative session, he stated.

The cabinet has also agreed to the lease renewal of Ranga Shankara, one of Bengaluru's well-known theatres. Approval was granted to renew the lease of Site No. 36/2, JP Nagar 2nd Phase, measuring 1,354.50 sq.m., allotted to Sanket Trust to establish a theatre. The lease will be renewed with 25 per cent of the annual lease amount plus applicable GST, Minister Patil stated.
New Delhi, July 24 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Thursday, expressed grief over the loss of lives in a road accident in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district. At least five persons were killed and several injured when a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus rolled down the hill, the police said.

Taking to social media platform X, the Prime Minister's Office, quoting PM Modi, wrote: "Saddened by the loss of lives due to an accident in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the mishap. May the injured recover soon. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM."

The bus with 30 passengers on board skidded off the road and rolled down into the ditch.

The injured were rushed to the Civil Hospital at Sarkaghat town, from where three in a critical condition were referred to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Bilaspur.

Superintendent of Police Sakshi Verma told the media that four --- two men and two women -- died on the spot. The injured were rushed to the Civil Hospital in Sarkaghat.

The cause of the accident is yet to be determined, and further investigation is underway.

Emergency teams from the police station in Sarkaghat and the office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police reached the spot soon after the incident. Ambulances were immediately deployed.

The administration had a tough time extracting the victims from the bus.

The villagers were the first responders, and they started the rescue operations before the authorities could reach the spot.

Most of the victims were locals, the officials said.

Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the accident at Tarangala near Maseran of Sarkaghat subdivision.

He said instructions have been issued to the district administration to take the injured to the hospital and provide treatment.

"In this hour of sorrow, I offer my condolences to the bereaved family, praying for the repose of the souls of the departed. Also, I wish a speedy recovery to all the injured," the Chief Minister wrote on X.

BJP leader and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur said the bus accident in Mandi "is very sad and I pray to god for strength for everyone. The administration is requested to make proper arrangements for the treatment of the injured".
Dar Es Saleem, July 24 : Tanzania has restored 90.4 hectares of mangroves in the Tanga region and Zanzibar's Pemba Island over the past three years, aiming to protect biodiversity and promote a resilient blue economy, an official said on Thursday.

Joseph Olila, manager of the Coastal and Marine Resilience Program at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), said the initiative is part of the Bahari Mali project, which translates to "the sea is wealth," being implemented in the coastal communities of Tanga and Pemba, Xinhua news agency reported.

Speaking to journalists in Tanga, Olila said that restoration efforts are led by local communities in collaboration with government forestry officers, with IUCN providing financial and technical support during the first year.

"Afterwards, communities are empowered to manage the restoration activities independently," he said.

Olila described mangroves as vital natural filters that prevent polluted water from reaching the ocean, protect shorelines from erosion, and serve as critical habitats for marine biodiversity.

Earlier in March, Tanzania launched the 2025 edition of the National Water Policy, aiming to enhance water availability and beef up the protection of water sources.

The new policy, an update of the 2002 edition, was launched by President Samia Suluhu Hassan in the port city of Dar es Salaam on Saturday as part of celebrations to mark the World Water Day.

Hassan said the updated national water policy enhances private sector engagement in financing water projects and strengthens the protection of water infrastructure to bolster water availability.

The head of state emphasised that the protection of water sources is not the sole responsibility of the Ministry of Water, but of all Tanzanians.

She called for creating a national water grid to oversee the usage of water resources across the country, while also encouraging her fellow citizens to cultivate a habit of harvesting rainwater for use when the resource is scarce.

Nathan Belete, World Bank Country Director for Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, praised Tanzania on the launch of its 2025 National Water Policy, saying the new edition aims to ensure optimal, reliable, sustainable, and equitable development and use of water resources for the benefit of all in the most cost-effective way.

"It focuses on addressing challenges in water resource management and development, water quality in both rural and urban areas, and water supply and sanitation services, all critical to achieving socio-economic development and water security in Tanzania in line with national and international goals," Belete said.
New Delhi/Agartala, July 24 : A delegation of Tipra Motha Party (TMP), a junior ally of the ruling BJP, on Thursday held a meeting with BJP President J.P. Nadda in the national capital and discussed the pressing need to implement the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in Tripura, party sources said.

A TMP spokesman in Agartala said that nine-member delegation of the TMP, led by party supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, also discussed about the implementation of the tripartite accord, signed on March 2 last year, with J.P. Nadda, who is also the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister.

The spokesman said that concerns regarding national security due to the prevailing situation in Bangladesh and the atrocities against minorities there were also discussed with the Union Minister.

TMP leaders and two state's ministers -- Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma, Lok Sabha Member from Tripura East parliamentary constituency Kriti Devi Debbarman were also present in the meeting.

"The Union government earlier assured the implementations of the tripartite accord before the Lok Sabha elections last year in the interest of the indigenous people of Tripura," the TMP spokesman said.

Meanwhile, party supremo Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma on Wednesday said that the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Wednesday told a delegation of the TMP that the SIR of the electoral rolls would be conducted across the country including Tripura.

A nine-member delegation of the TMP, led by Debbarma, met the full ECI led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and demanded the SIR in Tripura similar to the procedure being adopted in Bihar.

After meeting the ECI, Debbarma, a former royal scion, had told the media in New Delhi that one of the key agendas discussed was the immediate implementation of the SIR in Tripura, and the Commission has assured that the SIR would be conducted all across the country, including in Tripura.

"Illegal migration is affecting our state and northeast, and today, if we don't identify illegal voters, there will be no tomorrow for our next generation. The good news is that the ECI has assured the delegation (TMP) that SIR will be conducted across the country, including Tripura," the TMP chief said.

The TMP, in a letter to the ECI, demanded to conduct the SIR of the electoral roll in Tripura, accompanied by a comprehensive door-to-door verification exercise, similar to the model recently adopted in the state of Bihar.

After a year-long hectic parleys and after signing a tripartite agreement with the Centre and the Tripura government on March 2 last year, the then opposition TMP with 13 MLAs joined the BJP-led coalition government in the state on March 7 last year, adding a new twist to Tripura's politics.

On the same day, two TMP MLAs -- Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma -- were inducted into the ministry headed by Chief Minister Manik Saha. The TMP's demands include greater autonomy for the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC) and the development of the tribals' socio-economic conditions.

--IANS

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Jaipur, July 24 : Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has expressed great satisfaction over the full capacity of Bisalpur Dam, calling it a moment of joy for the state.

He said that for the first time in the month of July, a gate of the Bisalpur Dam has been opened following heavy rainfall in the catchment area.

Simultaneously, Navnera Dam (Etawah, Kota), a key component of the Ram Jal Setu Link Project, has also reached its full level and three of its gates were opened.

The Chief Minister emphasised the state government's commitment to ensuring adequate water supply across Rajasthan.

He said that water availability for agriculture, livestock, and domestic use is being guaranteed through multiple schemes, including the Ram Jal Setu Link Project, Yamuna Water Agreement, Dewas Project, Indira Gandhi Canal, and Ganga Canal.

He added that this year's good monsoon has enabled regular and uninterrupted water supply across regions.

"The date 24 July 2025 marks a historic achievement for Rajasthan. Bisalpur Dam reached a water level of 315.50 RL metres, prompting the opening of Gate No. 10 by one metre, releasing approximately 6,000 cusecs of water," he said.

The Chief Minister said that this is the first time in the dam's history that it has reached full capacity in July.

"Notably, this is also the second consecutive year (20242025) that the dam has filled completely. Bisalpur is a vital source of drinking water for nearly one crore people in Jaipur, Ajmer, and Tonk districts," he said.

Simultaneously, the Navnera Dam also reached its full level on Thursday. With the water level touching 214 RL meters, Gates No. 11, 12, and 13 were opened, releasing around 600 cusecs of water.

This release is expected to raise the groundwater level and recharge wells in areas around the Kalisindh River. The dam has a total storage capacity of 226.65 million cubic meters, and the current storage stands at 159.87 million cubic meters.

This coordinated management of Rajasthan's water resources is a testament to the government's effective planning and the blessings of a favourable monsoon season.
New Delhi, July 24 : Even as India continues to be the diabetes capital of the world, a new study on Thursday shows yoga can prevent the risk by 40 per cent.

The findings, presented by Union Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, himself a noted diabetologist, highlighted the potential of yoga in preventive healthcare.

The study led by the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) suggests that the regular practice of yoga may reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by as much as 40 per cent in individuals predisposed to the condition.

"This is one of the first such efforts that seeks to scientifically document the prevention of the occurrence of Type 2 diabetes with yoga. As per the authors of the report, there is as much as a 40 per cent reduction in developing of Type 2 diabetes among potential individuals who practice yoga regularly," Singh said.

The research aimed to explore the role of yoga in the prevention -- rather than just the management -- of Type 2 diabetes.

It also specified certain Yoga Aasans found useful for this.

Singh pointed out that most earlier studies had focused on individuals already living with diabetes, examining how yoga could reduce their dependence on medication or insulin.

In contrast, this study concentrates exclusively on individuals at risk of developing the disease, such as those with a family history of diabetes, and whether the onset can be prevented altogether.

"The report has been submitted for further scrutiny. As per the authors, it is based on non-clinical observations," the MoS said.

The Minister further noted that similar research is also underway under the purview of the Department of Biotechnology, where studies are being conducted on how traditional wellness interventions like yoga can contribute to preventive and therapeutic health outcomes.

"This study reflects how ancient practices like yoga, when rigorously examined through scientific methods, can offer real-world health solutions. It's a step towards strengthening preventive healthcare and building a healthier India,,"

Singh said.
Bhopal, July 24 : Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Thursday said the ongoing 'Nashe se doori hai zaroori' campaign of Madhya Pradesh Police is an effort to protect young generation from the menace of drug addiction.

Chief Minister Yadav said this after signing the Sankalp Patra (resolution letter) at the Indian Institute of Forest Management as part of a massive public awareness initiative aimed at making Madhya Pradesh a drug-free state.

He also appealed the citizen of Madhya Pradesh to support the move to protect the future of their children.

"The participation of people will help our young generation to understand how drug addiction harms health and ruing their lives. It also damages social standing, and obstructs personal and community progress, which ultimately taken them into jail," Chief Minister said.

A two-week campaign of the Narcotics Wing of Madhya Pradesh Police was launched by Director General of Police (DGP) Kailash Makwana Police Headquarters on July 14.

As part of the ongoing de-addiction campaign, police officers, city and village defense committees, and various community policing wings across Madhya Pradesh are working together to raise awareness among school and college students.

The objective of the campaign is to raise awareness among adolescents and youth about the harmful effects of drug abuse, prevent them from falling prey to addiction, and provide proper counseling and support to those already affected, guiding them toward rehabilitation and recovery.

To strengthen the impact of this state-level campaign, voluntary organizations are also being actively involved.

It seeks to inform communities not only about the legal consequences and personal risks of drug abuse, but also about the broader issues of law, safety, and harmful policies, empowering citizens to build a better life in a drug-free and crime-free environment.

Various government departments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), religious leaders, social workers, public representatives, and members of all communities are actively participating in this community-driven initiative against drug abuse.

Police teams are reaching out street to street, directly engaging with citizens to spread awareness about the dangers of drug addiction and encouraging the youth to safeguard their future by staying away from substance abuse.
London, July 24 : After the signing of the historic India-UK Free Trade Agreement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met King Charles III at Sandringham house in the United Kingdom on Thursday.

The Prime Minister presented King Charles with a tree sapling to be planted later this year, inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", which encourages people to plant a tree in tribute to their mothers

The meeting also reflected the ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi wrote: "His Majesty King Charles III is very passionate about nature, environment and sustainable living. Thus, his joining the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naama (a tree for Mother) movement is very noteworthy and will inspire people around the world."

"Had a very good meeting with His Majesty King Charles III. We discussed different aspects of India-UK relations, including the ground covered in trade and investment in the wake of CETA and Vision 2035. Other subjects of discussion included education, health and wellness, particularly Yoga and Ayurveda, which are subjects His Majesty is very passionate about. We also talked about environmental protection and sustainability," PM Modi wrote on X in another social media post.

In a post on X, the British Royal Family confirmed that King Charles received Prime Minister Modi at Sandringham House on Thursday afternoon. During the meeting, PM Modi presented the King with a tree sapling to be planted later this year.

"This afternoon, The King received the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, @NarendraModi, at Sandringham House. During their time together, His Majesty was given a tree to be planted this Autumn, inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", which encourages people to plant a tree in tribute to their mothers," the British Royal Family posted on X.

The gesture was part of the Indian Prime Minister's environmental campaign, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", which encourages individuals to plant a tree in honour of their mothers.

The initiative was recently launched as a national movement focused on environmental sustainability.

The Prime Minister shared his happiness at the recovery of King Charles' health and resumption of his royal duties, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press statement.

Prime Minister Modi and King Charles discussed matters related to health and sustainable living, including Ayurveda and Yoga and ways to spread their benefits to people across the world.

The two leaders also discussed bilateral ties.

They noted that the signing of the historic India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement would impart a new momentum to the partnership.

Prime Minister Modi apprised King Charles of the progress made by India in the renewable energy sector to promote sustainable development.

They also discussed ways to collaborate and promote their shared vision regarding climate change and sustainability.

Prime Minister and King Charles also discussed ways in which the UK and India could work together in the Commonwealth.

Prime Minister Modi thanked the King for joining the green campaign -- Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (plant for mother) and handed over a sapling that will be planted in Sandringham House during the upcoming planting season in autumn.

The Prime Minister thanked King Charles for his hospitality and invited him to pay a State Visit to India.
Rewa, July 24 : In a bid to promote investment in tourism sector with collaboration of entrepreneurs, tour operators, and the hotel industry, Madhya Pradesh will organise a two-day (July 26 and 27) regional tourism conclave in Rewa, a senior official said on Thursday.

The event, organised at Krishna Raj Kapoor Auditorium, will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on July 26. Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, and Minister of State for Tourism Dharmendra Lodhi will also attend the conclave.

The conclave aims to promote tourism investment in Madhya Pradesh while fostering collaboration and partnerships among tourism entrepreneurs, tour operators, and the hotel industry, a senior official with tourism department said.

Principal Secretary, Tourism and Culture and Managing Director of Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board, Shiv Shekhar Shukla, informed that investors in the hospitality sector in Madhya Pradesh will be felicitated during the conclave.

"This conclave is part of the preparations for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh Travel Mart scheduled in Bhopal in October. Similar regional conclaves will also be held in Gwalior in August and Indore in September," Shukla said.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Yadav will launch 'PM Shri Tourism Air Service Booking Portal' on the IRCTC platform.

The PM Shri Tourism Air Service, also known as PM Shri Paryatan Vayu Seva, is an initiative by the Madhya Pradesh government to promote and boost tourism by connecting key heritage and cultural sites with air travel.

The service intends to stimulate tourism, create investment opportunities while also promoting the regional development.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will virtually lay the foundation of the 'Spiritual Experience' project at Chitrakoot Ghat will be virtually laid.

A special exhibition will highlight the cultural heritage and tourism diversity of Madhya Pradesh, including stalls featuring destinations, tourism units, hospitality brands, homestays, resorts, handicrafts, adventure tourism, and more.

Cultural performances will also be a highlight. At the conclusion of the conclave on July 27, selected guests and participants will be taken on a Familiarization Tour (FAM Tour) to showcase the tourism potential of Rewa and surrounding areas firsthand.

--IANS

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London, July 25 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his 'landmark' visit to the United Kingdom on Thursday, marking a significant step forward in India-UK trade and economic relations. The visit included the signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement and high-level engagements aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation. The Prime Minister departed for the second leg of his foreign tour, heading to the Maldives.

Taking to social media platform X, Ministry of External affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: "A landmark visit to UK concludes, elevating the India-Great Britain trade and economic ties to new heights. PM @narendramodi emplanes for the second leg of his tour -- Maldives."

The Prime Minister will undertake a state visit to the island nation from July 25 to 26 at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu.

During his visit, Prime Minister Modi will be taking part in the 60th Independence Day celebrations of the Maldives as the Guest of Honour.

He is also visiting on the 60th anniversary of India-Maldives diplomatic relations.

"Concluding a very important UK visit. The outcomes of this visit will benefit our future generations and contribute to shared growth and prosperity. Gratitude to the PM Keir Starmer, the UK government and people for their warmth. Here are highlights from the visit...," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Earlier on Thursday, Prime Minister Modi met King Charles III at Sandringham house in the United Kingdom.

The Prime Minister presented King Charles with a tree sapling to be planted later this year, inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister, "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam", which encourages people to plant a tree in tribute to their mothers

The meeting also reflected the ongoing efforts to strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

Taking to X, PM Modi wrote: "His Majesty King Charles III is very passionate about nature, environment and sustainable living. Thus, his joining the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naama (a tree for Mother) movement is very noteworthy and will inspire people around the world."

"Had a very good meeting with His Majesty King Charles III. We discussed different aspects of India-UK relations, including the ground covered in trade and investment in the wake of CETA and Vision 2035. Other subjects of discussion included education, health and wellness, particularly Yoga and Ayurveda, which are subjects His Majesty is very passionate about. We also talked about environmental protection and sustainability," PM Modi wrote on X in another social media post.

The Prime Minister shared his happiness at the recovery of King Charles' health and resumption of his royal duties, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press statement.

Prime Minister Modi and King Charles discussed matters related to health and sustainable living, including Ayurveda and Yoga and ways to spread their benefits to people across the world.

The two leaders also discussed bilateral ties.

They noted that the signing of the historic India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement would impart a new momentum to the partnership.

Prime Minister Modi thanked the King for joining the green campaign -- Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (plant for mother) and handed over a sapling that will be planted in Sandringham House during the upcoming planting season in autumn.

The Prime Minister thanked King Charles for his hospitality and invited him to pay a State Visit to India.

The visit came following the PM Modi's engagements in the UK, where he oversaw the signing of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

During his visit to the UK from July 23 to July 24, Prime Minister Modi met with his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, at Chequers, the country residence of the Prime Minister.

The two Prime Ministers also welcomed the signing of the landmark India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which raised the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to a new level.

The deal significantly enhanced bilateral trade, investment, economic collaborations and job creation in both economies.

The two sides also agreed to negotiate a Double Contribution Convention, which will come into effect along with the CETA and will facilitate professionals and the service industry in both countries by promoting competitiveness and reducing the cost of doing business for commercial entities.

The two leaders also reviewed the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship and adopted the India-UK Vision 2035.
New Delhi, July 25 : The President's Rule in Manipur has been extended for another six months, starting from August 13, 2025 as joint security forces step up operations against insurgent groups across the state.

The decision came after Union Home Minister Amit Shah moved a resolution in the Lok Sabha seeking approval for the extension.

The House admitted the notice and passed the resolution, which said: "That this House approves the continuance in force of the Proclamation dated February 13, 2025, in respect of Manipur, issued under Article 356 of the Constitution by the President, for a further period of six months with effect from August 13, 2025."

The President's Rule was initially imposed in Manipur on February 13, 2025, following prolonged ethnic violence and a breakdown of administrative machinery in the state.

The violence started in the state in 2023 after a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised against the high court order. There have been many efforts by the Central government to bring the warring communities to the negotiating table.

The extension comes even as security remains tense in several parts of Manipur, with efforts at reconciliation and peacebuilding still underway.

The Central government is expected to use this period to stabilise the law-and-order situation and assess the feasibility of holding Assembly elections at a later date.

Manipur was placed under President's Rule after the Bharatiya Janata Party failed to reach a consensus on a successor to N. Biren Singh, who had resigned as Chief Minister on February 9.

He stepped down just a day before his government was due to face a no-confidence motion and a critical floor test.

The resignation followed nearly two years of ethnic violence in the state, beginning in May 2023, and came amid increasing pressure from the opposition, which had been demanding Singh's removal.

In April, 21 ruling NDA MLAs from the state wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Shah, demanding the immediate installation of a "popular government".

In their letters, they said the people of Manipur had welcomed President's Rule with high expectations, but there had been no visible actions to restore peace and normalcy.

"There is a strong apprehension among the common people that the violence may reoccur. Many civil society organisations have come out openly against the imposition of President's Rule. They have been demanding the installation of a popular government in the state," the MLAs wrote jointly.

The ethnic violence between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei people that erupted in the state on May 3, 2023, has claimed the lives of 250 people and displaced more than 60,000 people from their homes.

National Highways 2 and 37, which are key to connect the land-locked Imphal valley to Nagaland and Assam respectively and critical for supply of essentials and other commodities, pass through Kuki-Zo inhabited areas.

Meitei people who live in the valley have not been able to access the highways since the violence began in May 2023. More than 6,000 police weapons were also looted in the state.

Over the past 24 hours, 10 militants linked to banned outfits have been apprehended, officials confirmed on Thursday.

According to news agency IANS, a senior police official said that the arrests took place across Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Kakching, Tengnoupal, and Tamenglong districts.

Those detained are reportedly members of the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), People's Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak (PREPAK), and People's Liberation Army (PLA).
A Palestinian child suffering from malnutrition due to starvation receives medical care at Al-Rantisi Hospital in northern Gaza City, on July 23, 2025. Fifteen more people, including four children, died from starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours in the war-torn Gaza Strip, Gaza's health authorities said on Tuesday, raising the total number of fatalities linked to hunger and malnutrition to 101, including 80 children, since March. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

GAZA/JERUSALEM, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Fifteen more people, including four children, died from starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours in the war-torn Gaza Strip, Gaza's health authorities said on Tuesday.

In a press statement, the health authorities said the deaths were recorded in hospitals across Gaza, raising the total number of fatalities linked to hunger and malnutrition to 101, including 80 children, since March.

"The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate amid the ongoing Israeli blockade," the health authorities added, stressing that a large number of civilians, particularly children, are suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said on social media platform X on Tuesday that "People in Gaza, including UNRWA colleagues, are fainting due to severe hunger. They are being starved."

"Meanwhile, just a few kilometers away from Gaza, supermarkets and shops are loaded with food and other goods. Lift the siege. Allow UNRWA to bring in food and medicines," UNRWA said.

The Israeli Medical Association (IMA), which represents about 95 percent of doctors in Israel, issued a statement Tuesday calling for the entry of medical equipment and basic humanitarian aid into the Strip.

In a letter addressed to Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir, IMA Chairman Zion Hagay wrote that such deliveries are "required by both medical ethics and morality, as well as international humanitarian law." He added that if recent reports about the deaths of at least 73 people while waiting for humanitarian aid prove accurate, it would represent a "serious violation of medical ethics and international law."

Since Israel resumed its military operations in the enclave on March 18, at least 8,268 Palestinians had been killed and 30,470 others injured, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to 59,106, and injuries to 142,511, Gaza's health authorities said on Tuesday. 

A Palestinian child suffering from malnutrition due to starvation receives medical care at Al-Rantisi Hospital in northern Gaza City, on July 23, 2025. Fifteen more people, including four children, died from starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours in the war-torn Gaza Strip, Gaza's health authorities said on Tuesday, raising the total number of fatalities linked to hunger and malnutrition to 101, including 80 children, since March. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A Palestinian child suffering from malnutrition due to starvation is seen at Al-Rantisi Hospital in northern Gaza City, on July 23, 2025. Fifteen more people, including four children, died from starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours in the war-torn Gaza Strip, Gaza's health authorities said on Tuesday, raising the total number of fatalities linked to hunger and malnutrition to 101, including 80 children, since March. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A Palestinian child suffering from malnutrition due to starvation is seen at Al-Rantisi Hospital in northern Gaza City, on July 23, 2025. Fifteen more people, including four children, died from starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours in the war-torn Gaza Strip, Gaza's health authorities said on Tuesday, raising the total number of fatalities linked to hunger and malnutrition to 101, including 80 children, since March. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A Palestinian child suffering from malnutrition due to starvation is seen at Al-Rantisi Hospital in northern Gaza City, on July 23, 2025. Fifteen more people, including four children, died from starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours in the war-torn Gaza Strip, Gaza's health authorities said on Tuesday, raising the total number of fatalities linked to hunger and malnutrition to 101, including 80 children, since March. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
Data Pros has been recognized with the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program SECURITY Designation, highlighting its proven expertise in delivering secure, AI-driven Microsoft solutions. This achievement reinforces Data Pros' leadership in cloud security and its commitment to helping organizations modernize with confidence.

HOLMDEL, N.J., July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Data Pros, a leading provider of advanced IT and cloud services, proudly announces that it has been awarded the prestigious Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program SECURITY Designation. This recognition highlights Data Pros' deep technical expertise and commitment to delivering secure, innovative solutions using Microsoft's advanced cloud and security technologies.

The designation, issued by Microsoft, validates Data Pros' ability to deliver high-impact security solutions that meet Microsoft's rigorous standards for partner capability, performance, and customer success. To qualify, Data Pros underwent intensive advanced skilling and demonstrated the successful implementation of a wide range of Microsoft Security Products across diverse customer environments.

"Achieving this designation reflects our team's unwavering dedication to cybersecurity excellence and our strategic partnership with Microsoft," said Data Pros CEO, Joe Simuro. "It not only validates the depth of our technical capabilities but also reassures our customers that they are working with a Microsoft-recognized partner who can effectively protect their digital environments."

As a Microsoft Cloud AI Security Designated Partner, Data Pros has proven proficiency in areas such as:

Microsoft Defender XDR and Sentinel deployments

Secure identity and access management with Microsoft Entra

Comprehensive cloud security architecture and Zero Trust frameworks

AI-enhanced threat detection and incident response strategies

The recognition also solidifies Data Pros' role in the broader Microsoft ecosystem, positioning the company to help organizations accelerate digital transformation securely and confidently.

To learn more about the Microsoft Solutions Partner designations and what they mean for customers, visit: https://aka.ms/MicrosoftSolutionsPartner

About Data Pros:

Based in Holmdel, NJ, Data Pros is a premier IT consultancy specializing in cloud adoption, security, and Microsoft-based enterprise solutions. With a focus on outcomes-driven digital transformation, Data Pros empowers businesses to modernize securely, efficiently, and at scale.

For press inquiries, contact:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 732-328-2550

Website: www.the-data-pros.net

Media Contact

Michael Henry, Data Pros, 1 7323282550, [email protected], https://www.the-data-pros.net/

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On Wednesday, the White House released a 23-page artificial intelligence strategy document, "Winning the Race: America's AI Action Plan," outlining the administration's approach to AI development, adoption, and regulation across federal agencies. The plan focused in large part on rapid AI integration within government operations, particularly in defense, while prioritizing eliminating barriers to AI development.

The plan encourages all federal agencies to revise and repeal any rules, regulations, agreements, or administrative orders "that unnecessarily hinder AI development or deployment." Furthermore, it advocates for the creation of open models allowing "access to large-scale computing power for start-ups and academics" with a focus on scientific research. All this must be done while "maintaining respect for individual rights and ensuring civil liberties, privacy, and confidentiality protections," per the plan.

The plan, which cites China as a key rival, acknowledges that "AI will require new infrastructurefactories to produce chips, data centers to run those chips, and new sources of energy to power it all," and posits that "America's environmental permitting system and other regulations make it almost impossible to build this infrastructure in the United States with the speed that is required." The document also supported international cooperation in AI development, provided it "aligns with American values."

A major concern of publishers, the protection of intellectual property and copyright, was mentioned just once, in the plan's acknowledgement that it is "essential for the U.S. government to effectively address security risks to American AI companies, talent, intellectual property, and systems."

Trump calls adhering to copyright 'not doable'

That acknowledgement was called into question later in the afternoon on Wednesday, in what appeared to be unscripted statements made by President Donald Trump at the "Winning the AI Race" summit hosted by the All-In podcast and the Hill and Valley Forum in Washington, D.C., in which he characterized copyright as an obstacle to rapid development of AI. After calling AI something that "just popped out of the air," Trump said that the "common-sense" application of "artificial and intellectual property rules" will be required for the U.S. to be "successful" in the AI arms race.

"You cant be expected to have a successful AI program when every single article, book, or anything else that youve read or studied, youre supposed to pay for. 'Gee, I read a book,' you're supposed to pay somebody," Trump said. "We appreciate that, but you just cant do it, because its not doable. And if you're going to try and do that, you're not going to have a successful program."

In elaborating, Trump compared training AI models on copyrighted material to human beings reading a text. "When a person reads a book or an article, youve gained great knowledge. That does not mean that youre violating copyright laws or have to make deals with every content provider. You just cant do it. Chinas not doing it.... When you have something, when you read something and it goes into this vast intelligence machine, we'll call it, you cannot expectevery time, every single timeto say, 'Oh, lets pay this one that much, let's just pay this one.' It just doesn't work that way. You can't copy or plagiarize an article. But if you read an article and learn from it, we have to allow AI to use that pool of knowledge without going through the complexity of contract negotiations, of which there would be thousands for every time we use AI."

Trump added that there needs to be "a single federal standard" governing the the use of copyrighted materials for AI rather than leaving it up to the states to regulate the technology. He concluded by admitting that he was told that his position on copyright was likely to be "unpopular," but he ignored the warnings in favor of championing the AI industrya statement that drew applause. Administration officials later sought to clarify Trump's statements, telling Politico that administration felt courts should be left decide the legality of the matter.

At the same summit, Trump signed a trio of executive orders, including one intending to expedite construction of AI infrastructure projects. The second allows the export of AI chips and other hardware and software, and the third prevents the federal government from acquiring AI technology "that has been infused with partisan bias or ideological agendas."

Senate bill proposes 'opt-in' legislation

Trump's comments come on the heels of the introduction, by U.S. senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), of the AI Accountability and Personal Data Protection Act this past Monday following a hearing last week on AI companies' copyright infringement. The bipartisan legislation aims to hold AI firms liable for using copyrighted works or personal data without acquiring explicit consent to train AI models. It would empower individualsincluding writers, artists, and content creatorsto sue companies in federal court if their data or copyrighted works are used without consent. It also supports class action lawsuits and advocates for violators to pay robust penalties.

"AI companies are robbing the American people blind while leaving artists, writers, and other creators with zero recourse," said Hawley. "Its time for Congress to give the American worker their day in court to protect their personal data and creative works. My bipartisan legislation would finally empower working Americans who now find their livelihoods in the crosshairs of Big Techs lawlessness."

"This bill embodies a bipartisan consensus that AI safeguards are urgentbecause the technology is moving at accelerating speed, and so are dangers to privacy," added Blumenthal. "Enforceable rules can put consumers back in control of their data, and help bar abuses. Tech companies must be held accountableand liable legallywhen they breach consumer privacy, collecting, monetizing or sharing personal information without express consent. Consumers must be given rights and remediesand legal tools to make them realnot relying on government enforcement alone."

AAP encourages vigilance

Prior to Trump's comments about copyright at Wednesday's summit, the Association of American Publishers initially responded positively to aspects of the White House's action plan.

"We appreciate the Administrations leadership in formulating this Action Plan as to U.S. and global interests and for its stakeholder engagement during the past few months," said AAP president and CEO Maria A. Pallante in a statement, noting that her organization had engaged with the administration during the drafting process. "No one paying attention can deny that AI is a paradox, both a promising technology for good and a serious threat to global security. We agree that the United States must be deeply, wisely, and globally engagednot only to explore positive aspects of the technology, but also to protect democracies over autocracies and to ensure that we protect American values and the fundamental rights that underpin our society and economy."

The AAP underscored that the action plan does not diminish copyright protections, as some technology companies had advocated, but also emphasized the the publishing industry must remain vigilant and engaged, particularly with regard to the used of academic and scientific research in AI. "In the months ahead, we look forward to working further with the Administration on AI and IP," Pallante added. "We know that high quality AI depends upon high quality authorship, including literature and research publications, which makes robust copyright protection and marketplace licensing even more essential to protecting and promoting U.S. interests and values."
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* China's Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) will officially launch an island-wide independent customs operation on Dec. 18, 2025, which marks the anniversary of the milestone Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee in 1978 that ushered in the reform and opening-up, underscores China's unwavering commitment to high-standard opening-up.

* The proportion of tariff lines with zero-tariff products in the Hainan Free Trade Port will increase from 21 percent to 74 percent. Imported products that undergo at least 30 percent value-added processing in Hainan can enter the mainland tariff-free. Certain goods currently banned or restricted nationwide will enjoy open policies in Hainan.

* The number of duty-free items in Hainan will increase from about 1,900 to around 6,600, marking a significant boost in openness.

BEIJING, July 23 (Xinhua) -- China's Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) will officially launch an island-wide independent customs operation on Dec. 18, 2025, as approved by the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, an official with the country's top economic planner announced Wednesday.

The launch on this symbolic date, which marks the anniversary of the milestone Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee in 1978 that ushered in the reform and opening-up, underscores China's unwavering commitment to high-standard opening-up, Wang Changlin, deputy head of the National Development and Reform Commission, said at a press conference.

"The island-wide independent customs operation is a flagship move for the development of the Hainan FTP and a key measure to further expand opening-up," Wang said, calling it "a milestone" in China's opening-up efforts.

The proportion of tariff lines with zero-tariff products in the Hainan Free Trade Port will increase from 21 percent to 74 percent, Wang said, adding that imported products that undergo at least 30 percent value-added processing in Hainan can enter the mainland tariff-free. Certain goods currently banned or restricted nationwide will enjoy open policies in Hainan.

The State Council Information Office (SCIO) holds a press conference on the development of Hainan Free Trade Port in Beijing, capital of China, July 23, 2025. (Xinhua/Pan Xu)

Vice Minister of Finance Liao Min noted that the number of duty-free items in Hainan will increase from about 1,900 to around 6,600, marking a significant boost in openness.

The scope of eligible beneficiaries will be significantly expanded to include enterprises, public institutions, and private non-enterprise entities in the FTP with actual import needs, according to Liao.

Once the independent customs operation begins, zero-tariff imports will be managed under a negative list, Liao added.

"We will take a targeted regulatory approach of low-intervention and high-efficiency for zero-tariff and relaxed management goods, ensuring smooth implementation of the opening-up policies," Wang said.

People shop at a duty-free shopping mall in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, May 29, 2025. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

Yuan Xiaoming, assistant minister of commerce, said that the commerce ministry, together with relevant departments, has issued a list specifying goods and articles prohibited or restricted from import and export in the Hainan FTP.

The list clearly and systematically outlines the full scope of goods and articles subject to current import and export prohibitions or restrictions, enabling businesses to understand regulatory boundaries easily, Yuan added.

Preparations on the policy front for the island-wide independent customs operation are already in place, said Feng Fei, secretary of the CPC Hainan provincial committee.

Wang stressed that the independent customs operation is intended to expand opening-up further and promote the high-quality development of the Hainan FTP. Following the launch, exchanges between Hainan and the international market will become smoother and more seamless. At the same time, travel for business or tourism to the island will remain unchanged, with no additional documents required.

The launch of the operation marks the beginning of a new stage in the opening-up and development of the Hainan FTP and will be followed by sustained policy implementation, Wang said, pledging further efforts to deepen reform, expand openness, and refine the FTP's policy framework to build Hainan into a key gateway for China's opening-up.

An inbound aircraft is under maintenance at a one-stop aircraft maintenance base in Hainan Free Trade Port in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Feb. 17, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Liyun)

"We are full of anticipation for the independent customs operation of the Hainan FTP," said Meng Weiwei, general manager of Jia Green Chocolate Works (Hainan) Co., Ltd. Meng has been paying close attention to the policies released at the press conference.

The company is a joint venture that mainly imports raw and auxiliary materials from countries such as Belgium, Spain and Canada for chocolate production, before selling its chocolate products to the domestic market. This business model is highly applicable to the Hainan FTP tariff-free policy.

In April 2018, China announced a decision to develop Hainan into a pilot free-trade zone while gradually exploring and steadily promoting the establishment of an FTP with Chinese characteristics. In June 2020, a master plan was unveiled to build the island into a globally influential and high-level FTP by the middle of the century.

After several years of development, the Hainan FTP has achieved remarkable results in the formation of policies and institutions, the upgrading of modern industrial systems, the cultivation of an export-oriented economy and the optimization of the business environment.

This photo taken on March 19, 2025 shows cocoa fruits at a tropical fruits exhibition area in Qionghai, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

In the past five years, the actual utilization of foreign capital in Hainan reached 102.5 billion yuan (14.35 billion U.S. dollars), with an average annual growth rate of 14.6 percent. A total of 8,098 new foreign-funded enterprises were established at an average annual growth rate of 43.7 percent, and 176 countries and regions invested in Hainan during this period, official figures showed. Meanwhile, its offshore duty-free sales have grown rapidly, accounting for over 8 percent of the global duty-free market.

A number of policies introduced in the Hainan FTP have been effectively implemented, focusing on the areas of "zero tariffs, low tax rates and a simple tax system," as well as the free and convenient flow of factors such as goods, capital and personnel.

"All of these are real benefits," said an employee of Chambroad (Hainan) Advanced Material Co., Ltd. in Hainan. A while ago, the company imported a batch of crude oil through the "zero-tariff" policy, with 2.37 million yuan of tariff exempted.

An aerial drone photo taken on May 27, 2025 shows a view of the Yangpu Free Trade Port Zone under the Yangpu Economic Development Zone in Danzhou, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Yang Guanyu)

The opening-up policies are attracting more global capital and industries, according to William Huang, managing partner of EY China South.

"With the independent customs operation, Hainan will continue to attract the concentration of high-end manufacturing, biomedicine and other industries. Sectors like aviation and deep-sea industries will also see new opportunities for development," Huang said.

"We will strive to build the Hainan Free Trade Port into an important gateway leading China's opening up in the new era, contributing to the sustained development of the Chinese economy as well as injecting stability and certainty into the world economy," said Yuan, assistant minister of commerce. 

(Video reporter: Gao Zhu, Wei Yukun, Zhang Xiaojie, Wu Maohui, Liu Yutian, Zhao Yuhe; Video editors: Hong Liang, Zhu Cong, Liu Xiaorui, Wang Han, Zheng Qingbin, and Yu Jiaming.)
The University of Virginias Faculty Senate recently voted no confidence in UVAs Board of Visitors for not protecting the University and its president from outside interference, and for not consulting with the Faculty Senate in a time of crisis, actions that are inconsistent with its duties under the Code of Virginia and the Boards Statement of Visitor Responsibilities.



UVAs Faculty Senate was right to condemn the Board for lack of shared governance. But it was wrong to criticize the Board for not protecting then-President Jim Ryan from the consequences of violating anti-discrimination law and stonewalling a federal civil rights investigation. Equally important, the Faculty Senate missed perhaps the most significant reason the Board deserves no confidence: the extravagant salary it agreed to pay now ex-President Ryan likely violates federal tax law and places the Universitys tax-exempt status in peril.



Lost in all the sound and fury of the Ryan imbroglio is that the Board allowed Ryanwho resigned before he got firedto remain at UVA as a tenured law professor at 75% of his presidents salary. Ryans most recent salary was $1,100,000. Seventy-five percent of $1,100,000 is $825,000, which is an astronomical sum for a law professor at a public university.



Indeed, according to OpenPayrolls.com, the next highest-paid UVA law professor, Naomi Cahn, earned $404,200 in 2024, and the only other law professor in UVAs top hundred compensation list is Elizabeth Rowe, who received $338,900. Cahn and Rowe are paid a lot, obviously, but much less than Ryan will receive. Rowes UVA website states that she has published over 50 books and articles. Ryans productivity when he was a full-time faculty member paled in comparison.



What makes the enormous salary the Board voted for ex-President Ryan more than merely something for the UVA community to be disgusted about is the patent violation of the Internal Revenue Codes private inurement prohibition it represents. Many tax laws are complicated. The private inurement prohibition is not one of them.



Tax-exempt organizations such as the University of Virginia are granted a privileged tax status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code because they pledge to operate to serve the public good. To maintain tax-exempt status, an organizations activities must primarily benefit the community, not private interests.



The prohibition against private inurement is a strict tax law that states that no part of a tax-exempt organizations financial assets may benefit an individual. The rule targets transactions with individuals who have a significant relationship with the organization and can influence its decisions for personal gain. The IRS refers to these individuals as insiders or, in the context of penalty taxes, disqualified persons.



An insider is anyone with a personal and private interest in the organizations activities and a position of influence. This category includes the organizations Board members and officers, such as the president.



Inurement occurs when an insider receives financial benefits from the organization that are not in furtherance of its exempt mission. The most common type of private inurement is excessive compensation paid to insiders. The courts and the IRS have consistently ruled that any unreasonable benefit or inurement, however small, is impermissible and, this is the important part, can result in the revocation of the 501(c)(3) organizations tax-exempt status. Paying ex-President Ryan $825,000 a year to teach a couple of classes and publish an occasional article is unquestionably a violation of the private inurement prohibition.



UVA got into this mess because the Board and then-President Ryan thought that anti-discrimination law didnt apply to the University. Now they seem to think tax law doesnt apply to the University, either. Ryan lost his job for stonewalling a federal civil rights investigation. UVAs Board members should lose their jobs for putting the Universitys tax-exempt status in jeopardy.
The Obama intelligence communitys claim that Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized dirty tricks to try and help Donald Trump win the 2016 election was based on "one scant, unclear and unverifiable fragment of a sentence from one of the substandard [intelligence] reports," according to a just-declassified report that had been locked away in a CIA vault.

Nevertheless, former CIA Director John Brennan ordered agency analysts to use the claim in the Intelligence Community Assessment issued during the Obama administrations final days  even though the ICA itself noted that how the information on Putin's plans was obtained was not explicitly clear.

A 46-page report by the House of Representatives released Wednesday found that the source of the claim about Putin  reportedly a Russian defector living in Northern Virginia described as anti-Trump  merely speculated to Brennan about something he had been told by somebody else: namely, that Putin was "counting on" Trump winning.

ICA participants interpreted the informant's phrase "counting on" several different ways, the report said. Many NSA and CIA officials viewed "counting on" as meaning the same thing as "expected," which is much different than the language  Putin "preferred" Trump  Brennan's five handpicked drafters used in the ICA.

The congressional review determined that "the ICA did not cite any [classified] report where Putin directly indicated helping Trump win was the objective." (Emphasis added.)

No Corroborating Intelligence

The report then drops a bombshell: "The ICA judgment on Putin's thoughts about helping candidate Trump does not stand if [Brennan's] single interpretation of the fragment [from the tip that Putin was 'counting on' Trump winning] is wrong, because there is no other intelligence corroborating it."

The 2019 report, which investigated the spycraft that went into the highly classified and restricted version of the ICA, found that the Obama intelligence communitys assessment of Russias intentions changed sharply after Trumps surprising victory.

On the eve of the 2016 election, Brennan sent a "Fusion Cell" memo to Obama summarizing all the most secret, compartmented intel gathered on Trump and Russia. According to the House report declassified and released by DNI Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday, that memo " made no mention of Putin 'aspiring' for a Trump victory." Although the Russian defector had shared his thoughts about Putin with Brennan in July, the CIA directors Nov. 6 memo concluded, "Putin expected [Clinton] to win."

But then in early December, after Obama ordered a new assessment, Brennan dusted off the informant's second-hand hearsay, which had been shelved as unreliable. The CIA director, who had previously worked for Obama in the White House, suddenly insisted it underpin the new conclusion about Putin's motives.

"The major 'high confidence' judgment of the ICA rests on one opinion about a text fragment with uncertain meaning," the House report found. "This text  which would not have been published without [Brennan's] orders to do so  is cited using only one interpretation of its meaning and without considering alternative interpretations," in violation of Intelligence Community Directive 203. One alternative was that Putin was "counting on" Trump winning the primary and nomination at the GOP Convention that July, just two weeks after the informant provided the tip, not the general election in November 2106.

Rebuking Brennan

The House Intelligence Committee report determined from a series of interviews in 2018 and 2019 with CIA analysts at Langley that Brennan ordered drafters to use the specious report from the Russian informer without following analytical standards approved by President Obama's intelligence czar James Clapper in 2015.

The House report singled out Brennan for rebuke, questioning his "character" and "ethics," while suggesting he misled not only the public but also policymakers, lawmakers, and even many of his fellow intelligence officers. Gabbard said Wednesday she has turned the declassified report over to the Justice Department along with a criminal referral on Brennan. The FBI and DOJ have launched an investigation into Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey for possible perjury. They are also subjects of a broader conspiracy probe.

Brennan, who could not be reached for comment, has strongly defended his work. Requests for comment from Comey and his attorney went unanswered.

House investigators spent hundreds of hours inside a highly secure room called a SCIF at CIA headquarters poring over the raw intelligence materials that supposedly backstopped the ICA's conclusions. After closer inspection, the raw information the informant provided lacked credibility. There really was no evidence that Putin supported Trump, said retired Army Col. Derek Harvey, a former House Intelligence Committee staffer who helped lead investigations and analysis for the panel at the time.

Even so, Brennan as well as Comey, who also handled the informant, pushed to include his tip in the ICA to back the judgment Putin worked to help Trump win the election, all the while concealing their star source's identity, background and reliability from most of the participants involved in the crafting of the ICA.

"They knew he was not reliable and they tried to hide access to him," Harvey said. "They knew he had bad sources. This stuff was weak."

It was so weak that Brennan insisted analysts reference a since-debunked dossier funded by Clinton's campaign as a bullet point in the main body of the ICA to support the Putin-helped-Trump conclusion. This judgment was the most radioactive finding in the ICA and laid the foundation for several investigations of Trump and several of his advisers for allegedly "colluding" with Russia. A special counsel found no evidence that any of them conspired with Russia.

In the main body of the highly classified ICA, the bullet point supporting the key Putin-Trump judgment referred to a detailed summary of the dossier, without mentioning it was underwritten by the Clinton campaign: "For additional reporting on Russian plans and intentions, please see Annex A: Additional Reporting from an FBI Source on Russian Influence Efforts."

The "FBI source" was the retired British intelligence officer Christopher Steele, whose employer, Fusion GPS, was on the Clinton payroll. And the "additional reporting" was nothing more than Steeles dossier, which alleged a raft of easily dispelled rumors about Trump conspiring with the Kremlin to steal the election from Clinton.

Suppressing Dissent

The House report quoted an unnamed senior intelligence officer who said he and two senior CIA officers argued with Brennan that the dossier should not be included in the ICA "at all." Brennan reportedly refused to remove it, and when confronted with the dossier's many flaws, Brennan responded: Yes, but doesn't it ring true?"

The report discovered that Brennan "personally directed" that the CIA informant's tip underlying the key ICA conclusion that Putin helped Trump not be circulated in formal Intelligence Community channels. And Brennan only briefed the ICA team orally about it, raising suspicions he "tailored his message to different officials" to convince dissenters the tip was sound.

What's more, the House review found that Brennan made sure only a handful of analysts, mainly his handpicked authors of the ICA, were allowed to see the raw source reports out of the more than 250 people who participated in the ICA project.

On Dec. 20, 2016, during the review process, career CIA officers removed the defectors tip from the first draft of the ICA  only to have Brennan "countermand" their decision and reinsert it in the final draft of the report.

"We don't have direct information that Putin wanted to get Trump elected," a senior CIA operations officer said he told Brennan, along with another senior colleague, according to closed-door testimony he gave House investigators. He argued that "political judgment" should have been "eliminated" from the ICA.

Right after Obama ordered the ICA on Russia in early December 2016, Brennan ordered the CIA to publish new human source intelligence reports, including the Russian informant's, which contained "flawed information," yet they were used as foundation to support the ICA's central claim that Putin helped Trump win.

Sketchy Source

Brennan's informant is believed to be Oleg Smolenkov, who previously worked in the Russian Embassy in Washington and later as a government foreign policy adviser in Moscow, before moving back to the D.C. area in early 2017.

Brennan said his source could not be revealed because Putin might have him executed. However, reporters easily found Smolenkov living in a six-bedroom home in Stafford, Va., listed in his and his wife's real names.

It's not known if Smolenkov was paid for his information. The CIA and FBI declined to comment.

The highly classified version of the ICA did not fully identify Smolenkov, referring to him in "abbreviated" form. It described him as "an established source" but with only "secondhand access" to Kremlin information. That is, he was only repeating what an unnamed source had told him.

Then, in describing the "raw intelligence" he provided, the ICA conceded that it had no insight into Smolenkov's own source: "The exact circumstances in which the subsource obtained the information on Putin's plans were not explicitly clear."

Explaining why NSA dissented from the key Putin conclusion, former NSA Director Adm. Mike Rogers argued the human source it was based on "did not have direct access" to insider information about Putin. Also, he added, "I didn't see multiple sources."

Foreign press outlets have noted that Smolenkov "would not have direct access to secret information at either the Russian Embassy in the U.S. or while working for the presidential administration in Moscow."

Yet Smolenkov was also Brennan's source for the ICA claim that Putin ordered allegedly hacked DNC material to be leaked to WikiLeaks.

"The established source with secondhand access provided us our only specific information on Putin's order to pass collected material to WikiLeaks," the highly classified version of the ICA stated.

He was also the source for "the reported role of the [Russian] Federal Security Service (FSB) hacking operations related to the U.S. election," the classified ICA said.

Harvey told RCI that in addition to the 46-page review declassified by the Office of National Intelligence, the House panel also produced a 17-page condensed classified version for members of Congress  including Democratic Reps. Adam Schiff and Eric Swalwell, who continue to speculate that Trump is compromised by Putin  plus a more than 80-page version with additional footnotes, as well as other supporting material.

Corrections: A previous version of this article erroneously identified Derek Harvey as the lead writer of the committee report on the ICA. That article also misstated the length of the original sourced copy of the ICA. It was 80-100 pages.
Instagram / Hayley Erbert

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 07/23/2025



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Elizabeth Kwiatkowski is Associate Editor of Reality TV World and has been covering the reality TV genre for more than a decade.

judge Derek Hough and wife Hayley Erbert have announced they are starting a family.Derek and the former Troupe member shared in an Instagram video on Tuesday that they're expecting their first child together."We can't believe the biggest thing to happen to us could be so small," Hayley, 30, captioned her Instagram announcement.Hayley tagged Derek in her post and set the video to "So Small" by Alexander Jean.In the video, Derek, 40, walked toward his wife as she stood on the edge of a grassy cliff.Hayley, wearing white, wrapped her arms around Derek's neck as he approached her, and then she let a strip of ultrasound photos fall out of her hands.Hayley's baby bump was also noticeable in the sweet post.Congratulatory messages poured in from the family.The show's official Instagram page commented, "Looks like we have a little dancer on the way!"Fellow judge Carrie Ann Inaba gushed, "Omg!!! Congratulations!!!! Baby Hough!!! I am so happy for you both!!!"And pro Sharna Burgess wrote, "Oh my gosh!!!! Congratulations you guys I am so [so] happy and excited for you both. Sending you lots of love."Derek met Hayley -- who was a contestant on Season 10 of So You Think You Can Dance before joining the DWTS Troupe -- when she was cast as one of the dancers for his and sister Julianne Hough 's "Move Live Tour" in 2014.Derek and Hayley, however, didn't begin dating until one year after working together.Derek proposed marriage to Hayley in June 2022, and Derek gushed to Us Weekly at the time about how he loved calling Hayley his "fiancee" rather than just his girlfriend."I think that word now feels right to the way I feel and to my commitment to her and to our love and story and life together... Hayley is The One," Derek told the magazine at the time."I know she's just going to be an amazing mother and amazing wife and she's so thoughtful, so caring, so loving."Derek pointed out how he could tell Hayley is going to be an amazing mom by the way she treats animals and cares for their pets."I mean if she's even a quarter of the way she is with our animals how she is with our kids -- I just can't wait to see her be a mom," Derek said.Derek and the pro dancer went on to tie the knot in August 2023 , and their relationship was put to the test when Hayley entered a health crisis in 2023.In early December 2023, Hayley became "disoriented" after a performance on the couple's "Symphony of Dance Tour" and was taken to the hospital, where she discovered she had a cranial hematoma from a burst blood vessel and required an emergency craniectomy.Hayley went to the hospital only one day after aired its Season 32 finale on ABC, when Marvel star Xochitl Gomez and her professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy were crowned champions.A couple of weeks later, Hayley had a cranioplasty to replace a large portion of her skull that had been removed during her prior surgery.Derek and Hayley made their first public appearance together when they went out walking in Los Angeles, CA, after her two surgeries in early February 2024.A little over one year later, Hayley performed with Derek on , and their emotional dance to "Beautiful Things" by Benson Boone represented Hayley's healing journey and ultimate comeback.Derek and Hayley have said Hayley's struggles gave them a new outlook on life ' 34th season is set to premiere Tuesday, September 16 at 8PM ET/PT on ABC. Derek and Carrie Ann will be returning as judges alongside Bruno Tonioli Julianne and Alfonso Ribeiro will be returning as co-hosts.
KABUL, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Authorities of Afghanistan's eastern Paktika province have inaugurated a check dam to help overcome drought in the area, provincial director for energy and water Qari Fateh Mohammad Zakir said Thursday.

Constructed for 13 million afghani (about 183,600 U.S. dollars) in Shakhil Abad district, the check dam with a capacity of storing 100,000 cubic meters of water would directly irrigate 1,200 acres of land, Zakir added.

The check dam would help control water erosion and check further recession of the underground waters, he said.

Afghanistan has been experiencing successive years of drought as its residents have been facing severe water shortages. 
India on Thursday signed a free trade agreement, officially dubbed as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), with the UK  its 16th trade pact so far  as the country aims to boost bilateral trade and investments.

Photograph: Tatiana Meel/Reuters

The other regions and countries with which India has signed such agreements include the four-nation European bloc EFTA, Japan, Korea and Australia.

Since 2014, the country has signed five trade pacts with Mauritius, the UAE, Australia, EFTA and the UK.

What is an FTA?

A free trade agreement is an arrangement between two or more countries where they agree either to end or reduce customs duties on the maximum number of goods traded between them, besides cutting down non-trade barriers on a significant value of imports from partner countries and easing norms to promote services exports and bilateral investments.

The subjects covered under these pacts range from 10 to 30.

Across the globe, over 350 FTAs are currently in force and most of the nations have signed one or more such agreements.

What are the benefits of FTAs?

Zero-duty entry into partner country markets helps in the diversification and expansion of export markets.

Level-playing field vis-a-vis competitors who may have already entered FTAs with partner countries.

FTAs enable preferential treatment in the partner country market over non-FTA member country competitors.

Such pacts attract foreign investment to stimulate domestic manufacturing.

They allow access to raw materials, intermediate products and capital goods for value-added manufacturing.

Help achieve long-term efficiency and consumer welfare goals.

FTAs signed by India so far:

India has inked trade deals with Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Australia, the UAE, Mauritius, the 10-nation bloc ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), and four European nations' bloc EFTA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland).

In addition, India is negotiating trade agreements at present with a number of its trading partners.

The negotiations are underway with the US, Oman, the European Union (EU), Peru, and Israel.

Talks with Canada for a similar pact were put on hold due to certain political issues.

Advantages of these pacts:

These trade agreements have contributed to enhance market access, reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers, strengthen strategic partnerships, and support domestic industry through balanced trade facilitation.

Collectively, these FTAs reflect a strategic shift towards high-quality, comprehensive trade agreements designed to support India's domestic manufacturing, services exports, and integration into resilient global value chains.

India-UK CETA:

India and the UK clinched a 'landmark' trade deal that will remove taxes on the export of labour-intensive products such as leather, footwear and clothing, while making imports of whisky and cars from Britain cheaper, in a bid to double trade between the two economies from the current about $56 billion by 2030.

India will cut import duty on Scotch whisky and gin from the UK to 75 per cent initially and to 40 per cent by the 10th year. At present, it is 150 per cent.

Tariffs on automotive imports will go from over 100 per cent to 10 per cent under quotas on both sides.
By getting Jagdeep Dhankhar to resign at short notice, Narendra Modi has sent a message to his own ideological clan that he brooks no one trying to get too big for their boots, observes Modi biographer Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.

IMAGE: Then vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Constitution of India does not lay down anyone to carry on with the duties of the Vice President in the event of the incumbent resigning. This demonstrates that on a regular basis, the office is rather inconsequential and largely ornamental. That the nation can make do, and get about its business, without a VeePee.

The VP majorly comes into play when under Article 65 of the Constitution, she/he acts as the President in the event of 'any vacancy in the office of the President by reason of his death, resignation or removal, or otherwise'. This arrangement continues till the election of a new President.

The VP also assumes charge of the Presidency 'due to absence, illness or other cause' of the incumbent.

There is only one 'fixed' charge of the Vice President, that as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, which too is an ex officio responsibility.

During Parliament sessions, most VPs so far have chaired the Upper House during ceremonial occasions, most important discussions and more often than not, at the start of proceedings every morning.

This job is now being performed by Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh who has held this office for several years and is backed by a panel of several Vice-Chairmen to relieve him.

IMAGE: The then vice president with the prime minister. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo

Effectively, no one will miss Jagdeep Dhankhar, insofar as functioning of the Rajya Sabha is concerned and for other matters of the State. The now 'missing' former VP will, however, continue being a principal character of endless formal, informal and off-the-record discussions and conversations, but in absentia.

The truth of what 'happened' to result in Dhankhar's unscheduled visit to Rashtrapati Bhavan on Monday night, meet President Droupadi Murmu and hand over his letter of resignation, and then share it on X at 9.25 pm, shall possibly remain 'unknown' to all barring the two dramatis personae, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dhankhar and possibly their closest aides and the latter's family. The intrigue around Dhankar's resignation shall remain because of its suddenness and unstatedness.

But given the sequence of events since the morning of July 21 and various engagements that had been announced for Dhankhar, it is unquestionably certain that the Vice President was asked to put in his papers, and immediately.

Various theories and speculation had been doing the rounds within minutes of the VP calling it a day permanently in the office he held. But more important than adding to these is the task of examining what this episode shows about the dramatis personae.

IMAGE: Then vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi greet President Droupadi Murmu. Photograph: ANI Photo

To begin with, the unprecedented sequence of events of Dhankhar's resignation and the fact that he was obviously 'conveyed' Modi's decision to move him out with immediate effect underscores the utter disdain this regime has for Constitutional positions and protocol.

There is no denying that previously too almost every previous government and ruling party, save possibly instances in the 1950s and 1960s, chose politically 'convenient' individuals as Vice Presidents.

But, at all times thereafter, the ruling party and leaders holding various offices in government, especially of the prime minister, remained extremely respectful towards the individual as well as the office.

Despite the awkwardness in personal ties, for instance between Pranab Mukherjee and Sonia Gandhi, in the years when he was President, she remained extremely deferential towards him.

In contrast, Modi was extremely brusque in his public response on X: 'Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including as the Vice President of India. Wishing him good health.'

Implicit in the coinage 'has got', is the assertion that Dhankhar has been 'given' many jobs as part of Modi's largesse. Moreover, the way the four-word good health wish is phrased makes it clear that there is no medical emergency, on-hand or impending, and that the formal reason cited in the letter to the President, was solely because the 'truth' cannot be made public.

IMAGE: Jagdeep Dhankhar hours before he resigned as Vice President conducts proceedings in the Rajya Sabha, July 21, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Dhankhar's exit also shows that even after ticking every box in the 'style of functioning' expected after he was given this job, he displeased 'Sahab', the way Modi continues being referred to by most.

The displeasure was not because Dhankhar failed to follow the mandate of keeping the Opposition on a tight leash, but because in the process of doing this, the then VP failed to maintain a low profile and spoke too much, especially on matters which were outside his official 'brief'.

To return to the health 'excuse' Dhankhar provided to the President, the fact of the matter is that it is not his health which took a beating due to the manner in which he conducted the business of the Rajya Sabha.

Rather, it is the well-being of India's Parliament which faced the twin assault -- from the VP in the Upper House, and Om Birla, so 'perfect' was his performance from 2019 that he was given another term last year, in the Lower House.

Dhankhar's exit will not mark an end to trampling parliamentary conventions, traditions and rules. There is no indication that Modi disapproved the roughness with which Dhankhar presided over the House of Elders, seldom acting as a gentle persuader but always the marauding enforcer.

As a consequence, given this regime's track record, we will get more of the same, if not in greater dosage.

The scant regard of this government and the BJP of today for Constitutional processes and institutions are well known. Take, for instance, the Lok Sabha has not had a Deputy Speaker, a Constitutionally mandated office, since May 2019.

IMAGE: Then vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar and Dr Sudesh Dhankar in Lakshadweep. Photograph: ANI Photo

The irony is that in his battles with the Judiciary, Dhankhar batted for the Legislature as well as the Executive but eventually got felled by the latter. He went beyond the brief of his office and backed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale's recent contentious statement about inclusion of the words 'secular' and 'socialist' in the Premable to the Constitution.

That was possibly an instance of over statement for having not been in the Sangh Parivar, he failed to read that there were several matters on which Modi and the RSS were at loggerheads, most importantly on the former's efforts to make permanent the 'functional autonomy' of the BJP from the ideological fountainhead.

Modi's over-centralised style of functioning from the days he was Gujarat chief minister is well known. The so-call Gujarat model has now transmogrified into the India model, which few refer to in name.

By getting Dhankhar to resign at short notice, Modi has sent a message to his own ideological clan that he still brooks no one trying to get too big for their boots.

It is their political shortsightedness that several Opposition leaders, including of the Congress, decided to 'bat' for Dhankhar, in fond hope that this would weaken Modi and fan outrage against the PM.

It would have been prudent to merely articulate their hopes that the government will choose as its candidate a possible 'sure-shot' winner who is not made of the same mould as Dhankhar.

Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay's latest book is The Demolition, The Verdict and The Temple: The Definitive Book on the Ram Mandir Project. He is also the author of Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times. His X handle is @NilanjanUdwin.
AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami is under pressure from his party as his unclear stand on the BJP alliance has brought back fears among party workers that the AIADMK may lose its identity, be forced into an unwanted coalition, and be taken over by the BJP later, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.

IMAGE: Bharatiya Janata Party leader Amit A Shah with All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami in Chennai. All photographs: ANI Photo

Under pressure from rival Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's daily taunts, All India Anna DMK boss and former Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami may have already wrecked the party's revived alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party.

EPS' public statement that he was not a 'fool' to share power with the BJP if their alliance came to power in next year's assembly polls in the state has left more than a bad taste for their common well-wishers who want the ruling DMK to go, whatever the cost.

Yes, EPS was responding to DMK voices that had increased in numbers and frequency after he launched his early campaign for the assembly polls.

The campaign tour was mainly aimed at reassuring AIADMK cadres, for them to work together with the BJP at the grassroots level.

These cadres were yet to come to terms with EPS' sudden acceptance of the BJP's chief national strategist Amit Shah's 'alliance announcement' in April after having unilaterally broken the ties ahead of last year's Lok Sabha polls.

Their reasons only doubled after the 'forced' revival of the alliance. Earlier, it was only the BJP's Hindutva agenda, which the AIADMK cadres were convinced was behind their successive electoral defeats in 2019 (Lok Sabha) and 2021 (assembly).

They do not want to reckon with the reality that even when they had broken off with the BJP, both parties lost very badly to the ruling DMK combine in last year's Lok Sabha polls.

Clearly, they were driven by the belief that the Dravidian voter was not as yet convinced that the EPS leadership would not patch up with the BJP, post-poll, especially if some ministerial berths at the Centre were on offer.

The second and more immediate concern is Amit Shah's repeated reiteration from day one that if they came to power they would form a coalition government, but with EPS/AIADMK at the helm.

As a concept 'coalition governments' are an anathema for the two Dravidian majors. They believe and seemed to have made the Tamil voter believe in their belief. Their cadres definitely believe in it.

Hence, the more state BJP leaders talk about a coalition dispensation post-poll, more agitated have the AIADMK cadres become.

They are not sure if EPS would stay his ground first in seat-sharing talks for the polls and later in denying a share in power for the BJP if their party had an absolute majority.

It had always been the case under party founder MGR and his political heir Jayalalithaa, and in the parent DMK, both under founder C N Annadurai and his successor, M Karunanidhi.

Today, no DMK ally, including the Congress leader of the national INDIA bloc is overly confident that they could seek and obtain a share in power if the alliance returned to power.

Hence also why no DMK leader is talking about a non-existent situation even when some of their allies are making an occasional noise in this regard.

IMAGE: Amit Shah addresses a press conference in the presence of AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, left, and BJP leader K Annamalai, right.

In private, it is also here AIADMK cadres seem to draw the line. They are not sure that party leaders under EPS are steadfast in defending their legacy position on Hindutva issues.

They cite Jayalalithaa's victorious slogan from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first national poll outing in 2014.

For the cadres, Jayalalithaa's war-cry at the time, 'Modi-ya, indha Lady-ya?' said it all. That non-equivocal position alone helped her stall the Modi wave in Tamil Nadu.

Today, EPS' vacillation, purportedly over threats of imminent ED, IT and CBI raids have made the difference, according to these cadres.

In context, they also whisper about the way one-time AIADMK leader and later DMK Minister Senthil Balaji was prepared to stay in prison for 400-odd days pending his repeated bail applications.

They want their second-line leaders to repeat the example, but they are all especially afraid of the Enforcement Directorate is their reckoning.

Against this background, his second-line leaders' studied silence on the alliance, either way, has forced EPS' hands.

The fear that the BJP has been in direct touch with some of them, again through the ED/IT route, is not to the liking of the cadres, and more so of EPS.

The only one who may have escaped suspicion is one-time Jaya confidant and EPS' political guru, K A Sengottiyan.

It was argued the EPS' acquiescence in Amit Shah's near-unilateral April announcement on alliance revival had more to do with his colleagues and confidants from his chief ministerial days may pull the rug from under his feet as had happened to other estranged allies of the BJP in other states.

It is here that AIADMK cadres have reason to fear the BJP's endearments on an electoral alliance with an eye on a coalition government.

They are convinced that if the DMK were to lose power next year, the BJP-led Centre would arm-twist EPS and/or the AIADMK second-line to fall in line, share power, and obtain key ministerial positions, too.

In their eyes, again, it would only be a first step towards the BJP hijacking the alliance, government and the chief minister's job, overnight, as had happened in Karnataka, Maharashtra and many North Eastern states through the ten-plus years of Narendra Modi's dispensation.

In context, they point to the way the BJP had caused faction feuds within the AIADMK and also the PMK since the days after Jayalalithaa's hospitalisation.

IMAGE: EPS and other AIADMK leaders with Amit Shah in New Delhi.

In context, AIADMK cadres do not buy the argument that their 20-per cent stand-alone vote share in last year's Lok Sabha poll was too close for comfort, and the BJP-NDA's 18.5 per cent was the clincher for the rival DMK alliance.

They instead point out that the BJP's 18.5 per cent in 2024 and earlier in 2014 was actually the NDA vote-share, and it comprised many regional allies.

The BJP PR bandwagon, including those in the national and social media, have made even the AIADMK second-line to believe that it was not the case, and all those votes were for the BJP.

The AIADMK cadres readily concede that like with Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 1998 and 1999, there is also a 'Modi vote' in the state for the prime minister. But when it came to the assembly elections, the BJP obtained only the traditional three per cent vote-share.

Hence, according to them, the AIADMK and EPS need not have to fear that the BJP-NDA would pool in all the 18.5 per cent from the Lok Sabha polls. Instead, they point to the recent, ready acceptance of EPS' leadership by estranged AIADMK leaders like T T V Dhinakaran and sections of the OPS faction. There was also the PMK with its steady five per cent vote-share in the NDA at the time.

They argue that much of the NDA's vote-share last year came from these allies, and not from or for the BJP. Hence, even now it might not be too late for the AIADMK to form a new alliance with the rest of them all, now that actor-politician Vijay's TVK has pronounced him its chief ministerial candidate.

The TVK has also asserted that they would not work under another chief minister or chief minister candidate.

What does it all mean for the AIADMK-BJP alliance?

Even while repeatedly reiterating that the alliance would remain for the assembly polls during his road shows, EPS has also declared himself against a coalition government.

This is seen as his need to convince his cadres that he would not yield to the BJP post-poll, or during seat-sharing talks pre-poll.

It is here both sides see a hide-and-seek game during seat-sharing talks. The BJP would want to claim high numbers for Team NDA if only to ensure that the AIADMK did not have enough seats in its pocket to be able to record an independent victory.

EPS would want it otherwise.

Indications are that unlike in the past, he may not trust his very trusted allies; to handle initial negotiations. This could mean tough-talking from the beginning with little room for back-tracking without losing face.

IMAGE: Amit Shah felicitated during the Tamil Nadu BJP state, district and mandal-level office bearers meeting in Madurai.

There are two occasions from the past that Dravidian poll strategists recall, to buttress their argument.

The first one dates back to the 1980 assembly polls after Indira Gandhi, returning to power in the post-Janata Party era, dismissed the MGR-led AIADMK regime along with eight other non-Congress state governments.

Desperate to ensure a repeat of their Lok Sabha poll performance earlier in the year, the DMK's Karunanidhi was too generous to the Congress ally, and offered 114 of the total 234 seats, retaining only 112 for his party. Together they also supported eight others, six of them from the IUML.

If they won, a coalition was implied in the structure of seat-sharing. However, they lost badly, 162-69.

The general belief was that the sympathy wave in MGR's favour did the trick after he went to the voters, demanding 'justice' against the unwarranted sacking of his government.

However, the truth was that the DMK and Congress cadres worked at cross-purposes, the former to ensure lesser dependence on the latter to form a government, and the latter to achieve exactly the reverse. In the end, their cross-voting, if it could be called so, did them in.

Independent of the Tamil voter's purported revulsion to coalition governments, from 1980 on, the two Dravidian majors were convinced that leadership acceptance did not work at the grassroots level.

This is also the logic behind EPS' concern -- though he has been reduced to convince his cadres that he is not afraid of Amit Shah and the BJP.

The second example is that of elections 2011, when Jayalalithaa fastened a strong alliance with late actor-politician Vijayakanth's DMDK and others. The AIADMK won 150 of 160 seats contested, a hit-rate of 93.75 per cent.

Against this, in the rival DMK-led alliance, the Congress partner from UPA-II ruling the Centre, scooped out 63 seats and the Vanniar-strong PMK, 30.

With the magic figure standing at 118, the DMK had only 119 seats to contest.

Though the defeat was attributed to the 2-G scam, it was clear from the start that alliance partners, especially frustrated DMK cadres, would work against the allies, particularly the Congress. Together, they lost.

This is again a lesson that not only AIADMK cadres now, but even DMK second-line leaders recall when the talk inside the respective alliance is for a post-poll coalition dispensation.

IMAGE: Movie star and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam founder Vijay addresses his party's first political rally at Vikravandi in Villupuram.

There is a section of AIADMK electoral opinion that the party could well go it alone still, hoping for some of the DMK's anti-BJP allies to cross the floor and give a psychological jolt to the ruling party, without the AIADMK having to tie-up with the ruling party at the Centre.

However, opinion is divided about the outcome if the TVK joins hands with the BJP if the latter accepts Vijay as its chief minister candidate.

To this, internal AIADMK opinion still is that Vijay would lose credibility after projecting his party as both anti-BJP and anti-DMK, not necessarily in that order.

It is thus argued that as long as the TVK goes alone with some minor allies, sliced away from the other three existing partnerships, the DMK might end up returning to power, but it would not mean the end of the road for the AIADMK.

It is pointed out how after the unprecedented election debacles, the DMK (1991, 22 per cent) and the AIADMK (1996, 21 per cent) bounced back to being what they are still today.

The argument thus is not for the leaderships of the two parties to fall for motivated statistics-driven arguments against going it alone, and especially to create an image that the AIADMK's entire future depended now on the BJP alliance.

In a way, yes, it is argued, if the AIADMK-NDA won next year, the former can forget its future.

Whether sharing power or not, the BJP leader of the NDA would ensure that the party hurriedly strengthened itself at the cost of the AIADMK, especially in time for facing the Lok Sabha polls in 2029.

Or, that is what has happened elsewhere, it is pointed out.

N Sathiya Moorthy, veteran journalist and author, is a Chennai-based policy analyst and political commentator.

Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff
The RSS which catapulted Jagdeep Dhankar to national prominence after 21 years of hibernation could not come to his rescue when BJP higher ups decided to seek his resignation, points out Prakash Bhandari.

IMAGE: Then vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo

It was coincidence that Parliament was presided over by two natives of Rajasthan.

While Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Om Birla, the two-term BJP Lok Sabha MP from Kota, was the Lok Sabha Speaker.

The agony of the unceremonial exit as Vice President of the world's largest democracy will haunt Dhankhar for long as he could return to mainstream politics after 21 years of political hibernation.

He nursed an ambition to become the country's next President.

Before he was appointed West Bengal governor by the Modi dispensation, Dhankar served as a minister in then prime minister Chandra Shekhar's government. He later joined the Congress and served a term as a member of the Rajasthan assembly.

"It was Tau Devi Lal, who was Dhankhar's mentor," recalls Sooraj Khatri, a former Pradesh Congress secretary. "Devi Lal was impressed by the young lawyer's communication skills, his knowledge about the Constitution and his skills to communicate in English."

"He was given the Janata Dal ticket to contest from the Jat dominated Jhunjhunu seat for the 1989 Lok Sabha election," adds Khatri.

"He handled Tau's media and became popular with mediapersons. However, when the V P Singh government lost power, he ditched Devi Lal to support Chandra Shekhar and later joined the Congress."

He lost the 1991 Lok Sabha election to the BJP from the Ajmer constituency, but served one term as a Congress MLA, .

"As a Congress MLA from 1993, he was always at loggerheads with the Congress leadership," recalls Khatri. "When he was suspended from the Rajasthan assembly by the Speaker, he could not even muster the support of Congress MLAs for withdrawal of the suspension."

"He was a loner in the Congress and looked for an opportunity to join the BJP. He was inducted in the BJP in 2003, but Vasundhara Raje, who was a powerful chief minister, did not encourage Dhankhar and never nominated him to contest an election on a BJP ticket."

"Disillusioned by politics, Dhankhar took his job as lawyer more seriously," remembers Khatri. "He served as president of the Rajasthan Bar Council and was designated as a senior lawyer in 1990. He practised in the Supreme Court, primarily in the fields of coal, steel, mining and international commercial arbitration."

IMAGE: President Droupadi Murmu exchanges greetings with Dr Sudesh Dhankhar, then vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla at the dinner she hosted to welcome Chief Justice of India Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, right, at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, May 27, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

In the BJP, Dhankhar advised the party on various Constitutional issues, but the party did not favour him with a nomination to the Rajya Sabha nor found him worthy of contesting Lok Sabha elections.

Dhankhar then established contacts with the RSS leadership and was supported by two RSS functionaries, Indresh Kumar and Kamlesh Singh.

Dhankar was one of Indresh Kumar's lawyers when the RSS leader was named as an accused in the 2010 Ajmer bomb blast case.

The RSS lobbied for Dhankhar when the Modi government was looking for a governor for West Bengal. Indresh Kumar and Kamlesh Singh suggested Dhankar's name to Home Minister Amit Anilchandra Shah.

It was argued that Dhankar was well-versed with Constitutional law and would be able to check West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who was at loggerheads with the Centre.

He consistently picked up cudgels with Banerjee who, after several skirmishes, insisted that the Centre recall the governor.

IMAGE: Dhankhar addresses a gathering at Miranda House College in New Delhi. Photograph: Press Information Bureau

When Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi's name was floated as M Venkaiah Naidu's successor as vice president, the RSS suggested Dhankhar.

The BJP leadership believed Dhankhar's elevation would give the party electoral benefits in the Jat belts of Haryana, Rajasthan and western Uttar Pradesh.

Dhankhar is from the Jat community and the percentage of Jats in Haryana and Rajasthan is above 12 percent of the population in those states.

But after becoming the country's Vice President, Dhankhar could not muster the support of his community in his home state Rajasthan, Haryana or in western Uttar Pradesh.

Jat leaders would highlight the fact that Dhankhar had ditched Devi Lal -- a towering figure in the community -- in 1990.

During the 2023 assembly election campaign in Rajasthan, Dhankhar made several visits to the state, leading then Congress chief minister Ashok Gehlot to remark that the vice president was campaigning for the BJP.

IMAGE: Dhankhar addresses the Rajasthan assembly in Jaipur, January 16, 2024. Photograph: Press Information Bureau

The RSS which catapulted Dhankhar to national prominence after 21 years in hibernation could not come to his rescue when BJP higher ups decided on Monday to seek his resignation as vice president.

Dhankhar was not even given time to seek RSS help and thus ended his dream to become President of the country!

IMAGE: Dhankhar at the Mega Nyokum Yullo celebration in Kamle district, Arunachal Pradesh. Photograph: Press Information Bureau

Dhankhar's wife Dr Sudesh Dhankhar has been his constant guide and he has always trusted her intellect.

The couple suffered the tragedy of losing their only son who as a student of the elite Mayo College died of a mysterious disease.

As it is unlikely that he will return to the Supreme Court having held the second most prominent position in the country, the Dhankhar couple will spend the rest of their days with their daughter Kamna and son-in-law Kartikeya Vajpayee.

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
'People are enjoying freedom in everyday life because of their sacrifice.'

IMAGE: Colonel R K Sharma receives the Kirti Chakra at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Photographs: Kind courtesy Colonel R K Sharma

"Kargil was the last war fought before Operation Sindoor. The young generations must know about the Kargil War," says retired Colonel R K Sharma, one of India's most highly decorated military officers.

Colonel Sharma received three gallantry medals in one year for operations against militants in the North East.

The Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra and Sena Medal -- a rarest of rare distinction for a soldier.

Having retired in 2022, a book on his life Shoorveer was released by former army chief General V K Singh.

"The objective, the task, is paramount for a soldier. That is why we join the army, not to feel fear.

"I would not have the courage to stand in front of my soldiers and have them think I am scared. It is better to die than to be a coward," Colonel Sharma tells Rediff's Archana Masih in the concluding part of the interview.

You are a rare soldier to have received three of the highest gallantry awards in peacetime. It must be so satisfying to get this recognition.

I got these peacetime time gallantry awards for operations against militants in the North East serving with the Assam Rifles.

When I received the Kirti Chakra, I realised I had met Shaurya Chakra and Vir Chakra awardees, but never met a Kirti Chakra recipient.

We are all humans, therefore it is a nice feeling to be recognised and congratulated, but a soldier is back to normal work the next day.

IMAGE: Colonel Sharma with his men during the Kargil War.

Can you tell us about the operations?

I received all the awards within a year.

The Kirti Chakra for eliminating five militants in the North East.

My company -- the soldiers who fought alongside me -- got 48 awards during our tenure.

We neutralised 44 militants, captured 300 militants alive and recovered 93 weapons.

The most important thing is that we did not lose any men.

This is blessings of God.

The Shaurya Chakra was awarded for an operation that was done after a lady came crying to us accompanied with her teenaged son.

Her husband had been kidnapped by militants. They had demanded a ransom of Rs 9-10 lakhs for his release.

The ransom note carried a bullet. The practice of sending a bullet with a note meant that if you don't send the money, your relative would be killed with the same bullet.

I told the lady that if I was unable to save her husband I too would not come back alive.

We eliminated the three militants and rescued her husband who had been gagged and handcuffed inside a car.

The lady stayed in touch with me for many years.

You saved a whole family.

God above is the one who saves. We were just doing our duty.

IMAGE: Colonel Sharma, second from right, during his tenure with the UN.

What was the operation for which you received the Sena Medal?

I received a letter from militants warning me that they would kill me.

A week later an informant came and told us about them. We were able to eliminate two militants -- one of them was the person who had sent me the letter.

I must have done 500 operations in the North East with a band of courageous, daredevil soldiers.

Every night, day we used to be out. We would sit for 4-5 days in the jungles during some ops. My buddy Sunil also got a Shaurya Chakra.

In one operation, I told him to give me covering fire and engage the militant while I crawled towards them.

In the noise he could not hear my instruction, so I shouted aloud and the militant also heard me. At that moment, Sunil gave a loud war cry and just charged at the militant 20-30 meters away. He killed him.

We did many risky ops together.

Have you never felt fear?

I have met soldiers like Sunil and others who were absolutely fearless.

They would go into the jaws of death and had to be pulled back.

The objective, the task is paramount for a soldier. That is why we join the army, not to feel fear.

I would not have the courage to stand in front of my soldiers and have them think I am scared. It is better to die than to be a coward.

IMAGE: Colonel Sharma with his men in a field area.

26 years ago, more than 500 young, fearless soldiers gave their lives in the Kargil War displaying daring acts of bravery.

The young generations must know about the Kargil War.

Kargil was the last war fought before Operation Sindoor.

527 soldiers gave their lives. People are enjoying freedom in everyday life because of their sacrifice.

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
'In those 10 seconds, they even made a MAYDAY call -- which is only issued in case of a serious, imminent emergency.'

From flying MiGs in the Indian Air Force to investigating fatal air crashes as part of India's first AAIB team, Captain Kishore Chinta has seen aviation from cockpit to crash site.

Now Chief Pilot at Sirius India Airlines, Capt Kishore tells Rediff why viral speculation around AI 171's landing gear, electrical system and Ram Air Turbine (RAT) is premature -- and technically misleading.

What kind of personal background checks are part of this AAIB investigation?

Investigators will talk to families of the crew -- was there any stress, what time did they sleep, which hotel, what food they had, whether they had alcohol. Every detail is examined.

Pilots' training records will be requested -- some media have already sensationalised this -- but it is a routine part of the process.

The AAIB will compile records such as simulator performance, date of last simulator session, license validity, renewal dates -- every document.

Isn't that just standard procedure?

The minute list of details -- it's all part of their job. They're just doing the job. No need to sensationalise it.

It's like saying tomorrow AAIB calls the Director of Flight Operations of Air India and says, 'Please provide us this, this, this information.' The next headline would read: 'AAIB summons Director of Flight Operations.'

That's how it's made to sound sensational.

What's your own background in air crash investigation?

All that I have described in this interview is absolutely normal and part of the process (of AAIB's investigations). I've done it. And just to clarify, I've done two investigations -- both CAT I accidents. One was fatal, and one was a total hull loss of the aircraft.

I haven't done a lot of them, but yes, I've undergone accident investigation training under the aegis of the DGCA when the AAIB was being formed for the first time in 2012.

A lot of industry professionals were called to undergo ICAO Level 2 Extended Investigation Course under DGCA's guidance. All of us were then on the AAIB panel for the first three years, as it was just starting up and formulating more rules and regulations.

I was part of that initial group. That's my background. So I don't want to hoodwink or sensationalise anything.

So in the case of AI 171, the emergency backup system -- technically called the RAT or Ram Air Turbine -- was reportedly deployed. What does that suggest, if at all?

IMAGE: The Air India aircraft is seen in flames after it crashed into a medical college complex in Ahmedabad minutes after take-off.

Here's what: When the aircraft is on the ground, it receives power either from a Ground Power Unit (GPU) or the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), which is a mini engine located in the tail -- where you see that small exhaust at the back of the aircraft.

The APU powers everything when the aircraft is on the ground. So it's either the GPU or the APU.

Once the engines start, the engine generators take over and supply power to all systems.

Now, when the aircraft is airborne, if the engines stop turning, those engine generators stop working.

When that happens, modern aircraft -- including the Dreamliner -- have a system called the Ram Air Turbine (RAT), which deploys automatically if the generators fail to supply power.

It is triggered by generator failure, not necessarily engine failure. People often misunderstand this. These are two different systems.

If the generator's output drops below its minimum tolerance, say it's supposed to deliver 26 volts  2 volts, and it drops below 24 volts, then the RAT would automatically deploy. It doesn't wait for a complete failure -- it's a pre-emptive safety feature.

Now, there's no conclusive evidence yet that the RAT deployed. It's still speculation. First it was about flaps, now it's the RAT. Even if the RAT didn't deploy or didn't provide sufficient power, the aircraft still has main batteries. These can supply power for up to 30 minutes.

So it's (deployment of RAT or the movement of flaps) not the grave emergency and people are making it out to be. The idea that the RAT deployed and therefore there was an electrical failure, leading to engine shutdown is nonsense -- a bunch of nonsense.

Right now, there's no conclusive evidence it (the RAT) deployed. Some are circling dark spots in videos or referencing sounds. But that's circumstantial and speculative. Whether it did deploy will be confirmed only once the AAIB downloads the flight data recorder.

Is it also speculation that the landing gear was extended?

It's clear the landing gear remained extended. There could be many reasons for that.

On average, after wheels leave the ground, it takes about 3 to 4 seconds for the vertical speed indicator to show a positive climb. The co-pilot will call out 'Positive Rate,' and the pilot flying will respond with 'Gear Up.' It's a sequence.

Based on videos, flight radar data, and ADS-B data, we estimate the aircraft was airborne for about 32 seconds -- from wheels up to impact. About 10 to 12 seconds were spent climbing, and after that it reportedly began descending.

Let's break it down. If it takes 3 to 4 seconds to confirm a positive rate of climb, and the co-pilot calls out 'Positive Rate,' then the captain calls 'Gear Up,' that whole sequence takes about 5 seconds. That would leave just a few more seconds before any warning might have come in.

Now imagine some warning pops up. It takes time to process the warning, identify the issue, and initiate corrective action -- all at a very critical stage of flight.

Based on their training, pilots must assess the warning and decide on a response. It takes time.

Ten seconds is nothing. It's the blink of an eye. And in those 10 seconds, they even made a MAYDAY call -- which is only issued in case of a serious, imminent emergency. That indicates something very critical happened.

So in 10 to 12 seconds, a lot may have gone wrong. But it's far too early to definitively say what.
'You can say it was a moment that can be described as unimaginable or unbelievable.'

IMAGE: Rajya Sabha MP C Sadanandan Master and then Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar greet each other during the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament, July 21, 2025. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab

It was in 2016 when the Kerala assembly election canvasing was going on that I met Sadanandan Master, the Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Koothuparamba, a politically sensitive constituency in north Kerala.

Needless to say, he lost the election.

Sadanandan Master is known as the RSS member whose both legs were chopped off by CPI-M goons in one of the most violent political attacks.

He started walking with the Jaipur foot in six months' time.

This school master was just 30 years old then.

Sadanandan Master's story is one of grit, courage, confidence in oneself and patience.

The interesting part of his story is that he was a member of the Communist party before he joined the RSS.

Today, he has been rewarded by his party for his selfless service so far by nominating him to the Rajya Sabha.

Kerala state BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar has also appointed him one of the 10 vice presidents of the state BJP.

I spoke to Sadanandan Master how he felt about the new positions bestowed upon him.

"Political violence shouldn't be there in a modern and mature society. It is barbaric. You will not gain anything through violence," says the newly nominated Rajya Sabha MP.

When did you come to know that you were nominated for the Rajya Sabha? Was it a surprise for you?

Let me admit that the nomination to the Rajya Sabha was something I did not expect at all.

I am that kind of a person who doesn't yearn for any positions. So, I never even dreamt of such a thing.

I have only been fulfilling the jobs the party has entrusted on me at regular intervals, without expecting anything in return. That's what our organisation (the RSS) has taught us. That's what is expected of us. And that's what we do.

It was on the 10th of July that Respected Modiji spoke to me directly, and said that he was giving me a responsibility.

IMAGE: Sadanandan Master takes oath as a Rajya Sabha MP. Photograph: Kind courtesy Sadanandan Master/Facebook

What was your reaction when a call came from the prime minister?

Initially I didn't realise where the call was from.

It was only later that the person told me the call was from the PMO.

Then I was told Modiji wanted to speak to me, and I was connected to him.

You can say it was a moment that can be described as unimaginable or unbelievable.

Did he speak to you in English?

No, he spoke to me in Hindi.

I just listened to what he said. He said only this much: 'I have something in my mind. I am going to give you a responsibility. You must do it well.'

IMAGE: Sadanandan Master with supporters. Photograph: Kind courtesy Sadanandan Master/Facebook

Once the call ended, did you think about what the responsibility was going to be?

It is but natural for anyone to think on those lines. I was anxious and curious about what the responsibility was going to be.

Within two days, state party president Rajeev Chandrasekharji told me what the party had planned for me; that the party has nominated me as the Rajya Sabha MP from Kerala.

I am still getting accustomed to the idea of becoming an MP.

I know it is a huge responsibility, a responsibility I have to perform with a lot of care.

You lost both your legs in political violence. Do you intend to take up political violence as an issue so that there will be an end to political violence, not just in Kerala but all over India?

Political violence shouldn't be there in a modern and mature society. It is barbaric. You will not gain anything through violence.

I believe that politics is to work for people even if you believe in different ideologies. Different people believe in different ideology, but all of us have to work towards a better society.

When you intend to work for the betterment of society, there is no place for violence in the scheme of things.

I will definitely work towards ending political violence from our society.

IMAGE: Sadanandan Master with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Photograph: Kind courtesy Sadanandan Master/Facebook

I met you in 2016 when you were the BJP candidate in the Kerala assembly election. After losing the election, what did you do as a party member?

You might have done something to impress Narendra Modi to choose you to be a Rajya Sabha MP...

What the Sangham (the RSS) has taught me was all of us have to do service to society.

I have been working for the marginalised in society -- those who suffer from health issues, those who do not have anyone, those who have not been able to educate themselves...

I live in a village, and I try to work as a member of the Sangham I am part of, towards the betterment of my village.

When I was working as a teacher in a school in Thrissur also, whatever free time I had after school hours was dedicated to Sangham work.

Fortunately, I got a chance to work in many fields where I could do some service to society.

Now that I am in my native place in Kannur for the last one year, my karma bhoomi is here.

Wherever I am, I try to be of some use to people around me.

A person who has been working silently all these years has been made the state party vice president and also a Rajya Sabha MP..

It was in 1984, 41 years ago that I became an active member of the RSS.

IMAGE: Sadanandan Master being welcomed at Delhi airport. Photograph: Kind courtesy Sadanandan Master/Facebook

When we met, you had told me how a Communist party member became an RSS karyakartha...

I have done whatever the Sangham has asked me to do. I never worked expecting anything in return. That's how I am.

I don't look at the new responsibilities as something given to me suddenly, or a reward. You can say I have been moving step by step and working as sincerely as I can all these years.

Please understand that I don't look at the new responsibilities as higher positions. I don't even like to term them as positions.

So, you don't look at this as a reward for the work you have been doing all these years?

No. I am committed to doing what my organisation asks me to do.

Likewise, this is a new responsibility, or a new job given to me.

I definitely don't like to call it as a reward.

There is no difference between the work does by a booth level worker or the party president. All of us are expected to work for the party.

IMAGE: Sadanandan Master addresses supporters after being nominated to the Rajya Sabha. Photograph: Kind courtesy Sadanandan Master/Facebook

As the Kerala state BJP vice president, what kind of future do you see for the BJP in Kerala?

We are following what Modiji always talks about -- Viksit Bharat.

Our motto also is Vikasitha Keralam.

Only when you have Vikasitha Keralam, you have Viksit Bharat. All the states in India have to be vikasit for the country to be Viksit.

If Keralam has to be vikasitham, every village in Kerala has to develop.

So, our slogan is Vikasitha Keralam.

I see a great future for the BJP in Keralam. We got 20% vote share in the last election.

Now, every single karyakartha is working hard to increase it to an impressive level. And I am sure we will achieve that goal.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
After Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav's 'poll boycott' threat, the Congress on Thursday said the 'Tughlaqi process' of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar will be opposed at all forums and 'all options are open' for the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA).

IMAGE: INDIA bloc MPs protest against Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, during Monsoon Session of Parliament, at Makar Dwar of Parliament in New Delhi on Thursday. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

The Congress further said that the INDIA bloc will decide on the issue collectively while continuing to oppose the SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar.

Speaking outside the Bihar Assembly, Yadav said on Thursday, "We are keeping the option open for boycott of the assembly polls. When the time comes, we will take a decision following a discussion with the alliance partners. What is happening in the name of SIR is nothing short of a fraud."

Asked about the Yadav's remarks, Congress' Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru said, "We have been saying that we will oppose this tooth and nail... We have been taking decisions collectively on all issues. All options are open and we will take a decision collectively but we will keep opposing this Tughlaqi process that is against Bihar and the country."

Allavaru said the Election Commission of India has started a 'tyrannical process' through SIR of electoral rolls in the state.

"We believe and this is the reality, the ground reality of Bihar that all the figures being given by the Election Commission are completely wrong and the process that it commenced vide its order on June 24, that process is not being followed in Bihar. That is why whatever figures the Election Commission is showing or claiming on its site or anywhere else, is a complete lie," he alleged.

"And we openly challenge Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar Ji on behalf of the people of Bihar to randomly select 1,000 people in every assembly segment and see whether the process was followed or not. And if even 25 per cent of it turns out to be correct, we are ready to accept this process," Allavaru said at a press conference in New Delhi.

"If such a process is being forcibly imposed on Bihar and the country in the presence of the Chief Election Commissioner, then there is only one simple reason for this - Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar Ji is openly acting in collusion with the BJP and stealing the votes of the poor, youth, women, deprived, backward, extremely backward, Dalit, Mahadalit in Bihar," he alleged.

Every party of the INDIA bloc including the Congress is opposing this on the streets, in the Bihar Assembly, in the Parliament and in the court as well, Allavaru said.

"And we do not want to accept this process at all, because this is a fake exercise, which is meant to steal elections and votes," he alleged.
BANGKOK, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Thailand has targeted Cambodia's military targets during its operation on Thursday, a Thai army spokesperson said.

Thai army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree told a press briefing that the army has acted in line with the UN Charter, which permits self-defense against armed attacks. The Thai response has focused solely on neutralizing military targets, he said.

He confirmed that F-16 fighter jets were sent in two rounds of airstrikes against Cambodia as part of a longer-range support operation.

Winthai called for diplomatic talks to find peaceful solutions to the conflict, expressing hope for a swift and brief conclusion.

The situation escalated following skirmishes that began Thursday morning. The two sides both blamed the other side for initiating the firing.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called on Thailand to immediately cease all hostilities, withdraw its forces to its side of the border, and refrain from any further provocative actions which could escalate the situation.

Hun Manet accused Thailand of violating the basic principles of international law. 
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday said that 99 per cent of electors have already been covered under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in poll-bound Bihar, ECI said.

IMAGE: District Election Officer and District Magistrate Aman Sameer carries out a house-to-house visit in various panchayats under the Ekma Assembly Constituency to verify the work being done by Booth Level Officers (BLO) and review the ongoing activities related to the special intensive revision campaign of the voter list, in Saran. Photograph: @Saran_dm X/ANI Photo

The poll body further stated that the booth-level lists of those electors who have not filled their forms, of deceased electors, and of electors who have permanently migrated have already been shared by BLOs/EROs/DEOs/CEOs with all political parties on July 20, so that they can point out any errors.

As per the SIR Order, any elector or any political party can file a claim in case of any missing names or raise an objection in case of any wrong inclusion till September 1.

'99% of electors have already been covered. BLOs/BLAs have reported the names of 21.6 lakh deceased electors. BLOs/BLAs have reported the names of 31.5 lakh electors who have permanently migrated. BLOs/BLAs have found 7 lakh electors are registered at more than one place,' they added.

'According to local BLOs/BLAs, 1 lakh electors are untraceable. Despite door-to-door visits by local BLOs/BLAs, forms of fewer than 7 lakh electors have still not been received. Forms of 7.21 crore electors (91.32%) have been received and digitised; names of all these electors will be included in the Draft Electoral Roll.

'The remaining forms are also being digitised along with BLO/BLA reports to facilitate their verification during the claims and objections period. As per the SIR Order, the Draft Electoral Roll will be published on August 1, 2025, and printed as well as digital copies will be provided to all 12 political parties,' the ECI further said.

The draft roll will also be available on the website, reiterating that, as per the SIR order, any elector or political party can file a claim in case of missing names or raise an objection in case of wrong inclusion till September 1, 2025.

Meanwhile, the proceedings in both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day amid protests by the Opposition on Thursday, as they sought to conduct a debate over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Air India witnessed a minor increase in sick leaves reported by pilots across all its fleets in the aftermath of the Ahmedabad plane crash that killed 260 people last month.

IMAGE: An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft pictured near Malpensa airport in Milan, Italy. Photograph: Jan Seba/File Photo/Reuters

In response to a Lok Sabha member's query on whether Air India has been experiencing mass sick reporting by its flight crew members, following the crash, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said there has been a minor increase in sick leaves reported by pilots, and as many as 51 commanders reported sick on June 16.

"Air India reported a minor increase in sick leaves reported by pilots across all fleets in the aftermath of the AI-171 accident. On 16.06.2025, a total of 112 pilots reported sick, comprising of 51 Commanders (P1) and 61 First Officers (P2)," the minister said in a written reply.

The airline's Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating the flight AI 171, en route to London Gatwick, crashed into a building soon after take off from Ahmedabad on June 12. In the fatal accident, 260 people died, including 241 passengers who were onboard the plane, and 19 persons on the ground. One passenger survived the crash.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation's (DGCA) medical circular, issued in February 2023, had advised airlines to have a separate, standalone and customised training capsule for the flight crew/ATCOs (Air Traffic Controllers) to recognise and manage the adverse effects of mental health conditions.

"Additionally, on mental health monitoring, the organisations (scheduled and non-scheduled operators, FTOs and AAI) were also advised to have a Peer Support Programme (PSP) in place for their employees. The organisations are required to enable, facilitate and ensure access to this proactive and non-punitive programme that will assist and support flight crew/ATCOs in recognising, coping with and overcoming any problem," Mohol said.

FTOs and AAI refer to Flying Training Organisations and the Airports Authority of India, respectively.

In another written reply, Mohol said that at present, there is no specific policy with the civil aviation ministry related to compensation for damages suffered by civilians on the ground due to a plane crash.

DGCA issues 4 show cause notices to Air India for various violations

Aviation regulator DGCA has issued four show cause notices to Air India for various violations related to cabin crew rest and duty norms, cabin crew training rules and operational procedures, a month after the airline made certain voluntary disclosures to the watchdog, sources said on Thursday.

The show cause notices were issued on July 23 on the basis of voluntary disclosures made by the airline to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on June 20 and 21, the sources told PTI.

"We acknowledge receipt of these notices from the regulator related to certain voluntary disclosures that were made over the last one year by Air India. We will respond to the said notices within the stipulated period. We remain committed to the safety of our crew and passengers," an Air India spokesperson said in a statement.

Three show cause notices have been issued based on the voluntary disclosures made by Air India on June 20, including violations of cabin crew duty and rest regulations with respect to at least four ultra long haul flights -- two operated on April 27 and one each on April 28 and May 2, the sources said.

According to the sources, there were also violations in crew training and operational procedure in relation to at least four flights, including those operated on July 26, 2024, October 9, 2024 and April 22, 2025.

One of the DGCA show cause notices pertains to violations of flight duty period/ weekly rest violations with respect to flights operated on June 24, 2024, and June 13, 2025, they added.

Another show cause notice, based on airline's voluntary disclosures made on June 21, is about three instances of violations in cabin crew training and operational procedures.

These violations happened in some of the flights operated on April 10-11, February 16-May 19 and December 1, 2024, the sources said.

In recent times, Air India has come under the regulatory scanner for certain violations.

Meanwhile, on June 12, Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft en route to London Gatwick crashed into a building soon after takeoff from Ahmedabad. A total of 260 people, including 19 persons on the ground, died in the accident.
Confusion continues over the alleged mine collapse incident in Dhanbad, with several leaders claiming multiple deaths, while a team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) -- deployed to rescue miners from the abandoned coal mine -- is yet to begin operations, officials said on Thursday.

IMAGE: A view of the incident site after nine labourers reportedly died due to collapse of an illegal mine at Baghmara, in Dhanbad on Wednesday. Photograph: ANI Photo

The NDRF was mobilised on Wednesday after Giridih MP CP Choudhary staged a dharna at Baghmara police station, demanding immediate rescue operations at the spot.

Jamshedpur West MLA and former Jharkhand minister Saryu Roy alleged a large-scale cover-up to conceal at least 15 deaths in the incident, calling it a case of 'people being deliberately buried under fresh soil to destroy evidence'.

According to Roy, who visited the Kesargarh area, the ground had been freshly covered with coal stones and soil, and the area was cordoned off by around 15 people allegedly linked to the mining mafia.

On Wednesday, Choudhary had alleged that at least nine workers lost their lives in the incident.

Despite mounting allegations, officials from Dhanbad district administration, BCCL (Bharat Coking Coal Limited), and police claimed that no signs of any such incident have been found so far.

"The rescue operation was yet to start till 6 pm as the team could not reach the spot even after the Giridih MP gave the location in writing to police. Earlier, the Dhanbad administration and BCCL were not able to identify the location," an NDRF official told PTI.

Choudhary, meanwhile, submitted a list of five people allegedly trapped after the roof of a mine reportedly collapsed during illegal mining activities on Tuesday evening.

Roy alleged that the NDRF team deployed at the site was without necessary equipment, such as JCBs, because of a lack of support from the local administration.

He also accused BCCL and police of aiding illegal mining operations and protecting those responsible.

According to him, extortion is rampant in outsourced coal mines, with Rs 1,600 per tonne reportedly being illegally charged during coal loading, under protection from police and political figures.

He said he will raise the issue in the upcoming monsoon session of Jharkhand Assembly beginning August 5 and also submit a report to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.

He also questioned why the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), based in Dhanbad, never issued closure notices for abandoned BCCL mines, and demanded accountability for why the sites remain unsecured despite recurring illegal mining activities.

So far, there is no official confirmation about the deaths.

Baghmara SDPO Purushottam Singh told PTI: "NDRF has been inspecting all suspected spots, but so far there has been no sign of any such incident."

Local residents claimed that a closed underground mine in BCCL's Block-2 caved in, trapping around half-a-dozen hired workers linked to an illegal mining syndicate.

Meanwhile, an eerie silence prevails at Taratand area in Giridih, from where four workers are missing since the alleged mine collapse incident at Baghmara in Dhanbad.

Villagers claimed the four -- Aziz Ansari alias Charku Ansari, 35, a resident of Kundalwadah village, Afzal Ansari alias Khan Sahab, 35, Dilip Sahab, 32, a resident of Ambabeda village and Jamshed Ansari, 30, a resident of Mathurasingha village -- who had left for Baghmara have not returned so far.

"All four used to work in mines. Dhanbad police did not allow us to go to the site of the incident," a family member of one of the missing workers said.

Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan on Wednesday told PTI, "We have rushed an NDRF team to the spot suggested, but so far, no sign of any such incident has been found."

'Nine people were killed when a mine collapsed during illegal coal mining in Kesargarha of Bagmara, and dozens are feared to be trapped. On receiving the information, I reached the spot and inspected it. I reached Bagmara police station and demanded a full investigation of the incident from the administration as soon as possible, and gave strict instructions that until all the dead bodies are rescued and taken out, we will sit here,' Choudhary claimed in a post on X.

On Wednesday, Roy alleged, 'Despite heavy deployment of CISF personnel in the colliery for protection of the national property, coal theft and incidents of illegal mining are continuing unabated, which is a matter of concern.'

He wrote on X, 'Nine labourers have died due to the collapse of an illegal mine at a place called Jamunia in Baghmara, Dhanbad. Illegal mining mafia is engaged in disposing of dead bodies.'

'There are reports of casualties due to illegal mining in Baghmara area of Dhanbad. Attempts are being made to suppress this whole accident on a large scale,' Jharkhand Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Pratul Shahdeo posted on X.

BCCL's regional nodal security officer Rajiv Ranjan also stated no incident had been reported from the closed underground mine in the Block-2 area.

However, former BIADA chairman and social activist Bijay Jha claimed that the incident had indeed occurred and that access to the site was blocked by illegal mining syndicates on Tuesday night.
Anju Khatun, who says she is from West Bengal, was visibly terrified while recounting the ordeal she faced earlier this week while frantically searching for her husband at the holding centres set up by the Gurugram Police for illegal immigrants.

Image only for representational purposes. Photograph: Anushree Fadnavis/Reuters

She is not the only one. Several Bengali-speaking people are petrified by the police's ongoing drive to identify illegal immigrants. Many claim that the police were targeting Bengali-speaking people.

According to police sources, under the drive, which has been going on for the past one week, more than 250 suspected people have been sent to the holding areas, where their documents were being verified.

A senior police officer said a verification process was being conducted to identify illegal immigrants and dismissed reports that migrant workers from West Bengal and Assam were being targeted and detained.

The drive has visibly affected sanitation works, with garbage piling up across the Millennium City.

Most of the sanitation workers, who speak Bengali, have stopped showing up for work out of fear that they may be rounded up at the detention centre for domicile verification.

"My husband had gone to clean cars at a residential society in Sector 56 on Monday when the police took him with them. It was in the late evening that I got to know that he was in a holding centre," said Khatun, a resident of a slum in Sector 56.

"It was only after I reached the centre with our Aadhaar cards and other documents that the police released my husband. We are from West Bengal and have been staying in Gurugram for the past five years," she said.

Sources claimed that more than 20 people from Assam's Dhubri were kept in the community centre at Sector-10 by the police for five days before being released on Wednesday.

Jahanur Islam, who has been collecting garbage in the city for 10 years, said the police nabbed them five days ago.

"We were not told why we were being held. All those nabbed collect garbage from houses around Kankarola and Panchgaon villages," Islam said.

The senior officer said police have identified eight illegal immigrants, suspected to be from Bangladesh, during the drive so far, and some more verifications were being done.

"We are following the Centre's guidelines on suspected illegal immigrants. We are not detaining them, but they are being kept in 'holding areas' till the verification process is completed, and, accordingly, we are letting them go," DCP (Headquarters), Gurugram, Arpit Jain told PTI over the phone on Thursday.

"The only purpose of keeping them in the holding area is so that any illegal immigrant may not escape," he said, adding that four holding areas have been set up under as many police zones in Gurugram.

Police said these holding areas have been set up at community centres in Badshahpur, Sector 10A, Sector 40 and Sector 1 in Manesar.

On Tuesday, the administration appointed naib tehsildars as in charge of these centres.

"Under the guidelines of the Home Ministry, four holding centres have been created. All basic necessities, including medical facilities, are being provided to them at the centres.

"Those people who have been verified have been allowed to go. More than 50 people have been kept in each holding centre, where their documents are being checked. Everyone will be released after the investigation," said Sandeep Kumar, the spokesperson of Gurugram Police.

The DCP said that Gurugram Police keeps conducting drives throughout the year to identify illegal immigrants. Those found overstaying, illegally staying, or not having valid documents are deported, he said.

About the current drive, Jain said that details of every suspected person were being sent to the district magistrate or the deputy commissioner in the state concerned for verification.

"When we receive a report from there, we take further action based on what it says," he said.
The Bombay high court on Thursday ordered immersion of all idols of up to six feet height in artificial tanks starting from the 10-day Ganesh festival being celebrated from August 27 this year.

Photograph: Sahil Salvi for Rediff.com

The order will be effective till March next year for the festivals that require immersion of idols of deities, including those made of Plaster of Paris (PoP).

"The court has to make an endeavour that the impact of immersion of idols is bare minimum on the environment. Therefore, idols up to 6 feet should compulsorily be immersed in artificial water tanks," a bench of Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Sandeep Marne said.

The high court further asked the state government to ensure implementation of its policy regarding immersion of idols in "letter and spirit".

All the local bodies must ensure that the idols, up to six feet in height, are immersed in artificial water bodies, the bench said.

The high court also asked the government to form an expert committee for suggesting measures to recycle the PoP material used in making idols. The committee should also examine the scientific measures so that the idols can be dissolved in an eco-friendly manner.

The bench gave the ruling while hearing a bunch of petitions seeking implementation of the revised guidelines of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in regards to PoP idols.
Forces with extremist ideologies must not be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday after meeting his British counterpart Keir Starmer, in remarks that came amid increasing concern in India over activities of pro-Khalistani elements in the United Kingdom.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi gestures during a press conference with Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (not pictured) after signing a free trade agreement at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, on Thursday, July 24, 2025. Photograph: Kin Cheung/Pool via Reuters

With Starmer by his side, Modi also said that both India and the UK are 'united in our view that there can be no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism' as he thanked the British government for its 'strong' condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack.

Modi said this after Starmer hosted him at Chequers, the countryside residence of the British PM located 50 kms northwest of London.

'We agree that forces with extremist ideologies must not be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms. Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself must be held to account,' the prime minister said in his media statement.

There have been increasing concerns in India about activities of pro-Khalistani elements in the UK, especially after an attack on the Indian High Commission in London in March 2023.

India has been flagging its concerns to the UK over the activities of pro-Khalistan elements on British soil.

It is learnt that the issue figured in the delegation-level talks.

The prime minister also underlined the need to confront the challenge of terrorism with a firm approach.

"We thank Prime Minister Starmer and his government for their strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. We are united in our view that there can be no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism," Modi said.

It is understood that India's challenge of cross-border terrorism figured in the talks.

At a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said Modi and Starmer expressed a commitment to strengthening the global fight against terrorism.

"It was noted that extremism and radicalisation pose a threat to both societies and that there is a need to further enhance bilateral collaboration and cooperation to deal with the scourges of terrorism, extremism and radicalisation," he said.

The talks between Modi and Starmer largely focused on boosting bilateral ties in an array of areas including trade, investment, defence and security, education and clean technology.

The two sides inked a landmark free trade agreement that seeks to boost both the economies, slash tariff lines across 99 per cent of Indian exports, unlock thousands of jobs and cut tariffs on British whisky, cars and an array of other items.

The pact, officially named as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), was signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and British Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds in the presence of the prime ministers of India and the UK.

The CETA, firmed up after three years of negotiations, is expected to ensure comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors and India will gain from tariff elimination on about 99 per cent of tariff lines (product categories) covering almost 100 per cent of the trade values, officials said.
Moments after United States President Donald Trump announced that Iran and Israel agree to a ceasefire, the two countries exchanged missile strikes.

IMAGE: Missiles launched from Iran towards Israel are seen from Tubas, amid the Iran-Israel conflict, on June 24, 2025. Photograph: Raneen Sawafta/Reuters

Israeli Defence Forces say that they have identified another salvo of missiles launched by Iran towards Israel and that defensive systems were operating to intercept the threat.

"At this time, the IAF is operating to intercept and strike where necessary to eliminate the threat. The defense is not hermetic, therefore, it is essential to continue following the instructions of the Home Front Command," said IDF.

Israeli military launched a series of strikes on multiple locations in Iran on Tuesday, as claimed by Press TV, Iran's First International News Network.

In a post on X, the News Network claimed, "Israeli Military Strikes Several Locations in Iran as Trump Announces Ceasefire."

The development came after Trump, in a post on Truth Social, declared that both Iran and Israel had agreed to a "complete and total ceasefire", stating that it would take effect in approximately six hours.

"CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE! It has been fully agreed by and between Israel and Iran that there will be a Complete and Total CEASEFIRE (in approximately 6 hours from now, when Israel and Iran have wound down and completed their in progress, final missions!), for 12 hours, at which point the War will be considered, ENDED!" he wrote.

According to Trump, Iran will initiate the ceasefire first, followed by Israel, resulting in a complete cessation of hostilities within the next 24 hours.

"Officially, Iran will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 12th Hour, Israel will start the CEASEFIRE and, upon the 24th Hour, an Official END to THE 12 DAY WAR will be saluted by the World. During each CEASEFIRE, the other side will remain PEACEFUL and RESPECTFUL. On the assumption that everything works as it should, which it will, I would like to congratulate both Countries, Israel and Iran, on having the Stamina, Courage, and Intelligence to end, what should be called, "THE 12 DAY WAR." This is a War that could have gone on for years, and destroyed the entire Middle East, but it didn't, and never will!," he said.

"God bless Israel, God bless Iran, God bless the Middle East, God bless the United States of America, and GOD BLESS THE WORLD!" Trump added.

The conflict began on June 13 when Israel launched a massive airstrike on Iranian military and nuclear sites, codenamed "Operation Rising Lion".

In retaliation, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) initiated a large-scale drone and missile campaign called 'Operation True Promise 3', targeting Israeli fighter jet fuel production facilities and energy supply centres.

Tensions escalated further after the US conducted precision airstrikes early Sunday morning on three key Iranian nuclear facilities under "Operation Midnight Hammer."

Iran retaliated by launching multiple missiles at US military installations in Qatar and Iraq, including the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar--the largest US military base in the region.
Voicing concern over the persisting humanitarian crisis in Gaza, India asserted that a ceasefire must be put in place, emphasising that intermittent pauses in hostilities are "not enough" to address the scale of challenges facing the region's people.

IMAGE: Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli strike, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. Photograph: Mohammed Salem/Reuters

"Today's meeting takes place against the backdrop of a persisting humanitarian crisis in Gaza," said India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, addressing an open debate in the UN Security Council on Wednesday.

"Intermittent pauses in hostilities are not enough to address the scale of humanitarian challenges confronting the people, who grapple daily with acute shortages of food and fuel, inadequate medical services and lack of access to education," Harish said at the open debate on the 'Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question'.

Underlining that the way ahead is clear, and highlighting India's consistent position in this regard, Harish said the ongoing human suffering must not be allowed to continue.

"Humanitarian assistance needs to be facilitated in a safe, sustained and timely manner. There is no substitute to peace. A ceasefire must be put in place. All hostages must be released. Dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable paths to achieving these objectives. There are no other fixes or solutions," he said.

He also expressed hope that an upcoming UN conference on the Israel-Palestine conflict would pave the way for "concrete steps" towards achieving a two-State solution.

Harish told the Council debate, held under Pakistan's presidency of the Security Council for the month of July, that India shares historic and strong ties with its Palestinian brothers and sisters.

"We have always stood by them and our commitment towards the Palestinian cause is unwavering," he said, noting that India was the first non-Arab country to recognise the State of Palestine.

Describing the health and education situation in Gaza as "particularly troubling", Harish said the World Health Organisation estimates that around 95 per cent of all hospitals in Gaza are damaged or destroyed.

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reports that more than 650,000 children have had no schooling for over 20 months, he said.

Harish said that India takes note of the High-Level International Conference on the implementation of a two-State solution scheduled for July 28-30.

"While engaging in a forward-leaning and constructive manner, it is our hope that this conference would pave the way for concrete steps towards achieving a two-State solution," Harish said.

He said India underscores its readiness to contribute to efforts aimed at shaping a political horizon that restores hope for the Palestinians and achieving sustained peace in the Middle East.

The high-level conference, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France, was scheduled to take place from June 17-20 but was postponed due to escalating tensions in the region.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has stressed that it is essential to keep alive the two-State solution perspective with all the terrible things we are witnessing in Gaza and the West Bank.

"And for those that doubt about the two-state solution, I ask: What is the alternative? Is it a one-state solution in which either the Palestinians are expelled or the Palestinians will be forced to live in their land without rights? That would be totally unacceptable. I firmly believe that it is the duty of the international community to keep the two-State solution alive and then to materialise the conditions to make it happen, he had said.

President of the General Assembly Philemon Yang has described the international conference as a crucial opportunity that we must seize to chart an irreversible path towards the implementation of the two-State solution. It is imperative that this conference succeeds.

India reiterated that the pathway to enduring peace is rooted in a two-State solution - one that establishes a sovereign, viable and independent State of Palestine within recognised and mutually agreed borders, living side by side with Israel in peace.

India's endeavour is to make a tangible impact on the daily lives of the Palestinians by implementing projects in diverse sectors, and the country is currently implementing projects valued at more than USD 40 million, Harish said.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday alleged that the Congress party's setback in the recent Lok Sabha polls in the state was the result of 'illegal manipulation' of the electoral process by the Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing it of 'misusing' the Election Commission.

IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Photograph: Courtesy, Siddaramaiah/X

He said discussions are underway with the party high command to decide the necessary course of action.

He claimed that in several constituencies across the state, Congress party workers reported suspicious additions of new voters, while names of long-time voters were removed without explanation.

The CM's statement follows Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's accusation that elections are being 'stolen' in India.

Gandhi claimed that his party has uncovered the modus operandi of the 'vote theft' by studying a Lok Sabha constituency in Karnataka.

The senior Congress leader said the Congress would present its findings before the public and Election Commission in black and white.

Gandhi's comments also come amid reports from Bihar, where officials engaged in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll have found that over 52 lakh voters were not present at their listed addresses, and another 18 lakh were reported dead during house-to-house verification.

"The results of the recent Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka have not only shocked us but also raised several serious concerns. It is now becoming increasingly evident that the Congress Party's setback was not due to public opinion but rather due to the illegal manipulation of the electoral process, a manipulation carried out by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) through its misuse of the Election Commission," Siddaramaiah said.

Claiming that the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, has been relentlessly 'exposing the misconduct' of the EC, revealing one irregularity after another, he said, "He has specifically pointed to the election-related fraud that took place in Karnataka."

"I fully support Rahul Gandhi's statement that there is clear and undeniable evidence of electoral malpractice in Karnataka. In several constituencies across the state, our party workers reported sudden and suspicious additions of new voters, while names of long-time voters were removed without justification," he said in a statement.

Noting that it has become increasingly evident that Narendra Modi's electoral victories do not stem from his popularity or the so-called achievements of the BJP government, the CM said, "What's coming to light is the harsh truth that these victories were driven by systematic voter fraud, orchestrated through the Election Commission itself."

"In response to the electoral fraud in Karnataka, we are currently holding discussions with Rahul Gandhi and AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge to decide the necessary course of action. We are committed to defending the integrity of our democracy," he added.

Earlier, speaking to media, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said, "I also agree with Rahul Gandhi, I have made a detailed investigation regarding Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha constituency, a lot of golmal has been done. I don't want to disclose much. I will come back later on this issue."

In the elections held for 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka in 2024, the Congress had managed to win 9 seats, up from just one seat it had won in 2019. The BJP won 17 seats -- down from 25 in 2019 Lok Sabha elections -- while its National Democratic Alliance partner, Janata Dal-Secular won two constituencies.
Operation Sindoor was launched in response to a 'barbaric' attack by 'Pakistan-sponsored terrorists', and the action focussed on dismantling terror infrastructure and neutralising terrorists likely to be sent across to India, the government said on Thursday.

IMAGE: Proceedings of the Rajya Sabha underway during Monsoon Session of Parliament, in New Delhi. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Video Grab

In a written response to a query in the Rajya Sabha, Minster of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh also said India's actions were 'focussed, measured and non-escalatory'.

The Ministry of External Affairs was asked whether it is a fact that Operation Sindoor was 'announced under international pressure', and the 'factual position' in this regard.

Rajya Sabha MP Ramji Lal Suman also asked about the impact of 'sudden announcement of ceasefire in Operation Sindoor' on the morale of the Indian forces which were 'achieving significant success', but suddenly 'declaring ceasefire was against their morale and the sentiments of the people of the country'.

Union minister Singh said Operation Sindoor was launched to respond to a 'barbaric cross-border terror attack by Pakistan-sponsored terrorists. It focussed on dismantling terrorist infrastructure and neutralising terrorists likely to be sent across to India'.

Pakistan, however, attempted targeting Indian civilian areas, in addition to some military facilities, he said.

'These provocations and escalatory actions by Pakistan were met with a strong and decisive response from the Indian armed forces, inflicting significant damage on the Pakistani military. Subsequently, on 10 May, 2025, the Director General of Military Operations of Pakistan approached his Indian counterpart to request for cessation of firing and military activities, which was agreed to later that day,' the MoS said.

Under Operation Sindoor, India had decimated nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on May 7 in pre-dawn precision strikes.

It was carried out to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike.

In a separate query, the MEA was also asked whether the ministry had taken efforts to 'alienate' Pakistan on world forum.

As part of the UN Security Council's routine annual process, the Chairs and Vice- Chairs of its subsidiary bodies and committees are selected from amongst its permanent and elected non-permanent members. In addition to Russia and France, Pakistan has been selected as one of the Vice-Chairs of the UN Counter Terrorism Committee for 2025, Singh said.

It may be noted that India was the Chair of the UN Counter Terrorism Committee in 2022. Similarly, India was also the Chair of the same committee during its 2011-12 term, the MoS added.

"The Government of India has been sensitising all concerned interlocutors on the menace of cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. Due to India's persistent efforts, the global community has a greater understanding of India's concerns on cross-border terrorism," he said.

India's efforts over the years have led to listing of several Pakistan-based terrorists and terrorist entities under the UNSC 1267 Sanctions Committee and the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) 'grey listing of Pakistan', the minister said.

The United Nations Security Council press statement in the aftermath of the Pahalgam attack also 'strongly condemned' the terror attack and acknowledged the need to hold the perpetrators, organisers, sponsors and financiers of the attack accountable, he said.

Several world leaders have recognised and supported India's actions to combat terrorism following the Pahalgam attack.

Most recently, the US has designated The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, he said.
HELSINKI, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Major Finnish forest industry companies have reported declining second-quarter (Q2) profits this week, as the sector continues to face headwinds from geopolitical tensions and market volatility fueled by tariff uncertainty. The recent depreciation of the U.S. dollar has added further pressure to international operations.

Finnish forestry giant UPM Corporation announced on Thursday that its Q2 sales fell to 2.4 billion euros (2.83 billion U.S. dollars), down from both the previous quarter and the same period in 2024. Comparable operating profit declined to 126 million euros, marking a 31 percent drop year-on-year. The company also revealed plans to close a paper mill in eastern Finland.

Stora Enso, another leading Finnish forest industry firm, reported Wednesday a Q2 profit of 126 million euros, down by 18 percent from 153 million euros a year earlier. However, its sales rose slightly to 2.43 billion euros from 2.30 billion in the same period of 2024.

The third major player in the sector, Metsa Group, is expected to publish its second-quarter results next week but has already issued a profit warning.

Hans Sohlstrom, president and CEO of Stora Enso, cautioned that challenging conditions are likely to persist: "Subdued and volatile market demand is expected to continue through the remainder of 2025, driven by macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty." He added that market pulp prices are expected to decrease or level off over the summer and autumn, while some board products face pricing pressure due to weak demand.

UPM president and CEO Massimo Reynaudo emphasized the impact of global trade tensions and currency fluctuations. "The U.S. tariff policy and following reactions have caused uncertainty in global trade, weakening demand," Reynaudo said, noting that the U.S. dollar has also continued to depreciate. "These developments negatively affected our pulp and communication paper businesses."

In addition to international pressures, Finnish forest companies are still affected by the cessation of wood imports from Russia, which began several years ago. A July 9 editorial in the Finnish business daily Kauppalehti noted that the end of Russian imports has tightened the wood market across the Baltic region, driving prices up. Reynaudo echoed the concern, describing raw wood prices in the region as "unsustainably high."

Looking ahead, the industry also faces uncertainty stemming from climate policy. The Finnish Climate Change Panel recently concluded that to meet the European Union's goal of reducing emissions by 90 percent by 2040, Finland would need to significantly reduce forest harvesting. As this poses political challenges, the Finnish government is instead focusing on increasing forest growth and expanding forest areas to enhance carbon sink capacity. However, recent studies indicate that Finland's forests -- once seen as reliable carbon sinks -- have become net carbon sources.

Forestry is a cornerstone of Finland's economy, contributing approximately 4-5 percent of national gross domestic product (GDP) and around 20 percent of total goods exports. Official data shows the sector directly employs about 41,000 people and supports over 100,000 jobs when indirect employment is included. (1 euro = 1.18 U.S. dollar) 
Over Rs 67 crore was incurred on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to five countries including the United States and France in 2025, while the total expenditure figures related to his foreign trips from 2021 till 2024 stood at nearly Rs 295 crore, according to data shared by the government.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi lands in London, on Wednesday. Photograph: DPR PMO/ANI Photo

As per the country-wise and year-wise data, the corresponding figures for Modi's visits to Mauritius, Cyprus, Canada and Croatia, and Ghana, Trinidad & Tobago, Argentina, Brazil and Namibia this year were not available.

For these visits, the column for 'total expenditure' in the data shared by Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on Thursday, in his written response to a query by Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien in Rajya Sabha, said -- 'Bills under settlement. Total expenditure not yet available.'

Of these visits, the costliest one was to France which incurred over Rs 25 crore, while the one Modi undertook to the US in June 2023, incurred over Rs 22 crore.

On March 20, the ministry had shared data in in Rajya Sabha, according to which nearly Rs 258 crore was incurred on 38 foreign visits of Modi between May 2022 and December 2024.

In 2025, Modi had travelled to France and the US from February 10-13.

In Paris, he held bilateral talks with President Emmanuel Macron and attended an AI Summit, while in the US he met and held talks with President Donald Trump, among other engagements.

According to the data shared, the country-wise figures for these five countries Modi visited in 2025 are -- Rs 25,59,82,902 (France); Rs 16,54,84,302 (US); Rs 4,92,81,208 (Thailand); Rs 4,46,21,690 (Sri Lanka) and Rs 15,54,03,792.47 (Saudi Arabia).

The cumulative figures for the preceding four years are -- about Rs 109 crore (2024) spanning 16 countries including Russia, Ukraine, the US and Brazil; nearly 93 crore (2023); Rs 55.82 crore (2022) and about Rs 36 crore (2021).

In 2021, Modi visited Bangladesh (Rs 1,00,71,288 -- total expenditure); the US (Rs 19,63,27,806); Italy (Rs 6,90,49,376); and the UK (Rs 8,57,41,408) according to data shared by Singh in his response.

His trips in 2022, included visits to Germany (Rs 9,44,41,562 -- total expenditure); Denmark (Rs 5,47,46,921); France (Rs 1,95,03,918); Nepal (Rs 80,01,483) and Japan (Rs 8,68,99,372), it said.

The details related to public engagements, number of attendees, and expenditure on advertising and broadcasting of engagements were also shared in another set of tabulated data.

For Modi's 2023 visit to Egypt, the expenditure on advertising and broadcasting was Rs 11.90 lakh, according to the data.
The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the Bombay high court verdict acquitting all 12 accused in the 2006 Mumbai train bomb blasts case.

IMAGE: A damaged local train after a blast in Mumbai on July 11, 2006. Photograph: Prashanth Vishwanathan/Reuters

The court, however, said there was no question of bringing the 12 back to prison and emphasised that the high court judgement shall not be treated as a precedent.

A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh issued notice to all the accused in the case and sought their response on the appeal filed by the state government.

"We have been informed that all the respondents have been released and there is no question of bringing them back to the prison. However, taking note of the submission made by the Solicitor General on the question of law, we are inclined to hold that the impugned judgment shall not be treated as a precedent. To that extent, there shall be a stay of the impugned judgment," the bench said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the Maharashtra government.

The Maharashtra government has assailed a Bombay High Court judgment acquitting all 12 convicts in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case in the Supreme Court on grounds, including that the recovery of RDX from an accused, was disbelieved on a "hyper-technical ground" that the seized explosives were not sealed with a lac seal.

The state government, in its appeal, has raised several serious objections to the high court's order of acquittal.

The plea has asserted that due procedural safeguards under Section 23(2) of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) were observed, including proper sanctioning by senior officers like prosecution witness (PW) no. 185 Anami Roy.

It said the high court overlooked the validity of these approvals despite no substantial contradiction in the prosecution's evidence.

On Monday, a special high court bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Shyam Chandak acquitted all the 12 accused, saying the prosecution utterly failed to prove the case and it was "hard to believe the accused committed the crime".

Of the 12, five had been sentenced to death and seven to life imprisonment by the special court. One of the death row convicts died in 2021.

More than 180 people were killed when seven blasts ripped through Mumbai local trains at various locations on the western line on July 11, 2006.

The high court allowed the appeals filed by the accused challenging their conviction and sentences imposed on them by a special court in 2015.

The high court verdict came as a major embarrassment to the Maharashtra ATS which probed the case.

The agency claimed that the accused were members of the banned outfit Students' Islamic Movement of India (SIMI) and hatched the conspiracy with Pakistani members of the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
The Karnataka high court has intervened to temporarily halt the deportation of a Russian woman's children, emphasising the need to consider their best interests as mandated by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

IMAGE: Nina Kutina (40), along with her two daughters Preya (6) and Ama (4), was rescued by police from the Ramatirtha cave at Gokarna in Uttara Kannada district. Photograph: ANI on X

The decision of Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav came during the hearing of a writ petition that was filed to challenge a sudden deportation order issued against the children.

The petitioner, represented by advocate Beena Pillai, argued that the deportation process disregarded the children's welfare and violated UNCRC principles.

The assistant solicitor general (ASG), appearing in the matter for the Union of India, informed the court that the children currently lack valid travel or identity documents. Based on this submission, the court observed that immediate deportation was not reasonable at this stage.

However, the court stressed the importance of a detailed hearing to thoroughly examine the case. It directed the respondents to submit a written affidavit, confirming the absence of valid documents, and file their objections within two weeks.

Additionally, the court issued a clear directive that no deportation plan can be executed without prior intimation to it, effectively stalling any unilateral deportation effort until the next hearing scheduled for August 18.

Nina Kutina (40), along with her two daughters Preya (6) and Ama (4), was rescued by police from the Ramatirtha cave at Gokarna in Uttara Kannada district on July 11.

Kutina was staying here even though her visa had expired.
DAR ES SALAAM, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania has restored 90.4 hectares of mangroves in the Tanga Region and Zanzibar's Pemba Island over the past three years, aiming to protect biodiversity and promote a resilient blue economy, an official announced Thursday.

Joseph Olila, manager of the Coastal and Marine Resilience Program at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), said the initiative is part of the Bahari Mali project, which translates to "the sea is wealth," being implemented in the coastal communities of Tanga and Pemba.

Speaking to journalists in Tanga, Olila explained that restoration efforts are led by local communities in collaboration with government forestry officers, with IUCN providing financial and technical support during the first year.

"Afterwards, communities are empowered to manage the restoration activities independently," he said.

Olila described mangroves as vital natural filters that prevent polluted water from reaching the ocean, protect shorelines from erosion, and serve as critical habitats for marine biodiversity. 
Frederick Habich, of Guilford, was released from jail on Tuesday after spending nearly a month in jail following his arrest on two counts of arson.
Robert Beck of Peterborough, N.H. is a non-resident Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute. After serving for 30 years in U.S embassies in Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, he now teaches foreign policy classes at lifelong learning programs at both Keene State College and Rivier University. The opinions expressed by columnists and op-ed writers do not necessarily reflect the views of Vermont News & Media.
The integration of the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT NZ) and the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is complete, making it easier to report cyber security incidents and learn how to withstand threats.

The NCSC and CERT NZ websites have been consolidated to create a single site for authoritative cyber security advice and insights to help IT specialists, large organisations, government and operators of critical infrastructure.

The NCSC website has been updated to reflect its national CERT function and all-of-economy remit and the CERT brand and website have been retired.

GCSB deputy director-general of cyber security Lisa Fong, who is responsible for the NCSC, said as New Zealanders experience more of their lives and livelihoods online, cyber security threats were being felt across the economy.

Individuals are losing money to online threats, she said. Small to medium businesses are experiencing sophisticated compromises of networks and devices.

Operators of critical infrastructure and government agencies were also having to protect against a range of advanced actors and techniques.

The integration, which commenced in September 2023, would improve the experience for all New Zealanders reporting cyber security incidents, making it easier for people to know where to go for help, Fong said.

We have launched a refreshed and rebranded website with a streamlined incident reporting function. Cyber security incidents can now be reported in one place, whether the victim is an individual or a critical infrastructure operator, she said.
TIANJIN, July 24 (Xinhua) -- China has significantly increased its imports of agricultural products from Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, according to an SCO meeting on plant quarantine held Wednesday.

In 2024, China imported agricultural goods worth 13.66 billion U.S. dollars from SCO countries, with an average annual growth rate of 13.3 percent since 2001, the General Administration of Customs (GAC) said at the meeting.

Hosted by the GAC, the meeting gathered over 40 officials from SCO countries. Participants held in-depth discussions on joint pest monitoring, early risk warning and the application of smart supervision technologies. Additionally, there was a call for enhanced cooperation in cross-border epidemic prevention.

Zhao Zenglian, deputy head of the GAC, emphasized cooperation in optimizing risk assessment procedures, accelerating quarantine access, and improving customs efficiency through measures such as sharing data and promoting mutual recognition of electronic certificates. 
Mirwais and his family have left their home in Kabul and have been constantly changing their location since 2022, when a group of armed men shot dead his elder brother, a British-trained police officer.

Mirwais, whose name has been changed for security reasons, claims that his brothers killers were Taliban fighters, who punished him for fighting against them alongside Western troops.

We were at home one night, when about 20 or 30 Taliban fighters knocked on our door and dragged my brother out, Mirwais told RFE/RL.

My parents were crying and begging them to release my brother, but they killed him in front of our eyes, said Mirwais who wants Britain to help his family to find protection from any Taliban revenge killing.

Thousands of Afghans are demanding relocation to Britain fearing Taliban retribution after an accidental data leak revealed personal details of some 25,000 people who were applying for asylum in 2022, claiming they have worked with the British military.

Among them are people who directly worked with the British Army in both a military and civilian capacity, as well as members of special Afghan police forces who were trained, mentored, and funded by Britain, according to two high-ranked former Afghan security officers who spoke to RFE/RL.

' The Taliban Killed My Brother, Threatened My Family'

Britains The Telegraph newspaper, which first reported on July 15 on the fallout from the British data breach, stated that more than 200 Afghan soldiers and police officers have been murdered by the Taliban since the data was inadvertently leaked by a British official in February 2022.

The names and details of the slain Afghans, including at least one female officer, were compiled by independent caseworkers highlighting the plight of Afghans who worked with UK and other, US-led, forces, The Telegraph reported.

Among them was Muhammad Qasim Qaem, a former high-ranking police officer, who was detained and killed by the Taliban in April 2022. Qaems family said his body bore signs of torture when they received it from the Taliban.

The Taliban told us that if you want to stay alive, you must not try to investigate this matter, Qaems brother Noor-alam told RFE/RL on July 21.

Data Breach And Afghan Relocations May Cost More Than $9 Billion

The data leak happened in February 2022 when an unnamed British official sent an e-mail to recipients outside the government and mistakenly attached a spreadsheet containing the personal details of nearly 25,000 Afghans who had applied for asylum in the United Kingdom.

The applicants claimed they fought alongside the British Army or are related to someone who had.

The leak came to the attention of British authorities in August 2022 when an anonymous Facebook user posted nine names from the list and indicated that they could release the rest of the names. The post was deleted within three days after Britain contacted Facebooks owner, Meta.

The database, which was dubbed a kill list for the Taliban, prompted the UK government to secretly offer asylum to the Afghans whose names were exposed.

Some 4,500 of them have since been evacuated to Britain, reportedly without any security clearance and verification of their claims and eligibility. A further 2,400 people are expected to arrive in Britain in the foreseeable future, while others remain in Afghanistan or third countries.

The Afghan resettlement will reportedly cost British taxpayers up to $9.4 billion.

The unprecedented and costly data breach and the relocations were kept secret until July 15, when Britains Hight Court lifted an injunction obtained by the government.

The Taliban Says It's Pardoned Afghans Who Worked For The West

Two Taliban officials told RFE/RL that their government has not monitored, persecuted, or harmed anyone involved in the British data leak.

Hamdullah Fitrat, a deputy spokesman for the Taliban-led government, and Abdul Mateen Qani, a spokesman for the Taliban's interior ministry, reiterated that Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada had issued an amnesty for all Afghans who fought against the Taliban alongside NATO forces, including the British military.

The officials claimed that they have seen the list, but said it was not news for them because the defense and interior ministries of the former government left all their documents behind.

The rumors are being spread to scare these individuals and their families. We reject these rumors, Fitrat told RFE/RL. We dont seek revenge.

Many Afghans, however, are skeptical, citing numerous documented cases of murder, arrests, and forced disappearances of soldiers and government officials since the Taliban came to power.

'Protection Does Not Necessarily Mean Relocating Everyone'

General Ajmal Omer Shinwari, who served as a spokesman for the former Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, told RFE/RL that, even if the top Taliban leadership has offered an amnesty, it cannot stop the groups lower-level officials and fighters from committing revenge killings of their former foes.

The Taliban leadership does not have full control over them, Shinwari told RFE/RL on July 22.

Shinwari said the threats to the lives of those exposed on the British data leak is real and Britain has a responsibility to protect the Afghans who supported its mission for two decades.

But Shinwari stressed that protection does not necessarily mean relocating everyone to Britain.

NATO and the Western governments should work out a strategy to ensure the safety of the former Afghan soldiers living in Afghanistan and implement its strategy through international organizations, particularly the United Nations, Shinwari said.

The Taliban-led government has not been officially recognized by any country besides Russia. Shinwari, however, believes that the West has leverage over the government in Kabul, which is acutely aware of its lack of legitimacy and wants to engage with the international community.

British media have reported that more than 36,000 Afghans have moved to the UK since NATO-led troops withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021.
Mikita Losik, the younger brother of imprisoned Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) journalist Ihar Losik, has fled Belarus after being sentenced to three years for "extremist activities" for sending photos of Russian military equipment to the Telegram channel "Belaruski Hajun."

The 25-year-old software engineer was recently evacuated to safety by the BySol Foundation, an organization supporting Belarusian political prisoners and dissidents. Details of the move were not disclosed.

"I was outraged," Mikita told RFE/RL, referring to the day in February 2023 when he witnessed a train convoy of Russian tanks and air-defense vehicles marked with the pro-war "Z" and "V" symbols passing through the eastern city of Orsha, where he worked at a machine-tool plant.

"We're told Belarus is a peaceful country, but here we were helping Russia's war effort in broad daylight. I had to act."

Losik said he took several photos and submitted them to Belaruski Hajun, a popular online monitoring channel reporting on military activities across Belarus.

More than two years later, on April 9, 2025, Mikita's life changed abruptly.

At 6 a.m., eight armed men in masks stormed his dormitory room in Orsha.

"They pinned my roommate to the ground. The first thing that came across my mind, I thought they were after a criminal or something. Then they forced me down, too," Mikita recalled.

A plainclothes officer then showed him Telegram messages he had long deleted.

Mikita was handcuffed and taken to the city of Vitsebsk for questioning.

"One of them sneered, 'Want to be in the next cell with your brother?' I joked, 'Sure, its been a while since we saw each other.' They didn't appreciate the joke."

That brother is Ihar Losik, a well-known blogger and journalist with RFE/RLs Belarus Service, who was sentenced in 2021 to 15 years in prison in a closed trial widely condemned by human rights groups.

Mikita was held in the Vitsebsk's pretrial detention center, where he described conditions as "brutal."

Political detainees were denied mattresses and forced to sleep on metal frames or concrete floors. Lights remained on all night, and guards staged provocations to justify their harsh actions against the inmates.

"They didn't beat me, but the verbal abuse was constant," Losik said.

Despite a lack of concrete evidence beyond four military photos and social media posts bearing a "No to war" hashtag, authorities charged him with "aiding extremist activity."

Mikita's trial, held earlier this month, lasted only two days.

The judge and prosecutor cited old Telegram subscriptions and social media statuses featuring the banned white-red-white Belarusian flag and the Ukrainian flag as aggravating factors.

The white-red-white flag was used by the short-lived Belarusian Democratic Republic in 1918-1920 and reinstated after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. In 1995, the authoritarian ruler of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, replaced the historical flag with one similar to that used in the Soviet era.

On July 8, Mikita Losik was sentenced to three years of "khimiya" in an open-type correctional facility. The concept of "khimiya" -- literally translated as chemistry -- goes back to the late 1940s, when convicts were sent to work at dangerous facilities such as chemical factories and uranium mines while living in special nearby dormitories instead of being incarcerated in penitentiaries.

Before Losik was released, another trial held without his presence ordered him to pay a hefty fine for using an avatar featuring antiwar symbols.

Though relieved to avoid prison, Mikita feared that life in a "chemistry dorm" under a parole-like control and tight restrictions would be unbearable  especially with his surname drawing attention.

"While in the detention center, I discussed that with other inmates: the authorities don't let you live peacefully under 'chemistry' control. A few minor infractions, and they'll send you to a correctional colony. And with my last name? I knew I had to leave," he said.

Days after the sentencing, Losik said he made the difficult decision to flee Belarus. His exact location remains undisclosed for security reasons.

His brother, Ihar Losik, remains in prison, having already served more than five years. He is one of the most prominent victims of the Belarusian regime's sweeping crackdown on dissent following the disputed 2020 presidential election.

Ihar Losik has not been heard from in nearly two years, aside from a brief appearance in a January state propaganda broadcast. His fate remains unknown.

Mikitas story is part of a larger campaign of repression in Belarus, where hundreds have been arrested for passing information to Belaruski Hajun, making donations to opposition causes, or even for commenting critically on social media.

Mikita says he met numerous political prisoners in the Vitsebsk detention center and pretrial facility: engineers, students, ordinary citizens, many of whom were sentenced "just for sending money or posting emojis."

Though free now, Mikita knows his safety remains precarious. But he stands by his decision.

"I couldn't pretend not to see what was happening. I couldn't stay silent while our land was being used to wage war," he said.

Lukashenko, who claimed a seventh term in a disputed January 2025 election, continues to rule with an iron grip. The election was widely condemned as a sham by Western governments and opposition groups.

As of July 1, rights group Vyasna (Spring) reported that 1,175 people are still considered political prisoners in Belarus.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted a new draft bill to parliament to restore the independence of two anti-corruption agencies, after a controversial law curbing their autonomy sparked nationwide protests.

The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) had effectively lost the guarantees that enabled them to combat high-level corruption when Zelenskyy signed the law on July 22.

Following two days of mass protests in Kyiv and a number of other major Ukrainian cities and criticism from Kyiv's European allies, Zelenskyy submittedthe new bill to parliament on July 24. The proposed legislation is set to restore all procedural powers and guarantees of independence, according to NABU.

"NABU and SAPO participated in the preparation of the text and call on the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to adopt the president's initiative as a basis and in general as soon as possible," the agency said in a statement published in Telegram.

"This will help prevent threats to criminal proceedings investigated by NABU and SAPO," it added.

Zelenskyy said on Telegram that the "balanced text" of the draft bill now guarantees the independence of both agencies and the "absence of Russian influence" on their work, which he had previously claimed was the main reason for the move that brought the agencies under the control of the Prosecutor-General.

"We respect the position of all Ukrainians," Zelenskyy added in his post.

Ruslan Stefanchuk, speaker of Ukraines parliament, announced on Facebook that the document would be reviewed during the next plenary session. Prior to the announcement, Ukrainian opposition deputy Yaroslav Zheleznyak reported that the Verkhovna Rada had gone on "vacation" until the end of August.

However, in his Facebook post, Stefanchuk added that the session would be held sooner than a month from now.

Later on July 24, Zelenskyy said he had informed German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of the new legislation efforts, adding that he proposed that Germany join a review of the draft bill.

"Friedrich assured me of his readiness to help," Zelenskyy added.

Zelenskyy also said the conversation dealt with the implementation of Ukraine's agreements with the EU on opening the first accession negotiations cluster.

"There is absolute support from Germany on this issue," he said.

A day earlier, the European Union called the decision to adopt the original bill a "serious step back," while other opponents of the law voiced concern that it represented a stark reversal after a decade of democratization following the pro-European and anti-corruption Maidan protests.

Germany said the legal change "hampered Ukraine's way towards the EU," while European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed strong concerns about the potential consequences of amendments to Ukraine's anti-corruption architecture.

Despite massive air attacks on the capital in recent days, hundreds of Ukrainians protested in central Kyiv, demanding that Zelenskyy veto the bill, saying it had been rushed through and would allow the government to meddle in high-profile corruption cases.

In essence, Ukraine is being dragged 10 years back in terms of the fight against corruption, Dmytro Kozyatynskiy, a young veteran of the war against Russias invasion, said at one of the initial protests against the law in Kyiv.

NABU investigates corruption among state institutions, while SAPO prosecutes other corruption. Some of NABU's high-profile investigations since it began its work in 2015 have embarrassed senior officials.
Faced with angry protests at home and opprobrium from the West after signing a law that critics say robs anti-corruption agencies of their independence and sets back years of progress on justice and the rule of law, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy blinked.

But its unclear how far his backpedaling will go and whether he will manage to contain one of the biggest domestic crises in Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Just two days after signing the legislation that his own government had pushed swiftly through the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraines parliament, Zelenskyy approved a new "well-balanced" bill after saying that the outcry had not fallen on deaf ears and that it is important that we respect the position of all Ukrainians and are grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine."

Ive just approved the text of a draft bill that guarantees real strengthening of Ukraines law enforcement system, independence of anti-corruption agencies, and reliable protection of the law enforcement system against any Russian influence or interference," he said in a post on X on July 24.



"Most importantly, it includes real tools, excludes any Russian ties, and upholds the independence of NABU and SAPO. The draft bill will be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine today."

Zelenskyy's announcement came after a July 23 meeting of the heads of law enforcement agencies, anti-corruption agencies, and the Prosecutor-Generals Office for their input to help make it happen.

But he offered few details about the content of the new bill and did not say he would seek to undo the legislation he signed on July 22 -- law No. 12414, its official number, which is scrawled on many of the cardboard signs held by protesters.

Opponents of the law called for more protests on July 24, and a member of the opposition Holos party said 48 Rada lawmakers had backed draft legislation that aimed to restore the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), setting it up for a possible vote as early as July 25.

The law makes Ukraines Prosecutor-General the de facto head of SAPO, effectively stripping the agency's chief of their authority, and allows the prosecutor-general to unilaterally close cases involving top officials and reassign cases being investigated by NABU to other agencies.

NABU and SAPO officials said on July 23 that "clear and unambiguous steps" are needed to restore the safeguards against governmental interference that they were previously guaranteed.

The European Union called the decision to adopt the original bill a "serious step back," while other opponents of the law voiced concern that it represented a stark reversal after a decade of democratization following the pro-European and anti-corruption Maidan protests, which pushed Moscow-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych from power in 2014 in what came to be called the Revolution of Dignity.

In essence, Ukraine is being dragged 10 years back in terms of the fight against corruption, Dmytro Kozyatynskiy, a young veteran of the war against Russias invasion, said at one of the initial protests against the law in Kyiv.

The new law strips society of one of the greatest achievements since the Revolution of Dignity -- independent anti-corruption institutions, according to Transparency International Ukraine.

Defending the legislation shortly after he signed it, Zelenskyy said it was needed to remove Russian influence from the fight against corruption. He again suggested that was a prominent goal when he promised a day later to submit a new bill, saying there will be no Russian influence or interference in the activities of law enforcement agencies.

Playing Into Moscow's Hands

Critics say that, on the contrary, the original legislation plays into Moscows hands in ways that could weaken Ukraines defense against the Russian onslaught, threatening to undermine unity among Ukrainians and sap support for Kyiv from the West at a crucial juncture in the war.

It could also amplify concerns in Washington about Ukrainian corruption at a time when US President Donald Trump has begun to lay a large part of the blame for the lack of progress toward peace on Russia and promised to increase supplies of weapons to Ukraine via Europe.

Prominent US Senators Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, a Republican, and Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, the most senior Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed concern about the new law in a statement on July 23.

Ukraine has made enormous strides on its anti-corruption agenda since the Revolution of DignityThe Verkhovna Radas recent passage of a law, signed by President Zelenskyy, we fear undermines much of that progress and goes against Ukraines tremendous fighting spirit as well as the expectations of Ukraines citizenry and the international community, Shaheen and Graham said.

One of the most widely used talking points for ending support for Ukraine is that it was awash with corruption they said. We acknowledge that Ukraine continues to make progress on this front and we urge the government to refrain from any actions that undermine that progress.

Trump has threatened to impose new sanctions on Russia if Moscow and Kyiv do not reach a deal by early September to stop the fighting. A third round of talks between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in Istanbul on July 23 produced no apparent progress toward peace.
Its become an almost daily routine for Ukraines elite drone units working along the eastern front: Catching on camera groups of ill-prepared Russian ground troops and vehicles venturing forward.

Once theyre sighted, its usually a matter of minutes or seconds until the Ukrainian drones blow them up, say the technicians operating the joysticks.

They are hunting us; we are hunting them, said Ukrainian drone unit soldier Maks, speaking to RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service. Drone operators are a priority target as they are the most effective combat units that inflict the most losses.

Estimates by Ukrainian commanders suggest that up to 70 percent of Russias current deaths and casualties are due to drone attacks.

The drone operators in Ukraines 30th Prince Kostyantyn Ostrozkiy Mechanized Brigade, working in the Donetsk region, say they place a high priority on targeting their Russian counterparts.

They also play a key role in supporting the Ukrainian infantry and in fending off assaults by Russian troops.

Facing a far larger army than their own in this war, Ukrainians developed drone attack tactics early on that have proven highly effective, from working out how to drop a grenade with pinpoint precision to evading enemy digital jamming signals.

And the advent of first person-view technology, which allows operators to see what the drone sees live as it attacks, has signaled a remarkable leap forward in the impact of relatively cheap, expendable drones as an essential element of warfare.

And, while Russian engineers have actively worked to keep up the pace in a drone arms race, with both sides constantly improving, it appears that invading ground troops are still highly vulnerable.

Most of the time, they come without any EW [electronic warfare] defenses, said Ukrainian drone unit soldier Ryba.

There was an assault group coming in recently, he said. One soldier was carrying a backpack with EW equipment and the other had a portable generator. But they didnt have time to start it up and they'll stay in that spot forever.

Its also become evident from witnessing Ukrainian air attacks that Russians do not expend much effort to recover their soldiers once theyre hit, said Maks.

When they retreat, they leave behind soldiers who are even slightly injured, he explained. Their fear of drones outweighs the fear of snipers.

Almost daily Russian incursions around the ruined city of Pokrovsk have been keeping Ukrainian drone operators particularly busy recently.

And, although Ukrainian frontline troops of all kinds have said they must deal with increasing exhaustion and stress, drone unit soldier Mykhaylo Trach says drones have proved themselves vital to keeping the Russians at bay.

The enemy is constantly trying to probe weak spots in our defenses and seize more territory, he said. But they're failing because of our efforts.
Russia and Ukraine launched drone strikes against each other early on July 24, officials from both sides said, as fierce fighting continued to rage along the front line.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia's overnight attack was a "response" to Kyiv's proposal of an immediate cease-fire during Russian and Ukrainian peace talks in Istanbul a day earlier.

Zelenskyy said the attack included more than a hundred strike drones and more than four missiles. Most of the drones used by Russia were Iranian-made Shahed drones, he added.

"Russia continues its terror and obstructs diplomacy, which is why it deserves full-scale sanctions responses, as well as our strikes on their logistics, their military bases, and their military production facilities," Zelenskyy wrote in a Telegram post.

Local officials reported that the attack mostly targeted the Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv, Odesa, and Cherkasy, leaving at least three people dead and dozens more injured.

Kharkiv's military head Oleh Synehubov said the attack on the city included guided missiles, which Russian military forces often use on the front line to evade Ukrainian air defenses.

Six children, including a one-year-old girl, were injured in the attack, Synehubov added. Residential buildings, civilian cars, and an utility company also sustained damage.

A local resident told RFE/RL that she saw "everything destroyed" when she entered her apartment after the attack.

"Our neighbor hid between two walls. That's what saved her life," she added.

Separately, in Ukraine's Black Sea port of Odesa, drones caused several fires as well as damage in the historic center, a UNESCO world heritage site.

The Pryvoz market -- a famous city landmark -- was among the places hit, regional military head Oleh Kiper said.

"It is not just a place of trade, it is the living heart of Odesa," he added.

Meanwhile, the governor of Russias Krasnodar region, Veniamin Kondratyev, said debris from a falling Ukrainian drone killed two women in Sochi, one of Russias most popular resort cities.

Operations at the local airport were suspended for about four hours, according to Russias aviation authority.

Eleven other people were injured when drone debris fell on an oil depot, Kondratyev said in a Telegram post. Dmitry Plishkin, the head of the local municipality where the depot is located, also reported the attack on his Telegram channel.

On the battlefield, fighting continued along key frontline areas, with the war-torn Donetsk region witnessing most of the clashes.

Over the past year, the region's Pokrovsk and Kostyantynivka areas have consistently recorded the highest number of combat engagements.

In May, RFE/RLs Donbas.Realities reported that Russia had intensified its offensive on several fronts in the region, aiming to encircle Kostyantynivka -- a key railway hub and a Ukrainian defense stronghold.

Vadym Filashkin, the local Ukrainian military head, said that Russian attacks on the city on July 24 alone killed at least two people and injured 14 others.

In a Telegram message posted after the attacks, Filashkin urged residents of the region to evacuate to safer areas in Ukraine.
The Russian city of Sochi was hit by overnight Ukrainian drone attacks on July 24, killing at least one person. The air strikes came just hours after peace talks between Ukraine and Russia failed in Istanbul. Buildings burned as Russian anti-aircraft systems were activated.
The United States on July 23 announced the approval of $322 million in arms sales to bolster Ukraine's air defenses and its armored combat vehicles.

The sale of HAWK air defense equipment and sustainment will cost up to $172 million, while Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle equipment and services will total up to $150 million, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said.

The proposed HAWK equipment sale "will improve Ukraine's capability to meet current and future threats by further equipping it to conduct self-defense and regional security missions with a more robust air defense capability," DSCA said.

And the Bradley equipment and services will help meet Ukraine's "urgent need to strengthen local sustainment capabilities to maintain high operational rates for United States provided vehicles and weapon systems," it said.

The State Department approved the possible sales and the DSCA provided the required notification to the US Congress, which still needs to sign off on the transactions.

US President Donald Trump on July 14 said during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that he planned to provide Ukraine with billions of dollars in weapons that NATO will purchase.

At the same time, Trump gave Russia 50 days to agree to a cease-fire before threatening to impose economic penalties on countries trading with Russia that could nudge Moscow to the negotiating table.

The approval of the potential weapons sales comes after the Pentagon directed a pause on other weapons shipments to Ukraine to allow it to assess its weapons stockpiles even as Kyiv faced heavy Russian missile and drone attacks that continued late on July 23.

Russian forces struck the Black Sea port of Odesa, triggering several fires in residential and other buildings. Regional Governor Oleh Kiper said two floors of an apartment building had been set ablaze, while other fires broke out on the roof of a two-story residence, in kiosks, and at a petrol station.

Ukrainian drones, meanwhile, hit southern Russian areas, killing one person, injuring another, and hitting an oil storage depot.

Emergency officials in the Krasnodar region on the Black Sea said on Telegram that debris from a falling drone struck and killed a woman near Sochi. A second woman was being treated in hospital for serious injuries.

The administrative head of the federal district south of Sochi said a drone hit an oil base. The official gave no further details.

Russia's aviation authority said operations were suspended at Sochi airport for about four hours.

Earlier on July 23, Russia and Ukraine agreed on another prisoner exchange during negotiations in Turkey.

The brief session resulted in no progress on cease-fire terms or a possible meeting of the leaders of Ukraine and Russia.

"We have progress on the humanitarian track, with no progress on a cessation of hostilities," chief Ukrainian delegate Rustem Umerov said after talks.

Ukraine proposed a meeting before the end of August between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Umerov said. Russia could clearly demonstrate its constructive approach by agreeing to the proposal, he added.

Russian chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky renewed Moscow's call for a series of short cease-fires of 24-48 hours to enable the retrieval of bodies. Ukraine says it wants an immediate and much longer cease-fire.

On the prisoner swap, Medinsky said the negotiators agreed to exchange at least 1,200 more prisoners of war from each side, and Russia had offered to hand over another 3,000 Ukrainian bodies.

Medinsky said severely injured individuals are also to be exchanged along the front.

Zelenskyy also referred to the swap in his nightly video address, saying that preparations continued all day on July 23 for the exchange.

We are waiting for our people back home. It is very important that despite all difficulties, Ukrainians are coming back, he said.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters
BANGKOK, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Eleven Thai people were killed and 28 others injured in military clashes near the Thailand-Cambodia border on Thursday, acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said.

Speaking to reporters following a National Security Council meeting, Phumtham said heavy weapons were used by the Cambodian side in the clash.

"We remain committed to peaceful means and dialogue to resolve the problem. However, we must defend ourselves and protect our nation's sovereignty," Phumtham said.

Thailand's Ministry of Interior has carried out the evacuation of people from at-risk areas, Phumtham said, adding that for the safety of students, the Thai Ministry of Education has ordered the closure of schools in the affected border areas.

Thailand's Ministry of Public Health has converted district hospitals near the border into field hospitals and has evacuated patients to safer areas behind the front lines, said the Thai acting prime minister.

The situation escalated following skirmishes that began Thursday morning. The two sides both blamed the other side for initiating the firing.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called on Thailand to immediately cease all hostilities, withdraw its forces to its side of the border, and refrain from any further provocative actions which could escalate the situation.

Hun Manet accused Thailand of violating the basic principles of international law. 
KHARTOUM, July 24 (Xinhua) -- At least 27 civilians were killed and 43 others injured in a recent attack by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a village in western Sudan, a volunteer group and an eyewitness said Thursday.

"Yesterday (Wednesday), the RSF launched an attack on the village of Brema Rashid, located north of the city of Al-Nuhud in West Kordofan State, leaving 27 civilians dead and 43 others seriously injured," the Sudanese Doctors Network, a volunteer group, said in a statement.

"An armed RSF unit violently assaulted unarmed civilians inside their homes, targeting women, children, and the elderly," it said, calling the attack a "heinous crime" and "a crime against humanity."

It called on the international community to impose measures to halt violations against civilians in RSF-controlled areas and establish humanitarian corridors to assist those forcibly displaced from their homes.

An eyewitness from the area, speaking to Xinhua on condition of anonymity, said the attack, taking 27 lives, took place on Wednesday afternoon, when an RSF armed convoy entered the village center in combat vehicles and opened fire indiscriminately on residential homes and a small local market.

The RSF has not yet issued any comment regarding the incident.

Sudan remains gripped by a conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023. The fighting has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions, both internally and across borders, deepening the country's humanitarian crisis.

Recently, clashes between the SAF and the RSF have intensified in the Kordofan region, which includes North, West, and South Kordofan states. The RSF controls most towns in West Kordofan and is imposing a siege on El Obeid, capital of North Kordofan. 
Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly and his party colleague, Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice, will visit landowners sites this morning, Thursday, as concerns continue over the possible flooding impact of bog rewetting by Bord na Mona.

There are fears that lands adjacent to these boglands will flood this winter if exterior drains around the perimeter of the bogs, which are clogged with silt, are not cleaned out first.

Bord na Mona, tasked with rewetting more than 40,000 hectares of peatland under European Union nature restoration commitments, has scheduled rewetting work at Mount Dillon, Erenagh, and 15 further sites to commence today, Thursday, July 24th.

Landowners were notified of the start date just days ago but the semi-state company is now being urged to halt its plans until a comprehensive environmental impact assessment is undertaken and local anxieties are resolved.

Following last Tuesday's public meeting in Ballyleague, Co Roscommon and on the border of Co Longford, MEP Mullooly issued a formal letter directly to Bord na Monas CEO, Tom Donnellan, asking the company to suspend all rewetting activities in County Roscommon and elsewhere until proper procedures are followed.

Farmers are particularly concerned that perimeter drains many of which are reportedly clogged with silt and overgrown have not been cleaned out in advance of the rewetting. Failure to clear these drains could result in widespread flooding of adjacent farmland this winter, making remediation efforts significantly harder or even impossible in the Winter, Mullooly said.

Commenting on the impact of re-wetting, Mullooly stated :Farmers are not opposed to the principle of bog rewetting, but they rightly expect existing protocols to be honoured and vital drainage infrastructure to be addressed to protect their own land. Many of these drains are almost entirely blocked, and without action, the flooding of valuable farmland is inevitable.

In response to the ongoing uncertainty, MEP Mullooly and Deputy Fitzmaurice will meet local landowners at 9.30 a.m. this morning at St. Faithleachs GAA Club in Ballyleague, before travelling to several affected bog sites to inspect the drains in person.

Members of the community, the media, and interested parties are invited to attend the site visit. Transport will be provided and participants are advised to bring appropriate outdoor footwear, such as wellingtons.

The situation is urgent but entirely preventable, added MEP Mullooly. With meaningful dialogue and practical steps, theres still time to avoid needless damage to vital farmland.
WASHINGTON, July 23 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that it is opening an investigation into Harvard University's continued eligibility as a sponsor for the Exchange Visitor Program, which allows foreign students and scholars to participate in exchange programs in the United States.

The investigation marks the Trump administration's renewed effort to restrict the admission of overseas students at the country's oldest university.

"To maintain their privilege to sponsor exchange visitors, sponsors must comply with all regulations, including conducting their programs in a manner that does not undermine the foreign policy objectives or compromise the national security interests of the United States," U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio said in a statement.

"The investigation will ensure that State Department programs do not run contrary to our nation's interests," said Rubio.

A spokesperson for Harvard University said in a statement that this investigation is "yet another retaliatory step taken by the Administration in violation of Harvard's First Amendment rights," while noting that Harvard is committed to continuing to comply with the applicable Exchange Visitor Program regulations.

Earlier this week, Judge Allison Burroughs from the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts held a hearing on the Trump administration's cuts to Harvard's federal funding -- an estimated total of over 2.6 billion U.S. dollars.

In a social media post, U.S. President Donald Trump called the judge "a total disaster," pledging that his administration would file an immediate appeal should the ruling go against them. 
A man who admitted to repeatedly raping his foster daughter over a seven-year period must pay over 300,000 in damages to her, a High Court judge has ruled.

Stephen Murray, formerly of Humphreystown, Vallymount, Co Wicklow, was jailed for 11 years in 2022 after pleading guilty to multiple counts of rape, oral rape and sexual assault of Kelly Kemmy.

The offending occurred between February 2009 and December 2015, when Ms Kemmy was aged between 11 and 18 years old.

Ms Kemmy (27), who waived her right to anonymity following Murrays sentencing, subsequently issued civil proceedings against Murray and Tusla, who had placed her in her abusers care.

Ms Kemmys claim against Tusla, which sought damages for negligence for placing her in the care of Murray, was later settled for 250,000.

In February 2024, Mr Justice Paul Coffey ruled in favour of Ms Kemmy in her claim against Murray, which sought damages for personal injuries, and rape, sexual assault, assault, battery, false imprisonment and trespass to the person.

Murray did not participate in the proceedings, and judgment was made against him in default of appearance.

In a judgment handed down on Wednesday, Ms Justice Emily Egan ruled Ms Kemmy should receive damages of 328,000 from Murray.

Ms Justice Egan, who characterised the nature and severity of abuse suffered by Ms Kemmy as a worst case scenario, said Ms Kemmy should be awarded 578,000 in general and special damages arising from her action against Murray.

However, the judge ruled that Tusla and Murray were concurrent wrongdoers in the case, and as such, the 250,000 settlement with Tusla should be deducted from the total award.

[Ms Kemmy] suffered damage as a result of the tortious and criminal actions of Murray and that damage was not prevented, interrupted or ameliorated by Tusla, as it ought to have been, the judge said.

An award of 450,000 in general damages reflects the nature, severity, timing and duration of abuse and the severity of the injury toMs Kemmy, Ms Justice Egan said. This award is greater than damages previously awarded for other child sexual abuse cases, the judge said.

The judge noted the current upper limit for awards of general damages in personal injuries cases is 550,000.

The 128,000 awarded in special damages arises primarily from Ms Kemmys claims of loss of earnings.

Referring to Ms Kemmys evidence in the civil case, Ms Justice Egan noted that it is estimated she suffered hundreds of separate incidents of rape, occurring three to four times a week.

Murrays abuse of Ms Kemmy began when she was 11 years old, some seven years after she and two of her siblings were fostered by Murray and his wife.

For years, [Ms Kemmys] dignity and autonomy were taken from her, causing her to suffer humiliation, frustration, helplessness, loneliness and despair, the judge said.

It was Ms Kemmys evidence that Murray told her the abuse was normal but secret, and if she told anyone, it would ruin the family, the judge noted.

Ms Kemmy said she felt trapped, helpless and frightened, and that her shame was so overwhelming she felt she had no one to turn to for help, the judge said.

Ms Kemmy reported Murrays abuse to An Garda Siochana in July 2019. After this, she was rendered effectively homeless, and her relationship with her two siblings was devastated, the judge noted.

Murray would later plead guilty to 14 counts of rape, two counts of oral rape and one count of sexual assault.

Ms Kemmy continues to suffer with post-traumatic stress disorder, the judge noted. The judge also said Ms Kenny is a resourceful and intelligent woman, keen to gain security for herself and her young child, and who has ambitions of becoming a social worker.
India, UK Sign Landmark Free Trade Agreement to Boost Bilateral Trade and Jobs

PM Modi described the FTA not just as an economic accord but a roadmap for shared prosperity.

India, UK Sign Landmark Free Trade Agreement to Boost Bilateral Trade and Jobs

India, UK Sign Free Trade Agreement Latest News  In a major step forward in bilateral relations, India and the United Kingdom on Thursday signed a landmark and "economically significant" Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aimed at making trade faster, easier, and more beneficial for both countries.

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The agreement was formally signed by Indias Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and UKs Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, in a ceremony attended by both prime ministers.

Speaking at a joint press conference, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the agreement as a milestone for the post-Brexit UK and a catalyst for economic growth:

This is a deal that will bring huge benefits to both of our countries  boosting wages, raising living standards, and putting more money in the pockets of working people. It is good for jobs, good for business, and will cut tariffs, making trade cheaper, quicker, and easier.

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Starmer thanked Prime Minister Modi and the negotiating teams of both nations, stating, We both know that this is the biggest, most economically significant trade deal that the UK has signed since leaving the EU. And I believe its also one of the most comprehensive trade agreements India has ever entered into. Thank you, Prime Minister, for your leadership and pragmatism.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling the agreement a historic milestone, stated, Today marks a historic day in our relations. I am delighted that after years of hard work, our two nations have signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement.

He described the FTA not just as an economic accord but a roadmap for shared prosperity.

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Highlighting key benefits, PM Modi added, Indian sectors such as textiles, footwear, gems and jewellery, seafood, engineering goods, agriculture, and processed food will now enjoy better market access in the UK. This agreement will especially benefit our youth, farmers, fishermen, and the MSME sector.

For India, this will also mean better access to high-quality and affordable UK products such as medical devices, he added.

Modi also thanked the UK government for its strong condemnation of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, and affirmed that coordination on the extradition of economic offenders would continue between the two countries.

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Meanwhile, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal congratulated both leaders and the people of India and the UK, Congratulations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and the people of both nations on the signing of the landmark India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Goyal wrote in a post on X.

Earlier, on May 6, PM Modi and PM Starmer had announced the successful conclusion of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement negotiations, as reported by ANI.

Both nations have set a target to increase bilateral trade to USD 120 billion by 2030, paving the way for deeper economic, strategic, and people-to-people ties.

(For more news apart from India, UK Sign Landmark Free Trade Agreement to Boost Bilateral Trade and Jobs, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
India Urges Gaza Ceasefire Amid Food and Fuel Crisis

intermittent pauses in hostilities are "not enough"

India Urges Gaza Ceasefire Amid Food and Fuel Crisis

India voiced concern over the persisting humanitarian crisis in Gaza on Wednesday at an open debate in the UN Security Council the PTI reported.

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India asserted that a ceasefire must be put in place, emphasising that intermittent pauses in hostilities are "not enough" to address the scale of challenges facing the region's people.

Todays meeting takes place against the backdrop of a persisting humanitarian crisis in Gaza," said Indias Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, addressing an open debate in the UN Security Council on Wednesday.

"Intermittent pauses in hostilities are not enough to address the scale of humanitarian challenges confronting the people, who grapple daily with acute shortages of food and fuel, inadequate medical services and lack of access to education, Harish said at the open debate on the 'Situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question'.

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Indian Army Pilots Pull Off Daring Helicopter Rescue Amid Flash Floods in Rajouri (Representative Image)

Despite the grave risks, the mission was executed flawlessly, and the child was safely airlifted

Jammu and Kashmir Rajouri Floods, Indian Army Rescue Operation Latest News Today: In a remarkable act of bravery and skill, Colonel Shaurya Singh and Lieutenant Colonel Abhijit Singh of the Indian Army carried out a high-risk helicopter rescue mission to save a young child stranded during flash floods in the Rajouri district on July 23.

The Army Aviation team responded to an urgent distress call amid deteriorating weather and rapidly rising floodwaters. Braving challenging flying conditions, including low visibility, strong winds, and electrical hazards like low-hanging wires, the pilots manoeuvred their helicopter with extreme precision, hovering mere inches above the swirling waters to complete the rescue.

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Despite the grave risks, the mission was executed flawlessly, and the child was safely airlifted to safety, highlighting the professionalism, training, and valor of the Indian Armed Forces.

This courageous operation stands as a powerful testament to the Indian Armys unwavering commitment to protecting civilian lives during natural disasters. Col Shaurya Singh and Lt Col Abhijit Singhs selfless act reflects the highest traditions of the Army, where duty, courage, and humanity converge.

Their extraordinary rescue has not only drawn widespread praise from citizens and officials alike but also reinforced the Indian Armys role as frontline responders during national emergencies.

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Woman Arrested for Allegedly Murdering Husband in Delhi; Affair Emerges as Motives

The wife had initially claimed he stabbed himself due to stress from gambling losses.

Woman Arrested for Allegedly Murdering Husband in Delhi; Affair Emerges as Motives

Woman Arrested Murder in Delhi Latest News: Police on Tuesday apprehended a 29-year-old woman in Outer Delhi's Nihal Vihar for allegedly murdering her 32-year-old husband on Sunday evening. The accused, identified as Farzana Khan, initially attempted to portray her husband's death as a suicide.

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According to a report by the Hindustan Times, Farzana confessed to the murder when confronted with her phone's search history, which revealed queries about "ways to kill a person." She informed investigators that her husband, Mohammed Shahid alias Irfan, could not satisfy her sexual needs and was heavily in debt due to online gambling. She also admitted to having an affair with Shahid's cousin, who resides in Bareilly.

The couple were originally from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh.

The incident came to light when Shahid's brother took him to Sanjay Gandhi Hospital. The hospital, upon receiving Shahid, alerted the police. Shahid's brother initially told police, based on Farzana's account, that Shahid had committed suicide due to gambling-related debts.

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However, a post-mortem examination conducted on Monday contradicted the suicide theory. "The doctors informed us that the wounds were inconsistent with suicide. One of them was fatal and could not have been self-inflicted," a senior officer was quoted as saying in the HT report. Three stab wounds were found on Shahid's body. The wife had initially claimed he stabbed himself due to stress from gambling losses.

Further investigation into Farzana's phone revealed internet search history related to "ways of killing someone using sleeping pills (sulphas), and how to delete chat histories."

Following these findings, Farzana confessed to the murder and admitted to her affair with her husband's cousin.

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Meet Angad Singh, Debate Champion, Who featured on CBS Mornings

His words struck a chord, not just with the speech and debate community but with people across the country.

Pride for Punjabis! Angad Singh Shines as Speech and Debate Champion, Featured on CBS

Meet Angad Singh, Debate Champion: The global Punjabi community has yet another reason to celebrate as Angad Singh, a high school senior, has been crowned the 2025 U.S. National Speech and Debate Champion in the prestigious Original Oratory category. His inspiring 10-minute speech titled "Living on a Prayer" not only moved judges but also caught the attention of national media, earning him a feature on CBS Mornings this week.

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Angads victory is a testament to months of rigorous writing, editing, and rehearsing, but more importantly, to his ability to connect deeply with audiences. His oration explored the personal and collective power of prayer, urging listeners to combine faith with tangible action. Speaking to CBS, Angad remarked, It was the prayers that united the whole community and gave them hope altogether.

His words struck a chord, not just with the speech and debate community but with people across the country. His message, centered on unity, resilience, and purposeful belief, carries the kind of impact that transcends competition halls and resonates with the larger human spirit.

For the global Punjabi community, Angads achievement is more than just a personal milestone, it's a collective moment of pride. Punjabis, known for their resilience, cultural richness, and contributions to societies worldwide, have long been making their mark, from politics and business to music, sports, and academia.

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Now, with Angad Singh stepping into the national spotlight, a new generation of Punjabis is emerging, articulate, thoughtful, and ready to lead. His story reflects the broader narrative of Punjabis thriving globally, grounded in strong values and driven by purpose.

As his journey continues, Angad joins a growing list of young leaders redefining what it means to be both proudly Punjabi and proudly American, carrying forward the legacy of a community that spans continents but remains united in spirit.
Punjab Police Bust Extortion Racket, Four Arrested

While the masterminds were being intercepted and arrested, we recovered a 0.45 bore pistol. "

Punjab Police Bust Extortion Racket, Four

The Punjab Police have arrested four individuals accused of running an extortion racket and making threatening calls to a respected businessman, officials said.

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Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, speaking to ANI, stated, We have arrested four accused who were operating an extortion racket. They made extortion calls to a reputable businessman and, to make their threats appear more serious, collaborated with two shooters, recorded a video at the businessmans construction site, fired two shots in the air, and sent the video to him.

A case was registered on July 21, and senior officers were immediately deployed to investigate the matter.

Two of the main accused have been identified as Simran alias Simratpal Singh and Harpreet Happy, who were the masterminds behind the operation. The other two accused, Amandeep and another individual named Simratpal, are both residents of Amritsar.

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During the arrest, one of the accused was injured after he allegedly tried to snatch a police weapon.

Commissioner Bhullar added, While the masterminds were being intercepted and arrested, we recovered a 0.45 bore pistol. As they were being taken to the police vehicle, Harpreet Happy attempted to snatch a 9 mm carbine from our sepoy, causing a scuffle. He was shot in the leg during the chaos and was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment.

The injured accused is currently undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital. Further investigation is underway.

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Thailand vs Cambodia Conflict: Border Airstrikes Escalate Tensions  12 Dead, Dozens Injured Representative Image (Image Courtesy: CNN from 2011)

On July 16, another landmine explosion in the same disputed area injured three Thai soldiers, one of whom lost a foot.

Thailand vs Cambodia Conflict: Border Airstrikes Escalate Tensions  12 Dead, Dozens Injured

Thailand Vs Combodia War Reason Latest News Today: Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have escalated sharply after Thailand launched airstrikes against Cambodian military targets along their long-disputed border, according to CNN.

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The Thai Ministry of Health confirmed that at least 12 people, including 11 civilians and one Thai soldier, have been killed in the latest clashes. Additionally, 24 civilians and seven soldiers have sustained injuries.

The airstrikes were launched a day after a Thai soldier lost his leg to a landmine explosion near the contested border. On July 23, five Thai soldiers were injured in a similar landmine blast, with one of them losing a leg.

In response to the escalating situation, Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia and closed all border crossings with its neighbor.

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Cambodia, on July 24, retaliated diplomatically by downgrading relations with Thailand to the lowest level and recalling all embassy staff from Bangkok.

Thailand and Cambodia share a 500-mile (800-kilometer) land border, much of which was drawn by France in 1907 during the colonial era. Thailand has long contested the demarcation, arguing that France did not fully define certain areas, particularly near historic temple sites.

The two countries have a history of periodic military flare-ups and nationalist disputes. In 2011, Thai and Cambodian troops clashed around the Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, leading to the displacement of thousands and the deaths of at least 20 people.

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The latest tension resurfaced earlier this year, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a brief clash in the contested border zone of the Emerald Triangle, where Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos meet.

On July 16, another landmine explosion in the same disputed area injured three Thai soldiers, one of whom lost a foot.

As of now, diplomatic ties remain severely strained, with both countries reinforcing troops along the border and international observers urging restraint.

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Why Donald Trump Wants To Rename AI?

Everyone is talking about artificial intelligence. I don't even like the name,

Why Donald Trump Wants To Rename AI?

Former U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday proposed renaming Artificial Intelligence, offering an unusual yet passionate reason as he laid out his vision for American leadership in the global AI race, Hindustan Times reported.

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Speaking at the 'AI Race Summit' held in Washington D.C. on July 23, which was attended by top tech leaders and investors, including AI advocate David Sacks, Trump expressed his dislike for the term "artificial."

Everyone is talking about artificial intelligence. I dont even like the name, Trump said during his address. You know, I don't like anything that is artificial, so can we straighten that out, please?

He continued, We should change the name. I actually mean that. I don't like the name 'artificial' anything because it's not artificial. It's genius. It's pure genius.

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In a major policy move, Trump signed an executive order outlining a 25-page aggressive, low-regulation strategy aimed at reinforcing the United States' dominance in the global AI race, especially in competition with China, according to Mint, which cited an AFP report.

America was the country that started the AI race, Trump said. As President of the United States, Im here today to declare that America is going to win it. Winning this competition will be a test of our capacities unlike anything since the dawn of the space age.

(For more news apart from Donald Trump Proposes Renaming Artificial Intelligence, Calls It Genius at AI Summit, stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman)
Editorial: The Sensation and Truth Behind Vice President Dhankhar's Sudden Resignation

The lack of any official response from the government only fueled the controversy further

Editorial: The Sensation and Truth Behind Vice President Dhankhar's Sudden Resignation

The sudden resignation of Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar from the post of Vice President and the resulting political buzz and debates are natural reactions. The fact that President Droupadi Murmu approved his resignation within 15 hours has intensified the controversy, leading to speculations that Dhankhar was forced to resign.

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Until Monday evening, he was performing his duties as usual. Just a few hours later, news broke that he had submitted his resignation to the President citing health reasons, and had also requested immediate acceptance of it. Naturally, this news caused a wave of shock and curiosity in political circles. The opposition quickly alleged that Dhankhar was made a political scapegoat for deeper reasons.

The lack of any official response from the government only fueled the controversy further, giving rise to doubts that the resignation wasn't due to health concerns but rather political ones. Shri Dhankhar is known not only for his frankness but also for his assertive nature. This led to the widespread assumption that during the Rajya Sabha's Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting held on Monday evening, the absence of Union Health Minister and Leader of the House Jagat Prakash Nadda and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju may have been perceived by Dhankhar as disrespectful, prompting him to resign in anger.

JP Nadda, who is also the national president of the BJP, and Kiren Rijiju have clarified that they were occupied with certain parliamentary responsibilities and had informed the Vice Presidents office about their inability to attend the meeting well in advance. Its worth noting that, as per the Indian Constitution, the Vice President is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and is responsible for running the House.

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During his tenure as Chairman, Dhankhar often drew criticism and dissatisfaction from the opposition parties. He was frequently accused of favoring the ruling party. In December last year, the oppositions INDIA bloc even brought a no-confidence motion against him  the first ever such motion against a Vice President in Indian political history.

Though the motion was dismissed on technical grounds, it left behind political bitterness. Ironically, the same parties that once labeled him as a biased referee, mouthpiece of the ruling party, and someone who speaks the RSSs language, are now glorifying his intellect, ability, and personal integrity, calling his resignation a blow to democratic values.

This drastic turnaround is a testament to the ever-changing nature of politics.

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74-year-old Jagdeep Dhankhar hails from the Jat community of Rajasthan. Despite coming from a farming background, he rose through the legal profession from Jhunjhunu district courts to become a senior advocate in the Supreme Court. He began his political journey with the Janata Dal and served as Minister of State in Prime Minister Chandra Shekhars government (199091).

After the decline of Janata Dal, he joined the Congress, and from 2003, he became associated with the BJP. The party appointed him as the Governor of West Bengal in 2019. His frequent clashes with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees government are still widely discussed in Bengals intellectual circles. In August 2022, as the candidate of the ruling NDA alliance, he was elected Vice President of India. Since then, his bold remarks and strong loyalty to PM Modi have been a constant irritant for the opposition.

Besides being a target of opposition attacks, Dhankhar also became known  or infamous  for directly criticizing the higher judiciary, especially Supreme Court judges and their decisions. For several months, he had been accusing the Supreme Court of acting beyond constitutional limits and favoring select elite lawyer groups.

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This is likely why the ruling partys lack of effort to persuade him to withdraw his resignation, and the brief farewell message from the Prime Minister, have both raised eyebrows and sparked further speculation. The real reason behind Dhankhars resignation may take some time to surface, but given his outspoken nature, it is unlikely to remain hidden for long. One can safely assume that his urge to stay in the headlines will soon overpower the current silence.
LONDON, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The United Kingdom (UK) is expected to lose 16,500 millionaires, the most in the world, this year, a report from the British investment migration consultancy Henley & Partners showed Thursday.

According to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025, a total of 142,000 millionaires are projected to relocate globally this year, and the UK is forecast to record the greatest net outflow of high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) among all countries.

The United Arab Emirates continues to hold its position as the world's top destination for wealth migration, with a record net inflow of more than 9,800 relocating millionaires anticipated this year, the report noted.

For the first time, the European Union (EU) heavyweights France, Spain and Germany are expected to see net HNWI losses this year, with predicted net outflows of 800, 500 and 400 millionaires, respectively.

Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, noted that the result indicates not just changes to the "tax regime," which refers to the UK, but also reflects that the wealthy have seen more opportunities elsewhere. "The long-term implications for Europe and the UK's economic competitiveness and investment appeal are significant," he said. 
Working in Romania

The labor shortage in Romania was over 600,000 people in 2024

sursa foto: pixabay.com@geralt

Sorin Iordan, 24.07.2025, 13:17

Romanian Minister of Labor, Florin Manole, stated that Romania needs bilateral agreements with the countries of origin of workers who come to work in our country. At an event to launch the White Paper of SMEs in Romania, the minister answered a question about regulations in the field of labor import from non-EU countries. We also need bilateral labor agreements with countries such as those in Southeast Asia, for example, which are countries of origin, because today some people leave from there to work in this country, but they land in Romania with heavy debt, because they are victims of networks, which, with the law on their side, force them into debt in order to get here to work for a modest salary, which is unfair, Manole stated. According to him, along with protecting the rights of these people, who must not be exploited, the ministrys order of priorities is to increase the level of employment for unemployed Romanian citizens and then for foreigners. At the end of 2024, over 140,000 employees from outside the European Union were working in Romania, the majority from countries such as Nepal, Sri Lanka, Turkey and India.

The labor shortage in Romania was over 600,000 people in 2024, which is why Romanian employers resorted to recruitment from abroad. This year, Romanian authorities issued over 42,500 employment permits for foreign citizens. More than 60% of these were issued for workers from outside the European Union in jobs in agriculture, construction, cleaning or handling goods, fields in which Romanian employers cannot find labor in the country. The Employers Union of Labor Importers is calling for a streamlining of the procedure for bringing workers to Romania, as the process sometimes takes up to a year. Romanian companies say they should be helped to be competitive on international recruitment markets, because there they compete with countries like Poland, Japan, South Korea, the Gulf countries, the United Arab Emirates or Saudi Arabia. According to them, although salaries and working conditions in Romania are currently better than those in the Middle East, the waiting time until the hiring procedures are completed is far too long.

Almost 1,000 jobs are available in Bihor County, in northwestern Romania, the County Employment Agency announced. The institution shows that the job offers are structured across all levels of education, and most of them, over 640, are concentrated in the city of Oradea. Among the occupations with the most available positions are unskilled packaging worker (approximately 60 positions), road freight driver (over 80 positions), commercial worker (almost 50 positions), cooks assistant (26 positions), garment worker (at least 43 positions), painters and tilers (10 positions each available). In the area of positions requiring higher education, dozens of automation, software and construction engineer jobs are available, as well as positions for accountants, pharmacists and procurement specialists.

Several foreign citizens, who did not have the right to travel to the Schengen Area, were found by Romanian border police in cars stopped at checkpoints on roads in the western border area with Hungary, in Arad and Bihor counties. In two cars registered in Hungary, checked near the Nadlac crossing point, 11 migrants were identified. The two drivers were from the Republic of Moldova and Romania. Also, in the Bors customs area, in a minibus registered in Romania and driven by a Romanian, 3 migrants from Nepal were found without travel documents. Border police are investigating the 3 drivers for migrant smuggling, who face sentences of imprisonment between 2 and 7 years. The 14 foreigners are being investigated for attempted fraudulent crossing of the state border and could be banned from entering the territory of the European Union for a period of up to 5 years.
Government postpones second package of fiscal measures

Romania's governing coalition has decided to postpone the adoption of the second package of fiscal measures to reduce the budget deficit.

Government headquarters

Mihai Pelin, 24.07.2025, 14:00

The governing coalition has decided to postpone, until mid-August, the adoption of the second package of fiscal-budgetary measures, which includes, among other things, the reform of state-owned companies. During this period, all local investment projects will be analyzed one by one, as the Social Democratic Party (PSD) wanted and obtained from its governing partners. The Social Democrats managed to impose their arguments regarding the continuation of the program during the coalition meeting, says the party leader, Sorin Grindeanu. Anghel Saligny is a program for the modernization of local communities through investments in county and local roads, water infrastructure, sewage and treatment plants and the expansion of natural gas distribution networks.

Strategic state companies operating in a competitive market must be treated differently, the Deputy Prime Minister Tanczos Barna drew attention, in turn, referring to Nuclearelectrica and Hidroelectrica, both profitable. Speaking about a correlation of the salaries of directors and employees with performance, he also mentioned the Romanian Railways (CFR), which he said should receive the compensation that railway companies receive anywhere in the world. And the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Ciprian Serban, announced that the general directors of CFR will reduce their allowances by 10%. Also, at CFR Infrastructure, a decision was made to reduce the working schedule to four days a week, for a limited number of employees, without affecting traffic safety.

CFR Passenger Service will reduce unjustified expenses through some measures, including the suspension of underperforming trains and the non-granting of overtime and festive hours, Ciprian Serban also said. The main trade union confederations have warned the government with an all-out strike focused on the dismissal of the executive and blocking the start of the school year, if the austerity measures expected in the coming weeks confirm that balancing the budget deficit will be left exclusively on the shoulders of the vast majority of the population. The education trade unions announce that, although on vacation, their members will organize protests next week, especially against the increase in the teaching norm which would result in the loss, they say, of 15,000 teacher positions, even though the relevant minister, Daniel David, denied this. The union leaders have obtained the inclusion of their representatives in the working groups in charge of the main directions of the reform.

Regarding the second package of measures aimed at reducing the budget deficit, Bogdan Hossu, leader of Cartel Alfa, stated that the reform of state-owned companies requires a much more in-depth legislative analysis, since many of the solutions proposed by the government risk being annulled by the Constitutional Court. In turn, the president of the National Trade Union Bloc, Dumitru Costin, stressed that the state needs to stop acting in a discretionary and unpredictable manner and to have a correct collaboration with economic entities. (LS)
GFT Technologies AG (GFTG) reported that its preliminary earnings before taxes (EBT) for the first half-year 2025 declined to 19.02 million euros from last year's 30.05 million euros. The decline was mainly due to a high positive one-off effect in the first half of 2024 amounting to 10.5 million euros, which had a favorable impact on the previous year's figure.

Adjusted earnings before interest and taxes or adjusted EBIT for the period was 30.14 million euros compared to 29.67 million euros in the previous year.

Revenue for the period was 441.51 million euros compared to 429.63 million euros in the previous year.

GFT now expects revenue for the 2025 financial year to be 885 million euros and adjusted EBIT to be 65 million euros. The forecast for EBT has been adjusted to 45 million euros. GFT had previously forecast revenue of 930 million euros for the full year 2025, adjusted EBIT of 75 million euros and EBT of 60 million euros.

GFT revised its revenue forecast largely because the euro has continued to strengthen significantly, which negatively impacted currency exchange rates. In addition, the company experienced weaker performance in the UK.

The lowered outlook for adjusted EBIT and EBT is mainly driven by restructuring efforts at GFT's UK operations and its German subsidiary, GFT Software Solutions GmbH, along with ongoing currency challenges.

GFT currently expects business to remain positive in the second half of 2025. Due to market conditions and ongoing structural measures, a noticeable upturn in momentum is currently only evident in a few .

The half-year financial report is scheduled for release on August 7, 2025.

For more earnings news, earnings calendar, and earnings for stocks, visit rttnews.com.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

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Vodafone Group Plc reported that its first-quarter operating profit decreased by 34.3% to 1.0 billion euros, primarily due to higher other income in the prior year arising from the sale of stake in Indus Towers. Adjusted EBITDAaL was up 4.9% on an organic basis to 2.7 billion euros, as service revenue growth in most was partially offset by the impact of the TV law change in Germany and continued commercial investments. Adjusted EBITDAaL margin was 29.3%, 0.2 percentage points higher year-over-year on an organic basis.

First quarter Group total revenue increased by 3.9% to 9.4 billion euros, with strong service revenue growth. Revenue growth was also impacted by the consolidation of Three UK, offset by foreign exchange movements. Group service revenue was up 5.3% to 7.9 billion euros, with higher revenue from the consolidation of Three UK offset by foreign exchange movements. On an organic basis, service revenue increased 5.5%.

Vodafone Group Plc reiterated its Group fiscal 2026 guidance including impact of UK merger.

"We have had a good start to the year with strong revenue and EBITDAaL growth. Germany has started its improvement trajectory and our emerging markets are delivering strong broad-based growth. In the UK, we have completed the merger with Three and are moving quickly to combine our networks to benefit customers," said Margherita Della Valle, Group Chief Executive.

Vodafone Group Plc also announced that it will commence a share repurchase programme of ordinary shares in the share capital of Vodafone of $0.20 20/21 each up to a maximum consideration of 500 million euros. Vodafone has given a non-discretionary instruction to Goldman Sachs in relation to the purchase by GSI, acting as riskless principal during the period commencing on 24 July 2025 and ending no later than 10 November 2025, of ordinary shares for a target expense amount of no greater than 500 million euros and the simultaneous on-sale of such ordinary shares by GSI to Vodafone.

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Business News
President Donald Trump has signed an Executive Order to support the American AI industry by promoting the export of full-stack AI packages to its allies and partners.

The Order directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish and implement the American AI Exports Program to support the development and deployment of U.S. full-stack AI export packages.

These packages include hardware, data systems, AI models, cybersecurity measures, applications for sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, and transportation.

The packages must comply with export controls and other relevant requirements.

The Secretary of Commerce will review and select proposals that will receive export support from the Economic Diplomacy Action Group, such as loans, guarantees, and technical assistance.

This was part of the 'Winning the AI Race: America's AI Action Plan' that the White House released Wednesday.

The Plan identifies over 90 Federal policy actions across three pillars - Accelerating Innovation, Building American AI Infrastructure, and Leading in International Diplomacy and Security - that the Trump Administration will take in the coming weeks and months.

Key policies in the AI Action Plan include expediting and modernizing permits for data centers and semiconductor fabs, as well as creating new national initiatives to increase high-demand occupations like electricians and HVAC technicians; and removing Federal regulations that hinder AI development and deployment, and seek private sector input on rules to remove the blocks.

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Political News
The Department of Justice announced the formation of a Strike Force to assess the evidence publicized by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, which claims that the Obama administration officials manipulated conclusions about Russia's involvement in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

A number of intelligence reports had suggested that Russia's Putin regime tried to influence the 2016 election in favor of Donald Trump.

At a press conference at the White House Wednesday, Gabbard declassified a four year old House intelligence report, which, according to her, "exposes how the Obama Administration manufactured the January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment that they knew was false, promoting the lie that Vladimir Putin and the Russian government helped President Trump win the 2016 election."

She described the new evidence as "the most egregious weaponization and politicization of intelligence in American history."

"In doing so, they conspired to subvert the will of the American people, working with their partners in the media to promote the lie, in order to undermine the legitimacy of President Trump, essentially enacting a years-long coup against him," Gabbard wrote on X.

"They knew it would promote this contrived narrative selling it to the American people as though it were true. It wasn't," Gabbard told reporters, referring to the intelligence community assessment. "The evidence that we have found, and that we have released, directly points to President Obama leading the manufacturing of this intelligence assessment. Multiple pieces of evidence and intelligence confirm that fact," Gabbard said about the report, dated 2020 September 16.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the Strike Force would investigate potential next legal steps which might stem from Gabbard's disclosures.

"We will investigate these troubling disclosures fully and leave no stone unturned to deliver justice."

The Department of Justice said it takes alleged weaponization of the intelligence community with utmost seriousness.

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Business News
American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) said it expects a third-quarter adjusted loss per share to be between $0.10 and $0.60. Based on recent booking trends, American expects full-year adjusted earnings per share to be between a loss of $0.20 and profit of $0.80, with a mid-point of $0.30. The company believes the top end of the range is achievable if demand in the domestic market continues to strengthen.

Second quarter earnings came in at $599 million, or $0.91 per share. This compares with $717 million, or $1.01 per share, last year. Excluding items, American Airlines reported adjusted earnings of $628 million or $0.95 per share for the period. Revenue rose 0.4% to $14.39 billion from $14.33 billion last year.

The company ended the second quarter with $38 billion of total debt and $29 billion of net debt. The company ended the second quarter with $12 billion of total available liquidity.

Shares of American Airlines are down 6% in pre-market trade on Thursday.

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Business News
With prices starting at Rs 6.29 lakh, 2025 Renault Triber is currently the most affordable 7-seater MPV in the country

Renault has launched the 2025 Triber facelift with a comprehensive range of visual and functional updates. Four trims are on offer  Authentic (Rs 6.29 lakh), Evolution (Rs 7.24 lakh), Techno (Rs 7.99 lakh) and Emotion (Rs 8.64 lakh) (all prices Ex-sh). To make an informed decision, lets explore the variant-wise features.

2025 Renault Triber base variant (Authentic)  Key features

Key exterior highlights include projector headlamps, body-coloured bumpers and 14-inch steel wheels with covers. 2025 Renault Triber base variant has manual ORVMs. While a total of 6 single tone and 3 dual-tone colour options are available, the base variant gets only 3 single tone choices. It includes Ice Cool White, Moonlight Silver and Stealth Black.

Inside, the base variant does not get any infotainment system. Equipment list includes an LED digital instrument cluster, manual AC, remote central locking, 12-volt socket and tilt adjustable steering. Other features include removable 3rd row seats, second row seats with slide, fold, recline and tumble functions, power windows, black upholstery and LED cabin lamp.

Renault is offering 21 safety features as standard with all variants of 2025 Triber. That means a cocooned experience even with the base variant. Standard safety features include 6-airbags, hill start assist, electronic stability program, traction control system and front parking sensors. Also, rear parking sensors, tyre pressure monitoring system, EBD with brake assist, ABS and follow me home headlamps.

2025 Renault Triber Evolution  Key features

In addition to the features available with the base variant, the 2025 Triber Evolution variant gets an enhanced tech package. It includes wired Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system and rear camera. Equipment list also includes 4 speakers and grab handles for the second and third row seats. 2025 Triber Evolution has two additional single tone colour options of Zanskar Blue and Shadow Grey.

2025 Renault Triber Techno  Key features

Exterior highlights include 15-inch steel wheels with covers, LED tail lamps, chrome bumper accents, door decals and black outside door handles. Also, power adjustable ORVMs with integrated turn indicators and roof rails that support up to 50 kg weight. 2025 Renault Triber Techno variant has all six single tone colour options including the Amber Terracotta.

Inside, the equipment list includes centre console cooled storage, steering mounted controls and suave black & greige woven upholstery. Also, upper glove box, chrome AC controls, silver finish on the door handles and day/night IRVM. Theres a 12-volt socket in the second row, rear seat lighting and rear washer and wiper.

2025 Renault Triber top-spec Emotion variant  Key features

Exterior highlights include LED projector headlamps, LED DRLs, LED fog lamps, dual-tone wheel covers, auto fold ORVMs and blacked-out B and C pillars. Also included are auto headlights with follow me home function. 2025 Renault Triber top-spec Emotion variant has 6 single tone and 3 dual-tone colour options. Dual-tone options are Amber Terracotta with Mystery Black Roof, Shadow Grey with Mystery Black Roof and Ice Cool with Mystery Black Roof.

Inside, the equipment list includes a 7-inch TFT digital instrument cluster, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and height adjustable drivers seat. Also, cooled lower glove box, push button start, 2 tweeters, 3rd row 12-volt socket, auto wipers and rear defogger. Theres cruise control as well.

2025 Renault Triber  Powertrain options

All variants of 2025 Renault Triber are powered by a 1.0-litre naturally aspirated, 3-cylinder engine. It generates 72 PS and 96 Nm of peak torque and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The top-spec Emotion variant gets an additional 5-speed automated manual transmission (AMT) option. The AMT variant costs Rs 52,000 more than the manual variant. CNG option for 2025 Renault Triber is likely to be available as a retrofit at the dealer level.
One of Indias leading car manufacturers, Tata Motors, is working towards an aggressive product expansion so that it could compete at the highest level against the incoming rivals across segments. Recently, there was a high-level dealer meeting and the company has spilled some beans regarding the products in the pipeline. Lets take a closer look.

Tata To Launch 7 New Cars

The headline figure that has been leaked from this high-level dealer meeting is that Tata Motors will have 15 nameplates in their portfolio by the year 2030. If we take a quick scan of Tatas current portfolio, we can see that the company has 8 nameplates on sale. These include Tiago, Tigor, Punch, Altroz, Nexon, Curvv, Harrier and Safari.

So, there will be 7 new car nameplates from the house of Tata by calendar year 2030. Were talking about new car nameplates and not versions of existing vehicles. At the very stage, Tata revealed three of these upcoming vehicles to launch in India, while four of the seven are still under the wraps.

These three upcoming launches have been showcased already and might feel familiar. One of them is a no-brainer as it is Tata Sierra, which is an iconic nameplate revival exercise. Tata has showcased a close-to-production version of Tata Sierra at 2025 Auto Expo and the production version is under testing in India and has been spied multiple times.

The other two, among these three showcased, are Avinya concepts which will bear both electric and ICE powertrains. Both Avinya vehicles showcased are still in concept phase and are yet to progress from there. First Avinya concept was showcased in 2022 in the form of Avinya Electric Concept and second one was showcased alongside Sierra at 2025 Auto Expo in the form of Avinya X Concept.

Which other nameplates to expect?

There are four upcoming vehicles under wraps and the company is announcing that two of them will be ICE (Product A & Product B) and the other two are EVs (Product X and Product Y). Tata further mentioned that 23 facelifts and refreshes with its portfolio by the year 2030. With 15 nameplates in its portfolio, Tata is likely to meet its volume goals.

While it is not confirmed, there was a buzz in the media fraternity about Tata Motors reviving Hexa, which was its last ever body on frame text book SUV with a proper 4X4 transfer case. Personally, I feel Hexa is the best vehicle Tata has ever produced and many (including me) will welcome a new Hexa with open arms.

Another Tata product I personally love and wish a comeback for, is Xenon. This was an affordable pickup truck. If Tata launched a premium version of Yodha with reasonable amenities, it could be a good hit. Tata Motors also has quite a few legendary nameplates in its arsenal like Indica, Indigo, Estate, Sumo and even the Nano. These may get a comeback or Tata might introduce new names altogether.

Source
MUSCAT/TEHRAN, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Oman and Iran on Thursday condemned, respectively, the Israeli Knesset's approval of a motion calling for the imposition of so-called "Israeli sovereignty" over the occupied West Bank.

The Israeli move is "another defiance of international law and resolutions of the international community," which will deliberately undermine peace efforts in the Middle East, the Palestinian people's right to self-determination, and the viability of a two-state solution, Oman's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

It reiterated Oman's "vehement rejection" of Israel's ongoing policies of blockade and starvation, as well as its obstruction of food, medical supplies, and humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza and other Palestinian territories.

It held Israel and its supporters "fully responsible for the legal, humanitarian, and political consequences of these practices," stressing that such actions constitute blatant violations of international humanitarian law.

In a separate statement, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said it considered the Israeli legislative body's move as another proof of Israel's "expansionist and domineering" nature.

It added that the Knesset's move, concurrent with Israel's "genocide and ongoing flagrant human rights violations" in the West Bank, disclosed more than ever the reality that Israel had no other objective but to "eliminate" Palestine as an "independent country, nation and identity."

Earlier on Thursday, the Arab League, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and 10 Arab, Islamic countries -- Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Nigeria, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates -- also issued a joint statement voicing their strong condemnation of the Israeli move.

On Wednesday, the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, approved a non-binding motion in favor of annexing the West Bank. 
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China says it firmly supports UNESCO's work

Xinhua) 08:42, July 24, 2025

BEIJING, July 23 (Xinhua) -- China firmly supports the work of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a regular news briefing, Guo said China noted that UNESCO and multiple countries expressed their regrets over the U.S.'s decision to withdraw from the organization again. "It's the third U.S. withdrawal from UNESCO and the country hasn't paid arrears for a long time. This is not what a major country should do."

The purpose of UNESCO is to advance international cooperation in education, science and culture, promote the mutual understanding and integration of civilizations, uphold world peace, and achieve common development, he said, adding that China firmly supports UNESCO's work.

On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the UN, China calls on all countries to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, and take concrete action to support the UN-centered international system, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the spokesperson said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Premier of the State Council Li Qiang will attend and address the opening ceremony of the 2025 World AI Conference & High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai on July 26.

CCTV: To follow up on Premier Li Qiangs trip to Shanghai for the 2025 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, can you share the program of the conference and Chinas expectations?



Guo Jiakun: Artificial intelligence is developing rapidly and becoming an important driving force for the new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation. Holding the 2025 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance is an important step taken by China to implement the Global AI Governance Initiative put forth by President Xi Jinping, with the aim of making the conference a technology leader, application showcase, industry accelerator, and governance council in the field of AI.

The theme of this years conference is Global Solidarity in the AI Era. China has invited high-level representatives from over 40 countries and international organizations. We hope that participating parties will have in-depth discussions on three major topics, namely deepening innovation cooperation and unleashing the intelligence dividend, promoting inclusive development and bridging the digital divide, and strengthening collaborative governance and ensuring AI for good. We look forward to enhanced solidarity, joint pursuit for development and concerted actions to promote the sound and orderly development of AI and make sure it is a force for good, safety, and fairness.

China Daily: The International Court of Justice (ICJ) delivered its advisory opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change on July 23, which confirmed that the system of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the principal legal instruments regulating the international response to the global problem of climate change, and made clear countries rights and obligations under international environmental law. Some countries said this marked a decisive moment in promoting global climate justice. How do you view this advisory opinion?



Guo Jiakun: We noted that the ICJs advisory opinion pointed out that the UNFCCC system is the principal legal instruments regulating the international response to the global problem of climate change and confirmed that the principle of common but differentiated responsibility, the principle of sustainable development and the principle of equity are applicable as guiding principles for the interpretation and application of relevant international law. It stressed that developed countries should take the lead in combating climate change and that countries have the obligation to strengthen international cooperation. The advisory opinion reflects the long-standing stance and proposition of developing countries, including China. It is of positive significance to maintaining and advancing international climate cooperation.

China took an active part in this advisory opinion. As the biggest major developing country, China has been a staunch doer in and important contributor to green development. China is actively and prudently working towards its goals on carbon peak and carbon neutrality. We will will make the worlds biggest cut in carbon emission intensity and move from carbon peak to carbon neutrality in the shortest time frame ever seen in history. In the meantime, Chinas quality and low-cost clean energy technologies and products have significantly cut the costs for global green and low-carbon transition. China has also provided as much assistance as we can to fellow developing countries through the channel of South-South cooperation.

However the world may change, China will not slow down its climate actions, will not reduce its support for international cooperation, and will not cease its efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind. China stands ready to work with all parties to fully implement the UNFCCC, honor the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, and foster a fair and equitable system of global climate governance for win-win cooperation.

Reuters: Two Thai soldiers were injured during clashes in disputed Thailand-Cambodia border. Does China have any comment?



Guo Jiakun: Thailand and Cambodia are both Chinas friendly neighbors and important members of ASEAN. Good-neighborliness and properly settling differences serves the fundamental and long-term interests of the two sides. We are deeply concerned over the ongoing developments and hope that the two sides will properly address issues through dialogue and consultation. Bearing in mind the common interest and concerns of regional countries, China upholds a just and impartial stance. We have and will continue to promote talks for peace in our own way and play a constructive role in promoting deescalation.

AFP: EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen during a meeting with Chinese leader today urged the bloc and China to acknowledge concerns and come forward with real solutions. Does the Foreign Ministry have a comment on what kind of real solution China will be willing to offer the EU?



Guo Jiakun: This morning, President Xi Jinping met with European Council President Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. China has released a readout, which you may refer to.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. China-EU relations come to another critical historic juncture. Over the past 50 years, China-EU exchanges and cooperation have achieved fruitful results. The important experiences and lessons from them are mutual respect, seeking common ground while shelving differences, open cooperation and mutual benefits. These are also the important principles and direction of efforts for developing China-EU relations in the future. China and the EU both advocate multilateralism and openness and cooperation. The more severe and complex the international landscape becomes, the more necessary it is that China and the EU should strengthen communication, enhance mutual trust and deepen cooperation.



President Xi Jinping put forward three propositions on the future development of China-EU relations. First, we should uphold mutual respect and consolidate partnership. Second, we should uphold open cooperation and properly handle frictions and differences. Third, we should practice multilateralism and safeguard international rules and order. Faced with accelerating global transformation not seen in a century and a changing and turbulent world, China and the EU should keep to the right direction of developing the bilateral relations, make efforts to usher in an even brighter 50 years of China-EU relations, and provide more stability and certainty to the world.

The New York Times: The European Union has expressed concern about Chinas growing trade and industrial relationship with Russia in the context of the Ukraine conflict. Has there been any new development on that in todays meetings?



Guo Jiakun: Weve put out a readout on President Xi Jinpings meeting with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission this morning, and you may refer to that. Let me stress that the exchanges between China and Russia do not target any third party and should not be affected by any third party.

China Review News: Its reported that the South African government issued a notice, saying that the Taipei Commercial Office situated in Pretoria will no longer be recognized. South Africa has called upon Taipei to relocate its Commercial Office from the capital, Pretoria, to Johannesburg. The Taipei Liaison Office in Cape Town will be referred to as the Taipei Commercial Office. Whats Chinas comment?



Guo Jiakun: The one-China principle is the political foundation for China to establish and develop diplomatic relations with other countries. It is a basic norm in international relations and a prevailing consensus of the international community. China commends South Africas own decision that you mentioned. It is a positive action in keeping with the one-China principle and UNGA Resolution 2758. This is also reflective of the strength of the China-South Africa all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era. We will continue standing firmly together with South Africa on issues bearing on each others core interests.

RIA Novosti: The delegations of Russia and Ukraine held the third round of direct talks in Istanbul, Turkiye on July 23. How does China view the outcomes of the talks?



Guo Jiakun: We noted that Russia and Ukraine held a new round of direct talks this week and reached agreement on prisoners exchange and other humanitarian issues. China welcomes this. Chinas position on the Ukraine crisis is consistent and clear. We support all efforts conducive to peace and hope parties will remain committed to the political settlement of the crisis and work together for deescalation.

AFP: U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled an AI action plan on Wednesday. The plan aims to cement U.S. dominance in AI to stay ahead of China. Trump also complained that for too long, many of the largest tech companies had ripped the blessings of American freedom while building the factories in China. Does the Chinese Foreign Ministry have a comment on this?



Guo Jiakun: China believes that all parties should jointly promote the open and inclusive development of AI for good and for all. Our emphasis should not be on confrontation and competition, but rather on sharing the dividends of AI and achieving common development.

The New York Times: The European Union has expressed concern that China is restricting exports of rare metals and rare earth magnets. Have todays meetings produced any progress on that issue?



Guo Jiakun: Chinas policy on rare earth is in line with international practice. We stand ready to work with relevant countries and regions to continue enhancing dialogue and cooperation on export control and jointly keep global industrial and supply chains stable, safe and secure.
BAGHDAD, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi security forces arrested 10 Islamic State (IS) militants in operations across six provinces, the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (ICTS) announced Thursday.

During the operations in the provinces of Diyala, Salahuddin, Nineveh, Kirkuk, Anbar, and Sulaymaniyah, the forces also destroyed six IS hideouts in the desert area in Anbar province, the ICTS said in a statement.

The ICTS said it will continue to eliminate the remnants of terrorism in Iraq.

While Iraq declared victory over IS in 2017, remnants of the group continue to carry out attacks against security forces and civilians in urban areas, deserts, and remote regions. 
A total of 253 million Chinese people are covered by maternity insurance as of June, with cumulative fund expenditures reaching 438.3 billion yuan (around 61.2 billion U.S. dollars), according to the National Healthcare Security Administration on Thursday.
The evolutionary path from dinosaurs to birds included the development of a tiny wrist bone that ultimately proved crucial for stabilizing wings in flight. A new study suggests that the bone appeared in bird ancestors millions of years earlier than first thought.

Paleontologists at Yale and Stony Brook University led a research team that made the discovery after examining fossils from two species of bird-like dinosaurs -- an unnamed troodontid and a Citipati from the Late Cretaceous period 66 to 100 million years ago -- found in the Gobi Desert in Mongolia. The findings were published in the journal Nature.

"We were fortunate to have two immaculately preserved theropod wrists for this," said Alex Ruebenstahl, a student in Yale's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and member of the lab of Yale paleontologist Bhart-Anjan Bhullar. Both Ruebenstahl and Bhullar, as well as Norell, are co-authors of the new study.

"Wrist bones are small and even when they are preserved, they are not in the positions they would occupy in life, having shifted during decay and preservation," Ruebenstahl said. "Seeing this little bone in the right position cracked it wide open and helped us interpret the wrists of fossils we had on hand and other fossils described in the past."

The evolution of theropod dinosaurs into birds included significant anatomical modifications, such as the enlargement of the brain, changes in the pelvis and its surrounding musculature -- and a transformation of the dinosaur forelimbs.

One of the key changes in the forelimb transformation was the replacement of a particular dinosaur wrist bone -- the ulnare -- with a bone called the pisiform in birds. In the fossil record, pisiform bones appeared in very early theropods, then disappeared, only to return in birds.

"The pisiform, in living birds, is an unusual wrist bone in that it initially forms within a muscle tendon, as do bones like your kneecap -- but it comes to occupy the position of a 'normal' wrist bone called the ulnare," said Bhullar, associate professor of Earth and planetary sciences in Yale's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. "Because it is so intimately associated with arm musculature, its incorporation into the wrist ties the muscular flight machinery to wrist motion. This integration is particularly important for stabilizing the wing during flight."

"This discovery pulls back the origin of the integrated pisiform on the bird evolutionary lineage by tens of millions of years," he added.

Ruebenstahl had been studying the forelimb of the unnamed troodontid specimen -- which was discovered in the Gobi Desert by a team led by Yale alumnus Mark Norell, a paleontologist at the American Museum of Natural History -- simply to gain a better understanding of the overall specimen. He was conducting three-dimensional visualizations of bones, based on scans performed by Bhullar, with a technique called computed tomography. When he got to the specimen's wrists, however, he became confused.

"There was this bone that wasn't supposed to be there and was not present in the literature for these groups," he recalled.

After contacting his friend James Napoli, a paleontologist at Stony Brook University, he learned that Napoli had already noticed a similar wrist bone articulation in a different Mongolian dinosaur, a Citipati (also discovered by a Norell-led team).

"It was evident we had an exciting discovery on our hands  or wrists," Ruebenstahl said.

Further analysis, including CT visualizations of the Citipati wrist, showed the unidentified bones were pisiform bones. The researchers then expanded their efforts to re-identify wrist bones in other dinosaurs -- bones originally thought to be ulnares -- as pisiforms.

"It shows that the integrated pisiform evolved prior to modern avian flight," Bhullar said. "It was diminutive in these near-bird dinosaurs, which is consistent with our emerging understanding of their flight capabilities as being somewhat limited, lacking the power and maneuverability that modern birds enjoy.

"In my lab's earlier paper in Science on inner ear evolution in the bird line, we drew similar conclusions," Bhullar added. "There we found that a primitive sort of flight might have appeared near the common ancestor of troodontids and birds specifically."

Bhullar's lab also studied the development of some of the flight muscles associated with the pisiform in a 2022 Nature Ecology & Evolution paper.

Napoli, of Stony Brook, is the new study's lead author. Co-authors of the study, along with Ruebenstahl and Bhullar, are former Bhullar Lab member Matteo Fabbri, who is now at Johns Hopkins University, Jimgmai O'Connor, of the Field Museum of Natural History, in Chicago, and Norell.

Additionally, the research continues a rich Yale research tradition of advancing human understanding of the evolution of birds from dinosaurs. In the 1960s, Yale paleontologist John Ostrom identified another wrist bone -- the semilunate carpal -- found in both meat-eating dinosaurs and modern birds. In the 1980s, Yale paleontologist Jacques Gauthier was first to definitively show that this wrist bone was a feature linking dinosaurs to birds.
VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) opened on Thursday in Zimbabwe's resort city of Victoria Falls, with a call for international cooperation in the global wetland preservation.

Running under the theme of "Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future," the COP15 brought together its contracting parties to strengthen international commitments for wetland conservation and to highlight the vital role of wetlands in sustaining ecological health, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Musonda Mumba, secretary general of the Convention on Wetlands, said global efforts are crucial in safeguarding wetlands, as they play a vital role in the health of the ecosystem.

She noted that through global efforts, the convention offers a platform for collaboration and for science-based action. "Across the world and even here in Africa, the change has been seen. Countries are working very hard."

Mumba urged policymakers and responsible stakeholders to make decisions and adopt policies that prioritize wetland protection.

"Let us make this moment where political leadership meets practical action, when commitments become implementation, and where wetlands are finally recognized as the backbone of sustainability," she added.

Yan Zhen, deputy head of China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration, noted that in recent years, China has continuously improved its legal and institutional framework for wetland conservation, comprehensively protected wetland ecosystems, and actively engaged in international cooperation, continuously contributing to global wetland protection efforts.

The Chinese delegation said they will engage in open dialogue to share experiences and build consensus with all contracting parties to help produce meaningful and impactful outcomes from the conference. 
Taxi driver Francesco uses a Chinese-made portable mini electric fan on his dashboard in Rome, Italy, on July 24, 2025. Chinese brands like Midea, Hisense and Skyworth told Xinhua that sales of cooling white goods rose across Europe this summer, as consumers increasingly embrace their portability, advanced features, and reliable service. (Xinhua/Li Jing)

by Xinhua Writer Zhang Xinwen

ROME, July 24 (Xinhua) -- In a selfie photo shared by Franz Starke, an engineer from Germany's Stuttgart, he gave a thumbs-up and big smile beside a sleek portable split air conditioner (AC) designed and manufactured by a Chinese brand.

Thanks to this device, Starke can enjoy chill time with his two young kids in the bedroom during Europe's early June heatwaves.

"I was surprised there's no other product like it here," he told Xinhua, "I only found one similar product, but its price doubled and it's noisier."

Chinese brands like Midea, Hisense and Skyworth told Xinhua that sales of cooling white goods rose across Europe this summer, as consumers increasingly embrace their portability, advanced features, and reliable service.

MEETING PORTABILITY NEEDS

Like many German homes, Starke's residence didn't install air conditioning when built, as hotter summers were unexpected a decade ago.

The top-floor bedroom where his children sleep overheats in June, but when searching for a solution, the nearly 4,000 Euros cost for products and installation put him off. Because since he plans to move kids downstairs soon, spending thousands on AC installation wasn't worthwhile.

Instead, Starke chose Midea's portable split AC, PortaSplit. "This portable unit looked smart in the ads, so I gave it a try," he said. It met all his needs: no complicated installation; movable when needed; quiet and excellent cooling.

"We paid about 900 euros. Compared to a 4,000 euros fixed split AC, it's really worth it," Starke said.

According to the European Sales director from Midea residential AC, Alex Zhu, the brand's AC sales in Europe rose by 35 percent overall in the first half of 2025, and the PortaSplit sold out 60,000 units in Germany. Google searches for this product surged 20-fold this summer in Germany compared to previous years.

In Italy's Rome, taxi driver Francesco uses a Chinese-made portable mini electric fan on his dashboard.

"It can be folded and the mini size fits the car," he said, adding that the product can produce strong wind power to circulate air inside the car, boosting AC performance during hot and humid summers.

Demand for portable mini fans in Europe, mostly imported from China, has soared.

"This year so far, I sold at least 800,000 portable mini fans, a big increase from last year," said Mei Jiajun, CEO of Milan-based Mulin Import&Export Trade Company. "Our business has expanded to France, where a French client ordered several containers of these fans."

GROWING BRAND AWARENESS

Ivo Grande, a human resource researcher based in Italy's Milan, bought a Hisense portable AC in June to beat the heat without the hassle or cost of installation.

Hisense Italy CEO Gianluca Di Pietro said its AC sales in Italy rose approximately 7 percent so far in 2025, and in general, are becoming more regular across the year, which is significantly driven by extreme weather.

"It's not just about price," Di Pietro said. "Many cheaper products exist, but customers choose us for reliability and strong service."

In Rome, hot days start earlier and last longer. "After sweating through long hours in my studio last year, I decided to buy an AC this year," said Lesley Venditti, CEO of Lesley Luxury Vintage company.

She consulted a knowledgeable friend and local AC installers, who praised Haier for its functionality, competitive price, and after-sales service.

"I trust Chinese products, especially electronics," she said, adding that they are cutting-edge and reasonably priced nowadays.

"Chinese products were once linked to low-end, but that has completely changed," Di Pietro said. "Our brand awareness grows yearly, and we've built a strong reputation through high-quality, good service network, and diverse product portfolio."

ENERGY-SAVING, COOL DESIGN

For Starke, keeping his PortaSplit on Eco mode nearly all day isn't a concern: "It's rated at just 150 watts. It's like nothing."

As energy prices have soared across Europe in recent years, efficiency has become a key factor in consumers' decisions when purchasing summer home appliances.

"Electricity costs have nearly doubled in Italy," Venditti told Xinhua. She explained that Haier's A+++ energy efficiency rating -- the highest under European standards -- was a crucial reason behind her choice.

Chinese cooling appliances are gaining recognition not just for their performance, but also for their design.

With a design center established in Milan, Midea has been enhancing product aesthetics across categories to better align with European consumer preferences. In 2025, sales of its bladeless smart fans, air coolers and other popular models surpassed 450,000 units across Europe, marking a 171 percent year-on-year increase.

Even for portable mini fans, European importers are drawn not only to improved functionality but also to variety in shape and color, said Mei. "Our good-looking products provide emotional value for customers."

Starke also highlighted the stylish design of PortaSplit: "It looks like furniture instead of classical AC, and I really like this style." 

Lesley Venditti, CEO of Lesley Luxury Vintage company, works at her studio with a new air conditioner of Chinese brand Haier, in Rome, Italy, on July 24, 2025. Chinese brands like Midea, Hisense and Skyworth told Xinhua that sales of cooling white goods rose across Europe this summer, as consumers increasingly embrace their portability, advanced features, and reliable service. (Xinhua/Li Jing)
BEIRUT, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Lebanon faces catastrophic socioeconomic collapse without urgent coordinated recovery efforts, a UN multi-agency report warned Thursday.

The report, under the title of "The Socioeconomic Impacts of the 2024 War on Lebanon," showed that the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah displaced more than 1.2 million people "within days," destroyed nearly 64,000 buildings across the southern Lebanon, and slashed employment in the private sector by 25 percent.

Some 70 percent of businesses closed in severely affected areas, and education disruptions affected hundreds of thousands of students, whereas human development has regressed to 2010 levels, the report showed.

The report projected a potential 8.2-percent GDP growth in 2026 and a 7.1-percent one in 2027 given a reform-led recovery. Yet even then, GDP would remain 8.4 percent below its pre-crisis 2017 peak of 51.2 billion U.S. dollars.

The report outlined four priorities -- rebuilding state institutions, reviving employment, restoring basic services, and rehabilitating war-damaged environments.

It also urged swift, coordinated action from the government, UN agencies, international donors, civil society organizations, and the private sector, through a financing framework combining local funds, aid, and foreign investment to avert deeper poverty and social collapse. 
Doug Coombe Alex Plum.

Doug Coombe Jeremy Lapedis.

Washtenaw County Health Department Jimena Loveluck.

Doug Coombe Dr. Ray Rion.

Doug Coombe Betsy King-McDonald.
MUNICH, Germany, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Deepening cooperation between the German state of Bavaria and China is essential for promoting local economic development, particularly in green and sustainable sectors, amid growing global uncertainties, said Hubert Aiwanger, deputy minister-president of Bavaria.

Aiwanger made the remarks during a dialogue at the Bavarian-Chinese Summer Dialogue 2025, held in Munich on Wednesday. The event was organized by Chinaforum Bayern e.V., a networking platform that connects companies and individuals from Bavaria, China, and other regions. It brought together more than 200 attendees from politics, business, and civil society from both countries, underscoring the strong potential for bilateral collaboration.

He emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming space for open exchange, which he believes is essential for building long-term cooperation and trust.

"Innovation in China is progressing rapidly, and this provides us with an industrial and trading partner on equal footing -- someone we can exchange ideas with and grow alongside," Aiwanger said.

He also pointed out that even though trust between Bavaria and the United States is currently under strain, maintaining a cooperative and trust-based relationship with China remains crucial for Bavarian industries.

Qiu Xuejun, consul-general of China in Munich, echoed this view by reaffirming China's strong commitment to deepening cooperation with Germany, particularly with Bavaria. He emphasized the importance of promoting collaboration across a wide range of sectors.

Qiu expressed confidence that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of both nations, the China-Germany strategic partnership will yield more tangible results and deliver real benefits to people on both sides.

Currently, more than 500 Chinese companies are active in Bavaria, with many expanding operations in sales, Research and Development (R&D), and manufacturing. AVATR, a rising Chinese automotive brand, is one such example.

Kevin Tian, managing director of AVATR GmbH, said the company has established a global design center in Munich to take advantage of the city's innovative and inclusive environment, and is working with local partners to support long-term growth.

Stefan Geiger, managing director of Chinaforum Bayern, told Xinhua that the event successfully fostered meaningful dialogue among stakeholders from politics, business, and civil society.

He emphasized the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere where participants feel comfortable, as this helps foster conversations that may lead to long-term cooperation and mutual trust. 
Community-based solutions: Hearing from Komal Kaur

This article is part of our Voices of Youth series , which features stories written by youth with guidance from Second Wave staff mentors. This article is written by student journalist Simranjit Kaur.People from non-Asian communities may not always understand the cultural factors that impact domestic violence survivors from South Asian and other marginalized communities. Komal Kaur, a domestic violence advocate and social justice activist, works with survivors across the Midwest to address the unique barriers that minority survivors of domestic violence face.The South Asian diaspora refers to those who have South Asian ancestry, living outside South Asia. South Asian culture tends to be collectivist. Common themes of family honor, shame, and limited support can cause struggles for the diaspora throughout America . Topics related to reproductive health and gender-based violence often exist in a silo of shame, silence, and taboo , which can make it difficult for those who experience domestic violence in their relationships to seek help.Although the South Asian diaspora is diverse, the emphasis on family is common. In a 2024 article , published clinical psychologist and mental health advocate Jyothsna Bhat explains that collectivist communities involve traits like "pleasing parents and respecting their wishes." She writes that these community values "can be admirable and honorable in some cases, but in others can lead to devastating circumstances."Such cultural expectations in the diaspora are often fueled by gender, sexism, cultural ideologies, or religion, and survivors of abuse can find "themselves in a cycle of expectation and guilt," says Bhat.Non-South-Asian folks might question why people experiencing domestic violence can't just leave the abusive situation. Shame and family honor is a persistent cultural barrier throughout the South Asian community. Kaurs efforts reveal how domestic violence narratives may not always include people of marginalized identities, falling outside a Western orientation. Working and being Punjabi-Sikh, Kaur explains, "Culture and this idea of  the value of your family really deters a lot of people from seeking services because theyre just thinking of shame  theyre not thinking of justice."There is a need to recognize how all marginalized identities influence abusive experiences. Inclusivity helps bridge the gap between all survivors and advocates. Without cultural inclusion, a predominantly white perspective may not always understand the abuse from a minority perspective. Domestic violence isnt always limited to physical behaviors. Emotionally and psychologically abusive behaviors must be treated with the same caution and care as physically abusive behaviors. This can become even more complex when combined with added stigmas around abuse like those that exist in South Asian culture.Joseph Huff is a third-year college student in Arizona. Given his Black and LGBTQ+ identity, he understands cultural prejudice in white spaces. Although Huff isnt from the South Asian diaspora, as a minority, he demonstrates how cultural narratives may influence larger understanding of domestic violence.Huffs abusive relationship wasn't limited to physical harm. It also involved emotional abuse, which Huff says he didnt realize until after the relationship ended. In 2024, during the relationship's early stages, his former partner pushed him into a pools shallow end, leaving him with scraped hands and knees. He still has scars a year later. "Every time I look at them, it's like a reminder," he says.Exiting the pool, Huff recalls feeling shocked and uncertain. Rather than asking if Huff was okay, his partner mocked him, telling him to ask for "Vagisil" as he sought first aid. Huffs ex would minimize his concerns, reducing their interactions to "rough play."Huff says he struggled with the idea of accepting that what he went through was psychological abuse. The abuse, Huff said, wasnt always apparent. "It was abusive behind closed doors," he says.When it came to seeking support, Huffs marginalized identities added a layer of complexity. "LGBTQ+ people are often ridiculed for their romantic and sexual choices," he says, adding that many even indicate that abuse is "deserved."Huffs story emphasizes the need for domestic violence advocacy that reflects the experiences of people from all cultures and identity backgrounds. His experience highlights the importance of the kind of culturally sensitive work that Kaur is doing to include various marginalized Midwestern communities.Kaur addresses domestic violence impacting such survivors. She reaffirms that survivors may undermine their abusive trauma." I see this very, very often with young women. It's that we're trying to put our trauma and the abuse faced on a scale, and when we start putting things on a scale,  this wasn't bad enough, but this was super bad. Don't diminish what you have gone through," she says.Although Kaur notes such common behavior from young women, survivors  like Huff  may share similar struggles.Kaur's professional journey began as a licensed special education teacher but she now focuses on working with Indianas underrepresented groups, including Sikh-Punjabi communities. She is a community organizer, with a master's degree in social work from Indiana University in Indianapolis. As a Punjabi Sikh herself, she understands the nuances of South Asian culture. Kaur is CEO of Zara Consulting Group, and the president of an organization called Umeed-Hope (the word "Umeed" is a Punjabi word for hope). Last year she also served as volunteer professor of philosophy and religion at Franklin College. Its no surprise she comes from a family of what she lovingly describes as "social justice warriors."Kaur describes how a shooting at an Indianapolis Fedex facility in April 2021 impacted her on many levels."After the shooting, I came back to provide mental health support because we had a lot of uncles, aunties, that had hardcore PTSD. The facility was 80-90% Punjabi Sikh" and elderly workers, she says.Kaur notes advocacy is "conversation-based work, especially with more vulnerable populations," where recognizing abuse cycles is important. Conversational support circles are one way to bridge the divide between the cultures."Way too often we start with the assumption that people understand what abuse is, because in the Western sphere it is spoken about more. But with our [South Asian] community, they have to recognize patterns of normalized abuse before even getting there," Kaur says.By understanding this cultural nuance, South Asian survivors can share their stories without abuse stereotypes or cultural barriers overpowering the narratives.Kaur notes, "because were mainly out of the Midwest you either get pockets of brown [South Asian] people or youre just in a sea of white people, so its very interesting maneuvering these spaces."Kaurs work also expands beyond the South Asian diaspora to foster inclusiveness to marginalized communities as a whole.Umeed-Hope is a Sikh-led mutual aid organization rooted in solidarity with all marginalized communities. Umeed-Hopes website describes its mission as working collectively to dismantle injustice, cultivate equity, and provide collective care. Kaur also leads the organization's mental health wing, facilitates support groups, plans accessibility initiatives, and works with abuse survivors.Umeed-Hope also partners with local organizations and volunteers to organize a "Mutual Aid Resource Sharing" initiative connecting individuals with "essential resources, such as food, shelter, mental health support, and legal assistance."Umeed-Hopes work focuses on providing domestic violence crisis support and accessibility. The websites "Resources" tab illustrates an infographic that outlines various kinds of abuse behaviors to help people recognize them. Umeed-Hopes Peer Mental Health Team also curates other resources available through the organization, like direct contact information for the National Sexual Assault Hotline, medical support, and legal intervention tips. They also provide training workshops where experts and community leaders are invited to "empower community members to understand and combat systemic oppression, including topics like gender-based violence," according to the organization's website Kaur says that people, especially men, who are raised in patriarchal cultures "don't understand the culture that they're upholding is actually taking the autonomy away from women that they're supposed to be respecting and caring about. ... We end up becoming enablers without recognizing that we are becoming enablers."Kaur's advice to survivors is "Dont ever minimize abuse that you have gone through," or say "it wasnt that bad" when boundaries are violated in any situation."If were not focusing on prevention, education, and addressing all the things [leading] to domestic violence occurring, then were not actually focused on the root cause of domestic violence in the first place," she says.Perhaps we all need a little umeed  a little hope that the organization fosters with its advocacy.
Will Paul

In Grand Marais, a big idea is taking root  literally.Will Paul, a 16-year-old high school student with a passion for conservation, has spearheaded a deer habitat improvement project that has united his school, community and local organizations in a shared mission to protect and enhance the natural environment.The project, part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative, is a first for Burt Township School.Its also unprecedented in that the grant proposal was written by a student. Pauls vision, determination and leadership have inspired a collective effort that has planted the seeds  both figuratively and literally  for a healthier forest and a stronger community.Pauls journey began with a love for both the land and hunting, instilled by his family.Ive always known that I like being out in the woods, Paul said. Thats just what Ive always enjoyed doing. I snowmobile, hunt, fish, trap  thats pretty much all I do.Recognizing the need for sustainable habitat management, Paul took it upon himself to write a grant proposal for the Deer Habitat Improvement Partnership Initiative.The initiative is part of Michigans broader Deer Range Improvement Program, or DRIP, which allocates $1.50 from every deer hunting license sold into a dedicated fund for habitat work statewide.While DRIP supports a range of habitat projects across Michigan, only about $100,000 annually is directed to the DHIPI grant program  a small portion of the millions collected each year.Its a misconception that were spending large amounts of money on private lands behind locked gates, said Bill Scullon, field operations manager with the DNRs Wildlife Division. Thats not the case.Over the past 17 years, DHIPI has awarded $1.2 million in competitive grants to improve deer habitats on both public and private lands. Each grant requires a 25 percent local match, typically met through in-kind labor or administrative support.Scullon noted that many DRIP-supported projects also provide public benefit beyond habitat improvements. In some counties, organizations like U.P. Whitetails and Wheelin Sportsmen have used DRIP funding to host hunts for youth and disabled veterans.Some landowners enrolled in these programs sponsor mentored hunts through hunter education, he said. And Wheelin Sportsmen brings out mobility impaired individuals with adaptive equipment  folks who wouldnt otherwise have access to these kinds of outdoor experiences.What started as a curiosity for Paul quickly turned into something much larger. After spotting the DHIPI program on the state website, he dove into the application process  drafting a proposal that was detailed and bigger than most submissions the district typically sees. His project was ultimately awarded a $10,673 grant.Pauls proposal was ambitious and comprehensive.Alex Kolton, executive director of the Alger Conservation District, added that it was impressive for his age. However, the proposal required some adjustments to align with the programs scope and feasibility.We had to reapproach him and say, Hey, maybe this would be best served as a two-year proposal, Kolton said.Once the grant was approved, the project became a collaborative effort involving students, teachers, parents, local organizations and state agencies.The Alger Conservation District stepped in to provide administrative support and guidance, ensuring the projects success while teaching Paul the intricacies of grant management, financial reporting and project implementation.Theyre all really nice, extremely helpful, Paul said of Kolton and Scullon. Any questions I had throughout the process, any paperwork I needed help with  Alex and Bill helped me tremendously.Paul believes their backing was key to the project moving forward.I think they accepted it because they came and talked to me, and then I said I partnered with Alex, he said. I had someone to help me with the paperwork and the money part of it. And after I joined up with the conservation district, I think thats probably why they accepted it.The projects scope included planting 425 trees and shrubs across 600 acres of school-owned forest. This included 50 fruiting trees  primarily apple and plum trees  and 350 mixed species of shrubs and trees, both coniferous and deciduous.The goal was to create a diverse habitat that would provide food and shelter for deer and other wildlife throughout the year.The project also provided a unique educational opportunity for Burt Township Schools 37 students. Classes took turns participating in the planting process, guided by conservation professionals like Kolton and Eryn Grupido, an ecologist with the Alger Conservation District.We broke the students into manageable groups based on age and had about 15 kids out several times to help with the planting, Kolton said. Eryn ensured they understood the why behind our actions  why we were planting certain species and how it would benefit the ecosystem.The students werent the only ones getting their hands dirty. Parents, teachers, and community members joined in, along with the Grand Marais Sportsmans Club and the DNR. Local businesses, like Superior Hardware, also stepped up, providing discounted supplies to help the project stay within budget.Pauls own family pitched in  his mother, Jennifer, is a teacher at Burt Township School and helped with the grant application. His father, Nick, works for the Alger County Road Commission and the Sheriffs Department, and was out planting trees with the students.It was a really impressive collaboration, Kolton said. The whole community rallied behind Will and this project.Gordon Tester, superintendent of Burt Township School, echoed this sentiment I am very proud of Will and his involvement in all aspects of this project, from applying, to planning, to implementing. The students have done a wonderful job of jumping in, getting their hands dirty and helping plant the trees and shrubs.In my opinion, hands-on learning is the best way to learn. Way more than anything else, Paul said. Wed go out there and plant 30 or 40 trees, then fence all of them off in a day.The habitat is not intended as a food plot for hunters, Paul clarified. This is strictly for creating habitat to help the deer.Sara Kelso, district forester for Alger and Marquette counties, noted the importance of such efforts.Incorporating species diversity in the forest, particularly with tree and shrub species that contribute to both food and shelter for wildlife, is necessary to ensure long-term wildlife populations, she said. Diversity is key to maintaining future forests and wildlife habitat, and this project certainly prioritizes that.Paul says its the long-term impact that motivates him.Years down the road, well be able to look back and say, We helped with this project, he said. Hopefully itll help with deer numbers, and people will be able to come up here and hunt for years and years.The benefits of the project extend far beyond the immediate planting. The new habitat will support deer populations during critical times of the year, such as winter, while also promoting forest succession and biodiversity.Alger County has a handful of deer wintering complexes, and these areas are so important to continue to improve so they can keep supporting our local deer population in the wintertime, Kelso explained. While deer can certainly inhibit forest growth and regeneration, proper management  such as supplementary planting with protection  can ensure that trees are able to grow up enough to support a deer population under them.This is not typical for us to work with someone so young, Scullon said. But recognizing Wills potential and the strong community support behind him, we saw this as a great opportunity to guide him and create a positive learning experience  not just for him, but for everyone involved.As the project moves forward, the project also serves as a model for community-driven conservation efforts. Its already inspiring conversations about replicating the model in other schools and communities. Kolton encourages anyone interested in launching a similar initiative to reach out to their local conservation district.Theres no reason why either a private resident or a school couldnt partner and create this type of outcome, he said. The more people we can get involved in habitat restoration, the better.The forests that are so iconic in the U.P. are not there by accident, Kelso said. Foresters and wildlife biologists work very hard to ensure that we have healthy forests now and into the future. Projects like these highlight the good work thats always going on behind the scenes and get some new faces involved.For Paul, the experience has reinforced what he already knew about his future.Ive always wanted to be a conservation officer, he said. I want to work for the Michigan DNR.When asked what hed say to other students considering a similar project, Paul didnt hesitate.It feels great to help the deer  it feels like the sportsmans thing to do, he said.Jennifer Champagne is an accomplished entertainment + visual effects writer with a passion for storytelling. When shes not crafting articles on industry giants, youll find her enjoying life with her family and their three crazy golden retriever floofs at home in middle earth.
Investors' focus at the end of the week will shift back to the UK a little.

At 0600 BST, the Office for National Statistics will release retail sales data covering the month of June.

It will be followed at 0800 BST by the results of the Ifo Institute's closely followed business confidence survey for the month of July.

In parallel, the European Central Bank will release M3 money supply growth numbers for June.

Stateside the sole economic indicator due out is a reading on US durable goods orders for June.

As ever, traders will be keeping an eye out for any market-moving news-flow around possible trade deals between Washington and the European Union or India.

Friday 25 July

INTERIMS

Rightmove, Jupiter Fund Management

Q1

Airtel Africa

TRADING ANNOUNCEMENTS

Taylor Maritime Limited NPV

AGMs

Atome, Steppe Cement Ltd, Power Metal Resources, Bezant Resources, Cordiant Digital Infrastructure Limited NPV

FINAL DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

RS Group, Vertu Motors, Skillcast Group, Ecora Resources, Premier Foods, Record, Anpario, Bisichi, 3i Group, S&U, Serica Energy, Airtel Africa, Land Securities Group, Value and Indexed Property Income Trust, Bytes Technology Group, British Land Company, Baillie Gifford China Growth Trust, Big Yellow Group, B.P. Marsh & Partners

INTERIM DIVIDEND PAYMENT DATE

Gooch & Housego, Henderson High Income Trust, Barings Emerging Emea Opportunities, Invesco Asia Dragon Trust, Hollywood Bowl Group, Franklin Global Trust, Hargreave Hale AIM VCT, Residential Secure Income, British Smaller Companies VCT, Paragon Banking Group, Warehouse Reit, AVI Global Trust, The Character Group

QUARTERLY PAYMENT DATE

Patria Private Equity Trust, Real Estate Credit Investments Ltd

UK ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

GFK Consumer Confidence (00:01)

Retail Sales (07:00)

INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

M3 Money Supply (EU) (09:00)

IFO Business Climate (GER) (09:00)

IFO Current Assessment (GER) (09:00)

IFO Expectations (GER) (09:00)

Durable Goods Orders (US) (13:30)
Shares in Deutsche Bank surged in Frankfurt on Thursday after the German bank beat forecasts with its second-quarter results, driven by a strong performance in investment banking and lower costs.

Second-quarter pre-tax profits were up 34% over last year at 2.4bn, when excluding the impact of long-standing litigation costs related to the 2008 takeover of Postbank.

Including these costs, net profit was 1.7bn, comfortably ahead of the 1.45bn consensus estimate.

The result meant that first-half pre-tax profit rose to 5.3bn, more than double the 2.4bn reported in the first six months of 2024, mainly reflecting the non-recurrence of Postbank takeover litigation provisions in the prior-year period.

Net revenues were up 3% in the second quarter at 7.8bn and 6% higher for the half at 16.3bn, which Deutsche Bank said puts it on track to meet full-year top-line guidance of 32bn.

All four divisions (corporate banking, investment banking, private banking and asset management) recorded double-digit profit growth. In investment banking in particular, revenues were up 3% at 2.7bn in the second quarter, helped by an 11% jump in fixed-income and currencies revenues to 2.3bn.

Despite a more challenging environment in the quarter, Deutsche Bank again delivered a post-tax RoTE of above 10%, demonstrating the strengths of our underlying business model," said chief executive Christian Sewing.

We are very happy to have delivered our highest second-quarter and first-half year profits since 2007. This puts us on track to meet our 2025 targets, and we are positioning our Global Hausbank to grow further, including further raising capital distributions to shareholders beyond 2025.

The stock was up nearly 8% at 28.51 by 1154 CEST.
Private sector activity growth across the eurozone rose to an 11-month high in July as new orders stabilised, though the overall reading masked a mixed outcome for the region's two largest economies.

The flash reading of the July composite purchasing managers' index (PMI) edged higher to 51.0 this month, up from 50.6 in June and marginally ahead of the consensus forecast of 50.8.

This was the highest rate of growth  signalled by any reading above the neutral 50-point mark  since August.

The eurozone services PMI increased to a six-month high of 51.2 from 50.5, offsetting a continued fall (albeit at a reduced rate) in the manufacturing sector. While still below 50, the manufacturing PMI rose to 49.8 from 49.5, hitting a 36-month high.

July data indicated a stabilisation of new orders, ending a 13-month string of contractions. New business in the services sector rose for the first time in six months, though manufacturing saw a renewed fall.

Employment across the region also increased "modestly", though business confidence dipped slightly.

The German composite PMI, while still showing growth, fell to 50.3 from 50.4, missing the 50.7 consensus estimate, as a return to growth in the services sector was offset by an ongoing downturn in manufacturing.

Meanwhile, the French composite PMI rose to 49.6 from 49.2, ahead of the 49.3 forecast but below the 50-point mark for the 11th straight month, with both the services and manufacturing PMIs still showing contractions.

The eurozone economy appears to be gradually regaining momentum. The recession in the manufacturing sector is coming to an end, and growth in the services sector accelerated slightly in July," said Cyrus de la Rubia, chief economist at Hamburg Commercial Bank.

"However, for the manufacturing sector in the eurozone to return to solid growth in the long term, French industry must also regain its footing. The current political uncertainty in Paris is certainly an obstacle to this."
Energy and services firm Centrica said on Thursday that it had swung to a statutory operating loss in the six months ended 30 June.

Centrica reported a statutory operating loss of 69.0m in H125, down from H124's 1.67bn operating profit and including a net loss on re-measurements of derivative energy contracts and impairments of assets of 618.0m, while adjusted underlying earnings fell from 1.43bn to 900.0m amid "a challenging backdrop". Statutory losses per share came to 5.1p, down from FY24's statutory earnings per share of 25.1p.

The FTSE 100-listed group said net operating cash flow sank from 798.0m to 294.0m, while net cash from investing activities fell from 183.0m to 13.0m, free cash flow dropped from 816.0m to 244.0m, and net cash contracted from 3.21bn to 2.49bn. Capital expenditure, on the other hand, rose from 221.0m to 244.0m.

However, Centrica increased its interim dividend by 22% to 1.83p, in line with the company's intention to raise its FY dividend to 5.5p per share.

Customer numbers increased by 81,000 in British Gas Energy residential, including net organic growth of 12,000, by 17,000 in Bord Gais Energy and by 7,000 in small business customer sites.

Chief executive Chris O'Shea said: "I'm pleased with the progress we've made in some areas during the first half despite a challenging backdrop."

As of 0820 BST, Centrica shares were down 0.79% at 157.50p.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com
Airtel Africa reported a sharp rise in both revenue and profit for the quarter ended 30 June on Thursday, underpinned by continued demand for data and mobile money services, as well as easing currency headwinds across its markets.

Group revenue rose 24.9% in constant currency and 22.4% in reported terms to $1.42bn, with data and mobile money the standout drivers.

Data revenue surged by 38.1% in constant currency, while mobile money revenue rose 30.3%, reflecting deeper smartphone penetration, growing financial inclusion, and ongoing investments in network infrastructure.

Mobile service revenue climbed by 23.8% in constant currency, while voice revenue increased by 13.9%.

EBITDA grew 29.8% to $679m, lifting the EBITDA margin to 48% from 45.3% a year earlier, helped by stable fuel prices and a cost efficiency programme.

Profit after tax rose sharply to $156m from $31m, supported by a $22m gain linked to the appreciation of the Central African franc.

The strength of this performance, and the scale of the growth we achieved, reflects the sustained demand for our services and the strength of our business model to meet these demands, said chief executive officer Sunil Taldar.

Operationally, the acceleration in customer base growth to 9%, and 17.4% growth in our data customers to 75.6m reflects the strong on-ground execution with a relentless focus on digitisation and the simplification of the customer experience.

He highlighted the potential for further growth in mobile money, with the customer base now approaching 46 million, up 16.1% year-on-year.

Annualised transaction value rose 35% to $162bn , while mobile money ARPU increased 11.3% in constant currency.

The groups total customer base rose 9% to 169.4 million, with smartphone penetration increasing by 4.3 percentage points to 45.9%.

Data usage across its network increased 47.4% over the year.

Airtel continued to invest in its network, rolling out over 2,300 new sites during the quarter and extending its fibre network by 2,700 kilometres.

Its 4G population coverage reached 74.7%, up from 71.3% a year earlier.

Capital expenditure for the quarter was $121m, down on the prior period due to timing differences.

The company reaffirmed its full-year capex guidance of between $725m and $750m.

Leverage increased to 2.2x from 1.6x, driven by a $1.3bn rise in lease liabilities linked to tower contract renewals.

However, lease-adjusted leverage remained steady at 0.9x.

The company said it continued its share buyback programme, returning $16.9m to shareholders through the repurchase of 7.1 million shares as of 30 June.

With smartphone penetration at only 45.9%, we see significant headroom to drive further adoption and play a key role in bridging the digital divide, Taldar added.

With a strong balance sheet and sustained network investment, I remain confident about our ability to capture the available growth potential across our markets.

At 0934 BST, shares in Airtel Africa were up 7.05% at 196p.

Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
CAIRO, July 24 (Xinhua) -- About 166 aid trucks have entered the Gaza Strip overnight, Egypt's Al-Qahera News TV channel quoted an anonymous security source as saying on Thursday.

The source affirmed the entry of the humanitarian relief trucks into the besieged enclave starting from Wednesday night till the early morning of Thursday via the Zikim and the Kerem Shalom/Karem Abu Salem border crossings.

The aid included flour, food, and medical supplies, the source said, adding that "Egypt has been intensifying its efforts with all international parties to bring more aid into the Gaza Strip during the current period."

The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate as Israel halted the entry of goods and supplies into the strip following the expiration of the first phase of a January ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned on Wednesday that the hunger crisis in Gaza has never been so dire. Aid organizations reported that as mass starvation spreads across the strip, aid workers and those they serve are wasting away.

A new round of indirect talks between Hamas and Israel resumed earlier this month in Qatar's Doha amid international efforts to end the conflict and restore humanitarian aid delivery.

The Israeli military campaign in Gaza, ongoing since October 2023, has resulted in more than 59,210 Palestinian deaths and over 143,040 injuries, according to Gaza-based health authorities. 
Telecommunications giant Vodafone reiterated its FY26 guidance on Thursday as it said both revenue and underlying earnings had grown in Q1.

Vodafone said group total revenue increased by 3.9% to 9.4bn in Q1, driven by strong service revenue growth, up 5.3% at 7.9bn.

German services revenues were down 3.2%, while UK service revenues grew 0.9%, African services revenues were 13.8% higher, Turkish services revenues shot up 29.6% and services revenues in Vodafone's Other Europe segment were broadly flat year-on-year, as good business growth across its footprint was offset by a decline in consumer revenues in Portugal and Romania.

Vodafone said adjusted underlying earnings increased by 4.9% on an organic basis to 2.7bn, as service revenue growth in most markets was partially offset by the impact of TV law changes in Germany and continued commercial investments. Adjusted underlying earnings margins of 29.3% were 0.2 percentage points higher year-on-year on an organic basis.

Operating profits decreased by 34.3% to 1.0bn, primarily due to higher "other income" in Q125 arising from the sale of Vodafone's stake in Indus Towers.

Looking ahead, Vodafone noted that following the completion of its UK merger with Three, its guidance now includes the impact of the transaction, with group adjusted underlying earnings of 11.3bn-11.6bn and group adjusted free cash flow of 2.4bn-2.6bn.

As of 0840 BST, Vodafone shares were down 0.61% at 82.65p.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com
British car and van manufacturing slumped in the first half of the year to its lowest since 1953 outside the Covid pandemic, as Donald Trumps US tariffs caused global industry chaos. UK vehicle manufacturing declined by 12% to 417,200 units in the first six months of the year, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a lobby group, show.  Guardian

Google exceeded Wall Street expectations for the quarter ending in June after closing out a few months of AI-related momentum. On Wednesday, the company reported $2.31 in earnings per share (EPS) on $96.4bn in revenue, surpassing analysts projections of $2.18 EPS on $94bn in sales. Googles chief executive, Sundar Pichai, pointed to robust growth in key spaces across the company including AI, search, YouTube and Google Cloud.  Guardian

The British Army has been trialling German-made kamikaze drones designed to detect and knock out Russian crafts before they can target troops. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been working with Alpine Eagle, a German start-up founded in 2023 that has developed an airborne sentry drone capable of intercepting hostile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).  Telegraph

River Island faces collapse within weeks unless landlords and creditors approve a radical rescue plan, The Telegraph can reveal. The retailer has put forward a proposal to hand the keys back on 33 stores, slash the rents on a further 71 shops and write off a series of debts to stave off a severe liquidity crisis. The plan will be put before the High Court next week.  Telegraph

Tesla chief executive Elon Musk warned of rough quarters ahead as the electric carmaker reported the steepest fall in quarterly revenue in more than a decade and missed Wall Streets expectations amid faltering demand. Shares in the company dropped 4 per cent in after-hours trading after he said the company was in a weird transition period as it coped with the end of US tax incentives on electric cars, shifting tariffs, and regulatory uncertainty around self-driving cars.  The Times

There is a growing consensus that house prices will barely rise this year, with the public increasingly wary of the uncertainty brought on by President Trumps tariff war and the possibility of looming tax rises. Savills, the estate agent, had expected UK house prices to go up by 4 per cent on average in 2025. However, owing to a weaker first half than it anticipated, it has cut its growth forecast to just 1 per cent.  The Times
BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Thai Army said on Thursday that a clash happened at the border areas with Cambodia after the Cambodian side first opened fire.

A Cambodian defense spokesperson said that Cambodian soldiers on Thursday clashed with Thai soldiers at a disputed border area. 
110cc BS6 bikes are known for their fuel efficiency, ease of handling, and low running costs. All these features make them ideal for daily commuting. Brands like Honda, Bajaj, and TVS offer a range of reliable models in the 110cc segment. The two-wheelers deliver strong mileage, practical features, and budget-friendly pricing. Pairing them with comprehensive bike insurance adds an extra layer of protection for both urban and semi-urban riders.

Introduction



Not everyone needs a high-powered bike with sporty performance. For many, the real priority is a two-wheeler that is simple to ride, affordable to maintain, and reliable day in and day out. This is where 110cc BS6 bikes quietly make their case. They are efficient and easy to handle. With BS6 upgrades, they now run smoother and cleaner than before. These bikes might just be the most practical choice you havent fully considered during a time when fuel prices are rising and traffic is not getting any better. Pair one with the right bike insurance, and you are all set for a worry-free ride.



110cc BS6 Bikes You Can Afford in 2025



The 110cc BS6 segment bikes come from trusted brands that have been around for years. Let us take a look at some of the most reliable and cost-effective options 

Honda: Quiet, Efficient, and Built to Last Bikes

Honda bikes are known for their refined engines and hassle-free ownership. In the 110cc BS6 segment, they offer smooth performance, good mileage, and solid build quality. The top picks include 

1. Honda Livo: It is a commuter bike that blends everyday practicality with a modern design. It comes with a 109.51cc BS6 engine that produces 8.67 hp and 9.30 Nm of torque. The bike features Hondas Enhanced Smart Power (eSP) technology, a silent start system, and a 4-speed gearbox for a smooth ride. The model has sharp looks and tubeless tyres that appeal to younger commuters who want more style without giving up on mileage. It delivers around 70 km/l and is priced around 86,405.

2. Honda CD 110 Dream: It is a commuter bike designed for everyday reliability and fuel efficiency. It is powered by a 109.51cc BS6 engine that delivers 8.67 hp and 9.30 Nm of torque. The bike features Hondas Enhanced Smart Power (eSP) technology and a silent-start ACG motor for smoother starts and better efficiency. With a claimed mileage of around 6570 km/l and a starting price of approximately 73,421, the CD 110 Dream is a great choice for riders seeking a simple, budget-friendly option without compromising on Hondas trusted performance.

Bajaj Auto: Bikes That are Built Tough and Smart

Bajajs commuter lineup is well-known for being rugged, low-maintenance, and excellent value for money. Their 110cc offerings dont disappoint. So, let us take a closer look at the models 

1. Bajaj Platina 110 H-Gear: This is one of the only bikes in this class that offers a 5-speed gearbox. The extra gear makes a difference if your daily ride includes a bit of open road. You get a 115cc engine that puts out around 8.48 hp and 9.81 Nm of torque. The ride is smooth, with a mileage of around 69.5 km/l. You will also get useful features like a front disc brake, long-travel suspension, and CBS for added safety. The bike is priced at around  86,221 and offers a solid blend of comfort and efficiency for longer commutes.



2. Bajaj CT110: This is a no-frills bike that takes you everywhere without hassle. It features a 115cc engine and offers around 7.79 hp and 8.34 Nm torque. This model is basic in design, which makes it easier and cheaper to maintain. Its price starts at around 86,320.

TVS Motor: Balanced and Comfortable Bikes

TVS has built a reputation for offering commuter bikes that are smooth, good-looking, and packed with practical features. Their 110cc range is no different. Let us take a look at the models 

1. TVS Radeon: This bike stands out for its build quality and riding comfort. It is powered by a 109.7cc engine that produces 8.08 hp and 8.7 Nm of torque. The model also returns a solid 62 km/l and comes with CBS, a well-cushioned seat, and suspension that handles bumpy roads like a champ. The bike has a price tag of around  73,412 and is an excellent option for those who want a bit more substance in their daily ride.

2. TVS Sport: This is a bike to consider if your primary concern is fuel efficiency. It shares its 109.7 cc engine with the Radeon but is tuned for even better mileage of around 80 km/l in regular traffic. The price of the model starts from about  74,222, which makes it one of the most affordable options in this space. It is simple, efficient and easy to ride  thats exactly what a commuter should be.

3. TVS Star City Plus: This bike takes everything the Sport offers and adds some comfort-focused upgrades. It comes with a 109.7 cc engine, a more padded seat, a semi-digital display, and slightly smoother engine performance. It costs a bit more around 88,969. However, it is a noticeable step up in comfort. This extra expense is well worth it if you use your bike every day for long rides.

Conclusion



110cc BS6 bikes require minimal upkeep. This is exactly why they remain such a popular choice, especially for daily commutes and city use. However, even with their low running costs, you need to think beyond just fuel and servicing. A good bike insurance policy adds an extra layer of protection you will be glad to have when things dont go as planned, whether it is an accident, a scratch in a tight parking spot, or something more serious. Purchasing a comprehensive bike insurance plan provides you with broader coverage. It not only covers third-party liabilities but also covers damages to your bike, theft, and even losses from floods or fires. For a vehicle you rely on every day, this kind of coverage is a smart choice.
 PM Modi begins two-day official visit to the UK to strengthen bilateral ties

 Talks with UK PM Keir Starmer to focus on trade, jobs, and economic growth

 India-UK FTA aims to boost bilateral trade to USD 120 billion by 2030

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in London on Wednesday, beginning a two-day official trip to the United Kingdom as part of his two-country tour. The trip is geared towards strengthening the India-UK bilateral relationship, with specific emphasis on clinching the much-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

During his visit, PM Modi will be meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss new economic cooperation and job creation opportunities between both countries.

Landed in London. This visit will go a long way in advancing the economic partnership between our nations. The focus will be on furthering prosperity, growth and boosting job creation for our people. A strong India-UK friendship is essential for global progress, PM Modi shared on X following his arrival in the UK capital.

Also Read- PM Modi Begins High-Stakes Tour of UK and Maldives

This is his fourth trip to the United Kingdom since assuming office, following earlier visits in 2015, 2018, and 2021 the last for the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.

In his farewell letter, PM Modi underscored India and the UK's relationship as having evolved into a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in 2021, and that has resulted in deeper collaboration in major areas like trade, investment, technology, defence, innovation, education, environment, health, and people-to-people links.

The current negotiations for an FTA between the two nations are anticipated to cut tariffs on trade between them substantially or even cut them out, increasing competitiveness of goods and services. After signing, the agreement could increase annual trade to USD 120 billion by 2030, which would be a giant step towards India-UK economic engagement.
Costcos fountain soda service switch is officially underway. The warehouse retailer began the changeover to Coca-Cola products earlier this month. Owen Reiter

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Costcos fountain soda service switch is officially underway. The warehouse retailer began the changeover to Coca-Cola products on July 1, and will officially push Pepsi out of its food court by the fall.

Costcos legendary hot dog combo just got an ice-cold Coca-Cola upgrade, the Coca-Cola Company said in a statement to USA TODAY. Costco insiders and Coca-Cola fans are buzzing about the transition, which will span warehouses in 14 countries, allowing Costco members everywhere to once again enjoy their favorite Coca-Cola beverages alongside Costcos beloved food court offerings.

The company, which has been serving Pepsi products in its food courts since 2013, with the soda brand playing a prominent role in the stores legendary $1.50 hot dog combo for years, announced the change in January.

This summer we will be converting our food court fountain business back over to Coca-Cola, Ron Vachris, CEO of the retail giant, noted during a recent company shareholder meeting.

The announcement came after a shareholder asked a question about the change, which had been previously rumored.
Surveillance footage of a fatal 2020 shooting inside Holland Deli on Richmond Terrace in Mariners Harbor was presented to the jury as part of the ongoing murder trial of Abdul Olasupo. Courtesy of NYPD

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  What started as a trip to the neighborhood deli on a summer night five years ago nearly cost a Mariners Harbor woman her life.

On Wednesday, the 55-year-old woman took the witness stand in state Supreme Court, St. George, in the ongoing murder trial of Abdul Olasupo.
This undated image provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York, shows five improvised explosive devices recovered from the rooftop of a residential apartment building, in the SoHo neighborhood of New York. (U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York via AP) AP

NEW YORK  A New York man accused of plotting to set off homemade explosives he had stashed at sites across Manhattan has been indicted, federal prosecutors said.

Michael Gann, 55, built at least seven improvised explosive devices last month with chemicals he bought online in May and took the bombs to Manhattan, according to an indictment handed up Tuesday by a grand jury.

Gann, of Long Island, stored some on the devices on the rooftops of adjoining residential buildings and threw another onto the subway tracks on the Williamsburg Bridge, prosecutors said.

This undated image from surveillance video, provided by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York, shows a man identified by prosecutors as Michael Gann carrying what an indictment says are improvised explosive devices on the rooftop of a residential apartment building, in the SoHo neighborhood of New York. AP

No one was injured by any of the devices. Gann was arrested in early June near the buildings, and authorities said he he had one of the devices in his possession.

Gann put countless lives at risk, Jay Clayton, the interim U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said in a statement.

Gann is charged with attempted destruction of property by means of explosives, transportation of explosive materials, and unlawful possession of destructive devices. He could face up to 40 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

A judge ordered Gann detained following a bail hearing. His lawyer, Martin Cohen, declined comment Wednesday.
In this 2024 photo, cellphones and smart devices locked in pouches sit next to student laptops at a middle school. Sean Meagher/The Oregonian

New York state has established a youth-driven council to provide perspectives on distraction-free schools as the state prepares for a ban on cellphones in classrooms starting with the 2025-2026 academic year.

Gov. Kathy Hochul and former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced Wednesday the launch of the New York School x #HalfTheStory Teen Tech Council, a statewide initiative placing teens at the forefront of educational innovation. The advisory group will empower students to lead conversations on digital wellness and support phone-free learning environments across New York state.

All school districts across New York state are required to submit a policy to implement Hochuls statewide bell-to-bell ban on cellphones and other devices to create a distraction-free environment in schools. The Distraction-Free Schools law requires public school districts to create a policy by Aug. 1 for the 2025-2026 school year.

Launching the Teen Tech Council will help make sure New Yorks Distraction-Free Schools is successfully implemented, said Hochul. Im fired up to be working with #HalfTheStory, the Clinton Foundation, and all of you with you to usher in a generational shift  bringing back meaningful interactions during such formative years and securing a healthier future.

The teen council is a partnership between the governors office, the Clinton Foundation, and #HalfTheStory, a non-profit committed to strengthening young peoples relationship with technology. The Clinton Foundation is a non-partisan organization that works to develop leaders and accelerate solutions to the worlds challenges.

Students and teachers can apply or nominate a teen for the advisory group at halfthestoryproject.com.

Cellphone policy in NYC public schools

New York City approved its new cellphone ban policy late Wednesday evening.

The city Department of Education policy will not permit personal internet-enabled devices, which include any device capable of connecting the internet, to be used on school grounds during the school day  other than specific circumstances. Students can use their device while traveling to and from school, but it must be turned off and put away during the school day.

Our kids are in school to learn, but, too often, cell phones are used in manners that are distracting, degrading, and dangerous to our young people, said Mayor Eric Adams. The state cell phone ban was the first step in putting our kids back on track to learn and thrive in safe, nurturing environments, and this new cell phone policy is the next step in ensuring students are given the best shot to succeed in school."

Policies will also include at least one method for parents to contact a student during the school day, such as a direct phone number. Schools will also be required to provide a secure way to store devices and annually provide staff and families with information about school-specific policies.

To comply with state law, Adams allocated $25 million to help implement the new devices policy at the 1,600 public schools across the five boroughs.

As an educator and a parent, I have seen firsthand how constant access to cell phones in the classroom distracts from learning, divides attention, and significantly impacts our students mental health, inside schools and at home. I am proud to be introducing a policy that takes input from unions and advocacy groups, families, community members, and our students into account, said Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. This policy is designed to be responsive to the diverse needs of schools, individual students, and families, and I am grateful to all of our partners for their hard work in moving this policy forward.

The policy includes specific exceptions for students who need devices for medical reasons, are responsible for the care of a family member, have a stipulation in their Individual Education Program, or if a device is authorized for a specific educational purpose.
Pete Davidson stars in "The Home," slated to hit theaters on Friday, July 25. (Courtesy/Roadside Attractions) (Courtesy of Roadside Attractions)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Pete Davidson is making headlines once again.

This time the Great Kills native  and soon to be dad  is starring in The Home, a new horror film slated to open in theaters on Friday, July 25.

The thriller from Lionsgate has heavy ties to Staten Island: The Home is directed by famed filmmaker, James DeMonaco, who hails from Princes Bay and is perhaps best known for creating The Purge franchise.

James DeMonaco, Pete Davidson and Bruce Altman at a special screening of "The Home." (Dave Allocca/Starpix)

And if thats not enough of a Staten Island connection, the films co-writer, Adam Cantor  also a South Shore resident and a good friend of DeMonaco  puts the seal on the boroughs big-time collaborative effort.

When queried about what drew Davidson to a film in the horror genre and this role, in particular, he explained that hes always loved horror.

And I think James is a genius, commented the Saturday Night Live alum. This role felt completely different from anything Ive done before, and I wanted to challenge myself.

Working on a project with such local connections and personal ties just made sense for Davidson.

Being from Staten Island, we just get each other, said Davidson. I met James by chance years ago when I was a busboy. He came into the restaurant I was working at. So, to be working with him now on something like this is a full-circle moment.

Lucky for Davidson, he was always on DeMonaco and Cantors radars.

We brought him the script first, DeMonaco revealed. And in Pete I saw a really good guy who wasnt goofy. And though he does comedy, hes a serious guy as well and I saw a little more drama. I felt something in my soul. And I knew Pete could do this.

In addition to Davidson, DeMonaco said there are veteran actors and Broadway performers in The Home, as well, like John Glover (Smallville) and Bruce Altman (L.I.E.)

Its amazing to see this young person (Davidson) working with these seasoned actors, DeMonaco continued.

In addition to Davidson, DeMonaco said there are veteran actors and Broadway performers in The Home, as well, like John Glover (Smallville) and Bruce Altman (L.I.E.). (Courtesy of Roadside Attractions)

Heres the scoop!

The Home horror thriller centers around a rebellious twenty something named Max (Davidson) who, after a brush with the law is sentenced to community service at a quiet retirement home  where the residents on the fourth floor are strictly off-limits and said to require special care.

As Maxs suspicions continue to grow and he digs deeper and deeper, he uncovers a chilling secret that puts both the residents lives and his own in grave danger as he uncovers a chilling secret that puts both the residents lives and his own in grave danger.

The Home horror thriller centers around a rebellious twenty something named Max, (Davidson) who, after a brush with the law is sentenced to community service at a quiet retirement home  where the residents on the fourth floor are strictly off-limits and said to require special care. (Courtesy of Roadside Attractions)

Then when haunting screams echo through the night and a resident Max has befriended dies under mysterious circumstances, hes warned to stay away from the fourth floor  where other residents live out of sight.

What Max uncovers inside Green Meadows will test the limits of his reality and force him to confront not only whats happening around him, but the darkness he carries within.

A gory scene from "The Home" starring Pete Davidson. (Courtesy/Roadside Attractions) Staten Island Advance

DeMonaco and his team deliberately chose to film in the tri-state area, specifically in northern New Jersey.

We shot in Denville and Morristown, in a recently abandoned building, said DeMonaco. The abandoned building is over a 100 years old. Its immense and originally an elder care facility which was part of the complex that was run by nuns. They lived in one section and the residents in another. Many people passed away there. And it was very creepy.

The first trailer for The Home released on YouTube last month.

DeMonaco and Cantor wrote the screenplay, and the film is produced by Bill Block (Halloween) and Sebastien K. Lemercier (The Purge).

The film will be featured at the Atrium Stadium Cinemas in Eltingville.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks to the media, Friday, June 27, 2025, in the briefing room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) AP

The federal prosecutor named Tuesday to replace interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba has been removed from the position just hours after she was named her successor, according to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Desiree Leigh Grace, who served as Habbas top deputy, was set to replace Habba after a panel of judges in the U.S. District Court for New Jersey declined to permanently appoint Habba, President Donald Trumps former lawyer, as the states top federal prosecutor, according to a court order.

(Habba) has been doing a great job in making NJ safe again, Bondi, the top law enforcement official in Trumps adminsitration, wrote on X. Nonetheless, politically minded judges refused to allow her to continue in her position, replacing Alina with the First Assistant.

Accordingly, the First Assistant United States Attorney in New Jersey has just been removed, Bondi continued. This Department of Justice does not tolerate rogue judges  especially when they threaten the Presidents core Article II powers."

Bondi did no say who would replace Grace.

Calls to the justice departments in Washington and New Jersey seeking clarification and comment were not immediately returned.

Despite Bondis announcement Tuesday evening, at least one legal expert says the move may have little bearing on who will lead the U.S. Attorneys Office in New Jersey in the coming days.

Todays announcement from the Attorney General doesnt change the fact that, by statute, Grace will be the U.S. Attorney once Habbas 120-day term expires, said Professor Jacob T. Elberg of Seton Hall University School of Law.

The district courts statutory authority to appoint the U.S. Attorney after an interim U.S. Attorneys limited term expires is not dependent on the courts appointee being a current Department of Justice employee, Elberg added.

So Bondis firing of the appointee from her current position as First Assistant has no effect on the courts appointment of Grace starting later this week when Habbas term expires, he said.

Grace has been with the U.S. Attorneys Office since 2016 and most recently led its criminal division.

Earlier this year, she was promoted to first assistant under Habba during her interim tenure.

Alina Habba speaks after being sworn in as interim US Attorney General for New Jersey, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, on March 28, 2025. (Pool File via AP) AP

In a standing order issued Tuesday, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey formally appointed Grace as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.

The appointment takes effect July 22, 2025, or after the expiration of 120 days following Habbas interim appointment  whichever comes later.

The order was signed by Chief Judge Renee Marie Bumb in Camden.

However, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche accused New Jerseys federal judges of pursuing a partisan agenda by moving to replace acting Habba before her term officially ends, calling the decision an attack on the rule of law.

The district court judges in NJ are trying to force out (Habba) before her term expires at 11:59 p.m. Friday, Blanche wrote in an X post Tuesday. Their rush reveals what this was always about: a left-wing agenda, not the rule of law. When judges act like activists, they undermine confidence in our justice system. Alina is President Trumps choice to leadand no partisan bench can override that.

Habba, who served just 120 days in the role after being appointed to the interim position in March, has faced strong opposition from New Jerseys Democratic U.S. senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim.

They have criticized her for what they call politically motivated prosecutions and a misuse of the office.

The pair also condemned Bondis actions Tuesday night.

Trumps Department of Justice is once again criticizing a court that acted within its authority, continuing a pattern of publicly undermining judicial decisions and showing disregard for the rule of law and the separation of powers, Booker and Kim said in a joint statement.

The firing of a career public servant, lawfully appointed by the court, is another blatant attempt to intimidate anyone that doesnt agree with them and undermine judicial independence.

In a joint statement earlier this month, the senators said Habba does not meet the standard to serve the people of New Jersey.

They pointed to her involvement in controversial arrests, a lawsuit filed by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, and her creation of an Election Integrity Task Force, which civil rights groups have criticized as a threat to democracy.

Senate Republicans ended the blue slip tradition for circuit court nomineesallowing Trumps pick Emil Bove to advance to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals despite Kims objections.

However, theyve kept the practice in place for U.S. attorneys and district court judges.

That distinction has proven critical: Bove moved forward despite lacking home-state support, but Habbas nomination had been stalled with no path forward in the Senate.

Under federal law, once an interim U.S. attorneys 120-day term expires, the judges in that district have the authority to appoint someone to the position indefinitely  until a nominee is confirmed by the Senate.
GENEVA, July 23 (Xinhua) -- China has called for opposition to unilateral tariff actions and the defense of the multilateral trading system at a two-day meeting of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) General Council, which concluded here on Wednesday.

In a statement presented at the meeting, the Chinese delegation noted that global trade turbulence is intensifying, marked by rising uncertainty and increased risks of fragmentation.

In recent months, new unilateral tariff measures have continued to emerge, and the volume of trade affected by restrictive measures has reached 2.7 trillion U.S. dollars, the highest level since statistics became available in 2009, the delegation said.

Against this backdrop, the delegation called on WTO members to strengthen solidarity and cooperation, and to more effectively support the multilateral trading system.

The delegation elaborated on a three-pronged "SDR" framework previously proposed by China, namely "Stability as the cornerstone, Development as the priority, and Reform as the pathway," noting that the proposed efforts include jointly upholding WTO principles such as the most-favored-nation (MFN) treatment and non-discrimination, supporting the integration of developing members into the multilateral trading system, and advancing in-depth WTO reform.

The delegation stressed that bilateral agreements reached or related measures taken by relevant members to ease trade tensions must comply with WTO rules.

The delegation also suggested that the WTO Secretariat strengthen its monitoring and analysis of unilateral measures and bilateral agreements, and promptly inform members of their impact, especially the potential negative spillover effects on third-party members.

Brazil, the European Union, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Venezuela and other WTO members stated at the meeting that escalating trade turbulence is not in the common interest of members. Unilateral tariff measures, they noted, undermine the foundation of multilateral rules, significantly raise costs for businesses and consumers, and particularly hinder the economic growth and social development of vulnerable developing members.

Given the current circumstances, they emphasized that upholding the multilateral trading system has become more critical than ever. 
On July 16, NYS forest rangers rescued an Australian shepherd named Hey-Hey who fell into a crevice on the Escarpment Trail in the town of Hunter. NYS DEC

On July 16, a one-and-a-half-year-old Australian shepherd named Hey-Hey fell into a crevice while walking with his owner on the Escarpment Trail in the town of Hunter.

Hey-Hey had tried to jump a large gap in the limestone trail, but his leash was too short and he didnt quite make it. After slipping from his collar, Hey-Hey dropped into the gap.

I thought I was never going to see him again, said Hey-Heys owner. I thought he plunged hundreds of feet into the abyss.

Two New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers arrived and set up a rope and pully system to retrieve Hey-Hey from the bottom of the aprroximately ten-feet deep crevice.

One ranger rappelled into the crevice while another ranger and an off-duty Greene County Sheriffs Deputy helped pull the pooch to safety.

The following reports are excerpted from DEC:

A 39-year-old Middleburgh man went missing on July 13, and was last seen swimming in Schoharie Creek. Rangers joined rescue personnel in a search. On July 14, members of the NY State Police dive team found the mans body in the creek. The Schoharie County Sheriffs Department is leading the investigation.

A 71-year-old camper from Ohio had a medical issue, possibly atrial fibrillation, at Indian Lake Islands campground on July 15. Joined by Speculator EMS and campground staff, two rangers retrieved the ailing camper and brought them to a boat launch, where EMS assumed care during transport to the hospital.

On July 17, a 92-year-old from Saranac Lake fell down an embankment and was unable to walk on their own. Two rangers and Saranac Lake Fire Department personnel reached the elderly hiker and helped them down to the Black Pond trailhead, where they were taken to the hospital.

Three hikers from Penn. got lost on Black Bear Mountain on July 16 because they mistakenly followed blue paint markings on trees. NYS DEC

Three hikers, including a 44-year-old and two teens from Penn., got lost on Black Bear Mountain on the afternoon of July 16. The group had mistakenly followed blue paint markings on trees down the summit. Two rangers found the hikers in good spirits and assisted them back to their vehicle. Its illegal to add paint to a trail, DEC said.

An unprepared 73-year-old hiker got lost near Bradley Pond on the evening of July 17. Rangers removed blown-down trees to reach the hiker after nightfall, rewarmed them, and provided food and drink. Once the hiker was feeling better, rangers assisted them back to the trailhead.

A 69-year-old from White Plains slipped on a wet rock and suffered an upper leg injury on July 18 while hiking in the Dry Brook Ridge Wild Forest. Using trekking poles, the hiker continued to walk down the trail where they were met by a ranger who conducted a medical assessment. Rescuers used a wheeled litter to carry the hiker to a Margaretville Fire UTV.

A 75-year-old woman was injured on July 18 while hiking in Clarks Gully. Rescuers got her out using a low-angle rope system. NYS DEC

A 75-year-old woman was injured on July 18 while hiking in Clarks Gully. She called 911 but dispatchers had difficulty understanding her, likely due to a head injury. A ranger located the woman and worked with the Ontario County and Yates County ropes teams on a low-angle rope rescue. She was taken to the hospital via Mercy flight.

Two parents and their six children got lost in the Shawangunk Ridge State Forest on July 20 and called for help. By time rescue personnel arrived, a 14-year-old member of the party had made it to a parking lot with three siblings. Then the mother and another child made it out. However, the father and the sixth child were still lost on the other side of the mountain. Two rangers found them, while a medic determined the father should be brought to the hospital due to lethargy and low blood sugar.

A 22-year-old hiker from Penn. summitted Mount Marcy on July 19, but wasnt heard from after that, so his brother called for help. On June 20, rangers searched into the overnight. The following morning, an assistant ranger located the hiker alive and well in a lean-to.
The end of Richmond Terrace used to hold the industry giant Proctor & Gamble. The factory produced more than one million cases of Ivory and Lenox soap bars a year. Staff-Shot

Editors note: A version of this story was originally published in 2018. It has been updated by Lily Zuckerman.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Huge Staten Island factories were an integral part of the boroughs roots and were responsible for the manufacture of various products that serviced all of New York City and beyond.

Factories, or manufacturing plants as they were also referred, were usually situated on industrial sites and consisted of a series of buildings on a huge complex where workers manufactured goods or operated machines processing one product into another. They arose with the introduction of machinery during the Industrial Revolution when space requirements became too great for cottage industry or workshops.

Today  though many of those early factories are gone  theyve been replaced by modern factories with large warehouses or warehouse-like facilities that contain heavy equipment used for assembly line production.

Lets take a look back at some of Staten Islands most iconic factories.

Procter & Gamble factory in Port Ivory

Here, Anthony Marciano checks high-speed packing line for synthetic detergents, in Procter & Gamble's Port Ivory plant in August of 1958. Staten Island Advance

Up first: Procter & Gamble opened its factory in Port Ivory in 1907 and produced more than 1 million cases of Ivory and Lenox soap bars a year. For more than 80 years, the P&G plant produced soap and detergent, which was shipped around the nation.

The area on Richmond Terrace became locally known as Port Ivory after Ivory soap, one of the best-known products from Procter & Gamble.

As a result, the end of Richmond Terrace even became a tourist attraction.

The plant closed for good after 84 years of operation in 1991, when the soap making operation was moved to Mexico.

Bethlehem Steel Corp.

The once thriving Bethlehem Steel Company shipyard in Mariners Harbor, which slowly fell into almost total disuse in the years following World War II, has been sold and will be developed as an industrial park. Staten Island Advance

The Bethlehem Steel Corp. was a steel and ship-buiding company that began operations in 1904 and was Americas second-largest steel producer and largest shipbuilder.

It traces its roots trace back to 1857 with the establishment of the Bethlehem Iron Co., also known as Bethlehem Iron Works.

The Bethlehem Steel Corp. was among the largest employers for years on Richmond Terrace in Mariners Harbor. It closed its ship-building plant on Richmond Terrace in 1960. However, the propeller plant and foundry continued to operate on Davidson Street, closing in 1971.

Wrigley Co.

The turn of the century Wrigley smokestacks are blown apart from the base to control flying debris. Smokestack demolition at the turn-of-the-century Wrigley warehouse in Clifton, May 6, 1986. Staten Island Advance

Staten Island was home to Wrigley Spearmint gum.

The building located at 191 Edgewater St. was built around 1917, and was the site where gum base for William Wrigley Co.s Juicy Fruit and Spearmint gums was made early last century.

Dr. Dreyfus, a local chemist involved in the manufacture of rubber, developed the synthetic gum base to replace chicle, the natural tropical substance, as the base for gum and was the person credited for producing the substance for Wrigley.

While there has been much discussion of the origin of modern chewing gum, Staten Island was involved in its development. In 1949, the plant closed and the twin smokestacks were demolished on May 6, 1986.

Sedutto Ice Cream Co.

Tower Ladder 79 truck & men on the roof are venting the smoke from the fire at the abandoned Sedutto ice cream factory. Hilton Flores

Seduttos ice cream was synonymous with flavor and quality.

The Sedutto Ice Cream Co., founded in 1922, established its Island roots in the 1930s, relocating from Manhattan to Port Richmond.

Originally owned by the family that gave its name to the ice cream, the business was sold in 1969 to Susan and Alfred Amplo. Following her husbands death in 1979, Mrs. Amplo sold the ice cream parlor to the Moudatsos family. Nineteen years later, the store changed hands again, acquired by B&G Corp., which sold it to Charlie Kim in 2004. The New Dorp location was Seduttos last outpost on the Island before closing in 2008.

Anthony Abato examines a container of ice cream in the Sedutto's factory in Port Richmond in this July 1981 photo. Tony Carrannante

Seduttos was a virtual household name on Staten Island -- first as a factory plant and also a retail store on New Dorp Lane. And though it changed management a few times, it always maintained its greatness.

Ed Haberkorn inspects the pasturization process at the Sedutto's ice cream plant in Port Richmond in August 1983. Frank J Johns

The famous Seduttos ice cream could be purchased in store and was also available in restaurants.

Always available were an extensive line of flavored ice cream, as well as cakes, special occasion cakes and those that were available as special orders.

DeJonge Paper Co.

The old DeJonge Paper Factory in Rosebank which was up for sale. After the property was subdivided, American Self-Storage, already a tenant, purchased the building for $5.1 million. Staten Island Advance

Various types of paper and wrapping paper was manufactured at the former DeJonge Paper Co.

The DeJonge Paper Factory, an imposing industrial property located alongside the railroad and Tompkins Avenue in Rosebank, was sold to two different owners in 2004, including builders who planned to construct 63 houses on a vacant and residentially zoned portion of the site.

After trying for more than a year to market the old factory building at 330 Tompkins Ave. to one buyer, broker Gary Mayzlin of Kalmon Dolgin Affiliates in Brooklyn advised the owners to subdivide the seven-acre site, originally one tax lot with two different zonings. The building sits on a little more than an acre of industrial land, but the rear of the tax lot was zoned for residential uses.

After the property was subdivided, American Self-Storage, already a tenant, purchased the building for $5.1 million.

S.S. White Dental Factory

Aerial view of the S.S. White Dental Manufacturing Co., Princes Bay. The factory started in 1860, this photo was taken in November 1984. Staten Island Advance

The S.S. White Dental Manufacturing Co was the largest maker of dental equipment in the world.

The factory started around 1860. which sat at the very end of Seguine Avenue in Princes Bay. It closed in 1972.

The site, which stretches 1,900 feet along the Raritan Bay shoreline, housed S.S. White plant from 1865 to 1972.

In the 1890s, S.S. White was the largest employer on the Island, with 425 workers. By 1927, the horseshoe of 14 interconnected, four-story brick buildings had become the largest maker of dental equipment in the world, with 1,900 workers.

When the S.S. White plant closed in 1972, it marked the end of an industry that had operated in the borough for more than a century.

During the 1980s it was transformed into a mall, known as the Princes Bay Trade Mart.

Monroe Ecksteins Brewery

In 1875, became known as Monroe Ecksteins Brewery, Castleton Corners. It operated on Manor Road opposite of the current location of the Todt Hill Houses. Courtesy of the New York Public Library

Breweries took Staten Island by storm during its early days.

Commercial breweries were established on Staten Island in the 1850s with one of the first named the Constanz Brewery  established by August Schmidt in 1852.

In 1875, it became the Monroe Ecksteins Brewery and continued to operate on Manor Road opposite the current location of the Todt Hill Houses.

After the brewery closed, the Janssen Dairy occupied the site with the horse-drawn milk wagon being replaced by trucks. However, milkmen still made their door-to-door deliveries.

Today, the property is a mini mall at the intersection of Manor Road and Schmidts Lane. Although the main building is no longer present, much of the original architecture can still be seen.

Balthasar Kreischer

The bricks from a factory in Richmondtown, the Kreischer Brick Works. Staten Island Historical Society

Around 1858, German immigrant Balthasar Kreischer discovered valuable kaolin (clay) beds on Staten Islands South Shore in an area that is known as Charleston today.

He would then purchase a great deal of land in the area and built a large factory called the New York Fire-Brick and Staten Island Clay Retort Works and homes for his employees.

Back then, the factories turned out 3,500,000 fire-bricks a year.

The thriving village became known as Kreischerville.

Eventually, demand for the factorys products decreased and production was reduced in 1906.

In 1931 the land and buildings were sold at an auction and after World War II, the area became known as Charleston, the name of the local post office.

Today, the factory site is home to The Tides, a waterfront residential community.

American Linoleum Co.

Linoleumville was created in 1873 when Joseph Wild established the American Linoleum Manufacturing Company and set up shop on a 300-acre section of what is now Travis. Staten Island Advance

The community of Travis was once called Linoleumville because it was the site of one of our nations first linoleum factories.

In 1873, the American Linoleum Co. acquired 300 acres in the area to build the nations first linoleum factory. Many skilled English immigrants arrived to work in the factory, which employed 700 workers by the early 20th century, half the local population.

When the plant closed in 1931, residents overwhelmingly chose to rename the community Travis, a name that was in keeping with the areas long history. The community was also at one time known as Travisville after Col. Jacob Travis, who resided there before the Civil War.

Atlantic Salt Co.

Salt is loaded onto trucks at Atlantic Salt Inc., located at the former home of the U.S. Gypsum Company on Richmond Terrace in New Brighton. Staten Island Advance

The Atlantic Salt Co. was once called the United States Gypsum Co.

Located along our North Shore waterfront, Atlantic Salt, which provides public safety road salt for winter de-icing to public works departments and institutions of New York City, New York State, and parts of New Jersey and Connecticut, is a branch of the family-owned Eastern Salt Co., which is headquartered in Lowell, Mass.

Atlantic Salt Company Inc., planned to expand its business to include finer grades of salt. Each scoop by the crane is approximately 30 tons of salt. Staten Island Advance

The president is Shelagh Mahoney, whose father, Leo, 81, and uncles Dave and Dan founded the business in 1955. The company has steadily grown through the years.

Atlantic Salt employs more than 150 at its site during the winter, when it is most active providing salt to de-ice roads along the Eastern seaboard. It stores about 350,000 tons of salt at the New Brighton site.

Pyrobar tiles lie in a heap at the west end of the United States Gymsum Co,'s New Brighton plant, which shut down all operations in July 1776. It would later become the Atlantic Salt Company. Staten Island Advance

Pyrobar tiles, once a product in wide use for fireproofing commercial buildings, lie in a heap at the west end of the U.S. Gypsum Co. plant in New Brighton. It shut down operations on July 25, 1976  and is now the home of Atlantic Salt Co.

Weissglass Dairy Plant

The Weissglass Dairy plant on Forest Avenue, Mariners Harbor, ended 40 years of production at that site in 1975 and relocated production to Queens where it was then sold in 1979. Staten Island Advance

The Weissglass history on Staten Island started in 1899, when Julius Weissglass moved his family to Egbertville from Manhattan.

In 1933, Julius built a bottling and pasteurization plant in Mariners Harbor, and eventually his three sons took over operation of the Weissglass-Gold Seal Dairy Corp.

The Island plant closed in 1975, and the business shifted to Queens. It was sold in 1979.
Phosphate prices are booming, and Aguia Resources appears to be riding the wave straight into early cash flows at its Tres Estradas phosphate project in Brazil.

Global phosphate prices have jumped as much as 70 per cent in the past year, with Aguia now forecasting a sale price of $200$230 per tonne for its flagship product. That represents a massive leap from the $120$140 per tonne it anticipated 12 months ago.

Rio Grande do Sul in Southern Brazil is home to many farmers likely to buy Aguia Resources well-priced phosphate products when production kicks off next year.

The price also compares very favourably with the alternative and largely imported monoammonium phosphate (MAP) fertiliser product, which is trading at $1138 per tonne.

The market tailwind delivered a major boost to Aguias project economics, with independent modelling now projecting a phase one 14-year mine life EBITDA of between $253 million and $298 million, based on conservative price assumptions of $153 per tonne.
BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- A total of 253 million Chinese people are covered by maternity insurance as of June, with cumulative fund expenditures reaching 438.3 billion yuan (around 61.4 billion U.S. dollars), according to the National Healthcare Security Administration on Thursday. 
Of all the deeply cooked local councils around Sydney, Liverpool takes the cake.

The council is facing an inquiry from the NSW Office of Local Government, which is scrutinising councillors conduct, property purchases and handling of finances. CBD has been waiting with our popcorn since the inquiry was announced by Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig last year after serious allegations of maladministration.

Former Liverpool Council chief executive John Ajaka had a falling-out with mayor Ned Mannoun. Credit: Edwina Pickles

So far, the hearings have well and truly delivered. On the inquirys opening day, counsel assisting Trish McDonald, SC, said that a forever feud between Liverpools Liberal mayor Ned Mannoun and his bitter rival, Peter Ristevski, had been frustrating the councils operation.

Regular CBD readers would recall an altercation between the pair during last years local government elections, which involved Ristevski accusing Mannoun of being stinky and wearing an Armani suit (thats a bad thing?). Separately, Mannoun has brought a failed defamation suit against Ristevski.
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 How do you detect the presence of a bony-eared assfish, lurking 3000 metres below the surface of the ocean? By testing for evidence of its urine, of course. Scientists have spent the past three years painstakingly mapping the DNA of Australias oceans, filtering the waters to collect the DNA breadcrumbs animals leave behind. From just two litres of water, they can identify the DNA of every creature that has passed through the environment over the previous hours and days, allowing them to collect evidence of the animals presence without nets and ropes. A multiyear project run by Minderoo Foundation and Parks Australia, spanning 13 dedicated voyages and several secondary voyages, has identified 257,497 marine vertebrates across Australian marine parks spanning 4000 kilometres north to south, and 6000 kilometres east to west. The environmental DNA (eDNA) project has not only spotlit where rare and threatened marine species are, but has also inadvertently discovered species previously unknown to science. While bony-eared assfish have an unfortunate name, their delicate fins and tendrils are captivating. Credit: Alamy Of course, we see more of them in places like deep-sea ecosystems, where people havent gone before and surveyed the biodiversity down there, said Professor Michael Bunce, the head of OceanOmics at Minderoo.

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Whats going to be crucial is putting protections around some of these special places before they disappear. Bony-eared assfish  a form of cusk-eel  are delicate creatures resembling a cross between a jellyfish and a tadpole, and are found in tropical and subtropical waters to depths of up to 4000 metres. Identifying them would usually involve extracting them from the depths of the ocean, thereby killing them. Loading Other mid- and deep-sea creatures identified by the research teams include similarly intriguingly named rattails, slimeheads, pearlfish, slickheads and lanternfish. Despite rapid advances in scientific knowledge, oceans remain the great unknown, with estimates there could be up to 500,000 marine species in Australias oceans, including corals, plankton and shellfish  of which just 33,000 have been identified. Work to sequence the DNA of marine life is slow and painstaking, but Bunce said Minderoo Foundation had set a goal to sequence the genetic barcodes of all 5000 known marine fish, a task that is about halfway complete. A further 500 vertebrates call Australian waters home, including seabirds, whales, sealions and dolphins. The organisation is one of the partners of the national science agency CSIRO, which has set an ambitious target to create a national biodiversity DNA library for Australia, which it says would offer enormous fisheries, biosecurity and environmental benefits.

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The $11.8 million multiyear eDNA partnership between Minderoo Foundation and Parks Australia took seawater samples from a range of ocean environments, from tropical reefs to 6000 metres below the surface of the water. Bunce said sea creatures shed DNA in various ways, but mostly from the waste they expel. Theyre defecating and urinating in the water columns, so were literally swimming around in a whole pile of DNA ... and thats kind of cool and gross at the same time, he said. The largest animals on earth, blue whales, were detected in the waters off Australia. Credit: Sean Keenan After animals shed DNA, it can be detectable for between a few hours and a few days before it is broken down by water movements, temperatures, UV radiation and other factors. DNA is broken down more rapidly in shallow and warm waters, while in cold and dark deep-sea settings, it can persist for a week or more. While all animals contain those genetic breadcrumbs, which are scattered through our oceans, different species lose DNA in different ways.

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Bunce said turtles and sea snakes slough smaller amounts of DNA as they move through water, making them more difficult to detect, while baitfish were easily identified as they were eaten in great numbers and expelled out the back ends of larger species. Not that there is such a thing as a perfect science  Bunce said researchers joked about the cats, dogs and salmon apparently detected in remote oceans, their DNA deposited into pristine waters from boats above. Armed with more than a quarter of a million observations of sea creatures, the projects leaders then turned their sights to offering their science to the Australian public, and the world. Loading Minderoo Foundations new OceanOmics eDNA Dashboard, launched today, combines artificial intelligence with eDNA to allow users to explore the data by species or marine park, or to chat with AI to interrogate the data. A Minderoo spokesman said the dashboard would be a game-changer for marine conservation as everyday Australians can now visualise the ocean in an entirely new way.

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Dr Philipp Bayer, principal of computational biology at Minderoo Foundation, said scientists had recovered more than 1.2 billion DNA sequence readings from their surveys, with each two-litre eDNA seawater sample averaging 62 different marine species detections. Scientists made almost 258,000 marine vertebrate eDNA observations, including 2019 bony fish species and 95 cartilaginous fish (sharks, rays and chimaeras) species. This is a lot of data, Bayer said. To make sense of it all, and enable people to interact with the data, we co-developed a dashboard that allows users to explore the living fabric of our oceans at scale. The dashboard focuses on making complex science accessible. While we cant see DNA, we can read it  and now we can visualise the output too. Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt welcomed the innovation, describing it as a game-changer for marine conservation. We can now visualise the ocean in an entirely new way  from threatened handfish to whale sharks, were gaining insights that were unimaginable just a few years ago, he said.

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Imported American steak is a topic many of Australias fine-dining restaurants would rather avoid. The operators of more than 10 hatted restaurants, including Rockpool Bar and Grill and Grill Americano, declined or failed to respond to Good Foods requests for comment on their appetite for US steak. The questions followed the Albanese governments decision to lift remaining biosecurity restrictions on Thursday. Ageing meat hanging at 20 Chapel in Marrickville, Sydney. Christopher Pearce Australia has restricted the import of American beef since an outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease, in 2003. While the total ban on US beef was lifted in 2019, restrictions on cattle raised in Mexico and Canada, then processed in the US, remained until now. But dont expect to see a US T-bone on a restaurant menu anytime soon, says Peter Gunn, chef at two-hatted Ides in inner Melbourne.

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I think everyone is just too invested in what we have at home, he says. The moment we start purchasing from elsewhere, it takes away from [local farmers]  Its always 100 per cent Australian, for us. Ides chef Peter Gunn has no plans to use American beef at his Melbourne restaurant. Jason South Corey Costelloe, former Rockpool Bar and Grill executive chef and co-owner of hatted restaurant 20 Chapel in Sydneys Marrickville, says an open market could have a positive impact on Australian producers. I think its a great thing, Costelloe says. If Australians want to eat American beef, they will  but I think it will just show how much better Australian beef is. While some US farmers, such as Good Ranchers in Texas and Meriwether Farms in Wyoming, adhere to strict quality standards, Costelloe says 20 Chapel has no plans to introduce American beef to the menu.

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A lot of the beef over there  [is] very one-dimensional in flavour. Its fatty and its juicy, and then after youve had that fatty and juicy part, it completely fades. Its like getting a cask wine versus a beautiful bottle that someone put time and care into. Theres just no comparison. Alfies in Sydney specialises in Riverina sirloin. Pat Stephenson Melbourne butcher Gary McBean echoes that opinion. I dont think it compares at all with really high-quality, grass-fed cattle thats just full of flavour. The grain-fed beef [Ive eaten in the US] was OK, but it didnt have the flavour of the grass-fed. He has no plans to introduce US beef into his cabinets at Prahran Market. I think good quality butchers should support local farmers, 100 per cent. Why support American farmers?

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Commentary from industry body Cattle Australia suggested that US beef would not be able to compete on price with Australian-raised meat, and so it would be only premium or sought-after products that reached our shores. Gary McBean at his butcher shop in Melbournes Prahran Market. Simon Schluter Costelloe says it would be difficult for US products to compete with the local market: Weve got so many different styles here  you can get grass-fed, hemp-fed, corn-fed  and with the Australian dollar being the way it is, I just dont see how [US beef] would be competitive with an Australian product once you put in shipping costs. McBean agrees. Even if [the meat] does come in cheap, I dont think that will impact Australian prices at all, because were already exporting a lot ourselves. James Bradey, director of the hospitality group behind Sydney steakhouses Bistecca and Alfies, says theyll be sticking to Australian beef for its consistency in terms of quality and availability.

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Were quite proud of having Australian beef, but more importantly, its that consistent supply chain, he says. So yes, [US beef] is coming in now, but that might change in the future. Chef Corey Costelloe in the kitchen at 20 Chapel, Marrickville. Wolter Peeters And besides, Costelloe says, theres a reason why, when you go to some of these popular restaurants in Japan, theyre serving imported Australian beef. Its the best in the world. The feeling is mutual  Australian restaurants also revere steak produced in Japan, Costelloe says. Japanese A5 wagyu is one of the only imported beef products served in Australian fine-dining restaurants. Bradey says theres a public perception of Japanese beef production as methodical and meticulous, but you dont really have that association with America; its more fried chicken, fast-food chains and pizza.

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Asked whether he would use a premium US product akin to Japanese wagyu, chef Haitham Richani of Melbourne CBD grill II.II.VI. said: Logistically it wouldnt make sense to get something from the other side of the world when we can get A5 Japanese wagyu directly. At II.II.VI steakhouse in Melbourne, chef Haitham Richani will continue using Australian beef. Tim Sonmez He acknowledges US beef may create more competition but believes locally produced beef will still have the edge in terms of quality. Despite Australians displaying a growing fascination with US imports of fast-food brands, from Five Guys to Wingstop to Cinnabon, there appears to be a hurdle higher up the food chain, where premium restaurants remain fiercely loyal to Australian-grown products. Ultimately, its the customer who will have the final say, says Costelloe: Diners will choose what they prefer, and I dont think it would be a very good selling point if you advertise American beef on your menu. Good luck to anyone who wants to try.

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Exclusive Eating outComing soon Pilu chef Giovanni Pilu to open spin-off Italian restaurant at iconic Toaster building The husband and wife behind the award-winning Freshwater venue said it would take something big to entice them to the Sydney CBD. Scott Bolles July 25, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles 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

It took more than two decades to tempt the duo behind northern beaches dining jewel Pilu at Freshwater across the Harbour Bridge. Now Giovanni Pilu and Marilyn Annecchini will open a spin-off restaurant at Circular Quay, with the projects inspiration going even further back in history. Flaminia, which opens in late November, takes its name from the ship that started the Australian migrant story for the husband-and-wife team who steers the chefs-hatted Pilu restaurant. It docked at Circular Quay, Annecchini said of her mothers arrival from Italy aboard the Flaminia in 1959. If shed peered out the east-facing portholes, her first view of Sydney mightve been the site where her daughter is now opening a restaurant, perched on the edge of Sydney Cove. Marilyn Annecchini and Giovanni Pilu will open Flaminia at the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour. Wade Whitington Since Pilu launched in 2004, the owners of the award-winning restaurant have fielded several offers to expand to the Sydney CBD. They said itd take something big, and the view from Q Dining at the Pullman Quay Grand Sydney Harbour matched that criteria, so theyve struck a deal with the hotel to take over the restaurant space on level 2.

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The location belongs to the Macquarie Street complex Sydneysiders dubbed The Toaster when it was built nearly 30 years ago. Despite the strip being bookended by fine-diner Aria and chefs-hatted Japanese newcomer Oborozuki, the site is largely home to lesser-known eateries and burger joints. With Flaminia, Pilu and Annecchini hope to add some shine to the development. Flaminias owners are aware that Sydney has no shortage of Italian restaurants. If we were making such a big move, it needed to be a big idea, Annecchini said. Flaminia will anchor its seafood-heavy menu in the food traditions of Italian port cities. [Flaminia] represents our journey, leaving one coast behind and arriving on another, and everything thats come from it, said Pilu, whose own migratory trip from Italy was more recent. I came in 1992. Back then, you could still smoke on Qantas, Pilu said. The exterior of Pilu at Freshwater. Nikki To

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Where the menu at the Freshwater restaurant is more closely wed to Pilus native Sardinian cuisine, the Italian port theme gives Pilu flexibility to wander around Italy for culinary inspiration. That might mean vongole from Venice, Amalfi-style spaghetti allo scoglio (mixed seafood) or fish soup from the Mediterranean port of Livorno. Pilu will also include a veal dish stuffed and rolled with pine nuts and parmesan from Genoa, and youll be able to eat octopus at Flaminias 15-seat crudo bar. You get octopus anywhere in Italy, really, Pilu said. While the couple points out that ports are places of movement, exchange and new beginnings, the chef said this extends to unique food cultures. Hell find room on the menu for at least one Sardinian specialty, from the Port of Olbia. For as long as I can remember, people would line up at a bar at the ferry for the panino with octopus and potato with olive oil, garlic and parsley. Given its location, and with hotel guests in the building, Flaminia will also open for breakfast. Expect Italian eggs with parmigiano reggiano to hit the menu alongside regular breakfast staples. Well do cocktails from cruise ships, Annecchini said of the bar program. And Flaminias wine list will sweep Italian wines, alongside Australian wines using Italian varietals.

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The snack selection at Pilu at Freshwater. Building work on the waterfront venue begins in the next fortnight, but the finished design wont include any maritime motifs when the space is unveiled later this year. Annecchini said theyll steer clear of cliched coastal design, leaning on a colour palette of terracotta tones and green, instead. The new restaurant will expand into a little-used neighbouring room, creating space for a 100-seat restaurant with its own bar and private dining room. Flaminia is also nicely positioned at the edge of the booming Circular Quay hospitality precinct, where a new generation of operators has made a mark with restaurants including Allta and Lana and Clam Bar. Another high-profile hotel, Capella Sydney on Bridge Street, also recently welcomed the team from chefs-hatted Bentley restaurant at Brasserie 1930. And theres more ahead, with the coming Waldorf Sydney to include a number of hospitality outlets. Not fine dining, elevated casual, Annecchini said of Flaminias pitch and price point. While the Sydney CBD restaurant market is competitive, the duo is confident the widespread appeal and approachability of Italian food can prosper. Even the way the economy is at the moment, [Italian] is approachable. You can have it at all levels, Annecchini said.

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The pair might be expanding to the Sydney CBD, but Pilus loyal northside clientele can relax  the Pilu mothership isnt going anywhere. Were never leaving the northern beaches, Annecchini said. Related Article Good Food hat Good Food hat 16.5 / 20 Review Pilu at Freshwater

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Its a more random strategy but you can have a lot of fun making the genres your own, she says. Oliver notes that some cultural norms in Japan differ to those in the west when it comes to possessions. The Japanese are notoriously respectful and I think Australian culture can lack that when it comes to our belongings, she says. Things you respect are well cared for, so its obvious that broken, damaged or unusable should leave your life. Classic clutter. Get your repair on, or get it moving. Marie Kondo sent shockwaves through booklovers circles when she suggested households should limit it to 30 books. Credit: ISTOCK Cons: The main issue Oliver has with this method is time.

Decluttering in one shot is fairly unrealistic for most people, she says. Theyd need a heap of time and importantly, mental and physical energy: most would benefit from professional assistance. Its a lot of work and decluttering means loads of decisions, many of them micro rather than macro. Swedish death cleaning This one emerged in 2017 with the release of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson, who was already an octogenarian at the time (she still describes herself as being aged between 80 and 100). The concept is that once you turn 50, you begin to shed things you no longer need, be it furniture, photos or fabrics, as a gift to those you leave behind. Its a slow process but a continuous one, and it starts with letting your loved ones know of your plans. Loading Start with getting rid of less personal items  it could be clothes or books  and then you can move onto things you want family and friends to have. Its a different journey for everyone and involves conversations, passing down stories and, importantly, simplifying your life as you age.

Pros: Oliver says there is a lot to love about this approach. This is a beautiful, mindful practice that one can do at any age  theres no need to be in your golden years. It gives me a warm feeling just thinking about it. She says the focus on story telling is pleasing, as is the gifting of items while youre still alive. Its also an act of love. Theres less of a burden on others after you die  youve managed most of it for them. Cons: I cant think of any. Scandinavia progressively leads the way in many areas of life, she says.

The process of Swedish death cleaning will look different to everyone but story telling is almost guaranteed. Credit: Getty Images/Image Source 1-3-5 method Martha Stewart is a fan of this one. The idea is to break tasks down into small, medium and large to not only tackle clutter, but stay on top of it. So, for each large task, you should also complete three medium tasks and five small tasks. Larger tasks will take more time  perhaps a wardrobe clear out  but smaller tasks, like deleting some files from your computer, will take minutes. This system relies on repetitive action, completing tasks everyday, which is not necessarily achievable in busy households. Pros: Oliver says by allocating tasks by size, its a good method for maintaining focus.

I would guess its saying tackle a sizeable task: an area or genre (hanging clothes) before more frivolous or incidental like the contents of a drawer. Excellent, she says. Cons: The main concern is that this is a fairly rigid system, which sets you up for failure. I would suggest working this backwards  I love ticking off little jobs first so the larger projects then have my full attention, she says. DOOM Not as ominous as it sounds, the DOOM method is almost the opposite of 1-3-5, and chances are youre already practising it. It stands for Didnt Organise, Only Moved, and its the sort of thing you might do half an hour before guests arrive, racing around the house dropping miscellaneous clutter into boxes to sort later. It does, however, require you to revisit at a later time and do a proper sort through.

Loading Pros: Oliver likes this method for the quick fix it promises. This is hilariously good, she says. Its what Ive long called scoop n dump. Its an absolutely fantastic methodology to keep visual clarity. If this is your method of choice, she suggests using identical DOOM boxes for an aesthetically pleasing result. It doesnt matter if its shoe boxes or fancy containers, it can be paper bags. Anything works  even uniform washing baskets.
Australian billionaire Andrew Twiggy Forrest has terminated a major hydrogen project in the United States as Donald Trump slashes tax breaks for clean energy investments, and guts programs aimed at tackling climate change.

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The Forrest-led Fortescue Metals Group said on Thursday it would not proceed with a $US550 million ($830 million) plan to begin producing zero-emissions hydrogen at a new plant in Arizona, blaming the shift in priorities away from green energy under the Trump administration.

Since returning to the White House, Trump has passed laws to end lucrative tax breaks for wind and solar farms, electric cars and other technologies that would help combat global warming, which he falsely calls a hoax, while enacting sweeping measures to make it cheaper and easier for companies to extract more fossil fuels.

The cancellation of the Arizona project comes as Forrest continues a years-long campaign to diversify Fortescue beyond its lucrative West Australian iron ore mines and into the production of green hydrogen, a promising future energy source that burns cleanly and could eventually help displace the use of coal, oil and gas in heavy industry.

While Fortescue insists it remains steadfast in its commitment to green hydrogen, it has been forced to hit the brakes on the speed of its ambitions over the past year, blaming the high cost and the vast amount of renewable energy required.

Read the full story here.
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size The first cracks in the facade of the Alameddine crime network started to show just over six months ago. On a February afternoon, one of the networks long-time members, Samimjan Azari, and two associates were shot at in the car park of a Brighton-Le-Sands restaurant, where gunmen ambushed them in a brazen assassination attempt. From the outside, it appeared the Alameddine network, which has for several years controlled Sydneys illicit drug market, was again at war with rivals staking their own claim on the lucrative trade. The Alameddine crime network fractured when a senior member defected to start his own rival organisation. Credit: Nathan Perri But rather than fighting off cross-town enemies making a play for its turf, police say the Alameddine network was entrenched in a conflict within its own ranks. In the months before, the feared network was fractured when one of its senior members defected to form his own criminal organisation, sparking a gangland war that spilt onto Sydneys streets that February day. By the time the first shots were fired, a chasm had long opened up within the powerful organisation, splitting it in two as once-loyal members defected to join the new organised crime network founded by the senior Alameddine figure.

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Since defecting, the former member, who the Herald cannot name for legal reasons, has bolstered his new network, turning other senior Alameddine figures against their long-time allies as shootings have plagued both sides of the conflict. This masthead does not suggest any of the individuals identified in this article are responsible for any of the shootings. Theres been a division and thats the problem, Detective Superintendent Jason Box said. It was one organised crime network working as a collective  theres now a division and that hasnt been accepted internally, hence the conflict. Samimjan Azari has become Sydneys most marked man after defecting from the Alameddine crime network. Credit: Nine News At the centre of the conflict, Azari has become Sydneys most marked man after taking up a senior role in the new network alongside Joseph Vokai, the alleged head of KVT. A street gang with a membership of predominantly Fijian men, the KVT long acted as muscle for the Alameddine network in its multimillion-dollar drug-trafficking operations. But when the network fractured, Vokai turned his back on the gangs long-time employer, aligning himself with Azari.

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Detective Superintendent Jason Box says the Alameddine crime networks leadership has fractured. Credit: Sam Mooy Theres been a significant divide at the highest level of this organised crime network, resulting in, we believe, the Alameddine and KVT split, Box said. Since he was targeted at Brighton-Le-Sands, Azari has survived three separate attempts on his life, the most recent last month when masked gunmen cornered him inside a Turkish restaurant in Auburn. Azari was shot twice, in the arm and the shoulder, but survived. An associate of Azari, a 25-year-old man, was shot in the face, while an innocent restaurant employee, a 47-year-old woman, was shot twice in the torso during the attack. Three weeks earlier, Azari survived an assassination attempt that killed his associate, Dawood Zakaria, when assailants opened fire on a Toyota HiLux the pair was travelling in with two other men in Granville. Joseph Vokai, the alleged head of the KVT gang, turned his back on the Alameddines to side with the new rival network. Credit: NSW Police Zakaria, 32, who was with Azari when he was targeted in Brighton-Le-Sands and had been acting as a bodyguard for the 26-year-old since he took up his role at the head of the new network, was shot in the head and died in hospital several days later. Days after Zakaria was shot, police established Taskforce Falcon, made up of 100 detectives from various squads and 50 uniformed officers, to quell the violence linked to the conflict.

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Azari has dismissed repeated warnings from police to alter his movements, choosing instead to frequent public places, where he continues to be targeted. Hes been told numerous times that hes at risk, and I think surely that he would be aware of that after four attempts on his life, and the movements for him is a matter for him to determine, but I hope that he makes the right decisions for his welfare, said Box, the commander of Taskforce Falcon. Expanding on the Alameddine networks historic control of the drug trade, the new network has infiltrated Sydneys illicit tobacco market, with several members and associates allegedly involved in a number of thefts, or rips of tobacco worth millions of dollars since last year. Several have been charged and remain before the courts. Police insist illicit tobacco is not the cause of the conflict, but rather the commodity of choice for the new network, which is largely comprised of defected Alameddine and KVT members. Police believe Rafat Alameddine, pictured outside Parramatta police station in 2019, runs the crime familys operations from Lebanon. Credit: Kate Geraghty On the other side of the conflict, some members remain loyal to the Alameddine network and its patriarch, Rafat Alameddine, as they grapple to retain control of Sydneys underworld.

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Alameddine fled Australia for the safety of Lebanon, where he is a citizen, in November 2022. He remains wanted alongside fellow gangland figure John Ray Bayssari over an alleged criminal conspiracy to murder their underworld enemy Ibrahem Hamze in 2021. The Alameddine organised crime network is obviously still functioning and there are still representatives here and people are active; whether theyre onshore or offshore, theyre still active and still part of that network, Box said. Alameddines former bodyguard, Ali Elmoubayed, who police believe runs the crime familys operations in Australia, remains aligned with the kingpin, as does rapper Ay Huncho, whose real name is Ali Younes. In May, Younes posted a photo of himself alongside Alameddine to his Instagram. Whats understood dont need to be explained, the caption read. Alleged Alameddine crime network boss Ali Elmoubayed arrives at Parramatta Court after his house was targeted in a drive-by shooting. Credit: Janie Barrett As shootings on both sides of the conflict continue, Younes loyalty to Elmoubayed and Alameddine has sparked concerns he may be targeted. Last month, Younes successfully applied to vary his bail conditions, which now allow him to report to police by phone, in an attempt to make his movements less predictable for would-be assassins. A week after Younes varied his bail conditions, Elmoubayed himself narrowly escaped a shooting at his Merrylands home, which was peppered with bullets minutes after he left to front Parramatta Local Court. Hours later, a magistrate allowed Elmoubayed and his young family to relocate to an inner-city high-rise apartment building with security features that his lawyers argued would safeguard him from future attacks.

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Hollywood star Rebel Wilson is facing yet another lawsuit over her troubled directorial debut as the production company alleges she blocked the films release with legal threats and falsely outed a young actor as a victim of sexual misconduct.

The new lawsuit, launched in Sydney by the films production company, claims the star deliberately undermined the release of her own film and knowingly told lies to damage her partners in the film.

Rebel Wilson allegedly used the official Instagram account of The Deb to reinforce her claims. Credit: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

The Deb, a musical comedy based on a stage show, centres on a debutant ball for teenagers in rural NSW and stars Charlotte MacInnes among other young Australian talent.

It premiered in September last year at the Toronto Film Festival but has yet to reach cinemas amid duelling allegations between Wilson and her business partners in the film.
Male childcare workers have been turned away from centres and had casual shifts cancelled, potentially breaching gender discrimination laws, following horrific allegations of child abuse in daycare facilities.

Men also reported being shadow-banned from centres, and trainees said they have had work placements cancelled after the sector was plunged into crisis this month by the police case against former Melbourne daycare worker Joshua Dale Brown.

Ramesh Shrestha, who runs a support community for male early learning educators, says they have experienced discrimination since the Melbourne childcare crisis erupted. Credit: Steven Siewert

A leading advocate for men in the sector is reporting widespread gender discrimination around the country, and the main union for childcare workers says restrictions imposed by some providers on the tasks male employees can perform  including bans on men changing nappies or helping with toileting  are also discriminatory.

The Inspire group of 16 centres in Melbourne announced a ban on its male workers undertaking toilet and nappy changing duties in the days after charges against Brown were revealed. Two of the chains that employed the 26-year-old, G8 Education and Affinity Education, have also announced changes to their practices.
On July 23, 2025, the "Improving Public Educational Service Facilities for Youth in Sierra Leone " project which was supported by China-established Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, implemented by United Nations Development Program(UNDP) was launched in Sierra Leone. Chinese Ambassador Wang Qing, Presidential Advisor on Human Capital Development of Sierra Leone, Prof. Alpha Wurie, Honorable Minister of Technical and Higher Education of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ramatulai Wurie, Honorable Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Hon. Conrad Sackey, and Representative of the United Nations Development Program in Sierra Leone, Mr. Fredrick Ampiah, Chinese Consular for Economic affairs, Mr. Wang Peng, representatives of education sector and primary and secondary school students from many districts across the country attended the ceremony.





Ambassador Wang Qing stated that this project, by providing desks and chairs for schools in Sierra Leone, will improve education accessibility for local people. It is the latest progress of China- Sierra Leone practical cooperation and a concrete action for China to implement the Global Development Initiative. China is firmly committed to strengthening South-South cooperation, promoting common development, deepening China-Sierra Leone practical cooperation in education and other fields, and helping Sierra Leone to better achieve sustainable development.

Prof. Alpha Wurie, Minister Ramatulai Wurie, Minister Conrad Sackey sincerely thanks China for its valuable support, positively evaluates the progress and effectiveness of the Global Development Initiative, and looks forward to strengthening cooperation with China so that the results of cooperation can benefit more Sierra Leonean people.

The project will provide about 15,000 sets of desks and chairs for various schools in Sierra Leone, and hundreds of schools from 13 regions will benefit.




Zhang Ke, head of the National Healthcare Security Administration, attends a press conference held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO) on China's healthcare security achievements and its role in advancing economic and social development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025) in Beijing, capital of China, July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Yehua)

BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- During the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), China's medical insurance authority adopted multiple measures to ensure reasonable pricing of medicines, a senior Chinese official said Thursday.

Shi Zihai, deputy head of the National Healthcare Security Administration (NHSA), introduced the measures at a press conference held by the State Council Information Office.

Since 2018, the country has carried out 10 rounds of centralized medicine procurement, covering 435 medicines, Shi said. He noted that the centralized procurement program has been an effective means to curb the overpricing of medicines, has significantly eased the people's burden in receiving medication, and improved the quality and accessibility of medicines.

The NHSA also actively handled cases of irregular drug pricing and urged pharmaceutical companies to rectify their practices. To date, the administration has issued notices to 566 companies, requiring price adjustments for 726 medicines across various specifications.

In addition, the NHSA implemented measures to regulate medicine prices both online and at physical drugstores, Shi said.

The official noted that some pharmaceutical companies abused their pricing autonomy and disrupted market order through practices such as offering kickbacks, monopolizing the market, and controlling sales.

He said that while the NHSA resolutely supports high-quality medical innovation and respects the autonomy of companies in setting drug prices, it has also taken a stronger role in managing medicine pricing and maintaining market order. 
There has been no improvement at all. Even when she gains one kilogram and I take her home from the hospital, she relapses again. There is no food for her to eat, not even eggs. Her hair is falling out, and she has no calcium. She used to have seizures, and she cant go to the bathroom by herself, I have to carry her. She cant walk. She starts crying and asks me, Why cant I walk? Whats wrong with me? Eight-year-old Maryam. Credit: UNICEF On Wednesday, more than 100 aid organisations and human rights groups warned that mass starvation is spreading in Gaza. The statement, signed by 111 organisations including Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Oxfam and Save the Children, said that an average of 28 truckloads of aid are being distributed daily in Gaza. The UN has previously said that a minimum of 600 trucks per day are required to feed the population of 2 million people.

Israel denies blocking supplies to Gaza or that there is a famine there. We have not identified starvation at this current point in time, but we understand that action is required to stabilise the humanitarian situation, an unnamed senior Israeli security official said. The Hamas-run Health Ministry said on Tuesday that 33 people, including 12 children, had died from malnutrition in the previous 48 hours. Data shared with the London Telegraph by UNICEF suggests the situation has been rapidly worsening in recent months.

In January, 2846 children were diagnosed with malnutrition  a figure that has jumped month on month, to 5870 in June. Suzan Mohammad Marouf, a clinical nutrition specialist stationed at the Patients Society Hospital, said her staff see nearly 250 to 300 malnutrition cases daily. Palestinian child Yazan Abu Foul, 2, who is suffering from severe malnutrition, is held by his mother, Naima. Credit: EPA Infants, breastfeeding mothers, and pregnant women who suffer from malnutrition, there is not enough milk and not enough food, Marouf said. We encourage exclusive breastfeeding for children under six months of age, but due to certain conditions the mother may be going through, whether her health is poor or she is suffering from malnutrition, she cannot breastfeed naturally.

In that case, we turn to formula milk. But currently, formula milk is unavailable or only available in very limited quantities that do not meet the babys needs, which leads to children suffering from malnutrition. Randa  the mother of three-month-old Baraa  has four other young children. Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub al-Matouq, 1, is facing life-threatening malnutrition. Having dropped from nine to six kilograms, he struggles to survive in a tent in Gaza City, where milk, food, and other basic necessities are lacking. Credit: Anadolu via Getty Images They cry out from hunger [...] every morning, asking me to knead dough and bake bread. They tell me, Were hungry, Mama. Pictured above is Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub al-Matouq, a child in Gaza suffering severe malnutrition.

The New York Times reported that Muhammad, according to his doctor, had pre-existing health problems affecting his brain and his muscle development. But his health deteriorated rapidly in recent months as it became increasingly difficult to find food and medical care, and the medical clinic that treated him said he suffers from severe malnutrition. I look at him and I cant help but cry, she said. Loading Virtually all food aid in Gaza is now only available at just four fixed distribution points along the 41-kilometre strip, run exclusively by the US and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). At least 1026 people have been killed by the military while seeking food at GHF centres, the UN has said.
This weeks joint statement signed by Penny Wong and more than two dozen other foreign affairs ministers calling for an end to the war in Gaza was notable for its directness. It reflects the growing frustration of the Australian and other governments with how Israel is prosecuting the war.

The disconnect between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus irreconcilable twin aims of destroying Hamas, while at the same time rescuing the hostages, is becoming increasingly apparent with the death of every civilian and the lack of hostages being returned.

Palestinians, including children, line up this week in Gaza City to receive food. Credit: Ali Jadallah/Anadolu via Getty Images

Revenge for the 1200 people Hamas slaughtered in October 2023 should by now have been achieved, and Hamas military capabilities have been dealt a grievous blow. There is no argument that Hamas had to pay a heavy price for its terrorist attack, and the brutal reality is that the civilians among whom they hide would suffer as a result.

But there are limits to such suffering, and the principles of military necessity and proportionality are supposed to guide and constrain the use of military force. For some time now, there has been a growing international consensus that Israel is exacting far too heavy a toll on all Gazans for the sins of Hamas. And it is also increasingly apparent that the Israeli government lacks any coherent plan for post-conflict Gaza.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, have filed a defamation lawsuit in the United States against right-wing influencer and podcaster Candace Owens, centred on her claim that Frances first lady is male.

The Macrons said in a lawsuit filed in Delaware Superior Court on Wednesday that Owens had waged a lie-filled campaign of global humiliation to promote her podcast and expand her frenzied fan base.

Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron at the British Museum in London during their state visit to the UK earlier this month. Credit: Bloomberg

The Macrons said the lies included that Brigitte Macron, 72, was born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneux.

Owens has dissected their appearance, their marriage, their friends, their family and their personal history  twisting it all into a grotesque narrative designed to inflame and degrade, the complaint said.
Washington: Scott Morrison says a planned AUKUS shipbuilding facility in Western Australia should become a joint base with the US to help address the Trump administrations legitimate issues with the submarine deal he designed and announced as prime minister in 2021.

The controversial idea, with advocates in both Canberra and Washington, would allow the upgraded facility at Henderson, south of Perth, to host and repair American submarines, not just Australian ones, and give the US direct access to the Indian Ocean, a strategic asset.

Former prime minister Scott Morrison appeared at a congressional hearing on the Chinese Communist Party in Washington. Credit: AP

As the Pentagon reviews the AUKUS agreement to see if it fits with President Donald Trumps America First agenda, one of the key issues is whether the US can part with the three nuclear-powered submarines Australia is due to buy.

The slow rate of production is a problem, as is a severe maintenance backlog. Australia has paid $US1 billion (about $1. 6 billion) to the US maritime industrial base so far, with another $US1 billion due by years end.
FRANCE/ DELAWARE:--- A defamation lawsuit has been filed by French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron against U.S. conservative influencer Candace Owens. The legal action, launched in a Delaware court, seeks substantial damages over claims made by Owens that Brigitte Macron is a man. The couple's attorney, Tom Clare, emphasized that the lawsuit is a measure of last resort following a year of unsuccessful attempts to get Owens to retract her statements.

Clare expressed frustration at Owens' repeated mockery of efforts to correct the record. "Enough is enough; it was time to hold her accountable," he said in an interview with CNN. He described the lawsuit as a direct response to allegations that have plagued Brigitte Macron for years, despite being repeatedly debunked.

Owens, a political commentator with around 4.5 million subscribers on YouTube, dismissed the lawsuit as a desperate public relations strategy in a video posted on the platform. She went on to describe the French first lady in derogatory terms and denied any wrongdoing.

The claims against Brigitte Macron are part of a longstanding conspiracy theory suggesting she was born as a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux. However, this theory has been thoroughly discredited. Brigittes brother, Jean-Michel Trogneux, has often been misrepresented in these unfounded rumors.

The first couple's attorney stated that the 219-page lawsuit includes extensive proof affirming Brigitte Macrons gender identity. He further noted that the damages sought could be significant if Owens continues to repeat her false claims prior to trial.

The Macrons have a history of confronting such allegations. Last year, they won a defamation case in France against two women who had spread similar false claims online. However, a Paris appeals court overturned the decision earlier this month, prompting Brigitte and her brother to bring the matter before Frances highest court.

This latest legal development also brings renewed attention to Emmanuel and Brigitte Macrons personal history. The couple, who have faced public scrutiny throughout their relationship, first met when Emmanuel was a high school student, and Brigitte was a teacher. Married since 2007, they have frequently been the subject of media speculation and conspiracy theories. he lawsuit highlights the growing challenges faced by public figures combating misinformation in the digital age. President Macron, now serving his second and final term, and his wife continue to resist unfounded rumors while attracting both international support and criticism.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Bureau Ombudsman has released its 2024 Annual Report, highlighting another year of critical oversight amidst growing political instability and deep-rooted administrative challenges. The report underscores the Ombudsmans unwavering commitment to promoting transparency, good governance, and the protection of citizens rights.

The year 2024 was marked by unprecedented political turbulence, with the country holding two parliamentary electionsfirst in January and again in August. This brought the total number of elections to six since Sint Maarten gained autonomous status within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010, and resulted in the twelfth cabinet formation.

This level of instability is not without consequences, stated Ombudsman Gwendolien Mossel. Continuity in government is essential to ensure public trust, responsive service delivery, and accountability. In its absence, democratic institutions such as the Ombudsmans office face delays, unresponsiveness, and weakened engagement from both citizens and ministries.

The report reveals a significant decrease in the number of complaints received in 2024nearly 100 fewer than in 2023. This decline is attributed in part to public reluctance to file complaints under interim governments, with many citizens preferring to wait until a full cabinet is in place. Moreover, political instability has had a direct impact on the progress of ongoing investigations. While government is expected to function uninterrupted, many ministriesparticularly those already prone to delaysceased or slowed communication, leaving numerous files open and awaiting responses.

As in previous years, the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) and Justice generated the highest number of complaints. Alarmingly, many VROMI cases concluded without a substantive response from the ministry, signaling a failure in accountability and responsiveness. The Ombudsman notes that this is not merely a case of negligence but also of capacity: A lack of human and financial resources severely hampers the functioning of several ministries, especially VROMI, said Mossel.

Despite these obstacles, the Bureau Ombudsman continued to fulfill its constitutional mandate with resolve and integrity. The institution has gained steady recognition both within the government administration and among the public as a trusted, impartial guardian of citizens rights.

The Ombudsman is here not only to hold government accountable but to serve as a partner in good governance. Our reports are not just critiquesthey are tools for improvement, informed by the voices of the people we serve, Mossel emphasized.

The 2024 Annual Report serves as a reminder of the critical role that political stability, institutional continuity, and administrative responsiveness play in strengthening democracy. It also calls on the government to recommit to these principles, to better serve the people of Sint Maarten.

The full 2024 Annual Report is available on the Ombudsmans website at www.ombudsman.sx.

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The Ombudsman listens, investigates, and recommends
St. Maarten and Saint Martin, a dual-nation Caribbean island, recently faced connectivity challenges during a worldwide outage of SpaceXs Starlink satellite internet network. The outage, which lasted approximately 2.5 hours, disrupted internet access for thousands of users globally, leaving many in remote and island communities particularly vulnerable to the consequences of interrupted service. This event underscores both the promise and pitfalls of relying on satellite internet in regions where traditional broadband is limited or unavailable.

The Global Scope of Outage

The Starlink outage, attributed to a failure in internal software services that manage the network, was reported across multiple continents, with users in the U.S., Germany, Zimbabwe, and the Caribbean among those impacted. For the residents of St. Maarten and Saint Martin, whose connectivity often depends on reliable satellite service due to geographical and infrastructural challenges, the interruption proved particularly disruptive.

Thousands reported being unable to access essential services as connectivity dropped off unexpectedly. Local businesses, which rely on stable internet to manage operations and process payments, were among the hardest hit. With the dual islands' tourism-driven economy, even brief disturbances can create ripple effects, leaving entrepreneurs scrambling to adapt.

Both St. Maarten and Saint Martin have long embraced satellite internet as a modern solution to their remote location and infrastructure limitations. However, this dependence exposed vulnerabilities during the recent outage. Residents voiced frustrations on social media platforms, echoing the comments of users worldwide.

One business owner from Simpson Bay remarked, Without Starlink, we felt completely cut off. The loss in connectivity made it impossible hard to process credit card payments for tourists visiting our restaurant. Thankfully, a few customers had cash, but its a reminder of how reliant we are.

Another user in Marigot shared a similar sentiment, stating, We switched to Starlink thinking it would be more reliable in hurricane season. This outage has us questioning whether we need alternative backup solutions. Our entire day came to a halt.

For tourists visiting the island, the outage also led to decreased access to flight tracking, as the popular aviation data provider FlightRadar, which relies partially on Starlink, reported reduced data feeds. Such disruptions reiterate the far-reaching consequences of a centralized failure in the satellite internet infrastructure.

Starlinks Response to the Crisis

Starlinks leadership acknowledged the outage and its widespread effect. Michael Nicolls, Starlinks vice president, took to platform X (formerly Twitter) to explain, The outage was due to failure of key internal software services that operate the core network. We apologize for the temporary disruption in our service; we are deeply committed to providing a highly reliable network and will fully root cause this issue and ensure it does not occur again.

While the company assured users that steps would be taken to prevent similar disruptions in the future, the incident highlighted an urgent need for contingency measures, especially in isolated areas where internet outages can severely restrict access to communication and services.

Broader Implications for Remote and Island Regions

This recent disruption raises important questions about the reliability of satellite internet for communities like St. Maarten and Saint Martin. While services like Starlink provide a lifeline to areas underserved by fiber or cable-based broadband, outages of this nature can leave entire regions disconnected without warning.

Satellite internets role in these settings largely replaces traditional infrastructure, offering speeds and coverage previously unimaginable. However, the incident has revealed the fragility of relying solely on one provider or network. It also underscores the importance of diversifying options, whether by investing in additional providers, expanding terrestrial mobile coverage, or adopting hybrid systems to ensure redundancy during widespread outages.

Lessons and Opportunities for the Future

To prevent similar outages from causing such widespread disruption, satellite internet providers like Starlink must develop more robust systems to handle unexpected technical failures. Regular stress testing, improved software safeguards, and real-time backup systems could mitigate service disruptions. Additionally, collaboration with local governments in regions like St. Maarten and Saint Martin to explore supplementary solutions, such as public Wi-Fi hotspots or emergency communication funds, could provide a safety net during unforeseen outages.

For users in these regions, leveraging alternative connectivity strategies such as prepaid mobile internet or retaining older DSL or cable connections, even as a backup, could become a more practical choice moving forward.

The Starlink outage was a stark reminder of how deeply integrated satellite internet has become in the daily lives of people in remote and island communities. While the technology carries immense potential, it must evolve to meet the expectations of reliability in areas where alternatives are scarce. For St. Maarten and Saint Martin, this outage highlighted the need for both providers and users to prioritize resilience in connectivity solutionsbecause being offline is not an option in todays interconnected world.
MACAO, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Visitor arrivals to China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) reached 19,218,540 in the first half of 2025, an increase of 14.9 percent year-on-year, according to information released by the SAR's Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) on Thursday.

The data showed that the average length of stay dropped slightly, by 0.1 day, to 1.1 days, reflecting the higher proportion of same-day travelers.

In terms of visitor sources, those from the Chinese mainland totaled 13.77 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 19.3 percent.

In June alone, the Macao SAR recorded 2.89 million visitors, up 13.3 percent year-on-year. 
Trump's AI plan prioritizes deregulation to boost US dominance



Washington, July 23 (AFP) Jul 23, 2025



President Donald Trump unveiled an aggressive, low-regulation strategy on Wednesday to boost big tech's race to stay ahead of China on artificial intelligence and cement US dominance in the fast-expanding field.

Trump's 25-page "America's AI Action Plan" outlines three aims: accelerating innovation, building infrastructure, and leading internationally on AI.

The administration frames AI advancement as critical to maintaining economic and military supremacy. Environmental consequences are sidelined in the planning document.

"America is the country that started the AI race, and as president of the United States, I'm here today to declare that America is going to win it," Trump told an AI event in Washington.

"Winning this competition will be a test of our capacities unlike anything since the dawn of the space age," he said, before signing several executive orders to give components of the strategy additional legal weight.

In its collection of more than 90 government proposals, Trump's plan calls for sweeping deregulation, with the administration promising to "remove red tape and onerous regulation" that could hinder private sector AI development.

In his wide-ranging speech, Trump insisted that "winning the AI race will demand a new spirit of patriotism and national loyalty in Silicon Valley and beyond."

Trump complained that for too long "many of our largest tech companies have reaped the blessings of American freedom while building their factories in China, hiring workers in India and slashing profits in Ireland."



- 'Single standard' -



The plan also asked federal agencies to find ways to legally stop US states from implementing their own AI regulations and threatened to rescind federal aid to states that did so.

"We have to have a single federal standard, not 50 different states, regulating this industry of the future," Trump said.

The American Civil Liberties Union warned this would thwart "initiatives to uphold civil rights and shield communities from biased AI systems in areas like employment, education, health care, and policing."

The Trump action plan also calls for AI systems to be "free from ideological bias" and designed to pursue objective truth rather than what the administration calls "social engineering agendas," such as diversity and inclusion.

This criterion would apply to AI companies wanting to do business with the US government.

Trump also called for AI development to be broadly immune from copyright claims -- currently the subject of legal battles -- saying it was a "common sense" approach.

"You can't be expected to have a successful AI program when every single article, book, or anything else that you've read or studied, you're supposed to pay for," he said.

A major focus in the plan involves building AI infrastructure, including streamlined permitting for data centers and energy facilities that would overlook environmental concerns to build as swiftly as possible.

The administration, which rejects international science showing a growing climate crisis, proposes creating new environmental review exemptions for data center construction and expanding access to federal lands for AI infrastructure development.

Trump also called for the swift construction of coal and nuclear plants to help provide the energy needed to power the data centers.



'Gilded Age'



The strategy also calls for efforts to "counter Chinese influence in international governance bodies" and strengthen export controls on advanced AI computing technology.

At the same time, the strategy calls on the government to champion US technology in conquering overseas markets, a priority that was spelled out in an executive order.

These plans will help "ensure America sets the technological gold standard worldwide, and that the world continues to run on American technology," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement.

Critics of the plan said the policies were a gift to US tech giants that were scaling back their goals for zero carbon emissions in order to meet the acute computing needs for AI.

"Trump's plan reads like a twisted Gilded Age playbook that rewards the rich while punishing everyday Americans and the environment," said Jean Su of the Center for Biological Diversity.
SK hynix posts record profits on surging AI demand



Seoul, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



South Korean chip giant SK hynix reported record quarterly profits Thursday thanks to soaring demand for artificial intelligence.

The world's second-largest memory chip maker dominates the market for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) semiconductors and is a key supplier for US titan Nvidia.

The firm said operating profit climbed almost 70 percent to 9.2 trillion won ($6.7 billion) in the second quarter, with revenues coming in at 22.2 trillion won -- both all-time peaks.

It comes after Taiwan chip giant TSMC last week announced a surge in net profit for the second quarter, topping forecasts, thanks to robust demand for AI technology, despite the threat of US tariffs on the critical sector.

SK hynix also said net profit was up close to 70 percent on-year, at nearly seven trillion won.

"Aggressive investment by global big tech companies into AI led to a steady increase in demand for AI memory," it said in a statement.

Shipments of DRAM and NAND flash -- other types of computer memory -- topped forecasts, boosting the bottom line.

"SK hynix foresees that increasing competition among big tech companies to enhance inference of AI models would lead to higher demand for high-performance and high-capacity memory products," the company added.

Shares in the firm rose more than three percent in Seoul but pared gains to close up 0.2 percent.

"Nvidia suppliers like SK hynix will continue to enjoy strong demand in the coming months and years for memory chips due to the high memory content needed to make AI chips functional," G. Dan Hutcheson of TechInsights told AFP.

Rising competition from rivals is its main risk factor, along with "saturation of the market as AI algorithms become more efficient as well as the uncertain impact of tariffs, the global trade war, and the resultant potential for a global recession", he said.

South Korea is a major exporter to the United States and its powerhouse semiconductor and auto industries would suffer greatly under President Donald Trump's threatened 25 percent tariffs.

Experts attribute SK hynix's resilience to its growth in the DRAM market.

The firm took the lead in DRAM revenues in April, with a 36 percent market share, according to research firm Counterpoint. That surpassed South Korean rival Samsung for the first time -- the first change in the top spot in more than four decades.

SK hynix said in a conference call that "the previous quarter began amid concerns over slowing demand due to trade tensions and broader economic uncertainty".

But as the United States has been threatening restrictions on semiconductor sales to China, customers' preemptive purchases "to hedge against external risks" created a "more favourable environment" than expected, an SK hynix official said.

The company added that despite the geopolitical situations, its production situation saw "no change".

hs/kaf/dan

NVIDIA

TSMC - TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY
US approves $322 mn in arms sales to Ukraine



Washington, July 23 (AFP) Jul 23, 2025



The United States on Wednesday announced the approval of $322 million in arms sales to bolster Ukraine's air defenses and its armored combat vehicles.

The announcement of the sales comes after Washington temporarily halted some weapons shipments to Ukraine earlier this month even as Kyiv faced heavy Russian missile and drone attacks.

The sale of HAWK air defense equipment and sustainment will cost up to $172 million, while Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle equipment and services will total up to $150 million, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said.

The proposed HAWK equipment sale "will improve Ukraine's capability to meet current and future threats by further equipping it to conduct self-defense and regional security missions with a more robust air defense capability," DSCA said.

And the Bradley equipment and services will help meet Ukraine's "urgent need to strengthen local sustainment capabilities to maintain high operational rates for United States provided vehicles and weapon systems," it said.

The State Department approved the possible sales and the DSCA provided the required notification to the US Congress, which still needs to sign off on the transactions.

The latest proposed military sale to Ukraine follows another announced in early May valued at $310.5 million for F-16 training and sustainment.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion of neighboring Ukraine in 2022 and has shown little willingness to end the conflict despite pressure from the United States.

Under former president Joe Biden, Washington committed to providing more than $65 billion in military assistance to Ukraine.

But President Donald Trump -- long skeptical of assistance for Ukraine -- has not followed suit, announcing no new military aid packages for Kyiv since he returned to office in January.
North Korea's Kim urges troops to prepare 'for real war'



Seoul, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has urged his military to be ready "for real war" as he observed a firing contest of artillery units, Pyongyang state media said Thursday.

Kim's remarks follow the North's deployment of troops and weapons to help Russia during its more than three-year long offensive in Ukraine.

Video footage aired by state-run Korea Central Television on Thursday showed soldiers from artillery units firing shells towards the sea.

Kim is seen looking through binoculars at an observation post, flanked by two military officials, but the location for Wednesday's contest was not disclosed.

He urged the soldiers to be ready "for real war" at "anytime" and be capable of "destroying the enemy in every battle", the Korean Central News Agency reported in an English dispatch.

South Korean and Western intelligence agencies have reported Pyongyang sent more than 10,000 soldiers to Russia's Kursk region last year, along with artillery shells, missiles and long-range rocket systems.

Around 600 North Korean soldiers have been killed and thousands more wounded fighting for Russia, Seoul has said.

Kim offered Moscow his full support for its war in Ukraine during recent talks with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, state media reported previously.

The two heavily sanctioned nations signed a military deal last year, including a mutual defence clause, during a rare visit by Russian President Vladimir Putin to Pyongyang.
US Osprey makes emegency landing in Japan



Tokyo, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



A US Osprey military aircraft made an emergency landing on Thursday in northern Japan, the latest in a string of mishaps and accidents involving the controversial tilt-rotor plane.

The pilot contacted Hanamaki Airport in Iwate prefecture, saying that they wanted to land due to a technical glitch, an official at the airport told AFP.

The aircraft landed without incident and the crew did not request emergency medical assistance, he said.

Officials from US Forces Japan could not be reached for immediate comment.

Television footage from Hanamaki Airport showed a few uniformed US military personnel standing outside the parked aircraft.

National broadcaster NHK also showed a video of the Osprey making a vertical landing at Hanamaki.

The Hanamaki airport official said the incident did not impact the operation of the airport.

Ospreys can take off and land vertically like a helicopter and rotate their propellers forward to fly like a plane.

The aircraft has been involved in accidents and several deadly crashes, including one off southern Japan in 2023 when all eight people on board were killed. The fatal crash prompted the US military to ground the aircraft worldwide.

Regional Japanese military personnel were heading to Hanamaki to study the latest incident, a defence official told AFP.
Thailand, Cambodia clash with jets, rockets, artillery in deadly border row



Bangkok, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodian military targets on Thursday as Cambodia fired rockets and artillery, killing a civilian, in a dramatic escalation of a long-running border row between the two neighbours.

The neighbours are locked in a bitter spat over an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet, and which is home to several ancient temples.

The squabble has dragged on for decades, flaring into bloody military clashes more than 15 years ago and again in May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a firefight.

The conflict blazed up on Thursday, with Cambodia firing rockets and artillery shells into Thailand and the Thai military scrambling F-16 jets to carry out air strikes.

Six jets were deployed from Ubon Ratchathani province, hitting two "Cambodian military targets on the ground", according to Thai military deputy spokesperson Ritcha Suksuwanon.

The Thai prime minister's office said a Cambodian artillery shell hit a house over the border, killing one civilian and wounding three others, including a five-year-old child.

Both sides blamed the other for starting the fighting, which erupted near two temples on the border between the Thai province of Surin and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey.

"The Thai military violated the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Cambodia by launching an armed assault on Cambodian forces stationed to defend the nation's sovereign territory," defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said in a statement.

"In response, the Cambodian armed forces exercised their legitimate right to self-defence, in full accordance with international law, to repel the Thai incursion and protect Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to address what his foreign ministry labelled "unprovoked military aggression".

Thailand's government spokesman, meanwhile, accused Cambodia of being "inhumane, brutal and war-hungry", and Bangkok's foreign ministry said all border crossings had been shut and nearby residents evacuated.

The Thai military blamed Cambodian soldiers for firing first, and later accused them of a "targeted attack on civilians", saying two BM-21 rockets had hit a community in Surin's Kap Choeng district, wounding three people.

According to the Thai military, the clashes began around 7:35 am (0035 GMT) when a unit guarding Ta Muen temple heard a Cambodian drone overhead.

Later, six armed Cambodian soldiers, including one carrying a rocket-propelled grenade, approached a barbed-wired fence in front of the Thai post, the army said.

Thai soldiers shouted to warn them, the army said, but around 8:20 am, Cambodian forces opened fire toward the eastern side of the temple, about 200 metres from the Thai base.

Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said "the situation requires careful handling, and we must act in accordance with international law".

"We will do our best to protect our sovereignty," he said.

Thailand's embassy in Phnom Penh urged its nationals to leave Cambodia "as soon as possible" unless they had urgent reasons to remain, in a Facebook post.

China also issued a warning urging its citizens in Cambodia to avoid the country's frontier with Thailand.



- Long-running row -



The violence came hours after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy in protest after five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine.

Wechayachai said an investigation by the Thai military found evidence that Cambodia had laid new landmines in the disputed border area -- a claim denied by Phnom Penh.

On Thursday morning, Cambodia announced it was downgrading ties to "the lowest level", pulling out all but one of its diplomats and expelling their Thai equivalents from Phnom Penh.

Recent weeks have seen a series of tit-for-tat swipes by both sides, with Thailand restricting border crossings and Cambodia halting certain imports.

The border row also kicked off a domestic political crisis in Thailand, where prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended from office pending an ethics probe over her conduct.

A diplomatic call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, Cambodia's former longtime ruler and father of Hun Manet, was leaked from the Cambodian side, sparking a judicial investigation.

Last week, Hun Manet announced that Cambodia would start conscripting civilians next year, activating a long-dormant mandatory draft law.
Thailand, Cambodia clash with jets and rockets in deadly border row



Bangkok, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodian military targets on Thursday as Cambodia fired rockets and artillery, killing at least 11 civilians, in a dramatic escalation of a long-running border row between the two neighbours.

The neighbours are locked in a bitter spat over an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of both countries and Laos meet, and which is home to several ancient temples.

The squabble has dragged on for decades, flaring into bloody military clashes more than 15 years ago and again in May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a firefight.

The conflict blazed up on Thursday, with Cambodia firing rockets and artillery shells into Thailand and the Thai military scrambling F-16 jets to carry out air strikes.

The Thai ministry of public health said at least 11 civilians had been killed, most of them in a rocket strike near a petrol station in Sisaket province.

Footage from the scene showed smoke pouring from the roof of a convenience store attached to the petrol station. Provincial officials said most of the dead were students inside the shop when the attack happened.

Six Thai air force jets were deployed from Ubon Ratchathani province, hitting two "Cambodian military targets on the ground", according to Thai military deputy spokesperson Ritcha Suksuwanon.

Both sides blamed the other for starting the fighting, which erupted near two temples on the border between the Thai province of Surin and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey.

Cambodian defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said in a statement that Thai troops launched an "armed assault on Cambodian forces".

"In response, the Cambodian armed forces exercised their legitimate right to self-defence, in full accordance with international law, to repel the Thai incursion and protect Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity," she said.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to address what his foreign ministry labelled "unprovoked military aggression".

Thailand's government spokesman, meanwhile, accused Cambodia of being "inhumane, brutal and war-hungry", and Bangkok's foreign ministry said all border crossings had been shut and nearby residents evacuated.

The Thai military blamed Cambodian soldiers for firing first, and later accused them of a "targeted attack on civilians", saying two BM-21 rockets had hit a community in Surin's Kap Choeng district, wounding three people.

According to the Thai military, the clashes began around 7:35 am (0035 GMT) when a unit guarding Ta Muen temple heard a Cambodian drone overhead.

Later, six armed Cambodian soldiers, including one carrying a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, approached a barbed-wired fence in front of the Thai post, the army said.

Around 8:20 am, Cambodian forces opened fire toward the eastern side of the temple, about 200 metres from the Thai base.

Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said "the situation requires careful handling, and we must act in accordance with international law".

"We will do our best to protect our sovereignty," he said.

In a Facebook post, Thailand's embassy in Phnom Penh urged its nationals to leave Cambodia "as soon as possible" unless they had urgent reasons to remain.

China, a close ally of Cambodia, said it was "deeply concerned" about the clashes, calling for dialogue -- while also urging its citizens in Cambodia to avoid the country's frontier with Thailand.



- Long-running row -



The violence came hours after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy in protest after five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine.

On Thursday morning, Cambodia announced it was downgrading ties to "the lowest level", pulling out all but one of its diplomats and expelling their Thai equivalents from Phnom Penh.

Recent weeks have seen a series of tit-for-tat swipes by both sides, with Thailand restricting border crossings and Cambodia halting certain imports.

The border row also kicked off a domestic political crisis in Thailand, where prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been suspended from office pending an ethics probe over her conduct.

A diplomatic call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, Cambodia's former longtime ruler and father of Hun Manet, was leaked from the Cambodian side, sparking a judicial investigation.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called on both sides to "stand down" and start talks.

Malaysia currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which both Thailand and Cambodia are members.

burs-pdw/fox
YANGON, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Three people were reported missing after a motorboat capsized in a river in Yangon, Myanmar, an official from a local rescue organization said on Thursday.

"This morning, three members of our rescue team went to the scene and conducted the operation in coordination with other organizations," an official from Lin Latt Rescue Organization told Xinhua on Thursday.

The motorboat was operating between Botahtaung jetty in Botahtaung township and Thamada beach in Dala township of Yangon region, when the accident occurred at around 7 a.m. local time on Thursday, the official said.

As it is the rainy season, strong winds and waves in the river caused the boat to capsize, the official said, adding that it is difficult to search for the missing people due to the rough conditions.

The boat was carrying 11 people at the time of the accident, and eight of them were rescued, the official said. 
Israel army says identified projectile launched towards Gaza aid sites



Jerusalem, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



Israel's military on Thursday said it had identified a projectile launched towards aid points in southern Gaza a day earlier, as Hamas said it had targeted an "enemy command and control site" in the area.

It came as international criticism mounted over the humanitarian situation for Gaza's population of more than two million, with Israel denying its responsibility for chronic food shortages and instead blaming Hamas.

"Last night, the (Israeli military) identified a projectile launched from the Khan Yunis area in southern Gaza, toward the area in which the aid distribution sites in Rafah are located," an army statement read.

It added the projectile fell around 250 metres (820 feet) from an aid site adjacent to the so-called Morag Corridor between the southern cities of Khan Yunis and Rafah.

Three distribution points operated by the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) are located in southern Gaza.

In a statement, Hamas's armed wing, the Ezzedine Al-Qassam Brigades, said it had "shelled an enemy command and control site in the Morag axis on Wednesday evening" using a short-range rocket system.

Israel's military said that "despite the projectile launch, the aid distribution site in the Morag area opened today... and tens of thousands of weekly food packages were distributed to families".

"The projectile launch is yet another example of the ongoing attempts by the terrorist organisation to systematically and brutally sabotage the aid distribution program operated by the American company and international organisations," it added.

Deaths of people waiting for handouts in huge crowds near food distribution points in Gaza have become a regular occurrence, with the territory's authorities frequently blaming Israeli fire.

More than 100 aid and rights groups have warned that "mass starvation" is spreading across Gaza after more than 21 months of fighting between Israel and Hamas.
Greece warns Turkey over EU defence scheme



Athens, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



Greece has warned Turkey that it may block Turkish access to a European Union defence fund unless Ankara guarantees that the weapons will not be used to target Athens.

There are historic tensions between EU member Greece and neighbouring Turkey over sovereignty rights in the Aegean Sea and, more recently, over energy exploration and migration.

Turkey, which is a member of NATO but not the EU, is technically eligible to access EU defence industry financing and joint procurement programmes as part of the bloc's 150-billion-euro ($176-billion) Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative.

But Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said late on Wednesday that his country would not allow Turkey to take part in the defence scheme if it continued to threaten war against Greece and question its sovereignty in the Aegean Sea.

"Greece will not allow it," the conservative leader told Skai TV.

Turkey maintains a longstanding threat of war should Greece unilaterally expand its territorial waters in the Aegean.

Mitsotakis pointed out that all 27 EU members would have to agree before Turkey could access SAFE funds.

"Unanimity is required," he stressed.

His comments came hours after Germany said it had approved the delivery of Eurofighter jets to Turkey.

Turkey had been in talks for several years on buying 40 of the aircraft, which are constructed by a consortium from Germany, Britain, Italy and Spain.



- Conditions -



The Typhoon jets are to be built in Britain and London is leading the negotiations.

All members of the consortium must sign off on the sale and Germany, which has clashed with Turkey over Israel's war on Gaza, had objected until now.

After Germany gave the green light to the sale, the Turkish and British defence ministers signed a preliminary agreement in Istanbul on Wednesday for the delivery of the jets.

Mitsotakis said that while Greece could, if deemed necessary, block Turkey from accessing SAFE funds, it could not actually prevent the Eurofighter deal.

It could, however, set conditions.

"Turkey is a large country with a strong defence industry," he said.

"And if someone believes they can block any purchase of defence equipment by Turkey, they are deeply ignorant. It has never happened. It cannot happen.

"What can happen, however, is that we make our European allies aware that there will be contingencies and conditions regarding the way these aircraft will be delivered, potentially used and supported in the future," he said.

The EU has launched a raft of initiatives aimed at raising up to 800 billion euros to help member countries bolster their defences.

SAFE is a 150-billion-euro financing package designed to strengthen European defence capabilities and reduce dependence on NATO and the United States.

The scheme offers low-interest loans for procurement and can include third countries with whom the EU has a security and defence partnership, such as Turkey.
Thailand and Cambodia's deadly border dispute: what we know



Bangkok, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



Thailand launched air strikes on Cambodian military targets on Thursday as Cambodia fired rockets and artillery, killing at least 11 civilians, in a sharp escalation of a long-running border dispute.

The two countries are locked in a bitter feud over parts of the Emerald Triangle, where their borders meet Laos and several ancient temples stand.

AFP takes a look at what's going on:



- How did it start? -

The territorial row has dragged on for decades, but the latest flare-up between the two countries began with military border clashes in May that left one Cambodian soldier dead.

Since then, the two sides have hit each other with retaliatory measures, with Thailand restricting border crossings and Cambodia halting certain imports.

Five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine blast on Wednesday in the Nam Yuen district of northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province, according to the Thai army.

The Thai ministry of public health said Thursday at least 11 civilians had been killed in cross-border strikes by Cambodia.

A spokesperson for Cambodia's defence ministry declined to comment on Thursday when asked about casualties on its side.



- What happened? -

The conflict blazed on Thursday as Cambodia fired rockets and artillery into Thailand, and Thai F-16s carried out strikes on two Cambodian military targets, officials said.

A Cambodian shell hit a Thai house, killing one civilian and wounding three, including a five-year-old.

The clashes erupted near two temples on the border between the Thai province of Surin and Cambodia's Oddar Meanchey, with both sides trading blame.

Thailand condemned Cambodia as "inhumane, brutal and war-hungry", accusing it of targeting homes and civilian infrastructure.



- What is the state of diplomacy? -

The violence came hours after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy in protest after the landmine injuries.

Thailand's embassy in Phnom Penh urged its nationals to leave Cambodia "as soon as possible" unless they had urgent reasons to remain.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Thursday requested the UN Security Council convene an "urgent meeting" to address what his foreign ministry called "unprovoked military aggression".

China, a close ally of Cambodia, said it was "deeply concerned" about the clashes, calling for dialogue.

Anwar Ibrahim, the prime minister of Malaysia, which currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, called on its fellow ASEAN members Thailand and Cambodia to "stand down".



- Thai political crisis? -

The border dispute has also triggered a domestic political crisis in Thailand, where Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office pending an ethics probe over her conduct.

In an attempt to defuse the row, Paetongtarn held a diplomatic call with Hun Sen, Cambodia's former longtime ruler and father of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.

The phone call was leaked from the Cambodian side last month, sparking a judicial investigation.



- Cambodia's future conscripts? -

Hun Manet announced this month that Cambodia would start conscripting civilians next year, activating a long-dormant mandatory draft law.

He cited rising tensions with Thailand for the decision.

Cambodia's conscription law dates back to 2006 but has never been enforced.

Hun Manet has proposed conscripts serve for two years to bolster the country's 200,000 personnel, requiring citizens aged 18 to 30 to enlist in the military.
Troops kill at least 95 'bandits' in northwest Nigeria



Kano, Nigeria, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



Nigerian troops killed at least 95 members of an armed criminal gang in a shootout and airstrikes earlier this week, according to a situation report shared with the UN and seen by AFP on Thursday.

Armed gangs known as "bandits" have taken root across Nigeria's rural hinterlands amid poverty and government neglect. They raid, loot and burn villages, exact taxes, and conduct kidnappings for ransom.

On Tuesday, Nigerian air and ground troops "foiled an attempted bandit attack, launching air strikes and shootouts" in the northwestern state of Niger, according to the report, which was produced by a private conflict monitor.

It added that "at least 95 bandits" were killed in the clash, which occurred near the villages of Warari and Ragada in the Rijau local government area.

The Nigerian military put out a statement about the clash Wednesday, saying that forces "engaged terrorists in a firefight, neutralizing several."

One soldier was killed, it said.

Tuesday's attack follows a slew of battles where the Nigerian military -- which has in the past has been quick to publicise and sometimes exaggerate its gains -- has kept relatively mum on apparent victories where scores of bandits were killed.

An intelligence source told AFP the military was changing tack after realising publicising their gains was keeping jihadists and bandits abreast of their operations.

The army did not respond to a request for comment.



- Conflict spreading -



Nigeria's myriad bandit gangs maintain camps in a huge forest straddling Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and Niger states, in unrest that evolved from clashes between herders and farmers over land and resources into a broader conflict fuelled by arms trafficking.

Violence has spread in recent years from its heartland in the northwest -- where analysts say some gains have been made by the military recently -- into north-central Nigeria, where observers say the situation is getting worse.

Increasing cooperation between the criminal gangs, who are primarily motivated by financial gains, and jihadists -- who are waging a separate, 16-year-old-armed insurrection in the northeast -- has seen attacks worsen.

Despite recent gains in the northwest, the military remains overstretched. While improved cooperation between the army and air force has aided the fight, analysts say, air strikes have also killed hundreds of civilians.

Between 2018 and 2023, there were more deaths from bandits than there were from jihadist groups, according to figures from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a US-based monitor.

Last week motorcycle-riding bandits rounded up a group of farmers working their fields outside Jangebe village in Zamfara state, killing nine and kidnapping around 15 others, local residents told AFP.

Earlier this month, Nigerian soldiers killed at least 150 members of a criminal gang in an ambush in northwestern Kebbi state this week, a local official said.
Zelensky proposes new bill ensuring 'independence' of anti-graft bodies



Kyiv, Ukraine, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Thursday he had approved a draft bill guaranteeing the freedom of anti-corruption bodies, after nationwide protests over changes curbing the independence of the oversight organisations.

The changes also raised concerns in the European Union, a key ally to Ukraine since the Russian invasion in February 2022 that has said reforms are essential for closer European integration.

Zelensky had promised on Wednesday he would propose a new bill on anti-graft agencies to parliament, a move the EU welcomed.

"I have just approved the text of a draft law that guarantees real strengthening of the rule of law in Ukraine, independence of anti-corruption bodies and reliable protection of the rule of law from any Russian influence or interference," Zelensky wrote on social media.

He said the new bill would be submitted to parliament on Thursday.

"It is important that we respect the position of all Ukrainians and are grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine," he added.

Thousands took to the streets across Ukraine this week to protest against changes that would remove the independence of key anti-graft agencies;

They were the country's first large-scale demonstrations since the war started more than three years ago.

That law -- swiftly approved by the parliament and signed by Zelensky on the same day -- places the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the direct authority of the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president.
'Human shield': Niger's ousted president held by junta



Abidjan, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



President Mohamed Bazoum has been languishing for two years along with his wife in Niger's presidential palace since his ouster by a junta, which is using them as human shields to avert foreign military intervention to free them, according to the couple's lawyers.

They are only allowed medical visits. Their lawyers say they have exhausted all legal recourse and now rely on political action or foreign mediation to secure the couple's release.

The junta leader also resides in the presidential palace.



What are the detention conditions?



On the morning of July 26, 2023, access to the presidential palace was blocked by the president's guard while Bazoum, 65, and Hadiza, 57, were inside.

That evening, soldiers announced on television that the government was overthrown. The Bazoums were then confined to a wing of the palace.

Two years later, "the detention conditions... have not changed", a source close to Bazoum told AFP.

"They are still in two windowless rooms, without access to the outside and without any visitors" except for a doctor once a week, they added.

Their activities include reading books brought by the doctor and using a stationary bike.

One of Bazoum's lawyers, American Reed Brody, was in contact with him until October 2023 when his phone was confiscated. Since then, the couple has had no connection with the outside world or access to internet or television.

Despite suffering from "sleep disorders", they "are fine, they remain in good spirits," Brody added.

Their son Salem, 23, was released early last year. Lawyers say the junta offered to have Bazoum's wife released, but she declined.

The Bazoums live in the same building as junta leader General Abdourahamane Tiani, said Brody, who is among several sources who suspect Tiani to be using the Bazoum as a "human shield".

Shortly after the coup, countries in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) regional bloc considered military intervention to secure Bazoum's release and restore constitutional order.

By detaining Bazoum, "it's a form of insurance against bombing the palace, for example", Brody said.

Another source close to Bazoum noted that the president, elected in 2021, has never resigned.

"He has convictions and value, he is someone who believes in democracy -- resigning would betray his oath," they said.

"The Bazoum case is an exceptional situation," said Seidik Abba, president for the International Center for Studies and Reflections on the Sahel.

The NGO Human Rights Watch on Wednesday reiterated a call for Bazoum's release.



What about justice?



The junta announced in August 2023 it intended to prosecute Bazoum for "plotting to undermine the state's security and authority" and "treason," the latter being punishable by death.

Bazoum has not faced any formal legal proceedings but his diplomatic immunity was lifted last year.

A preliminary investigation had been opened and Bazoum has been questioned.

Brody claims the junta's leaders "do not want to initiate a real judicial process because it would involve transferring the president to prison".

"We are convinced they want to keep him close to the general," he said.

Following the lifting of Bazoum's immunity, his lawyers tried in vain to attain his automatic release, the judicial source said.



What is the global community doing?



Bazoum's lawyers have launched multiple proceedings with international bodies, including the ECOWAS regional court and the United Nations. Niger has quit ECOWAS.

Both organisations have declared his detention "arbitrary" and demanded his release.

"We have won across the board," but "legal avenues are exhausted," said Brody, who now hopes for political action.

Bazoum's detention could serve as a bargaining chip for the junta in negotiations with other countries, several sources have said.

According to one source close to the ousted president and analyst Abba, negotiations for Bazoum's release have been ongoing for several months between Qatar and Niger.

Mediation by Togo in early 2024 facilitated the release of the couple's son.

bur-ldp-bdi-bam/emd/giv/ach
Zelensky backtracks from curbing anti-graft bodies after protests



Kyiv, Ukraine, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday he had approved a draft bill guaranteeing the freedom of anti-corruption bodies, after nationwide protests over a new law that curbed their independence.

The change also raised concerns in the European Union, a key ally to Ukraine in its war against Russia, which has said reforms are essential for closer European integration.

Zelensky had promised on Wednesday he would propose a new bill on anti-graft agencies to parliament, a move the EU welcomed.

"I have just approved the text of a draft law that guarantees real strengthening of the rule of law in Ukraine, independence of anti-corruption bodies and reliable protection of the rule of law from any Russian influence or interference," Zelensky wrote on social media.

"It is important that we respect the position of all Ukrainians and are grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine," he added.

Zelensky also discussed the bill, due to be submitted to the parliament on Thursday, with the British and German leaders.

He invited Berlin to join "the expert review of the bill" and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggested involving experts in scrutinizing the bill, Zelensky said in a statement after their phone call.

Zelensky's deputy prime minister in charge of Ukraine's EU integration, Taras Kachka, reassured the bloc's ambassadors that the independence of anti-corruption bodies remained a "priority".

But a solution that would satisfy all parties was needed, he added.

Thousands took to the streets across Ukraine this week to protest against changes that would remove the independence of key anti-graft agencies;

They were the country's first large-scale demonstrations since the war started more than three years ago.

The law in question was swiftly approved by the parliament and signed by Zelensky on the same day.

It places the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the direct authority of the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president.
Germany plans compulsory military screening for young men



Berlin, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



Germany plans to reintroduce compulsory screening for military service for 18-year-old men as part of plans to ramp up defence capabilities, a defence ministry source said Thursday.

Conservative Chancellor Friedrich Merz has made boosting Germany's threadbare military a key priority given the threat from Russia and US President Donald Trump's questioning of the traditional American security umbrella for Europe.

The drive for now aims to attract volunteers to the armed forces, but includes provisions for compulsory service in case numbers fall short.

As part of planned legislation due to be presented to cabinet next month, all young German men would have to fill out a questionnaire about their readiness and willingness to serve in the military.

The questionnaire would be voluntary for young women.

From 2028, all 18-year-old men would be required to undergo screening to determine their fitness for military service, whether they have shown an interest in joining the armed forces or not.

The planned law would also provide for compulsory military service to be reintroduced if deemed necessary because of the security situation, and provided parliament gives its explicit approval.

Conscription was officially suspended in Germany in 2011 under then chancellor Angela Merkel.

Merz has introduced sweeping plans to largely exempt defence spending from Germany's strict debt rules in a drive to build up "the strongest conventional army in Europe".

But the Bundeswehr, currently 180,000-strong plus 49,000 reservists, has been struggling to recruit.

This year the defence ministry expects 15,000 new recruits for military service, 5,000 more than last year.

The eventual aim is to have a total military strength of 460,000 -- made up of 260,000 active soldiers and 200,000 reservists.

For the moment the government says it plans to rely on volunteers to build up the ranks, and hopes for 40,000 new recruits per year by 2031.

It also wants to make military service more attractive, for example by offering training in new technologies and language courses.

Germany's northern neighbour Sweden reintroduced a limited form of conscription in 2017, seven years after abandoning it.
Ukraine's anti-graft body says new bill restores independence



Kyiv, Ukraine, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



Ukraine's anti-corruption body NABU said a new bill submitted to parliament Thursday would restore its independence, after President Volodymyr Zelensky backtracked under pressure from nationwide protests and the EU.

Thousands took to the streets across Ukraine this week to protest against legal changes that removed the independence of key anti-graft agencies, NABU and SAPO.

They were the country's first large-scale demonstrations since Russia invaded more than three years ago.

The changes also raised concerns in the European Union, a key ally to Ukraine in its war against Russia, which has said reforms are essential for closer European integration.

"Bill 13533, submitted by the President of Ukraine as urgent, restores all procedural powers and guarantees of independence of the NABU and SAPO," NABU said in a statement.

Both agencies took part in the preparation of the new draft law, it added.

Zelensky had promised on Wednesday he would propose a new bill on anti-graft agencies to parliament just a day after having approved the controversial reforms.

The European Union welcomed his new position.

On Thursday, Zelensky wrote on social media that he had just approved the text of the new bill.

"It is important that we respect the position of all Ukrainians and are grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine," he added.

Zelensky also discussed the issue with the British and German leaders.

He invited Berlin to join "the expert review of the bill" and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggested involving experts in scrutinizing it, Zelensky said in a statement after phone calls with the leaders.

Zelensky's deputy prime minister in charge of Ukraine's EU integration, Taras Kachka, reassured the bloc's ambassadors that the independence of anti-corruption bodies remained a "priority".

But a solution that would satisfy all parties was needed, he added.

The earlier version of the bill that was aimed at curbing independence of anti-graft bodies was swiftly approved by the parliament on Tuesday and signed by Zelensky into law on the same day.

It was aimed at placing the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) under the direct authority of the prosecutor general, who is appointed by the president.
Iran defends 'unshakable' right to enrich uranium ahead of key talks



Tehran, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



Iran on Thursday reaffirmed its right to enrich uranium, saying it was "unshakable", on the eve of key talks with European powers threatening to reimpose nuclear sanctions.

Friday's meeting, set to take place in Istanbul, will be the first since Israel's mid-June attack targeting key nuclear and military sites in the Islamic republic sparked a 12-day war.

The United States joined its ally Israel in the offensive, striking three Iranian nuclear facilities overnight between June 21 and 22.

"Especially after the recent war, it is important for them to understand that the Islamic Republic of Iran's position remains unshakable, and that our uranium enrichment will continue," said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

"We will not give up this right of the Iranian people," he said, quoted by Tasnim news agency.

The hostilities between Iran and Israel broke out just two days before Tehran and Washington were set to resume negotiations on Iran's nuclear programme.

Britain, France and Germany -- alongside China, Russia and the United States -- are parties to a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which placed major restrictions on its atomic activities in return for the gradual lifting of UN sanctions.

However, in 2018, the United States unilaterally withdrew from the agreement during Donald Trump's first term as president and reimposed its own sanctions.

Britain, France and Germany maintained their support for the 2015 accord and sought to continue trade with Iran, meaning UN and EU sanctions were not reinstated.

But they have since accused Tehran of failing to uphold its commitments and are threatening to reimpose sanctions under a clause in the agreement that expires in October -- something Iran is keen to avoid at all costs.

"Inaction by the E3 is not an option," a European source said of the three powers, noting that Tehran would be reminded during the meeting that the snapback window closes this autumn.

The source said Europeans were preparing to trigger the mechanism "in the absence of a negotiated solution" and called on Iran to make "clear gestures" regarding uranium enrichment and the resumption of cooperation with the UN's nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The IAEA says Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed country currently enriching uranium to 60 percent -- far beyond the 3.67 percent cap set by the 2015 accord.

That is a short step from the 90 percent enrichment required for a nuclear weapon.

Western powers, led by the United States and backed by Israel, have long accused Tehran of secretly seeking nuclear weapons.

Iran has repeatedly denied this, insisting its nuclear programme is solely for civilian purposes such as energy production.

Tehran and Washington had held five rounds of nuclear talks starting in April, but a planned meeting on June 15 was cancelled after Israel launched its strikes on Iran.
PHNOM PENH/BANGKOK, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and Thailand on Thursday traded accusations following the escalating situation along the border areas.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Thursday urged the United Nations Security Council to convene an urgent meeting to discuss the matter.

In a letter to Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, whose country assumed the rotating presidency of the Security Council for July, Hun Manet said that since early Thursday, Thai armed forces have launched attacks on Cambodian positions.

The attacks violated fundamental principles of international law, he said.

Hun Manet said Cambodia calls on Thailand to immediately cease all hostilities, withdraw its forces to its side of the border, and refrain from any further provocative actions which could escalate the situation.

On Thursday, Thailand's foreign ministry said the Thai government called on Cambodia to take responsibility for the incidents, cease attacks against civilian and military targets, and stop all actions that violate Thailand's sovereignty.

Otherwise, said the Thai foreign ministry in a statement, the Thai side is prepared to intensify self-defense measures in accordance with international law and relevant principles.

The Thai embassy in Cambodia has urged Thai nationals to leave Cambodia.

The situation escalated following skirmishes which began Thursday morning when Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged fire at a disputed area. 
Syria rejects Kurd bid to keep weapons: government source



Damascus, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



Syria has rejected Kurdish demands to keep their weapons, a government source said Thursday, as a new round of talks on the Kurds' integration into the state was set to begin.

The Kurds, who control large swathes of the north and east, are negotiating with the central government on the integration of their civil and military institutions into the state.

Those include the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is Kurdish-led.

"Talking about refusing to hand over weapons or maintaining an autonomous military force is completely unacceptable," the source told the state broadcaster Al-Ikhbariya.

According to the source, such a position "contradicts the principles of unifying the national army and the agreement reached last March between Ahmed al-Sharaa and Mazloum Abdi".

In March, Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and SDF commander Mazloum Abdi signed a deal to incorporate Kurdish institutions into the Syrian state.

While talks have been held regularly since then, progress has stalled.

Recent unrest in the south, where the new authorities have attempted to subdue the Druze minority, as well as ongoing violence targeting the Alawite community, has deepened Kurdish concerns.

According to the Kurdish news agency Hawar, a planned meeting on Thursday in Paris between Kurdish representatives and a Syrian government delegation was postponed.

During the recent violence in the southern Druze heartland of Sweida -- which left nearly 1,400 dead -- a senior Syrian Kurdish official called on the central government to urgently and comprehensively rethink its approach to minorities.

Damascus, meanwhile, insists on reunifying the country at any cost.

The government source's comments came a day after SDF spokesperson Farhad Shami told al-Yaum TV that disarmament is a "red line".

"No one is surrendering in Syria. Those betting on our capitulation will lose -- the tragic events have made that clear," he added, referring to the communal violence in Sweida.

Reacting to this, the Syrian government source said: "Using the events in Sweida or along the coast to justify refusing to return to the state fold is a manipulation of public opinion".

"A genuine national dialogue cannot happen under the threat of weapons or with backing from foreign powers," the source added.

On Saturday, Abdi, who is backed by Washington, met with US special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack to discuss the southern unrest, according to the US embassy in Syria on X.
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PYONGYANG, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Kim Jong Un, top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), oversaw on Wednesday a firing contest involving artillery sub-units of large combined units of the Korean People's Army, the official Korean Central News Agency reported Thursday.

The contest examined the sub-units' capability in carrying out a night march, combat deployment and firing attack on an unexpected enemy target in coastal regional environment and summer conditions, the report said.

Kim, general secretary of the Workers' Party of Korea and president of the State Affairs of the DPRK, expressed his satisfaction with the contest and its result.

Lauding the artillery force as the core arm of the country's armed forces, Kim stressed the need to continuously and rapidly develop DPRK-style artillery tactics and combat methods. 
And with this little tour of these wild and true artworks, we arrive at why Deller is here. Which is that to mark the bicentenary of the National, the Turner Prize winner is holding a huge free party in Trafalgar Square this Saturday. Titled The Triumph of Art, it is a public revelry beginning at 11am with a parade along Whitehall to the square, where a carnival of performances, music and general mayhem will take place. It is the climax to a nationwide series of events by Deller and the National, that have dovetailed with local culture and folklore and politics, such as one in Derry, Northern Ireland which showcased the bands who played there during the Troubles. This final London happening is, quite simply, not to be missed.
In a post on social media, she added: I urge the Government to give urgent reassurances on how this system will be safely managed and what protections will be put in place to ensure no Hong Konger, CCP critic or anyone targeted by the CCP will be extradited under the new arrangement.
In their report the MPs said that some of Israels recent actions in Gaza are difficult to justify given the death toll among civilians and pressure should be put on Tel Aviv for this conflict to end and for hostages to be released.
He was stopped at one point by a couple getting married at the venue who said it was great to meet him and asked to take a picture with him, followed by a man who shouted: Yes Jezza at the former Labour leader.
The deal now being signed by the UK and Australia sets out the bilateral aspects of the partnership and how the two countries will work together to deliver their Aukus submarine programmes over the next half century.
I will hold an emergency call with E3 partners tomorrow, where we will discuss what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need, while pulling together all the steps necessary to build a lasting peace.
He said all protest activity should cease by 10pm, adding: To be clear, you will not be able to get in the way of people getting on with their daily lives in Epping. This is a priority.
Flight MU845 headed for Paris is set to depart Nanjing Lukou International Airport in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, late July 8, 2025. (Photo by Fang Tianxiang/Xinhua)

Admittedly, like all major economic players, China and the EU do not agree on everything. But disagreement does not equal confrontation. In fact, it is through dialogue that differences can be managed, and mutual interests enhanced.

by Xinhua writers Zhang Zhaoqing, Chen Binjie

BRUSSELS, July 24 (Xinhua) -- This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union (EU), a milestone in a relationship that has matured through dialogue, cooperation and mutual benefit.

As the international landscape grows increasingly fraught, the anniversary offers a timely reminder: China is a critical partner to Europe, not a systemic rival.

That distinction matters. Despite occasional disagreements, the relationship between China and Europe is underpinned by a wide range of shared interests, including trade, climate, and global governance. These areas of common ground should not be eclipsed by isolated points of friction.

From just 2.4 billion U.S. dollars in trade in 1975 to nearly 785 billion dollars in 2024, China-EU economic ties have become one of the most vibrant engines of global growth. Tens of thousands of freight trains have linked Chinese cities with over two dozen European countries. Investment flows have steadily expanded. Tourism, education, and people-to-people exchanges are flourishing. Such a relationship is not adversarial but essential.

Admittedly, like all major economic players, China and the EU do not agree on everything. But disagreement does not equal confrontation. In fact, it is through dialogue that differences can be managed, and mutual interests enhanced.

Some in Europe express concerns over so-called trade imbalances and follow Washington's talk of "de-risking" and "de-coupling from China." But such concerns often miss the broader picture.

The EU has long benefited from its trade with China, not only through exports of goods but through the access its businesses enjoy in a vast and evolving market. From luxury brands and automobiles to pharmaceuticals and engineering, European firms have built a strong presence in China.

A container of China Railway Express is seen at the Csepel Freeport Logistics Park in Budapest, Hungary on April 12, 2022. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

Moreover, trade is not merely about goods. Services such as education, travel and tourism, where Europe enjoys clear advantages, have formed a growing and vital part of bilateral exchanges. Chinese tourists, students, and business travelers have made meaningful contributions to Europe's economy and cultural life.

China and Europe also share common principles. Both advocate for multilateralism, a UN-centered international system, and a multilateral trade regime with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core. Both support multipolarity and globalization. Both are committed to tackling climate change and development deficits -- real challenges that demand cooperation, not confrontation.

China, which does not seek dominance in global affairs, has never imposed its choices on Europe, nor has it blamed the EU for its domestic challenges. On the contrary, China has consistently supported a strong, united and strategically autonomous Europe. China firmly believes that Europe is a critical pole in a multipolar world and a key partner in promoting a more inclusive and just global order.

China's pursuit of high-quality development aligns naturally with Europe's goals of a green transition and renewed competitiveness. Despite differences on certain issues, China's door to Europe remains open. It will continue to expand cooperation in areas ranging from green development to digital innovation, and from AI governance to upholding a free and open world economy.

The significance of China-EU ties extends far beyond bilateral interests. Whether in green supply chains, creating joint technological standards, or climate governance, each area of cooperation sends a signal of hope and stability to a world in flux.

As global climate change think tank E3G rightly pointed out, China and the EU are clean-tech powerhouses and agenda-setters in global climate policy. Allowing geopolitical tensions or trade frictions to derail this cooperation would be a serious strategic mistake.

The relationship needs more trust, not suspicion; more bridges, not barriers. This requires a return to the original spirit of China-EU engagement based on mutual respect, mutual benefit and shared progress.

As former EU official Gerhard Stahl noted, framing China as a "systemic rival" has done more to fuel misunderstanding than to foster constructive engagement. China, one of Europe's most important partners, offers long-term predictability and enormous opportunity. The prospects for China-EU relations are brighter than ever. 
1907 - The border disputes date back to a map made in 1907, when Cambodia was a French colony. The map served as the foundation for Cambodia's claims to specific areas of the border, but Thailand disputed it due to its lack of clarity, which resulted in differing interpretations.

1962 - Cambodia was granted authority over the ancient temple by the International Court of Justice in 1962.

2008-11 - Military fighting goes on continuously over a jungle border area. Each side blamed the other for starting and prolonging the fighting. A ceasefire was declared in 2011 after heavy seven days of fighting, which killed at least 15 people and displaced tens of thousands of civilians.

May 28, 2025 - The border dispute reignites and a Cambodian soldier is killed.

June 15, 2025 - Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has a phone call with Hun Sen, the de facto leader of Cambodia. The purpose of the call was to ease tensions between the two nations.

July 23, 2025 - In a land mine explosion, a Thai soldier lost his right leg. Thailand said that it would recall its ambassador to Cambodia and dismiss Cambodia's ambassador, thereby downgrading diplomatic ties with Cambodia.
ULAN BATOR, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia welcomed nearly 350,000 foreign tourists in the first half of 2025, up 18 percent year-on-year, official data showed on Thursday.

During the period, almost 50 percent of foreign tourists were visitors from China, Russia and South Korea, data released by the Mongolian Tourism Organization showed.

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sport, Tourism and Youth, the Mongolian government has decided to continue the "Years to Visit Mongolia" tourism program until 2028 to promote the development of four-season tourism in the country.

Currently, Mongolia's economy relies heavily on the export of mineral resources. Tourism promotion is considered one of the priorities for diversifying the country's economy and increasing the competitiveness of its tourism in the context of global competition.

The landlocked Asian country received a total of 727,400 foreign tourists in 2024, earning 1.6 billion U.S. dollars from the tourism sector. 
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DAMASCUS, July 24 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed, including a woman and a child, and 140 others injured as a powerful explosion rocked the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib on Thursday, state-run SANA news agency reported citing a non-final toll by the Syrian health authorities.

The blast, which occurred near the village of al-Foua in northern Idlib in proximity to camps housing displaced families, ignited massive fires, sent thick columns of smoke into the sky and triggered an emergency response, including ambulances rushing to the scene.

It set off a series of secondary blasts, further complicating rescue efforts, raising concerns about additional detonations, and causing widespread fear among civilians.

Local hospitals have reportedly issued urgent appeals for blood donations, highlighting the strain on medical facilities amid the influx of injured civilians.

According to Britain-based monitoring group the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the blast originated inside an ammunition depot, and rescue operations are still ongoing.

Witnesses also reported the presence of unidentified aircraft flying overhead at the time of the explosion, though no official statement has confirmed any airstrike or external involvement.

No group has claimed responsibility for the explosion, and Syrian authorities have yet to release a definitive statement regarding its cause. 
An aerial drone photo taken on July 22, 2025 shows the tomb of Wuhou in Mianxian County in Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Hanzhong is nestled between the Qinling and Daba Mountains, with the Hanjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, flowing through the city. For more than 2,300 years, it has served as a vital nexus for the river network and transportation routes connecting the north and south. The city is rich in resources and, unlike other areas in Shaanxi, it shows distinct characteristics in dialect and culinary traditions influenced by southwest China's Sichuan. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Kids have fun at a wetland park in Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 21, 2025. Hanzhong is nestled between the Qinling and Daba Mountains, with the Hanjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, flowing through the city. For more than 2,300 years, it has served as a vital nexus for the river network and transportation routes connecting the north and south. The city is rich in resources and, unlike other areas in Shaanxi, it shows distinct characteristics in dialect and culinary traditions influenced by southwest China's Sichuan. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

An aerial drone photo shows the view of a wetland park in Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 21, 2025. Hanzhong is nestled between the Qinling and Daba Mountains, with the Hanjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, flowing through the city. For more than 2,300 years, it has served as a vital nexus for the river network and transportation routes connecting the north and south. The city is rich in resources and, unlike other areas in Shaanxi, it shows distinct characteristics in dialect and culinary traditions influenced by southwest China's Sichuan. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Tourists visit the Hanzhong Museum in Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 22, 2025. Hanzhong is nestled between the Qinling and Daba Mountains, with the Hanjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, flowing through the city. For more than 2,300 years, it has served as a vital nexus for the river network and transportation routes connecting the north and south. The city is rich in resources and, unlike other areas in Shaanxi, it shows distinct characteristics in dialect and culinary traditions influenced by southwest China's Sichuan. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

An aerial drone photo taken on July 21, 2025 shows the relics of the ancient pavilion in Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province. Hanzhong is nestled between the Qinling and Daba Mountains, with the Hanjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, flowing through the city. For more than 2,300 years, it has served as a vital nexus for the river network and transportation routes connecting the north and south. The city is rich in resources and, unlike other areas in Shaanxi, it shows distinct characteristics in dialect and culinary traditions influenced by southwest China's Sichuan. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Citizens enjoy themselves at a wetland park in Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 21, 2025. Hanzhong is nestled between the Qinling and Daba Mountains, with the Hanjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, flowing through the city. For more than 2,300 years, it has served as a vital nexus for the river network and transportation routes connecting the north and south. The city is rich in resources and, unlike other areas in Shaanxi, it shows distinct characteristics in dialect and culinary traditions influenced by southwest China's Sichuan. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

People visit the Hanzhong Museum in Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 21, 2025. Hanzhong is nestled between the Qinling and Daba Mountains, with the Hanjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, flowing through the city. For more than 2,300 years, it has served as a vital nexus for the river network and transportation routes connecting the north and south. The city is rich in resources and, unlike other areas in Shaanxi, it shows distinct characteristics in dialect and culinary traditions influenced by southwest China's Sichuan. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

This photo shows the cliff carving depicting the ancient city of Hanzhong at the Hanzhong Museum, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 21, 2025. Hanzhong is nestled between the Qinling and Daba Mountains, with the Hanjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, flowing through the city. For more than 2,300 years, it has served as a vital nexus for the river network and transportation routes connecting the north and south. The city is rich in resources and, unlike other areas in Shaanxi, it shows distinct characteristics in dialect and culinary traditions influenced by southwest China's Sichuan. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

A tourist walks on relics of the ancient path at the Wuhouci Shrine in Mianxian County in Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 22, 2025. Hanzhong is nestled between the Qinling and Daba Mountains, with the Hanjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, flowing through the city. For more than 2,300 years, it has served as a vital nexus for the river network and transportation routes connecting the north and south. The city is rich in resources and, unlike other areas in Shaanxi, it shows distinct characteristics in dialect and culinary traditions influenced by southwest China's Sichuan. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Tourists visit the relics of the ancient pavilion in Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 22, 2025. Hanzhong is nestled between the Qinling and Daba Mountains, with the Hanjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, flowing through the city. For more than 2,300 years, it has served as a vital nexus for the river network and transportation routes connecting the north and south. The city is rich in resources and, unlike other areas in Shaanxi, it shows distinct characteristics in dialect and culinary traditions influenced by southwest China's Sichuan. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

This photo shows the relics of ancient paths at the Wuhouci Shrine in Mianxian County in Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 22, 2025. Hanzhong is nestled between the Qinling and Daba Mountains, with the Hanjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, flowing through the city. For more than 2,300 years, it has served as a vital nexus for the river network and transportation routes connecting the north and south. The city is rich in resources and, unlike other areas in Shaanxi, it shows distinct characteristics in dialect and culinary traditions influenced by southwest China's Sichuan. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Tourists watch the diagrammatic sketch of ancient routes at the Hanzhong Museum in Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 22, 2025. Hanzhong is nestled between the Qinling and Daba Mountains, with the Hanjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, flowing through the city. For more than 2,300 years, it has served as a vital nexus for the river network and transportation routes connecting the north and south. The city is rich in resources and, unlike other areas in Shaanxi, it shows distinct characteristics in dialect and culinary traditions influenced by southwest China's Sichuan. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

This photo shows the Wuhouci Shrine in Mianxian County in Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 22, 2025. Hanzhong is nestled between the Qinling and Daba Mountains, with the Hanjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, flowing through the city. For more than 2,300 years, it has served as a vital nexus for the river network and transportation routes connecting the north and south. The city is rich in resources and, unlike other areas in Shaanxi, it shows distinct characteristics in dialect and culinary traditions influenced by southwest China's Sichuan. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

People look at the cliff carving at the Hanzhong Museum in Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 21, 2025. Hanzhong is nestled between the Qinling and Daba Mountains, with the Hanjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, flowing through the city. For more than 2,300 years, it has served as a vital nexus for the river network and transportation routes connecting the north and south. The city is rich in resources and, unlike other areas in Shaanxi, it shows distinct characteristics in dialect and culinary traditions influenced by southwest China's Sichuan. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

A tourist takes photos of the exhibited bronze wares unearthed from Hanzhong at the Hanzhong Museum in Hanzhong, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 22, 2025. Hanzhong is nestled between the Qinling and Daba Mountains, with the Hanjiang River, a tributary of the Yangtze River, flowing through the city. For more than 2,300 years, it has served as a vital nexus for the river network and transportation routes connecting the north and south. The city is rich in resources and, unlike other areas in Shaanxi, it shows distinct characteristics in dialect and culinary traditions influenced by southwest China's Sichuan. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)
The farmers' vote is essential in expressing the real will of Romanian agriculture in Brussels, minister of agriculture and rural development Florin Barbu told a conference held on Wednesday in Baile Herculane.

He conveyed to the farmers that agricultural policies must be built in dialogue with farmers, so that "decisions reflect the real needs of the sector".

"I will go to all the counties and consult with farmers before supporting in the Council of Ministers of the European Union the preservation of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) separate from the cohesion funds and structured on two pillars - direct payments and investments in rural development. "The farmers' vote is essential to express the real will of Romanian agriculture in Brussels," the MADR official underscored.

He conveyed to the farmers that agricultural policies must be built in dialogue with farmers, so that decisions reflect the real needs of the sector.

According to a MADR (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) press release, sent to AGERPRES, the Minister of Agriculture is paying a working visit to Caras-Severin and Mehedinti counties, to analyze the implementation status of projects financed through the National Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 (PNDR).

On this occasion, in Baile Herculane, the minister met with farmers from the county, in an open dialogue regarding the needs of the agricultural sector, development opportunities and investment priorities for the coming period.

In this context, he reaffirmed the MADR's commitment to support investments in the processing of agri-food products, as well as in animal husbandry. "From Eurostat data on the implementation of the 2 billion euros intended for processing in Romania, our country will become the most important food producer in southeastern Europe. In the coming years, through support measures we will aim to integrate plant production into the livestock sector, so that the raw material used in processing plants is of Romanian origin," the head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) also said.

On Wednesday, he also visited the pig farm of the Danubius Farm Agricultural Cooperative, a beneficiary of the Pig Breeders Support Programme for Breeding Activity. The investment consists of creating new accommodation places in a new breeding farm, and its value is 45,325,273 lei (9.2 million euros). The works are being carried out with non-refundable financial assistance of 90%, and the completion date is October 2025.

According to the MADR, Florin Barbu also paid a working visit to the Crivina-Vanju Mare Hydro-Amelioration Facility in Mehedinti County, to check the progress of the rehabilitation works of one of the most important irrigation systems on the left bank of the Danube.

Starting with August 2025, the authorities estimate that it will be possible to supply water to the already rehabilitated canals. Also during this year, the acquisition of aggregates for both pumping stations is planned, and the CD2 and CD3 canals are to be completed to a proportion of approximately 70%. The supply canal will also be completed, and the National Land Improvement Authority (ANIF) estimates that the execution works will be completed in the spring of 2026.

"By putting the entire system into operation, farmers in the southwest of Mehedinti County will benefit from a secure source of water for irrigation, which will contribute to reducing climate risks and increasing the stability of agricultural production," say MADR representatives.
The European Commission has sent letters of formal notice to 26 member states, Romania included, for failing to communicate to the European Commission the full transposition of the provisions of the amending Directive (EU) 2023/2413 into national law.





The 26 member states are Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden.The new rules aim to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy in all sectors of the economy, not only in the power sector, but also and especially in those sectors where progress is more difficult like heating and cooling, buildings, transport and industry, where we have also set new or strengthened targets. They set important horizontal and cross-cutting measures to promote the deployment of renewables, such as the strengthening of guarantees of origin, facilitating energy system integration through the promotion of electrification and renewable hydrogen, and safeguards to ensure a more sustainable bioenergy production.To date, only Denmark notified full transposition of the Directive by the legal deadline. The EuropeanCommission is therefore sending letters of formal notice to 26 Member States. They now have two months to respond, complete their transposition and notify their measures to the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.
Germany's Federal Minister for the Environment, Climate Action and Nuclear Safety Carsten Schneider is paying a visit to Romania July 24 to 26.





According to a release from Germany's Embassy in Bucharest, on Friday Minister Schneider has meetings scheduled with Romanian politicians and representatives of the civil society regarding climate protection in Romania.The meeting between the two ministers will be followed by a joint press conference at the seat of the National Weather Administration. The ministers will then travel together to the Vacaresti Natural Park, where they will continue their dialogue on urban nature reserves.
The Government meets on Thursday to discuss a draft decision on the annual granting of scholarships for full and partial undergraduate, master's and doctoral studies, as well as for research internships abroad.

"The Ministry of Education and Research proposes that the funding of scholarships be achieved from the state budget and from the ministry's own revenues derived from the 5% of foreign currency receipts related to fees charged by state higher education institutions from foreign students and trainees. (...) The Ministry of Education and Research will provide the following: monthly scholarships in euros that can cover, in whole or in part, the costs of tuition fees, accommodation, food, maintenance abroad and other similar expenses, medical insurance, only if it is not covered by the European regulations in force, as well as international transport from Romania to the internship location and return, only once per academic year, if it is not insured by the receiving party", the project's substantiation note explains.

Also on the agenda of Thursday's meeting is the approval of the main state budget credit authorizing officers whose expenditures will be presented in the Fiscal-Budget Strategy for the period 2026 - 2028, established based on the state budget expenditures estimated for 2025 according to the program updated on June 30.

The 10 ministries proposed as main credit authorizing officers are: Ministry of Labor, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, Ministry of Education and Research, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ministry of Development, Public Works and Administration, Ministry of Investments and European Projects, Ministry of Finance.

The Bolojan Cabinet will also analyze a memorandum by which the Ministry of Finance is designated to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the counterpart ministries in Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia and North Macedonia regarding cooperation for the development of capital markets.

"This initiative aims to strengthen liquidity, attract international investors and facilitate access to financing for companies, especially SMEs. The regional objective is to create a coordinated network of stock exchanges - an interdependent network, but with independent markets, that would stimulate innovation, infrastructure development and send a clear political signal regarding the commitment of the countries in the region to the integration of capital markets," the memorandum states.

The Government will also discuss the methodological norms for the application of the Law on Pedestrian Trails of National Interest for Recreational Purposes. These aim at the certification of pedestrian trails of national interest for recreational purposes; general rules regarding their arrangement and maintenance; the responsibilities of the administrative-territorial units, as administrators, regarding their protection.

The Executive's agenda also includes a decision regarding the approval of the substantiation note regarding the necessity and opportunity of making the expenses related to the project to implement the electronic road pricing system - lot 1. The total value of the investment is 281,418,697.00 RON.
Prime Ministers Ilie Bolojan and Viktor Orban discussed the growth in commercial activity between Romania and Hungary and the development of joint infrastructure and interconnection projects during a working dinner at the Victoria Palace of Government.

According to a press release from the Romanian Government, Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan received his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban at the Victoria Palace, in the context of the latter's private visit to Romania.

The two officials discussed the relations between Romania and Hungary, emphasizing concrete projects that can bring real benefits to the citizens of both countries, regardless of ethnicity, the government statement said.

"The Romanian prime minister underlined that Romania wants a constructive relationship with Hungary, centered on real cooperation and clear results," the cited source points out.

The talks focused mainly on enhancing trade relations - which will exceed EUR 13.3 billion in 2024 - and the development of joint infrastructure and interconnection projects.

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan also presented the main directions of Romania's position in the EU, emphasizing the need for unity and solidarity in the face of current challenges, the government statement further shows.
Chairperson of the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) Kelemen Hunor stated on Thursday in Miercurea-Ciuc that the meeting between Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban was "very good and constructive," with discussions focusing primarily on strengthening Romanian-Hungarian relations.

"It was a very good and constructive meeting, the first between Mr. Bolojan, in his capacity as prime minister, and Prime Minister Orban, although they had previously met when Mr. Bolojan served as interim President at Cotroceni [Presidential Palace]. First of all, I would like to stress that it is absolutely normal for the Hungarian prime minister, during a multi-day visit to Romania, to meet - even informally - with the Romanian prime minister. And this meeting was arranged within just a few hours, which reflects the European and regional norm," Kelemen Hunor said.

He added that the talks centered on Romanian-Hungarian relations, which need strengthening, especially in economic areas. "There is much work to be done, particularly because there is a large trade deficit in Hungary's favor and to Romania's disadvantage, the balance is significantly skewed. There are sectors, such as agriculture, food processing, and energy, where much deeper cooperation is possible. This collaboration must become a priority," he emphasized.

UDMR leader Kelemen Hunor mentioned that the two leaders also discussed the current situation in both Romania and Hungary and expressed surprise at the way the topics were addressed during the meeting.

"They discussed, of course, the situation we are in, the situation Hungary is in, what experiences each country had when facing high deficits or public debt issues, absolutely normal topics for such a bilateral and informal meeting. I was surprised by how relaxed both of them were and how correctly they addressed all the subjects, in a conversation that lasted nearly two hours," Kelemen said.

Kelemen Hunor added that Viktor Orban invited Ilie Bolojan to Budapest, with the details to be finalized in the coming period.

The UDMR president participated Thursday morning in Miercurea-Ciuc in an event marking the handover of 16 electric school minibuses, purchased through the NRRP, organized by the Harghita County Council.
Romania's President Nicusor Dan will pay an official visit to Salzburg, Austria, July 25-26, at the invitation of his Austrian counterpart Alexander Van der Bellen.





According to the Romanian Presidential Administration, Dan will also meet Austrian Chanceller Christian Stocker and deliver a speech to businesspeople attending the Salzburg 2025 summit."The visit to Austria offers the opportunity to boost bilateral dialogue at political level, and also economically, and will focus on increasing mutual investment, in order to better meet the current needs of economic development. Austria is currently one of the main foreign investors in Romania, with a significant presences in key areas such as energy, banking services, infrastructure, agriculture and is also an important trading partner," according to the Presidential Administration.Discussions will also focus on current issues on the European agenda, mainly the European Commission's proposals on the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, migration and support for the enlargement process, both with the Western Balkan states and with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.
IMM Romania, a nationally representative employers' confederation, considers it essential that measures to support entrepreneurs be introduced within the II Reform Package, given that within the I Package, taxation for the business environment was increased, with no support measures being taken for this sector.

According to a press release from the organization, transmitted to AGERPRES, in terms of debureaucratization, IMM Romania proposes eliminating CAEN codes from the articles of incorporation and the registration certificate, with the aim of simplifying the process, using the codes only for statistical purposes and not for authorization, thus avoiding blockages of current activity, limiting access to financing and erroneous statistical reporting.

The organization also considers eliminating declarations whose information is already found in D406 (SAF-T) for all companies for which its submission has become mandatory, in the vast majority from January 1, 2025, and unifying the registration procedure in the SPV with the registration procedure regarding the submission of tax returns.

"Currently, access to the SPV is registered separately by creating an account on the platform and the right to file a declaration by submitting the physical form 150 to ANAF. The digitalization done with papers submitted physically is counterproductive; the procedures should be modified at the level of all ANAF structures in the country to give any person the possibility to enroll in the SPV for a company as an administrator or authorized representative and to choose whether to submit their tax declarations with their electronic signature (based on the position in the statute or the power of attorney and the form 150 submitted online, not physically) through a procedure carried out only online, simple and clear, with the upload of a short and well-determined list of documents", claim the representatives of IMM Romania.

Regarding simplification, the employers' organization supports the possibility of offsetting sick leave to be recovered from the FNUASS with the contribution due to the CAM, in order to simplify the process of recovering these amounts that companies are deprived of for long periods of time, blocking at the same time a lot of civil servants with checks that sometimes last for years. Eliminating from the text of the law - "depending on the approved budget" and limiting excessive checks (elements related to the stamp, data erroneously transmitted by the taxpayer, instead of being taken over correctly and directly from the institutions' databases) are other proposals of IMM Romania.

At the same time, the confederation supports the creation of protocols between institutions and interconnections of databases, so that no institution can demand from a company documents or information that another institution already holds (to recover the CM, the health insurance company requests a file with a copy of the CM already held from the doctor who registered it in the system at the time of issuance, and information already declared in D112 to ANAF; the insured status is given by the existence of an active CIM in Revisal, but the Health Insurance Company is guided by the information delayed by more than a month provided by D112, submitted after the 25th of the month following employment/termination of the contract; other institutions request the provision of tax attestation certificates (ex OIR) instead of requesting them directly from the competent authorities).

Other requests include: eliminating the cap on the commercial mark-up on basic foods (prices must be set based on supply and demand); amending the legislation so that collection responsibilities fall to a single collective management body in the field; unifying the entities that request and collect various forms of copyright, digitizing the payment process in a single platform (it is difficult for users to manage payment obligations, especially since there is no transparent collection and no public record of the obligations that restaurants have towards these entities).

The measures envisaged in the area of micro-enterprises aim at the possibility of returning to the tax on micro-enterprise income when the economic conditions are met again; the elimination of restrictions imposed on the deductibility of expenses, to stimulate consumption (e.g. elimination of ceilings for the deduction of car depreciation, deduction of expenses and VAT on fuel, car maintenance, possibility of accelerated tax depreciation for production assets); the elimination of the condition of losing the quality of micro-enterprise in case the company has a single employee who is on sick leave for a period of more than 30 days, or 2 sick leaves in a year; the elimination of additional taxation of part-time contracts.

According to the cited source, in the Digitalization chapter, the proposals of IMM Romania are related to the completion of the digitalization of ANAF and tourist circulation on the territory of Romania. Thus, it is important to connect fiscal scoring with priority access to grants, VAT refunds and penalty reductions and to grant a "fiscal compliance certificate" in digital format (QR code) visible on all issued invoices.

Regarding the digitalization of tourist circulation on the territory of Romania, the organization proposes "the urgent adoption of amendments to GD 237/2001 (on access, registration and protection of tourists), the digital platform built and tested by ICI-MAI, with test application until the end of 2025 and mandatory from January 1, 2026 for all accommodation service providers".

In Tourism/HoReCa, IMM Romania recommends the transparent and fair regulation of short-term rental activities (STR) and the strategic support of Incoming tourism - National Priority, by: maintaining the reduced VAT rate for Incoming tourism, urgent approval of participation in international tourism fairs in the second semester of 2025; creating a functional legislative framework for the operationalization of Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) on 3 levels (local, county, national); consolidating the holiday voucher system; reintroducing the optional flat-rate system for VAT in HoReCa, maintaining it at 11% with a prospect of decreasing it to 9% for the development of national tourist services.

In the Energy sector, the employers' organization requests the implementation of the energy community mechanism for the SME sector as soon as possible (energy communities can be a solution for SMEs in Romania, offering access to renewable energy, reduced costs and energy independence, bringing the following benefits). Thus, the proposals aim to: adapt to real needs the way of trading electricity within bilateral contracts through direct producer-consumer transactions that can ensure a real adjustment of the cost of electricity; reduce the settlement period of payment and reimbursement requests within the European programs run by the Ministry of Energy (there are validated requests from January 2025 that have not been settled); launch financing programs for the implementation of energy efficiency and decarbonization measures.

Also, IMM Romania proposes the establishment of the Energy Hub on the Magurele platform, to support applied research and achieve technological transfer that can ensure the reduction of the carbon footprint and the correlation of the secondary legislation developed by ANRE with the financing programs carried out by the ministry (e.g. the possibility of capitalizing on the electricity produced and delivered to the National Electricity System during the trial period for production capacities with a maximum Pi of 1 MW).

Last but not least, in the field of Transport, the organization proposes the inclusion of a specific measure to support private transport operators in the acquisition of zero-emission buses, with dedicated allocations, transparent criteria and a non-discriminatory approach, in line with practices in other European countries and the integration of Incoterms delivery conditions in the RO e-Transport system.
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, meets with Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir in Beijing, capital of China, July 24, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- China's top diplomat Wang Yi met with Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir here on Thursday.

Wang, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, said the Pakistani military stands as a staunch defender of national interests and a firm supporter of the China-Pakistan friendship, expressing expectations for the Pakistani military's continued contributions to bilateral relations.

China and Pakistan have extended unwavering mutual support on issues concerning each other's core interests, Wang said, noting that China stands ready to work with Pakistan in implementing the important consensus reached by the leaders of two countries and further deepening the all-weather strategic cooperation to deliver greater benefits to the two peoples and contribute to regional peace and stability.

"China supports Pakistan's resolute efforts to combat terrorism in all forms and hopes the Pakistani military will continue to make all-out efforts to ensure the safety of Chinese personnel, projects and institutions in Pakistan," Wang said.

Munir said developing friendly cooperation with China is a consensus of the entire Pakistani society, and that Pakistan sincerely appreciates China's longstanding support for its socio-economic development.

The Pakistani military will continue taking all necessary measures to safeguard the safety of Chinese personnel, projects, and institutions within its territory, and stands ready to actively strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries, he said. 
Church Watchdog Demands Episcopal Diocese of New York Follow Clergy Disciplinary Canons





NEWS PROVIDED BY

Anglican Watch

July 24, 2025

ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 24, 2025 /Standard Newswire/  Anglican Watch, the Episcopal Church's unofficial watchdog, today sharply criticized the Episcopal Diocese of New York for ignoring the requirements of the churchs Title IV clergy disciplinary canons. The move follows retaliation by the Episcopal Diocese of New York against a male adult who complained to the Diocese about three separate incidents of sexual assault by gay parishioners. Two of the alleged perpetrators were employees of St. Thomas Church Fifth Avenue; one remains a priest in good standing.

The Episcopal Diocese of New York continues to play fast and loose with its handling of allegations of sexual assault, even as it ignores the express provisions of Title IV, the churchs clergy disciplinary canons, and engages in retaliation toward the complainant, said Anglican Watch official Eric Bonetti.

Problems with the Dioceses response to the allegations of sexual assault include:

 A defamatory email by Bishop Diocesan Matthew Heyd, accompanied by a photo of the complainant taken from his Facebook page, sent to all parishes in the Diocese, which attempted to bar the complainant from all churches in the Diocese. Under church canons, the bishop diocesan lacks authority to do so.

 A Title IV reference panel that has gone rogue. Specifically, the panel, which only has the authority to decide where to send a Title if complaint for resolution, now falsely claims the authority to make findings of fact. In doing so, the reference panel now finds that the one alleged assailant, an Episcopal priest, acted appropriately.

 A refusal to provide a pastoral response to all those injured by the allegations of sexual assault, which should include the complainant, his girlfriend, members of the St. Thomas parish, and others.



 A refusal to conduct the professional pastoral care assessment required by church canons in all cases in which the allegations involve sexual misconduct.



 An insistence that the complainant keep the matter confidential, despite the fact that church canons impose no such requirement on the complainant. That is doubly the case, when as here, the Diocese has de facto excommunicated the complainant.



 A continuing abuse of the Title IV process in an attempt to discredit the complainant in the run-up to pending lawsuits against St. Thomas and the Diocese. Indeed, Anglican Watch has heard from sources in multiple parishes that they have been contacted by the Diocese in an effort to pull in dirt on the complainant.



 Continuing efforts to slow-walk resolution of the underlying Title IV complaint. These include the Dioceses initial efforts to dismiss the matter out of hand. Now, eight months later, the Diocese claims to be investigating the matter, but nothing of substance has happened.



 An inherent conflict of interest between the diocesan bishops and their roles in the Title IV case. To date, Bishop Shin, the suffragan for the Diocese, refuses to recuse himself as required by church canon.

Meanwhile, the rector of St. Thomas, Carl Turner, is known to have breached confidentiality by identifying the complainant to third parties.

It would seem common sense that we dont identify victims of alleged sexual assault, said Anglican Watch official Eric Bonetti. Surely Turner does not need Title IV to tell him that.

Similarly, St. Thomas continues to welcome the one alleged assailant and his same-sex husband, a prominent pornographer and poet. Both live on the St. Thomas campus in close proximity to students at the St. Thomas Choir School.

We demand immediate action and full compliance with the requirements of Title IV, said Bonetti. We are tired of the Diocese winging it, making up rules as it goes, and trying to use Title IV as part of its litigation strategy.

Title IV expressly states that one of the first priorities at all phases of a Title IV case is a pastoral response. But the Diocese has made no effort to provide such a response, instead making hurtful and ugly statements about the complainant, Bonetti continued.

Moreover, we have notified the Diocese directly of our concerns, only to be met with silence and inaction. Meanwhile, the Diocese frantically searches for leaks, even as it allows Turner to provide the identity of the complainant to church members.

This behavior is unacceptable, and we will hold the Diocese and St. Thomas accountable, he concluded.

Founded in 2015, Anglican Watch is the unofficial watchdog of the Episcopal Church. Anglican Watch addresses both sexual and non-sexual abuse in the Episcopal Church and other faith communities.

SOURCE Anglican Watch

CONTACT: Eric Bonetti, 240-380-2567, eric@anglicanwatch.com


VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe, July 24 (Xinhua) -- A total of nine Chinese cities were accredited as international wetland cities on Thursday during the opening of the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (COP15) held in Zimbabwe's resort city of Victoria Falls, bringing the total number of such cities in China to 22, the highest in the world. 
A CV-22 Osprey assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Wing participates in a demonstration during a festival at Yokota Air Base, Japan, May 17, 2025. (Jarrett Smith/U.S. Air Force)



Two U.S. Air Force CV-22 Ospreys made precautionary landings at civilian airports in northern Japan over the past week, according to the Air Force and Japanese officials.

A tiltrotor aircraft from the 353rd Special Operations Wing at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, landed at 9:45 a.m. Thursday at Iwate Hanamaki Airport in Hanamaki, wing spokesman 1st Lt. Cullen Drenkhahn said by email that day. No injuries or damage were reported, and commercial flights were not affected.

The landing was executed safely and in accordance with policies, he wrote. An assessment is ongoing to gather additional information.

The wings Ospreys are assigned to the 21st Special Operations Squadron at Yokota Air Base, an airlift hub in western Tokyo.

Another Yokota-based Osprey landed at 3:55 p.m. on July 18 at Odate-Noshiro Airport in Kitaakita city, according to a news release that day on Akita prefectures website. No injuries or commercial flights delays were reported. The aircraft departed for Misawa Air Base at 10:55 p.m. the same day.

The Tohoku Defense Bureau told the prefecture that the pilot landed the Osprey in response to an inflight warning indicator, according to an updated statement on the website Tuesday.

Drenkhahn did not respond to questions about the July 18 incident.

Akita prefecture wrote the defense bureau Tuesday seeking a explanation for the landing from the Air Force and for faster notifications of future landings, a spokesman with the prefectures international division said by phone Thursday.

Some Japanese government officials speak to the press only on condition of anonymity.

The Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that takes off and lands like a helicopter but flies like a fixed-wing plane.

The United States and Japan grounded their tiltrotor fleets for nearly three months following the Nov. 29, 2023, crash of a CV-22B Osprey assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command near Yakushima, an island south of Kyushu, that killed eight airmen.

An investigation determined the crash was caused by a catastrophic mechanical failure, compounded by what officials described as a lack of urgency by the crew in addressing an engine issue.

U.S. tiltrotors were briefly grounded again on Dec. 6 after a CV-22B Osprey from Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., lost an engine but landed safely following gearbox-related warning indications.
A CH-47 Chinook assigned to the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, takes flight in Paju, South Korea, March 19, 2025. (Jiwon Yun/U.S. Army)



CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  The U.S. and South Korean militaries have agreed to allow a South Korean defense firm to service the T-55 engines on U.S. Army Chinook helicopters.

The allies agreed in principle to contract with a commercial firm to maintain, repair and overhaul the T-55s, according to a news release Tuesday from the Souths Ministry of National Defense.

The release does not identify the firm, but Hanwha, a major South Korean defense contractor, is the only company with the infrastructure and technical expertise to repair the T-55, a Hanwha spokesman told Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday.

The firm has serviced more than 5,700 aircraft engines, including those found in the roughly 40 South Korean army Chinooks, the spokesman said.

Hanwha in April completed a seven-month overhaul of the dry cargo ship USNS Wally Schirra at a Geoje Island shipyard, the company said in March. The job involved more than 300 repairs, according to a Hanwha news release.

The Wally Schirra overhaul was the first contract under a five-year agreement allowing Hanwha to bid for Navy work.

The agreement on Chinook repairs will maintain U.S. combat readiness in an era of regional disputes and supply chain issues, according to the ministry release.

The maintenance, repair and overhaul, or MRO, pilot project is part of a DOD plan to solve the problem of sending U.S. military assets from the Indo-Pacific region to the continental United States for repair.

Allowing companies operating from five allied countries in the Indo-Pacific to service these U.S. assets would create a logistical network that cuts costs and time, according to a DOD news release July 18, 2024.

The fuselages of the U.S. and South Korean Chinooks differ, but the engines are identical, said the Hanwha spokesman.

As Koreas only dedicated aircraft engine company, we will leverage our 46 years of technical expertise not only to strengthen the [South Korea]-U.S. alliance but also to expand our presence in the global MRO market and secure future growth opportunities, the spokesman said.

No further details, such as an estimated cost or timeline of the project, was available due to the agreement just being reached, the spokesman said. Some South Korean business officials customarily speak to the media on condition of anonymity.

U.S. military officials in March visited Hanwhas aerospace plant in Changwon, roughly 180 miles southeast of Seoul, where they inspected the companys capabilities and security protocols, senior manager Baek Il-seong told news reporters at the site April 24.

The company seeks to expand its services to the U.S. military by repairing the AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, both of which are employed by the South Korean army, Baek said at the time.
U.S. soldiers test microwave counter-drone devices April 30, 2025, during an exercise at Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui, Philippines. The system's creator, Epirus, signed a $43.5 million deal with the Army to develop a second-generation version expected to more than double the range, according to a statement July 17, 2025. (Brandon Rickert/U.S. Army)



A recently awarded Army contract aims to provide more weapons that use high-powered microwaves to help soldiers take down drone swarms in one swoop.

Los Angeles-based technology company Epirus will develop a microwave platform that is expected to more than double the range and power of a similar system currently being experimented with, the company said in a statement last week.

Microwave technology that the company pioneered can deliver a pulse to zap a drones electronics in midair. The new $43.5 million deal with the Army is directed toward work on a second generation of the companys microwave platform.

Drones are everywhere, Epirus CEO Andy Lowery said in the July 17 statement. Weve seen drone incursions over U.S. bases, incursions over our southern border. And swarm attacks are defining overseas conflicts.

The first microwave platform produced by the company has been put through the wringer and emerged from testing with favorable outcomes, Lowery added.

In May, the Army conducted a live-fire test of the Epirus system during an exercise in the Philippines.

We were able to demonstrate that we can successfully defeat drone swarms in a tropical environment, Capt. Bray McCollum said in an Army statement at the time.

The Navy and Marine Corps also are carrying out similar tests.

U.S. soldiers test microwave anti-drone weaponry at Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui, Philippines, on April 30, 2025. The Army is partnering with technology company Epirus under a $43.5 million contract for a microwave drone-countering system with greater range, according to a statement July 17, 2025. (Brandon Rickert/U.S. Army)



There has been growing buzz in the military about the potential for microwave technology to deal with the drone threat. While such aircraft are easily and cheaply mass-produced, taking them down can be expensive.

U.S. service members have an array of tools to deal with drones, including electronic jamming technology and expensive precision munitions fired directly at targets.

The advantage of Epirus approach, the company says, is that it costs pennies per drone kill. Also, a soldier can use the system to take down an entire swarm at once rather than target drones individually.

Its unclear when the technology could be fully integrated into the militarys counter-drone arsenal. However, despite its promise, its still unlikely to be a cure-all, according to analysts.

During the Russia-Ukraine war, drone use has been constantly evolving as both sides learn and adopt countermeasures. For example, as jamming capabilities developed, tethered drones invulnerable to electronic attack were deployed as a workaround.

Microwave pulses could also be effective against tethered drones, since the pulse waves target the onboard electronics regardless of how the drone is controlled.

But just as free-flying drones also have become increasingly hardened against electronic jamming, adversaries would be expected to develop countermeasures to deal with the microwave threat, such as hardening internal electronics.

High-powered microwaves are not a silver bullet, Neil Hart, a military analyst with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, wrote in May.

(Microwave anti-drone weaponry) must be integrated into a layered approach that combines kinetic, electronic warfare and directed energy systems to maximize the adaptability of defenses against evolving threats.
Adm. Daryl Caudle testifies July 24, 2025, during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination to be chief of naval operations. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



WASHINGTON  The nominee for the Navys top officer post on Thursday defended the services moves in recent years to loosen requirements for enlistment, saying they increased access to the Navy while maintaining standards.

Adm. Daryl Caudle told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the policy changes, which have included accepting lower test scores, have not affected the quality of sailors but instead provided more pathways for entering the Navy.

Caudle said standards were at the heart of his philosophy as a career submarine officer and he would continue to uphold them if confirmed as chief of naval operations.

He would take over the job on a permanent basis from former Adm. Lisa Franchetti, who was the first woman to serve as the highest-ranking Navy officer before President Donald Trump fired her in February.

Adm. James Kilby, the vice chief of naval operations, has filled in as the services top officer for the last five months.

At Caudles confirmation hearing Thursday, he spoke of the need to improve chronic delays in shipbuilding, invest in modern technology and build a hybrid fleet that can compete with Chinese maritime dominance.

He also responded to worries raised by Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., that the Navy will become reliant on permanently lowered standards to meet its recruiting goals.

Just be aware that there is that concern, Wicker said.

The Navy reversed a recruiting slump in 2024 and met its 2025 recruiting goals early, but it also in recent years began accepting lower Armed Forces Qualification Test scores and bringing in recruits who did not graduate from high school or get a GED diploma.

The changes have also coincided with the introduction of the Future Sailor Preparatory Course, a program that helps recruits who are too out of shape or have low test scores improve their qualifications.

Caudle praised the program, saying it was key to in no way lower standards.

At the end of the day, all sailors  they graduate from boot camp, meet the rigorous standards of that course to the letter, he said.

To boost recruiting further, Caudle suggested expanding the reach of the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program beyond high school.

I would say we maybe havent gone deep enough and we ought to also be reaching into the middle schools to make sure that were making people aware of the Navy and service to our nation, he said.

Caudle was commissioned into the Navy in 1985 after graduating from North Carolina State University and attending Officer Candidate School in Newport, R.I.

In his 40-year career, Caudle has commanded nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines and all Atlantic-based submarine forces and served as a vice director on the Joint Staff.

He has led U.S. Fleet Forces Command, which is responsible for training and deploying naval forces, since 2021.

Senators from both parties said Caudle was well-suited to guide the Navy as it contends with Houthi militant attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, tensions between Israel and Iran, and Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.

Youve got the right background, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., told Caudle. Youre going to do an outstanding job.

Sen. Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the committee, mentioned the unusual conditions of Franchettis ouster and Caudles nomination but said he was glad to consider Caudle for the job.

You bring a wealth of experience to this role, he said.
Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. Michael Guetlein testifies before the Senate Armed Services Committee about joint force readiness in Washington, D.C., March 12, 2025. (Eric Dietrich/U.S. Air Force)



COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Tribune News Service)  The Space Force general tasked with leading the effort to build the new missile defense system known as Golden Dome spoke to a global audience this week about how he will tackle the enormous challenge.

On his second day in charge of the project, Gen. Michael Guetlein spoke during Innovate Space: Global Economic Summit, in Virginia to outline his vision for the undertaking thats been likened to the effort to build the first atomic bomb.

In this case, Guetlein hopes to buy existing technology to deliver new missile defense in three years, as President Donald Trump requested.

The technology we need to deliver Golden Dome exists today, it has just never been brought to bear on this problem set, Guetlein said Tuesday.

The U.S. has ground-based missile defense with 40 interceptors in Alaska and four in California, but its not enough to defend against Russia and Chinas updated arsenals.

Congress recently approved $25 billion as an initial investment in the system, that is expected to bring a windfall of investment to the space industry in Colorado Springs and elsewhere. The whole system is expected to need $175 billion to come to fruition.

In his new position as the direct reporting program manager for the project, Guetlein said he will have significant authority over budgets, direct hiring and architecture. He expects to run the effort with a small team that will draw on expertise not only from the Department of Defense, but from industry and academia.

He said he is looking for not only the right talent, but the right personalities that understand how to go fast.

The largest technical challenge will likely be building a space-based interceptor to bring down missiles, he said. Every element needed for the task exists, but he faces the challenge of doing it economically at scale. A space-based interceptor, could be vehicle launched from a satellite to hit an incoming threat.

Geutlein also reminded the crowd that the architecture of Golden Dome has yet to be determined. He has 60 days to deliver it. As part of that work he expects to meet with the leaders of Space Command and Northern Command in Colorado Springs on Thursday.

It will also require close collaboration with the leaders of the different service branches, he said.

This capability is nothing unless I have got trained operators, Geutlein said.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank, R-Colo., followed Geutlein on stage at the summit, as the co-chair of the Golden Dome Caucus in Congress. In his role, he expects to educate other representatives on the initiative so that it can receive follow-up funding.

He also noted that the National Defense Authorization Act includes a provision to help speed up acquisitions by laying out what the problems are and allowing the industry to propose solutions, rather than prescribing them.

The free-market system is such a great system, but sometimes we crush it with Pentagon bureaucracy, Crank said.

 2025 The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.).

Visit www.gazette.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
(Jon R. Anderson/Stars and Stripes)



Gnjilane, Yugoslavia, June 15, 1999: As if they were entering a liberated city, a Marine Light Armored Vehicle crew rolled into Gnjilane in eastern Kosovo, with enthusiastic ethnic Albanians eager to see their arrival. Gnjilane was the principal city in the sector falling under U.S. responsibility and was eventually expected to become the headquarters for all U.S. forces in the region. The hope was that the KFOR peacekeeping force will ease tensions between the Serbs and Albanians.

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Randys Donuts opened in May 2025 in Tokyo with a wide selection of delicious treats for sweet-toothed individuals. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)



Randys Donuts, a Los Angeles-based chain more popular in some quarters than Krispy Kreme, has at last landed in Tokyo.

Randys opened in May in the trendy Daikanyama section of Shibuya with a wide selection of delicious treats for sweet-toothed individuals. My family and I braved the long afternoon line for about 30 minutes on a sunny day.

Indoor and outdoor seating is available for 40, but we opted for takeout to avoid the crush. Kiosks provide numbered tickets for efficient service.

American flair spreads across the dining areas walls, including photos of celebrity patrons. One such image depicts Robert Downey Jr. in an Iron Man suit sitting inside a Randys location.

Four menu categories and more than 40 types of doughnuts are available. Most selections exceed the size of a doughnut at many shops in Japan. The Texas glazed yeast, for example, measures 6 inches wide and appears on the premium menu at 550 yen, or about $3.80.

The cinnamon roll and apple fritter are a couple of my favorites from the same menu. They compare in size to the Texas glazed and are baked soft and chewy.

The s'mores yeast doughnut was among the 40 varieties available at Randys Donuts in Tokyo on June 28, 2025. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)

The new Randys Donuts location in Tokyo offers a Japanese-influenced treat topped with matcha icing. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)



From the classic menu come glazed and cake varieties, some with sprinkles, for 360 yen. The deluxe menu offers flavored cake and yeast doughnuts, such as a cinnamon and sugar twist, for 480 yen.

Still more selections are available on the fancy menu, including a Japanese-influenced yeast doughnut with matcha icing, a new strawberry version and a maple long john with custard cream, which I did not skip while ordering.

Randys Rounds is a mixed set of four doughnuts in a large plastic cup for 620 yen.

Beverages include coffee, several flavors of tea, boba or tapioca pearl teas, milkshakes, smoothies, sodas and juices, starting at 450 yen.

I splurged and left with more than two dozen treats, including an acai berry smoothie, a pina colada lemonade and a strawberry milkshake. Randys T-shirts, hats, totes and other souvenirs are also available.

The sugar indulgence led to a full week of required fitness, but it was well worth it.

A customer browses the selection at Randys Donuts in Tokyo on June 28, 2025. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)



Randys Donuts

Location: Tokyo-to, Shibuya-ku, Daikanyama Log Road Daikanyama building L2.

Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Prices: Expect to pay between 360 yen and 550 yen, including tax, for a single doughnut. A dozen will cost 5,000 yen.

Dress: Casual

Directions: About a four-minute walk from Daikanyama Station on the Toyoko Line.

Information: Online: randysdonuts.jp; Credit cards accepted. Numbered tickets may be distributed at alternate times depending on the amount of business.
This photo released by the Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor's Office of Russia on July 24, 2025 shows the crash site of a passenger plane in Amur Region, Russia. The An-24 aircraft, operated by Angara Airlines, was en route from Khabarovsk to Tynda with a stopover in Blagoveshchensk. There were 43 passengers on board, along with six crew members, Amur Oblast Governor Vasily Orlov said on social media Telegram. Initial investigation has shown no survivors, according to local emergency services. (Xinhua)

VLADIVOSTOK, July 24 (Xinhua) -- All the 49 people aboard the Russian passenger plane that crashed near Russia's Far Eastern city of Tynda were confirmed dead, Russia's Investigative Committee (IC) said on Thursday.

"Everyone on board the aircraft has died," Svetlana Petrenko, the spokesperson of the IC, said on its Telegram channel.

The An-24 aircraft, operated by Angara Airlines, was en route from Khabarovsk to Tynda with a stopover in Blagoveshchensk. The aircraft was expected to contact air traffic controllers at a control checkpoint near Tynda airport, but failed to check in. The wreckage was later found on a mountainside approximately 15 km from the city of Tynda.

There were 43 passengers on board and six crew members, Amur Oblast Governor Vasily Orlov said on the social media platform Telegram.

Among the passengers was a Chinese citizen, the Chinese Consulate General in Khabarovsk said. The consulate will send a working group to the crash site on Friday to assist with follow-ups. 

This photo released by the Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor's Office of Russia on July 24, 2025 shows the crash site of a passenger plane in Amur Region, Russia. The An-24 aircraft, operated by Angara Airlines, was en route from Khabarovsk to Tynda with a stopover in Blagoveshchensk. There were 43 passengers on board, along with six crew members, Amur Oblast Governor Vasily Orlov said on social media Telegram.

Initial investigation has shown no survivors, according to local emergency services. (Xinhua)
The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Indiana arrives at its new homeport at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, on July 22, 2025. (Scott Barnes/U.S. Navy)



FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii  The fast-attack submarine USS Indiana arrived Tuesday at its new homeport in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, becoming the third Virginia-class boat to join Submarine Squadron 7.

Indianas previous homeport was Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Conn.

We look forward to working with Submarine Squadron 7 and our Pearl Harbor partners to prepare Indiana  the Battle Bass  for any tasking, at any time, in defense of our nation, Cmdr. Kyle Johnson, the vessels commander, said in a Tuesday news release.

Commissioned in 2018, the Indiana carries a crew of about 14 officers and 120 sailors.

The sub completed its most recent six-month deployment to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility on March 27, according to the release.

Submarine Squadron 7 supports three Virginia-class subs, including USS Missouri and USS Colorado, as well as four Los Angeles-class subs: USS Charlotte, USS Tucson, USS Columbia and USS Toledo, which homeported in Pearl Harbor earlier this month.

Submarine Squadron 1 supports six Virginia-class subs also homeported at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. They are USS Hawaii, USS North Carolina, USS Mississippi, USS Illinois, USS Vermont and USS Montana.

The Navy is in the process of replacing its aging Los Angeles-class subs with the Virginia-class.

Virginia-class subs are designed for a greater range of missions, with an emphasis on littoral operations, according to a Navy fact sheet.

They support a host of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, surveillance and reconnaissance.

The subs are designed so that their torpedo rooms can be reconfigured to hold a large number of special operations forces and their equipment during extended deployments.

Their weaponry includes Tomahawk cruise missiles and MK48 torpedoes, which can be tethered to the sub by a thin wire used to direct and redirect their course.
South Korean soldiers stand guard at the Joint Security Area between North and South Korea, May 9, 2023. (David Choi/Stars and Stripes)



Two of the 10 South Korean soldiers who helped secure a North Korean man inside the Demilitarized Zone earlier this month were granted 30 days of leave, the Souths Joint Chiefs of Staff said Wednesday.

All 10 troops will receive commendations for their actions on July 3, when a North Korean man crossed the midwestern section of the heavily fortified border dividing the Korean Peninsula, a Joint Chiefs spokeswoman said by phone Thursday.

The group included two conscripts, who received the additional leave, and eight officers and noncommissioned officers, she said.

South Korean forces deployed to interdict the man, who identified himself as a civilian, the Souths military said at the time. He was removed from the DMZ and remains under investigation.

Under South Korean law, all able-bodied adult males are required to serve in the military or in certain government agencies for at least 18 months. Conscripts are typically granted about 20 days of leave during their service but may earn additional time off for merit-based accomplishments.

In a similar case in 2017, two South Korean and four American soldiers received the U.S. Army Commendation Medal after rescuing a North Korean defector under gunfire.

South Korean officials customarily speak to the media on condition of anonymity.
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Dawn Johnson and Australian army Brig. Gen. Andrew Harrison-Wyatt discuss Talisman Sabre logistics at Gallipoli Barracks in Brisbane, Australia, July 22, 2025. (Seth Robson/Stars and Stripes)



BRISBANE, Australia  American and Australian troops are spearheading a large-scale logistics operation to feed, fuel and arm more than 35,000 service members across the southern continent as the allies seek to counter growing Chinese military power.

The effort is part of the largest-ever iteration of Talisman Sabre, biennial joint training between the United States and Australia. This years drills began July 13 and run through Aug. 4, involving forces from 19 nations.

Approximately 850 logistics personnel from all service branches are rotating into Australia for the exercise, Maj. Adan Cazarez, a spokesman for the Hawaii-based 8th Theater Sustainment Command, said by email Tuesday. They are working alongside counterparts from Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom.

As part of growing trilateral cooperation, naval officers from the U.S., Australia and Japan signed a logistics agreement aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America during a July 11 port call in Brisbane. The pact allows for quicker missile reloads and more flexible refueling, according to a Navy news release that day.

Australia is also ramping up its domestic missile production in partnership with U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin under the AUKUS security agreement with the U.S. and U.K.

This year marks the first major movement of prepositioned U.S. equipment from South Australia to the countrys northeast, Cazarez said. He declined to discuss specifics of the equipment for security reasons.

American and Australian troops at Brisbanes Gallipoli Barracks are managing the logistics operation, said Brig. Gen. Dawn Johnson, who leads the 143rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), a U.S. Army Reserve unit headquartered in Orlando, Fla.

This is our first exposure to this, the Iraq War veteran said of her units work with the Australians.

This is going to be an enduring mission for the 143rd, she said, standing beside trucks in a motor pool at the barracks Tuesday. The sustainment command includes 8,000 soldiers across 10 U.S. states.

Australias vast and rugged interior presents unique logistical challenges, including long supply routes stretching hundreds of miles, potential encounters with wandering livestock, and road trains  massive multi-trailer trucks. For Americans, theres also the adjustment of driving on the left side of the road.

All these factors compound difficulties for young military drivers, Johnson said.

What we see are young people not driving so much, she said, adding that many soldiers are more accustomed to hailing rides via mobile apps.

Its only the second time that the combined sustainment outfit has operated during Talisman Sabre, said Australian army Brig. Gen. Andrew Harrison-Wyatt, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who oversees joint logistics from the Australian military.

The logistics task force includes Australian government civilians and more than 1,000 contractors handling transportation, maintenance and fuel supply, he said Tuesday at the barracks.

Supplies are being moved using a variety of military aircraft  including C-17 Globemaster IIIs, C-130J Super Hercules and MV-22 Ospreys  along with amphibious vessels, Harrison-Wyatt said. Logistics hubs stretch more than 2,000 miles across the continent.

Rather than two separate forces its a combined joint force fully integrated from the top down, Harrison-Wyatt said.

He added that the partnership continues to grow and the next Talisman Sabre in 2027 will be even bigger and more complex.
Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, left, speaks with a staffer on Thursday, July 24, 2025, during a Senate hearing. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes)



WASHINGTON  Brain injuries and mental health problems diagnosed in veterans exposed to repeated low-level blasts from firing their own weapons would be closely tracked and studied under legislation sponsored by Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., who is chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee.

The Precision Brain Health Research Act aims to expand knowledge on potential links between frequent low-level blasts and the risks of mental health problems, cognitive delays and suicide among veterans, according to the legislation. It would authorize studies on treatments within the Department of Veterans Affairs that are yielding positive outcomes.

Low-level blasts are generated from firing heavy weapons systems and detonating explosives in combat and training, according to the Defense Department. But the militarys understanding about the full impact on service members and veterans is still emerging as research is conducted, the Defense Department said.

The bills supporters contend the legislation is necessary because most studies have focused on high-impact blasts, such as explosions from roadside bombs. But there is far less information about potential health risks of low-level blasts from repeatedly firing weapons or working in areas where there is indirect weapons fire, according to lawmakers.

We have a duty to expand our understanding of the impact these blasts have on mental health, and to protect the long-term health and well-being of our military community, said Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, a member of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and co-sponsor of the bill.

The legislation would direct the Defense Department and the VA to share data on low-level blast exposures to further research and improve treatment.

But it is common for service members who have had low-level blast exposures not to have an immediate diagnosable injury, according to the Defense Department. Health problems may develop over time.

That was the case for Ryan Larkin, who served as a Navy SEAL from 2006 to 2016.

My son was not the same guy when he came home from the military, said Frank Larkin of Maryland, whose 29-year-old son died by suicide in 2017. The bottom line is that the military has not put a priority on looking into this. I am driven to get some results on behalf of the men and women whove served this nation and now are being left behind.

Frank Larkin of Maryland, a former Navy SEAL, is pushing for legislation to expand research into the effects of low-level blast exposures on the mental health of service members and veterans. He is shown in his role as a firefighter-paramedic for the city of Annapolis Fire Department. (Frank Larkin)



Ryan underwent conventional brain scans after he began to experience mental health problems, Frank Larkin said. There were no signs of traumatic brain injury.

But a post-mortem study of Ryan Larkins brain tissue showed extensive microscopic scarring. Doctors connected his undiagnosed brain injury to overpressure exposure to explosives and weapons systems.

Frank Larkin had donated his sons brain for medical research at Uniformed Services University, which conducts studies on brain injuries on military personnel. The university has a tissue repository where more than 500 brains have been studied for blast exposures.

Blast overpressure refers to the rapid increase in atmospheric pressure caused by the shock wave from an explosion or weapon discharge, according to the Defense Department.

Ryan Larkin had served as a special warfare operator first class with deployments to Iraq, Lebanon and Afghanistan. He then worked for two years as an urban combat trainer at several military training sites in California prior to his discharge.

Ryan Larkin served as a Navy SEAL from 2006 to 2016. My son was not the same guy when he came home from the military, said Frank Larkin, whose 29-year-old son died by suicide in 2017. A post-mortem study of Ryan Larkins brain tissue conducted at Uniformed Services University showed microscopic scarring that doctors said was from low-level blast exposures. (Frank Larkin)



He had used multiple weapons systems that included shoulder-fired rockets and concussion grenades, Frank Larkin said. Concussion grenades are non-lethal and produce a loud bang.

But Ryan increasingly became withdrawn and devoid of emotion, Frank Larkin said. He struggled to carry out his duties and was reassigned to a desk job in logistics in 2015. He left the military a year later.

Ryan said there is something wrong with my head, but no one is listening to me, Frank Larkin said. His doctors tried over 40 different prescriptions. But they could never settle on what was going on with him.

Low-level blasts do not necessarily cause a concussion or TBI that can be diagnosed by MRIs and other brain scans, according to the Defense Department. But the damage can lead to lasting cognitive problems, such as losses in focus, memory and critical thinking skills.

Frank Larkin said he saw those symptoms in his son and did not connect them to a possible brain injury from low-level blasts.

It was not at the front of anyones assessments in the military or the VA, he said.

When weapons are fired, invisible blast waves move through the brains of anyone nearby, which can cause inflammation and damage brain cells and blood vessels. Repeated exposure to blast waves  even smaller ones  can cause brain changes, including structural differences and degeneration, according to the American Brain Foundation.

The Defense Department has identified military occupations and weapons that bring a higher risk of brain injury from low-level blasts. They include jobs in armor, artillery, weapons training, explosive ordinance disposal and gunnery. The use of shoulder-mounted weapons, .50 caliber weapons and breaching charges also were identified.

But a 2024 study by Rand, a nonprofit research organization, identified a knowledge gap about the effects from exposure to low-level blasts in the military. The study recommended the use of surveillance tools, such as blast gauges, to monitor and collect data on service members exposure in training and combat.

This legislation will help us start to better understand why and how blast exposures are impacting service members and veterans and make certain VA is able to quickly incorporate these findings into clinical care for our veterans to receive a diagnosis and a treatment plan, Moran said.
A NORAD F-16 intercepts and monitors a Russian TU-95 near the Bering Sea on July 22, 2025. (NORAD)



U.S. and Canadian fighter jets scrambled Tuesday to intercept Russian warplanes flying near the Bering Sea west of Alaska in an incident that lasted three hours, military officials said.

Two Russian Tu-95 Bear bombers and two Russian Su-35 Flanker fighter jets flew into the Alaskan Air Defense Identification Zone, a buffer area outside of American and Canadian airspace where foreign military and commercial aircraft are monitored. The zone covers millions of square miles, including large portions of the Arctic Ocean, the Bering Sea, and the northern Pacific. It also encompasses the entire Aleutian Island chain.

Aircraft are permitted to fly in the zone as long as they identify themselves to air traffic controllers with the North American Aerospace Defense Command, or NORAD, a joint American Canadian organization that protects the airspace of both countries.

Such intercepts are fairly routine, military officials have said.

Nothing out of the ordinary, Canadian Air Force Capt. Rebecca Garand, a NORAD spokeswoman, said Thursday about the Russian flights. There was no special or obvious reason they were there.

NORAD scrambled six fighter jets  two F-35 Lightning II and four F-16 Fighting Falcons  to intercept, identify, and monitor the Russian aircraft. The NORAD jets escorted the Russian planes until they left the Alaskan zone. The fighter jets were supported by a pair of KC-135 Stratotankers for possible in-flight refueling, as well as an E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft to provide additional communications and navigation information.

Garand said there were no unusual interactions on Tuesday such as the incident in September 2024 when a Russian SU-35 buzzed the cockpit of an F-16 in what the U.S. Air Force said was an unsafe maneuver by the Russian pilot.

The TU-95 was introduced in 1952 as a long-range bomber capable of hitting American targets with nuclear weapons. NATO analysis has reported the Bear has been superseded by Russian supersonic aircraft in its strategic bombing role. However, it remains the main Russian long-range reconnaissance aircraft because of its 5,000-mile range without refueling.

The SU-35 is a single-seat, twin-engine fighter.

NORAD has had to increasingly monitor Russian and Chinese aircraft and ships in the region.

The Chinese air force has also joined patrols alongside Russian aircraft. In July 2024, NORAD intercepted a Chinese Xian H-6 bomber. It was patrolling the Alaskan identification zone accompanied by Russian TU-95s.
BRASILIA, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Brazil announced Wednesday it is in the final stages of acceding to South Africa's lawsuit against Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip at the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

"The Brazilian Government announces that it is in the final phase of presenting a formal intervention in the ongoing case before the International Court of Justice, filed by South Africa under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide," the Brazilian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"The Brazilian government expresses its deep indignation at the recurring episodes of violence against the civilian population in the State of Palestine, which are not restricted to the Gaza Strip and extend to the West Bank," it added.

The ministry denounced Israel's serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law, including attacks on civilian infrastructure, religious sites and UN facilities.

It also mentioned indiscriminate violence and vandalism by extremist settlers in the West Bank, massacres of civilians -- mainly women and children -- during the delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza, and "the blatant use of hunger as a weapon of war."

"Added to these horrors are continuous violations of international law, such as the annexation of territories by force and the expansion of illegal settlements," said the statement.

In December 2023, South Africa approached the ICJ seeking an interdict for the court to compel Israel to halt attacks on Palestine and declare these acts as genocide. In January 2024, the UN court ordered Israel to take all possible measures to prevent acts of genocide and ensure humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip.

Since Israel resumed its military campaign in Gaza on March 18, at least 7,750 Palestinians have been killed, bringing the overall death toll in Gaza since the conflict began in October 2023 to 58,573, according to data released last week by health authorities in Gaza. 
Mink Kok, known as The Thinker was originally arrested in Lebanon in 2022.

Mink Kok, Dutch associate of Christy Kinahan Snr, has been jailed for six years by a court in The Hague over the importation of cocaine.

Dutch media reports that the drug lord appealled the decision after the Dutch Public Prosecution Service originally sought to put him away in prison for nine years.

The appeal resulted in his acquittal of the actual importation of the drugs in question.

Kok, however, was found guilty of preparing for the import of 400 kilos of cocaine, alongside the possession of cocaine, as well as preparing a drug lab.

Known commonly The Thinker, he was arrested in Lebanon in 2022 with his son-in-law, where he stayed for a year.

Christy Kinahan Snr

Up to February 2016, he had been behind bars in the Middle-East country after a conviction for possession of 53 kilos of cocaine.

The convicted kingpin has previously been labelled boss of the cocaine world and is known for having a long history in the criminal underworld.

The 400-kilo consignment of cocaine for which Kok was convicted had arrived in 2020 via the port of Antwerp in a consignment of bananas.

However, the shipment was somehow mislaid and was eventually found at a supermarket in Remscheid, Germany.

The convicted drug trafficker and gun runner had struck up a close working relationship with Christy Kinahan Snr when they were both based in Amsterdam in the 1990s.

Veteran Dutch drug lord, Mink Kok

News in 90 Seconds - July 24th

It is believed the pair worked together to import millions of euro worth of cocaine and ecstasy into Ireland and the UK.

Kok's son-in-law, named only as Najim Z, is also accused by the Public Prosecution Service of being behind the importation from South America of two batches of 750 and 840 kilos of cocaine.

These were intercepted in 2021 in the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam.

According to the justice officials, evidence against Kok stems from intercepted Sky ECC messages.

There was no Sky telephone found with Kok when he was arrested, but detectives say that the investigation against Kok started after he admitted to a TV programme that he used Sky telephones to communicate with others.

His lawyer previously denied that Kok was the user of the two Sky phones attributed to him.

His son-in-law Najim Z (42) was previously sentenced for those two coke shipments in a separate case.

He was handed down an eight-year prison sentence minus time spent in pre-detention and a detention period in Lebanon.

However, prosecutors have demanded another 12 years in prison against him two weeks ago in the case which is completely separate from that of Koks.

Various media have referred to Najim Z based on various judicial or police sources as a leader in Ridouan Taghi's network.

Dutch-Moroccan Taghi is regarded as one of Europes biggest drugs traffickers and is a key associate of the Kinahan Cartel.

He was one of a number of high-profile criminals who were guests at Daniel Kinahans wedding in Dubai in 2017.

Along with a number of his associates, Taghi is currently facing multiple charges ranging from assassinations, attempted killings, and murder plots.

Lawyers for Najim Z have previously contested that their client should be considered as the financial man in Taghi's drug network.
Nathan Coates (26) was in a difficult place at the time, his solicitor said

Nathan Coates apologised for his behaviour from years ago

An apprentice plumber who damaged a car window more than seven years ago has settled down and has not been in trouble since, a court heard.

Nathan Coates (26) couldnt remember damaging the car as he was in a difficult place at the time, his solicitor said.

Judge David McHugh convicted and fined Coates 200, saying that breaking a car window was a particularly egregious matter.

The defendant, with an address at Willow Wood View in Hartstown, admitted criminal damage at Clonsilla Link Road in Clonsilla on January 5, 2018.

Blanchardstown District Court heard that Coates damaged the car window at a cost of 200, but he had paid compensation.

The court heard that the defendant had seven previous convictions.

Nathan Coates apologised for his behaviour from years ago

Defence solicitor John ODoherty said this incident took place seven years ago and Coates had not been in trouble since.

Mr ODoherty said the defendant, a father of one, was working as an apprentice plumber.

Coates had no memory of this incident, Mr ODoherty said, and he was very young at the time it occurred.

Nathan Coates apologised for his behaviour from years ago

News in 90 Seconds - July 24th

Asking the judge to be as lenient as possible, Mr ODoherty said that the defendant had since settled down, was doing well now in his life, and was a different person to the individual who had caused this damage.

Coates also wished to apologise for his behaviour, the court heard.
Jonathan Dowdall and his father, Patrick Dowdall, falsely imprisoned and threatened to kill Hurley  who later changed his name to Niall Daly  in January 2015

A man who was waterboarded and had his life threatened by former Sinn Fein councillor Jonathan Dowdall has admitted a number of money laundering and forgery charges at Castlebar Circuit Court.

Niall Daly (28), of Meadow Park, Westport Road, Castlebar, formerly known as Alexander Hurley, could face jail time after pleading guilty to 20 counts of money laundering, deception and forgery.

Jonathan Dowdall and his father, Patrick Dowdall, falsely imprisoned and threatened to kill Hurley  who later changed his name to Niall Daly  in January 2015.

News in 90 Seconds - July 24th

During the three-hour ordeal, the Dowdalls tied him to a chair, waterboarded him, and threatened to chop him up and feed him to dogs and remove his fingernails with a pliers.

The father and son were jailed in 2022 for facilitating the murder of Kinahan gang member David Byrne during the 2016 Regency Hotel shooting.

Born in Romania, Daly was adopted by an Irish family in Athlone, where he lived from the age of three.

He was 18 when he was falsely imprisoned by the Dowdalls after they invited him to dinner at their home on the Navan Road in Dublin. Daly was seeking to buy a motorbike from Jonathan Dowdall, who believed he was being duped by Daly after researching various scamming allegations against him.

Jonathan Dowdall and his father Patrick leaving court previously

Daly, who has 14 previous convictions  11 for theft, two for road traffic offences and one for failing to appear in court  has lived in Mayo in recent times.

Tuesdays sitting of Castlebar Circuit Court was told that Daly had engaged in foolish and unsophisticated offending, which involved bouncing cheques written in his own name from accounts that detailed his name and correct address.

Investigating garda Ronan McIntyre told the court that KBC report on August 25, 2020, that Daly tried to open a financial account using a fraudulent mobile phone bill. The bank would have been at a loss of 3,500.

Following inquiries, an Ulster Bank account was identified where Daly attempted to cash 12 cheques that bounced due to insufficient funds. The cheques were later lodged when Mr Daly opened an overdraft. There were six parties injured by these activities, into which two complaints were lodged.

The court also heard that 29 cheques were written and bounced due to insufficient funds in a PTSB account registered to Daly.

On July 14, 2022, 20,000 of a loan was transferred to Mr Dalys An Post account from an account belonging to his father, Dermot Hurley.

When contacted by Advanced Finance, Mr Hurley said he knew nothing about the loan.

Daly used the money to buy three motorbikes. These were later returned, one of which had 5,000 miles on its clock.

Defence barrister Mark Ryan, acting on instruction from solicitor Helena Walsh, described his client as a very flawed human being who had engaged in unacceptable behaviour.

The court heard that Daly was employed as an accounting technician for a UK-based company and has displayed traits of narcissistic personality disorder. He has been referred by his GP for counselling and was deemed to be at low risk of reoffending by the probation services.

Niall Daly, formerly known as Alexander Hurley. Photo: Sunday World

Describing his actions as a pattern of serious but foolish and unsophisticated offending, Mr Ryan said his client wished to apologise to his victims and intended to repay the 20,000 he owes his father.

Judge Eoin Garavan did not accept that Daly was at low risk of reoffending, citing past incidents where he had stolen from his father, his neighbour and former employers.

This man is absolutely fundamentally dishonest, said Judge Garavan, and his history shows that he doesnt really care who he cons.

Based on his reading of Dalys probation report, Judge Garavan formed the view that Daly believed he did not have to do anything to address his behaviour.

He indicated a two-year custodial sentence and two one-year sentences to run concurrently, but he adjourned imposing a sentence until next year. He also requested restitution and ordered that Daly undertake counselling.

I believe his narcissistic nature is such that he will do this again, remarked Judge Garavan, before adjourning the matter until next year.

This article was amended on 24 July 2025 to clarify that sentencing was adjourned pending a further hearing.
Harold Stephenson (25) was charged with assaulting the woman

A Wexford man who attempted to kiss a woman he didnt know when he was drunk was ordered to pay 10,000 in compensation when he appeared before Gorey District Court.

Harold Stephenson (25) of Larch Hill, Inch, Gorey, Wexford, was charged with assaulting the woman on December 10, 2023, in the 64 Nightclub in Gorey, Co Wexford.

The court heard that 25-year-old Stephenson was on a night out with his friends on December 10 2023 when the incident occurred at 64 Nightclub in Gorey.

The CCTV from the pub was shown to the court which shows Stephenson put his arm around he victim and attempt to kiss her. The older woman was on a night out with her family at the time and the parties were not known to each other.

Stephenson was arrested on February 23 2024 in relation to the offence but due to the level of alcohol he had consumed on the night he had no recollection of the incident.

Garda OFarrell told the court that he had spent some time explaining the allegation to Stephenson due to his lack of memory of the night. However, once the accused was shown the CCTV footage he accepted responsibility and was apologetic for his actions.

Gardai confirmed that the accused has one previous conviction which is road traffic in nature and that he was fully cooperative at all times during the investigation.

Garda OFarrell confirmed he would have no concerns about Stephenson going forward as he has not come to the attention of An Garda Siochana since.

Justin McQuade BL, barrister for the accused, told the court Stephenson had just finished his masters, he is of good character, and is essentially a good lad.

He read a passage from the accuseds statement of interview were he is asked if he meant to offend, upset, or assault the injured party to which the young man replied definitely not.

Mr. McQuade BL pointed out to the court that Stephenson thought the woman would see the funny side of it but now understands his mistake and that not everyone has the same sense of humour.

Inspector Darragh Jennings informed the court the woman had prepared a victim impact statement which he read to the court on her behalf.

The womans statement informed the court that since the night in question she was stressed, angry, sad, and emotionally drained. She set out how she now feels nervous in social situations and had begun taking taxis home from events so as to avoid strangers on public transport.

The woman, who is self employed, stated that she had suffered financially due to the stress and sleepless nights as she had to take days off work.

Mr. McQuade BL submitted to the court that Stephenson acknowledges this was a regrettable incident and that alcohol played a role but it does not excuse his actions and he accepts that young men should behave in the appropriate manner.

The barrister stated that the injured party had eluded to a financial loss in her statement and the accused was prepared to offer 8,000 by way of compensation.

He reiterated Stephensons cooperation in the investigation as well as the fact he made early admissions and plead guilty saving the woman needing to enter the witness box and give evidence.

Judge Kevin Staunton stated that upon viewing the CCTV these are the actions of a drunken yaw.

64 Nightclub in Gorey

News in 90 Seconds - July 24th

He went on to say that alcohol played a huge factor and he has no doubt that if drink had not been taken this incident would not have occurred. He describe the matter as quite disgusting and highlighted how his obnoxious drunk behaviour was frightening for the injured party. Judge Staunton stated it was appalling for Stephenson to be dancing with his friends and then to grab and try kiss this woman as it appeared he was out of his mind with drink. However. Judge Staunton accepted the apology given by the accused was genuine.

Judge Staunton concluded the accused did something incredibly stupid and horrible, he therefore convicted Stephenson and ordered him to pay 10,000 compensation to the injured party. If this amount was paid by September 1 then section 1(2) of the Probation Act would apply and the man would enter into a 12 month bond to be of good behaviour. Judge Staunton also ordered the defendant to attend as directed by the Probation Services all engagements and programmes dealing with the issue of consent in terms of physical contact. Judge Staunton said he hopes Stephenson learns from this as if he re-offends in a similar manner he will serve a prison sentence.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Otto committed the sexual assault on the 18-year-old on October 26, 2022, while serving the suspended part of the sentence for the assault on the man in the casino.

A 63-year-old handed a three-year sentence for sexual assault earlier this week has been told they will spend a further six months in custody.

Ronaldo Otto, who is transitioning to female and identifies as Samantha Otto, was before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today for breaching the terms of a three-year suspended sentence imposed for throwing a cup of boiling water over the face of another casino customer over six years ago.

Judge Pauline Codd took into account that Otto, who has an address at Grosvenor Square, Rathmines, is being held in a mens prison and finds this distressing.

Otto committed the sexual assault on the 18-year-old on October 26, 2022, while serving the suspended part of the sentence for the assault on the man in the casino. A jury found Otto guilty of the sexual assault of the male student following a trial in May.

Ronaldo Otto, aka Samantha Otto

News in 90 Seconds - July 24th

In the casino incident, Otto had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on April 27, 2019 and received a suspended sentence a year and a half later.

Detective Garda Pauline Collier told the court that the incident took place at the Empire Casino on Burgh Quay in Dublin. The injured party knew the defendant as Samantha from attending the casino.

They had an altercation that morning, and the defendant pushed him in his chair in front of a slot machine, calling him an asshole. The injured party walked out of the casino, calling Otto crazy.

The man arrived back later, and Otto approached him and apologised for the behaviour.

However, the defendant then went into the customer kitchen area, filled up a cup of boiling water and returned to where the man was seated. Otto pulled the mans head back and poured the boiling water on his face.

Otto admitted the offence and received a three-year suspended sentence in October 2020.

Judge Codd noted today that the prosecution garda in the other case had said that the casino assault was to do with sexual rejection.

However, Det Gda Collier explained that there had been sexual advances by Otto over text messages, but this had been months earlier, and the injured party had indicated that he was just interested in friendship.

Pieter Le Vert BL, defending, pointed out that his client had been sentenced on Monday, and is being held in Mountjoy.

You see today, she appears not as a female, he said. That causes her considerable distress. Shes always very careful about her appearance when she appears in court.

He asked the judge to be as lenient as she possibly could in deciding whether to reactivate any or all of the three years originally suspended.

Judge Codd noted that the sexual assault had occurred two years into the sentence for the casino assault, and said that Otto had acted in a sexually predatory manner to a young man waiting to go into college.

I take into account hes biologically a male person, who identifies as female and has undergone certain steps towards transition, and that being in a male prison is difficult for someone in the accuseds position, she said.

She reactivated six months of the sentence and suspended the balance for two and a half years. The judge directed that this sentence should run consecutive to the three-year sentence imposed on Monday for the sexual assault of the teenager.

The accused should undertake rehabilitation in respect of gender-based violence and sexual offending, she said, noting that Otto was already on the Sex Offenders register.

They should place themselves under probation supervision for two and a half years from the date of release, and undergo therapy, she said. Thats because there is some sort of nexus between both offences.

Mr Le Vert explained to his client that she now had to enter a bond for the suspended portion.

Samantha, stand up, he said.

Do you Rolando Otto acknowledge yourself so bound? asked the registrar.

I do, replied the accused, while rubbing away tears.
BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Amid growing global environmental challenges, China and the European Union (EU) are stepping up cooperation in sustainable development and green transition, underscoring their shared commitment to sustainable growth and climate action.

With both sides aiming for ambitious carbon neutrality goals -- 2060 for China and 2050 for the EU -- their deepening partnership is widely seen as a powerful force in advancing global decarbonization efforts.

The China-EU joint green initiatives now span clean energy, green technology and sustainable infrastructure, opening up a broad space for industrial collaboration and policy innovation.

Analysts say closer synergy between the two of the most important economies can significantly accelerate the global green transition while injecting much-needed certainty and momentum into international climate governance.

CLOSER ENGAGEMENT

Chinese and European companies are ramping up investments across the green value chain, covering everything from upstream energy projects to downstream logistics and clean transportation.

For instance, China's battery maker CALB is investing 2 billion euros in a lithium battery plant in Portugal, while CATL, a leading Chinese green energy solution provider, has also launched gigafactory projects in Germany, Hungary and Spain to support the region's electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem.

In Croatia, a Chinese consortium is constructing the Korlat solar power plant, which is expected to be the country's largest photovoltaic facility and reduce carbon emissions by 150,000 tonnes per year.

Meanwhile, European firms are expanding their green footprint across China, buoyed by the country's vast clean energy market and supportive policies. Earlier this year, German industrial giant Siemens opened its first industrial ecosystem hub in western China, while Danish energy firm Danfoss launched its first carbon-neutral factory in Nanjing.

In 2024, Danfoss's operations in China saw strong growth in areas such as data centers and energy storage.

In this year's government work report, China pledged to prioritize industry, urban development, energy and transportation as part of green transition efforts. "This closely aligns with Danfoss's core business and reflects our shared vision for a greener, more energy-efficient future," said Kim Fausing, president and CEO of Danfoss.

Alongside growing business ties, policy coordination between China and the EU has also deepened. So far, the two sides have established five high-level dialogue mechanisms and more than 70 sectoral exchanges under the leaders' meeting framework, covering areas from green technology standards to industrial cooperation.

A flagship initiative is the EU-China Roadmap on Circular Economy launched in 2024, which focuses on cooperation in plastics, batteries and remanufacturing, according to the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ).

"We need to step up cooperation with China to tackle global challenges such as climate change and the environment," said Jessika Roswall, EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy. "We have a vital opportunity ahead of us to show that multilateralism can deliver."

DEEPER SYNERGY

While the EU has long been a leader in green innovation, particularly in wind power, solar energy, environmental policy and green finance, China has emerged as a global manufacturing and innovation powerhouse capable of scaling up green solutions rapidly. Experts say this complementarity creates a powerful foundation for accelerating the global green transition.

"The complementary strengths of China and the EU in green industries provide a solid basis for expanding cooperation," Wang Yiwei, director of the Center for European Studies at Renmin University of China, told Xinhua.

He noted that there is "ample room" for collaboration in key areas like clean energy and transportation, the latter being one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.

China holds a dominant position in the manufacturing of renewable technologies such as solar panels and wind turbines, and leads in electric vehicle battery innovation. The EU, meanwhile, has advantages in sustainable aviation fuels, carbon pricing mechanisms and regulatory expertise.

"The EU, aiming to vastly increase its renewable energy usage as part of its carbon neutrality targets, stands to benefit from closer collaboration with China," said Gianni di Giovanni, executive committee member of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

"By deepening this cooperation, both regions can further lower costs, enhance efficiencies, and make renewables the cornerstone of their energy systems," he said, stressing the EU's unique strengths in contributing financial expertise and regulatory support for Chinese green enterprises going global.

The EU also operates one of the world's most developed carbon markets through its Emissions Trading System. Greater alignment between the EU and China's carbon markets could "catalyze investments in low-carbon technologies and level the playing field for industries across both economies," Di Giovanni added.

Amid rising risks from trade tensions and geopolitical uncertainty, experts are urging stronger China-EU policy dialogue and efforts to build mutual trust.

To unlock the full potential of China-EU collaboration, Di Giovanni called on both sides to better leverage existing trade and economic dialogue platforms. "These mechanisms are essential to overcoming trade barriers and mitigating geopolitical risks."

According to observers, China-EU green cooperation carries "broader global significance," especially as other major players face divisions or scale back from multilateral climate commitments.

Their green partnership also serves as a model for Global South countries, given that traditional industrialization patterns often result in significant environmental and economic costs, Wang said. 
Launching an appeal against conviction, counsel for Genockey, Thomas OMalley SC said that his client had given evidence during the trial that there was consent

Two of three men jailed for the gang rape of a vulnerable teenager who had recently left State care have launched appeals against their convictions, arguing issues of consent were relevant during their trial.

At the Court of Appeal today, counsel for Dion Genockey (26) argued that the trial judge should have advised the jury that the appellant may have had reasons for not mentioning to gardai that he believed the victim had given her consent. Counsel for Daryl Rooney (27), meanwhile, argued that the appellant was not aware that the woman had not given her consent.

Genockey, of Clarion Quay Apartments, and Rooney, of Railway Street, Dublin City Centre, were convicted of raping the woman at Bull Island, Dollymount, Dublin, on January 5, 2016, following a second trial at the Central Criminal Court in March 2022. The jury in the first trial, which was held in 2020, was unable to reach a verdict.

Genockey was sentenced to nine years by Mr Justice David Keane while Rooney was sentenced to ten years.

A third accused, Troy Ryan of Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin City Centre, was also convicted and sentenced to nine and a half years.

The sentencing court heard none of the men accepted the verdict of the jury and maintained their innocence.

Launching an appeal against conviction, counsel for Genockey, Thomas OMalley SC said that his client had given evidence during the trial that there was consent on the part of the complainant, but he had not mentioned this in his interviews with gardai.

Mr OMalley referenced section 19A of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, which states that if a person charged with an offence fails to mention any fact relied on in their defence, being a fact which in the circumstances called for an explanation when questioned, then the court may draw inferences from this failure, and the failure may be treated as capable of amounting to corroboration of evidence.

Mr OMalley said that one factor to be considered is the circumstances the accused person finds themself in. He said that Genockey was advised by his father not to mention anything to gardai, which in this case turned out to be his defence. Mr OMalley went on to say that his client had a difficult relationship with one of the gardai, who had allegedly called the appellant a rapist. Given the appellants age at the time and the fact he was under the influence of his father, these were factors to be taken into account when interpreting section 19A, said Mr OMalley.

Counsel submitted that the trial judge ought to have said to the jury that they had to consider the possibility that Genockey may have had reasons for not mentioning to gardai that he believed the woman had consented.

Counsel for Rooney, Dominic McGinn SC said that for a rape conviction, the prosecution must prove the act, the absence of consent, and the fact that the accused person knows there is an absence of consent. In this case, said counsel, the third aspect was lacking. Mr McGinn said that the complainant said she was not interested in sexual activity, but when Rooney was alone with her in the car, she did not say anything.

Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said that while the defence was relying on an honest belief, this belief must be founded in reality.

Where is the counter evidence? The evidence was all going the one way, as she said she did not consent, said Ms Justice Kennedy.

Mr McGinn replied that the complainant had changed her mind about getting into the car with the men, which made Rooney alive to the fact she was a young woman who could change her mind.

By time he got into the car, he knew two others had had sexual relations with her, said Mr McGinn.

He said that in her evidence, the complainant said she made it clear to the first two men that she was not consenting, but Rooney was not aware of that. He said that by the time Rooney got into the car, he was handed a prophylactic by one of the others, while the woman did not say anything, so he was not aware that she was not consenting.

On behalf of the State, Eilis Brennan SC pointed out that it was the prosecution case that this was a very vulnerable lady addicted to tablets, who was targeted by the men. They lured her away in a car, even though she told them she did not want to have sex, and took her to a remote location.

She said it was the defence case that the complainant approached the men, that she had lubrication, that she wanted to stay in their house, and she consented to having sex. Ms Brennan said this was an issue to go to the jury.

Concerning Rooneys claim that he did not know the woman had not consented, Ms Brennan said that an honest belief is subjective, but there must be some reality to it, so there was ample evidence for the matter to go to a jury.

Concerning Mr OMalleys submission on the section 19A matter, Ms Brennan said the trial judge was very careful on this issue. She said the jury was told to look into all the facts, including Genockeys age, the fact that he was with his father, and the fact that he hated one of the gardai. She said the trial judge linked his failure to mention his defence to these facts, so the judges direction to the jury was impeccable.

Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, presiding over the three-judge court, said the court would reserve judgement in the case.

During the men's trial, evidence was heard that on the day in question, the young woman, who had recently left State care, travelled to Dublin to meet with friends. Later that evening, she purchased some Xanax pills and then went to an internet cafe.

While there, she was approached by a boy and told that the three teenagers, who she had never met before, wanted to talk to her. The men told her they wanted to bring her for a quick spin.

The woman initially declined but eventually agreed and left the cafe with Ryan and Rooney to get into a car outside, which was driven by Genockey.

The men drove out to Clontarf and down to the end of the wooden bridge at Dollymount Strand where they stopped by a shelter. Genockey then asked the woman: Are we going to have some fun?

The woman replied no, she didn't want to and had only wanted to go for a short drive, but the men were refusing to listen, the court heard.

Genockey and Rooney got out of the car and stood in the shelter while Ryan produced a condom from a stash in the glove box of the car and proceeded to rape the woman. When he was finished, Genockey got in and put a condom on.

Genockey tried to sweet talk the woman, the court heard and said he wasn't going to hurt her, before he proceeded to rape her.

Genockey then handed a condom to Rooney who raped the woman. At this stage, the woman didn't even get a chance to say no. It was three against one and she didn't have a choice, the court heard.

The trial heard her door had a child lock on it and she could not get out of the car.

The woman was told another person was going to pick her up and bring her home and the men left the scene quickly. Another car arrived containing three men and she was raped by two of the men in this car. She said that the men all got into the car afterwards, laughed and drove away, leaving her in the middle of nowhere.

Daryl Rooney and Dion Genockey

News in 90 Seconds - July 24th
CRIME WORLD | Episode 1108: Money laundering and mega mansions: How Limerick gangs are spending their cash

A Limerick gang member has pleaded guilty to money laundering charges at the Special Criminal Court

Richard Treacy (IrishPhotoDesk)

Nicola Tallant Thu 24 Jul 2025 at 12:26






Today it emerged that former soldier Keith Byrne (34) from Duleek, Co Meath, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison

The father of Kirsty Ward, who was murdered in a Spanish hotel two years ago, has revealed that the Spanish Public Prosecutor is appealing the sentence handed down to her former boyfriend.

Today it emerged that former soldier Keith Byrne (34) from Duleek, Co Meath, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for the murder of Kirsty Ward (36) with time off for the two years he has already spent in custody.

Speaking to the Irish Independent outside his home in Dundrum, her father John said that in their familys opinion the judge who imposed sentence had moved to a lower band than what the jury had decided in their verdict last May.

This should not have happened, Mr Ward said.

Sentencing judge Susana Calvo Gonzalez said in a lengthy ruling that the convicted killers consumption of alcohol and drugs before he murdered the mother-of-one diminished his cognitive faculties and was a prevailing mitigating factor.

He (Byrne) never even offered that as a defence in the trial, Mr Ward told the Irish Independent, before saying that his family feel very disappointed by the sentence.

Keith Byrne

Adding that the leniency of the sentence is now being appealed by the Spanish authorities, Mr Ward said that his family had known about the sentencing judgement for four weeks.

After Byrnes conviction private prosecutor Estela Cortes called for a 30-year-sentence for the murderer, and Mr Ward said this sentence is what the family think is appropriate in the case.

When asked about the trial process earlier this year in the Spanish city of Tarragona, Mr Ward said he found it dreadful.

He said that Byrne has shown no remorse and that throughout the three week trial where he sat near Kirstys family in court he appeared very confident and very self-assured".

We have not gained anything by what has happened, Mr Ward added.

Sentencing judge Susana Calvo Gonzalez ruled the fact that Byrne and his 36-year-old partner had been in a stable eight-month relationship made the crime more serious.

Public prosecutor Javier Goimil, a domestic violence specialist, dismissed Byrne's court claim that Ms Ward took her own life during his closing speech to the jury on the final day of the murder trial.

He claimed the former soldier decided "you're mine or youre nobody's" and strangled his girlfriend to death with a hair straightener power cord because she wanted out of their relationship.

Kirstys mother Jackie Ward gave evidence during the trial in April.

Ms Ward said her beloved daughters trip to Spain was a make or break holiday.

She told the court that she found out after her daughter's death that she was going to leave him.

She recalled her daughter's state of mind in the lead-up to the incident in the four-star hotel on July 2, 2023.

"She was not herself. She was not happy the morning she left," she said. "I could tell as her mother when she left that there was something not right.

"I said to my sisters, 'I really wish she wasn't going away this week', and I don't know why I said that, but I know she was not in a good place and she was not happy."

Asked if her daughter had confided that she was having problems with Byrne before the holiday in the Costa Dorada resort of Salou, she said: "I didn't know it at that time. She didn't say anything to me going.

"But I knew it wasn't right. I didn't like him. I didn't trust him.

"Afterwards, I found out from friends and colleagues she worked with that there were issues, that she had decided it was the make-or-break holiday, that she was going to leave him."

She was asked whether she thought her daughter could have died by suicide, to which she replied: She did everything for her son. She would never, ever leave him. She would never do that to him.

In the aftermath of the murder Byrne was remanded in custody after he appeared before a special court in Tarragona that deals with violence against women in a closed hearing.

Just over a week later he claimed that he had no involvement in Ms Wards death in a video, brazenly shot in his prison cell.

In the video in which he addressed a number of family members and friends directly, the murderer said: Obviously you know that I didnt do it because (inaudible) found the girl dead, he said.

The truth will come out, he said, before claiming that Ms Ward was dead for a number of hours before he found her.

And then the newspapers will all eat their words but listen I love you all very much and just keep this video because everyone will watch it. I love you right, with all my heart, Byrne continued.

The video ends with Byrne blowing a kiss and saying see ye all soon - not once in the recording did he mention his victim by name.

Murder victim Kirsty Ward

News in 90 Seconds - July 24th
Colm Keaveney (54) appeared before Judge Sandra Murphy at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court

Ex Fianna Fail TD Colm Keaveney banned from driving for four years after refusing to give a blood or urine sample following a late-night collision last year

Former TD Colm Keaveney has been banned from driving for four years after refusing to give a blood or urine sample following a late-night collision in Co Roscommon last year.

Keaveney (54), of Kilcreevanty, Tuam, Co Galway, appeared before Judge Sandra Murphy at Carrick-on-Shannon District Court on Tuesday.

He pleaded guilty to two offences including failing to stop at the scene of an accident and refusing to provide a blood or urine sample following his arrest.

All offences related to an incident where Keaveney drove on the wrong side of the road, without his headlights, and collided with another car, in Co Roscommon last October.

He had been charged with dangerous driving, driving with no insurance and failure to produce his driving licence, but all three charges were struck out.

Keaveney was initially elected as a TD for the Labour Party for Galway East in 2011. He subsequently joined Fianna Fail.

Colm Keaveney

He was most recently a councillor on Galway County Council, but did not stand for last years local elections.

Inspector Gerry Curley told Judge Murphy that Keaveney had been observed by Garda Colm Dowd driving a Ford Focus on Bridge Street, Boyle, Co Roscommon, on October 11 last year.

The court was told the car was on the wrong side of the road, with no lights on, and collided with a Kia Ceed.

Inspector Curley said Gda Dowd observed the Ford Focus failing to stop after colliding with the Kia and continuing a distance along the street before pulling over.

Very apologetic for the incident.

The court heard that when Keaveney got out of the car, Gda Dowd noted he was glassy-eyed and there was a strong smell of alcohol.

Keaveney was arrested and brought to Carrick-on-Shannon garda station, where a nurse attended after 11pm to take a blood sample.

Keaveney declined to allow the nurse take a blood sample or to voluntarily provide a urine sample.

Judge Murphy was told Keaveney had opted to plead guilty to refusing to provide a sample, contrary to section 12 of the Road Traffic Act.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to stop, having collided and caused damage to another vehicle during the same incident, contrary to Section 106 of the Road Traffic Act.

Solicitor Martina Moran, of Gearoid Geraghty Solicitors in Galway, told Judge Murphy that her client was very apologetic for the incident.

Judge Sandra Murphy

She said Keaveney was a 55-year-old self-employed man who, at the time of the offences, had been on heavy medication following spinal surgery.

She told Judge Murphy that her client scratched against the other vehicle and did not immediately stop because he was looking for a safe place to pull in.

He is very apologetic and understands it was a serious matter

It wasnt the case he was trying to evade gardai, Ms Moran said.

At the time of the incident, Keaveney had lost two parents in quick succession and had been a carer for both.

The court was told he has no previous convictions.

Colm Keaveney. Photo: Tom Burke

Ms Moran handed in a medical report detailing Keaveneys back injury, and Judge Murphy asked was it the suggestion that his back problems interfered with his driving during the episode.

No, it is in the past, but it is a recurring problem, Ms Moran said. He is very apologetic and understands it was a serious matter.

Judge Murphy noted there was a difficult background with the case, and said Keaveney was not a person commonly before the courts.

She disqualified Keaveney from driving for four years on the refusal to provide a sample, and also fined him 250.

The other offence pleaded to was taken into consideration.
Daniel OLeary was a resident at Kanturk Community Hospital in Co Cork

The HSE has issued an apology to the family of a 91-year-old man who died against a background of choking complications after a hospital took a week to act on an X-ray that revealed he had swallowed some of his own false teeth.

Daniel OLeary was a resident at Kanturk Community Hospital in Co Cork.

The High Court in Cork heard that at 11.25am on July 26, 2022, Mr OLeary started coughing while sitting in a chair.

Daniel OLeary

News in 90 Seconds - July 24th

The pensioner, who was a native of Knockbrack, Banteer in Co Cork, also complained of something being stuck in his throat.

Mr OLeary was visibly uncomfortable and holding his hands to his throat. His partial bottom denture of two teeth was missing.

Staff rushed to his assistance and Mr OLeary was transferred by ambulance to University Hospital Limerick (UHL).

Paramedics told doctors that the elderly man had possibly inhaled a denture of two lower teeth.

He was examined in the A&E department and X-rays were conducted of his chest, neck and abdomen.

Mr OLeary was admitted to hospital.

An X-ray taken on July 26 was only reported on July 30. Stock image: Getty

He was further assessed the following day and again a doctor found no evidence that his upper airway was obstructed.

A diagnosis of respiratory sepsis was made on a background of likely aspiration due to impaired swallow. Mr OLeary was given fluids and antibiotics intravenously. He also received oxygen therapy.

He was subsequently assessed on July 29, 2022, and appeared to be improving.

He remained in hospital over the bank holiday weekend with his care being taken over by a consultant physician and geriatrician on August 2, 2022.

Ms Justice Carmel Stewart was told that a chest X-ray carried out on his arrival at hospital on July 26 was reported only on July 30.

It showed multiple linear densities in the upper neck, likely reflecting a foreign body.

The sitting of the High Court was told that an inquest was previously heard in relation to the deceased.

A verdict of medical misadventure had been recorded arising out of a delay in diagnosis.

The High Court was told that there was no evidence that the report on the X-ray had been seen or acted on by medics in the hospital until the consultant geriatrician came on duty on August 2.

A CT scan carried out on August 3 did not detect any foreign body in Mr OLearys neck or thorax.

However, later that day nursing staff carrying out a suctioning procedure on the patient detected dentures in his left hypo-pharynx in the lowest part of his throat.

The ENT team removed them on August 4, nine days after the pensioner was taken to hospital.

Mr OLeary continued to deteriorate physically and his care became palliative in nature.

The man had swallowed some of his dentures. Stock image: Getty

He was brought back to Kanturk Community Hospital, where he died peacefully on August 12, 2022.

Solicitor Eamon Shanahan, representing the family of the deceased, said that they had received an apology from the HSE.

In the apology the delay in the review of the relevant X-ray was acknowledged.

The hospital has learnt from the incident and has implemented the recommendation identified by the coroner at the inquest. We wish to apologise for the failings in the care provided and for the distress and upset that this has caused.

Ms Justice Carmel Stewart approved an award of 55,000 to the family of the deceased arising out of the deficiencies in his care.

In effect there was a week between the X-ray that showed a potential blockage and when it was acted on.

Ms Justice Stewart extended her condolences to the family of the deceased.

"Your father had a long and fruitful life, she said. There is never a good time to lose a loved one, or to endure the trauma he endured. It doesnt bear thinking about. Hopefully you can put this behind you and reflect on the good times.

Mr OLeary was predeceased by his wife Nan.

He is survived by his adult children John, Margaret, Donal and Deirdre, his eight grandchildren, and two great grandchildren.

The OLeary family expressed their appreciation for the care given to their father in his final years at Kanturk Community Hospital.
Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri, 51, is alleged to have left nail marks on a 17-year-old girls arm.

A visitor to Disney World in Florida has been charged with child abuse after allegedly assaulting a teenager at the theme park.

The alleged altercation is said to have happened on Monday during a parade at Disneys Magic Kingdom.

According to an Orange County Sheriffs Office police report, Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri is believed to have come into contact with the teenage girl when trying to get a better spot to view the parade.

As per the documents seen by People, local police have said the 17-year-old girl was left with nail marks on her arm.

Authorities are said to have separated the two parties involved in the altercation, which took place at around 9.40pm.

Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri.

News in 90 Seconds - July 24th

The teen told police that she had been standing on Main Street in the theme park as she was preparing to take in the evenings parade.

Zapata-Echeverri, 51, allegedly put her hand on the teenager in an attempt to make space. The teen then told Zapata-Echeverri to not touch her in Spanish.

Soon after, it has been alleged that the 51-year-old, who was born in Colombia but resides in Spain, then grabbed [the teen] by the arm and pulled her to the side, causing a bruise and abrasion on her right arm.

The suspect told authorities that she was following behind her daughter in order to get to the front of the parade crowd.

She claims that it was the teen who was the one who pushed her.

The polices arrest affidavit also notes nail marks were found on the 17-year-olds arm. Local authorities say the teen was the only one to sustain injuries.

Additionally, there were no independent witnesses or surveillance footage of the alleged incident.

According to local Florida TV station WESH, Zapata-Echeverri arrived in the US on a tourist visa on July 2 before then appearing in court on Tuesday of this week.

She had been set to return to Spain on Wednesday, her attorney stated.

Her lawyer also stated that the alleged incident has been mischaracterised, before adding: We are confident that once all the facts have been fully evaluated, it will be clear that there was no criminal intent and no abusive conduct by Ms Zapata-Echeverri.

The judge reduced her bail to $2,500 and ordered the woman not to return to any Disney property.
The toddler, who was a German national, was airlifted to hospital but could not be saved.

A girl aged just 21 months old has died after reportedly slipping from her dads arms as they went down a slide at a waterpark.

The incident took place at Aquagen waterpark in Lopar, Croatia, with local media stating the young girl fell from a height of approximately three-and-a-half metres onto concrete.

The toddler, who was from Germany, was then airlifted to the nearby Rijeka Hospital Clinical Centre for emergency aid.

Despite the work of the paramedics, she died from her internal organ and head injuries.

Aquagen waterpark in Croatia.

News in 90 Seconds - July 24th

The incident took place on Tuesday and has left the local community extremely shaken, according to the Lopar mayor.

It is an understatement to say that we are all extremely shaken, said Zdenko Jakuc.

When the helicopter landed, everything stopped. We all looked at the sky and hoped for the best.

According to 24 Sata, the girls dad was overheard shouting my daughter is dying! as he knelt over her after the fall.

One witness of the incident told local media: The waiter had just brought me coffee. When we heard crying and shouting, we thought the child had drowned.

"Then we saw a man carrying the child on the side. A doctor from Slovenia happened to be there and immediately came to help."

The doctor then performed CPR before the young girl could be airlifted to hospital.

The waterpark's owner, Josip Ivanic, said, according to Jutarnji: "It's a tragedy for us, for the family, for everyone."

The police have said that authorities will continue to investigate the circumstances of the girl's death.
The former reality TV star welcomes baby Jesse into the world alongside her partner Alex.

Former Tallafornia star Kelly Donegan has welcomed the birth of her second child after the arrival of a baby boy.

Baby Jesse was welcomed into the world by Kelly and her husband Alex Hermann at The Coombe in Dublin.

In 2023, the Dublin mum gave birth to her first child, daughter Cherry, but has now added another member to her growing family.

Taking to Instagram, the former reality TV star wrote: Wasnt expecting you to arrive so fast, but you were clearly determined to make an entrance. You burst into our lives and split our already full hearts right open.

"I never pictured myself with kids - and now I cant imagine life without them. I feel so lucky to have been the ship that brought you into the world."

Kelly Donegan. Photo: Instagram

News in 90 Seconds - July 24th

"Everyone keeps saying this little boy is going to be my healing and honestly, I believe it.

"Massive love to the staff at The Coombe. I put my trust in you during one of the most vulnerable moments of my life, and you made my VBAC happen - 3.5 hours, I still cant believe it. I couldnt speak more highly of the care and motivation I received.

"Welcome to the madness, Jesse.

Kellys pregnancy journey has been had its ups and downs with the Dubliner previously revealing that she had been hospitalised

"Today marks exactly 30 days of posting something each and every day, little did I expect to be waking up in the hospital after an abnormal bleed, she updated followers earlier this week.

Kelly Donegan and her husband Alex. Photo: Instagram

"Thankfully Im heading home but, looks like we are at the very start of the finish line, Im both terrified and excited! I just keep saying Im going to meet my baby very soon.

Earlier this year, Kelly married partner Alex at what she described as a quiet little chaotic ceremony in the capital.

The pair announced their engagement back in 2022 after Alex popped the question at Central Park in New York City.

We have been through so much together as a couple and as individuals; and grown into such a beautiful team, she said at the time.

"The yin to my yang, the spicy to my icy, the moon to my sun.

"I couldnt imagine my life without my best friend. I love you Mr Hermann, an easy yes!!"

At the ceremony, the newlyweds stunned with Kelly donning an ivory-coloured satin midi dress for the big occasion.

The 36-year-old is best known for appearing on TV3s Tallafornia back in 2011.

Following her time on TV, Kelly moved on into the fitness world where she released her own book, Build Your Own Body.

She is now a podcaster and co-hosts Was Your Ma on Telly alongside actor and pal Amilia Keating.
Representatives of Kneecap did not immediately reply to requests for comment

Hungarian authorities have banned Irish rap group Kneecap from entering the country to perform at the Sziget Festival, accusing the band of using antisemitic hate speech and praising the Hamas militant group, a government spokesperson said on Thursday.

"Hungary's government has moved to ban Kneecap from entering the country and performing at Sziget ... citing antisemitic hate speech and open praise for Hamas and Hezbollah as justification," government spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs wrote in a post on X.

Kovacs later posted the official letters from immigration authorities banning the band for three years, claiming that their entry would "seriously threaten national security".

In May, member Mo Chara was charged with a terrorism offence in Britain for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed Hezbollah. He denies the offence.

Representatives of Kneecap did not immediately reply to requests for comment. The band has said previously that its members do not support Hamas or Hezbollah, and that it condemns "all attacks on civilians, always".

Hungary's government had already asked festival organisers to drop Kneecap from the line-up at the week-long event, which draws several hundred thousand music lovers to an island in the River Danube each year.

More than 150 artists and cultural figures, including Academy Award-winning director Laszlo Nemes Jeles, have also signed a petition protesting against Kneecap's participation.

Sziget organisers, who said they had not been notified of the government's decision, have resisted the calls to scrap Kneecap's planned performance on August 11.

"Our festival remains true to what we have consistently achieved over the past 30 years: there is no place for hatred, incitement, prejudice, or any form of racism or anti-Semitism," they said in a statement last week.

Sziget's other performers this year include Post Malone, Shawn Mendes and Charli XCX.
Kula Shaker are joining the party in Laois with the likes of Oasis back on the way to Irish shores.

In the last couple of years Blur have been packing out Wembley, Oasis are back and on their way to Croke Park with the Gallagher brothers creating magic together again and Robbie Williams is set to slay Aviva Stadium next month.

It's like the 90s all over again with even indie favourites Kula Shaker set to perform in Ireland next weekend at the Forest Fest in Emo, Co Laois

Just when you thought it couldnt get any worse, Crispian Mills says in his droll sense of humour as he chats with Magazine+ over Zoom from his home in Penzance.

No, I think its crazy. Were touring America in autumn and everybody is out there. I think theres something about this 90s resurgence that is different to any other because its based around live bands, whereas a lot of the contemporary music now is not so much around guitars and bands.

Ive been around gigs recently and festivals of contemporary bands and theres not a lot of noise coming off the stage. Theres a lot of people on headphones and things like that.

Guitar bands plug in and its a bit of a racket, so I think people are going to get that taste againand see whether they like it or not, whether they remembered it as being fun.

Crispian Mills of Kula Shaker. Photo: Sergione Infuso/Corbis via Getty Images

News in 90 Seconds - July 24th

Kula Shaker enjoyed success in the UK and Ireland from the mid-90s with Top 10 hits that included Tattva, Hey Dude, Govinda, Hush and Sound Of Drums.

You dont make money from recording anymore, but now even the live shows are at the mercy of the cost of living, the cost of everything, Crispian reveals.

I think that nobody is escaping the situation that were in now where the cost of everything is unsustainable and ridiculous.

It has got to the point where you are hoping to sell a few T-shirts, but even then these big corporations that run the venues are taking 25 per cent of your merch as well. So really they are just squeezing you for everything.

Thats the way it is, but you gotta keep on rockin in the free world.

We talk about perception and reality and how some people think if youre even moderately famous youre rich. No, we didnt get invited to Jeff Bezoss wedding, thats for sure, he says.

Jay Darlington, Paul Winterhart, Crispian Mills and Alonza Bevan of Kula Shaker. Photo: Katja Ogrin/Redferns

But were a very lucky band because were still friends and were still playing music and we still see the funny side. So in that respect we are very fortunate.

They disbanded between 1999 and 2004 and did solo work, which was probably healthy for their relationships.

It definitely allowed us a little bit of space from each other and also to appreciate each other, Crispian admits. Theres been a lot of unexpected twists and turns for this band  Jay being in Oasis was one of themwho would have thought.

Kula Shakers keyboardist Jay Darlington joined Oasis in 2002 for their live shows and toured with them until their last tour in 2009.

This is a really good time for Kula Shaker, a good time to see Kula Shaker and its a good time to be in the band as well, Crispian says as the chat turns to their forthcoming show at Forest Fest in Emo next Saturday, on a bill that includes Franz Ferdinand, Manic Street Preachers, Travis, Orbital, Billy Bragg, Something Happens, The Stranglers, Peter Hook & The Light and many more over the weekend.

Festivals are always greatits great to play to your own crowd, but festivals are a real mish-mash of people where some may know all your B-sides and some may never have heard of you in their life, so youve got a great mix.

Its an opportunity to win over some new people? Yes, its an opportunity to convert the non-believers, he laughs.

Kula Shaker were always a live band. Im very proud of the records weve mad, but the place where weve always been at our strongest and being constantly evolving has been on the live side of thing, thats really where the band come into their own.

Its a crazy time in the world, theres a lot of strange things going on and this guitar band throwback is all part of the fun. I think it can contribute something musically, but I think also that attitude, being a little big more rebellious and not taking any sh*t from The Man is very much needed right now.

As the conversation draws to a close, I ask Crispian if hes happy with Kula Shakers place in the history of UK music.

The droll self-mockery comes out again. Somebody said to us recently that we were the most underrated band, Mills says, adding: We want to become the most overrated band, thats what we want to go down as.
This photo shows damaged buildings after an Israeli airstrike in the Tel al-Hawa area, Gaza City, July 23, 2025. Since Israel resumed its military operations in the enclave on March 18, at least 8,363 Palestinians had been killed and 31,004 others injured, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to 59,219, and injuries to 143,045, Gaza-based health authorities said Wednesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

This photo shows damaged buildings after an Israeli airstrike in the Tel al-Hawa area, Gaza City, July 23, 2025. Since Israel resumed its military operations in the enclave on March 18, at least 8,363 Palestinians had been killed and 31,004 others injured, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to 59,219, and injuries to 143,045, Gaza-based health authorities said Wednesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

This photo shows a damaged building after an Israeli airstrike in the Tel al-Hawa area, Gaza City, July 23, 2025. Since Israel resumed its military operations in the enclave on March 18, at least 8,363 Palestinians had been killed and 31,004 others injured, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to 59,219, and injuries to 143,045, Gaza-based health authorities said Wednesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A man carries the body of a victim after an Israeli airstrike in the Tel al-Hawa area, Gaza City, July 23, 2025. Since Israel resumed its military operations in the enclave on March 18, at least 8,363 Palestinians had been killed and 31,004 others injured, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to 59,219, and injuries to 143,045, Gaza-based health authorities said Wednesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Palestinians mourn over a victim killed by the Israeli airstrike at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, July 23, 2025. Since Israel resumed its military operations in the enclave on March 18, at least 8,363 Palestinians had been killed and 31,004 others injured, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to 59,219, and injuries to 143,045, Gaza-based health authorities said Wednesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

People carry the body of a victim killed by the Israeli airstrike at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, July 23, 2025. Since Israel resumed its military operations in the enclave on March 18, at least 8,363 Palestinians had been killed and 31,004 others injured, bringing the total death toll since October 2023 to 59,219, and injuries to 143,045, Gaza-based health authorities said Wednesday. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
A new show to help local election candidates get their message out to voters is coming to Whakatane and Kawerau districts in September.

Its in the Ballot is a travelling web show founded by Wellington-based political commentator Sam Somers, along with co-chair and producer Stacey Ryan.

Its in the Ballot has scheduled five days of production to be held in Kawerau, Whakatane, Edgecumbe, Taneatua and Murupara in the month before the election.

Somers plans to create 30 hours of footage of these events.

The founder, host and executive producer of the show, he initiated it after his experiences standing for the Greater Wellington Regional Council in 2016 and 2019.

Having attended Meet the Candidates meetings organised by various groups, he found it challenging to get his message across to his constituency.

With his supporters, along with support from other candidates, he decided that a webshow was the solution, so hosted Its in the Ballot for eight electorates in the General Election in 2020.

In 2022, Its in the Ballot Productions, a non-profit organisation, hosted 34 shows in the Wellington Region for the council elections.

This year, a new challenge has been set to hold more than 100 events covering 23 North Island councils.

The shows are held in local venues and aired live on the Its in the Ballot Website, YouTube, Facebook, Twitch and their TikTok page.

The format is loosely based on the classic New Zealand television series Its in the Bag.

Communities are able to submit questions for candidates ahead of the event.

Questions are placed in numbered boxes (or bags) and each candidate must select a box number and answer the question inside.

Each candidate is given two butt in cards, which they can play to answer a question selected by another candidate and a defer card, which they can play to defer their question to another candidate of their choice.

Candidates also have a chance at the beginning of the show to introduce themselves, much like any other candidates meeting.

Candidates for Whakatane and Kawerau district councils or Bay of Plenty Regional Council elections can visit itsintheballot.nz to register for the events.

Events for Eastern Bay of Plenty

September 9: Edgecumbe War Memorial Hall  Rangitaiki Community Board 3pm, Rangitaiki Maori Ward 4pm, Rangitaiki General Ward 7pm

September 10: Taneatua School and Community Hall (Venue to be confirmed)  Taneatua Community Board 4pm, Bay of Plenty Regional Council Kohi Maori constituency 5pm, Eastern Bay constituency at 7pm

September 13: Kawerau Town Hall  Kawerau District Council councillors at large 10am, Maori Ward 1pm, General Ward 4pm and mayoral debate 7pm

September 16: Murupara Area School  Murupara Community Board 4pm, Te Urewera General Ward 5pm, Toi ki Uta Maori Ward 7pm

September 18: Whakatane War Memorial Centre  Kapu to Rangi Maori Ward 1pm, Whakatane-Ohope Community Board 3pm, Whakatane-Ohope General Ward 4pm, mayoral debate 7pm

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Poor welding led to a cargo ships rudder breaking off as the vessel left Tauranga Harbour, an investigation has found.

Only the swift actions of the crew stopped the 177m, fully-loaded Achilles Bulker from grounding as they halted it with just 1m of water under the keel.

The 2023 close call came just over a decade after the 2011 Rena grounding off Taurangas coast caused New Zealands worst maritime environmental disaster.

An investigative report by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) has been released explaining how the Achilles Bulkers 14.2-tonne rudder came to detach on July 24, 2023.

The report said the weather was calm as the Panama-flagged ship finished loading logs at the Port of Tauranga, and began pre-departure preparations about 2pm.

Two Port of Tauranga pilots - one qualified and one trainee - were aboard..

With the ships master, they agreed the trainee would have the conn, or conduct of the ship, for the outbound sailing, with support from the qualified pilot.

It was the trainees first time taking charge since joining the pilot training programme about five months earlier.

By 3.17pm, the China-bound ship had begun its voyage with the assistance of two tugs.

At 3.28pm, shortly after clearing the Tauranga Harbour entrance, the ships heading began to swing off course.

The bridge team was taking corrective action to return the ship to the centre line in the shipping channel when a loud bang was heard throughout the ship, and the ship shuddered about 3.49pm.



The location of the incident. Map / Land Information New Zealand Toitu te Whenua

The qualified pilot took over the conn and continued trying get the ship back on course.

A second, louder bang was heard a minute after the first.

As the ship continued out of the channel into shallow waters, the qualified pilot took steps to slow it, including ordering the crew to drop both anchors.

By 3.56pm the ship had effectively stopped outside the channel.

It narrowly avoided grounding, the report said, with only about 1m under-keel clearance.

It is virtually certain that the swift and well-coordinated actions of the pilots and ships crew prevented the ship running aground.

Escort tugs towed the ship further offshore where the vessel could be anchored.



Achilles Bulkers track. Map / Transport Accident Investigation Commission

It stayed there, about 6.5km off the coast surrounded by a 50m exclusion zone, for several days until it was brought back to the port to await a tow for repairs overseas, according to reporting at the time.

The investigation report said it was not immediately apparent to the crew during the incident that the rudder had broken off.

That was revealed by a divers survey the next day, along with fractures to other parts of the rudder system.

After an extensive search led by the Port of Tauranga, the rudder was recovered from the channel on July 26.



The pintle was missing from the detached rudder when it was retrieved. Image / Transport Accident Investigation Commission

An inspection found the pintle was missing from the bottom of the rudder.

The pintle is a metal pin the rudder pivots around. The pintle was 942mm tall and weighed 428kg. The rudder weighed 14,231kg (14.2 tonnes).

The investigation found that, during dry dock maintenance in China in 2021, the pintle assembly had been removed and reinstalled for the first time in the 20-year-old ships history.

Wreckage examination and testing found inconsistent welding penetration and thickness securing the pintle, with the welds having significant porosity.



Rudder system side view. Graphic / Transport Accident Investigation Commission

Those welds were susceptible to cracking from normal vibrations as they were generally poor quality with limited weld penetration.

It meant components securing the pintle in place failed and the pintle was lost before the ship lost its rudder.

Other components of the rudder system were exposed to excessive forces, ultimately leading to the loss of the rudder and loss of control of the ship.

It is virtually certain that the way the rudder pintle assembly was reinstalled did not ensure that the pintle would remain in place during normal shipboard operations.

The commission said ships with a similar pintle arrangement to the Archilles Bulker were at far greater risk, putting seafarers and the environment in significant danger.

Since the investigation, the commission has identified the safety issue relating to the quality assurance and oversight used during the pintle reinstallation and made recommendations to address it.

Maritime New Zealand agreed to work with an international marine accident forum to investigate building an evidential base for action to improve quality assurance systems related to dry dock work, which would include installation, major repairs and maintenance of ship systems.
L.A.B and Stan Walker will perform at Taurangas Wharepai Domain this December as part of their New Zealand and Australia summer tour.

The musicians will be joined by Aaradhna, Te Wehi and Corrella for the Tauranga show, which kicks off a three-stop tour.

L.A.B and Walker, with Aaradhna and Te Wehi, will perform at the Gold Coast with Tiki Taane on January 3 and in Auckland with Nesian Mystik on January 31.

The three outdoor shows will be the perfect summer day out, a media release from the events promoters said, with a collection of acts representing Aotearoa summertime all in one place.

These shows will be L.A.Bs first headline shows since winning Te Manu Matarae Award at the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards, an award acknowledging an artists impact on the music landscape.

Their most recent album L.A.B VI included the hits Take It Away and Casanova.



Joel Shadbolt of L.A.B, right, and Stan Walker.

These will be their only headline shows in NZ and Australia this coming summer.

Tauranga will be a return home for L.A.B for the first time in more than two years, while their Auckland performance will be the first in Tamaki Makaurau in more than four years.

Walker took home the Best Maori Artist and Mana Reo awards at the 2025 Aotearoa Music Awards. He is fresh off multiple visits to the United States and, with new music on the way, will bring his ever-expanding catalogue of hits to the stage.

Walker will perform with his longtime band, The Levites.



L.A.B and Walker will perform in Auckland with Nesian Mystik on January 31

Aaradhna announced her return with her acclaimed 2024 album Sweet Surrender, which earned her the Best Soul/RnB Artist at the Aotearoa Music Awards.

Bay of Plenty native Te Wehi will be the opening act at each show. He has had three number ones on the Aotearoa Hot Singles Chart with his unique blend of country-tinged reggae.

Tauranga will see Corrella on the line-up, bringing with them their high-energy brand of reggae/soul.

These three shows see a line-up of the finest Maori/Pasifika artists in Aotearoa combine for a series of summer shows that arent to be missed, the media release said.

L.A.B and Stan Walkers summer tour



The poster for the L.A.B and Stan Walker summer tour.
Two Bay of Plenty butchers have taken home top honours at the 100% NZ Bacon and Ham Awards

Kiwi Fresh Meats in Tauranga won category champion for their KFM American Streaky Bacon and a bronze medal for their KFM American Dry Cure Streaky Bacon while Katikati Meat Masters took home a bronze medal for their Streaky Bacon

The judging process, which took place last month, spanned three days and brought together a panel of experienced butchers and culinary experts.

They carefully evaluated entries from across the country, all crafted using 100% New Zealand born and raised pork.

Products were judged across eight bacon and three ham categories, with gold, silver and bronze medals awarded.

Each categorys top-scoring product earned the title of Category Champion  these champions then progressed to a final round of judging to determine the overall Supreme Bacon and Supreme Ham winners.

Sams Butchery in Silverdale was named Supreme Bacon winner for their naturally cured Maple Streaky Bacon, while Wild Game in Hastings took home the Supreme Ham Award for their Old School Pressed Ham.

Culinary judge Ginny Grant said the standard was exceptionally high this year, making for a very close competition.

From an aesthetic point of view, the ham really had that wow factor when it was presented to the judges.

A pressed ham is more of a traditional style, and not only did it look amazing, but it was also incredibly moreish, with great depth of flavour and impressive balance.

You could tell it had been made with a lot of care.

The winning bacon also impressed the judging panel with its originality and standout character, culinary judge Kathy Paterson adding that the Supreme bacon was quite different this year.

Kiwi Fresh Meats in Tauranga won category champion for their KFM American Streaky Bacon and a bronze medal for their KFM American Dry Cure Streaky Bacon.

Weve chosen something that really stands out from what weve seen in the past. As soon as I brought it up to my nose and took in the aroma, I thought, Wow, this smells amazing. It just made you want to start eating it straight away, and I think thats always a good sign.

Technical judge Brian Everton, of Cabernet Foods, highlighted the innovation and skill behind both winning products.

What really made both Supreme Winners stand out this year was just how innovative they were. Both the ham and bacon were quite different, and you could tell a lot of thought had gone into making them unique. That creativity really helped elevate them.

Katikati Meat Masters took home a bronze medal for their Streaky Bacon.

From a technical point of view, theyre not easy products to make either, so its clear the producers put a lot of care and attention into getting them just right, and its paid off.

When it comes to making the most of your award-winning bacon and ham at home, try gently pan-frying bacon on medium heat to crisp it perfectly without overcooking. For ham, score the surface and glaze with honey or mustard before baking to enhance flavour and appearance.

Whether youre creating a weekend brunch or preparing a holiday feast, New Zealands medal-winning bacon and ham producers have you covered.

-Contributed content
The Green Partyis calling on the Government to extend the Auckland-Hamilton passenger rail network to Tauranga.

However, Bay of Plenty Regional Councils chairman says now is not the time for regional passenger rail.

Green Party transport spokeswoman Julie Anne Genter was in Tauranga on Thursday launching a petition urging Minister of Rail Winston Peters to Restore Regional Rail.

Te Huia, the Hamilton to Auckland passenger rail link, had proven the demand for the service, she said.

Its time to extend that service to the people of Tauranga and some of the smaller towns in between.

Extending the service could be done relatively quickly and at an affordable cost, with operating costs of $10 million for the first four years, Genter said.

Last week, Peters threw his support behind a Sunday service for Te Huia, so it made sense for him to look at extending the service to Tauranga, she said.

Aotearoa was once linked up by rail services and bus services that were affordable and frequent, and they linked our major centres, and they enabled people to get to even rural parts of our beautiful country.

Its time to get our rail network back on track.



Julie Anne Genter said passenger rail from Tauranga to Auckland could be done relatively quickly and at an affordable cost. Photo / Tom Eley

The partys plan would require new stations in Tauranga, Morrinsville and Waharoa but could be run with existing trains.

It would also need passing loops and full double-tracking, including through the Whangamarino Swamp in Waikato, to speed up the service.

The plan stated the initial proposal could be up and running in the next two years.

The Greens full plan was costed at $3.3 billion, with stage two including additional trains for extra services in peak conditions, station refurbishments, a depot in Waikato and duplication of the single track near Meremere rolled out over the next five to 10 years.

These improvements would make a trip between Tauranga and Auckland take two-and-a-half, the plan stated.

Asked if passenger rail would clash with the freight trains, Genter said the initial proposal would be a couple of services a day and there was capacity on the line for that.



The Greens want the Te Huia passenger train service extended to Tauranga. Photo / Te Huia

Stage two would increase network capacity and extend electrification, which would benefit passengers and freight, she said.

It makes sense to make use of our existing rail lines for those passenger services.

Passenger rail between Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland was discontinued in 2001 because of low patronage and high operating costs.

Asked if it would be different this time, Genter said everywhere that rail was invested in, patronage was growing.

The privatisation of the rail network in the [1990s] led to underinvestment and a decline, but now rail patronage is growing across the world  its what people want.

Now is the perfect time to use the track we already have and revitalise our passenger rail network.



Bay of Plenty Regional Council chairman Doug Leeder said it was not the time to pursue rail as a public transport option. Photo / SunLive

Bay of Plenty Regional Council chairman Doug Leeder said rail was a long-term interest for the region, but it was not the right time to pursue it as a viable public transport option.

Infrastructure requirements and funding responsibilities were key considerations, he said.

If political parties such as the Greens promoted rail as part of their policy platform, they must also be prepared to offer a subsidy, he said.

It would be unreasonable to expect ratepayers to shoulder the full cost.

Passenger rail services between Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland ran for many years but were discontinued because of low patronage, Leeder said.

Any future proposals must be backed by strong evidence of demand and a sustainable funding model.

The regional council endorsed two strategic plans that signalled future consideration for rail, but the plans spanned more than a decade and involved numerous complex factors, he said.



Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale said a rail trip to Auckland needed to be 2.5 hours to make it an attractive option. Photo / Brydie Thompson

Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale was conditionally supportive of a Tauranga to Auckland passenger rail service.

A transit time of two-and-a-half hours from Tauranga to Auckland needed to be resolved to make it an attractive option, he said.

The service would also need to deliver value for money, Drysdale said. He also had questions about the Kaimai Tunnel and freight impacts.

From a Tauranga perspective, I would like to see some options of utilising our local rail network and finding a way to connect passengers from the Mount, Te Puke/Papamoa and Omokoroa/Te Puna.

Considering we have trains running through our city centre, the availability of passenger services could make a huge difference to our public transport system.

Genter said they would be open to looking at passenger rail within Tauranga.

Tauranga absolutely needs more passenger transport options.

Traffic was so bad in Tauranga and it was not from a lack of roads, she said.

You can build as many highways as you want, the traffic is only going to get worse over time and transport costs will escalate.

The petition also called for the overnight rail service between Auckland and Wellington to be reinstated, and for the return of the Southerner connection between Christchurch and Dunedin.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
BUDAPEST, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Members of the Northern Irish rap group Kneecap are banned from entering Hungary "for antisemitism and glorifying terror," a senior official said Thursday.

All three members of the UK-based trio have been banned from Hungary for three years on national security grounds, Zoltan Kovacs, the Hungarian secretary of state for international communication, announced on social media.

"The members of the band Kneecap have repeatedly and consistently engaged in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups," the Hungarian government said in a statement on its official website shortly following Kovacs's tweet.

The band had been scheduled to perform at the Sziget Festival in Budapest in August. Despite earlier controversy and international criticism, festival organizers had approved the performance.

Israeli Ambassador to Hungary, Maya Kadosh, welcomed the move. 
J. P. Seville Thursday, 24 July 2025, 19:38 | Updated 19:51h. Share

Local Police officers in Seville rescued a five-year-old girl who was left for more than half an hour inside a car in the Nervion area last weekend. The police received a call from a local resident, who reported that a child had possibly been abandoned inside the vehicle, without any adult supervision.

When they got to the car, which was parked at the junction of Avenida Eduardo Dato and Calle Beatriz de Suabia, the police saw the five-year-old girl inside. Fortunately, the car's air conditioning was on, as the temperature outside was very high.

Initial enquiries revealed that the minor had possibly been left alone for more than 30 minutes. She told the police that she had been with her father but did not know his whereabouts.

When the father appeared minutes later, he justified his absence by being distracted by a phone call that had taken "longer than expected".

Police impounded the vehicle for lack of compulsory insurance and left the girl in the custody of her mother. The father will be investigated for the temporary abandonment of a minor.
Maria Albarral Marbella Thursday, 24 July 2025, 19:52 Share

The mayor of Marbella, Angeles Munoz, has defended the town's Local Police force in the face of videos circulating on social media networks where an officer can be seen apparently hitting a tourist during a confrontation in a bar when he confiscated merchandise from an illegal street vendor.

On some occasions, unfortunately, there are people who believe that tackling street vending is not a job for the police. In this case, there was a prior assault on the officers. I very clearly regret that such incidents occur and that images of this nature are shared, but I have no doubt whatsoever about the professionalism with which our police always act, said the mayor.

Munoz explained that the police operate a year-round campaign against illegal sales, adding that she regretted that incidents of this type occur, although she insisted that she was absolutely convinced that our police always act in favour of and in defence of the law.

Munoz added, We have no record of any complaint being filed against us, and therefore, we will continue working and supporting the rules of coexistence, which is what our police are meant to uphold.

Special unit

Marbella town hall has a special unit to take action against illegal street vending which has seized a total of 12,330 items during the first five months of the year, of which more than 8,000 were counterfeit handbags, clothes or sunglasses.

A total of 125 reports were drawn up and a dozen officers were involved, six of them in uniform, four in plain clothes and two motorcyclists, acting mainly on the Paseo Maritimo and Virgen del Carmen, Puerto Banus and Cabopino marinas.
Jose Antonio Sau Malaga Thursday, 24 July 2025, 10:31 Share

Being a healthcare worker nowadays is undoubtedly a high-risk profession, especially in an environment where assaults on doctors and nurses are increasingly being reported. To highlight yet another incident, the medical union of Malaga (SMM) gathered at the doors of the city's Hospital Civil on Wednesday, 23 July.

The attack that prompted the rally took place on 17 July, after a Mijas resident requested an ambulance for himself. When the crew arrived at his address, he allegedly threw a slipper at one of the medical professionals who was attending to him and insulted him. The patient's relatives, who were present at the time, managed to restrain him.

After being threatened by the man, the ambulance team left the flat leaving their equipment behind. They returned later to recover it and file a report, with the Guardia Civil present.

During the rally, the SMM denounced the "normalisation of aggression, whether verbal or physical". The union stated that doctors and nurses suffer attacks both in and outside health centres. So far in 2025, there have been 31 assaults on healthcare workers in the province - a number that already exceeds that of 2024.

The SMM demands that the public administration take decisive action in the face of the unstoppable increase in the number of cases suffered by "Andalusian public health service (SAS) workers in the exercise of their duties".
SUR Malaga Thursday, 24 July 2025, 10:16 Share

Operation Capibara, led by the National Police and Spain's Hacienda tax authority, has resulted in the dismantling of a criminal organisation that allegedly defrauded more than 12 million euros in fuel tax in 2022 and 2023.

The network was headed by the main suspect, based in Malaga, who would collaborate with a group of people, including financiers and front men. A total of ten people in the provinces of Malaga, Almeria, Cordoba, Vizcaya and Asturias have been arrested on suspicion of crimes against the tax authorities and membership of a criminal organisation.

Operation Capibara was launched at the beginning of the year, combining tax, police and financial information. It was discovered that behind this million-euro fraud was a complex corporate network in the fossil fuels sector. With an office in Malaga, the organisation defrauded large amounts of money by not paying the corresponding IVA sales tax on the wholesale marketing of diesel. It did so by repeatedly taking advantage of certain regulation loopholes.

Modus operandi

The tax-centered fraud scheme involved using short-lived shell companies to legally purchase fuel from a tax warehouse - fuel wholesaler - transactions in which IVA is not applied. Later, these companies would sell the fuel to service stations charging IVA, but without paying the collected tax to the Hacienda. Instead, they would request a payment deferral, without meeting the legal requirements to do so, with the clear intention from the outset of never paying the amount owed to the tax authorities.

To avoid detection, the perpetrators would replace the shell companies every few months. A total of nine companies were involved in the scam. The investigation discovered that the network was controlled by the main suspect, with the intermediaries serving as each company's administrators.

The appropriation of tax quotas by the organisation allowed the product to be sold to retailers at lower prices than those offered by operators who do comply with the obligation to pay the tax charged to their customers to the Hacienda, thereby creating unfair competition.

Searches and seized materials

The arrests of the ten individuals involved in the network took place on 8 July. In addition, the police seized 193,200 euros in cash and a large amount of documentation pending analysis. The organisation is attributed with the ownership of numerous properties worth more than 10 million euros.
Cristina Vallejo Malaga Thursday, 24 July 2025, 10:45 Share

The improvement in Malaga's demographics - or, at least, the fact that the numbers are not getting any worse - seems to be settling down. Between January and May there were 4,759 births in the province, an increase of 1.24% compared to the 4,701 in the same period last year.

This is the second consecutive year in which the birth rate in the Costa del Sol province has risen. In 2024, up to May, its growth rate was 1.16%, a trend that continued until year end. Last year, 11,853 babies were born in Malaga, compared to 11,758 in 2023. So, in round numbers, 150 more children were born in the last 18 months than in the previous 17 months.

Juan Jose Natera, professor of human geography at the University of Malaga (UMA), stated that, while this is a positive sign, it cannot properly be described as an increase in the birth rate, but simply as a stabilisation, indicating that the number of births may be reaching rock bottom. Moreover, he went on to point out that this bottoming out is happening at very low, very poor levels.

Perhaps this phenomenon is not confined to Malaga alone, maybe it is also happening across Spain. In the country's case too we've had two consecutive years with the number of births slightly on the rise, although more weakly and less steadily at the national level than in Malaga province, which may be showing a bit more consistency. Let's see: between January and May this year 129,808 babies were born in Spain, an increase of 0.43% compared to the same period in 2024. In May 2024, the national birth rate was growing at 0.4% year-on-year. Yet, while Malaga was able to close out all of 2024 with more births than in 2023, Spain's birth rate fell again for the year as a whole, although only by 0.6%.

In both cases the variations are small, equally so in percentage and absolute terms. A complicated situation, therefore, to state anything categorically. This may be a sign of stability, of hitting rock bottom, of reaching a plateau, rather than a change in trend. As an explanation, Juan Jose Natera pointed to the possibility that the improved economic situation and more employment are contributing factors. Although he states this with little conviction as one of the conditions required for starting a family - accessibility to affordable housing - is far from improving and continues to deteriorate.

Still, Natera insisted that the birth rate in Malaga and across Spain is at very low levels. So say the numbers. If we take the last decade as a reference, the number of new babies has dropped from 420,290 in 2015 to 318,691 in 2024 across Spain. This is a decrease of almost 25%. In Malaga, meanwhile, the drop has been from around 15,300 in 2015 to 11,853 in 2024, a 22.5% decrease.

Birth rate rises, but fertility does not

Rafael Grande, sociology professor at the UMA, provided other clues to explain the slight increase (if viewed optimistically) or the stabilisation (if we opt for caution). On the one hand, he points out that, yes, the birth rate is beginning to rise, or at least it has stopped falling, but this is happening in a context in which fertility has not changed and remains at very low levels, at a rate of 1.1 children per woman.

"It's not true that female immigrants or their descendants tend to have more children than Spanish-born women, but rather that their behaviour tends to mimic that of the host society"

How is it possible that the birth rate increases without an increase in fertility? Professor Grande explained that there can only be one cause: that there are now more women of childbearing age in Spain. Indeed yes, there are more of them. To begin with, between 2000 and 2008, there were more births than usual in Spain due to the contribution from immigration, so the cohort of women who are starting to have children now is larger. As such, Grande clarified that it's not true that female immigrants or their descendants tend to have more children than Spanish-born women, but rather that their behaviour tends to imitate that of the host society, so they too will have a low fertility rate and they will be bearing children more in their thirties than in their twenties.

Rafael Grande explained that the upturn in the birth rate is occurring across Spain and, within the country, especially in the provinces attracting the most population (not only foreigners, but also people from other regions), as is the case with Malaga.

The sociologist went on to explain that not only are birth rates bottoming out, but also fertility rates (number of children per woman), as well as the average age at which babies are being born.

Most babies are born to mothers aged between 30 and 34, followed by those born to women aged 35-39. This has not changed in the last decade. However, in the last ten years, the births that have fallen the most - only behind those of those aged 15 to 19, which are insignificant - have been those of mothers aged between 25 and 29 (nearly 31.5%, to 888), followed precisely by those of women aged between 30 and 34 (down 28%). So, the only ones that have increased are those of mothers over 40 years of age.
Laura Pintos Cordoba Thursday, 24 July 2025, 20:42 Share

Spanish master baker Jose Roldan won the World Baker 2025 award in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Monday, 21 July. The UIBC (international union of bakers and confectioners) title is given to a proven expert in the field every year.

Roldan learned the trade in his family's bakery in Cordoba. He then inherited the business, open since 1919, which he now manages, while also working as an international tutor.

Roldan studied in international schools in Spain, France and Switzerland. Later, he studied Economics at the University of Cordoba to "contribute to the strategic vision of the business".

Throughout his career, he has received several awards, including the Cup Louis in 2007, specifically in the team and pastries categories; best artisan baker in Spain in 2015; world bakery champion in Rimini in 2021; and recognition for innovation at Madrid Fusion in 2024.

During the competition in Brazil, Roldan faced contenders from France, Germany, Iceland, Taiwan and Brazil.

"This award is an honour, but also a commitment: to continue working with honesty and pride within this profession that I love so much," he said.
A. Noguerol Madrid Thursday, 24 July 2025, 20:23 Share

Vehicle production in Spain continues its downward trend, registering a further 1.5% drop in June, with 215,766 units manufactured, according to data from the Spanish trade association for vehicle manufacturers (Anfac).

This is the fifth consecutive month of negative growth for the automotive industry in 2025, leading to a cumulative decline of 8.4% in the first half of the year, with a total of 1,220,595 vehicles produced. This means that 111,601 vehicles have been discontinued compared to the same period last year.

This contraction is due to a combination of factors. On the one hand, vehicle demand has declined significantly in the main European markets and export destinations.

Countries such as Germany (-4.7%), France (-7.9%) and Italy (-3.6%) have experienced significant declines in sales up to June. On the other hand, the Spanish automotive industry itself is immersed in a process of adapting its production lines to manufacture EV electrified vehicles (100% electric and plug-in hybrids), which is affecting production in some manufacturing centres.

Passenger car production is the hardest hit, with a 2.8% drop in June and a significant 10.1% drop in the first half of the year. Commercial and industrial vehicles, although up 4% in June, also recorded a 1% drop in the half-year total.

Zoom Share of electrified vehicles manufactured in the first half of the year. Anfac

Jose Lopez-Tafall, Anfac's director-general, expressed his concern, stating that "if this trend continues, we will lose activity and jobs."

Lopez-Tafall reiterates the need to promote the transition to electric vehicles in both the European and domestic markets, by means of an "appropriate and incentivising regulatory framework and with a pro-vehicle message for European citizens." He goes on to stress that, in the current scenario of "tariff crises and the entry of new competitors", Spain needs growing markets and a comprehensive industrial strategy. Anfac insists on the urgency for Spain to have an 'Auto Plan' to strengthen the country's industrial and technological competitiveness.

Exports

The decline in vehicle production has had a direct impact on exports of "made in Spain" vehicles, which fell by 1.8% in June and accumulated a 10.8% decline in the first half of the year, with a total of 1,045,269 units shipped abroad. This represents 126,829 fewer vehicles exported than the previous year.

Zoom Share of production by engine type. Anfac

Europe continues to be the main destination, accounting for 93.5% of shipments, but its demand has fallen by 10.2%. The main export markets - France, Germany and the United Kingdom - have experienced significant declines of 15%, 12.5% and 7.5% respectively. Only Turkey has increased its demand by 2.2%, becoming the fourth export destination, overtaking Italy.

Despite the overall decline, the production of EVs (pure electric and plug-in hybrids) is showing a positive trend. In June, they accounted for 9.3% of total production, a 37.6% increase. In the first half of the year, the share of electrified production improved by 1.1 percentage points, making up 9.7% of the total, with 117,767 units manufactured, which is 3.8% more than in 2024.
SUR in English Fuengirola Thursday, 24 July 2025, 17:05 Share

Summer nights in the city invite you to seek out something new. Far from the tarmac and the daily routine, Bioparc Fuengirola offers a breath of fresh air among living nature, tropical shade and sounds that awaken as night falls. That is when everything changes: Sumatran tigers stretch and stir, binturongs roam their territories and tropical birds reveal their most unexpected beauty. It is an invitation to let yourself go, to rediscover the jungle in a different light and to enjoy a unique experience in the very heart of the Costa del Sol.

Bioparc Fuengirola opens its gates at night to offer an experience like no other. In the warm glow of sunset, visitors can watch extraordinary species begin to reveal their most secret habits. The sounds of the jungle take centre stage and wrap every guest in a magical atmosphere.

Zoom

But the visit is not only about watching. It is also about excitement, learning and flavour. The nighttime offer at Bioparc Fuengirola is designed to awaken all the senses:

 Educational bird and mammal activities in the Jungle Clearing, showing remarkable skills and natural behaviours

 Live African dances that connect with the continents ancient spirit

 Immersive dinners in the heart of the jungle, where you can enjoy a varied menu under the watchful eyes of nature. This summer, a new addition to the menu features Indian cuisine, with its aromas, spices and traditions.

Zoom

To crown the experience, the route now includes a journey into new lands: the recently opened Central and South America area. This space, a tribute to the great explorers of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, features spectacular aquariums, interactive museum rooms and stunning settings inspired by the Mayan civilisation. A striking aviary, more than 14 metres high, allows close encounters with tropical birds and primates in an experience that blends culture, biodiversity and excitement.

Flexible plans and special offers to enjoy more for less

This summer, Bioparc Fuengirola makes it easy for everyone to experience the park. From 8pm, you can enter at a reduced price by buying your ticket online. And for those who visit Bioparc during the day, there is now a new option: for just two euros more, you can return and enjoy the nighttime experience, too. This upgrade can be added when buying online or directly at the ticket desks at the end of your first visit.

Zoom

Bioparc Fuengirola: much more than a visit

The nights offer a unique way to experience Bioparc, but during the day, the adventure continues with activities that delight both adults and children:

 Guided visits to the island of Madagascar, home to the charming lemurs.

 Encounters with keepers where you can learn first-hand how some of the most threatened species on Earth are cared for.

 One of this years major innovations: the virtual reality experience, The Final Frontier, a technological journey into the fascinating and still mysterious world of the ocean depths.

Beyond leisure, Bioparc Fuengirola works every day with a clear mission: to help conserve biodiversity. Its part of international projects aimed at breeding and protecting endangered species, and it promotes environmental education as a key tool to connect people with nature. Every visit is an opportunity to learn, to be moved and to be part of real change.
BERLIN, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Germany's cabinet on Wednesday approved a draft law designed to accelerate and simplify the procurement of military equipment and supplies for the Bundeswehr, the country's armed forces.

The move is to make the Bundeswehr the strongest conventional army in Europe, as Germany's new government vows to boost military spending.

By cutting through bureaucratic red tape and streamlining procurement processes, the government aims to modernize the military more efficiently.

The draft law highlights an expansion of the scope of the procurement acceleration measures that were first introduced in 2022.

Once passed, it will allow such acceleration to apply to all public contracts for the Bundeswehr's needs, including not only military hardware but also civilian supplies like medical materials.

The draft law also introduces changes including the possibility of making advance payments.

It will go to the Bundestag for parliamentary approval. 
Food Network star Anne Burrells cause of death has been revealed.

The New York Times reports that her death has been ruled as a suicide, according to the New York Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Specifically, her cause of death was listed as acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine meaning the combined interaction of alcohol with stimulant drugs and over-the-counter allergy medications led to her death."

Burrell was found dead in her Brooklyn home on June 17. She was 55. TMZ reported that her husband, Stuart Claxton, found her unresponsive just before 8 a.m. on the day of her death and called 911. The incident was initially reported as cardiac arrest.

Internal documents reviewed by the Times show that later that day, the New York Police Department began investigating Burrells death as a suicide, noting that she was discovered in the shower unconscious and unresponsive surrounded by approximately (100) assorted pills.

Burrell grew up in Cazenovia, where her mother, Marlene Burrell, ran the flower shop, Flowers on Main. Burrell began her culinary career at the former Daniel Websters Restaurant in Syracuse before landing a job as Mario Batalis sous chef on Iron Chef America in 2005.

Three years later, she landed her own Food Network show Secrets of a Restaurant Chef, followed by Worst Cooks in America, and later Chef Wanted with Anne Burrell.

Burrell always remained close to Central New York, visiting family and friends and making appearances at the New York State Fair. In fact, she was scheduled to co-host Taste of Fame, the annual culinary fundraiser for local public broadcaster WCNY, this October.

She is survived by her husband Stuart Claxton, who she married in a ceremony in Cazenovia on Oct. 16, 2021. Also surviving are his son, Javier, as well as her mother, Marlene, and sister, Jane, her children Isabella, Amelia and Nicolas, and her brother Ben.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available 24/7. Call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for free, confidential support.
The Killers will perform a one-night-only summer concert at CMAC (Constellation Brands - Marvin Sands Performing Arts Center) in Canandaigua on Saturday, Aug. 2, starting at 8 p.m.

Although tickets are officially sold out, resale options are available through verified platforms, including Vivid Seats, SeatGeek and StubHub.

Heres a look at the best prices available (including fees):

Prices and availability are noted at the time of publishing and are subject to change and additional fees.

Discount: First-time Vivid Seats customers can use code SYRACUSE20 for $20 off a $200+ ticket order.

The Killers are one of the biggest rock bands of the 21st century, thanks to Grammy-nominated hits like Somebody Told Me, When You Were Young and Mr. Brightside, plus fan favorites Human, Runaways, The Man, Read My Mind and Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll. The Brandon Flowers-led group released its seventh album in 2021 and a greatest hits collection, Rebel Diamonds, in 2023.

The Killers last performed in the Central New York area with a 2022 concert at the Turning Stone Resort Casino.

2025 CMAC concert schedule

August 2: The Killers (Tickets)

August 8: Train and Edwin McCain (Tickets)

August 9: Bailey Zimmerman (Tickets)

August 22: Sublime (Tickets)

August 23: Bonnie Raitt (Tickets)

August 27: Melissa Etheridge and Indigo Girls (Tickets)

August 29: Heart (Tickets)

August 30: The Black Keys (Tickets)
Charles Frank Chuck Mangione, the unmistakable flugelhorn virtuoso, died peacefully in his sleep on July 22 at his home in Rochester. He was 84.

Mangiones family confirmed his passing in a statement reported by Democrat and Chronicle.

The Upstate New York native was born Nov. 29, 1940 and was raised in a music-filled household. His father ran Mangiones Market, a local grocery store connected to their in northeast Rochester home, and regularly hosted jazz greats for dinner. One guest, turned mentor, was Dizzy Gillespie, who gifted young Chuck one of his signature upturned trumpets.

Mangione was a graduate of the Eastman School of Music (B.M. 1963) and a lifelong Western NY resident. He was one of Rochesters most celebrated musical figures, having released more than 30 albums, won two Grammy Awards and was nominated 14 times over a decades-long career that blended jazz, pop and orchestral music into a sound unmistakably his own.

Chuck Mangione plays his flugelhorn at the Landmark Theater as part of his, "The Hat's Back," concert featuring some 100 musicians. March 25, 1994. Gene Page | syracuse.com archive photo Gene Page | syracuse.com archive photo

His 1977 hit Feels So Good propelled him into stardom, reaching the Billboard Top 10 and helping the album of the same name go double platinum. The track remains a staple on jazz and soft rock playlists, with more than 20 million streams on Spotify and 420,000 monthly listeners worldwide.

Mangione returned to Eastman to teach and direct its jazz ensemble, helping shape what became a top-tier jazz program. He was later inducted alongside Cab Calloway into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame.

He also composed music for two Olympic Games: Chase the Clouds Away for the 1976 Summer Games in Montreal, and Give It All You Got, which he performed live at the closing ceremony of the 1980 Winter Games in Lake Placid.

Chuck Mangione performing at CW Baker High School, Baldwinsville. April 22, 2001. Gary Walts | syracuse.com Gary Walts | syracuse.com

He performed several times in the Central New York area, including the Syracuse Jazz Fest and a jazz clinic for music students at Baker High School in Baldwinsville.

Later in life he became a familiar pop-culture figure through his recurring animated role as himself on King of the Hill, often segueing into Feels So Good in comedic fashion.

Chuck was more than a global icon. He was one of our own, said Marc Iacona and John Nugent, producers of the Rochester International Jazz Festival told RochesterFirst. From the soaring flugelhorn melodies that made the world Feel So Good to the countless ways he championed his hometown, Chucks influence was profound, personal and lasting.

Mangione is survived by his daughters, Nancy Piraino and Diana Smith; a sister, Josephine Shank; his brother and longtime collaborator, Gap Mangione; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. His wife, Rosemarie, died in 2015.

Funeral services will be private, according to the family.
President Donald Trump this week signed a series of executive orders and released an action plan aimed at the artificial intelligence industry.

Much of Trumps plan gives the green light to the tech industry, according to Axios. It focuses on speeding up AI innovation, rather than addressing concerns such as model safety, environmental risks and the potential for job losses.

One of the executive orders Trump signed would speed the permitting process for major AI infrastructure projects and another focused on promoting export of U.S. AI products, according to The New York Times.

The approach signals the administration has embraced the tech industrys arguments that it must be allowed to work with few guardrails, the Times said. Thats a different take than some other governments that have approved AI regulations, including the European Commission.

America is the country that started the AI race, Trump said Wednesday, according to the Times. And as president of the United States, Im here today to declare that America is going to win it.

But Trump is also taking aim at the ideology of AI models by attempting to dictate how chatbots deal with contentious political issues, Axios said.

One of his orders requires that any model bought by a federal agency be ideologically neutral. It calls for AI language models to prioritize historical accuracy, scientific inquiry, and objectivity, but also singles out diversity, equity and inclusion as an example of ideological dogma, according to Axios.

Demanding that developers refrain from ideological bias or be neutral in their models is an impossible, vague standard that the Administration will be able to weaponize for its own ideological ends, the Center for Democracy and Technology said, according to Axios.

The requirements on ideology pose technical challenges and raise questions about who decides what counts as an acceptable answer on some issues, according to Axios.

Trump decried woke Marxist lunacy in the AI models before signing his orders, according to The Guardian.

Once and for all, we are getting rid of woke. Is that OK? Trump said, drawing loud applause from the audience of AI leaders, according to The Guardian.

He also said former President Joe Biden had established toxic diversity, equity and inclusion ideology as a guiding principle of American AI development.

The growth of artificial intelligence is expected in the long run to boost business for chip manufacturers like Micron Technology. The company is planning to build a massive complex of chip plants in the town of Clay, north of Syracuse.
SHANGHAI, July 24 (Xinhua) -- China has set up a state-owned fusion energy company in its latest drive to commercialize fusion power, aiming to harness an almost inexhaustible source of clean energy.

China Fusion Energy Co. Ltd (CFEC), a subsidiary of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), was unveiled in Shanghai this week with a registered capital of 15 billion yuan (about 2.1 billion U.S. dollars).

The newly-founded firm, positioned as an innovation driver for advancing China's fusion engineering and commercialization, is tasked with developing platforms for technological research and capital operations, the CFEC said.

China announced prioritized support for core future energy technologies in 2024, with a focus on nuclear fusion, in a bid to fast-track the transition of this cutting-edge technology from the lab to practical application.

Shanghai is doubling down on its nuclear ambitions, striving to build a world-class hub for nuclear equipment manufacturing and advanced fusion research and development, while securing double-digit annual growth for its nuclear power sector through 2025.

China Fusion Energy signed a cooperation agreement for a fusion innovation consortium with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China Electrical Equipment Group, Shanghai Electric and Shenergy Group. Many of these local heavyweights in the traditional power generation sector are poised to secure market share in upstream and downstream fusion-related equipment.

CITIC Securities estimates that the global nuclear fusion device market could reach a scale of 2.26 trillion yuan between 2030 and 2035.

In March, a team from Energy Singularity in Shanghai achieved a breakthrough in high-temperature superconducting tokamak technology, with their magnet surpassing the previous record set by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Commonwealth Fusion Systems in the United States.

This Shanghai startup has announced a plan to complete its next-generation tokamak by 2027, targeting a 10-fold energy gain, a critical milestone for commercial fusion viability.

In addition to the eastern Chinese manufacturing hub, two inland provinces in China have significantly expanded scientific research and investment in the fusion energy sector.

East China's Anhui Province is actively constructing the Burning Plasma Experimental Superconducting Tokamak (BEST) in its capital Hefei, which is expected to demonstrate fusion electricity generation for the first time in history.

The massive facility, an upgraded version of the record-breaking Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak currently operational at a research institute in the city, is also expected to be completed by 2027.

Fusion Energy Tech., the Hefei-based company building the BEST, is another large firm with majority state-owned capital stakes and a registered capital of 14.5 billion yuan. Chinese automaker NIO is one of its major shareholders.

Engineers there are aiming to construct a fusion engineering demonstration reactor, based on the BEST project. Commercial operations are projected to start somewhere between 2040 and 2050.

Separately, research and commercial entities in southwest China's Sichuan Province are exploring various technical routes to harvesting fusion energy, including tokamak, linear field-reversed configuration (FRC), inertial confinement and magnetically driven fusion.

Last Friday, a Chengdu-based fusion startup achieved plasma ignition in its FRC device, the HHMAX-901, marking a significant milestone toward scaling the technology for commercial use. Similarly, U.S.-based Helion Energy plans to adopt this approach and is expected to begin supplying power to Microsoft by 2028.

Earlier this month, the Sichuan provincial government released its plan to support the development of "controlled nuclear fusion" as a future industry.

A recent analysis by MIT Technology Review suggests that China's robust industrial base could allow its emerging fusion energy sector to "climb the learning curve much faster and more effectively" than its global competitors.

China's industrial might in thin-film processing, large metal-alloy structures and power electronics provides a strong foundation to establish the upstream supply chain for fusion, according to the article.

The journal specifically highlighted China's strengths in large-scale power electronics, which are also used in similar systems such as high-speed rail and renewable microgrids.

Zhou Lisha, a researcher at the China Enterprise Reform and Development Society, noted that the establishment of CFEC will boost the sector's technical and innovation capabilities, and propel the rapid development of the "artificial sun" industry.

Despite its promising prospects, CNNC, CFEC's parent company, has cautioned that controlled nuclear fusion is still in the developmental stage, with uncertainties and even risks of commercial failure. 
Residents evacuate from the Thailand-Cambodia border area in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia on July 24, 2025. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Thursday called on the people to stay calm and trust the government and armed forces amid a border clash with Thailand. In a post on his official social media platforms, Hun Manet said the Thai army launched on Thursday morning an attack on Cambodian army positions in Oddar Meanchey province, and expanded the geographical area of their attack to Preah Vihear province. (Photo by Phal Lim/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Thursday called on the people to stay calm and trust the government and armed forces amid a border clash with Thailand.

In a post on his official social media platforms, Hun Manet said the Thai army launched on Thursday morning an attack on Cambodian army positions in Oddar Meanchey province, and expanded the geographical area of their attack to Preah Vihear province.

"Cambodia has always maintained a position of wanting to resolve issues peacefully, but in this case, we have no choice but to respond with armed forces against armed aggression," he said. 

Residents evacuate from the Thailand-Cambodia border area in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia on July 24, 2025. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Thursday called on the people to stay calm and trust the government and armed forces amid a border clash with Thailand.

In a post on his official social media platforms, Hun Manet said the Thai army launched on Thursday morning an attack on Cambodian army positions in Oddar Meanchey province, and expanded the geographical area of their attack to Preah Vihear province. (Photo by Phal Lim/Xinhua)

Residents evacuate from the Thailand-Cambodia border area in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia on July 24, 2025. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Thursday called on the people to stay calm and trust the government and armed forces amid a border clash with Thailand.

In a post on his official social media platforms, Hun Manet said the Thai army launched on Thursday morning an attack on Cambodian army positions in Oddar Meanchey province, and expanded the geographical area of their attack to Preah Vihear province. (Photo by Phal Lim/Xinhua)
MEXICO CITY, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Nearly 75,000 Mexicans have been repatriated from the United States so far this year, as a result of U.S. President Donald Trump's hardline immigration policies, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Wednesday.

At least 45,000 of the repatriated Mexicans have received various types of government support, including job offers, the president said at her daily press conference.

For those who opt for voluntary deportation but have no repatriation paperwork, they can go to any immigration offices in Mexico to get financial aid, as well as legal and emotional counseling, she added.

On Tuesday, Sheinbaum confirmed that 14 Mexican citizens were being held at an immigration detention center in the Everglades in Florida, known as "Alligator Alcatraz." Mexico is working on securing their immediate repatriation, she said.

On the same day, Sheinbaum pushed back against U.S. suggestion that Mexican drug cartels could soon deploy weaponized drones at the border against the United States.

"There's no information that there are new drones at the border right now," Sheinbaum told reporters. 
World's top court paves way for climate reparations



The Hague, July 23 (AFP) Jul 23, 2025



The world's highest court Wednesday declared that states are obliged under international law to tackle climate change and warned that failing to do so could open the door to reparations.

In a historic statement, the International Court of Justice said climate change was an "urgent and existential threat" and countries had a legal duty to prevent harm from their planet-warming pollution.

Countries breaching their climate obligations were committing a "wrongful act", the court said in its advisory opinion, which is not legally binding but carries political and legal weight.

"The legal consequences resulting from the commission of an internationally wrongful act may include... full reparations to injured states in the form of restitution, compensation and satisfaction," said ICJ President Yuji Iwasawa on behalf of the 15-judge panel.

This would be on a case-by-case basis where a "sufficient direct and certain causal nexus" had been shown "between the wrongful act and the injury", the court added.

Campaigners and countries on the climate frontlines hailed a milestone moment in the fight for accountability from big polluters most responsible for global warming.

"This is a victory for our planet, for climate justice and for the power of young people to make a difference," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Ralph Regenvanu, the climate change minister for Vanuatu, the Pacific island nation that spearheaded the case at The Hague, was jubilant.

Speaking to AFP outside the court, Regenvanu said it was "a very strong opinion at the end" and better than hoped.

"We can use these arguments when we talk with our partners, some of the high-emitting states. We can say you have a legal obligation to help us," he said.

"This helps us in our arguments. It's going to give us a lot more leverage... in all negotiations."



- Catalyst for change -



This was the biggest case in ICJ history, and seen as the most consequential in a recent string of landmark climate moves.

The United Nations had tasked the 15 judges at the ICJ, a UN court in The Hague that adjudicates disputes between nations, to answer two fundamental questions.

First: what must states do under international law to protect the environment from greenhouse gas emissions for the future?

Second: what are the consequences for states whose emissions have caused environmental harm, especially to vulnerable low-lying island states?

In a detailed summary of the opinion, Iwasawa said the climate "must be protected for present and future generations".

The adverse effect of a warming planet "may significantly impair the enjoyment of certain human rights, including the right to life", he added.

Legal and climate experts said the opinion, while not legally binding, could have far-reaching consequences for national courts, legislation and public debate.

"The court's clear and detailed articulation of state obligations will be a catalyst for accelerated climate action and unprecedented accountability," David Boyd, a former UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and the Environment, told AFP.

Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, said the ruling bound all nations by international law to prevent harm from emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases.

The court was "pointing the direction for the entire world and making clear that every nation is legally obliged to solve the climate crisis", he told AFP.



- Classroom to court -



Courts have become a key battleground for climate action as frustration has grown over sluggish progress toward curbing planet-warming pollution from fossil fuels.

The Paris Agreement, struck through the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), has rallied a global response to the crisis, but not at the speed necessary to protect the world from dangerous overheating.

The journey to The Hague began six years ago with students from the climate-imperilled Pacific region fed up with the lack of accountability for the damage afflicting their homelands.

"Young Pacific Islanders initiated this call for humanity to the world. And the world must respond," said UN chief Guterres, praising Vanuatu's leadership.

The fight pitted major wealthy economies against the smaller, less developed states which are most at the mercy of a warming planet.

More than 100 nations and groups made submissions, many from the Pacific who gave impassioned appeals in colourful traditional dress.

"It's such a perfect ending to a campaign that started in a classroom," said Vishal Prasad, director of the student-led campaign that kicked off the case.

"We have now a very, very strong tool to hold power accountable, and we must do that now. The ICJ has given everything possible," he told AFP.

The United States, which has embraced a fossil fuel agenda under President Donald Trump, had a muted response to the ruling.

A US State Department spokesperson said it "will be reviewing the Court's advisory opinion in the coming days and weeks."

French Ecological Transition Minister Agnes Pannier-Runacher hailed the advisory opinion as a "victory for the most vulnerable states, a victory for France and a victory for the climate".

John Kerry, the former US special envoy for climate change, said "it should not take the stamp of international law to motivate countries to do what is already profoundly in their economic interests".

"We shouldn't need another reason to act and accelerate action," he told AFP.
From Antarctica to Brussels, hunting climate clues in old ice



Brussels, Belgium, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



In a small, refrigerated room at a Brussels university, parka-wearing scientists chop up Antarctic ice cores tens of thousands of years old in search of clues to our planet's changing climate.

Trapped inside the cylindrical icicles are tiny air bubbles that can provide a snapshot of what the earth's atmosphere looked like back then.

"We want to know a lot about the climates of the past because we can use it as an analogy for what can happen in the future," said Harry Zekollari, a glaciologist at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB).

Zekollari was part of a team of four that headed to the white continent in November on a mission to find some of the world's oldest ice -- without breaking the bank.

Ice dating back millions of years can be found deep inside Antarctica, close to the South Pole, buried under kilometres of fresher ice and snow.

But that's hard to reach and expeditions to drill it out are expensive.

A recent EU-funded mission that brought back some 1.2-million-year-old samples came with a total price tag of around 11 million euros (around $12.9 million).

To cut costs, the team from VUB and the nearby Universite Libre de Bruxelles (ULB) used satellite data and other clues to find areas where ancient ice might be more accessible.



- Blue ice -



Just like the water it is made of, ice flows towards the coast -- albeit slowly, explained Maaike Izeboud, a remote sensing specialist at VUB.

And when the flow hits an obstacle, say a ridge or mountain, bottom layers can be pushed up closer to the surface.

In a few rare spots, weather conditions like heavy winds prevent the formation of snow cover -- leaving thick layers of ice exposed.

Named after their colouration, which contrasts with the whiteness of the rest of the continent, these account for only about one percent of Antarctica territory.

"Blue ice areas are very special," said Izeboud.

Her team zeroed in on a blue ice stretch lying about 2,300 meters (7,500 feet) above sea level, around 60 kilometres (37 miles) from Belgium's Princess Elisabeth Antarctica Research Station.

Some old meteorites had been previously found there -- a hint that the surrounding ice is also old, the researchers explained.

A container camp was set up and after a few weeks of measurements, drilling, and frozen meals, in January the team came back with 15 ice cores totalling about 60 meters in length.

These were then shipped from South Africa to Belgium, where they arrived in late June.

Inside a stocky cement ULB building in the Belgian capital, they are now being cut into smaller pieces to then be shipped to specialised labs in France and China for dating.

Zekollari said the team hopes some of the samples, which were taken at shallow depths of about 10 meters, will be confirmed to be about 100,000 years old.



- Climate 'treasure hunt' -



This would allow them to go back and dig a few hundred meters deeper in the same spot for the big prize.

"It's like a treasure hunt," Zekollari, 36, said, comparing their work to drawing a map for "Indiana Jones".

"We're trying to cross the good spot on the map... and in one and a half years, we'll go back and we'll drill there," he said.

"We're dreaming a bit, but we hope to get maybe three, four, five-million-year-old ice."

Such ice could provide crucial input to climatologists studying the effects of global warming.

Climate projections and models are calibrated using existing data on past temperatures and greenhouse gases in the atmosphere -- but the puzzle has some missing pieces.

By the end of the century, temperatures could reach levels similar to those the planet last experienced between 2.6 and 3.3 million years ago, said Etienne Legrain, a 29-year-old paleo-climatologist at ULB.

But currently there is little data on what CO2 levels were back then -- a key metric to understand how much further warming we could expect.

"We don't know the link between CO2 concentration and temperature in a climate warmer than that of today," Legrain said.

His team hopes to find it trapped inside some very old ice. "The air bubbles are the atmosphere of the past," he said. "It's really like magic when you feel it."
Proof of life: tracking elusive Amazon group to save their land



Koatinemo, Brasil, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



A ceramic pot and the shell of a turtle, once hunted for its meat, are the most recent traces of an Indigenous community thought to live deep in the north Brazilian Amazon.

Archaeological finds like these keep turning up, and date back to at least 2009, with members of a neighboring clan claiming to have caught glimpses of individuals who live in the Ituna/Itata region in Brazil's northern Para state.

For now, the nameless, elusive people -- perhaps belonging to more than one group -- remain among dozens of so-called "uncontacted" communities believed to roam the world's biggest rainforest.

"My sister-in-law told me: 'Over there! Over there!' And it was a little boy staring at me from up close," recounted Takamyi Asurini, an elder in Ita'aka -- an Indigenous village of about 300, whose accounts of close encounters have fed theories of the existence of uncontacted people in Ituna/Itata.

Asurini showed AFP a scar on his ribs he said was the result of being shot with an arrow by an unknown person in the jungle.

Such testimonies, and the objects found, are not considered proof of the existence of people in Ituna/Itata.

But it is enough for the region to enjoy a provisional protected status meant to prevent invasions by miners, loggers and ranchers -- preserving both the forest and the people thought to live there.

The area covers tens of thousands of hectares and is similar in size to Sao Paolo -- the biggest city in Latin America.

It became one of the most overrun Indigenous territories in Brazil under former president Jair Bolsonaro, a backer of agro-industry on whose watch Amazon deforestation surged.

Now, lobby groups want the Ituna/Itata region's protection to be made permanent, which would mean stricter land use rules and enforcement.



- 'Historical neglect' -



For this to happen, the government's National Foundation of Indigenous Peoples (Funai) would have to send expeditions to look for undeniable proof of the group's existence.

Part of the challenge is the dense Amazon jungle is home to rich, varied ecosystems that support migratory agriculture for Indigenous peoples, who may travel to hunt, fish and gather food seasonally.

Under law, any searchers cannot make contact with them -- potentially putting them at risk of diseases they have no immunity to -- but are to look instead for footprints of their life in the forest.

Brazil recognizes 114 "uncontacted" Indigenous groups who live with no or minimal interaction with others.

About a quarter are "confirmed," while for the rest -- like in Ituna/Itata -- there is "strong evidence" that they exist.

For Luiz Fernandes, a member of umbrella group Coordination of the Indigenous Organizations of the Brazilian Amazon (COIAB), there has been "historial neglect" of the issue by the state, which he says "recognizes the possibility of the existence of these peoples but does not guarantee effective measures to protect the territory."

Added Mita Xipaya, an Indigenous activist: "the state needs qualified records" to prove that an area hosts uncontacted people, "but for us it is different: we perceive them in nature, in the sounds we hear, their presences, sometimes their smells."



- 'Taking care of the forest' -



The Brazilian Amazon has lost nearly a third of its native vegetation since records began in 1988, according to environmental NGO Instituto Socioambiental -- except in Indigenous territories where the figure is less than two percent.

From 2019 to 2022, the Bolsonaro government suspended the provisional protection measures decreed for Ituna/Itata, prompting an invasion by land grabbers, turning it into the most deforested Indigenous area in Brazil.

Though the protection was reinstated under his leftist successor Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, the consequences persist, and miles-wide patches of devastated soil intersperse areas of green rainforest, AFP observed during a recent flyover.

Brazil will in November host the COP30 UN climate conference in the Amazonian city of Belem under Lula, who has sought to position himself as a leader in forest preservation and the fight against global warming.

"It's not just about taking care of the forest but also of the people who inhabit it, because it's through them that the forest remains standing," COIAB coordinator Toya Manchineri told AFP.

ffb/mlr/sla

Amazon.com
By Nazrin Abdul



Azerbaijans Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov welcomed his Somali counterpart, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, during his official visit to Baku.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry announced on its X account that the meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations and enhancing cooperation.

The two ministers exchanged views on a wide range of topics, including regional developments and collaboration within international organizations, signaling growing diplomatic engagement between the two countries.
MOSCOW/KIEV, July 24 (Xinhua) -- After a brief third round of talks in Istanbul on Wednesday, hopes for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine remain, unsurprisingly, as frail as ever.

During the 40-minute talks, Russia and Ukraine remain "quite apart from each other," with neither side claiming a breakthrough. Yet, a rare glimmer of progress emerged: an agreement to another prisoner swap, with civilian detainees included for the first time.

PRISONER SWAP

At a press conference after the talks, Russian Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky said Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange at least 1,200 prisoners each, doubling the number swapped since talks began in May.

Following the previous two rounds of talks in Istanbul -- on May 16 and June 2 -- Russia and Ukraine agreed to a "1,000 for 1,000" prisoner exchange, along with swaps involving the wounded, seriously ill, deceased and soldiers under the age of 25.

So far, Russia has already returned the bodies of 7,000 Ukrainian soldiers, Medinsky said, noting that the country is ready to hand over 3,000 more. Meanwhile, Russia is requesting the return of any deceased Russian soldiers from Ukraine and has proposed a swap of some 30 civilians captured by Ukraine in the Kursk region last year.

The Kremlin is also working to hand over the 339 Ukrainian children that Kiev has asked Moscow to return.

"Some of the children have already been returned to Ukraine. Work is underway on the rest. If their legal parents, close relatives or representatives are found, these children will immediately return home," Medinsky said.

"Seriously ill and severely wounded defenders are returning home," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement on Telegram shortly after the talks ended.

"It is important that exchanges continue and our people return home," he said. "We will continue all efforts to ensure that all our people return from captivity."

FURTHER STEPS

Beyond the latest prisoner exchange, other efforts were made by both sides as they inch their way towards peace.

Ukrainian delegation head Rustem Umerov said he proposed that the two countries' presidents meet along with U.S. President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to negotiate an end to the conflict by the end of August.

However, Medinsky echoed earlier Kremlin remarks, saying Russia and Ukraine must make substantial progress toward an agreement before Russian President Vladimir Putin can meet Zelensky.

He noted that the point of a leader's meeting should be to sign an agreement, not to "discuss everything from scratch."

Instead, Russia proposed setting up three online working groups with Ukraine to address political, humanitarian and military issues regularly, he said, noting that Ukrainian representatives had agreed to study the proposal.

He also called on Ukraine to consider short ceasefires -- lasting 24 to 48 hours -- along the contact line to evacuate the wounded and recover the bodies of fallen soldiers.

IMPEDIMENTS AHEAD

Ahead of the Wednesday talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov downplayed expectations, saying Moscow and Kiev are "diametrically opposed" in their positions on how to end the conflict, noting that "much work" still needs to be done.

Following the June peace talks, Putin said the blueprints for a peace deal shared by the two sides were "absolutely contradictory memorandums."

As Russia demands Ukrainian neutrality, a pledge to stay out of military alliances, and international recognition of Crimea, Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson as Russian territories, Ukraine's memorandum noted the country is "not forced to be neutral."

"It can choose to be part of the Euro-Atlantic community and move towards EU membership. Ukraine's membership in NATO depends on consensus within the Alliance," it said.

Meanwhile, outside pressures continue to weigh on the fragile course of the peace process.

Right after Wednesday's meeting, the U.S. State Department approved 322 million U.S. dollars in proposed arms sales to Ukraine to strengthen its air defense capabilities and provide armored combat vehicles.

The move came just weeks after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a pause on other weapons shipments to Ukraine after over three years of deliveries, citing strained weapons stockpiles. Earlier this month, Trump made an abrupt change in posture, pledging publicly to continue to send weapons to Ukraine.

The Kremlin has repeatedly criticized NATO's weapons support to Ukraine.

"Basically, weapons supplies don't go towards peace but to prolonging the ongoing conflict," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said earlier this month. 
China, EU vow to 'step up efforts to address climate change'



Beijing, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



China and the European Union vowed on Thursday to "step up" action to address climate change, according to a joint statement released as Beijing hosted the bloc's leaders for a one-day summit.

The warming planet is historically an area of convergence between Brussels and Beijing, with both sides signalling a willingness to cooperate on combating climate change.

The EU aims to become carbon neutral by 2050 while China -- the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter -- has pledged to do so by 2060.

Chinese and European leaders "reiterate that in the fluid and turbulent international situation today, it is crucial that all countries... step up efforts to address climate change", the joint statement said.

China and the EU agreed on enhancing bilateral cooperation in areas such as "energy transition, adaptation, methane emissions management and control, carbon markets and green and low-carbon technologies".

They will also accelerate global renewable energy deployment and facilitate access to green technology, the statement added.

A top EU climate official told the Financial Times this month that Brussels would not sign a joint climate declaration with China until Beijing adopted bolder emissions reduction goals.

An editorial in the state-backed China Daily newspaper then accused the EU of playing the "climate card" to get China to change its position on the Ukraine war.
Sri Lanka orders Singapore shipowner to pay US$1 bn over marine disaster



Colombo, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



Sri Lanka's highest court on Thursday ordered a Singaporean shipping firm to pay US$1 billion in damages for causing the island's worst marine pollution when its vessel sank four years ago.

The Supreme Court directed Express Feeders, the owners of the MV X-Press Pearl which sank off Colombo Port in June 2021 after a fire that raged for nearly two weeks, to pay the money within a year.

"The X-Press Pearl... shall make further compensation payments as may be directed by this court," the 361-page judgement read.

Environmentalists had brought the case to court, alleging that both government authorities and firm owners had failed to prevent the fire from becoming an unprecedented ecological disaster.

The shipping firm initially apologised and paid $7.85 million for the immediate cleanup and as compensation for fishermen who were deprived of their livelihoods following the catastrophic incident.

They then obtained an order from London's admiralty court in July 2023, limiting their liability to a maximum of 19 million pounds ($25 million). Sri Lanka has appealed that decision.

The Sri Lankan government also filed a lawsuit against the ship's owners in the Singapore International Commercial Court, claiming unspecified damages.

That case has been put on hold pending a decision from the admiralty court in London.

There was no immediate response from the Singaporean owners or their local representatives.

The vessel was carrying 81 containers of "dangerous cargo", including acids and lead ingots, when it sank.

Tons of microplastic granules from the ship inundated an 80-kilometre (50-mile) stretch of beach along Sri Lanka's western coast. Fishing was prohibited for months due to the plastic pollution.

Sri Lankan authorities believe the fire was caused by a nitric acid leak, which the crew apparently knew about nine days before the blaze started.

Ports in Qatar and India had refused to offload the leaking nitric acid, and the vessel arrived in Sri Lankan waters with the leak.
Major economies welcome 'milestone' ICJ climate ruling



Berlin, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



Major economies including China and the EU on Thursday welcomed a ruling by the world's highest court paving the way for climate reparations, with Germany hailing the move as a "milestone".

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Wednesday declared that states were obliged under international law to tackle climate change, and failing to do so could leave them open to being sued.

The ICJ said climate change was an "urgent and existential threat" and countries had a legal duty to prevent harm from their planet-warming pollution.

Countries breaching their climate obligations were committing a "wrongful act", the court said in its advisory opinion, which is not legally binding but carries political and legal weight.

Campaigners and countries on the climate frontlines hailed the ruling as an important moment in the fight for accountability from big polluters most responsible for global warming.

The German foreign ministry on Thursday said the ICJ's opinion confirmed that "climate protection is the duty of all states". It described the ruling as an "important milestone".

The EU said the "important" decision "only confirms the immensity of the challenge we face and the importance of climate action and the Paris Agreement".

"It also reaffirms the need of taking collective and ambitious action," Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, a spokeswoman for the European Commission, told journalists.

China also welcomed the "positive" ruling.

"The advisory opinion reflects the long-term positions and propositions of the vast majority of developing countries, including China, and has positive significance for maintaining and promoting international climate cooperation," said foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun.

The British foreign ministry said it would take time to examine the advisory opinion before commenting in detail.

"Tackling climate change is and will remain an urgent UK and global priority," the statement said.

"Our position remains that this is best achieved through international commitment to the UN's existing climate treaties and mechanisms."

The United States, which has embraced a fossil-fuel agenda under President Donald Trump, had on Wednesday given a muted response to the ruling.

A US State Department spokesperson said it "will be reviewing the Court's advisory opinion in the coming days and weeks".

burs-fec/fz/jj
French anger over toxic chemical piles pressure on Macron



Paris, July 24 (AFP) Jul 24, 2025



A student-initiated petition against a toxic chemical deadly to bees has sparked a grass-roots movement in France that commentators say might be a sign of people's growing frustration with political elites.

On July 10, a 23-year-old master's student launched a petition urging the French government to drop legislation allowing the reintroduction of acetamiprid, a pesticide that is harmful to ecosystems but popular with many farmers in Europe.

Banned in France since 2018, the chemical remains legal in the European Union, and proponents say French farmers need it to help them compete.

Support for the petition spread like wildfire, with university lecturers, actors, left-wing lawmakers and star chefs backing it.

It had racked up 1.9 million signatures by Thursday afternoon.

The controversial legislation is dubbed the Duplomb law, after its author, Laurent Duplomb, a senator for the right-wing Republicans party.

The bill was adopted on July 8, but without a proper debate, to bypass gridlock in a bitterly divided parliament.

Signatories of the petition have urged President Emmanuel Macron not to sign it into law.

The petition calls the legislation a "frontal attack on public health".

But supporters say their frustration goes beyond environmental concerns. Commentators say it may be a sign of exasperation with deadlock in a hung parliament and a desire to have a greater say in political matters.

Elodie Germain, 46, said the mobilisation represents a form of "democratic revenge", after Macron forced a controversial pension reform through parliament in 2023 and dissolved the lower chamber last year, sparking political turmoil that resulted in a hung parliament.

"There is of course an environmental aspect behind my signature, but there is also a lot of frustration," said Germain.

"After the pension reform and the dissolution, here we have another example of a bill being forced through parliament."



- 'Blindness of our politicians' -



Francois Veillerette of environmental association Generations Futures struck a similar note.

"People have felt for months that they are not being listened to," he said.

Such is the success of the mobilisation that representatives of France's culinary world, usually reticent about airing political views, published an open letter calling for the withdrawal of the legislation and a moratorium on pesticide use.

"We are appalled by the blindness of our politicians and their now all-too-obvious ties to the agro-industry," said the letter, which has collected signatures from nearly 400 people, including Michelin-starred chefs and restaurateurs.

"We, restaurateurs, work hard, we keep our mouths shut and get on with it," said Glenn Viel, a celebrated 3-star Michelin chef.

"But at some point, you have to bang your fist on the table."

Jacques Marcon, another 3-star Michelin chef, said he was ready to become "a true activist for the agricultural and environmental cause".

Newspaper Le Monde said the petition had put politicians on edge.

"The unprecedentedly large grassroots movement making itself heard on environmental issues through the now-famous petition has caught everyone off guard," it said in an editorial.

The petition has drawn attention to parliament's "shortcomings", it added.



- 'Completely abnormal' -



In France, if a petition submitted on the National Assembly's website reaches 500,000 signatures, parliament's lower house may choose to hold a public debate, limited to the content of the petition.

While any review of the legislation is unlikely at this stage, the government is under increasing pressure to respond.

France has a long history of mass protests, including the yellow vest protests for economic justice. The grassroots movement began in 2018 with a petition calling for lower fuel prices.

Several left-wing parties and environmental associations have urged Macron to demand a "new deliberation" of the legislation in parliament.

On Wednesday, Macron said he would wait for the conclusions of the Constitutional Council, due to rule on the validity of the legislation by August 10, according to the government spokeswoman.

Experts warn that if no solution is found, the situation could breed even more frustration.

Guillaume Gourgues, a lecturer in political science at the University of Lyon 2, who signed the petition, said it was "completely abnormal" that there was no outlet in France for "a mobilisation of this magnitude".

"No one has the slightest idea what this will achieve," he said, referring to the proposed parliamentary debate.

Gally Vangeenberghe, a 21-year-old sales assistant from the northern city of Lille, said the fact the legislation had been adopted without debate was "heresy."

"I find it unacceptable."

la-sde-dep-egn-cgc-as/ah/jhb
NICOSIA, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Cypriot authorities on Wednesday evacuated several mountain communities as a large wildfire raged out of control in the central Troodos mountain range, causing damage to homes, vehicles, and livestock, according to official sources.

The blaze broke out around midday along a road between two villages in the Troodos region, amid a scorching heatwave that pushed temperatures to 43 degrees Celsius.

Three people were hospitalized, while two burn victims were transferred to Limassol General Hospital, Cyprus Mail reported.

Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis, who is overseeing the emergency response, said strong winds had fueled the flames, which spread rapidly across several communities. A special firefighting coordination plan has been activated to boost the effectiveness of the response, he said.

The Cyprus Fire Service described the fire's development as "extremely fierce," with alternating winds driving flames from one village to another and at times forcing the fire back into previously affected areas, Cyprus News Agency (CNA) reported.

Fire Service spokesperson Andreas Kettis told CNA that ground forces would continue operating through the night, while aerial firefighting would resume at first light. "The strong winds in the area were the worst that could happen," he said.

According to Kettis, precautionary evacuations were carried out in several villages, and rescue operations were conducted to assist residents in their homes, particularly the elderly. These efforts involved coordination between the Fire Service, Civil Defence, Police, and members of the National Guard. 
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Fantastic Four: First Steps star Ralph Ineson has said that the weight of his costume for the forthcoming Marvel blockbuster was so heavy he had to get massages on set due to joint pain.

The 55-year-old British actor, best known for playing the loathsome sales representative Chris Finchy Finch in the UK version of The Office, will be portraying Galactus in the MCU film.

When asked by The Hollywood Reporter whether discomfort caused him to seek treatment, Ineson replied: It wasnt that the costume was so uncomfortable; it was more the fact Im 55 years old.

He explained: My joints are falling apart, and that costume made my knees flare up from carrying the extra weight, so I occasionally had to get a massage at lunchtime.

Galactus, who was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby in 1966, is a cosmic entity that eats the life force of planets. In the comics, he appears as a towering human-like giant who at times has been depicted as being larger than planets.

Ineson revealed the way he had to shoot Galactus was as a miniature, which would then be blown up in post production.

It stays in perfect focus once its expanded because we had excess bright white light on set, he said. So wearing the huge suit and the helmet and the gauntlets and all the gear while filming was extremely hot.

open image in gallery Ralph Ineson has said he had on set massages during the filming on The Fantastic Four: First Steps due to the weight of his costume ( Getty )

The star continued: My pit crew had a whole routine so that I could stay cool enough. Galactus cant sweat, so I had to keep my body temperature down, but also do these quite physical things.

Ineson admitted hed do a couple of takes and sit down while the camera was reset, with crew members on hand to hold each gauntlet and another taking care of the helmet.

Somebody would then put an air conditioning unit up the back of my armour and people with fans were in front of me, he revealed.

open image in gallery Ralph Ineson as Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps ( Marvel Studios/Disney )

Wed all watch for the assistant director to give the 30-second countdown before everybody had to put everything back on me. So it was exactly like a pit stop for a Formula One car.

The Leeds-born actor, previously known for roles including warrior Dagmer Cleftjaw in Game of Thrones, will star alongside Pedro Pascal as Mr Fantastic and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as The Thing.

Vanessa Kirby will also appear as the Invisible Woman and Joseph Quinn as The Human Torch in the forthcoming Marvel epic.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps is set to be released on 25 July 2025.
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Pedro Pascal has claimed that he didnt want to smack Joaquin Phoenix in the face while making their new film but was convinced into doing it by his co-star.

The two actors star opposite one another in Hereditary director Ari Asters new black comedy Eddington. The film, which takes place in a fictional New Mexico town, is set during the Covid-19 pandemic and focuses on a showdown between Phoenixs bumbling right-wing sheriff, Joe Cross, and Pascals elitist liberal mayor, Ted Garcia.

One scene in the film sees Joe call at Teds house after a noise complaint is raised, resulting in the mayor slapping the towns sheriff in the face.

In an interview with Mens Health, Pascal has revealed that he wasnt comfortable with the scene and even refused to do it at first.

open image in gallery Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal in Eddington ( A24 via AP )

I was not comfortable with slapping Joaquin, the 50-year-old said. I even tried to take a stance and spoke with the stunt coordinator, and took the position that I am not comfortable with a slapping.

However, when Pascal tried to fake the slap while filming, he was convinced by Phoenix to go through with it for real.

Then we got to shooting it, and I tried to fake it, and Joaquin said, Youve got to do it, explained Pascal. And it was a surreally fast exchange in between takes, of that didnt work, Joaquin saying youve got to do it, and me saying I do?, and he said yes. And we did it, and we went right into action, and I smacked the s*** out of him.

Phoenix, who was also part of the interview, joked that Pascal loved slapping him, but The Fantastic Four actor clarified that he didnt and that it was really hard for him.

Ironically, I think it was harder for me than it was for him, he added. Its not nice to hit somebody  it doesnt feel good. Many people would argue with that. I might love to break a chair or something like that, but I dont want to hit somebody. So, that was really hard actually. It was really hard.

open image in gallery Ari Aster and Pedro Pascal on the set of Eddington ( Richard Foreman/A24 via AP) )

It comes after Pascal got honest about a previous role of his. While speaking to LadBible, the actor said that he was so dismayed by the way he looked in Wonder Woman 1984 that he decided never to go clean-shaven again.

The star played villain Maxwell Lord in the DC Comics film released in 2020. In the movie, directed by Patty Jenkins, Pascal is seen without his trademark facial hair.

I grow such s*** facial hair, but if I were to shave it all off I really look very [awful]. Strongly disagree with a clean shaven me.

I was so appalled by the way I look in Wonder Woman 1984. I loved the movie, but I was so appalled by the way that I looked that I never have gone back, unless it were completely necessary.
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Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse has been delayed again, with the long-anticipated film now not expected until June 2027.

The much-anticipated sequel will complete a trilogy that began with 2018s acclaimed Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and continued with 2023s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse.

Initially slated for release on 29 March 2024, the trilogy closer is scheduled for 25 June 2027, per The Hollywood Reporter, despite Sony Pictures previously confirming it would hit cinemas on 4 June 2027.

According to insiders quoted by the outlet, the further delay is a strategic move to release the film once children in the United States are on their summer holiday from school.

Sources also claimed the new date was considered by distributors to be a more appealing date internationally.

Last year, Spider-Verse composer Daniel Pemberton weighed in on what he said were inaccurate claims about the majority of Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse being scrapped.

Reports from Vulture had suggested that production had halted due to conflicts with finishing the new movie. Work on the film was further delayed by the 2023 Hollywood strikes, which prevented voice actors from recording their dialogue.

open image in gallery A scene from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse ( Sony )

Pemberton telling fans internet speculation might not be particularly accurate came amid a backdrop of conflicts between Sony and Spider-Verse creators Phil Lord and Chris Miller.

The pair had reportedly endured a heated fight over the budget for the spin-off series Spider-Noir, which led to the project not being renewed.

The two existing films have received critical acclaim, including an Oscar nomination for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse in the Best Animated Feature category.

Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse will pick up directly after the events of 2023s Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which ended with Miles Morales facing an evil version of himself in another dimension.

open image in gallery A scene from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse ( Sony )

Shameik Moore will lead the film as Miles Morales, with Jake Johnson as Peter Parker, Hailee Steinfeld as Gwen Stacy, and Jason Schwartzman as Johnathon Ohnn.

The cast will also include Issa Rae as Jessica Drew, Daniel Kaluuya as Spider-Punk, and Oscar Isaac as Miguel OHara.

In a four-star review for the trilogys last instalment The Independent, critic Clarisse Loughrey wrote that Across the Spider-Verse treats its multiverse premise as a genuine creative challenge.

She wrote: This is, dare I say it, how fan service should be done.
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Rapper GloRilla has been arrested on drug possession charges after police were called to investigate a burglary at her home.

The 25-year-old, whose real name is Gloria Hallelujah Woods, was reportedly not at her residence outside of Atlanta, Georgia when three burglars broke in before 1:30am on Saturday morning.

According to local station Channel 2 Action News, shots were fired by an unidentified individual which caused the suspects to flee. Authorities do not believe they were injured.

When Forsyth County Sheriffs Office deputies were dispatched to investigate, they found a significant amount of marijuana in a closet in the master bedroom. Cannabis remains illegal for recreational use in Georgia.

Woods was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance. She performed at the WNBA All-Star game in Indianapolis on Saturday evening, before turning herself in to the Forsyth County Jail on Tuesday. She was released soon after on a $22,260 bond.

GloRilla was arrested on drug possession charges after police were called to investigate a burglary at her home ( Forsyth County Sheriff's Office )

In a statement, Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman said: The homeowner is a victim of a serious crime, and we are committed to bringing the suspects to justice. At the same time, we must continue to uphold and enforce the law in all aspects of this case.

The Independent has reached out to Woods representatives for comment.

Woods, who was born in Memphis, Tennessee, first achieved mainstream success with her 2022 single F.N.F. (Let's Go). The song reached the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Performance.

She further established herself with Wanna Be featuring Megan Thee Stallion and Yeah Glo!, which earned two more Grammy nominations.

She told the Associated Press that her mentality is to put your foot on the gas and dont let up.

Dont ever get too comfortable, said the rapper. Take advantage of everything that comes your way. If you drive and apply yourself, its going to happen.

She added: My momma always told me to be humble and grateful. I come from nothing almost. My mom is well mannered. My mom taught us right, like, internally, have a great spirit. My personality and spirit come from my momma.

Last year she was a featured guest on Megan Thee Stallions Hot Girl Summer Tour and met President Joe Biden at a White House event marking Women's History Month.

During her performance at the WNBA All-Star game this weekend she played a medley of her songs including Let Her Cook, Typa and TGIF at the Gainsbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
After playing a delightfully brittle matriarch in Saltburn (2023), Rosamund Pike paints an infinitely more complex portrait of motherhood in this brilliantly tense, emotive drama. Inter Alia is playwright Suzie Miller and director Justin Martins follow-up to their West End and Broadway hit Prima Facie. Like that play, which starred Jodie Comer as a young barrister, this one also focuses on sexual assault and the injustices of the legal system. But this time the tone is less crusading, more complexifying, as a female judge is forced to stare down her own hypocrisy.

It's been 15 years since Pikes last major stage role but you'd never guess it from the way she commands the National Theatre stage as Jessica, who presides over horrific rape trials with fierce compassion. Shes got a compelling naturalness that draws you right into her family kitchen, or her private office, or into the karaoke booth where she swaggers through Shania Twain with her female lawyer friends. But its not as easy as it looks. The stage is set up like a rock gig, thick with haze, soundtracked with electric guitar, reminding us that Jessica is a showman. She might seem relaxed, witty, accomplished, but both her personal and professional lives require constant effort and performance. And as she switches effortfully between courtroom strictness and tender domesticity, Pikes face shows all the strains of working motherhood thrumming behind her polished exterior.

Unlike the one-woman production of Prima Facie, Inter Alia shows us the men that Jessica spends her days accommodating. Her husband Michael (Jamie Glover) is a barrister who struggles to live in the shadow of her success, and requires constant, careful appeasement. By contrast, her son Harry (Jasper Talbot) is, at first, her project, her attempt at creating a good man. She gives him lessons in consent on a windswept beach, and impromptu bedtime lectures on the ills of pornography. But how can she make a dent in his bulletproof shell of teenage apathy and embarrassment, or fight against the invisible influences that seep in, through his phone and laptop?

Like Netflixs smash hit Adolescence, Inter Alia is calculated to strike fear into the hearts of parents (of boys, especially). Still, its softer, too, offering a sympathetic portrait of a teenager sent astray by pressuring school friends and low self-worth. Millers play is treading a delicate line here, between empathising with and excusing this storys male abuser.

Sometimes, it teeters dangerously on the edge of sentimentality. But it also says something profound about motherhood and memory, and the way that lost moments from childhood pattern onto the present. Jessica is haunted by guilt, having lost Harry: once in the playground, aged four, then again, more damningly, as a teenager whos ventured places she cant reach.

Inter Alias impact builds and builds until its almost unbearable. Thats a testament to Martin's production, which uses jagged bursts of light and sound to turn this intimate story into a swaggering epic  while Miriam Buethers design creates a stage that feels like the contents of Jessicas brain, childhood scenes emerging from the blackness. But most of all, it's down to Pikes immaculately judged performance, as the principles Jessica has built her life upon start to crumble to dust.

At the National Theatre until 13 September
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Food Network star Anne Burrells cause of death has been revealed just over one month after her death.

The New York City medical examiner's office confirmed Thursday to People that the chefs death has been ruled a suicide, more specifically, acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine.

Last month, first responders arrived at Burrells home in Brooklyn, New York, after a 911 call reported a cardiac arrest. When medics arrived, she was found unresponsive.

A few days later, her death was being investigated as a possible drug overdose by the New York City Police Department, according to an internal document seen by The New York Times.

The document said the Worst Cooks in America host was discovered in the shower unconscious and unresponsive, surrounded by approximately (100) assorted pills.

Anne Burrell was known for hosting Worst Cooks in America on the Food Network ( Getty Images )

The Times was told by a spokesperson for the city medical examiners office at the time that an autopsy had been completed, but any findings on the cause and manner of death were still pending.

The New York-born chef most recently appeared in the cooking competition show House of Knives, which premiered in March.

Prior to that, fans were surprised when she did not return as the host of the new season of Worst Cooks, which aired in January. Neither she nor the network provided an explanation for the change.

However, in a January 10 Instagram post, after fans expressed dissatisfaction with her absence from the show in their comments, Burrell addressed the change.

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Replying to one fan asking why she wasnt hosting, Burrell wrote: Honestly I dont know.

In the weeks following her death, tributes have poured in for the late chef.

Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend  her smile lit up every room she entered, her family said in a statement following her death. Annes light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world. Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.

The Food Network also released a statement, saying: Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent  teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring.

The network will be debuting Burrells final season of Worst Cooks July 28 at 9 p.m. EST.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you
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Hulk Hogans ex-wife, Linda Hogan, shared a throwback photo with the WWE legend just days before his death.

The former wrestler died Thursday at the age of 71, after medics were reportedly called to his home in Clearwater, Florida. While a cause of death hasnt been revealed, TMZ reported he experienced cardiac arrest.

Only days earlier, the former athletes ex-wife, Linda, reminisced about their happy days together, sharing a photo of herself and Hulk from 1996 on her Instagram.

She simply captioned the post: The good old days !

The throwback picture was of the pair at the NATPE Convention in Las Vegas. For the event, Linda wore a black form-fitting gown, with matching elbow-length gloves, and her hair in a ponytail. Hulk, who had his arm wrapped around her, wore his signature red and yellow wrestling costume.

open image in gallery Pro-wrestler Hulk Hogan and wife Linda on the set of their daughter Brooke's music video shoot 'Bout Us' on May 6, 2006 in Los Angeles, California ( Getty )

Hulk, whose real name is Terry Bollea, married Linda in 1983 before they welcomed two children, Brooke, 37, and Nick, 36. The famous family also starred in their own reality show, Hogan Knows Best, from 2005 to 2007. The program ran for four seasons, ultimately showcasing the end of Hulk and Lindas marriage.

Linda filed for divorce in November 2007, with the separation finalized in 2009.

The war is over, she told The Tampa Bay Tribune at the time, as reported by People. The interview came after she and her ex had a court hearing, where she gave him a friendly kiss on the cheek, in Clearwater, Florida, in 2009, to finalize the divorce.

I still love him. Hes the father of my children, she added.

However, Linda later made multiple claims about her ex-husband and how their split has affected their family.

In March, she posted a video on her Instagram Stories of herself crying, as reported by E! News, and said: Its been 15, however long years since I left Hulk Hogan, and my family is the worst mess.

open image in gallery The Hogan family appeared on their own reality show from 2005-2007 ( Getty )

After accusing her ex-husband of being a complete liar and sex addict, she claimed he was the reason why she had been estranged from daughter Brooke for eight years.

Brooke doesn't talk to us, she said. She's had twins. She got married, she didn't tell us She had a huge fight with Terry. I don't know how that reflected onto me, but she cut me out too.

During an interview with TMZ days later, Linda clarified that she thought Hulk was always a good father, despite being a s*** husband sometimes.

[He] spent probably over $3 million on Brooke's career, with no questions asked, she said, before she emphasized that Hulk was a fantastic person.

Our marriage didnt work out, but what Brooke's doing to us is completely unprecedented, unexpected and unfair and not true, she added. Hulk Hogan, my ex, has been really distraught and saddened by her distance, just as I and her brother Nick have as well.

In March, Brooke shared a statement about the estrangement from her family on Instagram, saying she had separate reasons for going no contact with each of [her] parents.

No contact with my mom has nothing to do with my dad, and no contact with my father has nothing to do with my mother, she wrote. This decision was made based purely on how they have each dealt with me my entire life.

She also alleged that she was extremely verbally and mentally abused throughout her childhood, which allegedly turned into physical abuse. However, she emphasized that those remarks were not pointed at either of her parents.

Linda then shared a lengthy Facebook post to deny abuse claims from her daughter, saying she by no means ever treated [Brooke] the way shes painting it.

After Hulk split from Linda, he was married to makeup artist Jennifer McDaniel from 2010 to 2021.

He is survived by his third wife, Sky Daily, whom he married in 2023.
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Jenna Ortega has said that she is always scared when meeting fans and that she sometimes feels uncomfortable when approached by grown men.

The Wednesday star, who is currently promoting season two of Tim Burtons hit Netflix show, has opened up about her struggles under the spotlight.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Ortega was asked whether any fan interactions have left her frightened.

The 22-year-old responded candidly, stating: Im always scared. Somebody shouting your name in public is insane. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable when its grown men approaching me.

open image in gallery Wednesday has turned Jenna Ortega into a household name ( Getty )

Ortega went on to say that she has received horrific verbal abuse on the street, revealing that she was once called a c*** whore in front of her mother.

Asked whether it is possible for her to go out in public incognito, the Beetlejuice Beetlejuice star replied: Sometimes you go out, and its a mess. And other times, I could be walking for hours and no one gives a s***. If you really want to go unseen, you can do it.

Ortega explained that she feels incredibly misunderstood by the publics perception of her. Its almost to a point where it feels like your name doesnt belong to you, she said.

I almost dont even resonate with it anymore. I hate assumptions, and a big part of this job is that people are going to make assumptions about you.

This is not the first time that Ortega has spoken about feeling ill at ease with Wednesdays stratospheric success since its first season premiered in 2022.

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Earlier this year, the actor told Harpers Bazaar: To be quite frank, after the show and trying to figure everything out, I was an unhappy person. After the pressure, the attention  as somebody whos quite introverted, that was so intense and so scary.

open image in gallery Jenna Ortega in 'Wednesday' ( Netflix )

Released in November 2022, the first season of Wednesday surpassed Stranger Things to become Netflixs most-watched title in a single week. One week later, it broke its own record, amassing streams of more than 400 million hours in just seven days.

Wednesday season two will be released in two parts, with the first debuting on 6 August and part two arriving on 3 September.

Ortega will reprise her role as the solemn Addams family daughter alongside Emma Myers as Enid Sinclair, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia, Luis Guzman as Gomez, and Isaac Ordonez as Pugsley.

New cast additions in season two include Steve Buscemi, Lady Gaga, and Joanna Lumley, who will play Wednesdays grandmother.
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Tyler Perry has opened up about firing his aunt and the tough decision to cut off his family financially.

Appearing on Kirk Franklins new YouTube series, King of Dens, the actor and filmmaker  whose net worth is estimated by Forbes to be $1.4 billion  discussed the fine line between offering family financial support and simply giving handouts.

I fired my aunt, Perry, 55, said matter-of-factly, leaving the other guests, Derrick Hayes and Jay Jeezy Jenkins, stunned.

The Madea star explained how he offered his aunt, who always called asking for money, a job.

I was sending the money, he recalled, and I was like, Look, I wanna help you, and I want to help you build this thing, not be welfare to you. So let me give you a job.

Tyler Perry appeared on YouTube series 'Den of Kings' where he opened up about cutting off his family from his finances ( Kirk Franklin/YouTube )

But she wasnt coming in; calling in all the time, he said, which ultimately prompted him to give her the boot.

Well, you gotta go. Because you want me to hand you the money, but you dont wanna work for it. See that doesnt work for me, Perry added. And its the same with my son. Like hes 10 years old, there are certain things that he wants; he has to do chores and work for it. I dont believe in giving us things that are just gonna handicap us.

That is the worst thing you can do, he insisted. And Ive had family members that Ive done that to because my mother has asked me to. And when she passed away in 2009, I sent all of them letters, saying, Listen, you got 60 days to become gainfully employed because Im not gonna keep supporting you like this.

Asked by host Franklin if he was serious, Perry said: 100 percent. They all got jobs. And it wasnt even jobs where theyre making a lot of money. But it was a job, it was something else for them to do to feel some pride in. Its the same thing I would want to do for me.

Entrepreneur Hayes jumped in to ask him if hes received any backlash from resentful family members.

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I have a family member who got mad at me because I wouldnt give them $1 million, Perry replied.

Offering Hayes advice on how to draw that boundary, Perry said: If youre trying to build a business to carry everyone in your family through, thats one thing. And if youre trying to do that, then build a business.

What that means is, you gotta watch the family members that come putting holes in the boat that youre trying to get across the sea, he clarified, using the boat as a metaphor.

Sometimes you build a boat by yourself. Yall wait over here on the shore. Stay here. Im building this boat. Im gonna go over and build this, and then Im gonna come back and see whos worthy to come. Because anybody whos gonna drag you down or put holes in the boat, or try to destroy you, why bring them over? Perry said.

Last month, The Oval creator was slapped with a $260 million lawsuit by an actor who appeared on the BET political drama, accusing him of sexual assault, battery, quid pro quo, and workplace sexual harassment.

Perry has denied the allegations through his lawyer, who called the lawsuit a scam and the claims fabricated in a statement to The Independent.

The accuser, Derek Dixon, who appeared on both the six-season drama and its spinoff Ruthless as Dale, has since spoken out, claiming he couldnt stay silent.

Everyone deserves to go to work and do their job without their boss trying to have sex with them, he told The Hollywood Reporter in an email.
KINSHASA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) has voiced deep concern over a resurgence of armed violence in the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu, which has claimed the lives of dozens of civilians since early July.

In a statement issued Wednesday in Kinshasa, the DRC capital, MONUSCO condemned recent attacks carried out by the Allied Democratic Forces, which have reportedly killed at least 82 civilians across the two provinces.

The mission also denounced the July 21 violence in Djugu territory and the looting and desecration of the Catholic parish of Lopa in Ituri Province by militia of the Cooperative for the Development of Congo (CODECO).

Attacks on places of worship, schools, and health centers constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law, MONUSCO said.

"Those responsible for these atrocities must be held accountable," said Bruno Lemarquis, acting head of MONUSCO, urging the signatories of the Aru II peace accords to honor their commitments and immediately cease hostilities.

The "Aru II" accords, signed in 2023 between the DRC government and several armed groups active in Ituri, including CODECO and its splinter factions, aimed to establish a lasting ceasefire, initiate disarmament, and facilitate the restoration of peace in a province plagued by intercommunal conflict.

The eastern DRC has witnessed decades of insecurity fueled by ethnic tensions, local militias, and foreign rebel groups operating across porous borders. Despite repeated regional peace initiatives, violence continues to displace millions and undermine efforts to stabilize the region. 
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Liverpool-born TV luminary Jimmy McGovern first rose to prominence  after a stint on soaps like Brookside and Corrie  with Cracker, a detective series starring Robbie Coltrane as a misanthropic criminal psychologist. Since then, he has become the great chronicler of Britains ills. From the Hillsborough disaster to the Iraq war, via inquisitions on joint enterprise, unemployment, and disability cuts, he has run the gamut of social failings. And a recurring theme, running from 1994s Priest to 2017s Broken, is the legacy of child abuse, a subject he explores in profound detail, again, in BBC Twos Unforgivable.

Joe Mitchell (Bobby Schofield) is in prison, having been found guilty of sexually assaulting his 12-year-old nephew, Tom (Austin Haynes). Toms mother, Anna (Anna Friel), struggles with Toms increasingly erratic behaviour, while grieving for her and Joes mother, who has just died. When Joe is released from prison, he is offered a second chance by a group of Christians, led by Katherine (Anna Maxwell Martin), who believe in rehabilitation and offer Joe a chance to, if not start again, resume some sort of quotidian existence. Isnt forgiveness selfish? she asks Joe, as they explore how he can rejoin society. But Joe isnt really looking for absolution; hes looking for answers. And here, the long, multi-generational shadow of abuse casts its shade.

No ones perfect, family friend Paul (Mark Womack) consoles Annas widower father Brian (David Threlfall), who, in addition to losing his wife, is estranged from his paedophile son and watching his daughters family life disintegrate. In a way, hes right. All of McGoverns characters are dealing with the fractured messiness of life (even Maxwell Martins God-botherer has breast cancer, the nuns disease). This panoply of personal disasters gives rise to some brilliant acting from the assembled ensemble of McGovern regulars. Schofield is transformed from his roles in This City Is Ours and SAS: Rogue Heroes, imbuing Joe with a magnetic, itching discomfort. Friel, meanwhile, steals every scene shes in as a desperate, but still poised, mother. The material is red meat to fine actors, and they eat it up.

Whether its so nourishing to audiences is debatable. There is no challenging McGoverns willingness to gaze into the abyss  he has been doing it for more than 30 years now  but is the abyss gazing back? As it progresses, Unforgivable tries to engage with the cyclical nature of abuse (Some men who abuse have themselves been abused, Katherine informs Joe) but ends up feeling simplified and rushed. A complex, nuanced narrative that mightve stretched over the course of a multi-episode mini-series is, here, condensed into 105 minutes. Joes dual role  as both victim and abuser  is one that oscillates, the very instability of its nature forming the crux of how these crimes are perpetrated and then covered up. But the constraints of the plot dumb this down somewhat, and the narrative becomes increasingly procedural. I could cope with the lying, Joe laments, as he picks at old wounds. But all this truth? Its too much for me.

McGovern has worked with non-fiction in the past (Sunday, for example, is about Bloody Sunday), but more often he builds, like Ken Loach, stories as composites of abstracted case studies. At its best, this approach adds an intimacy that true life portraits can struggle with, where the interiority is limited by the strictures of fact. But, at other times, it can feel like these characters are only being imagined into life in order to put them through intense suffering. Unforgivable is undoubtedly a sympathetic piece  even Joe is afforded a reluctant dignity  but it is also a concatenation of personal miseries. Sunlight, it seems, doesnt often fall on Merseyside.

For some, it will be enough simply to give these tough issues an airing. Important is an easy adjective to apply to a McGovern drama. But for viewers to endure a couple of hours of fairly unrelenting gloom, there needs to be a spark beyond great performances and plausible writing. Unforgivable feels like an endurance test, whose message  that empathy must prevail  couldve been expressed with more dynamic light and shade.
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When it comes to precious metals, theres something special about a silver coating, flick of shimmer and a smooth, silky finish.

And making a statement with silver neednt be confined to a capsule collection of shimmery homewares  from decorative to functional, think sofas, occasional tables and lighting, setting the tone for a luxe aesthetic.

Following Milan Design Week 2025, weve seen a renewed interest in silver finishes; cool-toned metals that feel both modern and timeless, highlights Helen Pett, brand ambassador at Arteriors.

While brass and bronze have dominated for years, silver is emerging as a fresh alternative that brings a touch of polish and sophistication to a space.

She says one of the easiest ways to incorporate this finish is through considered accessories. Adding touches throughout your decor like sculptural silver lamps, sleek-edged mirrors, or metallic tabletop accents that catch the light.

These pieces dont overwhelm a scheme, but they do add depth, contrast and a subtle hit of glamour, says Pett. To make the look feel curated, not clinical, she says to mix silver with tactile materials like marble, ceramic or textured glass.

The result is layered, luxurious, and completely in tune with the current mood in interiors.

Mara Rypacek Miller, founder of Industville, agrees: Historically, silver has been associated with luxury, craftsmanship, and prestige  from antique silverware and decorative objects to iconic Art Deco interiors.

Today, metallic finishes continue to be a popular choice, with cooler-toned metals such as silver and pewter favoured for the contemporary elevation they lend to a range of styles.

Silver and pewter work particularly well in lighting, suggests Miller, where their subtle reflectivity can amplify both natural and artificial light.

Whether featured in sleek, modern fittings or classic, industrial-inspired designs, these metals help create visual interest without overwhelming a space.

To nail the look, she says the key to using cooler metallics effectively is balance. They shine when set against warmer tones or more organic textures  think exposed brick, wood, woven textiles, or natural fibres.

Even small touches, such as silver-detailed accessories, hardware or silver capped bulbs in lighting, can introduce this look in a subtle, sophisticated way, says Miller.

Its a finish that suits a broad spectrum of aesthetics, offering a timeless design statement that complements rather than competes with the rooms character, she adds.

Moreover, silver is elevating seating and soft furnishings by balancing modernity with sumptuousness

As Kellie Wyles, head of upholstery at DFS, puts it: Silver is shedding its reputation as a mere accent in interior design, and is now being used widely in upholstery to transform sofas, armchairs, and more into unapologetically bold centrepieces.

This reflects the enduring appeal of maximalist style, suggests Wyles, with this latest wave embracing luxurious, attention-grabbing materials.

Silver is especially impactful when seen in tactile fabrics such as velvet where the pile catches and reflects light, bringing a transformative and dynamic look to otherwise simple silhouettes, she explains.

Timeless too, Daniel Smith, founder of Danetti, says metallic finishes are redefining luxury with their sleek elegance and versatile appeal.

Silver chrome evokes a sense of nostalgia infused with a futuristic feel, while becoming an effortlessly versatile choice that enhances existing colour schemes, prints or textures to brighten up a space.

Sleek silver finishes on chairs or tables offer surfaces that interaction with light, to refresh and provide depth and dimension, Smith suggests.

In addition, he says they easily complement other metallic accents such as lighting [and accessories]. And look particularly striking when paired with marble finishes, to create a contemporary and inviting space.
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Hard to be thinking about pumpkin spice anything in the dog days of summer, but .....

Dunkin is already promoting its pumpkin spice offerings for fall, at least according to a leaked menu going viral.

According to food blogger @Markie_devo, the Dunkin autumn lineup is expected to arrive in two waves: the first rollout on August 20, followed by a Halloween-themed drop on October 15.

Returning to the spotlight is the popular Pumpkin Spice Signature Latte, available both hot and iced, marking the unofficial start of pumpkin spice season on ... August 20??!!.

Yes, a full month before fall.

For the first time, there is also a Cereal N Milk Latte, a nostalgic creation described as everything you love about cereal milk. Another newcomer is the Mixed Berry Daydream Refresher, made with oatmilk and topped with cold foam, offering a fruity, dairy-free option.

The return of Dunkin's fall flavors reportedly arrives on August 20. ( Getty Images )

On the food front, Dunkin is expected to introduce several hearty and indulgent items. These may include Chipotle Loaded Hash Browns, Maple Sugar Bacon, a Kreme Delight Donut, and the Iced Pumpkin Loaf.

Fans of the brands seasonal offerings can also look forward to the return of pumpkin pastries, such as glazed pumpkin donuts and pumpkin-flavored munchkins.

The Halloween wave, again, is expected to drop on October 15, reportedly includes a Candy Bar Signature Latte, a Spider Specialty Donut, a Halloween Sprinkle Takeover, and a fun Halloween Munchkin Bucket.

The Independent has contacted Dunkin for comment.

Meanwhile, Starbucks announced this week that its highly anticipated Pumpkin Spice Latte will return to menus across the US and Canada on August 26.
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Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, have put their luxurious U.K. home up for sale less than a year after moving out of the U.S.

The former talk show host, 67, and Arrested Development actor, 52, are selling their farm estate in Cotswolds, England, for $30 million after paying $20 million for the property in spring 2024, Andrew Barnes of U.K. Sothebys International Realty told The Wall Street Journal.

Barnes told the publication that after living on the estate for a month, the couple chose to relocate to a home that could better accommodate their animals.

When we decided to live here full time, we knew that Portia couldnt live without her horses, DeGeneres said in a statement provided to the outlet by Sothebys. We needed a home that had a horse facility and pastures for them.

The listing comes after the couple completed extensive renovations on the estate, known as Kitesbridge Farm. Married since 2008, the couple  known for flipping houses  brought in 70 workers to renovate the property in under five months months, despite being told the process would take 18 months.

The couple moved so de Rossi (right) would have space for her horses ( Getty )

The seven-bedroom, seven-bathroom estate is comprised of modern design choices and 16,600 square feet of living space, with some of the building connected by glass walkways. Boasting 43 acres, the property contains a party barn with a pub, a heated five-car garage, and kitchenette, a separate fitness center with a gym and heated swimming pool, and a two-bedroom guest house connected to the main house, which was built in the 1700s.

DeGeneres and de Rossi first moved to the English countryside in November 2024, shortly before Donald Trump was elected President of the United States for a second term.

The Finding Dory actor revealed Sunday, when speaking with English broadcaster Richard Bacon in Cheltenham, that she did make the move specifically because of the U.S. election.

Yes. We got here the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis, and I was like, He got in. And were like, Were staying here, she said, according to The Guardian.

After her long-running eponymous talk show ended in 2022 following allegations of a toxic workplace environment, DeGeneres went on a final comedy tour around the U.S., which ended in August that year. Shortly after that, the couple bought what DeGeneres described as a part-time house in the Cotswolds, where they intended to spend around four months a year.

After Trumps re-election, however, that plan turned permanent.

DeGeneres said the house itself is absolutely beautiful, adding that they saw snow there this winter for the first time since the move.

Were just not used to seeing this kind of beauty. The villages and the towns and the architecture  everything you see is charming, and its just a simpler way of life. Its clean. Everything here is just better  the way animals are treated, people are polite. I just love it here, she said.
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Dame Zandra Rhodes has been famed for her authentic take on fashion since the Seventies.

Shes dressed celebrities from Freddie Mercury to Princess Diana, painted psychedelic florals across chiffon gowns and dyed her hair bright pink long before Tumblr made it mainstream.

Now, at 84, shes turned her kaleidoscopic eye to an unexpected canvas: swimwear.

But this doesnt necessarily mean shell be taking a dip in her designs.

I dont know that Id actually go in the sea with it, she laughs, discussing her new collaboration with the swimwear label Oceanus. I think Id just stand by the pool myself and look exotic.

The collection  a riot of seashell motifs, swirling flowers and beaded embellishments  is as much about theatre as it is about tanning. It just seemed a wonderful, a wonderful collab, Rhodes explains, its a lovely way to do unique swimwear that can [be] international.

Known for her unshakeable devotion to maximalism, Rhodes worked closely with the Oceanus team to translate her signature archival prints onto heavy, structured Lycra.

Theyre really glamorous, she says, and what was so lovely was we just had the layouts of the costumes, and we were free to paint whatever we wanted  like different seashells  [to see] what theyd look like.

Despite the shift in medium, her process hasnt changed much over the decades. We still sketch by hand first of all, before putting it onto the computer, she says, I look at myself in the mirror and think, would I wear it? How would I wear it?

And of course her swimwear isnt confined to one age group  its just how you wear it. Id wear it with trousers [] but you could wear them out as evening outfits, honestly. Theyre really gorgeous.

Its an approach thats both playful and quietly radical: turning beachwear into partywear, blurring the lines between resort and red carpet.

I just tried to think about wanting people to feel very excited at being able to dress up, actually, when they probably came out of the water and they could dress up and look fabulous.

The glittering seashells and psychedelic colour palette combined with pared-back cuts makes you wonder who the inspiration to carry off these looks were.

Princess Diana would have looked quite nice sitting on the yacht in that, wouldnt she? Rhodes says without missing a beat. She would have glittered in the sunshine with her sunshades on and the glittering beads on the side of the yacht [] I think shed have looked very good in those.

I think it would have been right up her street.

Rhodes dressed the late Princess of Wales in her early royal years. I made a lovely pink chiffon off-shoulder dress with little pearls all around the outside and a frill, she recalls.

The Rhodes signature  big colour, bigger personality  has remained remarkably consistent, even as fashion itself has shapeshifted around her. She admits to being baffled by recent quiet luxury trends.

I didnt follow that trend, she laughs.

Despite being a nonconformist when it comes to trends, I cant imagine when everyone turns to colour that youre going to see me trotting around in black and white, Rhodes says, I dont think thats going to happen  regardless.

Despite her age, her schedule remains packed. She starts her mornings at 8am in her studio, which sits directly below the flat she lives in, perched atop Londons Fashion and Textile Museum  which she also founded.

Im lucky, she says, I come down here at eight oclock in the morning and hope that I manage to think of new ideas.

Ive got a wonderful team of young people who come in and we try and keep feeding the world with at least a little bit of Zandra Rhodes.

Shes currently planning two major exhibitions: one at The Holburne Museum in Bath, featuring over 50 historical dresses, and another at De Montfort University, which will host the complete records of her companys collaborations everything from when I did a line for Topshop, when I did one for Marks and Spencer, she says.

Exhibitions and collaborations keep streaming in for Rhodes  and while many of her peers are retired  she has no intentions of slowing down.

I hope different projects are going to come up and were going to find them exciting and stimulating, she says. Maybe you could call me the pattern queen.

Frankly, there doesnt seem to be anyone else in British fashion who has earned that moniker.
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People with disabilities could be helped back into work with similar protections as those for women returning from maternity leave.

A new right to reintegration for workers on sick leave could see firms prevented from dismissing someone unless it is shown the employer has made sufficient efforts at reintegrating the person, the Resolution Foundation think tank said.

They said such a right would would clarify and strengthen existing legal protections under the the Equality Act and provide a much stronger message to workers about what they are entitled to.

The report warned that the government risks failing to meet its aim to raise the employment rate to 80 per cent without a serious strategy to shift employer behaviour and argues employers must be incentivised to reintegrate existing workers back into jobs.

The report comes in the same week as the Universal Credit Bill cleared the House of Lords, aimed at rebalancing the benefit to remove work disincentives, according to a government minister, while giving existing claimants the security and certainty they need.

Separately during the debate, Paralympic champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, who sits in the Lords, said disabled people have been portrayed as benefit scroungers and a drain on society in the conversation on welfare reform.

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson outside the Houses of Parliament ( PA )

In its report, the Resolution Foundation said around 12% of disabled staff leave work each year  consistently 1.5-times the rate of non-disabled workers.

It added that twice as many people move from work into inactivity due to ill health  around 304,000 each year  than those moving the other way (around 151,000).

But the think tank said despite there being strong legal obligations in place already on employers, they are simply not doing enough to retain existing workers, with fewer than half of disabled workers who request a reasonable adjustment  which can include a change to working arrangements or provision of equipment, services or support  having this granted in full.

With 15% of disabled people reporting workplace discrimination relating to their disability in 2022, the report said this remains a pressing issue.

The think tank said: Boosting disability employment is not straightforward: it will involve improvements to the health system, benefits system and world of work. But action to incentivise and support employers is a vital piece of the puzzle.

Louise Murphy, senior economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: The Government should do more to incentivise firms to employ disabled people  especially those who have been out of work for long periods  but employers need to do more in return.

A new right to reintegration could help disabled workers back into work in the same way that maternity rights transformed womens employment prospects a generation ago.

The foundation said the new right could be enforced through employment tribunals, but urged the Government to also consider more proactive enforcement mechanisms, whether via the Equalities and Human Rights Commission or connected to a new system of caseworkers that are expected to be covered in the forthcoming Mayfield Review.

Former John Lewis boss, Sir Charlie Mayfield, is undertaking a review to investigate how government and businesses can work together to support ill and disabled people into work, with a report expected in autumn.

The government has been contacted for comment.
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The Labubu craze has reached a whole new level  and its affecting familial relationships.

In a recent post shared on the popular Am I The A**hole? Reddit forum, an 18-year-old girl asked if she was in the wrong for cutting ties with her adoptive parents, after they missed almost her entire graduation because they were buying a Labubu doll.

She explained that her parents adopted her as a baby after they had fertility issues. However, they later had a baby  a now 10-year-old daughter, whos referred to as Princess  which was a miracle.

According to the Reddit user, throughout her childhood, her younger sister was spoiled, clearly the favorite, and acted however she wanted, but never got in trouble for it. She also clarified that while her parents didnt treat her badly, if she got one toy, Princess got five. And when the now 18-year-old was jealous about that, she got in trouble for it.

The older girls high school graduation was last month, and one of the few things she asked her parents to do was be there. She also said her parents seemed excited about the event, which some other relatives attended. However, things took a turn when her sister wanted a Labubu, the wildly popular small monster dolls with fuzzy coats.

A teenager on Reddit says her parents were late to her graduation because they were buying her sister a Labubu ( AFP via Getty Images )

She collects [Labubus] and on that specific day, she found this super rare one for sale in our city, the Reddit user explained. Now, instead of contacting the seller and buying it the next day, my parents went to go get it. And not only that, they spent $350. (my grad gift was $150). Then they showed up so late. Our caps were already being tossed.

The teenager acknowledged how hurt she was by her parents, so she ignored them after the graduation and went home with her boyfriend, with whom shes been dating for two years. She noted that shes basically moved in with her partner, so if she does go home, its just to pick some things up.

However, her parents are still trying to get in touch with her, and theyve even given her ultimatums regarding her upcoming college plans.

My parents called, texted, apologized, even came over and begged me to forgive them. The worst part of it all, they think its the money, and they sent me another hundred dollars. I refused to talk to them. Now its serious, as theyre threatening to report me as missing/ a runaway and contact my future college if I dont go back home, she wrote, noting that she felt like her actions were justified.

The Reddit post has quickly gone viral, with more than 15,000 upvotes. In the comments, many people defended the 18-year-olds reaction to the situation, while criticizing her parents for how they appeared to favor Princess over her.

Sibling favoritism is so crazy to me, and I think its so unfair to the one being treated poorly. The fact that they only thought it was about the money speaks high volumes about their character, one wrote. It doesnt help their case either that they adopted you and cant show you the same love they have for their real offspring.

You are a high school graduate and a legal adult. You didnt run away. You simply moved out, another wrote. Tell your parents to have fun reporting you. The only thing they might have a case on is the car.

People dont realize how much the little things build up over time, a third commented. You dont have to accept the bare minimum just cause its coming from family. You deserve effort, too.
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Appalling photos have revealed the Alabama storm shelter where at least 10 children, some as young as 3 years old, were held captive and sexually tortured for years as part of a sex-trafficking ring organized by some of their own relatives.

Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade said during a press conference Wednesday that 10 victims have been identified, but warned that both the number of victims and arrests would likely increase.

"I've been in law enforcement for 33 years, and this is absolutely the most horrible thing I've ever seen when it comes to the victimization of children, Wade said. I know God's forgiveness is boundless, but if there was a limit to it, I think we've reached it.

Seven suspects, including two mothers and several other relatives of the victims, have been arrested so far for their role in the alleged ring, authorities said.

William Chase EcElroy, 21, Dalton Terrell, 21, Andres Velazquez-Trejo, 29, Timothy St. John, 23, Ricky Terrell, 44, Sara Louise Terrell, 41, and Rebecca Brewer, 29, all face an array of charges, ranging from rape and sodomy to kidnapping and human trafficking.

open image in gallery Authorities shared a horrifying image of inside the Alabama storm shelter, where at least seven suspects ran a child sex-trafficking ring that involved their own children and relatives. ( Bibb County Sheriff's Office )

A shocking photo shared by authorities revealed the squalid conditions inside the concrete bunker where the horrifying abuse transpired for years, with authorities saying they believe it began around 2022.

Inside the cold, concrete shelter was little furniture, consisting of just an old, dingy bed, several chairs and other small pieces of furniture.

Throughout the abuse, the children would allegedly be tied up, often to the limited pieces of furniture, and forced to perform sexual acts, Bibb County Assistant District Attorney Bryan Jones said.

The children were also allegedly drugged by Velazquez-Trejo, who put some kind of white powder into their drinks that would make them drowsy, authorities said.

Its hard to hear their stories and its hard to see pictures of this bunker where, according to some of the witnesses, they were drugged, Jones said.

As bad as it sounds with (Velazques-Trejo) drugging them, it may be a blessing in disguise because they dont remember a lot of things, Jones said.

Im hopeful that they wont have near the trauma they would have had if they had not been drugged.

One of the mothers reportedly involved in the abuse, Sara Louise Terrell, would allegedly put animal shock collars on the victims, which the suspects would also use on the childrens genitals, according to The New York Post.

The investigation into the abuse began earlier this year on Feb. 4, when authorities were called to the shelter and found two of the victims performing sexual acts on each other, Jones said.

The victims told authorities they were performing what McElroy had done to them or taught them to do, Jones said.

Authorities allege the children, who were between the ages of 3 and 16, were forced to endure vaginal intercourse, anal intercourse and oral sex.

open image in gallery Three of the suspects, Dalton Terrell, top left, Andres Trejo-Velazquez, top right and William Chase McElroy, bottom ( Bibb County Sheriff's Department )

Records obtained by AL.com also showed that one of the suspects allegedly sold children to various clientele for sexual pleasure. Each suspect reportedly had a specific role in the alleged ring.

Authorities believe their investigation will yield more victims and even more suspects. Jones said there are allegations of up to another 12 men who may have paid to have sex with the children.

We have no way of identifying these people unless somebody in the community comes forward and says this person told us they did this, Jones said.

The children wouldnt know who they are, he said, referring to the victims being drugged.

The victims included Sara Louise Terrells children and Velazquez-Trejo and Brewers children, authorities said. It was not immediately clear how many children from each suspect was involved in the abuse.

Authorities said all three Terrells charged are related to each other, though it was not immediately clear how.

Wade said that theres no telling how many additional victims they may find, noting it seemed as though what theyd uncovered was just the tip of the iceberg. Bibb County officials are investigating alongside the Department of Homeland Security.

Authorities are also probing the suspects potential affiliations with the Mexican gang Seranos, which largely makes money through child sex trafficking.

The victims are all in the custody of the Alabama Department of Human Resources.

The suspects, who all lived in mobile homes within a mile of each other in the small town of Brent, will be arraigned in August.

The investigation is ongoing.
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Alivea Goncalves unleashed on the man who murdered her little sister during Wednesdays sentencing hearing, peppering Bryan Kohberger with questions that she says reverberate violently in my own head so loudly that I cant think straight.

How was your life right before you murdered my sisters? she asked.

Did you prepare for the crime before leaving your apartment?

Where is the murder weapon, the clothes you wore that night?

What did you bring into the house with you?

What were Kaylees last words?

At the heart of Aliveas demands was the same overwhelming question that continues to haunt the loved ones of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, as well as the public: Why did he do it?

open image in gallery The motives of Bryan Kohberger on why he targeted four Idaho college students and brutally murdered them remain unknown  and may always ( AP )

Kohberger, 30, declined to speak during his sentencing hearing inside the Ada County Courthouse in Boise, Idaho, for the 2022 murders of the four college students, which will now see him imprisoned for the rest of his life with no chance at parole. When asked if he wished to address the court, he simply said, I respectfully decline.

That is the longest sentence hes said publicly in years. But his vague response continues to frustrate the families who simply want to know why their kids were killed.

With no explanation offered and no known link between the killer and the victims, the motive behind one of the most shocking crimes in Idaho history remains a mystery.

Even the judge, who gave emotional comments to the families in his remarks, acknowledged the frustration.

As we sit here today, this case is ending, and we are now certain who committed these unspeakable acts of evil, Judge Steven Hippler told the court before handing down four consecutive life sentences.

But we dont know, and what we may never know, is why.

A crime without a known motive

On November 13, 2022, the students were stabbed to death at their off-campus home in the college town of Moscow, Idaho. Two other roommates were home at the time and survived, but they were not harmed.

Nearly seven weeks later, authorities arrested Kohberger at his parents home in Pennsylvania after a massive manhunt.

Key evidence that led to Kohbergers arrest and conviction included surveillance footage of his white Hyundai Elantra and DNA found on a knife sheath left at the crime scene.

open image in gallery Alivea Goncalves, sister of victim Kaylee Goncalves speaks at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse ( AP )

open image in gallery Benjamin Mogen, father of Madison Mogen cries at the sentencing hearing. Kohberger was sentenced to four life terms. ( AP )

While police were able to trace physical clues and build a case, they found no thread connecting Kohberger to the victims.

We have never, to this day, found a single connection between him and any of the four victims or the two surviving roommates, Lt. Darren Gilbertson of the Idaho State Police said at a press conference following the sentencing on Wednesday

There is no evidence of a history of violence, no evidence of a serial killer in waiting, added Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson.

If people are concerned he had some history or trail of disturbing behaviors before this, were not aware of it.

Unanswered questions

Kohbergers sentencing marked the end of the legal battle but offered little peace for the victims families.

Hippler acknowledged the families and publics desire to understand why the crime happened, but cautioned against giving Kohberger the power that comes from public attention.

The need to know what is inherently not understandable makes us dependent upon the defendant to provide us with a reason, and that gives him the spotlight, the attention and the power he appears to crave, Hippler said. Yet, even if I could force him to speak, which legally I cannot, how could anyone ever be assured that what he speaks is the truth?

Do we really believe after all this, hes capable of speaking the truth or of giving up something of himself to help the very people whose lives he destroyed? Rather, I suspect the so-called reason would be dished out in enticing, self-serving and aggrandizing untruthful bits, leaving people wanting more information, more insight, and thus enhancing even further the power he seeks to hold, Hippler added.

open image in gallery Many are saying the case lacks closure because the world doesnt know why he carried out the crimes. ( Instagram )

Prosecutor Bill Thompson echoed this at the press conference.

I dont believe that theres anything that would come out of his mouth that would be the truth, Thompson said.

Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive life terms for murder, an additional 10 years for burglary, and ordered to pay $290,000 in restitution. Still, for the families of Mogen, Goncalves, Kernodle and Chapin, justice feels incomplete.

In the end, they may never know what led a man with no known connection to the victims to commit such a calculated act of violence, why he chose to rip a community apart.

Alivea made it clear in her scathing address to Kohberger that having her questions answered would not make her think any better of him.

You act like no one can ever understand your mind, she said. But the truth is you're basic. You're a textbook case of insecurity disguised as control. Your patterns are predictable. Your motives are shallow. You are not profound. You're pathetic.

You arent special or deep, not mysterious or exceptional. Dont ever get it twisted again.
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Bryan Kohberger has remained silent since his arrest for the stabbing deaths of four University of Idaho students, but his silence could be strategic  he could one day profit by selling his story from prison. And in Idaho, theres nothing in the law to stop him.

The former criminology PhD student, who was sentenced this week to life in prison, could eventually pen a tell-all memoir from behind bars  potentially revealing a motive for the gruesome slayings that rocked the town of Moscow in November 2022.

Unlike some states, Idaho does not have a Son of Sam law  a statute that prevents criminals from profiting off the publicity of their crimes through books, movies, or interviews.

Named after the infamous New York serial killer David Berkowitz, who tried to sell his story to publishers in the 1970s, those laws were designed to keep killers from cashing in. But without such a law on the books, Kohberger could legally write a tell-all memoir from his cell  and potentially make money doing it.

But the families of his victims could sue him in civil court for emotional distress or wrongful death damages. While they cant stop him from writing, they can stop him from making money off their tragedy.

open image in gallery Kohberger, 30, was led away in a belly chain, handcuffs and shackles after being sentenced to life in prison ( AP )

It wouldnt be unprecedented. The family of Ron Goldman famously sued O.J. Simpson after he published If I Did It, an account of the murders he was acquitted of criminally but found liable for in civil court. The Goldmans were ultimately awarded the books rights and profits.

Kohbergers sentencing on Wednesday marked the end of the legal battle but offered little closure for the victims families. In a shocking twist earlier this month, he agreed to a plea deal that took the death penalty off the table, just weeks before his trial was due to begin.

Instead, he was sentenced to four consecutive life terms for the murders of Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin, an additional 10 years for burglary, and ordered to pay $290,000 in restitution.

Before Judge Steven Hippler officially handed down the decision, he offered Kohberger the opportunity to speak, a chance that many believed  or at least, hoped  that he would use to reveal details about the murders, most importantly why he did it.

Instead Kohberger responded with just three words: I respectfully decline  sending a wave of disappointment across the courtroom.

open image in gallery Cara Northington, mother of victim Xana Kernodle sobs at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse on Wednesday ( AP )

The plea deal did not include any obligation for Kohberger to share his motive, apologize or express remorse.

There is also no stipulation in the agreement to prevent him from doing interviews with media or writing a book, the Associated Press reported.

Before the slayings, Kohberger was a criminology student at nearby Washington State University. He had reportedly studied serial killers, including Dennis Radar, also known as BTK, who published a memoir of his own from behind bars.

That memoir was co-authored with Dr. Katherine Ramsland, who was Kohbergers professor and adviser at DeSales University in Pennsylvania, when he began his studies in 2018.

After the plea deal, Ramsland spoke out about her former students conviction, questioning whether her classes and curriculum gave him a blueprint to carry out the murders.

I have to look at the framework of what I taught and wonder, did I inspire him in some way? Ramsland told NewsNation earlier this month. But I cant second-guess that because I may have inspired somebody else to become an FBI agent. And unfortunately, in this field, thats what we live with.

She taught Kohberger in four classes, including courses on forensic psychology, death investigation and Dangerous Minds: The Psychology of Anti-Social Behavior. She added that the antisocial behavior course involved extensive case analysis of serial killers and mass murderers.

He seemed eager to be in the classroom, she recalled. He was polite, he was respectful, intense and curious.

Now, with no new answers as a result of the sentencing, families of Kohbergers victims have expressed worry that he might be holding back details of the crime in hopes of a future payday.

open image in gallery World renowned criminologist Katherine Ramsland is the world authority on BTK serial killer Dennis Radar. She was also Kohbergers professor in 2018 ( DeSales University )

open image in gallery Psychopaths operate in a totally different moral universe. In the case of Dennis Rader, aka 'BTK', he had almost perfected his disguise, even helping the police officer who was assigned to catch him, after he had been employed as a local compliance officer ( Wichita Police Department )

At the sentencing, Judge Hippler addressed the families concern about Kohbergers future potential projects behind bars.

I know there has been concern about him collaborating on books, or movies, or other media projects, and I truly hope that someone does not stoop to affording him this spotlight that he desires, in the name of clicks, royalties, or profits, Hippler said. In my view, the time has now come to end Mr. Kohberger's 15 minutes of fame.

The judge also acknowledged the families and publics desire to understand why the crime happened, but cautioned against giving Kohberger more public attention.

The need to know what is inherently not understandable makes us dependent upon the defendant to provide us with a reason, and that gives him the spotlight, the attention and the power he appears to crave, Hippler said.

Yet, even if I could force him to speak, which legally I cannot, how could anyone ever be assured that what he speaks is the truth?

open image in gallery Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21, were killed in 2022 ( Instagram )

Do we really believe after all this, hes capable of speaking the truth or of giving up something of himself to help the very people whose lives he destroyed? Rather, I suspect the so-called reason would be dished out in enticing, self-serving and aggrandizing untruthful bits, leaving people wanting more information, more insight, and thus enhancing even further the power he seeks to hold, Hippler added.

Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson echoed this at the news conference following the sentencing, telling the crowd in the courthouse that he could have asked for a statement or allocution at sentencing as part of a plea agreement  but even then, theres no guarantee it would have been truthful.

I dont believe that theres anything that would come out of his mouth that would be the truth, Thompson said.

On the eve of the highly-anticipated sentencing, President Donald Trump wrote on social media that he would have forced Kohberger to publicly explain why he killed the four students.

While Life Imprisonment is tough, it's certainly better than receiving the Death Penalty but, before Sentencing, I hope the Judge makes Kohberger, at a minimum, explain why he did these horrible murders, Trump wrote on Truth Social. There are no explanations, there is no NOTHING.

While giving a victim impact statement on Wednesday, Xana Kernodles aunt, Kim Kernodle, chose to coax potential information out of Kohberger in a softer way.

She told the convicted killer that she had forgiven him and asked him to call her from prison, hoping he would answer her lingering questions about the killings.

Bryan, Im here today to tell you I have forgiven you, because I no longer could live with that hate in my heart, she said. And for me to become a better person, I have forgiven you. And any time you want to talk and tell me what happened, get my number. Im here. No judgment.
MANILA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Masato Kanda on Thursday called for greater investment in science, technology, and innovation to support inclusive and sustainable growth in Southeast Asia.

Speaking at a forum in Jakarta, Indonesia, Kanda said innovation must remain central to regional strategies. He pointed to key opportunities in building resilient food systems, modern energy networks, and smart cities.

He emphasized the need for stronger regional cooperation, more research and development funding, and public-private partnerships to close technology gaps and promote shared prosperity.

Kanda said ADB will provide up to 10 billion U.S. dollars for the ASEAN Power Grid over the next decade and 40 billion dollars for food system transformation by 2030, alongside broader support for sustainable cities and digital innovation.

"ASEAN is home to extraordinary potential. Countries that innovate are countries that thrive. By connecting ideas with resources and leveraging platforms, we can create opportunities that reach every community," Kanda added. 
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Bryan Kohberger asked a woman on Tinder what she thought was the worst way to die and then chillingly mentioned the same military knife brand he used to kill the four Idaho college students, according to a tip police received.

The disturbing account of Kohbergers behavior before carrying out the horrifying slayings is one of many to emerge from newly released police documents in the case following the quadruple murderers sentencing Wednesday.

After Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences for the murders of Idaho University students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, on Nov. 13, 2022, the Moscow police department released hundreds of pages of documents in the case.

In March 2024, police followed up on a tip they received from a woman who claimed she had matched with the killer on Tinder in September or October of 2022.

open image in gallery Bryan Kohberger, pictured in his latest mugshot, asked a woman on Tinder what she thought the worst way to die would be. He then mentioned the military-style knife brand he used in the Idaho killings. ( Idaho Department of Correction )

The woman, referred to in the redacted police report as C, told officers that she stopped talking to Kohberger after the conversation took an ominous turn.

The pair started by discussing a murder that happened a couple of years before in the womans town, she said, and then Kohberger asked what her favorite horror movie was.

C told Kohberger she liked the Rob Zombie Halloween movies. To this, C said Kohberger asked what she thought would be the worst way to die, the report states. C said she thought it would be a knife.

C said Kohberger then asked her something to the effect of like a Ka Bar?

The brand of military style knife and leather sheath was purchased on Amazon months before Kohberger carried out the killings, prosecutors said, though the murder weapon itself has never been recovered. Kohberger left the leather sheath at the crime scene beside the body of Madison Mogen.

open image in gallery The military-style Ka Bar knife and leather sheath were purchased on Amazon months before Kohberger carried out the killings, prosecutors said, though the murder weapon itself has never been recovered. ( Rich Bowen/CC BY 2.0 )

The woman replied that she didnt know what the brand of knife was and eventually stopped talking to Kohberger because his questions made her uncomfortable.

It was not immediately clear from the report exactly when the woman called the tip. The officer who filed the paperwork noted that there nothing to corroborate the womans account, due to her no longer having access to her Tinder account and there being no record of her calling the FBI tip line.

Police received another sinister tip, this time from a dancer at a club, who claimed she gave Kohberger a private dance sometime between 2018 and 2019. A man she later identified to be Kohberger had talked to her about wanting to kill people while she performed for him, she claimed.

The woman, referred to as H in the report, claimed Kohberger was the only customer in the club at the time, she told police, and he seemed to be talking to himself, which put her on edge.

open image in gallery Police received a tip from a dancer at a club who claimed she gave Kohberger a private dance sometime between 2018 and 2019, where he talked to her about wanting to kill people. ( Getty )

H told me during the dance she hear the man state something about wanting to kill people, the officers report said. H told me she jokingly asked the man who he was going to kill to which he replied something to the effect of whoever I want.

During their private dance, the woman said Kohberger told her to look him directly in the eyes the entire time and asked her questions about what car she drove and where she lived.

After the strange conversation, the woman said she told bouncers at the club to keep an eye on the man, who she said sat and watched other dancers for some time.

She recognized Kohberger from his photograph following his arrest and said she wanted to make investigators aware, though the woman had no further information to corroborate her story, the officer noted.

In yet more evidence of concern around Kohberger before the killings, professors at Washington State University, where he was working as a teaching assistant, discussed calling an intervention with him regarding his behavior toward female students, the documents showed.

A tells me we need to do an intervention with Kohberger. Shes going to try to gather information but apparently hes offended several of our female students, one screenshot of text messages between professors, whose names are redacted, on September 14, 2022, read.

open image in gallery Professors at Washington State University expressed concern over Kohbergers behavior around women. Text messages showed that academics considered an intervention in September 2022. ( Latah County Prosecutors Office )

Another police document detailed an interview officers conducted with a former teaching assistant at WSU, referred to as L, with Kohberger, who shared an office with him in the fall semester of 2022.

L stated Kohberger attempted to use his authority as a TA to inappropriately interact with female students. L stated he thought Kohberger wanted a girlfriend and added they talked about Kohberger wanting a girlfriend on many occasions, the report said.

Latah County prosecutor Bill Thompson told the court that there was no evidence there was any sexual component or sexual assault on any of the victims in the November 2022 killings.

One by one, Kohberger was savaged Wednesday by loved ones of his murder victims at his sentencing in Boise, Idaho, as they slammed him a psychopath, a nothing and a hollow vessel.

The killer only spoke to respectfully decline to address the court.

With no explanation offered and no known link between the killer and the victims, the motive behind one of the most shocking crimes in Idaho history remains a mystery.
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A birthday to remember, indeed!

Kids watched a Chuck E. Cheese employee in Tallahassee, Florida, get arrested on credit card fraud allegations Thursday as he wore the pizza chains famous mouse costume.

According to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by The Independent, Michelle Allen, the victim, reported that her child support Visa debit card was stolen after attending a birthday party at the Chuck E. Cheese at 2810 Sharer Road on June 28.

She noticed several unauthorized charges totaling $105.57 at various stores from July 3 to July 22. Allen obtained video footage from Dons Grocery & Meats, where her card was used, and recognized the man as a Chuck E. Cheese employee, later confirmed to be Jermel Jones, 41.

Police responded to the childrens establishment on Thursday and saw Jones at the front desk.

Kids watched a Chuck E. Cheese employee in Florida get arrested on credit card fraud allegations Thursday as he wore the pizza chains famous mouse mascot costume. ( Getty )

Jones looked very nervous, Officer Jarrett Cruz wrote in the arrest affidavit. He gazed at me with wide eyes and squared shoulders in a tensed demeanor. I asked him if I could enter to use the bathroom, and he replied with What's going on?

When Cruz returned to the front of the restaurant, he did not see Jones, but another employee confirmed that he had put on the mouse costume.

As I approached Jones, I grabbed his right arm while giving the verbal instruction, 'Chuck E, come with me, Chuck E, Cruz wrote about detaining Jones and walking him out of the restaurant.

Video captured by other patrons shows police removing Chuck E.s head and revealing Jones in the costume. He was charged with felony credit card theft, criminal use of personal identification, and fraudulent use of a credit card over two times and over $100

Jones was taken to the Leon County Detention Facility and released Thursday morning on $1,000 bond.

A spokesperson for Chuck E. Cheese told The Independent on Thursday, We are aware of an incident involving a part-time employee arrested at our Tallahassee location on Wednesday, July 23. We have taken the appropriate action concerning the subject employee.
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A flight attendant who secretly filmed young girls by taping his phone to an aeroplane toilet has been given a near two-decade prison sentence.

Estes Carter Thompson III, formerly of American Airlines, received 18.5 years behind bars, followed by five years of supervised release. Boston U.S. District Court Judge Julia Kobick condemned his actions as "appalling", stating that the child victims "innocence has been lost" due to his behaviour.

Thompson was arrested and charged in January 2024 in Lynchburg, Virginia, after authorities said a 14-year-old girl on his flight discovered his secret recording setup in the lavatory. He was indicted last year on one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child sexual abuse images depicting a prepubescent minor.

He apologised in court Wednesday, describing his actions as selfish, perverse and wrong.

open image in gallery In this photo provided by the law firm Lewis & Llewellyn LLP, an iPhone is taped to the back of a toilet seat on an American Airlines flight from Charlotte, N.C., to Boston, Sept. 2, 2023. (Lewis & Llewellyn LLP via AP, File) ( Lewis & Llewellyn LLP )

Police alleged Thompson, of Charlotte, North Carolina, had recordings of four other girls between the ages of 7 and 14 using aircraft lavatories over a 9-month period.

In a sentencing memorandum submitted in court, U.S. government attorneys said Thompson robbed five young girls of their innocence and belief in the goodness of the world and the people they would encounter in it, instead leaving them with fear, mistrust, insecurity, and sadness.

Thompson, who will serve his sentence at FMC Butner in North Carolina, intends to undergo sex offender-specific treatment, his attorneys said. A lawyer for Thompson said via email Wednesday he wouldnt be commenting.
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A woman in Florida has been arrested and charged with felony littering after local law enforcement found more than 14,000 pounds of trash and hazardous debris at an illegal homeless encampment in Ocala, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

Laura Roland Gherman had allegedly been trespassing in the area and was warned to leave the property and to get rid of the trash heap. She was reportedly offered county resources to help clean up the site.

She allegedly failed to comply with the order. On July 17, deputies arrived and found a makeshift structure at the homeless encampment surrounded by mounds of garbage, human waste, drug paraphernalia, shopping carts, and bike parts, according to FOX 35 Orlando.

The Marion County Solid Waste department was called in to remove all of the debris from the site. The operation required two days and involved more than 40 workers as well as heavy machinery. In total, crews removed 14,260 pounds of trash.

Under Florida law, dumping more than 500 pounds of litter is a felony offense.

Laura Roland Gherman was arrested and charged with felony littering and trespassing after she allegedly dumped more than 14,000 pounds of trash  including human waste and drug paraphernalia  at an illegal homeless encampment in Ocala, Florida ( Marion County Sheriff's Office )

On July 21, Gherman was arrested and charged with trespassing and felony littering.

"We are fully committed to protecting public safety while also preserving the natural beauty that makes Marion County special," County Commission Chairman Kathy Bryant said in a statement following Gherman's arrest.

It's not the first time this year someone in Ocala has been charged with felony littering.

In February, a code enforcement officer found more than 3,000 pounds of trash dumped off an Ocala road. A box amongst the debris included the name of 22-year-old Reynaldo Chicha's mother, according to Ocala News.

Deputies investigating the illegal dumping tracked down Chicha and spoke to his mother, who told them that her son handles all of her trash.

When questioned about the dump sites, Chicha reportedly initially denied dumping the garbage, claiming that sometimes the wind blows trash from his yard out into the street.

Deputies arrested Chicha and reportedly showed him photos of the site. Upon viewing the photos, he reportedly admitted that he did dump trash at the sites. He's been charged with felony litter dumping.
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A 22-year-old students body has been found in the Mississippi River days after she was last seen walking home from a Wisconsin bar, police say.

Police, her family and the local community had been searching for Eliotte Heinz, a Viterbo University graduate student, since July 20. Heinz was last seen at 3.20 a.m. that morning in La Crosse, Wisconsin, which borders Minnesota.

The tragic discovery was made Wednesday when a fisherman reported finding a body in the Mississippi River near Brownsville, Minnesota, police said.

The fisherman called 911 after making the discovery just south of Lawrence Lake Marina, 11 miles from the bar and on the opposite side of the Mississippi River. Authorities have since confirmed it is Heinz.

It was not immediately clear what happened to Heinz or whether any foul play was involved. La Crosse Police are investigating the incident and said an autopsy will determine the official cause of death.

open image in gallery The body of Eliotte Heinz, 22, was found in the Mississippi River after a days-long search for the graduate student ( La Crosse Police )

This was not the outcome we had hoped for throughout this search. Our thoughts are with Eliottes family, friends and all those who knew Eliotte, La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron said in a statement.

Her family thanked the community for the outpouring of support and assistance with search efforts.

Her relatives urged locals to continue sharing her information on social media and to check security cameras from the morning of July 20. Even the smallest detail could make a difference, her family said in a statement, shared by the university.

Members of the community have shared tributes to the late 22-year-old.

There are no words that can ease the pain of losing someone so young, with so much life ahead of her. Our hearts go out to Eliottes family. We hold them in our prayers and stand with them in their grief, Viterbo University President, Dr. Rick Trietley, said in a statement.

open image in gallery Heinz was last seen around 3.20 a.m. on July 20 walking home from a bar in Wisconsin, police say ( La Crosse Police )

The university announced plans to hold a memorial service in Heinzs honor this fall.

We are heartbroken by this loss and extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends, the school community said in a statement.

Minnesota Republican Congressman Brad Finstad called the situation heartbreaking.

Heartbreaking tragedy near Brownsville this morning. Thank you to the Houston County Sheriff's Office and #MN01 first responders for bringing closure to Eliottes family. Keeping all of her loved ones in my prayers today, he wrote in a social media post.
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A budding serial killer who dressed up as WWE wrestler The Undertaker will spend 40 to 80 years behind bars after he was caught stabbing two sleeping homeless people  one fatally  in Philadelphia.

During the first attack, which occurred in February 2023, Dshawn Crawford was caught on video wearing a long, dark jacket, black hat, black pants and black boots - similar to how WWEs icon would dress, Assistant District Attorney Jeff Hojnowski said during a Wednesday press conference.

Video shows Crawford approaching a homeless man as he slept before violently stabbing him 19 times with a long knife.

Miraculously, the victim - who was stabbed in his head, back and face - survived, Hojnowski said.

Less than a week later, investigators say Crawford stabbed 43-year-old Marcos Torres Rivera to death as he slept on a park bench.

Dshawn Crawford will spend 40 to 80 years behind bars after stabbing two sleeping homeless people, including one fatally, authorities said. ( Philadelphia District Attorney's Office )

Authorities said Crawford did not know his victims leading up to the attacks. A motive was not immediately clear; however, prosecutors said they believe he likely wouldve continued to kill had he not been caught.

Prosecutors say Crawford lived near where the attacks occurred.

During a search of his home, investigators found the clothes he was pictured wearing during the attacks, as well as knives and occult material.

I think what were talking about here was actually a budding serial killer, District Attorney Larry Krasner said during the briefing.

Left on the street for a longer period of time, Dshawn Crawford might well have become known as a serial killer. Its not a phrase I use lightly, Krasner added.

Crawford, who was 29 years old at the time of the attacks, pleaded guilty to the two stabbings. Authorities are investigating whether Crawford, who came to Philadelphia from North Carolina, is responsible for any unsolved crimes there.
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Chinese hackers gained access to the U.S. government agency that oversees nuclear weapons in a widespread Microsoft hack.

Microsoft issued an alert Tuesday warning that hackers affiliated with the Chinese government have been exploiting cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the companys SharePoint software.

Tens of thousands of servers hosting the software, which is used for sharing and managing documents, were said to be at risk as a result.

The National Nuclear Security Administration, a semi-autonomous agency within the U.S. Department of Energy responsible for maintaining the nations stockpile of nuclear weapons, was breached in the attacks on July 18, Bloomberg first reported.

The agency is responsible for providing the Navy with nuclear reactors for submarines and responds to nuclear and radiological emergencies in the U.S. and overseas. No sensitive or classified information has leaked in the cyber attack, according to Bloomberg.

open image in gallery The National Nuclear Security Administration was breached in the attack by Chinese hackers affiliated with the government, according to a report. ( AP )

On Friday, July 18th, the exploitation of a Microsoft SharePoint zero-day vulnerability began affecting the Department of Energy, an agency spokesman said in a statement to the outlet. The department was minimally impacted due to its widespread use of the Microsoft M365 cloud and very capable cybersecurity systems. A very small number of systems were impacted. All impacted systems are being restored.

Security firm Eye Security said that 400 organizations and agencies globally were impacted, including national governments in Europe and the Middle East.

Microsoft linked the attack to two main groups, Linen Typhoon and Violet Typhoon, and flagged that another China-based group, Storm-2603, had also targeted its systems.

The Education Department, Floridas Department of Revenue and the Rhode Island General Assembly were also breached in the attack, according to Bloomberg.

Eye Security warned that the breaches could allow hackers to impersonate users or services by stealing cryptographic keys  alphabetical codes or sequences of characters  even after software updates. Users should take further steps to protect their information, the firm said.

Microsoft said in a message to customers that it has since released new comprehensive security updates to deal with the incident.

But security researchers warned that the full extent of the breach and its consequences are yet to be fully revealed.

open image in gallery The Education Department, Floridas Department of Revenue and the Rhode Island General Assembly were also breached in the attack, according to Bloomberg . ( Getty/iStock )

This is a critical vulnerability with wide reaching implications, Carlos Perez, director of security intelligence at TrustedSec, who previously trained U.S. military cyber protection teams, told The Independent.

It enables unauthenticated remote code execution on SharePoint servers, which are a core part of enterprise infrastructure. It is already being actively exploited at scale, and it only took 72 hours from the time a proof of concept was demonstrated for attackers to begin mass exploitation campaigns.

What makes it even more severe is the way it exposes cryptographic secrets, effectively allowing attackers to convert any authenticated SharePoint request into remote code execution. That is a dangerous capability to put into the hands of threat actors.

Microsoft said it had high confidence that firms who do not install the new security updates could be targeted by the groups.

The tech firm said the attackers had been uploading malicious scripts which are then enabling the theft of the key material by hackers.

In a statement, the company added: Investigations into other actors also using these exploits are still ongoing.

Additional reporting from agencies.
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The sale of Tesla cars could soon be banned in California after regulators argued that Elon Musks electric car company had misled customers over their self-driving capabilities.

The states Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) claims that Teslas promotion of its autonomous features do not match the cars abilities, calling on lawmakers to block the firms ability to sell vehicles for at least 30 days.

A lawyer representing the DMV told a court in Oakland this week that Teslas marketing materials for Autopilot and Full-Self Driving features imply that its cars operate autonomously, which they do not.

Even the names Autopilot and Full Self-Driving are misleading and contradictory, according to DMV representative Melanie Rosario.

Ms Rosario told the court that the DMV had received complaints from Tesla owners about the features, according to The Washington Post.

A state law introduced in 2023 prevents automakers from deceptively naming or marketing features that enable semi-autonomous driving.

Tesla lawyers claimed in their opening statement to the court that it is impossible for a reasonable consumer to be misled by the features, while the companys website states that the features require active driver supervision.

A separate court case in Florida this week has seen a Tesla driver give testimony about a fatal accident in 2019 that he claims occurred when the vehicles Autopilot feature failed to detect an impending crash.

It is one of dozens of incidents involving Tesla Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, according to records from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

During a recent investor call following Teslas latest quarterly earnings, Mr Musk suggested that his company is planning a massive roll-out of its self-driving technology through driverless Robotaxis.

The self-driving taxis have so far only seen a limited launch in Austin, Texas, and market analysts are skeptical that Tesla will be able to deliver on Mr Musks pledge.

During the investor call, Elon Musk... went so far as to suggest the company could address half the US population by the end of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals, Paul Miller, an analyst at the market research firm Forrester, told The Independent.

That caveat is an important one, as regulatory approvals take time and there is no evidence that these formal applications to the separate State regulatory processes have begun.
VIENTIANE, July 24 (Xinhua) -- After days of continuous heavy rain, many provinces across Laos are experiencing flooding and rising river levels, resulting in extensive damage to homes, agricultural land, and transportation infrastructure.

Due to the impact of Typhoon Wipha, serious flooding occurred, severely impacting Luang Prabang, Huaphan, Xieng Khuang, Xayabouly, Khammuan, and Vientiane provinces. Local authorities are assisting families in evacuating belongings and livestock while closely monitoring river levels.

The weather bureau of Laos has issued a warning for continued rain, thunder, lightning, and strong winds, particularly in northern and central provinces, according to the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology under the Lao Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on Thursday.

River levels continue to rise, with the river in Luang Prabang reaching 16.62 meters, close to the warning level of 17.50 meters and approaching the danger level of 18 meters. In some provinces, such as Xayabouly and Vientiane, river levels have already surpassed the danger threshold.

Authorities are urging residents living near rivers and low-lying areas to remain on high alert and prepare for potential landslides and flash floods as heavy rainfall persists. 
CAIRO, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Arab League (AL), the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and 10 Arab, Islamic countries on Thursday strongly condemned the Israeli Knesset's approval of a motion calling for the imposition of so-called "Israeli sovereignty" over the occupied West Bank.

In a joint statement, they considered the Israeli move as a "a flagrant breach" of international law and relevant UN Security Council resolutions which affirm the invalidity of all measures and decisions seeking to legitimize the occupation, including settlement activities in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967.

The AL, OIC, and Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Nigeria, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, and the United Arab Emirates reaffirmed that Israel has no sovereignty over the occupied Palestinian territory, according to the statement.

The statement stressed that the unilateral Israeli move has no legal basis and cannot alter the legal status of the occupied land.

"The Israeli actions only fuel the growing tension in the region, which has been exacerbated by the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the resulting humanitarian catastrophe there," it added.

They called on the international community to take urgent actions to halt Israel's illegal policies that undermine the prospects for a just and lasting peace in the region.

The statement also reaffirmed these parties' commitment to the two-state solution and the establishment of an independent, sovereign Palestinian state on the June 4, 1967 lines, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

On Wednesday, the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, approved a non-binding motion in favor of annexing the West Bank. 
The Stateline project is a standout play and is home to multiple historic high-grade uranium and vanadium mines spanning Montrose County, Colorado and San Juan County, Utah. The company will prioritise bringing Stateline back into production.

The project sits within the prolific La Sal Trend, part of the Canyonlands section of the Colorado Plateau, which hosts mineralisation across two distinct saltbush sandstone horizons.

The area includes six leases containing 19 mines and more than 30 drill holes, with standout grades averaging 1.5 per cent vanadium and more than 2000 parts per million (ppm) uranium. Recent sampling has also picked up readings of more than a massive 10,000ppm or 10 per cent uranium.

In short, the grounds contain a geologically rich, drill-proven system in one of the regions most mineralised corridors.

Additional to Stateline, the companys new Sky project is a classic roll-front uranium system with serious pedigree. More than 150 drill holes, totalling 39,000 metres were punched into the ground between the 1960s and 1980s, uncovering a resource of 822,000 pounds of uranium at a healthy 1170ppm grade. That was bumped up to a solid one million pounds in 2007, adding weight to Skys production potential.

Skys north-south trending mineralisation is a textbook Wyoming play and is hosted within two thick sandstone bands sealed by impermeable clay lenses. The geological setup makes it a prime candidate for in-situ recovery, a low-impact mining method where leaching agents are injected into the orebody and uranium-rich fluids are pumped back to surface. The method is prized for its minimal surface disturbance and lower operating costs.

Uranium Americans third acquisition, Marysvale, is a hard-rock uranium and vanadium mine supported by more than 120 historic drill holes and a non-JORC compliant resource estimate of 2.9 million pounds of uranium oxide. With past production - accessed through 1950s adits - of more than 1.35 million pounds of uranium already on the books, Marysvale is another fast-track contender.

Each project was carefully acquired during the uranium markets doldrum years between 2017 and 2020 - a time when few others were buying. The company says that foresight has allowed Uranium American to build its land bank on the cheap, just as nuclear energy begins its resurgence as a viable, carbon-free alternative.

The year ahead is shaping up to be a big one for Uranium American as it gears up to remap historical data and zero in on fresh drill targets, starting with the Stateline project. The company aims to build a JORC-compliant resource and fast-track a path to production.

Conveniently, Stateline sits near the mothballed West Mesa uranium mill, recently acquired and being refurbished by Energy Fuel Resources. The mills revival has opened the door for nearby toll treatment, with the new owner now actively seeking expressions of interest from smaller producers. That means Uranium American could have an ideal processing solution right on its doorstep.

Looking further ahead, the company has flagged plans to enter offtake negotiations with third parties, an important step in securing financing for a potential production start in 2028.

Momentum is building at the federal level. Since the start of President Donald Trumps second term, US state and federal interior departments have ramped up support for critical minerals and strategic metals.

This policy shift is possibly best exemplified by what has recently happened to Dateline Resources, a junior chasing rare earths in California, whose share price soared as much as 3000 per cent after securing a government green light.

Uranium American is also considering a capital restructure to tighten up its register and significantly reduce the number of shares on issue. While not yet confirmed, such a move typically signals ambitions to uplist to a more liquid exchange, a step that would position the company squarely in front of institutional eyes.

With the clean energy narrative gathering momentum, Uranium American Resources is pressing fast-forward on a uranium revival, just as the US moves to secure a domestic nuclear fuel supply. With assets, funding and timing on its side, the company looks set to become a serious contender in Americas nuclear future. Let the renaissance begin.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au
Torrie was 26 and the kind of person who would walk into a room and light it up. He had a contagious energy. Losing our dad to suicide at a young age, Torrie became close to Mum and all four siblings, particularly me, as we were the babies of the family. He was living with his partner, their infant son and newborn baby girl. He also had an older daughter. Torrie loved being a dad and had big plans for the future. The last time I saw Torrie was at Mums house, the night before he was reported missing. Torrie was happy. He told me about a spearfishing trip he was going on the next day. The following evening, I was at Mums again, and the police knocked on the door. They told us that his colleague had reported him missing  that he did not resurface. We posted on social media, asking if anyone had seen Torrie out there on the waters. We messaged friends and family, tried calling Torries phone and his colleague. We had a million questions.

We searched Sudbury Reef [near Cairns], his last known location. His close friends and family helped with the search, trying to work out every possibility of what could have happened. We had faith in him; he was a strong swimmer, and we thought he could have made it to land. We tried to stay positive. The police called the search off after two days; they didnt provide a reason why, so, with the help of the Cairns community, we continued actively searching for about two months. We didnt give up. Because Torrie didnt have a voice, it was important that as his family, we were his voice. Genny Tabuai, whose brother, Torrance Sambo, is missing There was a lack of transparency from the police right from the start. We were chasing them quite a lot, and we were only ever given limited information. Because Torrie didnt have a voice, it was important that as his family, we were his voice. But we werent heard, and our needs werent met, which over the past four years has left us angry and frustrated. Torries oldest daughter spends a lot of time with our mob, and she asks questions about him. We keep his memory alive and tell her about his favourite songs, share his jokes, videos and photos. When we were looking for him, some friends found an injured turtle that was taken to a rehabilitation centre near Sudbury Reef. They named him Torrie. This is now his eldest daughters favourite animal, a symbol for her dad.

For me, it is knowing the unknown thats the hardest part  the questions that dont have answers. I just want to bring him home. He would never abandon his family: Stephenie Fielding, 53 Stephenies brother, Rigby, went missing 10 years ago Stephenie Fieldings brother, Rigby, went missing 10 years ago, despite telling family he was heading home to them. Rigby was a retired chef who had recently returned home to Rockingham [WA] to live and take

care of our mum, who had cancer, and our younger sister Tina, who has Down syndrome. He had a magnetic personality. He was incredibly kind, full of humour, and outrageously unique in the way he saw and experienced the world.

At the time he went missing, his life was calm. He was surrounded by family, reconnecting with old friends, and enjoying the simple pleasures of being home after years abroad. Rigby and I were very close. I last saw Rigby on August 12, 2015. That day felt perfectly normal  we laughed, reminisced, and he seemed in good spirits. I dropped him off at a friends house. I was told that as a 53-year-old man, Rigby had the right to go missing  I strongly disagreed, knowing he would never abandon his family. Stephenie Fielding, whose brother disappeared 10 years ago Over the next few days, he stayed in touch. He messaged family on August 14 and visited a friend in East Perth that evening. On August 15 at 3pm, he called our mum from Perth and said he was heading back to Rockingham. That was the last confirmed contact we had with him. I formally reported Rigby missing on September 4. I explained to police that this was completely out of character  he hadnt responded to messages, he hadnt returned home, and he hadnt collected essential medication for a neurological condition.

I was told that as a 53-year-old man, Rigby had the right to go missing if he wished. I strongly disagreed, knowing he would never abandon his family. It was an incredibly frustrating and painful process. In those early days, there was a constant, exhausting urgency. Every message or lead felt like it could be the breakthrough we needed. I clung to hope while navigating an overwhelming sense of helplessness. As time passed, the uncertainty became unbearable. It has affected every part of my life. The grief isnt clean or linear; its open-ended, unforgiving, without closure. Every day, your mind cycles through possibilities, hoping for something that might make sense of it all. Its the silence and the absence that weigh the heaviest and knowing that someone knows what really happened and isnt coming forward. The reality that we still dont know what happened to Rigby has become harder to bear. A $500,000 reward gives me hope that someone may finally come forward with information. We just want answers. We want to bring him home. I still have nightmares: Kellie Moody, 55

Kellie Moodys son Jack McLennan vanished last year. Kellie hasnt seen her son Jack McLennan, 27, since last year Jack always had a smile. He came across as larger than life with fierce determination. He was a lively, spirited and cheerful 27-year-old. At the time of his disappearance, Jack was a builders labourer; he was very fit and enjoying his job. Jack and I were besties, and we were both overprotective of one another because, for 10 years, he was my only baby until his sister, Sydney, arrived. On October 3, we had a long chat about him and his girlfriend, Carlee, breaking up. Jack was going to collect his belongings from the home they shared the following day and come back home to live. He was also a little down over the break-up, but he was not depressed.

I saw Jack on the morning of October 4 when I was leaving and said Id see him later. Our last call was at 9pm, and he said he was going to stay at a colleagues house. I offered to pick him up, and that sticks with me. I wish I had. Loading The following day, I got a call that Jack hadnt picked up his car. My immediate reaction was total fear. I reported Jack missing to Broadbeach police station that afternoon, and they acted quickly, searching for a few weeks with the SES, finding his hat, wallet and shoes, but then they stopped the search. Our family and friends also searched the thick bush. I called out to him in case he was hurt. I hated being in the bush, but I had to find my son. I was in flight or fight mode. After Jack went missing, I began having nightmares, waking up screaming and not having much sleep. I still have them.
Two new witnesses have been added to the prosecutions case against a former Royal Australian Air Force pilot accused of killing his wife and staging it to look like a late night lawn mower accident.

Robert Crawford, who served as a pilot and safety officer with the Royal Australian Air Force, was granted bail in May. Credit: Nine News

Prosecutors made the application in the Supreme Court on Thursday in the case against Robert Crawford, who is accused of killing his wife Frances Elizabeth Crawford.

Her body was found by emergency services at the bottom of a retaining wall at their Upper Lockyer Valley property on July 30, 2024.

In May, Crawford was granted bail with conditions including not leaving Queensland nor applying for a passport, and reporting to police.
CANBERRA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government has lifted long-standing import restrictions on U.S. beef.

Julie Collins, the minister for agriculture, on Thursday said that the government is satisfied that strengthened control measures put in place by the United States can effectively manage beef biosecurity risks to Australia.

Australia imposed a blanket ban on U.S. beef imports in 2003 in response to an outbreak of mad cow disease. Restrictions were eased in 2019 to allow U.S. beef into Australia, but some products, including beef from cattle raised in Canada and Mexico but slaughtered in the United States, were still banned.

Because the supply chain between the three North American countries is largely integrated and products could not be reliably tracked, no U.S. beef entered Australia after the 2019 easing of restrictions.

President Donald Trump's administration in April identified Australia's effective ban on U.S. beef as a trade grievance prior to imposing a 10 percent tariff on all imports from Australia, including beef.

Collins said in a statement that more robust movement controls introduced by the United States means that cattle can be traced back to their original farms, allowing more certainty that beef products are not carrying disease or pests dangerous to Australia.

She said that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's current government would "never" compromise on biosecurity.

"The U.S. Beef Imports Review has undergone a rigorous science and risk-based assessment over the past decade."

Chief executive of NGO Cattle Australia Will Evans told Australian Broadcasting Corporation radio that the industry recognizes the decision was made based on science and was aligned with Australia's position as a free-trading nation.

Evans said that he expects lifting the ban will not lead to large volumes of U.S. beef entering Australia because local products are cheaper.

The government said that Australian businesses will be able to apply for permits to import U.S. beef products from July 28. 
An independent investigation into Hornbergs actions revealed that between March and December 2023, she made disrespectful comments about a co-worker, including referring to her as Helga and stating nein, nein, or words to that effect.

Nikki Hornberg, a project costing officer with TMR in Warwick, took her case to the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission after a penalty of reprimand was imposed and she was ordered to do additional training.

A public servant working for the Department of Main Roads has been reprimanded after she admitted calling her German co-worker Helga behind her back and using the phrase nein, nein.

In the decision, handed down on July 17, the QIRC said many of Hornbergs submissions and grounds in her appeal notice were irrelevant or misconceived. She claimed the decision was made on the balance of probabilities, not factual evidence, and that the interviewer used persuasive and suggestive tactics.

Suffice to say that, despite some flaws in the investigation process, there was more than adequate evidence of the impugned conduct. This included Hornbergs own admission, Industrial Commissioner John Dwyer said.

Hornberg contended her case should have been dealt with as a performance issue at a local level instead of as a disciplinary issue.

Dwyer found the decision for disciplinary action was fair and reasonable, and found no difficulty with the characterisation of her actions as misconduct.

Dwyer said Hornberg conceded she used the name Helga in reference to her co-worker, who she clashed with over an entry in a timesheet.
Is it Pam the Bird? No, its Spider-Man!

After a hearing detailing more than 200 charges against him, and a quick costume change in the bathrooms, the alleged Pam the Bird graffiti artist left a Melbourne courthouse on Thursday dressed as the cartoon hero.

Jack Gibson-Burrell, who has been accused of vandalising landmarks across Melbourne and Geelong over several years, pushed through a throng of reporters on the court steps in a Spider-Man costume before attempting to scale a wall.

One journalist asked: Are you protecting the neighbourhood or decorating it?
Developers with a track record of architectural excellence are calling to be freed from strict rules governing apartment design, saying it would help Melbourne successfully adopt more high-density living.

The directors of award-winning developer Neometro want the Victorian government to be more flexible with their tick box approach to building approvals, or risk stifling innovative solutions to the housing crisis.

Neometro directors Lochlan Sinclair and James Tutton say award-winning developers should be given more freedom in designing their apartments. Credit: Justin McManus

James Tutton and Lochlan Sinclair said the Better Apartments Design Standards mean that unconventional plans  like their boutique lofts, similar to warehouse conversions  struggle to meet definitions for approval.

But are they necessarily bad spaces? No, theyre amazing spaces, Sinclair said.
As I sat in a Perth doctors surgery with my young son in 2022, I had no idea how serious his condition was.

At nearly two years old, he had a snotty nose and a cough. A common cold, or so I thought.

Perth mother Yvonne Ardley in hospital with her son.

The GP gave him a check over, including his oxygen saturation. It was dipping to 91 per cent.

She explained anything under 92 per cent and the patient should be in a hospital bed, hooked up to oxygen.
If the way to a mans heart is through his stomach, as the anachronistic saying goes, could Donald Trumps love of beef be the key to a tariff exemption for Australia?

Anthony Albanese will be hoping so, but the decision to end import restrictions on beef from the United States presents his government with a delicate communications challenge. He must convince Australians it is entirely science-based while simultaneously leading Trump to believe the move is a response to his forceful advocacy for US cattle exporters.

Donald Trump, seen cooking a hamburger, is a champion of the US cattle industry. Credit: AP

The hamburger-scoffing president had beef on the brain when he stood in the White House Rose Garden in April to announce his liberation day tariffs. Australians, Trump said, were wonderful people but they wont take any of our beef.

They dont want it because they dont want it to affect their farmers and, you know, I dont blame them, but were doing the same thing right now, starting at midnight tonight, I would say, Trump fumed.
Then, last week, Karuni received a message we never expected. I just want to share with you and brother Zach the good news that my resettlement process goes smoothly and I will leave for Australia soon. Bibi Rahimi Farhangdost about to leave Indonesia for Australia. Rahimi left Indonesia for Tasmania on Tuesday. The extraordinary efforts of her father, who died in 2020 having never seen his daughter again, had not been in vain. As she left Indonesia with a group of other refugees, she sent us this photo from the airport in Jakarta.

Were now waiting to hear how it went  and get her first impressions of the Tasmanian winter. Her goal has been to work with a human rights organisation helping people in her now-former situation. Its not often enough in journalism that you can follow up a heartbreaking story with a positive outcome. This is one of those times. Reality, though, is never far behind. Bibi Rahimi is the exception  one of the fortunate few who qualified for resettlement in Australia. Only the day before she left (a coincidence), more than 200 of the 5000-plus refugees stuck indefinitely in Indonesia demonstrated peacefully outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta. They requested politicians in Canberra amend rules rejecting the resettlement of refugees who arrived in Indonesia after July 1, 2014  a policy designed to discourage desperate people lobbing on Australias doorstep.

They also want the Australian government to review previously rejected cases from 2009 to 2016 and to help accelerate the resettlement process. Indonesia never signed up to the UNs 1951 Refugee Convention and the 1967 Protocol, meaning the government there has no obligation to help them  with horrific consequences. Refugees and asylum seekers in Indonesia are among the most destitute and vulnerable people on earth. Afghan refugees in Indonesia demonstrate outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta. Credit: Karuni Rompies The Afghan refugees say at least 19 of their number have taken their own lives in recent years, including a case of self-immolation outside the UNHCRs Jakarta office last year, while dozens more have died from untreated illnesses. Organisers said they had been collecting money for months to hire the buses that ferried the demonstrators to our countrys embassy in Jakartas south.

The Department of Foreign Affairs declined to say if anyone came out to speak with them. One of the demonstrators, Suhaila Mohammadi, told Karuni she had registered with the UNHCR in February 2017 and was told she and her family would be resettled to a third country within 30 months. After nine years, the UNHCR still has not interviewed me to determine my status, she said. In that time, one of her three children, a nine-month-old boy, died. It is because we were living on the street. My son got sick, she said. Another demonstrator, Masoda Hani, said many family members had been killed by the Taliban. Returning to Afghanistan was out of the question.

I go to the UNHCR and complain about the situation [in Indonesia] and they said, you should find a sponsor. If we had a sponsor  I wouldnt live here for almost nine years, she said. Mehran Haydari, one of the organisers of Mondays action, complained of Indonesian authorities fining people upwards of $1400 if they were caught working. None of the refugees had that sort of money, forcing some to rely on loan sharks. Returning to Afghanistan is out of the question for Masoda Hani. Credit: Karuni Rompies The UNHCR in Indonesia said 175 people had been resettled in third countries so far this year, significantly down on 2024. The US has been one of the largest recipients of refugee resettlement from Indonesia, but since the beginning of this year, they have suspended their global resettlement program, impacting refugees in Indonesia, a spokesperson said.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs said it was aware of recent protests and remained committed to a generous humanitarian program. Despite the darkness, many of us strive every day to learn, grow, and stay hopeful, the refugees wrote to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in May. Loading We study what we can, we teach our children in makeshift classrooms, and we build skills to prepare for a day when someone, somewhere, might give us a chance. Among us are teachers, engineers, artists, tailors, drivers, caregivers  people who are simply waiting for a door to open. With opportunity, we could become not a burden, but a blessing to any community that welcomes us. We want nothing more than to contribute, to belong, and to live with dignity.
Guests attend the opening ceremony of the 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair in Macao, south China, July 24, 2025. The 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair opened Thursday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), highlighting "silver economy" and the "China-chic" cultural trends.(Photo by Cheong Kam Ka/Xinhua)

MACAO, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair opened Thursday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), highlighting "silver economy" and the "China-chic" cultural trends.

Bringing together more than 400 enterprises from home and abroad, the fair showcased over 5,000 branded products, such as smart nursing beds and national intangible cultural heritage crafts. It was jointly organized by the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of the Macao SAR and the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province.

At the opening ceremony, Che Weng Keong, president of the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of the Macao SAR, said that the fair has opened up channels for products from Portuguese-speaking countries to enter the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), while serving as an effective bridge for Guangdong and Macao to deepen economic ties with Belt and Road countries and regions.

Sun Bin, deputy director-general of the Department of Commerce of Guangdong Province, said that Guangdong and Macao are currently strengthening integration through the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, advancing the development of the GBA and supporting Macao's economic diversification.

The fair runs through Sunday, according to its organizers. 

A protocol signing ceremony is held during the 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair in Macao, south China, July 24, 2025. The 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair opened Thursday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), highlighting "silver economy" and the "China-chic" cultural trends.(Photo by Cheong Kam Ka/Xinhua)

Performers dance during the 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair in Macao, south China, July 24, 2025. The 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair opened Thursday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), highlighting "silver economy" and the "China-chic" cultural trends.(Photo by Cheong Kam Ka/Xinhua)

Citizens visit the 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair in Macao, south China, July 24, 2025. The 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair opened Thursday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), highlighting "silver economy" and the "China-chic" cultural trends.(Photo by Cheong Kam Ka/Xinhua)

Participants communicate during the 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair in Macao, south China, July 24, 2025. The 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair opened Thursday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), highlighting "silver economy" and the "China-chic" cultural trends.(Photo by Cheong Kam Ka/Xinhua)

Citizens visit the 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair in Macao, south China, July 24, 2025. The 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair opened Thursday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), highlighting "silver economy" and the "China-chic" cultural trends.(Photo by Cheong Kam Ka/Xinhua)

Citizens visit the 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair in Macao, south China, July 24, 2025. The 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair opened Thursday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), highlighting "silver economy" and the "China-chic" cultural trends.(Photo by Cheong Kam Ka/Xinhua)

Citizens visit the 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair in Macao, south China, July 24, 2025. The 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair opened Thursday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), highlighting "silver economy" and the "China-chic" cultural trends.(Photo by Cheong Kam Ka/Xinhua)

Citizens visit the 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair in Macao, south China, July 24, 2025. The 2025 Guangdong and Macao Branded Products Fair opened Thursday in China's Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), highlighting "silver economy" and the "China-chic" cultural trends.(Photo by Cheong Kam Ka/Xinhua)
BUCHAREST, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Romania's brown bear population is estimated at 10,000 to 12,000, according to a new nationwide DNA-based census, Environment Minister Diana Buzoianu announced Thursday in a news conference at the end of a government meeting.

This figure exceeds earlier estimates of fewer than 8,000 bears, based on footprints and sightings. Buzoianu called for a balanced national strategy to manage the growing bear population.

Romania, which holds one of Europe's largest brown bear populations, has spent millions of euros on the DNA study, described by officials as the most reliable method to date, in contrast to previous estimates based on field signs.

Bear-human conflicts have surged in recent years, especially in rural and mountainous regions. Since 2004, 27 people have been killed by bears, 19 of them in the last five years.

Buzoianu stressed the need for balanced measures, noting that the rhetoric has swung between total protection and widespread culling, both of which may have contributed to fatal outcomes.

"We must manage this problem with the numbers on the table, taking into account both biodiversity and people's lives," she said.

Final results from the DNA study are expected by the end of 2025 and will serve as the foundation for updated policies on large carnivore management. 
6 chip manufacturing projects approved; to create over 27K jobs





NEW DELHI :

THE Government has approved six semiconductor manufacturing projects so far with a cumulative investment of around Rs 1,55,000 crore, which are expected to generate more than 27,000 direct job opportunities, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday. The Government introduced the Semicon India Programme, with an outlay of Rs 76,000 crore for the development of the semiconductor and display manufacturing ecosystem in the country, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, told the Lok Sabha in a written reply. Semiconductor manufacturing is a highly specialised industry requiring a complex manufacturing process. Therefore, most of the jobs created in this industry are skilled jobs.

Further, as the semiconductor industry is a foundational industry, these units are expected to have a cascading effect on employment generation in the other sectors and the supply chain down the line. Under the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme, the fiscal support is provided to the approved startups and MSMEs. Out of 22 design companies approved under the scheme so far, 3 companies are in the State of Telangana, the Minister informed. Apart from the above, design infrastructure support has also been approved for 11 companies in Telangana. Moreover, under the Chips to Startup (C2S) programme, 22 institutes from Telangana are being supported with design tools, and 6 institutes are being provided financial support, Prasada said.

National highways construction pace slows to 29km/day in FY25

THE pace of National Highways construction in India slowed to 29 km/day in the last fiscal. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, said the pace of National Highways construction during 2023-24 stood at 34 km/day. The highest-ever pace was recorded in 2020-21, when it reached 37 km per day. The Ministry had constructed 10,660 km length of national highways in 2024-25, 12,349 km length of national highways in 2023-24 and 10,331 km length of national highways in 2022-23. Gadkari said all the NHs development projects, including development of access-controlled High Speed Corridors (HSC) / Expressways, are planned in line with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan (NMP) Principles.

Over 2.22 crore students received scholarships in the last 5 years: Centre

THE Centre said that in the past five years, over 2.22 crore students availed scholarships under the Modi Governments Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) Scheme and Top-Class Education Scheme for Scheduled Caste (SC) Students for pursuing higher education. The PMS schemes are scholarships provided by the Centre to support students from specific social categories, such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and minorities, who are pursuing higher education after Class 10. The Government, through these schemes, aims to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education by providing financial assistance to students from economically weaker sections.

Guj portion of Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train to be completed by Dec 2027

THE Gujarat portion of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project between Vapi and Sabarmati is planned to be completed by December 2027, while the entire 508 km project is expected to be completed by December 2029, Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed. However, the bullet train project is a very complex and technology-intensive and the exact timelines for its completion can only be reasonably ascertained after the completion of all associated works of civil structures, track, electrical, signalling &; telecommunication and supply of trainsets, the Minister added. MAHSR is under execution with technical and financial assistance from the Japanese Government. The project is passing through Gujarat, Maharashtra, and the Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli with 12 stations planned at Mumbai, Thane, Virar, Boisar, Vapi, Billimora, Surat, Bharuch, Vadodara, Anand, Ahmedabad, and Sabarmati, the Minister said. A cumulative financial expenditure of Rs 78,839 crore has been incurred on the project till June 30, 2025, he said.
A fake consulate of non-existent nations





GHAZIABAD :

UP Police STF has unearthed a fake embassy operating in Ghaziabad and has arrested a man who ran the consulate while claiming to be a diplomat

IN A startling revelation, Uttar Pradesh Polices Special Task Force has unearthed a fake embassy operating in Ghaziabad and has arrested a man who ran the consulate while claiming to be a diplomat of non-existent West Arctica. Parked outside the premises were several high-end vehicles fitted with fake diplomatic number plates, which were used to lend an air of legitimacy to the illegal setup. The alleged kingpin behind the operation, Harsh Vardhan Jain, was arrested at the spot, officials confirmed. As per preliminary findings, Jain had converted the bungalow into a so-called embassy for imaginary or self-declared micronations.

He also falsely claimed to represent other such fictional entities, including West Arctica, Saborga, Poulvia, and Lodonia. Authorities revealed that Jain posed as an ambassador of these so-called nations and used a range of tactics to deceive people. He used fake diplomatic number plates and other forged documents to build a show of authenticity. According to officers, his operation involved extensive use of deception, including the display of luxury cars and morphed photographs with global dignitaries such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, and some international leaders. These doctored images were reportedly used to influence unsuspecting individuals and project himself as a powerful global figure. The pictures seized from the spot also reveal Jains possible ties with international arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi and controversial self-styled godman Chandraswami. Acting on Intelligence received from central agencies, STF personnel conducted a raid on July 22 and apprehended Jain from the premises.

The investigation has since revealed that Jains scam was not limited to his fake diplomatic identity. His racket involved conning individuals and companies by promising assistance in overseas business ventures and employment opportunities abroad. Authorities also suspect he operated a hawala network through shell companies to further his illegal dealings. Officials noted that a satellite phone was recovered from Jain back in 2011. During the latest raid, a large cache of forged diplomatic materials was seized. This included four luxury vehicles bearing fake diplomatic plates, 12 counterfeit diplomatic passports linked to fictitious micronations, two fake PAN cards, forged documents with the seals of the Ministry of External Affairs, and 34 counterfeit seals purportedly from various countries and corporate entities. Additionally, officers found two fake press cards, a staggering Rs 44.7 lakh in cash, foreign currency from multiple nations, and 18 more fabricated diplomatic number plates. A new FIR has been registered at the Kavi Nagar police station, and further legal proceedings are underway. Authorities believe that more individuals could be involved in the scam. Investigations are underway.
Cgarh rolls out colour-coded digital ID cards for Secretariat access





Staff Reporter

Raipur, QR,

RFID and hologram-enabled ID system made mandatory for all Secretariat entrants; blue, maroon, green, yellow, white lanyards to classify ranks and access level

In a major step to tighten institutional access control, the Government of Chhattisgarh has introduced a colour-coded, digitally secured identity card system for personnel entering the State Secretariat. All officers, employees, attached staff and authorised external representatives must now carry RFID, QR and hologram-enabled ID-cum-entry cards while accessing Mahanadi Bhawan in Nava Raipur. As per General Administration Department (GAD) directive FINACC-38029/15/2024-GAD-11, digitally signed by Deputy Secretary Shailabh Kumar Sahu on 21st July 2025, all concerned must display their ID cards with name visibility during working hours.

Applications are to be submitted via the NIC portal (https://gad.cg.gov.in/id-card/), and routed through designated departmental cells or the e-Office platform, depending on applicant category. The ID system classifies users by service levels: maroon for officers in Pay Matrix Level 13 and above, blue for Levels 10-12, green for Levels 4-11, and yellow for Levels 1-3. White cards are assigned to non-government functionaries including media professionals and outsourced staff. Government-issued ID cards will feature the official logo and departmental insignia, whereas temporary access cards will not. Retired officials from the IAS, State Administrative Service and Secretariat cadres will receive ID cards reflecting their last held designation, but without logo-bearing lanyards.

Permanent IDs will remain valid for five years or until retirement, whichever occurs first. Temporary passes for non-government personnel will be valid for one year only. A senior GAD official confirmed that once the application is verified and the card is issued, no fresh request will be entertained. This exercise is designed to institutionalise uniform ID protocols, ensure personnel authentication at entry points and promote secure digital governance across the Secretariat, the official added.
EC begins preparations for V-P poll





NEW DELHI :

Key figures for V-P election

The effective strength of both the Houses = 786 Votes required for winning candidate = 394 NDA support in Lok Sabha (542) = 293 NDA support in Rajya Sabha (245) = 129

THE Election Commission on Wednesday said it has begun the process of holding the Vice Presidential election, two days after Jagdeep Dhankhars surprise resignation from the post. The poll authority said it has started constituting the electoral college comprising MPs of both Houses of Parliament. Both elected and nominated members are eligible to vote in the Vice Presidential election. It is also finalising the returning officer and assistant returning officers. On completion of the preparatory activities, the announcement of the election schedule to the office of the Vice President of India will follow as soon as possible, the EC said. Dhankhar stepped down as Vice President on Monday, citing health reasons. His term was to end on August 10, 2027.

The Union Home Ministry on Tuesday formally notified the resignation of Dhankhar from the office of the Vice President. According to Clause 2 of Article 68 of the Constitution, an election to fill a vacancy in the office of the Vice President occurring due to his death, resignation or removal, or otherwise, will be held as soon as possible after it goes vacant. The person elected to fill the vacancy will be entitled to hold office for the full term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office. From the day the notification is issued, calling the electoral college to vote, and till the day of the poll, a period of 30 days is stipulated. A person cannot be elected as the Vice President unless he is a citizen of India, has completed 35 years of age and is qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha. A person is also not eligible if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or a State Government or any subordinate local authority.

The ruling NDA has a comfortable edge in the Vice Presidential elections. The Vice President is elected by the members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, where nominated members of the Upper House are also eligible to cast their vote. The 543-member Lok Sabha has one vacant seat -- Basirhat in West Bengal -- while there arefive vacancies in the 245-member Rajya Sabha. Of the five vacancies in theRajya Sabha, four are fromJammu and Kashmir, and onefrom Punjab. The seat fromPunjab wasvacated afterAAP leaderSanjeev Aroraquit following his election to theState Assembly in a by-poll last month. The effective strength of boththe Houses together is 786 andthe winning candidate will require 394 votes, considering that all eligible voters exercise their franchise. In the Lok Sabha, the BJP-led NDA enjoys the support of 293 of the 542 members.

The ruling alliance has the support of 129 members in the Rajya Sabha, assuming that the nominated members vote in support of the NDA nominee, which has an effective strength of 240. The ruling alliance has the support of 422 members. Article 66 (1) of the Constitution provides that the Vice Presidential election shall be held in accordance with the system of Proportional Representation by means of the single transferable vote and the voting at such election shall be by secret ballot. In this system, the elector has to mark preferences against the names of the candidates. The Vice President is the second highest constitutional office in the country. He serves for a five-year term, but can continue to be in office, irrespective of the expiry of the term, until the successor assumes office. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Parliament House office on Wednesday. The meeting comes against the backdrop of the surprise resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar as Vice President on Monday, citing health reasons, and the continued disruption of proceedings in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha amid opposition protests over various issues.
Encountering CRATERS commuters daily ordeal Pathetic condition of Kamptee Road near RuB and Seminary Hills puts commuters at risk





BUMPY RIDE: Vehicles navigate crater-filled, water-logged terrain on Kamptee Road near famed RuB, a key commuter route now plagued by daily traffic chaos. (Pic by Anil Futane)

By Simran Shrivastava :

Poor condition of roads across the second capital of the State is emerging as a central civic issue, particularly during monsoon months when neglected stretches become even more hazardous While larger urban development initiatives continue across Nagpur, including fly-overs, metro corridors, and digital traffic monitoring systems, basic road maintenance remains a persistent issue

Urban roads in Nagpur, across neighborhoods of varying profiles, are showing signs of persistent neglect. From the interior lanes of Seminary Hills Colony to the busy approach road of the Kamptee Road Railway under Bridge (RuB), the condition of the roads in monsoon reflects a growing concern about civic infrastructure and maintenance. Despite being situated in vastly different areas of the city, these two stretches reveal a common issue, the deterioration of road surfaces and inconsistent response from civic bodies. Kamptee Road The situation on Kamptee Road RuB is more chaotic and widely visible. Serving as a major connector between West and North Nagpur, this stretch experiences heavy daily traffic, including autos, two-wheelers, private cars, and commercial trucks. With the arrival of the monsoon, the roads already fragile surface has deteriorated further. Water-filled potholes and mud patches dominate the route, especially near the underpass.

Vehicles frequently swerve to avoid hidden craters, creating unsafe driving conditions. During peak hours, the congestion becomes particularly intense. The lack of a proper drainage system and absence of long-term repair work leads to frequent bottlenecks. Honking, vehicle stalls, and slowed down traffic are now everyday experiences for those using the route. Commuters report that navigating this stretch has become stressful and dangerous. Residents of both areas are now calling for a change in the way civic maintenance is planned and executed. Their demands include scheduled resurfacing cycles instead of reactive patchwork, repainting of road lines and installation of reflectors, removal of garbage and provision of dustbins, proper management of stray cattle, and coordination between multiple maintenance agencies.

Shopkeepers near the RuB told The Hitavada that they are fed up of the sorry state of affairs as the craters increase risk for road users. Especially during the night, the two-wheeler riders are most likely to meet with mishap, either due to vehicle slipping as the rider tries to avoid the craters, or due to collision with a bigger vehicle. They mentioned that daily one or two mishaps are reported at the stretch and said something permanent solution is needed to avoid such potholes on the busy national highway.

Seminary Hills Road

Set in one of the citys more peaceful, tree-lined zones, Seminary Hills Road has historically been used by morning walkers, cyclists, students, and daily office commuters. Over recent months, the road has eroded significantly, with large sections of asphalt wearing away, especially during monsoon. The surface has become uneven and hazardous, particularly for two-wheelers and pedestrians. A man recently fell and broke his arm after skidding on a worn-out patch, a resident shared the ordeal that stalks many who use the stretch. The damage includes cracks and thinning tar, making travel risky, especially under low-light conditions where fading lane markings and poor illumination complicate visibility. Encounters with stray cattle and near-misses between vehicles are becoming more frequent. In addition to the surface damage, the footpaths are turning into informal dumping sites.





Without dustbins or signage, garbage has gradually accumulated under the trees. This quiet degradation has gone largely unchecked. Across different parts of the city, citizens are becoming more vocal about the need for dependable and timely civic infrastructure. The examples of Seminary Hills Road and the Kamptee Road underline the importance of regular maintenance, equitable treatment of different neighborhoods, and visible civic action. While larger urban development initiatives continue across Nagpur, including fly-overs, metro corridors, and digital traffic monitoring systems, basic road maintenance remains a persistent issue. The gaps between policy vision and on-ground execution are increasingly being noticed by those who rely on these routes daily. The poor condition of roads is emerging as a central civic issue, particularly during monsoon months when neglected stretches become even more hazardous.
Forever young: Elixir of life





By Vidita Mehta :

Guest Column

Forever Young means positive attitude and love for life. We grow old when we stop aligning with our inner child. The elixir of life is a mythical potion all want to drink, which grants the drinker eternal youth. In alchemy, the elixir of life is linked to the Philosophers Stone, a legendary substance with the power to transmute base metals into gold and potentially yield the elixir itself. While the elixir of life remains a mythical concept, the quest for it reflects humanitys enduring fascination with staying young forever.

The famous song Yeh daulatbhi le lo, yeh shauratbhi le lo, bhalecheen lo mujhse meri jawani, magarmujhkolauta do bachpan ka sawaan, wohkagaz ki kastiwohbaarish ka pani cherishes the child which is inside us, but in the rigmarole of life, we lose its charm and long for it, when life becomes dull, even after having all fame and fortune. In our ancient folkfare, the Gods fought with demons to drink the potion of youth and immortality. When God couldnt lose the charm of youth, we lesser mortals cannot be left behind. We all are aware of the impossibility of staying young forever, but that doesnt stop us from wishing for it. In essence, that is what the lyrics in the song Forever Young, Youth is like diamonds in the sun/And diamonds are forever in Alphaville, sung by Marian Gold, is all about. Forever Young or Fountain of Youth concept has captured peoples imaginations throughout history. Ancient texts, such as those penned by Herodotus and the narratives of the Alexander romance, mention the concept of rejuvenating waters. These stories revolve around the belief that consuming or bathing in these magical waters can reverse the effects of ageing, offering a compelling promise of eternal youth.

The quest for eternal youth is deeply rooted in the human psyche. It stems from our fear of mortality and the desire to preserve our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. As we age, we face the inevitable decline of our bodies and the accompanying challenges. Remaining Forever Young represents a symbolic hope for a remedy, offering the promise of vitality, strength, and renewed vibrancy.Furthermore, the psychology behind the yearning for eternal youth is closely tied to our fear of losing relevance and being marginalised in a society that often values youthfulness and beauty. It reflects our desire to be valued and admired, to maintain a sense of self-worth, and to feel like an active participant in the world.

The desire to remain Forever young resonates in todays booming anti-ageing industry. The pursuit of a youthful appearance and the desire to slow down the ageing process have become driving force behind a multi-billion-dollar industry.The anti-ageing industry encompasses many products and services, including skincare products, cosmetic procedures, supplements, and wellness treatments. These offerings promise to turn back the hands of time, rejuvenate the body and restore a youthful glow. Just as the Fountain of Youth offered the hope of everlasting youth, the modern anti-ageing industry capitalises on our deep-rooted desire to defy the effects of time. However, it is important to approach the anti-ageing industry critically, separating fact from fiction and recognizing that true ageing is a natural and inevitable part of life. While self-care and remaining healthy can contribute to our overall well-being, embracing the beauty and wisdom that come with each passing year is crucial. We should adopt Positive aging to maintain a positive outlook in life, staying healthy and fit and feeling good about oneself. Age is just a number and we should live life to the fullest  this is the secret of remaining forever young!! (The author is in teaching profession)
KINSHASA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Rwanda, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to the voluntary, safe, and dignified return of refugees.

The joint pledge came during a high-level ministerial meeting held from Tuesday to Thursday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia. The parties emphasized that refugee return is crucial to peace and post-conflict recovery in the Great Lakes region, particularly in the DRC.

They endorsed a 2025-2026 roadmap for refugee return and reintegration, and agreed to expedite the return of 600 Rwandan refugees currently in Goma, a regional urban hub in the eastern DRC, currently under the rebel rule of the March 23 Movement (M23), said the joint communique released by the DRC government.

"UNHCR welcomes the decisions reached by the governments of DRC and Rwanda in these tripartite meetings on voluntary repatriation this week. We stand ready to work with all parties to create conditions that allow refugees to choose to return home in safety and dignity," said the UNHCR on X.

Other priorities include identity verification, reintegration support, cross-border coordination, and donor engagement, according to the communique. It noted that the meeting followed recent peace efforts, including the June 27 peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, as well as the declaration of principles signed late last week in Doha between Kinshasa and the M23 group.

As of April 30, the DRC hosts more than 517,800 refugees and 1,400 asylum-seekers, predominantly in the eastern provinces. Internally, over 7 million people are internally displaced, with more than 5 million in the eastern DRC alone. Since the start of the year, more than 139,000 individuals have fled to neighboring countries, according to the UN. 
General insurance employees hold lunch hour demonstrations, demand wages at par with LIC





Business Reporter :

THE Public Sector General Insurance (PSGI) employees all over the country held lunch hour demonstrations demanding wage revision on the lines of Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). At Nagpur, during lunch recess the PSGI employees held demonstrations in front of Regional Offices of National Insurance Co Ltd situated at Mount Road, Sadar, Oriental Insurance Co Ltd, Nelson Square and United India Insurance Co Ltd at Shankar Nagar Square, respectively. The employees also demanded uniform family pension of 30% and employers contribution of 14% to National Pension System (NPS) among other long pending demands.

The demonstrations were called by Joint Forum of Trade Unions and Associations (JFTU) in PSGI companies. The employees registered their protest against delaying tactics of Department of Financial Services (DFS), and against casual approach on the above demands of General Insurers (Public Sector) Association of India (GIPSA). Memorandums addressed to the Chairperson of GIPSA were submitted through the Regional Incharges. JFTU has decided to intensify the struggle if their above mentioned just demands are not fulfilled. To intensify their agitation, a Dharna will be organised at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on July 29, 2025. Large number of general insurance employees and retired employees participated in the demonstrations, informs Prashant Dixit, Convenor, JFTU, Nagpur Unit.
HC raps Govt, NTPC, SECL over NH liquor shops, pollution, fatal road risks





Staff Reporter

Raipur/Bilaspur,

NTPC affidavit on fly ash deemed cosmetic; SECL grilled on transport responsibility

The Chhattisgarh High Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the State Government, NTPC and SECL during the hearing of a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning rising road fatalities and illegal encroachments, including liquor shops, along national highways. The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ramesh Kumar Sinha and Justice Ravindra Kumar Agrawal was hearing WPPIL 37/2024, and expressed serious displeasure over what it termed as administrative inertia and indifference to public safety.

Referring to a Commissioners report highlighting violations in Mungelis Sargaon, the court observed that liquor shops and roadside dhabas near highways directly contravene legal norms. State Advocate General Prafull N Bharat informed the court that efforts were underway to shift a liquor shop in Sargaon and notices were issued to and Indramani Minerals. They had challenged the EDs seizure of their movable and immovable properties, contending procedural and legal infirmities. After exhaustive hearings spanning several weeks, the High Court bench had reserved its verdict on July 4.

On Wednesday, the Bench pronounced the dismissal of all petitions, thereby reinforcing the ED-RPZOs stance that the attached assets were proceeds of crime generated through an alleged illegal levy racket. Meanwhile, according to ED sources, the assets provisionally seized include over 100 items such as luxury cars, landholdings, jewellery, cash reserves and bank balances, all believed to have been acquired via laundered funds from the extortion operation that allegedly thrived during the previous regime. Senior advocates Harshvardhan Parganiha, Nikhil Varshney, Shashank Mishra and Abhyuday Tripathi had appeared for the petitioners. The ED was represented by Additional Solicitor General Dr Saurabh Kumar Pandey, who defended the agencys action as legally sound and compliant with statutory procedures.
India holds water advantage despite Chinas Brahmaputra dam push





NEW DELHI/BEIJING :

AS CHINA pushes ahead with its ambitious plan to build a $16.7 billion mega-dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo - known as the Brahmaputra in India - concerns have inevitably surged about the possible downstream impact on India and Bangladesh. The proposed Medog Hydropower Project, reportedly with a capacity of 70 GW (more than triple the output of the Three Gorges Dam), has sparked fears of water weaponisation and hydrological coercion. However, a closer analysis of geography, hydrology, and dam design offers compelling reasons why Indias leverage remains intact - and its water security largely unthreatened.

The Brahmaputra River originates in the glacial regions of western Tibet as the Yarlung Tsangpo and flows eastward before making a dramatic U-turn at the Great Bend near Medog (Motuo), Tibet. From there, it enters Arunachal Pradesh as the Siang, gains volume and force as it flows through Assam (where it becomes the Brahmaputra), and eventually moves into Bangladesh as the Jamuna. Although about two-thirds of the river basin lies in Chinese-controlled Tibet, over 80% of the Brahmaputras actual water volume is generated in India. This seeming paradox is easily explained by rainfall patterns. Tibet receives a sparse annual rainfall of just 300 mm, while Northeast India is drenched by over 2,300 mm of rain annually, with some areas receiving even more.

Moreover, numerous Indian tributaries and snow-fed rivers significantly augment the Brahmaputras flow, making India - not China - the primary contributor to the rivers volume. Much of the alarm over Chinese hydropower projects stems from fears of upstream water manipulation. However, most of Chinas existing and proposed dams on the Yarlung Tsangpo, including the massive Medog project, are understood to be run-of-the-river projects. These types of dams generate electricity by using the rivers natural flow, without the need for large reservoirs or long-term water storage. This technical detail matters: run-of-the-river dams cannot significantly alter downstream flows over extended periods, say experts. They might momentarily shift or slow water release during electricity generation cycles, but they lack the capacity to withhold water seasonally or weaponise it as a sustained geopolitical tool, experts add. In essence, Chinas current dam-building trajectory offers limited scope for using the Brahmaputra as leverage against India. Interestingly, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has taken a contrarian view, dismissing fears as part of a scare narrative reminiscent of Pakistans tactics.

He argues that even if China were to reduce the Brahmaputras flow marginally, it could help mitigate Assams annual flood devastation, which causes immense loss of life and property every monsoon. Given that much of the rivers destructive flooding is driven by torrential local rainfall and the swelling of Indian tributaries, a slight upstream regulation may, in fact, help stabilise seasonal fluctuations. This aligns with Indias own plans to build storage and flood-control infrastructure to manage excess water more effectively, argue experts. While vigilance is certainly warranted - especially around data transparency and ecological impact - Indias strategic position remains resilient, according to the experts.

The reality is that China cannot easily control a river whose volume is dominantly shaped within Indian territory. The combination of monsoonal rains, numerous tributaries, and Indias topographical dominance in the lower basin ensures that Chinese influence on the Brahmaputras flow is inherently limited. Moreover, international norms and regional geopolitics would make overt manipulation risky and diplomatically costly for China, especially given Bangladeshs and Indias collective interests in the rivers health and flow, say diplomatic experts.
Nobodys Wall





By Vikas Vaidya :

The Hitavada contacted NIT Chairman, officers concerned from NMC, PWD, PDKV and MAFSU, and officials of the above agencies said that the retaining wall does not belong to them

Large portions of retaining walls of Futala lake collapsed a few days ago. The breach is awaiting repair. The million dollar question is--Who will repair it? Nobody is owning the responsibility of the broken walls surrounding the historic and heritage Futala lake. Both these portions of the wall lie on the side of the road towards Vayusena Nagar. This spot full of kiosks, handcarts standing around which people gather and they take a round of the lake. This collapsed portion is posing a danger to people.

The light and sound show arrangement was constructed by Maha Metro, the fountain was erected by Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT). Some part of the lake belongs to Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth (PDKV), some to Maharashtra Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (MAFSU), a major portion falls under Maharashtra Livestock Development Board. According to sources, this complete lake is in the name of Public Works Department (PWD). But not a single structure was constructed by it. Its maintenance was looked after by various agencies time to time. Every agency, disowning responsibility, says, the wall doesnt belong to them so they are not supposed to repair it. Ansuya Kale Chhabrani, a committed environmentalist told The Hitavada, We are seeking its structural audit from the Government agency.

This is a heritage site of the era of Bhonslas. We cant tolerate such foolishness where Government agencies are saying the wall doesnt belong to them. A senior Heritage Committee member said, We are not supposed to conduct any structural audit on our own. Some civic body, be it Nagpur Municipal Corporation, Nagpur Improvement Trust or anybody should either send a proposal or implement the same on their own. The Hitavada contacted NIT Chairman, officers concerned from NMC, PWD, PDKV, MAFSU, and officials of the above agencies said that the retaining wall does not belong to them. So, the wall will remain in a broken condition till some or the other agency comes forward and volunteers its repair.
Surguja farmers rose venture yields success with floriculture





Our Correspondent

AMBIKAPUR,

Dinesh Kumar Singh, a progressive farmer from Surguja district, has turned agricultural challenges into a blooming opportunity by shifting from traditional paddy cultivation to high-tech rose farming. Today, his two-acre polyhouse produces over 5,000 roses daily, earning him an annual profit of nearly Rs 10 lakh. Tired of the uncertainties of rice farming and erratic monsoons, Singh ventured into floriculture a year ago with the support of the Horticulture Department and NABARD under the National Horticulture Mission.

He invested Rs 1.30 crore in building a controlled-climate polyhouse, financed through Rs 63 lakh in subsidies and a bank loan of Rs 93 lakh. With technical assistance from horticulture officials, Singh adopted advanced farming techniques and introduced high-demand varieties like Dutch Rose, Jumeliya, and Top Secret in multiple colors. Roses are grown in raised ridges with drip irrigation and foggers to manage temperature and water usage. A technique called winding prepares the plants for flowering, with buds appearing in 45 days. Pruning weak buds encourages the growth of stronger ones, effectively doubling production. Singh supplies roses to markets across Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh, fulfilling bulk orders for florists and event planners. Prices range from Rs 4-5 per flower under normal demand, rising to Rs 15-20 during festivals and weddings.

Comparing rose cultivation with traditional farming, Singh says polyhouse floriculture is less labor-intensive, requires less water, and ensures steady year-round income. Unlike paddy farming, where the returns were uncertain and weather-dependent, rose cultivation gives peace of mind and consistent profits, he shared. He credits his success to timely government and institutional support. This transformation wouldnt have been possible without the guidance and assistance of the Horticulture Department and NABARD, he said. As more farmers in Surguja look for sustainable alternatives, Singhs story stands as a model of agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship, showing how floriculture can offer both financial stability and emotional satisfaction.
Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves project soon





SO CLOSE: A sub-adult cub of tigress Junabai looking at a group of farmers working in a field in Madnapur buffer area of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. (Pic by Subodh Singh Hada)

By Kaushik Bhattacharya :

Aimed at curbing man-animal conflict, the project will be launched on pilot basis in Maharashtra and 16 other States

Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) will soon launch Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves project in 17 states of the country, including Maharashtra, with an aim to to reduce man-animal conflicts. National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has prepared final draft of the project and it will be announced by Central Government soon. In the recently held 27th meeting of NTCA in Bhopal, members of the committee discussed about implementation of the project. Bhupender Yadav, Minister of Environment Forest and Climate Change and chairman of the committee highlighted that 30 per cent of Indias tigers are outside tiger reserves which need to be effectively managed, especially with respect to conflict situations.

In the meeting, expert members also discussed formation of quick reaction teams (QRT) in all affected and sensitive areas and said that teams should get proper training to handle man-animal conflicts in and outside tiger reserves. Out of 58 tiger reserves in 18 tiger range states, 38 have moderate to high density of tigers wherein dispersal of tiger outside reserves is obvious. Based on the data collected from the states regarding human-tiger conflict situations in the last three years, there are around 80 divisions across the country with areas adjoining moderate to high density tiger reserves. On a pilot basis, the project proposal will focus on these areas wherein human-tiger and co-predators conflict is reported. The project will be implemented for three years from 2025-26 to 2027-28 in 80 forest divisions. An estimated amount of Rs 88.7 crore is required with Rs 36.15 crore for 2025-26, Rs 26.15 crore for 2026-27 and Rs 26.40 crore for 2027-28, stated the final draft.

The project will be implemented by NTCA at the Central Government level and through the Chief Wild Life Warden (CWLW) at the State level. The fund will be placed with the State nodal officer of Compensatory Afforestation Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) or concerned Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) and will then be given to the concerned divisional forest officer by the Forest Department, it stated. The demand of corridor management in Maharashtra is gaining voice from last some time in the conservation fraternity due to increase in man-animal conflicts, especially in Chandrapur, Brahmapuri, Pune and Nagpur forest divisions. Due to rapidly increasing tiger population in Chandrapur and Brahmapuri divisions, the conflicts have been on the rise in recent time. Majority of incidents took place outside protected areas or in corridors. The Forest Department keeps vigil inside the core and buffer areas of tiger reserves but a need for intensive monitoring in outside tiger reserves is being felt and this policy is going to address the same in near future, it is hoped.
Tribal family treks 10 km with girls dead body in Jharkhand after hospital denies ambulance





SAHIBGANJ :

IN A shocking incident, a tribal family in Jharkhands Sahibganj district was forced to carry the body of a teenage girl on a cot for over 10 km after they were denied an ambulance by the hospital. The deceased, Badrin Pahadin, belonged to the vulnerable Pahariya Janjati community. She had been brought to the Sadar Hospital in Sahibganj on Monday in a critical condition. With no road connectivity to their remote village in Lodoni Pahad under Mandro block, her family carried her on a cot for 10 km to seek treatment. Tragically, she died during treatment at the hospital. After her death, the hospital refused to provide an ambulance to take her body back home.

With no other option, the grieving family once again lifted the body on the same cot and walked the 10 km stretch back to their village. A video of the incident surfaced on social media on Wednesday, sparking outrage across the state. Reacting sharply, Leader of Opposition and state BJP President Babulal Marandi launched a scathing attack on the Jharkhand government and Health Minister Irfan Ansari. Calling Ansari a burden on the Government and the public, Marandi alleged that the Minister had handed over ambulance operations to his close associates, and even accused his minor son of meddling in the affairs of Government hospitals.

This is not just negligence, its a grave injustice to the people of the state, he said. Marandi demanded immediate intervention by Chief Minister Hemant Soren and a thorough review of the Health Department and ambulance services. This is not the first time such a horrifying image has come out of Jharkhand. Pictures of patients and bodies being transported on cots, bicycles, and carts have repeatedly exposed the failure of the system, he added. Urging the Government to go beyond rhetoric, Marandi called for strict measures to ensure that citizens no longer have to go door to door for basic medical assistance. Healthcare is a fundamental right. Denying people such a basic service is inhumane, he said.
Woman doctor commits suicide, family alleges relationship betrayal





Staff Reporter :

A 27-year-old woman doctor was found dead in Bhopals Tulsi Nagar area on Tuesday night, triggering shock and grief among residents and the medical fraternity. The deceased, identified as Dr Shivangi Yadav, was found hanging from a ceiling fan in her home by family members around 8 pm. She was rushed to JP Hospital, where doctors declared her brought dead. Dr Yadav, who had a degree of BHMS, was associated with a private hospital where she was training and practicing. She lived with her family in the TT Nagar locality. Her father, Krishna Kumar Yadav, is retired from a homeopathic medical college.

Relationship Dispute Suspected: During preliminary inquiry, the deceaseds father and brother reportedly told police, Assistant Sub-Inspector Digvijay Vaishnav of TT Nagar Police Station that Shivangi had been in a relationship with a fellow doctor working at the same hospital. The two had been close, and Shivangi had expressed a desire to marry him. However, the man went to Indore and married someone else. About which, he informed her recently, a development that deeply affected her. ASI Vaishnav said, The family further told that the two met at Gandhinagar IT Park recently, where he informed her about his marriage. The conversation escalated into a quarrel, and she reportedly lost her mobile phone during the incident. Shivangi was distressed after that encounter and this is the reason of this drastic step taken by her.

He also mentioned that no mobile phone was found with her on the site of incident during the investigation. Police suspect that emotional distress following the dispute may have contributed to her decision to end her life. However, ASI Vaishnav clarified that no official statement has yet been recorded from the family and the investigation is still in the early stages. Post-mortem Report Awaited: According to Assistant Sub-Inspector Digvijay Vaishnav of TT Nagar Police Station, no suicide note was found at the scene. The body was handed over to the family on Wednesday afternoon following the post-mortem, he informed. We are waiting for the post-mortem report, after which further investigation will proceed in specific directions, said ASI Vaishnav. He also mentioned that statements from close family members, friends, and hospital colleagues will be recorded to understand the circumstances leading to the incident.
On July 24, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia, visited Victory Park in Baku.

According to Azernews, an honor guard was formed in the ministers honor at the park.

The Somali foreign minister laid a wreath at the Victory Monument within the park.

He was then provided with detailed information about Victory Park, which was established to commemorate the unparalleled heroism of the Azerbaijani people during the Patriotic War and to immortalize the memory of the martyrs, preserving the legacy of the magnificent historic Victory.

It was noted that the park covers an area close to 10 hectares, and at its entrance stands the Victory Arch  a symbolic monument of the 44-day Patriotic War  which is 44 meters tall, 22 meters wide, and supported by 44 columns.

The park was officially opened on November 8, 2024, in a ceremony attended by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva.
KIGALI, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Rwandan President Paul Kagame appointed Justin Nsengiyumva as the new prime minister on Wednesday, paving the way for the formation of a new cabinet.

Nsengiyumva, who served as deputy governor of the National Bank of Rwanda, replaced Edouard Ngirente, who had been prime minister since 2017 and was sacked Wednesday, according to a statement released by the office of the government's spokesperson.

In a post on X, Nsengiyumva thanked the president for the trust and confidence in him, pledging to serve the country with humility and dedication.

"I fully embrace the responsibility entrusted to me and remain committed to advancing our national priorities with integrity and purpose. I will give all I have in me to help you (president) achieve your great vision for this country," he said.

According to Rwanda's constitution, the appointment of a new prime minister paves the way for the formation of a new cabinet within 15 days. 
BEIJING, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of China and the European Union issued a joint statement on climate change here on Thursday.

Please see the attachment for the full text of the statement. 

Full text: Joint statement on climate change by Chinese and EU leaders
Brookwood Investment Group LLC bought a new position in shares of EOG Resources, Inc. (NYSE:EOG  Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 11,109 shares of the energy exploration companys stock, valued at approximately $1,425,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Penobscot Investment Management Company Inc. lifted its stake in shares of EOG Resources by 2.0% in the 4th quarter. Penobscot Investment Management Company Inc. now owns 4,065 shares of the energy exploration companys stock valued at $498,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Hancock Whitney Corp boosted 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 valued at $211,000 after purchasing an additional 92 shares during the last quarter. FSM Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of 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. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P raised its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 26.5% in the 4th quarter. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P now owns 463 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the period. Finally, Sigma Planning Corp raised its holdings in shares of EOG Resources by 1.6% in the 1st quarter. Sigma Planning Corp now owns 6,259 shares of the energy exploration companys stock worth $803,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.91% of the companys stock.

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EOG Resources Stock Performance

Shares of EOG stock traded up $0.05 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $118.93. 271,691 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,708,660. EOG Resources, Inc. has a 12 month low of $102.52 and a 12 month high of $138.18. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $117.95 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $121.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 1.71 and a current ratio of 1.87. The firm has a market capitalization of $64.91 billion, a PE ratio of 11.03, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 9.16 and a beta of 0.76.

EOG Resources Increases Dividend

EOG Resources ( NYSE:EOG Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The energy exploration company reported $2.87 earnings per share (EPS) 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 companys revenue for the quarter was down 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.82 EPS. On average, research analysts forecast that EOG Resources, Inc. will post 11.47 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 17th will be paid a $1.02 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 17th. This represents a $4.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.43%. This is a boost from EOG Resourcess previous quarterly dividend of $0.98. EOG Resourcess payout ratio is presently 36.18%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently commented on the company. UBS Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $140.00 target price (up previously from $135.00) on shares of EOG Resources in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. Roth Capital cut EOG Resources from a buy rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $140.00 to $134.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. Susquehanna raised their price objective on EOG Resources from $156.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a positive rating in a research note on Wednesday. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a buy rating and set a $148.00 price objective (up from $144.00) on shares of EOG Resources in a research note on Friday, June 13th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of EOG Resources in a research note on Sunday, June 22nd. Twelve analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $140.62.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on EOG

Insider Buying and Selling

In other EOG Resources news, COO Jeffrey R. Leitzell sold 3,951 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, June 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $119.65, for a total value of $472,737.15. Following 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 document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.

Further Reading

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Albany International (NYSE:AIN  Get Free Report) and Unifi (NYSE:UFI  Get Free Report) are both industrials companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, valuation, dividends and risk.

Risk & Volatility

Albany International has a beta of 1.31, meaning that its share price is 31% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Unifi has a beta of 0.54, meaning that its share price is 46% less volatile than the S&P 500.

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Insider and Institutional Ownership

97.4% of Albany International shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 67.7% of Unifi shares are held by institutional investors. 0.8% of Albany International shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 17.9% of Unifi shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Albany International 6.44% 9.79% 5.47% Unifi -6.74% -16.67% -9.04%

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares Albany International and Unifis net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

This table compares Albany International and Unifis top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Albany International $1.23 billion 1.76 $87.62 million $2.48 28.94 Unifi $590.26 million 0.15 -$47.40 million ($2.18) -2.16

Albany International has higher revenue and earnings than Unifi. Unifi is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Albany International, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of current recommendations for Albany International and Unifi, as reported by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Albany International 1 1 2 1 2.60 Unifi 0 0 0 0 0.00

Albany International presently has a consensus price target of $79.00, indicating a potential upside of 10.07%. Given Albany Internationals stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, research analysts clearly believe Albany International is more favorable than Unifi.

Summary

Albany International beats Unifi on 14 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Albany International

(Get Free Report)

Albany International Corp., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the machine clothing and engineered composites businesses. The company operates in two segments, Machine Clothing (MC) and Albany Engineered Composites (AEC). The MC segment designs, manufactures, and markets paper machine clothing for use in the manufacturing of papers, paperboards, tissues, towels, pulps, nonwovens, building products, tannery, and textiles, as well as fiber cement and several other industrial applications. This segment offers paper machine clothing forming, pressing, and drying fabrics, as well as engineered processing belts; and engineered fabrics. The AEC segment 3D-woven and injected composite components for aircraft engines composite airframe and engine components for military and commercial aircraft. It operates in the United States, Switzerland, France, Brazil, China, Mexico, Germany, and internationally. The company was incorporated in 1895 and is headquartered in Rochester, New Hampshire.

About Unifi

(Get Free Report)

Unifi, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, engages in the manufacture and sale of recycled and synthetic products in North America, Central America, South America, Asia, and Europe. Its polyester products include partially oriented yarn, textured, solution and package dyed, twisted, beamed, and draw wound yarns in virgin or recycled varieties; and nylon products comprise virgin or recycled textured, solution dyed, and spandex covered yarns. The company also provides recycled solutions made from pre-consumer and post-consumer waste, such as plastic bottle flakes, polyester polymer beads, and staple fiber. It offers recycled and synthetic products primarily to yarn manufacturers, knitters, and weavers that produces yarn and fabric for the apparel, hosiery, automotive, home furnishings, industrial, medical, and other end-use markets. The company sells its products through sales force and independent sales agents under the REPREVE brand. Unifi, Inc. was incorporated in 1969 and is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina.

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Atria Investments Inc raised its holdings in Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF (NYSEARCA:GBIL  Free Report) by 28.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 179,711 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 39,796 shares during the quarter. Atria Investments Incs holdings in Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF were worth $18,003,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in GBIL. Trust Co. of Vermont acquired a new stake in shares of Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF in the first quarter valued at about $43,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $53,000. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC acquired a new stake in Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $78,000. Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management acquired a new stake in Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $159,000. Finally, Acorn Financial Advisory Services Inc. ADV bought a new position in Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $205,000.

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Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF Trading Up 0.0%

NYSEARCA:GBIL traded up $0.01 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $100.08. 123,479 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 795,959. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $99.99 and a 200-day simple moving average of $100.00. Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF has a 52 week low of $99.74 and a 52 week high of $100.30.

About Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF

The Goldman Sachs Access Treasury 0-1 Year ETF (GBIL) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in investment grade fixed income. The fund tracks an index comprised of US Treasury securities with less than one year remaining in maturity. GBIL was launched on Sep 6, 2016 and is managed by Goldman Sachs.

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STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM  Get Free Report) was upgraded by equities research analysts at Baird R W from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note issued on Tuesday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other research firms have also commented on STM. Susquehanna raised their price target on STMicroelectronics from $30.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a positive rating in a research report on Tuesday. Oddo Bhf raised STMicroelectronics to an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 2nd. TD Cowen raised their price target on STMicroelectronics from $23.00 to $30.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Friday, June 13th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reissued a buy rating on shares of STMicroelectronics in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Dbs Bank lowered STMicroelectronics from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, April 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have given a hold rating, six have issued a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $35.00.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on STM

STMicroelectronics Stock Down 5.1%

Shares of NYSE:STM opened at $31.71 on Tuesday. STMicroelectronics has a 52 week low of $17.25 and a 52 week high of $40.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 2.24 and a current ratio of 3.05. The companys fifty day moving average is $29.07 and its 200-day moving average is $25.45. The company has a market capitalization of $28.48 billion, a PE ratio of 26.87, a P/E/G ratio of 1.96 and a beta of 1.60.

STMicroelectronics (NYSE:STM  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The semiconductor producer reported $0.07 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.05 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $2.52 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $2.55 billion. STMicroelectronics had a return on equity of 6.28% and a net margin of 8.94%. Equities research analysts predict that STMicroelectronics will post 0.85 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On STMicroelectronics

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its stake in STMicroelectronics by 139.6% during the 1st quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,862 shares of the semiconductor producers stock worth $41,000 after buying an additional 1,085 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its stake in STMicroelectronics by 63.1% during the 1st quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 2,167 shares of the semiconductor producers stock worth $48,000 after buying an additional 838 shares during the period. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd raised its stake in STMicroelectronics by 396.4% during the 1st quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 3,197 shares of the semiconductor producers stock worth $70,000 after buying an additional 2,553 shares during the period. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. raised its stake in STMicroelectronics by 57.2% during the 1st quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 3,322 shares of the semiconductor producers stock worth $73,000 after buying an additional 1,209 shares during the period. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC raised its stake in STMicroelectronics by 184.5% during the 2nd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 2,848 shares of the semiconductor producers stock worth $87,000 after buying an additional 1,847 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 5.05% of the companys stock.

STMicroelectronics Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

STMicroelectronics N.V., together with its subsidiaries, designs, develops, manufactures, and sells semiconductor products in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas, and the Asia Pacific. The company operates through Automotive and Discrete Group; Analog, MEMS and Sensors Group; and Microcontrollers and Digital ICs Group segments.

Further Reading

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Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR  Get Free Report) had its price target increased by research analysts at Barclays from $139.00 to $140.00 in a research note issued to investors on Thursday,Benzinga reports. The firm currently has an underweight rating on the real estate investment trusts stock. Barclayss price target points to a potential downside of 22.39% from the stocks current price.

Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the stock. Guggenheim began coverage on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. They set a neutral rating on the stock. Oppenheimer initiated coverage on shares of Digital Realty Trust in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. They set an outperform rating and a $200.00 target price on the stock. Mizuho upped their price target on Digital Realty Trust from $177.00 to $191.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 17th. Citigroup dropped their target price on Digital Realty Trust from $188.00 to $174.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, Scotiabank cut their price objective on Digital Realty Trust from $208.00 to $206.00 and set a sector outperform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $187.21.

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Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Digital Realty Trust

Digital Realty Trust Price Performance

Shares of DLR stock traded up $1.15 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $180.39. 16,002 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,014,622. Digital Realty Trust has a 12-month low of $129.95 and a 12-month high of $198.00. The company has a market capitalization of $60.75 billion, a PE ratio of 167.13, a PEG ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 0.95. The company has a current ratio of 1.92, a quick ratio of 1.92 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81. The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $173.21 and its 200-day simple moving average is $164.03.

Digital Realty Trust (NYSE:DLR  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 24th. The real estate investment trust reported $1.77 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.73 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $1.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.43 billion. Digital Realty Trust had a return on equity of 2.07% and a net margin of 7.65%. Digital Realty Trusts quarterly revenue was up 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.67 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Digital Realty Trust will post 7.07 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Digital Realty Trust news, Director Mark R. Patterson sold 175 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $176.50, for a total value of $30,887.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 6,522 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,151,133. The trade was a 2.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in DLR. Hall Capital Management Co. Inc. boosted its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 2.8% during the second quarter. Hall Capital Management Co. Inc. now owns 18,309 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $3,192,000 after buying an additional 497 shares during the period. Friedenthal Financial purchased a new position in Digital Realty Trust in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $959,000. BankPlus Trust Department grew its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 10.2% during the 2nd quarter. BankPlus Trust Department now owns 12,501 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $2,179,000 after acquiring an additional 1,162 shares during the period. Seamount Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 6.3% in the 2nd quarter. Seamount Financial Group Inc. now owns 1,684 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $294,000 after acquiring an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Finally, SteelPeak Wealth LLC increased its position in shares of Digital Realty Trust by 7.6% during the second quarter. SteelPeak Wealth LLC now owns 3,691 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $643,000 after acquiring an additional 261 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.71% of the companys stock.

About Digital Realty Trust

(Get Free Report)

Digital Realty Trust, Inc operates as a real estate investment trust, which engages in the provision of data center, colocation and interconnection solutions. It serves the following industries: artificial intelligence (AI), networks, cloud, digital media, mobile, financial services, healthcare, and gaming.

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Brookwood Investment Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 1,991 shares of the investment management companys stock, valued at approximately $1,088,000.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. Atria Investments Inc raised its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 5.5% during the first quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 25,270 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $13,805,000 after acquiring an additional 1,323 shares in the last quarter. One Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 66.4% during the first quarter. One Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,098 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $600,000 after acquiring an additional 438 shares in the last quarter. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC raised its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 3.5% during the first quarter. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC now owns 1,869 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $1,021,000 after acquiring an additional 63 shares in the last quarter. Advisor OS LLC raised its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 5.3% during the first quarter. Advisor OS LLC now owns 473 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $259,000 after acquiring an additional 24 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Kovack Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 118.8% during the first quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. now owns 5,854 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $3,198,000 after acquiring an additional 3,178 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 71.21% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

GS has been the subject of several recent research reports. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $680.00 to $715.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group from $771.00 to $790.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Citizens Jmp reissued a market perform rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Monday, July 14th. Wall Street Zen raised The Goldman Sachs Group from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, July 12th. Finally, Evercore ISI set a $715.00 price objective on The Goldman Sachs Group and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have assigned a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, The Goldman Sachs Group currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $660.00.

The Goldman Sachs Group Stock Performance

NYSE GS traded up $7.06 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $724.58. The companys stock had a trading volume of 685,815 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,639,027. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $437.37 and a 12 month high of $726.00. The companys 50 day simple moving average is $653.33 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $603.62. The company has a market cap of $222.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.35. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.26, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 0.68.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 16th. The investment management company reported $10.91 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $9.82 by $1.09. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 13.84% and a net margin of 12.37%. The company had revenue of $14.58 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.53 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $8.62 EPS. The Goldman Sachs Groups revenue for the quarter was up 14.5% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 29th will be given a $4.00 dividend. This represents a $16.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.21%. This is a boost from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $3.00. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 29th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.44%.

The Goldman Sachs Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements.

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JERUSALEM, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Israel decided on Thursday to recall its Gaza ceasefire negotiating team from Qatar's Doha for consultations, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

The decision followed Hamas' response to the mediators' proposal earlier in the day for a 60-day ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, it said.

"We appreciate the efforts of mediators Qatar and Egypt and the efforts of U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff to bring about a breakthrough in the talks," it said.

Israel's state-owned Kan TV News, citing a source close to the negotiations, reported that "the talks did not collapse."

"This is a coordinated move between all parties," it reported. "There are fateful decisions that need to be made, and that is why the delegation returned for further consultations. The momentum is still positive."

Citing another source, Kan TV News reported that Hamas is, among other things, demanding the release of 200 Palestinian militants and 2,000 Gazan civilians who were detained after Oct. 7, 2023, when the Gaza war erupted.

According to Kan, these numbers are much higher than what Israel agreed to in the mediators' proposal, which includes the release of about 120 militants and another 1,200 civilians. 
Brookwood Investment Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm acquired 27,986 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock, valued at approximately $1,707,000.

Other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Pinney & Scofield Inc. purchased a new stake in Bristol Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth approximately $25,000. Park Square Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in Bristol Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Transce3nd LLC purchased a new stake in Bristol Myers Squibb during the 4th quarter worth approximately $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 worth $29,000 after buying an additional 275 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. purchased a new stake in Bristol Myers Squibb during the 1st quarter worth approximately $31,000. 76.41% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling at Bristol Myers Squibb

In related news, EVP Samit Hirawat acquired 4,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 25th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $47.58 per share, with a total value of $202,215.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president owned 83,513 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,973,548.54. The trade was a 5.36% increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

Bristol Myers Squibb Trading Down 0.2%

NYSE BMY traded down $0.12 on Thursday, reaching $48.87. The stock had a trading volume of 1,555,992 shares, compared to its average volume of 13,323,361. The firm has a market capitalization of $99.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.30, a P/E/G ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a quick ratio of 1.17, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.65. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a 12-month low of $44.00 and a 12-month high of $63.33. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $47.57 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $52.76.

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 (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.50 by $0.30. The company had revenue of $11.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.77 billion. Bristol Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 87.62% and a net margin of 11.38%. The firms quarterly revenue was down 5.6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned ($4.40) earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.62 per share. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.08%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 3rd. Bristol Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is currently 92.88%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts have commented on the company. William Blair reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Wall Street Zen cut Bristol Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, June 6th. Piper Sandler began 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. Argus upgraded Bristol Myers Squibb to a hold rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered their target price on Bristol Myers Squibb from $36.00 to $34.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Bristol Myers Squibb has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $58.53.

Read Our Latest Report on Bristol Myers Squibb

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.

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Carnegie Investment Counsel lifted its position in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 52.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 301,562 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after buying an additional 104,013 shares during the quarter. Abbott Laboratories comprises about 0.9% of Carnegie Investment Counsels holdings, making the stock its 22nd largest position. Carnegie Investment Counsels holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $38,460,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Machina Capital S.A.S. acquired a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the first quarter worth $670,000. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. boosted its stake in Abbott Laboratories by 7.5% during the first quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 112,848 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $14,969,000 after acquiring an additional 7,901 shares in the last quarter. Opes Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 2.9% in the first quarter. Opes Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,854 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $379,000 after buying an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 3.3% in the first quarter. Guardian Wealth Management Inc. now owns 27,786 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $3,686,000 after buying an additional 885 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dempze Nancy E lifted its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 2.4% in the first quarter. Dempze Nancy E now owns 42,662 shares of the healthcare product makers stock valued at $5,659,000 after buying an additional 985 shares in the last quarter. 75.18% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

ABT has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $127.00 to $137.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. Evercore ISI increased their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Piper Sandler reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $145.00 target price (up previously from $133.00) on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, April 17th. BTIG Research lowered their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $148.00 to $145.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 18th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada raised their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $145.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Tuesday, July 15th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have given a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $144.47.

Insider Transactions at Abbott Laboratories

In other Abbott Laboratories news, Director Sally E. Blount sold 2,600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total transaction of $337,116.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 34,058 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,415,960.28. This represents a 7.09% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 0.46% of the companys stock.

Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

Shares of ABT stock opened at $125.80 on Thursday. Abbott Laboratories has a 12 month low of $99.92 and a 12 month high of $141.23. The stock has a market cap of $218.87 billion, a PE ratio of 15.76, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.73. The company has a current ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 1.27 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. The companys fifty day moving average price is $132.71 and its 200-day moving average price is $129.70.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.26 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts consensus estimates of $1.26. The company had revenue of $11.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $11.01 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 32.43% and a return on equity of 18.83%. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.14 EPS. On average, equities analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.59 per share. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is currently 29.57%.

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.

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FreeGulliver LLC bought a new stake in shares of Texas Pacific Land Corporation (NYSE:TPL  Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm bought 190 shares of the financial services providers stock, valued at approximately $252,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its stake in shares of Texas Pacific Land by 19.9% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 40,670 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $44,979,000 after purchasing an additional 6,747 shares in the last quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank raised its stake in shares of Texas Pacific Land by 173.6% during the 4th quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 6,364 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $7,038,000 after purchasing an additional 4,038 shares in the last quarter. Spring Capital Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Texas Pacific Land in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $5,008,000. ProShare Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Texas Pacific Land by 347.0% during the 4th quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 3,670 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $4,059,000 after purchasing an additional 2,849 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Golden State Wealth Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Texas Pacific Land by 110.0% during the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 21 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 11 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 59.94% of the companys stock.

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Texas Pacific Land Price Performance

Shares of Texas Pacific Land stock traded down $8.14 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $923.15. 57,118 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 135,144. The firm has a 50 day simple moving average of $1,124.88 and a 200-day simple moving average of $1,253.10. Texas Pacific Land Corporation has a 52 week low of $736.75 and a 52 week high of $1,769.14. The firm has a market cap of $21.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 46.22 and a beta of 1.08.

Texas Pacific Land Announces Dividend

Texas Pacific Land ( NYSE:TPL Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The financial services provider reported $5.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $5.27 by ($0.03). The firm had revenue of $195.98 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $211.00 million. Texas Pacific Land had a net margin of 63.24% and a return on equity of 40.04%.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd were paid a $1.60 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, June 2nd. This represents a $6.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.69%. Texas Pacific Lands payout ratio is 32.02%.

About Texas Pacific Land

(Free Report)

Texas Pacific Land Corporation engages in the land and resource management, and water services and operations businesses. The company owns a 1/128th nonparticipating perpetual oil and gas royalty interest (NPRI) under approximately 85,000 acres of land; a 1/16th NPRI under approximately 371,000 acres of land; and approximately 4,000 additional net royalty acres, total of approximately 195,000 NRA located in the western part of Texas.

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FreeGulliver LLC cut its position in shares of First Horizon Corporation (NYSE:FHN  Free Report) by 0.8% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 100,279 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 814 shares during the quarter. First Horizon makes up about 1.0% of FreeGulliver LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 17th largest position. FreeGulliver LLCs holdings in First Horizon were worth $1,947,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of First Horizon by 160.1% in the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 5,524,827 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $111,270,000 after buying an additional 3,400,811 shares during the last quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its holdings in shares of First Horizon by 2.0% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 77,020 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,496,000 after purchasing an additional 1,481 shares in the last quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. increased its holdings in shares of First Horizon by 13.3% in the 1st quarter. Brown Advisory Inc. now owns 69,033 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,341,000 after purchasing an additional 8,110 shares in the last quarter. Cerity Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of First Horizon by 22.0% in the 1st quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 126,555 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,458,000 after purchasing an additional 22,852 shares in the last quarter. Finally, SG Americas Securities LLC increased its holdings in shares of First Horizon by 286.9% in the 1st quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 63,346 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,230,000 after purchasing an additional 46,975 shares in the last quarter. 80.28% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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First Horizon Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE FHN traded down $0.23 during trading on Thursday, reaching $22.34. 1,457,305 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,049,185. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $20.65 and its 200 day simple moving average is $20.02. The stock has a market cap of $11.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.41, a PEG ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 0.61. First Horizon Corporation has a 12-month low of $14.34 and a 12-month high of $22.83. The company has a current ratio of 0.96, a quick ratio of 0.95 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15.

First Horizon Announces Dividend

First Horizon ( NYSE:FHN Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.45 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.41 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $830.19 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $832.95 million. First Horizon had a return on equity of 10.55% and a net margin of 17.10%. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.36 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that First Horizon Corporation will post 1.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 13th were issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.69%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, June 13th. First Horizons dividend payout ratio is currently 38.71%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other First Horizon news, COO Tammy Locascio sold 10,285 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, July 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.25, for a total transaction of $228,841.25. Following the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 342,051 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,610,634.75. This trade represents a 2.92% 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. Also, EVP David T. Popwell sold 38,010 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 22nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $22.20, for a total value of $843,822.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 550,011 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,210,244.20. The trade was a 6.46% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.87% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently commented on FHN. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on First Horizon from $19.50 to $22.50 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, July 1st. Raymond James Financial reissued an outperform rating and set a $24.00 price target (up previously from $20.00) on shares of First Horizon in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price target on First Horizon from $24.00 to $22.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Robert W. Baird raised First Horizon from a neutral rating to an outperform rating and set a $22.00 price target for the company in a report on Monday, April 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised First Horizon from a sell rating to a hold rating in a report on Friday, July 18th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $23.28.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on FHN

First Horizon Profile

(Free Report)

First Horizon Corporation operates as the bank holding company for First Horizon Bank that provides various financial services. The company operates through Regional Banking and Specialty Banking segments. It offers general banking services for consumers, businesses, financial institutions, and governments.

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Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated their hold rating on shares of GSK (LON:GSK  Free Report) in a report published on Monday, Marketbeat reports. They currently have a GBX 1,450 ($19.70) target price on the stock.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reiterated an underweight rating on shares of GSK in a research report on Friday, July 18th. Shore Capital reaffirmed a buy rating and set a GBX 2,000 ($27.17) target price on shares of GSK in a report on Friday, July 18th. Finally, Berenberg Bank reiterated a hold rating and set a GBX 1,600 ($21.74) target price on shares of GSK in a research report on Friday, July 18th.

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Read Our Latest Report on GSK

GSK Stock Up 1.8%

Shares of GSK stock opened at GBX 1,371.50 ($18.63) on Monday. GSK has a 1-year low of GBX 1,242.50 ($16.88) and a 1-year high of GBX 1,678.68 ($22.81). The business has a 50-day moving average of GBX 1,434.41 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 1,422.29. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 114.64, a current ratio of 0.81 and a quick ratio of 0.73. The company has a market capitalization of 55.65 billion, a PE ratio of 22.15, a P/E/G ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 0.31.

GSK (LON:GSK  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The company reported GBX 44.90 ($0.61) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. GSK had a net margin of 8.02% and a return on equity of 18.08%. As a group, equities analysts forecast that GSK will post 175.980975 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at GSK

In other news, insider Wendy Becker purchased 545 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 20th. The stock was bought at an average price of GBX 1,435 ($19.50) per share, with a total value of 7,820.75 ($10,626.02). Also, insider Jonathan Symonds purchased 1,350 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, June 20th. The stock was acquired at an average price of GBX 1,435 ($19.50) per share, with a total value of 19,372.50 ($26,321.33). Over the last 90 days, insiders bought 1,905 shares of company stock worth $2,732,835. 1.61% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

GSK Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

GSK plc, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the research, development, and manufacture of vaccines, and specialty and general medicines to prevent and treat disease in the United Kingdom, the United States, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Commercial Operations and Total R&D.

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Hamel Associates Inc. decreased its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS  Free Report) by 54.4% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The fund owned 5,210 shares of the transportation companys stock after selling 6,210 shares during the quarter. Hamel Associates Inc.s holdings in United Parcel Service were worth $573,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Graybill Wealth Management LTD. acquired a new position in United Parcel Service in the 1st quarter worth $26,000. Pinney & Scofield Inc. bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. Citizens National Bank Trust Department grew its holdings in shares of United Parcel Service by 525.0% in the 1st quarter. Citizens National Bank Trust Department now owns 250 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $27,000 after acquiring an additional 210 shares in the last quarter. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. Finally, Marshall & Sterling Wealth Advisors Inc. bought a new position in shares of United Parcel Service in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Institutional investors own 60.26% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages have recently weighed in on UPS. Galvan Research decreased their price objective on United Parcel Service from $147.00 to $133.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 9th. Oppenheimer cut their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $126.00 to $114.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Loop Capital cut their target price on shares of United Parcel Service from $115.00 to $105.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an equal weight rating and issued a $98.00 target price (down from $120.00) on shares of United Parcel Service in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, HSBC downgraded shares of United Parcel Service from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $105.00 target price for the company. in a research note on Thursday, May 1st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have assigned a hold rating, eleven have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $119.13.

United Parcel Service Stock Performance

UPS stock traded down $0.50 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $103.03. 711,133 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,893,456. United Parcel Service, Inc. has a 52 week low of $90.55 and a 52 week high of $145.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 1.09 and a current ratio of 1.09. The firm has a market capitalization of $87.25 billion, a PE ratio of 15.07, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.21. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $99.91 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $107.66.

United Parcel Service (NYSE:UPS  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The transportation company reported $1.49 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.38 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $21.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $21.25 billion. United Parcel Service had a net margin of 6.44% and a return on equity of 40.15%. The companys revenue was down .9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.43 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that United Parcel Service, Inc. will post 7.95 EPS for the current year.

United Parcel Service Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, June 5th. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 19th were paid a $1.64 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, May 19th. This represents a $6.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.37%. United Parcel Services dividend payout ratio is presently 95.63%.

About United Parcel Service

(Free Report)

United Parcel Service, Inc, a package delivery company, provides transportation and delivery, distribution, contract logistics, ocean freight, airfreight, customs brokerage, and insurance services. It operates through two segments, U.S. Domestic Package and International Package. The U.S. Domestic Package segment offers time-definite delivery of express letters, documents, small packages, and palletized freight through air and ground services in the United States.

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McKesson (NYSE:MCK  Get Free Report) is one of 26 publicly-traded companies in the MED/DENTAL  SUPP industry, but how does it weigh in compared to its competitors? We will compare McKesson to similar businesses based on the strength of its profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, risk, valuation, analyst recommendations and earnings.

Earnings and Valuation

This table compares McKesson and its competitors revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

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Gross Revenue Net Income Price/Earnings Ratio McKesson $359.05 billion $3.30 billion 27.56 McKesson Competitors $37.38 billion $430.42 million 20.59

McKesson has higher revenue and earnings than its competitors. McKesson 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 and Institutional Ownership

Risk and Volatility

85.1% of McKesson shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 69.6% of shares of all MED/DENTAL  SUPP companies are held by institutional investors. 0.1% of McKesson shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 9.4% of shares of all MED/DENTAL  SUPP companies are held by 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.

McKesson has a beta of 0.48, meaning that its share price is 52% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, McKessons competitors have a beta of 0.52, meaning that their average share price is 48% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Profitability

This table compares McKesson and its competitors net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets McKesson 0.92% -201.12% 5.83% McKesson Competitors 2.88% -3.91% 7.65%

Dividends

McKesson pays an annual dividend of $2.84 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.4%. McKesson pays out 11.0% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. As a group, MED/DENTAL  SUPP companies pay a dividend yield of 0.8% and pay out 26.3% of their earnings in the form of a dividend. McKesson has raised its dividend for 17 consecutive years.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current ratings for McKesson and its competitors, as provided by MarketBeat.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score McKesson 0 3 10 1 2.86 McKesson Competitors 104 1134 2032 115 2.64

McKesson presently has a consensus target price of $710.17, suggesting a potential downside of 0.25%. As a group, MED/DENTAL  SUPP companies have a potential upside of 17.03%. Given McKessons competitors higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe McKesson has less favorable growth aspects than its competitors.

Summary

McKesson beats its competitors on 8 of the 15 factors compared.

About McKesson

(Get Free Report)

McKesson Corporation provides healthcare services in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: U.S. Pharmaceutical, Prescription Technology Solutions (RxTS), Medical-Surgical Solutions, and International. The U.S. Pharmaceutical segment distributes branded, generic, specialty, biosimilar and over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs, and other healthcare-related products. This segment also offers practice management, technology, clinical support, and business solutions to community-based oncology and other specialty practices; and consulting, outsourcing, technological, and other services, as well as sells financial, operational, and clinical solutions to pharmacies. The RxTS segment serves biopharma and life sciences partners, and patients to address medication challenges for patients by working across healthcare; connects patients, pharmacies, providers, pharmacy benefit managers, health plans, and biopharma companies to deliver innovative solutions to help people get the medicine needed to live healthier lives; and provides prescription price transparency, benefit insight, dispensing support, third-party logistics, and wholesale distribution support services. The Medical-Surgical Solutions segment offers medical-surgical supply distribution, logistics, and other services to healthcare providers, including physician offices, surgery centers, nursing homes, hospital reference labs, and home health care agencies. The International segment provides distribution and services to wholesale, institutional, and retail customers in Europe and Canada. McKesson Corporation was founded in 1833 and is headquartered in Irving, Texas.

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Sunbeam Capital Management LLC raised its stake in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV  Free Report) by 5.5% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 29,989 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,565 shares during the quarter. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF makes up 16.0% of Sunbeam Capital Management LLCs portfolio, making the stock its biggest position. Sunbeam Capital Management LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $16,851,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

A number of other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Windsor Advisory Group LLC increased its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Windsor Advisory Group LLC now owns 50 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 25 shares during the period. Murphy & Mullick Capital Management Corp acquired a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $30,000. Lord & Richards Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 1st quarter valued at about $31,000. Sellwood Investment Partners LLC acquired a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $32,000. Finally, Investment Counsel Co. of Nevada acquired a new position in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 4th quarter valued at about $33,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 70.12% of the companys stock.

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iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Stock Up 0.1%

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF stock traded up $0.33 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $637.66. 129,267 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 6,249,626. The firm has a market cap of $642.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.10 and a beta of 1.00. The firms 50-day simple moving average is $608.83 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $586.75. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 1-year low of $484.00 and a 1-year high of $638.38.

About iShares Core S&P 500 ETF

iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market.

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Principle Wealth Partners LLC raised its stake in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF (NYSEARCA:IJR  Free Report) by 2.8% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 285,183 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after acquiring an additional 7,735 shares during the quarter. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF comprises approximately 2.1% of Principle Wealth Partners LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 7th biggest holding. Principle Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF were worth $29,822,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF by 105.8% during the 1st quarter. Signature Resources Capital Management LLC now owns 249 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 128 shares during the last quarter. Redwood Park Advisors LLC bought a new position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Hoey Investments Inc. bought a new position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF during the 1st quarter worth approximately $28,000. Minot DeBlois Advisors LLC bought a new position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $32,000. Finally, London Co. of Virginia bought a new position in iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.92% of the companys stock.

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iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Price Performance

IJR traded up $0.44 during trading on Thursday, reaching $113.27. The company had a trading volume of 3,264,123 shares, compared to its average volume of 4,416,394. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $108.81 and its 200 day moving average price is $108.32. The company has a market cap of $82.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.52 and a beta of 1.15. iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF has a 12 month low of $89.22 and a 12 month high of $128.61.

iShares Core S&P Small-Cap ETF Company Profile

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.

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Jackson Hole Capital Partners LLC raised its stake in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE  Free Report) by 11.9% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The firm owned 110,837 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 11,828 shares during the quarter. Jackson Hole Capital Partners LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $2,809,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at $2,328,986,000. Starboard Value LP purchased a new stake in Pfizer during the 4th quarter valued at about $407,730,000. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. boosted its holdings in Pfizer by 307.5% during the 1st quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 10,046,340 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $254,574,000 after acquiring an additional 7,581,030 shares during the period. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA raised its position in Pfizer by 7.5% during the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 76,502,238 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,029,604,000 after purchasing an additional 5,350,381 shares during the last quarter. Finally, APG Asset Management N.V. raised its position in shares of Pfizer by 1,106.0% in the 4th quarter. APG Asset Management N.V. now owns 5,619,213 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $143,967,000 after acquiring an additional 5,153,257 shares in the last quarter. 68.36% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on Pfizer from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on Pfizer from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on Pfizer in a report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They issued a neutral rating and a $24.00 target price on the stock. Redburn Atlantic reduced their price objective on Pfizer from $29.00 to $27.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, Leerink Partners lowered their price target on Pfizer from $28.00 to $26.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, thirteen have assigned a hold rating, six have given a buy rating and three have given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $28.55.

Pfizer Price Performance

Shares of Pfizer stock traded down $0.01 during trading on Thursday, hitting $25.36. 6,564,619 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 45,374,371. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $24.20 and a 200 day moving average price of $24.71. 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 stock has a market capitalization of $144.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.37, a P/E/G ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 0.58. Pfizer Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $20.92 and a fifty-two week high of $31.54.

Pfizer (NYSE:PFE  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.92 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $0.25. Pfizer had a return on equity of 20.33% and a net margin of 12.62%. The business had revenue of $13.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $14.43 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $0.82 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts expect that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Pfizer Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, July 25th will be paid a dividend of $0.43 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 25th. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 6.78%. Pfizers dividend payout ratio is presently 124.64%.

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.

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LONDON, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Britain and India officially signed a free trade agreement on Thursday during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Britain at Chequers, the country house of the British prime minister, following the initial announcement made in May.

The British government said that India's average tariff on British products will decrease from 15 percent to 3 percent. Under the terms of the agreement, tariffs on whisky and gin exported to India will be halved from 150 percent to 75 percent, with a further reduction to 40 percent over a decade. Meanwhile, British automotive tariffs will decrease from over 100 percent to 10 percent, subject to a quota.

In return, 99 percent of Indian exports to Britain will face zero tariff.

According to the British government's statement, the agreement will create over 2,200 jobs across Britain and will stimulate sectors including aerospace, technology and advanced manufacturing.

"Thanks to the deal, British workers will enjoy a collective uplift in wages of 2.2 billion British pounds (2.98 billion U.S. dollars) each year and could also see cheaper prices and more choice on clothes, shoes and food products," the government said in a press release.

According to the British government, the deal is expected to "increase bilateral trade by nearly 39 percent in the long run, equivalent to 25.5 billion British pounds a year, when compared to 2040 projected levels of trade in the absence of an agreement."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer regarded the agreement as a booster to British economy. "We're putting more money in the pockets of hardworking Brits and helping families with the cost of living, and we're determined to go further and faster to grow the economy and raise living standards across the UK," he said,

"This agreement marks a great moment for both Scotch and Scotland," said Nik Jhangiani, Interim Chief Executive of British alcoholic beverage company Diageo.

However, dissents and unwelcoming voices exist. While the British government held firm on key matters like expanded visa access and post-study work opportunities, India managed to gain limited concessions for professionals. The British government on Wednesday said that they would agree on "a limited collective quota, 1,800 per year, for Indian chefs de cuisine, yoga teachers and classical musicians."

British think tank Chatham House cautioned against a narrow bilateral approach. It calls for deeper regional engagement across South Asia and the wider Indo-Pacific region.

According to British newspaper The Guardian, the two governments still have disagreements as they continue to discuss Britain's plans for a carbon border tax, which India strongly opposes.

British products such as lamb, salmon, soft drinks, medical devices and electrical machinery will be dumped into the Indian market without any restrictions by slashing Indian tariffs, said Ashok Dhawale, president of All India Kisan Sabha, the largest peasant organisation in India.

"This will act against the interest of farmers, fish workers and micro, small and medium enterprises that are engaged in food processing. In the past, all such free trade agreements, both bilateral and multilateral, have failed the Indian farmers and small industries," he said.

"It should also withdraw from negotiations with the United States for a similar treaty that would pander to the Trump-led imperialist regime," Dhawale added.

The agreement "has a message for Trump," India's The Economic Times said in a similar tone. "Unlike the Trump administration's tariff-driven approach with India, the India-UK deal, finalized after three years, demonstrates that prioritizing mutual respect and long-term strategic interests leads to more durable and beneficial agreements." 
Jackson Hole Capital Partners LLC boosted its stake in CocaCola Company (The) (NYSE:KO  Free Report) by 0.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 78,946 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 305 shares during the quarter. CocaCola makes up approximately 1.1% of Jackson Hole Capital Partners LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 20th largest holding. Jackson Hole Capital Partners LLCs holdings in CocaCola were worth $5,654,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. MorganRosel Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in CocaCola in the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Garde Capital Inc. purchased a new position in CocaCola in the 1st quarter worth approximately $30,000. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. increased its holdings in shares of CocaCola by 360.0% during the 1st quarter. Mizuho Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 460 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 360 shares during the last quarter. Moser Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of CocaCola by 449.5% during the 1st quarter. Moser Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 500 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 409 shares during the last quarter. Finally, REAP Financial Group LLC increased its holdings in shares of CocaCola by 57.5% during the 4th quarter. REAP Financial Group LLC now owns 570 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 208 shares during the last quarter. 70.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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CocaCola Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:KO traded up $0.12 on Thursday, reaching $69.28. The companys stock had a trading volume of 2,959,328 shares, compared to its average volume of 17,332,535. The stocks 50-day moving average is $70.74 and its two-hundred day moving average is $69.23. CocaCola Company has a 52-week low of $60.62 and a 52-week high of $74.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.49, a current ratio of 1.21 and a quick ratio of 0.89. The stock has a market capitalization of $298.21 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.57, a PEG ratio of 3.65 and a beta of 0.45.

CocaCola Announces Dividend

CocaCola ( NYSE:KO Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 22nd. The company reported $0.87 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.83 by $0.04. CocaCola had a net margin of 25.89% and a return on equity of 44.91%. The business had revenue of $12.50 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $12.55 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.84 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that CocaCola Company will post 2.96 EPS for the current year.

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, October 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.51 per share. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.94%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th. CocaColas dividend payout ratio is currently 72.34%.

Insider Transactions at CocaCola

In other news, CEO James Quincey sold 266,403 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, May 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.06, for a total value of $19,197,000.18. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer owned 275,946 shares of the companys stock, valued at $19,884,668.76. This represents a 49.12% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, CFO John Murphy sold 88,658 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, May 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $72.09, for a total transaction of $6,391,355.22. Following the sale, 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 ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 415,387 shares of company stock valued at $29,923,985 over the last 90 days. Corporate insiders own 0.97% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

KO has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Barclays restated an overweight rating on shares of CocaCola in a report on Thursday, March 27th. BNP Paribas restated an outperform rating and set a $83.00 price target on shares of CocaCola in a report on Monday. Royal Bank Of Canada set a $76.00 target price on shares of CocaCola and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Monday. Cfra Research upgraded shares of CocaCola to a strong-buy rating in a report on Tuesday, April 15th. Finally, UBS Group dropped their target price on shares of CocaCola from $86.00 to $84.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Buy and an average target price of $77.07.

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CocaCola 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.

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Kelman Lazarov Inc. bought a new stake in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM  Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 1,815 shares of the exchange traded funds stock, valued at approximately $362,000.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC boosted its position in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 25,821.0% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 998,735 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $199,238,000 after purchasing an additional 994,882 shares during the period. Alliancebernstein L.P. raised its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 90.0% in the 4th quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 1,079,970 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $238,630,000 after purchasing an additional 511,699 shares in the last quarter. IMC Chicago LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 135.9% in the 1st quarter. IMC Chicago LLC now owns 844,413 shares of the exchange traded funds stock valued at $168,452,000 after purchasing an additional 486,396 shares in the last quarter. Leigh Baldwin & CO. LLC acquired a new stake in iShares Russell 2000 ETF during the 4th quarter worth $92,118,000. Finally, 59 North Capital Management LP raised its stake in iShares Russell 2000 ETF by 84.4% during the 4th quarter. 59 North Capital Management LP now owns 833,096 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $184,081,000 after acquiring an additional 381,322 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares Russell 2000 ETF Stock Performance

iShares Russell 2000 ETF stock traded down $1.66 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $225.02. 8,555,297 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 32,532,387. The stock has a market cap of $65.21 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.69 and a beta of 1.15. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $213.78 and its 200 day simple moving average is $210.07. iShares Russell 2000 ETF has a 12-month low of $171.73 and a 12-month high of $244.98.

iShares Russell 2000 ETF Company Profile

iShares Russell 2000 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Russell 2000 Index (the Index). The Index is a float-adjusted capitalization weighted index that measures the performance of the small-capitalization sector of the United States equity market and includes securities issued by the approximately 2,000 smallest issuers in the Russell 3000 Index.

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Mendel Money Management lowered its position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (BATS:MTUM  Free Report) by 3.7% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 1,670 shares of the companys stock after selling 65 shares during the period. Mendel Money Managements holdings in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF were worth $338,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 58.5% in the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 12,608,593 shares of the companys stock worth $2,608,970,000 after acquiring an additional 4,651,707 shares in the last quarter. Bank of America Corp DE increased its position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 25.2% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 1,528,601 shares of the companys stock valued at $316,298,000 after buying an additional 308,078 shares in the last quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System increased its position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. State of Michigan Retirement System now owns 1,295,090 shares of the companys stock valued at $261,777,000 after buying an additional 4,200 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 204.8% during the 4th quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 1,128,104 shares of the companys stock valued at $233,427,000 after buying an additional 758,024 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its position in iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF by 43.2% during the 4th quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 873,421 shares of the companys stock valued at $180,571,000 after buying an additional 263,308 shares in the last quarter.

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iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF Stock Up 14.9%

MTUM stock opened at $240.18 on Thursday. iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF has a twelve month low of $168.49 and a twelve month high of $240.99. The firm has a market cap of $17.53 billion, a PE ratio of 28.67 and a beta of 1.02. The business has a 50 day moving average of $233.87 and a 200 day moving average of $218.37.

About iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF

The iShares MSCI USA Momentum Factor ETF (MTUM) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Momentum SR Variant index. The fund tracks an index of large- and mid-cap US equities, selected and weighted based on price appreciation over 6- and 12-month periods and low volatility over the past 3 years.

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Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich reduced its position in shares of Newmont Corporation (NYSE:NEM  Free Report) by 31.2% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 52,983 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 23,981 shares during the quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurichs holdings in Newmont were worth $2,558,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the business. 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 valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 201 shares during the last quarter. Cloud Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in Newmont during the first quarter worth about $26,000. Private Trust Co. NA grew its holdings in Newmont by 122.6% during 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 position in Newmont in the 1st quarter worth about $31,000. Finally, Alpine Bank Wealth Management purchased a new stake in Newmont during the first quarter valued at about $32,000. 68.85% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Newmont Trading Down 0.5%

Shares of NEM stock opened at $61.42 on Thursday. Newmont Corporation has a 1-year low of $36.86 and a 1-year high of $62.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25, a current ratio of 1.98 and a quick ratio of 1.70. The business has a 50-day moving average of $56.50 and a 200 day moving average of $50.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $68.36 billion, a PE ratio of 13.77, a P/E/G ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 0.33.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Newmont ( NYSE:NEM Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, April 23rd. The basic materials company reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.71 by $0.54. Newmont had a return on equity of 15.75% and a net margin of 25.77%. The business had revenue of $5.01 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.82 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $0.55 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Newmont Corporation will post 3.45 earnings per share for the current year.

A number of research firms recently issued reports on NEM. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $60.90 price target on shares of Newmont in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. Wall Street Zen raised Newmont from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report on Friday, May 30th. Raymond James Financial reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $66.00 price target on shares of Newmont in a report on Friday, April 25th. Argus set a $63.00 price objective on Newmont in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price objective on Newmont from $60.00 to $68.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 3rd. One investment 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 stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $62.49.

View Our Latest Stock Report on Newmont

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Peter Toth sold 3,000 shares of Newmont 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 sale, the executive vice president directly owned 77,526 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,193,381.34. The trade was a 3.73% 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. Also, Director Bruce R. Brook sold 2,077 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $58.75, for a total value of $122,023.75. Following the sale, 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 90 days. Company insiders own 0.05% of the companys stock.

About Newmont

(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.

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Oak Thistle LLC acquired a new stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 2,335 shares of the investment management companys stock, valued at approximately $1,276,000.

Other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 63,864.7% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 3,976,684 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $2,172,423,000 after purchasing an additional 3,970,467 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in the 1st quarter valued at $1,766,238,000. Norges Bank purchased a new position in The Goldman Sachs Group in the 4th quarter worth $1,603,315,000. Castlekeep Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group during the 4th quarter worth about $944,334,000. Finally, DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main grew its stake in The Goldman Sachs Group by 214.1% during the 4th quarter. DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral Genossenschafts Bank Frankfurt am Main now owns 1,294,084 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $741,018,000 after purchasing an additional 882,099 shares during the last quarter. 71.21% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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The Goldman Sachs Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE GS opened at $716.78 on Thursday. The stocks 50-day moving average is $653.33 and its two-hundred day moving average is $603.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.26, a current ratio of 1.12 and a quick ratio of 0.68. The company has a market cap of $219.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.49 and a beta of 1.35. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $437.37 and a 1-year high of $726.00.

The Goldman Sachs Group Increases Dividend

The Goldman Sachs Group ( NYSE:GS Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 16th. The investment management company reported $10.91 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $9.82 by $1.09. The firm had revenue of $14.58 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $13.53 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a return on equity of 13.84% and a net margin of 12.37%. The firms quarterly revenue was up 14.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $8.62 earnings per share. Analysts forecast that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 47.12 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 29th. Investors of record on Friday, August 29th will be given a $4.00 dividend. This represents a $16.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.23%. This is a positive change from The Goldman Sachs Groups previous quarterly dividend of $3.00. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 29th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 26.44%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently commented on GS. Citigroup raised their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $550.00 to $700.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $625.00 to $614.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, April 3rd. Barclays lowered their price target on The Goldman Sachs Group from $760.00 to $720.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada restated a sector perform rating on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on The Goldman Sachs Group from $650.00 to $785.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have assigned a hold rating and five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, The Goldman Sachs Group currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $660.00.

View Our Latest Analysis on The Goldman Sachs Group

About The Goldman Sachs Group

(Free Report)

The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc, a financial institution, provides a range of financial services for corporations, financial institutions, governments, and individuals worldwide. It operates through Global Banking & Markets, Asset & Wealth Management, and Platform Solutions segments. The Global Banking & Markets segment provides financial advisory services, including strategic advisory assignments related to mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, corporate defense activities, restructurings, and spin-offs; and relationship lending, and acquisition financing, as well as secured lending, through structured credit and asset-backed lending and involved in financing under securities to resale agreements.

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One Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS  Free Report) by 56.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 15,849 shares of the information technology services providers stock after acquiring an additional 5,708 shares during the quarter. One Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Fidelity National Information Services were worth $1,184,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sierra Ocean LLC grew its holdings in Fidelity National Information Services by 356.0% during the 1st quarter. Sierra Ocean LLC now owns 342 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 267 shares during the last quarter. YANKCOM Partnership grew its stake in shares of Fidelity National Information Services by 118.8% in the first quarter. YANKCOM Partnership now owns 350 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $26,000 after buying an additional 190 shares in the last quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. lifted its holdings in Fidelity National Information Services by 179.9% during the 1st quarter. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. now owns 389 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 250 shares during the last quarter. Kennebec Savings Bank raised its stake in Fidelity National Information Services by 71.3% during the 1st quarter. Kennebec Savings Bank now owns 447 shares of the information technology services providers stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 186 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Wayfinding Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Fidelity National Information Services during the 1st quarter worth $43,000. 96.23% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages have commented on FIS. Oppenheimer upgraded Fidelity National Information Services from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and set a $94.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 23rd. Truist Financial raised their price objective on Fidelity National Information Services from $84.00 to $85.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their price target on Fidelity National Information Services from $95.00 to $93.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Robert W. Baird increased their target price on Fidelity National Information Services from $82.00 to $86.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Finally, UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Fidelity National Information Services from $81.00 to $84.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating and thirteen have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Fidelity National Information Services presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $91.00.

Fidelity National Information Services Trading Down 0.2%

NYSE FIS traded down $0.13 on Thursday, reaching $81.51. The company had a trading volume of 2,406,817 shares, compared to its average volume of 3,328,666. Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. has a 52 week low of $66.51 and a 52 week high of $91.98. The stock has a market cap of $42.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 53.84 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a quick ratio of 0.63, a current ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57. The stocks 50 day moving average is $80.28 and its 200-day moving average is $76.86.

Fidelity National Information Services (NYSE:FIS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The information technology services provider reported $1.21 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.20 by $0.01. Fidelity National Information Services had a return on equity of 18.15% and a net margin of 8.10%. The firm had revenue of $2.53 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.50 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.33 EPS. The companys revenue was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. Equities analysts predict that Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. will post 5.74 earnings per share for the current year.

Fidelity National Information Services Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, June 24th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, June 10th were issued a $0.40 dividend. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.96%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, June 10th. Fidelity National Information Servicess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 105.96%.

Fidelity National Information Services Profile

(Free Report)

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc engages in the provision of financial services technology solutions for financial institutions, businesses, and developers worldwide. It operates through Banking Solutions, Capital Market Solutions, and Corporate and Other segments. The company provides core processing and ancillary applications; mobile and online banking; fraud, risk management, and compliance; card and retail payment; electronic funds transfer and network; wealth and retirement; and item processing and output solutions.

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RenaissanceRe (NYSE:RNR  Get Free Report) posted its earnings results on Wednesday. The insurance provider reported $12.29 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $10.28 by $2.01, Zacks reports. RenaissanceRe had a net margin of 13.26% and a return on equity of 15.90%. The company had revenue of $2.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.96 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $12.41 EPS. The firms revenue was down 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year.

RenaissanceRe Stock Up 0.2%

NYSE:RNR traded up $0.50 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $237.75. 217,193 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 490,449. RenaissanceRe has a one year low of $210.51 and a one year high of $300.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 1.36 and a quick ratio of 1.36. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $242.46 and a 200 day moving average price of $241.63. The company has a market cap of $11.57 billion, a PE ratio of 7.61, a P/E/G ratio of 2.78 and a beta of 0.30.

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RenaissanceRe Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 13th were given a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 13th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.67%. RenaissanceRes payout ratio is 5.10%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of brokerages have issued reports on RNR. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of RenaissanceRe from $256.00 to $273.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday. Jefferies Financial Group reduced their price objective on shares of RenaissanceRe from $266.00 to $265.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of RenaissanceRe from $437.00 to $426.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, March 26th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reissued a market perform rating and set a $268.00 target price (down from $282.00) on shares of RenaissanceRe in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of RenaissanceRe from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and set a $284.00 price objective for the company in a report on Tuesday, April 8th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $289.89.

View Our Latest Analysis on RenaissanceRe

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CAO James Christopher Fraser sold 332 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, May 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $249.54, for a total transaction of $82,847.28. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 27,154 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,776,009.16. The trade was a 1.21% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 1.30% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. lifted its stake in shares of RenaissanceRe by 39.4% in the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 9,687 shares of the insurance providers stock worth $2,325,000 after buying an additional 2,737 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of RenaissanceRe during the first quarter valued at approximately $15,289,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its holdings in shares of RenaissanceRe by 900.0% during the first quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 1,350 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $324,000 after purchasing an additional 1,215 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its holdings in RenaissanceRe by 72.5% during the first quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 57,186 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $13,725,000 after buying an additional 24,027 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.97% of the companys stock.

RenaissanceRe Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Property, and Casualty and Specialty segments. The Property segment writes property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance and excess of loss reinsurance to insure insurance and reinsurance companies against natural and man-made catastrophes, including hurricanes, earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis, as well as winter storms, freezes, floods, fires, windstorms, tornadoes, explosions, and acts of terrorism; and other property class of products, such as proportional reinsurance, property per risk, property reinsurance, binding facilities, and regional U.S.

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Sound Shore Management Inc. CT raised its stake in Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 3.7% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 1,425,166 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 51,479 shares during the period. Bristol Myers Squibb comprises about 3.0% of Sound Shore Management Inc. CTs investment portfolio, making the stock its 14th largest position. Sound Shore Management Inc. CT owned 0.07% of Bristol Myers Squibb worth $86,921,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in BMY. Hamel Associates Inc. acquired a new stake in Bristol Myers Squibb in the first quarter worth $220,000. Advisor OS LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 9.8% during the 1st quarter. Advisor OS LLC now owns 5,994 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock worth $366,000 after buying an additional 537 shares during the period. Kovack Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 2.6% in the 1st quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. now owns 20,063 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,224,000 after purchasing an additional 515 shares during the period. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. boosted its holdings in Bristol Myers Squibb by 3.5% in the 1st quarter. Pinnacle Associates Ltd. now owns 124,286 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $7,580,000 after purchasing an additional 4,203 shares during the period. Finally, AE Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 11.0% in the 1st quarter. AE Wealth Management LLC now owns 68,260 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $4,163,000 after buying an additional 6,754 shares in the last quarter. 76.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Bristol Myers Squibb Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of NYSE:BMY traded down $0.10 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $48.88. 1,344,718 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 13,320,479. The firm has a market cap of $99.47 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.31, a PEG ratio of 2.51 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.65, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a current ratio of 1.28. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a 52-week low of $44.00 and a 52-week high of $63.33. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $47.57 and its 200 day simple moving average is $52.76.

Bristol Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

Bristol Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, April 24th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.80 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.50 by $0.30. The company had revenue of $11.20 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.77 billion. Bristol Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 87.62% and a net margin of 11.38%. The businesss revenue was down 5.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned ($4.40) EPS. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 1st. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 3rd will be paid a $0.62 dividend. This represents a $2.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.07%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 3rd. Bristol Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio is presently 92.88%.

Insider Activity at Bristol Myers Squibb

In related news, EVP Samit Hirawat bought 4,250 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, April 25th. The shares were bought 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 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 transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Corporate insiders own 0.09% of the companys stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

BMY has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Bristol Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, June 6th. Argus upgraded shares of Bristol Myers Squibb to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Piper Sandler started coverage on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They set an overweight rating and a $65.00 price objective on the stock. Cantor Fitzgerald reiterated a neutral rating and issued a $55.00 price target on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. Finally, UBS Group reduced their target price on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $54.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Friday, April 11th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have assigned a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Bristol Myers Squibb presently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $58.53.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on BMY

Bristol Myers Squibb Profile

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Sound Shore Management Inc. CT bought a new stake in shares of Mohawk Industries, Inc. (NYSE:MHK  Free Report) during the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund bought 535,637 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $61,159,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new position in Mohawk Industries in the 4th quarter worth approximately $4,891,000. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Mohawk Industries during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $482,000. Sei Investments Co. raised its position in shares of Mohawk Industries by 46.3% during the 4th quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 91,586 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,911,000 after buying an additional 28,998 shares during the period. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new stake in shares of Mohawk Industries during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $1,310,000. Finally, LPL Financial LLC increased its holdings in Mohawk Industries by 11.3% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 12,569 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,497,000 after purchasing an additional 1,273 shares during the last quarter. 78.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms recently weighed in on MHK. Royal Bank Of Canada dropped their target price on shares of Mohawk Industries from $130.00 to $119.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a report on Monday, May 5th. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Mohawk Industries from $115.00 to $111.00 and set an equal weight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, May 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on shares of Mohawk Industries from $156.00 to $139.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of Mohawk Industries from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Monday, May 5th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft initiated coverage on shares of Mohawk Industries in a research report on Tuesday, April 1st. They set a hold rating and a $121.00 price objective for the company. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $140.71.

Mohawk Industries Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of MHK traded up $0.07 on Thursday, hitting $116.72. 138,935 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 783,758. The company has a quick ratio of 1.13, a current ratio of 2.01 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.28, a P/E/G ratio of 4.49 and a beta of 1.18. The stocks 50 day moving average is $105.58 and its two-hundred day moving average is $111.42. Mohawk Industries, Inc. has a 1 year low of $96.24 and a 1 year high of $164.29.

Mohawk Industries (NYSE:MHK  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $1.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.41 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $2.53 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.56 billion. Mohawk Industries had a net margin of 4.54% and a return on equity of 7.68%. Mohawk Industriess revenue was down 5.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.86 earnings per share. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Mohawk Industries, Inc. will post 9.8 earnings per share for the current year.

Mohawk Industries Company Profile

(Free Report)

Mohawk Industries, Inc designs, manufactures, sources, distributes, and markets flooring products for residential and commercial remodeling, and new construction channels in the United States, Europe, Latin America, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Global Ceramic, Flooring North America, and Flooring Rest of the World.

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Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (OTCMKTS:IVPAF  Free Report)  Stock analysts at Stifel Canada issued their Q3 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Ivanhoe Mines in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, July 22nd. Stifel Canada analyst R. Profiti anticipates that the company will post earnings per share of $0.01 for the quarter. Stifel Canada currently has a Strong-Buy rating on the stock. Stifel Canada also issued estimates for Ivanhoe Mines FY2025 earnings at $0.17 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $0.31 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $0.43 EPS.

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Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on IVPAF. UBS Group upgraded shares of Ivanhoe Mines to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, June 12th. Raymond James Financial raised shares of Ivanhoe Mines to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Monday, June 30th. Citigroup upgraded shares of Ivanhoe Mines to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 16th. Scotiabank downgraded shares of Ivanhoe Mines from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, June 12th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group raised shares of Ivanhoe Mines to a strong-buy rating in a report on Friday, June 13th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of Strong Buy.

Ivanhoe Mines Price Performance

Shares of OTCMKTS IVPAF opened at $8.89 on Thursday. Ivanhoe Mines has a 1-year low of $6.50 and a 1-year high of $15.53. The business has a 50-day moving average of $8.13 and a 200-day moving average of $9.45. The company has a market capitalization of $12.04 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.97.

Ivanhoe Mines (OTCMKTS:IVPAF  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The company reported $0.10 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.07 by $0.03. The business had revenue of $77.02 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $108.71 million.

About Ivanhoe Mines

(Get Free Report)

Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. engages in the mining, development, and exploration of minerals and precious metals primarily in Africa. It explores for platinum, palladium, nickel, copper, gold, rhodium, zinc, silver, germanium, and lead deposits. The company's projects include the Platreef project located in the Northern Limb of South Africa's Bushveld Complex; the Kipushi project located in Haut-Katanga Province, Democratic Republic of Congo; and the Kamoa-Kakula project located within the Central African Copperbelt.

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SARAJEVO, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) adopted a decision on Thursday to establish a permanent coordination body for the prevention of money laundering, the financing of terrorist activities, and the financing of the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

The decision aims to ensure proper enforcement of the Law on the Prevention of Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorist Activities, and to align BiH's efforts with the recommendations of MONEYVAL, a monitoring body of the Council of Europe.

Its tasks include conducting risk assessments, preparing action plans, and drafting a national strategy to fight money laundering and terrorism financing in line with international standards.

BiH adopted major legal reforms in 2024 to meet MONEYVAL standards and support its progress toward European Union membership. 
Taseko Mines Ltd. (TSE:TKO  Free Report)  Equities researchers at Stifel Canada decreased their FY2025 EPS estimates for shares of Taseko Mines in a research report issued to clients and investors on Tuesday, July 22nd. Stifel Canada analyst C. Mcgill now anticipates that the company will post earnings of $0.18 per share for the year, down from their previous estimate of $0.19. The consensus estimate for Taseko Mines current full-year earnings is $0.28 per share. Stifel Canada also issued estimates for Taseko Mines Q4 2025 earnings at $0.15 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $0.36 EPS.

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A number of other brokerages have also weighed in on TKO. Paradigm Capital raised their price objective on shares of Taseko Mines from C$4.50 to C$5.25 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, July 7th. TD Securities cut Taseko Mines from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating and lifted their price target for the company from C$3.50 to C$5.00 in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Finally, National Bankshares lifted their target price on Taseko Mines from C$4.50 to C$5.25 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, June 24th.

Taseko Mines Trading Up 0.2%

Shares of Taseko Mines stock opened at C$4.70 on Thursday. The firms 50-day moving average price is C$3.89 and its 200 day moving average price is C$3.30. The firm has a market capitalization of C$1.43 billion, a PE ratio of 18.38 and a beta of 1.92. Taseko Mines has a twelve month low of C$2.38 and a twelve month high of C$5.05.

Insider Transactions at Taseko Mines

In other news, Senior Officer Trevor Thomas sold 35,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$4.92, for a total transaction of C$172,200.00. Also, Director Russell Edward Hallbauer sold 15,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$4.80, for a total transaction of C$72,000.00. In the last three months, insiders sold 185,100 shares of company stock valued at $856,200. Company insiders own 2.58% of the companys stock.

Taseko Mines Company Profile

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Taseko Mines Ltd is a Canadian mining company. It is principally engaged in the production and sale of metals, as well as related activities, including exploration and mine development, within the province of British Columbia, Canada, and the State of Arizona, the United States. The Gibraltar, Aley, New Prosperity, and Harmony properties are located in British Columbia whereas Florence copper is in central Arizona.

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Mitchells & Butlers plc (LON:MAB  Get Free Report) insider Timothy (Tim) Charles Jones bought 50 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, July 18th. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 278 ($3.78) per share, for a total transaction of 139 ($188.86).

Timothy (Tim) Charles Jones also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Thursday, June 19th, Timothy (Tim) Charles Jones bought 49 shares of Mitchells & Butlers stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 279 ($3.79) per share, for a total transaction of 136.71 ($185.75).

Mitchells & Butlers Stock Up 0.5%

Shares of MAB opened at GBX 285.50 ($3.88) on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of 1.69 billion, a PE ratio of 37.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.76 and a beta of 1.71. The companys fifty day moving average is GBX 282.50 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 249.65. Mitchells & Butlers plc has a fifty-two week low of GBX 194.40 ($2.64) and a fifty-two week high of GBX 320 ($4.35). The company has a quick ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 63.56.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Mitchells & Butlers ( LON:MAB Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 22nd. The company reported GBX 16.80 ($0.23) earnings per share for the quarter. Mitchells & Butlers had a net margin of 1.72% and a return on equity of 1.89%. Analysts forecast that Mitchells & Butlers plc will post 26.6341463 earnings per share for the current year.

Separately, Shore Capital restated a buy rating on shares of Mitchells & Butlers in a research report on Thursday, May 22nd.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on MAB

Mitchells & Butlers Company Profile

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Mitchells & Butlers is a leading operator of managed restaurants and pubs in the UK. It listed on the London Stock Exchange in April 2003 and is a member of the FTSE 250. Its restaurants and pubs have some of the highest average sales and profits per site in the industry and it operates the best portfolio of brands in the UK.

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Journey Strategic Wealth LLC boosted its stake in Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC  Free Report) by 4.0% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 18,112 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 697 shares during the quarter. Journey Strategic Wealth LLCs holdings in Wells Fargo & Company were worth $1,300,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Carnegie Investment Counsel raised its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 11.5% during the first quarter. Carnegie Investment Counsel now owns 28,944 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,078,000 after buying an additional 2,985 shares during the last quarter. Dorsey Wright & Associates purchased a new position in shares of Wells Fargo & Company during the 1st quarter valued at $1,975,000. Burney Co. grew its holdings in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 102.1% during the 1st quarter. Burney Co. now owns 149,371 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $10,723,000 after acquiring an additional 75,464 shares in the last quarter. Triumph Capital Management lifted its stake in shares of Wells Fargo & Company by 2.4% in the 1st quarter. Triumph Capital Management now owns 8,912 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $640,000 after purchasing an additional 210 shares during the last quarter. Finally, City National Bank of Florida MSD lifted its position in Wells Fargo & Company by 6.1% during the 1st quarter. City National Bank of Florida MSD now owns 12,652 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $908,000 after acquiring an additional 728 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.90% of the companys stock.

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Wells Fargo & Company Stock Performance

Wells Fargo & Company stock opened at $83.90 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $273.02 billion, a PE ratio of 14.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.28 and a beta of 1.16. The stocks 50 day moving average price is $77.53 and its 200 day moving average price is $74.42. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.06, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 0.84. Wells Fargo & Company has a one year low of $50.15 and a one year high of $83.94.

Wells Fargo & Company ( NYSE:WFC Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 15th. The financial services provider reported $1.54 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.41 by $0.13. Wells Fargo & Company had a return on equity of 12.29% and a net margin of 16.82%. The business had revenue of $20.82 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.83 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.33 EPS. Wells Fargo & Companys revenue was up .6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Wells Fargo & Company will post 5.89 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Wells Fargo & Company announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share repurchase plan on Tuesday, April 29th that authorizes the company to repurchase $40.00 billion in outstanding shares. This repurchase authorization authorizes the financial services provider to purchase up to 17.2% of its stock through open market purchases. Stock repurchase plans are generally an indication that the companys board believes its stock is undervalued.

Wells Fargo & Company Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Sunday, June 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, May 9th were issued a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, May 9th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.91%. Wells Fargo & Companys payout ratio is currently 27.40%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have weighed in on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group dropped their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $92.00 to $91.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 16th. Dbs Bank upgraded shares of Wells Fargo & Company from a hold rating to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price objective on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $82.00 to $73.50 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 3rd. TD Cowen began coverage on shares of Wells Fargo & Company in a research report on Thursday, May 15th. They set a hold rating and a $83.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Barclays reduced their target price on shares of Wells Fargo & Company from $92.00 to $87.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, April 14th. Nine equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a 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 $80.39.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Wells Fargo & Company

About Wells Fargo & Company

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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.

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Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp (NYSE:MGY  Free Report)  Research analysts at Zacks Research lifted their Q1 2026 earnings estimates for shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas in a research report issued on Monday, July 21st. Zacks Research analyst N. Choudhury now anticipates that the company will earn $0.43 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $0.42. The consensus estimate for Magnolia Oil & Gas current full-year earnings is $2.10 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Magnolia Oil & Gas Q2 2026 earnings at $0.45 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $0.47 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $0.46 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $0.47 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $1.88 EPS.

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Magnolia Oil & Gas (NYSE:MGY  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The company reported $0.55 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.53 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $350.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $337.83 million. Magnolia Oil & Gas had a return on equity of 20.73% and a net margin of 28.50%. The firms revenue was up 9.7% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $0.46 EPS.

Several other equities analysts have also commented on MGY. Susquehanna cut their price target on Magnolia Oil & Gas from $31.00 to $30.00 and set a positive rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, April 22nd. UBS Group reissued a buy rating and issued a $29.00 price target (up previously from $26.00) on shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas in a report on Friday, June 13th. Piper Sandler raised their price objective on Magnolia Oil & Gas from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. Citigroup restated a sell rating on shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, Bank of America raised their price objective on Magnolia Oil & Gas from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, May 23rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Magnolia Oil & Gas has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $26.67.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Magnolia Oil & Gas

Magnolia Oil & Gas Trading Up 0.8%

NYSE:MGY traded up $0.19 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $23.72. 227,501 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,671,501. The firms fifty day moving average is $22.95 and its 200-day moving average is $23.16. Magnolia Oil & Gas has a 12-month low of $19.09 and a 12-month high of $29.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.80, a P/E/G ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 1.28. The company has a current ratio of 1.33, a quick ratio of 1.33 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.20.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Magnolia Oil & Gas

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. First Trust Advisors LP lifted its stake in Magnolia Oil & Gas by 24.6% during the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 15,410,496 shares of the companys stock worth $360,297,000 after acquiring an additional 3,038,709 shares in the last quarter. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Magnolia Oil & Gas in the 1st quarter valued at about $53,819,000. Jane Street Group LLC raised its position in Magnolia Oil & Gas by 1,382.9% in the 1st quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 1,059,335 shares of the companys stock valued at $26,759,000 after purchasing an additional 987,896 shares in the last quarter. Millennium Management LLC grew its stake in Magnolia Oil & Gas by 506.2% during the 1st quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 1,022,836 shares of the companys stock worth $25,837,000 after buying an additional 854,113 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Nuveen LLC purchased a new position in shares of Magnolia Oil & Gas in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $21,066,000. 94.73% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Magnolia Oil & Gas Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 2nd. Stockholders of record on Monday, May 12th were issued a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.53%. The ex-dividend date was Monday, May 12th. Magnolia Oil & Gass dividend payout ratio is presently 29.85%.

About Magnolia Oil & Gas

(Get Free Report)

Magnolia Oil & Gas Corp. engages in the acquisition, development, exploration, and production of oil and natural gas properties. It operates assets located in the Eagle Ford Shale and Austin Chalk formations in South Texas. The company was founded on February 14, 2017 and is headquartered in Houston, TX.

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Photo taken on July 24, 2025 shows a launch of SOUEAST's new models in El Alamein, Egypt. SOUEAST, a Chinese auto brand, unveiled four new models in Egypt on Thursday, marking a significant expansion in the African market. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

CAIRO, July 24 (Xinhua) -- SOUEAST, a Chinese auto brand, unveiled four new models in Egypt on Thursday, marking a significant expansion in the African market.

Held in the northern Egyptian city of Alamein, the launch featured four new models covering almost all segments of the SUV market, namely the flagship smart luxury SUV S09, urban intelligent C-segment SUV S07, urban fashionable C-segment SUV S06, and compact urban SUV S05.

Yuan Anguo, assistant president of SOUEAST International, said that the vehicles are designed to meet the diverse needs of drivers, offering a blend of style, comfort, and advanced technology.

"SOUEAST's vision is enabling more youth around the world to have an easy urban mobility experience," said Yuan at the launch ceremony, emphasizing SOUEAST's strong confidence in the Egyptian market.

By 2025, SOUEAST aims to establish 15 sales outlets and five after-sales service centers in Egypt, Yuan revealed, noting that two new completely-knocked-down (CKD) models will be introduced between 2026 and 2027.

With a presence in over 30 countries and regions, the automaker has established more than 140 sales and service networks worldwide. 

Photo taken on July 24, 2025 shows a launch of SOUEAST's new models in El Alamein, Egypt. SOUEAST, a Chinese auto brand, unveiled four new models in Egypt on Thursday, marking a significant expansion in the African market. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

Photo taken on July 24, 2025 shows a launch of SOUEAST's new models in El Alamein, Egypt. SOUEAST, a Chinese auto brand, unveiled four new models in Egypt on Thursday, marking a significant expansion in the African market. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)

Guests try a SOUEAST's new model during a launch in El Alamein, Egypt, on July 24, 2025. SOUEAST, a Chinese auto brand, unveiled four new models in Egypt on Thursday, marking a significant expansion in the African market. (Xinhua/Sui Xiankai)
Economist Therese Turner-Jones says more accessible financial reportinglike a simplified peoples budgetcould help Bahamians understand how taxes are used and why they matter.

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JERUSALEM, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday night condemned French President Emmanuel Macron's decision to recognize a Palestinian state.

The French president wrote on the social media platform X earlier in the night that, "consistent with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine."

Macron added that he will make this "solemn announcement" before the upcoming 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly

In a statement from his office, Netanyahu said, "Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became."

"A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel, not to live in peace beside it," he said.

In a statement, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said, "A Palestinian state will be a Hamas state, just as the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip twenty years ago led to Hamas taking control of it."

Macron's move follows his earlier declaration in April, saying that France would recognize the Palestinian state during an international conference on Palestine, co-chaired with Saudi Arabia in New York in June. But under pressure from the United States, the international conference has been postponed until the end of July. 
Dead bodies vanish

|

IMPHAL, Jul 23 : Bodies of the five Chin-Kuki-Mizo Army (CKMA) who were shot dead by their own fellow cadres at around 2 am on July 22 in a remote jungle of Daveijang, Noney district about 50 Kms South of Nungba police station have vanished mysteriously.

A police team led by the OC of Nungba police station went for investigation to the site of the killing but they could not find the dead bodies. Daveijang village has just around eight households. Around 15 cadres of CKMA came to the village in the morning of June 21 and they asked the village chief to provide them a place of accommodation.

The village chief accommodated them in an unoccupied house near the village Church, sources said.

The villagers heard gunshots at around 2 am on July 22. Frightened by the gun shots, the villagers did not go to the house occupied by CKMA cadres immediately.

However, when the villagers led by the village chief went to the house after dawn, the dead bodies were not seen. But they saw a lot of blood inside the house.

When the police team led by the OC of Nungba police station reached the village, all the blood was also found washed out.




BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, July 24 (Xinhua) -- A Hezbollah member was killed Thursday in a series of airstrikes launched by Israeli warplanes and drones targeting southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry and sources.

The Public Health Emergency Operations Center, affiliated with Lebanon's Ministry of Health, confirmed in a statement that one person was killed in a drone strike on a vehicle in Aita al-Shaab, in the Bint Jbeil district.

A Lebanese army intelligence source told Xinhua that Israeli warplanes carried out about 12 airstrikes across wide areas in southern Lebanon, targeting Hezbollah sites that had previously been hit in similar air raids.

According to a Lebanese security source, the person killed was named Mustafa Harisi, a member of Hezbollah.

Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee announced that the army attacked military sites belonging to Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, including weapons, storage facilities, and a rocket launcher.

"The presence of such weaponry in that area, and Hezbollah's activities there, constitute a blatant violation of the understandings between Israel and Lebanon," he said, adding that the army will continue to act to remove any threat to the State of Israel.

He also confirmed that the army eliminated a Hezbollah member in an attack on the Aita al-Shaab area.

A ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel, brokered by the U.S. and France, has been in place since late November last year, putting an end to hostilities between the two triggered by the war in Gaza.

Despite the agreement, the Israeli army occasionally carries out strikes in Lebanon, claiming to target Hezbollah "threats," and maintains its presence at five key points along the Lebanese border area.

Meanwhile, the Lebanese army announced on Thursday the arrest of three individuals affiliated with a terror cell that supports the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the cell "was receiving instructions from IS operatives abroad to carry out security operations against the Lebanese army," said a statement issued by the Army Command's Orientation Directorate.

The army affirmed that efforts are underway to apprehend additional members of the cell, reiterating its commitment to safeguarding national security and preventing any attempts to destabilize the country. 
Tracing the martial traditions of Manipur and their contribution to Indias Nation building

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Lt Gen (Dr) K Himalay Singh

The Ancient Military glories

The martial traditions of Manipur are many centuries old. Once described as Asiatic power in Alliance with Her Majesty, by the British Empire, Manipur is believed to have had a very well organised strategic culture and military traditions during the 14-19th centuries. Puyas have recorded the role of the highlanders such as Khoibu and Taraos and others in securing the frontiers against Burmese invasions. A unique martial arts Thang Ta was developed very early in its history. Another ancient unique institution known as Lallup functioned as support forces for the military since the ancient days.

Lallup system was in reality a type of conscription for war efforts wherein every able bodied male aged between 17 and 60 were required to render unpaid service to the State for 10 days in every 40 days cycle primarily for military and administrative work. Usage of Gun Powder is recorded during the period 1627 AD as per records of Manipur police. Manipuri army was organised into 14 Units (Tulis) under a Lallup Chongba (equivalent to a Major in British Indian Army Ranks). As per Captain Pemberton, the Royal stables of King Garib Nawaj housed approximately 3000 horses. The sacking of Sagaing in 1738 by the Manipuri army during the reign of King Pamheiba was the most remarkable military campaigns against the Burmese kings in present day Myanmar. The campaign took the Manipuri army deep inside the heart of Burma crossing the Irrawady River. The Burmese Army retaliated in good measure several times during the next 100 years. Manipuri Sagols (horses) were extensively employed for these military adventures. A Manipuri horseman with Arambai (Dart) was the most dreaded war machine among the Burmese forces. The famous Kathey Horse, entirely consisting of Manipuri horsemen raised by the Burmese King and led by a Manipuri General is also known to have invaded Siam (Thailand) during 1758.

The period of Burmese occupation of Manipur during 1819-1826 is known as Chahi Taret Khuntakpa (Seven years devastation) in Manipur when the Burmese forces entered Manipur and neighbouring Ahom kingdom till they were driven out with the help of British forces which led to the Treaty of Yandaboo 1826. Manipur Levy, raised by King Gambhir Singh in Cachar with the assistance of the British played a critical role in driving away the Burmese forces. Names of these Manipuri warriors are proudly displayed in the Gambhir Singh memorial located near Canchipur. Manipur Levy later became Manipur Rifles. Irregular and guerilla tactics employed by the remnant of Manipuri army under the leadership of Prince Herachandra against the occupying Burmese forces in Manipur are legendary. Manipuri forces played a significant role in 3rd Anglo-Burmese War of 1885 when Manipur assisted the British forces to defeat the Burmese under the guidance of Col Johnstone as mentioned in his book. A few years later, the invasion of Manipur by British forces in 1891 led to the battle of Khongjom in April 1891 and eventual defeat of Manipur Army at the hands of the British forces and the kingdom lost its full sovereignty. The historic battle was led by legendary Paona Major when almost the entire force was overwhelmed by the better armed British forces. These soldiers gave their lives fighting the colonial powers.

Chinarol (Way of the Warrior), one of the 3000 odd Puyas (Chronicles and other written records of yore) of the ancient Manipuri civilisation tell the ways of the Manipuri warriors through the 1st century till the 16th centuries. Chinarol lays down the rules and ethics of personal combat. Humanatarian aspects of the Chinarol aligns with the humanitarian laws of the present day in context and practice. Few examples are:-

1. Distinction between the civilian population and the combatants

2. Sparing the civilian population and their properties from harm

3. Honourable Treatment of wounded, and dead combatants

King Gambhir Singh in 1826 while fighting the Burmese forces instructed (written in archaic language) his forces, the Mani- pur Levy, on a code of conduct while operating against the fleeing Burmese forces;-

1. Do not strike the fleeing enemy from behind.

2. Hitting Brahmins, women, children, beggars were forbidden.

3. Any enemy without his spear and who holds palm together in submission or has climbed a tree or sits on a termite hill should not be killed.

4. Anyone reading a scripture, practising vocal music, or lepers even by mistake will attract divine retribution. Anyone who is asleep should not be killed.

The various forms of martial arts, the horse cavalry, the military traditions have over centuries shaped the society towards enduring commitment to a martial heritage in the State. The above principles and the laws of a warrior define the military values and are still relevant in Indias context, whose central principle is focussed on just war.

20th Century

During World War 1, the king of Manipur raised 2000 strong Labour Corps to assist the British forces in Europe. Over half of the personnel of the Labour Corps never made it back home to Manipur. Most of these personnel were from the Naga community of Manipur even though there were a small number of Meiteis and Kukis too.

During World War 2, Manipur became a battleground between the British forces and the Japanese forces complemented by the Indian National Army (INA) led by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Many people of Manipur helped the INA, while the King continued to support the war efforts of the British empire. Among the many who were involved directly during the great war, names of Maharajkumar Captain PB Singh, the younger brother of the then monarch and Major Bob Khating, a Tangkhul were commissioned as officers by the British army during the war. Major Khating earned OBE (Order of the British Empire) and Military Cross for his exemplary role during the war. Major Khating was the first commissioned officer from the kingdom of Manipur and he played a crucial role while serving in V force of the British army in Burma. I had the unique privilege of having met both these legends of Manipur on a few occasions. Captain Rajkumar Madhurjit Singh and Captain Joy singh were others who were commissioned during the tumul- tuous period 1944-1949. Captain Madhurjit Singh (father of RK Meghen Singh, former Chairman of UNLF) was also closely associated with the establish- ment of VVF (Village Volunteer Force) during 1960s under Govt of India. I had the opportunity of meeting him during my childhood days at age 10, while undergoing a VVF weapon trai- ning and shooting activity near my village Charangpat during 1965-66 or so.

In the aftermath of Indias Independence and subsequent merger of the kingdom of Manipur to the Indian Union in 1949, the Manipuris have excelled in the field of military operations and its and associated matters. Mention may be made of late Lt Col H Bhuban Singh, commissioned during the late 1950s in the Corps of Engineers, was the first from Manipur to command an active Indian army unit during 1970s. Lt Col Bhuban Singh also served as Chairman of the State Public Service Commission. He was also president of the BJP in Manipur during 1980s and served as an MLA and a Minister. Others who were commissioned into the Armed Forces during 1950s as officers include the names of Sqn Ldr Ch Biren Singh, Major Shaiza, Flying officer RK Ronen Singh.

Many from the State were recruited in the personnel below the officer rank in various Arms and Services, particularly in the Assam Regiment during this period.

The Modern era

Col IS Chanam became the first Manipuri to be nominated for the prestigious Staff College course in Wellington in 1976 after a very stiff All India competition. Lt Col H Bhuban Singh and Col IS Chanam were serving in Ladakh when the 1962 Indo-China war took place. Colonel RK Jatrasana, Colonel IS Chanam who were commissioned during early 1960s made their mark in the army profession by rising to command their respective units. Later in late 1970s Col AB Sharma (Assam Regiment), Col KG Sharma (Artillery) commanded their respective units with elan. Wg Cdr Ak Deben of IAF commanded a transport unit during the period.

At least 10-14 officers were commissioned during Emergency/Short Service Commissions during 1962-1966, in the aftermath of Indo-China War 1962 and Indo-Pakistan war 1965. Many took part in these wars and performed well in the battlefield. Capt (Later IG Police, Delhi) KD Singh of BIHAR Regiment was wounded in battle during 1971 war (Op ORCHID). Late Major S Kipgen of Assam Regiment too was wounded in battle. During early 1970s, Manipur had Col LJ Singh of Naga Regiment, Col SK Singh of Gorkha Rifles, both from RIMC Deh- radun who were given command of active infantry units. Col Hanglem of Army Education Corps was promoted to the rank of Colonel Selection Grade sometime in 1980s.

Op VIJAY(KARGIL) 1999 to the Present

I had the privilege to command an infantry unit as part of Operation Vijay (Kargil) war as Commanding Officer of a RAJPUT unit in Turtuk/Siachen Sector. The unit under my command captured the strategic feature of in the sector in a fiercely fought battle of Point 5770 and awarded with Yudh Seva Medal. A total of seven (7) soldiers of Manipur from various units of the Army sacrificed their lives in the Kargil War fighting the enemy. Manipuris won two Vir Chakras during the war.

The glass ceiling was broken when I was promoted to the rank of Brigadier in 2006, thus becoming the first Brigadier and later the first Major General in 2010 from the State. I also had the honour of becoming the first Lt Gen in Indian Army from the North East India in 2014 and commanded a Corps in J&K in 2014. Later Lt Gen LN Singh of Intelligence Corps rose to become the 2nd three star rank officer from the State in 2016, a record to produce two Lt Gens from the State. Air Commodore Ranbir Singh became the first Manipuri to reach the star rank in Indian Air Force and rose to command an operational base of the IAF. Further, Col ID Singh of the Army Ordnance Corps, Col SK Sharma of Gorkha Rifles became COs, few amongst many of their contemporaries in late 1990s. Brig LI Singh, rose to the rank of Brigadier in 2011 becoming the third Brigadier from the State. Subsequently, during 2020 onwards Col N Romeo Singh of the Rajput Regiment, Col KJ Singh of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, Col Hemochandra of Corps of Engineers, Col Khuman of Gorkha Rifles, and Col Jotin of the Parachute Regiment also rose to join the elite group of Manipuri officers to the rank of Brigadier. There have been at least 35 more officers who rose to the Select Ranks and were assigned command operational units in the three services of the Armed Forces of India.

National /Presidential Awards

Many officers and men have won gallantry and war distinguished service medals in various operations since 1947. Among them Late Major L Jotin of Army Medical Corps stands tallest with his being awarded with the highest National peacetime gallantry award, the Ashok Chakra in 2010. He grappled with a suicide bomber in Kabul to save his colleagues and made the supreme sacrifice on 26th Feb 2010.

Hav Tilok Singh Thapa of 2/8 GR was decorated with the first Vir Chakra from the State for his bravery during the 1947-48 Indo-Pakistan war. Col S Nector of Parachute Regiment and Col NB Singh of the Rajput Regiment earned their Kirti Chakras, 2nd highest peacetime gallantry award in counter insurgency operations in North East India/Manipur. Late Major NJD Singh of Gorkha Rifles (Sainik School Goalpara) laid down his life fighting the LTTE in Sri Lanka during OP Pawan in 1987. A grateful Nation bestowed the award of Vir Chakra posthumously. Nk Kamkholan of 7 ASSAM was also honoured with Vir Chakra for his bravery in OP PAWAN 1987.

Sepoy Asuli Mao of the Naga Regiment was conferred the Vir Chakra during the Kargil War 1999 for his action in the battle of Tololing. Hav Joseph Anal of 2 NAGA and earned the coveted Vir Chakra during the Kargil War.

The Param Vishist Seva Medal (2017), Uttam Yudh Seva Medal (2016), and Ati Vishist Seva Medal (2012) for distinguished services in J&K were presented to me by the President of India in Rashtrapati Bhavan, thus becoming the only recipient of these medals in the State so far. Col (Later Brig) LI Singh became the second officer from Manipur to earn Yudh Seva Medal for his role as a CO in the LOC during mid 2006-7. In addition to the above, many more prestigious gallantry awards include 5 (five) Vir Chakras, 14 (fourteen) Shaurya Chakras and 55 (fifty five) Sena Medals, 5 (five) VSMs and 7 (Seven) Mentioned-in-Despatches have been won by our officers and men from the State serving in Indian defence forces in the period till date. Over 90 (ninety) servicemen from the State have been Killed in Action in various operations so far since 1962. These achievements speak volumes of the contributions of the Manipuris to the Nation.

The Legacy Continues

Till early 1980s, most of those commissioned were from RIMC, Dehradun; Sainik School, Goalpara Assam, Sainik School, Purulia (WB) and NCC entries. Later, Sainik School, Imphal contributed significant number of officers in the Armed Forces of the Union. Many more from civil colleges, doctors, engineers and other graduates joined the Armed forces in the latter years. There were no looking back thereafter. In comparison, no other State in Eastern India have contributed so much to the Nation building by so few from Manipur. By 2025, the State with a population of 28 lakh, is credited to have contributed over 450 service officers including over 40 lady officers in different streams of the military. Approximately 6000 are presently serving in various personnel below the officer ranks, the highest from North East India less Assam. The veteran commu- nity in Manipur have been engaged in various meaningful activities for the good of society in every field as well.

There are over 13000 Ex-Servicemen and women in the State at present. Many amongst them rose to be honoured with Honorary ranks of Captain too for their exemplary service to the Nation.

Manipur and Manipuris should rightfully be proud of all their gallant sons and daughters who have contributed significantly to Indias Nation building and will continue to do so in the future. Be it in war or in aid of civil authorities , they have performed beyond the call of duty and delivered victory to REPUBLIC OF INDIA.

The writer commanded a Corps in J&K and is a former Chairman MPSC
Understanding FMR, border fencing Answer lies in the reality

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Playing around with words or skirting the issue or just plain lies and more lies, all done with a larger political purpose in mind ? These are the words that come to mind when one looks at the status of the Free Movement Regime put in place across the Indo-Myanmar border, more particularly at the Manipur stretch. It was sometime in the early part of 2024 that Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the Government of India has decided to scrap the Free Movement Regime. Manipur was in flames at that point of time, with the indigenous people of the State raising the call to actuate the National Register of Citizens, identify and weed out all the illegal immigrants from across the border. However later developments show that Delhi has not moved beyond putting in place certain steps to regulate movement across the border and it was along this line that a revised Free Movement Regime was instead put in place. It was to align with the revised exercise that the Government of India activated 22 border gates out of the 43 planned crossing points on the Indo-Myanmar border and under the revised FMR, movement of people has been restricted to 10 kilometres, down from the earlier 16 kms and the 40 kms when it was first introduced in 1968. Under the revised FMR, residents from either side of the border can travel without a visa but there are certain regulations, with the Assam Rifles authorised to issue border passes. Moreover people crossing the border, via the passes would need to get their bio-metric recorded which is then uploaded to a centralised portal. In short, the FMR has not been scrapped but now comes with certain regulations, ostensibly to check incursion from across the border, especially in the face of the growing number of cases of arms and drugs smuggling, which fuel the ongoing clash between the Meiteis and the Kuki-Chin-Zo community. The mass scale incursion from the across the border and it is to check this reality that the Government of India decided to put in place a revised FMR as well as fence the Indo-Myanmar border. The reality is, FMR has not been scrapped as understood in the context of totally abrogated but is a revised version of its earlier form. And this reality should be kept in mind while hailing or opposing the FMR in its current avatar, for while the Union Home Minister did announce that the FMR would be scrapped in the early part of 2024, there has been no official follow up in this regard and instead what one saw was the revision of the earlier form of the FMR.

It should also be kept in mind that the first community to be affected by the unchecked incursion from across the border are the Nagas, who inhabit the hills, and not the Meiteis, who by law cannot buy land in the hills. A look back at the past decades, including the time when the Burmanisation programme was launched intensively by Ne Win in the then Burma in the latter part of 1960s, the 8888 or the August 8, 1988 uprising in Burma are two instances that come to mind and a look at the manner in which the number of MLAs representing the Kuki-Chin-Zo community has come up at the expense of the Naga people should not be forgotten. As a young Naga scholar and researcher wrote some time back, in the 1957 Territorial Council election the Nagas secured 7 MLA seats and the Kuki and Paitei community secured one seat each, in the Manipur Territorial Council election of 1957 to 1962 there were 4 Naga MLAs, one Paite MLA and one Thadou Kuki MLA. This was out of the total of 32 MLAs back then. In the first Manipur Territorial Assembly, out of the 10 tribal MLAs, there were 8 Naga MLAs, 1 Paite MLA and 1 Thadou Kuki MLA. The same trend, more or less followed in the first Manipur Legislative Assembly where out of the 60 MLAs, there were 13 Naga MLAs while only 6 represented the Kuki-Chin community. Then in the second Legislative Assembly the number of Naga MLAs declined while the number of Kuki-Chin MLAs increased to 8. The spike in the number of MLAs means a spike in the population of the Kuki-Chin-Zo community and how did their population grow in such a manner that it reflected on the composition of the Assembly ? And in a way, it is this unnatural growth that the Naga Foothill Co-ordination Committee is battling against today. This is where it becomes important to get a more rounded view on the need to fence the border as well as regulate the FMR.
A postgraduate trainee with the Burdwan Medical College was accused of forcing physical relations with a girl from Bankura.

The victim initially had lodged a complaint with the Chhatna police station in Bankura on 16 July in which she complained that Chiranjit Mondal, a PGT, had invited her to his hostel room on 6 July where hed forced her for the physical relationship promising to marry her. The PGT and the victim girl were Facebook friends and had grown intimacy through personal inbox chatting. Chiranjit hails from Panchur locality in Sarenga PS area in Bankura.

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The girl complained that after the 6 July Chiranjit started avoiding him and finally denied to take her responsibility, which forced her to lodge the complaint against the PGT. After the Chhatna PS forwarded the complaint, the Burdwan PS then registered a fresh complaint against Chiranjit and the medical college authorities were informed about the charges today. Dr Mousumi Banerjee, principal, BMC, said that the matter was under police investigation and the College administration has set to cooperate with the police on this sensitive matter.

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NEW DELHI, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government on Thursday said 183 technical defects were reported by five Indian airlines in their aircraft until July 21 this year.

The information was presented by India's federal junior minister for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol in the lower house of the Indian parliament, locally called Lok Sabha.

According to the data provided by the minister, out of the 183 technical snags reported to the civil aviation watchdog, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), 85 have been reported by Air India and Air India Express together. IndiGo and Akasa Air reported 62 and 28 technical defects, respectively, while SpiceJet reported eight defects.

"All defects reported by the airline to DGCA are required to be investigated for taking appropriate rectification action. The investigation of all defects, particularly major defects, has to be completed expeditiously so as to take preventive/corrective action at the earliest possible," the minister said. "The major defect will be investigated by the operator in association with DGCA."

The minister added that 421 technical defects were reported by six Indian airlines in their aircraft last year, compared to 448 in 2023.

In 2022, the number of technical defects reported to DGCA by the six airlines was 528. 
Asansol South police have seized twelve illegal sand-loaded tractors during overnight raids in Damra, Kalipahari, within the Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate (ADPC) limits.

Acting on the directives of Sunil Kumar Chaudhury, commissioner of Police, ADPC, regarding widespread illegal sand mining in Damra and Kalipahari, the police conducted prolonged raids, resulting in the seizures.

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According to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), sand mining along riverbanks is prohibited during the monsoon. In line with this, the state government has also issued strict notifications banning sand extraction from riverbanks throughout the state.

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Despite these directives, illegal sand extraction allegedly continues at several river ghats of the Damodar and Ajay rivers in West Burdwan district.

Names of suspected illegal sand operators  including Papu, Bappa, Koushik, Suman, Sujit, Vivek, and Govinda  emerged during police interrogations. The CP has further ordered the closure of illegal sand depots in Asansol and Durgapur sub-divisions, from where materials are transported to other districts.

The drivers and helpers of the seized tractors were arrested by Asansol South police and have been presented at Asansol Court today.

The raids have sparked widespread concern across West Burdwan district regarding ongoing illegal mining operations.

Jitendra Tiwari, former mayor of Asansol and BJP leader, has alleged that thousands of dumpers and tractors operate daily in the district from various sand ghats, flouting NGT restrictions. He further claimed that overloaded vehicles are damaging roads and contributing to frequent accidents.

TMC leader V Sivadasan stated that police take action upon receiving specific complaints. He affirmed that the recent raids were in response to illegal mining activities in the ADPC jurisdiction.
Indias financial capital, Mumbai, is set to witness the rising industrial and business prowess of Uttar Pradesh. As part of the promotional campaign for the upcoming UP International Trade Show (UPITS) 2025, the fourth mega roadshow in the series will take place tomorrow at the Walchand Hirachand Hall, IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Churchgate.

Officials here on Thursday said after the remarkable investor response in Delhi, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, this event in Mumbai aims to amplify further the image of a new, business-ready Uttar Pradesh on the national and global stage.

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The mega roadshow will not only open doors to new investment opportunities, but also highlight UPs progressive business vision. The event is a key initiative to push the Export Vision 2025 of the Uttar Pradesh government to a broader audience.

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UP MSME, Khadi and Village Industries Minister Rakesh Sachan will lead the event, supported by officials from Team Yogi, who will showcase the states transformational progress in infrastructure development, industry-friendly policies, and reforms aimed at enhancing Ease of Doing Business.

The program is expected to see participation from foreign diplomats, embassy representatives, business associations, international buyers, investors, tech startups, and the MSMEs.

The Mumbai roadshow will feature sector-specific presentations from leading brands and enterprises in technology, electronics, IT, electric vehicles, agro and food processing, and the flagship One District One Product (ODOP) scheme. After receiving widespread acclaim in Bengaluru, Mumbai will be another key platform to exhibit Uttar Pradeshs innovation-driven growth and its integration with global markets.

The UP government remains focused on taking local products to global markets, and initiatives like ODOP are giving every district an international identity. The roadshow will not only present the business potential of Uttar Pradesh, but also reinforce its positioning as a rising industrial hub on the global map.

The final event in the roadshow series is scheduled for Ahmedabad on July 30.

All these initiatives are part of the build-up to the UP International Trade Show 2025, to be held in Greater Noida from September 25 to 29, which aims to establish Uttar Pradesh as a prominent player in the global business ecosystem under the theme Innovate, Integrate, Internationalise.
India and the United Kingdom on Thursday formalised and signed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The deal aimed at enhancing bilateral trade by nearly $34 billion annually, has been welcomed by the industry leaders, terming the deal historic and a game-changer for both nations.

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The delegation accompanying the Prime Minister included 16 key business leaders from Indian industry, led by Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder & Chairman of Bharti Enterprises and Co-Chair of the India-UK CEO Forum.

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Organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the business delegations presence underscored the strong collaboration between government and industry in advancing India-UK economic ties.

Speaking on the occasion, Mittal said, Indian industry across all sectors welcomes the India-UK FTA with great optimism. This agreement establishes a modern, forward-looking partnership that will stimulate innovation, ease market access, and foster investment. Businesses in India as well as the UK stand to gain tremendously, as it lays the groundwork for scaling up bilateral cooperation across key growth sectors.

Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of CII, added, CII has been a longstanding advocate for a comprehensive and forward-looking IndiaUK Free Trade Agreement. This FTA marks a defining moment in our bilateral relationship, reflecting a shared commitment to inclusive growth, economic resilience, and industrial transformation. It creates a strong foundation for deeper market access, regulatory cooperation, and next-generation partnerships between Indian and UK businesses.

Hemant Jain, president, PHDCCI, welcomed the deal saying, The signing of the IndiaUK Free Trade Agreement is a landmark moment for Indian industry. We commend both governments for finalising a deal that promises to catalyse bilateral trade, enhance competitiveness of Indian SMEs, and open new doors for industries in manufacturing, services, and technology sectors. The agreement is a testimony to the strategic depth that will lead to doubling of bilateral trade to over US$120 billion by 2030 with UK.

Further, Jaguar Land Rover said the India-UK free trade agreement would help the marquee automaker to access lower tariffs in India for its luxury models.

Under the India-UK FTA, India will reduce tariffs on automotive imports from about 110 per cent to 10 per cent under quotas on both sides, benefiting companies such as Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).

We welcome this free trade agreement between the UK and India, which over time will deliver reduced tariff access to the Indian car market for JLRs luxury vehicles, a company spokesperson said in a statement.

Mahindra Group CEO and MD Anish Shah said that the landmark trade agreement between India and the UK marks a transformative moment in the global economic landscape. Its not just a win for trade, but a blueprint for a modern, values-led partnership that puts innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth at the heart of global collaboration.

Once implemented, the IndiaUK FTA is expected to reduce trade barriers, enhance investor confidence, and promote joint ventures and technology transfers, especially in labour intensive sectors like textiles & apparel, leather & leather goods, gems & jewellery, marine products, besides others.

The agreement will provide a strong framework for unlocking new opportunities in clean energy, digital technologies, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. Indias rapidly growing market and manufacturing capabilities, combined with the UKs strengths in innovation, finance, and high-end services, will further accelerate bilateral economic relations.

Another key benefit of the FTA is a reciprocal Social Security Agreement, allowing Indian professionals in the UK to continue home country contributions for up to three years. This aligns closely with CIIs earlier recommendation for a five-year exemption period.
The Delhi Police arrested two impersonators who allegedly duped a man of Rs 10.64 lakh posing as bank officials, an official said on Thursday.

The duo, identified as Shankar Dan (27) and Pradeep Kumar Dan (26), both from Jharkhand, an officer said.

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On June 30, a complaint was filed in which the complainant alleged that he received a call from a man posing as an SBI officer. The caller informed him that his check had bounced and sent a link via WhatsApp, claiming it had a picture of the check.

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On clicking the link sent by the caller and installing an APK file, the complainant found nothing as described by him, the police said.

After suspecting something wrong, he immediately disconnected the call, deleted the file, and turned his phone off. But as soon as he restarted the device, he began to receive alerts for unauthorised financial activity.

Two of his fixed deposits with Rs 5.62 lakh and Rs 4.54 lakh had been prematurely closed, and Rs 48,600 had been credited to Google Ads from the complainants Bandhan Bank account.

With this information, an FIR under sections 318(4) (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 319(2) (cheating by personation), and 340 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered.

The amount was subsequently utilised for payments towards an Axis Bank credit card and Google Ads services.

On the basis of technical analysis and data acquired from BillDesk, it was found that a particular mobile number and device were active in the area of Dhanbad, Jharkhand.

Further analysis confirmed that the alleged calling number was also operational in the same area.

While probing into this case, it was found that the OTPs were silently diverted to an alternate number through unauthorised access that was enabled through the malicious app, Amit Goel, Deputy Commissioner of Police, said.

After days of searching, Shankar was arrested in Dhanbad along with four mobile phones, including the one used to contact the victim.

During sustained interrogation of the accused and the leads gathered led to the arrest of his associate, Pradeep, from West Bengals Tarapith.

Pradeep was allegedly in possession of the device used to carry out financial transactions through BillDesk, the officer mentioned.

We even conducted raids in several cities of Jharkhand, including that of Bokaro, Ranchi, and other parts before the arrest, DCP Goel added.

During sustained questioning with the duo, Shankar disclosed that he used Amazon Pay to identify potential victims. He randomly entered mobile numbers into the Amazon Pay app, which revealed the bank associated with each number, he asserted.

Adding to his statement, he said, Based on this information, he contacted the victims, impersonating a bank representative or manager. He would inform the victims about fabricated issues such as KYC updates, credit/debit card problems, or check bounces.

Shankar handled calling and targeting victims while Pradeep operated the BillDesk platform to transfer the stolen funds to prearranged credit cards. These cards were either issued in fictitious names or sourced through accomplices, the police said.

The stolen money was then withdrawn through third-party apps like CRED and MobiKwik or used to purchase gift cards and digital services.

Amid the probe into this case, it came out that Shankar allegedly had earned about Rs 5 lakh from this operation and received 50 per cent of the stolen amount. Pradeep allegedly admitted to receiving a 20 per cent share.

Moreover, it was found that they functioned from forested and low-network areas near their village to evade being tracked.

However, Shankar has a history of crime, as he was involved in two cybercrime cases and a murder case, while Pradeep is involved in a murder case.
Actress Neeru Bajwa, who predominantly works in Punjabi cinema, and is gearing up for her upcoming Bollywood film Son of Sardaar 2, feels proud to represent her Punjabi roots on a bigger scale in the film.

The actress features in a cameo appearance reportedly as the wife of Bollywood superstar Ajay Devgn in the film, and shared that she said yes to the project without any hesitation and purely out of her love for the land of Punjab.

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Talking about the same, she said in a statement, Im thrilled to be a part of Son of Sardaar 2, directed by Vijay Kumar Arora and written by Jagdeep Singh Sidhu, both talented filmmakers Ive had the privilege to work with in some of my biggest Punjabi blockbusters. When I got to know they had a cameo in the film, I said yes without hesitation to support my fellow Punjabis who are making their mark with national audiences with this film.

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She further mentioned, I did this special cameo purely for my love for them and my respect for Ajay Devgn ji in bringing an entertaining punjabi style comedy and full of life, masti to Indian audiences worldwide! As someone whos championed and been a part of Punjabi cinema since the start of my career, this is such a joy to see Punjabi talent and content entertain national audiences all over the world, she added.

As a proud Punjabi herself, Neeru Bajwa has consistently demonstrated her love and respect for her cultural roots through her work for the past 20 years and more and her involvement in Son of Sardaar 2 showcases her commitment to this. The film, directed by Vijay Kumar Arora and penned by Jagdeep Singh Sidhu, is set to release on August 1, 2025.
Rapper Daniel Hernandez, better known by his stage name Tekashi 6ix9ine, is back in the spotlight, this time, for admitting to breaking the law.

On Wednesday, July 23, the 29-year-old artist appeared in a New York federal court and told the judge that he had MDMA and cocaine in his Miami home earlier this year, which violated the rules of his supervised release.

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The courtroom moment was serious, but Tekashi 6ix9ine was clear and straightforward when answering questions.

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On March 12, at my house in Miami, I was raided, and I possessed MDMA and residue of cocaine, he said, adding that the drugs were found in a cabinet in the bedroom, which he had access to.

Judge Paul Engelmayer asked him directly if he had access to that cabinet, and Hernandez confirmed he did.

The rapper, dressed in a black hoodie and wearing his hair in long braids, now awaits sentencing, which is set for September 25. His lawyer, Lance Lazzaro, requested a later date so Hernandez can finish his remaining community service hours.

Back in March, police raided 6ix9ines Florida home and charged him with four violations. However, during this weeks court hearing, prosecutors dropped two of the charges. These were related to a separate building on the property, a pool house, where a gun and other drugs were found.

Since that area was being used by his brother, and the DNA on the gun didnt match 6ix9ines, the authorities decided not to include those findings in the final decision.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Rebold made it clear that the government wont push for punishment related to the pool house items. Instead, the focus will be only on what was found in Hernandezs bedroom.

The punishment for the two remaining charges could range from three to nine months in prison for each one, according to federal guidelines.

However, Judge Engelmayer is not bound to follow these recommendations and can make his own decision.

The government will make its sentencing recommendation by September 18, while 6ix9ines legal team must submit theirs by September 11. Rebold mentioned he would, at the very least, request that Hernandez continue his supervised release. But he didnt say much else about what the prosecution might push for.

In a somewhat hopeful note, the probation department shared that Tekashi 6ix9ine has been doing better since the March raid. They noted that hes turned the corner and is on the right track. Judge Engelmayer agreed but also gave a strong warning.

He stressed that from now until the sentencing date, its exceptionally important that Hernandez follows all the rules of his supervised release. The judge told him that if he breaks any more rules, the consequences will be severe.

After the hearing, attorney Lance Lazzaro seemed confident that things would go well. Speaking to Complex, he said, Hes going to be fine. Right now, hes in full compliance. Hes almost done with community service. If he continues on this path, I think everything will work out.

Hernandezs current legal situation stems from a much older case. Back in 2018, he was arrested in a major racketeering case involving the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods. The case became popular after Hernandez chose to cooperate with the authorities and testify against other gang members. Since then, he has been under supervised release.
The French Institute in India has announced the selection of 34 laureates for the third edition of Villa Swagatam, a residency programme that fosters cross-cultural dialogue and creative collaborations between French and South Asian artists and writers. Running from August 2025 to August 2026, the participants will spend one to three months at one of the partner residencies across India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and France.

The open call for applications ran from 16 April to 9 June 2024, inviting writers, graphic novelists, visual artists, designers, and cultural practitioners to apply. It received 520 applications353 from India and 167 from Francemore than double the Indian submissions from the previous edition, highlighting the programmes growing resonance.

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Since its very inception, Villa Swagatam has been envisioned as a flagship initiative of our cultural cooperation with India, fostering a vibrant network of creative talents from both countries, with arts and crafts, and literature as key areas of exchange, said H.E. Mr Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India.

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This edition welcomes new partners to deepen cultural exchange. The literary segment now includes the Lakmahal Community Library in Colombo, marking Sri Lankas entry, and Chalet Mauriac in France,which introduces translation as one

of Villa Swagatams literary disciplines. For arts and crafts, new partners include the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, quo gallery in Mumbai, and the Centre international de recherche sur le verre et les arts plastiques (Cirva) in Marseille.

A special highlight of this edition is a month-long residency for renowned French playwright Pauline Bayle, who will travel across India to develop her Mahabharata adaptation, which is set to premiere in September 2026 at Theatre Public de Montreuil.

Former Villa Swagatam residents have made a global mark, showcasing their work at India Design ID, India Art Fair, and Jodhpur Arts Week, and collaborating with renowned platforms like le19m and Rooshad Shroffs Gallery. The Literary residencies alumni have been featured at major literary festivals and signed by prominent publishing houses.

Jeremy Fabre, Director at Maison Julien Gracq, shared, In the first year, we welcomed Rahul Bishnoi, a young performance scholar whose project weaves together Julien Gracqs interest in geography with his own interest in theatrical cartography. Next year, we will host Jacinta Kerketta, an acclaimed Indian poet and journalist whose evocative writing in Hindi brings Adivasi voices to the fore. Her participation strengthens our commitment to supporting diverse, rooted and resonant narratives, while introducing her poetry to the French literary landscape.

Acclaimed Chennai-based poet and activist Meena Kandasamy, selected for Maison de la Poesie in Nantes, views translation as a form of transformation, hoping the landscapes spirit of resistance inspires a renewed poetic voice.

Other selected laureates include Bangalore-based dancer Gayatri Shetty (Centre National de la Danse), abstract painter Manish Pushkale (Cirva, Marseille), and French ceramist Johanna de Clisson (Nila House), whose project at Nila House will focus on blending cultures and know-how.

The Villa Swagatam network includes 30 residencies11 in France, 10 literary residencies in South Asia, and 10 focused on arts and crafts in South Asia enriching global cultural ties between France and South Asia.
Facing severe criticism and protests from the Oppositions INDIA bloc against its Special Intensive Exercise (SIR) in Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday strongly defended its actions, asserting that preparing an authentic and transparent voter list is the foundation stone for fair elections and a strong democracy.

In a statement shared by a news agency, the poll panel asked the critics if it should allow some people to cast fake votes.

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Should the Election Commission, getting misled by some people, pave the way for some to cast fake votes in the name of deceased voters, voters who have migrated permanently, voters who have got their votes registered at two places, fake voters or foreign voters, going against the Constitution, first in Bihar, then in the entire country? the ECI asked.

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Isnt the authentic voter list being prepared by the Election Commission through a transparent process, the foundation stone for fair elections and a strong democracy? it asked further.

The ECI called on the citizens of India to think about the above questions beyond political ideologies, adding, Perhaps the most appropriate time for this essential thinking for all of you has now arrived in India.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP and Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson, Sonia Gandhi today joined the Opposition MPs as they intensified their protest against the Election Commission of Indias controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

Ms Gandhi, her daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and several other MPs of the INDIA bloc gathered at Parliaments Makar Dwar and demanded the rollback of the SIR exercise.

Holding a banner that said SIR- loktantra par vaar (SIR- An attack on democracy), the MPs raised slogans against the exercise.

Speaking about the SIR exercise, which seeks to overhaul the electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar, Rajya Sabha MP Ranjeet Ranjan said, If the voter doesnt have the right to vote, it is a murder of democracy. Then, what will democracy even mean?

Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, who was also part of the protest, accused the Election Commission of turning into a BJP party office.

Election Commission is working only to form the BJP government. It is no longer the Election Commission, but it has become the BJPs party office, he remarked.
Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee state president Ajay Rai has raised questions while opposing the inclusion of BJP MP from Chandauli, Mahendra Nath Pandey, and Varanasi Mayor Ashok Tiwari in the Executive Council of Banaras Hindu University and said the BHU will not be allowed to become a hub of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

However, BJP has retaliated to Ajay Rais statement and accused them of indulging in petty politics.

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Rai said here on Thursday that instead of selecting academicians, the university has appointed politicians and RSS-backed people. This move is akin to ruining a world-renowned university and turning it into an RSS office, he alleged.

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He further said, The politicisation of the Executive Council is unfortunate, and we demand an immediate end to this and that qualified persons be made members of the council.

Describing the influence of the RSS in this council as reprehensible, Rai said: We had raised this issue last year and suggested that the council should include academicians, vice-chancellors, scientists, and important personalities of the education sector who have been awarded prestigious awards like Padma Shri or Padma Bhushan.

Mr Rai alleged that the condition of BHU has deteriorated over time. When there was a vice-chancellor in BHU, there was no executive council, and now, when there is an executive council, there is no vice-chancellor. The situation is so dire that BHU has become a victim of corruption instead of being a centre of education, where anarchy and corruption prevail everywhere. Justice and morality are being strangled in a prestigious institution like BHU.

Mr Rai also wrote on his social media account, In an international university like BHU, now there is no executive council, where there is anarchy and corruption everywhere. Justice and morality are being strangled. Not academicians, but RSS leaders are being appointed. Mahendra Nath Pandey, Dilip Patel, Ashok Tiwariwhich pillars of education and research are these? There are thousands of qualified professors, scientists, and Padma awardees in the country. But RSS only wants to oblige its leaders. We will not let BHU become a hub of RSS!

The UP Congress president hails from Varanasi and had contested against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Lok Sabha polls.

Meanwhile, BJP state spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi targeted Congress, saying  The BHU has always had a glorious tradition. BJP has always been at the forefront in taking this glorious tradition of BHU forward. BJP leader Mahendra Nath Pandey ji being taken into the working council has only added to its glorious history because he has also studied there.

Tripathi said that Congress should not do petty politics on this issue. Congress forgets its time when it appointed all kinds of people to universities.
In a continued effort to empower the ex-servicemen (ESM) through their induction into the countrys workforce, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (MoD) under the aegis of the Directorate General Resettlement (DGR), is organizing a job fair for ex-servicemen at Chatrapati Shivaji Auditorium, Ahmedabad Military Station, Gujarat, on Friday.

A statement from the Ministry of Defence said that the job fair will provide a dedicated platform to connect ESM of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force with leading employers from Corporate and Industry. The veterans would avail opportunities for gainful employment in the diverse sectors ranging from security, IT, administration, logistics to healthcare, administration and engineering.

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The ESM will get the opportunity to showcase their talents to the recruiters who could bring in the unique value and ethos of the veterans to their workforce. Employers will gain free access to the resumes of a pool of dedicated, skilled and mission-ready professionals.

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This initiative reflects the commitment of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (MoD) towards resettlement and welfare of Ex Servicemen by ensuring the recognition of their disciplined calibre, proven leadership and technical expertise  skills which could add value and profit to the countrys job market. Accordingly, DGR will conduct 18 job fairs for ex-servicemen at various locations pan India during FY 2025-26, it read further.
ADEN, Yemen, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Loud explosions were reported Thursday evening at a key military airbase of Yemen's government forces in the country's southern province of Lahj, local residents told Xinhua.

Residents living in areas surrounding the southern military airbase of Al Anad reported hearing multiple loud explosions coming from the direction of the base's arms depots during evening hours. The sounds were audible across nearby communities, prompting concern among local populations.

"Apparently, one of the weapons depots inside the airbase exploded, and rockets and shells are seen flying everywhere," one resident told Xinhua by phone, describing the intensity of the incident.

Local authorities have yet to issue any official statement regarding the nature of the explosions or whether they resulted from an attack.

Al Anad airbase serves as one of Yemen's largest and most important military installations, located approximately 60 km north of Aden, where the internationally recognized government is based.

The base that functions as a key operational center for Yemen's government forces, experienced repeated incidents in recent years, with several attacks attributed to the Houthi militant group, which controls significant territory in northern and western Yemen.

Yemen has been engulfed in conflict since 2014, when Houthi forces seized control of the capital city of Sanaa and much of the country's north, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in support of the internationally recognized government in 2015. 
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Thursday assured citizens that no injustice will be tolerated under his watch.

He heard grievances of the people and directed officials to act swiftly during the Janata Darshan held here at Gorakhnath Temple.

The CM instructed that land of the poor, occupied illegally, must be freed immediately and strict action taken against the culprits. In cases of family disputes over land, he urged resolution through mutual dialogue, ensuring every victim receives their rightful share. The government is committed to justice for all and to bringing happiness into every citizens life, he said.

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CM Adityanath referred each complaint to the officials concerned and instructed them to resolve the issues quickly and satisfactorily. He assured the public that the government is fully committed to addressing every victims problem.

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When a woman complained about land encroachment, the chief minister directed the officials present to take immediate action and ensure the land is vacated. He also mentioned that no influential person should be allowed to grab anyones land. In another case, he ordered that a woman be given her rightful share of property.

Many people also sought financial help for medical treatment. The CM assured them of full government support and handed over their applications to the concerned officials, instructing them to process the treatment estimates quickly and submit them to the administration. He also directed that all revenue and police-related matters be handled transparently and fairly, ensuring justice for all, and instructed officials to treat every victim with sensitivity and care.

Several women had arrived with their children, and the Chief Minister warmly interacted with them.
The INDIA bloc MPs again on Thursday staged their protest within the Parliament House Complex to voice their concerns over the Election Commissions Special Intensive Review of electoral rolls in Bihar. The opposition MPs have been demanding a discussion in both houses of Parliament since the Monsoon Session started on Monday and have since been carrying out protests within the Parliament complex to demonstrate their opposition to the ECs drive.

Notably, Congress Parliamentary Party Chief Sonia Gandhi also joined the protest on Thursday.

The opposition parties claimed the SIR exercise is being used to manipulate voter rolls, potentially disenfranchising millions of voters, particularly from marginalised communities.

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The INDIA bloc alleged that the SIR drive is aimed at deleting names from voter lists, affecting the voting rights of marginalised communities.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of acting at the behest of the BJP, alleging that the institution has become partial. The opposition demanded greater transparency in the electoral roll revision process.

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The protest, among other MPs, was also attended by the leaders of the opposition in both houses, Rahul Gandhi (Lok Sabha) and Mallikarjun Kharge (Rajya Sabha), and other INDIA bloc MPs.

The MPs displayed banners that said SIR: Stealing Indian Rights and SIR: Subverting Indian Republic.

The opposition demands include an immediate halt to the SIR process and a discussion on the issue in Parliament.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday to prioritise the return of fugitives like Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Lalit Modi during his ongoing visit to the UK.

Taking to platform X, Ramesh said: The India-UK FTA (Free Trade Agreement) will be signed today in London in the presence of Prime Minister Modi. What India needs from the UK is the announcement of another and more effective FTA (Fugitive Transfer Agreement).

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After all, the three big stars of Modis model of fugitive-nomics, Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Lalit Modi, are still awaiting their return home. And its also possible that a few more names might soon be added to this list, Ramesh said.

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While in London, PM Modi is expected to meet with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and discuss various issues, including the FTA and cooperation in areas like defence and technology. The visit is seen as a significant step in strengthening India-UK relations.

The India-UK FTA (Free Trade Agreement) aims to eliminate tariffs on 99 per cent of Indian exports and reduce tariffs on 90 per cent of British goods, potentially doubling bilateral trade to USD 120 billion by 2030. The agreement is expected to boost economic ties, enhance market access, and facilitate cooperation in technology, healthcare, and education.

Demand for a Fugitive Transfer Agreement highlights the complexities and challenges that come with international trade agreements. Its likely that PM Modi will raise the issue of fugitive return during his meetings with UK officials.
A report claiming that former vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar s office was sealed and he was asked to vacate his official residence, following his resignation, has gone viral on social media. However, after the post had gone viral, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Fact Check division dismissed the report as fake.

Stating that the claims purported made through a post are false, the PIB issued a statement saying, It is being widely claimed on social media that the Vice Presidents official residence has been sealed and the former VP has been asked to vacate his residence immediately. These claims are fake. Dont fall for misinformation. Always verify news from official sources.

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The rumours were floated following Dhankars resignation from the post of vice president on health grounds.

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An image that has gone viral claims that Dhankars office has been sealed. Sharing the same on X, a user wrote, VP Dhankar has been asked to vacate his residence immediately after he resigned from his post. No way he resigned due to health concerns.

In a shocking move, the 74-year-old tendered his resignation on Monday evening citing health reasons and the need to follow medical advice. The resignation, effective immediately, was submitted in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.

In a letter addressed to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar wrote, To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution. He had also thanked President Murmu for her unwavering support and the wonderful, soothing working relationship they shared during his tenure.

Earlier, reports claimed that the former VP will move into a type VIII government bungalow soon. Dhankar was the first occupant to move into the newly-built vice presidents residence located next to the Parliament complex, in April last year.
The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the Bombay High Court judgment in the 2006 Mumbai serial train blasts case to the limited extent that it will not be treated as a precedent in other cases being prosecuted under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

However, the court refused to halt the release of the eleven accused acquitted by the high court.

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A bench comprising Justice M M Sundresh, and Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh made it clear that since the respondents had already been released, there was no question of sending them back to prison.

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All respondents released and thus no question to bring them back to prison. However, on the question of law, we will say that the impugned judgment is not to be treated as precedent in any other cases. Therefore, to that extent, let there be a stay on the impugned judgment, the bench said.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the State of Maharashtra, sought the limited stay, submitting that the high courts findings could impact other trials being conducted under MCOCA. So far as the stay is concerned, I am not on liberty (of the accused). There are some findings which will affect all our MCOCA trials. The judgment can be stayed and the release be not hampered, he told the bench.

Accepting the submission, the court issued notice to the acquitted persons. We will issue a notice. Let the parties come. We will hear them and decide, the court said.

Nine of the acquitted individuals have already been released from prison, while twoMohammad Faisal Ataur Rahman Shaikh and Naveed Hussain Khanremain incarcerated in connection with other pending cases.

One accused, Kamal Ansari, died in 2021 due to COVID-19 while lodged in Nagpur Central Jail.

The case pertains to the July 11, 2006 serial bomb blasts in suburban trains on Mumbais Western Railway line. Seven explosions occurred during peak hours, killing 187 people and injuring over 800 others.

A lengthy investigation and trial under MCOCA led to the conviction of 12 accused  who now stand acquitted  by a Special Court in October 2015. Five of them  Kamal Ansari, Mohammad Faisal Shaikh, Ehtesham Siddiqui, Naveed Khan, and Asif Khan  were awarded death penalty while seven others were sentenced to life imprisonment.

The high court, in its July 21, 2025 judgment, acquitted all eleven surviving convicts and delivered a scathing indictment of the investigation by the Mumbai Polices Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the prosecution.

The Division Bench of Justice Anil Kilor and Justice Shyam Chandak noted that the prosecution had utterly failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. It observed that the trial gave the public a misleading sense of resolution, while the real perpetrators remain unpunished.

Punishing the actual perpetrator of a crime is a concrete and essential step toward curbing criminal activities, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring the safety and security of citizens. But creating a false appearance of having solved a case by presenting that the accused have been brought to justice gives a misleading sense of resolution. This deceptive closure undermines public trust and falsely reassures society, while in reality, the true threat remains at large, the high court said.

The court found the testimony of prosecution witnesses unreliable, pointing out that it was implausible for taxi drivers or train passengers to identify the accused after more than 100 days. It also held that the alleged recovery of bombs, guns, and maps was of no consequence since the prosecution failed to establish the type of explosive device used in the blasts.
Amid growing tension between the ruling NDA and Opposition INDIA bloc over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav reiterated that the Opposition could collectively decide to boycott the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar. However, the ruling NDA has dubbed his stand as a political drama to mislead people of Bihar.

Interacting with journalists in the Assembly premises on Thursday, the leader of the Opposition in the assembly again accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of conducting the exercise at the behest of the ruling NDA to manipulate the voter list in favour of the ruling coalition.

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Flanked by leaders of Congress and Left parties, the INDIA bloc convenor in Bihar said: We are seriously discussing the option of boycotting the assembly polls. If the BJP wants to run the government using fake voter lists, why then should people vote? Just give them an extension. Whats the point of holding elections if the entire process is dishonest?

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BJP leader and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said panic has gripped the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) due to the fear of defeat. That is why its leader Tejashwi Yadav has started looking for excuses in advance.

In a democratic process, every political party is free to participate in elections or boycott it. Tejashwi Yadavs statements about possible boycott of elections reflect that he is well aware of the political scenario in the state. He knows very well that in the upcoming Assembly elections, people of Bihar are going to bring back an NDA government, he said.

Leaders of the INDIA Alliance have failed to mislead the people of Bihar in the name of the SIR of voter list, he added.

Bihar Janata Dal (United) President Umesh Singh Kushwaha also launched a scathing attack on Tejashwi Yadav. He said, Tejashwi Yadav is continuously losing his political composure due to the fear of a potential defeat in the upcoming Assembly elections. His growing frustration is now clearly visible in his expressions and language.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Thursday, said while previous governments invoked the name of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan, they failed to honour his wishes  a task, he claimed, now fulfilled by the double-engine government.

Inaugurating the beautification of Asuran Chowk and unveiling JP Narayans statue, Yogi Adityanath highlighted the long-pending demand to set up a health centre in Sitab Diara, which his government has fulfilled by upgrading it into a 100-bed facility.

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He pointed out that Sitab Diara, located on the Uttar Pradesh-Bihar border at the confluence of the Ganga and Saryu rivers, is the birthplace of Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan. Deeply rooted in his village, JP remained closely connected to it throughout his life. In 1977, he had proposed establishing a health centre there and wished for it to be named after his wife, Prabhavati Ji.

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Unfortunately, the governments that came to power in his name failed to honour this request. It is our privilege that we have fulfilled his vision by transforming the health centre into a 100-bed facility named after Prabhavati Ji, asserted Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

He said at a time when Indias democracy was under threat due to the authoritarian tendencies of Congress, it was Loknayak Jayaprakash Narayan who revived it and gave it a new lease of life. A true disciple of Mahatma Gandhi, Jayaprakash Narayan dedicated his entire life to upholding Indias cultural identity and the core values on which the nations foundation rests. He lived not for himself but for the country and its people.

Expressing gratitude to the district administration, the Gorakhpur Development Authority, and the Municipal Corporation, the chief minister appreciated their efforts in reinstalling and beautifying the statue of Jayaprakash Narayan during the redevelopment of the intersection. This effort will serve as an inspiration for the beautification of other public spaces as well, he added.

CM Yogi also remembered Dr. Ashok Kumar, a senior professor at Gorakhpur University, who had played a pivotal role in the original installation of the statue nearly a decade ago. Though Dr. Ashok Kumar is no longer with us, his wife and family are present here today. I pay heartfelt tribute to him for leading this meaningful initiative, he said.
The acquittal of 12 men in the 2006 Mumbai train bombings ~ an attack that claimed 187 lives and injured over 800 ~ demands not just legal introspection but moral and institutional reflection. Nearly two decades after the tragedy, the courts have declared that the prosecution utterly failed to establish the guilt of those once convicted and sentenced to death or life imprisonment. What does this say about the credibility of our investigative and prosecutorial systems, and more importantly, about the cost of justice denied or miscarried? For years, these men languished in jail, with one of them even dying during the Covid-19 pandemic. Their conviction in 2015 was based on confessions and evidence now found unreliable or inadequately handled.

The High Courts decision, spread across a 667-page judgment, pointed out glaring deficiencies: key witness testimonies questioned, confessions contested, and critical forensic material not preserved in sealed condition throughout. If this level of carelessness ~ or worse, institutional bias ~ can occur in a case of such magnitude, what does it say about the fate of countless others without media attention or legal support? The blasts themselves were among the most gruesome attacks in Indias modern history. They targeted Mumbais lifeline ~ the suburban rail network ~ striking commuters during evening rush hour with coordinated precision. The scale of human loss demanded swift justice. But justice, in its haste or its politics, appears to have been compromised. It is easy to imagine the pressure under which the prosecution operated then, amid national outrage and international scrutiny.

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Yet, justice cannot be manufactured to satisfy vengeance or public demand. It must be earned through verifiable facts, transparent processes, and accountability at every level. While the prosecution may yet appeal the High Courts ruling, this judgment casts a long shadow over the methods and motivations that shaped the original investigation and trial. This judgment brings to the forefront a deep concern that has haunted Indias criminal justice system: the vulnerability of minorities, the marginalised, and the politically scapegoated. While terrorism must be fought with the full force of the law, fabricating or manipulating evidence serves no one ~ not the victims, not the state, and certainly not the idea of justice. When courts unravel such miscarriages years later, public trust in both policing and the judiciary suffers. What happens next is not merely a legal formality ~ whether or not the state appeals the verdict.

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It is an ethical test for our democracy. The lives lost in 2006 can never be recovered, and must now be presumed to have been denied justice. But those whose lives were wrongly caged in its aftermath deserve more than release ~ they deserve the truth. So too does the Indian public deserve answers about how such a monumental failure in justice occurred, and what is being done to ensure it does not happen again. Justice delayed is often justice denied. But when investigative techniques are held to be so wrong, the damage this inflicts is far deeper ~ and longer lasting.
As the dust settles from the 12-day conflict that began with Israels Operation Rising Lion on 12 June 2025, and escalated with U.S. strikes on June 22, an urgent question arises: Were these pre-emptive attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities lawful under international law? Both countries claim the strikes were acts of self-defence against an existential nuclear threat. Yet, the core legal issue is whether such anticipatory use of force aligns with Article 51 of the UN Charter, or whether it signals a dangerous erosion of international norms regulating jus ad bellum. Historically, Israel had in  vok ed similar reasoning in its 1981 strike on Iraqs Osirak reactor and the 2007 bombing of Syrias Al Kibar facility. In each case, Israel claimed self-defence against emerging nuclear threats. However, neither reactor was operational, and both atta  cks drew criticism for lacking legal justification under Article 51.

The strikes on Iran have provoked similar condemnation. Iran denies any active weapons programme and appealed to the UN Security Council. Legal experts remain divided ~ some suggest anticipatory self-defence may be valid if an imminent threat is evident; others argue that the lack of verified intelligence renders these strikes as preventive self-defence, a doctrine widely rejected by international law. The UN Charters Article 2(4) prohibits the use of force, with exceptions under Chapter VII (Security Council authorization) and Article 51 (self-defence against an armed attack). Customary international law, as affirmed by the ICJ in Nicaragua v. United States (1986), also reinforces this framework. Self Defence under Article 51 is tightly constrained by the principles of necessity and proportionality. The ICJ has consistently ruled that only an actual armed attack triggers the right of self-defence.

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The 2003 Oil Platforms case reiterated that anticipatory strikes based on threats or speculative dangers fall outside the legal bounds. Nevertheless, some states advocate broader interpretations. Scholars like Yoram Dinstein argue that states need not wait for bombs to fall. The U.S. historically endorses a flexible reading of imminence, especially in contexts involving WMDs and terrorism, as articulated in the 2002 National Security Strategy. However, the Caroline doctrine remains the prevailing legal standard for anticipatory self-defence: the necessity must be instant, overwhelming, leaving no choice of means, and no moment for deliberation.

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The more radical extension, preventive self-defence, has no legal basis in contemporary international law. The UN High-Level Panel (2004), the ICJ, and most states categorically reject it, viewing it as undermining the Charters restrictio  ns. Israel argued its June 2025 strikes were necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, claiming credible intelligence pointed to an imminent nuclear threat. Invoking Article 51, it maintained that the action met the legal test of necessity, proportionality, and imminence. However, Israels historical warnings about Irans nuclear ambitions ~ especially under Prime Minister Netanyahu ~ have often lacked verification.

The IAEA reported in 2023 that Iran had enriched uranium up to 60 percent but had not moved toward weaponisation or developed delivery systems. There is no verified evidence of an imminent nuclear attack. The U.S. supported Israel, citing collective self-defence and invoking Article 51 in a letter to the Security Council. President Donald Trump characterised the action as a limited and necessary strike to prevent Irans nuclear breakout. The U.S. argued for a relaxed standard of imminence due to the unique threat of nuclear weapons. Yet, the ICJs Nicaragua ruling stipulates that collective self-defence is lawful only if the assisted state (Israel) suffers an armed attack. Since Israel was not attacked, U.S. involvement lacks an independent legal basis.

Both countries argued that the threat from Irans nuclear programme warranted immediate action. However, for anticipatory self-defence to be lawful, two core conditions must be met: imminence and proportionality, based on verifiable intelligence. In this case, neither Israel nor the U.S. provided public or independently verified evidence of an imminent Iranian attack. Iran has made no recent threats, and the IAEA continues to monitor its activities without confirming any shift toward weaponisation. Intelligence cited by Israel was neither disclosed to the Security Council nor shared with international agencies. Moreover, necessity and proportionality require force to be a last resort. Israel by passed diplomatic measures, failed to involve the Security Council under Chapter VII, and ignored regional mechanisms for conflict resolution.

These omissions undermine the argument that military action was necessary. The strikes appear more aligned with preventive self defense, aimed at neutralising a perceived future threat, a doctrine overwhelmingly rejected in legal scholarship and state practice. Countries like Germany, France, Japan, and Switzerland have reiterated that self-defence is lawful only in response to an actual or imminent attack, not speculative threats. The claim that nuclear risks demand a looser standard of imminence is also unconvincing. While nuclear capabilities do raise serious concerns, capability cannot be equated with intent.

Accepting this logic would allow virtually any state to attack others based on hypothetical dangers ~ a slippery slope that threatens the entire jus ad bellum regime. The legal arguments ad  vanced by Israel and the U.S. starkly contrast with their own condemnation of Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow justified as anticipatory self-defence. Both countries dismissed Russias claims as violations of Article 2(4). If anticipatory self-defence based on speculative threats was invalid in 2022, it cannot be selectively validated in 2025. Applying different legal standards in similar contexts opens both nations to accusations of hypocrisy and instrumentalism.

It also weakens the credibility of the self-defence framework and encourages other states to misuse similar justifications for aggressive wars. The Israeli and U.S. strikes on Irans nuclear facilities in June 2025 were not authorised by the Security Council, nor were they responses to an actual or imminent armed attack. No publicly available evidence supports the claim of an imminent Iranian threat. These actions fall outside the lawful scope of Article 51, and instead fit the discredited doctrine of preventive self defense. Such use of force, lacking both imminence and necessity, risks being classified as aggression under international law.

Even if Irans nuclear programme raises legitimate concerns, those concerns do not meet the legal threshold for military action. Upholding the Charter framework means rejecting pre-emptive war as a legal norm  regardless of how compelling the strategic rationale may seem. Permitting strikes based on speculative threats would erode the foundational principles of the UN Charter, invite global instability, and dangerously blur the lines between law and power. The world has already witnessed the long-term consequences of preventive war in Iraq (2003) and Ukraine (2022). Repeating that logic now threatens to collapse the post-1945 legal order designed to limit war, not enable it.

(The writer teaches international law at Aligarh Muslim University and heads its Strategic and Security Studies)
Reviewing the situation in border areas, India and China on Wednesday expressed satisfaction with the general prevalence of peace and tranquility in the region, leading to gradual normalisation of bilateral relations. The two nations agreed to maintain regular exchanges and contacts on issues related to the boundary affairs at the diplomatic and military levels through established mechanisms.

The situation was reviewed during the 34th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) held in New Delhi on Wednesday. The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by Gourangalal Das, Joint Secretary (East Asia) at the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Chinese delegation was headed by Hong Liang, Director General of the Boundary and Oceanic Affairs Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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The two sides reviewed the situation in the India-China border areas. They expressed satisfaction with the general prevalence of peace and tranquility in the border areas, leading to gradual normalization of bilateral relations. They agreed to maintain regular exchanges and contacts on issues related to the boundary affairs at the diplomatic and military levels through established mechanisms, the MEA stated after the meeting.

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With a view to advancing effective border management and sustaining peace & tranquillity, the two sides deliberated on various measures as explored during the previous (23rd) round of SR Talks and the 33rd meeting of WMCC. The two sides also prepared for the next round of the Special Representatives Talks on the India-China Boundary Question to be held in India later this year, it added.

The Chinese delegation leader also called on Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, according to the MEA statement. Notably, the 33rd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) was held in Beijing on March 25.

Meanwhile, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson on Wednesday welcomed Indias resumption of tourist visas for Chinese citizens, terming it a positive move. The spokesperson expressed Chinas willingness to maintain communication and consultation with India to further facilitate travel between the two nations.

We take note of Indias resumption of tourist visas for Chinese citizens. This is a positive move. Easing cross-border travel is widely beneficial. China will maintain communication & consultation with India to further facilitate travel between the 2 countries, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on X.

Earlier this month, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing and discussed the trajectory of India-China bilateral relations. He 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, EAM 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.

This was Jaishankars first visit to China since the violent confrontation in Galwan Valley in May 2020. The EAM visited China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers Meeting (CFM) in Tianjin. On the sidelines of the SCO meeting, the EAM held multiple high-level meetings to deepen dialogue and cooperation with Chinese officials.
By News Centre

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan delivered remarks ahead of the start of the TurkiyeRussiaUkraine trilateral meeting.

In his opening address at the summit, Minister Fidan reaffirmed Turkiyes objective of ending the war, stating:

As the host country, our role is to provide a negotiation environment where both sides feel secure. We will continue to fulfil our responsibility as a facilitator with diligence.

Minister Fidan continued: Our goal is to end the war."

Our President, Mr Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, has for years carried the torch of peace in a region fraught with conflict.

Under his leadership, Turkiye has made intense efforts from day one to help realise peace between Russia and Ukraine.

In the first two rounds of talks, we achieved important outcomes.

We are pleased to see that the prisoner exchanges conducted thus far have been recognised by the international community for their humanitarian impact.

The exchange of memoranda reflecting the perspectives of both parties on a ceasefire and peace during the second round was also a significant development.

In the interim, technical-level contacts between negotiation teams have continued.

In this third round of negotiations, our hope is that the parties will engage in substantive and results-oriented consultations on the exchanged memoranda.

The ultimate goal, of course, is a ceasefire that will pave the way towards peace.

As host, our responsibility is to provide a negotiation setting in which both sides feel safe.

As facilitators, we will continue to fulfil our duty with the utmost care.

Diplomacy is a process  but it only gains meaning if, at each step, concrete achievements are made to move forward positively.

Turkiye is always ready to fulfil its responsibilities to support the continuation of the process, depending on the consensus reached by the parties.

Should there be an emerging understanding toward a ceasefire, we have the infrastructure needed to support monitoring mechanisms.

We can also contribute to structuring future prisoner exchanges in a more systematic manner.

Through the Istanbul talks, we once again have the opportunity to show the world that diplomacy and dialogue are more effective than conflict and arms in securing peace.

I would like to thank the heads and members of the delegations once again, and I hope todays negotiations will lead to positive outcomes for the peoples of Ukraine and Russia.

Meanwhile, the TurkiyeRussiaUkraine Trilateral Meeting, hosted by Turkiye in Istanbul, has officially begun.

Held at the C?ra?an Palace, the meeting aims to bring an end to the war between Russia and Ukraine, ongoing since 24 February 2022.

The meeting is chaired by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and also attended by National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) Chief ?brahim Kal?n and Chief of General Staff General Metin Gurak.

The Russian delegation includes Vladimir Medinskiy, adviser to President Vladimir Putin, and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin.

Representing Ukraine are Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council Rustem Umerov and Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya.

Turkiye brings both parties back to the table after three years

Immediately following the outbreak of war in February 2022, Turkiye succeeded in bringing Russia and Ukraine to the table in both Antalya and Istanbul during the same year. In May this year, it once again managed to host the two sides for trilateral talks in Istanbul  the first time in nearly three years.

Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine were held in Istanbul on 16 May and 2 June.
PARIS, July 24 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that France will officially recognize the State of Palestine during the upcoming 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 80) in September.

"The urgent need today is to end the war in Gaza and to rescue the civilian population," Macron stated on his official X account. He emphasized the necessity for an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and the delivery of massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

Macron underscored the broader vision behind France's recognition of Palestine, saying, "We must build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and ensure that by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel, it contributes to the security of all in the Middle East."

In a formal letter addressed to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Macron said the urgent need is to achieve the only viable solution (two-state solution) to meet the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people, put an end to terrorism and all forms of violence, and ensure lasting peace and security for Israel and the entire region.

The move follows Macron's earlier declaration in April, saying that France would recognize the Palestinian state during an international conference on Palestine, co-chaired with Saudi Arabia in New York in June. But under pressure from the United States, the international conference has been postponed until the end of July. 
Russian and Ukrainian delegations held a third round of peace talks here at the Ciragan Palace, during which the two sides agreed on another prisoner exchange but clashed on ceasefire terms and a potential presidential meeting.

Russian presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky and Secretary of Ukraines National Security and Defence Council Rustem Umerov led the Russian and Ukrainian delegations, respectively on Wednesday evening.

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The closed-door talks were chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Xinhua news agency reported.

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Following the talks, which lasted for less than one hour, Umerov said at a press conference that Ukraine continues to insist on a full and unconditional ceasefire as the essential foundation for effective diplomacy.

We are ready for a ceasefire now and to start substantive peace negotiations, and it is up to the other side to accept this basic step towards peace, he added.

We emphasise that the ceasefire must be genuine. It must include a complete cessation of strikes on civilian and critical infrastructure, he said.

Prior to the talks, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that Moscow and Kyiv are diametrically opposed in their positions on how to end the conflict, noting that much work still needs to be done.

The Ukrainian side has proposed to Russia to hold a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky by the end of August, where the participation of US President Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will be especially valuable, he added.

During a separate press conference after the talks, Medinsky said that Russia and Ukraine agreed to exchange 1,200 prisoners of war each, including a proposal from Moscow to swap about 30 civilians held by Ukraine in the Kursk region.

Russia has returned the bodies of 7,000 fallen Ukrainian soldiers and is ready to return 3,000 more, he said, requesting the return of any number of deceased Russian soldiers from Ukraine.

He also added that the Russian side proposed establishing three online working groups with Ukraine to address political, humanitarian, and military issues, and asked Ukraine to consider declaring short ceasefires of 24 to 48 hours along the contact line to evacuate the wounded soldiers and recover the bodies of fallen troops.

As to the Putin-Zelensky meeting Ukraine proposed, Medinsky said that such a meeting is not being considered until certain processes are completed.

Meanwhile, Zelensky wrote on social media platform X after the talks that the ninth stage of prisoner exchange took place today, which involved more than 1,000 people from the Ukrainian side, including those seriously ill and severely wounded.

It is important that the exchanges are ongoing, he wrote.

In his opening remarks to the talks, Fidan urged the two delegations to engage in result-oriented negotiations aimed at achieving a ceasefire and ultimately ending the war.

Our goal is to end this bloody war, which has come at a heavy cost, as soon as possible, Fidan said.

While the previous two rounds of talks in Istanbul  held on May 16 and June 2  led to the exchange of thousands of war prisoners and the bodies of fallen soldiers, they produced little progress toward a ceasefire.
LUSAKA, July 24 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government has welcomed the findings of a new report that shows a notable fall in financial crimes.

The findings of the Financial Intelligence Center's 10th Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing Trends Report reinforce the government's commitment to building a transparent financial system, Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu said Wednesday.

The center, established in November 2010, is the government's financial intelligence unit.

Mwiimbu said the report highlights a reduction in public sector corruption cases compared to money laundering, fraud, and tax evasion, underscoring the impact of the government's anti-corruption measures.

"Under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, the government has declared zero tolerance for corruption and is committed to fighting past, present, and future corruption, with no sacred cows," he said in a statement.

According to the minister, the report recorded a 12.74 percent drop in suspicious transactions, from 10,293 in 2023 to 8,981 in 2024, reflecting improved financial oversight.

He said the results demonstrate that the government's anti-corruption efforts are bearing fruit and indicate progress in the fight against financial crimes.

The recent introduction of robust cyber laws has further strengthened the government's capabilities by enhancing the detection and prevention of sophisticated financial crimes in the digital space, Mwiimbu said.

He said the government remains committed to collaborating with state agencies and other stakeholders to strengthen regulatory frameworks and safeguard Zambia's financial ecosystem. 


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Win-win, or win-some-lose-some? As Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British counterpart Keir Starmer gave the official stamp of approval to the India-UK comprehensive trade agreement (CETA) on Thursday, the focus now is on the gainers, and by logical correlation, losers, too. Which country and which all sectors gain more, or is it that there will be gains all around?

When you do a trade deal, there are pros and cons, so many nuances which will play out as time goes, Rajiv Memani, president of Indias largest business body, the CII had told this correspondent earlier this month. Of course, while he was referring to the vexatious negotiations for the India-US treaty, it could well be applicable to the FTA signed today by Britain and its erstwhile colony, as well.

Sharing my remarks during meeting with PM @Keir_Starmer. https://t.co/jyXL19kGgk  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2025

The most-talked-about is the gains Indias garment and leather exporters are set to garner, considering that duties ranging between 8 and 16 per cent on them will now go, replaced by a '99 per cent duty-free' regime. This, along with similar concessions for the gems and jewellery sector, as well as manufacturers of heavy machinery, chemicals and plastics, is particularly significant politically, too, as these sectors give employment to hundreds of thousands of ordinary Indians across hubs ranging from Punjab to UP and Tamil Nadu.

Engineering sector also gains. The UK imports $193 billion worth of such products, while Indias contribution is just above $4 billion. With tariff elimination up to 18 per cent under CETA, industry analysts believe exports in this sector to the UK could double in the next five years.

However, not everyone gets off easily. Auto industry is a curious example, split down the middle thanks to the agreement. The deal allows British premium cars to enter India at 10 per cent duty  compare that to the 140 per cent or so many had to pay till now. This means some domestic car makers, especially those making electric cars, will face a disadvantage.

But the irony is that the automobile components sector now faces zero duty, which means Indian ancillary companies can now hope to cater to not just Indias burgeoning auto market, but also sell parts to British car makers, too. It is no accident that the Automobile Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) was quick to applaud the CETA while SIAM, the carmakers body, was mum as of this article going live.

This agreement (will) foster greater value chain integration between the Indian and British automotive industries. (It will) benefit the Indian auto component sector through enhanced opportunities for exports, streamlined regulatory processes, particularly in key areas such as electric mobility, precision engineering, and lightweight materials, said ACMA president Shradha Suri Marwah.

Other local sectors which face an avalanche of British goods will include alcoholic beverages (duties on the likes of Johnnie Walker Scotch Whisky will drop from 150 per cent down to 40 per cent over a period of a few years), as well as small scale engineering, medtech firms etc.

Concerns persist about sector-specific impacts - particularly potential job losses in Indian manufacturing linked to automobiles, alcohol, and cosmetics, pointed out Pallavi Bakhru, partner and UK Corridor Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat, but she sees the silver lining  I see this as a catalyst for Indian businesses to strengthen their competitiveness. It also sets a high bar for UK firms seeking sustained market presence.

Of particular worry is the permission given to British firms to bid for Indian government procurement contracts. This could hit Indian small businesses and contractors adversely, though it would be interesting to watch how the British firms will adapt to the rough and tumble of Indian government wheeling and dealing. This, coupled with some sectoral leeway could hit many Indian MSMEs adversely.

The IndiaUK FTA marks a watershed moment, providing enhanced market access along with greater certainty for Indian exporters, said Anant Goenka, senior vice president of FICCI. Business apart, there are gains for Indian consumers, too. Beyond whisky, quality imported items that are set to get cheaper include cosmetics and processed foods. Which, of course, mean Indian premium brands in all these sectors could face a challenge.
The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday raided several premises linked to Reliance Communications promoter Anil Ambani, a month after the State Bank of India declared him fraud.

The raids were carried out at 35 locations in Mumbai and Delhi.

Enforcement Directorate conducts raid on properties linked to Anil Ambani in connection with alleged offence of money laundering by RAAGA companies (Reliance Anil Ambani Group Companies).



(Visuals from Reliance Centre in Mumbai) pic.twitter.com/IcXIXmNBGu  ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2025

The central probe agency is investigating the money laundering charges linked to the Rs 3,000 crore bank loan fraud against Anil Ambani group companies and Yes Bank promoters.

The ED move came subsequent to recording of a First Inormation Report (FIR) by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Other agencies and institutions such as the National Housing Bank, SEBI, National Financial Reporting Authority (NFRA) and Bank of Baroda also shared information with the ED.

The preliminary investigation has found illegal loan diversion from Yes Bank between 2017 and 2019, and that the bank promoters received money in their concerns just before the loan was sanctioned.

The probe agency has found a "well-planned and thought-out scheme to siphon off public money by cheating banks, shareholders, investors and other public institutions, reported ANI.

"The offence of bribing bank officials including, promoter of Yes Banks Limited is also under scanner".

The SBI classified RCom and Anil Ambani as fraud on June 13 and later lodged a complaint with the CBI.

Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary informed the Lok Sabha on Monday that the SBIs move was in accordance with the Reserve Bank of India's Master Directions on Fraud Risk Management and Bank's Board-approved Policy on Classification, Reporting & Management of Frauds.

The credit exposure of SBI in RCom includes, fund-based principal outstanding amount of Rs 2,227.64 crore along with the accrued interest and expenses with effect from August 26, 2016 and non-fund-based Bank Guarantee of Rs 786.52 crore, the minister said.
The free trade agreement allows tariff exemptions for 99 per cent of Indian exports to the UK and makes it easier for Britain to import whisky, cars and certain products to the country

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has one more feather in his cap after the country signed a landmark free trade agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom in his presence at London on Thursday.

The free trade pact, signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonathan Reynold in the presence of Modi and British PM Keir Starmer, is touted to exempt 99 per cent of Indian exports from tariffs and make it easier for UK firms to import whisky, cars and other products to India.

The FTA comes after three years of intense and comprehensive negotiations.

Earlier in the day, Starmer hosted Modi at Chequers, the country residence of the British PM, where the two leaders held a tete-a-tete before serious talks. The formalisation of the FTA is said to be the key highlight of Modis two-day trip to the UK. The free trade pact with India is the biggest the UK has inked since leaving the European Union.

Apart from the FTA, India and the UK also sealed a double contribution convention, which means that employers of Indian workers are exempt from paying social security contributions in the UK.

The UK now imports 11 billion pounds in goods from India. However, the new FTA would make Indian goods cheaper for British consumers and businesses, benefitting Indian exporters. Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain, Starmer reportedly stated.

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement or CETA

Union minister Piyush Goyal, who signed the FTAofficially called the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)said that the deal would provide duty-free access to several domestic sectors such as leather, electrical machinery, and chemicals in the UK market, leading to $23 billion in opportunities.

Duty-free access for about 99 per cent of Indian exports unlocks nearly $23 billion in opportunities for labour-intensive sectors, marking a new era for inclusive and gender-equitable growth, Goyal posted on X.

The deal will also have a transformative impact on manufacturing-intensive sectors like engineering goods, electronics, pharma, chemicals, food processing, and plastics. This agreement will also provide Indian consumers high quality goods at competitive prices, he added.

The three-year exemption from social security contributions in the UK as part of the Double Contribution Convention is a significant breakthrough for Indian workers and their employers, Goyal further elaborated.

In fiscal 2024-2025, exports from India to the UK soared by 12.6 per cent to $14.5 billion, while imports to the country were 2.3 per cent higher year-on-year at $8.6 billion.

CETA slashed the duty on Indian engineering goods from 18 per cent to zero, and their exports to the UK might nearly double in the next five years, even hitting $7.5 billion by 2029-30, a commerce ministry official told agencies.

The UK is the countrys sixth-largest engineering export market, but it currently only imports $4.28 billion worth from Indias total global engineering exports of $77.79 billion.
From first in line to still in line, Indias destiny at the trade negotiating table hangs by a thread. It wouldnt be an exaggeration to say that it is now dependent on the infamous vagary of Donald Trumps mood.

When Trump celebrated another trade deal with Japan earlier this week, another agreement almost went under the radar. Americas striking a trade deal with Indonesia. And together, they pose two serious threats to Modis already tenuous hopes of bagging a table hug in Washington.

Only President Trump could have delivered this kind of deal. He brought Japans trade delegation into the Oval Office and led tough negotiations that secured this historic agreement.



The U.S.-Japan alliance has never been stronger. pic.twitter.com/eHzCJM4wi3  Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) July 23, 2025

Initially, when Trump announced the Liberation Day tariffs on April 2, Indias rate of a total 26 per cent seemed not too bad  especially when compared with its main contenders in the trade and economy space. China got slapped up to even 145 per cent duties, while many countries who could be considered Indias rivals in the export manufacturing as well as trading scene got higher tariffs. For example, Vietnam got a 46 per cent tariff on imports. This was good, many Indian industry analysts thought, as this would make Indian imports more competitive, while making India a more attractive destination for global biggies looking at offshore manufacturing.

But then, once Trump started playing his own version of snakes and ladders, Indias advantage seemed to shrink by the day. First off the block was China, which struck an interim truce, followed recently by Vietnam which managed to bring the rates down to 20 per cent.

And now, even as Indias negotiations remain stuck over its reluctance to open up to agriculture imports from the US, Washington has struck two more deals  one with Japan, and another with Indonesia.

Why these are significant and a possible body blow for Indias stance is because of two distinctly different reasons.

First Japan, which agreed to open up its markets to most US products including, now get this, rice. In Japan, too, rice is a politically sensitive subject. It is a staple, with the nation taking pride in its high quality paddy and the many dishes crafted using it as a base. Despite the heavyweight nature, the Japanese government agreed to give tariff-free access to US farm products, besides committing to invest 550 billion dollars in the US.

The question obviously will now haunt Indian negotiators at the next round of trade talks (which, by the way, is only after Trumps new deadline of August 1, meaning Indian exports could just face higher duties right from next week, unless Trump does another volte face)  if even Japan can open up for American agri, what is Indias issue?, will go the narrative.

Similarly, Indonesias deal also reduces American tariffs on exports from that country to America from 40 per cent to 19 per cent. With Vietnam and Indonesia the front-running rivals to India in bagging global manufacturing, particularly those moving out of China, this means that for India to remain competitive and attract manufacturing from all over, it now has to get a tariff rate of at least 15 to 19 per cent. Not playing ball to protect the farmer voter base now comes with staggering repercussions for the entire economy.
The upcoming Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) elections could mark a historic moment for the 31-year-old body, as actress Shwetha Menon has filed her nomination for the post of president, according to Kerala Kaumudi. If elected, the actress would be the first woman to helm the organisation after three decades of male leadership.

Menons name pops up against a list of other rumoured contenders including Jagadish, Kunchako Boban, and Vijayaraghavan. The 51-year-old has long been a respected member of AMMA and had previously etched glory in the organisations book when she was elected as the first female vice president of the organisation in 2021, a position she shared with Edavela Babu till 2024.

Menon became a household name in the film industry when she debuted with her 1991 Mollywood debut Anaswaram. Since then, she has expanded her presence into Telugu, Hindi, and Tamil cinema and quickly became a noted and respected figure in the community.

The premature AMMA elections come after the contents of the Hema Committee reportwhich highlighted issues related to sexual violence against women and male dominance in the industryshook the organisation. The situation snowballed and eventually prompted veteran actor Mohanlal to step down from the post of president, a position he had held since 2018.

ALSO READ | Pay disparity, online harassment, torture... Hema Committee highlights 17 key issues faced by women in Malayalam cinema

As per Kerala Kaumudi, over 125 nominations have been filed for various posts such as president, vice-president, general secretary, secretary, joint secretary, and treasurer. Among them, actor Baburaj has filed his nomination for general secretary while Ansiba Hasan is vying for joint secretary.

The final list of nominees will be announced on July 31, with the AMMA elections to be conducted on August 15.
Maulana Arshad Madani, president of the Jamiat-Ulama-e-Hind, an Islamic organisation, has objected to the Supreme Courts decision to release Udaipur Files: Kanhaiya Lal Tailor Murder, despite six cuts being made to the film. Madani filed a petition challenging the Centres Ministry of Information and Broadcasting order, which instructed the producers of the film to implement the edits.

ALSO READ | Udaipur Files row: Supreme Court to hear plea after Delhi HC halts release

According to ANI, the petition asserts, The inflammatory and malafide intent of the film is clear when considered in the context of the long history of communally coloured propaganda indulged in by the producer of the film, Amit Jani, who is a self-styled activist and founder of the Uttar Pradesh Navnirman Sena.

The top court is expected to hear the matter today.

Udaipur Files is based on the murder of a Udaipur-based tailor, Kanhaiya Lal, by two menMohammad Riyaz and Mohammad Ghousas retaliation against a social media post supporting former BJP leader Nupur Sharma, who faced heat from the Muslim community for remarks on Prophet Muhammad. His murder was recorded by the attackers.

The film was scheduled to release on July 9, but a stay order was initiated by the High Court. Senior Advocate Gaurav Bhatia, representing the producers, filed a plea challenging the notion, arguing that it is a violation as the film received a Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

ALSO READ | 'Udaipur Files' row: Supreme Court urges Centre Committee to decide fast, says right to life trumps free speech

On July 9, prior to the stay order, the top court had permitted the release of the film after rejecting a plea filed by Mohammed Javed, who is facing trial as the eighth accused in the case, who sought to hold the release until the ongoing trial is over.
Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah (L) and Bank of Namibia Governor Johannes Gawaxab (R) officially unveil the country's upgraded banknotes and new coinage series in Windhoek, Namibia on July 23, 2025. Namibia's central bank has unveiled the country's upgraded banknotes and new coinage series featuring enhanced security measures and updated designs. (Photo by Musa C Kaseke/Xinhua)

WINDHOEK, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Namibia's central bank has unveiled the country's upgraded banknotes and new coinage series featuring enhanced security measures and updated designs.

President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah presided over the unveiling ceremony Wednesday evening.

The event coincided with the official celebration of the 35th Anniversary of the Bank of Namibia (BoN), which was themed "Anchored in Stability: 35 years of central banking excellence and innovation."

The upgrade represents the first change to Namibia's coins since their introduction in 1993 and the first update to its banknotes since 2012.

"Change is, therefore, long overdue, because technological advances have progressed, and Namibia must stay on par with the rest of the world," Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

She highlighted the alignment of the banknotes and coins with international best practices through adjustments to their sizes and materials.

"I encourage all Namibians to familiarize themselves with the new features and to embrace this milestone with pride and shared responsibility," the president said. "It is a living symbol of our unity, resilience, and aspirations."

The new banknote and coin family consists of five banknotes and five coins.

BoN Governor Johannes Gawaxab told the launch that the coins are lighter, smaller, and more durable, making everyday transactions easier and more efficient.

"Instead of depicting Namibia's fauna and flora, the new coins now symbolically represent the five key sectors that anchor Namibia's economy," he said.

The central bank said the new currency series will officially enter circulation in August, alongside the current series, to ensure a smooth and seamless transition.

"To support the public in recognizing and adapting to the new features, the bank will be conducting a comprehensive, countrywide awareness campaign," Gawaxab said. 
As a part of the ongoing National Sickle Cell Mission, the Health Ministry informed that a total of 6 crore individuals were screened for sickle cell disease (SCD) so far, against the targeted 7 crore.

Through the screening, it has been learnt that 2.15 lakh individuals were diagnosed with the condition, as well as 16.7 lakh carriers too have been identified. The government informed that 2.6 million health cards have been distributed by the states to the screened individuals.

Among the states that have screened people, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Telangana, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand achieved a high percentage of testing. Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat recorded the highest incidence of diagnosed cases.

Also Read | Chikungunya outbreak: Why the re-emergence is a risk to billions worldwide

What is sickle cell disease?

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder that affects the haemoglobin in red blood cells, causing them to assume a sickle shape, which restricts blood flow and leads to severe pain, infections, and organ damage.

SCD is a sad reality that affects thousands of people in India, particularly in tribal communities. Recognising the urgent need to address the condition, the government launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission in the Union Budget 2023.

The mission aims to eliminate sickle cell anaemia in India by 2047 through the creation of awareness, universal screening of 7 crore individuals aged 0-40 years in affected tribal areas by FY 2025-26, and provision of counselling.

How is the screening being conducted?

Screening for SCD is being conducted using validated Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) kits, which ensure rapid, reliable, and confirmatory results. Furthermore, a dedicated dashboard and a sickle cell disease portal have been established to consolidate screening data from all participating states.

Also Read | Ditch 10K, aim for 7K: Research reveals optimal daily steps for good health
The Supreme Court has stayed the Bombay High Court's order acquitting all accused in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case. The apex court observed those released from prison based on the acquittal need not be arrested again.

Hearing a petition moved by the Anti-Terror Squad of the Maharashtra police, a bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Justice N.K. Singh stayed the High Court's order acquitting all accused in the case. The apex court also said the Bombay court's judgment may not be treated as precedent in other cases taken under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA).

Appearing for Maharashtra, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta sought a stay of the High Court's order and said some observations in the judgment could affect cases pending trial under the MCOCA, Live Law reported.

A special MCOCA court held 12 accused arrested in connection with the 2006 Mumbai train blasts guilty. The court also sentenced five to death. However, a special bench of the Bombay High Court overturned the judgment and acquitted all the accused in the case, citing lack of evidence.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has warned Air India of potential enforcement action after the airline allegedly violating safety standards, according to reports.

The potential acton against the airline could include hefty fines and removal of executives, according to Reuters.

Investigators are now looking into a possible technical fault in the recent Air India crash in Ahmedabad. The crash involved Flight AI171, a Boeing 787, which went down shortly after takeoff on July 15. Early reports suggest there may have been a malfunction in the aircrafts pic.twitter.com/7ii6ApKiG5  THE WEEK (@TheWeekLive) July 17, 2025

The violation of safety norms pertain to crew fatigue management and training in order to ensure the pilots are fully rested before operating flights, according to the multiple notices issued to the airline. The Air India crew have been complaining about being forced to fly for longer than allowed.

On July 23, four government notices were issued to Air India citing continuously failing to comply with the safety standards. Among the 29 violations pointed out by DGCA include lack of mandatory rest for pilots, failure to comply with simulator training requirements, lack of training for a high-altitude airport and insufficient cabin crew on international routes.

One of the notices read said the violations show drawbacks in crew scheduling, operational planning and regulatory oversight within the flight operations function.

Responding to the notices, Air India said, "We acknowledge receipt of these notices from the regulator related to certain voluntary disclosures that were made over the last one year by Air India. We will respond to the said notices within the stipulated period. We remain committed to the safety of our crew and passengers."

More than a week after the AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad on June 12, the DGCA directed Air India to remove three officials who were responsible for crew rostering after lapses were found in "licensing, rest and recency requirements."

On Thursday, the civil aviation ministry in a written reply to the Lok Sabha revealed that Air India and Air India Express together reported 85 technical defects in their fleet to DGCA this year till July 21.

IndiGo reported 62 defects while Akasa Air reported 28 and SpiceJet eight during the same period.
Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) leader Ghulam Nabi Azad has dismissed speculation about his potential candidacy for the Vice-President of India, stressing that restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir is his top priority.

Speaking to the media in Reasi on Wednesday, after visiting party worker Rehana Anjum to offer condolences on her father's passing.

 | Former J&K Chief Minister and veteran politician Ghulam Nabi Azad rebuffed rumours about his name being under consideration for the post of Vice President of India.



Azad said, There are many pending issues in Jammu and Kashmir, such as statehood, unemployment, and pic.twitter.com/FU8HDjAnf1  United News of India (@uniindianews) July 24, 2025

I have stated this before, and I will say it again: I am not a candidate for the Vice-Presidents role, he said. My focus is on fighting for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, especially for the return of statehood and the protection of their rights.

Azad, who has previously served as Chief Minister and Union Minister, highlighted that political roles come and go, but the loss of trust and communal harmony in society is a far more serious issue.

Rehana has worked with us for many years. I came here to share in her grief, he said. In such difficult times, there is no religion or politics; we are all human beings.

He expressed concern about the growing religious divide in Jammu and Kashmir

He said the brotherhood we once had is slowly fading. In the past, people did not worry about religion or political parties, he said. Now, that sense of unity is weakening, and it is very unfortunate.

Azad insisted that development, like statehood, should not depend on a persons religion or political views. Whether someone supports the BJP, Congress, PDP, or National Conference, everyone in Jammu and Kashmir deserves justice, respect, and a voice, he stressed.

Recalling his time as Minister of State for Home Affairs, he mentioned that three Union territories were granted statehood based on his recommendations. Azad said he consistently raised the issue of restoring statehood to Jammu and Kashmir in Parliament.

Even after Article 370 was removed, I stated that either the Prime Minister would need to reconsider, or the Supreme Court would intervene. In the end, both happened. Now, we need full statehood and faster development, he said.

He urged both the government and the media to act responsibly. We must move beyond just political discussions. Lets work together for jobs, education, and peace, he said. That is what we owe to our children.
The Uttar Pradesh government has launched a decisive fight against illegal conversions, with the states chief minister asserting that no conspiracies against sanatan dharma will be tolerated.

Recent arrests in Balrampur, Agra and Prayagraj have made it clear that such conversions are not isolated but part of a larger, deep-seated, global conspiracy, as per a note issued by the government on late Wednesday evening.

This has been dubbed soft terror by the Uttar Pradesh government, and it claims that it is in the final stages of the war against such terror.

In the recent arrests made from six states over the disappearance of two girls from Agra, the police have discovered documents that indicate a possible international link. This includes a detailed map of Palestine and fundamentalist literature. The authorities have now divulged that material related to Christianity has also been recovered from the arrested. This, the authorities said, is proof that the entire operation is anti-Hindu.

Individuals were trained on how to lure Hindu girls through promises of love, marriage, and even economic prosperity. The authorities say that some of these girls were to be sent to Dubai. Some of them were to be passed off as adoptees and were sent to Christian missionaries. As of now, two dozen such cases have been identified.

Yogi Adityanath has said that he will not permit UP to become a centre of illegal conversions. The action taken by the state should serve as an inspiration to the rest of the country, he said.

Meanwhile, 18 teams that include digital and cybersecurity experts have been formed to draw out the complete details of the racket. Digital maps of the entire operation will be drawn from CCTV footage, call recordings, social media profiles, and forensic analysis of digital devices. Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook are the social media platforms most commonly used to trap girls.

The girls who were targeted in the operation have told the police that they were allegedly threatened that if they do not convert to Islam, their families would be harmed.
Days after the shocking murders of a businessman and a gangster rocked Bihar's capital Patna, panic gripped the neighbouring district of Muzaffarpur where a junk dealer was shot near Majhaulia on Wednesday night.

According to police, the victim, Mohammad Badal, was shot at three times near the chest by an unknown assailant. Badal was rushed to a hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.

The body has been sent for postmortem.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Vinita Sinha said a case has been registered and the search is on to nab the accused.

The family has named a few people who threatened the deceased two days ago. Primarily, it appears that the incident occurred due to a dispute. A case will be registered, and police teams have already left to conduct raids...Action is being taken based on the statements given by the family, she told news agency ANI.

#WATCH | Muzaffarpur, Bihar | Regarding a junk dealer shot dead near Majhaulia, SDPO Vinita Sinha says, "A person named Mohammad Badal, who worked as a junk dealer, was shot at three times by an unknown miscreant, resulting in his death. The family has named a few people who pic.twitter.com/WrFANPOM5X  ANI (@ANI) July 24, 2025

Sinha said there was a dispute between the victim and the alleged accused two days ago, and Badals family members had called Emergency number 112.

The incident sparked a massive protest in the area with local people blocking National Highway-28. The protesters also allegedly set fire to two vehicles.

The murder came days after gangster Chandan Mishra was shot dead at a private hospital in Patna in broad daylight.

Earlier on July 4, Patna-based businessman Gopal Khemka was shot dead near his house by two unidentified criminals.

In a similar incident in Saran district last week, a man identified as Roshan Kumar Singh was gunned down by unidentified assailants. According to police, preliminary investigation pointed towards a family dispute as the possible cause of the fatal incident.

The recent spike in the number of crimes, including murders, has put the JD(U)-BJP government on the back foot ahead of the assembly elections due later this year.
The ongoing public rift between Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S Ramadoss and his son, party president Anbumani Ramadoss, has intensified with the father filing a police complaint against the son. Senior Ramadoss had lodged a police complaint with the Director General of Police (DGP) seeking effective measures to prevent Anbumanis 100-day padayatra.

Anbumani was all set to embark on a statewide tour from July 25 to reclaim the rights of the Tamil people. Called Tamil Nadu Peoples Rights Retrieval Journey, Anbumani had launched the logo for the tour on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters at his residence in Thailapuram near Thindivanam, Ramadoss said that the police should stop Anbumani from going on the padayatra as it will give rise to law and order problems in north Tamil Nadu.

He also said the police should intervene and prevent anyone else from using the PMK flag during the padayatra. As I said earlier, he cannot use my name in any context. But he can use his initial. He also said that he has already appointed the office bearers to run the party and no one can prevent them from performing their duties.  If anyone prevents them from doing their duties or falsely claims as office bearers they will be referred to the disciplinary action committee and will be removed from the party, Ramadoss added. The father had actually revamped the whole party with his supporters and had expelled those who were with his son. He said the new list of office bearers appointed by him, including the honorary president, treasurer, and general secretary, have been furnished with the Election Commission of India.

Incidentally, this is the second time in the past four months the father had lodged a police complaint against the son. The first time was when he said that a bugging device was allegedly planted near his chair at his Thailapuram residence. The police have already started an investigation into this. Ramadoss called it as a spying device and said that it was a high-end device and said that it was imported from the United Kingdom. I want the police to expedite the probe into the case. I know the person who planted the device. But I cannot reveal the names as it will affect the police investigation, Ramadoss said.

However, the father-son fight has led to a huge rift in the party and a gap in the Vanniyar community votes, which is a larger chunk in Tamil Nadu. The PMK came up with the back of the Vanniyar reservation movement in the 1980s. With over 15 to 17 percent votes across Tamil Nadu, the Vanniyars belong to the Most Backward Class status, which was granted to them in the late 80s after the Vanniyar reservation movement taken up by Ramadoss and his PMK.
The Election Commission of India has justified its intensive electoral roll revision being carried out in Bihar and questioned whether it should get carried away by protests and pave way for fake votes in elections.

In a statement, the Commission said a transparently prepared electoral roll was the foundation of fair elections in a democracy. "...so, fearing these things, should the Election Commission, getting misled by some people, pave the way for some to cast fake votes in the name of deceased voters, voters who have migrated permanently, voters who have got their votes registered at two places, fake voters or foreign voters, going against the Constitution, first in Bihar, then in the entire country?" ANI reported.

The Election Commission said the electoral roll was being prepared through a transparent process and questioned the protests. The poll body said all parties should think deeply, going beyond their political ideologies.

Opposition parties have strongly opposed the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral roll in Bihar. Opposition has questioned the timing of the exercise in poll-bound Bihar and charged that the exercise would disenfranchise lakhs of voters.

The poll body's comments come amid opposition's ruckus in Parliament demanding suspension of business to discuss the exercise. In a release on Wednesday, the Election Commission said 98.01 per cent of electors have been covered in the first phase of electoral roll revision. Till July 23, 20 lakh deceased electors and 28 lakh permanently migrated electors have been reported; 7 lakh electors have been found enrolled at more than one place, and 1 lakh electors are untraceable, it said. The poll body added 7.17 crore electors forms have been received and digitised. The first phase of SIR will conclude on August 1.
The Supreme Court has stayed the Bombay High Court's judgment acquitting 11 accused in the 2006 Mumbai train bombings (7/11 blasts). While the acquitted will remain free, the apex court ensured the High Court's controversial findings cannot be used as a legal precedent in other MCOCA cases, responding to Maharashtra's plea about future trials. The move aims to prevent the HC's critical observations on prosecution failures from impacting ongoing and future terror trials.

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the Bombay High Court judgment that acquitted all 11 accused in the 2006 Mumbai train bombings. However, the top court clarified it will not interfere with the release of those acquitted.

A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh passed the order while hearing a plea filed by Maharashtra. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the state, submitted that the High Court verdict may negatively impact ongoing and future cases under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

While Mehta did not seek to re-incarcerate the released accused, he strongly urged the Court to stay the legal impact of the High Court's observations. There are some findings which will affect all our MCOCA trials. The judgment can be stayed and the release be not hampered, Mehta said.

The court, while issuing notices to all acquitted persons, ordered, "All respondents have already been released and there is no question of sending them back. However, as far as the legal implications are concerned, the impugned judgment shall not be treated as a precedent in any other case. Let there be a stay to that extent."

Nine of the eleven men acquitted by the High Court have already walked free. Two accused, Faisal Ataur Rahman Shaikh and Naveed Hussain, remain in custody due to other pending criminal cases. One of the original convicts, Kamal Ansari, died in 2021 while in prison.

The case stems from the coordinated serial bomb blasts that rocked Mumbais suburban Western Railway trains on July 11, 2006. The blasts killed 187 people and injured over 800, sending shockwaves across the country.

A MCOCA special court in 2015 had convicted twelve accused, sentencing five to death and seven to life imprisonment. The five sentenced to death - Shaikh, Hussain Khan, Asif Khan, Ehtesham Siddiqui, and now-deceased Kamal Ansari - were held to have directly planted the bombs.

However, in a dramatic turn, the Bombay High Court on July 21, overturned these convictions, acquitting all eleven living convicts while sharply criticising the conduct of the investigation and prosecution.

The bench of Justices Anil Kilor and Shyam Chandak at the High Court said the prosecution had utterly failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt. The verdict noted glaring lapses in the investigation, observing that while the public was made to believe the case had been solved, the true threat remains at large.

Punishing the actual perpetrator of a crime is essential for public trust and safety. But creating a false appearance of resolution by prosecuting the wrong individuals deceives the public and undermines justice.

The court found the prosecution's star witnessestaxi drivers and train passengersunreliable, especially as their identification came over three months after the incident. Moreover, it dismissed the recovery of bombs, guns, and maps as insufficient, pointing to the prosecutions failure to even identify the type of bomb used.

With the Supreme Court's limited stay, the legal impact of the High Court's judgment has been curtailed for now. The stay ensures that the controversial findings of the Bombay High Court cannot be cited in other MCOCA-related cases or appeals, at least until the top court hears the matter in detail.
The Union government was reportedly unhappy with former vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar's move to introduce an impeachment motion against Allahabad High Court Judge Justice Yashwant Varma in the Rajya Sabha, reports said. The Centre was reportedly planning to initiate the impeachment process in the Lok Sabha.

According to reports, two Union ministers, J.P. Nadda and Kiren Rijuju, reached out to Dhankhar when they came to know that the vice president had acknowledged an impeachment motion moved by the opposition against Justice Varma. The ministers reportedly informed the former VP of their disapproval and informed him that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi was unhappy with the move, Hindustan Times reported.

Jagdeep Dhankhar announced his resignation from the VP post on Monday, on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament. In the upper house, Dhankhar, addressing the members, acknowledged the receipt of an impeachment motion signed by 63 members. While the Union ministers informed Dhankhar that the process to move the motion in Lok Sabha is underway, and even the Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi had signed it, Dhankhar reportedly told the ministers that he was acting as per the rules of the house.

According to reports, the Centre is keen on initiating the impeachment process from the Lok Sabha and is not interested in taking up the opposition-sponsored motion moved in Rajya Sabha.

Senior officials in the know of developments told Hindustan Times that the pending impeachment notices were one of the key topics of discussion. The government didnt want to sit on the issue and may urge the presiding officials to start the impeachment process by appointing a committee of jurists, who will look into the allegations and give a report to Parliament, the officials told the publication.

Dhankhar resigned from the VP post on Monday, citing health reasons. The Union government notified the Parliament about his resignation on July 22. The Election Commission has reportedly begun the process to elect the next VP.
KABUL, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Afghan security forces have seized 1,000 kg of illicit drugs and arrested two alleged drug smugglers in southern Afghanistan's Zabul province, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said in a statement on Thursday.

The opium was concealed inside a truck and discovered during a counter-narcotic operation in Shahjoy district, the ministry said.

Two individuals were arrested in connection with the drug trafficking, and their dossiers were referred to the judiciary for further investigation, the statement said. 
Israels biggest gain during the 12-day war against Iran was how it managed to take out the top command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), leaving the regime vulnerable. Now, details have emerged about how Israel managed to precisely target the top men, who boasted of impeccable security arrangements.

According to Israeli sources, Mossad had a mass of agents deep inside Iran, operating at the highest level of penetration imaginable, which they used during the 12-day operation. Some of them were even retrained as commando fighters to carry out mission-critical operations.

Leaking details: A report that appeared in the UK-based Iran International details how Israels intelligence agency, Mossad, targeted Hossein Salami, the Iranian military officer who served as the commander-in-chief of the IRGC from 2019. Mossad deliberately leaked the date of an Israeli attack through an agent close to Salami to lure him into a location where his assassination had been planned.

Official calls: Another technique Mossad used is to fake an official call. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGCs Aerospace Force, was summoned along with his deputies to a meeting arranged by Mossad. They all received a phone call inviting them to the location. The call was reportedly so convincing that the commanders agreed to attend. Israel then took out the entire group with a single missile strike.

DNA sampling: Another brilliant technique used by Israel was to use DNA samples to identify Ali Shadmani, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the country's supreme wartime military command. Sadmani succeeded Gholam Ali Rashid, who was one of Israels first targets. Mossad infiltrated the personal life of Shadmani and obtained his DNA sample. They used artificial intelligence-based facial recognition and genetic profiling to identify him. Mossad then implanted malware into Tehrans city security cameras to locate Shadmani in the Zaferania neighborhood. An Israeli drone killed him with a precision strike on June 27.

Luring to safe houses: Israeli agents also identified a safe house used by the IRGC head of intelligence, Mohammad Kazemi, in Kurdbacheh alley. They lured the IRGC command into the safe house using an agent. Once they were holed up in the safe house, Israeli forces waited till a nearby kindergarten emptied. Ten minutes later, an Israeli drone struck the safehouse located between two kindergartens and a girls school.
Modern problems need modern solutions. Similarly, quantum problems require quantum solutions: there is no alternative to addressing a quantum threat without quantum security.

Racing against the clock, India as a nation has understood the urgency and launched the National Quantum Mission, a 6,000+ crore initiative.

Additionally, Indias leading cybersecurity companies have started solving real-world security challenges with quantum-safe encryption for enterprises. Many global organisations have also initiated their PQC exploration.

Therefore, the threat is real and imminent, as many cybersecurity experts agree.

Understanding the quantum threat

The existing IT infrastructure heavily relies on the RSA 2048 or ECC algorithm, which cannot be feasibly cracked or breached by currently available computers, as it is a laborious, time-consuming, and resource-intensive task.

However, with quantum computers, it is all about a matter of seconds. Once quantum computers are commercially available, hackers can breach and break existing algorithms more easily than ever before.

On the other hand, the attackers are no longer waiting for quantum computers. They have already started downloading the information, though they cannot crack it now.

Through the Harvest Now Decrypt Later (HNDL) strategy, cyber adversaries store our data and use it later. Once they have access to quantum computers, they will be able to penetrate and access them.

All customer data, organisational information, financial records, government intelligence, military assets, and confidential communications are already downloaded and kept for decryption.

This situation poses a threat that every individual, organisation, enterprise, and government body should be concerned about.

Who will be affected by quantum attacks?

Every single citizen. Every organisation. Even the governments. Quantum threat is no longer an IT problem; it is a national security imperative.

Industries that handle sensitive and classified data are under the radar of cyber attackers (BFSI, Defence, Telecommunications, Healthcare, Automobile, Data centres, bigger product-driven enterprises, Governments, even larger service-based companies, and more).

When to expect a quantum attack?

The threat is ON, as the attackers have our encrypted data for future use. Not only is our future at risk, but our past records, information, and communications are also vulnerable to exposure.

According to Gartner, by 2025, 60 per cent of regulated entities will require quantum-safe encryption.

The United Nations has announced this year as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Between 2025 and 2027 is the optimal time for transitioning to avoid quantum risks.

NIST has also defined the post-quantum cryptography standards.

IBM has already announced its 1,386-qubit multi-chip quantum processor named Kookaburra.

The US and China have reached a critical point in their development of quantum servers and quantum internet, respectively.

Waiting any longer for enterprises is not a choice, and it is highly recommended to proactively adopt quantum cryptography and avoid retrofitting after an attack is faced.

How to prepare for quantum threats?

Before quantum computing shatters the security systems, we must prepare for the quantum era.

Step 1: Audit cryptographic inventories to understand the sensitivity of your data, where it is stored, and the encryption methods used.

Step 2: A plan for quantum migration should be added to the pipeline, as it is a complex process. Starting today is the best choice.

Step 3: Become crypto-agile to ensure the system is in place to switch completely when the quantum threat reaches.

Partner with quantum security providers who offer both hardware and software end-to-end quantum solutions. Ensure that the quantum solutions primarily utilise plug-and-play models without disrupting the existing architecture or setup.

Most quantum products are industry-agnostic, meaning they apply to all major industries for their exclusive purposes and benefits.

Get started with quantum preparation

Early adoption of quantum security leads to lower risk exposure, higher compliance readiness, and stronger customer trust. Being quantum-resilient is more than technology, as it requires strategy, speed, and systemic coordination.

Qnu Labs CEO Sunil Gupta

Countries are making bold moves, but cyber adversaries are also taking similar steps. Hence, organisations must swiftly and decisively gain digital sovereignty in a world where traditional cyber defences will not hold.

The author is the co-founder and CEO of QNu Labs, which deals with quantum cryptography, encryption, and communication products and solutions.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.
A Russian plane, which went missing in the countrys far eastern Amur region bordering China, is confirmed to have crashed, according to reports. The flight had 46 passengers onboard, including two children.

The An-24 passenger plane of the Angara Airline was on a routine flight when it lost contact. Though the reason for the crash is unknown, the aircraft reportedly caught fire during its descent before crashing into the wilderness.

Russian official news website TASS reported that aerial inspection of the site revealed there were no survivors. "According to the director of Tynda Airport, the plane caught fire upon impact, and a Mi-8 helicopter crew flying over the area reported no signs of survivors," the statement says.

07/24/25  Footage released in Russia: the plane flew at a very low altitude, moments before it crashed



360 - 24/7 



Assaf Rosensweig #Russian #PlaneCrash pic.twitter.com/Uc5ck5jIme  Ray Murray jr (@rmjr2654) July 24, 2025 First footage from the crash site of the An-24 in the Amur region, Russia. The plane crashed 15 kilometers from the city of Tynda. There were 48 people on board. All are presumed dead.



Technical failure and pilot error are being considered the main causes of the tragedy. pic.twitter.com/50ehCLAyFg  Russian Market (@runews) July 24, 2025

Footage doing the rounds on social media showed the mangled remains of the aircraft with smoke emanating from it.

The plane, operated by Angara Airlines, disappeared from radar after initiating a go-around during its landing approach in Tynda, following which a search mission was launched. No distress signals were emitted prior to the loss of contact.

The plane was performing a regular flight on the Khabarovsk - Blagoveshchensk - Tynda route when it crashed. The communication with the crew was lost several kilometers from the last airport on the route.

The dense taiga and marshland hampered search efforts for the missing aircraft, Russian emergency services said.

While the reason for the planes disappearance is not clear, reports hint that the situation could have been affected by the difficult weather conditions in the region. The Amur region had witnessed a storm, following which a state of emergency was in effect.

The initial investigation also hinted at crew error during a low-visibility landing as the likely cause of the crash.
At least 12 lives have been lost, including a soldier and a child, after armed clashes erupted on Thursday between Thailand and Cambodia in long-disputed border areas, rapidly escalating months of tension. This marked the second armed confrontation since a Cambodian soldier was shot dead in May and represented a major escalation, occurring hours after the two countries downgraded diplomatic relations following a landmine explosion that injured Thai soldiers.

At the heart of the conflict between the two neighbours is an 11th-century Shiva temple -- the Prasat Preah Vihear. Both countries lay claim to the temple, which is the root cause of the standoff. Over the years, clashes stemming from this issue have resulted in civilian and military casualties on both sides.

Following the killing of a Cambodian soldier in May, Thai-Cambodian bilateral relations plummeted to their lowest point in over a decade.

baru pagi ni aku baca pasal krisis Thailand-Kemboja ni.



secara ringkas, isu berebut sempadan especially area Preah Vihear temple. this issue can be traced back to Siamese-Khmer wars from hundreds of years ago, which left modern Thailand & Cambodia to fight over territory & all. https://t.co/ixXVRM1uYy pic.twitter.com/TNorLoJDnA  izzi (@IzzraifHarz) July 24, 2025

In the past two months, the world has witnessed Cambodia banning imports from Thailand, according to the BBC. Both countries have also sent additional forces to the border. As the region fears the conflict escalating, here is what you need to know about the temple:

The Preah Vihear Temple and UNESCO

The Preah Vihear Temple, also known as Prasat Preah Vihear, was built during the Khmer Empire by King Udayadityavarman II. This Shiva temple is located atop a cliff on the CambodiaThailand border in the Dangrek Mountains.

The borders of the two nations were drawn after the French occupation of Cambodia, which ended on 9 November 1953. However, the dispute between the two countries thus dates back more than a century.

During those times, Cambodia was French Indochina, and Thailand was Siam. While the demarcation by colonial masters placed the temple on the Cambodian side, Thailand began claiming sovereignty over the land around it over the years. When the matter reached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962, the ruling favoured Cambodia. Thailand was ordered to withdraw its forces from the temple's vicinity. This led to Bangkok changing its stance to dispute the exact demarcation of the 4.6 square kilometres surrounding the temple, rather than the monument itself.

Things took an ugly turn in 2008 when Cambodia attempted to register an 11th-century temple located in the disputed area as a UNESCO World Heritage Site  a move that was met with heated protest from Thailand.

In 2013, Cambodia secured another ICJ ruling in its favour, clarifying that the country had sovereignty over the entire promontory of Preah Vihear, including the contested area. However, by that time, their attempt to get UNESCO heritage site status had already been exploited by Thai nationalists and the right-wing as a political weapon against the then-incumbent government, according to reports. This resulted in recurring armed clashes from 2008 to 2013 (until the second ICJ order was issued) along the temple border area, particularly over the disputed 4.6 square kilometres.

Thailand-Cambodia conflict

"Fighting must first stop between Thailand and Cambodia before there can be negotiations," Thailand's acting premier said on Thursday. Caretaker Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told a press conference that there had been no declaration of war and the conflict was not spreading into more provinces. He added that Cambodia had fired heavy weapons into Thailand without any specific targets, resulting in civilian deaths.
Thailand's National Security Council (NSC) claimed that its soldiers had attempted to reason with their Cambodian counterparts on Thursday morning to avoid a gun battle. However, their warnings were ignored by the other side, leaving them with no option but to return fire. Cambodian soldiers, reportedly armed with heavy weapons, including artillery and rocket launchers, allegedly used them to target civilian establishments along the Thai border, the NSC claimed.

The Royal Thai Army has condemned Cambodia over the landmine incident at Chong An Ma, Nam Yuen District, Ubon Ratchathani, that injured 5 soldiers, 1 severely. The Army has prepared under the "Chakraphong Phuwanat" plan. This violates international humanitarian principles. pic.twitter.com/7xG1mlNmG5  PR Thai Government (@prdthailand) July 23, 2025

Meanwhile, Cambodia's Ministry of National Defence stated that it was the Thai soldiers who "pre-emptively" opened fire on its men. Initially, they fired a few rounds into the air but soon targeted Cambodian positions, forcing their troops to fire back in an act of self-defence. Amidst the ongoing tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbours, Thailand has confirmed 12 casualties, mostly civilians, while Cambodia has not released any information on the damages it suffered. As the conflict remains unresolved, here are five latest updates from the conflict zone between the two neighbouring countries:

ALSO READ | Preah Vihear Temple row EXPLAINED: The Hindu Shiva temple at the heart of Thailand-Cambodia border dispute

1. Four wildlife sanctuaries and two national parks in Thailand will be opened for military use. Quoting Thailand's national parks director general and local media, the BBC claimed that these protected forests would be used by the Thai military to plan counter-attacks on Cambodia.

2. Thailand reported that one of its US-made F-16 fighter jet managed to destroy a Cambodian military target. The Thai army added that several more jets were ready to be deployed, according to The Guardian.

3. Acting Prime Minister of Thailand, Phumtham Wechayachai, told a press conference that the country has not declared war on Cambodia and the conflict was not spreading into more provinces.

4. Earlier, Phumtham Wechayachai's military leaders had confirmed the shutting of all border checkpoints with Cambodia and fighting ongoing at six different locations. According to Phnom Penh, two Cambodian provinces have been shelled by Thailand.

5. Both Thailand and Cambodia maintain that they did not fire the first shot. Bangkok accused Cambodian soldiers of having opened fire near the Preah Vihear Temple. They then deployed a surveillance drone and advanced their troops. These men were armed with heavy weapons, including rocket launchers, The Guardian reported Thailand as saying. Cambodia has refuted these allegations, accusing the Thai military of launching the first armed assault.
The Catholic Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa condemned Israels actions in Gaza as unacceptable and morally unjustifiable following a pastoral visit to the besieged territory. Speaking in Jerusalem after returning from his first trip to Gaza this year, the cardinal said he had witnessed extreme hunger, widespread destruction, and the devastating impact of a recent strike on a church compound sheltering hundreds of civilians.

Travelling alongside Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III, Pizzaballa visited the Holy Family Church in Gaza City, which was struck by Israeli forces on July 17. The attack killed three people and injured nine others, including the Argentinian parish priest Gabriel Romanelli, a close friend of the late Pope Francis. The strike drew international condemnation, including from the Vatican, and prompted rare criticism from President Donald Trump.

We came to Gaza not as politicians or diplomats but as pastors, Pizzaballa told journalists. Christ is not absent from Gaza. He is there, crucified in the wounded, buried under rubble, and present in every act of mercy, every candle in the darkness, every hand extended to the suffering.

Both patriarchs described scenes of intense deprivation and trauma during their four-day visit. At the Christian-run al-Ahli Hospital, they met doctors treating severely malnourished patients and survivors of airstrikes. One father, keeping vigil beside his blind, injured sonthe only survivor among his six childrenleft a deep emotional impact on Pizzaballa.

The patriarch described hunger as everywhere, with people queuing for hours under the sun for food. It is a humiliation that is hard to bear when you see it with your own eyes, he said. Locals told him they had not eaten meat, vegetables or fruit since February, relying on bread and rice. Humanitarian aid is not only necessary, it is a matter of life and death, he added. Every hour without food, water, medicine and shelter causes deep harm.

In response to the church bombing, Israel authorised the transfer of 500 tonnes of aid. However, logistical issues meant none of it had entered Gaza by the time of the patriarchs visit. Despite announcements from Italys foreign ministry that the aid had crossed with the delegation, Pizzaballa said, Not a gram has entered. The delay led to disappointment and confusion, with desperate families flocking to the church compound expecting relief.

The Israeli military acknowledged that its forces had accidentally struck the church, claiming it was due to an unintentional deviation of munitions. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had completed a probe and introduced new guidelines for operations near religious buildings and sensitive sites. However, church leaders and some Catholic officials questioned the explanation. The IDF did not confirm the deaths reported by church officials and refused to elaborate on what adjustments had been made.

Pizzaballa refrained from accusing Israel of deliberately targeting the church, saying he lacked the military expertise to do so, but added that it was not the first such incident. There were also attacks on the Holy Family and St Porphyrius in the early weeks of the war. And every time, it was called a mistake, he said.

The Christian population in Gaza, now estimated at around 560, remains under threat. The church compounds in Gaza City where they have taken refuge are located in areas under Israeli evacuation orders. Asked if they would comply, Pizzaballa said, They know very well we are determined to remain.

He warned against attempts to displace Palestinians, a policy reportedly supported by large sections of the Israeli cabinet. We must say with clarity that the policy of the Israeli government in Gaza is unacceptable and morally unjustifiable. There can be no future built on captivity, displacement or revenge.

The patriarchs also visited the West Bank town of Taybeh, north of Ramallah, where residents described attacks by extremist Israeli settlers. The most serious incident involved a fire near the ruins of the Byzantine Church of St George. While Israeli police claimed the blaze did not damage the church and that arson was unconfirmed, eyewitnesses said settlers started the fire and accused security forces of ignoring complaints.

Villagers in Taybeh, a historic Christian community, say settlers have taken over their lands, harassed residents and brought cattle to graze on olive groves. Daoud Khoury, a former mayor, told the BBC that the worsening situation and economic hardship since the Gaza war could drive more Christians to emigrate.

The attack in Taybeh was also condemned by US Ambassador Mike Huckabee, an evangelical pastor and strong supporter of Israeli settlements. In an unusual move, he visited the village and called the fire an act of terror, demanding harsh consequences for those responsible. Desecrating a church, mosque or synagogue is a crime against humanity and God, he wrote on social media.

At the Jerusalem press conference, both Pizzaballa and Theophilos III reiterated their call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages held by Hamas. They stressed that the Christian community was committed to staying in the Holy Land, regardless of the risks.

We are not against Israel, said Pizzaballa, who is known for his efforts to promote interfaith dialogue. But we must speak with frankness and clarity: this war, this siege, this starvationit is not justified. We will not abandon Gaza, and when peace comes, it is our moral duty to be part of reconciliation.
Mumbai, Jul 24 (PTI) As part of ongoing efforts to foster robust defence ties between India and Sri Lanka, a delegation comprising 24 members from the Sri Lankan Army School of Logistics visited Mumbai as part of a foreign study tour.

The delegation was led by a Brigadier and included 21 Officers along with two foreign student officers from the armed forces of Bangladesh and Zambia, an official release said.

During the three-day visit which began on July 22, the delegation engaged with key Indian military establishments including Headquarters Western Naval Command, Headquarters Maharashtra Gujarat and Goa Area, the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai and Indian Oil Corporation.

The visit marked another step forward in strengthening India-Sri Lanka defence cooperation with focus on enhancing military logistics collaboration, the release said.

It enabled the exchange of best practices, promoted interoperability and provided the delegation with valuable insights into the Indian armed forces logistics systems and operational frameworks.

The engagement reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to regional security, mutual capacity building, and long-term strategic partnership, the release said.
BANGKOK, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian forces had fired two BM-21 rocket weapons into a community area within Thailand's Surin province on Thursday morning, injuring three civilians, the Thai Army said on social media on Thursday.

The Thai forces immediately proceeded to evacuate the population from the area for the safety of life and property.

The Thai PBS news quoted a local official in Surin province as saying that two Cambodian shells hit a local village, resulting in two deaths and two injuries. 
The Ukrainian government has officially designated the tziyon of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov in Uman as a national heritage site.

The announcement, made by the Ukrainian Embassy in Israel, confirms that the revered sitewhere tens of thousands of Yidden gather each year for Rosh Hashanah despite ongoing war conditionswill now receive the highest level of state protection under Ukrainian law.

This decision strengthens the cultural and spiritual ties between our nations, said Ukraines Ambassador to Israel, Yevhen Korniychuk, in a public statement. The national heritage monument status is a recognition of the deep historical and religious significance of Jewish culture as an inseparable part of Ukrainian heritage.

The move is expected to bolster efforts to maintain and secure the Uman complex, especially amid ongoing concerns about regional instability due to the conflict with Russia. Korniychuk noted that even as Russian forces continue to target civilian infrastructureincluding religious and historical landmarksUkraine remains steadfast in preserving sites of spiritual value.

The kever of Rebbe Nachman has long been a focal point of tefillah and inspiration for Yidden worldwide. The annual Rosh Hashanah pilgrimage has endured through times of both peace and conflict, drawing mispallelim from across the globe.

Observers note that this new designation may pave the way for improved access, preservation, and recognition of Jewish heritage throughout Ukrainea meaningful gesture as the country faces one of the most challenging periods in its modern history.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A dual U.S.-Chinese citizen and former Southern California engineer has admitted to stealing thousands of sensitive files related to next-generation missile detection technologyan act federal prosecutors say could have endangered American national security and cost taxpayers millions.

Chenguang Gong, 59, of San Jose, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one count of theft of trade secrets in federal court in Los Angeles. Though convicted, Gong remains free on a staggering $1.75 million bond. He faces up to 10 years in prison at his sentencing, scheduled for September 29.

According to the Department of Justice, Gong exploited his short tenure at a Malibu-based defense contractor to siphon more than 3,600 classified and proprietary files onto personal storage devices. Among the materials stolen were blueprints for cutting-edge infrared sensors intended to detect nuclear missile launches and track both ballistic and hypersonic threats in space.

Other files included designs for aircraft-based systems meant to detect and counter heat-seeking missilestechnologies the DOJ said are critical to maintaining the U.S. militarys edge in missile defense and survivability in combat.

These were not simply engineering documents. These were the building blocks of Americas missile detection and defense strategy, said a law enforcement source familiar with the case.

The stolen dataflagged in bold text as export-controlled and for official use onlywere classified as among the companys most sensitive secrets. Prosecutors estimate the intended economic loss exceeds $3.5 million, while the real national security cost could be far greater.

Gong was hired in January 2023 as a senior design manager for the companys infrared sensor systems. Just weeks later, beginning March 30, he began transferring the files to personal devices. He continued to do so until his dismissal on April 26by which time he had already accepted a job offer from one of the companys competitors.

Even more alarming, FBI agents who executed a search warrant on Gongs Thousand Oaks residence in May 2023 found some stolen filesbut not the two hard drives used to exfiltrate the data. The location of those drives remains unknown, and Gong has repeatedly denied knowing their whereabouts.

The theft of these files represents a direct threat to American military superiority, said one national security official. And the missing drives pose an ongoing risk.

Court filings further allege Gong maintained longstanding ties to the Chinese government through its notorious Talent Programsinitiatives aimed at recruiting foreign experts to acquire sensitive technologies. While employed at various American firms between 2014 and 2022, Gong reportedly submitted multiple proposals to Chinese state-affiliated institutions seeking funding and collaboration, including for military-grade night vision systems and analog-to-digital converters similar to those made by his employers.

In one telling 2019 email, translated from Chinese, Gong admitted he had taken a risk by traveling to China for Talent Program meetings while working at a U.S. defense firm. He added that he believed he could do something to support Chinas high-end military integrated circuits sector.

Gong became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2011 after earning degrees from Clemson University and completing PhD coursework at Stanford. His professional resume included stints at major defense and tech firms, placing him in direct contact with sensitive defense technology.

Despite the severity of the case, Gongs release on bond has drawn criticism. We are talking about the systematic theft of national security secrets, said one congressional aide. Why is this man walking free?

The Department of Justice has increasingly warned of the Peoples Republic of Chinas aggressive efforts to steal intellectual property and military technology from the United States, and Gongs case is being viewed as a textbook example of how deeply that threat can infiltrate even short-term employment.

The case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys National Security and International Narcotics Unit. The whereabouts of the stolen hard drivesand the full extent of the potential damageremain under investigation.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Russian intelligence services allegedly gathered explosive material about then-presidential candidate Hillary Clintons physical and psychological health during the 2016 election cyclebut President Vladimir Putin reportedly chose to keep the information hidden, believing she would ultimately win the White House.

The startling claims come from a newly declassified House Intelligence Committee report released Wednesday by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The report, originally compiled in 2020, offers a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into what Russias spy agencies were trackingand withholdingduring one of the most contentious elections in U.S. history.

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According to the document, Russias SVR intelligence service had accessed internal Democratic National Committee (DNC) communications indicating Clinton was suffering from what were described as intensified psycho-emotional problems, including episodes of rage, erratic behavior, and unusual mood swings. The emails further claimed she was placed on a strict regimen of heavy tranquilizers.

Even more concerning, the report states that by September 2016, then-President Barack Obama and top Democratic operatives were expressing serious alarm over Clintons conditionfearing it could jeopardize her performance against Republican nominee Donald Trump. Yet the extent of her health issues remained under lock and key, tightly guarded by her inner circle, the report asserts.

Beyond health disclosures, the SVR reportedly intercepted communications pointing to a controversial campaign strategy: An alleged Clinton-approved effort to tie Trump to Russian hackers and Putin in order to steer public attention away from the uproar over her private email server.

While some damaging Democratic documents were released during the 2016 campaign, the report now suggests they were mild compared to what Moscow deliberately kept out of public view. Among the suppressed files: emails that allegedly reveal efforts by the Clinton campaign to solicit supportand donationsfrom religious organizations in exchange for future State Department influence.

This report details highly sensitive and disturbing information about Secretary Clinton, said Director Gabbard during a White House press briefing. The reality is that many within the intelligence community mischaracterized the facts in 2016, downplaying legitimate concerns while promoting a politicized narrative that Russia was working to elect Trump.

The report also calls into question the role of U.S. intelligence leaders at the timeparticularly then-CIA Director John Brennanaccusing them of relying on weak sources to build a one-sided story about Russian preference for Trump, while ignoring or misrepresenting material that painted Clinton in a vulnerable light.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed the Trump administration to remove three Democratic members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, who had been fired by President Donald Trump and then reinstated by a federal judge.

The justices acted on an emergency appeal from the Justice Department, which argued that the agency is under Trumps control and the president is free to remove commissioners without cause.

The court provided a brief, unsigned explanation that the case is similar to earlier ones in which it allowed Trump to fire board members of other independent agencies, whom Congress protected from arbitrary dismissals.

The three liberal justices dissented. By means of such actions, this Court may facilitate the permanent transfer of authority, piece by piece by piece, from one branch of Government to another, Justice Elena Kagan wrote for herself, as well as Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

The commission helps protect consumers from dangerous products by issuing recalls, suing errant companies and more. Trump fired the three Democrats on the five-member commission in May. They were serving seven-year terms after being nominated by President Joe Biden.

U.S. District Judge Matthew Maddox in Baltimore ruled in June that the dismissals were unlawful. Maddox sought to distinguish the commissions role from those of other agencies where the Supreme Court has allowed firings to go forward.

A month earlier, the high courts conservative majority declined to reinstate members of the National Labor Relations Board and the Merit Systems Protection Board, finding that the Constitution appears to give the president the authority to fire the board members without cause.

The administration has argued that all the agencies are under Trumps control as the head of the executive branch.

Maddox, a Biden nominee, noted that it can be difficult to characterize the product safety commissions functions as purely executive.

The fight over the presidents power to fire could prompt the court to consider overturning a 90-year-old Supreme Court decision known as Humphreys Executor. In that case from 1935, the court unanimously held that presidents cannot fire independent board members without cause.

The decision ushered in an era of powerful independent federal agencies charged with regulating labor relations, employment discrimination, the airwaves and much else. But it has long rankled conservative legal theorists who argue the modern administrative state gets the Constitution all wrong because such agencies should answer to the president.

Kagan wrote that the court already has all but overturned Humphreys Executor.

Other removals are making their way to the high court, including the firing of a member of the Federal Trade Commission, the very agency at issue in Humphreys Executor.

Last week, a federal judge ordered Rebecca Slaughter reinstated as a commissioner. Slaughter returned to work Friday. By Tuesday, she had been sidelined again after an appeals court temporarily blocked the judges order.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission was created in 1972. Its five members must maintain a partisan split, with no more than three representing the presidents party. They serve staggered terms.

That structure ensures that each president has the opportunity to influence, but not control, the commission, attorneys for the fired commissioners wrote in court filings. They argued the recent terminations could jeopardize the commissions independence.

(AP)
A top Iranian official warned Wednesday that European threats to reimpose sanctions could lead Iran to withdraw from an international pact that limits the spread of nuclear weapons, one of the last remaining safeguards against the Islamic Republics nuclear program.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi discussed with reporters his countrys recourse against further financial punishment ahead of a critical meeting Friday with Britain, France and Germany.

The talks between Iran and some of the remaining members of the 2015 nuclear deal, which the U.S. withdrew from in President Donald Trumps first term, are expected to take place in Istanbul.

The three European countries have suggested triggering a so-called snapback provision in that accord that would reimpose sanctions on Iran if there is no progress on a deal to limit its nuclear program by August. The 2015 deal had eased economic penalties on Iran in exchange for restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear program, which Iran has insisted is peaceful.

Gharibabadi, who has been part of the nuclear negotiation team, said that despite domestic pressure to withdraw from the separate, older Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, especially in the aftermath of the recent Israeli and U.S. strikes on its nuclear sites, Iran has remained compliant with the 1970 treaty.

But, Im quite confident that if the snapback is triggered, Iran will not show more restraint in this regard, Gharibabadi said.

If Iran does exit the treaty, it will be just the second country to do so, after North Korea in 2003, whose withdrawal has never been formally accepted.

The warning from Iran comes as the Trump administration is once again seeking to reach a deal with Tehran on its nuclear program. The two sides had held several rounds of talks before Israel staged a surprise attack in June. Iran has indicated an openness to restart negotiations with the U.S., with Gharibabadi saying Wednesday that the sooner, the better.

But he issued a stern warning to the Americans before they engage in a sixth round of talks: Do not use the guise of diplomacy as cover for another military attack on Iran, referencing the scheduled plans for U.S.-Iran talks days before Israel decided to issue its first airstrikes on Tehran.

Shall we have confidence and trust in the United States again? They should gain the confidence of Iran and come with honesty to the table of negotiations in this regard, Gharibabadi said.

As for talks with the Europeans, Gharibabadi and Irans foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, have remained optimistic that the triggering of sanctions and withdrawal from the treaty can be avoided with diplomacy and negotiation.

Gharibabadi said Fridays meeting is very important, but that its success will depend on how the Europeans approach Iran this time around.

We have always valued our meetings with the European countries. But there is an important issue: I think we have always told them that the policies of the European countries should be independent, he said. They should not coordinate their positions with the Americans.

He added, If this is the case, why should we negotiate with the Europeans when we can negotiate with the Americans?

Iranian officials, including Gharibabadi, said they are open to proposals on how to prevent further sanctions and prevent a more complicated situation.

In another sign of Irans willingness, Gharibabadi also shared that a delegation of IAEA technical inspectors is expected to arrive in a few weeks, marking the first time any members of the international inspection team have been allowed back in since the Israel-Iran war.

The delegation will not be allowed to visit the nuclear sites, he added, saying that this will be a meeting to discuss what access, if any, Iran will allow the IAEA after what it sees as a betrayal committed against them by the agencys leaders. The IAEA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(AP)
In a landmark rebuke of antisemitism on American campuses, Columbia University has agreed to pay a staggering $221 million to the U.S. government to settle multiple federal investigations into its handling of antisemitic harassment and discrimination.

The bulk of the payment$200 millionwill go to the federal government over a three-year period, with an additional $21 million earmarked for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The deal follows the Trump administrations unprecedented freeze of hundreds of millions in research grants earlier this year, amid allegations that Columbia failed to protect Jewish students and faculty from discrimination and intimidation.

The agreement marks a seismic shift in federal accountability for elite academic institutions, many of which have come under fire in the wake of pro-Palestinian campus protests that have often devolved into virulent displays of antisemitism. The March freeze of grants had jeopardized Columbias access to billions in funding from agencies like the NIH and HHS, crippling research and prompting a campus-wide reckoning.

Although Columbia has not admitted wrongdoing, university leadership acknowledged painful, unacceptable incidents targeting Jewish students and faculty, and conceded that reform was and is needed.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon hailed the deal as a seismic shift in our nations fight to hold institutions that accept American taxpayer dollars accountable for antisemitic discrimination and harassment.

Thanks to President Trumps firm leadership, Columbia has agreed to pay $200 million, discipline disruptive student offenders, restructure its faculty senate, remove race-based hiring and admissions preferences, and dismantle DEI programs that distribute benefits based on race, McMahon said. Columbias reforms are a roadmap for elite universities that wish to regain the publics trust.

The settlement also restores Columbias eligibility for federal research funding, including the renewal of non-competitive grants and the release of overdue payments. The few grants not reinstated, Columbia said, were excluded due to unrelated federal budget reductions.

The university said that the agreement preserves its independence in key academic areas, including admissions and faculty hiring. But the scope of mandated reformsincluding a retooling of Middle Eastern studies programs to incorporate viewpoint diversitysignals a profound federal intervention in how elite institutions handle allegations of bias.

The need for a federal settlement underscores Columbias lack of institutional willingness to effectively respond to antisemitism. This school and its so-called leaders have failed time and time again to keep Jewish students, faculty and staff safe, said Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), who chairs the House Education and Workforce Committee

Walberg vowed continued congressional oversight of Columbias compliance and signaled potential legislation to ensure universities uphold federal anti-discrimination laws. True progress requires universities to confront antisemitism proactively, in partnership with affected communities, he said.

The Columbia deal is expected to reverberate across higher education, setting a new benchmark for federal enforcement of civil rights on campus.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The Department of Homeland Security awarded more than $25 million in federal grants to organizations with ties to Islamist extremism between 2013 and 2023, according to a damning new report from the Middle East Forum.

The report accuses DHS of funneling taxpayer dollars to groups affiliated with Irans regime, the Muslim Brotherhood, and other entities previously linked to terrorism or extremist ideology  some of which were connected to individuals involved in the September 11 attacks.

This is not a case of bureaucratic oversight  its a systematic failure of vetting and accountability, said Gregg Roman, executive director of the Middle East Forum. Americans have the right to know their tax dollars went to institutions that are ideologically aligned with foreign adversaries.

The investigation focused on three federal funding streams  the Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP), the Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) initiative, and the Disaster Relief Fund  and cross-referenced grantees with MEFs archives of groups tied to radical ideologies.

Among the reports key findings:

$750,000 in grants were earmarked for mosques in Michigan and Texas that the report says are operating on behalf of the Islamic Republic of Iran or its proxies.

The Islamic Center of San Diego, awarded $370,000 in federal grants between 2015 and 2023, was frequented by two 9/11 hijackers who allegedly received logistical support from worshippers  including help obtaining IDs and accessing funds from a relative of 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, according to the report.

The Turkish American Community Center in Maryland  described as a North American outpost of the Turkish Directorate of Religious Affairs and aligned with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan  received $150,000 in NSGP funding.

A Michigan-based nonprofit, Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities, received CVE funds despite board members with reported pro-Hezbollah affiliations.

ICNA Relief, the charitable wing of the Islamic Circle of North America  which the report says has ideological ties to the U.S.-designated terrorist group Jamaat-e-Islami  was granted $10.3 million in disaster aid. Another Texas-based recipient, the Muslim American Society Katy Center, tied to the Muslim Brotherhood, received more than $90,000.

Roman said the report also highlights DHSs ongoing partnership with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which was listed as an unindicted co-conspirator in the 2008 Holy Land Foundation terror financing case. CAIR has drawn attention more recently for inflammatory statements following the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attack, including blaming Israel for the massacre.

These grants represent more than just misused funds  theyre a national security breach hiding in plain sight, Roman said. We have shared our findings with executive agencies and Congress and are pushing for immediate rescission of funds and deep structural reform.

The Middle East Forum is urging Congress to impose stricter transparency requirements and overhaul DHSs vetting process for grantees, warning that the current system leaves the door open for extremist infiltration under the guise of community outreach or disaster relief.

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which the report identifies as the primary source of questionable funding, grew from a modest $10 million in 2012 to a staggering $454 million by 2024. Critics say that growth occurred without corresponding safeguards.

The report does note that in some cases it is unclear whether all earmarked funds were ultimately disbursed, but insists that the grant approvals themselves reflect a dangerous pattern of negligence.

The Department of Homeland Security has not yet responded publicly to the report.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Aircraft from Jordan, Israel and Spain were on their way Thursday to help battle a huge wildfire in Cyprus that has claimed the lives of two people. Police were investigating reports that arsonists were to blame.

The flames have scorched more than 120 square kilometers (46 square miles) of forested hillsides in whats believed to be one of the worst such blazes in recent memory.

The fire, which appeared to have died down overnight, has again flared up along several fronts and that more than 250 firefighters, 75 engines and 14 aircraft were working to contain the flames, government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis said.

The blaze remains active along six separate fronts, fire department spokesman Andreas Kettis said.

A combination of very strong winds, high temperatures and very arid conditions after three winters of minimal rainfall created a kind of perfect storm at the wildfires peak late Wednesday, Letymbiotis said. The situation overwhelmed fire crews, which struggled to contain the flames in difficult, hilly terrain.

He offered a government pledge for financial assistance to fire-hit communities and people who lost their livelihood, and to property owners to rebuild their gutted homes.

Antonis Christou, a 67-year-old resident of the village of Kantou, described how the entire hillside and valley below his home was aflame and how the timely arrival of two fire engines prevented the flames from sweeping through his village.

Christou said that he got through a police cordon to reach his home, saying that he cried, I cried, honestly I cried because the world was on fire.

Two fire engines came and if they hadnt come, the fire would have swept through the village, he said, describing scenes of pandemonium at a village dog shelter where owners rushed to evacuate the animals, as well as bumper-to-bumper traffic on roads leading away from the fire fronts.

Letymbiotis said that four fixed-wing aircraft have arrived from Jordan, while two helicopters from Egypt, two planes from Israel and another pair from Spain would be arriving to assist in firefighting efforts as soon as possible. Greece is also dispatching 26 elite firefighters to Cyprus, Kettis said.

Police were investigating reports that the fire, which began around noon Wednesday, was the work of arsonists, according to the government spokesman.

Egyptian Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi, who is visiting Cyprus, said that two specialized helicopters would be arriving in Cyprus later Thursday to illustrate his country as a strategic, reliable partner to Cyprus.

Were in this together, Badawi told reporters at a fire coordination center on the outskirts of the southern coastal town of Limassol.

Police were still trying to identify the charred remains of two people who were found inside a burned-out car on the shoulder of the main Monagri-Alassa road. Police initially reported the discovery of one body late Wednesday, but a more thorough search of the gutted vehicle found a second body.

Letymbiotis deflected criticism by some area residents, saying that fire crews had responded quickly to calls for help and that all firefighting protocols had been activated from the first instance.

Meanwhile, the Cyprus Red Cross and other organizations were offering help to dozens of people who lost homes. Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said that 100 people who were evacuated from fire-hit communities were being hosted in temporary shelters.

Cyprus Interior Ministry urged the evacuation of all camping grounds on the Troodos mountain range as a precaution. The fire had forced on Wednesday the evacuation of at least 14 the villages as media reports showed gutted homes smoldering. In the village of Lofou, at least 20 homes were destroyed as fires threated a group of stranded evacuees whose police buses had to turn back as the fire front shifted to block their exit.

Police continued to block road access to the fire-afflicted communities as area residents vented against what they called a disorganized response to the huge fire.

Cyprus has been on high alert for fires this summer after three consecutive arid winters.

(AP)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that hes sending a new anti-corruption bill to Ukraines Parliament on Thursday, in a further attempt to defuse tensions after he approved changes to graft laws that brought a public outcry and sharp criticism from the European Union.

Opponents of the contentious law passed by lawmakers and approved by Zelenskyy earlier this week said that it stripped Ukraines anti-corruption watchdogs of their independence by granting the government more oversight of their work.

Zelenskyy said that it was needed to speed up investigations, ensure more convictions and remove Russian influence from the fight against corruption, though he didnt provide examples of Russian meddling.

In an abrupt change of course on Thursday, Zelenskyy unexpectedly said that he had drawn up a new draft bill on corruption that guarantees the real strengthening of the law and order system in Ukraine.

The most important thing is real tools, no Russian connections, and the independence of the (watchdogs), he said in a Telegram post.

The declaration appeared to bow to recent pressure that threatened to undermine public trust in Ukraines leaders after more than three years of fighting Russias full-scale invasion. The protests havent called for Zelenskyys ouster, but they are the first major anti-government demonstrations since the war began.

It is important that we maintain unity, Zelenskyy said in his post.

The announcement also left some questions unanswered. Zelenskyy had said Wednesday that he met with the heads of Ukraines key anti-corruption and security agencies and gave them two weeks to make recommendations on how the graft law could be improved before he presented another bill to Parliament.

Despite that assurance, further street protests were scheduled for Thursday evening.

The new pronouncement also left unclear whether Zelenskyy intended to revoke the law that he approved earlier in the week after Parliament had passed it. He didnt publicize details about the proposed new law.

The unrest has come at a difficult time in the all-out war, which began on Feb. 24, 2022. Russias bigger army is accelerating its efforts to pierce Ukraines front-line defenses and is escalating its bombardment of Ukrainian cities.

Ukraine is also facing a question mark over whether the United States will provide more military aid and whether European commitments can take up the slack, with no end in sight to the war.

Delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul for a third round of talks in as many months Wednesday. But once again, the talks were brief and delivered no major breakthrough.

Fighting entrenched corruption is crucial for Ukraines aspirations to join the EU and maintain access to billions of dollars in Western aid in the war. Its also an effort that enjoys broad public support.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos expressed concern Wednesday over the new law, calling it a serious step back. The Ukrainian branch of Transparency International criticized parliaments decision, saying it undermines one of the most significant reforms since what Ukraine calls its Revolution of Dignity in 2014 and damages trust with international partners.

Meanwhile, Russian planes dropped two powerful glide bombs on the center of Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, on Thursday morning, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. At least 37 people were wounded, including a 28-day-old baby, a 10-year-old girl and two 17 year olds, authorities said.

The southern city of Odesa, and Cherkasy in central Ukraine, were also hit overnight, authorities said. The drone and missile strikes on the cities wounded 11 people, including a 9-year-old, and damaged historic landmarks and residential buildings, officials said.

Ukraine has sought to step up its own long-range drone attacks on Russia, using domestic technology and manufacturing.

An overnight Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi killed two women and wounded 11 other people, local authorities said Thursday.

An oil depot was hit, officials said, without offering details.

(AP)
The Taliban have tortured and threatened Afghans forcibly returned from Iran and Pakistan because of their identity or personal history, a U.N. report said Thursday.

Pakistan and Iran are expelling millions of Afghans who they say are living in their countries illegally. Afghan authorities have urged nationals to return, pledging amnesty for anyone who left after the Taliban seized power in 2021.

But rights groups and the U.N. have repeatedly warned that some of those returning are at risk of persecution because of their gender, links to the former Western-backed administration or profession.

Thursdays report from the U.N. mission in Afghanistan said some people have experienced serious human rights violations, while others have gone into hiding or relocated for fear of Taliban reprisal.

The violations include torture, ill-treatment, arbitrary arrest, and threats to personal security at the hands of the Taliban, according to the report.

A former government official told the U.N. mission that, after his return to Afghanistan in 2023, he was detained and severely tortured with sticks and cables. He was waterboarded and subjected to a mock execution.

A non-binary person said they were beaten severely, including with the back of a gun.

Volker Turk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, said nobody should be sent back to a country where they faced the risk of persecution on account of their identity or personal history. This was even more pronounced for Afghan women and girls, who were subjected to a range of measures amounting to persecution based on their gender alone, he added.

The Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on Afghan girls and women, cutting off education beyond sixth grade, most employment and access to many public spaces.

Responding to the report, Taliban authorities denied mistreating Afghan returnees and rejected allegations of arrest, violence, intimidation or retaliation against people because of their identity or personal history.

Afghans returning from neighboring countries were provided with facilities related to documentation, transportation, resettlement, and other legal support, they said, while the Interior Ministry provides a warm welcome.

They called on the U.N. mission to prevent forced deportations, adding the United Nations as a whole should not hesitate in providing basic needs to refugees, such as food, medicine, shelter and education.

Afghans who left their homeland in the millions over the decades are either being pushed out in expulsion campaigns, like those in Iran and Pakistan, or face an uncertain future because of reduced support for refugees.

On Monday, thousands of Afghans in the U.S. lost protection from deportation after a federal appeals court refused to postpone U.S. President Donald Trump administrations decision to end their legal status.

Homeland Security officials said in their decision to end the Temporary Protected Status for Afghans that the situation in their home country was getting better. But groups helping Afghans with this status say the country is still extremely dangerous.

The Trump administrations January suspension of a refugee program has left thousands of Afghans stranded, particularly in Pakistan, and a travel ban on Afghans has further diminished their hopes of resettlement in the U.S.

(AP)
ISLAMABAD, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Two troops and three terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province, the military said in a statement on Thursday.

The operation was conducted by security forces on Wednesday in Mastung district on the reported presence of terrorists, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, said in the statement.

The troops engaged the terrorists, killing three of them during an intense exchange of fire, the ISPR said, adding that an officer and a soldier were also killed in the engagement. 
A new poll confirms that socialist Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani as leading a fractured four-way New York City mayoral race  but failing to win over a majority of an electorate still deeply divided over the idea of a socialist running Americas largest city.

The poll, conducted by Wick Insights, shows Mamdani holding a strong lead with 39% support against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. Cuomo trails with 21%, followed by Sliwa at 18%, while Adams  once the citys top Democrat  has collapsed to a humiliating 9%.

But the numbers expose serious vulnerabilities beneath Mamdanis lead. Despite finishing first, he remains a polarizing figure. Just 46% of voters say they would welcome a socialist mayor, while 44% remain opposed, and 10% are unsure. More damningly, a slim majority  53%  believe his leftist vision is unworkable in the real world.

Mamdanis favorability rating stands at 43%, identical to his unfavorability score  a sharp warning that while he may be ahead, hes far from being embraced by the city at large.

In a potential one-on-one showdown with Cuomo, the race tightens dramatically. The former governor edges out Mamdani 42% to 41%, within the polls margin of error  and a stark contrast to Mamdanis dominance over Adams and Sliwa in head-to-head matchups.

This is a race, said Cuomo spokesperson Rich Azzopardi, pouncing on the new data. Governor Cuomo is talking directly to voters about making New York City affordable, safe, and well-run  in sharp contrast to Mamdanis substance-free slogans and Adams trail of mismanagement and alleged corruption.

Mamdanis rise has stunned political insiders. He crushed Cuomo in the Democratic primary in June, defying every major poll but one. He pulled off a 5644 upset  winning more primary votes than any Democrat in a citywide race in over 30 years.

Even so, his failure to consolidate support post-primary underscores a lingering skepticism among New Yorkers  and a potentially volatile general election landscape.

The poll also shows voters deeply disenchanted with the current mayor. Adams 9% support, paired with his plummeting favorability, confirms his freefall from political relevance. Once hailed as the law-and-order moderate, Adams is now widely viewed as a liability to his own former allies.

The next three months could be decisive. With both Adams and Sliwa lagging behind, pressure is mounting for candidates to drop out and consolidate the anti-Mamdani vote  a move that could drastically reshape the race and threaten the democratic socialists path to power.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
New reports are shedding light on the scope and precision of Israels covert operations targeting Irans senior military leadership during Operation Rising Lion, with a stunning expose by opposition-linked news outlet Iran International detailing what it describes as one of the most unusual security and military defeats of the modern era.

According to the report, Israels Mossad intelligence agency successfully infiltrated the highest levels of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and executed a series of high-profile assassinations through a combination of human intelligence, cyberwarfare, and artificial intelligence.

Among the most audacious of the operations was a plan to assassinate IRGC commander Hossein Salami. Mossad reportedly leaked the date of an impending Israeli strike through an agent close to Salami, aiming to lure him to a predetermined location.

In another operation, Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the IRGCs Aerospace Force, and several deputies were killed in a single missile strike after being summoned to a fabricated meeting orchestrated by Mossad. The invitation reportedly came through a phone call so convincing that top commanders agreed to attend, unaware it was a trap.

The intelligence breach extended to Irans wartime command structure. Four days after the death of Gholam Ali Rashid, commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, his successor, Ali Shadmani, was also assassinated. Mossad is said to have tracked Shadmani using digital DNA extraction, facial recognition powered by AI, and malware implanted in Tehrans surveillance camera networks. He was located in the Zaferania neighborhood and killed in a June 27 drone strike.

The report also recounts the deaths of IRGC intelligence chief Mohammad Kazemi and two of his deputies. They were lured to a safe house in Kurdbacheh Alley by an Israeli agent posing as a trusted contact. The strike was delayed until a nearby kindergarten had been evacuated, underscoring the sensitivity of the operation and raising broader questions about IRGC facilities being located near civilian infrastructure. Iranian officials have not addressed those concerns.

While Tehran has downplayed the scope of the losses, Irans communications minister confirmed Tuesday that the country had endured over 20,000 cyberattacks during the war.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The IDF has launched a formal investigation into three Air Force personnel suspected of deliberately sabotaging unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at an Israeli Air Force base.

The probe, led by the Military Police Investigatory Unit, involves two soldiers and one non-commissioned officer stationed at the Palmachim Airbase. The individuals were reportedly detained on Wednesday, with their remand extended until Sunday, according to a report by Ynet, which first broke the story.

The nature and extent of the alleged sabotage remain undisclosed, but military officials cited by Ynet warned that the interference could have resulted in the downing of the affected drones.

The IDF has not released further details, citing the ongoing investigation.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Hamas has delivered its response to mediators to the latest hostage release/ceasefire deal and it is currently being examined by Israeli negotiators, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahus office confirmed on Thursday morning.

Hours earlier, Hamas had submitted a response with numerous new demands that infuriated the Arab mediators, who refused to transfer it to US envoy Steve Witkoff and threatened Hamas with consequences if it didnt quickly produce a more reasonable response

Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahbahh, who is involved in mediating between Hamas and the Trump administration, attacked Hamass conduct yesterday on his Facebook account: There is no convincing reason for delaying the response or demanding non-essential amendments, he wrote, and slammed Hamas for its procrastination, which has cost the Palestinian people dozens of victims daily.

Channel 12 News quoted a senior Israeli official who said, There was an improvement in Hamass response compared to yesterday. Now there is something to work with.

Following Hamass improved response, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will meet with Witkoff and a senior Qatari official in Sardinia, Italy, later on Thursday.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
A terrorist rammed his car into a group of IDF soldiers standing at a bus stop at the entrance to Kfar Yona on Thursday morning.

MDA paramedics provided medical treatment at the scene and evacuated the victims, two in moderate condition and the rest in light condition, to Laniado Hospital in Netanya, the Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera, and the Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba.

The terrorist fled from the scene, and the police launched a manhunt. Shortly later they found his abandoned car in the Beit Lid area, but the terrorist remains at large.

Numerous police officers are carrying out searches with the aid of police helicopters, police dogs, Yasam motorcyclists, and other security forces.

Nearby crossings to Yehudah and Shomron have been closed.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
An indictment was filed in the Tel Aviv District Court on Thursday against the leftist anti-government activist who was arrested for plotting to assassinate Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu.

The woman, a 73-year-old resident of Tel Aviv, is an active member of the anti-Netanyahu government protests. After she was diagnosed with a terminal illness in June, she decided that since her end was approaching, she would die as a martyr and take Bibi to the kever with her, thereby saving the State of Israel.

The indictment states that following her decision, she met with a fellow protest activist in her home after insisting he put his phone in another room. She told him about her plan to assassinate Netanyahu and asked for assistance in obtaining an RPG rocket launcher to kill him as well as help in gathering information about his security arrangements and schedule.

The activist tried to dissuade the woman from her plans, but when he was unsuccessful, he informed former Shin Bet agent Gonen Ben Yitzchak, who is active in the anti-Netanyahu protests. Ben-Yitzchak immediately alerted the police, who arrested and interrogated her.

In her first investigation, she admitted everything, but after she was confronted with the activist who reported her, she denied everything and claimed that he was lying.

She was charged on Thursday with conspiring to commit an act of terror and aggravated murder.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
IDF, Shin Bet, and Border Police forces on Wednesday arrested the terrorist who carried out the botched bombing attack on three parked buses in the cities of Bat Yam and Holon five months ago.

The terrorist, identified as Abd al-Karim Tznoubar, was captured after a months-long manhunt.

The breakthrough came after an explosion occurred in his hideout in Shechem due to his handling of explosive devices in the apartment. He was injured in the explosion and fled the apartment.

Meanwhile, the explosion led Israeli security forces to the hideout, where they found additional primed explosive devices. An intense and large-scale manhunt was launched, and he was captured 19 hours later.

The IDF destroyed the explosive devices in Shechem in a controlled explosion, as seen in the video below:

Your browser does not support the video tag.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
Four international media outlets issued a statement on Thursday claiming that their journalists in Gaza are starving and it is Israels fault, omitting any mention of Hamas, which regularly commandeers the humanitarian aid that enters the Gaza Strip and on Wednesday evening, even launched a rocket at an aid distribution site.

It should be noted that at least two of the outlets, the Associated Press and Reuters, employed photographers in Gaza who were embedded with brutal Hamas terrorists from the first moments of the October 7 attack and photographed atrocities, including the lynching of an IDF soldiers body, abductions, and the abuse of dead bodies.

We are desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families, said a joint statement by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Reuters and the BBC. For many months, these independent journalists have been the worlds eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza. They are now facing the same dire circumstances as those they are covering.

We once again urge the Israeli authorities to allow journalists in and out of Gaza. It is essential that adequate food supplies reach the people there.

Meanwhile, reports of starvation in Gaza are false, and any shortages are caused by Hamas, not Israel.

Israel, which provides aid for a population bent on destroying it, allows trucks full of aid to enter the Gaza Strip and Hamas does its best to steal the aid or sabotage efforts to distribute it to civilians.

The IDF spokesperson reported on Thursday morning that on Wednesday evening, Hamas launched a rocket at one of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution sites in the southern Gaza Strip.

The IDF said that the rocket attack adds to the attempts by the terror organizations, who operate cruelly and systematically, to sabotage the aid distribution sites program while attempting to disrupt the distribution of humanitarian aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip.

Earlier this week, the IDF released footage of thousands of pallets of aid that were brought to Gaza by Israel, with the UN failing to distribute them.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
The Israeli negotiating team has departed Qatar to return to Israel for further consultations on the latest ceasefire proposal, following Hamass official response delivered early Thursday morning.

In a statement, the Prime Ministers Office (PMO) confirmed: In light of the response conveyed by Hamas this morning, it has been decided to return the negotiating team for additional consultations in Israel. We appreciate the efforts by the mediators, Qatar and Egypt, and the efforts of envoy Witkoff, to achieve a breakthrough in the negotiations.

Hamas, meanwhile, maintains that a ceasefire agreement remains possible, despite what it claims is Israeli stalling. A senior Hamas source told Reuters that progress could still be made within a few days, provided Israel shows flexibility.

Among Hamass demands is the inclusion of a clause in the agreement that would prevent Israel from resuming military operations if a permanent deal is not reached during the proposed 60-day truce.

According to Axios reporter Barak Ravid, citing both an Israeli official and a source familiar with the details, Hamas is also insisting on the release of 200 terrorists serving life sentences for murdering Israelis, in addition to 2,000 Palestinians detained in Gaza after October 7, in exchange for the release of 10 living Israeli hostages.

The PMO confirmed that Hamass official response was received via the mediators and is currently under evaluation by the Israeli security and diplomatic leadership.

U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet later today in Sardinia, Italy with Israeli Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and a senior Qatari official, as part of ongoing regional diplomatic efforts.

This is Hamass second response this week. Their initial reply on Tuesday was rejected by the mediators for failing to meet key conditions. In response, the mediators reportedly issued a stern message to Hamas, urging them to show immediate and significant flexibility if progress is to be made.
UTJ chairman Yitzchak Goldknopf spoke about the Chareidi draft law crisis in an interview with the Religious Zionist Makor Rishon newspaper.

When asked if he understands the pain of the reservists who are leaving for another round of reserve duty, Goldknopf responded, I dont understand; I didnt decide he needs to go. If this person decided that this is his way and he wants to go, then he goes. Dont transfer the pain [of the Religious Zionists] to the Chareidim. Each sector has their own burden.

Makor Rishon: Isnt this a mandatory war?

Goldknopf: I was told that there are 100,000 draft dodgers in Tel Aviv, in the Gush Dan area.

I dont suggest anyone arrest talmidei yeshivos, Goldknopf continued. It will cause an upheaval to Am Yisrael and the whole world. I dont suggest anyone in the State of Israel to act in these ways. Its a breaking of all conventions and crossing a red line.

Regarding the sanctions against bnei yeshivos, he said, If there is no choice and they have to leave the country, then they will leave the country. There will be a state without Chareidim. The Chareidim will not change their lifestyle because there is an army and a war. There is an army, and there are also those who will go to the army. If you say you are missing 50,000 soldiers, take those who evade the draft. Im not talking about Chareidim.

Regarding Prime Minister Netanyahu, he said, If he wanted to and had put his weight behind it like other things, there would be a draft law. When the prime minister wants something, he enters a room and sits everyone around one table and reaches a compromise.

If Netanyahu wants us next time, he will have to prove so by his actions even before the government is formed. I cant come today and say that Netanyahu promiseswhich of the Rabbanim will buy that?

Have you closed the door on Netanyahu?

Goldknopf: I dont close or open doors. We are committed to our public, and whoever knows how to obtain what our public asks for will get us. Whoever only knows how to say and say, then let him suffice with saying it to someone else. In the meantime, Netanyahu in this term has only said.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
KABUL, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Police have discovered some 200 pieces of light and heavy firearms in the eastern Afghanistan Paktia province, reported the state-run Radio and Television of Afghanistan (RTA) on Thursday.

The weaponry, according to the state-owned media outlet, includes 97 pieces of Kalashnikovs, seven pieces of the M16-type assault rifles, 86 stock pistols, seven rocket launchers, and many more types of arms and ammunition.

Without providing more details, the official media outlet citing police added that no one has the right to keep or carry arms illegally.

In similar operations, police reported discovery of arms and ammunition, including an anti-aircraft gun in the northern Samangan province on Tuesday. 
The cabinet meeting at which ministers were supposed to vote on the dismissal of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, which was planned for this coming Sunday, has been canceled.

Sources in the government said, The session will not take place next week in order to avoid dealing with sensitive and controversial issues among Am Israel during the Nine Days, and due to a request from several religious ministers not to hold the dismissal during the Nine Days.'

The vote for Baharav-Miaras dismissal will take place instead at the next Cabinet meeting, on Monday, August 4, the day after Tisha BAv.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
Trade deals are flooding through the White House pipeline, with US-Japan done and rising optimism on a European accord.

In Britain, Keir Starmer will be reannouncing his deal with India. It should eventually be good for whisky and car exports, but hackles will be raised by national insurance-free short-term contracts for Indian staff in the UK.

The biggest lacuna is the failure of Starmer to secure binding accords on better access for Britains financial and professional services, the UKs most successful export.

Despite Rachel Reeves Mansion House musings of last week, the Square Mile is unhappy and concerned.

Lloyds Bank boss Charlie Nunn warned against further taxes on the financial sector in the Budget.

Lloyds profit bonanza of 2billion in the second quarter of the year will have the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who has proposed an additional banking levy, straining at the leash.

Big spenders: Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Prime Minister Keir Starmer have done little to soothe nerves in the City of London

The danger of further attacks on the City and wealth was highlighted by Goldman Sachs chairman David Solomon this week.

All that stands between the UKs flatlining economy and recession is the services sector, which softened sharply in July.

The S&P purchasing managers index, among the most reliable forward indicators, sits at a two-month low at 51, barely above the tipping point into recession.

The damage to confidence from a summer of speculation about taxation will be considerable.

As S&P notes, employment numbers in July decreased at the fastest pace since February, still being driven by the employers national insurance hike.

It is a Labour myth that increasing taxes on firms, rather than individuals, protects workers. The Government has dug itself a big financial hole with trade union giveaways and big NHS and welfare spending.

Taxing its way to fiscal stability can only hamper output.

Missing in action

There is a puzzling disconnect between Britains overall economic performance and that of some of our better-run companies.

The Prime Minister likes to rattle on about the UK becoming an AI champion with little recognition that in 72billion Relx, the UKs seventh-largest listed company, we already have a champion user.

Relx is not helped very much by its well-remunerated chief executive Erik Engstrom who behaves like a hermit and has no public profile.

The bosses of public companies, like it not, have a responsibility to explain themselves to all stakeholders.

In the case of Engstrom, the best to be expected is boilerplate about success and incomprehensible language which possibly, given its lack of insight, is AI-generated.

Among his latest gems is talk of leveraging customer understanding to combine leading content and data sets with AI and other technologies. What that means is anyones guess.

What we do know is that revenues and underlying profit are accelerating and income from risk  that means cyber protection  and legal data are the stars, and are up 9pc.

It is terrific that Relx is doing so well and the FTSE 100 recognises that. Given Relxs expertise in deploying artificial intelligence and outperformance, any thoughts about relisting in New York should be extinguished immediately.

Changing channels

Carolyn McCall at ITV has one of the trickiest gigs in Britain. She runs a company at the heart of the UKs creative sector in a global industry dominated by behemoths such as Netflix and Sky owner Comcast.

Under her, and in the face of some investors scepticism about costs, ITV Studios has become a production powerhouse, supplying terrestrial rival the BBC as well as streaming services.

Future growth is expected from Rivals season 2 for Disney, The Reluctant Traveler for Apple TV and Gomorrah for Sky.

ITVX, which was greeted by shareholders with outright disdain, but broke even two years ahead of expectation, expects 760million of income next year and has concluded a partnership deal with Disney.

No longer is ITVs future as dependent on often volatile linear, terrestrial TV advertising. Despite all of this and a 13.3 per cent rise yesterday to 87.8p, the shares still languish. Time for a reality check.
Drivers will be told which EV models will be eligible for the government's new Electric Car Grant (ECG) in the next couple of weeks, This is Money can exclusively reveal.

While the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) chief executive Mike Hawes reportedly informed a press briefing on Wednesday that the Government will announce the EVs receiving subsidies on 11 August, the Department for Transport has told us that this is simply an 'administrative date', and is not when a list will be made public.

Instead, a spokesperson on behalf of the department explained car buyers will be given a list before this date so they know which EVs to snap up at a discounted price.

The DfT also told This is Money that they are processing applications as fast as manufacturers can file them.

While the initial list of eligible models will be made public early next month, more will be announced shortly after to take into account later applications from brands.

It means drivers could be forced to wait even longer to get a comprehensive quota of eligible EVs.

A DfT spokesperson told This is Money: 'We expect dozens of models to be eligible for the electric car grant, which will provide a substantial boost for the industry and save drivers thousands of pounds.

'We want the discounts to become available to drivers as soon as possible, and we are engaging extensively with vehicle manufacturers and have published guidance to help them apply as easily as possible.'

The Department for Transport has said that a list of EVs eligible for the government's new Electric Car grant (ECG) will be made available 'as soon as possible' and before the 11 August 'administrative' date that's been wrongly banded about

There are around 150 new EV models available to car buyers.

However, only those priced at 37,000 or under will qualify for Labour's ECG.

On top of the price tag criteria, electric models must meet stringent science-based emissions targets to prove that both the car and battery manufacturing is as sustainable as possible.

The SMMT's Mike Hawes told press he expects a third of the EVs on the market to receive grants, based on the extensive qualifying criteria.

Depending on how sustainable each model is will determine whether it qualifies for the full 3,750 grant or only for the lower 1,500 grant.

There has been widespread criticism of the grants as the government chose not to release a list of eligible manufacturers and models from the offset.

Instead, it has requested manufacturers apply to the scheme without knowing if their EVs will qualify. Some have claimed they are still wading through bureaucracy to find out.

The SMMT briefing also revealed that the automotive industry was not consulted on the ECG ahead of its announcement - something that senior figures at Chinese car giant MG also relayed to This is Money on Tuesday.

There are around 150 new EV models available to car buyers, but only those priced at 37k or under (like the Renault 5 E-Tech pictured) will qualify for the government's ECG. They also have to meet stringent sustainability criteria, with the most sustainably produced models getting the full 3,750 and those made less sustainably getting 1,500 or nothing

The trade body has also voiced its disappointment that denying some manufacturers and models grants will make 'the route to Zero Emission Vehicle mandate compliance worse' for those brands.

The mandate demands mainstream makers meet increasing annual sales share thresholds for EVs - in 2026, this is a minimum of 28 per cent for cars and 16 per cent for vans.

Hawes told journalists that, while 'any support is the right thing', the fact that the grant 'will help some but not all manufacturers' isn't a good thing.

It's been reported that Chinese and South Korean manufacturers will not qualify for the grants, which would take out a significant chunk of the cheap end of the EV market, removing brands including MG, BYD and Kia.

While some Chinese EV makers have released their own electric car grants because it looks likely Chinese EVs won't qualify for the government's, BYD has refused, calling the grants 'stupid'

Preempting their exclusion, Chinese car makers have already announced their own 'electric car grant' discounts.

MG is currently offering 1,500 off two EV models (the MG S5 EV and MG4 EV), GWM slashing 3,750 off its Ora 03 EV and Leapmotor trimming prices by 1,500 to 3,750 for its two UK-available EV models.

BYD, however, is not offering its own EV grant and has dismissed the scheme entirely, dubbing it 'stupid' and 'too little, too late' from UK ministers.

Executives at the world's largest EV maker also said that grants will act like a 'drug' that will hurt the market in the long run.

They added that Europe can't fight Chinese EVs forever.

However the SMMT doesn't believe that the ECG is intended to hinder a particular manufacturer or region.

He said ministers have formulated criteria that only benefits 'products with broader sustainability goals, not just zero tailpipe emissions'.

He also pointed out that 'government has said it will look to support local manufacturing if possible', and added that he believes the ECG 'will be a success, as consumers respond to carrots'.

The DfT has told This is Money that suggestions British car makers will be treated differently is untrue and that 'all products are assessed under the same framework'.
A senior executive at publishing giant Relx has admitted it has had conversations with investors about moving its listing to New York.

But Nick Luff, chief financial officer at the 72billion group, denied there were any imminent plans to relocate.

The US is one of the largest markets for a firm that provides products for lawyers, scientists, medical professionals and bankers.

It also owns medical journal The Lancet and an exhibitions arm, which runs book convention Comic Con.

Relx reported a pre-tax profit of 1.52billion for the first half, up from 1.45billion in 2024.

Sales rose 7 per cent to 4.7billion on the back of strong demand for products that use generative AI.
When did you first pay in to a pension?

If you were born in the 1990s or later, there is a fair chance it was when you were 22.

That is because of the launch of pension auto enrolment.

Ever since October 2012, a 22-year-old starting a new job and earning above 10,000 could join their work pension by simply doing nothing.

Prior to that, doing nothing would have seen them excluded.

In this famous example of nudge theory in action, the Government was taking blatant advantage of people's distaste for money admin and tendency to take the easy option, and it worked.

It was nothing short of a pension saving revolution. A huge 88 per cent of workers who can save into a work pension do, according to Department for Work & Pensions figures from 2023. That is up from just 55 per cent in 2012.

But now, we're told it didn't go far enough.

Retirement fund: Young people have been told to start saving for a pension at 18 - but it will be hard to get motivated amid reports they might not retire until 74

This week, young people found out they should supposedly be saving for their retirement even earlier, at the tender age of 18.

That's according to the boss of pension firm Legal & General Antonio Simoes  who would of course benefit greatly from people stuffing cash into their pensions for longer.

It won't come as a welcome suggestion to young people for several reasons.

Not least, that it is easy to suggest that you put more of your hard-earned pay packet towards retirement savings when you earned 10.6million last year like Simoes.

It is also hard to feel motivated to save for retirement when, as a report published by the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggests, you may be working until the age of 74. This is the age it warned the state pension may have to rise to.

Furthermore, a lot of 18-year-olds are now at university racking up debt and in no position to be saving any money at all.

But even if they wanted to save more, young workers are having their finances stretched in all directions.

If they have been to university, a 21-year-old starting their first job will have an average debt of 53,000, according to the latest Student Loans Company figures. Their rent will cost an average of 665 per month for a room in a shared house, according to Spareroom.

They might get pay rises as they move through their twenties, but by that time they are hit by another wave of more pressing financial demands.

If they want to put down a deposit on a home, they need to find an average of 34,500, according to UK Finance.

If they dare to think about starting a family they will need to save up for maternity leave, for most of which they will probably be paid the statutory 187.18 per week.

What young people do have on their side is time. If you can put even 50 into a pension each month, this can have huge benefits

After that, childcare costs an average of 238.95 per week in England, according to MoneyHelper.

It is no wonder this group is the most likely to opt out of their work pension. Last year, research by Barnett Waddingham found 55 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds had previously opted out of their pension, and over a third of 25 to 30-year-olds.

But opting out entirely isn't the only option.

Auto enrolment requires you to pay in 4 per cent of your salary, after which the Government will provide 1 per cent in tax relief and your employer will pay in 3 per cent. If they are generous, they might pay more.

If you're struggling, you may be able to pay in less. While your employer's contributions might reduce or stop, you'll still get the benefit of compounding gains on investments.

What young people do have on their side is time. If you can put even 50 into a pension each month, this can have huge benefits.

Even if you never increased your contribution, paying in 50 per month from the age of 22 to 67 would deliver a 172,000 pension pot. That is based on an annual return on your pension investments of 6 per cent.

This is also helped by Government tax relief on pension contributions, which would instantly turn your 50 into 62.50.

If you can pay in 100 a month instead, this would give you a pension pot of 276,000 after 45 years.

And if you managed to boost that later, for example when you get a pay rise, your pot would grow even more.

This week, the Government launched a Pensions Commission to address the poor pension prospects of those not included in auto-enrolment  including low earners and the self-employed.

The Government also lamented the fact that, while auto enrolment boosted participation in workplace pensions, many workers 'only' put aside the minimum contribution level.

That's a tougher ask than it sounds for many  but if it is going to change, spelling out how even a small pension contribution can turn into 172,000 might be a good place to start.

And if you are older and feeling generous, consider paying 50 a month into a pension for your children or grandchildren. One day, they'll be very grateful.
Skeena Resources (TSE:SKE  Free Report) had its price objective upped by CIBC from C$19.00 to C$26.00 in a research report released on Monday,BayStreet.CA reports.

Several other research analysts have also issued reports on SKE. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their price target on shares of Skeena Resources from C$23.00 to C$26.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, June 23rd. Raymond James Financial increased their price target on shares of Skeena Resources from C$18.50 to C$21.00 in a research note on Friday, April 4th.

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Skeena Resources Trading Down 2.7%

Insider Buying and Selling at Skeena Resources

Skeena Resources stock opened at C$22.23 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 19.27, a quick ratio of 1.55 and a current ratio of 1.87. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is C$20.00 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$16.65. The firm has a market capitalization of C$2.44 billion, a PE ratio of -13.43 and a beta of 1.65. Skeena Resources has a 52 week low of C$7.74 and a 52 week high of C$23.62.

In other Skeena Resources news, Director Craig Andrew Parry sold 16,500 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$18.29, for a total value of C$301,847.70. Also, Senior Officer Andrew Macritchie sold 36,191 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, May 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$17.55, for a total transaction of C$635,206.34. Insiders sold 105,177 shares of company stock valued at $1,779,152 over the last three months. Insiders own 1.51% of the companys stock.

Skeena Resources Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Skeena Resources Limited explores for and develops mineral properties in Canada. The company explores for gold, silver, copper, and other precious metal deposits. It holds 100% interests in the Snip gold mine comprising one mining lease and nine mineral tenures that covers an area of approximately 4,724 hectares; and the Eskay Creek gold mine that consists of eight mineral leases, two surface leases, and various unpatented mining claims comprising 7,666 hectares located in British Columbia, Canada.

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Coats Group plc (LON:COA  Get Free Report) insider David Gosnell purchased 129,870 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 21st. The shares were purchased at an average price of GBX 77 ($1.05) per share, for a total transaction of 99,999.90 ($135,869.43).

Coats Group Stock Performance

Shares of LON:COA opened at GBX 75 ($1.02) on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of 1.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.21, a PEG ratio of 0.92 and a beta of 1.40. Coats Group plc has a 12 month low of GBX 64.80 ($0.88) and a 12 month high of GBX 104.20 ($1.42). The firms 50-day moving average is GBX 78.15 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 81.23. The company has a current ratio of 1.20, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 103.51.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several brokerages recently commented on COA. Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and set a GBX 110 ($1.49) price target on shares of Coats Group in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Berenberg Bank reiterated a buy rating and set a GBX 125 ($1.70) price target on shares of Coats Group in a report on Thursday, July 3rd.

Coats Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Coats is a world leader in thread manufacturing and structural components for apparel and footwear, as well as an innovative pioneer in performance materials. These critical solutions are used to create a wide range of products, including ones that provide safety and protection for people, data and the environment.

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Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft restated their hold rating on shares of Burberry Group (LON:BRBY  Free Report) in a research note published on Monday morning, MarketBeat reports. The firm currently has a GBX 1,000 ($13.59) target price on the stock.

Separately, Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Burberry Group from GBX 1,300 ($17.66) to GBX 1,200 ($16.30) and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Friday, March 28th.

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Burberry Group Stock Performance

Shares of BRBY opened at GBX 1,343.50 ($18.25) on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 1.66, a quick ratio of 1.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 136.53. The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 1,118.81 and a 200 day moving average of GBX 987.79. The company has a market capitalization of 4.80 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.79, a PEG ratio of 1.66 and a beta of 1.06. Burberry Group has a 12 month low of GBX 555.61 ($7.55) and a 12 month high of GBX 1,360.72 ($18.49).

Burberry Group (LON:BRBY  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 14th. The company reported GBX (14.80) (($0.20)) earnings per share for the quarter. Burberry Group had a net margin of 9.10% and a return on equity of 23.93%. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Burberry Group will post 32.6294821 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Burberry Group

In other Burberry Group news, insider Kate Ferry purchased 3,228 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 27th. The shares were acquired at an average price of GBX 1,100 ($14.95) per share, for a total transaction of 35,508 ($48,244.57). Also, insider Joshua Schulman bought 29,744 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 27th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 1,069 ($14.52) per share, for a total transaction of 317,963.36 ($432,015.43). 0.70% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Burberry Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Burberry Group plc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, retails, and wholesales luxury goods under the Burberry brand. The company operates in two segments, Retail/Wholesale and Licensing. It provides womenswear, menswear, childrenswear, beauty, eyewear, shoes, and accessories, as well as leather goods, such as bags.

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Oak Thistle LLC acquired a new stake in Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM  Free Report) in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 6,373 shares of the restaurant operators stock, valued at approximately $1,003,000.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC boosted its stake in Yum! Brands by 151.4% in the first quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 156,690 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $24,657,000 after acquiring an additional 94,355 shares during the last quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC bought a new position in shares of Yum! Brands in the 1st quarter worth $270,000. Sowell Financial Services LLC bought a new position in shares of Yum! Brands in the 1st quarter worth $939,000. First National Bank Sioux Falls acquired a new stake in shares of Yum! Brands during the first quarter worth $283,000. Finally, Principal Financial Group Inc. increased its holdings in Yum! Brands by 1.9% in the first quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 353,103 shares of the restaurant operators stock valued at $55,564,000 after purchasing an additional 6,673 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.37% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an outperform rating and issued a $185.00 target price on shares of Yum! Brands in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Barclays upped their price target on Yum! Brands from $163.00 to $167.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Redburn Atlantic upgraded shares of Yum! Brands from a neutral rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $145.00 to $177.00 in a report on Tuesday, June 10th. Robert W. Baird reduced their target price on shares of Yum! Brands from $176.00 to $174.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Monday, April 7th. Finally, Citigroup raised their target price on shares of Yum! Brands from $148.00 to $151.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Thirteen research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Yum! Brands currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $159.86.

Yum! Brands Stock Performance

Shares of Yum! Brands stock opened at $147.72 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $41.06 billion, a PE ratio of 29.43, a P/E/G ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $145.89 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $145.35. Yum! Brands, Inc. has a one year low of $122.13 and a one year high of $163.30.

Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The restaurant operator reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.29 by $0.01. The business had revenue of $1.79 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.85 billion. Yum! Brands had a net margin of 18.42% and a negative return on equity of 20.80%. The companys revenue was up 11.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm posted $1.15 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts predict that Yum! Brands, Inc. will post 5.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Yum! Brands Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 6th. Investors of record on Tuesday, May 27th were given a $0.71 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, May 27th. This represents a $2.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.92%. Yum! Brandss payout ratio is 56.57%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CEO Scott Mezvinsky sold 272 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.28, for a total transaction of $40,332.16. Following the sale, the chief executive officer owned 1,755 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $260,231.40. This represents a 13.42% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO David W. Gibbs sold 7,117 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, July 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $146.60, for a total value of $1,043,352.20. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer directly owned 102,893 shares in the company, valued at $15,084,113.80. This represents a 6.47% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 14,720 shares of company stock worth $2,150,965 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.33% of the companys stock.

Yum! Brands Company Profile

(Free Report)

Yum! Brands, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, develops, operates, and franchises quick service restaurants worldwide. The company operates through the KFC Division, the Taco Bell Division, the Pizza Hut Division, and the Habit Burger Grill Division segments. It also operates restaurants under the KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and The Habit Burger Grill brands, which specialize in chicken, pizza, made-to-order chargrilled burgers, sandwiches, Mexican-style food categories, and other food products.

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Madison Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF (BATS:XSHQ  Free Report) by 8.8% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 255,241 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 20,680 shares during the quarter. Madison Asset Management LLC owned about 3.01% of Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF worth $10,087,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of XSHQ. Private Advisor Group LLC grew its stake in shares of Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF by 93.0% in the first quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 17,703 shares of the companys stock valued at $700,000 after buying an additional 8,531 shares in the last quarter. Kingsview Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $222,000. Larson Financial Group LLC grew its position in Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF by 80.4% in the first quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 386,545 shares of the companys stock valued at $15,276,000 after acquiring an additional 172,333 shares in the last quarter. Firestone Capital Management acquired a new stake in Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF in the first quarter valued at approximately $253,000. Finally, Alaska Permanent Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF during the 1st quarter valued at $12,886,000.

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Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF Stock Up 16.5%

Shares of BATS XSHQ opened at $41.89 on Thursday. Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF has a fifty-two week low of $33.94 and a fifty-two week high of $48.02. The firm has a market cap of $332.19 million, a PE ratio of 14.16 and a beta of 1.00. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $40.70 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $40.22.

About Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF

The Invesco S&P SmallCap Quality ETF (XSHQ) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the S&P SmallCap 600 Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US small-cap stocks selected by return-on-equity, accruals ratio, and financial leverage. Stocks are weighted by these quality factors and scaled by market-cap.

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KABUL, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Police have arrested 15 drug smugglers during a series of operations in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province over the past weeks, provincial police spokesman Syed Tayeb Hemad said Thursday.

The alleged drug smugglers, according to the official, were involved in drug smuggling and selling opium poppy, heroin and other illicit drugs to people in provincial capital Jalalabad and adjoining districts.

All the detained smugglers are currently in police custody for investigation, the official said.

In the drive against illegal drugs, police destroyed 170 acres of poppy farms in the northern Baghlan province and discovered 25 kg of illicit drugs in the western Nimroz province a couple of days ago. 
MSCI Inc (NYSE:MSCI  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, July 23rd, Wall Street Journal reports. Investors of record on Friday, August 15th will be paid a dividend of 1.80 per share by the technology company on Friday, August 29th. This represents a $7.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.35%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 15th.

MSCI has a dividend payout ratio of 38.2% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect MSCI to earn $19.04 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $7.20 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 37.8%.

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MSCI Stock Performance

Shares of MSCI opened at $531.64 on Thursday. The firm has a market capitalization of $41.13 billion, a P/E ratio of 35.21, a P/E/G ratio of 2.61 and a beta of 1.32. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $565.50 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $567.07. MSCI has a 52 week low of $486.74 and a 52 week high of $642.45.

Insider Activity

MSCI ( NYSE:MSCI Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 22nd. The technology company reported $4.17 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.12 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $772.68 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $763.06 million. MSCI had a negative return on equity of 143.13% and a net margin of 39.46%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 9.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $3.64 earnings per share. On average, equities analysts forecast that MSCI will post 16.86 earnings per share for the current year.

In other MSCI news, COO Cd Baer Pettit sold 5,000 shares of MSCI stock in a transaction on Monday, May 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $552.59, for a total value of $2,762,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 289,787 shares of the companys stock, valued at $160,133,398.33. The trade was a 1.70% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 3.31% of the companys stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On MSCI

An institutional investor recently raised its position in MSCI stock. Woodline Partners LP boosted its stake in shares of MSCI Inc (NYSE:MSCI  Free Report) by 39.0% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 6,585 shares of the technology companys stock after buying an additional 1,846 shares during the period. Woodline Partners LPs holdings in MSCI were worth $3,724,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. 89.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MSCI has been the topic of a number of research reports. Bank of America began coverage on MSCI in a research report on Thursday, April 10th. They set a neutral rating and a $585.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on MSCI from $650.00 to $680.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Monday. UBS Group raised their target price on MSCI from $655.00 to $700.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 8th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on MSCI from $578.00 to $533.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday. Finally, Evercore ISI cut their target price on MSCI from $673.00 to $631.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 23rd. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten 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 price target of $650.18.

Read Our Latest Research Report on MSCI

MSCI Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

MSCI Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides critical decision support tools and solutions for the investment community to manage investment processes worldwide. The Index segment provides indexes for use in various areas of the investment process, including indexed financial product, such as ETFs, mutual funds, annuities, futures, options, structured products, and over-the-counter derivatives; performance benchmarking; portfolio construction and rebalancing; and asset allocation, as well as licenses GICS and GICS Direct.

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Ninepoint Partners LP acquired a new position in shares of Iamgold Corporation (NYSE:IAG  Free Report) (TSE:IMG) during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor acquired 418,900 shares of the mining companys stock, valued at approximately $2,618,000. Iamgold accounts for approximately 0.4% of Ninepoint Partners LPs investment portfolio, making the stock its 28th largest position.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Iamgold during the 1st quarter worth $647,000. Ritholtz Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of Iamgold during the 1st quarter valued at about $94,000. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in shares of Iamgold by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 36,156 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $187,000 after acquiring an additional 1,836 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Iamgold by 4.0% during the 4th quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 274,756 shares of the mining companys stock worth $1,435,000 after purchasing an additional 10,468 shares during the period. Finally, Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Iamgold during the 4th quarter worth about $107,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 47.08% of the companys stock.

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Iamgold Price Performance

Shares of NYSE IAG opened at $7.27 on Thursday. Iamgold Corporation has a 1-year low of $3.44 and a 1-year high of $8.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 1.41 and a quick ratio of 0.83. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $7.15 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $6.56. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.18 billion, a PE ratio of 5.16, a P/E/G ratio of 0.36 and a beta of 1.15.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Iamgold ( NYSE:IAG Get Free Report ) (TSE:IMG) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The mining company reported $0.10 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $0.10. Iamgold had a return on equity of 9.26% and a net margin of 45.42%. The company had revenue of $457.23 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $578.70 million. On average, research analysts expect that Iamgold Corporation will post 0.67 EPS for the current year.

IAG has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Scotiabank upped their price target on Iamgold from $7.50 to $7.75 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. Raymond James Financial upgraded Iamgold to a hold rating and set a $8.00 target price for the company in a research note on Monday, June 30th. CIBC reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Iamgold in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. BMO Capital Markets started coverage on Iamgold in a research note on Wednesday, April 16th. They set an outperform rating for the company. Finally, National Bankshares reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Iamgold in a research note on Tuesday, June 24th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Iamgold presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $8.53.

View Our Latest Analysis on Iamgold

Iamgold Company Profile

(Free Report)

IAMGOLD Corporation, through its subsidiaries, operates as an intermediate gold producer and developer in Canada and Burkina Faso. It owns 100% interest in the Westwood project that covers an area of 1,925 hectare and located in Quebec; a 60% interest in the Cote gold project, which covers an area of 596 square kilometer located in Ontario, Canada; and a 90% interests in the Essakane project that covers an area of 274,000 square kilometer situated in Burkina Faso.

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Cadence Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in Coterra Energy Inc. (NYSE:CTRA  Free Report) by 7.3% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 12,751 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 871 shares during the period. Cadence Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Coterra Energy were worth $369,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of CTRA. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC raised its stake in Coterra Energy by 175.6% during the first quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 871 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 555 shares in the last quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. raised its position in Coterra Energy by 463.5% during the 1st quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 896 shares of the companys stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 737 shares during the last quarter. Wayfinding Financial LLC purchased a new position in shares of Coterra Energy during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Investors Research Corp boosted its stake in Coterra Energy by 45.2% during the 1st quarter. Investors Research Corp now owns 1,311 shares of the companys stock worth $38,000 after purchasing an additional 408 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Coterra Energy in the 1st quarter valued at about $46,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 87.92% of the companys stock.

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Coterra Energy Price Performance

Shares of NYSE CTRA opened at $23.58 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a quick ratio of 0.86 and a current ratio of 0.90. Coterra Energy Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $22.30 and a fifty-two week high of $29.95. The firm has a market capitalization of $18.00 billion, a PE ratio of 13.71, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.33 and a beta of 0.35. The stocks 50-day simple moving average is $25.22 and its 200-day simple moving average is $26.37.

Coterra Energy Announces Dividend

Coterra Energy ( NYSE:CTRA Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, May 5th. The company reported $0.80 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.71 by $0.09. Coterra Energy had a return on equity of 10.61% and a net margin of 21.67%. The business had revenue of $924.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.92 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.51 EPS. Coterra Energys revenue was up 32.9% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that Coterra Energy Inc. will post 1.54 EPS for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, May 29th. Investors of record on Thursday, May 15th were paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, May 15th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.73%. Coterra Energys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 51.16%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on CTRA shares. The Goldman Sachs Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and set a $31.00 price target on shares of Coterra Energy in a report on Tuesday, July 1st. Bank of America decreased their target price on shares of Coterra Energy from $34.00 to $33.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, April 29th. Morgan Stanley set a $28.00 price objective on shares of Coterra Energy in a research note on Tuesday, April 15th. Pickering Energy Partners downgraded shares of Coterra Energy from an outperform rating to a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, May 20th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on shares of Coterra Energy from $33.00 to $31.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, June 16th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $33.16.

View Our Latest Research Report on CTRA

About Coterra Energy

(Free Report)

Coterra Energy Inc, an independent oil and gas company, engages in the development, exploration, and production of oil, natural gas, and natural gas liquids in the United States. The companys properties include the Marcellus Shale with approximately 186,000 net acres in the dry gas window of the play located in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania; Permian Basin properties with approximately 296,000 net acres located in west Texas and southeast New Mexico; and Anadarko Basin properties with approximately 182,000 net acres located in Oklahoma.

Further Reading

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One Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:FMX  Free Report) by 25.7% in the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 6,377 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,305 shares during the period. One Wealth Advisors LLCs holdings in Fomento Economico Mexicano were worth $622,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Choreo LLC grew its stake in shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano by 3.1% in the first quarter. Choreo LLC now owns 16,769 shares of the companys stock worth $1,636,000 after acquiring an additional 509 shares during the period. Wealth Alliance LLC acquired a new position in shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano during the 1st quarter valued at about $416,000. Cable Hill Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano during the first quarter worth approximately $217,000. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Fomento Economico Mexicano by 80.6% during the 1st quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 4,594 shares of the companys stock worth $448,000 after acquiring an additional 2,050 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. boosted its position in Fomento Economico Mexicano by 32.8% during the 1st quarter. Whittier Trust Co. of Nevada Inc. now owns 4,359 shares of the companys stock worth $425,000 after acquiring an additional 1,077 shares during the period. 61.00% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

FMX has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wall Street Zen lowered Fomento Economico Mexicano from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Itau BBA Securities upgraded shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano from a market perform rating to an outperform rating in a research report on Monday, April 7th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano from $112.00 to $115.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a report on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Fomento Economico Mexicano from $102.00 to $108.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $107.45.

Fomento Economico Mexicano Stock Down 0.4%

NYSE:FMX traded down $0.42 on Thursday, hitting $97.16. 86,789 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 595,802. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 1.64 and a quick ratio of 1.31. The company has a market cap of $34.76 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.70, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.65. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $103.65 and a 200-day moving average price of $97.61. Fomento Economico Mexicano S.A.B. de C.V. has a 52 week low of $81.08 and a 52 week high of $117.56.

Fomento Economico Mexicano (NYSE:FMX  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Monday, April 28th. The company reported $0.45 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.52 by ($0.07). The business had revenue of $9.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $194.75 billion. Fomento Economico Mexicano had a net margin of 3.98% and a return on equity of 7.86%. As a group, analysts expect that Fomento Economico Mexicano S.A.B. de C.V. will post 5.32 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Fomento Economico Mexicano Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a  dividend, which will be paid on Monday, July 28th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 17th will be issued a $1.3625 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 2%. This is an increase from Fomento Economico Mexicanos previous  dividend of $0.73. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 17th. Fomento Economico Mexicanos payout ratio is 158.17%.

Fomento Economico Mexicano Company Profile

(Free Report)

Fomento Economico Mexicano, SAB. de C.V., through its subsidiaries, operates as a bottler of Coca-Cola trademark beverages. The company produces, markets, and distributes Coca-Cola trademark beverages in Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.

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Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc. raised its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 2.7% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 6,940 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after purchasing an additional 183 shares during the quarter. Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $1,152,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of TSM. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 67.0% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 10,365,404 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $2,047,065,000 after buying an additional 4,158,772 shares during the last quarter. FMR LLC grew its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 4.6% in the 4th quarter. FMR LLC now owns 58,547,257 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $11,562,498,000 after purchasing an additional 2,572,488 shares during the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC grew its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 36.8% in the 1st quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 9,509,032 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $1,578,499,000 after purchasing an additional 2,559,512 shares during the last quarter. Sarasin & Partners LLP purchased a new position in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $362,773,000. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. grew its stake in shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 32.3% in the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 8,498,063 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $1,678,283,000 after purchasing an additional 2,074,329 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 16.51% of the companys stock.

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Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Up 2.4%

NYSE TSM opened at $240.14 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 2.39, a quick ratio of 2.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. has a 1-year low of $133.57 and a 1-year high of $248.28. The company has a 50 day moving average of $215.49 and a 200-day moving average of $194.46. The company has a market cap of $1.25 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 27.38, a PEG ratio of 1.13 and a beta of 1.29.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Cuts Dividend

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ( NYSE:TSM Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 17th. The semiconductor company reported $2.47 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.13 by $0.34. The firm had revenue of $30.07 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $28.50 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a net margin of 42.91% and a return on equity of 34.53%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 44.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.48 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Ltd. will post 9.2 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, October 9th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 16th will be issued a dividend of $0.6499 per share. This represents a $2.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.08%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, September 16th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio is currently 28.16%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several brokerages recently issued reports on TSM. Citigroup reaffirmed a buy rating on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Needham & Company LLC reissued a buy rating and set a $270.00 price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Susquehanna set a $265.00 price target on Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and gave the company a positive rating in a research report on Monday, July 14th. Finally, Barclays reiterated an overweight rating and issued a $240.00 price target (up previously from $215.00) on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research note on Tuesday, June 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $258.33.

View Our Latest Research Report on TSM

About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

(Free Report)

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, packages, tests, and sells integrated circuits and other semiconductor devices in Taiwan, China, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Japan, the United States, and internationally. It provides a range of wafer fabrication processes, including processes to manufacture complementary metal- oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) logic, mixed-signal, radio frequency, embedded memory, bipolar CMOS mixed-signal, and others.

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Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 0.5% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 3,208 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 16 shares during the quarter. Argonautica Private Wealth Management Inc.s holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $2,650,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the business. Garner Asset Management Corp lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Garner Asset Management Corp now owns 532 shares of the companys stock worth $411,000 after buying an additional 12 shares during the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC increased its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 22.0% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 9,597 shares of the companys stock worth $7,409,000 after purchasing an additional 1,730 shares in the last quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC increased its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,471 shares of the companys stock worth $1,136,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Orion Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Orion Capital Management LLC now owns 1,610 shares of the companys stock worth $1,243,000 after purchasing an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG increased its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG now owns 64,758 shares of the companys stock worth $49,993,000 after purchasing an additional 2,568 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.53% of the companys stock.

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Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance

LLY stock opened at $797.82 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $756.13 billion, a PE ratio of 64.92, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.40. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12-month low of $677.09 and a 12-month 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 stocks 50 day simple moving average is $769.41 and its 200 day simple moving average is $799.86.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

Eli Lilly and Company ( NYSE:LLY Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 1st. The company reported $3.34 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $4.64 by ($1.30). The business had revenue of $12.73 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate 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 was up 45.2% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.58 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts forecast that Eli Lilly and Company will post 23.48 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The business also recently disclosed 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. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.75%. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 48.82%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have issued reports on LLY. Wall Street Zen downgraded Eli Lilly and Company from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Saturday, June 28th. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They issued an overweight rating and a $975.00 target price for the company. The Goldman Sachs Group raised Eli Lilly and Company from a neutral rating to a buy rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $892.00 to $888.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. Finally, Guggenheim lifted their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $936.00 to $942.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $1,012.56.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report 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.

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Davis Rea LTD. purchased a new stake in CGI Group, Inc. (NYSE:GIB  Free Report) (TSE:GIB.A) in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 32,341 shares of the technology companys stock, valued at approximately $3,230,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Fifth Third Bancorp increased its holdings in CGI Group by 239.5% in the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 258 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 182 shares during the period. Hoey Investments Inc. bought a new position in shares of CGI Group in the 4th quarter worth about $99,000. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its position in shares of CGI Group by 371.7% in the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,052 shares of the technology companys stock worth $105,000 after acquiring an additional 829 shares in the last quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of CGI Group by 80.4% in the 4th quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 1,299 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $142,000 after buying an additional 579 shares during the period. Finally, Creekmur Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of CGI Group by 7,051.9% in the 1st quarter. Creekmur Asset Management LLC now owns 1,931 shares of the technology companys stock valued at $193,000 after buying an additional 1,904 shares during the period. 66.68% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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CGI Group Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of NYSE GIB traded down $0.22 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $102.08. The companys stock had a trading volume of 33,869 shares, compared to its average volume of 268,430. CGI Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $92.85 and a 1 year high of $122.79. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $105.54 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $106.87. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.36, a current ratio of 1.27 and a quick ratio of 0.92. The firm has a market capitalization of $22.91 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.88 and a beta of 0.76.

CGI Group Increases Dividend

CGI Group ( NYSE:GIB Get Free Report ) (TSE:GIB.A) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The technology company reported $1.48 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.50 by ($0.02). The firm had revenue of $2.80 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.05 billion. CGI Group had a return on equity of 18.86% and a net margin of 11.53%. The firms revenue was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.97 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that CGI Group, Inc. will post 5.79 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 20th. Investors of record on Friday, May 16th were paid a dividend of $0.1086 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 16th. This is a boost from CGI Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.10. This represents a $0.43 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.43%. CGI Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 7.83%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Royal Bank Of Canada reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $192.00 price objective on shares of CGI Group in a research note on Wednesday, March 26th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Buy and a consensus target price of $156.75.

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About CGI Group

(Free Report)

CGI Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides information technology (IT) and business process services. Its services include the business and strategic IT consulting, systems integration, and software solutions. The company also provides application development, modernization and maintenance, holistic enterprise digitization, automation, hybrid and cloud management, and business process services; intellectual property-based solutions; business consulting; managed IT services; and IT infrastructure services.

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Princeton Capital Management LLC decreased its position in The TJX Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TJX  Free Report) by 6.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 2,374 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock after selling 177 shares during the period. Princeton Capital Management LLCs holdings in TJX Companies were worth $289,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in TJX. Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of TJX Companies by 58.8% in the first quarter. Atlantic Edge Private Wealth Management LLC now owns 297 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock worth $36,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the period. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in TJX Companies by 99.3% in the first quarter. Iron Horse Wealth Management LLC now owns 299 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 149 shares during the period. Inlight Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in TJX Companies in the first quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Rialto Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of TJX Companies by 105.9% in the 1st quarter. Rialto Wealth Management LLC now owns 348 shares of the apparel and home fashions retailers stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 179 shares during the period. Finally, Proathlete Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of TJX Companies during the first quarter worth $52,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 91.09% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at TJX Companies

In other TJX Companies news, Director Amy B. Lane sold 950 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.09, for a total value of $121,685.50. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 22,712 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,909,180.08. This trade represents a 4.01% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research firms recently commented on TJX. TD Securities upped their price objective on shares of TJX Companies from $140.00 to $142.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 20th. Cowen reissued a buy rating on shares of TJX Companies in a research note on Tuesday, May 20th. Daiwa Capital Markets assumed coverage on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Tuesday, July 8th. They issued an outperform rating and a $133.00 price target for the company. Robert W. Baird raised their price objective on shares of TJX Companies from $140.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Finally, Barclays reiterated an overweight rating and set a $147.00 target price (up previously from $137.00) on shares of TJX Companies in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, nineteen have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $141.06.

Read Our Latest Report on TJX Companies

TJX Companies Stock Performance

NYSE TJX traded down $0.59 on Thursday, hitting $125.77. 747,952 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 5,315,964. The TJX Companies, Inc. has a 1-year low of $107.71 and a 1-year high of $135.85. The company has a current ratio of 1.16, a quick ratio of 0.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The firm has a market capitalization of $140.49 billion, a PE ratio of 29.73, a P/E/G ratio of 2.93 and a beta of 0.88. The firms 50-day moving average price is $125.86 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $124.20.

TJX Companies (NYSE:TJX  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Wednesday, May 21st. The apparel and home fashions retailer reported $0.92 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.02. TJX Companies had a net margin of 8.47% and a return on equity of 58.81%. The business had revenue of $13.11 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.01 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $0.93 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 5.1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that The TJX Companies, Inc. will post 4.18 EPS for the current year.

TJX Companies Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, September 4th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, August 14th will be paid a $0.425 dividend. This represents a $1.70 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.35%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, August 14th. TJX Companiess dividend payout ratio is currently 40.00%.

TJX Companies Profile

(Free Report)

The TJX Companies, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an off-price apparel and home fashions retailer in the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia. It operates through four segments: Marmaxx, HomeGoods, TJX Canada, and TJX International. The company sells family apparel, including footwear and accessories; home fashions, such as home basics, furniture, rugs, lighting products, giftware, soft home products, decorative accessories, tabletop, and cookware, as well as expanded pet, and gourmet food departments; jewelry and accessories; and other merchandise.

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Principle Wealth Partners LLC increased its position in American Express Company (NYSE:AXP) by 8.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 9,016 shares of the payment services companys stock after purchasing an additional 685 shares during the period. Principle Wealth Partners LLCs holdings in American Express were worth $2,426,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AXP. One Wealth Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 83.0% in the 1st quarter. One Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,342 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $630,000 after acquiring an additional 1,062 shares during the period. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 68.1% in the 1st quarter. Journey Strategic Wealth LLC now owns 17,401 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $4,682,000 after acquiring an additional 7,052 shares during the period. Advisor OS LLC grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 9.1% in the 1st quarter. Advisor OS LLC now owns 5,808 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,563,000 after acquiring an additional 485 shares during the period. Kovack Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 3.2% in the 1st quarter. Kovack Advisors Inc. now owns 3,468 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $933,000 after acquiring an additional 109 shares during the period. Finally, Carnegie Investment Counsel grew its holdings in shares of American Express by 146.6% in the 1st quarter. Carnegie Investment Counsel now owns 5,295 shares of the payment services companys stock worth $1,350,000 after acquiring an additional 3,148 shares during the period. 84.33% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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American Express Stock Performance

Shares of AXP traded down $0.50 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $308.16. 315,096 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,991,972. The stocks fifty day moving average is $304.49 and its 200 day moving average is $291.25. The stock has a market cap of $214.44 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.64, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 1.69 and a current ratio of 1.61. American Express Company has a 1-year low of $220.43 and a 1-year high of $329.14.

American Express Announces Dividend

American Express ( NYSE:AXP Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Friday, July 18th. The payment services company reported $4.08 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $3.86 by $0.22. American Express had a return on equity of 32.87% and a net margin of 14.78%. The company had revenue of $17.86 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $17.70 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.49 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 9.3% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts anticipate that American Express Company will post 15.33 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 8th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, July 3rd will be given a dividend of $0.82 per share. This represents a $3.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.06%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, July 3rd. American Expresss dividend payout ratio is currently 23.02%.

Insider Transactions at American Express

In other American Express news, insider Howard Grosfield sold 9,450 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, May 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $275.50, for a total value of $2,603,475.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 9,402 shares in the company, valued at $2,590,251. This trade represents a 50.13% 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. Also, insider Glenda G. Mcneal sold 3,019 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $264.66, for a total value of $799,008.54. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 10,919 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,889,822.54. This represents a 21.66% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 0.20% of the companys stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

AXP has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Royal Bank Of Canada reissued an outperform rating on shares of American Express in a research note on Monday, July 14th. Citigroup reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $327.00 target price (up from $300.00) on shares of American Express in a research report on Wednesday, July 2nd. Monness Crespi & Hardt lowered American Express from a buy rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on American Express from $250.00 to $311.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on American Express from $371.00 to $375.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Monday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, sixteen have issued a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, American Express has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $311.05.

Get Our Latest Analysis on AXP

About American Express

(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.

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Ghe LLC lessened its stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 1.1% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 15,026 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 164 shares during the quarter. Abbott Laboratories makes up approximately 0.9% of Ghe LLCs holdings, making the stock its 23rd largest holding. Ghe LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $1,993,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at about $2,373,461,000. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 383.1% during the 4th quarter. T. Rowe Price Investment Management Inc. now owns 8,358,698 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $945,453,000 after purchasing an additional 6,628,310 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 15,420.4% during the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 5,102,648 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $676,866,000 after purchasing an additional 5,069,771 shares during the period. Capital International Investors grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 3.4% during the 4th quarter. Capital International Investors now owns 67,972,953 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $7,688,160,000 after purchasing an additional 2,229,026 shares during the period. Finally, Northern Trust Corp grew its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories by 10.3% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 22,056,860 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $2,494,851,000 after purchasing an additional 2,060,650 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.18% of the companys stock.

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Abbott Laboratories Price Performance

Shares of Abbott Laboratories stock traded down $0.56 during trading on Thursday, hitting $125.27. The stock had a trading volume of 947,799 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,959,012. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a current ratio of 1.78 and a quick ratio of 1.27. The firm has a market cap of $217.95 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.70, a PEG ratio of 2.38 and a beta of 0.73. The business has a fifty day moving average of $132.71 and a two-hundred day moving average of $129.70. Abbott Laboratories has a fifty-two week low of $99.92 and a fifty-two week high of $141.23.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

Abbott Laboratories ( NYSE:ABT Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.26 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.26. The business had revenue of $11.14 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.01 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 18.83% and a net margin of 32.43%. Abbott Laboratoriess revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $1.14 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts expect that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 15th will be given a $0.59 dividend. This represents a $2.36 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.88%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess payout ratio is currently 29.57%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Sally E. Blount sold 2,600 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, April 30th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.66, for a total transaction of $337,116.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 34,058 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,415,960.28. This represents a 7.09% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. 0.46% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Piper Sandler reiterated an overweight rating and set a $145.00 target price (up previously from $133.00) on shares of Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, April 17th. Mizuho boosted their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Barclays boosted their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $158.00 to $159.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Thursday, April 17th. William Blair raised Abbott Laboratories to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Thursday, July 17th. Finally, Evercore ISI upped their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $140.00 to $145.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 8th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have assigned a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $144.47.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on ABT

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.

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This photo taken on July 24, 2025 shows solar-powered streetlights along the street in Yangon, Myanmar. A donation ceremony for China-aided solar-powered streetlights was held in Yangon on Thursday. At the event, 40 solar streetlights, provided by the Yunnan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, were handed over to the chairman of the Thaketa township administration body. The donation aimed to improve night travel safety and reduce electricity costs. It also helped strengthen friendship between China and Myanmar. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)

YANGON, July 24 (Xinhua) -- A donation ceremony for China-aided solar-powered streetlights was held in Yangon on Thursday.

At the event, 40 solar streetlights, provided by the Yunnan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, were handed over to the chairman of the Thaketa township administration body.

The donation aimed to improve night travel safety and reduce electricity costs. It also helped strengthen friendship between China and Myanmar. 

A donation ceremony for China-aided solar-powered streetlights is held in Yangon, Myanmar, July 24, 2025. At the event, 40 solar streetlights, provided by the Yunnan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, were handed over to the chairman of the Thaketa township administration body.

The donation aimed to improve night travel safety and reduce electricity costs. It also helped strengthen friendship between China and Myanmar. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 24, 2025 shows solar-powered streetlights along the street in Yangon, Myanmar. A donation ceremony for China-aided solar-powered streetlights was held in Yangon on Thursday.

At the event, 40 solar streetlights, provided by the Yunnan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, were handed over to the chairman of the Thaketa township administration body.

The donation aimed to improve night travel safety and reduce electricity costs. It also helped strengthen friendship between China and Myanmar. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)

This photo taken on July 24, 2025 shows a solar-powered streetlight in Yangon, Myanmar. A donation ceremony for China-aided solar-powered streetlights was held in Yangon on Thursday.

At the event, 40 solar streetlights, provided by the Yunnan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, were handed over to the chairman of the Thaketa township administration body.

The donation aimed to improve night travel safety and reduce electricity costs. It also helped strengthen friendship between China and Myanmar. (Photo by Myo Kyaw Soe/Xinhua)
SpringVest Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 1,578 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $253,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Pacifica Partners Inc. lifted its position in shares of Philip Morris International by 115.0% in the first quarter. Pacifica Partners Inc. now owns 215 shares of the companys stock worth $35,000 after buying an additional 115 shares during the last quarter. Redmont Wealth Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. Inlight Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Philip Morris International in the 1st quarter valued at $38,000. Ameriflex Group Inc. bought a new position in Philip Morris International in the 4th quarter valued at $36,000. Finally, Hughes Financial Services LLC bought a new position in Philip Morris International in the 1st quarter valued at $46,000. 78.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

PM has been the subject of several recent research reports. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Philip Morris International from a hold rating to a buy rating in a research report on Sunday. Barclays reissued an overweight rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research note on Tuesday. Bank of America lifted their price target on Philip Morris International from $182.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, June 4th. Stifel Nicolaus raised their price objective on Philip Morris International from $168.00 to $186.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Finally, Citigroup restated an overweight rating on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Tuesday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $186.73.

Philip Morris International Stock Performance

Philip Morris International stock traded down $2.21 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $162.47. The companys stock had a trading volume of 591,790 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,049,405. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12-month low of $111.41 and a 12-month high of $186.69. The company has a market capitalization of $252.88 billion, a P/E ratio of 30.85, a PEG ratio of 2.37 and a beta of 0.51. The firms fifty day moving average price is $179.21 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $159.59.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 22nd. The company reported $1.91 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.86 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $10.14 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.33 billion. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 10.57% and a negative return on equity of 120.86%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 7.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.59 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 7.14 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Philip Morris International Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Investors of record on Friday, June 27th were given a $1.35 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 27th. This represents a $5.40 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.32%. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 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.

See Also

Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PM? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report).

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VIENTIANE, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Laos' Ministry of Industry and Commerce and development partners convened a consultation meeting to advance trade and business development, promote inclusive growth, and support the country in its endeavors to transition from least developed country (LDC) status.

The meeting, held in Lao capital Vientiane on Thursday, brought together senior officials, international organizations, and representatives from both domestic and foreign businesses, according to the Lao Economic Daily.

In his remarks, Lao Minister of Industry and Commerce Malaithong Kommasith emphasized that the business sector is the backbone of the economy and a national priority.

As Laos progresses towards graduating from LDC status, it is crucial to establish a supportive and investor-friendly environment, he added.

The meeting presented a development plan outlining strategic goals to strengthen competitiveness and enhance regional integration across the trade, manufacturing, energy, and mining sectors. Participants provided feedback to ensure the plan aligns with shared priorities and is practical for implementation.

The discussion also emphasized the need to reduce trade barriers and boost cross-border trade efficiency. 
Fact check . . .

We were expecting the Secret Service to swarm in the video featuring Missouri Senator Hawley "escorted" from a news conference stage.

Actually, like all things, it was an anti-climax and just some Karen demanding attention whilst other people are trying to get on with their lives.

It's not like we aren't sympathetic to all white women . . . But this "protest" actually discourages any kind of serious consideration of an important topic.

And so . . . Here's a bit of description and link to a video of the hot mess . . .

"Josh Hawley cannot possibly care about people in this country because he is supporting a war of starvation," the protester said.



Journalist Stef Kight asked the protester to allow her to continue with the interview, noting that it was the first instance of a protester during Wednesday's event. She then escorted Hawley from the stage, though Hawley asked, "Are you sure?" when she got up.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Hawley temporarily escorted off stage after conference interrupted by protesters Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) was escorted off stage briefly Wednesday after an event was interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters. Hawley appeared at the Axios News Shapers forum in Washington, D.C., ...
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Leading hotel technology providers join forces to help hotels reduce cost of sale, grow revenue and beat OTAs



(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - July 24th, 2025 -

London, UK and San Francisco, CA  Triptease and Revinate, two leaders in hotel marketing technology, today announced a strategic partnership designed to accelerate direct bookings across the entire guest journey. The collaboration brings together a range of complementary data-driven solutions that help hotels to maximize direct revenue and reduce dependence on online travel agencies (OTAs).

Hotel booking journeys continue to grow in complexity, with more and more touchpoints, communication channels and data silos. The new partnership aims to help hotels create powerful direct booking strategies and exceptional guest experiences. It combines consolidated industry expertise with a range of tools designed to reach, convert, engage and understand guests.

"The pressure on hotels is relentless, and growing direct bookings is the best way for them to compete; thats why Triptease exists," said Charlie Osmond, CEO and Co-founder of Triptease. "Weve been partnering with the team at Revinate for some time to amplify our efforts. Now were delighted to be taking our collaboration to the next stage, and excited to work more closely together on solutions that drive revenue for hotels and create long-term guest loyalty.

One of the existing value-adds when hotels work with both Triptease and Revinate is the ability to capture and act on more valuable first-party data. Triptease captures email addresses during the booking processes when guests either don't complete a booking or are unable to make one because dates are no longer available. That data is passed to Revinate where it can be used to re-engage prospects using the standard email templates of the hotel.

"The modern hotel guest expects a seamless, personalized experience from initial research through post-stay engagement," said Doug Tilford, Chief Revenue Officer of Revinate. "Our partnership with Triptease brings together powerful guest acquisition with an omnichannel direct booking platform across email, text and voice, providing hotels with the support they need to compete effectively in today's digital marketplace. Together, we're helping hotels build direct booking strategies that deliver results."

About Triptease

Triptease are the pioneers of the Direct Booking Movement. For more than a decade, the companys unique technology has helped thousands of hoteliers around the world to fight back against OTAs by driving more direct bookings and winning more valuable guests.

The Triptease Data Marketing Platform is a full-funnel marketing solution designed specifically for hotels, powered by their unique price, market and customer data. This data is applied across a range of industry-leading marketing productsincluding Metasearch, Paid Search, Display Retargeting, Website Personalization, and Emailto help hotels build direct guest relationships, reduce their cost of sale, and increase revenue.

info@triptease.com

About Revinate

Revinate is a direct booking platform that leads the hospitality industry in driving direct revenue and increased profitability.

Our products and our people combine to give hoteliers the superpowers they need to crush their goals. With Revinate, hoteliers shift share away from OTAs and drive tangible results across an individual property or a portfolio. Our industry-leading, AI-powered, customer data platform collects, unifies and, synthesizes data giving hoteliers a foundational advantage.

Hoteliers gain critical intelligence  guest lifetime spend, stay preferences, ancillary revenue, and more. With Revinates Rich Guest Profiles data, hoteliers dont need to guess who their most profitable guests are, or how to drive conversions across email, voice, messaging, and digital channels.

Revinate's direct booking platform and omnichannel communication technology powers 950+ million Rich Guest Profiles across 12,500+ hotels to drive over $17.2 billion in direct revenue.

media@revinate.com



###
Fly to India for Less



(TRAVPR.COM) INDIA - July 23rd, 2025 -

Palki Travel, a leading travel agency specializing in Australia-India flight bookings, is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated Super Sale. Travelers can now enjoy fares starting as low as $499, making international travel between Australia and India more accessible than ever before.

Palki Travel has built its reputation by offering expert guidance, unbeatable prices, and personalised customer service for those journeying between Australia and India. With years of experience in the travel industry, the agencys team uses their extensive knowledge of airline partnerships, visa requirements, and itinerary planning to ensure each customer has a seamless journey.

Whats Included in the Super Sale?

Fares starting at just $499 to major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bangalore.

Flexible travel dates to cater to students, families, and business travelers.

Access to exclusive deals on both economy and premium cabins.

Why Book with Palki Travel?

Expertise: Decades of experience booking Australia-India flights.

Trust: Thousands of satisfied travelers and positive reviews.

Transparency: No hidden fees - what you see is what you pay.

Support: 24/7 customer care for every step of your journey.

Palki Travel continues to bridge the gap between Australia and India by providing high-quality travel solutions at affordable rates, said the companys spokesperson. Our Super Sale is a testament to our commitment to making international travel accessible and enjoyable for all.

Hurry these fares are available for a limited time only. To book your ticket or learn more, visit Palki Travels website or call their dedicated support team today.

Book with the experts. Experience peace of mind. Travel to India for less with Palki Travels Super Sale!

###
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. In line with the 2025 bilateral cooperation plan, an expert meeting on Technical Maintenance of Aviation Vehicles was conducted with the participation of representatives from the Air Forces of Azerbaijan and Bulgaria, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense told Trend.

Following a briefing on aviation security presented to the attendees, comprehensive discussions took place, during which various questions of mutual interest were addressed.

During the expert meeting, the significance of such events for facilitating mutual exchange of experience was underscored, and an in-depth exchange of views on various issues was held.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Details added: first version posted on 14:04

BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Abdisalam Abdi Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia, visited the Alley of Honors and the Alley of Martyrs on July 24, Trend reports.

Minister Abdisalam Abdi Ali first visited the Alley of Honors and paid tribute to the memory of National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, architect and founder of the modern independent Azerbaijani state, Heydar Aliyev, and laid a wreath at his grave.

Later, Abdisalam Abdi Ali visited the Alley of Martyrs to commemorate Azerbaijani heroes who sacrificed their lives for the countrys independence and territorial integrity, and placed a wreath at the Eternal Flame monument.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Initiated and organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, with the support of Azerbaijans Ministry of Culture, the Baku Music Academy named after Uzeyir Hajibeyli, and Gilan Holding, the 14th Gabala International Music Festival will officially kick off this evening, July 24. The beloved festival, now a cherished tradition, will run until July 29, Trend reports.

Held in honor of the 140th anniversary of the great composer Uzeyir Hajibeyli, the festival will bring together renowned performers, young talents, and music ensembles from Azerbaijan and abroad.

The event will also mark the special concerts marking the 100th anniversary of prominent musician Rauf Atakishiyev and the 90th anniversary of composer Vasif Adigozalov.

As per the program, the grand opening ceremony of the 14th Gabala Music Festival will take place at 19:00 on the open-air stage at Qafqaz Resort. Following the official part, the Azerbaijani State Orchestra of Folk Instruments and the Choir of the Fikrat Amirov State Song and Dance Ensemble (an Honored Collective) will perform a rich concert program, joined by celebrated soloists. The evening will be dedicated to Uzeyir Hajibeyli's 140th anniversary.

Throughout the festival, music lovers will enjoy performances by the Latin American group Mercadonegro, the Tbilisi Big Band (Georgia), the Ciurlionis Quartet (Lithuania), participants of the Support for Youth project, the Gara Garayev State Chamber Orchestra of Azerbaijan, the Detache-Sabah violin ensemble, students from the Uzeyir Hajibeyli Baku Music Academy, the Baku State Chamber Orchestra, and other distinguished musicians.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov has held an expanded meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, who is on a visit to Baku, the publication of the Azerbaijani MFA on X said, Trend reports.

"Ministers discussed opportunities to boost ties in trade, energy, agriculture, education, and humanitarian aid.

Cooperation in the UN, NAM, and OIC was also emphasized.

This and recent high-level visits and signed agreements indicate a growing partnership between our countries," the post read.

12:00

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov has welcomed the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, who is on a visit to Baku, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan said in a post on its X page, Trend reports.

"The Ministers exchanged views on bilateral relations, regional dynamics, and cooperation within international organizations," the post read.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. On July 24, the Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov, held a meeting with the Chief of Defence of Italian Armed Forces, General Luciano Portolano, who is currently on a visit to Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Defense told Trend.

Welcoming the Italian guest, the Minister of Defense expressed his satisfaction with receiving him in Azerbaijan. He noted with appreciation the current state of military cooperation between the two countries and emphasized that the further development of Azerbaijani-Italian relations is of particular importance in the field of defense along with other spheres.

General Luciano Portolano, in turn, expressed his gratitude to Colonel General Zakir Hasanov for the warm reception. Highlighting the significance of reciprocal visits, he emphasized that military cooperation between the two countries will contribute to enhancing the capabilities of both armies.

The meeting, attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Italy to Azerbaijan, Luca Di Gianfrancesco, addressed key issues regarding cooperation in the military, military-technical, and military educational sectors, as well as issues of regional security.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
By News Centre

The Turkish defence industry, gaining strength with each passing day, has marked a historic achievement in the naval domain. The Denizhan 76/62 mm naval gun, developed entirely with domestic resources by Makine ve Kimya Endustrisi A.?. (MKE), will be exported to the Indonesian Navy under its first international export agreement.

The agreement was signed during the IDEF 2025 International Defence Industry Fair, held in Istanbul.

Under the export deal, three Denizhan naval guns will be delivered to Indonesia. This development marks Turkiyes first-ever export of a domestically developed naval gun, a significant milestone for the countrys naval defence manufacturing capabilities.

The Denizhan naval gun stands out with its high firing accuracy, automated ammunition feed system, and modern fire control technologies. Designed for integration into naval vessels, it is highly effective in both defensive and offensive missions, offering versatility on a variety of combat platforms.

Defence industry officials emphasise that this export will strengthen Turkiyes position in the global market for naval weapon systems. The agreement is also expected to pave the way for deeper military cooperation between Turkiye and Indonesia in the coming years.
ISLAMABAD, July 24 (Xinhua) -- A mail train was slightly damaged after an explosion occurred on a railway track in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province on Thursday, an official said.

The train Bolan Mail left the station at 12:02 p.m. local time (0702 GMT), and the blast was reported verbally by the train driver at about 12:25 p.m. local time to the authorities, Muhammad Kashif, public relations officer of the Quetta Railway divisional superintendent, told Xinhua.

"Following an inspection by the train driver and security escort, the train departed at 12:35 p.m. local time," he added.

In a precautionary move, a passenger train, which was also heading to the explosion site, was halted by security forces until security clearance of the area, the official added.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Balochistan has witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks in recent years, with militants frequently targeting railway tracks and other transport infrastructure in the province. Authorities have launched investigations to determine the nature of the blast and identify those responsible. 
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Relations between Azerbaijan and Israel are sort of underappreciated, said Daniel B. Shapiro, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, as he addressed the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the Middle East, Trend reports.

He emphasized that Bakus ties with Israel did not begin with the Abraham Accords - a U.S.-brokered diplomatic initiative launched in 2020 - but rather well before that. "Azerbaijan has had diplomatic relations with Israel for many years, but it's one of the leading Muslim countries that has done that long before the Abraham Accords came on the scene," Shapiro pointed out.

Drawing attention to Azerbaijans geographical and geopolitical position, he highlighted the countrys relevance to regional security and energy dynamics."Because of their proximity to the region and even to the threats Israel faces from Iran, they've been a security partner because of their energy resources. And I might add with that, it's the only country in the world that borders Russia and Iran. So their strategic importance is really impossible to deny".

Beyond security and energy, Shapiro praised Azerbaijans capacity to act as a convener and bridge-builder between Israel and the wider Muslim world. "They also have that sort of cultural convening capability and are able to build bridges to strengthen Israel's relations with other Arab and Muslim countries, including some in Central Asia," he said.

"As we've thought about ways of broadening those regional convenings to really have the sense of a European Union or an ASEAN-style organization or gathering of countries in the Middle East. Azerbaijan most certainly should take part in something like that," Shapiro added.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. We are very pleased with the dynamic development of our relations with friendly Somalia, said Jeyhun Bayramov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Baku with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, Bayramov spoke about recent mutual visits and agreements reached between the two countries.

In recent months, there have been numerous reciprocal visits.

Over the years, Azerbaijan and Somalia have developed a mutually respectful relationship within international organizations.

For many years, Somalia has been a member of the contact group established under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) regarding Armenias aggression against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has always supported Somalias territorial integrity and sovereignty.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Azerbaijan is ready to help Somalia expand the oil and energy sector, said Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia Abdisalam Abdi Ali at a joint press conference with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Baku today, Trend reports.

"We had a very productive meeting. This is the second time we are meeting in Baku. I would like to thank the people of Azerbaijan for their hospitality. Earlier this year, the President of Somalia visited Azerbaijan. The delegation came to Baku to sign a Memorandum of Understanding.

My colleague and I had discussions on education. At the same time, we have very good relations in the field of defense and security. We have strategic partnership relations. We wish to expand cooperation with Azerbaijan in the field of tourism.

Azerbaijan is famous for its oil reserves. Azerbaijan is ready to assist Somalia in expanding its oil and energy sector.

In the course of the visit to Azerbaijan, the President of Somalia reviewed the ASAN Service. This is a great potential for ensuring transparency in the provision of emergency services. We are being supported so that we can provide this service in our own country," the minister noted.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Somalia can cooperate with Azerbaijan and Turkiye in a number of areas, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, said at a joint press conference with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov in Baku today, Trend reports.

"Turkiye and Somalia have very strong relations. We have relations in the fields of trade, security, and natural resources.

The three countries can cooperate in a number of areas.

Turkiye is a very good partner for us. We see the same attitude from Azerbaijan," he pointed out.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Azerbaijan is very pleased with the dynamic development of relations with friendly Somalia, said Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijans Foreign Minister, during a joint press briefing with Abdisalam Abdi Ali, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia, Trend reports.

Bayramov mentioned the previous mutual visits and agreements.

" In the previous months, there were also many mutual visits.

For many years, the relations between the two countries have been developing based on mutual respect within the framework of international organizations and have brought great benefits to both sides.

Over the years, Somalia has been a member of the Contact Group established within the framework of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation on the issue of Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has always supported the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Somalia.

Our friends from Somalia have expressed their support for Azerbaijan's activities in the Non-Aligned Movement.

Last year, a close partnership was also established in the context of Azerbaijan's presidency of COP29.

Besides, last year, Somalia won the elections for a non-permanent membership in the UN Security Council for 2025-2026 in a highly competitive environment. Azerbaijan has clearly expressed its support," he added.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has signed a decree on determining the scope of opinions issued within the framework of the construction permit procedure for the construction and installation of construction facilities for the manufacturing and processing of agricultural products, Trend reports.

According to the decree, the scope of opinions issued within the framework of the construction permit procedure for the construction and installation of construction facilities for the production and processing of agricultural products (hereinafter referred to as the construction facility) has been determined as follows, taking into account subparagraph 3.5.1 of the "Rules for issuing construction permits for certain construction facilities and permits for the operation of construction facilities", approved by decree No. 460 of the President of Azerbaijan dated December 28, 2018:

Placement of the construction facility on the land plot under the quality indicators of the land and taking into account the principle of concentration if other buildings are present on the same land plot;

Assessment of the suitability of the construction facility for the declared agricultural activity.

The authority issuing the construction permit must ensure that, during the construction permit procedure, taking into account the functional purpose and characteristics of each construction object, requests are sent to the relevant bodies that are deemed necessary to provide an opinion under this decree and the Urban Planning and Construction Code of Azerbaijan.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan must resolve the issues arising from this decree.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has signed a decree raising the monthly Presidential Scholarship awarded to students at the countrys higher education institutions, Trend reports.

Following the amendment, the stipend will be set at 350 manat ($205.8) beginning September 1, 2025. The decision updates a longstanding presidential order first issued on September 3, 2001, which established the merit-based scholarship.

The Cabinet of Ministers has been instructed to take the necessary steps to implement the decree.
Details added: first version posted on 14:19

BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. The sum of scholarships awarded to doctoral students, students studying in higher education, secondary specialized and vocational education institutions in Azerbaijan has been increased, Trend reports.

President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

According to the decree, the sums of scholarships given from the state budget to doctoral students, and students studying at higher education, secondary specialized, and vocational education institutions have been determined as follows, starting from September 1, 2025:

Doctoral level:

For doctoral students preparing for Doctor of Science  450 manat ($265.5);

For doctoral students preparing for PhD  300 manat ($177);

In higher education institutions:

Master's level:

For students with academic scores 91100 points  240 manat ($141.6);

For students with academic scores 7190 points  180 manat ($106.2);

For students with academic scores 5170 points  120 manat ($70.8);

Bachelor's level (main, or basic, medical education):

For students with academic scores 91100 points  200 manat ($118);

For students with academic scores 7190 points  160 manat ($94.4);

For students with academic scores 5170 points  110 manat ($64.9);

In secondary specialized education institutions:

For students with academic scores 91100 points  110 manat ($64.9);

For students with academic scores 7190 points  90 manat ($53);

For students with academic scores 5170 points  70 manat ($41.3);

In vocational education institutions:

For students with academic scores 5 (high technical vocational education level 91100 points)  110 manat ($64.9);

For students with academic scores 4 and 5 (high technical vocational education level 71100 points)  90 manat ($53);

For students with academic scores 35 (high technical vocational education level 51100 points)  70 manat ($41.3).

Changes have been made to the decree On the provision of scholarships to doctoral students, and students studying at higher education, secondary specialized, and vocational education institutions.

The Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan must resolve the matters arising from this decree.

This decree will come into effect on September 1 this year.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov has held an expanded meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, who is on a visit to Baku, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan said in a post on its X page, Trend reports.

"Ministers discussed opportunities to boost ties in trade, energy, agriculture, education, and humanitarian aid.

Cooperation in the UN, NAM, and OIC was also emphasized.

This and recent high-level visits and signed agreements indicate a growing partnership between our countries," the post read.

12:00

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov has welcomed the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Somalia, Abdisalam Abdi Ali, who is on a visit to Baku, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan said in a post on its X page, Trend reports.

"The Ministers exchanged views on bilateral relations, regional dynamics, and cooperation within international organizations," the post read.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Azerbaijani non-governmental organizations have made an appeal to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Trend presents the appeal:

Dear U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio,

The hypocrisy displayed by a group of U.S. congressmen in their letter regarding Azerbaijans sovereign territories and their actions against the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia has caused deep outrage among the Azerbaijani public. We reject such one-sided approaches.

We believe that pro-Armenian figures of the Biden-Blinken era have, in fact, openly sabotaged U.S. President Donald Trumps peace efforts in the South Caucasus.

Recently, the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia held a meeting in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It has been reported that the text of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia has already been agreed upon. Serious and difficult work is underway to advance the peace process. The calls made by a group of U.S. congressmen are nothing but an attempt to hinder and obstruct this process. They are doing everything possible to artificially create tension and spark a new conflict in the region.

It is regrettable that individuals who have no connection to the region and are uninformed about the issues are signing irresponsible statements in exchange for financial incentives from the Armenian lobby in the United States. The Azerbaijani public knows these individuals well. They remained silent in the face of Armenias occupation of Azerbaijani lands, the shedding of innocent blood, and the Khojaly genocide  always siding with the aggressor. Today, they are going to great lengths to prevent the prosecution of war criminals responsible for spilling the blood of the Azerbaijani people. These congressmen have no credibility or influence in Azerbaijan.

We would like to remind you that former Senator Bob Menendez, who previously promoted similar anti-Azerbaijani and pro-Armenian initiatives and was a fierce critic of President Trump, has been convicted of corruption and bribery. One of the initiators of the recent appeal, Democratic Senator Adam Schiff, has also harshly criticized Mr. Trump and insisted on the need to bring him to criminal liability.

Last year, during the COP29 event, Congressman Frank Pallone, who visited Baku, was met by local civil society activists with chants of Get out! He was forced to cut his visit short and left the country in disgrace.

We believe that congressmen like Frank Pallone  who today speak about the return of Armenians to Azerbaijans sovereign territories  must first acknowledge the right of return for the hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis expelled from Armenia. Those displaced from Western Azerbaijan must be able to return peacefully to their ancestral homes. The Western Azerbaijan Community has also expressed readiness to engage in dialogue with Armenia in this regard.

During the occupation, Azerbaijans tangible and cultural heritage in Karabakh and East Zangezur, as well as within the territory of Armenia, was plundered.

Recently, the Swiss Parliaments proposals, made under the guise of an international peace forum, which undermine peace and stability in the South Caucasus and support the agenda of revanchists in Armenia, amount to a betrayal of peace and confidence-building efforts in the region. The fact that the letter addressed to you on behalf of a group of congressmen references these provocative actions by the Swiss Parliament once again reveals the true nature of the letter and its authors.

We believe that those behind this appeal are concerned about the new upward phase in bilateral relations, as clearly reflected in the correspondence between the leaders of the United States and Azerbaijan. We are confident that the Trump Administration, which has made commendable efforts toward lasting peace in the South Caucasus, will duly assess the actions of these congressmen who represent the Washington swamp.

Signed by:

Ramil Iskandarli  Chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan National NGO Forum

Aziz Alakbarli  Chairman of the Board of the Western Azerbaijan Community

Amir Aliyev  Chairman of the Center for the Promotion of Human Rights Public Union

Fariz Khalilli  "Miras" Public Union for Assistance to the Study of Cultural Heritage

Umud Mirzayev  Chairman of the International Eurasia Press Fund

Zaur Ibrahimli  Chairman of the Priority Social and Economic Research Center Public Union

Irada Rzazada  Chairwoman of the Public Union For the Social Welfare of Citizens

Haji Abdulla  Chairman of the Zangezur Societies Public Union

Konul Behbudova  Chairwoman of the Karabakh Missing Families Public Union

Khatira Valiyeva  Chairwoman of the Khankendi Public Union to Support the IDPs

Vugar Gadirov  Chairman of the Youth Organization for Return and Revival Public Union

Rey Karimoghlu  Chairman of the Association of Mine Victims in Azerbaijan Public Union.
PHNOM PENH, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian soldiers on Thursday clashed with Thai soldiers at a disputed border area, a Cambodian defense spokesperson said.

Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, undersecretary of state and spokesperson for Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense, said the armed clashes took place along the Cambodia-Thailand border in Oddar Meanchey province.

"Thai military had launched first an armed assault on Cambodian forces, and Cambodian forces acted strictly within the bounds of self-defense, responding to an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops that violated our territorial integrity," she said in a statement. 
Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, has expressed condolences to President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, over the crash of the passenger plane An-24 in the Amur region, Trend reports.

''Dear Vladimir Vladimirovich,

I am deeply saddened by the news of numerous casualties resulting from the crash of the An-24 passenger plane in the Amur region.

In light of this tragedy, I extend my deepest condolences to you, the families and loved ones of the victims, on behalf of myself and the people of Azerbaijan,'' the letter reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. The UN Secretariat has circulated President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev's address to participants of the international conference on "Return to Western Azerbaijan as an Essential Condition for the Supremacy of Human Rights," held in the Turkish capital Ankara on May 21, 2025, along with the conferences final document, as official documents of the UN Security Council and General Assembly, Trend reports.

The Western Azerbaijan Community issued the relevant statement.

The circulation of President Ilham Aliyevs address by the UN Secretariathighlighting his principled and consistent efforts to keep the issue of Western Azerbaijan on the international agenda - plays a pivotal role in garnering international support for the right of return to Western Azerbaijan as a human rights matter.

The Western Azerbaijan Community remains committed to securing international backing for the peaceful, safe, and dignified return of displaced persons. The Community calls on the Government of Armenia to fulfill its obligations under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant international conventions by creating the necessary conditions for the return of Western Azerbaijanis to their ancestral lands, the statement said.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Another group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) is returning to Hasanriz village in Azerbaijan's Aghdara district, Trend reports.

At this stage, 53 families (198 people) are currently returning to their native lands.

The reconstructed Hasanriz village is ready to accept new residents.

Families relocated to Hasanriz had previously temporarily resided across the nations diverse locales, predominantly in hostels, sanatoriums, and administrative edifices.

The Great Return to the liberated territories is continuing under the instructions of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev.

The residents returning to their homeland thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice-President Mehriban Aliyeva for being surrounded by comprehensive state care.

They also expressed their gratitude to the brave Azerbaijani Army, heroic soldiers and officers, who liberated the lands, and prayed for the souls of martyrs who lost their lives on this path.

To date, more than 50,000 people live in Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur. Among them are former internally displaced persons who have returned to these areas, as well as employees involved in the implementation of restoration and construction projects, employees of local departments of various government agencies, and specialists employed in healthcare, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy institutions that have resumed their activities.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. The State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) has organized a training session themed "SOFAZs Investment Portfolio and Profitability Approach" for media representatives, Trend reports.

The purpose of the event was to provide media representatives with more comprehensive and analytical information about the Funds investment strategy, asset allocation, and return indicators, as well as to contribute to raising public awareness on these topics.

The training session began with an opening speech by Head of the Strategic Communications Department at SOFAZ, Ulviyya Mehraliyeva.

She emphasized the importance of cooperation based on mutual trust with the media and noted the significance of such knowledge exchange in ensuring transparency in the Funds operations.

The first presentation was delivered by Director of the Risk Management Department Vadim Pshenichny.

He spoke about the principles behind the formation of investment portfolios of sovereign wealth funds and shared international best practices in this field.

Pshenichny provided a detailed overview of the key elements of SOFAZs investment strategy and the portfolio model applied with risk considerations in mind.

Next, Toghrul Rahimbayli, Head of the Asset Allocation, Risk and Return Division of the same department, shared technical and methodological approaches for calculating return indicators across sub-portfolios of the investment portfolio.

Rahimbayli particularly emphasized the importance of risk measurement and maintaining a balanced portfolio structure to ensure long-term financial sustainability.

The event continued with a presentation on SOFAZs activities for the first half of 2025.

Mehraliyeva provided detailed information on the financial results achieved during the reporting period, key investment operations carried out, and major portfolio trends.

The training concluded with a Q&A session, during which interactive discussions were held and participants questions were addressed.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. At the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF-2025), held in Istanbul, the Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Minister of Defense, Zukan Helez, met with representatives of the worlds leading defense industry companies: LEONARDO USA, BMC, ASELSAN, BAYKAR, HAVELSAN, and ROKETSAN, Trend reports citing the Bosnian Defense Ministry.

At the meeting with ROKETSAN, it was agreed that the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina will receive state-of-the-art Sungur and Hisar air defense systems, as well as Umtas and Omtas anti-tank systems, which are medium-range guided systems. For the first time, Bosnia and Herzegovina is strengthening its air defense and significantly enhancing its anti-tank combat capacities, all with the goal of preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as achieving interoperability with NATO forces.

During the meeting with Mark Thompson, a representative of the renowned company Leonardo, Minister Helez discussed finalizing the agreement on the procurement of AW-119 Kx helicopters for the needs of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as the organization of pilot and technical personnel training.

The total value of the procurement is estimated at around 173 million BAM, which represents the most significant investment in the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina since their establishment. With this procurement, the capacities of the Armed Forces will be significantly improved in responding to current and future threats, enabling greater efficiency in participating in regional and NATO military exercises, protecting Bosnia and Herzegovinas national interests in difficult-to-access terrain, providing better support in emergencies, search and rescue operations, and other humanitarian missions in the country.

At the meeting with representatives of the Turkish company BMC, Minister of Defense Zukan Helez expressed gratitude for the successful implementation of the first contract between the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina and BMC, which included the delivery of four KIRPI II MRAP armored vehicles. Minister Helez expressed hope for the continuation of this successful cooperation, emphasizing that the procurement of an additional 48 vehicles is planned, with allocated funds amounting to 44,140,000 BAM.

In his discussions with ASELSAN representatives, Minister Helez thanked them for donating the KANGAL anti-drone system. This is not the end of strengthening the capabilities of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina to respond to unauthorized drone flights, as we have now agreed on the delivery of a new anti-drone system from this company, one of the most powerful of its kind in the world, Ihtar and Turna, Minister Helez emphasized. Through the DCBI project, around 400 handheld radio stations from ASELSAN have also been provided, further enhancing communication capacities and modernizing the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During the meeting with representatives of BAYKAR, Minister Helez expressed satisfaction with the donation of two Bayraktar TB2 drones, which the Armed Forces of the Republic of Turkiye provided to the Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina based on bilateral cooperation.

Cooperation with HAVELSAN continued through discussions on the continuation of flight training for members of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Turkiye, with Minister Helez expressing gratitude for the previous partnership support and collaboration.

During his tour of the fair, Minister Helez visited the stands of exhibitors from Bosnia and Herzegovinas defense industry. On that occasion, he emphasized the importance of this industry for the countrys economic development and strengthening international cooperation, highlighting its great potential and contribution to the overall economic progress of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Minister Zukan Helezs meetings with representatives of leading global defense companies during the IDEF-2025 fair in Turkiye confirm the clear commitment of the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina to strengthening the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its clear determination for full NATO membership.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Defense Minister of Bulgaria Atanas Zapryanov and the Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia, H.E. Milan Ravic, held their first meeting, following his appointment to the mission in Bulgaria, Trend reports citing the Bulgarian Defense Ministry.

During the talks, both sides emphasized their good neighborly relations, based on mutual respect and the pursuit of prosperity for the countries of the Balkan region.

Minister Zapryanov reaffirmed Bulgarias support for the European integration of the Republic of Serbia and the Western Balkan states. He and H.E. Ravic gave high praise to the cooperation in the field of defense and expressed readiness to deepen bilateral relations in all areas of mutual interest.

The meeting also addressed the ongoing modernization processes in the Bulgarian Armed Forces, which contribute to collective defense capabilities in the context of NATO and the EU, as well as the commitment to increasing defense spending by allies.

Emphasis was placed on the need for constructive dialogue regarding the maintenance of Bulgarian military monuments and war cemeteries located in Serbia.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. From July 21 to 24, 2025, members of the Croatian Navy are conducting final preparations for the naval parade, which will be held on July 31, 2025, in the Adriatic Sea, south of the island of Solta, as part of the ceremonial military parade, Trend reports citing the country's Defense Ministry.

The Croatian Navys fleet formation consists of a total of 13 vessels: four missile gunboats  Kralj Petar Kresimir IV, Kralj Dmitar Zvonimir, Vukovar, and Dubrovnik; one landing minelayer ship  Cetina; four patrol boats  Andrija Mohorovicic, Faust Vrancic, Omis, and Umag; and four fast rubber boats  Modrulj.

Brigadier Branimir Gacina-Bilin, Chief of the Office of the Croatian Navy Commander, emphasized that activities are proceeding according to plan: The Croatian Navy is already fully prepared to participate in the parade, confirming its high level of readiness and training. By taking part in the parade, members of the Croatian Navy will proudly contribute to the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of Operation Storm, Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day, and Croatian Veterans Day.

In total, around 200 members of the Croatian Navy are involved in the parade rehearsals.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 23. Minister of Climate and Environment of Estonia Andres Sutt has proposed that Madis Toomsalu be appointed as a member of the Supervisory Board of the State Forest Management Centre (RMK) starting from August 1, Trend reports citing the country's Ministry of Climate.

Madis brings international executive and financial expertise, along with experience in technology-based innovation, to the board. His previous experience aligns perfectly with RMKs goal of increasing the long-term value of state forests, investing in nature conservation, and offering visitors opportunities to experience Estonias rich biodiversity, said Sutt.

Madis Toomsalu has worked at LHV since 2007 and has served as Chairman of the Management Board of LHV Group since 2016. He was named Best Leader of 2022, and LHV has repeatedly received the title of Best Employer. Since 2017, he has also been a board member of Finance Estonia. He holds a masters degree in finance from Tallinn University of Technology.

RMK has been a dynamically developing organization over the years, and the current team has done excellent work, said Toomsalu. Moving forward, it is crucial that RMKs owner  the Estonian state  sets clear, cross-ministerial expectations and reaches a firm and specific agreement on balancing different interests.

According to the Forest Act, the RMKs nine-member Supervisory Board includes two members appointed by the Riigikogu, two representatives from the Ministry of Climate, one from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, one from the Ministry of Finance, and three experts proposed by the Minister of Climate.

Madis Toomsalu will replace Karel Ruutli on the board. Current board members continuing in their roles include Chair Kadri Land and members Annika Uudelepp, Anti Allas, Maria Jufereva-Skuratovski, Ahti Kuningas, Pille Ligi, Marek Metslaid, and Merike Saks.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. On 23 July, a commemoration of the 85th anniversary of the Sumner Welles Declaration took place in Vilnius Washington Square, Trend reports citing the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry.

The gathered residents of Vilnius and city guests were greeted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Kestutis Budrys, the U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania Kara McDonald, and the Deputy Chairman of the Seimas Interparliamentary Relations Group with the United States of America Emanuelis Zingeris.

"This declaration symbolises what is much needed today - respect for the fundamental principles of being part of the international community. The U.S. determination not to recognize Lithuania's occupation has greatly helped us. Now we must act in the same spirit to ensure our security. This is why it is crucial to support Ukraine and all those who care about freedom," said Budrys.

During the event, a ceremonial tribute to the national flags took place, featuring the Honor Guard Company, and a musical performance by the Lithuanian National Defence Volunteer Force Big Band.

On 23 July 1940, acting U.S. Secretary of State Sumner Welles issued a declaration officially condemning the Soviet Union's occupation of the Baltic states and refused to recognize their annexation. This position was consistently maintained throughout the Cold War and remained in effect until the restoration of independence of the Baltic states in 1990-1991.

The Sumner Welles Declaration has become an important moral and political foundation, supporting Baltic states aspirations for independence. The United States remains one of Lithuania's key partners in supporting our country's sovereignty, security, and democratic values.

The event was organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania together with the U.S. Embassy in Lithuania.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia, Baiba Braze, met with representatives of the Talsi municipal government and local businesses, Trend reports citing the country's Foreign Ministry.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Foreign Services support for exports, simplifying regulations in Latvia and the EU, reducing red tape, Latvias position in the upcoming negotiations for the EU long-term budget, as well as current developments in relations with the United States.

Foreign Minister Baiba Braze noted: One of the privileges of my job is the opportunity to regularly meet with people in the regions and our businesses, to learn more about their work and achievements, and to try out their innovations in practice. I visited the Mazsili Tree Nursery today and learned about innovations introduced by the Latvian State Forests. The company makes extensive use of drone technologies for forest and land surveying, inventory, planning, and wildfire monitoring. We are on the same page  it is vital to commercialise innovations, support exports, and help our businesses enter international markets.

The management of Latvian State Forests JSC expressed their gratitude to the Minister for successful cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Latvian embassies abroad, particularly in South Korea and Japan, where significant practical support has been received.

The Minister met with Ansis Berzins, Chair of the Talsi Municipal Council, and representatives from the municipal government, the Talsi Entrepreneurs Club, the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Latvian Forest Industry Federation.

Baiba Braze also gave interviews to regional media outlets.
PHNOM PENH, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen said on Thursday that the Thai army shelled the border areas of Oddar Meanchey province and Preah Vihear province in Cambodia.

In a post on his official social media platforms, Hun Sen said Thai soldiers began to attack the Cambodian troops, and the Cambodian soldiers had no choice but to fight back and counterattack.

He urged people not to panic, nor to stockpile rice or other goods, and called on vendors not to increase the prices of goods.

"Thai military had launched first an armed assault on Cambodian forces, and Cambodian forces acted strictly within the bounds of self-defense, responding to an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops that violated our territorial integrity," Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, undersecretary of state and spokesperson for Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense, said in a statement.

A clash happened at the border areas between Thailand and Cambodia after the Cambodian side first opened fire, injuring a Thai soldier, the Thai Army said on Thursday. 
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Azerbaijan discloses liability-based bank rankings for June 2025

By the end of June, the International Bank of Azerbaijan (ABB) held the highest volume of liabilities in the country, reaching nearly 12 billion manat. In contrast, the Baku branch of Bank Melli Iran reported the lowest figure, with liabilities totaling just over 70 million manat.

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, July 24. Kyrgyzstan has exported gold to Malaysia for the first time, signaling a diversification of its traditional precious metal markets.

The data obtained by Trend from the country's Statistics Committee indicates that 50 kilograms of gold were delivered to Malaysia in the first five months of 2025. During the same period, Kyrgyz gold exports were also directed to the United Kingdom, Switzerland, and Turkiye  countries that have historically been among its main buyers.

Kyrgyzstan remains one of the top global exporters of gold. However, the country reduced its national gold reserves by 3.85 tons in the first quarter of 2025, bringing the total to 34.27 tons as of April 1. The sale to Malaysia may reflect efforts to broaden trade channels amid shifting global demand patterns.
Photo: The Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 24. Ilkhom Makhkamov, Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan, held discussions with Mariam Kvrivishvili, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, Trend reports.

The two sides focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in road and rail transport, as well as on developing international multimodal transport corridors that leverage Georgia's seaports.

Minister Makhkamov emphasized the significance of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway project and its potential integration into global transport networks, especially the Middle Corridor. He proposed that Georgia consider joining this important initiative.

To further boost the tourism potential of both nations, the ministers also explored the possibility of increasing air travel routes connecting the key tourist cities of Uzbekistan and Georgia.

Meanwhile, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Georgia reached $325.7 million in 2024, reflecting a remarkable 3.7-fold increase compared to 2017 ($89.1 million). This growth underscores the expanding economic cooperation between the countries.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Rovshan Rustamov, Chairman of Azerbaijan Railways, held a meeting with Jabbar Ali Zakeri, President of the Iranian Railways, during his official visit to the countrys Astara Terminal, Trend reports via Azerbaijan Railways.

The discussions focused on the key phases and implementation timelines of the terminals development, as well as the goal of completing construction works by the end of this year.

The sides noted that significant progress has been made on the Astara Terminal project, located within the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran and considered a key component of the North-South International Transport Corridor. Specifically, 90 percent of the design work and approximately 75 percent of the construction and installation work have been completed.

The Strategic Cooperation Plan signed between Azerbaijan Railways and Iranian Railways at the beginning of 2025 - regarding the execution of the "Construction and Operation Agreement of the Astara Terminal" - is expected to facilitate the timely completion of the project.

Once operational, the terminal will enhance freight volumes and streamline logistics under the North-South corridor.

Construction of the terminal began in 2017 based on an agreement between the governments of Azerbaijan and Iran. The facility, built by ADY, is located on a land plot leased to Azerbaijan by Iran for a 25-year term.

The terminal handled over 692,000 tons of cargo in 2023 and more than 777,000 tons in 2024. Upon full completion, its annual cargo handling capacity is expected to reach 3.5 million tons.

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UNDP backs Uzbekistans green agenda through new cooperation agreement

Photo: The Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has signed a new cooperation agreement with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to support the countrys transition to a green economy. The deal, formalized during a high-level UN forum in New York, will channel substantial grant funding into sustainable development initiatives.

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 24. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a telephone conversation with President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, Trend reports.

At the outset of the call, President Rahmon warmly congratulated President Mirziyoyev on his birthday, extending sincere wishes for good health, prosperity, continued success, and peace and well-being to the brotherly people of Uzbekistan.

The two leaders discussed the continued strengthening of Uzbek-Tajik relations, emphasizing friendship, good neighborliness, strategic partnership, and alliance. Particular attention was given to the practical implementation of agreements reached at the highest level.

Both sides noted the steady growth in mutual trade and the advancement of joint cooperation projects across various economic sectors, including those facilitated by the joint investment company. Efforts are currently underway to establish cross-border trade centers.

The resumption of direct flights between Samarkand and Dushanbe was highlighted as a key development, alongside the implementation of significant cultural initiatives.

In addition, the presidents exchanged views on regional matters, including preparations for the upcoming Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia.

Tajikistan has ascended as a pivotal trading ally for Uzbekistan, positioning itself within the upper echelons of the top 20 regarding bilateral commerce. In the fiscal year 2024, the bilateral trade volume between the two nations achieved a remarkable $702.7 million, reflecting a significant uptick in economic exchange and cross-border commerce dynamics.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 24. President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a telephone conversation with the National Leader of the Turkmen People and Chairman of the Khalk Maslakhaty of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, Trend reports.

During the call, the National Leader of Turkmenistan warmly congratulated President Mirziyoyev on his birthday, sincerely wishing him good health, prosperity, and great success, as well as peace and prosperity for the brotherly people of Uzbekistan.

The leaders discussed key issues related to the further development and strengthening of Uzbek-Turkmen relations based on friendship, good neighborliness, and strategic partnership. Particular attention was given to the practical implementation of agreements reached at the summit meeting in Samarkand in April of this year.

They noted with satisfaction the dynamic growth of mutual trade, the deepening of cooperation at the enterprise and business levels, and the continuation of active cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

The conversation also included an exchange of views on international and regional issues, including preparations for the upcoming Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries and the next Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia.

According to official data, trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan reached $1.14 billion in 2024, reflecting steady growth in economic cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 24. President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev held a telephone conversation with President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, Trend reports.

At the start of the conversation, the President of Mongolia warmly congratulated the Uzbek leader on his birthday, sincerely wishing him good health, happiness, prosperity, and great success, as well as prosperity for the people of Uzbekistan.

During the discussion, special attention was given to the practical implementation of the agreements reached during high-level bilateral meetings held during President Mirziyoyevs visit to Mongolia in June of this year.

The leaders highlighted the importance of advancing the adopted roadmap, promoting joint projects in livestock farming, trade, transport, industrial cooperation, and the mining sector, as well as conducting planned activities within the framework of the cultural and humanitarian exchange program.

Meanwhile, in June 2024, Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh made his first state visit to Uzbekistan. This was followed by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyevs official visit to Ulaanbaatar in the summer of 2025. During these high-level exchanges, a total of 20 bilateral agreements were signed, covering a broad range of areas including transport, healthcare, agriculture, education, environment, trade, and investment. These agreements laid a solid foundation for expanding cooperation.

In June 2025, the two countries signed a Joint Declaration on Comprehensive Partnership, setting the stage for a new chapter of regular and fruitful collaboration between Uzbekistan and Mongolia.
BANGKOK, July 24 (Xinhua) -- A clash happened at the border areas between Thailand and Cambodia after the Cambodian side first opened fire, injuring a Thai soldier, the Thai Army said on Thursday.

In a statement, the Thai Army said that its task force had detected a Cambodian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flying over Ta Muen temple complex at around 7:35 a.m. local time.

After the UAV activity, a group of six armed Cambodian soldiers advanced towards the barbed wire in front of a Thai operational base, the Thai Army said.

Thai soldiers attempted to de-escalate the situation through verbal communication, shouting at the approaching troops to avoid conflict while remaining on high alert, the Thai Army said.

The Thai Army said Cambodian forces opened fire on a Thai position located about 200 meters east of the main temple at approximately 8:20 a.m. local time.

Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters on Thursday that he has been informed of the incident that happened at the border areas with Cambodia and the current situation needed to be handled with caution while complying with relevant international laws. 
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 24. President Xi Jinping of the Peoples Republic of China sent a congratulatory letter to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan on the occasion of his birthday, Trend reports.

In honor of your birthday, I extend my sincere congratulations and best wishes, President Xi wrote.

He recalled their recent meeting at the second China-Central Asia Summit in Astana, where they held productive talks and outlined strategic directions to further advance the China-Uzbekistan all-weather comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era.

President Xi emphasized the great importance he attaches to the development of China-Uzbekistan relations and expressed his deep appreciation for the fruitful working contacts and personal friendship that have been established between the two leaders.

Xi Jinping also expressed his pleasure in welcoming President Mirziyoyev to China for his participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit held in Tianjin, as well as in the commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Chinese Peoples War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the wider World Anti-Fascist War.

Over the past fiscal year, the volume of bilateral trade between Uzbekistan and China exceeded the threshold of $13 billion. Both countries are optimistic about reaching the $20 billion target set by their leaders.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Ahead of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, scheduled to be held in Tianjin, China, from August 31 through September 1, 2025, Uzbekistan is steadily strengthening its position as one of the organizations leading members. Under the leadership of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the country is pursuing a proactive foreign policy focused on enhancing cooperation and building trust among SCO member states.

Established in 2001, the SCO today unites nine member states, along with three observer countries and 14 dialogue partners. The organization accounts for roughly one-third of the global GDP based on purchasing power parity, 27 percent of worldwide foreign direct investment, and approximately 20 percent of international trade.

As one of the SCOs founding members, Uzbekistan has contributed to the evolution of multilateral dialogue from the outset. However, in recent years, driven by the personal initiative and consistent diplomatic efforts of President Mirziyoyev, Tashkent has emerged as a principal architect of the organizations strategic direction.

A flagship initiative spearheaded by Uzbekistan is the New Economic Dialogue Program within the SCO framework. This program focuses on advanced sectors such as digitalization, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and other emerging industries shaping the future. This forward-looking agenda significantly broadens the organizations scope beyond its traditional security focus.

President Mirziyoyev has consistently underscored the vast economic potential of the SCO region, emphasizing its role as a crucial platform for sustainable development. In this regard, initiatives aimed at establishing an integrated transport corridor and improving logistical connectivity among member states have taken on heightened importance. A landmark project exemplifying this vision is the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway, whose completion is poised to reshape transit routes across the wider region. Once operational, Uzbekistan is expected to earn up to $200 million annually in transit fees.

This railway will offer the shortest overland route from China to Central Asia, and eventually to South Asia via the Trans-Afghan corridor. Experts note that the project not only opens new avenues for regional development but also reduces business costs by shortening delivery times from the current 45-70 days to significantly faster transit.

Moreover, President Mirziyoyevs initiative to integrate Afghanistan into the SCO as an observer country has drawn widespread attention. This diplomatic move reflects Uzbekistans commitment to fostering long-term regional stability and has received broad endorsement from the organizations membership.

As a visionary and pragmatic leader, Shavkat Mirziyoyev remains dedicated to Uzbekistans modernization, regional integration, and sustainable development. In an era of global uncertainty, the country is not only strengthening its international standing but also actively shaping the SCOs agenda, with a strong focus on economic cooperation, technological advancement, and enhanced regional connectivity. President Mirziyoyevs personal leadership has positioned Uzbekistan as one of the key engines driving integration and sustainable growth within the organization.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 24. President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov held a telephone conversation with President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and congratulated him on his birthday and discussed key issues aimed at further strengthening Uzbek-Kyrgyz relations, Trend reports.

The leaders underscored the strong growth in mutual trade and the ongoing progress of industrial cooperation projects, including those supported by the existing Joint Fund. They also highlighted continued advancements in major regional infrastructure initiatives, such as the ChinaKyrgyzstanUzbekistan railway and the Kambarata Hydroelectric Power Plant.

Furthermore, the presidents exchanged views on the schedule and agenda of upcoming bilateral and multilateral high-level meetings.

Meanwhile, the data of Uzbekistans Statistics Committee shows that trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan reached $163 million from January through February 2025. The figure has increased by 69.4 percent compared to the same period of 2024 ($96.2 million).
Photo: The Ministry of Investments, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 24. Laziz Kudratov, Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade of Uzbekistan, met with Omar Bahram, CEO of the Uzbek-Oman investment company discussed future projects in energy and digital technologies, Trend reports.

The parties discussed ways to further strengthen their mutually beneficial cooperation. Special attention was given to the current status of ongoing projects involving the company, as well as plans.

In particular, they explored opportunities for new investment initiatives across key sectors, including industry, agriculture, food and chemical industries, energy, digital technologies, and other priority areas.

The Uzbek-Oman Investment Company plays a leading role in enhancing Uzbekistans investment climate by fostering sustainable growth, attracting strategic investments, and supporting key industries that drive economic development and innovation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. AD Ports Group has officially launched its first international office in China, a strategic move aimed at deepening its engagement with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and enhancing trade links across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, Trend reports.

The new office, located in Beijing, will lead the Groups commercial and investment activities across China and the wider region. According to AD Ports, the location will help align its strategy with Chinas development priorities and boost cooperation on multimodal infrastructure and trade initiatives.

A key focus for the Beijing office will be advancing the Groups operations along Chinas BRI corridors - both maritime and overland. These routes connect China to markets in Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, and are seen as critical to future global trade flows.

Captain Mohamed Juma Al Shamisi, Managing Director and Group CEO of AD Ports Group, said: AD Ports Group shares Chinas vision for greater cross-border integration, and through our newly established Beijing office, we will work closely with our Chinese partners to support the expansion of key trade corridors and deliver cutting-edge logistics solutions.

The office will also serve as a gateway for Chinese investors seeking access to AD Ports global logistics network and economic zones, including Khalifa Port and KEZAD in Abu Dhabi, which already host a growing number of Chinese businesses.

The move builds on AD Ports existing partnerships with Chinese firms such as COSCO Shipping Ports and Jiangsu Overseas Cooperation Investment Co. Ltd., and marks a new chapter in the UAEs growing role in the Belt and Road framework.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 24. President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation with President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, congratulating him on his birthday and discussing the further development of Uzbek-Turkish relations, Trend reports.

Both leaders expressed great satisfaction with the current high level of bilateral cooperation. Productive engagement continues across multiple sectors, reflected in growing trade turnover, increased cargo traffic, and expanding investments. The number of joint ventures and the frequency of flights between the countries are also steadily increasing. Moreover, cultural and humanitarian exchanges are being actively fostered through various events.

During the conversation, Presidents Mirziyoyev and Erdogan paid special attention to the meticulous preparation for the upcoming session of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, reaffirming their commitment to deepening and broadening the strategic partnership.

Earlier, during the 8th Meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the two countries, Uzbekistan and Turkiye outlined detailed plans and strategies to boost bilateral trade to $5 billion in the coming years.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, July 24. President of South Korea Lee Jae Myung held a telephone conversation with President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, extending warm birthday congratulations and discussing opportunities to deepen multifaceted cooperation between the two nations, Trend reports.

The leaders emphasized the importance of formulating a new, forward-looking agenda for bilateral partnership and maintaining active, high-level diplomatic engagement. Particular attention was given to the effective preparation of upcoming meetings, including the Strategic Dialogue between foreign ministers and sessions of the Intergovernmental Commission.

In recent years, mutual trade turnover and the number of joint ventures between South Korea and Uzbekistan have demonstrated steady growth. Direct investment by Korean companies and organizations in Uzbekistans economy has now surpassed $8 billion, reflecting strong confidence in the countrys development potential.

Productive financial and technical cooperation continues through partnerships with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Export-Import Bank of Korea, further strengthening bilateral ties.

South Korea remains a pivotal strategic trade partner for Uzbekistan. From January to May 2025, trade turnover between the two countries reached $709.8 million, accounting for 2.3 percent of Uzbekistans total foreign trade. During this period, South Korea ranked as Uzbekistans fifth-largest trading partner, underscoring the sustained significance and growing momentum of their economic relations.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 24. The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, held a telephone conversation with the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, and discussed the critical role of cooperation for regional sustainability, Trend reports via the press service of Kazakhstan.

According to Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the level of interaction between the countries largely determines the sustainable development of the entire Central Asia region. In this regard, the parties are taking actions aimed at advancing a number of joint projects in the fields of industry, energy, transport, logistics, and agriculture.

During the conversation, it was noted that Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are linked by strategic, allied relations based on trust, good-neighborliness, and mutual support. Trade and economic ties, cultural and humanitarian cooperation, and scientific and educational exchanges are actively developing, the information notes.

Moreover, within the framework of the telephone conversation, the interlocutors also exchanged views on current issues of regional cooperation, as well as discussed the schedule of upcoming high-level meetings both in bilateral format and within international events.

The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, in turn, warmly congratulated the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, on his birthday and wished him further success in his responsible state activities for the benefit of the brotherly Uzbek people.

He stressed that under the authoritative leadership of Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan demonstrates dynamic development, including in the socio-economic sphere.

Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are important strategic partners in Central Asia, closely cooperating in economic, trade, and investment areas. As of 2025, the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan shows steady growth. From January through April 2025, the volume of mutual trade amounted to almost $1.4 billion, which is $168 million more compared to the same period last year. In 2024, the trade turnover between the countries reached nearly $4.3 billion.
Photo: Official information source of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 24. The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Olzhas Bektenov, met with the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Mishustin, and discussed issues of practical implementation of agreements at the highest level, Trend reports.

In the course of the meeting, the parties noted the high level of trust and constructive dialogue between Kazakhstan and Russia, based on strategic partnership and alliance.

"We are working purposefully to increase mutual trade volume to $30 billion. There are significant opportunities for investment cooperation. Overall, I would like to highlight the effective work of the Intergovernmental Commission on Cooperation in addressing a wide range of bilateral interaction issues," said Olzhas Bektenov.

As part of deepening the partnership between the two states, special attention at the meeting was paid to preparations for the 21st Forum of Interregional Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Russia, which will be held in Uralsk this fall.

Following the meeting, the sides confirmed their readiness to further deepen mutually beneficial economic cooperation between the two countries in all priority areas.

In 2024, the volume of mutual trade between Russia and Kazakhstan reached $27.8 billion, and totaled $9.6 billion from January through May 2025.
Kazakhstan's wheat hits new high on Italian market, beating decade peak

Photo: Kazakhstan Railways

Kazakhstans wheat exports to Italy surged 58% in early 2025, reaching their highest level since 2015 despite logistical challenges with traditional transit routes through Russia. This growth reflects Kazakhstans strategic shift toward alternative export corridors and sustained demand for premium durum wheat in the Italian market.

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NEW DELHI, July 24 (Xinhua) -- India has seen an increase in the number of sick leaves claimed by pilots since the June 12 air crash took place.

A total of 112 pilots have since asked for leave calling themselves sick, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol told the parliament on Thursday.

In a written reply to a question raised by a federal lawmaker, the minister said that out of the pilots who asked for sick leave, 61 were senior pilots and the rest 51 were flight officers.

In one of the worst air crashes in Indian history, the London-bound flight AI-171 crashed immediately after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport in India's western state of Gujarat. 
Photo: Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. The first meeting of the Sub-Working Group on the Green Energy Space, established as part of preparations for Azerbaijans 20272030 Social and Economic Development Strategy, was held, Trend reports via the Ministry of Energy.

The head of the Sub-Working Group, Minister of Energy Parviz Shahbazov, spoke about the energy sector reforms implemented under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, as well as the priority directions of the green energy agenda.

The importance of incorporating both the experience gained during the implementation of the 20222026 Economic Development Strategy and current global trends into the segment of the new strategy assigned to the Sub-Working Group was emphasized.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR and Uzbekistans Uzbekneftegaz have signed a production sharing agreement (PSA) with the government of Uzbekistan to explore, develop and produce at six investment blocks in the Ustyurt region, Trend reports via SOCAR.

The agreement, announced following a meeting in Tashkent on July 24, covers the Boyterak, Terengguduk, Birgori, Kharoy, Karakalpok and Kulboy blocks. SOCAR President Rovshan Najaf, Uzbekistans Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamahmudov and Uzbekneftegaz Chairman Bakhodirjon Sidikov attended the signing.

Under the deal, SOCAR will act as the project operator during the initial phase, which will include geological exploration to identify promising areas. The plan calls for completing exploration work and drilling at least one exploration well within the first five years.

This agreement opens up new opportunities for strategic cooperation in the energy sector and will benefit both sides, SOCAR said.

Both parties expressed satisfaction with the expanding partnership, emphasizing that the deal marks a key milestone in strengthening energy ties between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 24. The results of assessment of the quality of the crude oil across all the facilities along the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline have confirmed that the crude oil is on specification at all the facilities along the pipeline up to the Ceyhan terminal, bp Azerbaijan told Trend.

BTC Co was made aware of a potential quality issue related to organic chlorides in some BTC blend loadings. Following this, BTC Co undertook an extensive assessment of the quality of the crude oil across all the facilities along the pipeline. BTC Co. has completed the assessment of the quality of the crude oil across all the facilities along the pipeline. The results have confirmed that the crude oil is on specification at all the facilities along the pipeline up to the Ceyhan terminal, said the company.

Reportedly, at the Ceyhan terminal, the assessment of the tanks has also been completed.

The results have identified the presence of organic chlorides in some of the tanks. Respective actions have been taken to contain those tanks with plans being put in place to fully resolve the issue and investigate the situation. Currently, loadings at the Ceyhan terminal continue from the tanks that have been assessed to be within normal specifications. Export activities via the BTC pipeline also continue.

In the meantime, bp Azerbaijan noted that BTC Co will continue to take samples prior to each loading at the Ceyhan terminal to assure that the crude of each cargo meets normal specifications.

Earlier, some media outlets reported that oil supplied through the BakuTbilisiCeyhan (BTC) pipeline was contaminated with fuel containing organic chlorides, which are used to enhance crude production. According to reports, BP Plc and the Italian company Eni raised these concerns.

According to Azerbaijans state oil company SOCAR, since the commissioning of the BTC pipeline until July 1 this year, total exports of Azerbaijani oil via the pipeline have amounted to 612.2 million tonnes.

Currently, the pipeline mainly transports oil from the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli (ACG) field block and condensate from Shah Deniz. In addition, it continues to carry oil and condensate volumes from other Caspian regions, including Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, as well as additional volumes produced by SOCAR in Azerbaijan.

The shareholders of BTC Co. are: bp (30.10%), SOCAR (32.97%), MOL (8.90%), TPAO (6.53%), Eni (5.00%), TotalEnergies (5.00%), ITOCHU (3.40%), ONGC Videsh (3.10%), ExxonMobil (2.50%), and INPEX (2.50%).
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, July 24. A memorandum has been signed between the regulators of Kazakhstan and China in the fields of banking and insurance supervision, Trend reports via Kazakhstans National Bank.

The National Bank of Kazakhstan, the Agency for Regulation and Development of the Financial Market of Kazakhstan, and the National Financial Regulatory Administration (NFRA) of China signed a memorandum of understanding.

"The agreement aims to exchange experiences and develop cooperation in banking and insurance supervision. The main goal is to improve coordination and ensure the security of the financial systems of both countries," the statement says.

In the course of the meeting, agreements were reached on cooperation in the area of effective banking regulation to prevent illegal activities, strengthen the stability of banks, and protect the rights of financial services consumers.

Moreover, the document has been developed in accordance with the recommendations of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision and the key international standards in the field of banking regulation.

Currently, three Chinese-owned banks operate in Kazakhstan: the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China in Almaty, Bank of China in Kazakhstan, and Altyn Bank. The total assets of Chinese subsidiary banks amount to 2.1 trillion tenge (approximately $3.99 billion), or 3.3 percent of the total assets of Kazakhstan's banking system. The equity capital of the Chinese subsidiary banks is 368 billion tenge (approximately $699 million).
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, July 25. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide a sovereign loan to Kyrgyzstan to support the construction of a major electricity transmission line, Trend reports via the EBRD

The loan will be on-lent to the Joint-Stock Company National Electric Grid of Kyrgyzstan (NEGK) to finance the construction of a 53-kilometer 500 kV overhead transmission line (OHTL). The new line will run between the existing Kemin substation in the Chuy region and a new substation, Balykchy SS, located 6.4 kilometers outside Balykchy city in the Issyk-Kul region.

NEGK, the countrys transmission and distribution system operator, owns and operates more than 10,000 kilometers of power transmission lines with voltages of 110 kV and above, along with 190 substations at primary voltages of 500, 220, or 110 kV.

The company is 98.63 percent state-owned, with 65.3 percent held by the Ministry of Energy and 33.33 percent by the Ministry of Finance. The remaining 1.37 percent is owned by minority shareholders.

The primary objective of the project is to facilitate the integration of approximately 1 GW of renewable energy currently under development into the national power grid.

The EBRD has been operating in Kyrgyzstan since 1992 and has invested nearly 1.1 billion euros across 269 projects, mainly in sustainable infrastructure and private sector development.
BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, July 24. Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, Bakyt Torobaev, and Zhao Leji, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China, discussed the ChinaKyrgyzstanUzbekistan railway project, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz government.

In the course of the meeting, Torobaev emphasized that the railway initiative is more than a major infrastructure undertaking and represents a new era of regional integration.

"This is a powerful step forward in strengthening transport connectivity, diversifying logistics routes, and laying a sustainable foundation for economic growth," he stated.

Torobaev noted that due to the personal attention and consistent support of the leaders of both countries, the project has entered its implementation phase.

"Construction of the railway on Kyrgyz territory is actively progressing. The Kyrgyz side is promptly resolving all organizational and administrative matters as they arise," he added.

The official also highlighted Chinas role as one of Kyrgyzstans key trade and economic partners. In 2024, bilateral trade turnover reached $23 billion.

In turn, Zhao Leji described the China - Kyrgyzstan - Uzbekistan railway as a bridge of friendship between peoples and a symbol of strategic partnership and mutual development. He expressed confidence that the joint efforts and strong sense of responsibility from all parties would ensure the successful completion of the project.

"Over 3,000 companies with Chinese capital are currently registered in the Kyrgyz Republic. These businesses operate across key sectors of our economy - trade, construction, mining, manufacturing, agriculture, tourism, logistics, and services. Such broad participation of Chinese businesses reflects the high level of our economic cooperation and provides a solid foundation for major initiatives," he said.

The data of the Ministry of Transport of Uzbekistan shows that the total length of the ChinaKyrgyzstanUzbekistan railway project is 532.53 kilometers. The plan includes the construction of 20 railway stations (including two prospective ones), featuring two border stations, one transshipment station, four intermediate stations, and 13 passing loops. The official groundbreaking ceremony for the railroad took place on December 27, 2024, in Kyrgyzstan's Jalal-Abad.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, July 24. President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh began a state visit to the Republic of Tajikistan on July 23, with an official welcoming ceremony held the following morning in front of the Palace of the Nation, Trend reports via Tajik president's press service.

The visit, which will continue through July 26, will feature high-level negotiations between the two countries and the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements.

A business forum and the Days of Mongolian Culture are also planned as part of the program, highlighting the broadening partnership between Dushanbe and Ulaanbaatar.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, July 24. Tajikistan has proposed developing a cooperation program and a joint action roadmap to strengthen trade and economic ties with Mongolia in the coming years, Trend reports via the press service of the president of Tajikistan.

The proposal was voiced during talks in Dushanbe between President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh.

The sides also supported the idea of establishing a Tajik-Mongolian Business Council to boost private sector engagement. They also agreed on the importance of regularly organizing business forums, trade fairs, and exhibitions in both countries.

The first business forum between Tajik and Mongolian commercial circles, taking place today in Dushanbe, was described as a key step toward strengthening economic cooperation.

Talks focused on expanding collaboration in agriculture, particularly livestock development. Other promising areas identified included processing industriesespecially light and food industriesas well as the mining and minerals sector.

The two leaders discussed joint efforts to promote a green"agenda and advance the Sustainable Development Goals. Tourism was named as another priority, with Tajikistan highlighting its potential for mountain, eco, and wellness tourism.

Additionally, Rahmon also emphasized the need to activate the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation as a key platform for advancing the bilateral agenda.

Cultural and humanitarian ties were also on the table. The recent Days of Mongolian Culture in Tajikistan were seen as an important start, and both countries expressed interest in expanding cooperation in science, education, media, museums, youth policy, and sports. The leaders also exchanged views on regional and global issues, expressing support for continued collaboration in multilateral platforms, particularly the United Nations and its specialized agencies.

Rahmon noted Mongolia's support for Tajikistans global water and climate initiatives and called for practical cooperation in addressing modern security challenges.

President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh began a state visit to Tajikistan on July 23. The visit, which will continue through July 26, will feature high-level negotiations between the two countries and the signing of bilateral cooperation agreements.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, July 24. President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh signed a Joint Statement on the further development and strengthening of friendly relations and multifaceted cooperation between the countries, Trend reports via the press service of the Tajik president.

The document was signed following high-level talks held in Dushanbe as part of the state visit of the President of Mongolia. In the presence of the two leaders, a ceremony was also held to sign ten additional documents aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation:

A memorandum of cooperation between the foreign ministries;

A memorandum of understanding between the Ministries of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Energy of Mongolia;

An agreement between the agriculture ministries on cooperation in the agricultural sector;

A tourism cooperation document between the relevant agencies;

An agreement between Tajikistans Agency for Innovation and Digital Technologies and Mongolias Ministry of Digital Development;

A memorandum on emergency prevention and response;

A document on scientific and technical cooperation between the two national academies of sciences;

An agreement in the field of digital certification centers;

A memorandum of cooperation between Tajikistans Center for Strategic Studies and Mongolias National Institute for Security Research;

An agreement between the national museums of Tajikistan and Mongolia.

President Khurelsukh arrived in Tajikistan on a state visit on July 23, which will last until July 26. During the visit, high-level meetings and negotiations between the two countries have taken place. A business forum and the Days of Mongolian Culture are also scheduled.
DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, July 24. Tajikistan and Mongolia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the energy sector, Trend reports via the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan.

The MoU, concluded between Tajikistans Ministry of Energy and Water Resources and Mongolias Ministry of Energy, aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation, particularly in the utilization of hydropower resources.

As part of the agreement, the two countries will enhance the exchange of expertise in the design and construction of hydropower plants, as well as work to build human resource capacity in the sector.

The signing took place during the official visit of Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh to Tajikistan. President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and President Khurelsukh also signed a Joint Statement on further developing and strengthening friendly relations and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

In addition to the energy MoU, nine other cooperation documents were signed. Among them was a memorandum of cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan and Mongolia, as well as a memorandum of understanding between the Ministries of Agriculture of both countries aimed at enhancing collaboration in the agricultural sector. Another agreement focused on tourism, signed between Tajikistans Tourism Development Committee and Mongolias Ministry of Culture, Sports, Tourism, and Youth.

Furthermore, a memorandum on digital cooperation was concluded between Tajikistans Agency for Innovation and Digital Technologies and Mongolias Ministry of Digital Development, Innovation, and Communications.
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Confirmed: Betelgeuse has a twin

Betelgeuse - the red supergiant star in the constellation of Orion, has a companion or binary twin, astronomers have confirmed.

Friday July 25, 2025 1:10 AM , Science Desk

[An image of Betelgeuse, the yellow-red star, and the signature of its close companion, the faint blue object. (Visualization: NOIRLAB)]

Betelgeuse - the red supergiant star in the constellation of Orion, has a companion or binary twin, astronomers have confirmed.

Using the Gemini North telescope in Hawaii, NASA astronomers have directly imaged a faint companion hugging the swollen surface of Betelgeuse.

A century-old hypothesis that Betelgeuse, the 10th brightest star in our night sky, is orbited by a very close companion star was proved true by a team of astrophysicists led by a scientist at NASAs Ames Research Center in Californias Silicon Valley, the American space agency said in a blog post.

Astronomers have long believed that Betelgeuse has a partner. But, because of fluctuations in its brightness and measured velocity, the detection of any fainter neighbors nearly impossible.

Two recent studies by other teams of astronomers reignited the companion star hypothesis by using more than 100 years of Betelgeuse observations to provide predictions of the companions location and brightness.

The astronomers said the elusive companion is believed to be the cause behind Betelgeuse's puzzling six-year dimming cycle, a mystery that has persisted for over a thousand years.

The star system's newfound configuration, which features Betelgeuse gradually nearing the end of its life and a tightly orbiting blue-white companion, could also foretell a cosmic cannibalisation event in the distant future.

Closest Detected Companion

The astronomers found that this companion is roughly 1.5 times the mass of the Sun and orbits just four astronomical units from Betelgeuseabout four times the distance from Earth to the Sun.

This makes it the closest detected companion to a red supergiant ever observed, existing deep within Betelgeuse's extended atmosphere.

Scientists believe the companion hasn't yet ignited hydrogen fusion, suggesting it remains in an early stellar stage.

I hope our discovery excites other astrophysicists about the robust power of ground-based telescopes and speckle imagers  a key to opening new observational windows, Steve Howell, a senior research scientist at Ames, said. This can help unlock the great mysteries in our universe.

Howell plans to continue observations of Betelgeuses stellar companion to better understand its nature. The companion star will again return to its greatest separation from Betelgeuse in November 2027, a time when it will be easiest to detect, NASA said.

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Israeli woman (73) arrested for plotting to kill Netanyahu

A 73-yr-old Israeli woman has been arrested for plotting to kill Benjamin Netanyahu

Thursday July 24, 2025 11:48 PM , ummid.com with inputs from Agencies

[Benjamin Netanyahu (File image/X)]

Tel Aviv: A 73-yr-old Israeli woman has been arrested for plotting to kill Benjamin Netanyahu.

The woman is terminally ill. She decided to assassinate Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu using rocket launcher.

An anti-government activist from Tel Aviv, she plotted to kill Netanyahu after she was diagnosed of her illness and decided to 'sacrifice' her life to save Israel from the current regime.

The woman reportedly shared her plan with another activist asking him to help her purchase a rocket-propelled grenade to carry out the assassination, according to news agency AFP.

The man refused to cooperate and tried to dissuade her. After realising that his attempts were in vain, he complained to the authorities, leading to her arrest.

There is a massive unrest in Israel against Benjamin Netanyahu. Besides facing serious corruption charges at home, he has also been issued arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over charges of war crimes.

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NEW DELHI, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Sixty-six Naxals, including 27 women cadres, surrendered to government forces Thursday in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, police said.

According to police, the majority of surrendered Naxals carried a cash reward on their heads.

"Today, 66 Naxals, including 49 carrying a cash reward on their heads, surrendered in five districts of Chhattisgarh's Bastar division," a police official said. "While 25 cadres surrendered in Bijapur district, 15 laid down arms in Dantewada, 13 in Kanker, eight in Narayanpur and five in Sukma district."

The Naxals surrendered before senior officials of the police, paramilitary Central Reserve Police Force, and Border Security Force in these districts.

Reports said each surrendered Naxal was provided with monetary cash support. 
HELSINKI, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Multiple wildfires have broken out across northern Finland's Lapland region in recent days, local newspaper Koti-Lappi reported Wednesday.

The Lapland Rescue Department said it responded to dozens of incidents over the past 24 hours, including smoke sightings, building fires, and wildfires.

Fires have been reported in several municipalities, including Lapland's capital, Rovaniemi -- widely known as the "hometown of Santa Claus." By Wednesday morning, five new wildfires had already been reported across the region. One of the largest, in the town of Kemijarvi, spanned approximately three hectares and had entered the monitoring phase by midday.

Helicopters from the Finnish Border Guard and the Finnish Defense Forces have been deployed to assist with firefighting and equipment transport. Numerous volunteer and contract fire brigades from across Lapland have also been mobilized.

"There have been sufficient resources to extinguish the fires so far," said Harri Paldanius, duty manager at the Lapland Rescue Service.

As of Wednesday evening, fires in Rovaniemi, Kemijarvi, and several other towns had been successfully extinguished, according to the Lapland Rescue Department.

The extreme heat has left the terrain in Lapland exceptionally dry. Coupled with multiple thunderstorm fronts that have swept through the region, the conditions have fueled widespread fire risks, Koti-Lappi noted.

Since mid-July, much of Finnish Lapland -- located within the Arctic Circle -- has been gripped by an unusual heatwave. The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) has issued two national heatwave warnings since July 10, noting that the hottest conditions are expected in Lapland, where temperatures could surpass 30 degrees Celsius.

The FMI has issued orange-level heat warnings for parts of Lapland, alongside wildfire alerts due to the dry conditions and ongoing thunderstorms.

Meanwhile, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare has warned that prolonged heatwaves pose health risks, particularly for the elderly and people with chronic conditions. The public is urged to care for themselves, look after vulnerable individuals, and seek medical assistance promptly if needed. 
24 July 2025, Multiple Cities - The UNODC Global Action for Business Integrity project marked a turning point in how anti-corruption and integrity efforts are implemented across Pakistans private sector, shifting from awareness-raising to practical, long-term solutions. Led by UNODC, the project brought together educators, students, and business professionals to embed integrity into day-to-day decisions, institutional policies, and professional culture.

What began with a cohort of trained university lecturers quickly expanded, reaching over 35,000 students with relevant, practical tools for navigating ethical challenges in real life. To ensure sustainability, universities have integrated UNODC modules that have been contextualized to the local private sector context in Pakistan into formal curricula. This institutionalization ensures that integrity education continues beyond UNODCs direct support, creating a self-sustaining model.

The private sector, often seen with skepticism around transparency, was engaged through this project as a key part of the solution. Business leaders from diverse industries have come together to rethink how integrity works in practice. Through targeted training, many companies have introduced new measures from internal compliance frameworks to integrity-based decision-making processes.

The businesses actively participated in capacity-building workshops, on-the-job integrity training, and multi-stakeholder dialogues. A key milestone was the development of the Anti-Corruption Collective Action Plan, created with input from 120 representatives across sectors. This framework identifies significant challenges and offers practical solutions to enhance collaborative action and promote ethical business practices. Additionally, over 500 senior and mid-management corporate sector employees have been trained to uphold integrity in their roles, equipping them with the tools to implement anti-corruption measures effectively.
The existing building is a pastiche with an interior that belies its external frontage. The current building was constructed in 1992, replacing a modernist cinema constructed in 1963, which itself replaced the original Georgian townhouses. The current Georgian facades were built in stone and copied from the originals.

Conversely, the east and south elevations were built in brick with aluminium casement windows. Fake Georgian rooms had been created behind the front facades to complete the conceit of original buildings. The general feeling throughout the building was oppressive and characterless due to poor daylighting and outdated interior design. Our aim was to radically improve this, creating a cool modern aesthetic contrasting strongly with the fake Georgian frontage, not only bringing the wow factor to this compromised building but also designing compliant solutions to the existing uncompliant built elements making it a safer, more welcoming and functional building in which tenants could thrive.

We were inspired to bring some honesty to the building by exposing its' concrete frame not only internally but also from the street by stripping away the front rooms, allowing the contemporary inners of the building to be seen by passersby. We dropped the cills on the rear and side elevations and installed new full height Crittall style windows reflecting the industrial character of the secondary and tertiary service lanes to the rear, completely transforming the light and character of the floorplates throughout. The cramped and dingey reception, with its non-compliant curved staircase was re-worked with the introduction of striking new linear staircase enclosed by a monumental timber screen. By installing a new crittal style screen to match the new windows to the rear, we were able to make the entrance brighter and more appealing with a greater street presence and more modern vibe hinting at what is inside. We designed a new blackened steel reception desk and also a bespoke drinking fountain for here and the basement area also. With this modified reception, we have been able to deliver a fully accessible building and with two new lifts, circulation throughout is also faster. We replaced carparking in the basement with bike stands for 72 bikes, including Brompton bike hire, bike repair station, 7 showers and a multipurpose room along with services. We have also delivered a Category B fit-out office here. With daylight on three sides, we located services centrally along the fourth side to serve the offices with new toilet cores incorporating a superloo arrangement including an accessible wc on each level.

This element is enclosed in rich dark routered timber. Clearing out cellular spaces throughout, allowed for more flexible spaces, the most spectacular impact of this is on the fifth floor where a new full width crittal style screen and reworked balustrade provide incredible views of the castle. Suspended ceiling tiles with integrated fluorescent lights were removed increasing the floor to ceiling heights and with sleek new exposed black painted services, the atmosphere and perceived height are radically improved. Two new roof terraces, formed by cut-outs in the slate roof pitches at 4th and 5th floors, again with crittal style windows and double doors, provide valuable external amenity with incredible views along George Street and beyond.

An additional external terrace at 2nd floor to the side elevation, provides additional outdoor amenity space with outlook into the sheltered courtyard. The client is delighted with the building and its' commercial success, with all but one floor fully let.
KIEV, July 24 (Xinhua) -- At least 33 people were injured in a Russian aerial strike on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, on Thursday, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on the social platform Telegram.

Two guided aerial bombs struck the center of the city, hitting an area near a high-rise apartment building and an industrial enterprise, he said.

Three children are among the injured, according to the Interior Ministry.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday on X that the search and rescue operation at the site was still ongoing.

He also emphasized the need to enhance Ukraine's air defense and weapons production in response to the attack. 
By Alimat Aliyeva

The Syrian-Saudi Investment Forum officially opened in Damascus on Thursday, July 24, with expectations that billions of dollars in contracts will be signed throughout the event, Azernews reports.

A high-ranking Saudi delegation, led by Minister of Investment Khalid al-Falih, arrived in Damascus on Wednesday to take part in the forum. The event is part of a broader effort to support Syria's reconstruction under the leadership of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

In an interview with reporters, al-Falih revealed that 47 agreements and memoranda of understanding, totaling more than $6 billion, are set to be signed with Syrian officials during the forum.

At the opening ceremony, which was attended by Acting Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, al-Falih emphasized that the visit reflects Saudi Arabias continued support for Syria. He added that the agreements are a significant step toward strengthening bilateral ties and facilitating long-term investments in the rebuilding of the war-torn country.

The forum also highlights the growing cooperation between the two nations, which had been strained in the past due to political differences. Now, with an eye on economic recovery and development, the event signals a new chapter in Syrian-Saudi relations, with major infrastructure, energy, and construction projects expected to be key areas of focus.

Additionally, experts suggest that this partnership could pave the way for greater regional integration, as Saudi Arabia seeks to increase its presence in Syrias post-conflict economy and secure strategic investments in the Middle East.
MOSCOW, July 24 (Xinhua) -- More than 90 percent of the bilateral settlements between Russia and Belarus are now conducted in their own national currencies, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Thursday.

He made the remarks while meeting with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Turchin in the Russian city of Gorno-Altaysk, according to a release on the Russian government website.

Mishustin said this significant shift reflects the deepening economic cooperation between the two countries and their efforts to reduce reliance on foreign currencies.

Mishustin said the increased use of the Russian ruble and Belarusian ruble in bilateral trade enhances financial stability and strengthens economic ties between the two countries. The move aligns with broader strategies aimed at fostering regional integration and economic sovereignty, he added.

He further said that this development marks a milestone in Russia-Belarus relations, bringing smoother transactions and reducing currency exchange risks for businesses engaged in cross-border trade.

During the meeting, Turchin remarked on the fruitful and intensified engagements between his country and Russia at all levels, particularly the increasing cooperation in the sectors of industry and agriculture, a Belarusian Telegraph Agency report said. 
Bill now moves to lower house for final approval.

Italian senators on Wednesday gave their unanimous approval to new legislation aimed at combatting femicide and gender-based violence.

The bill, which was approved with 161 votes in favour and was followed by applause in the chamber, will now pass to the lower house for final approval.

Welcoming the result, senate speaker Ignazio La Russa said it proved how the senate is "capable of expressing itself on important issues regardless of political affiliation".

The bill establishes femicide as a separate crime from intentional homicide, punishable with a life sentence, Corriere della Sera reports.

It also tackles aggravating circumstances, with increased penalties for the crimes of domestic abuse, stalking, sexual violence and revenge porn.

The bill had originally defined femicide as the murder of a woman "when the act is committed as an act of discrimination or hatred against the victim because she is a woman, in order to suppress the exercise of her rights or freedoms, or, in any case, the expression of her personality."

However the new text in the bill approved by the senate defines the crime of femicide as:

"Whoever causes the death of a woman, when the act is committed as an act of discrimination or hatred toward the injured party because she is a woman, or is a consequence of her refusal to establish or maintain an emotional relationship [relazione affettiva], or of submitting to a condition of subjugation or otherwise a limitation of her individual freedoms, imposed or demanded by reason of her condition as a woman, shall be punished with life imprisonment."

The changes in the text are significant, according to Corriere della Sera: the reference to "repression of rights or expression of personality" is eliminated, and the concept of "refusal" is introduced: to be considered femicide, the murder must be the consequence of a refusal by the woman to "establish or maintain a relationship."

The same change is made to the aggravating circumstances provided by law for other crimes such as domestic abuse, assault and stalking.

Susanna Donatella Campione, a senator with premier Giorgia Meloni's right-wing Fratelli d'Italia party, who drafted the bill, cited a recent poll which "confirmed [the newly-passed legislation] as among the most eagerly awaited laws by the majority of Italians."

"I believe that politics should not be divided on violence against women," she said, adding that she hopes that the lower house "will proceed equally quickly and with consensus, to give Italy a law that puts us at the forefront in Europe."

"The fight against femicide is a war. And in this war, each of us is called to do our part. Even the judiciary" - said centre-right Forza Italia senator and deputy senate speaker Licia Ronzulli - "Too often we are faced with sentences that cruelly mock victims, who risk being killed twice. From today, justice will have a clearer voice. The state is here and is on the side of women."

Photo credit: Simona Sirio / Shutterstock.com.
HELSINKI, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Finnish telecommunications company Nokia reported a significant 29 percent decline in its operating profit for the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, according to its Q2 and half-year financial report released on Thursday.

Between April and June, Nokia's net sales rose by 2 percent year-on-year to 4.55 billion euros (5.35 billion U.S. dollars), up from 4.47 billion euros in Q2 2024. Despite the modest revenue increase, the company's comparable operating profit dropped sharply to 301 million euros, down from 423 million euros a year earlier.

For the first half (H1) of 2025, Nokia's comparable operating profit plunged 55 percent to 457 million euros, compared with 1.023 billion euros in the same period last year. The operating margin also narrowed to 5.1 percent, down from 11.5 percent.

The company attributed the steep decline in profitability mainly to significant currency fluctuations and ongoing tariff disputes.

"Turning to our second-quarter results, the significant currency fluctuations, particularly the weaker U.S. dollar, had a meaningful impact on both our net sales and operating profit," said Nokia President and CEO Justin Hotard in the report, adding that tariffs also contributed to the decline in the comparable operating margin.

Looking ahead, Hotard projected strong growth in Network Infrastructure, continued expansion in Cloud and Network Services, and stable net sales in Mobile Networks. He also forecast approximately 1.1 billion euros in operating profit from Nokia Technologies for the full year.

"However, we are facing two headwinds to our full-year operating profit outlook that are beyond our control -- currency, due to the weaker U.S. dollar, and tariffs," Hotard said. He estimated that current tariff levels could impact operating profit by 50 million to 80 million euros for the year.

On Tuesday, Nokia lowered its full-year 2025 operating profit guidance. It now expects comparable operating profit to range between 1.6 and 2.1 billion euros, down from a previous forecast of 1.9 to 2.4 billion euros.

According to Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomat, pressure is mounting on Nokia, with its share price having fallen by 20 percent since April. Analysts cited a long-term contraction in the mobile networks market as a major concern. (1 euro = 1.18 U.S. dollar) 
Tom Tuite

A 43-year-old man has been charged with attacking a Swiss tourist on a busy bus in south Dublin after he stood in the section reserved for buggies and wheelchairs.

Richard O'Mahoney, of Rathgar Avenue, Dublin 6, is accused of assault causing harm on January 4th, 2023.

He appeared at Dublin District Court, where Judge Treasa Kelly accepted jurisdiction after hearing an outline of the case facts. She remanded the accused on bail to appear again in September to enter a plea.

The court heard the incident occurred on a Dublin Bus on Rathgar Road, Rathgar, Dublin 6, at around 6:30 pm.

A Swiss national and his wife had been visiting their daughter in Dublin for Christmas.

After spending the day in the city centre with his wife, daughter and her boyfriend, they boarded a bus to Churchtown.

The bus was busy, all seats were taken, and the complainant stood in the area for buggies or wheelchairs.

Along the journey, a man, allegedly the accused, boarded with a woman, and he was pushing a buggy with a small baby. It was claimed that he pushed the buggy into the tourist's legs three or four times while speaking to the Swiss national, who did not understand because he did not speak English.

It was alleged that later Mr O'Mahoney and the woman with him, who was now pushing the buggy, went to get off the bus.

However, the accused allegedly turned around, approached the man and began punching him until other passengers intervened.

The incident was allegedly captured on CCTV. The Swiss man suffered a swollen eye, tinnitus in his left ear, and a fractured nose, the court heard.
Final-year students on the BA (Hons) in Culinary Arts programme at SETU have released a digital cookbook packed with delicious recipes.

The book is available for digital download and features a variety of recipes including chicken arrabiata, macarons, pan-seared duck and black forest gateau.

A spokesperson for SETU said the university's Culinary Arts programme offers a breath of opportunities, allowing students to look at food from many different viewpoints.

Final year students recently completed their 'Media and visual arts - Food imagery, promotion and design module, lectured by Edward Hayden.

In the module, the increasing prevalence and relevance of media in the world of food was explored.

Photography masterclass

The students were also successful in their application for Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement (SATLE) funding, which allowed them to undertake a professional food styling and photography masterclass in Dublin.

The book is available for digital download and features a variety of recipes.

"Working with professional food photographer Harry Weir, each student styled and photographed a recipe which they had constructed and perfected, for inclusion in the cookbookm" said the spokesperson in an online statement.

The cookbook benefitted from each of the students individual experiences, as international study and industrial work placements were completed in third year.

Support from SATLE

Commenting on the project, module lecturer Edward Hayden said: Whilst acknowledging sincerely the work of the students who undertook the project with great zest, I also wish to acknowledge our colleague, Fiona OConnor, SATLE Co-ordinator, for her support throughout.

To download the e-book, which will give culinary enthusiasts an opportunity to expand their culinary repertoire, using the series of delicious recipes found within, visit setu.ie
Rock veterans, Cry Before Dawn, will be visiting Waterford on August 7, to officially launch their new EP.

The gig will take place in Electric Avenue.

The Wexford rockers have always had a great following in Waterford, going all the way back to their early days and great gigs in the 1980s.

Their Deise following was evidenced earlier this year with a fantastic sold out show at Bank Lane in the city.

The band has been back in the studio lately recording new music as they prepare for their first vinyl release in over 35 years.

The new EP, 'Open Water', will be released on Friday, August 1, and it's possible another Number 1 new entry is on the cards.

To celebrate the release the band is playing EP launch gigs all over the country, with the final date being the Electric Avenue gig on Thursday, August 7.

The band will play new songs, old classics and maybe tell a few stories from the old touring and recording days.

Cry Before Dawn will be performing in Electric Avenue on August 7

Capacity is very limited for the gig and tickets, priced just 10, are now available at Universe.com
Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size When Dave Franco read the script of Together, a comedic horror film about a codependent couple whose bodies begin to fuse, he was immediately on board  and not just for himself. I was blown away by all of these insane set-pieces that were like nothing I had ever seen before, and I turned to Alison and said I think we should do this one together, he says. And then I read the script and was not at all insulted that Dave compared our relationship to that of the characters in the movie, says Alison Brie, Francos partner of 15 years and wife of eight. In truth, she says, she wasnt at all insulted because she felt they were so different from the characters in the movie. While hiking in the woods near their home, Millie and Tim become trapped in a strange cave that may or may not have mystical properties. Credit: Kismet Adds Franco, I think if we were struggling as much as they are, we would not have said yes. Franco plays Tim, a man in his mid-30s who still harbours a fantasy of making it big with his occasionally gigging band. Brie is Millie, a teacher who lands a new job in the country and thinks of it as the gateway to the next chapter in their lives  the cute house, the small community, the pitter-patter of little feet.

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He is, of course, terrified. After a walk in the woods near their new home goes awry, things get truly weird. Strange smells in the house. Sticky substances that seem to emerge whenever they are close to each other. An inability to leave each others orbit for very long, or at all. Franco and Brie met at Mardi Gras in New Orleans. It was, she jokes, a one-night stand that never ended. Though she felt their relationship was sufficiently different to the films couple, Brie also appreciated that the meta quality of us being in a long-term relationship would add a lot to the movie. For us as actors, there was a lot of work that we didnt have to do to have the theme [of codependency] be infused with that history thats already there. Writer-director Michael Shanks offers his stars some instruction on set. The movie was made in the Dandenongs and at Docklands Studios Melbourne. Credit: Germain McMicking/Kismet For writer-director Michael Shanks, though, there was nowhere to hide. Tim is, he readily admits, 100 per cent him  or at least him as he was in his mid-20s when he first had the idea for what would become Together. Ive been in a relationship with my partner for over 16 years, he says. We met at schoolies the week after high school  a friends parents had a little shack an hour out of Melbourne, we went there and drank ourselves into oblivion for a week, and got awfully sunburnt. They have been together ever since, he continues, and there was a point where I realised we have all the same friends, we eat the same food, we listen to the same music, we breathe the same air, and I started to freak out. I was realising that, without her, I wasnt a complete person any more because wed been growing in the same direction so much that our lives had become intertwined.

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It wasnt just them, either. My friendship group is a series of tragic monogamists, most of whom have been together since high school, Shanks says. Some of those relationships have thrived, and some you look at and go, I dont think you guys are still together because you love each other. I think youre just used to each other. Youre so intertwined you cant extricate yourselves. When Shanks told his partner, Louey, about his idea, she was taken aback but also understanding. She said to me, Im a little upset youre writing this, but its a good idea. Shanks wrote his first draft of the screenplay in 2019, when he was in his late 20s. The following year, Screen Australia funded a second draft, and in 2021 it funded a third. (Shanks was already on the agencys radar thanks to his YouTube channel, which had garnered more than 64 million views before going into hiatus; in 2016, the agency backed his self-made Lord of the Rings parody Wizard of Oz.)

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That timeline has become critically important in recent months, for reasons that Shanks finds painful to discuss. The film was shot in just 21 days in early 2024, with the star American couple setting up house in Melbourne. We loved snagging that window seat at Napier Quarter, says Brie of the cosy Fitzroy wine bar they frequented. Melbourne makes us feel at home, adds Franco. Its one of the few places weve ever shot that we could actually imagine ourselves living in. Dave Franco and Alison Brie in Together. Credit: Germain McMicking/Kismet For the rest of the year, Shanks did whatever VFX work he could manage himself, though the big set pieces were farmed out to Framestore. It was amazing to work with real visual effects people, he says, somewhat modestly. He worked day and night and at weekends. And that was the way we managed to get it done in time to submit to Sundance. The film festival is the worlds foremost showcase of indie cinema. Loading Ive been a film nerd my whole life, and you dream of going somewhere like Sundance, Shanks says. Making the film was a dream. Getting into Sundance was the next dream. Park City, Utah, where the festival has been held, is more than 2100 metres above sea level. Its not uncommon for visitors to contend with altitude sickness  and Shanks had it bad. He had a virus too.

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I spent two days leading up to the screening just vomiting, unable to keep food down. The day of the screening, I was in an emergency room and had a drip and oxygen  it was awful, he recalls. Somehow, he forced himself into the 2000-seat cinema where he was due to introduce his film. And as soon as I walked into that room, the adrenaline hit. Only a very small group of people  producers and editors and a handful of crew  had yet seen Together. They thought it was quite good, but no one knew how it would play to an audience. Brie plays a teacher who is ready for the relationship to move onto the logical next stage. Credit: Germain McMicking/Kismet My partner had flown over for it, and my mother had flown over to see a film she was almost certainly going to hate  its sticky and gross, and it has some nasty moments, and she typically doesnt watch any film that doesnt star Judi Dench. Five minutes in, he got his first laugh. After another five minutes, the films first scare landed too. And from then, they just reacted exactly the way we always hoped they would. At the after-party, he was mobbed by well-wishers while Louey was playing dice games with Brie and English actor Dan Stevens. Even his mum liked it  ish. She came up and said, I thought that was quite good.

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Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size This story is part of the July 26 edition of Good Weekend. See all 15 stories . A child is standing in the doorway of a living room holding a pink Barbie campervan aloft. Her expression is focused as she takes aim, ready to launch it at her sisters head. The child is mine. And I am out of my depth. Just as she is about to throw the toy van, I leap forward and grab it from her hands. She races back to her room to find another missile. We perform this dance three times  I wont let you throw, I say  before she changes tack and heads to the kitchen, where she takes a pair of scissors from the drawer, sits down on the floor and inserts a finger defiantly between the open blades. My brain scans the various parenting tips Ive been consuming lately on social media: All feelings are welcome, all behaviours are not; Punishment is ineffective for improving behaviour; They cant regulate their emotions, but you can regulate yours; This is not a bad kid, this is a good kid having a hard time; I can cope with this. Only Im not sure that I can. And I truly dont know how to handle it. In the olden days  when you and I were growing up  the advice was simple. Wed have grabbed that bloody campervan from her hands, said a few choice words, perhaps even thrown it in the bin, and sent her to her room to think about what shed done. Sadly, for anyone fluent in this approach, it is ineffective at raising a well-regulated, emotionally intelligent human. Rather, the socalled behaviourist approach is associated with a lack of independence, low self-esteem and aggression, says Dr Billy Garvey, a Melbourne-based developmental paediatrician and author of Ten Things I Wish You Knew About Your Childs Mental Health.

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As research into childhood development has grown, behaviourism has given way to the boundary-less, permissive-parenting approach. Applying this approach might mean wed have taken the hit from the campervan missile and then comforted the distressed child who threw it at us. The permissive approach (which Garvey says people often misconstrue as being the same as gentle parenting) is also ineffective and can increase hostility towards authority figures, lower empathy and stoke peer conflict. Loading Today, the advice is not so simple. A new breed of parenting educators has taken over the internet and is changing the way the next generation of kids is being raised. The wildly swinging parenting pendulum has settled on a muddier middle. It focuses more on the parents feelings than the childs, and would neither punish my daughter nor let her throw the campervan at her sisters (or my) head. So what on earth is one to do? I take heart from the fact that many of these new parenting educators are also stuck in the muddiness of it all and that they, too, have questioned the sanity of their child as well as the sanctity of their parenting. The bomb drops On the day that I arrive at Genevieve Muirs bungalow-style home in a leafy suburb of Sydneys lower north shore, shes forgotten Im coming. There is a pile of laundry on the dining table and, though her hair is still immaculate from a morning television appearance, the mum of four boys, aged between eight and 15, appears frazzled. Genevieve Muir had a bomb drop moment after attending a parenting course recommended by a nurse at a community health centre. Credit:

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Once weve settled into the comfortable navy lounges with a pot of green tea, her groodle Poppy nuzzling me (or the baklava in my hand), the 46-year-old social worker tells me about her low point as a parent. At the end of one particularly long and hot day, she had finally got her three-month-old son, who had reflux, to sleep. Just as Muir was about to leave the nursery, her two-year-old son exploded into the room, roaring like a lion, and started shaking the bassinet. Muir, then in her early 30s, was apoplectic. I thought, What is wrong with my child?  She did what any self-respecting, behaviourist-reared person would do: she yelled at her son, shamed him for waking his baby brother and punished him. Of course, her two-year-old kept behaving like a two-year-old, hitting, pushing, biting and melting down, while her newborn with reflux kept crying. When they cried and cried and nothing would fix it, like toddlers can, that felt like nails down a chalkboard, says Muir, author of Little People, Big Feelings. Several months later, she found herself sitting in her local community health centre crying about how awful her children were. When the nurse gently suggested she try a course on parenting, Muir felt deeply offended. I was like, Does she not know who I am? Im a social worker, Im the daughter of a therapist, I do not need a parenting course. My problem is the children.  Its difficult to be a regulated, calm parent all the time. We all have crappy days when we want to flip the bird. Maggie Dent, author Yet desperation makes us do strange things. She did the course and felt a bomb drop. The bomb was learning that certain emotions trigger us, probably because when we were children those emotions were rejected, or were the cause of punishment from caregivers. Now, as parents ourselves, those same emotions in our children elicit a visceral response in us. The instinct when they are upset, whinge, act out or disobey is to yell, smack, shame or send them to their rooms as we were sent to ours. When a child has a meltdown, were telling parents to sit alongside them, but theyve never had that modelled to them, Muir says. For the first time, Muir felt self-compassion and understood her own reactions. It was a skill that would later inform the parenting classes she runs at Sydneys Mater Hospital, her book, and the clips she posts to her 67,000 followers on Instagram. (Muir also has 70,000 followers on TikTok and 16,000 on Facebook.)

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Sometimes the bigger problems with our children is our stuff, not their stuff, says Maggie Dent, author of Mothering Our Boys and Muirs friend and mentor. Its difficult to be a regulated, calm parent all the time, adds Dent, who has a following of 191,000 on Instagram. We all have crappy days when we want to flip the bird. [We should just] aim to be a good-enough parent. What being a good-enough parent means in practice is having compassion for ourselves when the kids and home life in general are starting to feel a bit overwhelming. It also means having empathy for our kids. I have at times wondered how I can expect them to have their emotional shit together when their 44-year-old mother doesnt always have hers. And it means learning to hold the boundary, without being an arsehole. At least, most of the time. Maggie Dent says that sometimes the problems with our children are actually our stuff. Credit: Dylan Coker / Dreamchaser When I talk to Professor Sophie Havighurst, a parenting researcher at Melbourne University, she says something that sticks with me. These practices  boundaries, self-compassion, empathy, warmth  are not just parenting skills, they are relationship skills. Its obvious, but it strikes me because Ive always thought of parenting as an instinct, or as an in-built capacity that we either have or do not have, not a relationship skill or a skill we must learn and practise. No wonder we feel like shit when its hard, says Dr Becky, a child psychologist with more than 3.5 million followers on social media, in a recent clip on Instagram. The only thing that comes naturally in parenting is how you were parented. Its like being raised in English and wanting to teach your kid Mandarin and to speak to them in Mandarin. I dont think anyone would think Mandarin is going to come naturally. Youre going to have to learn it and practise it and in your hardest, stressful moments, you would speak English. That doesnt mean the Mandarin is not working. The demand for the advice of the Dr Beckys, Muirs, Dents and Garveys of the world, as well a range of unqualified parenting educators, is high. In the past five years, the online parenting market has become a multibillion-dollar business. On Instagram alone, the hashtag #parenting appears more than 23 million times, while #parentingtips is tagged more than 4.6 million times.

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In this unregulated space, much content is designed to get clicks and ad revenue by preying on parents insecurities and fears they are not doing enough, let alone doing anything right. At its worst, it creates pressure, shame, confusion and the sense that everybody else is doing a better job (Theyre bloody not, says Dent, god love her), and can steer us in the wrong direction, making us dismiss our better instincts. Some of the advice is also potentially harmful, says Garvey, a father of two who has more than 50,000 followers on social media; for instance, the message to new mums to just relax and enjoy being with their baby, when up to 30 per cent have postnatal depression. Melbourne-based developmental paediatrician Dr Billy Garvey warns that advice on social media can be potentially harmful. Credit: Other messaging says, for a certain price, Ill show you how to make a baby sleep, Garvey tells me. So many new parents are desperate, and when they pay and try that method but it doesnt work, they think that theyre the ones who are failing  not the program that was developed by someone without developmental training and who just saw a financial opportunity. But there is also advice that can provide much-needed perspective and a guide to a deeper, more enjoyable connection with our children. Muir suspects this desire is driving the demand for social media parenting: we know we want to do it differently, but we dont yet know how to do it differently. Regulating emotions I never thought Id say this, but this new generation of parenting educators on social media has helped me. The scraps of advice they provide have become mantras to approach parenting in a way that feels kinder (to myself and to my daughters) and more accepting of the mess. It doesnt prevent the rise of frustration and the instinct to threaten punishments when they turn into deranged, fire-breathing dragons because Ive brought them the wrong snack. And it doesnt mean I now know how to perfectly navigate missile or scissor stand-offs. But I can practise a little self-compassion to regulate my own emotions in the moment, and I appreciate that it is hard for anyone to know what to do sometimes.

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There is no suggestion that any of the police officers, prosecutors or members of the press behaved inappropriately or attempted to influence the jury. But a former senior judge has called the situation highly irregular and a potential ground for appeal. No one else connected with the case should have been staying in the same accommodation, the former judge said. Emails obtained from the Supreme Court of Victoria suggest Beale was not informed of the circumstances at the hotel for up to six days. The emails were released with the permission of Beale.

The email chain shows the defence was not told about the arrangement for another two days, only about two hours before the jury returned its guilty verdict against Patterson on July 7. The accommodation arrangement also caused divisions within the Office of Public Prosecutions, with Crown prosecutors moving accommodation while at least two OPP solicitors kept their booking. Once Beale was informed, he labelled the situation obviously undesirable in an email to prosecutors and the defence several days later. The OPP solicitors and the lead homicide investigator in the case checked out of the hotel soon after, they said. No one else connected with the case should have been staying in the same accommodation. Former senior judge However, the OPP did not inform the court that at least another two members of the homicide squad had also been staying at the hotel during part of the jurys deliberations, according to the emails. No mention was made by the OPP or the jury keepers about the presence of the media at the hotel.

The OPP, Victoria Police and the court have all declined to comment. All three parties insist there was never any interaction between their staff and the jury. This masthead understands that the notification to Beale was sparked after the jury had been dropped off at their hotel on Friday, July 4, and came face to face with reporters and OPP staff members checking into the hotel. The jury had to be temporarily isolated in a conference room next to the lobby as prosecutors and journalists cleared out of the area, a source familiar with the arrangements said. The next day, a jury keeper notified Beale, at least in part, about the circumstances at the hotel. But the information was not passed on to the defence for almost 48 hours. The jury had been deliberating that same day, a Saturday.

On Saturday afternoon, I was informed by my Tipstaff that the informant and two prosecution solicitors have been staying at the same hotel as the jury, Beales associate emailed the defence and prosecution at 8.26am on Monday, July 7. He also told me that there has been no interaction between them and the jury. The jury have had a separate floor to themselves and have eaten their meals in a conference room separate from other guests of the hotel. But all guests use the same entrance at the hotel. Loading Coincidentally, on Saturday night, the jurors moved to a different hotel in a different town where they will be staying for the rest of this week. I understand that there is a shortage of accommodation in the district, but it is obviously undesirable for any of the parties or the informant to be staying at the same hotel as the jury. The OPP replied about two hours later, at 11.13am.

We confirm that the informant was staying at that hotel for the duration of the trial, and we only became aware last Thursday that the jury had commenced staying there. He believed he was staying in a different wing of the hotel and was using a different entrance, and he took steps to avoid common areas from the point that he became aware that they were there. In relation to the prosecution solicitors, the prosecution teams usual accommodation was no longer available for our use as of Friday last week, so we had booked that hotel for the Friday night for prosecution counsel and solicitors. When we became aware that the jury were staying there, we attempted to move everyone but, due to availability issues in the area, we were only able to move counsel. We confirm that the prosecution solicitors did not interact with the jury at any stage and also took steps to avoid any incidental contact in common areas. The informant and prosecution team are no longer staying at that hotel. But the OPP did not tell Beale in that email that other members of the homicide squad had been staying at the hotel that week, nor that up to seven journalists were also present at the hotel. About two hours later, the jury came back with guilty verdicts.

Pattersons defence team, who did not respond to a request for comment when contacted by this masthead, did not reply to or acknowledge either of the emails from the judge or OPP. Loading It is unclear how significant this incident could be to Pattersons expected appeal. Veteran barrister Robert Richter said that while a successful appeal was unlikely without proving there was some kind of interaction between the jury and the media, police or prosecutors, the appearance it created was problematic. It is often about not just whether justice was done but did it appear to be done? The question of appearances always arises on issues of bias.

At the start of the trial, Beale had warned jurors that it was not a good look if theres any interaction between jurors and members of the respective legal teams. When youre outside at lunchtime or at other times, your paths may cross with some of the lawyers  both legal teams. If they ignore you, dont think theyre being rude. Theyre supposed to ignore you. Thats because, as I said to you earlier, justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done  Loading Also, dont get into conversation with people you dont know around the court  The media interest in this case has been intense, and you might find someone approaches you and starts to engage you in conversation and, before you know it, they might be trying to draw you out because theyre associated with the media. Or it might be someone whos associated with the accused or with the family members of the deceased. Im not suggesting that people would do anything wrong, but err on the side of caution: dont get drawn  dont have conversations with people you dont know.
Trees were ripped from the ground and flash flooding and hail wreaked havoc overnight as a severe weather system tore through Perth.

The Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed video footage taken by community members revealed a low intensity tornado likely hit about 5.25pm at City Beach.

The coastal suburb was one of the worst impacted areas, with 9News Perth reporting a multimillion-dollar home had its roof completely ripped off while anothers garage caved in.

The Town of Cambridge confirmed several properties were significantly damaged, including on Kalari Drive, Lantara Street, and Marapana Drive in City Beach.
Why isnt there a seat for the CSIRO, which has given us life-changing and productivity-enhancing inventions as Wi-Fi, solar hot water, gene shears, polymer banknotes and permanent-crease clothing? Where is the expert in AI or cancer therapy or environmental trends or agricultural science? Alexander Graham Bell, inventor of the telephone, opens long-distance service between New York and Chicago in 1892. Scott Farquhar, co-founder and former chief executive of Atlassian, will be there as the lone voice of the technological future. Hell be sitting next to three former or current state treasurers who will tell us all about the fiscal problems they face. If you were to list the most important developments that have made the world more productive, would tax reform even get a look in? (Perhaps the creation of income tax to help Britain fight Napoleon might get a mention.)

The telephone, the internal combustion engine and the lightbulb are three of the most transformative pieces of technology in humanitys development. The phone allowed us to communicate quickly. The internal combustion engine enabled us to move goods and people really quickly. And the lightbulb  the creation of cheap light  meant we could work when we wanted to. Loading These three pivotal productivity enhancements werent driven by tax reform. They were driven by ingenuity, by the circumstances faced by their creators, by the need to improve the lives of everyone. Whats also important  and more than a little disheartening  is that all three came into being between 1876 and 1879. Three inventions that underpin todays society are approaching their 150th birthdays.

Thats why there is so much interest in AI at present. This is an invention that could utterly change our lives. As US Federal Reserve governor Lisa Cook noted in a speech last week, AI is a general-purpose technology (a transformative invention like the steam engine and electricity). AI is poised to alter the contours of the global economy. AI is transforming the economy, including by accelerating how quickly we generate ideas and making workers more efficient, she noted. Its ideas that make the world, the economy and productivity go round. Thats not to say tax doesnt matter. If you impose huge imposts on businesses or individuals, then you distort the economy in a way that is unlikely to be productive. If you dont raise revenue, then say goodbye to roads, hospitals, a judicial system and defence networks.

Governments often build incentives into the tax system for a major policy aim. Thats the whole reason, for instance, that superannuation is taxed lightly and why excises on cigarettes and alcohol are so high. Loading The idea put up by the Labor-aligned McKell Institute this week, to increase the capital gains tax concession on new apartment builds (and reduce it for investors who simply buy an existing detached house), is another example of how the tax system can help. However, its aimed at acting as an incentive for investors to build more homes  not to build those homes more productively. Apart from, perhaps, some incentives directly aimed at research and development, inventions and productivity-enhancing breakthroughs are rarely driven by the tax system.

Terrible events and diseases drive change (Alexander Flemings penicillin discovery was transformed into a useable medicine by Howard Florey and German-born Ernst Chain, but it was only World War II that made it cheap and mass-produced lifesaver). Penicillin has saved an estimated 500 million lives. In terms of productivity improvement, this single medicine has done more than any tax concession to improve our lives and our economy. Yet when you look around the cabinet table next month, dont expect to see anyone carrying out health-related research. We can hope that some of the specialists who get to sit in on certain parts of the roundtable might pique the interest of those who will ultimately have a say over what policies get supported. But I wouldnt bet on it. When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
BERLIN, July 24 (Xinhua) -- U.S. chipmaker Intel announced on Thursday that it has abandoned its plan to construct a large-scale semiconductor facility in Germany, citing ongoing efforts to streamline its global production operations. The move brings a definitive end to the project that had been suspended for nearly a year.

The announcement came alongside Intel's second-quarter earnings report, which showed a net loss of 2.9 billion U.S. dollars, compared with a 1.6 billion loss in the same period a year earlier.

The planned factory in Magdeburg, about 150 km west of Berlin, was initially set to break ground in 2024 with a total investment of 30 billion euros (35 billion U.S. dollars). It was expected to create 3,000 direct jobs and, according to the former German government, potentially up to 18,000 indirect jobs in the surrounding region. To support the project, Berlin had pledged roughly 10 billion euros in subsidies.

Intel put the project on hold in September last year amid growing operational and financial pressures, delaying the original production start that had been targeted for 2027 or 2028.

The cancellation comes at a sensitive time for Germany, which is seeking to bolster its high-tech manufacturing sector. A draft of the country's new "Hightech-Agenda," released earlier this month, outlines ambitions to establish at least three semiconductor facilities and position Germany as Europe's leading chip production hub. (1 euro = 1.17 U.S. dollars) 
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Reviews & adviceTravel tips Opinion Want to avoid crowds in Europe? Look for what a destination is missing Ben Groundwater Travel writer July 25, 2025  3:00am

July 25, 2025  3:00am Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles 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 21 View all comments

Its not what San Sebastian has that makes it special  though, it does have plenty. Still, you could argue that its what this northern Spanish city doesnt have that really seals the deal. San Sebastian doesnt have an airport. I mean, there is a San Sebastian Airport, but its not in San Sebastian, its in Hondarribia, on the French border, about a half-hour drive away. And even then, its only a small provincial airport with flights to a few Spanish destinations and seasonal connections to the UK. The nearest large, international airport is in Bilbao, more than an hour away. San Sebastian is not particularly well-connected. iStock And then theres something else San Sebastian doesnt have: a cruise terminal. Ships can go into Bilbao, again more than an hours drive away, or they can go into Bordeaux, which is even further. But there are no commercial passenger vessels darkening the harbours of Donostia. This may seem incidental or even trivial, but it makes a difference. No airport means no mass arrivals of budget airlines. No budget airlines mean no partygoers coming over for the weekend from the UK or Ireland, hordes of people celebrating stag dos and hens nights and whatever else in a place with more bars per square kilometre than any other public facility. In many ways, San Sebastian is made for these sorts of visitors. But they dont arrive.

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No cruise terminal, meanwhile, means no large groups of tour passengers making their way en masse through the citys narrow Old Town streets. You get small groups of tourists on local food tours and the like, but theres none of the noticeable ebb and flow you get when a huge cruise ship pulls into the local port. San Sebastian isnt exactly undiscovered, but its not as overrun with tourists as some of Europes other cities. iStock San Sebastian lacks this connectivity. Its tricky to get to, a little annoying in some ways. And even still, the city is suffering under the weight of its own popularity, as stories of its gastronomic excellence and physical beauty have gone far and wide. Imagine what it would be like with better transport options? In that way, San Sebastian is luckier than other tourism hotspots around Europe. Its luckier than Dubrovnik, and Prague, and Barcelona, and Venice, and Amsterdam. All those destinations have big international airports or cruise terminals or both. Its luckier than Berlin and Rome, Santorini and Ibiza, Lisbon and Nice, which are notoriously overrun.

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Europe has something of a tourist problem, and that problem is caused in large part by visitors all wanting to go to the same places at the same times, and being able to do that quickly and cheaply. They want historic places, charming places, but also famous and easily accessible places where you can tick off the highlights in a couple of days. If youre planning a trip to the continent, your mission should be to steer clear of these hotspots and spread the tourism footprint. It should be to spend a little longer getting somewhere, and then spend a little longer when youre there. Its tempting to book Ryanair flights or Vueling flights and go to multiple places quickly and cheaply. But true travel success in Europe comes in the ability to resist. Instead, look for places that dont have those magical elements, the airport and the cruise terminal; admittedly, no mean feat in a continent that is so well-connected. I dont want to specify too many of these cities or towns because that would go against the point of this column. The idea isnt to go where someone has told you, but to look for places that maybe no one you know has ever been.

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Find regions in popular countries such as Spain and France and Italy that arent visited as often because theyre a little harder to get to, or they dont offer big-ticket tourist items. There are so many of these places  the tourist trail is so narrow, barely anyone strays from the well-known path. Get an hour outside Paris or Rome or Barcelona and I guarantee you can discover a place with barely another foreigner around. Related Article Europe Ten places in Europe ruined by overtourism (and where to go instead) Will you remember the Colosseum, or will you remember the pasta dish at the Italian agriturismo in the middle of nowhere? Will you be truly moved and inspired by the Eiffel Tower, or by an unplanned adventure in a little village in the French countryside? Im telling you, its always going to be the latter. Of course, San Sebastian doesnt really fit within these parameters. Its not unknown, or untouched, or anywhere near off the beaten path. Paths have been beaten to this city for some time now. It does demonstrate, however, that if you apply just a little more time and effort than everyone else to get to a destination, you will reap the benefits. And then, figure out how youre going to get home.

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Singapore: Cambodia has accused Thailand of damaging a World Heritage-listed temple and dropping illegal bombs in the most serious armed conflict between the two nations in more than a decade.

Simmering tensions erupted on Thursday at as many as eight locations along the border, where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century. Small arms fire escalated to heavy shelling of military targets on both sides, and Thailand said Cambodian rockets had also hit civilian areas, including a hospital. Phnom Penh said a Thai F-16 jet had bombed a road near the famous Preah Vihear Temple.

A Cambodian military vehicle carrying a rocket launcher in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, on Friday. Credit: AP

Clashes resumed on Friday, taking the death toll over two days of fighting to at least 16 and forcing the evacuation of more than 100,000 people from conflict areas.

Australia and Britain have issued travel advisories to avoid certain areas of Cambodia and Thailand, including the border regions of Buriram, Si Sa Ket, Surin, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces.
US President Donald Trumps nomination of a right-wing provocateur with a history of making Islamophobic remarks as his man in Muslim-majority Malaysia has gone down, of course, like a lead balloon.

Protests in Kuala Lumpur against would-be ambassador Nick Adams kicked off last week and will probably return if he is waved through as expected in an upcoming Senate confirmation hearing.

Nick Adams, Donald Turmps pick to be US ambassador to Malaysia, is a self-described alpha male and conservative commentator. Credit: Nick Adams, Instagram

Adams, an Australian-accented, naturalised American who self-identifies as an alpha male with oozing masculine confidence and charisma, fawned his way into the US presidents favour as a brash, conservative pundit and MAGAsphere influencer.

Braggadocio aside, the main reason Malaysians are upset at his nomination  to their country, of all places  is his hostility to the plight of Palestine, a cause close to the hearts of millions of Malaysians, and his history of making Islamophobic remarks, which includes denigrating Trumps rivals as supporters of Islam and critiquing efforts to teach Islam in schools.
Washington: The United States and Israel have condemned a French decision to officially recognise Palestine as a state, as US-mediated negotiations to secure a ceasefire in Gaza broke down on Friday (AEST).

The US said it was sending its mediators home from Gaza negotiations in Qatar and blamed Hamas for the breakdown in talks. It said it would consider alternative options to rescue Israeli hostages and improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Palestinians pray beside the bodies of those killed during an Israeli airstrike at the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, on Wednesday. Credit: Bloomberg

The collapse in talks comes at a critical time, with Israel under increasing global pressure amid reports from humanitarian groups of mass starvation and the mounting death toll of Palestinian civilians killed while seeking food and aid.

French President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday (AEST) that France would officially recognise Palestine as a state from next month, as a way to secure lasting peace in the Middle East.
Albufeira, Portugal beach with the sun shining in the left top corner (Charles Thoennes)



Before being stationed in Europe, Portugal was not really on my radar. After I saw pictures from the Algarve region on Portugals southern coast, I wanted to go! The rocky caves and beautiful scenery called to me.

Over a long weekend, we found a direct flight from Karlsruhe to Faro, Portugal, and decided it would be a great time to go!

We booked an Airbnb in Albufeira, about 40 minutes from Faro. It was very convenient to the center of town with lots of restaurants and shops, but far enough outside the center to still be peaceful. Bonus: It was a close walk to the beach.

One of the best things about our Airbnb is that it was near a bakery with amazing pastel de nata. The opportunity to eat these delicious morsels is worth the flight to Portugal.

Being the proud cat lady that I am, my husband knew I would be interested in visiting Albufeiras cat park. It was basically just a pier where a bunch of cats live, but it did give us some great views!

Cats on the pier on a sunny day (Charles Thoennes)



Like much of the rest of Europe, Portugal has a thriving wine-making industry. We booked a wine and tapas tour. We were picked up in a tuk-tuk and driven through town to one of the local wineries. We saw Carob trees and learned a bit about caring for vines in the fields. After touring inside the winery, we tasted four wines while nibbling on meats and cheeses. It was a delightfully sunny day, which made it even better!

Another delicious find was some of the best Indian food I have ever eaten. I am still dreaming about the coconut rice. Give Great India Tandoori a try while youre in town!

But what was the best part? As much as I want to say it was the pastel de nata, the actual best part was walking along the beach. The Algarve region of Portugal is a beautiful place! Go and explore! You wont regret it.

Editors Note: This article was written by a member of the local military community, not an employee of Stars and Stripes. Neither the organization nor the content is being represented by Stars and Stripes or the Department of Defense.
Discussions held at the June 2025 sessions of the WCO Council, the governing body of the organization, shed light on the need to continue expanding the work on the use of transfer pricing documentation to assist in verifying declared prices or determining Customs value. Cooperation between Customs and tax authorities was deemed critical by participants to achieve convergence in approaches leading to appropriate pricing, and tax collections, of both income tax and Customs duties. Such a convergence would also provide more certainty for a business that the approach it takes in establishing prices will satisfy both tax and Customs administrations.

A panel organized during the 2025 Council sessions brought together representatives of the French Customs Administration, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) around the topic of Transfer Pricing and Customs valuation.

Transfer pricing at a glance

Transfer pricing involves the pricing of goods, services, and intangibles exchanged between related entities within a multinational corporation, which in turn determines how much tax it pays and in which country.

Tax authorities worldwide apply the arms length principle, which requires that related-party transactions be priced as if conducted between independent parties. This principle is embedded in more than 3,600 bilateral tax treaties based on the OECD and UN Model Tax Conventions.

The OECD Transfer Pricing Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises and Tax Administrations on the application of the arms length principle provide detailed, globally recognized standards on applying this principle, covering areas such as transaction delineation, pricing methods, comparability analysis, documentation, and dispute resolution. These guidelines were most recently updated in 2022, while an annex was developed in 2024 addressing new developments under the global tax reform efforts known as the Two-Pillars Solution to Address the Tax Challenges of the Digitalisation of the Economy.

Transfer pricing data can be used in Customs valuation

Customs valuation, governed by the WTO Customs Valuation Agreement (Agreement), prioritizes the transaction value of goods at importation to determine duties.

The OECD representative explained that, while Customs valuation methods are not considered transfer pricing methods, there is value in mutual information sharing between Customs and tax authorities. Transfer pricing data may help Customs understand the commercial context of transactions, while Customs often has contemporaneous data that may benefit tax authorities.

As a matter of fact, four Case Studies adopted by the Technical Committee on Customs Valuation (TCCV) demonstrate how transfer pricing data can be used legally and practically in Customs valuation. The WCO also published a Guide to Customs Valuation and Transfer Pricing which explores the linkages and the possibilities for Customs to use transfer pricing information in examining related party transactions.

The French Customs representative stressed that transfer pricing documentation can support Customs valuation if detailed transaction-level data specific to imports is provided. Otherwise, Customs may reject declared values and determine the Customs value using alternative valuation methods in the Agreement, which can result in disputes and increased costs. She further noted that a key challenge lies in the timing, where the transfer prices are often not finalized at the moment of importation, as they are typically adjusted at the end of the fiscal year. As a result, operators may need to declare provisional values and later revise them, an approach that requires a clearly documented and transparent link between fiscal data and each imported good.

The representative emphasized the value of the WCO Guide on Customs Valuation and Transfer Pricing, along with four case studies adopted by the TCCV. She stated that these tools serve as practical resources for aligning tax and Customs perspectives, offering a legal and operational framework that helps businesses justify transfer pricing in Customs declarations and avoid costly disputes.

Cooperation mechanisms between Customs and tax authorities need to be strengthened

Although both Customs and tax authorities seek to assess real economic values, their differing methods and timing requirements often create challenges. Panelists agreed that improving cooperation between Customs and tax administrations is essential but remains a work in progress.

The OECD expert highlighted that legal frameworks vary across countries. Some jurisdictions allow Customs to participate in Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs), enabling taxpayers to address both tax and Customs valuation concerns simultaneously. However, many countries lack this legal basis, signaling the need for reform and capacity building. Early-stage collaboration, before audits or disputes arise, was emphasized as critical to avoiding contradictory outcomes and reducing compliance burdens. Joint training for Customs and tax officials is also necessary to foster shared understanding and technical competence.

Challenges faced by businesses

The ICC representative shared the private sector perspective, highlighting several persistent challenges:

Misconceptions: Transfer pricing is often viewed skeptically by authorities despite widespread adherence to international standards by multinational enterprises (MNEs).

Timing mismatch: Tax transfer pricing studies are typically prepared annually, whereas Customs requires immediate transactional data at import clearance.

Post-import adjustments: Year-end transfer pricing adjustments complicate Customs valuation, especially in jurisdictions without clear legal frameworks for retroactive changes.

Capacity gaps: Customs officials often lack training on transfer pricing concepts, limiting their ability to properly assess related-party imports.

Way ahead: enhancing dialogue, developing practical tools, and establishing collaborative frameworks

As global trade becomes increasingly complex and interconnected, the importance of aligning transfer pricing and Customs valuation cannot be overstated. Without effective cooperation, inconsistencies between tax and Customs regimes risk undermining revenue collection, increasing compliance costs for businesses, and creating opportunities for abuse.

This panel discussion reaffirmed the shared commitment of Customs, tax authorities, and the private sector to close the gap through enhanced dialogue, practical tools, and collaborative frameworks. The path forward involves bridging regulatory silos, promoting transparency, and fostering a culture of cooperation - ensuring a fair, efficient, and predictable environment for all trade participants.

WCO Members Customs administrations are encouraged to submit questions related to transfer pricing to the Technical Committee on Customs Valuation (TCCV) for examination, which will enable the WCO to continue developing practical guidance in this matter.

The panel discussion was moderated by Ms. Gael Grooby, Acting Director of Tariff and Trade Affairs at the WCO Secretariat at the time, with the following participants:
Karun Kaushik and Selin Kocalar werent planning to raise a Series A so soon. Their AI compliance startup, Delve, which announced a $3 million seed round in January, was growing fast and signing customers at a steady clip.

Then, inbound interest started rolling in, COO Kocalar told TechCrunch.

Delve, which automates regulatory compliance with AI agents, ended up fielding multiple term sheets, eventually closing a $32 million Series A at a $300 million valuation. The round was led by Insight Partners, which took up most of the round, with participation from CISOs at Fortune 500 companies.

Insight has been amazing to work with, and we felt they were the right long-term partner for us, said the COO.

Delves new valuation represents a roughly 10x jump from its previous round. Similarly, its customer base has grown from the 100 companies it reported back in January to over 500, many of them fast-growing AI startups like recently minted AI unicorn Lovable, Bland, and Wispr Flow.

And while the 2-year-old company, made up of AI researchers from MIT, Stanford, and Berkeley, has seemingly struck gold by using AI to eliminate hundreds of hours of manual processes, its story began much differently.

Kaushik and Kocalar met as classmates during their freshman year at MIT. Both had deep interests in AI and health tech. Kaushik had already scaled a COVID diagnostic system to thousands of users during the pandemic.

In 2023, they began working on an AI-powered medical scribe to help doctors handle patient documentation. However, handling sensitive healthcare information meant they quickly encountered the costly and time-consuming world of HIPAA compliance.

Instead of continuing with the medical scribe, they started building tools to help other companies get HIPAA-compliant faster and more affordably. That pivot got the team into Y Combinator last year and helped them raise their seed round from General Catalyst, FundersClub, Soma Capital, and others. The founders dropped out during their sophomore year in 2023.

What started with HIPAA quickly expanded. As our customer base grew, they started asking for support with other frameworks: SOC 2, PCI, GDPR, ISO, basically the whole alphabet soup of compliance, Kocalar narrated.

L-R: Selin Kocalar (COO) and Karun Kaushik (CEO) Image Credits:Delve

Compliance paperwork can be necessary in everything from launching products to closing enterprise deals. But instead of driving growth, its manual work can become a bottleneck.

Compliance frameworks are standardized. Businesses arent, says CEO Kaushik. That mismatch is why traditional software breaks down and teams fall back to duct-taped workflows across email, Slack, and shared drives.
Key Points

Federal Realty is a reliable Dividend King that's attractively priced.

Visa is expensive, but has an attractive growth story to offer.

Bank of Nova Scotia is a Canadian banking giant with a solid turnaround plan.

10 stocks we like better than Visa 

Dividend stocks come in all shapes and sizes, so there's no one-size-fits-all approach that works for everyone. That's actually good news, since every investor is unique. If you are looking for dividend stocks to buy, you'll want to examine Federal Realty (NYSE: FRT), Visa (NYSE: V), and Bank of Nova Scotia (NYSE: BNS). Here's why these three options could be brilliant stocks to buy and hold for the long term (for the right investor).

1. Federal Realty is boring and reliable

Federal Realty is a retail-focused real estate investment trust (REIT). It owns strip malls and mixed-use developments that are centered around retail assets. It isn't the biggest retail REIT, owning only around 100 properties. However, those properties are large and very well located, with higher average populations and income than the REIT's closest peers.

One of the key skills that Federal Realty possesses is on the development and redevelopment front. In fact, it is a fairly active portfolio manager, buying assets that need some love, fixing them up to increase their value and rent-generating capacity, and then selling if a good price can be had. The process is then repeated. This model has worked very well over time, noting that Federal Realty is the only REIT to have achieved Dividend King status.

Now add in an attractive 4.6% dividend yield, which is well above the 1.3% yield of the S&P 500 index (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) and the 4.1% yield of the average REIT. If you are looking for a large and reliable income stream, Federal Realty should be on your radar today.

Image source: Getty Images.

2. Visa is a dividend growth machine

Not every dividend investor is looking for a big yield; some are looking for dividend growth. That's where Visa excels, noting that its annualized dividend growth rate over the past decade was a shockingly impressive 17%. More recent growth has been a bit slower, but the dividend growth rates over the one-, three-, and five-year periods are all over 10%. These are the kind of stats that dividend growth investors should love.

Visa is a payment processor. It collects small fees for facilitating billions of transactions with cards that carry its logo. No single fee is very large, but over the vast number of transactions it handles, the figures add up. And, despite its already impressive scale, the business is still growing. In the second quarter of 2025, Visa processed 9% more transactions than it did a year ago, leading to a 9% jump in revenues and a 10% increase in adjusted earnings.
A recent federal court ruling overturned a Biden-era ban on medical debt in credit reports just as access to healthcare and health insurance is becoming more fragile.

The decision could thwart the hopes of an estimated 15 million Americans who might have seen some relief ahead of expected hikes to healthcare premiums, the end of enhanced marketplace subsidies, and an anticipated increase in the number of Americans without insurance.

Were really concerned that with the loss of insurance altogether, or healthcare becoming more expensive, were just going to see more medical debt, said Mona Shah, the senior director of policy and strategy at Community Catalyst, a national nonprofit healthcare advocacy organization. With this protection removed around credit reporting, its going to impact peoples overall economic well-being and ability to thrive.

A $49 billion reversal

Earlier this month, a federal judge blocked a rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which had never taken effect, that would have stopped medical bills from appearing on credit reports and barred lenders from using such data to make lending decisions. The CFPB estimated the change could raise impacted consumers credit scores by an average of 20 points.

Healthcare providers typically dont report missed medical bills directly to credit bureaus, according to Equifax, so medical debt often doesnt wind up on a credit report until its been reported to a collections agency.

However, two trade associations successfully argued that the CFPB had overstepped its authority. Under the Trump administration, the CFPB also asked for the rule to be thrown out. In a July 11 ruling, Judge Sean Jordan of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas agreed with the trade groups.

The ruling comes at an especially precarious time in healthcare. The tax bill signed into law by President Trump this month is expected to leave 10 million Americans without health insurance by 2034, largely due to changes in Medicaid.

Meanwhile, enhanced premium tax credits that helped make Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage more affordable will expire at the end of this year after they were not extended in the tax bill, a change that will help contribute to the largest premium increases seen in years in 2026. The end of the subsidies is expected to leave an estimated 4.2 million people uninsured.

Having more people lose Medicaid and become uninsured, and also lower-income adults losing subsidized marketplace coverage and becoming uninsured, is going to significantly increase medical debt, said Fredric Blavin, a senior fellow and researcher at the Urban Institute, a Washington-based think tank.
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By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA

The Education Minister has defended the length of schools summer holidays, saying they offer people a chance to take a break.

Helen McEntee acknowledged that it was a challenge for parents in need of childcare, and any decision on changing the length of the school year would require a considered approach.

There has been some commentary in recent weeks that the length of the school holidays  three months for secondary schools and two months for primary  are out of date, as Ireland has some of the longest school breaks in Europe.

Visiting a Clondalkin primary school on Thursday, where children were taking part in a summer programme for two weeks, Ms McEntee said: Im here in a school where you have principals, teachers, SNAs, who are working and supporting children throughout the summer.

Education Minister Helen McEntee at St Marys Junior National School in Clondalkin, Dublin (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA)

Weve always had a particular time period for school holidays.

What we find, particularly for our secondary schools, is that theyre actually coming back earlier now, in August, so the Leaving Cert results will be out from the 22nd, some students are actually in that week and, in fact, the following week is when a lot of schools are coming back.

Our teachers work hard, our schools are very active throughout the year. I think the time thats taken throughout the summer gives everybody a chance to take a break.

The children at St Marys Junior National School learn literacy and numerical skills, and how to bake, as part of the summer programme, which gives educational support to children, including those with special educational needs.

They can also paint in the schools outdoor wooden classroom, called the sun room, which was funded by the Arts Council.

Ms McEntee said 1,800 schools are taking part in the summer programme this year, including 80 special schools, a 16% increase on last year.

Helen McEntee (seated centre) acknowledged that it was a challenge for parents in need of childcare (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA)

Asked if the activity of the summer programme suggested the summer break was too long, she said the programme initially began with a particular emphasis on special education.

For children with additional needs, to have that structure and to have that focus, is really, really important.

And I think there was an acknowledgement that to have that extra support throughout the summer is something that would be hugely beneficial, not just for the students, but also for the parents.

Its obviously since expanded, its not just a focus on special schools or additional needs, its a focus on our DEIS schools, making sure that where children  and its not all children that access the programme  but if there is that need there to have that extra support, that structure throughout the summer, its there.

Its also fun.

I do acknowledge, I have to say, the challenges for parents when it comes to childcare, when it comes to the fact that in many households you have both parents working now full time, so the summer does pose challenges.

But you know, I think any changes to summer breaks, any changes to holidays, thats something that would always have to be considered in engagement and consultation with schools, with teachers, with parents, with families overall.

Ms McEntee also announced a National Convention on Education, to inform a long-term strategy for primary and secondary education in Ireland.

Professor Anne Looney, who will chair the convention, said in a statement she was looking forward to being involved in ensuring we give our learners and those who work with them the best opportunities to flourish and succeed.
A man was trying to show off when he twice drove his car into outdoor furniture on a garage forecourt.

Ross Jordan, aged 24, of Lisaniska, Ballyvary pleaded guilty at Castlebar Circuit Criminal Court to charges of criminal damage, endangerment, and driving without insurance.

Gda Noel Higgins told the court that he was called to Caseys Centra in Castlebar on July 16, 2023. He was shown CCTV that showed a Red Honda driving at high speed into the forecourt before deliberately colliding with four outdoor tables. The vehicle then drove away before returning and committing the same act again just moments later.

On July 23, Jordan was arrested at his home, and made full admissions. The court heard he was intoxicated on the night.

The damage caused to four outdoor tables, two parasols and a front door glass panel came to 2,243. Jordan had 3,000 in compensation in court. Judge Eoin Garavan was told that after driving into the outdoor tables, Jordan then made a failed attempt to fix them. The kitchen fitter has 16 previous convictions, 15 of which are for road traffic matters.

Barrister Mark Ryan, representing Jordan, said there were other people present and the forecourt is sometimes used as a meeting place for young drivers. Mr Ryan said his clients actions were an effort to show off to the people who were there".

The barrister said his client has his mother tortured and is undergoing two years of continuing care under a programme provided by Hope House. Jordan also attends AA and cocaine addiction counselling.

Mr Ryan said a recent ADHD diagnosis may help to explain the defendant's behaviour.

Judge Garavan said it appeared that Jordan was goaded into the foolish act, adding that the defendant's crime was quite extraordinary and wanton".

For the endangerment offence, Judge Garavan imposed a two-year suspended prison sentence. For the act of criminal damage, Jordan was ordered to carry out 175 hours of community service in lieu of one year and six months in prison.
Natasha Reid and Niamh ODonoghue

A 63-year-old handed a three-year sentence for sexual assault earlier this week has been told they will spend a further six months in custody.

Ronaldo Otto, who is transitioning to female and identifies as Samantha Otto, was before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday for breaching the terms of a three-year suspended sentence imposed for throwing a cup of boiling water over the face of another casino customer over six years ago.

Judge Pauline Codd took into account that Otto, who has an address at Grosvenor Square, Rathmines, is being held in a mens prison and finds this distressing.

Otto committed the sexual assault on the 18-year-old on October 26, 2022, while serving the suspended part of the sentence for the assault on the man in the casino. A jury found Otto guilty of the sexual assault of the male student following a trial in May.

In the casino incident, Otto had pleaded guilty to assault causing harm on April 27, 2019 and received a suspended sentence a year and a half later.

Detective Garda Pauline Collier told the court that the incident took place at the Empire Casino on Burgh Quay in Dublin. The injured party knew the defendant as Samantha from attending the casino.

They had an altercation that morning, and the defendant pushed him in his chair in front of a slot machine, calling him an asshole. The injured party walked out of the casino, calling Otto crazy.

The man arrived back later, and Otto approached him and apologised for the behaviour.

However, the defendant then went into the customer kitchen area, filled up a cup of boiling water and returned to where the man was seated. Otto pulled the mans head back and poured the boiling water on his face.

Otto admitted the offence and received a three-year suspended sentence in October 2020.

Judge Codd noted today that the prosecution garda in the other case had said that the casino assault was to do with sexual rejection.

However, Det Gda Collier explained that there had been sexual advances by Otto over text messages, but this had been months earlier, and the injured party had indicated that he was just interested in friendship.

Pieter Le Vert BL, defending, pointed out that his client had been sentenced on Monday, and is being held in Mountjoy.

You see today, she appears not as a female, he said. That causes her considerable distress. Shes always very careful about her appearance when she appears in court.

He asked the judge to be as lenient as she possibly could in deciding whether to reactivate any or all of the three years originally suspended.

Judge Codd noted that the sexual assault had occurred two years into the sentence for the casino assault, and said that Otto had acted in a sexually predatory manner to a young man waiting to go into college.

I take into account hes biologically a male person, who identifies as female and has undergone certain steps towards transition, and that being in a male prison is difficult for someone in the accuseds position, she said.

She reactivated six months of the sentence and suspended the balance for two and a half years. The judge directed that this sentence should run consecutive to the three-year sentence imposed on Monday for the sexual assault of the teenager.

The accused should undertake rehabilitation in respect of gender-based violence and sexual offending, she said, noting that Otto was already on the Sex Offenders register.

They should place themselves under probation supervision for two and a half years from the date of release, and undergo therapy, she said. Thats because there is some sort of nexus between both offences.

Mr Le Vert explained to his client that she now had to enter a bond for the suspended portion.

Samantha, stand up, he said.

Do you Rolando Otto acknowledge yourself so bound? asked the registrar.

I do, replied the accused, while rubbing away tears.
The proliferation of artificial intelligence image and video generators has made it easy for online users to create billions of memes ranging from baby versions of The Real Housewives of Atlanta to humorous takes on the Coldplay kiss cam viral moment just a few days ago.

But these tools have raised serious legal questions about the copyright protection for the assets that these AI models are trained on.

That has resulted in numerous lawsuits being filed by individual artists, Hollywood studios, and media companies, who all assert that some of the most popular AI systems are trained on unauthorized images and videos. Ongoing litigation includes Disney and Universal suing image generation tool Midjourney, the New York Times squaring up against ChatGPT owner OpenAI and Microsoft, and the Wall Street Journal and New York Post versus AI startup Perplexity.

Ely Greenfield, chief technology officer at software maker Adobes digital media business, has spent over two years pitching a different path. Ever since the debut of a text-to-image model known as Firefly in March 2023, Adobe has touted the companys own creative generative AI models that are only trained on content that it has rights to use, including Adobe Stock photos and licensed artistic content.

Fireflys models have been integrated in Adobes suite of apps including Photoshop and Illustrator, and thus far, businesses and individual creators have generated over 26 billion assets. Big names including toy maker Mattel and cosmetics manufacturer Estee Lauder have signed on to Firefly for creative ideation, editing, and asset generation purposes.

Every piece of content that we train on is something that we have acquired the license of, or that is published under a verifiable and known license, says Greenfield.

This approach does come with some limitations. If Firefly were asked to generate an image of a Disney cartoon character, like say Mickey Mouse, it would do a horrible job of it, concedes Greenfield. And thats by design and on purpose.

Greenfield says that AI tools based on every image found on the internet produce less desired outputs, not just for potentially infringing on IP, but because it is representative of a vast trove of data that doesnt always have the best quality. Theres the raw science of how you build the model, but a massive amount of work goes into data curation and preparation, says Greenfield. The average piece of content on the internet isnt necessarily what you want to put in your ad.

Adobes buttoned-up AI approach means the companys off-the-shelf Firefly offering would have little use to a consumer-facing company like Coca-Cola. But under an enterprise licensing agreement, Adobe says it can train a private version of Firefly thats exclusively trained on the beverage companys branding and style.
American carmaker puts shocking price tag on US tariffs originally appeared on TheStreet.

The U.S. auto industry has had a seat at the table from the beginning, so when President Donald Trump announced 25% tariffs on auto imports, it didn't take the big players by surprise.

The U.S. auto industry, consisting of General Motors, Ford, and French conglomerate Stellantis  collectively known as the Detroit Big 3  each praised the move at the time.

For decades now, it has not been a level playing field for us automakers globally, with either tariffs or non-tariff trade barriers. So I think tariffs is one tool that the administration can use to level the playing field, GM CEO Mary Barra said.

Related: New Stellantis CEO deals with more of the company's old problems

Barra has also stated that "leveling the playing field," as she put it, will wipe out between $4 billion and $5 billion in EBITDA this year.

Ford has also praised the tariffs, with company execs saying it "supports the administration's goal to strengthen the U.S. economy by growing manufacturing."

The reason for the support is that Ford makes more cars in America than anyone else.

"Last year, we assembled over 300,000 more vehicles in the U.S. than our closest competitor. That includes 100% of all our full-size trucks," CEO Jim Farley said during the company's last earnings call.

"In this new environment...automakers with the largest U.S. footprint will have a big advantage, and boy, is that true for Ford," he added. "It puts us in the pole position."

Despite that advantage, Ford estimates tariffs will shave at least $1.5 billion off the company's EBITDA this year.

Stellantis lost a lot of money on tariffs in the first half of the year. Image source: Stellantis

Stellantis puts a $2.7 billion price tag on its tariff misery

Stellantis has also spoken glowingly of President Trump's tariffs, but the company at the same time warned that the taxes present it with a major headwind.

Stellantis  which owns Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Chrysler  imported 564,000 vehicles last year, well ahead of Ford's 420,000 imports. Both imported fewer vehicles than GM, which imported 750,000 vehicles last year.

With the new automotive sector tariffs now in effect, it will take our collective resilience and discipline to push through this challenging time, new Stellantis CEO Antonio Filosa said recently.

On Monday, the company detailed precisely how challenging the tariffs have been when it released preliminary first-half sales figures.

Stellantis expects a net loss of 2.3 billion euros ($2.68 billion) in the first half of the year due to pre-tax net charges and the early effects of U.S. tariffs.
By Chris Kirkham, Akash Sriram and Abhirup Roy

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Tesla and its CEO Elon Musk are walking an increasingly difficult tightrope as the company navigates declining electric vehicle sales and an autonomous driving business that has yet to get off the ground.

On Wednesday's earnings call, Musk said Tesla is "getting the regulatory permission to launch" robotaxis in several states, including California, Nevada, Arizona and Florida.

He expects operations to reach "half the population of the U.S. by the end of the year" and to roll out at scale by the end of next year.

So far, though, the company is operating only a small fleet in Austin, Texas, that is not available to the general public.

And getting regulatory approvals, particularly in California, is likely to prove a bigger hurdle than Musk described on the call.

"Tesla cannot afford a misstep with the robotaxi service," said Camelthorn Investments adviser Shawn Campbell, who owns Tesla shares. He added that "the wheels are coming off" its automotive business, with sales declines across "almost every market."

Sales fell 13% for the first half of this year, as its core EV business deteriorated due to an aging lineup and brand damage from Musk's political activism. With no affordable vehicles on the horizon until the last three months of the year and the upcoming elimination of a $7,500 U.S. tax break for EV buyers, Musk acknowledged that the company could have "a few rough quarters."

"The numbers kind of speak for themselves," said Ross Gerber, CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management and a Tesla investor. "They're bad for a growth company, which isn't growing."

Tesla shares were down more than 8% in midday trading on Thursday. They have declined 24% this year and robotaxis and autonomous driving are critical to maintaining the companys roughly $1 trillion stock-market valuation.

REGULATORY BARRIERS

The fall in core auto sales has led to more investor scrutiny of Musk's lofty robotaxi promises. Products such as the Cybertruck have come later than anticipated, and Musk has promised every year since 2016 that driverless Teslas would arrive no later than the following year.

Many questions on Wednesday's call focused on how quickly Tesla would be able to expand robotaxi services, and the regulatory hurdles that remain.

Musk said he expected the robotaxi business would have a "material impact" on Tesla's business by the end of next year.
By News Agency

Continuing its efforts to reduce foreign energy dependency and increase domestic production, Turkey has added two new drilling vessels to its fleet. The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has expanded its fleet with the purchase of two twin, seventh-generation, ultra-deepwater drilling vessels. This brings Turkey's deepwater drilling fleet to six, making it one of the most modern in the world. While the names of the purchased vessels have not yet been determined, the two vessels, which served in the Norwegian fleet as West Draco (2014) and West Dorado (2015), are now included in TPAO's inventory.

The vessels, each costing $245 million, are 228 meters long, 42 meters wide, and have a deadweight ton capacity of 59,200. Classified as 7th-generation and capable of drilling up to 12,192 meters, these vessels were redesigned in South Korea in 2024.

Each ship has a crew capacity of 200, a helipad, and has completed extensive maintenance, enabling continuous operation until 2029.

TPAO's assessment process included a detailed examination of drilling tables, engine rooms, bridge equipment, and underwater systems. A rigorous analysis was also conducted based on criteria such as time savings, operational flexibility, and cost advantages.

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar stated on social media, "With these new reinforcements, Turkey is taking its place among the world's top four most modern energy fleets. Our fleet has now reached a world-class level not only in numbers but also in terms of technology, capacity, and operational efficiency." Bayraktar emphasized that the new vessels will expand exploration and production capacity in the Black Sea and beyond.

The first of the newly acquired vessels will be brought to Turkiye in approximately two months. Following accreditation and certification processes, the first vessel will be ready for commissioning in January, and the second in February. One vessel is planned to operate off the coast of Libya, while the other will participate in drilling operations in the Mediterranean off the coast of Ta?ucu, Mersin.

In addition to TPAO's 6th-generation Fatih, Yavuz, and Kanuni, and 7th-generation Abdulhamid Han vessels, which are actively operating in the Sakarya Gas Field in the Black Sea, the Oruc Reis and Barbaros Hayrettin Pa?a are also active in seismic research. The fleet also includes 11 support vessels, a construction vessel, and a floating production platform.
This stock is one of several featured in our latest research. For more small-cap opportunities with asymmetric return potential, read our free article: 10 Promising SmallCap Stocks Under $1 Billion Market Cap.

We came across a bullish thesis on Arvinas, Inc. on Valueinvestorsclub.com by Ray Palmer. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on ARVN. Arvinas, Inc.'s share was trading at $7.59 as of July 16th.

Pharmacy, Medicines, Health

Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash

Arvinas (ARVN) presents a compelling deep value investment, trading at $6.50 despite holding $954M in cash ($13/share), significantly exceeding its market cap. Beyond cash, Arvinas owns a Novartis-partnered asset that brought in $150M upfront, with a risk-adjusted NPV estimated at $300M ($4/share).

Its breast cancer drug, vepdegestrant (vepdeg), though no longer a blockbuster candidate, retains meaningful value as a second-line treatment for mutant patientsa smaller but high-value market. The company estimates a sum-of-the-parts valuation north of $20/share, though corporate overhead currently drags on that value. The opportunity exists due to a combination of investor disillusionment and strategic missteps.

Vepdeg's Phase 3 data, announced in March, showed no efficacy in wild-type patients, capping its commercial scope. Pfizer, Arvinass partner, subsequently cancelled combo trials, but notably retained involvement through a Phase 1 combo study it fully funds and prominently featured vepdeg in its ASCO planssuggesting continued interest.

A near-term catalyst is ASCOs full data reveal, where Arvinas has teased best-in-class potential in mutant breast cancer. A second catalyst could be Pfizer assuming full commercialization duties under existing partnership terms, avoiding Arvinass inefficient standalone approach. If Pfizer declines, selling the asset becomes the most viable path. Activism remains a third catalyst.

Insider ownership is minimal, executive compensation is excessive, and the cost structure hasnt adapted to the companys diminished scope. An activist could drive governance reforms, prevent value-destructive commercialization attempts, and push for a return of excess cash to shareholders. With a large margin of safety and multiple catalysts, Arvinas offers an attractive asymmetric risk/reward setup.

Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Relay Therapeutics, Inc. by Steve Wagner in May 2025, which highlighted the companys strategic pivot to focus solely on RLY-2608, supported by deep cost cuts and a strong cash runway through 2029. The companys stock price has appreciated approximately by 15% since our coverage. This is because early clinical data validated RLY-2608s potential. The thesis still stands as the lead program advances into pivotal trials. Ray Palmer shares a similar view on the breast cancer space but emphasizes Arvinass undervaluation, cash-rich balance sheet, and activist-driven upside.
Africas minerals are being bartered for security

This is a bad idea. African nations need to negotiate contracts that ensure they hold on to the power their resources bring.

A US-brokered peace deal between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda binds the two African nations to a worrying arrangement: one where a country signs away its mineral resources to a superpower in return for opaque assurances of security.

The peace deal, signed in June 2025, aims to end three decades of conflict between the DRC and Rwanda.

A key part of the agreement binds both nations to developing a regional economic integration framework. This arrangement would expand cooperation between the two states, the US government and American investors on transparent, formalized end-to-end mineral chains.

Despite its immense mineral wealth, the DRC is among the five poorest countries in the world. It has been seeking US investment in its mineral sector.

The US has in turn touted a potential multi-billion-dollar investment programme to anchor its mineral supply chains in the traumatised and poor territory.

The peace that the June 2025 deal promises, therefore, hinges on chaining mineral supply to the US in exchange for Washingtons powerful  but vaguely formulated  military oversight.

The peace agreement further establishes a joint oversight committee  with representatives from the African Union, Qatar and the US  to receive complaints and resolve disputes between the DRC and Rwanda.

But beyond the joint oversight committee, the peace deal creates no specific security obligations for the US.

The relationship between the DRC and Rwanda has been marred by war and tension since the bloody First (1996-1997) and Second (1998-2003) Congo wars. At the heart of much of this conflict is the DRCs mineral wealth. It has fuelled competition, exploitation and armed violence.

This latest peace deal introduces a resources-for-security arrangement. Such deals arent new in Africa. They first emerged in the early 2000s as resources-for-infrastructure transactions. Here, a foreign state would agree to build economic and social infrastructure (roads, ports, airports, hospitals) in an African state. In exchange, it would get a major stake in a government-owned mining company. Or gain preferential access to the host countrys minerals.

We have studied mineral law and governance in Africa for more than 20 years. The question that emerges now is whether a US-brokered resources-for-security agreement will help the DRC benefit from its resources.

Based on our research on mining, development and sustainability, we believe this is unlikely.

This is because resources-for-security is the latest version of a resource-bartering approach that China and Russia pioneered in countries such as Angola, the Central African Republic and the DRC.

Resource bartering in Africa has eroded the sovereignty and bargaining power of mineral-rich nations such as the DRC and Angola.

Further, resources-for-security deals are less transparent and more complicated than prior resource bartering agreements.

DRCs security gaps

The DRC is endowed with major deposits of critical minerals like cobalt, copper, lithium, manganese and tantalum. These are the building blocks for 21st century technologies: artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, wind energy and military security hardware. Rwanda has less mineral wealth than its neighbour, but is the worlds third-largest producer of tantalum, used in electronics, aerospace and medical devices.

For almost 30 years, minerals have fuelled conflict and severe violence, especially in eastern DRC. Tungsten, tantalum and gold (referred to as 3TG) finance and drive conflict as government forces and an estimated 130 armed groups vie for control over lucrative mining sites. Several reports and studies have implicated the DRCs neighbours  Rwanda and Uganda  in supporting the illegal extraction of 3TG in this region.

The DRC government has failed to extend security over its vast (2.3 million square kilometres) and diverse territory (109 million people, representing 250 ethnic groups). Limited resources, logistical challenges and corruption have weakened its armed forces.

This context makes the United States military backing enormously attractive. But our research shows there are traps.

What states risk losing

Resources-for-infrastructure and resources-for-security deals generally offer African nations short-term stability, financing or global goodwill. However, the costs are often long-term because of an erosion of sovereign control.

Heres how this happens:

certain clauses in such contracts can freeze future regulatory reforms, limiting legislative autonomy

other clauses may lock in low prices for years, leaving resource-selling states unable to benefit when commodity prices surge

arbitration clauses often shift disputes to international forums, bypassing local courts

infrastructure loans are often secured via resource revenues used as loan security. This effectively ringfences exports and undermines sovereign fiscal control.

Examples of loss or near-loss of sovereignty from these sorts of deals abound in Africa.

For instance, Angolas US$2 billion oil-backed loan from China Eximbank in 2004. This was repayable in monthly deliveries of oil, with revenues directed to Chinese-controlled accounts. The loans design deprived Angolan authorities of decision-making power over that income stream even before the oil was extracted.

These deals also fragment accountability. They often span multiple ministries (such as defence, mining and trade), avoiding robust oversight or accountability. Fragmentation makes resource sectors vulnerable to elite capture. Powerful insiders can manipulate agreements for private gain.

In the DRC, this has created a violent kleptocracy, where resource wealth is systematically diverted away from popular benefit.

Finally, there is the risk of re-entrenching extractive trauma. Communities displaced for mining and environmental degradation in many countries across Africa illustrate the long-standing harm to livelihoods, health and social cohesion.

These are not new problems. But where extraction is tied to security or infrastructure, such damage risks becoming permanent features, not temporary costs.

What needs to change

Critical minerals are critical because theyre hard to mine or substitute. Additionally, their supply chains are strategically vulnerable and politically exposed. Whoever controls these minerals controls the future. Africa must make sure it doesnt trade that future away.

In a world being reshaped by global interests in critical minerals, African states must not underestimate the strategic value of their mineral resources. They hold considerable leverage.

But leverage only works if it is wielded strategically. This means:

investing in institutional strength and legal capacity to negotiate better deals

demanding local value creation and addition

requiring transparency and parliamentary oversight for minerals-related agreements

refusing deals that bypass human rights, environmental or sovereignty standards.

Africa has the resources. It must hold on to the power they wield.

Hanri Mostert, SARChI Chair for Mineral Law in Africa, University of Cape Town and Tracy-Lynn Field, Professor of Environmental and Sustainability Law, University of the Witwatersrand

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
The ASEAN light vehicle (LV) market increased by 1% YoY in May, marking the fourth consecutive month of growth. On a country basis, Indonesia was the only market that suffered a sales decline during the month, dropping by 14% YoY.

Furthermore, recent information indicates that Indonesias performance in June continued to fall, decreasing by 23% YoY. This resulted in an overall 8% drop for H1 2025 as a whole compared to the same period last year. The poor performance was primarily due to overall weak purchasing power and tightened auto loan approvals. Additionally, the pull-ahead effect from the temporary tax cut that occurred between Q1 2021 and Q3 2022 has likely hindered volumes since 2023.

Although May and June sales experienced double-digit declines, we have marginally increased Indonesias 2025 sales forecast to 749k units in this report, as volumes in June were slightly stronger than our expectations. Consumers may be holding off on purchases in anticipation of the upcoming GAIKINDO Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) from July 24 to August 3, which will feature new model launches and aggressive sales campaigns. However, our scenario remains unchanged: 2025 sales are expected to continue declining for the third consecutive year due to a challenging economic situation.

In Malaysia, registration data indicated that LV sales dropped by 8% YoY in H1 2025, primarily due to a sluggish result in January (-24% YoY). However, since then the market has gradually improved. Despite the YoY slowdown, H1 totals can still be considered a strong result, given that the market hit a new record high for three consecutive years at 711k units in 2022, 792k units in 2023, and 817k units in 2024. The outlook for Malaysia remains unchanged from our previous report, with a drop of 4% YoY to 789k units projected in 2025. However, consumers may rush to buy in Q4 2025 to avoid price hikes in 2026. It is worth noting that the government is set to change the tax calculation methodology, referred to as Open Market Value (OMV), which will increase the prices of locally produced models. Initially, OMV was scheduled for implementation in January 2025 but has been postponed to January 2026. We will monitor this development closely. If the government announces the implementation of OMV in January 2026, demand is likely to be pulled ahead to Q4 2025.

For Thailand, May sales recorded a notable rebound, driven primarily by strong demand for BEVs. This surge can be attributed to the competitive pricing strategies employed by Chinese automakers, making their offerings increasingly appealing to consumers. Conversely, the sales of Pickup Trucks have continued to experience a significant decline. While Mays performance was encouraging, volumes for the January-May period as a whole remained in negative territory, with an overall contraction of 4% YoY. This decline was marked by a modest 1% increase in PV sales, contrasted with a significant 15% drop in LCVs. Given the unexpectedly robust PV sales in May, we have revised our projections for the year and now anticipate that the Thai market will reach 571k units in 2025, indicating a slight increase of 0.9% compared to 2024.
Startup Ionic Mineral Technologies just raised $29 million in an oversubscribed Series B financing round. The vertically integrated U.S. producer of advanced materials for the energy, defense and technology sectors said it beat the $25 million funding goal, confirming optimism in its game plan to establish a secure, domestic pipeline for critical battery components. Climate Capital and SAIC Capital are listed as investors.

The Provo, Utah company is already producing complex battery materials at its 74,000 square-foot facility, located at the southern tip of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. The cash infusion will allow it to speed up production of two flagship products:

Ionisil: a nanosilicon anode material used in electric vehicles and defense batteries

IonAL: a high purity boehmite alumina used in battery separators and advanced technical ceramics

Don't Miss:

Ionisil is scheduled to reach the market in early 2026. Ionic hopes the rollout will produce nanosilicon electric batteries 24 times more efficient than older tech that holds lithium ions in graphite. The company says producing this refined silicon can be expensive, costly and dangerous, yielding toxic gases. It intends to overcome these limitations by extracting naturally occurring nanosilicon in Eureka, Utah deposits of the mineral halloysite.

This rare material is being processed at the Provo facility, using proprietary, low carbon and inexpensive methods. The company owns significant claims to a once-abandoned mine in Eureka, Utah. It hopes that local sourcing will "reduce reliance capital efficiency, reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, and align with U.S. industrial and national security priorities."

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Ionic claims resources of 2.4 million tons of halloysite on the property, with a potential yield of about 500,000 tons of nanosilicon.

Successful production will further two long-term goals for the EV industry and the nation. First, Chief Technical Officer Sunho Kang says it will disrupt a long-standing trade-off, in which higher energy density Li-ion batteries take longer to charge. Second, China now exports nearly all graphite used in American EVs while nanosilicon technology will source all materials locally.
BNBs price slipped nearly 1.5% in volatile trading over the last 24-hour period to trade recently around $765. Its down from a near $780 high earlier this week.

The move carved out a $34.87 range in a short window as institutional selling hit the market and buyers scrambled to defend key support. Trading volume spiked to nearly 12,000 tokens during a single hour, pointing to a wave of liquidation near the $760 psychological level, according to CoinDesk Research's technical analysis model.

The tokens sluggish performance saw solana's sol (SOL) surpass BNB's market capitalization after rising 3.5% in the last 24 hours. SOL now has a $109.3 billion market cap, compared to BNBs $106.6 billion.

Traders watching the $770 resistance zone saw rejection candles form early in todays trading session, often a sign of big market participants offloading positions. In response, bulls staged a defense at $745.75, which led to a short-term recovery.

In BNB-related news, Binance announced a temporary pause in BNB Smart Chain withdrawals on July 23 for wallet maintenance, which is expected to last half an hour. Meanwhile, blockchain infrastructure firm Nano Labs said it increased its BNB holdings to 120,000 tokens, valued at around $90 million.

Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated with the assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesk's full AI Policy.




The motion passed at Unites 2025 Policy Conference for a workers boycott of arms supplies to Israel will not mark a radical shift by Britains second-largest trade union, with its 1.1 million-strong membership, unless a fight is mounted against its leadership.

Passed overwhelmingly at the July 7-11 conference of around 800 delegates, the resolution has yet to be published. Instead Unites ruling Executive Council (EC) issued a statement based on a composite of several motions and after several revisions.

Unite Policy Conference, 2025 [Photo: UniteSharon/X]

Presented by the unions substantial United Left faction as a new chapter for opponents of the Gaza genocide, it is a cynical manoeuvre by the Unite bureaucracy to salvage its credibility amid growing rank-and-file opposition.

For over 20 months, as Israels war of annihilation has continued Unites leadership under General Secretary Sharon Graham has done nothing. Worse, it has actively suppressed efforts by workers to take solidarity action in defence of the Palestinians. Grahams apparatus has witch-hunted members advocating the boycott of arms supplies, blocked implementation of a previously adopted Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) policy, and defended the arms industry on the pretext that action would endanger workers jobs.

But this attempt to silence opposition to mass murder has become untenable, as Israels atrocities multiply against women, children, medics, aid workers, and journalists, and the death toll mounts to enforce expulsion through bombardment and starvation.

The EC is forced to acknowledge the widespread anger felt by millions in its statement, condemning Israels actions as genocidal, referencing ethnic cleansing, famine, attacks on civilians, children, hospitals, and aid distribution sites, and citing the International Court of Justice placing Israel on trial and ICC arrest warrants for senior Israeli leader for crimes against humanity.

Yet staggering hypocrisy runs through the statement, which avoids any direct reference to the UK-based arms firms enabling these war crimesespecially BAE Systems, which provides 15 percent of the components for the F-35 fighter jets dropping 2,000lb bombs on Gaza. There is no mention of any specific Unite-organised workplaces involved in the manufacture or shipment of weapons.

The statement references the appeal made by Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions (PGFTU) back in October 2023, asking that workers refuse to deal with military shipments to Israel, especially those transported by logistics companies Maersk and ZIM. But offers no explanation of why this call went unheeded for the past 20 months. Equally the actual appeal for far more all-embracing actionthe Palestinian statement insisted, This urgent, genocidal situation can only be prevented by a mass increase of global solidarity with the people of Palestine that can restrain the Israeli war machineis deliberately concealed.

Even now the ECs promise to back worker-led boycotts and divestment campaigns absolves it of any responsibility for taking action. The onus is placed entirely on individual workers or isolated groups, while the EC stands at a safe distance offering support.

The statement stresses instead that Prior to taking action Unite will engage with members and reps in affected areas. We will not take any action that will put members jobs at risk without their consent Unite will give full support to any individual member or section of members, who seek and do not get adequate assurances from their employers that they are not breaching international law

These are escape clauses for the bureaucracy. Before anything happens, there must be endless consultations under the threat of job losses by workers who take a principled stand, and the burden falls on them to prove employers violation of international law while Unites leadership mounts no struggle against those trading in genocide.

This is a containment exercise, meant to defuse rank-and-file anger while preserving Unites cosy ties with arms manufacturers and the Labour government.

There can be no other reading of the ECs calls on the Labour government to end the genocide, apply sanctions, and recognise a Palestinian state. This is after Unite backed Labours election campaign even as Starmer defended genocide under the mantra of Israels right to self-defence. He entered Downing Street already reviled by millions as a war criminal.

Since taking office, Starmer has ramped up UK arms exports to Israel, approving 126 million in arms sales in just four months from last Septembermore than the Tories approved in four years between 2020 and 2023. In the High Court, the government opposed a case brought by five human rights groups arguing that the export of BAE parts to F-35 fighter jets made the UK potentially complicit in violations on international law and the Genocide Convention. The government lawyers argued that it was tenable to claim no genocide was occurring and the High Court sided with the government in its ruling on June 30 to maintain the exports.

As for ECs touting of Labours pledge to recognise Palestine, this is a dead letter. Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair, through his Tony Blair Institute, has helped design the future for a post-genocide Gazaa Trump Riviera and Elon Musk Smart Manufacturing Zone built on the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians. This is what the Starmer government is directly overseeing, not just with its supply of arms but even more critically more than 500 surveillance flights flown by the RAF around Gaza since December 2023 to aid Israels war on Gaza.

The violent expulsion of Palestinians is part of a new bloody redivision of the world over critical resources and trade routes by the US, Britain, and the European powers against Russia and China. These wars of conquest demand brutal austerity at homeslashing the welfare state, gutting the NHS and local councils, and destroying democratic rights. This is behind the strike-breaking operation against 400 refuse workers in Birmingham, organised by Deputy Labour Party leader Angela Rayner and Labour council leader John Cotton. Both are Unite members, but were only suspended last week while Graham timidly suggested a possible rethink of Unites multi-million pound funding of the Labour Party.

Unite leader Sharon Graham speaking at a Trades Union Congress rally in London on June 18, 2022

Not just Graham, but the entire trade union bureaucracy has done nothing to oppose the Gaza genocide. Instead, they advocate corporatist collaboration with the corporations and the government, including the arms manufacturers. Unite is not alone in banging the drum for hiked up military spending. At the 2022 Trades Union Congress, a GMB motion passedbacked by Unitesupporting immediate increases in UK defence spending, including new contracts for nuclear submarines under the AUKUS military pact, directed against China.

Even if the motion passed at the Unite Policy Conference and the ECs statement were the most powerfully worded, this would not alter the fundamental problem faced by members of the union. Like their counterparts in every union, these workers confront an unaccountable bureaucracy dedicated to the suppression of the class struggle.

The is underscored by the publication of the EC statement on the United Left website alongside a speech made during the debate at the Unite Policy Conference by Jim Kelly, chair of Unites London and Eastern Region.

Kelly acknowledged that we had no answer when approached at national Gaza protests as to why Unite had no national speaker on the platform and that motions passed by the Regional Committee, including implementation of the unions agreed BDS policy, were ruled out of order and not debated. We have never been told why.

Calling for support for the motion, Kelly described this an opportunity for a reset, meaning nothing more than implementation of our agreed policies while offering no explanation as to why these had been flouted for the best part of two years or why this would not continue going forward. For the pseudo-left and Stalinist forces that make up the left in the trade unions, passing resolutions that will supposedly bring the bureaucracy to order is a means of opposing an actual struggle against that bureaucracy, whether openly on the right-wing or left-talkers like Graham.

Urgent action to stop the flow of British arms to Israel and defeat the Starmer governments complicity in the genocide cannot be entrusted to the Unite bureaucracy, or any section of the official labour movement. Motions passed under pressure from below, stripped of any mechanisms for enforcement, serve only as fig leaves for inaction. A new strategy is neededone that bases the fight against the Gaza genocide on the industrial and political mobilisation of the international working class.

Workers around the world are entering into struggle against the same ruling class that is arming and funding Israels war on Gaza, while imposing austerity, attacks on free speech, and militarisation at home. Only a conscious, organised movement of rank-and-file workersindependent of the trade union bureaucracy and rooted in socialist internationalismcan bring an end to genocide, war and class oppression.
Declarations that any criticism of Israels genocide in Gaza amounts to antisemitism and represents an abuse of Holocaust remembrance are assuming increasingly bizarre forms.

At a time when the crimes of the far-right Netanyahu government and the Israeli army against the Palestinian population are increasingly evident, with images of the devastation in Gaza resembling the Nazi terror against Jewish ghettos and starving Palestinian men, women and children recalling the emaciated victims of those in the Nazi concentration camps, the more violently officialdom in Germany seeks to suppress the growing opposition to these crimes.

Forced laborers in the Buchenwald concentration camp after its liberation in April 1945

It has now been revealed that the memorial site of the former Buchenwald concentration camp near Weimar has issued a manual to its security and educational staff that allows them to turn away visitors who express solidarity with the Palestinian population.

Under the heading Problematic Brands, Codes, Symbols, and Signs of Right-Wing Extremist and Antisemitic Groups, the document lists the Palestinian scarf, the keffiyeh, and other Palestinian symbols on an equal footing with far-right symbols that have been used in the past to denigrate the memorial site and mock the victims.

It states: Wearing the keffiyeh can, with a high probability, indicate sympathy with militant anti-Israel sentiment. Calls for a ceasefire in Gaza (Ceasefire Now) and the display of a watermelon slice, whose red, white, and green colouring corresponds to the colours of the Palestinian flag, are also considered anti-Israel symbols and signs.

All of this is described as Israel-related antisemitism and an insult to the Jewish victims of the concentration camp, where numerous non-Jewish opponents of the Nazis were also murdered: communists, social democrats, trade unionists and foreign slave labourers.

Back in April, a scandal erupted at the commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp. Under pressure from the Israeli ambassador, memorial director Jens-Christian Wagner withdrew the renowned Israeli scholar and critic of Netanyahu, Omri Boehm, from speaking at the event.

Omri Boehm is the grandson of a Holocaust survivor and a fierce critic of the Netanyahu government. He condemns the war crimes in Gaza and advocates the idea of a bi-national Jewish-Palestinian state.

According to previously known figures, the Nazis deported a total of 280,000 people to Buchenwald and its 139 subcamps from the summer of 1937 onwards; 56,000 were murdered or died of starvation, disease, medical experiments or forced labor.

On April 11, 1945, surviving prisoners, mostly members of the German Communist Party (KPD), organized an armed uprising, arrested over 100 remaining SS guards, and surrendered the camp to arriving American troops. By then, most of the responsible Nazi henchmen, commanders and guards had already fled.

Today, the memorialin addition to its functions as a cemetery and place of remembranceis a place of learning open to all those who approach the historical site with the intention of ensuring that its history is never repeated, states the memorials website.

There is no doubt that since the 1990s, there have been repeated abhorrent actions by right-wing radicals seeking to misuse Buchenwald for their reactionary and fascist purposes. The memorials website lists numerous examples. It is entirely legitimate for the institutions staff to oppose this. However, the signs and symbols listed in the handbook have nothing to do with such actions; instead they take very seriously the sloganNever again!

It was above all the surviving prisoners of Buchenwald who coined the famous oath Never again fascism, never again war, in 1945. Now, protests against the mass murder being carried out by a far-right government are being prohibited. Anyone who takes seriously the slogan propounded by the memorial on its website, The destruction of Nazism and its roots is our motto. The construction of a new world of peace and freedom is our goal, and calls Israeli crimes in the Gaza Strip by their name, risks expulsion from the memorial.

The 57-page handout for employees and security personnel sparked fierce protests on social media. Memorial director Wagner attempted to downplay his responsibility, claiming it was an internal document that he was unaware of. It had been made public by the judiciary in Schleswig-Holstein, something which should not have happened.

Wagner stated that some formulations would be revised. For example, there was talk of disputed territories, but it should actually be occupied territories. Furthermore, it should be made clear that criticism of the Israeli governments policies is not per se antisemitic.

The commemoration ceremony in April revealed the worthlessness of such remarks. When a young participant, in her presentation in English, dared to use the word genocide and declared that we must learn lessons from Buchenwald and speak out against injustices today, Wagner intervened. He lectured the young woman that while one could mourn the innocent Palestinians killed, it was inappropriate to speak of a genocide at a place like Buchenwald.

The phrases prohibited in the handout are denounced in Germany as left-wing antisemitism. The document is apparently based on the resolution passed by the Bundestag on November 7, 2024, titled Never again is nowProtecting, preserving, and strengthening Jewish life in Germany.

This resolution refers to the controversial definition of antisemitism by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), according to which not only antisemitism by extremists and neo-Nazis, but also left-wing criticism of the policies of the far-right Israeli government and its armed forces is considered antisemitism. The IHRA definition is cited as a source in the footnotes of the memorial paper.

There was fierce opposition to the Bundestag resolution in 2024, and an open letter was signed by more than 2,000 journalists, artists and academics. Many Jews who disagree with the genocide in Gaza are also being treated as antisemites, such as those from the Jewish community, for example, the association Jewish Voice for Just Peace in the Middle East, which the German domestic intelligence service denigrates as extremist.

On this basis, a lecture by the psychoanalyst Iris Hefets on the campus of the University of Bremen, titled, Silence and GuiltPsychological Mechanisms in Dealing with the Genocide in Gaza was also recently banned. Hefets is a member of Jewish Voice.

The Buchenwald Memorials document adopts the same line. It even attempts to wield the anti-communist cudgel by declaring that communists have attempted to use the historical site for their own purposes, including their anti-Zionist positions. This refers to protests by some left-wing groups at past events. After the Shoah and the founding of the Israeli state, anti-Zionism must be viewed as a form of antisemitism, the paper states.

In this way, the memorial management makes itself jointly responsible for the policy of the German government, which supplies the Netanyahu regime with weapons it uses in the brutal mass murder of Palestinians.
The ongoing assault against migrants and refugees serves as a lever for capitalist governments to eliminate democratic rights, suspend basic human rights, and establish dictatorship. This applies to both the United States and the European Union.

German Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt and Poland's Tomasz Siemoniak in front of the Polish border fence with Belarus [Photo by MSWiA_GOV_PL]

Under Donald Trump, masked immigration officialsthe so-called ICE Gestapoare terrorizing entire communities. They are arresting people who have lived in the United States for years or decades and deporting them to concentration camps at home and abroad from which there is no escape.

The EU is no less committed than the United States in this respect. For years, European borders have been sealed off, refugees illegally turned back, imprisoned in inhumane camps, and deported to countries where they have no chance of survival. In the process the Mediterranean Sea has become the worlds deadliest refugee route, claiming the lives of tens of thousands in the course of the past decade.

On Tuesday, the interior ministers of the EU member states met in Copenhagen to discuss further tightening up migration and refugee policies. Since the meeting was informal, no official decisions were made, but the interior ministers agreed on basic issues:

The EUs external borders is to be further sealed, and funding for the EU border agency Frontex tripled in the EU budget to a total of 34 billion.

Rejected asylum seekers are to be deported more quickly and in greater numbers, including to war zones such as Syria and Afghanistan.

Return centres are to be set up outside the EUs borders, from which refugees will be deported with the assistance of Frontex without ever having set foot on EU soil.

Overall, border protection and deportations are to be better coordinated and tightened.

The EUs tougher stance on migration is being fuelled not least by the change of government in Germany, now ruled by a coalition of the Christian Democratic Union CDU, Christian Social Union CSU, and Social Democratic Party SPD. Germany isin the words of the new Interior Minister, Alexander Dobrindt (CSU)no longer the braking cabin, but rather the locomotive.

This is not strictly true, since Dobrindts predecessor, Nancy Faeser (SPD), had already significantly advanced the expansion of Fortress Europe. She had ensured the faster deportation of rejected asylum seekers, expanded the list of safe countries of origin to include Algeria, Tunisia, India, and Morocco, restricted family reunification, tightened European asylum law, andin violation of the Schengen Agreementintroduced controls at the German border.

But Dobrindt has now gone much further. Barely in office, he deployed 3,000 additional federal police officers to tighten controls at the German border. In doing so, he violated existing law. Asylum seekers from so-called safe third countries were immediately deported without even being able to apply for asylum or residency.

In addition, the border controls led to freight traffic jams and prevented thousands of cross-border commuters from getting to work on time. This resulted in considerable tensions with France and Poland, which responded with countermeasures and their own controls of their borders with Germany.

Dobrindt has promised to turn the migration wave into a migration turnaround and earned himself the nickname of Migration Sheriff for his aggressive approach. Last Friday, he invited the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs and several European interior ministers to a Migration Summit on the Zugspitze, Germanys highest mountain, to provide important impetus for a tougher European migration policy.

On Monday, Dobrindt, together with his Polish counterpart Tomasz Siemoniak, inspected the 190-kilometer-long, five-meter-high, barbed-wire, camera-secured fence that Poland erected along its border with Belarus to keep out refugees. It is guarded by 11,000 soldiers and border guards and cost over 600 million euros.

At the end of June, after the Israeli attack on Iran, Dobrindt was also the first leading international politician to visit Israel and demonstratively expressed his solidarity with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he would be legally obliged to arrest if Netanyahu visited Germany, following the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court.

It was no coincidence that Dobrindt was chosen as Interior Minister by the CDU/CSU/SPD coalition. He is known as an unscrupulous, chauvinistic agitator and could just as easily be a member of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD).

Ten years ago, as Transport Minister under Angela Merkel, he pushed through the foreigner toll, which the CSU had placed at the center of its election campaign. A toll was to be levied exclusively for foreigners on German highways. Since this was incompatible with EU law, Dobrindt proposed a toll for everyone, for which German drivers would then be compensated by abolishing vehicle tax.

Economically, the toll made absolutely no sense, as the revenue barely covered the costs of its collection. It served solely to fuel xenophobic sentiment. Ultimately, it was overturned by the European Court of Justice, and the federal budget was left with losses of 243 million.

Even with his latest anti-migrant rhetoric, Dobrindt isnt simply trying to limit immigration. The number of asylum applications for Germany had already fallen under the previous government by 30 percent year-on-year in 2024,. Many refugees from Syria and other countries currently work in logistics, healthcare, industry, and other sectors, where they are urgently needed.

The incitement against refugees and migrants serves to divide the population and divert growing anger over social cuts, falling wages, and a lack of housing onto the most vulnerable members of society. Refugees who had to flee their homes from wars instigated by NATO are being blamed for a social crisis that is, in reality, the result of rising military spending and the insatiable greed of the super-rich.

The Merz governments program to make Germany ready for war and transform the country into Europes strongest military power is incompatible with basic human rights and social concessions. The crimes this government is capable of are demonstrated not only by its continued support for the genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza, but also by the its conduct with regard to EU refugee policy.

Unspeakable conditions prevail in Greece, where the construction of concentration camp-like deportation centers is well underway. The minister responsible for migration, Makis Voridis, and his successor, Thanos Plevris, both defected from the far-right LAOS party to New Democracy, the sister party of the CDU-CSU, which forms the government in Greece.

A reporter for the British Daily Mail recently visited one of these camps, a warehouse on Crete where 400 migrants were crammed together. Her description speaks for itself:

The smell of unwashed men and urine inside the camp clouded my eyes. As we entered, the migrants cried for help and raised their hands to show ten fingers, the number of days they had been imprisoned there. The atmosphere was like a powder keg, and the conditions were, to say the least, intolerable. Some migrants lay on mattresses which they had to share because there were so few. For the unfortunate ones, it was a concrete floor with a T-shirt as a pillow.

They are being treated worse than animals. This is the fate that the capitalist governments in Europe and the US have in store for anyone who stands in the way of their plans for war and further enrichment of the already wealthy.
The NATO alliance is pushing ahead with plans for total war against Russia that are bound up with moves to impose martial law against workers in Europe. This finds particularly sharp expression in NATOs plans to militarize the Port of Rotterdam, Europes busiest port.

On July 14, in an article headlined Europes biggest port readies for potential war with Russia, the Financial Times reported that the port is gearing up for a potential conflict with Russia by reserving space for ships carrying military supplies and planning where to divert cargo if war breaks out.

Container terminals at Rotterdam showing a container being loaded onto an unmanned automated guided vehicle CC BY 1.0] [Photo by Quistnix

Boudewijn Siemons, chief executive of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, told the newspaper: If large volumes of military goods would have to be shipped, wed look to Antwerp or other ports to take over some capacity and the other way around. We see each other less and less as competitors. And, of course, we compete where we have to, but we work together where we can.

During the Cold War, the FT notes, Rotterdam did not have a dedicated quay for the transportation of armaments. Siemons said one or more ships would be docked at the quay for several weeks, four or five times a year, at various locations.

Now, NATO is discussing plans involving military activities and exercises that could cause massive disruption to civilian container shipping, the FT writes: Rotterdams container terminal is the only place where the port could safely transfer ammunition from one ship to another. There would also be amphibious military exercises several times annually.

The Dutch government is implementing these plans just two months after NATO told it to prepare to militarize the port of Rotterdam. This measure would not only impact this massive complex, which stretches over 40km along the river Meuse. Rotterdam, a city of over 2.3 million, is at the heart of the Randstad region made up of the Netherlands four largest cities (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, and Utrecht), with 8.4 million inhabitants in total--nearly half the Dutch population.

Aerial view of the Port of Rotterdam [Photo by Dkvtig / CC BY-SA 4.0

The Rotterdam project is one strand of plans by the NATO military alliance and European imperialist governments to place all of society on a war footing, requisitioning civilian vehicles and drivers for war purposes.

Also on July 14, Politico reported, citing the Dutch Algemeen Dagblad: The Dutch defense ministry is mulling plans to convert old trains into mobile emergency hospital vehicles capable of transporting wounded soldiers. Politico made clear this is bound up with plans for large-scale requisitioning of civilian transport for war:

As part of the planning process, the Directorate-General for Defense and Space (DG DEFIS) has circulated a survey to key players in the transport sector across the bloc. The questionnaire asks whether transport assets  including flatbed and medical rail wagons, dual-use ferries, heavy-duty trucks and strategic airlift capacity  could be scaled up during a crisis [This is] reportedly part of a broader plan that could also see Dutch train drivers deployed to eastern Europe to assist military operations.

This month, the Dutch Ministry of Defense also signed an agreement with the national airline KLM to train its pilots to fly F-35 fighter jets. Certain pilots would have their workloads reduced so they could undergo additional military training. The Netherlands is acquiring six additional F-35 fighter jets, on top of 52 already ordered from US corporation Lockheed Martin.

Plans for war against Russia are inseparably linked to plans for class war against the workers. The NATO powers know there is overwhelming popular opposition to total war with Russia, and to the rising social attacks used to finance rising military spending. In the last several years, the Netherlands in particular have seen mass strike waves and mass protests against the Gaza genocide.

In response, NATO officials try to condition the population to unquestioningly accept the military diktat, demanding workers accept the possibility of a catastrophic war with nuclear-armed Russia.

Last year, as the Netherlands moved to almost double its military spending from 2022 levels to 24 billion a year, Dutch Chief of Defence Gen. Otto Eichelsheim called for a fundamentally different way of thinking. Instead of meticulously preparing and planning every single mission, in the near future our military, our civilians must simply be ready every day, permanently ready for a large-scale conflict.

Plans to militarize Rotterdam port are an integral part of this broader imperialist war planning. Last year, citing remarks by NATO officials to Britains Daily Telegraph, the WSWS noted:

NATO plans to take over Europes port and ground transport infrastructure in order to send US troops arriving in Europes Atlantic ports across the continent to Russia. In these transport corridors, which NATO expects would face devastating air attacks, local laws would be suspended.

The Telegraph published a diagram of planned transport corridors across Europe. Initial NATO plans call for US troops to land in Rotterdam or Hamburg, in northwestern Europe. However, they can also arrive at the western Italian ports of Genoa or La Spezia; in Athens; in the Norwegian port of Bergen; or in Turkish ports. NATO military officers would take over key road and rail infrastructure to send US troops across Europe to the Russian border.

At the heart of European militarization is German imperialisms plan to boost military spending by a staggering 1 trillion. Of this, nearly a half-trillion is dedicated to a Special Fund for war-related infrastructure.

In recent remarks at the Chatham House think-tank in London, NATO Secretary-General and former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte recently called for militarizing infrastructure as a key component of NATO military spending increases. NATO will build more tanks, Rutte said, But you need bridges which are able to hold the tank. Sometimes you are even not daring with your car to cross the bridge, let alone with the tank.

The greatest danger in this political situation is that the working class is not fully aware of the extent of the threat posed by imperialist military operations. European imperialism and its remilitarization plans are tobogganing eyes closed towards a catastrophe echoing those of the 20th century. During World War II, given its strategic location, Rotterdam became the target of a brutal blitzkrieg launched by Hitler in May 1940 as the Nazis conquered the Netherlands. The entire historic centre of the city was incinerated.

Flooding European ports with US-NATO troops and materiel to rush them across Europe to fight Russia in a ground war could easily trigger destruction dwarfing the horrors of World War II.

While European media demonize Russia as a relentless existential menace to Europe, in reality the European Union (EU), let alone the entire NATO alliance, vastly outweigh Russia. With a population of around 450 million and a $20 trillion economy, the EU has three times the population and 10 times the economic weight of Russia. Were the EU to join the United States in a continental war against Russia, the Russian army could rapidly find itself at a crushing numerical disadvantage.

Under such conditions, Russian military doctrine allows for the use of nuclear weapons to prevent the Russian armed forces from being overwhelmed in a conventional war. Logistical choke points like major ports would be high on the list of potential targets for incineration.

NATO officials have admitted that they would not be able to protect key infrastructure and civilian population in such conditions. I cannot imagine a situation that you have enough air defence, NATO Lt. General Alexander Sollfrank told the Daily Telegraph last year, adding that major logistics bases will be attacked and destroyed very early on in a conflict situation.

This underscores the urgent necessity of alerting the working class to the danger of a further escalation of imperialist war, and mobilizing workers in a socialist, anti-war movement.
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Palestinians carry boxes containing food and humanitarian aid packages delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed organization approved by Israel, in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, May 27, 2025 [AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana]

Every day brings new reports of the genocidal violence the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are unleashing on the defenseless Palestinian population. With food distribution to Gaza reduced to a trickle, dozens of Palestinians are dying of hunger each day, and more than 1,000 have been shot by IDF forces while trying to reach aid distribution points.

In Deir al-Balah, raided by Israel on Sunday, Palestinians returning to their homes are met with scenes of devastationcomplete destruction, as one resident described it in comments to CNN. There is nothing that indicates a source of life.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday that the people of Gaza are confronting mass starvation  a large proportion of the population of Gaza is starving.

While the Israeli government is carrying out these atrocities, the United States and the major European imperialist powers are directly complicit. For nearly two years, they have armed and financed Israel as it wages genocide in Gaza, criminalized domestic opposition to the slaughter, and politically justified this historic crimeone that ranks alongside the atrocities committed by the Nazis during World War II.

A coalition of European powers and other close allies of US imperialism issued a cynical statement Monday trying to wash themselves of responsibility.

In the statement, Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Canada, Japan, Australia and New Zealand, along with a number of smaller powers now acknowledge Israels undeniable resort to mass murder. Yet they remain steadfast in their support for the Zionist regime. Refusing to call the Gaza war a genocide, they offer only vague euphemisms while fully endorsing the policies of Washington, which alongside Berlin, is the main provider of arms to Israel.

They state, The Israeli governments aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity. We condemn the drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, including children, seeking to meet their most basic needs of water and food. It is horrifying that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid. Calling for a permanent ceasefire, they conclude, We reaffirm our complete support to the efforts of the US  to achieve this.

But Washington is not seeking peace, any more than Israel is focused on delivering aid to Gaza. For nearly two years, the United States has shipped bombs, artillery, drones and other weapons used by Israel to target hospitals, refugee camps, medics and starving women and children. From the outset, top Israeli officials openly declared their genocidal aims, referring to Palestinians as human animals and invoking the Biblical command to exterminate the seed of Amalek.

Six months ago, Trump pledged that Washington would take over Gaza, expel the Palestinians, level it out and turn it into a beach resort, the Riviera of the Middle East. Now, Israeli officials are moving to implement this plan, which has underpinned their policy from the beginning. On Tuesday, in the Knesset, fascist Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called on Israel to conquer and settle Gaza, declaring, We have strong support from President Trump to turn Gaza into a prosperous region, a coastal city with settlement and employment.

The statement from the European imperialist powers refrains from labeling the Israeli war a genocide and ethnic cleansing, but they are well aware that this is what is taking place. Indeed, their statement declares: Proposals to remove the Palestinian population into a humanitarian city are completely unacceptable. Permanent forced displacement is a violation of international humanitarian law. Nonetheless, they cynically embrace US policy under the banner of peace.

The imperialist powers support Israels genocide because it is in line with their geopolitical interests. If Israels actions conflicted with those interests, they would be halted immediately. As German Chancellor Friedrich Merz bluntly admitted, Israel is doing the dirty work for all of us. Backed and armed by the United States, Britain, France, Spain, Italy, Canada and Australia, the Zionist regime functions as a proxy for imperialist domination of the oil-rich Middle East.

Mass and growing opposition to Israels crimes exists throughout the world. What is lacking is a clear program and perspective. The International Committee of the Fourth International and its affiliated Socialist Equality Parties insist that the genocide will not be stopped through appeals to the very capitalist governments carrying out and enabling the genocide. What is urgently required, and what has not yet occurred, is the independent eruption of the working class onto the political stage.

We propose that workers and young people throughout the world raise definite demands, including:

An immediate halt to shipment of all weapons to Israel. Since the beginning of the genocide, it is estimated that Israel has received some $25 billion in weapons and other assistance. The vast majority of bombs dropped on Palestinian homes have been provided by the United States and the European imperialist powers.

The boycott of all trade and other economic activity with Israel. The ability of the Israeli state to carry out the genocide must be halted by crippling its economic foundations. A recent comment in the Financial Times noted that since October 2023, Israels stock market has been the best-performing in the world, with an influx of foreign capital fueling the wealth of the ruling elite and financing the Zionist regimes ability to murder Palestinians.

US, European and other corporations assisting Israel in carrying out the genocide must be indicted and prosecuted. The ruling class internationally is arming Israel behind the backs of the population and reaping vast profits by providing the IDF weapons, AI and surveillance infrastructure, just as corporations like IG Farben profited from making Zyklon B gas for the gas chambers the Nazis used to kill Jews. Washington retaliated against UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albaneses denunciation of this economy of genocide by revoking her visa and freezing her bank accounts.

The arrest of Israeli officials for war crimes. International arrest warrants have already been drawn up against many Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but are ignored by the imperialist powers. Moreover, serving in the IDF are many citizens of the US and European countries. They should be subject to arrest and prosecution if it is determined that they in any way contributed to the genocide.

The end of repression of the opposition to the Gaza genocide. Capitalist governments, including those that signed this weeks statement, have relentlessly criminalized opposition to the genocide. They have carried out mass arrests against organizations criticizing it, launched bloody police assaults on pro-Gaza protests, and prosecuted defenders of Gaza on bogus terrorism or antisemitism charges. Workers and youth must fight to defend those who come out in defense of Gaza, for charges against them to be dropped and to end the repression of their activities.

These demands will not be achieved through appeals to the governments and institutions responsible for the genocide. It requires the intervention of the international working class through strikes, walkouts and other forms of independent action. This means organizing outside the stranglehold of the trade union apparatus, which in every country has done nothing to stop the slaughter in Gaza.

The struggle must unify workers across all bordersPalestinian, Israeli, American, European and beyondin a common fight against imperialist war, genocide and the capitalist system that produces them. This includes Israeli workers, who must reject the Zionist regime and its crimes. There are significant layers of the Israeli population who are horrified by the actions of their government. In earlier decades, the Israeli state honored non-Jews who resisted the Nazis as righteous among the nations. Today, Israelis who recognize the criminal character of the genocide must speak out and take action.

The fight against the genocide in Gaza is inseparable from the fight against the expanding global imperialist war, of which it is a component part. The aim of the imperialist powers to create a new Middle East under their domination is inseparable from their broader war plans against Russia and China.

The World Socialist Web Site, the International Committee of the Fourth International and its affiliated Socialist Equality Parties call for an end to the Gaza genocide through the building of a new international anti-war movement. This movement must be grounded in the working class and based on a revolutionary socialist program. Its goal must be to abolish the capitalist profit system, which is the root cause of war.
There has been a resurgence of black lung disease, also known as Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis (CWP), in recent years among miners in the central Appalachian coalfields.

Long considered an affliction of older and retired miners, the disease, including the more aggressive form known as progressive massive fibrosis, is showing up with greater frequency among younger miners. This includes many under the age of 30 and those with less than 10 years of service in underground mines.

Coal miners in Sycamore, Pennsylvania, April 2017. [AP Photo/(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)]

In the push to extract every bit of coal from mines, operators are cutting into thinner seams of coal, releasing greater amounts of rock particles in the process. Rock or silica (quartz) dust, acting as tiny pieces of glass, cuts into the lung tissue of miners.

The increased amount of rock/silica dustwhich is 20 times as dangerous as coal dust alonehas triggered the explosion in black lung cases among younger miners.

The wholly preventable but incurable disease continues to kill over 1,000 active and retired miners each year. Thousands more are disabled with the excruciatingly painful disease.

For decades, the coal operators denied the very existence of the disease, claiming that chronic respiratory problems were caused by cigarette smoke. By the late 1960s, the continuous killing of coal workers in mine explosions, cave-ins and disease, led to an eruption of struggles by rank-and-file miners against the pro-company bureaucracy in the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA).

A wave of wildcat strikes and other militant actions, including by retired miners and the widows of miners killed by black lung, led the coal operators and the government to recognize the disease and implement safety measures.

This included the passage of the Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969, which established dust limits and, for the first time, federal black lung benefits.

By the 1990s, black lung had all but been eliminated due to improvements in mine ventilation. According to the New York Times, the government documented only a few dozen cases in the 1990s, a low number even when accounting for the steep decline in mining jobs. Progressive massive fibrosis, the newspaper reported, was nearly eradicated.

A display case at NIOSH shows a normal lung and a diseased black lung from inhaling coal dust and other harmful particles while coal mining. [Photo: Credit: Howard Berkes/NPR]

Over the last three decades, however, the disease has sharply increased as a result of the ruthless drive for profits by the coal operators, cuts to both the enforcement and improvement of mine safety regulations, and the collaboration of the UMWA bureaucracy with the coal operators to boost profits at the expense of miners health and safety.

Trumps war on coal miners

This will only worsen as President Trump eliminates any remaining workplace protections to boost energy production and profits and prepare for war. Trump has promised to roll back or completely abolish government regulations over the coal industry.

This includes gutting the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), established in 1971 and tasked with developing standards and procedures to improve workplace safety.

In April, Trump fired 850 of NIOSHs 1,000 employees, including hundreds at its Morgantown, West Virginia, office, the only one in the country where miners can be tested for black lung and to certify that they are eligible for black lung benefits.

Another NIOSH office closed by Trump tested and certified respirators used by coal miners, as well as other workers, to be sure they functioned properly. Another operated two underground test mines to determine the best methods to control dust levels and roof safety.

Anti-Trump protest in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, April 5, 2025

Some of the NIOSH workers have been brought back after lawsuits, but their work is greatly impeded by lack of support staff, and their jobs are still being threatened as Trump continues to get approval from the Supreme Court for slashing government jobs.

This exposes the fascist presidents lies about being a champion of coal miners and makes it clear his program of bringing back coal will be done through bringing back the most brutal and deadly exploitation of miners.

Rates of black lung disease are now reaching levels not seen since the 1970s, medical experts say. The number of coal miners affected by black lung disease is staggeringand growing. One study found that one in five Appalachian coal miners suffers from black lung, and one in 20 has progressive massive fibrosis, with large areas of dense scarring that severely impairs lung function.

According to government figures from 1970 to 2016, black lung disease was the cause or contributing factor in 75,178 deaths. The estimated prevalence of black lung among coal workers in the US is about 16 percent. In central Appalachia, including West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio, the rate is even higher, with 20 percent of tenured miners showing signs of the disease.

Currently, black lung benefits are only paid to coal miners when they are 100 percent disabled. This leaves miners in a Catch-22. They cant receive benefits until they are 100 percent disabled; however, the only way to slow down the further progression of the disease is to stop working, rendering them unable to collect any disability benefits.

In 2024, only about 14,000 miners or their surviving spouses were receiving black lung benefits. Monthly benefits for a miner who can no longer work are just $773. If married, the amount is $1,159. Those figures are less than a third of what it costs to live.

For a long time, doctors and the handful of lawyers in the coalfields who handled black lung benefit claims felt the presence of the disease was much higher. The World Socialist Web Site first reported in 2003 that black lung deaths were higher than they should be and that dust levels were being falsified by both coal companies and government inspectors.

Over the past three decades, both corporate-controlled parties blocked the implementation of lower dust standards and new technologies that would prevent mine operators and Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) inspectors from submitting false coal dust readings.

In 1995, NIOSH proposed that permissible dust levels be lowered to 1 milligram per cubic meter of air and, for the first time to limit the exposure to silica rock dust to 0.05 milligrams per cubic meter of air to ensure miners safety and eliminate black lung.

These measures were rejected by both Democratic and Republican administrations alike, finally adopting a reduction in coal dust to 1.5 milligrams only by 201621 years after the new recommendation. Even then, loopholes were added that effectively allowed the coal companies to get around them.

Another recommendation by NIOSH, that miners carry a black box with them that would monitor coal dust levels continuously in real time, warn miners when dust levels are high and make it nearly impossible for coal operators or MSHA officials to falsify dust testing, was never implemented.

A survey conducted in 2019 by National Public Radio and Frontline, of a dozen clinics in Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia, found 2,300 cases of advanced black lung, some 20 times what the government was reporting for that areain fact, more cases than what the government was showing for the entire country.

The struggle for job safety

The horrible, slow deaths of miners are part of the daily toll of industrial murder, which claims the lives of approximately 385 workers a day in America from traumatic injuries and occupational diseases.

The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees has launched an independent investigation into the death of 63-year-old Stellantis worker Ronald Adams Sr. as part of the counter-offensive by workers to halt the relentless sacrifice of workers lives to corporate profit.

To develop this fight, a review of the struggle against black lung by the coal miners, long the most militant and class conscious section of the American working class, is critical.

The federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969 was passed the year after the explosion at the Consolidated Coal Companys Farmington, West Virginia mine on November 20, 1968, which left 78 miners dead.

The Farmington coal mine disaster

The day after the disaster, United Mine Workers President Tony Boyle enraged rank-and-file miners by declaring, As long as we mine coal, there is always this inherent danger. This happens to be one of the better companies, as far as cooperation with our union and safety is concerned.

It soon emerged that mine operators deliberately bypassed a ventilation fan alarm rather than fixing it. Boyles defense of the coal bosses triggered a rebellion against the gangsters in the leadership of the UMWA, which combined the movement of disabled miners and widows whose first protests to demand black lung benefits began in 1960.

In 1969, Robert Payne, a disabled miner with 27 years service, organized the Disabled Miners and Widows of Southern West Virginia (DMW). Payne had been a supporter of District 5 President Jock Yablonski, who ran against Boyle for president of the UMW.

After losing in what was widely considered a rigged election, Yablonski, his wife and daughter were murdered on New Years Eve 1969. Nearly a decade later, Boyle was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for the murders.

After Boyle refused to meet with Paynes group, they began picketing the mines on June 20, 1970. The strike rapidly spread, involving more than 25,000 miners at 160 mines, according to Curtis Seltzer, the author of Fire in the Hole (1985).

Boyle responded with brutality to crush the strike. As Seltzer wrote:

When picket lines went up again on July 12 after the vacation break, the UMWA sent payrollers to break them up. Working miners were appalled at the sight of UMWA officials crashing through picket lines of wheelchair bound miners and old women.

After two months, the strike was put down as Boyle and the companies turned to the courts, getting injunctions against the picketing, and Payne, along with other organizers, were arrested, jailed and fined.

The rank-and-file revolt continued, however, culminating in the 111-day strike by 150,000 miners in 197778. The miners defied President Jimmy Carters Taft-Hartley back-to-work order and rejected two tentative contracts negotiated between the White House and UMWA, before reform president Arnold Miller forced them back to work.

Coal miners, defying US President Jimmy Carter, holding up copies of the Bulletin, one of the predecessors of the World Socialist Web Site.

The American ruling class responded to the loss of its global economic dominance by abandoning its previous policy of relative class compromise and adopting a program of class war. This included exploiting new developments in technology and the increasing global integration of production, to destroy millions of industrial jobs and sharply reduce the conditions of the working class.

In response, the UMWA, just as every other union, followed the same nationalist path of corporatist labor-management partnership to make American capitalism more competitive against its foreign rivals. This meant the suppression of the class struggle, the virtual ending of strikes and betrayals of strikes that they could not prevent.

UMWA President Richard Trumka and Vice President Cecil Robertswho both came out of Millers Miners for Democracy movementreplaced the miners tradition of national strikes with selective strikes, which led to the isolation and defeat of strikes at AT Massey (1984-85) and Pittston (1989-90)

Today, the UMW represents fewer than 10,000 active coal miners. If it wasnt for a government bailout of the health and wellness fund, it is very likely that the UMW would not exist at all.

The fight against black lung and for safe working conditions in the mines, as well as all industries, will not be conducted by the union bureaucracies but rank-and-file workers themselves.

The International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees is building new organizations of workers struggle, independent of the trade union bureaucracy, to unite workers of every industry and every country, to assert control over production and safety in every workplace.

The death and maiming of workers will only end when workers put the factories, mines and other workplaces under their control as part of the socialist reorganization of the world economy.
The Tennessee State Capitol stands in Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 22, 2024. [AP Photo/George Walker IV]

A pregnant woman in Tennessee was recently denied prenatal care because her doctor did not approve of her unwed status. The 35-year-old woman, who has been with her partner for 15 years and is the mother of the couples 13-year-old child, was told during her first prenatal appointment that the physician could not in good conscience treat her due to her marital status. The doctor offered no referral. She now has to travel to Virginia for care.

This is the first publicly reported case of a patient being denied prenatal care under Tennessees Medical Ethics Defense Act (MEDA), a sweeping piece of legislation passed by the Republican-dominated state government. The law grants health care providers, hospital systems, insurers, and others the legal authority to deny care based on religious, moral, or ethical objections without any obligation to refer patients elsewhere.

These laws are not about medical ethics or the rights of individual conscience. They are part of a broader reactionary assault by the capitalist ruling class, spearheaded in particular by Trump and the extreme right. The overturning of Roe v. Wade and the wave of conscience-based denial laws are the opening salvo in an historically unprecedented attack on democratic rights.

The incident in Tennessee comes as Congress passed Trumps Big Beautiful Bill, which includes over $800 billion in cuts to medicaid. Under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, and other anti-science quacks medical science in general is under concerted attack. Behind this ideological campaign lie class interests: the ruling class considers medical care for the working class to be an intolerable deduction from their profits. This is why the coronavirus was allowed to kill over 1 million Americans with no serious attempts to stop transmission, then was falsely declared over under the Biden administration.

Tennessee has the highest maternal mortality rate in the United States. The woman expressed deep fear about continuing her pregnancy in the state, stating, I cant guarantee that the provider I see is going to value my life over the life of this fetus.

She referred specifically to the case of Adriana Smith, a pregnant woman in Georgia who was declared brain-dead after a medical emergency. Georgias abortion law, which bans the procedure after detection of cardiac activity, mandated the woman be kept on life support until the fetus could theoretically survive outside of the womb. The family was stripped of all decision-making power and forced to endure this horrific situation for three months, despite medical consensus that Smith was legally dead and despite grave concerns about the fetuss viability.

Laws like Tennessees Medical Ethics Defense Act are part of a growing wave of anti-democratic legislation sweeping Republican-controlled states. So far, seven states have passed conscience laws allowing healthcare providers, insurers, and institutions to refuse care based on religious or moral beliefs. These include Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, and Illinois. In most of these states, the laws allow refusals not only for abortion but also for contraception, gender-affirming care, and other essential serviceseven when the denial of care could endanger a patients life. Additionally, at least four more statesIdaho, Alabama, New Mexico, and Washingtonhave introduced legislation modeled on these conscience protections.

These laws allow a doctors personal beliefs to override medical judgment, stripping patients, particularly women and LGBTQ individuals, of the right to medical care. The laws include no requirements to refer patients elsewhere and no mechanisms for oversight or accountability.

Many doctors worry the language of the law is vague and provides no guidelines for care. It creates a dangerous gray area between what qualifies as urgent versus emergent care. While federal law requires hospitals to treat patients in emergency situations, many serious conditionsespecially in pregnancyare urgent but not classified as emergencies.

Dr. Amy Gordon Bono, a Tennessee physician, explained the danger this creates: You can still have medical issues that are urgent, but are not [emergencies], that would still lead to a delay in care of the patient, potentially. Weve encountered this plenty of times, especially in the care of pregnant patients. Where do we draw the line between what is urgent versus emergent?

The implications of MEDA for access to healthcare are magnified in rural Tennessee, where over 34 percent of the population, approximately 2.4 million people, live with limited or no access to inpatient or emergency treatment.

More than one-third of Tennessee counties are considered maternity care deserts, and half of the states rural hospitals no longer provide obstetric services. Since 2012, ten rural hospitals have closed, and nine more are at risk due to funding cuts included in President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill, which also threatens to strip Medicaid coverage from 300,000 Tennesseans.

Tennessee lawmakers such as Rep. Bryan Terry (RMurfreesboro), the bills sponsor, absurdly claimed that MEDA would encourage doctors to move to Tennessee by protecting their freedom of conscience. In reality, Tennessee is experiencing a sharp and accelerating medical exodus.

During the 20232024 academic year, obstetrics residency applications fell by 21 percent, and applications across all specialties declined by 12 percent. Many young physicians are unwilling to train or practice in a state where providing evidence-based care may place them at legal or ethical risk. Women dont have fair access to health care in the state, said one OB-GYN. And the women that dont have that access suffer the consequences.

As the World Socialist Web Site warned at the time of the Supreme Courts 2022 Dobbs decision, the goal is not simply to outlaw abortion, but to dismantle constitutional protections, legitimize state coercion, and roll back the social gains won by generations of workers.

Laws like Tennessees enshrine the power of the most backward and reactionary layers of society, empowering them to deny treatment to those who fail to meet their religious or moral standards. The consequence is not only the erosion of reproductive rights, but the consolidation of state-backed discrimination and moral policing in every area of medicine.

Speaking out at a local town hall, the 35-year old asked the most basic of questions: Why are we denying care to pregnant women who want to have babies? She condemned the hypocrisy of those who claim to be pro-life, saying, If you are pro-life, you believe in supporting and protecting all lives: the born, the unborn, and that includes insurance coverage, food, protecting them at school, and protecting marginalized communities.

Rep. Gloria Johnson (D-Knoxville), declared, If you can just refuse treatment to anyone whose lifestyle you disagree withthats not medical ethics. Thats fascism. This is true. But the Democratic Party bears responsibility for this because it has refused to take any serious measures against Trumps plans to overturn the Constitution and construct a dictatorship. This is because they are far more terrified of a mass movement of the working class that this might provoke than they are of fascism.

The working class must see this for what it is: a political attack on the democratic rights of an entire class, not just women or families in isolated cases. Reproductive rights, health care access, and medical decision-making are being stripped away in service of capitalisms demands for austerity, privatization, and social control.

These attacks cannot be fought by appeals to the courts or the Democratic Party, which bears its own responsibility for decades of retreat and compromise. The defense of health care and all democratic rights requires the independent political mobilization of the working class, united across all boundaries and armed with a socialist program based on human need, not profit.
The following is an interview with Kyle Broderick, coordinator of the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, on the witch-hunt of two Chinese researchers at the University of Michigan who are in federal prison on charges of smuggling plant pathogens into the US. The Trump administration is linking the two to so-called agroterrorism and using their cases to whip up anti-Chinese sentiment and prepare for military conflict with Beijing.

Kyle Broderick

Yunqing Jian faces up to 20 years for smuggling the common fungus fusarium graminearum. Chengxuan Han likewise faces up to 20 years for allegedly sending roundworms (C. elegans) and plasmids on filter paper through the mail without proper permits.

Yunqing Jian (left) and Chengxuan Han (right). [AP Photo/Sanilac County Sheriff's Office]

Stephen St. Clair: Do you have the impression that politics are involved in these prosecutions?

Kyle Broderick: I do. That said, its very important to track the movement of biological things across international borders, whether they are fungi, bacteria, nematodes, viruses, etc. Plants as well.

Its important to regulate all of that stuff and to know what diseases and what pests are where in the world. We spend a lot a lot of time trying to protect the United States from getting shipments that contain some of these pests. At the same time, other countries have the exact same list. Thats called the select agents list, and, basically, if we would find a pathogen or anything like that on one of these lists, then export would be shut down. They have a high probability to cause large economic harm. Thats why they are on this list. Every country in the world wants to protect their own agriculture, their own green industries, their own human, animal, and plant health.

But not all microorganisms are created equally. In the case with the nematode C. elegans, that nematode is extremely common. During my undergraduate career I worked on exploring a bacterial biological control against nematodes, and I studied that using C. elegans. I purchased these C. elegans from a manufacturer in China, and they were sent to me frozen.

SSC: You talked to the Detroit News about fusarium graminearum and how common it is. This is something much more innocuous than even that. Its not a pathogen or parasite, just C. elegans. How common is it for researchers, especially early-career researchers, to transmit or receive non-hazardous specimens like this across international borders without formal permits? What are the primary reasons for why this informal transfer happens?

KB: The permitting process is extremely important. Its onerous, it takes a long time, but I do believe that it is important to have some regulation over labs that are going to be working with things that can potentially cause harm. The reality is these are biological organisms. We dont know everything about it.

With the fusarium graminearum thing, if there was the potential for that organism to have been modified to be more aggressive, something like that, then that would be concerning. Same with the C. elegans case here. Yes, the nematode itself is extremely common, but what is also kind of being lost in some of the reporting is that there are also unknown plasmids. And we dont know what genetic material was encoded on those plasmids. There is a potential for something to have been modified. I think that potential is pretty low, but that potential is there.

Now, as far as how common it is to share these, its extremely common. People share things all over. I dont have any international permits. I have permits from US territories and everything within the United States.

Its very common to share these things because we want to know  with the case of fusarium graminearum, we have wheat breeders in the United States that are trying to breed broad resistance to all strains of fusarium graminearum. Well, we know that the strains we have in the US are slightly different from the ones in China, or in Africa or Europe or other parts of the world. So its very beneficial to get cultures so breeders can test how robust their breeding projects are. Its the exact same for developing diagnostic protocols too.

You also mentioned sharing things without permits. That does happen. It shouldnt, but I think that at one point or another a lot of researchers may have violated a permit. Especially permits that are within the US. Theres not a whole lot of difference between Nebraska and Kansas at the border, and if a farmer breeds a sample from just over the Kansas border but he doesnt tell me that its from Kansas and I dont find that out until later, thats not the biggest problem in the world.

Now, something from overseas, the potential for danger is there, but also a lot of this stuff is being blown out of proportion because were not all scientists and science is hard. When people think about what a fungus is they just think about the fuzzy stuff growing on my hummus in the refrigerator, and there is a lot of nuance to it.

SSC: Part of the nuance is that in ordinary conditions a customs violation like this would result in a fine, right?

KB: Yeah.

SSC: Why are they facing up to 20 years?

KB: I think it is a scare tactic. There does seem to be some animosity towards higher education and the institutes that are doing a lot of research, and when you throw China into the equation, that really complicates things. It would be very interesting to me if there were a similar case, maybe a graduate assistant of German descent, and what would happen then? Would it just be the standard fine? Would there be more of a reprimand? I dont know, but I am curious about that.

SSC: That is the political issue, the scale of the attack by the government through the media, with the director of the FBI, Kash Patel, tweeting that Jians case was an agroterrorism incident.

KB: All the seed that is exported out of this country is tested and checked for not only the presence of fusarium graminearum or the toxins that it produces, but for a lot of other things too. We do have these checks in place to help prevent it from spreading.

But yeah, its kind of ridiculous, honestly. Again, I fully understand the importance and the need for tracking pests. The potential for modification is there. I think its very low. Its not an impossibility.

But its all about scoring points, and I think that its kind of similar to the move towards getting a lot of immigrants to self-deport. I think the same thing is happening with a lot of international students that are on their J1 visas as well. If we can just get them to say, Its not worth it, lets go back home, then that is a win for some people in this country. I think overall it is a major loss for this country.

The knowledge that we gain and the importance of international relationships in science is critical. And COVID proved that. One of the most amazing things in COVID was how, early on, nobody cared where you were from, they started to share genetic sequences. That sped the research up light years. We need these relationships.

SSC: The scientific communities of the US and China are deeply integrated. A 2025 study analyzing millions of publications from 2008 to 2020 found that over 45 percent of China-based international production of high-impact scientific research involved US-based scientists, and 30 percent of US-based research involved China-based scientists. What will be the consequences of the attack on ties between US and Chinese researchers?

KB: I think the consequences could be enormous. Collaboration is important, and research is so specialized. You cant know everything, not only having different academic backgrounds but also different cultural backgrounds. We all have our own biases. Its the same thing with research. We tend to get stuck in ruts, and someone will ask a question that leads to the discovery of a brand new field.

SSC: You mentioned a connection to self-deportation, making conditions so bad that maybe its not worth staying, maybe lets go home. This is connected to a larger assault of the Trump administration on democratic rights, especially against immigrants. Would you care to comment on the connection between the attack on science and the broader aims of the Trump administration?

KB: I think there seem to be connections, whether it is synchronicity or a plan, who knows? We really dont know, but it is seemingly connected. One of the things that I have always loved about working at a university, even in Nebraska, very conservative, a lot of Eastern European descendants, a fairly white area. But at the university its different, and Ive had the opportunity to interact with people from all over the world and learn. Its great! Aside from just the research benefits that come from it, its the personal expansion and the friendships I have made. Its incredible.

A lot of the students that I interact with, their plan is, after they graduate they want to go back to their home country and use the knowledge that they have gained to try to help others who are there. Its just so beneficial. The United States would not be one of the leading academic countries in the world if not for its acceptance of immigrants. The Manhattan Project is proof of that. Thats just the story that everyone knows about the importance of immigrants. Yes, that led to a lot of other bad things. Still, people from all over came together to tackle really big problems. No one can know everything. The more diverse viewpoints you can have, the better.

SSC: Jonas Salk was born to immigrant parents.

KB: Yeah! All of the research looking at the economic benefits of first-generation immigrant children, its incredible.

SSC: You spoke to the Detroit News in an article which questioned the agroterrorism claim. Thats been a rare perspective in the mainstream media. A few days later on July 4, the Detroit News printed an article on right-wing congressmen Moolenar and Walbergs questions to the University of Michigan and used the headline: Investigators want UM to answer how Chinese nationals conducted potential bioweapons research. So immediately its back to bioweapons research, which is an inflammatory description of it.

KB: It is. Well, if it bleeds it leads. They need to sensationalize things. Its all about clicks.

SSC: But the sensationalization lines up with the governments narrative.

KB: Yes.

SSC: With the whole anti-China narrative. Like for Chengxuan Han, the press release for the Department of Justice refers to her as an alien from Wuhan, China.

KB: Yeah. Under a different Justice Department I think that press release would read very differently.

SSC: Thanks for helping to defend a scientific perspective in the media.

KB: I appreciate it. I read the articles you sent and you seem like a publication willing to get into the nuance. Things arent just black and white, the world is very gray.

The final thing, we need to track the movement of pests. In this case they went about things the wrong way and its being, I think, blown out of proportion for other reasons.
This story was originally published on MedTech Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily MedTech Dive newsletter.

By the numbers

Q2 sales: $5.06 billion

22.8% growth year over year

Cardiovascular sales: $3.35 billion

26.8% growth year over year

Electrophysiology: $840 million

96.1% growth year over year

Boston Scientific on Wednesday halved its expected tariff charge for the year, following other medtech companies that have cut outlooks on financial impacts from the Trump administrations policies.

CFO Jonathan Monson told investors during a second-quarter earnings call that the company now expects a tariff charge of approximately $100 million. Boston Scientific forecast a charge of approximately $200 million during a first-quarter call in April; however, the company signaled at an investor event in May that it would likely update its forecast.

Boston Scientific is the latest medtech firm to lower expected costs related to tariffs after companies across the industry projected that they would absorb hundreds of millions of dollars in additional costs during first-quarter earnings calls. Johnson & Johnson similarly halved its expected hit to $200 million, exclusively related to the companys medtech business, and Abbott said last week that it expects a $200 million charge, compared with a charge of a few hundred million.

The company expects the $100 million impact to predominantly take hold in the second half of the year.

Boston Scientific increased its full-year sales guidance as part of the companys earnings release. It now expects sales growth for the year in a range of 18% to 19%, compared with a prior range of 15% to 17%.

PFA success continues

Boston Scientific reported another strong quarter for its electrophysiology group as pulsed field ablation devices continue to boost companies' portfolios.

While not the triple-digit growth Boston Scientific has reported in prior quarters, its electrophysiology group still grew by 96% year over year to $840 million. Boston Scientific is growing the use of its Farapulse PFA system in new markets like Japan and China.

CEO Mike Mahoney told investors that Boston Scientific was third to market in Japan, specifically, but is now the clear market leader in the country. Mahoney added that the company is also in the very, very early days in China and is placing a lot of emphasis on what could be a large market opportunity.

The CEO also emphasized that Boston Scientific is growing its future PFA offerings through internal investment, as well as through its venture capital portfolio and partnerships. The company also recently won an expanded indication for Farapulse in people with persistent atrial fibrillation, when an abnormal heart rhythm continues for at least seven days, widening the pool of patients who are eligible for treatment.
The Leeds North Street location is among the sites set to close - BrewDog

BrewDog is shutting 10 bars across the country in the wake of Labours tax raid on employers in the latest blow for the hospitality sector.

The self-styled punk brewer said on Tuesday it would close key locations such as Leeds, Sheffield, and London, as well as its flagship site in Aberdeen, and had begun a consultation with staff about redundancies.

A spokesman for BrewDog called it a rationalisation of the companys bar estate.

Despite our best efforts, and the hard work of our teams, it has simply not been possible to make these bars commercially viable, they said.

In a letter sent to staff this week, James Taylor, chief executive, said the closures were part of a broader restructure of the company.

He added: It positions our bar portfolio for long-term, profitable growth, but also takes into account the continued challenges facing the UK hospitality industry, including rising costs, increased regulation, and economic pressures.

BrewDogs Brighton bar is another venue no longer viewed as commercially viable - BrewDog

The closures come as hospitality businesses across the UK grapple with soaring labour costs following an increase in employers National Insurance (NI) contributions and the lowering of the threshold at which they are paid.

Hospitality chiefs have argued that these changes will disproportionately hurt the sector because of the number of part-time and lower paid staff it employs.

Many have already cancelled investments and paused hiring, while others have announced redundancies.

A spokesman for BrewDog refused to disclose exactly how many jobs would be affected, but said every effort will be made to made to redeploy as many members of staff as possible.

Recent struggles

Founded in 2007 by James Watt and Martin Dickie, BrewDog became one of Britains biggest beer brands by using controversial marketing stunts.

These included selling what they claimed was the worlds strongest beer  served in the carcass of a squirrel  and hiring a tank to drive through London.

Mr Watt claimed the business had a punk ethos and frequently criticised the practices of big brewers like Budweisers owner AB InBev. The company raised millions from thousands of retail investors it called equity punks.

However, in recent years it has struggled with accusations of being a toxic workplace and questions over its finances.

Mr Watt stepped down last year and has since launched a new company called Social Tip, though he still retains a seat on the board and a 21pc stake in the company.

Mr Taylor, who took charge of the company in March, has shelved plans for a stock market float, saying in June that there were no plans to sell the business.
Audrey Hepburn's iconic career in Old Hollywood was made all the more special thanks to the arrival of her two sons, Sean Hepburn Ferrer and Luca Dotti. The Roman Holiday actress was married twice, and welcomed one child with each husband. The brothers later established the Audrey Hepburn Children's Fund in her honor after she passed away from cancer in 1993.

Getty Images Luca Dotti and Sean Ferrer at the 'Audrey in Rome' exhibition in 2011. Luca Dotti and Sean Ferrer at the 'Audrey in Rome' exhibition in 2011.

Hepburn married her first husband, the American actor Mel Ferrer, in 1954, per People. She was 31 when she gave birth to their son, Sean, in 1960. The couple later divorced in 1968. In 1969, Hepburn married Italian psychiatrist Andrea Dotti, People reported. The newlyweds welcomed Luca in 1970.

Big brother Sean later described his late mother as a "wonderful package of imperfections" who taught her children to follow their dreams. It's OK to choose your path, have a dream, not a fake one, and never let it get to your head, he said of her philosophy on life. And that the nice guy in this case, the humble person, the true one... can also succeed once in a lifetime."

Getty Images Audrey Hepburn serving as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in Vietnam in 1990. Audrey Hepburn serving as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in Vietnam in 1990.

Besides being an actress and a mother, Hepburn was also a humanitarian who served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her advocacy work in 1992, per People. Ahead, everything you should know about the two men carrying on her legacy: sons Sean Hepburn Ferrer and Luca Dotti.



Sean Hepburn Ferrer

Getty Images Mel Ferrer and Audrey Hepburn with their newborn son Sean in 1960. Mel Ferrer and Audrey Hepburn with their newborn son Sean in 1960.

Hepburn's eldest son was born on July 17, 1960 in Burgenstock, Lucerne, Switzerland, according to his Hachette bio. "Sean is truly a dream and I find it hard to believe he is really ours to keep, Hepburn wrote in a letter to her friend Sir Felix Aylmer, which was obtained by People.

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Sean grew up in Europe and is fluent in English, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. As an adult, he followed in his mother's footsteps and became a producer in Hollywood. Sean also wrote two books about his mother: the 2003 biography Audrey Hepburn, an Elegant Spirit and the 2020 children's book Little Audrey's Daydream.

"I thought it was a nice time to sort of tell this story in simple terms and it is really the same questions and three pillars that often people are asking me about, he told TODAY with regard to the latter publication. (The book chronicles Hepburn's childhood in Europe during WWII.)

Getty Images Mel Ferrer and Audrey Hepburn with their son Sean in 1963. Mel Ferrer and Audrey Hepburn with their son Sean in 1963.

In the same 2020 interview with TODAY, Sean opened up about his mom's experience with pregnancy loss before his arrival, which was "one of the hardest things she ever had to deal with in her life, without a doubt.

I think when she finally had me, it was more than just the desire of having a child, he added. It was also a healing from these experiences. But I know it was very, very hard for her."



Getty Images Audrey Hepburn with her son Sean Hepburn Ferrer at the Wally Findlay Galleries in 1979. Audrey Hepburn with her son Sean Hepburn Ferrer at the Wally Findlay Galleries in 1979.

As an adult, Sean has welcomed three children of his own: Emma, Gregoria, and Santiago. His wife, Karin Hepburn Ferrer, also has two children from a previous relationship, Adone and Athena. Sean helped produce the 2020 documentary Audrey. with his daughter Emma, who went on to become a UNICEF ambassador, just like her grandmother.

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"I think that's a nice way to stay in touch with [their grandmother], by doing for others," Sean told People. "I think everyone gets that and everybody's always been happy to pitch in and do it, and there's something natural and lovely about it. Something legitimate."

Luca Dotti

Getty Images Audrey Hepburn at home with her son Luca in 1971. Audrey Hepburn at home with her son Luca in 1971.

Hepburn divorced Ferrer in 1968, per People, and found love again with her second husband, Andrea Dotti, in 1969. The newlyweds welcomed their son Luca one year later, on February 8, 1970. He was born in Switzerland and grew up there before ultimately settling in Rome, Italy, where he now lives with his wife and kids.

Unlike his brother, Luca eschewed Hollywood and pursued a career as a graphic designer. He also published two books about his mother: Audrey in Rome and Audrey at Home.

"I wanted to connect these two parts, the public and the private Audrey," he told People of the latter book, a memoir. "I hope it will give new insights into her. The most special thing about her was how normal she was. She never spoke about life as a fashion icon, her career as an actress, or her history. She lived her life as she wanted to."

Getty Images Audrey Hepburn with her son Luca at an airport in 1984. Audrey Hepburn with her son Luca at an airport in 1984.

In 2015, Luca revealed that as a child he had no idea his mom was a famous Hollywood celebrityuntil, that is, he saw her kissing Gary Cooper onscreen in Love in the Afternoon.

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To me, my mother was Audrey Dotti, he told People. I never realized she was Audrey Hepburn. I didnt know she was a movie star. She always looked at my father like he was the center of attention. He continued, She was a simple country girl. Her favorite dish was spaghetti with tomato sauce.

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BrewDog has announced the closure of ten of its bars across the UK, as it faces the "continued challenges" in the local hospitality sector.

The closures will affect venues in Aberdeen, the group's flagship bar, Brighton, Camden, Dundee, Leeds, Oxford, Sheffield, York and two locations in London.

The exact number of jobs impacted remains unclear. Just Drinks asked BrewDog to confirm the number of staff working at the affected bars. The company declined to comment but said it would look to "redeploy" as many employees as possible.

After the bars are closed, BrewDog will have 49 outlets left in the UK.

In a communication to staff, BrewDog chief executive James Taylor attributed the closures to "continued challenges facing the UK hospitality industry", such as rising costs, increased regulation, and economic pressures".

He added that the move was "part of the wider refresh we have set out, and it aligns with our renewed focus on innovation, quality, and a new brand identity. It positions our bar portfolio for long-term, profitable growth".

He further explained that maintaining these venues would place the broader business under pressure, "making it harder to invest where we know we can grow".

Taylor was promoted to the position of CEO in March, replacing James Arrow who left after less than a year in the role.

He had worked at BrewDog as its financial chief since November 2023.

The company has initiated a consultation process for affected staff that will last a minimum of 14 days.

A BrewDog spokesperson said: We are working hard to minimise the impact on our people, and we expect to redeploy many affected team members across the BrewDog network."

According to Bryan Simpson, national lead for hospitality at the Unite union, the Elvis Juice brand owner gave employers under four days' notice.

For Brewdog to give loyal workers less than 4 days' notice of the closure of their workplace is not just morally repugnant, it is potentially unlawful," said Simpson.

"This is yet another example of a company that doesn't have the slightest regard for basic employment law let alone the welfare of their workers. We are currently supporting our members across these 10 sites to collectively challenge these redundancies, and we would urge anyone impacted to reach out to us for legal support."

In June, BrewDog's chief reportedly said the company was not making moves towards filing an IPO.

In a report from The Times, BrewDogs chief James Taylor said an Initial Public Offering (IPO) was not on the agenda at the moment, as the company announced a return to profitability for the first time since 2021.
Foodies Nick Phillips and Heather Schroering have a lot in common  but one important point they agreed on early in their relationship is that "a dry sandwich is a crime." So it was fitting that the self-described "condiment sommeliers" tied the knot in a wedding officiated by  a mayonnaise mascot.

The Brooklyn, N.Y.-based couple were the lucky winners of a contest thrown by Hellmann's in celebration of the brand's new line of Chicken Tender Dips. The wedding package included a ceremony at the Viva Las Vegas chapel, led by Hellmann's mascot Manny Mayo, followed by a reception featuring chicken tender towers and "endless" Chicken Tender Dips.

A professional photographer was on hand to capture all the special moments, and the couple was given $5,000 to cover their travel expenses.

Mike Kirschbaum/Shutterstock for Edelman Nick Phillips and Heather Schroering on their wedding day Nick Phillips and Heather Schroering on their wedding day

Schroering, 34, tells PEOPLE that when a friend first told them about the contest, "it seemed like it was made for us."

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She says she and Phillips jokingly refer to themselves as "The Saucemans" and love to try new dips with their food. "For as long as weve been together, Ive given Nick a sauce ornament. I started making them our third Christmas together, and the first one I ever made by hand was Hellmanns mayo," notes the journalist, who founded the indie production studio No Smiling after creating several hit podcasts for Wondery.

After submitting their entry, the couple "had a hard time picturing getting married any other way," Phillips, 41, tells PEOPLE. When they learned the news on July 2 that they had been selected, they immediately began screaming and jumping up and down.

Mike Kirschbaum/Shutterstock for Edelman Nick Phillips and Heather Schroering on their wedding day Nick Phillips and Heather Schroering on their wedding day

Their loved ones, meanwhile, were surprisingly unfazed by their unconventional wedding plans.

"The funny thing is, none of our friends or family asked questions when we invited them to watch us be wed in Vegas by a giant jar of mayo in a Hellmanns chicken tender dipping sauce campaign. Sixty people just instantly booked flights," Schroering says. "Its very on-brand for us."

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Adding to the serendipity of the occasion, the date of the wedding, July 21, also happened to be Phillips' birthday.

Mike Kirschbaum/Shutterstock for Edelman Nick Phillips and Heather Schroering signing their marriage certificate Nick Phillips and Heather Schroering signing their marriage certificate

With less than three weeks to prepare, Schroering and Phillips began the whirlwind process of choosing their wedding looks, setting up a registry (they opted to launch a honeymoon fund on Zola) and inviting their loved ones.

"Everything fell into place like magic," the bride recalls. "We found Nicks suit in 15 minutes. My close friend is a wedding dress designer in Portland  Andrea Kaye of Nouvelle Lune  who immediately agreed to make my dream dress."



And since the Hellmann's team was handling most of the other planning logistics, the couple was able to simply "ride the high of being picked as the tender-loving couple."

Nick Phillips and Heather Schroering's Wedding Desserts

"Its a unique opportunity to actually be guests at our own wedding and enjoy it, which doesnt happen very often, if ever," Schroering notes.

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She and Phillips, a field engineer for the dental X-ray company Planmeca, first met through friends in their home state of Kentucky in 2019, after Schroering finished a graduate program at Columbia Journalism School. After a few more "chance encounters" in Kentucky, Schroering moved back to New York City.

Not long after, Phillips slid into Schroering's DMs, prompting her to "dare" him to come visit her. "Weve been together ever since," she says.

Mike Kirschbaum/Shutterstock for Edelman Heather Schroering and Nick Phillips on their wedding day Heather Schroering and Nick Phillips on their wedding day

The journalist popped the question to Phillips while the two were celebrating their sixth anniversary at a restaurant in the East Village  and naturally, a dip was involved.

"At first, Nick was confused when the waiter delivered French fries we didnt order, until he noticed the ramekin for sauce that was instead holding my great-grandfathers wedding band," Schroering recalls.

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Not only are the couple condiment connoisseurs, but they are also both big fans of fried chicken  "I think its in our [Kentucky] state pledge of allegiance to love fried chicken," Schroering jokes.

Chicken tenders are kind of the ultimate vessel for sauce, a blank canvas that you can eat, says Phillips, who declares himself "a barbecue sauce boy."

Mike Kirschbaum/Shutterstock for Edelman Heather Schroering and Nick Phillips on their wedding day Heather Schroering and Nick Phillips on their wedding day

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.

Schroering's go-to is homemade buttermilk ranch. "But usually, we require a panoply of sauces for dipping foods," she adds.

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Hellmann's Chicken Tender Dips lineup  now available in stores  features three mayonnaise-style flavors: Garlic Parmesan, Spicy Ranch and Buttermilk Ranch. For more information on Hellmanns Chicken Tender Dips, visit Hellmanns.com.



Read the original article on People
Pediatric dentist Kendra Hatcher thought shed finally met the man of her dreams. The only problem was that someone else wasnt willing to let him go.

Hatcher  who devoted her life to helping others across the globe  was gunned down in the parking garage of her Dallas apartment complex on September 2, 2015, according to the Dateline: Secrets Uncovered episode titled "10 Minutes to Sunset."

An eyewitness spotted a Jeep Cherokee racing out of the parking garage, but it would take investigative skills to connect the dots of the bizarre crime and find the cunning mastermind behind the plot to take the 35-year-olds life.

For more from Dateline: Secrets Uncovered:

Man Kills Wife's Affair Partner in New Jersey Basement Where They Consummated Relationship

Married Miami Dad Abducted, Brutally Killed in Plan Hatched By Husband of Affair Partner

Wisconsin Mom Found Dead in Her Bed After Husband Poisoned Her with Antifreeze

Who was Kendra Hatcher?

Hatcher  who spent time in Ecuador during dental school breaks providing dental care for the poor  had a job she loved, working as a pediatric dentist in the Dallas area. Before her shocking murder, she was thriving.

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She was on a different level when it came to just being awesome, her brother Neil Hatcher remembered.

Hatcher had even seemingly met the love of her life, Dr. Ricardo Ricky Paniagua, a handsome dermatologist.

He complimented her very well, Hatcher's close friend Tami Patano shared. He has this kindness about him and she immediately fell for Ricky and fell hard.

Although the pair had only been together for a few months, they were already talking about marriage and were about to embark on a romantic trip to Mexico.

All those plans came to an end, however, on the evening of September 2, 2015 when Hatcher was gunned down in the parking garage of her Gables Park 17 apartment complex in Dallas, just as she was returning home from work.

RELATED: Ohio Coal Miner Shot To Death By Married Best Friend He'd Been Having Secret Affair With

Kendra Hatcher Spd 2917

What happened to Kendra Hatcher?

Hashem Saad, a teen at the time, stumbled on the crime just as he and a friend entered the parking garage, usually reserved for residents or visitors of those living in the complex.

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You could hear just screaming. Straight up screaming, Saad told Dateline correspondent Keith Morrison.

Saad heard gunshots, tires screeching and then saw a black Jeep Cherokee racing away from the scene with two masked assailants inside the vehicle, all of which he recounted to a 911 dispatcher just moments later.

Hatcher had been shot at close-range in the head and lay crumpled next to her car.

Detective Eric Barnes of the Dallas Police Department said that when authorities arrived on the scene, they discovered a magazine from a firearm laying next to Hatcher's body and noticed that her car door had been left slightly ajar.

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I assumed that possibly it was a robbery and during the exit the robber got a little anxious and released the magazine, Barnes said.

Hatchers purse was stolen, adding to the robbery-gone-wrong theory. However, when prosecutor Justin Lord arrived at the scene, he questioned why someone would try to commit a robbery behind a secured gate of the parking garage.

It looked like an execution, he said.

Screaming, Gun Shots and Tire Screeches Lead to a Dead Body in a Parking Garage

Surveillance footage gives clues in Kendra Hatcher's murder

Paniagua, Hatcher's boyfriend, told police that hed been waiting in the apartment for Hatcher to come home, then briefly left to get some tacos before returning to the complex, only to discover the large police presence.

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Barnes noted that he seemed genuinely distraught to learn of his girlfriends death.

Investigators decided to focus on that black Jeep Cherokee seen racing out of the garage at around 7:45 p.m. that night. Grainy surveillance camera footage from the garage showed that the driver was a woman.

RELATED: Illinois Girl, 15, Vanishes After Leaving Mom Note, But All Was Not What It Seemed

The footage also showed that earlier that night, the driver waited for a resident to access the garage and then followed the car inside. Another camera captured a hazy image of an unknown person getting out of the Jeep and walking toward the area where Hatchers vehicle parked. After presumably firing the fatal shot, the figure was seen jumping back into the passenger side of the Jeep as it raced away.

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Dallas Police released still shots of the vehicle and the female driver to the media and quickly got their first break in the case. A man named Jose Luis-Ortiz came forward to report that he was the owner of the Jeep. He said hed loaned the car to his friend Brenda Delgado and had no idea how it became involved in a murder.

He knew that he needed to come in and talk to help clear his name, Barnes said.

Parking Garage Footage Gives Police Information About Who Killed Dr. Kendra Hatcher

Delgado told police that she was at dinner at Chilis with Luis-Ortiz at the time of the murder and quickly produced a receipt to confirm her alibi. She also told police that her friend Crystal Cortes, a young single mom, had borrowed the car.

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Cortes admitted to being in the parking garage but first told Barnes that she had her six-year-old son in the car and that they'd planned to go to a nearby park. She said that when she heard a gunshot and saw an armed man running through the garage with a mask on, she quickly sped out of the garage to get away.

But after police confronted her with the surveillance footage, Cortes eventually changed her story and admitted that her son wasn't with her in the car at the time. Instead, she said shed gone to the garage with a guy she knew as Lamar, who drove a blue Chrysler Sebring. She claimed that he had just planned to rob Hatcher but shot her after she was stubborn and didnt want to hand over her purse.

RELATED: Michigan Mom of Three Killed By Son, Who Then Threw Her Out a Window To Try To Cover It Up

Cortes was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and police set off to track down Lamar, a man they ultimately identified through cell phone data as Kristopher Love.

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He denied having any involvement in the murder, but thanks to a specially trained dog named Titan, police were able to recover the .40 caliber handgun used in the shooting hidden deep within the center console of Love's car.

Love was also taken into custody and charged with capital murder.

Brenda Delgado Crystal Cortes Spd 2917

The motive for Kendra Hatcher's murder

Detectives were still trying to piece together the crime when they learned that Delgado was Paniaguas ex-girlfriend. The two had dated for several years and even lived together before Paniagua broke up with her. He started dating Hatcher a few months later.

She had a very tough time after her breakup with Ricardo, Barnes said.

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The two remained friends after the breakup, but Paniagua had no idea that Delgado had begun to stalk him, tracking his location through an app, secretly letting herself into his apartment while he was away, and logging into his email account.

Just days before Hatcher was killed, Paniagua had asked Delgado to remove her belongings from his apartment and told her how serious his relationship with Hatcher had become.

RELATED: Florida Man Hires Friend To Kill His Doctor Wife, Who's Found Fatally Bludgeoned with a Hammer

Cortes and Love eventually flipped on Delgado and told police that she had recruited them to carry out the crime. While Love insisted he was only hired to steal her purse, Cortes said that Delgado had pretty much set everything up.

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Before police could arrest Delgado, she fled to Mexico. Although she was on the run, authorities still formally indicted her for capital murder.

Seven months after the murder, Delgado was placed on the FBIs 10 Most Wanted Fugitives' list and authorities offered a reward up to $100,000 for information on her whereabouts. She was apprehended a short time later and prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty to get Mexico to agree to extradition.

Who killed Kendra Hatcher?

Cortes pleaded guilty to murder and agreed to testify against Love and Delgado as part of a plea deal. Love was convicted of capital murder in his own separate trial in 2018 and was sentenced to death.

Delgado went on trial in June of 2019. Prosecutors called a series of others to the stand who claimed that Delgado had also asked them to carry out the murder, and Cortes testified about how Delgado had helped plot the killing. It took a jury just 18 minutes to convict Delgado. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Malcolm-Jamal Warner's Death: Police Clarify Heartbreaking Details originally appeared on Parade.

New details have come to light regarding the tragic death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

The longtime actor, best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, died in an accidental drowning in Costa Rica on Sunday, July 20. He was 54 years old.

It had previously been revealed that Warner was on a family vacation, and was swimming with his 8-year-old daughter at the time, but now, officials are clarifying the saddening details of his untimely passing.

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According to local police, the young girlwhose identity has remained privatewas not caught up in a rip current with her father off the coast of Playa Cocles in Limon, as previously reported by ABC News, and instead, was allegedly on the beach playing with her dad before he headed into the water, according to People.

Parade reached out to Warner's team for comment, but did not immediately hear back.

Surfers nearby rushed in to aid the Hollywood notable at the time, however, despite 45 minutes of CPR, The Resident star could not be revived.

Related: What We Learned About Playa Cocles, the Costa Rican Beach Where Malcolm-Jamal Warner Drowned

In a new July 24 statement, Costa Rica's Judicial Investigation Agency (OIJ) noted in translation from Spanish to English, "Mr. Warner was playing with his daughter at the seashore at one point. He then left her out of the water, and he and a friend of his entered the sea," the outlet reports.

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"It was at that moment that they were swept away by the current, and the friend managed to get out," the statement continued. "However, Mr. Warner was unable to get out and was pulled out by several people on the beach. He received care from Red Cross officials, but was pronounced dead at the scene."

Though the iconic actor and his wifewhose identity is also privatehad been notoriously nonpublic with the details of their family, Warner had expressed love for his daughter plenty of times in the past.

You have absolutely no idea. A love so profound that even a poet cant find the words to describe it, he once wrote of his only child. Often I find myself just staring at her and wondering where she came from I am proud that we have been able to provide a wonderful, loving, and spiritually enriching environment as a home base into which ALL babies should be born and thrive.

The Forensic Pathology Department in Costa Rica confirmed the Malcolm & Eddie star's cause of death as asphyxiation by submersion.

Next, 'The Bold and the Beautiful' Star Remembers 'Friend' Malcolm-Jamal Warner: 'Your Legacy Will Live On'

Malcolm-Jamal Warner's Death: Police Clarify Heartbreaking Details first appeared on Parade on Jul 25, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
'DWTS' Pro Emma Slater Drops Greece Vacation Photos  And Fans Spot a Familiar Face originally appeared on Parade.

She is living her best life! Dancing With the Stars pro Emma Slater is on vacation in Greece, and showing off her stunning photos (and body) to friends and fans on Instagram. The 36-year-old shared that it reminded her of filming Mamma Mia! in 2008, and that she's "super grateful" to be there.

She posted the following to the 'gram on Tuesday, July 22, and if you click through the photo carousel, you might just find another familiar face!

"Scenes from Greece," she captioned the carousel. Takes me back to my Mamma Mia days!  super grateful to be enjoying this beautiful place, wow wow wow! I have to pinch myself and I just can't get over the colour of the sea!!!"

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When a fan spotted Alfonso Ribeiro in one of the group shots, Emma confirmed in the comments that she is vacationing with the Fresh Prince of Bel Air star and his family. She wrote, "Yes! His wife is my bestie," referring to Angela Ribeiro. Alfonso won Season 19 of Dancing With the Stars in2014 with pro partner Witney Carson, and became a co-host of the show in 2022.

She shared another photo dump on Wednesday, captioning it, "Currently accepting 'Captain' as my new title."

Fans couldn't stop gushing in the comments. One person shared, "That looks so magical and you're absolutely stunning," while another contributed, "'A Star is born.' Look at her just relaxing  on the 'High-Seas' ... She's a winner and a champion!!"

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Others added, "This looks like such an amazing time!," "You're so breathtaking," and "What a beautiful trip! Thank you for sharing some of Greece with us."

Happy vacationing, Emma and the Ribeiro family! We seriously wish we were there.

'DWTS' Pro Emma Slater Drops Greece Vacation Photos  And Fans Spot a Familiar Face first appeared on Parade on Jul 24, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
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George Kooymans (second from left) poses with Golden Earring on the set of a TV show in Hilversum, Netherlands, in 1974. (from left) singer Barry Hay, Kooymans, drummer Cesar Zuiderwijk and bassist Rinus Gerritsen. . | Credit: Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns

George Kooymans, the guitarist who found fame with Golden Earring and their 1973 hit Radar Love, died July 23 at age 77. An attorney for the band said Kooymans death was caused by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

"We say goodbye to a great musician and composer whose work extended beyond Golden Earring, Kooymans family wrote in a statement. George was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, but above all, a friend."

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For millions of American teens in the 1970s, there was no more perfect song for late-night cruising than Golden Earrings Radar Love. Its shuffling boogie rhythm encouraged pedal-to-the-metal driving, while the lyrics captured the thrill of joyriding and, hopefully, getting lucky.

Pushing it all along was the insistent riffing of Kooymans, who punctuated the space between Barry Hays lyrics with some of the tastiest licks outside of a Dairy Queen drive-thru. Radar Love was and remains the quintessential American hard-rock road song.

So it surprised many young American listeners when they discovered Golden Earring hailed not from the U.S. but the Netherlands. What's more, the group had been a going concern for more than 10 years by the time it scored its breakthrough hit.

Kooymans and bass guitar player Rinus Gerritsen launched the band in the Hague as the Tornadoes, but had to change their name when the U.K.-based Tornados had a hit with Telstar. They took the name Golden Earrings from a song by the English beat group the Hunters, and found success as a pop act at home and in the U.K.

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In 1969, the band dropped the s from its name and went full-on hard rock, earning an invitation to open the Whos 1972 European tour and record for their Track Records label, just in time to release 1973s Moontan and its single Radar Love.

Kooymans performs with Golden Earring at the Roxy, in Amsterdam, December 10, 1991. | Credit: Frans Schellekens/Redferns

Kooymans electric guitar work, performed on his black, three-pickup Gibson Les Paul Custom, with exposed pickups, helped propel the song to the upper reaches of the U.S. charts, where it hit number 13.

Golden Earrings fortunes faded in the late 1970s, but they scored a strong comeback in 1982 with the single Twilight Zone, from their album Cut. Though it was the groups last hurrah in America, Golden Earring continued to find steady support at home, while Radar Love has remained for many Americans of a certain generation the ultimate car song.

Beyond his work with the group, Kooymans released a pair of solo albums, Jojo (1971) and Solo (1987), as well as two albums with American rock musician Frank Carillo.

Performing with Golden Earring at Shepherd's Bush Empire, in London, March 14, 2009. | Credit: C Brandon/Redferns

In 2021, Kooymans was diagnosed with ALS, an incurable neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells controlling voluntary muscle movement and leads to progressive muscle weakness and paralysis. Golden Earring disbanded upon news of his condition.

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In a statement, Limore Noach, director of the ALS Netherlands Foundation, recalled how Netherlanders stood behind Kooymans when news of his fight was made public.

"When it became known that George Kooymans had ALS and could no longer perform, it was heartwarming to see how the whole of the Netherlands rallied in support, she said.

Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the other band members, and we wish them much strength," she added.
Hulk Hogans sudden death at age 71 shocked fans around the world, but just two days earlier, his close friend and longtime on-screen manager, Jimmy Hart, said the wrestling legend was in phenomenal health.

The WWE Hall of Famer, born Terry Bollea, died Thursday, July 24, after Clearwater, Florida, police responded to a 911 call for cardiac arrest.

He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Two Days Before His Death, Hulk Hogan Was Said To Be 'Doing Phenomenal'

Jen Lowery / MEGA

The tragic news came after weeks of swirling rumors about Hogans declining health.

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Speculation ramped up last month when reports claimed the wrestling legend was on his deathbed following complications from a recent neck surgery. At the time, reps for the star told E! News there was no reason to panic, and Hogans wife, Sky Daily, also publicly denied rumors that he was in a coma, insisting his heart was strong.

But in a particularly bittersweet twist, Hart took to social media just two days before Hogans death to assure fans the wrestling icon was thriving.

Hulk is doing great, doing phenomenal! Hart wrote. Last night at karaoke with Nick was absolutely fantastic, baby!!!

The update referred to a night out with Hogans son Nick, whom he shared with ex-wife Linda Hogan.

Hogan Remembered By WWE As A 'Pop Culture Icon'

FAITH MORAN/MEGA

Hogan previously opened up about his health, revealing the toll that years in the ring had taken on his body.

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Despite the physical setbacks, Hogan remained active in the months leading up to his passing.

In 2024, he launched his own beer brand, Real American Beer, and continued making appearances at fan conventions and WWE events.

WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away, the company said in a statement. One of pop cultures most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogans family, friends, and fans.

Hulk Hogans 2015 Controversy Sparked A Turning Point In His Career

Instagram | Hulk Hogan

While Hulk Hogans contributions to professional wrestling were monumental, his legacy has also been shaped by controversy, most notably, a 2015 scandal involving racist language that led to his dismissal from WWE.

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That year, Hogan was fired by WWE after leaked audio captured him using racial slurs while discussing his daughter Brookes dating life. In the transcript, which was published by Radar Online, Hogan was recorded using deeply offensive language, including the N-word multiple times.

The backlash was swift. WWE cut ties with Hogan, removed all references to him from its website, and released a statement affirming its commitment to diversity, WWE terminated its contract with Terry Bollea (aka Hulk Hogan). WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds.

In a public apology shared with PEOPLE, Hogan addressed the remarks:

Eight years ago, I used offensive language during a conversation. It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it. This is not who I am. I believe very strongly that every person in the world is important and should not be treated differently based on race, gender, orientation, religious beliefs or otherwise.

Hogan Got Sober In 2023

Jen Lowery / MEGA

In one of his most candid interviews, Hulk Hogan opened up last year about his struggles with alcohol and prescription painkillers following decades of wear and tear in the wrestling ring.

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Speaking to Muscle and Health, the WWE legend revealed that after a New Years Eve party in late 2022, he decided to walk away from drinking for good.

I saw myself in this environment, and I went, You know what? I dont know how I got here, but Im done, Hogan, born Terry Bollea, shared. It was just that one thing. When Im done, Im done.

Hulk Hogan Revealed How Sobriety Transformed His Health And Relationships

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The decision came after years of surgeries and pain management routines that, at times, spiraled into dependency. Hogan said the shift wasnt easy, especially in a culture where drinking was often the norm.

Ive had certain wrestlers look at me in the face and go, If you dont have a drink with me, youre not my friend, he recalled. Well, I am your friend, but Im not going to drink with you. What are you going to do about it?

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Hogan credited his sobriety with improving not just his mindset but his health. One unexpected benefit? The weight just started falling off, he said, noting that ditching booze helped curb his late-night junk food cravings.

Hogan is survived by his wife, Sky, his children, Brooke and Nick, and his ex-wives, Linda Hogan and Jennifer McDaniel.
Iconic Rocker, 80, Returns With Epic Show After Canceling Tour Dates originally appeared on Parade.

Iconic rocker Rod Stewart looked to be in great spirits as he played an epic show in Canada on July 22, just a month after he had to cancel several United States tour dates due to illness.

The classic rock legend, 80, played the Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Canada for his One Last Stop tour, and he seemed to be back to his old self with an epic outfit and all of his signature moves. Stewart donned a frilly white shirt with a silver and black sparkly blazer, as well as black pinstripe pants and several flashy necklaces.

TORONTO, ONTARIO - JULY 22: Rod Stewart performs during the "One Last Time" tour at Budweiser Stage on July 22, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Mathew Tsang/Getty Images)Mathew Tsang/Getty Images

Stewart also shared the stage with supporting act Cheap Trick, a beloved 70s rock band that is perhaps best known for their iconic song I Want You To Want Me.

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Its great to see the musician rocking out on stage, as he sadly had to cancel several dates from the U.S. leg of his tour back in June. I have to cancel and reschedule my next six concerts in June as I continue to recover from the flu, Stewart revealed via Instagram on June 6. So sorry my friends. I'm devastated and sincerely apologize for any inconvenience to my fans. I'll be back on stage and will see you soon. He signed his note Sir Rod and also included a broken heart emoji.

TORONTO, ONTARIO - JULY 22: Rod Stewart performs during the "One Last Time" tour at Budweiser Stage on July 22, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Mathew Tsang/Getty Images)Mathew Tsang/Getty Images

Stewart ended up having to cancel three dates at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in the beginning of June, as well as another date at the Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre northwest of Sin City. He rescheduled two California dates as well, one in Rancho Mirage and one in Paso Robles, with both moved to late September.

That said, he was thankfully well enough to play an epic set at Glastonbury at the end of June, which marked his first appearance at the festival in 23 years. He shared the stage with former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood, who is best known for his tenure with The Rolling Stones.

Iconic Rocker, 80, Returns With Epic Show After Canceling Tour Dates first appeared on Parade on Jul 23, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
NEW YORK (AP)  Two-time Grammy Award-winning musician Chuck Mangione, who achieved international success in 1977 with his jazz-flavored single Feels So Good and later became a voice actor on the animated TV comedy King of the Hill, has died. He was 84.

Mangione died at his home in Rochester, New York, on Tuesday in his sleep, said his attorney, Peter S. Matorin of Beldock Levine & Hoffman LLP. The musician had been retired since 2015.

Perhaps his biggest hit  Feels So Good  is a staple on most smooth-jazz radio stations and has been called one of the most recognized melodies since Michelle by the Beatles. It hit No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the top of the Billboard adult contemporary chart.

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It identified for a lot of people a song with an artist, even though I had a pretty strong base audience that kept us out there touring as often as we wanted to, that song just topped out there and took it to a whole other level, Mangione told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in 2008.

He followed that hit with Give It All You Got, commissioned for the 1980 Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, and he performed it at the closing ceremony.

Mangione, a flugelhorn and trumpet player and jazz composer, released more than 30 albums during a career in which he built a sizable following after recording several albums, doing all the writing.

He won his first Grammy Award in 1977 for his album Bellavia, which was named in honor of his mother. Another album, Friends and Love, was also Grammy-nominated, and he earned a best original score Golden Globe nomination and a second Grammy for the movie The Children of Sanchez.

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Mangione introduced himself to a new audience when he appeared on the first several seasons of King of the Hill, appearing as a commercial spokesman for Mega Lo Mart, where shopping feels so good.

Mangione, brother of jazz pianist Gap Mangione, with whom he partnered in The Jazz Brothers, started his career as a bebop jazz musician heavily inspired by Dizzy Gillespie.

He also was one of the first musicians I saw who had a rapport with the audience by just telling the audience what he was going to play and who was in his band, Mangione told the Post-Gazette.

Mangione earned a bachelor's degree from the Eastman School of Music  where he would eventually return as director of the schools jazz ensemble  and left home to play with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.

He donated his signature brown felt hat and the score of his Grammy-winning single Feels So Good, as well as albums, songbooks and other ephemera from his long and illustrious career to the Smithsonians National Museum of American History in 2009.
Lauren Sanchez Bezos is baring it all as she celebrates newlywed bliss with Jeff Bezos.

Nearly a month after tying the knot on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, Italy, Sanchez Bezos, 55, and Bezos, 61, were photographed enjoying dinner in Saint-Tropez.

For the outing, The Fly Who Flew to Space author wore a sheer Roberto Cavalli Leopard Velvet Lace Slip Dress with an exposed back and asymmetrical skirt.

Aissaoui Nacer / BACKGRID Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos turned heads in Saint-Tropez during a stylish evening outing on July 23, 2025 Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos turned heads in Saint-Tropez during a stylish evening outing on July 23, 2025

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

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Sanchez Bezos ensured all eyes were on the spaghetti-strap dress by styling her hair in an up-do. She added a pop of color with gold statement earrings. To complete the look, the former news anchor wore black open-toe heels and a matching purse.

Bezos complemented his new wife's 2000s-inspired look by wearing a blue velvet shirt with gray skinny pants. The Amazon founder paired the ensemble with green loafers and oversized sunglasses.

Aissaoui Nacer / BACKGRID auren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos turned heads in Saint-Tropez during a stylish evening outing on July 23, 2025 auren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos turned heads in Saint-Tropez during a stylish evening outing on July 23, 2025

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

The photographs captured the newly grown thick, white-grey hair around the sides of Bezos' scalp, which was spotted on the billionaire while he was out in Sun Valley, Idaho, on Thursday, July 10.

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The outing comes nearly a month after the couple tied the knot in a star-studded affair in Venice, Italy, on Friday, June 27.

A number of their celebrity friends were in attendance, including Oprah Winfrey, Gayle King, Orlando Bloom, Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Karlie Kloss, Leonardo DiCaprio, Usher and Tom Brady.

Other notable guests included Queen Rania of Jordan, Bill Gates and his girlfriend, Paula Hurd, Francois-Henri Pinault, and fashion designers Diane von Furstenberg, Domenico Dolce and Tommy Hilfiger.

To walk down the aisle, Sanchez Bezos wore a custom-designed corseted mermaid-style dress by Dolce & Gabbana, featuring hand-appliqued Italian lace, as per Vogue. She wore borrowed Dolce earrings and had a secret souvenir from her Blue Origin space flight as her something blue.

Lauren Sanchez Bezos/Instagram Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos on their wedding day Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos on their wedding day

Speaking about the inspiration for the dress in Vogue's June 2025 digital cover story, Sanchez Bezos said it was based on the high-necked lace wedding dress Sophia Loren wore to marry Cary Grant in the 1958 film Houseboat.



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.

It went from I want a simple, sexy modern dress to I want something that evokes a moment, and where I am right now. I am a different person than I was five years ago," she told the outlet.

Read the original article on People
The British Business Bank has disclosed that it enabled 6.8bn in financing for smaller enterprises during the 2024/2025 financial year.

This total comprises 1.2bn directly deployed by the agency, 2.6bn in guaranteed lending, and 3bn of private sector capital.

The bank indicated that 24,000 businesses, which had not previously received its support, were granted funding, in addition to 4,000 businesses that had previously benefited from its services.

A significant majority (84%) of the supported businesses were situated outside of London.

The expected outcomes from this financial assistance include the creation of 38,000 new jobs, an increase in business turnover amounting to 18bn, which is projected to enhance UK economic output by 8bn, and a contribution of over 100m to Gross Value Added (GVA) across all UK nations and regions.

Furthermore, the British Business Bank has reported a return to profitability, with its investment portfolio expanding by nearly 20%.

The agency recorded a pre-tax profit of 144m in its most recent financial year, attributed to the strong performance of its investments.

In terms of financial performance, the bank achieved a 4.2% five-year adjusted return on capital employed across both its commercial and developmental activities.

It realised gains of 83.6m in 2024/25, bringing its lifetime Multiple on Invested Capital (MOIC) to 2.3 times.

British Business Bank CEO Louis Taylor said: In a busy and productive 2024/2025, the British Business Bank amplified its role, delivering significant impact in driving economic growth and innovation and playing its part in the economic transformation of the UKs Nations and regions.

The bank returned a pre-tax profit of 144m this year. Our activities in 2024/2025 are expected to produce an impact of 38,000 additional jobs and 8.0bn of gross value added over the life of the finance.

At the same time, we have undertaken a significant reshaping of our organisation to prepare for an expanded mandate and long-term ambitions.

Having an economic development bank with permanent capital and a consistent risk appetite, underpinning the UK venture and growth market through its cycles, is a powerful and very positive development.

"British Business Bank facilitates 6.8bn in financing in FY24/25" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand.




Originally appeared on E! Online

A new bob-shell has entered the villa.

Indeed, Love Islands Iris Kendall has celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton to thank for her new look. In a July 23 TikTok video shared by Chris, he turns a chair around revealing Iris and her signature long honey blonde tresses.

As Iris, 25, lip syncs to the Love Island sound, the camera cuts as Chris chops one side of her hair before he spins the chair once more, revealing the chic new bob as he puts finishing touches on it with hairspray.

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Chriswho is behind some the most glamorous hair moments for a few celebs such as Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and morecaptioned the video, A hot new bombshell enters the Villa and gets a Chris Appleton.

Love Island fans took to the comments to give the look their seal of approval with one user writing, Giving Kristin Cavallari, and another adding, Omg iris slay!!!!!!!! 100% the right decision.

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Prior to debuting the haircut, Iris put her signature long tresses on display in a July 23 Instagram Story, as she and fellow castmate Pepe Garcia-Gonzalez (who she coupled up by the end of season seven) showed off some PDA.

The new look also comes nearly two weeks after she and Pepe placed fourth during the finale of the Peacock series. Amid Iris and Pepe finding a connection, following the exits of their respective partners TJ Palma and Hannah Fields, their romance is still going strong after leaving Fiji.

And the friendship with their exes is even stronger.

"I had a closure conversation with TJ, and I just let him know my feelings and my thoughts," Iris told E! News earlier this month. "We all love each other. There's no hate. We're all going to be friends."

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For his part, Pepe echoed his Iris' sentiments about their friendships.

"Both of us have been very respectful to everybody and their feelings, and so [we'll] just continue to stay like that," Pepe told E! News. "I appreciate the time I had with Hannah. The time we had in there, whatever amount of days it was, it feels like a lot longer, but you continue to live the experience and continue to move on. Just happy I stayed and got to meet Iris."

Keep reading for more details about Love Island

(E! and Peacock are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

How Love Island Comes Together So Quickly

Provided by 85 hidden cameras, theres a surplus of footage to be whittled into an hour-long episode at the end of every day. But thats how they roll, with editors taking Mondays footage that night and rapidly turning it into Tuesdays episode, and so on. Luckily, Fijiwhere the USA shows first season was set and where its been since season fiveis 16 hours ahead of East Coast time, meaning a late-night finish means its still the previous days morning in the U.S., giving the team precious extra hours to get the new episode just right. The islanders wake up, the control room [will be] commissioning scenes based on whats happening, executive producer Claudine Parrish told The Wrap in 2024. Theyll label them like, Boys make breakfast for the girls, and 15 minutes after its happened, its in our editsand editor [is] on it and making it into a scene. And it takes a village: Parrish said there are about 30 editors and 20 producers, and a story team figures out which moments and conversations should be woven together into a larger narrative. Though sometimes, Parrish admitted, what seems interesting doesnt always go anywhere. We dont always get it right, she said. Were always making that call on, Is this important or is this going to change by tomorrow?





What Do Islanders Eat on Love Island?

Breakfast is obviously the most important meal of the day on this show. And with the guys in charge of preparing food and coffee for the ladies on Love Island USA, its become a topic of international fascination. But what does everyone eat for lunch and dinner, you ask? Well, on a show where the actual food isnt the point (unless its undercooked pancakes or your first-ever omelet), its not a focus but its readily available. There are no menus, Love Island UK season four winner Dani Dyer told HELLO! in 2021, it is catering, so obviously breakfast you cook yourself, so you have like eggs, bacon, toast and that kind of stuff. Season eights Luca Bish had no idea who did the cooking, saying in a July 2023 TikTok it was some mystery chef out in the field somewhere, and the food was delivered to the villa. Bish wasnt really a fan of the food, so, he shared, Most of the time I would say I was having, for lunch and dinner, hummus and crisps.





Men and Women Dont Eat Together on Love Island

As multiple contestants have revealed over the years, the men and women eat separately, except on dates. We eat with the producers but it runs like a boarding school, Love Island UK season three alum Olivia Attwood told The Sun in 2022. When we have dinner, it's like them telling us we need to clean the bedroom, that laundry day is tomorrow and asking us what we want for our breakfast the next day, all just things that make the house run smoothly. And much like being on a jury, theyre not allowed to discuss the case among themselves. It was mad, season eight contestant Samuel Agbiji told Closer in 2024, because when youre eating you want to talk about whats going on, but you cant because it affects the filming.





Is There a Drink Limit on Love Island?

You might assume that drinking to flirty excess might be, if not encouraged, then not frowned upon, but contestants are limited to one drink per night, and only beer, wine or bubbly. Given the choice of a glass of red or white wine at dinner, Phoebe Siegel of Love Island USAs fourth season said in a June 2024 TikTok, it was not a generous pour. When there is what appears to be an open bar, such as during a Casa Amor challenge win celebration, Siegel said, the drinks were completely watered down.

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Who Is That Witty Scottish Announcer on Love Island?

Iain Stirling pulls a double shift as the narrator of both Love Island UK and Love Island USAand during filming, hes also on a tight schedule. At 12 in the afternoon U.K. time, Id log on to Love Island UK, the Scottish comedian detailed to TODAY in 2024. By that point, the shows all but finished. Then we'd write for two or three hours. Done by about 4, half 4. Then I'd get a child dinner, bath time, bed timeId love for it to be more rock n roll than that, but that was my life. Then Id have some food, and then I would log on to Love Island USA at half past 8, which is really early Fiji time. Stirling watches a rough cut from home over Zoom, exec producer Parrish explained to The Wrap, and he and the writers are just observing funny things in the scene, or reminders of whats happened in the story, that gets recordedat home on his microphone. His narration is added to the episode before the episode is sent to Peacocks legals and standards team (which does sometimes have notes that require last-minute changes). Wed try to finish by about 12 or 1 in the morning, then Id stay up till half to 3  which is still not the end of the show for the U.S., Stirling told TODAY. In a dream world, Id be staying up til like, 5, 6, in the morning, but that would basically involve me never sleeping. Proof that the franchise can produce a forever bond: Stirling married former Love Island UK host Laura Whitmore in 2020 and they welcomed a daughter in March 2021.





How Does Love Island Select Its Music Soundtrack?

From the opening strains of Janelle Monaes Make Me Feel to the shows official theme song, From Fiji With Love by The Daniel Pemberton TV Orchestra and all the pop songs cued in between, the Love Island USA music has become a whole vibe. It really was seeing Love Island UK for the first time where I was like, Oh, it just is a leveling up of reality and how we can tell stories when you have this personal connection to a pop song and you see it used in context of a story that youre watching on TV, Love Island USA executive producer James Barker told Rolling Stone in a June 2025 interview. I think that this is where my brain immediately said, One, this is amazing, and more shows should be like this. And two, how do I work on Love Island? While songs have to be selected to fit the scenario at a moments notice, a music clearance company goes to work months ahead of time to ensure that, as Barker put it, an arsenal of tracks from the likes of Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX and Olivia Rodrigo are licensed long before theyre needed. We work to get hundreds or sometimes thousands of songs ready to go, because we dont know where the storys going, Barker explained. OK, this track is going to be great for when somebody eventually breaks up with somebody, or this track is going to be the perfect first-kiss song when that comes up.





Is There Music in the Love Island Villa?

Ironically, the islanders cant listen to music in the villa, not least because of the clearance headaches that might cause, but also because that could make conversations harder for the hidden cameras and microphones to pick up. There are exceptions when it comes to songs heard in real time, such as during certain challenges or a slow-motion dance partyor if they get into a cab to go on a date and the driver is playing music.





How Do the Women Get Their Hair, Nails and Makeup Done on Love Island?

To ensure the ladies feel camera-ready at all times, the production provides makeup and skin care items in the houseand of course they can bring their own, but any brand names on their personal items will be covered up in post-production. But for more complicated grooming, there are professionals in the mix. "Every two or three weeks wed have nails, hair, that kind of thing done," Love Island UK season five alum Lucie Dolan told Capital FM in 2021. "Being in there that long, the nights are very long and no one sees how long they are, so you need a bit of a down day and a bit of a chill." And on their Saturdays off, "when there is no show on," former host Whitmore told OK!, "their eyelashes and acrylic nails get redone." Back in the day, islanders would have to go elsewhere, but now the show can't have the contestants out in the wild during filming. "Apparently in the first series, [they] left the villa to go to a salon to have their hair done," Whitmore said, "but now, because the show is so big, they cant, so they have a girl who comes in to do their roots."

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Do Love Island Producers Manipulate the Plot?

Producers say theyre perfectly content to ride the waves of romance. We play along with whats happening in real time in the villa, Love Island USA executive producer Ben Thursby-Palmer told The Wrap in 2024. If everyones really happy in their couple, theres no real point to recoupling. On the flip side, If theyre all sleeping in different beds all around the villaWe need to reset and put them back together. The show wasnt scripted at all, Love Island UK season nine alum Samie Elishi said in an April 2023 YouTube video. But if producers didnt encourage us to go and talk to your couple or someone youre having an argument with or anything like that, then there would be no show. You do get encouraged to have certain chats, but whats said within them is completely up to you.





What Do the Love Island Phones Do?

Production gives the islanders phones for calling and messaging each other, snapping photos and getting alerts about upcoming happenings that are intended to be read out loud. They give you these basic little phones where you can text each other but nobody really uses them, Love Island UK season two alum Liana Isadora Van Riel told The Sun in 2019. Theyre only really there for the whole Ive got a text aspect. Otherwise, Love Island USAs Siegel noted in a TikTok, You cant Google, you cant watch TV, you cant access your socials, you cant text anybody [outside the show].





Ariana Madix Is Supposed to Remain Neutral on Love Island

In the grand tradition of reality competition peacemakers, Love Island USA host Ariana Madix has to pretend she doesnt feel a way about whats unfolding on her watch. Its hard because part of me wants to jump in there sometimes, she told The Wrap in 2024. But also as a host I have to be somewhat impartial, at least in front of them. At the same time, she did weigh in when Andrea Carmona was voted off in season six and Rob Rausch impulsively added that hed leave with her. Madix gently advised him to reconsider and he ended up staying. I dont think that making a big decision like that in a highly emotional moment is the best thing to do, Madix explained. Also, part of me felt like I wanted to call his bluff because I didnt really think that he wanted to leave.





Where Are the Cameras on Love Island?

There are no cameramen anywhere near the islanders, Madixwho lives in a nearby hotel with a view of the villa during filmingnoted. There are cameras set up throughout the entire villa, and then there are walls where they have sliders and there are cameramen behind the wall that can move, but the islanders never really see the cameramen and there are no areas of the houseaside from the obvious like the toilet or the showerthat are blind spots, and so you might think youre having a secret conversation in a corner thats not the case.

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Are There Areas of the Love Island Villa With No Cameras?

Another spot with no cameras: The kitchen pantry where the snacks are, according to Love Island UKs Elishi. Where, she said in her April 2023 video, only one person is allowed in at a time, because some stuff happened in the pantry with a couple before.





Are Contestants Given Condoms on Love Island?

Multiple Love Island UK contestants have shared that there are show-branded condoms placed throughout the villa and replenished upon request.





Do the Bombshells Watch Love Island Before Entering the Villa?

Before the bombshells show up to potentially alter the lay of the land, theyre allowed to watch the show to brush up on the action so far. Love Island UK bombshell Chloe Burrows said on an April 2023 episode of her podcast Chloe vs. The World that they can watch every episode except the one that airs before they get thereand then provide their top three choices among the existing islanders.





Why Doesnt Love Island USA Drop New Episodes on Wednesdays?

While the cameras never stop filming, the contestants do get one day off a week to just hang out. Which also means, however, that the mealtime rule applies, in that theres no gossiping and any confrontations have to wait until the next day. And, since there are no dates on their off-days, the women and men cant share beds that night. What happens is when you take your mics off, youre not allowed to talk about anything to do with the show," Kem Cetinay from Love Island UKs third season, told Britains This Morning in 2017. "You can all sit and chat but they are quite careful about what you talk about because they want to keep it so everyone at home can see and get it on video. Its more a day off from all the intense games, all the intense dates, deciding who you like and dont like."

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Remember when Margot Robbie was seemingly 50-feet tall at the beginning of the movie Barbie? Well, if one rumor is to be believed, she will literally be 50 feet tall in a Tim Burton-directed remake of Attack of the 50 Foot Woman. According to a leak from a reliable Hollywood insider, The InSneider, Robbie has been in talks with Burton to star as the titular giant woman.

In the original 1958 Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, a woman named Nancy (Allison Hayes) is transformed into a giant by the effects of a passing meteor. The movie was directed by Nathan Hertz from a script by Mark Hanna. It is considered part of a 1950s horror/monster movie trend in which people are either shrunken down or made larger. Similar movies in this genre include The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) and The Amazing Colossal Man (1957).

Is Tim Burton's 50 Foot Woman Reboot Really Happening?

ROME, ITALY - OCTOBER 19: Director Tim Burton attends a red carpet for the movie "Diabolik Chi Sei?" during the 18th Rome Film Festival at Auditorium Parco Della Musica on October 19, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images) Ernesto Ruscio/Getty Images

First reported in 2024, it appears that Tim Burton's remake of Attack of the 50 Foot Woman is very real. Considering his oeuvre (Batman, Mars Attacks!), this kind of movie makes perfect sense for him. The only question is: Will this be a more serious take? Or will Burton lean into the campy pulp aspect of the original?

Where to Stream the 1958 Attack of the 50 Foot Woman

Attack Of The 50 Foot Woman, poster, Allison Hayes, 1958. (Photo by LMPC via Getty Images) LMPC/Getty Images

You can watch the original 1958 version of Attack of the 50 Foot Woman for rent on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and elsewhere.

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As of this writing, Margot Robbie has not been confirmed for the reboot.

Related: Margot Robbie's Full-Frontal 'Wolf of Wall Street' Scene Wasn't Scorsese's Idea

Margot Robbie Might Have the Perfect Role in a Massive Pulp Horror Reboot first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 23, 2025
Even now, nearly two years after his passing, fans continue to flood the comment section of Matthew Perry's final Instagram post, a haunting image of the actor relaxing in a hot tub just days before his death.

Many leave heartfelt messages, tributes, and questions about the circumstances surrounding his overdose, turning the post into a digital memorial for the beloved "Friends" star.

As new legal developments unfold, it's clear that Matthew Perry's death still resonates deeply with the public, who remain both heartbroken and searching for answers.

Matthew Perry's Final Instagram Post Remains A Gathering Place For Grief

In the past 48 hours alone, fans from around the world have continued to flood the comment section with heartfelt tributes and emotional messages.

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"We miss you, thank you for everything you have done again," one follower wrote, while another confessed, "I can't get over his death."

Dove and heart emojis dominate the thread, symbolizing the lasting love and sorrow felt by those who grew up watching Perry as Chandler Bing.

Some users return regularly to the post to share their heartbreak. "I've come back because I miss you and your humor," one wrote. Another added, "Wish you could've stayed longer," alongside a dove and broken heart.

Fourth Person Pleads Guilty In Perry Ketamine Case As Fans Continue To Grieve

David Acosta/Image Press Agency/MEGA

While fans continue to grieve and leave messages beneath Perry's haunting final Instagram post, the legal fallout surrounding his death is still unfolding.

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As The Blast reported, Dr. Salvador Plasencia has pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine to Matthew Perry in the weeks leading up to the beloved actor's fatal overdose, becoming the fourth person convicted in connection to the "Friends" star's shocking 2023 death.

Though Dr. Salvador Plasencia was not actively treating Matthew Perry at the time of his death, he intends to voluntarily surrender his medical license within the next 30 to 45 days. Plasencia now faces up to 10 years in federal prison for each of the four counts. He will remain free on bond until his sentencing hearing, scheduled for December 3.

This plea follows the convictions of others involved in Perry's ketamine access.

Dr. Chavez pleaded guilty to ketamine distribution in October 2024 and is set to be sentenced in September.

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Iwamasa, Perry's assistant, admitted to administering ketamine on the day of the actor's death and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute ketamine, causing death. He will be sentenced in November.

Matthew Perry Received 27 Ketamine Injections In His Final Days

Ron Sachs / CNP

This all comes after a recently released documentary claimed the actor was reportedly administered 27 ketamine injections in the days leading up to his death in October 2023.

Perry, who had long been open about his struggles with addiction, had turned to ketamine therapy as a treatment for depression. The report claims that on the day of his death, Perry asked his live-in assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, for his first injection around 8:30 a.m.

He allegedly received a second dose approximately four hours later while watching a movie, then requested a third injection just 40 minutes after that, reportedly saying, "Shoot me up with a big one," before preparing to enter his hot tub. Iwamasa, who left to run an errand shortly after, returned to find the actor unresponsive. Perry was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Keith Morrison Reflects On Perry's 'Shattering' Death And Efforts To Carry On His Legacy

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Matthew Perry's stepfather, journalist Keith Morrison, recently opened up about the heartbreak of losing the beloved "Friends" star and how their family is working to ensure his legacy lives on.

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In a recent interview with HELLO! Canada, Morrison, and his daughter Caitlin, whose mother is Suzanne Morrison and who was also a close sibling figure to Perry, shared memories of the late actor and spoke about the initiatives being launched in his honor.

"It was incredibly shocking when he suddenly died," Morrison said of Perry's passing last year. "Anybody who has lost a child will tell you that, even if you are in some way prepared for the possibility, it's shattering."

Matthew Perry's Family Honors His Legacy By Helping Others Struggling With Addiction

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Despite the grief, the family has channeled their loss into purpose. "What we have decided to do is hang on to that determination and try to do something useful," Morrison added.

Caitlin shared that she's continuing Perry's mission through her work with The Matthew Perry Foundation of Canada, a separate initiative from the U.S.-based foundation created shortly after his death. "I have this treasure of getting to keep him very, very close to my life all the time, which is wonderful," she said.

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Perry, who had been candid about his struggles with addiction, made it clear in his 2022 memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," how he hoped to be remembered. "[I want to be remembered] as a guy who lived life, loved well, lived well, and helped people," he wrote. "That running into me was a good thing and not something bad."

Morrison echoed that message, saying, "He would like to be remembered for doing something to help people suffering from addiction."
My buddy Wil Willis was a buzzcut, fire-breathing Army Ranger when we landed together in a dorm full of Air Force recruits on Day 1 of our pararescue selection class. He was crossing over from the Army after his Ranger time, and it was killing him.

Everyone immediately called him Ranger Willis, naturally, as he struggled to get his Ranger Regiment-bearings tuned to the lower frequencies of Air Force life, while facing the daily buzzsaw of the PJ selection course, all while trying to quit smoking. As our class dropped in a few weeks from over 100 to half that, and then half that again, most of us kept our heads down. Not Willis. As a Ranger cross-trainee, he couldnt hide and he wouldnt have anyway. He was a screaming, freakish force of nature beyond anybody Id ever encountered in civilian life, angry and wild and fearless, even by the Type-A standards of selection course wannabes.

But the times he would really scare the shit out of me were on fast-paced training runs when Wil would sing War Pigs as our running cadence.

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I was a good runner, but Wil was better, so it didnt matter how blistering the pace  the songs hellscape vision followed us in left-right-left time:

Gen-erals. Gath-ered. In-their. Mass-es.

Just-like. Wit-ches. At-Black. Mass-es.

To me, Willis belting out War Pigs has always been the sound of hard training and the mental furnace of PJ selection (in July and August, in south Texas, no less). I actually didnt know War Pigs was a Black Sabbath song until much later. I thought it was some hellfire-cantation that Rangers taught each other.

But I thought back to it Monday when the news broke that Ozzy Osbourne had passed away. Two decades later, I think War Pigs is probably as close to an anthem for GWOT  the weird acronym for the Global War on Terror we use for 20 years of indecisive war in Afghanistan and Iraq  as anyone has ever come up with.

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Evil minds that plot destruction

Sorcerer of deaths construction

The two decades of war in Afghanistan and Iraq never really congealed around a song or even a genre, the way wars of the past seemed to. The Huey-blade backbeat of Fortunate Son. Or big band swing of World War II.

Early in the war, Drowning Pools Let the Bodies Hit The Floor was everywhere, but its sugar high faded as all those bootleg strike videos circulating on laptops somehow failed to end the conflict. Toby Keith tried with Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue, which was maybe sorta fun but obviously clueless and cornball. A better effort on the country side was I Drive Your Truck by Lee Brice, a gorgeous ballad thats too damn sad and true for anybody to crank up in a make-shift tent gym in Bagram.

But War Pigs  written during Vietnam, but a stadium rock staple in the five decades since  is that song.

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Its a barren, ugly song, delivered by Osbournes shriek, the human-voice version of the air raid siren that opens the track.

In the fields, the bodies burning

As the war machine keeps turning

The drums and guitar triangulate their energies, like direct and indirect fires  not well-matched, not hyper musical, just punishing.

All four members of Black Sabbath are credited with writing War Pigs, which the band released in 1970, just as the Vietnam War crested past its bloody peak, still far from over. It was far too metal for radio and was never a single, but is now among both the bands and Osbournes best-known songs. In recent years, critics have come to see it as one of the key songs that launched Heavy Metal as a genre.

Top Stories This Week

News The Army has a novel solution to its drone problem: Shoot them with tanks The Army has a novel solution to its drone problem: Shoot them with tanks By Matt White News Louisiana National Guard base to be renamed for Confederate generals dad Louisiana National Guard base to be renamed for Confederate generals dad By Matt White News A Marine general will command the Naval Academy for the first time A Marine general will command the Naval Academy for the first time By Matt White

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If you want metal-as-hell lyrics as a call to action  as a running cadence should be  it can be that. If you hear it as a howl of protest against GWOTs turning the corner leadership, it can be that. It wasnt a top 40 hit, so its unanchored to a summer or a year or a decade.

But mostly, its a song about a violent wasteland and the ravages of war. It matches the blurry snapshots of 2001s horse soldiers, camcorder video from the 2004 streets of Fallujah, the helmet cams of the 2011 Bin Laden raid, and the drone-feed horrors over the fall of Kabul in 2021.

Day of Judgement, God is calling

On their knees, the war pigs crawling

By coincidence, just as Willis and I were finishing the Pararescue pipeline, a civilian friend of mine got a job as the sound technician on a new show on MTV, following around a wacky family in Beverly Hills  the Osbournes. My friend, a hippified-Hollywood techie who Willis actually would have loved, said nobody was more in on the joke than Osbourne as the show became a sensation, loving every minute of playing the wacked-out, slightly spooky dad.

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He even played that role  proud elder  over War Pigs itself. Just this year, he told T-Pain he had made the best cover of War Pigs ever. Why didnt you guys call me?

Its a nice lesson to consider as Ozzy Osbournes final legacy to the GWOT generation: theres life after War Pigs.
Princess Dianas niece Lady Kitty Spencer married in Italy on July 24, 2021, and for her fourth wedding anniversary returned to the country, this time with her 2-year-old daughter in her arms.

Kitty is notoriously private about her personal life, and, while she has started showing her daughter Athena more and more on her Instagram, it is always with the toddlers back to the camera. Such was the case in Kittys carousel of photos on July 24, which showed mother and daughter adorably twinning in matching purple and white Dolce & Gabbana dresses. (Kitty is a brand ambassador for the fashion house and famously wore five creations by Dolce & Gabbana for her wedding four years ago.)

Under the Tuscan sun , Kitty wrote alongside photos that included mother and daughter looking out over the water, looking at a purple mini car, admiring architecture and vineyards, and little Athena on a carousel. Purple is Athenas favorite color at the moment, so the Fiat 500 was a hit!

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Alongside Kittys Dolce & Gabbana minidress, she wore Hermes Oran slides and carried a quilted white Chanel bag.

Kitty didnt reveal Athenas April 29, 2023 birth until Mothers Day 2024, writing at the time, Its the joy of my life to be your mummy, little one. I love you unconditionally. Happy Mothers Day to those who celebrate today. For Athenas second birthday earlier this year, Kitty celebrated by writing on Instagram, Two years of you lighting up our world, my darling Athena. You are sunshine and joy and all things major. My little girl forever.

How proud I am to be your mummy, Kitty continued. I love you more than you could ever imagine or I could ever articulate.

In addition to Kitty, Athena has also captured the hearts of her aunts, twins Lady Amelia Spencer and Lady Eliza Spencer (Kittys younger sisters). Shes very similar to the twins, Kitty told Tatler of Athena. Its so funnyso cool for her when she has these two aunts that come bursting through the door. I dont think she thinks theres an age gap, to which Amelia cheekily added, I dont think we think theres an age gap.

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So theres actually a triplet there for them, Kitty continued. When the girls are on the phone and she doesnt want them to go, she pulls out her whole repertoire of tricks.

Getty Images Lady Kitty Spencer with sisters Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia, whom her daughter Athena takes after Lady Kitty Spencer with sisters Lady Eliza and Lady Amelia, whom her daughter Athena takes after

Kitty added that Athena is very outdoorsy and like a spinning top, calling her a little Taurus and remarking that she certainly has two doting, laughing aunts, who say they are steering her in our direction.

Kittys wedding to Michael Lewis was held four years ago today at Villa Aldo Brandini, a 17th century Italian mansion. For the main dress, she wanted to keep a fairly traditional, clean cut, but at the same time she desired to have a timeless allure, Stefano Gabbana told Tatler. To this, Domenico Dolce added, One of the inspirations is definitely her love for Italy. Kitty is in love with our beautiful country and its rich history, art, and culture.

Getty Ali Samli and Kitty Spencer in Rome, Italy on July 15, 2025 Ali Samli and Kitty Spencer in Rome, Italy on July 15, 2025

Getty Lady Kitty Spencer on May 22, 2025 Lady Kitty Spencer on May 22, 2025

Kitty told The London Evening Standard in 2021 that the love and passion I feel for life is ignited in Italy. I hope to have a proper base there someday, and it is certainly where I would like to retire.

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While Kitty is a long way from retirement, she admitted to Tatler that, since the birth of Athena over two years ago, she is taking on a lot less when it comes to work projects. Im much more selective because its not really free time anymore, she said. Ive got to really want to do something, adding that shes happy with the balance.

Read the original article on InStyle
Originally appeared on E! Online

The British royal family is mourning the loss of a young life.

Rosie Roche, the granddaughter of Princess Dianas uncle and a cousin of Prince William and Prince Harry, died at her home on July 14, according to The Times. She was 20.

An inquest into Roches death was held on July 21 at Wiltshire and Swindon coroners court where it was heard that she was found at the property by her mother and sister. During the inquest, per the outlet, it was also said Roche had been packing her bags to go away with friends and that a firearm was found nearby.

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Area coroner Grant Davies, per The Times, said police have deemed the death as non-suspicious and that there was no third-party involvement. The case has reportedly been adjourned until October 25.

E! News has reached out to local police and the royal family for comment but has not yet heard back.

Roches death was announced in a July 19 notice in The Yorkshire Post, which read, Roche, Rosie Jeanne Burke died on Monday 14th July 2025. Darling daughter of Hugh and Pippa, incredible sister to Archie and Agatha, Granddaughter to Derek and Rae Long.

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The announcement noted there would be a private family funeral and that a memorial service would be held at a later date.

Roche was a first-year student at Durham University, where she studied English literature, per The Times. Principal the schools University College Wendy Powers shared staff and students alike were extremely saddened but Roches tragic passing.

Rosie Roche/Facebook

Rosie had settled into the university and college beautifully and had lots of friends, Powers continued. She was loved for her creativity, energy, her love of books, poetry and travel among many other talents. She will be sorely missed.

While at Durham, Roche reportedly contributed to an arts and culture publication.

Yui Mok - WPA Pool/Getty Images

At the time of her death, Wilshire police told The Times, This relates to the sudden death of a woman in her 20s. There are no suspicious circumstances and our thoughts are with her family.

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We would ask, the statement continued, that their privacy is respected at this terrible time.

Keep reading for more updates on the royal family.

Queen Camilla Makes History with New Royal Title

One day before her 78th birthday, the royal received the title of Vice Admiral of the United Kingdom from the Royal Navy. Camilla is the first woman to hold the honorary title, which can only be appointed by the sovereignin this case, her husband King Charles IIIon the nomination of the First Sea Lord, who is currently Sir Gwyn Jenkins.





Kate Middleton Pulls Out of Royal Ascot

The Princess of Wales pulled out of a planned appearance at the Royal Ascot hours before she was set to return to the annual horse race alongside, Kensington Palace confirmed to NBC News. According to the palace, Kate was disappointed to have to miss the event but is still figuring out the right balance for herself when it comes to completing public engagements following her cancer battle.





Prince Harry Loses Appeal to Dismiss Decision in His Security Protection Case

Over one year after the High Court denied additional security protection through the Royal and VIP Executive Committee, Prince Harrys legal fight ended when the courts dismissed the case May 2. His and Meghan Markles security was lessened after they stepped back as working members of the royal family in 2021 and moved to the United States. However, in the years that followed, Harry had requested security while visiting the U.K. The Duke of Sussex told the BBC May 2 that he was devastated about losing his legal battle. He emphasized, I cant see a world in which I would bring my wife and children back to the UK at this point.





Prince Harry and King Charles III Are Not Speaking

Harry told the BBC May 2 that his father King Charles III wont speak to him because of this security stuff, but added that it would be nice to reconcile. The Duke of Sussex, who shares kids Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet with Meghan, said that he would love to reconnect with his family. But the ball is in his dads court. I cant see a world in which I would be bringing my wife and children back to the U.K. at this point, he said. Its really quite sad that I wont be able to show my children my homeland. There is a lot of control and ability in my fathers hands, ultimately this whole thing could be resolved through him, Harry added. Not necessarily by intervening but by stepping aside and allowing the experts to do what is necessary and to carry on. Despite the years of conflict, hes waving the white flag in hopes of reconciliation. He added, Life is precious, I dont know how much longer my father has.

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King Charles III Shares Insight Into His Cancer Diagnosis

Over one year after King Charles shared his cancer diagnosis, he wrote April 29 that his health journey and cancer treatment are experiences that bring into sharp focus the very best of humanity." "Each diagnosis, each new case, will be a daunting and at times frightening experience for those individuals and their loved ones," Charles wrote in the booklet for the reception to provide resources for those with cancer. But as one among those statistics myself, I can vouch for the fact that it can also be an experience that brings into sharp focus the very best of humanity." He also thanked healthcare workers who helped him amid his journey, adding, It has certainly given me an even deeper appreciation of the extraordinary work undertaken by the remarkable organisations and individuals gathered here this evening, many of whom I have known, visited and supported over the years.





Prince William and Kate Middletons Family Skips Royal Familys Easter Service

Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis did not attend the royal familys annual Easter service at St George's Chapel in Windsor April 20. While King Charles III and Queen Camilla celebrated with the rest of the royal family, William and Kate decided to spend the weekend at their Norfolk country home with their kids, multiple outlets reported. Their absence marked the second Easter they skipped, with the 2024 holiday taking place a week after the Princess of Wales announced her cancer diagnosis.





Royal Aide Who Accused Meghan Markle Of Bullying Receives a Promotion

Jason Knauf was announced as the new CEO of Prince Williams organization, The Earthshot Prize, April 15. He shared a statement on the website that he was looking forward to working with our exceptional team and incredible Earthshot community to advance our mission of urgent optimism for our planet. His promotion came nearly seven years after he made a complaint against Meghan Markle, accusing her of bullying two personal assistants and seeking to undermine a third staff member. A spokesperson for the Sussexes denied the allegations and told The Times that the rumors were part of a calculated smear campaign based on misleading and harmful misinformation. Buckingham Palace investigated the allegations and the case was wrapped up in 2022 without any findings made public.





Prince George Makes His First Public Appearance of 2025

William and Kates eldest son George attended a soccer match in Paris alongside his dad April 7. The father-son duo were all smiles at the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final game as the Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa FC faced off at the Parc des Princes stadium.

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Former Bodyguard to Prince Harry and Prince William Dies

Graham Crakerwho acted as a bodyguard for the royal family, including Prince Harry and Prince Williamdied at the age of 77 in April. Craker was notably with the boys when they learned their mother, Princess Diana, had died and he participated in her funeral services. On the latter, Craker told The New York Post in 2017, "I was standing at the rear of the hearse and William looked up and acknowledged me. I looked toward him and nodded. William was comforted that I was with his mum on her final journey.





The Duke and Duchess of Westminster Expecting Their First Baby

Hugh Grosvenor, who is King Charles IIIs godson, and his wife Olivia Grosvenor announced March 12 that she is pregnant with their first baby. The duchess is expecting a baby in the summer, a spokesperson told The Telegraph. The couple are delighted with the news and are very much looking forward to starting a family together.





Luxembourg's Prince Fredrik Dies at 22

Prince Frederikthe son of Prince Robert and his wife Princess Juliedied March 1 at 22 years old after a battle with PolG mitochondrial disease, a rare genetic disorder. "Frederik knows that he is my Superhero, as he is to all of our family, and to so very many good friends and now in great part thanks to his PolG Foundation, to so very many people the world over," Robert said in a statement. "Part of his superpower was his ability to inspire and to lead by example."





Prince Harry Reaches Settlement in U.K. Tabloids Lawsuit

The Duke of Sussex reached a settlement with News Group Newspaperswhich is responsible for The Sun as well as the now defunct News of the Worldon Jan. 22 after suing the organization in 2019 over alleged unlawful actions on the part of journalists and private investigators working for the newspapers to obtain information on the royal family. The deal included the company paying "substantial damages," as well as issuing a "full and unequivocal apology" to Harry and public acknowledgement of "the extensive coverage and serious intrusion into his private life as well as the private life of Diana, Princess of Wales, per NBC News.

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Kate Middleton Is in Remission After Finishing Chemotherapy for Cancer

The Princess of Wales announced on Jan. 14 that she's in remission after complete cancer treatments. "It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focused on recovery," she wrote in a message on X, formerly Twitter, Jan. 14. "As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal." "I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead," she continued. "There is much to look forward to."





Meghan Markle's Longtime Dog Guy Dies

The Duchess of Sussex mourned the death of her beloved rescue beagle, who she adopted in 2015 before meeting husband Prince Harry. She wrote on Instagram Jan. 7, "I have cried too many tears to count - the type of tears that make you get in the shower with the absurd hope that the running water on your face will somehow make you not feel them, or pretend theyre not there. But they are. And thats okay too." "Thank you for so many years of unconditional love, my sweet Guy," Meghan added. "You filled my life in ways youll never know."





Prince William Mourns Death of Former Nanny's Stepson

Edward "Ed" Pettiferstepson of Prince William and Prince Harry's former nanny Alexandra Pettifer, also known as Tiggy Legge-Bourkewas one of the victims of the New Year's Day terrorist attack in New Orleans. "Catherine and I have been shocked and saddened by the tragic death of Ed Pettifer," William said in a message posted on Kate Middleton's Instagram Stories Jan. 4. "Our thoughts and prayers remain with the Pettifer family and all those innocent people who have been tragically impacted by this horrific attack."





Meghan Markle Rejoins Instagram to Reveal New Netflix Show

The Suits alumwho shut down her personal social media accounts shortly before her 2018 wedding to Prince Harrydebuted a solo Instagram page on Jan. 1. A day later, she announced a new Netflix series titled With Love, Meghan, which "reimagines the genre of lifestyle programming, blending practical how-tos and candid conversation with friends, new and old," according to a press release.

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They said last year they were done with Donald Trump. They didnt know what more they could say about him.

But in the return to the airwaves of Comedy Central stalwart South Park  the first episode since March 2023  the creators of the irreverent, long-running cartoon series just couldnt resist.

Trump is skewered for his connections to Jeffrey Epstein, and he is depicted as a man who has lined the walls of the White House with naked photos of himself. Hes also portrayed as being in a relationship with the Devil, who is concerned Trump is starting to act a lot like one of his former lovers, Saddam Hussein. Its weird that whenever [the Epstein list] comes up, you just tell everyone to relax, the Devil tells Trump.

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Its the latest sign that Trump has lost control of the Epstein narrative, and that the saga has broken Washington containment and permeated deep into popular culture. That makes it the worst kind of White House mess.

South Park, which has aired since 1997 and just premiered its 27th season, has over the years become a boundary-pushing, comedic touchstone. It has mercilessly mocked political figures including Al Gore, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. It frequently offends viewers of all political stripes  among other things, it portrays the Devil as sensitive and emotionally mature and regularly critiques organized religion  and it remains an essential part of the American comedy landscape. Its creators, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, just signed a five-year deal with Paramount reportedly worth $1.5 billion.

The show  which isnt explicitly ideological and is more anti-establishment in tone, often delighting in puncturing political correctness  has gone after Trump before. But not so clearly or directly. Its latest attack on the president puts it in the company of many other comedians or online influencers who have been teeing off on Trump over Epstein in recent weeks  prima facie evidence that Trump has misread the priorities of the young men who powered him back into office.

When Trump swept back into office, he did so in large part by convincing often non-political young voters to head to the polls and pull the lever for him. Last fall, he was ubiquitous on podcasts and streams that appeal to many of those voters  the kind where the subject matter had ostensibly nothing to do with politics. Trump seemed to understand from decades of experience in front of a camera how to talk about anything and everything. He was unafraid of long, unscripted media hits. Suddenly, though, hes sounding just like the enemies he vanquished.

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No matter how much success we have had, securing the Border, deporting Criminals, fixing the Economy, Energy Dominance, a Safer World where Iran will not have Nuclear Weapons, its never enough for some people, he wrote on Truth Social on July 12, in a self-pitying post wondering why his supporters seemed to be abandoning him.

Almost overnight, Trump seemed to lose sight of why he was popular with this demographic in the first place: His straight talk, his ability to call out bullshit, his willingness to pontificate on almost anything, his promises to pull back the curtain on Washington and stick it to a government that always seemed to be hiding something.

Democrats are naturally seizing on his missteps, but the real problem is the issue has extended far beyond the D.C. universe, where it is animating those whose comprehension of the government is marked by vague distrust. The Epstein affair is now a cultural phenomenon, rather than purely political one.

A quick look at many of the podcasters who host Trump-friendly or Trump-agnostic shows reveals just how much this issue resonates beyond simple partisan politics.

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At the recent ESPYs, an annual televised awards show dedicated to the best athletes of the year, boundary-pushing comedian Shane Gillis  who has fans across the political spectrum  went right at the Epstein controversy.

There was supposed to be an Epstein joke here, but I guess it got deleted, he said. It probably deleted itself, right? Probably never existed, actually. Lets move on as a country and ignore that.

Avowedly pro-Trump podcasters are also zeroing in on the strange whiff emanating from the Epstein situation. Andrew Schulz, a comedian and podcast host who interviewed and voted for Trump, said that his Epstein defense was insulting our intelligence. Podcaster Shawn Ryan, who also had Trump on his show during the 2024 campaign, said on July 15, Trump is potentially destroying his entire base by just dismissing it and closing the case  I am extremely frustrated.

Theo Von, the comedian and podcaster who hosted Trump and Vice President JD Vance on his show before the election, quoted an X post from Vance insisting the Epstein files should be released and asked, Yeah, what changed?

In 2024, Trump seemed to have mastered the art of talking to and connecting with a burgeoning online group of young, disaffected Americans. Now were seeing there are limits to his control of these largely cultural spaces. As comedians known for their edginess continue to attack him, its a sign that hes beginning to resemble so many other politicians.
What does somewhere safe mean when a bounty hunter is on your trail? In the Hulu adventure series Washington Black, that location has been Halifax, Nova Scotia  at least temporarily  for the title character who, as a boy, escaped enslavement on a sugar plantation in early 19th century Barbados.

Now a young adult (Ernest Kingsley Jr.), he goes by Jack Crawford to evade detection. Wash, as he was known in a former life, has been living for an indeterminate period of time as a free man in Halifax among other free Black people, including the warmly protective Medwin (Sterling K. Brown, also a producer here), who affectionately calls Wash island boy and says things like Are we dreamin or are we drinkin? before clinking glasses, and then: If the white folks dont kill ya, thisll definitely do the job, he says of whatever theyre swilling. He is also not afraid to get his hands dirty.

This is good news for Wash, since that aforementioned bounty hunter means business. An accomplished artist and scientist who dreams of building a flying machine, Washs interests and prodigious talents are conspicuous enough that his attempts to disappear havent fully succeeded, forcing him into hiding.

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Theres also the beautiful young blonde woman Wash spotted days earlier at the docks. As she disembarked from a ship, he stared, both enraptured but also clocking that shes biracial, something the white population of Halifax has failed to grasp. Thats how her (white) father wants it, but she has no intention of living a lie or denying the memory of her deceased mother. Her insistence is why they left London to start over in Halifax, as her father keeps reminding her: You are a child of England, a child of empire, and that is the skin you must inhabit for us both. The tenuousness of her and Washs circumstances complicates the sweetness of their tentative romance. They have both been living double lives and have a unique understanding of one another as a result.

Thats the 1837 narrative.

The other begins eight years earlier in Barbados, and it is Washs origin story told in flashback. A repellent plantation owner rides out to the sugarcane fields to ward off any thoughts of suicide as a means of escape from their living nightmare: Killing yourself is a crime against me as surely as if you stole my horse and slit his throat.

This cruel man has a brother, whose arrival changes the course of Washs life. A high-spirited inventor and abolitionist named Titch (Tom Ellis), he recognizes the childs curiosity and talent and takes the preteen (played by Eddie Karanja) under his wing. Soon enough, the pair are fleeing the sugarcane fields and Titchs nasty family dysfunction in a blimp-shaped cloutcutter of the mans own devising. They dont get far before crashing into the masts of a pirate ship, and so Washs journey  a grand, Jules Verne-esque tale both thrilling and fought with danger  begins.

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Based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Esi Edugyan, the eight-episode series is adapted by show creator Selwyn Seyfu Hinds and has a throwback quality to it, with a sweeping orchestral score that sets the tone. Washs story can be deeply harrowing in parts (Nat Turner, played by Jamie Hector, makes a brief appearance and he is deadly serious about how precarious everyones safety is), but it is also filled with dreamy and audacious escapades that see Wash deep sea diving and becoming mesmerized by the vast unknowableness of ocean life under the water. Is a novel, which engages the imagination differently than a screen adaptation, better equipped to toggle between these competing tones? Perhaps.

More pressing, for me, was the question of who Wash is, in terms of his personality. As written and performed, we dont get much sense of what his own particular internal monologue might be, and this becomes underscored in any scene he shares with Browns Medwin, who is such a clearly defined presence by comparison. Browns an actor working on a different level than most, and hes very effective in his few appearances.

I wish the show had outlined a bit more about the lives of Black people in Fairfax. They are free but vulnerable, and that nuance comes through most clearly when Medwin walks into a watering hole patronized by white men. The place goes quiet and he takes a seat at the bar. The man next to him says, I wouldnt expect your kind to be welcome in a place like this, to which Medwin replies evenly: No, not usually. But most of the boys in here still need me and mine to make life easier for em down on the docks, so  he takes a short but meaningful pause  we agree to disagree.



'WASHINGTON BLACK'

2.5 stars (out of 4)

Rating: TV-14

How to watch: Hulu


The Yage Letters, by William Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg, City Lights, 68 pages, $8$54 used

Long before it was popular for New Age norteamericanos to visit the Andes Mountains seeking psychedelic enlightenment from ayahuasca, the Beat novelist William Burroughs made the trek. But he took the journey in 1953, when the literary template for a psychonautic vision quest had not yet been setnot that a grumpy cynic like Burroughs was likely to write that way in the first place. Instead his account feels like the diary of an easily aggravated American tourist with firm views on the quality of the local hotels, officials, "god awful greasy food," and prostitutes.

I say that as an endorsement. I yield to no one in my affection for mind-bending dispatches from inner space, but Burroughs' bitter commentary makes for much funnier readingespecially since he wrote it in the same hard-boiled crime-story voice that he brought to Junky, the novel he published the same year he undertook his trip. The narrative in question is The Yage Letters, a book that collects his letters from South America to a friend, the poet Allen Ginsberg. (Yage is essentially another word for ayahuasca.) In the very first line, Burroughs announces that he has hemorrhoids, thus setting the tone for his tales.

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"On my way back to Bogota with nothing accomplished," the traveler declares a dozen pages later. "I have been conned by medicine men (the most inveterate drunk, liar and loafer in the village is invariably the medicine man), incarcerated by the law, rolled by a local hustler (I thought I was getting that innocent back woods ass, but the kid had been to bed with six American oil men, a Swedish Botanist, a Dutch Ethnographer, a Capuchin father known locally as The Mother Superior, a Bolivian Trotskyite on the lam, and jointly fucked by the Cocoa Commission and Point Four). Finally I was prostrated by malaria."

As is often the case with Burroughs, the artist complaining of being conned sometimes comes across as a bit of a con artist himself. (In one excursion, he reports, "I was treated like visiting royalty under the misapprehension I was a representative of the Texas Oil Company travelling incognito.") He certainly isn't prettifying the less appealing parts of his personality; if anything, it feels like he's deliberately leaning into them for comic effect. The results may be the only psychedelic diary that reads like a W.C. Fields routine.

Ayahuasca itself is famous for fusing intense religious visions with severe physical discomfort. When Burroughs finally samples it, we get several paragraphs of descriptions of the physical effects ("I vomited violently leaning against a tree and fell down on the ground in helpless misery") and nothing at all about the visions on offer. Never fear: Having made the drug sound like the most gruesomely unpleasant ordeal of his life, Burroughs nonetheless tries it again a page later, this time preparing it in a different manner. He has a better experience, but evidently not a life-changing one: The effect, he informs us, "was similar to weed."

The book also includes a letter Ginsberg wrote to Burroughs from Peru when he tried ayahuasca in 1960. Ginsberg, unsurprisingly, says much more about his visions, which terrified him. The slim volume is filled out with Burroughs' reply to Ginsberg, a brief comment from Ginsberg looking back from 1963 (the year the book was published), and an experimental Burroughs text with Latin American imagery.

My beat-up old City Lights edition of Yage calls it an "epistolary novel," a choice of words that raises a question lurking behind countless travelogues: How much of this is true? Burroughs really did go searching for this drug in South America, he really did send Ginsberg these letters, and I suspect that most or all of this really did happen, but it's not hard to imagine the man embellishing a bit in the manner of many raconteurs. Or just coming up with a great phrase like "Bolivian Trotskyite on the lam" and deciding that he simply had to use it.

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This is, in any event, one of the most entertaining books in the Beat canon. And amid all its grumblings about the towns and jungles that Burroughs traversed, one of his letters briefly breaks character to strike a more positive, almost utopian note.

At this point in his life, Burroughs was an Old Right libertarian who despised socialism and welfare-state liberalism while also having little love for the sort of conservative who preaches sexual moralism or racial purity. That spirit comes through in a letter from Peru that starts waxing rosily about mestizo culture, praising South Americans as a sexually liberated ethnic blend ("part Indian, part white, part god knows what"). He blames the region's troubles on the lingering influence of the Spanish colonists, and he suggests that the civil war then raging in Colombiaclassical liberals on one side, Catholic conservatives on the otherreflects "the fundamental split between the South American Potential and the Repressive Spanish life fearing armadillos." He adds that he has "never felt myself so definitely on one side and unable to see any redeeming features in the other." What the continent needs, he dreams, is "a new Bolivar who will really get the job done."

The letter ends. A page later, he gets robbed twice and his old voice returns. "This is a nation of kleptomaniacs," he complains.

The post A Beatnik Tourist in Ayahuasca Country appeared first on Reason.com.
Jul. 22RUSHMORE  Claire Hoffman, of rural Rushmore, took two trips this summer before her senior year at South Dakota State University  a study abroad trip to Vietnam and a mission trip to Estonia.

Hoffman is studying agriculture science at SDSU and will graduate a year early. Her visit to Vietnam was a study abroad trip through the College of Agriculture.

The trip counted as a three credit class, two were credited in the spring semester after taking a two-hour class every Monday. The third credit was for fulfilling blog requirements during the trip.

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"We left right after finals week, I think we left May 12," Hoffman said. "We got back the 25th (of May)."

She traveled with 30 others, including her instructors, for over 35 hours in the air. The group flew from Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Minneapolis, where they boarded a direct flight to Korea. The last leg of their journey took them to northern Vietnam.

"When we got there, it was very humid," Hoffman said. "And it kinda smelled different. But, overall, I think I was more excited for the trip, so anything negative I would have thought was really not at the forefront. I was just excited to be there."

The two-week trip was split into a few days in each part of the country: northern, middle and southern. They stayed in different hotels in cities such as Sa Pa, Hanoi, Da Nang, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City.

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"We were moving around a lot," Hoffman said.

While there, they tried to do agriculture-related things, including visiting a lot of farms.

"Their agriculture is not very traditional like ours is here," Hoffman said. "We saw a duck farm, a fish farm, flower farm, honeybee farm. We didn't really see any animals, like pig, cattle... just more fish and ducks."

The biggest culture shock for her in Vietnam were the street markets.

"They just have wet markets, they are called, where they butcher the meat on the streets and in the markets," she said. "They butcher them and sell them at the same place."

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She also noted that the food there was very different from the food here.

"A lot of seafood, rice," she said. "It was all very good, but it was just non-traditional food."

She noticed the people in Vietnam mostly get around on mopeds, but since she was with such a big group, they took a bus everywhere.

Thankfully, the group had a tour guide that helped with language barriers.

"He was very good about speaking on our behalf and making sure everything was taken care of," Hoffman said. "But a lot of people understood the basics... I think I know how to say 'Thank you' and 'Please,' but I would have to look again."

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Her favorite part of the Vietnam trip was spending time in Sa Pa, a far north city, during the first week.

"Sa Pa is where there are other rice fields and mountains," she said. "The rice paddies are so beautiful. We spent a day and we hiked five or six miles in the mountains and it was just beautiful."

They did other sightseeing as well, visiting the "Hanoi Hilton" prison, a prisoner-of-war camp known as Hoa Lo Prison to locals. They also saw the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City. Hoffman said if she were to go back to Vietnam, she would take her dad with her as he would be very interested in this site.

When Hoffman returned to the states, everything was "back to normal" for about a month, then she boarded a plane once again. This time, she was in a group of 15 people bound for Estonia on a mission trip through Worthington's Solid Rock Church. The group left June 30.

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"When we got there, it was much cooler and less humid than here," Hoffman said. "And it was just beautiful outside. The architecture and everything was beautiful and it just made me really excited to see what the next two weeks had in store."

The mission trip to Estonia came about because two missionaries and their daughter who were originally from Solid Rock live there. "We spent some of the days with them and then their friends that live there," Hoffman said.

When they were there, they did a lot of intentional praying over the people, cities and places where they went.

"Estonia is the country with the most unreached people," Hoffman said. "They've never heard about Jesus or the gospel or the Bible. We just did a lot of praying and just trying to reach people."

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Unlike Vietnam, Hoffman said she didn't sense any culture shock during her visit to the European country. She said it was similar to home, except maybe the weather was a little nicer and some people didn't speak English.

"In Estonia, they speak Estonian, which is actually one of the hardest languages to learn beside English," Hoffman said. "Otherwise, they really spoke British English, so that wasn't too hard."

For the entirety of the trip, the group stayed in one hotel in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. While most people had cars, other public transportation, such as trams, were available.

"We took tram a lot of the time," Hoffman said. "Or we just walked, which is really nice because everything is so close together."

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Hoffman also visited two other countries during the trip.

"While we were in Estonia, we actually spent a day in Finland," she said. "We took a ferry, it's only like a two-hour ferry ride... and then we also spent a day in Riga, Latvia, which is a country to the south (of Estonia) and we just went there and they had a museum from the Soviet occupation. So we did that, and then we did a lot of praying and church seeing."

When Hoffman returned home July 11, she noticed a difference in food.

"I think coming back from Estonia  well, both places, I guess  there's so many added things (in the food here) and the fruit and stuff is so much better over there. When I came back here, the fruit's not as tasteful."

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She also said the humidity was a big change when coming home.

"It was more humid in Vietnam than here," she said. "But it was more humid here than Estonia because it's way north."

Hoffman said she would go back to Estonia one day because of its beauty and the people.

"They have a hard exterior, but they're super nice," she said of Estonians.

She equally enjoyed both trips.

"I feel very grateful and blessed that I got to go on both trips and experience both because they're both very different from each other, but still very valuable," she said. "I would just encourage other people. Like, I didn't know if I was going to go on either one or if I was adventurous enough, but it's 100% worth it."

Hoffman is spending the rest of the summer at home until she returns to college in late August. She will complete her internship at Professional AG Marketing in Luverne and help her sister at the Nobles County Fair.
Lockheed Martin (LMT) shares tanked nearly 10% on Tuesday morning after the aerospace and defense manufacturer came in miles below EPS estimates for its fiscal Q2.

The company based out of Fort Worth, Texas earned $1.46 a share in its second financial quarter, well below $6.41 per share that analysts had forecast.

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Including todays decline, Lockheed Martin stock is down some 17% versus its year-to-date high.

www.barchart.com

Why Did Lockheed Martin Fall Short of Earnings Estimates in Q2?

LMT missed estimates by a huge margin in its fiscal Q2 due to an unexpected $1.6 billion charge.

About $950 million of it was tied to a classified aeronautics program facing design, integration, and testing setbacks that worsened in the first half of 2025.

The remaining $570 million hit came from revised cost estimates on the firms Canadian Maritime Helicopter Program, driven by expanded mission requirements and ongoing contract restructuring.

Investors should note, however, that both of these charges were described as one-time adjustments in Lockheed Martins earnings release on Tuesday.

Therefore, its well within reason to argue that the selloff in LMT shares today is rather overblown and the defense stock is, in fact, worth buying on the post-earnings weakness.

Why Are LMT Shares Worth Buying Despite Q2 Earnings Miss?

Investors should consider loading up on Lockheed Martin shares at current levels also because the NYSE-listed firm, despite falling short of Q2 earnings expectations, reaffirmed its full-year outlook for sales and free cash flow on Tuesday, signaling confidence in its operational outlook.

Additionally, the aerospace and defence manufacturer remains committed to repurchasing roughly $3 billion worth of its stock this year  which may boost shareholder value in the second half of 2025.

In the earnings release, Jim Taiclet, the companys chief executive officer, remained optimistic as well, citing increased global interest in defense systems like THAAD, PAC-3, and F-35.

Note that LMT stock currently pays a healthy dividend yield of 3.13%, which makes it all the more exciting to buying on the post-earnings pullback.

Wall Street Remains Positive on Lockheed Martin Stock

Despite the earnings miss, Wall Street firms also remain largely bullish on Lockheed Martin stock.
The author and her three children celebrating Mothers Day 2025 at Waimanalo Beach. Photo Courtesy Of Kathryn Butler

Moving to Hawaii may sound like a dream come true, but for our family, it was a forced relocation thanks to a set of orders from the U.S. Navy. We were excited about island life, but five military duty stations into my marriage, I knew better than to expect an easy transition.

Week one felt like a vacation. My husband and I had never been to Hawaii, so everything was fresh: waterfall hikes, shave ice, world-class beaches. Even the one-lane traffic on the North Shore felt charming. These werent orders we requested or expected, but we kept telling ourselves: This is going to be great! As well as: The kids are resilient! Theyre going to be fine!

By week two, our 5-year-old middle child, Alice, had fully committed to not being fine.

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Her Hawaii life was starting to sound like her personal version of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. She had to share a bed with her little sister. Her nose got sunburned. On day three at the new-to-us beach, she got stung by a box jellyfish.

And all the other kids at the Navy Lodge seemed to be either her big brothers age or her little sisters  not a single new best friend in sight. Every sentence began with I juuuust dont like and ended with and can we please juuuuust go back to Virginia?

Meanwhile, my husband and I were running dangerously low on optimism ourselves. Living in Hawaii quickly stopped feeling like vacation and started feeling like crushing reality: unbelievable grocery bills, including $9 for a gallon of milk, $4,000 to ship our car overseas, and mountains of paperwork to dig through, ranging from car registration to reimbursement for our stay at said Navy Lodge.

We pinned our hopes on the first day of school. Surely, a little structure would help everyone. Surely Alice would come home bubbling with new-friend stories, tired and happy from a long kindergarten day.

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Nope.

At pick-up, full of best-case-scenario expectations, we asked, How was your day? But instead of happily chirping about new friends and exciting specials, she launched into a tirade that rivaled any talking head youve seen on cable news.

Her school didnt even have a real playground  just a blacktop. All the other kindergartners had gone to pre-k together and didnt want to be her friend. She couldnt FaceTime Grandma after dinner because of the time difference. Her favorite after-school activity (playing on the backyard swingset) was 4,800 miles away. She was outraged that our hotel had only one potty instead of three potties, like a regular house. And the novelty of eating dinner on paper plates on a hotel floor? Worn off, big time.

I want to be the mom who validates feelings and listens with saintly patience. But when your 5-year-old delivers a personalized podcast nightly on why your new home is the actual worst and blames you personally it wears a person down.

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After a week, I made a quiet decision: Id stop asking her how her day was. Not out of spite, but survival. If she wanted to tell me, she could, but I wasnt going to prompt her.

Next, I tried that thing adults always tell other adults: Focus on the positive. I have journaled on and off for decades  from middle school drama to post-partum exhaustion  and I hoped maybe it could help Alice, too. I bought a jaunty little composition book with a cartoon sun on the cover and dubbed it Alices Positivity Notebook. We were going to fake it until we made it.

Alice Butler, age 5, with her positivity journal open in front of her, ready to illustrate her daily entry. Photo Courtesy Of Kathryn Butler

I told her we could still talk about every part of her day if she wanted, but for this notebook, she would just write down the good stuff. She could even draw a picture to go with it.

Fifteen minutes into our first journaling session, I was already defeated. Every prompt I offered  What made you smile? Who was kind to you? What was something fun?  was met with a shrug or a flat no. We were living any middle childs dream, sitting outside on a warm Hawaiian evening just the two of us, and here was Alice complaining about never getting a snow day again. (Please note that during our two years in Virginia Beach, we only had half a day of snow, and she had not enjoyed it.)

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Finally, she gave me something. I liked the clear noodles at lunch, she mumbled.

Victory. I wrote down her verbatim sentence about the clear noodles, handed her the crayons, and watched fallen plumeria blooms drift across the hotel lanai while she drew. A sad realization dawned on me: I couldnt force her into gratitude.

She had lost the only home she could remember. And even though we were somewhere beautiful, the view didnt erase the hard parts. I couldnt positivity-journal her way out of the grief of change.

I remembered how I felt when we first got our orders to Hawaii. I was losing a job I loved (it turns out remote work has limits). We were heading to one of the most expensive places in the country. We were moving away from our friends and community wed established in the military-friendly town of Virginia Beach.

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I was nervous and overwhelmed. But when I voiced that to civilian friends, I was met with, We honeymooned in Maui, youre so lucky! and We loved our week at Turtle Bay! Talking about Friday night fireworks in Waikiki made for better conversation for my friends, so I stopped bringing it up, swallowing my apprehension.

And now here I was, asking Alice to do the exact same thing. Trying to gaslight her into enjoying things she wasnt (Yet, I told myself. Yet.).

If an adult talked to me the way I was talking to her  Youre whining about having no friends and a pause in your career? Look at the sunsets and the novelty of wild chickens!!  Id want to scream.

I was allowed to struggle with the transition, to miss what we had and to take time to build something new. She was allowed that, too.

A scan of Alice's first journal entry with a drawing of her enjoying her "brown noodles." Photo Courtesy Of Kathryn Butler

That night, I closed the notebook and reminded myself that with consistency, this notebook would be filled. Eventually, the entries would expand to include more than lunch noodles. The good, the bad: I needed to let her feel it all.

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I decided I would still notice the beauty for her, gently saving it for her when she was ready, but I wouldnt use it to silence the hard stuff. The luaus and waterfalls werent going anywhere, so for the moment, we could be excited about clear noodles.

Meanwhile, I started tending to my own feelings, too. I sought support from fellow military spouses  women who understand the and of this lifestyle: the beauty and the privilege of living here and the challenges it presents.

One friend in particular always reminds me, Youre not imagining it. This is as hard as it feels.

Its her mantra, and Ive adopted it as my own  a phrase I reach for whenever I start wondering if Im overreacting or if someone else would be handling it all better. It doesnt fix anything, but it reminds me that what Im navigating is genuinely challenging and that working through it is something to be proud of.

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Speaking my concerns and frustrations out loud gave me the space to fully show up for my kids  not as the relentlessly cheerful mom, but just as a steady one.

We kept journaling, one entry a day. Slowly, the sessions and the tone began to shift with mentions of a fun math game in class, a few names of new friends, hula lessons, a sea turtle spotting, and a game of sharks and minnows on the blacktop. Inside the pages, we taped positive notes from teachers (Alice is such a good listener! and Alice helped a classmate today.) and birthday party invitations.

And while Im not sure Alice will ever reconcile her not-so-new-now schools lack of playground equipment, I can report that today, no one in our family loves our island life more than Alice.

We still talk about the hard days when they come, but now the good parts of her day fill more than one bullet point and Alice cheerfully recites them unprompted.

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This experience didnt just teach me to sit with my daughters feelings  it taught me to stop trying to rush her out of them. My job isnt to shield her from discomfort or aggressively mine her for silver just to create a lining. Its to walk beside her with honesty, to hold space for whats hard, while teaching her to notice the and the beauty that can exist alongside the hard parts.

Do you have a compelling personal story youd like to see published on HuffPost? Find out what were looking for here and send us a pitch at pitch@huffpost.com.
Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

One person was killed and one injured as an oil depot in Russia's Krasnodar Krai was hit in a reported Ukrainian drone attack on July 24, with explosions and drones seen in the city of Sochi.

"There was a hit on the oil depot on Tavricheskaya Street. Please refrain from driving or walking in that area. I will report on important incidents," head of the Sirius Federal Territory in Krasnodar Krai, Dmitri Plishkin said in a post to Telegram.

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The strikes in the federal territory began at approximately 1 a.m. local time and ended at 3 a.m.

Utility and emergency services are responding to the aftermath of the attack on the Russian oil refinery, Plishkin said.

Meanwhile, in Sochi, independent Russian media is reporting explosions are rocking the city, with local officials saying one person has been killed and one injured.

Temporary flight restrictions were imposed at Sochi airport amid the drone attack, a spokesperson for Russia's state aviation agency Rosaviatsia said on July 23.

The Ukrainian army has not commented on the claims, which could not be independently verified.

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Krasnodar Krai is located in southwestern Russia along the Azov and Black seas to the west.

Kyiv regularly strikes military targets in Russia as it aims to reduce Moscow's fighting power in its war against Ukraine.

On July 22, Ukrainian drones reportedly struck the city of Novocherkassk in Russia's Rostov Oblast, while a Ukrainian official said that a railway hub used by the Russian army was targeted.

Amid reported Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia, a fire broke out at a train station in the village of Kamenolomni in Rostov Oblast overnight July 21.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine, Russia hold third round of peace talks in Istanbul

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
How 1 Lottery Player's Simple Error Led to 2, Million Dollar Wins originally appeared on Parade.

One man's blunder is that same man's treasure after one lottery player's error landed him two winning tickets.

A Massachusetts resident ended up with two big winners purchased at two different stores, netting two separate million-dollar paydays, after believing he'd missed the drawing for his first ticket.

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Paul Corcoran of Fitchburg, located northwest of Boston, originally purchased a multi-draw ticket that had its final drawing on July 9. However, come the 9th, he mistakenly thought that the drawing had already occurred, leading him to purchase a new multi-draw ticket at another store nearby with the same numbers.

Though he missed the red Powerball, falling short of the entire pot, he matched all five white balls, turning a simple error into two million dollars.

A representative for the Massachusetts State Lottery told CNN that Corcoran had been playing the same random numbers for quite some time. While he doesn't have plans for his winnings just yet, he told the Massachusetts Lottery, per a release from Powerball, that his wins feel good.

The two stores that sold his tickets, a Market Basket supermarket in Fitchburg and a Country Farms convenience store in Leominster, will each receive a payout of $10,000.

Related: Mega Millions' Major Price Increase Divides Fans

How 1 Lottery Player's Simple Error Led to 2, Million Dollar Wins first appeared on Parade on Jul 24, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
PHENIX CITY, Ala. (WRBL)  Police are investigating a shooting incident that occurred in Phenix City Wednesday afternoon.

Phenix City Police say officers responded to the area of 20th Street and 10th Avenue in reference to shots being fired. Upon arrival, three juveniles matching the description given by the caller were taken into custody and transported to the Phenix City Police Department for questioning.

One male victim was taken to Piedmont Columbus Regional with a single, non-life-threatening gunshot wound, according to police.

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The three juveniles will be charged with attempted murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle and shooting into an occupied dwelling.

RELATED: 3 people injured after shooting near Tenth Avenue, police say

Police say another shooting incident did occur near the same area, but are unsure if the two incidents are related.

Check back with WRBL 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 WRBL.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  One person was taken to the hospital from the scene of a shooting early on Thursday, July 24, according to emergency medical services officials.

Personnel responded around 2:35 a.m. to the 1600 block of Jade Avenue near Gardere Lane. Officials said the condition of the person transported was unknown.

East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriffs Office units and deputies were observed at the scene.

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Louisiana First News contacted EBRSO for further information about this shooting.

Police identify pair killed in overnight crash on Highland Road

Latest News

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A 17-year-old boy was killed and four other teens were hurt in a crash Wednesday night in Johnson County, Missouri.

The crash was reported about 8:15 p.m. on Northeast 650 Road near Northeast 301st Road, just north of Warrensburg.

Watch FOX4 News free on streaming TV devices by downloading WDAF+

According to a crash log from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 17-year-old girl was driving east in a Ford Expedition when the SUV went off the left side of the road and struck a ditch.

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A 17-year-old boy who was a passenger in the SUV was taken by Life Flight to University Health in Kansas City but later died at the hospital, the highway patrol said. The boys name has not been released.

The driver and remaining passengers  ages 13, 16 and 18  were all taken to Western Missouri Medical Center in Warrensburg with injuries ranging from minor to moderate injuries. All the teens are from Knob Noster, according to the crash log.

The highway patrol is investigating the crash.

The Johnson County Ambulance District, Johnson County Fire Protection District and the Johnson County Sheriffs Office assisted at the scene.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Law enforcement has identified the victims of a recent double-homicide in Topeka connected to a child abduction case.

Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay reports the homicide victims are Sean E. Thornton, 55, and Ashley T. Brown, 29, both of Topeka. Their deaths bring the total number of homicide investigations in the Capital City up to 13 for 2025.

Kagay has filed charges against 32-year-old Christopher Barnshaw for his alleged part in the deaths of Brown and Thornton, along with the recent kidnapping of a two-year-old child. His charges include:

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Two charges of murder in the first degree.

Aggravated burglary of a dwelling.

Aggravated endangering of a child.

Kidnapping.

33-year-old Topeka man dies in hospital after shooting

Barnshaws bond is currently set at $10,000,000. Kagay said he will seek a warrant from Governor Laura Kelly to extradite him back to Kansas, but the process may take several months.

Christopher Barnshaws mugshot. (Photo Courtesy/Mattoon Police Department)

Past reporting

Police were called around 9:50 a.m. on July 22 to a home in the 500 block of Northeast Wabash Avenue to conduct a welfare check. Officers at the house found two people, a man and woman, dead and a child belonging to the household missing.

Woman killed in Auburn house fire was trapped in bathroom: fire marshal

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The TPD worked with the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) to issue an AMBER Alert to help locate the missing two-year-old child. Law enforcement in Mattoon, Illinois recovered the child safely around 12:25 p.m. on July 22 and arrested 32-year-old Christopher Barnshaw for his alleged part in the kidnapping.

For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  On Thursday, the Liberty Counsel announced it was asking the U.S. Supreme Court to review the case against Kim Davis and the Obergefell decision, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

In 2024, a federal judge denied an appeal from the former Rowan County clerk after a federal jury decided Davis owed David Ermold and David Moore $50,000 each in damages. In October 2023, Ermold and Moores legal team requested payment of legal fees; the court awarded $246,026.40 in attorneys fees and $14,058.30 in expenses.

The Liberty Counsel, a religious liberty organization, is now hoping to get Daviss case in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. Along with appealing Davis v. Ermold, the Liberty Counsel hopes the court will overturn Obergefell v. Hodges.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Liberty Counsels petition opens by citing several dissenting Justices from the 5-4 Obergefell opinion who predicted it would threaten the religious liberty of those who believe that marriage is a sacred institution between one man and one woman. Notably, Justice Clarence Thomas said that Obergefell would have potentially ruinous consequences for religious liberty,' reads a Liberty Counsel news release.

If taken up, the Liberty Counsel will ask the Supreme Court three questions.

Whether the First Amendment Free Exercise Clause provides an affirmative defense to tort liability based solely on emotional distress damages with no actual damages in the same manner as the Free Speech Clause under Snyder v. Phelps, 562 U.S. 443 (2011).

Whether a government official stripped of Eleventh Amendment immunity and sued in her individual capacity based solely on emotional distress damages with no actual damages is entitled to assert individual capacity and personal First Amendment defenses in the same or similar manner as any other individual defendant like in Synder v. Phelps, 562 U.S. 443 (2011), or does she stand before this Court with no constitutional defenses or immunity whatsoever.

Whether Obergefell v. Hodges, 576 U.S. 644 (2015), and the legal fiction of substantive due process, should be overturned.

Kim Davis case underscores why the U.S. Supreme Court should overturn the wrongly decided Obergefell v. Hodges opinionbecauseit threatens the religious liberty of Americans who believe that marriage is a sacred union between one man and one woman. A person cannot stand before the court utterly defenseless while facing claims of emotional distress for her views on marriage. Yet, that is the result of Obergefell, which led these courts to strip Davis of any personal First Amendment defense. Obergefell cannot just push the First Amendment aside to punish individuals for their beliefs about marriage. The First Amendment precludes making the choice between your faith and your livelihood. The High Court now has the opportunity to finally overturn this egregious opinion from 2015. Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver

A survey of Republicans released by The Hill in June found 56% of respondents said they agree that same-sex couples should have the right to marry each other, while 42% disagreed. According to The Hill, Americans broadly agree that same-sex couples should have the right to marry, with 72% of respondents agreeing and 26% disagreeing.

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Also in June, Southern Baptists overwhelmingly endorsed a ban on gay marriageincluding a call for a reversal of Obergefell.

LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS:

Liberty Counsels full petition can be viewed online.

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Seven out of ten households have pets, but not all of them can afford to keep them healthy. On Savannahs west side, basic veterinary care has been out of reach for many families. But now, a $100,000 grant for a local pet rescue could bring much-needed help.

Earlier this year, Renegade Paws employees walked around the neighborhoods in Savannah. Their goal was to see if they could walk to a location that had pet supplies or a veterinarian. They were greeted with no luck in a certain zip code on the west side of the city.

More than half of U.S. pet owners have skipped vet visits because of cost or access. Now, Renegade Paws is able to step up after being selected as one of just 10 groups nationwide to be awarded a special grant from PetSmart Charities to expand pet care for their communities.

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The $100,000 grant is aimed specifically at the 31415 zip code. The animal rescue organization discovered that this region has long lacked access to veterinary clinics or pet supply stores.

The first part of the grant is focused on surveys, focus groups, and community events to understand what residents actually need before taking further action. One issue the group hopes to tackle is access. With many residents relying on public transportation, the majority of buses dont allow pets on board, so simply getting to a vet can be a serious challenge.

The goal is to create solutions with the community, transportation being one of those issues. Also, on the list of possibilities are pop-up clinics and mobile vet services.

We were very excited and humbled. But more importantly, we were thrilled that an organization like PetSmart Charities recognized Savannah. Were not the biggest city, and the fact that we hit their radar and that they were willing to give money to help our community we were beyond thrilled, said Sharon Shatto, the Grants and Programs Development Manager for Renegade Paws.

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The first phase of the grant runs through the end of this year. Leadership says they have good hopes of securing continued support to build a more permanent solution. For them, that solution would mean reducing the number of pets being surrendered because families cant access basic care.

Along that line of reducing pets being surrendered, Renegade Paws says that the goal is fueled by Georgia being in the top five for euthanasia rates. The support from PetSmart could be lifesaving for both pets and their owners.

Renegade Paws currently cares for over 600 animals  most in foster homes  and says this funding is a game-changer. Theyre inviting the community to join the involvement as the project grows. For those seeking pet help or to learn more on participating in surveys, you can contact Renegade Paws Rescue by emailing rebbicca@renegadepawsrescue.org or calling 843-929-8736.

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DENVER (KDVR)  A statewide grand jury indicted 11 people for a range of alleged drug distribution-related crimes that the Colorado Attorney Generals Office says occurred between August last year and May this year.

The 11 defendants are facing a total of 28 counts. Each defendant is facing a range of charges from among those 28 counts. According to a superseding indictment that was returned on June 26, law enforcement surveilled and tracked the defendants before apprehending them between August 2024 and May of this year.

Human bones found at Denver park could just be stories, official says

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The defendants are:

Julio Guttierrez-Hernandez

Ernesto Miranda-Contreras

Moises Gomez

Daniel Efrain Mendoza-Barragan

Humberto Banuelos-Carranza

Sergio Hermosillo-Hernandez

Javier Alba-Olivares

Luis Angel Alvizo-Rodriguez

Jose De Jesus Rodriguez-Garcia

Justin Stuart Murphy

Christopher Robin-Leis

Charges listed in the indictment included conspiring to distribute a controlled substance; possessing a controlled substance with the intent to distribute; and distributing a controlled substance.

The 11 defendants are accused of selling, purchasing or conspiring to distribute illicit substances, namely cocaine, according to the attorney generals office. The investigation into the drug distribution ring was conducted by the North Metro Task Force, and the case is being prosecuted by the 17th Judicial District in Adams County.

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CPW believes Copper Creek Pack behind July attack on Pitkin County calf

According to the attorney generals office, undercover detectives began the investigation while interacting with Julio Guttierrez-Hernandez on Aug. 13, 2024. The suspect allegedly met with the undercover detective and sold them about 85 grams of cocaine.

The AGs office said this was the first two initial interactions between the suspect and the agent, with the second being an alleged purchase of roughly 250 grams of cocaine on Oct. 3, 2024.

Through undercover operations and routine police work, investigators tracked an alleged sale of 2,000 grams of cocaine by Guttierez-Hernandez to Mendoza-Barragan on Oct. 24, 2024. The AGs office said that alleged situations similar to that occurred frequently during the nine-month operation.

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We were proud to partner with Colorado AGs Office to dismantle the leadership and supply chains of this drug trafficking organization operating right here in our own backyard, said the North Metro Task Force. By significantly disrupting the flow of illicit substances into our communities we are protecting our citizens from the devastating consequences of drug abuse. This case is just another great example of the teamwork between our two agencies, and our commitment to the citizens of Adams County and the State of Colorado.

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The statewide grand jury indictment can be read here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Centric Brands on Monday named Rob Smith its new president of the kids division, according to a news release.

Smith is the founder and CEO of The Phluid Project, an organization grounded in fashion, education and community. As its sole owner, he retains the CEO title. He previously held senior positions with Macy's and Victorias Secret.

In his role with Centric Brands, Smith will focus on strategic growth and consumer engagement. Centric Brands portfolio includes licenses for Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Nautica and Under Armour.

Dive Insight:

While taking over as president of Centric Brands Kids, Smith will work alongside Steve Pinkow, who has served as group president of the kids division for 17 years. Pinkow will retain that role through the end of the year when he becomes a consultant to the company. Pinkows advisory role will last through 2026, per the release.

"As a new president, I have the great fortune to learn from Steve until the end of the year as he moves onto retirement, Smith told Retail Dive in an email. Hes not only incredibly seasoned here at Centric, but he has a phenomenal reputation [and] legacy in the retail industry.

Centric Brands has been working to rebuild itself after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May of 2020. Since exiting bankruptcy later that year, the brand collective has been proactive in staffing up its leadership.

Centric Brands currently holds licenses for over 100 brands across mens, womens and kids categories. A partnership in May with Authentic Brands Group made Centric the operating partner for Dockers in the U.S. and Canada.

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Pittsburgh City Council approved legislation requiring the fleet manager to provide an annual status report to the council, detailing the condition of every city vehicle, including information about mileage, age, and repairs.

RELATED COVERAGE >>> Councilman introduces legislation to create annual report on Pittsburghs vehicle fleet

This comes after 11 Investigates has discovered a potential problem with the citys aging fleet of garbage trucks that could impact garbage collection.

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If something happens to the repair center for a few days or a week, you know we may not be picking up trash, Councilman Bobby Wilson said.

Councilman Wilson on Wednesday expressed concern about the status of the citys garbage trucks.

Many are broken down, and on some days, there arent enough to cover all the routes.

Workers are forced to sit and wait for a free truck. Many collect overtime.

Weve had challenges with our environmental services fleet in recent weeks, said Deputy Mayor Jake Pawlak, who indicated he is trying to work through the issues.

But its not just garbage trucks.

11 Investigates has exposed multiple issues with the citys aging fleet of vehicles in EMS, Public Works, Fire and Environmental Services.

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One DPW worker told 11 Investigates that the trucks are in such bad shape, hes worried about his safety every time he gets into a city vehicle.

RELATED COVERAGE >>> 11 Investigates: Pittsburgh employee sounding alarm about dire conditions of city vehicles

Councilman Wilson said nearly half of all city vehicles are too old and that creates even more problems with expensive repairs.

That means were spending more on maintenance than we should be and all we are doing is wasting taxpayer dollars and council has been in the dark on this, Wilson said.

But legislation, introduced by Wilson and passed by city council, will now require the fleet manager to provide an annual report to city council on the status of all vehicles.

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This will really shed some light on how we really should be investing in the fleet in the future, Wilson said.

Making that public will provide a factual basis for what were working with there, Deputy Mayor Jake Pawlak said.

Deputy Mayor Pawlak says he supports Wilsons legislation.

Pawlak said the problem started decades ago when the city was under financial distress and didnt invest in the fleet.

He said the Gainey administration has put $40 million in new vehicles during the past four years.

Some council members have said that the city should be spending at least $20 million on new vehicles.

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And they have complained that the administration should have used more of the American Rescue Funds on purchasing new vehicles, such as ambulances, fire trucks and public works trucks.

While he acknowledged that hasnt been enough, he promised more soon.

We expect to bring to council in this years budget a more comprehensive fleet investment plan than we have in the past, Pawlak said.

Pawlak declined to release details and said hes still working on the budget proposal.

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At least 130 million people from Texas to Maine are under alert for dangerous heat and humidity over the next few days.

Hot and sticky temperatures will make it feel as high as 115 degrees in parts of the Mississippi River Valley. Even Niagara Falls will get no relief from the sweltering conditions; the tourist destination will feel like the mid-to-upper 90s on Thursday.

The heat index in Chicago, which factors in humidity, will make it feel in the triple digits and nighttime and early-morning temperatures will provide little comfort. As of 4 a.m. Thursday, the actual temperature was 80 degrees, or 85 with the heat index.

Anadolu via Getty Images - PHOTO: Kids play with water sprinklers on in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, July 20, 2025, ahead of dangerous heat invading the the Northeast and Midwest.

Texas will be just as hot on Thursday, as the heat index is expected to make it feel 107. Up north in Detroit, it's forecast to feel 102.

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Dangerous heat will spread to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast as temperatures in the I-95 corridor from Washington, D.C., to Portland, Maine, will make it feel like it's in the mid-90s on Thursday.

Maine is under a heat advisory mainly for Friday as the heat index will make Portland, Maine, feel like it's 100 degrees.

ABC News - PHOTO: Feels-like temperatures for Thursday, July 24, 2025.

New York City, Boston and Philadelphia are also bracing for extreme temperatures. On Friday, the feels-like temperature is expected to be reach 104 in New York City, 103 in Boston, 106 in Philadelphia and 109 in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore.

ABC News - PHOTO: Feels-like temperatures forecast for Friday, July 25, 2025.

Meanwhile, the Midwest and the Southeast is expected to see hot and humid weather stretch into the weekend and into early next, as the heat indices are expected to make it feel 110 degrees in some parts.

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MORE: Congressional committees push back on Trump administration's proposed NOAA budget cuts

Most of the Southeast, including Atlanta, is expected to see a level four out four "extreme heat risk" on Monday and Tuesday as a potentially life-threatening heat wave continues in the region.

ABC News - PHOTO: Dangerous heat and humidity index highs through the weekend.

Besides the heat, the Midwest, specifically Kansas and Missouri, is expected to see a summer flash flooding continue. Strong thunderstorms on Thursday could cause flooding across the region, which is still recovering from flash floods earlier this week.

MORE: Body of missing woman found as death toll from Texas floods reaches at least 136

Heavy thunderstorms are expected to develop over the Midwest on Thursday afternoon and through the night, with rainfall totals forecast to reach 2 to 4 inches or higher in some areas along the I-70 corridor. The Kansas City region may see the brunt of storms with multiple rounds of heavy rain possible.
(NewsNation)  More than 13,000 migrant children who arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border unaccompanied by an adult have now been located, a Department of Health and Human Services official confirmed to NewsNation.

President Donald Trump had pledged both before and after the 2024 election that his administration would locate the hundreds of thousands of minors who entered the country illegally without adults during the Biden administration.

Under the Biden administration, 320,000 unaccompanied children crossed the border, the Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Inspector General has previously said.

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On Wednesday, CNN reported the Trump administration is moving to quickly deport some of the children who arrived at the border without adult supervision during the Biden presidency. The report, citing DHS officials, said that federal agents are asking the minors who are located whether they want to leave the United States voluntarily.

Florida has allocated $245M for Alligator Alcatraz so far

The report said that the practice is a departure from a long-standing protocol where officials would not ask minors if they wanted to leave the U.S. voluntarily and instead were handed over to HHS.

The safety of children and ensuring they are reunited with their parents or safe guardian is (the) top priority of the Trump Administration, which stands in stark contrast to the nearly 300,000 migrant children that were lost under the Biden Administration, Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement in response to the CNN report.

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In addition to the 13,061 migrant minors that have now been accounted for, a HHS source told NewsNation this week that Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested 422 sponsors who are accused of abusing the minors in their care or of other crimes.

The source said that multi-faceted investigations are taking place regarding the abuse allegations. In addition to local police, Child and Protective Services and federal agencies are all investigating the abuse claims, the source confirmed.

Minors who agreed to leave the country voluntarily are being turned over to ICE for deportation, CNN reported. If ICE did not take the minors into custody within 72 hours, however, Customs and Border Protection would turn the minors over to HHS.

NewsNation reported earlier this year that the DHS Office of Inspector General found that ICE officials are unable to effectively monitor the more than 600,000 unaccompanied minors who entered the country without supervision since 2019.

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The report said that hundreds of thousands of unaccompanied migrant children entered the country and were transferred from ICE to the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement. Of those children, however, 233,000 have not yet been served notices to appear in immigration court by ICE as of this week, the report said.

3 police officers shot in Ohio identified

As of last October, more than 43,000 unaccompanied children who were served with court orders did not show up for scheduled court dates. In addition, 31,000 of those who were released to sponsors had release forms that did not include addresses, had missing apartment numbers or were undeliverable, the inspector generals office said in its report.

In February, ICE was tasked with locating the unaccounted-for migrant minors who the agency said were likely spread across several U.S. states. Roughly 61% of those being sought by federal agents are young men between the ages of 14 and 17, data shows, the majority of whom are from Guatemala (32%), Honduras (20%), Mexico (20%) and El Salvador (8%), NewsNation previously reported.

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Trump told reporters earlier this month that 10,000 previously unaccounted-for migrant minors had been gotten back and that we have a lot more planned to come back. Trump said that federal agencies were getting minors back by the thousands and pledged that the administration would continue to locate more of those who were previously reported unaccounted for.

McLaughlin said that offering migrants the chance to voluntarily leave is accredited in the Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022. She said that the administration has expanded the provision to allow migrant minors to be returned to countries other than Mexico and Canada as part of funding that was part of Trumps Big Beautiful 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 NewsNation.
An 18-year-old Massachusetts man is accused of secretly recording employees using the restroom at a Lowes store in Milford.

John Kelley, 18, of Wrentham, has been charged with two counts of photographing an unsuspecting nude person, police said in a statement on Thursday.

At about 10:23 a.m. on Friday, June 27, police received a call from Lowes Home Improvement at 40 Fortune Boulevard reporting an unknown male had been filming staff members in the restroom.

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Two employees told police that at separate times, they used the restroom and saw a man wearing grey sweatpants and black sneakers enter the adjacent stall.

Each employee told police they saw a cell phone on the ground, propped against the suspects sweatpants with the camera positioned to record under the stall divider.

John Kelley, 18, of Wrentham, is charged with two counts of photographing an unsuspecting nude person, police said.

Both employees later identified the suspect through store surveillance footage, police said.

Additional video showed the man, later identified as Kelley, leaving the store as a passenger in a newer-model black Toyota Camry.

On July 2, Milford Police detectives obtained a search warrant for Uber records associated with the Camry, police said.

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The warrant led officers to identify Kelley as the passenger in the Camry at the time of the incident.

Police said detectives spoke with Kelley on July 15, and he admitted to recording the store employees without their knowledge.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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When I came to Kyiv in 2013 to study journalism, nearly every conversation about the future among my fellow young Ukrainians eventually came down to one question: How to leave the country for a chance of a better life.

Back then, there was no war, no daily attacks or funerals of friends killed by Russia. And yet I remember that time as more hopeless.

It was the era of pro-Russian, autocrat-aspiring President Viktor Yanukovych, marked by widespread corruption and impunity poisoning the country. For young people with their whole life ahead of them, it was hard to see anything worth staying for.

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Soon, everything changed. It got even worse.

On Nov. 21, 2013, Yanukovych shattered the last glimmer of hope for Ukrainian youth by refusing to sign an association agreement with the European Union, steering the country away from its Western-oriented democratic path and back toward authoritarian Russia.

For young Ukrainians like myself, that decision was like a punch in the gut.

So in the best tradition of Ukrainian resistance, in the evening of that same day, several hundred people, many of them very young, gathered on Kyivs main Independence Square, or Maidan Nezalezhnosti, in protest of Yanukovychs decision.

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When my peers and I arrived at our dormitory after classes that day, we were overwhelmed with excitement, following every development on social media. And then, one of us finally said, Should we go, too?

We jumped into a taxi and spent the rest of the night in central Kyiv, under rain, with a group of people who cared. It started to feel like hope.

Students during the EuroMaidan Revolution in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Nov. 26, 2013, the third day of protests against the governments decision to scrap a key pact with the European Union. (Vasily Maximov / AFP via Getty Images)

Students hold placards during the EuroMaidan Revolution at the Independence Square in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Dec. 19, 2013. (Yuriy Dyachyshyn / AFP via Getty Images)

That was the beginning of the EuroMaidan Revolution, which would in the ensuing months prove to be the most consequential event in the history of independent Ukraine.

It was also one of the most consequential events for me personally.

I attended protests on most of the days throughout the three-month revolution. I skipped classes and instead headed to the protest camp to make sandwiches for protesters in the freezing cold.

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I kept going back, first and foremost, because I wanted to be part of a historic movement standing up for democratic values and against tyranny.

But I also simply liked being there.

The protest camp felt like an island of some utopian Ukrainian future. It was surrounded by a makeshift fence but it wasnt only the physical barrier that separated it from the rest of central Kyiv. As soon as you entered, it felt like a different world  with its own rules, culture, and atmosphere.

Most people there spoke Ukrainian when many, if not most Ukrainians elsewhere in Kyiv spoke Russian  courtesy of centuries of Moscows oppressive policies. Excuse me and Thank you were heard everywhere  in a country still shedding the Soviet habit of yelling at strangers. There was a common understanding of everyones personal responsibility to keep the area clean. Despite the constant threats of riot police raids, I felt safe there  because I knew I was around my people  united by one purpose and all sacrificing for it. It was a better Ukraine in all senses.

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It was the EuroMaidan Revolution that made me want to stay in Ukraine and be part of the generation that makes it a better place. And I wasnt alone.

The revolution culminated in extreme violence, with law enforcement firing at unarmed protesters and killing over a hundred people. The bloodshed prompted parliament  including members of Yanukovych's own party  to condemn the crackdown, forcing him to flee hastily to Russia.

What followed were years of Ukraines transformation  rediscovering our identity as a nation, experiencing a true cultural renaissance after centuries of oppression, launching anti-corruption reforms and new mechanisms to hold authorities accountable, digitizing a wide range of services to make peoples lives easier, and cultivating a civil society where civic duty is an everyday responsibility, not a once-in-a-decade event.

In less than a decade, Ukraine went from a country many wanted to escape to one full of opportunity and hope.

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Together and till the end  and it gave me chills, just like it did a decade ago.

Things werent perfect. Anti-corruption institutions were still very young. The key reform of the judicial system kept being dragged. There was still corruption and those in power seeking opportunity for revenge. A lot of work was still ahead. But what I experienced at the revolutions protest camp didnt seem so utopian anymore.

When Russia's full-scale invasion started in 2022, priorities shifted and everything but the struggle against Russian aggression had to be put on pause. It was the right thing to do because the entire existence of our country as an independent state was  and still is  at stake.

So in more than 3.5 years of the full-scale war, even when reforms stalled, even when injustice was clear, even when those in power abused it, the Ukrainian society chose to not exercise its protesting muscle. It remained focused on unity, on resisting Russia together, and maintaining the picture-perfect image of a resilient Ukraine for our supporters abroad.

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They remain key priorities. But this week, another one was added to the list: reminding the Ukrainian government that Ukraines democratic aspirations  won in blood during the EuroMaidan Revolution  havent gone anywhere.

On July 22, Ukraines parliament passed a bill destroying the independence of Ukraines key anti-corruption institutions. The very institutions that were established as part of the countrys transformation following the revolution.

President Volodymyr Zelensky answers journalists questions during a press conference in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 4, 2025. (Ihor Kuznietsov / Novyny LIVE / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

The scenes in the parliament during voting  with cheers and applause as reforms were being destroyed  reminded me of the ugliest days of Yanukovychs era.

What happened next revealed a habit many Ukrainians werent sure they still had: that same evening, people  most of them very young  gathered in central Kyiv for a peaceful protest against the decision.

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As I approached the square sitting almost next to the Presidential Office, I saw vibrant young people rushing to join the protest. I couldnt help but compare it to my own experience 12 years ago. Then I heard the chant that had endured from those days  Together and till the end  and it gave me chills, just like it did a decade ago.

There are many parallels I can draw between these protests, but there are also some important distinctions.

Protesters hold placards during a rally in Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 23, 2025, against a law that destroys the independence of Ukraine's key anti-corruption institutions. (Arsen Dzodzaiev / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Protesters hold placards and turn on flashlights during a rally in Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 22, 2025. (Dan Bashakov / Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Unlike in November 2013, it wasnt hundreds but thousands of angry Ukrainians who took to the streets on the first day this time. They were way more organized and better prepared  carrying Ukrainian flags and witty signs. They know better than to give center stage to opposition politicians looking to capitalize on the demonstrations.

Seeing this evolution of Ukrainian society made me emotional and very proud. All these years of standing up on squares and then on the battlefield werent for nothing if this is what Ukraine is now.

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That same day, right after the first protest, President Volodymyr Zelensky signed the controversial bill  which the protesters had urged him to veto  into law.

The next day, July 23, the demonstration happened again  this time with about three times more people joining. Today, July 24, people will gather once more. And something tells me they wont stop demonstrating until they are truly heard.

On July 24, Zelensky finally backed down. He submitted a new draft law claiming to restore the independence of Ukraines anti-corruption agencies.

I dont know whether the bill will ultimately pass, whether any new contentious amendments will be made, but what I do know is that the path Ukraine set upon during the EuroMaidan Revolution  and the sacrifices it has made and continues to make for it  isnt something any president can pause or reverse.

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Power in Ukraine belongs to its people. Thats what our Constitution says. Thats what 18-year-olds are proving in squares across the country today.

The last time I checked, the Ukrainian people have made their choice to grow into a full-blown democracy very clear  time and again. And if anyone in the Presidents Office has forgotten that, they only need to look out the window for a reminder.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A 19-year-old U.S. citizen was wrongfully detained by the Department of Homeland Security for 10 days in April while visiting his girlfriends family in Arizona  though whether that was because of his own actions remains the subject of dispute.

Jose Hermosillo has lived in New Mexico his whole life, lawyer Homero Torralba tells PEOPLE in this week's issue, so the whole thing initially seemed to his family to be some kind of mix-up.

Mistakes can be made, Torralba says. I understand that. I'm sure everybody can understand that.

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But what happened to the young father, a restaurant worker in Albuquerque whom Torralba says has some cognitive disabilities, was something the attorney has never seen in his 34-year career.

In April, Hermosillo and his girlfriend, Grace Hernandez, were visiting her family in Tucson, Ariz., when he decided to walk to a convenience store, Torralba says.

Thats when Torralba says the teen was approached by law enforcement and allegedly asked  along with a racial slur  if he had entered the country illegally.

When Hermosillo said no, Torralba says, the officer [kept] telling him that he is.

Hermosillo is easily swayed, Torralba says: He can be told, Hey, you're not a citizen. You're here illegally. "

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The case has made headlines amid the Trump administration's crackdown on illegal immigration which, though it was a key part of his successful 2024 presidential campaign, has stirred major debate.

Hermosillo later told Torralba that while he was behind bars, "he sat in his cell and he was getting picked on by the other inmates and he didn't know how to combat that. He knew he didn't want to get in a fight. He didn't want to get in any trouble, and he was subjected to quite a bit of verbal abuse."

"His words to me were, 'I've never been so scared in my life,' " Torralba says.

Documents from Homeland Security paint a different picture of what happened to Hermosillo and indicate that he was willingly interviewed by an immigration officer  after reportedly going to a Border Patrol station  and said he was from Mexico and entered the U.S. illegally the day before, for work.

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Torralba denies that. He notes that Hermosillo's understanding of Spanish isn't strong, though the official documentation shows he was interviewed in Spanish, and that the complaint against him mistakenly said he was encountered by officials in Nogales, Mexico, not Tucson.

"That is impossible," Torralba says. (A Border Patrol spokesman told The Arizona Republic that that was an accident.)



David Taylor Central Arizona Florence Correctional Center, where Jose Hermosillo was held in April Central Arizona Florence Correctional Center, where Jose Hermosillo was held in April

All parties agree on what happened next: Hermosillo was taken into custody on April 8 and released April 17, without charge, only after his family showed his birth certificate.

In a statement to PEOPLE, a senior Department of Homeland Security official says the arrest was the direct result of Hermosillos own actions and statements."

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"The narrative being pushed ... is false," the official says.

Torralba says Hermosillo was finally released "in essence to the streets" around 2:30 a.m. local time on April 17.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said in a statement in April that her office had reached out to immigration officials about the incident, calling it wholly unacceptable.

Now, however, the state attorney generals office tells PEOPLE they arent investigating the incident.

Meanwhile, Torralba says he is considering legal options  including claiming a federal civil rights violation.

He believes some of law enforcement's behavior "seems to be fueled by cruelty. ... it's just cruel because of what's going on in our national debate and things like that about immigration."

Take PEOPLE with you! Subscribe to PEOPLE magazine to get the latest details on celebrity news, exclusive royal updates, how-it-happened true crime stories and more  right to your mailbox.

The ordeal devastated Hermosillo's family, who were worried that their son would be deported despite his citizenship, Torralba says.

For those few days, they were just going bananas, he says. It was very just daunting for them.



Read the original article on People
Jul. 24An Albert Lea man and Wells woman are facing charges after authorities found more than 4 pounds of methamphetamine during a search last week in a garage and residence in Wells.

Cody Michael Roberts, 35, and Tanya Marie Meyering, 43, were each charged in Faribault County District Court with one count of first-degree drugs sale and one count of first-degree drug possession tied to a search warrant conducted July 17 at 220 First Ave. NW in Wells.

Agents with the Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force assisted the South Central Drug Investigation Unit Task Force with the search.

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Court documents stated agents found a Milwaukee packout backpack during the search of a 2011 Chevrolet Impala that contained another backpack inside with numerous baggies with purported methamphetamine. The backpack also had a large digital scale and bricks of meth wrapped in cellophane in shapes of rectangles and squares.

Inside the house, authorities also found a 9mm live handgun round, a large amount of cash and more meth.

The total seized was $1,839 in cash and just over 4 pounds of meth.

Multiple individuals were reportedly detained during the search.

During their first appearance on the charges on Monday, District Court Judge Troy Timmerman set bail at $100,000 with conditions or $200,000 without conditions.

They are next slated to appear in court July 28 and Aug. 4.
KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE/WJW)  Two children in Tennessee are now recovering at home after being hospitalized for La Crosse virus, a rare mosquito-borne virus that can, in severe cases, lead to inflammation of the brain.

The Knox County Health Department said the two children were hospitalized earlier this month. They mark the first cases of the virus this year in the county, according to health officials.

Meanwhile in Ohio, a 66-year-old man was recently confirmed to have contracted La Crosse virus, Nexstars WJW reports.

What is La Crosse virus?

La Crosse virus is a mosquito-borne infection. Most people who get it dont have symptoms, but those who do can have a fever, a headache, nausea, and vomiting, Knox County health officials said. In rare cases, it can become severe and lead to inflammation of the brain, or encephalitis.

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Severe disease occurs most often in children under 16 years old, said a KCHD spokesperson. Most severe cases require hospitalization but will recover with supportive care. However, up to 15 percent of cases can have major neurologic complications.

Tick-related ER visits are spiking this summer: How to protect yourself

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 30 and 90 La Crosse cases are reported annually. But this number is thought to be a substantial under-diagnosis due to the under-reporting of less severe cases. Cases are primarily found during the late spring through early fall while mosquitoes are most active.

How is La Crosse virus spread?

It comes from the bite of an infected Aedes triseriatus, or eastern treehole mosquito.

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The Aedes mosquitoes primarily bite people in wooded areas during dawn and dusk.

They are a little bit more of a shy mosquito, they dont aggressively come out and bite people, Caroline Terakedis, director of environmental health services for the Tuscarawas County Health Department, told WJW. Its difficult to treat standing water for them because they prefer to breed in small tiny areas like tree holes, but they really like scrap tires.

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Humans do not spread the virus, the CDC says. Symptoms can occur within five to 15 days of a bite.

Where have cases been reported?

CDC data shows that between 2003 and 2024, more than 1,500 cases of La Crosse virus were reported, with 15 confirmed deaths over the same time period.

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Nearly two dozen states saw at least one case of La Crosse virus during that time. North Carolina and Ohio each saw over 300 cases, while Tennessee and West Virginia had over 200 each. Other states that recorded at least one case include Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

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The vast majority of human cases reported to the CDC were among those under the age of 18.

How to avoid getting La Crosse virus

Similar to advice for preventing West Nile virus, health experts recommend using insect repellants (such as DEET, Picaridin, IR3535 and oil of lemon eucalyptus), treating your clothes with repellents like permethrin, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants while near wooded areas, and covering strollers with mosquito netting.

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Knox County health officials also recommended reducing standing water on your property to control the mosquito population. This includes turning over items that hold water, like flowerpot saucers, once a week.

Have this giant, noxious weed in your yard? How to get rid of it  without burning yourself

Health officials have advised parents and guardians to seek emergency care if they see neurological issues in their children. This would include seizures, mental changes, and drowsiness or trouble staying awake.

The Tuscarawas County Health Department says there is no vaccine against the virus, and there are no medications to specifically treat La Crosse encephalitis.

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WATEs Hannah Moore and Nexstars Addy Bink contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  South Dakota will have two DCI agents that can enforce immigration laws as part of a new 287(g) partnership between DCI and ICE.

South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley announced the change this week.

Jackley says the program does not target everyone here illegally and says his focus is on violent criminals and drug dealers, but one South Dakota non-profit has raised concerns about DCIs newest change.

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Old Courthouse roof replaced via hanging basket

Jackley says one agent on the west side of South Dakota and another on the eastern half of the state are in training.

This federal partnership will give DCI agents the authority in violent crime situations and drug dealing arrests to make an immediate determination of whether or not we wish to keep in state jurisdiction on the criminal proceedings or to begin a deportation if its an illegal immigrant. It gives us the ability to do that without waiting for ICE agents, Jackley said.

According to Taneeza Islam, CEO of South Dakota Voices for Peace, DCI had multiple agreements to choose from, and the agency chose the task force model.

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This task force model was in effect from 1996 to 2012. They discontinued it for two main reasons: Because it was a less efficient way of identifying people to deport, and number two, had a high propensity for racially profiling Hispanic, Latino and other people who look like they could be unlawfully present, Islam said.

This allows the task force model for when were in the field, when were making the arrest of a violent criminal or a drug dealer, to take action. That may involve a deportation depending upon the circumstances, Jackley said.

Islam also raises questions on how DCI plans to just target violent criminals and drug dealers.

It has no limitation in the written agreement that theres a limited scope as Jackley is mentioning unless thats written somewhere else. Its a little confusing on how that will be executed, Islam said.

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Ive set the policy work with DCI so that we want to limit this to the most serious offenders, those that are engaged in violent crime or drug deals. We dont want to turn our DCI agents into federal authorities, only in the limited instances when its violent crime and drug dealers. I feel thats necessary to protect our state, Jackley said.

Jackley hopes that the two agents in training complete it in time for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

Jackley says the preparation for the DCI agents involved in 287(g) includes 40 hours of online training.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Ever get a random text from Cash App inviting you to refer a friend? That message might now be worth up to $147. In an unexpected turn, Cash Apps parent company has agreed to a $12.5 million settlement over unsolicited referral texts sent to Washington state residents since November 2019. As a result, nearly 2 million users may be eligible for a payout. Keep reading to find out if you qualify for a share of the settlement.

What Sparked the Cash App Settlement?

The $12.5 million Cash App settlement traces back to a lawsuit filed in November 2023 by Washington resident Kimberly Bottoms. According to the complaint, Cash Apps parent company, Block Inc., allegedly sent unsolicited promotional texts as part of its Invite Friends referral campaign. The messages were said to violate two key state laws: the Washington Consumer Electronic Mail Act and the Washington Consumer Protection Act. Although Block has not admitted to any legal wrongdoing, the company agreed last month to settle the case and put the matter to rest.

Whos Eligible for a Piece of the Settlement?

Not everyone is in line for the Cash App payout. The settlement applies specifically to Washington state residents who received unsolicited promotional texts from the apps Invite Friends program starting on or after November 14, 2019. While the exact cutoff date hasnt been disclosed, eligibility will be determined using phone record data. According to CNET, Block Inc. plans to notify qualifying individuals by email or physical mail. Early estimates suggest up to 2 million people may be included in the payout class.

How Much Money Could You Get?

The amount you could receive from the Cash App settlement isnt fixedit depends on how many eligible users file a valid claim. If all 2 million potential class members participate, individual payouts are expected to range between $88 and $147. The fewer the claims submitted, the higher the payout per person could be.

How to Claim Your Cash App Settlement

As of now, no official claim form or submission deadline has been released. However, those who are eligible should keep an eye out for an official notice from Block Inc., which will likely arrive by email or traditional mail. Once the claims process opens, acting quickly will be keyso be sure to respond promptly when the window goes live.

Other Cash App Legal Disputes You Should Know About

The recent $12.5 million spam-text settlement is just one chapter in a broader pattern of legal troubles for Cash Apps parent company, Block Inc. The platform has come under increasing scrutiny for a range of issues, including user data protection and transaction oversight. In 2024, Block paid $15 million to resolve a separate class-action lawsuit involving allegations of data misuse. That same year, the company was hit with a staggering $175 million in penalties from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over security failures that potentially exposed users to fraud and unauthorized access.

Sources: CNET, The Economic Times

Read the original article on GEEKSPIN.

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By Arathy Somasekhar

HOUSTON (Reuters) -Zinc levels in flagship U.S. offshore crude Mars' production stream are now within expected levels after some contamination was identified in recent weeks, oil producer Chevron said on Wednesday, citing recent testing.

The start-up of an offshore well increased the levels of zinc in Mars crude earlier this month, leading to tightening crude supplies in the key Gulf Coast refining hub and prompting the U.S. government to release barrels from its emergency stockpile.

"We are not aware of any current compositional issues with Mars crude blend," Chevron said in an emailed statement.

Chevron said it was engaging with pipeline operator Shell, and coordinating on a testing program to monitor zinc levels throughout the pipeline system.

Prices of the crude grade strengthened 10 cents to trade at a $1.30 discount on Tuesday, rebounding from the lowest it touched in nine months on Monday.

Oil major Exxon Mobil had briefly halted purchases of Mars crude in early July due to the contamination. The company restarted purchases last week for August delivery, according to sources.

The company also tapped the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve for up to 1 million barrels of crude oil for its Baton Rouge refinery in Louisiana.

Mars, a medium sour crude produced off the coast of Louisiana, is preferred by refineries along the Gulf Coast because of its properties and proximity.

Refineries are typically configured to run certain grades of oil for ideal yields of different types of fuels. Switching to other crude grades can be operationally challenging and limit production, shrinking profit margins.

Zinc does not typically occur naturally in crude oil and industry sources said they worried that running crude with zinc could cause damage to refining units and to catalysts used in processing oil.

(Reporting by Arathy Somasekhar in Houston; Editing by Nia Williams)
CHICAGO  Two teenagers were shot, one fatally, and police say three people are in custody after an altercation late Wednesday night in the West Lawn neighborhood on the citys Southwest Side.

According to Chicago police, a group of five people were walking on the sidewalk in the 7200 block of South Avers Avenue around 11:45 p.m. when three members of the group took out handguns and fired shots at the other two, an 18-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy.

2-year-old girl abducted from apartment during home invasion found safe: CPD

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Police say the 18-year-old boy was shot in the head and taken to an area hospital after being treated by the Chicago Fire Department. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The 15-year-old boy suffered a graze wound to his cheek, according to police, and was treated by CFD before being taken to an area hospital in good condition.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Meanwhile, the offenders fled the scene after firing the shots, but police say responding officers were able to place three people in custody, two males and one female. Police also recovered two firearms.

Detectives are investigating the incident, and police say charges are pending.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
Two young women were out celebrating their college graduations when they were struck by a car that crashed through a barricade in downtown Milwaukee, according to police.

At around 2 a.m. on Sunday, July 20, two 22-year-old pedestrians were hit by a vehicle at the intersection of Water and State streets after the driver disregarded a traffic barrier, the Milwaukee Police Department confirms to PEOPLE in a statement. Suffering serious, but non-fatal injuries, the victims were transported to a local hospital.

Authorities said that the driver remained at the scene and was given a citation.

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Karen Handrich identified one of the victims as her daughter, Chloe Handrich, in an interview with NBC affiliate WTMJ.

It's like every parent's nightmare, Karen told the outlet of receiving the early morning call that Chloe was in the emergency room. You never want to get a call like that.

That Saturday night, Chloe was celebrating her college graduation downtown when she and her friend, who was later identified as a woman named Sam, were struck by the vehicle, according to a GoFundMe page created to support Chloe's recovery.

It was a night that should have been filled with joy and accomplishment, the organizer wrote. Instead, it turned tragic when a driver recklessly crashed through barricades that were meant to protect pedestrians on Water Street.

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Alex Michaelis, who heard the loud crash, was in Milwaukee for her wedding and still in her wedding dress when she ran to assist, ABC affiliate WISN reported. The registered nurse stayed with the two women until emergency responders arrived.

"She was unconscious for a while, so I was very nervous about her," Michaelis told the outlet, referring to the status of one of the women.

As of Wednesday, July 23, Chloe is still in the ICU with severe head trauma, fractures to her pelvis and legs, and liver lacerations, WTMJ reported.

Shes a kind, vibrant and beautiful person, the creator of the donation page wrote, adding that Chloe will not be able to return to work or daily life any time soon. The kind of person who lights up every room she walks into. She didnt deserve this.

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Her friend, Sam, is also a recent college graduate. The young woman lost multiple teeth, suffered a broken nose and cuts to her skin that required 16 stitches, as well as multiple broken bones, trauma to the head and internal contusions, according to a GoFundMe page created by her loved ones. Organizers of both donation pages did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's requests for comment.

Sam, who has been regulated to soft foods and liquids, has been surrounded by her boyfriend and family members, who have taken time away from work to care for her.

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.

But through it all, Sam remains strong, the organizer wrote. Her sweet nature, gentle spirit, and radiant smile  one we hope to restore  continue to inspire all who know her.

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The Milwaukee Police Department tells PEOPLE that the driver of the vehicle was cited with failing to yield the right of way, driving with no insurance and a vehicle registration violation.

There was no regard for these two 22-year-old girls whose lives have completely changed, Chloes mom, who argued that a fine isnt enough, told WTMJ. The trajectory of their lives has changed forever because of this reckless driver who completely ignored a barricade.

Read the original article on People
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  The 2025 New York State Woman of Distinction Award was presented Wednesday to a local woman who has contributed to the Rochester community for decades as an advocate.

Zola Brown, the recipient of this years award, is known for her dedication over the years to matters of economic and social justice as a union activist and working within the 19th Ward.

As a founding member and past Executive Vice President of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists local Rochester Chapter and organizer of 1199SEIUs Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration for over 20 years, she is celebrated as an important figure who stands for peace in the community. Brown previously received the key to the city in 2021 for her efforts.

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Brown was presented the award by Senator Jeremy Cooney at a ceremony held at Aenon Missionary Baptist Church.

The NYS Woman of Distinction award is presented each year to one woman within each State Senate district. Last years awardee was Daisy Rivera Algarin of Greece.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Paislee Rogers, 4, hadn't even reached the bottom of the Ohio State Fair's giant slide before she proclaimed herself ready for another climb up the stairs and another glide down one of its rainbow-colored lanes.

"I want to do it again" she squealed, jumping up and down around her mother, Emilee Rogers. As if the red lane wasn't fun enough, Paislee decided pink would be an even bigger thrill for ride No. 2.

Her mother, who came up with the family from Winchester, a small village in Adams County, didn't put much effort into convincing Paislee to try a smaller version of the slide nearby.

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It's always someone's first time at the fair.

The Ohio State Fair opened July 23, during the midsummer heat and under bright, cloudless skies  not that anyone was complaining.

Its 12-day run through Aug. 3 at the Ohio Expo Center and State Fairgrounds will draw people from every part of the state: 4-year-old ride enthusiasts, teenage livestock exhibitors, nervous parents of kids in both categories, competitive quilters and Christmas-tree growers, concertgoers, food-on-a-stick lovers and those who love food on a stick even more if it's deep-fried.

Ohio State Fair's oldest traditions

Animals, along with their handlers, compete at the Ohio State Fair on July 23.

Minutes after Gov. Mike DeWine clipped the ribbon at 9 a.m. to open the 2025 fair on July 23, Trixie, a Southdown sheep, got ready for her close-up. Bailey Brause squirted shampoo on the animal's back as her mom, Mandy, sprayed Trixie with water.

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"She's got a very spicy attitude, but we still love her," Mandy said of the sheep, one of hundreds paraded around the fairgrounds' Brown Sheep Building under the watchful eyes of judges who are trained to spot certain differences between one sheep and another.

By 10:30 a.m., Bailey sat with Trixie, awaiting their turn in a class of about 30 Southland sheep. She patted the sheep's neck and fidgeted with its lead. Neither is new at this sheep competition thing; the duo placed second at the Crawford County Fair earlier in July.

Bailey survived a few rounds of the judge's decisions for narrowing the field, but finished outside the top five in her category.

Elsewhere around the fairgrounds, young people who've dedicated months and years to raising animals will show their cattle, swine, horses, rabbits, and poultry of all types.

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Livestock exhibits are the fair's oldest tradition and were the reason for its creation. They were part of The Dispatch's coverage of the first Ohio State Fair at the current fairgrounds back in 1886.

What kind of food is at the fair?

First Lady Fran DeWine and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine carry their Schmidt's cream puffs after the opening ceremonies for the 2025 Ohio State Fair.

The Ohio State Fair isnt all about weird twists on lemonade  buckeye lemonade with peanut butter and chocolate is a fair first this year  and other bizarre foods. For every honey-bun bacon cheeseburger on the midway, there are a dozen or more options for good old Ohio fair food.

Corn dogs, regular dogs, fries, turkey legs, cheesesteaks, pizza slices and snow cones are plentiful.

Whats on a stick this year? Steak, chocolate-covered frozen bananas, cheesecake and meatballs (three that are covered with cheese, breaded and deep-fried), among other things.

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And whats deep-fried besides those meatballs? Swiss cheese, Twinkies, Snickers bars, Oreo cookies and funnel cakes with Oreo cookies top the list.

Entertaining the crowds at the opening of the Ohio State Fair on July 23 are The Amazing Giants stilt walkers (from left) Cayla Savato, Kara Moyer and Jessi Jem.

But what about those weird fair foods?

More than a dozen people stood in line for the Ohio Poultry Associations much-hyped deviled eggs sale, one of the state fairs newer traditions, at its booth in the Taste of Ohio Pavilion. From bubble gum to cotton candy to this years chocolate chip cookie dough, the organization for the states poultry farmers comes up with flavors few other Ohioans would dream of putting on a hard-boiled half of an egg white.

Yeah, it tastes pretty good, said Alex Mabry, of Columbus, the apparent designated taster among his group of friends for the chocolate chip cookie dough deviled egg.

Mabry had done some thinking about it and came to the conclusion that eggs and egg yolks are in a lot of desserts. What could be so bad about a chocolate chip cookie dough deviled egg?

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Then again

I got the dill pickle one as a backup, just in case, he said.

The fair isn't all fun and games

Kara Razak paints in the plein air competition at the Ohio State Fair on July 23, 2025.

Kara Razek has been competing at the Ohio State Fair for the last three years. Her arena is far from the sheep barn or the poultry pavilion, though. On the fair's opening day, she sat in a shady spot behind a fair information booth with her easel, a drooping sun hat and a palette of paints.

Artists like Razek are scattered around the fairgrounds trying to capture the magic on canvas. Their artistic showdown isn't the only competition at the 2025 fair. Ohioans are battling to be the best in everything from building scarecrows to showing dogs.

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Razek chose to capture the ominous slide towering over the fairgrounds. With pastel colors and a sky-blue background, she's trying to improve on her honorable mention from 2024.

If you're planning to go to the Ohio State Fair...

The Ohio State Fair is open through Aug. 3. Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on closing day.

Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for children ages 6 to 12 and adults over age 60, and free for children younger than 6.

Parking is $10.

Dispatch reporter Bob Vitale can be reached at rvitale@dispatch.com. Dispatch reporter Sarah Sollinger can be reached at ssollinger@dispatch.com.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State Fair returns with fun, traditions and competitions
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  The 2026 race for the Californias 22nd Congressional District is heating up quickly.

Last week, Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains (D-Delano) declared her candidacy to unseat incumbent Rep. David Valadao (R-Hanford).

The Bains for Congress campaign announced the congresswoman-hopeful has received dozens of notable endorsements, just days after throwing her hat in the ring.

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One credible name, Kern Democratic State Senator Melissa Hurtado  a fellow moderate Democrat and close political ally.

SEIU California endorses Asm. Dr. Jasmeet Bains in congressional run for CD-22

The campaign also said numerous city leaders from Arvin, Shafter, Delano, McFarland and Wasco are backing Bains in her fight to unseat Valadao, following his vote for Republicans Big, Beautiful Bill.

Bains, a family doctor, has pushed her agenda to focus on health care, arguing that by voting for the budget bill, the sitting congressman voted for cuts to federal assistance programs such as Medicaid and Medicare.

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At the state level, California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, State Treasurer Fiona Ma and State Controller Malia Cohen are behind Bains. California congressmembers have also announced their endorsements. Especially noteworthy is the endorsement by Democratic Congressman Adam Gray, who beat incumbent Republican Rep. John Duarte in the 2024 election by just 187 votes, flipping a purple district.

Grays 13th Congressional District is just as contentious and swing of a district as Valadaos 22nd Congressional District has been, without fail, in each election cycle.

SEIU California  a group of local unions of those in health care and public service jobs  as well as IBEW Local 428, a labor union in Bakersfield have endorsed Bains as well.

Support for Democratic candidates in pivotal CD-22 race takes shape

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Democratic infighting has presented itself, as candidates approach the June primary.

Fellow Democrat Randy Villegas announced his candidacy for CD-22 in April.

Villegas, a school board trustee in Visalia, is known as the more progressive candidate in the race, compared to Bains, whos made a name for herself as a more moderate Democrat in the California Legislature.

On Monday, Villegas received the endorsement of a progressive Democratic organization Working Families Party (WFP), further differentiating his campaign and platform from that of Bains.

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Villegas stated hes collected over 4,000 individual donations amounting to over $250,000 of campaign cash.

Bains stated shes has raised over $175,000 since her launch.

This early show of grassroots support is a powerful affirmation of our message: families across the Central Valley want real leadership on health care affordability and a representative with the courage to act, Bains stated in a press release.

It still remains to be seen how Democrats will perform in June, and if any splitting of the blue vote between the two could allow for Valadao to advance to the November general election, taking him one step closer to another term on Capitol Hill.

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Click here for the full candidate profile of Jasmeet Bains.

Click here for the full interview with Jasmeet Bains.

Click here for the full candidate profile of Randy Villegas.

Click here for the full interview with Randy Villegas.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Jul. 23Alexander Leamon, 23, of Lena, has been identified as the pilot killed in Tuesday's crash near the Ogle County Airport.

Ogle County Sheriff Brian VanVickle released Leamon's name Wednesday afternoon, saying the Ogle County coroner had positively identified Leamon as the pilot of the crop-dusting plane.

Leamon lost his life when the plane crashed Tuesday morning near the Ogle County Airport, between Oregon and Mt. Morris.

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The small airplane landed upside down in a cornfield along the north side of Route 64 after hitting power lines.

First responders found the plane engulfed in flames when they arrived at the scene. Fire crews from the Mt. Morris Fire Protection District responded and quickly extinguished the fire.

"The pilot, the sole occupant of the aircraft, was located deceased within the wreckage shortly after the fire was brought under control," VanVickle said.

Seven power poles were impacted in the crash, causing electrical outages for some people in the area. Xfinity/Comcast transmission lines also were impacted, resulting in outages for some customers.

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Authorities blocked off a section of Route 64 between Mt. Morris and Oregon for most of Tuesday before reopening the road at night.

The small airport is located on the south side of the state highway and has one grass runway that runs west to east, parallel with the state highway.

On Wednesday morning, Leamon's charred plane remained in a corner of a cornfield located near the driveway of the Aframe Family Greenhouse, 2810 Route 64, Oregon.

The greenhouse, located about 25 yards from the plane's wreckage, was open at the time of the crash.

Mt. Morris Fire Chief Rob Hough said a customer at the greenhouse heard a crash and saw wreckage when they looked out.

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ComEd crews worked throughout the day Tuesday to redirect transmission lines and replace broken poles with new ones.

VanVickle said an investigation of the crash will be conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration.

FFA officials arrived Tuesday afternoon, but NTSB officials' arrival could be delayed due to other incidents in the region and the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Fly-In held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. That event attracts hundreds of thousands of aviation enthusiasts and pilots to the region.

VanVickle said the plane will remain at the scene until the federal investigation is complete.
For the second time in less than a week, a rabid cat was found in Jamestown.

This one was found on Harvey Road in the southern Jamestown area, the Guilford County Division of Public Health is alerting Guilford County said. It tested positive for rabies on Tuesday. It is the fourth confirmed case of animal rabies in Guilford County in 2025.

Last week a rabid cat was found on Woodmont Road, which is west of Guilford College Road and near Jamestown Presbyterian Church.

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North Carolina law requires that all domestic pets (cats, dogs and ferrets), whether living inside or outside, aged four months or older be vaccinated for rabies. Animals that are confined in outdoor fenced areas should also have current rabies vaccinations. Supervising pets when they are outdoors could prevent contact with wild animals and lessen the possibility of rabies exposure.

Guilford County Animal Services is offering a free Mobile Pet Assistance Clinic on Thursday, July 24, from noon-3 p.m. at 710 Huffine Mill Road, Greensboro. The clinic will provide free one-year rabies vaccinations, pet food, and essential pet supplies.

Guilford County Animal Services may be contacted for more information on rabies prevention at 336-641-2506 or visit www.guilfordcountync.gov/our-county/animal-services. For information regarding the current rabies cases, please contact Lisa Lee at 336-641-3930 or llee@guilfordcountync.gov.
Three men were arrested after posing as Amazon delivery drivers in order to gain entry and ransack a home in Florida, according to the North Port Police Department.

The three suspects -- Robert St. Germain, Anton Bradley Brown and Adlet Javon Francis -- are now in custody after being involved in a "targeted armed home invasion" that occurred in May, police announced on Wednesday.

Back on May 23 at approximately 1:30 p.m., officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at a residence in North Port, Florida, police said. The investigation revealed that three males "posed as Amazon delivery drivers to lure a young female resident to the door," officials said.

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When the female opened the door, the men -- who were all armed -- "forced their way inside," stole cash and "ransacked the residence in search of additional valuables," police said.

North Port Police Department - PHOTO: Robert St. Germain, Anton Brown and Adlet Francis in police photos.

The suspects also "held the daughter and mother inside the home while waiting for the father to return," police said.

Once the father returned home at approximately 5 p.m., he "noticed the front door was locked and attempted to enter through the back," officials said.

The father was confronted by one of the suspects and a "brief struggle ensued," police said.

MORE: Man arrested for allegedly posing as US Marshal during attempted robbery, police say

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The suspects eventually fled the scene, police said.

One of the suspects later found an unoccupied Ford F-150 with the keys inside, stole the truck and "fled the area," police said. The vehicle was recovered later that weekend in a shopping center, police said.

After the robbery at the home, crime scene technicians "processed the primary scene and surrounding areas" and recovered evidence like items "believed to have been left by the suspects," police said.

Officials believe the robbery was a targeted incident and not a "random act of violence," since the suspects were known to one of the victims.

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MORE: Robbers posing as cops hold up NYC deli, remain at large: Police

Francis was arrested on July 12 on "unrelated charges" and Germain and Brown were arrested on Tuesday, police told ABC News. Their charges include conspiracy to commit home invasion, home invasion, robbery, kidnapping and use of a two-way device to commit a felony, police said. Brown also faces a charge of grand theft auto, police said.

Germain is currently being held at the the Indian River County Jail, Brown is held at the Broward County Jail and Francis remains at the Orange County Jail, police told ABC News.

North Port Police Chief Todd Garrison said the case "demonstrates the relentless commitment of our detectives."

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"Their tireless work has been instrumental in advancing this investigation and brining those responsible to justice," Garrison said in a statement.

It remains unclear whether the suspects have attorneys who can speak on their behalf.
Authorities in Tennessee say they have recovered the bodies of three men who disappeared while fishing and swimming on a sandbar in the Mississippi River.

Rescue personnel recovered the victims  who have been identified as Marlon Mendez, 28, Rudy Perez, 31, and Jose Yanes, 52  south of the Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park boat ramp, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office said in a statement on Wednesday, July 23.

"These are presumably the three adult males who were reported missing last night (Tuesday, July 22) in the Mississippi River, pending verification by next of kin," the department said.

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Authorities said the first two bodies were recovered at around 11 a.m. local time and the third at about 12:45 p.m. Rescue operations included several agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard.

The sheriff's office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Doug Ammons, who owns a general store just miles from the river  which runs through 10 states and is the second-longest river in the United States  told NBC affiliate WMC that sadly, this isn't the first drowning in the area.

This is a horrific tragedy right here, and it happens way too often, he said.

According to officials, the river, although popular with people visiting the state park, the water can be very dangerous, even for strong swimmers.

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"We would not be doing our fullest if we didn't offer this ardent reminder about that river," the Shelby County Fire Department wrote in a statement on social media. "DON'T GET IN IT. Look at it from a stable edge all you want, but utilize your common sense about how incredibly strong and swift it is."

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There are eddy currents that can pull an Olympic swimmer under," they added. "You can be drawn into the channel and find yourself staring at a 24-unit barge thats the size of a skyscraper on its side coming straight at you with no way for the barge crew to have any idea that you are there."

"Please everyone," they continued, "Stay out."

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The Shelby County Sheriff's Office said in their statement on Wednesday that the men's official causes of death will be determined by the medical examiner. The investigation is active and ongoing.

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Wisconsinites have stuck to the Midwest when moving around the U.S. so far in 2025, a new report from U-Haul shows.

U-Haul released its "2025 Midyear Migration Trends" report on July 16, focusing on populous metropolitan areas that people in the U.S. have moved to the most during the first half of this year. The moving and storage company analyzed one-way rentals and the cities they were heading to from January to July, focusing on 35 metropolitan areas with populations of more than two million people.

So, where are Wisconsin residents moving to when they leave the Badger State?

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Here's what to know:

Where are Wisconsin residents moving to, according to U-Haul?

Wisconsin is among top 10 states supplying new residents to these cities, according to U-Haul:

Minneapolis, Minnesota: Wisconsin is No. 1 Chicago, Illinois: Wisconsin is No. 3 Indianapolis, Indiana: Wisconsin is No. 10

You can read the full report online at https://myuhaulstory.com/2025/07/16/u-haul-2025-midyear-migration-trends/.

Is Wisconsin's population growing or shrinking?

Though the state gained thousands of new residents in 2023, most Wisconsin counties are expected to face declining populations by 2050, according to a January report from the Wisconsin Department of Administration. There's a total projected loss of nearly 200,000 people in the next three decades, based on the U.S. Census Bureau's 2020 counts.

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Among these counties losing residents is Milwaukee County, where the population is projected to decline by more than 9% by 2050, the DOA says. Milwaukee County had an estimated population of 916,000 in 2023. A 9% decline would mean a loss of about 82,400 residents.

These projected population decreases are associated with decreasing fertility rates, increasing aging population, or a combination of both factors.

More: Wisconsin's population is projected to lose nearly 200,000 people by 2050, report says

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: U-Haul says Wisconsin residents are moving to these Midwest cities
Three officers were shot during an ambush and a suspect is dead in Northeast Ohio on Wednesday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Two officers, Phillip Wagner and Brent Payne, were in critical condition. A medical helicopter transported them to a Cleveland-area hospital, Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley told CBS affiliate, WOIO, in Cleveland.

As previously reported by News Center 7, a third officer was also shot.

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He has been identified as Peter Gale. He was shot in the hand and was taken to Mercy Hospital, WOIO said.

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Lorain Acting Police Chief Michael Failing said that Officers Wagner and Gale just bought a pizza.

Officers were parked side by side, having their lunch in their respective patrol vehicles. The suspect had parked at the dead end of Missouri Avenue, and he had an arsenal of weapons with him, said Failing. He was lying in wait and opened fire with multiple rounds at both of the officers who were sitting in their vehicles.

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The suspect has been identified as a 28-year-old man, WOIO reports.

Officer Payne responded to the scene, called for more help, and drove to the scene to help. He was shot several times in his patrol car, Failing told WOIO.

Other officers who responded loaded the wounded officers into their cars and took them to the hospital.

Anytime law-enforcement is injured, its a difficult day for the law-enforcement community, and were going to do everything we can to support Lorain police and conduct a thorough and successful investigation to determine exactly what happened, said Failing.

It is currently unknown how the suspect died.

We will continue to follow this story.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Four people were displaced after a house fire Wednesday night, July 23, in Central El Paso, a spokesperson with the El Paso Fire Department said.

The spokesperson says the call came in just after 8 p.m. for a condition 2 fire at the 2800 block of Morehead.

The fire was knocked down an hour later, and El Paso Electric, along with fire investigators, were on scene.

Red Cross was also called to assist the four people who were displaced. No injuries were reported.

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A witness shared on social media that her family and others went into the home to help.

No further information has been released.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
ALEXANDRIA  4-H members having their animals and projects judged throughout the week at the Madison County 4-H Fair hit upon the same word to describe the sense of community theyve experienced: family.

The friendship Lydia Mills shares with Lilly Inman began in 4-H. Inman said those relationships are cultivated in every barn throughout fair week.

We met three years ago in the junior leader stand, Inman said. We were both working the same shift and thats how we became friends. You make new friends. It all becomes one big family.

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Every barn has its own respect for everybody, Inman continued. Its a good family for sheep, pigs, goats, cattle, the poultry barn and the rabbits, even the inside projects. Its all just a good relationship with everybody.

Mills agreed.

I wouldnt have met (Lilly) if I wasnt here showing, she said. (The fair) is just a joy. Seeing the little kids pet the animals and get all happy and excited about them, its just really adorable.

Emma Kelich, this years Madison County 4-H Fair Queen, said the fair is responsible for most of her friendships and opening doors for her.

It makes you have different opportunities, Kelich said. The opportunities I have now are because of 4-H connections. I work for a vet, and that is from a 4-H connection. You just find different ins and outs that you can connect with and you can make friends along the way.

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One of Wednesdays main events was the annual goat show, during which 140 goats were judged.

Kelly Fry, a judge for the show, said the fair follows a scorecard where dairy goats are judged on general appearance, dairy strength, body capacity and mammary.

The goats that will be used for meat are judged on depth of muscle, heaviness of muscle without too much extra fat, she said.

This week, Kelich is also serving as a livestock ambassador for the goat barn. She said handling queen duties and taking care of her goats makes for many early mornings and long nights, but others in the barn have been helpful while she manages all her tasks.

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Its very hard, Kelich said, but it has been easier to control because the barn has been super nice. They are like, Do your queen duties first and then come find us and well do the animal duties.

Sisters Makayla and Taylor Sturgeon entered a combined 15 goats on Wednesday. Makayla Sturgeon said her interest in goats began at the state fair.

We just saw a couple of goat shows at the state fair, and we wanted to show them, Makayla Sturgeon said. We thought it would be a really good idea. They are a lot easier to handle than the cows we used to show at 4-H in the beginning.

In preparation, each of their goats get its hair trimmed a week before the fair, as well as washing the feet. The ears, tails and noses are cleaned just before entering the show ring to get rid of any hay or dirt.

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The sisters also mentioned they make different products with their goats milk, including cheese, butter, cottage cheese, sour cream, soap and lotion.

Makayla Sturgeon said many people at the fair have been willing to help.

A lot of showmen, Makayla Sturgeon said, whether its the same animal that you are showing, they will also help you if you have extra goats that are in the same classes.

People are very kind here, Taylor Sturgeon added.
BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)  Police were called after a woman returned home and saw a group of teens running out of her barn. The teens were later arrested for breaking and entering.

Read next: A look back: 2008 fire that claims the lives of 6 in Youngstown leads to arrest of 18-year-old neighbor

Boardman police were dispatched to a home on Mathews Road around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday for reports of a burglary in progress. When officers arrived, a woman told them she noticed four suspects running out of her barn when she pulled into her driveway.

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She told police someone had broken into her barn and let out all of her livestock last week, and now again on Wednesday, the horse had been let out of its stall, according to reports. A stick was found near the horse, and the woman expressed concern that the suspects had used it to beat the animal, though reports do not note any injuries.

Police set up a perimeter to search for the suspects.

A group of four teenagers, the youngest 12 and oldest 14, were identified as suspects. Police went to a nearby home and spoke to the parent of one of the teens, who allowed them into the house, where three of the teens spoke with police.

Reports state one of the teens said he would be honest with police and wanted to clear things up. He admitted they went to the property and entered through an opening in the fence because they wanted to look at the animals, according to the report. However, the teen denied involvement in the breaking-in incident last week, where the animals were freed.

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Another one of the teens admitted to opening the stall to let the horse loose, the reports state. In speaking with the other teen, they claimed the one who admitted to this weeks break-in was also involved in last weeks.

Police spoke to the first teen again, who eventually admitted they were responsible for that one as well.

While the 12-year-old was not charged, the other teens were taken to the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center on fifth-degree felony charges of breaking and entering.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Four teenagers are facing charges after gunshots were reported near Keizers Claggett Creek Park early Tuesday morning, authorities announced Wednesday.

Keizer police said they have identified four juveniles  a 15-year-old, two 17-year-old boys from Keizer and a 17-year-old girl from Dallas, Oregon  who were taken to Marion County Juvenile Department and now face riot charges.

Authorities said the riot charges are preliminary and that additional charges may follow, noting additional arrests may be made.

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The case stems from a report of gunshots being fired near Claggett Creek Park around 4:10 a.m. Tuesday, however detectives said they found no evidence to corroborate that a gun was used in this case.

Police discovered a house on Thorman Ave Northeast was involved in the incident before making the arrests.

Keizer Police Department is continuing to investigate the case, noting additional details will not be released at this time.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  A jury convicted a 48-year-old man on a murder charge connected to an October 2023 shooting, according to a Thursday press release from the Travis County District Attorneys Office.

The jury returned its verdict on July 17. The defendant, Joshua Fernando Trezaratti, was sentenced to 18 years in prison. He will be held at a Texas Department of Criminal Justice facility.

The deadly shooting happened on Oct. 24, 2023 on Mickelson Drive in southeast Austin. The Austin Police Department responded to the scene and found a man, Joshua Rivera, had been shot several times. Trezaratti later identified himself as the shooter, according to court documents.

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Man charged with murder after admitting to detectives he shot a man several times

On Oct. 25, 2023, APD arrested Trezaratti and charged him with murder. Then, on Dec. 11, 2023, he was indicted on the murder charge, according to the DAs office.

Our office is grateful to our committed staff and law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to hold the defendant accountable and seek justice for the victim and their family, said Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza in the release. We hope this verdict continues to help the victims family with their healing journey.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP)  Five starving children at a Gaza City hospital were wasting away, and nothing the doctors tried was working. The basic treatments for malnourishment that could save them had run out under Israel's blockade. The alternatives were ineffective. One after another, the babies and toddlers died over four days.

In greater numbers than ever, children hollowed up by hunger are overwhelming the Patient's Friends Hospital, the main emergency center for malnourished kids in northern Gaza.

The deaths last weekend also marked a change: the first seen by the center in children who had no preexisting conditions. Symptoms are getting worse, with children too weak to cry or move, said Dr. Rana Soboh, a nutritionist. In past months, most improved, despite supply shortages, but now patients stay longer and don't get better, she said.

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There are no words in the face of the disaster we are in. Kids are dying before the world ... There is no uglier and more horrible phase than this, said Soboh, who works with the U.S.-based aid organization Medglobal, which supports the hospital.

This month, the hunger that has been building among Gazas more than 2 million Palestinians passed a tipping point into accelerating death, aid workers and health staff say. Not only children  usually the most vulnerable  are falling victim under Israels blockade since March, but also adults.

In the past three weeks, at least 48 people died of causes related to malnutrition, including 28 adults and 20 children, the Gaza Health Ministry said Thursday. Thats up from 10 children who died in the five previous months of 2025, according to the ministry.

The U.N reports similar numbers. The World Health Organization said Wednesday it has documented 21 children under 5 who died of causes related to malnutrition in 2025. The U.N. humanitarian office, OCHA, said Thursday at least 13 children's deaths were reported in July, with the number growing daily.

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Humans are well developed to live with caloric deficits, but only so far, said Dr. John Kahler, Medglobal's co-founder and a pediatrician who volunteered twice in Gaza during the war. It appears that we have crossed the line where a segment of the population has reached their limits

This is the beginning of a population death spiral," he said.

The U.N.s World Food Program says nearly 100,000 women and children urgently need treatment for malnutrition. Medical workers say they have run out of many key treatments and medicines.

Israel, which began letting in only a trickle of supplies the past two months, has blamed Hamas for disrupting food distribution. The U.N. counters that Israel, which has restricted aid since the war began, simply has to allow it to enter freely.

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Hundreds of malnourished kids brought daily

The Patient's Friends Hospital overflows with parents bringing in scrawny children  200 to 300 cases a day, said Soboh.

On Wednesday, staff laid toddlers on a desk to measure the circumference of their upper arms  the quickest way to determine malnutrition. In the summer heat, mothers huddled around specialists, asking for supplements. Babies with emaciated limbs screamed in agony. Others lay totally silent.

The worst cases are kept for up to two weeks at the center's 10-bed ward, which this month has had up to 19 children at a time. It usually treats only children under 5, but began taking some as old as 11 or 12 because of worsening starvation among older children.

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Hunger gnaws at staff as well. Soboh said two nurses put themselves on IV drips to keep themselves going. We are exhausted. We are dead in the shape of the living, she said.

The five children died in succession last Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Four of them, aged 4 months to 2 years, had suffered gastric arrest: Their stomachs shut down. The hospital no longer had the right nutrition supplies for them.

The fifth  4 1/2-year-old Siwar  had alarmingly low potassium levels, a growing problem. She was so weak she could barely move her body. Medicine for potassium deficiency has largely run out across Gaza, Soboh said. The center had only a low-concentration potassium drip.

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The little girl didnt respond. After three days in the ICU, she died Saturday.

If we dont have potassium (supplies), we will see more deaths, she said.

A 2-year-old is wasting away

In the Shati Refugee Camp in Gaza city, 2-year-old Yazan Abu Fuls mother, Naima, pulled off his clothes to show his emaciated body. His vertebrae, ribs and shoulder-blades jutted out. His buttocks were shriveled. His face was expressionless.

His father Mahmoud, who was also skinny, said they took him to the hospital several times. Doctors just say they should feed him. I tell the doctors, You see for yourself, there is no food,' he said,

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Naima, who is pregnant, prepared a meal: Two eggplants they bought for $9 cut up and boiled in water. They will stretch out the pot of eggplant-water  not even a real soup  to last them a few days, they said. Several of Yazans four older siblings also looked thin and drained.

Holding him in his lap, Mahmoud Abu Ful lifted Yazans limp arms. The boy lies on the floor most of the day, too weak to play with his brothers. If we leave him, he might just slip away from between our fingers, and we cant do anything.

Adults, too, are dying

Starvation takes the vulnerable first, experts say: children and adults with health conditions.

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On Thursday, the bodies of an adult man and woman with signs of starvation were brought to Gaza City's Shifa Hospital, hospital director Mohammed Abu Selmia said. One suffered from diabetes, the other from a heart condition, but they showed severe deficiencies of nutrients, gastric arrest and anemia from malnutrition.

Many of the adults who have died had some sort of preexisting condition, like diabetes or heart or kidney trouble, worsened by malnutrition, Abu Selmia said. These diseases dont kill if they have food and medicine, he said.

Deaths come after months of Israeli siege

Israel cut off entry of food, medicine, fuel and other supplies completely to Gaza for 2  months starting in March, saying it aimed to pressure Hamas to release hostages. During that time, food largely ran out for aid groups and in marketplaces, and experts warned Gaza was headed for an outright famine.

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In late May, Israel slightly eased the blockade. Since then, it has allowed in around 4,500 trucks for the U.N. and other aid groups to distribute, including 2,500 tons of baby food and high-calorie special food for children, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said Wednesday.

That is an average of 69 trucks a day, far below the 500-600 trucks a day the U.N. says are needed. The U.N. has been unable to distribute much of the aid because hungry crowds and gangs take most of it from its trucks. Separately, Israel has also backed the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which opened four centers distributing boxes of food supplies. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed trying to reach the sites.

On Tuesday, David Mencer, spokesman for the Israeli Prime Ministers office, denied there is a famine created by Israel in Gaza and blamed Hamas for creating man-made shortages by looting aid trucks.

The U.N. denies Hamas siphons off significant quantities of aid. Humanitarian workers say Israel just needs to allow aid to flow in freely, saying looting stops whenever aid enters in large quantities.

___

The headline of this story has been corrected to show that the dozens of deaths in Gaza from starvation in July include kids and adults.

___

El Deeb reported from Beirut, Keath from Cairo.
NORTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI)  If you head to Wickford Shipyard, youll be greeted by more than just boats.

Many people in North Kingstown have been talking about the five inflatable ducks that are sitting on a dock there.

First of all, they just showed up one day. Nobody knew anything. We get people walking around here all the time, asking questions about oysters, the lobsters, everything. And about once or twice a day, somebody comes around and says, so whats up with the ducks, oyster farmer Alicia Reichelt said. Its a bunch of inflatable ducks. Theres not much else you can say.

Office Manager of Wickford Shipyard Jeanne McKeen told 12 News that her father-in-law, Wes McKeen, put the ducks out as a surprise for his grandchildren.

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We had a really good response from all of our customers, people in the community, and the village. We get phone calls all the time, McKeen explained.

Theyve even started, people on their boats are on their boats or kayaks, theyre going by and theyre leaving small ducks next to the big one, she continued. You can see a couple out there now.

McKeen said they are now thinking about having a naming contest.

We talked about it with some of the other businesses in town, so people are getting into it, she said.

The ducks will be there throughout the summer for visitors to check them out.

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The Federal Court of Australia has granted five women the right to sue Qatar Airways after they were forcibly strip-searched in 2020.

According to the courts official summary, five women boarding a Sydney-bound flight from Doha, Qatar, were told to deplane on October 2, 2020 at Hamad International Airport. They were directed to an ambulance on the tarmac where four of the women were subjected without consent to bodily examinations. For three of the women, the examinations were invasive.

Following the search, the women  whose identities remain confidential  were allowed back on the plane before it departed.

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At the time, the Qatar Ministry of Interior said the examinations occurred because a newborn baby was discovered abandoned in a bathroom within the airport terminal. As a result, authorities performed a wide-ranging search to find the mother.

Anastasia Yakovleva / Alamy Stock Photo Entrance to the Federal Court of Australia Entrance to the Federal Court of Australia

"This is a grossly, grossly disturbing, offensive, concerning set of events," Maris Panye, Australia's minister for foreign affairs at the time, said during a press conference.

Initially, a lower court judge had dismissed the women's case against Qatar Airways, Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA), and MATAR, the airport operations group. However, the three federal judges' unanimous decision on July 24 determined that the initial court "erred in summarily dismissing" the Montreal Convention, a treaty that established airline liability for losses and damages in international travel.

"Our clients are thrilled with the outcome," Damian Sturzaker, the women's lawyer, told CNN. "They do genuinely continue to bear the scars of not only what happened on that evening, but the fact that there's been no apology, that there has been no compensation and that the case had been fought over a number of years by a series of state entities."



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The federal judges threw out the women's case against QCAA; however, they determined the appellants still have the right to sue the airline and MATAR.



"We anticipate that there will be further evidence that strengthens the group's case against Qatar Airways and MATAR," Sturzaker added.



Getty Qatar Airways plane Qatar Airways plane

Qatar Airways did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.



On Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, CNN obtained a statement from a Qatari prosecutor explaining that an unspecified number of airport security staff members who conducted the examinations were charged.

The prosecutor also shared that the abandoned child's mother, who left the country, was charged with attempted murder.

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More than 18 women, including 13 Australians, were subjected to examinations, per CNN. The search included women from 10 different flights.

Sturzaker told the outlet the search was "wildly out of proportion."

The women's case is expected to go to trial next year.



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We recently published 12 Stocks Jim Cramer Talked About. Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF) is one of the stocks Jim Cramer recently discussed.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF) is a steel company whose shares have gained 17.5% year-to-date. The firm has primarily benefited from President Trumps decision to clamp down on cheap Chinese steel flooding the US market, which is a phenomenon Cramer has regularly discussed in his show. The shares have recently gained on the back of key news such as divestitures and strong earnings performance. Heres what Cramer said about Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF):

I know Lorenzo Goncalves tonight. Uh, Cleveland-Cliffs, Ive got him for Mad Money. He bought Stelco. Stelco, doesnt look good, bad. . .but its absolutely true that the President doesnt want any steel made elsewhere. And that is, just another driving force.

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (CLF): "They Buy Almost All American," Says Jim Cramer

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Previously, he discussed Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF)s balance sheet and exposure to the auto industry:

Well I think that I wanted it [CLF] to win because I have been very suspicious of Nippon Steel which has had a history I believe of dumping in our country. And that is Im getting that Dan DiMicco, the former CEO of Nucor who has continually told me the kind of dumping that weve seen around the world.

While we acknowledge the potential of CLF as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, 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.
ELK POINT, S.D. (KCAU)  We told a story earlier in the month of July about a boy in Elk Point, South Dakota, who was taking part in a challenge to mow 50 yards for free. Now, hes reached his goal and is getting more boys to join in.

KCAU 9 Chief Photographer Johnathan Mack spoke with mowers about making an impact on the community.

I wanted to start mowing as a small business, and I was introduced to it by some people, and I just started doing it, Kamrynn Thiry, a boy who completed the 50 Yard Challenge, said.

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Its a nonprofit organization that helps the elderly, veterans, single parents, the disabled, and first responders. One lawn at a time is his motto, Kayla Thiry, Kamrynns mother, said.

Kamrynn said, What I learned from it was that it takes a lot of time and patience to get it all done and that you gotta make sure you do every step of it. Make sure you got gas and oil and all that good stuff.

Story continues below

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Its just all these challenges that hes come across and overcome. Its just made him such a better person. When he mowed the lawn, one out of 50, and you see those pictures because part of the challenge is you have to upload, you have to send Rodney pictures before, during, after, and with the homeowner in order for it to count. And your t-shirt has to be on with your safety gear. You know, you got your earplugs in and your glasses. So, when you compare that lawn number one to lawn number 50, and you see how much better he did and how much hes improved, I mean, he was just so, so excited about it, Kayla told KCAU.

Kamrynn emphasized what he learned throughout the challenge. He said, I got lots of tips and teachings from people, and it helps me out a lot.

Kayla said, Every corner you turn in the community, theyre saying how proud they are of Kamrynn, and now Joseph.

Joseph Praster, who is currently participating in the 50 Yard Challenge, said, What made me want to do it is like helping out the elderly and the people who serve for our country. And just after I did it with Kamrynn, I was like, this seems pretty fun. So I just decided to do it.

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Its nice that they have a little team going on, and then others want to do it, too. You know, they see these guys participating, and they want to do it, too. My little guy is eight, and he mowed his first lawn, and it was a lot of work, Kayla said.

Kaysonn Thiry, another individual participating in the challenge said, It just inspired me. So then I started to do it and and it felt really good. Like the elderly love it and the single parents do too.

It makes me feel very good because they want to do it because I started doing it, Kamrynn said.

Kamrynn and I are actually thinking of, like, when we get a trailer and a car, we are thinking of starting a little business, Joseph said.

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Kaysonn chimed in with, And maybe, maybe I could help them.

Kayla finished up with, So its really nice to see the three of them work together as a team. And they have goals, theyre little entrepreneurs, and they want to build a business. J.K. Cuttings.

Kamrynn will be getting a mower, blower, and weed whacker due to his completion of mowing 50 yards. The non-profit has children ages eight to 17 all over the U.S. and in eight different countries right now mowing lawns for people in need for free.

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Six college students from China drowned during a visit this week to a mine in the northern Inner Mongolia region, according to multiple outlets.

NBC News, Reuters and Xinhua, a state news agency, report that the students from Northeastern University were visiting the copper molybdenum mine at 10:20 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23, when the incident occurred.

The group was looking at the flotation process when the grid plate they were standing on suddenly gave way and they fell into a flotation tank, according to NBC, citing Xinhua,

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Reuters and Xinhua report that a teacher was also injured.

The mine is reportedly operated by Zhongjin Gold, a subsidiary of the state-owned China National Gold Group.

Despite rescue efforts, all six students were confirmed drowned after being pulled from the tank. One teacher was also injured, Zhongjin Gold said in a company filing on Thursday, per NBC.

Alamy Stock Photo The Nanhu Campus at Northeastern University The Nanhu Campus at Northeastern University

According to Reuters, an emergency plan was activated by Zhongjin Gold following the incident.

The students were pronounced dead by medical staff after being rescued from the tank, Xinhua reported.

PEOPLE has contacted Zhongjin Gold and Northeastern University for comment.

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According to NBC, expert Richard Williams said flotation tanks are used to separate different types of small mineral particles, per the outlet.

A person that falls in such a tank could pass through thick foam on top and then find themselves in a mixed slurry or in contact with the mixer blades, said Williams, the principal and vice chancellor of Edinburgh-based Heriot-Watt University, who has a background in mineral engineering.

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These types of accidents are rare. But mine safety remains a global challenge due to the nature of the work, he added.



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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  After an altercation at a Keizer park on Tuesday, Keizer police announced that seven teens now face riot charges.

According to authorities, the altercation was related to a stabbing at the Keizer Safeway on River Rd. N involving two groups on Saturday. Three of the teens sustained serious injuries and were hospitalized.

The case stems from a report of gunshots being fired near Claggett Creek Park around 4:10 a.m. Tuesday. However, detectives said they found no evidence to corroborate that a gun was used in this case.

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Police discovered a house on Thorman Ave. NE was involved in the incident before making the arrests.

Keizer police initially said they identified four teens involved  a 15-year-old, two 17-year-old boys from Keizer and a 17-year-old girl from Dallas, Oregon  who were taken to the Marion County Juvenile Department and now face riot charges.

Additionally, three other teens were arrested on Riot charges  a 16-year-old girl from Dallas, a 17-year-old Salem boy and a 16-year-old girl from Keizer.

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NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  On the afternoon of June 20, 2023, Albert Johnson, 38, was visiting a friend near Pleasant Avenue and 9th Bay Street when he knocked on the wrong door. Behind that door was then-72-year-old Leroy King.

According to the Norfolk Commonwealths Attorneys office, evidence showed that King came outside armed with a handgun and shot Johnson twice, in his neck and torso.

Norfolk man convicted for killing person who mistakenly knocked on his door

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King pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a murder. A jury, however, found King guilty of both charges, and Wednesday, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison.

This case was just really aggravated and really unnecessary, said Norfolk Commonwealths Attorney Ramin Fatehi. I went out there to the scene on June 20 of a couple of years ago, and it was one of those rare instances where the facts, as the police first understood them, were pretty much the facts. The victim who was disabled. He had suffered some injuries as a teenager, had gone up to the second floor to have a conversation with Mr. Kings neighbor. Mr. King apparently stuck his head out the door, went back into his apartment, got a gun and shot the victim dead for absolutely no reason. Well, that is murder.

But King, during a jury trial and his sentencing, presented a quasi stand-your-ground defense.

Its just not true, Fatehi said. It just wasnt true. The jury rejected that explanation beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted him.

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This was the second time King was arrested for a similar case. In 2003, in Lynchburg, Virginia he was convicted for the non-fatal shooting of a different neighbor.

Regina Mobley: In these cases, most of them are difficult, you interact with the families of the victim. They [the Johnson family] must be heartbroken.

Ramin Fatehi: They are. They had no reason to lose their loved one. He wasnt doing anything that even merited a cross word with Mr. King, let alone Mr. King killing him.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  Topeka residents may need to rethink their daily drives as workers get ready to start a major construction project in the heart of the city.

The City of Topeka reports that Topeka Boulevard is set to receive some major improvements this summer to make driving smoother for local residents. The project area will run from Southwest 15th Street to Southwest 21st Street and is currently set to start on Sept. 2 this year. City officials say this is part of a larger effort to improve Topeka Boulevard that will last into 2028.

This project will bring major improvements to one of Topekas most heavily traveled corridors, said Topeka Public Works Director Steve Groen. Drivers can look forward to a smoother, safer commute thanks to the full reconstruction of Topeka Blvd. between 15th and 21st Streetsan area that has long been known for persistent potholes and rough pavement.

Were incredibly excited: Playground overhaul marks start of new chapter at Gage Park

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Groen said work crews, courtesy of Sunflower Paving, will replace the existing storm sewers and water mains. He said this will help prevent damage to the boulevard in the future and reduce the need for frequent repair work. Workers will also replace sidewalks and install ADA-accessible ramps along the entire length of the construction area.

This is part of the Citys multi-year plan to rebuild Topeka Blvd. from 15th to 49th Street, addressing infrastructure needs and improving travel conditions for thousands of daily drivers, Groen said. Once completed, drivers will experience fewer potholes, better drainage, and more reliable infrastructuremaking for a much more enjoyable drive.

Amanda Knowland with the City of Topeka told 27 News that workers will be focusing on this section of the boulevard through to December 2026. She said the project, which consists of four phases, will result in traffic being brought down to a single lane in each direction along with some other limitations in place.

Topeka drivers need to wait months for Kansas River bridge to reopen

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Topeka Blvd. will not experience a full closure during this project, Knowland said. One lane of traffic will be maintained for both north- and southbound traffic at all times. Additionally, access will remain open for all businesses along this stretch of the Boulevard.

Knowland said 17th Street will be closed east and west during one of the projects phases. Drivers will still be able to move through this part of the boulevard north and south throughout the project.

The City of Topeka reports the projects total price tag sits at just below $8 million. It is being funded through the countywide half-cent sales tax, water revenue bonds and operating funds.

You can learn more about this project by heading to the City of Topekas website or by looking at the document below which was used in a public meeting on June 30. Knowland said the timeframe for this project may change and that some of the dates listed in the document will not reflect the current construction plan.

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2025 06 30+Public+Meeting by Matthew Self on Scribd

What are Endeavors plans for Hotel Topeka?

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
The eight individuals who died in a boating accident on Lake Tahoe last month were not wearing life vests, authorities have confirmed.

On Wednesday, July 23, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a preliminary report going into further detail about the June 21 tragedy, which saw "28-foot-long recreational vessel, Over the Moon" capsize on the western side of the lake near the D.L. Bliss State Park, California, with 10 people on board.

The report stated that when the boat started taking on water amid bad weather after it "ended up sideways (broadside) to the waves," some of the passengers "attempted to bail the water out of the boat."

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Tragedy struck just before 3 p.m. local time, around the same time as the nearest automated weather reporting station "recorded winds from the north at 14 knots with a peak wind of 34 knots." The station was about seven nautical miles southeast of the casualty location.

AP Photo/Brooke Hess-Homeier Authorities are pictured near the scene of the boating accident on Lake Tahoe Authorities are pictured near the scene of the boating accident on Lake Tahoe

One of the two survivors had "donned a personal floatation device (PFD) and distributed PFDs to everyone else in the boat," the report noted, adding, "No one else immediately donned their PFD. Shortly after, the boat rolled over to starboard, and the passengers entered the water."

"The survivor recalled that it started snowing after the boat rolled over while the people were in the water. No distress calls were made from the boat," the report added, stating that the second survivor was found "clinging to a PFD."

Six of the victims, one of whom was the boat's operator, were recovered and pronounced dead at the scene, while the "remaining two passengers were found and recovered from the lake bottom near the casualty site the next day," officials said.

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"Four PFDs and one life ring, all from the vessel, were recovered from the accident site," the report noted.

United States Coast Guard A photo of the capsized boat following the Lake Tahoe accident A photo of the capsized boat following the Lake Tahoe accident

The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDCSO) previously announced the identities of the eight individuals killed in the accident. Among them was 37-year-old Joshua Antony Pickles of San Francisco. According to his LinkedIn page, which is now private, he was an executive at DoorDash and previously worked for both Salesforce and Cisco.

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, his wife shared that in addition to her "loving" husband, his parents  Terry Pickles, 73, and Paula Bozinovich, 71  as well as his uncle Peter Bayes, 72, and friends were also killed.

The other victims were identified as 71-year-old Timothy OLeary, of Auburn, Calif. as well as three individuals from New York: Theresa Giullari, 66, and James Guck, 69, both from Honeoye and Stephen Lindsay, 63, of Springwater.

United States Coast Guard A photo of the capsized boat following the Lake Tahoe accident A photo of the capsized boat following the Lake Tahoe accident

According to the NTSB's report, the boat, which was launched from a boat ramp in Tahoe City, Calif. at around 10:40 a.m. on the morning of the accident, had "seating capacity for 12 people and was fitted with two 1,100 gallons per hour automatic bilge pumps."

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Two of those onboard were the vessel's registered owners, one of whom was the sole operator of the boat, and there were an additional two people aboard when it first launched that day.

"The operator drove the vessel to two nearby marinas; six additional adults boarded at the second marina," the report noted, adding that the boat traveled to Emerald Bay, which is about 10 nautical miles south, just before noon.

Weather conditions had been clear at the time, and the National Weather Service "had issued no marine warnings or small craft advisories for the Lake Tahoe area for the day, although the local forecast indicated a slight chance of thunderstorms," the report stated.

The boat's operator had decided to return to the marina around two hours later after the clouds increased, however, as the weather conditions worsened, he headed back to Emerald Bay, before making a second attempt to head back to the marina approximately 10 minutes later.

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The marine unit had reported 8-foot waves in the area around the time of the accident, with footage showing "blowing rain and mixed freezing precipitation" as well as "blowing snow" before the tragedy occurred.

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The snow had stopped by 4:05 p.m., over an hour after the incident, and the weather began to clear, with cloudless skies at around 5:25 p.m., the NTSB's findings stated.

The NTSB did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.



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PALESTINE, Texas (KETK)  Eighty-one jobs are at risk at Peratons Palestine balloon operation center due to the impending expiration of its contract with NASA.

Peratons contract with NASA for balloon operations at the NASA Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine is set to expire on Sept. 30. If the company does not receive a contract extension or a re-award by that date, or within 14 days thereafter, it may be forced to lay off a significant portion of its workforce.

Future of NASA Scientific Balloon Facility in Palestine in question due to proposed budget cuts

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Depending on government and operational requirements, layoffs in connection with the ending of the contract may come in stages, depending upon the need for workers as Peraton moves toward conclusion of operations under the contract, the company stated.

The potential layoffs and their timing are based on current information, which is subject to change. Any developments, such as a contract extension or adjustments in government or operational needs, could alter the timeline or scale of the layoffs.

NASA meteorologist explores the science of weather balloons on KETK+

Peraton is working diligently to retain our contract with the government and to preclude the occurrence of any layoff action, the company added. Employees will continue to be updated as more information becomes available regarding their employment status and the future of the contract.

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In 2022, Peraton announced that NASA had continued operations in Palestine, which was worth up to $339.1 million over seven years. Peraton employees had supported NASAs operations for more than five years, and through this partnership, they have achieved an exceptional record of mission success by exceeding requirements.

The closure of the facility will dramatically impact the local economy.

In payroll alone we put roughly $10 -11 million a year into the East Texas economy. In addition to that, we spend roughly $20 million on material purchases. For example we get our balloons from a company called AeroStar in Sulphur Springs, a source familiar with the program said.

According to a NASA 2026 budget technical supplement released on Tuesday, cuts are being made to the NASA Astrophysics Research program to align with President Donald Trumps Budget Request for 2026.

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Chief Meteorologist Carson Vickroy sat down with Ross Hays, who works as a meteorologist at the NASA Columbia Balloon Facility in Palestine. The two discussed Rosss career in weather, the process of launching weather balloons and the future of the balloon program.

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.

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A federal appeals court on Wednesday agreed with a Seattle judges decision to universally block President Donald Trumps executive order restricting birthright citizenship.

The appeals judges ruled 2-1 that Trumps order, issued on Inauguration Day, violates the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.

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One power that the President was not granted, by Article II or by any other source, is the power to modify or change any clause of the United States Constitution, Judge Ronald Gould, a Clinton appointee, wrote in his opinion.

Goulds opinion, joined by Judge Michael Hawkins, sides with U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour who stopped Trumps order with an indefinite preliminary injunction in February. Such orders block enforcement while the case proceeds through the courts.

Coughenour called Trumps order blatantly unconstitutional. The lawsuit was brought by Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Illinois and two pregnant noncitizen women who feared their children could be born without citizenship in any country.

In a statement, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown applauded the appeals court ruling.

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The court agrees that the president cannot redefine what it means to be American with the stroke of a pen, Brown said. He cannot strip away the rights, liberties, and protections of children born in our country.

The decision from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals adds to the list of courts that have found Trumps move unconstitutional and blocked enforcement of it. The ruling comes after the Department of Justice and Washington attorney generals office argued the case in early June.

Since those arguments, the U.S. Supreme Court decided judges like Coughenour had overstepped their authority in blocking Trumps order nationwide. The justices ruled nationwide injunctions should be limited to when necessary to provide complete relief to each plaintiff.

The high courts decision left the door open for a checkerboard of states where birthright citizenship remained and others where it didnt.

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The Supreme Courts decision didnt take up the merits of Trumps order.

Wednesdays ruling is the second to confirm a complete block is necessary since the Supreme Court decision, after a New Hampshire federal judge certified a nationwide class action suit.

The Trump administration looks to define subject to the jurisdiction thereof as only covering people whose primary allegiance is to the United States. So people born to parents only here temporarily or without legal status wouldnt qualify for citizenship at birth.

In 2022, about 153,000 babies across the country were born to two parents without legal immigration status, according to the plaintiffs. The states have said they stand to lose federal funding through programs like Medicaid that otherwise could help these children if they were citizens.

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Gould found this argument persuasive, justifying complete relief to block the order nationwide. He wrote that Trumps birthright citizenship order would require states to overhaul their eligibility verification systems for social service programs.

The preliminary injunction here merely prevents the Executive Branch from denying citizenship to individuals who are likely constitutionally entitled to citizenship, Gould wrote. Because, as the district court correctly concluded, the Executive Branch does not have a legitimate interest in violating the Constitution, the Executive Branch has not shown that either the public interest or the balance of equities tips in its favor.

Judge Patrick Bumatay, a Trump appointee, disagreed, arguing the states lack standing to bring litigation over the order because their financial loss would be a self-inflicted injury if they choose to provide benefits to immigrants without legal status.

In his dissent, Bumatay didnt address the issue of the injunctions scope.

This article was originally published in Washington State Standard.
HARLEM, Ga. (WJBF)  AAA is reminding drivers to stay alert and exercise extra caution as children prepare to return to the classroom.

On Wednesday, AAA joined the Georgia Governors Office of Highway Safety to launch the Schools Open  Drive Carefully campaign. Representatives and law enforcement were present at North Harlem Elementary School on July 23 to help spread awareness.

The bus is big. That means you can see it. The bus is yellow. It is bright enough to be seen if the lights are being activated. Any equipment that the bus activates that light so orange takes off, you can easily slow down. The worst thing to do is slow down. The best thing you can do if youre not sure is stop, said Captain Maurice Raines from the Governors Office of Highway Safety in Georgia. Its that simple. And those two decisions alone could save a life.

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Drivers who are convicted of illegally passing a school bus in Georgia face up to an $1,000 fine, 12 months in jail, or both.

Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  The latest drought monitor update from the USDA (US Department of Agriculture), NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), CPC (Climate Prediction Center), and the NDMC (National Drought Mitigation Center) is in.

The NDMC released the latest drought monitor update on Thursday, August 21st. Only abnormally dry conditions remain in Siouxland.

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The areas still seeing abnormally dry conditions are far western Knox County and northwestern Antelope County in Nebraska.

See the weather around Siouxland through our Camera Network

Iowa has remained drought free for a second week in a row. Previous to this streak, the last time this was seen was in July of last year.

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Some minor improvements were seen in South Dakota, with the state now no longer experiencing any severe drought. For the areas that remain under drought like conditions, 21.41% is abnormally dry and 9.85% is under a moderate drought. This leaves 68.74% of the state drought free.

Drought conditions in Nebraska remained mostly stagnant, with 50.21% of the state not experiencing drought like conditions. For the other approximately half of the state, 26.01% is abnormally dry, 21.09% is under a moderate drought, and 2.69% is experiencing severe drought.

Some showers and storms are possible over the next week, though rain accumulation looks limited for the Siouxland region.

The next drought monitor update will be posted on Thursday, August 28th.

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For the latest weather any time in Siouxland, visit the KCAU 9 weather page.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (NYSE:CLF) is gaining renewed confidence from Wall Street after posting better-than-expected results for the second quarter of 2025, prompting KeyBanc Capital Markets analyst Philip Gibbs to upgrade the stock to Overweight and set a price forecast of $14.

The move reflects a more favorable risk-reward outlook for the steelmaker, which is capitalizing on robust domestic demand, aggressive cost-cutting, and strategic shifts amid a supportive policy environment.

Cleveland-Cliffs reported a narrower second-quarter 2025 adjusted loss of $0.50 per share, beating expectations, with revenue of $4.93 billion.

Also Read: Steel Dynamics Sees Q2 Rebound From Q1 But Still Trails Street Forecast

Steel shipments reached a record 4.3 million net tons, though the average selling price declined. Cost-cutting efforts, including the idling of six facilities, reduced steel unit costs by $15 per ton.

Adjusted EBITDA turned positive at $97 million. The company lowered its 2025 capital expenditure and SG&A guidance and expects further cost improvements in the second half.

CEO Lourenco Goncalves emphasized strong domestic steel demand, a healthy order book, and policy support from the Trump administration. He noted that a loss-making slab supply deal will end soon, further supporting margins and accelerating free cash flow and debt reduction.

Gibbs stated that the upgrade reflects his increased confidence in Cleveland-Cliffs cost-cutting efforts and operational efficiencies, especially within its high-margin automotive segment. He also pointed to trade protections and reshoring trends as favorable tailwinds that position the company to gain market share.

The analyst revised his 2025 outlook, narrowing projected losses due to improved margins and lower production costs. He now forecasts 2025 EBITDA of $419 million, more than double his previous estimate. For the third quarter of 2025, he raised EBITDA expectations to $197 million from $123 million, aided by an additional $20 per ton in cost savings.

Looking ahead to 2026, Gibbs raised his EPS forecast to $0.42 and EBITDA to $1.86 billion, citing a stronger production base, contract repricing, and the elimination of a $250 million drag from the slab agreement with ArcelorMittal. If U.S. and Canadian steel prices outperform expectations, 2026 EBITDA could exceed $2 billion.

According to Gibbs, valuation remains attractive, with shares trading at about 7x 2026 EV/EBITDA, within historical norms. The $14 price forecast reflects a multiple toward the higher end of that range, factoring in potential asset sales and upside from stronger steel pricing.
A legal challenge to Indiana's law mandating "intellectual diversity" in college classrooms has been dismissed after a judge ruled the fear behind the law's subsequent chilling effect on free expression was unproven.

In his July 23 order, Judge Richard L. Young wrote that the legal complaint was premature. The case also lacks standing, he said, because universities have not taken or threatened enforcement actions against faculty members.

"The court finds Plaintiffs have adequately shown they have an actual fear of enforcement that has chilled their protected speech," wrote Young, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton. "The issue is whether that fear is well-founded."

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Last September, the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed a lawsuit on behalf of four Hoosier professors who claim the state law infringes on academic freedom and their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.

In a statement to IndyStar, ACLU of Indiana spokesperson Laura Forbes said the organization is disappointed in the decision and is considering its options.

When Senate Bill 202 progressed through the Indiana Statehouse in 2024, professors decried the legislation, claiming the bill would stifle academic freedom and damage higher education outcomes, recruitment and prowess.

Academic freedom is defined as the ability for an institution's faculty and staff members to build curriculum, research and pursue knowledge without interference from government officials and administrators, according to several First Amendment organizations. Several U.S. Supreme Court cases have labeled academic freedom as protected under the First Amendment.

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SB 202 requires the state's public universities, when evaluating a faculty member's tenure, to consider whether they have embraced free expression and "intellectual diversity" in the classroom and if they have expressed political views unrelated to their discipline while teaching.

It also directed universities to stand up a process for students to report professors on those grounds. If a university finds that a professor is teaching contrary to the law, the professor may not be granted tenure or be denied a promotion.

The bill, introduced by Sen. Spencer Deery, R-Lafayette, was enacted in July 2024. A year in, a total of 14 complaints have been filed at Indiana University, Ball State University, Indiana State University and Ivy Tech University. It's unclear whether any disciplinary action has been taken on them yet.

The ACLU's complaint argues that the law was not adequately defined, and the professors have changed the content and pedagogy of their courses in fear of disciplinary action. An ACLU news release said the law could chill course debate over concerns that unfounded theories must be given the same credence as "rigorously studied academic analysis."

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The lawsuit was the ACLU's second attempt to challenge the law. It first challenged SB 202 in May 2024, but that effort was dismissed after the judge said the plaintiffs lacked jurisdiction to sue.

The USA TODAY Network - Indiana's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.

Have a story to tell? Reach Cate Charron by email at ccharron@indystar.com, on X at @CateCharron or Signal at @cate.charron.28.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: ACLU suit over Indiana college intellectual diversity law is dismissed
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Minors will not be allowed entry into the Ohio State Fair after 6 p.m. without a supervising adult who is at least 21 years old.

Ohio State Fair Executive Director Adam Heffron said the fair is taking this proactive measure for the second year in a row after last years effort was successful.

Construction to greet Ohio State Fair attendees

We are proactive about safety and security; its our focus, Heffron said. Policys pretty simple. After 6 p.m. each day of the fair, if you are under the age of 18, you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian that is 21 years of age or older.

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Heffron said starting at 6 p.m., security will be checking for valid IDs at all entrances.

We had no issues or incidents ourselves, Heffron said about the reason for the policy. It was really a proactive response to what was happening in the marketplace around us in the amusement parks, malls, other fairs and events, really, throughout the country. So we took the lesson that theyve learned, maybe the hard way, but we became proactive.

Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers will also be enforcing the rule.

If we see an issue at the state fair, obviously were going to address it, Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Brice Nihiser said.

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Butter Cow sculptures at 2025 Ohio State Fair depict construction site

Nihiser said there will be a lot of troopers on the fairground; some will be walking around others at stationary posts.

If we find that theres somebody who, you know, is under the age of 18 that is causing an issue, were going to deal with that issue as it arises, Nihiser said. If you see something here at the fair that you know is wrong, if you think that something is wrong, find a state trooper.

The highway patrol also has several lost child booths around the fair in case of emergencies. They suggest taking a picture of your child when you arrive at the fair  that way, if they do get lost, troopers will know exactly what to look for.

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Nihiser said when youre parking at the fair, lock all your car doors and keep all valuables out of sight. He said thats going to go a long way to prevent someone from targeting your vehicle. If there is an emergency in the parking lot or around the fairgrounds, officials said to call 911; for first aid, call 614-644-4466.

NBC4 offers deals on Ohio State Fair tickets, ride wristbands for Family Discount Day

Organizers said the unsupervised minors rule is not to close the gates on fun but rather to make sure fun at the fair is not disrupted by bad behavior. Additionally, each supervising adult can only accompany six minors.

Everyones welcome, they truly are, but after 6, just bring a parent or gardian with you if youre under the age of 18, Heffron said.

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The executive director said another rule that is new this year to the fair is no one is allowed to enter wearing a mask or face covering.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Uncertainty is growing for people from Afghanistan who aided the United States during wartime, now that a federal promise of protection has expired.

A court order briefly extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan nationals, but the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit recently ruled that the Biden administration can move forward with ending the program.

TPS for Afghans was first granted in 2022, following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan and the Talibans return to power. Immigration advocacy group CASA has since sued Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem over the decision to terminate TPS, citing the danger of forcing people to return to a country in crisis.

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Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holdersincluding interpreters, maintenance workers, and others who supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistanare now being directed to apply for humanitarian parole for their families while simultaneously filing asylum claims.

I mean right now, its gone, said Ellen Smith, executive director of Keeping Our Promise, a local organization that resettles SIV families in Monroe County. These families need to have asylum claims. Locally, we have advised families in this situation to immediately contact JustCause, which will help them with their asylum claims. Thats very importantnot just for the Afghans, but for others who might be here on TPS.

The U.S. government has argued that TPS is, by definition, temporary, and claimed conditions in Afghanistan have improved enough for people to return. However, the State Department has maintained a Do Not Travel advisory for Afghanistan, warning of civil unrest, terrorism, wrongful detention, and limited access to health care.

In April, the U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) released a quarterly report describing the country as a terrorist haven.

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The government ignored its own information in making that determination, Smith said.

In a statement issued in May, Noem said Weve reviewed the conditions in Afghanistan with our interagency partners, and they do not meet the requirements for a TPS designation. Afghanistan has had an improved security situation, and its stabilizing economy no longer prevents [Afghans] from returning to their home country. Source: DHS news release

But Smith says that assessment doesnt reflect the reality on the ground for many of the Afghans her organization has resettled.

The rug has been pulled out from underneath them, she said. Thats our concernthat SIV families have brought family members here, and again, legally. And yes, families got targeted in Afghanistan. Weve had brothers killed, weve had fathers killed. The family members didnt have to work for the U.S. to be targeted.

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Smith also raised concerns about what is happening in immigration court.

My concern is not just that were backed up, but what is happening at these court hearingswhen people go to their legal hearing and are being taken away by ICE, she said.

Smith said conditions in Afghanistan remain dire, especially for girls and women.

They cannot get health care. All of these public clinics are closing. USAID programs that were specifically targeted to help womenpulled. They are closed, she said. So just being a womanif your parents dont marry you, the Taliban will figure out who you need to marry. And you are a prisoner for life.

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She noted that one local Afghan family seeking both an SIV and asylum just learned their asylum hearing wont take place until 2027.

Earlier this month, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for the Talibans supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, and chief justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani, on charges of crimes against humanity, specifically gender apartheid. Source: ICC news release

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Dewey Yopp, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces officer, was sent to Afghanistan in 2002 to train up a new Afghan army during the early days of the war in Afghanistan. He met Amir, his then-18-year-old Afghan translator, at the airport on his first day there, and says Amir went on to save his life four times.

"Amir dragged me, under fire, to a medevac point," Yopp told CBS News of one of those instances.

After the U.S. withdrew from the country in 2021, Yopp scrambled to get Amir a special immigrant visa for Afghan allies. Amir asked CBS News to conceal his real name for safety reasons.



"If someone saves your life, your souls are bound together for eternity," Yopp said. "He's like a son to me, really."



Three years later, Amir's visa was approved, and he and his family were given green cards. They came to the U.S. and settled in Kentucky, reuniting with Yopp 22 years after they first met in Afghanistan.

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Yopp now spends most days with Amir's children, who call him "grandfather."

Thousands of Afghans living in the U.S. now fear deportation after a federal appeals court late Monday refused to freeze the Trump administration's efforts to end their legal status. Amir is a Special Immigrant Visa recipient, given to U.S. allies who helped during the war. Despite he and his family having green cards, he still fears being sent back, since the White House has threatened to deport green card holders, too.

Amir risked Taliban retaliation to help American soldiers, because work in Afghanistan at the time was scarce and the prospect of safety abroad was enticing. He told CBS News the promise that was made to him in return for risking his life was, "Your family will go to America. This was promised with all who work with U.S."

Amir said he went into hiding for years after his service, feeling betrayed by the U.S., until Yopp stepped in to fulfill America's pledge and helped secure him his visa. Thousands of veterans of the Afghanistan war across the country have taken it upon themselves to help their translators and other Afghan allies come safely to the U.S. and settle here. But Amir says it is not the job of veterans to fulfill the vow of protection the government previously made to them.

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The Trump administration has repeatedly targeted Afghan refugees, stopping flights with Afghan allies from arriving, freezing resettlement services, putting Afghanistan on the travel ban list, and ending the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program for Afghan refugees. Yopp says it is a "moral injury" to veterans to see this happen to those who helped them during the war.

As part of the administration's efforts to end the TPS program, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has claimed that Afghanistan is now safe for Afghans to return to, a point Amir disputes.

"OK, if Afghanistan is safe, why are you saying to your citizens, 'Do not go to Afghanistan?'" Amir said in reference to the State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory for Afghanistan. "For me, [it's] safe, but for you, [it's] not safe? I'm not sure."

Amir fears that even as a green card holder, he and his family may be sent back, since the White House has threatened to deport green card holders, too.



These days, he works two jobs, seven days a week, to support his family. He says he only got by in the past because of the $500 a month that Yopp, who is retired, would give him.



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"It's been a slap in the face, really, to see the programs that were in effect, to be taken away," Yopp said.

Amir added: "Americans should not make a promise with Afghans, and now [you're] making a problem for them. Then why [did] you make [that] promise?"

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  The Attorney Generals Office said an officer-involved shooting was justified, according to a new report.

Windom, MN home break in turns deadly

The shooting happened at a Sioux Falls home June 26.

DCIs investigation and review of the evidence indicates that the deputys actions were justified, said Attorney General Marty Jackley in a news release. The suspect pointed a loaded shotgun at law enforcement officers, and there was a clear and present danger to the officers safety.

The shooting happened when law enforcement was attempting to serve a felony warrant on Will-Anthony Owen Jellis, 47, at his home. The warrant was for four counts of Simple Assault Against a Law Enforcement Officer, resulting from a June 9 incident. The individual was found outside the home by law enforcement. He then went into the home where he barricaded himself inside, according to the Attorney Generals office.

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Officers entered the home and gave Jellis commands to surrender, but he refused. Jellis was found with a loaded shotgun and pointed it at the officers. The deputy fired 10 rounds at Jellis, who was struck twice and received non-life-threatening injuries. Jellis was apprehended and administered aid until he was taken to a local hospital.

Lab results indicated that Jellis had a blood alcohol content of .049 percent. He also tested positive for methamphetamine and amphetamine. Test results showed that the deputy did not have alcohol or drugs in his system.

No officers were injured. This incident was the fourth officer-involved shooting in South Dakota this year.

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DCI continues to investigate a fifth officer-involved shooting from July 7 in Sioux Falls. A report will be issued on that investigation later, the office said.

In court, Jellis attorney asked for a PR bond because of his health issues, including cirrhosis, cancer and mental illness.

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Against the backdrop of ongoing warnings of a deadly hunger crisis, some aid has reached the Gaza Strip, the United Nations said on Thursday.

The UN confirmed that its teams were able to collect mainly flour at two border crossings on Wednesday and bring it into the coastal strip, which is home to 2 million people in need.

UN spokesman Farhan Haq emphasized in New York that the amounts released were not sufficient: UN partner organizations in the Gaza Strip and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that "the aid that they have been able to bring into Gaza over the past two months is nowhere near sufficient to meet people's survival needs."

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He said Israel must allow more deliveries.

The UN spokesman contradicted the Israeli claim that the United Nations was refusing to distribute food.

"We are not trying to prevent all these people, including our own people, from getting food. They're being held up by different obstacles, including those placed by the Israeli authorities," said Haq.

He added that the multi-stage approval process by the Israeli military was very cumbersome, with significant delays, often resulting in nightfall before the reloaded goods could set off.

Earlier, the Israeli Foreign Ministry had announced that the Israeli military had invited dozens of international journalists to the Kerem Shalom border crossing to show how hundreds of trucks with aid goods were entering the Gaza Strip. However, the goods were reportedly standing around and not being distributed.

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The ministry accused the UN of refusing to distribute the aid.

According to aid organizations, the Gaza Strip is on the brink of a "famine." Every day without sufficient food deliveries worsens the situation further, said UN spokesman Haq on Thursday. "We've been saying this for months, and now we're at the point where, in fact, people are dying."

Palestinians carrying bags of flour walk along a street in Khan Yunis after trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered the southern Gaza Strip through the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom border crossing. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa
Since the beginning of President Donald Trump's tariff tactics to realign the U.S.'s position in the global manufacturing landscape, many have questioned the impact these taxes would have on the toy industry, which imports most of its products from overseas.

At first, the president made light of it, saying children would have two dolls instead of 30 when tariffs increase consumer prices, but then the market started to see the real-world fallout.

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In May, Mattel announced that it would need to raise prices on its products to offset higher supply chain costs. The following month, Hasbro cut some 150 workers and said it would have to raise consumer prices to adjust to increased costs. According to the Toy Association, about 80% of toys sold in the U.S. are imported from China.

Now, according to Reuters , toy makers are looking for ways to further cut costs to cushion the blow from a 30% blanket tariff on Chinese goods, and it has translated to product and packaging redesigns.

The first to go, which may rile the "back in my day" members of the crowd, are batteries.

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Toymakers are also reducing accessories, such as fewer plates in toy kitchens and less makeup on dolls, while still increasing prices and using cheaper packaging. CEO of toymaker Basic Fun! Jay Foreman told Reuters it's pretty simple: the consumer will either pay more or get less.

These design overhauls typically take about a year to implement, and while companies are cutting the number of products in their portfolio in the interim, they still need something on shelves this holiday season.

It's a tricky balancing act for manufacturers, who need to make a toy families can afford, but one that kids still want to play withwe will soon see what that looks like.

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The U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command has put a halt to the use of Sig Sauer M18 pistol by airmen after a service member died in an accidental shooting over the weekend.

The fatal accident occurred at FE Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.

The M18 pistols will be banned from use until the investigation concludes. In what effectively serves as an Air Force recall, Command wants all of the M18 pistols handed over to specialist airmen who can inspect the weapons.

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Air Force Global Strike Command has paused use of the M18 Modular Handgun System, effective July 21, 2025, until further notice, AFGSC spokesperson Charles Hoffman told The War Zone. This decision was made following a tragic incident at F.E. Warren AFB, WY, on July 20, 2025, which resulted in the death of a Security Forces Airman.

The Air Force has not released further information about the airman's death. The Independent has requested comment.

The U.S. military and federal agencies use a military variants of the Sig Sauer-manufactured P320 pistol called the M18. Both the U.S. Air Force and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have paused their use of the M18 pistols in response to reports of unintentional discharges from the weapons (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Hoffman said that out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety and security of our personnel, the pause will remain in place pending the completion of comprehensive investigations by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the AFGSC Safety office."

Sig Sauer's website says that the M18  which is a U.S. military standard issue pistol that is also available for civilian purchase was built on the same platform a its P320 pistol.

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The company is currently facing multiple lawsuits from people claiming that they were hurt by the P320 when the gun discharged without a trigger pull. Sig Sauer has maintained that its weapon is safe and that any injuries were the result of user error.

The Independent has requested comment from Sig Sauer.

M18 pistol produced by Sig Sauer (Sig Sauer)

Sig Sauer has moved to dismiss the most recent lawsuit, but a judge has not ruled on the motion.

Just two weeks before the airman was killed, the FBI issued a report also noting safety concerns about the P320. Sig Sauer similarly pushed back on the FBI's findings, according to The War Zone.

Days after the FBI report came out, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a permanent ban on the use of the pistols.

The U.S. military and U.S. federal agencies have been using Sig Sauer's M18 pistols  based on the P320  since 2017.
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Clorox on Tuesday sued Cognizant, which managed its IT help desk, alleging the company responsible for a 2023 cyberattack that crippled Cloroxs production capability and cost the company $380 million.

Hackers breached Clorox in August 2023 in a social-engineering attack that disrupted its IT infrastructure and its ability to ship core products, including household cleaners and other goods, for months.

In a lawsuit filed in California Superior Court, Clorox argued that Cognizant failed to protect Cloroxs computer systems by handing over credentials to the attackers without proper authentication. Clorox also claims that Cognizant botched its response to the attack, prolonging the recovery time.

Clorox entrusted Cognizant with the critical responsibility of safeguarding Cloroxs corporate systems  and Cognizant failed miserably, said Mary Rose Alexander, outside counsel for The Clorox Company and partner at Latham & Watkins. Cognizant didnt just drop the ball. They handed over the keys to Cloroxs corporate network to a notorious cybercriminal group in reckless disregard for Cloroxs policies and long-established cybersecurity standards. Its all captured on call recordings, and its indefensible.

Researchers have attributed the Clorox attack to Scattered Spider, a notorious hacking collective that has repeatedly struck targets in the retail, insurance and airline industries over the past several months. The group specializes in social-engineering attacks that use techniques like voice phishing to trick IT help desks into giving the hackers credentials and bypassing users multifactor-authentication protections.

Cognizant criticized Clorox for the lawsuit and said questions remained about how Clorox managed its own internal cybersecurity protocols.

It is shocking that a corporation the size of Clorox had such an inept internal cybersecurity system to mitigate this attack, Cognizant told Cybersecurity Dive in a statement. Clorox has tried to blame us for these failures, but the reality is that Clorox hired Cognizant for a narrow scope of help desk services which Cognizant reasonably performed. Cognizant did not manage cybersecurity for Clorox.

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Air Force Global Strike Command has pulled Sig Sauer M18 pistols from use following the July 20 death of an airman at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.

The airman was active-duty and assigned to the 90th Security Forces Squadron at the time of the fatal incident, the 90th Missile Wing confirmed this week. Further details, including the airmans name and cause of death, are currently being withheld.

The services decision to withdraw the M18 pistol from use in the immediate aftermath of the airmans death is pending an investigation by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, as well as a safety inspection of the handgun.

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A leaked memo dated July 21 called for the M18 to be pulled from use for all operational and training activities immediately and replaced by the M-4 rifle until further notice. It also calls for 100% inspections of all Wing-assigned M18 weapons systems by Combat Arms personnel.

The memo was confirmed as authentic by Charles Hoffman, an AFGSC spokesperson, who said the pause would remain throughout the investigations out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety and security of our personnel, according to Task & Purpose.

The M18 pistol is one of two versions of the Sig Sauer P320 handgun  the M18 and M17  adopted as a standard sidearm by all branches of the U.S. military beginning in 2017. Over the years, the P320 has been subject to numerous allegations of unintentional injuries caused by accidental firings and purported design flaws  allegations which Sig Sauer strongly denies.

U.S. Marine Corps adopts M18 Sig Sauer handgun

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The P320 CANNOT, under any circumstances, discharge without a trigger pull  that is a fact. The allegations against the P320 are nothing more than individuals seeking to profit or avoid personal responsibility, Sig Sauer stated in a March 7 release.

However, the P320 has led to numerous lawsuits and was removed from use by a series of law enforcement agencies and police departments, including the Dallas Police Department, the Milwaukee Police Department and Philadelphia transit police.

The Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission, responsible for training law enforcement officers statewide, has gone so far as to place a ban on the P320 from its facilities.

Most recently, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) moved to drop Sig Sauer P320 pistols in favor of swiftly replacing them with GLOCK 19 MOS. An ICE memo dated July 9 stated that all models of the SIG Sauer P320 were now off limits for ICE agents. It called for the purchase of replacement sidearms as soon as is practicable.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  An employee at Charlotte Douglas International is celebrating 50 years at the airport this month.

When Janice Futrell began working at CLT in the summer of 1975, Jaws was scaring moviegoers, Gerald Ford was president and America was dancing to The Hustle. There was no internet or cellphones, and the countrys bicentennial was still a year away.

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Futrell is a fixture at the First in Flight bar in the terminals Atrium, operated by HMSHost by Avolta.

The way I see it is, yes, Im in the same place all the time, but in my office, I look out the window and see airplanes, the sky, and people walking by  its amazing! she said.



Thank you, Janice, for 50 wonderful years at CLT! the airport said.

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Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, listens to Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman speak in the chamber on Feb. 4, 2025 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The Alabama Legislature began its 2025 session on Tuesday. Givhan pre-filed a bill for the 2026 Legislative Session that establishes procedures to replace presidential electors.(Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

An Alabama senator has pre-filed a bill that establishes procedures for replacing presidential electors who do not vote according to a party pledge.

Sen. Sam Givhan, R-Huntsville, the sponsor of SB 11, said in a phone interview Tuesday that the bills purpose is to fill a gap in the appointing of electors.

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There are some deficiencies in the what if, Givhan said. Im not aware of any issue of anybody in Alabama deviating from voting for the candidate that they were selected to vote for. But, there could be questions if someone died and how would that person be replaced?

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The bill was written by the Uniform Law Commission (ULC), a non-partisan group that drafts bills across the country. Givhan said he has served on the commission for three years, and this is the first bill he has deemed necessary for the state.

We have a conference call with the staff of the Uniform Law Commission and talk about different bills that we might be willing to sponsor, he said. Some of them we dont need, some of them weve already dealt with.

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Alabama awards all nine of its electoral votes to whichever candidate wins the most votes in the state in the presidential contest. The Republican nominee for the office has won the states votes in every election since 1976.

The bill would require political parties to nominate an elector and an alternate to step in if the elector passes away between their nomination and the day the states cast electoral votes.

Under the legislation, electors would have to sign a pledge to mark their official ballots for the candidate of the party to which they are pledged. An elector who broke that pledge would vacate their position and be replaced by an alternate.

A Washington state law fines faithless electors $1,000. In 2016, three electors in that state voted differently than they pledged, were fined, and challenged the fine under the First Amendment in a case known as Chiafalo v. Washington. The U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled that a state could constitutionally enforce a presidential electors pledge to support their partys nominee, and the state voters choice, for president.

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Kari Bearman, an attorney for ULC, said in an interview Wednesday morning that there have been isolated cases of electorates that have not cast their vote for President or Vice President in accordance with their states popular vote.

Historically, there have been a few instances of faithless electors, but there have not been enough to change the outcome of a presidential election, she wrote in an email Wednesday afternoon.

Thirteen states have passed the law, named the Uniform Faithful Presidential Electors Act, since 2011.

Currently, the state Republican and Democratic parties select electors. Givhan said those nominees are tried and true people.

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We could have something like this pop up, but we have not in Alabama, he said. Other states might be different, but in Alabama I think the more practical aspect is how we deal with vacancies.

Cam Ward, director of the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles, was on the committee that wrote the legislation, he said. He said in a phone interview Wednesday that the kinds of procedures the legislation creates is better to have before there is a faithless elector or a vacancy.

You dont want to wait until it happens till you address it, he said. You just want to make sure its as above board as it can be with regard to electors.

While there is not a big fear of faithless electors in Alabama, he said, a tight election would be impacted by a vacancy or an elector that did not vote by the will of the states popular vote.

If its a tight electoral count, you can find yourself in a real mess real quick, he said.
Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, at a news conference with Gov. Mike Dunleavy on education funding on Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon)

The state of Alaska has filed an appeal with the U.S. Department of Education after federal officials said the state failed a test measuring the differences in funding between school districts, which put more than $80.8 million in federal aid at risk.

Each year, the state receives federal funding called impact aid intended to compensate districts with federally owned lands, which reduce the tax base to support schools. The state can put that funding toward its own funding for schools  which the state has done in the past  but only if it can pass whats known as a disparity test.

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Federal law requires there to be no more than a 25% gap between per-student revenue in districts near the highest in funding and districts near the lowest. The department found Alaskas disparity to be 26.88%, given the states complex funding formula.

But Alaska has rejected the finding, filing a formal appeal on July 14 and submitting districts finance data to argue their expenditures meet the standard. The test puts federal funding at stake, according to the state, which this year amounts to an estimated $80.8 million.

Deena Bishop, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development, said in an interview last week that she feels good about the states accounting and a successful appeal.

Im confident that we did meet it, Bishop said of the requirements. If I base it off of the last appeal and how Alaska was able to share how transportation costs are truly that disparate, then I think we will do fine.

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The state failed the same disparity test in 2021, based on 2019 state data, and successfully appealed. This time, the state submitted 2024 data for evaluation.

So a little bit of it is a huge math problem at the beginning, Bishop said of the appeal process. We wrapped our arms around it and figured that out, and then made an argument on  why we did it that way, given the background of those costs in Alaska.

Bishop said Alaska sees high costs in rural school districts  especially for transportation, but also basic supplies and operating costs.

The cost to do business is highly diverse in Alaska. If you just took the cost of a head of lettuce or a gallon of milk, you know, in Anchorage, as compared to Teller, its not just three times (higher in Teller). It could be up to five times. And really building and construction materials, supplies, all of those are such a significant increase due to the way you can only get in by barge or plane. So its just  again, understanding why we pay such large differences in different places in Alaska.

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The U.S. Department of Education notified the state that it failed the test on May 16, as first reported by KTOO. Bishop said it will take time to resolve. The 2021 appeal was resolved at the end of that fiscal year, in 2022.

It is a long process, because I think theyre very careful at it, she said. You want to spend the time on it. They did spend the time to understand Alaska.

In the meantime, the federal impact aid payments will continue to school districts.

DEED spokesperson Bryan Zadalis said by email those funds will continue through the appeal process. School districts will continue to receive Impact Aid funding directly from US-ED through their regular processes of application approval and funding availability, he said.

Added uncertainty for education funding

The results of the disparity tests add uncertainty for the state, and for Alaska schools.

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Thats based on the states complex funding formula for schools  which includes federal, state and local contributions.

Alexei Painter, who directs the division of state government that analyzes the budget for the Legislature, said the Legislature passed a budget that funds whatever the states portion is in that funding formula. If the state passes the disparity test, it allows the state to deduct the federal impact aid dollars from the state school funding.

But if the state fails the test, Painter said, that money doesnt go away. It just goes directly to those districts.

If the federal impact aid isnt flowing through the state government, it no longer is distributed based on the state funding formula. Thats potentially a big problem for the state.

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If we fail, we cant make that deduction, Painter said in an interview Wednesday. The result of that is that what the state would owe to pay the full formula would go up by $80 million.

Thats because the state would still be required to distribute the remaining state aid according to formula, but it would have less revenue to do it.

Painter explained that the issue is further complicated by Gov. Mike Dunleavys budget veto of $50 million for the states education funding this year.

Under the original budget bill passed by the Legislature, the state had an open-ended commitment to provide school funding according to the formula. But in issuing the veto, Dunleavy crossed out the language, replacing it with a dollar amount.

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The governor vetoed that appropriation from an open-ended one to a fixed dollar amount, Painter said. That means that if the state fails the disparity test, that cost goes up by $80 million, and now the veto impact is $130 million.

The Legislature is set to take a vote on whether to override Dunleavys veto of school funding during a special session, scheduled for Aug. 2.

Painter said that if the Legislature votes to override the veto, it would fund the education formula  including the $80.8 million.

Depending on the override vote and the appeal, the impacts to school districts could vary widely across the state, he said. The division issued a memo in June on the potential impacts.

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Some districts that receive the federal impact aid because they include federal lands, like the Lower Kuskokwim or Fairbanks school districts, could see millions more. But others, like the Matanuska-Susitna or Anchorage districts could see millions less, as the state would not have enough money to fully balance its part in the funding formula.

I would just assume the Legislature will address this in some way, Painter said. A veto override would be one way to address it. Another way would be to provide more money for school districts after the Legislature reconvenes for its next regular session, in January, in a supplemental budget bill.

If the state loses its appeal and the Legislature doesnt act, it could be a problem for districts.

Otherwise theres just a lot of uncertainty for districts, Painter said. Even if the departments ultimately successful, in the meantime, it just adds uncertainty for districts.

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Sen. Loki Tobin, D-Anchorage and chair of the Senate Education Committee, said in a phone interview that she was glad the state has appealed. But she argued that the disparity is being driven by a lack of funding on the states part for public schools.

That is ultimately on the shoulders of our state and also of our local communities, and with a decade of flat funding, it is clear why our school districts budgets are getting tighter, the deficits are getting larger, and the disparity is growing, Tobin said.

Zadalis said no date has been set yet for a hearing on the appeal.

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Originally appeared on E! Online

Mary Peltola is getting to the bottom of her husbands death.

Nearly two years ago, the former Alaskan Congresswomans husband Eugene Peltola Jr. was killed in a plane crash when the small aircraft he was flying in St. Marys, Alaska, crashed shortly after taking off.

According to a final report released by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), per the Associated Press, the Piper PA-18-150 Super Cub aircraft that Eugene, 57, was flying was 117 pounds overweight due to large amounts of moose meat cargo he was transporting.

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In addition to the plane being above its maximum takeoff weight, a set of moose antlers were mounted outside of the planes right wing, per the report, which caused a drag when the plane was set in motion.

With these factors combined, as well as turbulent flight conditions and heavy winds, the NTSB report concluded, per the Associated Press, that the drag and lateral weight imbalance would have likely resulted in the airplane having insufficient power and/or control authority to maneuver above terrain.

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Just one day prior to the crash, according to the report, Eugene had taken a group of hunters to an airstrip at St. Marys where they captured a moose and used satellite messaging devices to arrange for the transportation of its meat.

While Eugene had already successfully transported one load of meat on the small aircraft, he did not use any scales to measure the weight of the cargo when he returned for the rest of the load.

And though two hunters were at the site when the crash occurred and provided aid to Eugene, per NTSB, he had succumbed to his injuries within about two hours.

As Clint Johnson, NTSBs Alaska region chief, told Alaska News Source, the crash was the result of a perfect storm of contributing factors.

Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images

If any single aspect of the crash was not present, he explained, the flight probably could have landed safely.

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Now, two years after the tragic incident, Marywho served in the House of Representatives from September 2022 to January 2025has filed a civil lawsuit against the planes owner Bruce Werba for alleged negligence, per Alaska News Source, alleging that the two companies he oversees caused her husband to fly excessive hours, under dangerous conditions and without proper rest.

And as part of the $100,000 suit filed on July 18, per the outlet, she also alleged that the owner instructed her husband to carry cargo externally without a permit.

Unfortunately, this is one of several freak plane accidents in recent years. For more, read on

Jan. 29: American Airlines Flight 5342 Collides With Army Black Hawk Helicopter

An American Airlines-owned American Eagle jet was approaching the runway at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., just before 9 p.m. ET when it collided with an Army Black Hawk Helicopter, killing everyone aboard both aircraft. The jet was carrying four crew members and 60 passengers, including a number of athletes returning from a national figure skating camp in Wichita, Kan. President Donald Trump called it a "dark and excruciating night in our nation's capital." The helicopter with three military personnel aboard was last tracked by air traffic control to be traveling at 300 feet, though the customary ceiling under FAA rules near that airport is 200 feet, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. The jet's last logged altitude, per the aircraft tracking site FlightAware, was 375 feet. The crash remains under investigation. "We look at the human, the machine and the environment," NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy told reporters Jan. 30. "We will look at all the humans that were involved in this accident. We will look at the aircraft. We will look at the helicopter. We will look at the environment in which they were operating in. That is standard." It was the first deadly commercial airline crash on U.S. soil since Colgan Flight 3407 crashed into a Buffalo, N.Y.-area house in 2009, killing all 49 aboard and one person on the ground.





Jan. 31: Medical Transport Jet Crashes in Philadelphia

A Learjet 55 operated by Jet Rescue Air Ambulance crashed on a street in northeast Philadelphia just after 6 p.m. ET. All six people aboard the jeta child who, according to Jet Rescue, had just completed treatment for a life-threatening condition, her mother, a doctor, a paramedic and two pilotswere killed, as was a 37-year-old man who was driving at the time. The plane had been in the air for less than a minute after taking off at 6:06 p.m. when the crash occurred, according to FlightAware. It was due to stop in Branson, Mo., and then return the patient and her mom home to Mexico. "She fought quite a lot to survive," Jet Rescue spokesperson Shai Gold said, "and unfortunately, this tragedy on the way home." The crash remains under investigation, per NTSB. A preliminary report released by the agency March 6, per NBC Philadelphia, states that the cockpit voice recorder, or "black box," didn't capture any audio from the flight and likely hadn't worked for several years.





Feb. 6: Small Plane Crash in Alaska Kills 10

Nine passengers were headed from Unalakleet, Ala., to Nome, about 140 miles away, when their Bering Air Cessna Caravan went down about 40 minutes into the flight. Three bodies were discovered Feb. 7 amid wreckage found approximately 34 miles southeast of Nome, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, which noted at the time that they believed the remaining seven, including the pilot, were "inside the aircraft, which was inaccessible due to the condition of the plane." Calling Alaska "a big small town," Sen. Lisa Murkowski said in a statement, "When tragedy strikes, we're never far removed from the Alaskans directly impacted. But that also means we come together as a community to grieve and heal." The NTSB said it would be investigating the crash.





Feb. 10: Vince Neil's Learjet Involved in Fatal Collision

One person was killed when a Learjet 35A owned by Motley Crue frontman Vince Neil collided with a parked plane (later identified as a Gulfstream G-200) when it veered from the runway while trying to land at Arizona's Scottsdale Airport at 2:39 p.m. local time, according to a statement from Nashville-based attorney Worrick Robinson IV. Neil was not onboard at the time. His lawyer called it "a rapidly evolving situation" under "ongoing investigation," adding, "Mr. Neil's thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved, and he is grateful for the critical aid of all first responders assisting today." There were four aboard the Learjet and the FAA later confirmed the pilot had died, while the co-pilot and one passenger were seriously injured. Per WMTV 15 News, a preliminary report released March 3 by the NTSB stated that surveillance and cell phone video footage of the incident showed the jet's rear left landing gear in an askew position as it approached the runway in Scottsdale. The report also noted that the same flight crew had reported an issue landing in McAlester, Okla., on June 20, 2024. The pilot hired a mechanic who performed maintenance, the report detailed, and additional maintenance was conducted on the plane in December. A mechanic who serviced the landing gear noted that nothing appeared unusual, the report stated, but the left landing gear took an excessive amount of grease.

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Feb. 17: Delta Jet Crash Lands in Toronto and Flips Over

Delta Flight 4819, originating from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, crash-landed upside down at Toronto Pearson International Airport and burst into flames with 80 people aboard. Everyone survived, and 21 people were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, according to Toronto Pearson president and CEO Deborah Flint. "All of a sudden, I just remember being fully sideways," passenger Pete Koukov said on TODAY Feb. 18. "I was looking down and just seeing like sparks and flames and whatever was grinding against the ground. It happened pretty dang quick and we were just upside down, hanging from our seat belts. Ultimately, he added, Everyone got off in a pretty orderly fashion. It didnt seem too insane once the plane had stopped and everyone realized, for the most part, they were OK because no one was seriously injured." Flint said the incident had occurred in clear conditions and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada was investigating.





Feb. 19: Private Planes Collide at Arizona Airport, Killing 2

A Lancair 360 MK II and a Cessna 172S, both small single-engine planes, collided midair around 8:30 a.m. MT at Marana Regional Airport, near Tucson, Ariz. The Cessna "landed uneventfully," while the Lancair "impacted terrain near runway 3 and a post-impact fire ensued," killing at least two people, the NTSB said in a statement. According to the FAA, two people were aboard each plane and a man and a woman on the Lancair were later identified as the deceased. "On behalf of the Town of Marana and the Marana Regional Airport, our hearts go out to all the individuals and families impacted by this event," Marana Regional Airport Superintendent Galen Beem said in a statement, per AZFamily. "This is an unprecedented event, and we are grateful for the swift response from the Marana Police Department and Northwest Fire District."





March 1: FedEx Plane Engine Catches Fire After Colliding With Bird

FedEx Flight 3609, headed from Newark to Indianapolis, struck a bird shortly after takeoff and had to make an emergency landing. While footage of the incident showing the Boeing 767 shooting flames was dramatic, the plane landed safely at Newark Liberty International Airport at 8:07 a.m. ET and the three people aboard the cargo flight were uninjured. "Our B767 crew declared an emergency and returned safely to Newark after dealing with the resulting engine damage, including an engine fire," FedEx said in a statement to NBC News, noting they were thankful for the "quick actions" of the crew and first responders. Aviation expert John Cox told NBC News that aircrafts such as the Boeing 767 are certified to fly on one engine in case the other fails. "Now, its just like any other mechanical failure of an engine, youre down to a single engine operation," Cox said. "There are procedures for that, and pilots train for it, and it results in a safe landing."





March 29: Small Plane Crashes Into Minnesota Home

A single-jet aircraft, piloted by U.S. Bank vice chair Terry Dolan, crashed into a two-person home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. That same day, Brooklyn Park Fire Chief Shawn Conway confirmed at a news conference that there were no survivors, adding that it wasnt clear how many people how many people were aboard the plane. Dolan was confirmed dead two days later by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner due to multiple blunt force injuries. And the residents of the homewhich was engulfed in a massive fire after impactKenneth Tobacman and his wife Mary Butler have since recounted the terrifying experience from their perspective. All of a sudden there's a big boom, Kenneth said on Good Morning America. The lights went out, and I saw a flash. Sparks or something, or a little bit of smoke. I thought, 'What the hell?

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A hiker near Anchorage, Alaska was able to survive a mauling from a brown bear this week.

The woman, who has yet to be identified, said that "they were mauled by a bear and needed help as soon as possible," according to the Anchorage Fire Department.

The woman called 911 and stayed on the line as officials scanned the area to find her. She described her surroundings and remained in place despite suffering multiple injuries.

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Firefighters and paramedics responded, and they used drones to help locate the woman as they searched. After finding her, they helicoptered her to a local hospital, where she was treated for non-life threatening injuries.

Police say that the woman is in stable condition, but that as of Wednesday, they "will not be sharing her name with the public." The bear ran off after the attack and remains at large. Alaska Fish & Game is still attempting to locate it.

Officials in and around Anchorage have urged travelers and hikers to take precaution when on vacation in the wilderness.

Hikers are "encouraged to file trip plans with friends or family prior to trekking off into the great outdoors," while solo travelers are advised to keep a copy of their trip plans under their windshield.

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"Information regarding your planned route can be invaluable as we try to locate you in case of an emergency," said the Anchorage Fire Department.

Black and brown bears are often seen in the area where the woman was hiking, and park officials suggest multiple methods to stay safe like bear spray, dog leashes and. more. Travelers were advised to not run from bears, as this can startle the animal and make it believe you are prey attempting to escape.

Bears are also much larger than humans and run much faster, putting even more risk into a decision to evade them.

The hiker was extremely lucky to get away from the bear, and even more fortunate to be rescued before suffering more serious injuries. As the summer travel season continues, we'll see if Anchorage and areas like it are able to avoid similar incidents.

Alaska Hiker Survives Bear Attack Before Being Rescued first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 23, 2025
Sen. Forrest Dunbar, D-Anchorage, speaks in favor of Senate Bill 39, a bill to address payday loans, on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)

Anchorage Democratic Sen. Forrest Dunbar will be able to attend the Aug. 2 special session of the Alaska Legislature, he said late Tuesday in a post on Facebook.

Dunbar, a member of the National Guard, is deployed to Poland on active-duty service but received a federal waiver that will allow him to return to Alaska for legislative work.

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Dunbars attendance is critical for lawmakers who hope to override Gov. Mike Dunleavys decision to veto millions of dollars in public school funding from this years state operating budget. Despite his attendance, the outcome remains uncertain, and Dunleavy has the option of canceling the session.

It takes 45 votes to override an Alaska governors budget veto, and Dunbar was one of 46 legislators who voted in May to reverse the governors decision to veto a bill increasing the states public school funding formula.

That formula is subject to the states annual budget process, and Dunleavy chose to only partially fund it, causing a wave of cuts to services at public schools across the state. Dunleavy had said he would not agree to the full funding increase without the Legislature adopting other policies hes proposed.

Many legislators hoped to override that second veto in January, when the regular legislative session reconvenes, but Dunleavy called a special session for Aug. 2, forcing an early vote.

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Writing on Facebook, Dunbar noted that he had previously requested to be excused from the Legislature during his National Guard service, however, the Legislature obviously does not control the actions of the governor.

Dunbar said he began seeking a formal waiver that would allow him to use his personal leave, pay for his own plane ticket, and return to the state for the special session.

I am pleased to report that the commanding general to whom our unit now reports has indeed granted that request, Dunbar wrote. I plan to return to Alaska for the start of the special session, and I will be voting yes to override, so that our students have the funds they need to avoid catastrophic cuts to their schools.

For weeks, it hadnt been clear whether Dunbar would be able to obtain the rare dispensation needed to return to Alaska.

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In general, a service member on federal Title 10 mobilization orders is required to complete the full term of their deployment, said Dana Rosso, a spokesperson for the Alaska National Guard, by email. Any early release or temporary return would require approval through Department of Defense and U.S. Army channels and is only considered under exceptional circumstances  such as serious medical or family emergencies  while taking mission requirements and federal law into account.

Rosso said there was no way for a state official  such as the governor or adjutant general  to issue the waiver.

Any early release or temporary return would require approval through Department of Defense channels, typically at the Secretary of the Army or Secretary of Defense level, he said. These waivers are rare and only considered under extraordinary circumstances, such as serious medical issues, family emergencies, or extreme humanitarian situations.

Dunbars chief of staff, Arielle Wiggin, said by email that it wasnt clear until recently whether the commanding general of the U.S. Armys V Corps  Lt. Gen. Charles Costanza  would grant the waiver.

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Even with Dunbars attendance, it isnt clear whether the governors budget veto will be overridden or sustained.

In a closed-door meeting shortly after issuing a proclamation that called the session, Dunleavy asked members of the Houses Republican minority caucus to stay away from the first five days of the special session, the period when the Alaska Constitution requires any override vote to take place.

The date of the special session also coincides with the National Conference of State Legislatures, which several lawmakers were expected to attend.

Other legislators were scheduled to work or attend family events during the period.

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Since the governors announcement, many have said they will be canceling their plans in order to attend the special session. Sen. James Kaufman, R-Anchorage, will return from a trip to Vietnam, he said, and vote in favor of the override.

Some Republicans aligned with Dunleavy on the issue, including Reps. Jamie Allard, R-Eagle River, and Kevin McCabe, R-Big Lake, have said they will follow his wishes and stay away.

Of the 46 legislators who voted this spring to override the governors veto of the education funding formula, all but a handful have committed to supporting a budget veto override as well.

Rep. Dan Saddler, R-Eagle River, said he will attend the special session but declined to say how he would vote on the budget issue. House Minority Leader Mia Costello, R-Anchorage, said she has not made up her mind.

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Republican Reps. Julie Coulombe and David Nelson of Anchorage, and Bill Elam of Nikiski, could not be reached by phone on Wednesday.

The governors legislative director is keeping close track of the number of potential yes and no votes for a veto override, and it is possible that the governor could cancel the special session.

After Dunbars announcement, Alaska Democratic Party chair Eric Croft issued a statement calling the timing of the Dunleavy-called special session one of Dunleavys many dirty tricks.

There is nothing Dunleavy wont try to further his anti-education political agenda, including taking advantage of a legislators active commitment to the military. Were grateful for Senator Dunbars service to our countrys security and Alaska. If not for his dedication to his constituency, we may have seen our persistent efforts to fund education fail yet again, Croft said.

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Asked about Crofts comments, Dunleavy spokesperson Jeff Turner reiterated a statement that Dunleavy made on July 2, when he declared that the special session would be devoted to education reform and an executive order creating the new Alaska Department of Agriculture.

Enacting a few necessary reforms to our public education system can elevate those children struggling in Alaskas school system, Dunleavy said at the time. As elected officials we must do all we can to put the next generation on the path to a successful and prosperous future, and that starts with a solid public education.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  One of New Mexicos biggest non-profits helping the homeless is laying off employees in the face of major federal funding cuts. Hopeworks has been around for almost 40 years now and had about 70 employees until recently. The cuts have led to the laying off of around a quarter of their staff.

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Its not an easy decision for leaders behind Hopeworks. The Albuquerque-based non-profit helping around 8,500 homeless adults and kids each year with housing and medical services is losing a lot of federal funding. That recently led to the layoff of 17 of their employees. We had to make these difficult decisions to ensure Hopeworks continued on with their mission in providing services to those unhoused, said Michele Benavidez, Development Director of Hopeworks.

Hopeworks said the cuts are wide-ranging. They had a loss in grant funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration(SAMHSA). Theyre losing $45,000 from FEMA that helped pay for an emergency food shelter program. Weve also had decreasing grants through some pass-throughs that go through HUD from the city of Albuquerque, said Benavidez.

The non-profit said theyve also been seeing fewer donations and less private grant funding, as well. The positions Hopeworks is eliminating are across the board, including case management, housing services, and administrative roles. The dedicated staff that are currently here employed with Hopeworks are picking up some of the slack and having to jump in, said Benavidez.

Hopeworks said its aiming to continue providing the same level of service while also trying to look for new ways to stay afloat. We are committed to serving the community and serving those most in need, said Benavidez.

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The organization is planning on celebrating its 40th anniversary in November, where they hope to gather more donations. Hopeworks recently opened a behavioral health treatment center on 4th Street in downtown Albuquerque. Despite the cuts, services at that facility are expected to continue as planned.

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The Coca-Cola Company is planning to launch a new Coke soft drink using cane sugar, the company's CEO James Quincey confirmed yesterday (22 July).

Speaking on a company results call for its second-quarter 2025, Quincey said: "Yes, we're going to be bringing a coke sweetened with US cane sugar into the market this fall, and I think that will be an enduring option for consumers."

Last week, US President Donald Trump said the company had agreed to use cane sugar in its namesake drinks in the US.

In a post on social media outlet Truth Social, Trump said: I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL cane sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so.

The companys classic Coca-Cola Original drink is made with high-fructose corn syrup in the US. The product is made with sugar in countries including the UK and Australia, while it contains cane sugar in Mexico.

Quincey told analysts yesterday the company already uses cane sugar in several of its products in the US, such as lemonade, teas and some of its coffee and Vitamin Water brands.

"We are definitely looking to use the whole toolbox, the whole toolkit of available sweetening options to some extent, where there are consumer preferences," he said.

"We know our success rate [is], substantially above the industry. But it's still a question of it takes time and commitment to build something new."

There has been growing scrutiny of the recipes of food and beverages sold in the US since President Trump took office in January.

US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has accused the countrys food and drink industries of poisoning Americans. He has also described high-fructose corn syrup as just a formula for making you obese and diabetic.

In the three months ended 27 June, the Fuze teas maker saw net revenues grow 1% and 5% organically to $12.5bn. Gross profit was up 3.5% at $7.8bn, while operating income jumped 62.6% on the same period in 2024 to $4.2bn.

The group booked small declines in unit case volumes in Latin America, Asia Pacific and North America, where they dropped 2%, 1% and 3% respectively.

The company's Bottling Investments segment, which holds its consolidated bottling operations, saw unit case volumes dip 5% in the second quarter.

Coca-Cola attributed the drop to "a decline in India and the impact of refranchising bottling operations." Operating income also dropped 39% in this business.

Total consolidated unit case volumes dipped 1%.

"Coca-Cola Company to use cane sugar in new Coke product" was originally created and published by Just Drinks, a GlobalData owned brand.
(FOX40.COM)  Sacramento Police Department Detectives have identified and arrested the alleged homicide suspect as Verick Mason, 25, of Sacramento, on Tuesday.

 Video above: What happens when you call 911?

SPD stated that Mason was located on Monday at a nearby gas station and was detained. After he was interviewed by the homicide detectives, he was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on homicide-related charges.

Ring app users report unauthorized access to their accounts

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At around 1:30 a.m., SPD responded to the 3000 block of Stockton Boulevard for reports of an assault. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a man with traumatic injuries.

After crews found the man, they attempted life-saving measures, and the victim was transported to the local hospital by the Sacramento Fire Department, where the victim was pronounced dead.

According to court documents, Mason is being charged with two counts of felony robbery and murder. At this time, he is ineligible for bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday at 3 p.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 FOX40 News.
You likely remember the aftermath of April 29ths storm  snapped power poles, downed trees, and damage all across our city.

>>> PHOTOS: Severe storms leave behind significant damage throughout Pittsburgh region <<<

On Wednesday, city and county public safety leaders met to discuss what theyve learned about their readiness for the next storm.

They say they started preparing two days before the unprecedented storm hit.

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RELATED COVERAGE >>> Unprecedented storm kills 3, knocks out power to hundreds of thousands in Western Pennsylvania

It was two days prior to the storm date that we were communicating with our public safety partners, police, fire, emergency management coordinators, Allegheny County Emergency Services Chief Matt Brown said.

They were also communicating with the National Weather Service, which made a last-minute change to the storms intensity.

It was day of that they heightened the awareness from what they labeled level 2 to level 3. The primary danger was the high winds, but as everyone is well aware, no one could prepare for what that impact was going to end up being, Brown added.

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The storm only lasted a few minutes, but in the following hour, Allegheny County received 6,700 calls for service.

The biggest issues were downed trees that were tangled in wires.

And in order to remove the trees from the roads, officials say there needed to be better coordination with power companies.

We had lines down in those trees. So we could not send DPW units out to those areas to start clearing the trees until they were de-energized. And, to coordinate with Duquesne Light to make sure they are not re-energized.

The other issue, according to officials, is that theres not much they can do to prepare for the high winds the storm brought.

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For a windstorm, theres not a lot you can do. The bulk of the trees that came down were healthy trees that, if we went down the street to look at them, wed think theyre perfectly fine.

We also know that Duquesne Light is still in the process of doing a review of their response to the storm  and once that is completed, theyll be sharing the results.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

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This week on Wahine Wednesday, host Brittni Friedlander sits down with Heather Aiu, co-owner of Aloha Collection, one of Hawaiis most beloved lifestyle and adventure bag brands. In this compelling episode, Aiu shares the story behind the brands origin, the challenges of growing a business, how the team handles brand imitation, and where they draw inspiration for their designs.

Heather also offers thoughtful advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and discusses the brands most notable collaborations, along with an exclusive look at whats coming in 2025 and 2026.

As Native Hawaiian women, co-owners Heather Aiu and Rachel Leinaala remain deeply committed to giving back to their community. Through their Malama Aina giveback program, Aloha Collection donates 5% of annual profits to Hawaii-based conservation organizations, helping to protect and preserve the land and culture that inspire their work.

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In celebration of their latest release, Aloha Collection has launched its first-ever Back to School Collection, available now. Items include laptops bags, backpacks, lunchboxes and more. Viewers can also anticipate new launches for 2025 and early 2026 by the beloved brand. As a special offer, viewers can receive 20% off their first purchase of any collection or bag now using the code WAHINEWEDNESDAY20, valid through Aug. 31.

For more information and to purchase the newest items that Aloha Collection has to offer visit ALOHA Collection: Shop Splash-Proof Travel Bags & Accessories.

Wahine Wednesday is a biweekly digital series dedicated to highlighting women in business through candid conversations and storytelling. With a focus on leadership, innovation, and cultural integrity, the series brings a fresh, authentic voice to the conversation around female entrepreneurship in Hawaii.

Watch the latest episode now on the KHON+ TV app, available on Apple TV, Roku, and Firestick.

New episodes premiere every other Wednesday at 2 p.m.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
By Foo Yun Chee

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Alphabet was targeted with an EU antitrust complaint from six human and digital rights groups on Thursday which urged EU regulators to investigate whether the tech giant complies with legislation requiring it to make it easier for users to uninstall software apps.

The EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), which took effect two years ago, sets out a list of dos and don'ts for seven Big Tech companies including Alphabet unit Google, in an attempt to curb their power and give rivals more room and users more choice.

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British human rights organisation ARTICLE 19, European Digital Rights (EDRi), Free Software Foundation Europe (FSFE), Gesellschaft fur Freiheitsrechte (GFF), Homo Digitalis, and Vrijschrift.org. said Alphabet allegedly has not complied with the DMA.

They said the alleged violation concerned a DMA requirement that gatekeepers or companies which provide a core platform service to business users, shall technically enable users to easily uninstall software applications on the gatekeeper's operating system.

"Alphabet has designed its Core Platform Service Android in a way to hide from end users the possibility to disable its own pre-installed gatekeeper apps," they said in their complaint.

"What is more, Alphabet goes to great length to scare away end users who have found that possibility against all odds of actually disabling Google's pre-installed apps," they said.

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The group called on the European Commission to investigate the issue.

Alphabet refuted the allegations.

"It is easy to uninstall apps on Android devices, so this complaint does not represent a genuine user concern. Other regulators, including the CMA, have previously dismissed this complaint," a Google spokesperson said.

The CMA is the British competition watchdog.

The Commission confirmed receipt of the complaint, saying it is currently assessing it under its standard procedures.

(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Susan Fenton)
Earlier this summer, America's three largest airlines  Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and American Airlines  were all exposed for a controversial pricing tactic, and it seems like American is sticking by it despite outrage.

Back in May, Kyle Potter, executive editor at Thrifty Traveler, discovered that Delta, United, and American were all charging significantly more for solo travelers than groups when purchasing the same tickets on the same flights.

The discovery quickly sparked outrage from customers and travel bloggers, leading Delta to quietly update its fares, charging solo travelers the same as groups. United followed suit, but appears to have since changed its mind and reverted back to the controversial practice.

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American, however, never adjusted its fares and has been consistently charging solo travelers more than groups or couples despite the outrage.

In fact, while both United and American are still charging more for solo travelers than couples or groups, an analysis from The Economist found that American embraces this practice to a far greater extent than United.

"American is deploying the technique much more enthusiastically than United. Whereas solo weekday travellers were charged at least 5% more on only 8% of United routes, that threshold was crossed on 57% of American routes. American appears to make use of the practice more aggressively on short trips and those where it does not compete with Southwest, a low-cost carrier," The Economist wrote.

American Airlines has never issued a public statement on the controversial policy, but it's clear that they aren't planning to make any changes to their fares despite the backlash.

American Airlines Refuses to Change Unpopular Policy first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 24, 2025
One of the 10 Americans released from Venezuela in a prisoner swap last week was convicted of killing three people in Spain and was serving a 30-year sentence in a Venezuelan prison before his release, Spanish and Venezuelan officials told ABC News.

Dahud Hanid Ortiz, 54, was convicted in Venezuela of killing three people in a Madrid law office in 2016, according to the Spanish Interior Ministry and the Venezuelan vice presidents office.

Spanish authorities said Ortiz stabbed to death two female employees and a client of the law firm in June 2016. Authorities said Ortiz was looking for the lawyer who ran the office, who was away at the time.

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The Venezuelan government opted to try Ortiz, an American-Venezuelan dual national, in Venezuela rather than fulfill an extradition request form Spain because Venezuela's constitution prohibits the extradition of Venezuelan-born citizens.

Federico Parra/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Venezuelan migrants who were jailed in El Salvador walk upon arrival at Simon Bolivar International Airport in Maiquetia, Venezuela, on July 18, 2025.

MORE: Migrants sent to El Salvador's CECOT returned to Venezuela in prisoner swap, 10 Americans freed: Officials

Speaking on Venezuelan TV on Thursday, Venezuelas Justice Minister Diosdado Cabello said U.S. officials were told about Ortizs conviction but said they still wanted him released.

The U.S. was aware of Ortiz past but made the decision to bring him out in the swap anyway, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter.

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Ortiz served in the U.S. Army for about 17 years as an enlisted soldier, starting in 1995, and then served more than four years as an officer, an Army spokesperson said. He deployed to Kuwait and Iraq and left the Army in October 2015, nine months before the murders were committed.

Venezuela's U.S. Embassy via Reuters - PHOTO: U.S. citizens released from Venezuela pose for a photo holding U.S. flags after a prisoner swap, at an unknown location, in this handout picture released July 18, 2025.

MORE: Venezuelan migrant files claim over deportation to notorious CECOT prison

A defense official said Ortiz was court-martialed "and dismissed from the Army" in 2015.

As part of a previous 2023 prisoner swap between the U.S. and Venezuela, Ortiz was supposed to be sent to Spain to be tried for the 2016 killings -- but that never materialized.

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Ortiz, who had been arrested in Venezuela in 2018, was sentenced on Jan. 9, 2024 in Caracas.

His status or whereabouts in the United States was not immediately clear.

The current swap involved the exchange of 10 Americans held in Venezuela for the release of more than 200 Venezuelan migrants who had been deported from the U.S. and sent to El Salvador's CECOT prison.

The U.S. official said the administrations focus was getting Americans out of Venezuelas notorious prisons.

All told, eight of the 10 Americans freed last week were officially classified by the U.S. government as "wrongfully detained." Ortiz was not classified as such, the official said.
Stacks of boxes holding mail are seen at a U.S. Postal Service sorting center. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The president of the countrys postal union is sounding the alarm on privatization of the service.

And in Montana, some residents might soon start seeing TV commercials from the American Postal Workers Union seeking to alert the public of privatization attempts of the service.

The ad campaign, which is in eight states, follows a Wells Fargo Equity Research document to investors which includes plans to close post offices as well as higher prices for those using the service.

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It also includes an end to the Universal Service Obligation, which is essential that all postal users receive a minimum level of service at a reasonable price and requires six day-per-week mail delivery.

There is an intensified effort really coming from the billionaires and Wall Street about privatizing the public United States Postal Service, APWU president Mark Dimondstein said in an interview with the Daily Montanan. Which means either breaking it up in whole or piecemealing it out whole or in part to private companies that then decide who gets mail under what conditions, based on whether somebody can make a profit.

The document from Wells Fargo details five steps that would need to be taken in order for the service to be privatized, starting with new legislation. It would take a Congressional Act and signage by the president for that to happen, the document states.

The document also said that $400 billion in pension and health care liabilities need to be addressed. The USPS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Our sense is these liabilities would likely be moved to another entity (likely to the US taxpayer where they arguably are now) since potential buyers and/or investors would be reluctant to assume such a large legacy liability, but could be addressed through a parcel sale/IPO or real estate monetization, the document states.

The Postal Service is currently funded by its own revenue. Other steps outlined in the report include employees losing jobs.

Especially amid recent DOGE efforts on federal cost control, it is likely that employees receive a type of deferred buyout offer to leave or layoffs could ensue, the report says.

It also said the USPS would need to raise its prices on parcels 30%-140% to reach pricing parity with parcel competitors.

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President Donald Trump has described the postal service as a joke and the appointment of David P. Steiner, a former FedEx executive, to the position of Postmaster General. These moves have the APWU concerned.

The ads will run in Alaska, Oklahoma, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Dakota and nationally on CNN, MSNBC, and FOX.

This is really part of our foundation, part of how the country was built, and its going to help propel us forward, Dimondstein said. And in that sense, its a source of pride for the entire country, certainly a source of pride for those who do the work and serve the people.

Daily Montanan is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Daily Montanan maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Darrell Ehrlick for questions: info@dailymontanan.com.
An employee works the cash register at a soda fountain in Winterset, Iowa. A growing number of states are mandating that small employers participate in new retirement programs or offer workers their own plan. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Worried about large numbers of workers without a nest egg, Nevada this month launched a new retirement program for private sector workers who lack access to one.

The program requires employers with six or more employees to participate  unless they already sponsor an employee retirement plan.

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Employees, who can opt out, are automatically enrolled in an Individual Retirement Account, or IRA, through regular paycheck deductions.

Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine hopes the new program, created by lawmakers in 2023, will boost financial literacy and ultimately reduce state costs on social services as more people save for retirement. He said about 500,000 workers were expected to be eligible under the plan  nearly a third of the states civilian labor force of 1.68 million.

We dont care broadly if someone stays on the Nevada plan or goes out and gets their own retirement savings plan, said Conine, a Democrat who is running for state attorney general. We care that people are saving for retirement.

Nevada is among a growing number of states creating automatic retirement programs for employees of private employers. These programs, known as auto-IRAs, target employees without access to retirement programs through work, aiming to address what groups such as AARP characterize as a national retirement crisis.

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So far, 20 states have created retirement programs for private sector workers, according to the Center for Retirement Initiatives at Georgetown University. Those programs are generally overseen by state treasurers and appointed boards. Private contractors administer the investment funds, which can fluctuate with financial markets.

AARP says more than 1 million Americans have enrolled in auto-IRA programs launched by states in recent years. But the group, which advocates for Americans aged 50 and older, says nearly half of private sector workers  56 million people  still lack access to a retirement plan through work.

In the long term, this is a problem we need to deal with. But in the short term for those individuals, this is a real crisis, said David John, senior policy adviser at the AARP Public Policy Institute. This is something that they are going to be facing soon, and our goal is to make sure that as younger people come along, they are much better prepared than some of the people who went before them.

While anyone can open a savings or investment account, workers are far more likely to participate in retirement programs funded through simple payroll deductions, John said. And state auto-IRAs require little effort from employees and employers.

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Yes, anyone can go to a financial institution and open an IRA. But the bottom line is, they dont, he said.

Unlike state pension programs for public workers including teachers, these auto-IRAs are the sole possession of the worker. That means they are portable, and employees can even rely on those funds for emergency expenses at times, John said.

Some financial services firms have objected to these programs, arguing that they compete with private sector retirement providers.

So far, more liberal states have led the way on auto-IRA programs: Oregon launched the nations first in 2017, quickly followed by Illinois and California. But John said theres growing interest in more conservative states: Nevadas legislation was sponsored by Democrats, but ultimately signed by Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo.

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This is not a partisan political issue, John said. We are seeing strong interest in a number of red states.

Launching new programs

In launching its new auto-IRA, Nevada elected to join an interstate consortium of public auto-IRA plans founded by the Colorado Department of the Treasury. By pooling resources and reducing overhead costs, officials say states can offer lower plan fees to savers.

Relatively, its a lot of work to set one of these things up, but its a lot less work if youre not first, Conine said.

The Nevada treasurers office expected the launch of the program to cost about $1.2 million over two fiscal years  funds that were borrowed from the state and are to be paid back through the collection of retirement participant fees over time.

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Colorado Treasurer Dave Young sees the states retirement program as both a social and financial cause: It helps workers save for a more dignified retirement and keeps the state from spending more on services in the long run, he said.

If we dont take this on and get more people saving for retirement, theres this massive tax bill awaiting taxpayers to fund safety net services, and why would we do that to our taxpayers? said Young, a Democrat. Why not change the trajectory for people? Its relatively actually a simple solution.

A 2023 report from payroll and benefits company Gusto found the biggest boost in participation came among Coloradans earning the least. Before the mandate, 10% of employees earning $15,000 to $25,000 per year participated in a retirement plan  a share that nearly doubled to 19% afterward.

Gusto also found more small employers started offering 401(k) plans after the states program launched in 2022.

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Colorado has signed up about 72,000 workers with more than $100 million in savings. About 20% of eligible employees choose to opt out, said Hunter Railey, executive director of the Colorado retirement program.

The state program requires all employers in operation at least two years with five or more employees to participate or offer their own retirement plan.

Railey said its an easy process to sign up employers and workers, though an initial challenge was identifying the states smallest employers. The state used its unemployment system database and explains the program requirement directly to businesses.

The final step there is really just communicating effectively that these are required programs, and that failure to comply with this does carry penalties at some point, Railey said. By and large, we found that most if not the overwhelming majority of businesses, if they receive a notice for their business, are going to take action.

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Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a Republican, has advocated for a state auto-IRA program. Legislation creating a program passed the Democratic-controlled state House by a single vote along party lines and now awaits action in the Republican-controlled state Senate.

Garrity, who also leads the National Association of State Treasurers retirement and pensions committee, said an auto-IRA plan would benefit Pennsylvania businesses, workers and taxpayers.

These are people we all depend on every day, like the mechanic who keeps our car running and the waitress that tops off our coffee, she said in a statement to Stateline. Two million hardworking Pennsylvanians without access to workplace retirement plans deserve to have the same opportunity to save.

The opposition

While state retirement programs are growing, they have faced industry opposition.

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State chapters of the National Federation of Independent Business, which represents 600,000 small businesses across the country, have opposed some measures. In Pennsylvania, the federation said 84% of surveyed members opposed creation of an auto-IRA, arguing not all employees could afford to invest in retirement and that the new plans imposed too heavy a burden on small businesses.

The organization did not respond to requests for comment.

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, which represents financial services providers in every state, says states should encourage private-sector options rather than setting up competing programs.

If we don't take this on and get more people saving for retirement, there's this massive tax bill awaiting taxpayers to fund safety net services, and why would we do that to our taxpayers?

 Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young

In a statement, Kevin Mayeux, CEO of the association, said access isnt the only barrier to retirement savings. Many Americans, especially lower-income workers, must balance retirement savings against competing financial priorities including child care and rising costs of living.

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The organization said it supports states interest in retirement savings, but that lawmakers should focus on private-sector options. Those could include multiple employer plans and pooled employer plans that make it easier for small employers to offer retirement plans at competitive rates.

In short, NAIFA does not oppose efforts to improve retirement security; we welcome them, Mayeuxs statement to Stateline said. But we believe that empowering private-sector solutions, not replacing them with state-run programs, is the path to long-term success.

But early success among participating states is inspiring more adoption, said Angela Antonelli, a research professor and executive director of the Center for Retirement Initiatives at Georgetown University.

In addition to amassing more than $2 billion in savings for workers, the state programs have encouraged employers to offer their own retirement plans, Antonelli said.

Its a huge return on the investment. Its money well spent, she said.

Antonelli said many participating workers are younger and will likely move into other jobs or careers over time. The hope is they will continue saving, either through the state-sponsored plans or retirement plans offered by future employers.

While shes encouraged by the growing interest and adoption of these plans, Antonelli said she hopes to see Congress eventually act by requiring employers to offer retirement plans. A bipartisan group of U.S. House lawmakers reintroduced legislation on the matter in Washington this year, but it has not progressed.

The goal is to have more states adopt these programs, she said. And I think the question is, is there a tipping point at which the federal government will now decide to step in?

Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at khardy@stateline.org.

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AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP)  The superintendent of Amherst Regional Public Schools wants to chart a path forward as the reinstatement of a controversial school counselor draws outrage from the community.

Detours in place for Morgan Road milling project in West Springfield

Dr. Xiomara Herman spoke before parents and students during Tuesday nights school committee meeting following a rally in opposition to the reinstatement.

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Dr. Herman said she is committed to leading with love, transparency, and relentless focus on students and wants to address the long-standing gaps in how the school documents, communicates, and enforces expectations related to staff.

This is not acceptablefor the educators who deserve clarity and support, says Dr. Herman. For the families and community who expect us to work with integrityand most importantly for the students we are all hear to serve and protect.

Dr. Herman says the district will release a new complaint and communication guide before the start of the school year. She says the fear of retaliation cannot be an excuse to avoid mandatory reportingpromising to rebuild trust by prioritizing student safety and transparency.

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This story was originally published on Food Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Food Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Dive Insight:

Coca-Cola is no stranger to using sugar in its popular cola. Coke in some countries, such as Mexico, uses sugar. Coca-Cola imports the beverage from Mexico to the U.S. for consumers who prefer the taste or who view sugar as a more natural ingredient.

CEO James Quincey told analysts on Tuesday that Coca-Cola also uses cane sugar in its other products, including coffee, lemonade and tea.

Coke with sugar will be an enduring option for consumers, Quincey said. "We are definitely looking to use the whole toolbox of available sweetening options to some extent where there are consumer preferences."

After peaking in 1999, soft drink consumption has fallen every year as people become more health-conscious and prices increase, according to IBISWorld. Consumers are forecast to drink 42 gallons of soft drinks this year, down from nearly 50 gallons at its peak.

The decline has prompted soda makers to look for ways to have their core brands appeal to more consumers. Earlier this week, PepsiCo said it would launch a Pepsi offering with prebiotics this fall.

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In a new report published by Amnesty International, Iran violated international humanitarian law by using cluster bomb warheads on their ballistic missiles during the war with Israel.

Irans use of cluster bombs during the Israel-Iran War violated international humanitarian law, Amnesty International stated in a new report published Thursday morning.

The Israel-Iran War began early on the morning of Friday, June 13, and lasted nearly two weeks.

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While Israel primarily struck military targets, Iran indiscriminately targeted Israeli citizens, launching hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones with deadly intent, including the use of cluster bomb warheads, which are outlawed in over 100 countries.

The Convention on Cluster Munitions, which entered into force on August 1, 2010, is an international treaty that prohibits the use, production, transfer, and stockpiling of cluster bombs.

Cluster bombs, or cluster munitions, are designed as containers that are meant to release dozens or hundreds of smaller explosives that carry around two kilograms of explosives, known as bomblets, over a wider area.

Neither Israel nor Iran is a party to the convention.

Home destroyed by Iranian ballistic missile in Beersheba, June 20, 2025. (credit: ISRAEL POLICE)

Iran's use of cluster munitions

Evidence of Irans use of these warheads was found by IDF technicians on June 19, as well as on Friday, June 18, following the missile strike that hit Beersheba.

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Amnesty International has confirmed the findings and condemned Irans use of these weapons, a rare step in Israels favor from the organization.

Cluster munitions are inherently indiscriminate weapons that must never be used, said Erika Guevara Rosas, Amnesty Internationals Senior Director for Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns. Iranian forces deliberate use of such inherently indiscriminate weapons is a blatant violation of international humanitarian law.

Amnesty International sent questions to Iranian authorities regarding their use of cluster bombs against Israel on July 15, but has yet to receive a response.

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.
About 20 people required rescues from floodwaters in Vado on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. (Courtesy of Mesilla Valley Search and Rescue)

Flash floods from heavy rains Tuesday evening in Vado required the rescue of at least 20 people, while power outages impacted about 600 homes, local officials said.

Officials reported no fatalities so far, but two people required transport to local hospitals for minor injuries, Ariana Parra, the public safety spokesperson for Dona Ana County, told Source NM, adding that their status is unknown.

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On Thursday, as people try to assess the damages to at least 110 flooded homes, the Dona Ana County Commission is slated to convene an emergency meeting at 4 p.m. to consider sending a request for a disaster declaration to the governors office.

New Mexico has been hard-hit by flooding this monsoon season. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump freed up more funding in an ongoing federal disaster declaration after deadly flooding in Ruidoso around the burn scars of 2024 fires. The state has outstanding requests to the federal government to provide funds for flooding damages in Chaves, Otero and Valencia counties.

Between 2 to 3 inches of rain from monsoons fell in and around the community of 3,400 people, which lies about 18 miles south of Las Cruces on the Rio Grande, with water breaching the banks of the arroyos.

There was a lot of rain, I dont know how to put it any other way, John Gwynne, the flood commissioner for Dona Ana County, told Source NM. There was a lot of rain that came out of the desert and carried with it debris and sediment and thats just everywhere, now.

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Gwynne said the issue is getting the standing water out, since the debris is clogging up drainage, and addressing any repairs needed for the flood infrastructure.

Theres so much water inside, its even hard to understand what the damages are at this point, Gwynne said.

Rep. Doreen Gallegos (D-Las Cruces), whose district includes Vado, told Source NM in a phone call that shes in contact with county commissioners and praised the first responders and rescue officials for their response.

They were going house to house to make sure people were safe, and Im very, very grateful for that, she said.

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Significant moisture built up in and around Vado, and heavy rains fell in the desert and drained towards the town, Tom Bird, a senior forecaster at the National Weather Service office in Santa Teresa, told Source NM.

The NWS El Paso issued alerts to peoples phones at 6:21 p.m., warning of the flash floods in Vado, and three minutes later for the nearby communities of Chamberino and Berino.

Forecasts indicate the area will dry up in the next few days, but may experience more rain Sunday and Monday.

On Friday, Saturday, flooding potential really drops off, but then the monsoon moisture moves right back in, starting Sunday into next week. And so well ramp up the potential for flooding again, Bird said. And, as a reminder, were in monsoon season all the way through September.

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ANDERSON COUNTY, Texas (KETK)  With the prospect of dozens of high-capacity wells coming to their hometown, neighbors in Anderson County are pushing back and preparing for a fight.

Hundreds gather in opposition to well permits at board meeting in Jacksonville

This is going to affect thousands of people in East Texas, Red Town resident Melisa Meador said. It needs to be brought to everybodys attention.

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Meador is one of many joining the fight. She said shes working to save her home. It will devastate my property and my neighbors properties as well, Meador said. We will lose our livelihoods.

Lisa Music, who also lives in the area, is concerned that the proposed wells will use too much water, leaving the people who live in the surrounding communities with nothing.

My understanding is that within 3 to 5 years, these counties, this county, Anderson county, and three surrounding counties will no longer have water as it will be depleted quicker than it can be replaced, Music said.

Music said it would have a drastic effect on their local hospitals, businesses, and families living in the area and called for Texas lawmakers to make changes. Laws need to be changed now because its not going to keep happening, Meador said.

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State Rep. Cody Harris (R) of Palestine is one of the lawmakers leading this fight. Hes the chairman of the Natural Resources Committee and held an 11-hour hearing in Austin on this very issue.

East Texas officials express opposition to new high-capacity wells

Based on that 11 hours of testimony, it is obvious to me that its time to update state statute with regard to the rule of capture and high-capacity groundwater export, Harris said.

Harris said he spoke with Gov. Greg Abbott about adding groundwater regulations to the special session agenda.

Thats the thing that I am the most focused on, making sure that we get something done, this special session, hopefully, and gearing up for that legislative fight, Harris said.

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While Texas lawmakers are working on creating legislation, people in Anderson County are holding a town hall to discuss their options to fight back.

We can pool our resources, our good lawyer, our good hydrologist and make our presence known in the hearing, Palestine resident Dick Swift said.

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HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  An Ansonia man pleaded guilty to charges of fentanyl trafficking on Wednesday.

3 charged with drug, firearm offenses after traffic stop in Waterbury

Court documents identified 31-year-old Daqwon Graham, also known as Seagull and Energy, as a large-scale fentanyl distributor in and around Fairfield County.

Investigators made multiple controlled purchases of fentanyl from Graham. They also connected Grahams drug trafficking activities to two overdose deaths in southern Connecticut between 2023 and 2024.

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Graham was arrested in Stamford in February with more than 400 grams of fentanyl on him at the time, according to police.

Graham pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.

Graham has been detained since his arrest.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Citizen witness Victor Martinez presents a map of population growth in Pennsylvania to the Legislative Redistricting Commission on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021 (Capital-Star screen capture).

Could there ever be a moment in which the interests of political party leaders and government reform advocates come into alignment?

In November, we may get a glimpse of what such a moment would look like, after the results of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court retention elections are known.

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This unlikely turn of events might appear to be more plausible at that time, in light of the Supreme Courts critical role in legislative reapportionment. Thats the process by which states draw new legislative district boundaries after each decennial census in order to produce a state map with a roughly equal number of voters in every district.

When a district has gained population since the most recent census (think Cumberland County, which added an estimated 10,480 residents between 2020 and 2023) or lost population during those years (think Forest County, which shrank by an estimated 509 residents during that period), legislative maps need to be reconfigured in order to make district population totals more or less comparable.

Thats the point at which opportunities for gerrymandering  manipulating district boundaries in ways that will favor a particular political party  come into play. In 2018, Pennsylvania gained unwelcome national recognition for a congressional map in which a particular district, bizarrely redrawn to maximize the number of voters favoring the majority party, produced an image resembling Goofy kicking Donald Duck.

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When elected officials get involved in the redistricting process, the results are going to get skewed in this way, producing a majority-party advantage in future legislative elections for a decade. With the aid of mapping software, its now possible to generate maps with a strong partisan bias that technically comply with statutory requirements.

Thats what happened in 2018, when Democratic candidates won only 92 of the 203 seats available in the Pennsylvania House elections (45 percent), despite having earned 54 percent of the total popular vote in these elections.

Pennsylvanias redistricting approach is different from that of most other states. The process is governed by a five-member legislative reapportionment commission, consisting of two representatives from each party (the majority and minority leaders of the state House and Senate), plus a fifth member appointed by the other four individuals.

If these four are unable to agree on who should be chosen as the fifth member, then the state Supreme Court makes the call. Thats what happened at the start of the 2021 redistricting process, with the selection of Mark Nordenberg, Chancellor Emeritus of the University of Pittsburgh, as chair.

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Like the U.S. Supreme Court, the state Supreme Court is expected to conduct its business in a nonpartisan manner. However if Democrats continue to constitute a majority of the justices sitting on the state Supreme Court, its not unreasonable to expect that the next redistricting process might tend to favor Democrats. That could be the case with a Supreme Court appointment of the fifth LRC member (assuming that the three incumbent justices on the court receive yes votes in the November retention election).

Some Democratic politicians might welcome an opportunity to produce their partys version of the 2018 GOP-leaning map, in order to redraw district boundaries in a way that complies with the rules, while locking in a Democratic Party advantage in legislative races over the next decade.

After laboring under the burden of GOP-majority dominance for years, some politicians might feel more inclined to support a Democratic-leaning redistricting plan, rather than a more equitable one that would be responsive to the interests of Pennsylvania voters as a whole.

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One alternative to this unnecessarily divisive approach: follow the example of Colorado and Michigan, where redistricting is handled by an independent citizens commission that conducts public hearings, shares information about alternative redistricting proposals, and produces district maps based on clear, measurable standards.

In Pennsylvania, this approach and associated authorizing legislation (House Bill 31 and Senate Bill 131) are being supported by Fair Districts PA, a nonpartisan, statewide organization, and other anti-gerrymandering groups. [Disclosure: Im an active Fair Districts PA volunteer. The views expressed here are mine alone].

The most recent Pennsylvania redistricting, conducted In 2021, produced a map that is consistent with these criteria in important respects, as Nordenberg explained in his final report. Although he was a widely respected LRC chair who conducted the commissions proceedings in an evenhanded manner, the identity of the next LRC chair wont be known anytime soon.

Finding a chair with credentials comparable to Nordenbergs could be extraordinarily difficult in Pennsylvanias 2031 political environment, which may not be any less turbulent than todays.

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So if it turns out that Democratic justices retain their majority on the Supreme Court in November, what alternative would Republican leaders prefer: a redistricting process strongly influenced by the majority party that produces a legislative map favoring that party? Or a redistricting approach managed by a group of citizens committed to conducting an open process and achieving results that are beneficial to all Pennsylvanians?

John Kromer lives in Philadelphia and is a semi-retired author and lecturer who has completed strategic planning, capacity building, and program and policy development projects in many Pennsylvania communities. He is the author of Philadelphia Battlefields: Disruptive Campaigns and Upset Elections in a Changing City




Matthew Lohmeier, the former Space Force lieutenant colonel who was relieved of command after publicly blasting the militarys diversity programs and alleged Marxist ideology, was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday as the Air Forces next undersecretary.

The 52-46 vote to approve Lohmeier was along party lines.

Lohmeier was fired from command of the 11th Space Warning Squadron at Buckley Air Force Base in Colorado in 2021 after appearing on a podcast to discuss his self-published book, Irresistible Revolution: Marxisms Goal of Conquest and the Unmaking of the American Military.

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During that podcast, Lohmeier decried diversity initiatives, critical race theory and Marxism, saying they were anti-American and divisive. He alleged those ideas were spreading through and weakening the military.

President Donald Trump tapped Lohmeier to be the second-highest civilian in the Department of the Air Force shortly before his inauguration in January, tasking him with changing woke policies in the military.

Matthew will work with the GREAT Secretary of Defense Nominee, Pete Hegseth, to end the devastating woke policies that have destroyed our Military, and make our Country STRONG AGAIN, Trump posted online at the time.

Trump taps officer who blasted wokeness for Air Force undersecretary

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In his May 1 Senate confirmation hearing, Lohmeier rejected allegations that he was improperly political while acting in an official capacity, and said he did not publicly criticize his chain of command.

And when asked by Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, if he would recuse himself from personnel decisions involving his former commanding officers  U.S. Space Command head Gen. Stephen Whiting or Maj. Gen. Devin Pepper  Lohmeier did not commit to a recusal, but promised to treat all people fairly according to the law.

That is totally not reassuring, Hirono said.

Lohmeier voluntarily separated from the military in September 2021. The Air Force had been investigating his comments, but closed that investigation once he left active duty.
When it comes to the shadow Cabinet, Kemi Badenoch has a problem. Its nothing personal against her: any Conservative leader would have this issue. There are barely enough Tory MPs to staff the shadow front bench, and the Parliamentary Conservative Party is deeply divided.

Any consideration of who Badenoch chooses and does not choose to serve must acknowledge that she has very few options. The decision to bring back Sir James Cleverly might raise eyebrows, given his views on the ECHR. But is it so different to keeping Dame Priti Patel, who asked to be thanked for the Boriswave?

Still, Cleverlys evasions over whether or not he agrees with his leader on Strasbourg provide a helpful illustration of Badenoch has painted herself into a corner by focusing so much on unity.

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Standing for the leadership as a unifying candidate was tactically canny. It worked, she won. But the only way to do that was to avoid adopting any firm policy stances; the downside of that is that none of her supporters actually committed themselves to anything.

Cleverly has, in fairness, said that he will support leaving the ECHR if it becomes party policy. He could scarcely say otherwise, in the circumstances. But that leaves him a lot of leeway to try and prevent it becoming party policy  and Badenoch has, perhaps unwittingly, almost guaranteed him the opportunity to do so.

That probable opening will come when Lord Wolfson, the shadow attorney general, delivers the results of his review on leaving the ECHR.

On paper, Badenochs decision to task him with this makes sense. However you feel about the Convention, leaving it would be a very complicated process, and having an expert chart the lay of the land is a sensible prelude to trying to advance over it.

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She has also been clear that Wolfson will not be making any recommendation about whether or not the United Kingdom should quit the ECHR; that, she rightly points out, is a political decision. His is a fact-finding mission to aid her final decision.

That being the case, you might think that it doesnt matter that Wolfson himself is another vocal critic of the idea that we should leave the Convention. Imagine that Badenoch had given the job to a serious Right-wing legal academic who supported leaving: they would flag the same issues, as will the shadow attorney general, but would probably also try to go further than the scope of the report to indicate potential routes through the minefield.

Wolfson has no such incentive. He can simply hand Badenoch a report that is within the scope of the task. A report that cannot emphasise enough just how many mines there are, without needing to offer any suggestions for how to get through it. That would already make adopting a policy of leaving harder for Badenoch  but it will also be a golden opportunity for internal critics of such a move, including Cleverly, to speak up.

Perhaps she would bulldoze through it, and he would honour his promise to abide by party policy. Yet not only has she postponed a row over the ECHR at the price of making it harder to win (if she does indeed decide we need to leave), but similar battles await on any other controversial policy shift. How do you think Sir James  or indeed, the rest of the shadow Cabinet  feels about her latest template, Javier Milei-style cuts to public spending? Check how they voted on the winter fuel allowance before you answer.

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The Associated Press, BBC News, Reuters and Agence France-Presse issued a joint statement on Thursday morning, saying they are deeply alarmed independent journalists in Gaza are facing the threat of starvation. The outlets then called on Israel to allow journalists freely into Gaza to report on the war, as well as provide more food to the region.

We are desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families, the statement said. For many months, these independent journalists have been the worlds eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza. They are now facing the same dire circumstances as those they are covering.

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Israel has restricted press access to Gaza following Hamas deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, only allowing foreign journalists in with the Israeli army as the country says its too dangerous to enter freely. Hamas is still holding 50 hostages, although it is unclear how many of them are still alive.

Journalists endure many deprivations and hardships in warzones. We are deeply alarmed that the threat of starvation is now one of them, the joint statement continued.

We once again urge the Israeli authorities to allow journalists in and out of Gaza. It is essential that adequate food supplies reach the people there.

The open letter comes on the heels of a statement from Agence France-Presse on Monday in which the outlet said it has lost journalists in conflicts since its inception in 1944, but none of us can recall seeing a colleague die of hunger.

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President Trump has pushed to get Israel and Hamas to agree to a 60 day ceasefire in recent weeks. After weeks of stalling, Hamas submitted a proposal for a Gaza truce that Israel is reviewing on Thursday, Reuters reported. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this month his aim is for there to be no Hamas left in Gaza, following the war.





The post AP, Reuters, BBC News Deeply Alarmed Journalists in Gaza Face Threat of Starvation, Urge Israel to Take Action in Joint Letter appeared first on TheWrap.
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  Apalachicola city officials are closely monitoring the citys water quality after experiencing some problems with the water system. Theyve been testing 6 locations to determine if there are high levels of contamination.

During the July 3rd tests, they found one location with a positive result for total coliform, which is bacteria found in the soil, organic debris, and surface water. Each positive result is then tested for E. Coli.

The presence of E. Coli is a strong indication that the water may be contaminated with animal or human waste. In this case, there was no E. Coli detected.

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Workers tested wells 5 and 7 on July 9th and found a positive result for total coliform in well 7, but no E. Coli.

They retested well 7 again on July 11th. There was no sign of coliform or E. coli.

The city takes chlorine samples every day to make sure there is enough chlorine to kill bacteria. They say the chlorine levels are within the acceptable ranges.

The problems began last fall, after Hurricane Helene damaged the water systems aerator, causing the water to smell and taste bad. Last month, city commissioners declared a state of emergency that is still in effect at least through tomorrow.

They say theyve ordered a new aerator, which should arrive within a few weeks. The city has filed an application with the Northwest Florida Water Management District to add an additional well.

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In the meantime, residents are encouraged to flush their hot water heaters and turn on cold water taps for five minutes to remove residual water odors.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com.
This stock is one of several featured in our latest research. For more small-cap opportunities with asymmetric return potential, read our free article: 10 Promising SmallCap Stocks Under $1 Billion Market Cap.

We came across a bullish thesis on Cronos Group Inc. on LongTermValue Researchs . In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on CRON. Cronos Group Inc.'s share was trading at $2.01 as of July 16th. CRONs trailing P/E was 14.36 according to Yahoo Finance.

Is Cronos Group Inc. (CRON) The Best CBD Stock To Invest In Right Now?

A close up of cannabis plants growing in an outdoor facility, symbolizing the product of the cannabinoid company.

Cronos Group (CRON) presents a rare deep value opportunity for investors seeking shelter in assets trading below net cash amidst ongoing market volatility and geopolitical tension. With a market cap of $722 million and an enterprise value of negative $70 million, CRON is a true net-nettrading below its adjusted burn-down book value of $807 million.

The company holds approximately $840 million in cash, exceeding its market capitalization, and recently announced a $50 million buyback (7% of market cap), signaling confidence in its intrinsic value. Investor fatigue is high due to past value destruction, but the underlying fundamentals suggest a turnaround is underway.

CRON holds a leading 20% share in Canadas cannabis gummy market with its Spinach brand and reported 28% YoY revenue growth and 7% EBITDA margins in Q1 2025. Gross margins expanded to 44% from 18% YoY, and the company is now free cash flow positiveunusual for a net-net. Valuation scenarios suggest substantial upside.

Using a base-case FCF power of $45.6 million and a 10x multiple, the operating company is worth $1.18 per share, which, when added to the adjusted book value of $2.09, implies a $3.28 per share valuation75% above the current price. Additionally, Altrias 40% ownership offers a strategic call option.

A buyout of the remaining 60% at 10x EBITDA could imply a takeout price of $3.86 or more, with multibagger potential if CRON achieves $50 million EBITDA by 2026. With positive momentum, ample cash, and potential strategic catalysts, CRON stands out as a high-upside, low-downside net-net anomaly.

Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Cronos Group Inc. (CRON) by Jake LaMotta in February 2025, which highlighted the companys strong balance sheet, leading cannabis brand, and undervaluation. The companys stock price has appreciated approximately by 8% since our coverage. This is because operational improvement played out. LongTermValue Research shares a similar view but emphasizes turnaround momentum and Altria buyout optionality.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled Wednesday that President Donald Trumps order seeking to end birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, affirming a lower-court decision that blocked its enforcement nationwide.

The ruling from a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes after Trumps plan was also blocked by a federal judge in New Hampshire. It marks the first time an appeals court has weighed in and brings the issue one step closer to coming back quickly before the Supreme Court.

The 9th Circuit decision keeps a block on the Trump administration enforcing the order that would deny citizenship to children born to people who are in the United States illegally or temporarily.

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The district court correctly concluded that the Executive Orders proposed interpretation, denying citizenship to many persons born in the United States, is unconstitutional. We fully agree, the majority wrote.

The 2-1 ruling keeps in place a decision from U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour in Seattle, who blocked Trumps effort to end birthright citizenship and decried what he described as the administrations attempt to ignore the Constitution for political gain. Coughenour was the first to block the order.

The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

The Supreme Court has since restricted the power of lower court judges to issue orders that affect the whole country, known as nationwide injunctions.

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But the 9th Circuit majority found that the case fell under one of the exceptions left open by the justices. The case was filed by a group of states who argued that they need a nationwide order to prevent the problems that would be caused by birthright citizenship only being the law in half of the country.

We conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in issuing a universal injunction in order to give the States complete relief," Judge Michael Hawkins and Ronald Gould, both appointed by President Bill Clinton, wrote.

Judge Patrick Bumatay, who was appointed by Trump, dissented. He found that the states don't have the legal right, or standing, to sue. We should approach any request for universal relief with good faith skepticism, mindful that the invocation of complete relief isnt a backdoor to universal injunctions, he wrote.

Bumatay did not weigh in on whether ending birthright citizenship would be constitutional.

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The Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment says that all people born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to U.S. jurisdiction, are citizens.

Justice Department attorneys argue that the phrase subject to United States jurisdiction in the amendment means that citizenship isnt automatically conferred to children based on their birth location alone.

The states  Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon  argue that ignores the plain language of the Citizenship Clause as well as a landmark birthright citizenship case in 1898 where the Supreme Court found a child born in San Francisco to Chinese parents was a citizen by virtue of his birth on American soil.

Trumps order asserts that a child born in the U.S. is not a citizen if the mother does not have legal immigration status or is in the country legally but temporarily, and the father is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. At least nine lawsuits challenging the order have been filed around the U.S.

___

Associated Press writer Rebecca Boone contributed to this story.
WASHINGTON  A federal appeals court ruled Wednesday that President Donald Trumps order seeking to end birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, affirming a lower-court decision that blocked its enforcement nationwide.

The ruling from a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes after Trumps plan was also blocked by a federal judge in New Hampshire. It brings the issue one step closer to coming back quickly before the Supreme Court.

The 9th Circuit decision keeps a block on the Trump administration enforcing the order that would deny citizenship to children born to people who are in the United States illegally or temporarily.

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The district court correctly concluded that the Executive Orders proposed interpretation, denying citizenship to many persons born in the United States, is unconstitutional. We fully agree, the majority wrote.

The 2-1 ruling keeps in place a decision from U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour in Seattle, who blocked Trumps effort to end birthright citizenship and decried what he described as the administrations attempt to ignore the Constitution for political gain.

The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.

The Supreme Court has since restricted the power of lower court judges to issue orders that affect the whole country, known as nationwide injunctions.

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But the 9th Circuit majority found that the case fell under one of the exceptions left open by the justices. The case was filed by a group of states who argued that they need a nationwide order to prevent the problems that would be caused by birthright citizenship only being the law in half of the country.

We conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion in issuing a universal injunction in order to give the States complete relief, Judge Michael Hawkins and Ronald Gould, both appointed by President Bill Clinton, wrote.

Judge Patrick Bumatay, who was appointed by Trump, dissented. He found that the states dont have the legal right, or standing, to sue. We should approach any request for universal relief with good faith skepticism, mindful that the invocation of complete relief isnt a backdoor to universal injunctions, he wrote.

Bumatay did not weigh in on whether ending birthright citizenship would be constitutional.

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The Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment says that all people born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to U.S. jurisdiction, are citizens.

Justice Department attorneys argue that the phrase subject to United States jurisdiction in the amendment means that citizenship isnt automatically conferred to children based on their birth location alone.

The states  Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon  argue that ignores the plain language of the Citizenship Clause as well as a landmark birthright citizenship case in 1898 where the Supreme Court found a child born in San Francisco to Chinese parents was a citizen by virtue of his birth on American soil.

Trumps order asserts that a child born in the U.S. is not a citizen if the mother does not have legal immigration status or is in the country legally but temporarily, and the father is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. At least nine lawsuits challenging the order have been filed around the U.S.




Rev. Patrick Mahoney, director of the Christian Defense Coalition, joined demonstrators 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. (Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)

A federal appeals court on Wednesday agreed with a Seattle judges decision to universally block President Donald Trumps executive order restricting birthright citizenship.

The appeals judges ruled 2-1 that Trumps order, issued on Inauguration Day, violates the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.

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One power that the President was not granted, by Article II or by any other source, is the power to modify or change any clause of the United States Constitution, Judge Ronald Gould, a Clinton appointee, wrote in his opinion.

Goulds opinion, joined by Judge Michael Hawkins, sides with U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour, who stopped Trumps order with an indefinite preliminary injunction in February. Such orders block enforcement while the case proceeds through the courts.

Coughenour called Trumps order blatantly unconstitutional. The lawsuit was brought by Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Illinois and two pregnant noncitizen women who feared their children could be born without citizenship in any country.

In a statement, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown applauded the appeals court ruling.

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The court agrees that the president cannot redefine what it means to be American with the stroke of a pen, Brown said. He cannot strip away the rights, liberties, and protections of children born in our country.

The decision from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals adds to the list of courts that have found Trumps move unconstitutional and blocked enforcement of it. The ruling comes after the Department of Justice and Washington attorney generals office argued the case in early June.

Since those arguments, the U.S. Supreme Court decided judges like Coughenour had overstepped their authority in blocking Trumps order nationwide. The justices ruled nationwide injunctions should be limited to when necessary to provide complete relief to each plaintiff.

The high courts decision left the door open for a checkerboard of states where birthright citizenship remained and others where it didnt.

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The justices didnt take up the merits of Trumps order.

Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a statement that the state was proud to stand up for birthright citizenship and would continue to defend the rights of all Oregonians.

Oregon challenged this executive order because we understood what was at stake, Rayfield said. It threatened to strip citizenship from children who are just as American as anyone else  kids growing up in our communities, attending our schools, and calling this country home. It was an attack not just on immigrant countries, but on the values we all share.

Wednesdays ruling is the second to confirm a complete block is necessary since the Supreme Court decision, after a New Hampshire federal judge certified a nationwide class action suit.

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The Trump administration looks to define subject to the jurisdiction thereof as only covering people whose primary allegiance is to the United States. So people born to parents only here temporarily or without legal status wouldnt qualify for citizenship at birth.

In 2022, about 153,000 babies across the country were born to two parents without legal immigration status, including 4,000 in Washington, according to the plaintiffs. The states have said they stand to lose federal funding through programs like Medicaid that otherwise could help these children if they were citizens.

Gould found this argument persuasive, justifying complete relief to block the order nationwide. He wrote that Trumps birthright citizenship order would require states to overhaul their eligibility verification systems for social service programs.

The preliminary injunction here merely prevents the Executive Branch from denying citizenship to individuals who are likely constitutionally entitled to citizenship, Gould wrote. Because, as the district court correctly concluded, the Executive Branch does not have a legitimate interest in violating the Constitution, the Executive Branch has not shown that either the public interest or the balance of equities tips in its favor.

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Judge Patrick Bumatay, a Trump appointee, disagreed, arguing the states lack standing to bring litigation over the order because their financial loss would be a self-inflicted injury if they choose to provide benefits to immigrants without legal status.

In his dissent, Bumatay didnt address the issue of the injunctions scope.

Washington State Standard, like the Capital Chronicle, is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Washington State Standard maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Bill Lucia for questions: info@washingtonstatestandard.com.
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown, center, speaks to reporters alongside Solicitor General Noah Purcell, left, and Northwest Immigrant Rights Project Legal Director Matt Adams, right, outside a Seattle courthouse where federal appeals court judges heard arguments over President Donald Trump's executive order on birthright citizenship on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)

A federal appeals court on Wednesday agreed with a Seattle judges decision to universally block President Donald Trumps executive order restricting birthright citizenship.

The appeals judges ruled 2-1 that Trumps order, issued on Inauguration Day, violates the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which states all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States.

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One power that the President was not granted, by Article II or by any other source, is the power to modify or change any clause of the United States Constitution, Judge Ronald Gould, a Clinton appointee, wrote in his opinion.

Goulds opinion, joined by Judge Michael Hawkins, sides with U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour who stopped Trumps order with an indefinite preliminary injunction in February. Such orders block enforcement while the case proceeds through the courts.

Coughenour called Trumps order blatantly unconstitutional. The lawsuit was brought by Washington, Oregon, Arizona, Illinois and two pregnant noncitizen women who feared their children could be born without citizenship in any country.

In a statement, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown applauded the appeals court ruling.

Advertisement Advertisement

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The court agrees that the president cannot redefine what it means to be American with the stroke of a pen, Brown said. He cannot strip away the rights, liberties, and protections of children born in our country.

The decision from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals adds to the list of courts that have found Trumps move unconstitutional and blocked enforcement of it. The ruling comes after the Department of Justice and Washington attorney generals office argued the case in early June.

Since those arguments, the U.S. Supreme Court decided judges like Coughenour had overstepped their authority in blocking Trumps order nationwide. The justices ruled nationwide injunctions should be limited to when necessary to provide complete relief to each plaintiff.

The high courts decision left the door open for a checkerboard of states where birthright citizenship remained and others where it didnt.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The justices didnt take up the merits of Trumps order.

Wednesdays ruling is the second to confirm a complete block is necessary since the Supreme Court decision, after a New Hampshire federal judge certified a nationwide class action suit.

The Trump administration looks to define subject to the jurisdiction thereof as only covering people whose primary allegiance is to the United States. So people born to parents only here temporarily or without legal status wouldnt qualify for citizenship at birth.

In 2022, about 153,000 babies across the country were born to two parents without legal immigration status, including 4,000 in Washington, according to the plaintiffs. The states have said they stand to lose federal funding through programs like Medicaid that otherwise could help these children if they were citizens.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Gould found this argument persuasive, justifying complete relief to block the order nationwide. He wrote that Trumps birthright citizenship order would require states to overhaul their eligibility verification systems for social service programs.

The preliminary injunction here merely prevents the Executive Branch from denying citizenship to individuals who are likely constitutionally entitled to citizenship, Gould wrote. Because, as the district court correctly concluded, the Executive Branch does not have a legitimate interest in violating the Constitution, the Executive Branch has not shown that either the public interest or the balance of equities tips in its favor.

Judge Patrick Bumatay, a Trump appointee, disagreed, arguing the states lack standing to bring litigation over the order because their financial loss would be a self-inflicted injury if they choose to provide benefits to immigrants without legal status.

In his dissent, Bumatay didnt address the issue of the injunctions scope.

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A 16-year-old boy from Apple Valley was charged Wednesday in connection with a Minneapolis shooting that killed an 11-year-old boy last month.

Police arrested the teen about 9 a.m. Tuesday in Apple Valley.

Amir Atkins, 11, of Hopkins was shot and killed on the afternoon of June 23 at Folwell Park on Dowling Avenue North in Minneapolis.

The Hennepin County Attorneys Office charged the 16-year-old with possession of a firearm by a person under age 18. Murder was not a viable charge because of evidence of self-defense, the county attorneys office said in a statement.

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Surveillance video from the Folwell Park Recreation Center showed two people arrive in a Honda Fit and park in front of the rec center. One of the people in the car was later identified as the 16-year-old, the juvenile petition said.

Two other vehicles, a Kia Optima and Hyundai Tucson, drove erratically through the park towards the rec center at high rates of speed, the petition said.

The video showed a person, identified as Atkins, leaning out the front passenger window of the Kia and holding what appeared to be a firearm. He continued to hold it as the vehicle veered toward the group near the Honda.

The video also showed the 16-year-old dived into the rear seat of the Honda and quickly emerged with a firearm. He fired multiple shots toward both vehicles, and the Kia and Hyundai sped away, the petition said.

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Witnesses later identified the 16-year-old from the video as the person who fired the fatal shots. In talking to police, the teen identified himself from a video screenshot, though he said he hadnt possessed or fired a gun.

Everything about this case is a tragedy, especially that an 11-year-old boy, Amir Atkins, is dead, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement. This is a moment to grieve Amirs death and to reassess absolutely everything about what system failures, including access to guns, led to an 11-year-old child dying under these circumstances. No matter what Amir was doing at the time, he was a young child. He deserved to live a full life.

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UPDATE: According to the Mississippi County Sheriffs Department, a body of a 62-year-old man was found on July 23 around 9:30 a.m. in a field.

They say the body has been sent to the state crime lab to determine the cause of death, but the sheriffs dept. said they do not believe foul play is involved.

MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, Ark.  An investigation is underway after a dead body was found near a Mississippi County, Arkansas, nursing home.

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The Mississippi County Sheriffs Office investigated the incident this morning at 9:30, and found a dead body in an open field.

Gosnell, Arkansas has a population of 2700, which is an hour and 10 minutes north of Memphis.

The field where the body in Mississippi County, Arkansas, was found. Photo by WREG

Mississippi County Sheriff Dale Cook told a local news outlet that theres no identification on the body that was found as currently, nor is there any information on the cause of death.

WREG will update this story.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
I was amazed by the find. To my delight, I also discovered a pair of gold earrings, but the ring, with its small and unique design, really moved me," volunteer Eddie Lipsman said.

A volunteer from abroad uncovered a 2,000-year-old gold ring and a pair of earrings during archaeological excavations at Susita National Park, following an announcement by leaders at the University of Haifas Archaeology department. The artifacts date back to the Roman period, approximately 2,000 years ago.

Eddie Lipsman, a volunteer on the excavation team, spoke to Walla about uncovering the ring while doing a scan. I was assigned a specific excavation area by [Dr.] Michael [Eisenberg]. While scanning with a metal detector, I suddenly heard a distinct beep, which usually signals the presence of special metals. When I dug, I first saw a yellow hue, and as I continued, I uncovered a small, remarkable gold ring, Lipsman said. I was amazed by the find. To my delight, I also discovered a pair of gold earrings, but the ring, with its small and unique design, really moved me.

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The ancient city of Susita has been undergoing preservation and restoration for 26 years as part of the Susita excavation project, managed by the Institute of Archaeology at the University of Haifa. The excavation team, led by Dr. Michael Eisenberg and Dr. Arleta Koblewska, is joined by students from the University of Haifas Department of Archaeology and School of Archaeology and Maritime Civilizations, along with international volunteers from the US, Germany, England, and Italy, many of whom made their way to Israel despite the ongoing flight cancellations.

Dr. Eisenberg explained, The small, heavy gold ring likely belonged to the daughter of a wealthy family in Susita. The pair of gold earrings, one of which is especially beautiful, were likely burial offerings that managed to avoid being looted by ancient thieves. These items date back to the Roman period (1st-3rd century AD), and were all discovered by Eddie Lipsman.

In addition to these remarkable finds, the excavation also revealed dozens of high-quality fragments of fine stucco work from the Roman-Byzantine residential neighborhood. The delicate plaster sculptures, which had fallen from the walls, are being carefully conserved, and their vibrant colors are starting to emerge once again, offering a glimpse into the once-grandiose appearance of this wealthy home.

A 2000-year-old gold earring discovered during excavations in Susita National Park. (credit: Eddie Lipsman/Nature and Parks Authority)

This year, the excavation is focused on uncovering parts of the citys residential quarter, a grand cathedral, an ancient Roman gate that was fully uncovered, and the citys cemeteries.

The history of Susita, the city of horses

Dr. Dror Ben-Yosef, Northern District Archaeologist at the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, noted that Susita National Park, located on the slopes of the Golan Heights east of the Sea of Galilee, preserves the magnificent remains of the ancient city of Hippos (Susita in Hebrew).

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The city, named after horses, flourished from the Hellenistic period, which began around 300 BC, reached its peak during the Roman-Byzantine era, and continued until it was destroyed by an earthquake in 749 CE following the Muslim conquest. Excavations have uncovered significant remains from the Roman and Byzantine periods.

The excavations are expected to continue on weekdays until the end of July, and the public is invited to visit and observe the ongoing discoveries.
The glacier was singing.

Northern Irish duo Bicep were on a trip to Greenland, and when the pairs Andy Ferguson visited the countrys famous Russell Glacier, he says he found it to be like an orchestra of noise. The squeals and crashes that the ice makes were truly otherworldly.

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While many of us will never get the chance to hear these sounds in person, this glacier and other voices of the Arctic, human and otherwise, are incorporated into the lauded electronic duos new collaborative project Takkuuk.

Taking its name from the Inuktitut word meaning to look closely, Takkuuk is an audiovisual installation from Bicep (Ferguson and Matt McBriar) visual artist Zak Norman and filmmaker Charlie Miller that delves into the lives, communities and challenges facing artists Indigenous to the Arctic region. After debuting in London earlier this month, the installation will travel to Australia, Europe, Greenland, the Middle East and South American into 2026. Fusing electronic music ranging from uptempo to ambient with elements of the natural world, the ten-track Takkuuk soundtrack is out Friday (July 25) via Ninja Tune.

The project started in 2023 when Bicep was invited on an exploratory trip to Greenland by non-profit In Place of War, which works to use art to bring attention to places impacted by war and climate change. In the Arctic, Bicep spent the two week trip meeting with locals, having conversations and touring communities to better understand how their habitats and lives are being affected by climate change, as warming temperatures accelerate the melting of ice sheets across the Arctic. The film also looks at the displacement and marginalization of communities in these regions.

The very obvious and initial impression of Greenland was of a landscape that was truly beautiful, but visibly under threat from climate change, says Ferguson. While issues related to climate change can feel broad, faraway and existential, Takkuuk puts names, faces, stories and sounds to them.

Climate change is a human crisis that affects all of us, Ferguson continues. Whilst we need to see headlines, at the same time we need to understand the impact on a more human level, and how climate change creates a chain reaction that has a real life impact on local communities and culture.

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While in Greenland, Bicep also met with local artists while attending Greenlands Arctic Sounds festival, which features artists from the region. The initial idea was to collaborate on original music with artists they met at the festival and potentially do a collaborative gig at the following years event.

But when everyone got on a call to talk about the project, says McBriar, it became clear that the artists being able to tell their individual stories was incredibly important.

And so the idea expanded to become an audiovisual project, in which Indigenous artists from across the Arctic would be filmed telling their stories in their respective homes. Ultimately, this group came to include ten Indigenous musicians including Greenlandic rapper Tarrak, who also delivered his own animal sound field recordings to the project, Greenlandic indie rock band Nuija and Swedens Katarina Barruk, who sings in the Ume Sami language thats currently spoken by only a handful native speakers. Filmed in Greenland, Sweden, Norway and Canada, Takkuuk features everything from metal to traditional throat singing.

Along with the music and individual stories, the film also captivates via sweeping, Planet Earth-style views of the remote Arctic, showing viewers the glory of this ecosystem and the human lives, communities and traditions at stake in its changing climate. The idea is for the project to inspire action, with the films online hub containing information on everything from how to switch banking and pension institutions to more climate-minded entities, how to switch to better energy suppliers, traveling more sustainably and inspiring youth.

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In an genre that can be mind-numbingly focused on hedonistic escapism, this project by the beloved duo demonstrates electronic musics power to direct attention to issues that matter.

Art can help give a voice and also a different perspective that makes visualizing the problems more impactful, says Ferguson. This can also help to share the stories of those on the frontline of climate change and reach more people who can ultimately help make change happen.





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COLUMBIANA, Ohio (WKBN)- As temperatures are expected to reach well into the 90s the next few days, the City of Columbiana is asking residents to conserve power.

Customers are being asked to voluntarily lower electricity usage during the peak period from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.

Community Energy Savings Days is a response program for when demand for electricity is expected to be high.

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They say that doing this will benefit community electric rates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
September WTI crude oil (CLU25) today is down -0.33 (-0.51%), and September RBOB gasoline (RBU25) is up +0.0112 (+0.54%).

Crude oil and gasoline prices today are mixed. Dollar strength today is undercutting energy prices. Also, today's weekly EIA report showing a build in crude supplies at Cushing, the delivery point for WTI futures, for a third consecutive week, is undercutting oil prices. Losses in crude are contained, and gasoline prices rose after weekly EIA crude inventories and gasoline supplies fell more than expected. Additionally, the action by the US and Japan to agree on a trade agreement eases trade concerns and supports energy demand.

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Today's US economic news was negative for energy demand and crude prices after Jun existing home sales fell -2.7% m/m to a 9-month low of 3.93 million, weaker than expectations of -0.7% to 4.00 million.

Weakness in the crude crack spread is bearish for crude prices after the crack spread fell to a 2-week low today. The weaker crack spread discourages refiners from purchasing crude oil to refine into gasoline and distillates.

Weighing on crude is the outlook for Iraq to boost crude exports from its northern Kurdish region through the Iraq-Turkey pipeline, where oil exports have been halted since March 2023. The Iraqi government approved a plan for the semi-autonomous Kurdish region to resume oil exports. Kurdistan expects to supply Iraq's crude market with 230,000 bpd of crude once exports resume. Iraq is the second-largest oil producer in OPEC.

Crude prices have carryover support from last Friday when the European Union approved fresh sanctions on Russian oil due to its aggression against Ukraine. The sanctions package includes cutting off 20 more Russian banks from the international payments system SWIFT, as well as restrictions imposed on Russian petroleum refined in other countries. A large oil refinery in India, part-owned by Russia's Rosneft PJSC, was also blacklisted. Additionally, 105 more ships in Russia's shadow fleet were sanctioned, pushing the number of sanctioned ships above 400.

Concern about a global oil glut is negative for crude prices. On July 5, OPEC+ agreed to raise its crude production by 548,000 barrels per day (bpd) beginning August 1, exceeding expectations of a 411,000 bpd increase. Saudi Arabia also stated that additional similar-sized increases in crude output could follow, which is viewed as a strategy to reduce oil prices and penalize overproducing OPEC+ members, such as Kazakhstan and Iraq. OPEC+ is boosting output to reverse the 2-year-long production cut, gradually restoring a total of 2.2 million bpd of production by September 2026. On May 31, OPEC+ agreed to a 411,000 bpd increase in crude production for July, following the same 411,000 bpd hike for June. June crude production rose +360,000 bpd to a 1.5-year high of 28.10 million bpd.
Chris Newman was carrying two bags when we recently sat down for breakfast at Homegirl Cafe in downtown Los Angeles.

One was a newish satchel holding his laptop and papers for the cases hes working on, which happen to involve some of the most infamous moments in the Trump administrations deportation deluge.

Newman assisted on a lawsuit that won a temporary restraining order against the indiscriminate immigration raids that have afflicted Southern California since June. He also represents the family of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a day laborer who was mistakenly deported to his native El Salvador in the spring, then returned on the order of a federal judge. At the Border Patrol's takeover of MacArthur Park earlier this month, Newman was there shooting video and deriding the spectacle as a dystopian episode of The Apprentice.

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If we can litigate the calamity [of Trump] at the local level to the widest degree, that can help democracy survive, dude, Newman told me as he picked at black beans and two eggs over easy.

Read more: Arellano: In an L.A. park, Trump unleashed his latest show of farce: The Battle of the Photo Op

The other bag, a big straw tote, was filled with anti-Trump and anti-migra T-shirts, posters and stickers. Wherever Newman goes these days, he hands them out like a progressive Santa Claus.

I want to keep the proper amount of anger to have the fuel to do all this," he said. "The pendulum is sweeping so wide and so fast. We need to be ready.

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For the past 21 years, Newman has been a pivotal, omnipresent part of Southern Californias immigrant rights movement as legal director for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, better known as NDLON. His work takes him from street corners advising jornaleros about their rights to my alma mater, UCLA, where hes on the faculty of the Institute for Research on Labor and Employment.

Newmans influence extends far past Los Angeles, however. He's a regular presence on national media outlets, quick and eloquent with insights and righteous anger. Politicians from Sacramento to Washington know he isnt afraid to tear into them if he thinks theyre too timid to publicly call out xenophobia or support laws that protect the undocumented.

He does not mind being the bad cop, said Angela Chan, assistant chief attorney at the San Francisco public defenders office. In her previous job last decade, she and Newman helped craft a trio of bills that made California a sanctuary state.

It can make a meeting very uncomfortable, but Chris is cutting all the bulls so you get much closer to having an honest conversation," Chan said. "He does not expect or pursue pomp or circumstance.

Chris Newman, legal council for the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, outside Homegirl Cafe in Los Angeles. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Salvador Reza, a longtime organizer in Phoenix, first worked with Newman in the mid-2000s after asking NDLON to help pressure the city to let day laborers seek work. Newman participated in forums, organized rallies and ultimately convinced city officials to lay off by citing a 2006 lawsuit against Redondo Beach that he had worked on. In that case, an ordinance banning day laborers was ruled unconstitutional.

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Newman and Reza went on to wage many successful campaigns in Arizona, from defeating Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio at the ballot box to fighting local law enforcement agencies partnering with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The two even convinced music legends like Zack de la Rocha, Los Tigres del Norte and the late Jenni Rivera to bypass the Copper State during their tours in 2010 to protest a state bill that sought to make life miserable for undocumented immigrants.

He cares a lot about people, and hell go out of his way to help out anyone who needs it whos being abused by the system, said Reza, who saw Newman earlier this year when the two met with Home Depot managers over allegations that their stores in Phoenix were chasing off day laborers. Hes super busy over there in California right now, isn't he?

A fast talker who exudes confidence but isnt a braggart, Newman looks far younger than 49. His full head of hair, round-framed glasses and freshly sprouted mustache gives the Chicagoland native the look of a Depression-era do-gooder.

Im trying to hold onto the anger stage so I dont get into the sad stage, he said. And I dont want to get there because thatll lead to the acceptance stage, and too much of L.A. is already there.

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Read more: Arellano: As Trump was sworn in, day laborer organizer Pablo Alvarado did what he always does

Newman never planned for a career like this, even though his mother was from Denmark, his father is a Hungarian Jew and his brother is of Salvadoran descent. He attended law school in Denver, set on becoming a death penalty lawyer, until realizing it wasnt like I thought it was in the movies.

A mentor suggested that Newman recharge his bleeding heart by volunteering with Minsun Ji, founder of Denvers first day laborers' center. I didnt even know day laborers were a thing, Newman admitted. But he immediately loved everything  just hanging out there, chewing the fat and hearing the stories of the jornaleros.

Ji assigned him to help clean the restrooms his first few weeks. Newman eventually graduated to handling wage theft cases and volunteered for whatever was needed, including driving a van full of day laborers to an NDLON conference in suburban Maryland in 2002. There, he heard Thomas Saenz, an attorney for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund who led a successful lawsuit against Prop. 187, the 1994 California anti-immigrant ballot initiative. Saenz told the crowd about MALDEF's lawsuits against Southern California cities that were trying to ban day laborers.

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Thats when I realized I could use my law degree to do the exact same thing, Newman said. [It was] something that I loved in theory, but I didnt realize it was happening in real life.

About a year later, he called NDLON co-founder Pablo Alvarado.

It was at eight at night, and I was still at the [NDLON] office, Alvarado said in a phone interview. And Chris said, I want to do a fellowship with you. The fellowship deadline is at three in the afternoon the next day. Can I go right now so we can write it?

He began to laugh. We didnt sleep all night, but we did it  we finished his application. And Chris never left.

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(Newman remembers the moment differently. He said he applied for the fellowship, but Alvarado forgot about it until the day before it was due.)

Twenty-one years later, Alvarado says Newmans energy and verisimilitude haven't changed.

Even though hes a lawyer, his feet are on the ground  hes not an elitist. By 8 in the morning, he will have read every article written that day about immigration. Hell tell me what we need to do, and then he goes out and does it.

Like the Abrego Garcia case.

Newman called Abrego Garcias lawyer to offer help, then connected with the family to organize a GoFundMe campaign through NDLON. Next was enlisting artists in a social media campaign to make Abrego Garcias predicament go viral. Soon, Newman was on a flight to El Salvador in an unsuccessful bid to visit the imprisoned Abrego Garcia, something he would try two more times.

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It felt like a Venn diagram of everything Ive worked for over the past 20 years, said Newman, who has yet to speak to Abrego Garcia. At the time, we had no idea whether he was innocent or guilty. What mattered is that he deserved due process.

Soon after Newman's last visit to El Salvador, L.A.s summer of deportation raids began.

Chris Newman, right, hands Veronica Wyninger, a trainee-employee, a sign at Homegirl Cafe. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

I concluded our breakfast by asking if Newman was optimistic that things might get better. Instead of cowering under Trump's boot, L.A. has stood up. The day we met, the Pentagon announced that half of the 4,000 National Guard members deployed in Southern California in the wake of anti-ICE protests would leave.

Im a Cornel West disciple, Newman responded. And he said theres a difference between hope and optimism."

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West defined optimism as based on a rational analysis of what's out there, while hope is an act of courage against what seems like impossible odds.

"No one has ever accused me of being an optimist," Newman said.

He kept thinking about it.

I dont know, but I think the tide will turn. I remember when Arpaio had an 85% approval rating. And he went down.

He got more animated. I know people can turn the tide, but they have to do their part.

He reached into his straw tote and brought out his anti-migra swag  a T-shirt emblazoned with Arrest Trump, Not Migrants," bumper stickers reading ICE Out of LA! with the "LA" in Dodgers style, red-and-white signs declaring I.C.E. Off My Property Get A Warrant!

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Our waitress came with the bill, then looked at the T-shirt. Thats really cool! she exclaimed.

Want it? Newman replied as he handed it to her. Other Homegirl staffers grabbed stickers and signs.

As we exited the cafe, Newman left a stack on a table next to the door.

Im going to go to Highland Park later to ask businesses if they want to post them on their windows, he said as a customer eyed the signs.

Go ahead and take it, man, Newman urged. "Take a bunch!"

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
In a landmark sentencing, an alleged American accomplice in the North Korean IT workers scheme was sent to federal prison for nearly nine years. Thursdays sentencing proved a pivotal moment in the U.S. battle against North Korean sanctions evasion tactics that have claimed up to $600 million annually in a coordinated attack on U.S. and European companies.

Christina Chapman, 50, an Arizona woman who pleaded guilty to charges connected to the global North Korean IT workers scheme, has been sentenced to 8.5 years in federal prison. U.S. District Court Judge Randolph D. Moss also ordered Chapman to forfeit proceeds of $284,000 that was to be paid to the North Koreans. She was also ordered to pay a judgement of $176,850the same amount she charged North Koreans for her help in the scheme that authorities said was one of the largest IT worker conspiracies charged by the Department of Justice.

According to court documents, Chapman helped North Korean workers fraudulently obtain remote-work jobs at U.S. companies. Authorities said she helped to conceal their identities by accepting and safeguarding their laptops, installing remote-access software, and filling out identity forms to make it seem like they were in the U.S. when they were actually overseas. Prosecutors said Chapman turned her home into a laptop farm, with labels on each device identifying the associated company and stolen identity, photos from a 2023 raid of Chapmans house show. All told, the scheme Chapman involved herself in claimed about $17.1 million in salaries from 309 U.S. businesses, paid to North Koreans posing as American IT workers. Nearly 70 Americans had their identities stolen, authorities said.

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North Korea is not just a threat to the homeland from afar. It is an enemy within. It is perpetrating fraud on American citizens, American companies, and American banks. It is a threat to Main Street in every sense of the word, said U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro in a statement. The call is coming from inside the house. If this happened to these big banks, to these Fortune 500, brand name, quintessential American companies, it can or is happening at your company. Corporations failing to verify virtual employees pose a security risk for all. You are the first line of defense against the North Korean threat.

Pirro, in a press conference, said Nike was one of the victims and wrote a letter identifying themselves as one of the companies that unwittingly hired a North Korean IT worker and paid the employee $70,000.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti said in a statement: The defendants role as a U.S.-based facilitator was critical to North Koreas complex scheme to defraud American companies and steal the identities of American citizens. This multi-year plot highlights the unique threat that North Korea poses to U.S. companies who hire remote workers. The Criminal Division remains steadfast in its commitment to identify and prosecute individuals who facilitate these criminal schemes against U.S. companies.

Before Thursdays hearing, prosecutors said a sentence that was too lenient would convey the wrong message to North Koreans perpetuating the scheme and any potential U.S. facilitators. Cybersecurity experts said the sentence will set a strategic precedent about punishment for Americans who get involved in the way adversaries use AI to deceive the U.S.

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Andrew Borene, executive director at Flashpoint threat intelligence, told Fortune: This prosecution aims to draw a line, deterring future U.S. facilitators and sending a message to Pyongyang.

Chapmans role running a laptop farm in the scheme peels back the curtain on a coordinated campaign by the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (DPRK) to infiltrate American, and increasingly, European businesses.

Following crushing financial sanctions in 2016 that cut off North Korea from the U.S. financial system and banned North Korean workers from getting jobs at U.S. businesses, DPRK leaders created a scheme to weaponize remote work, court documents show. Workers, trained in tech and AI from an early age, are deployed to China, Russia, Nigeria, or the United Arab Emirates to manage dozens of fake or stolen identities, apply for remote IT jobs, and then send their salaries back to North Korea. UN documents show DPRK authoritarian ruler Kim Jong Un allegedly uses the illicit funds to finance the countrys nuclear-weapons program.

For corporate America, the North Korean IT worker scheme has been a wake-up call that has been ringing off the hook for the past two years. Hundreds of Fortune 500 companies have been found to have hired thousands of North Korean IT workersand the workers have continued to get jobs. UN estimates show the scheme generates between $250 million to $600 million annually for the regime.

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Prosecutors said human cost is unmistakable and the Americans who had their identities stolen in the scheme have faced severe consequences. Fake tax liabilities were created in their names, and theyve faced ongoing monitoring from the IRS and Social Security Administration. One victim was denied unemployment because an IT worker was using their Social Security number, according to Chapmans sentencing memo.

While Chapmans role in the scheme involved direct contact with laptopsincluding shipping devices to China, Pakistan, the UAE, and Nigeriaother Americans who have become embroiled in the scheme have done so unwittingly. A North Korean defector who uses the alias Kim Ji-min previously told Fortune, via an interpreter, that Americans involved had no idea they were working with North Koreans. Kim said he received and carried out development orders from American companies and concealed his identity completely.

The North Korean regime has generated millions of dollars for its nuclear weapons program by victimizing American citizens, businesses, and financial institutions, said FBI Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBIs Counterintelligence Division in a statement. However, even an adversary as sophisticated as the North Korean government cant succeed without the assistance of willing U.S. citizens like Christina Chapman, who was sentenced today for her role in an elaborate scheme to defraud more than 300 American companies by helping North Korean IT workers gain virtual employment and launder the money they earned. Todays sentencing demonstrates that the FBI will work tirelessly with our partners to defend the homeland and hold those accountable who aid our adversaries.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
About two dozen people participated in a protest on July 24, 2025 outside the El Salvador Consulate in Springdale. The event was organized by Indivisible NWA. (Photo by Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate)

Northwest Arkansas residents gathered outside the El Salvador Consulate in Springdale Thursday to highlight hundreds of immigrants deported to a Central American prison without due process.

More than two dozen people attended the event, which was hosted by Indivisible Northwest Arkansas in conjunction with similar protests across the United States on the birthday of El Salvadors president, Nayib Bukele.

A protester holds a sign outside the El Salvador Consulate in Springdale

https://arkansasadvocate.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/20250724_Salvador-Protest.mp3

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LISTEN: Hear Northwest Arkansas residents share, in their own words, why they attended the rally and what concerns they have about immigration policies.

The Trump administration deported more than 200 Venezuelans to a notorious Salvadoran prison called Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo, or CECOT, in March. The deportations were conducted without giving the Venezuelans time to have their cases heard by a judge, which is part of due process. The U.S. paid El Salvador $6 million to detain the men.

A wrongly deported Maryland man held in the prison until he was returned to the U.S. in June detailed psychological and physical torture in court documents. Last week, Venezuela released 10 jailed U.S. citizens and permanent residents in exchange for many of the migrants deported to CECOT, according to the Associated Press.

Lisa Childs, co-leader of Indivisible NWA, said protesters held signs along one of Springdales busiest roads Thursday because we are very upset about kidnapping United States residents. Childs said shes very glad Venezuelan prisoners were released, but we want that not to ever happen again.

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Thats not acceptable. Thats not how due process works, she said. Im a lawyer and thats not how you should do things in the United States.

Dallas Morrison said he participated in Thursdays protest because he could not just sit at home with everything happening in the country.

All thats in the news, I was just disgusted by it, so I just had to do something, Morrison said. This is maybe small, maybe big, I dont know, but this is to let people know that we stand with those people who are disenfranchised.

Dallas Morrison participated in a protest against the deportation of Venezuelan migrants to an El Salvador jail during an event organized by Indivisible NWA on July 24, 2025 in Springdale. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate)

Originally from the east coast, Morrison retired to Northwest Arkansas about three years ago after working for the federal government for 25 years. Having worked in the federal courts, he witnessed the deportation of undocumented immigrants, which left him conflicted.

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Im one of those individuals who feel that you obey our laws, but just the same, we have laws that you have to abide by, and this deportation without due process is, Ill call it shameful but Im being very nice when I say it that way, he said. We, as a country, we need to treat people better.

Though the protest was staged outside of the El Salvador Consulate, Childs noted participants werent protesting the consulate, which does really important work for immigrants. Instead, the event was about pressuring our government to do better.

Childs said she hasnt been personally affected by the Trump administrations crackdown on immigration, but she has seen the toll it can take on fellow Arkansans. Over the weekend, Childs said Indivisible NWA members listened to a presentation from Arkansas United, an immigrant advocacy group, about ways citizens can be supportive of immigrants. Prior to the presentations start, Childs said AU Executive Director Mireya Reith received a call related to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement incident.

So its neighbors, but you dont have to experience it for your heart to hurt, Childs said.

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Reith told the Advocate Thursday that initial contact with ICE in Arkansas generally has been tied to some kind of warrant. But theyve also seen collateral arrests of individuals who werent the initial target consistently since January, she said.

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FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  A River Valley couple accused of drugging and raping a woman is now being sued by the alleged victim, according to court documents.

Ricky Hamby, 57, and Janette Honeycutt, 53, were arrested in May for the rape of a person who is incapable of consent, physically helpless and/or mentally incapacitated. Both have pleaded not guilty.

A woman told authorities that on Sept. 11, 2024, she went to Hambys home to help him move new furniture and drink apple pie moonshine. Hamby reportedly told her they would have a chill day, according to the lawsuit complaint and a heavily redacted probable cause affidavit.

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The couple took the woman home so she could care for her dogs.

Affidavit reveals details leading up to fatal Fort Smith shooting

While sitting on the couch in the living room, [the woman] began to feel disoriented, her vision started to go black and she lost consciousness, the lawsuit said.

The complaint said she woke up and realized she was being sexually assaulted. Hamby reportedly attempted a sex act with Honeycutt present.

At the time, the woman was allegedly unable to speak or move and lost consciousness shortly after the incident. The lawsuit said she opened her eyes again and was being bathed by Hamby and Honeycutt.

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If you ever want to come back down here and drink, we will take advantage of you again, Hamby said in the affidavit, We took advantage of you when you got messed up drinking and we had fun.

On Sept. 13, the woman received a blood test at a medical facility and hydrocodone was found in her system. The woman said she had not knowingly taken the drug.

Hamby and Honeycutt were interviewed by authorities after the woman reported the allegations to police. After obtaining search warrants, police searched through Hamby and Honeycutts phones and found a video of the woman speaking incoherently while the couple mocked her, the affidavit said.

Former Fort Smith library employee pleads not guilty to federal child exploitation charges

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On July 17, the alleged victim filed a lawsuit against Hamby and Honeycutt, accusing them of intentional infliction of emotional distress and sexual assault and battery.

She is seeking damages in excess of $75,000, including punitive damages, and is requesting a jury trial.

The lawsuit alleges that Honeycutt and Hamby drugged the woman with hydrocodone and sexually assaulted her while she was unconscious.

Hamby is free on a $100,000 bond, and Honeycutt is still being held in the Sebastian County Detention Center on a $100,000 bond.

A forensic mental evaluation for Honeycutt has been scheduled for July 29 to determine whether she is fit to proceed. A joint jury trial in the criminal case is set for Sept. 22.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  Holding a picture of her son, Tina Dobbins could not help but feel a flood of emotions.

When you lose a parent, gosh does it hurt, but its a totally different hurt when you lose a child. Totally different, Tina said.

She learned that firsthand in January 2023 when someone shot and killed her 30-year-old son, Christopher Dobbins. He had just left her house in Sherwood.

His last words was, I love you, mama. Tell daddy I love him, too,' Tina recalled.

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Forty-three minutes later, someone gunned him down on Broadway Street in North Little Rock.

To this day, that scene is in my head and Ill never forget it, Tina said.

The shooting not only took her sons life, but it changed her life forever.

Nothings been the same. Its been really, really rough, Tina said.

Tina said her son was a joy to be around. As the glue of the family, Chris was the middle sibling to an older and younger sister. He was also a father of three. His oldest son was eight years old when he was killed. His middle daughter was two years old, and his youngest daughter was born one month after he was killed.

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Suspects accused in fatal Saline County child abuse case accept plea deals, family continues fight for justice

Days after the murder, North Little Rock Police arrested Brandon Jefferson, who was 25 years old at the time. Online court documents show Jefferson has a criminal history dating back to 2014. Over the years, he faced a slew of charges from burglary, theft, aggravated robbery, and battery. In 2022, he was finally sentenced to three years in prison, but he only served five months before being released on parole. Just six short months after being paroled, Jefferson shot and killed Tinas son.

When asked if she believes her son would still be alive had Jefferson not been paroled, Tina said, Yes, I truly do.

A member of the Post-Prison Transfer Board said when an inmate is eligible for parole, three things are considered  the crime the person committed, the length of their sentence and their behavior while in prison. In Jeffersons case, the board said he served nearly one year of the three-year sentence when they include time served before his conviction, plus he never got in trouble while in prison. They also required him to take anger management classes before being released, which the board said he did. Still, Tina felt that was not enough.

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He was never held accountable, Tina said.

When asked if she feels anger for that, Tina replied, Oh yes. I would not be honest if I didnt tell you I feel anger for that.

White Co. Domestic Violence Prevention receives Difference Makers Award

In March, Jefferson did accept a plea deal for the murder of Tinas son and received a 50-year prison sentence, but the grieving mom said that will never bring back her son.

Chris was loved. He was loved. He will be forever missed by all of us and that heartbreak, itll never end, Tina said.

In 2023, state lawmakers did pass the Protect Arkansas Act. If this law had been in place, then Jefferson would have had to serve 100 percent of his sentence in 2022 and would not have been released on parole. While Tina welcomes that change, she said she would still like to see programs that truly rehabilitate inmates before theyre released on parole.

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Sure this law has changed where theyre doing 100 percent of time for certain felonies, but there are still other felonies that lead up to bigger felonies, so if you dont catch it when they first commit a violent act, I guarantee you somewhere down the line, theyre going to commit a violent act again, Tina said.

Tina also feels there are not enough parole officers and that parole officers caseloads are too high. She believes increasing pay for parole officers would help entice more people to join the profession.

I also would like to see more programs are mandated, mental health counseling, making sure that theyre working every day, more check-ins with them, Tina said. Id like to see more programs, job programs.

Saint Mark to host life-saving stem cell donor drive to support member battling cancer

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When asked what it will take to reduce violence in Arkansas, Tina believed it starts with parenting and what happens in the household.

Until some of these things change, were going to continue to see the demise of our young people, especially young Black men and now young Black boys, Tina said. Theyre 14, 15, 16 [years old] and theyre going down for murder. When did that become the norm? And it all started, to me, when parents stopped being parents.

Tina also would like to see young people held accountable.

If you as a parent bail your child out of everything, if you never hold that child accountable, youre going to have an adult who will never hole himself or herself accountable.

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Tina also felt programs in schools are crucial to reducing the violence in Arkansas.

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COLEMAN COUNTY, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  An armed and dangerous suspect is on the run after allegedly stealing a truck in Jones County then a UTV at Lake Brownwood Wednesday.

Scotty Dyer is wanted in connection to multiple thefts across west Texas over the past week, including recent thefts in Jones, Coleman, and Brown Counties.

The Brown County Sheriffs Office says a truck that was stolen out of Jones County was found on Highway 279 north of Lake Brownwood just before noon, and the driver, Kristi Aleman, was arrested.

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Aleman advised that Scotty Dyer was actually the driver, and he had fled the scene.

Around 5:00 p.m., a suspect identified as Dyer took a UTV from Brownwood State Park employees and further evaded arrest. A search that utilized multiple law enforcement agencies, drones, and a helicopter was called off after hours of searching, and Dyer is still on the run.

The Coleman County Sheriffs Office says Dyer was last seen in Coleman city limits early Thursday morning and is considered armed and dangerous. 9-1-1 should be called if he is spotted, and he should not be approached.

Dyer is described as standing 56 tall and weighing 140 pounds. He has brown and gray hair, a scar above his right eye, and tattoos on his arms, right shoulder, and chest.

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As an added level of prevention and protection, citizens are encouraged to remove the keys, all valuables, and lock the doors of vehicles, businesses, residences, and outbuildings at all times, the Coleman County Sheriffs Office explains.

No further information is available at this time.

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The Army has announced six units to deploy to Europe and the Middle East in the fall.

Four of the units are headed to Europe to replace units supporting Operation Atlantic Resolve, launched in 2014 following Russias initial invasion of Ukraine after it annexed the Crimean Peninsula. The operation has grown since the subsequent 2022 invasion.

The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Division from Fort Riley, Kansas, is headed to Europe to replace the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Armored Division, out of Fort Bliss, Texas.

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The 3rd Division Artillery of the 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Stewart, Georgia, will deploy to Europe to replace the 1st Division Artillery of the 1st Armored Division, out of Fort Bliss, Texas.

The 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade of the 3rd Infantry Division from Fort Stewart, Georgia, will deploy to Europe to replace the 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade, out of Fort Bliss, Texas.

The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood, Texas, will deploy to Europe to replace the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division, out of Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Two other units are also deploying to the Middle East.

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The 4th Sustainment Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division from Fort Carson, Colorado, will deploy to U.S. Central Command to replace the 17th Sustainment Brigade, Nevada Army National Guard.

The 4th Combat Aviation Brigade of the 4th Infantry Division from Fort Carson, Colorado, will deploy to CENTCOM to replace the 101st Airborne Division Combat Aviation Brigade, out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
The controversial Army parade through Washington, D.C., in June that coincided with Donald Trumps birthday cost the service branch $30 million, it announced on Wednesday.

I can confirm the total for the Army festival and parade cost approximately $30 million, an Army spokesperson told The Hill.

The event, marking the 250th anniversary of the Army, was projected to cost between $25 million and $45 million, not accounting for the cost of police and street repairs tied to the event

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In addition to cost overruns, some worried the event would damage Washington's infrastructure, though an Army spokesperson said in late June the procession of military hardware had only been shown to damage a single curb, which the Army planned to repair.

The parade featured columns of marching troops, fireworks, and antique and modern military hardware like tanks rolling through Washington.

Trump administration Army 205h anniversary parade in Washington cost military branch $30 million, while drawing an estimated crowd of less than 200,000 attendees (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The parade may have exceeded expectations on cost and safety, but the event was a controversial one, nonetheless.

Critics argued that the sight of the military marching through the capital, at the same time the Trump administration was using the military to quell protests against his administration in Los Angeles, had authoritarian undertones.

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This is the kind of thing that Stalin would have done. This is the kind of thing North Korea does. It sickens me that we're putting on this display just for one man's ego, Donna Stork, 73, of Hagerstown, Maryland, told The Independent as she watched the event.

I have no problems with the Army having a celebration, she added. What I do have a problem with is the implication that this is more about Trump and military might than it is about the 250th anniversary of people who fought and died for our country.

Others, including some veterans, praised the event.

I retired from the Army 30 years ago and I came to honor all the people that came before me, all the friends that I've lost, Van Beal, 70, who first joined the Army in 1978, told The Independent.

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A June poll found that 60 percent of respondents thought the event was not a good use of government funds.

The parade took place the same day as No Kings protests against the administration, which drew between 4 and 5 million people, according to estimates.

The Trump administration claimed 250,000 people attended the parade, though outside estimates suggest fewer than 200,000 were in Washington for the event.
(KRON)  Five suspects who were allegedly casing a Sunnyvale jewelry store in a stolen vehicle on Wednesday were arrested following a police pursuit, authorities said.

The Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety responded at 2:30 p.m. to the area of Lawrence Expressway and Highway 101 after being alerted to two stolen vehicles. Law enforcement notified nearby jewelry stores of the suspicious activity due to recent jewelry store robberies involving stolen vehicles, the agency said.

One of the stolen vehicles was located 20 minutes later and Sunnyvale DPS officers attempted to stop the vehicle near El Camino Real and Wolfe Road. The vehicle fled, sparking a short pursuit, before five suspects got out and ran into the neighborhood near Fremont Avenue and Rembrandt Drive, authorities said.

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Stolen Porsches lead to 3 Bay Area identity theft ring arrests

Officers discovered the vehicle was stolen, had been in the area of a jewelry store, and had been involved in a conspiracy to commit a robbery, authorities said.

While officers searched for the suspects, the Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety alerted the local community of police activity and drone use. Residents were advised to be cautious in the area between Fremont Avenue, Rembrandt Way, Wolfe Road, and nearby neighborhoods.

By 7:30 p.m., all five suspects were located and arrested for attempted robbery, conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of a stolen vehicle, reckless evasion, resisting arrest, possession of burglary tools and possession of stolen property.

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The suspects were identified as:

Isaiah Alapati, 19, of San Francisco/Daly City

Tyler Ramirez, 33, of San Francisco/Indio

Jaiden Desouza, 19, of Oakland

Jeremy Perez, 30, of San Francisco/Daly City

Isaiah Iosia, 19, of San Francisco

No information was released about the second stolen vehicle that was in the area. Authorities are investigating whether Wednesdays incident is connected to recent jewelry store robberies.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A police pursuit on Interstate 77 ended in Cornelius on Wednesday when a stolen vehicle crashed into the median barrier, leading to the arrest of two suspects.

ALSO READ: Mooresville police: 1 arrested after leading chase, ramming patrol cars

The incident began when a Mooresville Police Department officer tried to stop a vehicle for fictitious registration and equipment violations. The vehicle fled south on I-77, prompting a pursuit that concluded with the crash.

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After the crash, two suspects fled the vehicle on foot.

The passenger was quickly apprehended following a brief foot pursuit.

A K-9 track led to the capture of the driver of the vehicle, which was stolen from Belmont.

Inside, officers discovered a firearm and tools used for stealing vehicles.

The driver, identified as Julius Dwayne White, 20, of Charlotte, faces multiple charges including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, speeding to elude arrest, and possession of a stolen motor vehicle.

He was taken to the Iredell County Detention Center with a $75,000 secure bond.

The passenger, Tyler Kyharie Moore, 22, of Charlotte, was charged with resist, obstruct and delay of a police officer.

VIDEO: Group of 14-year-olds detained following high-speed pursuit in Burke County
CoreWeave (CRWV) is back in the spotlight following a very bearish note from HSBC analyst Abhishek Shukla, who initiated coverage with a $32 price target, implying a staggering 75% fall from current levels. The analyst issued a Sell recommendation on the red-hot AI infrastructure play, sending shares down over 6% intraday on July 18.

The fall occurs at a critical time for CoreWeave. It has risen over 240% since its IPO in March, driven in general by AI infrastructure hype and by blockbuster OpenAI and Microsoft (MSFT) partnerships.

More News from Barchart

Yet with escalating costs, high-capital needs, and deep customer concentration, some analysts now believe the run higher has gone too far.

About CoreWeave Stock

CoreWeave (CRWV) is a Livingston, New Jersey cloud computing company focused on supporting high-performance computing workloads. It is an AI Hyperscaler offering customized infrastructure-as-a-service with support for some of the markets toughest compute demands. It has a market capitalization approaching $60 billion.

CRWV stock has been a roller coaster since going public in March 2025. The stock hit a high of $187.00, a rise of well over 400% above the IPO price, only to correct sharply in the last few weeks. The stock is currently trading near $130, down about 30% from its highs.

https://www.barchart.com

CoreWeave operates with high valuation multiples. It carries a price-sales ratio of 21.5x and a price-book ratio of 28.1x. The HSBC downgrade and warning is an indicator of valuation risk due to a lack of earnings and a capital-intensive business model.

CoreWeave Misses on Earnings

CoreWeaves Q1 2025 results were a mixed bag. It had revenue of $981.6 million, representing a year-over-year growth rate of 420%. However, its GAAP net loss of $314.6 million was more than twice as wide as the figure in the prior-year quarter. The operating loss during the quarter was $27.5 million, 263% worse than the prior year. Stock-based compensation during the quarter was $177 million, heavily weighing on net profitability after its IPO.

The company also promoted new infrastructure installations, support for the GPU chip NVIDIA GB200, and Platinum status in SemiAnalysiss ClusterMAX GPU cloud rankings. Although these enhance its technical superiority, future funding needs for these initiatives are making risk-conscious investors nervous.
A prominent artist known for her portrait of former first lady Michelle Obama withdrew her upcoming exhibition from the National Portrait Gallery, claiming the institution considered removing a painting depicting a transgender woman as the Statue of Liberty.

The decision by the artist Amy Sherald to pull her exhibit comes as the Trump administration has sought to regulate both the Smithsonian and U.S. policy surrounding transgender people. A March executive order indicated the administration would work with Congress to prohibit money going toward exhibits or programs that degrade shared American values.

At a time when transgender people are being legislated against, silenced, and endangered across our nation, silence is not an option, Sherald said in a statement. I stand by my work. I stand by my sitters. I stand by the truth that all people deserve to be seen  not only in life, but in art.

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Sherald  who became nationally known for her 2018 portrait of Obama  said it was clear that institutional fear shaped by a broader climate of political hostility towards trans lives played a role.

The administration appeared to support Sheralds decision to withdraw the exhibition, which was set to open in September. White House special assistant to the president Lindsey Halligan said in a statement the Statue of Liberty painting fundamentally strayed from the mission and spirit of our national museums.

The Statue of Liberty is not an abstract canvas for political expression  it is a revered and solemn symbol of freedom, inspiration, and national unity that defines the American spirit, Halligan said.

A spokesperson for Smithsonian denied that the museum was going to remove the painting, indicating they offered an accompanying video as a way to contextualize the piece.

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The spokesperson said that while they could not reach an agreement with Sherald, they remain deeply appreciative of her and the integrity of her work.

While we understand Amys decision to withdraw her show from the National Portrait Gallery, we are disappointed that Smithsonian audiences will not have an opportunity to experience American Sublime, the spokesperson said.

In May, Trump claimed he had fired Kim Sajet, the National Portrait Gallerys former director. Though the Smithsonian claimed he did not have the authority to terminate Sajet, she later stepped down.

She is a highly partisan person, and a strong supporter of DEI, which is totally inappropriate for her position, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post.


On June 14, Dakota Osceola was wrapping up the day, selling her bead art and necklaces at a festival in Miami, when she heard the news from a friend.

A new immigrant detention facility, to be named Alligator Alcatraz, would be built on a 10,500-foot-long old airport strip inside the Big Cypress National Preserve in the Florida Everglades.

How is this happening right now? she thought.

Home of the indigenous Miccosukee and Seminole people, the Everglades are the largest wetland ecosystem in the United States and the land where Osceolas family grew up. This territory is considered a sacred place to tribe members and a national wildlife treasure to Floridians. But in less than 10 days, a portion of the Everglades was seized by the state and paved over to make room for a new prison built to hold up to 3,000 immigrants, a move supported by the Trump administration as a means to detain undocumented people.

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On June 28, in the scorching heat, Osceola decided to go voice her opposition to this detention camp. Grassroots organizations such as Friends of the Everglades and Unidos Immokalee voiced environmental and human-rights concerns. Alongside independent activists, artists from the South Florida community joined with their protest art and signs to defend the home that has inspired them and that they love.

Craig Birchfield

Outside the gates of the detention facility, and in the center of the Everglades, hundreds of Floridians gathered, chanting and holding up signs. Miccosukee tribal elder and environmental activist Betty Osceola, with Love the Everglades Movement, used her megaphone to address the crowd and keep people safe. Demonstrators lined up on the narrow road, north of the Tamiami Trail, as dozens of trucks with machinery entered the old Dade-Collier Airport, where the facility was being built. In the weeks since, different organizations have continued to arrange protests and gatherings weekly in front of these gates. There have been peaceful prayer vigils with no signs allowed, a protest asking to shut down the Everglades concentration camp, and family members of detainees gathered along with grassroots human-rights organizations, and a Catholic archbishop is waiting to see if he can hold a mass at the gates.

We all feel called, Osceola says. We are hurt and flabbergasted. We are the environment. Many in the immigrant community are indigenous; they came here because of what America has done to their country, but the administration is criminalizing these people for things that they dont deserve to be demonized for. We are also afraid that the environment will be damaged by waste and overdevelopment, she adds.

Brody Osceola

A member of the Seminole tribe, Osceola was aware of how hard the tribes fought in the 1970s to stop the construction of the old airport due to the environmental damage it would cause to the fragile ecosystem of the Glades. That battle was won when the construction came to a halt due to growing opposition from environmentalist groups. But now, into that abandoned air strip, the construction trucks started coming in, creating more and more traffic inside the Big Cypress National Preserve. Then, a sign with the words Alligator Alcatraz went up overnight, sparking sinister national jokes, memes, and merch about the alligators eating anyone who tries to escape this jail.

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Protesters had different reasons to voice their opposition to the detention center: It would harm a fragile ecosystem and is not environmentally sound; it is an inappropriate use of FEMA funds; conditions there are inhumane. When Florida lawmakers visited the facility on a limited tour, they described 32 people per cage in the sweltering heat, exposed to bug infestations and fed meager meals, with prisoners crying for help and even one person pleading, Im a U.S. citizen!

An important point ignored in national coverage is that the construction involves a seizure by the state of Miami-Dade-owned land under the guise of an emergency. The Miccosukee tribe joined other environmental groups, such as Love the Everglades, in suing federal and state agencies for failing to conduct an environmental review, as required by federal law, before initiating the project. Meanwhile, the ACLU is suing the Trump administration because of a lack of access to counsel at the detention center.

Aubrey Brown

I see my relatives, my family, in those cages. They came here undocumented, overstayed their visas, and eventually became citizens, says Aubrey Brown, a Florida-based storyteller and artist who contributed to the protest sign art. Brown, who shares stories about Floridas history with her 40,000 followers on social media, couldnt stay silent and decided to speak up against the detention center, risking backlash. Ive always tried to stress that history and politics are inextricably intertwined, she adds. Challenging the false narrative used by the president to make others believe there is nothing but fierce alligators and swamps in the Everglades, Brown argues, People must understand that the Everglades is not a wasteland; this is peoples home. The Glades are wild, sacred, and free. Its where the Seminoles went to hide from being captured, and it is where I go when I want to get away from everything.

Acting as if no people exist in the Everglades, the federal government decided to seize land belonging to Miami-Dade County, completely ignoring the sovereignty of tribal nations at Big Cypress and that both their ceremonial and ancestral burial grounds stand near the facility.

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When it comes to my Seminole and Miccosukee friends, people treat them like they are not here anymore and are a relic of history, Brown adds.

CHANDAN KHANNA - Getty Images

Once considered a swing state, Florida is now ground zero for the MAGA base supporting cruel anti-immigration policies. Built undercover, this facility was estimated to cost taxpayers $450 million a year. However, according to a review of purchases , the state has already spent $250 million on it in less than one month.

President Trump said that the facility would cage some of the most vicious people on the planet to be deported. Yet, a report released by the Miami Herald debunked this narrative, showing that hundreds of the detainees have no criminal charges.

Kidnapped without a warrant, stripped of their civil rights, and placed into a black hole where attorneys cannot reach their clients, only a third of detainees have a criminal conviction. But the public cannot see the nature of the sentence they received. ICE has so far offered the press only top-level statistics, which do not show whether a sentence is for a traffic violation or a murder attempt. Not only do the reports withhold details about the alleged offenses of each detainee, but ICE has not made public the records specifying how it targets the people it takes to detention centers, especially those without criminal charges. In response, The Guardian has decided to sue the Trump administration for withholding public documents from the press, which are a matter of clear public interest right now.

Courtesy of ArtSeen365

Maria Theresa Barbist, a Miami-based artist and psychologist who explores trauma, memory, and collective healing in her works, attended and made signs for the protest. I am from Austria, and we have a dark history there. We have done this before. We have put people in concentration camps, and we know how this story ends. Its our responsibility as descendants of Nazis never to let that happen again, she says.

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The Nazis did not start with Auschwitz; they started with driving people out of their homes and putting them into camps. It was not just Jewish people, it was immigrants too, she adds.

This is not the first concentration camp being placed; they are just getting warmed up. Project 2025 is going to extend for at least the next four years, says Eddie Aroyo, an artist who explores themes of power structures and attended the protest. This is about absolute conquest, he adds, referring to a conservative white nationalist agenda that opposes abortion and reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, immigrants rights, and racial equity.

Democratic Florida representative Maxwell Frost visited the detention center on July 13 and shared on social media, I didnt see any Europeans who overstayed their visa. I saw nothing but Latino men and Haitian men. They are targeting specific types of people. And its the type of people that look like me.

Courtesy of Bakehouse Art Complex

A few miles away from the detention camp, artist and native Floridian Sterling Rook, who attended the protest, is currently completing an artist residency in the Everglades National Park. Hosted by AIRIE (Artists in Residence in Everglades), this program allows artists to explore work related to the environment. The first day he entered the residency was also the day the first buses carrying migrants arrived in the Everglades. Its beautiful out here, but now I think about this every day, how 30 miles away from here there are people in tents in a terrible situation, he says. Im not necessarily a political artist, but you become political just by the nature of your situation, he adds. Rook used his residency time to work on a Glades skiff boat, which is known for navigating the marshy waters of the Everglades.

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As a performance, I would love to ride it out into Alligator Alcatraz, maybe leave it there as a symbol of rescue and escape. But I also struggle with self-censorship, he says.

This self-censorship comes from a place of very real fear about political persecution of artists who speak up. There are genuine and considerable threats when speaking out against any of these violent governmental policies, especially in Florida, says Johann C. Munoz-Tapasco, an artist and organizer affiliated with the local collective Artists for Artists Miami (A4A: MIA). Numerous artists have chosen to disengage from sought-after exhibition platforms and institutions altogether. Others have lost their jobs and clients. Many more have self-censored as a form of self-preservation.

Federal and state funding cuts to the arts, combined with the elimination of National Endowment for the Arts grants and Floridas political climate, have led many artists, organizations, and institutions that depend on this funding to limit freedom of expression, fearing retaliation or even more economic cuts. AIRIE did not respond to my request for a statement on its stance on this issue. The majority of Floridas art institutions and organizations have remained silent.

Craig Birchfield

A4A: MIA is currently discussing collaborative projects and planning actions against this detention facility, but it recognizes that American artists have been woefully unprepared to respond to the rise of fascism. Since the postwar era, the ways artists validate their work and fund their practices have been tied to the tastes and whims of those in power, misael soto, a Miami-based artist, educator, and organizer affiliated with this organization, stated. Now those at the top whom weve been dependent on, on whichever side of the political spectrum, are mostly kneeling to fascism. Artists have to come to terms with how they sustain their practices and how this is intrinsically tied to their art.

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Maeanna Osceola-Hart, a photographer and member of the Panther Clan and the Seminole tribe, participated in organizing the protest and lives within walking distance of the detention camp. Her grandfather was one of the tribe members who fought the development of the Dade-Collier Airport. These days, the traffic on the Big Cypress reserve is becoming increasingly dangerous, and she describes seeing the wildlife already being displaced. The deer and bears now walk on the side of the road, she says.

My heart sinks, seeing how this concentration camp is affecting the land that protected us indigenous people since time immemorial, the environmental impacts its already causing, along with how its already harming human beings and their rights. Just yesterday, I saw three cars coming in with people wanting to take a photo in front of the [Alligator Alcatraz] sign, treating it like a roadside attraction, she says.

It feels like a fever dream.

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This story was originally posted on MyNorthwest.com

Asian grocery store Uwajimaya is expanding into Issaquah after announcing it will take over the lease of a former Rite Aid.

The newest store will be located within the 16-acre Town and Country Square shopping center at 1065 N.W. Gilman Boulevard, according to The Puget Sound Business Journal.

It will be the fourth Uwajimaya within the Puget Sound region, alongside locations in Seattle, Bellevue, and Renton. Theres an additional store in Beaverton, Oregon as well.

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Uwajimaya initially started in Tacoma all the way back in 1928. Its Seattle location, located in the Chinatown International District, opened in 1945 after the owners returned from an internment camp in California, according to the companys website.

All Rite Aid stores to close or be sold as company files for bankruptcy

In May, Rite Aid CEO Matthew Schroeder briefed employees that all stores would either close or be sold as the company filed for bankruptcy, Bloomberg reported.

The media outlet stated funding from investors fell short, and the company faced a series of economic issues, including tariffs, more expensive supply costs, pricier landlords, and what Schroeder called a dramatic downturn in the economy.

Rite Aid, which has filed for bankruptcy for the second time in less than two years, agreed to sell more than 1,000 of its stores to a group of competitors. That group includes Walgreens, Albertsons, Kroger, Giant Eagle, and, for the Pacific Northwest  CVS Pharmacy. The Pennsylvania-based pharmacy chain entered bankruptcy with more than $2 billion in debt.

Eight Rite Aid stores are closing in Washington across eight different cities.
A criminal case against a mother of three who was arrested and detained by federal immigration agents in Worcester has been dismissed, according to court records.

Rosane Ferreira-De Oliveira, of Brazil, is currently being held at the Strafford County Corrections facility in Dover, New Hampshire, after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested her at Eureka Street on May 8.

The Department of Homeland Security issued a statement about the now-dropped charges against Ferreira-De Oliveira a few days after her arrest by ICE, calling her a violent criminal illegal alien.

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Prior to her arrest, Ferreira-De Oliveira was facing one charge of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon on a pregnant victim, according to court documents.

The pregnant victim in the case was Ferreira-De Oliveiras relative, according to the statement of facts. The victim told police that Ferreira-De Oliveira struck her with a phone charger cable, causing visible welts in her arms, the statement of facts reads.

Prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss the case on July 18. The prosecution wrote that the complaining witness did not wish to proceed in the case, according to the motion.

A copy of the motion was provided to MassLive by Ferreira-De Oliveiras immigration lawyer, Paul Toland.

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At the Commonwealths request, Judge Steven D. Power dismissed the case on July 18.

Federal immigration officials claim Ferreira-De Oliveira entered the country illegally in August 2022, which led to ICE taking her into custody.

Toland, however, maintains that the mother of three was paroled and allowed into the country by ICE as she pursued asylum.

Chaos on Eureka Street

Chaos erupted on Eureka Street on May 8 as ICE apprehended Ferreira-De Oliveira.

More than 30 people, including District 5 Councilor Etel Haxhiaj, approached, confronted and protested the ICE agents.

Ferreira-De Oliveiras adult daughter, Augusta Clara Moura and her teenage daughter watched as their mother was taken away by immigration officials.

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At the time of the arrest, Clara Moura was holding her infant son in her arms.

After 11 a.m., members of the Worcester Police Department arrived on Eureka Street following 911 calls that were made by ICE agents requesting police assistance and other calls from people at the scene.

In body camera footage worn by Officer Patrick Hanlon, Clara Moura, who can be seen being held back by disqualified School Committee candidate Ashley Spring, says no multiple times and reaches out to a gold SUV where her mother had been placed inside. Hanlon responded to Clara Moura by saying ICE would explain.

Haxhiaj and Spring yelled that the agents wouldnt explain, with Spring telling Hanlon that ICE didnt not have a judicial warrant.

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At around 2 minutes and 25 seconds into the footage, an ICE officer said, We do not need a judicial warrant for this arrest.

Additional footage from Officer Shauna McGuirks body camera shows Haxhiaj and Ferreira-De Oliveiras daughter, Augusta Clara Moura, standing by a gold SUV. ICE agents had placed Ferreira-De Oliveira inside the vehicle as she was being arrested.

McGuirks footage has audio of the agents and McGuirk telling both Haxhiaj and Clara Moura to move away from the SUV.

McGuirk then grabbed Clara Mouras arm, telling her she needed to come on. Clara Moura looked down at her arm and said, No, no, no, no.

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The officer then let go of her arm and an agent warned Clara Moura and Haxhiaj that they both could be charged.

Haxhiaj responded, I dont understand, and told McGuirk that she had the right to be there as a district councilor. Eureka Street is part of Worcesters District 5, which Haxhiaj represents.

McGuirk then pulled Haxhiaj away from the vehicle by her back, resulting in Haxhiajs hands pushing against her body.

Do not touch me! Haxhiaj yelled as she was pulled away from the SUV.

In footage from the body camera worn by Officer Juan Vallejo, Ferreira-De Oliveiras teenage daughter can be seen running up to the side of the SUVs front passenger door.

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Police later claimed she tried to kick the door, though the shaky footage and large police presence made this difficult to confirm.

Vallejo and other officers surrounded the girl and moved her to the ground on the street.

During the arrest, an officer yelled, Youre under arrest for disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace.

The daughter was arrested and charged with reckless endangerment of a child, disturbing the peace, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, according to police.

The daughter was eventually released from custody and on May 16, Worcester Police Chief Paul Saucier announced that the department had requested a court to dismiss the case against the daughter.

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It is unknown whether those charges have been dropped.

Another arrest on Eureka Street

Ashley Spring, who uses they/them pronouns, was also arrested by Worcester Police Officers that day after they sprayed water from a baby bottle on a police officer who was arresting the daughter.

Spring was charged with a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery on a police officer as well as disorderly conduct and interfering with police officers.

They were also charged with felony assault and battery with dangerous weapon for spraying water from a baby bottle on an officer.

The felony charge was dismissed in Worcester District Court on July 23.

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The other three charges remain intact and a hearing for a motion to dismiss has been scheduled for Sept. 25.

Haxhiaj was charged with one misdemeanor count of assault and battery on a police officer and one common law violation for interfering with a police officer, according to police records.

On July 23, she entered a not guilty plea in Worcester District Court and was released on her recognizance. A hearing for a motion to dismiss has been scheduled for Sept. 15.

I am resolute and unapologetic in maintaining my innocence, Haxhiaj told supporters outside of the courtroom. The overwhelming number of Worcester residents and Americans across the country are opposed to armed masked men snatching our people off the streets and neighborhoods, terrifying mothers, children, fathers, families and whole communities.

Whats next for Ferreira-De Oliveira

Ferreira-De Oliveira, who is still detained as of July 24, is currently awaiting her asylum case to be heard by a judge on Sept. 23.

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Initially, the mother of three was detained at the Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls, Rhode Island. She was then transferred to the Strafford County Corrections facility in Dover, New Hampshire.

Clara Moura, Ferreira-De Oliveiras oldest daughter, has since moved from Worcester to Brazil so that she and her son can be with her partner, Samarone Alves Ferreira-De Souza, according to Clara Mouras lawyer, Andrew George Lattarulo, an immigration lawyer from the Chelsea-based firm, Georges Cote Law.

Ferreira-De Souza was arrested by ICE days before Ferreira-De Oliveira and was deported after (ICE) officials signed a deportation authorization document in his name without his permission, Lattarulo previously told MassLive.

ICE and the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to previous questions about Ferreira-De Souzas arrest or deportation.

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Read the original article on MassLive.
Asylum seekers are using taxpayer handouts to pay for their gambling habits, Home Office data show.

Migrants are using their pre-paid benefits cards in gambling venues such as bookmakers, amusement arcades and casinos.

Up to 6,537 asylum seekers have used the government cards at least once in the past year in a gambling venue, according to the figures released under Freedom of Information laws to the PoliticsHome website.

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The disclosure sparked calls for an immediate clampdown to prevent the abuse of taxpayers money by asylum seekers, including many who entered the country illegally. The cards are supposed to be used to pay for basics, including food and clothing.

The Home Office confirmed it was investigating the illegal use of Aspen cards.

The Home Office has a legal obligation to support asylum seekers, including any dependents, who would otherwise be destitute, a spokesman said.

Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, said: You shouldnt be able to use Aspen cards for this. Support for asylum seekers in the UK, it is not a lot of money, it is about 7 a day, I think, but you should be using that for essentials, you shouldnt be able to use it for this.

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It is very concerning, it shouldnt happen, there is an immediate investigation to find out exactly what has gone on here.

Slapping taxpayer in the face

Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: These people have illegally entered this country without needing to  France is safe and no one needs to flee from there.

The British taxpayer has put them up in hotels and now they slap us in the face by using the money they are given to fund gambling. These illegal immigrants clearly dont need the money they are given if they are squandering it at casinos and arcades

Everyone illegally crossing the Channel should be immediately removed to their country of origin or a safe third country in order to deter these crossings.

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Asylum seekers are issued with Aspen cards by the Home Office while their claims are processed. Migrants in self-catered accommodation receive 49.18 on the card each week to pay for clothes and footwear, non-prescription medicines, travel, food, non-alcoholic drinks, toiletries, laundry, toilet paper and communications.

The cards are currently issued to around 80,000 asylum seekers who are waiting for a decision on whether they have a valid claim to stay in the UK. Many are living in hotels at the taxpayers expense.

The Home Office is able to track where the cards are used but does not block payments for particular types of transaction.

The figures break down how many asylum seekers attempted to use their cards in gambling venues each week. They do not record how many times each individual attempted to use their card in that week.

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They show that an average of 125 asylum seekers a week used their cards with gambling-related merchants.

Dozens used the cards every week, with 177 using them to gamble in Christmas week when many venues are closed. The figures peaked at 227 in one week at the end of November last year.

The Aspen cards use a chip and pin system so cannot be used for contactless payments or online.

A Home Office source said it was not possible to use the cards to directly place a bet. However, the data is understood to include withdrawals made from cash machines inside venues such as amusement arcades and casinos  where gambling is the sole focus.

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Paul Bristow, Tory mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, told PoliticsHome: Peterborough has seen a huge increase in the number of gambling establishments and gaming centres, and a huge increase in men who have arrived on small boats.

Its not unusual to see the very same men in some of the establishments on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday night. Theres something going on here. Questions need to be asked. It would be absolutely wrong if they were using money given to them by British taxpayers to waste on gambling.

Reform UKs deputy leader Richard Tice said: This revelation, coupled with migrants working illegally, shows that the Home Office is incapable of policing the illegal migrant population. This is a slap in the face to hardworking British taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet.

The disclosure comes amid growing unrest over the policy of accommodating asylum seekers in hotels across the country. Protests have been staged in recent days in Epping in Essex, Diss in Norfolk and Canary Wharf in London.

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Asylum seekers are barred from working for the first year while their claim is processed. The Aspen cards were introduced to provide basic subsistence as they are not eligible to work.

However, some asylum seekers have been illegally working, particularly in the gig economy with delivery firms such as Deliveroo, Uber Eats and Just Eat, sparking a government crackdown.

This week, Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, announced that the firms will be issued with data on the locations of asylum hotels in order to track down migrants who have been illegally loaned accounts by delivery staff.

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The Athens area is still sweltering under the dog days of summer but that doesnt mean the school doors wont soon open.

Students will soon enter air-conditioned classrooms for the 2025-26 school year.

The public schools in Clarke and Oconee counties will open on a mid-week day with students beginning first day of classes on Aug. 6, while the collegiate institutions follow later in mid-August.

The University of Georgia will host first day of class on Aug. 13 with an orientation day for students on Aug. 12.

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At Athens Technical College, classes begin on Aug. 18.

The University of North Georgia hosts opening day for classes on Aug. 11 at its campus in Watkinsville.

The Oconee County School District will host teachers back for planning days on July 30-31 and Aug. 4-5. The year begins with Debra Harden at the helm as interim school superintendent following the retirement of Jason Branch from the position in June.

"A Crisis is building": Chronic illness, poverty contributing to growth of school absences

The Clarke County School District is hosting teacher planning days on July 29-30 and Aug. 3-4.

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Jennifer Scott is in the role of interim superintendent following the retirement of Robbie Hooker.

The school district also announced on July 23 that this year it will temporarily move from online registration of students to in-person registration at the district office at 595 Prince Avenue beginning July 28 and extending through Aug. 5.

The office will be closed July 30 for a district meeting.

The registration is set for first-come, first-serve basis. For more information on registration contact Carla Fonseca at 706-546-7721, ext. 79622 or Courtney Haynes at 706-357-5239, ext. 20417.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Get ready: Schools, colleges in Athens area to open in August
Jul. 24The Athens, Huntsville and Scottsboro city gas departments are forming a North Alabama Public Energy District, which officials said is necessary due to growth in the region.

"With all the growth in north Alabama, it's time to plan and invest now," said Athens Gas Services Director Braxton Guinn. "Look at infrastructure and look at availability across the region."

The Athens City Council last week approved becoming a member of the North Alabama Public Energy District along with Huntsville and Scottsboro gas departments, and appointing Guinn as a director on the district's board. He said all three members of the board will be equal. The district will strictly concentrate on natural gas.

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"With all the collaborative effort, we're planning for the future," Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks said. "Natural gas is going to be a big driver for all of us in the future and this collaborative effort. ... If we decide to move forward, this will be a long-range mission and goal. The first step is to get (all three cities) together and try to move the project forward. ...

"It's a design effort to try to plan for natural gas for our future."

The district is being created, Guinn said, to address the region's long-term natural gas needs.

"It's a formal structure to research, coordinate and pursue funding for long-term solutions," Guinn said. "It's a proactive step to put north Alabama in control of the public's infrastructure and energy needs, and it's an opportunity to work together across multiple city and county lines to share infrastructure challenges."

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Guinn said planning now will help avoid a crisis later.

"North Alabama has been experiencing an unprecedented growth over the past few years," he said. "The time to plan and invest in modernizing our existing infrastructure and expanding natural gas availability benefiting households and industries alike is now."

The creation of the district, Guinn said, puts north Alabama in charge of its energy future and infrastructure needs.

"Infrastructure planning for utilities requires us to forecast far into the future to plan for generations to come," he said. "It positions the regions to deliver all resources available. This collaborative approach helps ensure that local voices are heard, local leaders are driving cities, and solutions reflect unique needs of our region."

erica.smith@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2460.
WHITLEY COUNTY  The Whitley County Grand Jury handed down several indictments on Monday, with an attempted murder case among the most serious charges.

Ricky M. Anderson, 55, of Williamsburg, faces multiple charges including attempted murder (domestic violence) for allegedly firing a weapon at his adult son on March 5.

Anderson was also indicted on three counts of first-degree wanton endangerment for allegedly discharging a firearm in the direction of three individuals.

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Reports at the time indicated that troopers with Kentucky State Police Post 11 were dispatched to Lot-Mud Creek Road in Williamsburg in response to an assault complaint.

An arrest citation states that Anderson told troopers he fired a pistol at his son before running out of ammunition. At that point, he is accused of firing a rifle seven times in the direction of his son.

Other indictments involving violent or sexual offenses include:

 Anthony M. Pridemore, 49, of Corbin, was charged with one count of unlawful use of electronic means to induce a minor to engage in sexual activities.

Pridemore is being accused of knowingly, and unlawfully using a communication system to engage sexually or in other prohibited activities. The alleged incidents occurred between January and August of 2024.

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 Scottie A. Jones, 46, of Williamsburg, was charged for failure to comply with sex offender registration, a second or subsequent offense.

He is accused of not reporting a change of address between April 24 and April 27 to the Kentucky State Police Sex Offender Registry.

 Joseph P. Watson, 55, no address listed, was indicted on two counts  failure to comply with sex offender registration and as a first-degree persistent felony offender.

His prior convictions stem from cases in Whitley and Laurel Counties.

 Whitney J. Hartner, 31, of Williamsburg, was charged for a second-degree criminal abuse of a minor.

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The indictment alleges she wantonly placed a child in a situation that could cause serious or physical injury on April 11.

 Steven R. Manus, 43, of Williamsburg, was indicted on one count of second-degree criminal abuse and one count of fourth-degree assault (domestic violence.)

He is accused of abusing a minor, and physically injuring an adult by dragging them by their ankles.

An indictment is an accusation only and does not imply guilt or innocence. Persons are considered innocent until proven guilty under state and/or federal law.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Residents in Travis County may avoid more expensive water bills from Aqua Texas, now that the City of Austin is considering a 90-day suspension on a rate increase.

While most Austinites are covered by the citys own water utility company, nearly 400 residents rely on Aqua Texas for water and wastewater services. The company announced statewide base rate adjustments last month, which have caused some Austinites bills to increase by 100%.

RELATED: I felt angry: Some homeowners water bill will double by end of July

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The rate request filed on June 20, 2025, our first request for a statewide base rate change in 20 years, reflects recovery of the nearly $700 million in infrastructure investments made between 2004 and the end of 2024, and highlights Aquas commitment to improving reliability and service for its customers across the state of Texas, Aqua Texas wrote in a statement to KXAN.

The company previously planned to implement the new rates on July 25plans that have now been called into question by the city of Austin.

According to a statement from the city, Austin Water is currently reviewing the rate filing, and is recommending that the city council adopt a 90-day suspension on the increase. This will allow for the city to comprehensively review the rate hikes before the city council can approve the measure.

Although Aqua Texas is an investor-owned utility, the Texas Water Code allows cities to review rates set by non-city utilities to ensure they are just and reasonable.

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Austin residents previously expressed concern about the rate hike, with customers across the state filing protests

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Commentary: Half a century on, China-EU ties require collaboration rather than division

08:44, July 24, 2025 By Zhang Zhaoqing, Chen Binjie ( Xinhua

Flight MU845 headed for Paris is set to depart Nanjing Lukou International Airport in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, late July 8, 2025. (Photo by Fang Tianxiang/Xinhua)

Admittedly, like all major economic players, China and the EU do not agree on everything. But disagreement does not equal confrontation. In fact, it is through dialogue that differences can be managed, and mutual interests enhanced.

BRUSSELS, July 24 (Xinhua) -- This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and the European Union (EU), a milestone in a relationship that has matured through dialogue, cooperation and mutual benefit.

As the international landscape grows increasingly fraught, the anniversary offers a timely reminder: China is a critical partner to Europe, not a systemic rival.

That distinction matters. Despite occasional disagreements, the relationship between China and Europe is underpinned by a wide range of shared interests, including trade, climate, and global governance. These areas of common ground should not be eclipsed by isolated points of friction.

From just 2.4 billion U.S. dollars in trade in 1975 to nearly 785 billion dollars in 2024, China-EU economic ties have become one of the most vibrant engines of global growth. Tens of thousands of freight trains have linked Chinese cities with over two dozen European countries. Investment flows have steadily expanded. Tourism, education, and people-to-people exchanges are flourishing. Such a relationship is not adversarial but essential.

Admittedly, like all major economic players, China and the EU do not agree on everything. But disagreement does not equal confrontation. In fact, it is through dialogue that differences can be managed, and mutual interests enhanced.

Some in Europe express concerns over so-called trade imbalances and follow Washington's talk of "de-risking" and "de-coupling from China." But such concerns often miss the broader picture.

The EU has long benefited from its trade with China, not only through exports of goods but through the access its businesses enjoy in a vast and evolving market. From luxury brands and automobiles to pharmaceuticals and engineering, European firms have built a strong presence in China.

A container of China Railway Express is seen at the Csepel Freeport Logistics Park in Budapest, Hungary on April 12, 2022. (Photo by Attila Volgyi/Xinhua)

Moreover, trade is not merely about goods. Services such as education, travel and tourism, where Europe enjoys clear advantages, have formed a growing and vital part of bilateral exchanges. Chinese tourists, students, and business travelers have made meaningful contributions to Europe's economy and cultural life.

China and Europe also share common principles. Both advocate for multilateralism, a UN-centered international system, and a multilateral trade regime with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core. Both support multipolarity and globalization. Both are committed to tackling climate change and development deficits -- real challenges that demand cooperation, not confrontation.

China, which does not seek dominance in global affairs, has never imposed its choices on Europe, nor has it blamed the EU for its domestic challenges. On the contrary, China has consistently supported a strong, united and strategically autonomous Europe. China firmly believes that Europe is a critical pole in a multipolar world and a key partner in promoting a more inclusive and just global order.

China's pursuit of high-quality development aligns naturally with Europe's goals of a green transition and renewed competitiveness. Despite differences on certain issues, China's door to Europe remains open. It will continue to expand cooperation in areas ranging from green development to digital innovation, and from AI governance to upholding a free and open world economy.

The significance of China-EU ties extends far beyond bilateral interests. Whether in green supply chains, creating joint technological standards, or climate governance, each area of cooperation sends a signal of hope and stability to a world in flux.

As global climate change think tank E3G rightly pointed out, China and the EU are clean-tech powerhouses and agenda-setters in global climate policy. Allowing geopolitical tensions or trade frictions to derail this cooperation would be a serious strategic mistake.

The relationship needs more trust, not suspicion; more bridges, not barriers. This requires a return to the original spirit of China-EU engagement based on mutual respect, mutual benefit and shared progress.

As former EU official Gerhard Stahl noted, framing China as a "systemic rival" has done more to fuel misunderstanding than to foster constructive engagement. China, one of Europe's most important partners, offers long-term predictability and enormous opportunity. The prospects for China-EU relations are brighter than ever.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Recent cyberattacks have significantly affected the digital operations of several well-known Russian restaurant chains and food service providers, The Moscow Times has reported, citing business daily Vedomosti.

Among the impacted establishments are Vkusno i Tochka - the fast food chain which has taken over since McDonald's exited the Russian market in 2022 - the coffee chain Cofix and Sushi Master.

The attacks began on Friday, 18 July 2025, targeting networks managed by automation provider iiko and its hosting partner ESTT.

The attackers used distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) techniques, inundating servers with traffic over a five-day period, which led to system overloads and made mobile applications and websites unavailable.

On the first day of the attacks, Vkusno i Tochka informed customers of processing delays, attributing these issues to problems with its hosting provider.

Although services were briefly restored, another major attack occurred the following Monday, 21 July.

Iiko, which provides digital infrastructure for restaurants, confirmed that a 12-hour DDoS attack affected its data centres on 18 July, followed by another incident the next day.

Customer data remained secure but the company acknowledges disruptions to internal communications.

One of iiko's clients, the sushi chain Mnogo Lososya, reported being unable to process kitchen orders for almost three days.

An iiko representative indicated that services had since been restored and that affected clients had received compensation.

Nikita Tsaplin, CEO of Russian cloud provider RUVDS, has stated that as many as 3,500 ESTT clients might have been impacted.

He observed a notable rise in digital attacks in 2025, with incidents increasing by one-third compared to the same timeframe in 2024, and peak attack volumes reaching 1.7 terabits per second.

On 17 July, just before the restaurant chain attacks began, vodka producer Novabev Group, which owns the Beluga and Belenkaya brands, reported experiencing a large-scale DDoS attack that halted shipments for several days.

Digital investigator Igor Bederov has suggested that the attacks could have been carried out by business competitors, noting the financial damage caused by lost revenue, disrupted payment systems and reduced customer loyalty.

"Cyberattacks disrupt operations of Russian restaurant chains" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand.




AUSTIN (KXAN)  For the last few years, Austin Energy has been working on growing enrollment of eligible customers in its Customer Assistance Program, or CAP.

Austin Energy sent a memo to the mayor and city council last week, letting them know that as of the end of June, 81,372 income-eligible households had been enrolled in CAP, which was slightly below the utilitys 2025 enrollment goal of 83,700.

Austin Energy making progress on discounts for low-income customers

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Still, the number of enrolled customers has grown significantly since Austin Energy started getting more aggressive with its enrollment strategies in 2022, after a city council resolution set enrollment targets for the CAP. At the time, CAP served about 35,000 households, according to the memo.

Kerry Overton, Deputy General Manager and Chief Customer Officer at Austin Energy, said the utility provider is excited about the progress its made in expanding affordability through the CAP.

Council directed us, over a three-year period, to reach about 90% of what we believe our customers  residents who live inside the Austin territory  to be enrolled into the program to receive discount programs, Overton explained.

In that challenge, we took that on and [were] able to, over three three-year period, go from 35,000 eligible cap customers and we ended just in this June time period with 81,000, he said.

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Overton said Austin Energy will also continue to work on the program beyond the timeline of the council directive, which spanned 2023-2025.

Below is a breakdown of the enrollment targets set by city council, and the number of households Austin Energy enrolled per each year targeted by the 2022 resolution:

Year 1 (June 2023): Enroll 42,780 households

Actual (reported July 2023): Enrolled 53,405 households

Year 2 (June 2024): Enroll 66,690 households

Actual (reported August 2024): Enrolled 69,392 households

Year 3 (June 2025): Enroll 83,700 households

Actual: (reported July 2025): 81,372 households

Austin Energy expanded eligibility for CAP by coordinating with public and nonprofit services that assist low-income households. According to the memo, those service providers offer programs like the Travis County Indigent Health Care Program, Caritas of Austins Basic Needs Program, and several housing authority programs that serve residents in subsidized or income-restricted housing. The memo said those partnerships enabled more residents who were already receiving income-based services to qualify for CAP through verified enrollment.

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Austin Energy implemented the following operational changes:

Enhanced accuracy in identifying eligible participants, especially for SNAP

(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) recipients;

Launched an online enrollment and partner portal for easier program access; and

Updated systems to reduce enrollment processing times from 90 days to 15 days.

The Assistance Program is important not only for Austin Energy and Austin water, but for the city as a whole, because its our mandate as a public utility to make sure that we are making and bringing solutions in peoples lives to make life more affordable and make it better for them, Overton said. We are part of this community, were owned, you know, by the public, and so therefore we have to participate in the stakeholders and have understanding [of] what the needs are, and anywhere where we can relieve those pressures to make life better.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Editors note: A quote from the treasurer and a video have been removed from this story to clarify the context of the levies mentioned in this story.



AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Austintown School Board members are preparing for the future by holding a special session meeting to look ahead to next school year.

The board met Wednesday to discuss the renewal process for two tax levies that are set to expire and put it on the November ballot.

It isnt a tax increase or decrease. So, if passed, everything will remain the same.

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Austintown School District residents can vote on the new levies in November.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia and Britain's defence and foreign ministers will hold talks in Sydney on Friday on boosting cooperation, coinciding with Australia's largest war games and the first visit by a British carrier strike group in three decades, Australia said.

Following the Australia-United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations (AUKMIN), Britain's Foreign Minister David Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey are scheduled to travel to the northern garrison city of Darwin, where the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales has arrived for the Talisman Sabre war games.

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Australia sees Britain as a critical partner and the two countries are working closely amid "shared strategic challenges in an increasingly complex and uncertain world", Defence Minister Richard Marles said in a statement.

As many as 40,000 troops from 19 countries are taking part in the Talisman Sabre exercises held from July 13 to August 4, which Australia's military has said are a rehearsal of joint war fighting that contribute to stability in the Indo-Pacific.

Britain has significantly increased its participation in the exercise co-hosted by Australia and the United States, with 3,000 troops taking part.

The talks are expected to focus on progressing the AUKUS partnership for Britain and Australia to build a new class of nuclear-powered submarine, even as the United States reviews the trilateral defence technology agreement and presses Australia to increase defence spending.

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Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said that Britain and Australia were "longstanding friends" and the two countries wanted to modernise the relationship.

"From building defence capability and boosting economic resilience, to standing up for human rights, advancing gender equality, and defending the international rules and institutions that protect us all," she said in a statement.

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) 

Australia announced it will reduce restrictions on U.S. beef imports in a move U.S. President Donald Trump's administration claimed as a major victory over non-scientific trade barriers.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said Thursday that relaxing the restrictions designed to keep Australia free of mad cow disease, also known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy or BSE, would not compromise biosecurity.

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Australia stands for open and free trade  our cattle industry has significantly benefited from this, Collins said in a statement.

Trump celebrated the announcement with a post on Truth Social that said: Now, we are going to sell so much to Australia because this is undeniable and irrefutable Proof that U.S. Beef is the Safest and Best in the entire World.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins responded to Australia's announcement by congratulating Donald Trump on a major trade breakthrough that gives greater access to U.S. beef producers selling to Australia.

This is yet another example of the kind of market access the President negotiates to bring America into a new golden age of prosperity, with American agriculture leading the way, she said in a statement.

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Australia has allowed imports of beef grown in the United States since 2019. But Australia has not allowed imports from the U.S. of beef sourced from Canada or Mexico because of the disease risk.

But the U.S. has recently introduced additional movement controls that identify and trace all cattle from Mexico and Canada to their farms of origin.

US cattle import controls satisfy Australian authorities

Australian authorities were satisfied the strengthened control measures put in place by the U.S. effectively manage biosecurity risks, Collins said.

The timing of the new, reduced restrictions has not been finalized.

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Trump attacked Australian import restrictions on U.S. beef when he announced in April that tariffs of at least 10% would be placed on Australian imports, with steel and aluminum facing a 50% tariff.

Australia bans  and theyre wonderful people, and wonderful everything  but they ban American beef, Trump told reporters then.

Yet we imported $3 billion of Australian beef from them just last year alone. They wont take any of our beef. They dont want it because they dont want it to affect their farmers and, you know, I dont blame them, but were doing the same thing right now, Trump added.

Lawmaker fears appeasing Trump endangers Australian cattle industry

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Opposition lawmaker David Littleproud suspected the government was endangering Australias cattle industry to appease Trump.

I want to see the science and it should be predicated on science. Im suspicious of the speed at which this has been done, Littleproud told reporters.

We need to give confidence to the industry, but also to you (the public): this is not just about animal welfare, this is about human welfare, this is about BSE potentially coming into this country and having a human impact, so I think its important the governments very transparent about the science and I dont think its even beyond the question to have an independent panel review that science to give confidence to everybody, he added.

Around 70% of Australian beef is exported. Producers fear that the export market would vanish overnight if diseases, including mad cow or foot-and-mouth disease, infected Australian cattle.

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Will Evans, chief executive of Cattle Australia, who represents more than 52,000 grass-fed beef producers across the nation, said he was confident the agriculture department had taken a cautious approach toward U.S. imports.

The departments undertaken a technical scientific assessment and we have to put faith in them. Theyve made this assessment themselves. Theyve said: Weve looked at this, weve looked at the best science, this is a decision that we feel comfortable with, Evans said.

When you have a $75 billion (Australian $50 billion) industry relying on them not making this mistake, Im sure theyve been very cautious in their decision-making, he added.

US beef prices rise because of drought and a domestic cattle shortage

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Beef prices have been rising in the U.S. due to factors that include drought and shrinking domestic herd numbers.

The average price of a pound of ground beef in the U.S. rose to $6.12 in June, up nearly 12% from a year ago, according to U.S. government data. The average price of all uncooked beef steaks rose 8% to $11.49 per pound.

Australian demand for U.S. beef is likely to remain low for reasons including a relatively weak Australian dollar.

Australias opposition to any U.S. tariffs will be high on the agenda when Prime Minister Anthony Albanese secures his first face-to-face meeting with Trump.

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Albanese and Trump were to hold a one-on-one meeting on the sidelines of a Group of Seven summit in Canada last month, but the U.S. president left early.

Albanese expects the pair will meet this year, although no date has been announced.

The two countries have had a bilateral free trade deal for 20 years, and the U.S. has maintained a trade surplus with Australia for decades.
Jul. 24Sitting in the corner of Looking Glass Base Camp in East Glacier is a box of hot chocolate, an essential item in the backpack of through-hiker Lucy Barnard.

As she sits on her sleeping pad with Wombat, her Australian cattle dog, in the rustic cabin on a July morning, she talks of walking through deserts, rainforests, the Rocky Mountains and the Andes Mountains.

Like many hikers on the Continental Divide Trail, Barnard has made a temporary home base at the Looking Glass Base Camp while she waits for her resupply packages. But her backpacking journey started much farther south in Ushuaia, Argentina, the southernmost town in South America.

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The 2024 Australian Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Barnard, has set a goal of becoming the first woman to walk the length of the Western Hemisphere, from Argentina to Alaska. The route from the southernmost tip of South America to the top of North America is 30,000 kilometers and spans 13 countries.

Barnard, 42, started her journey in 2017  with a break during the pandemic  and estimates she has around two more years to go until reaching her final destination of Utqiagvik, Alaska.

"I never thought I'd get this far," Barnard said. "I just thought I'd try and be a benchmark for the woman who tried next."

As of her stop in East Glacier last week, Barnard has walked over 13,000 miles.

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The idea originally came to Barnard after a vacation to Argentina, when she was on a slow-moving bus. The idea of walking faster than the bus popped up. She got to thinking: how far is it possible to walk from here?

A few internet searches later, she found it was in fact, possible. Officially, three men have walked from Argentina to Alaska, and approximately 10 others have walked other variations of the trek, she said. Only one man, George Meegan, has walked the entire journey, completing the trek in 1983.

That is what Barnard has set out to do.

After saving money for a year, Barnard left Australia on Feb. 14, 2017. She officially began on Feb. 19. She kayaked between the islands of the southernmost archipelago. She walked north along Patagonia.

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She stood on trails at nearly 16,700 feet in elevation in Peru, endured 122-degree weather in the Atacama Desert and successfully crossed the Darien Gap, a remote, roadless area of land between Colombia and Panama, all while being invited in by local tribes and communities along the way.

"The hardest thing about doing something like this is getting to the starting line," Barnard said. And although there were plenty of times she wanted to quit, she had people supporting her to keep moving forward.

Barnard trekked from Argentina to Colombia before returning to Australia due to the pandemic. When she hit the trail again, she tracked her last steps and started in her exact last location, ensuring she did not miss a step.

Barnard, whose adventures are dubbed online under the name Tangles and Tail, got her dog, Wombat, just north of Santiago in Chile. From that point on, the two have wandered over borders and mountains, although Wombat, who just turned 7, will take advantage and hitch a ride if there is one.

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"He's living a life he's meant to live, free to roam," Barnard said.

The pair officially crossed into New Mexico on July 20, 2024. Wombat was trained for life in South America, where street dogs are pervasive, so Barnard sent him to a three-month training program after entering the States. They met back up in Colorado.

"I was like a human snowplow," Barnard laughed, reflecting on her time on the Colorado Trail as winter set in. The Colorado section was one of her favorite parts, she said, although the landscapes in Peru win best views so far.

Once arriving in Wyoming last winter, Barnard went back to Australia for a second time to renew her United States Visa and to accept her award as Adventurer of the Year. She plans to go back one more time before finishing the trek.

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"The hardest part of doing this is definitely the loneliness," Barnard said, reflecting on how nice it was to see her family and friends on the other side of the world.

That's where emergency hot chocolate comes in, Barnard says with a smile. If she encounters a hiker who is struggling, the best thing to do is sit down with one another, drink a hot chocolate and keep each other company. Community can be everywhere, she said.

And in the outdoors community, women lifting women up is so important, she said.

Montana's geography and people are beautiful, Barnard said, sitting and drinking a drip coffee at Brownies Bakery in East Glacier. She knows the baristas by name. People say hello to her as they pass. She's a local at this point; she laughs.

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Montana is where she first tried Sour Patch Kids gummy candy, which she now carries with her on her adventures.

Arriving in Kalispell prior to staying in East Glacier, Barnard stopped at Sportsman & Ski Haus, where she was gifted a new set of clothes. The community here has connected her with people further down her path that can act as resources as well, she said.

"You all haven't just clothed me, you've helped connect me," Barnard said. "When you have someone to walk towards, it puts you at ease."

In preparation for her trip, Barnard spent many hours speaking with George Meegan, who secured a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for completing the journey over the course of seven years.

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They were friends, Barnard said, and used to joke with one another about how different their experiences with the same trek were.

"I can't believe you're doing this in these geopolitical conditions," Meegan would say.

"I can't believe you did this without GPS," Barnard would say back.

Barnard was hoping to fly Meegan out for the completion of her trek, but he died last year.

"In talking with [Meegan], I found that I think the ending should be what comes out of the journey, rather than the journey itself. I think people need to know that when they go on a pursuit like this, they need to think beyond it and not be crushed by the ending," she said.

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For Barnard, she hopes that completing this is not the end of a story, but rather a launchpad for a wonderful life. With thoughts of an outdoor brand, film making and more, Barnard wants her journey to remember her journey with gratitude, as something that gave power to women.

Barnard took off this week for Canada, starting the last stretch into her last country before reaching Alaska.

"My biggest hope is that I just play my part in how young people revere women," she said, walking back to base camp from Brownies, coffee still in hand. "And if my relatability also drives more people into enjoying the outdoors, then that would be really lovely too."

To follow along on Barnard's journey, visit tanglesandtail.com.

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Reporter Kate Heston may be reached at 758-4459 or kheston@dailyinterlake.com.

Lucy Barnard, and her dog Wombat, at the Looking Glass Basecamp in East Glacier. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)

Lucy Barnard at the Looking Glass Basecamp in East Glacier. Barnard is on track to become to first woman to walk from Argentina to Alaska. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)

Lucy Barnard, and her dog Wombat, at the Looking Glass Basecamp in East Glacier. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)

Lucy Barnard at the Looking Glass Basecamp in East Glacier. Barnard is on track to become to first woman to walk from Argentina to Alaska. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)

Lucy Barnard, and her dog Wombat, at the Looking Glass Basecamp in East Glacier. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)

Lucy Barnard, and her dog Wombat, at the Looking Glass Basecamp in East Glacier. (Kate Heston/Daily Inter Lake)
An international wildlife trafficking organization in Peru was brought to a halt after authorities broke up the operation, arresting a dozen conspirators and confiscating several animals.

What's happening?

According to Noticias Ambientales (Environmental News), a joint venture by the National Police of Peru and the Public Ministry put an end to the illicit operation. Two Spanish citizens were among the 12 arrested, and animals with a street value of over $600,000 were seized.

Officials reported the animals were being illegally trafficked to multiple countries, including China, Russia, Thailand, and the United States. Among them were endangered species protected under environmental laws. While the arrests were a welcome development in protecting threatened species, the black market for illegal wildlife trade is just too lucrative to stop for long.

Why is animal trafficking such a concern?

Poaching is one of the biggest threats to endangered species. Whether it's for an exotic pet or an ingredient for traditional medicines, the result of removing an animal from the ecosystem is the same. It disrupts the delicate balance of an area's biodiversity. Big cats, such as leopards and tigers, which unscrupulous collectors commonly target, play a vital role in the ecosystem as apex predators. Removing them from an area will have catastrophic consequences, upsetting the food web and allowing their prey populations to grow out of control.

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Given the clandestine nature of the crime, it's difficult to calculate precisely how much revenue it generates; however, the Global Environment Facility estimates the figure to be between $7 billion and $23 billion annually.

What's being done about the illegal wildlife trade?

An international crime ultimately requires international coordination to prevent. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international treaty signed by 185 countries. It's been in effect for 50 years and has achieved some significant milestones (like reduced elephant killings). However, there's still much more to be done, and its terms need to be strictly enforced.

The responsibility of curbing illegal animal trade also falls on the individual. Consumers have a responsibility to make informed choices about the brands they support. Additionally, it's important to be wary of companies that claim their green credentials without substantiating them.

Do you think we should be trying to pull pollution out of the atmosphere? Absolutely I need to know more In some situations No way 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.
All 49 passengers and crew aboard an ageing Antonov A-24 flying from Khabarovsk via Blagoveshchensk to Tynda in the Far East of Russia, are thought to have died when their plane came down in bad weather, authorities said on Thursday.

Images of the accident site taken from a helicopter suggest there were no survivors, as the wreckage was scattered and burning.

The helicopter was unable to land in the terrain of moor and taiga, and rescue workers were reported to be struggling to reach the scene some 15 kilometres away from Tynda, a small town in the Amur region.

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The An-24 is one of the oldest passenger planes still in operation, with series production starting in 1962. Almost 60 of the more than 1,300 built up to 1979 are still in service, most in Russia, but also in Kazakhstan, North Korea and Ukraine.

The plane involved in the accident is reported to have been almost 50 years old. Its operating licence had been extended to 2036.

According to Russia's Rosaviatsiya civil aviation authority, four safety incidents relating to the plane have been reported since 2018. That year, the plane's lift wing was damaged in an accident. In two other cases, the crew ordered a return to the departure airport, once because of a defective generator and on another occasion because of a broken radio.

The plane is reported to have undergone a safety inspection immediately before the flight, with no shortcomings found. The crew also reported no problems during the flight, according to the official information.

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Some of the problems in the Russian aviation sector can be attributed to Western sanctions imposed following the country's February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russian prosecutors have launched an investigation into Angara Airlines, the company operating the flight, focusing on safety measures.

According to media reports, investigators are looking into the possibility of human error. The reports said the crew could have misjudged their height in difficult weather conditions and that the plane could have brushed the tops of trees as it approached the runway.
LORAIN, Ohio (AP)  An officer in Ohio has died after a shooter lying in wait ambushed him and another officer as they parked to eat pizza in a remote, undeveloped area, Lorain police said Thursday.

Lorain police Officer Phillip C. Wagner, 35, had been flown to a trauma center after the attack Wednesday afternoon in the city west of Cleveland, a police statement said. It said he died surrounded by family at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

The shooting wounded Wagners partner as well as a third officer who responded to their call for help.

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Authorities say the attacker was Lorain resident Michael Joseph Parker, 28, who was pronounced dead after an exchange of gunfire. They say he acted alone. Police have not shared details on any motive.

The department said Wagner joined the force in early 2022 after serving with the U.S. Marine Corps and the Sheffield Village Police Department. His colleagues called him a respected and beloved officer known for dedication, professionalism and compassion.

Acting Lorain Police Chief Michael Failing said Wagner's life and service will never be forgotten."

"Our department mourns the loss of a true hero and stands in unwavering support of Officer Wagners family, friends, and fellow officers during this heartbreaking time, Failing said.

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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine directed that Ohio and U.S. flags be flown at half-staff on public buildings until sunset on the day of Wagners funeral.

Police said investigators found multiple rifles, handguns and loaded magazines in and around Parkers vehicle, along with a significant quantity of improvised explosive materials.

An autopsy on Parker showed he was killed by multiple gunshot wounds fired by police officers, said the Lorain County coroner, Dr. Frank Miller.

Parkers bullet wounds are not self-inflicted, Miller said in phone interview after the Thursday autopsy. Its during the gun battle. He said toxicology test results will take a few weeks.

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A second officer suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was in critical condition after being flown to the trauma center, according to a statement issued by the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police. The third officer was shot in the hand, according to Failing. The wounded officers are Peter Gale, 51, and Brent Payne, 47.

Just before the ambush, Wagner and Gale parked to eat pizza on a dead-end street in a remote, undeveloped area of Lorain that overlooks a river and a steel mill. Payne was shot after responding to their call, Failing said.

Officers returned fire during the exchange, which ultimately resulted in Parker sustaining a fatal injury, according to statement from police in nearby Elyria who are handling the investigation.

Parker lived with his parents in a tidy, two-story brick home in Lorain, a city along Lake Erie west of Cleveland. Neighbors said Thursday they often saw him walking the family dog to the nearby beach, but he rarely engaged in conversation, and never saw him with friends.

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He was just an odd character, said Jody Burnsworth, who has lived next door to the family since 2012. He wasnt rude. He was just always quiet. When he walked he looked like he was always ultra-focused on something.

She said she always had an uneasy feeling about him, never opening her bedroom drapes on the side of the house that faced his home.

I hate that I thought that, she said. He kind of gave me the creeps. Sometimes he would just look at you in an odd way.

Parkers home was searched for more than five hours Wednesday night. Officers broke an upstairs window and flew in a drone during the search, Burnsworth said.

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Parkers father grew up in the house, and neighbors described the couple as very sweet.

Burnsworth said that during the past year Parker was hired at the post office but soon quit because the work was too difficult.

___

Scolforo reported from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Trump Media & Technology was up nearly 1.5% before the opening bell after the firm said it had accumulated $2 billion in bitcoin and related securities. Christoph Dernbach/picture alliance via Getty Images

Trump Media shares rose premarket after gaining 3% on Monday.

The company announced it had accumulated $2 billion in bitcoin and related assets.

Verizon, Archer Aviation, Alphabet, and Opendoor also saw notable premarket moves.

Trump Media, Verizon Communications, Archer Aviation, Alphabet, and Opendoor Technologies are on investors' minds.

This is where they were trading premarket as of 7 a.m. ET Tuesday and what's driving the moves.

1. Trump Media & Technology

The move: The company that owns the social media platform Truth Social jumped almost 1.5% to $19.53 per share, after gaining 3% Monday.

Why: The company announced that it had accumulated about $2 billion worth of bitcoin and related securities following the signing of President Donald Trump's crypto bill on Friday.

2. Verizon Communications

The move: The stock was up about 0.4% to $42.68 a share, after rising 4% on Monday.

Why: Before the bell Monday, the telecommunications giant reported second-quarter earnings that beat analysts' estimates and upgraded its profit forecast for the year.

3. Archer Aviation

The move: The California-based company that develops electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft was down nearly 3% to $11.49 a share after falling almost 11% on Monday.

Why: Its stock fell after a judge ruled that a lawsuit against the company can proceed. The lawsuit alleges that Archer Aviation, billionaire Ken Moelis, and others behind the merger deal that made Archer public misled shareholders about the value of shares.

4. Alphabet

The move: Alphabet rose 0.4% to $191.90 per share after rising nearly 3% on Monday.

Why: The company that owns Google saw a jump when several analysts raised their price targets ahead of it reporting its latest earnings results after the bell on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley cited a possible revenue boost driven by its generative AI efforts.

5. Opendoor Technologies

The move: The real-estate company has continued to rise, up 14% to $3.66 a share after gaining 42% on Monday.

Why: The surge came after a social media post by investor and Carvana spotter Eric Jackson, who said he expected a strong turnaround for Opendoor.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Watch out for poisonous green scum or other streaks or clumps of colored algae in Spanaway Lake, health officials said in a toxic algae caution advisory Wednesday.

When you see algae, dont swim, wade, waterski, or fish, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department news release said. Keep in mind as wind direction changes, the algae could move elsewhere in the lake. When in doubt, stay out!

The health department sampled the waters Monday and will check for toxic algae again next week. Officials will leave the advisory up for two weeks out of an abundance of caution once the bloom disappears, the release said.

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Spanaway Lake is located next to Spanaway Park, which has a boat launch and two swimming beaches without lifeguards, according to the county website. The lake also provides opportunities for fishing stocked rainbow trout as well as largemouth and smallmouth bass and rock bass, the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife website says.

Signs at the lake warn visitors of the advisory. People should avoid any areas of the lake with algae and avoid eating fish from contaminated water, according to the release.

Toxic algae or cyanobacteria exists naturally in lakes and can make people and animals sick. The algae can take different shapes and colors, including a layer of scum akin to green pea soup. They can also be brown, red and blueish, the department said.

Symptoms that can result from coming into contact with toxic algae are muscle weakness, vomiting, diarrhea and nausea, the release said. Your skin also can become irritated or get a rash if it comes in contact with toxic algae.

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Visit your medical provider if you show symptoms and may have been in water with toxic algae. You can get sick minutes to hours after exposure. Rinse off any pets or people exposed immediately and seek medical help if symptoms appear, the department advises.

Small children and pets are particularly susceptible to illness because of their small bodies and their likelihood of ingesting water with toxic algae. Take your pet to the vet if they show any signs of lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, convulsions, difficulty breathing or general weakness; and keep exposed pets from licking their fur, the advisory said.
Pepper Pike, Ohio (WJW)  A Northeast Ohio couple was just minutes away from the hospital when they had to call for help on the highway.

Tuesday morning, around 8:45 a.m., the couple was en route to Hillcrest Hospital in Mayfield Heights.

Just as they got on I-271 northbound, the husband called 911 and told dispatchers his wife was in labor. Within minutes, the baby was crowning and the dispatcher instructed the dad to support the babys head.

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Rare mosquito-borne virus confirmed in Northeast Ohio

Once on the scene, Pepper Pike Fire and Rescue realized they had no choice but to deliver the baby on the side of the highway.

It was her second baby, so she knew what she was doing, and we were there to make sure there was no complications, said Lieutenant David Tapp of the Pepper Pike Fire Department.

While police directed traffic, firefighters got to work supporting the mom and helping her push. Once delivered, firefighters decided it was best to take the baby to Hillcrest right away and send a second ambulance for her.

Cleveland hotel restaurant just named among Top 100 in country, only Ohio eatery on list

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Once we got the baby out, the baby was breathing. When we tried to stimulate the baby  wasnt responding as much as we would like them to, Tapp said.

Firefighters said inside the ambulance, they were able to rub the baby boys chest and tap his feet. Thats when he started to cry and open his eyes more, relieving everyone, including the dad who rode with them.

Were told the entire family is doing well.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
(WSPA)  Students across the Upstate and western North Carolina are getting ready to return to the classroom.

The first day of school is different depending on which school district you attend, here is a full list of dates:

Dates for First Day of School:

July 24

Greenwood School District 50

Ware Shoals School District 51

Greenwood School District 52

July 29

Abbeville County School District

July 31

Union County Schools

August 1

Elbert County School District

Laurens County School District 55

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Franklin County Schools

School District of Pickens County

Stephens County School System

August 4

Hart County Charter System

August 5

Anderson School District One

Anderson School District 2

Anderson School District 3

Anderson School District 4

Anderson School District 5

Laurens County School District 56

School District of Oconee County

August 6

Rutherford County Schools

August 11

Greenville County Schools

Haywood County Schools

Henderson County Public Schools

Polk County Schools

Spartanburg School District One

Spartanburg County School District Two

Spartanburg School District Three

Spartanburg School District 4

Spartanburg District Five

Spartanburg County School District Six

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Spartanburg School District 7

August 12

Cherokee County School District

August 13

Jackson County Public Schools

August 18

Madison County Schools

Mitchell County Schools

Swain County Schools

Yancey County Schools

August 25

Buncombe County Schools

Graham County Schools

Macon County Schools

McDowell County School District

Transylvania County Schools

Tax Free Weekend

For those looking to get supplies for back to school, South Carolina holds an annual tax free weekend.

During the weekend of August 1-3, a variety of items will be exempt from the states 6% sales tax and local sales taxes.

Items which will be exempt from taxes include clothing and accessories, shoes, school supplies, backpacks, computers, and more. The tax exemption applies whether you purchase in-store or online.

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The South Carolina Department of Revenue released this guide to show what is and isnt included in the tax free weekend:

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

The majority (91%) of back-to-school shoppers say higher prices will impact their purchasing behaviors this season, according to an ICSC survey of 1,009 respondents. To cope with the price hikes, they plan to buy items on sale (38%), purchase items from cheaper brands (29%), comparison shop (29%) and reuse supplies (28%).

More than half (56%) of back-to-school shoppers are concerned about affording the supplies they usually buy because of tariff-driven price increases. About eight in ten said they anticipate spending more this year than last year, a trend they attribute to price increases (37%) and stocking up on supplies for the year (34%).

Nearly two-thirds (62%) of shoppers plan to buy their back-to-school items from discount stores, followed by Amazon (57%) and dollar stores or variety retailers (42%), the survey found.

Dive Insight:

As consumers brace for a surge in back-to-school prices, theyre hunting for bargains at promotional events.

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Nine in ten survey respondents said promotions will sway their back-to-school shopping decisions, according to a separate ICSC survey. Nearly half (46%) of respondents said they planned to take advantage of Target Circle Week, Amazon Prime Day, Walmart Deals or Labor Day sales.

Retailer-driven promotional events have become a vital part of the back-to-school season and have reshaped when and how consumers shop to take advantage of the best sales, Tom McGee, president and CEO of ICSC, said in a statement. American families continue to spend even as they face an uncertain economic outlook, and successful retailers will continue using creative deals and promotions to entice them to spend throughout the year.

As shoppers seek out school supply savings, major retailers are holding competing summer sales. Alongside Amazons Prime Day Sale in July, Target and Walmart each held their own summer sales earlier this month, which touted discounts on back-to-school merchandise. Following those events, Walmart and Target each introduced additional back-to-school discounts and features geared at those shoppers.

Some shoppers began their back-to-school shopping journey even before those sales, though. A recent TeacherLists survey found that the proportion of parents starting their back-to-school shopping in June rose from 11% in 2024 to 20% this year. Thats mostly to avoid price hikes and potential product shortages.

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Shoppers are also deploying AI tools to stretch their back-to-school budgets. A PwC survey released last month found that a fifth of back-to-school shoppers expect to use AI in their search for markdowns. Another YouGov survey found that parents of children under 18 are more familiar with AI assistants and are more likely to have used them than the general population.

Although shoppers are looking for ways to avoid price increases, back-to-school shoppers are expected to spend more this year. A Coresight Research report projects that back-to-school spending will rise 3.3% year-over-year to $33.3 billion. This year, families anticipate spending $378 on each childs back-to-school items, a 21.5% increase from the $311 they spent last year.

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Art restorers have removed a deteriorating piece of graffiti by the street artist Banksy, titled 'The Migrant Child', from the side of a building overlooking a Venetian canal to preserve the work for future public display, officials said on Thursday.

The removal from the wall of the 17th-century Palazzo San Pantalon was carried out in consultation with people close to the secretive British street artist, according to the Venice-based bank Banca Ifis' art programme.

The Italian bank bought the building last year and is funding its entire restoration, mural included. The cost of the operation was not disclosed.

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The famous artwork depicts a shipwrecked child holding a pink smoke bomb and wearing a lifejacket.

It appeared in Venice in May 2019, during the city's Biennale, and was acknowledged by Banksy. Initially serving as a commentary on the global refugee crisis, it has since become a tourist attraction.

But six years of neglect and exposure to humidity and salt have led to the deterioration of about a third of the work, Banca Ifis said.

Banksy's work 'The Migrant Child' has been removed from the facade of Palazzo San Pantalon in Venice for restoration - Ifis art via AP

Venice's mayor Luigi Brugnaro and the president of the Veneto region, Luca Zaia, had reached out to the Italian government for help. Vittorio Sgarbi, then the under-secretary for Culture, took it upon himself to restore the work.

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The restoration plan was first announced in 2023 but the initiative sparked anger among local architectural and artistic communities.

"Banksy was no fool; he was fully aware that his waterside creation wasn't meant to endure. Restoring it goes against the grain", Evyrein, a local artist, told Euronews Culture in 2023.

The restoration is being overseen by restorer Federico Borgogni. He previously removed dust and cleaned the surface before detaching a section of the palazzo's facade overnight Wednesday, Banca Ifis said in a statement.

The bank intends to display the work to the public as part of free cultural events organized by Ifis art once restoration is completed. No time frame was given.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A barricade situation at the Highland Inn on South Range Avenue ended Thursday with the arrest of a wanted man, according to the Livingston Parish Sheriffs Office.

The sheriffs office said the incident began around 11 a.m. when the LPSO Special Response Team (SRT) responded to the hotel for a barricaded subject with multiple outstanding warrants.

The suspect, identified as Garland Demetric Batiste, was taken into custody without incident. Authorities say he was wanted on several warrants, including a probable violation.

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The investigation is ongoing, and additional details will be released as they become available.

Man arrested after road rage shooting on highway in Livingston Parish

Photos courtesy of Chabasco E. Looney, Cheap PhoneRepairs.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
Some West Virginia localities used their opioid settlement money to buy drones for their police departments. (Abadonian iStock | Getty Images Plus )

Earlier this week, West Virginia Watch reported its analysis of how local governments across the state spent their first allotment of opioid settlement funds, with a majority of those funds going toward law enforcement purposes.

Now, were breaking down that spending even more and  through graphics and interactive, searchable tables  allowing you to see all reported expenditures for yourself. Each category will have its own table and, at the end of the article, a large table will have details on all 173 expenditures made across the state.

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Almost all of the information in these visualizations and in our analysis came from a local spending report published last week by the West Virginia First Foundation. Some information has been added through interviewing local officials on the spending.

The report covers spending of opioid spending dollars by local governments between July 1, 2023 and June 30, 2024. The allocations to local governments are separate from money being disbursed by the First Foundation, which is the private nonprofit created in 2023 to dole out the states share of opioid settlement dollars.

The First Foundation has no authority or control over how localities spend their share of the funds.

In total, $72.8 million in opioid settlement funds were disbursed to 226 local governments across the state in fiscal year 2024. Of those local governments, 144 disclosed not spending any money. Sixteen other local governments did not return their spending reports to the First Foundation and are not included in this analysis.

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About 9.4%  more than $6.9 million  of the total $72.8 million received in FY2024 was reported as being spent.

The breakdown of all spending was:

$3.64 million to law enforcement

$685,000 to quick response teams

$643,000 on EMS

$519,000 on jail bills

$444,200 on rehab, recovery and treatment

$413,400 on youth services

$354,000 on government transfers

$205,000 on various other uses

Law enforcement spending

Security enhancements, cruisers, salaries and restitution payments made up a bulk of law enforcement spending, which totaled $3.64 million  more than five times what was spent in any other category.

The largest single expenditures for law enforcement were:

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$352,000 from Princetons opioid settlement dollars to its general fund to serve as restitution for previous law enforcement costs

$333,000 from Wetzel County for new police and first responder radios

$293,000 from South Charleston for police payroll

$250,000 from Mason County for six new vehicles for the sheriffs office

$241,000 from Summersville for internal drug task force initiatives

Use this table to search through all law enforcement expenditures across the state:

Quick Response Teams and EMS

Though it was the second highest category of spending totaling $685,000, there were only four single expenditures for quick response teams in the state. That spending accounted for about 10% of all local opioid spending across West Virginia.

The expenditures were:

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$25,000 from Boone County for the county QRT to transport clients

$35,000 from Jackson County to the county QRT

$125,000 from Cabell County to the county QRT

$500,000 from Charleston to the city Coordinated Addiction Response Effort team for two QRT positions that were previously covered by a grant that lapsed in 2023 and a mental health coordinator

Though a bit less was spent on EMS, the uses of the funds were more varied. Overall, localities spent about $643,000 on first responders, accounting for more than 9% of all spending.

Some spending  about $275,000  was for general EMS support. Statewide, EMS workers are consistently underfunded and understaffed. Many use outdated vehicles and equipment and pay, generally, remains low as the state has failed to fund permanent funding sources for the critical services.

The largest single expenditures for EMS were:

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$95,700 from Wheeling for medical equipment

$90,600 from St. Albans to purchase two vehicles for the fire department

$43,400 from Cabell County for new radios

$35,000 from Pleasants County for two chest compression devices

$26,000 from Hardy County to purchase gym memberships and workout machines for first responders

Use this table to search through all first responder expenditures across the state:

Jail bills

Three county governments used portions of their funds to pay for jail bills. One  Clay County  used its entire first allotment of funds for the bill.

Each county pays its jail bill at the same rate, but the totals differ depending on how many people from a county are being held at a regional jail. Until 2023, a cap was in place that limited the amount each county would be charged per an inmate at $48.25 per a day.

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Without the cap, the cost for each person held in a regional jail is $54.48 per a day. Many counties report that jail bills are their highest annual expenses each year.

The expenditures for jail bills were:

$229,550 by Clay County

$115,500 by Grant County

$174,000 by Upshur County

Rehab, recovery and treatment

This critical category only accounts for about 6% of all spending from local opioid settlement funds last year. Most localities opted to support these services through donations to different nonprofits that focus on people with substance use disorder.

Several localities also focused their funding on Day Report Centers, which are often used as alternative-sentencing programs for people who are arrested and charged with crimes related to drug use. The centers usually operate through counties or multiple counties in regions and run drug testing programs as well as connect individuals to services to help them maintain court-ordered sobriety.

The largest single expenditures for rehab, recovery and treatment services were:

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$200,000 from Cabell County for Lilys Place to support a housing program for mothers and pregnant people who are going through substance use disorder treatment

$85,000 from Sistersville for New Beginnings Recovery to offer transportation to clients for therapy and treatment sessions

$50,000 from Monroe County to the Summers/Monroe Day Report Center

$27,627 from South Charleston to Pollen8, a recovery nonprofit focused on women, for job training and treatment programming

$20,000 from Hardy County to the South Branch Valley Day Report Center

Use this table to search through all first expenditures for rehab, recovery and treatment across the state:

Youth services

From Batman and magicians to drug prevention classes and repairs to a middle school track, localities across West Virginia spent about 6% of all funds on services for children.

Nearly all this funding went toward prevention education, with West Virginia GameChanger receiving more than half of all local spending on youth services.

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GameChanger, a politically-connected program, was established in 2018 to teach prevention to kids in the classroom. Its based on school boards or individual schools paying a varying fee for prevention materials and a curriculum that experts have called questionable and based in fear, which are not conducive to lowering rates of drug use or overdose among students.

The largest single expenditures for youth services were:

$270,000 from Marion County to GameChanger for three years of programming in area schools

$60,000 from Hardy County for repairs to the track at Moorefield Middle School

$18,000 from Hardy County to nonprofit Big Blue, a teen center, to pay for an executive director, among other things

$10,000 from Bluefield to purchase land for a youth summer camp

$10,000 from Oceana for a drug awareness magician, drug awareness special needs fishing tournament and prevention educational materials

Use this table to search through all first expenditures for children across the state:

Government transfers

The approved uses for opioid settlement dollars are, generally, broad. Theyre set through a memorandum of understanding created by the courts through negotiations with the attorney general and local leaders when the overarching opioid settlement fund was established.

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Its unclear what exact approved use would allow governments to take money from their opioid settlement shares; the closest would likely be the secondary core strategy of leadership, planning and coordination. That strategy  per the memorandum  allows funds to be used for staff and government infrastructure, but mostly with a focus on oversight for opioid abatement programming.

Despite the approved use not being clear, two governments  Oceana and Williamson  used portions of their funds to cover shortfalls within their general funds. Oceana has paid or is in the process of paying all these expenditures back. Its unclear if Williamson plans to do the same.

Another government transfer came from Mingo County paying $150,000 to Kermit to honor an agreement between the county and city that was made in regards to the opioid settlement dollars.

Use this table to search through all first government transfers across the state:

All expenditures made in FY 2024

This final table  the largest of them all  represents all government spending of local opioid settlement dollars last year. Use it to search and see what your government spent money on.

If you have any thoughts, concerns or tips regarding local government spending of opioid settlement funds, consider reaching out to West Virginia Watch reporter Caity Coyne, at CCoyne@WestVirginiaWatch.com, to talk.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A Baton Rouge man was arrested after being accused of a Medicaid fraud scam.

According to an affidavit, on May 4, 2022, agents with the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) started an investigation after getting a tip from the AmeriHealth Caritas of Louisiana (ACLA) that a non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) provider billed for trips not taken.

NEMT services are a covered Medicaid transportation service for beneficiaries.

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During the investigation, agents requested records billed and paid to Johnny Richardson, 38, who is the owner of the NEMT, Xpress. MFCU analysts reviewed Xpresss claims for Medicaid services, as well as claims for patient hospitalization and deceased records. The review revealed overlapping dates and times that Richardson submitted and was paid for Medicaid services for four recipients who were hospitalized and/or deceased.

The four recipients Richardson submitted claims for were standing order trips, which are recurring trips that are pre-scheduled.

MFCU agents interviewed Richardson and learned he was the only responsible person for submitting claims and was in charge of transportation for Xpress. The company was paid $2,902.24 for the transportation of patients between Dec. 13, 2021, and June 1, 2022, while the recipients were in the hospital. Richardson falsely billed for services and was paid $5,718.94 for services from Feb. 12, 2022, through May 12, 2022, after the recipients death.

Richardson was arrested and booked on charges of four counts of Medicaid fraud. He was released on a $4,000 bond.

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Baton Rouge man sentenced to 70 years after killing girlfriend in 2020

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A Baton Rouge man was sentenced to 70 years Wednesday after pleading guilty to charges in connection with the stabbing death of his girlfriend in 2020.

Court documents showed that Connor Regan, 32, pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter and two counts of obstruction of justice in a plea agreement. He was sentenced to serve 40 years for the manslaughter charge and 15 years for each obstruction of justice count. Regan was originally charged with second-degree murder before taking the plea deal.

According to documents, police officers responded to an apartment on Jefferson Highway on June 6, 2020, after Kinnedy Smith, 21, was stabbed 39 times.

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Detectives learned that Regan had told dispatch that he had stabbed his girlfriend and was on his way to Texas. He was taken into custody after troopers made contact with him in Crowley.

Judge sentences Bryan Kohberger to life in prison for murdering four University of Idaho students

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Jul. 23WASHINGTON  Three Republicans who represent the Inland Northwest in the House said they want the Trump administration to release more information about deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein as the chamber began its summer break on Wednesday, a day earlier than scheduled, amid controversy over the so-called "Epstein files."

The House came to a standstill this week as Democrats and some Republicans repeatedly sought to force votes in the Rules Committee, which must approve most legislation before it goes to the House floor, to make the files public. Although no vote related to Epstein came to the floor, GOP Reps. Michael Baumgartner, Russ Fulcher and Dan Newhouse said they support releasing the documents, with any redactions necessary to protect the victims of Epstein's crimes.

President Donald Trump, a friend of Epstein before the full extent of the self-styled financier's sexual abuse of teenage girls came to light, promised during his 2024 campaign to release all of the government's information about the case. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while in federal custody, according to officials, but the circumstances of his death and his known connections to Trump, former President Bill Clinton and other prominent men have fueled conspiracy theories.

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Those suspicions boiled over after the Justice Department on July 7 said it has no incriminating list of Epstein's clients. That seemingly contradicted Attorney General Pam Bondi, the head of that department, who told Fox News that such a document was "sitting on my desk to review" after she gave binders labeled "Epstein Files: Phase 1" to right-wing influencers in an event at the White House in February.

Those binders contained information that had already been made public. Because of the obvious implication that there would be another "phase" of documents released, Bondi and other Trump administration officials have struggled to convince the public and even some of the president's staunchest supporters that there's nothing more to see. In a Reuters-Ipsos poll conducted July 16 and 17, 69% of respondents said they believe the Trump administration is hiding information about the case.

"I support the full release of the Epstein files," Baumgartner, who represents Eastern Washington, said in a statement. "As these files are released, they must be done so in a way that the victims of Epstein's heinous crimes are not retraumatized. Like many members of the public, I am particularly interested to know how Epstein made his money and the circumstances surrounding his apparent sweetheart plea deal in 2006."

Epstein pleaded guilty to relatively minor crimes, including soliciting prostitution of a minor, in what critics say was an overly lenient deal struck with federal prosecutors led by Alex Acosta, who went on to become labor secretary in Trump's first term. Epstein was sentenced to 18 months in prison but served only 13 months on a work-release arrangement that let him leave prison during the day.

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Baumgartner said he appreciates that House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., supports the release of the files "to the fullest extent possible under the law" and that Trump directed the Justice Department to unseal grand jury files related to Epstein, a move blocked by a judge on Wednesday.

Fulcher, a Republican who represents North Idaho and most of the state's western half, said he also wants the files released.

"We have an obligation to the victims, and a responsibility to expose the truth and create accountability," he said in a statement. "We need to do everything we can to prevent this type of carnage from happening again."

Newhouse, who represents central Washington, said he supports the Justice Department releasing the files "as long as the privacy of the victims is completely protected," but he denounced Democrats and Republicans who have used the controversy "for political purposes and to stall official business in the House."

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"The President has instructed DOJ to take action towards releasing information, a reasonable process that should be allowed to take place," he said in a statement. "If nothing has been released by the time Congress returns from recess, then we should discuss further action."

Democrats have seized on the issue and accused Trump of protecting the late multimillionaire, seeking to connect the Epstein scandal with their criticism of the massive tax-and-spending bill Republicans passed on July 3. That new law redistributes benefits from the lowest-income Americans to the highest-earning ones, according the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, and Democrats say it's proof the GOP protects the wealthy.

"Trump pushed conspiracy theories about Epstein's heinous crimes," Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., wrote July 17 on X. "Now he's being extremely defensive regarding the Epstein files. It raises legitimate questions. Why not just release the files? What is he hiding?"

Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., said she also supports releasing the files. Sens. Mike Crapo and Jim Risch of Idaho, both Republicans, didn't respond when asked if they supported doing so. The House and Senate are scheduled to return to the Capitol after Labor Day.

Orion Donovan Smith's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
AGAWAM, Mass. (WWLP)  Baystate Health teamed up with AMR to host disaster day training at Six Flags New England, preparing for any type of disaster.

The event gave emergency responders and students a great chance to practice and improve on their skills for any emergency.

Several groups, like paramedic and nursing students, among many others, came together at Six Flags in Agawam to learn how to handle unexpected disasters or mass casualties in a public area. Jason Melendez, an EMT instructor from AMR, played a crucial role in facilitating the training for these students.

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Springfield police arrest suspect in illegal OHV crackdown

Seeing all the smiles that they have and knowing that I did my job as their instructor to say, Hey, youre ready for this,' Melendez said. You just have to trust yourself and put your hands on it. And youll notice just how much you retain like youre doing. Phenomenal. It may not seem it now. Once you get out there, you will.

The event, led by Baystate Health and AMR, allowed students to participate in a mass casualty incident drill. They got to lay out triage tarps, practice giving patients treatments, followed by mock transport from the scene. There was also a chance to experience the in-hospital portion of the scenario.

Its been great so far, said AMR EMT and medic student Justice Melendez Tiroche. Its good seeing familiar faces, people that you see in the hospital day in and day out. Its good to learn from them, get tips, and get help on things that Im not familiar with in the hospital setting, because the road to a hospital setting can be very different.

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By simulating realistic scenarios, Baystate Health experts say they are able to assess and improve their response strategies, making them better prepared for any future disaster.

The more prepared we can be and the more we train and practice and educate ourselves, the less stress happens in real time and the better were able to respond to those incidents, said Dr. Seth Kelly, Chief of the Division of Prehospital and Disaster Medicine.

And through this training, Kelly said it allows for collaboration and coordination between different departments and agencies, which is essential for a real-life disaster.

Kelly added that anybody at home can also be prepared for any disaster by learning how to stop the bleed through local programs or learning CPR or how to use an AED. It could just help save a lifeuntil emergency responders arrive.

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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  After mosquitoes around the Valley have tested positive for West Nile Virus, First News visited Mahoning County Public Health for a behind-the-scenes tour, taking a look at how mosquitoes are tested and what the positive results mean for residents.

So far this year, monitoring by the health district has found that mosquitoes in Boardman, Austintown, Poland, Beaver and Springfield townships have tested positive for carrying the West Nile Virus  along with locations in Mercer County. But how are the tests conducted, and what do these positive results mean for residents?

First News shadowed Colton Masters, director of environmental health, along with a couple of his interns, through the entire mosquito-testing process. His bottom line: dont let these positive tests keep you from enjoying the outdoors.

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Even though you see these reports coming out about West Nile positives in parks and in systems across the county, we by no means want people to avoid the outdoors, Masters said. I want people to be outside. I want them to get exercise and fresh air, and its good for us to be in the outdoors But what I do want people to understand is there are simple ways you can protect yourself from this.

It starts with mosquito surveillance traps being placed in local parks. The traps are bins of stagnant water  designed to entice mosquitoes but not necessarily other insects  with a fan that works as a suction to pull any mosquitoes that land in the water up into a netted area. The mosquitoes are collected, processed at the health districts environmental lab in Austintown and then shipped to a state testing facility in Columbus. Dont worry if you havent seen the traps  theyre generally placed away from where parkgoers venture.

Mosquito trap in Austintown Park (WKBN photo).

Traps collecting 50-100 mosquitoes are considered a good collection, as the state needs a vial of more than 20 mosquitoes to test for the virus.

So far, there have been no reported human cases of West Nile Virus in the Valley  in fact, there has only been one human case in the state so far this year. The key to keeping this number low is prevention  this means wearing bug spray when you go outdoors in areas mosquitoes may frequent. Another tip: wear long sleeves and light-colored clothing. If you happen to forget to spray before you go, Masters has placed posts around area parks that offer bug spray, alcohol wipes, and tweezers  in case of ticks.

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The virus in mosquitoes can be spread across the area through an intermediate organism, which is usually a bird but can also be a horse. Masters said that when a bird is bitten by a mosquito with West Nile virus, that bird now has West Nile.

Now every other mosquito that bites that bird can then get West Nile and carry it and transmit it into humans, he explained.

Humans are considered a dead-end organism, which means that even if we are bitten by an infected mosquito, if an uninfected bug later bites us, the disease cannot be transmitted back to that insect, leading to the spread.

Masters says West Nile in humans may go undetected if people are either asymptomatic or chalk up the symptoms to something else. Human cases are reported when people go to their primary care physician and exhibit symptoms that prompt their doctor to test for mosquito-borne illness. If a test comes back positive, doctors are required to report it to the state, as well as the public health district in the county where it occurred.

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When looking at the numbers, its important to consider the number of samples submitted per district along with the percentage that test positive. For example, if a district submitted only one sample  and that sample came back positive  its percentage would show 100%, which is not accurate for all the mosquitoes in that area. He says the best method to avoid skewed data is to look at all the data comprehensively.

Another important note is that there are 53 agencies conducting the tests in the state  not everywhere is encompassed. It covers about 40 of Ohios 88 counties. Masters says not all counties are able to conduct tests, either due to funding or staffing shortages.

In the Valley, the number of mosquitoes testing positive is slightly above average, but not at the level it reached during what the health district considered an outbreak in 2012 due to the sheer number of mosquitoes testing positive.

To look at the data for yourself, visit the Ohio Department of Public Healths website. Navigate to the statistics and maps tab, where you can view statistics across the state, divided by county. Anyone with more questions can reach out to the Mahoning County Public Health District at 330-270-2855.

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Pastor Daniel Fuentes Espinal with Iglesia del Nazareno in Easton, Maryland ministers to his congregation. (Photo courtesy Fuentes Espinal family)

A man called a pillar of his Eastern Shore community is in custody at a Baltimore detention facility after he was picked up by immigration agents while driving to work Monday.

Daniel Fuentes Espinal has been pastor of Iglesia del Nazareno in Easton since 2015  he is also an undocumented immigrant who fled the violence in his native Honduras in 2001 and put down roots on the Eastern Shore where he has ministered and raised a family.

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Fuentes Espinal has no criminal record and has been trying to get approval to become a U.S. citizen, said his daughter, Clarissa Fuentes Diaz.

The unpaid pastor works construction to support his family, Fuentes Diaz said Wednesday. She said her father was on a routine errand to the hardware store for building materials when he was arrested by unidentified agents Monday.

Ive heard stories about [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] at Lowes in the morning, picking up whoever seems to fit their narrative or racial profiling, she said.

Fuentes Diaz said she was 8 when the family fled Honduras in 2001 to escape violence in search of a better life. Her two younger siblings were born in the United States. And, after a 16-year wait, she was recently notified that she too would become a U.S. citizen.

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I was going to help my dad and mom get their papers straight, she said, but that was before her father was arrested.

Fuentes Diaz says her father is a compassionate man of faith. His arrest has been devasting to the tight-knit community.

Len Foxwell, a longtime Easton resident and family friend, said the pastor led his congregation as a volunteer and regularly provided food, shelter, clothing and toys to those who needed help.

He is known for his unconditional generosity to those who are the most vulnerable, he said.

Its personal for me. Our sons were best friends, Foxwell said, in the wake of his 18-year-old sons death last month in a car accident. Pastor [Fuentes] Espinal was at my sons deathbed and spoke at his funeral.

Immigrant arrests rise

Fuentes Espinals detention comes amid a sharp rise in immigration arrests, driven by President Donald Trumps (R) campaign pledge to mount a massive deportation of immigrants in the U.S. That has led to ICE agents, often masked and militarized, arresting people at worksites, in courthouses and elsewhere, using tactics that Democrats on Capitol Hill criticized Wednesday as cruel and lawless.

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The number of arrests by ICE in Maryland has more than doubled since the start of the year. The Deportation Data Project, a Berkeley, California, based research group, which has posted ICE detention documents back to September 2023, showed there were 384 immigration arrests in Maryland in the last four months of 2023, or about 3.1 per day. For all of 2024, there were 1,355 arrests in the state, a rate of about 3.7 per day.

But in the first six months of 2025, there were 1,769 Maryland apprehensions, or about 9.7 per day.

The data shows that 83% of those arrested in Maryland were men and 45% of all those detained had been convicted of a crime. Another 15% had criminal charges pending, according to ICE, while 40% had no criminal record.

Pastor Daniel Fuentes Espinal represents his church at the Assembly for Mid Atlantic Nazarene churches. (Photo courtesy Fuentes Espinal family)

The Fuentes Espinal family has reached out for help from to their representatives in Congress and to Gov. Wes Moores office. The case has brought support from groups as diverse as the Council on American-Islamic Relations, which called the arrest alarming.

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Detaining a widely respected pastor who has been serving the Maryland community for 20 years while attempting to rectify his legal status sends a chilling message, said CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudhry in a prepared statement.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) said his office has been in touch with the family and will continue to monitor the case.

The Trump Administration clearly isnt targeting the most dangerous criminals living the U.S. illegally  they are snatching up anyone they can find as they pursue their mass deportation agenda and terrorizing our communities in the process, Van Hollen said in a prepared statement Wednesday.

The family heard Wednesday from Fuentes Espinal, who told them he had spoken with his lawyer and that a court date was set for Friday.

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Multiple requests to ICE for comment via email have gone unanswered. The phone number given to the Fuentes Espinal family to track their loved one, is not in service.

Meanwhile the family waits.

Fuentes Diaz says it is her fathers unshakable faith that keeps them strong. When they talked to him shortly after the arrest, he told them to be strong, that they would be OK, Fuentes Diaz said.

God is in control of my life, here, there anywhere, she quoted him as saying. Im here doing Gods work, and Ive been preaching to the six inmates with me in this cell. Maybe this is what I was to supposed to go through to come and shed light in someone elses darkness.

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Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Bensons (D) gubernatorial campaign said it has raised more than $3.5 million since its launch in January, according to figures first shared with The Hill on Thursday.

Bensons campaign reported receiving more than 27,000 individual contributions from the states 83 counties during the period, with more than 95 percent of them under $100. According to her campaign, Benson has more than $2.4 million cash-on-hand.

The fundraising haul is more than double the $1.5 million Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) raised at this point in 2017 after announcing her first gubernatorial bid in January of that year.

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The haul also puts Benson ahead of her opponents in the states Democratic gubernatorial primary: Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist IIs campaign said he raised more than $750,000, while former Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson said his campaign has raised more than $1 million. Gilchrist jumped into the primary in March, and Swanson announced his bid in February.

The numbers make it clear: Jocelyn Benson is the best person to take on any candidate, Republican or Independent, in November 2026, Bensons campaign manager Nikki Goldschein said in a statement. This record-breaking haul not only showcases the strength of this campaign, it tells the story of the movement we are building.

A poll commissioned by the Detroit Regional Chamber and released in May showed Benson leading the Democratic primary field with 59.3 percent support from registered Democratic voters. Gilchrist and Swanson trailed at 6.9 percent and 8.1 percent, respectively. Nearly 26 percent of registered Democrats said they were undecided.

Republicans are also facing a crowded gubernatorial primary in the state. Rep. John James (R-Mich.), state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R), former state House Speaker Tom Leonard (R) and former state Attorney General Mike Cox (R) are vying for the partys nomination. Cox, who jumped into the race in April, said his campaign has raised $2.4 million and has $1.9 million in the bank.

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Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, previously a Democrat, announced earlier this year that he is running for governor as an independent.

Michigans governors race is slated to be one of the most competitive races in 2026. The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as a toss-up.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Officers were violently attacked at the tourist attraction Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin during a protest rally against Israel's policies in the Gaza Strip, the police said on Thursday evening.

More than 15 arrests were made, police spokesman Florian Nath said, based on initial information. Four police officers were injured.

The demonstrators accused Israel of starving the people in the Gaza Strip.

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The police disbanded the assembly, which began at 4 pm (1400 GMT). However, demonstrators did not want to leave the area. Some sat down on the street. The police began clearing the area at around 7 pm.

According to the police, up to 300 demonstrators gathered at Checkpoint Charlie. There were physical attacks on police officers, said the spokesman.

Bags of paint and eggs were thrown at the officers, he said. Additionally, he said that prohibited slogans were repeatedlty shouted, such as "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," which calls for the eradication of Israel from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea.

The police will record the personal details of demonstrators who do not want to leave the assembly site and issue dispersal orders, said spokesman Nath. Additional forces have also been brought in.

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The police accuse the demonstrators of, among other things, breach of the peace. This means that a crowd acts together and aggressively against officers.

Since 4 pm, there had been a loud protest at Checkpoint Charlie. The demonstrators were demanding an end to the hunger in the Gaza Strip. People shouted pro-Palestinian slogans, and many wore keffiyeh, traditional Palestinian scarves.
Bethune Cookman University charts new course with first official president in four years

Bethune Cookman University is on a new path with its first official president in four years. Albert Mosleys appointment comes after three interim presidents.

Mosley came to BCU from Morningside University in Sioux City, IA where he served as president since 2022. During those same three years in Daytona Beach, BCU had three interim presidents, drama on its board of trustees and a handful of protests where students complained about campus conditions. The university confirmed those claims in 2023 saying at least 60 buildings had issues ranging from mold to infrastructure upgrades.

Eyewitness News asked Mosley what makes him different.

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I will begin with the notion of calling. I was in a fairly comfortable presidency previously and didnt have to leave that but I felt called to offer my gifts and graces for this particular time, said Mosley.

We asked Mosley about plans to address facility issues.

Every single year theres something potentially catastrophic that happens to our facilities. So working with our faculty, our staff, our grounds folks to ensure that as those things happen, as those natural disasters and events occur that we can move in quickly to mitigate that, said Mosley.

Mosley said he plans to connect with companies and corporations that BCU does business with to get financial support for the university.

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Mosley said HBCUs are seeing record enrollment which will also close some funding gaps.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
On May 3, 2025, Warren Buffett  the 94-year-old investing legend known as the Oracle of Omaha  announced he would step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) (BRK.B) at the end of the year. The markets response has been to sell Berkshire stock, which is now down over 10% since the news broke to wipe out tens of billions in market cap.

The announcement from Buffett marked the end of an era at Berkshire. But now, the stocks pullback could mark the start of a new era for value investors: an opportunity to buy shares at a rare discount.

More News from Barchart

www.barchart.com

The Buffett Premium is Gone or is It?

Berkshire stock often trades with what is known as a Buffett premium. Due to the legendary investors history of outperformance, the market trusts Buffetts calm, rational investing style.

But with that halo gone, Berkshire shares have re-rated closer to their book and intrinsic value. Since the announcement, BRK.B has dropped just over 11% from its early May highs, even as the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) rallied to new highs during the same period. Yet, for long-term investors, that divergence might be a gift.

Buffetts Famous Words: Buy When Others Are Fearful

In his 1977 shareholder letter, Buffett famously wrote:

We welcome lower market prices of stocks we own as an opportunity to acquire even more of a good thing at a better price.

For fans of Buffetts investing wisdom, its worth considering that notion as it applies to Berkshire stock itself.

What Barchart Data Tells Us

When we look at Barcharts put/call ratios for BRK.B, the open interest ratio has declined since May, even as the share price has fallen. This suggests bullish positioning may be building into Berkshires next earnings.

www.barchart.com

Buffetts Stats: The Numbers That Matter

If investors are nervous about a post-Buffett Berkshire Hathaway, its because the Oracle leaves some big shoes to fill with his epic returns:

19.9% compounded annual gain for Berkshire vs. 10.4% for SPX (1965-2024)

$93,150/hour in Coca-Cola dividends alone

Over $816 million/year in passive income from just one stock (KO)

And yet, Berkshire is underperforming the S&P 500 this quarter. Thats the kind of divergence that value investors live for.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  With more than 100 people dead in Kerr County, including young campers, and two people still missing, lawmakers convened Wednesday to address what went wrong and find solutions.

BLOG: Texas lawmakers hearing reveals lack of flood disaster preparedness

We are better than this, said Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso. Weve lost a lot in this. And it could have been better  both before, during and after  we know that. And thats not a blame game. Thats accountability.

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For the first time this special session, the Texas House and Senate Committees on Disaster Preparedness met for a rare joint hearing. Outside the chamber, there was anger from some residents impacted by the Fourth of July flooding.

There should have been an evacuation early in the day, said Joseph Shopp. Not two oclock in the morning  this was a complete failure.

After deadly floods, state and federal leaders look for answers

0 to 200 mph

Two days before the disaster, on July 2, the Texas Division of Emergency Management says it activated the states emergency response sending resources  including a rescue boat to Kerr and Tom Green counties  anticipating what it called heavy rainfall with the potential to cause flash flooding across West Texas and the Hill Country.

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We knew we were going into a holiday weekend, TDEM Chief Nim Kidd told lawmakers. We knew that we needed to ensure resources were available from those local governments that we would want to stand up for water teams, for search and rescue teams, for medical teams, if they were needed.

He said the area of concern was 35,000 square miles across Texas.

The forecast for those 44 counties [of concern] in that area was, again, one to three inches of rain, Kidd told lawmakers. He said that was relayed to 468 local government participants in a July 3 weather call that Kerrvilles mayor previously said he did not receive an invite to join.

The severity of the storm caught everyone by surprise, Kidd said, highlighting a summary of alerts from the National Weather Service offices in Austin/San Antonio and San Angelo from July 3 into the early morning hours of July 4:

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3:20 p.m.: NWS Austin/San Antonio said heavy rains possible especially western Hill Country. Chances of rain decrease Friday.

6:56 p.m.: NWS Austin/San Antonio said showers increasing across Hill Country expanded through the evening.

7:37 p.m.: Flash flood watch in effect for Hill Country. Rains will decrease for July 4 but isolated showers may continue.

8:21 p.m.: Flash flood watch for Bexar, Gillespie, Kendall, Llano. Advisories for Mason, McCulloch and San Saba counties.

8:54 p.m.: NWS Austin/San Antonio reported 1-3 inches of rain, 5-7 inches less likely across the flood watch area.

9:30 p.m.: NWS Austin/San Antonio reported pockets of heavy rain in Kendall County headed towards Gillespie and Blanco counties; 1-2 inches of rain have fallen within the last three hours and more rain on the way.

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11:17 p.m.: NWS Austin/San Antonio reported pockets of rain across Hill Country. Flash flood watch remains in effect until 7 a.m. advising to turn around, dont drown.

1:06 a.m.: NWS Austin/San Antonio reported very heavy rain in Bandera, Kerr and Gillespie counties; 2-3 inches of rain per hour.

1:14 a.m.: First flash flood warning issued from Ingram and Hunt until 4:15 a.m.; 1-2 inches of rain have fallen, expected 2-3 inches of rain per hour, 1-2 additional inches expected. Flash flood ongoing or expected.

1:32 a.m.: Flash flood warning includes 13 counties: Bandera, Bexar, Blanco, Brunet, Edwards, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kinney, Llano, Medina, Real and Uvalde; 1-3 inches of rain likely, 5-7 inches possible across the flood area.

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2:37 a.m.: Flash flood watch expanded until 1 p.m.; 1-3 inches of rain expected in Hill Country, 5-7 inches possible. Excessive runoff may result in flooding of low-lying areas, rivers, creeks and low-water crossings.

3:08 a.m.: Very dangerous flash flood event south central Kerr County; 3-7 inches of rainfall in last 2-3 hours. Flash flood warning. Turn around, dont drown, again advised.

3:19 a.m.: Guadalupe River in Hunt is at 11 feet, expected to crest at 16.6 feet.

3:33 a.m.: Flash flood warning for the Guadalupe River in Hunt and Kerr and Bandera counties until 7 a.m.

4 a.m.: Guadalupe River in Hunt is at 19.4 feet, expected to crest at 23.8 feet.

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4:23 a.m.: This is a flash flood emergency. Five-to-10 inches of rain expected over the next 3-6 hours.

About 30 minutes later, Kidd received word that people were trapped on their roofs.

We know what happened after that, he said.

Were really going to have to have an extended discussion  with the National Weather Service about these type of alerts and the speed at which they came out, Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston, told lawmakers. Afterward, Bettencourts X account reiterated online what he mentioned during the hearing.

Were not even going from zero to 60 [mph], he told lawmakers, were going from zero to 200 miles an hour in three hours and 17 minutes.

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Texas lawmakers hold hearing on disaster preparedness

A better system for warning

The discussion also touched on initial confusion, highlighted in Kerr County dispatch audio previously obtained by KXANs investigative team. In the audio, at 4:23 a.m., an Ingram volunteer firefighter is heard telling a Kerr County sheriff dispatcher: The Guadalupe Schumacher sign is underwater on State Highway 39. Is there any way we can send a CodeRED out to our Hunt residents, asking them to find higher ground or stay home?

The dispatcher responds: We have to get that approved with our supervisor.

CodeRed is an opt-in notification system some agencies use to send emergency alerts to subscribers cell phones.

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Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio, read from a transcript.

But the supervisor, it says here, couldnt be immediately available on the phone, he said. Just another example of why we need to get this professionalized.

Along with calls for more training, and statewide standards and qualifications for emergency management coordinator positions, lawmakers also brought up failures in communication equipment, like radios used by first responders.

But the supervisor, it says here, couldnt be immediately available on the phone, he said. Just another example of why we need to get this professionalized.

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Along with calls for more training, and statewide standards and qualifications for emergency management coordinator positions, lawmakers also brought up failures in communication equipment, like radios used by first responders. During the last regular session, Moody co-authored House Bill 13, in part, to fix problems with interoperability. It failed to pass. Among those voting against it then was Rep. Wes Virdell, R-Brady, whose district includes Kerr County. He now sits on this special committee.

Government sometimes has the problem of overreacting to a situation, so I think its good to have thorough discussions, Virdell told KXAN. And, even if it takes a little while for that to happen, I think not overreacting immediately is a good thing.

Virdell said weather warning sirens, which was part of HB 13, should be on the table for discussion but questioned how effective they would be.

I do think they have their place but a lot of times if youre indoors, especially four oclock in the morning when its pouring down rain, the likelihood is going to be that youre not going to hear those sirens.

For Virdell, the real question is whens the right time to send alerts out and are we sending too many alerts out right now? His other top priorities involve establishing a disaster relief fund and helping homeowners rebuild. Cities that use sirens, like San Marcos, have called them a vital tool for emergency preparedness in addition to weather radios and mobile alerts.

There was no public testimony at this hearing. The joint committee will reconvene on July 31 in Kerrville to hear directly from residents and officials impacted by the flooding.

Do we need a better system for warning? Yes, Kidd told lawmakers. What does that look like? I dont know.

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Former Biden State Department spokesperson Ned Price went after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday in an opinion piece for Fox News following her recent claims about the 2016 election.

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard, like much of official Washington, has recently focused on what she describes as a sordid and far-reaching scandal and cover-up reaching the highest levels, Price wrote. She has described how a cabal of some of the worlds most powerful engaged in a shocking criminal conspiracy and then deceived their fellow Americans in an effort to cover their tracks.

Price stated Gabbard was not talking about Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender whose connections to global elites have gripped much of the country six years after his death.

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Instead, Gabbards supposed bombshell centers on, of all things, the 2016 election. Hers is an effort to re-write history, overturning established facts with conspiratorial fiction, while also directing focus away from the current scandal engulfing her administration, Price continued.

On Wednesday, Gabbard unveiled a previously classified House report, her second such disclosure after she accused the intelligence community of a treasonous conspiracy in its review of 2016 election foreign influence.

The 2020 House Intelligence Committee report raises doubts on Russian President Vladimir Putins interest in the 2016 election, as well as whether he had a desire to assist President Trump in the race.

Gabbard also released a report last week alleging officials with the Obama administration manipulated intelligence related to Russian interference in the 2016 election.

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The Hill has reached out to Gabbards office for comment.

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Jul. 23A bill that includes funding for replacement of the Noxon bridge is moving toward a vote in the U.S. House.

The bridge project was one of a few Western Montana requests included the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill, according to U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke's office. Zinke is a member of the Appropriations Committee and THUD subcommittee.

The bill requests $2.5 million for phase 1 of the Noxon bridge replacement project. Zinke had originally requested $10 million in the federal appropriation bill to replace the historical span.

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Currently, the single-lane span that connects the town to Montana 200 is under a reduced load limit. A study recommends full replacement of the 102-year-old bridge, rather than rehabilitation.

"Not every dollar spent by D.C. is a waste, much of it is needed investment and infrastructure is investments," Zinke said in a statement. "The Montana investments secured in this year's transportation appropriations bill includes some of my top priorities. These are projects I've been working on with community leaders and county commissioners for months and in some case years," said Zinke.

Zinke's funding requests included:

$10,000,000 for the Seeley Lake Wastewater Treatment Plant

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$2,500,000 for the Sanders County Noxon Bridge Replacement Project Phase 1

$2,500,000 for the Ravalli County Wastewater Treatment Plant

$454,000 for Rural Airport Reconstruction and Emergency Services Expansion

$1,150,000 for repaving Marten Creek Road

$1,000,000 for Flathead County North Fork Road guardrails

$1,000,000 for Groff Lane Bridge Replacement

$1,000,000 for Old Corvallis Road Repair

"Noxon Bridge has holes the size of trash can lids, and Pyramid Lumber shut down largely because of the lack of infrastructure to support housing in Seeley Lake," Zinke said. "These funds are desperately needed, and our communities won't be ignored any longer. I'm glad to see this bill move out of committee and head to the House floor for a vote."
Idahoan farmers claim construction on this property is wreaking havoc on its surrounding neighbors.

Several farmers in Idaho have joined together to sue billionaire Jared Smith after his Good Timber Ranch project allegedly harmed the local environment  and without permits, according to the Jackson Hole News & Guide.

Good Timber Ranch is a large property just south of Victor, Idaho. The plot of land borders Caribou-Targhee National Forest and several farms.

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A stop-work order was issued after Teton County officials and the Idaho Department of Water Resources discovered that construction was underway without obtaining permits or posting notices.

The Teton County, Idaho, Planning and Zoning Commission also denied Good Timber's request to build a nearly 10,000-square-foot home with "eight bedrooms and seven bathrooms. It would be 30 feet tall and include an additional 1,970 square feet of covered patio," according to the Jackson Hole News & Guide.

Construction crews had already begun land grading, which involves smoothing the soil, and excavation, which caused silt to flow downstream. The Department of Water Resources is analyzing nearby waterways for signs of damage, but neighboring farmers claim the damage is clear.

Susan Miller, whose farm is a plaintiff in the complaint, said she and other farmers have "watched in dismay as these new owners have degraded the land and disrupted the wildlife and the wetlands," per the Jackson Hole News & Guide.

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Habitat loss is the most significant driver of extinction. 47,000 species are currently threatened with extinction, per the International Union for Conservation of Nature, and nearly all of them experience some form of habitat loss. Whether it's due to degradation, like melting sea ice in the Arctic, or destruction, like deforestation of the Amazon, habitat loss has a devastating impact on the plants and animals that live there.

Although Good Timber is working to resolve the complaints, members of the commission called Good Timber's plans "dishonest" and "misleading," per the Jackson Hole News & Guide. Good Timber should take notes from lumber company Idaho Forest Group, which donated 2,000 acres of forest to protect and preserve the land, watershed, and animals  forever.

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BOSTON (WWLP)  Massachusetts is facing a housing crisis. Lawmakers hear testimony on a handful of bills on Wednesday that could reduce homelessness in western Massachusetts.

Report: State House entrance vandalized overnight

The RAFT program provides up to $7,000 a year to families who need rental assistance in Massachusetts, and advocates testified before the Joint Committee on Housing today in support of a bill that would continue funding the program.

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One advocate says this bill would especially help western Massachusetts, as the region sees 600 applications for the RAFT program every single week.

Moving the RAFT program further upstream makes the difference between families being traumatized and moving out precipitously and becoming homeless and not doing that, said Pam Schwartz, Director of Regional Coordination at Western Mass Network to End Homelessness.

A set of bills would allow families to apply for this support simply by proving they are at risk of eviction. A housing attorney also voiced her support for the legislation, but clarified that it would be a small piece in a larger puzzle.

Our housing crisis right now is not one single thing, its many, many interrelated things, and when you pull on one of these threads, all the other ones move, and I think its important to keep all of those things in mind as were making these adjustments, said housing and homelessness attorney Andrea Park.

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Another key piece of these bills would allow landlords to apply for rental assistance on behalf of their tenants.

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The U.S. Supreme Court this month gave the Trump administration permission to continue with its plans for mass firings at the U.S. Department of Education, as the agency also announced that, on Aug. 1, interest would start accruing again for the roughly 8 million borrowers on the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan.

These developments have thrown the department and student loan borrowers into a state of uncertainty.

For months, theres been speculation about the future of the department that determines how the federal governments education budget is spent and how civil rights protections for students are interpreted.

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This mass termination doesnt appear to be affecting all department employees evenly.

The people they seem to be keeping are white men who happen to have graduated from very conservative schools, Sheria Smith, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 252, a department union, told MSNBCs Rachel Maddow on Tuesday, while women and people of color are being let go at a higher rate.

This upheaval raises major concerns for Black borrowers, who not only owe a disproportionate amount of the national student loan debt, but also, compared with their white counterparts, are more likely to struggle to pay back their loans.

Roughly 44 million Americans have student loan debt. Many are worried about what the Trump administrations gutting of the agency, which oversees a $1.7 trillion portfolio of student loans, might mean for their livelihoods.

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Education Secretary Linda McMahon pushed back against criticism of the cuts, insisting that they were for the benefit of students.

The U.S. Department of Education will now deliver on its mandate to restore excellence in American education, she said in a statement following the Supreme Courts decision. 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.

Trump ultimately wants to shut down the department.

Ivory Toldson, a professor of counseling psychology at Howard University, has long been concerned about the higher education marketplace, which he argues incentivizes students to prioritize a colleges reputation over its cost, a tendency that can plunge them into extraordinary student loan debt.

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But the administration, he continued, appears to be more interested in destabilizing this marketplace, not improving it or helping students to navigate it.

A lot of what Trump is doing is regressive. Its not consistent with what students or schools need, Toldson, who previously served as the director of education for the NAACP, told Capital B.

As the overhaul of the federal government barrels ahead, heres what borrowers need to know about the administrations efforts to eliminate the agency that manages their loans  and the steps they can take to prepare for any upcoming hurdles.

Can Trump dismantle the Department of Education?

On the campaign trail, Trump frequently railed against the department, claiming that it was run by radicals, zealots, and Marxists and promising to shutter it.

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But its uncertain how he would do that. Closing a federal agency requires an act of Congress, and such legislation isnt likely to get the 60 votes necessary to overcome a filibuster in the U.S. Senate  where Republicans hold 53 seats  and advance to a final vote.

Still, the administrations assault on the department, which Congress created in 1979, has generated alarm among its employees, both past and present.

Under the Obama administration, Tyra Mariani, the founder and principal of the consulting firm UP Advisors LLC, was appointed chief of staff to the U.S. deputy secretary of education and deputy chief of staff to the U.S. secretary of education, helping to shape priorities across different levels of schooling.

She previously told Capital B that its extremely heartbreaking to watch Trump and Elon Musk attack an agency designed to ensure that every young person, especially those from Black communities, has access to a quality education.

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Its hard, Mariani said. Youre looking at your communities, and you know that Black and brown communities will be most affected by all of this undoing.

What actions might the administration take?

While shutting down the department would prove to be an uphill battle, Trump can still dramatically restructure the department and use it to carry out his agenda. In fact, weve already seen the administration take steps in this direction.

For instance, under Trumps influence, the department has announced that it plans to reassess and potentially restrict borrower-defense regulations. Introduced in 1995, these regulations have allowed borrowers who have been defrauded or intentionally misled by their schools to be released from their student loan debt.

When Joe Biden was in the White House, he forgave around $30 billion in debt for 1.7 million borrowers under the Borrower Defense to Repayment program. This was a boon to the Black students, who are disproportionately targeted by for-profit and predatory institutions.

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Additionally, layoffs have upended the department, as they have large swaths of the federal government, and the Trump administration has ramped up its war on racial equality by giving universities an ultimatum: axe diversity initiatives, or lose federal dollars.

The term DEI stands for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Toldson said. If youre against diversity, that means you want white spaces. If youre against equity, that means you want inequitable spaces. And if youre against inclusion, that means you want to exclude.

He surmised that if Black students feel less protected at predominantly white institutions, they might start to look for more welcoming environments, including historically Black colleges and universities, which tend to be cheaper tuition-wise.

What might happen to income-driven repayment plans?

Several IDR plans have been introduced under a number of different administrations.

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Both the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) plan and the Revised Pay As You Earn (REPAYE) plan were created under President Barack Obama. The Income-Based Repayment (IBR) plan came about during the President George W. Bush era. And the Income-Contingent Repayment (ICR) plan was established under President Bill Clinton.

The SAVE plan, which lowered monthly payments for millions of borrowers and sped up the pace of loan forgiveness for many others, replaced REPAYE, and it was Bidens contribution to the landscape.

But the current outlook is challenging, Stanley Tate, an attorney specializing in student loan law, told Capital B. A U.S. appeals court in February blocked the SAVE plan and ended the 0% interest forbearance.

The administration is encouraging borrowers to switch to a plan that its approved. One of the suggested routes is the IBR program. The department this month paused forgiveness through the program, saying that it will resume once the agency has updated its systems.

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Starting July 1, 2026, new borrowers have to pick between two options. One is a standard plan that gives borrowers 10 and 25 years to repay their loans using a fixed monthly payment, and the other is the Repayment Assistance Plan, which allows borrowers to use between 1% and 10% of their discretionary income for monthly payments.

Current borrowers have until July 1, 2028, to switch to a new option. By ending the 0% interest forbearance, the administration hopes borrowers will switch sooner rather than later.

Student loan experts note that, if borrowers switch plans, they should expect their monthly payments to increase, since the SAVE plan was the most affordable option available  some low-income borrowers paid $0 a month.

Theres a silver lining, however.

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IBR was established by a congressional act, Tate said, and as a result, its likely to remain stable unless explicitly overturned by Congress  a scenario I dont see as probable.

How can borrowers make decisions that protect their credit?

Borrowers must make strategic decisions based on their individual circumstances, Tate explained.

For some, this might mean sticking with their current plan and waiting to see how SAVE litigation plays out. Others, particularly those who are closer to securing loan forgiveness, might benefit from switching to the IBR plan once its available again. Still others might choose to exit the federal loan system entirely by paying off their loans.

What I strongly caution against is the notion of simply abandoning payments altogether, Tate explained. The Department of Education has extraordinary collection powers that can make this strategy extremely costly in the long run. It can garnish wages, seize tax refunds, and take Social Security benefits  all without obtaining a court order. These collection tools are far more powerful than what private creditors have at their disposal.

Failing to pay loans, or paying them late, also can hurt borrowers credit scores.

The key, Tate added, is making informed decisions based on your current situation while also staying prepared for potential changes in the system.

Is this the first move to eliminate the department?

Trumps attempts to shutter the department might be the most significant in recent years, but he isnt the first Republican leader to make this effort.

Ronald Reagan was determined to extinguish the department when he entered the White House in 1981, at the height of an era marked by attacks on the Civil Rights Movement and other liberation struggles.

The budget plan I submit to you on Feb. 8 will realize major savings by dismantling the Department of Education, he said in his 1982 State of the Union address.

But Reagan ran into opposition from Democrats in Congress. Eventually, he abandoned his plans for the department.

I have no intention of recommending the abolition of the department to the Congress at this time, he said in a 1985 letter to Republican Sen. Orrin G. Hatch of Utah.

I have previously recommended the abolition of the Department of Education, Reagan explained. This was because I believed that federal educational programs could be administered effectively without a Cabinet-level agency. While I still feel that this is the best approach, that proposal has received very little support in the Congress.

To avoid some of the policy challenges Reagan faced, Bush, years later, decided not to eradicate the department. Instead, he opted to demand more from educators, signing into law the No Child Left Behind Act, intended to overhaul schools that were considered to be failing, according to standardized test scores.

Trumps efforts not only continue Reagans agenda but accelerate it, with potentially detrimental consequences for Black communities.

I think that the house of cards is going to fall, said Toldson, the Howard professor, referring to the instability the administration is injecting into the education landscape. Its just a matter of when and where.

This story has been updated.

The post Black Borrowers Face Uncertain Future With Student Loan Repayments appeared first on Capital B News.
At least four people have been killed and more than 100 others were wounded in an explosion in Idlib province, northwestern Syria, state news agency SANA reported.

In a statement on Thursday, carried by SANA, Syrias Ministry of Health said that the explosion occurred in the town of Maarat Misrin in the northern Idlib countryside.

It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion.

The ministry said that four people were killed and 116 others were wounded, according to a preliminary death toll.

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The Syria Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, said at least six people were killed in the blast.

This is the death toll only of those recovered by Syria Civil Defence teams, who continue to search for those trapped under the rubble, the White Helmets said in a statement.

Raed Al-Saleh, Syrias minister of emergency and disaster management, said in a post on X that the countrys Civil Defence teams rushed to the scene of the blast and were working in dangerous and complex conditions.

He said the teams were carrying out evacuation and rescue operations amid ongoing secondary blasts.

Saleh urged residents to avoid the site for their own safety.

The blast was the third in the region this month. Earlier in July, two explosions rocked the Kafriya and al-Fuah regions.
CHICAGO  The Chicago Board of Education met Thursday as Chicago Public Schools faces a more than $700 million budget shortfall that it must balance before the end of August.

The districts current budget deficit is $734 million, which it has to balance by Aug. 28.

Interim CPS CEO Macquline King previously told WGNs Mike Lowe that passing a balanced budget is her top priority. She expressed confidence Thursday that with the combined support of various departments, financing and community members, the district is on its way to providing a balanced budget.

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CPS held several community feedback sessions over the last week-plus to discuss the budget deficit that its facing and get input from the community. Over 600 people participated in the sessions and the results can be found below.

v2-Budget-Presentation-to-Board-July-24-2025Download

The main themes that we heard across our communities were one, to work with the state and the city to secure additional dedicated revenue. Second, to avoid cuts to schools or programs that would hurt students education, wraparound services and social and emotional well-being, Chief Budget Officer Mike Sitkowski said.

There are no easy answers here, and its clear that there are difficult decisions that need to be made, King added. What will make those decisions easier is understanding the concerns and priorities of our schools and communities, which is what these feedback sessions were designed to do.

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The overall budget for CPS is $9.9 billion and the current shortfall is $734 million.

According to the CPS budget overview, the three key areas contributing to the deficit are rising costs in services for students with disabilities, rising costs in maintenance for CPS buildings and growth in historic pension obligations.

Another challenge for CPS is debt, as CPS currently has $9 billion in existing long-term debt that requires $800 million in annual debt service payments.

Of the 13 or 21% of the tables that discussed borrowing, what we heard was 77% stated that the district should avoid borrowing, while 23% were open to borrowing to avoid cuts to student services, Sitkowski said.

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CPS eliminated more than 1,400 positions last month, but those layoffs were part of the districts annual staff adjustments. District officials said they expect to save $165 million from those cuts, of which 55% were special education teachers and classroom assistants.

However, district officials are still searching for another $539 million in savings or revenue.

King stressed Thursday that every child who has a one-on-one aid per an IEP program will not have that aid cut.

CTU speaks out

The Chicago Teachers Union, meanwhile, held a press conference downtown ahead of Thursdays Board of Education meeting, imploring the district to avoid layoffs and calling on the state to provide more funding.

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We need our legislators, we need our governor, JB Pritzker, to step up, to lead, one speaker said. We voted for them. They need to represent us. Im here to invite the Board of Education to tell our governor, Theres nothing left to cut, but there is plenty to fund.'

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

CTU is also suggesting tax increment financing to help fill the budget gap that CPS is facing.

You cannot claim to care about equality while turning a blind eye to what is happening in our schools, another speaker said. We need a budget that prioritizes students, not spreadsheets. We need funding that protects students safe spaces by keeping people in the classroom every day that are doing the work.

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Instead of cutting teachers, we should be cutting waste, we should be cutting bureaucracy, we should be cutting investments.

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Becky Carson speaks to the Senate Education Committee about her nomination to the Oklahoma State Board of Education during a meeting May 20, 2025, at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  A member of the Oklahoma State Board of Education on Thursday questioned why an agency officials resignation letter addressed to the board was never provided to her.

Becky Carson asked state Superintendent Ryan Walters why the letter, which contains accusations of fundamental operational issues within the agency, was never sent to the panel, despite being addressed to both the Republican leader and the state governing board.

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Chief Compliance Officer Kourtney Heards resignation letter, obtained by Oklahoma Voice, alleges that significant challenges, including manipulation of school accreditation, are hindering the Education Department from achieving better outcomes for students. Heard resigned from the agency on April 4.

In the media, in her resignation letter it says its addressed to you as the superintendent, but also to the school board and we did not receive that letter, Carson said. So as a board, we want to ensure that were receiving all correspondence, including resignations, at least the ones that are addressed to us.

She said shes not interested in Heards personal information or reasoning for leaving the agency, just why the board didnt receive correspondence addressed to it.

Oklahoma Voice received Heards letter from another former agency employee and independently confirmed its authenticity. Education officials have denied open records requests seeking release of the letter. The letter is the subject of an open records lawsuit from another media outlet, Oklahoma Watch.

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Heard wrote that the agency needs to address fundamental operational issues and senior leadership attitudes. She wrote that she witnessed the barriers to progress firsthand, including manipulation of school accreditation and deleting of employee review processes.

The state Department of Education denied open records requests from Oklahoma Voice asking for several letters of resignation. Court filings in the lawsuit with Oklahoma Watch show the agency contends that providing the records would violate employee privacy and cited a section of the state Open Records Act that permits public bodies to keep resignation documents confidential if they pertain to an internal personnel investigation.

The Education Department has refused to confirm if such an investigation exists.

Walters said he is aware of the letter being referenced and said he would look into the issue.

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Fake news puts a lot of garbage out there, so Ill look at that and make sure thats what actually is in there, he said. But listen, I will tell you all my position on personnel has always been, I dont comment on it publicly. Im happy to talk broadly about the way we do personnel decisions here.

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The body of a passenger who died during an international flight to San Francisco, prompting the aircraft to divert to Chicago, is reportedly unaccounted for, according to reporting by SFGATE.

Neither airport officials nor a representative for the airline would comment on the circumstances surrounding the death and declined to confirm the passengers identity, nationality and gender, the outlet reported.

TK Flight 79 left Istanbul on July 13, per flight tracking website FlightAware, and while the Airbus A350-941 was over Greenland, the passenger suffered a severe medical emergency, according to the aviation blog Aviation A2Z.

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Initially, the crew prepared to divert to Keflavik Airport in Iceland, though the passengers condition reportedly worsened, resulting in their death.

Consequently, the decision was made to continue toward North America rather than divert outside US airspace, Aviation A2Z reported. Upon entering the airspace over the United States, the crew opted to land at CHICAGO OHARE (ORD), a major international hub capable of handling emergency landings with adequate medical support and facilities.

Ground traffic seen from the control tower at OHare International Airport in Chicago. (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green File)

The passengers body would presumably then be under the jurisdiction of the Cook County Medical Examiners Office, though Natalia Derevyanny, a spokesperson for the department, told SFGATE that there was no record of the deceased passenger or of any case matching that description.

California surf instructor, 24, recovering after arm severed in horrific accident

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The Turkish Airlines station manager in San Francisco would only tell the outlet that the remaining passengers were rerouted on different flights that eventually got them to their destination.

It is currently unclear where the remains of the passenger are.

A study published in The American Journal of Emergency Medicine on in-flight emergencies, published in October 2021 found that deaths mid-flight are particularly rare.

In-flight medical events on commercial travels are extremely low with a corresponding very low in-flight mortality rate, the studys authors wrote.

KTLA has reached out to Turkish Airlines regarding the whereabouts of the deceased passengers body and is awaiting a response.

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Bioproduct sales were hit by declining demand for solid fuels and district heating, along with unexpected disruptions in electricity generation. That said, Sodras biomethanol operations remained steady in both output and demand. Raw material demand also stayed strong, though early signs point to a potential slowdown ahead amid global uncertainty.

In sawn timber, high raw material costs continued to pose a challenge, though seasonal factors and price adjustments in key markets helped restore some balance. While the construction sector remained weak, Sodras cross-laminated timber (CLT) operations were boosted with both sales and production rising during the second quarter. Timber use in construction is on the upswing as well, as reflected in a stronger order outlook heading into the next quarter.

In addition, two scheduled maintenance shutdowns have burdened the result by approximately 240 million Swedish kronor, Lyra said. Given the assessment that these external conditions will persist, we are facing a decisive joint effort going forward and are therefore initiating an action program to strengthen our competitiveness.

Swedens largest forest owners association faced a tough quarter as recessionary pressure, rising trade tariff concerns and a strengthening Swedish krona weighed on its performance. The sharp rise in the krona especially against the U.S. dollar, Sodra saidhit export-heavy segments like pulp, where currency translation effects were significant. Demand for paper pulp declined, too, driven in part by shifting consumer habits. Scheduled maintenance shutdowns at two facilities also dented earnings due to production losses.

The second quarter was challenging for Sodra, said Lotta Lyra , president and CEO of Sodra. Increased global uncertainty combined with rapid currency fluctuations and high raw material priceshas created a triple external effect that puts pressure on our profitability and has had a negative impact on our results.

The groups net sales reached roughly $752.5 million (7.2 billion Swedish kronor ), down 4 percent compared against the year-over-year (YoY) period. Operating loss totaled about $40.3 million, where exchange-rate effects of just over $60 million were charged to earnings compared with the year-earlier period. The result corresponds to an operating margin dip of 5 percent, the forest owner association said. Return on capital employed was 7 percent, rolling 12-month, with an equity ratio of 57 percent.

Story Continues

World-class efficiencySodras way of working with continuous improvements, the company saidgenerated improvements and efficiencies during the quarter with an annual recurring effect of just under $12 million. The total impact since the start in 2021 has been just over $173,000.

Against these challenging conditions, Sodra rolled out a focused action program to improve profitability and mitigate downside risks. The initiative should tighten priorities across the business and increase emphasis on operational costs, production volumes, and overall efficiency. While driving performance improvements, Sodra will maintain its strong focus on workplace health and safety to reduce occupational injuries. The program includes a revved push into digital tools and AI, intended to reinforce Sodras commitment to long-term competitiveness and resilient operations.

Our competitiveness is always high on the agenda; maintaining it even in challenging times is what underpins our actions moving forward. The action program will take us to a new level of competitiveness, Lyra said. It will require leadership and courage in day-to-day operations, without losing sight of the horizon. Because our mission stands firm: to refine and renew family forestry. A competitive Sodra has a significant role to play in this.

Despite a challenging market environment, Sodra plans on moving forward with a series of strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening operations, increasing profitability and supporting long-term growth within the group, which represents over 50,000 family forester members and 3,000 employees around the world.

A significant step in Sodras transformation is now underway in Monsteras, where construction began in May on a state-of-the-art kraft lignin plant. Once completed in 2027, it will be the first commercial facility of its kind in Swedenand the largest kraft lignin producer in the world. The investment is designed to enhance profitability and support a fossil-free future, creating new value for both the company and forest owners.

Sodras CLT business continued to gain ground, per the results. The company recently completed deliveries of 9,100 square meters of CLT for Gothenburg Grand Central, the citys new central station building. The project showcases how sustainable timber construction can lower a buildings carbon footprint, Sodra said, while storing carbon long-term for a clear contribution to the green transition.

Sodra will also step up its digital efforts to support forest owners. A new initiative combines deep insights into member needs with AI and automated data, enabling smarter, more tailored forest management. A planning app for forestry advisors will launch this autumn, while an enhanced digital forest management plan is in parallel development as well.

To address ongoing economic pressures and better position itself for the future, Sodra launched an action program focused on cost control, production efficiency, and volume optimization. The initiative prioritizes profitability, the group said, by maintaining focus on workplace health and safety to reduce occupational injuries. As part of the program, Sodra will accelerate investment in digital tools and artificial intelligence to boost long-term competitiveness across its operations.

Continued currency exchange rate fluctuations had a substantial translation effect that has a direct impact on Sodras earnings, since we do not hedge. This particularly affected the pulp business, the company said. While beneficial for members, this puts pressure on Sodras production costs, especially for the sawn timber sector.

The Sodra Skog business areafocused on forestry services, wood raw material and affiliated forest areasaw the periods operating profit reach nearly $725,000a 7 percent dip YoY. The earnings trend was mainly attributed to lower volumes and increased digital investments.

The Sodra Wood business areafocused on wood products like sawn timber and CLT as well as production and delivery volumessaw the operating profit total $310,000 (down nearly 98 percent YoY) for the period. The earnings trend during the quarter was mainly due to significantly higher saw log costs, partly offset by higher delivery prices and some adverse exchange rate effects.

The Sodra Cell business areafocused on market pulp (such as softwood, hardwood, dissolving), electricity generation and impact of currency fluctuations and maintenance shutdownssaw an operating loss of $22.9 million (down 41.9 percent YoY) for the period. The change in earnings during the quarter was mainly due to the Swedish krona and U.S. dollar currency trend and scheduled maintenance shutdowns.

The Sodra Building Systems business areafocused on timber building systems (like CLT), market challenges and increasing share of wood in constructionsaw an operating loss of $4.5 million for the period. The earnings trend was primarily attributable to persistently low volumes due to a weak construction market.

Operating profit for the Sodra Bioproductsfocused on energy products (solid biofuels, electricity, district heating), liquid bioproducts (biomethanol, tall oil) and sales included in other BAswas included in other business areas, the company said, with the business areas sales for the period amounted to around $43 million.
SUMMIT, Miss. (WJTV)  A boil water notice has been issued for the Town of Summit in Pike County.

According to the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), the notice affects 735 connections on the drinking water system.

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Health officials strongly recommend that all water be boiled vigorously for one minute before it is consumed. The water system will be notified when tests show that the water is safe to drink.

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Washington, DC  During the first six months of his second term, Donald Trump pushed the limits of US presidential power while aiming to reorient US foreign policy to America First.

His first months in office have also offered a window into the future of his administrations approach to war-making, what analysts characterise as an at times contradictory tactic that oscillates between avowed anti-interventionism and quicksilver military attacks, justified as peace through strength.

While questions remain over whether Trump has indeed pursued a coherent strategy when it comes to direct US involvement in international conflict, one thing has been clear in the first portion of Trumps second four-year term: US air attacks, long Washingtons tool of choice since launching the so-called war on terror in the early 2000s, have again surged.

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According to a report released last week by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), since Trumps re-entry into office on January 20, the US has carried out 529 air attacks in 240 locations across the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa.

That figure, which accounts for just the first five months of Trumps four-year term as president, is already nearing the 555 attacks launched by the administration of US President Joe Biden over his whole term from 2021 to 2025.

The most extreme tool at his disposal  targeted airstrikes  is being used not as a last resort, but as the first move, Clionadh Raleigh, a professor of political geography and conflict and founder of ACLED, said in a statement accompanying the report.

While Trump has repeatedly promised to end Americas forever wars, he has rarely elaborated on how. These early months suggest the plan may be to use overwhelming firepower to end fights before they begin, or before they drag on.

A Trump Doctrine?

Trumps willingness to unleash lethal force abroad  and the inherent risk that the brazen approach carries of dragging the US into protracted conflict  has already roiled influential segments of the presidents Make America Great Again (MAGA) base, coming to a head over Trumps six-week bombing campaign against the Houthis in Yemen and, more recently, his June decision to strike three nuclear facilities in Iran amid Israels offensive on its neighbour.

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In turn, Trumps top officials have sought to bring coherence to the strategy, with Vice President JD Vance in late June offering the clearest vision yet of a Trump blueprint for foreign intervention.

What I call the Trump Doctrine is quite simple, Vance said at the Ohio speech. Number one, you articulate a clear American interest, and thats in this case that Iran cant have a nuclear weapon.

Number two, you try to aggressively diplomatically solve that problem, he said.

And number three, when you cant solve it diplomatically, you use overwhelming military power to solve it, and then you get the hell out of there before it ever becomes a protracted conflict.

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But the reality of Trumps early diplomatic and military adventures has not matched the vision outlined by Vance, according to Michael Wahid Hanna, the US Program Director at Crisis Group. He called the statement an attempt to retrofit coherence.

While Hanna cautioned against putting too much stock into a unified strategy, he did point to one consistent thread: a diplomatic approach that appears haphazard, not fully conceived, and characterised by impatience.





For all of the talk about being a peacemaker and wanting to see quick deals, Trump has a particularly unrealistic view of the ways in which diplomacy can work, he told Al Jazeera.

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The US president had vowed to transform peace efforts in the Russia-Ukraine war, but an earlier pressure campaign against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has since seen Trump circle back to the Biden administrations hardline approach to Russia, with little progress made in between.

After an initial ceasefire in Gaza, Trump officials have failed to make meaningful progress in reigning in Israels war, leaving the threat of knock-on conflicts, including with Iran and the Houthis in Yemen, unanswered.

Earlier diplomatic overtures to address Irans nuclear programme stalled as Trump took a maximalist approach seeking to block any uranium enrichment. The effort dissolved after the US failed to constrain Israels military campaign against Tehran, as the US continues to provide billions in military funding to the ironclad ally.

Its hard to argue, as Vance did, that the United States has really pushed as hard as they can on diplomacy, Hanna told Al Jazeera.

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Under Vances logic, he added, that leaves them with no other means than to respond militarily.

Bomb first and ask questions later?

The early emphasis on air attacks has been accompanied by vows by Trump and his Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth to restore a warrior ethos within the US military.

Indeed, Trump has appeared to relish the military actions, posting a video of the attack on an ISIL (ISIS) affiliated target in Somalia on February 1, just 10 days after taking office.

He made a point to draw a comparison to Biden, who tightened rules of engagement policies Trump had loosened during his first term and entered office vowing to severely limit the reliance on US strikes.

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Trump wrote that Biden and his cronies wouldnt act quickly enough to get the job done.

I did! The message to ISIS and all others who would attack Americans is that WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!

All told since taking office six months ago, Trump has carried out at least 44 air strikes in Somalia, where the US has long targeted both a local ISIL offshoot and al-Shabab, according to ACLED data. The Biden administration carried out just over 60 such strikes during his entire four years in office.

The US president has posted similarly boastful messages about strikes in Yemen, where his administration conducted a bombing campaign from March to May, accounting for the vast majority of overall strikes during his second term, as well as US strikes on Irans nuclear facilities, which Trump declared were obliterated like nobodys ever seen before, long before any in-depth assessment had been made.





Raleigh, who is also a professor of political geography and conflict at the University of Sussex, said the increase could possibly be attributed to Trumps pivot away from the soft-power policy of Biden, which has included shearing down the US State Department and dismantling the US foreign aid apparatus.

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That could further be viewed as an effort by Trump to place the US as a player in a new internationalised conflict environment, where overall violence by state actors on foreign soil has increased steadily in recent years, currently accounting for 30 percent of all violent events ACLED tracks globally.

But I would say theres still no clear Trump doctrine, as much as Vance wants to claim that there is, Raleigh told Al Jazeera. And at the moment, its looking a little bit like bomb first and ask questions later.'

That approach has proven to have particularly deadly consequences, according to Emily Tripp, the director of Airwars. She drew a parallel to Trumps first term, when he also surged air strikes, outpacing those of his predecessor, former President Barack Obama, who himself oversaw an expansion of drone warfare abroad.

The monitor has tracked 224 reported civilian casualties in Yemen from US strikes under Trump in 2025, nearly totaling the 258 reported civilian casualties from US actions in the country during the 23 years prior. The administration has also used particularly powerful  and expensive  munitions in its strikes, which Airwars has assessed as appearing to have been deployed against a broader set of targets than under Biden.

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Two of the Trump administrations strikes on Yemen, one on Ras Isa Port and another on a migrant detention centre in Saada, have been deemed possible war crimes by Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Thats not typical, or necessarily something youd expect in a campaign whose remit, as defined by Trump, Hegseth, and [US Central Command], is on largely economic targets, Tripp told Al Jazeera.

Theres really no reason for there to be such high levels of civilian harm, she said.

Tripp added she was still waiting to assess how the Pentagon approaches civilian casualty investigations and transparency under Trumps second term.

Questions over efficacy

It remains unclear whether the administrations reliance on swift and powerful military strikes will actually prove effective in keeping the US troops out of protracted conflict.

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While a tenuous ceasefire continues to hold with the Houthis, the results of the US bombing campaign have been pretty underwhelming, the Crisis Groups Hanna said, noting that few underlying conditions have changed.

The group has continued to strike vessels in the Red Sea and to launch missiles at Israel in opposition to the war in Gaza. An attack in early July prompted State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce to warn the US will continue to take necessary action to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping.





The jury also remains out on whether Trumps strikes on Irans nuclear facilities will lead to a diplomatic breakthrough on Irans nuclear programme, as the White House has maintained. Little progress has been made since a ceasefire was reached shortly after Tehran launched retaliatory strikes on a US base in Qatar.

Crisis Groups Hanna assessed that Trump has relied on air strikes in part because they have become somewhat antiseptic in US society, with their toll shielded from a lot of public scrutiny.

But, he added: There are limits in terms of what air power alone can doThats just the reality.
The Trump administration instructed Customs and Border Protection officials this week to offer migrant teenagers the option of voluntarily returning to their home countries, instead of being sent to government-overseen shelters, upending longstanding U.S. immigration policy, two U.S. officials told CBS News Wednesday.

For many years, U.S. immigration officials were required to transfer all unaccompanied migrant children  or those who entered the U.S. without permission and without their parents or legal guardians  to the Department of Health and Human Services, if they hailed from countries outside of Mexico and Canada. HHS oversees a network of shelters where these minors are housed until they turn 18 or can be placed with a sponsor, who historically has been a U.S.-based relative.

But now, CBP officials have been directed to offer unaccompanied migrant children who are 14 or older the option to self-deport to their countries of origin, the officials said. If the teenagers take that option, U.S. immigration officials would facilitate their prompt return to their native countries. If not, the teens would still be transferred to HHS' Office of Refugee Resettlement.

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That voluntary departure policy was previously limited to unaccompanied children from Canada and Mexico. A 2008 anti-trafficking law, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, provided special legal protections for migrant children from "noncontiguous" countries, including barring officials from swiftly deporting these minors.

The Department of Homeland Security said new authorities in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act spending law allowed the Trump administration to make the policy change.

"This is a long-standing practice used to prioritize getting children back to the safety of a parent or legal guardian in their home country and is accredited in the Trafficking Victims Prevention and Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022," DHS said in a statement.

"The only change pursuant to the Big Beautiful Bill is expanding this option to return home to UACs from additional countries beyond Mexico and Canada," the department added.

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The policy change was first reported by CNN.

It's unclear how many migrant teenagers will be affected by the recent directive. The number of migrants crossing the U.S. southern border illegally has plunged to levels not seen since the 1960s amid the Trump administration's crackdown. In June, for example, Border Patrol apprehended 6,000 migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border, a record monthly low that included fewer than 700 unaccompanied children.

The administration has moved aggressively to deport immigrants living in the U.S. illegally or whose legal status has been revoked, ramping up operations to arrest, detain and deport them.

But it has also launched a massive push to encourage unauthorized immigrants to self-deport, offering them a $1,000 self-deportation bonus and threatening them with arrest, fines and prosecution if they remain in the U.S. illegally.

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Bryan Kohberger sentenced to life in prison for murders of Idaho students

Idaho murders victims' families speak out at Bryan Kohberger's sentencing hearing

Trump reacts to DOJ reaching out to Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyer on Jeffrey Epstein files
The Boston Police Department is seeking the publics help in identifying the pictured suspects in connection with recent Prowler incidents.

Police say the incidents occurred on Monday, July 7, Saturday, July 12, Tuesday, July 15, and Wednesday, July 16, between 12:00-1:00 AM, in the area of Kilsyth Road.

Police say theyve identified one suspect, but as many as two more may be involved.

If you have any information related to this case, youre asked to contact the Boston Police Department District D-14 Detectives at (617) 343-4256.

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Those who wish to do so anonymously can contact the CrimeStoppers tipline by:

Phone: 1-800-494-TIPS

By Text: Text TIP to CRIME (27463)

Online: Boston Police CrimeStoppers

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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SYRACUSE, Utah (ABC4)  Its been several years since Syracuse City installed their Blessing Box, where community members can donate food and other essentials. The community still regularly uses it today.

In 2022, Brooklyn Piper, Miss Syracuse 2022, and the Syracuse City government collaborated to implement a Blessing Box. A Blessing Box is a container where community members can leave food, clothing, and other donations for those in need.

Piper told ABC4.com that she experienced food insecurity when she was younger, and her family would use local blessing boxes, in Roy and Riverdale. When she was crowned Miss Syracuse in 2022, she wanted to leave a legacy project for Syracuse, and [knew] what better way to do that than the Blessing Box.

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After she suggested it to Syracuse city, Mayor Dave Maughan and other city council members began working on it. They chose to install the Blessing Box in front of the Syracuse Police Station at 1751 S 2000 W. This area is monitored 24/7, which helps prevent vandalism, and is highly accessible to the public.

Courtesy: Syracuse City

Courtesy: Brooklyn Piper

Courtesy: Syracuse City

Courtesy: Syracuse City

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The city does not use the Blessing Box to track specific statistics on needs within different community demographics, in an effort to protect anonymity and prevent any stigmatization of individuals in need. However, they have seen how important it has been to the community.

Within a weeks time, Piper will get pictures of the box completely empty, then completely filled up with donations, and then completely empty again, because it is being used continuously. Some community members have also reached out to the city to say the box made a difference or shared on social media forums when the box is full.

Community Response

The local Syracuse community has reportedly been very invested in the Blessing Box.

Mayor Maughan said, Ive seen some things, like some real thought-out, generous contributions that help people gain some stabilityI give the credit to them, because theyre the ones sustaining it.

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Notably, the Blessing Box is not meant to fully sustain or feed a family, like some food banks or other donation centers are. It is meant to help with short-term needs and provide help in urgent situations or during inclement weather.

Were not trying to be the only resource, Mayor Maughan said, Were trying to augment the other things that are available that help people out.

For the safety of Blessing Box users, there are several guidelines that contributors are asked to follow. Those guidelines are available here and below:

Courtesy: Syracuse City

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Box truck hits multiple cars, slams into occupied Lynn home

Two people were evacuated from their home on Thursday morning after a truck slammed into the side of it.

Lynn fire officials say just before 11 a.m. they received a report of a vehicle striking a home at Ingalls Street and Jackson Street.

Responding companies found a large box truck struck the foundation of a home, causing damage to the gas line.

Two people who were inside the home at the time were uninjured. They evacuated while crews shut down the gas.

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The condition of the driver is unknown at this time and its unclear if they will face any charges.

Reports on scene said multiple vehicles were struck prior to the truck driving into the home.

Breaking now: Truck into home on Ingalls St. in Lynn. Lynn Fire says two people inside home were evacuated. No reported injuries. Multiple vehicles struck prior to the truck driving into home. Gas meter hit & had to be shut off. No word on driver of truck. @boston25 pic.twitter.com/fnKkvirve4  April Baker (@AprilBakertv) July 24, 2025

Boston 25 News has reached out to Lynn Police for more information about the driver and the cause of the crash.

Because there was a fire in the city at the same time as this incident, mutual aid from Marblehead and Malden were called to the scene.

No further information was immediately available.

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UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11)  Police are looking for four teenagers accused of slashing another teenager inside a luxury Manhattan building on Wednesday, according to the NYPD.

Police said it happened inside 400 West 61st St., also known as Waterline Square, around 10:45 p.m. A 16-year-old boy was slashed multiple times in the back with a knife in the building lobby, according to authorities.

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Police said four teen suspects took off running toward West End Avenue after the stabbing. The victim was taken to a local hospital, where hes expected to recover, according to authorities.

Waterline Square offers one-bedroom apartments starting at $7,500 per month, featuring high-end amenities and a reputation for hosting celebrities. HBO has used the building to film scenes for And Just Like That and Showtime has used it in Billions.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

The building also features affordable housing units as part of its development, with some units available through NYC Housing Connect at significantly lower rent.

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Police are still trying to learn what led up to the slashing and if the victim lives in the building.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

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.
Boy Scout troops gear stolen days ahead of weeklong trip originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

A Proctor Boy Scout troop is asking for the communitys help after its gear was stolen from a church parking lot ahead of an upcoming camping trip.

A leader from BSA Troop 84 recently created a GoFundMe after a trailer packed with the troops gear was stolen from a cchurch parking lot.

The incident comes just days before the troop leaves for a weeklong trip to Tomahawk Scout Camp in Wisconsin on Saturday.

GoFundMe

The trip will be attended by 15 scouts and five adult leaders, according to the fundraiser.

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We are looking for any donations so that we can get the supplies that we need for the campout the fundraisers reads.

As of Thursday, the fundraiser has reached around $6,600 of its $8,000 goal.

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Another weekend, another slate of road closures and lane reductions across the Puget Sound.

Starting Friday, expect closures to impact traffic in Kent, Auburn, and in Pierce County, along with lane reductions that are already in place in Seattle.

In Kent, southbound State Route 167 will close between State Route 516/Willis Street and South 277th Street from 11:59 p.m., Friday, July 25, to 4 a.m. Monday, July 28. Drivers can utilize this detour to get around it. The work is to replace bridge joints and resurface the Green River bridge.

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In Auburn, eastbound State Route 18 will close between C Street Southwest and Auburn Way South from 9 p.m., Friday, July 25, to 5 a.m. Monday, July 28, so that crews can perform paving work.

In Pierce County, northbound I-5 approaching DuPont will close over two nights at Steilacoom-DuPont Road. Travelers will utilize this detour over the Steilacoom-DuPont Road off- and on-ramps from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Friday night, July 25, and Saturday night, July 26.

The closures come as lanes are still reduced on northbound I-5 in Seattle across the Ship Canal Bridge. Those reductions are in place until 11:59 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15.

My commute time has increased so much, said commuter Tiasha Datta. It takes me an hour to get to work.

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Drivers, already dealing with the traffic headaches caused by the work on I-5, are fed up.

My daughter is going to music camp at School of Rock, and it usually takes about 20 minutes to get there, but it took me an hour and 20 on Monday, said Laura Dean. So, weve been late every day.

Doug Adamson, spokesperson for the Washington Department of Transportation, acknowledges there will be significant impacts for drivers this weekend and at times throughout the rest of summer.

The Pacific Northwest has a really tiny window to get this work done, he said.

Is the only thing drivers can do is just get used to it? asked KIRO 7s Madeline Ottilie.

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Nobody likes construction until its over. We get it, Adamson said. Our state transportation system is getting old. In order to keep the roadway in good working order, theres a lot of work that has to be done.

WSDOT is urging drivers to give themselves extra time to get around detours.

Ive just been leaving so early in the morning, Datta said. No solutions yet.

You might consider alternate transportation options, too.

Its really tough, Dean said. People are looking for alternate transportation, like the rail and that sort of thing.

You can find more details on the construction projects here.
Indiana Gov. Mike Braun called for "full transparency" on the Jeffrey Epstein files from the Indiana Statehouse on July 24, 2025. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said on Thursday he thought the American public deserved full transparency when it came to files related to the death of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, who died in custody while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Speaking from the Statehouse, Braun also touched on immigration.

I think the (U.S. House) Speaker (Mike Johnson) and the Trump administration are out there now where theyre for it, fully, said Braun, a former member of the U.S. Senate. I think they kind of were all along. It begs the question, why wasnt that done in the prior four years?

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Epstein died in 2019, during the first term of President Donald Trump, who had a long friendship with the convicted sex offender  as did former President Bill Clinton. Recent reporting from several sources indicates that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has told Trump hes in those files. Recently, Trump moved to release grand jury testimony but a judge denied that motion.

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The U.S. House adjourned early this week to avoid a vote on releasing the files after House Democrats made repeated efforts to get Republicans on-the-record.

Now it seems like its got a heavy political overtone to it, but Im for full transparency, Braun said in a media gaggle back in Indianapolis. I think were going to get it. I think the American public deserves it; well wait and see.

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Chatting for just over 15 minutes, Braun also praised Trump for his larger approach to immigration and border security  compliments that come shortly after the federal government revealed it will house immigrants at Camp Atterbury in southern Indiana. Details about when Immigration and Customs Enforcement might use the base arent yet finalized.

I wouldnt entertain it unless (humane treatment) was the case, he said in response to a question. Some immigrants held at a Florida facility have alleged inhumane and unsanitary conditions, though the camps arent usually accessible to the general public.

Ive been clear: Im for helping remove criminals after they came in here illegally, and some of the egregious ones wed all agree with, Braun said.  Here in our state, were going to do what I said Id do from the get-go: the worst, first, and going after ones that broke the law once they came into the country illegally. And thats to the extent that Im going to be willing to help.

A Thursday story from Axios Indianapolis reported that, in June, one-quarter of people arrested by ICE in Indiana had no criminal background  undermining Brauns emphasis on only arresting those with a record.

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If that data is correct, Id say that should raise eyebrows, Braun said. Because Ive been clearly on record: the worst, first. And there are many of them out there.

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Phillips 66 (NYSE:PSX) will release earnings results for the second quarter before the opening bell on Friday, July 25.

Analysts expect the Houston-based company to report quarterly earnings at $1.71 per share, down from $2.31 per share in the year-ago period. Phillips 66 projects to report quarterly revenue at $32.32 billion. Compare that to $38.91 billion the previous year, according to data from Benzinga Pro.

On Tuesday, Piper Sandler analyst Ryan Todd maintained a Neutral rating for Phillips 66 and lowered the price target from $148 to $147.

With the recent buzz around Phillips 66, some investors may be eyeing potential gains from the company's dividends. Currently, Phillips 66 offers an annual dividend yield of 3.75% ($4.80 a year). Thats a quarterly dividend amount of $1.20 per share.

To earn $500 monthly from Phillips 66, start by setting a yearly target of $6,000 ($500 x 12 months).

Next, we take this amount and divide it by Phillips 66's $4.80 dividend: $6,000 / $4.80 = 1,250 shares.

So, an investor would need to own approximately $159,813 worth of Phillips 66, or 1,250 shares to generate a monthly dividend income of $500.

Assuming a more conservative goal of $100 monthly ($1,200 annually), we do the same calculation: $1,200 / $4.80 = 250 shares, or $31,963 to generate a monthly dividend income of $100.

View more earnings on PSX

Note that dividend yield can change on a rolling basis, as the dividend payment and the stock price both fluctuate over time.

The dividend yield is calculated by dividing the annual dividend payment by the current stock price. As the stock price changes, the dividend yield will also change.

For example, if a stock pays an annual dividend of $2 and its current price is $50, its dividend yield would be 4%. However, if the stock price increases to $60, the dividend yield would decrease to 3.33% ($2/$60).

Conversely, if the stock price decreases to $40, the dividend yield would increase to 5% ($2/$40).

Further, the dividend payment itself can also change over time, which can also impact the dividend yield. If a company increases its dividend payment, the dividend yield will increase even if the stock price remains the same. Similarly, if a company decreases its dividend payment, the dividend yield will decrease.

PSX Price Action: Shares of Phillips 66 rose by 1.3% to close at $127.85 on Wednesday.





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Ukraines Cabinet of Ministers has launched a grant programme within the Brave1 defence tech cluster to scale up the production of explosives.

Source: Ukraines Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal.

Quote: "With the grant funds, companies will be able to create or expand production capacities, purchase components, systems and other means for the manufacture of explosives. Clear and transparent competitive tendering procedures, quality assessment and product testing are provided for."

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Details: Shmyhal also noted that, in total, the Brave1 cluster has already issued about 560 grants worth more than UAH 2.2 billion (US$52.7 million).

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Digital Transformation clarified that the government had adopted a corresponding resolution and that Brave1 would now issue grants for the production of explosives.

"Each stage of the grant projects will be monitored by a commission. Technical expertise will be provided by the Security and Defence Forces of Ukraine to verify the effectiveness and suitability of explosives for use on the front lines," the Ministry of Digital Transformation said in a statement.

All details regarding the grant selection procedure will also be announced later.

Background: On a related note, in June, Brave1 launched a service for "mature" manufacturers who do not need grants.

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BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazilian Finance Minister Fernando Haddad said on Thursday a contingency plan in response to higher U.S. tariffs will be presented to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from Monday and will include a menu of measures, including credit lines.

In an interview with local radio station Itatiaia, Haddad said as many as 10,000 Brazilian companies could be affected by the increase in levies on Brazilian goods to 50% from 10%, set to take effect on August 1.

The minister stressed that Brazil remains open to dialogue but suggested that U.S. President Donald Trump is unwilling to engage in negotiations. He said political forces aligned with former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro are working to prevent talks from being initiated.

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A far-right ally of Trump, Bolsonaro is accused of plotting a coup to overturn his narrow 2022 election loss to Lula.

Trump has denounced the case as a "witch hunt" and urged Brazil's judiciary to drop the charges, including in a letter announcing the steeper tariffs on Brazil.

Congressman Eduardo Bolsonaro, the former president's son, is living in the U.S. and has made social media posts about his meetings with Trump allies.

Without naming the younger Bolsonaro, Haddad said he believes those ties, along with opposition to Brazil's widely used instant payment system Pix, were factors behind the U.S. decision.

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Earlier on Thursday, Lula said at a public event that the U.S. government was "afraid" of Pix because it threatens credit cards. The system was listed among unfair trade practices in a recent U.S. investigation.

Haddad said Pix undermines those profiting from financial intermediation and represents a valuable homegrown Brazilian technology.

(Reporting by Marcela Ayres; Editing by David Gregorio)
The Brazilian Supreme Court has confirmed it has no plans to take former President Jair Bolsonaro into custody for now, after it warned earlier this week he could be arrested for a potential violation of a social media ban.

On Thursday, Justice Alexandre de Moraes described the incident as isolated and opted against an arrest warrant.

De Moraes has overseen a case into whether Bolsonaro, a popular far-right figure, attempted a coup against the government of current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, following his defeat in the 2022 presidential election.

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The case has been a flashpoint in national and international politics, with Bolsonaros supporters  among them, United States President Donald Trump  calling the prosecution politically motivated.

Bolsonaro has long denied orchestrating a scheme to retain power after his four-year term came to a close in 2023.

But prosecutors have accused the former president and his allies of scheming to topple Lulas incoming government by undermining confidence in the vote, declaring a state of emergency to suspend the governments functions, and ultimately holding a new election.

Bolsonaro never publicly acknowledged his loss in 2022, and he left the country at the end of his term rather than hand over power to Lula.

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His supporters, meanwhile, stormed police headquarters in the capital, blocked highways, and eventually ransacked government buildings representing the presidency, Congress and the Supreme Court, in an apparent attempt to spark a military uprising.

In June, Bolsonaro testified for the first time in the case, forcefully rejecting the allegations against him: There was never any talk of a coup.

Prosecutors, meanwhile, have pointed to testimony indicating that Bolsonaro had received and edited a draft from his allies for the declaration of emergency. They say Bolsonaro even had a speech prepared to announce the alleged coup.

The high-stakes trial has prompted a backlash from Trump, who threatened to impose 50 percent tariffs on Brazilian imports to the US, starting on August 1, to force an end to the prosecution.

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In a letter announcing the tariffs, Trump called the proceedings an international disgrace and compared his myriad legal woes to Bolsonaros.

This trial should not be taking place, Trump wrote. It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY!

Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro lifts his pant leg to show off his ankle monitor in Brasilia, Brazil, on July 21 [Adriano Machado/Reuters]

Justice de Moraes cited international pressure as he imposed a suite of restrictions last Friday to cut off Bolsonaros interactions with foreign officials and curtail his movements.

Already, Bolsonaros passport had been confiscated, for fear he might be a flight risk. But to prevent him from fleeing abroad, de Moraes ruled that Bolsonaro should be placed under house arrest on nights and weekends.

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In addition, the justice decided that Bolsonaro needed to wear an ankle monitor and cease posting to social media, in addition to severing contact with foreign governments.

Since that time, however, Bolsonaro has made media appearances to show off his ankle monitor and blast the Supreme Courts decisions, excerpts of which have been shared widely on social media.

This is a symbol of the utmost humiliation, Bolsonaro said of his ankle monitor.

De Moraes accused Bolsonaro of having delivered a speech to be shown on digital platforms and questioned whether it may have been a breach of the ban he imposed.

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He gave Bolsonaros lawyers a window of 24 hours to respond to his concerns and warned that a violation could result in Bolsonaros arrest.

Bolsonaros defence team, in response, denied breaching the social media ban and asked for clarity about its scope. The ban had restricted Bolsonaros use of third parties to spread his messaging  but it was unclear whether news media fell within that category.

In a court filing on Friday, de Moraes ultimately declined to detain Bolsonaro but warned that any future violations of his restrictions would culminate in his arrest.

He clarified that Bolsonaro is not restricted from giving interviews to news outlets.
By Bernardo Caram

BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin said on Thursday that he had reiterated his country's willingness to negotiate proposed U.S. tariffs on imports from Latin America's No. 1 economy during a conversation on Saturday with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.

Alckmin said he and Lutnick had a "good" conversation last week that lasted about an hour.

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The U.S. has announced 50% tariffs on Brazilian imports starting August 1, a measure U.S. President Donald Trump has tied to judicial measures against former president and ideological ally Jair Bolsonaro, who has been accused of plotting a coup.

Brazilian officials have been holding discussions with local companies to evaluate the potential impacts of the tariffs, while also preparing measures to mitigate those effects and studying potential countermeasures.

But Brazilian authorities have said they have been struggling to contact high officials of the U.S. government for direct negotiation.

"The conversation (with Lutnick) was fruitful," Alckmin said, noting the specifics of the discussions should be kept confidential.

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"We didn't create this problem, but we want to resolve it," the Brazilian VP added.

The White House did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Bernardo Caram in Brasilia; Writing by Andre Romani, Steve Holland contributed reporting from Washington; Editing by Sarah Morland and David Gregorio)
Is Trump in the Epstein files? The Weeknight panel reacts to the bombshell reporting from the Wall Street Journal that the Justice Department told Donald Trump in May that his name is among many in a truckload of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. The White House calls the story fake.
When a plant is stressed, it doesnt keep quiet about it. You wont hear the plants cry because its in the ultrasonic range  too high-pitched for human ears  but, for decades, scientists have been using special devices to listen in.

For the first time, a team of researchers in Israel has documented that insects can hear and interpret plants acoustic distress signals.

This finding builds upon the research groups prior work recording sounds that tomato and tobacco plants make when they are dehydrated, said lead study author Rya Seltzer, an entomologist and doctoral student in the department of zoology at Tel Aviv University in Israel.

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The prevailing hypothesis is that these sounds are produced as a result of changes in the plants water balance within the xylem vessels, the specialized plant cells that carry water and nutrients upward from the roots to the stem and leaves, Seltzer told CNN in an email.

During periods of stress from lack of water, air bubbles form, expand and collapse in xylem tissues. This sequence of events produces vibrations, generating click-like sounds every few seconds that the researchers measured in the acoustic frequency range of about 20 to 100 kilohertz. They estimated these frequencies to be audible to insects at distances up to 16 feet (around 5 meters). (Sound waves at frequencies higher than 20 kilohertz are typically beyond the range of human hearing).

The scientists wanted to know if these ultrasonic sounds were being picked up by insects, so they observed the Egyptian cotton leafworm moth (Spodoptera littoralis), which lays its eggs on plant leaves. The study team found these moths tended to avoid noisy, stressed tomato plants. Instead, the insects favored tomato plants that were quieter and therefore in better condition, with leaves that would provide a juicier meal for newly hatched larvae, according to a recent study published in the journal eLife.

(The research) reveals a surprising new way that animals can sense and respond to cues from the environment  in this case, insects picking up sounds from stressed plants, Dr. Yali V. Zhang, an adjunct associate professor of physiology at the University of Pennsylvanias Perelman School of Medicine, said in an email. Zhang, who studies chemical communication between insects and plants at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, was not involved in the study.

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However, just because the moths hear and react to sounds from dehydrated plants doesnt mean that the plants and moths are holding a conversation, Seltzer said.

Its important to clarify that we observed an interaction  not communication, she added. Its crucial to understand that plants likely produce these sounds passively and are not actively trying to communicate with insects.

Researchers used special devices to detect the ultrasonic sounds emitted by distressed plants. - Tel Aviv University

Listening and interpreting

When the scientists presented female moths with a choice between a dried-out tomato plant and a fresh one, the moths flocked to the fresh plant to lay their eggs. But the team wanted to understand whether the sounds from the dehydrated plant were a factor in the moths selection. The researchers built an arena consisting of two boxes. In one box, they played recordings of plants distress sounds, while the other box was silent.

In the experiment, moths gravitated to the noisy box, and scientists theorize that its because the sounds suggested that they would find a living plant there. This preference vanished when the scientists deafened the moths, leading to the conclusion that moths were listening to the plants before they made their choices, the study authors wrote.

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In another experiment, the researchers again offered the female moths a selection of two tomato plants. This time, both plants were hydrated, but one was near a speaker playing ultrasonic stress sounds. The result: More of the moths picked the quieter plant.

A third experiment tested whether the egg-laying females were influenced by other acoustic cues, such as those of male moths, who produce ultrasonic courtship clicks. It found that when male moths calls were broadcast from one side of the arena, females showed no significant preference as to where they lay their eggs, according to the study.

Together, these experiments told the researchers that the moths were listening to and recognizing sounds made by plants  and that they were using that acoustic information to make decisions about those plants for their reproduction, Seltzer said.

Cool and surprising

Insects have been capable of detecting ultrasonic sounds since at least the Eocene epoch (55.8 million to 33.9 million years ago). However, the researchers were surprised to see that the moths recognized the plants ultrasonic signs of distress, Seltzer said. Even though female moths in the experiments had never laid eggs before  and therefore had no prior experience deciphering acoustic cues from plants  they not only recognized plant sounds, but preferred quieter plants for their first time egg-laying.

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Its a really cool and surprising discovery! Zhang said. Weve known for a long time that plants give off smells when theyre in trouble, like when theyre being eaten by bugs or are thirsty. These smells help attract helpful insects or scare away pests, he said.

Whats new here is that sound may give extra information  like a warning signal  especially when theres no smell or the smell is hard to detect. 

Plant acoustics is an area of growing interest for scientists, and preliminary work suggests that sound-making is widespread, Seltzer said. Future research could investigate the use of acoustic monitoring to understand how stress affects plant health and could identify potential applications for agricultural pest control.

I believe this is just the beginning of discoveries in this field, Seltzer said. There are countless organisms that can hear in these frequencies, and potentially many more plant sounds we havent discovered yet, she added. This is definitely just the tip of the iceberg.

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Mindy Weisberger is a science writer and media producer whose work has appeared in Live Science, Scientific American and How It Works magazine. She is the author of Rise of the Zombie Bugs: The Surprising Science of Parasitic Mind Control (Hopkins Press).

Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.

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Watch live: Brian Walshe, man accused of murdering and dismembering wife, back in court

Brian Walshe, the Cohasset man accused of dismembering his wife, Ana Walshe, with a hacksaw and disposing of her remains after using his sons iPad to Google the best ways to get rid of a body, is due back in court on Thursday.

After a scheduled court date for last week didnt happen, Walshe is appearing for a non-evidentiary hearing to dismiss.

WATCH LIVE:

Prosecutors allege that Walshe killed his 39-year-old wife and misled investigators about her disappearance in early 2023.

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In March 2023, a Norfolk County grand jury indicted Walshe on a charge of murder, misleading a police investigation/obstruction of justice, and improper conveyance of a human body in connection with his wifes death. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

Brian Walshe, left, is facing murder and other charges following the disappearance of his wife, Ana Walshe, left, on Jan. 1, 2023.

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Brian Walshe status hearing on his wifes murder case set for March 1

DA: Brian Walshe indicted on murder charges of wife Ana Walshe

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25 Investigates: Brian Walshes damaging digital footprint

Brian Walshe appears at Quincy District Court on a charge of murdering his wife (inset),Ana Walshe, in Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S. on January 18, 2023. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Craig F. Walker/Pool via Reuters, Facebook)

Brian Walshe escorted into court for murder arraignment

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Brian Walshe appears in court for allegedly misleading police

The dumpsters taken away from Brian Walshe's mothers apartment. Taken to Peabody for investigation

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Brian Walshe spotted at juice bar day after wife disappears

Authorities search North Shore dumpster station for evidence in disappearance of Ana Walshe

Brian Walshe kisses his new bride, Ana Walshe, on their wedding day. (Facebook photo)

Ana Walshe

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Ana Walshe

Ana Walshe and her husband Brian Walshe

Police investigating the area near Ana Walshe's home

Police investigating the area near Ana Walshe's home

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Police investigating Ana Walshe's home

Police investigating outside of Ana Walshe's Cohasset home

Ana Walshe and her husband Brian Walshe

Police investigating Ana Walshe's home

Ana Walshe and her husband Brian Walshe

Ana Walshe

Ana Walshe

The pool that was drained outside the Walshe home

Brian Walshe, the husband of Ana Walshe

Ana Walshe, a mother of three young children and a real estate professional who worked in Washington, D.C., vanished on New Years Day 2023 and was reported missing a few days later, authorities said.

Prosecutors have alleged that Walshe killed his wife in their Cohasset home on New Years Day. The couples three young boys were reportedly home at the time.

Days after Anas disappearance, a hacksaw and a blood-soaked rug believed to contain biological evidence were recovered from their home by investigators.

Police later searched trash bins, dumpsters, trash trucks, and trash facilities in the areas where Brian Walshe traveled following her disappearance.

Prosecutors have also previously said that a broken knife with blood on it was found in the basement of the Walshe family home.

The Norfolk District Attorneys Office previously said that it was awaiting DNA test results from dozens of items.

In September 2024, prosecutors announced that they wouldnt call then-suspended-and-now-fired Massachusetts State Police trooper Michael Proctor to testify in Walshes upcoming trial. Proctor was the lead investigator assigned to Ana Walshes murder.

State police suspended Proctor in July 2024 following Karen Reads mistrial. While testifying during Reads trial, Proctor received criticism for inappropriate texts he sent about Read. He was fired from his role with the law enforcement agency in March, and Read was acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges just months later.

Walshe has been held without bail since his arrest.

He is currently serving a three-year prison sentence for selling fake Andy Warhol paintings.

His murder trial is scheduled to begin in October.

Anas body has never been found.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Brian Walshe murder case: Defense asks court to dismiss some evidence ahead of trial

Brian Walshe, the Cohasset man accused of dismembering his wife, Ana Walshe, with a hacksaw and disposing of her remains after using his sons iPad to Google the best ways to get rid of a body, returned to court on Thursday.

During the hearing in Plymouth Superior Court, Walshes attorneys asked the court to limit some of the evidence that can be presented at his trial in October.

WATCH THE HEARING:

Prosecutors allege that Walshe killed his 39-year-old wife and misled investigators about her disappearance in early 2023.

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In March 2023, a Norfolk County grand jury indicted Walshe on a charge of murder, misleading a police investigation/obstruction of justice, and improper conveyance of a human body in connection with his wifes death. He has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

Larry Tipton, Walshes lead defense attorney, argued on Thursday that the prosecution didnt present sufficient evidence to the grand jurors to indict his client for first-degree murder on theories of premeditation.

Tipton also argued there is no evidence to suggest that Walshe believed his wife was having an affair.

In the push to get other evidence thrown out, Tipton further alleged that some search warrants conducted by investigators were illegal, including the review of electronic devices used by his family members.

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Thursdays hearing was continued to Aug. 1 at 2 p.m.

Brian Walshe, left, is facing murder and other charges following the disappearance of his wife, Ana Walshe, left, on Jan. 1, 2023.

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Brian Walshe status hearing on his wifes murder case set for March 1

DA: Brian Walshe indicted on murder charges of wife Ana Walshe

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25 Investigates: Brian Walshes damaging digital footprint

Brian Walshe appears at Quincy District Court on a charge of murdering his wife (inset),Ana Walshe, in Quincy, Massachusetts, U.S. on January 18, 2023. (Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Craig F. Walker/Pool via Reuters, Facebook)

Brian Walshe escorted into court for murder arraignment

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Brian Walshe appears in court for allegedly misleading police

The dumpsters taken away from Brian Walshe's mothers apartment. Taken to Peabody for investigation

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Brian Walshe spotted at juice bar day after wife disappears

Authorities search North Shore dumpster station for evidence in disappearance of Ana Walshe

Brian Walshe kisses his new bride, Ana Walshe, on their wedding day. (Facebook photo)

Ana Walshe

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Ana Walshe

Ana Walshe and her husband Brian Walshe

Police investigating the area near Ana Walshe's home

Police investigating the area near Ana Walshe's home

Police investigating Ana Walshe's home

Police investigating outside of Ana Walshe's Cohasset home

Ana Walshe and her husband Brian Walshe

Police investigating Ana Walshe's home

Ana Walshe and her husband Brian Walshe

Ana Walshe

Ana Walshe

The pool that was drained outside the Walshe home

Brian Walshe, the husband of Ana Walshe

Ana Walshe, a mother of three young children and a real estate professional who worked in Washington, D.C., vanished on New Years Day 2023 and was reported missing a few days later, authorities said.

Prosecutors have alleged that Walshe killed his wife in their Cohasset home on New Years Day. The couples three young boys were reportedly home at the time.

Days after Anas disappearance, a hacksaw and a blood-soaked rug believed to contain biological evidence were recovered from their home by investigators.

Police later searched trash bins, dumpsters, trash trucks, and trash facilities in the areas where Brian Walshe traveled following her disappearance.

Prosecutors have also previously said that a broken knife with blood on it was found in the basement of the Walshe family home.

The Norfolk District Attorneys Office previously said that it was awaiting DNA test results from dozens of items.

In September 2024, prosecutors announced that they wouldnt call then-suspended-and-now-fired Massachusetts State Police trooper Michael Proctor to testify in Walshes upcoming trial. Proctor was the lead investigator assigned to Ana Walshes murder.

State police suspended Proctor in July 2024 following Karen Reads mistrial. While testifying during Reads trial, Proctor received criticism for inappropriate texts he sent about Read. He was fired from his role with the law enforcement agency in March, and Read was acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges just months later.

Walshe has been held without bail since his arrest.

He is currently serving a three-year prison sentence for selling fake Andy Warhol paintings.

His murder trial is scheduled to begin on Monday, October 20.

Anas body has never been found.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
TYLER, Texas (KETK)  The Tyler Police Department has blocked off Elm Street in downtown Tyler after bricks started falling from the garage at the Carlton Hotel on Thursday.

Its an emergency: Robert Robersons attorney asks Court of Appeals for stay of execution

Elm Street is currently closed from South Broadway Avenue to Spring Avenue to keep pedestrians and drivers away from the building as inspectors come in to survey the condition of the garage. Officials are unsure how long the section of Elm Street will have to be closed.

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Tyler Fire Marshal Joey Hooten said officials received reports of bricks falling off the building at around 1:20 p.m. on Thursday.

It looks like just age, Hooten said. It looks like a normal age. Just got deteriorated and started falling.

The main danger is where the crack is, Hooten said. It could lead to other cracks and it could lead to a ripple effect on down the side of the wall there. So we just want to make sure that no ones underneath it. If that happened.

NORF Companies, the business that owns the Carlton Hotel, put out the following statements on Thursday:

Tyler Fire Department, City Officials and NORF Companies have taken immediate steps to ensure public safety following a reported incident involving exterior brickwork at the Carlton Hotel parking garage, NORF Companies statement said. A small amount of masonry fell into sidewalk and street. Thankfully, no injuries occurred. Out of an abundance of caution, the area has been fully secured, and access to the garage has been restricted. NORF Companies has retained a licensed structural engineer to perform a full assessment of the buildings condition and to advise on appropriate next steps.

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Ensuring the safety of the public and surrounding properties is our top priority, NORF Companies Managing Partner Alex Hernandez said. We are actively working with professional engineers and city officials to evaluate the situation and determine the most responsible course of action. NORF Companies also extends its sincere appreciation to the first responders and city personnel who acted quickly and professionally to help secure the area and protect the public. Their swift action is deeply valued. 

CARLTON HOTEL_1459280614093.jpg

The Carlton Hotel closed in the 1970s and has been abandoned ever since. In 2023, the Tyler City Council approved a $1.5 million grant to NORF Companies to renovate the abandoned building.

The Carlton Hotel is a historic icon in Downtown Tyler, then deputy city manager of Tyler Stephanie Franklin said in 2023. However, the current condition of the building has contributed to substantial blight in the Downtown district, and it poses a public health and safety risk.

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.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(Reuters) -Enphase Energy (ENPH) forecast third-quarter revenue below Wall Street estimates on Tuesday and said President Donald Trump's import tariffs had impacted its gross margin, sending the solar inverter maker's shares down more than 6% in premarket trading.

U.S. trade officials in April finalized steep tariffs on most solar cells imported from Southeast Asia, after American manufacturers complained that companies from the region were flooding the market with unfairly cheap goods.

Renewable energy companies such as Enphase are also facing significant uncertainty as Trump pushes to repeal or modify tax credits for solar and wind energy projects.

Enphase said it sees the nations residential market shrinking 20% next year as tax credits for homeowners end under President Donald Trumps sweeping economic legislation.

The Senate's massive budget bill that passed this month will make it harder to develop wind and solar energy projects. The legislation sharply reduces access to a 30% tax credit for solar and wind power projects that had been set to run until 2032, and which developers had relied on for future projects.

Enphase Energy now expects third-quarter revenue of between $330 million and $370 million, with the midpoint coming in below analysts' expectations of $369.7 million, according to data compiled by LSEG.

The company also forecast third-quarter gross margin of between 41% and 44%, lower than the 46.9% reported in the second quarter.

However, it beat second-quarter profit estimates as the company benefited from strong structural demand in the broader solar industry.

It posted an adjusted profit of 69 cents per share for the quarter ended June 30, compared with estimates of 62 cents.

(Reporting by Khusbu Jena; Editing by Devika Syamnath)
A Brightline train struck and killed a pedestrian as it pulled into the Aventura station on July 24.

The collision happened at about 1:06 p.m. as the train approached the platform. One passenger said the train sounded its horn before running over the individual at 195 Street and Biscayne Boulevard.

Aventura Police said one lane of traffic is closed as officers investigate.

Accounts of the incident differed. A Brightline employee who did not witness the impact said the person appeared to be trying to cross the tracks. Another employee who saw the collision described it as an apparent suicide. A third staffer was led away in tears.

*** TRAFFIC ALERT *** @aventurapolice is working a pedestrian fatality on the train tracks located at 195 St. & Biscayne Blvd. One lane of traffic is closed causing delays. Use alternate routes if possible. @cityofaventura pic.twitter.com/AME2BCZo5j  Aventura Police (@aventurapolice) July 24, 2025

Authorities have not released the identity of the victim or said whether the death was accidental or intentional. Neither Brightline nor Aventura Police immediately responded to requests for more information.

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BRIGHTLINE TRAIN DEATHS: Where and when the 34 fatalities in Palm Beach County happened

The incident comes amid growing scrutiny of Brightlines safety record. According to a joint investigation by the Miami Herald and its partner station, WLRN, Brightline has killed more than 180 people, marking the highest fatality rate of any railroad in the nation.

Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Brightline train kills pedestrian at Aventura station in South Florida
BRIGHTON, Colo. (KDVR)  The owner of a Brighton book mobile says her trailer was stolen, only to be recovered a day later.

Melissa Rippy says Elsie, the Little Free Mobile Library was taken from a parking lot Monday night. A tip on Tuesday night led to its discovery near Pena Boulevard, in Denver.

Free on Your TV  New FOX31+ App for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV

For four years, the trailer has served as a meeting place for children and adults. It houses between 2,000-3,000 donated books.

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It also travels to nearby neighborhoods and schools.

Rippy is assessing the damage outside the trailer, which includes a broken window, and whether the books inside are still readable.

A phone call to Brighton police on Wednesday afternoon was not immediately returned.

For more information on the free, mobile library, please contact Rippy at MelissaRippy@allstate.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 FOX31 Denver.
Britain can dodge climate lawsuits from other countries if it makes significant and meaningful contributions reflecting its historical responsibility for global warming to a UN fund, Vanuatus lawyer has said.

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) opened the door for countries to sue each other for contributing to climate change, including past emissions, in a landmark legal opinion on Wednesday.

The case was brought by a coalition of nations suffering from rising sea levels and extreme weather, but which have barely contributed to global pollution.

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Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh, associate professor of sustainability law at the University of Amsterdam, is legal counsel in the case for Vanuatu, the worlds most climate-vulnerable island.

Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh, associate professor of sustainability law at the University of Amsterdam - JOHN THYS

The opinion provides a legal basis for such a lawsuit should any state choose to pursue that? Whether or not that is chosen is of course another question, she told the Telegraph the day after her courtroom victory.

Litigation is not really in anyones interest, certainly also not in the interest of states that are seeking reparations for climate harms, she added in an exclusive interview.

In 2022, world governments agreed to set up the UN Loss and Damage fund to compensate states that are disproportionately harmed by climate change. It is still at an early stage of implementation.

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It has initial capital of about 517m but the fund is expected to need trillions to cover loss and damage, and many governments have not yet committed funds to it. In 2023, the UK pledged up to 40m as an early contribution.

Professor Wewerinke-Singh said Britain was involved in talks over the fund and needed to put more money into it.

If that happens, and the contributions of the UK are significant and meaningful, and show that the UK is mindful of its historical responsibility, then I think climate vulnerable states will not rush to sue the UK, she said.

Climate vulnerable states were aware they were harmed by a problem they did not cause, and it was not fair for them to be forced to depend on charity, Professor Wewerinke-Singh said.

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In 2015, Vanuatu lost 64 per cent of its GDP when it was hit by a typhoon in an extreme weather event.

Vanuatus Climate Change Minister Ralph Regenvanu at a demonstration ahead of the International Court of Justice - JOHN THYS

Vanuatu and all the climate-vulnerable states are finding themselves in a state of continuing crisis, she said.

There needs to be a shifting of the burden from the victims to the polluters. This opinion makes it clear that those who are harmed indeed have rights to claim reparations.

The ICJ opinion has said it is up to states to decide how to assign blame for climate change. If they failed to do so, the courts could, she said.

Professor Wewerinke-Singh said liability could be worked out by looking at each countrys overall contribution to emissions that can be quantified.

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Basically the proportion of contribution can then be matched with the proportion that states should pay for damages, she said.

Though the UK contributed close to 100 per cent of all global CO2 emissions in the 1700s, this share has rapidly declined over time, according to data from the Global Carbon Budget.

At 4.4 per cent it now sits behind the United States (23.8 per cent), the European Union (16.5 per cent), and China (15.0 per cent).

A lawsuit could be launched by a single nation or a large coalition of them.132 nations supported the ICJ case.

Senior Conservatives and Reform UK politicians have urged the Government to ignore the opinion amid fears Labour will follow it, as Britain implemented an ICJ advisory opinion when it gave the Chagos Islands to Mauritius last year.

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The advisory opinion issued on Wednesday in The Hague is a way of clarifying specific questions of international law, and is not legally binding. It does carry moral authority and will be influential on the future of environmental litigation.

Ralph Regenvanu said that Vanuatu would take the ICJ ruling to the UN General Assembly - JOHN THYS

Vanuatus lawyer said it was a mistake to treat the opinion as non-binding because the law that the court had clarified with the opinion was binding.

She said, If states dont do what the court says needs to be done, then they breach their obligations, their hard law obligations. So it really is a shift.

Even if a state walked out of the UN Paris Agreement, like the US is doing, it could not walk out of those obligations, she said.

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Professor Wewerinke-Singh was asked if she feared that historical climate reparations could be caught up in the same culture wars as demands for reparations for slavery.

She admitted it was a risk but added, when we talk about reparations, it may sound very polarising, but it doesnt need to be.

It can be a very collaborative process. It doesnt need to be contentious. It doesnt need to be about court battles. It can be done in a very civilised, mature way.

She said the world needed to discuss how to settle the issue in a way that benefits us all, that keeps us all safe, that ends the climate crisis, but also redesigns societies in ways that are sustainable and so everybody can have a dignified life.

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After the decision Ralph Regenvanu, its minister of climate change adaptation, said Vanuatu would take the ICJ ruling to the UN General Assembly and pursue a resolution that will support implementation of this decision.

Legal analysis of the opinion for its government said, For Vanuatu, the opinion is both shield and sword: a shield affirming its right to survival and a sword compelling the worlds major emitters to act in line with science and justice.

A UK Foreign Office spokesman said after the ruling, It will take time to look at this detailed, non-binding, advisory opinion before commenting in detail.

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The return of Jeremy Corbyn to the frontlines of British politics is all too predictable. It is no less unwelcome for being foreseen.

Mr Corbyns statement launching his new party criticised the great dividers, and proclaimed that his movement is made up of people of all faiths and none. That he made these comments without any apparent sense of English irony speaks to his lack of self-awareness; few in Westminster have done more to spread division.

Mr Corbyns supporters may claim that Nigel Farages Reform is stoking division by drawing attention to the failure of the British state to guard its borders. This is nonsense. Concerns about immigration are shared by many millions, and Mr Farage has been clear in disavowing Tommy Robinson and his ilk.

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Under Mr Corbyns leadership the Labour Party was investigated for anti-Semitism by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. He is a man who once referred to members of Hamas and Hezbollah as his friends, although he subsequently attempted to backtrack. He was arrested outside the Old Bailey in 1986 after joining a protest to show solidarity with terrorists including the Brighton bomber.

The most divisive contests and disgraceful scenes of the last election did not take place where Reform candidates were jousting with the Conservatives, but in the fights between pro-Gaza candidates and their Labour opponents. Mr Corbyns obsessive attacks on Israel, including his backing for a complete arms embargo promises to further inflame this issue.

As with the rapid rise of Mr Farages Reform to now lead in the polls, Mr Corbyns support speaks to a broader failure of Britains established parties, and the ossification of our politics.

While it is understandable, however, that many voters are frustrated with the visible decay of the British state, Mr Corbyns toxic brand of Left-wing politics would only deepen the crisis we face. Confronted with a mountainous debt burden and an out-of-control welfare system, Mr Corbyns answer is to further tax the very richest, and nationalise energy, water, rail and mail.

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It is an agenda which would put the final nail in Britains coffin, and smother all hope of recovery for decades to come, repeating the very worst economic policy errors of the 20th century in some of the least favourable circumstances imaginable.

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Credit: Alpine Eagle

The British Army has been trialling German-made kamikaze drones designed to detect and knock out Russian crafts before they can target troops.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been working with Alpine Eagle, a German start-up founded in 2023 that has developed an airborne sentry drone capable of intercepting hostile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Known as Sentinel, the defence system flies a mothership drone above a friendly base or patrol. If a hostile UAV is detected, it can release small, expendable single-use drones to destroy the attacker by flying into it. The Sentinel swarm is intended to be operated remotely by a single pilot.

The Alpine Eagle device is capable of intercepting hostile drones - Alpine Eagle

Cheap drones that cost just a few hundreds pounds have become ubiquitous on the battlefields of Ukraine. Soldiers on both sides have been using remote-controlled drones originally designed as toys to drop grenades and bombs on the enemy or for surveillance.

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Drones are now responsible for an estimated 70pc of all casualties in Ukraine. They are able to patrol vast areas of the front line and target vehicles or patrols that stray into range.

Western forces are increasingly turning to new technology to try to counter the threat. This has included investing in jamming technology or automated turrets that can shoot down drones faster than a human.

In Ukraine, soldiers have turned to cruder methods for destroying drones, such as shotguns.

British know-how

In March, the MoD launched Project Vanaheim, a series of field tests run with the US army and Ukrainian forces to try out new counter-UAV technology. Alpine Eagle took part.

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Earlier this year, the start-up raised more than 9m from investors including US fund General Catalyst and British venture investor IQ Capital.

While the business is based in Germany, it is exploring manufacturing in the UK.

The start-up has hired Michael Golden, a former Royal Navy engineer, as its head of UK to spearhead expansion.

Mr Golden said: For us, the UK is both an incredibly important target to develop and demonstrate this technology, but also from an industrial network perspective, we see it as a fantastic place for us to build and expand.

Britain has been exploring a major expansion of its drone and counter-drone capabilities as part of Labours Strategic Defence Review.

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Ministers and military officials envisage a future where operations will be carried out combining conventional ground forces with swarms of drones that rove ahead of soldiers and tanks.

The Sentinel swarm is intended to be operated remotely by a single pilot - Alpine Eagle

In June, John Healey, the Defence Secretary, announced an initial 100m to research drone swarms.

The military is already in the process of deploying 3,000 strike drones and 1,000 surveillance drones for use by soldiers.

Jan-Hendrik Boelens, Alpine Eagles chief executive, said Britain had a clear strategy for drone warfare and the start-up was planning to establish a strong footprint in the UK.

Unlike other anti-drone systems that might be better suited to defending large bases or static targets, Alpine Eagles drones can support soldiers on patrol or vulnerable convoys.

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Alpine Eagle is also pitching its technology towards defending shipping against piracy and for border security.

Mr Boelens, a former Airbus helicopter engineer, said its technology is being trialled on the ground in Ukraine. He added: There is no alternative. Russia and other adversaries are not sitting still.

There has been a surge in interest in defence technology among investors as Europe looks to rearm to counter a more dangerous Russia.

Start-up funders have been ploughing cash into hi-tech businesses seeking to upgrade the capabilities of armies across the Continent.

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WHITNEY POINT, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  The Broome County Fair marks a momentous milestone this weekend with celebrations in full swing.

The Fair returns to Whitney Point for its landmark 150th year. The fair continues to offer a vibrant mix of attractions for all ages from livestock showcases and lively auctions to classic fair treats like snow cones and carnival rides.

This year, there will be many special events such as truck pulls and pirate shows. New Fair President Gerry Pendell says the heart of the event lies in the unwavering support from the community.

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President of the Broome County Fair, Gerry Pendell says, A lot of the people that come here help us with this, come back year after year. They call us in the spring, Hey whats going on this year. We want to help you with this, we want to be apart of this. And once you do that, it gets in your blood.

Proceeds from many of the events will go back to help partner organizations like the childrens 4-H program.

To learn more, visit Broome county New York Fair website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A Baton Rouge man was arrested on Wednesday after being accused of indecent behavior with juveniles.

According to an affidavit, Baton Rouge police began investigating a 55-year-old man for alleged sexual misconduct involving a 14-year-old girl.

During the investigation, officers responded to a call in the 1600 block of Stilt Street about a disturbance on May 27, 2025. When they arrived, officers spoke with the complainant, who reported being assaulted by her neighbor, who was later identified as Anthony McManus. The complainant said the fight stemmed from a confrontation between her and McManus about her 14-year-old daughter.

Anthony McManus

The mother accused McManus of sending her daughter inappropriate messages, including requesting sex in exchange for money. During the confrontation, McManus punched the mother in the face multiple times, leaving her with bruises and a busted lip.

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The investigation confirmed that McManus was texting the 14-year-old specific and overt messages for about two weeks consistently.

According to the affidavit, the 14-year-old blocked McManus from texting and calling, but he changed his number and continued to contact the victim.

McManus was arrested and booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on charges of indecent behavior with juveniles, simple battery, and computer-aided solicitation of a minor. He has a bond set at $30,000, according to jail records.

17-year-old arrested, charged in shooting, robbery near Baton Rouge smoke shop

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Welcome to The Scoop  the ultimate back-to-the-office water cooler cheat sheet, your go-to source for all things everyone really wants to know! Get the latest on everything from the political swamp maneuvering in D.C. and Hollywood drama to jaw-dropping small-town shenanigans from Paula Froelich. Subscribe to her newsletter here.

(NewsNation)  Bruce Willis wife, Emma Heming Willis, is gearing up for a publicity tour for her new book, The Unexpected Journey: Finding Strength, Hope, and Yourself on the Caregiving Path, set to be released on September 9.

The book, described as for anyone caregiving for a loved one with any form of dementia, and even for those caregiving for other conditions, The Unexpected Journey shows that you are not alone, follows Heming Willis journey from the day Emma Heming Willis husband, Bruce Willis, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and the journey shes been on ever since as Willis primary caretaker.

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All they were given was a pamphlet and told to check back in a few months, reads the Amazon description. With no hope or direction, Emma walked out of that doctors appointment frozen with fear, confusion and a sense that her world had just fallen apart.

In fact, it had. Bruce and Emma had their story written, their future mapped out. Yet all those dreams crumbled with that diagnosis, and Emma felt alone and more isolated than ever. How would she care for her husband while parenting their young daughters?

Hulk Hogan, WWE champion and Hall of Famer, dead at 71

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At that devastating time, Emma just wanted someone whod been through it to tell her, This feels terrible right now. Your life is in shambles. But its going to be okay. Here are some things to think about and put in place so you cannot just survive but thrive.

LOS ANGELES, CA  JULY 14: Bruce Willis, Emma Heming arrives at the Comedy Central Roast Of Bruce Willis on July 14, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) LOS ANGELES, CA  JULY 14: Bruce Willis (L) and Emma Heming attend the Comedy Central Roast of Bruce Willis at Hollywood Palladium on July 14, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage) Bruce Willis and Emma Heming (Photo by Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY  JANUARY 15: Bruce Willis and Emma Heming attend the Glass New York Premiere at SVA Theater on January 15, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NEW YORK  OCTOBER 11: Bruce Willis and wife Emma Heming Willis attend the Motherless Brooklyn Arrivals during the 57th New York Film Festival on October 11, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Film at Lincoln Center) ISTANBUL, TURKIYE  (ARCHIVE): A file photo dated October 26, 2009 shows Director and Actor Bruce Willis attends Fashionable Istanbul by Avea in Istanbul, Turkiye. (Photo by Burak Akbulut/Anadolu via Getty Images) SHANGHAI, CHINA  NOVEMBER 04: American actor Bruce Willis and his wife American model Emma Heming attend CocoBaba and Ushopal activity on November 4, 2019 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)

Bruce Willis and Emma Heming Willis: Book offers insights into their life

The book Heming Willis wrote is the book she wishes shed been handed on the day of Bruces diagnosis: A supportive guide to navigating the complicated, heartbreaking, and transformative experience that is caregiving for your loved one. Weaving her personal journey as a care partner with the latest research and insights from the worlds top dementia, caregiving, and integrative experts she offers the guidance and wisdom caregivers everywhere so desperately need to hear.

It does offer insights into her life with not just Willis and their two daughters, but his ex, Demi Moore and Moores children with Willis, Scout, Tallulah and Rumer.

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Ellen DeGeneres, Portia de Rossi to sell UK farmhouse: The Scoop

It is also coming out during a difficult time, as the Daily Express reported this week that Willis health has taken a turn for the worse and he can no longer speak, read or walk.

Meanwhile, friends of Hemming Willis told me the former model/actress is an angel. She is there for Bruce every day all day  as well as her children. This is not the life she imagined, but the one she is leading and leading with grace. She is a role model for every person going through a battle like this.

I also hear ABC News scored the first interview with Hemming Willis, to be released late August or early September.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
Xana Kernodle fought for her life before being stabbed to death by Bryan Kohberger, according to newly unsealed documents.

Multiple reports filed by responding officers from the Moscow Police Department note that Kernodle had "defensive wounds" on her hands, including deep gashes between her fingers.

Those reports also note the severity of the wounds suffered by Kaylee Goncalves, whose face was left "disfigured" by Kohberger, according to Officer Corbin Smith.

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Kernodle and Goncalves were both stabbed so many times, according to these reports, that their surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen initially misidentified the two young women when officers arrived on the scene.

AP Photo/Kyle Green Bryan Kohberger Bryan Kohberger

Sgt. Shaine Gunderson wrote in his report that "it was obvious an intense struggle had occurred" between Xana and her killer.

Kohberger then fled the scene after that struggle, with Mortensen watching as he walked right by her and out the sliding glass door on the second floor of the University of Idaho students' off-campus home.

What the police reports do not make any mention of, however, is the fast food order Kernodle had received just minutes before her murder, which would explain why Mortensen reported seeing the killer exit the home with a package in his hands.

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Dylan Mortensen, Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle and Bethany Funke

The reports also suggest that Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, was likely killed in his sleep.

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Officers wrote that his body was found laying in bed when they arrived on the scene with a blanket partially covering his midsection.

Kernodle, on the other hand, appears to have encountered Kohberger either during or just after he murdered Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen in a third floor bedroom, at which point she ran and then put up a fight.

Xana Kernodle/instagram Xana Kernodle

Mortensen said in her interview with Officer Mitch Nunes that she heard a person she believed to be Goncalves scream that "somebody" was in the house.

She then told Officer Nunes that she heard someone run down from the third floor to the second floor bedroom where Kernodle and Chapin were sleeping followed by a "commotion."

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That person she heard running down the stairs was likely Kernodle, who Latah County Prosecuting Attorney Bill Thompson said might not have been a target of Kohberger's that night had she not happened to encounter him inside the home.

Mortensen said the sounds of a struggle eventually died down and she heard an unfamiliar man's voice say: "You're gonna be fine. I'm gonna help you."

She then waited a few more minutes before opening her door, at which point she saw Kohberger, who she initially described to Officer Nunes as "six-feet tall, slim build, with a black ski mask."

The documents unsealed by the Moscow Police Department provide new details about the investigation into Kohberger and the murders of four University of Idaho students, for which he is now sentenced to serve four life sentences.

AP Photo/Kyle Green Dylan Mortensen Dylan Mortensen

Mortensen spoke about the horrors of that night and the repercussions at his sentencing hearing on Wednesday, just a few hours before the release of these unsealed documents.

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I made escape plans everywhere I went. If something happens, how do I get out? What can I use to defend myself? Mortensen said in her statement, for which she had to sit in one of the prosecutor's chairs because she was too emotional to stand.

"All I can do is scream, because the emotional pain and the grief is too much to handle," Mortensen said.

She later spoke about the man who caused that fear and pain, addressing Kohberger as he sat just a few feet away.

"He is a hollow vessel. Something less than human. A body without empathy or remorse," Mortensen told the court.

She then added: "He chose destruction, he chose evil. He feels nothing. He tried to take everything from me."

Kaylee Goncalves/instagram Kaylee Goncalves

Kohberger showed no emotion during any of the remarks made by friends and family or when his sentence was handed down to him by Judge Steven Hippler, who did not mince words when speaking about the murderer.

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"Even in pleading guilty, he has given nothing hinting of remorse or redemption. Nothing suggesting even a recognition of understanding, let alone regret for the pain he has caused and therefore, I will not attempt to speak about him further, other than to simply sentence him, so that he is forever removed from civilized society," Hippler said.

He then sentenced Kohberger to serve four life terms in prison in addition to a 10-year sentence for burglary. He also ordered him to pay $270,000 in fines and civil penalties.

After all was said and done, Kohberger stared blankly ahead and exited the courtroom without speaking a word to his mother or sister.

Read the original article on People
Bryan Kohberger brutally "disfigured" Kaylee Goncalves' face and fought through a violent struggle with Xana Kernodle before fleeing the scene of the University of Idaho murders ... according to newly unsealed police reports.

Moscow Police documents just released say the November 2022 killings were even more savage than initially reported -- describing Goncalves' injuries as so severe her face was left unrecognizable. The responding police officer noted the disfigurement in his report, while others called the crime scene a bloodbath.

TMZ

On the floor below, Kohberger clashed with Kernodle after she either saw or heard him kill her roommates upstairs. The police sergeant wrote that "an intense struggle" clearly took place, and Kernodle had deep defensive wounds between her fingers -- evidence she fought for her life.

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According to the reports, Kohberger didn't flee until after that confrontation, according to police. Surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen told police she saw a masked man walk past her room and exit through a sliding glass door -- carrying what looked like a package.

Though not confirmed in the reports, Mortensen's account aligns with Kernodle having received a fast food delivery shortly before the murders -- leading to speculation Kohberger may have grabbed it on his way out.

Remembering Slain Idaho Students - Click image to open gallery

Police say Ethan Chapin, Kernodle's boyfriend, was most likely killed in his sleep. He was found in his bed with a blanket partially covering his body.

Mortensen recalled hearing screams, footsteps, and a chilling male voice saying, "You're gonna be fine. I'm gonna help you" before spotting Kohberger minutes later. Prosecutors now believe Kernodle may not have been a planned target -- only encountering Kohberger by chance after the initial murders.

Bryan Kohberger Officially Sentenced to Life in Prison For University of Idaho Murders

Kohberger was sentenced to life in prison on Wednesday after admitting to murdering the 4 college students -- with Goncalves' father, Steve, telling Kohberger he was "a complete joke" ... adding from this moment on, the world will forget him.
(Reuters) -European Union judges could review chipmaker Broadcom's $69 billion acquisition of cloud computing firm VMWare, after an antitrust complaint opposed the bloc's approval of one of the biggest takeovers in the technology industry.

The Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe, or CISPE, has filed a formal appeal before the European General Court seeking an annulment of the European Commission's approval of the deal, the organisation said on Thursday.

Broadcom had wrapped up the purchase of VMWare in November 2023, after intense scrutiny from regulators globally forced the company to delay the closing date thrice.

The European Commission's official summary of its approval decision was published in May, acknowledging that the acquisition posed significant risks to competition.

"However, it failed to impose any conditions on Broadcom to prevent a concentration of dominance or to mitigate the potential abuse of such a position," CISPE said.

CISPE said it has "consistently raised alarms" with the Commission over Broadcom's unfair software licensing practices, but no substantive action has been taken to support either European cloud service providers or their customers.

VMware's dominance of software in the virtualisation market "means that unfair new licensing terms enforced by Broadcom affect almost every European organisation using cloud technology", said Francisco Mingorance, Secretary General of CISPE.

A spokesperson for the European Commission said it is ready to defend its decisions in court.

"Broadcom strongly disagrees with these allegations," a company spokesperson said, adding that the deal was approved after a "thorough merger review process, and we will uphold the commitments made to the Commission at that time."

The deal, one of the biggest globally when announced in May 2022, was part of Broadcom CEO Hock Tan's efforts to boost the chipmaker's software business.

(Reporting by Juby Babu in Mexico City, Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru and Foo Yun Chee in Brussels; Editing by Devika Syamnath)
An Idaho judge gave Bryan Kohberger one last chance to explain himself minutes before he was read his sentence for killing four college students in November 2022.



Stone-faced, Kohberger mustered three words: I respectfully decline.



The 30-year-old convicted murder has never explained what led him to kill four University of Idaho students that night and refused to do so again when given the chance Wednesday.

Minutes after declining to provide insight into his motive, Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive life imprisonment terms without the possibility of parole for the killings of Madison Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20.

KYLE GREEN/POOL/EPA/Shutterstock Bryan Kohberger Bryan Kohberger

The former criminology student-turned-cold blooded killer also ignored his mother Maryann and sister Amanda as he exited the courtroom.

Kyle Green-Pool/Getty Dylan Mortensen comforted after speaking at Bryan Kohberger's sentencing hearing Dylan Mortensen comforted after speaking at Bryan Kohberger's sentencing hearing

Although Kohberger refused to speak, plenty was said to him on Wednesday.

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Family members and friends provided devastating victim impact statements, while Judge Steven Hippler dubbed Kohberger the worst of the worst without any redeeming qualities, calling his actions that November night in 2022 an unfathomable, senseless act of evil and the greatest tragedy that can be inflicted upon a person.



Courtesy of Chapin Family; Maddie Mogen/Instagram; Kaylee Goncalves/Instagram; Xana Kernodle/Instagram Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Kaylee Goncalves

The judge admitted he was interested in hearing Kohberger explain why he killed the four students inside their rented, off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho.

Kohberger could choose to tell his story from prison in the coming years but, Judge Hippler added, focusing too much on Kohbergers motive would simply give the murderer more power  and the reliability of his statements would be suspect at best, anyway.

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Kohberger pleaded guilty to the four murders earlier this month  a move that helped him avoid the death penalty. As part of his sentencing, Kohberger will not have the opportunity to appeal his conviction.

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(NewsNation)  Police reports from officers who responded to the Idaho murders are shedding new light on the horrific scene they encountered after Bryan Kohberger killed four students.

Documents from the investigation into Kohberger have been made public for the first time hours after he was sentenced to life in prison.

In one report, Moscow Police Department Officer Mitch Nunes wrote that a person whose name was redacted reported hearing a scream from someone they believed to be Kaylee Goncalves at 4 a.m.

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Live updates: Bryan Kohberger police documents released after sentencing

The person heard a voice saying somebody was in their Moscow, Idaho, home and heard Goncalves running from the third floor down to the second. Terrified, they locked themselves in a bedroom.

Eventually she stopped hearing a struggle and heard a male voice say, Youre gonna be fine. Im gonna help you. [Redacted] said she did not recognize the males voice, Nunes wrote in the report.

After a commotion, the person peeked out of her bedroom and observed a male described as approximately 6-feet tall, slim build, with a black ski mask leave the second-floor patio area.

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Bryan Kohberger trial: Timeline in Idaho college killings, arrest, plea deal

In the report, Nunes said the patio door was likely left open as it was still open upon his arrival.

Nunes added that he spoke to an additional roommate who was in the home at the time of the commotion.

They told police they woke up to a firecracker and a flash and thought it was some sort of prank. Their phone log showed calls to Xana Kernodle at 4:21 a.m., Madison Mogen at 4:22 a.m., and again eight minutes later. They called Goncalves at 4:31 a.m.

The redacted individual stated that no one answered, and they went back to sleep until around 11:56 a.m. when 911 was called.

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The attorney for the Goncalves family has claimed that Bryan Kohberger used a second weapon in the killing of Kaylee Goncalves.

Kaylee was one of four victims murdered by the former PhD student in their off-campus home in Idaho in November 2022. The family's attorney alleged that the secondary weapon caused the blunt force trauma seen all over Kaylee's face, adding that authorities still remain unsure about its identity.

Meanwhile, recently unsealed records revealed that Bryan Kohberger used his primary weapon, a knife, to stab Kaylee more than 20 times during the night of the murder.

Second Weapon Caused Blunt Force Trauma To Kaylee's Face, Says Family Attorney

MEGA

In a post-sentencing interview with NewsNation's "Banfield," the Goncalves family attorney suggested that the Ka-Bar knife allegedly used by Bryan Kohberger to kill Kaylee Goncalves is not the only weapon involved in the November 2022 attack.

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Sharing his theory, attorney Shanon Gray stated, "There was blunt force trauma to Kaylee's face," which appeared inconsistent with what could have been caused solely by the knife or Kohberger's hands.

"There was a second, some sort of weapon that was used against her face, and the investigators didn't know what that was and couldn't figure it out," he added. "When they're referencing the second weapon aspect of it, it's that because of the blunt force trauma that was  to her face and her mouth area."

Goncalves also noted that, despite the years that have elapsed since Kohberger's capture, no information has surfaced about the secondary weapon.

"There was something that was used, and they  don't know what it is," Gray further remarked.

Kaylee Goncalves Was Stabbed More Than 20 Times By Bryan Kohberger

MEGA

On the night of the murders, Kohberger stabbed Kaylee more than 20 times, according to newly released documents reported by the New York Post.

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When officers found her body in the third-floor bedroom of the off-campus home, she was so brutally injured that they couldn't recognize her.

"Kaylee was unrecognizable as her facial structure was extremely damaged," the docs read, further noting that the victim's lung, liver, and various arteries were pierced by the killer's blade.

Xana Kernodle's Injuries Hint That She May Have Fiercely Fought Her Killer

MEGA

The same documents revealed that Xana Kernodle, another of the four victims Kohberger brutally murdered, suffered even worse at his hands.

She was stabbed more than 50 times, with two of the wounds to the heart and some on her hand.

It was also revealed that Kernodle had tried to defend herself against her murderer, which seemingly explained why she had more stab wounds.

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"I looked inside the bedroom Xana was lying in and it was obvious an intense struggle had occurred," an officer's statement from the docs revealed.

The Family Of Kaylee Goncalves Gave Emotional Impact Statements

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

During the sentencing for Kohberger on Wednesday, Kaylee's family delivered powerful victim impact statements, with many of their comments directed at their daughter's killer.

Kaylee's sister, Alivea Goncalves, slammed the Idaho killer as "insecure," "not profound," and "pathetic."

"You aren't special or deep, not mysterious or exceptional. Don't ever get it twisted again," she further mocked the cold-blooded killer, per USA Today.

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Kaylee's father, who had previously criticized the plea deal agreement prosecutors reached with Kohberger, also had strong words for the 30-year-old, according to the New York Post.

Steve Goncalves described him as a "complete joke" who was "foolish," "careless," and "stupid," seemingly referencing how Kohberger left a trail of evidence that led to his capture.

Kaylee's mother, Kristi Goncalves, also trashed Kohberger, but it was a message sent from her youngest daughter, Aubrie, that stood out and caused a stir online.

"Quick message from our youngest daughter," Kristi said. "Aubrie wanted to say, 'You may have received As in high school, but you're gonna be getting big Ds in prison."

Where Is Bryan Kohberger?

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

After his sentencing, Kohberger was not returned to the Ada County Jail, where he had been held, but was instead transferred to the custody of the Idaho Department of Corrections.

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For approximately the next two weeks, he is expected to undergo a series of evaluations.

"Once in IDOC custody, the person goes through a reception and diagnostic process (RDU) to evaluate their needs and determine appropriate housing placement," a rep told People Magazine about why Kohberger will be evaluated.

"We wait until a person completes RDU to determine their classification or housing placement," they added.

Upon placement, Kohberger will begin serving his four consecutive life terms for the murder of Kaylee, Kernodle, Madison Mogen, and Ethan Chapin. He also received an additional sentence of several years for burglary in connection with the murders.
Bryan Kohberger appears to have no intention of revealing his motive, at least not to the public.

During his sentencing on Wednesday, the 30-year-old, who fatally stabbed four Idaho students, gave a chilling response when asked by the judge if he had any remarks.

In contrast, the victims families delivered powerful impact statements, with Kaylee Goncalves relatives being especially vocal, continuing the outspokenness they have shown since Bryan Kohberger agreed to a plea deal.

The Idaho Killer 'Respectfully' Declined Making A Statement

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

In the days leading up to Bryan Kohbergers sentencing, speculation swirled over whether he would deliver a statement in court, especially with regard to his motives.

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Unfortunately, those anticipating any from the accused were left disappointed, as the Idaho killer, charged with fatally stabbing Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, turned down the opportunity during his sentencing on Wednesday.

When Judge Steven Hippler asked the former PhD student if he had any comments, Kohberger responded indifferently with, I respectfully decline, per the New York Post.

The accused had mainly remained silent in the lead-up to the hearing, speaking only during his guilty plea last month, when he provided mostly monosyllabic answers.

Now, it appears the world may never know what motivated Kohberger to fatally stab the four Idaho students in their off-campus home on November 13, 2022.

Victims Family Ripped Into Bryan Kohberger During Impact Statement

Ada County Sheriff's Office/MEGA

During the hearing, Kaylee Goncalves family delivered a powerful and emotional impact statement that appeared even more furious than their previous outspoken remarks against the killer, Bryan Kohberger.

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Kaylees sister, Alivea Goncalves, slammed the Idaho killer as insecure, alongside other pointed words aimed at making Kohberger understand there was nothing profound or remarkable about him.

Youre a textbook case of insecurity disguised as control, your patterns are predictable, your motives are shallow, she said, per USA Today. You are not profound, you are pathetic. You arent special or deep, not mysterious or exceptional. Dont ever get it twisted again.

Steve Goncalves Labeled The Killer A 'Complete Joke'

MEGA

Kaylees father also echoed the same sentiments in his statement that mocked how Kohberger had made it easy for him to be apprehended by leaving a trail of evidence.

Youre a joke, a complete joke, Steve Goncalves said. You were that foolish, that careless, that stupid We knew from the very beginning we had you.

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He further remarked, Nobody cares about you. Youre not worth the time the effort to be remembered. In time, youll be nothing but two initials forgotten to the wind.

The Judge Called Bryan Kohberger The Worst Of The Worst

MEGA

Judge Steven Hippler, who presided over the case, condemned Kohberger in his remarks before delivering the sentence.

He described him as the worst of the worst for the brutal murders of the four University of Idaho students.

Truth be told, I am unable to come up with anything redeeming about Mr. Kohberger, because his grotesque acts of evil have buried and hidden anything that might have been good or intrinsically human about him, Hippler added.

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The judge also urged the public to no longer focus on learning about Kohbergers motive, as it gives him relevance, agency, and power.

He then noted that even if there were a way to compel Kohberger to speak, there is no guarantee he would tell the truth. And even if he did, its unlikely his explanation would offer any true sense of satisfaction.

Even if we could get truthful insight into his why, I suspect it would not in any way quench ones thirst for actually understanding why," the Boise judge further added. "Because there is no reason for these crimes that could approach anything resembling rationality."

All About The Idaho Killers Sentence

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For killing the four University of Idaho students, Bryan Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive life terms. He also received an additional sentence of several years for burglary in connection with the murders.

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As part of the sentence, he was fined $270,000, with $50,000 allocated to each of the victims families.

Following the hearing, Kohberger will no longer remain in the Ada County Jail but will not be transferred immediately to a maximum-security prison to begin his sentence.

Instead, he will undergo evaluations in the custody of the Idaho Department of Corrections for a while.

"Once in IDOC custody, the person goes through a reception and diagnostic process (RDU) to evaluate their needs and determine appropriate housing placement," a rep told People Magazine.

"We wait until a person completes RDU to determine their classification or housing placement," they added.
NEED TO KNOW

In December 2022, Bryan Kohberger was arrested in connection with the murders of four University of Idaho students

His family released a statement saying they would "let the legal process unfold" and "love and support our son and brother"

After being sentenced to four life sentences in prison on July 23, Bryan ignored his mom and sister on his way out of the court

Bryan Kohberger, who confessed to the brutal killings of four University of Idaho students, was raised by his parents in Pennsylvania.

In late December 2022, Bryan was arrested at his parents'  Maryann and Michael's  Pennsylvania home in connection with the murders of four University of Idaho students who were killed the previous month. Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were stabbed to death in the middle of the night at their off-campus residence.

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In January 2023, Bryan's family spoke out for the first time since his arrest, saying in a statement that they were cooperating with law enforcement to "promote his presumption of innocence."

They also expressed their condolences to the victims' relatives, saying, "First and foremost we care deeply for the four families who have lost their precious children. There are no words that can adequately express the sadness we feel, and we pray each day for them."

After confessing to the murders and pleading guilty on July 2, Bryan's sentencing hearing took place on July 23. With his mom and sister Amanda in attendance, Bryan was sentenced to four lifetimes in prison without parole, as well as 10 additional years for burglary.

Here's everything to know about Bryan Kohberger's family, including his parents and two sisters.



His parents raised him in Pennsylvania

Kevin Fixler/Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service via Getty Bryan Kohberger (L) in his senior photo from the 2012-13 yearbook for Pleasant Valley High School in Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania. Bryan Kohberger (L) in his senior photo from the 2012-13 yearbook for Pleasant Valley High School in Brodheadsville, Pennsylvania.

Bryan's parents, Maryann and Michael, raised him in eastern Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, per CBS News.

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According to the outlet, his mom worked in the school system, while his father was a maintenance employee.

Per The New York Times, Bryan earned his bachelor's degree in psychology at a local community college near his hometown.

He has 2 sisters

AP Photo/Drew Nash The Kohberger family leaves the Ada County Courthouse after the Bryan Kohberger sentencing Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. The Kohberger family leaves the Ada County Courthouse after the Bryan Kohberger sentencing Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Boise, Idaho.

Bryan was raised alongside his two sisters, Melissa and Amanda.

According to CBS News, Amanda worked as a school counselor. While she and Melissa have stayed out of the spotlight, in 2011, Amanda appeared in the low-budget slasher film Two Days Back, which was about a group of young students who were murdered by a serial killer, per the outlet.

Bryan was arrested at his parents' home

Matt Rourke/AP/Shutterstock Bryan Kohberger is escorted to an extradition hearing at the Monroe County Courthouse in Stroudsburg, PA.

In December 2022, Bryan was arrested at his family's Pennsylvania home.

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According to the probable cause affidavit reviewed by PEOPLE in January 2023, authorities identified him after matching DNA on trash taken from Bryan's parents' home to that of the sheath of the knife used in the stabbings that was left at the crime scene.

Nearly two months after his arrest, a new search warrant was unsealed that showed a variety of items taken from Bryan's parents' home in Albrightsville, Pa.

According to the warrant, authorities found a Smith and Wesson pocket knife, another knife of unidentified make, a Glock handgun with three empty magazines, black face masks, black gloves, one black hat, a "green leafy substance in plastic bag," a "book with underlining on page 118" and Bryan's AT&T bill.

In August 2025, digital forensics expert Heather Barnhart, who led the team who investigated Bryan's phone and hard drive, told PEOPLE that he called Maryann multiple times after the murders.

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He first called his mother at 6:13 a.m. that morning, but she didn't answer. Eventually, she did pick up, and they spoke for 36 minutes, followed by another call at 8:03 a.m. that lasted for 54 minutes. This mean that Bryan and Maryann were on the phone as he drove back to the scene of the crime.

They would speak on the phone three more times that day for a total of three hours.

His family pledged to "love and support" Bryan ahead of his trial

Kyle Green-Pool/Getty Bryan Kohberger appears for a hearing at the Ada County Courthouse on July 2, 2025, in Boise, Idaho. Bryan Kohberger appears for a hearing at the Ada County Courthouse on July 2, 2025, in Boise, Idaho.

In their January 2023 statement, Bryan's family pledged to "let the legal process unfold," adding that they would "love and support our son and brother," per NBC News.

"We have fully cooperated with law enforcement agencies in an attempt to seek the truth and promote his presumption of innocence rather than judge unknown facts and make erroneous assumptions," their statement continued.



Bryan ignored Maryann and Amanda during his sentencing hearing

Kyle Green-Pool/Getty Bryan Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse for his sentencing hearing on July 23, 2025 in Boise, Idaho. Bryan Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse for his sentencing hearing on July 23, 2025 in Boise, Idaho.

On July 23, Bryan was sentenced to serve four lifetimes in prison. While his mother and Amanda were present at the hearing, Bryan ignored them both after learning of his fate, per The New York Times.

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According to the outlet, Maryann was seen "shuddering" at times and in one instance putting her "head in her hands" during the sentencing hearing.



During the victim impact statements, Mogen's grandmother, Kim Cheeley, also had a message for Bryan's family.

"My heart aches for the kids' roommates, and the families of the other victims and also the family of the perpetrator," Cheeley said.

Read the original article on People
BUDAPEST (Reuters) -The mayor of Budapest said on Thursday he had become a "suspect" in a police investigation targeting the organisers of an LGBTQ+ rights rally that turned into an anti-government protest last month.

Tens of thousands of protesters marched through Hungary's capital city on June 28 as a banned Pride march swelled into a mass anti-government demonstration in one of the biggest shows of opposition to nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban.

"I have become a suspect, and if in this country this is the price we have to pay for standing up for our own and others' freedom, then I am even proud of it," Mayor Gergely Karacsony said in a post on his Facebook page.

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Police did not reply to emailed Reuters questions seeking comment. The mayor's office told Reuters that Karacsony would be questioned by police as a suspect next week.

Orban's conservative nationalist government has gradually curtailed the rights of the LGBTQ+ community in the past decade, and lawmakers passed a law in March that allowed for the banning of Pride marches, citing the need to protect children.

The mayor tried to circumvent the law by organising Pride as a municipal event, which he said did not need a permit. Police, however, banned the event, arguing that it fell under the scope of the child protection law.

Orban had warned of "legal consequences" for organising and attending the march. Police said earlier that they would not investigate those who attended the event.

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But there is an investigation under way against an unknown perpetrator, news site 444.hu said on Thursday.

Orban's critics have regarded the move to ban Pride as part of a wider crackdown on democratic freedoms ahead of an election next year when the Hungarian leader, whose Fidesz party has swept elections in the past 15 years, will face a strong opposition challenger.

(Reporting by Krisztina Than, Editing by William Maclean)
A Buffalo man could face a prison term of up to two years after being charged with a felony count of animal abuse.

Deandre Rogers, 30, of Buffalo, was arraigned Thursday before Buffalo City Court Judge Erin E. Hart on one count of aggravated cruelty to animals (Class E felony under New York State Agriculture and Markets Law) and one count of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance (Class A misdemeanor under New York State Agriculture and Markets Law).

Rogers is charged with hitting a 9-year-old female Chihuahua named "Bella" at a residence on the 200 block of Geary Street in Buffalo. Bella was taken to BluePearl Pet Hospital, where she was hospitalized for skull fractures and other serious physical injuries. The dog was later transferred to the custody of the SPCA Serving Erie County for rehabilitation and adoption.

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Rogers is scheduled to return for a felony hearing on Aug. 21. He was released on his own recognizance as the charges are non-qualifying offenses for bail. As a condition of his release, the DA's office requested that the court impose a securing order that prohibits the defendant from owning, harboring, or having custody or control of any animals while the case is pending prosecution.

If convicted of the highest charge, Rogers faces up to two years of incarceration.

Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane commended the SPCA Serving Erie County, SPCA Chief Officer Lindsey Wood, SPCA Officer Meghan Giles and SPCA Officer Tyler Robertson for their work in the investigation.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Megan E. Mahoney of the Animal Cruelty Unit.
A 32-year-old Buffalo man faces drug-related charges after detectives executed a search warrant on his car and phones, according to Scott County Court records.

Anthony Duyvejonck (Scott County Jail)

Anthony Duyvejonck faces two felony charges of failure to affix a drug stamp and a felony charge of controlled substance violation; and three serious misdemeanor charges of possession of a controlled substance (one of marijuana)  first offense, Scott County Court records say.

About 1 p.m. Monday, detectives had a search warrant for Duyvejoncks person, his Chevrolet Cruze LT, and his cell phone(s). Duyvejonck was seen parking his car at Loves Travel Stop, affidavits show. He entered the store then left on foot and was detained.

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According to arrest affidavits, in Duyvejoncks car, detectives found:

1,211.24 grams total package weight of methamphetamine (various plastic bags with 1-2 ounces) with no drug tax stamp affixed

466.65 grams total package weight of meth (various plastic bags with different amounts)

7.44 grams total package weight of marijuana

7.77 grams total package weight of psilocybin mushrooms

16.30 grams total package weight of THC wax

4.28 grams total package weight or 10 Buprenorphine Hydrochloride and Naloxone Hydrochloride (sublingual) 2mg pills  Schedule 3 controlled substance (with no drug tax stamp affixed)

One operable digital scale with methamphetamine residue on it

Drug ledger

Large amount of cash

Packaging material.

After he was read his Miranda Rights, Duyvejonck admitted to selling meth and said that he has between 3 and 4 customers, according to arrest affidavits. The defendant said he charges $250 per ounce.

Duyvejonck said he has three customers that buy two to three ounces of meth from him per week, according to affidavits. He said that his fourth customer gets an ounce of meth from him almost every day.

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Duyvejonck admitted having a quarter of an ounce of marijuana in the vehicle. He said within the last month he has sold one pound one time and charged $3,200. He said he also sold a half pound between two and three times and that he charged $2,000. He said he has sold a quarter pound (four ounces) a couple of times for $1,200, affidavits show.

When doing a search through (Duyvejoncks) cell phone a message was observed on the home screen of someone asking him could you drop off two more, affidavits say. Other messages were observed where Duyvejonck asked the customer 2 right and the customer replied, 550?

Duyvejonck, who was being held Wednesday on a $40,000 bond in Scott County Jail, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing Aug. 1 in Scott County Court.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Baton Rouge is making a bold push to breathe new life into some major roadways in the city, specifically Florida Boulevard, Plank Road, and Scenic Highway corridors.

Redevelopment agency Build Baton Rouge (BBR) is accepting proposals on a rolling basis to draw developers and development ideas for projects. BBR President and CEO Deidre Robert said its important that proposals meet community needs.

We facilitate economic development, redevelopment projects, and revitalization projects, and so last week we were happy to launch two RFPS, one request for proposal on a rolling basis for the Plank Road Corridor as well as the Scenic Highway Corridor, Robert explained.

Plank Road and Scenic Highway corridors

According to BBR, the rolling Request for Proposals (RFP) aims to attract developers and partners to lead projects, including affordable housing, mixed-use projects, and community facilities, along Plank Road and Scenic Highway corridors. Robert said there is a goal to honor legacy and local culture while looking to the future.

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Five years ago, we completed the Imagine Plank Road planning process with the community, and were still committed to bringing that vision to life, said BBR Board Chair Rodney Braxton. This RFP is about turning momentum into action. Its about building on the foundation that neighbors, stakeholders, and this agency laid together, and inviting new partners to join us in moving these projects from paper to reality.

New food and drink shops coming to former CVS Pharmacy in Baton Rouge. See what and when

The agency said these corridors have seen improvements from the $53 million Bus Rapid Transit system, the parks and recreation agencys greenway restoration, the new Erie Street Eco Park, and the Southern University Cadence Innovation District.

Scenic Highway, a very long time ago, used to be a corridor where we had auto dealerships, the largest auto dealership here was there, and so we know those corridors were centers for our communities and for our businesses. And so that is complementary and fits into the North Baton Rouge space very well, Robert said.

Florida Boulevard Corridor

BBR said a rolling Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) was released to get early-stage development ideas for projects. Developers, investors, and nonprofits can submit proposals for housing, commercial, and community-focused projects that align with the 2024 master plan.

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New businesses and facilities have recently been developed at the Florida Corridor, including the Amazon Fulfillment Center, Rouses, and ALDI stores. Braxton said in a statement that the RFEI shows action, not just planning. In addition, he said its time to bring in partners who understand the possibilities.

We are already seeing the signs of what that corridor can be, and we look forward to seeing it through, Robert said.

Executive director of new Office of Louisiana Highway Construction named

Latest News

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  Law enforcement agencies across two counties worked together last week to track down a burglary suspect who allegedly endangered authorities during a high-speed pursuit.

The situation unfolded during the early morning hours on Wednesday, July 16. According to officials, a man  later identified as 20-year-old Jazavious McLemore of Columbia  broke into a Mapco on Liberty Pike in Franklin, stealing lottery cards and cash.

From there, the Brentwood Police Department confirmed McLemore went to a vape shop on Moores Lane. Video shows the man pulling a small hammer out of his pants and trying to smash through the glass at Vape O Smoke, but when the glass didnt shatter, the man ran into the darkness.

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News 2 spoke to Vape O Smoke owner Fady Hennis, who said he owns several vape shops in the area. He credited law enforcement for catching the suspect so quickly.

Hennis described the video he watched of the attempted break-in at his store, saying, He would have a hammer in his underwear, a small hammer, and he tried to break the glass. He swings the hammer three times, but the glass, thank God, doesnt break.

Woman shot after bear spray used during fight in North Nashville

Shortly after the vape shop incident, deputies from the Williamson County Sheriffs Office spotted the suspect vehicle at the Brentwood Place shopping plaza.

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As seen in dash camera footage from multiple vehicles, the suspect drove wildly  sometimes at speeds over 100 mph  during the chase. At one point, McLemore brake checked deputies at high speed, reportedly to cause a collision.

He intentionally tried to run one of our deputies off the road at over 100 miles an hour. He also swerved at several officers who were trying to lay spikes to try to slow this pursuit down, WCSO Capt. Jesse Williams told News 2.

Because of the danger, Williamson County authorities terminated the pursuit, but Maury County law enforcement took over.

Body camera footage from McLemores arrest in a Columbia home shows the suspect walking down the stairs and into the front yard in handcuffs. Officials said he was hiding in the attic.

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CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee

The Williamson County Sheriffs Office is super grateful to Franklin police, Brentwood police, Maury County [Sheriffs Department], Spring Hill PD, and Columbia PD for their help in this incident, Williams said.

McLemore is being held in the Williamson County jail, charged with three counts of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, speeding, criminal attempt to commit burglary, possession of burglary tools.

According to the Nashville-Davidson County District Attorneys office, McLemore was arrested earlier this year and charged with aggravated assault involving strangulation. A spokesperson for the DAs office said the case was dismissed when the victim didnt show up for court.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Federal authorities have dropped a criminal investigation into Jesse Powell, co-founder and former CEO of cryptocurrency exchange Kraken.

The FBI investigation, which began in 2023, was looking into the non-profit Verge Center for the Arts' allegations that Powell hacked its computer accounts and obstructed access to emails. His home was also searched when the investigation began and computers, laptops and cellphones were seized at the time, the New York Times reported last year.

In April this year, federal prosecutors informed Powell's attorney Brandon Fox that the government had concluded its investigation into the Verge allegations and it was not bringing criminal charges against Powell, documents filed to the Superior Court of the State of California on Monday showed. Prosecutors also said at the time they would return the devices they had seized from Powell's home, Fox said.

On June 9, his lawyer later received a letter from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of California confirming that the federal government had closed this investigation on April 8 this year. Fox initially asked for this letter to be sent to Powell.

The FBI's raid on my house was devastating both personally and professionally. It is still shocking that the raid was premised on Verge Center for the Arts baseless accusations against me," Powell said in a statement.

"I will continue to pursue the appropriate legal remedies against those who created this disaster by making false statements to law enforcement, he added.

The closure of the case comes as Kraken weighs the possibility of an initial public offering by the first quarter of 2026. Powell stepped down as the exchange's CEO in 2023 according to his LinkedIn, but remains on its board of directors.

Kraken remains one of the largest U.S.-based crypto exchanges and has been the target of increased regulatory scrutiny in recent years. In 2023, it settled with the Securities and Exchange Commission and shut its U.S. staking services.

Parts of this article was generated with assistance from AI tools and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our standards. For more information, see CoinDesks full AI Policy.
BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak on Wednesday rescinded an order requiring advance approval by the Mayors Office of any press releases from the Burlington Police Department.

Mulvaney-Stanak originally issued that order in January in response to her concerns about the departments public information policy, also known as DD 30, which had not been updated since 2010. After the police commission approved an update Tuesday, the mayor decided that reviewing police statements was no longer necessary.

Mayor to appoint new head of Church Street Marketplace

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I am grateful for the work done by Interim Chief Shawn Burke and members of the Burlington Police Commission to prioritize updates to DD 30, said Mulvaney-Stanak. The updates to DD 30 reflect our shared commitment to community safety and transparency with the public.

The full text of DD 30 can be downloaded at the link below. Among the updates are changes to protect the privacy of victims of sex crimes and domestic assault, and a change to specify that police should not release peoples dates of birth, even though they may release their age.

DD 30  Public Information DirectiveDownload

The Burlington Police Department posts press releases on its website. It also has an active social media presence on Facebook and Instagram.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
The terrorist behind the Bat Yam and Holon bus bombings was arrested in Nablus after a 19-hour manhunt, with explosives linked to the attack found and destroyed during the operation.

The terrorist Abd al-Karim Sanubar, who was responsible for the Bat Yam and Holon bus bombings on February 20, was arrested in a joint operation by the IDF, Shin Bet, and Border Police early on Wednesday.

The terrorist was reportedly found dressed as a woman in Nablus, according to Israeli media.

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Israels security forces have been following Sanubar for months, and he was apprehended after being injured in an explosion in a building on Tuesday, which the IDF stated he may have caused.

The explosion led Israeli forces to his location, and teams began an overnight manhunt that lasted approximately 19 hours.

During the search, forces located and destroyed multiple ready-to-use explosives that the terrorist had in the building he bombed, as well as in the surrounding area.

Dismantling the explosives cache belonging to the terrorist, July 23 2025 (CREDIT: IDF SPOKESPERSON).

The arrest represents a significant operational and intelligence achievement, following ongoing intelligence efforts of the IDF and Shin Bet, including a series of operations in the field, and ultimately led to the apprehension of the terrorist, the military said in a joint statement with the security agency.

Sanubar's driver was indicted in March

In March, an indictment was filed against R., a 47-year-old resident of Holon, for allegedly transporting Sanubar to the buses.

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During questioning, R. admitted to transporting the terrorist but claimed he was unaware of his identity. Following the indictment, a judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to prove R. knowingly assisted a terrorist. As a result, he was released under house arrest.

An initial assessment of the bombings in February from the security establishment was that the plan for the attack came from Iran, and was carried out by Hamas terrorists from the West Bank.

It is unclear if Sanubar is affiliated with Hamas.
Poland plans to extend the checks at its borders with Germany and Lithuania, Cabinet member Tomasz Siemoniak said on Thursday.

Under the rules of the Schengen area, the border checks - which began on July 7 - should expire after an initial 30 days, he told TVN24 television.

"They will certainly be extended," he added.

Siemoniak has been interior minister since May 2024 but is being replaced by Marcin Kierwinski as part of a major Cabinet reshuffle. He is to remain coordinator of the special services and responsible for irregular migration.

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In the first two weeks of the measures, the Polish border guard said it had turned away 100 people who were trying to enter the country irregularly from Germany or Lithuania.

Spot checks have been carried out on around 280,000 people and 134,200 vehicles since July 7, the border guard wrote on X on Wednesday.

In his television interview, Siemoniak said Russia and Belarus are weaponizing migration as part of their hybrid attack on Poland and the European Union.

"The migrants fly to Moscow with Russian visas. Then they are taken by bus to the Polish border, where the Belarusian authorities tell them what to do," he said. "And then they try to enter Poland."

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Poland introduced the checks in response to German border controls, which have been in place since October 2023.

The government in Warsaw was under pressure from right-wing vigilante groups, which claimed that Germany was sending refugees to Poland. These groups began their own patrols on the border in an attempt to find irregular migrants.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  Calhoun Community College announced the launch of the first respiratory training program for students in the Rocket City.

The launch of the new program is in response to North Alabamas growing demand for respiratory therapists. Now students will be able to pursue an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Respiratory Therapy.

Beginning this fall, students will be able to pursue this program at Calhouns Huntsville campus.

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According to Ken Kirkland, Calhouns Dean of Health Sciences, the accelerated five-semester program was created by a Respiratory Therapy Advisory Committee made up of representatives from more than 20 local healthcare employers, all of whom are actively seeking qualified respiratory therapists.

As active members of the Alabama Society for Respiratory Care and national organizations, our faculty are committed to shaping the next generation of respiratory therapists through industry-informed instruction and real-world experience, said Emily Russell, Calhouns Director of Clinical Education.

Graduates of this program will be eligible to sit for the National Board of Respiratory Care (NBRC) certification exams, which are required for licensure to practice as a respiratory therapist.

This program represents a major step forward in meeting the urgent need for trained respiratory therapy professionals throughout our region, said Christy Goodwin, Calhouns Respiratory Therapy Director. We are incredibly grateful to our clinical partners who have opened their doors to provide real-world, hands-on learning opportunities for our students, Goodwin added.

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This newest addition to Calhouns academic programs reinforces our mission of providing access to high-demand, high-wage healthcare careers, and it also reflects our commitment to strengthening the regional healthcare workforce, said Ken Kirkland.

For more information about the Respiratory Therapy program, click here, or contact the Health Sciences division at (256)-890-4700.

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The California Legislature is advancing Senate Bill 771, which would have a chilling effect on free speech on social media. Under the bill, which sits in the state Assembly after being passed by the Senate in May, large social media companies will be subject to legal challenges and fines if their algorithms "relay content to users" that violates the state's civil rights protections, such as hate speech. Platforms that knowingly violate the law could face fines up to $1 million. The bill would also implement a separate "civil penalty" fine of up to $500,000 for reckless violations.

The Legislature says the bill is needed because of a rise in documented hate crimes. It cites a report by the Human Rights Campaign that found "anti-LGBTQ+ disinformation and harmful rhetoric" increased by 400 percent following the passage of Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill in 2022, as well as a report by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations that found that "hate crimes involving anti-immigrant slurs increased by 31 percent" in FY 2024, the highest number since tracking began in 2007.

The bill additionally cites the Anti-Defamation League's 2024 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, which found an 893 percent increase in antisemitic incidents over the previous 10 years, and a 2023 study by nonprofit Global Witness, which found that paid advertisements promoting violence toward women were placed and distributed across social media platforms.

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The bill says it isn't intended "to regulate speech or viewpoint but to clarify that social media platforms, like all other businesses, may not knowingly use their systems to promote, facilitate, or contribute to conduct that violates state civil rights laws." In reality, the bill would punish social media companies for user speech protected under the First Amendment, Shoshana Weissmann, director of digital media at the R Street Institute, explains to Reason.

"This bill includes algorithms where new posts are shown first or posts shown are only from the people one follows, without further customization," she says. "Under this bill, any form of showing content to users would make the companies liable for user speech. This obviously makes no sense."

It also does not explain how social media companies can knowingly promote hate. "Under the law, 'knowingly' seems to include anytime the platform uses an algorithm," she adds.

By only penalizing companies with $100 million or more in annual gross profits, the bill may, ironically, promote more extreme speech online. Weissmann points to smaller social media platforms such as 4chan, which has a reputation for hosting more extreme content than larger companies but would be exempt from enforcement under the bill.

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Enforcement questions aside, the bill is sure to face scrutiny under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which largely protects platforms from being held liable for user speech.

"There have been many bills that attempt to get around First Amendment and Section 230 complications with compelling platforms to curtail user speech by targeting algorithms. There are many issues with doing soincluding the fact that algorithms are also speech," Weissmann says.

Despite the bill saying it is not intended "to regulate speech or viewpoint," S.B. 771 will likely chill free speech by incentivizing platforms to increase moderation of their users to avoid fines and legal liability. While reducing hateful speech online may be a worthwhile goal, punishing social media companies for users' speech is the wrong way to do it.

The post California Is Advancing a Bill To Punish Social Media Companies for Not Suppressing Speech appeared first on Reason.com.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  As families prepare for the 2025-2026 school year to begin, state and county health officials are asking parents to make sure their children are vaccinated.

The Association of Bay Area Health Officials wrote, Vaccines are safe, effective, and a routine part of preventative healthcare that protect against serious and infectious diseases.

San Francisco Health Officer Dr. Susan Philip said, Diseases such as measles, whooping cough, and polio are preventable thanks to vaccines that have been proven to be safe and effective. Vaccines keep our children healthy so they can learn and thrive at school.

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Children in California are required to receive certain immunizations to attend public and private elementary and secondary schools, childcare centers, family day care homes, nursery schools, pre-kindergarten facilities. Vaccines for COVID-19 are not required in public schools, but California law requires students to receive other immunizations in order to attend.

Bay Area health officials push for measles vaccination

Dr. Lisa Hernandez, Santa Cruz County Health Officer, said, Vaccines are among our most

effective tools to ensure that every child has the chance to grow up healthy and safe.

Parents are encouraged to check their childs vaccination records with their doctor. The CDPHs ShotsforSchool webpage includes information about immunization laws.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Video above: This Nexstar Media video provides safety tips for those visiting national parks.

(FOX 5/KUSI)  Planning a camping trip to one of Californias most iconic state parks just got a lot easier. The California Department of Parks and Recreation announced Thursday a series of customer-focused upgrades to its reservation system aimed at simplifying the way visitors search and book campsites.

Outdoor adventurists can now view nearly real-time campsite availability directly on Parks.ca.gov, the official website for California State Parks. Previously, this information was only accessible through ReserveCalifornia.com. While reservations will still be completed through the Reserve California website, the integration with the main site is designed to make trip planning more seamless and intuitive, according to state park officials.

Screenshot of new integrated reservation availability on State Parks webpage.

Californias state parks are home to some of the worlds best campgrounds, and we want to make it as easy as possible to find your perfect campsite, said State Parks Director Armando Quintero. Whether you prefer camping among the Redwoods, steps away from the ocean or high up in the mountains, your next state parks adventure is just a few clicks away.

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Hike to the worlds largest wooden trestle bridge  its in Southern California

In addition to the website, California State Parks is expanding its popular reservation drawings, or lottery system, to include more in-demand campgrounds. After a successful pilot program at Mount Tamalpais State Park, drawings are now being introduced at Malibu Creek State Park starting this month, with Morro Bay State Park and McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park to follow later this summer.

Steep Ravine Cabins, perched on the cliffs of Mount Tamalpais, are now part of the lottery-style reservation. (Photo by Brian Baer/Courtesy of California State Parks Department)

The free lottery-style system is designed to give more people a fair shot at booking the states most sought-after campsites, officials explained. Since launching in 2023, the reservation drawings have seen more than 100,000 entries for the Steep Ravines Cabins at Mount Tamalpais, showing just how many people are interested in the popular campground.

Campers can enter drawings and check availability through the Reserve California website. For more information on how the drawing system works, visitors can refer to the Reservation Drawing FAQs.

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With these new features, California State Parks hopes to make it easier for both residents and out-of-state visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the Golden State  whether for a quick weekend getaway or full-blown outdoor vacation.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A California utility provider is sounding the alarm after more than 2,500 scam reports have poured in this year alone. PG&E says scammers are impersonating its employees in highly aggressive phone calls.

The caller ID may even say PG&E, and the person on the line sounds calm and professional. They claim youve missed a payment and demand immediate action  often using Zelle, a prepaid card or another untraceable method. If you dont comply, they threaten to cut your power within the hour.

Its a nightmare scenario for anyone already stressed about bills. And its working: around 250 Bay Area residents have fallen victim this year, losing an average of about $900 each. Thats over $225,000 in confirmed losses, and officials suspect many more people paid up but never reported it.

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They're very slick and very deceptive. PG&E spokesman Jason King told KGO News. They continue to refine their tactics.

Don't miss

How to spot and stop the scam

Scammers thrive on pressure and panic. Their goal is to make you act before you think.

Real utility companies like PG&E have clear, consistent billing procedures. They dont demand immediate payment or threaten disconnection without warning. They also wont ask you to pay using gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, or apps like Zelle or Venmo.

If you get a suspicious call:

Hang up immediately. Dont engage.

Call the number on your utility bill or PG&Es official website to confirm your account status.

Never give out personal or payment information unless youve verified the caller.

If someone shows up at your door:

Ask for official photo ID  real employees will have it.

Refuse entry if you feel unsure and call the utility directly.

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PG&E urges customers to slow down, verify before paying, and report any suspicious behavior.

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

Why utility scams are so common  and so successful

Utility impostor scams are big businesses. The Federal Trade Commission says Americans lost over $2.9 billion to impostor scams in 2024 alone. Utility scams alone had a median loss of $463 per victim, per the Better Business Bureau.

What makes these scams so effective is the emotional pressure. Nobody wants their power shut off, especially in a household with children, elderly relatives, or medical needs.

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While scammers often target elderly and vulnerable populations, customers in all age groups are reporting utility impostor scam incidents that take place online, on the phone, and in person, said Monica Martinez, Executive Director of Utilities United Against Scams.

Scammers also know how to exploit technology. They spoof caller ID, copy logos, and mirror real billing language to create a sense of legitimacy. Once theyve created panic and established authority, they push for payment using untraceable methods, ensuring they cant be caught.

What to do if youve been scammed

Unfortunately, recovering money from a utility scam can be difficult, but there are steps you can take.

If youve sent money to a scammer:

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Contact your bank or card issuer immediately. Explain youve been scammed and ask if the payment can be reversed or frozen.

Report the incident to PG&E. They may not be able to refund your money, but they track scam patterns and coordinate with law enforcement.

File a police report. This helps with bank claims and contributes to broader investigations.

Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission.

Tell others. Share your experience with friends, neighbors, and on social media. Raising awareness is one of the best ways to prevent future scams.

These scams rely on secrecy. By speaking up, you help protect your community.

What to read next

Stay in the know. Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise sent straight to your inbox every week for free. Subscribe now.

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Here's the cure

I can tell from reading Its Your Call that there are a lot of people in St. Joseph with Trump Derangement Syndrome. You know, that can be cured if you watch FOX News every now and then and quit listening to the national news media and do a little thinking on your own.

Completely agree

I completely agree with Keith Evans letter to the editor, No way to run a democracy, that was published in the Weekender on July 20. This is no way to run a democracy, and our representatives should be taken to task for voting for the so-called Big Beautiful Bill. It's certainly fiscally irresponsible to add $3.4 trillion to the deficit, and trading tax cuts for the rich for Medicaid cuts to the poor is truly, morally reprehensible. And even worse is Hawleys latest hypocrisy on now wanting to submit a bill to protect Medicaid and reduce those cuts. That's a hoax, of course. That bill will never pass, and he knows it.

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A few more examples

It's me again: the grammar freak. Here are examples from Wednesdays It's Your Call. Suburbs isn't building new hotels. Another one, There is not enough housing places. The list are terrible. Should I give up?

Help the senior citizens

I'm calling in regard to the call-in in today's paper, Please help us. I agree 1000% with that person. There needs to be more affordable housing for senior citizens of St. Joseph, Missouri. It's nice to build hotels for visitors, but let's take care of the senior citizens that have lived in St. Joe for most of their life, or will continue to live in St. Joseph during their senior years. They need affordable housing. Hotels are fine, but let's take care of our seniors citizens every day, just not for a few days out of the month or the year. Please, let's get some help for the senior citizens of St. Joseph.
By Pete Schroeder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Federal Reserve continued work on its comprehensive effort to rewrite bank rules with a daylong conference at its headquarters on Tuesday.

At the conference in Washington, regulatory officials, bankers, industry lawyers and other experts discussed a range of tougher bank rules put in place after the 2008 financial crisis, and ways to refine them. The outcome could save large banks billions of dollars in capital costs, which they argue would free them to engage in more lending and other activities, but skeptics warn could make banks less resilient in future shocks.

"We need to ensure that all the different pieces of the capital framework work together effectively. Doing so will help maintain a safe, sound, and efficient banking system, for the benefit of the people we serve," Fed Chair Jerome Powell said in introductory remarks.

The event was pushed by Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman, who stepped into the U.S. central bank's top regulatory post in June after being nominated for the role by President Donald Trump. Bowman, a member of the Fed's Board of Governors since 2018, has charted an ambitious agenda to reconsider a raft of longstanding bank requirements.

The conference tackled nearly every major bank capital requirement imposed by the Fed and other U.S. bank regulators following the crisis 17 years ago, including leverage requirements, additional surcharges imposed on large global banks, and annual "stress tests" of large bank finances.

Banks have increasingly complained over the years that the rules have become unnecessarily onerous and outdated, which has helped push financial activity out of the traditional banking sector into less heavily regulated non-banks.

"It's really about striking that balance between economic growth and safety and soundness," said Sheara Fredman, chief accounting officer at Goldman Sachs.

Many of those rules are being rewritten by regulators, or officials have discussed potential changes.

The industry garnered a major victory last year when it effectively sidelined an effort to overhaul how banks gauge their risk known as the "Basel III endgame," which would have drastically raised large banks' capital requirements. Banks intensely lobbied against the initiative, which was pushed by Bowman's predecessor, Fed Governor Michael Barr.

On Tuesday, much of the conversation was aimed at how remaining rules could be changed to ease bank burdens, including by advancing a new version of the Basel framework that minimizes the capital impact of new risk measurements.

(Editing by Paul Simao)
OTTAWA (Reuters) -The Canadian government said on Wednesday that Israeli military operations against civilians and aid workers in Gaza were unacceptable, and called for the immediate resumption of U.N.-led aid distribution in the war-torn enclave.

"Israeli military operations against WHO staff and facilities, World Food Programme aid convoys, & the ongoing killing of Palestinians seeking urgently needed food and water are unacceptable," the Canadian foreign ministry said on X.

"Hunger in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels ... Canada calls for the immediate resumption at scale of UN-led aid," the ministry added.

(Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Candace Owens has a way of getting people's attention and this time she caught the attention of the president of France in a big way.

The Nashville-based conservative talking head is being sued by French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte, after stating multiple times during a video series that the first lady of France is biologically male. The Macrons filed a defamation lawsuit in Delaware on July 23, which stems from Owens' six-part video series called Becoming Brigitte, which aired earlier this year.

Owens has doubled down on her claims by referring to Brigitte Macron as the first lady man of France.

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This was really a last resort, lead counsel in the Macrons' lawsuit Tom Clare told CNN. We have attempted to engage with (Owens) for the last yearputting evidence in front of her, request after request after request that she just simply do the right thing.

Clare went on to say that the requests were ignored.

Here's what to know about Owens.

Who is Candace Owens?

Owens is a far-right conservative talking head who has made her name via podcasts and her right-leaning political YouTube channel which has about 4.5 million subscribers. But before she became a harsh critic of Democrats, feminism and groups like Black Lives Matter, she defined herself as a liberal.

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In 2015, Owens was the CEO of the now-defunct site Degree180 and wrote a blog that included several posts that bashed Trump, whom she now supports firmly. Her political leanings changed and she has now been embraced in conservative politics.

In recent years, Owens has been called out for making false claims about transgender people, downplaying antisemitism and white nationalism in America. But she has kept a status as right-wing darling for her views on them and Planned Parenthood, feminism, and the welfare system.

How old is Candace Owens?

Owens was born on April 29, 1989, and is 36 years old.

Who is Candace Owens' husband?

Candace Owens is married to George Farmer, a British native. The two met in 2018 while Owens was working for Turning Point USA and Farmer worked for Turning Point UK. The two got engaged 17 days after they met.

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I was actually flying to South Africa at the time for New Year's and I called her and I just said, Listen, I know this is completely crazy, and we've just met but, how do you feel about getting married to me? Just real quick, Farmer said during an Australian podcast with professor Matt Fradd during an episode of Pints With Aquinas.

The two were married at Trump Winery in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2019.

Is Candace Owens from Tennessee?

No, she is originally from White Plains, New York, and grew up in Stamford, Connecticut. She and her husband, George Farmer, now live in Nashville with their four children.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Who is Candace Owens? Right-wing influencer sued by French president
Left: Candace Owens in 2022. Right: Brigitte Macron in 2017. Credit - Jason DavisGetty Images; Guillaume ColletSIPA/AP

The life of Candace Owens, it works like this, said the popular right-wing commentator on her podcast on Wednesday. I wake up, I stretch, I have a cup of coffee, and then I am served with a lawsuit.

Owens explained that she had just been sued by the first lady man of France, repeating her contentious claim that Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, was born male.

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Its a claim that Owens previously said I would stake my entire professional reputation onand which she may now have to, as the Macrons seek to take Owens to trial, filing a 219-page complaint before a Delaware court on Wednesday that alleges she has subjected them to a campaign of global humiliation.

Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron arrive for a state visit in England on July 9, 2025. Emmanuel Macron was elected President of France in 2017. Alberto PezzaliPool/Getty Images

The Macrons are represented by Clare Locke, a law firm that specializes in high-profile reputation cases and is perhaps best known for serving as co-counsel for Dominion Voting Systems in its historic $787 million settlement against Fox News over the cable networks 2020 election lies.

The complaint against Owens requests not-yet-specified actual, presumed, and punitive monetary damages and such other and additional remedies as the Court may deem just and proper.

This was really a last resort, lead counsel Tom Clare told CNN about the lawsuit. We have attempted to engage with [Owens] for the last yearputting evidence in front of her, request after request after request that she just simply do the right thing. Clare said these attempts were ignored. Enough is enough.

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Owens response, however, suggests the saga will not end anytime soon.

I am fully prepared to take on this battle, Owens said. On behalf of the entire world, I will see you in court.

What the Macrons lawsuit says

In the complaint, which included 99 pages of allegations of fact and outlined 22 alleged counts of defamation and false light, the Macrons claim that Owens has endorsed, manufactured, and promoted a series of false statements about them, including that Brigitte Macron was born a man and transitioned to identify as a woman, that Brigitte Macron statutorily raped a young Emmanuel Macron, that the two are related and engaged in incest, and that the Macrons have abused their power to conceal their scandalous pasts. The lawsuit states that all such claims are demonstrably false and defamatory and alleges that Owens knowingly laundered the falsities in pursuit of fame.

The lawsuit cites a number of pieces of evidenceincluding photos of a young Brigitte, a contemporaneous newspaper announcement of her birth, and the fact she gave birth to three children with her first husbandto refute Owens claims.

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It also takes aim at Owens credibility, pointing to her career of routinely peddling misinformation under the guise of legitimate reporting and saying that she built a brand on provocation, not truth. Owens, who previously worked as communications director for the conservative activist organization Turning Point USA and was fired for antisemitism from the conservative media site The Daily Wire last year, has millions of followers on X and YouTube.

The complaint argues that Owens monetized her allegedly defamatory claims about the Macrons, including by selling merchandise such as a shirt displaying Brigitte Macron on a fake TIME magazine Man of the Year cover.

The lawsuit highlights that Owens was sent a detailed retraction demand letter in December that conclusively disproved her claims about the Macrons but Owens still went on to produce an eight-part video series titled Becoming Brigitte in which she continued to peddle false claims. Owens, according to the complaint, misrepresented the letter to her followers and suggested that the Macrons were attempting to intimidate her, which she cited as inspiration for producing the series, which was aggressively monetized and used to elevate her personal brand.

Her conduct reveals a clear motive to generate controversy for financial and reputational gain, the complaint alleges. She will say anything, regardless of how outrageous or unfounded, to attract attention, build her platform, and achieve notoriety.

Candace Owens is seen on the set of her show in Nashville, Tenn., in April 2022. Jason DavisGetty Images

The lawsuit claims overwhelming evidence of actual malice, a standard required to be proved clearly and convincingly by plaintiffs in order for a defamation case to overcome First Amendment protections. In addition to her response to the retraction demand letter, financial motivations, and political bias, it cites Owens reliance on non-credible sources to promote an inherently improbable conspiracy theory.

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The complaint references a ruling by a court in France last September that found two of Owens sourcesso-called clairvoyant Amandine Roy and amateur detective Natacha Reyliable for libel for spreading false claims about Brigitte Macron and her brother. An appeals court overturned the convictions earlier this month, though the complaint against Owens notes that the ruling did not overturn the judgment on the basis that the statements were true but rather because it believed the defendants made the claims in good faith. That case has been appealed by Macron to Frances highest court.

In summarizing the reputational and emotional harm the French leader and his wife have suffered, the complaint says that Owens allegedly defamatory statements caused numerous individuals who heard or read themboth those who had held the Macrons in high regard and those who otherwise would have, as well as those with no awareness or opinion of the Macronsto view them with contempt, to hold them in low regard, and to avoid associating or doing business with them, and to encourage others to avoid associating or doing business with them as well. As a result, it added, relationships with other members of the government, potential political allies, and others as well as confidence in the Macrons integrity and fitness as political and governmental leaders have been undermined.

And the devastating reach has been global, the complaint asserts, invoking Owens own statement in a March podcast episode: This is not just viral in France, viral in America, viral in the UK, the story, its even viral in Russia. People are now considering it as a part of their political dialogue and analyses.

The Macrons described the spread of Owens false statements by other media personalities and influencers, including Joe Rogan, who is widely described as the most popular podcaster in the world. On March and April episodes of his show, which has 20 million subscribers on YouTube, Rogan said he believed Owens claims. Yeah, Brigitte Macrons a man. She got me hook, line, and sinker, Rogan said of Owens, noting that if her claims were false she would be getting sued right nowthey would sue her.

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Owens herself had also practically dared the Macrons to sue her, according to the complaint, telling them after the December retraction to bring it. Ill run down to the courthouse and file the lawsuit for you, Owens said. I might even cover your legal expenses.

How Owens has responded to the Macrons lawsuit

Since the complaint was filed, Owens has only doubled down, even using it to promote her Becoming Brigitte series.

In a 52-minute podcast episode with a sharecard that advertised This tookballs, Owens insisted: If you need any more evidence that Brigitte Macron is definitely a man, it is just what is happening right now. The idea that you would file this lawsuit is all of the proof that you need.

She continued to label Brigitte Macron a groomer and pedophile, referencing how the couple met when Emmanuel Macron was a student and Brigitte was then his teacher. Brigitte was 39 years old at the time, while Owens claims Emmanuel was 14, though the Macrons have long said he was 15, which is the age of consent in France. At all times, the teacher-student relationship between Mrs. Macron and President Macron remained within the bounds of the law, the complaint stated.

The Macrons attend the annual Bastille Day military parade in Paris on July 14, 2015. They reportedly met in 1993 and married in 2007. Pascal RossignolPool/Reuters/AFP/Getty Images

Owens minimized the complaints accusation of relentless bullying, asking How old are you? Are you five years old? Really? At the same time, she claimed the defamation lawsuit was a form of bullying and defamation against her.

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Youre trying to delegitimize the reporting by smearing my character, she said, before reading from the complaint. Heres one: She has promoted a range of conspiracy theories, including anti-vaccine falsehoods, longdebunked antisemitic tropes such as blood libel, and Holocaust distortion  None of that is true. None of that is true, Owens responded.

Fire everybody around you, and I mean literally everyone around you, who told you that this was a good idea. That this was a very good idea for you to be the first sitting first lady of a country to file a lawsuit against a journalist of another country, Owens said, calling the lawsuit a catastrophic PR strategy.

Youre defaming me because you dont want people to continue to watch the series. But Im sorry, my friend, the train has left the station, Owens said. Its not going to work, OK? You've met your match.

Were not going to shut up. Youre not going to bully us. Frankly, I find this all to be irresistible and delicious, Owens said. She then claimed that in the legal proceedings that may follow she would even try to depose President Donald Trump, who Owens said called her earlier this year to say he personally confronted the French President about questions surrounding his wifes gender. Owens also said that her lawyer would be able to sit across and ask Brigitte Macron questions about her penis and Brigitte would then be compelled for the first time to answer them under oath.

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Owens railed against what she called the perverts that run the world and a sadistic syndicate, and she suggested that the only conceivable way she could lose in court is because of corruption masterminded by liberal elites. I think Hunter Biden kind of notoriously implied that his family controls the courts in Delaware. That is true. Maybe thats what theyre banking on.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, are suing right-wing podcaster Candace Owens over claims she made that the first lady was born a man.

The defamation lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Delaware Superior Court, is seeking an unspecified amount of damages from Owens, who alleged in an eight-part series called Becoming Brigitte that Frances first lady stole another persons identity before transitioning to a woman.

Owens claimed Macron was born Jean-Michel Trogneux, the name of her older brother.

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She spread the allegations in podcasts, YouTube videos and social media posts, and also sold merchandise promoting the claim.

The Macrons have asked Owens multiple times for retractions since December, but she has continued to repeat the outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions, the lawsuit says.

These lies have caused tremendous damage to the Macrons ... (subjecting them) to a campaign of global humiliation, turning their lives into fodder for profit-driven lies, the suit states. Owens has dissected their appearance, their marriage, their friends, their family and their personal history  twisting it all into a grotesque narrative designed to inflame and degrade. The result is relentless bullying on a worldwide scale.

The complaint includes 22-counts against Owens and her business entities. The Macrons claim she published her defamatory statements with actual malice, meaning she recklessly and knowingly released false information.

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In response to the lawsuit, Owens indicated she has no plans to retract her statements or stop spreading her allegations.

This is a foreign government attacking the First Amendment rights of an American independent journalist, a spokesperson for Owens said, according to CBS News. Candace repeatedly requested an interview with Brigitte Macron. Instead of offering a comment, Brigitte is resorting to trying to bully a reporter into submission. In France, politicians can bully journalists, but this is not France. Its America.

Owens also posted about the lawsuit on her Instagram Story, captioning a photo of the Macrons with I will be coming for this wig today. Stay tuned.

The Macrons sued two French women for spreading similar claims in 2022. The women were acquitted and the case is now headed to a higher court on appeal.

_____
Elizabeth Accomando, a Republican candidate seeking to unseat incumbent Republican County Commissioner Sara Baxter, has called on Baxter to be more transparent about her use of Sheriff deputies to accompany her to private and public events.

The Palm Beach Post recently reported that for the six-month period ending in January, the cost to taxpayers was more than $20,000. No other county commissioner in recent years has requested PBSO security protection on an on-going basis.

The press release issued by Accomando was in response to articles in the Palm Beach Post that disclosed the use of deputies to accompany Baxter to events she attends. It is not clear whether the deputies pick up Baxter and take her to events or whether she meets them at the events.

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More: It's 16 months away, but candidates are lining up to seek three County Commission seats

More: The taxpayer bill for county commissioner's extra PBSO security protection is more than $20k

Palm Beach County Commissioner Sara Baxter.

For the six months ending Jan. 15, 2025, there were 35 events in which they accompanied her.

Accomando said Baxter should release records of all of her trips, including emails, text messages, and phone records with the dates, times, locations and costs, related to the special security details, noting that many of these events have nothing to do with official county business.

It is still unclear who is paying for Sara Baxter's security; PBSO or Palm Beach County.

The latest media reports confirm what weve seen over the years and already know: Commissioner Baxter is fiscally irresponsible with taxpayer dollars. When she was asked for a list of the events and costs of having three sheriff deputies accompany her around town, half of her disclosures were missing. What is she hiding? She should be honest and release a full accounting of her wasteful spending. The taxpayers deserve transparency, Accomando said.

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Accomando claims that one of the events she omitted was her attendance at the Republican victory dinner in September at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel Casino. Another involved an event sponsored by Club 47 USA, a group created to support President Trumps agenda.

Baxter responded with the following statement:

"Threats to public officials are unfortunately becoming more and more frequent. I respect Sheriff Ric Bradshaw's judgment and always follow his office's guidance on proper security responses of violence my family and I have faced.

"We are blessed to have these courageous deputies protecting our families and community."

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Accomando also criticized Baxter for pushing for more and more spending, claiming it has become a pattern. She pointed to expending taxpayer taxpayer dollars to renovate her office to requesting $588,000 to hire more staff for county commissioners.

Accomando is president of the Indian Trail Improvement District. She has feuded with Baxter over whether multiple large tractor trailers should be permitted to be stored on residential lots in the Acreage area. Accomando opposes the practice; Baxter supports it.

Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government. You can reach him at mdiamond@pbpost.com. Help support local journalism. Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County Commissioner's opponent wants security costs details
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) The Candles Holocaust Museum will be hosting a meet and greet with actor Nik Pajic on July 26th at 5:00 p.m., and it is free to the public.

Pajic will be discussing how he learned and prepared for his role as Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie in the award-winning short film The Ice Cream Man. This short film is based on a true story. Barbie was known as the Butcher of Lyons because he tortured and killed thousands of Jewish people during World War Two.

Executive Director of the Candles Holocaust Museum, Troy Fears, is hoping people with several interests will all be able to come together under one roof and learn more about a very important time in human history.

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Jewish Motorcyclist Alliance visits the Wabash Valley

We hope to have people who are interested in World War 2, the holocaust, and even acting come in, maybe whove never come to Candles before, Fears said. They can come and check out the museum before he speaks and then hear from Nik, a theater-trained actor, about how he was able to transform himself and play this role. Just kind of take away his processes and just take away again how candles can relate to everyday people.

Fears also mentioned how Pajic is talking about him being from the Midwest and turning around into a villainous character in this film.

Were having Nik come in to talk about how he got into the role, how did he prepare to be such a villainous creature, Fears said. When you meet Nik, youll know hes a great guy. He hails from Cincinnati, a Midwest kid, but how he could go and play this role is really kind of what were going to be digging into on Saturday night.

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To learn more about this event and how to sign up for it, just visit the Candles Holocaust Museum website and go to their events 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.
DENVER (KDVR)  After nearly 20 years in business, a beloved Capitol Hill restaurant and bar is preparing to close its doors for good.

Cap City Tavern, located at 13th and Sherman, will pour its final round this Sunday. Owners Dino and Piper McTaggart say the decision comes after years of financial struggles brought on by rising costs, city fees, and declining foot traffic downtown.

Brunch restaurant with focus on reducing food waste announces closure, new plans

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This was my lifelong dream, Piper McTaggart said. We havent taken a salary in a year and a half, and we just got a huge tax bill. The writing was on the wall.

The owners say they feel let down by city leaders, citing ongoing issues with safety, homelessness, and a lack of support for small businesses in the downtown corridor.

There are people defecating and living in tents, Dino McTaggart said. People are afraid to come downtown.

Even Denver Mayor Mike Johnston acknowledged the loss during his 2025 State of the City address, calling it a wake-up call.

My wife Courtney and I discovered one of our local favorites, Cap City, will be closing after 20 years, Johnston said, pledging renewed efforts to revitalize the area and support local restaurants.

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The McTaggarts say theyre not stepping away from the food and beverage industry entirely  they still run Bannock Street Garage Bar, located just three blocks away. But they hope the closing of Cap City serves as a reminder to support local businesses while theyre still around.

If you love something downtown, that is independently owned  go there, Piper said.

Cap City Taverns last day of service is Sunday, July 28.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
Power transmission lines. (Photo by Ned Oliver/Virginia Mercury)

Regional electric grid operator PJM Interconnections capacity auction on Tuesday showed an incredible cost jump, breaking records from last year that led to major increases in bills for some consumers across the 13-state region  and setting the stage for rising electricity bills.

With higher costs on the horizon, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin joined governors from eight PJM states in a letter to the power provider, laying out their irritation with the transmission costs and grid reliability and asking for a say in who will fill the vacant seats on the decision making board.

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Youngkin signed the bipartisan letter asking for a meeting this week with PJM leaders to share the governors ideas of who should fill the two seats on the Board of Managers. The governors recommended people who are familiar with the energy crisis facing these states and could strengthen the publics trust.

How the capacity auction works and why higher energy bills are coming

Every year, PJM holds a capacity auction to allow companies to provide the estimated power demand in future years. PJM calculates how much power will be needed in high use days and adds some in reserve. Then, energy providers can bid to provide that power until PJM meets the target estimation. Those funds paid to the bidders come from consumers through their utility bills.

On Tuesday, PJM announced its capacity prices increased from $14.7 billion last year to $16.1 billion at this years auction, costs that will be paid by ratepayers in Virginia and the other 12 states in the grid operators coverage area, and Washington, D.C., in 2026 and 2027.

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Last year, PJM saw a massive jump in the capacity cost for most of the region from $28.92 megawatts a day to $269.92 MW a day. The results of the auction this year to cover the next two years came out to an increase to $329.17 MW per day. Sixty-five million customers in PJMs footprint could see an additional 5% increase in their bills.

Dominion Energy, which covers about 2.7 million customers in Virginia, was able to avoid the cost increase in 2024 due to the company generating a majority of its own energy, and the rest was mainly managed through wholesale power purchases in the PJM region. Other utilities were not as fortunate and some customers saw double digit dollar increases on their bills across the states. Dominion Spokesperson Aaron Ruby said capacity auction costs only amount to about $2 on a monthly bill.

In PJMs release about the results of the capacity auction, the organization said the peak load increased year to year by 5400 MW. This was largely driven by data centers, electrification and economic growth.

PJM stated it has worked through more than 60% of the transition backlog in its interconnection queue under new federal reforms with another 63,000 MW in projects slated for review in 2025 and 2026.

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While more than 46,000 MW of installed capacity of already-approved resources have yet to be built, many are navigating challenges outside PJMs scope, such as permitting timelines, supply chain constraints and evolving project economics, the agency stated in the release.

Governors, clean energy advocates sound off

Governors across most of PJMs coverage area are fed up with the cost of utilities continuing to grow and the transmission organization slow walking some energy project approval that could help support the grid, they said in the July 16 letter they sent to PJM.

We are deeply concerned that PJMs response has been typified by halting, inconsistent steps and rising internal conflicts within the stakeholder community that have recently culminated in the abrupt termination of two long-standing members of the Board of Managers and the imminent departure of the CEO, the letter stated.

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The letter was signed by the governors of Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Virginia. The governor of Ohio later sent a letter in support of the other governors requests. Two of those states, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, have recently threatened to leave PJM due to the high rise in energy costs and the slow process of getting more energy sources on the grid.

Virginia is the top energy importer in the country with 36% of the states power coming from other states in 2023. The state is also home to a third of the entire worlds power-thirsty data centers, which has created mounting challenges to provide affordable energy to consumers.

This is a factor that really influences a lot of the economic engines of their states. And so it makes total sense that they will want to have more engagement to ensure that states are real stakeholders in the process, said Julia Kortrey, deputy state policy director for Evergreen Action, a national climate change advocacy group.

The governors bashed PJM on its crisis of confidence from the states and consumers.

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At a time of rapidly rising load growth, PJMs multi-year inability to efficiently connect new resources to its grid and to engage in effective long-term transmission planning has deprived our states of thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in investment that may flow to other regions. Now these deficiencies threaten the bedrock reliability and affordability our consumers expect and deserve, the governors wrote.

Renewable energy advocacy organizations also weighed in on the issues following PJMs auction.

Despite repeated warnings from governors, advocates, and industry leaders, PJM continues to slow-walk clean, low-cost energy while doubling down on expensive, unreliable fossil fuels. This years auction is a historic and costly reminder for 65 million consumers that PJMs system is broken, Kortrey said.

Two seats are vacant on PJMs Board of Managers, which is tasked with making sure the agency is fulfilling its business, legal and regulatory requirements. It is also supposed to ensure PJM has a reliable grid and administers fair energy markets. The board has nine voting members who serve three-year terms. The PJM CEO sits on the board but does not vote.

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During the May 12 meeting of the board, two incumbent board members did not get enough votes from PJM members to maintain their seats. Members who get a vote in the board makeup are electric distributors, consumer advocate offices, generation owners, transmission owners, and other suppliers. The nine governors who signed the letter have a batch of candidates to fill the two open seats they feel would best understand the challenges the states are facing.

They must be individuals who understand the concerns of ratepayers facing rising costs and who will be ready to collaborate with the incoming CEO to instill a new, more collaborative and more effective ethos at PJM, the letter said.

They also ask for a public vote for the new members to bring transparency to the process. The chair of the Board of Managers, David Mills, sent a letter back to the governors explaining how the nominating committee makes their decisions for qualified candidates. He also appeared to take offense to some of the accusations the governors made about the energy provider in their letter.

PJMs work has recently been publicly recognized by the current and former chairs of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Our operators are keeping the lights on through some of the most challenging circumstances that any grid operator, anywhere, has faced in its history, Mills said in his response.

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He laid out ways PJM has taken steps to address the concerns brought up by the governors such as the Reliability Resource Initiative, temporary capacity market cap/floor construct, and other methods.

Representatives from the governors offices traveled to Pennsylvania for the July 23 meeting to share their thoughts on the nominating process for the board seats. This, just a day after PJM saw another record high year for its capacity auction costs.

The next auction for the 2027/2028 years will be in December of 2025.

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A collision between a car and a power pole blocked traffic in both directions Wednesday evening on state Route 162 in Sumner.

The crash occurred at milepost 0.29 near 75th Street Court East at 5:33 p.m., the state Department of Transportation posted on X.

Washington State Patrol spokesperson John Dattilo said that the road is blocked because of downed wires. The power company has been notified and the wait time for the road to be cleared will depend on them, he said.

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Troopers havent been notified of any major injuries and there have been no arrests as of now, he said to a reporter just before 6 p.m.

The state real-time travel map shows stop-and-go traffic extending on state Route 162 from around 80th Street East to Washington Street, with some backups spilling onto Main Street.
President Trump's 25?page America's AI Action Plan dropped midweek, and it's packed with 90 policy moves aimed at putting U.S. AI infrastructure into overdrive. The idea is simple: speed up permits for data centers and power plants, cut red tape that's slowing AI innovation, and ramp up AI tech exports to outflank China.

There's even a new review framework to sniff out algorithms pushing Chinese Communist Party talking points, plus free?speech rules to stop top?down ideological bias.

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On the environmental side, the plan carves out exceptions so data centers can break ground fastereven as energy demand and greenhouse gas worries climb. White House AI czar David Sacks says this is all about syncing public?private investment and nudging international AI bodies away from Beijing's influence.

If it works, we'll probably see a flood of new data centers, faster research breakthroughs, and U.S. standards setting the global pace. But not everyone's soldcritics argue the plan barely touches on AI's downsides or the environmental toll.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


Earnings fest is officially underway.

Sure, we are tracking comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell today, especially as they come during the Fed's blackout period and a fresh attack from Treasury Secretary Bessent.

And yes, markets are hovering around new records on the back of enthused retail investors.

But mixed earnings from General Motors (GM) and Coca-Cola (KO) this morning shed light on the challenges corporate America is having, thanks to President Trump's trade war.

Here is everything we touched on during Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid on Tuesday. Tune in live daily to Opening Bid at 9:30 a.m. ET.

The bull thesis in General Motors springs a leak

GM easily beat second quarter profit estimates and touted triple-digit sales growth in its EV business. But its reaffirmed profit outlook is causing some concern among investors.

GM warned that second-half volume will be lower than the first half, and it sees a $4 billion to $5 billion profit impact from Trump tariffs for the full year. In the second quarter, GM realized a $1.1 billion hit.

"While the tariff headlines continue to put further pressure on the bottom line for the foreseeable future, we believe Barra & Co. [CEO Mary Barra] continues to impressively navigate the complex backdrop successfully while seeing continued high demand for its entire fleet of EVs and ICE vehicles," Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said.

Coca-Cola loses some fizz

Similar to GM, Coca-Cola easily beat analyst profit estimates for the second quarter. But also similar to GM, Coke investors wanted more meat on the bone.

Areas of concern in Coke's report include only slightly raised full-year EPS guidance and soft volume in its key North America market. The concerns echoed those served up by rival PepsiCo (PEP) last week.

Evercore ISI analyst Robert Ottenstein characterized the quarter as "solid."

The company confirmed speculation set off by President Trump last week that it will release cane-sugar-sweetened trademark Coke. The debut will happen in the fall.

Retail investor euphoria spills back into meme stocks

Record-setting markets have renewed retail investor appetite for meme stocks.

I continue to track wild moves in Opendoor (OPEN)  at one point on Monday, the stock gained 115%. It finished the session up 42%. Shares are up by double digits in the early going today.

Investors also appear to be engaged with other meme names in Beyond Meat (BYND) and GameStop (GME). Barclays estimates that retail investors have poured more than $50 billion into global equities over the past month, mostly via global developed market funds.
CASS COUNTY, Texas (KETK)  A routine traffic stop in Cass County resulted in officials seizing over $200,000 and arresting one person for money laundering, according to the Cass County Sheriffs Department.

According to officials, a person driving a 2007 Dodge Charger was pulled over for a traffic violation. During the stop, deputies reportedly observed illicit behaviors from the driver, prompting the Atlanta Police Department to deploy its K9 unit to search the vehicle for drugs.

81 jobs in Palestine at risk pending NASAs decision on balloon operations contract

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The K9 unit confirmed the odor of narcotics inside the car, leading to the vehicle being searched. During the search of the car, multiple duffle bags were found inside with one of the bags containing approximately $207,000.

Following the investigation, the driver was charged with money laundering and tampering with a government record.

The Cass County Sheriffs Office remains committed to protecting our communities through proactive interdiction, interagency cooperation and professional policing, the Cass County Sheriffs Department said.

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MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX)  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has confirmed the causes of death for two gray wolves that died earlier this year

The first wolf died on April 20 in Rocky Mountain National Park due to injuries from an apparent lion attack, USFWS stated.

The second animal died in northwest Colorado on May 15 due to apparent secondary trauma from a foothold trap used for coyote control, according to USFWS.

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State law usually prohibits the use of these traps. Still, an exception is allowed for owners of property used for commercial livestock production or designated agents who use the traps for 30 days if the criteria are met, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said. CPW confirmed the requirements were satisfied and issued a 30-day trapping permit.

After discovering the wolf in the trap, the trapper told CPW, which released the animal. Parks and wildlife got a mortality signal the following day.

Since the trap was placed lawfully, USFWS and CPW do not plan to take further law enforcement action. CPW has implemented a statewide suspension on issuing 30-day permits over such traps pending further review.

USFWS said the investigation regarding a male gray wolf that died on May 31 is still active.

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SHOHAM, Israel (AP)  Archaeologists believe they have found one of the oldest burial sites in the world at a cave in Israel, where the well-preserved remains of early humans dating back some 100,000 years were carefully arranged in pits.

The findings at Tinshemet Cave in central Israel, published in an academic journal earlier this year, build on previous discoveries in northern Israel and add to a growing understanding of the origins of human burial.

Of particular interest to archaeologists are objects found beside the remains that may have been used during ceremonies to honor the dead and could shed light on how our ancient ancestors thought about spirituality and the afterlife.

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This is an amazing revolutionary innovation for our species," said Yossi Zaidner, one of the directors of the Tinshemet excavation and a professor of archaeology at Hebrew University in Jerusalem. "Its actually the first time we are starting to use this behavior.

Archaeologists working at Tinshemet since 2016 have discovered the remains of five early humans that date to around 110,000 to 100,000 years ago, according to various technologies.

The skeletons were discovered in pits and carefully arranged in a fetal position, which is known as a burial position, said Zaidner. Many were found with objects, such as basalt pebbles, animal remains or fragments of ochre, a reddish pigment made from iron-rich rocks.

These objects, some sourced from hundreds of kilometers (miles) away, had no known practical use for daily life, so experts believe they were part of rituals meant to honor the dead.

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A window into early human burials

Tinshemet Cave is a dark slash in central Israels rolling hills filled with squeaking fruit bats. Inside and around the cave is an unassuming stone mound which Zaidner calls one of the three or four most important sites for study of human evolution and behavior during the Paleolithic time.

The Paleolithic era, also known as the Stone Age because of the onset of stone tools, lasted from as early as 3.3 million years ago until around 10,000 years ago. Tinshemet Cave is from the Middle Paleolithic era, roughly between 250,000 to 30,000 years ago.

Some of the Tinshemet researchers' core findings were published in March in Nature Human Behavior. A key discovery were the remains of five early humans, including two full skeletons and three isolated skulls with other bones and teeth. Also of note were more than 500 differently sized fragments of red and orange ochre, a pigment created by heating iron-rich stones to a certain temperature  evidence that early humans had the means to create decorative objects.

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Here we see a really complex set of behaviors, not related to just food and surviving, Zaidner said.

Using hand chisels and delicate, pen-sized pneumatic drills that resemble dental tools, archaeologists will need many more years to excavate the site. The field work, which started in 2016, is usually done over the summer months. This year, a dozen archaeology undergraduate and graduate students fanned out across the site, painstakingly documenting and removing each fragment of tool, object or bone.

At the entrance to the cave, the skull of one of the early humans is slowly emerging from the rock sediment; it will be years before it is fully excavated.

Tinshemet is exceptionally important to archaeologists because the local climate preserved the bones, tools, and ornaments in good condition, unlike many other parts of the world where these items were lost to time, said Christian Tryon, a professor at the University of Connecticut and a research associate at the Human Origins Program at the Smithsonian Institution, who was not involved in the study.

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The skeletons and objects were so well preserved because of ash from frequent fires, likely for rituals. This large amount of ash mixed with rainfall and Israel's acidic limestone, creating optimal conditions for perseveration. One skeleton was in such good condition archaeologists could see how the fingers were interwoven, hands clasped beneath the head.

A window into a little-known period

Tryon said the Tinshemet findings are bolstering earlier discoveries from two similar burial sites dating to the same period in northern Israel  Skhul Cave and Qafzeh Cave. Skhul Cave was excavated almost 100 years ago, and Qafzeh Cave mostly around 50 years ago, when archaeological practices were more haphazard.

There were so many uncertainties with those sites, but this is confirming its a pattern we know, and theyre really nailing down the dates, Tryon said.

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Tinshemet has helped archaeologists conclude that burial practices started to become more widespread during this time, representing a shift in how early humans treated their dead.

Some archaeologists believe intentional burials started earlier. In South Africa, the Homo naledi species  an ancient cousin of Homo sapiens  may have been intentionally placing their dead in caves as early as 200,000 years ago. But many archaeologists said the findings are controversial and there is not enough evidence to support the claim of intentional burials.

A bridge between peoples

In ancient times, Israel was a bridge between Neanderthals from Europe and Homo sapiens from Africa. Archaeologists have identified other subgroups of early humans in the area, and believe the groups interacted and may have interbred.

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Experts have been studying the two full skeletons brought from Tinshemet for years, but its still unclear if they were Neanderthals, Homo sapiens, a hybrid population or another group altogether.

The mix of subgroups created opportunities for different groups of early humans to exchange knowledge or express identity, said Zaidner. Its around this time that archaeologists first see examples of early jewelry or body painting, which could be ways early humans started outwardly belonging to a certain group, drawing boundaries between us and them, he said.

Israel Hershkovitz, a physical anthropologist at Tel Aviv University and the co-director of the Tinshemet site, said the concept of cemeteries in prehistoric life is important because it symbolizes a kind of a territory.

He said that same kind of claim over land where ancestors are buried still echoes in the region. Its a kind of claim you make to the neighbors, saying This is my territory, this part of the land belongs to my father and my forefather' and so on and so on.
While "60 Minutes" will soon have a new owner, the CBS newsmagazine's next executive producer is coming from inside the family.

Tanya Simon, a 25-year veteran of the program, will take on the role vacated by Bill Owens in April. She has served as interim executive producer since his departure.

She is the daughter of the late Bob Simon, one of the best-known correspondents during the program's 57-year history.

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Changes at the top of "60 Minutes" have been rare. Simon will be only the fourth executive producer in the program's history and the first woman.

Simon's appointment will be a relief to the program's staff, where morale has been rocked by parent company Paramount Global's battle with President Trump. The correspondents of the program signed a letter to company co-chairman George Cheeks urging him to give Simon the job.

Simon will have the backing of her colleagues who are thankful they won't be dealing with an outsider who might not value the program's editorial rigor and independence. But she will be faced with the challenge of navigating the operation after one of the most difficult periods in its history.

Paramount Global agreed to pay $16 million to settle Trumps lawsuit against 60 Minutes over the editing of an interview with his 2024 opponent, then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump claimed the interview was deceptively edited to aid Harris in the election.

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The case was labeled as frivolous by 1st Amendment experts, and the settlement widely seen as a capitulation to Trump in order to clear a path for Paramounts $8-billion merger with David Ellisons Skydance Media.

Read more: Inside CBS News: Fear, anger and a silver lining after Paramount-Trump settlement

While "60 Minutes" did not issue an apology or acknowledge any wrongdoing, the program is likely to face intense scrutiny. Critics will be looking for signs of the program pulling its punches in reporting on Trump. In order to clear the Paramount Global deal with the FCC, Skydance has agreed to name a news division ombudsman that will report to the company's president for at least the next two years.

Tanya Simon understands what makes '60 Minutes tick," CBS News President Tom Cibrowski said in a statement "She is an innovative leader, an exceptional producer, and someone who knows how to inspire people."

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Simon got her start at CBS News in 1996 as a researcher for its other newsmagazine "48 Hours." She joined "60 Minutes" in 2000, working with correspondent Ed Bradley on a variety of reports including the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. She went on to produce for nearly all of the program's correspondents, including her father.

Her work has earned virtually every major broadcast honor, including multiple Emmy Awards, the Peabody and the DuPont-Columbia Award.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
(Reuters) -Paramount Global's CBS News on Thursday appointed Tanya Simon as the executive producer of its prime time news magazine broadcast "60 Minutes", in place of Bill Owens, who had stepped down citing lack of editorial independence.

Owens left the post in April after months of legal battle with U.S. President Donald Trump who claimed in a lawsuit that "60 Minutes" deceptively edited an interview with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris that the network broadcast in October.

Earlier this month, Paramount agreed to pay $16 million to settle the suit, allocating the money to Trump's future presidential library.

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Simon, who began her career at CBS News in 1996, has been with "60 Minutes" for 25 years and recently served as interim executive producer after Owens' exit.

She is the fourth executive producer in the broadcast's 57-year history and the first woman in the role, CBS News said.

"Tanya knows that the success of today's 60 Minutes depends on delivering a weekly mix of the most informative, impactful and entertaining stories and investigative journalism from around the world," said Tom Cibrowski, president and executive editor of CBS News.

Paramount is awaiting approval from the Federal Communications Commission for its $8.4 billion merger with Skydance Media.

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The FCC did not make a decision by the 180-day informal deadline in mid-May and FCC Chair Brendan Carr has denied Trump's lawsuit was a factor.

(Reporting by Harshita Mary Varghese in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)
Video: Central Arkansas Library System main library announces major remodel

LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  The Central Arkansas Library System main branch will reopen after undergoing renovations.

CALS officials have invited the community to celebrate the reopening at the Library Square from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20. The main library is located in the River Market District at 100 Rock Street.

Central Arkansas Library System main library announces major remodel

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The location closed to the public in September 2023, with construction continuing into 2025. Changes to the library include a video production studio, podcasting rooms, teaching kitchens, a rooftop patio and more.

Remodeling the library was funded through 2021 and 2022 millages. The budget for redesigning the library was $25 million, but there was a budget increase to add features.

CALS main branch renovation design goes slightly over budget to add key features

For more information on the Central Arkansas Library System, visit CALS.org.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.- As Arkansas experienced one of its hottest days of the year so far, many residents stayed indoors, avoiding the blistering sun and sweltering humidity. But for a group of committed runners in Little Rock, the soaring temperatures werent enough to stop their training.

Around 6 p.m., as the heat index hovered past triple digits, members of Rock City Running gathered for their regular group workout, despite the heat advisory in effect.

Its Arkansas  its humid, its hot  but you learn how to prepare for it, said Annette Blanton, a longtime participant in the group runs. Hydration is a process. You cant just drink 16 ounces of water right before a run and expect to be fine. That just causes sloshing in the belly.

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Humane Society of Garland County works to keep animals cool from heat

Blanton says she hydrates throughout the day, alternating between water and electrolytes, and takes small sips during the run instead of big gulps. She carries a handheld water bottle on every hot weather run and wears clothing specifically designed to keep her body cool and dry.

We talk about hydration a lot, but what you wear is just as important, she said. I avoid cotton completely; it holds onto sweat and can lead to chafing. Moisture-wicking fabric, light colors, and breathable materials are essential. Some people even put ice in their hats or bandannas to help cool off.

Aaron Soltman, another runner training with the group, says heat safety is something hes still learning to navigate.

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One of the things I struggle with is staying properly hydrated, he admitted. You need that sodium and those electrolytes  water alone isnt always enough, especially when youre sweating as much as we do.

Soltman says hes cautious about monitoring how his body responds to the heat.

You definitely have to be more aware, Soltman said. You dont want to tell yourself youre going to run for 30 minutes, then realize 10 minutes in that you might not make it back. Thats how people get into trouble.

MEMS seeing increases in heat related emergencies

For both runners, the group dynamic not only offers motivation but also creates a layer of accountability and safety. Members routinely check on each other during runs, looking out for signs of heat exhaustion like excessive sweating, dizziness, or the more dangerous sign  suddenly not sweating at all.

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When it comes to cooling down after a workout in extreme heat, Blanton offers a tip that medical professionals also endorse:

Place an ice rag or cold towel on your wrists, the back of your neck, behind your ears, or anywhere you can feel a strong pulse. These pulse points help regulate body temperature, allowing the coolness to more quickly lower your core heat  safely and gradually.

Blanton also recommends carrying a phone in case of emergencies and sticking to shaded routes or loops close to home when temperatures are dangerously high.

Little Rock locals beating the Monday heat at the splash pad

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While the intense heat may be enough to keep many Arkansans off the pavement, Blanton and Soltman say the key is not pushing your limits, but listening to your body.

Its not about proving anything, Blanton said. Its about showing up, being smart, and getting home safely.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA)  Public media stations in Central Illinois say theyre regrouping after cuts to their budgets. Last week, Congress approved taking back more than one billion dollars, which was set to be spread out to stations over the next two years.

WCIA reached out to two different stations in the area to hear what theyre losing and how they plan to move forward.

Whats in the Republican bill cutting $9 billion from public broadcasting and foreign aid

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Managers at both WILL in Champaign and WEIU in Charleston said theyre disappointed that the cuts went through, but they are confident that they can keep producing quality programming.

In the long run, well still be here, said Illinois Public Medias Executive Director Moss Bresnahan.

But, he says it wont be easy.

For Illinois Public Media, its a cut of about one and a half million dollars a year, and thats about 20% of our budget, Bresnahan said.

IPM isnt the only one in Central Illinois feeling the effects. WEIU in Charleston was hit as well.

We average about $800,000 a year in our grant for the community service grant, said WEIUs General Manager, Jeff Owens. Were going to lose that for fiscal year 26, which is roughly 70% of our budget, which is a big hit.

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Trump funding cuts to PBS set to hit free educational content for kids

Its a service that Owens said is needed.

Think about what Mr. Rogers means to this country people grew up with him, Owens said. They grew up with Sesame Street, Electric Company, Xoom, all these great shows that taught and educated our young kids. So you hear stories all the time of I didnt know how to read or write until I turn on Sesame Street.'

With chunks coming out of future budgets, we asked if they are making any cuts right now.

Were going to have to make some tough decisions, but its too soon to say specifically which programs or services we might have to cut back on, Bresnahan said.

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Owens said they havent decided what stays and what heads to the chopping block either.

Instead, theyre both looking for ways to fundraise. Bresnahan said that 60% of IPM is already funded by people in the community, which both men said theyre looking to for help.

PBS closes DEI office to comply with executive order

Right now, our focus is to get all that fundraising stuff in line, Owens said. Ask our supporters, our friends, our neighbors, our current underwriters, and say, can you do a little bit more?'

And hopefully, both will continue to broadcast for years to come.

This is a devastating cut, but were not going anywhere, Bresnahan said. You know, weve been here for more than 100 years and well be here for another 100 years serving the community. Were just going to have to figure out how to replace that funding that weve been counting on for so many years. And well figure it out. Well do it.

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Owens said he spoke with the CEO of PBS who said that while cuts will be made, the quality of programming will remain the same. He also said that EIU broadcasting students will not be affected for the 2025-26 school year.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Wednesday was National Day of Social Action for the Childrens Defense Fund Ohio and dozens of central Ohio kids gathered outside the Statehouse for a rally.

CDF Ohio leaders said that with state lawmakers changing public education, its a great time for kids to use their voices.

All the kids at Wednesdays rally attend the funds Freedom Schools, which are summer programs that teach about social action, civic engagement and leadership skills.

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Were supposed to learn how school works and I think that education is very important in our lives because, like, thats how people got where they are, sixth grader AVia Ashe said.

Freedom School leaders in the Columbus area prepared their kids for the rally for weeks and taught them about the Statehouse and legislators.

Each year, organizers pick a topic for the Day of Social Action and this years was public education is a public good.

Were saying schools are more than just learning. Theyre the heart of the community. And when we defund the schools, when we dont invest in those schools, we create communities without heart, Dr. Guillermo Bervejillo said.

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State lawmakers have defended their school funding plan by saying it is necessary to balance the budget. They said school districts are getting all the funding they need from the state.

But Wednesdays rally was about more than public education policy.

Bervejillo said its about showing kids from a young age that they have a voice.

Were trying to get them to learn that earlier, get them to understand from an early age the power that we all have as citizens of the state, as citizens of this country, to advocate for our own priorities as people, Berveiillo said.

The students all wrote letters to their representatives and made signs to advocate for what they believe in.

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I think it feels powerful as a young woman and a lady. I think its very important for people to know that were here to save education, Ashe said..

Its super duper fun to learn about history. Like, know that I get to do this, I get to do these opportunities in life, sixth grader Jeri Lankford said.

Rally organizers hope the kids saw that they can make a difference with a sign, a letter or a chant.

Learn more about CDFs Freedom Schools by clicking here.

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Dive Brief:

General Motors executives highlighted trade deals between Canada, Mexico and South Korea as important to its outlook as it navigates what CFO Paul Jacobson called a dynamic tariff environment, with the automaker reporting a $1.1 billion net tariff impact for its second quarter ended June 30.

The impact was slightly lower than expected, with the Detroit-based automaker anticipating such costs will therefore be slightly higher for its next quarter, Jacobson said Tuesday during the companys Q2 earnings call. GM has continued to import vehicles from South Korea, as they are contribution-margin positive and theyre very much in demand, CEO Mary Barra said.

We're not speculating on what those are going to look like going forward, but there is a possibility and a likelihood, if you will, that ultimately a tariff rate gets set at a lower level, which would ultimately bring that impact down, Jacobson said regarding deals with the three countries.

Dive Insight:

GM is one of several automakers looking to mitigate the effects from tariff uncertainty as the Trump administration presses on with a trade war involving key trade partners. That includes a back-and-forth between Canada and Mexico regarding levies on steel imports, which the U.S. hiked to 50% in May, CFO Dive sister publication Supply Chain Dive previously reported.

The Trump administration in recent days has negotiated a new trade framework with Indonesia and reached terms for a tariff agreement with Japan, which would set a 15% levy on imports from the country including for cars and auto parts, Supply Chain Dive reported.



South Korea, a critical exporter of semiconductors, automobiles and smartphones, is set to hold high-level talks with the U.S. on July 25 in an attempt to reach a compromise, Bloomberg reported. The talks are scheduled to occur before Aug. 1, when the U.S. plans to impose a 25% tariff on critical imports. Exports made up 40% of South Koreas gross domestic product last year.

Tariffs on South Korea imports would constitute a significant portion of the overall trade impact GM forecasts for 2025, Jacobson said Tuesday. The company anticipates from $4 billion to $5 billion in gross impact from import duties during 2025, he said in response to analyst questions. The automaker expects roughly $2 billion will involve South Korea.

GM is taking steps to blunt some of the disruption, including making some short-term shifts in production to the U.S., Barra said in response to questions. The company expects to be able to mitigate around 30% of its projected gross tariff impact through strategic actions such as manufacturing adjustments, targeted cost initiatives and consistent pricing, Jacobson said.
URBANA, Ill. (WCIA)  The Champaign County Fair is going big thanks in part to their monster truck rally.

These trucks are 10 feet tall, 13 feet wide and can reach around 100 miles an hour. Spectators got to see five of these magnificent machines hit jumps, drift and race around the track.

Motocross to take over Champaign County Fair

Organizer Tim Hall is from Central Illinois and he said a homecoming is always a pleasure.

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Its fun, Hall said. You know, you get to run in front of people that dont normally get to see you. They get to get to come out tonight and enjoy themselves, have a corn dog and a lemonade. They can enjoy themselves right here and have a nice a nice time.

Thursday night, the fair will have a motocross race on the same track at seven.

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URBANA, Ill. (WCIA)  A Champaign woman pleaded guilty in court on Wednesday to a charge stemming from last years unrest during a pro-Palestinian protest on the University of Illinois campus.

Records show that Elizabeth Sotiropoulos, 36, was in court on Wednesday for a pretrial status hearing. She was facing two counts  a Class 4 felony of mob action and a Class A misdemeanor of obstructing a police officer.

During the hearing, Judge Randy Rosenbaum was informed that a deal had been reached between Sotiropoulos and the prosecution. She then pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor count with the felony count being dismissed.

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Rosenbaum then sentenced Sotiropoulos to 12 months of conditional discharge and 100 hours of community service.

Springfield man arrested, accused of murder in connection to human remains found in 2024

In pleading guilty, Sotiropoulos admitted to interfering with a police officer during the protest at Alma Mater on April 26, 2024. On that day, a group of people protesting the universitys association with companies profiting off of the Gaza War pitched tents near the statue; U of I Police and the Facilities and Services Departments tried to remove the tents, saying htat campus policy prohibited such structures.

The protestors resisted officers efforts, and what started as a small group swelled into the hundreds by that afternoon. Protestors resisted another attempt by officers to remove the tents, and the officers de-escalated the situation by backing away. The two sides then had a standoff that lasted until close to midnight.

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The encampment eventually ended and restarted near Foellinger Auditorium two days later. Police and F&S did not try to remove the tents again, and they remained on the Quad until the school year ended.

Sotiropoulos was one of nine people to be charged in connection with the unrest  eight of them with the same two counts as her  mob action and obstruction of an officer. Four of the defendants took identical plea deals to Sotiropoulos, with near-identical sentences.

One defendant was convicted at trial of obstruction and acquitted of the mob action charge and received an identical sentence. Anothers case was dismissed altogether.

The last two defendants have indicated that they are also taking plea deals, one of whom is scheduled to appear in court on Friday.

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  The Stephens Family YMCA in Champaign is warning the community about a scam involving someone posing as one of their representatives.

The YMCA said on Facebook that a concerned community member alerted them to this problem.

Mattoon Police warn of scam using cryptocurrency, gift cards

It appears that an individual has been going door-to-door in our areas asking for signatures/donations while using the YMCA name and logo, staff wrote. To be clear: this person is not affiliated with the YMCA.

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The YMCA added that they do not solicit donations door-to-door. Any official YMCA fundraising is conducted through approved channels such as its donation page.

Were actively addressing the situation and taking steps to prevent it from happening again, staff added. Thank you for helping us keep our Y community safe and informed.

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The Latest from Storm Team 5

Emerging sunshine has helped bring on the heat and humidity this afternoon. A HEAT ADVISORY continues for areas south of HWY 29 until 8pm.

A cold front moving into Wisconsin will bring showers and storms this evening and into the early part of the overnight for areas north and west of Green Bay. Areas south of Green Bay, like those at EAA this evening, should stay mainly dry.

With the heat and humidity out there, strong to possibly severe storms are possible. Main impacts would be damaging winds, downpours and cloud to ground lightning, but an isolated spin up tornado can not be ruled out. Rain and storm threat should end around midnight.

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Thursday expect a mixture of sun and clouds and the warm and muggy air to stick around, as highs reach the low to mid 80s and dew points return to the upper 60s.

A weak trough digging in will spark a few spotty showers and storms especially for the afternoon. It is likely these will stay non severe, but a strong storm producing brief downpours, gusty winds and small hail can not be ruled out.

Friday looks dry but muggy once again under mostly sunny skies. High temperatures in the low to mid 80s. A few pop up thunderstorms are possible on Saturday, but it is not looking like a complete washout.

Sunday for the final day of EAA, mostly sunny with highs in the upper 80s and low 90s. We will likely have to monitor for heat index values reaching close to 100 once again. Rain and storms are possible overnight Sunday.

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For all your latest updates on the weather, follow Ryan on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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DENVER (KDVR)  Two people were injured Wednesday night in a shooting that started with a fight inside a Commerce City convenience store, according to police.

One of those people is a man now in critical condition, suspected of firing shots into a random vehicle that injured the other person, a woman who sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

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The Commerce City Police Department said the altercation inside the store, located at the intersection of 69th Avenue and Kearney Street, involved guns and at least two people besides the injured man. That man exited the store after the fight, and he and another person who was driving the vehicle the man arrived in began firing guns into the womans vehicle.

Fortunately she is expected to survive her injuries, police said.

Police arrested the driver who was firing shots, and the second suspect suffered a critical gunshot wound. Police did not specify exactly when the second suspect was shot.

Police said they are still looking for two other people involved in the original fight in the convenience store.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control is urgently seeking help from the public as the shelter has reached critical capacity for its cats and kittens.

The shelter would like to remind the public of ways to help:

ADOPT | If you have been thinking of adding a kitten to your home, visit the Charlotte-Mecklenburg ACC website to see the available cats.

FOSTER | Open your home temporarily to help free up shelter space. The shelter provides all the supplies you need to foster kittens of all ages. The shelter has kittens who still need to be bottle fed up to the age where they are eating kitten food, and just need care and socialization until they reach a weight of 1.7lbs. (approx. 8 weeks of age).

DONATE | Cant adopt or foster but would like to help? Provide much-needed supplies like kitten formula, canned food, or make a monetary donation.

SHARE | Spread the word on social media to help cats find homes faster.

(Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control) (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control) (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control) (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control) (Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control)

The main shelter is located at 8315 Byrum Drive in Charlotte. The shelter operates from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The satellite shelter at 2700 Toomey Avenue in Charlotte is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

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ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW)  Two of St. Joseph's historic thoroughfares will undergo widespread sidewalk infrastructure upgrades with the help of Capital Improvements Program funding this year.

Just over $1.1 million in CIP funding will be used this year to repair deteriorating sidewalks and install new ones on both Charles and Sylvanie streets, specifically between 12th and 18th streets to provide ADA-compliant walking pathways on both sides of the roadway.

The project will also see ADA ramps at street corners and curbs along the streets replaced and upgraded, along with the reconstruction of several alleyway entrances. Side street approaches running north and south will be reconstructed up to a maximum of 15 feet to meet ADA compliance.

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Probably around this fall is when we'll start seeing some sidewalks getting work done," St. Joseph Public Works and Transportation Director Abe Forney said. "There's some utility work that's going on right now. And as soon as those guys are out of the way, we'll wait on the contractor."

City councilmembers gave their approval at Monday's meeting on the project contract with locally-owned J.D. Bishop Construction. J.D. Bishop was the lone company to bid on the project.

A key portion of sidewalk upgrades will occur between 12th and 15th streets within the Museum Hill Historic District, which features an abundance of architecture and aging brick-laid sidewalks in need of repair.

The city is ensuring those sidewalks will be reconstructed with new bricks to preserve the historic integrity of the historic district, which is included on the National Register of Historic Places.

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"This is a project that we actually identified in the 2019 CIP project and it was supplemental. So after all the 19 projects got done, there was money remaining," Forney said.

Area resident Bucks Wright was walking alongside Charles Street on Wednesday and said the pathways are in need of significant upgrades.

"You got grass everywhere growing up in the sidewalks," he said. "It needs a lot of improvement, a whole lot of improvement.

City sewer maintenance crews will be working alongside J.D. Bishop Construction on the project to replace storm sewer inlets as needed.

A few trees will have to be removed during construction due to roots and large tree trunks causing sidewalk panels to lift, creating tripping hazards. Most of the existing trees will be preserved.
(Editor's note: The imaginary letters from readers in this column are meant as satire, but the answers from Mack Mariani are not  mostly.)

One of the benefits of writing a biweekly column is the hundreds of letters and unsolicited (and often wildly inappropriate) photos that I get from fans and admirers in the days following publication.

In that spirit, this seems like the perfect time to introduce a new feature where I open up the ol imaginary mailbag and respond to the very real burning questions on readers' minds.

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Here goes nothing.

Hey doc, will the Charter Committee win seats in the upcoming City Council elections and change the face of Cincinnati politics? - S.G., Cincinnati

Predicting elections is very difficult. There are a lot of factors, including candidate quality, turnout, fundraising potential, and the overall political environment, each of which has to be taken into account. After putting all these factors into my fancy computer and accounting for demographic shifts in the population, economic factors and crime rates, the answer is: LOL, no.

Former Cincinnati City Councilman Steve Goodin is among five Charter Committee candidates for the November 2025 council election.

I should also say that I hope to see at least one Charter Committee member on council next year. There are some non-Democrats in the city (even a Republican or two), and having a different voice on council would make city government more accountable (and honestly, a heck of a lot more interesting).

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Given partisanship and the magic power the Democratic sample ballot has over voters in the city, I dont expect any Charter Committee candidates to actually win. But even if they are unsuccessful, having the Charter Committee around is a great thing for the city. Since the Republican Party is moribund when it comes to city elections (I looked it up and it means, at the point of death, which seems accurate), at least the Charter Committee gives voters a choice. On a (small d) democratic basis, that seems like a very good thing.

More: Former Councilman Steve Goodin among 5 Charter candidates for council

Even if the Democrats arent losing any sleep, having Charter candidates on the ballot will make for a more robust conversation about the future of the city. All of us will benefit from that conversation, including people like me who live outside of the city.

Hey Doc, what is your take on the bridge protest and the aggressive response taken by Covington police? R.W., Covington

Regardless of whether the protestors are on the right side or the wrong side of the issue, blocking traffic is a profoundly unpopular tactic. A YouGov poll taken just a few years ago found that just 12% of Americans think blocking traffic is ever acceptable. I guess that if you asked about blocking traffic on a bridge that is seven stories above the Ohio River, the number would not have gone up.

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Americans support peaceful protests, especially the kind that do not cause them any personal inconvenience whatsoever. Large majorities, for instance, support picketing, handing out flyers, as well as chanting and singing (especially when protest organizers agree to take requests).

The Roebling Suspension Bridge was the scene of a clash between Covington police and a group of protesters calling for the release of Imam Ayman Soliman, a former Cincinnati Children's Hospital chaplain detained by ICE.

More: Covington chief says officer placed on administrative duty after Roebling Bridge protest

It will be interesting to see if that one guy in the Reds hat wins some settlement money from a lawsuit against the city of Covington. But when all is said and done, none of this will have convinced anybody of anything. What people are talking about is whether blocking a bridge is an appropriate tactic and whether the police response was too harsh. I havent heard anybody in the public, at least, talking about the issue that inspired the protest. If so, what was the point?

Hey Doc, I read recently that P.G. Sittenfeld is a lot like Imam Ayman Soliman, but I think hes more like Ghandi. Who is right?  Unsigned letter made up of letters cut and pasted from past Cincinnati Enquirer articles

I have to be honest and say that for the second time this week, Im left speechless by a letter from an Enquirer reader.

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More: Honest men like Sittenfeld and Soliman get punished while Trump runs wild | Letter

Hey Doc, is Jason Williams as good-looking in person as he sounds on the radio? C.W., Wyoming

Yes. I can confirm that Jason is exactly as good-looking in person as he sounds on the radio.

Mack Mariani is a professor of political science at Xavier University and a politics contributor and former editorial board member for the Enquirer.

Mack Mariani is a professor of political science at Xavier University who lives in Wyoming and is a regular opinion contributor. Contact him on X: @mackmariani. The views and opinions expressed by the author are solely his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of his employer, his wife, his children, or this newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Democrats aren't worried and Charter Committee isn't winning | Opinion
PITTSBORO  Chatham Community Library, in partnership with Chatham Pride Alliance, is hosting a month-long back to school supply drive from Aug. 1 to Aug. 30.

All donated items will be given to local educators in Chatham County.

According to a national survey of teachers, 93% of them spend their own money on classroom supplies. North Carolina teachers spend an average of more than $1,300 per year of their own money on school supplies. Out-of-pocket spending on school puts an undue burden on educators who are already experiencing limited resources in schools. Help support educators in Chatham County by donating supplies throughout the month of August.

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Requested supplies include:

 Dry Erase Boards (lined or unlined)

 Staples and Staplers

 Cardstock (assorted colors)

 Electric Pencil Sharpeners

 Black and Blue Pens

 Headphones

 Tissues

 Kitchen Timers

 Post-It Notes

 Easel Pads

 Hand Sanitizer

 Clorox Wipes

 Expo Dry Erase Markers

 Dry Erasers/Expo Dry Erase Spray

 Sharpies

 Highlighters

 Ticonderoga #2 Pencils

 Crayola Markers (broad or fine)

 Crayola Colored Pencils

 Adult Scissors

 Two-Pocket Folders

 Elmers Glue Sticks

Residents may visit the libraries website www.chathamlibraries.org, or contact the Library at (919) 545-8084 for more information on this and other events and programs.

WHAT: Back to School Supply Drive

WHEN: Aug. 1  Aug. 30

WHERE: Chatham Community Library, 197 NC Hwy. 87 N, Pittsboro.
Sigal Chattah speaking at a Donald Trump rally in Minden in 2022. (C-SPAN screengrab)

Republican partisan Sigal Chattahs days at the helm of the Nevada U.S. Attorneys office appear to be numbered, given President Donald Trumps failure thus far to nominate Chattah to the permanent position.

Chattah, while serving as Nevadas National Republican Committeewoman, became the states acting U.S. attorney on April 1, a position with a shelf life of 120 days. Her interim term as U.S. Attorney ends July 30 and Trump has yet to reveal his next move.

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Gov. Joe Lombardos office did not respond when asked if the governor was aware of Trumps plans.

Nevadas U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen are vowing to attempt to derail Senate confirmation hearings for Chattah, should Trump appoint her.

Sigal Chattah hasnt been formally nominated for this position and the Administration has made no announcement of their long-term intentions after Ms. Chattahs interim position is over next week, a spokesperson for Cortez Masto said Wednesday. She is unfit for this role and if President Trump tries to install her for a four-year term, Cortez Masto will not return a blue slip and will strongly oppose her nomination.

A blue slip is a blue form sent to senators of home-state judicial nominees by the Senate Judiciary Committee seeking approval or disapproval of a nominee. An unreturned slip can stall or end a nomination.

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If shes ever nominated to a permanent Senate-confirmed position, Ill do everything in my power to block her confirmation, Rosen said in a statement, adding Chattah is an extremist who is deeply unfit for this role.

During her unsuccessful run in 2022 for Nevada attorney general, Chattah declared her Democratic opponent, incumbent Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Black man, should be hanging from a fking crane; longed for fewer pronoun badges and transgender individuals in America, while describing them with an offensive slur; and invited comparisons with Sen. Joe McCarthy and former Pres. Donald Trump by calling for the imprisonment of political foes.

Chattahs disturbing past statements promising to use any public office to go after her political opponents, as well as her well-documented history of racist remarks, conspiracy theories, and threats of violence, prove that she cannot be trusted with this important responsibility, Rosen said.

On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee, which appears unfazed by Trumps strategy of allowing some interim terms to expire, advanced seven of Trumps interim picks for U.S. Attorney. Chattah was not among them.

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Trumps picks for U.S. Attorney have resulted in widespread resignations in some states. The Times of San Diego reported Wednesday that as many as 10 federal prosecutors have quit under Interim U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon, and other high-ranking lawyers have been demoted.

The expiration of Chattahs term next week would trigger a provision of federal law that allows Federal District Court judges to either appoint her to an indefinite term, or make their own appointment.

Chattah did not respond to requests for comment.

When the term of New Jerseys Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba, Trumps former personal attorney, expired this week, federal judges appointed another prosecutor to the office. However, Attorney General Pam Bondi fired the employee, Desiree Leigh Grace, to prevent her ascension. Habba is the presidents former personal attorney. Grace, however, wrote on LinkedIn Wednesday that she will lead the office.

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Courts in other states, including Texas, Alaska, Illinois, Maryland, and Pennsylvania have either appointed Trumps interim picks to four-year terms or extended their terms, a move designed in some instances to avoid lengthy and contentious Senate confirmation hearings.

A spokesperson for the U.S. District Court in Las Vegas did not immediately respond to inquiries about whether judges there are taking up Chattahs appointment.

Like Chattah, who was appointed April 1, a number of Trumps interim appointees are facing the end of their terms and the possibility of being reappointed by the courts.

Federal judges in the Northern District of Illinois say theyll decide by August 5 whether to appoint Trumps interim pick for that seat, Andrew Boutros, to the permanent position.

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Federal judges for the Northern District of New York declined to appoint Trumps interim U.S. Attorney John Sarcone III, so the Justice Department found a workaround and appointed him to be special attorney to the U.S. attorney, a position that can keep him in place for seven months.

During her short term, Chattah has overseen a number of cases, almost all of which were initiated by her predecessor, Jason Frierson, a former Democratic legislative leader.

She returned forfeited funds to victims, including $531,308.46 fraudulently obtained via Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans; $1,068,123.94 to the Small Business Administration for fraudulently obtained PPP loans; and $32,193,787.94 to an undisclosed victim, according to her office.

Chattah also took part in a nationwide Health Care Fraud Takedown, which resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants nationwide, according to a news release.

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The defendants in the two Nevada cases  a registered nurse who received $7.3 million in kickbacks for recommending and ordering unnecessary treatments, and a nurse practitioner who fraudulently billed Medicare for more than $14 million, according to a news release.

Make no mistake  this administration will not tolerate criminals who line their pockets with taxpayer dollars while endangering the health and safety of our communities, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said in the news release.

Almost all of the cases cited in Trumps crackdown were initiated during President Joe Bidens term.
A combination of weaker oil prices, widespread spending cuts, and ramped-up OPEC crude oil volumes created a softer-than-expected industry environment that will continue at least through the rest of 2025, the CEOs of oilfield services leaders Halliburton and SLB said.

Global economic volatility, including ongoing tariff uncertainty, is leading oil and gas producers to plan more conservatively for the rest of the year than anticipated, they said, although though the longer-term oil and gas outlook remains bullish. The U.S. and Mexico are showing particular weakness even as shale oil and gas technologies developed in the U.S. over the past 20 years spread worldwide from Argentina to Australia, said Halliburton chairman and CEO Jeff Miller during the July 22 earnings call.

To put it plainly, what I see tells me the oilfield services market will be softer than I previously expected over the short to medium term, Miller said, arguing that oil producers and countries are cutting back spending more dramatically than current oil prices would normally necessitate. The U.S. oil pricing benchmark is about $66 per barrel, and it would need to rise well above $70 to be considered relatively healthy for the industry.

What that means for Halliburton and SLB is focusing more on technology and some of their service specialties while retiring some equipment and well completionsor frackingfleets.

Well clearly stack some fleets just because were not going to work at uneconomic levels, Miller said. Its strategic for us, and it takes some equipment out of the market as well. But, from our perspective, working at uneconomic levels literally burns up equipment, creates HSE (health, safety, and environment) risk, and all sorts of things that we just dont want to do.

On the other hand, Halliburton (194 in the Fortune 500) is growing market share with its new autonomous and electrified fracking fleets, called Zeus IQ, and has partnered with Chevron (No. 16 in the Fortune 500) and others. Halliburton first developed early hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, techniques more than 75 years ago under founder Erle P. Halliburton.

For all of 2025, Halliburton now estimates its North American revenues will decline by more than 10%.

Halliburton reported second-quarter revenues that fell nearly 6% from $5.83 billion to $5.51 billion year over year. Net income plunged 33% from $709 million down to $472 million.

The biggest oilfield services company in the world, SLB (479 in the Fortune Global 500), formerly Schlumberger, also saw its quarterly revenues dip 6% year on year to $8.55 billion. Net income of $1.01 billion fell by 9%.
CHELSEA, Ala. (WIAT)  With the Chelsea mayoral election a month away, residents said they want candidates to prioritize creating a downtown area and addressing traffic issues.

The two candidates on the ballot are current city councilman Cody Sumners and local businessman Mike Rochester. Mayor Tony Picklesimer, who was elected to the position in October 2016, is not seeking reelection.

Janet Shaw, who has lived in Chelsea for 16 years, said she believes the city lacks a central gathering place.

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We dont have just a town center, Shaw said. The town itself is very nice. All the people here, you have the small-town feel, but youre close to everything  but just not having a town center where people can gather.

In addition to the planned Chelsea Plaza development, Sumners said he would like to see expansion around the existing community center.

That would create a walkable city center, Sumners said. But this is something that were going to have to work with private-public partnership.

Rochester also addressed the need for a more functional downtown space and said he would revisit the current plans for the Chelsea Plaza if elected.

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If Im elected mayor, Im going to sit down with the developer on it and see if I cant talk him into doing something a little different because we need a downtown area, Rochester said. But a strip center is not it.

Bessemer 3-year-old dies after being left in hot car

Traffic is also top of mind for residents like Charlene Candry. She said the issue isnt just congestion but how traffic flows through the city.

Its not really how much traffic, Candry said. Its more how the traffic is. How its handled with the roads.

Rochester said traffic and the Chelsea Plaza project go hand in hand.

Its all about quality of life out here, and quality of life is hurt right now by traffic obviously, Rochester said. With this Chelsea Plaza, it adds another red light, and I think thats three red lights in probably less than a mile, which is not going to be good.

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Sumners said if elected, he plans to continue working with the Alabama Department of Transportation to improve traffic safety.

One of the issues that were addressing at every meeting is the Chelsea parking to the intersection because theres always concern for the citizens there, Sumners said. As a result of that, theyre actually moving the turn over a little bit to try and create a better shot line.

The municipal election in Chelsea is scheduled for Aug. 26.

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With a new school year just around the corner, thousands of workers in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) recently received some troubling news. The district announced nearly 1,500 workers would be laid off, including 432 teachers, as well as 300 paraprofessionals or school-related personnel; 700 assistants for special education classrooms and 33 people working in security.

CPS downplayed the layoffs, despite the shocking numbers, with a statement obtained by Fox 32 Chicago reading, in part, "As part of our annual workforce planning and budgeting process, CPS evaluates staffing and resource allocations to ensure we are meeting the evolving needs of students and schools."

However, it would appear not everyone is convinced of this.

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"I feel like there's a disconnect between the students, the parents, the staff, and the teachers, as well as the community," Lena Mitchell, a local parent of two, told Fox 32.

Unfortunately, the reality is that budget issues  rather than just the natural realignment of the workforce  may be the cause. And this is a trend happening nationwide.

Teacher layoffs in Chicago cause turmoil

The teacher layoffs are causing some controversy in Chicago because, as mentioned, there is some disagreement over why the cuts are happening.

The district claims that the cuts are normal and that the layoffs that occurred are close to the same number that occurred last year, when 1,410 workers were laid off  80% of whom ended up finding new jobs within the district before the next school year.

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CPS also claims that the cuts have nothing to do with the fact that it is facing around a $700 million budget deficit that could grow to $1.3 billion over the next five years without new revenue or reduced expenses.

However, the teacher's union made clear they think the cuts are driven by a funding issue.

The Chicago Teachers Union said in a statement, "Pedro Martinez [the former CEO of CPS] 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."

The union also compared the cuts to moves made by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on the federal level, and warned about "the need to prevent backsliding likely to occur because of Governor [JB] Pritzker not passing a budget that meets the states funding obligations or not addressing the Trump cuts to education."

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Community meetings were held earlier in July to give the public a chance to weigh in. However, the reality is a budget shortfall is going to have to be dealt with, somehow.

"We're going to have to make some really hard decisions," CPS interim CEO and current Superintendent Macquline King told reporters.

"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."

Unfortunately, Chicago's teachers and school staff are not the only ones coping with an uncertain future. Changes are happening on the federal level, and with President Donald Trump withholding $6.8 billion in education funding, many professionals in the field of education have already been fired nationwide. And more layoffs could follow.

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With the Trump administration aiming to reduce the number of workers at the Department of Education by nearly 50%, grant programs focused on recruiting, training and retaining qualified teachers are also being cut.

With the Learning Policy Institute reporting a shortage of more than 110,000 teachers in 2023 to 2024 that could grow to a shortage of 200,000 as early as 2026, the federal cuts could be devastating. They could leave schools unprepared to provide students the education they need, particularly in hard-hit areas, like rural locations, and fields like special education that require advanced training.

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 can educators prepare for layoffs?

Some teachers may be aware of coming layoffs, or at least suspect them as a result of budget issues in their district. For others, both in education and in any other field, layoffs can come as a complete surprise.

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The reality is, almost anyone could lose their job at any time, so whether you know a layoff is coming or not, you should take steps to be financially prepared in case one happens.

Keep fixed costs to a reasonable percentage of income. Avoid spending more than around 50% of what you make. That way, you can live on less for a while if you have to.

Maintain a fully funded emergency fund. You should have a minimum of three to six months of living expenses, preferably in a high-yield savings account, to cover your costs as you look for another job.

Keep your debt to a minimum. This also helps you save more money, since you aren't paying interest, and it ensures you don't have big payments to make after a layoff

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Maintain a strong professional network. Try to keep in regular contact with peers, join professional groups in your area and maintain a presence on networking sites. That way, you'll have lots of people to reach out to if you're laid off and need help finding a job.

Advance your skills. If you are always improving at what you do, you may be less likely to be laid off  and more likely to be able to quickly find a job if the worst happens. Consider doing things like taking courses, gaining new certifications or working with a mentor to become better at what you do.

Following these tips can help you be better prepared if or when a layoff happens. If you know when it is coming, you can also:

Start looking into health insurance options for when you are unemployed. Healthcare.gov is a great resource to find plans, which you may get subsidized.

Research unemployment benefits and other benefits that may be available to you. Benefits.gov is a good option to find these resources.

Explore whether you may be eligible for severance. If you have a union contract, you may have guaranteed pay coming. Otherwise, you could talk with an employment lawyer for help in negotiating an agreement.

Cut your spending further, eliminating all but the essentials.

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It's also a good time to start networking more aggressively, on sites like LinkedIn, and regularly checking recruiting sites.

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
CONWAY, Mass. (WWLP)  We are now learning new details of the young Chicopee man who recently drowned in the Conway community swimming pool earlier this week.

Springfield man identified as drowning victim in Becket quarry

Conway Fire Chief Robert Baker stated that two swimmers were brought to the hospital Tuesday evening. One swimmer, a 21-year-old man from Chicopee, died, while the other swimmer reportedly sustained serious injuries after struggling to stay above water in the towns swimming pool on Whately Road.

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The victim has been identified as 21-year-old Abdelaziz Ayay of Chicopee, according to Northwestern District Attorneys Office spokeswoman Laurie Loisel.

We dont have too many drownings and things of that nature, which always makes it very sad, says Muriel Stundis of South Deerfield.

Conway Police Chief Donald Bates told 22News, We were quite shocked. For 75 Years, weve never had an issue at the pond. So, for this came over the radio, and getting dispatched to it was kind of a shocker for us.

Bates says that upon the first responders arrival, they found one woman struggling to stay above water and sustained serious injuries. It was announced by officials of Ayays death at 8:20 p.m. However, he was not pronounced dead at the scene until 8:40 pm. At this time, its unclear what caused the two swimmers to struggle in the water. This has now raised concerns for increased safety measures at the pool, also known to be a small pond.

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The Northwest District Attorneys Office stated the pool incident on Whatley Road is still under investigation, but confirmed the drowning to be accidental. Stundis adds, I do think that those types of things, called pools, need to have a lifeguard.

MAP: Conway Community Swimming Pool

The trustees of the Conway Community Swimming Pool offered their condolences to the victims loved ones through the facilitys website. The pool was shut down on Tuesday and Wednesday and is set to reopen on Thursday.

This is a very unfortunate accident and the first of its kind since the Pool opened in 1950, the trustees said in a statement. We would like to thank all the rescue personnel who handled the situation professionally and with dignity.

The pool is reserved for Conway residents and their guests

There is no lifeguard; Swim at own risk

Fishing is not allowed

Children under 12 need adult supervision

Children 5 and under need to be accompanied by an adult while in the water

Motor vehicles and bikes stay in the parking area

No alcoholic beverages, glass bottles, or smoking

Leave dogs at home

Pick up your trash and take it with you

Closes at 11:00 PM

Allowed flotation devices: Wearable floation devices approved by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), including: devices worn on chest and arms by young children vest-style personal flotation devices

Not-Allowed flotation devices: non-wearable flotation devices (i.e. pool noodles, tubes, paddleboats, rafts), wearable devices that are not USCG approved

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ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis man accused of having an ongoing online relationship with an underage child is at large, according to online court records.

On Thursday, a St. Louis Circuit Court judge signed an arrest warrant for Vahidin Sulejmanagic, 31.

The St. Louis Circuit Attorneys Office has charged Sulejmanagic with second-degree sexual trafficking of a child under 18, furnishing pornographic material to a minor, and six counts of possession of child pornography.

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According to a probable cause statement from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, the investigation began on March 16, when police in Gilbert, Arizona, responded to a domestic disturbance call in their jurisdiction.

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After their arrival, Gilbert Police learned that Sulejmanagic was having ongoing sexual conversations with the 12-year-old victim on Snapchat. Investigators discovered Sulejmanagic first reached out to the victim on Snapchat on Jan. 1. Through subsequent conversations, Sulejmanagic learned the victim was underage and eventually asked if she wanted to be his girlfriend.

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The conversations progressed in a romantic and sexual nature, police said, with the victim sending Sulejmanagic nude videos and pictures of herself. Sulejmanagic shared his location and photos with the victim.

On April 8, Gilbert Police obtained a search warrant on Snapchat for subscriber and content data belonging to Sulejmanagic and the victim, which confirmed Sulejmanagics identity. They also found the aforementioned videos and photos.

Around June 18, Gilbert Police turned the investigation over to the SLMPD since Sulejmanagic lived in the city.

On July 8, St. Louis Police served a search at Sulejmanagics home, where they learned hed fled to an unknown location.

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Anyone with information on Sulejmanagics whereabout is asked to call the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Departments Sex Crimes Division at 314-444-5385.

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Jul. 24Editor's Note: This is the first in a two-part story on the efforts of CEDA in Nobles County to address childcare needs. CEDA has identified three priority areas. This first installment address two of them. The next installment will publish July 30.

WORTHINGTON  Three years ago, Community and Economic Development Associates (CEDA) was hired by Nobles County to address the county's childcare needs. In that time, the project managers have researched the issue, conducted programming for potential new providers and found sites in the county that can help address childcare needs.

Nobles County Administrator Bruce Heitkamp recalled the county's efforts to expand childcare began with the city of Worthington.

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"The mayor of Worthington at the time ... challenged us to take on the role of trying to enhance child daycare," Heitkamp said.

After some studies were conducted in Worthington, the county discovered a large number of child daycare providers were nearing retirement age. In addition, ratios showed a large need for child daycare.

The county learned of CEDA, an economic development agency, that could help the county do the legwork by talking to daycare providers and prospective providers and looking at options for expanding childcare across the county. Through grant funding from the Southwest Initiative Foundation, the county was able to hire CEDA.

Angie Kopplow and Sarah Safstrom are Community and Business Development Specialists with CEDA. Both work closely with Nobles County and helped start the county's Rural Childcare Innovation Program (RCCIP) operated through First Children's Finance.

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CEDA has since secured grants from the Southwest Initiative Foundation and Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to advance childcare efforts within the county. Meanwhile, the county is working alongside the city and school districts to build a broader public-private partnership to address the needs

"That's kind of the next step in the process, I think, is trying to further engage the private sector  mainly because it's their employees ... that we're trying to find daycare options for and sustain," Heitkamp said.

When CEDA began working in Nobles County, there were about 38 licensed family childcare providers and only one childcare center.

"Currently there is a shortage of 982 slots here in Nobles County for children  about 39% of them being the greatest need in toddlers and infants," Safstrom said. "There's a great need to support our providers because while wages are always changing, it's currently sitting about $3.22 an hour average for each child that they care for, and that's below our median individual income level."

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Adding to the challenge is the approximately 60 different languages spoken in Nobles County, with 35% of residents speaking something other than English at home, Safstrom noted.

"We need to grow that cultural area of childcare as well," she said. "Because we want to support all the different children and families in the community... It helps with them being able to go back to work, continue to work and be able to afford those child's needs."

Kopplow said after they identified the challenges, they came up with three main priorities  provider support, slot creation and community engagement.

CEDA began by addressing provider retention.

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"One of the things that I had heard ... was that family child care providers have expressed interest in getting out to do things in the community," Kopplow said. "They often are caring for about 10 children in their homes, sometimes just in their basement, and they aren't able to go out and do things very easily due to transportation and being able to transport all of the kids."

CEDA applied for grants that have paid for a bus to take them places. About every other month, providers may sign up for local excursions such as visiting the YMCA, the JBS field house, libraries and parks.

For provider appreciation, CEDA hosted an event at Round Lake Winery two years ago where providers were able to come in for training, take professional headshots, win door prizes and enjoy a free meal. Another event is planned this fall.

"Child care can be long days," Kopplow said. "A lot of them are open 10, 12 hours every day. (We) just want to thank them for everything that they do for the kids in Nobles County."

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Paige Stearns, Family and Children's Social Service Supervisor for Nobles County, noted a gap in providers' ages.

"A lot of people are younger going into it just to support their own children," she said. "And then the flip side of that is a lot of them who have been there a long time are nearing their retirement age too. And so you have these two spans of young moms and then the older population who's doing it and that middle ground is kind of where there's a lack of childcare providers."

Stearns said their hope with retention efforts is to keep the young childcare providers in longer to help them feel supported and feel like they are making a difference, "because they truly are when they're working with the kids," she said.

The Childcare Stabilization Fund established through SWIF is strengthening those efforts.

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"It provides meaningful support to programs for both new and existing providers," Safstrom said. "It also extends out to the community for partnerships and it depends on donations to keep our programs going."

The fund helps grow and stabilize community programs and provider appreciation events along with training for childcare providers.

"If there's a shortage of approximately a thousand slots, it's trying to see how can we help create new slots in the county," Kopplow said, noting they have hosted several events on how to become a childcare provider in hopes of enticing people to enter the career.

CEDA is currently working with three projects to create childcare slots, including the Rushmore Community Center. The former school is being renovated to lease out space to three family childcare providers. The county was awarded a DEED grant to fund the renovations.

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The Ellsworth School is another project. The public school has designated space to be used as a child care center. The space is fully furnished after the previous childcare provider moved her program back to her home.

The third project is the Nobles Cooperative Electric building north of Worthington. The building is being renovated to serve as a childcare center. The renovations are also funded through a DEED grant.

"The other part to help with the slot creation was creating grants to support our existing and new childcare providers," Kopplow said.

There are currently two grants that do so  the capacity and expansion grant, and the provider fund grant.

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When a provider wants to start a daycare, they can apply for funds through the capacity and expansion grant. The requirements are that it must go toward building expansion, renovation expenses, installation of sprinklers and things like that. This grant offers a larger amount of money, so it can serve more children, thereby reducing needed slots.

The provider fund grant offers help with start up costs for new providers. It can include licensing and equipment or curriculum materials. This grant can also go toward operational expenses for existing providers, such as toys, staff training or educational materials.

Safstrom said grant applications are reviewed by a committee of community residents with an interest or experience in child daycare. They review applications before sending them on to the county commissioners for award determination.
BALTIMORE, Md. (DC News Now)  A Chillum man was sentenced Thursday for a pet-selling fraud scheme that resulted in over $900,00 being stolen from victims, according to the United States Attorneys Office (USAO) for the District of Maryland.

Anomah Ndonwi, 32, will serve 30 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

Summer camp counselor sexually assaulted young girls in 2024, jury rules

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According to court documents, from September 2019 through December 2022, Ndonwi falsely sold pets online, including dogs and horses, with the victims never receiving the animals they purchased.

The victims would respond to a fake listing posted by Ndonwi and would pay him through a wire or electronic app, but would not receive the pet or a refund.

Court documents state that meat products and other agricultural goods were also falsely advertised for sale by Ndonwi, with victims, often from foreign countries or businesses, never receiving the products they ordered.

To access the payments from the schemes, Ndonwi opened at least 14 bank accounts, mainly based in Maryland, under different aliases. According to the USAO, at least 12 of the accounts were created with fake passports from the Republic of Cameroon.

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The USAO states that, in total, Ndonwi received at least $930,105 from the scheme and targeted ten or more victims.

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Say what you will about the original Cold War, the looming threat of annihilation and the physical border infrastructure that split a continent in two: it was at least relatively easy to disentangle the two main parties. Trade between the Soviet Union and the United States was minimal and movement of people rarer still.

The struggle for dominance between China and America is far less clear cut, and attempts to make it more so have proved difficult at best.

As Donald Trumps decision to postpone the imposition tariffs  and Treasury secretary Scott Bessents indication of a likely further deadline extension  have demonstrated, trade between the two powers has become deeply entrenched no matter the policy preferences of those in the White House, or indeed the state of competition between the nations.

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As Elbridge Colby, now US under secretary of defence for policy, wrote in these pages in 2023, Americas priority is making sure it can defeat China in a conflict.

1004 Trade volumes

Norman Angells 1911 thesis that interdependence could make war economically irrational was superseded by 1914s demonstration that wars are not necessarily rooted in economic logic, but the coexistence of increasing military risk with large trade flows is curious, and all the more so given the technological arms race taking place in the background.

Even focusing on just two fields  AI and quantum computing  the scale of the risk is considerable.

Getting to sufficiently powerful AI systems first would be highly economically destabilising, permit massive parallel cyberattacks and information operations efforts, smooth out the operation of domestic systems, and potentially offer a pathway to self-improving systems that might make this advantage permanent.

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Quantum computing, meanwhile, would undermine the encryption techniques which keep data and systems  from healthcare to banking to messaging apps  secure.

As a helpful note from the US National Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence sets out, unnamed adversaries are deploying a harvest now, decrypt later strategy against America, gathering sensitive data today to decode in the near future when viable quantum computing technologies are developed.

Investments into quantum technologies are well underway, with $15bn (11bn) in Chinese state funding announced prior to 2023, against roughly $3.8bn in the United States.

Even allowing for a gap between headline figures and reality, and a $1bn-plus private sector investment gap in favour of the US, Beijing is at the least competitive in funding, and looking to consolidate efforts: private sector firms previously conducting quantum research have in recent years transferred assets to state-linked institutions.

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The risks and advantages of powerful AI systems, meanwhile, have been discussed at length elsewhere.

The sight of US firms inching away from sensitive fields in the Chinese market  with Amazon, IBM and Microsoft reducing their presence in the country  is at least an indicator that some private sector firms are uneasy about the coexistence of an intensive race for a technological edge alongside economic cooperation.

As much as AI safety advocates might hate the arms race terminology, it still seems to be an accurate description of the world as seen from Washington: JD Vance explicitly referred to an AI arms race with China earlier this year, noting that any unilateral pause in research risking finding ourselves all enslaved to PRC-mediated AI.

JD Vance explicitly referred to an AI arms race with China earlier this year - Yasin Ozturk/Anadolu via Getty Images

You dont need to believe in superintelligence, however, to see risks: competent coding agents that work tirelessly, day and night, year-round, in massively parallelised fashion, would confer a deeply intimidating cyber-offensive edge to the Chinese government.

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The description of the neutron bomb as a weapon that kills people and leaves buildings standing was captivating. Weapons that shut off capabilities without destroying either would be better still.

As a Rand report argues, the Peoples Liberation Army views warfare as a confrontation between opposing operational systems rather than between units, arms, services and platforms; paralyse the command structure, shut down information gathering and distribution, and disrupt infrastructure.

Its not particularly hard to see how asymmetric cyberwarfare or one-sided decryption of communications would fit into this model.

If theres a pattern to recent Chinese cyberoperations, with malware attacks on US bases in Guam and civilian infrastructure, its obtaining the ability to physically wreak havoc on [US] critical infrastructure at a time of its choosing, in the words of then-FBI director Christopher Wray.

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Selective US retrenchment should be seen in this light; moving sensitive areas of technology into relatively safe harbours. Whether it will work, however, is a little less clear.

Fifteen years ago, an agency within the US Department of Defence produced a report noting that one of the most distinctive features of Chinese intelligence operations was ethnic targeting of Chinese Americans and appeals to residual patriotism towards China.

Most Chinese spies in America, at that time, hadnt been bribed or blackmailed. Instead, they were simply profiled by ethnic background, and approached based on obligation to friends, family and nation.

This approach had formed the basis for roughly 98pc of the Chinese security services recruitment efforts, and divided loyalty was the primary motivation in roughly 57pc of espionage cases.

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Given that US AI firms are increasingly dependent on China for top-tier AI researchers, merely shifting location may not be enough to guarantee the security of technologies developed by Americas private sector tech giants. And that brings us, again, to the strength of the economic ties between the two rival powers.

Its one thing to start winding down economic operations overseas or to start developing alternative supply chains. But what do you do if your fundamental research capabilities are increasingly dependent on bringing in citizens from your rival power?

OpenAI already appears to be wrestling with this question, imposing controls on sensitive information and undertaking enhanced vetting of staff, which in turn may make hiring researchers harder.

The result seems to be an asymmetry that favours China, with the flow of information the other way appearing relatively limited. If America wants to win the race  and retain its lead  it will need to find a way to close its talent gap, or shut off the leaks.

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Beijing is reportedly circumventing Western sanctions by discreetly shipping Chinese-made drone engines to a state-owned Russian manufacturer, labeling them as "industrial refrigeration units" to avoid detection.

This alleged practice has enabled Russia to significantly ramp up its production of Garpiya-A1 attack drones, according to three European security officials and documents reviewed by Reuters.

The shipments have allowed Russian weapons-maker IEMZ Kupol to boost its Garpiya drone output, despite sanctions imposed by the U.S. and EU in October aimed at disrupting its supply chain. The information comes from the security officials and a trove of documents including contracts, invoices, and customs paperwork.

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An internal Kupol document, seen by Reuters, indicates the company signed a contract with the Russian defense ministry to produce over 6,000 Garpiya drones this year, a sharp increase from 2,000 in 2024. The document also noted that more than 1,500 drones had already been delivered by April.

The Garpiya, a long-range drone, is being used to strike civilian and military targets deep within Ukrainian territory, with approximately 500 units deployed by Russia each month, according to a statement from the Ukrainian military intelligence agency to Reuters.

Read also: Invisible prisoners  the struggle to free thousands of Ukrainians in Russian captivity

The European security officials requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information and asked that certain specific details from the documents, such as dates and contract costs, be withheld.

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In September, Reuters reported that Kupol was manufacturing the Garpiya using Chinese technology, including L550E engines produced by Xiamen Limbach Aviation Engine Co. One month after that report, both the European Union and the U.S. sanctioned several companies involved in the drone's production, including Xiamen.

Following these sanctions, a new Chinese firm, Beijing Xichao International Technology and Trade, has reportedly taken over the supply of L550E engines to Kupol. This is evidenced by invoices, an internal Kupol letter, and transportation documents reviewed by Reuters.

In a statement to Reuters, China's foreign ministry said it was unaware of the export of parts for the Garpiya and maintained that it controls foreign sales of dual-use goods in accordance with Chinese law and international obligations.

"China has always opposed unilateral sanctions that lack basis in international law and are not authorized by the U.N. Security Council," the statement read.

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Both the U.S. and EU have consistently imposed sanctions on companies in third-party countries, including China, accused of providing dual-use technology to Russia. Kupol itself has been under EU sanctions since December 2022 and U.S. sanctions since December 2023 for its involvement in Russia's defense sector.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is slated to travel to China for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on July 24, amidst growing tensions over Beijing's perceived support for Russia's war efforts.

On July 2, European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas informed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi that "Chinese firms' support for Russia in the war posed a threat to European security" and urged China to stop trade that sustains Russia's military machine, according to an EU statement.

Ahead of Thursday's summit, one European official noted that the EU is not asking China to sever economic ties with Russia, but rather to enhance customs and financial controls to curb the flow of specific dual-use goods.

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The Garpiya drone, which means "harpy" in Russian, is reportedly based on Iranian-made Shahed drones but incorporates Chinese technology, according to the three European sources. The Ukrainian military intelligence agency confirmed that the Chinese-made components in the drone include the engine, control systems, and navigation equipment.

Further documentation reviewed by Reuters shows that the engines were shipped by Xichao to a Russian front company identified as SMP-138, which then forwarded them to another Russian firm, LIBSS.

A contract for LIBSS to supply Kupol with the engines explicitly said that they would be described as "cooling units" in shipping documents due to their sensitive nature, according to Reuters. The specified delivery route for these components was from Beijing to Moscow, and then on to Izhevsk, where Kupol operates its manufacturing facilities.

According to the three security officials, this "cooling units" description enabled the goods to be exported to Russia without alerting Chinese authorities.

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Read also: Marjorie Taylor Greene is spreading lies about Ukraines protests. Russia is taking note.

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Hitachi Rail has entered into a 15-year technology partner framework agreement with the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to advance the South Yorkshire Supertram network in the UK.

This agreement designates Hitachi Rail as the strategic technology partner for SYMCA, focusing on modernising the light rail infrastructure in the region.

The initiative is part of SYMCA's strategy to enhance public transport services, improve connectivity among communities, and contribute to economic growth in South Yorkshire.

SYMCA Transport Development and Capital Delivery director Tom Howard said: This strategic partnership with Hitachi will ensure we can work collaboratively to harness the latest technology from an internationally experienced supplier in the Light Rail sector, delivering real benefits for our passengers over the lifetime of the framework.

We look forward to starting work together, which over the first couple of years will initially focus on systems to improve the reliability of timetable delivery alongside enhanced real-time information, making journeys smoother and more predictable for passengers.

The framework will enable Hitachi Rail to implement modern, digitally driven solutions that aim to improve both operational efficiency and the passenger experience on the Supertram system.

This partnership is aligned with SYMCA's objective to develop a comprehensive public transport network that promotes sustainability.

Hitachi Rail, which employs over 200 staff in Doncaster, is expected to generate additional local employment opportunities and foster skills development and supply chain involvement in the North of England, through the new agreement.

Hitachi Rail UK GTS managing director and vice president Andy Bell said: This 15-year partnership represents more than a contract, its a long-term commitment to South Yorkshire.

Were bringing together our globally proven technologies, transformational delivery expertise, and local presence in the South Yorkshire region to help deliver a stronger, smarter Supertram network for the future.

In June, Hitachi Rail won a contract from Kolin Insaat Turizm Sanayi Ve Ticaret to design, supply, and oversee the installation of signalling systems at Kapkule Station in Turkiye.

The contract covers the conventional line sections from Edirne West to Kapkule East and from Kapkule East to Kapkule West.

"Hitachi Rail, SYMCA partner on Supertram modernisation initiative" was originally created and published by Railway Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.
By Laurie Chen, Liz Lee and Xiuhao Chen

BEIJING (Reuters) -EU-China trade ties have hit a "clear inflection point," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday in Beijing, capping a tense summit with top Chinese leaders dominated by concerns on commerce and the Ukraine war.

Expectations were low for the summit in the Chinese capital marking 50 years of diplomatic ties after weeks of escalating tension and wrangling that led to the duration being abruptly halved to a single day at Beijing's request.

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"We have very frankly and openly raised our concerns...on the trade, investment and geopolitical issues... We have partially identified solutions," von der Leyen told a press conference after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang.

When asked about a potential trade deal with the United States, the EU chief said the bloc's focus has been on achieving a negotiated solution, but all other instruments are on the table until "we have a satisfactory result."

"Our relationship with China is of importance, but it stands on its own merits. It's independent of the actions or issues we have with others," she said.

Xi earlier told von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa that the challenges facing Europe do not come from China, urging the bloc to "properly handle differences and frictions."

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"It is hoped that the European side will keep the trade and investment market open and refrain from using restrictive economic and trade tools," Xi said, according to the official Xinhua news agency.

EU trade actions in the past year have targeted Chinese exports of electric vehicles among other goods, and its officials have repeatedly complained about Chinese industrial overcapacity as the bloc's trade deficit with China ballooned to a historic 305.8 billion euros ($360 billion) last year.

Von der Leyen told the press that the Chinese leadership has started to look into the overcapacity issue, and expressed willingness to support more consumption.

"We think increasing market access for European companies in China, limiting the external impact of involution, and reducing export controls are important steps forward," she told Premier Li earlier, according to a pool report.

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She described her meeting with Xi as "excellent".

The two sides also issued a joint statement on climate, reiterating their commitment to new climate action plans across the whole economy.

They will boost cooperation in areas such as energy transition, adaptation, methane emissions management and control, carbon markets and green and low-carbon technologies, the joint statement said.

'LACK OF IMPETUS'

At the start of U.S. President Donald Trump's second term, both sides had more of a consensus in working together to tackle trade challenges from the United States, said Cui Hongjian, a foreign policy professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University.

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"Recently the situation has changed," Cui said. "The EU has continued to compromise with the United States, which means that there is currently a lack of impetus for EU-China ties to become closer."

After intense negotiations, the EU is likely to seal a trade deal with the United States for a broad tariff of 15% on its exports, down from 30% threatened by President Donald Trump.

At Thursday's summit, the EU leaders also conveyed their expectations for China to discourage Russia in its war against Ukraine.

"What's important is that we have a ceasefire and negotiations at the table take place, that there is a true and genuine willingness to find solutions to end the bloodshed," von der Leyen said at the press conference.

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Topics the Europeans brought up in the talks also included China's rare earth export controls that disrupted supply chains worldwide, causing temporary stoppages in European automotive production lines in May.

"We need reliable and secure supplies of critical raw materials from China... we acknowledge China's efforts on fast tracking licenses for critical raw materials, and we agreed to have an upgraded export supply mechanism," von der Leyen said.

China's exports of rare earth magnets to the EU surged in June by 245% from May, to stand at 1,364 metric tons, though that was still 35% lower than the year-earlier figure, customs data showed.

On Thursday, China's foreign ministry defended the rare earths curbs as being "in line with international practice", while pledging stronger dialogue and cooperation with relevant countries and regions in the field of export controls.

($1=0.8492 euros)

(Reporting by Liz Lee, Xiuhao Chen and Laurie Chen; Additional reporting by Amy Lv and Ethan Wang; Editing by Saad Sayeed, Clarence Fernandez and Toby Chopra)
Chinese engines are being secretly supplied through front companies to a state-owned drone manufacturer in Russia under the label "industrial refrigeration units" to avoid Western sanctions.

Source: Reuters, citing its own sources in European security agencies and documents including contracts, invoices and customs documents

Details: The agency writes that these deliveries have enabled Russian arms manufacturer Kupol to increase production of Harpy A1 attack drones, despite US and EU sanctions imposed in October.

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An internal document from Kupol showed that the company signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defence to produce more than 6,000 Harpies this year, compared to 2,000 in 2024. The document states that more than 1,500 drones had already been delivered by April.

Long-range drones are used to attack civilian and military targets deep inside Ukrainian territory, with Russia using about 500 such drones per month, Ukrainian military intelligence told Reuters.

It is noted that European security officials asked that their names and the names of their organisations not be disclosed due to the confidentiality of the information. They also asked that certain specific details in the documents, such as dates and contract values, not be disclosed.

For its part, the Chinese Foreign Ministry told Reuters that it was not aware of any exports of parts for Harpy drones and that it controls foreign sales of dual-use goods in accordance with its own legislation and international obligations.

The European Commission did not respond to Reuters request for comment.

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Xi Jinping declined to come to Brussels for this years EU-China Summit, which should have celebrated 50 years of bilateral relations. Instead the event was cut down to one day in Beijing. Earlier today, at the keynote meeting with EU leaders, Xi told them that China and Europe should make correct strategic choices that meet the expectations of the people. EU-China tension is high over trade issues and US actions, but also over Chinas role in Ukraine, which lies at the heart of the EUs growing strategic mistrust.

Outwardly, Beijing continues to pretend that its stance on Ukraine focuses on negotiation, ceasefire and peace. But this neutral facade has worn away to a vanishing point. President von der Leyen recently accused China of de facto enabling Russias war economy, and noted that how it continues to interact with Putins war will be a determining factor for EU-China relations. More recently the European Union head of foreign policy has called Beijing the key enabler of Russias war in Ukraine.

Brussels has already sanctioned Chinese companies for selling goods that have been used for weapons production in Russia. China continues to pressurise the EU not to enforce trade measures to Chinas disadvantage. Today, Xi has pointedly warned the EU not to make wrong strategic decisions about China. But what strategic decisions has he made that would give grounds for greater confidence in Chinas bona fides towards Europe?

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From a geopolitical perspective, Chinas position is entirely clear. Xi values his expedient alliance with Putin in opposition to the US far more even than Chinas economic foothold in the EU market. The tense and combative tone of Beijings approach to the EU summit contrasts strongly with the atmospherics of Xis May Day visit to Moscow this year as Putins guest of honour, even as Russia was stepping up its brutal assault on a geographical Europes second-largest country.

Xis strategic choice is not in Europes favour. Earlier this month, Chinas foreign minister Wang Yi told his European counterpart that China cannot accept Russia losing its war against Ukraine since this would enable the US to turn its full attention to contesting with China. This unusually stark formulation wipes out at a stroke Chinas carefully cultivated outward pose of peaceful neutrality. But in truth, there is nothing neutral about existing Chinese engagement on the ground.

Earlier this week Ukrainian intelligence announced that it had retrieved two drones, apparently in use as decoys against Ukrainian air defences, which were entirely made of Chinese components. These items join a formidable list of other Chinese materiel found in Ukraine. Russia has recently deployed a Chinese-made laser system, the Silent Hunter, which locks on to, blinds and destroys Ukrainian drones. Chinese-made engines powered Geran-2 combat drones used to grim effect in a recent surge of attacks on Kyiv. The US government assesses that China provides nearly 80 per cent of the dual-use items Russia needs to sustain the war.

Xi has made his strategic choice; to back Putins attack on Europe on the battlefield. In these circumstances, to claim as China does that it is not a systemic rival is absurd. China is an enemy of Europe, as it is of Britain, and the sooner this results in strengthening Nato and individual Western defence policies against China, the better.

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MILFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  A private, Christian day care center in Milford is renewing its efforts to challenge the constitutionality of Connecticuts mandatory vaccination rules for students.

The day care center first brought the suit back in 2023, shortly after the legislature and the governor moved to eliminate religious exemptions for student vaccinations.

CT health department urges residents to get measles vaccine as cases rise across the US

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Were honoring and listening to what the parents are saying and saying to the state I think youre being unreasonable, youre overstepping what really is your authority, Jim Loomer, pastor of the church affiliated with the day care center, said.

The suit is backed by a national legal nonprofit called We The Patriots USA. The group describes itself as advocating for health freedom, religious freedom, Second Amendment rights, free speech, and so much more.

Efforts to overturn the states student vaccination mandates have so far not found success, but Loomer and his legal team say theyre now armed with new ammunition: a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision which sided with a group of Maryland parents seeking a religious exemption for their children to opt out of school lessons concerning LGBTQ+ issues.

Attorneys for the daycare center filed new materials in their ongoing federal suit which invokes the recent ruling.

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Connecticut Attorney General William Tong is defending the state in court. His office responded to the novel claims by essentially arguing the decision by the high court doesnt have bearing on the issues at hand in the Milford suit.

The attorney generals response read in part, vaccination requirements do not involve the compelled learning regulations at issue in [the recent rulings] and therefore do not similarly interfere with parents.

Tongs office vowed to continue to defend the states vaccine rules.

The prevailing advice of pediatric healthcare experts holds that routine immunizations against diseases like polio, rubella and the measles are safe and effective for the vast majority of children.

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Pediatricians at state capitol say measles vaccines are safe as cases are reported in surrounding states

Childhood vaccinations protect the health of our children, Dr. Joy Hong, a veteran Connecticut pediatrician, said. These vaccines, although they can have some small side effects, in general are very, very safe.

But for those who share Pastor Loomers religious convictions, the safety and efficacy of childhood immunizations are a secondary issue to the fact that some vaccines are developed using viruses grown with cell lines derived from the cells of aborted fetuses.

We not only live it, but we teach it to our children that you shouldnt be trying to profit off of something that is clearly, you know, the taking of a human life, Loomer said.

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Underscoring the religious objections at the core of the lawsuit, Cameron Atkinson, an attorney for the center, said, At the end of the day, here at Milford Christian Church, the issue is faith first.

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Jessica Flint introduces herself during a meeting of the Criminal Justice Oversight Council. (MPAN)

A Christian legal organization will now have a seat on the council overseeing the states criminal justice system, after Gov. Greg Gianforte appointed Alliance Defending Freedoms Jessica Flint to the states Criminal Justice Oversight Council.

The Montana Legislature created the 18-member council in 2017, comprising four legislators and 14 appointed members representing various parts of the criminal justice system. Flints position is as the representative of civil rights advocates and was created to advocate for the civil rights of incarcerated people.

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Flint is a State Government Relations Manager for the legal organization Alliance Defending Freedom, which, its website states, was founded with the goal of keeping the doors open for the Gospel.

Flint briefly introduced herself and ADFs work during a July 23 meeting of the council.

We are a nonprofit legal advocacy organization working primarily on free speech and free exercise of religion, and the reason you do that is because weve seen laws that criminalize and punish people, Flint said. So we work to make sure that this doesnt become a basis for criminalizing people utilizing their constitutional right.

Flint referenced a case ADF had been involved in, when a Colorado baker in 2012 refused to provide a wedding cake for a same-sex wedding. In the ensuing legal battle, Jack Phillips of Masterpiece Cakeshop was initially found in violation of the states Anti-Discrimination Act and told to start making cakes for same-sex couples if they asked, and provide two years of reporting every time they denied someone service.

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The case ended with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of Phillips, who was represented by the ADF.

The jail time Flint mentioned was held out as a possibility when the Colorado Human Rights Commission first handled the case in 2013. However, Phillips never served jail time and the possibility was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court which said the commission had acted with prejudice.

In the 2018 Supreme Court opinion on the case, it states, Colorado law does not permit the (Colorado Civil Rights Commission) to assess money damages or fines.

The Alliance Defending Freedom and the Governors Office did not respond to a request for comment by Thursday afternoon. The Governors Office was provided with seven questions, which mostly regarded Flints background, the role the ADF is to play in state policy and why a Christian organization is now on the council. The ADF was asked for a general comment on Flints appointment.

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Flints seat had solely been held by members of the American Civil Liberties Union prior to her appointment. The ACLU has significant programming around civil rights issues incarcerated people face.

In a comment to the Daily Montanan, civil rights organization Western States Center expressed concern with the move.

Its certainly concerning to see the Montana governor replacing an ACLU representative on the state Criminal Justice Oversight Commission with a member of the Alliance Defending Freedom, a powerful anti-LGBTQ law firm thats behind the majority of anti-transgender bills targeting youth, athletes, and access to restrooms, Western States Center senior organizer Kate Bitz said. Nothing about ADF represents expertise in criminal justice reform, and it is bizarre to replace a seat held by the nations leading civil rights group with a deep-pocketed SPLC-designated hate group that works to limit the civil rights of Americans under the false guise of religious freedom.

Henry Seaton, with ACLU-Montana, held the position prior to Flint, and told the Daily Montanan he found out he wasnt being reappointed via a short email from Lieutenant Governor Kristen Juras on July 18.

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He said the council is meant to bring stakeholders to the table, regardless of political leaning or background and to discuss those. ACLU-Montana also provides data to the council, which Seaton said was robust.

I think the ACLU, since its founding in Montana, has had decades of experience advocating for civil rights for people interacting with our justice system, whether its to try and reduce and end mass incarceration or ensuring free speech rights for people who are incarcerated, basically anything guaranteed under the Constitution, Seaton said. The ACLU has a robust history in advocating for both from a policy standpoint and from a legal standpoint.

Seaton also said the appointment makes the justice oversight council unnecessarily politicized.

Seaton provided examples of the work he did in his capacity on the council, including recent work with county attorneys on possibly expanding a work-time credit program for people who are on probation or parole.

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Our worry is that civil rights will not be as effectively advocated for without someone who does not have that same wealth of knowledge and experience as the ACLU of Montana does, Seaton said.

Flint, according to her LinkedIn page, was a licensed relator in Billings between 2017-22 and joined the Office of Public Instruction in 2020, where she stayed for about two years. She then joined the ADF in 2022.

Jessica Flint is married to Aaron Flint, a conservative radio talk radio host who often has Montanas Republican powerbrokers on his show. Campaign finance records show Jessica Flint has given political donations to Gov. Gianforte and current Attorney General Austin Knudsen. The Gianforte Family Foundation has also partnered with Aaron Flint and KBUL Radio in the past.

Aaron Flint did not respond to a comment request regarding his wifes appointment and the number of times the Governor has appeared on his show during the past year.

Editors note: This story has been updated to add a comment from Western States Center.
As Cincinnati city leaders consider new ways to enforce the curfew for youth who stay out too late, an Enquirer review of data found police across Hamilton County have been steadily filing fewer curfew violations over the past 25 years.

The number of juveniles referred to juvenile court peaked in 2000 with 619 violations and has steadily declined ever since. In 2024, there were 79 cited curfew violations across the county.

In the eight years where jurisdiction-level data is available, Cincinnati police make up roughly a third of all curfew violations filed. Cincinnati police gave out 46 curfew violations in 2022, the most recent year the data is available.

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Since its introduction in the mid-90s, Cincinnati has had a curfew for people under 16 after 10 p.m. and after midnight for ages 16 to 18, meaning that youth cannot be unaccompanied in public after those hours.

Its enforcement has ebbed and flowed over time, according to prior reporting by The Enquirer. Officers in the early 2000s used to conduct curfew sweeps that sometimes picked up over 100 youth in one night.

Why are fewer curfew violations being filed?

Enforcing the current curfew is difficult, city officials have said. During a special meeting of City Council on July 23, City Manager Sheryl Long said they're looking at ways to make it easier to enforce.

Part of the issue might be how the violations are handled in juvenile court. Prior to 2022, a curfew violation was heard unofficially and considered an "unruly charge" in the eyes of the court, according to Hamilton County Juvenile Court spokeswoman Kelly Leon.

Cincinnati police stop along Liberty Street in Over-the-Rhine to talk to an individual, June 30, 2025. City leaders are talking about having police resume enforcing a youth curfew during the late night hours.

"If the same child had a second curfew violation, he or she was in violation of the court order not to violate curfew and then the court could hear the case officially," Leon said.

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By 2022, Leon said a nationwide change pushed back on criminally charging minors for repeat violations of ordinances that aren't against the law for adults.

If the curfew begins being enforced again, council members stressed throughout the meeting July 23 it would not be about arresting children.

When asked during the City Council meeting whether children in violation of the curfew would be charged with a crime, Long said she didn't have the answer to that yet and is working with the legal department.

Cincinnati City Manager Sheryl Long speaks at a press conference with other city council members, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, at Cincinnati City Hall in Downtown Cincinnati. Long has proposed reintroducing curfew centers where the city could take minors who are out too late.

Part of Long's plan includes reintroducing curfew centers where the city could take minors who are out too late. They would stay there until their parents could come and get them.

Curfew centers are not a new idea

Cincinnati had curfew centers back in the 1990s, according to Enquirer reporting at the time. After the initially contentious plan in 1994 to establish a citywide youth curfew, part of the plan involved extending hours at recreation centers in Evanston and Price Hill. Curfew violators were brought to the centers, staffed by recreation workers and a Cincinnati police officer.

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Criticism by city police in the years that followed over the costly monitoring of the curfew centers  and that fewer than 4% of juveniles picked up on curfew violations were brought there  led them to be closed.

Years later, after an uptick in gun violence alarmed residents in the summer of 2015, the idea resurfaced. Then-Police Chief Jeffrey Blackwell proposed a plan that involved once again enforcing the city's youth curfew and opening curfew centers in Districts 4 and 5. Any teenager breaking the curfew Thursday through Sunday would have been brought to one of the curfew centers, where parents would be called to pick them up.

Weeks later, the plan was revised, cutting out the curfew centers. The city manager at the time Harry Black said communities were uncomfortable with the idea.

Long said the newly proposed curfew centers wouldn't be at recreation centers, since she doesn't want children to have a negative association with them.

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During discussion about the curfew at the city council meeting, Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney said when the curfew has been enforced in the past, residents have complained that it hasn't been enforced evenly in all neighborhoods.

"If we do it, well have to do it consistently and fairly across all neighborhoods," she said.

Enquirer reporter Scott Wartman contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati-area youth curfews have been enforced less, data shows
AUSTIN (KXAN)  City council members approved an Austin Energy contract Thursday that will add 100 megawatts of battery storage. The contract will cost Austin Energy $14.5 million annually.

Austin City Council Member Ryan Alter said during the meeting that the extra storage will save city residents in the long term.

Thats a lot of battery storage, and we can do is take energy, whether its wind in the middle of the night, or when we have extra solar energy  store it for when we really need it, he said. That not only saves customers money, but it makes the grid more reliable.

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Previously, the city council approved Austin Energys Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2035 in December 2024. KXAN reported on that plan, which included provisions related to battery storage.

Its a plan that essentially talks about how were going to meet Austins rising energy needs while providing an equitable clean energy transition in support of the communitys values, said Austin Energy COO Lisa Martin in December 2024.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The wait for the new streetcar route is almost over!

The city of Kansas City and the KC Streetcar announced the grand opening of its new Main Street extension.

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The grand opening celebration is planned for the morning of Friday, October 24, and will open to the public immediately after.

The KC Streetcar Main Street Southern Extension adds 3.5 miles to the existing downtown streetcar route, connecting the current southern end at Union Station to 51st Street and Brookside Boulevard on the UMKC campus.

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The expansion, according to the city, will provide fare-free, zero-emission transit service to the most crowded neighborhoods, busy business districts, world-class cultural institutions, and vibrant academic communities in Kansas City.

This extension will create a north-south transit spine through the center of Kansas City, extending the streetcar system from the City Market to UMKC for nearly six miles.

October 24th will be a day to remember and celebrate as Kansas Citians ride into the future of public transportation, connecting neighborhoods in the urban core like never before, Mayor Lucas said.

The grand opening of the Main Street Extension represents our communitys investment in generational growth, providing more opportunities for more residents and visitors alike while remaining fare-free for all. Mark your calendars to join us.

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The KC Streetcar Main Street Extension project officially broke ground on April 6, 2022, after planning started in April 2017. The extension is fully funded by a combination of federal and local funding, with a total cost of $352 million.

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As part of the expansion, there will be 15 additional stops, better pedestrian access, renovated public areas, eight more streetcars (bringing the total to 14), and links to regional transportation.

Picture from KC Streetcar.

Additional information about the opening celebrations and service details will be shared in the coming weeks.







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The city of Santa Fe has recovered $324,000 stolen in May by a hacker, which officials initially said they were not expecting to happen.

We werent optimistic at all that we would see any of it, Finance Director Emily Oster said. So, then to have it all returned has been really, really good news.

The city recovered the payment May 29 but announced it to The New Mexican this week.

The payment was stolen from the citys online vendor payment portal, Tyler Munis, after a hacker gained access to the account of roadwork constructor GM Emulsion and changed the bank account information in the system, officials said. They were notified of the hack after Wells Fargo flagged a payment that had gone to an unfamiliar bank account.

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The $324,000 was for work GM Emulsion had done at the Santa Fe Regional Airport. The construction company has a number of other contracts with the city for infrastructure projects, including the ongoing Guadalupe Street reconstruction.

Oster said initial efforts to recover the money were unsuccessful. City information technology and Finance Department staff then worked with the software vendor to track the IP address of the entity that had accessed GM Emulsions account.

The vendor provided the information to the Santa Fe Police Department, who in turn worked with the FBI on an investigation. Wells Fargos fraud division was then able to access the account the money had been sent to and return the amount to the city, Oster said.

Oster said the investigation pointed to Texas as well as international locations, making it unusual the recovery was a success.

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Its rare that this type of fraud would result in a recovery like this, especially when some of the activity was international, she said, but in this case the city of Santa Fe was very fortunate and we were able to recover every penny.

It was unclear if a suspect had been identified in the theft. Santa Fe police didnt respond to requests for comment.

GM Emulsion had yet to be paid by the city by the time the money was recovered. Part of the citys efforts to address the hack included shutting down its Tyler Munis account and creating a new one that had not been breached. Payments have since resumed, Oster said.

The city implemented additional internal controls to prevent a similar situation in the future, she added, including contacting vendors outside the online payment platform every time there is a vendor-initiated change to payment information to confirm the change is legitimate.

The city is also working with Tyler Munis on upgrades to the vendor platform to make it more secure and is transitioning management of the software from the IT Department to the Finance Department. A new position was created in the Finance Department to handle the work at the start of the fiscal year, Oster said.
Former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper blasted President Trump on Wednesday over his latest claims that the Obama administration committed treason and misled the public about Russias attempted interference in the 2016 election.

I take seriously when the president of the United States accuses me of being a participant in a treasonous conspiracy, which is ridiculous, Clapper, who was Obamas intelligence chief from 2011 to 2017, told CNNs Kaitlan Collins in an interview on her show The Source. Its ridiculous; its just  it is untrue.

Clapper said he has attorneys on call in case the Department of Justice attempts to pursue legal action against him.

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Weve had sort of perpetual attorneys, since I left the government in 2017, he told Collins.

Current Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, an Army Reserve officer and former Democrat from Hawaii, discussed the new Russia investigation claims at the White House on Wednesday, following the release of a trove of documents alleging Obama-era officials misled the public about Russias role in the 2016 election when Trump won his first White House term.

Gabbard told reporters the document trove was especially damning for Clapper, Obama, former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Director James Comey.

We have referred and will continue to refer all of these documents to the Department of Justice and the FBI to investigate the criminal implications of this, she said. The evidence that we have found and that we have released directly points to President Obama leading the manufacturing of this intelligence assessment.

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There are multiple pieces of evidence and intelligence that confirm that fact, Gabbard added.

Trump on Tuesday accused Obama and top officials in his administration of treason, which is a crime punishable by death in the U.S.

This was treason, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office. They tried to steal the election; they tried to obfuscate the election.

They did things that nobodys ever even imagined, even in other countries, the president added.

Trumps comments prompted a rare public rebuke from Obamas team, noting it doesnt normally comment on constant nonsense and misinformation from the Trump White House but felt the treason claims had crossed to being worthy of response.

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These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction, Obama spokesperson Patrick Rodenbush said in a statement.

The document dump last week did not provide direct evidence contrary to standing conclusions that Russia tried to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not manipulate votes directly. A bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee review, led by then-Florida senator and now-Secretary of State Marco Rubio, backed up the findings in a 2020 report.

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SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  A classic Mercedes Benz was recovered as a result of a months-long investigation into a burglary in San Franciscos Diamond Heights neighborhood. The San Francisco Police Department responded to the initial incident, a residential burglary on the 100 block of Turquoise Way, on Nov. 23, 2024, at around 10:27 a.m.

Responding officers were told by residents that a 1970 Mercedes Benz 280 SL was stolen.

Photo: SFPD Photo: SFPD Photo: SFPD

During the course of a months-long investigation, SFPD Auto Theft Unit officers worked with plainclothes officers to identify two suspects: Michael Demetrescu and Anthony Norman Fretty.

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Demetrescu was arrested on March 6 and booked into San Francisco County Jail for burglary and vehicle theft.

Arrested East Bay man allegedly followed, groped multiple women; victims sought

On June 23, SFPD investigators received word of the stolen Mercedes from the California Department of Motor Vehicles Investigation Division. SFPD investigators were advised that the car was listed for sale and being prepared for export to the Netherlands.

SFPD Auto Theft Unit officers and DMV investigators located and recovered the car on June 26 at a shipping facility in Richmond. Finally, on July 17, Fretty was arrested and booked into SF County Jail for vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, and delaying an investigation.

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The Mercedes, which police said was a family heirloom, was returned.

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CENTRAL, La. (Louisiana First)  The Central Community School District consistently ranks as a high-performing district in our state when it comes to standardized test scores. But school leaders said thats only a portion of what theyre aiming to achieve when it comes to student success.

A new and innovative approach to education has become what central community schools are known for.

Superintendent Jason Fountain with the Central Community School System said theyre focusing on a Whole Child approach.

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One thing were very excited about this year  this is the first cohort of Wildcat College Graduates. We have students who started in 9th grade, four years ago, wholl graduate from high school and earn their associates degree by the time they graduate. Also, were really focusing on the mind and the heart. Obviously, we are schools, we want them to grow academically, but its bigger than that. I have two kids in our school system, and I want them to learn virtues, to be good humans, get along with others, and persevere, Fountain said.



This approach has earned the school district praise, securing them a Model of Excellence Award from the Louisiana Department of Education.



I have always said that my goal was to make this community super proud of this school system. This community started because we wanted community schools, and for the last 18 years, its been awesome. The community supports our schools fully. We have great kids, I would stack our faculty up against any in the state, and weve had little turnover this year, Fountain declared.

Principal of Tanglewood Elementary School, Maegan Brown, said there are five main pillars the district focuses on when it comes to molding well-rounded students with their Whole Child approach.

This is achieved by keeping them physically healthy by providing physical and emotional safety, keeping them engaged by developing connections at the school, and by giving them support from qualified, caring adults at the school.

Other ways to help achieve this goal for the Central Community School District include challenging students by preparing them for success in college and careers, and focusing on teamwork by helping them to build the capacity to work and problem-solve with others.

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Our goal is to meet students where they are. You want students to enjoy coming to school, Brown said.

The Central Community School District has about 4500 students and 800 faculty and staff.

The district also prioritizes financial transparency and collaboration with parents and other local leaders.

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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.  When the Cleveland Clinic started acquiring hospitals and medical offices in this palm tree-lined region six years ago, many Floridians were excited. The Ohio nonprofit, ranked among the top hospitals in the world, pledged to bring expert care and an infusion of cash to the states Treasure Coast, an area north of Boca Raton brimming with 55-and-up gated communities.

But in the years after the Cleveland Clinics blue and green signs popped up outside dozens of medical offices, patients began receiving unexpected bills: an additional $95 for a consultation with a neurosurgeon. An extra $112 to see a family medicine physician. And $174 more for a neurologist appointment that previously cost only a $50 co-pay.

Baffled, the patients contacted their doctors offices and insurers and learned that the new costs were facility fees  charges that hospitals have traditionally billed for inpatient stays and emergency room visits but are now increasingly charging for routine appointments in their outpatient clinics. The fees, which are often not fully covered by insurance, are meant to support the higher level of care that these doctors offices provide, according to hospitals.

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For blindsided patients, that can mean paying a hospital fee  even if they never set foot in a hospital.

My heart dropped, said Brandy Macaluso-Owens, 43, a social worker who lives in Port St. Lucie. She received a $174 facility fee after a visit in March with a Cleveland Clinic gastroenterologist. I probably met with the doctor maybe as little as 15 minutes.

The Cleveland Clinic has four hospitals and dozens of outpatient offices across the Treasure Coast. (Martina Tuaty for NBC News)

The Cleveland Clinic defended facility fees in an email, saying they are an appropriate practice that align with government regulations and industry guidelines.

These fees help support just some of the costs of maintaining outpatient facilities so that we can continue providing high-quality, compassionate care to all patients, the Cleveland Clinic said.

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The Cleveland Clinic is far from the only hospital charging facility fees, which amount to billions of dollars annually for patients across the country. The fees have become pervasive in recent years as major health systems have snapped up doctors offices, making it harder for patients to find independent practices: More than half of all physicians nationally are now employed by hospitals or health systems, up from just a quarter in 2012.

At the same time, facility fees have become more noticeable because of a rise in high-deductible health insurance plans, which leave patients paying a larger share of their medical bills before their insurance kicks in. A study last year found that the average deductible for employer-sponsored coverage had risen about 47% in a decade.

These factors are affecting many patients who are already teetering financially. About half of adults in the U.S. say they would be unable to pay an unexpected $500 medical bill or would have to go into debt to pay it, according to the health policy group KFF.

Facility fees can run into the hundreds of dollars, and even small amounts can quickly add up.

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Did your doctor's office charge you a facility fee? Here's what to know

People are getting really high bills for simple, routine care, said Christine Monahan, an assistant research professor at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University who has studied the issue. They dont expect to be paying high bills for this. And its not realistic to expect people to be able to afford this.

Opposition to outpatient facility fees is a rare area of agreement between patient advocates and insurance companies, which argue that hospitals are unnecessarily inflating the cost of care. While efforts to restrict facility fees have drawn bipartisan support at the state and federal levels, the hospital industry has pushed back, arguing that the fees are necessary to help fund core services like 24/7 emergency departments, and that insurers should cover them.

These national forces are all colliding in southeast Florida, where 11 patients told NBC News that the Cleveland Clinic had charged them unexpected facility fees in the past several years. For some, the fees were a mere annoyance, a sign of the escalating cost of health care. For others, the bills were a financial burden too big to shoulder. And some are refusing to pay them.

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Billie Paukune Boorman, a waitress, was recently charged a $174 facility fee for her 13-year-old daughters ear, nose and throat appointment, along with over $200 in other unanticipated charges.

I dont have that kind of money laying around, she said.

The Cleveland Clinic declined an interview request from NBC News and declined to comment on individual cases but said in its email that patients are charged facility fees in doctors offices that are classified as hospital outpatient departments, which must meet stricter quality and safety standards than nonaccredited physician practices. The facility fees reflect the significant added costs to hospitals of complying with these standards, the Cleveland Clinic added.

The Cleveland Clinic told NBC News that it has sent more than 250,000 letters to its Florida patients informing them of the fees ahead of their appointments, and said it posts signs at its offices saying that they are hospital outpatient departments. Medicare patients receive an additional notice at check-in. The letters that the Cleveland Clinic sent say patients may see a change from how you were billed in the past but do not explicitly note that patients may be charged more out of pocket. Many of the patients who spoke to NBC News did not recall receiving the letters.

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The health system did not answer questions about how it determines the price of a facility fee but said the costs vary depending on the facility and the type of medical services provided.

Several patients said they did not notice any differences in their care after the fees were implemented.

Last year, Irene Rauch, 66, a semiretired human resources executive, was charged a $95 facility fee for an appointment with a neurosurgeon she said she had seen for the same type of appointment three months earlier for just a $15 co-pay. The added charge was not something she had budgeted for.

Irene Rauch, shown at her home in Port St. Lucie, Fla., said she didn't expect to be charged a facility fee. (Martina Tuaty for NBC News)

Im grateful for the care that Ive gotten at the facility, she said. Does it justify this unknown fee, when you go to see the doctor for a check-up and youre in there for five minutes?

A booming population with growing health care needs

Along Floridas Treasure Coast, signs of the booming  and aging  population are everywhere. Strip malls full of medical offices pepper the streets, and senior centers bustle with exercise classes and bingo games.

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In 2018, the leaders of the Cleveland Clinic saw the areas growing need for health care and invested in the century-old nonprofits first major expansion outside Ohio. Renowned for cardiac surgery, among other specialties, the Cleveland Clinic emphasizes its public health mission, committing over $413 million annually to philanthropy. The health system now owns four hospitals and dozens of outpatient offices across the Treasure Coast, including family health clinics, sleep labs and a wound care center, and it has vowed to be part of the social fabric of the community.

The flurry of facility fees did not immediately follow the Cleveland Clinics arrival in Florida: Most patients said they only noticed them in the last year or two.

In February, Mark Huber, 60, of Hobe Sound, went to a Cleveland Clinic neurologist whom his wife, Victoria, had seen a couple of times in 2024. The couple had carefully selected the in-network doctor from their commercial insurance plans website so they would only have a $50 co-pay. But after his appointment, Mark Huber received a bill for a $174 facility fee.

We were just floored that this charge came and no one was apologizing, he said.

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Some of the outpatient offices that the Cleveland Clinic has acquired in the region had already been charging facility fees prior to becoming part of its health system, the Cleveland Clinic said in an email to NBC News. It said it began charging fees in the last two years at additional sites to be consistent across its locations.

We understand this frustration with any change and are transparent with all billing practices, the Cleveland Clinic said. Patients with concerns can speak to a Cleveland Clinic financial advocate, the organization added.

Mark and Victoria Huber, of Hobe Sound, Fla., made sure to go to an in-network physician to avoid large medical bills. Mark Huber still ended up with an unexpected charge. (Martina Tuaty for NBC News)

During a Facebook Live chat with a Cleveland Clinic executive in February, patients expressed confusion and anger about the fees. Dr. Rishi Singh, vice president and chief medical officer of the Cleveland Clinic Martin North and South Hospitals in Martin County, Florida, told the patients that they were now receiving hospital-level care that independent doctors dont offer.

We are required to have various ways of sterilizing things, to inspect our facilities, to make sure theyre clean, to have air handling, to do all these special things, he said. Thats a big difference in the way that the cost is for that.

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Among those who pressed Singh was Virginia MacDonald, who lives in Stuart. She posted in the Facebook chat that her husband had been charged hundreds of dollars worth of facility fees for weekly health care appointments.

In response to her and others, Singh advised patients to talk with their insurance companies about facility fees, which MacDonald said she felt was ridiculous.

Theres always this push and shove over what insurance companies are going to cover, she said in a recent phone interview. I just think they found this little hidden charge where they can get away with it.

MacDonald said Florida Blue, a Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, left the couple responsible for a huge portion of her husbands facility fees.

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Insurers argue that facility fees for outpatient visits burden patients and insurance companies with costs that do not improve the quality of care. In an interview with NBC News, a Blue Cross executive criticized them as a way for hospitals to drive up health care costs.

These fees are tacked on to patient bills with vague descriptions, virtually no transparency as to why, or why theyre being charged, said David Merritt, a Blue Cross Blue Shield Association senior vice president. They shouldnt be tacked on simply to raise revenue for hospitals.

A push for regulations

The dissatisfaction over facility fees in Florida is mirrored across the country, with patients fuming on social media about the dominant hospital chains in their area, advocates raising concerns that facility fees too often surprise patients, and state legislators seeking to impose limits.

Nineteen states have passed laws related to facility fees, according to the health policy advocacy group United States of Care. Some require only that hospitals warn patients about the fees in advance; others, such as Connecticut, ban facility fees for certain outpatient services. Ohio prohibits facility fees just for telehealth appointments, and other states, such as Indiana, require hospitals to submit annual reports that include their facility fees.

On the federal level, the Trump administration has pushed for protections to shield Medicare patients against some facility fees. A bipartisan proposal expected to be introduced in Congress this year would extend those reforms, requiring Medicare to pay the same rate for common outpatient services whether the doctors office is independent or owned by a hospital.

The American Hospital Association opposes efforts to limit facility fees, as does the Florida Hospital Association. In a phone interview, Florida Hospital Association President and CEO Mary Mayhew said hospitals are struggling to cover expenses, especially because Medicaid reimbursement doesnt come anywhere close to covering the cost of many services that Florida hospitals provide. She said facility fees are critical to keeping doctors offices and hospitals open and said insurers should cover them.

The nonprofit Cleveland Clinic vows to be part of the social fabric of the community it serves. (Martina Tuaty for NBC News)

In Florida, then-House speaker Paul Renner, a Republican, championed legislation last year to clamp down on surprise health care costs, including by requiring medical offices to disclose a patients facility fees in advance.

Unlike going to the grocery store where you can look at price per gallon of milk or the price per pound of an item, in health care, we know what were told and we pay what were told, but not before the fact, Renner said in a recent interview. We get that explanation of benefits afterwards thats very opaque and hard to follow what you pay, your insurance pays, and it disempowers patients.

Existing Florida law requires facilities to share good-faith cost estimates with patients who request them. Eventually, the law will require these doctors offices to notify all patients about their estimated facility fee costs before they see medical providers  but that portion of the law is not yet in effect.

As patients discover the facility fees on their bills, some are switching to independent doctors to avoid the extra costs. In many cases, that means traveling farther for care: Dr. Evelio Sardina, who practices concierge medicine in Jupiter about 45 minutes from Port St. Lucie, has heard these patients frustrations firsthand.

If youre being charged a new fee, you expect there to be a new service, Sardina said of his conversations with patients. It comes right down to, What is the service Im getting for the money that Im now being charged? And the answer is, Im not getting any new service  Im just paying more, so Im feeling a little more taken advantage of.

One of the few Cleveland Clinic patients NBC News spoke to who remembered receiving notice in advance to expect a facility fee was Cindy Aaron, 68, who lives in Fort Pierce. A bladder and kidney cancer survivor, Aaron must see a urologist every six months to make sure she is still in remission. After receiving a letter in the mail from the Cleveland Clinic informing her of the new facility charges, she called to request an estimate ahead of her appointment in April.

The 15-minute urologist appointments, which previously cost her only a $35 co-pay, would now cost an estimated $300, the Cleveland Clinic told her.

She canceled the appointment.

This is a rip-off, Aaron said. Ive never seen anything like this before.

Elizabeth Chuck reported from Port St. Lucie, Florida; Maite Amorebieta reported from New York.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The City of Clinton announced it has been selected to receive $1,091,917 in Brownfields Cleanup Grant funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7. The award is part of almost $5.5 million in brownfields grants allocated to communities across Iowa, and $267 million nationwide.

Grant funds will be used to clean up the former Clinton YMCA property at 480 S. Third Street. The vacant, 0.96-acre site served as a YMCA until 2021 and is contaminated with inorganic materials. The funding will allow the pool section of the building to be removed, a critical final step in preparing the site for redevelopment. The grant will help finalize a community involvement plan and support public engagement activities to ensure transparency and community input throughout the process.

The EPA Brownfields Grant is a tremendous opportunity for Clinton, said Mayor Scott Maddasion. Restoring the historic 1905 YMCA building is not just about preserving our past, its about shaping our future. This project is a key part of our continued efforts to revitalize and transform our downtown into a vibrant, welcoming destination for residents and visitors alike. Without this federal investment, the redevelopment would not be possible.

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The removal of the pool section of the former YMCA building is the final and essential step to prepare this site for redevelopment, said City Administrator Matt Brooke. This progress would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of Clintons Community Development Director Tammy Johnson, working in close partnership with Dawn Danielson of ECIA. Thanks to the $1.09 million in EPA Brownfields Grant funding, we now have the resources to bring back the historic 1905 YMCA building and continue transforming our downtown. Clinton remains committed to building a cleaner, greener, and more livable community for all.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
UPPER WEST SIDE, Manhattan (PIX11)  A neighborhood on the Upper West Side is on edge after a 16-year-old boy was slashed in the lobby of a luxury apartment building on Wednesday, according to the NYPD.

Police said it happened inside Waterline Square around 10:45 p.m. The teenager was slashed in the back multiple times, according to authorities.

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Police said four other teenagers darted from the scene and the victim was taken to a local hospital, where hes expected to recover.

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I think its horrible. You know, its crazy that this stuff is happening so close to home for me. Its really crazy to see stuff right on my sidewalk, neighbor Rafael Castro told PIX11 News. I think that this is a pretty nice neighborhood, so its surprising to see something out of the blue like this.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

One-bedroom apartments in Waterline Square start at $7,500 a month. The building has been used by HBO and Showtime for film scenes, and is known for high-end amenities and visits from high-profile celebrities.

Police are still searching for the suspects and are trying to learn if the victim lived in the building.

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Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

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.
This story has been updated with a statement from the U.S. Secret Service.

Two roads will be closed for over a week in East Walnut Hills while Vice President JD Vance spends time at his Cincinnati home.

A press release from the City of Cincinnati announced Taft Road and Collins Avenue will be closed from 11:00 a.m. on July 25 to the evening of Aug. 3.

In an emailed statement to The Enquirer, U.S. Secret Service spokesperson Alexi Worley said the agency requests road closures for when Vance is in Cincinnati.

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"The U.S. Secret Service strives to minimize disruptions to the public while maintaining a secure environment for those whom we protect," the statement read. "In order to ensure the highest levels of safety and security for Vice President J.D. Vance, the U.S. Secret Service has requested that a number of road closures be implemented within the Cincinnati area when the Vice President is in town. We recognize that these closures will have an impact on the public, and appreciate the community's understanding as we work to keep the Vice President and his family safe."

Worley did not say why the vice president is in town.

Roads around Vice President JD Vance's house in East Walnut Hills have closed before during his visits home.

According to city officials, these road and sidewalk closures will be in place:

William Howard Taft Road between Torrence Parkway and East McMillan Street.

Collins Avenue between Riverside Drive and William Howard Taft Road.

Gladstone Avenue, Taft Road Lane and Heatherhill Lane.

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Drivers should instead use Torrence Parkway, Madison Road and Woodburn Avenue as a detour, the release said. Residents who live within the area will be able to access their homes through these three security checkpoints:

William Howard Taft Road and Torrence Parkway.

William Howard Taft Road and East McMillan Street.

Riverside Drive and Collins Avenue (for pedestrians only).

Vance purchased his East Walnut Hills home for $1.4 million in 2018. The vice president clashed with pro-Ukrainian demonstrators near his home when he returned to Cincinnati in March.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Road closures announced near JD Vance's Cincinnati home
New clues lead to person of interest in Orlando couples 2015 murders

For 10 years, a family in Orlando has been searching for answers to a couples murder. Police have never given any motive or suspects.

Now, for the first time since the 2015 killings, 9 Investigates has learned there is a person of interest in this case.

Peterson Pete Delhomme was working the overnight shift on July 17, 2025. He then went home, where his girlfriend, Renee Collins, was waiting with their 2-year-old son.

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But police think Delhomme came home in the middle of violence already taking place. Soon after, the couple was dead.

Why would someone do that to them? They didnt live a life that would have warranted that type of death in front of their child. Taken from us, taken from them. Why would someone do that? said Colins sister, Angel Bethea.

Collins talked to her family every night. The night before she was killed was no different.

I didnt know that would be the last conversation, Bethea said.

The case has never been solved, but Orlando police showed the case files to 9 Investigates, allowing a look into what they know so far.

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Former detective Mike Moreschi said neighbors heard gunshots that day, and one man said he saw Delhomme trying to get out of the home but was pulled back in.

Detective say the couple struggled to save their lives and the life of their son.

Their son was untouched but was found walking around is his own parents blood. Moreschi said he has no doubt the toddler saw what happened, making the crime even more horrific.

Ive been in homicide for 10 years. This is easily one of the most violent scenes that Ive ever been to," he said.

Collins worked as a service manager at a local Wells Fargo bank, while Delhomme worked two security jobs, authorities said. Both were from West Palm Beach and had only been living in Orlando for a short time.

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There was nothing in their lives that would suggest they were in danger.

Her mother died a few years ago. The family says she never got over her daughters death.

As for their child, he is being raised by Collins father and sister.

The family has expressed their frustration at the lack of progress in the case.

Detective Annmarie Esan was not the investigator back then, but is now in charge of trying to solve the cold case.

She told 9 Investigates how the front door was locked, saying, "So they know that this person didnt come in, go out the front, but they didnt really know where he could have gone."

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"Its clear from inside there is quite a struggle. Its clear that our victims fought, and they fought to try and stay safe," she said.

The crime scene photographs show the apartment was full of blood.

Delhomme was found dead on the floor, while Collins body was in the bedroom. Esan said there were drag marks and one set of footprints.

Detectives found this was not a robbery and there was no sign of forced entry. In fact, investigators believe the person could have left through the sliding glass door.

Im so hard pressed to say it was one person, one deranged individual who either had a bone to pick, a score to settle or to quiet somebody, Esan said.

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The case is even harder to solve because the couple was quiet, and there was no indication they were in trouble. The original detective called them no risk victims.

Were dealing with a seriously depraved individual, Moreshi said. This is an individual that we all as a community need to have off the street.

However, Esan said, "I think this was a score to settle. I cant give a whole lot of detail, again, because its still an ongoing investigation. But we have good reason to think that either Renee or Pete, whatever information they knew could potentially change somebodys life."

But here is new evidence in the form of recently discovered fingerprints in this case. Those prints are being reevaluated.

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And there is other evidence, including a Nike shoe print, that is being reevaluated. Smudges and handprints on the interior of the door are also being reexamined, These could be the key to solving the crime.

Detectives found a bloody knife under the couples balcony, but believe it was not the only weapon used.

They sent hundreds of items from the apartment to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement forensics lab to look for DNA. They even had the Orange County dive team search a dirty retention pond behind the complex, but it wasnt enough to solve the case.

I never saw them before because I wasnt at the original scene. But when I was going through, yesterday actually, we were going through different photographs again because there are shoe prints that I need evaluated, so I was trying to figure it out and thats how I see this fingerprint, Esan said,

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But the blood smudges and fingerprints Esan found has now led to a person of interest. It was someone who was on their radar before.

The DNA from both of those finds could finally help close the case and bring closure to the victims families.

The question of how did this case went unsolved and why were things were missed is hard to know. The detective retired years ago and was respected in this field.

Central Florida had more than 200 homicides in 2015. Orlando had 32. The clearance rate was 64% at the time

Sometimes detectives say it just takes a new set of eyes and new technology to find new leads.

Do you have a story for WFTVs 9 Investigators?

Click the banner below to submit a tip.
This Tuesday, Coca-Cola announced it will roll out a cane sugar version of its namesake product in the United States, confirming, at least in part, what President Donald Trump promised on social media earlier this month.

As Food & Wine reported late last week, Trump posted on Truth Social on July 16  prior to any announcement from the brand  stating that he had been "speaking to Coca-Cola about using REAL Cane Sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so." The President added, "I'd like to thank all of those in authority at Coca-Cola. This will be a very good move by them  You'll see. It's just better!"

However, as the multinational corporation detailed this week, this may not be a blanket change across all of Coca-Cola's U.S.-based products. The company shared in an earnings report posted on Tuesday, "As part of its ongoing innovation agenda, this fall in the United States, the company plans to launch an offering made with U.S. cane sugar to expand its trademark Coca-Cola product range." The brand also noted that, "this addition is designed to complement the companys strong core portfolio and offer more choices across occasions and preferences."

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It's important to note that Coca-Cola only says a cane sugar option will "complement," not replace, its current offerings. This is really an and strategy and not an or strategy, James Quincey, Coca-Colas chairperson and chief executive officer, said on the company's earnings call. We are going to continue to use a lot of the corn syrup that we do now.

This is good news for the Corn Refiners Association, which represents the corn refining industry, including those who produce corn syrup. Following the President's social media post, John Bode, the association's chief executive officer and president, shared in a statement that "Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar doesn't make sense

"President Trump stands for American manufacturing jobs, American farmers, and reducing the trade deficit. Replacing high fructose corn syrup with cane sugar would cost thousands of American food manufacturing jobs, depress farm income, and boost imports of foreign sugar, all with no nutritional benefit."

Related: Are Natural Food Dyes Better? Experts Weigh In on the Pros and Cons

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Coca-Cola defended its use of corn syrup on social media by responding to a fan's inquiry about the ingredient and explaining its origin. "The name sounds complex, but high fructose corn syrup (HFCS)  which we use to sweeten some of our beverages  is actually just a sweetener made from corn. It's safe; it has about the same number of calories per serving as table sugar and is metabolized in a similar way by your body," the brand tweeted.

Coca-Cola also noted that the American Medical Association has confirmed that "HFCS is no more likely to contribute to obesity than table sugar or other full-calorie sweeteners. Please be assured that Coca-Cola-brand soft drinks do not contain any harmful substances."

"All Coca-Cola brand products are wholesome beverages manufactured in compliance with the federal law governing food safety and labeling, the laws of all the states, and the laws of over 200 countries throughout the world where they are sold."

Related: FDA Greenlights Game-Changing UV Technology That Could Make Raw Milk Safer to Consume

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In reality, Trump's quest to persuade Coke to switch sweeteners may not align with his administration's larger "Make America Healthy Again" campaign. As Eva Greenthal, a senior policy scientist at the Center for Science in the Public Interest, shared with CNN, To make the U.S. food supply healthier, the Trump administration should focus on less sugar, not different sugar."

An emphasis on reducing sugar consumption would be more likely to support Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s plans as Secretary of Health and Human Services. He has called corn syrup "just a formula for making you obese and diabetic" and has called sugar "poison," adding, "I don't think that we're going to be able to eliminate sugar, but I think what we need to do, probably, is give Americans knowledge about how much sugar is in their products, and also, with the new nutrition guidelines, we'll give them a very clear idea about how much sugar they should be using, which is zero."

Read the original article on Food & Wine
By David Lawder and Andrea Shalal

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Indonesia has agreed to eliminate tariffs on more than 99% of U.S. goods and scrap all non-tariff barriers facing American firms, while the U.S. will drop threatened tariffs on Indonesian products to 19% from 32%, the two countries said on Tuesday.

Trump hailed the deal, which he first announced on July 15, in a posting on his Truth Social media platform, calling it a "huge win for our Automakers, Tech Companies, Workers, Farmers, Ranchers, and Manufacturers."

Details of a framework for the accord were released in a joint statement by both countries, and a fact sheet issued by the White House. They said negotiators for both countries would finalize the actual agreement in coming weeks.

"Today, the United States of America and the Republic of Indonesia agreed to a framework for negotiating an agreement on reciprocal trade to strengthen our bilateral economic relationship, which will provide both countries' exporters unprecedented access to each other's markets," the statement said.

The Indonesia deal is among only a handful reached so far by the Trump administration ahead of an August 1 deadline when higher tariffs are due to kick in.

The U.S. tariff rate on Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy, matches the 19% announced for the Philippines earlier on Tuesday. Vietnam's tariff rate has been set at 20%.

Under the agreement, Indonesia will immediately drop its plans to levy tariffs on internet data flows and it agreed to support renewal of a longstanding World Trade Organization moratorium on e-commerce duties, a senior Trump administration official told reporters on a conference call.

Indonesia also will remove recently enacted pre-shipment inspections and verifications of U.S. exports that have posed problems for U.S. agricultural exports and contributed to a growing U.S. farm trade deficit, the official said.

The official, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said the agreement could help restore the surplus in agricultural goods that the United States once had with Indonesia, until it implemented the pre-shipment requirements.

In a win for U.S. automakers, the official said Indonesia has agreed to accept U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for vehicles exported from the United States to the growing country of 280 million people.

Indonesia also has agreed to remove export restrictions on industrial commodities, including critical minerals, the joint statement said. The U.S. official said it would also remove local content requirements for products using these commodities that were shipped to the United States.
Credit: Youtube / Presidencia de la Republica

Colombias president was caught on Tuesday using an aide as a laptop stand at the opening of the countrys congress.

The staffer was seen lying on the ground beside Gustavo Petro, with his arm in the air, holding up the laptop for the president to refer to during his speech.

The footage prompted mockery of the president online for using a human tripod.

In one reaction video, Right-wing podcasters fell about with laughter as they noted the irony of the Left-wing president referencing anti-slavery policies in his speech.

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The full official footage was posted online by the presidents own office.

Many in the audience appeared to have been pre-occupied with their phones during the nearly two-and-a-half-hour speech. At least two audience members could be seen sitting on the floor in the middle of the auditorium.

In the footage, Mr Petro appeared to make no secret of the task he had given his staffer.

The aide appeared by Mr Petros side during a portion of the address in which he referred to a series of slides displaying various graphs regarding proposed healthcare reforms.

He was seen gesturing at the laptop and leaning in to take a closer look at the data on the screen. The aides face appeared occasionally over the top of the desk.

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DENVER (KDVR)  Colorado Parks and Wildlife said Wednesday that necropsy results provided by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services show that one wolf was killed by a mountain lion, while the second appears to have died after being injured by a foothold trap.

The first wolf, a female gray wolf located in Rocky Mountain National Park on April 20, was found to have died from injuries from an apparent mountain lion attack.

CPW believes Copper Creek Pack behind July attack on Pitkin County calf

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The second wolf, a female gray wolf in northwestern Colorado, was found dead on May 15. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted a necropsy on the wolf and determined that it died from apparent secondary trauma from a lawful foothold trap used for coyote control.

CPW also noted that wolf survival in Colorado is within normal margins for a Rocky Mountain wolf population, and said the average gray wolf lifespan is about three to four years. Both wolves whose causes of death were announced Wednesday were part of the January reintroduction of gray wolves sourced in British Columbia, Canada.

CPW explained in its Wednesday release that Colorado law, in general, prevents the use of foothold traps, but an exception is in place to allow the owners of property used for commercial livestock production, or their designated agents, to use the traps for a 30-day period under certain criteria.

CPW said the criteria were satisfied in the case and the trapper, upon discovering the wolf, notified CPW and released the animal. The mortality signal from the wolfs GPS collar was received the next day.

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Because the trap was placed lawfully, neither the USFWS nor CPW plan to take further law enforcement action, CPW said in its release Wednesday.

The agency also said that until further review can be conducted, there is a statewide suspension of issuing 30-day permits to allow taking coyotes or other terrestrial species using foothold traps, instant-kill body-gripping design traps or snares.

CPW removing non-native trout, reintroducing native cutthroat

While CPW will continue to recognize the exceptions to the general prohibition on these trap designs, CPW cautions landowners that federal and state law prohibit taking gray wolves unless specifically authorized under the USFWS 10(j) rule and CPW regulations, the agency said in its release.

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USFWS is also investigating the death of a male gray wolf on May 31, and no further information on that investigation was released.

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** This article was updated on July 23, 2025, at 10:40 p.m. to include a comment from Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI)

Columbia University has reached a deal with the Trump administration, part of which stipulates that the university will pay the federal government over $220 million, according to a Wednesday announcement.

While Columbia does not admit to wrongdoing with this resolution agreement, the institutions leaders have recognized, repeatedly, that Jewish students and faculty have experienced painful, unacceptable incidents and that reform was and is needed, the institution said.

Whats in the deal?

As part of the deal, the vast majority of the $400 million in federal grants Columbia had been approved for that were terminated or paused in March 2025 will be reinstated, according to the institution. The agreement also guarantees that the university will have access to future federal funding.

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Importantly, the agreement preserves Columbias autonomy and authority over faculty hiring, admissions and academic decision-making, the university said.

The battle between the Trump administration and Columbia began when the institution was issued an ultimatum in March. Federal officials told the university it must abide by a list of requirements they had laid out for it or risk jeopardizing its continued financial relationship with the United States government.

The institution responded by agreeing to implement a series of policy changes. Most recently, Columbia announced that students who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations would face expulsion or suspension for one to three years, as well as probation and degree revocations.

This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty. The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track. Importantly, it safeguards our independence, a critical condition for academic excellence and scholarly exploration, work that is vital to the public interest, said Claire Shipman, Columbias acting president.

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Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) said in a statement that the need for a federal settlement shows the universitys lack of institutional willingness to effectively respond to antisemitism.

This school and its so-called leaders have failed time and time again to keep Jewish students, faculty, and staff safe. True progress requires universities to confront antisemitism proactively, in partnership with affected communities. We will closely monitor Columbias purported commitment to this agreement and continue to develop legislative solutions to address antisemitism, he said.

The university will pay a $200 million settlement over three years and $21 million to settle investigations brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the institution said.

Additionally, a jointly selected independent monitor will assess the implementation of the resolution, and the university will provide regular reports to demonstrate that they are adhering to the deal.

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The settlement between Columbia and the Trump administration comes as Harvard University discusses its own deal with federal officials. As talks continue, Harvards two lawsuits against the federal government are progressing through the court system.

One lawsuit targets the cutting of over $2.6 billion in federal funding to the institution, while the other challenges the administrations attempts to revoke the universitys ability to host international students.

What has happened between Columbia and the Trump admin?

In April 2024, Columbias student protests against the war in Gaza garnered international media coverage, especially after a protest encampment took over a campus building.

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After taking office in January 2025, the Trump administration criticized Columbias response to the protests and issued a series of demands. The university later agreed to implement a list of policy changes, including the adoption of a new definition of antisemitism and an overhaul of its rules for student protests. It also consented to an immediate review of its Middle Eastern studies department.

Later this spring, the Trump administration sent Harvard a similar list of demands, leading to pushback from the institution through its two lawsuits.

Quickly following in Harvards footsteps, Columbia pledged not to make any agreement with the federal government that would relinquish our independence and autonomy, according to a message from the universitys president.

The Trump administration has also targeted individual protesters such as Mahmoud Khalil  a lawful U.S. resident who, until December 2024, was a graduate student at Columbia. Khalil was detained in March for engaging in pro-Palestinian protests and faced potential deportation. He is now suing the Trump administration.

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In the months since the Trump administration first sent Columbia its list of demands, federal officials have not eased pressure on the university to give in to its agenda. In June, the U.S. Department of Education threatened to rescind Columbias accreditation, citing an inadequate response by the university to campus antisemitism.

The U.S. Department of Education also announced it would investigate Columbia for failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitic discrimination and harassment. Six Massachusetts institutions were also named in the investigation.

Todays agreement with the federal government affirms Columbias unyielding commitment to academic freedom, freedom of expression and open inquiry. It confirms the changes already underway at Columbia to meaningfully address antisemitism on our campus and allows the University to continue to undertake its transformative research and scholarship, said Board of Trustees Co-Chairs David Greenwald and Jeh Johnson.

More Higher Ed

Read the original article on MassLive.
Columbia University said Wednesday it will pay $200 million to the federal government to restore the majority of funding that was cut by the Trump administration over allegations it violated anti-discrimination laws.

"This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty," acting university President Claire Shipman said in a statement.

The Trump administration in March said it was canceling $400 million in grants to the school, accusing it of inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students.

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Columbia then agreed to a list of demands by the Trump administration, which some critics saw as a capitulation by the private university.

President Donald Trump celebrated the agreement on Truth Social on Wednesday night and showed no signs that administration's pressure campaign on universities was over.

"Numerous other Higher Education Institutions that have hurt so many, and been so unfair and unjust, and have wrongly spent federal money, much of it from our government, are upcoming," he wrote.

Columbia said in the Wednesday statement that under the agreement a vast majority of the federal grants which were terminated or paused in March 2025  will be reinstated and Columbias access to billions of dollars in current and future grants will be restored.

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This includes the reinstatement of the majority of grants previously terminated by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services, renewal of non-competitive grants, the release of overdue payments on active, non-terminated grants, and Columbias restored eligibility to apply for new federal research funding in the ordinary course, the university said.

Columbia and other universities have been targeted by the Trump administration over student protests over the war in Gaza, which some Republican lawmakers have said were antisemitic.

Another major Ivy League college, Harvard University, refused Trumps demands and has sued the Trump administration over threats to cut funding. That case is pending.

"While Columbia does not admit to wrongdoing with this resolution agreement, the institutions leaders have recognized, repeatedly, that Jewish students and faculty have experienced painful, unacceptable incidents, and that reform was and is needed," the university said in Wednesday's statement.

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Columbia said the agreement will establish a a jointly selected independent monitor"  and that it will provide regular reports about its "continued compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations pertaining to admissions, hiring, and international students."

It said the agreement also codifies changes it previously announced on campus safety, discipline and inclusion.

The $200 million, termed a settlement by the university, will be paid to the government over three years.

It will also pay $21 million to settle investigations by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the university said.

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Columbia Board of Trustees co-chairs David Greenwald and Jeh Johnson said in Wednesdays statement that the agreement confirms the changes already underway at Columbia to meaningfully address antisemitism on our campus and allows the University to continue to undertake its transformative research and scholarship.

Student protests over the war in Gaza, which Israel launched after the surprise terrorist attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, took place on college campuses across the U.S., including at Columbia.

Trump campaigned on attacking those protests, and since taking office his administration has sought to deport some students who took part in pro-Palestinian demonstrations by accusing them of sympathizing with Hamas.

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon called the Columbia settlement a seismic shift in our nations fight to hold institutions that accept American taxpayer dollars accountable for antisemitic discrimination and harassment.

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Brian Cohen, executive director of the Kraft Center for Jewish Student Life with Columbia/Barnard Hillel, hailed the agreement.

This announcement is an important recognition of what Jewish students and their families have expressed with increasing urgency: antisemitism at Columbia is real, and it has had a tangible impact on Jewish students sense of safety and belonging and, in turn, their civil rights, he said.

Shipman, the Columbia president, said in a letter to the university community that Columbia remains independent.

"No provision of this agreement, individually or taken together, shall be construed as giving the United States authority to dictate faculty hiring, university hiring, admissions decisions, or the content of academic speech," she wrote in the letter, quoting the agreement.

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"This was our north star, and we did not waver from it," Shipman wrote. "Columbias governance remains in our control. The federal government will not dictate what we teach, who teaches, or which students we admit."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Columbia University announced on Wednesday that it has reached a deal with the Trump administration following months of negotiation to restore federal funding to the school, in a move described by the administration as a seismic shift in its fight with elite higher education.

Under the terms of the deal to resolve several federal probes into allegations that it had violated anti-discrimination laws, Columbia did not admit to wrongdoing but agreed to pay the government a $200 million settlement over three years and an additional $21 million to settle US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigations.

In exchange, the university said in its statement, a vast majority of the federal grants which were terminated or paused in March 2025  will be reinstated and Columbias access to billions of dollars in current and future grants will be restored.

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Columbia said the agreement also codifies policy changes it announced in March following the revocation of $400 million in federal funding over campus protests, including restrictions on demonstrations, new disciplinary procedures and immediately reviewing its Middle East curriculum.

Students protest on the campus of Columbia University on April 30, 2024, in New York City. - Mary Altaffer/Pool/Getty Images

While Columbia does not admit to wrongdoing with this resolution agreement, the institutions leaders have recognized, repeatedly, that Jewish students and faculty have experienced painful, unacceptable incidents, and that reform was and is needed, the university said.

An independent monitor will oversee the agreements implementation.

The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track, acting university President Claire Shipman said in a statement. Importantly, it safeguards our independence, a critical condition for academic excellence and scholarly exploration, work that is vital to the public interest.

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Still, the university has agreed to provide the Trump administration with access to all relevant data and information to rigorously assess compliance with its commitment to merit-based hiring and admissions, a senior White House official said.

The agreement, the official added, mandates a comprehensive review of Columbias portfolio of programs in regional areas, starting with those relating to the Middle East.

And the school agreed to review its admissions process and strengthen oversight of international students, according to the official. Columbia will assess applicants reasons for wishing to study in the U.S., sharing relevant data with the Federal Government, the official said.

President Donald Trump celebrated the agreement in a post on Truth Social Wednesday evening, where he thanked Education Secretary Linda McMahon for her work on the deal and commended Columbia for agreeing to do what is right.

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Numerous other Higher Education Institutions that have hurt so many, and been so unfair and unjust, and have wrongly spent federal money, much of it from our government, are upcoming, he added.

Columbia faced financial headwinds

Shipman noted in a message to the Columbia community on Wednesday evening that the financial pressures on the school extended beyond the $400 million funding freeze.

We have seen not only $400 million in federal grants frozen, but also the majority of our $1.3 billion a year in federal funding placed on hold. The prospect of that continuing indefinitely, along with the potential loss of top scientists, would jeopardize our status as a world-leading research institution, she said in the letter.

In her first interview since the deal was announced, Shipman framed the federal funding freeze as an existential threat to the university that needed to be resolved, saying finding an agreement with the White House was the responsible path.

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This resolution is really going to allow us to turn a page on a period of deep instability for our institution, she told CNNs Kate Bolduan Thursday.

Shipman defended the school from accusations that it capitulated to the Trump administration.

The narrative that paints this as a kind of binary situation, courage versus capitulation, is just wrong. Its too simplistic. This was a really, really complex problem, and I will argue over and over again that choosing to listen, choosing to try to solve the problem with everything that we had at stake is not capitulation. It was extraordinarily difficult, Shipman said.

Shipman said her team weighed the possibility of taking the Trump administration to court but determined that the threat of long-term damage was too severe.

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We did carefully at that, and we saw we could have some short-term victories, but we worried we would have long term damage. For example, we could have faced the loss of any future relationship in the coming years with the federal government, and that would have effectively meant an end to the research mission we conduct as we know it, she said.

The acting president cast the agreement as a reset for Columbias relationship with the federal government, describing deep deliberation and almost word-by-word negotiation with the White House over months  a process that, she said, took longer than anticipated.

Last month, Shipman described the financial pressures that university was facing because of the administrations campaign as increasingly acute.

Columbias top scientists are facing the decimation of decades of research. Graduate students, postdocs, mid-career researchers, and established, celebrated scientists, have all had their breakthroughs lauded by the world one minute and defunded the next. Were in danger of reaching a tipping point in terms of preserving our research excellence and the work we do for humanity, Shipman said.

Roadmap for elite universities

The Trump administration believes that the deal could serve as a blueprint for other schools.

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McMahon heralded the outcome as a seismic shift in our nations fight to hold institutions that accept American taxpayer dollars accountable for antisemitic discrimination and harassment and said the schools reforms mark a roadmap for elite universities that wish to regain the confidence of the American public by renewing their commitment to truth-seeking, merit, and civil debate.

I believe they will ripple across the higher education sector and change the course of campus culture for years to come, McMahon said.

Elite schools like Columbia and Harvard University, among others, have faced intense pressure from the Trump administration to crack down on antisemitism on their campuses  or face the possible loss of significant federal funding. The effort is part of a broad administration push for policy changes at universities  including over Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and other initiatives  that Trump sees as a winning political issue. But it is one that raises major questions about academic freedom and the role of the federal government on college campuses.

The White House official touted the $21 million settlement of US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission investigations as the largest employment-discrimination public settlement in almost 20 years. That money, according to the official, will resolve alleged civil rights violations against Jewish Columbia employees that occurred on its campus following the October 7, 2023, Hamas terror attacks.

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The $200 million will go to the US Treasury, a senior administration official told CNN on Thursday.

Pressed for specifics, the official said, This is money that is going to be sort of residing in the US Treasury, but there would need to be a specific appropriation in order to, like, spend it on something, later adding that the policy focus for the money would be on trade schools and apprenticeships.

CNN reported last month that the administration was nearing an agreement with Columbia, and the schools board met in early July to review the terms of the deal, according to a source familiar with the process.

The university, which was facing an investigation into its handling of antisemitism on campus, had taken a less confrontational approach than Harvard while it sought to reach a deal, and a source familiar with the matter told CNN that the administration was more amenable to Columbias proposed terms in behind-the-scenes negotiations. In June, the Trump administration threatened to pull the universitys accreditation over policies it said violated discrimination laws, the source said.

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Asked about the state of talks, Trump told CNN earlier this month, I think were going to probably settle with Harvard. Were going to probably settle with Columbia. They want to settle very badly. Theres no rush.

Asked how much money the settlement would entail, Trump said, A lot of money.

A source involved in universities response to the administration told CNN last month that the White House has been looking to strike a deal with a high-profile school.

They want a name-brand university to make a deal like the law firms made a deal that covers not just antisemitism and protests, but DEI and intellectual diversity, this person said at the time.

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Asked if any of the schools are inclined to make such a deal, the source said, Nobody wants to be the first, but the financial pressures are getting real.

The settlement was met with support from the schools Hillel.

This announcement is an important recognition of what Jewish students and their families have expressed with increasing urgency: antisemitism at Columbia is real, and it has had a tangible impact on Jewish students sense of safety and belonging and, in turn, their civil rights. Acknowledging this fact is essential, and along with the new path laid out by the President and Trustees, I am hopeful that todays agreement marks the beginning of real, sustained change, Brian Cohen, executive director of Columbia/Barnard Hillel, said.

This story has been updated with additional details.

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Columbia University has handed the reins of its admission process to the White House.

One of the oldest educational institutions in the country agreed Wednesday to pay the Trump administration $200 million to settle multiple investigations and reinstate billions of dollars worth of federal grants.

But the agreement comes with an alarming clause that will deliver granular admissions data on every Columbia applicant to the Trump administration, effectively allowing the White House to decide if the school has admitted enough historically advantaged demographicsor needs to face further investigations.

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The school, according to the settlement, must provide admissions data consistent with 34 C.F.R.  100.6 and similar regulations to an independently appointed resolution monitor, alongside analysis of which students were rejected or admitted on the basis of their race, color, national origin, grade point average and test performance. The form will be due to the White House by October 1 of each year.

That data will also, subsequently, be made public, according to the settlement details.

But even abiding by the new system wont save Columbia from future power trips by the White House.

Nothing in this Agreement prevents the United States (even during the period of the Agreement) from conducting subsequent compliance reviews, investigations, or litigation into Columbias future admissions practices to ensure that those practices are in full compliance with all applicable laws and not a proxy for prohibited discrimination, the settlement reads.

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The university, however, did not interpret the contents of the agreement the same way, minimizing the impact of sharing applicants sensitive details with the government.

Critically, Columbia retains control over its academic and operational decisions, the school wrote in an email blast to students. As part of the settlement, the University has not admitted wrongdoing and does not agree with the governments conclusion that it violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Columbia has kowtowed and bowed its head repeatedly to the White House since the Trump administration made an example of it earlier this year, repeatedly attacking the institution over its response to a pro-Palestine protest that took place on campus in 2024. The Trump administration has accused Columbia of engaging in antisemitism for apparently failing to subdue the protests as aggressively as Trump would have liked.

On Tuesday, Columbia said it would be disciplining dozens of pro-Palestine protesters who participated in the occupation of Butler Library in May, which saw multiple arrests at the time. A pro-Palestine group on campus, Columbia for Palestine, said that 80 students had been informed of their punishments, and noted that the move marked the most suspensions for a single political protest in Columbia campus history.

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Last week, Columbia further capitulated to the Trump administration, adopting a new campus-wide definition of antisemitism that conflates hatred of the Jewish people with general opposition to Zionism. It has also said it would no longer engage with the pro-Palestinian group Columbia University Apartheid Divest, permitted federal immigration officials into its buildings, and allowed the administration to attempt to deport foreign students who support the free state of Palestine, though those cases have encountered judicial roadblocks.

As per the terms of the settlement arrangement, Columbia will also institute a new liaison to the Jewish community in University Life.
July 24 (UPI) -- Columbia University announced on Wednesday it will pay $221 million for the New York City private school to settle its dispute with the Trump administration and restore funding.

Under terms of the deal, Columbia won't admit to violating anti-discrimination laws and will pay $200 million to the federal government over three years and a one-time $21 million to settle investigations by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

In return, "a vast majority of the federal grants which were terminated or paused in March 2025 -- will be reinstated and Columbia's access to billions of dollars in current and future grants will be restored," the Ivy League school said in a news release.

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This includes funding from the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Health and Human Services.

"Columbia has also committed to ending their ridiculous DEI policies, admitting students base ONLY on MERIT, and protecting the Civil Liberties of their students on campus," President Donald Trump said late Wednesday in a statement published to his Truth Social media platform.

Pro-Palestine protesters are arrested by NYPD officers on the campus of Columbia University on May 7. File photo by Derek French/UPI

"Numerous and Higher Education Institutions that have hurt so many, and been so unfair and unjust, and have wrongly spent federal money, much of it form our government, are upcoming

In March, the federal government revoked $400 million in federal funding over campus protests by pro-Palestinian activists.

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Also, the majority of the school's future $1.3 billion in funding had been put on hold, including science research.

Policies already were implemented on March 21 regarding restrictions on demonstrations, new disciplinary procedures and a review of the Middle East curriculum. An independent monitor will oversee the agreement implementation.

The university also agreed to provide the federal government with "all relevant data and information to rigorously assess compliance with its commitment to merit-based hiring and admissions," a senior White House official told CNN.

And Columbia will review its admission procedures and "strengthen oversight of international students," the official said.

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"While Columbia does not admit to wrongdoing with this resolution agreement, the institution's leaders have recognized, repeatedly, that Jewish students and faculty have experienced painful, unacceptable incidents, and that reform was and is needed," the university said.

University President Claire Shipman said she was pleased with the settlement.

"The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track," Shipman said in a statement. "Importantly, it safeguards our independence, a critical condition for academic excellence and scholarly exploration, work that is vital to the public interest."

Shipman also separately addressed the Columbia community, writing "as I have discussed on many occasions with our community, we carefully explored all options open to us. We might have achieved short-term litigation victories, but not without incurring deeper long-term damage -- the likely loss of future federal funding, the possibility of losing accreditation, and the potential revocation of visa status of thousands of international students."

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Education Secretary Linda McMahon also touted the settlement.

"The Trump Administration's deal with Columbia University is a seismic shift in our nation's fight to hold institutions that accept American taxpayer dollars accountable for antisemitic discrimination and harassment," she said in a statement.

"For decades, the American public has watched in horror as our elite campuses have been overrun by anti-western teachings and a leftist groupthink that restricts speech and debate to push a one-sided view of our nation and the world. These dangerous trends fueled the outbreak of violent antisemitism that paralyzed campuses after the October 7th massacre and was previously unthinkable in the United States of America."

The announcement came a day after Columbia said it had disciplined dozens of pro-Palestine protesters who had participated in protests in May.

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Other elite schools, including Harvard, have been under pressure to adhere to the Trump administration's policies, including cracking down on anti-Semitism and ending Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.

"Columbia's reforms are a roadmap for elite universities that wish to regain the confidence of the American public by renewing their commitment to truth-seeking, merit, and civil debate," McMahon said. "I believe they will ripple across the higher education sector and change the course of campus culture for years to come."

Harvard has implemented some changes but sued the federal government over a loss of $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts.

Trump told CNN earlier this month: "I think we're going to probably settle with Harvard. We're going to probably settle with Columbia. They want to settle very badly. There's no rush."

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Shipman had been concerned about the effects on research.

"Columbia's top scientists are facing the decimation of decades of research," Shipman said in a letter on June 12. "Graduate students, postdocs, mid-career researchers, and established, celebrated scientists, have all had their breakthroughs lauded by the world one minute and defunded the next. We're in danger of reaching a tipping point in terms of preserving our research excellence and the work we do for humanity."

The university had a total enrollment of 26,272 graduate students and 9,111 undergrads in the 2024-2025 academic year. Tuition is $70,000-pus each year with about 90% getting student aid.

About 40% of the student body are international students, Politico reported.

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Jewish students comprise 19% undergraduates and 15.9% graduate students, according to Hillel International.

"This announcement is an important recognition of what Jewish students and their families have expressed with increasing urgency: antisemitism at Columbia is real, and it has had a tangible impact on Jewish students' sense of safety and belonging and, in turn, their civil rights," Brian Cohen, executive director of Columbia/Barnard Hillel, posted on X. "Acknowledging this fact is essential, and along with the new path laid out by the President and Trustees, I am hopeful that today's agreement marks the beginning of real, sustained change."
Columbia University said Wednesday it has agreed to pay the Trump administration $221 million to restore federal funding that was stripped following a probe into antisemitism on the campus.

The school will pay a $200 million settlement to the federal government over a three-year period and $21 million to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty, acting University President Claire Shipman said in a statement.

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The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track, she added.

The interim president said the Trump administration deal will allow the school to maintain its academic independence after losing $400 million in grant funding earlier this year.

In June, a judge dismissed a lawsuit led by Columbias faculty, ruling that only the school had grounds to sue the government for revoking its funds.

Columbias longstanding research partnership with the federal government is vital to advancing our nations progress in key areas of science, technology, and medicine, board of trustees co-Chairs David Greenwald and Jeh Johnson said in a statement on the matter.

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We are proud of the role we play in advancing this public service and preparing the next generations of students to meet complex challenges around the world, they added.

President Trump announced the agreement Wednesday night in a Truth Social post, celebrating a win for his administration.

Its a great honor to have been involved, and I want to thank and congratulate Secretary Linda McMahon, and all those who worked with us on this important deal, he wrote. I also want to thank and commend Columbia University for agreeing to do what is right. I look forward to watching them have a great future in our Country, maybe greater than ever before!

He warned earlier in the post that other schools could face similar measures to motivate the erasure of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which the administration has deemed discriminatory.

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Columbia has also committed to ending their ridiculous DEI policies, admitting students based ONLY on MERIT, and protecting the Civil Liberties of their students on campus, he wrote in the post.

Numerous other Higher Education Institutions that have hurt so many, and been so unfair and unjust, and have wrongly spent federal money, much of it from our government, are upcoming, the president added.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Exhausted and demoralized, Columbia University agreed last night to pay the Trump administration $221 million in exchange for peace. By early next week, it will deposit the first of three installments into the U.S. Treasury, as part of a settlement that ends the governments investigations into the schools failure to protect Jewish students from discrimination. By paying tribute to the administrationand making other concessions aimed at shifting its campus culture ideologicallyColumbia hopes to ensure that research grants will begin to flow again, and that the threat of deep cuts will be lifted.

In the context of the administrations assault on American higher education, Columbia will feel as if it has dodged the worst. A large swath of the university community, including trustees who yearned for reform of their broken institution, may even be quietly grateful: When past presidents attempted to take even minor steps to address the problem of campus anti-Semitism, they faced resistance from faculty and obstreperous administrators. Ongoing federal monitoring of Columbias civil-rights compliance, arguably the most significant component of the deal, will almost certainly compel the university to act more decisively in response to claims of anti-Jewish bias.

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[Franklin Foer: Columbia Universitys anti-Semitism problem]

Columbias decision to settle is understandable, but its also evidence of how badly the Trump era has numbed the conscience of the American elite. To protect its funding, Columbia sacrificed its freedom.

The settlement is contingent on Columbia following through on a series of promises that it made in March, when the Trump administration revoked $400 million in grants. The university agreed to install a vice provost to review academic programs focused on the Middle East to ensure they are balanced. It also pledged to hire new faculty for the Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies.

As it happens, I agree: Many of Columbias programs espouse an unabashedly partisan view of the Israel-Palestine conflict, and more faculty at the Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies would be a welcome development. The fields that will receive scrutiny have professors with documented records of bigotry. Columbia has long nurtured a coterie of activist academics who regard Israels very existence as a moral offense. Some have been accused of belittling students who challenged their viewsand their example helped shape the culture of the institution. In time, students mimicked their teachers, ostracizing classmates who identified as Zionists or who simply happened to be born in Israel. After October 7, 2023, life on campus became unbearable for a meaningful number of Jewish students.

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[Rose Horowitch: Anti-Semitism gets the DEI treatment]

But in the governments ideological intervention into campus culture, a precedent has been set: What Secretary of Education Linda McMahon calls a roadmap for elite universities is a threat to the free exchange of ideas on campuses across the country, and abuse of that map is painfully easy to contemplate.

In part, many people at Columbia have shrugged at the settlements troubling provisions regulating the ideological composition of academic departments because the university already announced those steps in the spring. But its chilling to see them enshrined in a court documentsigned by the universitys acting president, Claire Shipman, along with Attorney General Pam Bondi and two other Cabinet secretaries.

The universitys deal with the Trump administration was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us, Shipman said in a statement. The settlement contains a line meant to allay critics who worry about the loss of academic freedom: No provision of this Agreement, individually or taken together, shall be construed as giving the United States authority to dictate faculty hiring, university admissions decisions, or the content of academic speech. If the government doesnt like whom Columbia hires, it can raise its concerns with a mutually agreed-upon monitor named Bart Schwartz, a former prosecutor who worked under Rudy Giuliani during his tenure as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, who will ostensibly render a neutral verdict. Schwartzs ruling, however, wont be binding. And if the government remains dissatisfied with Columbias conduct, it reserves the right to open a new investigation.

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But Shipmans protestations of independence ring hollow. The university has already agreed, under duress, to alter the ideological contours of its faculty. And even if I happen to support those particular changes, I cant ignore the principle they establish. The tactics now being used to achieve outcomes I favor can just as easily be turned toward results I find abhorrent. Thats the nature of the American culture war. One side unearths a novel tactic; the other side applies it as retribution.

The Trump administration is likely to take the Columbia template and press it more aggressively upon other schools. It will transpose this victory into other contexts, using it to pursue broader purges of its perceived enemies. Theres no need to speculate about hidden motives: Both Donald Trump and Vice President J. D. Vance have been explicit about their desire to diminish the power and prestige of the American university, to strip it of its ability to inculcate ideas they find abhorrent. They are trying to tame a profession they regard as a cultural adversary. This is a monumental victory for conservatives who wanted to do things on these elite campuses for a long time because we had such far-left-leaning professors, McMahon told Fox Business.

Universities are desperately in need of reform. The paucity of intellectual pluralism in the academy undermines the integrity of the pursuit of knowledge. Failure of university trustees and presidents to make these changes on their own terms has invited government intervention. But the government has a new toehold in faculty rooms, not just at Columbia but at every private university in the country.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
Columbia University and the Trump administration announced a long-awaited settlement Monday night after months of negotiations.

Columbia will pay $221 million to restore the more than $400 million in federal funding that was cut off by the administration, which originally cited alleged inaction on antisemitism, though Education Secretary Linda McMahon pointed to more ideological motives.

This is a monumental victory for conservatives who wanted to do things on these elite campuses for a long time because we had such far left-leaning professors, McMahon said on Fox Business Network.

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The university, which saw some of the nations most active pro-Palestinian campus demonstrations amid the war in Gaza, did not have to admit to wrongdoing in the deal, which is certain to put the higher education world on high alert.

Columbia, Trump both tout deal as a win

Both Columbia and the Trump administration positioned the deal as a victory from their perspective.

This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty, acting university President Claire Shipman said in a statement.

The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track, she added.

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Columbia did avoid some earlier reported provisions that would have given the administration more control over its business.

But with significant reforms still agreed upon, the president went to Truth Social to declare victory.

Its a great honor to have been involved, and I want to thank and congratulate Secretary Linda McMahon, and all those who worked with us on this important deal, he wrote. I also want to thank and commend Columbia University for agreeing to do what is right. I look forward to watching them have a great future in our Country, maybe greater than ever before!

Columbia agrees to multiple reforms

Along with the more than $200 million Columbia will pay over three years, an additional $21 million will go to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to resolve all federal investigations against the university.

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Columbia also said it would implement reforms announced back in March, such as reviewing its Middle East curriculum and ending programs that promote unlawful efforts to achieve race-based outcomes, quotes, diversity targets or similar efforts, with a report to monitor that progress.

The university also agreed to ask incoming foreign students questions designed to elicit their reasons for wishing to study in the United States and said it would provide information to the federal government regarding international students who are expelled.

The school and the federal government will agree on an independent monitor to ensure the resolution is followed.

Columbia did not try to fight in court

Columbias strategy with the Trump administration has appeared to be one of full cooperation, in contrast with other schools, particularly Harvard University, that have dug in their heels in opposition, filing multiple lawsuits against Trumps moves.

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While Columbias faculty went through with its own lawsuit, a judge ruled only the university itself had the standing to bring a legal challenge to the Trump administrations actions.

But Columbia decided, to a chagrin of staff and others in higher education, to try to come to an agreement.

Columbias longstanding research partnership with the federal government is vital to advancing our nations progress in key areas of science, technology, and medicine, board of trustees co-Chairs David Greenwald and Jeh Johnson said in a statement on the matter.

We are proud of the role we play in advancing this public service and preparing the next generations of students to meet complex challenges around the world, they added.

Trump sees this as roadmap for other universities

One of the biggest concerns of higher education was Columbias cooperation would lead the Trump administration to expect similar responses from other universities.

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Numerous other Higher Education Institutions that have hurt so many, and been so unfair and unjust, and have wrongly spent federal money, much of it from our government, are upcoming, Trump wrote in his post announcing Columbias settlement.

McMahon, in her Fox Business interview, said, Our campuses are now what they should be. Theyre places for debate, theyre places for education. Theyre not places for left-leaning riots and antisemitism.

Higher education looks to Harvard for hope

From the start, Harvard University and Columbia took opposite approaches in handling pressure from the administration.

While Columbia worked on a deal with no retaliation, Harvard has sued multiple times, once for funding cuts and the other over attempts to take away its foreign students.

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The attempts to stop Harvard from enrolling foreign students were struck down by a judge, and a ruling over the funding pause is likely forthcoming.

While Trump had indicated in June a deal with Harvard could be forthcoming, such an announcement never came.

Those in higher education are hoping Harvard keeps the fight going as a win against the oldest and richest nation in the country would pour even more gasoline on the Trump administrations fire to go after universities.

Research that the government has put in jeopardy includes efforts to improve the prospects of children who survive cancer, to understand at the molecular level how cancer spreads throughout the body, to predict the spread of infectious disease outbreaks, and to ease the pain of soldiers wounded on the battlefield. As opportunities to reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimers disease, and Parkinsons disease are on the horizon, the government is slamming on the brakes, Harvard President Alan Garber said when Trump cut funding.

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Columbia University agreed to pay a $200 million fine to the Trump administration Wednesday to settle allegations that the university failed to protect its Jewish students against harassment amid campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war.

The university will receive receive hundreds of millions in funding for research grants in exchange for agreeing to President Donald Trumps equality demands. Columbia pledged to adhere to the presidents laws banning the consideration of race in admissions and hiring and his suggestions for how to reduce antisemitism and unrest on campus that it agreed to back in March.

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While Columbia does not admit to wrongdoing with this resolution agreement, the institutions leaders have recognized, repeatedly, that Jewish students and faculty have experienced painful, unacceptable incidents, and that reform was and is needed, the university said in a statement Wednesday.

The deal will settle several open civil rights investigations into the university in exchange for the university agreeing to an independent monitor agreed to by both sides who will report to the government on its progress every six months. Columbia must pay an additional $21 million to individuals to settle investigations brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The university will pay off the $200 million in three installments over three years.

This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty, Claire Shipman, Columbias acting president, said in the release. The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track.

Columbia is the first university to settle with the Trump administration over antisemitism claims. Harvard University has sued the administration over their funding cuts and negotiated for a restoration of their federal backing. The two Ivy League schools were among 10 universities Trumps Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism targeted as campuses experiencing increased antisemitic incidents since Oct. 7 2023.

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Columbia; Harvard; George Washington University; Johns Hopkins University; New York University; Northwestern University; University of California, Los Angeles; the University of California, Berkeley; the University of Minnesota and the University of Southern California are currently under investigation by the task force. Other Ivy League schools that have since been targeted include Brown, Cornell, the University of Pennsylvania and Princeton.

On March 7 the Trump administration announced it was canceling $400 million in grants to Columbia. His monumental funding cuts extended to other schools, including Harvard, Cornell and Northwestern, shortly thereafter.

In May, Columbia University announced it was cutting nearly 180 staffers after Trump pulled federal funding to the Ivy League school over its handling of pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel protestors.

Though the university will be under an independent monitor for the next three years according to the deal, Columbia will maintain its academic independence, and it still has the authority to dictate faculty hiring, university hiring, admissions decisions or the content of academic speech.

The post Columbia University to Pay $200 Million Fine in Settlement With Trump Administration appeared first on TheWrap.
NEW YORK  Columbia University has agreed to pay the Trump administration $200 million over the next three years as part of a broader deal to restore federal research funding, government and school officials announced Wednesday.

The resolution agreement also bans racial preferences in hiring and admissions and other diversity, equity and inclusion programming, according to the feds.

The implementation of the agreement  which caps off months of uncertainty since $400 million was revoked over allegations Columbia had not done enough to combat antisemitism  will be overseen by an independent monitor.

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The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track, said Columbia Acting President Claire Shipman. Importantly, it safeguards our independence, a critical condition for academic excellence and scholarly exploration, work that is vital to the public interest.

In reaching a resolution, Columbia does not have to admit any wrongdoing. However, the statement said Jewish students and faculty have experienced painful, unacceptable incidents and reform was and is needed.

The agreement codifies the original deal Columbia announced in March, which included oversight of Middle Eastern studies and gave some campus security personnel the power of arrest. Over the last couple of weeks, the university has also moved to adopt a definition of antisemitism that recognizes some criticism of Israel as discriminatory against Jews, and suspend or expel dozens of student protesters.

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon described the deal as a seismic shift to hold universities that benefit from American taxpayer dollars accountable for antisemitism.

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Our elite campuses have been overrun by anti-Western teachings and a leftist groupthink that restricts speech and debate to push a one-sided view of our nation and the world, McMahon said. Columbias reforms are a road map for elite universities that wish to regain the confidence of the American public.

In addition to the $200 million settlement, Columbia will also pay $21 million to settle investigations brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

A Columbia spokesman declined to answer questions about a resolution monitor. In the original statement, the university said the monitor is jointly selected by both parties and will receive regular reports from Columbia on its compliance with laws related to admissions, hiring, and international students.

Despite the deal, a portion of Columbias federal research funding will not be reinstated, which was canceled through a separate process from the antisemitism investigation, according to the schools announcement. While the university did not offer any specifics, the Trump administration has terminated grants nationwide related to diversity, equity and inclusion programs and transgender people, for example.

_____
Columbia University will pay over $220m (162m) to the US government after allegedly violating Jewish students civil rights, it announced on Wednesday.

The settlement with the administration of Donald Trump, the US president, will resolve federal probes and see most of the universitys suspended federal funding restored.

It is the latest example of an institution bowing to pressure from the federal government. Mr Trump has targeted several universities since returning to office in January over the pro-Palestinian student protest movement that roiled college campuses last year.

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In March, the Trump administration said it was penalising Columbia over how it handled last years protests by cancelling $400m in federal funding.

It contended that Columbias response to alleged anti-Semitism and harassment of Jewish and Israeli members of the university community was insufficient.

The president welcomed the agreement between his administration and Columbia in a post on social media late on Wednesday.

Under todays agreement, a vast majority of the federal grants which were terminated or paused in March 2025  will be reinstated and Columbias access to billions of dollars in current and future grants will be restored, the university said in a statement.

Donald Trump has targeted several universities since returning to office in January - SHAWN THEW/EPA/Shutterstock

Columbia said it also agreed to settle investigations brought by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for $21m and that its deal with the Trump administration preserved its autonomy and authority over faculty hiring, admissions, and academic decision-making.

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After the government cancelled funding, the school acquiesced later in March to a series of demands that included scrutiny of departments offering courses on the Middle East and other concessions that were widely condemned by US academics.

Last week, Columbia adopted a controversial definition of anti-Semitism that equates it with opposition to Zionism. The school said it would no longer engage with pro-Palestinian group Columbia University Apartheid Divest.

Imagine selling your students out just so you can pay Trump $221m and keep funding genocide, the pro-Palestinian group said on Wednesday, calling the settlement a bribe

Israel denies genocide accusations in Gaza and casts its military action as self-defence after a deadly October 2023 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants.

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Campus protesters demanded an end to US support for Israels devastating military assault on Gaza and a commitment that the university will cease investing any of its $14.8bn endowment in weapons makers and companies that support Israels occupation of Palestinian territories.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Columbia agreed to discipline student offenders for severe disruptions of campus operations, make structural changes to their faculty senate, bring viewpoint diversity to their Middle Eastern studies programs, eliminate race preferences from their hiring and admissions practices, and end DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs.

Conflating Israels actions with anti-Semitism

The government has labelled pro-Palestinian protesters as anti-Semitic. Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the government has wrongly conflated their criticism of Israels actions with anti-Semitism and their advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism.

Wednesdays announcement came a day after Columbia disciplined dozens of students over a May pro-Palestinian protest in which demonstrators seized its main library.

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The agreement asks Columbia to undertake a comprehensive review of its international admissions processes and policies, according to the deals terms.

Low Memorial Library on the Columbia University campus - Ted Shaffrey

Columbia is required to designate within 30 days an administrator answerable to the president and responsible for overseeing the deals compliance.

The deal requires Columbia to appoint an additional administrator to look at alleged anti-Semitism and suggest recommendations.

Rights advocates have also raised concerns about anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab bias during the Israel-Gaza war.

The Trump administration has not announced steps to tackle Islamophobia.

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Mr Trump has also attempted to use federal funding leverage with other institutions, including Harvard University, and media organisations.

His administration has tried deporting foreign pro-Palestinian students, including at Columbia, but faced judicial roadblocks. Rights advocates have raised due process, academic freedom and free speech concerns.

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Columbia University has reached a deal with the Trump administration to pay more than $220 million to restore a federal funding cut over claims it failed to combat antisemitism on campus, the university announced Wednesday.

The Ivy League school will pay a $200 million settlement to the federal government over three years, the university said. It will also pay $21 million to settle investigations brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty," acting University President Claire Shipman said.

The school had been threatened with the potential loss of billions of dollars in government support, including more than $400 million in grants canceled earlier this year (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

The Trump administration pulled the research funding over what it described as the universitys failure to deal with antisemitism on campus during the Israel-Hamas war that began in October 2023.

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Columbia then agreed to a series of demands laid out by the administration, including overhauling the universitys student disciplinary process and adopting a new definition of antisemitism.

Wednesdays agreement, which does not include any admission of wrongdoing, codifies those reforms while preserving the universitys autonomy, Shipman said.

Trump lauded the deal on his Truth Social platform Wednesday night (AFP/Getty)

Trump lauded the deal on his Truth Social platform Wednesday night saying, Its a great honor to have been involved.

The president said, Numerous other Higher Education Institutions that have hurt so many, and been so unfair and unjust, and have wrongly spent federal money, much of it from our government, are upcoming.

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Regarding Harvard University, the State Department said Wednesday it is investigating whether the school will remain part of a government program that provides American visas for students and researchers from other countries.

A federal judge appeared skeptical on Monday of the Trump administrations efforts to strip Harvard of billions of dollars in research funding, suggesting the school may prevail in its legal battle against the government.

Columbia University will also have to issue a report to a monitor assuring its programs do not promote unlawful DEI goals (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Columbia University had been threatened with the potential loss of billions of dollars in government support, including more than $400 million in grants canceled earlier this year.

The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track," Shipman said. "Importantly, it safeguards our independence, a critical condition for academic excellence and scholarly exploration, work that is vital to the public interest.

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As part of the deal, Columbia agreed to a series of changes previously announced in March, including reviewing its Middle East curriculum to make sure it was comprehensive and balanced and appointing new faculty to its Institute for Israel and Jewish Studies. It also promised to end programs that promote unlawful efforts to achieve race-based outcomes, quotes, diversity targets or similar efforts.

The university will also have to issue a report to a monitor assuring that its programs do not promote unlawful DEI goals.

Columbia said it has launched disciplinary action against students who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The protests included one inside the schools main library before final exams and an encampment during alumni weekend in 2024.

A student activist group said nearly 80 students were told they have been suspended for one to three years, or expelled.

The school was among the first targets of President Donald Trumps crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus protests and on colleges (REUTERS)

The deal comes after months of uncertainty and fraught negotiations at the more than 270-year-old university. It was among the first targets of President Donald Trumps crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus protests and on colleges the president asserts have allowed Jewish students to be threatened and harassed.

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Columbias own antisemitism task force found last summer that Jewish students had faced verbal abuse, ostracism and classroom humiliation during the spring 2024 demonstrations.

But other Jewish students took part in the protests and protest leaders maintain they arent targeting Jewish people but rather criticizing the Israeli government and its war in Gaza.

Columbias leadership has declared the campus climate needs to change.

Also in the settlement is an agreement to ask prospective international students questions designed to elicit their reasons for wishing to study in the United States, and establishes processes to make sure all students are committed to civil discourse.

With reporting from The Associated Press.
In a statement, the university said will pay a $200 million fine over three years to settle allegations that it failed to do enough to stop the harassment of Jewish students on campus.

Columbia University has reached a deal with US President Donald Trump's administration over federal funding, it said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the university said will pay a $200 million fine over three years to settle allegations that it failed to do enough to stop the harassment of Jewish students on campus.

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"Under todays agreement, a vast majority of the federal grants which were terminated or paused in March 2025, will be reinstated and Columbias access to billions of dollars in current and future grants will be restored," Columbia said in a statement.

The US Department of Education did not immediately respond to request for comment.

The announcement came one day after the university disciplined dozens of students over pro-Palestinian protests on campus.

GRADUATES, SOME holding pro-Palestinian signs and flags, attend Columbia Universitys graduation ceremony in New York City in May. (credit: SETH WENIG/REUTERS)

In March, the Trump administration canceled grants and contracts worth about $400 million for the Ivy League school because of what it described as antisemitic harassment on and near the school's New York City campus.

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Columbia is officially adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, the universitys interim president, Claire Shipman, said on July 16.

She added that while the universitys Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) has been working in a manner consistent with applicable regulations and guidance from the Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the formal incorporation of the IHRA definition will strengthen our response to and our communitys understanding of modern antisemitism.

Mathilda Heller and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
By Kanishka Singh and Jasper Ward

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Columbia University said on Wednesday it will pay over $200 million to the U.S. government in a settlement with President Donald Trump's administration to resolve federal probes and have most of its suspended federal funding restored.

Trump has targeted several universities since returning to office in January over the pro-Palestinian student protest movement that roiled college campuses last year. He welcomed the agreement between his administration and Columbia in a post on social media late on Wednesday.

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In March, the Trump administration said it was penalizing Columbia over how it handled last year's protests by canceling $400 million in federal funding. It contended that Columbia's response to alleged antisemitism and harassment of Jewish and Israeli members of the university community was insufficient.

"Under today's agreement, a vast majority of the federal grants which were terminated or paused in March 2025 - will be reinstated and Columbia's access to billions of dollars in current and future grants will be restored," the university said in a statement.

Columbia said it also agreed to settle investigations brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for $21 million and that its deal with the Trump administration preserved its "autonomy and authority over faculty hiring, admissions, and academic decision-making."

After the government canceled funding, the school acquiesced later in March to a series of demands that included scrutiny of departments offering courses on the Middle East and other concessions that were widely condemned by U.S. academics.

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Last week, Columbia adopted a controversial definition of antisemitism that equates it with opposition to Zionism. The school said it would no longer engage with pro-Palestinian group Columbia University Apartheid Divest.

"Imagine selling your students out just so you can pay Trump $221 million dollars and keep funding genocide," the pro-Palestinian group said on Wednesday, calling the settlement a bribe.

Israel denies genocide accusations in Gaza and casts its military action as "self-defense" after a deadly October 2023 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants.

Campus protesters demanded an end to U.S. support for Israel's devastating military assault on Gaza and a commitment that the university will cease investing any of its $14.8 billion endowment in weapons makers and companies that support Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories.

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Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Columbia agreed "to discipline student offenders for severe disruptions of campus operations, make structural changes to their Faculty Senate, bring viewpoint diversity to their Middle Eastern studies programs, eliminate race preferences from their hiring and admissions practices, and end DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) programs."

The government has labeled pro-Palestinian protesters as antisemitic. Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the government has wrongly conflated their criticism of Israel's actions with antisemitism and their advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism.

Wednesday's announcement came a day after Columbia disciplined dozens of students over a May pro-Palestinian protest in which demonstrators seized its main library.

The agreement asks Columbia to "undertake a comprehensive review of its international admissions processes and policies," according to the deal's terms.

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Columbia is required to designate within 30 days an administrator answerable to the university president and responsible for overseeing the deal's compliance.

The deal requires Columbia to appoint an additional administrator to look at alleged antisemitism and suggest recommendations.

Rights advocates have also raised concerns about anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab bias during the Israel-Gaza war. The Trump administration has not announced steps to tackle Islamophobia.

Trump has also attempted to use federal funding leverage with other institutions, including Harvard University. His administration has tried deporting foreign pro-Palestinian students, including at Columbia, but faced judicial roadblocks. Rights advocates have raised due process, academic freedom and free speech concerns.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Jasper Ward; Editing by Scott Malone, Diane Craft and Saad Sayeed)
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  The Columbus Police Department is seeking the publics help in the search for a juvenile runaway.

The police department says it is searching for 16-year-old Jimyla Augustin, who is described as a Black female standing 5 foot 5 inches tall, weighs 110 pounds with black hair thats in a mini afro style and brown eyes.

She was last seen in the runaway. They were last seen in the area of the 30 block of Mason Drive on July 18, around 11 a.m.

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(NewsNation)  With President Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff set to meet with Israeli and Qatari officials in Rome on Thursday, the pressure to reach a ceasefire deal has hit a boiling point.

Right now, 20 hostages are still believed to be in Hamas captivity, with about 30 other bodies still unrecovered. The situation can only be described as dire, which is why former hostage Keith Siegel continues to be a vocal advocate for the remaining hostages.

Under the current deal between Israel and Hamas, only half the living hostages would be freed, and the bodies of 18 dead hostages would be released. Siegel, a United States citizen, is calling on the next ceasefire deal to include the release of them all.

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He told Elizabeth Vargas Reports that it is urgent and the U.S. risks losing them the longer the war goes on.

They are all in a life-threatening situation, the alive and the deceased, Siegel said. They all need to come back. I call upon Prime Minister {Benjamin} Netanyahu, and I call upon President Trump and the mediating countries to all secure an agreement that will bring all of the 50 hostages back as soon as possible and bring an end to the war.

Siegel lacked knowledge of other hostages released

Siegel and his wife, Aviva, were violently kidnapped Oct. 7, 2023; he lost 110 pounds while in captivity while being starved and beaten by Hamas terrorists. Siegel was the first American hostage to be freed in February after 484 days.

However, while in captivity, Siegel didnt have much knowledge about other hostages being released.

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I was not aware of what was going on, totally, he said. I had bits and pieces of information from time to time.

I never imagined that I would be released and the rest would stay behind. I have four friends of mine that I spent extended periods of time with in captivity that are still there. Four friends of mine and all of the 50 hostages and their families are suffering now for 656 days. I was released after 484 days, and I cant imagine the suffering going on and on.

Siegel struggling to move past time being held captive

Siegel is still having trouble coming to grips with what he went through during captivity, but he remains focused on one goal  getting all the hostages freed.

I am here to speak on behalf of the 50 hostages and their families that are still going through this horrific tragedy. Im focusing on whatever I can do to help get them back, Siegel said. I was lucky enough. I am fortunate enough, my wife Aviva, were both fortunate enough to have been released by an agreement that President Trump.

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Siegel has been meeting with members of Trumps administration to help get a ceasefire deal done as soon as possible.

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CHICAGO (WGN)  A confidant of former House Speaker Michael Madigan and member of the ComEd Four received his punishment Thursday for his role in a bribery scheme.

A judge sentenced Michael McClain to 24 months in federal prison, but did not impose a fine. Though he managed to escape a longer prison sentence, he is required to surrender in eight weeks.

McClain left the Dirksen Federal Courthouse on Thursday afternoon without commenting on Thursdays sentencing hearing.

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McClain was a lobbyist and confidant of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, who was recently sentenced to over seven years in prison on federal corruption charges.

Prosecutors pushed for McClain to spend 36 months in jail, saying probation wouldnt be harsh enough for the crimes he was convicted of. Instead of prison time, the defense pushed Thursday for McClain to receive probation.

Ex-Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan sentenced to 90 months, $2.5 million fine

His attorneys said the 77-year-old man has serious health issues that may worsen behind bars.

They went on to say, Not being able to get the kind of medical care hes been getting, his life will be at risk.

McClain is one of four people convicted of bribing Madigan with jobs for his political allies at ComEd. He was accused of being the ringleader in such bribes as a result of his close friendship with the former Speaker of the House.

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He was their man in the middle, the man who arranged for each other to receive what each wanted from the other, prosecutors said.

Its been more than two years since a jury convicted all four: Madigan ally McClain, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore, ex-ComEd lobbyist John Hooker, and former City Club President Jay Doherty.

Earlier this week, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore was given two years in prison and a $750,000 fine.

Former ComEd lobbyist John Hooker received a year and a half behind bars and fined $500,000 at a hearing last week.

Federal prosecutors are also seeking a prison sentence for Jay Doherty, another member of the ComEd Four.

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TikTok, which is currently operating in the U.S. courtesy of a third 90-day deadline extension, is still facing an uncertain operational future.

The social media application's availability beyond the Sept. 17 deadline extension was thrown into more doubt after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's latest remarks Thursday.

In an interview with CNBC's Squawk on the Street, Lutnick stated that if the Chinese do not hand over more control of TikTok to the U.S., the app will end up becoming inaccessible to Americans.

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"Basically, Americans will have control. Americans will own the technology. Americans will control the algorithm. That's something (President) Donald Trump is willing to do," Lutnick said.

He added, "TikTok is going to go dark" if the Chinese don't approve the deal presented to them.

In 2024, Congress banned TikTok, citing concerns that it posed a national security threat due to its parent company, ByteDance, being controlled by the Chinese government, which has the capability to access the personal information of American users.

TikTok and ByteDance sued the U.S. government, challenging the ban or sale, with the case ultimately reaching the Supreme Court, where the ban, as drafted in the bill, was upheld.

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During his first term, President Trump proposed a ban on TikTok, but changed his mind during his re-election campaign last year. Recognizing the benefits of the platform to his campaign, the president strongly advocated for its continued operations.

TikTok's ban went into effect in the U.S. on Jan. 19, with the app going dark for about 14 hours starting the night of Jan. 18 before coming back online the following day, following a promise from then-President-elect Trump.

Once he returned to office, Trump issued an executive order extending the ban deadline by 75 days.

Negotiations to find a deal-which must include a separation agreement, as well as a U.S. suitor-have proven difficult, resulting in the continuing extension of the deadline and the latest declaration from Lutnick.
For Florida boaters, recent summers have meant more crowds and more crashes.

Peaking every year from May through July, boating traffic and accidents in the state surged after the coronavirus pandemic, according to a Tampa Bay Times analysis of data from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The April crash involving prominent St. Petersburg businessperson Jeff Knight cast a spotlight on boating safety in and beyond Tampa Bay when the vessel he was operating collided with the Clearwater Ferry, killing one and injuring several others.

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As Floridas boating population grows, so does its potential for safety issues, experts say. The state has more than a million registered vessels  about 7% more than in 2019 and roughly 10% of all boats in the U.S.

I grew up here, on the waterways pretty much my whole life. It has exploded, said Officer Scott Pierce, who has served with the St. Petersburg Police Department for 18 years  three of which have been spent on the agencys Marine Unit. Boat ownership has gone through the roof.

Experts warn that untrained beginners and holiday drinking exacerbate the risk.

More boaters, less experience

Each year, the crowd of boats around the Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge for the citys Fourth of July fireworks grows, said Capt. Karen Miller, commander of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary serving Clearwater.

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When thats over, you do not want to be on the water if you can help it, said Miller, who has been boating in the area for three decades. There are like a thousand boaters, and all of them are trying to get back home, now.

Despite the increase in boaters, she said she hasnt seen an increase in students enrolled in the auxiliarys boating safety classes, or people wearing life jackets on the water.

In 2019, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recorded 727 boating incidents, including collisions, ejections, capsizing cases and more.

A year later, amid the coronavirus pandemic, the number reached 839, a 15% jump.

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More people  and less experienced people  were taking to the water, said Scott Szczepaniak, recreational boating specialist for the Coast Guards seventh district, including Florida.

Lt. Nick Korade, of the wildlife commissions Boating and Waterways Section, said roughly 20,000 more boater ID cards were issued in 2020 than the year prior  indicating a huge influx in boaters.

The cards are a requirement for boaters born after January 1988 who are operating a vessel with 10 or more horsepower. They certify that the operator has completed a safety training course.

As new boaters became more experienced, Korade said, the number of incidents has come down some.

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Summer accident rates have remained elevated, though. During the peak season of May through July, there were 10% more incidents in 2024 than before the pandemic. In total, there were 690 crashes last year, resulting in nearly 80 deaths.

One man crashed into a barge near the Howard Frankland Bridge on an early morning in July.

A 15-year-old boy died in Shore Acres when the driver, another teen, slammed into a dock and threw them both overboard.

A man on a fishing trip died near Dunedin when he was ejected and caught his arm in the boats propeller.

Pinellas County ranked fourth among the state in incidents over the past five years. Data from the wildlife commission shows accidents clustered near some of the countys most popular spots: near Johns Pass in St. Pete Beach, throughout Fort De Soto Park and along the intracoastal waters.

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Accidents are more common near Miami and the Florida Keys, though. Miami-Dade and Monroe counties each logged more than 70 incidents in 2024, compared to 42 in Pinellas.

Insurance companies have increased their scrutiny of policies in Florida, said Insurance Information Institute spokesperson Mark Friedlander, due to both hurricane-related losses and the increase in accidents.

Most crashes come from operator errors like speeding, said Armin Cate, a Coast Guard veteran based in Miami who works as a private contractor investigating crashes for insurance companies.

People are operating boats at speeds that even an experienced offshore racer would have trouble with, he said.

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Restricted area violations, which include speeding, also spiked during the pandemic. In 2021, Pinellas County had one of the highest jumps of any county, increasing by more than 60% in one year. These violations include boating in vessel-exclusion zones and breaking other local rules.

Alcohol often plays a role, too.

In Pinellas County, cases of boating under the influence more than tripled in 2022 and continued growing the following year, according to court data.

You have more people on the water, which means youre gonna have more people doing things theyre not supposed to be doing, said Pierce, with the St. Petersburg police. Police presence is up, too, he said.

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Both boating under the influence charges and accidents are more frequent around the holidays or big events, the Times analysis found. In Hillsborough County since 2019, an average of eight BUI cases are filed the day of the Gasparilla Pirate Invasion, court data shows. For any other Saturday, the average is less than one.

The pattern is especially stark around Independence Day. In 2024, the state averaged about nine BUI cases each week, but the week of July Fourth, there were 51. Seven were in Pinellas County, which was tied for the most in the state with Okaloosa, home to Choctawhatchee Bay and the Santa Rosa Sound, near Destin.

This year, a rainy weekend likely limited Fourth of July accidents. The wildlife commission reported nine crashes and 12 other incidents in Floridas southwest region over the holiday weekend.

Whats the future of boating safety policy?

While some training programs offer hands-on training on the water, no state requires any kind of skills test for boating safety, like that to operate a car. Several of the wildlife commissions approved courses can be completed online.

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Some safety enthusiasts find this lacking.

Would you give your kids a key to a car after watching a video? said Vickie Waller, founder and CEO of SaferBoater, a boating education program that focuses on on-the-water training.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, nearly 70% of fatal accidents across the country involve vessels whose operators havent received formal safety training.

Waller and Cate, the insurance investigator, created a program called Trusted Boater that centralizes information from training schools for insurance companies and state agencies to reference. They said they are in talks with state agencies and insurers to see how it can be implemented.

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Theres a lot of status quo kind of mentality in this industry, Waller said. But the status quo isnt working, so things have to change.

Korade, with the wildlife commission, noted the agency is part of a pilot program with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, a national nonprofit, to roll out an optional safety course that includes on-the-water practice. Individuals who complete it receive a special boater safety education ID card that recognizes their enhanced training.

Earlier this month, two major pieces of boater safety legislation went into effect in Florida.

Under the Boater Freedom Act, the wildlife commission and other law enforcement are no longer allowed to stop or board a vessel without probable cause, including for random safety inspections.

Wildlife commission officials have said they dont expect major impacts from the law. But some critics worry it limits the commissions ability to enforce fishing rules and safety regulations.

Alan S. Richard, a former captain for the commission and a maritime law adjunct professor at Florida State University, called the law an abomination.

They have attempted to, and perhaps succeeded in, setting back boating safety enforcement, Richard said.

Korade said officers will continue to observe and address violations when they see them.

Safety advocates praised another new measure, called Lucys Law" after a teenage passenger who died in a 2022 crash, which raises penalties for certain boating violations. Leaving the scene of a boat crash involving a death, for example, became a first-degree felony, carrying up to 30 years in prison. A BUI manslaughter conviction carries a minimum of four years.

Times staff writer Jack Prator contributed to this report.
BRISTOL, Va. (WJHL)  Communities In Schools of Appalachian Highlands (CIS-AH) hosted its 2nd annual Back to School Summit this week to prepare its student support coordinators for the upcoming school year.

The event took place in Bristol, Virginia and featured more than 80 community partners that outlined all the services and resources available in the region, giving school coordinators the tools to provide the best possible support for their students, families and communities.

Director of Community Engagement and Workforce Readiness Dusty Duncan told News Channel 11 exactly what student support coordinators do in schools.

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Hampton High School rebuild entering first phase: design

Whether its a basic needs opportunity, whether its mental health support, whether its college and career workforce readiness access, any of those kinds of things, our student support coordinators are making these conversations and connections to really kind of move forward into that school year, he said.

Duncan said student support coordinators will be in more than a dozen regional districts this upcoming school year, providing a wide scope of support to more than 36,000 students.

Really, sometimes [it] can make the difference between keeping the lights on, you know, in a family household, to providing food on the table, or providing that much-needed support that they have to make them successful and make them want to come back to school the next day.

A release from the organization said that currently, CIS-AH has placed student support coordinators in the following school divisions:

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Bristol Virginia Public Schools, Bristol Tennessee City Schools, Carter County Schools, Cocke County Schools, Dickenson County Public Schools, Floyd County Public Schools, Grayson County Public Schools, Hancock County Schools, Hawkins County Schools, Norton City Schools, Russell County Public Schools, Smyth County Public Schools, Tazewell County Public Schools, Washington County Public Schools and Wise County Public Schools.

For more information about the organization and how it trains individuals to be student support coordinators in schools, visit cisofah.org.

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WAUTOMA, Wis. (WFRV)  She has the smarts to be a Harvard graduate and life experiences that many dream of, and on Thursday, the community gathered to celebrate yet another milestone in the life of Evelyn Houghton.

Evelyn celebrated her 110th birthday on Thursday, as the oldest resident in Waushara County and one of the oldest residents in all of Wisconsin. But her age hasnt stopped her from enjoying things she loves.

Day 3 of 2025 EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh comes with high heat and custom-plane enthusiasts

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A Harvard University alum, Evelyn was a nursing teacher and has lived in the Heartland House in Wautoma since 2000.

Evelyn said she doesnt have any secrets to living as long as she has, but she did mention that she lives by the idea of moderation.

I try to be moderate in everything that I do, say or think, Evelyn said. That helps a lot.

Neenahs night shift officers stop by local lemonade stand to support childrens charitable goals

Evelyn said shes been to 48 states, and some of her favorite memories from her travels were in Massachusetts, where many of her relatives are.

From all of us here at Local 5, happy birthday, Evelyn!

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LORAIN, Ohio (WJW)  After community members learned that three Lorain Police officers were ambushed and shot on Wednesday, a memorial began to grow outside the Lorain Police Department.

Suspect accused of ambushing three local officers identified

That continued on Thursday as people who wanted to offer support or simply pay their respects stopped by the station where a Lorain Police cruiser is now parked out front near the memorial.

Fox 8 Photo

Lifelong Lorain resident Debbie Siss told Fox 8 News she saw the flags outside at half-staff and felt compelled to stop.

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It makes me feel sad, and it makes me love Lorain even more because our police officers, they protect us. They help us, and to have somebody just shooting them down, thats chicken. Hes a big chicken, she said about the deceased suspect accused of shooting the officers.

A group of about a dozen retired Lorain officers were set to get together for a reunion on Wednesday. One of them is Larry Giese, who spent 20 of his 28 years with LPD as the head K-219 trainer.

He shared that he wanted to offer his support to those he still knows at the department. He added that he and his fellow retirees hope the community backs Lorain officers moving forward.

Vigil held for Lorain officers shot during ambush  who are they?

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He doesnt believe he could handle being an officer in todays world.

You know, maybe someone will start paying attention to what this police work is all about, he said. Its bad. I mean, its bad. You just dont know anymore. Theres too much gun play going on.

Another retiree from law enforcement, Stephani Loffredo now runs a nonprofit in Las Vegas called Courtroom Critters, which offers support to those in crisis through therapy dogs.

The former mounted officer who spent 10 years with the Geauga County Sheriffs Office said she happened to be visiting home with a therapy dog named Hufflepuff.

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When she learned of the tragedy she decided to bring Hufflepuff the bulldog to the Lorain Police Department to try and help officers cope because she knows the kind of trauma this situation can cause.

Police officers, we need them so much, and every police officer is a hero and they also need the support from the community so that when this type of tragedy happens, that these officers are getting that support, Laffredo said. All of the officers are going to go through some sort of trauma and all of the officers need a little bit of wellness checkup, and sometimes just a great therapy dog can help them out a lot.

FOP speaks out after local officers hit by gunfire twice in days

Northeast Ohioans are also showing support with monetary donations.

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The sister-in-law of the youngest of the three officers, Phil Wagner, started a GoFundMe page to accept donations from people who were asking how they can help.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA)  A local family is safely back on U.S. soil after being trapped in Syria during a sudden outbreak of violent conflict.

Desiree Gomez, her husband, and their 18-month-old child arrived Wednesday afternoon at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, greeted by friends, family, and the school community she serves.

Wrapped in an American flag, Gomez and her husband were overcome with emotion as they stepped off the plane. She and her family had been visiting relatives when fighting erupted around them.

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We were in the middle of the city originally. We were there for about three or four days for the fighting, Gomez said. Then we moved to safety, and that safety was very safe  but it was surrounded by not-safe.

Once conditions worsened, the family contacted relatives in the U.S. for help.

Because its kind of difficult to organize your own kind of rescue in the middle of mortars and things blasting all around you, she said.

The nonprofit Grey Bull Rescue, which specializes in high-risk humanitarian operations, launched a complex rescue mission to bring the family out. Using passwords, coded communication, and secret routes, the group successfully extracted them from the conflict zone.

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We start working the streets, and basically what we have to do is build a mousetrap in such a way where we can guarantee safety of these Americans who are stuck, said Bryan Stern, Founder of Grey Bull Rescue. As the crow flies, not far. But the route that we have to take is going to be four or five, six hours of time through multiple different areas controlled by multiple different groups. This is very delicate stuff. This is pick-up sticks.

Though Grey Bull has operated in Syria before, Stern said this mission was uniquely difficult and dangerous.

This part of the world were very familiar with  jokes on us, wasnt so simple, he said. The situation on the ground is hard to understand as Americans. The sectarian violence is on a medieval scale. This latest round of absolute  just murder.

Armed militias, including ISIS-affiliated groups, had taken control of the region, cutting off communication and flooding the streets with gunfire.

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Whenever we would get communication, they would say, Okay, were coming. You ready? And were ready, Gomez said. And then it wasnt working out on their end for safety reasons or whatever. And then, Be ready, be ready. And then finally, we were ready and we left. And it was swift and dangerous. But were here  so thats what matters.

The return home was filled with emotion. Gomez, an assistant principal at Lyman Elementary School, was greeted by students, coworkers, and loved ones.

Her mother, Dena Erickson, said the rescue felt like something out of a movie.

They were able, when they had a window, and they were able to go in and actually start the move for the rescue, she said. We were given instructions  no phone usage at all. That was probably the most difficult part of this journey. But were just excited, and I just  I cant wait to see my baby.

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The family said theyre grateful to be home and excited to reunite with their children.

The rescue mission received support from U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham and U.S. Sen. Tim Scotts offices.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  A community-wide blood drive took place in downtown Sioux City Wednesday, as part of Century 21 (C21) Prolinks week of giving.

The mobile donation unit offered on-site blood donation services that help save lives across our region.

C21 partnered with LiveServe Blood Center for the event, providing refreshments to donors, on-site staff, and volunteers, and educational facts and stories about blood donations and their life-saving impact.

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Organizers with C21 pick a new way every year to help support the community. One organizer explained to KCAU why a blood drive was chosen for this year.

Story continues below

We have agents that volunteer their time, talents, and efforts, said organizer and realtor with Century21 Prolink Mallori Hoffert. We pick things in the community that maybe that time that year, that season, need help with any outreach, non-profits, just whatever it is. Each year, we just kind of evaluate where the need is and who we can help.

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A blood donation by one person can save three lives.

If you missed this chance to give blood, you can always do so by visiting the LifeServe blood center location or website to schedule an appointment.

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The greatest risk is not any specific policy issue, its that the ECHR ultimately politicises the judiciary.



On the latest Planet Normal podcast, which you can listen to using the audio player below, columnists Liam Halligan and guest presenter Nick Timothy MP, discuss the history of the ECHR and why its supporters believe in a myth.

Peter Lilley, the former cabinet minister, has called for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), arguing its influence has undermined parliamentary sovereignty.

Attlee was extremely reluctant to sign up, Lilley said, and only did so on condition that the jurisdiction of the court it created didnt apply in the UK. He claims the convention has since evolved into a transfer of the power to make laws and make political judgments from parliament to the courts.

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While some Conservatives remain divided over the ECHRs role, Labour has not fared any better in the past.  Blair himself asked John Reid, his Home Secretary, I think Blunkett, another Home Secretary to look into ways of overriding it or leaving bits of it. So, the Labour Party has found it as problematic as the Conservatives have when theyve been in power, he said.

On Kemi Badenochs leadership, Lilley offered a measured endorsement, praising her approach to evidence-based policy and democratic principle. She does in some ways [remind me of Thatcher], he said, recounting her pure common sense during their work together. Lilley warned against internal manoeuvring, stating clearly: If [opponents] are manoeuvring to displace her its not good for the party and therefore its not good for the country.

Planet Normal, a weekly Telegraph podcast featuring news and views from beyond the bubble. Listen on the audio player above or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your preferred podcast app.



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Intel (INTC) shares closed roughly flat on Tuesday after a senior Loop Capital analyst initiated coverage of the semiconductor giant with a Neutral rating only.

In his research note, Gary Mobley announced a $25 price target on INTC, indicating limited upside as the catch-22 situation for Intel is obvious.

More News from Barchart

That said, Intel stock is currently up more than 30% versus its year-to-date low set in early April.

www.barchart.com

Intel Stock is Grappling With an Internal Strategic Conflict

Loop Capital assumed a dovish stance on INTC shares this morning primarily because the firm is stuck in an internal strategic conflict.

According to the investment firm, Intel must tap on Taiwan Semis (TSM) advanced manufacturing processes to design sophisticated chips that stand a chance against rivals like Nvidia (NVDA) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD).

However, the companys foundry business will take a meaningful hit if INTC chooses to outsource chip manufacturing.

If Intel Foundry cant rely on volume from Intel Products, the company as a whole will struggle to cover fixed costs, analyst Gary Mobley told clients in a report on Tuesday.

Management Must Find a Workaround to Free INTC Shares

Mobley recommends caution in buying Intel shares as the companys foundry business is actually a headwind for its products segment.

More importantly, the expert believes INTC is rather restricted in terms of options to detach, or de-consolidate Intel Foundry as well.

In his research note, he went on to confirm that Loop Capital will refrain from turning constructive on INTC stock unless the management finds a workaround to these competing operational mandates of the two core businesses.

How Wall Street Recommends Playing Intel Corp in 2025

The aforementioned challenges are not at all lost on other Wall Street firms either. In fact, many have a price target on Intel stock that actually trails Loops Capitals.

According to Barchart, the consensus rating on INTC shares sits at Hold only with the average price target of about $22.68, indicating potential downside of more than 2% from current levels.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  Its been a little more than a year since Sonya Massey was shot and killed in her own home. Now, the defense attorneys for Sean Grayson, the former Sangamon County Sheriffs deputy charged with her murder, are saying he acted in self-defense.

Grayson and his lawyers filed three motions Wednesday, just two days before his next status hearing.

One claims Sonya was the initial aggressor in the viral body camera footage of the shooting. The motion says she directed an act of violence against Grayson by throwing boiling water in his direction.

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Reacting to this new development, Sonyas cousin Sonate Massey called the claim complete garbage.

Everyone on this planet who watched that video knows what happened, Sontae said.

Shocked, horrified & heartbroken: IL officials respond to body cam footage of Sonya Massey shooting

Sontae was driving back to Illinois from a family vacation in Texas when he first heard about the motions. He said the trip was meant to be an escape from the familys ongoing grief, but that was interrupted on Wednesday.

The motion also accuses Sonya of having a violent past, saying she battered a neighbor with a brick just hours before she was shot. That considered, the motion asks that the defense be able to present evidence of Sonyas alleged propensity for violence.

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If youre trying to justify [her death] by victim blaming my cousin, good luck with that, Sontae said.

The second motion asks the court to admit evidence of Sonyas then existing state of mind. It includes parts of an interview with a car dealership employee who knew Sonya. The unnamed person said Sonya told them she needed help, and believed someone would kill her.

Sontae said thats true.

I have said the same thing that her mother has said, that her daughter has said and her son has said, because she talked to all four of us before she was murdered, Sontae said. [Saying] someone was trying to kill her, someone in the police department was trying to kill her.

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Sontae questioned how mentally stable anyone could be while believing their life was in danger.

Ben Crump, legal team speak out on historic settlement for Sonya Masseys family

The motion also includes a report of a 911 call made by someone who identified themself as Sonyas mother, Donna, just a day before the deadly shooting. The document said Donna told dispatch Sonya was paranoid and having a mental breakdown.

Both women went to the hospital but left without being seen by staff.

What would contribute to someones mental health, or lack thereof, their mental state, if they knew someone was trying to kill them, someone of authority? Sontae asked.

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The third motion is a cease-and-desist order that asks the Massey Commission to end alleged activities in Peoria County, where Graysons trial will take place in October.

Sontae said that while he is aware of and did attend an event in Peoria, it was through a local woman, not the Massey Commission.

She organized a town hall, an open town hall, to anyone that wanted to come there, and she invited the Massey family, Sontae said.

The Massey Commission said a similar thing that neither the commission nor any commissioner has acted in an official capacity in Peoria County.

Sontae said the motions are offensive to his cousin, who has left behind so much. He said while they are a slap in the face, he and his family still have faith that justice will prevail.

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The only way they can win this case, in my opinion, is to have the case thrown out, Sontae said. I mean, the evidence is so overwhelming.

Massey family calls for total justice at daughters funeral

Graysons defense attorneys declined to comment on the motions.

The same day the motions were filed, Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch said Grayson, still in custody ahead of his trial, was moved from the Macon County Jail to the Sangamon County Jail to accommodate ongoing medical procedures. He is expected to remain there until his trial take place in Peoria County.

Again, he is due back in court for a status hearing on Friday.

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Washington  The increasing pressure on the Trump administration to release more details about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein shows little sign of easing soon.

It's put President Trump's allies in Congress in a bind as they try to balance the Republican base's demands for the release of all Epstein-related files against the White House's desire to move on.

For now, Mr. Trump has asked that only federal grand jury transcripts be made public. One of the Justice Department's requests to unseal grand jury transcripts has been denied. The Trump administration has asked for grand jury transcripts related to investigations into Epstein in 2005 and 2007 in Florida, as well as transcripts related to separate grand juries convened in New York that resulted in charges against Epstein in 2019 and against his partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking charges in 2021.

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Some Republicans have rebelled and are backing efforts to make more details public. Meanwhile, Democrats are fanning the flames by trying to force Republicans to take politically risky votes on the issue and accusing the GOP of trying to hide something.

"What are they hiding from the American people? Release the files so that the American people can make a decision on their own," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, said this week.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, said Wednesday that "No one in Congress is blocking Epstein documents." A day earlier, Johnson announced the lower chamber would be heading home early as members clashed over the Epstein issue.

Seeking flight logs, travel records, information about handling of Epstein materials

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A bipartisan effort led by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California to compel the release of Epstein-related files could have enough support to force a floor vote soon after House lawmakers return from their five-week break in September.

The legislation, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act, would require the Justice Department to release much more than the grand jury testimony that the president has asked courts to make public.

It calls for the release of documents relating to all investigations into the disgraced financier and his accomplice Maxwell, flight logs and travel records, names of individuals and entities referenced in any Epstein case and internal Justice Department communications. It would also make public any records "concerning the destruction, deletion, alteration, misplacement, or concealment of documents, recordings, or electronic data" related to Epstein and his associates, as well as documentation about his death.

Supporters of the legislation said it's necessary because it would be legally binding, unlike a Republican resolution  which may not ever get a vote  that was offered last week as a way to quiet dissent. The resolution from Republican Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina calls for the release of much of the same documentation, but would carry no legal weight if the Trump administration does not follow through.

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Epstein died by suicide while in federal custody in Manhattan as he was facing sex trafficking charges in 2019. Prosecutors alleged he exploited and abused dozens of underage girls from 2002 through 2005. In Florida in 2008, he pleaded guilty to two state prostitution charges  one of them for soliciting prostitution from someone under the age of 18.

During Mr. Trump's first term, his labor secretary, Alexander Acosta, resigned following criticism of his handling of Epstein's 2008 plea deal when he was a federal prosecutor in Florida. Epstein served 13 months in a jail work-release program after he was originally accused of sexually abusing dozens of girls and young women.

Johnson argued the Massie-Khanna effort does not include enough protections for Epstein's victims. He said Congress has a moral and legal obligation "to protect the people who have been the victims of these unspeakable crimes so that their names are not drug through the mud."

On Wednesday, three Republicans on a House Oversight subcommittee voted with all Democrats on the panel to subpoena the Justice Department for the Epstein files. The White House has not responded to the latest congressional efforts, although Mr. Trump has referred to the whole saga as a "hoax," as his administration faces criticism over the handling of the Epstein files.

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Epstein's financial network

Sen. Ron Wyden of Oregon, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, has been looking into Epstein's financial network for three years and has called on the Trump administration to release the Treasury's records.

Last year, the Biden administration allowed committee staff to look at portions of the confidential file. Wyden said it shows more than 4,700 in potentially suspicious wire transfers adding up to nearly $1.1 billion flowing in and out of just one of Epstein's bank accounts and hundreds of millions through other accounts.

Wyden sent a letter this week to Attorney General Pam Bondi urging the Justice Department to further investigate Epstein's financial transactions and whether several big banks turned a blind eye to suspicious transfers. The senator's office said the attorney general has not yet responded. The Justice Department has not yet responded to a request for comment.

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"The Treasury Department's Epstein file contains significant information on the sources of funding behind Epstein's sex trafficking activities," Wyden wrote. "Epstein clearly had access to enormous financing to operate his sex trafficking network, and the details on how he got the cash to pay for it are sitting in a Treasury Department filing cabinet."

Seeking testimony from Ghislaine Maxwell

Lawmakers are also seeking testimony from Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 for her role in helping Epstein recruit, groom and abuse underage girls. She is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

The House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Maxwell on Wednesday, requesting that she sit for a deposition in August "to inform the consideration of potential legislative solutions to improve federal efforts to combat sex trafficking and reform the use of non-prosecution agreements and/or plea agreements in sex-crime investigations."

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Todd Blanche, the second-highest ranking official at the Justice Department, is meeting with Maxwell on Thursday at the U.S. attorney's office in Tallahassee.

The Justice Department announced earlier this month that a review of evidence in the Epstein case found no indication of a "client list" and said no more files would be released, citing victims' privacy. The decision upset Trump supporters who believe that the federal government has concealed information about Epstein to protect powerful figures.

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Members of a congressional agriculture committee discussed the implications of a California law dictating the size of livestock confinement pens, among other things. (Courtesy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture)

The U.S. House Committee on Agriculture met Wednesday for a hearing and a renewed push to neutralize a California law that stipulates the living conditions of certain livestock

The law, referred to as Proposition 12, has been the subject of several lawsuits and proposed legislation as opponents say the law creates a patchwork of uncertainty in the industry.

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In late June, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed a case against Proposition 12. Witnesses at the House hearing said the dismissal does not equate to a ruling from the court, but instead shows the need for congressional action on the issue.

Proposition 12 was a state referendum approved in 2018 that took effect in 2024. The law stipulates meat sold in the state must comply with state animal confinement regulations, even if the animals were raised outside of California.

This means if an Iowa producer, for example, wanted to sell uncooked pork cuts into the California market, their pork must have been raised in a setting where sows had at least 24 square feet of room. Eggs would have to come from chickens that were raised with at least 1 square foot of space to comply with the California law.

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Protein sold to states other than California do not need to comply, but industry leaders say the California pork market is too large to ignore.

Animal rights organizations in support of the law say the spacing stipulations would give the animals enough space to turn around freely and provide greater welfare to the animals.

Lawmakers have attempted to block the law several times. The Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act in 2023 attempted to stop states from enforcing preharvest conditions on agricultural products for sale in interstate commerce settings. Opponents of the bill argued it would not only suppress Prop 12, but also interfere with many state-based agricultural laws.

Ag committee Chairman Glenn G.T. Thomson of Pennsylvania, said lawmakers should look instead to the language from the Houses Farm Bill proposal from last year, which did not pass. Thomson said this language was more specific and would allow rules like Prop12 to exist, but to only be enforceable on proteins raised in that state.

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In order to protect the right of American farmers and ranchers to raise their animals how they see fit, we must provide a fix for Proposition 12, Thomson said in his opening comments.

At the Wednesday hearing, pork producers said the bigger confinements required by the law dont always work in favor of the sows and the cost to comply with Californias law is high for producers and consumers.

Pat Hord, an Ohio pork producer and vice president of the National Pork Producers Council, has outfitted parts of his operation to be compliant with Prop 12. He said the law and the potential for the 49 other states to enact their own standards threatens his farm with an unmitigated regulatory patchwork.

Hord supported congressional action that would stop Proposition 12 and prevent future states from following suit.

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An economist with NPPC who also testified Wednesday said it costs farmers $3,500 to $4,500 per sow to build compliant pens. Hord said the law is not only costly to comply with, but is inherently less efficient.

All farms have or will continue to experience productivity losses under Prop 12, Hord said to the committee. You simply cannot house the same number of sows in the same size barn.

Hord said the burden to comply would be even greater on small and medium sized farmers who have less capital to spend on costly upgrades. This in turn, he said, would lead to more consolidation in the pork market.

Animal welfare

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or ASPCA, said in a press release that laws like Proposition 12 challenge the cruel status quo of industrial agriculture.

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Contrary to the narrative being pushed by industrial agriculture interests at todays hearing  which notably excluded the voices of independent farmers  there are thousands of farmers across the country who support and depend on commonsense bans against the cruel confinement of farm animals, ASPCA President and CEO Matt Bershadker said in the release. We encourage Congress to listen to these farmers and protect state laws like Proposition 12 which create vital market opportunities for higher-welfare farming that align with the values of the American public.

ASPCA said the Senates recently introduced Food Security and Farm Protection Act was a repackaging of the EATS act and must be kept out of the upcoming Farm Bill.

The animal rights group said bills like EATS are an unprecedented federal assault on states rights to pass laws on agricultural practices and sales.

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Matt Schuiteman, an Iowa pork producer and board member with Iowa Farm Bureau, said the best animal welfare comes when farmers are able to adjust their operations to their individual conditions and to their animals. This is something he said Proposition 12 would make more difficult to do.

The most important thing Ive learned from a lifetime of raising pigs is that its critical for producers to have full control over the environment in which their pigs are raised, Schuiteman said.

He also said when breeding pigs are not confined, the social hierarchy within a herd kicks in and pigs down the pecking order are pushed away from food or water. This is not only bad for the sow, but also means shell have smaller litters, which hurts the farmers outputs.

U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, said the poor outcomes for pigs under the law show California is clueless about hog farming.

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This all happens because California has a liberal, progressive agenda that has no idea what farming is all about, Feenstra said. Lets be clear, Prop 12 is a direct threat to our viability of family farms, the health and welfare of animals and the affordability of pork production in America.

U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, a Democrat from Massachusetts, said the whole hearing was a misrepresentation of reality and the panel of witnesses was not a balanced panel.

McGovern said there are thousands of farmers who support Proposition 12 and many small-operation producers who have benefited from the new market opportunities for humanely raised meat under the law.

If you kill Prop 12, you are putting independent family farms at risk, McGovern said. It will be get big or get out all over again.

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Recent data from U.S. Department of Agriculture shows about 27% of U.S. hog farms already compliant with Prop 12, or are in the process of becoming compliant with the law.

The data, according to an analysis from Politico, said pork prices in California are nearly 20% higher than they were this time last year.

Lilly Rocha, executive director of the Latino Restaurant Association, said these higher prices impact small family businesses in the state, make it more difficult for consumers to buy pork or pork products, which distances Latino customers from their cultural heritage.

GOP governors support rollback of Prop 12

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, along with seven GOP governors, submitted a letter to members of Congress Wednesday, urging them to support the Save Our Bacon act, introduced earlier in the day by U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa.

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Hinson, in a social media post on X, said the bill would push back on Californias radical Prop 12.

The letter from state governors called the California regulations arbitrary and out of touch, especially as it drives up production prices across the country and consumer pork prices in the state.

When one state decides to regulate another, federal legislation is appropriate and necessary, the letter said. We ask that Congress make clear that each state may regulate livestock production within its own borders, but not the production of livestock in other states.

In addition to Reynolds, the letter was signed by governors from Mississippi, Indiana, Nebraska, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma and Virginia.

The Trump administration has also sued the State of California and its officials for the impact the law has had on egg prices in the state. This lawsuit came shortly after the Supreme Courts dismissal.

In closing, Thompson said the courts have shown this is a responsibility Congress has to fix.

This committee will consider a measured correction that preserves states rights to control their internal agriculture practices, Thompson said. Well protect interstate commerce and preserve states animal health regulations and laws.
(WFXR)- Interstate 81 was built more than a half-century ago and its one of the busiest roadways in the Commonwealth. But it wasnt designed to handle the capacity that it currently carries.

The increased traffic has led to delays and frequent vehicle crashes, some deadly.

Now, the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee has approved $17 million to make improvements, including the potential widening of the interstate.

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Every part of the 6th District is affected by interstate 81, said Rep. Ben Cline of Virginias Sixth District. The traffic, the backups, the crashes, the deaths that result from the congestion. It is really reaching a critical place stage and we need to address it, widen it, add a third lane up and down the entire length of 81.

Cline said his constituents have made it plain, they are very concerned about the safety of Interstate 81.

Both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate must approve the $17 million appropriation before Virginia will receive any of those funds.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has determined that another element of the Trump administrations Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) rampage though the federal government was a violation of the Impoundment Control Act.

This time, its the funding that the Trump administration withheld from Head Start grantees, a federally funded preschool program that serves children from low-income families. The federal grants help fund education, nutrition, health and social services for children.

The GAO reported to Congress on Wednesday that the Trump administration violated the act when it failed to properly disburse congressionally authorized funds for the program, which is run through the Department of Health and Human Services. Between January and April of this year, HHS only sent out about 65 percent of the funding that it sent out during the same period last year. Thats about $825 million less, funds that shouldve gone out to Head Start programs around the country.

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Journalist and friend-of-TPM Bryce Covert reported in May that leaders of Head Start programs around the country had started to voice concern that their funding had not been disbursed. Per her coverage in The American Prospect at the time:

Congress has fully funded Head Start through the end of this fiscal year, yet multiple signs point to the Trump administration withholding at least some of the money programs rely on. According to an analysis by Sen. Patty Murrays (D-WA) office, as of April 15 the federal government had sent Head Start programs nearly $1 billion less than it had at the same point last year, representing a 37 percent annualized cut. The money continued to flow relatively normally through February, and then in March and April it started to fall off a cliff.

The GAO is an independent agency embedded within the legislative branch that reviews federal spending, makes recommendations on cost savings to Congress and investigates policy implementation. (Ironically, it is often the independent agency that actually does the work of spotting fraud and misspent funds that DOGE has claimed it would do.) Now, the GAO has spent the better half of the year investigating the damage that DOGE has done. It has more than two dozen cases focused on DOGE cuts that it is investigating as potential violations of the Impoundment Control Act. Its issued rulings on three so far, including the Head Start findings. Others include finding that the Trump administration unlawfully blocked funding for the construction of electric vehicle charging stations and for the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

This is all, of course, just providing additional verification of what has been clear for some time: That Elon Musks attack on the separation of powers  slashing federal spending that had already been appropriated by Congress  was, more than likely, a violation of federal law and, in various ways, the processes enshrined in the Constitution. The GAOs findings are non-binding reports to Congress that only bolster those concerns.

The GAO found that the Trump administrations failure to properly disburse funds during that three month period may have violated the Head Start Act, as well.

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Once enacted, an appropriation is a law like any other, and the President must implement it by ensuring that appropriated funds are obligated and expended prudently during their period of availability unless and until Congress enacts another law providing otherwise, the GAO said in its report.

For its part, an HHS spokesperson told the Washington Post that it doesnt agree with the GAOs conclusions.

Controversy-Ridden Bove Inches Ever Closer To Lifetime Judgeship

Despite the many controversies surrounding his brief tenure as President Donald Trumps hatchet man at the Department of Justice, Emil Bove has moved one step closer to getting a lifetime seat on the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Senate voted 50-48 on Thursday to limit debate on Boves nomination. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME) broke with their caucus and voted against advancing Bove alongside all Democrats. Sens. Katie Britt (R-AL) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) did not vote.

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The Trump-backed nominee has been at the center of allegations from a DOJ whistleblower who said Bove suggested attorneys may need to defy court orders blocking plans to send Venezuelan migrants to a foreign prison.

Bove was also behind an effort to fire the DOJ prosecutors who worked on the hundreds of Jan. 6 cases.

More than 900 former Justice Department attorneys recently signed a letter pushing back on his nomination. Similarly, over 75 former federal and state judges signed a letter urging lawmakers to reject the deeply inappropriate nomination.

 Emine Yucel

A Mini Break

I (Nicole Lafond, the person who writes Where Things Stand) am taking a week off work to go sit on the beach and not read the news. WTS will return to your inbox on August 4th!

In Case You Missed It

Understanding MAGAs Obsession With Pedophilia and No Other Sex Crimes

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LA Grand Juries Are Refusing To Indict ICE Protestors

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Consul Warns Mexicans Must Take Extreme Precautions in Florida as Alligator Alcatraz Leads to Diplomatic Tensions

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  On Thursday, Congressman Frank D. Lucas announced the Modernize and Improve our National Tender (MINT) has passed out of the Financial Services Committee after President Trumps call to eliminate penny production.

The legislation passed as part of the Common Cents Act authored by House Conference Chair Lisa McClain (R-MI), whose bill text was replaced by the MINT Act.

According to Congressman Lucas, the one-cent piece has run its course The world has changed Lets just be practical and move forward. The MINT Act legislation is geared to ensure that every penny still in circulation remains as legal tender while additionally allowing the Mint to produce the nickel with nickel-plated zinc reducing production costs.

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The MINT Act is supported by the United Steelworkers Union  which represents the 250 employees that previously manufactured zinc coin blanks for the penny  saying that the bill preserves jobs, supports American industry, and delivers savings to taxpayers.

Last year the Mint lost $85 million from one-cent production. This is the 19th consecutive year the Untied States government has lost money keeping the one-cent piece in circulation and

over time, the value of our currency  paper and coin  continues to drop. We have to make changes to address that, said Congressman Lucas.

Sunbeam begins enrollment for Early Head Start and Head Start

Congressman Lucas say, the U.S. Mint spends $3.69 to make and distribute just one penny. Last year, three billion pennies were produced, resulting in losses of over $85 million. Additionally noting, the nickel is also produced at a loss. The U.S. Mint lost approximately $18 million from nickel production.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  Connecticut Childrens said in a statement Wednesday it is winding down the gender care program for patients under the age of 19.

The statement said Connecticut Childrens has been reviewing the long-term sustainability of the gender care program amid an increasingly complex and evolving landscape, and decided after guidance from medical and legal experts.

Christian day care in Milford challenging Connecticut mandatory vaccination rules

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This process is being carried out in a deliberate and planful way, with ongoing communication and support for the families and team members directly involved, the statement said. It continues to be an evolving and fluid situation.

Connecticut Childrens said the program would evaluate each case on a case-by-case basis to ensure that every childs needs are considered with compassion, clinical judgment, and care.

We remain fully committed to providing inclusive, respectful care to all children and to ensuring that every family continues to feel safe, supported, and heard at Connecticut Childrens, the statement said.

Gov. Ned Lamont released a statement on Thursday morning, stating that the decisions are not based on Connecticut values or law.

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His statement in full:

Its disappointing for hospitals in Connecticut to be forced to make the difficult decision to end gender-affirming care for minors in response to the federal executive order. These decisions are not based on Connecticut values or Connecticut lawthey are part of a series of relentless federal demands that have created fear, confusion, and legal uncertainty for our healthcare providers. To transgender youth and their families in Connecticut: you are not alone. We see you, we support you, and we are working closely with the Attorney General and hospital leaders to understand the full impact. In Connecticut, we do not turn our backs on kids in need.

House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) also released the following statement:

I agree with President Trumps position on this issue. Gender transition interventions are perhaps the most consequential medical decisions a person can make. While I understand that parents are involved, children lack the developmental capacity to fully comprehend the lifelong implications of these choices. Federal funding should not support interventions that are better delayed until children reach adulthood and can make decisions with full comprehension of the profound consequences for their bodies and futures.

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Republican Chairman Ben Proto said the decision raises important questions.

Connecticut Childrens Medical Centers decision to end gender-affirming care for

minors raises important questions. In announcing they are reviewing the long-term

sustainability of our gender care program, one must ask whether the program was

implemented to address actual medical needs or to fulfill a political agenda. The hospital

also cites political backlash as unprecedented in its 45-year history of serving children.

But this is not simply political backlashit is a reflection of growing societal concern.

These concerns center on the appropriateness of subjecting young childrenwho are

still years away from fully developing mentally, emotionally, intellectually, physically, and

sexuallyto irreversible medical procedures. Many individuals who underwent such

treatments as minors now express deep regret over decisions made before they had the

maturity and capacity to fully understand the consequences. Life-altering, irreversible medical interventions of this nature should be made by individuals who have reached an age and level of development where they can make informed, thoughtful decisions for themselves. In taking this step, Connecticut Childrens Medical Center has chosen a responsible and prudent course, and I am confident they will continue to deliver the exceptional care they have provided to Connecticuts children for 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 WTNH.com.
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH)  People caring for their children and your parents know the financial burden involved.

A group of state and local leaders are looking to ease the burden for the so-called sandwich generation at the stage in their life when they are taking on dual responsibilities.

Survey: 3 Connecticut towns among best for raising free-range children

Connecticut State Comptroller Sean Scanlon (D) led a roundtable discussion with members of the sandwich generation and other state leaders to address the issue.

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People are living longer, the cost of caring for them is more expensive, Scanlon said. The cost of caring for the children is more expensive. The cost in general for the caregiver living in that sandwich is more expensive.

The average family caregiver is spending about $7,200 a year out of pocket, Nora Duncan, the state director of AARP CT said.

One solution that all the participants agreed on is talking with loved ones about the issue before it reaches the crisis stage.



I think we need to take the stigma away from talking about death, dying and future planning, and start doing that in your 30s and 40s, which people just dont want to think about then, State Long Term Care Ombudsman Mairead Painter said.

But knowing where a caregiver should look for support is half the battle. One such website is MyPlaceCT.org

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Its a depth of resource for individuals who are either trying to pre-plan or in crises looking for solutions, Department of Social Services Director of Community Options Christine Watson said.

Natalie Shurtleff, the associate state director for advocacy and community outreach for AARP CT, is all too familiar with crisis situations. The California wildfires caused her mom to be evacuated with few resources, including temporary housing.



I think its those types of situations where people are often dealing with where you say, ok, Im just going to put it on my credit card. Thats how Im going to deal with it, Shurtleff said.

Theres also the mental stress that comes along with being a member of the sandwich generation. In that case, organizers say self-care is critical.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BLANDFORD  The Nature Conservancy bought 578 acres in Blandford earlier this week, furthering the goal of creating a way for wildlife to cross under the Mass Pike.

The fields and forests are filled only with the sounds of wildlife when visitors stick close to Chester Road in Blandford. But hike into the property, and the air fills with the rumble of traffic on the Massachusetts Turnpike, said Richard Cavanaugh, the land protection manager for The Nature Conservancy in Massachusetts.

You get a sense of how intrusive the Mass Pike is, he said. And how loud and furious it is.

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The property is near two culverts that stretch under all six lanes and the median. But they are only 4 feet across and fill with water.

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, states Department of Conservation and Recreation and Department of Fish and Game, and the conservancy will monitor the culverts, find out how much water fills them, what wildlife uses them and what modifications are appropriate.

Think enlarging the tunnels. Or adding a dry shelf  a catwalk  so bobcats can move from one side of the pike to the other, Cavanaugh said.

The Nature Conservancy has a vision for the Appalachians as a continental-scale network of connected, resilient lands and waters  a 2,000-mile biodiversity superhighway enabling plants and animals to adapt to a changing climate.

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But the human superhighway cuts east-west across it in Western Massachusetts.

Any chance to mitigate that asphalt curtain is a helpful thing, Cavanaugh said.

The need for a safe wildlife passage became apparent on his first visit to the property. Cavanaugh said he hiked along the pikes shoulder and found first the rib cage and then the skull of a bear. The bear apparently got hit crossing the highway and dragged itself toward the woods, where it died.

With uplands, grasslands, young and old forests, the land is on the west side of Chester Road in Blandford near the Chester, Becket, and Otis town lines.

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The heirs of Howard and Judith A. Terry sold the property to Conservancy Chester Road for $1.56 million on July 7, according to documents on file with the Hampden County Registry of Deeds.

Judith ran the familys Balsam Acres Christmas Tree Farm on part of this property until her passing in 2024, according to her obituary. Howard, a patent attorney and outdoorsman, died in 2014.

Cavanaugh said The Nature Conservancy several years ago completed an analysis of large privately owned tracts of land along the pike in the Hilltowns. Namely, properties that could connect existing publicly owned and preserved properties.

This is one of the few sites that wasnt protected that showed up in that analysis, he said.

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After Judiths death, the Terry family heirs expressed an interest in conserving the property. But the heirs wanted to sell quickly, more quickly than the state would have been able to move, Cavanaugh said.

So The Nature Conservancy bought the property, with the understanding that it will eventually sell the land to the DCR and MassWildlife.

Both state agencies have properties that already touch these 578 acres, with one example being Chester-Blandford State Forest.

In all, this purchase connects 40,000 acres of now contiguous, permanently protected land, Cavanaugh said. The protected property includes conserved watershed land owned by the Springfield Water and Sewer Commission.

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Peebles Brook on the property feeds the Water and Sewer Commissions Borden Brook and Cobble Mountain reservoirs, providing Springfields drinking water.

The Sanderson, Cushman, Finley and Peebles brooks are all coldwater fisheries, associated with the famed Westfield River trout population.

There are also three vernal pools.

Eventually, the property will be opened up to hiking, hunting and other recreation. The state is considering what to do with the former Christmas tree farm, Cavanaugh said. It could be reopened, or the land might be restored to a more wild state.

The land is home to the vulnerable New England cottontail rabbit, which is threatened with habitat loss.

Stories by Jim Kinney

Read the original article on MassLive.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A new precinct of the Metro Nashville Police Department is almost ready to open its doors in Antioch.

The Southeast Precinct is expected to relieve pressure on the South Precinct and improve response times.

We are going to make Antioch the safest part of the city, period, the Commander of Southeast Precinct, Carlos Lara, said.

Its been two years since the MNPD broke ground in Antioch and marked the start of the departments 9th precinct. A year later, construction began. Now, MNPD tells News 2 that construction will be complete by September.

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RELATED | New MNPD precinct could bring relief to crime concerns in Southeast Nashville

Our community has been marking the days calendars until it opens, Metro Councilmember for the area, Joy Styles, explained in May.

The need for another precinct was clear.

The current South and Hermitage precincts have to cover so much area and have to cover such a large number of people that they stay very busy, and it is a struggle to keep up, Antioch resident Anthony Coon said.

We will be playing no games when the precinct opens, Styles assured. All of the shenanigans that are happening right now, the idiots that like to shut down intersections like Murfreesboro Road and Bell Road, or get on I-24 [and] do all of those things  there will be no tolerance.

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According to datafrom the MNPD, the current South Precinct contributed to a little over 20% of Nashvilles violent offenses and around 19% of property crimes from April 1 through June 30.

To bridge the gap, an additional police shift known as the D shift has been patrolling. While crime hasnt stopped, the goal is quicker, more focused response times once the new precinct opens.

We will have more officers, Styles said. We will have more cars visible in the area because this precinct will be serving only 35 miles instead of 70.

The new precinct will be about more than policing; it will also be about meeting Antioch where it is and building trust with the people who live there.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Were going to have representation from everyone because we are the most diverse part of town, so it only makes sense that were making sure that our precinct is diverse and that they are open, such as the community room that they have built there  its open for everyone to use, Styles explained.

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A representative for the MNPD said no ribbon-cutting date has been set yet, but the department hopes to open doors by October or early November.

It is going to be a tremendous day when they open that building, Styles 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 WKRN News 2.
Banco Bradesco S.A. (NYSE:BBD) is one of the best affordable stocks under $5 to invest in. On May 8, Itau BBA analyst Pedro Leduc downgraded Banco Bradesco S.A. (NYSE:BBD) to Market Perform from Outperform without a price target.

Why Banco Bradesco S.A. (BBD) Went Up On Thursday

A customer withdrawing money from an ATM, illustrating the company's widespread availability of accounts.

Banco Bradesco S.A. (NYSE:BBD) reported a 15.3% year-over-year growth in total revenue in fiscal Q1 2025 to R$32.3 billion, while operating expenses for the quarter experienced a 12.3% year-over-year increase to R$15.0 billion.

The company also reported R$5.86 billion in recurring net income, up 8.6% quarter-over-quarter and 39.3% year-over-year.

Banco Bradesco S.A. (NYSE:BBD) provides financial and insurance services. Its operations are divided into the Banking and Insurance segments. The Banking segment manages the banking activities, while the Insurance segment covers health, auto, life, accident, property insurance, and more.

While we acknowledge the potential of BBD 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.
Citing conditions and legal issues at Governor Ron DeSantis Alligator Alcatraz facility in the Everglades, a Mexican diplomat issued a stark warning to anyone from his country thinking of traveling to Florida.

They should take precautions or not come to Florida, Juan Sabines, the consul of Mexico in Orlando, told TPM in a conversation this week. You should take extreme precautions when you come to Florida.

Speaking in Spanish during an interview Tuesday evening, Sabines said Mexicans visiting the state need to take care with basic things such as ensuring they are renting cars from legitimate locations, driving with a license, and carrying documentation at all times. Sabines concerns were based on a case he has been involved in where two brothers were brought to the detention camp. Mexican officials have said both brothers had valid documentation.

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They will detain you here for anything, Sabines said.

Sabines cited the steps DeSantis, a Republican, has taken in support of President Donald Trumps mass deportation agenda. He also argued that the situation in Florida, specifically, goes beyond anything ordered by Trump.

Its a state that has more risks than other states  including for people with visas, he said.

The measures taken by DeSantis include memoranda of agreement the governor ordered agencies to sign with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in February that task Florida officials with immigration enforcement. And, earlier this month, DeSantis opened a migrant detention camp he has dubbed Alligator Alcatraz. That facility, which is located in the Everglades swamplands, was built by the governor using his emergency powers. Florida is covering the reported $450 million annual cost, which state officials say they hope to have partly reimbursed by the federal government. TPM has previously reported that DeSantis office diverted disaster resources as the camp was quickly opened. After touring the facility earlier this month, Democrats raised alarms about the harsh conditions there. Detainees who have been released have also offered grim accounts of the facility.

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Sabines said the lack of the right to a fair trial at the detention camp is one of the reasons he is disturbed by the situation in Florida. Specifically, Sabines has been helping the father of the two brothers, Carlos Martin Gonzalez, 26, and Oscar Alejandro, 30, who have been detained in the camp since earlier this month. According to Sabines, Carlos was here on a valid tourist visa while Oscar is married to a U.S. citizen. He said Carlos was initially stopped by police for driving a car with tinted windows that was unregistered. Sabines said the brothers father, Martin Gonzalez, paid a fine related to the incident.

The two of them dont want to stay in the U.S. These men already want to go to Mexico, but they wont let them. And why? I dont know, Sabines said of the brothers, adding, We dont understand the reason they are still in prison.  Its not the right way to do things.

DeSantis office did not respond to a request for comment.

The concerns about Mexican detainees in Alligator Alcatraz have gone beyond the case of the Gonzalez brothers. On Tuesday, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed a report from Human Rights Watch about abusive practices at migrant detention centers in Florida during her daily press conference. Sheinbaum said she believed 14 Mexican citizens were being held in these detention centers. She further said Mexican officials are reviewing whether human rights violations had been committed at Alligator Alcatraz and indicated her government would consider filing complaints if this was found to have occurred.

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What we are insisting is that, when people are detained, they are repatriated immediately, Sheinbaum said.

President of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum speaks during the daily morning briefing at Palacio Nacional on July 23, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Johana Remigio/ObturadorMX/Getty Images)

Sheinbaums office did not respond to a request for comment from TPM. The White House referred all questions about the operation of Alligator Alcatraz to DeSantis office and the Department of Homeland Security, which did not respond to a request for comment. A White House spokesperson did not answer questions about whether the president was in communication with Sheinbaum about the repatriation of Mexican detainees.

The Mexican government has helped the Gonzalez family obtain an American lawyer, Andrea Reyes, who did not respond to a request for comment on this story. While the family has legal and diplomatic support, Sabines said the brothers have not had any access to these resources because Alligator Alcatraz is a limbo that exists between state and federal authority.

As human beings we all have, in most of the world where there is democracy, where there is liberty, you have the right to a trial, to a judge, you have the right to a lawyer. Not in this case, Sabines said. Over there in Alcatraz, the two Mexicans whose case I am looking at have a lawyer, but their attorney doesnt have access to the file. They dont have access to the case, they dont have an alien number, they dont have a case number.

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American lawyers have previously raised similar concerns they are unable to track and effectively represent detainees in Alligator Alcatraz because of the lack of an alien number, which is typically issued to people in ICE custody. The Miami Herald spoke to attorneys who have said they are struggling to even find phone numbers and emails associated with the site.

It doesnt exist. Theres no immigration judge there. We dont have anyone to stand in front of, Sabines said, adding, They dont have a right to a fair trial at the moment or the right to an attorney.

Sabines further suggested that he understood Mexican diplomats inability to make contact with the brothers to be a violation of international agreements.

This has never occurred before.  We are regulated by the Vienna Convention, the consular regulations, and we have a consular convention between the U.S. and Mexico. Through the agreements between both countries, our nationals have the right to consular assistance and legal assistance, said Sabines.

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Sabines stressed that, in his experience, the situation was unprecedented.

This is something weve never seen, not in the United States and not in Mexico, Sabines said. I dont know if there are other countries where something like this exists, where there is some other type of government thats not democratic, but here we have never seen this.

According to Sabines, Mexican officials are demanding to be able to have contact with the brothers, for them to be able to meet with their attorney, and for her to have access to their case file.

No one has had access, Sabines explained. The only thing they have given them the right to is a daily call to their father.

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Based on those conversations, the father of the two men has told Spanish language media outlets the conditions in the facility are really bad.

His children have said to him that its like a chicken coop  that the lights are always on and they dont know if its day or night, Sabines said.

Sabines said the situation was particularly disturbing given the high number of legal Mexican workers in Florida and the extensive commercial relationship his country has with the state.

Mexico is a business partner with Florida, Sabines said, adding, We buy many things from Florida; milk, cream, car parts, medicines. We are a good customer for Florida and they are not treating us like business partners or like family.

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For his part, Sabines said Mexican consular officials regularly met with DeSantis predecessor, now-U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R). However, he said that situation changed after DeSantis first assumed office in 2019.

We have tried to talk to the governor many times, Sabines said. Before, yes, we met with Governor Scott numerous times, but with Governor DeSantis, we havent been able to do it.

Throughout the conversation, Sabines stressed that he believes the risk to immigrants and Mexicans in Florida is beyond anything elsewhere in the U.S. He also pointed to the fact DeSantis has discussed plans for a second detention facility near Jacksonville. Overall, Sabines said Mexican officials are very worried about the situation.

I am not complaining about the U.S. I respect the initiatives of President Trump. He has every right to have made the decisions he has. The people voted for him, right? I understand it, Sabines said. But here, its been excessive.  This prison is something we never would have expected.
Work continues downtown, bringing improvements to Simmons Street and the nearby downtown parking lot in Galesburg, according to a news release.

(City of Galesburg)

This significant revitalization project began in March with the closure of the Prairie Street intersection, one block of Simmons Street, and the west half of the parking lot. The Prairie Street intersection has reopened to traffic, and the west half of the parking lot will soon be open as well. As work begins on the next phase, the Kellogg Street intersection and the east half of the parking lot will soon close.

Citizens can anticipate the Prairie Street intersection will be temporarily controlled by stop signs, pending the upcoming installation of traffic signals. The staged closing of the intersections and parking lot was designed to prevent both intersections being closed simultaneously and allow continued parking in half of the busy downtown lot throughout the construction.

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When the project is completed, improvements on Simmons Street will include:

New ADA-compliant sidewalks

Curb and gutter upgrades

Storm sewer improvements

Asphalt resurfacing

Landscaping and tree planting

Installation of benches and trash receptacles

Decorative street lighting

The reconstruction of the adjacent City parking lot will include:

Reconstruction of the asphalt surface

Curb and gutter upgrades

Landscaping

A pedestrian canopy

Decorative lighting

The total anticipated project cost is $2.5 million. Funding for the project includes a $2,082,500 Rebuild Illinois Downtown and Main Streets Grant, with about $400,000 in local funds contributing to the overall cost.

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We appreciate the patience of citizens while the transformation is underway, said Aaron Gavin, director of Public Works. When completed, the project will be a significant improvement to our downtown, and we are grateful for the Rebuild Illinois Downtown and Main Streets Grant, which made this project possible.

Construction is anticipated to be ongoing throughout the remainder of the construction season and completed by October 2025. More information on City of Galesburg construction projects can be accessed on the interactive map on the City of Galesburg website.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyys move to undercut the independence of the countrys anti-corruption agencies has sparked a political crisis that could hurt Kyivs hopes of joining the European Union, analysts said.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen demanded explanations from Zelenskyy about a law he signed Tuesday that critics say weakens Ukraines anti-graft watchdogs.

The measure has triggered nationwide protests and consternation in Brussels: One EU official characterized it as Zelenskyys biggest blunder since he took office in 2019.

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The row puts Ukraines Western partners in a tricky position; they dont want to risk explicitly calling out Kyiv, knowing that public criticism could be weaponized by the Kremlin, the Financial Times reported.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Legislators in Austin are trying to redistrict the states congressional map  and representatives in D.C. are taking notice.

At a Wednesday afternoon press conference, the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus spoke out against the redistricting efforts, which many Democrats say are a veiled attempt by the Trump administration to secure a Republican majority in the House.

Lets be clear. These maps arent being drawn in Austin. Theyre being drawn in secret in some back room of the White House. And I want to remind my Republican colleagues  redistricting cuts both ways, Rep. Sylvia Garcia (TX-29) said.

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The redistricting efforts kicked off earlier this week, after Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced the effort as one of his top priorities for Texas special session. Democrats currently hold 12 out of Texas 38 congressional seats in the U.S. House.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) of Austin joined his colleagues in condemning the redistricting measures as an effort to distort the next election.

When the legislature is considering this, I believe there wont be a Senate map, or an Abbott map, or a House map, Doggett said. There will only be one map that counts  and thats the one that President Trump drew for the Republican delegation over here at the White House.

Democrats in Austin have already threatened to do all they can to slow down the redistricting efforts, including breaking quorum to prevent the body from taking a vote on the changes.

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Their national counterparts are already planning contingency measures, with Gov. Gavin Newsom of California threatening to redraw Californias districts to add up to seven seats for Democrats.

Texas Republicans have until August 19, when the special session ends, to enact the proposed changes. The Senate Special Committee on Redistricting is set to meet this Friday to begin its work.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
CONWAY, Ark.  Conway firefighters received a 2 percent raise across the board during Tuesday nights City Council meeting, but many within the department say its not enough.

Fire captain Charlie Bates said the raise benefits higher-ranking members more than those on the lower end of the pay scale.

I would say 90 percent of the guys are upset with what transpired last night, Bates said.

The gap started to become pretty glaring, Conway discusses pay raises for firefighters

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Bates said for someone in his position, this raise could mean a couple more thousand dollars added to his salary. But this isnt the case for firefighters in a lower rank.

Im also disappointed because the 2 percent increase doesnt help the guys that are struggling in those lower ranks for sure. And it doesnt keep them here, Bates said.

Before the raise, the average salary for Conway firefighters was just over $64,000. With the increase, it now sits at just over $66,000.

While it is an increase, it falls short in comparison to other Central Arkansas cities  like North Little Rock  whose average pay is $76,000.

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City Spokesperson Bobby Kelly said this is just the beginning of closing that gap.

They need to know that we are tracking this. We have a goal. We have our eyes set on that goal. And were going to keep pecking away at this to get to where they need to be, Kelly said.

Arkansas Tech University hosts 900 firefighters in record-breaking wildfire academy

But, Bates says, while the raise is a step forward, many firefighters feel their voices arent being heard.

We understand its a step  but they just dont feel like theyre being respected or listened to, he said.

Bates said the city back-paid this new pay from June 28, and there are new positions added to the budget, like senior fire captain.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLRT - FOX16.com.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  As a heatwave sweeps over the Miami Valley, Dayton officials are reminding residents of various cooling centers available.

The Dayton Fire Department says to be cautious and prepared as temperatures peak over the next few days. A heat advisory was issued for Thursday, with the heat index reaching 100 to 104 degrees.

Dayton Cooling Centers

Dayton has three recreation centers that are available as cooling centers during the day. Each facility is open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.

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Greater Dayton Recreation Center  2021 W. Third Street

Lohrey Recreation Center  2366 Glenarm Avenue

Northwest Recreation Center  1600 Princeton Drive

Residents are encouraged to stay within air-conditioned buildings, especially during the heat of the day. While staying inside is best, those unable to remain indoors should stick to shady areas as much as possible.

Dayton Splash Pads

Dayton has several splash pads across the city, offering a fun and effective way to keep cool during the hot weather.

These parks are free to the public and open everyday from noon to 8 p.m.

Fairview Park  2262 Elsmore Ave.

Five Oaks Spray Park  329 Five Oaks Ave.

Mallory Park  3037 Germantown St.

McIntosh Park  882 W. Riverview Ave.

Stuart Patterson Spray Park  238 Baltimore St.

Walnut Hills Spray Park  2340 Wayne Ave.

Washington Park  3620 E. Second St.

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Dayton leaders also encourage neighbors to check on each other during this heatwave and to contact emergency services if needed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
A phenomenon called "corn sweat" could exacerbate the impacts of the extreme heat blanketing a large portion of the United States, according to experts.

The process -- known by the scientific term "evapotranspiration" -- is the natural process by which plants move water from the roots of the plant to the surface, according to Ohio State University. The water then evaporates into the atmosphere, making the local region feel more humid.

"The term refers to the amount of moisture, the humidity that the plants take from the soil to cool off," Bruno Basso, a professor of sustainable agriculture at Michigan State University, told ABC News.

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MORE: 130 million people on alert as hot, sticky weather expected from Texas to Maine

All crops with a vascular system can experience evapotranspiration, but summer crops are the most common, Basso said.

"All of our plants are transpiring moisture to the atmosphere," Aaron Wilson, a weather-climate field specialist at Ohio State University and the state climatologist of Ohio, told ABC News

Stacey Wescott/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images - PHOTO: A postdoctoral research associate checks soil moisture and a temperature sensor in a soybean plot on July 23, 2024.

However, corn is extremely efficient at moving moisture from the roots through the plants and the leaves, Wilson said. One acre of corn can put 3,000 to 4,000 gallons of water into the atmosphere per day, Basso said. The process is especially pervasive after a rainfall event.

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"This is a positive thing for the crop" because it is able to cool off, Basso said.

MORE: Climate change leads to spread of infection-causing fungi, scientists say

The process also commonly occurs in soybean crops, Wilson said. There are about 90 million acres of corn, and about 80 million acres of soybeans planted in the Midwest each year.

"There's a good mix of both of those crops across the region," Wilson said.

Jay L Clendenin/Getty Images - PHOTO: A field of corn is ready for harvesting, seen August 22, 2024, in Lost Hills, California.

During this time of year -- the peak of summer -- corn is at the peak of production maturity, where pollination is happening and grain fill begins, which causes the corn to sweat more efficiently.

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Outside of large cities like Columbus, the sweet scent of corn is prevalent throughout the state of Ohio, Wilson said.

"This time of the year, when corn is pollinating, you can smell the corn [while] driving down the highway," he said.

MORE: Climate and environment updates: Warmest Junes on record all occurred within the past 3 years

The additional moisture is "minimal," Wilson said. While there are some theories that the more corn, the more moisture will be added, there are research gaps to prove that hypothesis, Wilson said.

However, the added moisture can make already high temperatures even more dangerous, Basso said, comparing the feeling to being in a steam room.

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"You're going to feel it, most definitely," Wilson said. "You're going to feel that impact a bit more if you're in the middle of a cornfield, or close to corn."

Jay L Clendenin/Getty Images - PHOTO: A field of corn is ready for harvesting, seen August 22, 2024, in Lost Hills, California.

At least 140 million people from Texas to Maine are under alert for dangerous heat and humidity over the coming days. States within the "Corn Belt" of the U.S. that are expected to be impacted by the heatwave include Illinois, Indiana and Ohio.

MORE: How experts say farmers can reduce greenhouse gases from agriculture

Parts of the Midwest were forecast to reach "feels-like" temperatures up to 106 degrees, forecasts showed.

Corn is able to fluctuate its moisture release if it starts to feel heat stress from extremely high temperatures, Wilson said. They will often turn their leaves over to help conserve moisture and energy.
FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW)  The Florence County Coroners Office has identified a 23-year-old woman who was stabbed to death Tuesday morning at an apartment complex and an arrest warrant offers new, gruesome details about the killing.

Crislyn Tameyah McFarlan of Hartsville died in the stabbing at the N. Coit Street apartment complex, Coroner Keith von Lutcken said. Her body is scheduled to undergo an autopsy at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Police have arrested Michael Smith of Florence in connection with her death and charged him with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Arrest warrants show McFarlan and Smith were the only two in the apartment at the time and that McFarlan had two stab wounds on her neck and shoulder.

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Officers found a yellow-handle knife and a puddle of blood beside Smith and McFarlan, the warrants show. Smith is accused of not calling for help or rendering any aid to McFarlan after the stabbing. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

The warrants show the two had been in a romantic relationship for about eight months. Smith did not provide any statements to police after the stabbing and he was not injured.

Smith appeared in Summary Court on Wednesday and was denied bond.

During Wednesdays hearing, Smiths mother offered condolences to McFarlans family members, who were not in court. She also asked for help for her son, saying he has a mental health disorder. She also said he was a National Guard member and a churchgoer.

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Count on News13 for updates.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
South Korean electric vehicle (EV) charging network operator, Chaevi Company Ltd, announced that it has filed a preliminary application to list its shares on the (Kosdaq) South Korean junior stock exchange, according to local reports.

The company, which has a network of around 5,700 fast charging ports across South Korea, is targeting a valuation of KRW 1 trillion (US$ 725 million) with its initial public offering (IPO). This is more than double the initial KRW 460 billion valuation given to the company during its 2023 funding round, when STIC Investments Inc and KB Asset Management invested a combined KRW 120 billion won.

KB Securities and Samsung Securities are the lead underwriters of the IPO, while Daishin Securities and Hana Securities are joint bookrunners.

Chaevi, established in 2016, reported sales of KRW 85 billion in 2024, and generated an operating loss of KRW 2.6 billion. The company plans to use the proceeds of the IPO to scale up its domestic network and expand into overseas markets.

"Korean EV charging operator Chaevi files for IPO" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




Sutter County will increase its budget for jail health care services by 5%, bringing the total budget to about $4.1 million, after the board of supervisors Tuesday approved a contract extension with medical services provider Wellpath.

The agreement lengthens the contract from Aug. 2025 to July 2028, with options for two additional one-year renewals. According to Health and Human Services Director Sarah Eberhardt-Rios, the increase is driven by increased Wellpath costs for staffing, durable medical supplies, and pharmacy.

HHS, in collaboration with the sheriffs department, oversees the countys contract with Wellpath for basic inmate health services, Eberhardt-Rios said at Tuesdays meeting. This contract also includes coverage for specialty care that might need to be provided outside of the jail setting, such as inpatient services or specialized medical care.

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California law requires counties to provide health care to incarcerated individuals and maintain certain standards of care. Services include 24/7 medical coverage, sick call, labs, pharmacy, dental and behavioral assessments, and intake screening. Nearly 15 full-time equivalent health care workers provide the services.

Access to health care is a critical component in safeguarding the health, safety and dignity of individuals in custody, staff wrote in the agenda report.

The countys average annual health care cost per inmate is $22,951, in contrast to the state prison cost of $41,314 per inmate, according to Eberhardt-Rios.

Sutter County has contracted with Wellpath since 2017. Aside from the increased cost, the renewed contract revises language, updates roles and responsibilities, and includes Californias CalAIM Justice-Involved (JI) Reentry Initiative requirements, which began providing services with the jail on April 1. CalAIM JI is a voluntary program, so incarcerated individuals must opt-in to participate.

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The initiative made California the first state in the nation to allow Medicaid  Medi-Cal in California  to reimburse for certain medical services for incarcerated individuals up to 90 days before their release from jail. While the program is in its early stages, it could reduce future costs for counties.

Supervisor Jeff Boone asked whether the reimbursements would offset the general fund contributions.

It could be cost avoidance, Eberhardt-Rios said. Theres a claiming process that we submit eligible claims to the state, and then of course theyd have to pay us, which we still want to be sure we test [as it is] a new process.

The countys jail medical budget for fiscal year 2025-26 includes total appropriations of $6.26 million supported by public safety realignment, public health realignment, Providing Access and Transforming Health (PATH) Justice-Involved grant funds and the county general fund.
The cost of saving time: Amid high prices, NCDOT says I-77 toll lanes are effective

The Interstate 77 toll lanes north of Charlotte have been open for several years, but while Channel 9 has heard from drivers about the high prices for tolls, the North Carolina Department of Transportation says theyve been a success.

Ultimately, you can save time on your commutes if you spend the money. But that money can vary depending on where and when youre going.

I would say three or four times a week, said Robert Brisbine, a driver who uses the toll lanes pretty regularly.

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Brisbine told Channel 9 he likes having the option to get where he needs to go faster.

If I have to make an errand into Charlotte, I know I can get in the toll lane and get there quicker and not sit in traffic, Brisbine said.

But John Zaravelis, a business owner, has a different opinion.

Tough times, now people cant afford it, Zaravelis said.

He says he used to spend about $30 a month on tolls to get to and from Charlotte. Now, hes spending about $160.

The only people benefit, the ones who take the money, he said.

Price check

For months, Channel 9 has been tracking toll lane prices along the 26-mile stretch of I-77 that uses dynamic pricing. That means the cost for each stretch depends on how much traffic is in the free lanes.

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Cintra, the Spanish parent company that manages the toll lanes for I-77 Mobility Partners, says more than 400,000 distinct drivers use them each month. It says that makes the free lanes move 30 to 40 percent faster, even though theyve gotten 13 percent busier since before the toll lanes were built.

RELATED >> Cintra revealed as mystery firm behind new I-77 tolls proposal, documents show

Still, no highway project in North Carolina has been more controversial over the last 10 years than this one. Prior to opening, a main concern of anti-toll activists was the cost. The price changes every five minutes to ensure theres always an average minimum speed of 48 miles per hour. The more traffic in the free lanes, the higher the price. High tolls were a big fear of opponents in the run up of the project.

Cintra is in the business to collect revenue, in this case, tolls. Questions have been raised about pricing, said Javier Tamargo, the former head of Cintra in 2015.

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Tamargo, who just rejoined the company this week as the U.S. CEO, told Channel 9 that drivers can expect to pay 20 cents to 45 cents a mile or $5 to $12 round-trip, depending on demand.

A 2012 report by NCDOT predicted that round-trip Uptown to Mooresville tolls would cost $21 a day ... doubling to $42 a day by 2035. In 2016, a report by NCDOT sought to temper those fears, saying: Tolls at peak hour are projected to vary from 14 cents to 40 cents per mile, on average, and that tolls will only be as high as the market will support.

For about a month we tracked prices each way -- between Mooresville and just outside Uptown -- during the morning and evening rush. The cheapest we found was around 5:30 p.m. It would have cost you $28.85 to go about 23 miles. That assumes you have a transponder in your car -- without one, the same trip would cost $43.

The most expensive trip was from Mooresville to Uptown around 8:15 in the morning. It was $36.85 with the transponder. Without it, thats more than $55.

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State Senator Vickie Sawyer of Iredell County says she recently paid 50 dollars to get from Mooresville into Uptown faster to a see a show. She said shes not a fan of dynamic pricing

Im going to more liken it to congestion pricing, like the more congested that the road is, the higher the toll is, Sawyer said.

In 2022, the CFO of the parent company of the toll lane project told investors how dynamic pricing sets them up for success.

We have flexibility to increase the tariffs, we are trying to capture all the value possible, and thats the reason that we are showing this increase in the revenue, said Jose Maria Velao in May of 2022.

Wheres the money?

Unlike other toll projects in the state -- like the Monroe Expressway, proceeds from the I-77 toll lanes go to a private company

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Former State Senator Jeff Tarte says thats one of the projects main problems.

Wheres the profits going? Spain. So it didnt even stay here, Tarte told Channel 9.

ALSO READ >> I-77 Mobility Partners says NCDOT would have to pay them if hardened shoulders become reality

Right now, the state is preparing to ask for bids to add toll lanes on I-77 from Uptown to the South Carolina state line. Cintra is one of the companies expected to bid, but theyre not the only one.

There are more developers now doing this type of work, said Carly Swanson with the NCDOT.

Swanson and Brett Canipe of NCDOT say theyve heard the feedback loud and clear. One of the biggest changes in the new toll lane project will be a cap on prices.

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We have heard the concerns about toll rates ... it was made clear to us the need for toll rate caps, Swanson said.

Despite the controversy and the high prices, NCDOT believes the current toll lanes on I-77 have been effective.

We do know that the traffic volumes on the corridor have increased and the travel times on the corridor have decreased, Canipe said.

I-77 Mobility Partners says some people can take the lanes for free. Including those with 3 or more people in a car plus a transponder, CATS riders and motorcycles with transponders.

The company declined an on-camera interview for this story.

(VIDEO: Driver says repair shop drove his car behind his back, racked up tolls)
The Moray West offshore wind off Scotland is comprised of 60 wind turbines that will generate a total capacity of 882 megawatts when completed in 2025. (Courtesy of Ocean Winds)

BOSTON  With the Trump administration creating roadblocks to Massachusettss push to meet its climate goals, the Healey administration is eyeing Canadian offshore wind to bring more clean energy to the state, and a key lawmaker is looking to support that effort.

In January, President Trump hit pause on wind projects nationwide, halting all new federal permits on onshore and offshore wind. The latest federal tax bill also dealt the industry a major blow by phasing out the tax credits for offshore wind projects that arent in service by the end of 2027.

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Massachusetts faces a statutory deadline: It must lock in contracts for at least 5,600 megawatts of offshore wind by 2027. Currently, the state has one offshore wind project  Vineyard Wind 1  under construction, which will is projected to bring about 800 megawatts to the grid by the end of 2025. The state has delayed finalizing pricing contracts with two other wind developers, which are expected to bring an additional 1,878 megawatts. The state was also planning on purchasing electricity from another project  Vineyard Wind 2  but the project was shelved in December 2024.

In light of setbacks to wind energy in the US, Massachusettss Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs is potentially looking to procure electricity from planned offshore wind farms in Canada  a development first reported by Canadas National Observer. Massachusetts officials are exploring the possibility both to meet clean energy goals and to address energy affordability by bringing more electrons to the grid.

Switching from homegrown to Canadian offshore wind will come with challenges like installing more transmission infrastructure to carry the electricity to the state and will result in fewer construction jobs based in Massachusetts.

A spokesperson for the energy office, Maria Hardiman, said in an email that the state is in regular communication about emerging opportunities to build new energy sources, and that they are exploring partnerships with Canada to leverage significant opportunities to construct new onshore and offshore wind projects across Canada and the Northeast region.

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Sen. Michael Barrett of Lexington, the chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy, said that he congratulated the governors team for coming up with a creative solution and that he would lead the push for laying the legislative groundwork to enable the Healey administration to seek Canadian offshore wind by extending the procurement deadline for the state.

This becomes a serious possibility for the mid-term and the long-term, Barrett told CommonWealth Beacon. It isnt a short-term substitution for the damage that President Trump is doing to our current offshore wind projects, but theres a lot of promise here.

Barrett acknowledged that getting Canadian energy to Massachusetts might pose some problems like building the extra transmission capacity to bring the offshore wind energy over to Massachusetts.

The states effort to procure hydropower from Canada was stalled in 2018 when a siting board in New Hampshire didnt approve Massachusettss plan to build a transmission line through the state. Massachusetts pivoted to put the infrastructure in Maine, but after significant backlash there, construction on the transmission line shut down in November 2021. Nearly, two years later, the project resumed after a jury in Maine ruled in favor of the project. The line is expected to be completed and running by 2026, but building a transmission line through different states has introduced years-long delays and higher costs.

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For Canadian offshore wind, it is potentially possible to avoid some of those issues by building transmission lines underwater, but that can come with its own financial difficulties, according to Dan Dolan, president of the New England Power Generators Association.

Construction of that new transmission, and then the resulting cost from that, particularly as we now look at hundreds of miles either overland or undersea to bring that in, I think that would create real financial challenges, said Dolan. Im skeptical as to whether thats something that would make sense in any sort of reasonable time frame and cost structure.

The transmission line could also end up requiring federal permitting, which could introduce another roadblock.

If this were a project that needed a U.S. federal sign-off in the next three years, we would be in trouble, said Barrett when asked about potential hurdles to transporting Canadian offshore. But when it comes to the planning for these huge new construction activities, Trump is already yesterdays news.

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That comes at a cost of local jobs and local economic development, and its why weve been such strong supporters of offshore wind development here in Massachusetts and in New England more broadly. But if theres the opportunity while the federal government is hitting pause on new American offshore wind to take advantage of offshore wind from elsewhere, that would be a positive.

 Kate Sinding Daly, Conservation Law Foundation

Kate Sinding Daly, senior vice president for Law and Policy at the Conservation Law Foundation, said that the fact that the state is looking at Canadian offshore wind is music to [her] ears. But she noted that building offshore wind in Massachusetts would bring economic development and jobs to the state.

That comes at a cost of local jobs and local economic development, and its why weve been such strong supporters of offshore wind development here in Massachusetts and in New England more broadly, said Sinding Daly. But if theres the opportunity while the federal government is hitting pause on new American offshore wind to take advantage of offshore wind from elsewhere, that would be a positive.

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Canada is in the process of building out its offshore wind sector and is projected to generate large amounts of surplus power that it would need to export, according to Aegir Insights, a Danish offshore wind consultancy company.

Signe Srensen, Aegir Insightss lead analyst for the Americas, said that transmission could likely be built in the water from offshore in Nova Scotia across the Gulf of Maine to transmit power. But Srensen said that there is uncertainty about whether the Canadian government will continue to support offshore wind projects over the long term and enable large infrastructure projects  like transmission infrastructure  in the U.S.

However, in a global context, we are starting to see early signs that the offshore wind sector outlook is improving, loosening many of the other restraints that have hobbled offshore wind build-out generally, said Srensen The fact that this is not the case in the U.S. currently is what causes the sector as well as policy makers to start considering the idea of building offshore wind in Canada and then sending the power to the U.S.

This article first appeared on CommonWealth Beacon and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Israels leadership views its 12-day war with Iran last month as a success  several Iranian military leaders were killed, Irans defensive military capabilities were weakened, and the United States was convinced to take part in a raid on the Iranian nuclear site at Fordow.

But while Israeli leaders were quick to claim victory, they emphasised that they were ready to attack again if necessary, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying he had no intention of easing off the gas pedal.

And Israel is already looking for the next opportunity to wage another devastating conflict aimed at bringing down the Islamic Republic in Iran, analysts told Al Jazeera.

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However, to do so, it would require the permission of the US, which may not be willing to give it.

Back in mid-June, a surprise Israeli attack led to the war, in which more than 1,000 Iranians and 29 Israelis were killed.

Israel justified the war by claiming that it was acting preemptively and in self-defence to take out Irans nuclear programme, which Tehran has long said is for civilian purposes.

Speaking to Al Jazeera earlier this week, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian expressed doubt over how long the current ceasefire will remain in place.

We are fully prepared for any new Israeli military move, and our armed forces are ready to strike deep inside Israel again, he said.





Cause for war

Despite Israels emphasis that it was targeting Irans nuclear facilities, it mainly assassinated high-ranking government and military officials, indicating a clear attempt to weaken and possibly bring down the Iranian establishment.

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Trita Parsi, an expert on Iran and the cofounder and executive vice president of the Quincy Institute, a left-wing US think tank, believes Netanyahu is looking for an opportunity to resume that mission.

The reason the Israelis want to attack again  is because they want to make sure they turn Iran into the next Syria or Lebanon  countries Israel can attack anytime with impunity, he told Al Jazeera.

Israels next opportunity to muster up a pretext for a war could come after European countries reimpose debilitating sanctions on Iran.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reported to have held a call with his counterparts from Germany, France and the United Kingdom earlier in July, in which they agreed that United Nations Security Council sanctions would be reimposed if a new nuclear deal was not agreed upon by the end of August.

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The sanctions had been lifted when Iran and several Western countries agreed on a nuclear deal in 2015.

The US pulled out of that deal two years into President Donald Trumps first term in 2018 and restored sanctions as part of a maximum pressure campaign. Now, European parties to the deal could do the same, and that could prompt Iran to walk out of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, warned Parsi.

That would provide [Israel] with a political window to [attack again], he told Al Jazeera.

Meir Javedanfar, Iran lecturer at Israels Reichman University, added that Israel would nevertheless have to muster up or present credible intelligence that suggests Iran is rebuilding or repairing its nuclear programme.

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He warned that, to launch such an attack, Israel would need the agreement of the United States and its President Trump, permission he regarded as less likely in light of US concern over Israeli attacks on Syria.





Israeli operations

While Israeli strikes on Iran may not be imminent, a report in The New York Times on Wednesday suggests that it is carrying out covert operations responsible for sudden explosions and fires across the country.

The paper cited three informed officials and a European diplomat who attributed the apparently random fires and explosions at apartment complexes, oil refineries, near an airport and a shoe factory, to acts of sabotage likely carried out by Israel.

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I think Benjamin Netanyahu has found a formula where it is able to attack Iran with impunity despite pushback from Donald Trump, said Negar Mortazavi, an expert on Iran with the Center for International Policy (CIP), a think tank based in Washington, DC.

Any ongoing covert operations are a result of Israels extensive infiltration of Iranian security and infrastructure that became apparent during the early stages of the June conflict, with individuals targeted through what was presumed to be teams of local intelligence operatives and drones launched against Iranian targets from within Iranian territory.

There was no evidence to suggest that Israels network within Iran had ended with the war, analyst and Iran expert Ori Goldberg said.

Israel has built a robust [security] system within Iran and, like all such systems, its muscles need flexing occasionally, he said from Tel Aviv. Sometimes this isnt for strategic reasons, so much as tactical ones. As soon as you have infrastructure or people in place within another country, you have a limited time to use them, so if thats setting fires or setting detonations, its a way of keeping them active and letting Iran know theyre there.





Likelihood of new war

Few could have predicted the complete absence of restraint with which Netanyahu, previously a figure considered to be somewhat averse to conflict, has attacked neighbouring states, Syria and Lebanon, as well as regional actors, such as Yemen and Iran, while maintaining his brutal assault upon Gaza.

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But while a renewed offensive upon Israels historical bogeyman, Iran, might prove popular in the face of growing internal division over Israels war on Gaza, how well received it might be by his principal ally remains to be seen.

Trump is a concern and Israel will want to keep on the right side of whatever line hes drawn [on its actions], Goldberg said. But Iran is a consensus issue within Israel. People might argue about Gaza, but never Iran. If Netanyahu feels himself under threat, hes going to want to crack the Iranian whip and unify people behind him.

Iran, for its part, wont be caught flat-footed a second time, say analysts.

Mortazavi told Al Jazeera that Iran is expecting Israel to continue its aggression, even as it still holds out hope to reach a deal on its nuclear programme through diplomacy.

I think they know that a deal will reduce the chances of an Israeli attack, she said.




GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced there were two confirmed human cases of West Nile virus found in Colorado.

So far, those two cases are on the Front Range, but how fast can the disease travel to the Western Slope?

I think what we would tell you is there is a concern. We still have a lot of irrigation water through the canals, fields, orchards and places that have a lot of water, Tim Moore, the district manager with the Grand River Mosquito Control District, said.

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The state of Colorado is on its toes, as the West Nile virus is on the horizon

These two human cases in Adams County are our first human cases of the year for West Nile virus in 2025. We have been watching mosquito populations and mosquito positivity for several weeks now, Chris Roundy, state public health entomologist with the CDPHE said.

CDPHE officials say testing begins in June, but in the last two weeks, there has been a rapid increase in positive mosquito tests for West Nile virus.

But here on the Western Slope, the Grand River Mosquito Control District team is already on it.

We look for two things: DNA in the mosquito RNA for the West Nile virus and the equipment that we purchased for, well, depending on the reagents that we use in the test for dengue, they could test for a lot of different viruses. We focus on West Nile because thats really the only virus that we have in the valley right now, Moore said.

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Moore said that 90% of their work involves treating larvae in the district before mosquitoes can fly, which helps reduce adult mosquito numbers. They are currently monitoring 91 traps weekly while checking for standing water to treat.

Roundy explains, For most people, they wont even know that theyre infected. About 80% of cases are totally asymptomatic, and most cases that do experience symptoms are relatively mild. Its the less than 1% of cases that develop neurologic West Nile that we worry about. And thats most common in elderly cases.

Those who do experience symptoms, as I had said, they can range from mild flu-like symptoms to very severe symptoms. And generally the people who are at most risk are individuals who are over the age of 50, Will Rauch, an epidemiologist with Mesa County Public Health, said.

Moore says not all mosquitoes transmit West Nile virus, but some do. People are encouraged to drain standing water, dress in long sleeves and light colors during peak times and defend themselves against mosquitoes.

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Roundy states, But from the viruss perspective, were a dead end. If I were infected with West Nile and a mosquito bite me, that mosquito cannot pick up the virus from me. So that means that local transmission always starts with birds.

Health officials with the county say they work closely with the mosquito control district. Their focus is on human cases of West Nile virus, while the district targets mosquito monitoring. They coordinate responses to increase fogging in affected areas.

County officials will send notifications to the public and health care providers if a positive mosquito of the West Nile Virus is found.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Tampa City Council members on Thursday approved $3.5 million for a 20-unit affordable apartment project in East Tampa, with a plan to earmark more money later.

The Tampa-based developer, Urban ReWorx, requested $5 million for the rental apartment building. But council members, meeting as the Community Redevelopment Agency, said approving that much money might mean pulling funds from other projects.

It took five votes and an hours-long discussion to reach a compromise, with council members Charlie Miranda and Alan Clendenin voting no.

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Located at 2914 N. Nebraska Ave. a few blocks north of E. Columbus Drive, the project is part of an ongoing effort to revitalize East Tampa, an area long plagued by poverty and steep crime rates. Demand for attainable housing dwarfs supply across the city, with a roughly 26,000-unit deficit of affordable homes, according to city officials.

Though most council members said they support the project, there was confusion around funding.

Thats because city staff and the East Tampa Community Advisory Committee recommended that the redevelopment agency subsidize $2 million, or $100,000 per-unit, over the next three years  $3 million less than the developer requested.

City staff said the higher amount would require reallocating money from other projects. But the developer said it was necessary to complete the building quickly and meet previous requests by the agency.

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Council members in June asked that the development include units for lower-income residents making less than 50% of the areas average median income, or between $31,200 and $47,750 for a family of four.

The original proposal only included units at 80% of the average, or $76,400 for a family of four.

The $2 million, to me, means delay and uncertainty, said Thad Bereday, the developer leading the project. He said he did not know where the rest of the money would come from.

By shrinking this, were shrinking a home run into a single, and were going to be killing this project, council member Luis Viera said. People are talking about two, people are talking about five, and theres a lot of numbers in between there.

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Council member Clendenin said even $2 million was an extremely generous investment. Much of the funding would come from taxes generated in East Tampa, and Clendenin said hes uncomfortable taking money from poor people to subsidize the project.

After four failed votes, Viera proposed a $3.5 million subsidy from future property taxes generated in the immediate area, with the recommendation or request for the City Council to find the remaining dollars. The motion passed 4-2.

More than a dozen people spoke in support of the apartment building, which will include four two-bedroom units, 16 one-bedroom units and commercial space.

John Dengler, CEO of the local non-profit WellBuilt Cities, said East Tampa needs more than 20 units of attainable housing. But he said the Urban ReWorx project is a positive start.

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Whatever model we can come up with to secure attainable, affordable housing for our working-class neighbors, weve got to innovate, he said. I dont know if its a perfect project, a perfect investment, but weve got to try.

Milda Mimi Martinez, an Ybor Heights resident and member of the East Tampa Community Advisory Committee that recommended approving the project, said the area is a hub for drug dealing and prostitution. Bereday owns the land, which is currently a car wash.

The development would spur wholesome economic development on Nebraska Avenue, Martinez said.

Chalette Davis said she works with people who have faced mental health challenges because they struggle to find and afford housing.

Its not just another development, she said of the East Tampa project. Its a lifeline.
The Helena building where the Administrator of the state Courts, as well as the Montana Supreme Court is housed. (Daily Montanan file photo)

The Legislative Audit Division has asked the Montana Court Administrator to give it full access to all the raw data in a system called Full Court Enterprise. The system contains records from the county offices of clerks of district court. Besides the public records of cases in those courts, the system includes no less than 32 categories of data protected by Montana law as private, confidential, or privileged.

The court administrator has sent the audit division a letter promising to give that access this week.

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Theoretically, the audit division needs that access to evaluate whether the state needs more district judges and which districts might need them. What is not clear is how invading the privacy of Montanas citizens would be relevant to that legislative task.

For some examples, to assess the need for additional judges, why would the audit division need the names of minors; address, telephone number, and place of employment of crime victims; information identifying victims of sexual assault, sexual intercourse without consent, indecent exposure, and incest; DNA from criminal proceedings; child abuse and neglect raw data; social, medical, and psychological records of youth probationers; parentage raw data; interviews, reports, investigations, and testimony in parenting plan hearings under court seal; adoption raw data; grand jury raw data; investigative subpoena raw data; confidential criminal justice information; pre-sentence investigation reports, etc.

None of that contributes to assessing the need for additional judges, and if it did, the contribution would be too slight to outweigh individual privacy.

The Office of Clerk of District Court is created in Montana by the people directly in our Constitution, not by the Legislature. It is a county and local government office, not a state office. Clerks are elected officials responsible to the people, not minions of the court administrator. Montana law makes the clerks of district court the custodians of the records and imposes on them the duty to safeguard the data. Upon that lawful authority, the clerks have declined to give their consent to this invasion of privacy on a mass scale. They pointed out the privacy issue. The clerks are the only barrier between the people and this state government trespass into their privacy.

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Instead of submitting the issue to the courts, which would be normal, the court administrator has brushed off the clerks and the Constitution in its autocratic decision to divulge the data.

Without invading privacy, Montana law already mandates that performance indicators for district courts and individual judges be updated and published quarterly. In addition, there already is public access to the public data in Full Court Enterprise. On top of all that, the clerks would would permit access to the system that would provide all the data and statistics that could be needed to decide about additional judges, but without access to data protected by privacy. Why is that not good enough? Why demand all private data about everyone in the district courts? Since it is not needed and not even helpful for the legislative task, why does the audit division want it and why would the court administrator divulge it?

Should we buy what they are selling?
(Photo by Getty Images)

The state association of Montanas clerks of court  tasked with maintaining the records and schedules of state district courts  said its weighing options in a fight with the Administrator of the Montana Courts and the Legislative Audit Division centering on data privacy concerns.

Clerks are concerned an upcoming audit, part of the Legislatures look into the state court system and its caseload, will disclose to state auditors information that is either under court seal or confidential data ranging from medical records to criminal investigations..

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The heart of the issue is two-fold: Which entity controls the system and which is in charge of maintaining the records.

In a letter sent on Monday by Dave McAlpin, administrator for the state courts, he outlined his offices understanding of state law and the audit. Clerks are elected at the county level and answer to the voters, while McAlpins position is appointed and answers to the Chief Justice of the Montana Supreme Court. Clerks and attorneys have raised concerns about giving full access to auditors who would be able to look into specific cases. A spokesperson for the clerks, Richland County Clerk Janice Klempel, issued a statement to the Daily Montanan on behalf of the association:

I am very concerned that Montana citizens private, protected information may be released and we are weighing all our options, meaning the association is considering it.

Another clerk confirmed theyre considering legal action because the clerks are concerned about giving access to information placed under seal by judges or data that would disclose minors and victims.

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Sidney-based attorney Tom Halvorson submitted a commentary which has been published by the Daily Montanan, raising concerns about the need of auditors to examine confidential portions of the court records.

Theoretically, the audit division needs that access to evaluate whether the state needs more district judges, and which districts might need them. What is not clear is how invading the privacy of Montanas citizens would be relevant to that legislative task, he said.

Halvorson pointed to concerns ranging from the identity of victims of sexual assault, DNA information and even grand jury raw data, he said in the column.

Eric Seidle, a spokesperson for the Legislative Audit Division, said that auditors have completed similar audits and studies, as recently as 2024, and are required by state law to maintain confidentiality. For example, members of the Legislative Audit Division have recently completed performance audits of the Office of Public Defender as well as the Judicial Standards Commission.

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Any access to sealed records will be done with the full cooperation of the judicial branch and will be strictly limited to the information necessary to validate case data, Legislative Auditor Angus Maciver told the Daily Montanan.

He also outlined the data security standards for the auditors, which includes encrypting data in transit and storage, limiting the audit staff working on it, and destroying securely any non-essential information.

More importantly, the Legislative Audit Act prohibits disclosing confidential information, Maciver said.

Who is in charge of what

Part of the tussle is about which entities control the information. Court cases, both criminal and civil, are filed at the county level through each respective county clerk, whose office maintains the files. Many  but not all  of the files are open for public inspection.

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However, those paper files are also stored in an electronic court filing system, Full Court Enterprise. In most cases documents are scanned, converted into electronic copies, as well as other parts the case are collected with it, including notes about scheduling and conferences. The Full Court Enterprise technology is owned, operated and maintained by the state court system, which is overseen by the states Supreme Court.

In most cases, county clerks maintain public-access terminals for members of the public to access court records. Most court cases, from misdemeanor to felony, civil or criminal, are open to the public with notable exceptions, for example, juvenile justice cases which are closed. Judges can also put certain documents under seal which means theyre only viewable by the judge or attorneys, but not the public. Those files are not accessible to the public, but are accessible to some court staff.

Clerks raised the concern that they may be held responsible for maintaining the confidential of the records, but dont have a say in whether auditors from the state access that confidential information.

In the letter by McAlpin, he said that access to the software is a settled issue.

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Users expressly consent to the audit of the (Full Court System) and files since 2024, he said.

Citing Montana law, McAlpin also said it authorizes auditors to access records confidential or otherwise, acknowledging that auditors may also access confidential criminal justice data.

By law, a person accepting (confidential criminal justice data) assumes equal responsibility for the the security of the information with the originating agency, McAlpin said, citing state statute.

McAlpin sent the letter to the clerks association, and said that full access would be granted by 5 p.m., July 24, because auditors could not wait longer to begin the audit.

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This is to notify (the Legislative Audit Division) that we believe you have provided the requisite information and legal authority for this office to allow your agency access to the Full Court Enterprises for the purpose of this performance audit, McAlpin said.

Maciver said he understands concerns regarding privacy, and auditors handle sensitive, confidential information in other state agencies, including the Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Through this work, the Legislative Audit Division remains committed to upholding both transparency in government operations and the privacy rights guaranteed by the Montana Constitution, Maciver said.

OCAltrLAD7.21.2025
MyPillow founder Mike Lindell does not have to pay $5 million to a software developer who tried to disprove his 2020 election interference claims, a federal appeals court ruled.

Lindell, widely known as MyPillow Guy, claimed that China interfered with the 2020 election results and he had evidence to back it up. He then launched a Prove Mike Wrong Challenge, a stunt in which contestants tried to debunk his evidence, offering $5 million to anyone who could do it.

The judges in Lindells stunt didnt believe Robert Zeidman, a software developer who participated, proved his case against Lindells claim, but an arbitration panel found that he won the challenge and ordered Lindell to pay him his winnings.

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The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the panels decision, finding the arbitrators exceeded their powers.

Its a great day for our country, Lindell told the Associated Press. This is a big win. It opens the door to getting rid of these electronic voting machines and getting paper ballots, hand-counted.

A federal appeals court ruled Mike Lindell does not have to pay $5 million to a software developer who believes he debunked the MyPillow CEOs 2020 election fraud claims (AP)

Lindell hosted a Cyber Symposium in South Dakota in August 2021, when he showed data that he claimed to prove election interference.

He then dared skeptics to participate in the Prove Mike Wrong Challenge, offering the $5 million award.

Zeidman, who had been invited to the symposium, entered the challenge and submitted a 15-page report against his claims. The judges disagreed and said he did not prove Lindell wrong.

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The arbitration panel disagreed, finding that the software developer had met that requirement and won the challenge by pointing out that Lindells so-called evidence didnt contain voting machines data.

Lindell then filed a legal challenge to the judement. The appeals court found that the panel effectively amended the challenges rules, handing Lindell a victory.

From the four corners of the Challenge contract as defined by the Official Rules, there is no way to read information related to the November 2020 election as meaning only information that is packet capture data, the appeals court found.

Zeidman, who previously told the New York Times that he is a Republican and voted for Donald Trump twice, believed Lindells claims posed a danger to democracy.

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A false narrative about election fraud is just really damaging to this country, he told the Times.

Last month, a federal jury in Colorado found that Lindell defamed Eric Coomer, the former security and product strategy director at Dominion Voting Systems, when he accused him of treason. Lindell was ordered to pay Coomer $2.3 million in damages  a ruling that the MyPillow CEO said he plans to appeal.
Lamb Weston Holdings has outlined fresh plans for cost savings, moves that will affect jobs at the potato-products group.

The US-listed business, which has faced investor pressure in recent months, is looking to make "at least" $250m in savings.

President and CEO Mike Smith said the company was targeting $200m in annualised run-rate savings and $120m of favourable working capital improvements by the end of its 2027 fiscal year.

We expect that these cost savings and working capital improvements together with lower levels of capital expenditures will help drive improved profitability and cash flow, he said.

Last month, Lamb Weston bowed to pressure from shareholders Jana Partners and Continental Grain Co. to revamp its board of directors.

Jana Partners had been calling for changes to Lamb Weston's board since it took a minority stake in the company last October and had criticised the business for what it called self-inflicted mis-steps in terms of its performance.

Earlier in October last year, Lamb Weston had slashed its profit targets in light of a restructuring plan that includes the permanent closure of a US factory and job cuts.

The fresh savings plan includes headcount reductions that amount to around 4% of Lamb Westons global workforce, the company said yesterday (23 July).

The company did not disclose specific numbers but said the cuts also reflect the elimination of certain unfilled positions.

Smith added: We enter fiscal 2026 with increased discipline around our customer relationships and our cost structure, along with a clear and executable plan of how to win with customers and succeed in a dynamic marketplace. Our Focus to Win plan prioritises markets and channels where we are well positioned to win for the long-term and doing what our team does better than anyone else.

The plan was announced alongside Lamb Westons annual financial results. Net income fell 51% to $357.2m in the year to 25 May. On an adjusted basis, net income dropped 35% to $478.6m.

Net sales were flat at $6.45bn after a 4% rise in the final quarter of the year. Fourth-quarter net income fell 7% but increased 8% on an adjusted basis.

Smith added: Lamb Weston returned to growth in the second half of the year with momentum in customer wins and retention, delivering financial results above our updated expectations.

Bernstein analyst Alexia Howard described the companys fourth-quarter results as very solid pointing to strong volumes and cost containment.

"Lamb Weston sets out savings quest" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.
A federal appeals court on Wednesday ruled that President Donald Trumps executive order attempting to deny U.S. citizenship to some children born in the country is unconstitutional, citing the Fourteenth Amendments guarantee of birthright citizenship.

The ruling came from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, affirming a lower courts decision to block the executive order nationwide.

The lawsuit was brought by the states of Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon, along with individual plaintiffs, who challenged Executive Order No. 14160, issued by Trump on Jan. 20.

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The order sought to withhold citizenship from children born in the U.S. if their mother was either undocumented or lawfully present on a temporary visa, and the father was neither a citizen nor a lawful permanent resident.

Judge Ronald Gould, writing for the majority, said the order contradicts the plain language of the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.

The court determined that the order violated both the Constitution and the Immigration and Nationality Act and upheld the lower courts decision to issue a universal preliminary injunction to block enforcement.

The ruling emphasized that while the executive order was presented as protecting the meaning and value of American citizenship, it ultimately clashed with over a century of legal precedent, including the Supreme Courts 1898 decision in United States v. Wong Kim Ark, which established birthright citizenship regardless of parents immigration status.

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The court also found that the plaintiff states had standing, citing evidence that denying citizenship to affected infants would have led to economic harm, including lost federal reimbursements for health and welfare programs like Medicaid, CHIP, and foster care services.

The states would have been required to overhaul eligibility systems and would lose administrative fees tied to Social Security numbers issued at birth.

The judges dismissed the claims of the individual plaintiffs, who were pregnant asylum seekers, ruling that their claims were covered under a separate nationwide class-action case being litigated in New Hampshire federal court.

While other courts across the country have issued similar rulings, including in Massachusetts and Maryland, the Supreme Court recently weighed in on the scope of injunctions, limiting those based solely on individual or associational plaintiffs but leaving the door open for broader relief tied to state-led cases.

Judge Patrick Bumatay dissented in part, arguing against the broad injunction.
A judge ruled Monday that the New York State Police (NYSP) must disclose the names of officers it redacted from two decades of misconduct complaints sought by the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU).

Albany County Supreme Court Judge Julian Schriebman held that the NYSP couldn't apply a blanket privacy exemption to redact officers' names from a spreadsheet of misconduct investigations. The NYCLU won a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit in 2023 for NYSP misconduct records spanning from 2000 to 2020, but the department insisted on redacting officers' names, claiming that publishing the names of officers who were accused and cleared of wrongdoing would be an invasion of personal privacy.

Schriebman ruled that the department lacked a reasonable basis under New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) for the blanket denial and ordered the NYSP to produce the unredacted records within 90 days, as well as pay attorney fees and costs to the NYCLU.

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Bobby Hodgson, assistant legal director at the NYCLU, said obtaining officers' names is "vital to having any sort of a clear picture of [the NYSP's] system-wide disciplinary practices."

"We did an analysis of the material they gave us [in 2023], and there's a lot you can conclude from that about their practices," Hodgson says. "But without being able to see officer names, you can't take the next step. There are many analyses that you simply can't run because you can't see the direct connection between incidents involving the same officers."

The ruling is the latest in a years-long legal fight between the NYCLU and the NYSPand a decades-long tug-of-war between New York police departments and transparency advocates in general over whether the public has the right to see police misconduct complaints, investigations, and disciplinary records.

In 2020, the New York Legislature repealed Section 50-a of the state's civil rights law, a statute that police departments relied on for four decades to keep disciplinary records and other police files secret. Police unions had successfully expanded the scope of the law to thwart reporters, civil liberties groups, and families of people killed by police from discovering nearly anything about officers' history. A 2018 report by the New York City Bar Association concluded that 50-a "has been interpreted so broadly that police misconduct in New York State is more secretive than any other state in the nation."

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But even after Section 50-a was repealed, those misconduct records remained hidden in many jurisdictions due to ceaseless stonewalling and litigation by New York police departments and unions.

The NYCLU launched more than a dozen different FOIL lawsuits against state and local law enforcement agencies for their misconduct records following the repeal of Section 50-a, including a suit against the New York State Police in 2022 after the department refused to turn over most of the records the NYCLU sought.

A 2023 NYCLU report based on the NYSP spreadsheet that the agency was forced to disclose, sans officers' names, found that internal affairs investigators "verified misconduct allegations at very low rates when an officer was accused of misconduct involving a civilian, like unlawful searches, use-of-force, or discrimination."

And when misconduct was substantiated, the report said, "only a fraction of verified misconduct investigations triggered serious disciplinary action. Most officers received a slap on the wrist."

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News investigations came to similar conclusions. When the NYSP refused to hand over disciplinary records to two reporters from The Buffalo News, the reporters instead got them from a local district attorney's office. The records showed that troopers were rarely fired, even for conduct like interfering with investigations, drunk driving, and intentionally crushing a man's eyeglasses.

Buffalo's ABC 7 News also obtained New York State Police misconduct records from a local district attorney. Those records revealed light punishments, such as a trooper who "took pictures in his State Police uniform with his genitalia exposed, losing five vacation days in 2008 and had sex on the job two years later, leading to an eight day suspension."

Today, five years after Section 50-a was repealed, Hodgson says the NYCLU still has between a dozen and 20 active public records lawsuits across the state regarding misconduct records.

Most of the cases that have concluded have gone in favor of transparency. In February, the New York Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, ruled that the Rochester Police Department must turn over all of its records related to police discipline and misconduct allegations, regardless of whether the complaints were substantiated or resulted in discipline.

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Hodgson says that police departments' attempts to keep these records hidden ignore lawmakers' clear intent when they repealed Section 50-a.

"This is some of the core of what the legislature said," Hodgson argues. "People are entitled to know if a particular officer employed by the state has been accused of misconduct, what type of misconduct and when, and what happened to them."

A spokesperson for the NYSP said the agency is reviewing the ruling and declined to comment further.

The post Court Rules New York State Police Must Disclose Officer Names in Misconduct Records appeared first on Reason.com.
A new ad stoking fears around Zohran Mamdani that asks New Yorkers if theyre "ready to flee" for Ohio is part of a long history of incentivizing the wealthy to relocate.

A month after mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani swept the citys Democratic Primary, some New Yorkers noticed a different type of political ad making the rounds. A digital billboard in Times Square featured two images across a split screen: on the left, a photo of Mamdani reads "Ready to Flee NYC?" On the opposite, a photo of biotech billionaire Vivek Ramaswamy, who is running for governor of Ohio, is headlined with "Move to Ohio!" The ad pins Mamdani as a "radical socialist," as hes promised to make the city affordable using an additional two-percent tax to the wealthiest New Yorkers. News outlets like CNBC have speculated that those millionaires may flee the city, and now, Ramaswamy wants them to know that Ohio might be the place to go.

Beyond the bewilderment and ire the billboard has caused, it also highlights how city and state governments have, historically, gone to the mat to attract specific demographics as part of an economic development strategy. The appeal to the wealthy, says Daniel Wortel-London, a professor of history at Bard College, is part of a much longer trajectory of how cities incentivize individuals to relocate; such a strategy has been part of a "trickle-down" economics theory that promises civic transformation like improved social and infrastructure services, and has existed since the Gilded Age. But increasingly cities and states are turning toward a different demographichighly mobile middle and working classesto draw new residents (and tax revenue) to regions that have seen stagnant growth.

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Though the billboard might be more of a scare tactic, targeting the economic elite represents a turn from how we might typically imagine economic development schemes like providing tax breaks and other financial incentives that drive corporations to relocatea strategy that Wortel-London says didnt begin until the 20th century. His forthcoming book, The Menace of Prosperity: New York City and the Struggle for Economic Development, 18651981, questions the assumption made by policymakers that attracting ultrawealthy individuals and corporations is inherently good for a citys overall well-being.

"From the 19th century to the 1930s, New Yorks basic economic development strategy was promoting real estate growth through things like new transit lines and low taxes on land, and there was not a lot of fine grain attention to the kinds of industries or individuals the city should be attracting. And by the Great Depression, it was seen that real estate alone was not going to save the city," he explains. The postwar period brought large-scale urban renewal as cities began using "revitalization" as a tool to attract large corporate enterprises. Some states took to marketing their low union membership rates to poach industries in the northeast where unions were stronger. "Attracting an office and billionairestheyre basically often done together," Wortel-London says.

The obsession with cultivating an elite class came to a head under Mayor Bloomberg, whom Wortel-London says employed "a whole suite" of practices meant to "[make] the city desirable for people in the finance, insurance, and real estate sectorbasically by promoting those kind of jobs and by making the city more desirable in terms of amenities for the people who work there."

"When Bloomberg talk[ed] about New York as a luxury product, that is definitely sending a certain message on who the city is for," he says.

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Its unsurprising that politicians might be frothing at the mouth as rumors of a "wealth exodus" may be coming to New York City, but Ramaswamys $50 million Time Square ad doesnt necessarily reflect how some states and cities have begun to approach recruiting new residentsOhio included. Last year, Jobs Ohio, the states private economic development engine, launched a $20 million campaign targeted at cities like Chicago, Seattle, Austin, and Washington, D.C. Unaffiliated with Ramaswamy, the streaming ads called "Top Ten Reasons" to move to Ohio, market job prospects, romance, and recreation, with nods to owning a home with its own backyard. There are ads specifically for engineers, scientists, and technicians. "Have it all in the heart of it all!" says a cheery voice.

Theyre cheesy in that Midwest-earnest type of way, but part of Ohios plan to attract new skilled workers to central Ohio. A representative from Jobs Ohio told NBC4 Columbus that the state will require "somewhere in the vicinity of" half a million STEM workers over the next decade. In the grander history of economic development, marketing affordability to workers is novel. Other programs that target those who still benefit from the pandemics remote work policies have also sprouted; interestingly, they arent relying purely on advertising, but instead are providing cash incentives to move.

The site makemymove.com features dozens of programs launched by cities like Bloomington, Indiana, Holland, Michigan, and Paducah, Kentucky, that reimburse for moving costs, payroll tax waivers, and more, many on an application basis. Because these programs often target remote workers, they also provide access to coworking spaces or comped costs for internet access. As the sites COO and cofounder Evan Hock told CNBC in June, applicants are, "moving from places like California, New York, Texas, and Florida to places that maybe have a better quality of life" and "looking for affordability and community connection."

The Tulsa Remote program in Oklahoma provides $10,000 incentives for remote workers to relocate. Funded primarily by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, the stipend can help pay rent for an entire a year (rent in Tulsa hovers around $1,300, per Zillow) or act as a reimbursement for buying (the average home costs $215,000). But importantly, the program also provides participants with volunteer opportunities, connections to civic organizations, and networking. A 2022 Brookings study of Tulsa Remote found the program to be highly effective: those who were relocated as part of the program have "a higher chance of staying in their new communities in the mid-to-long-term; have higher prosocial engagement in the community, and have higher real income growth without a (perceived) drop in productivity."

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"Its beneficial in that they are focusing their attraction and retainment around not just the upper one percent, but around a broader swath of people, and theyre basically doing for skilled or middle class workers what a lot of cities were normally reserving for basically the top one percent where theyre trying to subsidize them or reward them by coming to a city," says Wortel-London. "I think its also useful because its saying that the way of growing a city is by building out its middle class and not just hoping that attracting a small elite will benefit the rest of the city."

Top photo by Jon Cherry via Getty Images.

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Dr. Amanda Rapacz, assistant superintendent, and Dr. Paul Whitehead, medical director at Utah State Hospital during a tour of the the institution's Rampton building on July 23, 2025. (Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch)

The Utah State Hospital has come a long way since it was conceived as the Utah Territorial Insane Asylum in 1885 at a Provo location meant to be as distant as possible from the citys center. As this month marks its 140th anniversary, neighbors now use the 312-acre campus as an outdoor recreation spot, while inside, a much smaller patient population can cope and heal.

The hospital treats children, teens and adults with severe mental illness, as well as adults who need mental health treatment before they can face charges in court, a big change from how it worked during its inception, when the facility was the first stop for mental health disorders.

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The campus has been in the community longer than Utah has been a state and has evolved with the times. Its staff now treats about 300 patients, only a portion of the 1,250 people the hospital housed in the 1950s. Care is more personalized and thoughtful, treatment units are smaller, and overcrowding isnt as big of an issue.

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Gov. Spencer Cox mentioned that fact at the Wednesday celebration, highlighting the team that makes the hospital run as outstanding, but also acknowledging a need for expansion.

When I share just those numbers, 1,250 patients who were here in the 1950s with only 1,000 beds, to recognize that we just have a fraction of those 1,000 beds, Cox said. Now were not a smaller state than we were when there were 700,000 people and 1,000 beds. There are, of course, now 3.5 million of us and many fewer beds, unfortunately.

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While the hospital reduced its patient intake capacity, it has also undergone substantial changes in its mission. Its no longer the first stop for mental health patients, but the last resort. Its also joined by many institutions across the state that provide similar care.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at a Utah State Hospital 140th anniversary celebration on July 23, 2025. (Courtesy of Department of Health and Human Services)

The state is grateful for that expansion, Cox said. But, he added, theres a desperate need for more of it.

Obsolete practices have been replaced by better treatment, and care has become more compassionate, Cox said. But more investment and work is needed.

I would just also say there is nothing compassionate about allowing patients who should be here, who are not here, who are killing themselves slowly on our streets. Theres nothing compassionate about that, he said. And too many have believed that thats where we needed to be, that thats where we need to go. And I think weve made a grave mistake.

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The state has also faced a lawsuit in recent years over extended wait times for people charged with crimes and ordered to receive competency restoration treatment at the Utah State Hospital, but who were instead spending months in jail waiting for a bed. In 2017 the state settled the case brought by the Disability Law Center and agreed to shorten wait times.

Utah State Hospital historian Janina Chilton, hospital superintendent Dallas Earnshaw and Department of Health and Human Services director Tracy Gruber sing happy birthday to the Utah State Hospital on July 23, 2025. (Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch)

During the Wednesday event, Brandtley Henderson, the hospitals music therapist sang happy birthday to the institution with an acoustic guitar as hundreds gathered on a big, green lawn near paths shaded by thick trees and a prime view of the Wasatch mountains.

Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson commended the hospital for being a place of not just housing, but a place of healing. But it hasnt always been that way, she said.

People, maybe like me, could have been sent to a place like this for being too opinionated, right? she said. We know a lot more now about mental health and how to help and how to heal and how to provide hope, and thats what this institution is.

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Henderson is right  1885-1910 admission records from the hospital listed financial embarrassment, poverty, jealousy, worry, unreciprocated love, excessive reading, reading novels, girl trouble and other now unthinkable reasons as supposed causes of insanity. As late as 1963, a female patients cause was recorded as frustrated housewife syndrome.

Henderson said she expects doctors to learn even more about mental health care in the coming years, but for now, the state is committed to maintaining this facility, to maintaining the function, the purpose, the why, and to making sure that more people have access and have the opportunity to not only experience healing here, but to experience the community that is here.

Relocation talk

While the campus has remained a community landmark for over a century, during the last couple of years there have been talks about the potential sale of the prime Provo real estate.

Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo, proposed a bill in 2024 that, among many provisions, required the state to sell the property. However, that was scratched in an amendment and the Legislature only approved a study about issues relating to civil commitment, or a court-ordered intake of an individual with severe mental illness.

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Despite that change in the bill, the idea hasnt been extinguished. Earlier this year, Utah County commissioners voted in favor of a resolution to support a relocation proposal, according to KUTV. That may involve dispersing services throughout the state.

Dr. Amanda Rapacz, assistant superintendent, and Dr. Paul Whitehead, medical director at Utah State Hospital show artwork at the institutions Rampton building on July 23, 2025. (Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch)

Senate Majority Assistant Whip, Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, opened a bill file titled Utah State Hospital Amendments during the 2025 legislative session, but ended up abandoning it.

About the relocation bills, a Department of Health and Human Services public information officer said in a prepared statement that in the departments view, what matters most is that the state continues to ensure behavioral health care needs are met.

The Utah State Hospital has a long and proud tradition of serving Utahns with significant mental illness. We expect that tradition to continue, as there are continually growing needs for mental health treatment in our state, the department said. We are committed to continually improving the services we provide. We are also committed to working with our partners, including Utah legislators, the Utah Behavioral Health Commission, and local mental health authorities to maintain or improve the services we offer.

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However, with those potential relocation plans still uncertain, business continues as usual in the Provo campus. In a tour of the Lucybeth Rampton building  named after the former Utah first lady  Dr. Amanda Rapacz, assistant superintendent, and Dr. Paul Whitehead, medical director at the hospital, showcased the many ways patients are treated and what life in the hospital looks like.

Ceramic work made by Utah State Hospital patients. (Alixel Cabrera/Utah News Dispatch)

Hallways filled with art and natural light from ceiling skylights lead to gyms for physical therapy, rooms for ceramics or music therapy, conference rooms for group sessions, a K-12 school run by the Provo School District, and even a cantine that accepts hospital money that patients can earn by participating in treatment or keeping their rooms clean.

Among the stars of the show are the courtyards, Rapacz and Whitehead said, where patients grow their own tomatoes to turn into salsa, and get to spend time outdoors, a rare feature among other state hospitals around the country that may be surrounded by city blocks and cant allow patients outside, or have fences that give the space a correctional look.

Ive done individual therapy sessions out here, and the literature shows that green space and being outdoors is incredibly important for somebodys recovery, and I think its one of the ways were really blessed, Rapacz said.
This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available.

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Fire crews are responding to a fire incident near the haunted house Fear Factory, and smoke could be seen coming from the area.

According to Salt Lake City Fire Department, they are working the incident, which they described as evolving. They also said that crews are working aggressively at the firefight.

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Jared Schreiner, with the Salt Lake City Fire Department, said they received multiple calls near the area of Fear factory around 7:45 p.m., and arrived to see extensive flames on trees that threatened a structure on the Fear Factory property.

Due to the heat and proximity to the Fear Factory structures, officials did initially call a second alarm, which requires more resources. However, they were able to put out the fire, before any main structures were threatened.

In a post on Facebook, Fear Factory said that the fire started around the train tracks nearby. However, because we are close to the fall season, they actually had staff on-site who were able to spot the smoke and call fire authorities.

SLCFD also said that traffic was affected, and the public should use alternate routes of transportation in order to avoid the area. 800 S was closed for a while as they de-escalated the incident but is now open.

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At 8:15 p.m., SLCFD reported that the fire is under control, and crews are working toward what they call a loss stopped. The fire did not spread to any buildings, and there were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.

Rail lines were briefly closed as crews worked on the fire, but they have reopened, according to Utah Transit Authority. There was a bus bridge for Frontrunner trains from Murray Central and Salt Lake Central, and there were systemwide Frontrunner delays.

Additionally, there were three employees on the Fear Factory facility, all of which were accounted for and safely removed.

Crews stayed on scene to do overhaul and mop up. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time. Fire investigators are working to determine how it started.

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In regard to the increased fire threat surrounding Pioneer Day fireworks, Schreiner said, Given the circumstances of the holiday, we are upstaffing our apparatus and personnel tomorrow.

Crews respond to incident at Fear Factory (KTVX / Nicholas Rewey) Crews respond to incident at Fear Factory (KTVX / Nicholas Rewey) Crews respond to incident at Fear Factory (KTVX / Nicholas Rewey)

Fear Factory confirmed to ABC4.com that the fire did not damage the main structure of Fear Factory. They said that it was a small brush fire east of the building that burned the front sign and covering of Fear Factory, but the building was fine.

Fear Factory said that the damage will not impact their 2025 plans.

They shared their thanks to the SLCFD in their post, writing, You are the true heroes in this story. Thank you for saving Halloween.

Latest headlines:

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
CAMPO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI)  Crews are battling a vegetation fire that erupted just north of the community of Campo, officials with Cal Fire San Diego confirmed Thursday afternoon. The blaze, dubbed the Posta Fire, is located off La Posta Road.

As of 7:32 p.m., the fire has burned 23 acres and is 50% contained, according to Cal Fire officials. Multiple structures were threatened, but the forward rate of spread has been stopped.

Firefighters are focusing on building and improving containment lines and extinguishing hotspots, the fire agency said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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A map of the impacted area can be seen below:

(Released by Cal Fire San Diego)

An Alert California camera located in the area showed thick grey smoke billowing into the sky around 12:30 p.m. A firefighting helicopter was also spotted dropping retardant over the blaze.

Posta Fire in Campo, Calif. on Thursday, July 24, 2025. (Courtesy of Alert California camera) Posta Fire in Campo, Calif. on Thursday, July 24, 2025. (Courtesy of Alert California camera)

No evacuation orders have been made at this time, and no injuries have been reported.

For more information on how to prepare for a wildfire emergency, watch the video at the top of this article.

This is a developing story. Check back later for more details.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A New Haven man was killed when the motorcycle he was riding struck the rear of a tractor-trailer on Interstate 95 in Stonington on Wednesday, state police said.

Shawn Twomey, 52, was riding a 2005 Suzuki GSX-R1000 south near Exit 91 when he collided with the rear of a tractor-trailer, throwing him from the bike and onto the road, according to Connecticut State Police. He was pronounced dead at the scene, state police said.

The driver of the tractor-trailer, a 41-year-old New Britain man, did not report any injuries, according to state police.

The crash is being investigated by the state police Collision, Analysis and Reconstruction Squad. Anyone with information has been asked to contact Trooper Timothy Wengloski at 860-848-6500.
(WHTM) Another Midstate school district is deciding whether to ban student cell phones at school.

Carlisle Area School District currently leaves it up to the teachers to decide whether phones are allowed in the classroom, but that could soon change. Now, there is potential for a districtwide policy change for the high school.

There has been legislation proposed in recent years in Pennsylvania that would standardize banning cell phones in the classroom, but its up to the school district right now.

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The proposal is that students would be allowed to have their phones in the building, but would have to lock them when they go to class or during other activities in an academic setting.

There is an ongoing debate on whether phones should be allowed in the classroom. Some believe they are a distraction that take away from a students learning, while others believe it is important to have access to a mobile device in case of emergency.

The school district will hold a meeting in the Fowler building to discuss the matter at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 24.

Carlisle Area School District could make the decision as early as tonight.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo said in a Thursday interview that his opponent, Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, has an advantage as the Democrat listed on the general election ballot this November.

The former New York governor  who launched an independent bid after losing to Mamdani in the Democratic primary  said he fears voters will flock to the democratic socialist assembly member simply because hes listed as the Democrat.

A multicandidate field favors Mamdani  because hes a socialist on the Democratic line. Im a Democrat on an independent line, Cuomo said in an interview on CNBCs Squawk Box.

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Because politics is all upside down in this country right now, he added.

But you have a lot of people who knee-jerk go to the Democratic line, right? About 70 percent of the voters are Democrats in the general election, and hell be on the Democratic line. So multicandidate field favors him, Cuomo said.

Cuomo formally announced he is running as an independent in New York Citys mayoral race on July 14, shortly after losing the primary election to Mamdani.

Mamdani defeated Cuomo by about 12 points, 56 percent to 44 percent, in the third round of ranked choice voting in the primary.

Cuomo joins Mamdani, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is also running as an independent, and Republican Curtis Sliwa in the general election race.

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Mamdanis critics fear that a crowded general election could result in his opponents splitting the vote, easily handing Mamdani a victory.

Cuomo has proposed an arrangement whereby he and Adams would agree that whoever is losing between the two would drop out of the race in mid-September and back the other, in order to consolidate support against Mamdani.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will soon repeal the endangerment finding, a landmark rule which has allowed the agency to regulate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, The New York Times reported Wednesday.

The endangerment finding was established in Massachusetts v. EPA (2006), when a group of states sued the George W. Bush EPA for not regulating GHG emissions on new motor vehicles. The EPA argued that it did not have the statutory authority to do so. In a 54 decision, the Supreme Court ultimately sided with the states, ruling that the EPA could regulate GHG emissions under certain portions of the Clean Air Act, so long as the agency's administrator could determine these emissions "may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare." (A very low bar to prove.)

"While the ruling did not technically require the EPA to regulate such emissions, the Court did say that the agency would have to make a determination of 'whether greenhouse gas emissions contribute to climate change,' and, if so, proceed with appropriate regulations," explains Josiah Neeley, an energy scholar at the R Street Institute. "While not regulating anything itself, the endangerment finding thus became the necessary prerequisite for all subsequent regulations on GHGs issued by the EPA."

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In March, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced that the agency would begin reconsidering the endangerment finding, which was established in 2009. "The Trump Administration will not sacrifice national prosperity, energy security, and the freedom of our people for an agenda that throttles our industries, our mobility, and our consumer choice while benefiting adversaries overseas," Zeldin said at the time.

Now, Zeldin's announcement is materializing. However, the EPA's draft rule does not appear to call into question the climate impacts of GHG emissions (which some suspected it would). Instead, "it argues that the E.P.A. overstepped its legal authority under the Clean Air Act by making a broad finding that greenhouse gas emissions endanger the public welfare," reports the Times.

Reconsidering the ruling on procedural grounds rather than scientific ones may be a wiser strategy for the EPA, argues The Volokh Conspiracy's Jonathan H. Adler, who has called the task a "fool's errand." But it would still have to pass strict legal scrutiny, especially since the Supreme Court overturned the Chevron deference last year. Now federal agencies have less leeway to interpret broad regulationsincluding the Clean Air Act. Still, Zeldin may think it's worth trying given the Court's conservative majority that has recently reined in federal agencies' overreach in energy issues.

The likely failure of going through courts, rather than Congress, doesn't mean the endangerment finding shouldn't be reconsidered and updated. As climate scientist Roger Pielke Jr. writes, "There are good reasons, scientifically, to update the 'endangerment finding,' as almost more than fifteen years have now passed and its justifications are out-of-date." Still, Pielke agrees with Adler that there is no legitimate scientific or legal reason to rescind it altogether.

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The Trump administration has taken effective steps to reduce regulations that hurt American energy security and affordability for minimal environmental benefits. In June, the EPA moved forward with rescinding a Biden-era power plant rule that would have imposed an estimated $15 billion in regulatory costs over 20 years. In July, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act was signed into law, which eliminated penalties for car manufacturers that don't comply with expensive and ineffective tailpipe emissions standards.

Despite these successes, the Trump administration is taking the wrong approach to fixing the endangerment finding. By repealing it through executive rule making, the effort is sure to be held up in courts and rescinded by a future presidential administration, perpetuating the regulatory ping-pong that has plagued Washington, D.C., for decades. A more durable approach to fixing federal regulatory overreach is by reducing it in Congress.



The post Curtailing Federal Control Over Emissions Should Be Done by Congress, Not the EPA appeared first on Reason.com.
Legacy Brands International, an investment group led by Amol Kohli, has acquired US-based multi-brand franchiser, the Brix Holding Company.

Financial details of the deal have not been divulged by the companies.

The acquisition includes the purchase of restaurant brands such as Friendly's, Clean Juice, Orange Leaf, Red Mango and and Humble Donut Co.

Brix will continue to operate from its Dallas headquarters, with Sherif Mityas remaining in his role as CEO alongside the current leadership team.

Kohli will assume the position of chairman of the board for Brix while overseeing his Friendly's franchises.

Kohli is expected to direct Brix's efforts towards both organic and inorganic growth strategies for its portfolio of health-oriented brands, as well as explore opportunities for further acquisitions.

Kohli's franchise experience, which began with Friendly's in 2009, includes the management of more than 30 locations on the East Coast.

He plans to expand the Friendly's brand into targeted regions such as Georgia, the Carolinas and Texas.

Kohli stated: Friendly's has been a part of my life since I was 15. I started as a breakfast table waiter, which evolved into owning, managing, developing and overseeing several locations over the last 16 years.

This was only made possible due to the everlasting support of my family, loyal team, partners and faith. I have been able to create something special for all to enjoy.

I plan to take that to the next level in this new chapter of BRIX Holdings' ownership to grow the size, scale and infrastructure for all our franchise networks and systems.

In the first half of 2025, BRIX brands have opened several new locations, with more in construction and planned.

The company reported positive same-store sales in 2024 and is maintaining growth momentum as it enters the second half of 2025..

Eight new franchise agreements have been secured in 2025, with additional agreements under review.

BRIX CEO Sherif Mityas stated: I'm confident in our partnership as we continue to grow the BRIX family of brands with a team who believes in the company, our strategy and our path forward to support existing and new franchisees across our portfolio.

"Legacy Brands International buys Brix Holding Company" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand.




CONNEAUT  The D-Day Ohio WWII Museum is hosting its annual open house from noon-5 p.m. Saturday.

The museum, located at 851 Harbor St., is under the nonprofit, D-Day Ohio, which is responsible for D-Day Conneaut.

Its kind of an umbrella organization, Museum Coordinator Kevin Meier said.

The open house is free, and will feature the return of the local three-part harmony group the Everly Sisters, he said.

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The trio will perform at 1 and 3 p.m.

Arlenes Broadway on Buffalo performers will also host a dress rehearsal for the play Pressure at 4 p.m., Meier said.

The play is set during the preparation for the D-Day landings, and will be performed at ABOB in August, in collaboration with D-Day Conneaut.

Its a very highly-acclaimed play, Meier said.

The museums hours are weekends from noon-5 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

There is no charge for entry, Meier said.

We either encourage people to donate or go to the gift shop, he said.

Meier said many of the local displays come from and focus on the tri-state area.

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That puts us into Western New York, Western Pennsylvania and pretty much throughout Ohio, Meier said.

The museum was started by the nonprofit after a long conversation about expanding its educational role, he said.

To tell the story of the way, you had to tell the story of the time, Meier said.

The nonprofit bought a historic Hungarian church, which it renovated to house the museum.

Meier said the open house is a way for the museum to open itself up to the community.

Alongside telling the story of the D-Day landings, the museum also focuses on the stories of local WWII heroes, Sam Magill and Arnold Carlson.

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Meier said Magill accepted the surrender of an entire German army toward the end of the war, later making a television appearance in the 1950s to tell the story.

Carlson was blinded during the war, but later recovered some of his sight with medical help and became a local business owner.

Meier said the museums basement focuses on life in the 1940s, with a kitchen, living room and dining room made up of period-accurate appliances.

We update our displays every year, he said.

The updates reflect the growth of the fictional family around which the display revolves, he said.

Meier said the museum and D-Day Ohio are looking for volunteers.

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Were always looking for docents, he said.

People interested in volunteering can reach out by messaging the museums Facebook page, Meier said.

Meier said visitor questions often revolve around the best places to eat, stay and see the area, instead of about the history the museum covers.

[A docent] very much becomes a cheerleader for Conneaut and Ashtabula County, he said.

Most of the museums visitors are from outside Ohio, Meier said.
LOUISIANA (KLFY)  A legal battle between homeowners and Texas-based homebuilder D.R. Horton has led to a class-action lawsuit. For years, there has been a debate over whether the case should proceed in a district court or through arbitration.

A district judge has ruled that a class action lawsuit against D.R. Horton will move forward in a district court and not arbitration. This following claims that an arbitration clause in homeowners contracts only benefited the homebuilder.

For years, reports of constant issues with D.R. Horton homes, ranging from moisture buildup, leaks, and health issues as a result of mold exposure, have resulted in a class action lawsuit against the homebuilder. But because of an arbitration clause in homeowners contractsin a previous report lawyers representing D.R. Horton said contracts homeowners signed state all claims against the company must go to arbitration.

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Anna Pollock, a former D.R. Horton homeowner, says if anything goes wrong during the ownership of that house, you are stuck in arbitration.

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When something serious is going wrong, nobody else has access to that information, said Pollock. It gets taken care of quietly, and thats what we dont need. We need it to be taken care of out in the open where everybody has access to that information.

Attorney Lance Unglesby, one of the attorneys representing homeowners in the class action, says everyone has the right to appear in court to have their issues heard in public.

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And with a district judge deciding the case will move forward in court and not arbitration, hundreds of families who have joined the class action lawsuit against D.R. Horton will get the chance to have their day in court. Unglesby says its a way D.R. Horton can be held accountable for selling a house that they knew to be defective.

Thats what they did. They had an arbitration clause that they thought would protect it, but it was a very one-sided arbitration clause, and thats what the judge saw, said Unglesby.

Unglesby also went on to say that in the future, he plans to work with the legislature to amend some of the rules that allow homebuilders to put in arbitration clauses.

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ARAPAHOE COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR)  The urgent need for reform was the topic at a news conference held Wednesday afternoon, hosted by parents, state leaders, and a neighboring district attorney.

This comes after the attorney for a man accused of trying to kidnap an 11-year-old child from a Cherry Creek elementary school filed a motion to have charges against the suspect dropped.

Aurora city councilwoman launches recall effort against District Attorney Amy Padden

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The 18th Judicial District Attorneys Office in Arapahoe County will have until July 28 to formally respond to the motion to dismiss the charges after a board-certified forensic psychiatrist found Solomon Galligan mentally incompetent to stand trial, as required under Colorado law. A judge will have to rule to dismiss the charges.

Speakers said the case is no exception and is a glaring example of how Colorados state laws are failing to protect the most vulnerable populations.

It is a warning, and it speaks to a larger failure in Colorado when violent offenders are protected and Coloradans are left unprotected, said Lori Gimelshteyn, Executive Director, Colorado Parent Advocacy Network. Something must change.

The DA says their hands are tied; by law, they have to drop the charges. This, despite video surveillance confirming what happened and Galligans prior criminal history.

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Representative Scott Bottoms said, When you have a DA that says  Im sorry, this is outside of my ability because of the law, that is a gross misrepresentation of the bill. There is still a lot of wiggle room for the DA. The DA can come right back right now and say this is not OK, but you see now they have already made the certain concession and the legal steps and so now their hands are tied. Because they allowed it to be tied early in the process. This is not OK according to the bill, and this is not OK according to our families.

I dont know the ins and the outs of everything that took place with that case, but I can tell you from my standpoint, my knee-jerk reaction would be to fight like hell until the court mandates a dismissal to try to buy as much time for the community as possible, said District Attorney George Brauchler.

Brauchler represents a neighboring judicial district and says he has seen what he calls systematic failures time and time again in the state.

The defense bar figured out they can overload the state mental health system by claiming incompetence on a whole host of cases. So, if you go back and look at the numbers. Ive never been in an environment where weve had more claims of incompetence than we have right now, he said. Im also a father and I got kids who still go to public schools here. My concern is if we dont take action and quick action. Maybe special session quick action, were going to see more of this stuff happen.

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Parent Dante White has been an advocate since the beginning of the situation. He also attended Wednesdays news conference after meeting with the DA virtually earlier in the morning.

The DAs hands are tied, he said. This isnt a partisan issue; this isnt anything that they are being lax on. This is a law that was passed bipartisan. Theres a democratic sponsor, a republican co-sponsor voted through unanimously for the law to make this happen so people can be unfit to stand trial. That was probably one of the biggest things I took away from it.

He wants to team up with advocacy groups to hopefully create change in law.

Its like I tell my son, swing hard, you might hit. Dont just give up, you have to push and pull for every instance so we can get some kind of resolution here is my strong thought process. Whether or not historically it doesnt work, theres always a chance it will, said White.

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Free on Your TV  New FOX31+ App for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV

DA Amy Padden provided this lengthy statement to FOX31.

We are aware of several inaccuracies made by an Aurora councilwoman regarding the charges that are pending against Solomon Galligan, a defendant who was arrested in 2024 for an incident at Black Forest Hills Elementary School. In the interest of transparency and public accountability, we feel it is important to set the record straight. First and foremost, contrary to misleading public statements by the councilwoman, we have neither dropped nor moved to dismiss these charges, which include a class five-felony and a misdemeanor charge, as filed by the prior administration, arising out of an attempted kidnapping of an elementary school. To-date, all of the initially filed charges remain pending. The defendants attorney filed a Motion to Dismiss earlier this month following an updated competency determination that was requested by the defense. Our Office has until July 28, 2025, to submit a formal response, after which a judge will decide the next steps. This defendant has had prior criminal cases in which his mental competency to proceed had been raised. Regarding the pending criminal case in Arapahoe County, the defendants attorneys raised competency last year and the defendant underwent his first court-ordered mental competency evaluation in 2024prior to my taking officewhich was conducted by the state Office of Civil and Forensic Mental Health. His legal counsel requested that that report be supplemented, which the Court granted, and then the Court ordered another re-evaluation by the state. The defendants counsel (not our office) then requested, and the Court ordered, a second evaluation by an independent psychiatrist, which was completed in June 2025. That comprehensive, 63-page report by a licensed doctor concluded that Galligan suffers from multiple mental health conditions and is mentally incompetent to stand trial and not restorable to competency within the foreseeable future. The District Court is tasked with making the ultimate decision as to whether the charges may proceed based on those findings under current Colorado law. If the Court decides that the defendant is incompetent and unlikely to be restored or to maintain competency during the pendency of the case, the Court is required by statute to dismiss the charges, and our Office is legally prohibited from taking this case to trial. As the District Attorney, I have many concerns about this statutory process and its impact on community safety in situations where charges must be dismissed. Even before the defenses motion to dismiss was filed in this case, I was speaking with legislators about proposed reforms to the statute. I will continue those discussions to collaborate about a solution that promotes community safety. If the motion to dismiss is granted here, Galligan will not be released into the community at that time. Although he was previously released when courts in other jurisdictions dismissed prior cases, this defendant has been civilly committed for continued treatment in a state mental health hospital, which provides secure, inpatient psychiatric care. Mental health is a critical issue in our criminal justice system, and I am committed to working with law enforcement, lawmakers, and community stakeholders to find lasting solutions. Unfortunately, some elected officials have chosen to politicize this issue rather than collaborating to work on productive solutions, such as changing the state laws that prosecutors and courts are required to follow. I want to be clear: politics plays no role in our pursuit of justice. We remain guided by the law, the facts, and our commitment to the people of Arapahoe County. Our Office will continue to provide accurate, timely information as appropriate. I took an oath to serve this community with honor, humility, and integrityand I will continue to uphold that commitment every day. 18th Judicial District Attorneys Office

Susan Payne, one of the speakers who is the founding Executive Director of Safe2Tell, is now asking for district attorney officers across the state to provide data on how this bill has impacted them, and how many violent offenders have been released across Colorado because of the 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 FOX31 Denver.
DANVILLE  The Danville Area Community College Foundation announced that two scholarships honoring influential figures in Vermilion County history  the Mariah Vance Scholarship and the Cannon Brothers and Black Brothers Scholarship  have now been fully endowed.

These gifts are the result of the generosity and vision of donors Michael Eberhardt, Timothy O. Smith, and other community partners.

The Mariah Vance Scholarship honors the life of an African-American woman whose legacy spans from Abraham Lincolns Springfield home to the Danville community she helped shape. Born in 1819 and descended from enslaved people, Vance worked in the Lincoln household during the decade leading up to Lincolns presidency, caring for young Robert Todd Lincoln. After moving to Danville, she raised 12 children and helped establish two churches that remain active today.

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With contributions from Michael Eberhardt, Don and Sue Richter, and Toby Baer Peck, the scholarship has reached its $10,000 endowment goal. Beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, a $500 award will be granted annually to an African-American student enrolled full-time in general studies who maintains a B average and reads a provided biography of Vance.

Also fully endowed is the Cannon Brothers and Black Brothers Scholarship, which celebrates two prominent sets of Vermilion County brothers  Joseph and William Cannon, and John and William Black. Joseph G. Uncle Joe Cannon served 46 years in Congress, including eight years as Speaker of the House. His brother William was instrumental in Danvilles early business development. The Black brothers, both recipients of the Medal of Honor for their valor during the Civil War, went on to become respected lawyers and federal public servants.

Supported by Eberhardt, Smith, and the John P. Cadle Foundation, the $500 annual scholarship is awarded to a graduate of a Vermilion County high school who writes a 500-word essay on one of the four brothers. The student must be enrolled full-time and maintain a B average. The first award was presented to Faith VanCamp in the 2024-2025 academic year.

In addition to these scholarships, Eberhardt and Smith are also the driving force behind the Van Doren Scholarship and Exhibit, honoring Vermilion County natives Mark and Carl Van Doren  both Pulitzer Prize-winning authors. The Van Doren Scholarship was fully endowed by Eberhardt, first awarded in 2024, and will continue to support DACC students in perpetuity. A permanent exhibit honoring the Van Doren brothers was unveiled in December 2023 near the DACC Library, showcasing their major literary works and contributions to American culture. Carl Van Doren received the Pulitzer Prize in 1939 for his biography of Benjamin Franklin, and Mark Van Doren was awarded the Pulitzer in 1940 for his Collected Poems.

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These scholarships are more than just financial support  theyre powerful reminders of the people and stories that have shaped our community, said Tonya Hill, Executive Director of the DACC Foundation. Thanks to our generous donors, students will benefit from these legacies for years to come.

To contribute to any of the DACC Foundations scholarships, mail foundation@dacc.edu or call 443-8772.
A Florida man died earlier this week after his family's airboat suffered mechanical issues and he fell into the water during a nighttime outing.

Benton Dwayne Lindsey, 58, was killed while on the Peace River with his wife and stepdaughter in their airboat on Sunday, July 20, according to The Miami Herald, CBS affiliate WINK and Gulf Coast News.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Bradley Johnson said the airboat's mechanical troubles likely led to Lindsey's death, the outlets reported, though more specific details remained unclear.

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One of the occupants left the vessel and went on land to get assistance while the operator [Lindsey] remained on the airboat," Johnson said, according to the Herald. "While the airboat was drifting down the river, a series of events led the operator to end up in the water.

Lindsey's stepdaughter, Andrea Brooks, told Gulf Coast News that the boat stalled due to mechanical issues around 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, and Lindsey fell into the water around that time.



Getty Peace River in DeSoto County, Florida. Peace River in DeSoto County, Florida.

"We don't really know what happened," Brooks said, adding, "My mom did everything. It was dark. They couldn't see him. She did everything she could to try to get to him. Before you know it, it just went quiet."

Wildlife officials dispatched a dive team on Sunday night to search for Lindsey, Johnson said, according to WINK.

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The local sheriff's office, fire department and a Manatee County helicopter all converged to aid in the search, Johnson said.

Lindsey's body was discovered on Monday, July 21, and he was pronounced dead at the scene. His cause of death has not yet been announced. An investigation is ongoing.

Lindsey's stepdaughter said he and her mom cherished their time on the boat and spent "every weekend" on the water in their "little piece of heaven."

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.



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His family and friends described him as "a cowboy who loved the water," WINK reported. He and his wife loved the water more than anything, Brooks told Gulf Coast News.

"This is what they love to do most," she said. "Those boats, this water  it's their entire world."

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A man who smashed his newborn son's skull after days of abuse has been found guilty of his March 2024 murder.

The infant, Brendon Staddon, had been born premature at just 33 weeks and was two weeks old when his father, 27-year-old Daniel Gunter, killed him in the newborn ward of a hospital in Yeovil in southwestern England, the BBC and The Guardian reported.

Brendon's mother, 21-year-old Sophie Staddon, was acquitted of a lesser charge of causing or allowing the death of a child, per the outlets.

Avon and Somerset Police

On the day of his death, Brendon was found with a fractured skull, a broken neck, a broken jaw and broken legs, broken wrists and other injuries, authorities said. His cause of death was "blunt force impact(s) head injury," according to a post-mortem reported cited by the BBC.

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"Brendon's little tiny precious body at just two weeks old, there wasn't any part of him that wasn't harmed," the chief investigator told the court, per the outlet.

The investigation into Brendon's murder revealed red flags that medical personnel had noted about Gunter, the Bristol Crown Court heard last week during the trial. Gunter was rough with the days-old baby and would often take him out of the incubator, disregarding staff instructions, the court was told, per the outlets. On one occasion, Gunter was suspected of removing the infant's nasal tube.

Avon and Somerset Police Brendon Staddon. Brendon Staddon.

Early in the morning on March 5, 2024, nurses were alarmed after Staddon told them Brendon needed to be checked because he was "cold," prosecutors told the jury, per the outlets.

"They immediately saw that he wasn't just cold but that he had suffered catastrophic injuries," prosecutor Charles Row KC said, according to the BBC.

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As medical personnel urgently responded to Brendon, trying to resuscitate the baby, Gunter and Staddon left the ward to smoke outside, per prosecutors.

An investigator said that when the couple were arrested, Gunter seemed overly worried about his vape being taken away, the BBC reported.

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Following the verdict, Brendon's grandfather spoke out about the family's grief.

"We have been robbed of a life of memories of Brendon," Simon Gunter said, according to the BBC. "We won't get to see his first steps, hear his first words, take him on his first holiday and see him grow into a young boy then a man."

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If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



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An alleged motorcycle gang member was arrested after Dallas police investigated reports of a man shooting at a car in the area near Methodist Dallas Medical Center.

Southwest patrol officers responded to an active shooter call at about 9:45 p.m. on July 16 in the 1500 block of North Beckley Avenue. The alleged shooter, 54-year-old David Frank, was found at a residence on North Beckley Avenue along with spent cartridge casings and possible blood evidence, indicating a recent shooting.

Detectives obtained a search warrant that Southwest Crime Response Team officers executed at the property. The search yielded two handguns, ammunition, and body armor, along with paraphernalia and memorabilia associated with a known motorcycle gang. A second warrant allowed them to seize additional gang materials, including a leather vest with motorcycle gang patches.

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Although there were no formal reports of aggravated assault, our officers and detectives used strategic investigative tools to continue working the case, which led to a dangerous gang member off the street, Deputy Chief Majusta Allen said in a news release.

Frank faces three charges stemming from the incident. Hes charged with Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon with a Felony Conviction, a second-degree felony.

Additional charges include Unlawful Possession of Body Armor by a Felon, a third-degree felony. He also faces Discharge of a Firearm in Certain Municipalities, a class-A misdemeanor.

The investigation continues under case number 101398-2025.
Dallas police are seeking information in the 2020 murder of 28-year-old Rickey Forward, who was fatally shot outside a south Dallas apartment complex.

The July 26, 2020, killing remains unsolved five years later, with detectives renewing their appeal for witnesses to come forward, the DPD announced on Thursday.

Forward was shot and killed outside an apartment complex in the 4400 block of South Lancaster Road. Police described the suspect as a black male, approximately 5 feet 10 inches tall.

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Detective A. Isom is leading the investigation and can be reached at 214-671-3701 or andrea.isom@dallaspolice.gov. Anyone with information should reference case number 130959-2020.

Through Operation Justice Trail, Crime Stoppers will pay $1,000 for tips leading to arrests in violent felony cases through August 31. Tips can be submitted anonymously at 1-877-373-TIPS or P3tips.com.
Second quarter earnings season is winding down, and with most of the reports in, the results have been mostly positive.

Over 92% of S&P 500 index companies have reported results, and as of Aug. 18, analysts expected S&P 500 companies to report an 11% jump in earnings per share during the second quarter.

Companies had lower expectations to clear coming into the quarter  analysts expected S&P 500 earnings to rise 5% in Q2, the slowest pace of earnings growth since Q4 2023  amid President Trump's tariffs, stocks' lofty valuations, and uncertainty about the health of the US economy.

Nvidia (NVDA) results on Wednesday, Aug. 27, highlight this week's earnings

Other companies reporting include PDD Holdings (PDD), Alibaba (BABA), Okta (OKTA), Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF), CrowdStrike (CRWD), Five Below (FIVE), HP (HP), Kohl's (KSS), Snowflake (SNOW), J.M. Smucker (SJM), Urban Outfitters (URBN), Affirm (AFRM), Best Buy (BBY), Bath & Body Works (BBWI), Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS), Dell (DELL), Dollar General (DG), Gap (GAP), Petco (WOOF), Wolfspeed (WOLF), Bank of Montreal (BMO), MongoDB (MDB), and Ulta (ULTA).

Meanwhile, markets will continue to digest last week's commentary on the health of consumer spending from Walmart (WMT), Target (TGT), Home Depot (HD), and Lowe's (LOW).

Here are the latest updates from corporate America.

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For the latest earnings reports and analysis, earnings whispers and expectations, and company earnings news, click here

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PERU  Slip on your dancing shoes Saturday and glide to Jazz It Up Community Dance & Concert at the Peru Memorial VFW Post 309, 710 New York 22B, Peru.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with recorded dance music before the Adirondack Jazz Ensemble swings into a jazz set from 7-9 p.m.

The free event is hosted by USA Dance-Plattsburgh Chapter #3068 and was made possible by a Kindling Award from the Adirondack Community Foundation.

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My dream has always been to dance to live music, and of course, I would love to hire the full Adirondack Jazz Orchestra, but it is beyond our means as a small nonprofit, Diana Wardell, president Dance-Plattsburgh, said. But with this Kindling Award that we got notified in January about, we are able to hire the Adirondack Jazz Ensemble which is seven or eight musicians, usually. They play great danceable music, and were looking forward to hosting them at the VFW. But you dont have to dance. This is not our normal monthly dance where we hire an instructor. This a community dance just for fun. Theres no lessons. No teachers. If you like jazz music, you can come and just listen or theres going to be plenty of room on the dance floor if you want to try a few steps.

Social Connection

The Kindling Awards celebrate community events in the Adirondacks that bring people together, foster connection and fight isolation, according to a press release.

In the Adirondacks, we lean on one another to hold our communities together, meet needs, and build a brighter future. Adirondack Community Foundation launched the Kindling Awards to highlight optimism and social connection. Named after the key ingredient that sparks a warm fire, these awards honor community-driven events that bring people together without agendas  just the joy of connection, Leslee Mounger, funds and program officer for the Adirondack Community Foundation, said.

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Dance-Plattsburgh was nominated for the Kindling Award by Peru Memorial VFW Quartermaster Jason Amoriell, who has been part of this collaboration between Post 309 and the social dance community.

Its great to see folks learning a few steps and getting out on the dance floor, he said.

Dance-Plattsburgh was established in 2017 by a group of social dance enthusiasts to promote the health benefits and joy of social dancing including swing, Latin and ballroom dancing.

Were a chapter of USA Dance, and thats a national organization that promotes social dancing, Wardell said. They also promote competitive dancing, but we are a social dance chapter. Were just trying to invite people to learn a few basic steps and get out on the dance floor just to enjoy dancing. When we first started in 2017, we would just have one dance a month with an instructor. But then next month would come, and we realized we couldnt retain what we had learned. So, we knew pretty quickly we need to have a weekly practice session, even though theres no local instructors here anymore that I know of. Thats what weve been doing, having a weekly practice session. Right now, its been great to collaborate with the Peru VFW on Monday nights, and then in the winter time we switch to Wednesday nights, 6 to 8 p.m.

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We have a nice group of people that come out and I always tell people when they first come, this is friends helping friends. Theres no instructor there, but some veteran dancers can show people the basic steps of rumba, cha-cha-cha, waltz, tango, hustle.

Wardell met a gentleman, a Texas transplant, who really enjoyed social dancing and missed it here.

There was no social dancing in Plattsburgh, she said. Many people may remember years ago Pat and Roland Racine taught ballroom dance, but then again, thats been many, many years since they offered dance lessons and social dancing. We said lets look into becoming a chapter.

The dance enthusiasts started out as a satellite chapter of USA Dance Chapter Green Mountain, Vermont, #3033, which is based in Burlington.

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Then in the fall, we became our own chapter. We have about 30 members with USA Dance. We just try to promote the benefits and the joy of social dancing, she said.

Wardell dances four to five nights a week.

I started 11 years ago with square dancing, she said. Thats wicked fun, and that led into round dancing, which is choreographed ballroom. Then, we started USA Dance chapter in 2017. The past couple of years, Ive also hosted some contra dances. Thats with the help of Rod Driscoll, who has a Celtic session band that he puts together to play for contra dances. You cant have a contra dance without a caller and a band.

For more information, visit usadance.org.

If You Go WHAT: Jazz It Up Community Dance & Concert featuring Adirondack Jazz Ensemble and hosted by USA Dance-Plattsburgh Chapter #3068 WHEN: 6:30-9 p.m. Saturday WHERE: Peru Memorial VFW Post 309 ADMISSION: Free. Light refreshments will be served and a cash bar is available for all beverages. The evenings color theme is black and gold (no requirement to dress in black/gold).
This is dangerous: Broken elevator at senior living facility leaves residents, families concerned

Imagine, in the Florida heat, walking up 14 flights of stairs daily just to get home.

Now imagine that challenge for a senior citizen. Thats the recent reality for some residents of the Calvary Towers Senior Apartments in Winter Park.

Shes been trapped now for two weeks. Thats what a man  whose 84-year-old mother has not been able to come down from her 13th-floor apartment for several days  told Channel 9. She has already missed two fairly important doctors appointments, he added.

Residents at the senior apartment facility say they have been without a working elevator for several days.

The facility, located at 1033 Clay Street in Winter Park, houses hundreds of seniors, ages 65 and up.

I had to leave because I cant walk up 14 floors anymore, said an 82-year-old resident who didnt want to be identified. The woman decided to leave the building for now because her family worries that something could happen to her while shes alone in her apartment, with no elevator to use. I at least can move, but many here cannot; its worse for them, she told WFTVs Geovany Dias.

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Going all the way up to the top floor is a journey  it takes time, effort, and resistance, especially because the area did not appear to be air conditioned when an Eyewitness News crew went to the location on Wednesday.

Imagine if theres an emergency, a fire, or something. How are they going to respond? said another concerned resident.

The management told Dias they could not go on camera for interviews. However, via email, the company responsible for the building, Silver Tree Residential, sent the following statement:

We are aware of the current challenges impacting building systems due to a recent severe storm at Calvary Tower Apartments. We want to assure you that we are actively working with our vendors, suppliers, and appropriate agencies to address the situation as quickly and safely as possible. We are also in regular communication with our residents, as well as local and state officials, as we navigate necessary repairs. Our team remains committed to the safety and well-being of everyone at Calvary Tower.

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Residents also confirmed the building has supplied a meal each day to help with the inconvenience. However, for many, the concern is even greater when it comes to a possible emergency. This is dangerous. In case of a stroke, for example, every minute counts. Imagine if the fire department needs to walk up, get the person, bring them down 14 flights of stairs, said the man who is concerned about his mother. These are elderly residents who have done nothing to anybody, and they simply dont know what to do.

Silver Tree Residential sent Channel 9 a follow-up statement hours after the initial announcement.

We have confirmed with the elevator company that the part needed to fix the repair will be onsite tomorrow, as well as the contractors to make the repair. Barring any additional setbacks, we anticipate a functioning elevator tomorrow [Thursday, July 24] by end of day.

Monitor WFTV.com and watch Eyewitness News for updates to this story.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Heat Advisories will go into effect across Mid-Michigan at 11 oclock this morning, with dangerous heat expected across the area today.

Humidity will increase this afternoon, driving heat indices, or feels like temperatures, into the triple digits across the region.

Due to the heat and humidity, individuals are advised to drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun and in an air-conditioned room if possible, and wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing.

We are also watching the potential for a few strong to severe storms this evening. The Storm Prediction Center has placed all of Mid-Michigan in a Level 1 of 5 Marginal Risk for strong storms, with the main concern being isolated strong wind gusts.

Storms will move into the region around 6 or 7 p.m., continuing throughout the overnight hours, with our temperatures only falling into the low 70s.

We will hold on to the chance for precipitation throughout Friday and Saturday, with humid conditions remaining in place through early next week.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
DARLINGTON COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  Darlington County deputies assisted state officials in taking a barricaded suspect into custody on Thursday, the sheriffs office said.

Deputies were called at about 8:45 a.m. to assist the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services as well as the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division with a barricaded suspect on Cotton Patch Road in the Darlington area.

The suspect, Eric Best, who was wanted on felony warrants, was found in a closet inside of the residence and taken to a local hospital for further evaluation, according to the sheriffs office. The scene was cleared at about 12:30 p.m.

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No additional information was immediately available. Count on News13 for updates.

* * *

Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A Davenport man is in the Scott County Jail after police say he was found with quantities of numerous controlled substances.

According to the criminal complaint, on June 13, the Scott County Sheriffs Office Special Operations Unit executed a search warrant at an address in the 2700 block of W. 34th Street as part of a narcotics investigation. Deputies found the defendant, identified as Jason Messmer, 48, with about 902.7 grams (almost two pounds) of marijuana, 30 green pills suspected to be Oxycodone, 17 blue pills suspected to be Alprazolam, nine suspected THC vapes, 11 two-gram containers of suspected THC wax, 42 THC cartridges, 59 THC edible chocolate, a gram of methamphetamine, digital scales and a glass marijuana smoking pipe.

Jason Messmer (Scott County Jail)

Messmer was arrested on July 23 and charged with three counts of controlled substance violation, three counts of not having a drug tax stamp, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was released from the Scott County Jail on a combined secured $25,000 bond and has a preliminary hearing on August 1.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
July 24 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1679, New Hampshire became a royal colony of the British crown.

In 1847, after 17 months and many miles of travel, Brigham Young led 148 Mormon pioneers into Utah's Valley of the Great Salt Lake.

In 1956, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis performed together for the last time on stage at the Copacabana in New York City. In his 2005 memoir, Lewis described his former partner as one of the greatest comedic talents of all time.

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In 1969, Apollo 11 returned to Earth, ending its historic moon-landing mission. After the spacecraft's splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins were flown by helicopter to the recovery ship USS Hornet.

On July 24, 2009, 1998, a gunman opened fire at the Capitol in Washington, killing two police officers and wounding a tourist. Police shot the gunman, Russell Eugene Weston Jr., who survived. He was later charged with murder and has been confined to a psychiatric institution. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI

In 1974, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Richard Nixon should surrender White House tapes for the criminal trials of his former associates.

In 1983, George Brett of the Kansas City Royals had a home run nullified in the "Pine Tar Incident" after New York Yankees Manager Billy Martin had Brett's bat examined by umpires. The Royals filed a protest and the home run was later reinstated.

Rep. James Traficant, D-Ohio, speaks to a House Ethics subcommittee July 18, 2002, after the panel found him guilty of violating congressional ethics rules by taking kickbacks and bribes and evading taxes. On July 24, 2002, the U.S. House of Representatives expelled Traficant by a vote of 420-1. File Photo by Chris Corder/UPI

Newly elected Baseball Hall of Fame inductees pitcher Nolan Ryan and outfielder George Brett pose with their respective baseball cards January 6, 1999. File Photo by Ezio Petersen/UPI

In 1998, a gunman opened fire at the Capitol in Washington, killing two police officers and wounding a tourist. Police shot the gunman, Russell Eugene Weston Jr., who survived. He was later charged with murder and has been confined to a psychiatric institution.

Phyllis Siegel, 76, (R) kisses her wife Connie Kopelov, 84, after exchanging vows at the Manhattan City Clerk's office on the first day New York State's Marriage Equality Act went into effect July 24, 2011. File Photo by Michael Appleton/Pool

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In 2002, the U.S. House of Representatives expelled Rep. James Traficant, an Ohio Democrat, by a vote of 420-1. Traficant, who had been convicted of racketeering, bribery and corruption, served seven years in prison.

In 2005, Lance Armstrong won a record seventh consecutive Tour de France. All seven wins were voided in 2012 after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency concluded he had used performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career. The official record holder for most consecutive wins is Miguel Indurain with five.

On July 24, 1974, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Richard Nixon should surrender White House tapes for the criminal trials of his former associates. File Photo by Darryl Heikes/UPI

File Photo by David Silpa/UPI

In 2009, an increase in the federal minimum wage, from $6.55 to $7.25 an hour, went into effect. Representatives of small businesses said the increase would threaten their survival.

In 2011, hundreds of gay couples in formal suits and gowns, and T-shirts recited vows after New York became the sixth and largest state to recognize same-sex weddings.

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In 2014, an Air Algerie plane carrying 118 people dropped from radar en route to Algiers from Ouagadougou, the capital of the West African country of Burkina Faso, and crashed in Mali. There were no survivors.

In 2019, the Federal Trade Commission charged Facebook a record-breaking $5 billion penalty for violating a 2012 order related to fooling users about their ability to control the privacy of their personal information.

In 2024, the movie Inside Out 2 surpassed Frozen II to become the highest-grossing animated film of all time. That record stood until 2025, when Chinese film Ne Zha 2 earned a worldwide gross of $2.2 billion.
PLATTSBURGH  More than a dozen violations were found at a local childcare facility including negligent supervision, lack of competent safety and cooperation.

Shooting Stars Daycare closed Wednesday after an inspection report by the New York Office of Children and Family Services detailed 14 violations at the center.

Connie J. Ouimette, listed on the report as the on-site provider runs the daycare out of her home at 13 Michaele Ave., Plattsburgh.

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The daycare was cited for the following violations, all of which remain uncorrected according to a report:

 Providing child care in areas not approved on the official diagram

 Failing to eliminate safety and health hazards in accessible areas

 Leaving televisions or electronic visual media on during nap times

 Leaving children without competent supervision, including lack of visual range and appropriate caregiver response

 Failing to report suspected child abuse or maltreatment to the Statewide Central Register, as required by law

 Employing staff not qualified to provide safe and suitable care supportive of childrens well-being

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 Operating out of compliance with state regulations and applicable laws

 Exceeding the number and age range of children allowed under the terms of the license

 Failing to ensure that caregivers, employees, volunteers and household members are in good health and of good character

 Denying inspectors full access to the premises, staff and records during operating hours

 Failing to cooperate with inspections or investigations by state representatives

 Not immediately notifying parents and the Office of Children and Family Services of serious incidents involving a child in care

 Not maintaining daily attendance records with accurate arrival and departure times

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The facilitys license was suspended Tuesday after an inspection July 17 following a complaint.

According to the OCFS report, suspended means the program has been closed by OCFS because there is evidence that a childs safety or welfare is in imminent danger, and must immediately stop operating.

Suspension will continue until OCFS has determined that the condition requiring suspension has been corrected, until the license or registration has been revoked or until the program successfully challenges OCFS decision to suspend.

Shooting Stars Daycares first licensed/registration dates back to September 2009, but its current registration period began September 2023 and will end September 2027.

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Two violations were reported and corrected during the renewal process in 2023, and an unsubstantiated complaint in November that year.

There were no violations cited for any inspection between the license renewal and July 16, 2025, including an unannounced inspection in March.

Shooting Stars Daycare has a total capacity of 12 children, ages 6 weeks to 12 years, and four additional school-aged children.

According to the OCFS, there must be one caregiver for every two children under the age of 2 in attendance).
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  A D.C. man was sentenced to over 12 years in prison for his role in multiple inside-job robberies at a Walgreens in Chinatown, according to the United States Attorneys Office (USAO) for the District of Columbia.

Michael Robinson, 35, pleaded guilty in March to charges of conspiracy to interfere with interstate commerce by robberyHobbs Act robbery and to using, carrying, possessing, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and aiding and abetting.

In addition to his sentence, Williams is ordered to serve five years of supervised release and pay over $7,000 in restitution.

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According to court documents, Williams and three co-conspirators orchestrated seven armed robberies of the Chinatown Walgreens that occurred nearly once a month starting in July 2023.

The robberies occurred when one of the co-conspirators was working, to which they would relay information such as when the cash would be transferred within the store, how many armed security guards were present, and how much money was in the managers office.

The USAO states that during each robbery, Williams would wear a disguise and brandish a firearm at the employees, demanding money from the managers office, where he would use a code provided by the co-conspirators. Williams would then steal the money and leave through a rear exit. During each robbery, the co-conspirators would take turns pretending to be the victim manager on duty.

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According to the USAO, Williams and the co-conspirators would review the surveillance footage and strategize how to make the robberies look more authentic, which included Williams later assaulting the victim manager on duty during the robbery to make it look more believable.

In total, the four confessed to stealing at least $28,983 that they split amongst themselves.

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WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  A 68-year-old D.C. man will serve more than a decade in prison for his role in stealing retail property to generate over $850,000 in fraudulent loans.

The United States Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia (USADC) announced Thursday that Jeffrey M. Young-Bey was sentenced to 138 months in prison on 12 federal charges, including bank fraud, mail fraud, identity theft and more.

Human remains found in Southeast DC, homicide investigation underway

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Evidence revealed that Young-Beys conspiracy began in November 2019, when he stole a residential townhome located in LeDroit Park to obtain a mortgage financing against the property.

Officials said that during the scheme, he targeted a property owned by an elderly person. He then created a fake property deed, including forged signatures of the true owners, and used a fake notary stamp to make the deed appear legitimate.

Young-Bey then filed the deed with the District of Columbia Recorder of Deeds, and transferred the title from the true owners to a corporate entity.

During this process, the attorneys office noted that he passed a check to the D.C. Recorder of Deeds to pay for the transfer taxes, but put a stop payment order before the government could cash it. After, he falsely told a mortgage service business that another individual had inherited the property and wanted to take a large loan against the value of the house.

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Young-Bey created a fake rental lease and deceived the mortgage company into loaning one of his associates about $360,000, against the value of a home they did not own. He then used half of the money to buy a BMW 3-Series.

DC Auditor report criticizes police handling of deadly force investigation

After succeeding the first time, Young-Bey then executed another scheme on a Shephard Park property. He successfully used a fake notary stamp, forged the names of the owners, recorded the deed and put a stop payment before the check could be cashed.

This time, Young-Bey used the money to buy a BMW 7-Series worth approximately $120,000.

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The USADC said he sold the home to a legitimate real estate company. However, when the company began performing renovations on the home, the rightful owners were alerted about the construction by their neighbors.

In addition to his years-long sentence, the judge ordered Young-Bey to serve five years of supervised release.

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LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  One person is dead after a Wednesday afternoon crash on U.S. Route 22 in Lebanon County.

The crash happened eastbound near the Coon Creek intersection in East Hanover Township around 4:30 p.m., a spokesperson for PennDOT said.

Pennsylvania State Police say a vehicle was traveling south on Coon Creaj when it stopped at an intersection with Route 22. Police said the driver stopped and proceeded through the intersection when it was hit by a second vehicle.

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Police said the driver of the first vehicle was transported to the Hershey Medical Center with minor injuries, and the driver of the second vehicle was determined to be dead on the scene by the Lebanon County Coroner.

The driver of the second vehicle was identified as Cory Rhoad, 35, of Pennsylvania.

Get traffic alerts from the abc27 mobile app for the latest local delays and road closures

The highway was closed from Gravel Hill Road to Jonestown Road until just after 10 p.m.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

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While LVMH continues to cap costs, it remains committed to investing in its brands, as evidenced by recent flagship openings for Louis Vuitton in Shanghai and Tiffany & Co. in Japan, and plans to open Dior boutiques in New York City and Beverly Hills in the second half. The group is searching for efficiencies in areas like point of sale marketing for perfume and cosmetics, and fashion shows, where it is reviewing its contracts with external agencies, she said. Its also closing underperforming doors. Our philosophy is very clear. We need to ensure that we invest what we need to invest behind growth, and we need to make sure that we are able to mitigate and maintain a high level of margins, Cabanis said. Group net profit totaled 5.70 billion euros in the first six months of 2025, while profit from recurring operations was down 15 percent to 9.01 billion euros, equating to an operating margin of 22.6 percent. Overall revenues fell 7 percent to 19.50 billion euros in the three months to June 30, representing a decline of 4 percent in organic terms. This was definitely not a good set of results, but not disastrous either, said Luca Solca, analyst at Bernstein. A Perfect Storm In terms of revenues, watches and jewelry performed slightly better than expected, with organic sales flat in the second quarter. Perfumes and cosmetics were in line with forecasts, rising 1 percent. Wines and spirits beat consensus estimates with a 4 percent decline, while selective retailing also exceeded expectations, up 4 percent.

Organic sales in Japan fell 28 percent year-on-year in the second quarter. Cabanis saw flickers of improvement locally in China and touted an easier comparison basis for the coming quarter, though she conceded the Chinese economy is probably not out of the woods yet. Operating profit for the fashion and leather goods division fell 18 percent in the first half, but the executive said the operating margin remained healthy at 34.7 percent.

PARIS  LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton said net profit fell 22 percent in the first half as its key fashion and leather goods division missed expectations, underscoring the pressures faced by a host of incoming designers at the groups key houses. The branch, home to brands including Louis Vuitton , Dior and Celine, recorded a 9 percent drop in organic sales in the second quarter, below the Visible Alpha consensus forecast for a 7 percent decline. Louis Vuitton continues to outperform other brands, while Dior remained below the division average, chief financial officer Cecile Cabanis told analysts and journalists on a webcast on Thursday. However, she said the decline was due almost entirely to weakness in Asia, where there was a reversal of the yen weakness that significantly boosted tourist business in Japan at the same time last year.

Story Continues





Analysts had hoped that fashion and leather goods would deliver a beat after encouraging results at sector peer Compagnie Financiere Richemont, which reported a 6 percent rise in overall sales in the three months to June 30.



By contrast, LVMH is facing a perfect storm, with anemic demand for luxury goods, a strengthening euro and looming U.S. trade tariffs causing its share price to drop around 26 percent so far this year.



The macroeconomic issues have been compounded by a series of internal problems, including data breaches at Vuitton and Dior, and legal proceedings against Loro Piana over alleged worker exploitation in Italy.



Nonetheless, the industry bellwether expressed confidence in its prospects.



LVMH showed solidity in the current context, Bernard Arnault, chairman and chief executive officer of LVMH, said in a statement.



Beyond the prevailing uncertainties, we remain focused thanks to the long-term vision that has always guided our family group, he added. We head into the second half of the year with great vigilance, and I am confident in LVMHs tremendous long-term potential and the commitment of our teams to further reinforce the groups leadership position in luxury goods.



LVMH described Jonathan Andersons debut menswear collection for Dior, unveiled in June, as an immense success, with Cabanis noting the show garnered 1.1 billion views on social media.



Bernsteins Solca has partly attributed LVMHs woes to a series of price increases in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, and called on the group to address off-kilter pricing at Dior.

Cabanis said the brand continues to see good traction on its D-Journey and Dior Toujours bags, and is riding the momentum leading up to Andersons first collections landing in stores next year.



We are very confident both in terms of product [and] communication, she said, noting that Andersons role as director of both womens and mens collections will ensure full consistency on the brand vision.



Meanwhile, the debut collections by Sarah Burton at Givenchy in March and Michael Rider at Celine earlier this month were particularly well received, the luxury group said.



Looking Ahead



LVMH is gearing up for more debuts, with Anderson set to show his first womens collection for Dior on Oct. 1, and Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez presenting their debut line for Loewe on Oct. 3, according to the preliminary calendar released by the Federation de la Haute Couture et de la Mode on Thursday.



Cabanis said Vuitton continues to lead in many markets thanks to its innovative store concepts, like the Shanghai flagship, which is shaped like a life-size cruise ship.



Its unexpected. Its something only Vuitton can do, she said. We are not going to do 400 of those, but there might be a few down the road.



She added that the brand is sticking to its pricing strategy, which consists of delivering sophisticated products for its high-end clientele and introducing more accessible categories aimed as aspirational customers, such as a new cosmetics line developed by Pat McGrath, set to bow this fall.



We dont work on price segmentation  we are not Coca-Cola  but we are working on bringing the best product, and with that, making sure that the value that is in the product is recognized by our clients, Cabanis said.

Regarding Loro Piana, she reiterated that the brand was unaware of the problems in its supply chain and was working to rectify the situation.



This topic is beyond Loro Piana. Its a topic that the full industry in Italy is facing, and its something that we will have all to manage collectively, she said. It shouldnt create an impact on the [brands] image.



Amid flat demand from the U.S. in the second quarter, LVMH is preparing to weather the impact of U.S. President Donald Trumps threatened trade tariffs in a variety of ways, though Cabanis said its wines and spirits division had less leeway than fashion and leather goods.



The ongoing restructuring of Moet Hennessy is not expected to deliver results until the second half of 2026, she added. We dont expect any significant impact this year on that front, but we are very confident that the team has got the plan under control and is delivering, Cabanis said.

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Jul. 24Addie Nails of Decatur has been selected as a 2025 summer intern in Washington, D.C., in the office of U.S. Sen. Katie Britt, R-Alabama.

Britt's summer internship program is a five-week experience for students entering their senior year of college or above who are interested in pursuing a career in public service and wish to gain an in-depth view of the Senate and the federal government.

Nails, who will be a senior at the University of Alabama, is pursuing a bachelor's degree in public relations and a Master of Business Administration through the university's accelerated program. On campus, she serves as president of the Public Relations Council of Alabama, a student alumni ambassador and a member of Alpha Chi Omega. Nails also volunteers with Reading Allies and High Socks for Hope and works as a social media intern for the Culverhouse College of Business LEAD program.

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The Senator's June interns had the opportunity to attend briefings with congressional members, give constituent Capitol tours, assist in research projects, and facilitate staff meetings by managing front office operations. Additionally, interns were able to join Britt as she voted on the Senate floor and engage in staff-level meetings in the Russell Senate Office Building.

 jean.cole@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2361
A newly declassified 1968 memo reveals the CIA once contemplated the extraordinary move of suing a prominent author who accused the agency of playing a role in the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The memo, written in October 1968 by CIA Assistant General Counsel John K. Greaney and addressed to senior agency attorney John Warner, was among more than 230,000 pages of intelligence documents released online July 21.

The release, related to the 1968 assassination of Dr. King, was nearly three times larger than this years JFK document release  part of a Trump-era initiative to declassify Cold War records.

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The memo reflects a moment in October 1968 when agency staff explored, and ultimately rejected, the extraordinary idea of filing a libel suit against attorney and author Mark Lane.

Lane, a Vietnam War critic and early skeptic of the official narrative around the JFK assassination, became a household name after publishing Rush to Judgment, which challenged the Warren Commissions findings and implied the CIA or some of its members had been involved in the Presidents murder.

This is in answer to your question of whether or not the Director of Central Intelligence could institute a libel suit against Mark Lane or other authors of slanderous articles attributing responsibility to CIA for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Senator Robert F. Kennedy, Greaney begins in the memo. It is accompanied by a transmittal slip from Joseph Goodwin, assistant to the Director.

While the memo acknowledged that Lanes writings were malicious and possibly met the legal standard of actual malice  as required by the landmark Supreme Court case New York Times Co. v. Sullivan  it concluded that a libel suit would be unwise.

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The reason? A trial could expose sensitive CIA sources and methods, the memo warned, and would likely give additional publicity unworthy of their ilk to Lane and other critics.

Legal precedent also weighed heavily in the decision. The memo cites the 1964 Sullivan ruling, which established a high standard for public officials to prevail in defamation suits, requiring proof that a statement was made knowingly false or published with reckless disregard for the truth. It further notes the political history of speech protections, referencing James Madison and the Virginia Resolutions of 1798, which condemned the Alien and Sedition Acts.

The agencys deliberations appear to have taken place during a period of growing public mistrust, when revelations about CIA activities from Cold War assassination plots to domestic surveillance were beginning to surface through journalism and congressional probes.

The idea of the CIA director suing an author would have been almost unprecedented. Government officials, especially those in intelligence, rarely take legal action against journalists or writers. One of the few high-profile cases in recent memory was then-former President Donald Trumps defamation suit against ABC News and George Stephanopoulos, which resulted in a settlement earlier this year after the network aired allegedly false claims during the 2024 presidential campaign.

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While the CIA has consistently denied involvement in the assassinations of Kennedy, King, or Robert F. Kennedy, public skepticism has lingered. A former intelligence officer, Gary Underhill, allegedly told acquaintances he believed the CIA was responsible for JFKs death, a file declassified earlier this year indicated. Underhill died by apparent suicide shortly after the assassination.

Mark Lane, for his part, remained a polarizing figure until he died in 2016. He was among the earliest and most prominent critics of the Warren Commission and continued to publish critical books and give speeches well into his eighties, per The Washington Post.

As for John Warner  not to be confused with the later U.S. senator and husband of Elizabeth Taylor of the same name  he served as the CIAs general counsel from 1973 to 1976 and played a key role in crafting the agencys legal defenses during the tumultuous post-Watergate years. An official CIA oral history describes Warner as a foundational figure who was present at the creation of the agency and helped guide it through damaging revelations of the 1970s.
Although U.S. President Donald Trump has said little or nothing in public about defending human rights and freedoms abroad, both of his administrations have taken steps to reform the way that the United States defines and upholds those rights. At the same time, cuts to foreign aid and other international outreach programsas well as Trumps attacks on constitutional governance and the rule of lawthreaten to undermine the United States most effective means of promoting and defending basic rights and freedoms: its soft power and the power of example.

The first Trump administration denounced the United Nations hypocrisy on human rights, withdrawing from the U.N. Human Rights Council when the call for reforming its autocracy-heavy membership was rejected. The U.S. State Department defended basic freedoms by confronting China, Venezuela, Syria, and other countries about abuses; leading a major international push for religious freedom; and promoting womens economic empowerment.

Then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo established a Commission on Unalienable Rights, charging it with providing the U.S. government with advice on human rights grounded in our nations founding principles and the principles of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and creating a serious debate about human rights that extends across party lines and national borders. In announcing the project, Pompeo distinguished between fundamental rights enshrined by the countrys foundersincluding the famous right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happinessand a subsequent proliferation of ad hoc rights granted by governments, especially since the end of the Cold War.

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More than 200 human rights organizations immediately denounced the project as promoting a hierarchy of rights and rejected the idea that the expansion and codification of rights had weakened protection of basic liberties. Activists were appalled by the State Departments reference to natural law and natural rights, which they saw as code for a rollback of womens rights and same-sex marriage.

The U.N.s Universal Declaration of Human Rights reflects the principle that to be legitimate, human rights need to be seen as rising out of all the worlds traditions. It thus includes both negative liberties that require the state to abstain from restrictionssuch as free speech, freedom of assembly, and equal treatment of all citizensand positive economic, social and cultural rights that require government actionfor example, to ensure access to food, education, medical care, clothing, housing, and an adequate standard of living.

All of these require the redistribution of wealth by governments. And new U.N. treaties are in the pipeline, including one on the rights of the elderly. The U.N. General Assembly has also made declarations regarding humanitys right to a healthy environment and stable climate, and U.N. committees regularly produce proposals to codify more rights, such as a right to sanitation.

This vast profusion of positive rights reflects an ideological instrumentalization of the concept of human rights and is, arguably, incompatible with the classical liberalism that shaped U.S. democracy. Pompeos concern about the proliferation of new human rights suggested that the Commission on Unalienable Rights would recenter U.S. policy on fundamental civil rights and freedomsand to question the validity of an ever-larger bouquet of economic and social rights as genuine human rights.

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But the commissions final report, surprisingly, endorsed the inclusion of economic and social rights in international legislation as fully consistent with the United States foundational creed. U.S. human rights policy has been ambivalent about economic and social human rights, assuming a range of postures; since 1948, it was the Reagan administration that most clearly articulated a principled definition of human rights that focused on inherent liberties. It is ironic that while conservative administrations have ensured that the United States has never ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Pompeo commissions report could provide support for its future ratification.

The second Trump administration is talking less about human rights than the first, but it is doing more to change U.S. policy. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is proposing to revolutionize Washingtons approach as one that defends basic freedoms and not the expansive notion of international human rights contained in the Universal Declaration, U.N. treaties, and soft law. Rubios State Department is setting up an Office of Natural Rights to support values-based diplomacy in traditional western conceptions of core freedoms. These values will no longer be promoted via multilateral institutions such as the United Nations, but through the State Departments embassies and regional bureaus.

Like Pompeos Commission on Unalienable Rights, Rubios proposals have aroused strong criticism from the human rights establishmentactivists who have built careers linked to the vast international human rights bureaucracy and advocate for compliance with international law. Rarely do they reference the classical foundations of human rights, which support a much narrower range of inherent liberties.

Some took particular offense at the State Departments mention of Western conceptions of freedom. Such language is a complete gift to governments that commit human rights violations worldwide, who often resist U.S human rights efforts on the very basis that the U.S. is foisting foreign values on them, according to Scott Busby and Charles O. Blaha, writing in Just Security. But in a statement commemorating Chinas 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre of pro-democracy demonstrators, Rubio clarified that the principles of freedom, democracy, and self-rule are not just American principles. They are human principles.

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But how will the United States actually promote and defend these principles that it holds universal? In defenestrating broadly conceived human rights in favor of a narrower core of natural rightsand bypassing international human rights legislation and institutions, Rubios proposals imply a return not only to Americas traditional concept of natural rights, but also a return to how U.S. leaders defended them throughout most of the countrys history. The new United States projected the ideals of liberty and democracy, in the words of Thomas Jefferson, to struggling nations who wish, like us, to emerge from their tyrannies also. After World War II, the liberal political system enjoyed by Americans became a model for Western Europe as it emerged from totalitarianism and war. The Reagan administrations emphasis on political freedoms and their universal nature significantly undermined the Soviet empire, thus contributing to the Wests victory in the Cold War.

With authoritarianism on the march, promoting natural rights ought to mean more than schooling allied democracies about how their efforts to combat hate speech infringe on the freedom of expression. In 35 years working in the international human rights community, I have never heard any of its members mention natural rights. But the United States government should revive the concept, as the reported establishment of an Office of Natural Rights suggests may now be in the offing. It could promote natural rights abroadnot by lecturing other governments, but by projecting these principles through media and educational opportunities for civil society, incorporating American civilians in the process. Rubios initiative could help bring natural rights alive as a principle that can catalyze political change, as opposed to U.N.-defined human rights, which are often manipulated to support the political zeitgeist and various policy goals.

But to do so, resources would need to be devoted to U.S. soft power, such as Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, whose funding has been cut. Voice of America would need to be retained as a voice for inherent, universal, unalienable rights. If the administration is serious about promoting and defending natural rights, then it will need to reinforce the distinction between liberty and tyranny in its dealings with other states, not shying away from telling the truth about violations of natural rights such as stolen elections.

And to effectively promote natural rights around the world, the administration itself will need to show more respect for fundamental constitutional principles including the rule of law, the separation of powers, and habeas corpus at home. That way, the United States example can be its most effective human rights policy.
A U.S. Navy warship had a safe and professional interaction with Iranian naval forces on Wednesday, disputing claims in an Iranian state media report, according to a U.S. defense official.

At 10:50 a.m. [Wednesday], USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) had a safe and professional interaction with an Iranian SH-3 Sea King helicopter while operating in international waters, the defense official said in an emailed statement.

Iranian state TV reported Wednesday that an Iranian navy helicopter confronted a U.S. warship attempting to approach Iranian territorial waters in the Gulf of Oman, according to The Associated Press.

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Iran hit dome on US air base in Qatar in June attack: Report

The Iranian report said the helicopter flew over the Fitzgerald and warned it to keep its distance. It said the destroyer threatened to target the aircraft if it did not leave the area.

In response, the report said, Iranian air forces communicated that they were backed by Irans integrated air defense system and that the Fitzgerald retreated southward, according to AP.

This interaction had no impact to USS Fitzgeralds mission and any reports claiming otherwise are falsehoods and attempts by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to spread misinformation, the defense official said. U.S. Central Command will continue to operate safely and professionally in accordance with internationally recognized norms and customs.

The event marks the first reported interaction between Iranian and U.S. forces since the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, during which U.S. B-2 Spirit bombers dropped 30,000-pound bunker buster bombs on Iranian nuclear facilities.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  The state and defense rested their cases in the murder trial of an Evansville man accused of stabbing his mother.

According to court documents, the defense for Jaron Wells did not present any evidence before resting on Wednesday. A jury trial for Wells was declared a mistrial in February due to a hung jury.

Jaron Wells was arrested in in Carrier Mills, Illinois, back in 2023 after his mother, Shanay Hunt, was found dead in her Harriet Street home in Evansville.

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A storm of activity is emerging from Washington in the form of funding cuts and executive ordersupending the lives of Native American communities and students. These actions jeopardize access to the funding, education, and opportunities that have, for decades, supported the progress and success of tribal nations, communities, and individuals.

The American Indian College Fund (the College Fund)the nations largest charity supporting Native higher education for the past 35 yearsis committed to ensuring that Native American students and communities have the support and resources they need to navigate todays unprecedented challenges.

Recent government decisions fail to honor long-standing treaty commitments and trust responsibilities to Native peoples and tribal nations, putting their ability to survive and thrive at risk. But the College Fund, along with its students, tribal partners, and Indigenous communities, is not retreating from this stormthey are facing it with resilience and determination. Native students continue to stand strongshowing up, working hard, and learningwhile the College Fund walks alongside them to ensure they complete their education and pursue their career goals to lead and uplift their communities.

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To highlight the challenges Native students are facing today, the College Fund is launching its new public service announcement, Defy the Storm, featuring three of its scholarship recipients: Promise (Yankton Sioux Tribe and Santee Sioux Nation), Sky (Navajo/Dine), and Tasheena (Navajo/Dine).

The current storm is inflicting lasting harm on Native youth like Promise, Sky, and Tasheenaand on the communities they call home. In 2022, American Indian and Alaska Native young adults (ages 1824) had the lowest college enrollment rate of any group in the U.S., according to the National Center for Education Statistics. While many factors contribute to this crisis, lack of financial resources remains the greatest barrier.

Without adequate funding, even the most determined students face mounting challenges in pursuing a college degree or vocational training. This deepens the knowledge and skills gap in Native and rural communities, leading to a shortage of qualified professionals and essential services. The ripple effecton families, local economies, and the nation as a wholewill be profound.

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Defy the Storm is a call to action for all who believe in the power of education and the resilience of Native communities. By supporting Native students through the American Indian College Fund, you help build a future of thriving, self-sustaining communities across the country. Learn more about the students we serveand help ensure they continue to receive the education they deserve.

You can learn more at indigenouseveryday.com.

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
The city of DeLand is hosting its 15th annual Mayors Backpack Giveaway this weekend.

The event kicks off at 8 a.m. Saturday at Earl Brown Park, located at 815 South Alabama Ave.

Officials say each child present will receive a backpack while supplies last. From there, families may visit with community vendors to collect school supplies, health resources and other essentials.

The event will also feature free health screenings and access to educational and wellness resources.

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We believe every child deserves to start the school year with not just the right tools, but also the right support, said Mayor Chris Cloudman This event is about more than backpacks  its about hope, dignity, and community.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
As SpaceX prepares to send up its 19th Dragon spacecraft with humans on board, the Boeing Starliner  which has only completed half of a crewed mission to date  remains in fix-it mode.

Its next launch is scheduled for no earlier than 2026, and then maybe not even one with crew, according to NASA.

In a press conference for the SpaceX Crew-11 launch earlier this month, NASA Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich updated progress on getting Starliner back up and running as the second of NASAs two commercial launch providers that are supposed to share duties of ferrying astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

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We really are working toward a flight as soon as early next year for Starliner, he said. And then ultimately, our goal is to get into crew rotation flights with Starliner, and those would start no earlier than the second rotation slot at the end of next year.

At issue was that when Starliner launched on the Crew Flight Test (CFT) on June 5, 2024 from Cape Canaveral, it developed several helium leaks and thruster failures in the propulsion system before docking with the space station the following day. What was supposed to be an eight-day stay on board stretched into the summer with NASA ultimately electing to fly Starliner home without crew in September.

While it landed safely, Boeing and NASA have analyzed the source for the problems, and for now have elected to find new sealant material to address the helium leaks and explore several hardware changes to deal with what was determined to be overheated thrusters.

Stich said testing was taking places in multiple locations across the country, but a lot of the work is being done on the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico. That includes putting into a test stand what he called a doghouse, which is the casing within which the individual thrusters are contained on the spacecraft. The doghouse is ultimately the enclosure that was partly responsible for retaining the heat created by their use.

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That testing is scheduled to start toward the end of next month, and so were making a lot of progress and understanding the thermal performance, he said. These will build the informed thermal modeling.

He also said Boeing was adding hardware that would draw heat away from the thruster as well as adding some thermal barriers that would keep heat from coming back up into the doghouse.

So thats showing a lot of progress compared to the original design of the thruster, he said.

While its next flight wont be until 2026, Stich said the decision has yet to be made as to whether it would be with crew or just a cargo mission.

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Were still looking at that, whether it to be a cargo flight or not. I think theres a lot of advantages, I would say, to flying a cargo flight first. If we really look at the history of Starliner and both Dragon, I think Dragon benefited a lot from having earlier flights before the crew contract, he said.

But it ultimately depends on the results of testing.

What were really looking at is, can we test all the changes that we are making to the doghouses, in particular, on the ground, and would we want to validate those in flight first? And so theres a strong chance well fly a cargo flight first, he said. Thats still in front of us.

Meanwhile, SpaceX keeps rolling along with the Crew-11 launch targeting as early as July 31 for liftoff from Kennedy Space Centers Launch Pad 39-A. The Crew Dragon Endeavour, which was the first of SpaceXs fleet of five Crew Dragons to fly with humans in May 2020, is making its record fifth launch. Its passengers are NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.

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Theyre to relieve Crew-10, who rode up on board the Crew Dragon Endurance which has been attached to the space station since arriving in March. SpaceXs Demo-2 test mission in 2020 marked the first launch of NASA astronauts from U.S. soil since the end of the Space Shuttle Program nine years earlier. The interim saw a reduced population on the station with NASA relying on Russian Soyuz launches to get its astronauts into space.

SpaceX followed up the test flight with its first operational mission, Crew-1, later in 2020, and has since flown 10 crew rotation missions as well as seven private launches of its Crew Dragon. The four members of Crew-11 will bring the total number of humans flown by SpaceX to 74 in just over five years.

That includes Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, the pair of NASA astronauts who flew up to the station on the test flight of Starliner last summer, but ultimately made the return trip on board a Crew Dragon when NASA decided Starliners issues with helium leaks and thruster failures was too risky.

While Starliner returned to Earth without crew after three months attached to the space station, Williams and Wilmore didnt get back home until March 2025, flying home with Crew-9 after spending 9 1/2 months on board.

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The need to shuffle the pair onto a Crew Dragon for the flight home meant the removal of the original commander of Crew-9 along with another NASA astronaut to leave room for the Starliner duo. That commander was Cardman, who now reassigned as Crew-11 commander is making her debut trip to space.

Fincke was also tapped to fly on what was supposed to be first rotational flight of Starliner, Starliner-1, and was the backup to Williams and Wilmore on CFT, while Japans Yui was also trained to fly on Starliner.

With Starliner-1s delay potentially until late 2026, though, the pair joined Cardman on the Crew-11 roster.

NASA originally ordered six operational missions from Boeing worth $4.6 billion and from SpaceX for $2.6 billion. With Starliner delays, SpaceX has now landed 14 operational mission contracts and about to fly its 11th, while Boeing has yet to fulfill its first.

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At only two flights to the station per year, NASA only needs enough to staff that station through 2030, after which it will be safely decommissioned and brought back down to burn up in Earths atmosphere. In the meantime, NASA is looking to certify missions to last up to eight months instead of the normal six, which could reduce further the number of flights needed through 2030.

Its really too early to speculate how many flights well fly with each provider, SpaceX and Boeing, but you know, we are looking at that, looking at the station life, he said.

Stich said its possible contracted missions could spill over to help support the new commercial space stations that are being worked on by companies like Axiom Space and Blue Origin, and should be operational before 2030.

Were also looking ahead toward commercial LEO (low-Earth orbit) and toward the commercial LEO destinations, and preserving transportation capability, both cargo and crew for those destinations, he said. Right now, were taking it one step at a time, and the first step in front of us is Crew-11.

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Care workers with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) rally outside the U.S. Capitol on June 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C. They came to denounce the impact to patients, families and workers if Republicans cut Medicaid, health care and SNAP to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy. (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for SEIU)

Colorado State Treasurer Dave Youngs sister Dorothy has relied heavily on Medicaid for health care and for life-sustaining support as she lives with severe cognitive and physical disabilities.

It really has been a true lifeline for the entire family, Young said in a press call Thursday. We have tried to provide care for my sister, and her needs are so demanding, so extreme, that a family by itself cant manage to make this work. We need help, we need support, weve thrown ourselves into this to the extent that we can, but many, many other families are in similar situations.

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Young said that when Medicaid cuts hit Colorado in the past, the state could no longer provide residential care for his sister. She went through 20 different residential facilities in a span of 18 months, all of which were inadequate because they did not have proper funding, he said.

Often, she was ejected from a placement because she overwhelmed the providers, sometimes without even a phone call, Young said.

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Young and financial officials from four other Democratic-led states participated in a call hosted by Americans for Responsible Growth, a national advocacy group that works with state financial leaders. They warned about how Republicans recent policy law, called by President Donald Trump the big, beautiful bill, will negatively affect Medicaid and Medicare recipients ahead of the 60th anniversary of the programs.

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The law cuts more than $1 trillion from Medicaid, a state-federal health insurance program for people with low incomes.

Dave Wallack, executive director of Americans for Responsible Growth, said that since the Trump administration took office, Republicans have systematically gutted health care programs, fired thousands of federal workers, and slashed more than a trillion dollars for Medicaid, the largest cut in the programs history.

Wallack said the cuts will lead to 17 million Americans losing health care coverage and more than 50,000 preventable deaths annually. Young said in Colorado, more than 375,000 recipients could lose Medicaid coverage. Democratic officials from New Mexico, Illinois, Minnesota and Maryland all said that rural communities in their states will be hit hardest by the cuts, and they will feel the effects first.

Rural hospitals at risk

Laura Montoya, the New Mexico state treasurer, said her state is the No. 1 recipient state for Medicaid in the nation, and 80% of the babies born in New Mexico are born into Medicaid. She said the federal laws changes to Medicaid will force hospitals and clinics to either raise premiums or copays or shut down entirely, and 15 hospitals in rural communities are already at risk of closing their doors.

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Our states entire provider network depends on the states current Medicaid coverage landscape, Montoya said. These cuts will increase health care costs for all New Mexicans regardless of Medicaid enrollment, not to mention more uninsured individuals could end up skipping preventative care leading to worsened health outcomes, higher cost for emergency care, and more crowded emergency rooms and urgent care facilities, placing even more strain on an already overwhelmed system.

The shift of responsibility for states to fund Medicaid could also destabilize New Mexicos entire support network, including housing assistance, early childhood education, public safety and economic development, Montoya said. The New Mexico Legislature passed a measure creating a Medicaid trust fund to safeguard services amid federal cuts, she added.

Illinois State Treasurer Michael Frerichs said 44% of the Medicaid recipients in his state are children, 9% are seniors, and 7% are adults with disabilities. Nine rural hospitals in Illinois, all in Republican districts, are at risk of closing because of funding cuts, he said.

When hospitals close and health care providers cut back, people lose their jobs. They lose their income, and their health insurance, Frerichs said. Illinois economy will be destabilized. The cruel, inhumane Trump big bad budget bill will wreak havoc across Illinois for years to come.

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Julie Blaha, Minnesotas state auditor, said about 25% of Minnesotans are enrolled in the states Medicaid program, which also supports 30% of births. For Black and Indigenous communities, those numbers are even higher: The states medical assistance program covers 80% of Black babies born in the state and 90% of Indigenous babies.

Blaha said it is more cost-efficient to keep people on these health care programs in a stable place, as its more expensive to pull somebody up whos fallen through.

It is time to stand up and tell Congress and tell Trump to roll back these terrible cuts and try to stop the avalanche before it crushes us all, Blaha said.

Brooke Lierman, the Maryland state comptroller, said 42% of her states population is supported by Medicaid or Medicare. She said the two programs were designed to take care of vulnerable Americans who would be sicker and worse off without the coverage they provide.

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These programs are economic powerhouses that drive prosperity in our communities and strengthen our states fiscal foundation, Lierman said. Cutting Medicaid is both fiscally reckless and morally bankrupt, abandoning our most vulnerable residents, including our seniors and people with disabilities, while destroying the economic foundation that so many of our communities depend on.

Among the greatest policy achievements

Health care is a major economic driver in Colorado, Young said, as hospitals employ about 1 in 5 Colorado residents and generate $1 billion in tax revenue yearly. Reduced federal investment in health care will lead to clinic closures and reduced tax revenue that will affect quality of life for Coloradans of every age and income bracket, he said.

Colorado cannot afford to downsize our health care sector, Young said. Were already facing dire workforce and health care shortages, especially in rural and frontier communities. The state cant make up for these losses either.

Medicaid and Medicare are among the greatest policy achievements in American history, Young said, as the programs strengthen health care systems and lift people out of poverty. He said the programs can be strengthened while saving money, but this slash and burn technique will be devastating.

When people get the care they need, they hold down jobs, they provide for their families and avoid catastrophic medical debt, Young said.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
By Tassilo Hummel and Mimosa Spencer

PARIS -LVMH's CEO Bernard Arnault plans to open a second factory in Texas, he said on Thursday, while the luxury group is anticipating a good outcome soon from trade talks between the U.S. and Europe.

The company reported lower-than-expected quarterly sales, with its core fashion and leather division losing further ground as the group struggles to shake off consumer fatigue.

Arnault has heavily lobbied EU leaders to ease tensions with the Trump administration.

"Im pushing as much as I can for us to reach an agreement with the Americans," Arnault told the Wall Street Journal in an interview published on Thursday, in which he announced plans for a new factory in Texas by 2027.

Arnault opened a Louis Vuitton factory in Texas in 2019 during Trump's first term, which was seen as having helped the group avoid tariffs on luxury goods.

Reuters reported in April that the plant has been plagued by a host of operational problems.

Finance Chief Cecile Cabanis said she was confident trade talks between the EU and the Trump administration would deliver good news soon.

Asked how LVMH would view a potential tariff rate of 15% for exports to the United States, Cabanis said that would be an "overall good outcome for the general mood of our clients".

With the exception of wines and spirits, the company still has room to draw on the pricing power of its brands - like Bulgari jewellery and fashion houses Dior and Celine.

LVMH's sales for the second quarter to the end of June were down 4% to 19.5 billion euros ($22.95 billion), falling short of a consensus forecast for a 3% decline.

Sales at the group's fashion and leather division, accounting for the bulk of profits, were down 9%, below expectations for a 6% drop.

HOPE IN CHINA

In China, where a real estate crisis has dampened appetite for luxury goods, there was "tangible improvement", Cabanis said.

The success of Louis Vuitton's new store in Shanghai, a giant ship, demonstrated the brand still had the clout to attract worldwide attention, she said.

Most analysts still view the industry's extended downturn as cyclical, induced in part by the prolonged slump in China, bouts of inflation and as yet unresolved trade tensions.

After years of aggressive price hikes, LVMH's billion-dollar legacy brands are facing increasingly stiff competition from more affordable mass-market brands like Coach and Ralph Lauren as well as from innovative smaller labels like Prada's Miu Miu.

Scrutiny over allegations of worker abuse in the supply chains of its cashmere label Loro Piana has not helped.
DENVER (KDVR)  The city of Denver issued a license for the first natural healing center in the city, according to a statement made to FOX31 from a spokesperson for the City and County of Denver on Wednesday.

This is a major landmark in a process that began in 2022, when Colorado voters approved Proposition 122: Access to Natural Psychedelic Substances, establishing a statewide regulatory framework for natural medicines.

Great Sand Dunes experiencing flooding issues

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That vote was followed by the Colorado legislature enacting Senate Bill 23-290: Natural Medicine Regulation and Legalization in 2023. This amended the regulatory framework for natural medicine.

In March 2025, the Denver City Council unanimously approved Council Bill 25-0132, establishing city rules and regulations for natural medicine, which would require businesses to have a license to operate natural healing centers, and restrict the centers from operating within 1,000 feet of child care centers and schools.

The bill also determined that a license would not be required for cultivation, manufacturing and testing facility businesses.

The news of the first approved license comes nearly a month after the city began accepting applications from prospective businesses on June 26.

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The pioneering business is called the Center Origin, located in the 1400 block of Blake Street, and is owned by Elizabeth Cooke and Michaela Vogt.

In accordance with city rules, the owners of the Center Origin submitted the required documents alongside an application fee of $100. After being ruled eligible, the owners must pay an annual licensing fee of $100.

High flood threat issued along Front Range Wednesday

The Center Origin websites About Us page states:

The Center Origin is a licensed psychedelic-assisted healing center that offers Journey Work for individuals and groups, as well as post-Journey Work Integration services.

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At The Center Origin, we believe that true healing requires a holistic, integrated approach that honors the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. Our Journey Work Program offers space for deep healing, inner exploration, and personal transformation, all within the sanctuary of our private rooms located in the LoDo neighborhood of downtown Denver. The Center Origin offers individual, couples & group Journey Work sessions.

The Center Origin also provides Training Practicums and a Facilitator Consultation Program for individuals who wish to offer psychedelic-assisted services in Colorado.

At The Center Origin, we are dedicated to delivering high-quality and accessible training and consultation services that align with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) Natural Medicine Consultation requirements.

Natural medicine is typically used as an alternative treatment for those who are suffering from mental health conditions like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, according to the National Institute of Health.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A UN report released on Thursday highlights cases of serious human rights violations against Afghans who were forcibly returned to their home country, particularly from neighbouring countries.

The reported abuse includes torture, ill-treatment, arbitrary detention, and threats to personal security, allegedly carried out by the Taliban against returnees with specific backgrounds.

Since 2023, huge numbers of Afghans have been forcibly returned, mainly by Pakistan and Iran.

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This month, Germany deported 81 Afghans with criminal convictions to Kabul, as the government pursues a harder line on migration policy.

According to the report, those most at risk include women and girls, former government officials, security personnel, media workers, and civil society activists.

Nobody should be sent back to a country where they face the risk of persecution on account of their identity or personal history, said UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk.

The report notes that former officials and members of the security forces have gone into hiding out of fear of reprisals, while women have been left without access to jobs or educational opportunities.

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The UN warned that returning people to such conditions violates the principle of non-refoulement and constitutes a serious breach of international law.

The Taliban rejected allegations that it has carried out reprisals against former government personnel and reiterated their commitment to the general amnesty announced by their leader. The group also asserted its commitment to upholding womens rights under sharia, or Islamic law based on the teachings of the Koran.

Pakistan and Iran, for their part, said they are addressing the issue of undocumented foreign nationals and called for increased international cooperation.
By Jan Wolfe

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A Venezuelan man filed a formal complaint on Thursday against the U.S. government for sending him to El Salvador's most notorious prison, a new legal strategy that could be duplicated by others who have said they were falsely accused of gang membership by President Donald Trump's administration.

Neiyerver Adrian Leon Rengel, 27, filed what it called an administrative complaint with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, contending that federal employees wrongfully removed him from the United States without cause or due process.

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Rengel's complaint, which seeks $1.3 million in monetary damages, is not a lawsuit brought in a court but rather an action filed with the government alleging a violation of law. It is the first of its kind brought by one of the 252 Venezuelan men who were deported by the Trump administration to El Salvador in March.

He invoked the Federal Tort Claims Act, a U.S. law that allows people to sue the U.S. government for wrongful acts committed by federal employees acting within the scope of their employment. Under that law, a complaint must be filed with the appropriate agency before a lawsuit can be brought.

The government now has six months to investigate and respond to Rengel's complaint. If it denies his claim or fails to respond in that time period, Rengel could then sue in federal court.

The Republican president, who campaigned in last year's election on a pledge of mass deportations, in March invoked a 1798 statute called the Alien Enemies Act as part of an effort to quickly deport alleged Venezuelan gang members to El Salvador.

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The law authorizes the president to deport, detain or place restrictions on individuals whose primary allegiance is to a foreign power and who might pose a national security risk in wartime. The U.S. government last invoked the Alien Enemies Act, which historically has been employed only during wartime, during World War Two to intern and deport people of Japanese, German and Italian descent.

The Venezuelan deportees were held incommunicado in El Salvador's maximum security CECOT prison until they were returned to Venezuela last week as part of a prisoner swap between the United States and Venezuela.

Family and friends of some of them said the deportees were not gang members and were wrongly accused based on tattoos, hand gestures and clothing. Venezuelan government officials and deportees have said they were tortured in prison.

Rengel's lawyers said in the complaint that, because of his tattoos, DHS employees detained him in the parking lot of his apartment in Irving, Texas, and falsely accused him of membership in the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang.

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Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin in a statement on Thursday reiterated the U.S. government's claim that Rengel was associated with Tren de Aragua and said he was "deemed a public safety threat." McLaughlin said Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem "will not allow foreign terrorist enemies to operate in our country and endanger Americans."

Rengel alleged that, after moving him to a detention center, DHS employees lied to him, telling him he was being sent to Venezuela.

"Instead, for more than four months, Rengel languished in El Salvador  which is not his country of origin and a place where he has no ties  where he suffered physical, verbal and psychological abuse," the complaint said.

(Reporting by Jan Wolfe; Additional reporting by Ted Hesson; Editing by Amy Stevens and Will Dunham)
Alexander County Sheriffs Office deputies were involved in a shootout while trying to serve a narcotics search warrant Thursday morning.

It happened along Bolick Lane, which is in Bethlehem, North Carolina.

Channel 9s Dave Faherty learned that nobody was hit in the shooting, but officers had to fire their weapons during the incident.

SEE MORE: Driver airlifted after car flips into yard

The sheriffs office hasnt said what led to the shooting yet.

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This is a breaking news story, and few details have been made available at this time. Refresh this article for updates throughout the day.

(VIDEO >> I Want Justice: Mother pleads for answers a month after sons unsolved murder in north Charlotte)
The Cleveland County Sheriffs Office said on Thursday its searching for an armed and dangerous suspect, accused of a deadly shooting at an apartment on Friday.

Marlow Anthony Johnson is wanted in connection with the shooting death of Tamia Logan.

The incident occurred at Apartment A-14 on Baker Drive, where deputies discovered Logans body in the front yard.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Investigation underway after woman found dead in front yard

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The investigation into Logans death has involved multiple counties and significant resources, the sheriffs office stated.

Deputeis are searching for Marlow Anthony Johnson in a deadly shooting that happened on July 18, 2025, on Baker Drive in Cleveland County. He is driving a 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis with large aftermarket rims displaying North Carolina license plate LFA-4166.

Johnson was last seen driving a white 2006 Mercury Grand Marquis with large aftermarket rims and North Carolina license plate LFA-4166.

Johnson was charged with first-degree murder.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cleveland County Sheriffs Office at (704) 484-4822 or Crime Stoppers at (704) 418-5432. Tips submitted to Crime Stoppers will remain anonymous.

(VIDEO: Man dies days after being shot outside Conover laundromat)
Derek Thompson sentenced to 59 years for crash that killed 5 women originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

Derek Thompson has been sentenced to 59 years in prison for the 2023 crash that left five young women dead in Minneapolis.

Thompson was sentenced on Thursday  two months after he was convicted by a jury on 15 counts including 3rd-degree murder and criminal vehicular homicide  to serve consecutive terms totaling 704 months in prison.

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He was driving at speeds in excess of 100 mph on June 16, 2023 in an SUV rented from Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport when he exited I-35W and smashed into a vehicle carrying Sahra Gesaade, 20, Salma Abdikadir, 20, Sagal Hersi, 19, Siham Odhowa, 19, and Sabiriin Mohamoud Ali, 17, killing all of them.

Derrick J. Thompson. Courtesy of the Hennepin County Jail.

Thompson had opted for a trial rather than to plead guilty, claiming he wasn't behind the wheel at the time of the crash, with his defense team arguing investigators had failed to determine whether it was his brother, Damarco, who was at fault.

The trial heard that Thompson, the son of former Minnesota Representative John Thompson, was weaving in and out of traffic on I-35W shortly before exiting and running the red light at the end of the ramp.

The women, some of whom were related, had been together to get henna tattoos applied at Karmel Mall ahead of a friend's wedding.

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"Today is a day to center Salma, Sahra, Sagal, Sabiriin, and Siham and their families," Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. "Five women were taken from their loved ones because of Mr. Thompsons choices that night. He is being held accountable, and the length of this sentence ensures he cannot cause this type of damage to our community again."

"This was as preventable as it was inexcusable. Vehicles can easily become weapons when drivers make poor choices. Anyone who drives on our streets must remember their responsibility for safety in our neighborhoods."

The Star Tribune reports that at Thursday's sentencing, Thompson admitted to his actions, expressed remorse, and said: "There is not a day I dont ask God why he didnt take me instead and let your beautiful angels still be here."

He has been given 767 days of credit for time served.

Clockwise from top-left: Saga Hersi, Siham Adam, Sabiriin Ali, Salma Abdikadir, Sahra Gesaade.

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Derrick John Thompson was given consecutive sentences totaling nearly 59 years in prison Thursday for running a red light at more than 100 mph in south Minneapolis and crashing into a sedan, killing five young women.

Thompson showed no emotion as he was sentenced on five third-degree murder charges by Hennepin County District Judge Carolina Lamas, who said consecutive terms are appropriate to recognize the severity, given each of the lives that were lost in this case.

Jurors in June convicted Thompson, the 29-year-old son of a former St. Paul state representative, of the third-degree murder charges and 10 counts of criminal vehicular homicide for operating a motor vehicle in a grossly negligent manner and leaving the scene of an accident.

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Thompson, of Brooklyn Park, was driving a rented Cadillac Escalade SUV on June 16, 2023, when a Minnesota State Trooper detected him driving about 100 mph on Interstate 35W north in south Minneapolis. Thompson cut across four lanes of traffic and exited at Lake Street at 116 mph, then ran a red light at Second Avenue, and T-boned the victims Honda Civic just after 10 p.m.

Killed instantly were five friends who were returning from preparing for a friends wedding, which was to be the next day: Sahra Liban Gesaade, 20, of Brooklyn Center, Salma Mohamed Abdikadir, 20, of St. Louis Park; Sabiriin Mohamoud Ali, 17, of Bloomington; Sagal Burhaan Hersi, 19, of Minneapolis, and Siham Adan Odhowa, 19, of Minneapolis.

Family and friends of the five women expressed their feelings with memories, tears and insults toward Thompson before a packed courtroom.

These five girls  Sagal, Siham, Sahra, Sabiriin and Salma  were not just names, said Odhowas cousin Marian Farah, who had worked with them as a youth leader at Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center in Bloomington. They were daughters, cousins, sisters, mentors, students, role models. They were light. They were joy. They were the future. And now they are gone forever, because Derrick Thompson made the choice to destroy lives.

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Ali graduated from Edina High School nine days before she died and had dreams of attending college and making a difference in the world, said Sundus Ali, her older sister. All of that was taken away when that sorry-ass loser murdered my sister.

Family and friends were left to deal with this overwhelming grief, while he shows no remorse for what he did, she said. For over two years, he refused to take responsibility for what he did, sitting there with that smug look on his face. Zero care.

When it was his turn to speak in court, Thompson read a statement that lasted nearly four minutes.

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He apologized to the families, saying there has been a burden on my back for 25 months because I wasnt able to say, Im sorry. Theres not a brain cell in my body that doesnt wish I could bring these beautiful women back.

Thompson said he asks God every day why his life was spared in the crash, which sent him to the hospital with a fractured hip and cut on his forehead.

In November, Thompson turned down a plea offer that called for a prison term between 32 and 39 years in exchange for pleading guilty to five counts of criminal vehicular homicide.

A month earlier, a jury found Thompson guilty of federal drug and weapons charges connected to the crash after more than 2,000 fentanyl pills and a Glock 40 semiautomatic handgun were found inside the Cadillac after the crash. His sentencing hearing in the federal case is set for Sept. 25; he faces a 10-year term, which will run consecutive with the states sentence.

Sentencing arguments

Prosecutors in September added the counts of third-degree murder, which is defined in state statute as perpetrating an act eminently dangerous to others and evincing a depraved mind, without regard for human life.

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Six months before the crash, Thompson was released from a California prison for fleeing police and speeding off the highway and onto city streets, where he struck and severely injured a woman. Hennepin County prosecutors sought to introduce evidence from that case to support Thompsons murder charges, but the Minnesota Court of Appeals concluded that while the two car crashes both involved reckless driving and caused serious injury, this commonality is too general in showing a pattern of behavior.

In a pre-sentencing memorandum filed Monday, prosecutors had asked Judge Lamas to hand down the consecutive terms for every third-degree murder conviction, saying the way to accomplish a meaningful sentence for each victim is through consecutive sentences so that (Thompson) experiences a sentence for each of the victims he killed.

Prosecutor Paige Starkey asked the judge Thursday to remember that this case is unique, not just in terms of the scope of the tragedy and the loss. Its also unique in terms of the egregious criminal behavior and indifference shown by this defendant, this defendant whos done this before.

It was not just a terrible accident, she said. This was the very predictable result of Derrick Thompsons selfish pattern of behavior.

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Thompsons attorney, Tyler Bliss asked the judge to administer a measure of mercy and give him concurrent sentences within a range of about 22 to 28 years in prison. He said it was a single act and that never in the state of Minnesota have five sentences been affirmed by an appellate court.

Bliss told the judge that what the state is asking for is effectively a life sentence for non-intentional murder.

Truth finally caught up

Farah, who worked with the women at Dar Al Farooq Islamic Center, said she will never forget the image of Hersis strong father, who everyone in our community respects, collapsing to his knees when he said goodbye to her. That image haunts me every single day. Thats the kind of pain that doesnt heal.

Odhowa was so smart and on track to graduate this year with a degree in management information systems, Farah said. She had a bright future ahead of her. She was energetic, kind and thoughtful, she said. Losing her has torn our family apart. And a piece of us died with her.

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Abdikadir was the only girl in her family and carried so much responsibility, Farah said. She was about to graduate with a psychology degree from St. Paul College. She was an Arabic and Islamic studies teacher at Dar Al Farooq Center, and her students just so little, still ask, Where is she? 

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Rukia Gesaade, Gesaades younger sister by one year, said her sister majored in health sciences at the University of Minnesota Rochester, but did not get to walk at her graduation. I walked for her, and Im so proud of her regardless, because she still did get her degree, she said. But, still, its heartbreaking to know that I didnt get to see her walk.

Odhowas older sister, Sundus Odhowa, said Hersi and Ali were their cousins, and that they were all inseparable growing up. The pain of their deaths is beyond words, she said, adding our mothers cry quietly behind closed doors. Our fathers walk around as shells of themselves, trying to stay strong while crumbling inside.

Thompson now must face the consequences, she said, not because you turned yourself in, because you feel shame, but because the truth finally caught up to you.
Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said on Thursday it would be appropriate to pursue redistricting in Florida in the middle of the decade due to population shifts and what he called defects in the way congressional lines have been drawn.

The governors comments came after he scored a win last week when the Florida Supreme Court upheld a congressional map that blocked a challenge to the elimination of a majority-Black congressional district in the north of the state that previously was represented by former Rep. Al Lawson (D). The area that comprised the former congressional district is now divided among three Republican lawmakers.

Just last week the Florida Supreme Court upheld the map that all of the naysayers were saying was somehow defective, DeSantis told reporters at a press conference in Manatee County.

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I think if you look at that Florida Supreme Court analysis, there may be more defects that need to be remedied apart from what weve already done. I also think the way the population has shifted around Florida just since the census was done in 2020, I think the state was malapportioned. So I do think it would be appropriate to do a redistricting here in the middecade, he said.

DeSantis went on to say he believed that his state got a raw deal in the census when Florida only gained one congressional district, arguing that the state should have garnered at least two seats due to population growth.

The governor said he relayed his concerns to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick after he was sworn in earlier this year.

They said they were going to redo the count in time for 2026, the governor said. They would have to do that relatively soon because you need time to draw maps and you need time to get that done.

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Florida has seen an uptick in population growth following the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. A number of Democratic-held congressional seats could be impacted if redistricting were to take place, including those held in South Florida by Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Jared Moskowitz and Lois Frankel. Rep. Kathy Castor (D) in the Tampa area and Rep. Darren Soto (D) outside of Orlando have also been floated as possible targets.

Republicans and Democrats in the states have been engaged in a tit-for-tat of sorts over redistricting in recent weeks. Texas Republicans are moving ahead with redrawing district lines, while speculation has mounted that Republicans in other states like Florida could follow suit. Democrats from California to New Jersey in turn have ramped up calls to redraw their maps in an effort to blunt the GOPs efforts.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
TALLAHASSEE, Florida  Another red state may join Texas in trying to boost the GOP House majority ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, fresh off a win at the state Supreme Court over a congressional map he pushed through three years ago, said Thursday the state should consider overhauling its districts between censuses. The GOP governor claimed Florida's map is currently malapportioned due to its population surge and that theres ample justification for a mid-decade redistricting effort.

Florida, you know, we got a raw deal on the census, DeSantis said during an event in Bradenton. We only got one seat when some of these other states were getting seats, when we've obviously had more growth. We should have gotten at least two.

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The comments from DeSantis come as Democrats and Republicans spar over crucial congressional seats.

Texas Republicans recently called for a special session focused on redrawing their states maps to more heavily favor their party ahead of the midterms, and other GOP-led states are expected to follow suit. Democrats, meanwhile, are pushing back through events like a planned fundraiser in Marthas Vineyard headlined by former President Barack Obama to fight Republican redistricting proposals in Texas and Ohio.

Florida picked up an extra seat in the last round of reapportionment and produced maps that triggered a lengthy legal battle only resolved this month by the state Supreme Court. The map pushed by the governor ultimately resulted in Republicans gaining four seats across the state, helping the GOP narrowly win the House back in 2022.

They should award Texas and Florida for sure, at least one more seat, because when [Joe] Biden took over, we were supposed to get two seats in Florida, and we only got one, DeSantis said Thursday. Rhode Island was supposed to lose a seat. And guess who the Commerce secretary under Biden was? Former governor of Rhode Island [Gina Raimondo]. Did Rhode Island end up losing a seat? No, they kept both.

Gary Fineout contributed to this report.
The governor's congressional redistricting proposal leaves no Black-majority voting district in north Florida. Credit: FloridaRedistricting.gov

With President Trump fearful that congressional Republicans could lose their slim majority in the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm election, he has urged the state of Texas to redraw their congressional map to add as many as five GOP seats to Congress, and that hed like other states to follow suit.

Gov. Ron DeSantis says that Florida can be one of those states.

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I think the state is malapportioned, he said at a press conference in Bradenton on Thursday. So I do think it would be appropriate to do a redistricting in the mid-decade. So were working through what that would look like, but I can tell you just look at how the population has shifted in different parts of the state over a four-to-five year period. Its been really significant.

District lines are typically redrawn once a decade to account for population changes in the U.S. Census, but there is nothing barring lawmakers from creating new maps in the middle of the decade.

The governor boasted on Thursday about how he had vetoed the original congressional redistricting map that GOP state lawmakers had approved during the 2022 reapportionment process, which he called a disaster. He then presented his own map, which erased Black representation in Northern Florida and overall increased the number of Republicans serving in Congress from 16 to 20 which the Legislature later did approve.

While voting rights groups sued to strike down that map, the Florida Supreme Court upheld it as being constitutional. Writing for the majority, Chief Justice Carlos Muniz said that legislators had a superior obligation to follow federal equal protection law, and not the Fair Districts Amendment passed by Florida voters in 2010. That law said that congressional districts cannot be drawn with the intent to favor or disfavor a political party or an incumbent.

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The governor repeated that he believes that the states population was severely undercounted in the 2020 U.S. Census Count, and that along with the changes in population (which in Florida includes many more registered Republicans than there were in 2020), the time is now to redistrict Congressional seats, instead of waiting until 2032.

I talked with the Commerce Secretary right when he got sworn in and I told him, we got a raw deal on the Census, he said. We only got one seat when some of these other states were getting seats when weve obviously had more growth  we should have gotten at least two, and so they were going to re-do the count in time for 2026. Now theyd have to do that relatively soon because you need time to draw maps and you need time to get that done. 

Some early projections regarding the 2020 U.S. Census indicated that Florida would gain two congressional seats, but unlike other states which devoted millions of dollars towards ensuring an accurate count, Florida chose not to invest in such an effort, as the Phoenix reported on in 2019.

There are currently eight Democrats in Floridas 28-member congressional delegation. Punchbowl News speculated earlier this week that among the lawmakers that Republicans could target in a new map might include Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Jared Moskowitz and Lois Frankel in South Florida; Darren Soto in Central Florida and Kathy Castor in the Tampa Bay area.

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Florida House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell blasted DeSantis remarks later on Thursday.

Governor Ron DeSantis plan to consider mid-decade redistricting is an outrageous and dangerous abuse of power and an attempt to put Donald Trumps agenda ahead of the people of Florida, she said in a statement. Redistricting is intended to occur once every ten yearsfollowing the Censusto reflect population changes, not to serve as a political weapon whenever those in power fear losing their grip. There is no legitimate reason to redraw Floridas maps nowunless the goal is to serve partisan interests and protect political allies ahead of a critical election.

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried was equally outraged by the governors thoughts.

This is nothing more than a desperate attempt to rig the system and silence voters before the 2026 election, she said. Now, after gutting representation for Black Floridians and stacking the court to uphold it, he wants to further gerrymander and suppress the vote of millions of Floridians.

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This story was updated with remarks by Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried and House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell after it was originally posted.

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MakeMyTrip on Tuesday said it raised around $3.1 billion as part of its plans to repurchase shares from Chinas Trip.com Group, which at one point owned more than 45% of the company.

MakeMyTrip said in a stock exchange filing last month that it was raising money to buy back shares, and after several repurchases during the quarter, Trip.coms stake is down to 16.9%.

MakeMyTrip said it is open to doing more buybacks later this year. Well remain open to kind of dipping into further buyback even in the rest of year because we havent really deployed directly from the balance sheet through the quarter, MakeMyTrip Chief Financial Officer Mohit Kabra said during an earnings call Tuesday.

Following the announcement, Skift accessed the companys 6-K filing with the U.S. SEC, which also revealed a board overhaul.

Trip.coms right to nominate directors on MakeMyTrips board dropped from five to two. Shortly after the share repurchases, three Trip.comnominated directors  James Liang, Moshe Rafiah, and Paul Halpin  resigned. Their departures were not due to any disagreement, the company said.

MakeMyTrip added three new independent directors, including Kabra.

The compensation committee now includes venture capitalist Aditya Tim Guleri, Shanghai Sunnyview Eldercare Company Co-Founder May Yihong Wu, and Trip.com Group CEO Jane Jie Sun.

The interests of Trip.com and its affiliates may be different from or conflict with the interests of our other shareholders, MakeMyTrip had said last month in a stock exchange filing announcing the buyback.

Quarter in Review

Even as April was a typical high season with bookings up in the mid20% range. The terrorist attack near Pahalgam on April 22 disrupted travel, closed several airports until May 10. The Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad in June dented confidence further.

As a result, flight and leisure package bookings in May and June slipped below last years levels. However MakeMyTrips diversified mix of business and variety of travel and ancillary services helped the company to deliver a strong performance.

The quarter ending June 30 looked solid for MakeMyTrip:

Revenue rose 5.6% yearonyear to $268.8 million.

Gross bookings (the total travel spend on the platform) climbed 12.4% to $2.61 billion.

Adjusted operating profit improved by $8.2 million to $47.3 million.

Adjusted net profit grew by $4.9 million to $49.4 million.

While domestic demand for leisure travel was particularly weak for domestic leisure destinations for air travel and holiday packages, being a one-stop shop on travel allowed us to drive growth from other travel services, other modes of transport as well as ancillary travel services catering to non-leisure travel use cases, Group CEO Rajesh Magow said during the earnings call.
Phoenix police have released new information regarding the 2021 murder of Alisha Hale Bellotte, 34, whose body was left in a desert area near Interstate 10 and Baseline Road.

Bellotte was shot and killed on June 3, 2021, police said.

The vehicle the suspect in her murder was driving was an early-to-mid 2000s silver Dodge truck, detectives said at a news conference July 23.

The man was seen driving his truck to the area where it was believed Hale was shot and killed, police said.

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"Come forward. Tell us your story. We know what happened, but we don't know why it happened, and I think that's an important question," said Detective Kevin Ham.

Anyone with information was urged to contact Silent Witness at 480-WITNESS (480-948-6377) or 480-TESTEGO (480-837-8446) for Spanish speakers to provide an anonymous tip.

Information that leads to an arrest could mean a $2,000 reward, police said.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: New details in Alisha Hale Bellote's 2021 murder in Phoenix desert
July 24, 2025  2:45 p.m.

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV)  The 19-year-old Fond du Lac man accused of a fatal stabbing in Oshkosh after a large fight was in custody during a hearing on July 21.

Court records show that Daunte Riley was initially set for a preliminary hearing on July 24, which has since been canceled. Riley waived his time limits for a preliminary hearing, as he awaits an attorney from the Wisconsin State Public Defenders Office.

Riley reportedly requested that his cash bond of $1,000,000 be lowered, but the court ruled that a motion hearing would address the issue. The motion hearing will occur at 8:45 a.m. on August 7.

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No additional details are available.

Details of deadly Oshkosh stabbing released, 19-year-old suspect officially charged and identified

July 14, 2025  2:52 p.m.

OSHKOSH, Wis. (WFRV)  In a criminal complaint acquired by Local 5, a 19-year-old Fond du Lac man is accused of fatally stabbing a man in an Oshkosh park after a large fight broke out.

According to the complaint, Daunte Riley is accused of killing 27-year-old Walter Brooks of Oshkosh intentionally and with the use of a dangerous weapon. The charges filed are as follows:

First-Degree Intentional Homicide Class A Felony Disorderly Conduct  Use of a Dangerous Weapon Class B Misdemeanor

Green Bay Police say stolen Prevea Health shuttle van has been recovered by authorities in Chicago

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If convicted of the first-degree intentional homicide charge, Riley would be sentenced to life in prison. Should he be found guilty of disorderly conduct, he would be fined up to $1,000 and/or sentenced to prison by up to 90 days, with a possible six-month increase.

The complaint states that officers were sent to the intersection of East Irving Avenue and Grove Street in Oshkosh around 10:58 p.m. on July 5, for a report that a vehicle had hit a tree and a man was bleeding with injuries.

An officer who arrived noticed a black man without a shirt, lying on the ground next to a vehicle, unconscious. Two people were reportedly conducting CPR on the man, later identified as Brooks.

One of the two people said they heard a crash inside their home and immediately ran outside and saw Brooks leave his vehicle under his power, before collapsing to his knees. Brooks was taken to a hospital with stab wounds and pronounced dead around 11:36 p.m.

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Two people claimed that Brooks had been home earlier and gotten a call from his cousin, who asked him to pick them up at Menominee Park, as there was a possible fight.

The complaint alleges that Brooks went over to Riley, asking if he had tried to fight his cousin, before Riley punched him and initiated a chase between the two, leading to the alleged stabbing. A 17-year-old who called the police claims Riley threatened him to step out of a vehicle or be killed.

Additional charges filed against 37-year-old Green Bay man accused of raping 13-year-old girls

Riley was arrested at his apartment on the morning of July 6. There were claims of firearms being involved in the incident, but after reviewing the scene and video footage, there was no evidence of a firearm being involved, the complaint said.

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Court records show that Riley was in court on July 14 for his initial appearance and had his cash bond set at $1,000,000. He is scheduled to return to court on July 21 for further proceedings and on July 24 for a preliminary hearing.

Local 5 will provide updates as this case progresses.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(FOX40.COM) The National Transportation Safety Board released new details on Wednesday of the fatal boat capsizing that left two people injured and eight people dead.

According to the agencys preliminary report, on June 21, a 28-foot-long boat carrying 10 people capsized on the western side of Lake Tahoe near the D.L. Bliss State Park.

Video Above: 8 people confirmed dead in Lake Tahoe after boat overturns

A group of hikers witnesses the capsizing, leading one of them to call authorities, and another one to help rescue the survivors with a California State Parks lifeguard.

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The six people pronounced dead at the scene were not wearing life jackets, while the two survivors were wearing flotation devices, the board said.

The survivors were taken to a nearby hospital, while the other two victims were recovered from the lake bottom on June 22.

NTSB said one of the survivors reported that marble-sized hail was collecting in the boat and that the waves increased to eight to 10 feet. She said a few waves broke over the sides and bow, and that about an inch of water covered the boats deck

The report also noted that one of the survivors put on a personal flotation device and handed more out to the group; however, they did not immediately put them on.

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Esparto farm files lawsuit against Devastating Pyrotechnics, others

No marine or small craft advisories had been issued in the region by the National Weather Service, though the forecast did indicate a chance of thunderstorms.

The results of the toxicology report for alcohol and other drugs in the system of the victims are pending.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A Detroit police officer has been suspended without pay after he was allegedly caught stealing $600 from a suspects purse. While he hasnt been charged yet, the evidence is strong  it comes from his own body camera.

Our (internal affairs) lieutenant took a look at the video and immediately recognized that we had a criminal act here, Commander Michael McGinnis told WXYZ Detroit.

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The officer is a four-year veteran of the Detroit Police Department. Heres what happened, and why it matters beyond one traffic stop.

What happened

On March 7, three officers  including the accused  pulled over a car involved in a suspected drug deal. After a search, they found illegal drugs and arrested the driver and passenger.

When the suspects were later released, the woman in the passenger seat reported that about $600 was missing from her purse. She filed a complaint with the Office of the Chief Investigator.

The theft was obvious on the accuseds body camera, McGinnis told WXYZ Detroit. An envelope of cash disappeared from the womans purse while the camera was recording. Theres no evidence the other two officers were involved or even aware of what happened.

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While police can seize possessions connected to illegal activity  a practice known as civil asset forfeiture  in this case, the missing money wasnt mentioned in the police report, listed in inventory or placed into evidence.

The department is now reviewing the officers other body camera footage to see if similar incidents have occurred.

Commissioner Ricardo Moore, who oversees the department, told WXYZ Detroit that officers often fail to turn on their body cameras or shut them off during stops.

Im just happy that the body-worn camera situation worked, Moore said. Ive been lobbying because a lot of officers turn off the body-worn cameras.

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

The financial toll of police misconduct

Police misconduct doesnt just erode public trust  it also comes at a cost to taxpayers.

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When lawsuits are filed against officers for misconduct, cities or counties typically provide legal representation. Whether a case settles or goes to trial, its the government, not the officer, that usually foots the bill.

Every year, taxpayers in cities and counties across the country pay hundreds of millions of dollars to settle lawsuits filed in response to police misconduct, lawsuits that are often settled in secret by municipalities to quietly bury criticism and controversy, Rep. Don Beyer and Sen. Tim Kaine wrote in a 2021 op-ed for CNBC.

At that time, Beyer and Kaine had introduced the Cost of Police Misconduct Act, which would have required law enforcement agencies to report annual spending on misconduct judgments and settlements to the Department of Justice. The bill, however, did not become law.

According to their op-ed, taxpayers cover these costs through premiums on municipal liability insurance or, in many larger cities, through general or dedicated funds.

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The money taxpayers spend on police misconduct has the potential to defund other municipal services, including those proven to prevent crime, Beyer and Kaine wrote.

In other words, millions of dollars in judgments and settlements can divert funds from education, infrastructure and other public priorities.

A 2022 investigation by The Washington Post found that the 25 largest police departments in the U.S. had spent $3.2 billion on settlements over the past decade. In 2024 alone, Chicago taxpayers paid $107.5 million in misconduct lawsuits, while New York City paid more than $205 million, according to Window to the World (WTTW).

Police misconduct also carries a wider cost when it damages community relations or leads to civil unrest.

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In 2020, after the death of George Floyd, protests in 140 cities were mostly peaceful, but some incidents of arson, vandalism and looting led to insured property losses estimated at $1 billion to $2 billion, according to Axios.

And sometimes, all it takes is one incident to tarnish the reputation of an entire department.

I wouldnt be doing my job if I wasnt worried, McGinnis said. What worries me is that this is an officer wearing a police uniform stealing from the citizens.

I see it as just him doing it, but the rest of the world sees it as Detroit police stealing. And thats just not the case.

What to read next

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
It's been four years since Rodney Alcala died on July 24, 2021.

Known as the "Dating Game Killer," his reign of terror spanned decades, leaving behind survivors. Alcala is confirmed to have killed at least seven women and girls across three states, but at least two girls were able to escape death at his hand. Tali Shapiro and Morgan Rowan were attached by him and lived to tell their stories, both incidents taking place a decade before he appeared on The Dating Game.

Rowan was 16 and Shapiro 8 years old when Alcala raped and attempted to murder each of them. Known as The Dating Game Killer for his appearance on the hit TV game show in 1978, Alcala is suspected to have murdered as many as 130 victims throughout the 1960s and 1970s before finally being brought to justice.

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In 1979, Alcala was arrested for the murder of 8-year-old Robin Samsoe, and was convicted in California in 1980 of her slaying, as well as those of Jill Barcomb, 18; Jill Parenteau, 21; Georgia Wixted, 27 and Charlotte Lamb, 32. He was also convicted of the murders of Cornelia Michael Crilley, 23, and Ellen Hover, 23, in New York. He was sentenced to death for the California murders and died of natural causes while awaiting his execution.

His crimes and infamous moment on The Dating Game was the subject of the 2023 Netflix movie Woman of the Hour, directed by and starring Anna Kendrick.

Here's everything to know about the two women who survived their encounters with one of the most prolific sexual predators and serial killers in American history.

What happened to Tali Shapiro?

Tali Shapiro Tali Shapiro one of the victims who escaped the Dating Game serial killer Rodney Alcala. Tali is 8 on this photo taken on the patio of her home on Kings Road and this is exactly the outfit she was wearing on the day it all happened. 1968. Tali Shapiro one of the victims who escaped the Dating Game serial killer Rodney Alcala. Tali is 8 on this photo taken on the patio of her home on Kings Road and this is exactly the outfit she was wearing on the day it all happened. 1968.

On Sept. 25, 1968, second grader Shapiro was walking to school along Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles from the Chateau Marmont hotel, where her family was living temporarily when Alcala pulled up and offered her a ride. She initially said no, but when Alcala said he knew her parents, she agreed.

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Shapiro's father worked in the music business, and stars like Mama Cass, Jim Morrison and Lenny Bruce frequently visited.

"It was totally possible [that he knew my parents]," she said in PEOPLE Magazine Investigates: Surviving a Serial Killer. "There were always people going in and out of my house. It was [like] Grand Central Station."

Shapiro said she got into the car and Alcala told her he was a professional photographer and wanted to show her a poster at his home.

"He drove me to his house. I followed him in, and that's all I remember. There was nothing else to remember," she recalled. "He obviously hit me over the head right after that and that was it."

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Alcala raped Shapiro and beat her with a metal bar.

Police found Shapiro lying on the floor of Alcala's apartment in a pool of blood, naked, with a metal bar lying across her neck. She was unconscious but groaning, so they knew she was alive.

"[After the attack, I needed] over 27 stitches in the back of my head," Shapiro said at a 2010 sentencing hearing for Alcala. "He hit me right over the head, in the back of the head."

According to ABC News, Shapiro was in a coma for 32 days and was hospitalized "for months," but eventually made a full physical recovery.



How did Tali Shapiro survive?

Donald Haines was the bystander who followed Alcala and called the police, unsettled by how Alcala was behaving around Shapiro.

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"He was fixated on this little girl," Haines recalled on PEOPLE Magazine Investigates: Surviving a Serial Killer. "That disturbed me." When Haines saw Shapiro get in the backseat of Alcala's van, he said, "All the signs were there."

Haines tailed Alcala to his apartment but was scared to approach him, fearing he may have a gun. Instead, he found the nearest payphone and called 911. Police arrived in time to get Shapiro much-needed medical help.

Alcala was naked when he opened the door, and officer Christopher Camacho told PEOPLE Magazine Investigates that he could see "a rage in his eyes."

Camacho eventually kicked in the door and saw Shapiro unresponsive in a pool of blood on the floor with a metal bar on her neck. They initially thought she was dead, but when Camacho removed the bar from Shapiro's neck, they heard her breathing, and an ambulance came to take her to the hospital.

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While officers tended to Shapiro, Alcala escaped through the back door of his apartment. Camacho found Alcala's ID at the crime scene, which aided investigations later. "They made a choice of saving me or chasing him," Shapiro told 20/20.

It took more than two years for police to find and arrest Alcala for raping and attempting to murder Shapiro. She later said that her parents refused to let her testify in Alcala's trial for fear of re-traumatizing her, and Shapiro said she was grateful for that.

"None of this was my knowledge, and I didn't need to know about those things," she explained on PEOPLE Magazine Investigates. "Knowing about them years and years later, I can digest that because it's not part of me. I didn't have to live with it. But it would have totally messed up my childhood."

Because Shapiro couldn't testify, however, prosecutors didn't have a key witness in the case, and Alcala ended up pleading guilty to child molestation and serving 34 months in prison. He went on to commit at least eight other rapes and murders in California, New York and Wyoming.

What happened to Morgan Rowan?

Morgan Rowan Morgan Rowan who survived the Dating Game serial killer Rodney Alcala. June1968, a few months before the 2nd attack. Age 16, near home in No. Hollywood. Morgan Rowan who survived the Dating Game serial killer Rodney Alcala. June1968, a few months before the 2nd attack. Age 16, near home in No. Hollywood.

Rowan told PEOPLE Magazine Investigates that she first met Alcala when she was 13 years old in 1965 in the parking lot of a teen nightclub with her friends.

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Rowan recalled that he was "tall, attractive, charismatic."

"He laughed easily, told stories. Young girls loved him," she said. "I never saw that as dangerous, but actually, it was."

She said Alcala kept looking over at their group of friends and smiling. Rowan lightly scratched his arm with her fingernails to get his attention. When he told her to stop, she didn't, and he grabbed her arm and dragged her into an alley behind the club.

"I think he slammed my head into the wall because I was unconscious," she said.

When she woke up, she recalled feeling something on her chest: It was a large industrial dumpster that Alcala had pushed against her. Rowan screamed for help, and the owner of the club and his wife came out and helped get her out from behind the dumpster and iced her head.

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After that incident, Rowan said she avoided Alcala for the next three years. In August 1968, however, she encountered him again.

Rowan and her family were slated to move to New York, and four days before they departed, Rowan and her friends went out to have a going-away celebration on the Sunset Strip. Rowan said Alcala was among a crowd and that she felt "creeped out" when she saw him. Rowan sat in the backseat between two of her friends to go to a local restaurant and was fearful when she saw Alcala get into the driver's seat, but didn't leave.

At the restaurant, Rowan went to the bathroom, and when she was about to go back to her table, Alcala came and said they were all ready to go back to the Strip. The group got into the car, and Alcala made a sudden turn and stopped in front of his house. He gave marijuana to the group, who smoked and listened to loud music in his living room.

Alcala then grabbed Rowan by the arm and pulled her into a bedroom and locked the door behind him. Rowan said she knew she was in trouble and kept backing away from him until she was against a wall.

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"He took his belt off and wrapped it around his fist. I tried to be brave and said, 'No, you can't keep me here,' and he just punched me between the eyes as hard as he could," she recalled. Rowan said her head hit the wall and she fell to her knees and saw stars, but was still conscious. Alcala had a knife and cut the tie of her blouse around her neck, nicking her skin.

"I could feel blood start to flow down my chest," she said. "I remember thinking, 'He cut my neck. I'm going to die.' "

Rowan recalled him shoving his belt in her mouth, blocking her airway so she struggled to breathe, and binding her wrists with a necktie. He punched her in the stomach until she felt her ribs breaking, then took his knife to cut off the rest of her clothes. He put the knife down to remove his pants and raped her.

"His face was red and swollen, his eyes were glassy," she said, unable to get up or move. "He was out of control, like an animal ... I wanted it to be over. I wasn't praying to live. I was praying to die."

How did Morgan Rowan survive?

Rowan's friends noticed she and Alcala were missing from the living room and began pounding on the bedroom door. When no one could get it open, Rowan's friend Mike broke into the bedroom through the window, at which point Alcala stood up with blood all over his shirt and said, "Take her."

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"If my friend Mike hadn't broken in through the window, I would not be here today," Rowan said. "I have no doubt he was going to kill me."

She ran out of the house wearing only a ripped blouse, running in front of a moving car with a man and woman inside. Her friends joined her, and the couple drove them away. Her friend Mike took her to his apartment by the beach, where his neighbor, a nurse, provided first aid, and Mike took care of her for the next four days. She arrived back at her parents' home minutes before they drove back to New York.

She was traumatized and slept next to her parents' bed after moving, but never told them what happened.

After Rowan moved to New York City, a friend mailed her a newspaper clipping about Alcala's rape and attempted murder of Shapiro, and Rowan said she was ravaged by guilt, blaming herself for Shapiro's trauma because she had never reported Alcala's attack.

"I should have stopped it. I should have told my parents," she said. "I should have gone back to that house and killed him myself ... I fully felt that it was my fault, that I should have done something."

Where is Tali Shapiro now?

ABC News/YouTube Tali Shapiro. Tali Shapiro.

Shapiro appeared at Alcala's sentencing in 2010 and testified against him.

"I didn't have any feelings except of duty, of justice," she told PEOPLE Magazine Investigates. "I never once looked his way. I consciously didn't want to give him any energy whatsoever. I didn't glance at him, I didn't acknowledge him, I never spoke his name. I didn't give him any satisfaction."

After the hearing, she approached Haines, who was also present, and introduced herself.

"I said, 'I'm so glad to see you,' " he recalled.

When Alcala died in 2021, Shapiro, who lives in Palm Springs, Calif., told The New York Times, "The planet is a better place without him, that's for sure."

In October 2024, Shapiro told News Nation, "Bad things happen to good people, and I knew something horrible had happened to me, but I don't live that. I'm not a victim, I'm a survivor."

Where is Morgan Rowan now?

Warner Bros Discovery (2) Tali Shapiro and Morgan Rowan. Tali Shapiro and Morgan Rowan.

After decades of guilt, Rowan had a panic attack watching Alcala on the news when she heard of his 2010 sentencing, but was happy to put a name and a face to Shapiro. She wanted to contact Shapiro but feared she'd hate her for not stopping or reporting Alcala.

Rowan spent days writing a letter to Shapiro over Facebook in which she apologized for not reporting Alcala sooner.

Shapiro responded that there was nothing to forgive and that it wasn't Rowan's fault. "Tali saying she forgave me changed everything," Rowan said on PEOPLE Magazine Investigates. "It was definitely a huge step to my recovery."

They met up and became close. "It was just wonderful. We spent a couple days together. We were like sisters," Rowan said.

Shapiro added, "She cares for me immensely. I love her. We have a bond."

Rowan and Shapiro live a few hours apart in California and remain "chosen family," seeing each other every few months. They rarely discuss Alcala and don't want to be defined by what he did to them, though Rowan still feels the impacts of her attack nearly six decades later.

When Alcala died in 2021, Rowan said she cried, which surprised her.

"I always thought when he died I would laugh and sing, you know? It was never more real to me than that day," she told PEOPLE Magazine Investigates. "I couldn't stop thinking about all the darkness and all the pain he had brought into the world. When evil touches you, it changes you. But evil will never own you. I try very hard to live that way, that I just will not let evil own me or change my decisions."

Though Alcala is dead, he still lives on in her memory. "Sometimes when I close my eyes at night he's still there," she said. "But I'll be okay."

In May 2024, Rowan told My San Antonio that she plans on watching Woman of the Hour in part because she's interested in looking for discrepancies between the film and actual events. She also said that she hopes telling her story to PEOPLE can help women and girls in the future, noting, "I hope that maybe if a young girl watches, and the next time she feels uncomfortable, she will remove herself from the situation."

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

Read the original article on People
(NewsNation)  New details have emerged as to how Bryan Kohberger snuck into a Moscow, Idaho, home before killing four students Nov. 13, 2022.

Following Kohbergers sentencing hearing Wednesday, police released incident reports from the night of the stabbing murders of Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

Responding Moscow Police Department Officer Mitch Nunes said in a report, footsteps went to and from the rear slider door. I observed the trail of foot steps head away from the slider then turn right, around a stump, in the back yard and lead toward the front of the house.

The house in Moscow, Idaho, where four University of Idaho students were slain is boarded up. Bare spots are seen, Nov. 29, 2022, in the snowy parking lot in front of the home where four University of Idaho students were found dead on Nov. 13, in Moscow, Idaho, after vehicles belonging to the victims and others were towed away earlier in the day. Objections have been raised to demolishing the house where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022, with members of three of the victims families signaling it should be preserved until after the trial of the man charged in the deaths. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren, File) Heavy equipment is used to demolish the house where four University of Idaho students were killed in 2022 on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Moscow, Idaho. Students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves were fatally stabbed there in November 2022. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Bryan Kohberger trial: Timeline in Idaho college killings, arrest, plea deal

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I observed a set of small hand prints on the window to the east of the slider. The screen to this window appeared damaged and was laying on the ground. I located smudged finger prints on the glass slider door, he added.

Several people also had access to a code for the Moscow home, with one source telling authorities, More people knew the code to their door than they should have, and people were frequently coming in and out of 1122 King Road. The source was unsure if the rear sliding door was regularly locked.

A neighbor of the victims told police that he noticed the front door to the home was wide open the morning after the murders.

He acknowledged it was a party house so assumed someone was too intoxicated and forgot to close the door the night prior.

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In Minnesota, a family received an unexpected charge of over $400 after they took their daughter to the doctor for stomach pain. In Ohio, a man was billed $645 extra for an ear, nose and throat specialist. In New Hampshire, a resident was charged an additional $1,000 fee for an appointment with a urologist.

Across the country, patients are expressing frustration about facility fees  charges that a wide range of hospital systems add to bills for appointments at facilities they own, including doctors offices offering routine care.

Hospitals can charge facility fees even when a patient hasnt set foot in a hospital. More than a dozen patients who expected their insurance to cover most of the cost of their appointments at outpatient doctors offices told NBC News they were blindsided by the fees, which are billed on top of the cost of seeing medical providers and can easily run into the hundreds of dollars.

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The charges have become more prevalent in recent years as more physicians are employed by hospitals and as insurance plans leave patients paying more for care before their coverage kicks in. In some communities, there is so much health care consolidation that its hard to find practices that dont charge facility fees.

Researchers say patchwork laws to regulate the fees havent kept up.

In most states and situations, there arent really limits on how high they can go, said Christine Monahan, an assistant research professor at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University, who has studied facility fees.

Hospitals argue facility fees are necessary to fund the higher level of care they say they provide at their outpatient doctors offices, as well as to help maintain 24/7 services such as emergency rooms. The American Hospital Association says facility fees should be covered by insurance companies, while insurers say the fees unnecessarily inflate the cost of care without improving its quality.

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Heres what consumer advocates and health policy experts say patients should know about facility fees.

Before your appointment: What to ask

Experts recommend you ask every time you book an appointment whether there is a facility fee  even for physicians you have seen before. A doctors office ownership, hospital affiliation or policies may have changed since your last visit.

If you are told there will be a facility fee, ask for a good-faith estimate of what the anticipated charge will be, said Patricia Kelmar, senior director of health care campaigns at the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, a consumer advocacy organization.

And dont assume your insurance will cover the bill.

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Last year, Melissa Finnegan, of St. Paul, Minnesota, was charged a facility fee of $423.15 for an appointment with a pediatric gastroenterologist for her 3-year-old. When she tried to fight it, she discovered neither the health system nor her insurance company was willing to budge.

I put off paying it for as long as I could, she said.

When you get the bill: How to make sense of the charges

If you receive an unexpectedly large medical bill after an appointment, call the billing office to ask for an itemized bill to understand the charges. Outpatient facility fees may be listed under other names, such as a clinic fee. In office signs and other disclosures about facility fees, hospitals may refer to the practice as provider-based billing, which means patients bills can be split into two separate charges: one for the physicians services and one for visiting the facility.

People see the bill and just assume, because its on their bill, that theyre going to have to pay it, said Eric Waskowicz, senior state policy manager at United States of Care, a nonpartisan organization that fights for affordable health care.

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But in some cases, you may not have to pay. Insurers suggest patients wait until they receive their explanation of benefits so they can review what part their plans will cover and they dont accidentally overpay.

You should also check the laws in your state to make sure you were correctly charged: Some states ban facility fees for telehealth visits, for example, while others prohibit facility fees for preventive services or at certain types of medical offices.

Know what the law is, and then use it if you can to protect yourself from that fee, Kelmar said.

The American Hospital Association advises patients to familiarize themselves with their insurance plans coverage and says that if theyve received unexpected facility fee charges to confirm that their insurance has appropriately processed their claims.

What to do if you cant afford to pay

If you cant afford to pay a facility fee, try calling the medical providers office to see whether the charge can be removed. If that doesnt work, talk to your insurance company, Kelmar said. Insurance may be able to work with the billing office to reduce your out-of-pocket responsibility.

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There are other options for those who cant pay. Sometimes billing departments will give discounts to people who offer to pay smaller amounts immediately, rather than pay the larger amounts over time.

Patients can also ask about paying the cash price, instead, meaning the charge they would have incurred if they didnt have insurance, said Monahan, the Georgetown expert. The cash price might be lower.

If that doesnt work, search for a health care advocate in your state, Waskowicz suggested.

To the extent its possible, they are able to work with insurance providers to see if they can get that fee waived, he said.

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In the meantime, keep in touch with the billing office, Waskowicz added. If you are actively contesting the bill, chances are lower that it will be sent to collections.

Kelmar said that if you cant avoid a facility fee and are struggling to pay, dont put the balance on a credit card. Instead, work out a payment plan directly with the provider, ideally with low or no interest.

What to do ahead of your next appointment

If you want to avoid facility fees in the future, try to find an independent doctors office that isnt owned by a hospital.

That isnt always easy: In West Covina, California, Todd Bash, 60, needed injections for a spinal problem and ended up being billed facility charges of over $450 out of pocket for a pain specialist. He then made dozens of calls trying to find a different physician who could administer the injections. But he said all the doctors offices he reached out to were affiliated with hospitals or didnt take his insurance.

Todd Bash has had trouble finding a medical provider who doesn't charge facility fees. (Aarne Heikkila / NBC News )

It was like a full-time job trying to just navigate the system and trying to get a price, he said.

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Bash finally found an independent clinic about 20 miles away that accepted his insurance and would administer the shots for $37. Then, last month, the doctors office stopped accepting insurance.

Im back to square one, he said.

California doesnt have laws on the books that address facility fees. Experts say more states are trying to pass legislation that would curb the fees, which could lower patients bills in the future.

Theres growing recognition that this is a problem and that consumers cant afford it, Monahan said.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A cell phone alert sent out July 23 about a missing girl and her mother was Arizona's first Turquoise Alert for people, including Indigenous persons, who are missing under suspicious circumstances.

There are also three other types of emergency alerts authorities can send out. The Arizona Department of Public Safety has an Alert System that broadcasts four types of emergency alerts: Turquoise Alert, Silver Alert, AMBER Alert and Blue Alert.

Alerts are only activated when all other conventional law enforcement methods have been exhausted, DPS officials said.

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"Each activation step takes time to complete. An alert is not activated until all steps have been completed, including entering all the detailed information that the public would need to help locate the subjects and/or vehicles," the DPS website said.

What are the differences between the types of alerts, and what criteria must be met before an alert is broadcast?

What is a Turquoise Alert?

The newest of the alerts, a Turquoise Alert, is deployed when a person goes missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances and is believed to be endangered, according to DPS.

The alert is issued when there is a report of a missing or endangered person, including a tribal member, who is under age 65.

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The following criteria must be met for authorities to issue a Turquoise Alert, according to DPS:

The missing person is under age 65.

The person is missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances.

Sufficient descriptive information is available to assist in the person's recovery.

What is a Silver Alert?

A Silver Alert is issued when a person with specific cognitive or developmental disabilities, or a person 65 and older, goes missing.

The following criteria must be met for authorities to issue a Silver Alert:

The person is age 65 or older and was diagnosed with a developmental disability as outlined in ARS 36-551.20, such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia.

The person went missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances.

It is believed that the missing person is in danger because of their age, mental health, physical disability, environment or weather conditions; if they are in the company of a dangerous person; or other factors indicate the missing person is in danger.

There is enough information that, if deployed, the public could assist in the recovery of the person.

What is an AMBER Alert?

The AMBER Alert system was created in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, in 1996 as a warning system to help find abducted children. AMBER stands for America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response.

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The following criteria must be met to issue an AMBER Alert, according to the Department of Public Safety:

A child under 18 was abducted.

Law enforcement determined the child is not a runaway, and a custody dispute is not the sole reason for requesting an activation.

The abduction poses a credible threat of imminent danger, serious bodily injury or death to the child.

There is enough detailed description about the child, the abductor and the abduction circumstances that an AMBER Alert activation will locate the child and/or the suspect.

There is information available that, if deployed, the public could facilitate the child's safe recovery and/or the suspect's apprehension.

What is a Blue Alert?

A Blue Alert is issued to rapidly disseminate information to law enforcement agencies, the news media and the public to help apprehend violent criminals who killed or seriously injured an officer in the line of duty, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The following criteria must be met to issue a Blue Alert, according to the Department of Public Safety:

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A law enforcement officer was killed, suffered serious bodily injury or was assaulted with a deadly weapon, and the suspect fled the scene of the offense.

A law enforcement agency investigating the offense determined the suspect posed an imminent threat to the public or other law enforcement personnel.

A detailed description of the suspect's vehicle or license plate is available for broadcast.

Public dissemination of available information may help avoid further harm or accelerate the suspect's apprehension.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona's emergency alerts and what they mean
"Is [the U.S. Agency for International Development] a good use of resources?" James Macinko, a health policy researcher at UCLA, asked in an NPR interview this month. "We found that the average taxpayer has contributed about 18 cents per day to USAID." That "small amount," Macinko estimated, had prevented "up to 90 million deaths around the world."

Macinko was referring to a study he coauthored, which was published in the prestigious medical journal The Lancet. In addition to estimating that USAID programs had saved 90 million lives from 2001 to 2021, Macinko and his colleagues project that if the Trump administration's USAID cuts continue through 2030, an estimated 14 million people could die who otherwise would have lived.

In the same NPR story, Brooke Nichols, an infectious disease mathematical modeler and health economist at Boston University, gushed about the study. "Putting numbers to the lives that could be lost if funding isn't restored does something very important," she said. "I like [the study's] statistical approach; it was really well done and robust."

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To the contrary, the study's statistical approach was poorly done and not at all robust. But you need not be an economist or a mathematician to recognize that its results are absurd. The authors failed to apply common sense to the numbers, and so did reporters at NPR, the BBC, the Associated Press, NBC, and other news outlets that amplified the study's findings.

Is it plausible that USAID programs saved more than 90 million lives from 2001 to 2021? Let's compare that to the total decline in worldwide mortality during the same period.

In 2001, the United Nations reports, there were 52.43 million deaths, or 8.4 per 1,000 people. In 2002, the death rate fell slightly; if it hadn't, 370,000 additional people would have died. In 2003, if the 2001 death rate had stayed constant, 750,000 more would have died, and so on. If you add up all the people who would have died over 21 years if the 2001 death rate had remained constant, you get 79 million lives saved.

Eddie Marshall | Aaron Brown

The Lancet study claims USAID programs saved more than 90 million lives during this period. In other words, USAID was allegedly responsible for the entire global improvement in mortality, plus another 11 million lives.

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If you drill down into the numbers, the claim gets even more absurd. Most of the mortality decline (47 million of the 79 million) occurred in China, which received only 73 cents per capita annually from USAID. The least developed countriesthe ones with the highest per capita USAID spendingactually saw an increase in mortality of 8 million during the study period, thanks to higher average death rates from 2001 to 2021.

Even if you believe that foreign aid is the primary cause of the declining death rate, these numbers make no sense. USAID comprises about 60 percent of U.S. foreign aid, and the U.S. contributes about a third of all government aid worldwide. Private cross-border charity dwarfs the USAID budget. Was all that money wasted while USAID funds were well-spent? Did advances in medicine, agriculture, public health, and economic growth have no role?

Anyone claiming that USAID was the sole source of declining global mortality during the two decades covered by The Lancet study bears a tremendous burden of proof. Yet the study does not provide convincing evidence of any mortality reduction attributable to USAID.

Studies of this sort often involve problematic data, plagued by missing values, inaccurate numbers, and changes in definitions. Such data require complex processing. To avoid reporting risible results, researchers must do constant reality checks. If simple analysis reveals an effect, more complex methods can refine it, making the result more certain and precise. But when simple methods show no effect, as in this case, it is dangerous to rely entirely on complex methods whose results defy common sense.

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The authors of the study began with a common academic approach called "regression analysis." They compared average mortality declines in countries with little or no per capita USAID spending to declines in countries with high per capita USAID spending.

Regression analysis shows only correlation, which does not demonstrate causation. Most researchers are careful to note this distinction. But Macinko et al. claimed their analysis showed USAID caused mortality declines, which is statistically impossible.

That assumption is particularly problematic in this case because a lot of USAID spending went to the same countries that also get aid from other sources. Effectively, the authors gave USAID credit for all the aid that countries received, no matter the source.

In any case, simple regression analysis did not demonstrate any correlation between per capita USAID spending and mortality declines.

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For four of the 21 years in their study, Macinko et al. used "dummy variables" to ignore data showing USAID was associated with mortality increases. Their excuses for excluding two of the four years were the 2008 global economic shock and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. So why exclude the remaining two? "To adjust for major economic and health shocks," the authors say, with no clue about what those shocks were and why they were more important than shocks in other years.

It's not clear why shocks should be ignored in the first place. Does it not matter that USAID recipient countries were hit harder by COVID and the global financial crisis than other countries? Does USAID only save lives in calm times and cost lives in turbulent ones? If so, don't we care about the net lives saved or lost at all times?

Next, the researchers tested 48 "control variables." The purpose of these adjustments is to account for factors unrelated to USAID spending that affect mortality rates. Unfortunately, in this case, there are no good controls. For example, the study included education spending and the availability of piped water; however, since USAID funds education and water infrastructure, these factors are related to the amount of USAID received. All the control variables tested were things affected by USAID spending.

Including controls that are causally linked to your main variable of interestUSAID spending in this casecan cause illusory effects to appear statistically significant. This is particularly problematic when you select a large number of control variables relative to the number of data points and choose those control variables from a long list of candidates.

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Macinko et al. did not preregister their controls, meaning they did not publish a research plan that committed them to a particular set. That safeguard aims to prevent researchers from falling prey to the temptation of selecting control variables based on whether the results align with their preconceptions.

What about the estimate that the Trump administration's USAID cuts, if continued, will result in 14 million preventable deaths by 2030? Programs like USAID have numerous consequences, both positive and negative, and it is impossible to accurately calculate or project their impact with any confidence. Pretending to have scientific confidence in a quantitatively dubious measure, such as lives saved, is irresponsible and leads to a loss of trust in science.

The Lancet study seems designed to generate a partisan talking point, suggesting that anyone who supports the Trump administration's actions values 18 cents over 90 million lives. Note the trick of making the cost look small by dividing it among 150 million U.S. taxpayers and 365 days per year while making the benefit look large by totaling it over the entire globe for 21 years.

This study has nothing to do with science. It waves the bloody shirt while feigning scientific detachment.

The post Did USAID Really Save 90 Million Lives? Not Unless It Raised the Dead appeared first on Reason.com.
Mark Cuban is a self-made billionaire, an early internet pioneer and a celebrity influencer. According to Forbes, his efforts have earned him a personal fortune of $5.7 billion.

One thing he isnt, however, is reserved.

The Cost Plus Drugs founder and Dallas Mavericks minority owner is either famous or infamous, depending on who you ask, for his brash, outspoken, and often unconventional positions on politics, technology, and, of course, money.

Explore More: The No. 1 Way Americans Become Millionaires Is Pretty Boring  and Easy To Do

Try This: 10 Genius Things Warren Buffett Says To Do With Your Money

Here are three of Cubans most controversial money tips, along with insight into who might benefit from them. The longtime billionaire also shared some genius things to do with your money.

Cut Up Your Credit Cards

Conventional credit card wisdom advises against running a revolving debt. Those who pay their statement balance in full every month avoid paying interest and can take advantage of valuable perks and rewards, a dynamic Cuban is all too familiar with.

I should have paid off my cards every 30 days, Cuban said in a 2016 Business Insider interview regarding money mistakes from his younger years.

However, even not running a balance isnt enough for Cuban, who bucks popular opinion by advising people to avoid charging altogether.

Check Out: Suze Ormans Top Tip for Building Wealth Is a Very Easy One

Credit cards are the worst investment that you can make, he continued. That the money I save on interest by not having debt is better than any return I could possibly get by investing that money in the stock market.

In a 2008 blog post, he put it even more bluntly: Cut up your credit cards. If you use a credit card, you dont want to be rich.

Who stands to gain: Undisciplined consumers prone to overspending and those with poor organizational skills who might struggle to keep track of credit card accounts.

Live Like a Student

While theres near-universal agreement that overspending is toxic and living within ones means is crucial, many experts advise against extreme frugality because, for most people, spartan lifestyles are not sustainable in the long term, and excessive privation can be harmful.

As a guest on The Really Good Podcast, Cuban reminisced about sleeping on the floor as a young man. To save money, he lived with so many roommates that he not only didnt have a room, but went without a bed and a closet, too. He has previously discussed driving cars that cost no more than $200 and grocery shopping at midnight to save as much as possible after being inspired by a book to live on $50 a day.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  As Pioneer Day celebrations take place across the Beehive State, a Shoshone Tribe elder spoke out about the untold history of pioneers settling in native lands in Utah.

Darren Parry, former Chairman of the Shoshone Tribe and devout member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoke to ABC4.com in an exclusive interview Thursday about the complexities of one of Utahs most popular holidays.

On one hand, Im Shoshone and on the other hand, Im a sixth-generation Latter-day Saint, Parry said. I absolutely love and honor the pioneers who came, but they didnt discover this land. There were people that lived here.

The Shoshone Tribe attempts to adapt to the settlement of thousands of Mormon Pioneers. (Courtesy//Darren Parry)

Two sides to the pioneer story

According to the LDS church, as many as 70,000 Saints migrated to Utah and the surrounding areas between 1847 and 1868. The records of those who made this trek describe episode[s] of disease, danger, bravery, and miracles, the churchs website reads.

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You have this state holiday when only one side is celebrated and told, Parry told ABC4.com

Parry says telling the Indigenous peoples story is not to replace Pioneer heritage and history, but to be a companion to it. He strongly discourages harboring hard feelings of anger towards anyone based on history, but rather encourages people to ask, Is there another side to the story?

Members of the Shoshone Tribe had resources depleted with the settlement of Mormon Pioneers. (Courtesy//Darren Parry)

In a National Park Service historic resource study, the Mormon Pioneers were part of the idea and the realization of the doctrine of Manifest Destiny, and that they contributed to the growth of white supremacy in the west.

I cannot separate that story from the broader one. The story of Manifest Destiny, a belief that drove expansion across this continent at the cost of Indigenous lives, lands, and cultures, Parry said. I think a lot of people dont look at the problematic side of their ancestors coming here because it was never taught, he said.

The Bear River Massacre

According to Parry, before the arrival of Mormon Pioneers, the Shoshone Tribes home base was centered in Cache Valley, or Sihiviogoi in the Shoshone language, meaning Willow River.

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Over time, more and more pioneers came and settled in the valley. By 1856, thousands of Pioneers had settled there and had already begun to deplete its natural resources.

The late BYU historian, Harold Schindler, wrote in 2012 that tensions began to grow between settlers and the Shoshone, who, faced with dwindling lands and food sources, had resorted to theft in order to survive.

The saints began writing letters to Salt Lake for somebody to come take care of the Indian Problem,' Parry told ABC4.com, adding that the letters eventually made it to U.S. Soldiers at Fort Douglas.

According to Schindler, on January 29, 1863, soldiers from Fort Douglas attacked a Shoshoni camp on the Bear River near modern-day Preston, Idaho, killing nearly 300 men, women, and children. However, many Shoshone believe the number to be closer to 400, making it the largest massacre of Indigenous people in the history of the U.S.

Healing from generational trauma

In an LDS Church history essay, historians detail that while Indigenous peoples in some instances captured horses and burned prairie grass to divert bison away from Latter-day Saint hunters, they were often hospitable and sometimes offered to push handcarts or help the migrants ford rivers.

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Within 10 years of the Bear River Massacre, Shoshone and Pioneers began to interact with one another, Parry said. In May of 1873, 102 Shoshones were baptized members of the LDS Church in the Bear River. The same river that, 10 years earlier, saw the destruction of our people.

According to Shoshone oral history, tribal leaders began having visions and manifestations about a god among the Mormon Church, leading many to join the faith; However, Parry acknowledges that material benefits and security may have been a factor in so many Shoshone joining the church.

He concluded, saying, We just want to acknowledge the past and allow us to heal from this generational trauma thats existed from 1847 on.

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A tourist visiting Disney World faces a child abuse charge after grabbing a teen girl as crowds gathered to watch the parade in Magic Kingdom - in a move that allegedly left nail marks on the victim.

Martha Zapata-Echeverri, 51, from Kissimmee, Florida, was arrested on a charge of child abuse after the altercation broke out at Disneys Magic Kingdom on Monday night, the Orange County Sheriffs Office said.

Zapata-Echeverri allegedly grabbed a 17-year-old girl during a confrontation on Main Street U.S.A. in front of Cinderellas Castle, just before the amusement parks nightly parade was set to begin, Fox 35 reported.

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The teen sustained a bruise and abrasion on her arm after she was pulled aside by Zapata-Echeverri, authorities said.

Authorities said there were no independent witnesses who saw the fight, or surveillance footage of the incident, which happened in a densely crowded area where large groups were gathering ahead of the parade.

Martha Zapata-Echeverri was arrested on a charge of child abuse after getting into a fight with a teen as crowds gathered at Disney World, cops say. (Orange County Sheriff's Office)

It was not immediately clear what kind of argument the teen and Zapata-Echeverri had leading up to the physical contact. Each gave a statement to authorities.

The teen told authorities that the fight broke out when Zapata-Echeverri placed a hand on her in an attempt to make space in a crowded area. When the teen asked her to not touch her, Zapata-Echeverri allegedly grabbed her arm and pulled her aside.

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The altercation resulted in visible injuries on the teen, according to authorities.

In Zapata-Echeverris retelling of events, she said she was following her daughter to the parade route when the teen started pushing into her and claiming the space was hers. Zapata-Echeverri then demonstrated for police how she pushed the girl back with her left arm.

When authorities asked how the teen sustained nail marks on her arm, Zapata-Echeverri gave an unclear response and gestured that she had used an open hand.

In an arrest report, deputies wrote that Zapata-Echeverri knowingly and willfully touched the girl in a way that was likely to cause injury.
A Walt Disney World tourist was arrested after she allegedly shoved a teen to get a better view of a parade at one of the resort's theme parks.

Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri, 51, of Spain, was arrested for child abuse on Monday, July 21, at Disneys Magic Kingdom in Bay Lake, Fla., by the Orange County Sheriff's Office (OCSO), per an arrest affidavit PEOPLE obtained.

Deputies responded to an altercation at approximately 9:40 p.m. local time and separated the two parties involved.

Joseph Prezioso/Anadolu Agency/Getty parade at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World in 2022 parade at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World in 2022

The 17-year-old, whose name was redacted, told deputies she was standing on the sidewalk of Main Street in front of the castle preparing to watch the parade.

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Zapata-Echeverri allegedly put her hand on [the teen] trying to make space and [the teen] asked the suspect not to touch her in Spanish.

Soon after, Zapata-Echeverri allegedly grabbed [the teen] by the arm and pulled her to the side, causing a bruise and abrasion on her right arm.

The suspect, who was born in Colombia but is a current resident of Spain, told deputies she was following behind her daughter to get to the front of the crowd to watch the parade.

She also claimed it was the teen who pushed into her, saying it was her spot.

The arrest affidavit noted nail marks on the minors arm. Zapata-Echeverri allegedly had an unclear explanation as to how the teen received the injuries and just pantomimed her pushing. 

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OSCO deputies said the teen was the only one to sustain injuries during the alleged altercation.

Gary Hershorn/Getty Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse statue in front of Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom Park Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse statue in front of Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom Park

Martha knowingly and willfully touched [the teen]. Martha committed the intentional act of grabbing or pushing which was reasonable to cause some type of injury, according to the arrest affidavit.

There was a small abrasion and bruise on the 17-year-olds arm as a result. Additionally, there were no independent witnesses or surveillance footage.

Zapata-Echeverri arrived in Central Florida on a tourist visa on July 2 and appeared in court on Tuesday, July 22, her attorney said, per WESH.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cu

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Her bond was reduced to $2,500, and a judge said she cannot return to any Disney property, the outlet reported. Her attorney said she was scheduled to return to Spain on Wednesday, July 23.

Reps for Walt Disney World did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment.

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A female tourist is accused of assaulting a teenager at Disney World so that she could get a better view of the parade, according to an arrest affidavit reviewed by People.

On Monday, July 21, the Orange County Sheriffs Office (OCSO) responded to an altercation at Disneys Magic Kingdom in the city of Bay Lake, FL. Upon arrival, officers separated the two parties involved and placed under arrest Spanish native Martha Lucia Zapata-Echeverri, 51.

The 17-year-old victim, whose identity has not been made public, told police that she was standing on the sidewalk of Main Street in front of the castle preparing to watch the parade. Zapata-Echeverri allegedly approached the young woman and put her hand on [the teen] trying to make space and [the teen] asked the suspect not to touch her in Spanish.

Related: Largest Great White Shark on Record Headed for Vacation Hotspot

Zapata-Echeverri first walked away, but later returned and grabbed [the teen] by the arm and pulled her to the side, causing a bruise and abrasion on her right arm. Officers noted the presence of nail marks on the teenagers arm in addition to a small abrasion and bruise. But Zapata-Echeverri contested that it was the teen who pushed her, claiming the younger woman told the suspect it was her spot from which to see the parade and she wouldnt be moving. When questioned how the teenager received the nail marks on her arm, Zapata-Echeverri couldnt provide an answer and just pantomimed her pushing.

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Martha knowingly and willfully touched [the teen], the affidavit reads. Martha committed the intentional act of grabbing or pushing, which was reasonable to cause some type of injury.

Zapata-Echeverri was arrested and is being held on a $2,500 bond.

Related: Border Patrol Agents Find 300 Lbs. Of Drugs in Bizarre Spot

Disney Tourist Assaulted Teen to Get Better Parade View first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 24, 2025
In late July 2025, internet users shared videos of people listening to an unidentified voice reading out a purported transcript of a phone call between two Republican politicians, Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell and former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy.

In the call, McConnell and McCarthy allegedly discussed bringing back slavery, creating state-funded religious schools, banning abortion, stemming immigration and the forced impregnation of eighth-graders.

We found no credible evidence that the transcript was authentic or that any such conversation between McConnell and McCarthy ever took place. The claim is unfounded.

In late July 2025, videos circulated on TikTok showing internet users listening to an audio clip (archived) of a voice reading an alleged transcript of a phone call between Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The two Republican politicians supposedly discussed banning abortion, stemming immigration, creating state-funded religious schools, bringing back slavery, and the forced impregnation of eighth graders.

The claim also circulated on Facebook (archived), X (archived), Instagram (archived), Threads (archived), YouTube and Reddit (archived). Snopes readers also wrote in to ask if the transcript featured in the videos was authentic.

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We found no evidence whatsoever that the audio clip or transcript represented an authentic conversation between McConnell and McCarthy.

We found no reputable news sources reporting the "leaked" transcript (archived, archived, archived, archived), which would have been extremely newsworthy if true. Though McConnell and McCarthy both previously voted against federal protections for abortion, a common opinion for their party, neither had publicly expressed opinions or plans that aligned with the other supposed policy points like slavery and state-funded religious education allegedly discussed on the call.

We reached out to representatives for McConnell and McCarthy to ask if the transcript read out in the videos was genuine and await replies to our queries.

The full transcript of the alleged phone call, which an unidentified voice read out, was as follows:

OK, so I got the transcripts. Mitch: We have to bring slavery back. Those were the good old days. Kevin: How will we do that, there's no way we can do that. Mitch: Black people won't do it but white people will. Kevin: How will we get white people to be slaves? That sounds ridiculous. Mitch: We have to get rid of the separation of church and state. We must have state-funded religious schools. Kevin: I don't see where you're getting at. Mitch: Those schools will have work programs for fourth through eighth graders. Kevin: Ah, I think I see where you're going here. How is that going to work? Mitch: We get the kids to be  to pick all the produce as a part of their work program to teach them the values of good, old-fashioned blue-collar labor and the bounty of God. Kevin: I don't think that anyone will go for that. Mitch: It's all about grooming, start in the first grade and by fourth grade they'll be ready to do it. Kevin: But we already have people to pick the produce. Mitch: We have to finish the wall. Kevin: No way that's going to happen. Mitch: We find better ways to get the immigrants out of the United States. Kevin: Like doubling ICE? Mitch: Yes. Kevin: This will be too busy, too hard and we'll be too busy trying to sustain this over long periods of time and generations. Mitch: No, we get rid of the abortion laws in the United States and we make it mandatory that all eighth-grade females be impregnated in order to graduate. Kevin: Oh, like replacing the crops. Ha ha ha. Pun intended. Also Kevin: I will work on getting the abortion ban, you work on state-funded religious schools. Mitch: We don't have to do either. Lindsey and I took care of that with the new SCOTUS.

"Lindsey" was an apparent reference to Lindsey Graham, the senior senator from South Carolina and a fellow Republican. "SCOTUS" is a common abbreviation for the Supreme Court of the United States.

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The versions of the alleged phone call shared online were scant on details about when the conversation supposedly took place. Some said the recording was from July 2022, but did not back up this claim. Online postings contained no further information about who leaked the alleged call or why.

McConnell and McCarthy on abortion, slavery, school choice

As stated above, Snopes found no evidence that the alleged call between McConnell and McCarthy was real, nor did the call seem to reflect the politicians' publicly expressed opinions.

McConnell and McCarthy both voted against the Women's Health Protection Act, which would "prohibit governmental restrictions on the provision of and access to abortion services." The bill passed the House in 2021 but failed in the Senate in 2022.

Since then, McConnell has said that abortion should be dealt with at a state rather than a federal level. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, a nonprofit that seeks to reduce and ultimately end abortion in the U.S., rated both McConnell and McCarthy "A+."

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Both McConnell and McCarthy have historically opposed slavery, a central theme of the alleged call, on their social media accounts. McCarthy spoke (archived) of the "evils" of slavery in 2019. That same year, McConnell wrote (archived) about "slavery's stain on our history" on X. However, McConnell did previously oppose the idea of reparations for slavery, saying in 2019 he didn't think "reparations for something that happened 150 years ago, for whom none of us currently living are responsible, is a good idea."

Lastly, McConnell allegedly advocated for "state funded religious schools" in the phone call transcript. These schools, he allegedly argued, would be the basis for the renewed slavery project, as students would participate in work programs. In reality, McConnell has historically been a strong advocate for school choice, co-authoring an opinion piece in 2013 that argued "Choice breeds competition  which is the best way to improve schools," an opinion that would seemingly be at odds with advocating for forced attendance at state-funded schools.

This was not the first rumor Snopes has investigated about either McConnell or McCarthy. For example, we previously looked into claims that McConnell said he would not participate in 2020 election debates that included female moderators and that a photo authentically showed McCarthy watching himself lose a vote for speaker of the House.

Sources:

Blad, Evie. "Senate GOP Sticks to School Choice Push in Slimmed Down Relief Proposal." Education Week, 8 Sep. 2020. www.edweek.org, https://www.edweek.org/education/senate-gop-sticks-to-school-choice-push-in-slimmed-down-relief-proposal/2020/09.

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Chu, Judy. "H.R.3755 - Women's Health Protection Act of 2021." Congress.Gov, 6 Aug. 2021, https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/3755.

Huffington Post: Op-Ed by Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, Sens. Rand Paul, Mike Lee, Tim Scott and Lamar Alexander: School Choice: Part of the Solution to Our Broken Education System | The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions. 29 Jul. 2013, https://www.help.senate.gov/chair/newsroom/news/huffington-post-op-ed-by-senate-republican-leader-mitch-mcconnell-sens-rand-paul-mike-lee-tim-scott-and-lamar-alexander-school-choice-part-of-the-solution-to-our-broken-education-system.

"McConnell Equates His Ancestors' Slave Ownership to Obama's." AP News, 9 Jul. 2019, https://apnews.com/article/a7bab51c3e324ee5bbc55a48b683d1a7.

"mitch Mcconnell" AND "We Have to Bring Slavery Back. Those Were the Good Old Days." - Google Search. https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=44f27cba552c4951&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB1138GB1138&q=%22mitch+mcconnell%22+AND+%22We+have+to+bring+slavery+back.+Those+were+the+good+old+days.%22&tbm=nws&source=lnms&fbs=AIIjpHxU7SXXniUZfeShr2fp4giZ1Y6MJ25_tmWITc7uy4KIeuYzzFkfneXafNx6OMdA4MQSBVctRys_GZriRO39Kwt_V4JtzjT2H9P7Y4f8B3324HB0OaERKaqfehCBbG4Uom1eOSmdOPijLFk_iCOjmCstoeol2p7iVKi4e3Zno7bmrAAh9ltofcJLj9aerEX_at89dqFpYudQUfEZpSdX3xiPcMS92A&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwivp5j8zNWOAxWQWUEAHZOQLroQ0pQJKAN6BAgSEAE&biw=1920&bih=845&dpr=2. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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"mitch Mcconnell" AND "We Have to Bring Slavery Back. Those Were the Good Old Days." - Search News. https://www.bing.com/news/search?q=%22mitch+mcconnell%22+AND+%22We+have+to+bring+slavery+back.+Those+were+the+good+old+days.%22&FORM=HDRSC7. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

"mitch Mcconnell" AND "We Have to Bring Slavery Back. Those Were the Good Old Days." - Yahoo Search Results. https://uk.news.search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AwrFFpoNNYJoA1kVdiZQBQx.;_ylc=X1MDMjExNDcxNzAwOARfcgMyBGZyA3lmcC10BGZyMgNzYi10b3AEZ3ByaWQDRkpaQTFNSXhTa2VMbld0a1FEUUt1QQRuX3JzbHQDMARuX3N1Z2cDMARvcmlnaW4DdWsubmV3cy5zZWFyY2gueWFob28uY29tBHBvcwMwBHBxc3RyAwRwcXN0cmwDMARxc3RybAM4NARxdWVyeQMlMjJtaXRjaCUyMG1jY29ubmVsbCUyMiUyMEFORCUyMCUyMldlJTIwaGF2ZSUyMHRvJTIwYnJpbmclMjBzbGF2ZXJ5JTIwYmFjay4lMjBUaG9zZSUyMHdlcmUlMjB0aGUlMjBnb29kJTIwb2xkJTIwZGF5cy4lMjIEdF9zdG1wAzE3NTMzNjM3NjI-?p=%22mitch+mcconnell%22+AND+%22We+have+to+bring+slavery+back.+Those+were+the+good+old+days.%22&fr2=sb-top&fr=yfp-t. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

"mitch Mcconnell" AND "We Have to Bring Slavery Back. Those Were the Good Old Days." at DuckDuckGo. https://duckduckgo.com/?q=%22mitch+mcconnell%22+AND+%22We+have+to+bring+slavery+back.+Those+were+the+good+old+days.%22&iar=news&t=h_. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

"Rep. Kevin McCarthy | National Pro-Life Scorecard." SBA Pro-Life America, https://sbaprolife.org/representative/kevin-mccarthy. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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"Sen. Mitch McConnell | National Pro-Life Scorecard." SBA Pro-Life America, https://sbaprolife.org/senator/mitch-mcconnell. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

@SenMcConnell. "With the Nation, Congress Looks Back to 1619 and Remembers the Size and Scope of Slavery's Stain on Our History. ." X, 10 Sep. 2019, https://x.com/SenMcConnell/status/1171443118610059267.

@SpeakerMcCarthy. "It's Been 400 Years since the Evils of Slavery First Occurred in America. ." X, 10 Sep. 2025, https://x.com/SpeakerMcCarthy/status/1171507398944518147.

U.S. Senate: U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 117th Congress - 2nd Session. https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_votes/vote1172/vote_117_2_00065.htm. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

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Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154, and DC 20515-6601 p:225-7000. "Roll Call 295 Roll Call 295, Bill Number: H. R. 3755, 117th Congress, 1st Session." Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives, 24 Sep. 2021, https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2021295.

Yang, Maya. "Mitch McConnell Refuses to Say Whether He Supports a US National Abortion Ban." The Guardian, 28 Apr. 2024. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/28/mitch-mcconnell-national-abortion-ban.

---. "Mitch McConnell Refuses to Say Whether He Supports a US National Abortion Ban." The Guardian, 28 Apr. 2024. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/28/mitch-mcconnell-national-abortion-ban.


Though the Federal Communications Commission approved the Skydance-Paramount merger Thursday, one commissioner is speaking out against what she says has been an erosion of our First Amendment protections.

After months of cowardly capitulation to this Administration, Paramount finally got what it wanted. Unfortunately, it is the American public who will ultimately pay the price for its actions, commissioner Anna M. Gomez said.

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Gomez notes that the transfer of Paramounts broadcast licenses to Skydance was approved by a vote of 2-1 at the FCC, which is led by Brendan Carr, and that she had dissented. She pointed to the unprecedented moves taken by the FCC to help broker the deal, which she notes include the elimination of DEI programs and putting controls on newsroom decisions at CBS, including agreeing to appoint an ombudsman that will report directly to the president of CBS News and who will receive and evaluate any complaints of bias or other concerns.

On July 1, Paramount agreed to a $16 million deal to resolve a lawsuit filed by President Trump against 60 Minutes over an interview conducted with Kamala Harris. The settlement was largely seen as paving the way for the merger with Skydance. Trump has also said that he anticipates receiving at least $20 million in advertising, public service announcements or similar programming from Skydance as part of a settlement.

In an unprecedented move, this once-independent FCC used its vast power to pressure Paramount to broker a private legal settlement and further erode press freedom. Once again, this agency is undermining legitimate efforts to combat discrimination and expand opportunity by overstepping its authority and intervening in employment matters reserved for other government entities with proper jurisdiction on these issues. Even more alarming, it is now imposing never-before-seen controls over newsroom decisions and editorial judgment, in direct violation of the First Amendment and the law, Gomez wrote.

After the FCC buried the outcome of backroom negotiations with other regulated entities, like Verizon and T-Mobile, I urged for us to bring the Paramount proceeding into the light. Ive long believed the public has a right to know how Paramounts capitulation evidences an erosion of our First Amendment protections, and Im pleased that FCC leadership ultimately agreed to my call for every Commissioner to vote on this transaction. Granting approval behind closed doors, under the cover of bureaucratic process, would have been an inappropriate way to shield this Administrations coordinated campaign to censor speech, control narratives, and silence dissent, she continued.

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Despite this regrettable outcome, this Administration is not done with its assault on the First Amendment. In fact, it may only be beginning. The Paramount payout and this reckless approval have emboldened those who believe the government canand shouldabuse its power to extract financial and ideological concessions, demand favored treatment, and secure positive media coverage. It is a dark chapter in a long and growing record of abuse that threatens press freedom in this country. But such violations endure only when institutions choose capitulation over courage. It is time for companies, journalists, and citizens alike to stand up and speak out, because unchecked and unquestioned power has no rightful place in America, Gomez wrote.

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Police have made an arrest in Arizona four decades after the cold-case murder and sexual assault of two teenagers who were attacked in a parked car in Northern California, officials said Wednesday.

On Dec. 19, 1984, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office was called to an incident in Burney, California, by the California Highway Patrol. They found two 18-year-old victims, a male and a female, according to a news release from the office. The male victim, identified by police as Terrance Arndt, had sustained a gunshot wound. He was transported to an area hospital but died from his injuries. The female victim, who police did not identify, had been sexually assaulted.

An investigation found that Arndt and the female victim were parked in Arndt's car talking near an area high school when an unknown person pulled up in a vehicle. Arndt tried to protect the female victim, but was shot. The female victim was then assaulted and left for dead, Shasta County Sheriff Michael L. Johnson said in a news conference. After the suspect left the scene, she drove Arndt's car for help until she was able to reach police. Johnson said that the crime "rocked the community for many years."

Terrance Arndt. / Credit: Othram Inc.

An extensive investigation followed, Johnson said, including "thousands of hours" of case work. Detectives collected forensic evidence from the female victim's clothes, according to forensic genetic genealogy company Othram, and investigators also developed a DNA profile of the suspect. A man was arrested and charged in connection with the case, Othram said, but later cleared by the DNA profile.

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The DNA profile was entered into the Combined DNA Index System, a national database used by law enforcement to compare DNA profiles. There were no matches to any known individuals, Othram said.

In 2024, the Shasta County Sheriff's Office revisited the case using forensic genetic genealogy, Johnson said. That led police to a suspect, identified as Roger Neil Schmidt Sr. Schmidt, now 64, would have been 23 at the time of the crime, police said. He also "strongly resembled" a sketch developed based on an account from the female victim, the sheriff's office said.

Police determined that Schmidt was currently living in Tucson, Arizona, but had lived in Burney, California, in 1984. Detectives from the Shasta County Sheriff's Office traveled to the city to coordinate with the Tucson Police Department and obtain a search warrant. Police were able to collect a DNA sample from Schmidt and confirm that it matched the profile.

Schmidt was arrested in Tucson on Saturday and charged with murder and sexual assault, police said. He made his first court appearance on Monday, CBS affiliate KOLD reported. He was in a wheelchair and using an oxygen tank.

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Schmidt is expected to be extradited to Shasta County, the sheriff's office said. Johnson said he hopes the arrest brings closure to the female victim and Arndt's family. He said that the families were informed of the arrest before the news conference.

According to SFGate, Arndt was a star athlete at Burney High School before enrolling at Shasta College in Redding, California, where he lived at the time of his murder.

"The resolution to this case is a bit bittersweet for us," Johnson said. "Although it's a monumental accomplishment for the investigators, for the agency and the closure of having a suspect in custody, it doesn't negate the fact that there is a family and families that have been forever impacted and will forever live with the trauma and the aftermath that was left behind for them."

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CUMBERLAND  By the end of March, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources received at least 175 written comments from folks concerned about construction of a transmission line proposed to cut through wildlands in Allegany and Garrett counties.

Now, more than four months later, the department will only disclose the comments upon official request under Marylands Public Information Act.

Meanwhile, DNR continues to collect public input.

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Since there has not been an application submitted for this project, there is no deadline for comments, DNR Media Relations Manager Gregg Bortz said Tuesday.

This is a request for feedback and not a formal public comment period.

He said DNR would disclose the comments upon PIA request  the form can be accessed at https://dnr.maryland.gov/Pages/pia.aspx  which the Cumberland Times-News filed Tuesday.

DNR said it summarized the comments on its website page, Proposed Mid-Atlantic Resiliency Link Transmission Line Project, under frequently asked questions.

According to the page, the department in February and March solicited public feedback and questions regarding the MARL project.

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DNR said it collected roughly 75 of the comments at a meeting it hosted in March at the Savage Highlands State Park, the former 42-acre Savage River Lodge in Garrett County that the department bought in September for $8.7 million from owners Jan Russell and Mike Dreisbach of Russell-Dreisbach LLC.

The department said by the end of March it had received more than 100 responses via a portal on its website.

DNR will continue to maintain the public comment portal to allow individuals to submit comments to the agency related to effects on wildlands, the page stated Wednesday.

The projectAccording to the NextEra Energy Transmission website, the proposed MARL project would construct a new roughly 105-mile, 500-kV transmission line from Frederick County, Virginia, to Greene County, Pennsylvania, as well as a new 500/138-kV substation in Frederick County, Virginia.

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No route has been selected at this time, the website stated Wednesday.

We are currently conducting a detailed routing study to identify and evaluate potential route options.

That involves collecting data to help identify constraints, such as sensitive habitats and cultural resources, as well as opportunities like paralleling existing transmission lines, roadways, and other linear infrastructure, it stated.

Under the companys timeline, NextEra subsidiaries plans this fall to file regulatory applications with each states public service commission with anticipated approvals in spring 2027.

Construction would begin in fall 2029 and end in fall-winter 2031.

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DNRs position?The Times-News on Tuesday asked DNR for its position on the MARL project.

In response, Bortz said the department hasnt taken a stance.

Once the project has applied for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with the Public Service Commission, the first formal step of the permitting process, DNRs Power Plant Research Program will begin an independent, comprehensive review which will include assessments of natural resource and environmental impacts, he said.

To ensure that the process isnt perceived as biased in any way, DNR is not taking an official position, Bortz said.

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Second chanceGarrett County resident and farm owner Steve Storck questioned why DNR collected the comments, why they werent made public and whether they were shown to legislators as part of a decision-making process designed to protect the environment.

Earlier this year, Del. Jim Hinebaugh and Sen. Mike McKay sponsored bills, which ultimately passed both chambers, to strip wildlands designation from Big Savage Mountain Wildland, Bear Pen Wildland and Dans Mountain Wildland for NextEra to build new overhead transmission lines.

For DNR to sit on all these comments for months is an issue, Storck said Tuesday.

The FAQ page on DNRs website is grossly inadequate, he said.

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Storck said people will get another chance to address their concerns after the permitting process and DNRs PPRP begins.

We have a second opportunity to make a case, he said.

If the public shows environmental impacts are too great, absolutely we can stop it.
A doctor charged with giving Friends star Matthew Perry ketamine in the month leading up to the actors overdose death will plead guilty.

Dr. Salvador Plasencia agreed to plead guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine, according to the signed document filed in federal court in Los Angeles on Monday. In exchange for his plea, prosecutors agreed to drop three additional counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of falsifying records.

Federal prosecutors said in a statement that the plea carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison. They said Plasencia is expected to formally plead guilty in the coming weeks.

Dr Salvador Plasencia - Damian Dovarganes/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved

According to a co-defendant, Plasencia called the actor a moron who could be exploited for money in a text message. The physician had been one of the primary targets of the prosecution, along with a woman accused of being a ketamine dealer. Three other defendants, including another doctor, agreed to plead guilty last year in exchange for their cooperation.

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Plasencia and the woman, Jasveen Sangha, had been scheduled to face trial in August.

The Friends cast - Perry on far right - NBC

Matthew Perry was found dead by his assistant on 28 October 2023. The medical examiner ruled that ketamine, typically used as a surgical anesthetic, was the primary cause of death.

The actor had been using the drug through his regular doctor in a legal but off-label treatment for depression, which has become increasingly common. Perry, 54, began seeking more ketamine than his doctor would give him.

Perry struggled with addiction for years, dating back to his time on Friends, when he became one of the biggest stars of his generation as Chandler Bing. He starred alongside Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer for 10 seasons from 1994 to 2004.
(Reuters) -McKinsey has instructed its mainland China business to steer clear of projects deploying generative artificial intelligence, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday, citing two people with knowledge of the matter.

The move was prompted by the US governments increasing scrutiny of US companies operating in sensitive sectors such as AI and quantum computing in China, the newspaper said.

The ban extends to projects in the offices of multinational clients, but does not stop McKinsey's China business from working with companies that have more established types of AI in their products, the report added.

Last year, McKinsey further strengthened its client service policies in China, with work focusing on multinational and Chinese private sector firms, a McKinsey spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

"We follow the most rigorous client selection policy in our profession, and we continue to evolve and strengthen our approach," the spokesperson added.

The company employs over 1000 individuals in China, across six regions, according to its website.

The report comes at a time of increasing tension between Washington and Beijing, where China has imposed exit bans on some US citizens visiting the nation.

Last year, US lawmakers demanded a probe into the McKinsey's failure to disclose its work with China's government.

(Reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan and Bipasha Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala and Nivedita Bhattacharjee)
A doctor charged in connection with Matthew Perry's death formally pleaded guilty to distributing ketamine to the actor before he died.

Dr. Salvador Plasencia, a licensed physician known as Dr. P., pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine during a court appearance in Los Angeles on Wednesday, July 23, according to the Department of Justice.



"Dr. Plasencia is profoundly remorseful for the treatment decisions he made while providing ketamine to Matthew Perry," his attorney, Karen Goldstein, told ABC News in a statement. "He is fully accepting responsibility by pleading guilty to drug distribution."

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PEOPLE reported that Plasencia  one of five people facing criminal charges in Perry's death  had entered into a plea agreement on June 16.

Prior to the plea agreement, the doctor faced several more charges, including seven total counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation into Perry's death.

Plasencia was one of five people charged last year stemming from the investigation into Perry's October 2023 death. He could face up to 40 years in prison for the four counts of distribution of ketamine.

A judge previously ruled Plasencia can remain free on bond until his Dec. 3 sentencing hearing, NBC News reported.

Angela Weiss/Getty Matthew Perry on April 28, 2015 in Hollywood, California. Matthew Perry on April 28, 2015 in Hollywood, California.

The Friends actor died from acute effects of ketamine, in addition to other contributing factors such as drowning, coronary artery disease and effects from buprenorphine, a medication used to treat opioid use disorder, according to his autopsy.

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Plasencia intends to voluntarily surrender his medical license, "acknowledging his failure to protect Mr. Perry, a patient who was especially vulnerable due to addiction," Goldstein told ABC; prosecutors say that's expected within within the next 30 to 45 days.

"While Dr. Plasencia was not treating Mr. Perry at the time of his death, he hopes his case serves as a warning to other medical professionals and leads to stricter oversight and clear protocols for the rapidly growing at-home ketamine industry in order to prevent future tragedies like this one," Goldstein added.

Plasencia's plea agreement stated that he distributed 20 vials of ketamine, ketamine lozenges and syringes to Perry and the actor's assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa, between September 30, 2023, and October 12, 2023, per ABC.

In August 2024, Plasencia and four other people were arrested on charges related to the actors death.

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Jasveen Sangha  referred to as "The Ketamine Queen," according to U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada  is charged with several counts related to allegedly distributing ketamine and methamphetamine. She has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to go to trial in August, according to the Associated Press.

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The other defendants all pleaded guilty in August 2024. Dr. Mark Chavez pleaded to one count of conspiring to distribute ketamine. Iwamasa, Perrys live-in personal assistant, pleaded one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine causing death in August. Alleged drug dealer Erik Fleming pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death.

Federal prosecutors have alleged that the five defendants took advantage of Perry for their own profit.

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Following Perry's death, the defendants tried to "cover up" their involvement, U.S. Attorney Estrada alleged, adding that Sangha allegedly wrote in a text message to another defendant, "Delete all our messages."

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

Read the original article on People
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Nearly two weeks after a dog was left tied to a pole outside the Nevada SPCA, he is now searching for his forever family.

When they found him, he was really scared, Max Blaustein of The Animal Foundation said. He was shut down.

It was a heartbreaking moment caught on surveillance camera; a dog abandoned outside the Nevada SPCA, tied to a pole in the sweltering heat on July 11.

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We dont know so much of the history, Blaustein said. What happened to him?

It was another startling case that caught the attention of the Southern Nevada community.

However, in this case, things ultimately took a positive turn.

The same dog, now named Klondike, is now thriving at the Animal Foundation.

Its so exciting to see him come out of his shell, Blaustein told 8 News Now. And you know, be the dog we know he can be.

Klondike was sent to the Animal Foundation when Clark County Animal Protection Services took over his case.

Officials told 8 News Now they were able to track down the person who abandoned him and cited them for abandonment, deprivation of water, and deprivation of shelter.

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In that same time, The Animal Foundation has worked hard to help the dog blossom.

He found a trainer named Cheyenne that he really liked, Blaustein said. He started to bond with her.

The next goal is to find Klondike a forever family. Blaustein told 8 News Now his team is hoping the right person will step up to adopt or foster.

To know that he is going to do so much better when he gets into that quiet home, he explained. That quiet foster, that forever home.

Its a story that could have ended differently, and advocates hope it serves as a reminder that neglect or abandonment are never the answer.

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Its really tragic, you know, the state that some of these animals that come in we see, Blaustein said. Especially when they are dropped off as strays or they are abandoned in a house.

Those interested in adopting Klondike or any other animal can visit the Animal Foundations website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
The Justice Department said late Wednesday it had formed a Strike Force to investigate potential next legal steps after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released new documents about the 2016 election.

The documents do little to suggest wrongdoing by the intelligence community in seeking to investigate Russias efforts to influence the 2016 contest.

But Trump administration officials have nonetheless said Obama officials should be held accountable, while President Trump accused the 44th president of being guilty of treason in connection with the incident.

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The Department of Justice is proud to work with my friend Director Gabbard and we are grateful for her partnership in delivering accountability for the American people. We will investigate these troubling disclosures fully and leave no stone unturned to deliver justice, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement.

Gabbard recently released two sets of previously classified documents she said show what was essentially a years-long coup and a treasonous conspiracy against Trump.

However, an 11-page memo Friday detailed internal discussions showing Russia was unable to affect any vote totals. That doesnt contradict the assessment at the time. Obama officials said shortly after the election that Russia was unable to hack voting systems.

Much of the intelligence investigation was instead focused on Russias massive social media campaign to influence voters and sway them towards Trump.

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On Monday, Gabbard released a previously classified report compiled by House Intelligence Republicans who disputed that Russian President Vladimir Putin favored Trump.

While the bulk of intelligence assessments determined Putin played a role and wanted to aid Trump, the House report led by then-Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), a Trump ally, found the CIA did not adhere to the tenets of analytical standards when reaching the conclusion.

The formation of the task force comes as Trump has made clear his desire for his administration to investigate Obama.

Obamas office issued a rare public statement calling the move a distraction as Trump faces increasing calls to release information about the prosecution of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

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Our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response, an Obama spokesperson said.

But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one. These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.

James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence under Obama, on an appearance on CNN Wednesday, said the accusations were patently false and unfounded and that Obama never directed them to reach any specific conclusion on the matter.

He also noted that multiple assessments backed the conclusion the intelligence community made about the 2016 election.

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The Senate Intelligence Committee did an exhaustive examination of the totality of Russian engagement in this country, focusing specifically on the intelligence community assessment that we did and released in January of 17, and they endorsed the findings, the tradecraft used to derive those findings and the confidence levels, he said.

And no less than then-Sen. [Marco] Rubio, now-Secretary of State Rubio, who was then, I believe, acting chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, made that observation himself in  when that report  redacted version of that report was released.

Democrats have blasted Gabbard for releasing information they say does not back her claims.

Theyre trying to dispute the proper conclusions of the intelligence community that the Russians were trying to influence the 2016 election by saying they didnt successfully change votes in the machines, said Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who chaired the House Intelligence Committee at the time the GOP side of the committee was working on their report.

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No one is claiming they did, so theyre being dishonest, and its such a disservice to the American people that Americans cant really trust the leaders of the intelligence community honestly anymore.

This story was updated at 11:07 a.m.

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The Department of Justice meeting with convicted Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell is expected to happen today. This comes amid growing calls for the Trump administration to release the Epstein files. NBC News National Law Enforcement Correspondent Tom Winter and NBC News' Capitol Hill Correspondent Julie Tsirkin report the latest. Former prosecutor Susan Filan and Reuters White House Correspondent Jeff Mason join Ana Cabrera to discuss President Trump's handling of the controversy.
A senior Department of Justice official met with longtime Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell for six hours on Thursday in Tallahassee, Florida.

The meeting between Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Maxwell occurred in downtown Tallahassee at the U.S. attorney's office, which is located inside the federal courthouse, sources familiar with the matter said.

Maxwell initiated the meeting, multiple sources told ABC News.

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Blanche and Maxwell will meet again on Friday, according to a statement he posted on X.

"Today, I met with Ghislaine Maxwell, and I will continue my interview of her tomorrow. The Department of Justice will share additional information about what we learned at the appropriate time," Blanche said.

Paul Zimmerman/WireImage/Getty - PHOTO: 4th Annual WIE Symposium

Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking and other charges and sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022, which she is serving at a federal prison in Tallahassee. She is appealing her conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court.

MORE: Ghislaine Maxwell engaged in 'significant pattern of dishonest conduct,' DOJ said in 2022

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Maxwell's appellate lawyer, David O. Markus, said after the meeting Maxwell "answered all the questions and answered them honestly."

Markus said there were "a lot of questions and we went all day and she answered every one of them."

ABC News - PHOTO: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche arrives for a meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell in Tallahassee, Fla., July 24, 2025.

He also declined to describe the questions Blanche asked but said he and Maxwell were "grateful" for the meeting.

Blanche arrived at the federal courthouse around 9 a.m. ET. He shook his head and said "no" when asked if he had anything to say ahead of his sit-down with Maxwell.

ABC News - PHOTO: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche arrives for a meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell in Tallahassee, Fla., July 24, 2025.

The Justice Department said earlier this week that the meeting between Blanche and Maxwell would occur "in the coming days."

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"President Trump has told us to release all credible evidence. If Ghislaine Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say," Blanche said in the statement posted by Attorney General Pam Bondi on X earlier this week.

Blanche added that at the direction of Bondi, he has "communicated with counsel for Ms. Maxwell to determine whether she would be willing to speak with prosecutors from the Department."

"Until now, no administration on behalf of the Department had inquired about her willingness to meet with the government. That changes now," Blanche said.

Maxwell's attorney confirmed earlier this week that they were in discussions with the government about the visit, saying in a statement that "Ghislaine will always testify truthfully."

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MORE: Justice Department faces subpoena over Epstein files by House Oversight Committee

Separately, on Wednesday, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer issued a subpoena for Maxwell for a deposition to occur at the prison on Aug. 11.

"The facts and circumstances surrounding both your and Mr. Epstein's cases have received immense public interest and scrutiny," Comer wrote in a statement Wednesday.

ABC News' Luke Barr contributed to this report.
(COLORADO SPRINGS)  The Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) responded to a disturbance call that led to an officer firing at least one shot.

On Wednesday, July 23, at around 10:35 p.m., officers were dispatched to a domestic disturbance in the 3800 block of Radiant Drive, off Academy Boulevard and Maizeland Drive. Upon arrival, officers contacted the victim and established probable cause for domestic violence-related charges. A description of the suspect and their vehicle was obtained; however, the suspect was no longer on scene.

Detectives were able to locate the vehicle in the area of North Carefree Circle and Academy Boulevard, and officers initiated a search. Officers were able to locate both the suspect and the car. At that point, the man ran away, and the officers lost contact.

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Police continued searching and were able to locate the suspect again in the 3400 block of Floris Point, near Van Teylingen Drive. At that time, an officer fired at least one shot.

The suspect was not hit and was taken into custody. The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave.

In accordance with Colorado law, the El Paso County Sheriffs Office is the lead investigative agency for the officer-involved shooting, CSPD wrote. All investigative updates on CSPDs use of force will be provided by their office.

CSPD will release a significant event briefing video within 21 days.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales delivers a 15-minute speech during a July 23, 2025 meeting. (Screenshot)

A traditionally humdrum meeting detailing motor vehicle issues took a turn Wednesday when Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales spent nearly 15 minutes blasting critical press coverage, repeating the phrase fake news a dozen times during whats typically a brief housekeeping segment.

During the Motor Vehicle Advisory Board meeting, Morales launched into a wide-ranging monologue defending his record, touting trade delegation meetings and visits to county fairs.

Dont pay attention to the fake news, Morales said. It is time for someone like me to share what we have done.

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He specifically called out WIBC and The Indianapolis Star, accusing the news outlets of misrepresenting his work and accomplishments.

Im not going to let the fake news, the fake IndyStar, the fake WIBC, to define me, Morales said. They are fake news, and they deserve to be called out.

Since taking office in 2023, Morales has faced a stream of criticism tied to his international travel, office spending and hiring decisions. Media reports have scrutinized international trips and the use of campaign money to purchase a personal vehicle.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle has additionally reported on multimillion dollar no-bid contracts awarded by the office, as well as hundreds of thousands of dollars in spot bonuses approved by Morales.

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One of his offices duties is to oversee the states auto dealers. The advisory board weighs in on the contents of forms; methods and procedures for evaluation of the qualifications of applicants for licenses; licensure actions and investigations into unfair practices.

In his remarks, the secretary of state denied using public dollars for international travel and said he personally footed the bill.

No taxpayer money was used (for) all of this, because I dont believe in that, unlike what the fake news says, he said I pay for it. I (put) my money where my mouth is.

Indiana Secretary of State Diego Morales, at center with his arms raised, at an April 2024 Motor Vehicle Advisory Board Meeting. (From Morales official Facebook page)

He also suggested that his engagement with foreign delegations was yielding tangible economic benefits, like car manufacturing jobs.

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When I went to downtown Chicago to the (Japanese) emperors birthday  they told me Indiana is our friend. We will be moving our Honda operations from Mexico to Indiana, he said.

Yet the fake news said  Diego Morales is at some guys birthday  when that some guys birthday is moving their Honda operations here, Morales continued.

He also praised President Donald Trump for implementing tariffs that influenced the move but took partial credit himself.

I give him 99% because of his tariffs, but I take that 1%, he said.

Morales also name-dropped visits to Germany  where he said he met with Volkswagen representatives  as well as trips to Taiwan and India.

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Traditionally, economic trade and promotion of the state falls to other state agencies, such as the Indiana Economic Development Corporation or Governors Office.

More than trade

The secretary of state also touted voter registration drives at county fairs, boasted about his offices outreach efforts at the Indiana State Fair and his own energy level.

Tell me who other statewide office holder has crisscrossed all 92 counties within three months. No one, Morales said. My work ethic is unmatched. You know whos the crazy guy who arrives in the statehouse between five and 5:30 a.m.?

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He referenced a new AutoCheck tool developed with Experian and said his office is prioritizing consumers by giving them free access to used car information. State taxpayers are paying hundreds of thousands of dollars for the service.

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He also said that under his leadership, the office has increased enforcement activity.

Before I came into office, we were getting more than 1,000 complaints just in one year, Morales said. And do you know how many enforcement actions they took? Twenty-one. That is unacceptable.

Morales further spoke of his leadership, global experience and disdain for criticism.

You can hate me if you want to. I dont care. I dont care. Im here to get the job done, he said, emphasizing that he didnt seek the statewide office seat to be a puppet.

You have never had a secretary of state like me who has a vision, who has studied all over the world, who has different skills and talents to benefit Indiana, Morales added.

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Lets look at Diego Morales  his abilities, his skills and talents that he has, he said. And you know what? I dont care if you tell me this bragging.  There is no substitute against hard work. So you know what, Im fired up and Im excited, Im excited to take on the world.

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In response to a defamation suit filed today by Frances President & First Lady, Candace Owens is doubling down on her seemingly fanatical assertion that Brigitte Macron was born a man  and shes bringing Donald Trump with her.

Even with the legal action from Emmanuel Macron and his wife, no one realistically expected Owens to back down on her red meat claims on the First Lady of Frances original gender. However, just as she pours more gasoline on the flames of MAGA discontent over the Jeffrey Epstein files not being released by the Justice Department, the controversy embracing right-winger has gone full scorched Earth and now pulled Trump into the case.

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Doubling down on the assertion that 72-year-old Mrs. Macron is indeed a male and citing a recently overturned French libel case on the subject, former Daily Wire contributor Owens Wednesday exclaimed that the suit filed today in Delaware actually defames her.

Then she dropped her own legal bomb.

I find this to be irresistible and delicious, Owens said on her Candace podcast Wednesday , declaring that the Macrons are trying to groom the courtrooms with their claims. The discovery alone will be out of this world. We would be required to depose Donald Trump.

Amidst a bizarre shout out to Kate Middleton and Prince William on verifying Mrs. Macrons gender, the potentially shocking Trump statement Owens made today builds off remarks she made back on June 30.

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Last month Owens teased out a self-described secret she had been keeping under wraps with a story that she was told POTUS was listening in on a late February call from a White House staffer. A call in which she was apparently told there was a request she stop talking about the French First Lady. A follow up call from a pretty high up and pompous administration official went much worse, with Russia/Ukraine war peace talks being derailed as a possible consequence if she didnt let it go.

Owens went on to say on her podcast last month that on February 26 she received a call from President Donald J. Trump himself in Florida telling her that President Macron personally asked him during a visit to DC to help him get Owen to stop thumping on about his wife because she is old and it upsets her.

I saw her up-close, she looks like a woman to me, Owens says Trump said to her. Noting the alleged great plastic surgeon that she has cited Mrs. Macron using, Owen then said she told the former Celebrity Apprentice host, with either vanity or foresight of sorts that this moment may end up in her autobiography, respectfully Mr. President, its not my fault that he (President Macron) married someone with a penis.

As todays lawsuit makes obvious, Owens hasnt stopped talking about the subject of mother of three Mrs. Macron and her birth gender. Following a trio of retraction demands from the Macrons US lawyers, the Elysee Palace residents sued Owens in a 22-count jury trial seeking suit claiming allege the intrigue obsessed podcaster has put them in her sights to promote her independent platform, gain notoriety and make money.

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In that context, lets just say the French do media capitalism much different than here in America with notoriety and money being the point for the most part.

Also today, before launching into more on convicted sex offender Epstein and the recent news that a judge wont unseal grand jury testimony as Trumps DOJ desires, Owens on her Candace podcast slammed the Macrons lawsuit as plain old goofy.

You are officially a very goofy man, Brigitte, she said, before twisting the knife. You definitely have balls.

Calling the lawsuit a catastrophic PR strategy, Owens recommended Mrs. Macron fire everyone around you who said this was a very good idea for you to be the first sitting first lady of a country to file a lawsuit against a journalist in another country.

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On behalf of the entire world, I will see you in court.

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We came across a bullish thesis on Medtronic plc on Max Dividendss Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on MDT. Medtronic plc's share was trading at $89.22 as of July 15th. MDTs trailing and forward P/E were 24.71 and 16.03, respectively according to Yahoo Finance.

A doctor wearing gloves guiding a medical device into the human body.

Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) stands out as a dependable dividend investment with 48 consecutive years of increases and a 3.1% dividend yield, over twice that of the S&P 500. As one of the worlds leading medical device manufacturers, Medtronic operates across cardiovascular, neuroscience, medical surgical, and diabetes segments, offering innovations like pacemakers, insulin pumps, and surgical devices.

With a financial score of 98/99, it demonstrates strong fundamentals, including stable revenue, high free cash flow, and consistent earnings. The companys current dividend payout ratio is 53.14%, significantly lower than its 10-year average, reflecting improved earnings support. Medtronic continues to invest heavily in innovation, with $1.85 billion earmarked across cardiac, diabetes, and surgical technologies, while also expanding in emerging markets and the Asia-Pacific region.

Revenue is projected to grow steadily from $31.7 billion in 2023 to $36.3 billion by 2026. Institutional backing from Vanguard, BlackRock, State Street, and Capital World underscores confidence in the companys long-term outlook. Analysts maintain a neutral-to-bullish stance, with a consensus target price of $95.81 versus the current $90.48.

Although dividend growth has recently slowed, Medtronics MaxRatio of 6.01% suggests strong long-term yield potential. The company is considered undervalued relative to peers, supported by solid fundamentals and growth prospects. Strategic moves such as expanding digital health offerings and leveraging tax advantages from its Ireland domicile enhance its competitive edge. Despite competition from peers like Abbott and Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic remains a compelling choice for income-seeking investors focused on stable, long-term growth.

Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on Medtronic plc by Investing Intel in May 2025, which highlighted strong FY2025 results and the planned diabetes business spin-off. The companys stock price has appreciated by ~10.6% since our coverage, as the thesis played out. Max Dividends shares a similar view but emphasizes dividend strength, institutional support, and long-term income potential.

Medtronic plc is not on our list of the 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 63 hedge fund portfolios held MDT at the end of the first quarter which was 67 in the previous quarter. While we acknowledge the potential of MDT 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.
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Earlier today, Donald Trump unveiled his administrations AI Action Plana document that details, in 23 pages, the presidents vision of global AI dominance and offers a road map for America to achieve it. The upshot? AI companies such as OpenAI and Nvidia must be allowed to move as fast as they can. As the White House officials Michael Kratsios, David Sacks, and Marco Rubio wrote in the plans introduction, Simply put, we need to Build, Baby, Build!

The action plan is the direct result of an executive order, signed by Trump in the first week of his second term, that directed the federal government to produce a plan to enhance Americas global AI dominance. For months, the Trump administration solicited input from AI firms, civil-society groups, and everyday citizens. OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, Google, and Microsoft issued extensive recommendations.

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The White House is clearly deferring to the private sector, which has close ties to the Trump administration. On his second day in office, Trump, along with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Oracle CEO Larry Ellison, and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son, announced the Stargate Project, a private venture that aims to build hundreds of billions of dollars worth of AI infrastructure in the United States. Top tech executives have made numerous visits to the White House and Mar-a-Lago, and Trump has reciprocated with praise. Kratsios, who advises the president on science and technology, used to work at Scale AI and, well before that, at Peter Thiels investment firm. Sacks, the White Houses AI and crypto czar, was an angel investor for Facebook, Palantir, and SpaceX. During todays speech about the AI Action Plan, Trump lauded several tech executives and investors, and credited the AI boom to the genius and creativity of Silicon Valley.

At times, the action plan itself comes across as marketing from the tech industry. It states that AI will augur an industrial revolution, an information revolution, and a renaissanceall at once. And indeed, many companies were happy: Great work, Kevin Weil, OpenAIs chief product officer, wrote on X of the AI Action Plan. Thank you President Trump, wrote Collin McCune, the head of government affairs at the venture-capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. The White House AI Action Plan gets it right on infrastructure, federal adoption, and safety coordination, Anthropic wrote on its X account. It reflects many policy aims core to Anthropic. (The Atlantic and OpenAI have a corporate partnership.)

In a sense, the action plan is a bet. AI is already changing a number of industries, including software engineering, and a number of scientific disciplines. Should AI end up producing incredible prosperity and new scientific discoveries, then the AI Action Plan may well get America there faster simply by removing any roadblocks and regulations, however sensible, that would slow the companies down. But should the technology prove to be a bubbleAI products remain error-prone, extremely expensive to build, and unproven in many business applicationsthe Trump administration is more rapidly pushing us toward the bust. Either way, the nation is in Silicon Valleys hands.

[Read: The computer-science bubble is bursting]

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The action plan has three major pillars: enhancing AI innovation, developing more AI infrastructure, and promoting American AI. To accomplish these goals, the administration will seek to strip away federal and state regulations on AI development while also making it easier and more financially viable to build data centers and energy infrastructure. Trump also signed executive orders to expedite permitting for AI projects and export American AI products abroad.

The White Houses specific ideas for removing what it describes as onerous regulations and bureaucratic red tape are sweeping. For instance, the AI Action Plan recommends that the federal government review Federal Trade Commission investigations or orders from the Biden administration that unduly burden AI innovation, perhaps referencing investigations into potentially monopolistic AI investments and deceptive AI advertising. The document also suggests that federal agencies reduce AI-related funding to states with regulatory environments deemed unfriendly to AI. (For instance, a state might risk losing funding if it has a law that requires AI firms to open themselves up to extensive third-party audits of their technology.) As for the possible environmental tolls of AI developmentthe data centers chatbots run on consume huge amounts of water and electricitythe AI Action Plan waves them away. The road map suggests streamlining or reducing a number of environmental regulations, such as standards in the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Actwhich would require evaluating pollution from AI infrastructurein order to accelerate construction.

Once the red tape is gone, the Trump administration wants to create a dynamic, try-first culture for AI across American industry. In other words, build and test out AI products first, and then determine if those products are actually helpfulor if they pose any risks. The plan outlines policies to encourage both private and public adoption of AI in a number of domains: scientific discovery, health care, agriculture, and basically any government service. In particular, the plan stresses, the United States must aggressively adopt AI within its Armed Forces if it is to maintain its global military preeminencein line with how nearly every major AI firm has begun developing military offerings over the past year. Earlier this month, the Pentagon announced contracts worth up to $200 million each with OpenAI, Google, Anthropic, and xAI.

All of this aligns rather neatly with the broader AI industrys goals. Companies want to build more energy infrastructure and data centers, deploy AI more widely, and fast-track innovation. Several of OpenAIs recommendations to the AI Action Planincluding categorical exclusions from environmental policy for AI-infrastructure construction, limits on state regulations, widespread federal procurement of AI, and sandboxes for start-ups to freely test AIclosely echo the final document. Also this week, Anthropic published a policy document titled Building AI in America with very similar suggestions for building AI infrastructure, such as slashing red tape and partnering with the private sector. Permitting reform and more investments in energy supply, keystones of the final plan, were also the central asks of Google and Microsoft. The regulations and safety concerns the AI Action Plan does highlight, although important, all dovetail with efforts that AI firms are already undertaking; theres nothing here that would seriously slow Silicon Valley down.

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Trump gestured toward other concessions to the AI industry in his speech. He specifically targeted intellectual-property laws, arguing that training AI models on copyrighted books and articles does not infringe upon copyright because the chatbots, like people, are simply learning from the content. This has been a major conflict in recent years, with more than 40 related lawsuits filed against AI companies since 2022. (The Atlantic is suing the AI company Cohere, for example.) If courts were to decide that training AI models with copyrighted material is against the law, it would be a major setback for AI companies. In their official recommendations for the AI Action Plan, OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google all requested a copyright exception, known as fair use, for AI training. Based on his statements, Trump appears to strongly agree with this position, although the AI Action Plan itself does not reference copyright and AI training.

[Read: Judges dont know what AIs book piracy means]

Also sprinkled throughout the AI Action Plan are gestures toward some MAGA priorities. Notably, the policy states that the government will contract with only AI companies whose models are free from top-down ideological biasa reference to Sackss crusade against woke AIand that a federal AI-risk-management framework should eliminate references to misinformation, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and climate change. Trump signed a third executive order today that, in his words, will eliminate woke, Marxist lunacy from AI models. The plan also notes that the U.S. must prevent the premature decommissioning of critical power generation resources, likely a subtle nod to Trumps suggestion that coal is a good way to power data centers.

Looming over the White Houses AI agenda is the threat of Chinese technology getting ahead. The AI Action Plan repeatedly references the importance of staying ahead of Chinese AI firms, as did the presidents speech: We will not allow any foreign nation to beat us; our nation will not live in a planet controlled by the algorithms of the adversaries, Trump declared. The worry is that advanced AI models could give China economic, military, and diplomatic dominance over the worlda fear that OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and several other AI firms have added to.

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But whatever happens on the international stage, hundreds of millions of Americans will feel more and more of generative AIs influenceon salaries and schools, air quality and electricity costs, federal services and doctors offices. AI companies have been granted a good chunk of their wish list; if anything, the industry is being told that its not moving fast enough. Silicon Valley has been given permission to accelerate, and were all along for the ride.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
President Donald Trump takes to the stage at an AI summit hosted by AllIn Podcast and Hill & Valley Forum at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C., on July 23, 2025. Credit - Chip SomodevillaGetty Images

The Trump Administration has triedand failedto put tensions over its handling of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's case to bed for weeks. But theyve only continued to escalate as news outlets have reported new information related to President Donald Trumps years-long relationship with Epstein and potential inclusion in files related to the case.

The recent controversy ignited after the Department of Justice and FBI issued a memo earlier this month declaring Epsteins death a suicide and denying the existence of a client list of people involved in his alleged sex trafficking activities.

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The memo contradicted a slew of conspiracy theories surrounding Epstein that have been particularly prominent on the right and had previously been fueled by top Trump Administration officials including FBI Director Kash Patel and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who in February stated that the rumored client list was sitting on my desk right now. (Following the memos release, both have walked back their previous comments: Patel stated that the conspiracy theories just arent true, never have been, and Bondi said that she was referring to the case file on Epstein in the February interview.) Trump himself brought the issue up more rarely than his allies, though he promised on the campaign trail to release more information related to the case.

The Administrations reversal on the matter has drawn outcry from the Presidents MAGA base and divided the Republican Party, as constituent concerns and calls for transparency have clashed with Trumps repeated attempts to downplay the scandal.

House Speaker Mike Johnson earlier this week prevented a vote on a bipartisan bill that would mandate the full release of the Epstein filescosponsored by fellow Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Democratic Rep. Ro Khannaby sending lawmakers home early for their five-week recess.

A day later, the House Oversight Committee voted late Wednesday to subpoena the Department of Justice for its files related to Epsteins case. The American people deserve transparency and accountability and his victims deserve justice, Rep. Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, the top-ranking Democrat on the panel, wrote on X Wednesday. The wealthy and powerful are not above the law. Three Republicans on the committee broke with their party to vote with Democrats on the matter.

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The committee also issued a subpoena for a deposition from Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins long-time associate who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking and other crimes.

Heres what to know about the controversy and how the Administration is responding.

White House hits back at reports that Trump is named in the files

Questions about the Administrations handling of documents related to Epstein further mounted after the Wall Street Journal and other news outlets reported on Wednesday that Justice Department officials informed the President in May that his name is in the Epstein files.

His inclusion in the records, which also include the names of other influential figures, isnt evidence of wrongdoing, according to the Journals report. Trumps name has previously appeared in unsealed documents in the case, along with those of a number of other Epstein acquaintances and associates.

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Justice Department officials also reportedly informed Trump in the May briefing that they did not plan on releasing additional files related to Epstein because the material included child pornography and the personal information of victims.

The Administration is pushing back on the reporting.

White House communications director Steven Cheung referred to it as fake news in a statement to TIME. The fact is that the President kicked him out of his club for being a creep, Cheung said. However, a Trump official told Reuters that the Administration is not denying that Trumps name was mentioned in the files.

The Journals most recent report comes as its parent companies, owner, two reporters, and one of the parent companys CEOs face a libel lawsuit filed by the President in response to an earlier story alleging that Trump was one of dozens of individuals who wrote letters to Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003. Happy Birthday  and may every day be another wonderful secret, the letter concluded, according to the media outlet.

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TIME has not independently verified the reporting.

On Wednesday, Rep. Khanna told MSNBCs The Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell that he planned on issuing a subpoena for the birthday album, which is in the possession of the Epstein estate.

In the face of the escalating scandal, the Trump Administration has made some effort to release more files related to Epstein.

On July 18, the Justice Department filed a motion asking for grand jury transcripts in the case to be released. A Florida federal judge this Wednesday blocked one of the Administration's requests to unseal grand jury testimony, citing regulations barring courts from unsealing such transcripts except in narrow circumstances. Two other requests for information filed by the Department in the state of New York are still being considered.

What has Trump said about Epstein?

Despite Trumps attempts to distance himself from Epstein since the disgraced financiers first conviction in 2008, the two were previously pictured together on numerous occasionsincluding at Trumps 1993 wedding to Marla Maples and at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

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In a 2002 interview with New York Magazine, Trump stated that he had known Epstein for around 15 years and referred to him as a terrific guy and a lot of fun.

It is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side. No doubt about it  Jeffrey enjoys his social life, the magazine quoted the President as saying.

In 2017, however, the Trump Organization denied that the President had a relationship with Epstein or was aware of his conduct. This has all been reported countless times in the press, Trump Organization attorney Alan Garten told POLITICO.

The President has expressed ire at the medias focus on Epstein in recent weeks. I had the Greatest Six Months of any President in the History of our Country, and all the Fake News wants to talk about is the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax! Trump wrote on Truth Social Wednesday.

What files have already been released on Epstein and is there a client list?

Public pressure for the unsealing of files regarding the notorious sex offender is in part due to Trumps 2024 presidential campaign promise to release more information regarding the matter.

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Some previously sealed documents related to the Epstein and Maxwell cases have already been made public. In January 2024, more than 1,400 pages of records were unsealed under the Biden Administration, though they included little new information.

This February, the Trump Justice Department released what it referred to as the first phase of the declassified Epstein files, first to a group of right-wing influencers and later publicly. The information, however, was mostly already public, including flight logs and a redacted copy of Epsteins contact book.

Trump is among other prominent figures named in the previously unsealed documents. He was mentioned in a 2016 deposition from Johanna Sjoberg, one of Epsteins victims, who said the disgraced financiers plane made an impromptu stop in Atlantic City in the 2000s. Sjoberg said no when asked if shed given Trump a massage.

The FBI and DOJ have denied the existence of a client list of people Epstein allegedly trafficked young girls to. They also said there is no credible evidence that Epstein blackmailed associates to keep them quiet.

Why is the government meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell now?

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche reportedly met with Maxwell for six hours on Thursday.

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Blanche said on Tuesday that he intended to meet with Maxwell to discuss Epstein and what she knows about his actions, noting he reached out at Bondis request.

President Trump has told us to release all credible evidence, Blanche said. If Ghislane Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say.

The decision to speak with Maxwell, as well as the Department of Justices request for grand jury testimony related to the Epstein to be unsealed on Friday, mark a shift in Bondis approach to the issue as the Administration continues to take fire from its base and some Republican lawmakers and media figures.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT)  A variety of issues were brought before lawmakers Wednesday at a Joint Prison Oversight Committee hearing in Montgomery.

Advocates are calling for reforms inside and outside the prison system. Dozens testified about violence, drug use and conditions in Alabamas prisons.

Rachel Elledge serves as a volunteer coordinator for the Lovelady Center in Birmingham after serving time in the Julia Tutwiler Prison for Women.

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Weve got to change, Elledge said. Weve got to get some programs that allow these ladies to transition and realize that theres another way to live than the life that theyre coming out of.

Yolanda Williams, a 20-year U.S. Army veteran, said her relative is enduring hot and uninhabitable conditions in prison.

Only thing we judge them off of is the crime, Williams said. Were not judging them off of being human, and they are human. They are serving their time with the mistakes that they made. So today, I just ask everyone to be a voice for those that cannot be a voice for themselves.

Bibb County sheriff holds press conference over arrests in child sex trafficking ring

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State Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, said improving the parole system will help those conditions.

Properly assess someone to determine if theyre a threat or not and to utilize all the things that weve created with our own state tax dollars to help that transition by giving parole, so the people who dont need to be there can get out, England said.

State Sen. Clyde Chambliss, R-Prattville, said they will continue working to curb drug use in prisons.

Work with DOC to try to prevent it as much as we can, Chambliss said. Drones have been a big problem, and weve used some intelligence to try and counter that as well.

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Chambliss said they have a long way to go, but hes pleased with the direction they are going. He said there are plans to replace Tutwiler, which he said is almost 100 years old.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LOS ANGELES (KTLA)  A man accused of plowing into several dozen clubgoers in East Hollywood early Saturday morning will face more than 70 criminal counts, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Tuesday.

Fernando Ramirez, 29, will face 37 counts of attempted murder and 37 counts of assault with a deadly weapon, said Hochman, who explained the 37 counts are for each victim and the deadly weapon used in this alleged attack was the car.

At about 2 a.m., the San Clemente resident Ramirez drove his car onto the sidewalk outside a club in the 1000 block of North Vermont Avenue, where he struck a crowd of people, Hochman alleged.

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Hochman said that while hes thankful no one died, there were many serious injuries inflicted, including serious fractures, lacerations and broken bones.

Police are searching for man suspected of shooting a driver who plowed into an East Hollywood nightclub crowd, injuring 37 people on July, 19 2025. (LAPD)

But for the grace of God, this couldve been a mass-casualty incident, he said.

It is truly a miracle that nobody was killed that night, said Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell.

As for Ramirezs alleged motivation, that will come out in a court of law, the prosecutor said.

If convicted, Ramirez could receive multiple life sentences. Ahead of his trial, hes being held without bail.

Hes scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday.

Mr. Ramirez will face the full accountability for his actions when we get him into court, and we look forward to that opportunity, to presenting that evidence to, if its a jury, a jury, and convicting him on each and every one of these counts  At that point, well tell the judge to put him away for the rest of his life, Hochman said.

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Another man who allegedly shot Ramirez in the buttocks after the crash is still being sought by police.

We understand the emotions involved, but when the threat had ended and the suspect was no longer actively harming others, the use of deadly force was both unlawful and dangerous to everybody present, McDonnell 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 driver was killed in a single-car crash on Route 32 in Monson Wednesday afternoon, according to police.

Police, firefighters and paramedics responded to the crash near 57 Strafford Road shortly after 2:50 p.m., Monson police said in a press release. The preliminary investigation indicates the car was traveling south at a high rate of speed when it crossed into the northbound lane. It then struck two trees and a utility pole.

The driver was taken by ambulance to Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer, then airlifted to Baystate Medical Center in Springfield where they were declared dead, police said. The Hampden County District Attorneys Office and the Massachusetts State Police accident reconstruction unit is still investigating the crash.

No further information, including the drivers identity, has been released.

Read the original article on MassLive.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A two-vehicle crash on Highway 99E near Harrisburg ended in the death of a woman on Sunday night, according to Oregon State Police.

Officers responded to the crash near Cartney Drive around 9:13 p.m. One driver, 48-year-old Laura Marie Howard of Corvallis, was declared dead at the scene.

An investigation found that Howard had been traveling westbound in a green Toyota Tacoma when she entered the intersection without stopping at the stop sign. Her truck was then struck by a semi truck heading southbound, according to police.

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The commercial truck driver and a passenger inside the vehicle were not injured.

Details of what led to the crash are unclear.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 authorities say involved street racing and killed two teens in Eagan led to two drivers being charged Thursday with third-degree murder and criminal vehicular homicide.

Three vehicles were part of the June 14 crash near Minnesota Highways 149 and 55  a Jeep, a Honda Sedan and a Dodge SUV.

The driver of the Jeep, 19-year-old Reed Robert Schultz, and passenger 18-year-old Finnian Thomas Cronin were found unresponsive. Schultz, of Savage, died soon after and Cronin, of Edina, died at the hospital on July 1.

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Surveillance camera footage from the Minnesota Department of Transportation showed all three vehicles speeding south on Highway 149 toward Highway 55. The Jeep and Honda appeared to lose control and went over the concrete median at 11:15:17 p.m. The Jeep struck a semaphore pole, severing the vehicle in two.

At 11:17:52 p.m., the 20-year-old driver of the Honda, Jordan John Wieland, was seen carrying a backpack and walking up to bystanders, the criminal complaints said. He entered another vehicle and left the scene before police arrived.

An officer found Wieland, of White Bear Lake, at a hospital.

Law enforcement identified 24-year-old Melody Lynn Little, of West St. Paul, as the driver of the Dodge. She wasnt injured.

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Little and Wieland told police they were in a group of five to 10 vehicles at a car meet up in South St. Paul, the complaints said. She and Wieland said they werent racing, though Wieland said it likely looked like racing.

Little said the Jeep and Honda were going way too fast, and said she was traveling 60-70 mph when she decided to slow down, according to the complaints.

According to the complaints: Wieland estimated they were driving about 90 mph before the crash and said the curve and intersection came out of nowhere. He said he knew the Jeep was really (expletive) up, but said he hadnt called 911. He said he was not thinking straight so he left the scene.

Wieland said hed had two shots of tequila earlier in the day. A preliminary breath test showed his blood-alcohol concentration was 0.013, under the legal limit of 0.08 to drive in Minnesota.

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Speedometers in the Honda and the Dodge were captured on cell phone video in the moments before the crash, and showed the vehicles were traveling about 110 mph, according to the complaints.

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This case involves the eminently dangerous activity of street racing, the complaints said.

The Dakota County Attorneys Office charged both Little and Wieland with two counts of third-degree murder (perpetrating an eminently dangerous act and evincing a depraved mind) and two counts of criminal vehicular homicide (gross negligence).

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Little and Wieland were arrested Thursday and booked into the Dakota County jail.

Little was convicted of speeding in cases from 2020, 2022 and earlier this year, court records show. She has pending speeding cases from May 30 and July 14, according to a memo from the county attorneys office about bail.

Wieland was cited in 2023 in separate cases for speeding and not wearing a seatbelt.

Attorneys for Little and Wieland werent listed in their court files as of Thursday afternoon.
A field base of Norwegian People's Aid  a humanitarian organisation assisting with demining in Ukraine  was hit in Mykolaiv on the night of 23-24 July.

Source: Rune Dale-Andresen, a section manager from the Norwegian People's Aid, in a comment to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The premises of the Norwegian humanitarian organisation were damaged during the overnight attack on Mykolaiv, when eight Russian Shahed drones were downed over the oblast, as reported by local authorities.

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"We do not yet know whether it was a Russian drone shot down by Ukraine or whether a drone actually struck the field base. We are working to clarify this," said Dale-Andersen.

The Norwegian People's Aid stated that until now, drones had not come this close to their base in Mykolaiv.

"We were lucky. There were no staff members in the camp, and the damage is only material," Dale-Andersen added.

Norwegian People's Aid employs around 400 staff working on demining operations along the line of contact in southern Ukraine.

Background:

Last week, Egils Helmanis, Mayor of the Latvian city of Ogre, was injured in Donetsk Oblast after being caught in a Russian missile strike.

Last year, a Swiss volunteer was wounded during Russian shelling on the town of Vovchansk in Kharkiv Oblast.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
(WJET/WFXP)  After a long-term investigation, one man was arrested when police allegedly found pounds of cocaine and cannabis, among other drugs, in his New York home.

On Wednesday, July 23, narcotics investigators with the Chautauqua County Sheriffs Office, Jamestown Police Department and the Dunkirk Police Department executed a search warrant at a home on Hanson Road in the town of Gerry, New York.

Police find over 40 grams of meth after man flees from officers: Jamestown PD

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Investigators claim that during the search, they found 1.3 kilos of cocaine, 7.6 pounds of cannabis, 10.6 grams of MDMA, scales, packaging material, three loaded semi-automatic pistols, two high-capacity pistol magazines, a .22 caliber rifle and $11,278 in cash.

Chaze Johnson, who was at the home when investigators arrived, was arrested and transported to the Chautauqua County Sheriffs Jail.

He is being charged with two counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, five counts of criminal possession of a weapon and one count of criminally using drug paraphernalia.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
By Kylie Madry

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexican lender Banorte's net profit ticked up 4% in the second quarter, lifted by a double-digit jump in its loan book, it reported on Tuesday.

Net profit for the period was 14.62 billion pesos ($779.09 million), but below the 15.01-billion-peso estimate from analysts polled by LSEG.

Net interest income, the difference between what banks earn on loans and dole out in deposits, grew 12% from the year-ago quarter, which Banorte attributed to a more diversified portfolio and lower funding costs. That rise helped offset an 887-million-peso hit from foreign exchange impacts, Banorte, one of Mexico's largest banks, said.

The growth comes during an interest-rate-cutting cycle from Mexico's central bank, which in June trimmed the benchmark rate to its lowest level in nearly three years. Lower rates typically pressure rate margins.

Banorte's total portfolio, minus government loans, posted 13% growth year-on-year. The consumer segment posted the strongest performance, with auto loans climbing 30% and credit card loans rising 18%.

Corporate and commercial loans also grew in the double digits, though government lending fell as loans were paid back early.

Return on equity, a key measure of profitability, ticked up to 23.6% from 23.3% a year earlier, while the bank's non-performing loan ratio held steady at 1.1%.

Banorte maintained its full-year guidance, projecting net income between 59.6 billion and 62.1 billion pesos and loan growth of 8% to 11%.

"Given Banorte's track record, we translate (that) into confidence on the provided ranges, particularly in loan growth," analysts at Citi wrote in a note, saying it was a key concern among investors.

MONEY LAUNDERING JITTERS

Banorte's CEO, Marcos Ramirez, told journalists that the lender was wrapping up its relationships with firms which in June had been targeted by the U.S. Treasury for alleged money laundering concerns.

The sanctions applied to three financial institutions -- CIBanco, Intercam Banco and Vector Casa de Bolsa -- and while the groups are relatively small, they have sent shockwaves through Mexico's banking system.

Ramirez said Banorte had doubled down on its own anti-money laundering standards, which it had boosted earlier in the year after calls to do so from the U.S.

Ramirez said as head of Mexico's banking association, the group was unaware of any investigations into other groups, which the market has widely speculated.

($1 = 18.7654 pesos at end-June)

(Reporting by Kylie Madry; Additional reporting by Natalia Siniawski and Andre Romani; Editing by Leslie Adler)
Andrew Willis Garces, a organizer for Siembra NC, speaks to media about ICE agents at the Durham County Courthouse. (Photo: Greg Childress)

Durham government officials and advocates for immigrants on Wednesday condemned the presence of four plainclothes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at the Durham County Courthouse to detain a man due to make his first court appearance.

The agents presence was reported around 9:30 a.m., to Siembra NC, a grassroots immigrant advocacy group, by an anonymous community member. The unnamed man due in court never appeared, the group reported. Siembra leaders said it has information suggesting that agents will return to the courthouse on Thursday.

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From what we know, ICE came to try to detain someone before they could have a first appearance in court, said Andrew Willis Garces, an organizer with Siembra NC. This is someone with a first appearance at court, not someone with a conviction. And so obviously, ICE does not care about the rule of law, about due process, about public safety, which is cultivated at the local level.

In a statement, Kelly Morales, Siembra NCs co-director, said the group will stand with Durham.

Thats why we plan to have our people show up to Durham County Courthouse tomorrow morning to do what we can to preserve justice for everyone in our communities, Morales said. And we are calling on elected officials and leaders throughout our state to ask themselves if theyre doing everything they can to do the same.

Morales said the groups ICE Watch program is quickly becoming a court watch program as ICE agents begin to appear at courthouses with more frequency.

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Since the beginning of the year, the group has trained nearly 2,000 people for its ICE Watch program across multiple counties, Siembra leaders said. The program was created in response to increased ICE-led detentions in Wake, Durham, Mecklenburg and Guilford counties, they said.

Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam speaks to the media on Wednesday. (Photo: Greg Childress)

Durham officials and others who gathered outside of the courthouse Wednesday for a news conference said the report of ICE agents sent a chill through immigrant communities

Such tactics spread fear and erode trust, they said.

When agents show up in plain clothes to detain someone with a scheduled court appearance, it sends a clear message that immigrant communities are not safe anywhere, said Durham Board of County Commissioners Chairwoman Nida Allam.

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Allam said a young immigrant couple who planned to get married Wednesday changed their minds after they learned ICE agents had been at the courthouse.

We dont know what their citizenship status is, we didnt ask, but the fact is, that even if they were citizens, they dont feel safe, Allam said. It instills a fear in community members who look different, who have black or brown skin, that they are under threat of being detained.

Allam, a naturalized citizen with dual citizenship in Canada and the U.S., said she feels threatened at times due to Trump administration policies targeting immigrants for deportation.

In Trump 1 [Trumps first administration] we saw the targeting of Black and brown communities but what we see now is Trump 1 times 100, Allam said. Under this new administration, theres no one who seems to be safe.

Durham County school board member Natalie Beyer (Photo: https://www.dpsnc.net/)

Durham school board member Natalie Beyer noted that the districts year-round schools started this week. Beyer said the fear and distrust generated by targeting immigrants ripples through the schools.

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Children have a constitutional right to education in this country, Beyer said. We need to make sure that families feel safe in our schools, in our clinics and our courthouses and our public spaces so that they can take care of their families and no live in fear.

Beyer said some families are afraid to allow their children to walk to schools. She said the district has begun to hold more events virtually instead of in person to ease the fears of immigrant families uncomfortable being around police officers.

The Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) called Wednesdays incident disturbing and the latest in increased ICE activity across North Carolina and the South. The group noted the recent detention of Mohamed Ali Aboubaker Naser, a father of five in Greensboro who it contends is in the country legally. Nasers attorney said her client also holds a valid visa.

These courthouse ambushes are not isolated events, said Nicole Drapluk with the PSL. They are part of a broader strategy of intimidation and repression targeting immigrant communities across the South, especially in North Carolina.
The phrase there are two Americas has many meanings. It can mean that there are two justice systems: one for the rich and one for the poor. It can mean right and left. Rural and urban. Ketchup and  the right way to eat a hot dog.

When it comes to taxes and spending, state leaders often split into two camps, too  one that talks about priorities and restraint, and one that talks about hiking and expanding.

Call them Texas and Illinois.

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Exhibit A: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently announced on the social platform X that state lawmakers this week will be tackling property taxes in a special session.

First on the agenda: legislation to cut property taxes. Second on the agenda: legislation to limit spending by government entities that impose property taxes.

You dont have to like everything they do in Texas, and we sure dont, but you cant summarily dismiss this kind of thinking, which rarely even enters the discussion in Illinois.

While Texas is getting ready to talk about ways to cut taxes and limit spending, our most recent legislative session ended with a handful of new tax hikes and a to be continued on transit that promises to include conversations about other potential tax increases.

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Importantly, Abbotts message isnt just about people-pleasing tax cuts  its a call to make relief happen without breaking the bank. Tax cuts and spending cuts have to go hand in hand, otherwise the cycle starts all over again as deficit spending goes up and tax hikes come calling down the road to plug the hole.

And to that end, we know its not all sunshine and roses in Texas. They have fiscal problems, too, namely that local property taxes have grown dramatically in many parts of the state. In Austin, for example, the citys property tax levy increased from $675 million to over $1 billion from 2018 to 2022, representing a 51.4% increase, according to research from the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

In 2023, Gov. Greg Abbott and over 80% of Texas voters approved an $18 billion plan aimed at easing the burden on homeowners and businesses. But local governments overspending has continued to drive up bills, blunting the relief. Thats why Abbott is now pushing to rein in local spending as part of the broader fix Texas needs.

Still, acknowledging those problems and working to address them is precisely what stands out to us. We like it when leaders are honest about financial problems and willing to tackle them head-on, even when it isnt easy.

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This isnt a pro-Texas, anti-Illinois commentary. This is an endorsement of good ideas, common sense and getting to work addressing big fiscal problems.

Were not saying move to Texas  though Austin and Dallas have their appeal. We like it just fine plunked here in the Midwest next to plenty of fresh water and a climate less prone to life-altering natural disasters. And in the case of the recent loss of young life due to flooding, were well aware that adequate local government spending on emergency procedures remains vital. We hope Abbott is aware of that, too.

But were seeing Texas leaders bring a refreshingly different mindset to the debate over government and taxpayer dollars. Where Illinois politicians are more likely to stick their heads in the sand, Texas at least appears willing to confront money issues, or at least speak their name out loud.

Here in Illinois, the best weve managed to do is form working groups to study our states property tax problem  which is among the worst in the country  and then move on without real action. That pattern reflects a broader political culture of denial, as if ordinary families arent struggling to cover mortgages and grocery bills.

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Not only is tax relief not on the table, but tax hikes are a constant threat here.

Illinois is far from alone in this pattern, of course. But as Texas works to tackle taxes and government spending problems, Illinois should at least start talking about them more honestly.

_____
Dead six years, child sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein is causing a problem for President Donald Trump and the Republican Party and has now caught House Speaker Mike Johnson, who is backflipping wildly.

This week, the Trump toady lived up to that description by sending the House out of town early on its month-long summer recess right as bipartisan members were scheduled to force a vote on release of Epstein files, this after Johnson himself said last week we should put everything out there.

Thats just fine by Trump, who in complete about-face had his administration claim there was no Epstein client list and has insisted that his own supporters are rubes for wanting to see the documents hed promised hed show them. If hes frustrated that so many people are fixated on this particular question, he can find that culprit in the mirror.

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Part of Trumps electoral successes have been cemented on his ability to deliver very simple political promises. He was going to deport all the bad hombres illegally in the country; he was going to bring prices down and revitalize American manufacturing; he was going to end the war in Ukraine and keep the U.S. out of foreign military entanglements; and he was going to finally bring clarity to whole sordid Epstein debacle, which tied together a number of his MAGA supporters paranoias and fascinations with elite cabals and pedophiles lurking in every corner.

In the end, hes been unable to deliver these simple promises because, as it turns out, the world is complicated. Theres no way to have massive arrest numbers of hardened criminals while preserving everyones civil and due process rights. There was obviously no path towards a quick and easy resolution of Putins invasion of Ukraine, nor the decades-in-the-making collapse of American industrial capacity.

Yet, the Epstein case was one area where he essentially could pretty easily carry out his promises. The files, he assured everyone, did exist and would be expeditiously released by his Justice Department and his FBI so that the public would finally have full insight into these crimes and coverups. He cant credibly say here that he has been foiled by an intransigent Congress or liberal judges or foreign leaders. His transparent and indisputable attempt to get out of his own commitment raises some pretty obvious questions for even ardent supporters around who exactly hes trying to protect and what information hes trying to keep obscure.

As much as Trump has mastered misdirection and red herrings throughout his time in politics, we doubt this will be easy to squirrel out of with as blunt a tool as U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondis request for release of grand jury transcripts from a Manhattan federal judge, which will likely produce next to nothing.

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The real meat of things are the files that federal agents hold on the totality of the Epstein investigation and the rumored client list, as well as what Ghislaine Maxwell (now serving 20 years in federal prison and appealing her conviction, and probably hoping for a presidential pardon) has to say about her insight as Epsteins longtime right hand.

That seems to be why former Trump personal criminal defense attorney Todd Blanche, now the DOJ No. 2, is seeking to speak with her ahead of her chance to potentially testify publicly. Trump might claim that he didnt know about this effort, but he is quite simply not a credible source on pretty much anything and especially not here given the real possibility that he could be personally mentioned in the documents.

The president is banking on the media and his supporters to just move on. This time, he might be wrong.

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Lawmakers across the country filed more bills to restrict or protect libraries and readers in the first half of this year than last year, a new report found. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

State lawmakers across the country filed more bills to restrict or protect libraries and readers in the first half of this year than last year, a new report found.

The split fell largely along geographic lines, according to the report from EveryLibrary, a group that advocates against book bans and censorship.

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Between January and July 2025, lawmakers introduced 133 bills that the organization deemed harmful to libraries, librarians or readers rights in 33 states  an increase from 121 bills in all of 2024. Fourteen of those measures had passed as of mid-July.

At the same time, legislators introduced 76 bills in 32 states to protect library services or affirm the right to read, the report found.

The geographic split among these policies is stark.

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In Southern and Plains states, new laws increasingly criminalize certain actions of librarians, restrict access to materials about gender and race, and transfer decision-making power to politically appointed boards or parent-led councils.

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Texas alone passed a trio of sweeping laws stripping educators of certain legal protections when providing potentially obscene materials; banning public funding for instructional materials containing obscene content; and giving parents more authority over student reading choices and new library additions.

Tennessee lowered the bar to prosecute educators for sharing books that might be considered harmful to minors.

A New Hampshire bill likewise wouldve made it easier for parents or the state attorney general to bring civil actions against school employees for distributing material deemed harmful to minors, but it was vetoed by Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte.

In Nebraska, a new law allows for real-time alerts for parents every time a student checks out a book. South Dakota requires libraries and schools to install filtering software. New laws in Idaho heighten the requirements to form library districts and mandate stricter internet filtering policies that are tied to state funding.

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In contrast, several Northeastern states have passed legislation protections for libraries and librarians and anti-censorship laws.

New Jersey, Delaware, Rhode Island and Connecticut have each enacted freedom to read or other laws that codify protections against ideological censorship in libraries.

Connecticut also took a major step in modernizing libraries in the digital age, the report said, becoming the first state in the nation to pass a law regulating how libraries license and manage e-books and digital audiobooks.

Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira can be reached at rsequeira@stateline.org.

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The terrorist who carried out the car-ramming attack did not steal the vehicle he was driving, as per preliminary reports.

Eight IDF soldiers were wounded, two moderately, and six lightly, when a terrorist conducted a ramming attack at the Beit Lid Junction near Kfar Yona on Thursday morning. The soldiers had been waiting at a bus stop.

While one of the terrorists was arrested, a second suspect, Arkan Khaled, 27, from Taibe, is still being searched for, according to the police.

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Magen David Adom teams administered aid at the scene of the attack.

I saw the bus stop shattered, glass broken, and eight injured people nearby, MDA motorcycle paramedic Idan Shina said. Three of them had been thrown about 15 meters back into the dirt behind the bus stop. All were fully conscious and told us that while they were standing at the bus stop, a vehicle suddenly sped toward them, hit them, and fled the scene.

The site of a reported car ramming in Kfar Yona, Magen David Adom and police forces arriving at the scene, July 24, 2025. (credit: MAGEN DAVID ADOM)

We performed an initial triage; other bystanders began assisting the injured, guided over the phone by MDAs 101 dispatch center. A young man and woman, about 20 years old, were assessed at the scene in moderate condition with injuries typical of vehicular trauma.

The injured were evacuated to the Laniado Hospital in Netanya, Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba, and Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera.

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The soldiers' families have all been notified.

In addition to the two young adults being treated for chest and limb injuries in moderate condition, three are in mild-to-moderate condition, and three are in mild condition.

For months, we have been begging the Israel National Roads Company to put up posts on this road. We were told that It wasnt safe. This was expected, Albert Taib, mayor of Kfar Yona, told Israeli public broadcaster KAN News.

Israel Police searches for the attacker

Police Commissioner Danny Levi was conducting a situational assessment at the scene of the attack and at the vehicles location, which was found near Beit Lid.

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Police said that searches for the suspect are ongoing in open areas and along several routes, with the assistance of a police helicopter, drones, a canine unit, motorcycles, and emergency response teams.

Police bomb disposal experts and criminal identification teams are examining the vehicle to gather further evidence.

Meanwhile, all emergency standby squads from nearby communities have been ordered to stay on high alert.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A Chinese national has been arrested and is facing federal immigration detention after allegedly scamming an elderly couple in Wyoming County out of $20,000  and being tied to a similar scam in Northern New York.

According to the Wyoming County Sheriffs Office, the couple in the Town of Java reported their computer locked up after clicking on something  followed by a pop-up instructing them to call Microsoft Security. They were told to withdraw money from their bank and place it in an envelope for a courier to pick up.

Deputies say a man wearing a delivery vest showed up to collect the money  later identified as 43-year-old Rihui Yan, a citizen of the Peoples Republic of China.

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Investigators say Yan had previously been arrested in San Diego in 2023 for illegal entry into the U.S., but was released. He was most recently taken into custody by a Homeland Security Investigations Task Force in Canton on May 28.

Yan was also charged by New York State Police in Franklin County, where he allegedly scammed another elderly victim out of more than $40,000. Authorities say he was living in Albany at the time.

Investigators have seized his vehicle, cash, electronics, documents, and phone. After being processed, Yan was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is currently being held without bond at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia, pending removal proceedings.

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Wisconsin graduate student Eliotte Heinz was found dead in the Mississippi River in La Crosse, WI.

Her body was found after hours of searching since she went missing on July 20, last seen on camera walking near the colossal river.

The Houston County Sheriffs Department notified the La Crosse Police Department in western Wisconsin on the morning of July 23 that a body had been found, according to the police department's statement.

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Now, FBI Agent Jason Pack is outlining the next steps to figure out what exactly lead to Heinz's death.

First up is reconstructing the timeline of events, he told Fox News.

"Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage, gathering witness statements, and looking at any phone, social media, or financial activity that could help determine where she went and whether she was alone," he said.

They also need to figure out if she was alone when she disappeared, and if she left the bar she was last seen at voluntarily.

A tug boat and a speedboat are seen on the Mississippi River in La Crosse, Wisconsin, on October 1, 2020. - In western Wisconsin, where family-run dairy farms dot the rolling green hills and eagle-watchers peer into the sparkling marshland. KEREM YUCEL/Getty Images

"If investigators believe there was an abduction, or if there is evidence the person crossed state lines or was taken across them, federal involvement becomes more likely," he said. "The FBI can be requested by local or state authorities when a case needs additional support or expertise."

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Some have misspelled her name as "Elliot" or "Elliote," but her real name is Eliote Heinz, according to police.

Her body was found near Brownsville, MN in the river.

Police are awaiting an autopsy report before announcing the official cause of death, but they are continuing their investigation.

This was not the outcome we had hoped for throughout this search. Our thoughts are with Eliottes family, friends and all those who knew Eliotte. We are grateful for the outpouring of support from so many within the La Crosse community, the State of Wisconsin and nationally to locate Eliotte, La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron said.

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Before being spotted on camera walking along the river, Heinz, 22, left the Broncos bar in La Crosse around 2:30 a.m., according to police. She was picked up on camera walking with what appears to be a phone in her hands around 3:22 a.m. the same day.

Heinz was a student at Viterbo University's mental health counseling program.

Related: Eliotte Heinz Found Dead in Mississippi, But Cause of Death Unclear

Was Eliotte Heinz Alone? FBI Agent Outlines Next Steps first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 23, 2025
ELMIRA HEIGHTS, N.Y. (WETM)  An Elmira boy has been hard at work on Thursday afternoon to sell lemonade at a local business to raise money for an act of kindness.

18 News stopped by Johns Equipment Rental on Lake Street in Elmira Heights on Thursday, July 24, to speak with 9-year-old Greyson DePrimo, who is selling lemonade and chips to the public.

Support a Twin Tiers youth softball team at pop-up shop on Friday

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DePrimo told 18 News that he has been at his stand since 10 a.m. and plans to remain there until 2 p.m. so that he can raise money to buy camping gear for one of his brothers as a way to pay it forward. DePrimo says his grandfather has been helping him with the stand for the afternoon.

If youre interested in purchasing chips and a lemonade from DePrimo, you can visit the rental shop located at 3000 Lake Road in Elmira Heights until 2 p.m. on Thursday. Both the lemonade and chips are being sold for $1.

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Elon Musk has issued a statement following a major global outage that knocked thousands of Starlink users offline late Thursday night.

Reports of the disruption began around 3:00 PM EST/9:00 p.m. CET, with over 60,000 users flagging connectivity issues on the Down Detector website.

Many described the Starlink incident as a total blackout, with service interruptions reported across Europe, the United States, Africa, Asia, and Australia. Affected areas included locations as widespread as Colombia, Sardinia, Stockholm, and New Hampshire.

Elon Musk Responds After Starlink Suffers Widespread Global Outage

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Starlink, the satellite internet division of Musks SpaceX, acknowledged the widespread outage in a post on X (formerly Twitter), Starlink is currently in a network outage and we are actively implementing a solution. We appreciate your patience. We'll share an update once this issue is resolved.

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Shortly after, Musk reassured users that the problem was being addressed. Service will be restored shortly. Sorry for the outage. SpaceX will remedy root cause to ensure it doesnt happen again, he wrote on X.

The cause of the outage has not yet been disclosed, and it remains unclear how long full restoration will take.

Longest Outage In Starlinks History?

The @Starlink outage is now in excess of two hours in duration, making this incident Starlink's longest outage since becoming a major service provider. #starlinkdown https://t.co/NVyy76zU9L pic.twitter.com/sRBlri3hm8  Doug Madory (also on Bluesky) (@DougMadory) July 24, 2025

As the network disruption pushed past the two-hour mark (as of 5:45 PM EST) experts began to speculate that this could be Starlinks most significant service interruption to date.

The Starlink outage is now in excess of two hours in duration, making this incident Starlink's longest outage since becoming a major service provider, Doug Madory, Director of Internet Analysis at Kentik, said, per The Independent.

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The outage adds to mounting concerns surrounding Starlinks long-term stability, especially in light of recent NASA research revealing how solar activity could be threatening the companys rapidly expanding satellite network.

Scientists from NASAs Goddard Space Flight Center found that geomagnetic storms, triggered by solar eruptions, are heating Earths upper atmosphere, increasing drag and causing Starlink satellites in low-Earth orbit to fall faster than expected.

Musk-Linked Platforms Facing Mounting Tech Woes

Aaron Schwartz - CNP / MEGA

This isn't the first time a Musk-led platform has faced major operational disruptions.

Earlier this year, Musk revealed that X had been the target of what he described as a massive cyber-attack. The breach led to temporary service outages and sparked concern over the platforms digital security.

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We get attacked every day, but this was done with a lot of resources, Musk posted at the time, adding, Either a large, coordinated group and/or a country is involved.

The incident raised questions about the cybersecurity infrastructure behind Musks growing digital empire, especially as his platforms play an increasingly critical role in both communication and global connectivity.

Frustration Mounts As Users Sound Off Online

Live footage of me trying to submit my Starlink outage ticket before I found out the outage is global pic.twitter.com/KTwb70vOVt  Somerled's Ghost (@SomerledsGhost) July 24, 2025

As the Starlink outage stretched on, frustrated users took to social media to air their grievances, some through memes.

Starlink is down worldwide... Sucks to live in the mountain off-grid... @Starlink do something, one user wrote, highlighting the connectivity struggles faced by remote users who rely heavily on the satellite service.

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Another chimed in, Starlink crashing mid-war is a hell of a reminder that tech bros make lousy defense contractors, pointing to the broader implications of relying on private tech for critical infrastructure.

Some users directed their ire straight at Musk. Yo Mr. Elon can you give me my internet back, how tf does every single starlink satellite go out worldwide without notice, one person posted.

Others demanded compensation, with one user writing, You owe us all a refund for today better see a discount on that next bill or we will have issues. You failed to provide your service.

Starlinks Satellite Network Expands Global Internet Access To 130+ Countries

ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA

Starlink currently provides mobile broadband internet to more than 130 countries and territories through its growing network of satellites.

With over 12,000 satellites planned, and ambitions to expand to more than 34,000, Starlink aims to create a global high-speed internet network, even in the worlds most remote locations.
Wall Street was unimpressed by General Motors Q2 earnings call. On the call, a Morgan Stanley analyst asked CEO Mary Barra: How does GM expect to be profitable with EVs when players like Tesla apparently cannot? Separately, Piper Sandler told clients that GM stock wont break free of its bargain-basement multiple of five times next years forecast earnings if management is only tinkering around on the edges. The company needs a thesis-changing strategy like humanoid robots, it said.

General Motors and its legacy auto industry peers need a bold strategy for the future if they ever want investors to rethink their growth prospects, investment bank Piper Sandler warned on Tuesday. Otherwise their collective tinkering around on the edges with cost cuts here and inventory changes there amount to little more than rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic, the bank implied.

And Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas had a blunt statement for CEO Mary Barra, comparing her company unfavorably with Tesla in the Q&A section of the earnings call.

Shares in GM tumbled 8% after second-quarter adjusted net profit fell by a sixth, owing in part to a $1.1 billion hit from the Trump administrations tariffs. It comes after fellow Detroit carmaker Stellantis, the parent of Jeep and Ram, preannounced results for the first six months that revealed it swung to a 2.3 billion ($2.7 billion) loss from a net profit of 5.6 billion the prior year.

A major uncertainty clouding the outlook for GMs North American profits moving forward remains the impact of import duties. As a result, on Tuesday, Piper Sandler warned clients its possible that GM could end up closer to the $8.25 in adjusted earnings per share for this year rather than the upper bound of $10 in its forecast range.

But to us, these arent thesis-defining issues. More problematic, in our view, is that the call focused almost entirely on tactical or cyclical topics, it wrote in a research note.

Only worth paying five times next years earnings for GM, bank argues

The bank gave as an example issues like incentive spending, inventory levels, and cost offsets with regard to tariffs to name just one example. GM imports the popular Chevrolet Equinox and Cadillac Optiq EVs from Mexico. Both saw a surge in Q2 demand potentially reflecting pull-forward effects as dealers stocked up on inventory before the 25% auto sector tariffs hit, and as customers bought EVs before the Sept. 30 deadline for the end of the federal EV credit, discontinued by the Trump administration.

In our view, if GM and other traditional automakers want to emerge from their multiyear funk, they dont need smart tactics, Piper Sandler continued, they need bold strategic changes.
WASHINGTON  President Donald Trumps controversial judicial nominee Emil Bove consulted with a far-right legal group after Trump nominated him to a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit  the same court currently considering at least one case this group is actively involved in.

Buried in a 165-page document full of his written answers to questions from members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Bove mentions that after he was nominated, he discussed his judicial philosophy and preparations for his confirmation hearing with Kellie Fiedorek, the senior counsel and government affairs director for Alliance Defending Freedom.

Subsequent to my nomination, I communicated with Kellie [Fiedorek] to discuss my qualifications for the position, my judicial philosophy, and preparing for my confirmation hearing, Bove said in his July 2 responses to the committee.

Emil Bove said he consulted with a far-right legal group after he was nominated to a U.S. appeals court  the same court currently considering a case involving this group. Senate Judiciary Committee

That Bove, who is 44 and nominated to a lifetime federal court seat, is talking with this group at all should raise eyebrows. ADF, which identifies as a conservative Christian legal advocacy group, has been designated an anti-LBGTQ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. It has supported the recriminalization of sexual acts between consenting LGBTQ adults, defended forced sterilization of transgender people, claimed that LGBTQ people are more likely to engage in pedophilia and, predictably, warned that a so-called homosexual agenda will destroy us all.

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ADF was also central to the end of national abortion rights, leading the legal challenge that brought the case that ultimately overturned Roe v. Wade.

Boves communications with the group come as the Trump administration has repeatedly been issuing policies that roll back protections for LGBTQ+ people, an agenda often supported by the courts. Earlier this year, the Supreme Court issued rulings that, in separate cases, allowed states to ban gender affirming care for minors and permitted parents to withdraw their children from lessons that included LGBTQ characters or themes.

But beyond ADFs activities, Boves discussions with this group raise questions about whether they discussed anything relevant to a case currently before the 3rd Circuit, as Bove, if confirmed, could potentially end up presiding over the matter. ADF is actively involved in Heaps v. Delaware Valley Regional High School Board of Education, a case relating to parental rights and school gender policies. ADF attorneys representing a New Jersey man in the case filed their opening brief with this court late last month.

Bove wouldnt have a conflict of interest in cases involving ADF just because he talked with the group during his nomination process, said Stephen Gillers, the Elihu Root professor of law emeritus at the New York University School of Law.

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But if he weighed in on the case ADF currently has before the court, thats a red flag.

Bove would be recused from the case only if in his talk he implicitly or explicitly stated his view of the merits of the case, said Gillers.

Wendy Weiser, the vice president for democracy at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University Law School, sees Boves conversations with ADF as more problematic.

I agree that this situation creates an appearance of impropriety that would warrant recusal, Weiser said. The core recusal standard is whether the judges impartiality might reasonably be questioned, and Boves cozy relationship with this litigant would certainly reasonably concern most observers.

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She noted, though, that recusal rules are not very strictly applied and Bove would get to decide the initial disqualification motion himself.

It is difficult to win subsequent recusal actions against judges, said Weiser.

A White House spokesperson did not respond to HuffPosts request for comment relating to Boves conversations with ADF.

ADF did not respond to a request for comment by HuffPost on its discussions with Bove.

After he was nominated to a U.S. appeals court seat, Emil Bove consulted with a far-right legal group that has at least one case currently before the court. Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images

Bove, who was Trumps personal attorney and is currently a senior Justice Department official, is easily the presidents most alarming judicial nominee in his second term. A Justice Department whistleblower has credibly accused him of telling DOJ attorneys to defy court orders and to tell judges fuck you if they rule against the department.

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When asked about the allegations during his Senate confirmation hearing, Bove said he couldnt recall any of this.

At DOJ, Bove has ordered the firings of federal prosecutors who worked on criminal cases tied to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection, and ordered career prosecutors to dismiss corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams in a clear quid pro quo deal.

Last week, more than 900 former Justice Department attorneys condemned his nomination.

Despite all that, every Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance Boves nomination last week. On Thursday, only two Republicans voted against moving forward with Boves nomination on the Senate floor: Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine).

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Bove now awaits his final confirmation vote, which is coming as soon as next Monday.

Mr. Bove is beyond unqualified and unworthy of the federal bench  he is an existential threat to the rule of law and our democracy as we know it, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Thursday morning on the Senate floor.

Mr. Bove is as far from the mainstream as any judicial nominee we have considered in this chamber, he said. He is a Trump-ian henchman  the extreme of the extreme of the extreme.

Progressive groups continue to strongly oppose Bove. His discussions with ADF, after he was nominated, are yet another reason they want his nomination to go down.

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The red flags on Emil Boves judicial nomination are piling up, said Caroline Ciccone, president of Accountable.US, a nonpartisan watchdog group focused on corruption in government.

Bove has shown unflinching loyalty to his former client and current boss, Donald Trump; has refused to commit to recusing himself on cases involving the President; and is the subject of a whistleblower complaint casting doubt on his integrity and highlighting his lack of respect for the law, Ciccone said in a statement. Now its clear that he has also conferred with a far-right legal organization that has matters before the court on which he would serve.

Just as concerning, she warned, is that Bove has repeatedly disregarded the ethical standards of both the federal courts and the rule of law.

His lifetime appointment opens the door for the President and his allies to seek out favorable rulings, Ciccone added, no matter how unconstitutional their actions may be.

Related...
Emory and Georgia Tech researchers create wearable device to combat overheating

Imagine a wearable device that warns you if youre overheating while outside.

Its a technology that could transform working environments for those in construction, farming, and even for people playing outdoor sports.

Thats exactly what a team of researchers at Emory University and Georgia Tech is working on.

One of the leaders behind the research is Roxana Chicas, an assistant professor of nursing at Emory University.

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The daughter of immigrants from El Salvador, she says she grew up watching family members suffer while working outside in the heat, an experience that has fueled her passion to find a solution.

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I knew a farmworker who fainted in the field from heat exhaustion, only to be run over by a tractor-trailer so I knew this was a big problem for outdoor workers, said Chicas.

The multi-sensor biopatch sends information to a smartphone or other device about important health markers like skin hydration and body temperature.

The idea is that it could sound an alarm or verbally say, Its time for you to take a break, or, You need to cool down, explained Chicas.

She says the device is designed to prevent heat-related illnessor even deathfrom happening.

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Agricultural workers have the highest rate of heat-related mortality. Theyre 35 times more likely to suffer a heat-related death than any other occupation, followed by construction workers, who are 13 times more likely, said Chicas.

The Emory scientist says that while shes primarily tested the device on workers in the farming industry, she believes it could impact other vulnerable populations outdoors as well.

I think the biopatch could be applicable to many other populations, like older adults and athletesso I think it has the potential to make a significant impact on the general population, said Chicas.

She said the goal is for the device to eventually reach the commercial market, and shes hopeful that could happen within the next two years.

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The project is being funded in part by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, which awarded the researchers a $2.46 million grant last year.

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SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  In court, several family members of the victims addressed Kohberger directly.

Wednesdays hearing gave the families of the four victims the opportunity to describe the anguish theyve felt since their loved ones were killed in the early morning hours of November 13, 2022.

Emotions were high inside this Boise courtroom where the families and friends of four murdered University of Idaho students came face to face with their loved ones killer.

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Because of him, four beautiful, genuine, compassionate people were taken from this world for no reason, Surviving Roommate Dylan Mortensen said.

Its been nearly three years since Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin were found stabbed to death at their off-campus home in Moscow, Idaho.

That was the worst day of my life, and I know it always will be, Emily Alandt, a friend of Bethany Funke, spoke on her behalf.

Kohberger declined to make a statement at the sentencing hearing.

Wednesday Judge Hippler sentenced Kohberger to 10 years for burglary and four consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole, along with $270,000 in fines and civil penalties. The sentence was in line with the plea deal Kohberger agreed to earlier this month

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$8K returned to Tunkhannock Township

Are you pleading guilty because you are guilty? Judge Hippler asked.

Yes, Kohberger replied.

Earlier this month, Bryan Kohberger accepted a plea deal that took the death penalty off the table, but kept him in prison for the rest of his life.

We are united in our disgust and our love for these children, father of Kaylee Goncalves, Steve Goncalves, said.

As part of the deal, Kohberger, a 30-year-old criminology student, also waived his right to appeal. On Tuesday, prosecutors filed a motion to extend the order barring Kohberger from contacting his victims families for an additional 99 years.

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The current no-contact order is set to expire in January of 2027.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  An endangered finch is once again calling Kuaihelani, also known as the Midway Atoll, home after being away from its home for 80 years.

On July 21 and July 22, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff and their partners released 100 ekupuu at the atoll, allowing the finch species to grace the areas skies for the first time in almost a century.

Once-extinct bird species lays first wild eggs in 40 years

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The bird species once thrived at Kuaihelani until the mid-1940s, but the Fish and Wildlife Service says the creatures were extirpated due to the introduction of invasive rats that were accidentally brought to the island.

The translocation of the ekupuu is part of a continuing plan to re-establish native bird populations in the region in preparation for catastrophic events.

The ekupuu were translocated to a previous habitat of theirs, appearing again in the region after 80 years. (Courtesy: S. Plentovich  USFWS)

For endangered species, an event such as a severe storm, introduction of invasive species or a fire could be the difference between endangerment and extinction  and officials want to buff up the local populations to prevent a total erradication.

Increasing the population size and range of these endemic species is critical to the survival and recovery of those species, said Jared Underwood, superintendent for the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument. We feel honored and grateful that this particular translocation was brought to fruition thanks to the expertise and dedicated support from 10 different partners from non-governmental organizations, Hawaii academia, State of Hawaii and federal sectors.

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The preservation efforts are conducted jointly between the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge/Battle of Midway National Memorial and several other partners.

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The birds selected to relocate to Kuaihelani were chosen from the neighboring atoll of Manawai, also known as the Pearl and Hermes Atoll. The ekupuu were captured and banded with unique colored bands, and then made their way over to their new home.

The ekupuu will be monitored by a team of biologists to properly document how they will adapt to their new homes. A fifth of the birds have radio transmitters that will be removed later in the year, but currently monitor the movements of the birds.

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The remainder of the birds are visually monitored via their unique color band combinations.

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Officials say the region is ideal for the ekupuu, with Kuaihelani providing plenty of nutritious plant seeds and fruits.

Centuries ago, the ekupuu thrived on the main Hawaiian Islands, but threats such as disease and invasive species made their return to their native habitat impossible.

Translocations of the birds, such as shown with their rehoming in Kuaihelani, dont just reduce the risk of extinction  they also provide opportunities for the birds to return to their ancestral homes when the time is right.

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Heres what youll learn when you read this story:

Although CERNs Large Hadron Collider has made a lasting impact on particle physics, it hasnt yet open up a whole new frontier of particle physics like some scientists expected.

One scientist champions a theory that new physics could be hiding in what he calls the zeptouniversethe realm of objects on the scale of the zeptometer (which is 1 quintillionth of a meter)and that the best way to explore that universe is through observing kaon and B meson decays.

Future colliders will likely be able to directly observe the zeptouniverse, but for now, studying these decays could help us find new physics within the decade.

We humans have gotten pretty good at glimpsing the invisible. The Large Hadron Colliderour premier instrument for exploring the subatomiccan thoroughly explore the world of the attometer, which is (incredibly) just one-quintillionth of a meter. Famously, the LHC confirmed the existence of the Higgs boson in 2012, and physicists prepared for a rush of new particles to explain lingering mysteries of the universe like the existence of dark matter and matter-antimatter asymmetry.

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But that explosion of discovery didnt really materialize. Thats certainly not to say nothing has happened since then, but no major revelations on par with the Higgs have been discovered since. And now, a new article in New Scientist, written by particle physicist Harry Cliff who works on the LHCb experiment, details one theory as to why we havent found what we were expecting to find. At its most basic, many of these revelations could be hiding in whats sometimes referred to as the zeptouniverse, which is a world that only exists at the 10-21-meter scale. The LHC can only analyze particles directly down to 50 zeptometers, but Cliff highlights a theorylargely championed by Technical University of Munich theoretical physicist Andrzej Burasthat these elusive particles could simply be beyond LHCs detection capabilities.

Of course, a better detector could open up this frontierCERN completed a feasibility study for the Future Circular Collider (FCC) just earlier this year. But Buras believes that we can explore this frontier of new physics indirectly without the need to wait the several decades required to finally probe this question (the FCC wont perform high-energy physics until 2070). In 2020, Buras explored this question in an article for Physik Journal, writing:

Can we reach the Zeptouniverse, i.e., a resolution as high as 1021m or energies as large as 200 TeV, by means of quark flavour physics and lepton flavour violating processes in this decade well before this will be possible by means of any collider built in this century?

In a paper uploaded to the preprint server arXiv last year, Buras identified seven possible targets for this investigation, which he dubbed the magnificent seven, according to New Scientist. All seven are extremely rare decays of particles containing strange and bottom quarks, which Cliff calls echoes from the zeptouniverse. Luckily for Buras, some experiments are already searching for these ultra-rare decays.

One example of such a decay starts with the B mesona kind of composite particle made of different quarks, as Cliff explains. In 2023, the Belle II experiment in Japan captured this decay in action, producing another particle called a kaon (or K meson) and two neutrinos. However, because the experiment wasnt set-up to directly detect neutrinos, information about them is limited.

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This isnt the only ultra-rare decay thats been detected recently, either. In September of 2024, the NA62 experiment at CERN recorded the decay of a positively charged kaon into a pion and a matter-antimatter pair. Its thought that less than one in 10 billion kaons should decay in this way. Because this interaction is sensitive to Standard Model deviations, its identified as one of the prime targets for finding new physics. Today, the KOTO experiment in Japan is searching for a second confirmation of this kaon decay.

The search for new particles and forces beyond those of the Standard Model is strongly motivated by the need to explain dark matter, the huge range of particle masses from the tiny neutrino to the massive top quark, and the asymmetry between matter and antimatter that is responsible for our very existence, Buras wrote last year in the trade magazine CERN Courier. As direct searches at the LHC have not yet provided any clue as to what these new particles and forces might be, indirect searches are growing in importance.

Scientists are only beginning to peer inside the unknown frontier of the zeptouniverse, and until next-generation colliders are up and running, these extremely rare decays are our only windows into that universe.

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A lawyer for more than 200 of Jeffrey Epsteins victims called on Congress to subpoena his estate for the birthday book that allegedly includes provocative letters from his high-profile associates.

The Wall Street Journal last week reported President Trump had sent a letter to Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003. Trump has sued the Journal and denied writing the letter.

Attorney Bradley Edwards said in a Wednesday interview on MSNBCs The Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell that the Epstein estate possesses the 2003 birthday book.

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He said he has numerous clients who can confirm the books authenticity and said he suspects the executors of Epsteins estate would be willing to turn over the book if they were asked to do so.

If they didnt just voluntarily turn over the book, out of fear of reprisal, Congress could issue a subpoena to their attorneys, Edwards said.

I know the executors lawyers. I worked with them for years. Theyre good people. Theyre good lawyers. They would comply with a subpoena immediately, Edwards added. We could solve this problem so quickly, if people actually want to solve problems.

Edwards said doing so would provide answers quickly and give the victims some closure.

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Nobody would have to guess. There wouldnt need to be a lawsuit. There wouldnt have to wait to be discovery. You would immediately have the answers. You could flip to the page: Is there a letter? Is there not a letter? Its over. The victims then get to move on.

Edwards said he expects the birthday book would provide answers to many questions about Epstein, including, Who were Jeffrey Epsteins best friends at the time? What letters did his family write to him? What other pictures were in there? Things of that nature.

Redact victim names, release the book and move on, Edwards said.

Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) joined the MSNBC program shortly after Edwardss interview and said he didnt know the book was in the estates possession and indicated he plans to move forward with issuing a subpoena.

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It is a revelation to me that he said that that birthday book is with private lawyers in the Epstein estate, Khanna said, describing Edwardss comments as a bombshell revelation.

Khanna noted the House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee approved several subpoenas Wednesday, including one directing the Justice Department to turn over materials relating to the Epstein files, but Khanna said he wasnt confident the subpoena would yield results.

We subpoenaed the Epstein files, but thats a hard thing to do, to get the Department of Justice to cooperate in releasing those files, Khanna said. Whats not hard to do is to subpoena private attorneys in a private estate and to get compliance.

Khanna said he plans to invite Edwards to meet with the Oversight Committee to discuss the issue further, adding, And I think we can easily move forward on this subpoena of that birthday book, which could really advance this case.

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The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the book includes a letter from Trump featuring several lines of text, framed by the outline of a naked woman.

The letter, according to the Journal, ends, Happy Birthday  and may every day be another wonderful secret.

Trump says he did not write the letter, calling it a fake thing and has filed a defamation lawsuit against the newspaper.

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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  The House may have gone home, but the Senate is still in Washington and the controversy over the Epstein files is still top of mind.

Jeffrey Epsteins former associate Ghislaine Maxwell is meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche inside a federal prison in Tallahassee, as lawmakers push for more information from the DOJ.

Maxwells attorney says shes ready to cooperate.

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Trump is sending his personal lawyer Todd Blanche to try and execute a corrupt cover-up, said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer called the meeting a possible setup and called out the president for reportedly knowing his own name is in the Epstein files.

Sources say Attorney General Pam Bondi notified the president about that in May, the White House says its fake news.

Whenever Donald Trump points a finger, its because he knows hes guilty of what hes accusing, everyone else of, said Schumer.

Senate Republicans, like Markwayne Mullin, say Democrats are playing politics. Mullin introduced his own resolution to release the Epstein files.

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We all want transparency and for credible information on the Epstein case to be made public so that the American people can decide, said Mullin.

Rhode Island Democratic Senator Sheldon Whitehouse says Democrats are ready for the Epstein files to be released and Republicans are falling apart on the issue.

This is a full-on political dumpster fireeverywhere you look around this town right now, the Epstein thing is blowing up and they are handling it very, very badly, said Whitehouse.

Schumer is now calling on the administration to provide a closed-door briefing to all senators on the Epstein files.

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President Donald Trump has helped Speaker Mike Johnson survive every political storm of his speakership. Now, Johnson is stuck in a crisis of Trumps own making over Jeffrey Epstein  and theres no clear way forward without risking the ire of the speakers most critical ally.

Despite Johnsons efforts to quell the furor inside the GOP this week, he and Trump are now getting an outcome theyd sought to avoid after House Republicans joined Democrats on Wednesday for a high-stakes vote demanding the release of the Epstein files. The move took place in a House Oversight subcommittee and will soon require the GOP-led panel to sign off on a subpoena to Trumps Justice Department.

Johnson knew in advance that tensions could escalate. Kentucky Rep. James Comer, who leads that Oversight panel, told CNN he cautioned Johnson last week that his panel would likely move forward with a subpoena related to Epstein if given the chance.

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People overwhelmingly want to do it, Comer recalled of his conversation with Johnson. The Kentucky Republican also moved ahead with his own subpoena on Wednesday, demanding information from a high-profile Epstein associate.

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer speaks with reporters on Tuesday. - Francis Chung/Politico/AP

Republicans acknowledge their GOP speaker is trying to walk an impossible tight rope, yielding to Trump while also signaling support to members who wanted to see some action. But he ended the week under fire from hardliners and moderates alike over his handling of the supercharged issue that has dogged their party throughout July. Just weeks after his single biggest legislative victory, Johnson and his leadership team are now retreating into the five-week summer recess under a cloud of Epstein drama, with leadership even sending members home a day early rather than face a barrage of Democratic votes.

Theres a lot of frustration, said one GOP lawmaker who has worked closely with leadership on the issue and was granted anonymity to discuss private conversations. We dont want to be adversarial with the President  but eventually you gotta call a play.

While his own members have clamored to vote to release the Epstein files, some complained that Johnson instead showed such deference to Trump that he didnt act at all. GOP leaders declined to bring any measure on Epstein to the floor, even if it meant shutting down all substantive work in the House in its final week of work until after Labor Day.

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To be accused of trying to cover up for a pedophile, its detestable, that GOP member said, explaining why GOP members were pushing leadership for a chance to vote on the issue.

The nasty intra-GOP fight over Epstein paralyzed the House this week, with Johnsons own Rules Committee effectively shut down as Democrats flooded the panel with Epstein-related measures. Those members didnt want to go on the record against the measures without a clearer plan from Johnson. (Johnson himself had negotiated an agreement with the Rules panel on an Epstein transparency measure last week, but he didnt call it to the floor this week, to the surprise of some members.)

Democrats continued to force the issue through committee work on Wednesday. In the House Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats were planning to offer two amendments related to Epstein on an unrelated bill about human trafficking, but Republicans on the panel pulled the bill, a committee source told CNN. The committee then moved into recess.

Behind the scenes, Johnson and his leadership team have told members they do not want to bring up an Epstein measure  even one thats nonbinding  because they dont want to split the party, and are hoping the courts will handle the issue in August, according to two people familiar with the matter. Johnson himself cited legal reasons not to release the files, such as victim information. And given how much Democrats have seized on the issue, Johnson has argued that continuing to take votes would just play into Democratic hands. Still, multiple other GOP sources told CNN that they believe Johnson is intentionally trying to avoid crossing the White House on this issue.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson shakes hands with President Donald Trump during a dinner with Republican members of Congress, hosted at the White House on Tuesday. - Kent Nishimura/Reuters

Trump himself appears not to have gotten involved in the growing tension in the House conference. When some members arrived at the White House on Tuesday for an event, a group of Rules Committee members were brought into the Oval Office, according to the GOP member. Some were privately worried he might try to confront them about the Epstein resolution. Instead, he allowed them to watch him negotiate for Japan, thanking them for coming and giving them a White House Challenge Coin souvenir.

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Johnson defended his position on Wednesday, arguing that there was no daylight between him and his conference, nor between House Republicans and the president. He pushed back on suggestions that the House had been brought to a standstill to avoid taking Epstein votes, insisting Republicans dont have any fear and instead turned the blame on Democrats.

No one in Congress is blocking Epstein documents. No one in Congress is doing that. What were doing here, Republicans are preventing Democrats from making a mockery of the Rules Committee process because we refuse to engage in their political charade, he said.

He said that Congress will evaluate any necessary measures to undertake if the Trump administration convinces courts to unseal the grand jury transcripts in the Epstein investigation. (The administration has already run into an early legal roadblock, with the judge blocking their request ). But Johnson also struck a careful balance when asked if he backed Comers effort to subpoena convicted Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Every single one of us are for maximum transparency, and well use every power that we have to ensure that thats done. If they see fit to bring in Ghislaine Maxwell for testimony, thats fine, he said when asked by CNN if he backed Comers move, though he then raised questions about her credibility. Can we trust what shes gonna say?

Visitors pass Speaker of the House Mike Johnson's office at the US Capitol on Tuesday. - Eric Lee/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Johnson tries to control GOP anger

With the House now gone for five weeks, Johnson and his team have a temporary reprieve from the outrage over Epstein. But it wont last long.

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Just days after lawmakers return in September, Johnson will have to deal with a rogue push by a gang of GOP hardliners to force a full vote for the release of the Epstein files on the floor of the House. That group of roughly a dozen Republicans, led by Rep. Thomas Massie, are using a maneuver known as a discharge petition to circumvent Johnson and force a bill to the floor with the help of Democrats.

Massie has been vocal that if GOP leaders attempt to kill his maneuver, theyll lose their majority next November.

The Epstein files are symbolic of what energized MAGA, which was this notion that you could give Republicans both majorities and put Donald Trump in the White House, and this group of people that were so powerful and so rich that they couldnt be touched by the law or by the judicial system, would finally get exposed, Massie said. And if people believe that whole deal was off, that Trump and the Republicans arent going to do that anymore, then theyre going to be apathetic and disengaged in the midterms.

Rep. Thomas Massie holds a copy of a bill he cosponsored with Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna to force the House to vote on the complete release of the Jeffrey Epstein files, on Monday. - Francis Chung/Politico/AP

Johnson may have no choice but to bring the measure to the floor. Republicans on the House Rules panel have already warned Johnson they will not help him kill the resolution, as hes sought to do with similar rogue pushes from members, according to the GOP member involved in the talks.

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In the meantime, though, Johnson has privately urged his conference  including in a closed-door meeting on Tuesday  to give the Trump administration time to handle the investigation. He and his leadership believe the White House will take its own steps to address the matter over the August recess.

Republicans feeling the heat back home from constituents, though, do not think more time away from Congress will sap momentum on the issue. And many have directly expressed their frustrations with House GOP leadership.

GOP Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri, who supports the release of the Epstein files, said that Epstein-related calls are the number one his office is receiving.

Its the number one phone call that we get. By far. Its probably 500 to one, he said. Burlison said he doesnt blame Johnson, but that each member needs to deal with it on their own.

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The American people have felt like this government keeps secrets from them for decades, right? Here we have one big national scandal slash conspiracy that we were this close to getting the details on so thats why the fact it isnt happening is just fanning flames of more conspiracy. People are assuming the worst and they are going to until the details get released, Burlison said.

And some Republicans are frustrated that Johnsons own messaging has been, at times, unclear. For instance, some were upset that Johnson called on Congress to put everything out there on Epstein on a conservative podcast  just after he had instructed his own Rules Committee to take a vote rejecting Democrats Epstein transparency push. They argued that the disconnect in the GOP message opened up their own members to vulnerabilities, such as Democratic attacks, and only fueled more scrutiny in Congress.

Rep. Ralph Norman, who sits on the House Rules Committee and did vote for that Democratic transparency measure, warned that the pressure for the administration to release information related to Epstein will not die down during the time that the House is in its weeks-long August recess.

Its not going to die down. I know. If you assume that, the public decides that anyway. I dont assume anything, particularly this. This transcends politics. This is about 13, 14, 15-year-old girls getting abused. Nah, this is above politics. This is beyond politics, Norman told CNN.

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(Other members are irked that members like Norman have backed the Democratic amendments and have signed onto Massies discharge petition, and yet continue to sit on Johnsons powerful Rules panel.)

Even some Republicans who are demanding votes on Epstein transparency measures acknowledge the difficult position Johnson is in.

I think the Speaker is doing the job he has to do GOP Rep. Scott Perry told CNN. Perry was one of the House Republicans who defied their own leadership to vote to subpoena the Department of Justice files related to Jeffrey Epstein. I just think its important that the American people know whats occurred, Perry later told CNN.

GOP Rep. Keith Self added, Speaker Johnson has a tough job. I think hes doing a great job managing all of the influences in our conference, so Ill leave it at that.

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House GOP Conference Chair Lisa McClain argued that Republicans have to strike a balance but not let Democrats push them off message as they head back to their districts for five weeks.

They need to do what they think is right for their district, McClain told CNN when asked about the advice shed give to members addressing the issue back home. But number two, focus on the One Big Beautiful bill and all the wins that were getting.

CNNs Nicky Robertson, Veronica Stracqualursi and Morgan Rimmer contributed to this report.

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President Trump is finding it harder and harder to outrun the political storm swirling around the Epstein files.

Just weeks ago, Republicans were riding high after passing Trumps signature One Big, Beautiful Bill. But that victory lap has been cut short by a messy internal rift over Epstein, especially after the Department of Justice declared that theres no hidden client list tied to the disgraced financier.

Trump has urged his party to move on, but the controversy refuses to die down  reportedly leaving him furious. Even his push to unseal transcripts from the Epstein grand jury hit a wall this week when a federal judge in Florida declined the request.

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Just how precarious is this moment for the president? This is a category five, full-on freakout that Donald Trump is going through right now, says former CNN anchor Jim Acosta.

The story was moving fast and furious as Katie geared up for the latest episode of her new show on Substack Live, so she went deep on the latest with Acosta and attorney-slash-TikTok creator Aaron Parnas. Heres more on whats been happening, along with some of the biggest takeaways from their riveting conversation.

Bombshell WSJ Report

Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Trump back in May that his name appeared multiple times in Justice Department files related to Jeffrey Epstein, according to senior administration officials cited by The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday. That revelation appears to directly contradict Trumps claim just last week that Bondi had never told him he was mentioned in the files.

While being named in the records doesnt necessarily equate to wrongdoing, the White House quickly tried to shut it down. Communications Director Steven Cheung dismissed the report as fake news.

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Still, the Journals latest scoop adds fuel to whats becoming a full-blown political crisis for Trump. Just last week, the paper reported that he sent Epstein a bawdy birthday message in 2003 that ended with: Happy Birthday  and may every day be another wonderful secret. Trump has denied writing it.

Acosta didnt hold back: This is a major scandal thats unfolding, he said, adding that it directly threatens the future of [Trumps] presidency.

We have an old-fashioned Washington cover-up going on, and reporters have a duty at this point to start asking these questions, he continued. As for what those questions include, Acosta says one of the biggest is this: To what extent is your name in the Epstein files?

Whats next?

The Justice Department says it plans to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins longtime associate who was convicted of sex trafficking in 2021 and is currently serving a 20-year sentence. A House committee has already subpoenaed her for testimony.

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I anticipate meeting with Ms. Maxwell in the coming days, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement early Tuesday. Until now, no administration on behalf of the Department had inquired about her willingness to meet with the government. That changes now.

Earlier this year, Maxwell asked the Supreme Court to review her case, arguing that a 2007 non-prosecution agreement between Epstein and federal prosecutors should also protect her from charges nationwide. But the Justice Department pushed back, saying the deal applied only to the Southern District of Florida  and that Maxwell wasnt even named as a beneficiary.

Even as the DOJ turns to Maxwell for answers, some Republicans arent convinced shes a reliable narrator. Johnson and other Republicans sought to downplay the development on Wednesday, casting doubt on Maxwells credibility and questioning whether she can be counted on to tell the truth.

That skepticism isnt limited to Capitol Hill. Parnas has doubts, too, he tells Katie: I dont know if this meeting will even ever happen. We may never even hear about whether it happens or not.

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Meanwhile, House Speaker Mike Johnson abruptly pulled the plug on this weeks legislative session, sending lawmakers home early for the summer  a move widely seen as an effort to dodge a showdown over the Epstein files. The decision effectively shuts down any immediate chance for Democrats to force procedural votes demanding the Justice Department release more information, at least for now.

Still, a House Oversight subcommittee voted Wednesday to subpoena the DOJ for the records, though Parnas is skeptical it will lead to any meaningful answers.

Unfortunately, its kind of this circular situation where theres really not much Congress can do here other than some performative actions, which they will do, says Parnas. I just dont think itll get anywhere.

One things for sure: This story shows zero signs of slowing down. For more expert insights on whats happened and what it all means, check out Katies full Substack Live conversation here:

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KATIE COURIC LIVE #2: Trump/Epstein Bombshell by Katie Couric Media

A recording from Katie Courics live video

Read on Substack

The post The Epstein Files Wont Go Away  And Neither Will the Questions appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
Bradley Edwards, whos represented hundreds of survivors of sexual abuse by notorious sex criminal Jeffrey Epstein, affirmed that Epsteins 50th birthday bookwhich, The Wall Street Journal reported, includes a lewd message from Donald Trumpexists. He also shared exactly where one can find it.

Asked about the book by MSNBCs Lawrence ODonnell Wednesday night, Edwards replied, Yes, I know that the executors of [Epsteins] estate are in possession of that book, and I think that after they turn it over, it should probably be set in the Smithsonian as an artifact at this point in time.

Edwards had said moments earlier that anyone interested in seeing the book could simply reach out to Epsteins executors, Darren Indyke and Richard Kahn, and, If they didnt just voluntarily turn over the book out of fear of reprisal, Congress could issue a subpoena to their attorneys at Patterson or at Troutmanthose are the two law firms. I know those attorneys. They would turn the book over immediately. Nobody would have to guess. There wouldnt need to be a lawsuit. There wouldnt have [to be a] wait to [do] discovery. You would immediately have the answers. You could flip to the page. Is there a letter, is there not a letter?

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ODonnell observed that the House Oversight Committee, which on Wednesday voted to subpoena the Justice Department for the Epstein files, might be interested in acting on Edwardss tip. With confidence, Bradley said the lawyers of Epsteins executors would comply immediately, citing his close working relationship with them.

Democratic Representative Rho Khanna, a member of the Oversight Committee who has led charges to force the Epstein files release, told MSNBC shortly thereafter that Edwardss revelation is a bombshell. He indicated that the House Oversight Committee would look to subpoena Epsteins estate for the birthday book, which, he added, would be much easier than subpoenaing the DOJ.

If Epsteins birthday book is shared with the public, and it indeed includes Trumps letter as reported by the WSJ (complete with its cryptic message and sketch of a naked woman), it would be a massive embarrassment for the president, who is currently suing the Journal for defamation over the story, which he asserts is a fake thing.

And such embarrassments are piling up for Trump in recent days, as his former friendship with Epstein is coming more clearly into view amid his administrations scandalous lack of transparency on the deceased financier. On Wednesday, the Journal dropped another whopper, reporting that Trumps Justice Department informed the president in May that his name is in the Epstein filesseemingly explaining the presidents outbursts and his teams foot-dragging over the Epstein affair.
(Reuters) -The U.S. Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) is investigating Morgan Stanley over how the firm screened clients for money-laundering risks, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The probe examines client vetting, risk rankings and related practices across the Wall Street bank's wealth-management and trading operations from October 2021 through September 2024, the report said.

FINRA, a non-governmental self-regulatory organisation that oversees U.S. broker-dealers under federal law, is seeking information on U.S. and international clients across Morgan Stanley's wealth unit, including E*Trade, and its institutional securities division, according to the Journal.

The regulator has also requested organisational charts, reporting lines and details on the firm's client risk-scoring tool, the report added.

Some employees raised concerns that the initial data sent to FINRA was incomplete or inaccurate, prompting the bank to provide additional information after the regulator flagged gaps, the Journal said.

A Morgan Stanley spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal the bank has made significant investments in its anti-money-laundering and client-vetting programmes, adding that such regulatory reviews are not unique to the bank and do not indicate problems with its business or controls.

Reuters could not independently verify the report. FINRA declined to comment, while Morgan Stanley did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

FINRA fined Morgan Stanley $10 million in December 2018 for anti-money laundering compliance failures over a five-year period.

(Reporting by Bipasha Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Sumana Nandy and Sherry Jacob-Phillips)
Its a tale of two stories.

The first concerns President Trumps back-peddling on pledges to release government files connected to the long-dead pervert Jeffrey Epstein.

The second involves the growing evidence that President Obama and his top officials spread the false narrative casting Trump as a treasonous agent of Russia, one that hobbled his first term.

While the Epstein saga is a tawdry kerfuffle with no larger significance, the new revelations about the Russia hoax provide scorching detail on one of the biggest political scandals in American history.

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Guess which one the legacy media is running with? Which one is it trying to bury?

The answer is obvious. If only stating that was enough, and we could just laugh away the legacy medias predictable and partisan coverage. They are not serious people. Unfortunately, they are deadly serious in their continuing efforts to malign Trump while covering up their own malfeasance. The contrasting coverage of the Epstein and Russiagate stories is just the latest example of a media that has lost its way.

First, Epstein. During the last few weeks the legacy media has covered that story as if it were Watergate. The New York Times, for example, published more than 50 articles and opinion pieces on Epstein and Trump between July 16 and July 23.

Much of the rest of the legacy media has followed suit. Except for a salacious, if inconsequential, story spoon-fed to the Wall Street Journal - that Trump may have contributed a bawdy letter to a birthday book for Epstein 23 years ago - none of them broke news or advanced the story.

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The last blockbuster article written about Epstein was Lee Fangs May 21 piece for RealClearInvestigations revealing how officials in the U.S. Virgin Islands - including Democratic Rep. Stacey Plaskett - appear to have benefitted from and shielded Epstein, who brought young girls to a private island he owned there.

Yes, the Epstein saga is a legitimate story. Despite legacy media claims to the contrary, there was a cabal of wealthy and influential men who cavorted with Epstein - and almost certainly some of them had sex with young girls. But it is unlikely that proof of such criminal acts is detailed in material in the governments possession. Nevertheless, the Trump administration should release what it has and let the chips fall where they may for these amoral folks who tied themselves to a disgusting person. Or Trump should forthrightly explain why that is a bad idea. A full account may be hard, given a Florida federal judges ruling yesterday thatthe law "does not permit"the release of secret Epstein grand jury testimony as requested by the DOJ.

It is telling that the recent wall-to-wall coverage focuses so much on Trump. The irony is that he appears to be one of the few stand-up guys in the Epstein story. The two men were apparently friends at one time, - though probably not all that close given the lack of articles linking the two men before Trump ran for office. We do know that Trump was one of the few people who distanced himself from Epstein long before the financier pleaded guilty to sex crimes in 2008. Trump barred Epstein from Mar-a-Lago before his arrest, supposedly because of his creepy behavior toward a minor. There are also reports that Trump may have been the one who alerted the authorities to Epsteins predations - not, perhaps, out of conscience but because of a real estate dispute.

While the legacy news organizations pile on to the Epstein story, they are downplaying the recent revelations detailing the Obama administrations efforts to push the Trump/Russia hoax. In their telling, his administration declassified a batch of new documents to distract from the Epstein scandal and to seek retribution against his perceived enemies.

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Whatever Trumps motivations, the newly disclosed documents are significant. As Aaron Mate reported this week for RealClearInvestigations, they show that the official "confirmation" of the Russiagate hoax - the Intelligence Community Assessment completed in the January 2017 and reports by Special Counsel Robert Mueller and the Senate committee investigating the issue - "all excluded the intelligence communitys own secretly identified doubts and evidentiary gaps on the core allegation of Russian meddling."

The intricate timeline of events Mate details makes this point abundantly clear: Suspicions that Russia interfered in the 2016 election were repackaged as purported facts after Trumps stunning win.

We do know that emails stolen from the Democratic National Committee were published in the summer and fall of 2016 by Wikileaks. But, Mate notes, a September 2016 intelligence assessment reportedly "had no hard evidence that Putin ordered the theft of Democratic Party material as part of an influence campaign to help Trump." Mates previous reporting for RCI has also shown that there is still no proof that Russia removed any emails from the DNC servers or passed them along to anyone else.

That assessment was ignored after Trumps victory in November. It is also clear that President Obama was a key player in advancing the false narrative of Russian interference. Obama - who had been briefed that summer about Hillary Clintons plans to falsely cast Trump as a Kremlin stooge to deflect from her email scandal - requested a new intelligence assessment in December 2016. It was to be a rush job he wanted to get out before leaving office. That report, crafted largely by CIA Director John Brennan, suppressed FBI and NSA doubts about Russian interference.

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Obama went further. On Jan. 5, 2017, he held an Oval Office meeting with various figures, including FBI Director James Comey. Two days later, Comey briefed President-elect Trump about the Steele dossier - a phony and sloppy bit of opposition research paid for by Clintons campaign that suggested Trump and his associates had been compromised by the Russians. That briefing became the news hook anti-Trump media needed to quickly report on the bogus dossier, launching the Russiagate probes.

Two points: First, Russia probably did try to interfere in the 2016 election. But the actual facts we know - that they purchased a handful of ads on social media, and that they probably hacked into the DNC servers, albeit without proof that they removed emails published by Wikileaks - do not support the Mueller Reports famous claim regarding a "sweeping and systematic" effort.

More importantly, Democrats and the legacy media are trying to pretend that we spent three years debating Russian meddling. In fact, their efforts were aimed at painting Trump and his associates as treasonous allies of a foreign enemy. It was never about interference, but collusion.

I believe this was the worst scandal in American history because unlike Watergate - where wrongdoing was largely confined to the White House - Russiagates cancer metastasized from the White House to the CIA, the FBI, and the legacy media. The lack of accountability for these actions gave Democrats and their media allies a sense of impunity. It is why they felt free to lie so brazenly about other things, including Hunter Bidens laptop and Joe Bidens mental acuity.

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Those forces are so invested in hiding their own duplicity that they can never admit the truth. While the Russiagate and Epstein stories are clearly of different orders, Democrats and the legacy media insistently push a mirror image of the news, claiming the new revelations about corruption at the highest reaches of the government are simply Trumps effort to "deflect" from Epstein.

You cant make this up - except they can.

J. Peder Zane is an editor for RealClearInvestigations and a columnist for RealClearPolitics. Follow him on X @jpederzane.
Family members of Erik Menendez are sharing what sent him to the hospital in what his lawyer told TMZ was a condition so "serious" it warranted his immediate release.

Erik's attorney Mark Geragos declined to comment further, citing HIPAA regulations and attorney-client privilege, but told the outlet in an interview published Tuesday, July 22: "I think if there was ever anybody who should be furloughed, especially right now, a month before the hearing, it's Eric."

Menendez's stepdaughter Talia Menendez revealed on social media what sent him to the hospital.

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"Today Erik had his second surgery due to complications with both kidneys having multiple large stones," read part of the post Talia shared on her Instagram story on Wednesday.

She added that he will need a third surgery, but did not provide further details.

"He's currently in pain and feeling nauseous, but is recovering," she wrote on the Instagram account @seterikmenendezfree, where she advocates for Erik and his brother Lyle Menendez.

Erik's wife Tammi Menendez also shared an update on X.

"This surgery was successful," she wrote, later adding: "Because Erik is in prison there are a lot of complications and delays with surgery."

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Eriks medical emergency comes as he and Lyle continue efforts to be released from their life sentences for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez.

The brothers, who claimed they had been sexually abused by Jose for years leading up to the murders, were convicted of first-degree murder.

In October 2024, Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon said he was reviewing new evidence as he determines whether the brothers should be resentenced.

In May, a judge resentenced the brothers to 50 years to life in prison, which immediately makes them eligible for parole.

Earlier this month, a judge found there was sufficient reason to potentially overturn the convictions  and gave prosecutors a deadline to argue why the case should not be dismissed.

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Their parole hearing is scheduled for August.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.



Read the original article on People
The suspect who escaped NYPD custody after being arrested for swiping a boat from a Manhattan marina to go for a naked joyride may have stolen the keys to unlock his handcuffs from a sleeping officer who was supposed to be guarding him  is now suspended without pay, the Daily News has learned.

Stephen Blasetti slipped out of New York-Presbyterian Hospital Columbia, where he was taken for evaluation after his arrest, while the cop assigned to watch over him dozed off for a few minutes, multiple police sources said. Blasetti, 36, fled in a white lab coat he apparently swiped to disguise himself as a doctor, a surveillance image obtained by The News shows.

The officer involved has been suspended without pay, an NYPD spokesman said.

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Cops on Thursday were trying to determine if Blasetti, 36, managed to swipe the handcuff keys off the sleeping cop before fleeing the Washington Heights about 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Blasetti, who was naked when he was arrested Saturday for trying to steal a boat moored on the Hudson River, was wearing blue hospital pants, the white lab coat and hospital socks when he was caught on surveillance video leaving the hospital. He has not been caught.

Blasetti is facing grand larceny charges for allegedly swiping a keelboat from the Dyckman Marina in Inwood around noon Saturday and rowed it to a trimaran moored out in the Hudson River.

NYPD Harbor Unit cops nabbed Blasetti naked on the second vessel, officials said.

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It was believed he was high on drugs, possibly methamphetamines, at the time of his arrest and was taken to the hospital to be evaluated.

He had been in the hospital under guard since Saturday and was still awaiting arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court when he gave cops the slip.

It was not immediately clear if any of the officers responsible for watching Blasetti at the hospital are facing department discipline. An email to the NYPD was not immediately returned.

Anyone with information on the escaped prisoners whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna has condemned the large-scale Russian attack on Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities on the night of 23-24 July.

Source: European Pravda, citing Margus Tsahkna on X (Twitter)

Details: Tsahkna highlighted that a 28-day-old baby was injured in the Russian strikes on Kharkiv.

Quote: "Less than a month on this Earth, and already injured by a guided aerial bomb dropped on your [Ukrainian  ed.] city, in a residential neighborhood."

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Quote: "All of this is because Russia continues its path of terror and destruction  rejecting, yet again just yesterday, a proposal for an immediate and full ceasefire."

Background:

The centre of Kharkiv was struck with guided aerial bombs by Russian forces on 24 July. A high-rise building was hit, and there are people trapped under the rubble.

According to the latest information, 41 people, including six children, were injured in the Russian attacks on Kharkiv. One business that was hit by a guided bomb has been virtually destroyed.

In response to the attack, Latvias Foreign Minister Baiba Braze emphasised that Russia seeks nothing but destruction and war.

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European leaders were pushing for rebalancing trade at the EU-China summit with President Xi Jinping on Thursday.

Focusing their opening remarks on trade, they called for concrete progress to address Europe's yawning trade deficit with China.

"As our cooperation has deepened, so have the imbalances," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. "We have reached an inflection point. Rebalancing our bilateral relations is essential. Because to be sustainable, relations need to be mutually beneficial."

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Expectations were low for the talks, initially supposed to last two days but scaled back to one. They come amid financial uncertainty around the world, wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, and the threat of US tariffs. Neither the EU nor China is likely to budge on key issues dividing the two economic juggernauts.

European Council President Antonio Costa called on China to use its influence over Russia to bring an end to the war in Ukraine  a long-running plea from European leaders that is likely to fall on deaf ears.

He signalled a possible agreement on climate, saying he looks forward to "a strong joint political message" from the summit ahead of annual UN climate talks in November in Brazil. That could follow their talks with China's Premier Li Qiang later Thursday.

Xi called on China and Europe to deepen cooperation and mutual trust to provide stability in an increasingly complex international environment, China's state broadcaster CCTV reported online. They should set aside differences and seek common ground, he said, a phrase he often uses in relationships like the one with the EU.

Treading carefully not to get too close

Besides the trade imbalance and the Ukraine war, Von der Leyen and Costa were expected to raise concerns about Chinese cyberattacks and espionage, its restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals and its human rights record in Tibet, Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

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The EU, meanwhile, has concerns about a looming trade battle with the United States.

"Europe is being very careful not to antagonise President Trump even further by looking maybe too close to China, so all of that doesn't make this summit easier," said Fabian Zuleeg, chief economist of the European Policy Centre. "It will be very hard to achieve something concrete."

China's stance has hardened on the EU, despite a few olive branches, like the suspension of sanctions on European lawmakers who criticised Beijing's human rights record in Xinjiang, a region in northwestern China home to the Uyghurs.

China believes it has successfully weathered the US tariffs storm because of its aggressive posture, said Noah Barkin, an analyst at the Rhodium Group think tank. Barkin said that Beijing's bold tactics that worked with Washington should work with other Western powers.

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"China has come away emboldened from its trade confrontation with Trump. That has reduced its appetite for making concessions to the EU," he said. "Now that Trump has backed down, China sees less of a need to woo Europe."

China is the EU's second-largest trading partner in goods, after the United States, with about 30% of global trade flowing between them. Both China and the EU want to use their economies ties to stabilise the global economy, and they share some climate goals.

But deep disagreements run through those overlapping interests.

Division on trade

China and the EU have multiple trade disputes across a range of industries, but no disagreement is as sharp as their enormous trade imbalance.

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Like the US, the 27-nation bloc runs a massive trade deficit with China  around 300 billion last year. It relies heavily on China for critical minerals, which are also used to make magnets for cars and appliances. When China curtailed the export of those minerals in the wake of US President Donald Trump's tariffs, European automakers cried foul.

The EU has tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles in order to support its own carmakers by balancing out Beijing's own heavy auto subsidies. China would like those tariffs to be revoked.

The rapid growth in China's market share in Europe has sparked concern that Chinese cars will eventually threaten the EU's ability to produce its own green technology to combat climate change.

Business groups and unions also fear that the jobs of 2.5 million auto industry workers could be put in jeopardy, as well as those of 10.3 million more people whose employment depends indirectly on EV production.

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China has also launched investigations into European pork and dairy products, and placed tariffs on French cognac and armagnac. They have criticised new EU regulations of medical equipment sales, and fear upcoming legislation that could further target Chinese industries, said Alicia Garcia-Herrero, a China analyst at the Bruegel think tank.

In June, the EU announced that Chinese medical equipment companies were to be excluded from any government purchases of more than 5 million (nearly $6 million). The measure seeks to incentivise China to cease its discrimination against EU firms, the bloc said, accusing China of erecting "significant and recurring legal and administrative barriers to its procurement market."

European companies are largely seeing declining profitability in China. But the EU has leverage because China still needs to sell goods to the bloc, Garcia-Herrero said.

"The EU remains China's largest export market, so China has every intention to keep it this way, especially given the pressure coming from the U.S.," she said.

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It was unclear why the initial plan for the summit of two days was curtailed to just one in Beijing.

War on Europe's doorstep

The clear majority of Europeans favour increasing aid to Ukraine and more sanctions on Russia.

The latest sanctions package on Russia also listed Chinese firms, including two large banks that the EU accused of being linked to Russia's war industry. China's commerce ministry said that it was "strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed to" the listing and vowed to respond with "necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and financial institutions."

Xi and Putin have had a close relationship, which is also reflected in the countries' ties. China has become a major customer for Russian oil and gas, and a source of key technologies following sweeping Western sanctions on Moscow. In May, Xi attended a Victory Day celebration alongside Putin in Moscow, but didn't attend a similar EU event in Brussels celebrating the end of World War II.

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Von der Leyen and Costa will press Xi and Li to slash their support of Russia, but with likely little effect.

Beyond Beijing and Washington

Buffeted between a combative Washington and a hard-line Beijing, the EU has more publicly sought new alliances elsewhere, inking a trade pact with Indonesia, heaping praise on Japan and drafting trade deals with South America and Mexico.

"We also know that 87% of global trade is with other countries  many of them looking for stability and opportunity. That is why I am here for this visit to Japan to deepen our ties," Von der Leyen said in Tokyo during an EU-Japan summit on her way to Beijing.

"Both Europe and Japan see a world around us where protectionist instincts grow, weaknesses get weaponised, and every dependency exploited. So it is normal that two like-minded partners come together to make each other stronger."

Promoting ties with Europe is one-third of Japan's new 2025 military doctrine, after sustaining defence links with the US and investing in capabilities at home like missiles, satellites, warships, and drones.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire despite Israel's efforts to improve the delivery of humanitarian aid, a European Commission spokesperson said on Thursday.

Israel has made some efforts towards improving the delivery of humanitarian aid to the population in Gaza, but the situation remains dire, a European Commission spokesperson said on Thursday.

He added that the EU is currently assessing the situation and that all options remain on the table if Israel does not deliver on an agreement made with the EU earlier this month about improving the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

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This agreement includes a substantial increase in the number of daily trucks for food and non-food items to enter Gaza, the opening of several other crossing points in both the northern and southern areas, and the reopening of the Jordanian and Egyptian aid routes.

This comes amid worldwide media coverage, based on Hamas's Health Ministry reports, claiming that troves of Palestinians have died in the last 24 hours and that 600,000 people in Gaza  nearly one third of the population  are suffering from malnutrition.

Israel has pointed at the United Nations and Hamas for withholding aid to Gaza, with claims amped up in recent days.

Empty UNRWA and World Food Program trucks head to the Kerem Shalom crossing to collect limited humanitarian aid and fuel, in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, July 24, 2025 (credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90)

The United Nations claims that over 1,000 people have been killed at the hands of the IDF while seeking aid at different Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF) distribution centers.

GHF's purpose

GHF was created in February 2025 to replace UN-supported efforts to distribute aid. The organization, which is backed by both Israel and the United States, has come under scrutiny for distribution tactics by the international community, including over 150 NGOs such as Save the Children and Oxfam.

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The IDF has countered criticism of aid distribution and blamed the UN and other aid groups, claiming that a record 950 aid trucks are sitting on the Gaza side of the border, failing to bring aid to the Gazans.

A top IDF official met with leading UN bureaucrats regarding the issue on Tuesday, demanding to know how they could accuse Israel of causing famine in Gaza, which, again, has not happened yet but might shortly should the UN continue to abandon its trucks  while simultaneously leaving the aid trucks to sit there without distributing the food.

According to the senior IDF official, the UN bureaucrats sat quietly for at least 20 seconds, struggling to come up with a response. Eventually, one of them said that they would make more of an effort to get the trucks moving again, the IDF reported.

Yonah Jeremy Bob and Reuters contributed to this report.
BRUSSELS (Reuters) -The European Union welcomed Ukraine's pledge to protect the independence of its anti-corruption agencies and said on Thursday that a commitment to fight corruption is an important precondition both for EU financial aid as well as for potential EU membership.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed on Wednesday to retain the independence of anti-corruption agencies, bowing to pressure from the first wartime street protests since Russia invaded the country in February 2022 and rare rebukes from European allies.

"We welcome the fact that the Ukrainian government is taking action, and we work with them to make sure that our concerns, which have been clearly explained yesterday and the day before yesterday, are indeed taken into account," an EU spokesperson told reporters in response to questions.

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Zelenskiy said he would submit a new bill to ensure the rule of law and retain the independence of the anti-corruption agencies.

The EU spokesperson said that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had spoken to Zelenskiy about the issue but provided no further detail.

"We work with them to make sure that these concerns regarding the fight against corruption, which is an extremely important priority for us and for Ukraine, are indeed correctly addressed," the spokesperson said.

"We provide significant financial support to Ukraine and this is conditional to progress and transparency, judicial reform and democratic governance," an EU spokesperson said.

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He added that in light of potential EU accession, Ukraine needs to have a strong capacity to combat corruption and to have the institutions to do so, and that these institutions must be independent.

(Reporting by Andrew Gray and GV De Clercq; Editing by Benoit Van Overstraeten)
BEIJING (AP)  China and the European Union have issued a joint call to action on climate change during an otherwise tense bilateral summit in Beijing on Thursday riven with major disagreements over trade and the war in Ukraine.

The two economic juggernauts issued a joint statement on climate change, urging more emission cuts and greater use of green technology and affirming their support for the Paris Climate Agreement as well as calling for strong action at the upcoming COP30 climate summit in Brazil.

In the fluid and turbulent international situation today, it is crucial that all countries, notably the major economies, maintain policy continuity and stability and step up efforts to address climate change, the joint statement said.

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Their climate agreement was a silver lining on a stormy day where European leaders demanded a more balanced relationship with China in talks with President Xi Jinping.

They highlighted trade in their opening remarks, calling for concrete progress to address Europe's yawning trade deficit with China.

As our cooperation has deepened, so have the imbalances, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. We have reached an inflection point. Rebalancing our bilateral relation is essential. Because to be sustainable, relations need to be mutually beneficial.

Little movement expected

Expectations were low ahead of the talks, initially supposed to last two days but scaled back to one. They come amid financial uncertainty around the world, wars in the Middle East and Ukraine, and the threat of U.S. tariffs. Neither the EU nor China is likely to budge on key issues.

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European Council President Antonio Costa called on China to use its influence over Russia to bring an end to the war in Ukraine  a long-running plea from European leaders that is likely to fall again on deaf ears.

Xi called for deeper cooperation between China and Europe to provide stability in an increasingly complex world. Both sides should set aside differences and seek common ground, he said, a phrase he often uses in relationships like the one with the EU.

China is willing to strengthen coordination on climate and make greater contributions to addressing climate change, he said, but he pushed back against EU restrictions on Chinese exports.

We hope the EU will keep its trade and investment markets open, refrain from using restrictive economic and trade tools and provide a good business environment for Chinese companies to invest and develop in Europe, he said, according to a readout posted online by state broadcaster CCTV.

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US tariff threats weigh on EU-China cooperation

Besides trade and the Ukraine war, von der Leyen and Costa were expected to raise concerns about Chinese cyberattacks and espionage, its restrictions on the export of rare earth minerals and its human rights record in Tibet, Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

The EU, meanwhile, has concerns about a looming trade battle with the United States.

Europe is being very careful not to antagonize President Trump even further by looking maybe too close to China, so all of that doesnt make this summit easier, said Fabian Zuleeg, chief economist of the European Policy Center. "It will be very hard to achieve something concrete.

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China's stance has hardened on the EU, despite a few olive branches, like the suspension of sanctions on European lawmakers who criticized Beijing's human rights record in Xinjiang province, where it is accused of a widespread campaign of repression against the Uyghurs.

The summit ended with almost no movement on the major issues of trade, electric vehicles, or Russia, said Noah Barkin, an analyst at the Rhodium Group think tank. Rather, frustration from the EU was glaringly obvious after years in which its concerns have been largely ignored by Beijing.

He said the Europeans will likely use more "trade defense tools in the months ahead, including a debate over expanding safeguards and new cases under the blocs foreign subsidies regulation.

Trade disputes range from rare earths to EVs

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Like the U.S., the 27-nation EU bloc runs a massive trade deficit with China  around 300 billion euros ($350 billion) last year. It relies heavily on China for critical minerals and the magnets made from them for cars and appliances. When China curtailed the export of those products in response to Trump's tariffs, European automakers cried foul.

China agreed during the summit to to start an upgraded export supply mechanism to fast-track exports of critical minerals, von der Leyen said. Details of the arrangement were not immediately made public. Barkin said he doubted the mechanism would be a miracle solution for what may become a go-to coercion tool for Beijing in the years ahead.

The EU has imposed tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to support its carmakers by balancing out Beijing's heavy auto subsidies. China would like those tariffs revoked.

The rapid growth in Chinas market share in Europe has sparked concern that Chinese cars will eventually threaten the EUs ability to produce its own green technology to combat climate change. Business groups and unions also fear that the jobs of 2.5 million auto industry workers could be put in jeopardy, as well those of 10.3 million more people whose employment depends indirectly on EV production.

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China has launched investigations into European pork and dairy products, and placed tariffs on French cognac and armagnac. It has criticized new EU regulations of medical equipment sales and fears upcoming legislation that could further target Chinese industries, said Alicia Garcia-Herrero, a China analyst at the Bruegel think tank.

The EU has leverage because China needs to sell goods to the bloc, Garcia-Herrero said. The EU remains Chinas largest export market, so China has every intention to keep it this way, especially given the pressure coming from the U.S., she said.

China bristles at EU sanctions over Russia's war against Ukraine. The latest package included two Chinese banks that the EU accused of links to Russias war industry.

Chinas Commerce Ministry protested the listing and vowed to respond with necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises and financial institutions.

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The EU looks beyond Beijing and Washington

Buffeted between a combative Washington and a hardline Beijing, the EU has more publicly sought new alliances elsewhere, inking a trade pact with Indonesia and drafting trade deals with South America and Mexico.

Costa and von der Leyen visited Tokyo the day before their meetings in Beijing, launching an alliance with Japan to boost economic cooperation, defend free trade and counter unfair trade practices.

Both Europe and Japan see a world around us where protectionist instincts grow, weaknesses get weaponized, and every dependency exploited," von der Leyen said. So it is normal that two like-minded partners come together to make each other stronger.

___

McNeil reported from Brussels. Mark Carlson in Brussels and Olivia Zhang in Beijing contributed to this report.
By Byron Kaye

SYDNEY (Reuters) -National Australia Bank's chief executive said on Wednesday that he just had to "get through" media coverage of investor complaints about his management style and drinking at customer events.

The Australian Financial Review reported on July 15 that at an investor lunch last month, some major investors in the bank had questioned whether Andrew Irvine, CEO since April 2024, should strengthen his leadership skills and curtail his drinking at events.

The complaints prompted the board of the country's biggest business lender and third-largest mortgage provider to increase mentoring and provide more leadership development, the AFR said.

NAB's board has said it stands by Irvine.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush, especially when media is quite personal and public: it was hard for me and for my family," Irvine said in his first public remarks since the report.

Speaking at a conference held by the Australian Banking Association, an industry body he chairs, Irvine said public figures should expect scrutiny.

"I've just got to get through it and I plan on doing that", he said, adding that he was energised by a "noble purpose in what we do, helping people navigate their financial lives".

Scrutiny of CEO conduct in Australia has been intense over the past year.

The CEO of logistics software company Wisetech Richard White stepped down after allegations about aspects of his personal life, though he has since become the company's executive chair. Mineral Resources said late last year its billionaire founder, Chris Ellison, would leave within 18 months after an internal probe found he used company resources for his personal benefit and evaded taxes.

(Reporting by Byron Kaye; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
Turkeys death toll has risen to 17 and thousands of people have been evacuated as wildfires continue to blaze throughout the country.

As flames close in on Bursa, the countrys fourth largest city, three firefighters died over the weekend while trying to fight the flames. More than 3,500 people have fled their homes as the blaze has spread rapidly.

Turkish fire services fought 84 fires across the country, 36 of which were in forest areas and 48 in non-forest areas, according to minister of agriculture and forestry Ibrahim Yumakli. Flames have scorched 3,000 hectares around the city of Bursa.

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Meanwhile, 55 wildfires have broken out in Greece in the past 24 hours; while 50 were dealt with immediately, the Hellenic fire brigade is still dealing with five. Some Athens suburbs, such as the northern suburb of Kryoneri, were evacuated as some homes caught fire.

Smoke fills the air as firefighters battle a wildfire near Limassol, Cyprus (AFP via Getty Images)

Turkeys government declared two western provinces, Izmir and Bilecik, disaster areas on Friday. Photos have shown orange skies across Turkey as smoke and flames rise in forested areas.

Orhan Saribal, an opposition parliamentarian for the Bursa province, described the scenes as an apocalypse.

Mr Yumakli said Turkey broke an all-time temperature record on Friday of 50.5C in the southeastern city of Sirnak. Information published by the countrys General Directorate of Meteorology suggested that temperatures would rise by another 10 degrees from Saturday.

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Meanwhile, temperatures in Greece similarly remain in the mid to high thirties with persistent sunshine and dry conditions.

Unseasonably high temperatures, dry conditions and strong winds have fuelled severe wildfires across Europe since June.

On 1 July, two people died in a wildfire in Catalonia, as a raging wildfire consumed nearly 3,000 hectares (7,413 acres) of vegetation. Spain has experienced record-breaking temperatures this summer, with its weather service Aemet remarking that its extremely hot June, with an average temperature of 23.6C, has pulverised records, surpassing the normal average for July and August.

In the south of France, a wildfire reached the outskirts of Marseille and injured 110 people, after burning through 700 hectares.

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Firefighters worked through the night to contain the blaze, which authorities believe was caused by a car that caught fire on the side of a highway.

Greece has repeatedly battled wildfires in key holiday destinations, such as Crete and Chios over the past month.
The European Commission applauds Ukraines leadership for steps to rectify the situation surrounding the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO), while actively cooperating with Kyiv to ensure its remarks are thoroughly considered.

Source: European Commission spokesman Guillaume Mercier during a conversation with journalists in Brussels on 24 July, as reported by European Pravda correspondent

Details: The European Commission is engaging with Ukrainian authorities to guarantee that its concerns regarding the fight against corruption are duly addressed.

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"We have expressed our concerns and worries. We have seen that the Ukrainian government has taken action. We welcome that action," Mercier stated.

He added that the European Commission is partnering with Ukrainian officials "to make sure that these concerns regarding the fight against corruption, which is an extremely important priority for us and for Ukraine as well, are indeed correctly addressed".

"We welcome the fact that the Ukrainian government is taking action and we work with them to make sure that our concerns, which have been clearly explained yesterday and the day before yesterday, are indeed taken into account," the European Commission spokesman emphasised.

As reported by European Pravda, the G7 ambassadors have welcomed Zelenskyy's promise to restore the independence of Ukraines anti-corruption agencies and offered their assistance in this regard.

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Read more: A Zelenskyy-Orban alliance? How the president undermined Ukraine's path to EU membership and what happens next

Background:

On the evening of 23 July, Zelenskyy commented on the outrage from the public and international partners over the actions targeting anti-corruption institutions, promising to submit his own draft law to guarantee their independence.

On 23 July, the European Commission expressed deep concern over the adoption of a law that makes the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office dependent on the decisions of the prosecutor general and requested an explanation from Kyiv at the highest level.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Evergy is warning customers to be vigilant after an increase in attempted scams this summer.

Scammers are becoming more deceptive thanks to technology, using everything from fake websites to cloned phone numbers to third-party payment apps to rip off customers, Evergy said in a news release.

Scams to watch out for in 2025

Here are some signs of common scams and ways consumers can protect themselves:

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Fake websites : Watch for fraudulent websites that look like Evergys. Always ensure you are paying your directly bill through the Evergy website at evergy.com .

Fake caller ID displays : Never give out personal/financial information over the phone if youre unsure who you are speaking to. You can verify account information online or by calling the Evergy Customer Contact Center (in the Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West area at 1-888-471-5275; in Evergy Kansas Central at 1-800-383-1183).

Disconnection threats : Beware of threats of disconnecting utility service if you dont provide immediate payment, especially during hot weather. Scammers will often claim Evergy will disconnect within an hour. Evergy will not shut off service without multiple notifications prior to disconnection.

Gift cards and third-party payment apps : Evergy will never call or send someone to a residence or business asking customers to pay via third-party payment apps like Cash App, Venmo or Zelle. Evergy also wont ask customers to pay with gift cards.

In-person impersonators : Verify the person is with Evergy by asking to see company identification or by calling the Customer Contact Center before giving out any personal information (credit card, debit card, Social Security, Evergy account number, checking or savings account numbers). Evergy workers will also be wearing Evergy-branded clothing and driving a clearly labeled company vehicle. Contractors working on behalf of Evergy should not be contacting customers asking for customer information. The only customer contact that Evergy contractors should have is a courtesy door-knock to alert customers they will be working on their property.

Offering a discount : Scammers may claim that by giving them a credit card number or other form of payment they can give a discount on an electricity bill. As a regulated utility, Evergy can only offer approved prices and programs that are available on Evergys website .



Evergy customers can report a scam through Evergys online collection scam form . Customers will need to provide their account number or primary phone number. The form also requires the scammers callback number, not the number that appears on their caller ID. Evergy can then work with phone carriers to shut down the fake callback number.

Customers should also contact local law enforcement to report the crime. Those who are not customers and were contacted by someone claiming to be Evergy can report the scam by calling the customer service center (in the Evergy Metro and Evergy Missouri West area at 1-888-471-5275; in Evergy Kansas Central at 1-800-383-1183).

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MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A former high-ranking member of the Texas Mexican Mafia has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison following a series of cocaine trafficking offenses in Odessa.

Paul Lujan, 42, of Odessa, was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court after pleading guilty to six counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. U.S. District Judge David Counts handed down a 180-month sentence, citing Lujans extensive and violent criminal history in granting the prosecutions request for a sentence above the typical federal guidelines.

Lujan had long been known to local law enforcement and was under investigation by the Odessa Police Department for several years. According to court documents, from October to December 2024, he sold cocaine on six separate occasions during a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) controlled-purchase operation.

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On December 23, 2024, after completing the sixth transaction, Lujan was stopped by police. He refused multiple commands to exit his vehicle and denied a search request. A K9 unit alerted officers to the presence of narcotics in the truck. Authorities recovered marijuana and a syringe with a clear liquid substance inside the vehicle. A passenger was also found with cocaine concealed in his waistband.

Lujan was arrested at the scene and indicted by a federal grand jury on January 22. He pleaded guilty to all six charges on March 31.

This successful outcome was possible because we and our partners were able to prove that Lujan not only committed half a dozen federal drug trafficking offenses in just two months but also had a significant history of violence for which he had yet to be held properly accountable, said U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons. A violent, career criminal who had operated with near impunity for years will have to spend the next decade and a half in a federal prison.

DEA El Paso Division Special Agent in Charge Omar Arellano emphasized the connection between drug trafficking and violence, stating: One of DEAs strategic priorities is to reduce violent crime fueled by drug trafficking. We thank our state and local partners who helped us do exactly that in this case.

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In addition to his prison sentence, Lujan will serve six years of supervised release following his incarceration.

The case was investigated by the DEA, Odessa Police Department, Midland Police Department, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patrick Sloane and Kevin Cayton prosecuted the case.

A mugshot was not immediately available.

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DURANGO, Colo. (KREX)  A former La Plata jail commander was charged with over 100 counts of invasion of privacy for sexual gratification after an investigation was launched earlier this year, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation announced Thursday.

Edward Aber, 62, is facing 117 counts in total, as well as one count of first-degree official misconduct. All charges are Class 1 misdemeanors.

The charges come from an investigation that began on Jan. 2 when CBI was contacted to assist the La Plata County Sheriffs Office. Throughout the investigation, it was found that Aber allegedly viewed 117 different female inmate strip-search videos from Feb. 14, 2019, to Jan. 14, 2024.

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Aber was previously promoted to jail commander in 2018 and given administrative access to evidence.com a year later. Aber was placed on administrative leave in July 2024 after allegations of unlawful sexual contact with female inmates and sexual harassment of several female employees, according to CBI.

No charges were filed regarding his alleged sexual contact with inmates, but he resigned in July 2024 during the sexual harassment investigation, CBI stated.

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LONDON (AP)  Labour Party ex-leader Jeremy Corbyn said Thursday that he's forming a new left-leaning U.K. political party to advocate "mass redistribution of wealth and power and take on his former colleagues at the ballot box.

The new formation has a website  yourparty.uk  but doesn't have a name yet.

Its your party, Corbyn said. Were going to decide (a name) when weve had all the responses, and so far the response rate has been massive.

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Corbyn said that he hoped the new party would have its inaugural conference in the fall.

Corbyn, 76, led Labour to election defeats in 2017 and 2019, but the veteran socialist campaigner remains popular with many grassroots supporters. and the new party has the potential to further fragment British politics. The long-dominant Labour and Conservative parties now have challengers on both left and right, including the environmentalist Green Party and hard-right Reform UK.

Plans for a new party emerged earlier this month when lawmaker Zarah Sultana, who has been suspended from Labour for voting against the government, said that she would co-lead the founding of a new party with Corbyn.

At the time, Corbyn didn't confirm the news.

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On Thursday, he denied the party launch had been messy, saying the process was "democratic, its grassroots and its open."

A longtime supporter of Palestinians and a critic of Israel, Corbyn was suspended from Labour in 2020 after Britains equalities watchdog found anti-Jewish prejudice had been allowed to spread within Labour while he was leader.

He was suspended after failing to fully accept the findings claiming opponents had exaggerated the scale of antisemitism in Labour for political reasons.

Corbyn was reelected to Parliament last year as an independent.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer succeeded Corbyn as Labour leader in 2020 and dragged the party back toward the political center ground. He dropped Corbyns opposition to Britains nuclear weapons, strongly backed sending weapons to Ukraine and stressed the partys commitment to balancing the books.

Starmer won a landslide election victory a year ago, but has struggled to maintain unity among Labour lawmakers as the government struggles to get a sluggish economy growing and invest in overstretched public services. He has been forced into a series of U-turns by his own lawmakers, including one on welfare reform that left his authority severely dented.
By Gram Slattery, Tom Balmforth and Shivam Patel

WASHINGTON/KYIV/NEW DELHI (Reuters) -An Indian company shipped $1.4 million worth of an explosive compound with military uses to Russia in December, according to Indian customs data seen by Reuters, despite U.S. threats to impose sanctions on any entity supporting Russia's Ukraine war effort.

One of the Russian companies listed as receiving the compound, known as HMX or octogen, is the explosives manufacturer Promsintez, which an official at Ukraine's SBU security service said has ties to Moscow's military. The official said that Ukraine launched a drone attack in April against a Promsintez-owned factory.

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The other Russian company is a subsidiary of Spanish explosives manufacturer Maxam, which is itself controlled by New York-based private equity firm Rhone Capital.

The U.S. government has identified HMX as "critical for Russia's war effort" and has warned financial institutions against facilitating any sales of the substance to Moscow. According to the Pentagon's Defense Technical Information Center and related defense research programs, HMX is widely used in missile and torpedo warheads, rocket motors, exploding projectiles and plastic-bonded explosives for advanced military systems.

The HMX sale to Russian firms has not been previously reported.

Russian defense manufacturers have been working around the clock for the past several years to sustain President Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine, which intensified with Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbor in 2022.

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India, which has recently forged closer ties with the United States in an effort to counterbalance China's growing influence, has not abandoned its longstanding military and economic ties with Moscow.

India's trade with Russia - especially its purchases of Russian oil - has remained robust, even as Western nations have tried to cripple Russia's war economy with sanctions.

U.S. President Donald Trump threatened earlier in July to hit nations with a 100% tariff if they continued purchasing Russian crude.

The U.S. Treasury Department has the authority to sanction those who sell HMX and similar substances to Russia, according to three sanctions lawyers. HMX is known as a "high explosive," meaning it detonates rapidly and is designed for maximum destruction.

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Reuters has no indication that the HMX shipments violated Indian government policy. One Indian official with knowledge of the shipments said that the compound has some limited civilian applications, in addition to its better-known military uses.

India's foreign ministry said in a statement: "India has been carrying out exports of dual-use items taking into account its international obligations on non-proliferation, and based on its robust legal and regulatory framework that includes a holistic assessment of relevant criteria on such exports."

The U.S. State Department did not comment on the specific shipments identified by Reuters but said it had repeatedly communicated to India that companies doing military-related business are at risk of sanctions.

"India is a strategic partner with whom we engage in full and frank dialogue, including on India's relationship with Russia," a spokesperson said.

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"We have repeatedly made clear to all our partners, including India, that any foreign company or financial institution that does business with Russia's military industrial base are at risk of U.S. sanctions."

The State Department did not respond to a follow-up question regarding the financial stakes held by U.S. and Spanish firms in one of the Russian recipient companies.

Russia's defense ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

"While India has not typically been among the primary jurisdictions used for circumventing sanctions, we are aware that isolated cases can occur," Ukrainian presidential adviser Vladyslav Vlasiuk told Reuters.

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"We can confirm that the Russian company Promsintez has appeared on our radar in the past, including in connection with cooperation involving Indian counterparts," added Vlasiuk, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's top sanctions official.

WASHINGTON WOOS NEW DELHI

Reuters identified two HMX shipments sent in December by Indian firm Ideal Detonators Private Limited, both of which were unloaded in St. Petersburg, according to the Indian customs data. An Indian government official with direct knowledge of the shipments confirmed them.

One shipment, worth $405,200, was purchased by a Russian company called High Technology Initiation Systems, or HTIS, the data showed. The other shipment, worth more than $1 million was purchased by Promsintez. Both purchasers are based in Samara Oblast, near the border of Kazakhstan in southern Russia, according to the data.

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HTIS says on its website it produces explosives for surface and underground mining and engineering projects. It describes itself there as a subsidiary of Madrid-based Maxam, which in turn is majority-controlled by Rhone Capital, a New York-headquartered private equity firm set up by former Goldman Sachs and Lazard bankers.

A source familiar with Maxam's operations said the company is in the process of divesting its Russian subsidiaries and that HTIS operates independently.

Ideal Detonators Private Limited, based in the Indian state of Telangana, did not respond to a request for comment, nor did Promsintez, HTIS and Maxam. Rhone Capital declined to comment.

While several Indian entities were sanctioned during the administration of former U.S. President Joe Biden for supporting Russia's war effort, sanctions were applied sparingly due to geopolitical considerations, according to two U.S. officials who worked on sanctions under Biden.

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Under Trump, Russia-related sanctions work has slowed to a trickle, and it is not clear if the United States will take further action against Indian companies doing business with Russia's defense industry.

Washington has long sought closer relations with India to pull the South Asian country away from China.

Jason Prince, a partner at Washington-based law firm Akin, said the U.S. government often prefers to communicate its concerns privately to allies and only take punitive actions as a last resort.

(Reporting by Gram Slattery in Washington, Tom Balmforth in Ukraine and Shivam Patel in New Delhi; Editing by Don Durfee, Mike Collett-White and Cynthia Osterman)
Los Angeles-based Nevoya came out of stealth last year with the ambitious goal of breaking the EV truck adoption logjam. Nevoya made enough progress on its goal to attract investors  and a $9.3 million seed round  to help it move even faster.

The young company, which buys electric trucks and offers them to shippers, is now carrying goods for 10 different Fortune 500 companies. More importantly, its offering services as a carrier to those companies in California at cost parity with similar-sized diesel trucks.

Its a noteworthy accomplishment, especially at a time of increasing anti-EV headwinds  fueled by an administration that has publicly criticized green energy.

Founder Sami Khan is unfazed.

The idea of lowering carbon emissions is still attractive to the Fortune 500s, Khan told TechCrunch. Khan said he also believes Nevoya is just running a much faster, leaner, and better carrier business than legacy operators  in large part by leveraging AI.

Nevoya applies AI to optimize trucking routes, and matching and balancing loads with the right trucks to maximize efficiency while minimizing energy consumption. The company also uses AI to help sort out charging schedules and battery management.

When we started running the trucking business, Khan said, we looked at what [everybody was] doing, and we meticulously looked at every minute-by-minute of what was going on. We came to the conclusion that 90% of what was going on could be automated or semi-automated.

Khan said Nevoyas automation has been getting information to drivers faster, with fewer mistakes than humans would make. He also said that leveraging AI is not replacing dispatchers, but rather freeing them up to better communicate with Nevoyas customers.

The go big funding conundrum

Khan expects to keep growing this model thanks to Nevoyas new seed round  a fundraising effort that was initially much more conservative.

Late last year, with a pre-seed round in the rear view mirror, and some early traction building Nevoyas all-electric trucking fleet, Khan found himself weighing options for how to grow his company: Do an inside round with existing investors? Or go bigger?

Thats when Khan spoke with Shawn Xu from Lowercarbon Capital. Xu had introduced Khan and co-founder John Verdon (the former business development head of Waymo) and had followed Nevoya closely, but had not yet invested. Xus message was clear: Go for it.

[Xu] basically said, like, no, no, no, do a big round now. Were going to lead it, and were going to run with it, Khan said. It was, really validating, frankly, to have an investor that in the first round said were going to sit on the sidelines, then come in and preempt the next round.
Bryan Kohberger used his position as a teaching assistant at Washington State University to "inappropriately interact with female students," according to a co-worker.

That co-worker told an investigator from the Moscow Police Department that he shared an office with Kohberger for his first and only semester at the school in a newly unsealed interview obtained by PEOPLE.

Police redacted the name of the man, who also "stated he thought Kohberger wanted a girlfriend and add they talked about Kohberger wanting a girlfriend on many occasions."

Kyle Green-Pool/Getty Bryan Kohberger Bryan Kohberger

Kohberger did manage to interact with one female, who shared the details of their morbid discussion with investigators.

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An exotic dancer said she encountered a man she believed to be Kohberger around 2019 at her place of employment, located approximately two hours from his Pennsylvania home.

The woman said the man was the lone patron in the club as she performed her act on the main stage that day, and "during the dance she heard the man state something about 'wanting to kill people,'" according to police.

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She told police that she decided to engage with the man because he was the only person in the club and she assumed he was just seeking attention with his comments, so she jokingly asked "who he was going to kill."

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He allegedly responded to that by saying "whoever I want."

The woman later offered him a private dance, during which he allegedly instructed her to look him directly in his eyes and then proceeded to ask her personal questions about where she lived and the the kind of car she drove, according to her interview.

After that, the woman claims he left and never returned to the club, to the best of her knowledge.

Courtesy of Chapin Family; Maddie Mogen/Instagram; Kaylee Goncalves/Instagram; Xana Kernodle/Instagram Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves and Xana Kernodle

Kohberger then went on to murder four University of Idaho students  for reasons that remain a mystery.

Investigators said this week that after almost three years they are still unable to determine Kohberger's motive. He has never spoken about his crimes beyond confessing to the murders at his plea hearing earlier this month.

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He is now in the custody of the Idaho Department of Corrections after being sentenced to four life terms for the murders Xana Kernodle, 20; Ethan Chapin, 20; Madison Mogen, 21; and Kaylee Goncalves, 21.

Kohberger began his stint as a ward of the IDOC by posing for a new mugshot on Thursday, in which he appears gaunt and devoid of emotion.

Read the original article on People
Just months after the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) passed  a legislative effort to hold corporate businesses accountable for reducing environmental and societal harm in their supply chains  the European Commission came out with a contradicting proposal that would walk back on the corporate accountability laws it had just passed.

Oxford legal scholars warn that the Omnibus Simplification Package (OSP), a multi-part proposal that includes delays in legislative implementation and the simplification of certain sustainability laws, such as the CSDDD, would weaken corporate accountability commitments, increase costs for companies, and further compromise human rights and environmental protection, Fortune reported.

What is the CSDDD and the Omnibus Simplification Package?

The EU proposed the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) in February 2022  a legislative effort that called for corporate accountability, requiring companies to examine their supply chains and make appropriate changes to correct any human rights violations (e.g., child labor, unsafe working conditions, unfair pay, etc.) and minimize environmental harm.

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The EU took over a year and a half deliberating on the scope of the law, including determining which companies the law would apply to, how much due diligence the law requires, and the consequences of violating the law, yielding a final version of the CSDDD by December 2023.

The EU voted for and officially passed the CSDDD the following May and June, with the law entering into force in July 2024. This initiated the countdown for EU members to incorporate the EU directive into their own national laws, a process also known as transposition.

Originally, EU members were given two years to write the directive into national law, which made the transposition deadline July 2026.

However, due to increased complaints from some EU members about the complexity and haste of implementing the CSDDD, the EU proposed the Omnibus Simplification Package (OSP) in February this year, only seven months after passing the CSDDD.

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In April, the EU adopted the "Stop-the-Clock" directive as part of the OSP, which approved timeline delays, granting EU members and companies an extra year to determine how to implement the CSDDD.

The transposition deadline for EU members was moved from July 2026 to July 2027. Large corporations required to monitor and report their activity under the CSDDD have an extra year  until July 2028  to begin following the rules.

Why is the CSDDD important?

Adopting the "Stop-the-Clock" directive, which gives EU members and companies more time to implement the new corporate accountability laws, opens the door for more CSDDD initiatives to be overturned.

Companies that have already begun investing in implementing reporting frameworks may lose the money, time, and effort already spent, costing companies more to backtrack.

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Additionally, the leniency that the OSP introduces makes it easier for large corporations to adopt a voluntary action mindset in claiming environmental responsibility, despite large corporations accounting for the majority of the world's pollution.

Commenting on the EU's potential attempt to mimic or contribute to the US environmental deregulation efforts, Thom Wetzer, associate professor of law and finance at the University of Oxford, said: "The European Union is proving itself not to be a reliable regulator because they're flip-flopping in the face of changing political winds."

"The message from Brussels couldn't be clearer: industry interests come first, while people and the planet are left behind," said Marion Lupin, policy officer for the European Coalition for Corporate Justice, per Fortune.

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Warming temperatures, funding struggles, and population increases could reverse years of progress in fighting malaria in Africa, according to experts.

What's happening?

Nigerian news outlet The Nation summarized a Boston Consulting Group study that projects an additional 554,000 people could die from malaria between 2030 and 2049 if we stay on the current course of rising global temperatures.

Approximately 92% of those deaths are predicted to be directly attributed to extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts.

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To reach this conclusion, the researchers plugged in anticipated climate-related events, especially changes in rainfall, temperature, and population exposure, to assess future malaria burdens.

This undercuts ambitions to eliminate malaria from Africa by 2030, according to The Nation, which added that the burden of the surge was expected to fall heavily on children.

"Extreme weather is one of the biggest drivers of malaria spikes," Dr. Patric Epopa, a leading entomologist at the Health Sciences Research Institute, told the publication. "Displaced communities are often left unprotected, without mosquito nets, indoor spraying, or access to early diagnosis and treatment."

Why is this study important?

Malaria is a life-threatening disease, with symptoms including fever, chills, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, muscle or joint pain, rapid heart rate, and cough, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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About 95% of all malaria deaths occur in Africa, with children under the age of 5 being at the highest risk of death, according to the World Health Organization.

Meanwhile, malaria and other mosquito-borne illnesses are expanding their reach as disease-carrying mosquitoes are taking advantage of warmer and moister weather.

For instance, Climate.gov said malaria risk zones have reached higher elevations in the Ethiopian Highlands due to rising temperatures.

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What's more, a study predicted that several mosquito species populations will soon expand their ranges in the Americas due to warming weather trends.

What's being done about malaria?

Target Malaria says that despite widespread adoption of artemisinin-based combination therapies  considered the first-line treatment for uncomplicated falciparum malaria  and insecticide-treated nets, many regions still suffer high malaria burdens due to insecticide resistance and environmental factors that reduce the effectiveness of these tools.

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Still, there is a glimmer of hope in the fight against malaria. For one, a new one-dose malaria vaccine has demonstrated 90% protection against the disease. And scientists say they can now treat mosquitoes with drugs that will kill the parasite that carries malaria.

However, some of these solutions could face fiscal challenges, as the U.S. recently announced it was halting funding for malaria aid and research.

Though the U.S. has historically been a top donor government to anti-malaria efforts, the Trump administration's FY 2026 budget request includes $424 million for the disease, a decrease of $381 million.

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DAMASCUS, Syria (AP)  An explosion at an ammunition depot in northern Syria on Thursday killed at least seven people and wounded scores, rescuers and monitors said.

There was no official statement as to what has caused the blast in Idlib province. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, said the explosion took place at an ammunition depot.

The Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, also said the blast in Idlib, in the town of Maarat Misrin, struck an ammunition depot.

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Our teams are working to recover the bodies of the dead, treat the injured, and extinguish fires at the site of the massive explosion of an ammunition depot, the White Helmets said in a statement.

The state-run Al-Ikhbariya TV referred to the explosion as involving remnants from the war, likely shorthand for arms and ammunition left over from Syria's nearly 14-year civil war. The TV report did not give more details.

Syrian Minister of Emergency and Disaster Management Raed al-Saleh said in a post on X that teams were transporting the wounded and dead despite continued recurring explosions in the area, which are hampering response efforts.

The state-run news agency, SANA, reported that along with the seven killed, 157 people were injured, citing health officials.

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Syria is struggling to recover since the war ended with the ouster of former President Bashar Assad in a lightning rebel offensive in December. During the war, which killed nearly half a million people and displaced half the countrys pre-war population of of 23 million, Idlib was an opposition-held enclave.

The country's current interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa formerly led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an insurgent group based in Idlib that spearheaded the offensive that unseated Assad.
Claim:

Former U.S. President Barack Obama said boys need gay mentors.

Rating:

Rating: Mostly True

What's True:

In a conversation about the value of having different kinds of male mentors in boys' lives, Obama described an openly gay college professor who influenced him in a positive way. He said having someone who is gay or nonbinary (or any other identity) in a friend group helps create community and makes men feel less alone.

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What's False:

Obama did not literally say that boys specifically need gay mentors.

In posts that spread online in July 2025, conservatives claimed former U.S. President Barack Obama said young boys should specifically have gay mentors in their lives.

(X user @Pro__Trading)

A number of online posts claimed Obama's advice had sinister motivations and that he was encouraging "ped*ph*les and groomers." One post stated:

Obama says boys need a gay role model, mentor or influence in their lives. Disrespectfully I'm gonna disagree unequivocally and tell you to get bent. I'll teach my kids to be understanding and respectful but that will come from me Cause see we know what a huge percentage of gay men who try to be "role models" to young boys are actually after. Wait come to think of it.  Did Obama just reveal his origin story?  Don't worry I'm just a conspiracy theorist. Nothing to see here.

Such posts leaned into homophobic conspiracy theories about grooming often propagated by the right.

Obama did speak of the benefits of boys having gay mentors and friends in a July 2025 podcast episode. However, he did so in the context of recommending that boys have a range of male role models in their lives, giving the personal example of a gay professor who influenced him. He did not literally say that all boys should specifically have gay mentors. As such, we rate the claim that he made this statement mostly true.

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Obama made the comment during a July 16, 2025, episode of the podcast "IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson." He was answering listener questions alongside his wife, Michelle Obama, and his brother-in-law Craig Robinson.

One listener asked, "How can we raise emotionally intelligent, competent men?" In response, Obama said:

[Boys need] not just exposure to one guy, one dad, no matter how good the dad.He can't be everything. And that boy may need somebody to give the boy some perspective on the dad, right? One of the most valuable things I learned as a guy was, I had a gay professor in college at a time when openly gay folks still weren't out. Who became one of my favorite professors and was a great guy, and would call me out when I started saying stuff that was ignorant. You need that to show empathy and kindness. And by the way, you need that person in your friend group so that if you then have a boy who's gay, or nonbinary or what have you, they have somebody that they can go, "OK, I'm not alone in this." So that, I think, is creating community. I know it's corny, but that's what they need.

Obama made the above comment starting around the 59:05 mark in the video version of the podcast episode:

In the context of the wider conversation, Obama was calling for a range of male role models, and he said that having a gay friend or nonbinary person in a friend group (as well as other identities, evidenced by his use of the phrase "or what have you") can help "create community" and increase "empathy and kindness." He also mentioned his own gay mentor as a positive influence in his life. However, Obama did not specifically say he believed boys should have gay mentors.

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We have fact-checked a range of stories about Obama, including the false claim that he authorized an assassination attempt on U.S. President Donald Trump just before Trump first assumed office in 2016.

Sources:

"BARACK OBAMA on What It Takes to Raise Boys and How Michelle Made Parenting Better | IMO ." YouTube, Michelle Obama, 16 July 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?si=8cksjHo_PAO0AV7A&t=3550&v=bmzXnbAMmOM&feature=youtu.be. Accessed 24 July 2025.

PerryCook, Taija. "Don't Fall for Claim Obama Authorized Trump Assassination Attempt." Snopes, 22 July 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/obama-authorized-assassination-trump-rumor/. Accessed 24 July 2025.

Romano, Aja. "The Right's Moral Panic over 'Grooming' Invokes Age-Old Homophobia." Vox, 21 Apr. 2022, https://www.vox.com/culture/23025505/leftist-groomers-homophobia-satanic-panic-explained. Accessed 24 July 2025.
Claim:

U.S. Border Patrol agent Bart Conrad Yager was charged with 19 felonies including child sex trafficking, rape, prostitution and fraud in June 2025.

Rating:

Rating: Mostly True

What's True:

Bart Conrad Yager, a former U.S. Border Patrol agent, was indicted in June 2025 on 19 felony counts including multiple charges of child sex trafficking and pandering (encouraging prostitution).

What's False:

The indictments did not include rape charges, as of this writing. Also, while social media posts referenced 19 felonies, Yager actually faced additional charges: He received five more drug-related felony charges on July 17, 2025, bringing his total to 24 felony counts across four separate indictments.

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In late July 2025, a rumor circulated online that U.S. Border Patrol agent Bart Conrad Yager was charged with 19 felonies including child sex trafficking.

(TheSonsofLiberty/Facebook)

For example, a July 19 Facebook post (archived) with over 1,400 reactions read: "U. S. Border Patrol agent Bart C. Yager was charged last month with 19 felonies including child sex trafficking, rape, prostitution, and fraud. Note that he is not 'illegal'. Your MAGA #SaveOurChildren thugs at work, America."

Similar claims appeared on Instagram (archived) and Reddit (archived), with many social media posts linking to a Herald/Review article (archived) titled, "USBP agent charged in 19 felonies including child sex crimes." Herald/Review is a news outlet based in Cochise County, Arizona.

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In short, while social media posts accurately claimed that Yager faced 19 felony charges including child sex trafficking in June, some were misleading about the specific nature of some charges. Namely, prosecutors have not formally charged Yager with rape, even though an individual did reportedly accuse him of that crime in 2014. Also, prosecutors filed additional charges against Yager in July, bringing the total to 24.

As a result, we've rated the claim mostly true.

According to court documents the Cochise County Attorney's Office shared over email, Cochise County Grand Juries returned three separate indictments on June 26 and one indictment on July 17, charging Bart Conrad Yager, 39, with a total of 24 felony counts across four cases in the Superior Court of Arizona for Cochise County.

Roger Maier, public affairs specialist for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), provided an official statement via email:

On June 17, 2025, at 8 a.m., CBP's Office of Professional Responsibility arrested a CBP employee in Wilcox, Ariz., and executed a search warrant based on allegations of child sex trafficking, fraudulent schemes, and pandering. This individual no longer works for the U.S. Border Patrol. We refer all questions to the Cochise County Attorney's Office, which is prosecuting the case.

The complete charges

The three indictments contained the following charges:

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Case 1: 17 felony counts spanning July 2023 through March 2024

Child Sex Trafficking (10 counts): Transporting/financing transportation of a minor for prostitution and engaging in prostitution with a minor aged 15-17

Pandering (six counts): Compelling, inducing, or encouraging someone to engage in prostitution

Attempted Child Sex Trafficking (one count): Attempting to engage in prostitution with a minor

Case 2: one felony count

Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices: Obtaining benefits from the U.S. government through fraudulent means between August and December 2023

Case 3: one felony count

Fraudulent Schemes and Artifices: Obtaining benefits from the U.S. government through fraudulent means between January and May 2024

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The July 17, 2025, indictment added the following charges:

Case 4: five felony counts

Possession or Use of Dangerous Drugs (two counts): Possessing trenbolone and testosterone

Sale or Transportation of Dangerous Drugs (two counts): Importing trenbolone and testosterone into Arizona

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (one count): Using or possessing paraphernalia to inject dangerous drugs

This brought Yager's total charges to 19 felony counts from the initial three indictments plus five additional felony counts from the fourth indictment, for a total of 24 felony charges.

What happened

Bart Conrad Yager, a former Border Patrol agent, was arrested at his Willcox, Arizona, home on June 17, 2025, according to Herald/Review (archived). Another Cochise County news outlet, Sierra Vista Live, reported (archived) that the arrest was captured on Ring camera footage as federal agents executed a search warrant. The investigation began in September 2023 after CBP received allegations that Yager had submitted fraudulent travel reimbursements while working at a Tucson migrant processing center.

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As reported by the Tuscon-based NBC affiliate KVOA (archived), that fraud investigation later uncovered evidence that Yager allegedly paid a teenage minorbetween 15 and 17 years oldover $12,000 for sex. The incidents reportedly occurred between July 2023 and March 2024 at Yager's home and Tucson-area hotels.

Under Arizona law, the age of consent is 18, meaning that sexual activity with someone under that age may be prosecuted as statutory rape. However, as of this writing, prosecutors had not filed such charges against Yager.

A July 3 statement (archived) by the Cochise County Attorney's Office confirmed Yager's employment status as a Border Patrol agent during the commission of these crimes. He remained in custody on a $250,000 cash bond.

2014 rape allegation

The claim's reference to "rape" charges was inaccurate because none of the three indictments included rape charges. However, according to an Arizona Range News article (archived) published on July 16, an individual did accuse Yager of rape in a 2014 incident reported to Tucson police. The article reported that investigators did not seek criminal charges at the time, even though Yager allegedly sent incriminating text messages to the victim.

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Snopes has reached out to CBP for confirmation regarding the 2014 allegation. We will update this story if and when we receive a response.

Sources:

Neff, Terri Jo. "USBP agent charged in 19 felonies including child sex crimes. " My Herald Review, 23 June 2025, www.myheraldreview.com/news/border/usbp-agent-charged-in-19-felonies-including-child-sex-crimes/article_ea7d1ef9-955e-4ffc-9d5a-2542534b429e.html. Accessed 23 July 2025.

Nylander, Chorus. "In-Depth: Willcox Border Patrol agent charged with child sex trafficking, defrauding government." KVOA, 14 July 2025, www.kvoa.com/news/in-depth/in-depth-willcox-border-patrol-agent-charged-with-child-sex-trafficking-defrauding-government/article_07a91993-9bf5-4ed1-b524-90a715105712.html. Accessed 23 July 2025.

"New Details Revealed in Willcox Border Patrol Agent Arrest." Sierra Vista Live, 17 June 2025, www.sierravistalive.com/post/federal-agents-raid-home-in-willcox-tuesday-morning. Accessed 23 July 2025.

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Neff, Terri Jo. "USBP agent from Willcox was accused of rape in 2014." My Herald Review, 16 July 2025, www.myheraldreview.com/news/willcox/usbp-agent-from-willcox-was-accused-of-rape-in-2014/article_01515c90-5446-47dc-9d63-466ec4858878.html. Accessed 23 July 2025.

"Statutory Rape: A Guide to State Laws and Reporting Requirements." U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, aspe.hhs.gov/reports/statutory-rape-guide-state-laws-reporting-requirements-1. Accessed 23 July 2025.
Claim:

First lady Melania Trumps parents came to the United States through a family-based sponsorship, also referred to derogatorily as chain migration.

Rating:

Rating: True

Since U.S. President Donald Trump's first administration, many have speculated about first lady Melania Trump's parents' immigration statuses and how they came to the United States. A number of online posts claimed they arrived through a process that Trump himself has derided and tried to curb.

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A July 2025 YouTube video claimed the following:

Donald Trump built a movement on immigration cruelty  cages, deportations, and raids. But behind the scenes, he used the same "chain migration" he demonized to import his entire in-law family while brown kids were ripped from their parents and locked in cages.

During his first administration, Trump did indeed try to curb the practice of so-called "chain migration," calling it a threat to national security. And based on Melania Trump's parents' immigration papers and confirmation from their lawyer, it is true that her parents entered the U.S. through the same process Trump tried to end.

As we have reported before, despite the strict guidelines under which relatives are eligible for the process, as well as annual caps on the number of immigrants allowed to enter the country in this manner, Trump has frequently criticized such family reunification visas, calling them "chain migration." These visas allow U.S. citizens to sponsor their parents financially, bring them to the United States, and eventually apply for their family members' permanent residency.

We previously reported in February 2018 that the first lady's parents' immigration status was not a matter of public record, and thus the manner in which they came into the country was unknown. However, federal immigration records revealed in 2024 that her mother, Amalija Knavs, did come to the country through her daughter's sponsorship.

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According to Newsweek, in 2024 the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation obtained Knavs' immigration records through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request while suing former U.S. President Joe Biden's administration to access visa records of Britain's Prince Harry. The Washington Post also requested the records from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) after Knavs died in January 2024. We reached out to The Heritage Foundation to access the records and will update the story if we get more information.

The Washington Post confirmed that Knavs was sponsored by an adult child for a green card, and her financial sponsor was listed as "Melania Trump."

Michael Wildes, the immigration lawyer for both of the first lady's parents, Viktor and Amalija Knavs, had also confirmed their method of immigration to The New York Times in 2018. He said Melania Trump had sponsored her parents for their green cards. When asked if the Knavses obtained citizenship through "chain migration," Wildes said, "I suppose."

Even as Trump derogatorily called such a process "chain migration," Wildes said the term was a "dirtier" way of characterizing such sponsorship that was "a bedrock of our immigration process when it comes to family reunification."

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Wildes also confirmed that the couple met the five-year requirement for residency before applying for citizenship.

During his first administration (2017-2021), Trump endorsed the RAISE Act that would have limited priority sponsorship to spouses and minor children and required U.S. citizens to obtain renewable and temporary visas for their parents instead of fast-tracking residencies.

Snopes has previously investigated claims that Melania Trump came to the U.S. "improperly" on an EB-1 "Einstein" visa and self-sponsored herself for a green card as a result. She became a permanent resident in 2001. Melania did indeed receive such a visa and was required to demonstrate "extraordinary abilities" as a model. Successful models have often qualified for such a visa.

Snopes archives contributed to this report.

Sources:

Correal, Annie, and Emily Cochrane. "Melania Trump's Parents Become U.S. Citizens, Using 'Chain Migration' Trump Hates." The New York Times, 9 Aug. 2018. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/09/nyregion/melania-trumps-parents-become-us-citizens.html. Accessed 22 July 2025.

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Garcia, Arturo. "FACT CHECK: Did Melania Trump's Parents Arrive in the U.S. Through 'Chain Migration'?" Snopes, 8 Feb. 2018, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/melania-trump-parents-chain-migration-meme/. Accessed 22 July 2025.

"Melania Trump's Mom's Papers Released in Prince Harry Case." Newsweek, 23 Oct. 2024, https://www.newsweek.com/melania-trump-mom-amalija-knavs-papers-released-prince-harry-visa-1973400. Accessed 22 July 2025.

Rascouet-Paz, Anna. "Inspecting Claim Melania Trump Improperly Came to US on EB-1 'Einstein' Visa." Snopes, 2 Jul. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//news/2025/07/02/melania-trump-einstein-visa/. Accessed 22 July 2025.

Sacchetti, Maria. "Records Confirm Trump's Mother-in-Law Came to U.S. through Process He Derided." The Washington Post, 25 Mar. 2024, https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/2024/03/25/trump-melania-parents-chain-migration/. Accessed 22 July 2025.


BANGKOK (Reuters) -Months of simmering tensions between Cambodia and Thailand exploded into armed conflict on Thursday, including the deployment of a Thai F-16 fighter jet, in the heaviest fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in over a decade.

Here is a look at the defence forces and arsenals of two countries, according to data from the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies:

BUDGETS AND GROUND PERSONNEL

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Cambodia had a defence budget of $1.3 billion in 2024 and 124,300 active military personnel. The armed forces were established in 1993 from the merger of the country's former Communist military and two other resistance armies.

Of this, the Cambodian army is the largest force, with some 75,000 soldiers, backed by more than 200 battle tanks and around 480 pieces of artillery.

Thailand, which the U.S. classifies as a major non-NATO ally, has a large, well-funded military, with a defence budget of $5.73 billion in 2024 and over 360,000 active armed forces personnel.

The Thai army has a total of 245,000 personnel, including an estimated 115,000 conscripts, around 400 battle tanks, over 1,200 armoured personnel carriers and some 2,600 artillery weapons.

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The army has its own fleet of aircraft, comprising passenger planes, helicopters such as dozens of U.S.-made Black Hawks, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

AIR FORCES

Cambodia's air force has 1,500 personnel, with a relatively small fleet of aircraft, including 10 transport planes and 10 transport helicopters.

It doesn't possess any fighter aircraft but has 16 multi- role helicopters, including six Soviet-era Mi-17s and 10 Chinese Z-9s.

Thailand has one of the best equipped and trained air forces in Southeast Asia, with an estimated 46,000 personnel, 112 combat capable aircraft, including 28 F-16s and 11 Swedish Gripen fighter jets, and dozens of helicopters.

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NAVIES

The Cambodian navy has an estimated 2,800 personnel, including 1,500 naval infantry, with 13 patrol and coastal combat vessels and one amphibious landing craft.

Thailand's navy is much larger, with nearly 70,000 personnel, comprising naval aviation, marines, coastal defence and conscripts.

It has one aircraft carrier, seven frigates, and 68 patrol and coastal combat vessels. The Thai fleet also contains a handful of amphibious and landing ships capable of holding hundreds of troops each and 14 smaller landing craft.

Thailand's naval aviation division has its own fleet of aircraft, including helicopters and UAVs, besides a marine corps that has 23,000 personnel, backed by dozens of armed fighting vehicles.

(Reporting by Devjyot GhoshalEditing by Frances Kerry)
Companies could be accused of discrimination if they fail to provide reasonable adjustments such as ADHD training, an employment tribunal has ruled.

Bahar Khorram, an executive at the IT company Capgemini UK, sued it for failing to encourage her colleagues to engage in neurodiversity awareness training that was recommended to support an inclusive environment.

The central London tribunal heard that Ms Khorram, who has ADHD [Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder], started working for Capgemini UK as the pre-sales market lead on June 5 2023, with an annual salary of 120,000.

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The tribunal was told that her ADHD could affect her performance when tasks or objectives are ambiguous as she tends to over-complicate them.

The hearing was told that during her probation, initially set for six months, Ms Khorram was set a number of tasks with tight deadlines that required her to multi-task.

She was due to make a presentation in early September 2023, but emailed Steve Baldwin, her line manager, at 2am the night before to ask for the number of topics to be reduced or for it to be postponed. Mr Baldwin asked her to give an overview of the topics.

Ms Khorram instead cancelled the meeting, which he said in an email gives the impression that it has not been treated seriously and/or managed properly.

Open to varying deadlines

She then told Mr Baldwin of her ADHD diagnosis and, in a probation review meeting, said that she was on medication that was causing her difficulties at work.

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Mr Baldwin said he was open to varying deadlines once they had medical input, so Ms Khorram had an occupational health assessment in October 2023.

The assessor sent her employer a list of potential adjustments which included a one-hour or three-hour ADHD awareness training webinar for up to 15 people at a time, including colleagues and managers.

The sessions aimed to provide practical knowledge and skills to create an inclusive and supportive workplace environment for individuals with neurodivergent conditions.

The next month, she proposed in an email that Mr Baldwin attend the how to manage ADHD training with her, to which he did not respond. She then took two weeks of sick leave, one week of annual leave, and inquired about changing roles in the company.

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Ms Khorram did not attend a probation meeting scheduled for Jan 31, which went ahead in her absence, and was sacked because of ongoing concerns about her performance.

Creating an inclusive environment for all

The tribunal found that the companys failure to take up occupational healths recommendation for ADHD training for staff was a failure to make reasonable adjustments.

Employment Judge Tim Adkin said: There was some prospect of such training helping her colleagues to understand how better to work with her and ameliorating the disadvantage suffered by her because of multitasking and deadlines.

These were reasonable adjustments and were not made by [Capgemini]. This was training to aid the understanding of her colleagues so that they could understand how to work with her.

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We find that it would have been possible to arrange this training so that it did not put [Ms Khorram] in an awkward situation.

[Ms Khorram] herself did not need to attend the training, given that the point of training was to educate the team. Both courses were directed creating a support an inclusive environment for all, including the needs of individuals with ADHD.

Ms Khorrams other claims, including for harassment relating to disability, were dismissed.

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NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  Fair rent commissioners from all over the state gathered in New Haven Thursday morning for one of their first statewide network meetings with the Partnership for Strong Communities. They want to spread the word about how Fair Rent Commissions can help renters.

The idea is that they function as the conscience of the community regarding rental charges and increases, Sarah White of the Connecticut Fair Housing Center said.

DCF to meet with Children Committee for update on alleged Waterbury captivity case

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The folks gathered at the Canal Dock Boathouse represented commissions in 35 cities and towns. Most were formed after a 2022 law mandated them in cities and towns with more than 25,000 residents.

That, combined with powerful community organizing in towns both large and small, has helped double the number of fair rent commissions in just the past two years, Chelsea Ross, the Executive Director of the Partnership for Strong Communities, explained.

The commissioners now get together and network, gaining knowledge about how to better help tenants who face sudden, unfair rent increases or poor conditions that their landlord wont fix.

Most landlords want to do the right thing and do do the right thing, guest speaker Mayor Justin Elicker (D-New Haven) said. But, for those few landlords that often own a lot of properties, we have a lot of problems, and the only thing thats going to work is significant fines and accountability.

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Tenants can make formal complaints to their commissions, and those commissions have broad powers to reduce rent. People rent homes in every town in Connecticut, but more than 100 towns do not have rent commissions.

Most tenants have no practical way to challenge an unfair rent increase unless they live in a town with a fair rent commission, White said.

Advocates say the solution is a proposed change to the law.

That lowers the threshold from 25,000 to 15,000 to ensure more renters across more towns can access basic protections that are so critical, Ross said.

They are hoping for a special legislative session to make that a law.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
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Dive Brief:

Daniel Henry joined Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings as the company's EVP, chief digital and technology officer, President and CEO Harry Sommer said Monday in a LinkedIn post. Henry will report to Sommer effective Monday and will be tasked with combining the IT and digital experience teams, the company said in a Tuesday email.

Henry's appointment will support the company's ability to "deliver seamless, innovative solutions that elevate both guest experiences and our operational excellence," Sommer said in the post. CIO and CISO Georgios Mortakis will remain with the company and report to Henry, the company said.

The executive brings decades of IT leadership experience to the cruise line, including 17 years at American Airlines and nearly five years as EVP, global CIO at McDonald's.

Dive Insight:

Norwegian Cruise Line's leadership addition is its latest move to expand digital capabilities, shored up by a lengthy cloud migration and the addition of IT skills to its board of directors.

In June 2024, the company announced it completed a 15-month effort to migrate its shoreside on-premises workloads to AWS, moving more than 100 applications  including its reservation system and mobile apps  to cloud.

The move was billed as a pathway toward adoption of generative AI, machine learning and analytics offerings through AWS.

"Our migration of on-premises workloads to AWS has resulted in significant improvements in performance," Mortakis said in the announcement. During the company's largest traffic event to date in November 2023, its reservations systems handled record volumes without any known performance or availability issues, Mortakis said.

The company also credited technology upgrades with reduced costs, CFO Mark Kempa said during the company's Q1 2025 earnings call in April.

"Weve made some soft minor technology investments that are really allowing us to gain more efficiencies on the back end," Kempa said.

In May, the company appointed Linda Jojo to its board as an independent director. A United Airlines veteran, Jojo brings over 30 years of IT and cybersecurity experience to the company.

"Ms. Jojos appointment is a strategic move to enhance our Boards expertise in technology and customer solutions at a pivotal time for NCLH," said Sommer in the announcement.

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FAIRMONT, W.Va.  The City of Fairmont held its first State of the City address Wednesday evening in council chambers.

Fairmont officials gave a public presentation highlighting achievements, ongoing efforts and the long-term vision for the city. Mayor Anne Bolyard and City Manager Travis Blosser led the presentation, which touched on infrastructure improvements, economic development plans and recent community investments.

We have to have these conversations, we have to have these events, and this is not only just sharing information but an invitation to our citizens, our partners, our collaboratives, local business to join us in moving forward, Bolyard said.

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City Manager Travis Blosser said the city is on the cusp of seeing some significant housing-related developments and added that Fairmont is dedicated to fostering economic growth and revitalization.

This community deserves a lot more than what it has, and, and that is something that I know every member of this city council, and our mayor, as well as myself and every member of city staff, really wants to see that this city moves and gets the things that it deserves, said Blosser.

During the address, Blosser acknowledged that the city will face more complex challenges in the future. He also noted that many residents are still dealing with the aftermath of the Fathers Day flooding, which he said resulted in some areas receiving more than four inches of rain in less than 40 minutes.

These severe weather events are becoming more and more frequent. And, we have to face the reality that Fairmont has a very old water system that wasnt designed to handle these levels of rain, Blosser said. Were not unique in these problems, thoughits happening across the country. Were reaching a critical point regarding the condition of our citys wastewater system where we will need to invest significant amounts of money to implement improvements.

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In discussing the treatment plant on Howard Avenue, Blosser explained it would cost an estimated $200 million to upgrade it, which would essentially provide the city with a new facility. He also noted that the citys stormwater and sewer systems will require extensive replacements, which will involve collaboration with both public and private property owners. Blosser estimated the total cost to replace both systems could exceed $1 billion.

Fairmonts State of the City address is expected to be an annual occurrence, aimed at fostering transparency and community engagement.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Nevada Supreme Court will hear the appeal in the fake elector criminal case on Aug. 6.

Six Republicans were charged after signing documents that falsely claimed President Donald Trump won the 2020 election. The group then mailed their certificates to Washington, D.C.

They were indicted in 2023 by a Clark County grand jury. The appeal came after Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus dismissed the case last summer, citing an improper venue.

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Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald, Jim DeGraffenreid, Durward James Hindle III, Jesse Law, Shawn Meehan and Eileen Rice were indicted on charges of offering a false instrument for filing and uttering a forged instrument, felonies that carry penalties of up to four or five years in prison.

Trump lost to President Joe Biden in Nevada by more than 33,000 votes in 2020.

The district court concluded that the venue was not proper in Clark County because the alleged offenses took place in Carson City and Douglas County. The state argues that regardless of whether venue was proper in Carson City or Douglas County, it was also proper in Clark County.

After Holthus dismissed the case, the Nevada Attorney Generals Office appealed the decision and refiled the case in Carson City.

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In June Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo vetoed legislation aimed at punishing fake electors for the second session in a row.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
The family of Eliotte Heinz, the 22-year-old found dead in the Mississippi River 13 miles south of La Crosse on July 23, released a statement thanking the community for their support throughout the tragic time.

"The outpouring of support in the search for Eliotte has been overwhelming, and we are deeply grateful for the kindness, prayers, and encouragement from the community and beyond," the family said.

They also asked for people in the La Crosse area to review their home security footage from July 20 between 2-6 a.m. to get more information about how she went missing.

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"If you see anything that may help, please contact the La Crosse Police Department," the family said.

Heinz had been missing since July 20 in La Crosse and was found in the river near Brownsville, Minnesota three days later at about 10:28 a.m., the La Crosse Police Department said in a news release.

After she went missing, authorities and community members began searching for her.

Those wishing to provide monetary support to Heinz's parents, Shane and Amber, can do so through either Venmo or PayPal (daniellefaskell@gmail.com).

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Heinz family releases statement after 22-year-old daughter found dead
The family of a man who died after being sucked into an MRI machine is "devastated and seeking answers," according to his attorney.

Keith McAllister, 61, died on Wednesday, July 16, when he entered a Long Island MRI room during a scan. Nassau County Police said in a statement that McAllister was "wearing a large metallic chain around his neck" at the time, causing him to be sucked into the machine. He was critically injured and died the next day.

Now his family's attorneys are sharing their deep sadness following the "preventable incident" in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

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"We ask the public and friends to keep Mr. McAllister's wife, Adrienne Jones-McAllister, and the entire family in their thoughts and prayers during this profoundly difficult time," lawyer Michael Lauterborn said. "The family is truly grateful for the outpouring of heartfelt condolences received from the community and from across the country."

Jones-McAllister was with her husband at Nassau Open MRI when the incident unfolded, telling News 12 Long Island, "he went limp in my arms."

She had an MRI on her knee and called for the technician to let her husband in to help her get back up afterward, she told News 12. The technician allowed McAllister inside even though he was wearing a 20-lb. weight-training chain around his neck, the outlet reported.

I was saying, Could you turn off the machine? Call 911. Do something. Turn this damn thing off!  Jones-McAllister said, adding separately, "That was not the first time that guy has seen that chain. They had a conversation about it before."

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A representative for the Nassau County Police Public Information Office previously told PEOPLE that they have no additional information to release beyond the department's initial statement, noting the Nassau County Medical Examiner will complete a report about McAllister's death.

A GoFundMe fundraiser launched to support Jones-McAllister by her daughter, Samantha Bodden, alleged that her mom and the MRI technician spent several minutes trying to free McAllister themselves before police were called  but McAllister remained attached to the machine "for almost an hour before they could release the chain from the machine."

Nassau Open MRI previously declined to comment to PEOPLE, citing the ongoing investigation. Whether McAllister had access to the room remains unclear at this time.

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.

Meanwhile, the law firm said the focus currently "remains on supporting the McAllister family" and that they are committed to "ensuring that all facts surrounding this incident are thoroughly investigated by the Nassau County Police Department and the New York State Department of Health."

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According to Lauterborn, the lawyer, the incident also highlights the "critical importance of safety protocols in medical imaging facilities."

In the attorneys' statement, they added, "The family and our legal team are dedicated to assisting the appropriate authorities in their investigation and in efforts to ensure accountability and prevent similar tragedies in the future."

As PEOPLE previously reported, patients are typically asked to remove any metal and electrical objects from their person before undergoing an MRI. According to the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering, MRI machines use powerful magnets to scan bodies for diseases and ailments while producing images of non-bony parts or soft tissues.

"The family is devastated and seeking answers," the lawyers' statement concluded. "On their behalf, we respectfully request that the media honor their privacy as they grieve and await further information."



Read the original article on People
In 2007, the world was introduced to Lori and Chris Coble, a couple from Orange County, California, whose lives were forever changed by an unthinkable tragedy. Their three young childrenKyle, Emma, and Katiewere killed in a devastating crash on Interstate 5 in Mission Viejo when a big rig slammed into the familys minivan.

The heartbreaking story made international headlines. The Cobles appeared on numerous news programs, including The Oprah Winfrey Show, where Oprah poignantly remarked, If there is one thing we have learned it is that life can change in an instant.

Their loss sparked renewed calls for highway safety reform. The late Senator Dianne Feinstein pushed for stricter oversight of the trucking industry, including regulations on driver logs and mandatory rest breaks.

Emma, Katie and Kyle Coble (GoFundMe)

These devastating crashes highlight the cost of not moving forward with common-sense measures that could make our highways safer, Sen. Feinstein wrote in 2007.

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In the years that followed, the Cobles story took a miraculous turn.

The couple welcomed tripletsEllie, Ashley, and Jakewho are now high school seniors. Their journey of healing and hope inspired millions.

Now, the family is facing another unimaginable challenge.

According to a new GoFundMe page, Lori, now 48, was recently rushed to the ER after experiencing troubling symptoms. Doctors diagnosed her with Stage IV Glioblastomaan aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer. Emergency surgery removed 80% of the tumor, but the remaining portion, located behind her right eye, is inoperable due to its delicate location.

Lori Coble undergoing treatment for brain cancer. July 2025. (GoFundMe)

Lori has begun an intensive course of chemotherapy and radiation. The family describes the road ahead as steep and uncertain, and says the current burden is simply too much for one family to carry alone.

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To support Lori and the Coble family during this devastating time, donations can be made here: Support Lori Cobles fight against brain and breast cancer

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
YUKON, Okla. (KFOR)  A family in Yukon has been without AC for more than two weeks and said they have been getting the run-around when it comes to fixing the problem.

Abby Greenback said she purchased a new AC unit, and since it has been installed, has had two failed inspections.

I dont know what else to do, said Greenback.

She said her home has quickly warmed up as the summer weather arrived in Oklahoma.



Were sitting at 81 degrees, said Greenback, commenting on the temperature inside her home.

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Crews working to resolve parts of Scissortail Park left in the dark

She has two young children, one with medical concerns, and the family has been using portable AC units in their rooms as a temporary fix.

A month ago, Greenback said her family decided to replace their 30-year-old AC unit. She had a home warranty and asked to use a specific company.



They said nope, you have to use whoever we provide, said Greenback.

She said she paid $3,700, and her home warranty company sent Perfect Climate Heating and Air to her home.

That started out journey into over two weeks now with no air conditioner, said Greenback.

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The new unit failed not one but two inspections.



Every time they show back up, we just get more of this gray putty put everywhere, said Greenback.

News 4 called the owner of the HVAC company. The owner said he was frustrated because the family had not given him time to get the problems resolved.

It cant happen the next day, and she starts calling everybody. I cant help the schedule, said Bill Edwards. She keeps canceling on me. If she wants us to deal with it. Shes got to let us deal with it.

Edwards, who said he had 30 years of experience, believed the problem with the home was that it was flipped and the return air ducts were impacted since the house has a flat roof.

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He said, regardless, he promised to fix everything listed on the inspection report on 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Firefighters rushed to contain a rapidly spreading brush fire that broke out Wednesday afternoon in southwestern San Bernardino County.

The Euclid Fire was first spotted around 1:45 p.m. along Highway 71 in Chino Hills. As of 4:30 p.m., it had burned approximately 150 acres on both sides of the highway, a Cal Fire spokesperson told KTLA 5 News.

Sky5s Gil Leyvas reported that the blaze was burning through dry brush on the west side of the highway and also thicker vegetation in the area of Prado Regional Park and Chino Creek, just north of the Santa Ana River bed.

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Smoke was visible from across Jurupa Valley and the Inland Empire.

Sky5 view of the Euclid Fire in Chino Hills, California, on July 23, 2025. Sky5 view of the Euclid Fire in Chino Hills, California, on July 23, 2025. Map of the Euclid Fire in Chino Hills on July 23, 2025. (Cal Fire) Euclid Fire Sky5 view of the Euclid Fire in Chino Hills, California, on July 23, 2025. Sky5 view of the Euclid Fire in Chino Hills, California, on July 23, 2025. Sky5 view of the Euclid Fire in Chino Hills, California, on July 23, 2025.

Several fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters were assisting ground crews in building containment lines and dousing the fire with water, though by 5 p.m. fire officials said aerial crews were being released as a dozer line was completed around the blaze, the fire was holding within the perimeter and that ground crews had sufficient resources.

Forward progress of brush fire just before 5:30 p.m., prompting CHP and Caltrans to open one north and southbound lane of Highway 71 at Euclid Avenue.

There were no reports of homes threatened or evacuations. The cause of the fire was under investigation.

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There's a new way partner nations are using to arm Ukraine faster and cheaper.

It has helped surge production of a key piece of artillery, the 2S22 Bohdana self-propelled howitzer.

Allies are buying weapons for Ukraine from Ukrainian manufacturers, avoiding issues with Western supplies.

Ukraine was able to supercharge the production of a key homemade artillery system through a new way allies are employing to arm Ukraine faster and cheaper. It could be the new template for helping Ukraine arm itself against Russia.

Ukraine has significantly boosted its production of the 2S22 Bohdana 155mm howitzers with funds from allies under the new funding system, industry bodies that represent Ukrainian defense companies told Business Insider. Artillery systems remain critical in this war.

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For much of this conflict, Western partners have sent their weapons to Ukraine, emptying stockpiles. This new model involves partners purchasing weapons for Kyiv's forces directly from Ukrainian manufacturers. The former approach is still key for Ukraine, but the latter has shown real potential.

The new system, pioneered by NATO member Denmark and nicknamed the Danish Model, has helped Ukraine get more weapons for it to fight back against Russia's invasion.

In particular, it has had a really "significant impact" on Bohdana production, Serhiy Goncharov, the CEO of the National Association of Ukrainian Defense Industries (NAUDI), told Business Insider. His group represents around 100 Ukrainian companies.

A Ukrainian soldier operates a 2S22 Bohdana. Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Production increased from six units a month in 2023 to more than 20 of these systems in 2025, according to Ukraine's Defence Procurement Agency.

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The Bohdana is a NATO-standard, self-propelled howitzer produced by Ukraine's Kramatorsk Heavy Duty Machine Tool Building Plant, and Goncharov described it as "a symbol of resistance and the symbol of Ukrainian industry."

Funding weapons that are made in Ukraine is important given current challenges. European military stockpiles have little to spare for Ukraine, and many Western defense companies already have big backlogs in production. So even funding new Western weapons doesn't help Ukraine in the short term. Ukraine frequently deals with shortages of foreign weapons from its partners given the war's tremendous demand for war material.

The model is also useful for NATO, with many countries in the alliance wanting to maintain and grow their own arsenals, worried that Russian aggression could someday extend beyond Ukraine.

Goncharov said that the Danish model has helped Ukrainian industry scale production by giving it the finance it needs, as usually it is limited to what Ukraine's defense ministry can afford, which is out of sync with industrial capacity.

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That financial support, he said, gives producers "more confidence" to increase their production, knowing the funding is there. In addition to the homemade howitzers, the Danish model has helped fund more drones, as well as anti-tank and anti-ship missile systems.

A host of countries, like Sweden and Iceland, are giving money to Ukraine through the model, which is growing.

In 2024, the model finalized procurements for weaponry worth more than $550 million, and Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov said last month that support through this model is expected to reach more than $1.7 billion this year. And more partner countries are continuing to join while some countries, like Germany, are launching independent programs inspired by the model.

New help for Ukraine

Troels Lund Poulsen, Denmark's defense minister, told Business Insider in March that the model so far "has been a great success" and that under it, the weapon prices are "quite low compared to buying the artillery systems in Europe."

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Goncharov called the model a "new vision of how you can support Ukraine" and said that work on the Bohdana was a big "success story."

A soldier squats by 155mm shells for a 2S22 Bohdana self-propelled howitzer. Dmytro Smolienko/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images

He said NAUDI has a list of weapons that it is ready to make more of through the Danish model or a similar model, including artillery, armored vehicles, jamming systems, and drones.

Ihor Fedirko, the CEO of the Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry (UCDI), a body that represents more than 100 companies, told Business Insider that the increase in Bohdana production was "made possible thanks to the Danish model and associated funding."

And the capacity exists for increased total production, he said. Fedirko described the Danish model as "the largest hope for the private sector" in Ukraine.

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Within Ukraine's defense industry, "there are huge hopes and expectations in terms of the Danish model, and we hope that far more countries will join it," Fedirko said.

He said that would strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities, "so this is why the private market is very much looking forward to its further unfolding."

Ukraine's defense industry

Private companies have been essential to Ukraine's fight against Russia's invasion. The domestic defense sector has exploded, developing and testing new weaponry that is then purchased by Ukraine's military and sometimes by units buying directly.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 30% of the military equipment Ukraine used in 2024 was made in the country. He said recently that has climbed to 40%.

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Fedirko said there are around 700 market players in Ukraine's defense industry, with just 76 of those being state-owned.

The Danish model helps with a problem that is facing Ukraine's defense industry and military, which is that its defense companies have the ability to produce far more weaponry than Ukraine's government can afford to buy.

A Ukrainian medic runs through a partially-dug trench. John Moore/Getty Images

Goncharov said that "our capacity of the Ukrainian producers is at least three times higher than our potential to purchase." If it does not receive outside support, the defense sector is limited by the Ukrainian budget.

Goncharov said that in Ukraine, "we are ready to increase our production," if more purchases are made. The Danish model lets Europe arm Ukraine without emptying its stockpiles.

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He said sometimes defense companies can be "sitting in the office and have no contract at all" but be ready to produce. The Danish model gives companies the financial means to keep producing, he said.

He said he hoped for increased cooperation with Europe, as he sees Ukraine as holding back Russia. "The European Union should understand that we are not fighting not only for Ukraine, that we are fighting for Europe."

Read the original article on Business Insider
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Federal and local law enforcement agencies at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Jackson Field Office announced multiple arrests as part of a nationwide crackdown on violent crime.

Agents said Operation Summer Heat brought the agencies together to target gangs, fugitives and repeat offenders. The operation includes partnerships with police departments in Louisville, Starkville and Winston County. They arrested 10 individuals on July 23 for federal drug violations.

According to court documents, Terrance Rush, Gary Wraggs, Tilnorris Macon, Tonnee Holmes, Tyler Tanksley, Darnell Stone, Harvey Savior, Marcus Metts, and Austin Snow were charged with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Nine of these individuals were arrested in Winston County, Mississippi, and one was arrested in Minnesota.

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Reporting crime data indicates in Mississippi that violent crime has decreased over the last three years. Yet, we continue to have a scourge of violent crime affecting our communities across the state, said Special Agent in Charge Robert A. Eikhoff.

Three MDOC officers arrested for smuggling contraband

According to the FBI, authorities are searching for Quinton McWilliams in connection to the operation. Hes wanted for drug conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and felon in possession of a firearm.

FBI officials said McWilliams is wanted for his alleged involvement in the drug trafficking of methamphetamine and fentanyl from January 2021 through June 2025. A federal arrest warrant was issued for him on June 12, 2025.

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Investigators said McWilliams has ties to Louisville, Mississippi, and Phoenix, Arizona. He is considered to be armed and dangerous.

(Courtesy: FBI Jackson)

Anyone with information on his whereabouts can contact their local FBI office.

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We recently published 10 Big Names Get Slammed. NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE:SMR) is one of the biggest losers on Monday.

NuScale Power snapped an eight-day winning streak on Monday, dropping 9.57 percent on Monday to close at $45.44 apiece as investors resorted to profit-taking to take advantage of the intra-day rally.

During the session, NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE:SMR) touched a new all-time high of $50.94, but investors turned sellers to pull the companys price back to the $45 level.

The recent rally can be attributed to the continuous advancements in the artificial intelligence sector, thanks to strong backing from President Donald Trump.

NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE:SMR) is set to announce the results of its earnings performance for the second quarter of the year on August 8.

NuScale (SMR) Ends 8 Straight Gains on Profit-Taking

A Nuclear power plant with all its safety & security protocols in place.

Investors will be closely watching for any cues of deals with companies following Trumps signing of an executive order in May that aims to quadruple the nuclear power industry in the US to 400 GW by 2050.

While we acknowledge the potential of SMR as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an extremely cheap AI stock that is also a major beneficiary of Trump tariffs and onshoring, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.
A merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media has been formally approved by the Federal Communications Commission, following months of uncertainty and skepticism.

The $8.4 billion deal was formally approved by the Trump administration Thursday, after FCC commissioners voted 2-1 along party lines, meaning that Skydance will take control of Paramount in the coming weeks.

In a statement accompanying the deal's approval, Trump-appointed FCC Chairman Brendan Carr hailed the merger as an opportunity to bring more balance to the once-storied CBS network.

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Americans no longer trust the legacy national news media to report fully, accurately, and fairly. It is time for a change," Carr said.

A merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media has been formally approved by the Federal Communications Commisison, following months of uncertainty (Getty Images)

It comes after a period of turmoil revolving around President Donald Trumps legal battle with 60 Minutes, the crown jewel of Paramount-owned broadcast network CBS.

Paramount earlier this month agreed to pay a $16 million settlement with Trump, following fears the president would block the long and hard-fought deal with Skydance.

Critics described the settlement as a thinly-veiled bribe to appease Trump, amid rising concerns over the state of editorial independence in the U.S. news media.

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Further outrage also emerged after CBS said it was canceling Stephen Colberts Late Show just days after the comedian sharply criticized the parent companys settlement on air. Paramount cited financial reasons for the shows cancelation, but big names both within and outside the company have questioned those motives.

Earlier this week Skydance reassured the Trump administration that it would eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion policies and hire an ombudsman to review complaints of bias at CBS News once the merger has been completed.

Further outrage over the merger emerged after CBS said it was canceling Stephen Colberts Late Show just days after the comedian sharply criticized the parent companys settlement on air. Paramount cited financial reasons, but big names both within and outside the company have questioned those motives (CBS)

In letters to Carr, Skydances general counsel Kyoko McKinnon noted that while Skydance does not have DEI programs in place today, the company confirmed that the New Paramount would not establish any similar practices in the future.

Carr also gloated Tuesday morning over the abrupt cancellation of Stephen Colberts late-night CBS show  which was announced last week.

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The partisan lefts ritualist wailing and gnashing of teeth over Colbert is quite revealing, he said. Theyre acting like theyre losing a loyal DNC spokesperson that was entitled to an exemption from the laws of economics.

Carrs post came the morning after Colbert fired back at Trump directly for celebrating that he got fired, telling the president to go f*** yourself during a Late Night monologue that also saw him promise that the gloves would be off over his final 10 months on air. The show is expected to continue through May 2026.

With additional reporting from Justin Baragona.
FCC chairman Brendan Carr defended President Trump against fresh barbs from The View on Thursday and hinted it is entirely possible the long-running ABC show has some issues worth looking into.

Carr made the comment after being asked on Fox News if The View was now in his crosshairs. He was also shown a clip from Wednesdays episode in which co-host Joy Behar said President Trump was so jealous of President Obama being trim, smart, happily married and able to croon Al Green tunes. The FCC chairman clearly did not agree with Behar.

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Look, its entirely possible that theres issues over there. But again, stepping back [to view] this broader dynamic, once President Trump has exposed these media gatekeepers and smashed this facade, theres a lot of consequences. I think the consequences of it arent quite finished, Carr said.

He continued: The Views got a lot of challenges there. It wasnt that long ago. I think one episode, one show alone, they had to stop, interrupt the show and read four separate legal notices to try to avoid legal liability. So Im not surprised to hear people say that their ratings are struggling.

Carr was referring to a November 2024 episode in which The View co-hosts had to issue four legal notes during a show, after bashing several of Trumps cabinet picks. His comment that their ratings are taking a hit was not on the mark, though; The View averaged 2.46 million viewers during the second quarter, up 4% year-over-year.

The chairmans comments also came after a White House spokesperson responded to Behar on Wednesday, saying she was an irrelevant loser suffering from a severe case of Trump Derangement Syndrome.

FOX: Is The View now in the crosshairs of this administration?



FCC CHAIR BRENDAN CARR: It's entirely possible there are issues over there  the consequences aren't quite finished pic.twitter.com/sDZAbtf07I  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 24, 2025

President Trump, of course, has been a favorite target of the The View for several years now. And moderator Whoopi Goldberg earlier this year said there was no point in talking to Trump voters because they support politicians who think you dont matter in the country.

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On Wednesday, the president said he would like to see The View be the next prominent show taken off the air, after The Late Show with Stephen Colbert was cancelled by CBS last week.

The post FCC Chairman Bashes The View, Suggests Show Could Have Issues appeared first on TheWrap.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  New York police departments are facing staffing shortages and heavier workloads.

Thats why Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is promoting federal legislation aimed at keeping law enforcement families supported.

The Providing Childcare for Police Officers Act is a bipartisan bill that would fund childcare services for the children of police officers.

Gillibrand says the legislation would allow families to plan around long work hours reducing one of the barriers to entering or staying in the law enforcement profession.

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At one major metropolitan police department, more than half of the officers reported having to leave or miss work due to childcare issues, Gillibrand said. Its an issue that disproportionately impacts younger officers  in particular women  who make up only 14% of the sworn officers and 4% of police chiefs.

Offering childcare is a powerful recruitment and retention tool, and its an essential way to promote public safety while maintaining a stable law enforcement workforce. Gillibrand continued, Its certainly not the only tool in our toolbox, but its an important and powerful one that we shouldnt ignore.

The bill would fund a five-year pilot program with the hope that expanded childcare options could boost police recruitment and retention nationwide.

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ATLANTA, Ga. (WSAV)  A deputy with the Miami-Dade Sheriffs Office (MDSO) was arrested on Wednesday on charges involving the sexual exploitation of minors.

Carle Miranda Blum, 51, was arrested following the filing of a federal complaint charging her with receipt of visual depictions involving the sexual exploitation of minors and production of visual depictions involving the sexual exploitation of minors.

The complaint alleges Blum received multiple videos and images of the 17-year-old victim engaging in sexually explicit conduct. Blum also traveled to Atlanta this past spring, where she recorded multiple videos of herself engaging in sex acts with the then-minor victim.

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According to the statement released by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida, the penalties for the charges are as follows:

Production of visual depictions involving the sexual exploitation of minors carries a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison and a statutory maximum of up to 30 years.

The charge of receipt of visual depictions involving the sexual exploitation of minors carries a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison and a statutory maximum of up to 20 years.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.

It is important to remember that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  Feeding South Dakota is asking state lawmakers for $3 million to cover meals that the not-for-profit organization no longer will be getting from the federal government.

The groups CEO appealed to the Legislatures Appropriations Committee during a meeting on Wednesday.

County: Milk facility to pay $50,000 for road use

Lori Dykstra said cuts have already been made within the administration of Feeding South Dakota.

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The requested money would be used to buy food that previously came from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and to keep up with rising demand.

At the same time, South Dakota Public Broadcasting is looking at cutting 15 to 20 employees, after Congress ended federal support for Public Broadcasting System and Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

That cost SDPB $2.2 million in federal grant funding.

The Big Beautiful Bill that Congress passed at the request of Republican U.S. President Donald Trump will affect several programs run by the South Dakota Department of Social Services.

The federal government currently pays the administrative costs for SNAP  Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program  but state governments will have to start picking up a share, based on error rates in their programs.

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South Dakota had the lowest error rate in the nation during 2024.

Meanwhile, the work requirements that South Dakota voters decided last year may be imposed on Medicaid recipients will be superseded by a nationwide federal requirement.

And state Social Services Secretary Matt Althoff said recipients of TANF payments  Temporary Aid to Needy Families  are being notified that theyll see a 10% reduction starting September.

Althoff told appropriators that the average cut will be about $50 per month.

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Autumn Tree Top works on a math problem on July 17, 2025, at the Career Learning Center of the Black Hills in Rapid City. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)

Autumn Tree Top knows what a high school certificate means.

It can mean higher pay, college and a career.

It can mean setting an example for her children.

It can mean stability, fulfillment and confidence.

Each morning, the 29-year-old mother of three wakes up early and goes to school at the Career Learning Center of the Black Hills. She works at Taco Johns as a shift manager and lives at OneHeart transitional housing in Rapid City.

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Tree Top, who is Lakota, wants to become a social worker, or perhaps work with kids. She believes her personal experience with addiction, dropping out of school, homelessness and interacting with the justice system will help her connect with those she serves. Staff at the center are helping her decide what path is best.

She started working toward her high school equivalency certificate this year and just has to pass her math test before her children can watch her walk across the stage.

Its challenging. But its helping me feel like Im achieving something I missed an opportunity for a long time ago, Tree Top said. Now I get that chance again.

That chance is in jeopardy for thousands of South Dakotans like Tree Top, according to directors of adult education centers.

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The U.S. Department of Education paused distribution of $6.8 billion in congressionally approved funds for schools and educational programs on June 30, saying it was reviewing the funding to ensure its spent in accordance with the Presidents priorities and the Departments statutory responsibilities. The department has since released $1.3 billion for summer programs and before- and after-school programs, but the rest remains out of reach for schools and adult education centers.

Advocates warn of economic ripple effect

Adult education programs help students prepare for high school equivalency exams, such as the GED tests. That credential allows South Dakotans to apply for college, enroll in an apprenticeship program or apply for a job that requires a diploma. The programs can also offer civics and citizenship instruction; workplace, health, family and digital literacy training; and correctional education for prisoners reentering society.

Adult education advocates worry not only about the paused funding, but about potential future funding cuts, said Sharon Bonney, CEO of the Coalition on Adult Basic Education. President Donald Trump has attempted to dismantle the federal Department of Education, and his budget request in May included $12 billion in spending cuts for the department. Some advocacy groups have said the budget proposal doesnt include funding for adult education.

Given the number of victories Trump has secured this year, Bonney expects hell have his way on education spending, too.

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Bonney said programs nationwide anticipate layoffs and closures. That would create a ripple effect in the workforce and economy, she said, keeping people from getting the education they need to find a job, go to college or increase their pay.

South Dakota reported 1,833 adult learners in the state based on the latest available data. Just under 15,000 working-age adults in South Dakota arent in the workforce and dont have a GED certificate, while another 39,129 are working without high school credentials, according to the National Reporting System for Adult Education.

Loss in federal funding destroys SD programs

Federal funding on average accounts for 45% of adult education government funding in South Dakota, based on 2024 grant awards.

South Dakota programs havent received $1.4 million in funding due to the freeze. In 2024, four adult education organizations and two school districts received a combined total of $1.26 million in federal funds to operate. The state covered another $1.2 million.

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The state Department of Labor and Regulation is sending adult education organizations some funding leftover from last years grants and state general fund appropriations. The money will help fill gaps through the end of September, according to a department spokesperson.

Black Hills Special Services operates the Career Learning Center that Tree Top attends. It received $513,710 in combined state and federal funding in 2024  100% of its operating budget, according to Stephenie Rittberger, adult education coordinator. Federal funding accounts for 32% of its budget.

Stephenie Rittberger, adult education program manager, helps Erica Anderson with math on July 17, 2025, at the Career Learning Center of the Black Hills in Rapid City. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)

Of its 517 students, 428 self-report as low-income, a majority are Native American, 101 live in unstable housing and 68 experienced homelessness in the last year.

Demand for adult education is growing in the Black Hills and Rapid City area, Rittberger said. Less federal funding could mean cutting programs and forcing students to sit on waiting lists.

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A 32% gap in funding due to the federal loss is something Rittberger said local businesses and local governments cant fill, especially when theyre already contributing. While state and local funding make up the centers entire operating budget, other entities donate space for classes. One local nonprofit provides funding for test scholarships, which students would have to pay for otherwise.

I cant expand, I cant look at whats better or whats next, Rittberger said. I need to look at how to keep my sites as best I can because I know when rural places or Rapid City loses a service, it takes years to get it back.

For Cornerstones Career Learning Center, a Huron-based adult learning program with offices across eastern South Dakota, a nearly 50% shortfall in its operating budget destroys its program. It will have to cut the number of people served or shrink the geographical area, said Executive Director Kim Olson.

The organization receives more from the state and federal government than any other adult education center in South Dakota: $783,310 in 2024, including $392,810 from the federal government. It provides virtual adult education classes to 836 people across the eastern half of the state.

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Rittberger and Olson said adult learning centers plan to ask for more state funding to replace the potential loss in federal funding. Meanwhile, legislators learned this week that theyre facing a tight budget next year with revenue potentially $25 million short of projections.

Adult education delivers a return on investment, advocates say

Students and staff both feel the stress of the funding freeze, Rittberger said. Teachers feel devalued, and students are worried theyll lose a safe place to learn.

Cynthia Roan Eagle, 54, has been working toward her GED certificate since 2002. Roan Eagle, who is a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, said she is disabled, stemming from an abusive childhood that kept her from graduating high school.

Its been trying. Ive been off and on because of jobs or because I lost the motivation, Roan Eagle said. But now I have it. Im doing this for myself. No one is going to get my diploma for me.

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Roan Eagle works on a mobile cleaning crew at Ellsworth Air Force Base, a job she secured through disability services organization Black Hills Works. Her pay increased from $11.25 to $17.25 an hour because of her increased critical thinking skills and passing subtests on her way to get her GED certificate.

Rhonda Leneaugh conducts an orientation session on July 17, 2025, at the Career Learning Center of the Black Hills in Rapid City with, from left, Whitley Montreal, Joseph Pulaski and Kamimila Oliver. (Seth Tupper/South Dakota Searchlight)

After more than two decades watching her friends and peers earn their credentials, shes ready. She plans to pass her last test in January and perhaps start taking college courses through Oglala Lakota College or at Black Hills State University. She said Rittberger offered to sit in on some classes with her to see if its the right fit.

If this program is pulled, theres no way to do this. You cant get a good paying job, you cant go on to higher education, you cant do anything, Roan Eagle said. We need this program because it helps a lot of people, including myself.

English classes, literacy help America become great

At Cornerstones, 69% of students are English language learners, while the remainder are working on their GED exams.

Federal fallout

As federal funding and systems dwindle, states are left to decide how and whether to make up the difference.

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Rosemary Hicks earned her GED diploma at 58 years old in March. Originally from Brazil, Hicks and her teenage daughter were deserted by their abusive husband and father in the United States while visiting on a tourist visa in 2017, she said. While she stayed in a womens shelter in Huron, she was encouraged to take English classes and apply for a green card to become a U.S. citizen.

Hicks is on track to earn her citizenship in September. After that, she plans to take college courses to start a new career in psychology. She currently cleans rooms at the Huron Regional Medical Center  a job she was only able to secure after passing her GED tests.

Earning a better education earns a better future for herself and her daughter, she said, but also for her new country. Without Cornerstones, Hicks said, she wouldnt have been able to advance in her life or work.

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I feel safe here. I feel comfortable here. I feel grateful, and I will say to everybody: Stay in school until you can do that, she said. No matter if youre a young adult at 25 or a grandma like me at 58, the important thing is to continue and learn and help America become great.

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A little-noticed provision in the "Big Beautiful Bill" forces blue states and cities to make a tough choice: Comply with federal immigration law or lose federal money for criminal justice aid.

President Trumps signature piece of legislation allocated $3.3 billion to the DOJ, some of which will go toward the Byrne-JAG Grant Program, a federal initiative created in 2005 which provides support for local law enforcement and criminal justice efforts. To access the new funds, which supplement the $499 million already appropriated for the Byrne-JAG program in 2025, localities must comply with a section of federal immigration law that forbids them from restricting communication between their law enforcement entities and the Department of Homeland Security regarding an individuals immigration status. This provides an incentive for localities to share their information with federal immigration authorities, helping the Trump administration implement its immigration enforcement agenda, but it also runs the risk of misallocating federal support.

This condition poses a dilemma for Democrats: Do they accept the demands of the Trump administration in return for money they need to run their cities and localities? Or do they maintain their longstanding opposition to deportation and turn it down?

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Across the country, Democratic Party leaders are competing to be the face of opposition to the Trump administration. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has tried to position himself as one of the leaders of the opposition to President Trump. New York City Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani has called himself "Donald Trumps worst nightmare" and has stated that "I will not be working with the [Trump] administration on harming the people that I look to represent."

But sticking with this position means their constituents wont benefit from the additional funding that other localities will be able to use to lower their local fiscal burden and make their communities safer.

In effect, millions of dollars in federal justice system aid could flow to low-crime, less liberal suburbs and rural areas, while high-crime cities are left behind for defying federal immigration demands. Specifically, cities like Baltimore, Detroit, and Memphis, which lead the nation in homicide rates, could be prevented from receiving funding.

In a statement to RealClearPolitics, Sen. Dick Durbin, ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, argued that "Putting unnecessary stipulations on this funding is harmful and unproductive." "Blocking funds for this purpose," Durbin continued, "totally misses the mark."

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In response, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson argued that "If Dick Durbin is truly focused on the safety and security of American communities, he should encourage cities and states to comply with federal immigration laws. Sanctuary cities only provide sanctuary to illegal criminals, and Americans - like the CBP agent who was just shot in the face by two criminal illegal aliens - are forced to pay the price."

This is not the first time Washington has used federal funds to influence local policies. In the 1980s, for example, the Reagan administration withheld highway funds to pressure states to raise their drinking ages. This policy was successful. Today, all 50 states require people to be 21 in order to purchase alcoholic beverages.

This situation could be different. Many big-city law enforcement leaders have resisted becoming involved in federal immigration efforts. As former LAPD Chief Charlie Beck once stated, "We are not immigration agents. We are police officers." Similar sentiment has been echoed in other progressive-led cities where local officials argue that cooperation with ICE undermines trust between police and immigrant communities. Additionally, many local leaders may see this as an attempt to impede state and local rights by imposing a federal policy that is unpopular with their constituents.

David Pitts, vice president for the Justice and Safety Division of the Urban Institute, emphasized the difficulty of this decision. "If they adhere to these immigration focused requirements, then what would they be giving up? Sometimes," Pitts continued, "the funds can be used to hire additional police officers. Oftentimes, its used to purchase access to technology.  It is likely that if [cities with higher crime] dont get that funding, the funding will go to rural areas that dont need it." Still, according to Pitt, "it remains to be seen exactly how that will play out."

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The debate also reveals a striking role reversal: Republicans, longtime defenders of states rights and local control, are using federal purse strings to enforce top-down immigration policy. Democrats, meanwhile, are pushing back against what they view as federal overreach.

The first Trump administration also attempted to tie Byrne-JAG grants to compliance with federal immigration law in 2017. At the time, the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that such restrictions were not within the power of the executive branch (City of Chicago v. Sessions). Now, the Department of Justice has explicit congressional authorization to make the grant conditional, creating a more favorable legal landscape for the Trump administration.

James Eustis is an intern at RealClearPolitics. He studies politics at Washington & Lee University.
BURKBURNETT (KFDX/KJTL)  Due to funding through the Texas Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture, more Burkburnett Independent School District students will have access to free meals.

According to a post from Burkburnett ISD, students who qualify for reduced-price meals will now receive both breakfast and lunch at no cost.

This is such a blessing for our Bulldog families and will help ensure our kids get the healthy nutrition they need to succeed in school!! the post read.

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To apply for free and reduced meals through Burkburnett ISD, fill out the application.

The graphic shared was not specific to Burkburnett ISD. Contact your school to learn more about school meal benefits and the application process.

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Exterior of the Richard Sheppard Arnold Federal Courthouse in downtown Little Rock. (John Sykes/Arkansas Advocate)

A federal judge said Wednesday that he will decide fairly soon whether to block Arkansas first-in-the-nation law regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

Act 624 of 2025 bans pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from holding a permit to operate a drug store in Arkansas after Jan. 1, 2026. PBMs negotiate prescription benefits among drug manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies and health insurance providers, and the biggest ones also own pharmacies and insurers.

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The Federal Trade Commission released an interim report in July 2024 saying PBMs are eliminating competition and increasing drug prices at the expense of patients. The report also states three pharmacy benefit managers  OptumRx, Express Scripts and CVS Caremark  manage 79% of prescription drug insurance claims for approximately 270 million people.

All three PBMs, in addition to Navitus Health Solutions and the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA), filed four challenges to Act 624 between May and June. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas combined the four complaints into one case in which U.S. District Judge Brian Miller heard arguments Wednesday.

The plaintiffs attorneys argued that Act 624 violates several aspects of the U.S. Constitution, including interfering with interstate commerce. Ryan Hale and Asher Steinberg of the Arkansas Attorney Generals office disputed the plaintiffs allegation that the state is engaging in economic protectionism and repeated lawmakers statements that Act 624 is meant to protect local businesses and Arkansans access to health care by eliminating anticompetitive practices.

Local independent pharmacists from throughout Arkansas have told state officials PBMs routinely break or skirt around Act 900 of 2015, which required pharmacy benefit managers to pay pharmacies at least the national average of what drugstores pay wholesalers for drugs.

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Lawmakers and the Arkansas Pharmacists Association have claimed PBMs also routinely violate two 2018 laws that prohibit them from reimbursing their affiliated pharmacies in Arkansas at a higher rate than their locally owned competitors.

However, the state has put nothing in front of the court to say these companies are violating the law in such a way that the additional law is needed to solve some regulatory stopgap, plaintiffs attorney Jeffrey Wall told the court.

PCMAs attorney, Michael Kimberly, argued that Act 624 is an unconstitutional bill of attainder, meaning it imposes a legislative punishment without due process. The revocation of a pharmacy license is a kind of punishment that traditionally follows a hearing and an opportunity to present a defense, but Act 624 does not allow for that, Kimberly said.

Hale said Act 624 is not a bill of attainder because it is for non-punitive legislative purposes and operates prospectively, not retroactively.

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Kimberly disagreed. Theres a carve-out for PBMs that dont meet the description of the PBMs the Legislature is attempting to punish, and the distinction is past conduct, he said.

Act 624 exempts the states largest employer, Walmart, from the ban on PBMs owning pharmacy permits. The law does not mention Walmart by name, but it exempts any pharmacy that exclusively services the employees and dependents of the pharmacy employer while utilizing the affiliated pharmacy benefits manager in this state. The plaintiffs complaints argue this exemption is unfair.

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The plaintiffs also claim Act 624 will restrict Arkansans access to mail-order and specialty pharmacy services, which are the only means of obtaining specific drugs. Express Scripts complaint states that Act 624 imperils the health of the 50,000 Arkansans it serves, including members of the military, their families and veterans because the PBMs ESI Mail Pharmacy Inc. is the primary mail-order pharmacy provider for Tricare, the militarys health insurance program.

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Daniel Volchok, Express Scripts attorney, said the PBMs contract with the U.S. Department of Defense requires it to provide uniform health care for service members.

Act 624 allows the state pharmacy board to issue limited permits to PBMs if they provide drugs that are otherwise unavailable in the market to a patient or a pharmacy that would otherwise be prohibited under the law. Volchok said this provision is insufficient because it covers only a subset of medications approved by the Department of Defense for Tricare participants.

Even if the state board were to do the most it is authorized to do that would not allow ESI to do everything it is required to do under the contract, Volchok said.

Kimberly also emphasized Act 624s projected impact on the pharmaceutical industry, specifically the harm to goodwill, relationships, contractual arrangements and the destabilization of an entire business model.

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I understand the harm it would do to the industry, Miller said, but indicated injury to the PBMs wouldnt be the deciding factor.

I have no problem at all, if I found the state of Arkansas went too far, to enjoin [the law], he said.

If Miller enjoins Act 624, the case is expected to go to trial, with the plaintiffs seeking a permanent injunction on the basis of unconstitutionality.

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(Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

A federal judge on Wednesday refused to change his order declaring an Arkansas social media law unconstitutional, saying state Attorney General Tim Griffin had not proven a need to do so.

U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks of the Western District of Arkansas permanently blocked the state from enforcing Act 689 of 2023 in March, ruling it violates the First Amendment because it doesnt serve a compelling government interest in restricting speech.

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NetChoice v Griffin Ruling 040125

Act 689 required social media platforms to verify the age of all account holders in Arkansas. Those under 18 could only access sites with parental permission. The law was the first of its kind in the nation and was a priority of Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders in her first year in office. Brooks ruling was the first win for NetChoice, a nonprofit tech trade group, in lawsuits it brought against several other states with similar laws.

Brooks ruling Wednesday came in response to a motion Griffin filed in April that argued the judge shouldnt have enjoined the entirety of the law because the ruling didnt address parts of the law that wouldnt harm NetChoices members.

Brooks denied Griffins motion to alter his ruling, saying the law couldnt be split into pieces as the attorney general argued and had to be considered as a whole since the legislation didnt include a severability clause. The judge also noted that Griffin didnt make the argument to sever parts of Act 689 prior to the courts final ruling and couldnt be allowed to make it now.

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Although Defendant failed to raise severability and is therefore not entitled to relief on this basis  the Court briefly notes that the argument also fails on the merits, Brooks wrote in his four-page ruling.

Griffins motion also argued that the ruling on Act 689 should be altered because the Legislature approved a new law, Act 900 of 2025, which lawmakers adopted in reaction to Brooks ruling.

Act 900 amends the earlier law and prohibits social media platforms from engaging in practices to evoke any addiction or compulsive behaviors in minors, and changed the definition of a minor to someone 16-years-old or younger. Act 901 allows parents to sue social media platforms if content on their sites results in their child developing eating disorders, committing or attempting suicide, or becoming addicted to the platforms feeds.

NetChoice filed a fresh lawsuit against the new laws in June.

Advocate Editor Sonny Albarado can be reached at salbarado@arkansasadvocate.com

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(Reuters) -Nvidia's advanced artificial intelligence chips worth at least $1 billion were smuggled to China in the three months after Washington tightened chip export controls, the Financial Times reported on Thursday.

The AI chip designer's high-end B200 processors, banned for sale in China, is widely available on a thriving Chinese black market for U.S. chips, the report said, citing sales contracts, company filings and multiple people with direct knowledge of the deals.

Nvidia told Reuters that building data centers with smuggled products is inefficient both technically and financially, as the company only offers service and support for authorized products.

The U.S. Department of Commerce, White House and Thai government did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reuters could not independently verify the FT report.

In May, multiple Chinese distributors started selling B200s to suppliers of data centers that serve Chinese AI groups, according to the report.

The U.S. and China are battling for global dominance in AI and other cutting-edge technologies, triggering a tightrope walk for companies such as Nvidia between the world's two largest economies.

Nvidia last week said it would be allowed to resume sales to China after the Trump administration reversed an export restriction on the sales of chips such as H20. The curbs were imposed in April.

In the three months before that, Chinese distributors from Guangdong, Zhejiang and Anhui provinces sold Nvidia's B200s, as well as other restricted processors such as the H100 and H200, according to the report.

Southeast Asian countries have become markets where Chinese groups obtained restricted chips, the report said, citing industry experts.

The U.S. Commerce Department is discussing adding more export controls on advanced AI products to countries such as Thailand as soon as September, the report said.

(Reporting by Jaspreet Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Arun Koyyur)
A Trump-appointed federal judge tossed a suit brought by the administration in a preemptive move to strip collective bargaining rights from federal employees.

The Trump administration brought the suit in the one-judge district in Texas shortly after signing an order seeking to end union rights at 18 different federal agencies.

The suit sought a declaratory judgment from a Waco, Texas, court that the White House has the power to rescind or repudiate collective bargaining agreements across numerous agencies.

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But U.S. District Court Judge Alan Albright declined to do so, siding with unions in determining that the plaintiff agencies did not have standing to bring the suit and dismissing the suit.

Plaintiffs ask this Court to do something it should not and cannot do: issue a declaratory judgment pre-approving the acts of executive agencies absent a legally cognizable injury-in-fact, Albright wrote in the Wednesday ruling.

This Court is unable to identify a single instance in which a federal court has exercised jurisdiction over agencies seeking a pre-enforcement declaratory judgment approving their desired future course of conduct.

Albright further wrote that doing so could open a Pandoras Box of encouraging the Executive Branch to seek the Judiciarys blessing for every Executive Order prior to implementation.

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The move is a blow to the Trump administration, which sought Albrights blessing in a bid to terminate a number of existing collective bargaining agreements signed with unions.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the nations largest federal employee union, had been highly critical of President Trumps move to end bargaining rights at the 18 agencies.

Framed as a national security measure, the executive order from Trump sought to end union rights at a wide range of agencies, including those not traditionally thought to have a national security role.

A White House fact sheet at the time said the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 allowing government workers to unionize enables hostile Federal unions to obstruct agency management.

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AFGE had condemned the action in an email to its members, saying the Trump administration was illegally strip[ping] collective bargaining rights from hundreds of thousands of federal workers.

Lets be clear. National security is not the reason for this action. This is retaliation because our union is standing up for AFGE membersand a warning to every union: fall in line, or else.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
HARRODSBURG, Ky. (FOX 56)  Two former Harrodsburg firefighters were awarded $1 million after a federal jury determined theyd been wrongfully terminated.

The International Association of Fire Fighters announced the victory on Tuesday, July 22.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

Harrodsburg Local 5418 President Derrick Steele and Secretary-Treasurer Jamie Bottom were previously fired by the City of Harrodsburg for union organizing. The court ruled that this violated their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights to free speech and freedom of association.

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The jury also found their terminations violated Kentucky state law.

This verdict sends a clear message: workers have a fundamental right to union representation, General President Edward Kelly said. This was a tremendous win for our members and families. President Steele and Secretary-Treasurer Bottom courageously stood up for whats right  and the IAFF proudly stood with them.

The case reportedly brought a history of anti-union conduct within the city, per the IAFF.

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The city looked to make an example out of them for joining the IAFF, said 8th District Vice President Mark Sanders. They endeavored to wreck their reputations and their families futures. But the IAFF never gave up on Brothers Steele and Bottom. Our union fought to make this right.

The city has 30 days to file an appeal.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
The Westcott building and fountain at Florida State University on Dec. 31, 2024. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)

A group challenging higher education programs and scholarships geared toward students of color, women, and immigrants is going after Florida State University in a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Education last week.

The complaint from the Equal Protection Project targets 32 scholarships at FSU funded by donors, most of whom prefer the award go to Black students. The group alleges the scholarships violate the Civil Rights Act and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, according to a Thursday press release.

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Another complaint from EPP  founded by Cornell Law Professor William Jacobson, who has gained prominence by attacking diversity programs in education  prompted Trumps DOE Office for Civil Rights to launch an investigation against the University of Miami and four other higher education institutions.

A spokesperson for FSU didnt respond to Florida Phoenixs requests for comment.

DOE announced the investigation into the University of Miamis scholarships for academically eligible students lacking permanent legal status in a press release Wednesday. FSU is a public university while UM is private.

Neither the Trump Administrations America first policies nor the Civil Rights Act of 1964s prohibition on national origin discrimination permit universities to deny our fellow citizens the opportunity to compete for scholarships because they were born in the United States, said Craig Trainorhe, acting assistant secretary for Civil Rights, in a statement. As we mark President Trumps historic six months back in the White House, we are expanding our enforcement efforts to protect American students and lawful residents from invidious national origin discrimination of the kind alleged here.

The Trump administration is also investigating the University of Louisville, the University of Nebraska Omaha, the University of Michigan, and Western Michigan University for scholarships awarded to Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and students living in those states without permanent legal status.
STEELTON, Pa. (WHTM)  Laid-off steelworkers say they feel angry and forgotten after comments two days in a row  first by their former boss and then by their president  that they say belie the reality theyre facing after the idling here of what was Americas longest continuously operating steel mill.

A spokesperson for the mills owner Cleveland Cliffs  two months before the idling  said the seemingly sudden move had nothing to do with tariffs. Experts, workers and some lawmakers questioned that claim.

I feel as though thats a lie, Rau-Ru Weedon, who worked at the mill since 2007 and is a member of the United Steelworkers local leadership team, said Wednesday of the companys position.

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The company didnt respond Wednesday to several questions, including whether it still maintains the position that the indefinite idling has nothing to do with import tariffs. CEO Lourenco Goncalves, who has been among the most vocal and unequivocal supporters among leaders in corporate America, raised another accusation while speaking with CNBCs Jim Cramer on a podcast released Monday: that Pennsylvania is a place that doesnt really support Cleveland Cliffs.

The company didnt respond to a question about what Goncalves meant by that.

The idling came a year after Clifford Smith, the companys chief operating officer, said in Steelton  flanked by federal, state and local leaders  that Steelton is uniquely capable.

The company has de-emphasized its business serving railroads, which is what the Steelton plant primarily did, saying it is refocusing on core assets, such as those serving the automotive industry.

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But if not tariffs, then what else changed so dramatically in less than a year between when Smith, gesturing to the mill behind him, said American-made steel rail produced in this mill is utilized by Class I railroads and by major rail transit systems?

The company didnt respond to that question.

Larue Hess, president of United Steelworkers Local 1688, said between other industries the plant can serve and rail itself, the plant itself retains limitless potential. Hess cited an transcontinental rail proposal, which would carry people and vehicles, by a company called AmeriStarRail.

And it is coming through Harrisburg, Hess said. There is no rail mill closer to Harrisburg than the rail mill thats in Harrisburg.

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AmeriStarRails idea is, for now, just a concept.

A press release Tuesday to media  titled American Steelmakers Are Thriving Under President Trump, focusing on the $15 billion dollar merger between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel and citing recent record overall steel shipments by Cleveland Cliffs and other companies  said the steel industry is quickly roaring back to life.

Asked how that statement reconciles with the experience in Steelton, White House Spokesman Kush Desai said: No president has taken a greater interest in restoring the American steel industrys dominance than President Trump, and his historic steel tariffs and shepherding of a U.S. Steel deal, which keeps the iconic company in America and under American control, reflect this commitment.

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We have sent letters to the Trump administration through our different congressmen and senators, trying to definitely get their attention so that we can tell them what we can do for this country, Hess said.

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A woman is recovering from a bear attack in Alaska.

On Tuesday, July 22, the Anchorage Fire Department (AFD) revealed in a press release that a hiker had been rescued from the Stuckagain Heights area after being the victim of bear mauling.

Authorities said they had received a 911 call from the hiker "reporting they were mauled by a bear and needed help as soon as possible, per the release. The hiker reported they could not get out on their own due to injuries sustained in the mauling.

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The hiker was rescued by firefighters and paramedics from the AFD.

PEOPLE has contacted Anchorage Parks and Recreation, the National Park Service and Anchorage Fire Department for further comment.

The Anchorage Fire Department Facebook The rescue operation in Anchorage, Alaska The rescue operation in Anchorage, Alaska

According to ABC News, the hiker, who was a woman, gave police directions to her exact location. Drones were also used to find the her before she was transported to the hospital via a helicopter.

Local police told the outlet the woman, whose name is not being revealed, had "what we believe to be non-life-threatening injuries" and is reportedly in a stable condition.

According to the fire dept.'s release, the rescue operation also included Anchorage Police Department, Bureau of Land Management, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson - JBER Fire Department, Alaska Department of Fish and Game - Official, and Alaska State Troopers.

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Hikers in the Anchorage area are encouraged to file trip plans with friends or family prior to trekking off into the great outdoors, the release continued. Information regarding your planned route can be invaluable as we try to locate you in case of an emergency. To be extra prepared, leave a copy of your trip plan underneath your windshield wiper!

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The Anchorage Fire Department Facebook An image of the rescue operation in Anchorage on July 22, 2025 An image of the rescue operation in Anchorage on July 22, 2025

Earlier on Tuesday, the fire dept. revealed in a statement that the bear had run off. Hikers should avoid all the trails around the Stuckagain Heights area for the time being. If you do not have drive in the neighborhood, please dont, the statement added alongside a video of emergency responders near the trail.

"Anchorage is bear country! Both black and brown bears live within the Anchorage municipality, and visitors to parks or trails should always follow bear-aware practices. Your safety, that of other trail users, and the bears themselves, depends on it," the Municipality of Anchorage website reads.

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"Never run from a bear. Stop, group up, talk to the bear and let it know you are human. Back slowly away and allow the bear space," one of the guidelines states.

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Columbia Universitys decision to comply with Trump administration demands in exchange for federal funding has caused shockwaves, with many voices on both sides of the issue expressing anger and frustration.

In its agreement, Columbia will pay $220 million in legal fees to the Trump administration, along with implementing several policy changes regarding speech and student protections on campus. Following this, they will receive $400 million in withheld federal funds.

Some critics of the decision argue that it will affect the independence of the university and will effectively silence pro-Palestinian speech. Others say the decision does not go far enough in protecting Jewish students on campus.

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David Hozen, a law professor at Columbia, criticized the reforms, calling them as unprincipled as they are unprecedented and arguing that the deal was a legal form to an extortion scheme.

Elisha Baker, co-chair of the pro-Israel student group Aryeh, was also critical, writing to the Columbia University Spectator that the reported deal would completely ignore the structural and cultural reforms we need and effectively tell the world of higher education that discrimination is okay if they can afford it.

Sabiya Ahamed, a staff attorney at Palestine Legal, chastised Columbia for choosing to pander to a lawless administration and not protecting students and staff who are bravely speaking out against a genocide.

Ahamed, who has worked with several Columbia students facing disciplinary measures, also accused the university of agreeing to operate like an arm of the state to censor and punish speech the Trump administration doesnt like.

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Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., chairman of the Committee on Education and the Workforce, blamed Columbia for the deal existing at all. The need for a federal settlement underscores Columbias lack of institutional willingness to effectively respond to antisemitism, Walberg said in a statement.

Walberg said the committee will closely monitor Columbias purported commitment to the deal and would develop legislative solutions to address antisemitism.

Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., meanwhile, called the decision an outrageous and embarrassing $200 million capitulation and a repugnant extortion scheme in a post on X.

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Nadler said that Columbia needs to do a better job at protecting its students against antisemitism on campus, but said the deal will not, in any way, improve the situation on campus for Jewish students. Columbias students, faculty, staff, and larger community deserve better than this cowardly decision.

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One voice of support for the deal came from economist and former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, who called it an excellent template for agreements with other institutions including Harvard, in a social media post.

Summers said the deal lets Columbia keep its academic autonomy, praised its ongoing reform with respect to anti-Semitism, and claimed that normality is restored at the campus.

Acting school President Claire Shipman, in an email sent last week to the university community, suggested that any such deal with the Trump administration would be the beginning of a broader effort to address issues on campus.

In my view, any government agreement we reach is only a starting point for change, she wrote.

The post Few seem to love Columbias deal with Trump appeared first on Salon.com.
A woman cries after her husband is detained by federal agents during a mandatory immigration check-in in June in New York City. The Trump administration's arrests have been catching a smaller share of criminals overall, and a smaller share of people convicted of violent and drug crimes, than the Biden administration did in the same time frame last year. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Despite Trump administration rhetoric accusing Democrats of protecting violent criminals and drug-dealing immigrants, the administrations arrests have been catching a smaller share of criminals overall, and a smaller share of people convicted of violent and drug crimes, than the Biden administration did in the same time frame.

While the Trump administration has caught more immigrants with convictions for drugs and violence, their share of the rising arrest numbers is smaller, as more people get swept up for minor traffic violations or strictly immigration crimes, according to a Stateline analysis.

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Forty percent of the nearly 112,000 arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from Jan. 20 through late June were of convicted criminals. Thats compared with 53% of the nearly 51,000 arrests for same time period in 2024 under the Biden administration.

The share of people convicted of violent crime fell from 10% to 7% and drug crimes from 9% to 5%, according to a Stateline analysis of data from the Deportation Data Project.

The project, led by attorneys and professors in California, Maryland and New York, collects and posts public, anonymized U.S. government immigration enforcement datasets obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests.

Some Democratic states are among those with the highest share of violent criminals in this years ICE arrests: Hawaii (15%), Vermont (13%), and California and Nebraska (12%)  while some of the lowest shares were in more Republican states: Maine (2%), and Alabama, Montana and Wyoming (3%).

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Immigration attorneys see an increased push to arrest and detain immigrants for any type of violation or pending charge as President Donald Trump pushes for higher arrest and detention numbers to meet his campaign promise for mass deportation. Trump officials have called for 3,000 arrests a day, far more than the current average of 711 as of June and 321 a day during the same time period under Biden.

The majority of recent ICE detentions involve people with no convictions. Thats a pattern I find troubling.

 Oregon Republican state Rep. Cyrus Javadi

Arrests have accelerated since about mid-May, when government attorneys began asking to revoke bail and arrest people who show up for court hearings after being released at the border, said Vanessa Dojaquez-Torres, practice and policy counsel for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, which represents more than 16,000 immigration attorneys.

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Were not completely sure what the reasoning or the goal is behind some of these policies, other than they want detention numbers up, Dojaquez-Torres said.

They seem to have really been struggling to get their deportation numbers up, and so I think thats one of the reasons why we see a lot of these policies going into effect that are meant to kind of circumvent the immigration court process and due process.

Arrests of people convicted of violent crimes increased by 45% from about 5,300 to 7,700 compared with last year. For drug crimes, the increase was 21%  and they fell as a share of total arrests, from 9% under the Biden administration to 5% this year.

Arrests for those not convicted of any crime nearly tripled to about 67,000, and increased from 47% to 60% of arrests.

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defended ICE arrests Wednesday. Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that the agency was targeting dangerous criminal illegal aliens and taking them off American streets. Violent thugs ICE arrested include child pedophiles, drug traffickers, and burglars.

In Oregon, arrests during the first part of last year increased from 51 under the Biden administration to 227 under the Trump administration, with those not convicted of any crime increasing from 34 to 137. Those with convictions for violent crime increased from 3 to 16. Even some Republicans are concerned with the new emphasis on non-criminals.

The majority of recent ICE detentions involve people with no convictions. Thats a pattern I find troubling, especially when it risks sweeping up people for things like expired tags or missed court dates, said Oregon state Rep. Cyrus Javadi, a moderate Republican representing Tillamook and Clatsop counties.

Nationally, nonviolent crimes have risen as a share of immigration arrests. The most common crime conviction for those arrested this year is driving while intoxicated, which was also the top offense last year under Biden.

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But this year its closely followed by general traffic offenses, which rose to second place from sixth place, surpassing such crimes as assault and drug trafficking.

Traffic offenses, outside of driving while intoxicated and hit and run, rose almost fourfold as the most serious conviction on record for those arrested, the largest increase in the top 10. Those offenses were followed by increases in the immigration crime of illegal entry, meaning crossing the border in secret, which tripled.

The increase in traffic violations as a source of immigration arrests is a reason for cities to consider limiting traffic stops, said Daniela Gilbert, director of the Redefining Public Safety Initiative at the Vera Institute of Justice, a nonprofit devoted to ending mass incarceration.

Its an important point to consider intervening in so that there can be less interaction, and so ICE has less opportunity to continue its indiscriminate dragnet of enforcement, Gilbert said.

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The institute argues in general that traffic stops should be limited to safety issues rather than low-level infractions such as expired registrations or single burned-out taillights, both because they do not improve public safety and because they disproportionately affect drivers of color.

Such policies limiting stops under some conditions are in place in 10 states and in cities in six other states, according to the institute.

The most recent state polices took effect last year in California and Illinois, while a policy is set to take effect in October in Connecticut. The most recent city policies were in Denver and in East Lansing and Ypsilanti, Michigan. Six other states have considered legislation recently.

Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org.
A woman cries after her husband is detained by federal agents during a mandatory immigration check-in in June in New York City. The Trump administrations arrests have been catching a smaller share of criminals overall, and a smaller share of people convicted of violent and drug crimes, than the Biden administration did in the same time frame last year. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Despite Trump administration rhetoric accusing Democrats of protecting violent criminals and drug-dealing immigrants, the administrations arrests have been catching a smaller share of criminals overall, and a smaller share of people convicted of violent and drug crimes, than the Biden administration did in the same time frame.

While the Trump administration has caught more immigrants with convictions for drugs and violence, their share of the rising arrest numbers is smaller, as more people get swept up for minor traffic violations or strictly immigration crimes, according to a Stateline analysis.

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Forty percent of the nearly 112,000 arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from Jan. 20 through late June were of convicted criminals. Thats compared with 53% of the nearly 51,000 arrests for same time period in 2024 under the Biden administration.

The share of people convicted of violent crime fell from 10% to 7% and drug crimes from 9% to 5%, according to a Stateline analysis of data from the Deportation Data Project.

The project, led by attorneys and professors in California, Maryland and New York, collects and posts public, anonymized U.S. government immigration enforcement datasets obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests.

Some Democratic states are among those with the highest share of violent criminals in this years ICE arrests: Hawaii (15%), Vermont (13%), and California and Nebraska (12%)  while some of the lowest shares were in more Republican states: Maine (2%), and Alabama, Montana and Wyoming (3%).

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Immigration attorneys see an increased push to arrest and detain immigrants for any type of violation or pending charge as President Donald Trump pushes for higher arrest and detention numbers to meet his campaign promise for mass deportation. Trump officials have called for 3,000 arrests a day, far more than the current average of 711 as of June and 321 a day during the same time period under Biden.

The majority of recent ICE detentions involve people with no convictions. Thats a pattern I find troubling.

 Oregon Republican state Rep. Cyrus Javadi

Arrests have accelerated since about mid-May, when government attorneys began asking to revoke bail and arrest people who show up for court hearings after being released at the border, said Vanessa Dojaquez-Torres, practice and policy counsel for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, which represents more than 16,000 immigration attorneys.

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Were not completely sure what the reasoning or the goal is behind some of these policies, other than they want detention numbers up, Dojaquez-Torres said.

They seem to have really been struggling to get their deportation numbers up, and so I think thats one of the reasons why we see a lot of these policies going into effect that are meant to kind of circumvent the immigration court process and due process.

Arrests of people convicted of violent crimes increased by 45% from about 5,300 to 7,700 compared with last year. For drug crimes, the increase was 21%  and they fell as a share of total arrests, from 9% under the Biden administration to 5% this year.

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Arrests for those not convicted of any crime nearly tripled to about 67,000, and increased from 47% to 60% of arrests.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defended ICE arrests Wednesday. Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that the agency was targeting dangerous criminal illegal aliens and taking them off American streets. Violent thugs ICE arrested include child pedophiles, drug traffickers, and burglars.

In Oregon, arrests during the first part of last year increased from 51 under the Biden administration to 227 under the Trump administration, with those not convicted of any crime increasing from 34 to 137. Those with convictions for violent crime increased from 3 to 16. Even some Republicans are concerned with the new emphasis on non-criminals.

The majority of recent ICE detentions involve people with no convictions. Thats a pattern I find troubling, especially when it risks sweeping up people for things like expired tags or missed court dates, said Oregon state Rep. Cyrus Javadi, a moderate Republican representing Tillamook and Clatsop counties.

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Nationally, nonviolent crimes have risen as a share of immigration arrests. The most common crime conviction for those arrested this year is driving while intoxicated, which was also the top offense last year under Biden.

But this year its closely followed by general traffic offenses, which rose to second place from sixth place, surpassing such crimes as assault and drug trafficking.

Traffic offenses, outside of driving while intoxicated and hit and run, rose almost fourfold as the most serious conviction on record for those arrested, the largest increase in the top 10. Those offenses were followed by increases in the immigration crime of illegal entry, meaning crossing the border in secret, which tripled.

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The increase in traffic violations as a source of immigration arrests is a reason for cities to consider limiting traffic stops, said Daniela Gilbert, director of the Redefining Public Safety Initiative at the Vera Institute of Justice, a nonprofit devoted to ending mass incarceration.

Its an important point to consider intervening in so that there can be less interaction, and so ICE has less opportunity to continue its indiscriminate dragnet of enforcement, Gilbert said.

The institute argues in general that traffic stops should be limited to safety issues rather than low-level infractions such as expired registrations or single burned-out taillights, both because they do not improve public safety and because they disproportionately affect drivers of color.

Such policies limiting stops under some conditions are in place in 10 states and in cities in six other states, according to the institute.

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The most recent state polices took effect last year in California and Illinois, while a policy is set to take effect in October in Connecticut. The most recent city policies were in Denver and in East Lansing and Ypsilanti, Michigan. Six other states have considered legislation recently.

Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@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.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 04: A woman cries after her husband is detained by federal agents escort after exiting an Intensive Supervision Appearance Program office on June 04, 2025 in New York City. Federal agents are arresting immigrants during mandatory check-ins, as ICE ramps up enforcement following immigration court hearings. The Trump administration has ordered officials to increase detentions to 3,000 migrants per day. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Despite Trump administration rhetoric accusing Democrats of protecting violent criminals and drug-dealing immigrants, the administrations arrests have been catching a smaller share of criminals overall, and a smaller share of people convicted of violent and drug crimes, than the Biden administration did in the same time frame.

While the Trump administration has caught more immigrants with convictions for drugs and violence, their share of the rising arrest numbers is smaller, as more people get swept up for minor traffic violations or strictly immigration crimes, according to a Stateline analysis.

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Forty percent of the nearly 112,000 arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from Jan. 20 through late June were of convicted criminals. Thats compared with 53% of the nearly 51,000 arrests for same time period in 2024 under the Biden administration.

The share of people convicted of violent crime fell from 10% to 7% and drug crimes from 9% to 5%, according to a Stateline analysis of data from the Deportation Data Project.

The project, led by attorneys and professors in California, Maryland and New York, collects and posts public, anonymized U.S. government immigration enforcement datasets obtained through Freedom of Information Act requests.

Some Democratic states are among those with the highest share of violent criminals in this years ICE arrests: Hawaii (15%), Vermont (13%), and California and Nebraska (12%)  while some of the lowest shares were in more Republican states: Maine (2%), and Alabama, Montana and Wyoming (3%).

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Immigration attorneys see an increased push to arrest and detain immigrants for any type of violation or pending charge as President Donald Trump pushes for higher arrest and detention numbers to meet his campaign promise for mass deportation. Trump officials have called for 3,000 arrests a day, far more than the current average of 711 as of June and 321 a day during the same time period under Biden.

The majority of recent ICE detentions involve people with no convictions. Thats a pattern I find troubling.

  Oregon Republican state Rep. Cyrus Javadi

Arrests have accelerated since about mid-May, when government attorneys began asking to revoke bail and arrest people who show up for court hearings after being released at the border, said Vanessa Dojaquez-Torres, practice and policy counsel for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, which represents more than 16,000 immigration attorneys.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Were not completely sure what the reasoning or the goal is behind some of these policies, other than they want detention numbers up, Dojaquez-Torres said.

They seem to have really been struggling to get their deportation numbers up, and so I think thats one of the reasons why we see a lot of these policies going into effect that are meant to kind of circumvent the immigration court process and due process.

Arrests of people convicted of violent crimes increased by 45% from about 5,300 to 7,700 compared with last year. For drug crimes, the increase was 21%  and they fell as a share of total arrests, from 9% under the Biden administration to 5% this year.

Arrests for those not convicted of any crime nearly tripled to about 67,000, and increased from 47% to 60% of arrests.

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security defended ICE arrests Wednesday. Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement that the agency was targeting dangerous criminal illegal aliens and taking them off American streets. Violent thugs ICE arrested include child pedophiles, drug traffickers, and burglars.

In Oregon, arrests during the first part of last year increased from 51 under the Biden administration to 227 under the Trump administration, with those not convicted of any crime increasing from 34 to 137. Those with convictions for violent crime increased from 3 to 16. Even some Republicans are concerned with the new emphasis on non-criminals.

The majority of recent ICE detentions involve people with no convictions. Thats a pattern I find troubling, especially when it risks sweeping up people for things like expired tags or missed court dates, said Oregon state Rep. Cyrus Javadi, a moderate Republican representing Tillamook and Clatsop counties.

Nationally, nonviolent crimes have risen as a share of immigration arrests. The most common crime conviction for those arrested this year is driving while intoxicated, which was also the top offense last year under Biden.

Advertisement Advertisement

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But this year its closely followed by general traffic offenses, which rose to second place from sixth place, surpassing such crimes as assault and drug trafficking.

Traffic offenses, outside of driving while intoxicated and hit and run, rose almost fourfold as the most serious conviction on record for those arrested, the largest increase in the top 10. Those offenses were followed by increases in the immigration crime of illegal entry, meaning crossing the border in secret, which tripled.

The increase in traffic violations as a source of immigration arrests is a reason for cities to consider limiting traffic stops, said Daniela Gilbert, director of the Redefining Public Safety Initiative at the Vera Institute of Justice, a nonprofit devoted to ending mass incarceration.

Its an important point to consider intervening in so that there can be less interaction, and so ICE has less opportunity to continue its indiscriminate dragnet of enforcement, Gilbert said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement Advertisement

The institute argues in general that traffic stops should be limited to safety issues rather than low-level infractions such as expired registrations or single burned-out taillights, both because they do not improve public safety and because they disproportionately affect drivers of color.

Such policies limiting stops under some conditions are in place in 10 states and in cities in six other states, according to the institute.

The most recent state polices took effect last year in California and Illinois, while a policy is set to take effect in October in Connecticut. The most recent city policies were in Denver and in East Lansing and Ypsilanti, Michigan. Six other states have considered legislation recently.

Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org.

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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.
FREEPORT, Ill. (WTVO)  A bus crash sent five people to a Freeport hospital Thursday morning.

The victims include two adults and three children. The group was part of the Freeport YMCAs Camp Discovery, according to the Stephenson County Sheriffs Office.

All five were taken to FHN Memorial Hospital. There has been no word on the severity of their injuries.

The crash happened on South Rink Road, between West Stephenson Road and Pearl City Road, around 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning.

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Due to the large influx of patients, FHN went into Code 100, which is reserved for disaster situations, around 10 a.m. FHN cleared the Code 100 15 minutes later to allow family members of patients in the crash to enter through the emergency room entrance.

This is a developing 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
Nvidia move deals a major blow to AMD, Intel, and ARM originally appeared on TheStreet.

Nvidia climbed to become the largest company on the U.S. stock market. But how can it keep growing after hitting a $4 trillion market capitalization?

Every company reaches its peak at some point. Are we witnessing Nvidia's, or can it hit $5 trillion?

Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter 

That is a tricky question to answer, but the company thinks it can, and there is a lot more juice to be squeezed out of the artificial intelligence boom.

The U.S. government recently reversed its export restrictions on Nvidia cards to China and assured the company that licenses will be granted. This change prompted many analysts to revamp the stock price target.

Related: Nvidia-backed stock sinks on unexpected deal

"China generated $17 billion in revenue for Nvidia in 2024, roughly 13% of the company's total revenue. In response to this news, we are lifting our NVDA price target to $200 from $185, and reiterating our One rating," writes veteran fund manager Chris Versace for TheStreet Pro.

The company wasn't sitting down idly and waiting for this China miracle. It was making moves in Europe.

Jupiter, the most powerful supercomputer in Europe, is powered by Nvidia GPUs.Image source: Nvidia

Nvidia powers UK's most powerful AI supercomputer

On July 17, Nvidia (NVDA) revealed on its blog that the University of Bristol launched its Isambard-AI supercomputer. Nvidia Grace Hopper Superchips power it and deliver 21 exaflops of AI performance.

While this supercomputer's 5,448 GH200 Superchips are impressive, they can't match the Jupiter supercomputer announced in June.

Jupiter is also powered by the Grace Hopper platform, with nearly 24,000 GH200 Superchips. With its expected performance of over 90 exaflops, it is the fastest in Europe.

Finding new customers for new supercomputers must reach a slowdown at some point. Nvidia knows this, and it's betting on robotics being the next big boom.

Related: Unexpected chip deal may reshape the semiconductor market

Jetson Thor is Nvidia's upcoming platform for physical AI and humanoid robotics. According to the company, it will be able to deliver up to 2070 FP4 TFLOPS of AI compute. This platform features a 14-core Arm Neoverse-V3AE 64-bit CPU and a 2560-core NVIDIA Blackwell GPU.

What is often neglected in the AI GPU hype is that you need a CPU to actually run the software that will then use GPUs for calculations. Nvidia doesn't have its own CPU architecture and has to rely on ARM for this embedded (Thor) platform.

The same goes for its Grace Superchips; for the CPU part, they have 72 high-performance Arm v9 cores.
On Tuesday, someone showed up at Novant Hospital in Salisbury with injuries from a shooting that happened at a home on Grants Creek Road, the Rowan County Sheriffs Office stated.

Sheriff blames parents after brawl at Cheerwine Festival that left officer, deputy hurt

Investigators said the shooting happened during a child custody exchange when a fight started between someone in the home, Melvin Bookhart, and the victim.

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Shots were fired and the victim was struck multiple times.

Melvin Bookhart and someone else at the home, Raynard Bookhart, are convicted felons.

There were firearms and ammo at the home. Convicted felons are not allowed to have guns.

The Bookharts were both charged with possession of a firearm by convicted felon.

Melvin Bookhart was also charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious bodily injury.

The victim was eventually transported from Novant Health Rowan Medical Center to Presbyterian Hospital for further treatment.

The investigation is still ongoing.

VIDEO: Man accused of shooting neighbor following argument in Rowan County, deputies say
Like countless other schoolboys, Greg Bagwell dreamed of becoming an RAF fighter pilot when he grew up. Unlike countless other schoolboys, he actually did so  beating thousands of others in a selection procedure as stringent as joining the SAS.

First, recruits must be fit enough to withstand pressures of 9G during flight  equivalent to nine times the force of gravity on the body, and twice what a bobsleigh crew or a Formula 1 driver endures.

Second, they must be capable of complex maths to plot manoeuvres and missile trajectories. Third, they must be able to do all of the above while being shot at.

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Short of becoming an astronaut, there arent many jobs that are as selective, says Bagwell, 63, who flew Tornados in Iraq in the 1990s and is now a Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute.

Air Vice Marshall Greg Bagwell flew Tornados in the first Gulf War - PA Images/Alamy

You need the hand-eye co-ordination to fly at supersonic speeds, while also doing the maths that gives you the 3D shaping of the airspace. Its like being a Formula 1 driver while also playing chess; only youre having to make each chess move in split seconds while travelling at nine miles a minute, says Bagwell.

It is no surprise that air forces seek high standards in fighter pilots. Their jets are hugely costly, and are often the first responders in hostilities, be it military reconnaissance of Islamic State bases in the Middle East, or dropping a bomb.

Tales of their skills are also the stuff of history books and movies, from Battle of Britain aces such as Douglas Bader to space pioneers like Neil Armstrong, who flew combat missions in Korea before his journey to the Moon.

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But in a combat arena where the slightest human error can prove supremely costly, the future may lie in removing humans from cockpits  with those like Bagwell replaced by AI-controlled pilots.

Brink of extinction

Such scenarios may sound like the script of Top Gun: Maverick, in which Tom Cruises ageing air ace is warned that his ilk will soon be replaced by UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). Pilots need to eat, sleep, take a p--s, sneers a tech-minded superior. Your kind is headed for extinction.

Farewell Maverick: Are the days of Top Gun numbered as AI takes control? - Paramount Pictures/Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images

This is no case of Hollywood hyperbole: if anything, the Top Gun scriptwriters may be behind the times. For AI-controlled fighter jets are already holding their own against human pilots  as demonstrated in tests this summer carried by Helsing, a German drone maker and AI firm.

In a collaboration last month with the Swedish fighter-plane maker Saab, two Gripen E combat jets engaged in mock dogfights over the Baltic Sea  one jet flown by a regular pilot, the other by a pilot guided by Helsings Centaur AI software.

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While neither aircraft came out on top, Centaur gave its human counterpart a run for its money. Given the rate at which AI learns, it may be just a few years before it gains the edge.

Right now, there are still pilots out there that will have a chance, but that will change fast, explains Marcus Wandt, Saabs chief innovation officer, and a former fighter pilot. If you need to retrain for a new weapon system or new tactics, it will be difficult to stay on par.

Helsing was founded as a start-up by German tech entrepreneur Torsten Reil, an Oxford-educated gaming developer, and Gundbert Scherf, formerly an aerospace expert with the German ministry of defence. Their motivation was Russias invasion of Crimea in 2014, which they saw as proof that Europe needed to harness autonomous capabilities to survive against aggressive dictatorships.

Having been proved all too right by the war in Ukraine, Helsing has become one of Europes biggest start-ups, making advanced air and sea drones. Such unmanned weapons have proved game-changers in Ukraine, helping to keep Russias far bigger army in check, crippling Moscows Black Sea fleet, and destroying dozens of Russian bombers recently at an airfield in Siberia.

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Helsing is now valued at more than 10bn, with Spotify founder Daniel Eks investment company having led a 500m funding round in June.

The age of drones

The firms success has already led some to question whether Western governments should even continue investing in manned fighter aircraft. Britain, for example, is purchasing 12 new US F35-A fighter jets capable of carrying nuclear bombs. The F35 is the worlds most advanced fighter jet, yet is still built around the concept of a human at the controls.

Last year, the Tesla boss Elon Musk described the F-35 as a case of Western militaries training for yesterdays war. He posted an image on X of a Chinese drone swarm, saying: Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35. He added: Manned fighter jets are obsolete in the age of dronesWill just get pilots killed.

Defence officials argue that planes such as the F-35 take decades to design, and that AI is still too much in its infancy to design an entire plane around. But Helsing put on a recent demonstration of Centaurs skills at the Global Air & Space Chiefs Conference, a top-level military and industry forum in London hosted by the RAF.

Former French Mirage pilot Benoit Planche, left, and ex-Tornado pilot Stewart Campbell prepare to take on their Centaur rivals in a simulation - Julian Simmonds for The Daily Telegraph

On a flight simulator set up in a hotel suite next to the conference centre, two former Top Guns  ex-Tornado pilot Stewart Campbell and ex-French Mirage pilot Benoit Planche  fought two Centaur rivals in beyond visual range combat. This is when the enemy jet is too far away to see, but still within missile and radar range.

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That sort of military engagement makes success more reliant on computing heights, trajectories and speeds, to maximise the chances of a missile finding its target. The projectiles have limited fuel time, so if a pilot doesnt fire them at the most opportune moment, the target may dodge or outrun them.

We want to hit the enemy before they hit us, which means were running maths in our head constantly about heights, speed, loft and so on, says Campbell, who left the RAF this year after serving in Afghanistan and the Red Arrows. Ultimately, I think youre going to see AI take over because it can do those calculations far better than I can.

Campbell also points out that, contrary to the impression given in films, the average fighter jet has limited weaponry. His simulated jet has just four air-to-air missiles  fewer than the number of bullets held by the average revolver. I cant just fire with impunity; I need each shot to be lethal, he points out.

The chances of the AI getting it wrong are much less  especially if youre a stressed-out junior pilot, being shot at in a part of the world youre unfamiliar with, he adds.

AI advantages

The Centaur AI pilots honed their skills on a simulated platform where they were given a simple reward function: Kill the other aircraft and dont die.

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They then played each other constantly, absorbing the equivalent of more than 100 years flying time in a few days. The process is broadly comparable to Deep Blue, the IBM supercomputer that took on  and ultimately defeated  chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov in the 1990s, evaluating 200 million chess positions per second.

Campbell won some of the simulated battles, while AI-controlled Centaur came out top in others - Julian Simmonds

In last weeks demonstration in London, Centaur won some of the battles while the pilots won others. Campbell admits, though, that AI also offers other advantages. From a risk point of view, youve not got a human being in that cockpit. Nor are you paying a pension or its healthcare.

A running theme at the conference was the risk that AI could creep up, like a stealth fighter jet, on an unwieldy defence establishment. Several speakers suggested that unmanned AI jets could be operational by 2040.

The F-35 is the best fighter around today, and will be for a good while yet, says Prof Kenneth Payne, an expert in strategic studies at Kings College London. But AI will be able to do what human pilots can well before the next RAF fighter comes into service.

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We need to think seriously about whether that aircraft needs a cockpit, he continues. Some leading AI figures think it will surpass human-level intelligence at many, even most, tasks within a few years. I dont think enough people inside defence are taking that seriously yet.

The RAFs next fighter will be the Tempest, a joint British-Italian-Japanese venture due in service by 2035. It is expected to offer both manned and unmanned options, although Bagwell seems unconvinced that pilots will be dispensed by then.

A manned platform can do all kinds of things, from dogfights and escorts through to intercepting an airliner and looking into the cockpit to see if there is a hostage situation. There isnt a machine that exists today that can do all those things, he says.

In combat scenarios, planes will also be flying into deeply hostile airspace, with jamming, spoofing and other attacks on connectivity. If you lose that, you may still need a human being in the loop.

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Besides, he adds, I spent all my life as a pilot being promised stuff that never quite meets the glossy brochure. And in life-and-death situations, where a pilot might be trying to stop a missile attack on the UK, are we happy to put 100-per-cent trust in machines?

Our time is done

Others, of course, argue that the very act of flying requires putting 100-per-cent trust in a machine, and that the whole trajectory of combat aircraft has been away from the reckless barnstormer image of the last century.

Indeed, in a memorable article about a tour of a US Air Force base in 1969, the hellraising journalist Hunter S Thompson mourned the demise of the daredevil, speedball flying ace. Todays pilot, he wrote, was a supercautious, supertrained, superintelligent monument to the computer age.

In that sense, AI pilots may simply be the next logical step  if not taking over entirely, then flying certain missions deemed too risky for humans. And much as men such as Campbell may still represent the elite, for now, he accepts that the Top Gun legend could be about to end.

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When I joined the Royal Air Force, I was told that a time would come when fighters wouldnt be in the cockpit, he says. Ultimately, when we fight a war, we want to win, and if AI becomes capable enough to win, then I accept that our time as pilots is done.

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QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11)  A Filipino-inspired bakery has been crowned the winner of the inaugural Queens Best Bakery Competition, hosted by the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

KORA took home the most votes from locals, besting 21 other local nominations.

More Local News

The establishment received a plaque and a complimentary year of membership to the Queens Chamber of Commerce.

To be named Best Bakery in Queens by the very community that has shaped and sustained us is an honor beyond words. This recognition is more than an award  it is a reflection of shared stories, of heritage passed through hands and hearts, and of the quiet power that food holds to connect us. KORA was born from remembrance  of family, culture, and tradition; to see it embraced so fully humbles us profoundly, said co-founders Kimberly Camara and Kevin Borja.

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Jhoanes Bakery & Coffee in Astoria and Rockaway Beach Bakery in Rockaway finished second and third, respectively. Both bakeries also received certificates.

The Queens Chamber of Commerce has hosted many food competitions, including the best burgers and tacos.

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.
DEL CITY, Okla. (KFOR)  Have you ever thought about what it would take to fill a big yellow school bus with school supplies?

Leaders in Del City put it to the test on Wednesday as they worked with the community to fill a bus with supplies for students and teachers in the Mid-Del School District.

The classic yellow school bus doesnt mean school is back in session yet. But rather, its school supplies going into your cart, then onto the bus for the annual Fill the Bus campaign at Mid-Del schools.

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LOCAL NEWS: Two high-tech helpers assisting in OU landscaping

These kids run out of them pretty quickly. And a lot of the time that may be on the teacher or the parent to rebuy some of their supplies, said Joshua Shultz, the Executive Director, Del City Chamber of Commerce.

Its also not an easy task to fill the bus. Leaders in the Del City community are encouraging shoppers to give back to students in the district.

This is about supporting your community. These kids are the next generation and being able to supply some of those kids, especially the ones that are underprivileged and may not be able to get the best school supplies that they may need, said Shultz.

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Every little bit helps schools this fall. As every crayon box, binder, and notebook is one less item students will have to worry about.

All of our schools are designated title one instead of one and so this is a huge event for our teachers and for our families. It takes the pressure off them of having to buy more school supplies, said Dr. Lashonda Broiles, deputy superintendent at Mid-Del Schools.

LOCAL NEWS: Fern the Fighter heads home after found in dumpster

Fill the Bus is something that happens every year and leaders hope they can continue to give back to students in future years.

This helps set our students up for success from the very, very beginning, said Dr. Broiles.

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If you missed Wednesdays Fill the Bus event, theres another one this Friday at the Crest on Douglas in Midwest City or July 30th at the Walmart on Tinker Diagonal in Del City.

Mid-Del schools start back up again three weeks from today, on August 13!

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A cropped still from Rishel's footage. Video provided by FIRE.

*This story was updated at 9:32 a.m. on July 24, 2025, with the correct name for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression*

An Allentown man filed a civil lawsuit on Wednesday after a police officer drove a cruiser at him on the sidewalk, according to the complaint. Phil Rishel, 25, is being represented by attorneys from the free speech organization, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, or FIRE.

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The lawsuit names the city of Allentown and two police officers, Sgt. Christopher Stephenson and now-retired Officer Dean Flyte.

Listen to Ian and Emilys audio recap here:

https://penncapital-star.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/23epikFIRESUITweb2.mp3

The Allentown mayors office, the citys chief of police and the assistant chief of police did not respond to multiple emails from the Capital-Star requesting additional information.

A video apparently taken by Rishel and released by FIRE shows Rishel standing on the sidewalk beside a no trespassing sign outside a local police precinct.

Thats a nice sign. Too bad it doesnt apply to the public sidewalk, Rishel says from behind the camera. The video then cuts and shows a marked SUV emerging from the parking lot and driving onto the sidewalk towards Rishel.

You just fking hit your own building, you dumb piece of s, Rishel says as the cruiser appears to scrape the wall of the lots entrance.

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The video shows the SUVs sirens blare as it continues towards Rishel, who puts a lamppost between himself and the car. The officer then drives around the post, back onto the sidewalk, and continues towards Rishel. The lawsuit alleges the vehicle was driven by Flyte, who the lawsuit says retired later last year.

Zach Silver, an attorney with FIRE, said the video was cut down from more than an hour of footage taken by Rishel on March 26, 2024, when the alleged incident took place, and March 27, 2024, when, according to the lawsuit, Rishel was charged with loitering and disorderly conduct.

Footage from the second day appears to show Rishel back at the police precinct and continuing to film. An officer, identified in the lawsuit as Stephenson, threatens him with citation or arrest and says, youre not protesting. Youre being a nuisance.

Both charges were ultimately dropped or dismissed on appeal.

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According to Rishel, hed made a habit of filming the Allentown police from the sidewalk outside their precincts beginning in 2023. On his near-daily bike rides, he would sometimes stop outside police precincts and pull out his cellphone.

It was a form of protest against what he claims is a pattern of excessive force and First Amendment violations by the department.

There were several incidents with the Allentown Police Department that just really made me realize there was a larger issue going on, Rishel told the Capital-Star.

Phil Rishel holds his phone, which shows footage he took (Photo courtesy of FIRE)

He cited the citys $400,000 settlement with a man named John Perez, who was allegedly beaten and had his nose broken by officers. All charges against Perez, who was accused of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, were dropped.

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There was also a 2015 lawsuit brought by Eli Heckman, who said he was shoved to the ground by an officer after filming police use a stun gun on another man.

Thats what made me want to go out there and take the protest to their doorstep, their police department building, and let them know that theyre being scrutinized, Rishel said.

Often, Rishel said, it was uneventful, and a number of officers were friendly.

But other officers, he said, would blare sirens or shine spotlights at him. At least once, he had his home address shouted at him.

March 26th, the day an officer allegedly drove a car at him, was Rishels first time filming outside the 10th street precinct, which he was passing on his bike.

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It was just shocking, Rishel said. Id had bad experiences before, but never anything like that.

After the incident, Rishel received a summons saying hed been charged with loitering and disorderly conduct. The disorderly conduct charge was dismissed and the loitering charge was ultimately overturned by the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas.

While I was fighting the criminal charges I went back to the main Allentown station just to let them know they didnt scare me off, Rishel said.  I didnt want to set the precedent that you could get people to stop protesting by criminally charging them.

Rishel then reached out to several advocacy organizations like FIRE and the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania. FIRE responded first.

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Rishel has stopped his filming since getting involved with the organization on the advice of his lawyer

Any interaction could influence the case, Rishel said. Were kind of playing it safe at this point.

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Silver, the FIRE attorney, said the civil lawsuit has three goals: compensation for Rishel, a recognition of his right to record video, and to require the city of Allentown to train officers on citizens First Amendment rights.

Silver said that FIRE filed a Freedom of Information request for documents with the department seeking materials used to train officers on First Amendment rights, free speech activities, protest rights and filming or photography. A response from the city, shared with the Capital-Star, said no such materials existed, but that the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission may have them.

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Neither the police chief nor the mayors office responded to questions from the Capital-Star about the departments training regimen.

Its not just the right to record. Its not just the right to film police officers, Silver said. Police officers cant stop someone from speaking just because they dont like what they say.

The civil lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court and a jury trial was requested.

In Pennsylvania, like elsewhere in America, its legal to film and photograph places plainly visible from public spaces.

The commonwealth , however, has whats known as a two-party consent law, meaning conversations can not be recorded without consent from multiple parties. A 2015 court ruling in Fields vs. the City of Philadelphia, however, found it was legal to film police in public.
(FOX40.COM)  A body was discovered by fire crews responding to a fire at an apartment in Sacramento Thursday morning, the Sacramento Fire Department said.

Crews responded to the fire on Florin Road near South Landpark Drive around 7:45 a.m.

Firefighters found a man in a first-floor apartment where two small fires had been intentionally set, the fire department said.

Anytime we have an unusual death with a fire, our arson team comes out and works with the Sacramento Police Department homicide unit and they try to figure out did the fire kill the person or something else kill and injure the person, Captain Justin Sylvia said.  This person did not have any thermal injuries to them or inhalation injuries to them, so thats what prompted the investigation.

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According to the fire department, the fire did not extend to other apartments, though the unit above the one where the fires were found suffered some smoke damage.

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WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL)  A fire destroyed a home in Washington County, Tennessee Thursday morning.

The fire occurred in the 2100 block of Dry Creek Rd and prompted multiple agencies to respond.

Photo: WJHL Photo: WJHL Photo: WJHL Photo: WJHL

The following fire departments responded to the scene to battle the fire:

Nolichucky VFD

Jonesborough FD

Embreeville VFD

West Carter County VFD

A Washington County Sheriffs Office spokesperson confirmed no one was injured during the fire, and all occupants were able to get out in time.

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Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated.

A Russian drone attack on Odesa damaged residential buildings, a gas station, and the city's Pryvoz market overnight on July 24.

"There is also damage to architectural monuments in the historic center of Odesa, which is under UNESCO protection," Odesa Oblast Governor Oleh Kiper said in a Telegram post.

Throughout the attack, local officials reported explosions in the city until the air raid siren was lifted at 2:36 a.m. local time in Odesa Oblast.

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In the aftermath of the attack, the State Emergency Service reported that first responders are putting out a fire at Odesa's renowned Pryvoz market.

"Odesa's Pryvoz is not just a market, it is the true heart of Odesa Oblast, where life pulses and the city's rhythm is felt. It is the place where you can truly get to know Odesa! Rescuers are eliminating the consequences of Russian terror and trying to save this important place for Odesa residents and every tourist," the State Emergency Service said in an announcement.

Odesa Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov shared photos of damage and debris along the city's Prymorskyi Boulevard.

Overnight on July 19, one person was killed and six were injured as a fire engulfed a residential building amid a Russian drone attack on Odesa.

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Russia has intensified drone and missile attacks in recent weeks, prompting Kyiv's allies to toughen sanctions on Moscow and renew support for Ukraine.

Russian attacks killed at least two people and injured another 30 in Ukraine, regional authorities reported early on July 23.

Ukraine's Odesa Oblast (Nizar al-Rifai/The Kyiv Independent)

Read also: Invisible prisoners  the struggle to free thousands of Ukrainians in Russian captivity

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A fired federal prosecutor said Wednesday he is planning to sue the Trump administration for wrongful termination.

Michael Gordon, a former assistant U.S. attorney, said he was removed without warning or cause after prosecuting dozens of Jan. 6 rioters.

President Trump pardoned many people convicted of crimes related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol riot after taking office. He has also sought to overhaul the Department of Justice, arguing it was politicized under Democratic administrations.

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But critics say his administrations actions have politicized the department, and Gordon said his dismissal was unjust.

I pursued cases against Jan. 6 rioters, because what they did, not because who they supported, Gordon told WFLA, a Nexstar affiliate.

Because they assaulted police officers, not because who they voted for, he added.

Gordon lost his Tampa-based job with the Middle District of Florida after receiving a letter from Attorney General Pam Bondi citing the power of the president outlined in Article 2 of the Constitution.

The law requires that the government cannot fire a federal prosecutor without first giving warning and then giving a justification, a reason  merit-based reason for firing, Gordon said in an interview with WFLA.

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They didnt do any of that with me, he added.

Lowell & Associates has agreed to represent Gordon as a plaintiff in the lawsuit and said additional former Justice Department employees will join a legal battle set to be filed later this week.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to The Hills request for comment on the matter.

When that independence is compromised, justice itself is at risk. This case isnt about one prosecutors career, but the integrity of our legal system, Abbe David Lowell of Lowell & Associates told WFLA.

Mike Gordon was a distinguished prosecutor whose public service included convicting violent gang members, Jan. 6 rioters who stormed the Capitol and fraudsters who preyed on people with disabilities. He followed the law, not politics, and was fired for it.

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A New Jersey prosecutor selected by judges to replace President Trumps pick for U.S. attorney, Alina Habba, said Wednesday she is prepared to assume the role, despite having been fired by top Justice Department (DOJ) officials a day earlier.

Desiree Grace, the prosecutor, said in a LinkedIn post that shes honored by her appointment on merit and is ready to begin serving in accordance with the law.

Ive served under both Republican and Democratic administrations, she wrote in the lengthy post. Ive been promoted four times in the last five years by both  including four months ago by this administration. Politics never impacted my work at the Department. Priorities change, of course, and resources are shifted, but the work and the mission were steady.

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Graces intention to abide by the judges order heightens the standoff with senior Justice Department officials in Washington, who have doubled down in support of Habba continuing to lead the U.S. attorneys office for New Jersey.

A former personal lawyer to Trump, Habbas 120-day interim term is set to expire this week. Her trial period has at times been contentious; two Democratic public officials faced criminal charges over an incident at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility under her leadership.

On Tuesday, the U.S. District Court of New Jersey issued a terse standing order declining to retain her, instead appointing Grace to serve in the role indefinitely after a private vote Monday.

Attorney General Pam Bondi responded to the judges decision by terminating Graces employment.

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This Department of Justice does not tolerate rogue judges  especially when they threaten the Presidents core Article II powers, Bondi wrote.

Though Bondi said she removed Grace, its not clear she had the authority to do so. Only the president is empowered to remove U.S. attorneys appointed by judges, legal experts previously told The Hill.

Graces post seemed to double as a goodbye message, despite her defiant words announcing readiness to assume the role.

It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent the United States and to serve the people of New Jersey for the last nine years, Grace said. Theres no better place to work. Theres no mission more important.

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How lucky Ive been to be guided by nothing more than the genuine desire to do the right thing for the right reason each and every day, she added.

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Nvidia (NVDA) shares inched down today, July 22, after FuriosaAI said it has landed LG as its first major customer.

FuriosaAI is a startup based out of Seoul, South Korea thats committed to designing chips, which rival NVDA in terms of performance, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.

More News from Barchart

Despite todays decline, Nvidia stock is up nearly 95% versus its year-to-date low set in early April.

www.barchart.com

Why Is FuriosaAIs Announcement Significant for Nvidia Stock?

FuriosaAIs most advanced artificial intelligence chip dubbed RNGD will power LGs Exaone large-language models (LLMs), according to the startups press release on Tuesday.

Its a meaningful development for NVDA investors given it signals growing enterprise confidence in alternatives to Nvidias GPUs.

This public endorsement from a global technology giant could accelerate adoption of non-Nvidia solutions, especially in Asias booming AI ecosystem.

For Nvidia, it raises competitive pressure and questions about future market share, particularly as startups like FuriosaAI gain traction with high-profile clients.

Note that the RNGD chip delivers 2.25x better performance per watt and offers a lower total cost of ownership compared to conventional graphics processing units.

Is LG Choosing FuriosaAI a Reason to Sell NVDA Shares?

Investors should note, however, that FuriosaAIs announcement is not a big enough reason to sell Nvidia shares especially since the Korean startup is privately held and so NVDA is not really in competition with it for institutional capital.

In fact, Morgan Stanley analysts view NVDA stock as a top idea heading into the AI darlings earnings print scheduled for the final week of August.

The investment firm recommends sticking with Nvidia stock despite its monster run since April as its expecting the pace of revenue and EPS upside to accelerate on the earnings report, driving compelling risk reward into the quarter.

Wall Street Has a Consensus Strong Buy Rating on Nvidia

Nvidia stock is worth owning at current levels because other Wall Street firms continue to see it as a core holding for 2025 as well.

The consensus rating on NVDA shares remain at strong buy with the mean target of about $183 indicating potential upside of some 8.0% from here.
Firefighters battled a brush fire in southern Conneaut Tuesday.

Conneaut City Manager Nick Sanford said there were no injuries or fatalities.

The fire occurred in the area of South Ridge Road West and Horton Road.

Sanford said there was minimal damage.

All things considered, they did a fantastic job, he said.

The area affected by the fire was a farm property, with a hay field.

The fire was under control in roughly an hour and a half.

Sanford said Conneaut firefighters were assisted by the Monroe and Kingsville fire departments and the Springfield Township (Pennsylvania) Fire Department.
By Ayhan Uyanik

BILECIK, Turkey/OMODHOS, Cyprus (Reuters) -Firefighters battled multiple wildfires across Turkey and Cyprus on Thursday that have scorched swathes of land, forced the evacuation of towns and villages and killed 10 firefighters in central Turkey amid a searing Mediterranean heatwave.

At least six separate wildfires were burning across Turkey, and Turkish Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli warned that strong winds and blazing heat were creating extremely dangerous conditions.

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Ten firefighters were killed while battling a fire in the central Eskisehir province, Yumakli said late on Wednesday, adding that 14 others were injured. Fanned by strong winds, the fire later spread to another central province, Afyonkarahisar.

In the northwestern province of Bilecik, fires raged for a fourth straight day, as firefighters struggled to contain them.

Residents were evacuated from fire-threatened areas of all three Turkish provinces, though some residents were later allowed to return to areas in Bilecik that were declared safe.

"They couldn't intervene. There is no decent road, forests are thick and it's rocky. Helicopters don't work at night, and because they don't work, they couldn't intervene," said Cemil Karadag, a resident of the village of Selcik in Bilecik.

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"It engulfed our village from two or three sides ... It spread very quickly with the effect of the wind, but, thank God, (the centre of) our village wasn't damaged that much."

Another fire in the neighbouring province of Karabuk, where the UNESCO World Heritage City of Safranbolu is located, quickly grew and led to 10 villages being evacuated.

'UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION'

On the eastern Mediterranean island of Cyprus, firefighters battled for a second day to control a massive wildfire which engulfed mountain villages north of the city of Limassol. Six countries from Spain to Jordan were deploying aid, officials said.

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Two people were found dead in their car, trapped by the blaze which started on Wednesday. Scores of homes were destroyed as people fled a towering wall of flames overnight.

Although the fire's cause was not immediately known, authorities said they would be looking into the possibility of arson.

Authorities were struggling to contain flare-ups that were being stoked by strong winds, cranking up water drops by aircraft to prevent it reaching a state forest and before nightfall.

"We are facing an unprecedented situation," said government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis. He said Jordan and Egypt deployed firefighting aircraft on Thursday, while assistance was expected from Spain, Israel, Lebanon and Greece.

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"When dawn came we saw a catastrophe of biblical proportions," said Kostas Hatzikonstantinou, who struggled to maintain composure as he stood outside his home, hollowed out by the fire which razed his community on Thursday morning.

"It's an unspeakable tragedy... Unfortunately, we'll no longer have this paradise that we enjoyed for so many years," he said.

The blaze razed an estimated 124 sq km (48 sq miles), officials said, in an area famed for its centuries-old vineyards and wine. Firefighters were struggling to keep it away from the evacuated hamlet of Omodhos, home to a church containing priceless early Christian relics.

Ersin Tatar, president of the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which is recognised only by Turkey and has been split from the island's south, said his government was ready to assist.

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Although heatwaves and wildfires are common in the region, their impact on human life along with the scale of destruction have become more pronounced in recent years due to shifting weather patterns.

(Reporting by Ayhan Uyanik in Bilecik, Michele Kambas and Yiannis Kourtoglou in Nicosia, and Tuvan Gumrukcu in Ankara; Writing by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by David Holmes, Joe Bavier and Toby Chopra)
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A death due to the West Nile virus (WNV) has been reported in South Dakota.

The South Dakota Department of Health (SDDOH) wrote in a press release that as of July 23, in South Dakota, there have been three human cases in Brookings, Marshall and Spink County.

Of these three cases, one person ended up dying due to the virus. It was not specified in which county the deadly case occurred.

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AG: June officer-involved shooting justified

According to the press release, there is one human viremic blood donor (blood tested positive for WNV, despite person not displaying symptoms at time of blood donation) in Brown County.

SDDOH reports that seven counties have mosquito pools positive for West Nile: Beadle, Brown, Brookings, Codington, Hughes, Lincoln, and Minnehaha.

The West Nile virus prediction model projects that the total number of cases for SD in 2025 could potentially be as high as 134 cases, ranking SD and other states in outbreak territory.

In the U.S. there have been 49 total cases reported this year, coming from a wide range of states (AL, AZ, CA, GA, KS, LA, MS, ND, NE, OH, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA).

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On their website, the SDDOH has more information on WNV prevention, mosquito control, and laboratory services.

Physician warns of alcohol effects in high heat

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On Wednesday, as promised, President Donald Trump released his AI Action Plan. The news comes after he repealed his predecessor Joe Bidens 100-plus page executive order on AI just days into his term and pledged something new would be coming in July.

Trump would take public comments until then, the White House and AI czar David Sacks (himself a tech mogul) said. Judging by the final 23-page document, those comments seemed to come mainly from tech companies who wanted even less regulation than they already had, which wasnt very much. What to know about the plan and what it means? Heres a breakdown.

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This eviscerates Bidens actions.

To be clear, Bidens actions werent very strong, mostly by legal limitation. Unlike Europes landmark AI Act, which has the power to really stop companies from developing high-risk AI applications and requires transparency even on lower-risk ones, the Biden plan couldnt and didnt do much. It would be enforced the under the Commerce Department and mainly came in the vein of if we asked nicely, will you help? Among the biggest of its provisions was that tech companies share how a model works with government agencies before theyre released to the public. The enforcement mechanisms were a big question. Still, it was a flex of White House power, limited as it was, to try to keep tech companies in check before they could unleash models whose power they didnt really understand. And it set the tone: the title was Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. Anyway, its pretty much all gone now.

This replaces those actions with  not much.

Read through the document today and you wont see much sign of regulation. The word comes up, but mainly following the adjectives onerous, unnecessary and burdensome. You will, however, see a variant on the word compete or competition eight times. You hardly need a degree in civics or Republican semiotics to know what that means: basically, do your thing. In any event, it confirms what we already knew: the federal government wont be much of a check on tech companies that want to build out models and deploy them on the public before they have any idea what they can do. Sam Altman, Elon Musk, Marc Andreessen and other powerful tech-world figures who swung from the Democrats to Trump hoping to get what they want  a carte blanche  saw their strategy pay off today. Also, anyone hoping to build an energy-guzzling data center got a sop under the vague but still noteworthy Build American AI Infrastructure  Create Streamlined Permitting for Data Centers, Semiconductor Manufacturing Facilities, and Energy Infrastructure. Will any of it be green? Americas environmental permitting system and other regulations make it almost impossible to build this infrastructure in the United States with the speed that is required, the plan says, in case there was any doubt. For Hollywood, this means that studios and producers can use as much or as little AI as they want. Unfortunately, it also means that AI companies can encroach on Hollywoods business as much as they want.

China is the threat  and the opportunity?

There is a decided contradiction in the paper and indeed much of the anti-regulator stances when it comes to China. On the one hand, China is the all-purpose bogeyman that should remove the shackles of regulation. As our global competitors race to exploit these technologies, it is a national security imperative for the United States to achieve and maintain unquestioned and unchallenged global technological dominance, Trump says in the document by way of explaining the need for a lack of regulation. On the other hand, China is also being touted as a trading partner because, after all, tech companies benefit when they can sell to China. Trump just lifted a ban on Nvidia selling chips to China that will bring the company billions. Export American AI to Allies and Partners. The United States must meet global demand for AI by exporting its full AI technology stack hardware, models, software, applications, and standards  to all countries willing to join Americas AI alliance, the document says. Of course it doesnt define at all who that is or what the standard would be. And while the paper notes it must counter Chinese Influence in International Governance Bodies, that really is just a way of saying it doesnt want China to set regulation that will hamper the U.S.

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Wokeness is bizarrely a main concern.

Of all the areas that worry AI Safety advocates, bias is high on the list. So is hate speech, social dysmorphia, misinformation, copyright infringement, job displacement and other imminent concerns. What isnt high on the list? The idea that bots wont be able to unleash enough trolling. Possibly because the guardrails arent exactly that restrictive now (as we saw when Grok went mad a few weeks ago and started messaging antisemitic vileness), possibly because AI isnt social media and content moderation doesnt really apply in the same way. Yet somehow it became a concern here, with the barely coded dogwhistle that tech companies must uphold free speech in frontier models and also that US. Government must ensure that [it] only contracts with frontier large language model developers who ensure that their systems are objective and free from top-down ideological bias. The good news is this is mostly performative irrelevance, as AI trains on giant amounts of data, and theres often no way even for tech companies to know what it is, let alone for a bureaucrat to monitor same.

Will there be any resistance to the moves?

MAGA does have a tech-populist base, led by Missouri senator John Hawley. Hes been quiet on this, but has been vocal about how Google and other companies are taking whats not theirs and need to find a way to give individuals powerful enforceable rights and their image and their property and their lives back again. As we saw on the Big Beautiful Bill, it remains to be seen if he can or will do anything meaningful about it (he didnt there). The states are still in play, and at least thanks to an excision from that bill are not technically handcuffed from imposing regulation on AI. (Whether they will is another matter: California hasnt.) Meanwhile there are lawsuits challenging what AI companies can grab, as we see in the Disney-Midjourney lawsuit. As is often the case these days, the best bet for regulation might be adjudication.

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Five Australian women have won the right to sue Qatar Airways for forcing them to undergo invasive physical examinations on a Doha airport tarmac in 2020 after a federal court upheld their appeal.

The women, whose identities remain confidential, were among dozens of female passengers removed from flights and subjected to bodily examinations, according to their lawyer, after a newborn was found abandoned in Hamad International Airport.

At the time, the Qatari government said the measure was taken after a baby girl was found wrapped in plastic and buried in trash in a shocking and appalling attempt to kill her.

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It said officials acted to prevent the perpetrators from leaving the country and apologized for any distress caused to passengers.

The incident caused international outrage and was condemned by Australias then foreign minister as a grossly disturbing, offensive, concerning set of events.

Its still not clear how many women were examined in total  the five Australian women were among 13 examined from one Qatar Airways flight 908 bound for Sydney. At the time, an Australian government spokesman said as many as 10 flights were affected.

On Thursday, in a unanimous ruling, three Australian federal court judges found that the original judge erred in summarily dismissing the relevance of the Montreal Convention, a treaty that governs the liability of airlines for international air travel.

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Our clients are thrilled with the outcome, said their lawyer, Damian Sturzaker from Marque Lawyers.

They do genuinely continue to bear the scars of not only what happened on that evening, but the fact that theres been no apology, that theres been no compensation, and that the case has been fought over a number of years by a series of state entities, he said.

Article 17 of the Montreal Convention states that a carrier is liable for damages for death or injuries incurred by passengers on board an aircraft, or while embarking or disembarking.

The original judge found that, in this case, it didnt apply. However, lawyers for the women argue that the journey had never ended.

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(Our clients) were taken off the plane at gunpoint to an ambulance that was under the wing of the plane, where our group was subjected to invasive physical examinations being put back on the plane, said Sturzaker.

So, of course, the journey had never ended, and they were still embarking and disembarking.

He said his clients are also pursuing a negligence claim against Qatar Airways that could increase any potential damages payout. CNN has reached out to Qatar Airways.

The women had also sought to bring charges of negligence, assault, false imprisonment and battery against MATAR, the airport operator, and the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA).

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Thursdays ruling put an end to their action against QCAA but allowed them to adjust aspects of their case against MATAR. Sturzaker said reasons for the QCAA decision will be examined to see if theres scope to seek leave to appeal in Australias High Court.

CNN has reached out to lawyers acting for QCAA and MATAR.

Sturzaker said its still unclear who ordered the searches, and that will be among the information lawyers will be seeking as they build their case.

We dont have perfect insight as to the levels of responsibility, and thats one of the things that we will seek to determine as the case goes forward, because many of the documents that we sought were not provided, said Sturzaker.

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We anticipate that there will be further evidence that strengthens the groups case against Qatar Airways and MATAR, he added.

Following the incident, a Qatari prosecutor said an unspecified number of airport security staff responsible for carrying out examinations of female passengers were charged.

In the same statement, prosecutors said they had identified and charged the babys mother with attempted murder. She had left the country and was described only as of Asian nationality.

In Qatar, sex outside of marriage remains a criminal act. It is not uncommon for women to abandon children to avoid imprisonment.

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Sturzaker described the Qatari response to finding an abandoned baby as wildly out of proportion.

Its not something that you would ever see in an airport that you would commonly want to travel to, he said.

The case is expected to go to trial next year.

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(SOUTHERN COLORADO)  The National Weather Service (NWS) in Pueblo has issued a flash flood warning until 7:15 p.m. for parts of Saguache, Alamosa, Custer, and Huerfano counties.

NWS said at around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across southeastern Saguache County, northeastern Alamosa County, western Custer County, and northwestern Huerfano County.

Courtesy: National Weather Service

Between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain had already fallen, and the expected rainfall rate was 1 to 2.5 inches in an hour.

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According to NWS, Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses, along with other poor drainage and low-lying areas, is possible. Debris flow is also possible across and near the west-facing slopes of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

A flash flood warning has also been issued for Central Fremont County until 6:45 p.m.

NWS advises those in the area take precautionary measures, including: turning around when encountering flooded areas, being aware of your surroundings, and do not attempt to cross flooded roadsfind an alternate route.

The flash flood warning is currently active until 7:15 p.m. Wednesday.

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PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Well catch some heat relief for the start of our weekend, but that relief is thanks to rounds of showers and storms.

No day will be a washout, but this is a pattern that could lead to pockets of flash flooding, and the strongest storms could pack strong wind gusts.

Key Takeaways

Periods of storms through Saturday night

Isolated severe storms, especially Saturday

Flash flooding threat due to repeated rounds of rain

Friday

The Storm Prediction Center has placed the area in a Level 1 (marginal) risk of severe storms. The main threat will be localized damaging wind gusts. There is also a Level 2 out of 4 threat of flash flooding. The greatest chance for flash flooding and strong storms will come our way during the overnight hours.

Scattered showers will continue over the area today, but we should tend to see coverage back off some during the afternoon and early evening hours. Some areas may briefly get into some sunshine.

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In general, the risk of storms will go up after sunset and continue into Saturday morning. Its impossible to know where the heavy rain totals will set up shop, but we cant rule out some very heavy rain where repeated rounds of storms occur.

Saturday

An stronger upper wave tracking across northern Illinois could bring a slightly better severe risk Saturday. The area is under a Level 1 (marginal) risk of severe storms, but parts of the area could get upgraded in future updates. The main threat would be damaging wind gusts. There is also a marginal risk of flash flooding.

Get the latest location-based forecast by downloading the CiProud 2 Go Weather app. The app will be your friend to keep tabs on those weekend storms.

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Flight attendant who admitted to secretly filming girls in plane bathrooms sentenced to 18.5 years

BOSTON (AP/Boston 25)  A flight attendant accused of taping his cellphone to the lid of an airplane toilet to secretly film young girls was sentenced to just under 20 years in prison Wednesday.

Former American Airlines flight attendant Estes Carter Thompson III received a sentence of 18.5 years, followed by five years of supervised release. Boston U.S. District Court Judge Julia Kobick called his behavior appalling and said the child victims innocence has been lost because of his actions.

Estes Carter Thompson III, 37, of Charlotte, North Carolina

Thompson was arrested and charged in January 2024 in Lynchburg, Virginia, after authorities said a 14-year-old girl on his flight discovered his secret recording setup in the lavatory.

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He was indicted last year on one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child sexual abuse images depicting a prepubescent minor. He admitted to the allegations earlier this year.

He apologized in court Wednesday, describing his actions as selfish, perverse, and wrong.

Police alleged Thompson, of Charlotte, North Carolina, had recordings of four other girls between the ages of 7 and 14 using aircraft lavatories over a 9-month period.

U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley previously said one incident involved a 14-year-old girl who was recorded as she used an airplane bathroom on a flight from Charlotte to Boston on Sept. 2, 2023.

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Thompson told the victim that he needed to wash his hands, and that the lavatorys toilet seat was broken, and briefly entered the lavatory, according to federal investigators. After Thompson exited the lavatory, the victim entered and observed red stickers on the underside of the toilet seat lid, which was in the open position, that stated, INOPERATIVE CATERING EQUIPMENT and REMOVE FROM SERVICE, and SEAT BROKEN was hand-written in black ink on one of the stickers.

Beneath the red stickers, Thompson had concealed his iPhone to record a video, investigators said.

In a sentencing memorandum submitted in court, U.S. government attorneys said Thompson robbed five young girls of their innocence and belief in the goodness of the world and the people they would encounter in it, instead leaving them with fear, mistrust, insecurity, and sadness.

Thompson, who will serve his sentence at FMC Butner in North Carolina, intends to undergo sex offender-specific treatment, his attorneys said.

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A lawyer for Thompson said via email Wednesday he wouldnt be commenting.

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Dairy-alternatives group Oatly is weighing up the future of its business in China.

The Sweden-based group said today (23 July) it would explore a range of options for its operations in China, which include a factory in the east of the country.

The review will consider a range of options, including a potential carve-out of the Greater China segment, with the goal of accelerating growth and maximising the value of the business, Oatly said in a statement. There is no definitive timetable for completing the strategic review.

In February, Oatly announced it would discontinue the building of its second factory in China after deciding it had enough capacity at its site in Maanshan, which opened in 2021.

Last year, Oatly generated revenue of $114.9m from its Greater China business unit, down from $124.7m in 2023. Group revenue was $823.7m in 2024.

Oatlys Greater China arm made an EBITDA loss of $31.1m last year, compared to one of $65m in 2023.

The company announced the China review alongside its first-half results, which also included a cut to its group sales forecast.

Oatly is projecting its constant-currency revenue will be in a range of flat to up 1% in 2025, compared to its previous forecast of growth of 2-4%.

The company said the new forecast reflected reduced expectations for its business in North America and a softer-than-expected macro-environment in Greater China.

It still expects its group adjusted EBITDA continues to be $5-15m. Last year, Oatly booked a group adjusted EBITDA loss of $35.3m.

Oatly CEO Jean-Christophe Flatin said the company made good progress on our 2025 priorities in the first half of the year.

We continue to drive cost efficiencies in our supply chain and overhead structure, and our disciplined execution of our growth playbook has seen success in our Europe & International segment, where we are seeing top line momentum," Flatin said. "All of these steps are aimed toward our goal of consistently improved profitability.

Oatly booked a 1.1% rise in first-half revenue to $405.9m. Revenues in North America fell 8.7% but rose 12.5% in Greater China. The companys Europe & International division saw its revenues grow 4.6%.

The group recorded an EBITDA loss of $17.2m, down from one of $42.2m in the first half of 2023.

Oatly posted a net loss attributable to shareholders of the parent of $68.3m, compared to one of $76.2m in the corresponding period a year earlier.

"Oatly reviews China operations" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.
A flight attendant accused of taping his phone to the airplane toilet's lid to film young girls has been sentenced to 18 and a half years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

Former American Airlines flight attendant Estes Carter Thompson III was arrested and charged with one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography depicting a prepubescent minor in 2024. He was arrested in Lynchburg, Va., in January 2024, and plead guilty to the charges in March. He was sentenced in Boston on Wednesday, July 23.

Police alleged he had recordings of a 14-year-old and four other girls ages 7, 9, 11, and 14, that were recorded over a nine-month period, The Associated Press reports. AI-generated child sexual abuse images and more than 50 images of a 9-year-old girl who was flying as an unaccompanied minor were also discovered on his iCloud account, Boston.com reports.

Bruce Bennett/Getty Stock image of an American Airlines jet Stock image of an American Airlines jet

His setup, which involved concealing his iPhone beneath a warning sticker that read "seat broken" on the plane's toilet, was discovered by a 14-year-old girl on a flight bound for Boston on Sept. 2, 2023. She snapped a photo of the setup and showed her father, who confronted Thompson.

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Boston U.S. District Court Judge Julia Kobick called his behavior "appalling" and said child victims' "innocence has been lost" because of his actions. Thompson apologized in court Wednesday, describing his actions as "selfish, perverse and wrong."

Thompson, 37, a resident of Charlotte, N.C., was arrested in 2024 after authorities said a 14-year-old girl on his flight discovered his secret recording setup in the bathroom. We take these allegations very seriously. They do not reflect our airline or our core mission of caring for people, the airline said in a statement at the time, per NBC News.

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

Thompson will serve his sentence at FMC Butner in North Carolina and intends to undergo sex offender-specific treatment, the outlet reports.

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.

American Airlines still faces a civil lawsuit in Texas from the family of one of Thompsons victims. Paul Llewellyn, whose law firm Lewis & Llewellyn is representing the childs family, told Boston.com: We are pleased that the perpetrator has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term so that he can no longer prey on young girls."

Llewellyn's statement continued, But no family should ever have to endure what these families have gone through.

Read the original article on People
OSHKOSH  The best view of a Goodyear Blimp?

Probably from the seat inside of one blimp looking out at another one.

Its already rare enough to fly on a Goodyear airship, but aviation fans are getting a true once-in-a-lifetime experience at this years AirVenture by flying in a blimp next to a second airship.

Never in my life did I expect this, but I am glad I got to do it, said first-time AirVenture attendee Meg Burns about riding on the Goodyear Blimp.

One of the two Goodyear Blimps is photographed from a Goodyear Blimp during the third day of EAA AirVenture 2025 at Wittman Regional Airport, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Oshkosh, Wis.

Goodyear has never flown two blimps to the same airshow before this year's AirVenture.

While Goodyear estimates theyve had just more than 500,000 passengers on their blimps, the company also revealed it never flew two airships at the same show, far less aviations biggest convention.

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That was until this year.

Celebrating 100 years of flying branded airships, Goodyear put its stamp on the centennial anniversary by bringing the dynamic duo of Wingfoot One and Wingfoot Two to the grounds of Wittman Regional Airport.

We planted our flag early because the biggest event in aviation is what we wanted to celebrate around but we just had to figure out what were we going to do thats new, said Dan Smith, senior airship communications specialist at Goodyear.

Goodyear Blimp pilot Adam Basaran mans the controls as seen during the third day of EAA AirVenture 2025 at Wittman Regional Airport, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Oshkosh, Wis.

The general public isn't allowed to buy rides on a Goodyear Blimp.

To put the monumental occasion into further historic context, the public isnt allowed to buy rides on a blimp, with Goodyear only offering rides through tire sellers or media invitations.

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Even last months anticipated CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show only featured one airship, and that was tied to the ground for the entire convention.

So, in a matter of weeks, Goodyear moved from offering static displays to never-seen-before views.

Its humbling when you get to be a part of something really special like having two of us here, and in Oshkosh for EAA, said Chief Pilot of the Akron-based Wingfoot One Jerry Hissem, who has been flying Goodyear Blimps for 28 years.

A view inside the passenger compartment during the third day of EAA AirVenture 2025 at Wittman Regional Airport, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Oshkosh, Wis.

Passengers described the flight as 'floating on air.'

Describing it as floating on air, passengers said the 40-minute flight on Wingfoot One was quite unlike anything theyve ever experienced before.

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Similar to helicopters, the blimps have vertical takeoffs and landings, but thats about where the comparisons come to an end.

A view of cars parked as seen from the Goodyear Blimp for EAA during the third day of EAA AirVenture 2025 at Wittman Regional Airport, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Oshkosh, Wis.

The 246-foot-long airship travelled at around 35 knots while hovering over the AirVenture landscape, gently rocking and swaying, akin to a ferry ride.

Its different from any other helicopter and airplane Ive ever been in because its a lot quieter and it feels more like a boat or a ship, said licensed pilot and passenger Jack Tulloch. The visibility is great, and when planes fly by you can actually hear them.

It wasnt just planes Tulloch got to see, either.

People look at the Goodyear Blimp during the third day of EAA AirVenture 2025 at Wittman Regional Airport, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Oshkosh, Wis.

Wingfoot One passengers got a historic view of Wingfoot Two from inside the airborne blimp.

Wingfoot Two took off mere moments after its fellow airship, eventually pulling up behind Wingfoot One to give its passengers a real look at aviation history.

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I am training to be a pilot right now, so I get up in the air often but t,hat was a different experience altogether, Burns said. It felt like you were floating, just floating on air.

Smith believes that around 250 people at this years AirVenture convention wouldve flown aboard the two blimps before they head back to their respective Ohio and Florida bases.

The passenger car on a Goodyear Blimp during the third day of EAA AirVenture 2025 at Wittman Regional Airport, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Oshkosh, Wis.

Goodyear airships have been regular participants at Oshkosh since the legendary America made its first appearance at the 1971 convention.

However, Goodyear Blimps havent appeared at AirVenture since 2021, with Wingfoot One and Wingfoot Two ending the airships brief three-year hiatus.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh runs through July 27.

A pair of Goodyear Blimps float overhead during the opening day of EAA AirVenture 2025 at Wittman Regional Airport, Monday, July 21, 2025, in Oshkosh, Wis.

AirVenture runs through July 27 at Wittman Regional Airport. Daily tickets are $49 for adult EAA members and $68 for adult non-members. Veterans and active military members pay $49 while kids 18 years and younger are free.

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Patrons can access the daily schedule at https://events.rdmobile.com/Sessions/Index/18900 or https://www.eaa.org/airventure/eaa-airventure-schedule-of-events.

Remaining airshow lineup for 2025 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh

The Goodyear Blimps are featured in the AirVenture airshows. Here's the remaining lineup of airshows scheduled at this year's EAA AirVenture:

Thursday, July 24

2:15-6:15 p.m.: Daily air show

Friday, July 25

2:15-6:15 p.m.: Daily air show

Saturday, July 26

2:15-6:15 p.m.: Daily air show

8-10 p.m.: Saturday Night Air Show

Sunday, July 27

1-5 p.m.: Daily air show

Contact Justin Marville at jmarville@gannett.com and follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @justinmarville.

This article originally appeared on Oshkosh Northwestern: EAA AirVenture Oshkosh: What's it like to ride on a Goodyear Blimp?
UNIVERSITY CITY, Mo.  University City stormwater commissioners once warned of flaws in our flood early warning system.

It came after July 2022 flash floods that impacted areas that never flooded previously, resulting in 50 rescues and an entire fleet of city vehicles totaled.

Flooded belongings then lined University City streets for months because the city also lost its trash trucks to floodwater.

Stormwater Commissioner Bob Criss was frustrated that citizens did not get proper warnings at the time.

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By the time you see the water level rise, its too late, Criss said.

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Criss, whos also a geological scientist and Washington University professor emeritus, said rain gauges had collected crucial warning data, but that the gauges had not been connected to an alert system.

This business of flood warning is certainly important. You can see in recent events  the tragedy in Texas, he said.

Criss says the rain gauges are now connected and that they will notify first responders.

All of the police command watch  all of the fire department command have this linked to their phones, University City Fire Chief Bill Hinson said.

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The first responders will get about a 40-minute advance notice of possible flood troubles in specific areas.

It helps us to determine where its going to happen and alert the people in that area instead of just a general alert, Hinson said.

Family reacts to video of sons death in City Justice Center

One of the flood gauges near the corner of Wilson and Drexel also has a sign on it marking how high the water rose in July 2022. Its above most peoples eye level. There were also homes along the street where a rain gauge sits. Those homes have since been demolished after being purchased by the city.

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Its up to you to sign up to get the alerts through the Code Red system.

Right now, we only have 12% of them used, and weve been trying for years to get people to sign up for this, Hinson said.

You can get warnings beyond just flooding and which also alert zones.

If you happen to be driving into that area, it can alert that phone to let you know hey youre going into an area thats being evacuated, Hinson 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 FOX 2.
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July has been a month of floods. First came the July 4 deluge in the Texas Hill Country, which killed 135 people. Deadly flooding in New Mexico followed the next week. Then a record day of rain pummeled New York City, killing two people in New Jersey and sending waterfalls into the subway system.

More extreme rainfall is a well-documented consequence of climate change, because a hotter atmosphere holds more moisture. With 3,600 flash-flood warnings in 2025 and the year barely half over, the National Weather Service is likely to pass its annual average of 4,000 warnings before long. And yet Americans remain ambivalent about the growing risk of floods.

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This spring, the Climate Change in the American Mind survey from researchers at Yale and George Mason University showed that large majorities of Americans believe rising carbon dioxide levels are affecting a variety of environmental problems, especially extreme heat, droughts, wildfires, and flooding.

But when asked to describe their own personal exposure to those risks, Americans concern level drops substantially. In the case of flooding, just 28 percent of respondents were very or moderately worried about extreme weatherrelated flooding in their area, a lower score than any other surveyed event except reduced snowpack.

This reverse empathy gap shows up in data about other perceived social problems, such as crime, where respondents justify their media-experience dissonance by concluding that the consequences of an issue are borne primarily by other people.

The data helps illustrate why it has been so hard to adjust to our new and very rainy reality, an atmospheric shift toward heavier precipitation that threatens rural Texas and New Yorks 1 train in equal measure. Rainfall flooding has become an increasingly serious problem, overwhelming social and physical infrastructure. It has upended our sense of climate havens, as places like Madison, Wisconsin; Buffalo, New York; and rural Vermont have been swamped by unprecedented precipitation events in recent years. But if Americans arent worried about flash flooding, whats going to keep us dry?

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Rain may be a less intuitive consequence of global warming, suggested Jennifer Marlon, a scientist with Yales Program on Climate Change Communication, which conducts the survey. Unlike heat waves and melting ice caps, which are obvious consequences of a hotter planet, the new prevalence of extreme rainfall requires another link in the causal chain, she told me.

It can be hard to isolate the cost of rainfall flooding, since much flood damage falls under the umbrella of hurricanes, which have been by far the most expensive category of U.S. disaster over the past 30 years. But 54 percent of their fatalities since 2013 were caused by freshwater flooding, according to a Washington Post analysisdouble the historical average of 27 percent.

The Posts investigation concerns Hurricane Helene, and contrasts the outcomes for coastal Florida counties with those of inland North Carolina, where the storm destroyed towns and killed over 100 people last year. Coastal areas were both better prepared and more sternly warned, even though the potential for deadly flooding inland was also forecast days in advance. In an analysis of cellphone data, the Post found a 36 percent spike in people leaving Florida counties in the run-up to landfall. In North Carolina, there was no meaningful movement at all.

Keri Stephens, an expert in disaster communications at the University of Texas, said that rainfall flooding poses several special challenges. First, hurricanes aside, rainfall flooding is usually a rapid-onset disaster akin to an earthquake, where its hard to alert people in advance. The messaging problem begins in elementary school. There is no Stop, drop, and roll equivalent for a flooding event, she said, and her work shows that young people do not respond to Turn around, dont drown. (The materialist Keep your car high and dry has more success.)

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At the same time, she said, people who experience nonfatal flooding events and live with constant warnings start to view them as less serious. This process of habituation can undermine a good communication program. In Japan, which has a sophisticated flood warning system, residents accustomed to safety have begun to ignore evacuation orders.

Rainfall is also hard to predict, which gives pause to officials who are wary of losing the trust of the public. After the deadly Fourth of July floods in Texas, for example, the Kerrville city manager said that authorities were reluctant to cry wolf and order evacuations.

One issue for both forecasters and local officials is the variability of extreme rainstorms: Unlike heat waves or storm surges, which tend to blanket the areas they hit, rainstorms can form mosaics, in which one neck of a valley or one neighborhood of a city may see much more rain than a neighboring area.

Specifically for precipitation, the effect of natural variability in the system is larger than the effect of climate change, Iris de Vries, a researcher at MIT studying climate extremes, told me. These pockets of intense rainfall often take residents by surprise, even if they are part of a familiar-looking storm system. Most disasters that could happen havent happened yet.

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In addition to putting record amounts of moisture into the atmosphere, which has induced more extreme rainstorms, climate change also makes these calamities harder to anticipate, explained Bernhard Rappenglueck, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Houston. Thats because weather systems appear to be slowing down. A fast-moving storm will drench a large area, but a slow-moving storm (like Hurricane Harvey, which stalled over Houston in 2017) will bring outsize consequences wherever it decides to hover. That can cause drastic changes of rainfall amounts over shorter distances, Rappenglueck told me.

Whats to be done? The obvious step is to adapt our infrastructure to accommodate new expectations of storms, whether through alert systems, storm sewers, floodwalls, or green infrastructure. But that takes money, and unfortunately, things are moving in the opposite direction, with the Trump administration clawing back money from studies on public transit resilience and anything else that mentions climate change. Or we could ask why, despite floodings intensity, unpredictability, and ubiquity, Americans seem unworried by the threat of rain. Perhaps its just harder to see than other disasters. Unlike the ocean, whose breakers instantly communicate danger, the culprit in a flooding event could be as unimposing as a tiny creek or a clogged storm drain. It doesnt look like much until the water is at your door.
(NewsNation)  Floridas Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center took less than two weeks to get up and running, but its speedy start came at a cost for taxpayers.

So far, at least $245 million in contracts have been signed for vendors to build, open and operate the detention center designed to house thousands of immigrants, according to publicly available state data.

ICE makes 20 arrests in traffic blitz with Indiana police: Sources

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Some of that data has since been removed from the Florida Accountability Contract Tracking System website, with Floridas Division of Emergency Management claiming the contracts contained proprietary information, said Democratic state Rep. Anna Eskamani.

Heres what the numbers say so far.

More than $245M allocated for Alligator Alcatraz so far

OCHOPEE, FLORIDA  JULY 10: (L-R) Scott McCurdy, Hunter Leifried, and Creation Leifried take a selfie in front of the Alligator Alcatraz sign at the entrance to the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport on July 10, 2025 in Ochopee, Florida. The site is the location of the state-managed immigration detention facility in the Florida Everglades that officials have named Alligator Alcatraz. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) MIAMI, FLORIDA  JULY 4: In an aerial view from a helicopter, Krome Detention Center, run by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is seen on July 4, 2025 in Miami, Florida. U.S. President Donald Trump was present at the opening of the nearby Alligator Alcatraz, a 5,000-bed facility, located at an abandoned airfield in the Everglades wetlands, part of his expansion of undocumented migrant deportations. (Photo by Alon Skuy/Getty Images) US President President Donald Trump tours a migrant detention center, dubbed Alligator Alcatraz, located at the site of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, Florida on July 1, 2025. President Trump is visiting a migrant detention center in a reptile-infested Florida swamp dubbed Alligator Alcatraz. Trump will attend the opening of the 5,000-bed facility  located at an abandoned airfield in the Everglades wetlands  part of his expansion of deportations of undocumented migrants, his spokeswoman said. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) US President President Donald Trump (L), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (2nd-R), and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem (2nd-L) tour a migrant detention center, dubbed Alligator Alcatraz, located at the site of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, Florida on July 1, 2025. President Trump is visiting a migrant detention center in a reptile-infested Florida swamp dubbed Alligator Alcatraz. Trump will attend the opening of the 5,000-bed facility  located at an abandoned airfield in the Everglades wetlands  part of his expansion of deportations of undocumented migrants, his spokeswoman said. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) Aerial view of structures, including gigantic tents built at the recently opened migrant detention center, Alligator Alcatraz, located at the site of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, Florida, on Friday, July 4, 2025. (Pedro Portal/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) OCHOPEE, FLORIDA  JULY 4: In an aerial view from a helicopter, the migrant detention center, dubbed Alligator Alcatraz, is seen located at the site of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport on July 4, 2025 in Ochopee, Florida. U.S. President Donald Trump was present at the opening of the 5,000-bed facility, located at an abandoned airfield in the Everglades wetlands, as part of his expansion of undocumented migrant deportations. (Photo by Alon Skuy/Getty Images)

NewsNation dug into some of the files, which outlined who the state was contracting and for how much.

St. Petersburg-based company Doodie Calls was allocated $22 million to supply portable toilets and shower trailers at the facility.

Florida-based Critical Response Strategies has a $78.5 million contract in exchange for hiring a warden, corrections officers and camp managers. Other major contractors include Longview Solutions Group, which is being paid $25.6 million for site preparation, civil engineering, road construction and fence installation.

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Border wall mural a silent protest against US immigration policy

According to the Associated Press, a warden at the facility could make up to $125 an hour. Corrections officers could earn up to $11,600 per month, not including overtime.

The current contracts were granted under an executive order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis declaring a state of emergency in Florida over immigration. The order allows the state to suspend any statute, rule or order that could slow the response.

Alligator Alcatraz will cost $450M annually

The facility currently houses approximately 900 detainees but is set up to accommodate thousands more, according to DeSantis. It costs about $245 per bed per day, CNN reported.

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That means, if the facility reaches 3,000 detainees, it would cost more than $700,000 a day to run.

Its estimated the facility will cost $450 million to run each year. Thats three times the amount to place migrants in an existing, permanent detention center, according to Florida state Sen. Carlos Guillermo Smith.

Florida state officials have announced plans to expand the facilitys capacity to 5,000 beds. That calculates to $90,000 per detainee per year, Smith said.

Thats roughly triple the nearly $30,000 that is spent per inmate to house detainees in state prisons.

Which states could get their own Alligator Alcatraz migrant camps?

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Officials have said some of the cost will be covered by FEMA, but its unknown when the state will be reimbursed.

The Miami Herald reported the reimbursement will come through FEMAs Shelter and Services Program, not the disaster relief fund, which assists during hurricanes and other emergencies.

Floridas facility is serving as a blueprint for more potential centers across the nation, a goal of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noems.

Without confirming that they have been contacted, spokespersons for governors in South Carolina, Mississippi and Texas have told NewsNation they are ready to assist in President Donald Trumps expanding immigration enforcement plans.

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NewsNations Jeff Arnold, Anna Kutz and 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 NewsNation.
The Jeffrey Epstein story returns to Florida again, where it began.

U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche arrived in Tallahassee to speak with longtime Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell July 24. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence in a federal prison in Tallahassee for targeting underage girls and recruiting them for Epstein to sexually abuse. If anyone knows about Epstein's sex trafficking ring and any list of clients he was rumored to have, it's Maxwell.

"President Trump has told us to release all credible evidence," Blanche said in a statement July 22. "If Ghislane Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say." He said he would be meeting with her "in the coming days."

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Maxwell was also of interest in Congress, where House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer issued a subpoena for Maxwell to testify two days after House Speaker Mike Johnson shut down House operations rather than allow a vote for the Justice Department's files on Epstein to be released. Through her attorney, Maxwell, who is appealing her conviction, said she will decide whether to respond after talking to Blanche, Newsweek reported.

This comes after the latest bombshell that President Donald Trump was told in May that he was named multiple times in the government's files on Epstein, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal and CNN. A White House official did not deny the report but rejected any suggestion that Trump was involved in Epstein's predation.

Mentions of Trump, a former friend of Epstein, in the documentation does not imply wrongdoing. But rumors of Trump's name on a sex trafficking client list persist and the Justice Department's statement that no such list exists has only fanned the flames of conspiracy after months of promises to release information and years of demands for transparency from Trump and other Republican leaders.

Many of the Epstein threads lead back to Florida.

The Jeffrey Epstein crimes that happened in Florida

Multimillionaire money manager and former teacher Epstein maintained a home in New York and owned a private island in the Virgin Islands, but the case against him started in Palm Beach County in March 2005 when the stepmother of a 14-year-old girl told police the girl had taken to Epstein's mansion there by an older girl. She said the minor was molested by a wealthy man who "often has young girls come to his house."

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Over the course of a 13-month investigation, the Palm Beach Police Department collected sworn taped statements from five victims and seventeen witnesses who said Epstein regularly had girls brought to his home where he required to them to strip and massage him while he masturbated and groped them or tried to initiate sexual intercourse. Some of the girls, such as Haley Robson, who met Epstein when she was 16, were asked to recruit more girls. Many were "recruited" at Royal Palm High School.

Local Jeffrey Epstein victims who have told their stories. From left: Michelle Licata, Royal Palm Beach High; Jena-Lisa Jones, Seminole Ridge; Virginia Roberts Giuffre, Wellington and Royal Palm Beach highs; and Courtney Wild, Lake Worth Middle

A search of Epstein's Brillo Way home turned up multiple hidden cameras, although investigators failed to find expected computers and video files. There were also allegations that young girls were recruited from South American countries, former Soviet countries and Europe.

However, then-Palm Beach County State Attorney Barry Krischer instead took the case to a grand jury. In July 2006, Epstein was indicted on a single felony charge of soliciting prostitution. The girl's age, 14, was not addressed. Epstein spent one night in the Palm Beach County jail before being released on $3,000 bond.

Jeffrey Epstein case: Here are the main players in the early case and where they are now

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The next year, Epstein, who was known to socialize with many wealthy and prominent people and fly them on his private jet to his private island or around the world, signed a non-prosecution agreement with federal and state authorities. The so-called "deal of the century" also covered four named co-conspirators as well as any potential co-conspirators.

In return, Epstein pleaded guilty to two felony prostitution charges, registered as a sex offender, agreed to pay restitution to 36 victims identified by the FBI, and was sentenced to 18 months in jail with a generous work-release program that allowed him to leave his unlocked jail cell six days a week for 12 hours a day. In July 2009 he was moved to house arrest and allowed to travel anywhere as long as he returned within 24 hours.

In July 2019, Epstein was arrested and charged with operating a network of sex trafficking by New York prosecutors. FBI agents raiding his New York townhouse found a "vast trove" of nude photos of what appeared to be underage girls. The rumors of a seized client list of powerful men that Epstein supplied with girls began.

Just over a month later, Epstein, who was facing up to 45 years in jail, was found hanged in a Manhattan jail cell. The medical examiner ruled it a suicide.

Ghislaine Maxwell convicted for crimes in Florida and New York

In 2020, Maxwell was charged in New York for conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors in New York and Palm Beach with Florida incidents going back to the mid-1990s. She was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in federal prison with five years probation afterward.

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After she was arrested, Trump, who was seen with Epstein and Maxwell on several occasions, wished her well.

I just wish her well, frankly, the president said during his first term. Ive met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach and I guess they lived in Palm Beach. But I wish her well, whatever it is.

Can Trump pardon Ghislaine Maxwell? When does Jeffrey Epstein co-conspirator get out?

Maxwell and Epstein's chauffeur traveled across the county to find girls for him, according to testimony in Maxwell's trial. She found one of Epstein's most prominent victims, then 15-year-old Virginia Roberts Giuffre, a spa attendant at Mar-a-Lago where she and her father worked, police and court records show.

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Giuffre said Maxwell hired her as a masseuse but passed her around to friends and associates for sex. She said she was flown around the world for some of these encounters, which she said included Britain's Prince Andrew when she has 17. Andrew has denied the reports but stepped down from his duties and ultimately settled a lawsuit with her for an undisclosed amount.

Giuffre died in Australia in April of this year from an overdose of methadone, fentanyl and alprazolam after she said she had only days to live due to renal failure from a car crash.

One of the other Palm Beach victims who testified against Maxwell, Carolyn Andriano, who was 14 when she was taken to meet Epstein, died in 2023 of an accidental overdose. She testified in 2021 that she had been addicted to "pain pills and cocaine" and that she had taken them "to block out" the years of Epstein's sexual abuse. Another Epstein victim, Leigh Skye Patrick, died at 29 years old in 2017, also from a fatal overdose in a West Palm Beach hotel room.

Trump's entanglement with Epstein happened in Florida, New York

From left, future President Donald Trump and his future wife, former model Melania Knauss, financier (and future convicted sex offender) Jeffrey Epstein and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida, in 2000.

Trump has been tied to Epstein for a long time, often getting spotted side-by-side with him at events, lavish dinners and clubs in Palm Beach and New York.

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They were seen at a Mar-a-Lago party in 1992 where Trump was recorded gesturing toward a woman and apparently telling Epstein, "Look at her, back there.  Shes hot. In the NBC footage, Epstein smiled and nodded. The two men were also the only male guests at another party held there months later with young women in what was called a calendar girl competition, according to George Houraney, a Florida businessman who arranged the event.

CNN reported that in 1993, Epstein attended Trump's wedding to Marla Maples and they were seen laughing together at a Victorias Secret fashion event in New York.

In an article in New York magazine in 2002, Trump said, "I've known Jeff for fifteen years. Terrific guy. He's 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. No doubt about it  Jeffrey enjoys his social life."

Trump also flew on Epstein's plane at least eight times between 1993-1997, according to flight logs, most of the time between Florida and the airport in Teterboro, New Jersey, where Epstein was later arrested.

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He wasn't the only White House connection: former President Bill Clinton was on at least 17 flights after he left office, along with celebrities such as Great Britain's Prince Andrew, Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, supermodel Naomi Campbell, actor Kevin Spacey and comedian Chris Tucker.

To be sure, there have been no allegations of wrongdoing in relation to Epstein against either Clinton or Trump.

On July 17, the Wall Street Journal revealed that Trump sent a lewd letter to Epstein containing a suggestive drawing with a message in which Trump reportedly alluded to their friendship and shared interests.

"We have certain things in common, Jeffrey," he reportedly wrote. The letter was in response to a request from Maxwell for Epstein's family and friends to contribute to a 50th birthday album. Trump has sued the WSJ, its parent company and two reporters for $10 billion.

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Trump and Epstein fell out after competing for a Palm Beach oceanfront auction in 2004 (Trump won). When Palm Beach police searched Epstein's house in 2005, they found multiple message pads dated from November 2024, including two messages left for Epstein by Trump, apparently about the auction.

The president later told people he barred Epstein from Mar-a-Lago because he acted inappropriately to the daughter of a member. By July 2019, Trump was saying, "I knew him like everybody in Palm Beach knew him" and said repeatedly that he was not a fan.

From 2024: Jeffrey Epstein's list is coming out: Who will be named?

Trump's Wall Street Journal lawsuit filed in Florida

After the Wall Street Journal published an article saying that Trump sent a lewd letter to Epstein for his 50th birthday, the president sued the media company, its parent company, owner and two reporters $10 billion in damages, claiming libel and slander. He filed the suit in Miami federal court.

Attorney on WSJ case is a big Florida attorney

That's not the only Florida connection to the lawsuit. The WSJ hired George LeMieux, a former U.S. senator who is now working at the Florida firm Gunster Yoakley & Stewart, according to Politico.

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LeMieux, a Republican, also served as Floridas chief deputy attorney general and chief of staff for former governor Charlie Crist. In 2018, he co-chaired the gubernatorial transition by request of then Governor-elect Ron DeSantis.

In 2016, days after video emerged of presidential candidate Trump explaining how he liked to grab women, LeMieux publicly stated that Trump was unelectable and "should step aside immediately," the Sun-Sentinel reported, one of the few Florida Republicans to do so.

Ghislaine serving time here in Tallahassee

Maxwell is serving 20 years at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Tallahassee, a low-security federal prison in north Florida. Barring an early release or pardon, Maxwell will be released on July 17, 2037.

Maxwell, a British socialite and daughter of publisher Robert Maxwell, was found guilty in December 2021 of conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport minors to participate in illegal sex acts, transporting a minor to participate in illegal sex acts, sex trafficking conspiracy, and sex trafficking of a minor.

Attorney for Ghislaine is David Oscar Markus, who defended Gillum

Maxwell is presented by Miami trial attorney David Oscar Markus, previously known for defending former Tallahassee mayor and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum on corruption charges.

Gillum was acquitted on a single count of making false statements but the jury deadlocked on 18 other conspiracy and wire fraud counts against Gillum and another defendant and a mistrial was declared. Prosecutors' plans to try again ended when a federal judge granted prosecutors' request to dismiss the charges.

Markus hosts a podcast, "For the Defense," where he interviews trial lawyers about their cases.

Former Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum and his defense lawyer David Markus speak with the media after a jury found him not guilty on making false statements while deadlocking on all other charges Thursday, May 4, 2023.

DeSantis urging to release the docs

Trump's former presidential nomination opponent Gov. Ron DeSantis weighed in on releasing the Epstein files on Fox News on July 20.

What I would say is just release it, let people see," he said.

"But I do think theres a desire for justice because Jeffrey Epstein and (Ghislaine) Maxwell didnt just do this amongst themselves. I mean, there were obviously other people involved, and yet no ones been brought to justice.

Last year, DeSantis signed legislation that would authorize the public release of grand jury documents, including those related to the 2006 Epstein investigation.

Contributors: Holly Baltz, Palm Beach Post; Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Jeffrey Epstein: How Florida is becoming the epicenter of the case
A Florida city commissioner is accused of communicating sexually with a teenage victim.

On Thursday, James Taylor, 38, of Fort Pierce, an elected city commissioner, was charged with 24 total felony counts. They include sending materials harmful to minors via electronic equipment, displaying obscenity to a minor and solicitation of transmission of child pornography.

The charges are a result of the Internet Crimes Against Children unit (ICAC) of the Criminal Investigations Division executing search warrants at two locations in Fort Pierce connected to Taylor, according to a Facebook post from the St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office.

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An investigation into the city commissioner began in August 2024. Thats when a police department in Illinois received a complaint from the mother of a 13-year-old girl. The victims mother said a man contacted her daughter, who was 12 at the time, on the social media app Snapchat. Those conversations eventually became more explicit, with Taylor allegedly sending multiple nude images to the victim.

Illinois detectives traced Taylors online activity to St. Lucie County. On May 8, 2025, they contacted ICAC, who initiated a parallel investigation, according to the report. ICAC confirmed Taylors identity and secured evidence to pursue charges against him.

The St. Lucie County Sheriffs Office arrested Taylor and transported him to the local jail.

His bail is set at $250,000 with a hold for his first appearance.
ORLANDO, Fla.  Rock climbers living in the flatlands of Florida now have a new massive venue to hone their skills as High Point Climbing and Fitness opens its doors.

The 45,000-square-foot indoor climbing gym features 52-foot walls, a bouldering area, a full-service gym, a yoga studio, party rooms and a dedicated childrens climbing area in Orlandos Packing District. The new facility is the largest climbing gym in Florida and the sixth largest in the United States, said High Point co-founder Johnny OBrien.

Florida is probably one of the most underserved markets in terms of climbing gyms. Theres a giant population with demographics that work for climbing, he said. We believe that people will spend their weekends traveling over here from different parts of the state who want to do rope climbing.

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OBrien and co-founder John Wiygul looked at Tampa and Jacksonville as potential options for their eighth location, adding to the companys locations in Tennessee and Alabama. The business partners found a collaborative supporter in Dr. Phillips Charities, which is overseeing the new 202-acre Packing District development along Orange Blossom Trail west of College Park.

Were really excited to be working with Dr. Phillips, and were really excited to be in this location in the Packing District. We feel like its a great location in Orlando and Central Florida, Wiygul said. Weve had an amazing and welcoming reception to Orlando.

Ken Robinson, the president and CEO of Dr. Phillips, Inc., and The Dr. P. Phillips Foundation, said the gym fits into the vision for the Packing District and supports a healthier community.

One of the things weve always wanted to do with the Packing District is to take buildings weve owned for 50 or 70 years and put them to a higher function. This is a perfect adaptive reuse of this building, he said. We want to bring the right people that have common values. We want to see a mix of different communities in here with the same value of a healthy environment.

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High Point joins a growing roster of climbing facilities in Central Florida, which includes longtime staple Aiguille Rock Climbing Center in Longwood, Blue Swan Boulders and Central Rock Gym in Orlando, DynoClimb in DeLand and ROX in Lake Nona. Be Climbing is under construction in Apopka.

Memberships are now on sale for climbers interested in visiting High Point regularly. The facility is currently open to founding members only, but will open to the broader community as soon as city permits allow for a greater capacity.

Were a very grassroots company. Were looking forward to serving the greater Florida climbing community here in Orlando, Wiygul said.

If you go

High Point Climbing and Fitness is currently open to members at 1978 Stanhome Way in Orlando. For information about memberships and facility details, call 689-306-9021 or visit highpointclimbing.com.

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A Florida Republican is proposing federal legislation to establish a nationwide school voucher program.

The proposed bill aims to provide federal tax credits to individuals who donate to educational options outside of traditional public schools.

This initiative seeks to expand school choice across the nation, similar to the options currently available in Florida.

Your ZIP code should not dictate your educational options. Your needs should dictate that, said Ashley Moody, expressing support for the program. So, if we can encourage and support programs that provide scholarship money to students, we should do that.

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Critics of the school choice legislation argue that it diverts funds away from traditional public schools, channeling them instead to private and religious schools.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
By Nicole Jao

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday as investors assessed trade developments between the European Union and the U.S. after President Donald Trump reached a tariff deal with Japan.

Brent crude futures settled 8 cents, or 0.12%, lower at $68.51 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures were down 6 cents, or 0.09%, at $65.25 per barrel.

On Wednesday, EU officials said they were heading towards a trade deal with Washington that would result in a broad 15% tariff on EU goods imported into the U.S., avoiding a harsher 30% levy slated to be implemented from August 1.

Just hours earlier, Trump said the U.S. and Japan had struck a trade deal that lowers tariffs on auto imports and spares Tokyo from punishing new levies on other goods in exchange for a $550 billion package of U.S.-bound investment and loans.

"The trade deal with Japan might be a template for trade deals with other countries," said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates. "On the other hand, the market is still concerned about the U.S. coming to an agreement with the European Union and China."

The European Commission planned to submit counter-tariffs on 93 billion euros ($109 billion) of U.S. goods for approval to EU members. A vote is expected on Thursday, though no measures would be imposed until August 7.

Both benchmarks lost about 1% on Tuesday after the EU said it was considering countermeasures against U.S. tariffs.

"The slide (in prices) of the past three sessions appears to have abated, but I dont expect much of an upward impetus from news of the U.S.-Japan trade deal as the hurdles and delays being reported in talks with the EU and China will remain a drag on sentiment," said Vandana Hari, founder of oil market analysis provider Vanda Insights.

On the supply side, U.S. Energy Information Administration data showed U.S. crude inventories fell last week by 3.2 million barrels to 419 million barrels, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a 1.6 million-barrel draw.

"Thats a bullish swing," said Bob Yawger, director of energy futures at Mizuho. "It was largely a function of import-export dynamics."

U.S. crude exports were up by 337,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 3.86 million bpd, while net U.S. crude imports fell last week by 740,000 barrels per day, the EIA said.

In another bullish sign for the crude market, the U.S. energy secretary said on Tuesday that the U.S. would consider sanctioning Russian oil to end the war in Ukraine.
WILLOW SPRINGS, Mo.  A Florida man has been charged with a felony in Missouri after a Howell County pawn shop accused him of selling a fake gold bar.

According to court dockets, Dagoberto Oramas Obregon, born 1994, is charged with stealing $750 or more.

The probable cause statement says an officer with the Willow Springs Police Department (WSPD) responded to C&R Gun Ammo and Pawn in Willow Springs on March 18. The business owner told the officer he suspected the shop had purchased fake gold from an individual.

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The business owner compared the fake gold bar to a legitimate gold bar. The fake gold bar was in a sealed package that looked virtually identical to a legitimate one they also had.

The statement says the suspect was identified as Obregon, who came into the store on Jan. 28 when the store was very busy.

Obregon told the store owner he was traveling through the area and needed cash for his car. The store owner examined the gold bar Obregon was selling and thought it looked legitimate when compared to the other one he had, per the statement.

The fake gold bar was advertised as real gold on the packaging for $1,500.

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The store owner showed the WSPD officer a testing machine that identified the gold bar as counterfeit.

A warrant has been issued for Obregons arrest.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Florida Republicans are enthusiastic about Alligator Alcatraz.

A public public opinion poll from the University of North Florida, released Thursday, found 65% of Republicans surveyed have a favorable opinion of the detention center the state has established in the Everglades to house migrants illegally in the country, compared to 21% who have an unfavorable view.

Just 7% had never heard of what the state conceived and branded as Alligator Alcatraz, and another 7% said they didnt know.

Mistaken deportations

University of North Florida pollsters also posed a question about one of the most controversial aspects of stepped up immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump: If some legal U.S. residents are mistakenly deported to foreign countries, would that be an acceptable part of the larger deportation program, or not an acceptable part of the larger deportation program?

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Almost three-quarters of state Republicans surveyed said it was not acceptable. Almost a quarter said it would be acceptable.

The split was 73%-23%.

The UNF poll surveyed Republicans only, because a major element of the survey was examining views of voters if their party ends up having a primary to nominate a candidate for governor next year.

Women (75%) were slightly more likely than men (70%) to label it not acceptable and college graduates (77%) were slightly more likely than non-college graduates (71%) to see it as unacceptable.

There were statistically insignificant differences among voters in north, central and South Florida.

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There was, however, a difference between rural voters, who disapproved 71% to 24%, and urban voters, whose disapproval was greater, 74% to 20%. Thats a net disapproval of 47 percentage points for rural voters and 54 points for urban voters.

Younger and older Republicans also showed a major difference.

Among voters under age 55, at least 80% said it was unacceptable and 12% to 15% said it was acceptable.

Among voters 55 and older, 66% said it was unacceptable. And 29% to 30% of older Republicans said mistaken deportation of legal residents was acceptable.

Related Articles

Alligator Alcatraz

Theres a political subtext to the back and forth over the center. It was conceived by Floridas appointed attorney general James Uthmeier, who is running to retain the job in next years elections and coined the name.

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Its been championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who appointed the attorney general. Uthmeier was DeSantis gubernatorial chief of staff and was campaign manager for much of his unsuccessful candidacy for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

DeSantis hosted Trump for a tour of the facility on July 1 and detainees began arriving on July 3. Republican elected officials who control the state and federal governments have said the center is necessary and is operating as it should.

Democrats and many immigrant activists and environmentalists are horrified by what they have seen at and heard about the immigration detention center located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee.

College graduates had a less favorable view of Alligator Alcatraz than people who didnt graduate from college. Among non-college graduates it was a net positive for Alligator Alatraz of 51 percentage points. Among college grads it was a net positive of 34 percentage points.

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There was also a major generational difference:

 Age 18-34: 33% favorable, 30% unfavorable, 21% never heard of it, 16% dont know.

Age 35-54: 66% favorable, 25% unfavorable, 2% never heard of it, 8% dont know.

Age 55-64: 76% favorable, 13% unfavorable, 4% never heard of it, 4% dont know.

Age 65+: 75% favorable, 17% unfavorable, 5% never heard of it, 2% dont know.

There was almost no difference between men and women.

Other findings

Florida Republican voters said they approve 79% to 19% of the way immigration laws are being enforced nationally, including detentions and deportations. Most  59%  strongly approve.

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Immigration enforcement in Florida is seen as about right by 54% of surveyed Republicans. Another 17% said it has gone too far and 25% said it had not gone far enough.

Immigration authorities searching communities for people they believe are in the U.S. illegally is supported by 75% and opposed by 22% opposition.

Fine print

The poll of 797 active Florida Republican registered voters was conducted July 14 to July 22 by the University of North Floridas Public Opinion Research Lab.

The poll used online surveys, in which voters were contacted by text message and asked to complete the survey, and live callers to peoples phones.

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The margin of error was plus or minus 4 percentage points for the full survey.

However, the margin of error for smaller groups, such as men and women, rural and urban residents, or different age groups, would be higher because the sample sizes are smaller.

Political writer Anthony Man can be reached at aman@sunsentinel.com and can be found @browardpolitics on Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and Mastodon.
Arizona's Petrified Forest National Park has done it again. The famed fossil-rich ground has provided paleontologists a remarkable finding, this time the discovery of North America's oldest known pterosaur.

The pterosaur is described as a type of winged vertebrate that achieved powered flight millions of years before birds or bats, according to SFGate, which spoke to the UC Berkeley graduate and Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History paleontologist whose team unearthed the new species dubbed Eotephradactylus mcintireae: a flying reptile that soared over the dinosaurs during the late Triassic Period.

Ben Kligman initially went to Petrified Forest National Park as an intern with the National Park Service, which afforded him the time to pore over the park's fossil-rich land. SFGate reports that he hit pay dirt when he "helped identify a series of bones belonging to a species previously unknown."

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After joining the Smithsonian, Kligman's work continued at the park on behalf of the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

An artists reconstruction of the fossilized landscape, plants and animals found preserved in a remote bonebed in Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. Illustration by Brian Engh (Smithsonian)

The Crystal Forest area in Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, USA, is known for its abundant and colorful petrified wood deposits, showcasing ancient fossilized trees. TAKAYUKI UEDA/Getty Images

Kligman and his colleagues initially set out to find signs of early mammals, but the group ultimately ended up finding a spread of fossils belonging to turtles, frogs, tiny fish and a pterosaur. According to the Smithsonian, the unearthed fossils date back to the late Triassic period around 209 million years ago.

SFGate notes that the pterodactyl is the best-known species of pterosaur. And contrary to what Jurassic Park claims, the pterodactyl is not a dinosaur.

Kligman also told the outlet that while the feathered reptilian creature known as archaeopteryx reveals the evolutionary connection between dinosaurs and birds, no such animal has been found for pterosaurs.

Related: Massive Asteroid Could Hit the Moon, Here's How It Would Impact Earth

We dont really know how they evolved flight, said Kligman of the pterosaur. So they just show up in the fossil record 215 million years ago, and they have wings. And we dont know what the road to having wings looked like.

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Then there's the new species' appearance, which is fascinating when compared to the typical pterosaur, per SFGate:

Paleontologists do, however, know what a typical pterosaur looks like  and the fossil Kligmans team found at Petrified Forest did not fit the bill. The teeth attached to this pterosaurs jawbone were all worn down, indicating that it had regularly eaten something with a hard exterior. Sure enough, the bone bed contained thousands of tough, diamond-shaped scales that had belonged to fish with mineralized, armor-like skin. This, plus a bone from one of the creatures wings, suggested that the seagull-sized pterosaur belonged to a species previously unknown to science.

The Smithsonian also explained how researchers came up with the new name for the new pterosaur species, Eotephradactylus mcintireae.

"The generic name means ash-winged dawn goddess and references the sites volcanic ash and the animals position near the base of the pterosaur evolutionary tree," the museum stated. "The species name references its discoverer, [Suzanne] McIntire, who retired last year."

Flying Dino-Like Creature Unearthed in National Park first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 24, 2025
Nearly three years into the war against Hamas, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) finds itself in the midst of one of the fiercest operational tempos in its history. In addition to dropping tens of thousands of tons of bombs on the Gaza Strip, the IAF has also attacked targets in Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. On top of this, Israel executed a high-risk air war against Iran after decades of planning. These operations have showcased the IAFs reach and tactical prowess, but some of them have also sparked international condemnation due to the large number of resulting casualties. An aircraft that serves as a backbone of the Israel Air Forces tactical jet force is the F-16I Sufa (Storm in Hebrew). Now, in a rare opportunity, we talked in-depth to one of the types most experienced crewmen about what its like to fly and fight in the highly customized Israel-specific variant of the F-16.

We spoke with an IAF aviator who offered candid insights about the services actions, capabilities and his own experience in the cockpit conducting attacks on Iran, Gaza and Lebanon.

Israels first F-16I jet fighter taxis after landing at the Ramon Air Force Base in Israels Negev desert. (Photo by David Silverman/Getty Images) David Silverman

The War Zone conducted this exclusive wide-ranging 80-minute interview on Monday with an F-16I navigator well call Lt. Col. I. under Israeli security practices. Lt. Col. I. is also the first Druze aviator in the IAF, which you can read all about in our first installment of the interview here. In this second installment, he extolled the virtues of his aircraft, talked about combat operations over Iran, how the IAF wages long-distance aerial warfare, and much more. We reached out to U.S. officials for comment about Lt. Col. I.s claims and will update this story with any pertinent information provided.

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The navigator also gave his justification for the IAFs strikes on Gaza.

The following questions and answers were edited for clarity.

Q: The Israeli Air Force is known for being extremely selective when it comes to selecting pilot candidates, and the training is also known to be very challenging. What was the selection for fighters in the training like?

A: Flight Academy started with like 10,000 candidates in each flight course. The number of finishers in each flight course is like 35 people from all the sections of the Flight Academy, like jet pilots, navigators like me, helicopter pilots, everyone. So the percentage of the finishers is very, very low.

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The exams start with flying, actually flying in the air, to be able to do complicated missions during the flights, to see how you think, how fast you think and how you can do drills under pressure. Another section of exams we do on the ground. Personality exams, navigating by foot and some other things I cant talk about it because theyre classified. But there are other ground drills that we do to examine your personality and the way you think. After all this, they combine a number that ranks you among all the people in the course.

Q: What was your number?

A: I finished like number 22, something like that. But it depends on which part of the Flight Academy you are in. So I was 22 in general, but in my section, the navigators. I was number two in my class.

Q: How tough was it to get selected as an F-16I crew member?

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A: In the Flight Academy, after the course, you separate into different squadrons. Not all the best pilots go to one squadron. We spread them out to make all the squadrons as good as possible. We dont put just the best ones in F-35 or the best in F-16I. We dont do that. Its like a draft in the NBA.

Q: Have you flown operationally in any other IAF aircraft?

A: I fly just in the F-16I. Before, it was the F-16. So all my duty was on F-16s. So I dont know anything else than that.

Q: What does the F-16I bring to the table compared to other fighters in the IAF inventory and and are there particular mission sets your community specializes in? And how does it compare to the F-16Cs and Ds in Israeli service?

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A: The F-16I is more likely to be the plane that goes as far as possible, because we have extra fuel tanks. Its an intelligence plane that gives you an intelligence view of whats going on in the field. And of course, its a strike plane that can take each kind of missile and bomb to the target. The uniqueness of the F-16 is that it is able to do it fast. Its an aerodynamic plane more than the others, and its smaller than the others.

An Israeli Air Force F-16I Sufa Fighting Falcon takes off with full power afterburner. (IAF)

Q: How does the F-16I compare to the C or D variants?

A: We have different equipment, especially inside the plane. The structure of the plane is almost the same as the C or D, but we have the extra tanks that make the shape of the plane different. So that also makes the range of the plane better than the C or D. But inside the plane, we have different equipment, especially the things that we can take with us, like long-range missiles, weapons or smart bombs. Thats the main difference.

Q: How do the planes and crews work together in a formation?

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A: We have a network to communicate with each other, as the planes actually talk to each other. We can see the information in our formation that we fly, like four planes or something like that. We can see the information inside the other planes without even the need to talk to each other. Thats why we can also communicate better than other planes. We can see on the map all the details that the other planes in our formation do, like if they lock on the target. I can see that he locked on a target. So I can take the other target that my wingman didnt. But the things that make it better than other air forces, in my opinion, are the things that we train all the time. We put excellence, all the professionalism, in a high place in our training. We cant make mistakes. We debrief everything that we do in the plane. We actually land and see all the videos of the training and also, of course, the mission task, the operational tasks, but we see each and every video after we land which would make us professional and make us excellent.

Q: An F-16 with a weapon systems officer is a fairly rare concept. Israel is one of the handful that use this configuration. How does another crewman squeeze more out of the F-16, and how do you work together?

A: We dont call it a weapon systems operator; we call it a navigator, which I am. So its teamwork and depends on which mission youre going on. If its an attack mission, most of the things or the crucial decisions are made by the navigator. If on an attack, I choose the target, I lock on it, I see in my formation which is the better way to attack the target, and I decide how we do this. If its an air-to-air mission against aircraft or other missions that dont include a ground attack, the pilot is the mission commander. He decided how to go there. The navigator is also responsible for the defense of each aircraft and the formation and for operating the weapons  the missiles and the bombs.

The Israeli Air Force is one of a handful that operates two-seat F-16 variants that have fully missionized rear cockpits for a two-crew operational doctrine. (JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Q: How does the F-16I work with other fighters, especially the F-15I and the F-15A/B/C/D Baz?. And what about the F-35i stealth fighters?

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A: We saw in the war against Iran the coordination between all the planes. Most of the F-35 missions were intelligence and gave us a lot of information that other planes like the F-16I dont have. They have a lot of equipment that helps them determine which missiles are heading towards us. And they actually can say to the F-16I, be aware youre going to meet this kind of missile or another kind. And after we get this information, we do our attack mission that is more precise and more specific. So what we do in our formation is let the F-35 go first, see whats going on, gather the intelligence and information and give it to us and to the other planes, and then we take this information and attack. Actually, I cant say specific things because classified, so Im speaking in general.

Q: And how does the F-16I work with the F-15I and the F-15 Baz?

A: Those aircraft do the same tasks as the F-16I does. Its almost the same. We dont actually do separate things. The only thing that we do differently is that the F-16I gathers intelligence, like taking photos of the field that we are going to attack. Thats what we do differently. The other things, like attack or air-to-air missions, are the same.

Q: What can F-16I do that the F-35 cant?

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A: The difference between the F-16I and the F-35 is that to maintain its ability to be unseen, the F-35 has to carry its bombs inside its belly. We can put the bombs outside on the wings. Thats why the F-16I has a better ability than the F-35 to deliver more bombs.

An Israeli Air Force F-35I Adir (Israeli Air Force)

Q: The conformal tanks are a big part of the F-16Is abilities. How do they impact the flying quality of the aircraft? And there are other times when you wish you didnt have them?

A: If we remove them, we wont be able to get as far as we can now. But yeah, they make the plane harder to fly, and make the plane a little bit complicated, because the aerodynamics arent as good as the F-16C or D. But in general, I prefer to take the fuel tanks and fly a little bit grumpy than be without them.

F-16A in a clean config vs. the F-16I Sufa with CFTs and multiple drop tanks. pic.twitter.com/Fg2T8yqWpE  OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) June 13, 2025

Q: Tell me about your first combat mission.

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A: My first combat mission was in Lebanon. It was in 2006 during the second Lebanese war. We got a task, a mission of attacking a building that we understood was where terrorists had missiles aimed towards the northern border. It was at the start of the war, right after the kidnapping of the three Israeli soldiers on the border. And I was very, very thrilled about that, because it was my first mission, you know, attacking over the border. So we had the information before we took off. I remember that they decided to change the coordination to another building, and there was all this pressure about what are we doing? And if the situation there is like a threat with missiles towards planes, we didnt know whether we were threatened or not. Thats why we flew very high, so we didnt see the targets; wed see them just with our cameras.

Q: What kind of munitions did you use in that attack?

A: GBU-38 and GBU-31 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM).

 A 500-pound class GBU-38 JDAM and a 2,000-pound class GBU-31 JDAM under the port wing (on stations 3 and 4, respectively) of an IAF F-16I Sufa multirole fighter. https://t.co/NMoortNGA0pic.twitter.com/N0jtxPFYRn  Guy Plopsky (@GuyPlopsky) June 20, 2025

Q: Did you take part in Operation Rising Lion, designed to dismantle Tehrans nuclear ambitions and military capability?

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A: I can talk a little bit about the Iran mission. I also took part in it. The Iran mission was my best feeling in the Air Force. After we landed from the first mission, we were very pleased with the outcome. We didnt expect this kind of success. We thought that it would be harder to reach this success. We thought that we would come back from this task while Israel is under attack. But I think that this mission is exactly an example of the Israeli Air Forces ability to take a mission and, with precision and strategic depth, execute it at a very high level. But thats not coming from out of nowhere. This level of success is a result of years of intensive training, strict operational standards and culture, and that demands excellence at all times. Thats what we do in training. So we took all of that training we did in the last several years and showed the abilities of the Air Force. I think that what we did against Iran will be learned in all the universities, all the defense universities all over the world  how to take a mission with good information and intelligence and with the very high professionalism of the troops, you can see the very, very good results.

 The IDF released footage/photos showing F-16Is "457" & "494" from 119 Squadron "The Bat" ahead of departure on sorties against targets in Iran. Each is seen armed with two 1,000-pound class SPICE 1000 precision-guided glide weapons, known in the IAF as Barad Kal ("Light Hail"). https://t.co/kQpYQ8BfNapic.twitter.com/yXz9jrI3wV  Guy Plopsky (@GuyPlopsky) June 14, 2025

Q: How many times did you fly over Iran during Operation Rising Lion, otherwise known as the 12-Day War?

A: Twice, about a week apart.

Q: Which wave in those attacks were you in and what were the targets?

A: I cant speak about the targets. But you saw the targets that we attacked on the first day. So you can understand what we hit.

Q: Were you part of the first wave of attacks?

A: Yes.

Q: What was it like when you were crossing into Iranian airspace and knowing that you were going to strike targets?

A: The feeling was that we are going to the unknown. We had the information. We did all the drills, we did all the training before, about what the other side had and the risks that we were going to face. But as the first wave, youre going to the unknown. You dont know what is going to meet you there. And as we reached the border and crossed it, we saw the early attacks of the other planes, and so we had the feeling that this is the money time. This is the actual time that we did all the training for, now the money time to succeed in the mission. So I was very focused. I didnt think much about other things. I was focused on the mission and the task, and we did it as perfectly as possible. And just as we headed back west and we saw all the other planes that were coming from Israel, that feeling was unbelievable, a feeling of success and power, that we are doing something historical.

We act out of necessity to protect our civilians.

In the last few days, several attempts by Iranian regime to rehabilitate missile launch and storage sites were identified. The IAF targeted the engineering equipment and eliminated soldiers of the Iranian Armed Forces in the area. pic.twitter.com/n8C8VLUAN9  Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) June 19, 2025

Q: Did you experience any anti-aircraft fire at all?

A: Not at all. They didnt fire a single anti-aircraft missile towards us in the whole war. They did against drones, but against jet pilots, not even once.

Q: Were you surprised at all at the success of the missions over Iran?

A: I knew for certain that were going to succeed in our mission. We were surprised by the response of the Iranian side. We had a belief that we were going to come back from the flight and we will see our base bombed already. But nothing happened. That was the surprise about our ability and about our superiority and the technological field and our missiles and bombs. I was certain that we were going to do the task as good as possible.

Iran: Footage from the runway at Tabriz airport that the IDF bombed during Operation "Rising Lion". pic.twitter.com/PVuUmqr54f  Cheryl E   (@CherylWroteIt) June 30, 2025

Q: Were you at one of the IAF bases that were hit during the 2024 Iranian ballistic missile barrage?

A: Some bases got hit, but that didnt cause a lot of damage because of [the integrated air defense system] that we have. It did a very good job against all those missiles. So the damage was very, very small, but I was on the base when one of the attacks happened. It wasnt so terrifying, because, unfortunately, we are used to hearing sirens all over Israel. So we have the sirens, we go to the protected area, and we hear like a hit of the missile, but it wasnt as near as we thought. So it wasnt so terrifying, but Ill tell you what I think. [The Iranians] thought that they they are going to do much more damage than that, much more damage.

Q: Where did you ride out that attack?

A: A base in the south near Herzliya.

Good analysis by @dex_eve on the Nevatim Airbase strike:



-At least 33 craters

-Limited damage, but one apparent hit and two near misses at F-35 shelters

-Iran has proven its missiles are effective and can defeat Israeli air defensehttps://t.co/Uhnhbes4Fa  Evan Hill (@evanhill) October 4, 2024

Q: Walk me through what its like to use standoff munitions like the Delilah or Rampage. Why does Israel put such a premium on man-in-the-loop-controlled standoff weapons with optical seekers?

A: I dont think that I can say all the details about those things, and I dont know how you know about all those things either (laughs).

Q: How important have air-launched ballistic missiles become for the IAF and for the F-16I?

A: Very important. These weapons make us much more flexible because we can hit targets at long distances. And I think that without those missiles, strategically and tactically, we cant maintain the superiority against all the drones that come from the east side or the enemy countries. So its very important, of course.

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) released a rare picture of an F-16I fighter armed with four Rampage missiles, an adaptation of a ground-launched precision-guided artillery rocket. (IAF)

Q: Did these weapons play a role in the attacks on Iran?

A: Yes.

Q: Can you provide some details?

A: Not so much.

Q: Do you anticipate having to fly over Iran again?

A: In my opinion, I dont think so, because I dont think that theyre gonna do anything about the atomic program in the next few years. But as we say in the Middle East, nothing is certain.

Q: What weapons would you like to see on the F-16I that you dont have now?

A: I dont want to speak about F-16I, but if I can take one thing that we dont have in the Israeli Air Force, its the MOAB, the mother of all bombs, maybe the one that they dropped on Fordow.

Q: You mean the GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, also called the MOP?

A: Yes, those things we need.

Q: But what aircraft are in the IAF inventory that can drop them? In the USAF, only the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is certified to do so.

A: Thats a problem. I dont think that there is. Maybe the F-15I, I but I dont think it can take this massive bomb. But I think we should think about the solution, such as this bomb, because our bombs are smaller than what we need for this kind of mission. Therefore, we need to think about something new, or something that makes an impact, that now we cant do.

A U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit steal bomber dropped a GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bomb. (USAF)

Q: What about support aircraft, like electronic surveillance and jamming and airborne early warning and control? How does the F-16I work with those assets to accomplish its mission?

A: In the F-16I, we have the ability to jam radars or missiles headed toward us. We didnt need to use it so much in this task because, as I said before, there werent any ground-to-air missiles that headed towards us.

Q: Can you talk about support aircraft in the IAF, like electronic surveillance and jamming and airborne early warning aircraft?

A: I dont think I can talk about it.

Q: What are your biggest concerns when you go on a sortie?

A: This will be a little bit funny, but Im not thinking about not surviving. Im thinking about doing the mission. My biggest concern is that I will be able to do the tasks that Ive sent to do, and the other concern is to be able to do it when Im protecting myself and my pilot and the other formations. But my biggest concern is to do the mission as good as possible.

Q: The IAF has been operating at an extremely high tempo since the October 7, 2023, attack on Israeli civilians. Fighters have to put in many extra hours over the tumultuous period. Some of them, like the F-15 Baz, are quite old. How is the force able to keep flying so much?

A: Thats because we have very good technical troops working hard each day. 24/7, 365 days a year. They are very professional in what they are doing. They take the planes and improve them. Each malfunction is treated as fast as possible. Thats why we can take the Baz as an example. Like you said, its been flying for 50 years already in the Air Force. Thats why, if you say F-16I is a new plane, its not so much. Its like 22 years already in the Air Force. But still, it looks like new. If you take the Iran attacks, it has the ability to fly with one engine all those miles and come back without the need of landing in other countries because of a malfunction or even losing any planes because we dont have any malfunctions. Its extraordinary. Its unbelievable. And thats why I think the technical troops of the Israeli Air Force are the best in the world.

An Israeli Air Force F-16I Sufa prepares to take off on a mission to strike Iran. (IAF)

Q: Israeli airstrikes have been quite controversial, resulting in a lot of civilian deaths, especially in Gaza. What are your thoughts about that, and what goes through your mind when striking a densely packed area like Gaza?

A: First of all, I believe the war is justified. I know that we do as much as possible to not hurt the civilians in the Gaza Strip. We even do some things that maybe hurt the mission. Instead of hurting the civilians, for example, we actually send messages to civilians to evacuate the building before we attack. That can cause even the evacuation of the terrorists as well, but we dont want to hurt any civilians during our attacks. Unfortunately, the terrorists use the citizens as a human shield, and instead of protecting them, like the Israeli Air Force and the Israeli Defense Force protecting the civilians of Israel, they use civilians as a human shield and hide behind them. So when we attack terrorists, unfortunately, civilians also get hurt because theyre using them as a human shield.

Q: But these attacks have hit religious institutions and schools and other locations where civilians gather. As a navigator, what do you think about that?

A: We are not doing that on purpose. Were doing that because they are terrorist activists inside those institutes and inside the mosques, inside the schools, they actually organized whole troops of terrorists. They stay inside the schools, inside the mosques. So if you want to protect our citizens, our troops in the field, we should attack them.

Thousands of displaced Palestinians who had taken shelter in the building evacuated shortly before the Israeli warplanes targeted the Mehran building located in the Al-Nasr neighborhood in central Gaza, following a warning phone call from the Israeli army in Gaza City, Gaza on July 21, 2025. Smoke billowed from the area during the attack and the school was heavily destroyed after the attack. (Photo by Saeed M. M. T. Jaras/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu

Q: Israel has been widely condemned around the world for the number of civilian deaths. What do you think about that?

A: I think its hypocritical. Look what they did to us in the Oct. 7 attack  all the monstrous things that they did to us  and whats going on in Syria, its not far from that now. But if we are talking about the Gaza Strip, what they did to us its unforgivable, yet we do everything to reduce the number of civilians that get hurt from the other side.

Gaza on Oct 7, 2023 pic.twitter.com/9pUPjula7Q  Mosab Hassan Yousef (@MosabHasanYOSEF) July 11, 2025

If you see all the other countries all over the world in a war zone, or in a war right now, they dont even do like 10% of what were doing while theyre attacking the enemy. Thats why its hypocritical. If you see the war in Syria or Ukraine, if you see the other wars going around the world, there is no country in earth that does what the Israeli Defense Forces are doing, even if it hurts the mission, and even if it hurts the task that we get.

Q: Youve flown missions over Gaza, right?

A: Yes.

Q: And whats that like? What goes through your mind when you are crossing into Gaza?

A: Now, its just become ordinary. In the past two years, I did like 100, 150 flights over the Gaza Strip. But we need to be precise, especially in a place like the Gaza Strip, where we have troops. We have civilians that we dont want to hurt. We have the people who were kidnapped on October 7 also there. We need to be precise, and we have to be professional to do the task is as precisely as possible, not hurting civilians or other things that we dont want to hurt. So when I go to this mission, Im very focused, and Im very precise with what Im doing.

Q: What munitions do you use on these missions?

A: GBU-38s and GBU-31 [JDAMs], the same as I used over Lebanon.

An Israeli Air Force F-16I takes off with a pair of JDAMs under its wings. AFP PHOTO / JACK GUEZ (Photo credit should read JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images) JACK GUEZ

Q: You had mentioned that you work on integration between the ground forces and the air forces in the southern region. So thats Gaza and elsewhere. Talk about that a little bit.

A: What we need to do is to see that the information we get in the Air Force is based on specific information and based on information that we get from the ground troops that see the targets  all the terrorists  with their own eyes. And then they can send us the coordinates and send us the intelligence that we need to make a precise attack from the air. We also do this from the air and not with ground troops, because sometimes the targets are very far from the troops. Sometimes we dont want to put the troops at risk, so we do it by air. And the coordination between the troops, the ground troops and the Air Force should be by someone who understands how the Air Force works, how the planes work, and knows the abilities and the capabilities of the Air Force, and then speaks the language of the ground troops to make all this work in synergy.

Q: Did you take part in any of the strikes on Syria, either in Damascus or the majority-Druze Suweida area that came under attack by Bedouins and regime-aligned forces?

A: Unfortunately, I didnt get the chance.

Q: Would you like to?

A: Of course. I want to protect my brothers.

BREAKING:



This is not Gaza.



This is not Beirut.



This is Damascus.



Israel is raining bombs on Syrias capital, targeting civilian neighborhoods and government sites, in one of the oldest cities on Earth  a city that has stood for over 11,000 years. pic.twitter.com/7iPm4WwPZg  sarah (@sahouraxo) July 16, 2025

Q: How close have you come to disaster in the sky?

A: Just in practice. We had two aircraft near each other, and it wasnt coordinated between us. We almost get crushed against each other.

Q: The IAF is buying more F-15s that are based on the F-15EX. What do you think of that decision? And does the IAF need newer F-16s too?

A: I dont think so. Were going towards getting F-35 squadrons and F-15s, as you say. We have a lot of F-16s. They do the mission as good as possible, but the F-15 gives us more ability to take more bombs and ammunition to the targets. So thats why strategic thinking about getting F-15 squadrons. And the F-35 is the best plane technologically now in the world. It proved itself very much in the last war against Iran. So we need more F-35s.

Q: Is there anything I havent asked you that you want to talk about?

A: The main idea that I want to say is that the IDF is facing seven different war zones. And because of good people, because of the high technology, because of unique equipment, and because of the coordination of all the forces, our defense missions and attack missions are very high quality. And after two years of war, the Air Force and the IDF proved themselves all over the globe.

I think that its the time to get peace in our zone, and I think it starts with the northern border, with the Druze, as Israel can help them and change the situation in Syria. And it continues with Iran in the new Middle East that the Israeli Air Force did with the attack against Iran, and I think that now is the opportunity to get to a deal with all the countries here in the area to have a much brighter future for our kids.

Thats what I think we should do.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
A folk grass jamboree will be held from noon until 6 p.m. Sunday, July 27, at Snowstar, Andalusia, a news release says. Gates open at 11 a.m.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the gate. Kids 12 and younger will be admitted free.

Live music, food, beverages and a bounce house will be featured.

Addi Aring will play from12:15-1 p.m., Wolfskill and the Wild will play from 1:15-2:30 p.m., Frankie Joe & Kinfolk will play from 2:45-4:15 p.m. and the Rick Faris Band will play from 4:30-6 p.m. The sponsor is Fancy Creek Premium Spirits.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
Editors Note: This article contains discussions of suicide. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, you can find resources in your area on the National Crisis Line website or by calling 988.

(NewsNation)  Anne Burrells cause of death has been revealed weeks after she was found in her shower in her Brooklyn, New York home.

The Food Network star died by suicide, NewsNation has learned.

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According to the New York City medical examiner, the Food Network star died from acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine and amphetamine.

Hulk Hogan, WWE champion and Hall of Famer, dead at 71

Burrell was reportedly found unconscious and unresponsive in the shower in June, surrounded by around 100 assorted pills, according to the New York Times.

A 911 call report into the investigation of her death showed that someone called emergency services before 8 a.m. on June 17, concerned for her well-being. When officers arrived, they found Burrell unresponsive.

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Burrell was best known for hosting Food Networks Worst Cooks in America, but started her television career as a sous-chef to Mario Batali on Iron Chef America.

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans report losing someone to drug overdose: Study

The final season of the show will air July 28, where viewers will see the late chef up against Italian chef Gabe Bertaccini to help turn amateur cooks into professionals.

She was 55 at the time of her death.

This story is developing. Refresh for updates.

NewsNations Sierra Campbell 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.
Chef Anne Burrell died by suicide, ABC News confirmed.

It's been just over five weeks since Burrell was found "unconscious and unresponsive" in her Brooklyn home on June 17, according to police. The City of New York Office of Chief Medical Examiner concluded its investigation on Thursday, determining suicide as her manner of death.

The chef died by "acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine," the medical examiner said.

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Two of the medications found in Burrell's system, Diphenhydramine and Cetirizine are antihistamines, which according to the National Library of Medicine are used to block the "substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms."

Ethanol, a chemical compound found in alcohol, "represents the most commonly used drug worldwide," according to the National Institutes of Health, and excessive alcohol consumption can lead to ethanol poisoning.

Amphetamine, which is commonly used to treat symptoms of ADHD, should not be taken in combination with alcohol, per the National Library of Medicine.

While these drugs can be taken individually for over-the-counter or prescribed purposes, it is not recommended to mix these drugs due to possible unpredictable combined effects.

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Celebrity chef Anne Burrell dead at 55

Burrell is survived by her husband, Stuart Claxton, whom she married in October 2021, and his son, Javier; her mother, Marlene; her sister, Jane, and Jane's children, Isabella, Amelia, and Nicolas; and her brother, Ben.

Burrell was a longtime co-host of Food Network's "Worst Cooks in America," and she left a lasting impact on her culinary TV family.

Tributes poured in from all corners of the food world in the days following her sudden death, with sentiments from fellow titans of the industry like Tyler Florence, Alex Guarnaschelli, Elizabeth Falkner and others who shared fond memories and deep remorse for the loss on social media.

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Burrell was born on Sept. 21, 1969, in Cazenovia, New York, and developed a passion for cooking early on, inspired by her mother's home-cooked meals and TV icon Julia Child.

As a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in 1996, Burrell went on to study at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners, where she honed her love for Italian cuisine through apprenticeships across the country.

Upon returning to the U.S. in 1998, Burrell worked at kitchens in New York City under Lidia Bastianich and later led the kitchen at Savoy in SoHo, where she crafted Mediterranean-inspired dishes over an open wood fire.

After several years in the restaurant world, Burrell transitioned to teaching at the Institute of Culinary Education.

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She began her television career as a sous chef on "Iron Chef America," eventually landing her own Emmy-nominated show, "Secrets of a Restaurant Chef," which ran for nine seasons.

Burrell was an early star and staple figure on Food Network, appearing in shows including "Chopped," "Chef Wanted" and "Food Network Star," most recently competing in "House of Knives" in 2025.

The new season of "Worst Cooks in America," featuring Burrell's final appearance as a mentor, premieres on Food Network on Monday, July 28, at 9 p.m. ET and streams the next day on HBO Max.

She also authored two cookbooks, including the New York Times bestseller "Cook Like a Rock Star."

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide - free, confidential help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call or text the national lifeline at 988.
The prosecutor's office has released footage capturing the first minutes immediately after the Russian bombing of central Kharkiv on 24 July.

Source: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutors Office on YouTube

Details: The footage captures the sound of air-raid sirens and shows cars and buildings on fire. Firefighters and medics can be seen working at the scene, while investigators examine bomb fragments.

Background:

On Thursday morning, Russian forces carried out a strike with guided aerial bombs on the centre of the city of Kharkiv. Currently, 33 people are known to have been injured.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the strike had occurred near the multi-storey residential building and about 15 cars were on fire at the scene. A transformer substation and a sewing business were destroyed.

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NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  Bryan Kohberger received four consecutive life sentences Wednesday for murdering four University of Idaho students in 2022.

Kohberger made headlines in the last few weeks when he accepted a plea deal in the case.

Bryan Kohberger given 4 consecutive life sentences

Ryan McGuigan, former Connecticut state prosecutor, said that in some cases, defendants will opt for a plea deal when they think they will be convicted or that the sentencing of the court would be the death penalty.

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In a case where the defendant believes that there is a good chance that he will be convicted and the sentence of the court will be the death penalty, in circumstances like that, plea deals are more likely than not, McGuigan said.

He said that in many jurisdictions, the death penalty was used as a hammer and encouraged defendants to plead guilty to crimes where the penalty was life in prison.

The families of the four victims  Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, Ethan Chapin and Kaylee Goncalves  have shared mixed opinions on Kohbergers choice to take a plea deal.

The Chapin family appeared in court earlier this month to support the deal, NewsNation reported, while the Goncalves family said they were beyond furious when they got the news.

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There are multiple ways to look at the plea deal, McGuigan said. With the lack of a trial, there is a lack of closure and satisfaction, where a jury comes back and says guilty, which McGuigan says is important for victims.

What the public doesnt consider  that McGuigan said he and professionals do take into account  is the amount of time that it could take to get to vindication.

If Kohberger had received the death penalty, the process wouldve probably played out over the next 20 to 25 years, McGuigan said.

Former state prosecutor says criminal retrial of Raul Valle is improbable, civil case possible

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Some of the family members might feel as though they are not satisfied with this, but I would caution that what they may not be considering  and its very understandable because of what happened to their children  however what is not going to happen, is that theyre not going to have to live with this for the next 20 years of their life.

Four consecutive life sentences mean that Kohberger will never see the outside of a jail cell again. Whether or not thats enough of a punishment for taking the lives of Mogen, Kernodle, Chapin and Goncalves  that depends on who you ask, McGuigan said.

In terms of the family members of the four murdered children, is it enough? No. Im sure that they wanted vindication and that they wanted retribution and that they wanted him to die. And thats understandable, McGuigan said. In terms of the public and the prosecution, is this sufficient? Obviously, they thought that it was.

McGuigan continued by saying that Kohbergers life in prison is not going to be great and that the ways that inmates in the prison hes going to live are no way for a human to live, which is what they deserve.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
A former Camden County Sheriffs Office deputy sheriff and jail corporal has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for assaulting a pretrial detainee in 2022.

Ryan Robert Biegel, now 27, of Kingsland, Georgia, pleaded guilty on Jan. 28 to using unreasonable force against the detainee, according to a news release from the Department of Justice.

Ryan Biegel 2022 arrest photo

Action News Jax first told you in November 2022 about the release of a video showing the September 2022 beating of Jarrett Hobbs from Greensboro, North Carolina, in the Camden County Jail.

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The DOJ said the incident occurred on September 3, 2022, when Biegel and two other correctional officers entered the holding cell where Hobbs was detained.

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We also told you in November 2022 when Biegel, Mason Garrick, and Braxton Massey were charged with battery of an inmate and violating the oath of office. In May 2023, the three men were indicted by a grand jury in Camden County.

The DOJ said Biegel admitted to punching Hobbs five times in the back of the head, acknowledging that it was not reasonable or necessary for a legitimate law enforcement purpose.

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Biegel further struck Hobbs in the head and body an additional twenty-two times with his fists and knees, the DOJ said.

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The FBI Brunswick Resident Agency Field Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation investigated the assault.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer J. Kirkland for the Southern District of Georgia and Trial Attorney Alec Ward of the Civil Rights Divisions Criminal Section prosecuted the case.

The Camden County Sheriffs Office responded to our request for comment:

Biegel, who is no longer employed with this agency, acted outside the values, policies, and professional standards of the Sheriffs Office. His actions do not reflect the integrity or mission of this agency.

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The safety of our staff, inmates, and the public is our top priority, said Sheriff Kevin Chaney. Accountability applies to everyoneincluding law enforcement. We remain committed to transparency and upholding the publics trust.

Action News Jax has also reached out to Hobbs attorney, Harry Daniels, for comment on the sentencing.
This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter.

Evansville, Indiana-based Old National Bank named KeyBank veteran Tim Burke as its president and chief operating officer Tuesday, as it also disclosed second-quarter earnings.

"Tim brings nearly 30 years of extensive banking expertise to this critical role, Old National CEO Jim Ryan said in a statement. I am confident that his infectious energy, strong strategic vision and collaborative leadership approach will ensure that Old National continues to exceed client expectations for years to come, while also working to strengthen the communities we serve."

Burke had posted on LinkedIn that Monday marked his last day at KeyBank, where he served as executive vice president of the central region and field enablement in the lenders commercial banking segment. In that role, he oversaw commercial banking in 12 markets, including Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati.

Im truly thrilled to join a team thats so deeply committed to relationship banking and making a real impact on our communities, Burke said in a statement. Old Nationals core values and mission strongly align with my personal values, positioning me well to jump into the role, take care of clients and deliver standout products and services consistently across all of our markets.

Burke succeeds Mark Sander in the president and COO role. Old National announced in January that Sander would retire June 30.

In his new role, Burke will receive an annual base salary of $750,000, an annual bonus with a target worth another $750,000 and an annual long-term equity award that could total 150% of his salary. Burke will also receive a $600,000 cash signing bonus and 33,000 shares of Old National common stock that will vest over four years, the bank disclosed Tuesday.

Burke worked at KeyBank for roughly nine years, starting as market president for eastern Ohio, according to his LinkedIn profile. Previously, Burke served as CEO of Akron, Ohio-based FirstMerit Bank until 2016, when Huntington Bank acquired the lender.

As president and COO, Burke will be responsible for Old Nationals commercial, community and wealth segments, as well as its credit and marketing teams. About 4,000 employees will report to him, a company spokesperson told American Banker in an email.

Among Old Nationals second-quarter earnings, also disclosed Tuesday, the bank reported profit rose about 3.5% year over year, to $121.4 million.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Blue Springs, Missouri, man has admitted to stealing his dead mothers Social Security Disability (SSDI) benefits for years.

Afshin Setoodeh, 62, pleaded guilty to one count of mail fraud.

Man sentenced to 13 years in prison after killing brother in front of his 3-year-old daughter

He became the representative payee for his mothers SSDI benefits in 2018. In this role, he was responsible for appropriately using these benefits for the care of his mother.

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After she returned to her home country of Iran in 2019, Setoodeh did not notify the Social Security Administration (SSA) that she had left the country as required, nor did he notify the administration when his mother passed away in 2022.

Even after her death, Setoodeh continued to mislead SSA that his mother was alive and that he was spending the benefits appropriately.

Evergy warns customers of increase in scams this summer

He withdrew the benefits from his mothers checking account, which totaled approximately $55,000 from 2019 through 2024. Setoodeh also used his mothers identity to open several credit cards both before and after her death.

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He committed this crime while employed as a civil engineer with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in Kansas City.

Under federal statutes, Setoodeh is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda K. Hanson. It was investigated by the Social Security Administrations Office of the Inspector General and the Department of Transportations Office of Inspector General.

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MIAMI, Fla. (KNWA/KFTA)  A former Fort Smith library employee has pleaded not guilty to federal charges related to the sexual exploitation of children, according to court documents.

Ronny Phengsouvannavong, 41, was arrested on June 5 for one count of transportation of material involving sexual exploitation of minors and one count of possession of visual depictions involving the sexual exploitation of minors.

Court documents filed in the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Florida said that Phengsouvannavong allegedly possessed and transported files depicting the exploitation of minors on Sept. 20, 2023. He was indicted by a grand jury on May 21.

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Phengsouvannavong entered a not guilty plea during a court appearance on July 18.

Affidavit reveals details leading up to fatal Fort Smith shooting

A spokesperson for the Fort Smith Public Library previously told KNWA/FOX24 that Phengsouvannavong worked as a circulation manager from 2008 until his resignation in June 2025. In that role, he was responsible for checking materials in and out, handling library fines and fees, shelving adult books and programming for adults.

His responsibilities related exclusively to materials and programs for adults, the spokesperson said.

Phengsouvannavong is free on a $10,000 bond. His conditions of release include home detention with location monitoring and restriction of travel to the Southern District of Florida and working days in Arkansas.

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His jury trial is scheduled for Sept. 8 in Miami, and a plea deadline is set for Sept. 2.

If convicted, Phengsouvannavong faces up to 40 years in prison.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A former group home supervisor who pleaded guilty earlier this year to charges in a patient abuse case was sentenced Thursday to probation for a year.

Banjo Akande, 38, received the sentence in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court from Judge John Durkin following a guilty plea May 8 to amended charges of patient endangerment and negligent assault, both first-degree misdemeanors.

Judge Durkin also sentenced Akande to six months in jail, but he suspended the jail sentence because it is likely Akande will be deported.

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He was originally charged with patient abuse, a fourth-degree felony. The charge was amended to a misdemeanor in exchange for his plea.

He was indicted after a resident of a Canfield group home on Skyline Drive told police in June 2024 that Akande had put a cigarette out on him.

Reports said the resident had been chastising Akande for smoking when Akande put the cigarette out on him. He also admitted it, saying he did it as a joke, police reports said.

Assistant Prosecutor Daniel Yozwiak asked for a sentence of jail time along with probation, saying that Akandes action scarred the victim both physically and mentally.

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Defense attorney Rhys Cartwright Jones said his client has already spent a night in jail and will probably be deported because of his crime. He also said Akande has taken responsibility for his actions.

Akande is not a citizen. He was here to go to school, Cartwright Jones said.

Akande apologized.

Judge Durkin said he knew when Akande made his plea that there was a likelihood Akande would be deported, so he suspended the sentences.

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Peter Steele has been named New England Regional Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration. (Courtesy photo)

Peter Steele, a former newspaper publisher who later directed communications for former Republican Maine Gov. Paul LePage, has been tapped as New England regional administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration.

Steeles appointment was announced in a press release on Thursday, though he assumed the presidentially appointed role directing New England small business support in February. Brian Hopkins, an agency spokesperson, said in an email that the agency waited until leaders for all 10 regions of the country had been appointed before issuing the news as explanation for the six-month lag.

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The job was previously held by former Rhode Island Democratic Sen. Sandra Cano, who stepped down two months in, on the same day President Donald Trump took office. Cano, who had represented Senate District 8 in Pawtucket since 2018, resigned from state elected office in September 2024. She simultaneously suspended her reelection campaign two days before the primary, in order to take the federal job.

Steele brings a wealth of communications experience in corporate and government settings to the position directing New England small business support for the SBA, including through its flagship low-interest loan and disaster relief programs.

A Massachusetts native whose family owned the 131-year-old Provincetown Advocate newspaper in Cape Cod until its sale in 2000, Steele got his start in journalism at the family paper, where he worked for 10 years, ascending to managing editor. He went to serve as editor-in-chief of an alternative Boston weekly before founding and publishing the Twin City Times, a Maine-based weekly newspaper he led for 13 years, according to his LinkedIn.

As a former small business owner, I understand the challenges and obstacles that business owners face every day, especially when they are first starting up, Steele said in a statement. When I launched my own small business, I was unaware of all the programs and assistance that SBA provides. I want to make sure that all businesses in New England are aware of SBA and what we can do to help them grow and prosper.

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Steele also worked as the communications director for six years under LePage and as a regional representative for the U.S. Department of Labor, which he started under the first Trump administration. Most recently, he served as senior manager of corporate communications for Sappi North America Inc., a global paper and packaging manufacturer based in Boston.

As regional administrator, Steele will represent the federal administrations new policies and procedures on small business support for all six New England states. His LinkedIn description of the job touts Trump priorities including Made in America manufacturing and efforts to eliminate fraud.

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MOORESVILLE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A former employee at a pet spa was charged with felony animal abuse Wednesday after reports of disturbing behavior at the Mooresville business.

According to the Iredell County Sheriffs Office, deputies were alerted on Monday of an alleged case of animal cruelty. Three days before, county Animal Services received reports and video footage of abuse by an employee at Classy Critters off Brawley School Road.

An employee at Classy Critters in Mooresville is being charged with felony animal abuse.

Deputies say the video, captured by a coworker, reportedly depicts the employee repeatedly striking and mishandling dogs during grooming sessions. These dogs were verified to be clients pets brought in for routine care.

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Iredell County Det. Sgt. P. Irwin immediately conferred with Animal Control officers and reviewed the submitted evidence. The sheriffs office says the videos revealed troubling behavior involving at least four separate dogs being treated in a clearly aggressive and abusive manner.

The employee was identified as 28-year-old Kirsten Rhea Taylor, of Mooresville. Based on video evidence and corroborating witness statements, Irwin obtained arrest warrants charging Taylor with four counts of felony animal cruelty.

Mooresville police arrest two after high-speed chase on I-77

The owner of Classy Critters says the actions on the video were addressed immediately and the employee no longer works there.

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I have zero tolerance for any type of abuse with the animals in my care, she said. I have made this clear with my employees. This has been my life mission for over 40 years and I absolutely love what I do, I love and care deeply for all of them and it breaks my heart that this happened. I hope that the actions of one bad egg does not reflect on Classy Critters and the entire staff.

The investigation remains ongoing. Additional charges may be forthcoming as investigators continue to interview witnesses, contact affected pet owners and compile further evidence.

After being booked in the Iredell County jail, Taylor was released on bond Wednesday.

Sheriff Darren Campbell detailed how Animal Services is a separate department from the sheriffs office.

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This case highlights the critical importance of coordinated responses in matters involving animal cruelty, Sheriff Darren Campbell said. While we maintain a strong working relationship with Animal Services and appreciate their role in this investigation, its important for the public to understand that the Sheriffs Office does not oversee Animal Control operations in Iredell County. Since Animal Control is a separate department, certain investigative actions and responses must follow a referral process. We will always take allegations of animal abuse seriously and will hold offenders accountable.

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FILLMORE, Utah (ABC4)  A former police officer has been taken into custody, accused of fleeing from Millard County deputies and threatening officers with an axe.

Scott Elliott Russell, 48, was booked into the Millard County Jail. Court records show he has been charged with two counts of third-degree felony failure to respond to an officers signal to stop and one count of third-degree felony aggravated assault. He also faces misdemeanor charges of failure to stop and failure to register a vehicle.

Russell was reportedly first approached by law enforcement as part of a welfare check while he was parked at the bottom of an off-ramp on I-15 near mile marker 167. When deputies asked Russell to roll down his window, he allegedly refused and fled from the area.

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Responding officers reportedly attempted to get Russell to stop, but were unsuccessful until a pit maneuver was conducted. When Russells car came to a stop, he allegedly got out of the car carrying a full-sized axe in his hands. Deputies ordered Russell to drop the axe, but he refused, got back into his car, and fled the scene again, police say.

Officers were able to successfully spike Russells tires, bringing him to a stop after he had driven another six miles, according to court documents. Russell allegedly barricaded himself in his car and refused to exit, requiring less than lethal force by deputies. Court documents say Russell continued to resist arrest until he was restrained and safely taken to the Millard County Jail.

Deputies described Russell as a retired law enforcement officer with 15 years of experience and training, but a history of crime. In 2020, Russell was accused of kidnapping his uncle after a family dinner. Those charges were dismissed in 2022 without prejudice after he completed a mental health program as part of a plea in abeyance agreement.

Russell has been ordered to be held without bail, pending a pretrial hearing.

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Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Former Republican U.S. Senate candidate Kelvin King poses for a photo in 2021. Stephen Fowler/GPB News

Kelvin King, a former Republican candidate for U.S. Senate and husband of State Election Board member Janelle King, has launched a bid for secretary of state, joining state Rep. Tim Fleming in the race to become Georgias next top elections officer.

In an op-ed announcing his candidacy, King emphasized the need to restore voter confidence in Georgia, citing concerns often raised by right-wing election activists about the security of voting machines and accuracy of the states voter rolls. He also promised to fire government employees who attack political candidates or supporters, though he did not include any specific examples of government employee misconduct.

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A Kelvin King candidacy is rooted in service, business experience, and a commitment to truth, he wrote. Im not here to play politics. Im here to build bridges, restore trust and secure elections that are fair, efficient, and transparent for every Georgian.

A contractor and Air Force veteran based in Sandy Springs, King also serves as the chair of Lets Win for America Action, a political action committee that raises funds for conservative candidates. He last ran for office in 2022, finishing second to last in a six-way Republican U.S. Senate primary. The winner, Herschel Walker, lost in a runoff election to Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock.

So far, King and Fleming are the only two Republicans in the race. No Democratic contenders have announced their candidacy, and Republican Brad Raffensperger, the current secretary of state, has not announced his plans for 2026.

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OREGON COUNTY, Mo.  An investigation from the Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) revealed an ambulance board director in Oregon County stole thousands from an account made for first responder needs.

According to court dockets, Kenneth McKenzie, born 1967, is charged with stealing $25,000 or more.

The probable cause statement says the Thayer Police Department provided information to the MSHP with allegations of McKenzie committing embezzlement in November of 2024.

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The statement says McKenzie was the director of the Oregon County Ambulance Board, and the allegations came from the boards president.

The boards president told investigators the district opened a bank account that was separate from the boards regular operating account. They opened this account to help first responders with needs such as radios, equipment, and more.

That account was not regularly used and became almost entirely forgotten, which is how the alleged embezzlement allegations slipped through the cracks.

The board president said they found out about the theft because before McKenzie left on a trip one day, he told his secretary to shred any bank statements that came to the district while he was gone.

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The secretary stated McKenzie told her they were his personal bank statements, court documents say. The secretary told the board what McKenzie said, and the board started looking into it.

A witness told investigators there were numerous nefarious ATM withdrawals for $500 worth of cash from the account, and that McKenzie was the only person with a business card and access to the account.

Additionally, McKenzie never brought the bank statement to board meetings and never turned in receipts.

He withdrew nearly $30,000 from late 2023 to October of 2024, the statement says.

McKenzie resigned from his position as director on Oct. 14, 2024.

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In January of this year, a witness told investigators she worked with McKenzie in the Oregon County Ambulance District and developed a sexual relationship with him outside of work. He bought her a lot of things and gave her a lot of money while they were in a relationship, including $5,000 in cash for her credit card.

Investigators attempted to contact McKenzie in February of this year and discovered he lives in Texas now.

A warrant has been issued for McKenzies arrest.

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STONE COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT)  A former Stone County Road Department employee pled guilty to one count of embezzlement.

State Auditor Shad White said Tyler Loper took took various types of scrap metal, which belonged to Stone County, from the Stone County Rubbish Site and sold it for personal gain.

One arrested, two wanted for shooting into Laurel home

Im thankful to the Stone County Sheriffs Office for their help with this case and to the prosecutor who helped bring this case to a close, said White. We will continue to work closely with law enforcement to make sure your tax dollars are spent properly.

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Loper was prosecuted in Stone County Circuit Court where he was sentenced five years reporting non-adjudicated probation supervised by the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC). He was ordered to pay $2,754.80 in restitution, $1,500 in fines, and $300 to the Crime Victims Compensation Fund.

Tyler Loper (Courtesy: State Auditors Office)

Suspected fraud can be reported to the Auditors Office e by clicking the red button at www.osa.ms.gov or calling 1-(800)-321-1275 during normal business hours.

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GLENDALE HEIGHTS, Ill. (WGN)  The sordid story of a suburban mayorpreviously accused of lying about being threatened by a village trusteetook another twist when he was charged with election-related forgery.

WGN Investigates has learned former Glendale Heights village president Chodri Khokhar turned himself in to authorities Thursday after being charged with forgery and perjury. Prosecutors accuse Khokhar of forging signatures on petitions in a failed bid to remain on the ballot for re-election in 2024.

In March, Khokhar emailed supporters claiming he was booted from the ballot because of his skin, origin, religion, and in retaliation and my relentless efforts to eliminate corruption.

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In 2023, WGN Investigates reported on how public meetings in the northwest suburb routinely evolved into insult-fueled, rowdy and raucous events.

Previous Coverage: Glendale Heights village president accused of lying about assault

You are a loser, then-village president Khokhar told a village resident during one meeting. Trustee Mohammad Siddiqui accused Khokhar of ruining the city.

Days later, Khokhar filed a police report claiming trustee Siddiqui threatened to bite him. DuPage County States Attorney Robert Berlins office later charged Khokhar with filing a false police report about an allegation Khokhar knew to be false.

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In an update to WGN Investigates on Thursday evening, Kholbar says, These charges are a slap in the face of democracy, a slap in the face of about 400 voters who signed my election petitions.

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Dive Brief:

OpenAI and Oracle plan to develop 4.5 gigawatts of data center capacity as part of the Stargate AI infrastructure push, the companies announced Tuesday.

This significantly advances our progress toward the commitment we announced at the White House in January to invest $500 billion into 10 gigawatts of AI infrastructure in the U.S. over the next four years, OpenAI said in a blog post. We now expect to exceed our initial commitment thanks to strong momentum with partners including Oracle and SoftBank.

The capacity expansion will bring OpenAI's Stargate capacity under development to over 5 gigawatts and running around 2 million chips. OpenAI said the additional capacity push will also create more than 100,000 construction and operations roles.

Dive Insight:

The largest infrastructure providers are paying up big time to secure a larger footprint as they continue to push AI tools and services onto customers.

The U.S. grid has been flooded with data center expansion plans, but some experts question the sustainability of proposals. Utility Dive reported in May that speculative interconnection requests were five to 10 times more than the number of actual data centers. London Economics International also called into question high-end data center buildout forecasts earlier this month.

Still, the rate of expansion is notable. Google said it would spend more than $25 billion in Pennsylvania on data centers last week. The announcement came just months after it committed $3 billion to facilities in Virginia and Indiana. AWS pledged $100 billion to the cause earlier this year, and Microsoft laid out plans for an $80 billion investment as well.

Stargate, a joint effort bringing OpenAI, SoftBank, Oracle, Nvidia, Microsoft and others together, carries a $500 billion price tag  and seems to be rising.

Easy to throw around numbers, but this is a gigantic infrastructure project, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said in a post to X. We are planning to significantly expand the ambitions of Stargate past the $500 billion commitment we announced in January.

OpenAIs latest commitment comes just a week after the company introduced ChatGPT agent, which integrates its Operator tool with deep research capabilities to carry out tasks.

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One of the 10 American citizens or residents freed by the government of Nicolas Maduro in a recent high-profile prisoner exchange with the United States was a fugitive convicted of a triple murder in Spain, according to reports by Venezuelan and Spanish media outlets.

Dahud Hanid Ortiz, 54, a former U.S. Marine born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela, was convicted of killing three people in Madrid in 2016. He was sentenced by a Venezuelan court to 30 years in prison in January 2024, according to court documents and statements by the victims families.

Ortiz, who holds U.S. and German citizenship, was among those repatriated to the United States on July 18 as part of a prisoner swap. The deal involved the release of 252 Venezuelan nationals who had been held in a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, many of them accused by U.S. officials of allegedly being criminals or part of the feared Tren de Aragua gang.

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Ortiz is currently believed to be in Texas, where he landed after his release. As of press time, the U.S. State Department had not provided information about his legal status, or whether he remains in custody.

A former combat veteran, Ortiz served in Iraq and South Korea and was awarded the Purple Heart. However, he was dishonorably discharged from the U.S. Army after being found guilty of falsifying documents related to his residence and military record.

After being discharged from the marines, his personal life unraveled. His relationship with a German doctor, Irina Trippel, crumbled, and when she began a new love life with Peruvian lawyer, Victor Yoel Salas Cobenas, the former Marine reacted with obsessive fury.

On June 22, 2016, Ortiz executed a meticulous and bloody plan in Madrid, according to court documents. He showed up at the lawyers office and, mistaking an Ecuadorian client for his romantic rival, murdered him.

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He then attacked and killed two women who worked in the office: Maritza Osorio Riveron, a secretary, and Elisa Consuegra Galvez, a lawyer and Salass partner. Before fleeing, he set fire to the office and left a fake business card with the logo of a supposed Mexican cartel, attempting to mislead the investigation.

Following the attack, Ortiz fled Spain. An international arrest warrant was issued, and he was eventually detained in 2018 by Venezuelan authorities during a routine security operation in the state of Bolivar. For years, Ortiz was held in the Caracas headquarters of Venezuelas Military Counterintelligence Directorate, initially under suspicion of espionage.

In December 2021, Venezuelan and international media revealed Ortizs identity and the charges against him. According to media reports, he had been using false identities and speaking multiple languages while detained, including Spanish, English, German and Russian.

He was tried and sentenced in Venezuela rather than in Spain for the crimes committed in Madrid because the Venezuelan Constitution prohibits the extradition of Venezuelan-born citizens, but the countrys laws allows Venezuelan citizens to be prosecuted for crimes committed abroad.

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Ortiz was sentenced in January 2024 to 30 years in prison, the maximum sentence provided for in Venezuelan law, on charges of homicide and arson.

On June 1 of this year, Ortiz was removed from his cell and taken to a separate location where he recorded video messages addressed to U.S. officials, claiming to be in poor health and without access to food or medicine. Sources familiar with the situation said he was instructed to follow a prepared script.

The decision to include Ortiz in the prisoner exchange has drawn criticism from relatives of the victims. Salas, the Madrid-based attorney whose law office was the site of the attack, spoke publicly after receiving confirmation of Ortizs sentence.

We all feel deceived, betrayed and defrauded, Salas said during an interview with the Spanish television program Vamos a Ver. Dahud Hanid Ortiz was never a political prisoner. He was a convicted and sentenced murderer. The court documents make that absolutely clear.

Salas also questioned the involvement of former Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who reportedly played a mediating role in the negotiation between Venezuela and the United States. He urged all parties involved to take steps to acknowledge and rectify what he described as a miscarriage of justice.
A former federal prosecutor who worked on the Watergate investigation involving former President Nixon called the U.S. governments decision to interview convicted sex offender and Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell this week extremely unusual.

This is extremely unusual  you never have the number two person in the Department of Justice go and interview anybody, Nick Akerman, former assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District Of New York, said in an interview with CNN on Thursday. I mean, that is something that is done by line attorneys.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) declined to comment on Akermans remarks or the protocol to set up the new interview with Maxwell this week.

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Akerman was an assistant special prosecutor on the Watergate investigation team in the 1970s that reviewed the political scandal that ultimately prompted Nixons resignation.

Epstein died in his jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. Trump, himself, has urged supporters to move past the case.

The DOJ on Thursday dispatched Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to meet with Maxwell at the U.S. attorneys office in Tallahassee. The meeting comes as the Trump administration faces backlash from many within the Republican Party over its handling of files related to Epstein.

Trump told reporters Tuesday he felt the move was appropriate but wasnt told about it in advance.

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I didnt know they were going to do it, Trump said. I dont really follow that too much; its sort of a witch hunt.

The DOJ isnt the only one eyeing a Maxwell interview.

A House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee voted Tuesday to subpoena her for a deposition.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) this week questioned whether she could be counted on to tell the truth.

Every single one of us are for maximum transparency, and well use every power that we have to ensure that thats done, Johnson told reporters Wednesday while detailing House members efforts to secure more information. If they see fit to bring in Ghislaine Maxwell for testimony, thats fine.

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I will note the obvious concern  can she be counted on to tell the truth? Is she a credible witness? he added.

Blanche, who formerly worked on Trumps criminal legal team, said in a statement this week that he hopes to get new details, no matter who they implicate.

If Ghislane Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say, Blanche said in a statement Monday.

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DENVER (KDVR)  A Fort Collins man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to sexually exploiting a minor and possessing child sexual abuse material, following an investigation by the FBI.

In a press release, the U.S. Department of Justice stated that Wesley Chambers, 34, sexually abused a minor for years and recorded the abuse.

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Law enforcement said on Chambers phone that, allegedly, there were more than 200 sexually explicit videos and photos of the minor. They also found on his phone more than 20,0000 photographs and 2,5000 videos of sexual abuse and exploitation of other minors.

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It is reported that as part of his plea agreement, Chambers admitted to accessing child pornography on the dark web.

The FBIs Child Exploitation Operational Unit and the FBI Denver Field Office are said to be the departments that investigated the case.

Chambers pleaded guilty to two counts of sexually exploiting a child and one count of possessing material depicting the sexual exploitation of minors.

Chambers is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 70 years in prison.

A federal district court judge will determine the sentence, which is scheduled for Oct. 22.

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HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  The Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office (VCSO) says it has arrested four Evansville residents on multiple counts of Animal Cruelty and Neglect after an alleged disturbing discovery at a trailer in the Grandin Pointe Mobile Home Park.

The VCSO says the investigation began when three of the suspects arrived at Evansville Animal Control with a deceased dog and a second dog that was severely emaciated and near death. Deputies say that dog, later named Peanut, was allegedly in such poor condition that it had to be euthanized. Deputies say, suspicious of the suspects claim that the animals had been found on the side of the road, Animal Control officers launched a follow-up investigation and contacted VCSO.

Deputies responded to the residence and discovered numerous dogs and cats living in reportedly appalling conditions. One of the residents, Joshua Binkley, reportedly refused to surrender the animals, prompting deputies to obtain a search warrant. Binkley, his girlfriend Sheila Jones and her parents, Shirley and Timothy Martin, were detained at the scene. Jones was later transported to a hospital for a reported medical issue.

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The VCSO says upon executing the warrant, authorities located 11 dogs and 14 cats inside the trailer. The animals were allegedly malnourished, filthy and suffering from visible injuries and illness. Deputies say many had matted fur, open sores and were so weak they could barely walk. Deputies say the interior of the trailer was reportedly filled with trash, feces and urine, with an alleged stench strong enough to be detected from across the street. Deputies note with no electricity and what they say are extreme indoor temperatures, the conditions were deemed uninhabitable. Deputies say they were forced to wear protective suits and gas masks while processing the scene. Deputies say the Vanderburgh County Building Commission was notified and later determined that the trailer would be condemned and destroyed.

Contractor arrested for alleged home improvement fraud and alleged theft

(Courtesy: Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy: Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy: Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy: Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office)

Deputies say all four suspects ultimately admitted responsibility for the animals and allegedly acknowledged they had never sought veterinary care or outside help. Deputies say the suspects claimed fear of getting in trouble had prevented them from seeking assistance. The VCSO says Timothy Martin confessed to lying to Animal Control, allegedly admitting that the animals belonged to them. VCSO says Martin stated that one of the dogs died after getting its head stuck in a coffee creamer bottle and claimed they brought the body to Animal Control because burying it at home was disgusting and rude. Deputies say Sheila Jones, who initially reportedly repeated the allegedly false story, eventually reportedly admitted to the deception and acknowledged the trailer was unfit for both people and animals.

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Law enforcement officials say Animal Control took custody of all 25 animals. Binkley, Jones and the Martins were each charged with 27 counts of Animal Cruelty Torture and 27 counts of Animal Cruelty Neglect Abandonment and booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail on a $5,400 dollar bond.

We will not tolerate animal cruelty in Vanderburgh County, said Sheriff Noah Robinson. Our office will continue to use every investigative tool and resource available to ensure that those who abuse or neglect animals are identified, charged, and held accountable.

Timothy Jay Martin, 56, Evansville. (Courtesy: Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office) Shirley Ann Martin, 60, of Evansville. (Courtesy: Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office) Sheila Marie Jones, 40, of Evansville. (Courtesy: Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office) Joshua Burke Binkley, 53, of Evansville. (Courtesy: Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office)

Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are.

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(FOX40.COM)  The driver and three passengers of a 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee suffered fatal injuries from a crash in Tuolumne County on Wednesday evening.

 Video above: How to report a public safety threat

According to the California Highway Patrol, a 2025 Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by a 56-year-old man from Puerto Rico, was going westbound on Shaws Flat Road and stopped at the stop sign at the intersection with State Route 49.

Alleged homicide suspect arrested and identified by Sacramento police

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CHP stated a Dodge pickup truck, which was being driven by an 18-year-old man from Jamestown, was going northbound on State Route 49 at around 60 MPH, approaching the intersection of Shaws Flat Road.

For reasons unknown, the driver of the Jeep took off from the stop directly in front of the Dodge, which caused the front of the Dodge to hit the left side of the Jeep, causing it to be pushed in a northwesterly direction and came to a stop on the west shoulder of State Route 49, officials said.

The crash killed the driver of the Jeep and three passengers inside, CHP said. The 18-year-old driver of the Dodge suffered moderate to major injuries.

At this time, drugs or alcohol are not suspected to be factors in the crash.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
Jul. 23The Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (TARCOG) will hold a Fraud & Scam Summit Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Sandridge Ballroom at Athens State University.

The summit will provide information on topics such as how to recognize and avoid common scams, identity theft prevention tips, the role of caregivers in spotting and reporting fraud, steps to take when you suspect financial abuse, and key contacts and reporting agencies for obtaining immediate help.

While the event is free, pre-registration is required online at tarcog.us or by calling TARCOG at 256-830-0818. Athens State is located at 300 N. Beaty St. in Athens.

erica.smith@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2460.
WASHINGTON (AP)  OpenAI (OPAI.PVT) CEO Sam Altman warned the financial industry of a significant impending fraud crisis because of the ability of artificial intelligence tools to impersonate a person's voice to bypass security checks and move money.

Altman spoke at a Federal Reserve conference Tuesday in Washington.

A thing that terrifies me is apparently there are still some financial institutions that will accept the voiceprint as authentication, Altman said. That is a crazy thing to still be doing. AI has fully defeated that.

Voiceprinting as an identification for wealthy bank clients grew popular more than a decade ago, with customers typically asked to utter a challenge phrase into the phone to access their accounts.

But now AI voice clones, and eventually video clones, can impersonate people in a way that Altman said is increasingly indistinguishable from reality and will require new methods for verification.

That might be something we can think about partnering on, said Fed Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman, the central banks top financial regulator, who was hosting the discussion with Altman.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  Raising Canes is serving up a deal for National Chicken Finger Day.

On July 27, every customer who purchases a Box Combo at a Raising Canes restaurant  including all Greater Cleveland locations  will receive one free chicken finger added to their meal. No code, coupon or app is required.

Tom Hamilton earns Baseball Hall of Fame honor

National Chicken Finger Day is Raising Canes signature celebration, now in its 16th year, according to the company.

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Since launching the tradition, Raising Canes has handed out more than 150,000 free chicken fingers, according to a news release from the company.

Theres no limit on the deal, reads the release.

Who will  and wont  have a three-payday August

The Box Combo includes four hand-battered Chicken Fingers, crinkle-cut fries, buttery Canes Toast, Canes Sauce, and a drink.

Find a location here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  The City of Albuquerque is continuing its tradition of gathering back-to-school supplies for the upcoming school year. The Department of Youth and Family Services will be giving out thousands of backpacks and supplies at the Cesar Chavez and West Mesa Community Centers. West Mesa Community Center will also be handing out shoe vouchers.

Expect traffic delays on Coors Blvd. until the end of the month

The event is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on August 2. Pre-registration is required. Click the blue links to register.

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The city offers school-year programs as well:

Community Center Programs  Registration begins July 28 at 8 a.m. on play.cabq.gov for after-school and some before-school programs at community centers around the city that offer transportation from various nearby schools.

Multi-Generation Center Programs  Registration begins July 28 at 8 a.m. on play.cabq.gov; $20 annual membership and $15 per month, per child.

Play + at APS School Sites  Registration begins July 28 at 8 a.m. on play.cabq.gov for before- and after-school programs located onsite at various APS elementary schools during the school year.

Inclusion Recreation  Inclusive programming at Loma Linda Community Center as well as support for children registered at all community center sites.

Third Thursday  August 21 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., free pop-up story time with the opportunity for families to learn about valuable resources that the Albuquerque libraries have to offer.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  A documentary on the vibrant history of Birminghams jazz scene will be screened for free to the public this weekend.

Tuxedo Junction: The Almost Lost Story will premiere at the HF Enrichment Center in Ensley on Friday. The documentary covers the storied Tuxedo Junction at the corner of Ensley Avenue and 20th Street that became well-known for the jazz groups that performed int he area, including Erskine Hawkins.

The film was made by Katie Rogers and Brandon McCray.

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The film will be screened at 6 p.m. Friday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Providence Mayor Brett Smiley is inviting all to attend the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestras free Summer Pops in the Park concert this summer.

The event will run from 7:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the Roger Williams Park Temple to Music in Providence. The rain date for the performance is Aug. 7.

More than a dozen food trucks will be open for business starting at 6 p.m. The last call for food will be at 8:45 p.m.

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In a press conference on Wednesday, Smiley revealed that the theme of this years concert would be TVs Greatest Theme Songs and include songs from shows like The Simpsons and Star Trek.

The 69-piece orchestra will play two 40-minute sets. Guests are invited to arrive early to hear the orchestra rehearse before their performance.

The Rhode Island Foundation, a sponsor of the event, will be presenting three community awards during the intermission.

Free parking will be available throughout the park.

During the press conference, Smiley highlighted the importance of the arts in forming connections with people.

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Bring your chair and blanket, grab your spot and let the music take you on a nostalgic ride through some of TVs most iconic moments, Smiley said. Its free public events like this that help build community and make our city so special.

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Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, are suing right-wing podcaster Candace Owens for peddling a conspiracy theory about the first lady and waging a "campaign of global humiliation."

Owens has become one of the most vocal proponents of an online theory that Brigitte was born a man, stole the identity of a woman and has been deceiving the public ever since. Many of the theories claim that the first lady was born a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux  who is actually Brigitte's brother.

The couple's 219-page lawsuit begins by noting that Owens stated on X in March 2024 that she would "stake [her] entire professional reputation on the fact that Brigitte Macron is in fact a man.

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The lawsuit continues, "Since then, Owens has used this false statement to promote her independent platform, gain notoriety, and make money. Owens disregarded all credible evidence disproving her claim in favor of platforming known conspiracy theorists and proven defamers. And rather than engage with President and Mrs. Macrons attempts to set the record straight, Owens mocked them and used them as additional fodder for her frenzied fan base."

In addition to posting about the theory on social media and frequently addressing it on her podcast, Owens also hosted an eight-part podcast series titled Becoming Brigitte.

But the gender conspiracy isn't the only "outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fiction" the lawsuit accuses Owens of spreading about. The documents also state that she has claimed "Mrs. Macron and President Macron are blood relatives committing incest; President Macron was chosen to be the President of France as part of the CIA-operated MKUltra program or a similar mind-control program; and Mrs. Macron and President Macron are committing forgery, fraud, and abuses of power to conceal these secrets."

Aurelien Meunier/Getty Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron in front of the Eiffel Tower celebrating his second presidential election victory on April 24, 2022. Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron in front of the Eiffel Tower celebrating his second presidential election victory on April 24, 2022.

"These claims are demonstrably false, and Owens knew they were false when she published them. Yet, she published them anyway, " Emmanuel, 47, and Brigitte, 72, state in their suit. "And the reason is clear: it is not the pursuit of truth, but the pursuit of fame."

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"This is nothing new for Owens. She has built a brand on provocation, not truth. Owens labels herself as an independent 'investigative journalist' while routinely peddling misinformation under the guise of legitimate reporting... Her content is not intended to inform but to inflame and attract attention through sensationalism and conspiracy theories," the lawsuit states.

The extensive lawsuit includes evidence like family photos and birth announcements, as well as the extent of Owens' involvement with the conspiracy theory community.

"On July 8, 2024, [Owens] posted a photo on X of Owens in a t-shirt showcasing a fake Time magazine 'Man of the Year' cover featuring Mrs. Macron. The shirt sold out," the lawsuit notes.

The Macrons are seeking a jury trial to award them "actual and presumed damages to be specifically determined at trial."

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In a statement to PEOPLE, a spokesperson for Owens responded to the lawsuit, saying, "Candace Owens is not shutting up. This is a foreign government attacking the First Amendment rights of an American independent journalist."

The statement continues, "Candace repeatedly requested an interview with Brigitte Macron. Instead of offering a comment, Brigitte is resorting to trying to bully a reporter into submission. In France, politicians can bully journalists, but this is not France. It's America. Candace will address everything on her show today, where she will continue to express her First Amendment rights."

The lawsuit against Owens comes just a few weeks after a French judge overturned libel convictions against Amandine Roy, a "self-proclaimed spiritual medium," and Natacha Rey, a "self-described independent journalist" for a YouTube video in which they peddle the same theories as the conservative podcaster. Both Roy and Rey are named in the Macrons' new U.S. lawsuit, and Brigitte has appealed her case in France to the country's highest court.

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 Macrons have been a target for plenty of attention over the years due to their unconventional relationship. The couple met when Emmanuel was a 15-year-old student at Le Providence, a Catholic school in northern France. Brigitte worked as a drama teacher and was 39 years old at the time. She was also married with three children.

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When the future president's parents found out that he had feelings for his teacher, they sent him away to boarding school in Paris. The couple reconnected later in life and tied the knot in 2007.

Brigitte has previously admitted that having an age gap in their relationship has been difficult at times.

"We are not a model couple," she told France's RTL radio station. "Of course we are not the ideal couple. Being a couple is complicated, it's an everyday struggle... When you have a big age difference, it can be even more complicated."



Read the original article on People
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte filed a defamation lawsuit in Delaware on July 23 against right-wing influencer and Nashville resident Candace Owens over her recent video series claiming that France's first lady is biologically male.

The Macrons said in a lawsuit filed in Delaware Superior Court that Owens has waged a lie-filled "campaign of global humiliation" and "relentless bullying" to promote her podcast and expand her "frenzied" fan base.

The filings are referring to a 6-part video series Owens began earlier this year titled Becoming Brigitte, in which Owens accuses Brigitte Macron, 72, of being born under the name Jean-Michel Trogneuxthe actual name of her older brother.

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The lawsuit accuses Owens of spreading outlandish, defamatory, and far-fetched fictions such as Brigitte Macron being a man who stole another persons identity, and transitioned to become Brigitte; Mrs. Macron and President Macron are blood relatives committing incest; President Macron was chosen to be the President of France as part of the CIA-operated MKUltra program or a similar mind-control program; and Mrs. Macron and President Macron are committing forgery, fraud, and abuses of power to conceal these secrets.

"Every time the Macrons leave their home, they do so knowing that countless people have heard, and many believe, these vile fabrications," the complaint said. "It is invasive, dehumanizing, and deeply unjust."

The 22-count complaint seeks an unspecified amount of compensatory and punitive damages, as well as a jury trial. The Macrons are being represented by Clare Lock, a boutique defamation law firm that settled against Fox News in 2023 on behalf of Dominion voting systems following the network's claims of Dominion rigging the 2020 election.

In a video livestreamed on her YouTube channel Wednesday afternoon, Owens announced that she had been sued by the first lady man of France.

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This is just goofy, she said.

Conservative-media: Is Nashville the nation's new conservative-media nerve center?

Owens went on to call the lawsuit an obvious and desperate public relations strategy, and recommended that Macron fire everyone who told her it was a very good idea to be the first sitting first lady of a foreign country to file a lawsuit against a journalist of another country.

You are literally making history in all the wrong ways, she said.

Owens, who moved to Nashville in 2020, previously teased a second season of the video series, claiming to have information that could force Emmanuel Macron to step down.

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My series has been the undoing of them, she said.

Wednesday's lawsuit is a rare case of a world leader suing for defamation. President Donald Trump has filed multiple defamation lawsuits, including against the publisher of The Wall Street Journal last week.

To prevail in U.S. defamation cases, public figures like the Macrons and Trump must show defendants engaged in "actual malice," meaning they knew what they published was false or had reckless disregard for its truth.

Reuters reporters Jonathan Stempel and Michel Rose contributed to this report.

The USA TODAY Network - The South region's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.

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Have a story to tell? Reach Angele Latham by email at alatham@gannett.com, by phone at 931-623-9485, or follow her on Twitter at @angele_latham

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville influencer Candace Owens sued by French president
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Dive Brief:

The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board sanctioned a Hong Kong accounting firm and its owner for disregarding rules and standards when auditing the books of Luckin Coffee and two other companies operating in China.

Centurion ZD CPA & Co and its sole partner, Chan Kam Fuk, failed to properly perform risk assessments and obtain sufficient evidence when testing for several types of risks, including in the 2021 audit of Luckin Coffee, the PCAOB said Tuesday. In 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission fined Luckin $180 million for fraudulently overstating its 2019 revenue, costs and expenses.

The PCAOB permanently revoked Centurions PCAOB registration, set a permanent bar against Chan and imposed a $75,000 penalty, the board said. Centurion and Chan neither admitted nor denied the findings, the PCAOB said.

Dive Insight:

Under Erica Williams  PCAOB chair from January 2022 until her resignation on Tuesday  the audit watchdog gained access to investigate China-based accounting firms for the first time and bring enforcement actions against violators.

The PCAOB in recent years held China-based firms accountable for falsifying audit reports, failing to maintain independence, improperly depicting the work of another accounting firm as their own and sharing test answers during mandatory internal training courses.

The PCAOB is committed to using the tools the U.S. Congress entrusted to it, and the access that the PCAOB spent years negotiating, to hold accountable auditors in China that audit Chinese companies, Williams said in a statement Tuesday before leaving the board at the request of SEC Chair Paul Atkins.

Luckin hired Centurion as its auditor soon after settling the SECs fraud charges. Yet in the audit for the following year, Centurion and Chan failed to use information about the companys bogus accounting when assessing risks of misstatement or to design audit procedures aimed at averting fraud, the PCAOB said.

Centurion also violated auditing standards in the audits of two public companies operating in China, Greenpro Capital and Moxian, including by failing to make required communications with the companies audit committees, the PCAOB said.

Moreover, the PCAOBs investigation of Centurion revealed that its quality control system did not provide sufficient assurance that the firm assigned work to staff with technical skills aligned with PCAOB standards, and ensure staff involved in the audit showed a level of skepticism required by PCAOB rules, the board said.
SAVANNAH Ga. (WSAV) Before you jump into any freshwater pond or lake, medical experts are urging you to think about the possible risks, such as brain-eating amoeba.

Naegleria Fowleri is a form of brain-eating amoeba. They can be found in fresh water and are known to thrive in the heat. Prisma Health in South Carolina confirmed to WSAV that they had a case where an individual died after coming in contact with this brain eating amoeba.

What we saw in South Carolina was somebody jumping into the water and it forcefully went into their nose, internal medicine physician Dr. Timothy Connelly said. Those parasites can get in with forceful water going into somebodys nose that could be a super soaker gun, that could be jumping in, that could be a very aggressive splash, but really, thats the only route that humans can get, this very dangerous parasite.

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Infectious disease physician at Prisma Healths Childrens Hospital, Dr. Anna-Kathryn Burch said that this brain-eating amoeba is more common than many think.

Most of us have been exposed to this amoeba who have been in lakes and rivers and those kinds of things, Dr. Burch said. The problem is that its not an issue when we come in contact with it, that being we accidentally drink the water, we accidentally get it on our skin, were swimming. Where it can cause an issue is if water or forceful water gets up the nose and is able to cross from the nose into the brain.

If someone does contract the parasite, Connelly said it is very hard to kill, and everyone should be aware of the symptoms.

You know, people start with a headache, fatigue again starts with a nonspecific symptom, but they go on to having seizures, neurological symptoms, Dr. Connelly said. They dont feel right. You know, this infects your central nervous system. People may have visual abnormalities, any type of neurological signs or symptoms. You should go to the emergency room as fast as possible.

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If you are going to swim in any body of fresh water, medical officials recommend the use nose plugs, as the brain-eating amoeba enters through the nose.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
Bryan Kohberger admitted to killing four of the six people in a Moscow home in November 2022. Newly unsealed police records revealed details about what the two surviving roommates experienced that night.

Kohberger pleaded guilty earlier this month to breaking into a student rental house at 1122 King Road on Nov. 13, 2022, and fatally stabbing University of Idaho seniors Madison Mogen and Kaylee Goncalves, both 21; junior Xana Kernodle, 20; and freshman Ethan Chapin, 20.

Two other roommates, Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen, were at the house that night. But before Wednesday, few details about their experiences had been made public.

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After 4th Judicial District Judge Steven Hippler sentenced Kohberger to life in prison Wednesday, the Moscow Police Department released hundreds of unsealed case documents. Among them was a document detailing a Jan. 10, 2023, police interview with a woman who identified herself as Kernodles best friend, as well as an interview with a close friend of the homes residents.

The friend told police that Mortensen called her at about 11:51 a.m. on Nov. 13, saying she heard and saw a man at about 4 a.m. The friend said Mortensen asked her to come over to check the house because she was too scared.

Sgt. Dustin Blaker wrote in his report that he asked the friend whether she asked Mortensen why she didnt call police that night. The friend told Blaker that Mortensen was intoxicated and didnt want to believe what was going on.

Dylan Mortensen gets a hug after speaking at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse for his sentencing hearing.

Nothing really weird happens in Moscow

Police interviewed Mortensen, who had just turned 19, on the day of the murders. The police report from that interview was part of the newly unsealed documents.

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Mortensen told police she couldnt think of anything out of the ordinary in the days and weeks leading up to the crimes, according to the report.

No, its been all normal, Mortensen said. Nothing weird at all. Nothing really weird happens in Moscow usually.

Mortensen described herself during the events as tired and in and out of it.

Mortensen said she was awakened at about 4 a.m. by what sounded like Goncalves dancing with her dog. Shortly afterward, Mortensen said she heard Goncalves say in a scared voice, There is someone here. She thought she then heard Goncalves run downstairs.

Mortensen told police she jumped up and locked the door because she did not know what else to do, Moscow Police Sgt. J.W. Lawrence wrote in his report. She said she called out Goncalves name, then tried to call her, Xana and Maddie on their phones.

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Mortensen opened her door, called out to Goncalves, then became scared and closed the door again, according to a report.

Mortensen said she opened her door a second time and thought she heard crying from a bathroom, followed by a male voice saying something to the effect of, Its OK, Im going to help you.

(Mortensen) said it was weird because the statement was not in a nice way, and the voice was one she had never heard before, Lawrence wrote.

Mortensen shut her door and called out again for Goncalves, before opening it a third time. Thats when Mortensen saw a man wearing all black, including a mask that covered everything but his eyes and nose, and holding an object near his stomach, according to the report.

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Mortensen saw him exit through the kitchen door, and she then went downstairs to sleep in Funkes room, the report said. Mortensen said she believed everyone was just asleep.

Mortensen describes trauma from home invasion

Mortensen spoke publicly for the first time at Wednesdays sentencing. She described the many ways that the crimes had changed her life.

I was too terrified to close my eyes, terrified that if I blinked, someone might be there, Mortensen said through tears. I made escape plans everywhere I went. If something happens, how do I get out? What can I use to defend myself? Who can help?

But Mortensen said she honors her friends by cherishing the memories she made with them.

He may have taken so much from me, but he will never get to take my voice, Mortensen said. He will never take the memories I had with them. He will never erase the love we shared, the laughs we had or the way they made me feel seen and whole. Those things are mine. They are sacred, and he will never touch them.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  The owner of a Myrtle Beach construction company said he was shocked to learn that $450,000 worth of checks were swiped from the family-owned business.

Police say Davante Dawkins, 25, and 24-year-old Willie Perry, both from Florida, bilked more than 800 people, charities and businesses out of savings and retirement funds.

Each face more than 100 charges after officers found nearly $1 million worth of checks in their vehicles.

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To be one of the 800 or so thats gotten involved in this scenario, it makes you feel for them for sure. Especially individuals, said C.L. Benton & Sons owner Edward Benton. Whether youre a business or an individual, its hurting.

Benton said he was drinking his morning coffee when police called to tell him about the crime.

Its frustrating, and Im just so thankful that the Myrtle Beach police were on the ball and working diligently, he said.

Benton said he wasnt sure at first whether the check washing was a scam.

Ive heard of where people call and pretend to be law enforcement. We had heard about the checks being found the day before from the post office, he said.

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Benton said one of his friends recently fell victim to a similar type of scheme, which made him reluctant at first to cooperate.

And it wasnt the first time checks had been taken from his fourth-generation company.

We had an identity theft kind of situation not too long ago. Unfortunately, I think its just the ease of access through technology, he said.

Benton said his firm is trying to avoid sending out checks when possible to avoid being caught up in a similar crime.

* * *

Gabby Jonas joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in April 2024. She is from Columbus, Ohio, and graduated from Kent State University in May 2023. Follow Gabby on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook or Instagram, and read more of her work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
Florida State University on Thursday joined the University of Florida in approving plans to increase costs for out-of-state students during the upcoming academic year.

The FSU Board of Trustees approved 10% increases in fees that are charged to out-of-state students on top of the tuition charged to all students. The University of Florida Board of Trustees approved a similar proposal Wednesday.

The increases will not affect students who are Florida residents.

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FSU officials said such fees and tuition have not been increased in more than a decade, while the costs of operating the university have risen.

The bottom line is we have to figure out how to move the university forward, Board of Trustees Chairman Peter Collins said. And when you dont raise tuition for 14 years and youre doing more, and everything costs more, you know, theres not a lot of levers we can pull. Everybody wants in-state tuition to be as affordable as possible. But on the out-of-state tuition, many of these people are coming to Florida State at fractions of what their own in-state tuition is.

The FSU and UF decisions came after the state university systems Board of Governors last month approved allowing universities to increase out-of-state student fees.

Kyle Clark, FSUs senior vice president for finance and administration, said Florida A&M University, Florida International University, the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida are considering similar increases.
FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/FOX24)  The Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club announced that funding has resumed for their teen center, which was put on pause earlier this month.

The funds were unexpectedly frozen after federal budget cuts reduced funding. However, 21st Century Community Learning Centers was able to restore funds thanks to widespread media attention.

CEO of the Fort Smith Boys and Girls Club, Beth Presley, said that there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the center. The reinstating of the funds gives teens, 8th-12th grade, a safe place to learn and grow.

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We provide a safe educational environment for them. Well be able to have a STEM lab and computers, and were going to be teaching them how to apply for colleges and do interviews and resumes, Presley said. Everything you think a teen needs to be successful as an adult. Were going to be able to be able to do it at our standalone teen center.

Resources in Arkansas available for child victims of internet danger

Presley said the funding was crucial to the program as all their services provided are completely free. The teen center not only offers educational services, but also gives teens in the community much more

Transportation from all the middle schools and high schools are free. Youve got to register. We will fill up. We dont have a lot of spots. We have over 100 spots for these teens to come to, but you need to register, Presley said. We will also provide a hot dinner. Theyll go home fed. Theyll go home with their homework done, and theyll go home exercised out as well. So, were excited to be able to provide this standalone teen center for the Boys and Girls Clubs in Fort Smith.

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The Boys and Girls Club of Fort Smith has been serving the community for 97 years, but the new teen center will be the first teen-focused club that the city has had. The new center intends to open its doors on August 13.

To enroll for a spot at the teen center, visit its website here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
Poland's incoming president Karol Nawrocki on Thursday made it clear that he is planning to make life for Prime Minister Donald Tusk more than difficult, describing the premier as the "worst" the country has had since the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Nawrocki, a right-wing populist set to take office on August 6 after he beat a Tusk-backed candidate in a razor-thin run-off vote in June, said he was not ruling out meeting with Tusk, in comments to news the Polish agency PAP.

But he added: "It will perhaps come as no surprise to you that I am in no hurry at all to meet Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whom I consistently consider to be the worst prime minister since 1989."

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Nawrocki conceded, however, that the Polish public expects the heads of state and government to be in touch for the good of the country.

After the fall of the Iron Curtain, Tadeusz Mazowiecki in 1989 became the first non-communist prime minister of an eastern European country since World War II.

Tusk, 68, who previously served as the president of the European Council, has held the top job for more than nine years, making him the country's longest serving prime minister to date.

In the ranks of rapidly changing prime ministers, the liberal Tusk (68) has the longest tenure as Prime Minister at over nine years; he was also President of the EU Council.

Nawrocki, 42, discussing his upcoming inauguration with parliamentary president Szymon Hoownia, said that he was planning to quickly implement his political agenda once in office, including tax cuts.
Poland's incoming president Karol Nawrocki on Thursday made it clear that he is planning to make life for Prime Minister Donald Tusk more than difficult, describing the premier as the "worst" the country has had since the fall of the Iron Curtain.

Nawrocki, a right-wing populist set to take office on August 6 after he beat a Tusk-backed candidate in a razor-thin run-off vote in June, said he was not ruling out meeting with Tusk, in comments to news agency PAP.

But he added: "It will perhaps come as no surprise to you that I am in no hurry at all to meet Prime Minister Donald Tusk, whom I consistently consider to be the worst prime minister since 1989."

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Nawrocki conceded, however, that the Polish public expects the heads of state and government to be in touch for the good of the country.

After the fall of the Iron Curtain, Tadeusz Mazowiecki in 1989 became the first non-communist prime minister of an eastern European country since World War II.

Tusk, 68, who previously served as the president of the European Council, has held the top job for more than nine years, making him the country's longest serving prime minister to date.

In the ranks of rapidly changing Prime Ministers, the liberal Tusk (68) has the longest tenure as Prime Minister at over nine years; he was also President of the EU Council.

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Nawrocki, 42, discussing his upcoming inauguration with parliamentary president Szymon Hoownia, said that he was planning to quickly implement his political agenda once in office, including tax cuts.

Meanwhile, outgoing Polish President Andrzej Duda appointed the ministers named by Tusk in a government reshuffle.

Tusk unveiled a new Cabinet line-up on Wednesday, aiming to breathe new life into his centrist government following what he described as the "political earthquake" caused by the recent presidential election.

Tusk is trying to regain political footing before Nawrocki, a staunch eurosceptic, takes office.

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Polish presidents hold the power to veto legislation, and Nawrocki is expected to wield that authority even more aggressively than his predecessor, Duda - another conservative who clashed with Tusk's pro-European coalition.

Nawrocki's presidency could mark a significant shift in both domestic and foreign policy for the EU and NATO member state.
Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs claims the haredi draft bill created "political restraints" which made it impossible to pass the vote in the Knesset, requiring an emergency cabinet phone vote.

Emergency regulations cannot be approved solely by the cabinet and must pass through regular Knesset procedures, Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara said on Wednesday evening.

This follows the government's approval of emergency regulations providing methods to deal with severe cyberattacks. The decision was made during a phone consultation among ministers earlier on Wednesday.

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The conversation occurred following an instruction by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, following "political constraints" which delayed completing the legislation in the Knesset, Ynet reported.

These constraints were reportedly tied to the haredi draft bill and the threat by coalition partners Shas and United Torah Judaism, to leave the coalition, created these "political constraints," Government Secretary Yossi Fuchs told Ynet.

National Cyber Directorate Chief Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Karadi sent a letter to Fuchs on Tuesday, indicating that since the start of the Israel-Hamas War, there has been an increase in the volume and intensity of cyberattacks against civilians, which intensified further since the Israel-Iran War in June, Ynet noted.

New Cyber Directorate chief Yossi Karadi (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)

This creates an urgent operational need to provide tools to address the cyberattacks, according to Karadi's letter.

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Karadi's letter was influential in the cabinet holding an emergency vote, Ynet claimed.

Previous legal proceedings since start of Israel-Iran War

Notably, legal processes have occurred without emergency measures over the past month.

On June 23, the government enacted the Emergency Regulations (Additional Powers to Address Severe Cyberattacks in the Digital Services and Storage Services Sector), 2025, the government's official website confirmed.

This regulation included provisions such as mandatory reporting by communications providers of significant cyberattacks, assisting providers in understanding when an attack must be reported, mandatory notification of connected organizations about severe cyberattacks, knowledge and documents to examine whether a cyberattack against or involving a provider is considered severe under the law, and more.

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Emergency regulations which had been passed on June 23, following Israel's attack on Iran as part of June 12's Operation Rising Lion, were originally to remain in effect until Wednesday, according to a statement on cybersecurity bills and regulations on the Justice Ministry's website.

Examples of rising cyberthreat

Cybersecurity firm, Radware, analysed the levels of cyberattacks on Israel, and found that there was a 700% increase in the amount of attacks on June 13-14, as compared to before June 12, the firm announced on June 15.

Additionally, the IDF's Home Front Command found on June 16 that many Israelis were receiving fake text messages falsely warning of potential terrorist attacks in bomb shelters and urging recipients to avoid using shelters until further notice.

These messages were sent from a spoofed sender labeled "OREFAlert," and were quickly identified as fake by Israeli authorities.
EU Representative to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova has said that G7 ambassadors welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's promise to restore the independence of Ukraines anti-corruption agencies and offer their assistance in this regard.

Source: Mathernova in a post on Thursday morning on her Facebook page, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The head of the EU delegation in Kyiv made the statement after a coordination meeting with Ukraines Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha.

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"We discussed the current developments and welcomed President Zelenskyys announcement yesterday around the reboot of anti-corruption institutions and we offered our consultation and help," Maternova said.

Background:

On the evening of 23 July, Zelenskyy commented on the outrage from the public and international partners over the actions targeting anti-corruption institutions, promising to submit his own draft law to guarantee their independence.

On 23 July, the European Commission expressed deep concern over the adoption of a law that makes the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office dependent on the decisions of the prosecutor general and requested an explanation from Kyiv at the highest level.

Members of the European Parliament believe that Kyiv has jeopardised both further aid to Ukraine and its EU accession prospects.

Read more: A Zelenskyy-Orban alliance? How the president undermined Ukraine's path to EU membership and what happens next

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
A traffic stop in Monroe County ended with deputies seizing a bag of methamphetamine.

On Tuesday, deputies stopped a vehicle in Forsyth, Georgia. Inside the vehicle were two people from Bibb County.

When interviewed by deputies, one of the people in the vehicle admitted to having drugs inside the car earlier that day.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Deputies noticed the strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle.

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After they searched it, deputies found 27.1 grams of methamphetamine.

Jamie Thomas, 33, of Macon, was arrested and booked into the Monroe County Jail without bond.

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By Hannah Lang

(Reuters) -PNC Bank is working with cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase to offer crypto trading to the bank's customers, the companies said on Tuesday, in a sign that crypto is moving toward becoming increasingly interconnected to mainstream finance.

PNC will use Coinbase's institutional "crypto-as-a-service" platform to develop an offering that will allow PNC clients to buy, hold and sell cryptocurrencies. The Pittsburgh-based financial institution will also offer certain banking services to Coinbase.

WHY IT'S IMPORTANT

The PNC-Coinbase partnership is a stark shift for the banking sector, which crypto companies at one point had accused of being hostile to their industry.

Lawmakers earlier this year held a hearing to scrutinize U.S. banks and their regulators in response to claims they deny services to particular industries.

Republicans and Democrats agreed that banks may be improperly denying services to some clients, but disagreed on the root cause.

The banking industry has fiercely resisted accusations it denies services based on ideological reasons. It has instead argued that onerous, outdated and opaque rules make it difficult for banks to sometimes provide services, or explain why they cannot.

CONTEXT

The partnership announcement comes as U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration have embraced cryptocurrencies and enacted industry-friendly policies.

Trump signed a law on Friday to create a regulatory regime for dollar-pegged cryptocurrencies known as stablecoins, a major milestone for the digital asset sector, which has long lobbied for such a framework. Several banks including Bank of America and Citibank have said that they are exploring issuing their own stablecoins.

KEY QUOTE

"Partnering with Coinbase accelerates our ability to bring innovative, crypto financial solutions to our clients," William Demchak, PNC CEO, said in a statement. "This collaboration enables us to meet growing demand for secure and streamlined access to digital assets on PNC's trusted platform."

(Reporting by Hannah Lang in New York; Editing by Mark Porter)
Donald Trumps intel chief Tulsi Gabbard stood in the White House briefing room on Wednesday and accused members of the Obama administration of a years-long coup against the president.

The director of national intelligence accused the former president of directing the creation of a false intelligence assessment nearly a decade ago on 2016 Russian election interference, which found it was done to help Trump.

They manufactured findings from shoddy sources, they suppressed evidence and credible intelligence that disproved their false claims, Gabbard declared. They conspired to undermine the will of the American people.

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Earlier on Wednesday, Gabbard announced she had declassified the GOP House report on Russian interference in the 2016 election at Trumps direction.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard standing alongside White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on July 23, 2025 accused former President Barack Obama of

It was the latest in a series of documents released by the DNI as she accuses Obama officials of treasonous conspiracy and a years-long coup against Trump.

Gabbard said she had referred all documents to the Justice Department and FBI to investigate criminal implications, but she said the evidence points directly to the former president.

When asked directly if she believed Obama committed treason, she left it to the Justice Department, but she repeated her claim it was treasonous conspiracy.

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There have been multiple investigations into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, which concluded that Russia did carry out an effort to interfere in the election.

The House majority report Gabbard released on Wednesday, which stemmed from the Republican investigation, found there was a Russian effort to influence the election but disputed the intelligence assessment that it was done to help Trump.

However, the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee investigation found Russia sought to influence the 2016 election to undermine U.S. elections and help Trump.

Asked if the previous investigations missed something or if she believed it was covered up, Gabbard responded simply, Look at the evidence and you will know the truth.

A graphic chart on display in the briefing room on July 23 as White House Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard accused Obama officials of a

Critics of the Trump administration have accused Gabbard of making her explosive allegations to distract from fallout over Jeffrey Epstein. The president also brought up Gabbards accusations himself on Tuesday when asked about the Epstein case.

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Trump accusing Obama of treason on Tuesday prompted a rare statement from Obamas office calling the allegations bizarre and a weak attempt at distraction.

While the timing of Gabbards accusations has raised questions, the DNI could not speak to why her claims did not come to light sooner, including during Trumps first term.

I cant speak to what happened there, Gabbard said when asked why her info was not declassified when Trump served as president from 2017 to 2021. She suggested members of his first administration worked to undermine him.

While Gabbard referred documents to the Justice Department, it is not clear where the allegations will go from here.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that President Donald Trump wants Obama administration officials

The Supreme Court last July ruled that former presidents have immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts as president. That decision stemmed from the case against Trump in connection with his actions regarding the attack at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

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Despite presidents being found to have immunity, the White House suggested Trump wants action to be taken against the Obama administration.

He wants to see all those who perpetuated this fraud against our country, who betrayed our country and the Constitution to be thoroughly investigated and held accountable, said Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Washington  Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday declassified additional materials on the intelligence community's assessment of Russia's actions in the 2016 election, claiming in a social media post and at a White House press briefing that they showed Obama administration officials "manufactured" information in order to undermine then-candidate Donald Trump.

Her statement on X said the documents show Obama officials "manufactured the January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment that they knew was false, promoting the LIE that Vladimir Putin and the Russian government helped President Trump win the 2016 election."

Democrats disputed her claims and accused Gabbard of misrepresenting the intelligence findings. Wednesday's report follows a separate set of declassified documents on the matter released by Gabbard last Friday. In a memo accompanying those documents, she similarly accused Obama administration officials of plotting a "years-long coup" against Mr. Trump.

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Obama's spokesperson Patrick Rodenbush said in a statement regarding the first set of materials, "These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction," he said, a likely reference to turmoil in Congress over the release of files related to child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Rodenbush also said nothing in last week's documents "undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes." Rodenbush has not responded to the most recent release of material.

Gabbard also said in her X statement that it was Mr. Trump who made the decision to declassify the House Republicans' report.

The Wednesday release was a declassified report that was compiled in 2017 and finalized in 2020 by the House Intelligence Committee's Republican majority  where FBI Director Kash Patel was a lead staffer at the time, according to two sources familiar with the matter. It focuses at length on the intelligence community's judgment that Russian president Vladimir Putin aspired to help Mr. Trump to win the 2016 election.

It includes discussions of raw intelligence provided by a human source to the CIA, as well as Signal intercepts gathered by the National Security Agency, prompting concerns from current and former intelligence officials and condemnation from Democrats about the risks it could pose to sensitive intelligence sources and methods.

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But the report does not fundamentally change previous assessments by the U.S. intelligence community  or the multiple reviews that followed.

"The desperate and irresponsible release of the partisan House intelligence report puts at risk some of the most sensitive sources and methods our Intelligence Community uses to spy on Russia and keep Americans safe," Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner said in a statement. "And in doing so, Director Gabbard is sending a chilling message to our allies and assets around the world: the United States can no longer be trusted to protect the intelligence you share with us."

An Office of the Directorate of National Intelligence official said the president's ultimate declassification authority meant he was not obligated to consult with intelligence agencies about redacting sensitive content in the report.

At the White House briefing Monday, Gabbard accused President Obama of "leading the manufacturing of this intelligence assessment." She told reporters that the documents would be sent to the Justice Department and FBI for investigation of "criminal implications."

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Asked by CBS News correspondent Ed O'Keefe whether she thinks Obama is guilty of treason, Gabbard responded that she would leave criminal charges to the Justice Department, but said what occurred "can only be described as a years-long coup and a treasonous conspiracy against the American people."

She declined to directly answer another question from O'Keefe about how the latest declassified documents change previous assessments, given that the Senate Intelligence Committee  which included then-Sen. Marco Rubio  dedicated an entire volume of its five-volume investigation to the intelligence community's analysis..

"[W]e are ensuring that the intelligence community is not being politicized, Gabbard said. "Look at the evidence and you will know the truth."

The House committee's Republican-authored report criticizes the review of the analysis underlying the assessment that went into the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment, or ICA, for several reasons, including that its production was rushed to be released before Mr. Trump took office. It also claimed analysts failed to consider plausible alternative explanations for Putin's intentions and questioned whether they sufficiently took into account the human source's motivations, proximity to Putin or bias towards Mr. Trump.

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The GOP House committee report zeroes in on a piece of intelligence contained in a report from a human source that it contends was subjected to "questionable interpretation" by analysts.

"The unclear fragment (shown in bold) is part of a sentence in a [redacted] that reads, 'Putin had made this decision [to leak DNC emails] after he had come to believe that the Democratic nominee had better odds of winning the U.S. presidential election, and that [candidate Trump] whose victory Putin was counting on, most likely would not be able to pull off a convincing victory,'" a bullet says on page 4 of the report.

It adds that a senior CIA operations officer said at the time, "We don't know what was meant by that" and "five people read it five ways."

The findings align in many areas with a separate tradecraft review released earlier this month by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, which determined that the confidence level in the assessment that Putin aspired to help Mr. Trump win should have been "moderate" instead of "high," chiefly because it was derived from one source instead of multiple. The CIA's report, however, did not include any detailed discussion of the sensitive sources or methods involved.

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The CIA's own review of the intelligence that informed the finding on Putin's preference "confirmed that the clause was accurately representedand that the ICA authors' interpretation of its meaning was most consistent with the raw intelligence." It more broadly found that much of the tradecraft underlying the 2017 assessment was "robust and consistent" with analytic standards.

The CIA declined to comment on the report released by Gabbard.

Democrats seized on the timing of the disclosures  which they pointed out could have been made at any time during the first Trump administration or since he took office for a second time.

"It's appropriate that this shoddy and partisan report was released by Director Gabbard on the day that House Republicans are quite literally fleeing Washington, D.C., for six weeks rather than releasing the Epstein files that Trump is so desperate to cover up," said House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Jim Himes.

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"Given the rushed and unusual 'declassification' process the DNI has implemented, I fear that the public release of this report could compromise sensitive sources and methods and endanger our national security," Himes said.

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One day after President Donald Trump accused former President Barack Obama of treason over the intelligence assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election and sought to help Trump, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard declassified a highly sensitive congressional report she claimed was more evidence of a treasonous conspiracy.

The release of the redacted report, written during the first Trump term by Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee, was the latest step in a multi-faceted effort from Gabbard and other Trump allies to attack the FBIs Russia investigation and the intelligence communitys assessment on Russian election interference.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Wednesday evening that the Justice Department was creating a strike force to assess the evidence released by Gabbard and investigate potential next legal steps which might stem from DNI Gabbards disclosures.

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Speaking from the White House podium on Wednesday, Gabbard stopped short of accusing Obama of treason, deferring to Justice Department lawyers. But she alleged that the evidence that we have found and that we have released directly point to President Obama leading the manufacturing of this intelligence assessment.

They knew it would promote this contrived narrative that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help President Trump win, selling it to the American people as though it were true, she said.

Gabbard insisted the Russian goal in 2016 was to sow distrust in American democracy  not to help Trump, a key judgment of the 2017 assessment that Republicans have long challenged.

But her claims that the Obama administration manufactured the assessment are not supported by the newly redacted House report  or CIA Director John Ratcliffes own review of the intelligence assessment, which he released earlier this month.

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Ratcliffes review argued the assessment that Russian President Vladimir Putin aspired to help Trump win the 2016 election should not have been a so-called high confidence judgment, which indicates the intelligence communitys level of certainty, and it took issue with some of the analytic procedures underpinning the assessment. But Ratcliffes review found that the overall assessment was deemed defensible.

The House report  which involved intelligence so sensitive it was kept in a so-called turducken, or a safe within a safe, at CIA headquarters  took a similar stance on the key judgment that Russia sought to help Trump, arguing that the assessment made analytical leaps based on relatively thin sourcing and failed to weigh contradictory intelligence highly enough, but neither argued that it was manufactured.

Still, the release of the House Intelligence Committee review, led by former Rep. Devin Nunes when now-FBI Director Kash Patel was a top aide, was a long-sought victory for Trump  in large part because it pushes back against a similar review conducted by the GOP-led Senate Intelligence Committee in 2020, which found the intelligence supported the conclusions that Putin interfered to help Trump and there were no significant tradecraft issues in the preparation of the assessment.

Gabbards decision to publicize the report when multiple predecessors had declined to do so, including Ratcliffe during Trumps first term, comes at a moment when her standing within the Trump administration had been in question. In June, Trump publicly undermined Gabbards assessment on Irans nuclear capabilities and she was absent from at least one major national security meeting to discuss Israel and Iran. CNN reported at the time that the president viewed her as off-message.

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Former Obama Director of National Intelligence James Clapper dismissed Gabbards allegations on Wednesday, calling them patently false and unfounded on CNNs The Source.

Referring to the House Republican report, he said, I can attest to the inaccuracies in that report on things they said about me, which were wrong or false.

Id be going dark

Democrats accused Gabbard of jeopardizing intelligence community sources and methods by releasing the report.

The desperate and irresponsible release of the partisan House intelligence report puts at risk some of the most sensitive sources and methods our Intelligence Community uses to spy on Russia and keep Americans safe, Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement. And in doing so, Director Gabbard is sending a chilling message to our allies and assets around the world: the United States can no longer be trusted to protect the intelligence you share with us.

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One Democratic congressional source said intelligence agencies were still in the process of proposing redactions to the document ahead of its release, but that Gabbard declassified the report Wednesday before the process had been completed.

An ODNI official said the decision to declassify the document was made by Trump and he has constitutional authority to declassify and is not under the same consultation obligations normally required between intelligence agencies.

A former senior US intelligence official said they were alarmed by some of the material in the report that remained unredacted, warning it could alert Moscow to how intelligence was collected and potentially endanger sources.

The report includes an explanation from the classified assessment that some judgements are based on a human intelligence source with secondhand access for several specifics, including Putins order to pass collected material to WikiLeaks, Putins views on Hillary Clinton, and details about specific, planned Russian Foreign Intelligence Service efforts.

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It should also scare the crap out of any source we have who reports on politically inconvenient subjects, the intelligence official said. If I were them, Id be going dark about now.

In 2017, the US extracted from Russia one of its highest-level covert sources inside the Russian government.

Trump and his allies in Congress have sought to release the House Intelligence Committee report for years now. The material that was being scrutinized was so sensitive that the CIA would only let congressional staffers view it at CIA headquarters, requiring their work stay locked up at Langley. The committee brought in its own safe for its files  which became known as the turducken  that remained locked away at the CIA during the Biden administration.

Its not clear whether the full extent of the classified House Intelligence Committee report was redacted, declassified and released on Wednesday.

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In the lead-up to the 2020 election, Trump allies pushed Ratcliffe, who was then the director of national intelligence, to release a redacted version of the report. But Ratcliffe ultimately did not so do amid strenuous objections from CIA and NSA officials, who warned it would damage sources and methods and US relationships with allies.

Instead, the report was part of a large collection of documents brought to the White House in the final days of the first Trump administration, which were redacted so they could be declassified and released.

The redacted documents were not ultimately released before Trump left office in 2021, though he did so in March. But an unredacted copy of the documents  including the highly sensitive intelligence that was redacted from what was released Wednesday  went missing and was apparently never found.

US intelligence officials scrambled to assess the potential damage of the binders contents becoming public after it went missing at the end of the first Trump administration, according to a source with direct knowledge of the events.

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There are hints at why the intelligence agencies were so concerned with the report in the declassified version released Wednesday. The report includes redacted lines that detail what signals intelligence the assessment had relied upon, as well as what Putin was being told and how it was obtained.

One scant, unclear and unverifiable fragment

The House document provides one of the most detailed glimpses to date into the raw intelligence relied upon by analysts to produce the 2017 assessment  but one that is impossible to compare to the Senate review that reached the opposite conclusion on the judgment that Putin was aspiring to help Trump. Much of the documentation for that panels reasoning remains classified.

The House report accuses Obama administration intelligence leaders of relying on thinly sourced and uncorroborated intelligence to conclude that Putin preferred Trump, while alleging that the assessment suppressed intelligence that Putin did not care who won and that Russias intelligence services allegedly possessed damaging information about Clinton that was not released before the election.

The January 2017 assessment does note there was a disagreement on the level of confidence in that assessment: the CIA and FBI had high confidence, and the NSA had medium confidence.

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But the GOP report argues that the conclusion was flawed, based upon previously unpublished intelligence reports, including three that were substandard. One report, based on a single human source the House panel said was biased against both Trump and Putin, contained a claim that Putin was counting on Trumps victory, according to the committee. That claim was interpreted in different ways by different analysts but was ultimately used to reach the aspire judgment, the report said.

One scant, unclear and unverifiable fragment of a sentence from one of the substandard reports constitutes the only classified information cited to suggest Putin aspired to help Trump win, the report states.

The Ratcliffe-led CIA in its review found that the aspire judgment was plausible and sensible, but was an inference rather than fact sourced to multiple reporting streams, noting that it also rested on an assessment of the public behavior of senior Russian officials and state- controlled media, and on logic. It said that the assessment authors had properly interpreted the sentence fragment.

The report also details what US intelligence knew about Russian intelligence material collected on Clinton that was not released before the election, including allegations about her health, which Republicans wrote would have created greater scandals than the hacked materials from John Podesta released by WikiLeaks. Republicans questioned why this information wasnt released if Russia was trying to help Trump (CNN was unable to confirm the origin or veracity of any of the allegations).

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CNN reached out to Clinton aides for comment.

The GOP report criticizes the assessments inclusion of the infamous and discredited dossier written by British intelligence official Christopher Steele, which was paid for by the Clinton campaign and alleged coordination between Russia and the Trump campaign.

A summary of the dossier was included as an annex in the January 2017 assessment, after CIA officials objected to including it in the report itself. The intelligence analysts who prepared the report told the Senate Intelligence Committee the dossier played no role in the analysis of Russias interference.

Special counsel John Durham, who was appointed by then-Attorney General Bill Barr during Trumps first term, spent four years investigating a wide range of topics, including potential wrongdoing by the FBI and intelligence community during the 2016 post-election period. He never accused any US officials of any crimes related to the 2017 intelligence assessment.

This story has been updated with additional details.

CNNs Piper Hudspeth Blackburn contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
President Donald Trumps top intelligence official appeared in the White House briefing room Wednesday to level allegations no U.S. spy chief has ever made against a former president or administration.

National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard accused former President Barack Obama and his deputies of manufacturing a false intelligence analysis to show Russia tried to help Donald Trump win the 2016 election.

Obama and former officials in his administration have dismissed the allegations as baseless. These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction, Obama spokesperson Patrick Rodenbush said.

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Democrats have accused the administration of trying to change the subject as many of Trumps supporters have demanded the government release more documents and information related to the case of the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Leaders of the countrys intelligence agencies have tended to keep a low public profile and to steer clear of explicitly partisan broadsides, much less insinuate that a former president may have engaged in a criminal conspiracy.

But Gabbard, serving a commander in chief who has relished conspiracy theories and insisted he was the victim of a partisan plot, ventured into uncharted territory in her White House appearance.

There is irrefutable evidence that details how President Obama and his national security team directed the creation of an intelligence community assessment that they knew was false, said Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman.

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Gabbard announced she had declassified a five-year-old report by Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee about the 2016 election. The Republican report was emphatically rejected at the time by Democratic lawmakers on the panel who played no role in its creation.

The Republican report sought to cast doubt on an assessment by U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the 2016 election in a bid to boost Trumps candidacy. The Republican report found that the bulk of the 2017 intelligence assessment  which assessed that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to damage Hillary Clintons candidacy  was sound.

But it took issue with the assessments finding that Russian President Vladimir Putin aspired to help Trump win the 2016 election. The House report argued that the intelligence agencies judgment was based on one piece of human intelligence that was open to different interpretations. The report added that some CIA officers objected to including the judgment about Putins intentions, arguing that the intelligence behind it was insufficient.

The House committee report also accused the director of the CIA at the time, John Brennan, of pushing to keep the finding about Putin in the assessment.

CIA Director John Brennan testifies before the House Intelligence Committee on May 23, 2017. (Alex Wong / Getty Images file)

Bipartisan Senate report

Gabbard focused on the Republican House report, but a bipartisan Senate probe released the same year reached a different conclusion.

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The 2020 Senate investigation, which spanned three years, involved more than 200 witnesses and reviewed more than a million documents, endorsed the intelligence agencies assessment that Russia had spread disinformation online and leaked stolen emails from the Democratic National Committee to undermine Clintons candidacy and bolster Trumps prospects.

Trumps current secretary of state, Marco Rubio, was the acting chair of the Intelligence Committee at the time. He and every other member of the committee, both Republicans and Democrats, endorsed the reports findings.

Gabbards decision to declassify an old Republican congressional report is the latest in a series of actions by the administration designed to reopen a politically polarized debate about what happened in the 2016 election and whether Trump benefited from Moscows information warfare.

Satisfying neither side

The intelligence communitys analysis of the 2016 election and subsequent government investigations have never satisfied either side of the American political divide.

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Intelligence agencies never delivered a verdict about the possible impact of Russias influence operations on the electoral outcome, and a probe by special counsel Robert Mueller found that Russia intervened in 2016 to undercut Clinton. But it did not find evidence of a criminal conspiracy between the Trump team and the Kremlin, as some voices on the left had suggested.

At the same time, a special counsel Trump appointed in his first term, John Durham, disappointed activists on the political right with his three-year investigation. Durham reported finding no criminal conspiracy among Obama administration officials to fabricate intelligence about Russias operations and filed no charges against the CIA officers who oversaw the 2017 assessment.

Democrats said Gabbards decision to declassify the Republican House report could put sensitive sources on Russia at risk.

It seems as though the Trump administration is willing to declassify anything and everything except the Epstein files, Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia, the Democratic vice chair of the Intelligence Committee, said in a statement. The desperate and irresponsible release of the partisan House intelligence report puts at risk some of the most sensitive sources and methods our Intelligence Community uses to spy on Russia.

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In her presentation at the White House, Gabbard publicly described detailed Russian intelligence reporting on Clinton, including allegations about her behavior and health that had not been verified.

Gabbard then blasted Obama administration officials for including an unverified dossier about Trump by a former British intelligence officer, Christopher Steele, in the 2017 intelligence assessment. The dossier was included in the assessment's annex with a disclaimer that said its claims had not been verified.

Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn., ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, called Gabbard's claims "a transparent effort to distract from bipartisan criticism of the Trump Administrations refusal to release the Jeffrey Epstein files."

Himes added, though, that Gabbard had crossed a dangerous new rhetorical line. As part of her effort to rewrite history," he said in a statement, "she has accused President Obama and other former officials of engaging in a conspiracy to commit treasona claim as dangerous as it is baseless.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
After following up leads for months on a 2024 murder case, Gainesville police say the suspect committed another crime that led to his arrest.

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On Monday, Gainesville officers responded to a call for help in the 700 block of Jesse Jewell Parkway, after a man, later identified as Logan Ryan Plumley, 21, of Gainesville, allegedly pulled a gun on two men.

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According to police, earlier that day, the two men had become alleged victims in a road rage incident. Authorities said the men were confronted by Plumley, who was waiting for them at their car.

GPD said Plumley confronted the man and pulled out a gun. Fortunately, the men spotted fiefighters and yelled for help.

Plumley sped away, but not before the victims were able to get his tag number.

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While investigators were looking into the gun incident, Plumley became a suspect in the November 2024 death of John Tracy Hill, 64.

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Hill, who was wheelchair bound lived down the hall from Plumley in the apartment complex on Green Hunter Lane.

Investigators found Hill dead in his apartment after a welfare check. Police said his family could not get in contact with him after a doctors appointment.

GPD said Hill died from sharp force injuries.

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Gainesville investigators, along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, have been working on the case since last November.

We will not let up. We will relentlessly pursue those who engage in violent criminal activity until they are held accountable.

Plumley was arrested and charged with felony murder, aggravated assault and two counts of simple assault.

He was booked into the Hall County Jail.
The decision to scatter undocumented men in hotels across the country will, at some point in the future, require a national inquiry. A lack of proper detention facilities and a meek deference to human rights legislation have not only resulted in ever-growing costs, but have also exposed the people of this country to unspeakable risks.



Recent protests in Epping and Canary Wharf have shown that public sentiment is hardening. Just look beyond the hotels and one will see that a vast ecosystem has grown covering almost every walk of life, which places the needs of the illegal entrants over those of law-abiding Britons.



A network of support and services that are frankly unavailable to the everyday man and woman of this country has blossomed under successive governments. Widely reported expenditure on PlayStations, DJ lessons and trips to Anfield hint at the largesse extended to asylum seekers, but are just the tip of the iceberg.



Legislation provides a right to housing for those seeking asylum, with the numbers in long-term accommodation having doubled in the last ten years. The Home Office is now committing over 15bn to ensure at least 100,000 long-term homes, an acute injustice when set beside the 1.3 million British families currently on housing waiting lists. In the West Midlands borough of Sandwell, for instance, there has been no issue in housing over a thousand asylum seekers, yet 17,000 Britons in the area face a decade-long wait for social housing.



Individuals recently off a small boat can expect to receive nearly two hundred pounds a month to spend at their own discretion. Several thousand have chosen to spend this money gambling at a time when the cost of living has meant 42 per cent of Britons are having to cut back on such luxuries. Even those with rejected claims are given pocket money, with over 3m going on food vouchers for failed asylum seekers since the start of the year.



Whilst a third of Britons are not registered with a dentist, and 5 million of us wait longer than a fortnight to see a GP, many areas, including the cities of London and Stoke-On-Trent, now have a designated specialist GP service for asylum applicants. Asylum seekers receive step-by-step support in registering with a dental practice and have transport in place to take them to appointments.



Councils throw money at Left-wing charities to provide health services, including in Essex where the reparative justice Pamoja Project was recently endowed with funds to bolster asylum seeker mental health provision.



Those with complaints about taxpayer-funded food or accommodation have access to a 24/7 support service, costing the taxpayer 235m, which allows them to opine about the variety of food on offer. Meanwhile, in the towns and cities across the country, 14 per cent of British households are facing food insecurity.



Regional and local governments work fastidiously to provide asylum seekers with mobile phones and bikes. Nearly one in 20 people in Yorkshire remain completely offline, yet local authorities in collaboration with Migration Yorkshire and the charity Solidaritech kindly inform local residents that they can repurpose your unwanted laptops, desktops, tablets and smartphones, passing them on to asylum seekers.

Representatives of Hull City Council, despite governing the UKs fourth most deprived local authority, urge locals to donate mens clothing and mobile phones for asylum seekers.



In Manchester, where bike theft runs 200 per cent higher than the national average in some areas, the Combined Authority provides funding to provide refugees and asylum seekers with their own set of wheels whilst Wandsworth Council offers asylum seekers half price e-bike rides.



Life in Britain is getting objectively worse, yet politicians at a national and local level revere our asylum system  a totem of their generosity. They ought to realise the publics patience for such behaviour has already run out.

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One woman died and two other people were seriously injured during a collision on State Road 25 in Fulton County on Sunday.

Officers from the Indiana State Police, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, and the Fulton Police Department arrived at the scene of an injury-involved crash on State Road 25 near County Road 500 South, north of Fulton, shortly after 2:30 p.m.

The preliminary crash investigation by Trooper Adam Kirk revealed that Nicole L. Davis, 43, of Gary, was driving a 2021 KIA Sport heading northbound on State Road 25, with Steven V. Davis, 41, occupying the front passenger seat. Also in the vehicle was a juvenile passenger. For an undetermined reason, the KIA traveled into the pathway of a 2014 Ford F-150 driven by Jackson C. Rentschler, 20, of Lucerne.

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Nicole Davis was pronounced deceased at the crash scene by the Fulton County Coroner's Office. Steven Davis and the juvenile were transported to an area hospital for serious injuries. Rentschler was transported to a local hospital for minor injuries.

This is an ongoing investigation. At this time, neither the consumption of alcoholic beverages nor narcotics is suspected of contributing to this crash. Notification to the family of the deceased has been made.

Trooper Kirk was assisted by other members of the Indiana State Police Peru Post, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office, the Fulton Police Department, the Liberty Township Volunteer Fire Department, Parkview EMS, the Tipton County Coroner's Office, and Wilson's Towing.
After 125 days in silence, detained inside an El Salvador concrete fortress built to disappear people, Andry Hernandez Romero is finally home in Venezuela, alleging he was tortured, sexually abused, and denied food while detained under a Trump administration deportation order that erased him from society.

Hernandez Romero was one of more than 250 Venezuelan men expelled from the United States and sent to confinement at CECOT, a dystopian prison described as a modern-day gulag, in El Salvador under the revived Alien Enemies Act. President Donald Trump used the wartime-era law to deport people without hearings or asylum screenings. For more than four months, advocates have been calling attention to the case and demanding freedom for the gay makeup artist.

It was an encounter with torture and death, Hernandez Romero, 32, told journalists at his family home in Capacho on Wednesday, describing how he and others were beaten, shot with rubber projectiles, and confined in dark cells, before they were suddenly freed on Friday. Many of our fellows have wounds from the nightsticks; they have fractured ribs, fractured fingers and toes, marks from the handcuffs, he said, according to Reuters. Others have marks on their chests, on their face ... from the projectiles.

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Video on social media showed a tearful reunion as he embraced friends and family who had come out to see him.

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Though he entered the United States legally at the San Diego border, appeared for an appointment the U.S. government gave him, and passed an initial credible fear interview, federal agents cited his tattooscrowns reading mom and dadas alleged proof of membership in the Tren de Aragua gang, something his lawyers continue to deny. He had no criminal record.

Venezuelan stylist Andry Hernandez Romero greets family members after returning home in Capacho village Tachira State Venezuela July 2025

Venezuelan stylist Andry Hernandez Romero greets family members after returning home in Capacho village, Tachira State, Venezuela, July 2025 JOHNNY PARRA/AFP via Getty Images

In a televised interview aired on Venezuelan state media Monday, Hernandez Romero alleged sexual abuse by guards. In my particular case, I was sexually abused by the same Salvadoran authorities who guarded us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, he said in Spanish. He added, We believed we would never see our families again."

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Hernandez Romero elaborated on the treatment in a video interview produced by the Nicolas Maduro-aligned program Con Maduro +. I poured some water on myself, and they caught me, Hernandez Romero said. They took me to solitary confinement and abused me. I was forced to perform oral sex on an officer. Three officers grabbed the batons and passed them over my private parts. And for me, that was just too devastating. It was my integrity as a human being, as a person of the [LGBTQ+] community, that [brought me to my lowest point.]"

The Venezuelan attorney general has said his office will investigate Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele over the reported torture of Venezuelan nationals, Reuters reports. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security dismissed the abuse claims Tuesday, calling the deported men criminal, illegal gang members, according to the news agency.

- YouTube youtu.be

Hernandez Romero fled Venezuela in late 2024 to seek asylum in the U.S. because he feared persecution for his sexual orientation and because of his opposition to the countrys authoritarian government. He was detained and later, under the Trump administration, marked for deportation without due process.

Speaking to San Diego ABC affiliate KGTV, Melissa Shepherd, an attorney with the Immigrant Defenders Law Center, said, While were happy that hes no longer in the torture prison, we are worried for his future. Shepherd, who represents Hernandez Romero and other deported men, added, They were physically, verbally, and psychologically tortured.

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Lindsay Toczylowski, ImmDefs cofounder and CEO, told The Advocate in a separate interview Monday that Hernandez Romeros case illustrated a really dark foreshadowing of where were going as a country if this is allowed to stand.

These are people who were sent with no due process to be tortured, only to then be used as political pawns in a prisoner release that none of us were privy to before it happened, that none of them consented to being a part of, she said.

Toczylowski said Hernandez Romero remains in danger in Venezuela, the very country from which he fled persecution. Her team is exploring third-country relocation, but options may be limited by his lack of freedom of movement under the Maduro regime.

Still, Hernandez Romero said he was moved to learn that people had rallied in support of him during his terrible ordeal. It fills me with so much peace, so much comfort, so much tranquility that I was never alone, from day one, he told Reuters. There were many people who worried for me.

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Editors note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.



This article originally appeared on Advocate: Gay makeup artist Andry Hernandez Romero describes horrific sexual & physical abuse at CECOT in El Salvador

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"The government is rushing to erase Gaza, and thank God we are erasing this evil. All of Gaza will be Jewish, Eliyahu stated in the interview.

Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu suggested Israel is planning to resume Jewish settlement in Gaza in Thursday morning interview on Kol Barama radio.

"The government is rushing to erase Gaza, and thank God we are erasing this evil. All of Gaza will be Jewish, Eliyahu said in the interview.

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He added, "We don't need to be concerned about hunger in the Strip. We have completely lost our minds."

Opposition head Yair Lapid responded to Eliyahu's statement saying his words, "are a moral attack and a propaganda disaster. Israel will never convince the world of the justice of our war against terror as long as we are led by an extremist minority government with ministers who sanctify blood and death.

"IDF soldiers do not fight, are killed, and injured to wipe out a civilian population. They fight to return the kidnapped and ensure Israel's security," Lapid said.

An ongoing rhetoric of far-Right figures in Israeli politics

Eliyahu's remarks reflect rhetoric from far-right figures in Israeli politics, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. On Tuesday, Smotrich participated in the "Riviera in Gaza  From Vision to Reality" conference at the Knesset, where a "practical" plan was presented to establish a lasting Jewish presence in the Gaza Strip.

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During the conference, Smotrich revealed, "The chief of staff told me a week ago that the northern border of the Gaza Strip needs to be annexed for security reasons." The event's organizers claimed they had outlined "social, legal, security, and logistical models" for the settlement proposal but refrained from providing further details.

Attendees included ministers, Knesset members, local council heads, security officials from the Gaza border communities, bereaved families, representatives of hostage families, and others.

Both Smotrich and Eliyahu's comments have drawn significant backlash. Democrats MK Gilad Kariv accused them of inciting war crimes. "Their positions are not aligned with any government or Knesset decisions, nor are they part of the war objectives set by the cabinet. In fact, the leaders of the defense establishment oppose them," Kariv remarked.

Kariv also warned of the potential consequences: "Their words endanger IDF soldiers and commanders, inflict strategic harm on Israel's global standing, erode social cohesion within the country, and undermine the values of the IDF and the fundamental principles of Israel as both a Jewish and democratic state.

Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
The images of skeletal children that are now pouring out of Gaza are shocking but they should not be surprising. Humanitarian groups with decades of experience distributing aid in the Strip have been warning about this scenario for months, since Israel began throttling aid to a trickle.

Haunting footage of lifeless bodies with sharp bones protruding through stretched skin can be seen around the world. The pictures of starvation in Gaza are horrific, distressing and inescapable.

The main United Nations agency for Palestinians said Thursday that people are being starved, while a few kilometers away supermarkets are loaded with food, highlighting the stark and uncomfortable reality between life in Israel and survival in Gaza.

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On a popular US-Canadian podcast this week, listeners learned that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prefers Burger King to McDonalds, a Whopper seeming to be his burger of choice. While Netanyahu did not introduce the topic, the public discussion on fast food by the man responsible for getting food into Gaza is, at its most generous, tone deaf.

The US correspondent for Israeli newspaper Haaretz noted that Netanyahu spent valuable time on the burger chat rather than answering legitimate questions about the Gaza humanitarian crisis or the delays in sealing a hostage deal and cease-fire.

World leaders see the same pictures of starvation as everyone else and yet seem powerless to stop them, unable to pressure Israel into allowing more aid in or returning to the tried and tested UN-led distribution methods.

Seela Barbakh, an 11-month-old Palestinian girl who is malnourished according to medics, is held by her mother Najah at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza on Wednesday. - Ramadan Abed/Reuters

It is true that condemnation is becoming more collective and targeted. More than two dozen European foreign ministers jointly criticized Israels drip feeding of aid and the inhumane killing of civilians, a statement Israels foreign ministry rejected as disconnected from reality.

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Then on Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that his country will recognize a Palestinian state in September, the first member of the United Nations Security Council and the G7 nations to do so, prompting outrage from Israeli leaders, and condemnation from the US.

More than 100 international humanitarian organizations warned Israeli restrictions on aid are endangering the lives of doctors and aid workers.

But these are words and words can be ignored.

Writing about the EU response, former Israeli hostage negotiator Gershon Baskin said it was still just a piece of paper. Into the trash bin of history is the way that the State of Israel treats it.

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So, what could reverse what the United Nations chief is calling the horror show in Gaza?

In a word, Trump.

The US president was publicly scathing of Netanyahu when Israel struck Iran hard in the final hours before a ceasefire. After a phone call, Israel pulled back.

When Israel struck the only Catholic Church in Gaza, Trump did not have a positive reaction according to the White House and called Netanyahu. The Israeli leader said he deeply regretted it, calling the strike a mistake.

An irate phone call from the leader of the free world does appear to be the quickest way to provoke a change of heart from a leader seemingly unmoved by increasing international criticism.

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The White House spokesperson has said Trump wants the killing to end but visible anger, frustration, condemnation from the US president over the humanitarian crisis unfolding has been minimal, at least publicly.

Palestinian boy Mosab Al-Debs, 14, who is malnourished according to medics, lies on a bed at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on July 22. - Dawoud Abu Alkas/Reuters

The US focus has been on securing a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, still elusive despite words of hope and optimism from the Trump administration in recent weeks. That plan appeared to be in limbo after the US and Israel pulled its negotiators from talks in Qatar on Thursday.

Arab leaders have condemned Israel, called for an immediate ceasefire and devised a plan to rebuild post-war Gaza to counter Trumps plan to displace the entire population from the Strip. The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council called Israels policies this week the crime of the century.

Israel has long rejected accusations of a humanitarian blockade, insisting its policies are designed to prevent Hamas from stealing supplies, claims aid agencies have denied.

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Israels President Isaac Herzog, visiting Gaza Wednesday, says Israel is following international law and it is Hamas who is trying to sabotage the aid process.

COGAT, the agency in charge of aid entering Gaza, says the the military is working to allow and facilitate the transfer of aid, including food.

Israel has also pushed back on calls to allow more aid in, saying there are truckloads waiting at the border to be collected by aid agencies. The UN and others on the ground have countered that Israel does not always give permission to move aid or approves routes deemed too dangerous.

Comments from the far right of Netanyahus coalition calling for starving Gaza until the hostages are released provoke widespread revulsion outside Israel, but less within it.

Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub al-Matouq, a 1.5-year-old child pictured on July 21 in Gaza City, Gaza, faces life-threatening malnutrition due to ongoing Israeli attacks and blockade. - Ahmed Jihad Ibrahim Al-arini/Anadolu/Getty Images

Hamas brutal attack on October 7, 2023 killed around 1,200 Israelis, saw another roughly 250 kidnapped as hostages, and hardened Israeli views against their Palestinian neighbors. But one recent poll shows 71% of Israelis asked now want the war to end.

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While Netanyahu is losing his mandate to keep fighting, there are no signs that his coalition plans to ease restrictions on aid to Gaza, where nearly 60,000 people have been killed since the start of the war. And the media in Israel focuses more on concern for the remaining hostages and the soldiers fighting in Gaza, than it does on the plight of besieged Palestinians. For them, hope now rests on a ceasefire, a deal that will allow a flood of supplies into the ruined territory.

But when will that be agreed, how soon will the borders open to life-saving aid and how many will die in the meantime?

The malnutrition toll has been spiking in recent days with the director of al-Shifa Hospital warning this week we are heading towards terrifying death tolls.

One UN worker on the ground added, People in Gaza are neither dead (nor) alive, they are walking corpses.

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Traditional DeFi lending relied on overcollateralization and token-based rewards. That model worked in a speculative cycle but breaks down under institutional standards. It lacks predictability and cannot scale across regulated portfolios.

Zoth is building the infrastructure layer for institutions to unlock real-world yield within DeFi. It was designed for a new kind of allocator, one that expects regulatory clarity, capital efficiency, and stability from on-chain assets.

What institutions need hasnt changed. They want stable yield with transparency. Real-world assets like tokenized T-Bills and receivables deliver that. But to unlock their full value on-chain, they need infrastructure that connects traditional returns with DeFi liquidity.

The problem wasnt yield. It was yield without structure. DeFi relied too heavily on native token incentives and short-term lending models. As confidence fell, stablecoins like USDC, DAI, and Tether lost billions in market cap. Treasury managers and funds had nowhere safe to move capital without taking on volatility or counterparty exposure.

At the same time, traditional markets offered clarity. Treasuries paid 4 to 5 percent with far less risk. Institutions didnt lose interest in blockchain. They just needed something grounded. Something with real value behind it, built to meet compliance needs, and flexible enough to fit into modern portfolios.

The collapse of DeFi liquidity in 2022 exposed more than just a market downturn. Total value locked dropped from $180B to under $40B, and stablecoin supply fell across the board. Yields dried up. Institutional capital didnt disappear; it pulled back because the risks no longer justified the returns. DeFi wasnt offering stable, credible income. It was offering volatility wrapped in complexity.

Zoth is rebuilding with stronger security partnerships, real-time AI monitoring, and governance upgrades that are setting a new bar for institutional-grade DeFi

With RWA tokenization projected to exceed $2T by 2030, Zoth is building core infrastructure for institutional DeFi.

Zoth enables the restaking of tokenized real-world assets, such as T-Bills and ETFs, by combining off-chain interest with on-chain DeFi yield. Institutions can earn dual returns from a single asset without losing liquidity or violating compliance.

DeFi lost over 75% of its liquidity after 2022, prompting funds and DAOs to seek more reliable yield sources.

Story Continues

Zoth takes a different approach. It starts with tokenized real-world assets like Treasury bills, ETFs, or receivables issued through compliant custodians. These assets generate off-chain yield as they would in traditional markets; thats the first layer. But Zoth allows these same assets to be restaked within DeFi protocols, unlocking an additional layer of returns from lending markets, staking programs, or liquidity strategies.

To make this composable, Zoth introduces ZeUSD, a stablecoin backed by restaked real-world assets. Users can mint ZeUSD without giving up exposure to the original yield source. It functions across DeFi, creating a liquid bridge between regulated collateral and programmable capital.

The result is a dual-yield structure. While staking traditional stablecoins might offer 1 to 2 percent returns, Zoths restaked positions often generate between 7 and 9 percent by combining off-chain interest with on-chain rewards.

What Makes Zoths Model Work

Zoth isnt just a technical upgrade; its a structural rethink of how real-world assets interact with DeFi. The platform applies institutional finance principles to an on-chain environment without compromising the composability that defines crypto infrastructure.

At the asset layer, Zoth works with trusted tokenization partners who issue regulated, real-world collateral. These assets meet compliance and custody standards and are validated both on-chain and through legal agreements. That dual structure solves a key blocker for institutions: trust in asset provenance and recoverability.

At the protocol layer, Zoths staking system is built for interoperability. Its stablecoin, ZeUSD, acts as a cross-chain asset backed by staked real-world instruments. Unlike stablecoins that rely on market pricing or liquidity incentives, ZeUSD is anchored in income-producing collateral.

This system allows institutions to unlock yield across multiple layers while maintaining liquidity, auditability, and control. Its capital that performs without being locked or exposed to unstable reward mechanisms.

Solving Fragmentation and Regulation

Zoth tackles two of the most persistent barriers to institutional DeFi participation: fragmented liquidity and regulatory uncertainty.

DeFi has long suffered from siloed infrastructure. Assets locked in one protocol often cannot be used elsewhere without unwinding positions. This makes capital inefficient and limits yield opportunities. Zoth addresses this with ZeUSD, a stablecoin that enables tokenized real-world assets to move fluidly across DeFi platforms. Whether used for lending, liquidity provisioning, or credit markets, ZeUSD maintains access to underlying yield while freeing up composable liquidity.

On the regulatory front, Zoth is built to meet the standards that institutional capital requires. It aligns with frameworks such as MiCA and Basel III by ensuring each RWA on the platform has clear legal ownership, compliant custodianship, and transparent reporting structures. These design choices make it possible for hedge funds, DAOs with legal entities, and asset managers to deploy capital on-chain without triggering regulatory red flags.

By solving for both compliance and composability, Zoth removes two of the largest structural frictions preventing real-world capital from entering DeFi.

Zoth sits in the application layer of the PayFi stack, focused on making real-world assets usable across on-chain financial systems.

The RWA Market Is Scaling

The market for tokenized real-world assets is no longer theoretical. Over eight billion dollars worth of assets have already been issued on-chain. These include Treasury bills, investment-grade credit, real estate debt, and even carbon offsets. Analysts project that this number will grow beyond $2T by 2030, driven by institutional demand for transparent, liquid, and programmable yield instruments.

Major players are already building. BlackRock launched a tokenized Treasury fund with direct access to on-chain settlement. JPMorgans Onyx network processes tokenized repo trades and cross-border transactions between global banks. Franklin Templeton and WisdomTree are managing real-time tokenized portfolios with daily net asset value reporting on public blockchains.

What was once an idea is now an active migration. Capital markets infrastructure is being rebuilt with programmable assets and real-world financial primitives. Zoth is positioning itself within this change not just as a tokenization wrapper, but as a restaking engine that makes these assets productive across multiple layers of DeFi.

Expanding the RWA Stack: Zoths Roadmap

Zoth is adding support for more asset types beyond short-term Treasuries, including corporate credit, commercial loans, real estate, and private equity. These assets differ in how they are structured, valued, and settled. To support them, the infrastructure needs to account for different data sources, custody models, and time horizons.

ZeUSD is being integrated into treasury management systems, lending protocols, and staking platforms. This allows institutions to use a stable unit of account across DeFi without needing to unwind their real-world positions. That becomes more useful when the underlying assets are less liquid or have longer lock-up periods.

On the security side, Zoth has introduced automated monitoring to track protocol-level behavior in real time. It has also completed independent audits, published a bug bounty, and open-sourced parts of the stack. These measures help reduce the operational overhead for institutions that need audit trails and internal review processes.

The team is also adapting the system to work within regional regulatory frameworks. This includes changes to how asset ownership is recorded, how custody is handled, and how stablecoin mechanics are disclosed. These adjustments are necessary for working with counterparties who have legal or reporting obligations.

DAOs and Hedge Funds are Already Participating

Zoth is already being used by institutional players. Hedge funds are deploying tokenized Treasury bills through the platform to earn dual yield while remaining fully compliant. DAOs are converting idle USDC into ZeUSD to access yield strategies without giving up liquidity.

For treasury managers, ZeUSD offers composability across protocols. It can be lent on platforms like Morpho or Clearpool, used in automated vaults, or paired in liquidity pools. Throughout this process, the underlying real-world assets remain intact and continue generating primary yield.

This dual yield structure is proving to be one of the first practical alternatives to simply holding stablecoins. Institutions no longer have to choose between yield and security. With Zoth, they can have both.

The Team behind Zoth

Co-founder and CEO Pritam Dutta brings 15+ years of experience from Unilever and AB InBev, where he led the Digital Ventures unit. There, he launched fintech and Web3 initiatives, generating $275M in revenue and $12M in gross profit in 2021. He spearheaded Budweisers NFT launch, selling $50M worth in under four hours. Pritam also founded Eagle10 Ventures, backing 25+ companies with two exits. His earlier food-tech startup, Pasto, was acquired by Ghost Kitchens after reaching $1M in annual sales.

Co-founder and CTO Koushik Bhargav Muthe is a blockchain researcher and ETH Scholar with experience at UC Berkeley, NTU Singapore, and ASTAR IHPC. A winner of 15+ global hackathons, including ETHDenver, he previously led Web3 initiatives at AB InBevs ZTech division. Koushiks work bridges academic research and protocol development, with multiple publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Conclusion: Real Yield Is the Future of DeFi

As DAOs, funds, and asset managers rethink how they allocate capital on-chain, Zoth offers the infrastructure to do it with accountability and scale. The next wave of yield will come from systems built to handle real assets, not just native ones. Zoth combines real-world yield with on-chain utility. Its restaking model turns static collateral into productive capital. ZeUSD enables participation across protocols without sacrificing regulatory standards or asset stability.

If you're allocating in DeFi or designing around tokenized assets, it's time to look at where real yield is coming from. Check Zoths technical documentation for a more in-depth look at their system.

Real-world assets onchain: The next wave of institutional DeFi first appeared on TheStreet on Jul 22, 2025

This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jul 22, 2025, where it first appeared.
For the first time since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion, the major electronic music festival ICKPA returns to Kyiv, taking place on July 25-27.

Founded in 2021 through a collaboration between a local Ukrainian team and the renowned Georgian club Bassiani, ICKPA (pronounced Iskra which means Spark in Ukrainian was envisioned as an annual event, aimed at amplifying the voices of creative communities from Eastern European countries. It also serves as a platform for cultural exchange between the electronic scenes of Western and Eastern Europe.

With a diverse lineup, art installations, and public discussions, the festival goes beyond music  fostering dialogue between Ukraine and Georgia, two nations united by shared histories of resistance to Russian imperialism. Some 20% of Georgian territory has been occupied by Russia since its 2008 invasion. The country is now experiencing a growing resurgence of Russian influence on the political stage.

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ICKPA views its return to Kyiv as a political act.

To hold a festival in a place where cultural identity is under threat  to be present in Kyiv, where people fight  is a response to imperialist rhetoric, reads their manifesto on Instagram.

Over the past four years, the festival has taken on a nomadic form, hosting events in Berlin, New York, and Prague, bringing Ukrainian artists  their voices, messages, and sounds  to the international stage.

Attendees camp on the grounds of Kyivs Khvylya Sanatorium during the ICKPA festival, July 2021. (ICKPA)

This years lineup features 34 Ukrainian and international DJs and artists. International acts include British DJs Bruno Schmidt and Gwenan, as well as Danish electronic artist Kasper Marott. Ukrainian acts feature solo sets by DJs Ana B, Domnitsa, Evan Baggs, and Vera Logdanidi, alongside back-to-back sets from Amir & Sokolovskyi, M. Tkachenko, Cantrust & Monotronique, Eazy & Oleh, and more.

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Kyivs jazz fusion collective Fusion Jams is also on the lineup. The full list is available on the festivals Instagram page.

Beyond music, ICKPA will also host a public discussion titled Politics of Resistance: Anticipation of the Future in Ukraine and Georgia. Taking place at 8 p.m. on July 25, the event will bring together artists, activists, and scholars to explore Ukraine and Georgias future within the context of war and destruction.

In the pursuit of equal, just, and solidaristic societies, it is essential to have powerful examples in the struggle  symbols that ground us and unite those around us. In the face of injustice and violence, the Ukrainian people's resistance has become one such symbol: a testament to the fight against occupation and oppression. It speaks not only to Georgia, but to our entire region and to a broader civilization striving for dignity and freedom,

Visitors are welcome at the festival starting at 4 p.m. on July 25. Festival passes (three-day tickets) can be purchased online for Hr 1,400 ($33). One-day tickets are also available. For security reasons, the exact location will be announced just one day before the festival begins.

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Read also: Love, sex, survival  Ukrainian author on how war shapes intimacy in Ukraine

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German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has said he is taking a cautious approach to an initiative to supply Ukraine with long-range Taurus missiles.

Source: Wadephul in an interview with German newspaper Die Zeit

Details: The interviewer reminded Wadephul that when his party, the CDU, was in opposition, they were critical of former chancellor Olaf Scholzs government for failing to send Taurus cruise missiles, yet now that the CDU is in power, the government is in no hurry to provide these weapons.

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In response, the minister stated that he has expressed a position of caution on the matter "for a long time".

"This is not a technically simple weapons system that Ukraine can immediately deploy. Nevertheless, the issue needs to be continuously reviewed," Wadephul said.

Asked whether he now understands former chancellor Scholzs position, the minister replied that "Ukraine has the right to defend itself against attacks".

"To do that, it must also have the capability to operate on Russian territory. But were not going to let Putin know via your publication what weapons systems were providing to Ukraine," Wadephul added.

Background:

At the end of May, the defence ministers of Germany and Ukraine signed an agreement in Berlin on financing the production of long-range weaponry in Ukraine.

In early July, it was reported that the agreement concerns long-range drones, which have already been used to strike targets in Russia.

The Bundeswehr has stated that Ukraine will receive German-funded long-range weapons in July.

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German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and his French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu plan to visit an arms factory in Germany together on Thursday, as many European nations plan a huge increase in defence spending.

The plant in Unterluss in the state of Lower Saxony belongs to Germany's largest arms manufacturer Rheinmetall.

The focus of the ministers' visit will be on the construction of armoured vehicles and the expansion of ammunition production.

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Rheinmetall is also involved in the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) armoured vehicle project. The aim is to produce the next generation of networked land combat systems.

The ministers are then set to hold talks on military cooperation and the situation in Ukraine.
The offer comes as international organizations, including the UN, warn of growing hunger in the Palestinian enclave.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) offered to deliver some of the 2,500 tons of food waiting on 950 trucks at the Kerem Shalom Crossing, which the UN has failed to deliver into Gaza, on Wednesday.

The offer comes as international organizations, including the UN, warn of growing hunger in the Strip.

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Weve been sounding the alarm for weeks on the need for more aid in Gaza while weve seen aid by the UN and other organizations being piled near the borders but not being delivered, said GHF Interim Director John Acree.

Our top priority is feeding the people of Gaza, and were prepared to adjust our supply chains, work with the UN or other teams to organize the packaging and transport, and distribute it to those in need, or we can work with organizations to provide security to ensure food reaches its intended destination. We are ready and able to start today.

Attempts to work with the UN to deliver aid

GHFs Executive Chairman Johnnie Moore also wrote to UN Under-Secretary-General Tom Fletcher on Tuesday, asserting that Our door remains open. We are prepared to support the safe and accountable delivery of UN aid to Gazans who desperately need it. But time is short. People are starving, and food is sitting idle out of their reach. We cannot let politics stand in the way.

Empty UNRWA and World Food Program trucks head to the Kerem Shalom crossing to collect limited humanitarian aid and fuel, in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza Strip, July 24, 2025 (credit: ABED RAHIM KHATIB/FLASH90)

On Wednesday alone, GHF delivered 41 truckloads of aid, which amounted to 2,273,040 meals.UN officials reportedly promised the IDF earlier this week to make a greater effort to deliver the waiting aid.

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The UNs failure to deliver aid comes after Hamas and other Palestinian terror groups stole multiple convoys.

The Gazan terror leadership has been repeatedly seen stealing humanitarian aid in the enclave and, since the US-backed GHF took over aid distribution, targeting humanitarian workers and sites.

The IDF said on Tuesday that there is no famine in Gaza as of yet.

A top IDF official met with leading UN bureaucrats regarding the issue on Tuesday, demanding to know how they could accuse Israel of causing famine in Gaza, which, again, has not happened yet but might shortly should the UN continue to abandon its trucks, while simultaneously leaving the aid trucks to sit there without distributing the food.

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All of this comes amid worldwide media coverage, based on Hamas Health Ministry reports, claiming that 15 Palestinians have died of starvation in the last 24 hours and that 600,000 people in Gaza  nearly one third of the population  are suffering from malnutrition.

Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.
Ghislaine Maxwell engaged in a "significant pattern of dishonest conduct," enabled and participated in the abuse of multiple teenage girls, and failed to take responsibility for her crimes.

That was the assessment of the federal prosecutors who brought a criminal case against the longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein and sent her to prison for 20 years.

Now, three years later -- and amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the Trump administration's handling of the Epstein files -- the Department of Justice has decided to approach Maxwell, 63, to purportedly learn more about her knowledge of whether Epstein's sex trafficking extended to people other than himself.

Sylvain Gaboury/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images - PHOTO: Ghislaine Maxwell attends VIP Evening of Conversation for Women's Brain Health Initiative, Oct. 18, 2016, in New York.

MORE: Trump was told by Bondi his name appeared multiple times in Epstein files: Report

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Prosecutors' sentencing memorandum after Maxwell's 2021 conviction offers a frank assessment of Maxwell's "monstrous" crimes and casts doubt on her honesty ahead of her meeting with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche later this week.

"In short, the defendant has lied repeatedly about her crimes, exhibited an utter failure to accept responsibility, and demonstrated repeated disrespect for the law and the Court," federal prosecutors with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York wrote in June 2022.

Blanche is set to meet with Maxwell in the coming days to potentially learn more information "about anyone who has committed crimes against victims."

Ahead of the meeting, Maxwell's appellate counsel David Oscar Markus vowed that she would "testify truthfully" and thanked President Donald Trump for his "commitment to uncovering the truth in this case."

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Maxwell continues to appeal her conviction. Her lawyers have asked the Supreme Court to throw out her case, arguing a non-prosecution agreement that Epstein made with federal prosecutors in Florida in 2007 allegedly barred her subsequent prosecution in New York more than a decade later.

Ken Cedeno/Reuters - PHOTO: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks to the media in the Press Briefing Room at the White House, June 27, 2025.

MORE: House Oversight Committee issues subpoena for Ghislaine Maxwell

The Trump administration asked the high court earlier this month to deny Maxwell's petition.

In their sentencing memo in 2022, defense lawyers argued Maxwell "should not bear all the punishment for which Epstein should have been held responsible."

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"Epstein was the mastermind, Epstein was the principal abuser, and Epstein orchestrated the crimes for his personal gratification. Indeed, had Ghislaine Maxwell never had the profound misfortune of meeting Jeffrey Epstein over 30 years ago, she would not be here," they argued.

Prosecutors said Maxwell enabled Epstein and directly participated in the abuse.

According to prosecutors, the testimony elicited at Maxwell's trial demonstrated she was a vital participant in Epstein's crimes, offering a veneer of respectability and trust before the convicted sex offender abused dozens of teenage girls.

She identified and preyed on vulnerable young women, groomed them to normalize their abuse and participated in the abuse -- directly enabling one of the most significant sex trafficking operations in US history, prosecutors said.

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"Maxwell befriended her victims, won their trust, slowly broke down their boundaries, and normalized sexual abuse," prosecutors wrote in the the memo. "Maxwell's victims trusted her: she was a seemingly respectable woman who showed interest in them and promised to help them. She was key to the entire operation of the scheme, and Epstein could not have committed these crimes without her."

US District Court for the Southern District of New York/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: This undated trial evidence image obtained December 8, 2021, from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York shows British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein.

MORE: Florida judge rules Epstein grand jury records will remain sealed

According to the government's sentencing memorandum, Maxwell "personally engaged in sexual abuse when she fondled the breasts" of three victims. She was also "the person who was most frequently in the room when Epstein abused" one of the victims, who testified under the name Jane.

"Years of sexual abuse, multiple victims, devastating psychological harm: none of this could have happened without Maxwell," prosecutors wrote.

Maxwell repeatedly lied to officials, prosecutors said

Prosecutors repeatedly emphasized at trial that Maxwell should not be trusted, arguing that she "engaged in a significant pattern of dishonest conduct, which speaks volumes about her character."

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They identified at least four instances in which Maxwell allegedly lied or made dishonest representations to the authorities or in civil lawsuits.

During a 2016 deposition, she said under oath that she never gave Annie Farmer, a victim who testified at trial, a massage. Farmer's testimony at trial "established that was a lie," prosecutors said.

She allegedly lied to court officials during an interview about her assets. When the court denied her bail application, the judge noted that Maxwell "misrepresent[ed] key facts to Pretrial Services and, by extension, the Court."

Prosecutors said that Maxwell lied in November 2021 when she told the court, "I have not committed any crime" in response to a question about whether she engaged in plea discussions with the government.

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Maxwell also falsely claimed she had no assets when she interviewed with the court's probation office, despite having previously claimed she had $22 million in assets. She also declined to provide information about the circumstances of her marriage, prosecutors said.

"In short, the defendant decides when she wishes to disclose facts to the Court, and those facts shift when it serves the defendant's interests," prosecutors wrote.

Maxwell profited from relationship with Epstein, prosecutors said

Prosecutors alleged that Maxwell lived a "remarkable life of privilege" and received approximately $23 million from Epstein during the timeframe of their alleged crimes.

Maxwell also received a townhouse in New York from Epstein and benefited from his lavish lifestyle, prosecutors allege. Epstein also bequeathed her $10 million from his estate, though Maxwell has not received those funds because the estate is in probate.

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"As part of a disturbing agreement with Jeffrey Epstein, Maxwell identified, groomed, and abused multiple victims, while she enjoyed a life of extraordinary luxury and privilege. In her wake, Maxwell left her victims permanently scarred with emotional and psychological injuries," prosecutors wrote.

Maxwell deflected responsibility for her crimes, prosecutors said

At her sentencing, some of the witnesses who testified at trial urged Judge Alison Nathan to impose a severe sentence due to the harm Maxwell had caused and her apparent lack of remorse.

MORE: GOP Sen. Thom Tillis says Epstein files could impact midterm prospects

A witness who testified under the name Kate described Maxwell as "a manipulative, cruel and merciless person who only uses kindness to manipulate and generosity to seek recognition."

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"The lack of remorse or responsibility taken by Ghislaine for how she ruined the lives of countless women and children is exactly how we can tell that she doesn't think what she did is wrong. She is not sorry, and she would do it again," Kate said.

Annie Farmer asked the judge to consider the "ongoing suffering of the many women whom she abused and exploited" and how Maxwell's inability to accept the consequences of her crimes continued to harm the victims.

"I ask you to bear in mind how Maxwell's unwillingness to acknowledge her crimes, her lack of remorse and her repeated lies about her victims created the need for many of us to engage in a long fight for justice that has felt like a black hole sucking in our precious time, energy and well-being for much too long now, things that cannot be replaced," Farmer said.

When Maxwell briefly addressed the court, she said that she "empathize[s] deeply with all of the victims in this case" and that meeting Epstein years earlier was her "greatest regret."

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Her lawyers have long argued that Maxwell was unfairly targeted for Epstein's crimes after his death, and her statement at sentencing echoed that argument.

"Jeffrey Epstein should have been here before all of you. He should have stood before you all those years ago," she said. "He should have stood before you in 2005, again in 2009, and again in 2019, all of the many times he was accused, charged, and prosecuted. But today it is not about Epstein ultimately. It is for me to be sentenced and for the victims to address me, and me alone, in this court."

ABC News' Peter Charalambous contributed to this report.
On Thursday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Jeffrey Epsteins longtime accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell for several hours in a Florida U.S. attorneys office. On Aug. 11, Maxwell is scheduled for a jailhouse deposition sought by the House Oversight Committee.

As the uproar over the Epstein files continues, a central question is whether Maxwell can be trusted to tell the truth.

Maxwells attorney, David Oscar Markus, told reporters after the meeting with Blanche that she answered all of the questions truthfully, honestly and to the best of her ability.

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But prosecutors and the judge who oversaw her 2021 trial have said Maxwell had made multiple false statements under oath and failed to take responsibility for her actions. She was convicted of sex trafficking minors and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The defendants willingness to brazenly lie under oath about her conduct, including some of the conduct charged in the Indictment, strongly suggests her true motive has been and remains to avoid being held accountable for her crimes, prosecutors wrote in a pretrial motion.

Prosecutors said that Maxwell also lied when she was given a chance to acknowledge her actions in a 2016 civil suit. When the defendant was given the opportunity to address her conduct with minors in the context of a civil suit, she lied repeatedly, they wrote.

Maxwells attorneys said at the time that the questions asked were confusing, ambiguous, and improperly formed. They added, There were no crimes concealed by Ms. Maxwells answers.

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After Maxwell was found guilty of recruiting, grooming and trafficking multiple teenage girls for Epstein, Judge Alison Nathan said that Maxwell had not accepted responsibility for her crimes.

Ms. Maxwell today acknowledged the courage of the victims, talked about the pain and anguish they expressed, to some extent acknowledged the pain and suffering, Nathan said. What wasnt expressed was acceptance of responsibility.

Jack Scarola, a lawyer who represents roughly 20 Epstein victims, said that Maxwells history of mendacity shows that any investigator who questions her must be thoroughly prepared. It is apparent to us that approaching an interview casually will be a complete waste of time, he said.

New Hampshire house

Maxwell attempted to hide her whereabouts from FBI agents before she was arrested in 2021, according to prosecutors. Maxwell, a daughter of the late British publishing magnate Robert Maxwell, was living in a 4,300-square-foot timber-frame house on a 156-acre property in rural New Hampshire. Records showed that it was purchased for a little more than $1 million by an anonymous limited liability corporation the previous year.

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After the agents moved past a security guard hired by Maxwell, they saw her peering out a window from inside the house. After Maxwell did not respond to knocks on the door, agents broke down the door and entered, according to court documents.

During an FBI search of the residence, they found one of Maxwells phones wrapped in tinfoil. Prosecutors called that a haphazard and ineffective way to try to thwart law enforcement cellphone surveillance.

After her arrest, Maxwell did not state the liquid assets at her disposal, as required by her bail application, according to prosecutors. Maxwell listed accounts at an English bank with maximum values totaling well over $2 million. But she did not disclose a Swiss bank account with an approximate balance of $4 million.

Prosecutors wrote that to the extent the defendant now refuses to account for her ownership of or access to vast wealth, it is not because it does not exist, it is because she is attempting to hide it.

Civil case deposition

After her arrest, Maxwell was also charged with two counts of perjury alleging she made false statements in a deposition under oath in the 2016 civil case. Prosecutors alleged that Maxwell lied when she said she was not aware of Epsteins efforts to recruit underage girls for sex.

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Maxwell also lied when she claimed she was unaware of anyone 18 years or younger being on Epsteins properties, they said, and when she denied that she had sexual contact with other women while with Epstein, and that Epstein had sex toys.

After prosecutors secured a conviction against Maxwell, they declined to move forward with a court-ordered trial on the perjury charges.

Legal experts say that cooperating witnesses who have previously lied can still be effective witnesses if there is evidence that corroborates their claims. Their credibility can also be boosted if they give a compelling reason for why they lied.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Ghislaine Maxwell is finally ready to blow the whistle on late pal Jeffrey Epsteins sex trafficking ring and reveal the names on the financiers notorious client list, sources say, after the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed legal papers to keep her behind bars  potentially putting her at risk for the same deadly fate as her boss, who was found fatally hanged by a bedsheet in his prison cell.

According to tipsters, convicted sex trafficker Maxwell  who was sentenced to 20 years in the big house in 2022 for funneling young females to Epstein  is now desperate to cut a deal and willing to sing to Congress about how crooked FBI bigwigs allegedly suppressed evidence and silenced victims to protect the dead flesh peddlers rich and powerful clients.

What Ghislaine is offering prosecutors is evidence of a deep state cover-up reaching all the way into the upper echelons of the bureau, an insider familiar with the high-stakes talks tells Globe. FBI brass  for all their crowing about the incorruptibility of their agency  ultimately acted to protect fat cats who didnt want their names made public.

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Maxwell is trying to appeal her conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court after the U.S. Court of Appeals denied her claims that the feds reneged on a 2008 non-prosecution deal it signed with Epstein following his child prostitution arrest in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The deal, orchestrated by then-Miami U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta, allowed Epstein to plead guilty to two minor state charges before serving 18 months in a cushy work-release program.

Insiders say Ghislaine believes she deserves the same deal.

But U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi filed a motion asking the Supreme Court to reject the ex-socialites appeal  as the DOJ and FBI Director Kash Patel are facing a MAGA firestorm over a two-page memo closing the book on the Epstein case and concluding that there is no incriminating client list.

As Globe reported, sources say Maxwell  who recruited and groomed teenage girls for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 2004  is the only known living person who knows the contents of the creeps little black book.

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Maxwell has lived in fear for her life ever since her pedophile boss died at age 66 under mysterious circumstances in a New York City federal prison in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking.

Incredibly, at the time of Epsteins shocking death  which was officially declared a suicide  prison guards disappeared and security cameras failed.

The moneymans brother, Mark, tells Globe that he believes his sibling was murdered to ensure his silence.

Now, a prison insider  citing press reports that Maxwell is eager to spill the beans on the Epstein operation  says, Shes got a bulls-eye on her back!

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In fact, The New York Times reported that lawyers for Epsteins convicted madam pleaded for leniency in 2022 after they claimed that one of her fellow inmates at Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Center was offered cash to kill her and planned to strangle her in her sleep ahead of her sentencing.

There are numerous prison inmates who would not hesitate to kill Ms. Maxwell, the attorneys claimed, according to the newspaper.

Maxwell, who was never offered a plea deal, is now more than happy to tell her side of the story to Congress, an unnamed source tells Daily Mail.

No one from the government has ever asked her to share what she knows, the source told the outlet. 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.

Maxwells lawyer David Oscar Markus believes that his client can work out a deal with the government.

Id be surprised if President [Donald] Trump knew his lawyers were asking the Supreme Court to let the government break a deal, Markus tells New York Post. Hes the ultimate dealmaker  and Im sure hed agree that when the United States gives its word, it should keep it.
Former Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) said President Trump should task someone with going over every single angle of the controversy surrounding convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

I think in the end, the president will have to appoint somebody to go through every single angle, Gingrich, a Trump ally, said during his Wednesday appearance on the Cats & Cosby radio show on WABC 770 AM.

The former Speaker said the administration should make an effort to talk to longtime Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted on sex trafficking charges and is serving a 20-year sentence.

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And frankly, I think theyre going to have to get Ghislaine Maxwell to talk, and if that means cutting some kind of a deal, whatever it takes, theyre going to have to find out from her, because she was there for over 20 years, the former House Speaker told hosts John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby. She knows, and she has information.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Maxwell in prison in Tallahassee, Fla., on Thursday.

On Wednesday evening, Maxwells brother Ian Maxwell said in an email to the New York Post: She will be putting before that court material new evidence that was not available to the defense at her 2021 trial, which would have had a significant impact on its outcome.

President Trumps MAGA base has pushed for more transparency regarding the Epstein files, particularly after a joint Justice Department and FBI memo said the late financier did not have a client list and that he died by suicide in 2019 in prison while awaiting trial.

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Gingrich said he finds it hard to believe that Epstein committed suicide

The administration is looking to move on from the Epstein controversy, as some House Republicans have joined Democrats in calling for the release of all documents related to the Epstein case.

Last week, the White House said that Trump would not recommend a special prosecutor to review the handling and documents related to Epsteins case.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
GloRilla at the 2025 Coachella Valley Music And Arts Festival on April 11, 2025 in Indio, California. - Credit: Katie Flores/Billboard

GloRilla has been released from Forsyth County Jail in Georgia on a $22,260 bond after voluntarily turning herself in on charges of felony drug possession. The 25-year-old was placed under arrest on Monday, July 22, after local authorities discovered a significant amount of marijuana in the master bedroom of her home while responding to reports of a burglary at the residence.

The rapper, born Gloria Woods, was not home at the time of the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, July 20. It was reported that three suspects had entered the home and were in the process of stealing items when an armed occupant fired at the intruders. The suspects fled the scene, and it does not appear that any of them were struck, the Forsyth County Sheriffs Office shared in a statement to Rolling Stone.

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Authorities were unable to locate the suspects, but initiated an investigation at the location due to the nature of the incident involving a burglary and shots fired. It was during this investigation  led by Major Crimes detectives and the Crime Scene Unit  that the Lanier Regional Drug Task Force was called in to respond to the strong odor consistent with illegal narcotics detected by deputies on the scene.

Based on information obtained during the initial investigation, Task Force agents secured a search warrant for the home, the statement continued. A significant amount of marijuana was discovered in plain view inside the master bedroom closet. The homeowner, Ms. Gloria Woods, who was not present during the burglary, was subsequently charged with Felony Possession of Marijuana and Possession of schedule one controlled substance.

Representatives for GloRilla did not immediately respond to Rolling Stones request for comment.

GloRilla addressed the incident on X, writing, My House got Home Invaded Saturday While I was in Indianapolis performing for the WNBA all star game & instead of Focusing on finding the Suspects, they focus on some cannabis. In a three-point list, she clarified: So no I wasnt busted. My house got robbed. I wasnt home.

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Long story short my house gets home invaded and Im the only one that gets arrested, GloRilla said.

The investigation into the burglary that led to the arrest is ongoing. The homeowner is a victim of a serious crime, and we are committed to bringing the suspects to justice, Sheriff Ron Freeman said. Detectives were able to recover physical and trace forensic evidence they believe is connected to the suspects. At the same time, Freeman added, we must continue to uphold and enforce the law in all aspects of this case.

In a statement shared with Rolling Stone, legal representatives for GloRilla described the rappers arrest as a disturbing window into how warped law enforcement priorities have become. Findling Law Firms Marissa Goldberg and Drew Findling noted that at the time of the incident, the residence was occupied by family members who were traumatized by the violent entrance of this group who grabbed high value jewelry before taking off once they realized the home wasnt vacant.

When her family members did the right thing and called law enforcement, instead of investigating the violent home invasion and theft at Ms. Woods home, they instead sought a search warrant when they spotted what they believed was a small amount of marijuana, the statement continues. Law enforcement then sought arrest warrants for her even though she hadnt been at her home for some time. No arrest warrants have been issued for the violent home invaders. Ms. Woods is a victim, not a suspect. This is our tax dollars at work, absolutely unbelievable.

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By Olivier Cherfan and Mateusz Rabiega

(Reuters) -Randstad signalled improvements in some key markets on Wednesday, with higher demand for outsourcing of recruitment, as staffing firms face a new normal marked by heightened uncertainty.

Recruiters including Randstad, Adecco and Hays have voiced concerns about the worsening job market driven by an escalating global trade war and economic struggles in major European markets like Germany and France.

But the market sentiment has been thawing lately, Randstad CEO Sander van 't Noordende said.

"We have been on a long downward trend, and that seems to be stabilizing today," he told Reuters about market demand. "There's still uncertainty in the market, but that's ... the new norm."

The world's largest employment agency's earnings before interest, taxes and amortization, and before one-offs, were 171 million euros ($200.63 million) in the second quarter. Analysts polled by it were expecting them to reach 170 million euros.

Core earnings in France saw a slower organic decline of 14% than in recent quarters, while a core loss in Germany narrowed from a year earlier.

The earnings were helped by cost reductions, including from a lower average headcount on a full-time-equivalent basis. Randstad also expects slightly lower operating costs in the third quarter compared to the second.

"We have no specific big plans to cut workforce or anything like that," van 't Noordende said about the company's savings measures.

Asked about Randstad's interest in the European defence sector, which he had mentioned in April, the CEO said the company was engaging with the market's largest players.

"We scored some wins, let's say good wins, but not wins that I can share names of, but with larger players in Germany, France, and here in the Benelux," he said.

($1 = 0.8523 euros)

(Reporting by Mateusz Rabiega and Olivier Cherfan in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)
Attorneys representing rapper GloRilla in her recent metro Atlanta drug arrest are firing back at the investigators who charged her.

The rapper, whose real name is Gloria Hallelujah Woods, turned herself in on Tuesday on charges of possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.

Deputies say the arrest stems from an investigation into a burglary that occurred at her home over the weekend while she was not home.

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"Ms. Woods was out of town when her residence became a target for a group of home invaders who most likely knew she wasnt there. What they didnt know was that she had family staying with her that were traumatized by the violent entrance of this group," her attorneys, Marissa Goldberg and Drew Findling, wrote in a statement.

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The attorneys say the burglars got away with jewelry.

But investigators say the burglars ran off after someone in the home fired shots at them.

While investigating, law enforcement says they got a search warrant for the home and found marijuana in the master bedroom closet.

When her family members did the right thing and called law enforcement, instead of investigating the violent home invasion and theft at Ms. Woods home, they instead sought a search warrant when they spotted what they believed was a small amount of marijuana, the attorneys wrote.

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Woods attorneys are questioning why arrest warrants were issued for Woods when none have been issued for the burglars.

Ms. Woods is a victim, not a suspect. This is our tax dollars at work, absolutely unbelievable, they wrote.

Forsyth County Sheriff Ron Freeman says that while Woods is a victim, they must continue to uphold and enforce the law in all aspects of this case.

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GloRilla was recently the victim of a burglary, but in the end, she was the one taken into custody for felony drug possession. Her legal team called out the police for seeking a search warrant for the 25-year-old rapper, and not pursuing the invaders.

TMZ reported, via The Forsyth County Sheriffs Office, that officers responded to a burglary report on Saturday (July 19) in an Atlanta suburb. Three people attempted to invade the Memphis rappers home and fled the scene after an occupant shot at them. The house was identified as belonging to the TGIF rapper, but she was not home. However, the police smelled illegal narcotics and sought a search warrant.

Their search uncovered a significant amount of marijuana, leading to Glo being charged with two counts of felony drug possession. On Tuesday (July 22), she turned herself in and was released on $22,000 bond. The arrest of Gloria Woods is a disturbing window into how warped law enforcement priorities have become, her lawyers, Marissa Goldberg and Drew Findling, told TMZ.

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Ms. Woods was out of town when her residence became a target for a group of home invaders who most likely knew she wasnt there. What they didnt know was that she had family staying with her that were traumatized by the violent entrance of this group who grabbed high value jewelry before taking off once they realized the home wasnt vacant.

They expressed their disdain with the police focusing less on the burglary and more on the drug possession, framing the three-time Grammy nominee as a suspect instead of as a victim. No arrest warrants have been issued for the violent home invaders, they added. Ms. Woods is a victim, not a suspect. This is our tax dollars at work, absolutely unbelievable. This marks the Glorious rappers second run-in with Georgia law enforcement in as many years. In April 2024, she was arrested in Gwinnett County for DUI charges.

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The last full week of July is here, which means hot temperatures have fully arrived in the Sooner State.

In fact, the heat could get dangerous over the next week, according to the National Weather Service in Norman. While the Oklahoma City area is not yet under a heat advisory, it's still important to take precautions to stay safe in the heat.

Here's what to know.

How hot will it be in Oklahoma this week?

Temperatures will be in the upper 90s to triple digits throughout the week, with an increase to dangerous temperatures starting Thursday, July 24.

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The hot and humid conditions will last until at least early next week, the weather service said. Durant, Oklahoma, will see some of the highest heat indices, with a forecasted 109 degree heat index on both Saturday, July 26, and Monday, July 28.

Other high heat indices will be seen in Lawton, with a 108-degrees heat index on both Thursday, July 24, and Sunday, July 27. The heat index is forecasted to be above 105 degrees in Stillwater through at least July 28.

Dangerous heat indices are forecasted for Oklahoma over the next week, according to the National Weather Service in Norman.

How to stay safe during a heat wave

These sweltering temperatures and heat indices mean an increased risk for heat-related illness.

Here are some tips from the Cleveland Clinic to prevent getting sick when it gets too hot outside:

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Wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing

Stay hydrated at all times, active or not

Keep your home at a cool temperature using fans and/or air conditioning

Find a place to go during hot weather (like malls, libraries or community centers) if you can't cool your home

Limit or avoid physical activity in the heat; if you cant avoid it, take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors

Take a cool shower after being in the heat

Talk with your healthcare provider about any additional risks you have, due to medical conditions or certain medications, for heat-related illness

Will it rain this week in Oklahoma?

While it may not do much to break up the hot temperatures, there is a chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms on Thursday, July 24, mostly in northern Oklahoma.

OKC weather forecast

Londyn Briggs, 5, slides down a water slide June 28 during the Community Summer Bash hosted by the STARR Foundation at Sooner Haven complex in Oklahoma City.

Here are the forecasted high and low temperatures for the next week in Oklahoma City:

Thursday, July 24: high of 99, low of 76

Friday, July 25: high of 99, low of 78

Saturday, July 26: high of 99, low of 78

Sunday, July 27: high of 96, low of 78

Monday, July 28: high of 98, low of 79

Tuesday, July 29: high of 99

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC weather forecast: See how hot it will get in Oklahoma this week
"The Haredim will not change their way of life because there is an army and a war. There is an army, and there are people who will join it," said Goldknopf.

Yitzhak Goldknopf, chairman of United Torah Judaism, told Makor Rishon on Thursday that the haredim would leave Israel if there is "no choice" regarding military conscription.

In the interview, Goldknopf discussed the High Court of Justices deliberations on the draft law and the governments plan to strengthen sanctions against ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students who refuse to enlist.

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If there is no choice and they must leave the country, they will leave, Goldknopf said. The country will be without haredim. The haredim will not change their way of life because there is an army and a war. There is an army, and there are people who will join it. If you need 50,000 soldiers, take those avoiding service. There are 100,000 avoiding service in Tel Aviv, in the Dan region.

Goldknopfs comments come amid growing criticism from his advisors of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, especially regarding delays in advancing the draft law. He made it clear that the Haredi parties will support anyone who meets their demands.

When asked about his opinion on the religious Zionist community, which has a significantly higher number of IDF casualties than their demographic weighting, Goldknopf responded, Their pain is theirs, and our pain is ours. Dont bring me your pain and pass it on to me. Lets decide on our own terms, each with our own priorities.

HAREDI DEMONSTRATORS protest in Jerusalem on July 23, 2025. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)

No understanding for reservists

When asked if the UTJ chairman understood the pain of a father called up for reserves who now has to leave his family, Goldknopf responded, I dont understand. I didnt decide that he had to leave. If he decided that this was his path and he wants to leave, then hes leaving.

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Additionally, he commented on the arrests of haredim at protests against the draft law: I do not suggest arresting yeshiva students. It would cause shock in Israeli society and around the world. I do not suggest that anyone in Israel act in this manner. It breaks all conventions and crosses a red line.

Netanyahu needs to show action if he wants support

Goldknopf also discussed Netanyahus role in the draft law debate. If he wanted to, and we could lie about it like we do with other things, there would already be a conscription law. When the Prime Minister wants something, he gathers everyone in a room, sits them down, and reaches an agreement. If Netanyahu wants our support next time, he will need to show actions even before the government is formed. I cannot come today and say that Netanyahu promises something. Which of the rabbis would believe it?

When asked if he had closed the door on Netanyahu, Goldknopf concluded, I do not close or open doors. We are committed to our public, and whoever can deliver what our public asks for will receive us. Whoever only talks, let them stay with their words. In the meantime, Netanyahu has only talked during this term.

Israeli leaders react

Opposition Leader MK Yair Lapid responded to Goldknopf's claims, stating he "once again repeats the disgusting lie today about 'the draft dodgers from Tel Aviv.' The recruitment rates in Tel Aviv are like the national average, and in the northern neighborhoods, they are much higher (82%)."

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He added that, "Since the start of the war, there have been 29 fallen soldiers from Tel Aviv. I invite Goldknopf to join me on the upcoming Memorial Day for the ceremony of reading the names of the fallen in my neighborhood. Maybe there he will learn to be ashamed.

Amichai Stein contributed to this report.
Senate Republicans are not happy with House conservatives they view as hijacking the congressional agenda to make the disclosure of Jeffrey Epstein-related files their burning focus.

GOP senators say the matter should be left to President Trump and the Department of Justice and want House lawmakers to pay more attention to finding a way to avoid a government shutdown at the end of September.

Instead, House Republicans on the Rules Committee have brought their chamber to a partial standstill by refusing to vote down Democratic amendments to force the publication of Epstein-related files.

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The House is about to leave town for a five-week recess despite having passed only two of the regular appropriations bills for fiscal 2026.

You cant do anything because of Epstein, one senior GOP senator fumed. Wow, what a way to shut it down.  How does it happen?

Were supposed to be focusing on governing the country. Lets not get caught up in the tabloid expose stuff. Lets keep the government open. Lets pass appropriations bills. Lets do the boring stuff of governing and let other people get all ginned up about whos sleeping with who, the lawmaker said.

Senate Republicans are second-guessing Johnsons effort to quell the controversy by sending his members away from Washington early to begin the August recess.

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I think thats a silly reason to go home, said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who has called on the Trump administration to just release the damn files.

Tillis suggested Johnson is deluding himself if he thinks that the problem will simply go away by sending lawmakers away from Washington for an extended recess.

Ive got to believe that there has to be more to it, because that almost seems to suggest if they go away or four or five  or how many weeks theyre going to go away  that that problem is going to go away, he said of the decision to put the House in recess starting Thursday.

Do you guys really think youre going to take your eyes off this issue come Labor Day? Tillis asked a group of reporters. The answer is no. So, I think its a false premise assuming if they just walk away and avoid this vote, that its not going to continue to be an issue. he said, referring to a push to vote on a resolution to demand the release of all Epstein-related files.

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If anything, some GOP senators worry Johnsons move will sharpen the ardor to press Attorney General Pam Bondi to release all of the Epstein-related files held by her department.

So far, at least 11 House Republicans are backing the bipartisan legislation led by Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) that calls for the complete release of government files related to Epstein.

Another bombshell dropped Wednesday afternoon when The Wall Street Journal reported the Justice Department told Trump in May that his name is in the Epstein files. NewsNation, The Hills partner network, has confirmed the news.

The paper also reported Bondi told Trump at a meeting that the Justice Department would not release additional Epstein documents because they included child sexual abuse material.

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Just a few days ago, Republicans in Washington were riding high.

They passed a rescissions package for the first time since 1992, defunding PBS and NPR and global aid programs a longtime goal  and GOP senators celebrated the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act with a lavish dinner with Trump at the White House on Friday.

But theyre now finding their party plunged into a controversy over alleged sex-trafficking acts that may have happened years or decades ago.

Republican senators want the storm clouds of scandal to blow away, but they fear theyre going to continue to hang over Washington as long as some of their House colleagues hammer away at Trumps Justice Department and the FBI over Epstein.

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How does it ever go away? asked a second Republican senator who requested anonymity to comment on Johnsons handling of the debate over the Epstein files.

That senator predicted Republican lawmakers will resume fighting over Epstein and what information the Department of Justice may have when they return to Washington in September.

How do you leave? When you come back, the issue is still here, the senator remarked. Its not something that goes away.

Johnson got into a testy back-and-forth Wednesday when a reporter asked him about pulling down a vote on a rule because of fear of Epstein votes.

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No, we dont have any fear. No, hold on.  Theres no fear. Were not going to allow the Democrats to use this as a political cudgel, Johnson insisted, arguing Democrats didnt make any move to make the Epstein-related files public when they controlled the White House and Department of Justice.

Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) noted the call for more information about Epsteins illicit activities is a potent issue that has gripped the publics attention.

I think people are kind of curious and want more information, whether its potentially testimony [from longtime Epstein partner Ghislaine Maxwell]  or the release of credible information, he said.  A lot of people support that.

It also probably speaks to a larger issue: People feel like the government has lied to them for so long on certain things, he added. People would like to land on the side of more transparency.

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Senate Republicans say theyre not particularly interested in efforts to subpoena Maxwell to testify.

Nor are they pushing to compel Bondi to answer questions about a claim that she instructed 1,000 FBI personnel to comb through 100,000 Epstein-related documents to search for references to Trump.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) pointed out Wednesday that all the Republican clamor for more information about Epstein is happening in the House, not the Senate.

Its clearly a bigger issue there than it is here, he said. Youre not hearing it here.

I try and stay out of the Houses businesses. Thats an issue that theyre going to have to manage, and hopefully theyll come up with a path forward that they can all unite behind, he added.

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Rep. Mike Lawlers (R-N.Y.) decision to forgo a New York gubernatorial run has cleared a path for Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) to mount her own candidacy, teeing up what will be one of the most watched governors races next year.

Lawlers choice takes off the table a potentially bitter primary that New York Republicans hoped to avoid in a state the GOP has increasingly set their sights on. Democrats took the news as a win, arguing Lawler, who has cultivated a reputation as a moderate, is more electable.

But Republicans said the congressmans decision allows them to skip over a messy intraparty battle and direct their full attention to ousting Gov. Kathy Hochul (D).

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We have to unify behind a candidate sooner rather than later and dedicate our resources to the task at hand, which is ending Kathy Hochuls disastrous reign as governor and putting our state back on a path to prosperity, said Erie County GOP Chair Michael Kracker.

Republicans have for months been itching to face Hochul in 2026.

Former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), who now serves as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, surprised many in 2022 when he came within 6.5 points of defeating Hochul in the states closest gubernatorial race in decades. Republicans also picked up multiple House seats, including Lawlers, as part of a disappointing night for Democrats in the Empire State.

While Democrats picked up a few of those seats last November and won New York by double digits in the presidential race, the state experienced the largest rightward shift toward President Trump of any state in the country.

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With polls often showing Hochuls favorability rating underwater, Republicans are optimistic that they can build on their previous gains to elect the first Republican governor of New York since former Gov. George Pataki won the 2002 race for his third term.

One potential area of concern came as Lawler and Stefanik, coming off her nomination for United Nations ambassador being withdrawn, both expressed interest in running. Republicans wanted to avoid a heated primary battle in which the candidates focus their fire on each other, potentially weakening whoever emerged with the nomination.

Kracker argued that Zeldin having to run in a competitive primary hurt him in 2022, as he faced three other candidates.

Lawlers decision helps avoid that, leaving Stefanik as the top name potentially in the mix for a run. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman is also considering a run for governor but is first running for reelection to his current position and has trailed Stefanik in early hypothetical polls.

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If Stefanik runs, which a source familiar with her thinking told The Hill last month is not a matter of if, its a matter of when, shell likely have support from Trump.

Stefanik has become a close ally of the president in recent years, and a Truth Social post that Trump made in May endorsing Lawler for reelection to his House seat was seen by some observers as a nudge in favor of Stefanik running for governor.

One New York Republican strategist said Lawler made the right decision given the narrow House Republican majority, and the field should now be clear for Stefanik if she goes forward with a run. He said the decision should also give Republicans a boost to have a chance at winning next year.

Its really important to keep our powder dry and spend it on the right targets, he said.

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Republican strategist Bill Cortese, who previously served as an adviser to Stefanik, pointed to the congresswomans significant fundraising last quarter, in which she raised $4 million and indicated she had $11 million cash on hand. Her political operation said her cash in the bank is the largest amount for a New York Republican ever.

A significant amount of that can roll over to a gubernatorial race, Cortese said. Thats something compared to 2022, if you can walk in with a significant fundraising advantage and avoid a costly primary, then you can focus on Kathy Hochul and her failed policies early on and run a general election campaign from now all the way through November of 2026.

But Democrats are also pleased with the news Lawler isnt running, expecting that Stefanik, who doesnt have Lawlers moderate reputation and is closer to Trump, may be less palatable to voters in what is ultimately still a blue state.

Democrats pointed to Lawlers past comments that he would only run if he saw a path to win and his statement that he still fundamentally believes that hes best positioned to face Hochul. He previously said that Republican candidates in New York can get all the Republican votes you want but still need some Democratic and independent votes.

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Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf argued Stefanik will have a problem in the general election, as Trump remains unpopular in New York despite his gains last year. He said Lawler has closer ties to the suburbs of New York City, an area that Republicans need to win at least 25 to 30 percent of to compete.

He argued Blakeman would be a stronger candidate in this regard.

If its Stefanik, itll be a tougher battle, and itll be easier for the Democrats, Sheinkopf said.

But members of both parties acknowledged one additional factor that could give Republicans an extra tool: the rise of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City. If he wins the general election in November, Republicans will likely try to tie Hochul to Mamdani and socialism more broadly.

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Hochul hasnt endorsed Mamdani in the race but said she would have conversations with him.

Still, some in the GOP acknowledged that a Republican with a national profile and with Trump ties like Stefanik could be facing a larger challenge than Lawler would have.

Republican strategist Tom Doherty said several factors must coalesce for Republicans to pull off a win, including an exhaustion among voters with Democrats, as seen when Pataki defeated former Gov. Mario Cuomo (D).

The feeling is obviously that Stefanik and Republicans believe that the state is now ripe for the picking, he said. It still remains a very, very difficult race just based on the numbers.

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Democrats outnumber Republicans in voter registration by more than a 2-to-1 margin in the state.

But Doherty added that if Trump can improve his approval numbers among independents, it could present an opportunity.

Hochul will have the resources, and then its just a question of whether or not [Republicans] can get enough votes in an overwhelming Democratic state, he said. It certainly can be done. But its still climbing a little bit uphill.

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Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R) on Thursday objected to a Democratic resolution demanding the Department of Justice release all files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego (D) went to the Senate floor Thursday at lunchtime to demand for the second time in eight days that Attorney General Pam Bondi release all files related to Epstein, something that MAGA-aligned activists have demanded for months and has divided the Republican Party.

But Mullin, who had blocked the resolution the first time, stepped in to object again, dismissing Gallegos call as political theater.

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He said Republicans want transparency into Epsteins illicit activities, including alleged sex trafficking, but he argued its not Congresss role to dictate to the Justice Department what sensitive files must be released to the public.

We want to know what happened, the American people want to know what happened. What this resolution does is its actually a blurred line between the separation of powers, Mullin said. When we start dictating to the Department of Justice what they can and cant do, theres a clear separation of power.

Were the legislative branch. Thats what we do. We make laws. We cant dictate to other branches on what they must and how they must do their job, he added.

The Oklahoma Republican then offered an alternative resolution calling on a Florida federal judge to release grand jury documents related to the criminal investigation into Epstein.

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The judge, Robin Rosenberg, this declined the Justice Departments request to unseal the grand jury transcripts, saying the standard invoked by the Trump administration to request grand jury documents was on the basis of public interest and not to meet the needs of an ongoing judicial proceeding.

Mullin argued that judges have the power to release more information about Epstein and asked Gallego to agree to his resolution.

But Gallego instead suggested combining his resolution with Mullins to demand both the Department of Justice and the judicial branch to release files and grand jury documents that might shed light onto Epsteins activities.

The Arizona Democrat tried to ratchet up the pressure on Mullin to accept the modified request by suggesting that objecting to it would amount to an effort to protect the powerful elites.

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Mullin, however, objected to combining the two requests and needled his Democratic colleague over the failure of the Biden administration to release the Epstein files.

Lets be honest. We know these files have been out there forever. I dont remember a single time the Biden administration called on these things to be released. And I dont remember my colleague from Arizona asking for the files to be released, he said.

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July 24 (UPI) -- U.S. Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and John Cornyn, R-Texas, are calling for a special counsel to investigate allegations against former President Barack Obama.

The senators said they want the truth about Obama's alleged "manipulation" before the 2016 election.

"For the good of the country, Senator @JohnCornyn and I urge Attorney General (Pam) Bondi to appoint a special counsel to investigate the extent to which former President Obama, his staff and administration officials manipulated the U.S. national security apparatus for a political outcome," Graham posted on X.

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A special counsel is someone brought from outside to investigate independently.

"As we have supported in the past, appointing an independent special counsel would do the country a tremendous service in this case," Fox News reported Graham and Cornyn said.

Former President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton listen during the state funeral for former President George H.W. Bush in 2018, in Washington, D.C. Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham and John Cornyn have called for special counsel after Director of National Security Tulsi Gabbard released more unclassified documents about the Obama administration. File photo by Alex Brandon/UPI

This call comes one day after Director of Homeland Security Tulsi Gabbard released a second formerly classified document alleging wrongdoing by Obama. The Department of Justice created a "strike force" to investigate the evidence.

The document cast doubts on Russian President Vladimir Putin's desire to help Trump beat Secretary of State Hilary Clinton. It backed up the argument that Russia wanted to interfere in the election.

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It was part of a House Intelligence Committee report from Sept. 18, 2020, when Republicans controlled the House. Though it doesn't dispute that Moscow interfered in the election, it shows the Obama administration's handling of Russian activity.

Last week, Gabbard released a document that accused Obama and his Cabinet of manufacturing an intelligence report to falsely accuse Russia of acting to ensure Trump defeated Clinton during the 2016 election.

Obama's team responded to last week's report.

"Nothing in that document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes," Obama spokesman Patrick Rodenbush said in a prepared statement on Tuesday.

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"These findings were affirmed in a 2020 report by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio."

"With every piece of information that gets released, it becomes more evident that the entire Russia collusion hoax was created by the Obama administration to subvert the will of the American people," Graham and Cornyn said.

Trump earlier in the day accused Obama of "trying to lead a coup" with Hillary Clinton.
Gov Stein speaks to apprentices at Charlotte Coca-Cola bottling plant

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Gov. Stein toured the Coca-Cola Consolidated Plant on Chesapeake Drive in northwest Charlotte on Wednesday.

He met with participants of the companys apprenticeship program. Its designed to help employees rise through the ranks and build a career in manufacturing.

The facility employs around 900 people. Crews package and distribute millions of Coca-Cola cases out of the plant every year.

I think that it really just creates greater chances for people to build that life that they want for themselves to earn enough money to one day buy a home, to make sure that your kids get a good education, Gov. Stein said.

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Steins visit looked to bring attention to the opportunities in the Tar Heel state, specifically pointing to the benefits that can come with work in advanced manufacturing.

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Gov. Tony Evers announced Thursday he will not seek a third term. | Photo by Baylor Spears/Wisconsin Examiner)

Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers announced he will not seek a third term in office Thursday  triggering a competitive Democratic primary ahead of the 2026 general election to fill the office.

In a two-minute video posted to social media, Evers said that he wouldnt be running for reelection despite being sure he could win a third term, because he wants to spend more time with his family.

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I began my run for governor as a proud Plymouth Progressive, and thats still who I am today. Im a science teacher at heart who ended up running for office and winning five straight statewide elections, Evers said. So, would I win if I ran a sixth time? Of course. No question about that. But whether Id win or not has never been part of my calculus about running again.

Heres the truth: Wisconsin, the only thing I love more than being your governor is being a husband, a dad, and a grandpa. Ive spent 50 years in public service. Im damn proud I devoted my entire career  and most of my life  to working for you. And from Plymouth to Baraboo, Tomah to Oshkosh, Verona to Madison, and everywhere in between, Kathy and my family supported me all the way, Evers said. For five decades, my family has sacrificed to give me the gift of service. Theyre my world. And I owe it to them to focus on doing all the things we enjoy and love doing together. Its why, Wisconsin, Im announcing that I will not be running for a third term.

Evers had said he would make a decision following the end of the budget cycle, and after he signed the new budget in early July, public debate about whether Evers should run began picking up steam. Some Democrats, including Rep. Mark Pocan and newly-elected Democratic Party of Wisconsin Chair Devin Remiker, expressed their hopes that Evers would run. Some Democratic state lawmakers expressed opposition to a third Evers term. .

Evers was first elected to the office in 2018, ousting Republican former Gov. Scott Walker in a close election and placing a Democrat in office for the first time in eight years. Weeks before he entered office Republican lawmakers sought to strip him of some of his executive powers before he even took office.

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Prior to his governorship, Evers served as the Superintendent of Public Instruction from 2009-2019 and was known for his advocacy for public education.

Two Republican candidates, Washington Co. Executive Josh Schoemann and Whitefish Bay businessman Bill Berrien, have already launched their campaigns. Other Republicans are still considering whether to run, including U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany.

For the updated story, see: Democrats and Republicans react to Evers not running for reelection
Renault Group announced that it has appointed Nicolas Paris as the person to succeed Stephane Deblaise as the CEO of its South Korean manufacturing subsidiary, Renault Korea Motors Company, from September 2025.

Nicolas Paris brings with him 20 years of experience in global automotive component purchasing and leadership. Before he joined Renault in 2015, he worked at the German automotive components manufacturer ZF Lenksysteme.

Since then, he has held leadership roles in Renaults operations in France, India and China, including as head of purchasing at the companys Alliance Innovation Lab in China. His most recent appointment was that of vice president in charge of purchasing for batteries, e-powertrains, ADAS, connectivity, software and electronic components.

Renault Koreas global sales were up slightly at 106,900 vehicles last year, including 39,800 sold domestically and 67,100 overseas.

Stephane Deblaise will leave the post he has held since March 2022 to head up Renaults Indian operations.

Separate reports in South Korea suggested that Renault Korea has reached an agreement with its labor union in this year's wage negotiations. The automaker has agreed to increase monthly wages by KRW 103,500 (US$75), and provide a separate 150% performance-related incentive and a KRW 2.5 million bonus.

"Renault Korea to appoint new CEO" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




A pair of top Senate Republicans called for a special counsel to be appointed Thursday to probe whether former President Obama aided an effort to undermine President Trumps 2016 White House bid.

Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) pressed for the appointment, saying they want answers about how Obama and his administration manipulated matters in the hopes of a Hillary Clinton victory in 2016

For the good of the country, Senator @JohnCornyn and I urge Attorney General Bondi to appoint a special counsel to investigate the extent to which former President Obama, his staff and administration officials manipulated the U.S. national security apparatus for a political outcome, Graham posted on the social platform X.

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The call came a day after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released a new document casting doubts on Russian President Vladimir Putins desire to aid Trump in the contest, though it backed up the argument that Russia wanted to interfere in the election writ large.

The document was part of a House Intelligence Committee report stemming from when Republicans controlled the chamber, and it was classified until Gabbard released it. Although it does not dispute that Moscow interfered in the election, it sheds light on the Obama administrations handling of Russias activity at the time.

It was the second recent disclosure by Gabbard seeking to discredit the Obama administration. Last week, she released a report alleging Obama officials manipulated intelligence related to Russian interference in the 2016 election and accused former officials of engaging in a treasonous conspiracy.

A number of intelligence reviews determined the Russians sought to influence the 2016 contest and that Putin wanted Trump to emerge victorious.

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As we have supported in the past, appointing an independent special counsel would do the country a tremendous service in this case, Cornyn said in a statement. With every piece of information that gets released, it becomes more evident that the entire Russia collusion hoax was created by the Obama Administration to subvert the will of the American people.

Democrats and the liberal media have been out to get President Trump since 2016, he continued. There must be an immediate investigation of what we believe to be an unprecedented and clear abuse of power by a U.S. presidential administration.

An Obama spokesperson issued a rare rebuke of Trumps claim that the ex-president committed treason, noting the Senate Intelligence Committee in 2020 backed that the Russians attempted to sway votes but were not successful. The committee at the time also backed up the work of the intelligence community during that stretch.

That panel was chaired by then-Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who now leads the State Department.

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Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response. But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one, said Patrick Rodenbush, an Obama spokesperson. These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.

The Trump administration has released the documents as it tries to pivot away from the Jeffrey Epstein story, while lawmakers issue subpoenas in search of answers on the case.

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GRANBY, Conn. (WTNH)  Granby police issued a warning to local businesses and residents about fake invoice scams being sent to people with pending permit applications.

West Hartford officials taking measures to protect pedestrians

These fraudulent invoices say theyre from the town and request payment to move applications forward. This affects various types of permits, like amusement, building, zoning, and planning, police said.

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Police said the scammers are using publicly available details to make their letters appear official in order to deceive people.

If you believe you may have been targeted, contact the Granby police.

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Jul. 24GRAND FORKS  Anthony Bichel is looking forward to seeing his 15-year-old daughter as she takes the stage in the MySPA show that's planned for Friday, July 25, in the Grand Forks Central High School auditorium.

The MySPA students will present a showcase, "Music Through the Ages," at 2 p.m. in Grand Forks Central High School's auditorium. Admission is free. All are welcome.

Sponsored by Grand Forks Public Schools, MySPA is for students in kindergarten through 12th grade and older with special needs or challenges. The mission of the program, founded in 2009, is to provide "a unique experience of the performing arts in an individual, educational, inspirational and exciting environment," said Allison Peterson, SPA director.

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This year's 37 participants will show the kinds of activities they've been involved in this summer, including music, movement and some skits, Peterson said.

The three-week program closes with a showcase, not a theatrical production, requiring directors and rehearsals, she said. It's "just students having a whole lot of fun."

Friday's show will highlight music from the '50s, '60s and '70s, said Bichel, whose daughter is involved in MySPA for the second consecutive year.

The event features "singing and dancing, as far as I can tell," he told the Herald Wednesday, "which most kids, I know, her age are all into that. They all want to be divas or rock stars. ...

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"Think of MySPA as, sort of, the Off-Broadway version of the SPA program."

MySPA student participants are:

John Applebaum, Rachel Bichel, Adam Bohn, Kennedy Byfuglien, Amelie Dagoberg, Maddison Davis, Brandon Dewbre, Larry Eliason, Daphne Enger, Maci Fincher, Fiona Flynn, Inga Gebhard, Jaxon Hesse, Grace Hesse, Logan Holweger, Olivia Jensen, Ingrid Kelly, Alera Keown, Jacob Kowalczik, Alexis LaBonte, Eleanor Laumb, Zach Morken, Piper Morrison, Graham Nelson, Katelyn Quinn, Ivory Robinson, Kyalah Robinson, Hailey Rodriguez, Adelaide Schlacht, Austin Schlief, Kyanne Stringer, Nova Stringer, Aiden Sullivan, Kanyon Tollefson, Emma Vonesh, Brady Wray and Zander Zorn.

Anthony Bichel and his family moved here from Texas in April 2023, from a city of more than 8 million to a state with fewer than 800,000.

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"I thought it was really cool that the school district does this (MySPA)," he said. "No school district that we've been part of before has ever done anything like this for kids in the summer.

"Everybody loves the spotlight, the big stage and everything else, and this group is no different."

Bichel said he appreciates the opportunities that MySPA offers.

"How often do kids with developmental and intellectual disabilities get to be the focus of attention?" he said. There are limited opportunities for a lot of these students.

"When you've got communities that are willing and able to support these kinds of programs I just think that's tremendous, because they want it just as bad as anybody else."

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His daughter, who will be a sophomore at Red River High School this fall, gets "every bit as much enjoyment from music as anybody else I know," he said. "She just lacks the opportunity to get out and, sort of, perform."

Bichel has seen the effects of MySPA, he said. His daughter "just enjoys doing this kind of stuff. It helps her with her social skills  makes it easy to be around other people, to be in situations you aren't familiar with. It's like anything else like this, it just builds your confidence. It peels away some of that difference, again  it makes you feel you're just the same as everybody else."

These students "are every bit as deserving as everybody else," he said.

Staff members for this year's MySPA are: Angie Johnson, Brenna Payne, Ryann Barta, Breen Barta and Hannah Holte. Paraprofessionals involved in the program are: Joni Gilbertson, Ruth Turner, Katie Erickson, Johnathan Schilling and Kaylee Anderson.

The program also enlists volunteers, many of whom are former MySPA students who assist after they "age out" of the program, Peterson said.
LISBON, Ohio (WKBN)  A defendant accused of breaking into a state representatives home in Columbiana County waived his preliminary hearing on Thursday.

A grand jury will now consider the case of Nathan Johnson, 29, who is charged with aggravated burglary and disrupting public services.

According to an affidavit filed in Columbiana Municipal Court, a Columbiana County Sheriffs deputy was sent to a home on Hatcher Road in New Waterford for a report of a burglary in progress on July 15.

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The home is that of State Representative Monica Robb Blasdel. A spokesperson for Blasdel released a statement last this week:

On Tuesday, July 15, 2025, there was an incident at our home, and unfortunately, members of my family were present. We want to commend the Columbiana County Sheriffs Department, dispatchers, and local police departments who promptly responded and professionally managed the situation. The alleged perpetrator is currently in custody and our family is safe. Rep Monica Robb Blasdel

The affidavit states that one of the victims reported that a man he was not familiar with pulled into the drive at a high rate of speed and got out of his truck, approaching him in an aggressive manner. The man, identified in court records as Johnson, then demanded to know where the homeowners were, the affidavit stated.

The victim reported that Johnson punched him in the head, knocking him to the ground, and later threw a chair through the front window. Johnson was then able to reach through the glass to unlock the door and go inside the home, the affidavit stated.

There was a child locked inside another room at the time, according to the affidavit.

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Johnsons bond was continued on Thursday.

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An Atlanta woman stopped a fellow passenger from storming the planes cockpit during a flight to Tucson, according to a viral video.

Nicole Pruitt, a retired Army veteran who was coming to Arizona to visit her son and grandchild, was aboard a Delta Airlines flight out of Atlanta on July 16, when one of the other 179 passengers started making a commotion near the back of the plane.

Midflight, a female passenger told flight attendants that she no longer wanted to be on the plane, Pruitt recalled in the video her son, Tyrique Perry, posted to TikTok.

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This chick came all the way from the back, Pruitt said, adding, She said she didnt want to be on the plane anymore.

Describing the passenger as aggressive, Pruitt said she kept pushing the flight attendants out of the way while trying to make her way to the cockpit.

I have a feeling and God told me to do it, the passenger said, according to Pruitt.

After hearing that, Pruitt, who was seated in first class, said she put her earphones in the seat pocket and told the person sitting next to her, Excuse me, Im going to beat her a** right now.

Another video posted on Instagram showed the aftermath of the encounter. In it, the woman can be seen restrained on the floor while Pruitt stands beside her. Other passengers and flight attendants were later seen trying to get the woman off the floor.

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Online, Pruitt was praised for detaining the passenger.

Thats my mama, Perry captioned in his video.

With her heroic effort and the help of a handful of good citizens on the plane, they were able to successfully and safely divert back to Atlanta and handle this situation on the ground, he stated in another video. Big shout-out to my mom for preventing a potential tragedy.

Calling Pruitt savior queen, one Instagram user said Delta should give her free flights to any destination.

Another person called Pruitt a hero, thanking her for her military service.

The flight returned to Atlanta, roughly an hour after departure, Delta spokesperson Stan Heaton said in an email to The Arizona Republic on July 23. When the plane landed there, medical personnel were on scene and law enforcement was notified, Heaton said.

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Heaton said he did not know whether the passenger was arrested.

The flight eventually made its way back toward Tucson, arriving nearly 3 hours after it was initially scheduled to get there, according to Heaton.

Delta sincerely appreciates the actions of our crew and customers for de-escalating this situation, Heaton said. We apologize to our customers for the delay and thank them for their understanding.

Pruitt could not be immediately reached for comment by phone July 23, as she was flying back to Atlanta, her daughter told The Republic. Another call to Pruitt went unanswered on July 24.

Shawn Raymundo covers Phoenix and Scottsdale. Reach him at sraymundo@gannett.com or follow him on X @ShawnzyTsunami.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Grandma says she stopped aggressive passenger on Tucson-bound flight
A nonprofit in Linda that saves Alaskan malamutes, huskies and malamute mixes from shelters in Northern California recently received a $750 grant to help with medical care for senior dogs.

This nonprofit is called the Malamute Rescue and Rehabilitation of Northern California, and according to its founder, Nick Tanguay, the grant money will be used for senior dogs currently in his rescue.

Those senior dogs would be Blue and Monte, Tanguay said. I think those are the only two senior dogs I have in rescue right now. All the others are pretty young and healthy.

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According to Tanguay, the grant, which is from the Grey Muzzle Organization, will go a long way with wellness checks, vaccinations, nail trimmings and similar types of veterinary care.

This time of the year, foxtails are very common, Tanguay said. And no matter how much I try and clean them all out of the yard, and no matter how much I try to brush my dogs and put my hands on the dogs, inevitably, one or two dogs a year gets a significant foxtail. And thats expensive.

According to Tanguay, the expense of foxtail extraction depends on how and where it embeds itself.

(Foxtails) burrow in, Tanguay explained. And because of the way that God in his infinite wisdom designed them, they go in, but they dont come out. They just keep burrowing deeper and deeper and deeper.

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Helpfully, the $750 grant will allow the nonprofit to establish an emergency medical fund. The medical fund is in honor of Ozzy, a senior dog who passed away and had ongoing health conditions. The small grant is useful because every penny counts.

Im a nonprofit, right? Im just a poor guy who lives in Linda  I aint got no money, Tanguay said. Im not a billionaire self-funding. Literally, I can barely float my own boat.

The grant, which board member Lilia Brummel secured, helps him to devote money to Blue, Monte, and the next senior who comes into care.

And not worry about taking money out of (the) general fund, which is for things like dog food, treats, business cards, insurance  liability insurance is really expensive  and all of those things, Tanguay said. So it was a lifesaver. It was truly a great lifeboat for us to have this little bit of extra money to devote to our senior dogs.

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Devoting himself to dogs, Tanguay has been saving dogs for a long time. His connection with malamutes started when he was out on his bicycle and got over onto Linda Avenue.

There was a pit bull and this little fluffy dog running down the middle of the road, and I thought they were going to get hit by a car, Tanguay described.

There was traffic oncoming, but at the last second, both dogs darted off the road.

I went, Here puppy, puppy, and the pit bull looked at me and kind of said kiss my a** and ran off. But the puppy had a rope tied around his neck, and I was able to grab the rope, and I picked the puppy up and peddled him home, Tanguay said.

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Tanguay initially thought the puppy was an itty-bitty husky. He kept that dog and fell in love with him. At six months old, though, that puppy weighed 70 pounds.

And Im like, This aint a husky, Tanguay said.

Tanguay did his research and found out that it was an Alaskan malamute dog; he started asking questions. On the computer, he found groups that know Alaskan malamutes, and over time, he became kind of popular within that niche.

And somebody asked me, Hey, we have a dog and we cant do anything with him and we dont know what to do. Can you help? Tanguay said. And I said, Sure, bring him.

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From there, additional Alaskan malamutes started to come his way.

These dogs just caught my heart and that was that, Tanguay said. That was the end of my life as a free man  now Im a dog butler.

Tanguay explained why its important for the specific types of dogs that he rescues to be with educated owners. He pointed out that huskies are commonly surrendered to shelters and face a high euthanasia rate.

The thing is that huskies and malamutes are very high-energy dogs, and theyre very opinionated and stubborn, and its more like inviting a roommate into your home than inviting a dog into your house, Tanguay said.

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He said they will escape if you dont treat them appropriately. They can also be fairly destructive.

All that being said, with just a little teeny bit of effort, they are the best dog ever, ever  period, Tanguay said.

With his rescue, emphasis is placed on the power of community.

Through our Facebook group, we have built a tremendous community, Tanguay said. So when you adopt a dog from us, you get resources and wisdom. And if there are any problems, call me and Ill help you solve them.

One of his easiest dogs, Blue, is this months featured dog. Hes a 9-year-old Husky mix who is a gentle and mellow friend. He still has a lot of love to give to the right home: https://malamuterescuereha.wixsite.com/website. For Malamute Rescue and Rehabilitation of Northern California, adoption is free for veterans and active duty service members.

For more information, call 530-415-6856.
ATHENS (Reuters) -Greece will deploy a salvage vessel in the Red Sea to assist in maritime accidents and protect seafarers and global shipping, the shipping minister said on Thursday, following attacks on two Greek vessels by Yemen's Houthi militants this month.

Two Liberia-flagged, Greek-operated cargo ships, Magic Seas and Eternity C, sank off Yemen after repeated attacks by the Iran-aligned militant group.

The strikes on the two vessels marked a resumption of attacks on shipping by the Houthis, who struck more than 100 ships between November 2023 and December 2024 in what they said was a show of solidarity with the Palestinians in the war in Gaza.

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Shipping Minister Vassilis Kikilias said the salvage vessel - called Giant and provided by the Hellenic Association of Tugboat Owners - would "support, protect and assist Greek-owned vessels and Greek seafarers".

All of the crew members from the Magic Seas were rescued by a passing ship.

The crew of the Eternity C had to abandon the ship. Ten were rescued by a privately led mission, but five more are feared dead and the Houthis are believed to be holding another 10 crew members, maritime security sources have said.

Aspides, the European Union naval mission protecting shipping in the Red Sea, did not have assets in the area at the time of the incidents.

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Giant is manned by a specialist crew of 14 Greek sailors, has four engines with 16,000 horsepower, and can sail in the most adverse weather conditions, the Shipping Ministry said.

It can participate in search and rescue operations, with accommodation for 40 people, help prevent marine pollution and also has firefighting capacity.

(Reporting by Renee Maltezou;Editing by Helen Popper)
A Greene County man charged with murder in the 2024 deaths of a woman and their son has pleaded guilty.

Joshua A. Penick of Lyons pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of murder in the deaths of Samantha Jerrell and their 14-year-old son, Colton Shields.

Dismissed as a result of a plea agreement were charges of obstruction of justice, battery against a public safety official, false informing and resisting law enforcement, according to court records.

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A sentencing hearing is set for 10 a.m. Oct. 1 in Greene County Circuit Court, Judge Erik Allen presiding.

The Greene County Sheriffs Department had been investigating a missing persons case involving Jerrell and her son, who were last seen Oct. 13, 2024.

Investigators found their bodies in a shallow grave near Bear Run Coal Mine in Carlisle in Sullivan County on Oct. 17, and Penick, 35, was arrested shortly thereafter.

According to a probable cause document filed at that time, Penick lived with Jerrell and her son, who was Penicks biological child.

There is no agreement as to sentencing. Penick faces a sentencing range of 45 to 65 years in prison on each murder count, said Jarrod Holtsclaw, Greene County prosecutor.

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Holtsclaw on Thursday said he would be seeking the maximums.

Judge Allen will determine the appropriate terms, and whether those are to be served concurrently or consecutively.

Indiana State Police assisted the Greene County Sheriffs Department.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) voiced concerns Thursday about President Trumps push to build out artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure, warning about the massive water usage of data centers.

Trump laid out his approach to the technology in his AI Action Plan on Wednesday and signed three executive orders aimed at delivering on portions of the plan, including fast-tracking data center construction, boosting the export of American AI and barring woke AI in federal contracting.

I have many concerns about the AI Executive Order signed yesterday by President Trump, Greene wrote in a lengthy post on the social platform X. While I understand the many promised benefits of AI, I remain committed to protecting state rights, human jobs, human lives, human rights, our environment and critical water supply.

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While Greene mentions a singular executive order, she appears be referring to both the broader AI framework and the orders signed by the president.

Under the AI Action Plan, the administration calls for exempting data center-related actions from environmental review. It also seeks to fast-track data center and energy projects under the nations permitting system, while considering a nationwide permit to allow these projects to move forward despite potential water quality impacts.

Rushed AI expansion and data centers being built all over the country from state to state with no plan in regards to environmental and critical water supply impact has massive future implications and problems, Greene said.

AI requires a vast amount of power, which is why the Trump administration is pushing to expand the nations data center and energy infrastructure. However, these data centers also require water for cooling.

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Ive been in construction my entire life, Greene added. I can tell you firsthand, when you move dirt there is always an impact to the surrounding area. When you build something that requires a HIGH water demand, it will always take water away from others  that means people, cities, businesses, and surrounding counties and states.

The Georgia Republican also took issue with the AI plans push to roll back regulations on AI, particularly at the state level. The administration calls for limiting federal funding to states whose AI regulations are deemed too onerous and directs the Federal Communications Commission to evaluate whether state AI rules interfere with its mandate.

My deep concerns are that the EO demands rapid AI expansion with little to no guardrails and breaks, she said.

She compared the restrictions on federal funding to an AI provision that was ultimately removed from Trumps big, beautiful bill, which he signed into law earlier this month.

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The provision sought to bar states from regulating AI for 10 years by withholding federal funds. Greene opposed the AI moratorium, which was removed from the bill by a 99-1 vote in the Senate.

Competing with China does not mean become like China by threatening state rights, replacing human jobs on mass scale creating mass poverty, and creating potentially devastating effects on our environment and critical water supply, she added. This needs a careful and wise approach. The AI EO takes the opposite.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
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Dive Brief:

San Francisco Federal Credit Union has agreed to acquire Oakland, California-based Summit Bank in an all-cash transaction, the companies said Tuesday.

The transaction will add three Summit branches in Oakland, Emeryville and Walnut Creek to the $1.3 billion-asset credit unions seven-branch footprint across San Francisco and San Mateo counties.

The deal  expected to close in the first quarter of 2026  awaits regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Dive Insight:

The transaction would be the eighth whole-bank purchase by a credit union this year and the second such announcement in California in 2025. In January, Oceanside-based Frontwave Credit Union agreed to buy El Centro-based Community Valley Bank in an all-cash transaction valued at $56.4 million.

San Francisco FCUs latest move would bolster the credit unions financial solutions for its customers with enhanced digital tools and offer broader commercial services for member businesses while scaling its operations in the Bay Area with a total of 10 branches, according to the press release.

Community is central to our mission, and as we grow, we look forward to continuing to contribute to the economic vitality of Bay Area communities, said Ray Shams, CEO of San Francisco FCU, in a statement. We are committed to helping our members achieve their financial goals while fostering strong local partnerships.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The California credit union plans to retain the bank employees, to offer their knowledge of the East Bay and to ensure a smooth transition, according to the frequently asked questions page posted on San Francisco FCUs website.

Summit Bank, the oldest woman-founded bank in California, counts roughly $4.5 million in assets and caters to medium-sized businesses, professionals and individuals, according to the press release.

As we combine Summit Bank with San Francisco Federal Credit Union, I am convinced that our customers will continue to see the can-do philosophy as our staff will continue into this larger financial institution that has the same values of Summit Bank, Shirley Nelson, CEO of Summit Bank, said in a statement Tuesday. While it has been difficult to let go of something that I started over 43 years ago, I still plan to be involved supporting Summit Foundation.

2024 saw a record 22 whole-bank acquisition announcements by credit unions. Although this years number is off pace compared to last year, Michael Bell, a partner at the law firm Honigman, said there are more deals in the works.
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  Greensboro police have ramped up traffic enforcement this year, and part of their goal is to make people aware of the consequences of breaking traffic laws.

Greensboro Police Department Chief John Thompson said earlier this year that the number one complaint from the people who live in Greensboro is traffic safety, which is one of the reasons the city is working on a contract for red-light cameras as well.

Theyre also cracking down on people running stop signs.

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Almost six months later, theres still more work to do.

Being in the traffic unit, our number one priority is traffic safety, GPD Traffic Officer Wade Crouse said.

FOX8 met with Officer Crouse at LeBauer Park almost six months after we first set up our cameras there and saw car after car breeze through the stop sign.

The GPD identified North Davie Street and Abe Brenner Place as a hot spot for running stop signs and placed yard signs warning people of how much the fine and court fees can cost, which is upwards of $200.

All across the city and any time of day, people are not stopping at stop signs, Crouse said.

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The department has placed more signs throughout the city, including in a neighborhood off Battleground Avenue, where FOX8 also saw two people run a stop sign back to back, to encourage people to come to a complete stop.

The traffic unit is ramping up enforcement. Before he got to the park, Crouse had just issued a citation near the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts.

She just blew right through the stop sign. Late for a doctors appointment, Crouse said.

Crouse stood and watched as FOX8 cameras rolled for 15 minutes to count cars running the stop signs near the park.

During that time, a half dozen cars did exactly that.

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Thats particularly dangerous near Lebauer Park with so many families crossing the road to enjoy the splash pad and other amenities.

With so many incidents, Crouse said he knows theres more enforcement to be done and more public awareness.

Leave with a few extra minutes in hand to give yourself plenty of time to get to your destination and come to a full and complete stop, and make sure its safe before continuing on, Crouse said.

He also asked people to please use extra caution around motorcycles after recently responding to a fatal motorcycle wreck.

Theres a voicemail line set up for problem areas like the one at LeBauer Park, where people can call in and leave a message.

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Dial (336) 373-slow and let them know where youre seeing the problem, and police will review the messages.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
Human ancestors ate small children 850,000 years ago, a gruesome discovery has shown.

Archaeologists working at the Gran Dolina cave site in Burgos, northern Spain, found a human neck bone belonging to a child aged between two and four years old, with clear butchery marks.

The vertebra was found with other bones and teeth belonging to Homo Antecessor, considered to be the last common ancestor of both Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals, and who lived between 1.2 million and 800,000 years ago.

Unearthed cervical bone from toddler in Spanish cave shows clear lacerations - Maria D. Guillen/IPHES-CERCA/Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution

Although cannibalism is well documented in early humans, experts say it is unusual to find a child being eaten and it marks the earliest evidence of the practice found to date. The site of the marks on the neck bone suggests the youngster was decapitated.

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This case is particularly striking, not only because of the childs age, but also due to the precision of the cut marks, said Dr Palmira Saladie, the co-director of the Gran Dolina excavation of the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution.

The vertebra presents clear incisions at key anatomical points for disarticulating the head. It is direct evidence that the child was processed like any other prey.

Other adult bones belonging to Homo Antecessor found at the site show evidence of defleshing marks and intentional fractures, similar to those found on animal bones consumed by humans.

Experts say it suggests that early humans exploited their peers as a food resource and may also have used cannibalism as a method of controlling territory.

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Homo Antecessor is the earliest human to move into Europe and was given the species name antecessor because it means pioneer or early settler in Latin.

It was of stockier build than modern humans, with males ranging in height from 5.2ft to 5.9ft, but had some modern facial features, such as a hollowed cheekbones and a projecting nose, unlike earlier hominids.

Other bones, including teeth, were found belonging to Homo Antecessor, considered the last common ancestor of both Homo Sapiens and Neanderthals - Maria D. Guillen/IPHES-CERCA/Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution

The earliest evidence of human cannibalism dates back to 1.45 million years where a butchered Homo Erectus bone was found in northern Kenya and it is likely the practice existed until relatively recently.

Some archaeologists suggest that before formal burials, human populations would eat the dead as a funerary ritual.

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At Goughs Cave in Cheddar Gorge, Somerset, human skulls were found that appeared to have been used as cups, dating from 15,000 years ago. Gnawed human bones were also excavated from the same period.

Experts believe that, during the Ice Age, cannibalism would have been a good way of finding food in tough times while also removing rival groups and ritually absorbing their power.

Hundreds of stone tools have been discovered previously at Gran Dolina, as well as human bones showing evidence of human chewing.

What we are documenting now is the continuity of that behaviour: the treatment of the dead was not exceptional, but repeated, added Dr Saladie, a specialist in prehistoric cannibalism.

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Every year we uncover new evidence that forces us to rethink how our ancestors lived, how they died, and how the dead were treated nearly a million years ago.

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CONCHO, Ariz. (AP)  The village of Concho in the Arizona high desert is home to about 50 people  barely a dot in a sprawling, dusty landscape speckled with clumps of grass, scrub oak and juniper. Concho, about 200 miles northeast of Phoenix, has one restaurant, a Dollar General and a gas station that closes at 7 p.m.

But this remote hamlet is now at the center of a Catholic Church controversy.

Over the last six months, several members of this tight-knit community have been speaking up in support of a lay group of young Catholics who call themselves the League of the Blessed Sacrament. They say the group has revitalized this ignored, poverty-stricken region.

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However, leaders at the New Mexico-based Diocese of Gallup, which oversees the region, contend that group members misrepresented themselves as a religious order and engaged in activity not sanctioned by the Catholic Church. Bishop James S. Wall ordered the group to leave parish housing and stop leading liturgy and teaching in the regions Catholic school.

Group members  Giovanni Vizcarra, Edward Seeley, Eric Faris, Anthony Ribaya and Lisa Hezmalhalch  maintain they have represented themselves truthfully and followed the diocese's orders. They believe the diocese, the poorest in the nation, asked them to leave because leaders are worried about potential liability stemming from the group taking three boys, victims of alleged domestic abuse, into their care.

Diocese spokesperson Suzanne Hammons said Wall and the diocese are not afraid of liability" and are accustomed to dealing with sensitive situations in their parishes and schools. The diocese has a duty to properly investigate all allegations and go through official channels to ensure everyones safety, she said.

Why the group came to Concho

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The men arrived in Concho about four years ago from the Canons Regular of Immaculate Conception, an Augustinian community in Santa Paula, California, after accusing their superior of abuse and inappropriate behavior. They were dismissed a month later, after an investigation by the orders leaders in Rome concluded there was no evidence supporting those allegations.

Vizcarra said a sympathetic priest bought them plane tickets to Arizona, suggesting they take time to ponder their future. Concho was different from Los Angeles, where hundreds attended Mass on Sundays. They initially found the small communitys intimacy uncomfortable.

People would ask you what your favorite color is or what your favorite cake is, Vizcarra said. The ladies would call him mijo, a Spanish term of endearment that means my son.

Gradually, the sense of community became a healing salve and they learned to embrace it, he said.

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Group revitalized struggling parish and community

More than two dozen residents from Concho and surrounding towns spoke passionately in support of the League of the Blessed Sacrament, saying the newcomers revitalized the community and parish. Theyve distributed food to the needy, hosted birthday parties for children whose families had nothing, breathed life into the village church with holy music and liturgy, and revived Conchos historic Christmas fiesta that had recently floundered.

Angela Murphy, a longtime resident and local historian, said the men prayed at the church seven times a day.

It was because of them that we heard church bells in Concho once again, she said.

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After they were dismissed from their religious community, the group stopped wearing their habits and requested community members not address them as brothers or sister. But people still would out of reverence, Murphy said.

Group members now wear black outfits, including sweatshirts bearing the logo of their organization, which Vizcarra said they founded years ago as seminarians in California.

In their four years in Concho, they started an animal farm, a thrift store, a Catholic bookstore, a farmers market and a coffee shop. The stores and a radio station, which the group purchased rights to, are in the heart of Concho. Vizcarra said they paid for projects with their teaching salaries, fundraising and donations from family members.

The groups work with children

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They taught at St. Anthonys Catholic School in Show Low, a nearby town, until the diocese fired them in February.

Vizcarra taught religion, Spanish and robotics; Seeley, math and religion; Faris, art; Ribaya, music. Hezmalhalch taught first grade. They all taught catechism as well.

Several families shared stories of troubled or academically struggling children flourishing under their tutelage. Students who showed no interest in religion wanted to be baptized and confirmed after attending catechism, they said.

The men also cared for three boys who came from troubled homes, including two brothers. With permission of the boys mothers, they helped house the children with a local resident who opened up her rental unit.

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One boys mother, Katherine Therese Heal, who shares custody of her son with Vizcarra, said the men have been strong role models for her son as she was divorcing his stepfather. She said her son, now 14, was depressed, had low self-esteem and loathed school.

Now, he wants to go to college, Heal said. What the brothers have done with him is miraculous. They have been the answer to my prayers.

Vizcarra said he and his colleagues initially balked at assuming parental roles.

We felt these children needed normal families and were not parents or dads, he said.

That reluctance eased when Heals son responded with joyful tears when asked if he wanted to be under their care. Heal confirmed that Vizcarra and the men had begun the process to adopt her son.

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While it feels strange because none of us signed up to be a parent, we believe this is a way God has shown us to help people in dire need, Vizcarra said.

Community demands answers

Hope MacMonagle, a Concho native, said the group has done more for our Catholic community in three years than the diocese has done in decades.

When the brothers came here, it was like a breath of fresh air, she said. Im a cradle Catholic and I love my religion. But when they got here, it was like I was learning my religion all over again.

MacMonagle said she and others have asked the diocese why this group was told to leave. They have been met with silence, she said.

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Sometimes, I get the feeling that people dont listen to us because we are small, insignificant, just a few people in the middle of nowhere, she said.

The group also was known in surrounding towns, such as Show Low, St. Johns and Snowflake. John and Ann Bunn, Show Low residents, met them at St. Ritas parish. She said the group did not entrench themselves in the community.

They were, rather, embraced by the people here because of their good deeds and the enormous amount of goodwill theyve built here, John Bunn said.

Longtime Concho resident Christine Bennett became emotional ticking through the answers she is demanding from the diocese.

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We just want to know why, she said. We see all that theyve done to light up this community. Now, theyre being ripped out of our parish and our hearts. Why is this happening?

Hammons said the diocese has not responded to residents because the answers to these questions are not appropriate to air publicly.

The way forward

Last month, the group moved to Vernon, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) south of Concho. Theyve started a K-12 Catholic school. They are moving the farm animals as well but will maintain a presence in Concho with their shops and radio station.

Despite the struggle for acceptance from the diocese, group members said theyve received the healing they sought in Concho through their community service. But it still hurts and wasnt supposed to be this way, said Faris, a Protestant minister who converted to Catholicism and wanted to become a priest.

But God has provided us a way to be more holy and in a way, more conformed to him.

Faris and others say they still feel called to be priests, but are unsure if that will happen.

Seeley said he is focusing on service and prayer. All members say they are keeping up their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

Ribaya said he will never sacrifice truth and justice for the sake of being a priest.

If God wants us to be priests, hell make it happen, he said. If it has to take 30 or 40 years, so be it.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
CHICAGO  Chicago-area groups that support LGBTQ+ individuals are navigating an uncertain landscape while bracing for federal funding cuts that could affect HIV care and prevention.

Cuts outlined in President Donald Trumps proposed 2026 budget mean some groups stand to lose federal funds that support medical services like testing and HIV treatment, as well as nonmedical patient supports such as housing and food subsidies. Research money that goes toward drug development is also on the chopping block. Advocates say that because the virus disproportionately affects transgender, Black and Latino individuals  and prevention efforts have been focused on those communities  HIV funding has taken a hit as diversity, equity and inclusion programs are rolled back.

When we allocate funds to prioritize the needs of this community, its a community that has been impacted by health disparities since before weve been counted by the census, said Terra Campbell, associate director of community relations at LGBTQ+ health care provider Howard Brown Health. Its not special treatment. Its investment in the needs of your neighbor and the community.

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The Midwest AIDS Training and Education Centers funding will be cut completely in the current budget proposal for fiscal year 2026. It provides training and support for health care professionals working in HIV prevention, care and treatment. Shanett Jones, Illinois program director, estimates the center trains more than 4,000 providers every year.

The center receives funding under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, the largest federal program for HIV in America. The 2026 budget proposal eliminates the part of the Ryan White program that establishes and funds all AIDS education and training centers across the United States.

If we do lose this funding, we risk having a less prepared workforce, which leads to delayed diagnosis of people living with HIV, Jones said. This is an infrastructure that, once its dismantled, it does not come back easily  you cant win the race by slashing the engine.

AIDS Foundation Chicago gets more than 80% of its funding from federal sources. Alongside advocacy work, the foundation provides support services for people living with HIV, including testing and prevention resources, education, housing and health insurance. In 2024, the foundation served more than 8,000 people in the Chicago area.

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Timothy Jackson, senior director of policy, said the foundation is currently planning for a projected loss of 40% of those funds in the presidents 2026 budget request.

AIDS Foundation Chicago is partially funded by both Ryan White and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to KFF, a nonprofit health policy research organization, the proposed budget cuts all of the CDCs HIV prevention funds.

The foundation also receives funding through the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program, which will also be eliminated in the proposed 2026 budget. These nonmedical services are essential for reducing HIV in Chicago, Jackson said.

We have to look at all of the other things that make HIV possible, or make the transmission of HIV possible. So thats when we talk about housing, thats when we talk about harm reduction. Thats why we talk about transportation and food access and all of these other different things, he said.

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AIDS Foundation Chicago filed a lawsuit in February along with two other nonprofits challenging executive orders that sought to end diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs and equity-related grants and contracts.

Our mission is rooted in ending HIV and homelessness in the communities that are most impacted. And it is very difficult to do that when you are not leading with equity, Jackson said.

These organizations work has already been affected by the National Institutes of Health funding pause earlier this year, and will continue to be affected by cuts to research funding in the planned budget. Jackson said the recent success of the twice-annual HIV prevention shot, lenacapavir, would not have been possible without NIH and CDC funding.

This administration does not value science. We see that play out over the huge cuts at the CDC, the National Institutes of Health, which all impact HIV and the work around new HIV treatment and prevention modalities, Jackson said.

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Even groups that are not largely reliant on federal funding are experiencing the strain of an uncertain economic future. Chris Balthazar, executive director of TaskForce Prevention and Community Services, a health and wellness group serving LGBTQ+ youth in Chicago, says many of his organizations partners are only signing contracts for quarterly periods, instead of their usual 12-month periods, in case funding disappears. These partners are how TaskForce provides many of its services, which include legal and housing aid, HIV and other STD testing, and connecting patients to medical care.

Imagine what the impact of that is on the ground. How do you sustain a job on a grant that you dont even have a full 12-month contract for? he said.

Additionally, Balthazar explained that while state funding is not being cut as explicitly as federal funding, it is still expected to decline. The federal government partially funds the Illinois and Chicago Departments of Public Health, which then give grants to groups like TaskForce. Since the health departments dont know what sort of funding to expect in the next year, they arent able to commit to the same grants they have in years previous.

So much of the state budget comes from the federal budget. And I think that its scary that, unfortunately, if this continues and nothing is undone, were going to see major cuts, and were going to see more and more people who are on the margins of the margins be even more drastically devastated by this, he said.

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Both Jackson and Jones said that the most important thing anyone can do for HIV care and prevention in Chicago right now is to call their representatives and express support for continued HIV funding.

Its reassuring that we have people who are still engaged, who are still advocating, who are still hoping. And when I go and I talk to community groups, I tell them, we cant go back to the 80s, Jackson said. Were going to do what we have always done in 40-plus years of the epidemic: rely on community to get us through.

____
GROVEPORT, Ohio (WCMH)  The Groveport Madison School Board filed a lawsuit against two of its own members, alleging their actions risk the boards compliance with Ohios public meeting laws.

The board is suing members John Kershner and Kathleen Walsh, who it claims disrupted a Safety Committee meeting and refused to leave. The board said this put them in violation of public meeting laws. The meeting already had two other board members in attendance.

Groveport Madison prohibits cell phone use during school day ahead of statewide ban

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With five members on the board, any meeting that involves three or more of its members falls under the Ohio Open Meetings Act and is required to have meeting minutes available to the public, and the public must be informed of the meeting at least 24 hours in advance.

In the lawsuit, the board said it never assigns more than two of its members to any administrative committee for that reason. The board said this allows for informal discussions on issues without those early ideas being immortalized in published meeting minutes and saves the district money because somebody doesnt have to record minutes.

The Safety Committee is comprised of parents, teachers, district and school administrators, and other community members. The goal of the committee is to improve safety within the district.

Board President Seth Bower and fellow member Libby Gray volunteered in January 2024 to serve on the committee. Kershner and Walsh said at the time they had conflicts of interest that would prevent them from serving on the committee, according to the lawsuit.

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Without paper mill, toxic underground plume could rise and spread in Chillicothe

At a June 25 meeting, both Bower and Gray were in attendance at the committee meeting, which was their responsibility. As the meeting began, Walsh walked in and sat down, identifying herself as a board member during introductions, the lawsuit alleges.

Gray said that Walsh would have to leave the meeting in order to be in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. Walsh claimed she was invited to the meeting and was going to stay, but the board said she was not invited, adding that she and Kershner were only copied on an email sent by the deputy superintendent that contained the meeting agenda.

Gray again told Walsh that her remaining presence at the meeting would create a violation of the law. Walsh left the room.

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Kershner entered the meeting room shortly after and interrupted the ongoing discussion while shouting and pointing at Bower and Gray, the lawsuit alleges. Kershner also claimed all board members had been invited to the meeting. Kershner also refused to leave the meeting.

Fearing for the safety of the attendees and to avoid an Open Meetings Act violation, the lawsuit says Bower asked the deputy superintendent to adjourn the meeting. Bower also requested police presence at all future meetings to ensure safety.

VIDEO: Teens charged, baby safe after Grove City police pursuit

The lawsuit claims Walsh and Kershner knew that Bower and Gray were the two members designated to serve on the committee.

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The board is asking the court to bar Kershner and Walsh from attending future meetings for committees in which they are not assigned. The board argues that if the two continue to attend, the committees work will be effectively halted.

Last year, Walsh and Kershner sued the other board members and accused them of holding secret committee meetings.

Walsh and Kershners prior complaint pointed to multiple instances dating to July 2023 in which, they claim, the boards actions flout state requirements for meetings of public bodies. Many centered around proper record-keeping of board meetings.

Court records show that case was dismissed Tuesday after it was resolved in mediation. The records do not disclose what resolution was agreed to.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
With the U.S. Air Forces Global Strike Command (AFGSC) having instituted an indefinite pause on the use of Sig Sauer M18 pistols in the wake of a deadly incident at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, a question has emerged: what will the commands aircrews carry for self-defense in the meantime? AFGSC has said that personnel who have been issued M18s will receive M4 carbines in the interim, but the latter isnt practical for aircrews, and especially those that operate the commands B-1, B-2, and B-52 bombers.

Readers can first get up to speed on what is known about the M18 pause at AFGSC and what led to it, which TWZ was first to report, as well as the broader controversy surrounding the pistols core design, here.

In 2017, the U.S. Army declared Sig Sauer as the winner of its Modular Handgun System (MHS) competition, and subsequently adopted the full-size M17 and compact M18 pistols as its standard sidearms. The rest of the Department of Defense followed suit. In 2019, the Air Force started issuing M18s to aircrew and personnel on the ground as replacements for the previous standard Beretta M9, as well as more limited issue Sig M11A1 pistols and Smith & Wesson M15 revolvers.

A member of the US Air Force fires an M18 pistol on the range. USAF

The Air Force did conduct various tests to clear the M18 for aircrew use, including to see how the guns would handle the stresses of an ejection. Guns carried by pilots and other aircrew in high-performance aircraft will experience high g-forces during maneuvering, as well. M18s are carried aloft in a chest rig where they point down when individuals are seated, which could create the conditions for significant harm in the event of an unintended discharge.

A picture from Air Force testing of MHS pistols for use by aircrew in aircraft fitted with ejection seats. USAF

In response to queries from TWZ, an AFGSC spokesperson declined to comment on what weapons could be issued to the commands aircrews in place of M18s during the pause due to operational security concerns.

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Until further notice, Wing Commanders and Defense Force Commanders will: Issue the M4 in place of the M18 to required personnel; Ensure continuous mission capability during this pause, according to a leaked memo regarding the pause from AFGSC commander Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, which has been confirmed to be authentic. Contact AFGSC/A3S [the commands main Security Forces office] for supplemental guidance for tasks routinely accomplished with the M18 and for which accomplishment with the M4 is not feasible. Provide feedback to AFGSC/A3S for any operational issues this direction causes.

Security Forces airmen assigned to the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base with M4 carbines. USAF

Historically, pistols have been the self-defense weapon of choice for pilots and other aircrews given space and weight limitations imposed by aircraft cockpits. AFGSCs fleets do primarily consist of B-2, B-1, and B-52 bombers with relatively large cockpits. Still, issuing M4 carbines to the crews of any of those bombers could present complications.

The Air Forces four Boeing 747-based E-4B Nightwatch Doomsday Planes, also known as National Airborne Operations Centers (NAOC), are also assigned to AFGSC. It is worth noting that Security Forces airmen armed with M4s are already regularly tasked with guarding those planes, as seen in the video below.

.@SecDef@PeteHegseth departs DC for his Indo-Pacific tour



 Hawaii

 Guam

 Philippines

 Japan pic.twitter.com/njBDWDBzhE  Kingsley Wilson (@PressSecDOD) March 24, 2025

Being issued M4s would be less of an issue for crews of UH-1N and MH-139A helicopters within AFGSC. It is also worth pointing out that sidearms are generally only issued to aircraft during combat operations.

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In the late 2010s, the Air Force went so far as to develop a specialized subvariant of the M4 for carriage under the ejection seats in fighters and bombers. Called the Aircrew Self Defense Weapon (ASDW), the gun has a special locking system that allows it to be broken down into two halves in as little as 30 seconds, and be reassembled and ready to shoot just as fast. Other features, including a folding pistol grip, make it even more compact when stowed with two magazines inside a special carrying case.

A comparative look at a standard M4, at top, and an Aircrew Self Defense Weapon (ASDW) in its ready-to-fire configuration, at bottom. USAF

An ASDW broken down for storage. USAF

A broken-down ASDW and two magazines in their carrying case. USAF

In 2020, the Air Force said it had completed deliveries of ASDWs to various units, with 2,700 of them fielded in total. The ASDWs were built in-house by the Air Force by converting existing M4s, and units within AFGSC were among the recipients.

The ASDW project followed demands for more firepower by pilots flying over Iraq and Syria following the brutal murder of Jordanian Air Force pilot Moaz Al Kasasbeh by ISIS terrorists. Al Kasasbeh was captured after ejecting from his F-16 during a mission over Syria in December 2014 and was burned alive in January 2015.

It is possible that AFGSC could issue more ASDWs during the pause on the use of the M18, including by converting additional M4s in its inventory now to that configuration.

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Its also not clear whether the M18 has completely supplanted the M9 as an aircrew sidearm in Air Force service. As recently as December 2024, there has been clear evidence of AFGSC aircrews still flying with M9s. An unclassified manual on the Air Forces Aircrew Flight Equipment (AFE) Program, dated October 2024, also indicates that both pistols remained approved for use at least at that time.

A member of the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron at an undisclosed location in the Middle East is seen clearing an M9 pistol in December 2024. USAF Senior Airman Violette Hosack

M9s could be reissued to any AFGSC aircrews that have transitioned to the M18, which would also be a logical choice given that the Beretta pistol has already been cleared for aircrew use in the past.

Other pistols in the Air Forces inventory might also be alternative options. Glock variants are in active service within Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), as well as through the rest of the U.S. special operations community. Glock was notably the loser in the Armys MHS pistol competition. However, it could be difficult for AFSGC to readily source a useful number of Glocks to meet the operational demands of the current M18 pause. In addition, whether or not any versions of the Glock, or any other pistols, are currently approved for use in ejection seat-equipped Air Force aircraft is unclear, and getting such clearance would take some amount of time.

An Air Force Special Tactics airman fires a Glock during training. USAF

The Air Force also has H&K MP5-series submachine guns in its inventory and began acquiring new B&T APC9K PROs in 2020. The APC9K is also currently in service with the Army, which awarded a contract to B&T for the guns in 2019. Both the MP5 and APC9 families fire the same 9mm ammunition as the M18 and the preceding M9, and are more typically used within the U.S. military by personnel tasked with VIP protection and other similar close-in security missions. Again, any guns not already approved for aircrew use would have to go through some form of clearance process.

A member of the US Air Force fires an MP5K submachine gun. USAF

An APC9K PRO in US Army service. US Army

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AFGSCs M18 pause could well prompt new discussions about potentially broader changes to what guns are issued to Air Force aircrews for self-defense, and about the possible acquisition of new options. It also remains to be seen how the use of M17 and M18 pistols across the U.S. military, as well as elsewhere within the U.S. government and beyond, might be impacted by the ongoing investigation into the recent incident at F.E. Warren Air Force Base.

Sigs P320 pistol family, which includes the M17 and M18, continues to be dogged by concerns that the pistols can fire without their triggers being pulled. The controversy had already been further fueled recently by the public release of an FBI technical evaluation report delving into the circumstances of a possible uncommanded discharge last year by a commercial subvariant of the M18 belonging to the Michigan State Police. Sig has refuted the findings from that report, which it says the FBI was unable to reproduce using a subsequent mutually agreed-upon testing protocol. The MSP incident is just one of dozens that have been reported over the years, including others within the U.S. military. Sig categorically insists that it is impossible for P320-series pistols to fire without the trigger being pulled. There were also previously drop safety issues with P320 design, which Sig says it has mitigated through changes to the design.

In the meantime, at least, AFGSC aircrews will have to be issued something other than M18s.

Howard Altman contributed to this story.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
Gunman kills husband and wife, neighbor shot while trying to help in West Melbourne

Deputies in Brevard County said two people are dead and another person was injured in a shooting in West Melbourne.

The shooting happened around 8 p.m. Wednesday near Washington Street and Milwaukee Avenue.

Investigators said a man ran to a neighbor for help and said his wife had been shot.

As the neighbor was trying to help, more gunfire erupted, hitting both the man and the neighbor.

Deputies said the husband and wife succumbed to their injuries, and the neighbor was taken to a hospital for treatment.

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Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey mentioned that the investigation would take some time as they need to obtain search warrants for the property to thoroughly examine the situation.

The suspect is currently in custody, and no names have been released.

Channel 9 is working to gather more information and will provide updates on Eyewitness News.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
LORAIN, Ohio (WJW)  One of the Lorain police officers shot in an ambush has died, the Lorain Police Department reported Thursday.

Officer Phillip Wagner, a 35-year-old who was hired with the department in 2022, died Thursday surrounded by those he loved at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, according to the department.

Community supports Lorain Police Department after ambush, shooting of 3 officers

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Officer Wagners life and service to our city will never be forgotten, Lorains Acting Police Chief Michael Failing said in a statement. On behalf of the Wagner family, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has reached out in support. Our department mourns the loss of a true hero and stands in unwavering support of Officer Wagners family, friends, and fellow officers during this heartbreaking time. We ask the community to keep his loved ones in their thoughts and prayers as we come together to honor his memory, service, and ultimate sacrifice.

Wagners body was moved from MetroHealth Medical Center to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiners Office Thursday evening.

A prayer vigil was held for the officers outside the Lorain police station Thursday night. During the vigil, Failing shared an update on the other two officers involved in the shooting.

Officer Peter Gale, 51, who suffered gunshot wounds to his hand, has several broken bones and will be out of duty for a while, Failings said.

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Officer Brent Payne, 47, underwent surgery for several hours on Thursday morning. The police chief said Payne has a long road ahead of him, which includes five or six surgeries on his hand alone.

He asked the crowd to continue praying for the officers and their families.

The man accused of ambushing three local officers has been identified as 28-year-old Michael Parker, according to the Lorain County coroner.

Parker  whose last known address was in Lorain  is accused of shooting in an ambush three Lorain officers on Wednesday afternoon.

As other officers swooped in, the 28-year-old suspect was killed in an exchange of gunfire. Wednesday, officials could not confirm whether the suspect was shot and killed by officers or whether he died by suicide.

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Thursday, Lorain County Coroner Dr. Frank Miller told the I-Team there was no evidence of self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

Deer poachers ordered to pay nearly $120,000, issued worldwide hunting bans

Chief Failing told reporters on Wednesday that a gunman was laying in wait with an arsenal of weapons and opened fire on two Lorain police officers  Wagner and Gale  who had parked side-by-side in their patrol cars to have lunch.

A third officer, Payne, who responded to help was also shot.

The scene unfolded just after 1 p.m. at a dead end of an industrial parkway off of Colorado Avenue.

Wagner and Payne were shot multiple times and were still being treated on Wednesday evening, Failing said. The two were seriously wounded and flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland, a Level I Trauma Center. Gale was shot in the hand and treated at a Lorain hospital.

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Police loaded the injured officers into cruisers and raced them to the hospital while providing wound care.

Elyria police are now investigating the shooting. Police Chief James Welsh told reporters Wednesday afternoon the suspect ambushed the officers with a high-powered rifle, he said. The officers then returned fire.

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cleveland hotel restaurant just named among Top 100 in country, only Ohio eatery on list

Lorain County Sheriffs Office Maj. A.J. Torres confirmed to FOX 8 News that authorities found explosives in the suspects car at the scene of the ambush.

Lorain suspect vehicle. WJW photo

Suspicious items were also found and removed from the suspects home on North Lakeview Boulevard, officials confirmed Wednesday night.

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The suspect is believed to have been the only person involved in the shooting.

This live blog has since been archived. Find previous updates 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
A local council meeting on Germany's Lake Constance was disrupted this week when hackers took control of the online broadcast to play a pornographic video.

Swastikas also appeared on the presentation, a spokeswoman for the municipality of Bodman-Ludwigshafen told dpa, describing the incident as "very disturbing."

Around 20 participants in the room and up to five people online were present at the meeting on Tuesday, she said.

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The council has been broadcasting its local council meetings online for years so that interested citizens can watch from home, she explained, meaning the access data for the meeting was publicly available.

Two unknown users took control of the Zoom video platform and shared pornographic clips on their screens, which were broadcast in the meeting room, the spokeswoman said.

Mayor Christoph Stolz stopped the broadcast after a few seconds.

It is still unclear exactly how the attack was carried out. "We are now looking into how we can make access more secure in future and prevent and track such incidents," Stolz told the Sudkurier newspaper.

The municipality's spokeswoman said the council will use different software in the medium term. She said the incident had been reported to the police.
Jul. 24Community Action Partnership of North Alabama's Decatur City Head Start Program will host a Back to School Bash featuring free haircuts and health screenings to support Decatur Head Start families' needs for the upcoming school year.

All children enrolled in the Decatur-area Head Starts are invited to attend the Back to School Bash on July 31, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Decatur City Head Start, 2014 Sandlin Road S.W.

The event is aimed at getting Head Start families ready for the new school year.

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Bennett School of Cosmetology will offer haircuts for children and Calhoun Community College Dental Hygiene Program will offer dental screenings. Health screenings will be provided by Family Health Care Clinics, and Help Me Grow Alabama Program will offer developmental screenings, said Limestone/Morgan County CAPNA District Manager Melanie Watson.

"All agencies and businesses are providing their services at no cost to families," Watson said.

The event will also feature school orientation sessions, food trucks, games and crafts.

Services offered at the Back to School Bash are based on the needs of Decatur City Head Start families, Watson said.

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"We identify each child and family's needs at the beginning of the school year .... The data assist staff to identify family, medical or developmental needs so we can support them to navigate resources and set goals toward self-sufficiency," Watson said.

The screenings offered at this event will allow children to have the medical screenings required to be enrolled in Decatur City Head Start, said Director Apriell Burgess.

"We're just trying to help the parents, because a lot of times they're not able to take the students in the time that we need the information," Burgess said. "They'll only have to take off work one day and then we'll get all the mandates that we need in that one day."

The screenings are needed for Decatur City Head Start to receive funding, Burgess said.

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"It's just to get all those mandated screenings and developmental, health, dental, vision screenings that we need, that's mandated for our grants for our program," Burgess said.

Bennett School of Cosmetology offered to provide free haircuts when asked if there were any on-site services that they could provide at a reduced cost.

"We're just really excited about helping out the community and being there for the community," Bennett School of Cosmetology Director Brittanie O'Neal said.

Watson encourages Head Start families to attend.

"When families feel connected and engaged in their child's education early in life, the family and child and community benefit," Watson said. "We look forward to another school year filled with exploration and skills-building for our future leaders and workforce."

 raven.sanders@decaturdaily.com or 245-340-2438.
Saudi Investment Minister Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih (L) attends the Saudi-Syrian Investment Forum in Damascus. Abdulaziz Alayyar/Saudi Press Agency/dpa

Saudi Arabia on Thursday signed economic deals worth over $6 billion with war-shattered Syria, the latest sign of support from the oil-wealthy Gulf monarchy for Syria's new rulers.

The deals were signed at a major Saudi-Syrian business forum that opened on Thursday in Damascus.

Saudi Arabia has thrown its political and economic weight behind Syria since an Islamist-led rebel alliance deposed the country's long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad in December. Iran was a major ally of al-Assad.

In May, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, hosted a meeting in Riyadh between US President Donald Trump and incumbent Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, marking the first encounter between the leaders of the two countries in 25 years.

During his trip to Saudi Arabia, Trump announced the lifting of US sanctions on Syria. The European Union has also taken a similar step.

The pacts signed on Thursday cover a wide range of fields including energy, infrastructure, industry, fiscal services, information technology and agriculture, according to Saudi Investment Minister Khalid Al-Falih.

"We will work to encourage international investors to explore investment opportunities in Syria," Al-Falih said on Thursday.

The Saudi official arrived in Damascus on Wednesday, leading a large business delegation. He also attended the launch of Syria's first white cement plant near Damascus.

In April, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, another Gulf energy-rich emirate, said they would settle Syria's outstanding arrears with the World Bank Group, amounting to some $15 million.

Qatar has pledged investments of over $7 billion for the construction of gas-fired power plants to improve Syria's poor electricity supply

Earlier this month, investment-hungry Syria signed an $800 million deal with the Dubai-based DP World to develop and manage the port of Tartus, a key Syrian Mediterranean facility.

Since al-Assad's overthrow, Syria's new leadership has sought to garner world recognition and economic support to rebuild the country devastated by more than a decade of war.

Syria's reconstruction is estimated to cost from $250 billion to $400 billion.

However, Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Mohammed al-Shaar has estimated that building a "new Syria" would cost at least $1 trillion and said that lifting sanctions encourages investment in the country.

The sanctions were imposed in response to al-Assad's brutal crackdown on protesters in 2011, and the violence his regime carried out against civilians during an ensuing civil war.
HAMPDEN, Mass. (WWLP)  The Hampden Police Department is urging residents to follow local and state laws surrounding the use of electric dirt bikes.

Driver dies in Stafford Road crash in Monson

According to police, while electric dirt bikes may appear to be a fun recreational option, they are not legal for use on public roadways.

The department emphasized that riders cannot operate these vehicles on any public property that is not specifically designated for recreational vehicle use.

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Additionally, state law mandates that operators of electric dirt bikes must wear a DOT-approved helmet at all times. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in enforcement action under Massachusetts General Law Chapter 90B.

Hampden Police also reminded parents that they can be held legally responsible if their children are found operating electric dirt bikes in violation of state law.

For more information on recreational vehicle laws in Massachusetts, residents are encouraged to visit mass.gov or contact the Hampden Police Department directly.

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.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  West Nile virus-positive mosquitoes have officially invaded Hampton Roads and throughout the U.S.

An alarming report from Accuweather has declared Hampton Roads as one of the worst hotspots for mosquito infestation in the nation, and the approaching threat of disease is only intensifying concerns.

Hot temperatures and humidity are the two dominant factors leading mosquitoes on a fast-track to the Hampton Roads region, according to Connor Eason, Diamond Exterminators Vice President of Operations.

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Especially with all the rain that weve been having, its something that again, theyre going to continue to build up, he says.

Although its peak season, Diamond Exterminators is seeing a stiff increase and spraying up to 50 homes a day.

Its the worst Ive seen for sure, Eason says. Its just been crazy. Ive had people calling me off of the hook needing services, but its by far the worst summer that Ive seen since weve been in business.

These mosquitoes are also moving disease into the area. Just last week, The Norfolk Department of Public Health detected a positive mosquito sample for West Nile Virus in Norfolk. Piling on, AccuWeather has deemed Hampton to have an extreme mosquito-activity risk, landing in the highest category on their scale.

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There have been just under 50 human disease cases for West Nile Virus across 15 states nationwide reported for the current year by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Two of those cases were in the Commonwealth.

It kind of started in Central Virginia and its kind of made its way down here, he says. Like I said, just the amount of hot weather and the humidity that weve been having, people traveling and mosquitoes travel as well, you know, theyre light insects so they can fly and they can get taken by wind currents.

Eason says theyre currently treating all areas of Hampton Roads but residents can play a part in helping disrupt the spread.

We do things on a monthly basis here, says Eason. So, one spray is not going to really get it done because you have larvae and stuff that they lay in different areas. So, you have to be able to kind of kill it off the source. Make sure you have drains that when the downspouts are draining, theyre not just puddling up around the house because thats standing water.

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Diamond Exterminators offers free inspection. For more information, visit here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
When 13-year-old Madeline "Maddie" Soto vanished on Feb. 26, 2024, what began as a desperate search for a missing teen quickly unraveled into something far more horrifying.

Madeline was first reported missing when she failed to arrive at school. Her mothers boyfriend, Stephan Sterns, initially claimed he had dropped her off that morning  but investigators quickly discovered via surveillance footage that he had never done so.

On Feb. 28, 2024, two days after Madeline went missing, Sterns was arrested on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material. He was identified early as the prime suspect in her disappearance.

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Madeline's body was found days later on March 1, 2024, and Sterns was charged with first-degree murder nearly two months later. He pleaded no contest to first-degree premeditated murder and guilty to multiple sexual battery counts in July 2025 and was given 21 life sentences, per NBC News.



So what happened to Madeline Soto? Heres everything to know about her disappearance and murder.



Who was Madeline Soto?

Orange County Sheriff's Office Madeline Soto. Madeline Soto.

Madeline Soto was born in February 2011, to Jennifer Soto and Tyler Wallace. She attended Hunters Creek Middle School in Orlando, Fla., where she lived in an apartment with her mom and her mother's boyfriend, Sterns.

Wallace lives in Texas with his wife, per WFTV 9, and communicated mainly with Madeline through social media.

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Maddie was just the most important person to my wife and I, he told the news outlet.

Madeline loved music, dancing, art, drawing and journaling, according to community members who attended a memorial for her, per WESH.

What happened to Madeline Soto?

GoFundMe Madeline Soto missing Madeline Soto missing

Madeline was reported missing by her mother, Jennifer, on Feb. 26, 2024, after she failed to show up for school at Hunters Creek Middle School.

Madeline was supposed to have been dropped off at school by her mothers boyfriend, Sterns, but surveillance footage later confirmed that he never arrived.

"We believe she was already dead at the time and that Stephan Sterns moved her body in the early morning hours on that day. We have video evidence that shows Sterns discarding items in a dumpster in that apartment complex in Kissimmee at 7:35 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 26," Orange County Sheriff John W. Mina said during a March 1 press conference.



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"Detectives later recovered Madeline's backpack and her school-issued laptop from that dumpster. At 8:19 a.m., we have evidence that shows Sterns returning to the complex, and Madeline was visible in that vehicle," continued Mina. "We believe she was already dead at that time."

Just hours after the press conference, law enforcement discovered Madelines body in a remote wooded area near St. Cloud, Fla.

What was Madeline Sotos cause of death?

A medical examiner determined Madeline's cause of death as strangulation.

The medical examiner ruled the manner of her death as a homicide, FOX 35 Orlando, WESH and Click Orlando reported.

Was there evidence of sexual abuse in Madeline Soto's case?

During the investigation, forensic analysis uncovered images and videos of sexual abuse of a child on Sterns' phone, per WESH, WFLA and FOX 35. Additionally, in an arrest affidavit, police alleged that Sterns had abused Madeline when she was 11 years old.

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In an interview with detectives shortly before Madelines body was found, Jennifer claimed she had no idea that Sterns was sexually abusing her daughter. She insisted she tried watching her like a hawk, but added that she was oblivious to everything."

Despite her denial, Jennifer allegedly sent Madeline to sleep in the same room as Sterns, WESH reported in June 2024 after reviewing a document from the state attorney's office. She reportedly told police that she did so because she'd had a long day at work and needed to rest.

After being shown evidence, including photographs, Jennifer allegedly conceded to detectives: Hes been grooming and abusing my child. She claimed that Sterns was a master liar and accepted that his account of Madelines disappearance was untrustworthy.

Who killed Madeline Soto?

WESH 2 News/YouTube; Orange County Sheriff's Office, Florida/Facebook Stephan Sterns, Madeline Soto Stephan Sterns, Madeline Soto

On Feb. 28, 2024  two days after Madeline went missing  Sterns was arrested on charges of sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material. From the earliest stages of the investigation, he had emerged as the primary suspect in her disappearance.

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Sterns was charged with first-degree murder on April 24, 2024, according to court documents obtained by PEOPLE.



Where is Stephan Sterns now?

Sterns initially entered a not guilty plea to the 60 counts of sexual battery and one count of murder he faced. Then, on July 21, 2025, the same day his sexual battery trial was set to begin, he pleaded no contest to first-degree premeditated murder.

Sterns also pleaded guilty to eight counts of capital sexual battery of someone under the age of 12, five counts of sexual battery of someone between the ages of 12 and 18 and seven counts of lewd or lascivious molestation. The same day, Sterns was given 21 life sentences, which will be served concurrently, per NBC News.

Because of the actions of this depraved man, I will never meet the woman she was becoming, Wallace told the court, per NBC News. And I cant  I cant grasp it.



Where is Jennifer Soto now?

Orange County Sheriff's Office Jennifer Soto is interviewed by detectives. Jennifer Soto is interviewed by detectives.

Law enforcement has confirmed that Jennifer is not considered a suspect, and there are no plans to charge her in connection with Madelines death, per WFTV 9.

Jennifer has not made public statements or appeared in media interviews since Sterns was arrested.

In April 2024, Fox 35 Orlando reported that her phone had been disconnected.

Read the original article on People
Middle income Wisconsinites got a $180 tax cut and lost services worth much more than that. | 3D illustration rendering by Getty Images Creative

Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and state legislators cut taxes by $1.3 billion in the new state budget, paying out a quarter of the states $4.6 billion surplus so that Wisconsinites who earn up to $200,000 can get a tax break worth an average of $180 per year.

Thats not a lot of money to trade for losing access to child care, reducing services that help veterans find jobs and housing, and cutting programs at schools. But somehow cutting taxes has become an agreed-upon, bipartisan top priority, even as the defunding of everything begins to take a major toll on our quality of life.

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As Baylor Spears reports, more than 65% of Wisconsin school districts will face a reduction in funds under the new state budget. Many will go to local property taxpayers to ask for more  to the annoyance of citizens who are getting tired of the constant begging from schools that no longer receive adequate funding from the state. Local residents were willing to say yes to a record number of school funding referenda in 2024. But there are signs their patience is wearing thin.

Republican legislators are tapping into that annoyance with a bill to repeal the results of Evers partial veto of the last budget, which extended a temporary increase in the cap on revenue school districts could raise for the next 400 years. Evers maneuver outraged Republicans, who challenged the veto before the Wisconsin Supreme Court and lost. The new bill would undo the vetos effect on school revenue caps (and the bill itself will also, presumably, be vetoed by Evers).

The pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock 402 years before this veto, the Republican sponsors of the bill write. It is hard to justify locking in a funding increase for just as long into the future.

But like the 180 bucks a year in tax relief Republican legislators are touting as a major victory for middle class Wisconsinites, Evers 400 year veto amounts to less than meets the eye. For one thing, it doesnt lock in an increase  it just allows districts to raise an additional $325 per pupil through a combination of local property taxes and state aid. Individual school boards must still vote to pass any property tax increase. And the state could head off those property tax increases by putting more money into schools. Instead, Republican legislators insisted on no increase at all in general school aid in the budget. The same legislative Republicans who are howling about property tax increases created the problem, refusing to fund education and then blaming districts that turn to the only other source of funding they can tap.

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Overall, the Wisconsin Policy Forum reports, Wisconsin has slipped from one of the top states for education spending into the bottom half over the last 25 years. Tax-cutting replaced education as the states top priority. While most other states increased spending on education after the pandemic, in Wisconsin spending on schools went down. And we spend far less as a share of personal income on education now than we did in the early 2000s, and less than the national average.

Behind all of this budget math is the sad reality that, if we dont agree to shoulder some expenses as a society, a lot of the elements of a decent life are out of reach for most people. Not paying for things through taxes doesnt make expenses go away. It just makes them more burdensome on the smaller group that has to pay. It takes a bigger bite out of local property tax payers to pick up the cost of their schools than if the cost is spread across the state in the form of income taxes, and its even more expensive for individual families to pay the full cost of educating their kids. In the early 2000s, Wisconsin had the best school system in the Midwest at a cost of about 5% of personal income for taxpayers, according to the Wisconsin Policy Forum. Thats about $2,500 of a $50,000 income. Try to find full-time private education for less than that.

Not just schools but a clean environment, public safety, good roads and reliable services and infrastructure that doesnt fail are things weve long taken for granted. Those things are all threatened now.

When I was a high school exchange student in Quito, Ecuador, I learned that running water in the affluent suburb where I lived was not guaranteed. Sometimes the water would go out when you were taking a shower. Keeping a bucket of water in the bathroom just in case was normal. Then a well known government official moved into the neighborhood and the problem, temporarily, cleared up.

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We are moving toward that sort of social setup now in the U.S.

The assumption that drives tax-cutting mania at the state and national level is that we shouldnt have to spend money toward collective, public goods. We should all pay our own way. Thats fine if you can hire your own private security firm, send your kids to private academies, and avoid contact with an increasingly desperate populace. For most people, its a terrible bargain.

Its both cheaper and better for all of us, as individuals, to support a decent society for all. It only becomes unaffordable when we start pulling apart the fabric of society, convincing people theyll be better off going it alone, after liquidating our collective wealth.

Undermining confidence in public institutions and cutting taxes so those institutions are underfunded and strained are part of the same push to increase the wealth of the already wealthy, and help them shirk any responsibility to contribute to society

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Why should poor people have health care? Why should the elderly and disabled be protected from being thrown out on the street? Why should little kids have nutritious meals? If you werent clever enough to be born rich, you deserve nothing. Thats not exactly how the Trump administration puts it, or the Republicans in the state Legislature who have been insisting for years on frittering away the states budget surplus on tax cuts worth very little to anyone who doesnt already make a ton of money. But its the basic, underlying idea.

This argument is compelling only to people who dont understand the math.

Elon Musk, whose $400 billion fortune is more than the wealth owned by one-half of all U.S. citizens combined, doesnt want to pay what for him is a pittance to help maintain the health and wellbeing of our country.

Wisconsin Republicans were unwilling to spend $4 million  .004% of the total state budget  to maintain veterans services to keep military vets from becoming homeless.

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Efficiency, cost savings  these are the alleged goals of the federal and state austerity programs. But the real goal is to make you forget what it was like to live in a functional society, one where kids had enough to eat and people didnt die of preventable diseases, the environment was clean and Wisconsin children could get a great, free education, afford to go to college and dream of owning a home.

What the anti-government tax-cutters want is a society riven by resentment and anger, where people are divided against each other and the dysfunction makes it easy to divide and conquer as our last Republican governor memorably put it.

Down with education, down with clean water, down with health care and nutrition for poor kids. Up with lurid crime stories and hateful, divisive rhetoric.

When society falls apart, its much easier for greedy charlatans to plunder and steal the wealth of the state. And after weve codified irresponsibility  spent down the treasury and starved society and made permanent the arrangement whereby the richest people in society are not obligated to contribute, well then it becomes much harder to make the rich pay their fair share.

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Try to remember what it was like to have a decent, functional Wisconsin. Try not to give in to the politics of distraction and division. Because $180 is a pathetic bribe to give up stability, security and the opportunity for the kids of today to grow up with hope that they can still have a decent life.

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A Coats defense attorney was sentenced July 3 after pleading guilty in federal court to a felony drug-related offense, specifically use of a cell phone to commit a felony.

Jeffrey Stall, 45, was sentenced for actions stemming from Feb. 20, 2022. He was given five years of probation and electronic monitoring and house arrest for two years.

Stall accepted a plea agreement on Feb. 11, according to pacer.gov. He is required to pay for the electronic monitoring and can only leave home for specific reasons, such as employment, religious services or medical appointments, for example.

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A release from the U.S. Department of Justice notes that Stall was initially intercepted during a federal wiretap investigation into a group of drug traffickers that were distributing methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine and marijuana throughout Harnett, Johnston and Sampson counties. Through intercepted and coded conversations, Stall spoke with another person and the two agreed to meet later so that Stall could receive drugs.

Two days later, law enforcement watched as Stall arrived at an established drug trafficking location, stayed for a short period of time, and then departed. As Stall was driving away, a North Carolina State Trooper executed a traffic stop. Stall was the driver and lone occupant.

The trooper immediately observed Stall exhibiting characteristics consistent with intoxication and observed an empty gun holster on the seat. During the traffic stop, a canine alerted on the vehicle. The trooper asked Stall two times whether there was anything in Stalls vehicle that was illegal. Stall responded with: There shouldnt be and Not that I am aware of.

The subsequent search of the vehicle revealed a backpack on the passenger seat. Inside the backpack the trooper discovered 33.65 grams of pure methamphetamine and a loaded .40 caliber handgun, the release states.

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A court document identified a Glock 27 pistol and $16,160 in cash. The pistol was forfeited, according to pacer.gov.

As the underlying investigation continued, several people were taken into custody and interviewed about their drug trafficking. In these interviews, they revealed that they had provided Stall with user amounts of methamphetamine for extended lengths of time. They also said that their relationship with Stall often started with or involved Stall representing them in a legal capacity. The drug relationship with Stall would then extend beyond the course of the legal representation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Tyler Lemons and Michael James of the Eastern District Court in Raleigh prosecuted the case, according to pacer.gov.

Stall was represented by Elise Cyre Salmon of the Salmon Law Group of Lillington, according to pacer.gov.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WTNH)  A Connecticut attorney surrendered his license to practice private law after being accused of providing one of his clients papers that contained synthetic cannabinoids in a Rhode Island detention center.

According to the Rhode Island District Attorney, 75-year-old Jonathan J. Einhorn of New Haven was ordered to surrender his license after allegedly making false statements to corrections officers at a federal detention center.

Prominent New Haven criminal defense lawyer dies, colleagues look back on his legacy

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Einhorn visited several clients in May 2023 at a Central Falls detention center, according to official documents. Einhorn entered the facility and signed a document stating that it is unlawful to bring contraband of any type into the facility, or to pass any to a detainee. Einhorn claimed he was not going to, according to officials.

According to official documents, the detention center personnel observed Einhorn pass paperwork to at least two of the detainees he met. The paperwork was seized from one of the detainees and observed to be discolored and highly stained. It was tested and found to contain synthetic cannabinoids, which are Schedule I controlled substances.

Former Connecticut state prosecutor: Bryan Kohberger case couldve lasted 20 years if no plea deal was accepted

Einhorns professional website states that he has been practicing criminal and civil law in New Haven for 50 years and is additionally admitted to practice law before the United States Supreme Court.

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Einhorn has entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement, which admits that there is sufficient evidence to convict him of violating federal law. He has agreed to surrender his license to practice law, and not to seek renewal for 10 years.

The matter was investigated by the Wyatt Detention Centers Professional Standards Unit and the FBI.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Hawaii Supreme Court reversed the July 1, 2024, Intermediate Court of Appeals decision and upheld an Oahu Circuit Courts July 20, 2022, conviction of Erik Willis for second-degree attempted murder in the 2020 stabbing of a 17-year-old girl sunbathing at Kahala Beach.

The high courts unanimous opinion Tuesday rejected Williss claim of prosecutorial misconduct. Comments by the deputy prosecuting attorney during closing arguments did not rise to the level of prosecutorial misconduct,  the court said.

The appeals court had sent the case back to the lower court for another trial.

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The (deputy prosecuting attorneys ) challenged comments, viewed in context, were based upon reasonable inferences from the evidence adduced at trial,  the opinion says, adding there is no reasonable possibility that these comments  alone might have affected the trials outcome.

Tuesdays opinion, penned by Chief Justice Mark Recktenwald and signed by the four associate justices, explains the factual background in order to give context to the closing arguments in question.

The teenage girl had been sunbathing on Kahala Beach about 1 :30 p.m. July 8, 2020, when an unknown person pinned her down from behind, covered her mouth and repeatedly stabbed her in the neck as she lay on her stomach. She suffered life-threatening injuries, but survived.

The Circuit Court granted Williss motion to suppress evidence, including DNA obtained from blood stains on Williss right shoe that prosecutors said matched the DNA of the girl, as well as statements obtained at the time of his arrest. The decision was based on the fact that Honolulu Police Department officers without permission or a search warrant had entered the Niu Valley home where Willis was living.

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The Supreme Court upheld that decision when the state appealed the matter, so jurors never learned during trial about the actual blood evidence. The state had to rely on witness testimony and circumstantial evidence at trial.

The state presented several witnesses along with surveillance video tying Willis to the scene and along the route to and from his house.

Willis had been identified, based on surveillance video from a city bus, by a landscaper who testified a man in surveillance video was the same one he had seen washing himself off at a sink near the scene of the attack before running off. But the landscaper did not mention blood.

The teenage victim testified she arrived at the beach at about 1 :20 p.m., and that she saw a man walk toward her, then walk past her. She described him as having brown, poofy hair,  wearing a white T-shirt, light-colored jeans and a blue surgical mask. She said she noticed his eyes and his bushy eyebrows.

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Later as she lay on her stomach on the beach, she said she felt a hand cover her mouth and a weight on her back before feeling sharp stabbing in her neck. She said she counted that she was stabbed 15 times. When she was able to move, she said she turned to look in the Ewa direction and saw the man running away.

She identified her attacker in surveillance video taken from 4671 Kahala Avenue nearby ; and she identified Willis in the courtroom.

The defense presented no evidence, no witnesses and Willis declined to testify.

Deputy Prosecutor Lawrence Sousie focused on the brutal attack during closing arguments. He then recounted the testimony and the video surveillance, piecing together the states timeline that Willis took the bus from his Niu Valley home to Kahala Beach, where he attacked the teenager, went to a nearby sink to wash up, tried to wash the blood out of his white shirt and disappeared for two hours, hiding and waiting.

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He said a witness had testified she saw a man get up from the teenagers back, and she noticed something on his white shirt.

What could it be ? Sousie says. Blood ? There was plenty of blood.  We dont know.

Two motions for acquittal by Williss attorney, Eric Seitz, were denied.

Seitz argued in his closing there was no direct evidence, no witness who saw the attack, no weapon recovered, and no suspect was found after HPD searched the area. No witness had identified the person in the video that shows someone washing his hands at the sink.

Seitz accused Sousie of prosecutorial misconduct for saying in his closing : So we dont know whether he washed the shirt at the sink, but we know from (the landscaper ) that he washed his hands and his face  because he had blood on them.

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The state argued and the Supreme Court agreed after hearing the audiotape that the significant pause that comes before the phrase because he had blood on them,  was a signal to the jury the deputy prosecutor was arguing an inference regarding the presence of blood.

The state also argued the deputy prosecutor was merely drawing a reasonable inference based on the circumstantial evidence at trial, and that it would be implausible that the jury would have believed the landscaper testified the man had blood on his face and hands just because the deputy prosecutor said it.

Seitz said HPD did not seize or analyze the sink, nor connect it to Willis, and the deputy prosecutor should not have rhetorically asked the jury to speculate about the person at the sink and the presence of blood.

The Supreme Court said prosecutors are forbidden from introducing new evidence in closing arguments, but are not prohibited from crafting arguments based on the evidence in the record, and are afforded wide latitude in closing, and may discuss and comment and draw reasonable inferences from the evidence.

Correction :An earlier version of this story misspelled Deputy Prosecutor Lawrence Sousies first name.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  The Hawaii Department of Transportation is encouraging drivers to ensure there are no active safety recalls on their vehicles.

According to HDOT, over 1,000 different national safety recalls impacted over 35 million vehicles and essential equipment, ranging from minor fixes to major safety concerns.

What is a salvage title vehicle?

During a manufacturer recall, repairs to vehicles can be made at no cost to the owner. Yet, according to a report by CARFAX, one in five vehicles has an unresolved recall issue.

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This statistic means that approximately 280,000 vehicles on the islands could have at least one active safety recall, causing potential danger for drivers and passengers alike, HDOT said.

Drivers can check the status of their vehicles by using the National Highway Transportation Safety Administrations recalls website, using their license plate number or VIN to see if there are any outstanding recalls.

Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You

Should your vehicle have an active recall, contact your local dealership and schedule a free repair. Recalls that involve tires, car seats or types of external equipment may require contacting the manufacturer of the recalled item.

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Checking if your vehicle has an open safety recall is a simple and smart step every car owner can take to reduce the risk of vehicle failure or a breakdown on road that could cause a serious crash, said HDOT Director Ed Sniffen.

The NHTSA says it is best practice to check for recalls at least twice a year, and drivers can sign up to receive recall notifications online.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Senate Republicans released a bill on Tuesday that would exempt certain crypto assets from US securities laws.

But it wont create a loophole that lets major companies evade securities laws by issuing equity on the blockchain, a key concern among Senate Democrats.

The Responsible Financial Innovation Act of 2025 only covers issues under the jurisdiction of the Senate Banking Committee, which oversees the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Lawmakers on the Senates Agriculture Committee are expected to release their own draft bill that will detail crypto companies obligations to the US other financial regulator, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

The Banking Committees so-called discussion draft comes less than a week after the House of Representatives passed the Clarity Act, legislation that would install the CFTC as the primary regulator of the US crypto industry.

We cannot allow regulatory confusion to continue driving American innovation overseas, Senator Cynthia Lummis, a Republican from Wyoming, said in a statement.

Market structure legislation will establish clear distinctions between digital asset securities and commodities, modernise our regulatory framework, and position the United States as the global leader in digital asset innovation.

Disclosure requirements

The bill regulates crypto assets broadly as well as a new category of financial asset dubbed ancillary assets that are not securities, according to the text of the draft bill.

Ancillary assets are intangible, commercially fungible assets that are sold as part of an investment contract without any of the rights typically conferred by securities, such as equity, dividends, and the right to a portion of a companys assets upon liquidation.

The definition appears to address Senate Democrats concern that so-called market structure legislation could create a loophole within US securities laws.

During a hearing on potential crypto legislation this month, Senator Elizabeth Warren, the head Democrat on the Banking Committee, called Republicans market structure proposals a back door to destroy the securities laws that have served as the bedrock of our capital markets for nearly 100 years.

The Clarity Act, for example, would allow non-crypto companies to tokenise their assets to evade the SECs regulations, she said.

That week, SEC Commissioner Hester Peirce issued a statement in which she said blockchain technology does not have magical abilities to transform the nature of the underlying asset and that tokenised securities are still securities.
Mike Sousek, general manager of the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District, addresses the Cass County Board prior to its vote Tuesday, March 25, 2025, to rescind approval of a recreational trail route across the county. (Paul Hammel/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  The general manager of the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District has resigned the $178,000-a-year position a month after being placed on suspension with pay.

Mike Sousek, who had served in the general managers role the past two years, did not return messages left seeking comment.

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In June, the NRDs board of directors had placed Sousek on paid leave pending a review by the board. A week ago, after a nearly hour-long closed-door session, the board voted to approve the strategy discussed in closed session regarding Sousek.

The chairman of the Lower Platte South NRD Board, Bob Anderson, declined to explain what that vote actually meant, but told the Examiner it was timely that the news site had called and that Sousek had now resigned the post.

We thank him for his service, and we wish him well, Anderson told a reporter.

He declined to say when exactly Sousek had resigned and whether it included any kind of financial payment.

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Ive gone as far as we want to go, Anderson said, stating that it was a personnel matter.

The suspension and resignation comes on the heels of the settlement of a lawsuit with a female NRD employee who maintained that she was bypassed for the NRDs top job  when Sousek was hired  because she was a woman.

McKenzie Barry, who had worked for the Lower Platte South NRD for 22 years, filed the sex discrimination lawsuit, claiming, among other things, that two members of the committee interviewing candidates told her the NRD wasnt ready to have a female in the top job.

Barry left the NRD in January. She said Sousek ordered her to clear out her desk a day prior to her last scheduled work day. The Lincoln-based NRD appointed its assistant general manager, David Potter, in June to take over temporarily as general manager.

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The Lower Platte South NRD covers six counties in southeast Nebraska. It operates nine wildlife management areas and maintains 50 miles of recreational trails. It also works with landowners to reduce erosion and manage groundwater use.

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SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KETK) A hearing-impaired woman from outside of Texas adopted two puppies from the Smith County Animal Shelter that she and her family share a special connection with.

In June, the animal shelter rescued two three-month-old puppies, Anjali and Amiya, who were found abandoned on County Road 1142. After rescuing the puppies, it became apparent that both dogs were deaf.

81 jobs in Palestine at risk pending NASAs decision on balloon operations contract

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Within days of saving the dogs, the shelter posted pictures of them on Deaf Dogs Rock, a website that showcases deaf dogs available for adoption. Nozomi Tomita, who lives in Massachusetts, viewed the dogs online and felt an instant connection, as she and her family are deaf.

Courtesy of Smith County Animal Shelter

Due to the shelter being unable to transport the dogs out of the state, Tomita traveled to Smith County to adopt the puppies. Several East Texas organizations helped make Tomitas trip as seamless as possible, including Pawsitive Place Rescue, which assisted Tomita with travel arrangements to and from Massachusetts. Additionally, a member of the Tyler Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center volunteered to serve as an interpreter for Tomita during her stay.

Cass County deputies seize $207K, driver arrested for money laundering

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On Tuesday, Tomita was finally able to meet and adopt Anjali and Amiya from the shelter and stated she would teach the puppies American Sign Language, along with some Japanese Sign Language.

We would like to thank Nozomi Tomita and her family for adopting Amiya and Anjali and for making such a journey for these girls to go to their forever home, Smith County Animal Shelter said. We would also like to thank Pawsitive Place Rescue, who helped make this adoption a reality for this family and for working with us to help not only these girls but multiple dogs from our shelter find their furever homes.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Multiple Pahrump residents who live near Nye County animal sanctuary told 8 News Now they spotted a dead donkey at the property on Monday.

Neighbor Carol Cusimano called animal control to report it, but said the animal lay outside the Dragn Ass Rescue Sanctuary deceased for at least four hours.

Animal welfare complaint targets Nevada rescue sanctuary

Im in my yard working, and I notice the other donkeys in the property were making some ruckus, Cusimano said. When I drove down to the corner, I could see it. It was on its side, stiff legs. It was heartbreaking.

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Brenda Kampft also saw the deceased animal.

Multiple Pahrump residents who live near the Dragn Ass Rescue Sanctuary told 8 News Now they spotted a dead donkey at the property on Monday. (KLAS)

We saw the donkey bloated and lying there, Kampf said.

Brenda and her husband, Mark, live near the sanctuary and claim the owner has been problematic since she moved in months ago.

Our concern is not that she has burros and horses, Mark said. Our concern is that theyre not being fed regularly, and when theyre being fed, theyre not being fed properly. This is now six months into it, and its not getting better.

In June, Kathy Jenkins filed a 164-page complaint with the Nye County sheriff and animal control, following a negative experience with the sanctuary that was watching over some of her animals. Some of the concerns listed in the complaint include alleged neglect and trapping of wild burros. At the time, the county manager responded to Jenkins, claiming that the conditions no longer existed and that they were monitoring the property.

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8 News Now reached out to the sanctuary for comment and is still awaiting a response.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Almost 100 million Americans were under National Weather Service extreme heat warnings, watches or advisories July 23 as a heat dome descended on a swath of the nation and slowly spread toward the East.

The high temperature in St. Louis on July 23 was forecast at 98 degrees  and a heat index could reach a stunning 116, the weather service said. The forecast high in Little Rock for July 23-24 was 101 degrees and heat index values could near 110. The heat index measures how hot it actually feels when factoring for humidity.

It's summer and it's supposed to be hot. But temperatures will run 5-15 degrees above the historical average, AccuWeather says.

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The heat dome is "not really a record-breaking air mass" that would shatter records for high temperatures, AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Brett Anderson said. But low temperatures in many cities and towns "will struggle to drop below 80 degrees at night due to the high humidity levels and retention of heat by vast areas of concrete and pavement," he said.

The weather service forecast for Chicago calls for a heat index of 104 on July 23 and 106 on July 24. Parts of Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana will peak at near or above 100 degrees, and much of the South, Midwest and Great Lakes will see the heat index exceed 100.

"Just absolutely ridiculous heat index values here of well over 100 degrees, and 110," Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore said. "We have the combination of high temperatures, 90s in most of these cases, even 100 ... with surging moisture, deep moisture and dew points in the 80s. That's not air you can wear anymore, that is air that is going to give you a shower."

Developments:

 The heat dome on Wednesday covered a wide slice of the nation from Minneapolis to New Orleans and from Kansas City to Cleveland.

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 Heavy rains and flash flooding are possible across the Missouri River Valley and Upper Midwest and Great Lakes area July 23-24, the weather service said.

 Tropical moisture could produce torrential downpours across portions of the Southeast. The heaviest rainfall will likely occur along the central Gulf Coast and across much of Florida through July 24.

National heat index map: See which states feel hottest

The map below identifies areas where the heat index is forecasted to reach NWS-defined levels from "Caution" (80 degrees Fahrenheit) to "Extreme Danger" (above 125 degrees). Prolonged exposure to a heat index above 80 degrees can lead to fatigue. As it gets hotter, the risk continues to increase  potentially resulting in heatstroke or even death. Older adults, children, and outdoor workers are generally at higher risk of heat-related incidents.

Heat map: See which states are facing dangerous heat

Heat threatens power supply in China

China warned July 23 that power supply disruptions could result as people struggled to keep cool in record heat baking the nation. High temperatures have exceeded 100 degrees almost daily for the last two weeks across much of the sprawling country of 1.4 billion people, also spurring warnings to the elderly to guard against heatstroke.

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Since mid-March, the number of days when temperatures reached 95 or more is the highest on record, said Jia Xiaolong, deputy director of the National Climate Center.

Don't like the heat wave? Head west

While most of the nation swelters, much of the West Coast will be unseasonably cool thanks to a "meandering" low pressure system high in the atmosphere off the California coast, the weather service says. Translation: The July 24 forecast high for Chicago is 97, for Los Angeles and Seattle it is 79.

This "upper low" in the West will also trigger showers and thunderstorms in parts of northern California  and there is potential for localized flash flooding near wildfire burn scars. Mostly dry conditions are forecast for the Desert Southwest, and don't worry about being unseasonably cool in Phoenix. The high July 24 is forecast at 104.

Heat dome could linger for two weeks

The heat dome won't dissipate soon. Dangerous heat is expected across parts of the Central and Southeast. through July, the weather service says. High temperatures will reach 100 degrees from Texas to western Tennessee almost every day for a week or two, AccuWeather said.

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The Northeast was given a couple days reprieve: highs in the 80s and relatively low humidity. But the dome will spread across the region July 25, driving high temperatures deep into the 90s that will feel like more than 100 degrees as the humidity builds there.

Heat dome scorching South, moving east: What you can expect

Heavy rain but probably not a hurricane

The 2025 hurricane season may be kicking into more active gear in the days ahead, and a disturbance near U.S. shores has drawn the attention of the National Hurricane Center. In a July 22 update, the hurricane center flagged a low pressure area off Northeast Florida that showed some chance of developing after it crosses over Florida into the Gulf of America, renamed from the Gulf of Mexico, later in the week.

No matter how organized the system becomes, the northern Gulf Coast faces a few more days of heavy rain, forecasters say.

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"Expect rain and storm chances to increase toward the end of the week as this disturbance moves in, though it's too early to say much with certainty beyond that," the National Weather Service office in Houston posted on its social media.

 Dinah Voyles Pulver

Forecasters eye system: Another potential storm off Southeast coast

What is an extreme heat advisory?

The weather service issues an extreme heat warning when "extremely dangerous" heat conditions are expected or occurring. People in those areas are urged to avoid outdoor activities, especially during the heat of the day, and to check on family and neighbors.

An extreme heat watch is issued when conditions are favorable for an extreme heat event but its occurrence and timing are uncertain. People are warned to suspend all major outdoor activities if a warning is issued.

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A heat advisory is issued for dangerous heat conditions that are not expected to reach warning criteria.

What is a heat dome?

Heat dome is not actually a scientific term, according to climatecheck.com, which says the term does effectively describe the "oppressive" high-pressure atmospheric systems that cause warm air to be pushed to the Earth's surface and trapped there for long periods of time.

"The dome traps high-pressure air in one place, like the lid on a pot," the website says. "These large zones of hot air result in a combination of blistering temperatures, devastating wildfires, and drought conditions."

Contributing: Gabe Hauari

Children cool off from the summer heat at the Kidventure 2.0 splash pad at the Anderson Sports and Entertainment Complex in Anderson County, S.C., on July 21, 2025.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Heat advisories abound, millions of Americans face 'ridiculous' temps
WASHINGTON  Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth divulged classified information in March from battlefield commanders about the U.S. attack on Houthi rebels in a chat on the commercial messaging app Signal, according to a U.S. official.

The Washington Post reported on July 23 that the Pentagon Inspector General, which is reviewing the matter, has evidence that the information Hegseth shared detailing the timing of U.S. airstrikes came from a classified email.

The message was classified as secret information when Gen. Erik Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command, sent it to Hegseth, a U.S. official who was not authorized to speak publicly, told USA TODAY.

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The Pentagon stood by its contention that the information Hegseth revealed on the Signal chat, which had inadvertently included a journalist from The Atlantic, wasn't secret.

More: Trump adviser Michael Waltz defends Signal use, says he stayed on White House payroll

"The Department stands behind its previous statements: no classified information was shared via Signal," Sean Parnell, the Pentagon's chief spokesman, said in a statement. "As we've said repeatedly, nobody was texting war plans and the success of the Department's recent operations  from Operation Rough Rider to Operation Midnight Hammer  are proof that our operational security and discipline are top notch."

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sent details of planned strikes on Houthi forces in Yemen to a Signal group chat in March.

Rough Rider is the name of the operation to bomb Houthi rebels in Yemen who have attacked ships in the Red Sea. The Houthis agreed not to target U.S. ships after heavy bombardment there. Midnight Hammer is the name for the U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear sites.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hegseth's Signal messages were classified info from battle commanders
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Support local students and schools as the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District hosts their upcoming second annual Stuff the Bus campaign.

Last year, this event brought in over 1,200 school supplies for students in need. Panama-Buena Vista Union School District invites the community to come out once again and donate on July 25.

It makes a big difference for the students as they start the year, to feel prepared as they enter the classrooms so they can focus on just learning, says Chantel Stansberry, the school districts director of communications.

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11-year-old Bakersfield girl ready to burst onto the music scene with voice of gold

This event is happening from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., where you can drop off donations at a Panama-Buena Vista Union School District school bus located at the Walmart on 5075 Gosford Road.

Suggested items include backpacks, crayons, colored pencils, markers, highlighters, scissors, glue sticks, binders and more.

For more information, watch the full segment in the video player above.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News.
Federal prosecutors indicted a 55-year-old Long Island, New York, man Tuesday, alleging he built seven homemade bombs with the help of artificial intelligence, a process he called easier than buying gun powder, according to court documents.

The man, Michael Gann, transported the bombs from Long Island to New York City and stored five of them and four shotgun shells on an apartment building rooftop in the SoHo neighborhood, officials said. He intended to combine the shotgun shells with one or more of the improvised explosive devices, they said.

On March 27, Gann posted a message to President Donald Trump's official X account, the indictment said.

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Dear @POTUS, Im thinking just now here in NYC that its too bad that the wall wasnt built before the National Guard would have to come here for the Protests and Riotation," he was said to have written. "Or would you just drop a bomb on this place while and because they seem to be coming and coming?

Five weeks later, Gann was arrested after he posted on Instagram, "Who wants me to go out to play like no tomorrow?" according to authorities.

Gann has not yet entered a plea, and his attorney declined to comment.

A man authorities identified as Michael Gann on a rooftop in lower Manhattan. (U.S. District Court Southern District of N.Y.)

Ordering online

Gann told law enforcement officials that he used two household compounds that he ordered online to make the improvised explosives, according to court documents. He also purchased over 200 cardboard tubes and more than 50 feet of fuses. One of the devices he built had roughly 30 grams of explosive powder  about 600 times the legal limit for consumer fireworks.

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Officials said he appeared to have acted alone and was not acting as part of a group.

"Gann allegedly produced multiple improvised explosive devices intended for use in Manhattan, said Christopher Raia, the head of the FBI's New York field office. Due to the successful partnership of law enforcement agencies in New York, Gann was swiftly brought to justice before he could harm innocent civilians."

Bombs alleged to have been made by Michael Gann. (U.S. District Court Southern District of N.Y.)

One of the witnesses, a U.S. military veteran, told the FBI that as Gann was mixing the explosives in Inwood, a town on Long Island, he said, What kind of veteran are you? You see a problem going on in the neighborhood and you do nothing about it.

Gann then pointed to a Jewish school, according to a criminal complaint that was filed at the time of his arrest.

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A second witness agreed to make phone calls to Gann while the FBI listened in, according to the criminal complaint. Gann told the witness in one call that he had lit one of the devices near the East River on the FDR Drive; that the device had exploded, scaring Gann, it says.

Gann then said, according to the witness, that he was considering disposing of the remaining five devices by throwing them into the river or turning them in to the New York City Fire Department.

On June 5, the day of the alleged call, law enforcement agents saw Gann walking down the street carrying a shoulder bag, according to the complaint. When the agents identified themselves to Gann, he told them he was on his way to the fire department to drop the devices off, it says.

After being read his rights, Gann told law enforcement officials that he wished to make pyrotechnics and used artificial intelligence to learn which chemicals to purchase and mix, the complaint says.

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It says Gann created four devices initially and threw three from the Manhattan side of the Williamsburg Bridge. Two devices fell into the water, and one fell on the train tracks and was recovered near there.

"Gann built explosive devices, stored them on a rooftop in SoHo," interim U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said, and threw one onto the subway tracks  putting countless lives at risk.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
On Wednesday, Donald Trumps administration denied Marylands request for FEMA aid to deal with the fallout of devastating floods in May, continuing the administrations disturbing trend of denying disaster aid to states led by Democrats.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, denounced the administrations determination that the aid is not warranted. In a social media video, Moore vowed to appeal the decision and said the federal government is effectively telling residents of western Maryland  where many are still coping with the effects of the flooding  youre on your own.

Western Maryland is still recovering from massive storm damage that destroyed homes and businesses.



But the Trump Administration has denied our request for disaster assistance, with FEMA calling it not warranted.



Theyre wrong.



I will be appealing this decision as our state pic.twitter.com/F9IY4Efu4M  Wes Moore (@iamwesmoore) July 24, 2025

After the recent deadly flooding in Texas, Trump and his administration promised, and ultimately approved, FEMA aid for the Republican-controlled state. In the time since, FEMAs response there has received criticism  including from the agencys now-former head of urban search and rescue operations, who just resigned in disgust.

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But the fact that Texas received a promise of FEMA aid at all was noteworthy. As I wrote at the time, it was a markedly different stance than the one Trumps administration has taken with numerous states led by Democratic governors  such as North Carolina, Washington and California  whove had their requests for federal assistance denied.

Trump has sought to effectively shutter FEMA and force states to handle the financial burden of natural disasters on their own. But in the meantime, the denial of funds to Maryland is yet more evidence that the administration sees FEMA as a political tool for aiding its allies and harming its perceived foes  leaving Americans lives and livelihoods hanging in the balance.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Lubbock Fine, a chartered accountant practice, has issued a warning concerning the escalating costs of corporation tax for UK businesses, which have now reached an all-time high of 92.1bn.

The latest HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) data reveals that corporation tax receipts for the year ending 30 June 2025 have risen by 5% from the previous year. This increase follows the UK Government's decision to raise the corporation tax rate from 19% to 25% in April 2023.

Lubbock Fine points to this tax hike as a possible factor in the subsequent decline in foreign direct investment (FDI) into the UK.

According to the company's analysis, the number of FDI projects has diminished by 17% over a two-year period, falling to 1,375 in 2024/25 from 1,654 in 2022/23.

This downturn in investment activity has also led to a 13% reduction in the number of new jobs created by FDI, with figures declining from 79,500 to 69,300.

Lubbock Fine partner and the companys German Desk head Alex Altmann said: Corporation tax and taxes on businesses generally are becoming an ever-larger slice of the UK tax base  but at what cost to the economy?

Record corporation tax receipts may look like a win for the Treasury, but they risk putting long-term growth and job creation in jeopardy.

Lower business tax rates were once one of the UKs key competitive advantages over other European economies  but that edge has now largely disappeared.

Countries like the US and France have been cutting their corporate tax rates while the UK has been raising them. This makes the UK a less attractive destination for international businesses weighing where to expand next.

The UK needs to remain globally competitive. Higher taxes on businesses reduce the incentive for overseas companies to set up shop here. With job creation from foreign investment already falling, the link between rising tax rates and slowing inward investment is becoming harder to ignore.

"Soaring corporation tax costs may deter foreign investment in UK: Lubbock Fine " was originally created and published by The Accountant, a GlobalData owned brand.




DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  An attorney hired by the estate of Hershall Creachbaum, the 7-year-old boy whose remains were discovered earlier this month, says he isnt sure what the end goal of their investigation is.

I dont know what justice looks like, other than holding those accountable for failing this child, said Michael Wright of Wright & Schulte. Maybe justice is terminating the employees who were supposed to keep him safe.

Wright said he believes county agencies, specifically Children Services, are to blame for the events that lead up to Hershalls death.

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He said that he found that multiple people, including teachers, had called Children Services regarding the overall care for Hershall, but the agency allegedly did not follow up in the case.

We think this child went through hell, Wright said. He was abused. He was neglected. And because he was autistic and because he was a special needs child, I think that more care and more attention should have been given to him. And it just didnt happen.

When reached for comment, Montgomery County Childrens Services said that Ohio law prevents Children Services from confirming or denying if there was a case involving this family.

Wright said that a potential lawsuit depends on the results of their investigation.

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He referred several times to Takoda Collins, a 10-year-old boy who died in December 2019 after alleged abuse by his father. A lawsuit by Collins estate against Montgomery County for Children Services alleged failure to protect Collins was settled in May 2021 for $3.25 million.

Collins death spurred the passage of a law signed by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in 2022 in February 2022 that looked to prevent abuse cases from falling through cracks.

We really thought that Takodas loss, we were hoping that would be the last loss as it relates to the failures of Childrens Services, said Wright. But that wasnt the case.

Creachbaums mother and her boyfriend were in court Thursday morning for their arraignments.

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Ashley Johnson, 36, and Michael Kendrick, 39, entered not-guilty pleas in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court.

Johnson had been indicted by Montgomery County Grand Jury on one count of obstruction of justice. Her bond was set at $250,000.

Kendrick faces three counts of gross abuse of a corpose and two counts of tampering with evidence. His bond is $2 million.

In announcing the charges, Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. called the suspects alleged actions beyond despicable.

Help needed for funeral costs of 7-year-old boy

Kendrick called 911 on the morning of Saturday, July 12, to report that Hershall Creachbaum, 7, was missing.

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Kendrick told law enforcement that a homeless man had knocked him out, and that when he regained consciousness, Hershall and his wheelchair were gone.

After more interviews with Dayton police, Kendrick revealed Hershall had already been dead for several weeks. He told officers where they could find his remains, which he said he had moved multiple times.

The Montgomery County Coroners Office is currently working to positively identify the remains as those of Hershall.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
Hershall Creachbaum death: Lawyer says children services failed 7-year-old; lawsuit pending

The estate of a 7-year-old boy with autism and cerebral palsy is preparing a wrongful death lawsuit following the discovery of his remains earlier this month.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Michael Wright, the lawyer for the Creachbaum family estate, is spearheading an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Hershalls death.

The focus is on the role of child service agencies, which Wright believes failed to protect the child.

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They just didnt follow up and do the things that were necessary to protect this child, Wright said.

TRENDING STORIES:

He is currently in the information-gathering phase to understand what went wrong.

Police found Hershall Creachbaums body on a wooded embankment behind a chain-link fence near the McClure Street bridge.

The specifics of the care provided by Hershalls mother, Ashley Johnson, and her boyfriend, Michael Kendrick, remain unclear.

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Were still trying to piece together what specifically happened to this child and what gaps there were in the system, Wright said.

Lawyers said Hershall should still be alive.

Every adult that was responsible for his care failed him every step of the way, He shouldnt be dead, but he is, Attorney Robert Gresham said.

News Center 7 has reached out to Montgomery County Children Services, which said Ohio law prevents them from confirming or denying if there was a case involving this child.

While this tragedy did not fall under our jurisdiction, we join the community in mourning this loss, a spokesperson said.

We will continue to follow this story.

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A male hiker was airlifted from the Laie Falls Trail on Wednesday afternoon after falling while following a stream and becoming disoriented, according to the Honolulu Fire Department.

The incident occurred just a day after HFD from four other popular Oahu trailsKoko Crater Stairs, Lanikai Pillbox, Diamond Head and Maili Pillbox.

Fire officials said they received a 911 text message at 2 :30 p.m. and responded with six units and 14 personnel. The first unit arrived on scene at 2 :49 p.m., established command and began gathering information.

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Air 1 located the hiker by 3 :26 p.m. and inserted a rescuer to reach him. A medical assessment determined he was uninjured, and he was safely airlifted to a landing zone at 3 :45 p.m. He declined further medical care.

No injuries were reported among HFD personnel.

The fire department again urged the public to choose trails appropriate for their fitness and experience levels.

There are a wide variety of trails in Hawai i, so pick one that suits your level,  HFD said.

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Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) on Wednesday moved to force a vote on a resolution to censure Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), who faces charges resulting from a clash with officials at an immigrant detention center.

The measure, which spans three pages, calls for McIver to be censured and removed from the House Homeland Security Committee.

The move from Higgins came the same day the House broke for a weeks-long August recess, meaning the matter will not be dealt with until September. Under House rules, leadership must act on the resolution within two legislative days, either staging a vote on it, motioning to refer it to committee or motioning to table it.

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It remains unclear how Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will handle the matter. The House has censured 28 members in its history, with the most recent being Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) in March after he shouted and waved his cane in the air during President Trumps first joint address to Congress of his second term.

McIver pushed back on Higginss resolution, calling the Louisiana Republican a bigot who wants to be back in the news.

Rs just shut down the House floor early and left to avoid confronting their presidents relationship with Epstein. Now they want us to believe theyre doing something when theyre really running home to hide, McIver wrote in a thread on X.

This resolution aims to kick me off the committee that presides over the Department of Homeland Security and shame me for doing the oversight work that is my job. Good luck, Clay. she added.

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McIver stands accused of assaulting law enforcement with her forearms during a chaotic clash that ensued after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers began to arrest Newark, N.J., Mayor Ras Baraka (D) outside a New Jersey immigration detention facility in May. McIver was visiting the facility with a group of elected officials.

McIver has disputed that she assaulted anyone, and footage of the scrum shows her raising her arms as shes jostled among the competing factions.

The crime carries a significant penalty  as much as 16 years in prison if McIver is convicted.

House Homeland Security Committee members like McIver, as well as other Democrats, have made a point of visiting detention facilities as the Trump administration seeks to increase immigration arrests after Trump promised the largest mass deportation effort in U.S. history.

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The Department of Homeland Security has since tried to limit lawmaker visits, something Democratic members said was designed to block oversight.

Prosecutors  then led by interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba  received significant scrutiny for bringing charges against Baraka that they later dropped.

U.S. District Judge Andre Espinosa in a Wednesday hearing said the arrest suggested a worrisome misstep by the New Jerseys U.S. attorneys office, noting the apparent rush in bringing the case that culminated in the governments embarrassing retraction of the charge.

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NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56)  On Thursday afternoon, Nicholasville police asked that all residents in the area of Shelby Way remain inside, as U.S. Marshals serve a high-risk arrest warrant.

The scene has since cleared, as of 3:40 p.m. The suspect, believed to be armed and dangerous, was not located at the Shelby Way home.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Those that reside in the area  please be vigilant and cautious if you are currently at home. If you are observing our efforts, we ask that you do so from within your homes, Nicholasville police wrote when the search was announced.

Officers also asked that drivers avoid the area until further notice.

We would prefer that no one travel to/through the area in the event that our emergency vehicles or additional assets need to arrive or depart, Nicholasville police said.

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Orchard Drive from Christia Lane to Shelby Way was closed for around an hour.

Nicholasville police told FOX 56 that officers were prepared for a peaceful apprehension, but the case has been turned back over to U.S. Marshals.

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An elderly couple have been killed and holiday villas have been reduced to ashes in Cypruss most destructive wildfires for 50 years.

The couples bodies were found in a burnt car after the inferno destroyed homes and forced the evacuation of a dozen villages near the city of Limassol, on the southern side of the island, on Wednesday. Police are still working to identify the dead.

By Thursday, the flames  fanned by strong winds and a heatwave that pushed temperatures to 44C  had scorched 38.6 square miles of forested hillsides popular with tourists.

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More than 250 firefighters and 75 vehicles were deployed to battle the crisis. Father Michalis, a Greek Orthodox priest, was among those evacuated. He described the scenes as sheer hell.

Health authorities said two people were admitted to hospital with severe burns, while another 16 were treated for other injuries.

A firefighter and her colleagues work to extinguish a fire in Souni village - Petros Karadjias/AP

The fire started on Wednesday in the village of Malia in the hills above Limassol. By the evening, flames could be seen consuming trees, brush and other vegetation along a large front.

On Thursday, Andreas Kettis, a spokesman for the fire service, said there were no active fronts in the fire, but intense flare-ups continued.

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Cypruss government has asked neighbouring countries to send aircraft to support fire-fighting efforts.

So far, aircraft have been pledged by Jordan, Egypt, Spain and Israel, as well as from British bases on the island.

Marios Hartsiotis, the justice minister, told public broadcaster CyBC that 106 people were forced to spend the night in temporary accommodation.

A burnt car pictured in the village of Souni - Yiannis Kourtoglou/Reuters

Scores of homes have been damaged or destroyed by the fire, with 16 communities left without electricity for air-conditioning or refrigeration in the searing heat.

When I entered my house, I saw the mountain and the valley full of flames, said Antonis Christou, a resident of Kandou, one of the villages affected by the fire.

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I cried, really I cried, because people got burnt... burnt while in the car.

Konstantinos Letymbiotis, a government spokesman, said: We express the deep sorrow of the state over the unjust loss of two of our fellow citizens during the devastating wildfires.

Homes burnt out in the village of Souni - Etienne Torbey/AFP

On Thursday, police continued to block road access to the fire-afflicted communities as residents vented against what they saw as a disorganised response.

Nikos Logginos, chief of the fire service, said he had passed on witness testimony to the police, suggesting that the blaze may have been started deliberately.

Cyprus is hit by wildfires almost every year during the islands hot, dry summers. A 2021 wildfire in the Larnaca district killed four Egyptian farmworkers.

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This weeks blaze was the biggest since 1974, during the islands invasion by the Turkish military.

The Foreign Office has issued a warning for Cyprus, saying that wildfires in the region are dangerous and unpredictable.

There is a high risk of wildfires during the summer season from April to October. Ensure that your mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts to be warned of wildfires near your location.

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SALIX, Iowa (KCAU)  Woodbury Parks will host a fishing event tailored to teaching children how to fish.

According to the Woodbury Parks website, the event will teach kids how to bait a hook, cast a line, identify local fish species, and understand basic fishing regulations. Woodbury Parks will provide all necessary equipment for the registered kids.

WATCH: Sioux City man reels in an over 45lbs fish

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Hooked On the Outdoors will be held at Browns Lake-Bigelow Park, 722 Bigelow Park Rd, in Salix, Iowa. Kids ages 7-12 are able to join the one-day fishing program.

Space is limited to 15 kids. So, anyone who wants to register is asked to call 712-258-0838 or email camps@woodburyparks.org.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
Hoosiers are paying historically high energy rates from Indianas investor-owned utilities, according to a new analysis by a consumer watchdog group.

Citizens Action Coalition collected and analyzed 20 years of data from five of the states monopoly utilities  NIPSCO, CenterPoint, Duke Energy Indiana, AES Indiana and I&M  and found residents were hit this year with the highest year-over-year price increase since at least 2005.

The groups key findings show a statewide average energy bill increase of more than $28 per month  a 17.5% jump.

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The Indiana Energy Association, in a written statement in response to the CAC report, said its members "are committed to keeping affordability top of mind, while also making the investments needed to provide reliable electricity."

Kerwin Olson, executive director of CAC, said for years Indiana lawmakers have passed utility-friendly legislation shifting economic risk and cost on to Hoosiers already facing rising costs for housing, healthcare and other bills.

This is an ongoing trend of continuing to use rate payers as economic development tools while inappropriately shifting all of the investment risk of running the utility away from utilities themselves and their investors onto shareholders, Olson said. And that comes at a cost, and that cost is starting to display itself as extraordinary rate increases.

The continued increase in utility bills is exacerbating an affordability crisis, he said, and Indiana is the epitome of regulatory and legislative control by investor-owned utilities that dictate policy and regulatory outcomes. The state, Olson said, needs to get serious about looking at policy solutions that invite competition and provide customers with a choice rather than allowing monopoly pricing.

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"Let's get serious about making sure the everyday working class Hoosier can live their life with some dignity and afford the daily cost of living," he said.

Indianas monopoly utility rate increases

CACs analysis of data from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission shows large year-over-year bill increases for Hoosiers residential energy bills between July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025.

The Indiana Energy Association noted "Indiana has been growing, and Indianas utilities have an obligation to keep pace with that demand and power a modern economy."

The association wrote that Indiana's energy companies invested in additional power generation and modernization of the electric grid that delivers that power.

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"Weve added advanced technology to the electric grid that reduces power outages and hardens the grid against severe weather. There also have been substantial investments in evolving environmental regulations," the statement says.

NIPSCO customers, the ratepayers already paying the most, saw the largest increase of $50, or 26.7%, per month, according to CAC. NIPSCO spokeswoman Tara McElmurry told IndyStar the company is aligned with IEA's statement and has nothing further to add.

CenterPoint customers saw a $44 per month increase, or 25%, over the last year following an IURC-approved rate increase. CenterPoint spokesperson Noah Stubbs referred IndyStar to IEA's statement.

Duke Energy Indiana customers saw a $26 increase on their monthly bills. Angeline Protogere, spokeswoman for Duke Indiana, wrote in an email to IndyStar that Duke has the lowest average rate among major utilities in Indiana for residential users, and that the year-over-year survey includes base rates as well as fuel and purchased power costs, which fluctuate quarterly. New rates allow Duke to continue making investments in a variety of ways including outage resilience, increasing reliability and transmission infrastructure among other things.

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"We have invested $1.6 billion in our electric grid, power plants and overall system on behalf of our customers, and that is reflected in a base rate increase that went into effect in February 2025," Protogere wrote.

AES Indiana residential customers paid about $17 more each month, and the utility recently filed for another rate increase. AES did not comment but instead referred IndyStar to the IEA statement.

I&M customers saw bills rise $6 a month. I&M did not immediately respond to IndyStar.

Energy affordability talks in Indiana

Gov. Mike Braun ran his gubernatorial campaign, in part, by promising lower energy costs for Hoosiers, and state lawmakers referenced affordability during legislative session this year.

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These promises have yet to come to fruition, and Olson said lawmakers continue to compound the issue of energy bills running rampant with laws such as Senate bills 424 and 423 which shifted even more costs onto Hoosiers. He also pointed out Brauns new Strategic Energy Growth Task Force, meant to address affordability, lacks any consumer advocates.

It's hard to believe we're serious about affordability when a task force like that lacks a consumer voice, Olson said. And then we see numbers like these: rate increase after rate increase after rate increase with no end in sight and with no apparent desire from the state to seriously take a look at why and try to fix the problem.

Olson and CAC are not opposed to economic development and growth, but he said the risks need to appropriately be shared and something needs to change.

All we want to do in Indiana is build, build, build in the name of energy dominance, and rate payers be damned, he said.

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IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

IndyStar environment and natural resources reporter Sophie Hartley contributed to this report.

Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on BlueSky @karlstartswithk.bsky.social or X @karlstartswithk.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Hoosiers face energy affordability crisis, consumer group says
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Healthcare access is set to more than double in Clarksville. Ascension Saint Thomas and TriStar Health, an HCA Healthcare affiliate, both have the official go-ahead to build new hospitals in the area.

The Tennessee Health Facilities Commission approved separate healthcare Certificates of Need (CONs) on Wednesday, July 23 for Ascension Saint Thomas and TriStar Health, but another large healthcare provider argued their arrival will do more harm than good. Representatives for Tennova Healthcare, the operator of Clarksvilles only hospital, argued that new medical centers are not only unnecessary, but they would take resources away from the current hospital.

PREVIOUS: Pivotal meeting to determine Clarksvilles healthcare future

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Allowing both of these projects to move forward, allowing both of these projects to take critical resources in nursing and physicians, will do nothing but disrupt the care, and there are not enough patients to support all of these projects moving forward, Travis Swearingen from Tennova Healthcare said.

Representatives for Ascension Saint Thomas and TriStar Health fought those claims at a hearing Wednesday.

State Rep. Ronnie Glynn (D-Clarksville) said having another hospital would have prevented the death of a teenage boy who was shot at the Montgomery County Fair less than two months ago. First responders reportedly drove the victim past the proposed site of the new TriStar hospital and couldnt reach Tennova Healthcare in time.

READ MORE | Latest headlines from Clarksville and Montgomery County

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I think about the young 15-year-old who was shot at the county fair a couple months ago, Glynn said. The route the paramedics took to get this young man to care passed by the site where one of these hospitals will be located.

During Wednesday mornings state commission hearing, a number of people from Clarksville and Montgomery County spoke in favor of having the new hospitals. That included Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden, who spoke about the countys ever-growing population, which is expected to reach 300,000 by the time the additional medical centers are finished.

Eight commission members voted in favor of the two new hospitals, which are also bringing a $500 million investment to the area.

(Courtesy: Ascension Saint Thomas)

(Courtesy: TriStar Health)

Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts released a statement following the approval of the new medical facilities, saying, in part:

What made me most proud, today, was to see our City and County, state Legislative delegation, and so many of our residents, unite in one place, under a common cause and purpose. We showed the entire state, and national health care industry, that Clarksville and Montgomery County is built on a legitimately-solid and independent urban foundation that begins with caring people who work together and reach consensus, when it counts. Clarksville is officially a stand-alone regional service center, for industrial, retail and residential concerns, and certainly, initiatives to expand and improve the quality of healthcare and availability of hospital facilities and resources. Be assured that we value, and sincerely appreciate the long-standing healthcare services that are already in our midst. I think we can all agree that, with the unsolicited growth we are currently experiencing  growth that stems from many national, and global, as well as local and regional factors  we have to be in a mindset of building a healthcare enterprise in Clarksville and Montgomery County that keeps up with the soaring demand.

Follow these links to learn more about the Ascension Saint Thomas and TriStar Health hospitals planned in Clarksville.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Fred Alger Management, an investment management company, released its Alger Mid Cap Focus Fund second-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Equity markets regained their strength in the second quarter of 2025. Class A shares of the fund outperformed the Russell Midcap Growth Index during the quarter. The Industrials and Energy sectors contributed to the relative performance of the strategy in the quarter, while Information Technology and Consumer Discretionary sectors detracted. In addition, please check the funds top five holdings to know its best picks in 2025.

In its second quarter 2025 investor letter, Alger Mid Cap Focus Fund highlighted stocks such as Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE:NET). Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE:NET) is a cloud services provider that delivers a range of services to businesses worldwide. The one-month return of Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE:NET) was -0.95%, and its shares gained 142.38% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On July 23, 2025, Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE:NET) stock closed at $189.15 per share, with a market capitalization of $65.561 billion.

Alger Mid Cap Focus Fund stated the following regarding Cloudflare, Inc. (NYSE:NET) in its second quarter 2025 investor letter:
California Representative Ro Khanna has vowed to subpoena Jeffrey Epsteins birthday book after a bombshell revelation of its whereabouts.

The Wall Street Journal reported last week that the book contains a bawdy letter and drawing scrawled by Donald Trump for Epsteins 50th birthday, though its location had been unclear.

In response to the report, the president filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal and its owners, including Rupert Murdoch.

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Just before Khanna, a Democrat, appeared on MSNBCs The Last Word on Wednesday evening, attorney Bradley Edwards, who represented over 200 Epstein victims, claimed that the book is in the possession of the sex offenders estate.

Edwards claimed that multiple victims of Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell knew of the birthday book, and said its existence is an absolute fact.

The attorney said the executors of Epsteins estate, whom he claims to know personally, would likely comply if Congress issued a subpoena for the documents.

Attorney Bradley Edwards, who has represented dozens of Epstein victims, claimed the 'birthday book' is being held by the financier estate (MSNBC/The Last Word)

That was a bombshell revelation by Bradley Edwards, Khanna told host Lawrence ODonnell. It is a revelation to me that he said that the birthday book is with private lawyers in the Epstein estate.

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I think we can easily move forward on this subpoena of this birthday book, which could really advance this case, he added.

The lawmaker added that the guidance is helpful for the committee because we cant trust the Trump Justice Department to cooperate in releasing the files.

Earlier Wednesday, a House Oversight subcommittee voted 8-2 to subpoena the DOJ for files related to Epstein as pressure mounted this week, leading to Speaker Mike Johnson calling a summer recess.

GOP Representatives Nancy Mace of South Carolina, Brian Jack of Georgia, and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania defied party lines to vote with the Democrats.

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Thats a hard thing to do, Khanna said of the decision. Whats not hard to do is subpoena private attorneys and a private estate and to get compliance.

Khanna said he hopes the subpoena will help determine the veracity of the Journals reporting and reveal whether there are additional letters or correspondence between Trump and Epstein.

The congressman, who said he also plans to invite Edwards to meet with the House committee, added it may also shine a light on whether hundreds of other people who have been implicated in sex trafficking are in the book.

Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna says he will push a House Oversight subcommittee to subpoena Epstein's alleged 'birthday book' (MSNBC/The Last Word)

The Journals report last week shed light on the relationship between Trump and Epstein, whose death and ties to the president remain at the center of a growing feud between his allies and right-wing figures demanding more transparency in the case.

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The letter allegedly bears Trumps name and contains several lines of typewritten text framed by a drawing of a naked woman. It is reportedly punctuated by the presidents signature as a squiggly Donald below her waist, mimicking pubic hair.

Happy Birthday  and may every day be another wonderful secret, the letter is reported to conclude. Trump denies his involvement in the letter and drawing.

The push to subpoena the birthday book comes ahead of a senior Justice Department official's expected meeting with Maxwell on Thursday in Tallahassee, Florida, sources told ABC News.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche teed up the Maxwell visit earlier this week, stating a meeting would occur in the coming days to obtain additional information concerning the case.
House lawmakers ran to catch flights Wednesday afternoon -- leaving for their August recess a day early -- without taking a substantive vote on releasing the Epstein files.

On their way out the door, some Republicans acknowledged they're bracing for serious Epstein-related questions from the MAGA base when they get home.

"If you ask my staff, which I do all the time, what's the number one phone call that we're getting? This topic is the number one reason that people call," Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., said.

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MORE: Justice Department faces subpoena over Epstein files by House Oversight Committee

Several Republican members who spent years hyping up the Epstein case remained restrained in criticizing the White House's handling of the matter.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters - PHOTO: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna speaks to reporters as House Members depart, after a vote, for their summer recess from the Capitol, July 23, 2025.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said the administration has done more to investigate the matter and provide transparency.

Asked if the White House promised more than it has delivered, Luna replied, "They have asked for that unsealing. The court denied it, which I would say that the court needs to put that out there. It doesn't necessarily mean that they're done with it."

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Members of the House Oversight Committee are preparing to briefly interrupt their break for a trip to a federal prison in Florida on Aug. 11 after the panel formally subpoenaed Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell Wednesday for a deposition.

MORE: Florida judge rules Epstein grand jury records will remain sealed

Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., who pushed to compel Maxwell's testimony, called her a "liar" and a "dirtbag."

Asked why subpoena her if she can't be trusted, Burchett said, "Well, because the one thing we got holding over her head is, if we find out she lies, she goes back to her original sentence, and that's looking at lifetime. And if she's looking at maybe parlaying this into reducing her sentence, then we could have some leverage there."

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Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., who has gone farthest among Republicans in criticizing Trump's handling of the issue, said he believes the president is hurtling toward a potential breaking point with his base.

"The Epstein thing is symbolic, and it encapsulates why people were so excited to vote for Trump. And so it's not going to go away over August. I think it'll get stronger," Massie told us.

Ken Cedeno/Reuters - PHOTO: Rep. Tim Burchett speaks to the media after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass President Donald Trump's sweeping spending and tax bill, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., July 3, 2025.

"The MAGA base, they voted for a Republican majority, and they voted for Donald Trump to be president, to reach the untouchables, because there's always been this class of people that seems to be above and beyond the law. And so the Epstein files are about reaching those people," Massie said.

Massie confirmed he won't back away from his effort to procedurally force a vote on releasing Epstein records when the House comes back after Labor Day.

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MORE: GOP Sen. Thom Tillis says Epstein files could impact midterm prospects

Asked if he thought the MAGA base could wait until after the recess for answers, Massie replied, "They shouldn't have to wait another day."

Meanwhile, Democrats are reveling in the GOP infighting.

When asked about claims Trump was delaying the release of Epstein documents because his name appears in the files as The Wall Street Journal reported, Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., pounced.

"I am shocked. Based on his behavior over the last 10 days, I can't believe he's in the files. Who would have ever guessed that?" he asked sarcastically.
AUSTIN (Nexstar)  The Texas House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting heard public testimony at the Capitol Thursday about a proposed mid-decade redistricting plan.

The legislature is considering how to redraw the states congressional maps after pressure from the Trump administration and its Department of Justice. President Donald Trump has publicly said he hopes Texas Republicans draw five new seats for themselves ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Committees set up for congressional redistricting in Texas

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The committee allowed anyone from the public to testify at Thursdays hearing, but the hearing specifically focused on counties, which reside partially or wholly, in the 10th, 11th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 20th, 21st, 23rd, 27th, 28th, 31st, 34th, 35th and 37th congressional districts  eight of which are represented by Republicans, six by Democrats. The committee still allowed testimony about any area of the state.

Witnesses who testified before the committee expressed anger and frustration with the potential of redrawing congressional maps. The Republican representatives on the committee were mostly quiet about their opinions, refraining from defending the proposed redistricting.

Legal expert challenged DOJ claims

Law professor Ellen Katz from the University of Michigan testified that the Department of Justices July 7 letter demanding changes to four congressional districts is legally flawed.

The DOJ is simply wrong when it states that these four districts targets violate the voting rights act. Or the constitution they plainly do not, Katz said, referring to districts 9, 18, 29 and 33.

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Katz argued that following the DOJs recommendations would actually be illegal, citing a 2009 Supreme Court decision in Bartlett v. Strickland.

If there were a showing that a state intentionally drew district lines in order to destroy otherwise effective crossover districts, that would raise serious questions under both the 14th and 15th amendment, she said, reading from the court decision. The July 7th DOJ letter instructs Texas to do just that.

Congressional Democrats oppose redistricting

Three Democratic members of Congress testified against the redistricting effort, arguing it would harm minority communities and disrupt constituent services.

U.S. Rep. Greg Casar, D-Austin, emphasized his districts legal standing.

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Texass 35th congressional district was drawn by this body coming after the 2010 census, Casar said. It was constitutionally mandated to be drawn and it was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.

U.S Rep. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, whose 29th congressional district is targeted in the DOJ letter, criticized the timing of the redistricting effort.

We really should not be even be here today. We should be working on legislation to support families on the Hill Country after the devastating flooding, Garcia said. Instead, we are here today playing political games to appease a felon in the White House.

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, compared the current effort to 2003 mid-decade redistricting carried out by Texas Republicans, calling it politically motivated.

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Youre being used because [Trump] doesnt want Democrats to control the majority of the Congress so that therell be no investigations, Castro said.

House Democrats question the process

Committee members expressed confusion about the rationale for the redistricting effort. State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, said he was personally very confused about why exactly were here.

State Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, D-San Antonio, also voiced opposition.

Lets not allow the White House to put his arms into Texas and divide our community. Its wrong. It should not happen, Gervin-Hawkins said.

Fiscal and practical concerns

The congressmen highlighted potential disruptions to constituent services if districts are redrawn mid-decade.

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For the everyday person, this could seriously disrupt the federal services, be they constituent services or infrastructure that every member of Congress, regardless of party, Casar said.

Garcia emphasized the communication challenges that could come from less compact, spread out districts.

It really is about communication and case work, Garcia said. It is more difficult when youve got to deal with hundreds of miles to be able to communicate with appropriately and effectively with your constituents.

She also criticized the Senates plan for hearings only conducted virtually, as opposed to the Houses hearings which are in person with a virtual option.

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I absolutely, I think, when I read that I was frankly appalled that they would not allow any live testimony hearing in front someone, Garcia said. I mean for Texas, we like to see people eyeball to eyeball and ask him a question.

The hearing began at 2 p.m. in Capitol hearing room E1.030, and is allowed to last up to a total of five hours. Witnesses were given two minutes to speak. The committee will hold additional hearings Saturday in Houston and Monday in Arlington before considering any proposed legislation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
The House Oversight Committee will subpoena the Justice Department to release files tied to the case of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, according to a committee spokesperson, after three Republicans on a subcommittee joined Democrats to vote on the matter Wednesday.

The subpoena will be issued in the future, the spokesperson said, without providing additional details on the timing.

Three Republicans on the Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee joined Democrats in an 8-2 vote to approve a motion by Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., to compel the Justice Department to release files tied to Epstein, a convicted sex offender who died in prison in 2019.

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The subpoena would request the redaction of names of victims and any personally identifying information. The materials would be reviewed internally by the committee and would not be for public release.

Subcommittee Chairman Clay Higgins, R-La., and Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., were the only no votes. Republican Reps. Nancy Mace, of South Carolina; Scott Perry, of Pennsylvania; and Brian Jack, of Georgia, voted with Democrats to approve the motion.

Subpoenas will also be issued to former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former FBI directors James Comey and Robert Mueller, and former attorneys general Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, Merrick Garland, William Barr, Jeff Sessions and Alberto Gonzales as part of an investigation into Epsteins co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell, following a motion from Perry.

Maxwell is serving a 20-year prison sentence following her conviction on federal sex trafficking charges in 2021.

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Earlier Wednesday, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., subpoenaed Maxwell for a deposition at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee, Florida, on Aug. 11, citing "immense public interest and scrutiny."

Maxwells attorney, David Oscar Markus, said in a statement, "As for the Congressional subpoena, Ms. Maxwell is taking this one step at a time. She looks forward to her meeting with the Department of Justice, and that discussion will help inform how she proceeds."

President Donald Trump and his Republican allies have sought to blame Democrats and distract from the firestorm surrounding Epstein, even though Trump's supporters promoted conspiracy theories tied to Epsteins death in prison for many years. On the campaign trail, Trump said he would have no problem looking into a list of Epsteins clients if he were elected. But recently he has downplayed the issue, saying he doesnt want the support of those pushing the Epstein bulls---.

The Justice Department said in a memo this month that a review of the case files had not turned up a client list and that there was no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions."

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Many of Trumps supporters have disregarded Trump's calls to move on from the records, prompting the president to direct Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the release of the files last week. The Justice Department has a pending request to unseal grand jury transcripts in the Southern District of New York, where Epstein was indicted.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee on Wednesday approved several subpoenas, including one directing the Department of Justice to turn over materials relating to the Epstein files.

The federal law enforcement subcommittee also approved a motion to subpoena several high-profile Democratic officials, including former President Clinton, for their testimony.

The panel approved the Epstein motion, offered by Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.), in an 8-2 vote, with Republican Reps. Nancy Mace (S.C.), Scott Perry (Pa.) and Brian Jack (Ga.) joining Democrats in favor.

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Lees motion called for the full, complete, unredacted Epstein files to be delivered concurrently to the majority and minority.

Today, Oversight Democrats fought for transparency and accountability on the Epstein files and won. House Republicans didnt make it easy, but the motion was finally passed to force the Department of Justice to release the Epstein files, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), ranking member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, said in a statement.

Lets be clear: this is a huge win for the American people. The public deserves to know who was complicit in Epsteins heinous crimes, including people with immense power in our government. Todays vote was just the first step toward accountability, and we will continue pushing for the truth.

An amendment to Lees motion from Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) to include the release of all communications between President Biden or Biden administration officials and the Department of Justice related to Jeffrey Epstein was adopted by voice vote. And an amendment from Mace to redact the names of victims and any personally identifiable information of victims, as well as any possible material depicting child abuse, was also adopted by voice vote.

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The committee also approved by voice vote a motion from Perry to expand the full committees investigation into the Epstein matter by also issuing subpoenas to a number of high-profile former Democratic officials: Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former FBI Director James Comey, former Attorney General Loretta Lynch, former Attorney General Eric Holder, former Attorney General Merrick Garland and former FBI Director and special counsel Robert Mueller.

Perrys motion also called to subpoena three former GOP officials: Attorney General Bill Barr and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who served under President Trump; and former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, who was appointed by former President George W. Bush.

The motions for subpoenas come after the full Oversight Committee on Tuesday approved a subpoena for Epsteins former associate Ghislaine Maxwell, who is in prison for aiding Epstein in child sex trafficking. House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.) officially issued that subpoena on Wednesday.

The flurry of subpoenas comes as House GOP leaders moved to send members home for August recess a day early after disputes about the Epstein matter  and an unwillingness to face Democratic votes trying to squeeze Republicans on the Epstein issue in the House Rules Committee  stymied the House.

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But Democrats are seeing success in getting Republican support for their Epstein-related amendments in the Oversight panel.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  A few weeks after the closing of The Marquee and The Green Room in downtown Sioux City, local eatery House of Q2 has fully settled into a new location.

Now located off of Morningside Avenue at Petes Twentieth, House of Q2 has been serving their smoked food, like wings and nachos, to the community since July 8th.

Before moving, Q2 used The Marquee and The Green Rooms kitchens to feed folks in downtown Sioux City.

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The owner of House of Q2 said since moving, theyve seen familiar and old faces coming out for a bite.

A lot of them followed, but a lot of people that didnt come downtown are coming in here. Were seeing a lot of our customers from ten years ago when we were in Transit Plaza coming and going, God, we missed you, and you know, we love to see you, we just dont go downtown. So its been fun to see everybody again and its just been great for business, said Derek Lochner, the owner of House of Q2.

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This August will be one year since House of Q2 returned to Siouxland after being closed for many years prior

Lochner said the community support for his smoked meats has been amazing.

Its really humbling. It really is humbling. You know, we feel very blessed right now. My son is working with me in the kitchen and help me cook to get to work with my family. And my grandkids are here helping me out today. And, you know, to do all this with the family and to see everybody enjoy the food that were making, its very humbling, said Lochner.

Lochner said he appreciates the communitys continued support since moving to Petes Twentieth.

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Rep. Troy E. Nehls, a Republican from Texas, backed by 17 co-sponsors from both political parties, introduced a resolution Wednesday that could mark the end of a plan to protect spotted owls in the Pacific Northwest. The plan calls for shooting roughly 450,000 barred owls over 30 years in California, Oregon and Washington, because they are outcompeting spotted owls, pushing them out of their native territory.

The spotted owls are in rapid decline. Northern spotted owls are listed as threatened under California and U.S. endangered species laws, and there may be as few as 3,000 left on federal lands. Federal wildlife officials have proposed endangered species protection for two populations of California spotted owls.

In a statement, Nehls called the owl-culling plan, approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service under the Biden administration, "a waste of Americans hard-earned tax dollars." He estimated it will cost $1.35 billion, based on a $4.5-million contract awarded to the Hoopa Valley Tribe in Northern California last year to hunt about 1,500 barred owls over four years. That is about $3,000 per owl.

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The bipartisan alliance says killing the owls is also inhumane and unworkable. Co-sponsors of the resolution consist of 11 Republicans and six Democrats, including three California representatives  Josh Harder (D-Tracy), Adam Gray (D-Merced) and Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Los Angeles), according to Nehls office.

This combination of 2003 and 2006 photos shows a northern spotted owl, left, in the Deschutes National Forest near Camp Sherman, Ore., and a barred owl in East Burke, Vt. (Don Ryan and Steve Legge / Associated Press)

The effort makes use of the Congressional Review Act, a tool sometimes employed under new presidential administrations to reverse rules issued by federal agencies in the final months of prior administrations. In late May, the Government Accountability Office concluded the plan was subject to the act.

To stop the owl-culling plan, both chambers of Congress would need to pass a joint resolution by majority vote and President Trump would need to sign it. If successful, the resolution would preclude the Fish and Wildlife Service from pursuing a similar rule, unless explicitly authorized by Congress.

The plan already faced setbacks. In May, federal officials canceled three related grants totaling more than $1.1 million, including one study that would have remove barred owls from over 192,000 acres in Mendocino and Sonoma counties. Another would have removed them from the Mendocino National Forest.

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Some scientists and conservationists say nixing the plan would mean the end for northern spotted owls. The raptor, dark brown with bright white spots, prefers old-growth forests. It became the central symbol of the so-called timber wars in the 1980s and 90s when environmentalists and logging interests fought over the fate of old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest. Barred owls are slightly larger, more aggressive and less picky when it comes to habitat and food  giving them an advantage in competition for resources.

If we dont move forward with barred owl removal, it will mean the extinction of the northern spotted owl, and it will likely mean the extinction of the California spotted owl as well, Tom Wheeler, executive director of the Environmental Protection Information Center, told The Times last week. He pointed to a long-term field experiment that showed spotted owl populations stabilized in areas where barred owls were killed.

Barred owls originated in eastern North America and expanded west along with European settlers who planted trees and suppressed fires, biologists believe. Government scientists see barred owls presence in the Pacific Northwest as invasive, but some argue that its natural range expansion.

"Protecting spotted owls is an imperative, but assaulting other native wildlife occupying the same forests is not ethical or a practical means of achieving that goal," said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and Center for a Humane Economy, who has helped galvanize opposition to the culling plan.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
House Speaker Mike Johnson told CBS News he wants "full transparency" in the case of Jeffrey Epstein, as the Trump administration faces pressure  including from some Republicans  to release more information on the late child sex offender.

"We want full transparency. We want everybody who is involved in any way with the Epstein evils  let's call it what it was  to be brought to justice as quickly as possible. We want the full weight of the law on their heads," Johnson told CBS News' chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett in an interview Wednesday.

"It's not a hoax. Of course not," said the House speaker, a Louisiana Republican, when asked if he considers it a hoax  a word that has been used by President Trump to describe some of his supporters' interest in the Epstein case.

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Johnson said he had "never seen the Epstein evidence, it was not in my lane."

The Trump administration's handling of the Epstein case has drawn weeks of public scrutiny, since the Justice Department and FBI released a review of the federal investigations into the financier. The review found no evidence that Epstein had an incriminating "client list" or tried to blackmail powerful people. It also concluded that Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while in federal custody awaiting trial on child sex trafficking charges in New York.

Those findings have not satisfied some of Mr. Trump's supporters, who have called on the Justice Department to release all the information on the Epstein case. A handful of House Republicans joined with Democrats on Wednesday to vote on subpoenaing the Justice Department for some of its files on Epstein.

Johnson and other House GOP leaders have resisted a push to hold a floor vote to force the release of materials on Epstein. Earlier this week, Johnson accused Democrats of playing "political games" by trying to force a vote. Johnson sent the House home for its summer break early amid the controversy roiling the lower chamber over the release of the Epstein files. The House had initially been scheduled to be in session through Thursday, but ended on Wednesday instead.

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Asked about the Epstein case  and the FBI and Justice Department's findings  Johnson told CBS News on Wednesday, "I have the same concern and question that a lot of people do."

At Mr. Trump's direction, the Justice Department last week asked federal courts to unseal grand jury testimony related to the federal criminal probes into Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. A judge in Florida denied a request to release grand jury material stemming from investigations into Epstein in the 2000s, which ended without federal charges. Separate requests to release material from Epstein and Maxwell's more recent cases in New York are still pending, and could take some time.

Meanwhile, Mr. Trump has urged his supporters to stop focusing on the issue, arguing Democrats are trying to capitalize on it.

"Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this 'bullshit,' hook, line, and sinker," he wrote on Truth Social last week.

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See more of the interview with House Speaker Mike Johnson on "The Takeout with Major Garrett," airing at 5 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 24, on CBS News 24/7.

Bryan Kohberger sentenced to life in prison for murders of Idaho students

Idaho murders victims' families speak out at Bryan Kohberger's sentencing hearing

Johnson says Jeffrey Epstein files controversy is not a hoax
Musk Wants Higher Voting Rights: The question over Musk wanting more voting rights at Tesla also popped up during the earnings call, unsurprisingly from Morgan Stanley analyst Adam Jonas, a long-time TSLA bull. Musk responded in the affirmative, saying, I hope that its addressed at the upcoming shareholders meeting.

Trumps Energy Policies Are Hitting Tesla : Sales of regulatory credits dropped to $439 million in Q2 as compared to $890 million in the corresponding quarter last year. If not for these credits, Tesla would have burned cash in Q2. The sales of these credits are set to fall further as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act does away with penalties on automakers not meeting the emission standards. During the earnings call, Tesla warned that the removal of the EV tax credit is another headwind for its business. Musk also warned of a few rough quarters even as he stressed that it is only a possibility and not something certain.

Margin Boost: The revamped Model Y has been accretive to Teslas margins. The companys gross margin came in at 17.2% in Q2, which was ahead of the 16.5% that analysts were modeling. The margin increased despite a $300 million sequential impact from the tariffs, of which two-thirds was in the automotive business and the remaining in the energy business.

Tesla Believes Macro Factors Are Impacting Its Sales : Musk said that the biggest obstacle for Tesla is not the desire to buy its cars, but that many don't have enough money in their bank account to buy it. The company, meanwhile, virtually withdrew its 2025 guidance, saying it is difficult to measure the impacts of shifting global trade and fiscal policies on the automotive and energy supply chains. While last year Musk touted up to a 30% YoY increase in 2025 deliveries, the company has since been toning down the optimism gradually. It is now widely expected to report a second consecutive year of degrowth.

Affordable Model: Tesla announced that it commenced production of its affordable model in June, but has delayed the ramp-up as it prioritizes deliveries of other models before the electric vehicle (EV) tax credits expire.

While Tesla missed estimates in Q1 as well, the stock rose following the report, as CEO Elon Musk announced that he would step back from his role with President Donald Trumps administration. There was no such bullish pivot this time around, and TSLA stock is down sharply today. Here are some of the other key takeaways from Teslas Q2 report

Tesla reported revenues of $22.5 billion in the quarter, which fell short of the $22.74 billion that analysts were expecting. Its earnings per share came in at $0.27, which was also below the $0.29 that analysts were expecting.

Tesla (TSLA) released its Q2 2025 earnings yesterday, July 23, after the markets closed. The stock is trading lower today as CEO Elon Musks bullish chatter failed to overshadow the earnings miss. Here are the key takeaways from the report and whether Tesla stock looks like a buy after its initial post-earnings fall.

Story Continues

Musk Repeats His Claim of Tesla Becoming the Most Valuable Company

Musk, meanwhile, repeated his often-made assertion that Tesla will eventually become the worlds most valuable company. He also made yet another end of the year prediction for the companys autonomous driving feature and said that unsupervised full self-driving (FSD) will be available for personal use in some geographies in 2025. Musk is equally bullish on the Optimus humanoid and said that he would be surprised if Tesla is not making 100,000 of these a month in five years.

As I had anticipated my Tesla pre-earnings analysis, some of the burning issues did not come up for discussion during the earnings call, which more often than not is dominated by questions from Tesla shareholders and analysts bullish on the Elon Musk-run company. For instance, there was no mention of Musks political party, and management dodged the question of Tesla investing in Musks xAI.

Gerber Terms Teslas Q2 Earnings as Garbage

Ross Gerber of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management termed the earnings as garbage. While Musk blamed poor macros for the sales decline, Gerber believes it has to do with people not wanting to buy Tesla cars because of Musks politics.

www.barchart.com

The earnings had something for both bulls and bears, though. While Tesla fans have been fixated on the progress in autonomy and the expansion of the robotaxi service, bears see the earnings as yet another testament to the deteriorating fundamentals in the core automotive business.

Should You Buy the Dip in TSLA Stock Here?

I dont find todays dip juicy enough to buy Tesla shares. The company is currently going through a transition period as it pivots to robotaxis and later, Optimus. However, its current business is undeniably going through a worsening slowdown, and the recent regulatory changes in the U.S. are set to make things even tougher. Given Teslas ongoing capex, it wont be surprising to see the company access capital markets in the medium term. China remains yet another challenge as domestic EV companies are racing ahead with their lower-priced and exciting models.

I believe Tesla is currently at a juncture it faced previously before the Model 3 launch. Some skeptics did not give the Elon Musk-run company any chance in the automotive industry back then, while on the other hand, believers saw Tesla as a company that looked set to challenge the status quo.

To Musk and Teslas credit, the company proved critics wrong with the successful ramp-up of Model 3 and subsequently Model Y, which went on to become the best-selling vehicle across both EVs and internal combustion engine (ICE) cars.

That said, Tesla is a $1 trillion behemoth, which leaves little scope for error on execution. I would argue that Tesla hasnt had any real success to talk about in years, and the Cybertruck has been nothing short of a failure, especially given the high expectations. With such rich valuations, I find it difficult to make a buy case for TSLA stock even after the post-earnings selloff.

On the date of publication, Mohit Oberoi had a position in: TSLA. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
A lawsuit seeking $10 million in damages was filed Tuesday in a Texas court against New Hampshire gun manufacturer SIG Sauer by a Houston police officer who claims he was shot in the leg when his service weapon spontaneously fired without anyone handling the weapon or pulling the trigger.

The new lawsuit, similar to others filed against the Newington-based company, comes just days after a U.S. Air Force Security Forces airman was killed in Wyoming while wearing his SIG Sauer M18 pistol, the military version of the P320.

The Air Force Global Strike Command has since temporarily suspended the use of the M18 while it investigates the fatal July 20 incident.

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The Texas incident involving a SIG P320 semi-automatic pistol occurred Jan. 20 while Officer Richard Fernandez Jr. was directing traffic in advance of a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in Houston, the suit says.

This particular gun model has been linked to hundreds of other similar instances of going off without anyone touching the weapon, said attorney Rusty Hardin, who represents Fernandez. Sig Sauer so far has refused to effectively remedy this clearly defective design or issue a warning to the public about this potentially deadly flaw.

The bullet went through Officer Fernandezs right calf, became lodged in his ankle and required emergency surgery to remove it. He now requires ongoing medical care, the suit says..

The incident has also caused Fernandez shame and embarrassment, the lawsuit claims, knowing that others may believe he was at fault despite the fact the gun was never removed from its holster.

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The incident has also caused him continued anxiety and mental anguish, the lawsuit claims.

According to the lawsuit, there have been hundreds of other instances of the P320 firing without a trigger pull. Another incident happened in June when a Ceres, California, police officer was injured when her holstered Sig Sauer P320 discharged in the parking lot of a junior high school. Video of the incident was released by the Ceres Police Department. Another incident was caught on video in April at a gun range in Knoxville, Tennessee. The gun range has since banned further use of the P320 due to safety hazards.

In March, a group of 22 plaintiffs filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Concord over the design of the pistol.

We allege based upon documentary evidence that SIG knowingly designed and manufactured Americas most dangerously-defective firearm, making it prone to uncommanded firing, Attorney Robert W. Zimmerman, of Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky, which represents hundreds of injured SIG Sauer gun owners nationwide, said in a statement at the time.

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The firm has also taken aim at SIG Sauers attempt to escape justice in New Hampshire. Legislation recently signed into law grants SIG Sauer immunity from lawsuits for gunmakers when it comes to optional features of the weapon.

SIG Sauer says it has had 17 separate P320-related cases dismissed. The company has vigorously defended safety, quality and manufacturing of the P320.

As we continue to put to rest the malicious and misleading attacks against one of the most popular pistols ever made, we are committed to supporting the millions of law-abiding citizens, law enforcement agencies, and elite military units carrying our pistol every day around the world, the company said in statement in March.

The U.S. Air Force confirmed the recent death in Wyoming of an active-duty airman whose service-issued, holstered SIG Sauer M18 pistol (the military variant) allegedly discharged without the airman ever touching the trigger, according to published reports.

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The unidentified airman was serving in the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base. Following the incident, The Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) ordered an immediate, indefinite pause in the use of the SIG Sauer M18 pistol throughout its units.

We are heartbroken to hear that another life was taken by a SIG Sauer P320 variant, Zimmerman said. SIG predicted in internal studies that death from an unintended discharge of this gun could happen, yet promised users, including those who serve and protect our nation, that the gun will not fire unless the user wants it to.

pfeely@unionleader.com
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  Your daily bus commute just got a little more advanced as Hampton Roads Transit has completed installations of smart bus stops all across the region.

More than 2,600 newly designed smart bus stops are now up and running across Hampton roads.

So, we actually started working on this in 2020, so around COVID, said HRT Chief of Engineering and Facilities Officer Sibyl Pappas. The heavy lifting is really the technology piece of it. Making sure we have all the software and the back offices that support people being able to take a picture with their phone and getting that information in real time back to their phone in a second.

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The signs feature QR codes customers can scan with their smart devices to provide real time transit information, which means no more sitting around wondering where your bus is.

People can take their phone, take a picture, and get real time bus information and know where they need to go. Make sure they know exactly when theyre going to arrive and when they need to leave for their trip, said Pappas. It also lets people report any kind of trash that they see at a bus stop or any kind of safety issue in real time. When they do that, we get a notification of that in our office immediate and were able to dispatch the right crew to be able to address that issue.

HRT representatives celebrated the installation of the final smart bus stops Wednesday and say they are one of the few transit agencies in the nation to offer this technology.

What were really embracing is technology and making it easier for our customers to be able to take transit. You might not use them, but you will rely on someone who does, said Pappas. You could check into the emergency room and have that person that checks you in at the reception desk who got to work by transit. Everyone might not take transit, but you certainly are going to benefit from the transit system in some way.

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The signs are now accessible to all HRT customers. If youd like to learn more about the smart bus stops, click here.

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A food item so good, even the most picky of children love it.

Chicken fingers are a staple for many, whether it's actually your favorite meal or the only thing on the menu you can stomach eating. And this weekend, you can honor this fan-favorite food the way it deserves to be.

When is National Chicken Finger Day?

National Chicken Finger Day is Sunday, July 27. The day was started by fan-favorite fast food chain Raising Cane's back in 2010.

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"National Chicken Finger Day was created in 2010 by Raising Canes Founder, Todd Graves, as a way to recognize and celebrate our delicious chicken fingers," read Raising Cane's history of National Chicken Finger Day. "The holiday was created to celebrate the MVP of the menu  the chicken finger."

See deals in Florida for National Chicken Finger Day 2025:

Raising Cane's deals for National Chicken Finger Day

Raising Cane's is adding a free extra fried chicken finger to every combo box as part of the National Chicken Finger Day celebration.

"No code or coupon required, just an extra reason to celebrate the holiday Raising Canes started 16 years ago," Raising Cane's said in a media release. "There isnt a limit, either. The more Box Combos ordered; the more free Chicken Fingers to enjoy!"

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According to its website, there are 22 Raising Cane's locations in Florida.

Huey Magoos deals for National Chicken Finger Day

Huey Magoo's chicken tenders might be the perfect way to tell your dad just how much you care.

Florida-based fast food chain Huey Magoo's is giving away five free Tender Bites with the purchase of any three-piece or larger Tender Meal. The offer is available for one day only on Sunday, July 27, online and at all participating locations, while supplies last.

"We proudly serve chicken tenders, never fingers, and there's a reason for that," Andy Howard, CEO and president of Huey Magoo's, said in a press release. "Let's be honest, chickens don't have fingers. What we serve is the tenderloin, the most tender, premium 3% of the chicken. That's why we've trademarked it as the Filet Mignon of Chicken.

"Whether grilled or hand-breaded, our tenders are made fresh to order and crafted with care. We're excited to mark the occasion with something that truly reflects the quality we stand for."

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There are 39 Huey Magoos locations across Florida.

Has Chick-fil-A, Zaxby's announced deals for National Chicken Tender Day?

As of July 23, chains, such as Chick-fil-A, PDQ, McDonald's and Zaxby's haven't officially announced any National Chicken Finger Day deals or promotions.

Still, individual locations may offer discounts on Sunday.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: National Chicken Finger Day 2025: See Florida spots offering deals
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  A 56-year-old Hueytown man is charged with capital murder following a fatal shooting in Birmingham.

The investigation began after Curtis Jerome Pruitt was found shot inside of a vehicle on 9th Avenue West around 2:35 p.m. on June 20. Pruitt was taken to UAB Hospital for treatment where he would die from his injuries.

Bessemer 3-year-old dies after being left in hot car

After presenting the case to the Jefferson County District Attorneys Office, Birmingham police arrested 56-year-old Jerome Reese Jr. on a charge of capital murder in connection with Pruitts death. Reese was arrested without incident on the 200 block of 25th Court Northwest and he is being held at the Jefferson County Jail without bail.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42.
WTVO  Superstar wrestler Hulk Hogan has died at 71 years old.

The Clearwater Fire Department confirmed he died early Thursday morning, after medical personnel were dispatched to the WWE legends Florida home.

The wrestlers cause of death was reportedly a cardiac arrest.

Hulk Hogan rose to fame with the then-WWF in the 1980s.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
WWE icon Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71.

The news was first reported by TMZ on Thursday, July 24. WWE confirmed the news.

"WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away," the company said in a statement. "One of pop cultures most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogans family, friends, and fans."

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The Clearwater Police Department in Florida said in a statement it responded to a medical call at a residence on Clearwater Beach at 9:51 a.m. for a reported cardiac arrest. Fire and police personnel responded to the scene and he was treated at the scene before he was taken to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

The death of Hogan, whose legal name is Terry Bollea, comes days after rumors circulated on social media about his health. Hogan's close friend Jimmy Hart said on July 22 he was "doing phenomenal."

Hogan recently walked out to the UFC octagon with former interim UFC welterweight champion Colby Covington prior to his December fight with Joaquin Buckley in Florida.

Covington, among others in the UFC and MMA community, mourned Hogan's death on social media.

Hulk Hogan, WWE Hall of Famer and wrestling legend, dead at 71



Full story via @USATODAY  https://t.co/PPejtAX75t pic.twitter.com/rtvBpoR0ry  MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) July 24, 2025

Thank you for inspiring a whole generation of Real Americans Hulkster. Hulkamania will live forever  pic.twitter.com/3mS5ITE8FU  Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) July 24, 2025

RIP to the legend Hulk Hogan. pic.twitter.com/fQOKCT4Yuk  Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) July 24, 2025

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Rest in peace to the legend Hulk Hogan!  Cody Durden (@Cody_Durden) July 24, 2025

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This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC fighters react to Hulk Hogan's death: 'Hulkamania will live on'
DENVER (KDVR)  The history of Cheesman Park in Denver might be a topic of conversation, as it was formerly a cemetery in the 1850s.

With a cemetery-turned-park, some may know of circulating stories regarding possible findings of human remains. Well, FOX31 had the opportunity to ask questions to Denver Parks and Recreation about the history of Cheesman Park and if there is any truth behind the possible hearsay.

There have been stories of people finding bones in the park, but those could just be stories to scare people, said Stephanie Figueroa with Denver Parks and Recreation.

The history behind Cheesman Park

Before becoming Cheesman Park, the land was known as Mount Prospect Cemetery in 1858.

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The Greeley Stampede history

Figueroa said that in 1894, a plan was proposed to turn the cemetery into a park. Some of the reasons for the land development included the recent growing population and a need for a comprehensive park in the city.

The conversion of a cemetery to a park is also not unique to Denver  New York City, London, and Washington, D.C., all have parks that were once cemeteries, among other cities. In New York, there are an estimated 20,000 people still buried under Washington Square Park, said Figueroa.

Figueroa tells FOX31 that when plans were in place to turn the cemetery into a park, family members and religious groups of those who were buried were given a short period, 90 days, to claim and remove the deceased.

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However, many people buried were in unmarked or poorly marked graves, which could be a reason why there were remaining bodies.

Brunch restaurant with focus on reducing food waste announces closure, new plans

The city is said to have hired a contractor after the 90 days were over, who was paid per casket. However, that contractor was later fired following a discovery that he was placing one body into two caskets.

After the firing of the contractor, the city decided to leave the remaining bodies.

Recent findings of human bones in Cheesman Park

FOX31 asked Figueroa if any human remains in Cheesman Park from those previously buried have surfaced recently.

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It is not very likely that any of the remaining bodies would naturally come to the surface; the majority of them are still six feet under the ground. There are a few areas of the park that have been regraded over the years, so there is less soil over some of the graves, said Figueroa. During construction on the park in 2010 to 2012, there were a total of eight bodies discovered.

FOX31 also reached out to the Department of Public Health & Environment to see if they had any information on any bones being found. A spokesperson confirmed that the office of the medical examiner hadnt seen skeletal remains from Cheesman Park since 2011.

Now, the tales of human bones being found in the park recently might be debunked, but that doesnt mean the history of Cheesman Park isnt a great, scary story in itself.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
After remaining a mystery for over 30 years, investigators have finally identified the skeletal remains of a male teen that were found on the side of a highway in Newburyport in 1992, the Essex County District Attorneys Office announced Wednesday.

Thanks to a new DNA analysis, the remains have been identified as Anthony Angelli Rea, who was born in 1973 and raised in Malden, the district attorneys office said in a press release. He was reported missing from the Harbor School  a now-defunct therapeutic boarding school in Newbury  in August 1988.

Angelli Reas remains were found partially buried in a section of marsh grass off I-95 south on Nov. 28, 1992, the district attorneys office said. An autopsy indicated the skeleton belonged to a male teen but did not determine his cause of death.

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Despite following many promising leads over the course of the next 32 years, Newburyport police and the district attorneys office failed to identify the remains until recently, the district attorneys office said. What finally led to a break in the case was enlisting the help of Othram  a private forensic lab located in Texas.

Othram scientists developed a DNA extract from the remains and used DNA sequencing to create a comprehensive DNA profile, the district attorneys office said. The companys in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then utilized the profile in a genealogical search to find new investigative leads.

Investigators eventually determined that the remains belonged to Angelli Rea after the leads connected the skeleton to the missing teens biological relatives, the district attorneys office said.

Investigators ask that anyone with information about Anthony Angelli Rea call the Massachusetts State Police Unresolved Case Unit at 855-MA-SOLVE.

More News

Read the original article on MassLive.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Detectives in D.C. have launched a homicide investigation after human remains were discovered in a home in Southeast.

According to the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), on Sunday, July 20, around 3:20 p.m., officers responded to a home in the 4600 block of B Street to conduct a welfare check.

There, officers found the remains of 65-year-old Charles Granger of Southeast, DC.

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One hurt in Chillum shooting, two shooters sought

Police said Grangers remains were taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where an autopsy ruled his death a homicide.

Now, MPD is urging anyone with information about this case to call 202-727-9099 or text MPD at 50411.

The police department is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

Check DCNewsNow.com for updates. To keep up with the latest news and weather updates, download our Mobile App on iPhone or Android.

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(Reuters) -Tesla's electric vehicle registrations in California fell 21.1% in the second quarter, according to industry data, marking the seventh consecutive quarterly drop in the crucial U.S. market.

The automaker's plunging vehicle registrations come as CEO Elon Musk's polarizing political activity puts him at odds with the liberal values dominant in the state, which has long been one of Tesla's key markets.

Billionaire Musk announced the formation of the America Party earlier this month in the wake of his public and acrimonious fallouts with President Donald Trump.

Musk's political activity has sparked investor concerns that his latest foray into U.S. politics would distract from Tesla's operations.

In the April-June period, the Texas-based automaker recorded 41,138 registrations in the state, down from 52,119 units in the same period of 2024, according to data from the California New Car Dealers Association.

"Seven appears unlucky for Tesla, as this is the most recent number of quarterly registration declines reported in the state," the CNCDA said in a statement.

Tesla, which will report quarterly results after markets close on Wednesday, did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Earlier this year, the company shut down production for several weeks to refresh its best-selling Model Y, and cheaper variants of the vehicle have been on sale in the second quarter.

Still, the crossover and the Model 3 sedan were the top two vehicles in the zero-emission and hybrid category sold this year through June in California.

Globally, Tesla's deliveries fell 13.5% in the second quarter, setting it up for another year of shrinking sales.

But sales of hybrid vehicles were catching up, the industry body said, with registrations increasing 54% in the first half of the year, accounting for 19.2% of the market.

The company recorded registrations of 3,622 units of the Cybertruck electric pickup in the state during the first half of the year, the CNCDA said.

Meanwhile, Rivian, which makes the R1T pickup truck and the R1S SUV, saw a 28.6% second-quarter decline in the state.

(Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid and Alan Barona)
At least 10 more Palestinians have starved to death in the besieged Gaza Strip, health officials say, as a wave of hunger crashes over the enclave.

The latest starvation deaths bring the death toll from malnutrition since Israels war began in October 2023 to 111, most of them in recent weeks.

At least 100 other Palestinians, including 34 aid seekers, were killed in Israeli attacks over the past 24 hours, Gazas Ministry of Health said on Wednesday.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) said that 21 children under the age of five were among those who died of malnutrition so far this year. It said it had been unable to deliver any food for nearly 80 days, between March and May, and that a resumption of food deliveries was still far below what is needed.

In a statement, 111 organisations, including Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council and Refugees International, said that mass starvation was spreading even as tonnes of food, clean water and medical supplies sit untouched just outside Gaza, where aid groups are blocked from accessing them.

Al Jazeeras Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, said that hunger has become as deadly as the bombs. Families are no longer asking for enough, they are asking for anything.

He said that Gaza residents have described a slow, painful death playing out in real time, an engineered famine that the Israeli military has orchestrated.





Israel cut off all goods from entering the territory in March, but has allowed in a trickle of aid starting in May, mostly distributed by the controversial United States-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

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The United Nations and aid groups trying to deliver food to Gaza say Israel, which controls everything that comes in and out, is choking delivery, while Israeli troops have shot dead hundreds of Palestinians close to aid distribution points since May.

We have a minimum set of requirements to be able to operate inside Gaza, Ross Smith, the director of emergencies at the UN World Food Programme, said. One of the most important things I want to emphasise is that we need to have no armed actors near our distribution points, near our convoys.

Recurring attacks on aid seekers have turned the few remaining hospitals in Gaza into massive trauma wards, Rik Peeperkorn, the WHOs representative for the occupied Palestinian territory, said.

The food scarcity is so extreme that people cannot do their work, including journalists, teachers and even their own staff, Peeperkorn added.

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Nour Sharaf, an American doctor from al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, also warned that people havent eaten anything for days and are dying of hunger.

Doctors sometimes dont get food, but they still do their jobs, she told Al Jazeera, adding that medical workers often work long hours.

Two more journalists killed

Israeli strikes have continued to pound various parts of the enclave, including Gaza City, where the Israeli army said it was intensifying operations.

The area has come under intense bombardment in recent days.

Gazas Government Media Office also announced the Israeli killing of two Palestinian journalists, Tamer al-Zaanin and Walaa al-Jabari, raising the number of media workers killed in the enclave since October 2023 to 231.

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The statement said that al-Zaanin was a photojournalist with various media organisations, while al-Jabari worked as a newspaper editor with several media outlets.

Meanwhile, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to Europe for very sensitive negotiations over a Gaza ceasefire and captive release deal, the White House said.

During the visit, Witkoff will meet with key leaders from the Middle East to discuss the ongoing ceasefire proposal to end this conflict in Gaza and to release the hostages, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told reporters.

Talks on a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which would include the release of more of the 50 captives still being held in Gaza, are being mediated by Qatar and Egypt, with Washingtons backing.





A Palestinian official close to the Gaza ceasefire talks and the mediation efforts said that Hamas had handed its response on the ceasefire proposal to mediators, declining to elaborate further.

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Successive rounds of negotiations have achieved no breakthrough since Israel broke a ceasefire in March.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog told soldiers during a visit to Gaza that intensive negotiations about returning the captives held there were under way and that he hoped that they would soon hear good news, according to a statement.

A senior Palestinian official earlier said that Hamas might give mediators a response to the latest proposals in Doha later on Wednesday, on the condition that amendments be made to two major sticking points: details on an Israeli military withdrawal and how to distribute aid during a truce.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  A federal judge sanctioned three attorneys for an Huntsville law firm and removed them from a lawsuit Wednesday for their use of ChatGPT-created citations.

According to court documents filed on July 23, Matthew B. Reeves, William J. Cranford and William R. Lunsford were disqualified from further participation in a lawsuit filed by an Alabama prison inmate, Frankie Johnson, who alleges that state prison personnel failed to protect him, and he was attacked and stabbed multiple times on three different occasions.

The attorneys admitted in federal court in May that one of their firm partners used ChatGPT to find case citations to strengthen their arguments  but the citations were made up, apparently invented by the AI tool.

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The court publicly reprimanded Reeves, Cranford and Lunsford for their misconduct, removing or disqualifying them from the case.

Disqualification fits well: lawyers should know that if they make false statements incourt proceedings, they will no longer have the professional opportunity to participate in those proceedings, U.S. District Court Judge Anna Manasco said in her sanctions order.

The court further finds that no lesser sanction will serve the necessary deterrent purpose, otherwise rectify this misconduct, or vindicate judicial authority. Mr. Cranford, Mr. Reeves, and Mr. Lunsford are well-trained, experienced attorneyswho work at a large, high-functioning, well-regarded law firm. They benefitted from repeated warnings, internal controls, and firm policies about the dangers of AI misuse. They have regular access to gold-standard legal research databases. They must have known they would be deeply embarrassed in this kind of situation, and that there could be harsh consequences with the court and their law firm. And yet here we are. The reality that this lapse in judgment presented in the most spectacularly unforced fashion underscores the need for more than a fine and reprimand. U.S. District Court Judge Anna Manasco

The false ChatGPT citations, used in two separate court filings by the lawyers arguing for the deposition, were caught and pointed out by Johnsons attorneys. The lawyers for the Huntsville-based law firm Butler Snow have apologized and said they didnt mean to mislead the court.

The Butler Snow firm does a tremendous amount of business with the State of Alabama on ongoing prison lawsuits  including lawsuits brought by the U.S. Department of Justice. Butler Snows lead attorney in those cases, Lunsford, is listed as having been paid $42 million by the state  since fiscal 2020, according to state records.

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In court filings, Lunsford said he didnt provide the false citations, that was firm partner Reeves, who works with Lunsford on the prison lawsuits. Lunsford said in court filings that the mistake was unacceptable and is being reviewed.

To begin this declaration, I am personally and professionally sorry for what has occurred, Lunsford said in an affidavit filed with the federal court. These events do not reflect the nature or quality of work that I have worked for decades to ensure that every client receives. I apologize to the Court, to all parties, to opposing counsel and to the State of Alabama for the terrible decisions that led to an erroneous filing. We will ensure that this never occurs again.

In his affidavit, Reeves said that in reviewing planned court filings by another lawyer in the case, he saw that some of the arguments needed case citations, so he went to ChatGPT, the AI program.

I knew generally about ChatGPT, he wrote in the affidavit. I performed a search to identify supporting case law for the proposition that discovery may proceed even during the pendency of other discovery issues, as to the Motion for Leave, and that general or boilerplate objections are not effective, as to the Motion to Compel.

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He said that search revealed what appeared to be applicable citations for those points of law, and in a hurry to finalize and file the motions, he failed to verify them before including them. He then said he confirmed that some citations used were inaccurate or do not exist.

Reeves, Cranford and Lunsford were ordered to give the Clerk of Court a listing of jurisdictions in which they are licensed to practice law within 24 hours.

Additionally, they were ordered to provide a copy of the order to their clients, opposing counsel, and presiding judge in every pending state or federal case in which they are counsel of record, and every attorney in their law firm within 10 days.

Court docs also show that without sanction, attorneys Daniel J. Chism and Lynette E. Potter, and the law firm Butler Snow LLP are released from disciplinary proceedings.

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The Clerk of Court will serve a copy of the order on the General Counsel of the Alabama State Bar and any other applicable licensing authorities for further proceedings.

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HOUSTON  On a recent Sunday afternoon, tears welled in Sharon Becnels eyes as she heard her now 34-year-old daughter reminisce about the scrapbook she lost to Hurricane Katrina.

Inside the pages were Ronisha Johnsons childhood dreams of becoming an actress and winning a big case as a lawyer. She had only packed for a weekend, not thinking she would need to take her beloved childhood memories.

I didnt realize whatever that last time was I walked out of that bedroom, I had no idea I would never see it again, Johnson said from Alexander Deussen Park in Houston. And thats crazy.

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Becnels family evacuated the weekend before the storm  well ahead of the official order  and shared her aunts Sugar Land, Texas, home with nearly 20 relatives. Initially, it was temporary. But then they returned after the storm to find their two-story home uninhabitable, so they made do in transition at her aunts four-bedroom home. For four months, they carved out a sleeping space wherever they could, from closets to kids rooms.

We worked it out, Becnel said. We banded together and did the laundry, kept the house clean, [and] took turns cooking.

For years, the greater Houston area had been a summer getaway for Becnel. But the New Orleans native never imagined calling it home  until Katrina made landfall in Louisiana 20 summers ago.

The storm put us out of our home and everything we knew, said Becnel, a caterer and mom of three. We had to come here and start all over, get used to Houston, [and] the way things were here.

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While some Hurricane Katrina evacuees eventually returned to New Orleans to rebuild their lives, many of those who were displaced found not just refuge, but a new beginning in Houston. Nearly two decades later, the city that offered temporary shelter to hurricane survivors has become a permanent home for tens of thousands of people like Becnel. New Orleanians, who found stability and success as they redefined their identities, have also reshaped the citys social, cultural, and economic landscape.

As Houstonians, they launched businesses, enriched local schools and universities, revitalized neighborhoods, and left a lasting imprint on the citys identity  all while preserving the vibrant traditions of their Nawlins roots.

Creole cuisine flourished. Second-line parades  once a distinctive part of Black New Orleans communities  began popping up at weddings and community events across Houston, bringing brass bands, parasols, and joyful street dancing into the citys celebratory fabric.

There was an infusion of a whole new population and a spirit of life, said New Orleans native and Katrina evacuee Mtangulizi Sanyika, who founded the nonprofit New Orleans Association of Houston.

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Sanyika, 82, who has been teaching African studies since 1968, said he intended to retire when he got to Dillard University in New Orleans, until Katrina struck and turned things upside down. He commuted 348 miles from Houston to New Orleans for five years before landing a position in town at Texas Southern University, where he eventually retired in 2014.

Sanyikas organization was formed to support former New Orleanians as they transitioned to life in Houston after the hurricane. It held annual Katrina anniversary commemorations, which he said gradually dissolved around 2010 once evacuees were able to return to their homes in Louisiana.

For a while, people saw Black people doing things that they hadnt seen before. People dont see Black people parading in the streets of Houston and second lining, said Sanyika. We brought another culture to the city of Houston, more than anything else.

Houston has afforded us a good life

Ronisha Johnson goes through a stack of photos that detail damage to her childhood home, while attempting to jog her memory of the home her family had to leave in New Orleans because of Hurricane Katrina. (Douglas Sweet Jr. for Capital B)

Hurricane Katrina, which made landfall on Aug. 29, 2005, as a Category 5 storm, stands as one of the most catastrophic and costly natural disasters in U.S. history. It left roughly $201.3 billion in damages in its wake. The hurricane submerged nearly 75% of the New Orleans metropolitan area, killed more than 1,800 people, and displaced hundreds of thousands, leading to one of the largest internal migrations in U.S. history.

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More than 250,000 evacuees found refuge in Houston. By 2006, Houstons population surged by 9%, reaching nearly 2.2 million residents  the citys largest single-year percentage increase between 2000 and 2022.

After Hurricane Katrina, Becnel remembers a grocery trip to a Sugar Land Target where a woman paid for their groceries. The woman had heard her familys accent and immediately recognized they were from New Orleans.

Thats when I realized that people all over Houston, all over the world, wanted to help families, she said.

That was the first sign. The next came when her family eventually settled in the Houston suburb of Humble, where her kids loved attending the citys high school, she said.

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They actually did better once they got here, Becnel said.

She said the communitys generosity and selflessness, and the quality of the education, are what convinced her to stay in Houston.

The same was true for New Orleans native Shauntell Black, who first evacuated to Atlanta after the storm with her then-2-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter. She didnt like Atlanta and eventually moved to Houston in 2007 after reconnecting with a member of her sorority.

She loved how Houston gave New Orleanians a little piece of home: the ease of being able to get crawfish, red beans, or a hot sausage patty in local grocery stores, to stumbling upon brass bands and the familiar sounds of jazz.

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As an educator, Black said she also appreciated the quality of public school education compared to New Orleans; she said her daughter excelled in Advanced Placement classes.

Houston has afforded us a good life here, Black said. I cant really say that I would have had this same life in New Orleans.

Sharon Becnel shuffles through a stack of photos that chronicle her familys life in Houston post Hurricane Katrina.(Douglas Sweet Jr. for Capital B)

Studies show that in the years after Hurricane Katrina, the students displaced from New Orleans who later returned had improved test scores, and the New Orleans education system made several reforms to improve the quality of education.

Former city of Houston officials attribute it to the quick, coordinated effort led by then-Houston Mayor Bill White to ensure evacuees could rebuild their lives as quickly as possible.

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White said he realized New Orleans would be uninhabitable once he learned the levees were breached. He went into action, reaching out to faith leaders, executives in the private and public sectors, Houston Independent School District and Houston Community College leaders to prepare for the influx of evacuees.

He helped set up the George R. Brown Convention Center as a shelter and worked with then-Harris County Judge Ed Emmett to open the Houston Astrodome as well.

Our goal was to treat our fellow Americans like we would want to be treated if we were in that situation, White said.

While the broader governmental response between local, state, and federal agencies to Hurricane Katrina was marred by confusion and delays as the Federal Emergency Management Agency was slow to deploy resources, Houston distinguished itself as a compassionate neighbor.

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It was really a coordinated effort where everybody came together, said Linda McMillan, the former director of education and special projects for Whites office. You couldnt improve student learning alone; you had to improve their living conditions, you had to work with the parents, you had to work with the school districts, and we had to ensure they could get some type of jobs.

The citys response garnered national attention, earning White the 2007 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.

People said, Oh, you rolled out the red carpet, White added. No, what we did is our job.

Hurricane Katrina also prompted significant reforms, such as the Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, which granted FEMA more authority and flexibility to mobilize resources quickly and more effectively. The act became a turning point in how the U.S. approaches disaster preparedness and response, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. Now, President Donald Trump has made significant cuts to FEMA and said he wants to eliminate the agency as soon as December 2025.

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Katrina set the precedent for the nation, said Chrishelle Palay, a Houston-native and the executive director of the Houston Organizing Movement for Equity (HOME) Coalition, who has worked in disaster recovery and advocacy since Hurricane Ike in 2008.

Becnel, who previously cooked at an assisted living facility and sold dinner plates in New Orleans as a side hustle, has found that Creole cuisine is more in demand in Houston. She is now an entrepreneur and owner of a business called Idias Catering, which stands for I do it all.

After nearly 15 years building her clientele and helping bring Creole food to weddings, baby showers, and corporate events, she is working on securing a food truck.

I didnt expect to like it this much, Becnel said. I didnt know that Houston would be home. I didnt think I could live outside of New Orleans. You couldnt tell me that I would be living here.

The post Hurricane Katrina Displaced a Generation  and Led to a Renaissance in Houston appeared first on Capital B News.
A Norwegian cruise company has said they have found an "antidote to overtourism by offering sailings to smaller villages as part of their packages.

Cruise giant Hurtigruten has introduced new Open Village experiences along Norways remote coastline in collaboration with local residents.

The company said they will be sending a fee per guest to communities involved.

The exclusive experiences have been designed to immerse visitors in the everyday life of three villages on the coast: Trna, Bessaker, and Sb.

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Excursions will be available to passengers on Hurtigrutens Signature Line Voyages in the busy summer period between May and September.

These voyages take place on the cruise lines smaller ships: the only vessels that visit the remote coastal villages during the summer season.

There is space for up to 500 passengers on each ship, with Hurtigruten saying they will directly contribute 250 Norwegian Krone (around 18) per guest to each community they visit.

In Bessaker, guests will be welcomed with a festive village parade and will gain access to historic buildings. Live music, woodcarving activities and homemade treats are also planned.

Guests will be welcomed with a festive parade in Bessaker (Michel Afflerbach, Hurtigruten)

Over in Sb, tourists can attend church concerts, explore the Avalanche Centre and get a guided tour of the towns natural and cultural history.

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Meanwhile, a visit to Trna, one of Norways oldest fishing communities, will include tours of the local museum and church, plus self-guided wanders around the town.

As some of Europes best-known destinations struggle with the pressures of overtourism, our approach is deliberately different: slower, more meaningful travel rooted in genuine connection, said Odd Tore Skildheim, head of product development at Hurtigruten.

These villages, with a combined population of fewer than 1,000, are not just points on a map. Through our Open Village concept, there is no cost to our guests.

Instead, for every visit we make, there is a direct financial contribution made by Hurtigruten to each community based on the number of guests onboard, ensuring the benefits are felt by the people who live there.

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Our aim is for guests to feel truly welcomed and for locals to feel genuinely supported, he added.

Knut Johan Monkan, from tourism company Coastal Host Bessaker, said that while the community will be making an income, the Open Village initiative will also be an opportunity for growth.

In a village of just 170 people, 12 businesses benefit directly from activity providers to artists, bakers and local producers.

Without this initiative, places like FABrikken, our new restaurant, and Stokky Bakeri, named Norways best bakery in 2023, would not have managed to keep going.

The ripple effects are wide-reaching, and Hurtigrutens presence is essential to creating a sustainable, living village and district.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
HARLAN COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56)  A death investigation is underway after a husband and wife were found dead at their Clospint community home.

According to Kentucky State Police, troopers were dispatched just before 2:20 p.m. on Wednesday.

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Troopers said its believed that the husband shot his wife before taking his own life. Their bodies have been sent to the state medical examiners office for an autopsy.

Their identities have yet to be released.

The investigation is ongoing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
WASHINGTON (KSEE)  The 21st-century arms race is reaching hypersonic speeds, moving at five times the speed of sound.

Central Valley lawmaker Rep. Vince Fong (CA-20) is co-sponsoring a bipartisan bill, the MACH Act, to research hypersonics with his Democratic colleague Rep. George Whitesides (CA-27).

California Republicans have a solution for soaring utility costs

When you look at whats going on around the world, China and Russia have developed their hypersonic missile technology at scale. And we are catching up, said Fong.

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Before his election to Congress, Whitesides led Virgin Galactic and previously served as chief of staff at NASA.

Its really important that were doing the testing that we need to be able to defend against those attacks and also potentially to be able to use hypersonic weapons going forward, Whitesides said.

Experts say the United States would only have minutes to respond to a hypersonic attack from an adversary. Aaron Cassebeer, chief product officer at Stratolaunch, said his companys technology will help the U.S. defend itself.

We never want to be in this position  where we feel like were not the pioneers anymore, Cassebeer said. But what we commonly find in America is when theres a challenge, America rises to meet that need. And so I very much feel like were in that place right now.

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Stratolaunch uses the worlds largest plane to test hypersonics in Californias Central Valley. Masao Dahlgren, a fellow with the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said there are fewer than 4,000 engineers in the country capable of conducting hypersonic research.

How do you get more people into the field? How do you get more engineers in this country? How do you get all of that? That is a decade-old challenge, right? Dahlgren said.

Rep. Fong said U.S. hypersonic research could also advance commercial aviation and space exploration.

Imagine if we could actually have the ability to have other vehicles go that fast, as well as our ability to go to the moon, our ability to go to Mars, our ability to dominate space, he said.

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Stratolaunch says the breakthroughs from its research could make commercial travel safer, more reliable, and six times faster than current airplanes.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  In the National Defense Authorization Act for 2026-28, the Senate Armed Services Committee has allocated $148 million for Sioux Gateway Airport and the 185th Air National Guard Refueling Wing (ARW).

A runway reinforcement and extension will allow KC-135 tankers flown by Sioux Citys 185th to operate at 100% capacity, something that currently isnt possible.

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Sioux Gateways overall operation could be significantly decreased if the 185th isnt able to continue operations in Sioux City.

While the National Defense Authorization Act passed out of committee on July 9, it still must be approved by both chambers, and the funds must also be approved in an appropriations bill that has not yet been written.

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NEW YORK (PIX11)  United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested a man in New York City on Wednesday who they claim is a criminal illegal alien from Honduras.

The man, whom the Department of Homeland Security has identified as Jorge Alberto Mejia Herrera, had been previously convicted of sex acts on a child, officials say.

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Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin sent the following statement to PIX11 News:

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On July 22, ICE arrested Jorge Alberto Mejia Herrera, a criminal illegal alien from Honduras. This depraved criminal illegal alien, was previously convicted in New York for forcible sexual conduct and two or more sexual acts on a child. On May 10, the NYPD released Herrera under the citys disastrous sanctuary policies. Thanks to our brave ICE law enforcement, this sicko is off the streets and will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

Secretary Noem is calling on every politician at every level of government to abandon these reckless, lawless policies and stop playing Russian roulette with American lives. DHS will continue to flood the zone in sanctuary cities and remove these criminals one by one.

Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).

Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

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The Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center in Aurora, operated by private prison firm GEO Group, is pictured on Jan. 30, 2025. (Chase Woodruff/Colorado Newsline)

Federal immigration agents arrested 243 immigrants lacking permanent legal status during a nine-day enforcement operation in the Denver area, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced Wednesday.

The arrests occurred from July 12 to July 20. The agency said it had support from Homeland Security Investigations Denver, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, ICEs Dallas field office, the Internal Revenue Service and a handful of other federal agencies.

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It provided details for about 50 of the alleged crimes people were arrested for, including assault, theft and driving under the influence. One person was wanted for murder, and another was wanted for human trafficking.

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ICE said 50 of the people detained are subject to removal orders. Four are alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang.

By partnering with federal agencies, we have successfully apprehended individuals who pose a significant threat to public safety, Robert Guadian, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Denver Field Office director, said in a statement. He criticized Colorados law that prevents local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE and holding people past their jail release time for the purpose of immigration enforcement.

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ICE did not immediately respond to a request for more information about the charges involved with the arrests and how many people from the operation have since been deported. The announcement names one person who has been deported following a murder and DUI conviction.

The arrested immigrants are from 17 countries, including Mexico, Venezuela, Honduras and Nicaragua.

The number of ICE arrests in the operation was an increase compared to recent similar time periods, according to figures from the Deportation Data Project, with information that runs through the end of June. Over nine-day periods since the start of May, there have been an average of about 104 arrests in Colorado. Between June 9 and June 17, there was a peak of 165 arrests, 60 of which were for people convicted of crimes.

Karen Orona, communication manager for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, wrote in a text message to Colorado Newsline that every detention steals from our communities.

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ICEs hollow claims about targeting criminals have been exposed as lies, most shockingly when they deported legally present immigrants to a known torture camp in El Salvador. ICE targets asylum seekers, green card holders, and parents of U.S. citizens, then denies them due process in a system where legal help is a privilege, not a right, she wrote. No human being deserves to be disappeared into detention camps or deported to danger.

The recently-enacted federal tax cut and spending bill set aside about $170 billion for immigration enforcement and $75 billion for ICE specifically, which could supercharge immigration enforcement across the country as the Trump administration pushes for more detentions and deportations.

Six locations in Colorado have been floated as potential new ICE detention facilities, according to documents obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union. There is already a private immigration detention center run by GEO Group in Aurora.

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Bloomberg / Contributor / Getty Images Last month, Texas Instruments announced plans to invest over $60 billion in U.S. chip production, including on seven facilities in Texas and Utah.

Texas Instruments (TXN) shares dropped in extended trading Tuesday as the company issued a soft profit forecast.

The analog chipmaker said it expects third-quarter earnings of $1.36 and $1.60 per share, below the consensus of analysts surveyed by Visible Alpha at the midpoint. Texas Instrument's revenue outlook of $4.45 billion to $4.8 billion came roughly in line with Street estimates.

Texas Instruments shares dropped over 8% in extended trading following the release. The stock was up close to 15% for 2025 through Tuesdays close.

For the second quarter, Texas Instruments reported revenue of $4.45 billion, up 16% year-over-year and above the analyst consensus from Visible Alpha. Net income of $1.3 billion, or $1.41 per share, rose from $1.13 billion, or $1.22 per share, in the year-ago quarter, also topping estimates.

The company's semiconductors are used in a wide variety of electronic devices, including smartphones, vehicles, and satellites. Texas Instruments has said it counts Apple (AAPL), Ford (F), Nvidia (NVDA), SpaceX, and Medtronic (MDT) among those using its products.

Last month, the company announced plans to invest over $60 billion in U.S. chip production, including on seven facilities in Texas and Utah.



Read the original article on Investopedia
Immigration officials questioned and detained contractors working on apartment buildings in Tallahassee on May 29, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)

Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests of people without criminal charges or convictions in Florida rose by more than 450% this June compared to last year.

Since the start of the second Trump administration, ICE has carried out more than 10,818 arrests in Florida, up from 3,496 in the same period last year. But in June, the largest share of arrests, 36%, were of people the federal government labeled as having no criminal history in the country, a 457% increase from June 2024.

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The latest arrest data from ICE through June 26 was published by the Deportation Data Project and obtained as a result of a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit. The project is led by attorneys and professors in California, Maryland and New York. The anonymized individual arrests dataset provides insight into who the Trump administration is targeting in its goal to ramp up deportations and as Gov. Ron DeSantis insists on making the state a leader in internal immigration enforcement.

We still got a lot, a lot, a lot that we got to do, but obviously weve led the way on this, and well continue setting the pace, DeSantis said during a Tuesday meeting of the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, which the Florida Legislature created earlier this year and comprises the Florida Cabinet.

The governor emphasized the role of local law enforcement in gaining authorization from the federal government to arrest people they suspect live in the state without legal authorization under a program known as 287(g). Florida law enforcement agencies have the most 287(g) agreements with ICE in the country, 237, extending to police within higher education institutions.

Overcrowding in immigrant detention centers

While the Trump administrations 3,000 daily arrest quota led to a 31% increase in Florida of arrests of people with criminal convictions between May and June, the biggest jump, 86%, was of people without convictions or charges. However, arrests of people with pending charges decreased by nearly 3%.

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Floridas increase is even higher than the national jump in arrests of people without a U.S. criminal history. According to the data from ICE, such arrests increased by 84% nationwide between May and June. Meanwhile, arrests of immigrants with criminal convictions decreased by 1%.

Living in the country without permanent legal status is not a crime, unless the person has been deported before. However, entering by avoiding immigration authorities is a crime that can be punishable with a fine of up to $250 and six months imprisonment for the first offense, per federal statute.

ICE daily detainee estimates have also shown a jump in the people held at the federal facilities in Florida this year. As of June 20, the number of people in immigration detention at three Florida facilities was 111% higher than the levels before the inauguration, according to an analysis by Human Rights Watch. Overall, the estimated daily detainee population as of July 17 was 1,932, which is nearly 500 more than before Trump took office.

Although the data provide daily estimates of detention, Florida has been less transparent in its operations of the notorious immigrant removal center it built in eight days in the Everglades.

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The most detailed information came from the Miami Heralds publication on July 13 of a list of 750 detainees housed in the old airstrip, including more than 250 people without criminal convictions or pending charges in the U.S.

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Immigrants made to eat like dogs

Detainees at three federal facilities in Florida and the state-run immigrant center in the Everglades have said they were given rotting food, denied medical care and access to their attorneys, according to a federal lawsuit and the Human Rights Watch report. Five of the 11 deaths of immigrants under ICE custody this year have happened in Florida, according to press releases from the federal agency.

Human Rights Watchs report, published Monday, states that immigrants at three federal detention centers in Florida are held under conditions that flagrantly violate international human rights standards and the United States governments own immigration detention standards.

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Immigrants held at the Federal Detention Center in Miami have said they had to kneel to eat while their hands were restrained behind their backs.

We were chained though, so we could not reach the plates with our hands, said Harpinder Chauhan, a British man deported in June, whose account was published in the report. We had to put the plates on chairs and then bend down and eat with our mouths, like dogs.

Need for beds

To Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, who chairs a statewide immigration advisory council, the added arrests highlight the need for more detention beds. Hes pushing for the federal government to waive housing standards to allow more county jails to detain immigrants.

The federal housing standards are ridiculous at best and insane at worst, Judd said during the Tuesday meeting of the state immigration board.

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Judd said the federal government didnt seem amenable to granting the request to allow immigration detainment under Florida jail standards.

If its good enough for those that are innocent until proven guilty, and theyre United States citizens, certainly those housing rules should be sufficient for those that are in this country illegally, he said.

In his most recent comments about the states immigration enforcement efforts, the governor has talked about the need for the federal government to bolster its detention capacity.

Instead of moving quickly with the construction of a second state-run detention center, DeSantis wants to hold off, depending on demand from the feds and the capacity levels at the Everglades site state officials named Alligator Alcatraz, because of the dangerous reptiles would deter escape attempts.

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DeSantis has emphasized the influx of $45 billion Congress gave ICE to build new detention centers as part of Trumps massive tax and spending cut bill.

Weve gone above and beyond in Florida to assist this mission, because we think its really important for our state and for our country, DeSantis said. But they absolutely are going to need to take all that massive amount of money they just got and be able to provide a better ability to hold, process, and deport illegals.

The seeming slowdown in opening the second state detention center at the Florida National Guard Joint Training Center in Clay County comes as the DeSantis administration faces mounting legal challenges to the Everglades facility located in Collier County. There is also growing scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers about the $245 million the DeSantis administration has spent to build and operate the detention center in just a month, according to AP.

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DENVER (KDVR)  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials announced Wednesday that 243 people were arrested in the Denver metro area who the agency says are currently charged with or have been convicted of criminal offenses after illegally entering the United States.

The operation was conducted from July 12 through 20, and ICE provided the following reasons for the arrests:

DUI: 17

Theft (including burglary, robbery and motor vehicle theft): 8

Assault (including aggravated assault and domestic violence): 13

Drug offenses (including distribution of fentanyl): 9

Sex offenses (including sex assault and sexual exploitation of a minor): 5

Homicide (including murder and vehicular manslaughter): 2

Human trafficking: 1

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That leaves another 188 arrests without specific reasons listed. FOX31 pressed the agency for answers and was told that the remaining arrests were for having outstanding final orders of removal, various other crimes not listed, outstanding warrants or various other enforcement priorities, according to an ICE spokesperson. FOX31 asked for details about what other enforcement priorities could mean, and has not yet heard back.

Colorados AG sues deputy, saying he illegally shared information with ICE agents

ICE said among those other crimes not listed were criminal impersonation, carrying a concealed weapon, false reporting, child cruelty, intimidation, hit-and-run, illegal entry to the country and illegal reentry.

The agency said that 50 of the 243 people arrested have orders to be removed from the U.S.

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This operation highlights our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our communities, said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Denver Field Office Director Robert Guadian in a release. By partnering with federal agencies, we have successfully apprehended individuals who pose a significant threat to public safety. We will continue to work diligently to combat crime and uphold the rule of law. Many of the criminal aliens ICE arrested during this operation had been previously released into the Denver metro area by local county jails  directly into the community  because of Colorados sanctuary laws that prevent Sheriffs from cooperating with ICE.

ICE said that some of the people arrested are suspected or confirmed gang members. The agency said it has identified known of suspected members of the following organizations among the 243 arrested:

Los Zetas: 1

Tren de Aragua: 4

Sinaloa Cartel: 1

Other organizations: 3

Officials said there were individuals from 17 countries arrested, including Mexico, Venezuela, Honduras and El Salvador.

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Crow: ICE is preventing oversight by denying congressman entry to detention facility

ICE named some of what it called the most egregious offenders in its Wednesday announcement, sharing the following names and alleged crimes of numerous offenders.

Rigoberto Carranza-Mendez, 47, of Mexico, convicted of murder and DUI. He reportedly has already been removed from the U.S.

Johnondris Daniel Rodriguez, 28, of Venezuela, a suspected Tren de Aragua gang member.

Nicolas Diaz-Hernandez, 51, of Mexico, convicted of criminal impersonation, controlled substance distribution and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. ICE said Diaz-Hernandez is a confirmed Los Zetas member.

Roberto Arambula, 45, of Mexico, convicted of theft. He also allegedly has pending charges of fentanyl distribution in Greeley.

Tomas Arana-Fuentes , 49, of Mexico, has pending charges for sex assault on a helpless victim, non-consensual sexual assault, and sexual assault against a victim of incapable of appraising condition.

Jacinto Gonzalez-Perez, 25, of Mexico, convicted of careless driving resulting in death in El Paso County.

Blanca Ochoa Tello, 36, of Mexico. ICE said that when officials arrested her, they found approximately 20,000 fentanyl pills in her vehicle.

Javier Ulises Sanchez-Andazola, 24, of Mexico, convicted of sex assault against a child and DUI in Greeley.

ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations team in Denver led the operation with significant support from law enforcement partners from the following agencies. ICE named ERO Dallas, Homeland Security Investigations Denver, the Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Intelligence and Analysis, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the DEA, the ATF, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service and the IRS.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL)  Lynn Richardson and Marcy Hawley sat on the porch of Hawleys historic home in Jonesborough reminiscing over a beloved topic Wednesday, but despite a lot of laughter, a tinge of sadness hung in the air.

Im sad to see 156 years of history go by the wayside, Richardson said, referring to the fact that the Jonesborough Herald & Tribune will publish its last issue Aug. 13. Six Rivers Media announced this week the paper, among Tennessees longest continuously operating if not the longest, will be absorbed into the Johnson City Press.

Richardson was the papers publisher for 15 of those years, from 1999 through 2014.

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The first thing I did was cry, Richardson said. Im very passionate about the paper  its an icon.

Richardson and Hawley, who have contributed an editorial cartoon for the paper for well over a decade, both said they understand the challenges print media has faced for the past couple of decades. But they said the announcement was unexpected and will leave a void in the growing town of nearly 7,000 people.

Theres always a need and a hunger for information, Richardson said. The Herald & Tribune was the yes and the ears and the voice of Jonesborough, Tennessee.

Its worth saving, this paper is, in some form or another, Hawley said. The community is worth having the information. And just like there are food deserts, there are news deserts.

(WJHL)

In a Kingsport Times-News article, Six Rivers described the move as a merger and said the Presss Wednesday editions will include dedicated community coverage of Jonesborough. Publisher Ron Waite said the company remains fully committed to covering Jonesborough and that the stories, voices, and community spirit will continue.

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Neither woman sounded confident the new approach could measure up to continued publication of a paper that first hit newsstands just four years after the end of the Civil War.

Its going to be a void, a real void, because its a connection, Hawley said. Its how people keep up with everything thats going on in the town.

However many people keep up with everything through the paper was not enough for Six Rivers to consider the benefits of keeping it going equal to what the company cited as financial pressures from declining ad revenue and subscriptions.

The last print run will come just weeks after staff writer Marina Waters returned from the Tennessee Press Association awards with a General Excellence plaque. It will also mean the end of a years-long run of Hawleys cartoons and to what Richardson described as a mix of good news and community boosterism with hard-hitting news coverage when the situation called for it.

Lampooning the BMA leads to gig

Hawley and Richardson laughed and spoke eagerly as they recalled Hawleys accidental debut as an editorial cartoonist. The towns five-member Board of Mayor and Aldermen was considering hires for the summer season and two new members suggested a novel idea.

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The theory that everything at the water park and the ballfields and all could be done by volunteers, Hawley recalled. The lifelong sketcher and painter was there and had pad and pen.

So I I did a cartoon of the three of them in lifeguard uniforms and pool skimmers and that sort of thing. And Lynn looked over it and she said, Oh, may I put that in the paper? And I said, Not with my name on it.

Thus editorial cartoonist Clayton (Hawleys middle name) was born, complete with a dog that provided much of the witty commentary. Hawley said much of the community didnt learn she was Clayton for well over a year  one that included some sharp commentary.

When Lynn was the publisher  she wasnt afraid to hold the politicians feet to the fire and so that first cartoon and it just rolled from there.

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Richardson said Hawleys cartoons gave the weekly a whole new dimension  they gave it some personality.

She said her personal favorite came after a contentious Washington County Commission meeting that saw commissioners unable to reach a decision on an issue.

They fought and they fussed and finally they just called a recess, Richardson said. And, of course, they called the recess so they could discuss it off camera and out of the public view.

We found them crunched into and around the mens room at the Washington County Courthouse, violating Sunshine Law like nobodys business, and of course, I told Marcy about it and she drew the most amazing cartoon. Legs, arms sticking out of the bathroom, people with their ears to the door  it was incredible.

A hunger for information

Richardson said a friend and mentor told her, after hearing Richardson had gotten the publishing role, that weekly newspapers have their own character. Richardson had already worked in the paper business for a couple of decades by then.

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Now thats thats your little town and if you take care of it, it will take care of you, she recalled the friend saying.

I listened to her, and the issue which she was telling me is that the role as she saw it and then as I came to see it is, a weekly newspaper is something of a cheerleader for their community. They want to lift that community up.

Richardson said that was accomplished most effectively by peppering in hard-hitting journalism when it was called for.

We had bad ones. We had investigative pieces that won awards. We did all of that. But our main theory was to tell the story of Jonesborough, and now theres no one to tell that story in the storytelling capital of the world, which is just a rotten shame.

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She said communities have a need and a hunger for information. Its incredibly important for people in order to feel connected. And that weekly newspaper, The Herald & Tribune was the eyes and ears and the voice of Jonesborough, Tennessee.

Richardson said one of the most impactful stories of her tenure came when she asked the papers editor if she would go to every Washington County school and try to get in the back door.

She was a little hesitant, Richardson said. She said, were going to land in jail. I said, thats okay. Well bail you out.

The writer found that in about two-thirds of the schools it was really easy to access the back doors.

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The paper reported on that but didnt name the schools, then went back in a year.

There were fewer, but some were still able to be accessed. The public was very supportive, very appreciative. There were many calls made to the central office. The leadership at the time was not happy with us at all.

Youre not going to make everybody happy in the newspaper business if youre doing your work. I mean, to me, if you can make half the people mad and half the people happy, youve done a good job.

Hawley said she understands the challenges the industry faces. Not many people get the paper anymore, much less half a dozen newspapers like she does.

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Its so sad, she said of her initial reaction and thoughts. Integral part of Jonesborough. This is happening all over the country, but how can this happen in Jonesborough?

Both women said theyre still hoping for a miracle as they continue processing a change thats not uncommon across the country. Hawley said shed like to see something backfill the papers departure, whether online or in print.

Im in Jonesborough and Jonesborough is the little town that can  and we do, she said.

A community needs a community newspaper, Richardson said. Whether its online, whether its in print or both.

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I would hope that the people of Jonesborough, the leadership of Jonesborough value that connection and that voice enough that they find a way. And I will tell you one thing, if there is one town that will find a way, this is it.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
This story may contain accounts and descriptions of actual or alleged events that some readers may find disturbing.



When Bryan Kohberger was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in an Idaho courthouse Wednesday, questions loomed over the emotional proceedings as they have throughout the case.

Kohberger had declined to say a word about his crimes after being lambasted by family and friends of the four University of Idaho students he'd murdered almost three years ago: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle.

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But hours after the door closed on the case, the Moscow Police Department released around 300 documents related to the investigation, offering a window into what the agency learned about the brutal killings in 2022, which shook the community and the country, during the course of its investigation.

This is the first group of investigative records to be released since the killings occurred. Because of sweeping court orders, the case has largely been shrouded in secrecy for more than three years. The judge overseeing the case has announced that the public could expect to see in the coming weeks or months potentially thousands of additional documents related to the crime and investigation.

The newly released police documents revealed the horrifying extent of the crimes and an unnerving sighting by one of the victims' surviving roommates in the days leading up to the killings. They also indicate that at least one of the victims fought back intensely.

And they also reveal Kohberger's discussions with police after his arrest.

Kyle Green/AP - PHOTO: Brian Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse, July 2, 2025, in Boise, Idaho.

The crime scene

The kitchen door of 1122 King Road was ajar when officers arrived, and blood was smeared on the walls and floors, coating the four college students' belongings and pooling by their bodies, which were in different areas of the house, according to police reports released by police.

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Some of the victims, who were stabbed multiple times, were covered in so much blood, officers responding to the home at first were not able to sort out what their additional injuries there might be. Their faces were so badly damaged as to be unrecognizable, according to the police report.

MORE: Idaho college murders: As Kohberger admits to the brutal crime, here's the full timeline of events

Kernodle had "defensive knife wounds" on her hands, the police report said. "It was obvious an intense struggle had occurred."

On the third floor, Kaylee and Madison lay together in a bed under a pink blanket that was "covered in blood." There was a "large pool of blood" near Kaylee's midsection, and blood spatters on the walls.

Idaho Statesman/TNS via Getty Images, FILE - PHOTO: Four University of Idaho students were killed at an off-campus house on King Road in Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022.

"Madison appeared to be laying up against Kaylee. Madison had what appeared to be wounds to her forearm and hands. Madison had a gash under her right eye which appeared to go from the corner of her eye to her nose. Kaylee was unrecognizable as her facial structure was extremely damaged," a report said.

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According to the coroner's report, Ethan Chapin's "fatal injury was from a stab wound under his left clavicle which severed his subclavian vein and subclavian artery, and also his jugular vein was severed."

Kernodle's fatal injuries were stab wounds to her lung and heart. She had over 50 stab wounds, "mostly defensive," according to a report.

Both Mogen and Goncalves were stabbed in the lung and liver. Goncalves also had two brain bleeds and a stab behind her clavicle, which cut the vein and artery. She had over 20 stab wounds as well as injuries "connected with asphyxiation and blunt force trauma."

The coroner determined that the murder weapon "was not serrated, single edged, very sharp," and that a lot of force was used.

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MORE: Idaho families slam Bryan Kohberger at emotional sentencing hearing: 'Hell will be waiting'

She would later also determine that the "shape and the size" of the KA-BAR knife Kohberger purchased on Amazon was "consistent as being the weapon which could have caused the injuries on all four of the victims."

Ted S. Warren/AP, FILE - PHOTO: In this Nov. 30, 2022, file photo, a flyer seeking information about the killings of four University of Idaho students who were found dead is displayed on a table during a vigil in memory of the victims in Moscow, Idaho.

The investigation

When investigators discovered that the tan leather sheath of a KA-BAR knife had been left behind at the crime scene, they canvassed the Moscow area to see where locally, if anywhere, the killer might have bought the knife. They visited numerous sporting goods and hardware stores to no avail, according to a police report.

Then at Walmart, while perusing knives on display, the investigator learned something else important: the Walmart employee helping him said that "about two to three weeks ago, a white college aged male, asked for a black ski-mask that would cover his face." She "was unable to provide much detail other than he was taller than she was and maybe had tan skin complexion," and that she told him they only had camo ski masks available. He then "walked away."

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Surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen would later tell police on the night of the killings, she saw a male intruder clad all in black with a black balaclava ski mask on obscuring most of his face, but that she did think she saw his bushy brow.

MORE: Bryan Kohberger updates: Judge sentences Idaho killer to life, 1st police reports released

After the killings, investigators also spoke with Kohberger's fellow students at Washington State University, where he had been pursuing his Ph.D. in criminology. A fellow teaching assistant said he "considered Kohberger a friend," and that he was "very intelligent but also selfish," and that Kohberger "would often mislead him when it came to their shared work and would have [him] complete work meant for Kohberger." Kohberger was also "frequently twenty minutes late to their classes."

The two also discussed "Kohberger wanting a girlfriend on many occasions," the fellow TA said. Kohberger also "liked to discuss his area of study which was criminal decision making and burglary type crimes," according to a report.

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And the student also told investigators "about some injuries he witnessed on Kohberger's face and hands," and while he was "unsure of the date," he thought he had noticed the injuries "on two separate occasions in October and November of 2022." One was a "large scratch on Kohberger's face which [the student] described as looking like the scratches from fingernails." The student "also saw wounds to Kohberger's knuckles on two separate occasions," and when he asked Kohberger what happened, he "replied he had been in a car accident."

In an interview with surviving roommate Bethany Funke, police reported she described to investigators an unnerving incident early in November 2022 that she recalled Kaylee Goncalves had told her about.

Funke "talked about an incident with Kaylee who stated about a month ago she saw an unknown male up above their house to the south who was starring [sic] at her when she took Murphy (the dog) out to go potty," a police report said.

On the night of the killings, Funke said between 4:00 and 4:20 a.m. -- when prosecutors say the murders happened -- she "heard what she thought was a firework and saw a spark on the ground from under her door," and "then heard Murphy barking," according to a report.

Kohberger's arrest

When Bryan Kohberger was arrested on Dec. 30, 2022, he repeatedly probed investigators, asking why he was in custody and what they wanted to know from him, according to a police report. At the same time, he acted as though he had only peripheral knowledge of the quadruple homicide that had occurred in Moscow, Idaho, the month prior, according to the report.

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Kohberger was brought to the Pennsylvania State Police barracks and put in an interview room, and made "small talk" with police, telling one detective that he looked "familiar," and "looked like someone he used to know."

Kohberger said he "understood why were [sic] engaging in small talk but would appreciate it if we explained to him what he was doing there."

The detective whose face he'd noticed asked, "Why he thought we were there?" To which Kohberger responded, he wanted the detective to tell him. The detective said we were there because of what occurred in Moscow but did not provide any further detail," a police report said. The detective then asked Kohberger, "if he watched the news," to which Kohberger responded, "I watch the news."

The detective said they were there because of "what happened in November just off the University of Idaho campus," and asked if Kohberger knew what that was. Kohberger replied, "Of course," elaborating when prompted that "it was the incident we had been investigating for 'how long has it been?'"

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He said, "he was aware of a homicide because of a WSU alert he received," referring to Washington State University. He said he wasn't certain when he had gotten that alert. When asked by the detective if Kohberger "wanted to talk about that, Kohberger replied 'Well, I think I would need a lawyer.'" Kohberger then asked if we would explain to him what we were there for specifically and added he was tired, the police report said.

Investigators "had questions and things we hoped Kohberger would help us understand," the detective explained, to help their investigation into the killings.

"Kohberger sat back and said he had the utmost respect for law enforcement but stated it was a constitutional right to speak to an attorney," the police report said. But Kohberger "reengaged again and asked what questions we would have for him," the detective confirmed Kohberger understood his rights. Kohberger asked again, "What specifically we wanted to talk to him about and the reason?"

At other points in the chat, Kohberger talked about his interest in criminal justice, saying "he thought about being a police officer but did not want to make that commitment unless he was absolutely sure." When asked what led him down the road of becoming a professor, Kohberger said, "It was because he loved being in college and stated knowledge was far more important to him than money."

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He also told police in the room that he was "raised Christian but was always a skeptic except when confronted with the beauty of the natural world."

According to the documents released Wednesday, Kohberger would be described by fellow inmates who encountered him in jail as "highly intelligent" and "polite," but that he had "annoying" habits: Kohberger, they said, "would wash his hands dozens of times each day and would spend 45 minutes to an hour in the shower," and would "be awake almost all night and would only take a nap during the day."

On one occasion, the fellow inmate said, he overheard Kohberger "video chatting with his mother (which [the inmate] said he did for hours each day) while [the inmate] was watching sports." The inmate, watching sports, said "'you suck' to one of the players on the team, at which point Kohberger immediately got up and put his face to the bars and aggressively asked if [the inmate] was talking about him or his mother. [The inmate] said this was the only time Kohberger lost his temper."
President Donald Trump signs the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on the South Lawn of the White House, on July 4, 2025, during the 4th of July picnic. U.S. Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, attended the ceremony. (Daniel Torok/Official White House photo)

The envelope in my mailbox screamed out, this ENDORSEMENT has IDAHO LIBERALS worried. Fearing the worst, I gingerly opened the envelope, only to find that the liberals were supposed to be worried because Idaho Gov. Brad Little had received the complete and total endorsement of President Donald Trump in June.

We have had good reason to believe that the governor was headed toward full-on MAGA. After all, his support for substantial cuts to Medicaid this session and his belief that parents who send their kids to private and religious schools should get a tax credit of $5,000 per kid, is right in line with the MAGA playbook. Littles letter begged for campaign funds so that he can implement MAGA policy in Idaho for four more years.

Little strongly supported Trumps Big Beautiful Billionaire Bill (BBBB), which will explode the national debt to an unsustainable $40 trillion and result in the largest ever transfer of wealth from poor to rich Americans. The Idaho Fiscal Policy Center estimates that top income earners will get an average of $78,000, while the lowest earners will get only $20.

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Over the next decade the bill will cut $4.3 billion in federal funding for Idaho Medicaid and reduce enrollment in the state by up to 40,000 people. Heaven help our local hospitals. SNAP and other safety net programs will also sustain massive cuts.

U.S. Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, both R-Idaho, have already signed onto the full Trump program and both voted for the BBBB. In fact, Crapo was the chief architect of the Senate bill, making deeper cuts to Medicaid than the House version and increasing the amount of national debt we are bestowing upon future generations.

In recognition of Crapos major role, Trumps office distributed a lovely picture of Crapo looking quite pleased at the BBBB signing ceremony. Lets pray that modest-income Idahoans dont get sick.

The BBBB drafters were clever to disguise the damage their handiwork will do to working people. The tax benefits for the wealthy will kick in right away, but the massive cuts in safety net spending for the masses will only kick in after the midterm elections next year. To top off their allegiance to Trumps command, both Risch and Crapo voted last week to cut $1 billion for public radio and public television. The Trump regime has no use for cultural programming or balanced reporting.

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Little, Risch and Crapo seem to think that obedience to Trump is a ticket to keeping their precious offices. Reading the tea leaves, including the most recent polling, it is a good bet that they are woefully wrong. By the time the general election rolls around next year, I expect that Americans, including a majority of Idahoans, will have had enough. It is likely that Idahos MAGA sycophants will lose out to candidates who are willing to honorably and courageously serve their state and nation.

Take Trumps premier issue  immigration. Voters responded to Trumps call to remove violent criminals from the country, but they are now recoiling at his rounding up and mistreatment of law-abiding, tax-paying laborers who are milking cows, tending crops, cleaning hotel rooms and performing a range of other services that citizens refuse to do.

And, as they say, we aint seen nothin yet. With the BBBBs $170.7 billion in funding for immigration and border enforcement, the unsavory conduct of ICE agents will only get worse. The 10,000 new agents hired with that money will be Trump loyalists, whose activities will very likely expand beyond the immigration arena to intimidation and coercion of American citizens. That wont go over well.

Trump has done little to address the cost of living, the other main issue that put him in office. He has taken no meaningful action since his inauguration to lessen the cost of living. In fact, prices of food and other essentials have continued to rise.

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The chaotic actions taken by Trump on tariffs will result in even greater price increases across the board. Lets take two examples  tomatoes and coffee. Trump has announced a 17% tariff on fresh tomatoes from Mexico where we get about 70% of our supply. The purported purpose is to protect U.S. growers, but Trump did not say where we are going to get the workers to grow and harvest the crop.

Trump threatened to slap a 50% tariff on all imports from Brazil unless prosecution proceedings are halted against his bosom buddy, Jair Bolsonaro, for trying to stage a coup against Brazils duly-elected president. That makes our president look like a lawless despot. And it would certainly cause the price of a cup of coffee to skyrocket.

Suffice it to say that when the midterm elections are upon us, Little and Risch will likely be scrambling to distance themselves from Trumps governmental malpractice. It is doubtful they will keep their seats. Crapo wont have to answer until 2028.

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Originally appeared on E! Online

More details are being uncovered about the night of the Idaho murders.

After Bryan Kohberger was given four consecutive life sentences for the killings of college students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, unsealed reports about the tragedy shed new light on how Kohberger committed his gruesome crimes.

And according to the documents, obtained by multiple outlets July 24, one policeman, Corbin Smith, described Goncalves' face as being "disfigured" when she was found dead in her off-campus apartment in Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022.

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Specifically, the University of Idaho studentwho suffered 34 stab woundswas deemed "unrecognizable" due to her facial structure being "extremely damaged," per a report obtained by ABC News.

Furthermore, Goncalves' wounds were so severe that her surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen misidentified two female victims when authorities first arrived at the scene, according to the unsealed documents.

And information was revealed about Kohberger's other three victims as well.

More from E! Online

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In their autopsies obtained by NBC News July 24, it was determined that Kernodle's body suffered more than 50 stab wounds at the hands of Kohberger, who was ultimately linked to the case through male DNA left on a knife sheath found on a bed next to Mogen's body.

Additionally, Sgt. Shaine Gunderson wrote in one police report that her blunt force wounds suggested that "it was obvious an intense struggle had occurred," per People.

Kyle Green-Pool/Getty Images

As for Kernodle's boyfriend Chapin and roommate Mogen, the two victims died from sharp force injuries, with Chapin believed to have been killed in his sleep with a stab wound that severed the jugular vein in his neck, according to police documents obtained by the Idaho Statesman and People.

Prior to his sentencing, Kohberger pleaded guilty to killing all four college students, answering "yes" in court when asked if he acted "willingly, unlawfully, deliberately and with premeditation and malice with forethought." However, the 30-year-old did not provide a motive, so the reason behind the killings remains unclear.

Kaylee Goncalves/Instagram

And while Kohberger may never give a reason, Mortensen shared her own insight into his crimes in court following his July 23 sentencing.

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"He is a hollow vessel. Something less than human. A body without empathy or remorse," Mortensen said in court. "He chose destruction, he chose evil. He feels nothing. He tried to take everything from me."

(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

For more on the Idaho murders and Kohberger's trial, keep reading.

Who Were Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle?

Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20, were University of Idaho students who lived in an off-campus apartment. On Nov. 12, 2022the night before their bodies were foundGoncalves and Mogen were at a nearby sports bar, while Kernodle and Chapin were at the latters fraternity party. By 2 a.m. on Nov. 13, the four roommates and Chapin were back at the three-story rental house. Goncalves was a senior majoring in general studies at the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences. She was expected to graduate in December before heading to Austin, Texas, for a job at a marketing firm, her friend Jordyn Quesnell told The New York Times. Mogen, who was studying marketing, was best friends with Goncalves since the sixth grade. She had plans to move to Boise after graduation, family friend Jessie Frost shared with The Idaho Statesman. Kernodle was a junior majoring in marketing, the University said at the time. She and Chapinwho majored in recreation, sport and tourism managementhad been dating since the spring, the roommates neighbor Ellie McKnight told NBC News.





Were There Any Survivors?

Two roommates, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, had been home at the time of the murders. In text messages that were unsealed March 6, 2025, Mortensen and Funke tried contacting their roommates on Nov. 13 after the former saw a masked man moving through the house, according to documents obtained by E! News. "No one is answering," Mortensen texted Funke at 4:22 a.m. "I'm rlly confused rn." She continued to reach out to their roommates, urging them to respond. "Pls answer," she texted Goncalves at 4:32 a.m. and again at 10:23 a.m. "R u up??" At 11:58 a.m., a 911 call was placed after Kernodle was found unresponsive, per an additional motion obtained by E! News. A woman named A1 in the transcript described the current situation to the operator. "One of the roommates who's passed out and she was drunk last night and she's not waking up," she said on the phone. "They saw some man in their house last night."





Who Is Bryan Kohberger and How Was He Found?

Bryan Kohberger, who was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary, was a doctoral candidate at Washington State University. Over one month after the bodies of Gonclaves, Mogen, Kernodle and Chapin were discovered, Kohberger was taken into custody Dec. 30 in Monroe County, Penn. He was extradited to Idaho Jan. 4, 2023. As for how authorities connected him to the killings? DNA was found on a knife sheath that was left at the crime scene, prosecutors revealed in June 2023 court documents, per NBC News. When the DNA didn't match anyone in the FBI database, authorities ran the DNA through public ancestry websites to create a list of potential suspects, according to the filings. After learning that Kohberger had driven to his parents' home in Monroe County, local officials then went through their trash and found DNA that tied him to that found on the sheath.





What Was Kohbergers Initial Defense?

At the moment, a motive for the attack has not been detailed and a gag order prevents many involved in the case from speaking publicly, NBC News reported. However, the unsealed documents provided some insight into their initial arguments. Kohberger's attorneys argued in a motion obtained by E! News to strike the death penalty that Kohbergerwho initially faced death penalty if found guilty on all countshas autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and that executing him would violate the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on "cruel and unusual punishment." His defense argued that Kohbereger "displays extremely rigid thinking, perseverates on specific topics, processes information on a piecemeal basis, struggles to plan ahead, and demonstrates little insight into his own behaviors and emotions." "Due to his ASD, Mr. Kohberger simply cannot comport himself in a manner that aligns with societal expectations of normalcy," the motion said. "This creates an unconscionable risk that he will be executed because of his disability rather than his culpability."

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Where Was the Trial Set?

Initially, Kohberger had a judge enter a not-guilty plea to the first-degree murder charges on his behalf after remaining silent at his May 2023 arraignment. Although his trial was set to begin Oct. 2, 2023, Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial in August 2023. His trial datewhich was scheduled to take place in Ada County, more than 300 miles from Latah County, where the killings took placewas set to begin Aug. 11, 2025. Latah County Judge John Judge previously ruled in favor of the transfer request made by Kohberger's defense in September 2024 based on "presumed prejudice" if the trial remained in Latah County. Ada County Judge Steven Hippler denied the defense's request to suppress key DNA and other evidence, including cell phone and email records, surveillance footage, past Amazon purchases and DNA evidence in the trial.





What Was the Verdict in the Trial?

Kohberger's murder trial was abruptly canceled after he took a plea deal from prosecutors on June 30, 2025. In accepting the deal, Kohberger agreed to plead guilty to four counts of murder and one count of burglary, as well as waive his rights to appeal and ask for a more lenient prison sentence. He entered his guilty plea on July 2, 2025, confirming with a "yes" after the judge asked if he killed all four victims "willingly, unlawfully, deliberately and with premeditation and malice with forethought."





Did Kohberger Take a Selfie After the Murders?

A selfie Kohberger took the morning after the murders took place was introduced in March 2025. The photograph, which sees him in front of a shower showing a thumbs up, displays how he may fit the description a witness identified as "D.M." gave in filings, who said the perpetrator had "bushy eyebrows." Steve Gonclaves, the father of victim Kaylee, later reacted to the image calling it a "trophy" in an interview with Fox and Friends. "I know the timeline, I know that he had just returned to the crime scene and he had come back," Gonclaves said. "He had realized that nobody had called 911." As he put it, "To him, thats his little trophy to let him know like, Hey, I got away with it, nobodys on me.





What Did Kohberger Google Before the Murders?

In a 2025 Dateline documentary about the murders, a former classmate of Kohbergers detailed a peculiar text she received from him after making his acquaintance at a party. I definitely felt a little obligated to chat with him, because to me, he seemed a little awkward, the studentidentified as Hollyexplained. Kind of like you might expect for a PhD student who didn't know anyone at the party and was maybe trying his best to kind of get out there and be social and make friends. The following day, Holly said she received a text from him, which she described as overly formal. Hey, I am pretty sure we spoke about hiking trips yesterday, Bryans text from July 10, 2022 at 1:19 p.m., read, per Dateline. I really enjoy that activity, so please let me know. Thanks! Elsewhere in the Dateline documentary, Kohbergers browsing history was found to have included searches for Ted Bundy, Britney Spears song Criminal, and the term University of Idaho Murders.

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Did Kohberger Confess to Killing Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle?

After accepting a plea deal that would spare him from the death penalty, Kohberger changed his plea to guilty in the murders of Goncalves, Mogen, Kernodle and Chapin, as well as one count of burglary, at a July 2, 2025 hearing in Idaho. When judge Hippler questioned Kohberger if he killed each victim "willingly, unlawfully, deliberately and with premeditation and malice with forethought," he replied with a firm, "Yes" for each. In taking the plea deal, Kohberger has waived his right to appeal or ask for a more lenient prison sentence, according to Hippler.





How Long Is Kohberger's Prison Sentence?

Though the families of Goncalves and Kernodle each slammed the decision to issue a plea deal, therby taking the death penalty off the table, Kohberger was officially sentenced to life in prison July 23, 2025. Judge Hippler sentenced Kohberger to four life termsto be served consecutivelywithout the possibility of parole for each count of first-degree murder, along with a $50,000 fine for each count and a $5,000 civil penalty to be paid to each of the victims' families. He also gave Kohberger 10 years and imposed a fine of $50,000 on the burglary count.



For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Originally appeared on E! Online

More details are coming to light on Bryan Kohberger's horrific crimes.

After the criminology student received four consecutive life sentences for the murders of college students Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, the victims' autopsies were released, providing new information on how the confessed killer tragically ended their lives.

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The four University of Idaho students were found dead in an off-campus apartment in Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022, with police later linking Kohberger to the case through male DNA left on a knife sheath found on a bed next to Mogen's body, per NBC News.

Now, its been revealed that Kernodle's body had more than 50 stab wounds, according to the autopsies released by the Moscow Police Department July 23 and obtained by NBC News. Authorities determined most of her injuries were sustained while she was trying to defend herself.

Meanwhile, Kernodle's boyfriend Chapin died from sharp force injuries, including a stab wound that severed the jugular vein in his neck, per a police report obtained by the Idaho Statesman.

Mogen likewise died from sharp force injuries, which are "caused by any objects or implements with cutting edge or pointed ends" and "could be either an incision or stab," according to a paper published in the National Library of Medicine.

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For more on the Idaho quadruple murder case, keep reading.

(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

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As for Goncalves, she was suffocated and additionally suffered sharp force injuries and blunt force injuries, per the autopsy obtained by NBC News.

As stated by the Cleveland Clinic, "Blunt force is when something hits you so hard that you have injuries like broken bones, internal bleeding or external bleeding from very deep cuts or wounds or head injuries like a severe concussion."

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Authorities said the attack on Goncalves made her unrecognizable, according to a police report obtained by the Statesman.

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Earlier this month, Kohberger pleaded guilty to killing all four students, responding "yes" in court when asked if he acted "willingly, unlawfully, deliberately and with premeditation and malice with forethought."

However, the 30-year-old has not shared his motives for the slayings, and prosecutors said they could not link him to the victims or provide a motive.

"We are now certain who committed these unspeakable acts of evil, but what we don't know, and what we may never know, is why," Judge Steven Hippler said in court July 23, per ABC News. "By continuing to focus on why, we continue to give Mr. Kohberger relevance [and the] spotlight, attention and power he appears to crave."

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Before the case came to a close, the victims' family and friendsincluding one of their surviving roommates, Dylan Mortensenwere able to confront Kohberger for the suffering he inflicted.

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What happened that night changed everything, Mortensen said in court. Because of him, four beautiful, genuine, compassionate people were taken from this world for no reason.

All of it is gone, she continued while crying. All of the people who loved them are left to carry that weight forever. He didnt just take them from the world. He took them from me. My friends, my people who felt like my home.

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For more on the Idaho quadruple murder case, keep reading.

(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)

Who Were Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle?

Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20, were University of Idaho students who lived in an off-campus apartment. On Nov. 12, 2022the night before their bodies were foundGoncalves and Mogen were at a nearby sports bar, while Kernodle and Chapin were at the latters fraternity party. By 2 a.m. on Nov. 13, the four roommates and Chapin were back at the three-story rental house. Goncalves was a senior majoring in general studies at the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences. She was expected to graduate in December before heading to Austin, Texas, for a job at a marketing firm, her friend Jordyn Quesnell told The New York Times. Mogen, who was studying marketing, was best friends with Goncalves since the sixth grade. She had plans to move to Boise after graduation, family friend Jessie Frost shared with The Idaho Statesman. Kernodle was a junior majoring in marketing, the University said at the time. She and Chapinwho majored in recreation, sport and tourism managementhad been dating since the spring, the roommates neighbor Ellie McKnight told NBC News.





Were There Any Survivors?

Two roommates, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, had been home at the time of the murders. In text messages that were unsealed March 6, 2025, Mortensen and Funke tried contacting their roommates on Nov. 13 after the former saw a masked man moving through the house, according to documents obtained by E! News. "No one is answering," Mortensen texted Funke at 4:22 a.m. "I'm rlly confused rn." She continued to reach out to their roommates, urging them to respond. "Pls answer," she texted Goncalves at 4:32 a.m. and again at 10:23 a.m. "R u up??" At 11:58 a.m., a 911 call was placed after Kernodle was found unresponsive, per an additional motion obtained by E! News. A woman named A1 in the transcript described the current situation to the operator. "One of the roommates who's passed out and she was drunk last night and she's not waking up," she said on the phone. "They saw some man in their house last night."





Who Is Bryan Kohberger and How Was He Found?

Bryan Kohberger, who was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary, was a doctoral candidate at Washington State University. Over one month after the bodies of Gonclaves, Mogen, Kernodle and Chapin were discovered, Kohberger was taken into custody Dec. 30 in Monroe County, Penn. He was extradited to Idaho Jan. 4, 2023. As for how authorities connected him to the killings? DNA was found on a knife sheath that was left at the crime scene, prosecutors revealed in June 2023 court documents, per NBC News. When the DNA didn't match anyone in the FBI database, authorities ran the DNA through public ancestry websites to create a list of potential suspects, according to the filings. After learning that Kohberger had driven to his parents' home in Monroe County, local officials then went through their trash and found DNA that tied him to that found on the sheath.

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What Was Kohbergers Initial Defense?

At the moment, a motive for the attack has not been detailed and a gag order prevents many involved in the case from speaking publicly, NBC News reported. However, the unsealed documents provided some insight into their initial arguments. Kohberger's attorneys argued in a motion obtained by E! News to strike the death penalty that Kohbergerwho initially faced death penalty if found guilty on all countshas autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and that executing him would violate the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on "cruel and unusual punishment." His defense argued that Kohbereger "displays extremely rigid thinking, perseverates on specific topics, processes information on a piecemeal basis, struggles to plan ahead, and demonstrates little insight into his own behaviors and emotions." "Due to his ASD, Mr. Kohberger simply cannot comport himself in a manner that aligns with societal expectations of normalcy," the motion said. "This creates an unconscionable risk that he will be executed because of his disability rather than his culpability."





Where Was the Trial Set?

Initially, Kohberger had a judge enter a not-guilty plea to the first-degree murder charges on his behalf after remaining silent at his May 2023 arraignment. Although his trial was set to begin Oct. 2, 2023, Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial in August 2023. His trial datewhich was scheduled to take place in Ada County, more than 300 miles from Latah County, where the killings took placewas set to begin Aug. 11, 2025. Latah County Judge John Judge previously ruled in favor of the transfer request made by Kohberger's defense in September 2024 based on "presumed prejudice" if the trial remained in Latah County. Ada County Judge Steven Hippler denied the defense's request to suppress key DNA and other evidence, including cell phone and email records, surveillance footage, past Amazon purchases and DNA evidence in the trial.





What Was the Verdict in the Trial?

Kohberger's murder trial was abruptly canceled after he took a plea deal from prosecutors on June 30, 2025. In accepting the deal, Kohberger agreed to plead guilty to four counts of murder and one count of burglary, as well as waive his rights to appeal and ask for a more lenient prison sentence. He entered his guilty plea on July 2, 2025, confirming with a "yes" after the judge asked if he killed all four victims "willingly, unlawfully, deliberately and with premeditation and malice with forethought."





Did Kohberger Take a Selfie After the Murders?

A selfie Kohberger took the morning after the murders took place was introduced in March 2025. The photograph, which sees him in front of a shower showing a thumbs up, displays how he may fit the description a witness identified as "D.M." gave in filings, who said the perpetrator had "bushy eyebrows." Steve Gonclaves, the father of victim Kaylee, later reacted to the image calling it a "trophy" in an interview with Fox and Friends. "I know the timeline, I know that he had just returned to the crime scene and he had come back," Gonclaves said. "He had realized that nobody had called 911." As he put it, "To him, thats his little trophy to let him know like, Hey, I got away with it, nobodys on me.

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What Did Kohberger Google Before the Murders?

In a 2025 Dateline documentary about the murders, a former classmate of Kohbergers detailed a peculiar text she received from him after making his acquaintance at a party. I definitely felt a little obligated to chat with him, because to me, he seemed a little awkward, the studentidentified as Hollyexplained. Kind of like you might expect for a PhD student who didn't know anyone at the party and was maybe trying his best to kind of get out there and be social and make friends. The following day, Holly said she received a text from him, which she described as overly formal. Hey, I am pretty sure we spoke about hiking trips yesterday, Bryans text from July 10, 2022 at 1:19 p.m., read, per Dateline. I really enjoy that activity, so please let me know. Thanks! Elsewhere in the Dateline documentary, Kohbergers browsing history was found to have included searches for Ted Bundy, Britney Spears song Criminal, and the term University of Idaho Murders.




Originally appeared on E! Online

New details are shedding light on Bryan Kohberger.

Hours after the 30-year-old was sentenced to life in prison for the November 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students, authorities released documents, viewed by E! News, that share a glimpse of the people he interacted with before the crime.

Among the documents was a March 2024 filing from lead detective Brett Payne, who spoke with a womanonly called KC and C in the supplemental documentwho alleged that she and Kohberger matched on a dating app one or two months before the murders.

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After C struggled to match with someone in her area on Tinder, per the filing, she paid for the feature to move her location anywhere in the country to meet someone further away.

C stated that she matched with Kohberger a short time later and began to talk to him, Payne wrote. C said Kohberger told her he was a criminology student at WSU. The two communicated via Tinder and planned for Kohberger to visit C when he was home for Christmas break that year.

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C then told me she had a friend who was murdered in her town a couple of years prior, he continued. She said she discussed this with Kohberger. The conversation turned to horror movies and which ones C liked the most. C told Kohberger she liked the Rob Zombie Halloween movies.

C alleged that the former studentwho will complete four consecutive life sentences for the killings of Kaylee Goncalves, Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodleasked her what she thought the worst way to die was.

C said she thought it would be a knife, she told the investigator. C said Kohberger, then asked her something to the effect of like a Ka Bar? C said she didnt know what that was and had to Google it. C said she eventually stopped talking to Kohberger because his questions made her uncomfortable.

Kyle Green-Pool/Getty Images

During their phone call, C told Payne that when Kohberger was arrested, she recognized his photo and remembered the comments about the Ka Bar knife.

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Although C told the official that she had tried to call the tip line, Payne noted in the document that he was unable to verify whether she had done so, since he stated there was no record of it. Additionally, he wrote that C told him that she could no longer access her Tinder profile and couldnt get her user ID.

This would be needed to compare the Tinder records located on Kohbergers phone, he concluded. At this time, there is nothing to corroborate Cs tip.

For a closer look at Kohbergers trial, keep reading.

Who Were Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle?

Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20, were University of Idaho students who lived in an off-campus apartment. On Nov. 12, 2022the night before their bodies were foundGoncalves and Mogen were at a nearby sports bar, while Kernodle and Chapin were at the latters fraternity party. By 2 a.m. on Nov. 13, the four roommates and Chapin were back at the three-story rental house. Goncalves was a senior majoring in general studies at the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences. She was expected to graduate in December before heading to Austin, Texas, for a job at a marketing firm, her friend Jordyn Quesnell told The New York Times. Mogen, who was studying marketing, was best friends with Goncalves since the sixth grade. She had plans to move to Boise after graduation, family friend Jessie Frost shared with The Idaho Statesman. Kernodle was a junior majoring in marketing, the University said at the time. She and Chapinwho majored in recreation, sport and tourism managementhad been dating since the spring, the roommates neighbor Ellie McKnight told NBC News.





Were There Any Survivors?

Two roommates, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, had been home at the time of the murders. In text messages that were unsealed March 6, 2025, Mortensen and Funke tried contacting their roommates on Nov. 13 after the former saw a masked man moving through the house, according to documents obtained by E! News. "No one is answering," Mortensen texted Funke at 4:22 a.m. "I'm rlly confused rn." She continued to reach out to their roommates, urging them to respond. "Pls answer," she texted Goncalves at 4:32 a.m. and again at 10:23 a.m. "R u up??" At 11:58 a.m., a 911 call was placed after Kernodle was found unresponsive, per an additional motion obtained by E! News. A woman named A1 in the transcript described the current situation to the operator. "One of the roommates who's passed out and she was drunk last night and she's not waking up," she said on the phone. "They saw some man in their house last night."





Who Is Bryan Kohberger and How Was He Found?

Bryan Kohberger, who was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary, was a doctoral candidate at Washington State University. Over one month after the bodies of Gonclaves, Mogen, Kernodle and Chapin were discovered, Kohberger was taken into custody Dec. 30 in Monroe County, Penn. He was extradited to Idaho Jan. 4, 2023. As for how authorities connected him to the killings? DNA was found on a knife sheath that was left at the crime scene, prosecutors revealed in June 2023 court documents, per NBC News. When the DNA didn't match anyone in the FBI database, authorities ran the DNA through public ancestry websites to create a list of potential suspects, according to the filings. After learning that Kohberger had driven to his parents' home in Monroe County, local officials then went through their trash and found DNA that tied him to that found on the sheath.





What Was Kohbergers Initial Defense?

At the moment, a motive for the attack has not been detailed and a gag order prevents many involved in the case from speaking publicly, NBC News reported. However, the unsealed documents provided some insight into their initial arguments. Kohberger's attorneys argued in a motion obtained by E! News to strike the death penalty that Kohbergerwho initially faced death penalty if found guilty on all countshas autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and that executing him would violate the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on "cruel and unusual punishment." His defense argued that Kohbereger "displays extremely rigid thinking, perseverates on specific topics, processes information on a piecemeal basis, struggles to plan ahead, and demonstrates little insight into his own behaviors and emotions." "Due to his ASD, Mr. Kohberger simply cannot comport himself in a manner that aligns with societal expectations of normalcy," the motion said. "This creates an unconscionable risk that he will be executed because of his disability rather than his culpability."

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Where Was the Trial Set?

Initially, Kohberger had a judge enter a not-guilty plea to the first-degree murder charges on his behalf after remaining silent at his May 2023 arraignment. Although his trial was set to begin Oct. 2, 2023, Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial in August 2023. His trial datewhich was scheduled to take place in Ada County, more than 300 miles from Latah County, where the killings took placewas set to begin Aug. 11, 2025. Latah County Judge John Judge previously ruled in favor of the transfer request made by Kohberger's defense in September 2024 based on "presumed prejudice" if the trial remained in Latah County. Ada County Judge Steven Hippler denied the defense's request to suppress key DNA and other evidence, including cell phone and email records, surveillance footage, past Amazon purchases and DNA evidence in the trial.





What Was the Verdict in the Trial?

Kohberger's murder trial was abruptly canceled after he took a plea deal from prosecutors on June 30, 2025. In accepting the deal, Kohberger agreed to plead guilty to four counts of murder and one count of burglary, as well as waive his rights to appeal and ask for a more lenient prison sentence. He entered his guilty plea on July 2, 2025, confirming with a "yes" after the judge asked if he killed all four victims "willingly, unlawfully, deliberately and with premeditation and malice with forethought."





Did Kohberger Take a Selfie After the Murders?

A selfie Kohberger took the morning after the murders took place was introduced in March 2025. The photograph, which sees him in front of a shower showing a thumbs up, displays how he may fit the description a witness identified as "D.M." gave in filings, who said the perpetrator had "bushy eyebrows." Steve Gonclaves, the father of victim Kaylee, later reacted to the image calling it a "trophy" in an interview with Fox and Friends. "I know the timeline, I know that he had just returned to the crime scene and he had come back," Gonclaves said. "He had realized that nobody had called 911." As he put it, "To him, thats his little trophy to let him know like, Hey, I got away with it, nobodys on me.





What Did Kohberger Google Before the Murders?

In a 2025 Dateline documentary about the murders, a former classmate of Kohbergers detailed a peculiar text she received from him after making his acquaintance at a party. I definitely felt a little obligated to chat with him, because to me, he seemed a little awkward, the studentidentified as Hollyexplained. Kind of like you might expect for a PhD student who didn't know anyone at the party and was maybe trying his best to kind of get out there and be social and make friends. The following day, Holly said she received a text from him, which she described as overly formal. Hey, I am pretty sure we spoke about hiking trips yesterday, Bryans text from July 10, 2022 at 1:19 p.m., read, per Dateline. I really enjoy that activity, so please let me know. Thanks! Elsewhere in the Dateline documentary, Kohbergers browsing history was found to have included searches for Ted Bundy, Britney Spears song Criminal, and the term University of Idaho Murders.

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Did Kohberger Confess to Killing Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle?

After accepting a plea deal that would spare him from the death penalty, Kohberger changed his plea to guilty in the murders of Goncalves, Mogen, Kernodle and Chapin, as well as one count of burglary, at a July 2, 2025 hearing in Idaho. When judge Hippler questioned Kohberger if he killed each victim "willingly, unlawfully, deliberately and with premeditation and malice with forethought," he replied with a firm, "Yes" for each. In taking the plea deal, Kohberger has waived his right to appeal or ask for a more lenient prison sentence, according to Hippler.





How Long Is Kohberger's Prison Sentence?

Though the families of Goncalves and Kernodle each slammed the decision to issue a plea deal, therby taking the death penalty off the table, Kohberger was officially sentenced to life in prison July 23, 2025. Judge Hippler sentenced Kohberger to four life termsto be served consecutivelywithout the possibility of parole for each count of first-degree murder, along with a $50,000 fine for each count and a $5,000 civil penalty to be paid to each of the victims' families. He also gave Kohberger 10 years and imposed a fine of $50,000 on the burglary count.



For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
(NewsNation)  Idaho police have begun releasing investigative reports related to Bryan Kohberger, who pleaded guilty to killing four college students in 2022.

The Moscow police department released authorized files Wednesday afternoon after Kohberger was handed four consecutive life sentences for the brutal killings.

Live updates: Bryan Kohberger police documents released after sentencing

Judge Steven Hippler had imposed a gag order in 2023 at the beginning of the legal process in order to preserve the integrity of the case, but lifted it last week citing Kohbergers guilty plea.

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Hippler specifically stated that doing away with the gag order does not convert sealed documents to unsealed documents, and that the process to unseal wont start until after sentencing

Kohberger brutally murdered Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin in an off-campus Idaho home in November 2022.

Kohbergers Tinder match interviewed by police

He took a plea deal, agreeing to serve four life sentences for the slayings. He confessed to killing them in court, avoiding a trial where prosecutors intended to seek the death penalty.

The former criminology student sat expressionless as several family and friends of the four young victims made emotional impact statements in court.

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The hundreds of case files reveal the harrowing scene responding officers found when they got to the house. They also detail interviews with surviving roommates, inmates who were housed with Kohberger, and someone he matched with on Tinder.

Bryan Kohberger given 4 consecutive life sentences

Investigators spoke to a former coworker who described seeing injuries on his face and hands in November 2022. They also uncovered a Reddit post with a survey asking participants to provide information to understand how emotions and psychological traits influence decision making when committing a crime.

Kohberger was transferred to state prison on Wednesday night, where he is expected to spend the rest of his life without the chance of parole.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Canadian National lowered its outlook for the year  and pulled its longer-term guidance Tuesday  in response to ongoing trade- and tariff-related economic uncertainty.

CN (NYSE: CNI) delivered the news while releasing its second-quarter financial results, which included higher operating income despite lower revenue and flat volume.

A few months ago, trade deals seemed imminent. And instead there is an increasing uncertainty around the tariff and trade environment, particularly in Canada, CEO Tracy Robinson told investors and analysts on the companys earnings call.

The current and threatened U.S. tariffs on Canada include a 35% tariff on various Canadian goods set to take effect on Aug. 1, alongside existing tariffs of 25% on certain imports and 50% on steel and aluminum.

The trade disputes, along with softening economic conditions, have had a negative impact on CNs forest products, metals, international intermodal, and automotive traffic. Overall for the quarter, volume was down 1% based on revenue ton-miles and flat when measured by carloads and containers.

Strong bulk volumes  including grain and potash  and domestic intermodal growth were unable to offset declines in international intermodal and merchandise volume, said Janet Drysdale, interim chief commercial officer. Although grain and fertilizer revenue was up 12%, revenue declined in intermodal, automotive, and every merchandise segment.

As volume softened, CN took steps to reduce costs, including furloughing train crews and storing locomotives. This team has proactively and progressively adjusted the operating plan resources throughout the quarter, maintaining good tensions between costs and network fluidity and performance, Robinson said.

As a result, operating income increased 5%, to $1.2 billion, as revenue declined 1%, to $3.13 billion. Earnings per share rose 7%, to $1.37. The railways operating ratio improved 2.3 points, to 61.7%. CN trimmed its $2.5 billion capital budget by $36.7 million.

CN now expects to deliver earnings per share growth of between 5% and 9%, down from previous guidance of 10% to 15% growth. And the railway withdrew its 2024-2026 outlook, which was drawn up prior to trade disputes that have weighed on the railways merchandise and intermodal volumes. Further complicating CNs financial outlook: Unfavorable exchange rates that have a negative impact on earnings per share.

Nonetheless, CN still expects several growth projects in Western Canada to come online as expected over the next couple of years.

Derek Taylor, CNs chief field operations officer, said CN ratched down costs as merchandise volume declined. At the end of the quarter, 560 train and engine crew members were on furlough, 200 locomotives were parked, and 4,000 additional freight cars were stored.
By Libby George and Rodrigo Campos

LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) -The International Monetary Fund plans a mission to Senegal in August to address hidden debt and start talks on the "contours" of a new loan programme, it said on Thursday.

Senegal is grappling with billions in debts hidden by the previous administration, which have prompted the IMF to freeze its loan programme.

"The purpose of the mission is going to be to discuss the steps needed to bring the misreporting case to our executive board," IMF communications director Julie Kozack said in a media briefing in Washington. "The team will also use the opportunity to initiate discussions on the contours of a new IMF-supported program for Senegal."

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Separately, another Fund spokesperson said via email that it needs more data before it can firm up its assessment on Senegal's debt situation and also needs an agreement on key remedial measures.

The IMF's executive board must either approve a misreporting waiver - many investors' base case - or order Senegal to pay back previous programme disbursements. With a waiver, Senegal could negotiate a new programme.

"Once we have reached agreement on the key corrective measures, the IMF Board will be in a position to consider the Senegal misreporting case and take a decision," a spokesperson for the Fund said in response to emailed questions from Reuters.

An agreement on these measures could be reached "hopefully within the coming weeks," that spokesperson added.

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Bonds jumped on the news. The euro-denominated 2028 bond gained more than 3 cents to bid at 82.88 cents on the euro, and the 2033 dollar-denominated bond gained nearly 3 cents to bid at 70.64 cents on the dollar.

DEBT ICEBERG

The IMF estimates - based on latest data from Senegalese authorities - that hidden debt stood at $11.3 billion by end-2023, the spokesperson added. This included a portion for state-owned enterprises of about 7.4% of GDP.

There have been a range of estimates.

S&P pegged the total hidden debt discovered since October 2024 at roughly $13 billion.

The size of the hidden debt has escalated since September 2024, when the then newly elected government said an audit of government finances first flagged the issue.

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The scale dwarfs Mozambique's infamous "tuna bond" scandal -the most recent hidden debt case, which involved roughly $3 billion.

The spokesperson said that the IMF, which has come under fire for not catching the off-the-books lending, will present information to the board on how it went undetected.

"The IMF is conducting an internal assessment and diagnostic as part of the misreporting process," the spokesperson added.

(Reporting by Libby George in London and Rodrigo Campos in New York, writing by Karin Strohecker, editing by Dhara Ranasinghe)
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  President Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill was approved by the Senate on July 4, impacting immigration policies nationwide. But in Rochester, immigration crackdowns have already reshaped the local workforce.

U.S. Border Patrol estimates that the immigrant population in the United States has decreased by more than 770,000 people since January  largely due to increased ICE activity and deportations. For industries like agriculture, construction, transportation and food service  which often rely heavily on foreign-born employees  decreased immigration means decreased profits.

Career fields such as agriculture, construction, transportation and food service employ a large number of foreign-born workers. Without them, employers are left without labor, revenue and, in some cases, their livelihoods.

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The Western New York Coalition of Farmworker Serving Agencies is working to address those concerns at its annual Outreach Worker Conference. The event will include training for organizations, staff and frontline employees focused on understanding the perspectives of immigrant, migrant and farm workers.

Irene Sanchez, executive director of the Coalition, said the shortage of foreign-born workers will have a serious impact on Rochesters economy.

Farm work is needed year-round, she said. We are the second- or third-largest producer of milk in the entire nation. Were the second-largest producer of apples. We have over 52 different commodities coming from New York state alone.

One concerned resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said the consequences of stricter immigration enforcement are already visible.

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Immigrants are the backbone of the local agricultural and construction industry, they said. The roofers and siders have been easy targets for ICE to round up. I know numerous roofing crews who have been detained. I know multiple roofing and siding companies who have lost all of their crews and now cant fulfill jobs they previously agreed to.

Many have been here for 15-plus years and have established families and businesses. They pay taxes. Theyve never gotten in trouble. They are doing everything right. They are exactly the folks we need here. Theyre doing the work that no one else wants to do.

According to a study from the U.S. Department of Labor, nearly 75% of agricultural workers are Hispanic, and about 66% of those workers are non-citizen immigrants.

Employers have tried to find workers here in the United States, Sanchez said. But they couldnt find anybody willing to do the job.

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Those wishing to attend the Coalitions Outreach Worker Conference can register online at wnycoalition.org.

The immigrant labor force is so needed in our community, Sanchez added. Its embedded in our community, and the economic and cultural impact of losing that workforce will be devastating for us.

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Customers are perplexed to find a South Omaha store along the main South 24th Street business district closed at mid-morning on June 10, the day of an immigration raid at Glenn Valley Foods. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

The uncertainty of our immigration system is no longer an abstract policy debate. Its an immediate threat to Nebraskas workforce, classrooms and communities.

We need leadership that recognizes whats at risk: people who keep our towns strong, our children supported and our economy functioning.

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The current approach to immigration is not balanced, and the damage is mounting.

Immigration agents converge on Glenn Valley Foods June 10 for an immigration raid. (Courtesy of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

Families across our state are now caught in immigration limbo, not because theyve done something wrong, but because of outdated immigration laws, systemic inefficiencies and abrupt policy shifts.

Individuals who were working legally, under valid protections, have seen those protections revoked with no timely path to renewal. Many are now being forced into the complex and overloaded asylum process, with six-month waits for work permits if theyre eligible at all.

The recent raids at Glenn Valley Foods made clear how deeply broken the system has become. Despite new Department of Homeland Security directives that claim to prioritize targeted enforcement, what we witnessed was mass detention with little regard for due process.

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Workers were taken without access to legal counsel, including some transferred across the state without notifying their families, and many were pressured to sign documents they did not understand.

These actions contradict both the spirit and the letter of due process protections. When federal policy is applied in ways that sidestep transparency and accountability, it leaves entire communities in fear and families without answers.

That means families cant earn income, and employers lose talented people they depend on. Nebraskas economy counts on their contributions. Approximately 140,000 Nebraskans are foreign-born, and 86,000 more are the U.S.-born children of immigrants.

Together, we contribute over $1.3 billion in state and local taxes each year. Losing that stability is a lose-lose scenario for immigrant families and for all Nebraskans.

Systemic changes needed

We are in the midst of a workforce crisis, a community crisis and at a moment when legal processes are being systematically undermined. Public schools are stretched even thinner after losing professionals who provide essential academic and emotional support. Local businesses are struggling to stay open.

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Employers in key industries, including hospitality, food processing, construction and healthcare, are facing major labor shortages. Nursing homes are losing essential caregivers. Entire families are going silent: afraid, uncertain, unsure of where to turn.

The immigration system in the U.S. is exclusionary by design, built to restrict, delay and deter. And yet Nebraskas demographics tell a different story about what the state truly needs.

About 400 people protested after an ICE raid at Glenn Valley Foods in Omaha. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

With an aging population, low birth rates and widespread labor shortages, Nebraska is increasingly dependent on immigrants to sustain its economy and communities. Our states future vitality hinges on our ability to welcome and retain new residents, not push them into fear and instability.

Immigration isnt just a national issue, its an issue that matters to Nebraskas survival. The collateral damage of the current approach is not public safety, it is fear and desperation. Families are trapped in an in-between space, unable to return to the countries they fled and forced to navigate a system riddled with contradictions: Do it the right way, we say. But then we close every door that leads to right.

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Increased vulnerability is the reliable outcome. When people fear that seeking help could lead to detention or deportation, they become easy targets for scams, labor exploitation and human trafficking.

Weve seen workers endure unsafe or unpaid conditions rather than risk contact with authorities. Weve heard stories of domestic violence survivors choosing silence over calling the police. When families are pushed into the shadows, abuse goes unreported, crimes go un-investigated, and justice becomes inaccessible.

Our communities are safer and more stable when every resident feels safe enough to ask for help.

The current form of immigration enforcement fractures neighborhoods, disrupts classrooms, destabilizes entire sectors and erodes the trust that holds communities together. Border security matters, but security without humanity undermines the very values that make Nebraskans proud  values like hard work, family, and mutual care.

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This is about people.

How people can help

What can we do?

There are practical, bipartisan solutions already embedded in law. We just need the will to act.

 Create a path to residency for Dreamers and Temporary Protected Status holders: These are Nebraskans who have grown up here, worked here and given back. They deserve a future rooted in security, not uncertainty.

 Reduce reliance on temporary visas and create pathways for individuals to present their cases for legal status based on community ties, work history and humanitarian need, not just narrow categories.

 Update the registry date: This long-standing immigration law allows people whove lived in the U.S. for decades to apply for permanent residency and stand in line as we ask. However, it hasnt been updated in 39 years. Moving the date forward could provide relief to hundreds of thousands of long-settled residents using existing law.

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To those watching from a distance, come closer. People who want to help can support legal funds. They can give and support the organizers and nonprofits helping families. Show up. Be an active participant in the decisions that are being made around you and about you. Learn your neighbors names.

Most of all, Nebraskans can challenge the dangerous narrative that enforcement equals safety. Because real safety doesnt come from raids or revoked protections. It comes from earned trust, from stability and from the dignity of being seen.

Lina Traslavina Stover is executive director of the Heartland Workers Center, based in Omaha, but with satellite offices around the state. She is a sociologist and educator.

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Act 662 is set to go into effect August 5, allowing prosecutors to seek the death penalty against child rapists.

The statute stems from Arkansas Senate Bill 375 from the 2025 Regular Session, with state Sen. Matt Stone, a Republican from Camden.

Brandon Carter, the Prosecuting Attorney for Arkansas Fourth Judicial District, says the new statute looks different from what is currently in place.

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Federal court hearing held over Ten Commandments lawsuit

Right now, the maximum penalty for any kind of rape in Arkansas is life in prison, Carter said. The only thing I can compare it to is deciding whether somebody should be charged with Capital Murder.

The offense is called capital rape and it applies to children aged 13 years or younger.

Carter says the statute carries a hefty penalty that will not be taken lightly.

The capital rape tool that the legislature is giving us That is a very deliberate process. And it should be, you know, because youre dealing with somebodys life. It is not something to be considered on a whim, Carter said. If we are ever presented with a case that meets one of the narrow criteria that exist for capital rape, well go through the process very deliberately to determine if it should be pursued or not.

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The last time an Arkansan was put on death row for the crime of rape was in 1956. Since then, a United States Supreme Court bench ruled the death penalty unconstitutional in the case of rape, saying it was a violation of Eighth Amendment rights in Kennedy vs. Louisiana.

Carter believes pre-existing court proceedings like Kennedy vs. Louisiana could present challenges with the law.

Anybody thats convicted of capital rape is certainly going to challenge the constitutionality of the statute and their conviction That presents a challenge to prosecutors, because if the laws overturned, youre dealing with a situation where youre going to have to try a case twice, Carter said.

The bill can be read in its entirety here.

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The Chief Constable of Essex, Ben-Julian Harrington, spoke to journalists yesterday about the policing operation in Epping on July 17 and the violent clashes, wrecked police vans, and injured officers that resulted on that and later evenings. The disorder occurred when a peaceful protest was held by people from the town against illegal migrants housed in a hotel where one of the occupants had been charged with sexually assaulting a local girl.

There were many questions for Essex police to answer, including the allegation first denied, then accepted, by the force that they escorted counter-protestors  some of who were masked  into an already volatile situation. He called his own press conference where journalists were quite reasonably expecting him to explain these odd tactical choices. He ended 20 minutes of what can only be described as bloviating word salad telling Charlie Peters of GB News: Its not for me to comment and criticise or indeed examine that operation.

It begs the question of what the press conference was for? And indeed, what is a Chief Constable for? Mr Harrington spent a lot of his opening remarks defending the handling of the protest as a valiant attempt by police to guarantee the rights of free assembly and free speech for everyone.

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The Human Rights Act was invoked more than once. Yet there is a profound misunderstanding in this interpretation of article 11 of the European Convention of Human Rights, which is enacted in our domestic law. This is the right that covers free assembly, including protests. Importantly, it is not an absolute right, but heavily qualified.

Signatory states including the UK can lawfully restrict that right in the following circumstances: in the interests of national security or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals or for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.

If this seems a bit esoteric, I take it to mean that far from escorting masked protestors into an emotional gathering of townspeople, there was every right and reason for Essex constabulary to have kept this rabble from connecting with the larger, until then peaceful, gathering outside the Bell Hotel. But this was in fact facilitated.

As it was, the policing operation was clearly overwhelmed. Leadership is about admitting mistakes as well as celebrating success. While it is clearly not in anyones interests to disclose tactics for future demonstrations, this could have been an opportunity for some welcome reflection on a police response that seemed perversely determined to drive two antithetical groups with violent fringes into each other. As usual, the front-line police officers stuck in the middle suffered.

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Beyond what I think was an obvious and serious failure to anticipate and properly manage a foreseeable public order risk, there are bigger fish to fry than Mr Harringtons bizarre obfuscation. Illegal migrants housed in hotels across the country have been parachuted into small communities usually with no consent from locals and precious little risk assessment by authorities.

Chris Philp, the shadow Home Secretary, has complained that there hundreds and hundreds of illegal immigrants who are housed in taxpayer-funded hotels and have committed multiple cases of rape, sexual assault, theft, violence and arson.

The cultural dissonance between predominantly young migrant men from Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Eritrea, and Sudan and the local population, Philp said, is producing a public safety crisis for women and girls. The police, learning nothing from last years spasm of national social disorder after the murders of children in Southport, has called the disorder thuggery.

That is the end of people not being listened to, not the beginning. Violence like what weve seen in Epping and will see elsewhere should never be endorsed. But dismissing legitimate fears as bigotry and tolerating disastrous policing appears to be as big a problem.

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An Indian company delivered $1.4 million worth of military explosives to Russia last December, ignoring U.S. warnings on potential sanctions, Reuters reported on July 24, citing data from Indian customs.

New Delhi has maintained a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, calling for a peaceful solution while fostering an economic relationship with Moscow.

Among the Russian companies listed as recipients of the explosive substance octogen, also known as HMX, is Promsintez, an explosives producer that has ties to the Russian military, a Ukrainian Security Service official told Reuters.

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According to the Pentagon's Defense Technical Information Center and related defense research programs, octogen is commonly used in missile and torpedo warheads, rocket engines, explosive shells, and plastic explosives for advanced military systems.

The U.S. government has labeled the substance "critical for Russia's military efforts" and has warned financial institutions against enabling its sales to Moscow.

India has resisted U.S. pressure to distance itself from Moscow, preserving its decades-old defense and economic relationship. Its crude oil purchases from Russia have held firm, despite Western efforts to isolate the Kremlin through sweeping sanctions.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 100% tariff on countries that continued purchasing Russian crude oil.

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Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Department has the authority to sanction entities involved in the sale of octogen and similar materials to Russia, three sanctions lawyers confirmed to the news agency.

However, Reuters has found no indication that the shipments of octogen violated Indian government policy. An Indian official familiar with the matter told the news agency that the compound, while primarily used in military applications, has some limited civilian uses as well.

India's Ministry of External Affairs said the country exports dual-use goods "into account its international obligations on non-proliferation, and based on its robust legal and regulatory framework that includes a holistic assessment of relevant criteria on such exports."

The U.S. State Department declined to comment on the specific shipments identified by Reuters but said it had repeatedly warned India that companies involved in military-related trade with Russia could face sanctions.

Read also: Trump announces US-EU arms agreement including aid for Ukraine

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WAXHAW, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A South Carolina man was arrested Wednesday after being accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in Waxhaw.

According to the Waxhaw Police Department, 22-year-old Philip J Emerson, of Indian Land, is in custody after a months-long investigation into alleged child sex crimes. Detectives believe that Emerson crossed the state border to sexually assault the teen last summer at a home in the Millbridge community.

Suspected Pageland Watermelon Festival shooter charged, booked into jail

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Emerson waived his right to extradition and was charged with statutory rape of a child and statutory sexual offense of a child.

This case was first reported in May. In North Carolina, there is no statute of limitations for felony crimes.

Emerson is currently being held under a $150,000 secured bond. His next court date is scheduled for Sept. 19.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Waxhaw Police at 704-843-0353.

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By Stephen Nellis

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Wednesday recommended implementing export controls that would verify the location of advanced artificial intelligence chips, a move that was applauded by U.S. lawmakers from both parties in both houses of Congress.

The recommendation was part of a broader AI blueprint released on Wednesday that aimed to boost exports of AI hardware and software to U.S. allies and relax U.S. environmental rules to speed the construction of new AI data centers.

But the plan released Wednesday also said the U.S. should continue denying access to advanced U.S. AI chips made by companies like Nvidia and AMD to foreign adversaries. It added the U.S. government should "explore leveraging new and existing location verification features on advanced AI compute to ensure that the chips are not in countries of concern."

The recommendation drew support from two lawmakers who previously introduced bills that would require location verification of chips after sale over concerns that they are finding their way to countries such as China, where their export is banned.

Key details - such as how the technology would be implemented and how much cost it would add - remain to be worked out, both in the proposed bills and the Trump administration's recommendations.

"I was encouraged to see that the recommended export control policy includes location verification mechanisms and aligns closely with our bipartisan Chip Security Act. I look forward to learning more of the technical details and next steps for end-use verification," Representative Bill Foster, an Illinois Democrat who helped introduce a chip-location bill in May, told Reuters.

"Senator Cotton was pleased to see verification included in President Trumps AI Action Plan, as its a vital part of his bipartisan, bicameral Chip Security Act and an important tool to keep advanced American technology out of the hands of Communist China," said Patrick McCann, a spokesperson for Senator Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican who introduced a similar bill in the U.S. Senate.

(Reporting by Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Editing by Jamie Freed)
Only 51.7% of 2023 graduates enrolled in college within a year of finishing high school, according to new data released by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Fewer than 52% of Indiana high school graduates from the Class of 2023 went directly to college, according to the latest data quietly released by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.

Thats the states lowest rate in recent history and a continued decline from its previous plateau.

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Just 51.7% of 2023 graduates, about 39,000 students, enrolled in college within a year of finishing high school, data showed. Thats down from a steady 53% between 2020 and 2022, and far below the states peak of 65% a decade ago.

Around 36% of all graduating seniors enrolled in one of Indianas public two- or four-year institutions, followed by 8% who chose a private college or university.

Another 7.6% went to a school outside of Indiana, according to the data.

The figures, posted to the agencys website earlier this month, reflect concerns state leaders have long expressed about Indianas declining college-going culture, especially as the state shifts focus toward career credentials and work-based learning.

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The startling drop in our college-going rate yet again can be credited to the lack of two things: money and morale, said Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, in a statement released Wednesday.

While our governor has been taking a victory lap for getting our state universities to freeze tuition, he has failed to guarantee that his move will not decrease financial aid and scholarship opportunities, DeLaney continued. Any lack of opportunity for tuition support will lead to more Hoosiers not being able to afford college and being forced to choose a different path.

The 2023 numbers come just six months after the State Board of Education commission approved sweeping changes to Indianas high school diploma, set to take effect statewide in 2029, that emphasize work-based learning and career readiness over traditional college preparation.

High schoolers will be required to earn at least one diploma seal to graduate, including options for employment or postsecondary readiness. While some seal options are specifically geared toward college-bound students, graduates will no longer be required to complete all the coursework or meet other criteria typically expected for college admission.

Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, sits in the House Education Committee on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle)

DeLaney maintained that Republican leaders have been devaluing the opportunities that our colleges and universities can offer students.

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At the same time, the supermajority has made attacking colleges and universities the centerpiece of their culture war agenda  from policing what can be taught in the classroom, to forcing institutions to eliminate hundreds of degree options, to creating an entirely new high school diploma that emphasizes the path directly into the workforce, the lawmaker said.

Trying to bury this report in a website and not send a press release is a telling sign that the Commission on Higher Education knows this does not look good, and does not act to fix it, DeLaney added. It simply isnt important enough to them. They are busy eliminating college courses and creating new tests. This is what the legislature has asked them to do.

CHE had not issued a press release on the latest data as of Wednesday.

Indianas college-going rate has dropped more than any other state tracked by the National Center for Education Statistics over the past 15 years.

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Previously, Indiana reached a college-going rate of 65%.

We set a goal to get it back when it slumped, DeLaney recalled. Now, it doesnt seem like we care to address the issue. That is a shame for our students, a shame for our economy, and a shame for our state.

Earlier this year, Republican lawmakers passed additional legislation requiring public colleges to eliminate low-enrollment degree programs. So far, Indianas public colleges and universities have collectively cut or consolidated more than 400 academic degree programs.

The supermajority has been in power for 20 years and this is their achievement, DeLaney said. At some point we have to ask ourselves: is a declining college-going rate not the result they want?

By the numbers

According to the numbers published on CHEs online college-going dashboard, 85.6% of students who took and passed an Advanced Placement exam enrolled in college, and 64.6% of dual credit earners enrolled in college.

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Of the 2,625 graduates who earned the Indiana College Core, which comes with a block of 30 general education credits that can be transferred to and accepted at colleges across the state, 90.7% enrolled in higher education. Of those who earned an associate degree, 86.3% enrolled in college compared to 63.6% of those who earned another type of credential.

A quarter of postsecondary enrollees, 25%, are seeking STEM-related degrees, while:

17.8% enrolled in business and communications programs

16% enrolled in health programs

11% enrolled in social and behavioral sciences and human services programs

9.9% enrolled in arts and humanities programs

7.4% enrolled in trades programs

5.8% enrolled in education programs

7% were undecided

College-going among male students dropped to 45%, compared to 59% for female students  widening an existing gender gap.

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Among racial groups, Asian and white students had the highest college-going rates, at 70.7% and 54%, respectively. The college-going rates among other racial groups lagged, though, at 45.5% for Black students, and 41.7% for Hispanic students.

The rate for students from low-income backgrounds  as measured by eligibility for free or reduced lunch  was 38.7%, compared to about 60% for their higher-income peers.

Of the 2023 graduates who were part of Indianas 21st Century Scholars program, more than 78% went on to college, according the the new data. The scholarship fund covers full tuition and fees at Indiana colleges and universities for low-income students, who enroll in the 8th grade.

Also previewed in the data was an update on the Class of 2022.

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The CHE dashboard showed 53% of the 2022 cohort that enrolled in a postsecondary program within a year after high school graduation met all three early college success benchmarks: they did not need remediation; they completed all courses they attempted during their first year of enrollment; and they persisted to their second year of schooling.

According to the latest numbers, 77.5% of the 2022 cohort that enrolled in a postsecondary program persisted to the second year.

This story has been updated to clarify specific college-going data at two- and four-year Indiana colleges, and among 21st Century Scholars.

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The sprawling USDA plans to relocate at least 2,600 employees away from the Washington, D.C. area to five hubs, including one in Indiana. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Indianas capital city will serve as one of five new U.S. Department of Agriculture regional hubs, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Thursday.

American agriculture feeds, clothes, and fuels this nation and the world, and it is long past time the Department better serve the great and patriotic farmers, ranchers, and producers we are mandated to support, Rollins said in a news release.

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The sprawling agency plans to relocate at least 2,600 employees away from the Washington, D.C. area.

President Trump was elected to make real change in Washington, and we are doing just that by moving our key services outside the beltway and into great American cities across the country, Rollins added.

USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins testifies before a U.S. Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. (Senate webcast)

Republican Sen. Jim Banks, Indianas junior U.S. senator, dubbed the announcement huge news for Indiana.

He led a group of Hoosier agriculture stakeholders that met with Rollins to pitch Indiana as a hub location, according to a release from his office.

I am grateful to President Trump and Secretary Rollins for recognizing the strength and vision our state and agricultural leaders demonstrated during our meeting last month, Banks said. This is a win-win for Indiana and taxpayers across the country. It means real economic growth here at home and an agency thats more efficient and focused on what matters most.

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Indianas senior GOP U.S. Sen. Todd Young also celebrated the news in a social media post: Very exciting news for Hoosiers  Indianapolis has been selected as one of five new @USDA regional hub locations. Great to see these services move outside of DC and into places like Indiana that feed our nation.

Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith said hes thrilled the USDA chose Indianapolis as one of its five hubs, Lieutenant Governor Micah Beckwith said. Having services and decision-makers in the Hoosier state naturally gives our rural communities an advantage in agricultural innovation.

He oversees the Indiana State Department of Agriculture.

A Thursday memorandum  effective immediately  said the reorganization will align USDAs workforce with its budget, bring the agency closer to its customers, eliminate layers of bureaucracy and consolidate redundant functions.

Reorgs priorities

The memo called the reorganization a way to make certain USDA can afford its workforce.

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It noted that, over the last four years, the number of employees grew by about 8%, and their salaries increased more than 14%  with the pay often backed by temporary funding.

As of Thursday, over 15,300 people have taken the agency up on its offer to quit their jobs through the deferred resignation program. The memo said USDA plans to keep fully leverag(ing) such voluntary programs  even though the agency had to recruit for some recently vacated key positions, National Public Radio reported.

USDA also hopes to spread its workforce out.

About 4,600 employees work within the D.C. metropolitan area, which has a high cost of living. The agency plans to relocate more than half of those employees to five hubs, keeping no more than 2,000 near D.C.

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That would put USDA closer to the people it serves while achieving savings to the American taxpayer, according to the memo.

Indianapolis  Indianas capital city  is one of the hubs.

Representatives from the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, Purdue University, AgriNovus Indiana, Corteva Agriscience, Elanco, and Becks Hybrids at a delegation meeting with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, led by U.S. Sen. Jim Banks of Indiana, on June 10th, 2025. (Courtesy Banks office)

The others are located in Colorado, Missouri, North Carolina and Utah. All the hubs have lower cost of living than the D.C. area.

Multiple sub-agencies  like the National Agricultural Statistics Service, the Food and Nutrition Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service  have lots of regions and will consolidate into the five hubs.

To be clear, all critical functions of the Department will continue uninterrupted, the news release said. For example, the Forest Service will consolidate, but will take into consideration the ongoing fire season, according to the memo.

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USDA will maintain two human resources sites in Minnesota and New Mexico, plus critical services centers and laboratories in Missouri, Montana and Nebraska. Several D.C. area buildings would be vacated.

Rollins said USDA will restructure itself through a transparent and common-sense process that preserves USDAs critical health and public safety services the American public relies on.

We will do right by the great American people who we serve and with respect to the thousands of hardworking USDA employees who so nobly serve their country, she said.

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New Release: Farm, merge, grow and expand your land in this new puzzle game!

New Release: Farm, merge, grow and expand your land in this new puzzle game!
DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP)  Indonesian authorities said they recently arrested a Brazilian man and a South African woman accused of smuggling cocaine, while a court sentenced two groups of foreigners to prison on drug charges.

The sentences were considered lenient as Indonesia typically hands out severe punishments for drug smuggling, including the death penalty.

A 25-year-old Brazilian man, identified by the initials YB, was arrested July 13 shortly after arriving from Dubai and charged with carrying 3,086 grams (6.8 pounds) of cocaine in his suitcase and backpack at Bali's Ngurah Rai international airport, said Made Sinar Subawa, head of the Eradication Division at Balis Narcotic Agency.

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The same day, customs officers seized 990 grams (2.1 pounds) of cocaine they say was being carried in the underwear of a 32-year-old South African woman, identified as LN, Subawa said.

In Denpasar District Court on Thursday, judges sentenced a group of three British nationals to one year in jail for drug offenses after a charge that could carry the death penalty was dropped.

Jonathan Christopher Collyer, 28, and his partner Lisa Ellen Stocker, 29, were arrested Feb. 1 after customs officers found 993 grams (2.2 pounds) of cocaine worth an estimated 6 billion rupiah ($368,000). The drugs were hidden among sachets of powdered dessert mix.

Two days later, authorities arrested Phineas Ambrose Float, 31, after a delivery of the drugs arranged by police.

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During their June trial, defense lawyers argued their clients were unaware the food given to them in England contained cocaine. The three-judge panel handed down one-year prison terms for each defendant minus time served, making them eligible for release in seven months.

Separately, an Argentine woman was sentenced to seven years and a British man received a five-year sentence with a fine of 1 billion rupiah ($61,380) on charges of smuggling cocaine to Bali.

Eleonora Gracia, 46, was arrested in March at Balis airport with 244 grams (0.5 pounds) of cocaine. Authorities alleged she handed over the cocaine to Elliot James Shaw, 50, during a police sting operation at a Bali hotel.

About 530 people are on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes, including 96 foreigners, according to Ministry of Immigration and Corrections data. Indonesias last executions of a citizen and three foreigners were carried out in July 2016. The country has upheld a moratorium on execution since 2017.

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President Prabowo Subianto has moved to repatriate several high-profile foreign inmates, all sentenced to death or life in prison for drug offenses, back to their home countries since he took office in October.

A British woman, Lindsay Sandiford, now 69, has been on death row in Indonesia for more than a decade. She was arrested in 2012 with 3.8 kilograms (8.4 pounds) of cocaine in her luggage.

Serge Atlaoui, an ailing Frenchman, returned to France in February after Jakarta and Paris agreed to repatriate him on humanitarian grounds.

Indonesia took Mary Jane Veloso off death row and returned her to the Philippines in December. In the same month, the government sent to Australia the five remaining members of a drug ring known as the Bali Nine.

___

Karmini reported from Jakarta, Indonesia.
Though the motive behind University of Idaho killer Bryan Kohberger's violent attack remains unknown, the former police chief says "new information could come out still."

"Theres always cases that, you know, 10 years later, somebody says something," James Fry, who was the Moscow police chief at the time of the murders, told ABC News moments after Kohberger was sentenced to life behind bars on Wednesday.

Angela Palermo/Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service via Getty Images - PHOTO: Moscow Police Chief James Fry discusses the arrest of 28-year-old Bryan Christopher Kohberger in connection with the University of Idaho homicides, Dec. 30. 2022.

MORE: Idaho families slam Bryan Kohberger at emotional sentencing hearing: 'Hell will be waiting'

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After nearly three years and an exhaustive, expensive investigation, Fry admitted he wishes he knew more about the motive. Moscow police said they don't know which victim was the specific target and have not found any link between Kohberger and the victims.

"Youre always wanting to get the families the why," he said, but "sometimes they dont get to have the why."

Kyle Green/Pool/Getty Images - PHOTO: Bryan Kohberger appears at the Ada County Courthouse for his sentencing hearing on July 23, 2025 in Boise, Idaho.

MORE: Bryan Kohberger live updates: Judge sentences Idaho killer to life, says motive may never be known

Fry sat down with ABC News for his first network interview since the nondissemination order was lifted, allowing him to open up about the yearslong investigation that's defined the department and the killer who terrorized his community.

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The victims -- roommates Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen and Xana Kernodle, and Kernodle's boyfriend, Ethan Chapin -- were stabbed to death at the girls' off-campus house on Nov. 13, 2022.

Police reports released for the first time on Wednesday reveal just how gruesome the crime scene was and noted that Goncalves and Kernodle suffered from defensive wounds.

Kaylee Goncalves/Instagram - PHOTO: A photo posted by Kaylee Goncalves only a few days ago shows University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen and Goncalves. The four were found dead at an off-campus house on Nov. 13, 2022.

MORE: 1st set of police records released in Idaho college murders, revealing gruesome new details

Goncalves was stabbed 34 times and described as "unrecognizable as her facial structure was extremely damaged," a report said. Kernodle was in an "intense struggle" and had over 50 stab wounds, a report said.

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That's done by someone who is "cold, filled with rage," Fry said. "Angry, very angry."

"I think it was a fight for their life," Fry said, noting Kernodle may have encountered Kohberger when she went into the kitchen after getting her food delivery.

Kyle Green/via Reuters - PHOTO: Bryan Kohberger, 30, appears for his sentencing hearing after he was convicted in the 2022 stabbing deaths of four Idaho college students, at the Ada County Courthouse, in Boise, Idaho, July 23, 2025.

MORE: Idaho college murders: As Kohberger admits to the brutal crime, here's the full timeline of events

Two roommates survived, including Dylan Mortensen, who told police she saw a man in a mask with "bushy eyebrows" in the house on the night of the murders.

Asked why Mortensen may have been spared, Fry said there are a lot of theories, including that Kohberger may have been exhausted from the stabbings or he couldve felt hed been in the house too long.

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"I dont know -- only he has that answer," Fry said.

Kyle Green/via Reuters - PHOTO: Dylan Mortensen gets a hug after speaking at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger after he was convicted in the 2022 stabbing deaths of four Idaho college students, at the Ada County Courthouse, in Boise, Idaho, July 23, 2025.

On July 2, weeks before the trial was set to start, Kohberger pleaded guilty to all counts. On Wednesday, Kohberger was sentenced to four consecutive life sentences on the four first-degree murder counts and the maximum penalty of 10 years on the burglary count.

When Fry sat down in the jury box at sentencing, he was directly across from Kohberger, marking the first time he saw him face-to-face.

"He should be ashamed of what he did," Fry said. "He destroyed lives, families, communities. Changed everybody that ever worked that case, changed my university."

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"Its not human what happened," he said.

In the end, Fry said he feels some vindication. He had promised his community and the victims families that this case would not go cold. During the nearly seven-week manhunt, in which the department divulged little-to-no information, that became a valid concern. Fry was receiving death threats, sleeping with a loaded shotgun near his bed and covering office windows with butcher paper to keep people from seeing inside. All while searching for, and eventually finding, the killer, who will now spend the rest of his life behind bars.
AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF)  The Aiken County Sheriffs Office said Wednesday it is investigating the death of an inmate at the Aiken County Detention Center.

In a press release, ACSO said both the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and the Aiken County Coroners Office were called investigate the death on July 23.

There does not appear to be any suspicious circumstances regarding the inmates death, the statement reads in part.

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The victim has been identified as 35-year-old Tonya Zorn of Warrenville.

An autopsy to determine the cause of death will be performed next week in Newberry, S.C.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(NewsNation)  Inmates who spent time with Bryan Kohberger in jail described him as annoying and a f weirdo.

Police interviews with multiple inmates have been made public for the first time as investigators begin to release case files in the investigation into Kohberger, hours after his sentencing.

Bryan Kohberger used second weapon in murders: Goncalves lawyer

Kohberger was given four life sentences Wednesday for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin.

Inmate said he would have assaulted Kohberger if there werent repercussions

In one police report, detectives described an inmate in the same facility as Kohberger saying that Kohberger was a f weirdo.

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The inmate told investigators if he wasnt worried about legal repercussions, he would have physically assaulted Kohberger.

When asked if he thought Kohberger was guilty, the inmate said his eyes tell a story.

Another inmate who was housed next to Kohberger in Latah County Jail from August 2024 to September 2024 said Kohberger was the smartest individual hed encountered in the jail.

Inmate thinks Bryan Kohberger is annoying

The man added that he found Kohberger annoying because he moved around all night and washed his hands dozens of times a day.

Bryan Kohberger could join Chad Daybell, other inmates at Idahos supermax prison

Kohberger, according to the inmate, showered for up to an hour at a time and would only nap in the day, staying awake throughout the night.

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Now that hes been sentenced, Kohberger is expected to spend the rest of his days in Idahos sole super-max prison, the Idaho Maximum Security Institution.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Jul. 24Inmates who came into contact with Bryan Kohberger described him as a "weirdo," "highly intelligent" and "annoying."

This is according to documents that the Moscow Police Department released Wednesday following Kohberger's sentencing hearing.

The MPD has created a website where it will publish unsealed documents related to the department's Kohberger investigation.

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Hundreds of documents are already available. The documents have redactions, but still provide unreleased details regarding Kohberger.

Two documents describe conversations from inmates who claimed they spoke to Kohberger while he was in Latah County Jail.

During a September 2024 conversation with police, one inmate described the convicted murderer as "highly intelligent," but that he also had odd habits.

The inmate said Kohberger would wash his hands dozens of times each day and spend 45 minutes to an hour in the shower.

He claimed Kohberger would stay awake almost all of the night and nap during the day. When asked if Kohberger ever lost his temper, the inmate said Kohberger got angry when he mistakenly thought the inmate insulted Kohberger's mother.
TAMPA  The investigation into whether a Clearwater entrepreneur embezzled $100 million from disabled and injured people was 15 months old when Michael Gordon was added to the team of prosecutors on May 19.

U.S. Attorney Greg Kehoe was keen to bring an indictment in the high profile case and a sense of justice for almost 2,000 victims even though the investigation was ongoing, Gordon said.

In Gordon, Kehoe had an experienced trial prosecutor with a track record of leading high profile cases and managing a large group of prosecutors and investigators.

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Im added to that case with the explicit instruction: Get this case charged in a month, Gordon said.

He faced a considerable challenge. There were tens of thousands of pages of evidence including bank records, witness and victim interviews, bankruptcy hearing transcripts and summary reports. Gordon met with investigators, the prosecutor team and financial analysts.

We had to as a group decide what could we charge and who could we charge now, versus, who are we a maybe on, Gordon said

One month later, warrants were issued for the arrest of Govoni and his accountant, John Leo Witeck. The following week, Gordon successfully argued in court that Govoni be denied bail.

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It turned out to be Gordons last significant contribution to the case. On June 27, he was fired by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi along with two other prosecutors who had also helped to convict Jan. 6 rioters.

No longer connected to the case, Gordon gave a first glimpse into how prosecutors are handling the high profile case in an interview with the Tampa Bay Times.

Govoni and Witeck have each been charged with four counts of mail fraud, five counts of wire fraud and one count of money laundering. Govoni faces additional charges of bank fraud, illegal monetary transactions and a false bankruptcy declaration.

The indictment states that roughly $100 million was stolen from almost 2,000 trust funds that were overseen by a nonprofit group Govoni co-founded. The money was transferred to Boston Finance Group, a for-profit company owned by Govoni. The trusts were set up to pay medical bills and living expenses for disabled children, adults and people whose injuries left them unable to work.

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Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Gordon described the scheme as unsophisticated but labyrinthine. Until they were seized by the bankruptcy estate, Govoni had complete or partial ownership in more than 120 limited liability companies.

The money taken from trusts flowed through many of them, the indictment states. The bank statements for just one of Govonis companies that investigators reviewed totaled 108,000 pages.

Gordon declined to answer how likely it is that others will be indicted.

The 32-page indictment of Govoni and Witeck depicts a network of coconspirators known and unknown who solicited, stole and misappropriated trust fund money from disabled and injured people nationwide.

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It also includes a list of properties that it states were partly or fully bought using stolen funds that connect family members and other business associates to the scheme. None of them have been charged with a crime, but prosecutors plan to seize those properties.

If others involved in the scheme are charged, it could be done with an amended indictment or in separate charges, Gordon said.

It would require proving that coconspirators knew the law was being broken and participated in the scheme. But Govoni kept information about his businesses close to his chest and purposefully kept people in his circle isolated from each other, Gordon said.

Court records show that Govoni filed paperwork removing his name as an officer of two nonprofits that held trusts after promoting employees who would continue to obey him.

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Proving Govonis guilt is a lot easier than proving literally anybody elses, Gordon said. This crime is so heinous and so blatant and vulgar and victimizes such vulnerable people that everyone who can be criminally charged for it should be.

Govoni is 67 and facing up to 30 years in prison if convicted on all 15 counts. That makes a not-guilty plea highly likely since he faces what is essentially a life sentence, Gordon said.

That is a case that is as guaranteed to go to trial as any case can be, he said.

The trial of Govoni and Witeck has been added to the courts schedule for September, but with so much evidence to review, its unlikely to happen that soon, Gordon said.

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Govoni is being represented by federal defenders Adam B. Allen and Stephen Consuegra, court records state. Witeck has his own counsel, Matthew J. Mueller of Fogarty Mueller Harris.

After Gordons firing, officials from the U.S. attorneys office in Tampa said the case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Peresie, the co-lead prosecutor, and Lyndie Freeman of the criminal divisions fraud section.

Gordon said his former team has talented prosecutors and the recent addition of Gregory Pizzo, an experienced trial prosecutor, will help fill the gap his termination created.

But the timing of his dismissal, he said, shows that Bondi and other leaders of the Department of Justice care more about political revenge than they do about those victims.

They care more about satisfying the president than they do about holding people like Govoni accountable, he said.
Inside his cavernous office on Monday afternoon, Speaker Mike Johnson was facing a growing crisis. The House GOP conference, which included some of the Louisiana Republican's key allies, was in full rebellion over the spiraling Jeffrey Epstein situation.

Rules Committee Chair Virginia Foxx of North Carolina and panel member Erin Houchin of Indiana informed House leaders that Republicans on the panel would not advance any rule for the week  the prerequisite for the chamber to fully function  without a better solution to the Epstein problem, according to two people with direct knowledge of the conversation.

The lawmakers knew that bucking their own leadership was an extreme response. But panel Republicans were incensed that a week earlier, they were all but forced to vote against a Democratic effort calling for the release of Epstein-related information. Many, including Houchin, were under intense pressure from constituents to support the unsealing, and they wanted leaders to provide more political cover.

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Hours later, Johnson and senior Republicans decided to shut down the Rules Committee altogether, which meant forgoing votes on two key immigration bills before lawmakers left for the month-long August recess. After some back and forth, leaders also scrapped votes scheduled for Thursday and sent members home a day early. The speaker later defended his strategy, saying House Republicans were refusing to play Democrats political games over the deceased financier and convicted sex offender.

One Rules Committee Republican, Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, suggested Johnson had bought himself some time  for now.

I think the administration will put more stuff out in August.  If they don't, then I promise you, there's going to be some more looking at this in the first week of September, he warned.

This account of the House breakdown is based on interviews this week with more than a dozen lawmakers and aides who described a level of anger within the conference that went beyond even what was on display publicly. Behind closed doors, standoffs played out between GOP leaders and rank-and-file members who found themselves divided over being forced to take more Epstein-related votes.

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The revolt of House Republicans who favored releasing Epstein case documents surprised White House officials and multiple members of GOP leadership. Trump officials in particular, who are used to House Republicans rolling over to the presidents every whim, were especially stunned at the increasingly public and blunt pushback.

But some senior GOP aides privately acknowledged they could see Epstein-fueled pressure brewing into a bigger and bigger problem. They could tell how sensitive the issue was for the White House after Johnson appeared to break with President Donald Trump over the matter by calling for full transparency from the DOJ on a conservative podcast, according to two people with direct knowledge of the matter.

The White House fumed over the perceived off-script moment, with Johnson going on to say days later there was no daylight between House Republicans and Trump.

The speaker kept in close touch with the president as the crisis unfolded, according to the people, and has since worked diligently to keep Epstein-related votes at bay. But Johnsons efforts to preach party unity and presidential deference on the matter ran up against an outcry from within his conference.

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Dozens of House Republicans had spent years clamoring for this information to be made public, and feared they would be called hypocrites if they backed down now, following Attorney General Pam Bondis announcement there would be no more documents released.

House Republican leaders received a series of warnings from members in closed-door meetings and in conversations on the House floor, including from committee chairs, that the problem wasnt going away. Some of these lawmakers begged leadership for action, according to the people with knowledge of the private exchanges.

House Oversight Chair James Comer said he told leadership last week that if certain Epstein-related votes came up in his committee, his GOP majority would vote for it  and they did. First, on Tuesday, Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) forced a vote on a motion to subpoena Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell; then, on Wednesday, three Republicans joined onto a Democratic motion to subpoena the entire Epstein dossier from the Justice Department.

"My committee has been wanting to do this for several weeks now, Comer said earlier in the week. I told leadership last week if there's ever an opportunity  to do anything realistically with the Epstein stuff, a majority of the committee's gonna vote for it.

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Leaders had already canceled an appropriations subcommittee markup slated for Thursday due to expected absences, but also Democrats had been planning to try to force votes on dozens of Epstein-related amendments there, too, according to a person granted anonymity to share party strategy.

On Wednesday, Johnson strongly defended his handling of the crisis, telling reporters no one in Congress is blocking Epstein documents.

But days earlier, there were Republican members of the Rules Committee telling Johnson there was a major problem.

Concern rose just before a committee meeting scheduled for Monday afternoon, when word got out that Democrats would again force an Epstein-related vote as the panel sought to pave the way for floor consideration of underlying bills, including immigration legislation central to the GOP agenda.

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Most Rules Republicans quickly balked, and the committee recessed indefinitely to figure out next steps.

Shortly after 6 p.m., Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise and other GOP leaders huddled with the GOP Rules members in Majority Whip Tom Emmers office. Inside the room, Johnson and his team laid out several options, according to three people with direct knowledge of the meeting.

One option, of which Johnson appeared to be most supportive, was to forgo moving legislation through the Rules Committee for the rest of the week  effectively a legislative surrender, but it would give the White House time over August recess to work on releasing Epstein-related information.

Another route was to vote on a rule that included some of the Epstein language from the GOP-authored, non-binding resolution from the previous week, which would call for the release of a limited scope of Epstein documents. But GOP leaders believed that would likely fail on the chamber floor.

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Then there was the alternative that some House Republicans bristled at the most: to forge ahead in the Rules Committee and to vote no on Democratic-led Epstein amendments. But that also wouldnt have satisfied Republicans who wanted leaders to come up with a palatable alternative to support like the nonbinding resolution.

The rule was going down anyway, said another person with knowledge of the matter. So the choice was clear.

So Republicans picked door No. 1, a choice that has opened Johnson up to mockery on the Democratic side of the aisle and incredulity inside his conference.

People want the information. They dont want things covered up, GOP Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, one of Trumps biggest cheerleaders in the House, told reporters this week.

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Majority Leader Steve Scalise in an interview Wednesday played off the crisis, saying that the fallout wasnt a rebellion but rather Democrats trying to turn the Rules Committee into a circus and Republicans weren't going to let that happen.

But Senior House Republicans have also been irritated that the White House hadnt offered much in terms of backup, according to two other Republicans with knowledge of the conversations. When there is a problem in the House GOP conference, leaders often call in Trump to mediate.

Trump did speak to Rules Committee Republicans  who were at the center of the protest over Epstein this week  in the Oval Office Tuesday night, according to three people with direct knowledge of the meeting. Foxx, the Rules chair, said the meeting was to thank panel Republicans for their work to pass Trumps megabill ahead of a White House celebration around the legislative achievement.

But Rules Committee Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina  who this week accused House GOP leaders this week of stalling on Epstein matters  said he believes Trump now is gonna release everything.

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We were with him last night, Norman added.

Reps. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) have been pushing for a vote on a binding Epstein file-release measure that could have the support to pass the house in September, when the bipartisan duo will be able to use procedural maneuvers to force the issue. GOP leaders privately argue their best chance to defeat it is for the administration to make progress in August  an outcome Norman and others are rooting for, too.

In the meantime, the firestorm doesnt appear to be dying down, especially following a Wall Street Journal report that the Justice Department informed Trump in May that his name was in documents related to the Epstein case.

That is our best, and only, option now, one senior House Republican said. Otherwise, well be right back here in September.

Nicholas Wu and Mia McCarthy contributed to this report.
By Valentina Za

MILAN (Reuters) -UniCredit on Wednesday reported higher than expected quarterly income and raised its outlook for 2025 and beyond, a day after a clash with the government prompted Italy's second biggest bank to ditch its takeover bid for rival Banco BPM.

UniCredit late on Tuesday said it was withdrawing the offer, blaming government intervention in the process, which it said deprived Banco BPM shareholders, as well as Italy's economy, of a good opportunity.

"We've drawn a line on this transaction," CEO Andrea Orcel told CNBC television. "At some point you need to cut your losses, eliminate your drag and focus on what you control."

After sinking a deal with Italy's government to buy Monte dei Paschi (MPS) in 2021, Orcel derailed Rome's plans to combine MPS with Banco BPM, with the administration eventually imposing conditions on UniCredit's proposed takeover.

Despite scoring a partial court victory this month, and with European Union support expected, UniCredit ditched the BPM bid, a decision which JPM analysts said was "disappointing strategically".

A source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters that Banco BPM's main investor Credit Agricole also posed an obstacle, having upped its stake close to 20% with Italy's blessing in December and now seeking regulatory clearance to go up to 29.9%.

UniCredit's tussle with Rome and opposition in Germany over its Commerzbank investment highlight a wider European trend of government involvement in banking consolidation.

Spain's BBVA has encountered similar government resistance to its bid for Sabadell.

NO OPPORTUNITIES

Orcel, a veteran dealmaker, told analysts he saw no good M&A opportunities at present and UniCredit would settle for consolidating its stakes in Commerzbank and Greece's Alpha Bank in its accounts.

That is expected to lift UniCredit's 2027 income above 11 billion euros ($13 billion), up from a previous 10 billion forecast.

Orcel said UniCredit respected Germany's refusal to table discussions over its 29% stake in Commerzbank, and ruled out any further move on Alpha, in which it owns nearly 20%, without the Greek bank's consent.

JPMorgan analysts also noted Commerzbank's high share price hindered a takeover because UniCredit would not be able to offer a premium.

UniCredit raised its 2025 net profit goal to around 10.5 billion euros, from previous guidance of more than 9.3 billion euros, helped by a smaller than anticipated decline in income from the gap in deposit and lending rates and further cost cuts.
House Republicans revolted against GOP leadership over the Trump administrations handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files in the days before Speaker Mike Johnson ushered in the chambers early summer recess to avoid dealing with the crisis, according to a report.

As controversy over the administrations refusal to release all government files related to the sex offender continues, Johnson faced a growing crisis of his own among key GOP allies as leadership refused to bring any action on Epstein to the House floor, Politico reports.

Behind the scenes, GOP leaders faced a standoff with rank-and-file members who were incensed when they were forced to vote against a Democratic-led effort to release the Epstein files a week before, according to the outlet.

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Some lawmakers reportedly begged for action on Epstein in closed-door meetings as they warned Republican leadership that the problem wasnt going away.

The new reported details illustrate the chaos of what was happening behind the scenes as President Donald Trump continues to be plagued by the case of the convicted pedophile.

House Republicans revolted against GOP leadership over the Trump administrations refusal to release further documents in the Epstein case. Speaker Mike Johnson came under pressure from GOP members this week. (AFP via Getty Images)

GOP Rep. Virginia Foxx of Virginia, chair of the House Rules Committee that serves as a final gatekeeper to legislation where a simple majority vote is required, threatened to bring activity on the House floor to a halt unless a better solution to the Epstein issue was put forward, two people with knowledge of the conversation told Politico.

The rebellion prompted Trump to meet with GOP members of the House Rules Committee in the Oval Office Tuesday, according to the outlet.

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Johnson moved to shut down the committee, which meant that the House will not be able to tee up votes to pass many of the spending bills that Congress hoped to pass before the August recess, when members break to go back to their districts.

But Johnson likely faces further rebellion in September.

I think the administration will put more stuff out in August  if they dont, then I promise you, theres going to be some more looking at this in the first week of September, warned Rep. Chip Roy of Texas.

Republican lawmakers have expressed anger over the Epstein fallout, and said they are under intense pressure from constituents on the issue.

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The rebellion of House Republicans who favored releasing more documents in the Epstein case came as a surprise to White House officials, according to Politico. One anonymous GOP member told CNN that members wanted a chance to vote on the issue. To be accused of trying to cover up for a pedophile, its detestable, they told the network.

Republican lawmakers have expressed anger over the Epstein fallout, and said they are under intense pressure from constituents on the issue. (AFP/Getty)

Word had got out that Democrats were planning to force an Epstein-related vote Monday. At a meeting with GOP Rules Committee members that evening, Johnson reportedly presented three options on how to proceed. Ultimately, leadership opted to halt the action of the House Rules Committee.

The rule was going down anyway, a source with knowledge of the meeting told Politico. So the choice was clear.

Johnson defended effectively shutting down the House while speaking with reporters Wednesday. No one in Congress is blocking Epstein documents, he said.

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The rebellion follows recent revelations that the Department of Justice told Trump that his name appears multiple times in the Epstein files, according to multiple senior administration sources.

The sources told The Wall Street Journal that Attorney General Pam Bondi and her deputy, Todd Blanche, informed the president during a May meeting at the White House that the presidents name emerged after they sifted through a truckload of documents related to Epstein.

Following the Journals report, sources familiar with the exchange confirmed the account to both The New York Times and CNN.

Appearing in the files does not indicate that an individual has committed any wrongdoing, nor has Trump ever been accused of misconduct in connection with the Epstein case.

This is another fake news story, just like the previous story by The Wall Street Journal, White House communications director Steven Cheung said about the claims Trump was named.
Georgias Insurance Commissioner is stepping out of the race for U.S. Senate, saying he sees little path forward to the nomination.

John King announced in May that he was going to join the ever-growing list of Republicans looking to unseat current Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff.

In a statement posted to social media, King announced on Thursday that he was suspending his campaign.

Ive spent my entire life in the arena as a lawman, soldier, and first Hispanic elected statewide in Georgia, and Im not done yet. Im running for re-election as Insurance Commissioner to finish the job I started six years ago, and Im going to do everything I can to keep Georgias state offices red, King said.

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King served in the US Army National Guard and later became an officer with the Atlanta Police Department and the Doraville Police Department.

TRENDING STORIES:

Doraville promoted King to its chief of police, a role that he served for 17 years.

Kemp appointed King as Georgia Insurance Commissioner when former commissioner Jim Beck was removed in 2019.

He won re-election in 2022, becoming the first Hispanic statewide elected official in Georgia history.

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King said he will back whoever wins the Senate Republican nominee, who supports President Trumps agenda.

U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter is the top Republican candidate at the moment running in the race. U.S. Rep. Mike Collins appears to be close to announcing his run in the race.

Whoever wins the nomination will take on Ossoff, who already has amassed a large war chest for his campaign.

Ossoff has raised over $10 million for the quarter and has more than $15 million in the bank, according to Newsweek.

Carter has raised just over $1 million, along with a $2 million loan, and ended the quarter with about $4 million.

King had only raised $520,000 and ended the quarter with $450,000 in his coffers.
Intel will "further slow" the pace of construction at its future Ohio microchip factories, the company announced Thursday in reporting its quarterly earnings.

Intel's first factory was supposed to begin operating in 2025. But the company told The Dispatch earlier this year that it had delayed the opening of its Ohio fabs until at least 2030 or 2031.

It's unclear how the announcement in Thursday's second quarter earnings report will precisely affect Intel's opening date in Ohio. The company is required to provide state officials an annual status report and an updated timeline each year and the next one is not expected to be filed until March 2026.

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The slowed pace of construction in Ohio is part of action Intel is taking to "optimize its manufacturing footprint and drive greater returns on invested capital." The company did not answer questions about a new opening date for the factories.

"We will further slow the pace of construction in Ohio to ensure our spending is aligned with market demand...We have flexibility to accelerate work as needed to meet customer needs," Intel chief executive officer Lip-Bu Tan said during the company's second quarter earnings call July 24.

Tan said Intel would take a "systematic approach" in growing its foundry business. The chipmaker needs to demonstrate to customers that "we can deliver" the products they need when they need them, he said.

Intel announced on Thursday it will "further slow" the pace of its Ohio factories in response to financial struggles. The chipmaker's first factory was originally supposed to open in 2025.

Among the construction expected to continue is pouring concrete for the fabs and support buildings, steel work and groundworks for support structures. Intel expects to spend more than $1 billion on the project in 2025 alone.

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"Intel is committed to advancing U.S. technology and manufacturing leadership, and Ohio One remains an important part of our long-term plans to expand leading-edge manufacturing on U.S. soil," the company said in a prepared statement to The Dispatch. "Today's announcements are all about putting our foundry business on a more financially sustainable path going forward."

Intel also will not move forward with planned projects in Germany and Poland, according to the company. The chipmaker also plans to consolidate its assembly and test operations in Costa Rica into its larger sites in Vietnam and Malaysia.

The latest timeline shift for Intel's Ohio chip factories comes as the company continues to struggle financially, which was a key factor in the February delay for the company's Ohio factories.

Intel's Ohio factories are part of a larger effort to bring semiconductor manufacturing back to the United States, a move that experts and government leaders have said is critical to national security.

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The company was awarded $7.865 billion in funding as part of the federal CHIPS Incentives Program. At least $1.5 billion of that funding was set to go toward the New Albany project, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. An agreement between Intel and the Ohio Department of Development offered the company $300 million in grants to help with the construction of each factory, as long as they were completed by the end of 2028.

(Editor's Note: This is a developing story. Check back for updates.)

Dispatch investigative reporter Max Filby can be reached by email at mfilby@dispatch.com. Find him on X at the handle @MaxFilby or on Facebook at @ReporterMaxFilby.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Intel says it will 'further slow' construction on Ohio factories
International students are scrubbing their social media or in some case reevaluating their decision to study in the U.S. after the Trump administration announced new visa screenings without offering specific insight into what could get someone on the no-entry list.

Companies that specialize in mass deletions of posts have seen an uptick in services since the Department of Homeland Securitys announcement. But clearing out everything the administration finds controversial could raise other alarms, leaving foreign students in a bind.

I think students have pretty much assumed that anything is open for interpretation or misinterpretation, and so as a result, theyre extremely cautious when it comes to engaging with social media moving forward, said Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of the Association of International Educators.

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The new screenings were announced in June after a three-week pause on visa interviews to update the policy, part of President Trumps broader crackdown on both legal and illegal immigration.

The State Department said it would target those who pose a threat to U.S. national security, without specifying what that would entail, and demanded anyone applying for a student visa make their social media accounts public.

The go-to response from students appears to be cleansing their social media of anything even remotely controversial.

Dan Saltman, CEO and founder of Redact.dev, says his companys trajectory has greatly accelerated, with 10 percent growth each month for the past few months. His firm offers a software that allows people to mass delete posts across 30 different platforms.

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Basically, our understanding is that people are using this to clean up any political takes that they have, whatsoever. Anything that can be seen as inflammatory, really kind of quelling freedom of speech, Saltman said.

Weve especially seen this growth in international countries, especially India, China, South Korea, have been some of the biggest growth areas that weve seen on that front. And weve also seen it as well from people in the U.S. and the U.K., very heavily. So, its been an unprecedented level of change of how people think about their privacy, he added.

China and India are the two biggest exporters of students to the U.S. In the 2023-24 school year, around 1.1 million international students came to America, with those two nations making up more than half.

Shaun Carver, executive director of International House at the University of California, Berkeley said his group has seen a 40 percent decrease in Chinese and Indian students since last year.

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India and China have always been 9 to 10 percent of the I-House population, and this year there both of them are below 6, Carver said, adding other countries in Africa and the Middle East appear to be securitized heavily.

Students and advocates have been spooked for months as they watch the Trump administration target the visas of, and, at times, arrest international students who have expressed pro-Palestinian views.

The administration says those under scrutiny have expressed support for Hamas or antisemitism, but students fear getting caught up in a wide net that could potentially flag anything anti-Israel  or anti-Trump  as disqualifying.

In response to requests for clarification from The Hill, a State Department spokesperson reiterated students need to change their account settings to public for vetting purposes.

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As with any country, applying for a visa is voluntary, and individuals are free to decide whether to pursue travel to the United States, the spokesperson added.

Plans to purge social media accounts could raise alarms, but the problem could be even worse for someone who never had social media before.

Its a catch-22 for students: If you didnt have any social media presence to begin with, that could be considered suspect. And so what do you do about that? Aw asked.

You go ahead and you create a social media presence, and then, because youve created a social media presence that would have little activity, could that also be considered suspect? So theres  theres no winning here on any level, she added.

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Updated July 24 at 1:21 p.m. EDT

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Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids filed court documents on July 24, 2025 that challenge the constitutionality of laws regulating Arkansas' initiative and referendum process. (Photo by Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate)

Two ballot question committees on Thursday asked the court to block six Arkansas laws regulating direct democracy, one day after a federal judge granted them permission to intervene in an existing lawsuit.

The original suit, brought by the League of Women Voters of Arkansas, challenges the constitutionality of state laws governing the petition and referendum process. The League also is gathering signatures to qualify its proposed ballot measure for the 2026 ballot.

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The League and Protect AR Rights, one of two ballot question committees intervening in the suit, are both pursuing ballot measures aimed at protecting Arkansans right to direct democracy.

Direct democracy is the process by which Arkansans can propose new laws or constitutional amendments and place them on the ballot for a statewide vote. Arkansas is one of 24 states that allow citizen-led initiatives, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids, a ballot question committee pursuing an education-related ballot measure, filed a complaint, motion for preliminary injunction and brief in support of the motion Thursday. The coalitions requested a hearing on the motion, a preliminary injunction to block the laws and an order requiring the secretary of state to count and verify any otherwise legally valid signatures that dont comply with the challenged laws.

The laws the groups are asking a judge to block are:

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Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids argue in their 56-page complaint that the state laws infringe on their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.

Some of the laws challenged by the coalitions are the same ones challenged in the Leagues original suit, including the one that criminalizes a canvassers failure to have potential signers read the ballot title.

For AR Kids failed to collect sufficient signatures to qualify for the 2024 ballot, but is working to make it on the 2026 ballot. The attorney general approved For AR Kids ballot title in February, which allows the group to begin collecting signatures.

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The coalition argued in Thursdays court documents that the new state laws reduce the amount of signatures canvassers can collect in a given period because it takes longer to comply with all the regulations. Additionally, the laws have made it more difficult to recruit people to collect signatures.

Since the Attorney General approved its 2026 ballot measure, For AR Kids has contacted over eighty previous volunteers from more than thirty counties to gauge their interest in collecting signatures for the 2026 initiative campaign, the complaint states. Many canvassers indicated that they did not intend to participate this cycle and cited the new laws as a reason.

For AR Kids and Protect AR Rights are also challenging laws not included in the Leagues suit, including one prohibiting ballot titles from being written above an eighth-grade reading level. The ranking is determined by the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level formula, a test that uses word complexity and sentence lengths to calculate what grade of education is needed to comprehend written material.

Protect AR Rights ballot measure has been rejected twice for failing to meet this requirement. The coalition argued in court filings it cant comply with the law while also satisfying preexisting content requirements for ballot titles.

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Attempting to comply with the reading-level law forces the coalition to select language to game a mechanical test instead of selecting language to convey its preferred message with voters, the complaint states. Protect AR Rights also asserts that the reading-level requirement cant be met without omitting essential facts needed for certification and to inform voters about the political change that the measure proposes.

By making it far more difficult, if not impossible, to gain the Attorney Generals approval for an initiated measure, the Reading-Level Requirement impedes Protect AR Rights ability to engage voters about political change and to present its measure to the voters at an election, the complaint states.

For AR Kids measure was approved in February before the new law took effect in April. The Leagues measure satisfied the reading-level requirement when it was certified in May.

Protect AR Rights submitted the third version of its proposal to the attorney generals office earlier this month, and the deadline for him to reject or certify the submission is July 29.

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Jul. 24The City Council has interviewed a fifth candidate for the open planning director position, and now must decide if they will offer him a job.

The council last week interviewed Chad Bowman, planning and development director for West Memphis, Arkansas.

Council President Jacob Ladner said the council planned to discuss whether Bowman is their choice this week, but the meeting was canceled due to lack of a quorum. The council members now plan to discuss their options Monday at a 9:30 a.m. work session and a 10 a.m. meeting.

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The council interviewed three candidates in February and brought back two of them  Lee Terry, economic and planning director for TARCOG (Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments) in Huntsville, and Steve Hohulin, former director of Land Planning for Quiddity engineering and planning  for a second informal interview.

The City Council never eliminated Terry or Hohulin from consideration, but chose to interview another candidate, Clifford Cross, director of Economic Development, Planning and Zoning in Belleville, Illinois. They liked Cross and offered him the job. He accepted the position briefly before backing out for another job in Georgia.

Bowman, 43, began his interview talking up Alabama A&M University's planning program, from which he graduated. It was this program that landed him a recommendation from Decatur's former planning director, Michelle Gilliam-Jordan.

Bowman said his ex-wife is from the Huntsville area, and one of his three children attends the University of North Alabama in Florence.

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Bowman said he likes that Decatur is larger than West Memphis. Located on the west side of the Mississippi River, across the river from Memphis, West Memphis has a population of 24,520, less than half the size of Decatur. Bowman runs a Planning Department that includes not only planning but also community development and code enforcement.

"I just want to gain more experience and learn more about larger cities and operating in a different infrastructure," he said.

Bowman interviewed for and turned down Decatur's planning manager opening about a year and a half ago.

Bowman is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners. Decatur hasn't had a certified planner since Gilliam-Jordan left in 2009. The City Council upgraded the position to director in November because the city couldn't fill the lower-pay planning manager opening.

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Bowman started his career in Fort Worth, Texas, in economic development. During his time in Fort Worth, he worked on the city's "Model Blocks" comprehensive plan.

"Each neighborhood was assigned a housing planner from the Housing Department," Bowman said. "We were responsible for helping that community draft a comprehensive plan for the neighborhood. This was an implementation strategy detailing what they would like to see improved in their community."

He said they then implemented a budget, did assessments and held several community meetings. His first plan didn't get funding, but the second one did.

Bowman said one of his jobs was "to summarize the comprehensive plan and make it digestible for the community at large."

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He said he has had a lot of experience drafting and implementing comprehensive plans throughout his career.

"I think that is the most wonderful part of it all," Bowman said. "If you come up with the concept, you stick to the plan, find the funding and do it in an incremental way, a lot of times comprehensive plans could be realized."

Bowman said he was planning director for Westminster, Arkansas, before going to West Memphis.

He said he feels the West Memphis planning director position is "one of the crescendos of my career" because it's in one of the only counties in east Arkansas that's growing.

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"But I'm designed to continually grow and look for more progressive opportunities," Bowman said. "The thing that excites me about this field is I like very impactful and innovative projects. If I'm involved in anything, I want it to be successful and impactful. I want it to be such that people who know me will say, 'Chad has been in that town. Chad worked on that project.'"

One of Decatur's issues is it has a proposed new zoning ordinance waiting for approval, but the City Council delayed approval because it wants a planning director in place to review it first.

Bowman said his responsibilities with the "Grow West Memphis" comprehensive plan included making zoning changes. He said he recently helped a person who bought a gas station near Interstate 40 rezone the property despite a lot of community opposition.

"I had to explain to the public that we can't prevent him from rezoning his property," Bowman said. "We can't prevent him from using his property. That's unconstitutional. As a property owner, he needs to have a zoning class that's congruent to what's next to it, so it fits and is a conforming zoning."

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As a solution, he said they assigned a special-use permit, "so we can ensure that we know exactly what's going there, and it wouldn't have such strong opposition to it. We've dealt with that a lot."

Bowman said he consistently works with developers on projects.

Bowman admitted that dealing with residential development "is kind of new for me" since most of his work has been in commercial areas.

However, he said he has been working on getting an injection of new apartments, affordable housing, market-rate housing or middle- and upper-income housing because West Memphis hasn't had any new housing in several years.

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Bowman said the city started aggressively banking land, and they ran into an issue with mobile home parks in the inner city. People were bringing in unlivable older mobile homes.

They implemented a moratorium on mobile homes so he could do a study.

"We relegated all new manufactured homes to mobile home parks or to a conservation area outside the city where someone had a large tract of land where it wouldn't be a nuisance and drive down property values," Bowman said.

He said the city then started approaching property owners of the older mobile home parks and buying land. Once they purchased the land, they would demolish the mobile homes.

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"We made them very much aware this is not eminent domain; this is not that kind of project," Bowman said.

Bowman said a Memphis developer also started buying properties in West Memphis and developing affordable housing. He has built 17 houses so far, and the area is starting to repopulate, he said.

Bowman said West Memphis plans to work with developers, offering incentives like tax abatements or infrastructure, to develop the area.

"We're going to create a housing standard to a degree where we have to approve the design of each individual structure to make sure it's compatible to what's being built there," Bowman said.

 bayne.hughes@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2432
The AFP, AP, BBC, and Reuters journalists also stated that "It is essential that adequate food supplies reach the people there."

Journalists from Agence France-Presse (AFP), the Associated Press (AP), BBC World Service, and Reuters called on Israeli authorities to "allow journalists in and out of Gaza," in a joint statement on Thursday.

The statement from the international media outlets also stated that "It is essential that adequate food supplies reach the people there."

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The journalists are "desperately concerned" for their colleagues in Gaza, who they claim are "increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families."

"These independent journalists have been the world's eyes and ears on the ground," they added.

Israel, however, disputes that all journalists in Gaza are independent, identifying the killed Al Jazeera journalist, Hossam Shabat, as a sniper in Hamas's Izzadin al-Qassam Brigades's Beit Hanun Battalion.

The IDF ID card on Hossam Shabat, killed in an airstrike in the Gaza Strip on March 24, 2025. (credit: IDF)

During the ongoing war in Gaza, Shabat carried out terror attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians, the military claimed.

Hamas pressure on journalists to not report anti-Hamas stories

Additionally, a journalist was threatened by Hamas not to report on a protest in Beit Lahiya in April, the non-profit Committee to Protect Journalists reported in May.

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The IDF claimed to have killed Hassan Abdel Fattah Mohammed Eslaih, a member of Hamas's Khan Yunis Brigade, in a strike in Khan Yunis, the military said on April 7.

Eslaih, who was previously employed by both CNN and AP, and owned a media company, took part in the October 7 massacre, infiltrating into southern Israel and sharing footage from the massacre to social media, the IDF noted.

A July 2024 report published by anti-Israel media bias watchdog HonestReporting alleged that a Gaza-based CNN freelance journalist was associated with a Hamas-run entity.

Abdel Qader Sabbah appeared in photographs with senior Hamas leaders online and actively praised terrorists while also carrying out unnamed tasks for the terror organization, the report claims.

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The report cites CNN's platforming of Sabbah's work. He has also worked for AP, and his platforming casts doubt on the journalistic integrity of the network and the Hamas terror group's ties to it.

The report also raises concerns about journalistic standards and vetting practices of reporters for the media network, in addition to the story content published by the outlet.

BBC Arabic journalist Samer Elzaenen has called for Jews to be burned as Hitler did, The Telegraph quoted him as saying in an April 26 report.

Ayman Odeh submits query to defense ministry

Hadash-Taal chairman MK Ayman Odeh submitted a parliamentary query to Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday, to demand an explanation for Israel's ban on foreign journalists entering the Gaza Strip.

"At a time when the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is unbearable, when people are starving to death, Israel continues to block independent journalistic access to the Strip. What are you trying to hide?" Odeh asked.
Intruder bathed, slept, ate & stole while Boston family was away on vacation

A South End family is horrified after an intruder made herself right at home in their condo while they were out on town.

Its a story youll see only on Boston 25 News.

Emilie, who doesnt want to use her last name, said her brother-in-law caught the woman in the act after stopping by their home on Worcester Square on Saturday night.

She said the uninvited houseguest ran out with stolen belongings, including handbags, jewelry, and her engagement ring.

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Its unclear how she broke in because there werent any apparent signs of forced entry.

Boston 25 News has learned that suspect had just been arrested and released on personal recognizance the day before for an attempted break-in.

Boston Police said Katie Mearn tried to kick in a back door on East Springfield Street, one street over from Worcester Square.

Victim stated that when he exited the rear entrance, he observed the suspect inside the patio and attempting to hide under a grill cover, said a police report.

The neighborhood has been vocalizing their urgent concerns about escalating public safety and quality-of-life issues stemming from the troubled Mass and Cass corridor.

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Its gotten more and more rampant, and its clear that theres no consequences for anything, said Emilie. Were sick of excuses. We need help.

Emilie, who has a 1-year-old and a 5-year-old, said she cant believe how comfortable the suspect got inside her familys condo.

They had taken a bath. They had taken a shower, gone through all our medicine cabinet, slept in our bed, watched TV, ate our food, she said. She found self-tanner that I once bought and put that on everywhere. She ruined all the towels and all the sheets.

She said not knowing if the stranger spent time in her childrens rooms is especially unsettling on top of the mess left behind and belongings now missing.

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Home invasions and stealing is hard to have a lot of sympathy for when someone is walking around wearing my engagement ring, said Emilie. Theres not much more people around here are going to put up with.

A Boston Police spokesperson said Mearn was rearrested on Tuesday after a warrant was issued in connection with the Worcester Square break-in.

Lets not wait for anything worse to happen. We need immediate impactful action, said District 3 Boston City Councilor John FitzGerald.

Mearn was arraigned Wednesday in Boston Municipal Court Central on one count of unarmed burglary and one count of larceny from building.

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Shes being held on $1,500 bail and is due back in court in seven days.

However, a Suffolk County District Attorneys Office spokesperson told Boston 25 News shell likely get released on that date because she doesnt have an attorney.

Thats due to the public defender work stoppage thats already resulted in more than 100 criminal cases getting dismissed.

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MATTAWAN, Mich. (WOOD)  The Michigan Department of Natural Resources says invasive red swamp crayfish were found in an outdoor pond at the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery in Van Buren County.

The DNR says the fish were found after stocking muskellunge in Barry Countys Thornapple Lake and Lake Hudson in Lenawee County.

DNR says no need to worry after Michigan lake turns red

Hatchery staff found the carcasses of two unusual crayfish in the collection basket of Wolf Lake Hatchery Pond 20 (where the fish were reared) after the pond was drained, the DNR said in a news release. Crayfish traps were quickly deployed in Pond 20 and two adjacent ponds, resulting in the capture of one live, positively identified red swamp crayfish in Pond 20.

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The DNR and the Michigan Invasive Species Program are working together to get a better understanding of the infestation at the Wolf Lake Hatchery. They have set 165 traps across the 11 earthen bottom ponds and using environmental DNA to determine the potential source of the crayfish.

Infestations were found in Michigan in 2017 in Kalamazoo and Pontiac. In the years since, isolated infestations have also been found in Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Van Buren and Wayne counties.

Infestations are believed to result from the release or escape of aquarium pets, live bait or live crayfish brought to Michigan for crawfish boils, the DNR said.

Employees from the DNR Fisheries Division check red swamp crayfish traps at an infested pond in Novi, Michigan. (Courtesy DNR)

The DNR is putting together a plan to monitor both lakes out of an abundance of caution but doesnt suspect any crayfish were transferred.

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The muskie sent to Thornapple Lake and Lake Hudson from Wolf Lake Hatchery in July were 12 to 13 inches in length, and each was individually handled and tagged before release, significantly reducing the likelihood that red swamp crayfish were transferred with them to the receiving waters, the DNR said.

DNR auctioning off properties, including one with waterfront access in West Michigan

Red swamp crayfish are native to the southern U.S. and have been prohibited in Michigan since 2014. They are considered invasive because they aggressively outcompete native crayfish for food and habitat. They also reproduce quickly and burrow along shorelines which can destabilize the banks.

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Police are investigating after a man was shot in Enfield on Wednesday.

Authorities were alerted to the shooting when the victim arrived at the Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Massachusetts around 7 a.m. seeking treatment for a gunshot injury, according to the Enfield Police Department. The man underwent surgery and continues to receive treatment.

Investigators believe the shooting happened on Windsor Street, where local police and Connecticut State Police could be seen throughout the day.

The shooting remains under investigation.
By Marianna Parraga, Matt Spetalnick and Timothy Gardner

HOUSTON/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States is preparing to grant new authorizations to key partners of Venezuela's state-run PDVSA, starting with Chevron, to allow them to operate with limitations in the sanctioned OPEC nation and swap oil, five sources close to the matter said on Thursday.

If granted, the authorizations to the U.S. oil major, and possibly also to PDVSA's European partners, would mark a policy shift from a pressure strategy Washington adopted this year on Venezuela's energy industry, under U.S. sanctions since 2019.

President Donald Trump's administration might now allow the energy companies to pay oilfield contractors and make necessary imports to secure operational continuity.

Some imports could be swapped for Venezuelan oil, as authorized in previous licenses, three of the sources said.

A senior State Department official said in a statement they could not speak about any specific licenses to PDVSA's partners, but added the United States would not allow President Nicolas Maduro's government to profit from the sale of oil.

A source in touch with U.S. and Venezuelan officials said it was difficult to understand how Maduro's government would not benefit from cargoes Chevron can sell to the U.S., and later on Thursday Maduro hailed work done to keep Chevron in the country.

"There are already working groups so that Chevron can re-incorporate its functions," Maduro told an interview with Telesur, adding that Chevron's top leadership had already been informed of licenses so it can keep operating in Venezuela.

Chevron shares touched $155.93 on Thursday, their highest level since April 3, according to LSEG data.

"Chevron conducts its business globally in compliance with laws and regulations applicable to its business, as well as the sanctions frameworks provided for by the U.S. government, including in Venezuela," a company spokesperson said.

The move to ease some restrictions on Venezuelas oil sector follows a prisoner swap this month in which Maduro released 10 American detainees while accepting the return of more than 200 Venezuelans who had been deported from the U.S. and held in an El Salvador prison.

Relations between the two countries have been tense for years, and the Trump administration has publicly supported opposition leaders who say their candidate won last year's election, not Maduro.

Trump in February announced the cancellation of a handful of energy licenses in Venezuela, including Chevron's, and gave until late May to wind down all transactions.
Investigators say fake nurse left trail of deceit in Georgia and beyond

In 2022, the Georgia Attorney General tried to issue Shannon Nicole Womack with a cease-and-desist order for posing as a nurse.

But thats when she allegedly hit the road to do the same in other states.

The Pennsylvania probable cause warrant details a string of health care facilities where she was dismissed for misconduct and allegedly stealing medication. At the time, the facilities had no idea she wasnt a real nurse.

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Womacks name and picture have been on the Georgia Secretary of States public nurse imposter alert warning page since 2022.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:

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Channel 2 investigative reporter Justin Gray talked to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger about the case on Channel 2 Action News at 6.

Hiding out in other states, she figured shes far enough away in Pennsylvania. Thats probably, what, a 12-hour drive up to Pittsburgh, and she was gonna be safe, but she wasnt, Raffensperger said.

But Womack was hiding in plain sight, allegedly used a string of names and aliases to pose as a nurse at nursing homes and heath care facilities across six states.

It was only Womacks expired Georgia tag that finally put an end to it. Investigators said patient prescription drugs were found in her car during a traffic stop in Pennsylvania.

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The probable cause affidavit says investigators discovered Womack had 20 different aliases along with seven different Social Security Number combinations.

This goes to public health and public safety, Raffensperger said.

He oversees the nursing board and told Gray the board turned Womacks case over to the Georgia Attorney General three years ago.

This goes back to 2022. Were getting a lot of complaints, Raffensperger said. The licensing board had started doing a deep dive and actually got a cease-and-desist order. But she had fled the state.

Just in the Pittsburgh area alone, Womack worked as an LPN, RN and RN supervisor at seven different facilities using a variety of fake identities.

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Authorities say she passed background checks in part because she went so far as creating her own staffing agencies, which was not legitimate, in order to pick up shifts.

She was going through proper host agency channels and then created her own, picking up the phone and transferring those jobs to herself, said Pennsylvania State Trooper Rocco Gagliardi.

Raffensperger says a nationwide nurse staffing shortage puts facilities like nursing homes at particular risk to imposters.

Theres a real shortage of nurses, and Im really grateful that were really leaned into that in Georgia to get more through the nursing program, but there is a shortage. So that means that people are desperate to find someone with a licensed credentialed nurse, he said.

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The court papers say in many of the jobs Womack only lasted a matter of days before being placed on do not retain lists for theft and other poor performance.

Shes currently behind bars in Pennsylvania where shes facing a long list of charges.

Channel 2 Investigates reached out to the attorney general to see if she will also be charged here and are still waiting on a response.

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WHITEHOUSE, La. (KLFY)  An Iota man has been arrested after a search of his house found drugs and guns, authorities said.

Collin Junuis Benoit, 21 of Iota, is charged with two counts of illegal carrying of a weapon, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count each of possession of a firearm with obliterated number, possession of Alprazolam (Xanax), possession with intent to distribute marijuana, methamphetamine and Diazepam (Valium), as well as three counts of prohibited acts.

Deputies with the Acadia Parish Sheriffs Office were called to assist the Department of Children and Family Services at a home in the 600 block of Gotts Cove Road near Whitehouse. While at the residence, deputies observed illegal narcotics in plain view, authorities said.

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A search of the residence found in various narcotics and weapons.

Benoit was booked in the Acadia Parish Jail with a $137,500 bond. A hold has been placed on Benoit by Probation and Parole.

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U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, attended the Republican 4th Congressional District convention in Carroll on April 23, 2022. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

Members of Iowas all-Republican federal delegation say they were supportive of releasing information related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein  but said the push in Congress to compel the U.S. Department of Justice to publicize files and surrounding uproar was being used for political gain by Democrats.

There is a bipartisan effort in Congress calling for the release of government investigative documents on Epstein, the Florida financier whose 2019 death in his New York City jail cell was ruled a suicide by authorities as he awaited federal sex trafficking charges.

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Trump had committed on the 2024 presidential campaign trail to declassifying documents related to Epstein if elected for a second term. But some of his supporters, as well as Democrats, were critical of the lack of new information in the U.S. Department of Justices February release on Epstein. Backlash reached a high after the DOJ published a memo July 7 denying the existence of a client list, confirmation that Epstein committed suicide, and statement that the Justice Department would not publish further files.

Though Trump later ordered the DOJ to release grand jury testimony in the case, the response prompted a bipartisan push in Congress to compel the public release of more information.

The House Rules Committee, led by Republicans, recessed Monday before Democrats could force votes on amendments related to Epstein files to legislation being discussed. U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, working with Rep. Ro Khanna, D-California, has also discussed plans to use a discharge petition  a procedural move  to force the House to vote on releasing the Epstein files.

House Speaker Mike Johnson and other House Republican leaders have said congressional action is not necessary, as the Trump administration is already in the process of releasing Epstein-related materials and needs space to do this work. Johnson announced Tuesday House members would go home earlier than expected for their recess until September to avoid political games related to Epstein.

This is a position supported by members of Iowas delegation, who said they believe the Trump administration is working to make more information on the case public.

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In a weekly press call earlier in July, U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson said she thought Massie is approaching this in the wrong way, and hes doing it in a way that we give the floor to Democrats, which is not how we should be doing business, the Gazette reported.

I do trust President Trump here and (Attorney General) Pam Bondi to do the right thing, and (FBI Director) Kash Patel to do the right thing at the FBI, she said.

A spokesperson for Hinson said in a statement Thursday that the Iowa congresswoman believes Epstein was a pedophile and that she supports Americans who have questions and demand justice for her actions, while also trusting this administrations continued commitment to the truth and transparency.

U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks also stated she supports the Trump administration in efforts to publicize information on the case.

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We deserve transparency and honesty from our government, Miller-Meeks said in a statement Thursday. For four years, Joe Biden and Democrats ignored the opportunity to deliver truth. I stand with President Trump in his efforts to ensure transparency into Jeffrey Epsteins heinous crimes while protecting the victims who endured so much abuse.

A spokesperson for the House Democrats campaign arm, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, pointed to Hinson, Miller-Meeks and U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn voting down attempts by Democrats to force a vote on releasing the Epstein files as proof that the Iowa Republicans are not committed to ensuring these documents are publicly accessible.

Whether its blocking the release of the Epstein files or gutting health care in order to bankroll tax breaks for billionaires, its clear Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Ashley Hinson, and Zach Nunn will always put the interests of the elite and powerful above Iowans, DCCC Spokesperson Katie Smith said.

In the Senate, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley said on a weekly press call Wednesday he believes the Trump administration seeking the release of grand jury testimony was a step in the right direction. He said he has been asking for information related to Epstein for more than five years, and that he hopes to get follow ups on the things that I have asked for.

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Ive consistently called for transparency surrounding the Department of Justice investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, Grassley said. I think true accountability, especially for people that have been victimized by the Epstein episode, requires full transparency. People have a right to know the details behind this investigation, and I know that Bondi and Patel are working together to answer questions about this investigation  and I hope that results in bringing perpetrators to justice.

CNN reported that Grassley said he does not plan to investigate the Epstein case as chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, but that he expects the issue will come up when Bondi testifies before the committee at an upcoming oversight hearing.

As the committee met Thursday, Democrats accused Republicans on the committee of concealing the Epstein files after they did not support an amendment related to releasing Epstein case material proposed for an opioid data collection bill.

Democrats have heavily criticized Republicans in Congress for not taking further action on releasing documents, highlighting the Wednesday Wall Street Journal report that Bondi had told Trump his name appeared multiple times in DOJ documents related to Epstein.

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As new reporting reveals that Donald Trumps name is in the Epstein files multiple times, House Republicans are fleeing Washington as fast as they can, capping off a devastating legislative session where they made the largest cuts to health care and food assistance in American history, took an axe to construction jobs, raised energy prices, and put thousands of nursing homes at risk of closure, Ken Martin, chair of the Democratic National Committee, said in a Thursday statement. When they return to their districts, House Republicans should prepare for a rude awakening after putting billionaires and an infamous sex-trafficker before the hardworking Americans that elected them.

Some Democratic challengers to Iowas GOP lawmakers have also highlighted their incumbent opponents approach to Epstein in campaign materials. Clint Twedt-Ball, a Democrat who announced his campaign for Iowas 2nd District Tuesday, listed Hinsons lack of action on releasing Epstein documents in a news release Thursday.

Hinson has reversed course on all of her campaign promises: to lower costs for working families, to protect Medicaid and Social Security for our seniors, and to release the Epstein files, Twedt-Ball said. The idea that Hinson would fly home to Iowa without even attempting to find solutions to these problems is a slap in the face to every voter that trusted her.

Many Republicans, including members of Iowas federal delegation, have decried Democrats focus on the Epstein issue, saying that they are using the financiers sex crimes and victims for political purposes.

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Transparency and accountability from our government isnt optional, its a duty, Nunn said in a statement. Jeffrey Epstein is a disgusting human being who committed horrific crimes. Victims deserve justice, not DC politicians who want to use them to score political points.

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At least 20 of Irans 31 provinces are now suffering a water crisis.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is reportedly not ruling out relocating the capital city of Tehran over the severe water shortage that has gripped the country, Der Spiegel reported on Thursday, citing Iranian media.

"The situation is serious, and Tehran truly has no water left," Pezeshkian said.

Iran hit by climate crisis

Iran declared a public holiday in Tehran Province last week due to the severe water shortage and energy crisis affecting the country.

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Schools and governments are expected to be closed until at least Saturday as a way to reduce the country's energy and water usage.

At least 20 of Irans 31 provinces are now suffering a water crisis, and one of the countrys largest reservoirs is expected to dry up completely within a matter of weeks, according to Iranian state media site IRNA.

The low water inlet of the river upstream of the Amir Kabir dam along the Karaj river is pictured in Iran's northern Alborz mountain range on June 1, 2025. (credit: Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images)

The water crisis follows a 2 degrees centigrade rise since the 1960s, according to UNICEF, and a 20% reduction in rainfall over the past 20 years.

Tehran's failures

Tehran's failure to tackle the climate crisis has caused significant blowback from the regime's critics and Israeli officials.

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Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen, in a social media post written in Persian, shared that Iranian "suffering" had directly resulted from the Islamic regime.

Instead of addressing the needs of the Iranian people, they spend resources on terrorist branches in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Gaza, Cohen wrote. Israel has managed to overcome water shortages, and thanks to our knowledge and innovation, we now have abundant water resources that we even export to our neighbors.

To the Iranian nation: The day this oppressive regime is overthrown, your lives will be much better, and you too will be able to benefit from Israels water technologies, he concluded

Alex Winston contributed to this report.
DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran is ready to resume nuclear talks with the United States as long as some principles are respected, deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Thursday, a day before a meeting with European powers in Istanbul.

The Iranian diplomat said talks could resume as long as Tehran's rights under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty are recognised, Washington builds trust with Tehran and guarantees that negotiations will not lead to renewed military action against Iran.

(Reporting by Dubai NewsroomEditing by Tomasz Janowski)
The Iranian diplomat said talks could resume if Tehran's NPT rights are recognized, US builds trust, and guarantees negotiations won't lead to renewed military action.

Iran is ready to resume nuclear talks with the United States as long as some principles are respected, deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Thursday, a day before a meeting with European powers in Istanbul.

The Iranian diplomat said talks could resume as long as Tehran's rights under the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty are recognized, Washington builds trust with Tehran, and guarantees that negotiations will not lead to renewed military action against Iran.

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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reaffirmed that Tehran will continue to pursue uranium enrichment in an interview with Fox News this week.

Because this is a scientific achievement; an achievement that we have achieved ourselves, Araghchi told Fox. Why should we import something that we can produce ourselves?

In response, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: If necessarywe will strike the nuclear sites again.

US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House in Washington, DC, US, July 18, 2025 (credit: REUTERS/Nathan Howard)

Iran will defend its nuclear rights including uranium enrichment in talks scheduled for Friday with France, Britain and Germany, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said in a video carried by state media on Thursday.

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Araqchi said Iran has always been willing to advance its nuclear program in a logical way to reassure countries that might have worries.

Trump won't try to persuade Iran

Trump recently stated in private conversations that the US has decided to stop trying to persuade Iran to engage in talks over its nuclear program.

If they want to comethey are welcome. But we are not going to try and convince or beg them to do so, the president said in several discussions, according to two sources who spoke with The Jerusalem Post.

Amichai Stein contributed to this report.
Iran has reaffirmed its right to enrich uranium on the eve of a key meeting with European powers threatening to reimpose nuclear sanctions.

Fridays meeting, set to take place in Istanbul, will bring Iranian officials together with officials from Britain, France and Germany  known as the E3 nations  and will include the European Unions foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas.

It will be the first since Israels mid-June attack targeting key Iranian nuclear and military sites led to a 12-day war that ended in a ceasefire on June 24.

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Especially after the recent war, it is important for them [European countries] to understand that the Islamic Republic of Irans position remains unshakable, and that our uranium enrichment will continue, the Tasnim news agency quoted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as saying on Thursday.

The United States joined its ally Israel in the offensive, striking three Iranian nuclear facilities overnight between June 21 and 22.





Israel launched its attack on Iran just two days before Tehran and Washington were set to resume negotiations on Irans nuclear programme.

Irans Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said on Thursday that Tehran would be prepared to engage in further talks on its nuclear programme with the US if Washington takes meaningful steps to rebuild trust.

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In a social media post, Gharibabadi also said that for talks to take place with the US, Tehran would seek several key principles to be upheld.

These include rebuilding Irans trust  as Iran has absolutely no trust in the United States, he said, adding there could be no room for hidden agendas such as military action, though Iran remains fully prepared for any scenario.

Britain, France and Germany  alongside China, Russia and the US  are parties to a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which placed major restrictions on its atomic activities in return for the gradual lifting of United Nations sanctions.

However, in 2018, the US unilaterally withdrew from the agreement during Donald Trumps first term as president and reimposed its own sanctions.

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Britain, France and Germany maintained their support for the 2015 accord and sought to continue trade with Iran.

But they have since accused Tehran of failing to uphold its commitments and are threatening to reimpose sanctions under a clause in the agreement that expires in October  something Iran is eager to avoid.





The IAEA, the UNs nuclear watchdog, says Iran is the only non-nuclear-armed country currently enriching uranium to 60 percent  far beyond the 3.67 percent cap set by the 2015 accord. Ninety percent enrichment is required for a nuclear weapon.

Western powers, led by the US and backed by Israel, have long accused Tehran of secretly seeking nuclear weapons.

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Iran has repeatedly denied this, insisting its nuclear programme is solely for civilian purposes such as energy production.

Tehran and Washington had held five rounds of nuclear talks starting in April, but a planned meeting on June 15 was cancelled after Israel launched its strikes on Iran.
TEHRAN, Iran (AP)  Iran is ready to engage in talks on its nuclear program with the United States, but only if Washington takes meaningful steps to rebuild trust, a senior Iranian diplomat said Thursday, ahead of a key meeting with European officials.

That meeting will be the first since a ceasefire was reached after a 12-day war waged by Israel against Iran in June, which also saw U.S. B-52 bombers strike nuclear-related facilities in the Islamic Republic.

The discussions will bring Iranian officials together with officials from Britain, France and Germany  known as the E3 nations  and will include the European Unions foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas. A similar meeting had been held in the Turkish city in May.

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Iran's conditions

In a social media post, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Thursday that for talks with the Unites States, Tehran would seek that several key principles be upheld.

These include rebuilding Irans trust  as Iran has absolutely no trust in the United States," he said, adding there could be no room for hidden agendas such as military action, though Iran remains fully prepared for any scenario.

Washington would have to respect and recognize Irans rights under the international agreement known as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, including the right to enrich uranium in line with its legitimate needs and the lifting of crippling economic sanctions on Iran.

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The talks in Istanbul will be held at the deputy ministerial level, with Iran sending Majid Takht-e Ravanchi, the other of Iran's two deputy foreign ministers.

A show of strength

Irans Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a televised interview Thursday that Tehran would not back down from uranium enrichment. Before the war in June, Iran was enriching uranium up to 60%  a short, technical step from weapons-grade levels.

Our enrichment will continue, and we will not give up this right of the Iranian people, Araghchi said in a video posted on the state TVs Telegram channel.

Irans top diplomat said the Istanbul talks with the European parties are necessary, especially after the 12-day war, to make them aware that Irans positions remain strong.

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The world must know that there has been no change in our stance, he said. "We will continue to firmly defend the rights of the Iranian people to peaceful nuclear energy, especially regarding enrichment.

Araghchi also said that Iran has always been ready to advance its peaceful program within a reasonable and logical framework. We have never hesitated to build trust with countries that may have concerns, he said, but at the same time, Irans demand is that its right to peaceful nuclear energy, including enrichment, be respected.

High stakes

European leaders have threatened to trigger a snapback mechanism included in a 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which would reimpose sanctions that were lifted in exchange for Iran accepting restrictions and monitoring of its nuclear program.

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The United Kingdom, France and Germany were signatories to the 2015 deal. The U.S. withdrew in 2018 during the first term of President Donald Trump, who insisted the agreement wasnt tough enough.

Iranian officials have warned that a move to reimpose sanctions would have consequences. Gharibabadi said earlier this week that it could force Tehran to withdraw from key non-proliferation agreements.

In a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Araghchi accused the E3 of hypocrisy, saying they failed to uphold their obligations under the 2015 deal while supporting Israels recent strikes on Iran.

In last month's conflict, Iran responded to Israeli and U.S. strikes with missile attacks, including a strike on a U.S. base in Qatar, which Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted was not directed at the Qatari state.

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In an interview with Al Jazeera that aired on Wednesday, Pezeshkian said Iran is prepared for another war and accused Israel of attempting to assassinate him during a June 15 meeting of Iran's national security council in Tehran.

Pezeshkian reiterated that Irans nuclear program will continue within the framework of international law and insisted the country has no intention of pursuing nuclear weapons.

Our nuclear capabilities are in the minds of our scientists, he said, emphasizing Irans position that future negotiations must be rooted in mutual respect, not threats.

The aftermath of war

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According to Iran's official judicial news agency Mizan, at least 13 Iranian nuclear scientists were killed during the June Israel-Iran war.

The extent of the damage to Iran's nuclear sites from the war has not been publicly revealed but a spokesman for Irans Atomic Energy Organization said Thursday the countrys nuclear industry would recover.

Our nuclear industry is deeply rooted. What has roots cannot be harmed by attack or pressure  it will grow back and thrive again, state TV quoted Behrouz Kamalvandi as saying.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog  the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA  reported in May that Irans stockpile of uranium enriched to 60% had grown to over 400 kilograms (882 pounds). That material, just below weapons-grade level, remains a central concern for the West.

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After the June war, Iran suspended cooperation with the IAEA, following legislation signed by Pezeshkian.

The road ahead remains uncertain. While European officials say they want to avoid further conflict and are open to a negotiated solution, they have warned that time is running out.
Iranian state media outlet Tasnim News said that on July 23, at around ten in the morning, the USS Fitzgerald intended to approach the waters around Iran.

Iran is seeking to get back some pride in the wake of its drubbing at the hands of Israel and the US during the 12-day war that ended a month ago on June 24. As such, Iran has decided to have its state media celebrate claims that one of its military helicopters warned a US destroyer to stay away from Iranian waters in the Gulf of Oman.

The US Naval Institute's USNI news site noted that US Central Command is denying an American guided-missile destroyer violated Iranian waters, disputing claims in Iranian state media.

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Iranian state media outlet Tasnim News said that on July 23, at around ten in the morning, the USS Fitzgerald intended to approach the waters of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Iranian navys Third Nabataean Region Aviation Readiness Team (Nadaja) flew over this extra-regional vessel as quickly as possible by helicopter and issued a warning for it to move aw response, the American destroyer threatened to target the Iranian helicopter and demanded it leave the area. But the Iranian pilot resolutely continued his mission and once again repeated the warning to stay away from Iranian waters. An Iranian SH-3 Sea King helicopter was used in the incident to communicate with the US vessel.

For Iran, this is a small victory. It wants to show it continues to control its territorial waters and that it is monitoring US naval movements. Iran doesnt want to provoke a new conflict, but it wants to show it is still a country capable of projecting force. The Iranian media presents this as a case of a helicopter warning the US vessel to change course.

Clearly, a small helicopter would not be a match for a modern US destroyer. With the insistence of the flight team and the defense support of the Iranian army, the American destroyer finally agreed and moved away from the waters. Iranian media made it seem like the Americans had given up in this encounter.

In this handout photo provided by the U.S. Navy, the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) launches a missile from the aft missile deck during Multisail 17 on March 7, 2017 in the Philippine Sea. (credit: Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William McCann/U.S. Navy via Getty Images)

Al-Ain media in the UAE described the incident as a possible new crisis. A new chapter in the crisis between Iran and the United States, following the US strikes on Tehran's nuclear facilities last month, the report said. This report noted that the US Pentagon had responded that the naval ship had been "safe and professional" and that he vessels mission progress was not impeded.

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The Al-Ain report also notes that the Iranians depicted this as making the US ship surrender and turn back. Clearly, that is Irans narrative. Clashes have previously occurred between the two countries' forces in the waters off southern Iran, particularly in the Gulf of Oman, the report added.

In 2023, Tehran announced that it had forced a US submarine to surface while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a claim Washington denied. Iran also downed a $200 million Global Hawk drone in 2019. This came at a time when Iran had mined four ships off the coast of the UAE in the Gulf of Oman and also attacked two other ships underway in the same area.

US describes 'safe interaction' near Gulf of Oman

The USNI report says that USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) and an Iranian helicopter had what a US official described as a safe interaction Wednesday morning near the Gulf of Oman. The report notes the following: This interaction had no impact on USS Fitzgeralds mission and any reports claiming otherwise are falsehoods and attempts by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to spread misinformation, the defense told USNI News in a statement. US Central Command will continue to operate safely and professionally in accordance with internationally recognized norms and customs.

The Fitzgerald, an Arleigh Burke-class Aegis guided missile destroyer in the US Navy, was commissioned in 1995. It was deployed in June 2025 from San Diego and is operating as one of the naval assets of Central Command. Iranian harassment of American warships is not unusual in the waters near Iran," Afshon Ostovar, an associate professor at the Naval Postgraduate School, told USNI News, the report noted.

The one thing that they cannot do, especially with a single helicopter, is actually intimidate us. Like that Iranian helicopter was far more in danger than USS Fitzgerald was, Ostovar said to USNI.
Iran has said it warned a United States Navy destroyer to change course as it approached Iranian territorial waters in the Gulf of Oman, but the US has claimed the confrontation was professional and had no impact on its naval mission.

Iranian state media published video and images of Wednesdays incident  the first direct encounter reported between Iranian and US forces since the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June  taken from a helicopter dispatched to confront the USS Fitzgerald guided missile destroyer.

US destroyer Fitzgerald attempted to approach waters under Irans monitoring, in a provocative move, Iranian state television said.

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In video footage of the reported encounter, a helicopter is seen flying in close proximity to the warship and an Iranian crew member can be heard issuing what appeared to be a radio warning in English to the warship, ordering it to change course as it was approaching Irans territorial waters at about 10am local time (06:00 GMT).

Iranian state media have described the encounter as a tense exchange.

IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News on Wednesday released footage it claimed showed an Iranian navy helicopter forcing the USS Fitzgerald, a US guided missile destroyer, to alter its course. The report said the warship had approached waters under Irans supervision in the Sea of Oman. pic.twitter.com/gcfMQ23K6f  Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) July 23, 2025

The US destroyer reportedly responded by threatening to target the Iranian aircraft if it did not leave. The vessel eventually departed the area upon continued warnings from the Iranian military.

US Central Command disputed the Iranian account of tension, calling the incident a safe and professional interaction.

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Asked about the encounter, a US defence official, speaking on condition of anonymity with the Reuters news agency, also downplayed its seriousness.

This interaction had no impact to USS Fitzgeralds mission, and any reports claiming otherwise are falsehoods and attempts by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to spread misinformation, the official said.

The official, who said the interaction took place entirely in international waters, identified the aircraft as an Iranian SH-3 Sea King helicopter.

The US military inserted itself into Israels war against Iran last month when it bombed Iranian nuclear sites. US President Donald Trump hailed the strikes as a spectacular success that obliterated Irans nuclear programme.

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But media reports in the US, citing intelligence assessments, suggest the campaign was only partially successful, with just one of the three Iranian nuclear sites  the Fordow facility  reportedly destroyed.

In an interview broadcast on Wednesday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran was committed to continuing its nuclear programme for peaceful purposes, and that his country is prepared for any future war that Israel might wage against it.

He added that he was not optimistic about the ceasefire between the countries.




Tehran is facing a water shortage so severe that its population of 15 million could be forced to move, the Asr-Iran news outlet reported on Thursday, citing comments from President Masoud Pezeshkian.

"The situation is serious, and Tehran really no longer has any water," Pezeshkian said. Moving the capital as an emergency solution could not be ruled out, he said.

Iran is experiencing a water crisis in more than 20 of its 31 provinces. State news agency IRNA reported that one of the largest water reservoirs could dry out completely within the next four weeks.

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Levels have fallen to under 10% in seven reservoirs throughout the country, with two dams in the southern provinces of Hormozgan and Fars completely dry and 80% of reservoirs across the country almost empty.

Normal water supply will not be possible for the next two months until rainfall later in the year relieves the situation, climate experts say.

Pezeshkian pointed to years of drought as one reason for the current crisis, but also criticized previous government policy, which he said had ignored the problem.

Government offices and schools are to remain closed until at least Saturday on account of the crisis. Many factories have been shuttered in response to the shortages and a crisis in energy supply, with mass lay-offs anticipated.

Critics accuse the central government and provincial administrations of mismanagement in dealing with the weather challenges. Many Tehran residents have already left the capital for the northern provinces on the Caspian Sea, which are not experiencing supply problems.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani meets with Brig.-Gen. Kevin J. Lambert, the new commander of the anti-ISIS mission in Iraq.

Iraqs Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani met with the incoming commander of the anti-ISIS mission.

The meeting came after the new commander, Brig. Gen. Kevin J. Lambert, arrived in Iraq to take up his post leading Combined Joint Task Force  Operation Inherent Resolve.

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This coalition, which was established by the US in 2014 to fight ISIS, grew in 2015 and 2016 to include dozens of countries. Today, it faces questions about what its mission will be in the future.

Lambert takes over from US Army Maj.-Gen. Kevin C. Leahy. Leahy led the coalition from August 2024. He took over from Maj.-Gen. Joel Vowell in 2023. Each of the coalition commanders serves a one-year term, and Lambert is the 11th commander.

In 2024, the Pentagon announced that the mission would be in a transition phase, which is projected to end in September 2025. It was never clear what that would mean. Will it mean US troops will leave parts of Iraq?

A U.S. soldier is seen during a handover ceremony of Taji military base from US-led coalition troops to Iraqi security forces, in the base north of Baghdad, Iraq August 23, 2020 (credit: REUTERS/THAIER AL-SUDANI)

They are only deployed in a few places today, such as in Baghdad and Al-Asad base, as well as sites in the autonomous Kurdistan Region. The Kurdistan Regional Government wants the US to stay. Baghdad may have other ideas. This is why Sudanis meeting was important.

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Before looking at the Sudani meeting, its worth recalling what the Pentagon said about the mission in 2024.

The coalition nations and Iraq recognize that ISIS in Syria remains a significant threat to the region and pledged to continue working to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS."

The second phase looks to prevent the return of the ISIS terrorist threat in Syria. Iraq will allow the coalition to continue to support counter-ISIS operations in Syria from Iraq throughout the second phase of the transition until at least September 2026, subject to conditions on the ground and, obviously, consultations among future political leaders of Iraq and the United States.

Sudani welcomed the US officials to his office on Monday. He hosted US General Michael Kurilla, commander of US Central Command, and his accompanying delegation, along with US charge daffaires Steven Fagin.

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At the beginning of the meeting, the prime minister welcomed the delegation, which included the new commander of the International Coalition Forces against Terrorism in Iraq and Syria, Brig.-Gen. Kevin Lambert, and the outgoing commander, Maj.-Gen. Kevin Leahy, the Iraqi Prime Ministers Office said.

Iraqs prime minister discussed the cooperation between Iraq and the coalition. He also discussed preparations for transitioning to bilateral security relations with coalition member states. Discussions also covered the work of the Iraq-US Higher Military Commission, as well as security cooperation and coordination, in addition to developments in Syria and their implications for regional security.

Iraq's security concerns

Iraqs prime minister is concerned about security and also about what happens in neighboring Syria.

Prior to the fall of the Assad regime, many Iranian-backed militias in Iraq operated in Syria. They used to travel through Qaim on the border to Syrias Albukamal.

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When the Assad regime fell, the militias and their Syrian friends fled to Iraq. Iraq is concerned about Syria. It may also be concerned that any chaos in Syria could spill over to Iraq. For instance, the fighting in Sweida led to the mobilization of Bedouin tribes in the Euphrates river valley.

Many of these tribes have tribal connections to those in Iraqs Anbar province. As such, anything that happens in Syria can affect Iraq, because the Euphrates river valley is essentially one large area that links the two countries historically. In the pas,t extremists used the valley to enter Iraq to fight as insurgents against the US. Later, Iranian-backed militias went back up the valley from Iraq into Syria.

The Iraqi Prime Ministers Office noted that Sudani stressed the importance of maintaining stability, avoiding triggers that could escalate conflicts, and upholding the sovereignty of states in accordance with UN charters, international resolutions, dialogue, and mutual understanding. He emphasized the need to activate diplomatic efforts and cooperation to reinforce security and stability in the region.

What happens next is unclear. The US commander presides over a mission with only a few thousand troops. Its primarily a mission that involves some training and equipping of partner forces and some advising.

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As the US redeploys troops, its possible that the mission will have fewer than 1,000 personnel in Syria and similar numbers in Iraq. Its also possible the troops will be consolidated to the Kurdistan region and one or two bases in Syria.

With ISIS largely defeated, that may make sense for the mission. However, the US role in both countries likely has influence and leverage that go far beyond just boots on the ground. The US role, along with whats left of the international coalition, can be a force multiplier in terms of stability. Iraqs leader is watching, as are the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces and the new Syrian government.

In addition, Iran and Turkey are likely watching as well.
A partially covered section of the Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District's main canal. Located at the base of a hillside that sustained significant damage from the Rimrock Retreat Fire, the area has been deemed a high risk for landslides and debris flow. Photo by Emily Fitzgerald.

A 115-year-old canal in the Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District that was severely damaged during the Rimrock Retreat Fire last year is now at imminent risk of failure.

Fixing the 12-mile waterway will cost an estimated $229 million and involve work spread over more than a decade. But if the canal suddenly goes out of service, officials say it could cause up to $3 billion in losses over three years for 35,000 acres of farms and 28,000 acres of orchards in the Yakima Valley that are part of the irrigation district.

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Surrounding communities also rely on the canal to deliver water to fire hydrants and other municipal fire suppression systems.

The irrigation district has tapped $5 million in county, state and federal funds to help extend the life of the canal, and the two-year capital budget the Legislature approved this year included an additional $8.5 million for repairs and improvements.

While those funds will keep water flowing for now, the deteriorating state of the canal and the high risk of a catastrophic failure mean the canal needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

Construction would take place outside the growing season over the course of 15 years, with $15.3 million paid per year.

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The Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District has committed $80 million through a 30-year bond and is looking for other sources, including state and federal funding, to pay for the rest of the project.

Were trying to figure out how to put all this together, because this is a massive project that our district cannot shoulder alone, said Travis Okelberry, district manager of the Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District, during a tour of the Rimrock Retreat Fire area this week.

The canal delivers a rivers supply of water to an otherwise arid valley  If this canal system fails, it will absolutely devastate the Yakima Valley, Okelberry said.

The Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District has been working on a plan to replace the aging canal since 2013 and approved a gravity-fed boxed culvert design as its preferred alternative in 2024.

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As the irrigation district was working on a project plan, however, the Rimrock Retreat Fire broke out.

The fire started at a Rimrock Retreat cabin in July of last year and burned roughly 46,601 acres between Rimrock Lake and Tieton in the Yakima Valley over a month.

The full length of the canal was in the burn area.

There were logs and trees and boulders crashing into, on top of, and rolling down through our canal system. It tore apart the inside of the canal. Theres massive spalling and heat damage to the outside of the canal, Okelberry said.

The weakened integrity of the concrete has led to more leaks, with canal patrolmen documenting over 2,000 active leaks as of last week, Okelberry said.

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Weve done our best to seal them up during the off season, he said.

The fire also significantly increased the risk of landslides, debris flows and runoff on the hillside above the canal.

As mild as this springs rainfall was, Department of Natural Resources Recovery Program Manager Colin Haffey said that, without the normal vegetation to slow the flow of water through the watershed, they saw dangerous amounts of water flow over the top of the canal this year.

Debris flows after Mount St. Helens erupted in 1980 buried a mile-long section of the canal. A thunderstorm that occurred shortly after that debris flow further clogged the canal with ash and mud from the eruption, which caused a large section of the canal to flood and peel away from the hillside.

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To prevent a repeat of those problems and help mitigate damage throughout the burn area, the Department of Natural Resources wildfire-associated landslide emergency response team completed a geological survey of the Rimrock Retreat Fire area in September 2024.

The survey determined the areas most prone to landslides, flash floods and debris flows after the fire, as well as areas that would be most beneficial to monitor with trail cameras or flood sensors for early hazard detection.

Nancy Calhoun, Washington Geological Survey post-fire debris flow program manager, points to an high risk area for debris flow near the Yakima-Tieton Irrigation Districts main canal on a map developed by the wildfire-associated landslide emergency response team after the Rimrock Retreat Fire. Photo by Emily Fitzgerald.

The survey team focused primarily on assessing the dangers to people and infrastructure, including the canal and Highway 12.

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Based on the findings of the survey, the Yakima-Tieton Irrigation District spent $2 million this year to cover 12,000 feet of the canal in landslide-prone areas.

That funding was part of a total of $5 million for immediate repairs and improvements to mitigate future damage.

The irrigation district, Yakima County and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, as well as the state Department of Natural Resources, Department of Commerce and Department of Ecology all contributed funds.

Repairing and fortifying the canal has been a primary focus of Rimrock Retreat Fire recovery efforts due to its value to the surrounding community.

Theres no difference between the built environment of this canal and the natural environment of this watershed. Both are critical to the community, Haffey said.
From healthcare restrictions to a lack of support, Israeli migrants explained what is keeping them from returning home.

Despite an estimated one million Israelis residing abroad, a significant decline in citizens returning to the country has sparked concern among lawmakers and government officials. Data from the Aliyah and Integration Ministry indicates a sharp 53% drop in returning residents between 2020 and 2024, highlighting a pressing national challenge.

While an average of 6,650 citizens annually returned to Israel between 2014 and 2024, nearly a third of whom came back after at least a decade abroad, the recent downturn suggests growing obstacles.

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The Knessets Research and Information Center (RIC) provides varying estimates for Israelis living abroad, with the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) recording between 571,000 and 613,000 in 2021, excluding children born overseas. The Aliyah and Integration Ministrys broader estimate stands at approximately one million.

In response to these trends, Labor MK Gilad Kariv, who chairs the Aliyah, Absorption and Diaspora Committee, convened a session last Wednesday to discuss potential benefits for returning residents.

The committee has addressed the issue of benefits for returning Israelis in the past, but bringing Israelis back to live in their homeland is not a government priority, Kariv said.

Ben Gurion Airport (credit: AVSHALOM SHOSHANI)

He pointed out that the last government resolution on the matter was in 2010, and much of it was never implemented.

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Since then, Israeli governments have failed to meet their goals regarding returnees. Kariv emphasized the strategic importance of this population, noting that the Israeli Diaspora is the second-largest Jewish community after that in the US. We must establish a national program to bring them back.

According to RIC data, about 30% of returnees come back within five years, while a substantial 70% return after longer periods, with nearly a third choosing to come back after at least 10 years abroad.

Israel's healthcare system

One of the most significant challenges for returning residents is navigating Israels health insurance system. Israelis lose their health coverage after five years abroad and are required to wait anywhere from two to six months before regaining health services upon return.

To waive this waiting period, returnees face a fee of NIS 15,060. Between 2022 and 2024, 12,581 adult returnees were subject to this waiting period, with only 1,281 opting to pay for immediate coverage.

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One of the biggest challenges for returnees is health insurance. Israelis lose their health coverage after five years abroad. To renew it, they must wait six months or pay NIS 15,000 for immediate coverage, reiterated Dr. Ayala Eliyahu from the Knesset RIC.

Little support from the state

Beyond health coverage, returning residents often face a disparity in benefits compared to new immigrants.

New immigrants receive tax credits, but returning residents do not. Returnees who come back after six to 10 years are not eligible for additional benefits and must pay taxes on some of their foreign-earned income, explained Meir Eisenkot of the Knesset RIC.

Yesh Atid MK Vladimir Beliak highlighted these bureaucratic obstacles that many Israelis abroad encounter, noting the gap between the benefits for new immigrants and those for returnees. He stressed, Unfortunately, in the last two years, Israel has become less attractive to Israelis living abroad. These are strong individuals who now pay taxes to other countries. We must create positive incentives to bring them back, and it must be a top government priority.

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A sharp drop in returnees has been observed since 2023. MK Kariv directly linked this decline to the ongoing political debates within Israel. I have no doubt this is tied to the ongoing debate over the states democratic and liberal character. As long as ministers continue attacking the countrys democratic symbols, fewer Israelis will come back, he asserted. He also pointed out that large numbers of Israelis continue to leave the country each year. Net migration is negative.

This negative migration trend underscores the urgency of the situation, with MK Kariv declaring, Bringing Israelis home must be a central issue for the committee in the coming months, with the goal of creating a national emergency plan to encourage their return. Bringing Israelis home is a vital national interest.

The Jerusalem Post spoke with Israelis on both sides of this migration trend to understand their motivations.

Miriam Karayoff and her family chose to leave Israel for the United States, driven by perceived better opportunities. As an American, I felt like we have better opportunities in the US, Karayoff told the Post. Her husband and daughter are Israeli, and she secured a marriage-based Green Card to facilitate their move.

Returning home

Conversely, Philip Kestenbaum, 69, an American-born Israeli citizen who moved to Israel at the age of 15 but left in 1985, is now planning a gradual return. Kestenbaum, who is nearing retirement, plans to spend several months shuttling between Israel and the US.

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I am ready to slow down and am well within retirement age, but [I am coming back] to look for opportunities, he said. His initial departure was due to social difficulties, finding it hard to establish lasting relationships when potential partners were often in Israel for short periods.

Now, Kestenbaums primary motivation for returning is his family. I want to come back mainly because two of my children and grandkids are in Israel, as well as other family, he stated, acknowledging, I have still never felt comfortable as a native, I visit twice a year But the positives outweigh other valid feelings.

The Aliyah and Integration Ministry and the Foreign Ministry operate Israeli Houses in 10 diplomatic missions abroad, providing assistance and organizing events to encourage return.

Doris Kraif from the Aliyah and Integration Ministry said, Most core members of Israeli youth movements abroad are children of emigrants. We are in talks with the minister about a returnee policy. The committees message has been conveyed to ministry leadership. Were examining the issue within our priorities. Our aliyah fairs target both local Jews and Israeli emigrants.

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YAIR KANAI of the Jewish Agency emphasized that encouraging Israelis and their children to return is a different and more complex process than encouraging aliyah among Jewish communities abroad. It must be handled with sensitivity.

The Finance Ministrys Budget Department, represented by Tair Raubchein, cautioned against creating incentives for Israelis to leave the country for short periods when developing returnee plans. She mentioned that a recently established program to bring back Israeli doctors has a NIS 20 million budget and is actively working on that front.

MK Kariv concluded the committee session by asserting, There is no difference between new immigrants and returning residents  both should be warmly embraced by the State of Israel from the moment they express interest in coming back.

He affirmed the groups commitment to working toward an updated government resolution to support the return of Israelis, and requested that the Finance Ministry and the Tax Authority explain their positions on granting tax credits to returnees to bridge the gap with new immigrants.

Additionally, Kariv stressed the need to develop specific measures to assist the children of returnees, particularly concerning educational integration.
Two Palestinian teenage boys have been killed by Israeli forces in the town of al-Khader, south of Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank, according to the Wafa news agency, in the latest deadly violence in the territory continuing in tandem with Israels genocidal war on Gaza.

The bodies of 15-year-old Ahmad Ali Asaad Ashira al-Salah and 17-year-old Muhammad Khaled Alian Issa, who were killed at dawn, were withheld by the Israeli army, the report said, adding that two more children were also injured in the gunfire.

The deadly incident came as Israeli forces arrested at least 25 Palestinians in multiple raids across the occupied West Bank, according to Wafa.

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The arrests include 10 Palestinians in the town of Beit Ummar, north of Hebron; two in the town of Idhna, west of Hebron; three in the town of Dura al-Qari, north of Ramallah; one in the city of Ramallah; five in the village of al-Mazraa ash-Sharqiya, east of Ramallah; and four in the city of Nablus.





Making Palestinian lives impossible

Since the start of the war on Gaza, Israeli violence in the occupied West Bank has escalated dramatically, with near-daily reports of mass arrests, killings and Israeli settler attacks, often supported by Israeli soldiers. Settlers have been rampaging with impunity, attacking and killing Palestinian civilians and burning their properties and olive groves.

According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), at least 948 Palestinians have been killed in the territory by Israeli soldiers since October 7, 2023. Of that figure, at least 204 are children.

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Meanwhile, from the beginning of 2024 until the end of June 2025, more than 2,200 Israeli settler attacks were reported, resulting in more than 5,200 Palestinian injuries, according to OCHA figures. In that same period, nearly 36,000 Palestinians were forcibly displaced across the occupied West Bank due to Israeli military operations, settler violence or home demolitions carried out by the Israeli government.

The Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank is part of the Israeli governments strategy for preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state, according to Amjad Abu El Ezz, a lecturer of international relations at the Arab American University.

The increased number of killings, and the destruction of Palestinian homes and vehicles by Israeli settlers in coordination with the Israeli army, aim to encourage Palestinians to leave their land, Abu El Ezz told Al Jazeera from Ramallah.

Israel is weakening the governing Palestinian Authority, making Palestinian lives impossible, while at the same time building Israeli facts on the ground to prevent the Palestinians from building their own state, he added.

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We are talking about more than 700,000 Israeli settlers. They have weapons, they are acting as an army in parallel to the Israeli army, Abu El Ezz said.





On Wednesday, Israels parliament approved a symbolic measure calling for the annexation of the occupied West Bank.

Knesset lawmakers voted 71-13 in favour of the motion on Wednesday, a non-binding vote which calls for applying Israeli sovereignty to Judea, Samaria and the Jordan Valley  the Israeli terms for the area.

The motion, advanced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus coalition, is declarative and has no direct legal implications, though it could place the issue of annexation on the agenda of future debates in the parliament.

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The Palestinian Foreign Ministry on Thursday condemned the Israeli parliaments vote on the annexation of the occupied West Bank, calling it colonial and racist.

The Palestinian Mujahideen Movement called it a dangerous escalation.

In a statement on Telegram, the group said the move was a clear disregard for the international community and a way for Israel to implement its criminal plans targeting the land of Palestine and its people.

The West Bank, along with the Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem, has been under Israeli occupation since 1967. Since then, Israeli settlements have expanded exponentially, despite being illegal under international law and, in the case of settlement outposts, Israeli law.




The Israeli negotiating team involved in efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza has been called back to Israel for consultations, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Thursday.

The Palestinian militant group Hamas said earlier in the day that it had submitted a response to mediators regarding a proposed ceasefire.

Israeli news site ynet, citing informed sources, said the response was an updated version, though the contents were not immediately disclosed.

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The United States, Qatar and Egypt are mediating between Israel and Hamas in the Qatari capital Doha. The proposal on the table envisions a 60-day ceasefire during which Hamas would release 10 of the remaining living hostages held in the Gaza Strip.

A sign of progress or stagnation?

Israeli media were divided about what the recall of the negotiating team signalled, with some seeing it as a sign that the talks had stalled, and others believing it showed they were gaining momentum.

But the Hostage and Missing Families Forum said the relatives of the remaining hostages were deeply concerned about the team's return from Doha.

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"The negotiations have dragged on for far too long," it wrote on X, adding that "another missed opportunity to bring all 50 hostages back would be inexcusable."

"It would be yet another moral, security, and diplomatic failure in an endless chain of failures," the post continued.

According to the US news outlet Axios, US special envoy Steve Witkoff was scheduled to meet in Rome with Israel's minister for strategic affairs, Ron Dermer, and a representative from Qatar on Thursday.

If sufficient progress is made, Witkoff will travel from Rome to Doha, the capital of Qatar, later this week to try to finalize the ceasefire agreement, Axios reported, citing US and Israeli sources.

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Following the ceasefire, discussions are planned to work towards a permanent resolution to the conflict.

Media reports indicate ongoing disagreements over key issues, including the extent of the Israeli troop withdrawal, particularly from southern Gaza. Israel insists its forces maintain a buffer zone along the Egyptian border.

Palestinian president calls on Trump to help get aid to Gaza

As the war rages on in the sealed-off Gaza Strip, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appealed to US President Donald Trump to intervene to allow UN organizations to deliver aid.

In his televised address, Abbas - who heads the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank - also called on the international community to find ways to bring the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of humanitarian aid waiting outside Gaza into the embattled area, the WAFA news agency reported.

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Abbas said the Palestinian people were facing the greatest humanitarian catastrophe of our time. He called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the import of food and medical supplies and the release of Palestinian tax revenues withheld by the Israeli government.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Wednesday of a deadly hunger crisis in the Gaza Strip after over 21 months of war.

"We are witnessing a daily surge in malnutrition-related death," said WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Israel is preparing to provide aerial support to Cyprus in its battle against the fires sweeping the island, the ministry shared on X.

Israel will send Air Force jets to Cyprus to assist in fighting the wildfires on Thursday night, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

At the direction of Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, and in coordination with security and emergency authorities, Israel is preparing to provide aerial support to Cyprus in its battle against the fires sweeping the island, the ministry wrote.

The ministry announced that Saar and Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos continue to maintain close and ongoing communication to ensure the aid is delivered and deployed as quickly as possible.

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The aircraft are scheduled to depart this evening.

The State of Israel stands with Cyprus, a close friend and neighbor, and remains committed to offering assistance in times of emergency, the ministry concluded.

Firefighting teams trying to gain control of raging wildfire, May 1, 2025. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI)

Cyprus assisted in Israel's wildfires

In April, as wildfires spread across Israel, Sa'ar made numerous calls with his international counterparts, including those from Cyprus, to request assistance in combating the wildfires.

As part of international aid, Cyprus contributed to the effort with Air Tractor AT-802 planes similar to those used by Israel. This regional cooperation enabled a quicker and more effective response to cross-border emergencies, The Jerusalem Post previously reported.

Fire rages across Cyprus and Turkey

Firefighters across Turkey and Cyprus battled multiple wildfires on Thursday amid a searing Mediterranean heatwave that has scorched swathes of land and killed 10 firefighters in central Turkey.

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At least six separate wildfires burned across Turkey and Turkish Agriculture and Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli warned that strong winds and scorching heat were creating extremely dangerous conditions.

Late on Wednesday, Yumakli said 10 firefighters were killed while battling a fire in the central Eskisehir province, adding that 14 others were injured. Fanned by strong winds, the fire later spread to another central province, Afyonkarahisar, while some towns and villages were evacuated.

In the northwestern province of Bilecik, fires raged for a fourth straight day, as firefighters struggled to contain them and evacuated several villages. Some residents were later allowed to return to areas declared safe.

"They couldn't intervene. There is no decent road, forests are thick and it's rocky. Helicopters don't work at night, and because they don't work, they couldn't intervene, said Cemil Karadag, a resident of the village of Selcik.

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"It engulfed our village from two or three sides, they couldn't intervene ... It spread very quickly with the effect of the wind, but, thank God, (the centre of) our village wasn't damaged that much."

In the Black Sea province of Sakarya, a wildfire erupted even as firefighters worked to contain another nearby. A key highway was shut due to the blaze, while some villages and towns were evacuated.

Another fire in the neighbouring province of Karabuk, where the UNESCO World Heritage City of Safranbolu is located, quickly grew and led to 10 villages being evacuated, while a sixth blaze raged in the Western province of Manisa.
The US and Israeli negotiating teams involved in efforts to secure a ceasefire between the Palestinian militant Hamas movement and Israel in the Gaza Strip have both been recalled home in a sign the talks may be on the brink of failure.

The US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, wrote on the platform X that Hamas is not willing to achieve a ceasefire. Although the mediators have made great efforts, he said that the Islamist group does not seem to be acting in a coordinated or honest manner.

"We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza," Witkoff posted.

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"It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way. We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza," he added.

It was decided to bring the team home from Doha for consultations, he said.

What exactly this means for the efforts to end the Gaza conflict was initially unclear.

A State Department spokesman said: "This humanitarian catastrophe lies at the feet of Hamas who could end this conflict by releasing the hostages and laying down their arms."

The US, along with Qatar and Egypt, acts as a mediator between Israel and Hamas, as the two warring parties do not speak directly to each other.

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On the negotiating table was a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire, during which Hamas would release 10 of the remaining hostages.

Israel also recalls team

The Israeli negotiating team was called back to Israel for consultations, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier on Thursday.

Hamas had said before that that it had submitted a response to mediators regarding a proposed ceasefire.

Israeli news site ynet, citing informed sources, said the response was an updated version, though the contents were not immediately disclosed.

There are still 50 hostages believed to be in the Gaza Strip, of whom at least 20 are believed to be alive.

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Hamas and other Islamists abducted more than 250 people from Israel to the Gaza Strip during their terror attack on October 7, 2023. More than 1,200 people were killed in the attack.

Israel responded with massive airstrikes and a ground offensive in Gaza. According to the Hamas-run health authority, tens of thousands of people have been killed in these attacks, although the figures do not distinguish between civilians and Hamas fighters.

A sign of progress or stagnation?

Israeli media were divided about what the recall of the negotiating team signalled, with some seeing it as a sign that the talks had stalled, and others believing it showed they were gaining momentum.

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But the Hostage and Missing Families Forum said the relatives of the remaining hostages were deeply concerned about the team's return from Doha.

"The negotiations have dragged on for far too long," it wrote on X, adding that "another missed opportunity to bring all 50 hostages back would be inexcusable."

"It would be yet another moral, security, and diplomatic failure in an endless chain of failures," the post continued.

If a ceasefire were to be agreed, discussions are planned to work towards a permanent resolution to the conflict.

Media reports indicate ongoing disagreements over key issues, including the extent of the Israeli troop withdrawal, particularly from southern Gaza. Israel insists its forces maintain a buffer zone along the Egyptian border.

Palestinian president calls on Trump to help get aid to Gaza

As the war rages on in the sealed-off Gaza Strip, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas appealed to US President Donald Trump to intervene to allow UN organizations to deliver aid.

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In his televised address, Abbas - who heads the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank - also called on the international community to find ways to bring the hundreds of thousands of tons of humanitarian aid waiting outside Gaza into the embattled area, the WAFA news agency reported.

Abbas said the Palestinian people were facing the greatest humanitarian catastrophe of modern times. He called for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the import of food and medical supplies and the release of Palestinian tax revenues withheld by the Israeli government.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Wednesday of a deadly hunger crisis in the Gaza Strip after over 21 months of war. "We are witnessing a daily surge in malnutrition-related death," said WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Palestinians carrying bags of flour walk along a street in Khan Yunis after trucks carrying humanitarian aid entered the southern Gaza Strip through the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom border crossing. Abed Rahim Khatib/dpa
By Ateev Bhandari and Pritam Biswas

(Reuters) -Online security and compliance management platform Vanta was valued at $4.15 billion in its latest fundraising round, up from $2.45 billion just a year ago, as investor appeal of risk-mitigating software rises in tandem with cyber attacks.

The $150 million Series-D round, led by new investor Wellington Management, brings Vanta's total external funding to $504 million, Vanta said on Wednesday.

Businesses' increasing reliance on cloud and artificial intelligence technologies has also amplified their exposure to cyber attacks. As they expand across borders, they also have to deal with compliance requirements that vary greatly by nations.

In recent months, hacker targets have included retailer Marks & Spencer, tech behemoth Microsoft and insurer Aflac.

Proceeds from the round will be used to expand Vanta's AI offerings and customer base, including engagements with the U.S. government, Vanta co-founder and CEO Christina Cacioppo told Reuters.

Venture financing arms of major corporations also participated in the round, indicating industry validation. These included Goldman Sachs Alternatives, J.P. Morgan, CrowdStrike Ventures and Atlassian Ventures - whose parent Atlassian is a Vanta customer as well.

Vanta's previous financing round in July 2024, led by Sequoia Capital, had valued it at $2.45 billion, implying a 69% rise in valuation in a year.

The AI boom has helped U.S. startups attract investment so far this year, even as venture capital firms struggled to raise money, according to a Pitchbook report.

Cacioppo likened AI's impact on productivity to centaur chess, in which a combination of computer and human intuition can enhance player experience.

Founded in 2018, Vanta employs more than 1,000 people across its offices in Dublin, New York, San Francisco, Sydney, and London - which it opened late last year.

Vanta's newly launched AI agent can help teams finish security reviews 81% faster, the company said.

(Reporting by Ateev Bhandari and Pritam Biswas in Bengaluru; Editing by Sahal Muhammed)
The passing by Israel's parliament of a symbolic motion annexing the West Bank drew criticism from many countries on Thursday.

The non-binding resolution, which passed by 71 to 13 in the Knesset, declared the West Bank to be "an inseparable part of the Land of Israel, the historical, cultural and spiritual homeland of the Jewish people," the Times of Israel reported.

Countries in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned the move, describing it as "a blatant violation of international law and a direct infringement of several pertinent United Nations Security Council resolutions."

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Bahrain, Egypt, Indonesia, Jordan, Nigeria, the Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates joined in calling on the international community to oppose what they termed "the illegitimate Israeli policies" aimed at annexing Palestinian territories.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to a two-state solution establishing a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.

The Knesset resolution called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to apply Israeli sovereignty, law, judgement and administration to all the areas of Jewish settlement in the West Bank.

Parts of the West Bank are currently administered by the Palestinian Authority, while the remainder falls under Israeli military control.

Some 3 million Palestinians and around 700,000 Israeli settlers live in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which were seized by Israeli forces in the 1967 Six-Day War. Israeli annexed East Jerusalem in 1980.
Dermer will also discuss the upcoming Iranian nuclear negotiations with European officials, ahead of the talks between European nations and Iran that will take place in Istanbul.

Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer will meet US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Paris on Thursday to discuss security matters relating to southern Syria, sources told The Jerusalem Post.

Following the eruption of fighting between Druze and local Bedouin tribes in the city of Sweida in southern Syria, Israel struck Damascus and government forces operating alongside the Bedouins in an effort to protect the Druze minority in southern Syria.

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Notably, a US citizen was killed during the clashes between Druze and Bedouin militias in Sweida, the State Department confirmed last week.

Dermer will also discuss the upcoming Iranian nuclear negotiations with European officials, ahead of the talks between European nations and Iran, which are scheduled to take place in Istanbul on Friday, sources told the Post.

Senior diplomats from France and Germany will hold direct face-to-face talks with Iran since Israel and the United States struck Iran's nuclear facilities in June.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani stands next to US envoy for Syria Thomas Barrack as he raises the American flag at US ambassador's residency in Damascus, Syria May 29, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/FIRAS MAKDESI)

US President Donald Trumps lifting of sanctions on Syria and the international communitys cautious support of the new regime are at risk due to Syrias current conflict, which has undermined the governments authority, Barrack said on Sunday.

Barrack: Sharaa must 'recalibrate his policies'

On Tuesday, Barrack urged Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to recalibrate his policies and embrace a more inclusive approach after a new round of sectarian bloodshed earlier in July, or risk losing international support and fragmenting the country.

Barrack said he had advised Sharaa in private discussions to revisit elements of the pre-war army structure, scale back Islamist indoctrination, and seek regional security assistance.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  A Jamaican citizen living in New Haven was arrested and charged on Wednesday with illegal reentry after being deported.

Norwalk man sentenced to 5 years in prison for trafficking narcotics

Dwayne Claud Singh, 37, was allegedly convicted of drug, weapon and forgery offenses in Connecticut in 2014, according to court documents.

He was deported to Jamaica in January 2018 for violating the Immigration and Nationality Act.

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Singh allegedly reentered the United States and has been using Connecticut and California documents under a false name.

Man sentenced after stealing $1.5M worth of mail from New Haven, West Haven mail boxes

Singh has an active state arrest warrant for breach of peace and threatening offenses, which was issued by the Connecticut Superior Court in March 2023.

If Singh is found guilty of illegally reentering the country, he could face a maximum term of 20 years in prison.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CENTENNIAL (KDVR)  The brother of the woman who was allegedly murdered by her dentist husband in Aurora took the stand Thursday and told the court about the last moments of her life.

That brother says he traveled to Aurora to try and help his sister, who crashed at the hospital not long after they arrived. That brother talked about the moments Angela Craig got so sick in her home that she could barely hold herself up.

Mark Pray said Angela began to deteriorate quickly after he gave her the medicine James Craig had prescribed. Pray says he and his wife came to Aurora from Utah after Angela told them she was concerned and frustrated that she wasnt getting better.

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James Craig, 47, is accused of poisoning his wife, Angela, with cyanide and tetrahydrozoline. Craig pleaded not guilty to several charges, including first-degree murder, solicitation to commit murder and solicitation to commit perjury.

Prosecutors say she was poisoned by the dentist who was having extramarital affairs.

Pray said James had told him to give Angela an antibiotic called Clindamycin, which he had allegedly prescribed.

I went in her bedroom. I gave her the medication, Pray said. Within 20 to 25 minutes, she couldnt even hold herself up. I carried her out to the car and took her to the emergency room.

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After Angela was declared brain dead, Pray said he texted James Craig, telling him, I think they view this as a suspicious death.

Pray told the jury that James Craig said Angelas last words were, Why do I hurt?

When the family went to the Craig home in Aurora, Pray said there were police everywhere.

One of Angelas sisters also testified, saying she never knew her sister to be suicidal and that she loved life and her kids. Defense attorneys said Angela had said she was broken because of him and that James Craig had told her he kept cheating and she deserved better.

Prosecutors also called another witness to the stand, a woman who said she, too, had a relationship with Craig after meeting him on a dating website where women could meet sugar daddies.

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James Craig trial: Continuing coverage

 Jump to: Archived live blog with updates below.

Prosecution has spent over a week calling on witnesses to take the stand. So far, several investigators, former coworkers, romantic affairs and other witnesses have taken the stand.

On Wednesday, a former cellmate of Craigs testified that Craig had asked him to kill an Aurora Police Department investigator working on the case. A woman also testified Craig told her he and his wife were having problems and that he said, he knew how he could get away with murder.

Archived Live Updates

FOX31s Vicente Arenas shared notes from the courtroom. Updates were published by the team in the newsroom.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 perpetually exasperated LBC talk radio host James OBrien seems to provoke irritation and inspire admiration in equal measure.

During the weekday show he has hosted since 2004, he has become famed as much for his sneering derision for callers on subjects from Brexit to Donald Trump as he has for eloquently dissecting the news of the day.

But this week, the 53-year-olds polarising approach slipped into something more sinister when he repeated the anti-Semitic testimony of a man who made ludicrous claims about his Jewish wifes anti-Arab indoctrination.

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Speaking to his audience of hundreds of thousands, the former Newsnight host read out a message that said: My wife was brought up Jewish and at Shabbat school, in a leafy Hertfordshire town, she was taught that one Jewish life is worth thousands of Arab lives and that Arabs are cockroaches to be crushed. Whilst young children are taught such hatred and dehumanisation  undoubtedly on both sides  then they will always be able to justify death and cruelty.

Unacceptable and highly offensive

OBriens apparent readiness to accept the veracity of the inflammatory account led to calls for his suspension from LBC. For critics, it marked the most extreme example yet of his perceived arrogance.

Indeed, OBrien prefaced what he read out on Tuesday with the words: Im fascinated by objectivity, as if  rather than being a highly questionable set of claims  this was a provably factual account that his audience desperately needed to be made aware of.

Others, however, were quick to take issue with his behaviour. Critics included the Board of Deputies of British Jews, who called OBriens decision unacceptable and highly offensive.

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The backlash has led him to issue an apology, and footage of the incident has now been removed from LBCs social media platforms.

As with all the texts and messages that I read out on the programme, I did so in good faith, said OBrien. But the message has understandably upset a lot of people, and I regret taking those unsubstantiated claims at face value and am genuinely sorry for that.

Of course, being a talk show host necessitates heated debate and disagreement. But this appeared to be OBrien indulging shock-jock tactics, airing the type of conspiracy that he would typically rail against.

Political ambiguity

For all his divisiveness, OBriens own politics are somewhat undefined. He has described himself as liberal (not Lib Dem) and he is far from being a Left-wing firebrand or Corbynista (last week he said he couldnt defend Diane Abbott after she recanted her comments about Jews not being subject to racism equivalent to people of colour  describing Abbotts remarks as objectively stupid).

His adoptive father was a journalist who once worked for The Telegraph, and OBriens own career has spanned stints at The Daily Mail, The Express, The Spectator and the BBCs Newsnight.

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His technique on LBC is to position himself as someone who wants to uncover the truth or say the unsayable  to challenge the mainstream media, whether that be Conservative-leaning newspapers or the BBC. It is his job to provoke reactions from his listeners, but its as much his manner as his content that divides opinion.

Brexits loudest critic

OBrien is best known as a standard bearer for Remainers over Brexit, and one of the most persistent and polarising voices on the fall-out from Britains decision to leave the EU. The prominence of Brexit, especially from 2019 onwards, coincided with his and LBCs ability to exploit social media. OBriens confrontational soliloquies or exchanges with callers regularly go viral, expanding his reach beyond his weekly audience of 1.5 million.

This statement from one of his shows from May this year is typical: Ive enjoyed nothing more over the last few years than explaining to you the reality that has been either completely ignored or misunderstood by almost every other corner of the UK media, including many beloved colleagues on this station, some of whom asked you to stop talking about Brexit, which is a demonstration of ignorance visible from space.

His style  sometimes characterised as patronising  has been parodied most effectively by the impressionist Tony Lapidus, who manages to convey both OBriens over-familiarity and his ability to verbally outmanoeuvre callers.

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At 10 oclock he eases himself into his very own Star Chamber, wig in place, and casts a practised eye over the miscreants he has lined up for his daily exercise, wrote Michael Henderson in The Critic magazine in 2022. Nobody is quite as clever as he, nor as public-spirited. His rebukes are coated with sarcasm and exasperation but as he falls short of top-notch intelligence, and has a limited vocabulary, his barbs rarely wound as he would like.

OBrien has long been cited as a spokesman for centrist dads. His interventions are often anti-Trump and anti-Reform, as well as continuing to attack Brexit. He castigates anyone who strays from centrist orthodoxies as ignorant or ill-intentioned.

In August last year, he called the riots following the Southport murders the Farage riots in reference to the Reform leader. (His labelling of the unrest attracted numerous complaints. Ofcom did not uphold them.) Farage said in response: At no point in the past 30 years have I ever encouraged violence or the use of undemocratic means and yet we have LBC presenters like James OBrien calling them the Farage riots.

OBrien wrote a virtual centrist dad manifesto in the form of his book trilogy How to Be Right, How Not to Be Wrong and How They Broke Britain, the titles of which only further irritated his detractors. He said of How They Broke Britain: I hope this book becomes some sort of Rosetta Stone, or at least a compass to navigate the oceans of bullshit.

Self-induced crisis

OBrien is often seen in the studio rubbing his head with frustration, as if the combined obligations of listening to the views of the public and having to set them straight is about to break him at any moment. It is, however, an effective media persona. His mid-morning show, broadcast after that of Right-leaning Nick Ferraris At Breakfast, is the most popular on LBC.

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Asked about OBriens approach, Matt Deegan, a radio industry expert and the host of The Media Club podcast, says: Its always been fun to put down callers and let them fall into traps. There is a good apocryphal quote from the New York radio legend Howard Stern, which is something like, People who hate me listen longer than the people who like me. Sometimes people tune in to be offended.

Before this week, OBrien has mostly managed to tread the line between leaning into disagreement and becoming embroiled in scandal. But this isnt the first time that he has found himself in a self-induced crisis.

From 2014, OBrien was a vocal supporter of the later convicted paedophile and fraudster Carl Beech, who made unfounded claims of sexual abuse against numerous politicians and public figures, including the former Conservative MP Harvey Proctor and former home secretary Leon Brittan. Especially damning was the prominent support his show gave to Mark Watts, the editor of the now-defunct Exaro news organisation, who was at the time leading the campaign supporting the accusations made by Beech, many of which did huge personal damage to the falsely accused and their families.

In 2015, OBrien commented: Words like cover-up spring to mind. Words like conspiracy spring to mind. In a series of exchanges with Watts at the time, he cast doubt over the commitment of the mainstream media and Britains political establishment to address Beechs alleged revelations.

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Four years later, in September 2019, Beech was jailed for 18 years on 12 counts of perverting the course of justice, one of fraud, and for several child sexual offences. There is no suggestion OBrien knew of Beechs crimes while he was defending him  far from it  but Beechs eventual conviction still cast a shadow over someone whose career is based on being right.

OBrien would later say on X: Hate the Carl Beech story. We gave his allegations against dead politicians a lot of coverage on the show & it turns out he was bulls----ing everyone. But from Rotherham to Westminster to the BBC, telling abuse survivors that theyll be believed still seems the right thing to do.

There will always be accusations of bias over a long period of time if you do a show every day on subjects people feel very passionate about, says Deegan. Hosting a three-hour live show means you have to keep things interesting and express a lot of opinions.

Selective firepower

Certainly, OBrien doesnt seem short of opinions or a willingness to air them. But while he is adept at taking down callers whose arguments he sees as flimsy or foolish, he seems less interested in the knotty business of offering coherent alternatives.

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In stark contrast to the Brexit debate, he has been far less strident on trans issues, for example, saying in 2023: If someone believes that they were born in the wrong body, I dont want to call them a liar. And if somebody believes that their personal security is threatened by that person using the same amenities that they use, I dont want to call them a liar either.

It is his apparent self-righteousness, whether he chooses to come down firmly on one side or not, that perhaps alienates his opponents above all.

There are lots of opportunities for us to dedicate ourselves to evidence and fact, while the age seems to be dedicated to promoting idiots and falsehood and disinformation, OBrien said in May this year.

A somewhat ironic comment in the context of the past couple of days.

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As someone who worked at LBC, hosting a three-hour radio show every Sunday afternoon for a year, its easy to see how it happened.

Id often be handed an A4 sheet of listeners texts and emails to read out, live on air, with no means of vetting them beforehand. Thats what producers are for.

But when youre the host of a show, the buck stops with you, not your less experienced and comparatively poorly paid juniors. Thats the cost of having your name in lights.

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I had to cut off my fair share of f-ers and blinders. Callers would rant and rave; theyd spout offensive stuff. Youd have to exercise your own journalistic judgment  regardless of the voice in your ear.

So there is a teeny weeny part of me that has a very small amount of sympathy for the predicament James OBrien now finds himself in after reading out a text from a listener called Chris on his LBC show this week that was deemed to be highly offensive to Jews.

Credit: LBC

OBrien claimed that he read out the message, which claimed that Jews attending a Shabbat school in a leafy Hertfordshire town are taught that Arabs are cockroaches to be crushed, in the interest of objectivity.

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That would be a valid excuse, had OBrien not built his entire career on the highly subjective nature of his anti-Tory, anti-Brexit and anti-anyone-who-disagrees schtick.

He has since apologised following widespread condemnation and calls for him to be taken off air by the Board of Deputies of British Jews, among others.

I have nothing but respect for the hard-working presenters and producers at LBC who have one of the most difficult jobs in broadcasting.

As the countrys most popular commercial speech radio channel, they have a huge task on their hands filtering the thousands of calls, texts and social media posts from ordinary members of the public and should be applauded for ensuring that their voices are heard.

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But the truth is, OBrien should have known better. Because, as he himself has repeatedly claimed, he is always right about everything, all the time. Such is his self-styled intellectual and indeed, moral superiority, he even wrote a book entitled How to be Right in a World Gone Wrong.

As The Guardians review of the lofty 2018 tome put it, OBrien revels in towering over callers, who by and large, are amateurs, unpractised in making coherent arguments under critical examination.

It added: Thats a problem, because it makes them look stupid and makes him seem like a show-off, even a bully.

If you carve out a career by putting everyone right; politicians, rival commentators, even your own listeners  you cannot complain when youre found to be in the wrong.

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If youre convinced youre the smartest person in any room, you cannot blame others when you do something stupid.

If you know better than anyone else, then no one else can be held responsible for your own gargantuan errors.

We may never know whether OBrien was purposefully set up by Chris  or simply fell for the oldest blood libel in the book.

But those used to being schooled by the Ampleforthian can surely be forgiven for taking delight in him making such a schoolboy error.

OBriens hefty listening figures (second only to breakfast presenter Nick Ferrari) will no doubt save him again.

But LBC will perhaps be able to right this wrong by reminding its outspoken host that there is no mistake as great as thinking youre incapable of making one.

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Rep. Jasmime Crockett wants Ghislaine Maxwell  who is serving a 20-year sentence for aiding sex trafficking financier Jeffrey Epstein  to testify before Congress before she speaks under oath to the Trump Justice Department.

US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, President Donald Trumps former personal attorney, will meet with Maxwell on Thursday in Florida, where she is serving out her two-decade sentence for scheming with the late pedophile power-player to sexually exploit and abuse young women and girls.

The meeting comes just a day after the House Oversight Committee, on which Crockett sits, voted to subpoena Maxwell. On Wednesday, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer issued a subpoena and set Maxwells deposition date for Aug. 11.

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I don't know that we'll get anywhere, but I know if there's anybody that I want to talk to her, it is us  and not the administration  because at least if she comes before the committee, even if it's behind closed doors, it will be bipartisan, Crockett, a frequent Trump antagonist, told The Independent.

It won't just be one side able to ask questions, it'd be both sides, whereas the administration, they're a bunch of thugs, she railed. And frankly, if it means that she can engage in a coverup, he'll most likely let her out of jail free. He's let people out of jail for far less.

(Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) said she wants Ghislaine Maxwell to testify before the House as well as the Justice Department.)

This comes after the Department of Justice released a two-page memo on July 6 saying that Epstein, the convicted pedophile, had no client list and died of suicide in his New York City jail cell, where he was found hanged by bed sheets.

But Crockett, who spoke to The Independent before Comer issued his subpoena, also cautioned that she did not know if they would actually hear testimony from the once high-flying former socialite Maxwell.

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I don't know if she has appeals that are pending, and I'm sure that her attorneys will have some issues, some questions surrounding so it's more complicated than just subpoenaing her, the Democrat said.

We can subpoena all we want to. We have had a number of transcribed interviews as well as depositions over the last two weeks, and frankly, a lot of them ended with nothing because people invoked privilege and things like that.

Crockett has become a fundraising dynamo because of her combative style of questioning on the Oversight Committee and her willingness to joust with Republicans in the majority. But she recently lost her bid to replace the late Gerry Connolly (D-VA) as the top Democrat on the committee to Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA).

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA) said that the House needed to hear from Maxwell despite her being a known liar (Reuters)

Garcia told The Independent that subpoenaing Maxwell does not mean the committee trusts her to be truthful.

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She's a documented liar, she's obviously done an enormous amount to harm young girls and and and has an interest, of course, in, in being free, Garcia said.

We should still want to have her come testify in front of oversight in the Congress, but, but we should just be very we should understand that this is a very complex witness and someone that has caused great harm and not a good person to a lot of people.

The House of Representatives broke a day early after the House Rules Committee ground itself to a halt because Democrats continued offering amendments to release files related to Epstein. In an attempt to mollify Democrats and some conservatives, Republicans proposed a non-binding House resolution to get the Department of Justice to release files.

In addition, Rep. Thomas (R-KY) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) have a discharge petition, which would force a vote and circumvent Speaker Mike Johnson, to release files related to Epstein.

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Massie, a critic of Trump, accused Johnson of covering for the president.

He doesn't want a paper-thin sliver of daylight between him and the president, and so that's why he's avoided taking even the symbolic vote on the non-binding resolution, Massie told The Independent.

Trump, a friend of Epsteins for many years before a falling out that appears to have come before it was publicly known the financier was being investigated over his sex trafficking, has criticized his supporters and others for focusing on the Epstein case.

He also vehemently denied a story in The Wall Street Journal that he sent Epstein a note for the disgraced financier and predators 50th birthday party and also filed a $10 billion lawsuit against the newspaper and its owners News Corp and Rupert Murdoch, among others.
Jeff Daniels says continuing to have faith in President Donald Trump is a dumb and dumber move.

The Emmy-winning actor appeared on MSNBC host Nicolle Wallaces The Best People podcast Monday, and about 21 minutes into the episode, Daniels got blunt about how he feels about the people who voted for Trump with the hopes that hed help with their financial burdens.

I hope youre losing tons of money, those of you who thought this would be OK, Daniels said. My question is, what are you guys going to do about it?

Jeff Daniels and Nicolle Wallace attend Jeff Daniels In Conversation at 92NY in 2024. John Lamparski via Getty Images

Wallace pointed out to Daniels that Michigan  the state in which the Dumb and Dumber star has been living since 1986, rather than Hollywood  voted for Trump. She went on to note that the presidents tariffs are going to hurt your neighbors.

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Wallace has a point. On Tuesday, Reuters reported that General Motors, which is based in Michigan, took a $1.1 billion hit from tariffs in its second-quarter earnings. The outlet notes that although GM still beat analyst expectations for the period, the automaker expects the impact of Trumps tariffs to worsen.

I think, at the end of the day, thats whats going to do it, Daniels said of Trump supporters turning on the president. Wait a minute, the grocery bill is what, $180 more? I cant get that car that we have to have unless I pay another $8,000. What? Who do I blame for that? Who do I see about that? One person.

Not all Michiganders are pro-Trump. A woman held a sign calling for Trump's impeachment in April while protesting a rally he was holding in Warren, Michigan for his first 100 days in office. DOMINIC GWINN via Getty Images

Daniels then doubled down on his belief that Trump  whom the actor described as a snake oil salesman  will ultimately lose support not because of his shady morals, but because people will struggle financially.

At the end of the day, it would be about just the price of eggs, did it go up or down? Because thats what he told me, he was going to lower the price of eggs or my grocery bill. I think that still matters, at least out in the middle of the country, that matters. The money matters. Elsewhere in the interview, the Squid and the Whale star made it clear that Trumps values are whats most concerning to him.

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Weve lost decency, weve lost civility, weve lost respect for the rule of law  lost it, Daniels said. We have normalized verbal abuse on the internet. Weve normalized bullying; much as the woke generation tried to, you know, change that, its back. Out the window goes character, integrity.

He added, I mean, nobody has great things to say about politicians. They never have. Go back to Mark Twain. But ideally, were supposed to elect the best of us. Not the worst of us. Hes everything thats wrong with not just America, but with being a human being.
Jeff Daniels is getting vocal about what he feels America has lost as a nation since having President Donald Trump back in the White House.

The Emmy-winning actor, who has always been open about his political stance, recently appeared on MSNBCs Nicolle Wallaces The Best People podcast, where he blasted not only the controversial president, whom he called a snake oil salesman, but also those who voted for him in November.

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Weve lost decency, weve lost civility, weve lost respect for the rule of law  lost it, Daniels said. We have normalized verbal abuse on the internet. Weve normalized bullying; much as the woke generation tried to, you know, change that, its back. Out the window goes character, integrity.

The Dumb and Dumber actor continued, I mean, nobody has great things to say about politicians. They never have. Go back to Mark Twain. But ideally, were supposed to elect the best of us. Not the worst of us. Hes everything thats wrong with not just America, but with being a human being.

As for those who supported Trumps re-election campaign in the 2024 presidential election, Daniels told them, I hope youre losing tons of money, those of you who thought this would be OK. My question is, what are you guys going to do about it?

During Trumps campaign, he made several promises that he has yet to keep, including lowering the price of groceries, which has been a major topic for households across the nation and one of the reasons some people voted for him. However, Wallace noted that the presidents current policies are actually going to hurt his supporters, rather than help them.

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I think, at the end of the day, thats whats going to do it,' Daniels said in response. Wait a minute, the grocery bill is what, $180 more? I cant get that car that we have to have unless I pay another $8,000. What? Who do I blame for that? Who do I see about that? One person.

The Newsroom actor added, At the end of the day, it would be about just the price of eggs, did it go up or down, because thats what he told me he was going to lower the price of eggs or my grocery bill. I think that still matters, at least out in the middle of the country, that matters. The money matters.

Elsewhere in the podcast, Daniels said he still imagines what America would have looked like if Kamala Harris had won in November, adding, She wouldve been a good choice. I dont care what they say. Because she would have done what [former President Abraham] Lincoln did.

He noted that Lincoln surrounded himself with the people who would disagree with him, not the people who would take a knee and go, Yeah, more tariffs, sir, more. Its the madness of King George and just the deterioration of the Republican Party.

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Wendy's names Pete Suerken president U.S., succeeding Abigail Pringle The Wendy's Co.

This story was originally published on Nrn. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Nrn newsletter.

The Wendys Co. has named Pete Suerken as president of its U.S. operations, the company said Tuesday, and he will succeed Abigail Pringle, who will leave after a transition period.

The Dublin, Ohio-based burger brand said Suerken will report to interim CEO Ken Cook. Pringle had served as president of the U.S. restaurants since 2024 and will be leaving to pursue other opportunities, the company said.

Suerken has served as president and CEO of Wendy's Quality Supply Chain Co-op, the independent purchasing cooperative for the Wendy's system, since 2021. QSCC works with company operators and franchisees, leading supply chain and distribution activities for Wendy's restaurants.

Prior to joining QSCC, Suerken served as president of Resin Technology Inc., a packaging and materials provider. Prior to his time at RTI, Suerken spent 13 years at Restaurant Supply Chain Solutions, the co-op of Yum! Brands Inc.

"Delivering exceptional customer experiences, increasing restaurant-level profitability and accelerating growth are crucial priorities for our U.S. business," Cook said in a statement. "I am confident Pete will lead our business with operational excellence and intensity, helping us achieve our long-term strategic priorities to create value for our franchisees, employees, and shareholders.

Cook thanked Pringle for her 23 years with Wendys.

She has helped strengthen our system and modernize our restaurants, Cook said. Abigail has been a key leader of restaurant development at Wendy's, including our Image Activation journey and creation of the modern restaurant image for the brand. She transformed our international business and put a solid structure in place to optimize restaurant performance in the U.S.

Wendys is scheduled to release its second-quarter earnings Aug. 8.

"The opportunity to lead the U.S. business for this iconic brand is exciting and humbling," Suerken said. "I have had the privilege to serve our franchisees and company operators as CEO of QSCC for the past five years and now look forward to working with them as president U.S. to drive profitable growth for our restaurants while continuing to build a high-performance culture and best-in-class customer experience."

Wendy's, founded in 1969, has more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide.

Contact Ron Ruggless at Ronald.Ruggless@Informa.com

Follow him on X/Twitter: @RonRuggless
A newly resurfaced video shows convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein speaking about himself and Donald Trump during a 2010 deposition, five years before Trump announced his presidential run and nearly a decade before Epsteins death by apparent suicide.

In the footage, posted on X by progressive media outlet MeidasTouch, an attorney asked Epstein if he had a personal relationship with Trump.

What do you mean by personal relationship, sir? Epstein replied.

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Have you socialized with him? the attorney asked.

Yes, sir, Epstein answered.

Have you ever socialized with Donald Trump in the presence of females under the age of 18? the attorney asked.

Epstein took a long pause, which included a slight shake of his head, and finally responded: Though ld like to answer that question, at least today, lm going to have to assert my Fifth, Sixth, and 14th Amendment rights, sir.

The contents of the video have been previously reported. However, the footage itself had not been widely seen.

Story continues below clip

 Watch Jeffrey Epstein plead his Fifth, Sixth, and 14th Amendment rights when asked if he and Donald Trump socialized with females under the age of 18 during a 2010 deposition:



Q: Have you ever had a personal relationship with Donald Trump?

A. What do you mean by "personal pic.twitter.com/JyM5LYJ0C4  MeidasTouch (@MeidasTouch) July 24, 2025

Trump and Epstein were once close friends but had a falling out in 2004, reportedly over a real estate dispute. Epsteins first arrest was in 2006, leading to his eventual conviction for sex crimes, followed by a new arrest in 2019. He died in custody later that year, apparently of suicide, while awaiting trial on allegations of trafficking underage girls and other charges.

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Trumps relationship with Epstein has come under new scrutiny in recent weeks after the Justice Department said it would not be releasing any additional files related to the case, despite Trumps repeated promises to do so.

Last month, former Trump ally Elon Musk posted on X that the president wont release the files because Trump himself is in them.

He later deleted the post.

Documents released previously have included a long list of powerful people with links to Epstein, including Trump. However, those documents did not allege any wrongdoing by those people.
A virtual meeting of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission on Thursday was interrupted by a Zoom bomb of pornographic, racist and antisemitic images and audio. Attorney General Matt Platkin told POLITICO that the incident is being investigated by the Division of Criminal Justice.

The commission was holding the meeting to select its sponsors for two gubernatorial general election debates this fall between Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill, and one debate between the lieutenant governor candidates. Nine sponsors were set to give their presentations to the commission, which would then decide who was awarded a debate.

ELEC members went through the first part of the agenda about other business with no interruption for around 10 minutes. When the first debate presentation by NJ PBS/WNYC/WHYY presentation occurred, there was also nothing out of the norm.

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During the second presentation, by WABC-TV New York/WPVI-TV Philadelphia/Rutgers Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, noises like alarms, ringtones and explosions began interrupting the presenters, prompting moderators to tell those who were not meant to be speaking to mute their line multiple times.

As Niki Hawkins, the vice president of community engagement and strategic partnerships with WPVI-TV in Philadelphia and Tamala Edwards, the moderator of the channels politics show, began to speak, pornographic images  one that included a Swastika  then popped up on users screens. Audio also played a song that repeated the N-word. That lasted about a minute, until the meeting ended.

ELEC Chair Thomas Prol wrote in a social media post that he has asked the offices of the governor and state attorney general to investigate what he called a "shocking breach of public trust."

"They have put their top investigators on the hack that occurred," Prol wrote. "On behalf of my fellow commissioners and myself, I say this to those responsible: You will not disrupt democracy in New Jersey. We will find you and prosecute you."

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The meeting will be rescheduled for next Tuesday "with safeguards in place," he added. ELEC typically posts its meeting agenda ahead of time and requires the public to register via a Zoom for Government link if they wish to attend.

ELEC Deputy Director Joe Donohue said that there have been some minor interruptions at commission meetings in the past, but nothing to this extent.

Zoom bombing has become increasingly common as more meetings have been held online in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, a virtual event hosted by a progressive group for Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, one of two Black candidates who ran for governor in the Democratic primary, was also Zoom bombed.
In a Sin City scheme reminiscent of a made-for-TV miniseries, five Nevada men have been sentenced for their roles in an illegal streaming operation whose inventory of illicitly obtained TV episodes exceeded that of streaming giants such as Netflix or Amazon Prime.

Federal investigators say the streaming enterprise, dubbed Jetflicks, resulted in copyright infringement valued at as much as $37.5 million  and that's a conservative estimate. The men were sentenced in late May to prison terms ranging from time served to seven years in federal custody, with final judgments issued on Monday.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the case was the largest-ever involving internet piracy brought to trial, as well as the first involving illegal streaming. The operation, the department said, harmed every major copyright owner of a television program in the United States, constituting millions of dollars worth of lost revenue.

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By building and running one of the largest unauthorized streaming services in the U.S., these individuals not only stole from content creators and legitimate streaming services; they undermined the integrity of our economy and the rule of law," said Jose A. Perez, assistant director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations Criminal Investigative Division. These sentencings are a reminder that illegal actions have consequences.

According to court documents and trial evidence, Jetflicks was an online subscription-based service based in Las Vegas through which users could stream and occasionally download copyrighted TV programs without their owners permission.

At one point, Jetflicks boasted a selection of more than 183,000 different TV episodes, significantly more than licensed streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime or Vudu.

Jetflicks made available more television episodes than any licensed streaming service on the market, said Matthew Galeotti, acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Departments criminal division.

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This scheme generated millions of dollars in criminal profits and hurt thousands of U.S. companies and individuals who owned the copyrights to these shows but never received a penny in compensation from Jetflicks, Galeotti said.

An image of a multimedia streaming service, taken in April 2025 in Brussels. A large-scale operation against illegal streaming and unauthorized IPTV took place earlier this year in Belgium.

According to VdoCipher, a secure hosting and video streaming platform designed to thwart piracy, pirated video material reaps more than 230 billion views globally each year, rivaling or even surpassing the volume of legal platforms. The company cited projections estimating that streaming piracy will cost U.S. video providers over $113 billion in lost revenues by 2027.

Operation made some illegal streams available within a day

The five Nevada men, all of Las Vegas, were convicted after a 14-day trial that ended in June 2024.

Found guilty of conspiracy to commit copyright infringement were Kristopher Lee Dallmann, 42; Douglas M. Courson, 65; Felipe Garcia, 43; Peter H. Huber, 67; and Jared Edward Jaurequi, 44, also known as Jared Edwards. Additionally, Dallman was convicted of money laundering and criminal copyright infringement both by distribution and by performance.

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Dallman was sentenced to 84 months in prison, while Huber received an 18-month term. Jaurequi was sentenced to approximately five months already served in addition to 180 days of home confinement and 500 hours of community service.

Garcia was sentenced to 49 days in prison, three years probation and 1,000 hours of community service, while Courson received a sentence of 48 days in prison and three years probation.

According to evidence presented at trial, the defendants used automated software and nonstop computer scripts to scour global sites for pirated content. Content was downloaded, processed, stored and made immediately available for streaming and/or downloading to Jetflicks tens of thousands of paid subscribers, in some cases as soon as the day after it had aired.

Multiple streaming services appear on a Roku TV.

The five defendants were among eight people originally indicted in connection with the operation in the Eastern District of Virginia before the case was transferred to the District of Nevada for trial. They performed various roles for Jetflicks ranging from management, content acquisition, customer interface, technical assistance, website design and computer programming and coding, the Justice Department said.

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Previously, computer programmer Darryl Polo was sentenced by a U.S. District Court judge for the District of Virginia in May 2021 to four years and nine months in prison on four counts of criminal copyright infringement and one count of money laundering for his involvement with Jetflicks and an equally large illegal streaming site he ran called iStreamItAll.

Meanwhile, Luis Villarino was sentenced to a year and a day in prison on a count of conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement.

A final defendant, Yoany Vaillant, a Cuban citizen who also did computer programming for Jetflicks, was tried separately from the other five defendants once the case moved to Nevada. In November, Vaillant was convicted by a federal jury of conspiracy to commit criminal copyright infringement and is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 4.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations field office in Washington, D.C., with the bureaus Las Vegas field office assisting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Las Vegas men sentenced in $37.5 million illegal streaming operation
Credit: @AmichaiChikli/X

A group of Jewish children returning to France from summer camp in Spain were escorted off a flight to Paris after at least one child sang a Hebrew song.

Spanish airline Vueling allegedly removed the director of a Jewish summer camp and approximately 50 children forcibly from the flight, according to footage shared on social media on Wednesday.

The airline said the group had compromised passenger safety.

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Amichai Chikli, Israels diaspora affairs and combating anti-Semitism minister, said the children, aged between 10 and 15, were singing songs in Hebrew on the plane.

Mr Chikli alleged that the camp director was arrested in what he called a serious anti-Semitic incident. The children, all from France, are currently in Valencia, awaiting return to France, Ms Chikli claimed.

Many of the children were reportedly wearing religious items, including Star of David jewellery, when the incident occurred. The group had been travelling home from their vacation programme when the disruption unfolded.

Vueling responded to the incident on Thursday, claiming that a group of teenagers mishandled emergency equipment and were confrontational during the mandatory safety demonstration, ignoring cabin crew safety instructions, which was supported by a statement from the police.

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The airline noted that actions by on-board staff were solely in response to behaviour that compromised passenger safety.

The crew requested the intervention of the Guardia Civil, who decided to disembark the group to prioritise passenger safety.

According to the airline, the group continued to act aggressively towards authorities at the terminal, leading to one of the group members being arrested.

Vueling denied that the crews decision was related to the passengers religion.

But parents expressed outrage after Spanish police forcibly removed the group of children and handcuffed and detained their 21-year-old supervisor, who insisted they had done nothing wrong.

Singing in Hebrew

Karine Lamy, whose child was among the ejected passengers, told i24NEWS that crew members had warned: If you continue, we will call the police, after a young passenger started singing in Hebrew.

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She said that despite the child immediately stopping, police officers boarded the aircraft minutes later and ordered the group supervisor and all children to exit the plane before take-off.

Once removed from the aircraft, law enforcement officers demanded the children place their mobile phones on the ground to check no one had recorded the incident, according to the mothers testimony.

The group supervisor intervened, telling officers their actions were illegal, which prompted police to physically restrain her.

Officers pushed the 21-year-old woman to the ground and handcuffed her before taking her away, leaving the children with their counsellors. The remaining officers then instructed the children to retrieve their luggage, and they made it clear they would no longer be permitted to board the flight.

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Police said the removal had nothing to do with the children singing.

We deny that the incident was related to the singing of songs, Guardia Civil said in a statement. At 2.30pm yesterday, July 23, officers from the Tax and Border Section of Manises Airport (Valencia) removed 47 under-age passengers and four French group monitors from a flight to Paris for misbehaviour.

The minors repeatedly tampered with emergency equipment and interrupted the crews safety demonstration, ignoring the crew. The pilot, believing they were endangering the flight, ordered their removal.

Proceedings have been opened against one flight attendant for resisting authority.

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The children and their supervisors remained stranded at Valencia airport, searching for alternative flights to return to France.

They abandoned them

The parent expressed outrage at the airlines response to the situation. The Vueling company they were travelling with didnt even offer them an alternative solution; they abandoned them. We are panicking for them, she told i24NEWS.

A 21-year-old woman was handcuffed because a child sang  we have returned to the worst hours of World War II. And Im not even talking about the moral damage caused to our children, she claimed.

The incident follows a series of alleged anti-Semitic incidents involving Israeli tourists in Greece.

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Earlier this week, a large pro-Palestinian protest prevented an Israeli-owned cruise liner from docking on the island of Syros, forcing the vessel and its 1,600 passengers to reroute to Cyprus.

Photographs showed a large crowd on the dock waving Palestinian and Greek flags and brandishing a banner saying stop the genocide.

The incident prompted Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis to condemn the protest as outrageous.

Anti-Semitism and any form of fascism and racism will not be tolerated in Greece, he told Parapolitika Radio.

Meanwhile, on Rhodes, a popular holiday destination for Israelis, a group of Israeli teenagers were allegedly attacked by a mob armed with knives as they left a nightclub.

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It followed a reported shouting match between Israelis and pro-Palestinians outside the club, which is known to be frequented by Israelis.

The group of 17 to 18-year-olds decided not to get involved, but were allegedly pursued by dozens of assailants.

According to the Channel 12 news outlet, at least one was beaten, suffering light injuries.

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They wear black masks that cover everything but their eyes. They carry guns but not identification. They drive unmarked cars.

In California they took a grandfather who was dropping off his granddaughter at her church school. In Boston they grabbed a young Turkish exchange student off the street in front of her apartment. In Pennsylvania they took away an 82-year-old man who has lived in the United States for nearly 40 years.

These violent grabbings of innocent people are happening right now all across America, by the thousands. If this was the work of an international gang we would call it terrorism and sound a national alarm. But these masked faces are not gang members. They are agents of ICE, the U.S. federal immigration police.

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All this shoving terrified people into unmarked vans is no accident. It is being done on the orders of President Trump. The President likes big numbers, so he has ordered ICE and its agents to grab and jail a minimum of 3,000 people every day. If they fail, he gets angry.

But finding 3,000 immigrants to grab every day is not easy. Thats why all this goes far beyond what Trump said he was going to do.

He told us he was only going after immigrants who are violent criminals. Then ICE started going after people who have never committed any crime.

He told us he was only going after people who are in the U.S. illegally. Then he dispatched ICE agents to grab and jail immigrants here legally as well.

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He told us he was going after migrants who were freeloaders milking the system. Then he sent ICE into workplaces  from dairy farms in New York to car washes in California  where these supposed freeloaders work long shifts to support their families.

Even American citizens have been caught in Trumps net of grab and imprison.

To be clear, ICE raids and arrests are not just something happening somewhere else. They are happening right here in Lockport.

An immigrant man working happily in a local restaurant, married to a U.S. citizen, is now sitting in a detention cell in Batavia. So is the family of a student in our school district.

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And all of this is just a preview of coming attractions.

President Trumps so-called Big Beautiful Bill will massively increase ICEs annual budget, from $3.5 billion to $30 billion. On top of that it adds $45 billion for new immigration prisons. ICE will soon be one of the most lavishly funded police forces on the planet, bigger than most nations armies. To justify all that money from taxpayers, you can bet that the quotas for shoving people into unmarked vans is going to increase as well.

Trumps man in charge, Thomas Homan, says that ICE agents only detain people based on a reasonable suspicion that they are in the United States illegally. When asked what constitutes reasonable suspicion his list included physical appearance.

This is now official U.S. policy. Just having brown skin is grounds for suspicion and arrest.

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The fear and havoc that this has created, locally and across the country, is huge. One Catholic Archbishop in Southern California recently gave the faithful there permission to skip Sunday mass, because churches have become a place where ICE looks for people to grab.

Ive seen this before. When I lived in Bolivia, the governments special anti-drug police operated with a similar arrest quota handed down by a despotic leader. To meet that demand they threw anyone they wanted into jails with no evidence. This included a young mother I knew who spent more than two years in a Bolivian cell, separated from her children and convicted of nothing.

This is what Trump is building now, Bolivian despotism, American style.

How on Earth is this America, when millions of people, including citizens, are afraid to go to church or to work because having brown skin might land them in an immigration prison? How did we become a nation where people are just grabbed off the street in the light of day with no due process, and where many end up deported to a country where they have never been, or just get lost in the system altogether?

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Many of you reading this voted for Donald Trump last November. I think you voted to make our borders more secure and to deport immigrants who are dangerous or violent. I do not think that you voted for a secret police force of masked agents shoving thousands of innocent, terrified people into unmarked vans.

This is not liberty and justice for all. and it is not America.
Back in May, a nonprofit with close ties to the Trump administration filed a curious lawsuit. It sued John Roberts and the body that operates the federal court system, dryly informing both the chief justice and the courts that they were mistaken in their belief that they controlled themselves: actually, the suit claimed, the White House controls them.

America First Legal Foundation, a nonprofit founded in 2021 by Stephen Miller to act as a MAGA version of the ACLU, concealed the claim in a FOIA lawsuit: it asked a judge to order the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts and the Judicial Conference of the United States, the bodies that manage the federal judiciary, to comply with a records request. To achieve that relatively humble ambition, America First wanted the judge to make a wide-reaching finding: that the court system is in fact managed by the executive branch, and is therefore subject to FOIA requests.

Roberts responded to this on Thursday, asking the judge to dismiss the case. He said what you might expect: that in fact he is the one who gets to manage the court system, not the White House.

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In doing so, Roberts, represented in the case by Supreme Court legal counsel Ethan Torrey, made a few points familiar to those who have followed the fight over independent agencies. Congress acted very clearly, Roberts said: it gave the judiciary the authority to manage itself. Any argument to the contrary is antithetical to Congresss legislative purpose in creating those entities in the first place and should therefore be rejected.

Elsewhere, Roberts pushes back against various claims America First made when arguing that other features of how the courts are constructed and run mean they should be considered a part of the executive branch.

Thursdays filing is the kind of wholesale rejection of the claim that one might. expect. But it comes with some irony attached. Roberts and the Republican-appointed majority on the court have spent this year rejecting similar arguments when applied to independent executive branch agencies. As theyve dismissed those arguments, granting more power to President Trump, theyve carved out exceptions that make sense practically but which legal experts criticize as incoherent: the National Labor Relations Board may not be an independent agency, the court ruled in May, but the Federal Reserve is. (The conservative majority provided little legal reasoning for how this could be, and, in a dissenting opinion, Justice Elena Kagan archly noted the creation of a bespoke Federal Reserve exception among a host of agencies that had, to that point, been considered similarly under the law.)

It goes to the trollish nature of the lawsuit itself. In this case, America First Legal was asking Roberts to apply the logic that had been used to decimate executive branch independent agencies to the agencies that manage the judiciary and, by extension, to himself. In another case, America First Legal used a similar FOIA claim to argue that the Government Accountability Office, a legislative branch agency, is actually an executive branch agency.

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In the background of all this is the administrations ongoing campaign to intimidate the court system. It spent the first several months of the administration flouting court orders in high-profile cases and subverting them in lesser-noticed ones. As TPM documented, DOGE threw a wrench in court operations and sent out mass emails to judges and other court staff demanding a list of their weekly accomplishments.

When I showed the lawsuit to a series of law professors and other experts in this area in May, they reacted with a mixture of derision and horror, but emphasized one thing: the claim was as ridiculous as it was trollish. But, they said, its source  a nonprofit with close ties to the White House  and its aping of right-wing legal thought made it hard to ignore.
OLATHE, Kan.  Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach is warning against Johnson County, Kansas, putting a  cent public safety sales tax on the November 2025 ballot.

The county is looking to renew the tax that voters approved in 2016.

Kansas attorney general cautions Johnson County on renewing public safety tax

County leaders would not speak to FOX4 on camera Wednesday after the attorney general released his opinion Tuesday per the request of Republican State Senator Mike Thompson.

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The county used the 2016 sales tax to fund the construction of the courthouse and the medical examiners facility, but the tax is set to expire in March 2027.

Now, Johnson County is proposing to use the same statutory authority to do things that are outside of what we consider public safety and things that are certainly needed in a county  things like emergency medical services and mental health intervention services, Kobach said in an interview with FOX4 Wednesday.

But the question is: Do those fall under the statutory term public safety?'

On Tuesday, the Johnson County Department of Communications and Engagement Director Lisa Thurber said in an email to FOX4 that the department has received Kobachs notice.

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While the opinion does not carry the force of law and is not binding on courts or other entities, the Board of County Commissioners is reviewing and considering its content, she said.

The county took questions about this topic at its May 8 commission meeting, as residents weighed concerns that the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) was not doing enough to help homeless people in the area.

BOCC Chairman Mike Kelly spoke after the residents weighed in.

I think it is frankly a disservice to the work and the professionals that are here in Johnson County that we have to pit public safety against housing, Chairman Kelly said that day. I think that is unfair.

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Chairman Kelly and five other commissioners ended up supporting the ballot measure. The only commissioner who did not was Michael Ashcraft.

Download the FOX4 News app on iPhone and Android

As of now, Johnson County residents will be able to vote on this measure on Nov. 4, 2025.

Kobach warned that somebody could challenge the legality of the ballot question before or after the election, though. He also told FOX4 Wednesday that he plans to run for reelection in 2026.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has joined fellow Democrats in criticizing Zohran Mamdani, the progressive candidate for mayor of New York whose past comments on Israel have cost him support from within the party.

Mamdani has failed to condemn blatantly antisemitic rhetoric, Shapiro said in an interview with Jewish Insider published Wednesday.

You have to speak and act with moral clarity, and when supporters of yours say things that are blatantly antisemitic, you cant leave room for that to just sit there, Shapiro said in the interview. Youve got to condemn that.

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The remarks from Shapiro, who is considered a likely Democratic candidate for president in 2028, are the latest sign that Mamdani still has work to do to win over some of the prominent figures in the party as he runs to unseat New York Mayor Eric Adams.

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who endorsed Mamdani after running against him in the Democratic primary, defended the nominee.

"Let's be clear: Zohran Mamdani won the votes of a large majority of NYC Democrats, including thousands of proud Jews like me, inspired by his vision of a city everyone can afford and confident about his commitment to combating antisemitism and hate," Lander said in a statement. "Josh Shapiro won't help keep Jews safe in NYC or Pennsylvania by feeding Trump's narrative about our Democratic nominee for mayor."

Some Democrats have been hesitant to fully embrace Mamdani, with elected officials from battleground districts distancing themselves from his campaigns anti-Israel rhetoric. He met with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on Friday but has still yet to secure his endorsement.

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Mamdani faces opposition for his advocacy of economic plans he describes as socialist, including free buses and city-run grocery stores. He's also faced attacks for his refusal to condemn use of the phrase gloablize the intifada by anti-Israel protesters  a Palestinian resistance slogan regarded by some as a call to violence against Jews.

Shapiro had some faint words of praise for Mamdani: He seemed to run a campaign that excited New Yorkers, the governor said, before discussing his criticism of the candidates refusal to condemn inflammatory rhetoric about Israel and the ongoing war in Gaza.

He also seemed to run a campaign where he left open far too much space for extremists to either use his words or for him to not condemn the words of extremists that said some blatantly antisemitic things, Shapiro said.

Republicans have sought to brand the mayoral candidate as their new Democratic boogeyman while members of his own party are still weighing what lessons to take away from the 33-year-old democratic socialists upset primary win. The New York race is also rippling through next years midterm elections and the lead-up to the presidential campaign, with figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear  both seen as likely 2028 contenders  saying the party should consider Mamdanis affordability-focused messaging.
Wendy's signs agreements for developments in Italy and Armenia. The Wendy's Co.

You can find original article here Nrn. Subscribe to our free daily Nrn newsletter.

The Wendys Co. has signed two agreements for as many as 190 new restaurants in Italy and Armenia, the company announced.

The Dublin, Ohio-based burger chain said the two new franchise agreements are the next steps in advancing the brand's strategic priority to accelerate global net unit growth.

These commitments support Wendy's goal to achieve 70% of its unit growth outside the United States, with the company expecting to reach 2,000 international restaurants by 2028.

These agreements are yet another example of the success of our accelerated growth strategy, E.J. Wunsch, Wendys president for international, said in a statement. With each new partnership, our momentum increases.

In the Italy deal, Wendy's has entered into a franchise agreement with Your Food S.R.L to develop 170 new Wendy's restaurants across the country. The first two Wendy's restaurants in Italy are planned to open mid-year 2026 in Milan, laying the foundation for long-term growth in the region.

Mario Resca, chairman of Your Food S.R.L., said, This marks an exciting chapter as we introduce a new quick-service restaurant standard that combines bold innovation, exceptional hospitality and a deep appreciation for the tastes and preferences of Italian consumers.

In Armenia, Wendy's signed a franchise agreement with Wen Restaurant LLC to develop 20 new Wendy's restaurants through 2030.

The first Wendy's location in Armenia is expected to open in Yerevan's city center.

Hrant Grigoryan, Wen's CEO, said: "Launching Wendy's in Armenia represents a bold step forward in redefining the quick-service restaurant experience in our country. We are bringing a fresh perspectiveone rooted in quality, innovation, and modern hospitality.

Wendys, founded in 1969, has more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide.

Contact Ron Ruggless at Ronald.Ruggless@Informa.com

Follow him on X/Twitter: @RonRuggless
Last month, unable to carry the weight of two cameras, a work laptop, and his body armor, Gazan photojournalist Bashar Taleb made the decision to prioritize his health over his work. The 35-year-old, who has worked with Agence France-Presse since 2010, had lost 35 pounds, he says, and began to calculate the distances he needs to cover. Can I make it back home, or not? Will I be able to find a means of transportation, or not? He describes feeling weak and dizzy every day.

The starvation forecast from over a year ago has now taken hold in Gaza. The U.N. World Food Programme this week said 100,000 women and children suffer from acute severe malnutrition, and a third of the territorys 2.1 million residents have missed meals for more than multiple consecutive days. On Wednesday, at least 10 Palestinians died of starvation, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, raising the total number of hunger-related deaths to 113, including at least 80 children.

Journalists like Khalil Alkahlut, who lives in Al-Karama, North Gaza, are facing starvation along with the community they cover. Today we ate one meal, thats enough for us to live another day, says Alkahlut, who works for the Anadolu Agency, a state-run Turkish news agency headquartered in Ankara.

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The 22-year-old photojournalist estimates that he has lost 60 pounds, speaking to TIME on Tuesday. Alkahlut was, like his three younger brothers, getting by on one serving of lentils a day, no breakfast, and no dinner. Tomorrow, I dont know what we will eat.

AFP journalist Bashar Taleb in the Gaza Strip on Dec. 10, 2024. AFP or licensors

With international journalists barred by Israel from working independently in Gaza, local reporters are providing first-person accounts of hungerprovided they still have the strength to work. On Monday, the Societe des Journalistes de l'Agence France-Presse, the union of Agence France-Presse, warned that AFPs remaining freelance staff in Gaza were at risk of death from malnutrition. Taleb posted on Facebook that his "body is thin" and he can "no longer work."

Hunger is the hardest thing Ive ever experienced, Taleb tells TIME from Jabaliya, a city about two miles north of Gaza City. We [must choose] between death by starvation or death by killing in an attempt to get food from aid trucks. Since barring international aid agencies and taking over food relief operations, Israeli forces have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians gathering to seek food, the UN reports. The distribution systemmanaged by the newly-established U.S. and Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF)has been widely criticized by the UN as an opaque mechanism that concentrates aid in a handful of guarded areas and violates core humanitarian principles.

On the ground

AFP currently maintains ten freelance journalists in Gazaone writer, three photographers, and six video freelancers within the territory. Many international news organizations withdrew their foreign staff from Gaza in 2024 under Israels bombardment, leaving local Palestinian journalists as the primary source of information for global audiences. More than 173 of them have been killed.



Journalists endure many deprivations and hardships in warzones. We are deeply alarmed that the threat of starvation is now one of them, read a statement issued Thursday by the BBC, Reuters, AP and AFP.

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While declining to provide TIME with contacts for the local journalists working in Gaza, a Reuters spokesperson noted that We are providing our contributors with additional financial support to help them and, should they wish to leave the territory, we will provide any assistance possible to help them get out.

According to the unions statement, AFP's Gaza-based journalists receive monthly salaries but face the reality that "there is nothing to buy, or only at completely exorbitant prices." When journalists withdraw their funds from the few remaining cash points to purchase whatever food is left, theyre also met with exorbitant withdrawal fees. When I go to withdraw $1000 from my bank account, I only receive $550 in cash, Taleb says. This is also a big problem.

Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based news channel that Israel has made moves to ban, released a statement Wednesday calling for global action to protect their journalists in the region.

I havent stopped covering for a moment in 21 months, Al Jazeera correspondent Anas al-Sharif wrote online. I am drowning in hunger, trembling in exhaustion, and resisting the fainting that follows me every moment  Gaza is dying. And we die with it.

Children walk with water containers past destroyed buildings and a puddle of sewage water erupting from collapsed underground pipes in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on July 8, 2024. Bashar TalebAFP/Getty Images

The broader hunger crisis

Famine has not been officially declared in Gaza primarily because, with international aid groups largely barred, the collective Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system lacks sufficient verifiable on-the-ground data to meet the technical thresholds for a formal declaration.

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The hunger crisis has intensified since March, when what humanitarian organizations describe as an aid blockade began, pushing Gazans into what the World Health Organization has described as a dangerous cycle following the reduction of aid distribution points from 400, during the spring ceasefire, to just the four military-controlled sites currently operating.

That system was put in place at the end of May. Under it, Israel restricts the U.N. World Food Programme (WFP) to delivering only 1,600 calories per person dailysignificantly below the standard humanitarian requirement of 2,100 calories. Distribution, besides being lethal, is uneven, with reports of aid being diverted or stolen before reaching intended recipients.

Israeli Government Spokesman David Mencer was asked Wednesday about mass starvation in Gaza. Speaking from Jerusalem, he said he wanted to talk about "facts, not fiction." On Wednesday, more than 100 NGOs released a joint statement pleading with the Israeli government to allow food, water, medical supplies and other life saving aid into the Strip. The statement quoted an aid worker providing psychosocial support to children in Gaza: "Children tell their parents they want to go to heaven, because at least heaven has food."

The statement of the AFPs union observed: "None of us can recall seeing a colleague die of hunger.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
Bill Kopsky, Protect AR Rights spokesperson, speaks to the League of Women Voters of Washington County during a meeting on July 2, 2025 in Fayetteville. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate)

A federal judge on Wednesday permitted two ballot question committees to join an existing lawsuit from the League of Women Voters of Arkansas that challenges the constitutionality of new direct democracy-related laws.

Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids, ballot question committees attempting to qualify separate proposed constitutional amendments for the 2026 ballot, filed a motion to intervene in the Leagues existing lawsuit in May.

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The League has asserted the new state laws are burdensome to efforts to collect signatures for its ballot measure aimed at protecting direct democracy in Arkansas.

Supporters of the laws have said they ensure the integrity of the states initiative and referendum process.

Direct democracy is the process by which Arkansans can propose new laws or constitutional amendments and place them on the ballot for a statewide vote. Arkansas is one of 24 states that allow citizen-led initiatives, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Attorney General Tim Griffin certified the Leagues ballot title in May, but has twice rejected a similar proposal by Protect AR Rights. Griffin approved For AR Kids education-related measure in February.

The motion to intervene from Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids seeks to challenge laws not included in the Leagues suit  Act 602 of 2025, which prohibits ballot titles from being written above an eighth-grade reading level, and Act 236 of 2023, which mandates petition signatures must be collected from at least 50 counties instead of 15 as directed in the Arkansas Constitution.

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Both the League and the lawsuits defendant, Secretary of State Cole Jester whos represented by Griffin, opposed the motion to intervene in court filings.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks disagreed Wednesday with their assertion that Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids lack standing. In a six-page ruling, Brooks rebuts the assertion that harm posed by the reading-level law is merely hypothetical, noting that since that argument was made in court documents, Griffin cited that law in his rejection of Protect AR Rights measure.

Brooks also addressed the argument of lack of standing for Act 273 of 2025, a law challenged by the League that would disqualify signatures collected by canvassers if the secretary of state finds by a preponderance of evidence that they violated state law collecting the signatures.

The state asserts that injury under the provision is too remote and speculative because the committees would have to collect the requisite signatures and have enough rejected signatures to disqualify the measure from the ballot.

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Citing a South Dakota case in which the Eighth Circuit appeals court held that a ballot question committee had standing to challenge a similar law, Brooks said the Arkansas law uses the threat of invalidating voter signatures to force compliance with laws that reduce that number of people willing and able to circulate petitions.

This works a concrete and particularized injury on [ballot question committees], which must endeavor to comply with these laws even if their petitions are not ultimately thrown out, he wrote.

Let us know what you think...

Regarding the motion to intervene, the League and the state both argued that Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids are adequately protected by the existing Plaintiffs, Brooks wrote. The League also asserted that the groups interest in the case is contingent on future events that may not occur.

For the same reasons the Court rejects Plaintiffs standing argument, it concludes that Movants do have an interest in this litigation based on the burden the challenged laws allegedly place on Movants protected speech, Brooks wrote.

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While the court agrees that wanting to add more claims and defendants to existing litigation doesnt demonstrate inadequate representation, Plaintiffs make a troubling assertion in their Response that leads the Court to conclude that Movants interests may not be adequately represented, Brooks wrote.

The League argued in its complaint that this isnt a partisan issue. But in its response, the League asserted it would be prejudiced if Protect AR Rights intervenes in the case because the group wants the laws blocked to increase the chance of its measure qualifying for the ballot. Protect AR Rights measure directly competes with the Leagues, according to court documents.

Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids argue that the Leagues attack on the substance of Protect AR Rights measure raises serious doubts that the League will vigorously pursue the ballot question committees common claims if the League determines later that it can qualify its measure for the ballot without challenging some of the laws, according to court documents.

The Court agrees and finds that Movants are entitled to intervention, Brooks wrote.

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Little Rock attorney David Couch filed a motion on behalf of the League last week for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction in the case. Now that the judge has granted the motion to intervene, Couch said he expects Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids will file their own motion to block the laws. The judge will likely schedule a hearing on the motions soon, he said.

Well work together as a team because the ultimate goal is to have these laws enjoined, and itll be up to the AG to raise whatever legal defenses they have to their issues at this point in time, Couch said. As far as Im concerned, the judge says theyre on my team, theyre on my team.

The motion to intervene was filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, Elias Law Group LLP and Shults Law Firm LLP on behalf of Protect AR Rights and For AR Kids. John Williams, legal director of the ACLU of Arkansas, said in a press release Wednesday that he was pleased with the courts decision, which ensures that the voices of grassroots groups actively engaged in the ballot initiative process will be fully represented in this case.

Our clients are already feeling the impact of these unconstitutional laws, and now theyll have the opportunity to stand up in court and defend the First Amendment rights of all Arkansans who seek political change through direct democracy, Williams said.

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Griffin said in a statement that the judges decision doesnt affect his defense.

I respect the courts decision, which doesnt change our defense of the State. I remain steadfast and confident in our case, he said.

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A Wayne County Circuit Court judge has barred Real Token  a Florida-based blockchain real estate firm at the center of a sprawling city lawsuit  from collecting rent from tenants until properties are brought up to code and prohibited the landlords from evicting residents in homes without a certificate of compliance.

It's the latest development in the city of Detroit's suit, filed earlier this month, against Real Token, or RealT; its co-founders, brothers Remy Jacobson and Jean-Marc Jacobson, and 165 affiliates, for public nuisance violations involving more than 400 residential properties in Detroit with substandard conditions. Judge Annette Berry issued a temporary restraining order on July 22  a move Conrad Mallett, corporation counsel for the city of Detroit, said means tenants should pay future rent, starting in August, into an escrow account to protect themselves from eviction. The city of Detroit is expected to help tenants set up the escrow accounts.

Brenda Davis, 68, of Detroit, speaks to the Free Press about how difficult it is to survive having no running water at her apartment in Detroit on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. I have to go rinse my meat off at a friend's, said Davis, who lives in this building that is owned by a defendant in a new lawsuit filed by the city of Detroit.

"Within the next seven days, we'll  on a house-by-house basis  be in touch with the tenants to explain to them how that escrow account should be set up. We really, really do believe that the judge was using great foresight in her opinion," Mallett said at a news conference on July 23.

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The city of Detroit, in its lawsuit, alleges that Real Token is operating a cryptocurrency venture in Detroit involving dozens of limited liability companies and related entities, by offering international investors "fractional ownership of Detroit properties represented as digital tokens," and that tenants  Detroit residents  are paying the price with poorly maintained rental properties and unsanitary and unsafe conditions.

Real Token, in a statement provided through Cadence, a Detroit-based communications firm, defended itself.

"We have been committed to providing safe, quality and affordable housing in Detroit. What the city is attempting to accomplish through the courts is to prevent RealT from performing what they agree are critical renovations. By effectively halting the revenue used to fund those renovations, and preventing RealT from removing squatters who have no rights to occupy the properties, there are no renovations that can be performed," the July 23 statement read. The court, the company said, "acted prematurely" in granting the temporary restraining order.

Once escrow accounts are set up, the Real Token team will have access, but that money must be used to improve properties where tenants live, Mallett said.

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"This is not for them to reward themselves or their investors," he said.

Here's what the judge said in the temporary restraining order, which remains in effect for 90 days or until the court says otherwise, related to Real Token-affiliated properties:

Defendants  the Jacobsons and related entities  cannot collect rent from any tenant living in the properties they own until those rentals have a certificate of compliance, as required by the city, to indicate it is up to code.

They cannot move to evict tenants from rental properties without a certificate of compliance. Tenants must place their rent into an escrow account to protect themselves from eviction for nonpayment of rent, Mallett said.

They must notify tenants within 14 days of the order to open an escrow account and put their rent money into that account.

They must start obtaining certificates of compliance for all properties and allow the city of Detroit's Buildings, Safety Engineering, and Environmental Department (BSEED) inspectors access to those properties.

Real Token must secure so-called "priority one properties" from trespassers and remove bulk debris within 30 days and correct code violations within 90 days. Priority one means the property either is occupied with emergency correction orders and has serious health and safety issues, or is vacant and open to trespassers. There are 58 such properties, according to a news release from the city of Detroit.

In its statement, Real Token said it can show that more than $220,000 in infractions are unrelated to safety, with some administrative issues dating to 2005.

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"The question for the city should be how did the citys few inspectors conduct enough inspections to amass $600,000 in infractions on one property owner in a city where blight is a citywide challenge?" the statement said. The company previously laid the blame on management companies it hired for the properties.

Mallett, at the news conference, said the properties are in "such a degraded state" that there's no way owners would not know that tenants are living in substandard housing.

"We do not accept that the property management people are responsible for the degradation that these tenants are experiencing. ... These tenants are victims," he said.

The city of Detroit's suit alleged that the cited properties repeatedly violated local building, health and safety codes; that the company used a web of LLCs and shell companies to escape responsibility, and that the negligence led to rodents, structural decay, fire hazards and criminal activity.

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None of the 408 properties  occupied or vacant  at the center of the litigation have a certificate of compliance, according to the city's lawsuit, which also alleges hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid blight violations. The defendants owe hundreds of thousands of dollars in outstanding property taxes, too, the suit said.

The city of Detroit discovered an additional 130 residential properties after the lawsuit was filed.

Contact Nushrat Rahman: nrahman@freepress.com. Follow her on X: @NushratR.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Judge bars Real Token from collecting rent, orders repairs
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  A Chatham County Superior Court Judge denied another Oglethorpe Mall shooting suspects bond Thursday, records indicated.

Judge Benjamin Karpf denied Dahmil Johnsons bond, citing that defendant is shown on video in possession of a firearm.

Jonah Pine, Johnsons attorney, issued a statement to WSAV:

Though we are disappointed by the decision, we cannot pretend to be surprised, especially given the nature of the case. We are confident moving forward that Judge Karpf will properly balance Mr. Johnsons rights and the concerns of the community. We have no doubt that the law and evidence will be on our side.

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Johnson and another underage suspect, Royce Haynes, are charged with murder, possession of a handgun by a person under the age of 18, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and two counts of aggravated assault.

Johnson originally appeared in court July 7 following his arrest in connection with the July 2 shooting that resulted in one dead.

He is expected back in court next Wednesday alongside three other suspects.

Karpf also denied follow suspect charged in the shooting, Johnathan Jones, bond Tuesday.

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LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT)  A Limestone County judge denied two landowning companies request to be dismissed from a legal battle over a rock quarry.

Several churches and community members in Belle Mina, a small unincorporated town, filed a lawsuit in December against Stoned LLC. and Grayson Carter and Son.

Judge Matthew Huggins allowed construction of the quarry to go forward following that initial lawsuit filing, saying he would not issue a TRO or preliminary injunction until both the quarry opponents and their owners/operators could present evidence in a more thorough evidentiary hearing.

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The plaintiffs filed an amended complaint naming Elephants R Us and Landquest Properties as defendants in February. Court records show that those two companies own the property where the quarry sits.

The filing cites vibration concerns from blasting, flooding and several other issues. The plaintiffs also cite concerns for their health, arguing that dust from the quarry affects air quality.

The companies tried to argue that the plaintiffs claims dont have anything to do with them, that they just own the land and do not have anything to do with the operations of the quarry.

The plaintiffs responded to that motion, arguing that any relief in the case against the quarry isnt complete without those landowning companies being instructed not to use their property as a rock quarry of that magnitude.

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A hearing was held Tuesday so both sides could present their arguments and Judge Huggins could determine if Elephants R Us and Landquest Properties could be added as defendants in the lawsuit.

Huggins order denying the companies motion to dismiss, meaning they will stay on the case, was filed in Limestone County Circuit Court on Wednesday.

An earlier effort to halt construction by residents of the Belle Mina community was unsuccessful.

At the time this article was written, a hearing had not been set to hear the lawsuit.

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HEBER CITY (ABC4)  A fourth district judge issued a decision on a lawsuit involving the Heber Valley Temple, dismissing a group of citizens petition against Wasatch County and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This decision from Judge Jennifer A. Mabey means that the construction of the Heber Valley Temple can continue as planned.

The lawsuit was filed in November of 2023, and it asked Wasatch County to prevent the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from building a temple on the plot of land previously approved in Heber City.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Heber Valley Temple lawsuit  Judge hears arguments on temple construction

Judge Mabey heard arguments from both sides in June, and released her decision on Wednesday, July 23.

In their complaint, the citizens argued that the Countys approval of the temple plans went against state and federal law by not providing adequate notice, using impermissible spot zoning, and by providing special treatment to the Church.

They also cited negative impacts on the views from their homes, noise and light pollution, loss of privacy, and impacts on their health, welfare, and quiet use and enjoyment of their property. They also argued that the Temple is like membership to a limited club and that it does not protect property values or promote general welfare of the community.

What was in the decision?

First, the citizens argued that the County did not provide appropriate notice of the impact that the construction of the temple would have, by providing only a meagre summary of the development agreement. However, the judge found that the county gave ample notice to residents, using plain language so that an ordinary member of the community would understand the temple project and the location of the property.

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Citizens also argued that the zoning used in the approval of the temple was impermissible spot zoning, essentially meaning that the zoning went against existing land use regulations. Attorneys for the citizens argued in court that Wasatch County gave the Church special privileges with the zoning, claiming that the Temple was granted additional uses that others were not. However, the judge said that they did not specify what those uses were.

The County argued that there was no rezoning of the property to allow the temple to be built, stating that the zoning allows for the building of churches under conditional use. The judge agreed with Wasatch County, and she found that the temple was not impermissible spot zoning.

The citizens also argued that the land use agreement went against multiple provisions of the County Land Use, Development and Management Act (CLUDMA). They stated that the temple project is located within an agricultural use designation, and that the temple effectively destroys views because of its significant height. The countys general plan requires that views and ridge lines be preserved.

However, the judge found that their claims here did not have sufficient legal analysis to support them. She stated that they did not properly explain how violating the countys general plan goes against the law.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Wasatch County hears opinions on LDS Heber Valley Temple

In response to the arguments from the group of citizens, the County and the Church argued that all plans that the county approved followed the law, and that the land use for the Temple is reasonably debatable to be consistent with CLUDMA.

The judge agreed with the County that the land use could be consistent with CLUDMA. She noted that the Temple could be debated to be in the general welfare of the community, even if they have some negative impact upon certain individuals within the community.

It is the unfortunate reality with nearly any type of development that those in closest proximity will be the most directly impacted, but the Courts role is not to substitute its own opinion about the chosen location for the Temple Project, Judge Mabey wrote in her decision.

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She noted that any development of property will increase traffic in that particular location while still benefitting the overall community by being able to access the development.

In response to the citizens argument that the Temple is like a club that only serves a select part of the community, the judge wrote, The court is hard-pressed to think of any church or business that serves 100% of the Countys population. She also found that the County did not give preferential treatment to the Church.

Finally, the judge found that there was nothing that would indicate that the Temple would reduce nearby property values. In fact, the County had previously concluded that the Temple project would provide economic opportunities and contribute to the Countys economy.

Ultimately, Judge Mabey denied the citizens motion and found that they were not entitled to injunctive reliefmeaning that the court will not prevent construction on the Heber Valley Temple from moving forward.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A Utah judge has dismissed a lawsuit from the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) against the state of Utah, which argued that Utah gave up any opportunity for ownership of now federally controlled public lands when it became a state.

In August of 2024, Utah leaders filed a lawsuit against the federal government over the ownership of public lands in the state. Governor Spencer Cox stated that the federal government controls nearly 70% of Utahs lands, and he argued that Utah should be in control of its own public lands. The complaint was a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court, but the Supreme Court declined to hear the case.

PREVIOUSLY: Can Utah still pursue disposal of federally owned public lands? State says yes, still considering refiling a federal case

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In December of 2024, SUWA filed a lawsuit against the Governor Cox and the Attorney General, then AG Sean Reyes, now AG Derek Brown. They argued that the lawsuit the state filed was unconstitutional because Utah gave up its access to those lands when it became a state, citing Article III of the Utah State Constitution.

Those arguments were heard in a court hearing last week, where attorneys for SUWA argued that Utah lost its ability to file a lawsuit against the federal government for control of lands when it became a state, and that the language of the constitution was binding when it said that Utah forever gave up those lands.

The people inhabiting this State do affirm and declare that they forever disclaim all right and title to the unappropriated public lands lying within the boundaries hereof, and to all lands lying within said limits owned or held by any Indian or Indian tribes, and that until the title thereto shall have been extinguished by the United States, the same shall be and remain subject to the disposition of the United States, and said Indian lands shall remain under the absolute jurisdiction and control of the Congress of the United States. Utah Constitution Article III

Utah Assistant Attorney General Lance Sorenson argued that the United States can sell public lands if it wants to. Additionally, he argued that the state court should not be ruling on a hypothetical federal case.

The judge granted Utahs request to dismiss the case, ruling that SUWA cannot file a lawsuit to try to stop Utah from suing the federal government when Utah does not have an active suit against the federal government at this time.

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It was dismissed because it was a silly lawsuit, and frankly, it was trying to stop me from filing a lawsuit on behalf of the state, but as Attorney General, thats something that I have the right to do, and so what were doing now is looking at our options, lookingeverything is on the table, because public lands is incredibly important, Attorney General Derek Brown said in an interview with ABC4.com.

AG Brown said that public lands are our future and that the state needs to figure out how best to protect them, and because of that, he is in conversations to decide what to do.

Filing another federal suit is still on the table, AG Brown said, but he did not indicate any intention in any direction at this time.

We never file lawsuits on a whim, AG Brown said. We always do all of our background, our research I mean, I really want to make sure that all the Is are dotted and all the Ts are crossed before we do anything.

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Were disappointed with todays decision but grateful that the true intent of the states lawsuit has been made clear: to force the sale of millions of acres of public lands to the highest bidder and not to acquire these lands for the state, as its deliberately misleading media campaign suggests, Steve Bloch, Legal Director for SUWA said in a statement.

Its our position that with the repeated statements made by Governor Cox  doubling down on the states intent to refile its lawsuit in federal district court  Judge May had what he needed to proceed with our case and conclude that Utahs constitution prohibits the state from bringing a lawsuit like this in the first place. Well review todays decision and consider potential next steps, Bloch continued.

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CHICAGO  Michael McClain, a longtime lobbyist for utility giant Commonwealth Edison who was also a close confidant of then-Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, was sentenced to two years in prison Thursday for his central role in a scheme to bribe the powerful speaker in exchange for his help with ComEds legislative agenda.

Dressed in a charcoal gray suit and lavender tie, McClain, 77, showed little outward reaction when the sentence was announced by U.S. District Judge Manish Shah.

In refusing a defense request for probation, Shah said McClain corrupted a system thats supposed to benefit the public and twisted it for his own gain  and Madigans.

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Theres nothing wrong with building coalitions, understanding your opponents and allies and generating good will to get a seat at the table, Shah said. There is also no reason that cant be done openly and honestly, that doesnt need phony contracts false invoices and concealed jobs.

Aligning with Mr. Madigan made good strategic sense, but that was a criminal alliance, Shah said. This was corruption.

Of all the players swirling in the bribery scandal, from precinct captains and political directors to legislators and lobbyists, McClain held the ultimate catbird seat.

He toiled for years in relative obscurity, known mostly by Springfield insiders and political reporters as the former legislator from downstate Quincy with the thick prescription glasses who always seemed to be hanging around Madigans office suite in the Capitol.

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But it was through his close relationship with Illinois most powerful and reticent politician, prosecutors say, that McClain was able to leverage knowledge of the speakers thinking to induce ComEd executives to lavish money on Madigans cronies and scramble to meet his myriad other demands.

McClain, 77, is the third of the four defendants to be sentenced in the case. Earlier this week, former ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore was given two years in prison, while John Hooker, the utilitys former top internal lobbyist, received a year and a half behind bars at a hearing last week.

Consultant Jay Doherty, the former head of the City Club of Chicago, will be sentenced next month. Prosecutors on Tuesday asked for a 15-month prison term for Doherty, saying his discreet handling and willingness to conceal the true nature of subcontractor payments to Madigan associates were vitally important to the scheme.

Prosecutors asked for nearly six years in prison for McClain, writing in a recent court filing that the stunning scheme was his brainchild and was illegal to its core.

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In securing benefits for both Madigan and ComEd, McClain corrupted the legislative process and the internal control processes of a large, regulated utility, prosecutors said. McClains repeated overstepping of legal lines in this case is stunning.

McClains attorneys asked for probation, stating in a filing of their own that McClain merely passed along a handful of job recommendations from Madigan because of his powerful position as speaker and the fact that they were close friends.

Doing so was legal and constitutionally protected lobbying, defense attorneys Patrick Cotter and David Niemeier wrote. The governments failure to make the critical distinction between a favor done with intent to lawfully curry favor with a public official, as opposed to the trading of gifts for actions done by that official, was at the heart of this case.

The hearing marked an important milestone in McClains legal saga, which began in May 2019 when the feds raided his home. Four years later, in May 2023, he was found guilty on all counts in the ComEd Four trial. That was followed by another trial with Madigan himself that ended earlier this year with a jury hung on all counts against McClain.

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The sentencing also happened to come six years to the day that the Chicago Tribune first reported the feds were looking into thousands of dollars in checks that McClain and other ComEd-connected lobbyists had sent to Kevin Quinn, a top Madigan political operative ousted after he was accused of sexually harassing a campaign staffer.

Later in 2019, the Tribune first disclosed McClains cellphone had been wiretapped by the FBI  which ultimately formed the linchpin of the entire investigation.

In the ensuing years, Illinois has gotten to know McClain in a level of detail far beyond most criminal defendants. Through three criminal trials, including the perjury case against former Madigan chief of staff Tim Mapes, there have been dozens of wiretapped calls played in court and hundreds of his emails publicly displayed, conversations that painted a picture of how McClain used his unfettered access to Madigan to get some of Illinois top executives to scramble to meet their demands.

The wiretaps and other evidence revealed McClains use of crude code words for Madigan, often referring to the speaker as our Friend or Himself, as well as his penchant for archaic military terminology, such as when he told Madigan in a retirement note he would remain at the bridge with my musket for the speaker.

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The communications also captured McClain at his most blunt, telling Pramaggiore in an email in 2016 that ComEds reluctance to kick more money to a Madigan-preferred law firm would have dire repercussions down the road.

I know the drill and so do you, he wrote to Pramaggiore. If you do not get involved and resolve this issue of 850 hours for his law firm per year then he will go to our Friend. Our Friend will call me and then I will call you. Is this a drill we must go through?

In his sentencing filing, McClains attorney, Patrick Cotter, noted that witnesses at trial all testified McClain was an extremely skilled lobbyist and hard worker, someone who sought, as all good lobbyists do, to build relationships with powerful politicians and advocate his clients positions.

Whats more, Cotter wrote, there was nothing illegal about his overtures, regardless of how they were articulated.

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Simply put, over almost a decade, Mr. McClain passed along and advocated for a handful of job recommendations from Madigan because of Madigans position both as an influential member of the General Assembly and, in no small measure, because Madigan was Mr. McClains old and close friend, Cotter wrote. Doing so was legal and constitutionally protected lobbying. It should not have been treated as a crime.

Cotter also said it would be unjust to make McClain a scapegoat for the states history of political corruption or some abstract symbol to promote whatever current notion (prosecutors) maintain of good government.

Mr. McClain has not held political office in over 30 years, Cotter wrote. He is neither responsible for, nor is it just to punish him to any degree for generations of the way politics has been conducted by other people in this state, or practices that pre-date his birth and may, one suspects, continue in various, perhaps different, incarnations long after he is gone.

McClain and his three co-defendants  Pramaggiore, Hooker and Doherty  were convicted on all counts in May 2023 after a two-month trial.

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The case was then beset by a series of delays, first because of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that reset the rules for a key federal bribery statute and then again after the death of the judge who had presided over the trial, Harry Leinenweber.

The bulk of the ComEd allegations centered on a cadre of Madigan allies who were paid a total of $1.3 million from 2011 through 2019 through allegedly do-nothing consulting contracts. Among the recipients were two former aldermen, Frank Olivo and Michael Zalewski, precinct captains Ray Nice and Edward Moody, and former state Rep. Edward Acevedo.

In addition, prosecutors alleged ComEd also hired a clouted law firm run by political operative Victor Reyes, distributed numerous college internships within Madigans 13th Ward fiefdom, and backed former McPier chief Juan Ochoa, a friend of a Madigan ally, for an $80,000-a-year seat on the utilitys board of directors, the indictment alleged.

In return, prosecutors alleged, Madigan used his influence over the General Assembly to help ComEd score a series of huge legislative victories that not only rescued the company from financial instability but led to record-breaking, billion-dollar profits.

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Among them was the 2011 smart grid bill that set a built-in formula for the rates ComEd could charge customers, avoiding battles with the Illinois Commerce Commission, according to the charges. ComEd also leaned on Madigans office to help pass the Future Energy Jobs Act in 2016, which kept the formula rate in place and also rescued two nuclear plants run by an affiliated company, Exelon Generation.

Madigan, meanwhile, was convicted in a separate trial of an array of schemes that included the ComEd bribery payments. He was sentenced in June to 7 1/2 years in prison.

Defense attorneys for the ComEd Four have repeatedly argued the government was seeking to criminalize legal lobbying and job recommendations that are at the heart of the states legitimate political system.

But prosecutors say the entire scope of the scheme is still fair game, even if the specific bribery counts were dropped  a position that Shah has agreed with.

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A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced a Key West man to two and a half years in prison after he was convicted of sending guns to Haiti by hiding the firearms in cars that he shipped to the Caribbean nation.

Jean Wiltene Eugene, 57, who pleaded guilty in April to one count of smuggling, also must serve two years of supervised release after serving his time in prison, as well as pay a $20,000 fine, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

Prosecutors say Eugene sent more than two guns hidden in cars to Haiti through an export company after filling out required paperwork that affirmed the vehicles did not contain firearms or ammunition, per the Justice Department.

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In interviews with federal agents following his arrest in Key West in May 2024, prosecutors say Eugene admitted to shipping two vehicles to Haiti with firearms hidden inside in 2020 and 2021. He told the agents he placed food and other items around the bins that were holding the weapons to conceal them from authorities, according to the government.

Prosecutors say he later told agents the nine guns he bought in Key West under his name were, at the time, located at a gas station that he owns in Haiti.

Eugene, who was born in Haiti before later moving to Key West, also confessed to the agents that he knew he was breaking the law by sending weapons to his home country, prosecutors say.

Had Eugene gone to trial and was convicted by a jury, he faced up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, according to the Justice Department.
PALESTINE  Death row inmate Robert Roberson is appealing his Oct. 16 execution date.

Last week, a state judge sided with Attorney General Ken Paxton's request to set the October execution date for Roberson, who was found guilty of killing his 2-year-old daughter Nikki in 2003. Attorneys for Roberson on Thursday announced they have asked the Court of Criminal Appeals to pause the execution, arguing that an execution date shouldn't have been set while the court considers Roberson's case. The attorneys also asked for oral arguments before the appellate court to allow them to present the "mountain of evidence" to prove his innocence.

Gretchen Sween, Robersons attorney, said the evidence in Roberson's case is complicated and needs time to be explained, and this execution date is rushing the process.

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This kind of evidence is complex. And misinformation about the physical evidence developed both at trial and in post-conviction has abounded. Under these circumstances, the district courts stated rationale for scheduling Roberts execution nowto move things alongseems incompatible with the truth-seeking function the public expects in matters of life or death. A stay is necessary to remove the artificial and arbitrary time pressure created by scheduling an innocent mans execution while he has appeals pending, Sween said in a new release.

A bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers delayed the execution in October 2024. Paxton requested the court proceed with the execution .

Last week's decision by Smith County District Judge Austin Reeve Jackson in Anderson County, where Robersons case was first heard 20 years ago, sets a ticking timer on Robersons life as the death row inmate fights to prove his innocence.

We're not asking for Robert to walk out into the sunset. We're asking for a new trial, said Gretchen Sween, Robersons attorney, in a press conference following Jacksons decision.

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Robersons brother, Thomas, attended the proceedings as a member of the Texas Death Penalty Abolition Movement, carrying a sign with his brothers image and the words NO MORE EXECUTIONS.

Ever since the beginning, he claimed his innocence and he never gave up, Thomas said, adding that he believes his brothers life will be saved. With God, anything is possible.

Roberson filed an appeal of the conviction with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals in February after his attorneys said there is new scientific evidence suggesting the shaken baby theory was wrong. The court has not yet considered the appeal, although it has rejected Robersons previous appeals and upheld his death sentence.

It appears at this point there is no legal basis for prohibiting setting an execution date, said Jackson.

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Jackson said he didnt know why the states highest criminal court had not yet taken up Robersons most recent appeal. Jackson expressed concern about abusing the system with the repeated appeals and said, Dont we have to, at some point, set a date?

Robersons attorneys have sought relief six times, Sween said during the hearing, adding that there is nothing in state law requiring the state move forward with the execution date. But there is precedent for staying an execution until the appeals have been exhausted, she said.

When asked how long an appeal is usually considered, Sween told reporters after the hearing that the appeals court should have breathing room to consider the case without external pressures.

Now, the court has 91 days to consider taking up Robersons case, Sween said.

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What we have are these procedural bars to getting at the truth and reviewing the evidence, Sween said.

Now, Roberson will be placed on a 24-hour death watch until his execution date. He will be prohibited from participating in programs in the prison that had helped him, Sween said.

Robersons legal team say they can prove Nikkis death was natural and accidental  a result of the medications prescribed to treat her illness in the days leading up to her death.

In 2002, Nikki was sick with a high fever, according to the Innocence Project, a nonprofit legal defense organization which has taken up Robersons case alongside his legal team. Her parents took her to the doctor multiple times over the course of several days and she was prescribed medications that are now prohibited from use in children of her age, the Innocence Project states in a case write-up.

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Roberson put Nikki to bed, and when he awoke in the morning he found her unconscious and her lips were blue, according to the Innocence Project. On Jan. 31, 2002, he took her to the emergency room, where she was intubated. They determined she had already experienced brain death. She died the next day.

Prosecutors said in 2003 that Nikkis death was caused by shaken baby syndrome, which the Mayo Clinic defined as a serious brain injury that results from forcefully shaking an infant or a toddler.

They arrested the man based on this shaken baby syndrome diagnosis that has been completely discredited even by those who still believe it's a thing, Sween said. The version used to convict him is no longer accepted by anyone.

Robersons attorneys call the 2003 findings junk science, and cite the overturned conviction of Andrew Wayne Roark, who was also found guilty of violently shaking a young child in 2000. Roark was later exonerated.

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Paxton has railed against the possibility of Robersons exoneration. When lawmakers  led by Reps. Jeff Leach, R-Allen, and Joe Moody, D-El Paso  fought to have Roberson testify before a legislative committee last fall, Paxton called the move a scheme to undermine Texas justice system.

Jeff Leach and his associates violated the separation of powers enshrined in the Texas Constitution: they conspired to block the lawful execution of a man convicted of murdering his two-year-old daughter, Nikki, Paxton said in a November 2024 press release. Ensuring justice for murder victims is one of my most sacred responsibilities as Attorney General, and we fought every step of the way for her.

The lineup for The Texas Tribune Festival continues to grow! Be there when all-star leaders, innovators and newsmakers take the stage in downtown Austin, Nov. 1315. The newest additions include comedian, actor and writer John Mulaney; Dallas mayor Eric Johnson; U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota; New York Media Editor-at-Large Kara Swisher; and U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso. Get your tickets today!

TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
Fred Alger Management, an investment management company, released its Alger Mid Cap Focus Fund second-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. Equity markets regained their strength in the second quarter of 2025. Class A shares of the fund outperformed the Russell Midcap Growth Index during the quarter. The Industrials and Energy sectors contributed to the relative performance of the strategy in the quarter, while Information Technology and Consumer Discretionary sectors detracted. In addition, please check the funds top five holdings to know its best picks in 2025.

In its second quarter 2025 investor letter, Alger Mid Cap Focus Fund highlighted stocks such as Globant S.A. (NYSE:GLOB). Globant S.A. (NYSE:GLOB) is a Luxembourg-based technology services company. The one-month return of Globant S.A. (NYSE:GLOB) was -1.55%, and its shares lost 54.28% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On July 23, 2025, Globant S.A. (NYSE:GLOB) stock closed at $90.10 per share, with a market capitalization of $3.969 billion.

Alger Mid Cap Focus Fund stated the following regarding Globant S.A. (NYSE:GLOB) in its second quarter 2025 investor letter:

"Globant S.A. (NYSE:GLOB) is a global technology services company that helps businesses transform digitally by creating software solutions, leveraging AI, and providing cloud-based services. Its customers primarily include large companies across North America, Latin America, and Europe. Shares detracted from performance during the quarter after the company reported weaker-than-expected fiscal first-quarter results, as revenue growth missed analyst estimates. The revenue shortfall was mainly due to clients delaying discretionary IT and digital transformation projects amid macroeconomic uncertainty, particularly within its North American segment. Management highlighted that the slowdown in non essential corporate spendingespecially on projects unrelated to core operations or required digital upgradeswas the primary factor impacting new bookings and revenue growth."

Why Is Globant SA (GLOB) Plunging In 2025?

A close-up of an experienced game engineer's hands typing a complex code on a laptop.

Globant S.A. (NYSE:GLOB) is not on our list of 30 Most Popular Stocks Among Hedge Funds. As per our database, 31 hedge fund portfolios held Globant S.A. (NYSE:GLOB) at the end of the first quarter, which was 25 in the previous quarter. Globant S.A. (NYSE:GLOB) reported solid results in Q1 2025, with revenues reaching $611 million, reflecting an 7% year-over-year growth. While we acknowledge the potential of Globant S.A. (NYSE:GLOB) 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.
The judge in the Bryan Kohberger trial wiped away tears when giving the 30-year-old quadruple murderer four life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole for killing four University of Idaho students.

Ada County District Court Judge Steven Hippler appeared to cry as he addressed the packed courthouse on Wednesday, July 23, just before he handed down the lifelong sentence.

During the quiet morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, a faceless coward breached the tranquility of six beautiful young people and senselessly slaughtered them  four of them, he said, pausing to stare at Kohberger.

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But due to the killers incompetence and outstanding police work, the person that slithered through that sliding glass door at 1122 King Road now stands before the world and this court unmasked.

Three weeks earlier, on July 2, Kohberger appeared in the same Boise courtroom and confessed to breaking into the house at King Road and fatally stabbing Maddie Mogen, 21; Kaylee Goncalves, 21; Xana Kernodle, 20; and Ethan Chapin, 20.

Instagram Ethan Chapin, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Kaylee Goncalves hours before the murders

Now, the judge said, victims families and friends are left to carry forth the memories of these now perpetually young people, these forever children.

In addition to the four life sentences without the possibility of parole for the murders, Hippler gave Kohberger 10 years on a burglary conviction. He was also ordered to pay $270,000 in fines and civil penalties.

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The sentencing came after more than two hours of emotional and powerful victim statements the students families and loved ones shared with the court.

I listened intently to the stories and pain that have been shared today with great awe at the courage and resilience of the surviving family members of those wonderful children, the judge said.

Earlier that morning, Kaylees older sister, Alivea Goncalves, had some of the most blistering words for the man who took her sisters life.

"Sit up straight when I talk to you, she commanded Kohberger.

"Kaylee and her best friend Maddie were not yours to take," Alivea said, describing how she considered both girls to be her sisters.

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"They were everything that you could never be  loved, accepted, vibrant, accomplished, brave and powerful."

Alivea zeroed in on Kohbergers weaknesses, particularly how relevant he had always strived to be, by saying, "The truth is, the scariest part about you is how painfully average you turned out to be."

She concluded her remarks by saying, "You want the truth? Here's the one youll hate the most. If you hadnt attacked them in their sleep, in the middle of the night like a pedophile, Kaylee would have kicked your fing ass."

The judge had kind words for surviving roommates Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen, who have been criticized by some people on social media who have speculated they could have called police sooner. He praised their courage to come forward despite the hell they faced by uncaring people who have come up with all kinds of crazy theories about two kids simply being kids.

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On the night of the murders, Mortensen told police she saw what she thought was a fireman walking past her door, but in the moment, was too scared and confused to act.

Kohberger will now undergo a two-week evaluation after which the IDOC will determine what prison he is sent to for the rest of his life.

That will likely be the lone maximum security prison in Idaho but could also be an out-of-state facility due to safety concerns surrounding the high-profile inmate.



Read the original article on People
July 23 (UPI) -- A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily paused Kilmer Abrego Garcia's release from criminal custody after two judges earlier in the day ruled the accused MS-13 gang member should return to his home in Baltimore awaiting trial.

Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national living legally in the United States since 2019, was deported in March to a notorious prison in El Salvador because of an "administrative error." In June, he was brought to Tennessee on two criminal charges of human smuggling. He pleaded not guilty.

Magistrate Judge Barbara Holles, who serves in the Middle District of Tennessee, determined that Abrego Garcia should remain in federal custody for 30 days "pending further order." Magistrates are named by the court's district judges.

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Both sides sought the pause -- the federal government an opportunity to appeal and his legal team to seek further court relief.

U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw in Nashville and Paula Ixis in Maryland had blocked the government from detaining and deporting after release from criminal custody. President Barack Obama appointed both judges.

Crenshaw ruled the government "fails to provide any evidence that there is something in Abrego's history, or his exhibited characteristics, that warrants detention."

He said: "For the Court to find that Abrego is a member of or in affiliation with MS13, it would have to make so many inferences from the Government's proffered evidence in its favor that such conclusion would border on fanciful."

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Minutes later, Ixis ordered the government not to take him into immigration custody once released from criminal detention. He must be under Immigration and Customs Enforcement supervision in Maryland, she ruled. And if there are third-party proceedings, Abrego and his counsel must be given 72 "business hours" notice, the judge ruled.

After the earlier rulings, Homeland Security Assistand Security Assisrant Secretary said in a statement to NBC News: "The facts remain, this MS-13 gang member, human trafficker and illegal alien will never walk America's streets again. The fact this unhinged judge is trying to tell ICE they can't arrest someone who is subject to immigration arrest under federal law is insane."

"These rulings are a powerful rebuke of the government's lawless conduct and a critical safeguard for Kilmar's due process rights," Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, one of Abrego Garcia's attorneys, said in a statement to CNN. "After the government unlawfully deported him once without warning, this legal protection is essential."

Last week, Kristi Noem, the secretary of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, described him as a "horrible human being and a monster, and he should never be released free."

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She said: He has a lifetime history of trafficking individuals and of taking advantage of minors, soliciting pornography from them, nude photos of them, abusing his wife, abusing other illegals, aliens that were in this country, women that were under his care while he was trafficking them."

In the indictment, Abrego Garcia and others are accused of participating in a conspiracy in which they "knowingly and unlawfully transported thousands of undocumented aliens who had no authorization to be present in the United States, and many of whom were MS-13 members and associates."

The allegations from 2016 to this year involve a half-dozen alleged unnamed co-conspirators. Abrego Garcia and others worked to move undocumented aliens between Texas and Maryland and other states more than 100 times, according to the indictment.

In November 2022, Abrego Garcia is accused of driving a Chevrolet Suburban and was pulled over on a interstate highway in Tennessee with nine other Hispanic men without identification or luggage.

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Prosecutors allege that Abrego Garcia transported narcotics to Maryland, though he wasn't previously charged with any crimes.

These allegations were not made public after March 15 when Abrego Garcia was deported to El Salvador's CECOT mega-prison. He later went to another prison in El Salvador.

On June 10, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to "facilitate" the return of him from El Salvador after a ruling by Xinis.

Earlier this month, a lawyer for DOJ said in federal court he would be deported, but not to El Salvador -- if he is released from criminal custody.

Abrego Garcia, 30, is married to a U.S. citizen and has three children.
By Jan Wolfe

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. District Judge James Boasberg said on Thursday he may initiate disciplinary proceedings against Justice Department lawyers for their conduct in a lawsuit brought by Venezuelans challenging their removal to a Salvadoran prison in March.

Boasberg, a prominent Washington, D.C., judge who has drawn President Donald Trump's ire, said during a court hearing that a recent whistleblower complaint had strengthened the argument that Trump administration officials engaged in criminal contempt of court by failing to turn around deportation flights.

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Boasberg also raised the prospect of referring Justice Department lawyers to state bar associations, which have the authority to discipline unethical conduct by attorneys.

"I will certainly be assessing whether government counsel's conduct and veracity to the court warrant a referral to state bars or our grievance committee, which determines lawyers' fitness to practice in our court," Boasberg said.

A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment.

Boasberg has been hearing an American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit brought on behalf of alleged Venezuelan gang members removed from the U.S. under a rarely invoked 18th-century law. The detainees in the case were returned to Venezuela last week as part of a prisoner exchange, after spending four months in El Salvador's CECOT prison.

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The migrants' lawyers have disputed the gang membership claims and said their clients were not given a chance to contest the government's assertions.

Boasberg said in April that the Trump administration appeared to have acted in bad faith when it hurriedly assembled three deportation flights on March 15 at the same time that he was conducting emergency court proceedings to assess the legality of the effort.

In court filings, Justice Department lawyers have disputed that they disobeyed a court order, saying remarks Boasberg made from the bench were not legally binding.

In a 2-1 order, a federal appeals court in April temporarily paused Boasberg's effort to further investigate whether the Trump administration engaged in criminal contempt.

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Boasberg said during Thursday's hearing that the delay from the appeals court was frustrating for the plaintiffs, and that a whistleblower complaint from Erez Reuveni, a former Justice Department attorney who was fired in April, strengthened the case for contempt.

Reuveni described three separate incidents when Justice Department leaders defied court orders related to the deportation of immigrants living in the country illegally.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a post on X, called Reuveni a "disgruntled employee" and a "leaker."

(Reporting by Jan Wolfe in Washington; Editing by Nia Williams)
A federal appeals court has dealt a blow to President Donald Trumps effort to end birthright citizenship, ruling that his executive order was unconstitutional.

The district court correctly concluded that the Executive Orders proposed interpretation, denying citizenship to many persons born in the United States, is unconstitutional. We fully agree, Judge Ronald Gould, a Bill Clinton appointee, wrote for the 2-1 majority on the 9th U.S. Circuit of Appeals.

The majority concluded in Wednesdays ruling that the executive order was invalid because it contradicts the plain language of the Fourteenth Amendments grant of citizenship to all persons born in the United States.

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Gould was joined on the majority by Judge Michael Hawkins, who was also appointed by Clinton. Judge Patrick Bumatay, a Trump appointee, partially dissented, arguing the states did not have the right to bring the case.

Donald Trump answers questions during a press conference on the Supreme Court ruling on June 27. / Joe Raedle / Getty Images

The decision prevents the government from nationwide enforcement of Trumps order, which aimed to deny citizenship to children born in the U.S. to undocumented parents.

Trump signed an executive order on the first day of his presidency titled, Protecting The Meaning And Value Of American Citizenship. It attempted to limit birthright citizenship even though it is enshrined by the 14th Amendment.

The order was swiftly challenged in the courts, and was blocked within a month by three federal district judges who issued nationwide injunctions.

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The Trump administration sought relief from the Supreme Court, which did not rule on the constitutionality of the order, but instead argued in June that lower courts do not have the authority to block the policies nationwide.

The 9th Circuit case was filed by Democratic attorneys general in four states: Washington, Arizona, Illinois, and Oregon. They argued that it would be problematic for the order not to apply nationwide.

Protesters outside the Supreme Court demonstrate against Trump's move to end birthright citizenship. / JIM WATSON / AFP via Getty Images

It marks the second time a court has ruled against Trumps order since the Supreme Courts decision to restrict injunctions. Earlier this month, a federal judge in New Hampshire also blocked Trumps order nationwide by certifying a class-action lawsuit.

Trumps order was first blocked in February by U.S. District Judge John Coughenour, a Ronald Reagan appointee based in Seattle. Wednesdays decision keeps that decision in place.

Each court to rule so far on the legality of Trumps order has found it to be unconstitutional.
ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis man faces up to five years in federal prison for pointing a laser at a police helicopter.

Jurors took approximately 20 minutes to convict Joshua J. Johnson, 44, on Wednesday. Johnson was found guilty of one count of knowingly aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft.

The trial began on Tuesday afternoon.

Prosecutors said Johnson used a laser pointer on the night of Aug. 9, 2024, to target a marked Metro Air Support helicopter as it was flying over the Benton Park neighborhood.

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Two pilots from the St. Louis County Police Department and St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department were temporarily blinded as a result.

Family reacts to video of sons death in City Justice Center

The pilots were able to track the beam to the drivers side of a vehicle below them.

The helicopter tracked the vehicle as the driver attempted to leave the area. The driver aimed the laser at the helicopter again, but the pilots were not deterred.

The pilots relayed updates to officers on the ground, who stopped the vehicle and arrested the driver and sole occupant, later identified as Johnson.

Johnson initially denied pointing the laser at the helicopter, but then admitted he was responsible, and later in calls from jail.

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According to the Federal Aviation Administration, pilots reported 12,840 laser strikes in 2024.

Johnson will be sentenced on Oct. 30.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The federal courthouse in Sioux Falls. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight)

A Sioux Falls jury ordered a former state prison warden to pay $105,000 in damages to an inmate after a federal civil rights trial, but its unclear if the warden or state will pay the award.

Mark Christians, 45, sued a series of Department of Corrections employees in 2020, alleging that inadequate nutrition caused him to lose 90 pounds between 2017 and 2018 at Mike Durfee State Prison in Springfield. He also alleged that prison food had made him ill and left him with permanent health conditions.

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In 2022, he amended his lawsuit to include allegations of cruel and unusual punishment during a 2021 stay in disciplinary housing at the South Dakota State Penitentiary in Sioux Falls.

Christians lost weight during that two-month period, as well. Hed been sent to the penitentiarys Special Housing Unit for fighting with another inmate, court documents say. But he alleged he was held there longer than intended because hed gone on hunger strike to protest over his meals. Hed lost weight during his first 11 days in confinement, his lawsuit said.

U.S. District Judge Lawrence Piersol dismissed many of Christians claims and released multiple defendants from liability in the years after the inmate filed his lawsuits. Christians represented himself for most of those years.

Piersol appointed Christians two lawyers this spring to handle the trial  stretched across four days this month in Sioux Falls, with a break for the weekend  on his claims about inadequate nutrition and punishment claims.

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The remaining defendants included Brent Fluke, the former warden at the Springfield prison, and Darin Young, the former penitentiary warden.

Jurors were instructed, according to court documents, that the U.S. Constitutions Eighth Amendment requires prison officials to provide prisoners with humane conditions of confinement, including nutritionally adequate meals to maintain health. The Eighth Amendment bars cruel and unusual punishment.

Another jury instruction asked the panel to decide if Christians meals were nutritionally inadequate, if the defendants knew hed likely be harmed as a result, that they showed deliberate indifference to that harm, and that Christians actually experienced that harm.

Jurors answered yes to each of those questions for both Fluke and Young. Fluke was ordered to pay $1 in nominal damages, meaning those directly related to Christians claims about his nutrition in Springfield. Fluke was not ordered to pay punitive damages, which are levied as a punishment.

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Young was ordered to pay $5,000 in nominal damages and $100,000 in punitive damages.

None of the other defendants were found liable for Christians weight loss.

Unclear who might pay damages

The former state employees were represented by lawyers from Attorney General Marty Jackleys office.

A spokesman for that office said the decision on whether to appeal or otherwise challenge the validity of the verdict lies with the Department of Corrections. That departments spokesman, meanwhile, said it cannot comment on ongoing litigation.

Tyler Haigh of Sioux Falls, one of two lawyers who represented Christians, also declined to comment, citing the ongoing legal case.

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Neither Haigh, nor lawyers for the state, have commented on who might ultimately be responsible to pay damages to Christians if the verdict stands.

South Dakota has an insurance pool called the Public Entity Pool for Liability that covers certain expenses related to lawsuits involving current or former employees. Under South Dakota law, though, that fund cannot be used to pay punitive damages in civil court cases.

The state also has an Extraordinary Litigation Fund, designed to cover plaintiff attorney fee awards, retention of outside counsel, settlement costs, or other litigation expenses not otherwise eligible to be paid by the pool.

Both funds are managed by the Bureau of Administration, whose commissioner, Darin Seeley, did not respond to a request for comment.

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A bitter tug-of-war over antitrust enforcement is testing the White Houses dual impulses to challenge tech companies consolidation and to simply back big American business.

Capitol Forum reported today that acting associate attorney general Chad Mizelle overruled Justice Department antitrust chief Gail Slater to approve HPEs $14 billion takeover of Juniper Networks.

The argument turned bitter when Slaters team reportedly pushed HPE to dispense with two consultants close to the Trump administration, the vocal MAGA legal activist Mike Davis and lawyer Arthur Schwartz, and negotiate directly with the governments lawyers.

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Slater and her antitrust allies didnt just lose the argument: Earlier this week, top Trump DOJ officials told associates that two of Slaters deputies, Roger Alford and Bill Rinner, were out, two lawyers close to DOJ told Semafor.

By Thursday morning, the mens names had been removed from the departments website. They were restored a few hours later, and a DOJ spokesman said Thursday morning that the two had not, in fact, been ousted.

The episode deepens the perception that Trumps efforts to, for example, support Big Tech in the AI race with China or punish corporate diversity initiatives are crowding out the antitrust enforcement popular with parts of his base.

His appointees have used M&A approvals to win ideological concessions, and Slater just approved a telecom merger that she acknowledged would cement a cellphone oligopoly.

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The incredible shrinking Trump antitrust enforcers, corporate critic Matt Stoller described the phenomenon this week. On the other hand: FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson appears to have played his internal political cards more deftly and avoided run-ins with Trump aides.
July 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. Department of Justice met with Ghislaine Maxwell, the accomplice of Jeffrey Epstein, for six hours at a federal courthouse in Florida on Thursday.

Maxwell and her attorney, David Markus, attended the meeting with U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who sought more information regarding the former Epstein case.

Markus called the meeting a "productive day" and said Maxwell answered all questions raised by Blanche, according to CNN.

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"He took a full day and asked a lot of questions," Markus said of Blanche. "She never invoked a privilege. She never declined to answer."

Markus said Maxwell answered all questions "truthfully, honestly and to the best of her ability."

He declined to comment on the nature of the questions and the general context of the meeting.

Maxwell was originally scheduled to meet Justice Department representatives at the minimum-security prison in Tallahassee, where she is serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking.

Instead, they met at a U.S. attorney's office inside the federal courthouse in Tallahassee, as first reported by ABC News.

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"For the first time, the Department of Justice is reaching out to Ghislaine Maxwell to ask: What do you know?" Blanche said on Tuesday in a post on X.

Maxwell has been subpoenaed by House Oversight Committee Chairperson Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., for a deposition slated to take place on Aug. 11.

Maxwell was convicted and sentenced in June 2022 as an accomplice in Epstein's sex-trafficking scheme and was denied a review by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year.

The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday that a recent review of Epstein-related documents by the Justice Department and FBI allegedly found that President Donald Trump's name appeared several times in the files.

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House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., during a press conference on Wednesday, said making the Epstein files public needs to be done in a way that protects the victims mentioned in the files, some of whom are minors.

He also stressed that only "credible evidence" should be revealed.

"We understand [Johnson's] general concern," He said on Wednesday. "Congress should always vet the credibility of its witnesses."

Maxwell was looking forward to her meeting with the DOJ, Markus added.

The DOJ has denied rumors that Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while in custody, had a list of clients who participated in the abuse and exploitation of minors.

Further rumors involve President Donald Trump's past relationship with Epstein, although Trump has since called the public's interest in the Epstein files a "scam" and a "hoax" created by his political opponents.
The first six months of President Donald Trumps term have produced a cash cow of historic magnitude for the lobbying industry, with record-breaking demand for help navigating the administrations constant stream of policy pronouncements  or trying to avoid becoming a pay-for in the GOPs megabill.

The result is a new set of power brokers in Trumps swamp. Firms with strong ties to the White House have skyrocketed to the top of the pecking order of lobbying outfits in town, according to a POLITICO analysis of the latest quarterly lobbying disclosures filed this week.

No firm has benefited more than Ballard Partners, which is led by Trump fundraiser Brian Ballard. The firm previously employed White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and Attorney General Pam Bondi. Ballard brought in $20.6 million in lobbying revenues during the second quarter of the year from clients including Palantir, American Express, TikTok, Ripple Labs and UnitedHealth. Its haul is more than four times what the firm brought in during the second quarter of 2024.

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But the gusher has benefited the entire lobbying industry, new firms and old, the analysis shows. Of the top 20 firms by revenue, only two saw their lobbying revenues decline last quarter compared to the same time a year ago. The lobbying figures reported this week don't include revenue from public affairs or consulting work, or foreign agent work.

The number of people who feel they need representation at this point is huge, and we're really just getting into sort of the day-to-day of governing, said Rich Gold, who heads up the public policy and regulation group at law and lobbying firm Holland & Knight. Golds firm, which ranked fifth among the top earners on K Street last quarter with $13.8 million in revenue, signed 57 new clients during the first half of the year, a record intake for the firm.

The largest driver of business right now is the overarching trend of uncertainty and the need for C-suites to try to minimize uncertainty and political risk as much as possible, he said. While specific legislation like the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act has certainly drummed up lobbying business, the number of people who needed political intelligence work and advocacy in Washington this year stretches far beyond that one law, Gold said.

As for Ballard, its blowout earnings were enough to dethrone Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, which has topped the quarterly revenue rankings since 2021. Brownstein reported $18.5 million in lobbying revenues during Q2, setting the firms own quarterly record.

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Ballards Trump-linked competitors are also cashing in. Miller Strategies, which is run by top GOP fundraiser Jeff Miller and employs several former Trump administration alumni, brought in nearly $13 million during the second quarter from clients like Zoom, OpenAI, Apple, Softbank, Crypto.com and Blackstone. Thats up almost 80 percent from the beginning of the year, and four times what it brought in during the second quarter of 2024.



Continental Strategy, whose staff includes former Trump appointee Carlos Trujillo as well as a former top aide to then-Sen. Marco Rubio, reported $6.5 million in lobbying revenues last quarter, making it the 15th biggest firm by lobbying revenue in Q2. During the same time last year, Continental reported just $292,000 in lobbying fees.

Another firm that found itself knocking at the doorstep of Washingtons most prestigious lobbying shops didnt even exist in the nations capital a year ago.

North Carolina-based Checkmate Government Relations, which announced plans to open a Washington office in December, brought in $4.5 million in lobbying fees in Q2, more than quadruple the $910,000 it reported at the beginning of 2025. Among its clients were Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, UNC Chapel Hill, General Dynamics and Juul.

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Checkmates president, Ches McDowell, is a hunting buddy of Donald Trump Jr. and the brother of freshman Rep. Addison McDowell (R-N.C.). The firm also employs the son of Trumps co-campaign manager and the nephew of Trumps HHS secretary.

BGR Group, a bipartisan but Republican-heavy firm whose alumni include Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, posted its best quarter in its 35-year existence, said Loren Monroe, the co-head of the firms lobbying group.

BGRs lobbyists include Trump adviser David Urban as well as Florida powerbroker Nick Iarossi, and the firm reported $17.7 million in lobbying fees in Q2  which was third overall and marked a nearly 60 percent increase from the same time last year.

Mercury Public Affairs also posted a banner quarter, raking in almost $6.5 million from April through June, compared to $3.2 million in Q2 of 2024. Wiles served as a co-chair at the K Street mainstay before joining the White House this year, and the bipartisan firm also employs former Trump adviser Bryan Lanza, whos signed dozens of new clients since the election.

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Elsewhere on K Street, the all-Republican firm CGCN Group doubled its lobbying revenues compared to a year ago, and Michael Best Strategies, whose leadership includes Trumps first White House chief of staff, Reince Priebus, and Trump's 2024 co-campaign manager, Chris LaCivita, more than tripled its Q2 lobbying earnings.

Lobbyists anticipate the good times will last, at least for the foreseeable future, even after the signing of the megabill this month  though not everyone believes the Trump-driven realignment will remain.

We've had sort of personality-based firms in town before, said Gold. They kind of come and go. I expect that to be the case here.

In addition to ongoing trade policy disruptions, multiple lobbyists pointed to the various executive orders and presidential memoranda the White House has been churning out since day one as another key driver of business this year.

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The beginning of any new administration is a very busy time, added Karishma Page, a partner at K&L Gates. This, I think, is a high watermark.

K&L Gates saw its lobbying revenue last quarter surge by 25 percent from the same period a year ago thanks to the flurry of activity on both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue.

There seems to be an insatiable appetite from clients for insight into the Trump administration, added Will Moschella, who co-leads the lobbying practice at Brownstein.

A lot of those executive orders require departments and agencies to report back with policy proposals, he said. So they weren't one-time events  those are documents and directives that are going to drive further executive branch action.

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From an advocacy perspective, the fight over Republicans massive reconciliation package this spring and summer is kind of like having your dessert, Gold said. Those negotiations touched off lobbying by everyone from universities to business groups, hospitals, the renewable energy industry and beyond.

The day-to-day regulatory work at various agencies, which Gold compared to eating your spinach, is really just gearing up, he added.

Theres also the widespread uncertainty over Trumps tariff policies, to say nothing of must-pass legislation to fund the government and reauthorize the nations farm and defense policies.

Those issues  while less sexy than things like crypto or artificial intelligence policy  have been the focus of increased attention from clients, lobbyists said, thanks to Trumps large-scale slashing of government funding across the country and the recissions bill passed by Congress this month.

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There is a need in the current moment to really be able to justify the work of an organization that may be a federal contractor or grantee, Page argued.

Thats also the case for clients who have sought to avoid the presidents ire. I think there was a sense at the beginning of the administration that maybe you could just duck and cover and just be left alone, said Monroe. The experience of the last six months suggests that the best defense is a strong offense  and telling your story, otherwise you risk it being told for you.
Kaiser Permanente will pause gender-affirming surgeries for patients younger than 19 years beginning next month, the nonprofit health giant said Wednesday.

In a statement shared with The Hill, Kaiser  headquartered in Oakland, Calif., and serving more than 12 million members in eight states and Washington, D.C.  cited an evolving legal and regulatory environment for gender-affirming care and recent actions by the Trump administration to restrict access to prescription medications, including puberty blockers and hormones, and, in rarer cases, transition-related surgeries for youth.

Since January, there has been significant focus by the federal government on gender-affirming care, specifically for patients under the age of 19, Kaiser said in its statement.

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On Jan. 20, his first day back in office, President Trump signed an executive order proclaiming that the U.S. recognizes only two unchangeable sexes, male and female, and broadly restricting federal spending on gender ideology. The following week, he signed a second order aimed at ending federal support for gender-affirming care for adolescents younger than 19, calling doctors provision of such care to youth a stain on our Nations history.

Two federal judges blocked a portion of the order that threatened to cut off federal funding for institutions that provide gender-affirming care for anyone under 19.

Addressing a joint session of Congress in March, Trump, who campaigned heavily on a promise to ban gender-affirming care for minors, called on lawmakers to pass legislation permanently banning and criminalizing sex changes on children and forever ending the lie that any child is trapped in the wrong body. He has endorsed a bill by Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) that would make it illegal to provide gender-affirming care to youth.

Other Trump administration actions to severely limit access to transition-related care include letters to hospitals from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and a recent Federal Trade Commission workshop on The Dangers of Gender-Affirming Care for Minors.

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Earlier this month, the Department of Justice said it sent more than 20 subpoenas to doctors and clinics involved in performing transgender medical procedures on children in investigations involving alleged false statements and health care fraud.

In its statement on Wednesday, Kaiser said it had to carefully consider the significant risks being created for health systems, clinicians, and patients in light of the governments actions.

After significant deliberation and consultation with internal and external experts including our physicians, weve made the difficult decision to pause surgical treatment for patients under the age of 19 in our hospitals and surgical centers. This pause is effective August 29, 2025, the health care nonprofit said. All other gender-affirming care treatment remains available. We continue to meet with regulators as well as our clinicians, patients, their families, and the community with the goal of identifying a responsible path forward.

Kaiser added that other health systems have paused or discontinued transition-related care for young people in response to federal actions.

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On Tuesday, Childrens Hospital Los Angeles closed its Center for Transyouth Health and Development under pressure from the Trump administration. In a message posted to its website this week, Childrens National Hospital in Washington stated similarly that it would stop prescribing gender-affirming medications, effective August 30, citing escalating legal and regulatory risks.

Other hospital systems, including the University of Chicago Medical Center and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, have recently announced they no longer will offer gender-affirming care to anyone younger than 19.

The California Nurses Association, which represents roughly 25,000 registered nurses at Kaiser hospitals, denounced the health care nonprofits announcement on Wednesday.

This is pre-emptively giving in to government overreach in health care, said Lady Rainsard, a registered nurse in plastic surgery at Kaiser San Francisco, in a statement. Medical providers, not politicians, know whats best for our patients. Gender-affirming care is safe and effective. As nurses, we always follow the precautionary principle, and we always advocate for our patients. Right now, we deem it a much greater risk to cave to this kind of government overreach than it is to provide this care to our patients, no matter their age.

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California state Sen. Scott Weiner (D) similarly condemned Kaisers and other state health care systems decision to discontinue care.

California law is clear: Health systems cant deny care to trans people. And this is a straight-up denial of care to youth who are under the care of a physician and whose parents have consented to the treatment, Wiener wrote on the social platform X.

In February, Californias Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta told state hospitals and clinics that they are obligated under the states anti-discrimination law to continue providing gender-affirming care, despite the Trump administrations demands to suspend it.

Let me be clear: California law has not changed, and hospitals and clinics have a legal obligation to provide equal access to healthcare services, Bonta said.

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A spokesperson for the state attorney generals office did not immediately return a request for comment.

Chloe Cole, a conservative political activist and opponent of gender-affirming care following her detransition, sued Kaiser in 2023 for medical negligence. Her suit was brought by the conservative nonprofit Center for American Liberty, LiMandri & Jonna LLP and the Dhillon Law Group, a law practice founded by Harmeet Dhillon, Trumps assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Justice Department.

Cole celebrated Kaisers announcement that it would be suspending transition-related surgical care for youth in a post on X. We are winning! she wrote. Thank you to the Trump administration for protecting kids!!!

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CNNs Kaitlan Collins pressed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on her claims of a Barack Obama-led plot conspiracy against Donald Trump, questioning if Gabbard merely sought to get back in Trumps good graces.

What would you say to people who believe youre only releasing these documents now to improve your standing with the president after he said that your intelligence assessments were wrong? Collins asked.

Speculation emerged that Trump had lost faith in Gabbard after he publicly dismissed Gabbards assertion that Iran was not trying to build a nuclear weapon. I dont care what she said, he told reporters last month as the U.S. considered whether to bomb Irans nuclear facilities.

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It comes as the administration has tried to distract the country from its ongoing crisis over Trumps links to the disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, focusing instead on Gabbards allegations that Obama engaged in a seditious and treasonous effort to undermine Trump.

Gabbard on Wednesday ignored Collins Trump-focused question, instead answering Collins first one on whether a bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report affirming Russias 2016 election meddling had occurred. But White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt leapt in to offer some clarityand accuse the media of sowing distrust among Trumps cabinet.

President Trump has praised Tulsi Gabbard in recent days after she claimed former President Barack Obama worked to link Trump to Russian meddling in 2016. / Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty

That only people who are suggesting that the director of national intelligence would release evidence to try to boost her standing with the president are the people in this room who constantly trying to so distrust and chaos amongst the presidents cabinet, Leavitt said. It is not working.

He has the utmost confidence in director Gabbard, she added. He always has, he continues to, and that is true of his entire cabinet, who is all working as one team to deliver on the promises this president made.

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She then briskly moved on to another reporter.

Trump expressed some of that same effusive praise on Tuesday, when he said she was focused on what has become his top priority: exposing Obamas irrefutable attempt to lead a coup against him.

Obama blasted that characterization in a rare statement on Tuesday.

The bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction, the former presidents spokesperson Patrick Rodenbush said in a statement. Nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes.
Kris Kobach appears during a news conference June 26, 2023. (Sam Bailey/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  A Kansas county is asking voters in November to renew a local public safety sales tax to fund emergency and mental health crisis services, but Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach warned the county the question could violate state law.

Johnson County commissioners voted in May to approve a ballot question asking whether voters would like to renew a countywide sales tax worth a quarter of a cent for the next 10 years, beginning in 2027.

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The existing sales tax, passed by voters in 2016, expires in 2027 and was used for public safety building projects, such as a new courthouse and a coroner facility.

Kobach believes the new ballot question is markedly different from the original tax proposal. He said in an opinion issued Monday at the request of Shawnee Republican Sen. Mike Thompson that the commissioners exceeded their authority.

Kansas law allows the commissioners to implement sales tax proposals, which require voter approval, to fund public safety projects directly related to law enforcement (and necessary related programs), Kobach wrote.

Thompson, whose district is entirely in Johnson County, asked Kobach four questions: whether state law requires the sales tax revenue to be used for both the construction and operation of public safety projects, whether mental health and emergency medical services qualify as public safety projects, if its proper to call the question a renewal and whether the question would be nulled if the commissioners violated any of the above.

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The original 2016 ballot question said the sales tax would support the construction and operation costs of public safety projects. Kobach argued that the new proposal only pertains to operation costs.

While certainly important to the county, mental health services and emergency medical services, standing alone, do not qualify, Kobach said.

Kobach acknowledged the burden on taxpayers would be the same if the ballot question passed, but the tax would not be funding the same projects because the new courthouse and coroner facility  the purposes for which the tax was originally passed  will have been fully paid for by the time the tax expires.  He said that classifying the question as a renewal was misleading because the new question seeks to change the purpose of the original tax.

Because the proposition seeks to institute a new tax under the guise of continuing the current tax, the proposition exceeds the boards authority, which means that it is null and void, Kobach wrote.

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The new question proposes the tax revenues fund the following: emergency medical and ambulance services, mental health crisis intervention, emergency preparedness and disaster response, the county sheriffs office, the county jail, district courts and the district attorneys office. Kobach said these are mostly programs, not construction or operation projects.

Kansas law doesnt define public safety projects. Across the country, law enforcement agencies, medical personnel, first responders and social service providers have increasingly become part of the frontline effort to address mental health crises, substance use disorders and homelessness.

Johnson County staff based the decision to seek another question on a 2025 community survey, which staff said indicated support for prioritizing public safety and emergency services. Commissioners aimed this year to prioritize fiscal health. Staff also said Johnson County has a growing and aging population with evolving needs.

Mike Kelly, chairman of the board of commissioners, said at a May 8 meeting that the county, which is the wealthiest in the state, has a fundamental duty to provide public safety to its citizens.

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At the same time, he said, we have the not only moral obligation but the opportunity as the most prosperous county in the state of Kansas to do right by all people in Johnson County.

The board voted 6-1 to put the question on Johnson County voters ballots in November.

Before the vote, members of the public criticized the board for addressing public safety over housing and homelessness efforts. Board members pushed back, arguing they could address both at once in different ways.

If passed, the sales tax is expected to generate $35 million annually. More than 28% of the tax would be paid by nonresidents, said Julie Karins, the deputy county manager, at the May 8 commission meeting.

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Kobach said the countys tax proposal wouldnt hold up in court, but attorney general opinions do not hold the weight of law or judicial opinion.

Lisa Thurber, a spokesperson for the county, confirmed the commissioners have seen the opinion.

While the opinion does not carry the force of law and is not binding on courts or other entities, she said, the Board of County Commissioners is reviewing and considering its content.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A 27-year-old Kansas City man is facing charges in connection to the Sunday shooting death of two brothers.

Jackson County prosecutors charged Emmanuel Hernandez on Monday with voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action.

Kansas City police investigating 2024 death of 2-month-old baby as homicide

The shooting happened at a convenience store near Truman Avenue and Brooklyn Street. The two victims have been identified as 32-year-old Taylor Garrett and 35-year-old Byron Garrett.

Mugshot of Emmanuel Hernandez, courtesy of Jackson County Detention Center

According to court documents, Kansas City police officers responded to a reported shooting at that scene just before 1:20 p.m. on Sunday, July 20. When officers arrived on scene, they located the two victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. They were both pronounced dead at the scene.

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A witness stated he saw two men talking and then saw one slap the other and then one pull out a gun and start shooting.

Hernandez told detectives he stopped at the gas station for gas. As he walked to the front door of the business, he was attacked by Taylor Garrett. He said he was repeatedly struck on his head and face and he felt like he was going to black out. He said the second victim, Byron Garrett, was standing there, according to court documents.

Hernandez said Taylor stated, Youre not from here. You tripping, you think you look nice.

He then told Taylor he was a church kid, and both men went into the business and he went in to pay for his gas. Hernandez said while inside, Taylor was at the counter and then attacked him again and he believed Byron hit him as well. Court documents say at that time, Hernandez pulled out his Glock 10mm from his waistband and shot the two brothers. He stated he was scared and that Taylor was much taller than him. After he shot the two men, he called 911.

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Court documents say Hernandez had injuries to his face and complained of a headache and a knot on the back of his head. He also stated he takes medication for seizures. He was taken by EMS to Truman Medical Center for treatment.

Surveillance video inside the store showed Taylor at the cash register and immediately turning around to begin saying something to Hernandez. At 1:13 p.m., Taylor turns around abruptly and smacks Hernandez across the face as Byron is on the other side. Court documents say at that point, Hernandez pulls a gun from his waistband and begins shooting. Both victims run to the southern edge of the store and then run east down the last aisle, there they both fall, apparent to be struck by the gunfire, according to court documents.

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Court documents say Hernandez continues to shoot both victims while on the ground and after he stops shooting, he strikes Byron in the head with the gun.

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Hernandez is scheduled to appear in Jackson County court on Tuesday, July 29, for a bond review hearing.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Kansas City Police Department is investigating an overnight stabbing on the northeast side of Kansas City.

According to KCPD, around 3:15 a.m. Thursday, officers were sent to a reported stabbing on Admiral Boulevard and Tracy Avenue, just east of Interstate 70.

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When officers arrived, they were flagged down by a man saying someone had been attacked and needed help. Officers found a man lying in an apartment complex parking lot unresponsive and suffering from multiple stab wounds, according to KCPD.

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EMS responded to the scene and declared the victim dead. The victim has since been identified by police as 54-year-old Tyrone A. Bates Sr.

Police said a preliminary investigation suggests the stabbing happened as a result of an argument. As of Thursday morning, officers do not have suspect information, and no one is in custody.

Anyone with information is asked to contact KCPD homicide detectives directly at 816-234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-8477.

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  Kansas lawmakers are in disagreement over the federal government withholding about $43 million in state education funds.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, along with several other Democratic Governors across the nation, are asking President Donald Trump to release the money. Kansas Democrats are asking the states Republicans to rally behind the governor as well. However, they havent had much luck yet.

Kansas Democrats released a statement urging all lawmakers to condemn the presidents education cuts. Kansas Republicans that 27 News has spoken with say they agree with the cuts. They said that too much money is being used to promote radical agendas in Kansas schools and these cuts show financial responsibility.

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Kansas is failing to properly report abuse, neglect and exploitation cases: audit report

Kansas Democrats worry that important programs and after-school care could end as a result of the cuts. 27 News spoke with Kansas Democratic Representative Kirk Haskins, who was able to tell us more about what Democrats are asking out of Republican lawmakers.

Your job is to be a representative, is to be a senator, Haskins said. That means you represent your district, those who voted for you and against you. This impacts everybody in your district, and so you should come to the table, you should stand up and avoid the political theater.

Michael Austin, an executive committee member for the Kansas GOP, provided a response on his partys perspective on the situation.

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I see Kansas Republicans following what Kansas parents want, and Kansas parents want good education for their children no matter where they go, and of course they dont want any politics forced onto them without their say so. Thats what we were having these last four years, so Kansas parents are undoubtedly happy with what President Trump is doing, taking the woke politics out of education.

K-State axes LGBTQ+ center amid DEI fallout at Kansas universities

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The SEC's 2020 lawsuit threatened to derail Ripple's business model, which zapped investors' confidence in XRP and depressed its price for the past few years. A judge issued a ruling on the matter last August that slightly favored Ripple, but the SEC appealed the decision, which threatened to tie the matter up in court for several more years.

Ripple holds about 41 billion XRP tokens and releases them gradually to meet demand, adding to the existing supply of 59 billion tokens. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) took issue with this arrangement, arguing that XRP should be regulated like stocks, bonds, or other financial securities that are issued by corporate entities. Other major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) are usually earned through a process called "mining," so they haven't faced the same scrutiny.

Ripple created a network called Ripple Payments which lets global banks settle transactions with one another directly and instantly, regardless of their existing infrastructure. The company launched the XRP cryptocurrency to standardize those transactions. For example, a European bank can send XRP to a Korean bank instead of sending euros, which cuts out costly foreign exchange fees. It costs a mere 0.00001 tokens to send XRP across borders, which is a fraction of one U.S. cent.

Cross-border transactions often take days to settle because global banks don't always use the same payment infrastructure. While many use the SWIFT (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) network, others don't. They have to use intermediaries to settle money transfers, which takes time and increases costs.

But the SEC has adopted a friendlier approach toward the cryptocurrency industry under President Donald Trump, and Ripple's legal woes are now mostly settled. After trying -- and failing -- to mount a recovery for the last seven years, XRP finally soared to a new record high last Friday, July 18.

The XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) cryptocurrency soared to an all-time high of $3.45 in 2018, before losing more than 90% of its value amid a series of regulatory issues for its creator, Ripple. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) sued the company in 2020 for alleged breaches of financial securities laws, which cast a cloud over XRP's future.

XRP is benefiting from lighter regulation under President Donald Trump's administration, but its recent upside might not be sustainable.

Story Continues

Trump's election win marked a turning point for Ripple

Trump appointed crypto advocate Paul Atkins to run the SEC, and under his leadership, the agency has already paused or withdrawn litigation against crypto giants like Binance and Coinbase. The SEC also agreed to settle the proceedings against Ripple by withdrawing its appeal of last year's ruling, but a judge still needs to sign off before the case is officially closed.

As things stand, Ripple's regulatory woes in the U.S. are as good as over, which is a key reason investors have flooded back into XRP. But another tailwind involving the SEC is what pushed XRP to a new all-time high last Friday. The regulator, alongside the New York Stock Exchange, approved a new leveraged XRP exchange-traded fund (ETF) for trading on July 18, which spurred renewed interest in the cryptocurrency.

The ProShares Ultra XRP ETF buys futures contracts, so it doesn't own XRP directly. But it represents an important step toward the approval of spot XRP ETFs, and the SEC is reportedly reviewing several of those applications right now. Futures-based Bitcoin ETFs were approved before spot Bitcoin ETFs, so there is merit to investors' enthusiasm.

Here's what might happen next

Although XRP has the wind at its back right now, I'm skeptical about its potential to continue moving higher. First, using XRP within the Ripple Payments network might be cheap, but it isn't risk-free because banks have to navigate its volatility. For example, if the value of XRP declines by 5% while a transfer is being arranged, the parties to the transaction could suffer losses that far exceed the cost of a traditional transfer via SWIFT or another network.

Moreover, banks can use Ripple Payments without XRP, because the network allows for the transfer of fiat currency, too. Therefore, the success of Ripple Payments won't necessarily translate into a higher price for XRP. That means speculative investors might have more influence over the value of the token than organic demand, which brings me to the second point.

ETFs have been great for Bitcoin because that cryptocurrency is viewed as a legitimate store of value, thanks to its capped supply and decentralized nature. In fact, we don't even know the true identity of the person who created Bitcoin. XRP isn't decentralized at all because it's controlled by Ripple, leaving its value vulnerable to missteps by the company. That's why XRP's price collapsed in the wake of the SEC's lawsuit against Ripple, and it's plausible that future U.S. government administrations will take another shot at regulating the company.

As a result, I don't think the approval of XRP ETFs -- leveraged, spot, or otherwise -- will have a sustainable effect on the token's value. I think XRP investors should brace for a volatile ride from here.

Should you invest $1,000 in XRP right now?

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XRP Investors Have Waited 7 Years for This Moment. Here's What Might Happen Next was originally published by The Motley Fool
Could Kate Middleton and Queen Camilla be tapped to add a key duty, usually reserved for blood members of the royal family, to their roster?

Citizens of the U.K. and British Overseas Territories are recognized for their accomplishments and services through a list of Honours published twice a year by the Cabinet Office. Around 30 investiture ceremonies are held each year to present the honorees with their awards, hosted by a member of the royal family  and currently, the duty is shared by just three people: King Charles, Princess Anne and Prince William.

Princess Anne, 74, tends to rack up the most investitures per year, which comes as no surprise given her reputation as the hardest-working royal due to her impressive number of duties performed. However, a recent report about King Charles' sister claimed that she would like to see her nephew Prince William, 43, partake in more "bread-and-butter" duties.

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"Shes still doing most of the investitures [at Windsor] even though William lives there. It annoys her," a source recently told The Sunday Times.

 Congratulations to all those who have been recognised for their extraordinary work in this weeks Investiture ceremonies.



The Princess Royal presented them with their honours at Buckingham Palace. pic.twitter.com/6X1jGBeSuB  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) May 2, 2024

It's possible that Queen Camilla, 78, and Princess Kate, 43, could be called upon to step in and perform the duty one day. While royals in the line of succession traditionally host the investitures  which could include a knighting!  those who have married into the family are not forbidden to take on the task.

The Royal Musings blog found examples of times when a non-blood member of the royal family hosted investitures on behalf of the monarch. In fact, the Queen Mother (the late Queen Elizabeth's mom, who was married to King George VI) performed over 50 investitures from the 1950s through the 1980s during her daughter's reign.

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Georges De Keerle/Getty The Queen Mother in 1990 The Queen Mother in 1990

Queen Elizabeth's husband, Prince Philip, also hosted investiture ceremonies, according to clippings from The Court Circular, the official report of the royal family's engagements.



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Queen Camilla is currently the monarch's consort, putting her in the same position as the Queen Mother and Prince Philip were. However, there is currently no evidence of the spouse of an heir hosting an investiture ceremony, meaning Camilla is currently more likely than Kate to take on the role until Prince William becomes monarch.

Karwai Tang/WireImage Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton at the National Service of Remembrance on Nov. 12, 2023 Queen Camilla and Kate Middleton at the National Service of Remembrance on Nov. 12, 2023

The royal family previously shared a behind-the-scenes look at investitures, which are typically held in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace or in the Grand Reception Room at Windsor Castle. However, they can also take place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh or overseas during royal visits.

According to the explainer, the medals  called "insignia"  are collected and cleaned, and certificates called "Warrants of Appointment" are signed by a member of the royal family.

"On the day of the investiture, the insignia are laid out in the ballroom and carefully checked," they explained. "Each recipient is given a special pin to wear, so that their insignia can be easily hooked on to their clothing when the honour is awarded."

Jonathan Brady - WPA Pool/Getty Prince William hosts an investiture ceremony on May 22, 2024 Prince William hosts an investiture ceremony on May 22, 2024

Should someone be getting knighted, a sword is readied. According to the website, each royal has their own sword to use.

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When the royal host enters the room  attended by two Gurkha orderly officers, a tradition begun by Queen Victoria in 1876  the national anthem is played. The military band or orchestra will continue to play music throughout the event.

"Each piece of insignia will be placed on a cushion before it is passed to the Member of The Royal Family awarding the honour," the website states. "The Lord Chamberlain or Lord in Waiting will call out the name of each recipient as they come forward to receive their honour. He will tick off each name as he goes."

A huge congratulations to everyone who received their honours from The King at todays investiture at Windsor Castle.



Amongst recipients were @leonalewis, who has been awarded an OBE for services to music, and Myleene Klass, who has been awarded an MBE for services to womens pic.twitter.com/hQ30tXdTyE  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 16, 2025

In addition to getting their medal, the recipients  usually 60 per ceremony  often have a short chat with the royal awarding them with the honor.

After the ceremony, recipients gather outside to take photos with their insignia.

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Many titles can be awarded at an investiture ceremony, including knighthoods and damehoods. The most well-known are Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) and Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), both recognizing outstanding achievement or service to the community.

According to the royal family's website, "Anybody in the U.K. can make a recommendation for a British national to receive an honour. This ensures that many people who are not in the public eye are recognised for their valuable service and contribution, perhaps to charity, to the emergency services, or to their industry or profession."



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Katie McKee - McKee Social

WSYX morning traffic reporter Katie McKee has been named morning anchor for the the Columbus, Ohio ABC and Fox affiliates morning newscast after eight years there.

McKee will anchor from 4:25 to 9 a.m. with Kurt Ludlow and will host Good Day Columbus at 9 a.m. on Fox 28 with Phil Kelly.

McKee has been filling in for Jessica Ralston, after Ralston moved to evenings.

"We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Katie McKee," said Nicole Hogensen, news director said in a press release. "Katie brings both experience and heart to Good Day Columbus. Our viewers know and trust Katie, and we're excited for what's ahead."

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McKee reacted to the news on social media.

Last month marked 8 years here at the station and this morning I'm happy to say I'll be here 3 more, she wrote. Just signed my first anchor deal which means the seat I have been sitting in since Jess moved to nights is now mine. I'm pumped to continue to grow in this new role and stay with my GDC family who I love dearly. A big thanks to our amazing viewers who wake up with us daily  you guys make this overnight job enjoyable.
Bryan Kohberger may not have spoken in court or revealed his motive for murdering four University of Idaho students during his sentencing hearing July 23, but newly unsealed police reports are shedding new light on the crime.

In an interview with the Moscow Police Department shortly after the murders of her friends, surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen said that Kaylee Goncalves said she was being watched in the weeks before she was stabbed to death.

Goncalves saw a shadow while out walking her dog Murphy a month before her murder, said Mortensen, and approximately two to three weeks before she was killed mentioned that "an individual was following her."

KYLE GREEN/POOL/EPA/Shutterstock Bryan Kohberger Bryan Kohberger

In another interview, one of Goncalves' former sorority sisters, whose name is redacted, told police "Kaylee saw a dark figure staring at her from the tree line when she took Murphy out to pee," a month prior to her death.

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Murphy survived the massacre that claimed the life of his owner, and managed to wake up neighbors in the area from his barking at around 4 a.m. on Nov. 13, 2022.

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In a press conference after Kohberger's sentencing, police said that they do not know if Kohberger had targeted a specific individual in the house.

Representatives from the MPD, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador spoke at the press conference, and revealed that after an investigation that has spanned close to three years, there is still nothing to link Kohberger to any of his four victims.

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A few hours earlier, however, Alivea Goncalves claimed in her victim impact statement that Kohberger had been stalking her sister and friend Madison Mogen for months prior to the murders.

"Which do you regret more?" Alivea said to Kohberger. "Returning to the crime scene five hours later or never ever going back to Moscow, not even once, after stalking them there for months."

AP Photo/Kyle Green Alivea Goncalves Alivea Goncalves

Goncalves' injuries were also much different than her roommates' injuries, as Kohberger left her face "disfigured" from stab wounds, according to Officer Corbin Smith.

She and roommate Xana Kernodle  who, according to her autopsy, was stabbed over 50 times  were both completely unrecognizable.

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The two women suffered such severe wounds that Mortensen initially identified Goncalves as Kernodle and Kernodle as Goncalves when the first officers arrived at the scene, despite the two young women looking strikingly different prior to the attacks.

Kohberger is now in the custody of the Idaho Department of Corrections for the murders of those students, undergoing evaluations to determine the prison where he will serve his four life sentences.

The quadruple murderer appeared nonplussed and emotionless in court on Wednesday as victims read their statements, and after learning his fate, he exited the courtroom without acknowledging his mother Maryann or sister Amanda.

Mortensen, who came face-to-face with Kohberger for the second time at that hearing, said of her friends' killer: "He is a hollow vessel. Something less than human. A body without empathy or remorse."

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KAYSVILLE, Utah (ABC4)  Kaysville has cancelled their primary election, after a candidate withdrew.

Kaysville City announced on Tuesday that they will no longer be holding a primary election for their two open City Council seats, but that residents will likely still receive ballots in the mail. They are asking residents not to mail their ballots back.

Courtesy: Kaysville City

Initially, five people had filed their candidacy for the two open council seats. Under Utah Code 20A-6-402, governments must conduct a primary election when the number of candidates is more than double the number of open seats.

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One candidate withdrew late last week, bringing the total number of candidates to 4 and meaning that Kaysville City no longer had to hold a primary election.

Unfortunately, Kaysville had already sent out their ballots when the candidate withdrew from the election. Many residents will likely receive a ballot. However, no votes will be counted.

Additionally, Kaysville City noted that returning or mailing in ballots, costs the city (and taxpayers) money in postage.

Latest headlines:

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FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  The good Samaritans who were applauded for their quick action when they encountered Trooper Jude Remilien shortly after Guy House allegedly shot him were celebrated during Thursdays Team Kentucky update.

In recent weeks, weve been through some tough times as a Commonwealth, yet there are still so many Kentuckians who remind us of the good in this world, Gov. Andy Beshear said before welcoming the Alexander family to the podium.

Police foundation accepting donations to help family of trooper shot near Lexington airport

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Just before 11:40 a.m. on Sunday, July 13, Guy House allegedly shot Remilien, who pulled him over near the Blue Grass Airport. After a carjacking at Sayre Christian Village, police tracked him to Richmond Road Baptist Church, where he allegedly shot four people, killing two women.

Jimmy, Jessica, and Taylor Alexander (Gov. Andy Beshear)

Jessica and Taylor Alexander, mother and daughter nurses, sprang into action when they saw Remilien needed help.

Jimmy, Jessica, Taylor, and Adam, an airport police officer, worked together to apply pressure and a tourniquet to Trooper Remiliens leg and used Trooper Remiliens radio to call for help, the governors office said. In addition to naming them this weeks Team Kentucky All-Stars, Gov. Beshear commissioned each of these good Samaritans a Kentucky Colonel.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Remilen is a three-year veteran of the agency. In Thursdays update, Beshear said that hes recovering well from his surgeries but has a long road ahead of him.

Thank you all. Working together, you saved a life. You jumped into action without a second thought, and you showed the world the best of Kentucky, said Beshear. Your actions remind us of the good in this world. You are truly what makes Team Kentucky so special.

Anyone interested in donating to help Remilen and his family can go to the KSP Foundation website. After clicking DONATE NOW, the foundation said donors should note the following on their donation: 7/13/25 Injured Trooper Fund.

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THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11)  A Kentucky man is accused of robbing several New York City fast food restaurants, according to the NYPD.

Police said Darrell C. Spearman was arrested on Wednesday around 6 p.m. Spearman allegedly robbed Kennedy Friend Chicken, Wing Stop, McDonalds and White Castle restaurants in the Bronx from Feb. 17 to Feb. 26, according to authorities.

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Police said Spearman is accused of showing a gun to the restaurants cashiers and stealing money from the register. In one case, hes accused of going through a McDonalds drive-thru to rob the store, according to authorities.

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Police said Spearman allegedly fled all the restaurants in a black SUV.

Spearman was charged with robbery and criminal possession of a weapon, according to authorities.

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.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) said he plans to subpoena the estate of financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for the so-called birthday book that reportedly includes letters from high-profile people, including President Trump.

Khanna joined MSNBCs The Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell on Wednesday after an interview with Bradley Edwards, a lawyer for hundreds of Epsteins victims.

Edwards revealed in the interview that Epsteins book  on which The Wall Street Journal first reported and for which President Trump denies having written a note  is in the possession of the Epstein estate. Edwards encouraged Congress to move to subpoena the estate to get possession of the book.

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Khanna, the Democrat who has co-led a bipartisan effort calling for the Justice Department to release files on Epstein, said he didnt know the book was in the possession of the estate and indicated he plans to move forward with issuing a subpoena.

It is a revelation to me that he said that that birthday book is with private lawyers in the Epstein estate, Khanna said in the interview, describing Edwardss comments as a bombshell revelation.

Khanna noted that a House Oversight and Government Reform subcommittee on Wednesday approved several subpoenas, including one directing the Justice Department to turn over materials relating to the Epstein files. Several Republicans joined Democrats in approving the measure.

But Khanna said he wasnt confident the subpoena would yield results.

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We subpoenaed the Epstein files, but thats a hard thing to do to get the Department of Justice to cooperate in releasing those files, Khanna said. Whats not hard to do is to subpoena private attorneys in a private estate and to get compliance.

We cant trust the Trump Justice Department. That is going to get slowed down. Its going to be get bogged down. Even if we subpoena, they can try to defy the subpoena. I dont trust the DOJ to prosecute themselves for contempt of Congress, he continued.

But what we can do through Congress is go after these Jeffrey Epstein estate, and weve seen even Republicans are willing to vote with us on that, Khanna added. This may be the cleanest way forward.

Khanna said he plans to invite Edwards to meet with the Oversight Committee to discuss the issue further, adding, And I think we can easily move forward on this subpoena of that birthday book, which could really advance this case.

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Trump sued the Journal for defamation on Friday after the newspaper published a story detailing an alleged letter the president sent to Epstein for his 50th birthday.

According to the Journal, the 2003 letter allegedly includes several lines of text framed by the outline of a naked woman. It allegedly ends: Happy Birthday  and may every day be another wonderful secret.

Trump denies writing the letter.

This lawsuit is filed not only on behalf of your favorite President, ME, but also in order to continue standing up for ALL Americans who will no longer tolerate the abusive wrongdoings of the Fake News Media, Trump wrote on Truth Social last week.

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Khanna on Wednesday said issuing a subpoena for the birthday book will reveal whether the letter exists.

We will know if the letter The Wall Street Journal reported on, if that is in the book or not, or if there are any other letters or correspondence of Donald Trump in the book. We also will know whether hundreds of other people who have been implicated in sex trafficking are in the book, Khanna said.

And of course, we would take absolute care to make sure the victims are protected, he added.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Lawyers for Brian Walshe are moving to dismiss the murder case against him, telling a judge on Thursday that prosecutors failed to present sufficient evidence to a grand jury to support a first-degree murder indictment.

Walshe is charged in connection with killing his wife, Ana, sometime in early 2023. Prosecutors say Walshe, facing an order to repay $450,000 as part of a federal art fraud case, killed and dismembered his wife not long after learning she was having an affair to get access to a multimillion-dollar life insurance policy taken out on her.

Larry Tipton, a lawyer for Walshe, argued, essentially, that prosecutors did not present enough evidence to prosecute Walshe under a theory of first-degree murder as a murder committed with extreme atrocity and cruelty. As a result, he argued, the portion of the first-degree indictment against Walshe that accuses him of extreme atrocity and cruelty should be tossed out.

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But Judge Diane Freniere said she was unsure the law allowed her to do so, and suggested the issue may be better raised ahead of trial, when lawyers for Walshe could seek to block prosecutors from arguing a particular theory of murder.

Freniere suggested prosecutors fastball in the case was the theory of premeditation, and asked Tipton to convince her there wasnt enough evidence before the grand jury to support a theory that Walshe planned the killing of his wife.

While Tipton acknowledged there was evidence of a motive, he argued it did not support the idea of any premeditation.

You cant just throw things against the wall and see what sticks and then walk away and say the grand jury heard sufficient evidence, he said.

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Tipton appeared to face an uphill battle with Freniere, who acknowledged the evidence of extreme atrocity or cruelty was thin but said it was up to prosecutors to decide what theory to move forward on.

To me, youre seeking to limit the Commonwealth with regard to the theories it may pursue at trial based on ... your perceived failing of proof in the grand jury, she said. It seems to me thats not a dismissal of the indictment for first-degree murder.

Assistant Norfolk District Attorney Tracey Cusick argued the motion for prosecutors, telling Freniere it was the states position she should not dismiss any theory of first-degree murder.

Much of prosecutors evidence supporting the theory of premeditated murder is in Walshes conduct after the time he is accused of killing his wife, on Jan. 1, 2023, Cusick acknowledged. But she argued that evidence showed planning, not just consciousness of guilt.

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Cusick pointed to Walshe looking up how to clean up a crime scene, buying cleaning supplies at various stores and going to dumpsters in multiple towns to dispose of evidence and possibly his wifes body as evidence of intent and motive to kill.

Still, Freniere said the rearward-looking concept of premeditation is a little bit difficult for me to appreciate.

But Cusick also laid out evidence prosecutors believe shows Walshes intent to kill his wife before she was dead.

Walshes claim that his wife left their home around 6:30 a.m. on Jan. 1, 2023 shows he was planning and premeditating and had the intent to kill her because he knew she was not scheduled to return to Washington, D.C., where she worked, until days later.

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That created a block of time where no one at work would be looking for her. Prosecutors also claim Walshe plotted to create an illusion that he, his wife and their three children were happy and jovial when she invited a friend over to celebrate New Years Eve.

When the guest asked Walshe if he and his wife had been fighting later on, he replied, No, you saw us. Did it look like we were arguing? Cusick said. He also told the guest his phone was misplaced, offering an explanation for why he was not responding to text messages.

It is the states belief, Cusick said, that Freniere does not have the authority to, as the judge put it, slice the loaf of first degree murder, such that I could dismiss the indictment in as much as it charges cruel and atrocious.

If the court finds that there was sufficient evidence of premeditation, this juncture is not the time to make any determination as to what the Commonwealth may or may not do with other theories, Cusick said.

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Freniere did not immediately rule on the motion. She has also yet to rule on a request by lawyers for Walshe to suppress key Google searches.

During the hearing, the lawyers also addressed the issue of a federal court order requiring the district attorneys office to return or destroy materials uncovered during a federal investigation in the Karen Read case. The order initially set a deadline of July 18 to return or destroy the materials  30 days after Reads retrial concluded with an acquittal.

Lawyers for Walshe were, for the first time, able to see a copy of the order itself on Thursday and prosecutors turned over a copy to Freniere. Assistant Norfolk District Attorney Laura McLaughlin, a prosecutor on the Read case, said she was the only person assigned to prosecute Walshe who had seen the order.

With a federal judge allowing the district attorneys office an extra 30 days to weed through the materials, Freniere suggested McLaughlin should go through it for any exculpatory information in the Walshe case.

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McLaughlin, though, said the order only allowed her to review the materials for the state prosecution of Read.

Freniere set a status conference on the federal materials issue for Aug. 1. A number of other cases will be in Norfolk Superior Court on Friday for a similar hearing.

Walshe has pleaded not guilty. His trial is set for Oct. 20.

Read more about the case

Read the original article on MassLive.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (ABC22/FOX44)  Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) invited an officer of a famous Vermont employee-owned business to testify in front of a Senate committee Thursday.

The Norwich-based King Arthur Baking Company has a history going back to 1790 on Bostons Long Wharf. It moved to Vermont in 1984 and has been employee-owned for more than 20 years.

What makes it [King Arthur] so special is that it is directly owned by its employees, not some multi-billionaire on Wall Street, said Sanders. In my view, we should expand King Arthurs worker-owned business model throughout the country.

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Vermont launches website to simplify starting a business

For the past 12 years Ive witnessed the power of employee ownership, said King Arthur Bakings Chief Financial Officer, Brock Barton, at the Senate hearing. It fosters accountability, pride, commitment to our customers, partners and communities.

Each employee owner, with us for a few years or several decades, plays an important role in shaping our workplace.

Jay Peaks president talks tariffs at U.S. Senate

Sanders announced that he would introduce the Employee Ownership Financing Act at the Senate hearing, which would create a $500 million fund to help workers purchase the companies they work for. It also would give employees a right of first refusal  if an employer decides to close a facility, the employees would be given a chance to buy it before being laid off.

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Sanders called his bill common sense and said it would improve productivity while reducing economic inequality.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Earthquakes cause an average of $14.7 billion in property damage each year in the U.S., according to a 2023 report from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). While nearly two-thirds of these losses occur in California during a typical year, earthquakes can happen anywhere. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that nearly 75% of the U.S. could face damage from earthquakes and ground shaking.

Insurance can provide a safeguard against the financial devastation of an earthquake. However, youll need to buy additional insurance because a standard homeowner insurance policy doesnt cover earthquake-related losses.

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Learn more: Homeowners insurance: What it covers and how much youll pay

Does home insurance cover earthquakes?

Most homeowners insurance policies dont cover damage directly caused by earthquakes. While a standard home policy covers losses from events like fire, lightning, hail, and falling objects, earthquake-related damage is typically excluded. That means you need separate earthquake insurance, which you can buy as a standalone policy or by adding an endorsement to your home policy for an extra premium.

One exception: Your home policy may cover some types of damage indirectly caused by an earthquake. For example, your home policy could kick in if a fire caused by an earthquake destroys your roof, or your pipe bursts due to shaking, and your home sustains water damage.

Learn more: Does car insurance cover hail damage?

What does earthquake insurance cover?

Earthquake insurance typically covers the following losses if theyre caused by a seismic event:

Repairing or replacing your homes physical structure (and sometimes other structures, like a detached garage)

Replacing your personal belongings, like your clothing, furniture, and electronics

Paying for temporary living expenses (often referred to as additional living expenses or loss-of-use coverage) if youre displaced from your home by an earthquake

Debris removal

Earthquake insurance may also help cover the costs of bringing your home up to current building codes and stabilizing the land underneath your residence.

Whats not covered?

Many earthquake policies contain the following exclusions, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC):

Fire. Earthquake insurance only covers expenses your homeowners policy doesnt pay for. Most home policies will cover fire damage, even if an earthquake triggered the fire.

Floods. Youll need separate flood insurance to cover water damage from external sources, like a lake that overflows or a backed-up sewer, even if the earthquake causes the flood.

Land. Damage to land, such as sinkholes or cracks in your yard stemming from an earthquake, typically isnt covered. However, if your policy includes engineering costs coverage, it may help pay to secure the land underneath your home.

Preexisting damage. Earthquake insurance wont cover problems that already existed before the quake.

Vehicles. Youll need comprehensive car insurance on your auto policy to protect your vehicle against earthquake damage.

Masonry veneer. Some earthquake policies exclude masonry veneer, such as brick, rock, or stone, that covers a homes exterior.

If youre not sure what your earthquake policy covers, check your policys declarations page and contact your insurance agent with any questions.

Learn more: How FEMA flood insurance works

Earthquake insurance deductibles

Earthquake insurance includes a deductible, which is an amount the policyholder is required to pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in. Earthquake deductibles are typically higher than home insurance deductibles. Unlike standard homeowner insurance, which usually has a flat deductible, i.e., $1,000 or $2,000, earthquake deductibles are often a percentage of the policy limit, typically between 10% and 20%.

Each type of earthquake coverage may have a separate deductible. For example, suppose your policy has dwelling coverage limits of $200,000 and personal contents coverage limits of $100,000. If you have 20% deductibles for each type of coverage, youd pay for the first $40,000 worth of damage to your home and the first $20,000 of damage to your belongings.

Usually, all earthquakes and aftershocks that occur within a three-day window are treated as a single event and covered under the same deductible. Damage from aftershocks after the initial three-day period typically triggers a second deductible.

How much does earthquake insurance cost?

Earthquake insurance premiums cost an average of $800 annually in the U.S., according to insurance company Lemonade. However, premiums are more expensive in high-risk areas. For example, a homeowner in California could pay up to $2,500 each year for $500,000 of coverage.

Your earthquake premiums will depend on multiple factors, including your homes location, age, construction materials, and estimated cost to rebuild. Choosing a policy with higher deductibles will lower your premiums, while lower deductibles come with increased premiums.

How to get earthquake insurance

If youre considering earthquake insurance, here are some steps to take. Note that the rules and process can differ by state.

Step 1: Assess your risk

You can assess your earthquake risk by using the U.S. Geological Surveys state-specific hazard maps. Though quakes can occur anywhere, you may decide earthquake insurance isnt worth the cost if you live in a low-risk area.

Ask your home insurance company if they offer earthquake coverage as an endorsement. You may be able to buy a standalone earthquake policy through another carrier if your insurer doesnt allow you to add an endorsement.

Most earthquake policies in California are sold by the state-run California Earthquake Authority (CEA), which partners with a network of private insurers to offer coverage. Youll need a home or renters policy through one of its partner companies and buy earthquake coverage through the same company.

Step 3: Decide how much coverage you need

Its usually recommended that you choose the same dwelling coverage limit for your earthquake policy as you have for your home policy. You should choose a limit thats high enough to rebuild your home to its previous condition.

Also, consider the cost of your deductibles. You may be tempted to lower your premiums by choosing higher deductibles, but make sure your deductible is affordable. Remember, your earthquake insurance wont kick in until youve paid that amount.

Step 4: Compare quotes and options

It often pays to get insurance quotes from multiple carriers. While finding an affordable premium is important, customer service matters too, especially if you need to file a claim. You can use the NAIC's search tool to look up companies by name. The Company Complaint Index will show you whether an insurer receives an above-average or below-average number of complaints compared to companies of similar size.

In the immediate aftermath of an earthquake, you may not be able to get coverage right away. Most insurers wont write new policies for 30 to 60 days after an earthquake.

How to file an earthquake insurance claim

The claims process varies somewhat by state, but these are the basic steps to filing an earthquake claim:

Contact your insurance company or agent. Let them know that you sustained earthquake damage, and ask about the next steps in the process, including any deadlines. Take detailed notes during each conversation. Make sure you get the name of each person you speak to, and note the date you made contact. Review your policy documents. Your policy declarations page will include important details about your coverage, including your deductibles and policy limits. Meet with your claims adjuster. Eventually, your insurer will send a claims adjuster to inspect the damage. Usually, the adjuster will want to meet with you on-site. Show the adjuster any damage youve found, but also make sure the inspection includes hidden spaces, like basements, crawl spaces, and slabs. You may also want to get independent repair estimates from a contractor. You could even ask the contractor to meet with you and your adjuster. Take action if you disagree with your insurers decisions. You can ask your insurance adjuster for a written explanation of any decisions. If you believe your insurer mishandled your claim, you can contact your states insurance division. If you disagree with the value of your settlement, you may want to hire an attorney or public adjuster to advocate on your behalf.

Learn more: How to file a complaint against your insurance company

Will the government help after an earthquake?

The federal government may provide assistance after an earthquake, but its not a substitute for earthquake insurance.

FEMAs Individual and Households Program may provide some support after a presidentially declared disaster or emergency. FEMAs housing assistance can help with basic home repairs and obtaining temporary shelter, while its "other needs" assistance may be available for expenses like staying in a hotel or motel, childcare, replacing your personal belongings, and disaster-related medical care.

However, the maximum FEMA individual grant is $43,600 for both housing assistance and other needs assistance in 2025. These amounts are unlikely to go far if your home is severely damaged or destroyed. Moreover, the typical FEMA individual grant is much lower than the maximums. The average Individual and Households Program grant for earthquake survivors was just $4,341 between Oct. 15, 2002, and March 21, 2024.

Federally subsidized Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans may also provide some help in the aftermath of an earthquake, even if you dont own a business. Homeowners can borrow up to $500,000 to repair or rebuild their homes, while both homeowners and renters can take out loans of up to $100,000 to repair or replace personal property. Youll need to repay any funds you borrow.

Where are the most earthquakes in the U.S.?

Alaska and Hawaii had more earthquakes than any mainland states between 2015 and 2025, while California had the most earthquakes of the contiguous states. Californias earthquakes have caused more damage than any other state.

California has frequent earthquakes because it sits on the boundary of two major tectonic plates, the Northern Pacific and North American plates. The main fault line, the San Andreas Fault, extends about 800 miles in the Golden State.

Most regions of the U.S. at high risk of earthquakes are on the West Coast. However, due to underlying fault systems, a few areas in the central and eastern U.S., like Charleston, South Carolina, and St. Louis, Missouri, are also at high risk.

What does earthquake retrofitting involve?

Earthquake retrofitting, or seismic retrofitting, is a process of strengthening a home to make it more likely to withstand earth movement and shaking. Some common retrofitting techniques include:

Anchoring a home to its foundation using bolts or plates

Reinforcing cripple walls with plywood sheathing

Building a new foundation with a continuous perimeter around a home

Bracing a garages walls and reinforcing its door

Removing and rebuilding part of a chimney and fireplace

Grants may be available to cover some retrofitting costs. Seismic retrofitting may also help you qualify for earthquake insurance discounts.

Learn more: Car insurance discounts: 17 ways to save

Earthquake insurance FAQs

Can renters get earthquake insurance?

Yes, renters can get earthquake insurance. A standard renters insurance policy doesnt cover earthquake damage, but renters can buy a separate policy that provides personal property and loss-of-use coverage for protection against earthquake-related losses. Damage to the physical structure is the landlords responsibility and wouldnt be covered by renters insurance.

Learn more: How an auto and renters insurance bundle can save you big

What insurance covers earthquake damage to cars?

You need comprehensive car insurance to cover car damage caused by earthquakes and other weather events, like hurricanes, floods, and tornadoes. Comprehensive insurance provides insurance for damage to your vehicle that isnt caused by a collision, like natural disasters, falling objects, vandalism, and theft.

Learn more: Does car insurance cover flood damage?

Is earthquake insurance worth having?

Earthquake insurance is often worth having if you live somewhere with frequent earthquakes, like California or Alaska. Without earthquake insurance, you could have to foot the full bill for repairing or rebuilding your home and replacing your belongings. But if you live somewhere thats not vulnerable to seismic activity, you may want to skip earthquake insurance. Because the deductibles are typically high, you may not be able to use earthquake coverage for minor to moderate damage.
(NewsNation)  King Charles III offered a rare personal update on his health Wednesday, nearly a year and a half after Buckingham Palace confirmed his cancer diagnosis.

I asked him how he was, and he said he was feeling a lot better now and that it was just one of those things, a member of the public who is also a cancer survivor told PA News Agency, as reported by Hello! Magazine after the encounter.

Charles still receiving treatment after cancer diagnosis

The brief yet optimistic comment marks a shift from the palaces previously cautious approach to public updates surrounding the kings condition. Earlier this year, Charles called cancer diagnosis daunting and at times frightening.

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Meghan behind royal truce; King Charles invited to Harrys Invictus Game

In February 2024, the palace announced that the king had been diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer, discovered during treatment for a benign prostate condition a month prior. The 76-year-old monarch was briefly hospitalised back in March for observation due to side effects from treatment. While he continues to receive treatment, the monarch appears to be resuming public duties gradually.

Though present, Charles did not appear on horseback at this years Trooping the Colour, a parade held annually to celebrate the monarchs ties to the U.K. armed forces. Instead, he and Queen Consort Camilla opted for a carriage procession for the second year in a row, pointing toward a more gradual recovery underway.

KINGS LYNN, ENGLAND  JULY 23: King Charles III looks on during a visit to the Sandringham Flower Show 2025 at Sandringham House on July 23, 2025 in Kings Lynn, England. (Photo by Mark Cuthbert/UK Press via Getty Images) Britains King Charles III (R) and Britains Queen Camilla (2nd R) meet with well-wishers as they visit the Sandringham Flower Show at Sandringham House, Norfolk on July 23, 2025. (Photo by Chris Radburn / POOL / AFP) (Photo by CHRIS RADBURN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Britains King Charles III (R) and Britains Queen Camilla (rear R) meet with well wishers as they visit the Sandringham Flower Show at Sandringham House, Norfolk on July 23, 2025. (Photo by Chris Radburn / POOL / AFP) (Photo by CHRIS RADBURN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Health challenges across the royal family

This reassurance comes at a time where the royal family is still recovering from more than one health scare. The Princess of Wales, 43, announced her own cancer diagnosis in March 2024, a mere month after King Charles. Kate revealed shed undergone six months of preventive chemotherapy in 2024 and is in remission as of January of this year.

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King Charles scrutinized after 11 of 12 gardeners quit over low wages

Both senior royals have gradually returned to public life. Charles, who reflected in April that his diagnosis helped him see the very best of humanity, is expected to attend Balmoral Castles Family Day in August. Meanwhile, Kate Middleton recently made a cheerful appearance at Wimbledon this month, while also posting a birthday tribute to Prince George on X, writing: Happy 12th Birthday to Prince George! 

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
In the second quarter of 2025, King County saw the lowest number of shots fired incidents since 2021, according to a report from the King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office.

Data from eleven law enforcement agencies includes a decline in shooting homicides, injuries, and gunshots to property.

The 2025 Q2 report shows there have been 14 fatal shooting victims, 55 non-fatal shooting victims, and 278 total shots fired incidents.

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There has also been a 31% decrease in the number of overall shooting victims, but around 53% of shooting victims are reported as black or African American.

King County is making progress  and we must continue our work to decrease gun violence, King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion aid. Todays data shows that the decreases in gun violence in 2024 and the first quarter of this year were not a fluke.

The data was comprised from the following law enforcement agencies: Auburn, Bellevue, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Kirkland, King County Sheriffs Office, Renton, Seattle, Tukwila, and Washington State Patrol.
Kirkland Police Detectives arrested a man accused of stealing more than $826,000 from his elderly mother.

In April, police received a tip from Washington State Adult Protective Services (APS).

The woman lives in a Kirkland retirement facility and police say shed named her son as Power of Attorney. That granted him access to her financial accounts.

APS told officers that an extended family member called, saying they were worried the man was misusing his moms money. The police department got a series of warrants to pull financial records  and saw just how much money had been pulled from the womans accounts. Detectives arrested the man at his home on July 17 after several months of investigating.

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He was booked into the King County Correctional Facility. The case has been forwarded to the King County Prosecutors Office for formal charging.

The Kirkland Police Department says its committed to protecting seniors and vulnerable adults from exploitation and abuse.

If you believe someone is being taken advantage of, call your local law enforcement agency or Adult Protective Services.
Kneecaps Liam Og Mo Chara O hAnnaidh, JJ DJ Provai O Dochartaigh, and Naoise Moglai Bap O Caireallain, June 2025 (Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Kneecap have been banned from Hungary for three years, government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs shared on X. Kovacs claimed that the Irish rappers have repeatedly engage in antisemitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorist groups. He also said that the trios planned performance at Budapests Sziget Festival posed a national security threat.

Kneecap responded to the ban with a statement shared on social media. They apologized to fans who had anticipated seeing them at Sziget, and they also criticized Hungarys prime minister, Viktor Orban, for recently hosting Israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, for a visit.

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There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country, the band wrote. We stand against all ahte crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices where we see it.

Kneecap also called the ban a political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people.

Sziget representatives called the ban an unprecedented move which we believe is both unnecessary and regrettable. They also wrote, Following concerns raised by Government and pressure groups across Hungary over the past weeks at the prospect of Kneecap performing, we have liaised closely with the band and they reassured us that their performance would not contravene either Szigets values or Hungarian law.

The representatives continued, Sziget Festivals values mean we condemn hate speech, while guaranteeing the fundamental right to artistic freedom of expression for every performer. Cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the solution.

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Kneecap, who had been due to perform on Szigets final day, Monday, August 11, have faced increased scrutiny over their stance on Israel amid the countrys ongoing assault of Gaza. One of the groups members, Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offense in London allegedly displaying the Hezbollah flag during a 2024 concert. Chara was granted unconditional bail at a court appearance last month, and Kneecap have said they do not support Hezbollah or Hamas.

Following the charge against Chara, Kneecap were removed from Scotlands TRNSMT music festival due to concerns expressed by the Police about safety at the event. Kneecap were later investigated by police over their Glastonbury performance, but no charges were filed.

Kneecap Live Review: Beer, Baggies, and a Little Revolution

From the center of a political firestorm, the brash rap trio from the north of Ireland donned tricolor balaclavas and got the crowd on their side at Londons Wide Awake festival. It was a druggy and radical sound of freedom.

Originally Appeared on Pitchfork
President Trumps war with the judiciary escalated Tuesday with the firing of an attorney named by federal judges to replace Alina Habba, the loyalist he tapped as New Jerseys top federal prosecutor.

The judges refused to extend Habbas temporary tenure as U.S. Attorney, instead invoking a seldom used power to appoint their own pick. But Attorney General Pam Bondi quickly intervened, shunning the politically minded judges for dumping Habba and terminating their selected successor.

Its a new front in the ongoing tug-of-war between the executive and judicial branches, as the courts push back against the presidents most controversial appointments and the Trump administration doubles down.

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This is ultimately a bit of a game of chicken, where I suspect that the administration has the upper hand, said Jonathan Petkun, a law professor at Duke University who has researched judicial administrative power.

Heres what to know.

New Jersey US attorneys office thrown in disarray

The back-and-forth has muddied the waters regarding the offices leadership.

After a private vote Monday, U.S. District Court of New Jersey judges declined to retain Habba as the states top federal prosecutor as the clock on her interim status runs out. It issued a standing order naming attorney Desiree Leigh Grace to the role  an unusual move.

Habba represented Trump in several high-profile civil cases and, most recently, worked in the White House as a counselor to the president.

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The judges had the authority to keep Habba in her role as U.S. attorney indefinitely, until her Senate confirmation, but they declined to do so. Federal law lets district courts appoint an interim U.S. attorney to fill the role if the roughly 4-month temporary stint ends before the presidents choice is confirmed.

Hours later, Bondi announced she fired Grace in response, citing the judges decision.

This Department of Justice does not tolerate rogue judges  especially when they threaten the Presidents core Article II powers, Bondi wrote on X.

Judges, DOJ test power

The Justice Departments willingness to go to bat for individual U.S. Attorneys speaks to Trumps sharp focus on the agency that he once deemed the Department of Injustice, amid two federal criminal cases the government mounted against him.

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Trumps close control of the agency exceeds the oversight of previous presidencies, including his own first administration. He has packed the governments legal offices with close allies, several of whom have personally represented him.

We are seeing a president who is applying a lot of loyalty tests, Petkun said. And I think hes discovered that having to seek the advice and consent of the Senate is tiresome.

A similar showdown played out last week in the Northern District of New York, where judges refused to extend the interim term of Trumps pick for chief federal prosecutor there, John Sarcone III.

To get around their decision, Sarcone was named both special attorney to Bondi and the districts first assistant, a move that endows him with the same powers as U.S. attorney indefinitely.

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The move comes straight from the pages of a playbook Trumps administration has drawn from since he returned to the White House, walking right up to the line where the practical effect of the law gets fuzzy.

But judges dont typically subvert the presidents selections for U.S. attorneys, either.

Theres lots of unusual going on, said Mitchell Epner, a former federal prosecutor in New Jersey who now works as a white-collar litigator in New York.

During Trumps first term, the 120-day clock ran out for his choice for New Jerseys U.S. attorney then, too. But the judges let Craig Carpenito, Trumps nominee, continue in the role.

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Whats unusual is that when the 120 days is coming to an end here, instead of the court saying, Okay, the person who was appointed as the acting will continue in the job, the Court has said, No, were appointing somebody else, Epner said.

The judges rejection of Habba follows her contentious trial period, in which two Democratic public officials faced criminal charges over an incident at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D) faced a trespass charge, which has since been dropped, and Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) faces three counts of assaulting, resisting, impeding and interfering with a federal officer, to which she pleaded not guilty.

At the hearing dismissing the charge against Baraka, one judge on the court suggested his arrest amounted to a worrisome misstep by the office.

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Trumps administration has not been deterred, with officials including Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche expressing full confidence in Habba and a total lack thereof in the court.

They consider themselves in a battle, if not a war, with the judiciary  which is madness, University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias said.

Legal battle looms

The face-off sets up a legal battle that could redefine the power the judiciary can exercise over the White House and vice versa.

Epner said he does not believe the issue has been litigated before, and while it remains to be seen whether a legal fight will ensue, real questions remain about the Justice Departments ability to remove Grace.

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Its not clear to me that Attorney General Bondi had the authority to fire the person who was appointed by the court, he said. Im confident that the president could.

The Justice Departments arsenal amounts to the fact that Bondi is the boss, Petkun said. All federal prosecutors ultimately report to her, meaning that if Grace were to assume the role as the judges ruled, her subordinates could face discipline for following Graces directives.

The judges, on the other hand, dont have any mechanism to enforce their order, Tobias said.

And Im not sure theyre really inclined to even try to do that, he added. You know, lest it really deteriorate.

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Whether the power struggle between the two branches is tested could come down to if Grace herself decides to push back.

The closest comparison came during Trumps first term, when he sought to fire Geoffrey Berman, who became U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York after the districts judges appointed him to the role following his 120-day interim term.

Berman, who was blindsided by then-Attorney General Bill Barrs announcement of his resignation, initially resisted, writing in a statement that he had no intention of quitting. The fight only ended when Berman acquiesced, after Barr agreed to install the lawyers deputy to the post.

Trump has fired other independent agency officials during his second presidency, many of whom challenged their removals in the courts. Meanwhile, the Supreme Courts conservative majority is hungry for cases that clamp down on separation of powers, Petkun said, and the justices have not yet weighed the statute dictating the power for an attorney general versus a court to make such appointments.

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I suspect, honestly, it is largely up to what is in Desiree Leigh Graces head, he said. Is she going to acquiesce to this?

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 words "Epstein files" have been haunting the Trump administration for weeks as it grapples with a growing crisis stemming from the sex crimes of late convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Pressure has been growing from President Donald Trump's own supporters and from voices within his own Republican Party for more transparency on what the investigations into Epstein uncovered.

The US Justice Department is planning to hand over to Congress documents from its investigation into Epstein after the House Oversight Committee subpoenaed the agency in August, Republican chairman James Comer said this week.

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The panel is expected to start receiving the materials on Friday. As a part of its investigation, the committee has also issued subpoenas to high-profile figures including eight former law enforcement leaders as well as former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Reports emerged that Trump himself was told in May by his attorney general that his name appeared in files related to the investigations.

He was friends with Epstein in the 1990s and early 2000s, and being named is not evidence of any criminal activity, nor has Trump ever been accused of wrongdoing in connection with the Epstein matter.

The president said while campaigning for the 2024 election that he would be open to making public more information.

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But he changed his position earlier this month, saying the case was closed and even criticising his own supporters who have continued to press him on it.

What are the Epstein files?

In 2008, Epstein reached a plea deal with prosecutors after the parents of a 14-year-old girl told police in Florida that Epstein had molested their daughter at his Palm Beach home.

Photos of girls were found throughout the house, and he was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor, for which he was registered as a sex offender and escaped a heavy jail sentence as a result of the deal.

Eleven years later, he was charged with running a network of underage girls for sex. He died in prison while awaiting trial, and his death was ruled a suicide.

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These two criminal investigations amassed a vast trove of documents including transcripts of interviews with victims and witnesses, and items confiscated from raids of his various properties.

There was also a separate investigation into his British co-conspirator and ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 of conspiring with Epstein to traffic girls for sex.

Both Epstein and Maxwell were also the subject of civil cases.

What has already been released on Epstein?

At various stages over the years, some materials have been put into the public domain relating to both Epstein and Maxwell.

One batch, in January 2024, contained 1,400 pages of records, including depositions with both. A trove of documents in the Maxwell case was also made public, in which several high-profile figures were named. But they contained no new revelations about Epstein or his associates.

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In February this year, weeks after Trump took office, the Department of Justice and the FBI released what they described at the time as the "first phase of the declassified Epstein files".

A group of right-wing influencers were invited to the White House but they were left disappointed when they realised that the 341 pages handed to them were mostly material that was already out there.

It included flight logs from Epstein's plane and a redacted version of his contacts book containing the names of famous people he knew.

In July, the Department of Justice and FBI said in a memo that no more material would be released.

Who is named in the Epstein files?

According to the Wall Street Journal, Trump himself is named in unreleased documents that relate to Epstein, and was told as much by Attorney General Pam Bondi in May. The paper noted that being named in the files was not evidence of wrongdoing.

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The White House gave mixed messages in response. Spokesman Steven Cheung pushed back, calling the story "fake", although an unnamed official speaking to Reuters said the administration did not dispute that Trump's name was included.

Although the contents of any unreleased documents remain unknown, the existing materials in the public domain mention a number of high-profile figures who were connected to Epstein.

Again, this does not imply any wrongdoing by those individuals.

Dozens of names were mentioned in a release of court documents in 2024. Prince Andrew, former US President Bill Clinton and Michael Jackson were among the associates, friends and alleged victims named in the 900 pages that were unsealed.

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Both the former US president and the British royal deny any knowledge of Epstein's crimes. Jackson died in 2009.

The release of documents related to the case of Epstein's former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving 20 years in prison for child sex trafficking.

Is there an Epstein client list?

It has been suggested that unreleased Epstein files could contain a so-called client list that might implicate high-profile associates besides Maxwell in his criminal operation.

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In their memo in July, the DoJ and FBI stated that no such list existed. However, conspiracy theories persist.

The purported list has sometimes been conflated with the wider Epstein files, and remarks by Bondi have fuelled the confusion.

The statement by Bondi's justice department that there was no client list appeared to contradict her comments earlier in the year. When asked by Fox News interviewer about the rumoured list in February, she responded: "It's sitting on my desk right now to review."

Bondi's spokesman later clarified that she had been referring to overall files in the Epstein issue.

[Getty Images]

What do we know about Trump/Epstein relationship?

Trump and Epstein appear to have been friends for a number of years, keeping a similar social circle.

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Previously released files show that Trump's details were in Epstein's so-called black book of contacts. Flight logs also showed Trump flying on Epstein's plane on several occasions.

They were pictured together at elite events in the 1990s, and photos recently published by CNN purport to show Epstein in attendance at Trump's wedding to then-wife Marla Maples.

In 2002, Trump described Epstein as a "terrific guy". Epstein would later remark: "I was Donald's closest friend for 10 years."

According to Trump, they fell out in the early 2000s, two years before Epstein was first arrested. By 2008, Trump was saying that he had not been "a fan of his."

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The White House has recently suggested that their fallout was connected to Epstein's behaviour, and that "the president kicked him out of his club for being a creep".

The Washington Post, meanwhile, has suggested that the breakdown in their relationship was due to their rivalry over some real estate in Florida.

Why are people so interested in Epstein?

Die-hard members of Trump's MAGA movement have long believed officials are hiding key truths about Epstein's life and death.

Some of them have theorised that a child-molesting cabal has been operating at the highest levels of US society, protected by the state. The theory spread through cryptic messages posted by a pseudonymous character called Q.

In one of the conspiracy theories pushed by some MAGA influencers, Epstein was an agent of the Israeli government.

Some Trump allies have tried to quell the backlash. Last month, Republican House announced an early recess for the chamber, stalling efforts to force the release of Epstein-related documents within 30 days.

There are several unanswered questions about Epstein shared by the wider population too - particularly why he was given such a lenient sentence in Florida, whether he and Maxwell were really acting alone and how he was allowed to take his own life in prison.

Trump and his team hyped up the theories when they were running for office but now they are in power they have found themselves unable to convince their supporter base that there are no more questions to answer.
Kaylee Goncalves' parents, Steve and Kristi Goncalves, have been their daughter's most vocal advocates ever since her tragic murder.

Kaylee was one of the four University of Idaho students who were brutally stabbed to death inside their college home in Moscow, Idaho. Kaylee, 21, and three of her roommates  Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20  were found murdered on Nov. 13, 2022. After an intense investigation, authorities arrested Bryan Kohberger in Pennsylvania in December 2022. Kohberger initially pleaded not guilty, but he agreed to a plea deal just weeks before his trial was supposed to start.

On July 23, he was sentenced to four lifetimes in prison, plus an additional 10 years for a burglary charge. During his sentencing, both Steve and Kristi  as well as their daughter Alivea  spoke out about Kohberger taking their daughter away from them.

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"Today, you've lost control. Today we are here to prove to the world that you picked the wrong families, the wrong state, the wrong police officers, the wrong community," Steve said at the sentencing.

Here's everything to know about Kaylee Goncalves' parents, Steve and Kristi Goncalves.

They welcomed five children

Sarah A. Miller/Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service via Getty The family of Kaylee Goncalves arrive at the Ada County Courthouse for a hearing on July 2, 2025 in Boise, Idaho. The family of Kaylee Goncalves arrive at the Ada County Courthouse for a hearing on July 2, 2025 in Boise, Idaho.

Kristi and Steve got married in 1995 and welcomed five children together: daughters Alivea, Kaylee, Autumn and Aubrie, and son Steven.

"Kaylee was our middle child out of five," Kristi said during a memorial service in November 2022, according to KREM 2. "Kaylee was a huge part of our family, the dynamics of our family will never be the same."



Kristi and Steve raised their family in Idaho

Kaylee gonclaves/facebook Steve and Kaylee Gonclaves. Steve and Kaylee Gonclaves.

Shortly after Kaylee was born, Kristi and Steve moved their family from California to North Idaho, where they continue to reside. There, they welcomed Kaylee's two younger sisters.

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Kaylee attended Borah Elementary with Alivea and Steven before moving on to charter school and Lake City High School as a teenager, per her obituary.

They have remained by each others side throughout Kaylees murder and the investigation

Sarah A. Miller/Idaho Statesman/Tribune News Service via Getty Steve and Kristi Goncalves arrive at the Ada County Courthouse for a hearing on April 9, 2025 in Boise, Idaho. Steve and Kristi Goncalves arrive at the Ada County Courthouse for a hearing on April 9, 2025 in Boise, Idaho.

Throughout the emotional and legal hurdles Kristi and Steve have faced over the last nearly three years, they have handled everything as a couple.

In December 2024, Kristi and Steve celebrated 29 years of marriage and reflected on how their relationship has helped them endure the trauma of losing their daughter.

"Up until losing Kaylee we had it easy. Raised 5 beautiful ,smart ,successful kids," Kristi wrote in a Facebook post at the time. "We have discussed things and treated each other fairly. I believe that is the secret. We have so much respect and love for each other."

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The two have remained united throughout the murder investigation and subsequent legal ordeals regarding Kohberger. Since 2022, Kristi and Steve have spoken at memorials, discussed the investigation with media outlets and appeared at court hearings.



They have advocated for the death sentence for Kohberger

Goncalves Family/Facebook Steve and Kristi Goncalves in May 2025. Steve and Kristi Goncalves in May 2025.

In addition to talking about Kaylee's life and legacy, Kristi and Steve have also been advocates for seeking justice for their daughter, which they see as a death sentence for Kohberger.

"Justice is when you leave the planet, and the whole world is able to rejoice and be glad that you're not there," Steve told NewsNation in January 2023, referring to the possibility of Kohberger getting the death sentence if found guilty.

Nearly three years after the four college students were brutally murdered, a trial date for Kohberger was set for Aug. 4. However, Kohberger stunned the families when he changed his plea to guilty and confessed to all four murders on July 2.

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Shortly afterwards, both Kristi and Steve slammed the prosecutors for letting Kohberger sign the plea deal. "We are beyond furious at the State of Idaho. They have failed us," Steve wrote in one post.

In another post on Facebook at the time, the two wrote, "After more than two years, this is how it concludes with a secretive deal and a hurried effort to close the case without any input from the victims families on the pleas details."



Steve later appeared on Banfield on NewsNation where he apologized to Kaylee for the plea deal.

Its my mistake. Im sorry Kaylee, Steve said. Im truly sorry that I didnt get you a prosecutor who really believed what happened to you could only be fixed with life.

Steve added that he felt "used" by the prosecution and wished a jury had determined Kohbergers fate.



They delivered powerful messages about Kaylee at Kohbergers sentencing

Kyle Green-Pool/Getty Steve Goncalves consoles Kristi Goncalves as she speaks at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse on July 23, 2025 in Boise, Idaho. Steve Goncalves consoles Kristi Goncalves as she speaks at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse on July 23, 2025 in Boise, Idaho.

Although Kristi and Steve were upset with prosecutors for agreeing to a plea deal, they still showed up to Kohberger's sentencing hearing to share their emotional victim impact statements.

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"You tried to break our community apart," Steve said, according to a transcript obtained by Fox News. "You tried to plant fear. You tried to divide us. You failed. Instead, your actions have united everyone and their disgust for you."

He went on to call Kohberger a "complete joke" for leaving his DNA around the house and being "that careless, that foolish, that stupid."

"We want to all leave in closing one last thing: you picked the wrong family, and we're laughing at you on your trip to Pen," he concluded.

Kristi also took the stand and called out her daughter's murderer for being "someone so devoid of humanity."

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"When you murdered my daughter, Kaylee Jade Goncalves, you didn't just take her life, you shattered others," she said. "You attacked what you could never be. And in doing so, you left a trail of devastation far beyond that house. You stole my peace. You've altered my every waking moment, every sleepless night, the way I view the world, people, safety, trust. It's all been changed by your cruelty."

Kristi called her grief "immeasurable" and explained that she feels a "constant ache" for her daughter.



Read the original article on People
Question : Will they close the boat ramp during the Maunalua Bay dredging ?

Answer : No closure of the boat ramp or entrance channel are anticipated throughout the duration of the project, though intermittent interruptions may occur,  the state Department of Land and Natural Resources said in a news release Thursday.

Maintenance dredging and other improvements are to begin Monday at the Maunalua Bay Boat Ramp in Hawaii Kai, and continue through April, the news release said. The DLNR Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation is hosting a pre-construction meeting Friday at 3 p.m. at the boat ramp, where people can learn more about the work. The parking lot for the ramp is on the makai side of Kalanianaole Highway between Hawaii Kai Drive and Keahole Street.

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Sand from dredging the boat ramp entrance channel will be reused and placed on adjacent eroded shorelines on both sides of the ramp. Sheet pile walls, commonly used in harbor construction for erosion control and as support structures, will be installed to contain the reused dredge material and prevent future erosion of the shoreline. Other seawall repairs will also take place,  according to the news release, which said that contractor American Marine Corp. will work closely with the facilitys users to ensure any impacts will be limited.

Q : It was impossible to pay my just arrived 2025-2026 Real Property Tax Bill by credit card. Neither the pay via telephone number (1-808-825-6819 ) nor the pay online website () permitted my payment transaction to be completed.

A : We asked a city spokesperson to check the status of these payment methods and as of late Tuesday afternoon both the Interactive Voice Recognition (phone line ) and the online payment portal were working normally, she said.

The website doesnt offer many troubleshooting tips for online payments, but does say to correctly enter the parcel ID and owner sequence number. You said you did and that wasnt the problemit was that nothing happened when you clicked Add to Cart  to complete your payment.

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You tried again Wednesday morning and were able to make the payment. Anyone else who has trouble can call 808-695-4620 or email for technical support.

The website does have a warning about phone payments, which says : All payments by phone are strictly automated touch-tone serv ices. No live person will answer or assist.

There are other ways to pay the billby mail or in personthat dont add convenience fees. For details, go to.

Auwe To amplify Tuesdays letter to the editor about the need for more rest rooms at the Honolulu airport, we need toilets wherever people go. Otherwise, we relieve ourselves, wherever ! As the Aloha State we should have convenient, safe and sanitary toilet facilities available for all. How can we improve what is available ? Could we require more in building permits ? Could we offer tax breaks for establishments that invite us to use their facilities ? Can we post on GIS where the nearest toilets are available ? We spend public money on so many less dire, frivolous wants. Come on Hawaii. We can do this !Joseph C.

Mahalo It may seem like a small thing but by letting me go in front of her at the busy customer serv ice line at Macys at Kahala Mall a kind lady ensured that I was able to catch my bus home from work. I had stopped at the mall on the way home to return an item and pay a bill and I got distracted by other shopping and almost missed my bus. I want to thank the lady ahead of me who had many items to return and could see that I was flustered and let me have her place.A reader------------Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813 ; call 808-529-4773 ; or email.------------
UNCOMPAHGRE NATIONAL FOREST, Colo. (KREX)  The Turner Gulch fire has blazed through over 16,000 acres of Colorado land and is currently the largest wildfire in the state. The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team One gave me exclusive access into what is known as a strategic firing operation, where fire experts burn certain areas with low level intensity flames, preventing further wildfire spread, and allowing for natural regeneration of the land. This story is part one of three in a series showing a rare glimpse into what it takes to fight, and prevent, a wildfire.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version.

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli Under Pressure From Bondi

A major new development out of Los Angeles, where the LA Times reports that U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli has been no-billed by grand juries in some attempted prosecutions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) protestors:

The three officials who spoke to The Times on condition of anonymity said prosecutors have struggled to get several protest-related cases past grand juries, which need only to find probable cause that a crime has been committed in order to move forward. That is a much lower bar than the beyond a reasonable doubt standard required for a criminal conviction.

But among the most damning revelations in the LA Times article is Essayli ordering a subordinate to ignore the DOJs Justice Manual:

On the overheard call, according to the three officials, Essayli, 39, told a subordinate to disregard the federal governments Justice Manual, which directs prosecutors to bring only cases they can win at trial. Essayli barked that prosecutors should press on and secure indictments as directed by U.S. Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi, according to the three officials.

The Trump administration targeted Los Angeles for heavy-handed immigration enforcement, including deploying the National Guard and active duty marines to the Democratic-run city, that set off mass protests and some street clashes with law enforcement.

Fired Immigration Judge: I Was Pressured To Dismiss Cases

An immigration judge fired by the Trump administration says he came under pressure to dismiss cases to facilitate the immediate detention of immigrants who had shown up in court, WBUR reports:

[George] Pappas said that in April, his assistant chief judge told him to grant motions to dismiss when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were at the courthouse. If the case was dismissed, more likely than not, as soon as that person would exit the courtroom, he would be arrested by the ICE officers in the hallway, he said.

Abrego Garcia Wins Two Key Court Rulings

As I reported yesterday, a federal judge in Tennessee ordered Kilmar Abrego Garcia released from DOJ custody pending his criminal trial and a federal judge in Maryland said DHS cant immediately detain him once hes freed by DOJ. Abrego Garcia wont be released right away because hed asked for a 30-day delay in the effective date of his release, which was granted. District judges are holding the line against the worst of the Trump depredations.

Appeals Court Blocks Trumps Birthright Citizenship Executive Order

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals found President Trumps order to end birthright citizenship to be an unconstitutional violation of the 14th Amendment and affirmed a nationwide injunction blocking its enforcement.

Must Listen

Career DOJ attorney Erez Reuveni, who was fired by the Trump administration for being too candid and ethical in the major anti-immigration case, continues his blistering whistleblower tour with a NYT podcast interview (a transcript is also available for those too busy to listen).

Judge-Appointed USA Asserts Her Hold on Position

In a post on Linkedin, Desiree Grace, the career DOJ prosecutor appointed by federal judges to replace New Jersey acting U.S. attorney Alina Habba, asserted she will serve in the role despite claims from the Trump administration that it had fired her:

Yesterday the District Judges for the District of New Jersey selected me to serve as the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey. It will forever be the greatest honor that they selected me on merit, and Im prepared to follow that Order and begin to serve in accordance with the law.

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At the moment its not clear who leads the New Jersey U.S. Attorneys Office: Habba, whose 120-day term ends, depending on your math, at some point this week; or Grace, who the judges appointed to succeed Habba whenever the 120 days are up. Its possible the administration will name someone else to the role, setting up dueling papacies, Avignon-style.

Trump Caught in Epstein Undertow

Not surprisingly, Donald Trumps name appears in the investigative files related to the prosecution of his longtime friend Jeffrey Epstein. Attorney General Pam Bondi told him so in May, after she made it one of her first priorities to shift massive DOJ resources into reviewing the Epstein files.

In other developments:

A federal judge in Florida denied the Trump DOJs request to unseal the Epstein grand jury transcripts.

Three House GOPers defected to support a subpoena of the Justice Department for its Epstein files.

The Retribution: Distraction Edition

Expect more performative responses to the Epstein furor like this one: The Justice Department announced on Wednesday the formation of a task force to look into unsubstantiated allegations by President Trump that President Barack Obama and his aides ordered an investigation into the 2016 Trump campaigns connections to Russia to destroy Mr. Trump.

Columbia Settles With Trump Admin for $200M

Under enormous financial and political pressure from the Trump administration, Columbia University entered into a $200 million settlement agreement with the federal government to resolve claims it violated anti-discrimination laws. In return, the Trump administration will restore the universitys federal funding.

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The settlement marks an extraordinary federal intervention into the operation of a private university, is a template for future Trump administration shakedowns of higher education institutions, and may yet leave Columbia vulnerable to future Trump demands.

Some reactions from Columbia University faculty:

Suresh Naidu: [T]his deal is unlikely to end the attacks. The federal government, and this administration, is simply too powerful and too arbitrary to be credibly bargained with. Do we really think this arrangement, however destructive of academic autonomy it is, will prevent the Trump administration from stopping the money again? Anyone who thinks the administration will mutely walk away after the ink is dry needs to look at both the past behavior of autocratic regimes in general and this administrations in particular.

David Pozen: Deals like Columbias enhance the power of presidents and their allies within targeted universities; sideline Congress, the courts, and most faculty; and sow fear and uncertainty throughout civil society. They are fundamentally inconsistent with the logic of academic freedom.

SCOTUS Again Signs Off on Trump Purges

Over a dissent from the three liberal justices, the Roberts Court allowed President Trump to fire the three Democratic members of the previously independent Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Grab em by the Institutions

Don Moynihan:

A couple of months ago, the major concern was what would happen when Trump defied the courts. A more complicated picture is now emerging. One that mixes quiet but unmistakable defiance of court decisions by the Trump administration with encouragement from the six Republican-appointed Justices who sit atop the judicial branch. This is an arguably worse scenario, since it provides a veneer of legalism even as it replaces the rule of law with rule by law, where Trump is allowed to determine the nature of that law. The emerging pattern is that the Trump administration is checked by the lower courts, slow-walks compliance, and sometimes asks SCOTUS for help, which they usually provide via poorly reasoned opinions or no opinions at all. The Supreme Court often does not feel the need to explain what are effectively constitutional amendments that rebalance the separation of powers, feeding perceptions of the court as a partisan actor.

Hegseth Probe Turns Up Damaging New Evidence

WaPo:

The Pentagons independent watchdog has received evidence that messages from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths Signal account previewing a U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen were derived from a classified email labeled SECRET/NOFORN, people familiar with the matter said. The revelation appears to contradict long-standing claims by the Trump administration that no classified information was divulged in unclassified group chats that critics have called a significant security breach.

Only the Best People: Paul Ingrassia Edition

Paul Ingrassias nomination to head the Office of Special Counsel is at risk because of his history of scorched-earth rhetoric and extremist associations, the WaPo reports.

Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know!
Accidents happen. Someone can slip on ice on the walkway to your house and break several bones. You could rear-end the car in front of you on a rainy night. Your dog could bite the mail carrier.

Your home or auto insurance can cover the costs of these accidents if youre on the hook for them. Sometimes, though, costs can exceed what your insurance will cover. Then youre at risk of having to pay out of pocket  that is, unless you have an umbrella policy.

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Learn more: How does car insurance work? The basics explained.

Umbrella insurance: Often overlooked

Umbrella coverage is the often-overlooked safety net that can protect you from financial disaster, said Jason Javaheri, co-founder and CEO of Los Angeles-based J&Y Law Firm, which represents injury victims. And the cost is relatively low for the protection it provides.

J.D. Powers Craig Martin said that according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Homeowners Insurance Study, only 38% of customers with an annual income over $200,000 indicated they have an umbrella policy, while only 22% of those with incomes between $100,000 and $200,000 had an umbrella policy. The percentage dropped to 14% for those with incomes less than $100,000.

Thats why it pays to understand what an umbrella policy is, how it works, what it covers, and how much coverage you might need.

Learn more: Homeowners insurance: What it covers and how much youll pay

What is an umbrella policy?

An umbrella policy is a type of insurance that provides additional coverage if you exceed the liability limits on your home, auto, or other property insurance. Its meant to protect your assets if there is a large claim or judgment against you.

Standard homeowners and auto insurance policies typically provide liability coverage for costs such as medical bills and legal fees if youre responsible for causing property damage or injuries to others  but only up to certain limits. You could easily top those limits if, for example, you were sued for damages related to a multi-vehicle car accident with several injuries.

Thats where umbrella would come into place, said Kim Bowser, vice president of national product and experience development at Grange Insurance. Your auto or home insurance would typically cover the loss first. Umbrella kicks in as an extra layer on top of that coverage protection.

How an umbrella policy works

Umbrella policies are available in million-dollar increments, ranging from $1 million to $5 million (but potentially higher for high-net-worth individuals and families), explained Erika Tortorici, owner and principal of Optimum Insurance Solutions in Hamilton, Massachusetts. To buy a policy, you must already have a certain amount of liability coverage through auto, home, or other property insurance. Insurers typically require a minimum of $300,000 in liability coverage on a homeowners policy and $250,000 per person/$500,000 per accident liability coverage on an auto policy.

Learn more: How much car insurance do I need?

Those thresholds are high because umbrella insurance is meant to cover only large claims, said Jennifer Gambill, a Miami-based independent insurance broker with World Insurance Associates. For example, if you were sued because someone was injured on your property and had to pay $500,000, your home insurance would pay up to its $300,000 limit, then an umbrella policy would pay the remaining $200,000.

What does umbrella insurance cover?

An umbrella policy provides coverage for both your home and your automobiles. It can also be extended to cover recreational vehicles, boats and other watercraft, rental property and timeshares, and other members of your household, including children away at school, Gambill said.

An umbrella policy provides coverage for the following:

Injuries to others, including the cost of medical bills and liability claims

Damage to other peoples property

Personal injury to others, including libel, slander, and defamation

Your legal fees to defend yourself in a lawsuit

Learn more: What does homeowner insurance cover?

What will an umbrella policy not cover?

An umbrella policy covers your liability to others, not damages or injuries to you or your property. If your dog were to bite you, the umbrella policy typically wouldn't cover those medical costs you might incur, Bowser said.

It also does not provide coverage for the following:

Intentional injuries to others

Illegal activities, including accidents and injuries related to drag racing

Losses related to a business you run out of your home

Legal costs related to something you agreed to in a contract

What types of claims would fall under an umbrella policy?

Here are just a few examples of the types of claims that would be covered under an umbrella policy.

You accidentally hit someone while driving or cause a serious accident with multiple vehicles

You post something defamatory about someone on social media and are sued

Your childrens friends are injured on your trampoline or pool

Your dog seriously injures a delivery person

Learn more: What does homeownership not cover?

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How much umbrella coverage do you need?

The amount of umbrella coverage you need depends on what you want to protect. For a standard two-car household with one home, $1 million in umbrella coverage can be adequate, said Alaina Hixson, director of sales and operations at The Churchill Agency, an independent insurance agency near Nashville, Tennessee. The more assets you have, the more protection you need, she said.

You might also need more protection if you are exposed to more risks, such as teen drivers in your household or a sport or hobby such as hunting that could result in others being injured. Your insurance agent can help you assess how much umbrella coverage you need.

How much does umbrella insurance cost?

Umbrella insurance is relatively inexpensive for the coverage you get, said Tortorici. For example, a household with one home and two drivers would typically pay $250 to $350 a year for a $1 million umbrella policy, she added.

Adding teen drivers to your coverage will drive up your rates. So will multiple properties, vehicles, and watercraft. Your location, claims history, and driving record will also affect the cost of umbrella insurance. However, you typically can get a multi-policy discount when bundling an umbrella policy with your existing home, auto, or other property insurance.

Learn more: How much is homeowners insurance? A guide to lowering costs.

Pros and cons of an umbrella policy

There are plenty of benefits of owning an umbrella policy, but there are a few cons to consider.

Pros

Expanded liability coverage to protect your assets if your underlying home or auto insurance liability coverage isnt enough to pay for large claims

Relatively low cost for the coverage you get

Wide range of coverage for liability claims

Additional coverage for claims not typically covered by home and auto insurance, such as libel, slander, and even false arrest

Coverage for other household members in addition to coverage for the policyholder

A single policy can cover a range of property, including a home, vehicles, and watercraft

Cons

High underlying liability limits on your home and auto insurance are required to purchase umbrella coverage

Coverage is limited to injuries and damage to others and their property, not you or your property

Additional cost of owning a supplemental insurance policy

Who needs umbrella insurance?

Umbrella insurance isn't just for the wealthy, Javaheri said. It is for anyone with something to protect.

You should consider an umbrella policy if any of the following applies to you:

You own a home and vehicles

You own rental property

You have a high net worth

You have teen drivers

You have a pool or trampoline

You have an RV, boat, or other watercraft

You have a dog

You engage in high-risk activities that could injure someone else

Who doesnt need umbrella insurance?

To have umbrella insurance, you must have certain primary insurance protection in place. If you dont own a car or home, you cant get an umbrella policy, Gambill explained.

For example, you probably dont need umbrella insurance if you are a renter who relies on public transportation. That said, you still should get renters insurance with the maximum amount of liability coverage available.

Learn more: How an auto and renters insurance bundle can save you big

How to get an umbrella policy

The best way to get an umbrella policy is through your existing auto or home insurance provider. In fact, if you want an umbrella policy to cover your home, vehicle, and other property, all policies have to be under the same insurance carrier, Hixson said. Plus, having multiple policies with one carrier usually allows you to score a discount on your premiums.

Rarely would it make sense to get an umbrella policy through a different insurance carrier than the one you have. A few circumstances, such as owning a hard-to-insure breed of dog or having a bad driving record, might force you to get an umbrella policy through a specialty carrier, Tortorici said.

Umbrella insurance FAQs

What are the disadvantages of an umbrella policy?

You cant buy an umbrella policy unless you already have an auto or homeowners policy with a high level of liability coverage. You might have to switch insurers if your current provider of home or auto insurance doesnt offer umbrella coverage.

Plus, an umbrella policy is an additional insurance cost. Youre paying for the peace of mind, Tortorici said. Hopefully, you dont use your umbrella.

Is umbrella insurance worth it?

Umbrella insurance can protect your assets if you accidentally injure someone or damage property and have to pay a large claim. Although most state laws prevent your home from being seized if youre sued, your other property, investments, and wages could be at risk if you dont have enough liability coverage through your existing home or auto insurance to pay claims. Ive seen [umbrella insurance] do amazing things to help people, Hixon said. I dont think you can be overprotected when it comes to liability in this country.

Do I have to get umbrella insurance through my current provider?

You usually have to buy umbrella insurance through the insurance company that provides your auto or home insurance. However, some insurance companies offer stand-alone umbrella policies, meaning you dont have an auto or homeowners policy with them.

Tim Manni edited this article.
Unless a rabbit is pulled out of the hat, round two of the Labour Government versus the British Medical Association and its junior doctors is about to begin.

Last year round one ended in total capitulation by the Government. Labour seemed to believe being nice to the BMA would make things easier in future. It should have remembered that, in politics, gratitude is merely a lively expectation of favours to come.

Now the BMA is back for those favours. Its new round of strike action is going to blow a hole in the very limited progress on waiting lists. The health service, fragile at the best of times, will be back in crisis. Common sense tells you that some people will not be treated who should have been; and some people will die who need not have. Nothing new, sadly, in our NHS.

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But we are told that round two will be different. The strike is unpopular among the wider public and may not have universal support among junior doctors. So Wes Streeting and Sir Jim Mackey, the new head of the English NHS, are briefing today that they intend to break the BMA. Lets see. Its a bit of a stretch to see Labour ministers as union-busters. Indeed I doubt they really understand what it means.

It would mean protecting junior doctors who wanted to work in defiance of their union, allowing them to cross picket lines and shielding them from retaliation, rather as the Thatcher government did in the 1984-5 miners strike. Or they could refuse to allow doctors who are BMA members to come to work: a lock-out. Can you really see a Labour Government doing any of this? But thats what it takes to break a public sector union.

Indeed Labours policy goes in exactly the opposite direction. Angela Rayners Employment Bill will give the unions new rights. Thresholds for strike ballots and union recognition will be reduced (so it will be even easier for the BMA to call strikes in the future) and unions get new powers to organise and cause trouble. Are the MPs supporting all this going to break the BMA?

Of course not. At some point the Government will back down once again. The reward package for doctors over their lifetime is already one of the best in the country, and the odds are that its going to get even better.

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The BMA asserts that doctors deserve all that money. But what does deserve mean? There is only one test of whether you deserve your salary, and that is whether, in a competitive market, someone is willing to pay you.

The qualification is crucial. For we dont have a competitive market in health care: nothing like it. We have a monolithic system with one overwhelmingly large buyer of healthcare  the government. So the way to get more money is to put pressure on the state. Thats now happening. But of course its not the government that suffers, but rather the customers  that is, NHS patients.

This is why the supposed human right to strike is so dangerous in the public sector. In the competitive private sector it is defensible. If a firm is treating its employees badly and provokes a strike, its customers can go elsewhere for its product. It is the firms management and owners who pay the price.

In the public sector this doesnt happen. Most of us cant afford to go elsewhere for our health treatment due to the government monopoly. So then, unless the government is tough, the public sector unions, in the railways, in teaching, in the NHS, have the upper hand. When they strike, its the consumer of the service who will pay the price, and it is through their suffering that more pressure is exerted on the government. Its nothing less than moral blackmail, and it ought to be stopped.

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The last Tory government had a half hearted go at this. Laws requiring minimum services during strikes in the public sector are common across Europe, and in 2023 we got our version, though Conservative ministers real level of commitment can be gauged by the private comment to me at the time from one of them: we cant use these laws and we dont intend to. Now, the Labour Government is going one further and scrapping them.

In truth, if we must live in a society with many huge public sector organisations, with pay set by central bargaining, then we really need to ban strikes entirely within them. That should be the price of the job security and other privileges that come with working in the public sector.

It would be much better, of course, to have properly competitive markets instead  in health, a more decentralised, public / private, insurance-based system as in most of Europe; in schools, many more free schools and a move to a voucher system. Very likely doctors and teachers would in fact do better under such a system, as the state would no longer have the power to hold down wages. But it is not going to happen.

The Government shows no sign of understanding any of this, so things will get worse not better in the NHS. Labour sowed the wind when they bought off the unions last autumn. They  and the rest of us  will now reap the whirlwind.

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LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY)  The Lafayette man accused of firing gunshots into a crowd after a Festival International event ended is back behind bars.

Cameron Babineaux, 25, posted bail on four counts of attempted first-degree murder and a firearms charge.

While out on bond, Babineaux is accused of being involved in a July kidnapping, stabbing and shooting of a man in St. Martin Parish. The issue at hand is the bond from the Lafayette case.

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Some believe a $50,000 bond for each attempted first-degree count, and $25,000 for a firearms charge is similar to having a get out of jail free card.

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Denise Boudreaux of Vermilion Parish founded the organization Mothers of Murdered Sons.

They have such a low bond and get out to walk around; and you have to see this person almost daily, Boudreaux stated.

Boudreaux says her son was shot and murdered while sitting in a car.

Its innocent until youre proven guilty and I understand that very well. Once youve attempted to take a life its kind of like once a dog tastes blood; after that it is what it is, Boudreaux said.

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Boudreaux believes bonds should reflect the impact of the accused crime and take into consideration the victims.

The amount of bonds that they set for these people who have attempted or even taken a life is ridiculous. I think the whole system is broken, she noted.

According to authorities, Babineaux was caught in Texas and will be extradited back to face charges in both incidents. This time, experts believe bond will be a less likely option.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com.
SCOTT, La. (KLFY)  A woman was arrested in connection with a shooting that occurred at a convenience store in the early morning on June 7 in Scott, authorities said.

Makiya J. Francis, 22, of Lafayette was arrested and charged with two counts of attempted second degree murder, illegal discharge of a weapon and resisting an officer, police said.

According to authorities, Francis is allegedly connected to a second shooting incident which occurred seconds after the homicide of Kylon Calais. The second shooting led to a seriously injured individual and property damage.

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Information on Franciss bond has not been released. Police said more arrests are expected.

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Two men arrested in connection with Scott murder

We will update as more information is available.

Makiya J. Francis, 22, of Lafayette

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Photograph by Brendan George Ko

This story is part of Hawaii, the Local Way. a package celebrating the food culture and traditions of the islands. Here, culinary leaders reflect on their community's resilience in the wake of tragedy.

Kyle Kawakami still remembers seeing Lahaina after wildfires devastated Mauis northwestern shoreline on Tuesday, August 8, 2023. The winds howled and embers fell from the sky into the ocean. Some survivors fled burning cars and homes and waded in waist-deep waters for help. Over 2,200 homes and businesses were destroyed; 102 people died, with thousands more displaced.

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Lahaina is deeply tied to the culture and history of Hawaii. It once served as the royal capital of the Hawaiian Kingdom, until moving to Honolulu in 1845. In the decades that followed, it became a crucial whaling port, and when local industries waned, emerged as a tourism destination in the 1960sparticularly Lahaina Town, Front Streets wharf of small art galleries and restaurants. By late summer of 2023, the region, home to a diverse group of locals and the fourth largest population on Maui, lay in ruin.

The weirdest thing was the lack of color, Kawakami says. The ocean looked blue, the sand was white, and then you turn your head and it was like a bomb went off and everything was white, gray, and black. There were no trees, no life. It still kind of haunts me.

In Hawaii, where a close-knit hospitality industry is integral to the local community and economy, its no surprise that chefs immediately jumped in to offer on-the-ground support.

As we approach the second anniversary of the wildfires, recovery efforts are still underway and progress is slow. Cleaning crews cleared ash and debris in the spring of 2025. New houses and old businesses are in the process of being rebuilt. Temporary housing and scorched empty lots remain.

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Here, we speak with two chefs and instrumental community advocates: Kyle Kawakami is the chef and owner of Maui Fresh Streatery, a mission-driven food truck with a tip jar that funds community needs. Mark Gooch Noguchi is a chef and educator at Punahou School, and alongside wife Amanda Corby Noguchi, co-founded Chef Hui, a culinary and food education non-profit that often provides emergency relief on the islands. In the following interview, the two reflect on what it was like working on the frontlines of this tragedy, and what they hope might lie ahead for one of Mauis most storied cities.

BA: Where were you both when you heard the news of the fires? And what was your immediate next step?

Mark Gooch Noguchi: Part of being an active member of your community is knowing your place. Hawaii is my home, but Maui isnt my moku [Hawaiian for island or district]. Even though I have my crew there, its still their island. On Wednesday morning, I see my phone on and Im like, who the hells texting me at 3 a.m.? Its dozens of texts. Lahainas gone. We need help. I give my wife Amanda another hour of sleep, and then I tell her, We gotta get going. We gotta activate.

We spent the next five minutes losing our shit, then we started making calls. World Central Kitchen had emailed me already and Amanda started talking to the National Guard and civil defense. Your knee-jerk reaction is to rush over there, drop everything and go. But we realized the best way we could serve our community was to stay in Honolulu, make calls, and be a conduit for our friends.

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Kyle Kawakami: That first week of the fire, it was a lot of confusion, a lot of chaos. The roads were closed, but by Saturday, at 7 a.m., police escorted my food truck through, like we were a presidential motorcade. When we got to Lahaina, we went straight to the community. I parked on the main thoroughfare, opened our windows, and started playing music. We were feeding the community as best we could. We had 400 hot bentos, 100 watermelons, and 70 cases of water, plus some emergency medical supplies. I think we were probably one of the first to get into the actual burn zone. It was still smoldering.

BA: What was a typical day like as an early responder?

KK: We knew this wasnt just a two-day response. This was the long haul, and so my role was just to make sure the boys [chefs Sheldon Simeon, Isaac Bancaco, and many more on the ground] were okay.

We had guys in the trenches in the kitchen of Maui College, putting in 18-, 20-hour days. They would leave at midnight and come back at 4 a.m., or even sleep on the floor, to make a thousand breakfasts. At 6 a.m., another group of 20 or 30 volunteers started on lunch and had to get 4,000 packed. Then the next group was rolling in and doing 6,000 dinners. We had a group of chefs that came in to organize and clean.

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Having taught at the college 10 years prior, I had a good understanding of the lay of the land and could help advise on the most efficient way to use the kitchen on campus, like, Hey store this food here if youre not using until three days out, or Use this equipment. Having Gooch and Amanda, these extra eyes from the outside, was helpful.

MGN: Maybe a week after, Amanda and I came up to Maui. When you have a million people who want to help but not a whole lot of guidance, things can get convoluted, especially when working with these big organizations that mean well. Our war board, [listed] products coming in, what we could use, what we could hold. HFM FoodService [now Sysco Hawaii] would call, saying Hey, weve got 10,000 pounds of this, or Rainbows Drive-In says, Were bagging up 6,000 pounds of chili. Do you want them in Ziploc bags? Thats not something Sheldon, Isaac, or Uncle Reinior [Simeons father] need to do; I can do that, you know what I mean? Thats knowing your lane.

BA: Its one thing to run in with emergency relief, but another to stay for sustained recovery efforts. How have you been part of the latter?

KK: Ive always looked at the food truck as being an emergency vehicle that can mobilize to feed people at a moments notice. Weve done it multiple times; seven or eight years ago, there was a bad brush fire in Lahaina that damaged or destroyed seven homes, and we went out the next day to feed people who were displaced.

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But here, with World Central Kitchen and the college doing 15,000 meals a day, the 500 meals the food truck could do were a drop in the bucket. We brainstormed with Kamiki Carter at Maui Rapid Response to figure out who was facing food insecurity. There were a lot of families who took in others, so a family of two went up to 12, a family of four to 27. So we identified 50 families and supplied them with 4,500 boxed meals. It took me three days to prep; Id scour the food bank shelves and get donations, like 500 pounds of hamburger meat from Maui Cattle. We did that for seven, eight months. Then last May, we started getting feedback from families saying they were stable and their kitchens were full.

MGN: At Chef Hui, we had a couple ongoing meal programs but just finished our last community event in December, a Christmas celebration for Lahainaluna High School and their families. We came on as a partner for Lahainalunaand thats really important. The long game for any community support, especially in times of crisis, is you want to set yourself up so that when the community takes things back into their own hands, its seamless. People forget that just because the fire was out and not on the news anymore, our community still needed aloha way after. Once the rest of the world left, were still here.

BA: What does Lahaina look like today, and what do you hope it can become?

KK: Lahaina Town is still pretty barren, but we're seeing people rebuilding and some families moving back into the community. Before it was a whaling town and a tourist destination, Lahaina had the islands largest breadfruit groves and was the vacationing home of Hawaiian royalty. So there is cultural significance to this place, a Hawaiianness. Im not part of these conversations because I dont live in Lahaina, but Ive heard residents wondering, hey, do we even want to rebuild it as a tourist destination? Could it be more culturally based, more community based? Maui doesnt want another Waikiki.

BA: What have you learned about your own community through the work you do?

MGN: What were talking about is really important as far as understanding who we are as people of Hawaii. You know, were not perfect. But you cannot deny that when you come to Hawaii, you eat our food, you hang out with local people, there is this magic.

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KK: It just reinforced and solidified my view of how special this place is and how strong the community bonds are. People dont forget when you extend a helping hand or a hot meal. You know, the aloha spirit really resonates and you have an understanding of it when you see the community coming together in times of need.

Interviews condensed and edited for clarity.

To support ongoing relief efforts, Kawakami recommends donating to Maui Food Bank, which continues to provide for those affected by the fires and others in need within the community.

Read more about Hawai'is singular food culture

Originally Appeared on Bon Appetit

More Culture Stories From Bon Appetit
(Photo courtesy Kyle Roerink)

Water in Lake Mead is on course to fall to the lowest level in recorded history by 2027, according to a recent forecast by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

Water levels in the reservoir have steadily dropped over the years as the Colorado River  the lakes biggest source of water  has been choked by rising temperatures, prolonged drought and growing demand.

If reservoir storage continues on its current trajectory, Lake Meads water elevation is likely to drop to about 1,038 feet by the end of June 2027  two feet lower than when it fell to a record low in July 2022, according to a two year forecast released by the federal agency last week.

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That projection is based on the most probable scenario, but federal water managers also considered what the lake could look like if the next two years are drier than usual.

In the worst case scenario, Lake Meads water elevation could fall even further to about 1,026 feet  one foot short of the most severe water shortage level defined by BuRec which would trigger record cuts to water use in Arizona and Nevada.

Lake Mead is already under a Tier 1 shortage  the least severe level  which mandates a 21,000 acre-feet annual reduction in the states share of the Colorado River. That shortage level, and the reduction in Nevadas water allocation, is likely to continue next year under current projections.

But steeper water cuts are likely to take place in 2027 under the most probable scenario, according to the study.

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Federal water managers projected Lake Meads elevation would likely drop to below 1,050 feet by July 2026, triggering a more severe Tier 2 shortage which would reduce annual available water for Nevada by another 4,000 acre-feet.

Federal water managers decide shortage levels each year in August, based on projected water levels at Lake Mead and Lake Powell for the start of the following year.

The troubling projections come as the seven states that share the Colorado Rivers water are in deadlocked negotiations over how the river and its reservoirs should be managed after current guidelines expire at the end of 2026.

The states  Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming  primarily disagree over which of them should have to decrease their water use, and by how much.

Uncertainty is difficult to plan around

Negotiations have continued behind closed doors for months as water officials try to reach an agreement.

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The federal government has given the states until mid-November to come up with a draft for a new plan. If they cant reach a deal ahead of a 2026 deadline, the federal government can step in and make those decisions itself.

The lackluster reservoir forecast follows a winter of below-average snowpack across the Upper Colorado River Basin, a major source of snowmelt for Lake Mead and Lake Powell.

Climate scientists studying water supply on the Colorado River were not surprised by the latest projections, which reflect a two decade trend of decreasing streamflow into the river and its reservoirs.

Ive been warning about this situation since last fall. The worst has come true, said Utah State University professor Jack Schmidt.

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Without an effort to seriously recover water storage in Lake Mead and Lake Powell in order to withstand dry years, the river could be on the brink of crisis, said Schmidt.

Schmidt said reservoir storage across the Colorado River will only gain a fraction of the water collected in previous years due to below-average snowpack and warmer temperatures.

This year snowmelt inflow to Lake Powell is predicted to be about half of average, one of the lowest inflow years in the past two decades. Lake Powells water levels directly affect Lake Mead because streamflow to Lake Powell is eventually released to Lake Mead.

Weve got the onset of an extremely dry year, and were on the brink of collapsing the system, Schmidt said.

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Two consecutive winters with robust snowpacks in 2023 and 2024 gave states that rely on the Colorado River a few more years of stability, but with a dismal water year approaching Lake Mead and Lake Powell are on a path to record low elevations.

Weve done a poor job since then and never significantly recovered storage, Schmidt said.

Schmidt emphasized the need for immediate water conservation efforts to reduce water use across all seven states that rely on the river to protect the river and its reservoirs from collapse.

The system we have is not good enough, and its not working, so this is a warning that we need to become far more flexible and far more adaptable, he said.

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Despite drought challenges, Southern Nevada remains one of the most water-secure areas along the Colorado River.

Southern Nevada hasnt used its full allocation of Colorado River water for years. Conservation efforts have helped Southern Nevada use 36% less water from Lake Mead than it did two decades ago, according to the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA).

The water authority also said its confident Southern Nevada can weather even the most severe water shortage, Tier 3, which would require Nevada to give up enough water to supply about 60,000 households for a year.

Bronson Mack, the outreach manager for SNWA, said Lake Meads water levels over the next two years will depend significantly on winter snowpack and soil conditions in the Upper Colorado River Basin.

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The potential for historically low lake levels is what catalyzed our communitys adaptation toward using less water more efficiently, Mack said.

Water conservation continues to be critical throughout the Colorado River Basin, and the Bureau of Reclamations most recent 24-month study further emphasizes that, he continued.

Still, the lack of agreement between states on future guidelines has also created a lot of uncertainty for water users, said Kathryn Sorensen, the director of research at the Kyl Center for Water Policy at Arizona State University.

Theres a total unknown still about what happens after the current shortage sharing guidelines expire, and what will be the new operating guidelines. Theres a lot of uncertainty, and uncertainty is difficult to plan around, Sorensen said.

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Sorensen said record low water elevations at Lake Mead and Lake Powell are the new normal, adding that water utilities should prepare for a future where the most severe water shortage level is more and more common while communicating risks to customers.

This latest 24-month study report is not good news, but it is what many have been warning about. The river is just producing less on average, Sorensen said.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that the U.S. Forest Service is awarding $80 million in Wood Innovation Grants to promote wood products manufacturing, expand forest management, and fuel economic growth across Americas timber producing regions.

Congressman Doug LaMalfa, R-Richvale said the funding supports the kind of work proponents have been calling for  harvesting timber, reducing fuels, restoring local mills and finding new uses for American wood.

Years of federal mismanagement and red tape have turned our forests into firetraps, he added. Were finally seeing real steps to reverse that. These projects will strengthen rural economies, create good jobs, and help get our forests back to a healthy, managed state. I want to thank Secretary Rollins and President Trump for their leadership in making this happen.

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With this funding, the Forest Service is moving forward on 189 project proposals across the public, private, and non-profit sectors in 39 states and the District of Columbia. These projects will, according to LaMalfas office:

 Expand markets for mass timber construction, including workforce housing

 Upgrade lumber production infrastructure to boost local processing capacity

 Scale up biochar and wood energy using advanced pyrolysis technology and new kilns

 Help convert forest restoration byproducts into usable materials, reducing hazardous fuels and making forests safer

These Forest Service grants directly support jobs in harvesting, milling, and wood manufacturing, while advancing new uses for wooda renewable, domestic, and cost-effective resource thats vital to Americas construction and energy sectors, LaMalfa said.

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This announcement builds on USDAs $200 million timber investment in May of this year and is part of a broader strategy to promote economic opportunity and long-term forest health by streamlining regulations and speeding up project approvals, reports LaMalfas staff.

LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus representing Californias First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba counties.
The largest great white shark on record has been spotted near an immensely popular vacation destination, marine nonprofit OCEARCH reported on Instagram.

The shark, named Contender, is considered by OCEARCH to be the ultimate ocean warrior. He measures 13 feet and nine inches long, weighing an astonishing 1,653 pounds. Contenders most recent satellite ping placed him in eastern Massachusetts, in the waters of Cape Cod between Nantucket Sound and Georges Bank. Ironically, its not too far from the Massachusetts island on which Jaws was filmed 51 years ago.

Contender was originally tagged by OCEARCH back in January off the coast of Georgia. Since then, the great white has travelled to Florida and up to Massachusetts, where he was last seen. Contender was named after OCEARCH researcher Contender Boats, who was "a longtime OCEARCH partner, whose industry-leading sport fishing and pleasure boats enable our research missions."

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Related: Pete Davidson Breaks His Silence About Becoming a Dad

"The SPOT tag deployed on Contender will provide valuable real-time data for approximately five years, helping us track his movements and understand his migration patterns," OCEARCH said in a statement. "Additionally, we've collected important biological samples, including urogenital material, which are currently being analyzed."

Shark sightings on Cape Cod are nothing new this time of year. On July 4, two paddleboarders noticed a massive great white shark patrolling the water just 100 yards from the shore of Stony Beach. Over 700 great whites have been documented over time in the waters of Cape Cod. In January, scientists announced they had discovered 22 new great whites in the region.

Related: 'Osbournes' Producer on How Ozzy Osbourne Shaped Reality TV

Largest Great White Shark on Record Headed for Vacation Hotspot first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 24, 2025
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A grocery store popular among Hispanics opened its doors Wednesday in Las Vegas amid a federal immigration crackdown across the country.

The new Superior Grocers is located at 390 South Decatur Boulevard. Its the California-based stores 74th location and the second in the Las Vegas valley.

Nevada is the only other state with a Superior Grocers, which started in Los Angeles in 1981.

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We obviously focus highly on the Hispanic, but we also cater to whatever is in the community, so we do our homework, Miguel Alarco, Vice President of Operations of Superior Grocers, said on Wednesday.

Superior Grocers opened amid a nationwide Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdown that has led to the closure of the Broadacres Marketplace in North Las Vegas.

8 News Now asked Miguel Alarco of Superior Grocers if that was a concern.

Were not concerned personally from what I can see; its not impacting here as much as it is in California, Alarco said. But no, theres no concern. I think because of the fact that were diverse, we should be able to offset some of that.

Nearly one in five Nevadans are immigrants and more than half of the immigrants are naturalized citizens. Economic Policy Institute

Elizabeth Mercha was shopping with her husband and 8 News Now asked her if she was concerned over ICE crackdowns.

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I am here legally, so it is something that does not concern me at all, Mercha said in Spanish. If you come illegally, try to quickly solve your problem of getting your papers in order to avoid these types of inconveniences.

Joaquin Avila was another shopper, and 8 News Now asked him if he was worried about the ICE arrests.

No, not much. Yes, there is some concern. But I dont think they can come to this type of store, which is already a source of income for the family, Avila said in Spanish.

Superior Grocers is planning to expand to other locations in Las Vegas, according to Miguel Alarco. The grocery store presented a check to several groups during Wednesdays grand opening, with Red Rock Elementary School and Griffith Elementary School receiving funds.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
LACROSSE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX)  The search for a missing woman in La Crosse has ended tragically. The body of 22-year-old Eliotte Heinz was found on the morning of July 23rd. She was last seen around 3:20 a.m. on Sunday, July 20th, walking on Front Street South in La Crosse. In the following days, her family, friends, and police made several attempts to contact her with no success. Crews were searching for her throughout the area where she was last seen and along the river.

On Wednesday morning (July 23rd), La Crosse Police were notified that her body was found in the Mississippi River, near Brownsville, Minnesota. The Houston County Sheriffs Office said a 911 call came in around 10:15 am. A fisherman reported he found a body in the river, just south of Lawrence Lake Marina, about 7 miles downriver from where Eliotte was last seen

La Crosse Police say they continue to investigate this case and are currently awaiting the results of an autopsy. Police are waiting for an official cause of death before addressing the public.

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Viterbo University released a statement that said, in part, Viterbo University joins the Heinz family, the La Crosse community, and all who knew and loved Eliotte in mourning her tragic passing.

We are heartbroken by this loss and extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends.

University officials say they will hold a memorial service in Eliottes honor this fall, in coordination with her family, when students return to campus.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff said Thursday the U.S. is cutting short Gaza ceasefire talks and bringing home its negotiating team from Qatar for consultations, after the latest response from Hamas shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.

The talks have been bogged down over competing demands for ending the war. Hamas says it will only release all hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal and end to the war. Israel says it will not agree to end the war until Hamas gives up power and disarms  a condition the militant group rejects.

As Israel's blockade and military offensive in Gaza grinds on, four leading news organizations said Thursday that their journalists there are facing the threat of starvation. The joint statement by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Reuters and the BBC called on Israel to allow journalists in and out of Gaza and allow adequate food supplies into the territory.

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Israels war in Gaza, launched in response to Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack, has killed more than 59,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry. Its count doesnt distinguish between militants and civilians, but the ministry says that more than half of the dead are women and children.

Here's the latest:

Israel and US condemn Macron's plan to recognize a Palestinian state

Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in separate statements Thursday rejected Macron's plan to recognize a Palestinian state, while the Palestinian Authority welcomed the decision.

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Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became," Netanyahu said. A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel  not to live in peace beside it.

Rubio said in a post on X: This reckless decision only serves Hamas propaganda and sets back peace. It is a slap in the face to the victims of October 7th."

Hussein Al Sheikh, the PLOs vice president under President Mahmoud Abbas, expressed thanks and appreciation to Macron, saying, This position reflects Frances commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian peoples rights to self-determination.

Macron says France will recognize Palestine as a state

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French President Emmanuel Macron says France will recognize Palestine as a state. He said in a post on X on Thursday that he will formalize the decision at the U.N. General Assembly in September.

The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved, he wrote.

The mostly symbolic move puts added diplomatic pressure on Israel as the war and humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip rage. France is now the biggest Western power to recognize Palestine, and the move could pave the way for other countries to do the same. More than 140 countries recognize a Palestinian state, including more than a dozen in Europe.

Trump special envoy to Syria talks de-escalation with Israel

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Trumps special envoy to Syria says he met with representatives from Syria and Israel to discuss de-escalation, saying that we accomplished precisely that.

Tom Barrack, whos also the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, said on social media that the parties met in Paris on Thursday and committed to further those efforts.

Israel intervened during the latest outbreak of sectarian violence in Syria, which the White House said this week caught President Donald Trump off guard.

Barrack told The Associated Press this week that Israels actions were poorly timed and that they complicated efforts to stabilize the region following years of civil war in Syria.

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Trump has sought to support Syrias new government.

5 children starved to death at a Gaza hospital, and emaciated kids are pouring in

Five starving children at a Gaza City hospital were wasting away, and nothing the doctors tried was working. The basic treatments for malnourishment that could save them had run out under Israels blockade. The alternatives were ineffective. One after another, the babies and toddlers died over four days.

In greater numbers than ever, children hollowed up by hunger are overwhelming the Patients Friends Hospital, the main emergency center for malnourished kids in northern Gaza.

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The deaths last weekend also marked a change: the first seen by the center in children who had no preexisting conditions. Symptoms are getting worse, with children too weak to cry or move, said Dr. Rana Soboh, a nutritionist. In past months, most improved, despite supply shortages, but now patients stay longer and dont get better, she said.

There is no uglier and more horrible phase than this, said Soboh, who works with the U.S.-based aid organization Medglobal, which supports the hospital.

 Read more about starving children in Gaza

UN supports news outlets' plea to let food into Gaza

The United Nations backs a call by four major media organizations for Israel to let adequate food supplies into Gaza and allow journalists to enter and exit freely.

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U.N. staff in Gaza are hungry too, said deputy spokesman Farhan Haq on Thursday. People are starving because were just not getting in, he said, and reiterated obstacles imposed by Israel to the delivery of U.N. aid.

If this does not get better soon and more aid goes through all the various checkpoints, people will die," Haq said. "Weve been saying this for months, and now were at the point where, in fact, people are dying.

UK prime minister says Gaza situation is unspeakable and indefensible

Ahead of an emergency phone call Friday with the leaders of France and Germany, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Israel to allow aid into Gaza without delay and an immediate ceasefire, as well as the unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas.

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We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe, Starmer said. He said a ceasefire could pave the way toward recognizing Palestinian statehood and a two-state solution.

Britain was one of 28 Western-aligned countries that called this week for an end to the war, the latest sign of Israels deepening isolation. Israel and the U.S. have rejected the criticism.

Ceasefire talks break down as Israel drives Gaza to the brink of famine, aid groups say

Amid Israels blockade and ongoing military offensive, the United Nations food agency says nearly 100,000 women and children are suffering from severe, acute malnutrition. The Gaza Health Ministry has reported a rise in hunger-related deaths.

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Israel says it is allowing in enough aid and blames U.N. agencies for not distributing it. But those agencies say it is nearly impossible to safely deliver it because of Israeli restrictions and a breakdown of law and order, with crowds of thousands unloading food trucks as soon as they move into Gaza.

A separate Israeli-backed system run by an American contractor has also been marred by chaos. Witnesses, health officials and the U.N. human rights office say Israeli forces have repeatedly fired on crowds seeking aid, killing more than 1,000 people. Israel says its forces have only fired warning shots and that the death toll is exaggerated.

Israel faces mounting pressure to end Gazas humanitarian crisis

Twenty-eight Western-aligned countries recently called for an end to the war in Gaza and harshly criticizing Israels blockade and a new aid delivery model it has rolled out.

More than 100 charity and human rights groups released a similar letter, saying that even their own staff are struggling to get enough food.

The U.S. and Israel rejected the allegations and blamed Hamas for prolonging the war by not accepting their terms for a ceasefire.

Israel-Hamas truce has eluded Trump administration for months

The sides have held weeks of talks in Qatar, reporting small signs of progress but no major breakthroughs.

While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith, Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff said in a statement. We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.

It was unclear what alternative options the U.S. was considering. The White House had no immediate comment, and the State Department did not immediately respond to messages.

Where do gaps remain in Gaza ceasefire talks?

Negotiations have been bogged down over competing demands for ending the war. Hamas says it will only release all hostages in exchange for a full Israeli withdrawal and end to the war.

Israel says it will not agree to end the war until Hamas gives up power and disarms. The militant group says it is prepared to leave power but not surrender its weapons.

The U.S. plan called for an initial 60-day ceasefire and a partial, phased hostage release. The two sides were to launch further negotiations on a lasting ceasefire.

Hamas is believed to be holding the hostages in different locations, including tunnels, and says it has ordered its guards to kill them if Israeli forces approach.

Trumps envoy says ceasefire talks are getting cut short

President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff said Thursday the U.S. is cutting short Gaza ceasefire talks and bringing home its negotiating team from Qatar for consultations, after the latest response from Hamas shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.

The breakdown comes just hours after an Israeli official called the latest Hamas proposal workable, although no details were provided. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the record.

Netanyahu warns Hamas against mistaking ceasefire talks for weakness

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that his government is working toward a new agreement to free hostages held in Gaza.

But if Hamas perceives our willingness to reach a deal as a weakness, as an opportunity to dictate lines of defeat that will endanger Israel, it is greatly mistaken, Netanyahu said.

He spoke at a ceremony commemorating the death anniversary of Zeev Jabotinsky. Considered the spiritual father of the Israeli right, Jabotinsky worked closely with Netanyahus father on promoting Zionism in the U.S.

Gaza women describe humiliating and fruitless attempt to get aid at US-run hub

The 10 women told The Associated Press that they waited for hours at the U.S.-run aid site as American contractors told them to move from place to place.

The women said contractors fired pepper spray at the crowds and that in the end they didnt receive any aid.

They terrified us in ways unimaginable, said Azza Abu Taha, a mother looking after six family members. I just want a bag of flour for me and my children.

Umm Ibrahim Anshasi said she arrived at 9 a.m. as instructed. They tell you to wait, then they tell you go out, she said. We came just to be insulted.

The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation acknowledged that a limited amount of aid was distributed at the site where the pepper spray was used. It said that overall, the effort was a major success.

Palestinian killed near Gaza aid site on women-only day, health officials say

Ten women who were at the site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli-backed American contractor, described a chaotic scene on Thursday and said they eventually left without any aid.

The foundation said its contractors used a limited amount of pepper spray to control crowds and prevent injuries, and did not fire any shots.

Some of the women said sound grenades were fired and others heard gunshots. They said Israeli forces were operating nearby. There was no immediate comment from the military.

Khadija al-Qahouji, 37, was shot in the head near the aid site and died, according to Nasser Hospital, which received the body. It did not have further details.

More than 1,000 people have been killed by Israeli forces while approaching the GHF sites since they opened in May, according to witnesses, local health officials and the United Nations human rights office.

The Israeli military says it has only fired warning shots, and GHF says its contractors have only occasionally used pepper spray or fired into the air to prevent stampedes.

Celebrity chef from Israel condemns famine in Gaza

The level of hunger in Gaza is shocking beyond belief, said Yotam Ottolenghi, a Jerusalem-born British chef and bestselling author.

In a post on social media, Ottolenghi said he's adding his voice to global calls for Israel to halt its attacks on Gaza and let aid enter without restriction.

The sequence of events leading to this moment  with victims on both sides  cannot justify withholding food from a whole population, he said. This goes against any value I was raised on.

Ottolenghi wrote a book with Palestinian Sami Tamimi called Jerusalem, covering Arab and Jewish cooking in the holy city.

Netanyahu recalls ceasefire negotiators back to Israel

Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahus office recalled the negotiating team back to Israel in light of Hamas response Thursday morning.

In a brief statement, the prime minister's office expressed its appreciation for the efforts of U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and mediators Qatar and Egypt, but gave no further details.

Earlier Thursday, Israel said Hamas latest response was workable.

Growing optimism that Israel and Hamas are closing in on a deal, official says

An official with knowledge of the Gaza ceasefire talks said Hamas had submitted a positive response through Qatari mediators.

The Hamas response has now been passed to the Israeli side, and there is growing optimism that the gaps are narrowing and a deal can be reached, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the behind-the-scenes talks.

The official said senior officials from the U.S. and Qatar were set to meet in Italy later Thursday to discuss the progress. There were no further details.

 By Josef Federman in Jerusalem

More than 40 Palestinians died from malnutrition in July, Gaza's Health Ministry says

Gazas Health Ministry said 48 Palestinians have died of malnutrition this past month, adding that 59 Palestinians died of malnutrition so far in 2025, up from 50 in 2024, and four in 2023 when Israel started its war against the Hamas militant group in Gaza after its rampage in southern Israel on Oct. 7.

In the most recent cases, a man and a woman died of malnutrition Wednesday, the Shifa Hospital told The Associated Press.

Of the 113 that died of malnutrition in Gaza since 2023, 81 were children, Gazas Health Ministry said.

Since Israels aid blockade in March, Gazas humanitarian situation has become dire, alarming international organizations. The United Nations World Food Program has said 100,000 women and children are facing famine levels of starvation.

The International Rescue Community said their teams in Gaza have reported a surge in cases of children being rushed to the hospital due to malnutrition.

Their small bodies are shutting down  they cant breathe, their immune systems are collapsing, and they are highly vulnerable to infection, IRCs acting director in the occupied Palestinian Territories, Scott Lea, said in a statement Wednesday.

Their lives are hanging by a thread.

Rocket landed near Gaza aid site, Israel says

Israels military said militants had fired a rocket that landed close to an aid distribution site in southern Gaza.

In a statement Thursday, the military said militants in the city of Khan Younis had fired a rocket that landed 250 meters (820 feet) from an aid site in Rafah. The military did not say if the rocket strike injured anyone.

The aid site is run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli-backed American organization distributing aid in Gaza which launched operations in May.

The U.S. and Israel seek to replace the traditional U.N.-led aid distribution system in Gaza, asserting that Hamas militants siphon off supplies. The U.N. denies the allegation.

Indonesia condemns Israeli motion to annex the occupied West Bank

Indonesia has strongly condemned the Israeli Parliaments symbolic motion to annex the occupied West Bank.

In a statement Thursday by Indonesias Foreign Affairs Ministry, the worlds most populous Muslim-majority country reiterated that Israel has no legitimate sovereignty over occupied Palestinian territory and that such actions do not alter the legal status of the territory.

This move constitutes an act of annexation, violating the fundamental principle of non-acquisition of territory by force, the statement said.

We reaffirm our support for the establishment and sovereign State of Palestine within the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with the Two-State Solution.

The declarative motion, passed Wednesday by the Israeli Parliament, or Knesset, has no direct legal implications, although it could place the issue of annexation on the agenda of future debates.

The Southeast Asian nation urged the United Nations Security Council and the international community to take concrete measures to halt what it termed Israels illegal actions, saying it aims to make its illegal occupation of Palestinian territory permanent.

Israeli military says 8 soldiers wounded in ramming attack

Eight Israeli soldiers were wounded Thursday when a car rammed into a bus stop near the central coastal city of Netanya, the military said. The driver fled the scene, prompting a police manhunt.

Two soldiers were moderately wounded and another six were lightly wounded in the attack. The military did not identify the attacker or provide further details.

Palestinian militants have carried out scores of shooting, stabbing and car-ramming attacks since the outbreak of the war in the Gaza Strip. Israel has launched major military operations in the occupied West Bank, and there has been a spike in settler violence against Palestinians there.

5 Palestinians killed in central Gaza

At least five Palestinians were killed in central Gaza late Wednesday, according to the Aqsa Hospital morgue that received the bodies Thursday in the city of Deir al-Balah.

Two people, a man and a woman, were killed east of the city in Israeli tank shelling.

Another person was killed by Israeli troops in a shooting in the Bureij refugee camp, and two others were among a group of people hit by an Israeli strike in Zawaida.

The Israeli military, which has expanded operations in the area in the last few days, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Major media say their journalists in Gaza are increasingly unable to feed themselves

Four leading news organizations said Thursday their journalists in Gaza are facing the threat of starvation as the Israel-Hamas war grinds on.

We are desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families, said a joint statement by The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Reuters and the BBC. For many months, these independent journalists have been the worlds eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza. They are now facing the same dire circumstances as those they are covering.

The statement called on Israel to allow journalists in and out of Gaza and allow adequate food supplies into the territory.

Israel has barred international media from entering Gaza independently throughout the 21-month war.

The deal on the table

Top U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to head to Italy on Thursday to meet top Israeli negotiator Ron Dermer and discuss the ceasefire deal on the table, according to Israeli and U.S. officials.

For Israel, sending Dermer  a close Netanyahu confidant  to the meeting marks a show of seriousness in reaching a deal.

The deal under discussion is expected to include a 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Aid supplies would be ramped up and the two sides would hold negotiations on a lasting truce.

Hamas earlier Thursday submitted a response to the latest ceasefire proposal which an Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media, billed as workable.

American Jewish groups demand an investigation into Israeli settler violence

Prominent religious Jewish leaders in the United States are calling on Israel to investigate a surge of settler violence against Palestinians and the recent killing of an American citizen by Israeli settlers in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

In a statement released Wednesday, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the Union for Reform Judaism and the American Conference of Cantors said Israel must undertake a full investigation into the death of Sayfollah Musallet, a Palestinian-American from Tampa, Florida. Palestinian authorities say Musallet was beaten to death by Israeli settlers while visiting family in the West Bank.

Violence has spiraled in the occupied West Bank since the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, 2023, with at least 955 Palestinians killed there by Israeli fire, according to the United Nations.

The rabbis said Israel must also investigate the growing phenomenon of settler violence overall. They wrote that the far-right government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seems to tolerate and even encourage violence against Palestinians.

Israeli official says Hamas latest proposal is workable

An Israeli official familiar with ceasefire talks said a Hamas proposal was workable and that Israel was studying it. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on record.

Hamas confirmed sending a response to mediators in an statement early Thursday.

Israel said that it was reviewing Hamas response to the latest ceasefire proposal to potentially wind down the war. A statement from the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed receipt of the Hamas response Thursday but did not specify what it entailed.

 By Julia Frankel in Jerusalem

Israeli fire kills two teens in the occupied West Bank

Palestinian health officials said Thursday that two Palestinian teenage boys were killed by Israeli fire Wednesday night in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Israels military said its forces had fired at Palestinians throwing Molotov cocktails toward a highway, killing two near the West Bank town of Al-Khader.

Palestinian health officials named the teens killed as Ahmed Al-Salah, 15, and Mohammed Khaled Alian Issa, 17.

Violence has spiraled in the occupied West Bank since the war that began with Hamas Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel. Over 955 Palestinians have been killed there by Israeli fire during that time, according to the United Nations, many during raids Israel says are to stamp out militancy.
A plane crash that killed an Alaska lawmakers husband was caused by too much moose meat and antlers on board, officials say.

Representative Mary Peltolas husband, Eugene Peltola, died on September 12, 2023, in a plane crash while at work. A report Tuesday, from the National Transportation Safety Board, reveals why the plane, piloted by Eugene Peltola, crashed.

Investigators say he decided to fly the plane beyond its maximum takeoff weight while carrying moose meat from a hunting trip, according to the Associated Press. There was also a set of moose antlers attached to the planes right wing, which caused the plane to drag, the report reveals.

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At the time of the crash, Eugene Peltola was at work with a group of hunters who made plans for him to transport the meat. He flew one load to the city of Holy Cross without incident, investigators say.

On his second run, investigators say he put a larger amount of meat on the plane and attached the antlers to the wing. He didnt use scales to weigh the cargo, the report notes.

Eugene Peltola died in a September 2023 plane crash in a remote area of Alaska (AP)

Downward currents of air, combined with the antlers and the planes heavy weight, likely meant the aircraft didnt have enough power or control to stay up, the report said. NTSB Alaska Region Chief Clint Johnson said those factors all in combination led to the crash, according to KTUU.

If you had been able to take one of those items out, we probably wouldnt be having this conversation, Johnson said.

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Mary Peltola has filed a lawsuit against her husbands employer in the wake of the crash.

At the time of the crash, Eugene Peltola was employed by hunting guide Bruce Werba, according to Peltolas attorney Myron Angstman.

Werbas company organizes and operates hunting trips, and Eugene Peltolas role was to fly people in and out of [hunting] camps, and then fly their materials in and out of camps, Angstman said.

The lawsuit alleges Werba and his companies forced Eugene Peltola to fly excessive hours, to fly without adequate sleep or rest, to fly under unreasonably dangerous conditions, and to carry an external load without the required permit. The lawsuit also alleges the companies failed to provide workers compensation insurance for the pilot.

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The Independent has contacted Werba for comment.

Eugene Peltola's plane (pictured) crashed in a remote area 400 miles away from the closest hospital (National Transportation Safety Board)

Eugene Peltola was the only person on board when the small, two-seat plane crashed in a remote area, accessible only by air and 400 miles away from the closest hospital, according to the report.

Two hunters were at the site of the crash and attempted to help him, but he died within two hours of the impact.

Investigators noted that pilots commonly store antlers on the outside of their planes, but the practice must be approved by the FAA and noted in the planes logbooks. Theres no evidence Eugene Peltola had approval to carry the antlers on the wing, according to the report.

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Eugene Peltola previously served as the Alaska regional director for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and spent decades working at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Mary Peltola was sworn into office in 2022, serving as Alaskas only House member. She lost her re-election bid in November.

Mary Peltola shared a selfie of herself and her husband on X earlier this year to commemorate his birthday.

Buzzy was an amazing husband and father, and rock for people across Alaska, she wrote on February 7. He was someone who you could depend on, and on his birthday today, I am reminded of the life he led and his legacy in Alaska.

His memory will always be one that is an integral part of the state, she added. Happy heavenly birthday Buzzy.

The Independent has contacted Peltolas office for comment.
Gov. Wes Moore (D) inspects damage in Westernport on May 15, in the wake of flooding in the previous week. The state learned this week that its request for federal disaster assistance had been turned down by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. (Photo by Patrick Siebert/Governor's office)

State leaders said they plan to appeal the Federal Emergency Management Agencys denial of disaster assistance for Western Maryland communities slammed by flooding in May.

Little explanation was given for the denial of the request, which state officials said more than met thresholds for federal assistance. The bad news, delivered in what one official called just a basic letter that said you were denied, contrasted sharply with President Donald Trumps effusive announcement on social media Tuesday that FEMA had approved $11.7 million in disaster assistance for areas of West Virginia hit by flooding and tornadoes in June.

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Its definitely a gut punch and it hurts, said Sen. Mike McKay (R-Western Maryland). He said he believes FEMA will provide more information on the denial later.

The request was in response to damage caused to parts of Allegany and Garrett counties after extreme rainfall between May 12 and 14 inundated several towns.

Georges Creek surged to more than 12 feet above major flood stage. Wills Creek in Cumberland rose 8 feet. The Potomac River also flooded. Areas of both counties were evacuated. Midland, Lonaconing and Westernport were among the hardest-hit areas.

Gov. Wes Moore (D), who visited the area soon after the storms, declared a state of emergency. The state also quickly filed for federal disaster assistance.

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In a statement Wednesday, Moore said the flooding caused millions in damages to more than 200 homes, numerous businesses, roads and bridges, railroads, sewer systems, drinking water, and public utilities.

Official damage estimates in the initial request approached $80 million, and McKay said additional damage to the Georges Creek Railroad and from exposed water and gas lines brought the total up to $90 million. Many of those damages were offset by insurance claims and further reduced through a joint assessment process in which FEMA agrees with some claims but denies others, until the damage estimate was reduced to $15.8 million.

But Moore said Allegany Countys threshold for FEMA assistance is $321,460 and Marylands is nearly $11.7 million. The damage from the May floods clearly met disaster assistance criteria established by FEMA, Moores statement said.

These communities demonstrated a clear need through FEMAs own process, and Maryland will appeal the decision to seek all available resources to support the recovery efforts, he said.

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In addition to seeking federal assistance, Maryland provided direct aid to residents and businesses. Allegany County got nearly $460,000 from a state disaster recovery fund through the Maryland Department of Emergency Management, and the state also provided $1 million to Allegany and Garrett counties through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

While he was puzzled by the federal rejection, McKay praised the states response, saying the governor has just hit a home run for the attention to this natural disaster that we had, including letting us know as soon as they got the [FEMA denial] letter.

McKay said he has got to see what the details are of the denial. Then well see what the process is for us to appeal the decision, he said.

Maryland Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and 6th District Rep. April McClain Delaney, all Democrats, called for a reconsideration of the initial denial of aid.

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Two months after flash flooding tore through these communities, they are still in need of support to repair public schools and libraries that were inundated, roads and bridges that were washed out, and homes and businesses that were left severely damaged, their joint statement said.

Even though the cost of the damage in these two rural Maryland counties exceeds the threshold for federal assistance, the Administration is refusing to come to their aid, they said. We strongly urge the President to reconsider this decision and deliver federal resources to Allegany and Garrett Counties so they are not forced to shoulder the burden of recovery on their own.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Western Maryland is not only one of the states more economically challenged regions, it is an area that is dominated by Republicans who voted for Trump, who has called FEMA a disaster and said states should handle disaster recovery with the federal government reimbursing some of the costs.

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McKay dismissed, for now, questions about the denial coming as Trump imposes his vision of government that includes deep cut to budget, staffing and agencies.

I just dont think the time to play politics is now, he said. I really just dont think that we are being penalized because we as a state didnt support the president, and that the three western counties did support the president. But its a valid question.

Even though the denial is a gut punch, McKay said at this point, to not know what the report is about, what has and hasnt been assessed  I just dont think its fair at that point to already get upset with the administration.

McKay said the denial and need to appeal means his community will have to work harder on their own as state officials work through the process. But he worries that, with Allegeny County being one of the poorest in the state, theres no blood from this turnip.

Were already behind the eight ball. Were already behind it. This just makes it that much harder, he said. We were hoping that the federal government would come through. Its very, very disappointing that it hasnt, but there again, we havent gotten the backup documentation yet.
A lawsuit filed in March against the Logansport Police Department and Indiana State Excise Police  which is a division of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Administration  alleges law enforcement officers blew an informants cover while investigating a local grocery store for things like illegal alcohol sales and gambling.

One filing in the lawsuit confirms the plaintiff, Arishmed Dese, was involved in some investigatory measures.

Tyler Miller, who is an excise officer and a defendant in the case, wrote My communications with Plaintiff arranging certain investigatory measures are part of the state excise police investigation and are confidential records.

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The statement goes on to explain that documents filed by Dese that have since been sealed significantly impacted the investigation by revealing investigatory records, identities of suspects, identities of involved law enforcement personnel, identities of sources and detailed investigation techniques and procedures.

Miller also noted Deses filing resulted in the prosecutor declining to bring charges, and therefore shut down the excise police investigation for now.

More than 40 filings have been made in the four months that have passed since the initial filing. The judge is now considering dismissing the case.

Details of the lawsuit

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In Deses initial, hand-written filing, he alleged he was working with Logansport Police when the Indiana State Excise Police got involved. Someone he identifies as Ricki  he initially only knew the individual by the nickname  was allegedly working for the Excise Police and exposed Deses identity as an informer.

Dese alleged he became worried about his personal safety after the incident. He explained in the initial filing that hes since quit dying his hair blond in an attempt to change his appearance and alleged that being outed hurt his mobile car wash business.

His civil lawsuit, filed in United States District Court Northern District of Indiana South Bend Division, seeks $50 million in compensation, as well as $5,000 a week until a decision is reached to cover expenses while he hides and looks to relocate.

His lawsuit alleges negligence from the State Excise Police for exposing his identity as an informant and against the Logansport Police Department for failing to supervise their partners in the state agency, therefore, exposing my identity as a confidential informant to the dangerous group of Haitian people that I was spying on.

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More specifically, he argued the alleged outing amounts to informant tampering, that it was a breach of contract, and that his first amendment right to freedom of expression has been breached since hes changed his appearance out of a concern for his safety.

He also asked in his initial filing for the court to order the defendants to turn in a recording of an investigation procedure that took place Jan. 30, 2025.

Shortly after his initial filing, he asked the federal court to expedite the lawsuit, stating when the case takes long to be decided, this gives an opportunity to the people I have been spying on to find my exact hide out.

Attorneys for both the state and local police departments responded with briefs asking the court to dismiss the case.

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Alex Emerson, the attorney for Logansport defendants, claimed in their motion to dismiss that Dese didnt state a plausible claim against local law enforcement. Emerson also wrote that Dese failed to identify a basis for federal jurisdiction, other than an undeveloped claim brought under the First Amendment.

Additionally, the local defense wrote, the officers have immunity under the Indiana Tort Claims Act and that the Logansport Police Department is not a suable entity.

Even construed broadly, Mr. Deses pleading is woefully short on factual allegations that would entitle him to relief in this court, Emerson wrote.

The states defense attorney, Deputy Attorney General Katherine Meltzer, listed similar reasons for the case to be dismissed, including arguments that both the department and the officers are protected via the Indiana Tort Claims Act.

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Dese asked the federal court to deny the defendants motions to dismiss, accusing the state defense of perjury and claiming they werent acting in good faith.

I have been 100% honest in all my fillings from day one, I have given evidence or proof of my allegations without falsifying any documents, unlike the defendants have filled at least a lie in two or more of their fillings which I proved and reported before this court Dese wrote.

United States Magistrate Judge Scott Frankel called the filings a flurry of motions in a court order filed July 11.

Denying Deses motion to expedite the case, Frankel explained the court still needs to rule on preliminary motions, such as both motions to dismiss. After preliminary motions are resolved and pleadings are finalized, the court would have all parties confer on a proposed discovery plan if the case is not dismissed.

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Both motions to dismiss are now ripe for ruling, Frankel wrote in the court order.

Further down in the document, he added the Court is empathetic to Deses concerns and takes allegations of harm seriously.

Accordingly, when, or if, this case reaches the discovery phase, the Court encourages the parties to propose expeditious discovery and case management plans to the extent reasonably possible, Frankel wrote.

The judge also struck Deses requests to deny the defendants motions to dismiss, explaining the courts rules do not contemplate the filing of a surreply or response to the reply brief  meaning Dese was supposed to ask permission from the court before filing his response to their briefs asking for dismissal.

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The Attorney Generals office declined to comment for this story because the case is still being litigated. The local defendants legal team did not respond to a request for comment.

In an interview with the Pharos-Tribune, Dese explained he decided to represent himself because attorney fees would be financially difficult to cover. While lawyers may have more experience than him, he added, hes confident in his knowledge of the case.
CHICAGO, Ill.  Attorneys and the family of a couple killed earlier this month from the pursuit of another vehicle gathered Thursday morning to announce that they have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city.

68-year-old Donna Julian and 66-year-old George Julian, of Alton, Illinois, were driving near the intersection of northbound Illinois Route 3 and Illinois Route 143 on the morning of July 3 when they were struck by Miko Martin, 29, a driver who was attempting to flee from a traffic stop.

According to officials, Martins vehicle was traveling over 70 mph when he hit the Julians car, causing the vehicle to become engulfed in flames. The Julians were both pronounced dead at the scene.

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Now, the family of Donna and George, along with attorneys from Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. and Dripps & Blotevogel LLC., filed a lawsuit against the City of Wood River for initiating and continuing a deadly pursuit along commercial or residential roadways when it was unable to do so, according to a release.

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Attorneys scrutinized police for engaging in the pursuit as they emphasized the safety of the public was greater at the time than apprehending Martin.

That loss followed a decision made by someone in a position of authority, one that led to a high-speed pursuit described by Chief Wells as a minor traffic offense. It happened on one of the busiest days of the yearand right at lunchtime, when the risk of the public was undeniably high, Mark Briggs, a family member of the Julians, said. That single decision set in motion an irreversible chain of events that devastated our family.

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Martin was charged on July 8 for:

Possession of a firearm by a repeat felony offender

Felon in possession of a weapon

Unlawful possession of a stolen firearm

Two counts of first-degree murder

Two counts of reckless homicide

Three counts of aggravated fleeing a peace officer

FOX 2 has reached out to the City of Wood River for comment, but has not received an immediate response.

The investigation has been taken over by the Illinois State 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 FOX 2.
(WHTM) A new lawsuit claims the way Pennsylvania assesses property values means the people who can least afford it end up paying disproportionately more than others.

Harrisburg-based Community-Justice Project filed the lawsuit, which claims the problem is most prevalent in some of the most urban and rural areas in Pennsylvania.

Furthermore, Pennsylvania is the only state in the United States that doesnt require reassessments of properties on some sort of regular schedule, according to Marielle Macher of the Community-Justice Project.

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Macher says the reason the project is looking to change things is that property values dont all change at the same rate. A home in Harrisburgs Allison Hill might have the same assessment as one in uptown, because they were worth the same decades ago.

Now, both homeowners pay similar taxes, even though one could sell their house for far more than the other. When counties reassess, tax rates have to go down, with some taxpayers paying less and others paying more.

2025.7.11-Complaint-with-docket-number-attached-by-courtDownload

Reassessments are not a revenue-generating event. Theyre a revenue equalizing event, Macher says.

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Macher added that the current system is worse for owners of mobile homes, which are taxed like other homes but depreciate in value like cars.

The Community Justice Project has successfully forced individual counties to conduct new assessments.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
INGRAM, Texas  Officials in this small city that was hit hard by the July 4 floods have urgent questions for their countys emergency management coordinator.

Where was William Dub Thomas when the National Weather Service sent out its first flash flood warning at 1:14 a.m.? Who was coordinating the response in those critical hours when first responders and volunteer firefighters were alerting one another over radio about the rising waters? And what is Thomas, who oversees emergency planning in Kerr County, doing to protect them from the next flood?

Ingrams leaders thought they could finally get answers more than two weeks after the floods Monday night at a City Council meeting, which would have been the first time Thomas addressed the catastrophe publicly. Instead, Thomas canceled his appearance, citing a scheduling conflict.

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We have no information, Mayor Claud Jordan told those who attended the meeting. Nobodys called us. We were hoping to hear from [Thomas], but I guess not.

Ingram, a city of about 1,800 people that swells each summer with visitors to its campgrounds and RV parks along the Guadalupe River, does not have its own emergency management operations and relies on Thomas to oversee its emergency management plan. The growing questions came as residents are in the thick of cleanup and filing for federal assistance, and first responders are moving away from recovery operations after a disaster that killed more than 130 people across the Texas Hill Country.

As the Guadalupe River rose in the early hours of July 4, residents and visitors scrambled to evacuate without any definitive guidance from the county. Floodwaters swept away more than two dozen homes at the Blue Oak RV Park near Ingram, where a 30-foot wall of water engulfed them in 40 minutes, owner Lorena Guillen said. Guillen described seeing trailers tearing up from the ground and plunging into the river. Her husband spotted a man holding babies in the rushing water and tried to save them. But the current overpowered them, and they were swept away.

Ingram officials have told NBC News that no one from the county communicated with them about the emergency response or whether to evacuate after the National Weather Service sent out its 1:14 a.m. flash flood warning.

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Why werent we notified? council member Rocky Hawkins asked.

County officials have provided few details about communication and coordination in the lead-up to the flooding and in the hours when the Guadalupe River and its creeks rose to record levels. Officials have said their primary focus was on search-and-rescue efforts, and Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha assured the public that there would be an after-action review of what happened July 4. His office said Wednesday that it remains in response and recovery operations and that a review has yet to be conducted.

Thomas, who has been the countys top emergency coordinator since 2015, did not respond to requests for comment.

Jordan said he would have welcomed a call to say, Get up! Your towns flooding.

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Why didnt somebody call me at 1:30? he asked. Why didnt Dub Thomas call me at 1:30?

Responding to the chaos

Jordan, Ingrams mayor, said he was unaware of any communication between his city and the county on July 3, ahead of the holiday weekend and the forecast rains.

And Diana Baccus, Ingrams volunteer fire chief, said she was not in communication with anyone from the county on July 4. Ive only spoken to Dub Thomas one time during this entire thing, she said. They had a conversation days after the flooding about the changes to the river.

Her experience in the early morning of July 4 was haphazard as calls came in over the radio that streets were flooded and firefighters elsewhere were suddenly asking for Ingrams help at the Blue Oak RV Park, where emergency responders began arriving around 4 a.m.

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We were just moving, Baccus said as her team undertook rescues at the low-lying RV parks where people had to be roused from bed. Im like, Grab your children, get your stuff, get your pets and go.

Other fire and rescue officials in Ingram and surrounding unincorporated areas also said their focus, upon learning of the flooding, was trying to save lives as other departments began radioing in for help.

In Hunt, an unincorporated area near Ingram brimming with summer camps along the river, at least 27 young campers and staff members died at the all-girls Camp Mystic after floodwaters overtook cabins.

Lee Pool, the chief of the volunteer fire department in Hunt, said that from 3 to 3:30 a.m., he was in bed at home listening to radio chatter when he heard flood, which prompted him to jump into clothes and start heading west on Highway 39 to get to the fire station.

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By that time, the water had already risen to dangerous levels. Pool said he made it as far as Schumacher Crossing, saw that it was impassable and called in to county dispatch to confirm that the river was flooding. The water was rushing in, trapping his vehicle. He said he abandoned it for higher ground, estimating it was 4:15 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. when he was in a safe spot.

Protocol in emergency situations

County officials had at least two ways to alert their community that they faced an impending catastrophe: CodeRed, which cellphone users can opt in to receiving, and the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System, or IPAWS, which is similar to an Amber Alert.

The National Weather Service used IPAWS to send a flash flood warning alert to cellphones at 1:14 a.m. and then again at 4:03 a.m. describing a flash flood emergency.

However, IPAWS data examined by NBC News and NBC affiliate KXAN in Austin does not indicate Kerr County used the system to issue its own alert, such as one that could have ordered evacuations. The first alert the county issued through IPAWS was on July 6 about the high probability of renewed river flooding, according to IPAWS data.

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Data also shows some people did get CodeRed alerts from Kerr County on July 4, although they were versions of the National Weather Service warning and were received inconsistently. Some officials said they got no alerts at all, and one official in Kerrville has told NBC News that CodeRed was not on our mind while they were conducting evacuations around 5 a.m.

Whether emergency alerts on July 4 would have been received on all phones is unclear. Spotty cell service or none at all is not uncommon in parts of Kerr County, northwest of San Antonio.

Joe Arellano, who worked more than two decades as a meteorologist at the National Weather Service before he retired from its Austin/San Antonio office in 2021, said that disaster scenarios can always be chaotic and that its unknown whether sending further warning or evacuation alerts would have made a difference.

The night of July 4 was just a recipe for catastrophic flooding in that area, Arellano said. But that doesnt mean actions couldnt be taken.

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Arellano noted that the lead time on the initial flash flood warning was over an hour, which is excellent as far as warnings go for flooding.

Arellano said that during his time in the National Weather Service office, ahead of a pending emergency, such as severe rain and flooding, meteorologists would arrange conference calls with all the affected counties, including with top officials and emergency managers. The Department of Homeland Security noted on X that such a briefing took place on July 3, but its unclear who attended and whether a representative from Kerr County was on the call.

Arellano said the National Weather Service would be in contact with county emergency management officials so they understood the potential severity of any weather event. Some counties may have staffing overnight to monitor and communicate with the office.

The office also started a National Weather Service online chat before Arellano left his role as a way to communicate with the emergency managers and public officials during any event.

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Arellano said its crucial for weather forecasters and government officials to be in constant communication as they decide how best to notify the public about potentially dangerous and life-threatening events. Its unclear what communication there was between the National Weather Service and Kerr County before and during the flooding.

The Weather Service could be putting out hundreds of warnings, but if theyre not getting out and people are not taking actions, whats the worth of the warning? Arellano said.

Brady Constantine, the emergency management coordinator in nearby Kendall County, said he was in communication with the National Weather Service on July 3 and in the early morning hours of July 4. He said he was in contact with meteorologists in the Austin/San Antonio office by phone and email.

Texas Department of Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd told state lawmakers Wednesday at a hearing examining the tragedy that his agency held a call with local emergency coordinators and local officials that hundreds from around the state called into on July 3.

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The responsibility of being in charge rests with local officials, Kidd said. He also noted that there is no credentialing system for local emergency managers.

Theres no minimum qualifications to be an emergency management coordinator in the state of Texas; its whoever the county judge or whoever the mayor appoints, Kidd said. Were better than that.

Still seeking answers

Stuart Gross, Ingrams code enforcement officer, who has lived near the Guadalupe River for more than 45 years, attended Mondays council meeting hoping to hear from Thomas, whom he called a good guy.

In the absence of evacuation orders, locals were left to communicate with one another through a word of mouth process known as river talk.

Thats the only way I knew we were being evacuated the morning of the Fourth, Gross said. It really was because of those folks that stayed up all night, they do that river talk  they talked to Mountain Home, they talked to Hunt, and thats the reason that we got a good notice to evacuate  nothing else.

Ingrams mayor said Wednesday that he appreciated how officials from neighboring communities have reached out in the wake of the disaster, but he still expects to hear from Thomas as there have been growing calls for a better flood warning system in the county, including sirens along the river.

The county is the big dog, which is why we need to see Dub Thomas in person, Jordan said. Its a day late and a dollar short now.

He said he might put some of his questions for Thomas in writing if he wont appear before the City Council. His top question: Why didnt anybody contact us on July 4?

Suzanne Gamboa reported from Ingram and Erik Ortiz and Daniel Arkin from New York.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
An overpowering stench of rotten egg rises from clouds of steam surrounding a bathtub-sized hole. It was carved out of the rocks here several millennia ago.

Shivering in the late spring breeze whisking off the bay beneath me, I slip into my swimsuit and slide inside. Worn by the bodies of countless bathers, the stone is silky soft. I soon forget the eggy scent of sulphur as I sink up to my neck in the hot spring waters and watch the sun descend in a scarlet blaze over the bay where Agamemnon sheltered with his warships on his way to Troy.

Im in the remote town of Edipsos in northern Evia on the first stage of my journey to see if Greeces mineral-rich waters, which the ancient Greeks once prescribed for treating imbalances in the humours and akidia (brain fatigue), can heal my writers burnout.

Edipsos in Evia, Greece is home to many abandoned resort hotels (Heidi Fuller-Love)

Bubbling out of the ground at 35C, Edipsoss mineral-rich springs  that were sent by the gods for healing according to ancient Greek philosopher Pausanias  have been popular with greats, ranging from Aristotle and Strabo since the 4th century BC. A celebrity magnet right up until the late 20th century, stars including Greta Garbo, Omar Sharif, and Maria Callas once flocked here in their bathing suits and budgie smugglers to take the waters.

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Read more: Where to find your perfect Greece holiday destination

In the post-war years, however, when holistic treatments were replaced by quick-fix chemical cures, Edipsoss glitzy hotels went out of fashion. Nowadays, the resort has plenty of abandoned buildings. With their peeling ochre facades and gaping windows, they frame weed-tangled alleyways criss-crossed with rivulets of steaming spring water where endangered tortoises love to hibernate.

Thermae Sylla Spa and Wellness Hotel sits overlooking the North Euboean Gulf in Evia, Greece (Getty/iStock)

Im staying at Thermae Syllae. Edipsoss first spa hotel, which opened in 1896, its one of the few resorts that have remained open. Named for a Roman general who was cured of a mysterious skin disease here in 84BC, the resort has won countless awards for its hot-spring-fed pools and medical spa complex. Wrapped from top to toe in slimy thermal mud in one of Therma Syllas treatment rooms on the following day, I ponder the sanity of this trip. It doesnt feel very nice now, but youll feel great later, therapist Ioanna says soothingly.

When the dried mud cracks like the veneer on an old painting and Ioanna power-showers me clean, my skin feels soft and smooth. Its volcanic mud and full of minerals needed by your skin  and your soul, she laughs.

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That evening, sipping a refreshing ouzo sour made with anise liqueur and lemon juice at Venti, a clifftop taverna perched high above Euboeas storied bay, I begin to enjoy my hot spring trip.

Read more: The best hotels in Corfu

The bay of Kamena Vourla with its pretty white church (Getty/iStock)

After a hearty breakfast of local treats  spoon sweets in creamy yoghurt and fried feta pie tiropitaria  I trundle across the Euboean Gulf in one of the open ferries that Greeks call pantoufla (slipper) because of their sloppy shoe shape, and drive around the bay to Kamena Vourla. Backed by the pine-furred foothills of Mount Knimis, and overlooking a golden sand beach, this seaside resort loved by Greeks  but rarely on tourist radars  is home to countless hot water springs that contain radon  dangerous in high doses, but beneficial for both mind and body when taken occasionally. I spend the day dipping in and out of the different spring pools. I come here all the time, a healthy-looking octogenarian tells me. Its good for me and its free  what could be better?

The following night, I go upmarket with a stay at Mitsis Galini, a wellness resort and spa with the largest mineral spring pool in the Balkans. Although the lagoon-like pool with its tree-studded islands surrounded by trimmed lawns is stunning, I cant help wondering why Im paying so much money for a health treat that Id enjoyed on the previous day for free.

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Read more: How to escape Corfus crowds in the south of the island

Just along from Kamena Vourla on the main Lamia road, I discover the spear-waving statue of Leonidas, the Spartan king who launched a suicide mission to defend the pass against vastly superior Persian forces in 480BC. It signals the entry to Thermopylae, a hot spring waterfall thats been a healing site since Mycenaean times. The stream of hot water gushes out of a cleft in pine-furred cliffs at 37C. Eyes closed, I let the hot water pummel my body. The noise is deafening.

Lake Vouliagmeni, Greece, is fed by natural, thermal spring water (Getty/iStock)

Afterwards, I feel relaxed and invigorated, just as Hercules must have done when he came here to restore his energy after killing the Nemean lion.

Vouliagmeni Lake, a few hours drive away, is my last stop. Greeks have soaked away their troubles in this hot spring-fed lake for more than 2,500 years, so it seemed like a good spot to end my journey. Floating motionless in the emerald-green waters, I stare up at the luminous blue vault of sky, realising that I havent thought about work all day. These ancient treatments have been the perfect cure for my modern aches.

How to get there

Flights from London Heathrow to Athens with Aegean Airlines start at 147 return. From there, you can hire a car with Hertz and drive three hours to Arkitsa, where the slipper ferry leaves for Edipsos.

Where to stay

Thermae Sylla bookings include access to the resorts mineral-rich hot spring pools.

Mitsis Galini room bookings include breakfast and pool access.

Read more: The best hotels in the Greek isles
Raed Al-Sale, Syrias minister of emergency and disaster management, said rescue teams were carrying out an evacuation.

Two people were killed and at least 70 injured in an explosion in the Idlib countryside of northwestern Syria, the state news agency SANA said on Thursday.

Raed Al-Sale, Syrias minister of emergency and disaster management, said in a post on X that civil defense teams rushed to the scene of a blast of unknown causes in the town of Maarrat Misrin in the northern Idlib countryside.

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He said the teams were carrying out evacuation and rescue operations despite ongoing secondary blasts that were hindering the response.

No final toll of casualties had been confirmed, he added, urging residents to avoid the site for their own safety as teams continued to work under dangerous and complex conditions.

This is a developing story.
(QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The Justice Department is fighting to keep President Donald Trumps former lawyer, Alina Habba, in place as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey after a panel of judges refused to extend her tenure and appointed someone else to the job. Chief Legal Analyst Khalif Rhodes weighs in on the judges decision.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(QUEEN CITY NEWS)  The State Department says its investigating whether Harvard University will remain part of a government program that allows foreign nationals to take part in cultural and educational exchange programs. Chief Legal Analyst Khalif Rhodes explains the move targeting the Ivy League school.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  U.S. Rep. Greg Casar (D-Austin) introduced legislation Wednesday to ban companies from using AI price tools to raise prices on customers.

This legislation comes soon after news broke of Delta Air Lines reportedly planning to expand its use of an AI-powered pricing tool to 20% of its domestic routes by the end of 2025.

Now that AI is developing so quickly, we need the law also to develop, said Casar, who introduced the legislation along with U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan). It should be banned for an airline to know that you have been Googling a family obituary, and then they jack up your airline ticket prices because they know youre desperate to get to a funeral, Casar told KXAN.

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According to NBC reporting, Delta president Glen Hauenstein indicated the companys goal was to have 20% of its Domestic fares set by the AI tool. In a statement, the company indicated the tool was not using personal information to adjust prices.

There is no fair product Delta has ever used, is testing, or plans to use that targets customers with individualized offers based on personal information or otherwise. Delta always complies with regulations around pricing and disclosures, the statement read.

Casar said his legislation would block any company from utilizing the practice.

Companies should have to price their products based on supply and demand. Companies should have to price their products based on how expensive it is to create a service or provide a service or product. They shouldnt be using AI to try to squeeze every last penny out of you, he said.

How it works

Commerce companies have long used targeted advertising to reach consumers. Experts say what is likely to come next is targeted pricing.

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Companies already utilize what is called dynamic pricing.

Dynamic Pricing tends to focus on shifts in supply and demand. So as there are fewer seats on the plane, the price goes up, said Lindsay Owens, Ph.D., Executive Director of the Groundwork Collaborative, a Washington, D.C.-based economic think tank.

Personalized pricing would take it to a new level. The pricing would be set based in part on individual characteristics of you as a consumer, she continued.

Owens said AI models could eventually incorporate personal data  like the device youre using, the zipcode you live in, or where you chose to travel  to adjust prices.

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What zip code are you logging on from? Is it a more affluent zip code? Maybe I can charge you a little more, she said. Are you logging on from a PC or a Mac? If its the latter, maybe I can charge you a bit more.

This is the worry about where Delta could be headed with their new AI pricing partnerships, she continued.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
To the editor: The story of President Trump chiseling away at Congress power is hardly news anymore ( With gavel in hand, Trump chisels away at the power of a compliant Congress, July 21). The decline of Congress as an effective institution has been happening for years  slowly at first but accelerating in recent times. What succeeded in the 18th century doesnt address the realities of the 21st.

The last and only instance in which Congress declared war before significant hostilities began was in 1812 . In todays fast-paced world, it is nearly impossible for more than 500 legislators to make swift, well-informed decisions, especially on matters of national security. Fundamental change is long overdue.

For Congress to reclaim its role as an equal partner among the three branches of government, it must be restructured to meet the demands of our era. While the United States is more of a republic than a direct democracy, Congress could  and should  embrace republican principles of delegation and efficiency, particularly in areas like national security. Only through such reforms can Congress regain its relevance and effectively serve the nation.

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Jack Kaczorowski, Los Angeles

..

To the editor: As Lisa Mascaro writes, there is a "transfer of political power, from Capitol Hill to the White House as a compliant Congress is ceding more and more of its prerogative to the presidency.

What happened to the balance of power? What happened to legislators representing the will of their constituency?

Sadly, we are witnessing and feeling the effects of an imperial presidency. His whim is their command. His power overrides the law. Fearful legislators no longer have the well-being of constituents as their guiding principle.

The "No Kings" protests voiced our concerns that authoritarianism should not control our lives and well-being. We continue to hope for justice to restore balance to this democracy, not a kingdom.

Lenore Navarro Dowling, Los Angeles

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
To the editor: I strongly disagree with Mark Z. Barabaks column lambasting Gov. Gavin Newsoms proposal to counter Texas threatened redistricting ( Gavin Newsom is threatening to end-run California voters. It reflects a terrible trend, July 23). When Proposition 20 passed in 2010, California voters still believed that our democracy was protected by a system of checks and balances. But things have radically changed since then.

Project 2025, a plan connected to several in President Trumps administration and with which his policies have so far closely aligned , means to undermine the very foundations our system is built on. California is under threat, with the federal government taking away funding and trampling our state's legal authorities. If Republicans in Texas and elsewhere essentially help rig the 2026 elections through mid-decade redistricting, those of us who still believe in democracy have to fight back by winning state-level elections and making sure Texas Republicans can't disproportionately grab power in the national election.

It would be naive to prioritize protecting a 15-year-old ballot measure when fairness in our elections is at stake. I appreciate that Newsom recognizes this and I support his proposal.

Judith Lipsett, Claremont

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
DENVER (KDVR)  Denver Sweet, an LGBTQ+ bar in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, is closing after it said it couldnt stay open with the rising cost of labor, among other factors.

Denver Sweet on Lincoln Street opened six years ago as an all-inclusive establishment. However, the owners said, like many small businesses, rising costs and changing customer habits made it hard to stay open.

I have never seen it this bad: Colfax restaurant to close after rising costs

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This was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but we believe the time has come. Creating and running Denver Sweet has been a dream come true for us  and saying goodbye is heartbreaking, Denver Sweet said in a press release.

Denver Sweet said it faced serious challenges as business never returned to pre-pandemic levels. With the significant decline in traffic, along with the economic conditions and increased operational costs, the bar couldnt stay open.

One of the biggest impacts on the business was the rising cost of labor. Denver Sweet said Colorado and Denvers living wage laws particularly impacted the business.

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Weve done everything we could to push forward  including personally funding operations  but the current climate simply isnt viable for us anymore, Denver Sweet said.

On Sunday, its closing its doors for good. The bar is asking people to come celebrate with them and say goodbye in true Denver Sweet style.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  The city of Liberty Hill hit a new milestone after it was designated an International Dark Sky Community. This means the city is now preserved for its nighttime environment.

DarkSky International designated this preservation, which makes Williamson County the first for such a community. It now joins 22 others that are certified Dark Sky Places in Texas, according to a news release from the city.

Dark Sky Places are all over the world, and the program has certified more than 200 places since Flagstaff, Arizona was named the first International Dark Sky City in 2001, according to the DarkSky website.

In an effort to preserve the nighttime environment in Liberty Hill, DarkSky protects certified places, which requires the use of quality outdoor lighting, effective policies to reduce light pollution, ongoing stewardships practices and more, according to the programs website.

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This comes after citizens in Liberty Hill formed a volunteer group, known as Liberty Hill Save Our Stars, during COVID-19 in 2020. The city said the group partnered with the Planning and Zoning commission and drafted an Outdoor Lighting Ordinance, which was then adopted in 2020.

Since that ordinance was passed, the city said it inventoried more than 1,100 lights, initiated lighting retrofits across City Hall, the Stubblefield Building, and public parks. The city said its also committed to completing all city retrofits, which includes the streetlights that are maintained by Pedernales Electric Coop by August 2027.

Becoming the first Dark Sky city in Williamson County is a proud moment for Liberty Hill and a shining example of what grassroots action can accomplish, Donna Leonard, Founder of Liberty Hill Save Our Stars, said in the release. For over four years, the volunteers of Liberty Hill Save Our Stars have worked tirelessly to protect our night skiesnot just for ourselves, but for future generations. In Texas, the stars at night are supposed to be big and bright. This designation honors that heritage and reflects our communitys deep commitment to preserving what makes our Hill Country home so special.

The city is located 33 miles northwest of Austin and is  surrounded byscenic hills, historic architecture, and a vibrant small-town culture.

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Founded in the mid-1800s, Liberty Hill has worked to balance its rapid growth with efforts to preserve its historic charm  and now, its night skies, the city said.

The citys Dark Sky Committee plans to partner with other Dark Sky Places to host workshops, launch a Tri-County Star Party and more, according to the city.

Liberty Hills commitment to preserving the night sky is a shining example of what can happen when a community comes together with purpose and passion, Cindy Luongo Cassidy, Board President of DarkSky Texas, said in the release. This designation is more than a titleits a reflection of Liberty Hills regional leadership and a powerful reminder that protecting our skies protects our quality of life. Congratulations to everyone involved in this incredible achievement.

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This is an edition of Time-Travel Thursdays, a journey through The Atlantics archives to contextualize the present. Sign up here.

My facial hair arrived without warning. The real kind, not the middle-school variety, greeted me when I was 21 and returning to college after a year off. I found this development annoying: My face had suddenly assigned me the chore of having to shave it very often.

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I shouldve read my Charles Dawson Shanly. In his 1867 treatise on hair in The Atlantic, the poet extolled the revival of facial hair after its many ups and downs throughout history, from 15th-century France until Americas beard-loving Reconstruction. His nearly 7,000-word meditation, entitled Capillary Freaks, is long and messy, much like the authors own mustache was. The romance of hair is too prolific a subject to be lightly handled, he rationalized, perhaps to his editor more than anyone. It was very slow work, to be sure, getting people to separate the idea of folly, or of criminality, from the fact of wearing hair upon the lip. But, finally, the battle was won. Nowadays no man is martyred for his heresy on the subject of the razor.

After a long absence from sophisticated culture, facial hair became more widely accepted in the mid-19th century. Encouraged by a letter from an 11-year-old girl, Abraham Lincoln was the first U.S. president to have a beard. Ulysses S. Grant followed in his footsteps. Seven out of the eight presidents after him would all have envious facial hair, ranging in wildness. There was Benjamin Harrisons neat trim, Theodore Roosevelts asymmetrical handlebar, and Chester A. Arthurs electrified chops. This lineage ended once William Howard Taft and his proportionately enormous mustache left the White House in 1913. No president since has donned mans natural accessory, though some count the stubble Harry Truman grew on vacation in 1948I dont.

The post-Taft decades were a facial-hair great depression. Generations of young men cycled through the military, which forbids beards. There were concerns about hygiene, and professional settings encouraged a clean-shaven lookwhich was all the more attainable after safety razors boomed in popularity. The beard came to mean many things in America, none particularly good. Long black chin whiskers might signal poverty, as they did for Jesse Stuart in 1939. Or indifference to public opinion, as the beard did for Frances H. Eliot in 1945. Or depression, for Leslie Norris in 1977: He feels dirty with all that beard on him, an understanding wife says about her husband in Norriss short story Shaving.

By the 60s, facial hair was considered countercultural, adopted by hippies and revolutionaries. Its appeal widened in the 80s, thanks to the rise of rugged mustaches. Lawyers and doctors didnt grow them, but athletes did, as did icons in the professions that end with star (rock, porn, movie).

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Then came the flannel-wearing, vinyl-loving hipsters, who killed the cool factor of facial hair. In the 2010s, mustaches were no longer meant to be casually perched upon ones lipthey were screen-printed on quirky shirts, chained onto novelty sunglasses, and beard-waxed into curls by guys who liked craft beer and indie music. The power of such cringe-ification is nowhere more apparent than in a 2010 Atlantic article by the writer Chris Good, who interviewed Aaron Perlut, the chairman of the American Mustache Institute (his real title at the time).

There is a sexual dynamic between people who have entered the Mustached American lifestyle and the pleasure that they are able to provide to their partners, that only the Mustached American is capable of, Perlut said. Those that are not capable of living a Mustached American lifestyle, or are unwilling for some reason, can never quite understand that dynamic, but again it goes beyond our sexual proclivities and more to a full, broad lifestyle. Okay.

But if facial hair could no longer be cool, it could be something else: common. These days, calculating politicians disappear for weeks to grow beards, in the hope of seeming less calculating. Vice President J. D. Vance and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg have both adopted beards. So has Senator Chris Murphyperhaps an effort to shed his pointy-headed image, as my colleague Gilad Edelman suspected. (Murphy denied that he was going for a more working-dude aesthetic, as Edelman put it.) Those politicians may not be wrong to think their beards might help their image. My colleague Olga Khazan supported then-Speaker Paul Ryans decision to grow a beard in 2015, since Republicans have struggled to entice women voters. The Atlantic writer Yair Rosenberg noticed in 2022 that several memes made by Joe Bidens supporters showed him as Dark Brandon, sometimes with a beard, a semi-ironic symbol of the vitality that the president so visibly lacked.

Today, Peak Facial Hair has arguably returned. The New York Yankees, a franchise that long forbade its players from growing a beard, reversed course earlier this year. The post-pandemic beard is ubiquitous, and the beardless stache, often paired with a mullet, has become a trendy expression of young masculinity.

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After roughly a year of being sufficiently annoyed about shaving so often, I too grew a beard. Then I shaved my chin to look like Chester Arthur for a weekend. Then I shaved the chops, leaving the mustache. Finally, I went clean for a bit, before restarting the cycle last year: beard, mustache, then clean-shaven in time for my job interviews at The Atlantic.

At the moment, Im back in the mustache stage, sporting a style some call the Walrus. Im happy with the look, but Im sure my beard will make its eventual return. How can I resist? Peak Facial Hair never lasts forever.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4 Utah)  The Red Cross of Utah is working hard to minimize the current nation-wide blood shortage. The need for donors, specifically those with type O blood, is urgent. The Red Cross is also partnering with Fandango to offer movies tickets to those who donate from July 15-31.

The American Red Cross urges all donors to give blood or platelets now to keep the blood supply strong this summer. Make July your time to save lives.

The number of Americans traveling around the Fourth of July crushed recent records, more than 72 million people traveled during the holiday weekend, meaning many donors held off on donating during this time.

In addition to summer fun and holidays, severe summer weather can impact the ability to collect blood and platelets. For example, the recent power outages in Nevada affected the ability to collect and store blood in our neighboring state.

Scheduling and keeping donation appointments are crucial this month to ensure blood products are available in the weeks to come for all patients, including those in trauma situations that may require several lifesaving transfusions.

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Type O blood products are most needed on hospital shelves right now, especially in the face of summer challenges that can quickly cause blood and platelet reserves to drop.

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S needs blood. Type O blood is often the first type to run out when the blood supply runs low.

Type O positive blood is given to patients more than any other blood type. While Type O negative blood is the universal blood type and is often used for transfusions in emergency situations when there is no time to determine the patients blood type.

To encourage donations, type O blood donors who make a whole blood donation by July 31 will get a bonus $20 e-gift card to the merchant of their choice. Or, if donors are eligible to make a Power Red donation, they will get a $25 bonus e-gift card instead.

If you dont know your blood type, thats okay! Youll learn after your donation and donors of all blood types make an immediate difference.

Make the world brighter for patients in need. To schedule a time to give blood or platelets, visit

RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App.

For those who come to give July 15-31, 2025, the Red Cross will say thanks with a Fandango Movie Ticket by email (up to $15 ticket price and fees). Use it to catch a summer blockbuster on the Red Cross! Learn more at RedCrossBlood.org/July.

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The move comes days after Likud issued a statement citing what it called astonishing revelations contained in an official document recently published by the US Congress.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party is weighing the establishment of a governmental inquiry committee to investigate the funding behind the movement protesting judicial reforms.

The move comes days after Likud issued a statement citing what it called astonishing revelations contained in an official document recently published by the US Congress.

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According to the Likud, the document confirms longstanding suspicions that former US president Joe Biden's administration transferred close to $1 billion to left-wing NGOs operating in Israel, allegedly with the goal of destabilizing the right-wing government.

The document exposes that the same entities funding political left-wing organizations in Israel also channeled money, through intermediary bodies, to groups affiliated with Hamas and to international campaigns targeting the State of Israel, Likud said. What weve been saying for years is no longer a theory or conspiracy; it is now a documented fact, backed by official records.

Funds listed didn't originate from US gov't, did not reach organizations in question

The data provided by the report, however, show that the maximum government funds that reached the protest groups in question were less than $600,000.

Protesters spontaneously swarm to Jerusalem and march from Gesher Hameytarim towards the government complex, in calls for elections for the end of the war and for the release of the hostages. (credit: Orna Kupferman)

The report listed a large number of anti-judicial reform organizations and cited various funding sources. However, a large majority of the funds listed in the report either did not originate from the US government or did not reach the organizations in question.

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The report noted that Congresss Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Foreign Affairs on March 26 sent letters to six US and Israeli nongovernmental organizations to request documents related to any grants, cooperative agreements, or other awards received from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) or State Department.

Eliav Breuer contributed to this report.
UPDATE: ALEA says Soto-Sanchez has been found.

MADISON, Ala. (WHNT)  The Limestone County Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics help in finding a man who went missing.

According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, LCSO is searching for 30-year-old Cesar Luis Soto-Sanchez.

(Courtesy of ALEA)

He is described as a white man and may be living with a condition that may impair his judgement.

He was last seen on July 22 at about 9:10 p.m. wearing black shorts and a black shirt in the area of Donnely Drive in Madison.

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Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Cesar Soto-Sanchez is asked to contact the LCSO at (256) 232-0111 or call 911.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
RUIDOSO, N.M. (KTSM) The federal government issued a Major Disaster Declaration for New Mexico this month to provide funding for communities that experienced damage from the floods, according to New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grishams Office.

The declaration has made financial assistance available to individuals, households, and businesses in Lincoln County with losses or damage caused by the flooding.

Residents can apply for the assistance at https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ or by calling 1-800-621-3362.

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This federal declaration delivers the action we sought for a community that has shown incredible resilience through repeated disasters, Grisham said. The people of Lincoln County deserve every resource we can provide, and we will continue working until every family and business in New Mexico has fully recovered.

The declaration also approves funding for emergency work and debris removal for Lincoln County, the governors office said.

This funding will come in the form of reimbursement for 75 percent of costs for response operations, emergency work, and debris removal from public property, Lujan Grishams Office said.

New Mexico continues to push for additional federal resources for permanent repairs to public infrastructure and to add more counties for federal assistance, such as Chaves, Otero, and Valencia counties.

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This Major Disaster Declaration for Lincoln County will unlock funding needed for disaster response, and we will continue to push President Trump to grant the States Major Disaster Declaration request for Chaves, Otero, and Valencia Counties and authorize additional Public Assistance to make sure that all New Mexicans impacted by this disaster are provided with the federal support necessary to rebuild, the New Mexico Delegation said.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
LINCOLN COUNTY, N.M. (KTSM)  Lincoln County residents who sustained damage from the severe flooding last month can now apply for financial assistance from FEMA.

Lincoln County to receive federal assistance after flooding

FEMA says that the financial assistance is available to eligible homeowners and renters in Lincoln County, and it may be able to help with serious needs, displacement, basic home repair costs, personal property loss, or other disaster-caused needs.

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Those who have homeowners, renters, or flood insurance should file a claim first. FEMA says it cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance. If your policy does not cover all of your damage expenses, you may then be eligible for federal assistance.

Homeowners and renters who have disaster-caused damage or loss can apply for individual assistance in several ways. Heres how:

Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Download the FEMA App for mobile devices

Call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362 between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. 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.

View an accessible video about how to apply at: Three Ways to Register for FEMA Disaster Assistance.

When you apply for assistance, have this information readily available:

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If insured, the policy number or the agent, and/or the company name

A current phone number where you can be contacted

Your address at the time of the disaster and the address where you are now staying

Your Social Security number, if available

A general list of damage and losses

Banking information for direct deposit

Those who apply should keep their receipts from all purchases related to cleanup and repair.

Assistance from FEMA can include grants for home repairs, replacement of uninsured personal property, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster.

U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest disaster loans are available to businesses of all sizes, nonprofits, homeowners, and renters. Like FEMA, SBA cannot duplicate benefits for losses covered by insurance, FEMA said.

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For more information on FEMA, click here: https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4886.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Lithuania's Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys has called the Verkhovna Rada's (Ukrainian Parliament) move to limit the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) a mistake and urged Kyiv to stay on track.

Source: Kestutis Budrys on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Quote from Budrys: "Dear Ukrainian friends, Lithuania wishes you well. Thats why we encourage you to not stick to this big mistake that could derail your country from the path of progress. Independence of anti-corruption bodies is essential. The point is not in the details and nuances, but in the very principle of independence from politicians, which is either there or it is not."

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Details: He added that his nation "has come decades in the fight against corruption, and it is not over yet".

"We have not succeeded in everything, and there are countless reasons for this. But the lesson of our success is very clear: this fight needs not only politicians willing to change, clean officers, prosecutors with a strong backbone, but also independent, strong and specialised anti-corruption institutions," Budrys remarked.

Background:

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron intend to hold in-depth discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding measures to combat corruption.

On the evening of 23 July, Zelenskyy commented on the outrage expressed by the public and Ukraines international partners over actions targeting anti-corruption institutions, promising to submit his own draft law to guarantee their independence.

The G7 ambassadors have welcomed Zelenskyy's promise to restore the independence of Ukraines anti-corruption agencies and offered their assistance in this regard.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  Live! in the Community with the Cares Krewe is always on the lookout to see whom we can help pay it forward, and we found the perfect organization.

Live! in the Community rallies around couple after devastating house fire

Live! in the Community with the Cares Krewe has a way of not showing all of its cards right away, and thats precisely what happened when we visited a place of HOPE, love, and comfort located at 2350 Levy Street in Shreveport, LA.

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I wanted to knock out an interview with you quickly about HOPE Connections, said YaLisha Gatewood with the Cares Krewe to Christa Hawkins, the Executive Director.

Christa had no idea what was up our sleeves.

What are the donations that are most important to HOPE Connections? asked Shelli Briery Murphy, Advertising and Public Relations Manager with Live! Casino & Hotel.

Christa shared that 37 individuals reside at the facility on Levy Street, but it is open during the day for others to come in from outside, take showers, do laundry, rest, get water, use the ice machine, and escape the weather.

Then we have the street outreach team. They go out to all the camps, under bridges, abandoned buildings, anywhere people are living unhoused. We have a separate list for them. Thats where we need travel-size hygiene items, tarps, and tents. And, right now their biggest need is bug spray because the bugs are so bad and its just miserable sleeping outside, shared Hawkins.

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As prices go up. We cant afford things. And thats why were setting up a donation station: to bring attention to whats needed for our clients. Youll notice everything on our wish list is directly for clients, said Christa.

WATCH: More Live! in the Community with the Cares Krewe

In our tricky ways, we told Christa that we needed to run to our cars quickly and that we would be right back.

You have prizes! exclaimed Christa as we walked in with bags of donations for HOPE Connection and the local community members that they serve.

Small act of kindness. Thank you for what you do in our community, said Shelli Briery Murphy, Advertising and Public Relations Manager with Live! Casino & Hotel.

Hope Connections helps in a multitude of ways:

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HOPE connects agencies and organizations to provide a range of housing options, services, and support to individuals experiencing homelessness.

Serve as the lead agency of the Continuum of Care (CoC), also known as the homeless system, which HOPE Connections refers to as the Homeless Coalition.

HOPE incorporated its coalition in 2001 and became a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization two years later, in 2003. The HOPE CoC predominantly operates in the metropolitan area of Shreveport and Bossier City, but also covers the seven (7) most northwest parishes in Louisiana: Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Red River, and Webster.

If you are interested in helping HOPE Connections through volunteering, donations, financial giving, or hosting speakers to discuss solutions to end homelessness, please call 318-670-4591.

Live! in the community with Cares Krewe logo (KTAL/KMSS)

Live! in the Community with the Cares Krewe looks for deserving recipients each week!

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You can nominate someone to receive a surprise today. Submit your nomination or share an idea for an organization that deserves a surprise.

Live! in the Community with the Cares Krewe. QR Code for nominations (KTAL/KMSS)

Or scan the QR code to submit a nomination. It is easy:

1-Open your camera

2-Position the QR code

3-Follow the link

4-Submit your nomination

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
The Jeffrey Epstein saga that has sucked much of the oxygen of this week's news cycle began a new chapter in Florida's state capital.

News media descended on Tallahassee's downtown federal courthouse July 24 after reports that a top U.S. Department of Justice official was in town to interview Ghislaine Maxwell, former girlfriend to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and herself a convicted sex trafficker.

U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Maxwell met at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida, which is in the courthouse, a short walk from the state Capitol.

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More: Lawmakers want to question Ghislaine Maxwell in Florida prison about Jeffrey Epstein

Here was the scene in Tallahassee:

Top Justice official confirms Maxwell meeting to continue into day 2

7:30 p.m.  U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche posted on social media that his talks with the late Jeffrey Epstein's girlfriend and co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell would extend to a second day.

"Today, I met with Ghislaine Maxwell, and I will continue my interview of her tomorrow," Blanche  the second-in-command at the Justice Department under Attorney General Pam Bondi  posted on X the evening of July 24.

"The Department of Justice will share additional information about what we learned at the appropriate time," he added.

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Earlier, when asked whether the meeting would continue into a second day, David Markus, the Miami attorney representing Maxwell, said he wasn't "going to comment on that now."

Lawyer for Ghislaine Maxwell speaks outside federal courthouse in Tallahassee

4:45 p.m.  David Markus, the Miami attorney representing Ghislaine Maxwell, said he and his client had a very productive meeting July 24 with U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

Markus spoke with reporters outside the U.S. Courthouse in Tallahassee after he and Maxwell met for hours behind closed doors to field questions from Blanche about the notorious Jeffrey Epstein case. He thanked Blanche for meeting with them and for being so professional with all of us.

He took a full day and asked a lot of questions, and Ms. Maxwell answered every single question, Markus said. She never stopped. She never invoked her privilege. She never declined to answer. She answered all the questions truthfully, honestly and to the best of her ability.

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When asked whether the meeting will continue into a second day, Markus said, "We're not going to comment on that now."

More: How Florida is becoming the epicenter of the Epstein case

Blanche seen walking into courthouse

11:34 a.m.  A group of men in suits and ties that was spotted waiting to cross the street near the courthouse earlier on July 24 included Blanche, again confirming his presence in the capital.

Video was taken of him and others by an ABC news camera operator and shared by Tallahassee ABC affiliate WTXL. People close to the proceedings say his meeting with Maxwell is expected to last "all day." They later said Blanche left open the possibility he could meet again July 25 with Maxwell for a second day.

More news teams gathering outside Tallahassee federal courthouse

10:50 a.m.  Reporters from national and local media outlets have gathered outside the federal courthouse in Tallahassee, where Maxwell and her attorney are meeting with U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche to discuss the notorious Epstein case.

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Maxwells lawyer, David Oscar Markus of Miami, arrived at the U.S. Courthouse early July 24 and spoke briefly with reporters from ABC News, telling them he hoped to have a productive meeting.

Aaron Katersky, chief investigative correspondent for ABC News, and Katherine Faulders, senior reporter for ABC News, were doing live reporting outside the courthouse. Ivan Rodriguez of CNN was going live with Wolf Blitzer on the cable network. Other news outlets on scene include the Associated Press, POLITICO, the Miami Herald and WCTV, Tallahassee's CBS affiliate.

Maxwell's brother: Ghislaine has 'new evidence'

10:42 a.m.  The brother of Ghislaine Maxwell now says she is preparing to present the Justice Department with new evidence, according to July 24 reports by The Hill and New York Post.

She will offer "new evidence that was not available to the defense at her 2021 trial, which would have had a significant impact on its outcome, Ian Maxwell told the Post in an email.

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"Ghislaine Maxwell did not testify during her 2021 trial and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who is set to meet with Maxwell, said ... no government official had attempted to contact Maxwell for information until the Trump administration," The Hill reported.

Who is Ghislaine Maxwell?

10:25 a.m.  As the Trump administration battles calls to release its files on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, it has turned its attention to Ghislaine Maxwell, the woman serving a 20-year prison sentence for trafficking a minor to Epstein for sexual abuse.

The Justice Department and FBI said earlier this month that they won't be releasing their Epstein-related files. Pressure has mounted since then for the administration to reconsider, including from members of President Donald Trump's own base who were bitterly disappointed by the announcement.

Maxwell was Epstein's girlfriend for years and was accused of recruiting minors for the disgraced financier's predation. Her lengthy relationship with Epstein and role in his efforts to sexually target minor girls raises the question of whether she knows of others who could have been involved in a sex-trafficking ring with Epstein.

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Maxwell maintains her innocence and is appealing her 2021 sex-trafficking conviction.

But who is she? Find out more from USA TODAY by clicking here.

Photos from the courthouse downtown

10:16 a.m.  It was still a fairly serene scene mid-morning on July 24 outside the federal courthouse in downtown Tallahassee.

DOJ spokesman: No comment

10:04 a.m.  A spokesman for the Department of Justice said "no comment" when asked by USA TODAY whether the Maxwell meeting was happening today in Tallahassee.

But those close to the proceedings confirmed with the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida that the convicted socialite is expected to appear there on July 24.

Reporters set up outside courthouse

9:05 a.m.  A crew with lights and camera had set up under a tent across the street from the federal courthouse. No other news media appeared to be gathered there.

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A gaggle of kids at a church pre-school next door were glued to the playground's chain link fence, trying to figure out what was going on.

No media circus at prison

8:25 a.m.  On the corner opposite the main entrance to FCI Tallahassee, one lone cameraman in a ball cap sat in a fold-up chair, with a tripod and a collapsible wagon of video equipment.

Otherwise, the only hubbub outside the prison fence was what appeared to be groundskeepers mowing the grounds.

This story contains previously published material, including from USA TODAY. Jim Rosica is a member of the USA TODAY Network  Florida Capital Bureau. Reach him at jrosica@tallahassee.com and follow him on Twitter/X: @JimRosicaFL.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: RECAP: Ghislaine Maxwell, feds in Tallahassee for Epstein case
President Trump on Thursday is taking a tour of the Federal Reserve with Chair Jerome Powell in tow. Powell and Trump walked side-by-side in hard hats. Trump was touring renovations at the facility that the administration has taken issue with.

The renovation has stoked calls for Powells resignation.

Earlier Thursday, two Senate Republicans called for a special counsel to investigate whether former President Obama helped an effort to undermine President Trumps 2016 White House bid.

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Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) are pushing for the appointment, saying they want answers about how Obama and his administration manipulated matters in the hopes of a Hillary Clinton victory in 2016.

It follows the White Houses Wednesday release of documents related to Russias effort to influence the 2016 election. That has prompted criticism that the administration is seeking a distraction.

The White House is attempting to move on from the Jeffrey Epstein controversy on multiple fronts, even as House Republicans joined Democrats to call for more transparency in the situation. Amid that, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Epsteins alleged accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell in prison in Tallahassee.

Catch up:

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Follow along all day for updates.

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Livingstone College president stands with student punched by officer in viral video

The president of Livingstone College is standing behind a student who was seen in a viral video being punched by a police officer in Jacksonville, Florida, earlier this year.

Dr. Anthony Davis says he was shocked when he found out it was William McNeil in the video.

This young man checks all the boxes, Davis said.

McNeil is a biology major at the Salisbury school. He also volunteers in the marching band and helps students on campus with various projects.

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RELATED >> Livingstone College student in viral arrest video retains attorney Ben Crump

A new video shared this week is going viral after it showed a deputy smashing McNeils car window during a traffic stop. Deputies say they stopped him for not having his headlights on, and told him to get out of the car.

Theres no rain, McNeil told the officer.

It doesnt matter, youre still required to have your headlights on, the officer responds.

You hear McNeil ask to speak to a supervisor, then things escalate. He was pulled out of out car, punched by officers, and placed under arrest.

I can tell you the one thing that he did right. He showed restraint. He was asking for a supervisor, and next thing you know, hes being punched in the face, Davis said.

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Davis joined McNeil and his new high-profile civil rights attorney, Ben Crump, in a news conference on Wednesday to talk about how they believe his civil rights were violated.

I know I didnt do nothing wrong. I was really just scared, McNeil said.

The Jacksonville sheriffs office released body camera video claiming McNeils cell phone video doesnt tell the whole story.

Despite deputies being cleared of criminal wrongdoing, the sheriff says his department has an internal investigation into their actions.

Davis says the college stands by McNeil and hopes he gets justice.

This happened in February, and you can still see the injuries today, the cognitive decline, I can see it. Hes not the same Will, Davis said.

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When we asked Davis about McNeils future at Livingstone, he said McNeil talked about returning to the school to play a new instrument in the marching band.

As a result of the February arrest, McNeil was charged with several offenses, including marijuana possession, resisting without violence, and driving with a suspended license.

He pleaded guilty to the resisting and suspended license charges, but the other charges were dropped.

(VIDEO >> Senior Assassin: Sheriff warns of dangerous viral game students are playing)
SPANISH FORK, Utah (ABC4)  The sad truth has come to light that brisket sandwiches, beef jerky, and beaver nuggets from Buc-ees may not be in the cards for Utah County after all.

Some popular TikToks and posts across other social media platforms have been convincing many Utahns that the popular gas station and travel center brand based out of Texas will be opening a location in Spanish Fork.

The city weighed in this evening, clarifying that it was just a rumor.

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Some say if you whisper Buc-ees three times at sunset, a beaver appears with a brisket sandwich, Spanish Fork City shared on Facebook. Thats about as real as the Texas-sized rumor going around.

Buc-ees is expanding: Where future travel centers are set to open

In the comments, someone asked why Spanish Fork couldnt get a Buc-ees, and the city replied that cities and businesses dont always have the same plans, but that they love having conversations with retailers looking to move in.

Although Spanish Fork City said theyre not aware of any plans from Buc-ees to move in at this time, they promised to keep the public updated.

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Should that ever change, well let you know, the city said about the rumor.

ABC4 reached out to Buc-ees, and the travel center chain replied that they had no comment on a potential Utah location at this time.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  This weekend, 16 respected dancers from across the country will face off at the Red Bull Dance Your Style North Qualifier in Kansas City, with the hopes of advancing to the National Final in San Francisco, California on Saturday, August 23.

One of those dancers is Kansas Citys Zen Nguyen, whos originally from Saigon, Vietnam.

Nguyens interest in dance began while he was still in high school, when he realized he could use movement as art to express himself. When he was 18, he moved to the U.S., where his career as a dancer began to take off.

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Things to do this weekend in Kansas City July 25-27

I had no friends. Still had to learn English, he said.

Fortunately, there was a dancer [here] that was also from Vietnam. I met with him. He introduced me to the whole Kansas City dance community and thats where I started to learn from everybody and then grow as a dancer myself.

Nguyen has lived in Kansas City for more than 12 years and is now an established choreographer and creative director with his own dance studio.

The event kicks off Saturday, July 26, at 3 p.m. with the Midwest Block Party at Made Mobb (211 Southwest Blvd). The block party is free and includes live music, outdoor activities, and local vendors.

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The dance competition is also free and starts at 6 p.m.

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BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN)  A local doctor has returned from a trip to Guatemala, where she and 27 volunteers helped 180 kids hear a little better.

Dr. Sheryl Figliano is an audiologist at the Centers for Hearing Care. She has been going on mission trips to Guatemala for 25 years, helping restore childrens hearing.

This year, their mission was bigger than ever after Dr. Filgliano received a $60,000 grant through Rotary International for new hearing aids.

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They spent a week in Guatemala, working with the Committee for the Deaf and Blind.

We always say on these mission trips, if we change the life of one person, it was worth us going, and in this case, we were able to change the lives of 180 children, so its amazing, Figliano said.

For anyone here at home who is struggling financially and needs hearing aids, the Centers for Hearing Care also has a local mission.

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HILO, Hawaii (KHON2)  For Brandon Gonsalves, what started as just a regular fishing day out of Hilo Harbor became something much more memorable very quickly.

Gonsalves set out his lines at around 6 a.m., and just 30 minutes later felt something big grab on.

Catch of a lifetime: 40 pound ahi caught from beach shore

I thought it was an ahi, Gonsalves said. And then I saw the Marlin jumping and I thought, uh oh thats a big one.'

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Its not a waterpark: Navigating Oahus most dangerous beach

Brandon Gonsalves reeled in a thousand-pound Marlin.

Gonsalves called over his brother and nephew over to help him out, and they spent the next six hours pulling the marlin out of the water. At first, it wasnt something that he was too excited about.

Safer beaches down da road: Sandys lifeguards

This time of year were fishing for ahis, Gonsalves said. When you hook a big marlin it kind of ruins your day, you gotta deal with it when you come in.

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But when Gonsalves realized just how big this marlin really was, his attitude quickly changed.

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It went down and the tides were pulling it up like inch by inch, he said. And once we saw it come up to the surface it was like, wow, that thing its a grander. You know its huge.

For fishermen, a grander is a catch that weighs in over 1,000 pounds. This particular marlin just met that threshold.

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Gonsalves, the captain of the ship Kelsea G, had only accomplished this twice before. One was unofficial, and the other was all the way back in 2002.

But this fish meant more to Gonsalves than just the weight. He explained that it was his late fathers lure that caught it, and this was now the fourth major catch he had made with it, adding sentiment to it.

Gonsalves sold the marlin shortly after to a poke restaurant, and hopes to enjoy some great tasting smoked marlin soon.

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ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR)  Two Virginians could have their lives changed forever after both were arrested and charged with multiple swatting counts.

The Department of Justice stated that Evan Strauss from Moneta assisted in creating and operating an online group known as Purgatory, which utilized multiple platforms to coordinate and plan their attacks.

Bedford County man pleaded guilty to federal swatting charges

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In Virginia Beach, a man has also been arrested and charged with a trio of swatting counts for allegedly sending police to his ex-girlfriends house over and over again.

Swatting is when someone makes a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to dispatch a large number of law enforcement officers, Doctor Tod Burke, a criminologist and former police officer, said. Its often a S.W.A.T. team, but it doesnt have to be.

The caller might view it as a prank, but it can have a severe impact on the people involved in the swatting response.

Youre taking away resources, where they can be used in another event that is occurring somewhere else, Doctor Burke said. Youre endangering the lives of so many people.

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In Virginia, swatting is a class one misdemeanor, but could be upgraded to a class six or class five felony if someone is injured or killed in the swatting response.

In some localities, you can also be financially responsible for the swatting if convicted.

We have before calculated the hours spent by however many people will arrive to a scene of a false call, and how time they spent there, trying to determine whether it was real or not, Lynchburg Commonwealths attorney Bethany Harrison said. Based on that total dollar amount of their hours times how much they get paid per hour, have ordered the offender to pay that back.

People can face up to a year in prison for a misdemeanor, and a maximum of five to 10 years if convicted of a felony.

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Photo: guvendemir/Getty Images

The post office was Americas original gossip huband it had to be designed for this important role. In the colonial period, there were no dedicated post office buildings; almost all the post offices were in taverns or shops, says Stephen Kochersperger, a United States Postal Service historian and manager of corporate information services. These were natural community meeting places. People would go there and learn the news, and that pretty much continued until the middle of the 19th century. So in 1852, when the USPS established the Office of the Supervising Architectin a way, its own architecture studioand began constructing its own freestanding buildings, they needed the same democratic spirit represented through architecture.

At first, Greek Revival, Romanesque, or Renaissance Revival style designs were popular, says Noel Roman, a historic preservation architect for the USPS, which is celebrating its 250th anniversary this year. But the 1893 Tarsney Act changed the rulesallowing the US institution to host design competitions to hire private architects to create these civic spaces. The legislation helped set the stage for more locally focused, design-forward post offices, which serve their communities in style.

How is a post office design determined?

In some ways, the history of architecture can be traced through post office design. In the early 20th century, the [USPS] Office of the Supervising Architect embraced this new neoclassical style that was in vogue in that moment, not only for post offices, but for all government buildings, explains Roman.

You may also like: The 11 Most Beautiful Post Offices Around the World

But new post offices built during the 1930s New Dealmost under the Works Progress Administration, which provided jobs in public work projectsoften have a more Colonial Revival style or the governments version of Art Deco, which they called Depression Modern because it was stripped of most ornamentation aside from a few bas-reliefs. Think: Hollywoods iconic 1937 post office, designed by Art Deco architect Claud Beelman. The buildings proportions reference a very pared-back version of classicism while its rectilinear and rational facade features subtle red contrasting details and geometric metalwork.

United States Post Office on Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood. Photo: Vitaly Edush/Getty Images

Postwar, the Modernist design movement brought flat roofs and efficiency-focused post office architecture to the fore, but by the next decade, the Johnson administration began looking to the past. In 1966, President Johnson signed an executive order directing all federal agencies to prioritize historic buildings and historic districts; this order encouraged the reuse of existing historic buildings, explains Roman, whose department is tasked with helping preserve some of those special spaces. Today, more than 1,400 Postal Serviceowned buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places, and the institution aims to add even more. It is an internal policy to treat every building that is 50 years or older as historical because they might be eligible to be listed, adds Roman.

Charleston post office Photo: Charles O'Rear/Getty Images

These historically significant buildings span the country, from Charleston, South Carolinas combination post office and courthouse, constructed in 1896 in the Renaissance Revival style by local architect John Henry Devereux to New Yorks early modernist 1937 Forest Hills Station in Queens, which architect Lorimer Rich clad in terracotta tiles with sculptures by artist Sten Jacobsson.

Does post office design vary by state or region?

The USPS does try to match the appearance of the building to the local environment, explains Kochersperger. We have a post office in Winslow, Arizona [designed by architect Louis A. Simon], that has a really strong Southwestern feeling to it, including adobe inspiration. And it's not just decorativea lot of this is functionality, Kochersperger adds. It really makes it more effective in an environment where it exists.

Post office at Winslow, Arizona, USA Photo: Feifei Cui-Paoluzzo/Getty Images

St. Petersburg, Florida, hosts the nations sole open-air post office, which features a portico modeled after the Italian Renaissance architecture. Its 1917 design was a collaboration between Postmaster Roy Hanna and architect George W. Stuart and inspired by the Filipp Brunelleschidesigned 1445 Ospedale degli Innocenti in Florence, Italy. Hanna thought the unique design would take advantage of the citys pleasant climate while also allowing residents 24/7 access to their PO boxes.

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In locations where mail is delivered by boat, a floating post office may be necessary. The Halibut Cove Post Office in Homer, Alaska, is hosted in a small houseboat tied to a dock. In Detroit, the J. W. Westcott II post office boat delivers letters to sailors on other floating vessels; it has been in service for over 150 years.

First Open Air Post Office Photo: Glen Richard/Getty Images

For post offices built, renovated, or adaptively reusing historic buildings today, sustainability and adaptability to specific sites, are universal design criteria, says Roman. Flexibility is also prioritized so that the post office can continue to serve the needs of its community in the next century. This may require even more unique architectural solutions in the future.

But whatever that may look like, we want the post office to be an inviting place because it belongs to the people in the community, says Kochersperger. And the more at home they feel in it, the more successful the post office is going to be.

Originally Appeared on Architectural Digest

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SIDNEY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  Earlier this week, Sheriff Craig DuMond was recognized for his over 30-year commitment to law enforcement.

On July 20th, Sheriff DuMond was inducted into Sidney Central School Districts Wall of Fame for exemplary service in law enforcement and public service.

A lifelong resident of Delaware County, DuMond graduated from Sidney Central School in 1985, and, shortly after, he began his law enforcement career as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army.

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In 2006, DuMond was elected Supervisor for the Town of Masonville.

In the following years, DuMond rose the law enforcement ranks, eventually being elected as Delaware County Sheriff in 2018.

More recently, Sheriff DuMond was elected president of the New York State Sheriffs Association and works closely with sheriffs from 58 counties.

Sidney Central School District says they are proud to recognize DuMond as a Wall of Fame honoree.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck has issued a warning for a phone scam in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement and spoof phone numbers associated with the sheriffs office.

Scammers will try to falsely convince the person theyre calling that theyve missed a court appearance, ignored a subpoena, or have an active warrant for their arrest. They might also insist that a loved one is in jail and needs immediate bail money.

The scammers cite false charges. They often claim a bond must be paid immediately to avoid further legal trouble. They will pressure the person to make payments through platforms like PayPal, Apple Pay, wire transfers, cyrptocurancy or by debit cards.

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In some cases, these scammers have used actual names of Montgomery County Sheriffs Office employees to sound more convincing.

This scam is designed to create fear and urgency, said Sheriff Streck. Scammers are counting on people to react emotionally. We want residents to be aware, stay calm, and know that our office will never call to demand payment or threaten arrest over the phone.

People are asked to remain cautious and to speak with family members, especially elderly family members who are particularly vulnerable to this type of fraud.

If you receive a suspicious call like those above, dont share any personal or financial information. Hang up and call local law enforcement to report it.

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ST. LOUIS  Some residents across the St. Louis area are expressing concern following a recent string of incidents involving teen violence and misconduct.

The incidents include large fights involving minors over the weekend in Forest Park, dozens of minors being arrested over the fourth of July weekend downtown and another fight between teens caught on camera in a Normandy neighborhood last week.

Police have reminded residents about an active juvenile curfew in the city, while some residents wonder what can be done to keep teens from getting unruly during the summer months.

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Currently, the curfew for minors in the city of St. Louis is 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday-Thursday and midnight to 6 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

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The Dolomites, a pristine range of snow-capped peaks and rolling green fields in Italy, is rapidly becoming a jam-packed theme park as tourists and social media influencers flood the landscape to snap Instagram-worthy pictures.

The record number of visitors pose a risk to the natural habitat and its animals, Italian outlet Corriere Della Sera reported Tuesday. The region, Trentino Alto Adige, has already experienced a drastic increase in recent years, with 34 million visitors flocking to the small region in 2022. Locals now say the numbers have ballooned even further.

Brigitte Foppa, a politician with the European Greens party, told the Daily Mail that tourism in the area has been underestimated for years.

The Dolomite mountains around Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. / Stefano Rellandini / REUTERS

In 2023, tourism minister Arnold Schuler told CNN that the Dolomites had reached the limit of the number of tourists it could handle. As huge crowds queue for the cable car that takes visitors from the town into the mountains, cable car operators in the region have considered tripling chairlift capacity in order to transport more visitors up the picturesque peaks. The number of Airbnbs in the area had also risen by 400 percent over the five years prior. Locals are overwhelmed with skyrocketing housing prices, traffic jams, and the increasing cost of everyday essentials.

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The UNESCO World Heritage Site has long attracted hikers and campers, but it has recently dragged in content creators and TikTok-famous celebs as well. This week it went viral for all the wrong reasons, with influencers showing photos and videos of packed trails and mobs of people rather than high-altitude lakes.

Outraged locals are now attempting to turn the tables, by highlighting their own photos of massive crowds swarming the pristine natural range.

In 2023, tourism minister Arnold Schuler told CNN that the Dolomites had reached the limit of the number of tourists it could handle. / PIERRE TEYSSOT / AFP via Getty Images

One clip showed a hiking trail coming to a standstill, swamped by what looked like hundreds of individuals waiting in line just to get a good glimpse of the mountains.

Waited 1.5 hours for a rushed shot so we didnt hold up the line, one TikTok user posted.

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Environmentalists say that the surge in foot traffic could damage local plant and animal life. Even the tourists fed up with the throngs are making their pilgrimage to find and photograph the space.

Cable car operators in the region have considered tripling chairlift capacity in order to transport more visitors up the picturesque peaks. / Bob Strong / REUTERS

Several have shared videos as part of a TikTok trend that seeks to expose the less-than-picture-perfect reality of popular travel destinations. Users start by showing visuals and videos of the stunning landscapes with the word expectation written over the clip. Minutes later, the video pans out to show a massive line of tourists stuck on the hiking trail as the word reality appears on the screen.

Some locals are so outraged that theyre proposing new changes to mitigate the crowds. One local farmer suggested charging a five euro fee (almost $6) to enter the trails.

Its not the first time Italian locals have slammed tourists for invading the natural beauty. Anti-tourism protestors targeted ski resorts over the winter and Italian locals wrote the words too much in bright red letters atop a snowy mountain.

Residents protest the increase in tourism in Venice, Italy. / MANUEL SILVESTRI / REUTERS

Similar crowds have sparked outrage across Europe. In 2024, 747 million international travelers visited the continent, far outnumbering any other region in the world. Spain, Italy, and France have in particular borne the brunt. The latterwhose capital hosted the 2024 Olympicsreceived 100 million international visitors, while Spain received almost 94 million travelers (double its own population).

Angry protestors in Barcelona have adopted the water gun as a symbol of the citys anti-tourism movement. Theyve taken aim at tourists while carrying One more tourist, one less resident! signs.
LONGMEADOW, Mass. (WWLP)  A federal judge has delayed the sentencing of a Longmeadow businessman who pleaded guilty in a more than $19 million conspiracy to defraud lenders.

Rare chance to see historic rooster from Longmeadow church up close

Louis Masaschi, 59, was scheduled to be sentenced on Wednesday on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Prosecutors say Masaschi and his wife, Jeanette Norman, falsified rent rolls and forged lease agreements to secure loans on properties they controlled in Springfield, East Longmeadow, and Enfield.

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Prosecutors said the fraudulent activity occurred between May 2016 and November 2018 and involved approximately $50 million in loan applications, ultimately resulting in $19.3 million in losses to financial institutions and lenders.

Masaschi and Norman operated through various limited liability companies, including LL Realty Developers, LLC, which owned a portfolio of commercial and residential properties. Authorities alleged that the pair misrepresented the income of these properties by fabricating tenant information and lease agreements to make the building appear more profitable, thereby deceiving lenders into issuing multi-million dollar loans.

The defense requested to postpone the sentencing so a forensic expert could review the loss amounts alleged by the government.

Judge Mark Mastroianni agreed to reschedule the sentencing to October 14.

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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  Longtime councilman and current Mayor Pro Tempore, J.O. Baldwin, recently announced his intentions to run for mayor of North Myrtle Beach in the upcoming November election.

His announcement comes after current Mayor Marilyn Hatley announced that she would be stepping down after almost two decades in office. Currently, former city manager Mike Mahaney and Baldwin are the only two candidates whose announcements have been made.

Mahaney was voted out of his role as city manager back in October 2024 after holding the position for 14 years. Claims were made that he failed to pursue hiring a grant coordinator after multiple requests from the city council.

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He announced he would be running for mayor back in January. Hatley has said that she will not be endorsing anyone at this time.

Baldwin has been on the city council since 2003 and has served as mayor pro tempore for the past couple of years. He says his favorite part of working on the council is helping his community, and he wants to continue to do so if elected mayor.

Baldwin says that some of the goals he wants to focus on are maintaining a safe city, keeping taxes low, and facing the recent challenge of growth in the city.

Growth is probably the biggest challenge all of our cities locally are experiencing, but theres ways to balance growth and smart growth, and we can do that by not allowing massive developments, Baldwin said. When somebody wants to rezone their property to do more than what theyre zoned for, I wouldnt go along with that.

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After years of working closely alongside Hatley, Baldwin says he understands the commitment and is ready to take on the time-consuming job. He says not only has he worked as a city council member for years, but he also grew up here and feels as though he understands his community and wants to be accessible to them.

Its a full-time job; it takes a lot of time. Just being on council takes a tremendous amount of time. Being the mayor is more. I have the experience, and Im dedicated to do this job. Im dedicated to serve them as a full-time mayor, Baldwin said. And Ive always been available on my cell phone and online. You can email me or call me. I encourage people to call me, let me know what their concerns are, or Ill go meet with them.

With many months still to come before the November election, the city of North Myrtle Beach may see other candidates toss their hats in the ring as well.

* * *

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Katie Harrill joined the News13 team as a multimedia journalist in June 2025. She is a native of Cumming, Georgia, and graduated from the University of Georgia in December 2024. You can keep up with Katie on Facebook, X, (formerly Twitter), or Instagram and read more of her work here.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The Louisiana Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS) announced it is hiring more than 50 Child Protective Services (CPS) investigators to work a new shift.

Investigators hired would work the Second Shift, which offers a 10-hour, four-day workweek, alternating weekends off, full state benefits, training, mentorship, and opportunities for career advancement.

Unfortunately, child abuse and neglect is not confined to Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. We must be staffed and ready to respond when needed and this second shift strengthens our capacity to do so on nights, weekends, and holidays, said DCFS Secretary-Designee Rebecca Harris. The second shift also allows our team members to have a better work-life balance and give their best selves to their own children and families.

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Harris said a social work degree isnt necessary to apply and encourages retired first responders to consider filling out an application.

Were simply looking for people with the heart to serve and the grit to show up during difficult moments. If youre ready to protect children and support families, we want you on our second shift team, Harris said.

The agency said new hires could start working by Sept. 15. Click here for more information or to apply.

Louisiana DCFS audit reveals payroll and documentation issues

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The Colorado Supreme Court announced on Monday that it will decide whether a judge's reduction in the amount of time a parent spends with their child amounts to the kind of "restriction" that requires a heightened justification.
LOUISIANA (KTAL/KMSS)  Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has invited Joe Rogan to host him following criticism from one of the podcasters recent episodes.

Landry responded to the host online after one of his guests criticized the Ten Commandments Law, which is only mandated in Louisiana and requires all public schools in the state to display the Ten Commandments in each classroom. In a recent episode, Rogan discussed this issue with James Talarico, a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives.

Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan dies after suffering cardiac arrest: police

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Talrico, a person who upholds Christian values, still believes in the Separation of Church and State, saying, It is what allows this democracy to happen where we can all have different faith traditions and live together in peace, so any attempt to erode that boundary, I feel like I have a special obligation to speak out against it. Talrico described the bill as unconstitutional and even unchristian.

Shortly after the interview was posted online, the democratic representatives comment sparked outrage on social media and even caught Landrys attention. The governor responded to the comments on Twitter, saying,  God is the foundation of our great country, and the separation of church and state is a MYTH.

Governor Landry went on to invite Joe Roagan to have him on so he could explain why Representative Talaricos comments were dead wrong.

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BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV)  A Lowcountry charter school that opened less than two years has now lost its state funding.

In a unanimous vote, the South Carolina Public Charter School Board of Trustees affirmed the revocation of the charter and contract termination with Sea Island Heritage Academy.

The decision ends its Board endorsement for the school and its financial support as well.

According to their website, the South Carolina Public Charter School District authorizes, supports and champions innovative K-12 public charter schools, ensuring quality educational opportunities for parents and academic excellence for students, so every South Carolina child can reach their highest potential.

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There are currently 45 charter schools with 20,600 students in South Carolina.

Sea Island Heritage Academy was approved by the state in April of 2023 as a 6th-12th grade school.

Welcome to Sea Islands Heritage Academy! Here, we believe education should be tailored to each learner, emphasizing strong academics that go beyond a one-size-fits-all approach. By rooting learning in our community and making it relevant to real-world experiences, we empower students to grow, connect, and excel in ways that truly matter, founder Alana Jenkins wrote on the schools website.

In August of 2024, it opened for just sixth through eighth grade students with low enrollment.

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This decision came after a staff recommendation for revocation based on poor board leadership.

During the hearing on June 12, staff brought up the fact there were recent board meetings where only three board members were present and one where no board members attended.

This is a learning lesson or all charter school out there. This is a failure on the Board, Dexter WJ Davis said during that meeting.

No one from school showed up to revocation meeting to fight the revocation.

The Board of Trustees said they wish Sea Island well in their efforts wherever they go from here.

There is currently no word on if the school may now close or what the next step may be.

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CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD)  Its Shark Week, and News 2 is talking with shark advocates from the Lowcountry and beyond. Our guest today joins us from California, Avery Nunn, an expert storyteller and photographer who focuses on the natural world.

In the interview, she shares with us how her love for the planet and its creatures was fostered at a young age, and from the mountains to the waves, has inspired every facet of her work and life since.

For Lowcountry Shark Week, she discusses her experience capturing photos of sharks in their natural habitat.

Photo provided by Avery Nunn

Photo provided by Avery Nunn

Photo provided by Avery Nunn

In 2021, Avery graduated with her Master of Science degree in Journalism from Columbia University, where she specialized in investigative environmental reporting and visual storytelling. Since earning her degree, Avery has contributed words and photographs to National Geographic, Scientific American, Smithsonian Magazine, Popular Science, Grist, Whalebone Magazine, The Inertia, The Surfrider Foundation, and more.

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Outside of her work, Avery is an avid surfer, diver, trail runner, yogi, Star Wars-lover, and Paul McCartney fangirl.

To follow Averys work, follow her on Instagram or visit her website.

For more shark week content, you can tune in to News 2s streaming TV app, WCBD+, at 10:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. this week.

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Jake Larson, a World War II veteran who stormed Omaha Beach on D-Day, was known to his family and friends as "Papa Jake," a good-natured grandfather and avid storyteller.

But thanks to a hugely popular social media presence, Larson's stories and optimism were also shared online with millions of fans and followers.

Larson died July 17 at the age of 102, according to his social media accounts, which are managed by his granddaughter McKaela Larson.

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"Please know, he went peacefully and was even cracking jokes till the very end," she said in the post.

Larson's internet fame started with the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of self-isolation efforts, McKaela, a cruise ship dancer, spent a great deal of her time in the family's Martinez, Calif., home with her grandfather. That's when she created his TikTok account, according to family members.

It became hugely popular. The TikTok account, @storytimewithpapajake, amassed more than 1 million followers and over 11 million likes.

His large following meant Larson's stories were shared worldwide. In addition to a massive online following, he recently won an Emmy for an interview about the anniversary of D-Day with CNN. Last July, he was invited on stage at a Zac Brown concert at the Oakland Coliseum. In November, he visited Disneyland for the first time, where he was named an "honorary citizen."

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On his TikTok account, Larson often described himself as the luckiest man in the world.

The stories he told on the account ranged from the frightening to the hopeful.

He recounted climbing off the ramp of the boat that dropped him off on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944, and watching his fellow troops step in land mines while trying to avoid German machine-gun fire. "I was more afraid of stepping on a mine than I was of the gunfire coming at us," he said in a 2022 post.

In another TikTok post, Larson is asked for the best advice he ever received. "Don't ever give up," he said. "Always do the best you can in life."

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Out of the 16.4 million Americans who served in World War II, only 66,143 were still living as of 2024, according to the National WWII Museum.

Family members described Larson as an infinitely compassionate and optimistic soul who was always "quick to tell you how much he loves you," his granddaughter Krista Paulson said in an interview with The Times.

His grandkids were eager to recall memories and anecdotes about their Papa Jake. Many commenters on Larson's account thanked his family for sharing him with them.

"He made people feel like they were a part of his family," Paulson said. "It's crazy to just share him ... to be able to say that he was ours, but so proud to know that everyone wanted to be a part of his life."

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On his TikTok page, Larson often shared stories about his time in the U.S. Army, where he was a staff sergeant. But many of his grandkids didn't hear these stories growing up.

Read more: Hulk Hogan remembered by Trump, wrestling world: 'Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart'

"He wasn't comfortable talking about it," his grandson Mike Larson said. "Because, let's be honest, back in his day, no one talked about PTSD. ... Once he started opening up, I think it helped him."

Mike Larson said he believed his grandfather's presence on TikTok allowed other veterans to accept that there is a life after their military service. He recounted a time at Disneyland, when a man serving in the Marine Corps hovered around Jake and his family, who were preparing for a photo shoot. Mike Larson said he recognized that the man was in the service and offered to introduce him to his grandfather.

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After a hearty conversation, the man reached out his hand, and Larson immediately pulled him into a big hug. Mike said he saw tears streaming down the Marine's face.

"People don't realize that, you never know what that guy was going through," Mike said, breaking down in tears. "That one conversation could've saved that guy's life."

Larson's online presence also means that his family can return to his posts and relive his stories and warmth documented in hundreds of videos.

Paulson said that when the family returned from the hospital after Larson's death, she heard her oldest child crying on the couch. He had been rewatching Larson's TikTok videos.

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"I think you can't sum it up in any other way," Mike said. "He was the luckiest man alive."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.  A former Arnold Police officer who suffered a close-range gunshot wound to the head in 2017 is back in the hospital. But this time, the news is good.

Ryan OConnor, 51, is spending a month at Craig Hospital in Englewood, Colorado, for intensive speech and physical therapy.

In just a matter of days, OConnor has made dramatic progress. He is using specially designed arm and leg devices to help him regain function on his bodys right side, which has weakened from the gunshot injury. And a harness that drops from the ceiling holds him up so he can use the new brace.

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Its really helped balance him better, with the hope of not just being able to walk around the house, but to be able to get back into the community, his wife, Barbara, told FOX 2 News. Walking through the grocery store. Or going out and doing things with the family where he can walk unassistedwhich is a really big deal.

OConnor has come a long way since Dec. 5, 2017, when a burglary suspect he was transporting shot him, leaving him with a traumatic brain injury. The St. Louis area rallied for the family as the injured officer was flown to Craig Hospital for intensive medical treatment and therapy. He later suffered a serious setback when he had COVID-19.

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Barbara OConnor said she was told only about 5% of patients who suffer his type of injury make it from the hospital to rehab. This visit to Craig has been marked with special memories and happy tears for the OConnor family.

There have been moments sitting at the hospital, even this last week, watching Ryan in the harness, with this new leg brace, seeing him walk, and to remember being in the same place 7 1/2 years ago and being told, Were not really sure whether hes ever going to be able to stand up on his own or hell ever be able to walk again. Its been really overwhelming. Not just for me but for our kids, Barbara said.

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She gives credit to the team at Craig Hospital for helping OConnor push through and progress.

Her husband is very aware of his progress. Thanks to rigorous speech therapy, he can communicate more fluently for the first time.

He has progressed from saying two words put together, to five words, to now seven-word sentences, Barbara said. So working through the aphasia that he suffered after this injuryits incredible to see where hes at. And how much better he can talk with everyone and communicate his needs.

Ryan put it best, recounting the progress he has made: But most of all, Im still standing. Its awesome.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
France will recognize Palestine as a state, President Emmanuel Macron posted on the platform X on Thursday evening.

"In keeping with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine," Macron wrote.

"I will solemnly announce this at the United Nations General Assembly in September this year."

"Peace is possible," he wrote further. He said it is up to the French to demonstrate this together with the Israelis, the Palestinians, and European and international partners.

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Macron emphasized in his post that it is urgently necessary to end the war in the Gaza Strip and to provide aid to the civilian population. Additionally, he said that the demilitarization of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas must be ensured.

Macron wrote that the viability of a Palestinian state must be secured. "There is no alternative," he highlighted in bold in the post.
France will recognize Palestine as a state, President Emmanuel Macron posted on the platform X on Thursday evening.

"In keeping with its historic commitment to a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the State of Palestine," Macron wrote.

"I will solemnly announce this at the United Nations General Assembly in September this year."

"Peace is possible," he wrote further. He said it is up to the French to demonstrate this together with the Israelis, the Palestinians, and European and international partners.

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Macron emphasized in his post that it is urgently necessary to end the war in the Gaza Strip and to provide aid to the civilian population. Additionally, he said that the demilitarization of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas must be ensured.

Macron wrote that the viability of a Palestinian state must be secured. "There is no alternative," he highlighted in bold in the post.

Macron shared in his post a letter to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. In light of the commitments Abbas had made to him, he said he had communicated his determination to proceed in writing, Macron wrote.

The French president had previously indicated his willingness to recognize Palestine as a state.

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Initially, he had named the UN conference on the two-state solution in New York as a possible time for announcing the decision; however, the conference was postponed from June to the end of this month.

Macron had also said that he simultaneously aimed for pro-Palestinian states to recognize Israel and for "mutual recognition" by several states to occur at the conference.

Recently, Norway and the two EU countries Ireland and Spain announced their intention to recognize Palestine as an independent state.

Almost 150 UN member states already recognize Palestinian statehood. However, important Western countries are not among them, including the UN veto powers the United States and the United Kingdom. Germany also does not recognize Palestine as a state.

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Israel is not recognized by countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Syria.

Macron has repeatedly expressed concern about the situation in the Gaza Strip and criticized Israel's actions in the area.

German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said after Macron's visit to Berlin for a working dinner the previous evening that the French president and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had appealed to the Israeli government "to initiate a ceasefire and take humanitarian measures immediately."

France recently signed the appeal by 28 states to end the Gaza war, but Germany did not.

Now the situation seems to be escalating further: According to a statement from the British government, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer intends to coordinate with allies France and Germany in an urgent phone call regarding the situation in the Gaza Strip on Friday.

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Shortly before Macron's announcement, the United States had recalled its negotiating team from Qatar's capital, Doha. The US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff wrote on the platform X that Hamas is not willing to achieve a ceasefire.

Recognition is considered an important incentive for the Palestinian side to make concessions in peace negotiations.

However, critics of recognition argue that the Palestinian Territories lack important criteria for such a step. For example, the border between Israel and the Palestinians remains disputed. This also applies to the political status of East Jerusalem.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte have filed a defamation lawsuit against right-wing US influencer Candace Owens, who claimed the French first lady was born male.

Owens made the claim - one of several about the French presidential couple - on the X platform and in her podcast in March 2024.

The lawsuit, which Owens confirmed in a YouTube video, accuses Owens of making "this false statement to promote her independent platform, gain notoriety, and make money."

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When the Macrons asked Owens to take down the content, it says she "mocked them and used them as additional fodder for her frenzied fan base."

According to the court documents, Owens brought out an eight-part podcast series entitled "Becoming Brigitte," in which she published "a series of verifiably false and devastating lies about the Macrons."

These included that Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron are blood relatives, and that Emmanuel Macron became president with the help of a CIA programme.

The lawsuit states that the Macrons have become victims of "a campaign of global humiliation" that is "relentless and unjustified."

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The 36-year-old influencer has a wide reach in right-wing circles, with 4.4 million subscribers on YouTube and almost 7 million followers on X.

Owens has sparked controversy in the past with her positions. In 2024, the Australian government refused her entry to the country, citing her dissemination of false claims about the Holocaust and Muslims.
As Donald Trumps second term got underway, and the Republican White Houses aggressive offensive against higher education intensified, Columbia University in New York was one of the first schools to embrace a strategy rooted in appeasement. Indeed, in March, Columbia agreed to several of the White Houses demands in the hope that the president would restore $400 million in federal funding that the president and his team had cut off.

Initially, it didnt work. Not only did the school fail to get its money back, but the administration escalated matters last month, threatening the universitys accreditation status.

This week, Columbia cried uncle. NBC News reported:

Columbia University will pay $200 million to the federal government to restore the majority of funding that was cut by the Trump administration over allegations it violated anti-discrimination laws. ... Columbia said in the Wednesday statement that under the agreement a vast majority of the federal grants which were terminated or paused in March 2025  will be reinstated and Columbias access to billions of dollars in current and future grants will be restored.

As part of the deal, the university  which did not admit to any wrongdoing  agreed to, among many other things, establish a a jointly selected independent monitor and provide regular reports to the Trump administration about its continued compliance with applicable federal laws and regulations pertaining to admissions, hiring, and international students.

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Not surprisingly, Education Secretary Linda McMahon was delighted with the developments, and made some conservative media appearances to celebrate the morning after the agreement was reached.

I think this is a monumental victory for conservatives who wanted to do things on these elite campuses for a long time because we had such far left-leaning professors, she told Fox Business, adding: Im really pleased with this victory. It wouldnt have happened if Donald Trump werent president.

She added that the administrations fight against Columbia was part of a larger political effort to ensure that the viewpoints need to be balanced on college campuses.

But thats not what the education secretary was supposed to say. The whole point of the administrations efforts regarding the university was, according to the official line, about protecting students from antisemitic harassment and combating antisemitism in higher education. That wasnt a side goal; it was the reason for the dispute in the first place.

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And yet, there was McMahon, boasting to a national television audience the day after the agreement was reached, touting a monumental victory for conservatives, taking a rhetorical shot at left-leaning professors and prioritizing balanced political viewpoints.

To be sure, this wasnt altogether surprising, but it was striking to hear the Cabinet secretary accidentally admit that effort wasnt just about combating antisemitism.

Several years ago, Michael Kinsley famously wrote, A gaffe is when a politician tells the truth  some obvious truth he isnt supposed to say. The line came to mind anew watching McMahon on Thursday morning.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Its been nearly a week since Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released a bizarre report that alleged that Donald Trumps Russia scandal was the result of a treasonous conspiracy by Democrats, and the political world has quickly reached an uncomfortable equilibrium.

On the one hand, everyone whos seriously examined the DNIs findings quickly came to realize that her document has been discredited, with independent analyses characterizing Gabbards report as ludicrous. On the other hand, the incumbent president, his team and his partisan allies  desperate to both rewrite an embarrassing history and distract attention from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal  are determined to play make-believe, pretending that Barack Obama and other Democrats really were responsible for some kind of seditious coup, reality be damned.

With this in mind, every day this week has been basically the same: Gabbard keeps shoveling obvious garbage; independent fact-checkers and objective analyses keep proving her wrong; and Trump and his aligned partisans keep trumpeting nonsense as if it were real. Rinse, lather, repeat.

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The equilibrium, however, is not permanent.

On Capitol Hill, Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and John Cornyn of Texas now want a special counsel to investigate the Obama administrations actions, which is every bit as bonkers as it seems. A day earlier, the Justice Department also threw off the balance a bit by adding something new to the scales. The New York Times reported:

The Justice Department announced on Wednesday the formation of a task force to look into unsubstantiated allegations by President Trump that President Barack Obama and his aides ordered an investigation into the 2016 Trump campaigns connections to Russia to destroy Mr. Trump.

The move didnt come with great fanfare  there was, for example, no press conference or public event announcing the launch  but the DOJ did issue a written statement alerting the public to the formation of a Strike Force that will examine Gabbards preposterous allegations.

Members of this strike force will, the statement added, investigate potential next legal steps which might stem from DNI Gabbards disclosures.

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The Department of Justice is proud to work with my friend Director Gabbard and we are grateful for her partnership in delivering accountability for the American people, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in the written statement. We will investigate these troubling disclosures fully and leave no stone unturned to deliver justice.

The same document added that the Justice Department takes alleged weaponization of the intelligence community with the utmost seriousness, which seemed rather ironic given the degree to which the director of national intelligence is obviously weaponizing the intelligence community.

Time will tell, of course, what, if anything, comes of the new strike force. Indeed, MAGA activists who heard about this and got their hopes up might want to temper their expectations: DOJ lawyers know that while outlandish claims might help generate misguided reports in conservative media, they cant bring those same claims to a courtroom or a grand jury and expect to succeed.

Nevertheless, the mere existence of this strike force is ridiculous, and a reminder of a larger concern: Just because the Trump administration is trying to use this absurdity to distract attention from the Epstein scandal doesnt mean nothing will happen. Or as Charlie Sykes summarized during an appearance on MSNBC around this time four years ago, A clown with a flamethrower still has a flamethrower.

This post updates our related earlier coverage. It's also been revised with additional details from Capitol Hill.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Its been nearly three months since the Pentagons Office of the Inspector General started looking into the Signal chat leak scandal, specifically examining Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths alleged use of a commercially available messaging app to discuss foreign military strikes. As NBC News reported in early April, In addition to looking at whether Hegseth complied with rules governing classified information, the inspector general will also look at whether rules about record retention were followed.

According to new reporting from The Washington Post, the scrutiny isnt going especially well for the beleaguered secretary.

The Pentagons independent watchdog has received evidence that messages from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths Signal account previewing a U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen were derived from a classified email labeled SECRET/NOFORN, people familiar with the matter said. The revelation appears to contradict long-standing claims by the Trump administration that no classified information was divulged in unclassified group chats that critics have called a significant security breach.

By now, the basic elements of the Signalgate controversy are probably familiar: Top members of Donald Trumps national security team participated in an unsecured group chat about sensitive operational details of a foreign military strike  and they accidentally included a journalist, The Atlantics Jeffrey Goldberg, in their online conversation.

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The final paragraph of Goldbergs piece on the fiasco read, All along, members of the Signal group were aware of the need for secrecy and operations security. In his text detailing aspects of the forthcoming attack on Houthi targets, Hegseth wrote to the group  which, at the time, included me  We are currently clean on OPSEC, referring to operations security.

In other words, the defense secretary was certain that he and his colleagues  while chatting on a free platform that has never been approved for chats about national security or classified intelligence  had locked everything down and created a secure channel of communication.

Of course, we now know that Team Trump was most certainly not clean on OPSEC, Hegseths confidence notwithstanding.

Whats more, while there was some discussion about the nature of the shared details, theres no denying the chat did include highly sensitive information about times and targets, much of which was put there by Hegseth himself.

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1215et: F-18s LAUNCH (1st strike package), Hegseth told his colleagues in the chat. 1345: Trigger Based F-18 1st Strike Window Starts (Target Terrorist is @ his Known Location so SHOULD BE ON TIME)  also, Strike Drones Launch (MQ-9s). At one point, the defense secretary literally wrote, THIS IS WHEN THE FIRST BOMBS WILL DEFINITELY DROP.

Now the Post, with a report that has not been independently verified by MSNBC or NBC News, tells readers that the strike plans shared by Hegseth originated from a classified email written by Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, the top commander overseeing U.S. military operations in the Middle East. The article added:

The SECRET classification of Kurillas email, which has not previously been reported, denoted that the information was classified at a level at which unauthorized disclosure could be expected to cause serious damage to national security. The NOFORN label means it also was not meant for anyone who is a foreign national, including senior officials of close allies of the United States. In accordance with government regulations, Kurilla sent his sensitive message over a classified system, the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network, or SIPRNet, four people familiar with the matter said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to avoid reprisal by the Trump administration.

CBS News ran a related report pointing to the same revelations.

Despite all of this, a Pentagon spokesperson told the Post, The Department stands behind its previous statements: no classified information was shared via Signal. As weve said repeatedly, nobody was texting war plans and the success of the Departments recent operations  from Operation Rough Rider to Operation Midnight Hammer  are proof that our operational security and discipline are top notch.

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The second part of this defense doesnt seem to make logical sense  the success of the mission doesnt necessarily mean that Hegseth was responsible with sensitive national security secrets  and the first part appears to be at odds with the available information about what transpired.

Complicating matters, this is not the only area of potential trouble for the former Fox News host who was confirmed despite bipartisan opposition. Politico published a report last week, which also hasnt been independently verified by MSNBC or NBC News, that noted two related IG investigations that are also ongoing.

[I]nvestigators are looking into whether senior Hegseth aide Ricky Buria helped the Pentagon chief set up an unsecured internet line that bypassed the agencys security protocols and allowed Hegseth to access Signal, according to the three people, all of whom were interviewed recently by officials about the situation. ... In a separate inquiry led by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, a federal law enforcement agency within the Pentagon, investigators are asking whether Buria could have been a source for leaks when he sat in on sensitive meetings as a military aide earlier this year and had access to Hegseths devices, according to the three people.

Its worth noting for context that the existence of these reports suggests not only that Hegseth is facing serious scrutiny, but also that some officials within the Pentagon want the public to know that Hegseth is facing serious scrutiny. Watch this space.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Almost immediately after Donald Trump pardoned Jan. 6 criminals, including convicted felons who violently clashed with police, congressional Republicans were asked for their reactions. They mostly tried to adopt a forward-thinking posture.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, for example, said in response to questions about the pardons, Were looking at the future, not the past. Republican Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota, similarly added, Im ready to move forward.

This was a badly flawed reaction for a variety of reasons, but House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed his partys preferred talking point anyway. The presidents made a decision, we move forward, the Louisiana Republican told reporters on the third day of the new Trump era. Johnson added, Were not looking backwards, were looking forward.

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As it happens, that wasnt altogether true. GOP officials didnt want to look back at Trumps pardons from January 2025, but they most certainly want to look back at the insurrectionist violence from January 2021. NBC News reported:

House Republicans are moving to create a new select subcommittee to continue Congress investigation of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, chaired by Barry Loudermilk, R-Ga. The House will have to vote on the resolution to establish the subcommittee, which would fall under the Judiciary Committee.

The House speaker  the one who said, Were not looking backwards, were looking forward after Trump put violent criminals back on American streets  boasted this week that his party should further investigate Jan. 6 because there is clearly more work to be done.

In reality, its not nearly as clear as the GOP leader wants the public to believe.

In case anyone needs a refresher, it was just a few years ago, as the Republican majority in the House got to work, when the party decided it was time for a new, GOP-friendly investigation into the Jan. 6 attack. The endeavor would be led by Loudermilk, who faced some uncomfortable questions about a controversial Capitol tour the day before the riot.

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After launching his own Jan. 6 probe, the Georgia Republicans first step was simple: He exonerated himself.

In the months that followed, Loudermilk said he intended to determine what really happened on Jan. 6, indifferent to the fact that we already learned what really happened.

More than a year after launching the partisan probe, Loudermilk and his GOP colleagues released a report on their findings, which was effectively meaningless and broke no new ground. The document appeared to be designed to undermine the bipartisan House Jan. 6 committee from the previous Congress, but it failed, and even most Republicans blew it off as irrelevant.

Loudermilk and his cohorts set out to discredit earlier findings and expose shocking new details that would alter the publics understanding of the assault on the Capitol, but the partisan bombshell was a dud.

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In the months that followed, Loudermilk continued to engage in half-hearted efforts  he even asked the Justice Department to launch a criminal investigation into former House GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney for foolish reasons that collapsed under scrutiny  but by any fair measure, the entire endeavor was a failure.

Congressional Democrats barely bothered to push back against Loudermilks investigation for the most insulting of reasons: They saw it as too boring and pitiful to warrant a full-throated response.

Its against this backdrop that the House Republican leaders settled on a brilliant idea: Johnson wants the same congressman who failed in his Jan. 6 investigation in the last Congress to keep going with another Jan. 6 investigation in the current Congress  all while telling the public that GOP lawmakers are looking forward and leaving Jan. 6 in the rearview mirror. He said this week that Republicans are proud to be exposing false narratives from the Jan. 6 committee in the 117th Congress.

MAGA activists who are expecting blockbuster revelations should probably start lowering their expectations now.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Todays installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

* In North Carolinas 2026 U.S. Senate campaign, Democratic officials have spent months urging former Gov. Roy Cooper to launch a candidacy. The pleas apparently worked: Cooper will reportedly launch a Senate bid early next week, eyeing the seat being vacated by retiring Republican Sen. Thom Tillis.

* On a related note, while theres been ample chatter about Lara Trump running in the same North Carolina race, the presidential daughter-in-law has reportedly opted not to run, leaving Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley to pursue the Senate seat with Donald Trumps blessing.

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* In New York, Rep. Mike Lawler made little effort to hide his interest in next years gubernatorial race, but at the presidents urging, the Republican congressman has decided to seek re-election to the U.S. House, clearing the way for Rep. Elise Stefanik to launch a GOP bid for governor.

* Similarly, Rep. Bill Huizenga made little effort to hide his interest in Michigans 2026 Senate race, but at Trumps urging, hes also going to run for re-election, clearing the way for former Rep. Mike Rogers, who narrowly lost a Senate bid last year.

* In the wake of Republicans approving the partys far-right domestic policy bill, the Democratic National Committee is reportedly putting up billboards outside rural hospitals that are either closing or are poised to reduce services as a result of the GOP package.

* With only a few months remaining in New Jerseys gubernatorial race, Republican nominee Jack Ciattarelli now has a running mate: Morris County Sheriff Jim Gannon.

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* And in Georgia, Rep. Mike Collins hasnt formally held a kickoff event for his U.S. Senate campaign, but the Republican congressman said this week, Were in this race. If Collins wins in a GOP primary, hell face incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff next year.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Todays edition of quick hits.

* A highly irregular meeting: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell as his department seeks the release of grand jury transcripts from the case against the late financier and convicted sex offender.

* The White House slowly realizes that diplomacy is hard: The United States is cutting short Gaza ceasefire talks and bringing its negotiating team home from Qatar for consultations after the latest response from Hamas shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff said Thursday.

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* A different kind of challenge in Kyiv: Ukrainian fury was fixed Wednesday on its own government. As Russian drones peppered their homes, their loved ones fought in trenches and their negotiators waded through more pessimistic diplomacy, Ukrainians waged a new battle on the streets of Kyiv and other major cities. Activists called for further protests Wednesday over a law signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that curbs the countrys top two anti-corruption agencies.

* SCOTUS news: The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed President Donald Trump to fire members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, a federal agency Congress set up to be independent of political pressures. The [courts Republican-appointed] justices, granting an emergency request filed by the Trump administration, blocked a Maryland-based federal judges ruling that reinstated Mary Boyle, Alexander Hoehn-Saric and Richard Trumka Jr., all of whom were appointed by President Joe Biden.

* Speaking of the courts: A federal appeals court ruled on Wednesday that President Trumps executive order restricting birthright citizenship violated the Constitution, affirming a district court judges nationwide injunction and bringing the issue one step closer to a full constitutional review by the Supreme Court. (My MSNBC colleague Jordan Rubin wrote up an analysis on this that you should definitely check out.)

* In still more legal news: A Trump-appointed judge on Wednesday dealt a blow to the White Houses bid to kick out labor unions from an array of federal agencies. Judge Alan Albright of the Western District of Texas said that the Trump administration lacks the legal standing necessary to pursue the case it filed against the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest labor union representing federal workers.

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* Another step backwards on public health: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Tuesday formally rescinded federal recommendations for all flu vaccines containing thimerosal, a mercury-based preservative that the anti-vaccine movement has falsely linked to autism.

* If only Republican officials still cared what the GAO said: The Trump administration illegally withheld funding from a roughly $12 billion federal child care program known as Head Start, according to congressional investigators, who said that President Trump and his top aides had wrongly interrupted the flow of money enacted by Congress.

* Its hard not to be concerned about the future of public broadcasting: Edith Chapin, the top editor and acting chief content officer of NPR, will leave the organization later this year, according to two people with knowledge of her decision. Ms. Chapins decision comes at a delicate time for NPR. Last week, Congress cut all $500 million in annual federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which backs NPR and its members. While only a tiny portion of NPRs funding comes from those federal grants, the vote could have seismic effects on many of its member stations.

* An unexpected ruling: Donald Trump ally and MyPillow.com chief executive Mike Lindell on Wednesday persuaded a U.S. appeals court to throw out a judges order requiring him to pay $5 million to a software developer who said he debunked Lindells 2020 election fraud claims. The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis said an arbitration panel improperly interpreted the rules of a contest Lindell set up and oversaw challenging anyone to disprove his claims that Trump won the election.

See you tomorrow.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
For nearly a decade, there have been two core questions at the heart of Donald Trumps Russia scandal. The first was obvious: Did Vladimir Putins regime target the U.S. political system in the 2016 presidential race? The second was complex: Did the Republican campaign partner with Russia during its attack?

For the last several years, Trump and his partisan allies were largely content to focus on the latter. Its why Americans heard the president repeat the phrase no collusion obsessively throughout his first term. The partisan line has never been persuasive  the evidence showed that the Republican campaign welcomed, received and benefited from Russian assistance  but since there is no legal or statutory definition of collusion, much of the conversation landed in an eye of the beholder box.

Most objective observers, taking a good-faith look at special counsel Robert Muellers findings and the reports from the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee, would likely agree that there were scandalous levels of contacts between Team Trump and Russian operatives in 2016. Nevertheless, for nine years, the president and his confederates focused much of their time, energies and political resources trying to provide an answer to the second of the two foundational questions  insisting that the GOP campaign did not partner with Moscow in 2016. Gradually, the dubious assertion became an article of faith among far-right partisans.

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Recently, however, Team Trump pushed its luck. It decided answering the second question was no longer good enough. Instead, it took aim at the first question.

In recent days, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has made a great many mistakes, releasing a bizarre report that accused the Obama administration of a treasonous conspiracy and a years long coup that, in reality, never existed.

But the foundational mistake was the effort itself: Gabbard is trying to convince everyone that Putin didnt actually target the U.S. political system to elect Trump at all. Not only was there no collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian operatives responsible for the attack, the DNI has argued, but there was also no attack.

All the talk about Russian meddling and interference? Gabbard is effectively telling the world, Forget it. That never happened. It was also just an elaborate hoax, hatched by Democratic criminals.

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The problem with this line isnt just that its demonstrably wrong. As a CNN report noted, Gabbard is also contradicting Republicans  including some prominent Trump allies  whove already stated the opposite.

Her argument is full of holes, as even critics of the Russia investigation such as the National Reviews Andrew McCarthy have noted. (Basically, the whole thing conflates Russias attempts to influence the 2016 election with nonexistent attacks on election infrastructure that changed votes.) But just as notable is that Gabbards move to cast doubt on Russias 2016 interference is wholly at odds with several top Trump administration officials, most especially [Secretary of State Marco] Rubio, along with a pair of congressional investigations spearheaded by Republicans.

In 2017, Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee agreed that Russia targeted the U.S. elections. The same year, U.S. intelligence agencies agreed that Russia targeted the U.S. elections. Around the same time, Congress  with broad and bipartisan support  approved sanctions against Russia to punish the Kremlin for having targeted the U.S. elections.

In 2018, prosecutors in the Trump administration prosecuted 13 Russians over their role in targeting the U.S. elections.

In 2019, the Mueller report agreed that Russia targeted the U.S. elections. The same year, Fox News Sean Hannity told viewers, I have zero doubt that Russia meddled in the 2016 election. ... Im certain they did.

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A year later, the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee, led by Rubio, documented the extent to which Russia targeted the U.S. elections.

As recently as two weeks ago, Trumps handpicked CIA director, John Ratcliffe, released the results of an investigation that endorsed the agencys earlier conclusions about Russia targeting the U.S. elections.

The DNI, leaning on discredited findings and claims that have been fairly characterized as ludicrous, is trying to convince the world that everyone, including Trumps Republican allies, have gotten the entire story backwards, based on evidence thats already collapsed.

If shed just stuck to no collusion, Gabbard wouldnt look quite so ridiculous.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
(WHTM)  A new survey from Emerson College Polling shows a majority of voters disapprove of the Trump administrations handling of the Epstein Files.

The poll, which will be released in its entirety on Friday, shows just 16% of those surveyed approve of the Trump administrations handling of the files, while 51% disapprove.

Josh Shapiro responds to noise regarding potential 2028 presidential bid

Additionally, voters are split on whether they believe Epstein was murdered or died by suicide in a New York jail back in 2016. Forty-two percent of voters say they believe Epstein was murdered, while 38% are unsure and 20% believe he committed suicide.

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Forty percent of Republicans surveyed said they believe Epstein was murdered, and 41% are unsure.

The survey of 1,400 registered voters also found that threats to democracy is a rising issue for voters, with 23% saying it is the most important issue facing the United States. The top issue remains the economy at 31%, however, that has dropped 10 points since March.

Despite the issues surrounding the economy and the Epstein Files, President Donald Trumps approval rating remains largely unchanged at 46% approving. The percentage of voters who disapprove has risen from 41% in January to 47% in the latest Emerson College Polling survey.

Democrats are also continuing to hold a slim lead in the generic congressional ballot tracking, with a 44% to 42% lead in July.

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Trump administration faces scrutiny over Epstein files

The top presidential candidates for 2028 were also surveyed, with Vice President J.D. Vance narrowly leading three of the top potential Democratic Party candidates: former transportation secretary Pete Buttigieg, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and California Governor Gavin Newsom (D).

Political Power Ranker

Latest episodes of Political Power Ranker

Spencer Kimball, Director of Emerson College Polling, and Chris Berg, Political Content Director for Nexstar Media Group, discuss the polls findings in this weeks episode of Political Power Ranker.

Each week, Chris and Spencer will examine whos up and whos down in the world of politics based on the latest data from Emerson College Polling, focusing on the states and races that impact the national picture.

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KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -Malaysia is aiming for the lowest possible tariff on goods exported to the United States, its trade minister said on Thursday, denying reports that it is targeting a rate of 20%.

Malaysia is facing a 25% tariff on its goods unless it can reach a deal with Washington by August 1.

Fellow Southeast Asian countries Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia have each reached their own agreements, with the Trump administration placing a 20% tariff on Vietnamese exports, and 19% on Philippine and Indonesian goods entering the United States.

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Malaysia's Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Zafrul Aziz said several sticking points remained in the U.S. talks, particularly on non-trade barriers, but discussions were progressing well and on track to meet the August deadline.

"On balance, I think we can get to a number which we feel is fair for both parties," he told a press conference.

Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter, that Malaysia was seeking a tariff of about 20%, which Tengku Zafrul denied.

"As low as possible... the target of 20% is not the target, the target is lower than that," he said.

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He said there were certain concessions Malaysia was unable to make as they may be detrimental to local industries, but the country was considering every demand that would help it complete the negotiations.

He did not elaborate on what the concessions would be.

Tengku Zafrul has previously said Malaysia was unwilling to cross certain "red lines" in the talks, referring to U.S. demands that he said encroached on domestic interests and national sovereignty.

(Reporting by Ashley Tang; Writing by Rozanna Latiff; Editing by David Stanway)
Malcolm-Jamal Warner Reportedly Tried to Save Daughter Before Drowning originally appeared on Parade.

New details have emerged in the death of Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

According to Elberth Leon, head of the Tourist Police for Costa Ricas Atlantic region, Warner died after he and his daughter found themselves dragged by an ocean current when the drowning accident occurred on Sunday, July 20.

"Both were dragged by the current," Leon told UsWeekly on Thursday, July 24. "They were bathing together and were caught by a rip current. Obviously, as a father, he fought for his daughter, but the current in that area is very strong, and they couldn't accomplish the objective."

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Leon said authorities received a 911 call near Playa Grande, Cahuita, Limon. When tourist police arrived, Red Cross personnel were already at the scene.

"They indicated that Mr. Malcolm was in the water enjoying himself with his daughter. At that moment, they were dragged by a rip current," Leon said. "Two people who were there at the location went in with a surfboard and a boogie board to help rescue the people who were caught in the current."

One person managed to get Warner's daughter back to land safely. Soon after, the unidentified individual had to help another adult male victim.

"They managed to stay with the girl, managed to get her onto the board, but due to the strength of the current, one of them, from Nicaragua, had to let go of the board and push it toward the shore so the girl could make it to land or the coast," Leon continued. "The person who pushed the board was also dragged by the current, so it forced the person with the board to go back into the sea to pull him out. They managed to get him out in critical condition. He was very exhausted."

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Warner was later pulled out by the Red Cross lifeguards and one of the rescuers from Caribbean Guards without vital signs, Leon said. The other victim was transported in critical condition to the local clinic while CPR was performed on Warner.



The actor was later pronounced dead at the scene. He was 54 years old.

Warner was best known for his role as Theodore "Theo" Huxtable in The Cosby Show, for which he received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

He is survived by a wife and daughter whose identities he kept private.

RELATED: Bill Cosby Breaks Silence After Death of 'Cosby Show' Co-Star Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Malcolm-Jamal Warner Reportedly Tried to Save Daughter Before Drowning first appeared on Parade on Jul 24, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Zohran Mamdani is failing to condemn the blatant anti-Semitism of some of his supporters, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has claimed.

Mr Shapiro said the Left-wing New Yorker must not leave room for anti-Jewish rhetoric to just sit there.

You have to speak and act with moral clarity, and when supporters of yours say things that are blatantly anti-Semitic, you cant leave room for that to just sit there, the 52-year-old Democrat said of Mr Mamdani, his partys nominee for New York City mayor.

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Youve got to condemn that, the governor, who is Jewish, added.

A self-described anti-Zionist, Mr Mamdani, 33, is a vocal supporter of Palestinian territories who has been accused of inciting anti-Semitism by refusing to condemn the phrase globalise the intifada.

Democrats divided over endorsing Mamdani

Some Democrat colleagues appear to be hesitant to fully embrace Mr Mamdani, with the mayoral nominee failing to secure endorsements from big names, including Hakeem Jeffries, the House minority leader, Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, and Kathy Hochul, the New York governor.

He does, however, have the backing of a group of progressive politicians known as the squad, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Rashida Tlaib, and Ayanna Pressley.

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Speaking to Jewish Insider, Mr Shapiro added: He seemed to run a campaign that excited New Yorkers. He also seemed to run a campaign where he left open far too much space for extremists to either use his words or for him to not condemn the words of extremists.

New Yorkers protest against Zohran Mamdani - Adam Gray/REUTERS

The comments by Mr Shapiro, viewed as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, were unusual for a politician who normally focuses solely on issues in his home state, where he has a 61 per cent approval rating.

He is the most high-profile Democrat to call out the New Yorker over his views on Palestinian territories. Following his nomination, Laura Gillen, a Democratic representative for Long Island, said: Mr Mamdani has called to defund the police and has demonstrated a deeply disturbing pattern of unacceptable anti-Semitic comments which stoke hate at a time when ant-Semitism is skyrocketing. He is the absolute wrong choice for New York.

Tom Suozzi, a New York representative, said he, too, had serious concerns over Mr Mamdandi.

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I had serious concerns about assemblyman Mamdani before yesterday, and that is one of the reasons I endorsed his opponent. Those concerns remain, he wrote on X.

Mr Mamdani wove his Muslim faith into his campaign, delivering speeches at mosques and speaking to voters while fasting for Ramadan.

Last month, Mr Mamdani said that globalise the intifada was a legitimate expression that could be used by Palestinian supporters, which earned him staunch criticism from the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The very word has been used by the Holocaust Museum when translating the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising into Arabic, which is a word that means struggle, he said as he defended his position.

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The Colorado Supreme Court enacted a new set of rules in March governing how those seeking to enter the legal profession may seek disability-related accommodations on the bar exam and licensed legal paraprofessional exam.
Deputies in Brevard County said a man was arrested after shooting a gun from his truck while he was driving drunk.

Deputies said Nathaniel Wadleigh was arrested for discharging a firearm from a vehicle and driving under the influence near Be Backs Lounge on Aurora Road Wednesday afternoon.

Deputies and officers from the Melbourne Police Department said they responded to reports of shots fired in the area, where witnesses reported seeing a man in a red truck firing a gun.

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Officials said Wadleigh left the scene before law enforcement arrived but was quickly located by a Melbourne police officer in a nearby parking lot.

Wadleigh was arrested on charges of discharging a firearm from a vehicle and DUI.

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MT. VERNON, Ky. (FOX 56)  A vigilante group has led police to make another arrest in Kentucky.

According to an arrest citation, KentuckyPedoPoachers, now known as KyPredoPursuit, contacted the Mt. Vernon Police Department about a man allegedly messaging what he believed to be a 14-year-old about a threesome and sending her an explicit picture and video.

The citation said 48-year-old Francis Witham allegedly admitted to officers that he knew the decoy was 14 years old. He also allegedly admitted to talking to her about having a threesome.

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But he told the officer he talks to a lot of girls and didnt remember sending the picture or the video.

Related:

According to an interview with police, Witham had allegedly arranged the meeting at 40 High Street in Mount Vernon and drove from Winchester with plans to take the girl to a cabin in Powell County and then bring her back home.

KyPredoPursuit shared their side of the encounter on YouTube on Tuesday with a brief interview with Witham and alleged screenshots of their conversations.

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KyPredoPursuit is a vigilante group of independent journalists who run sting operations; they use both YouTube and Facebook to share their stories.

Witham was arrested and lodged in the Rockcastle Detention Center, charged with procurement or promotion of use of a minor by electronic means, promoting a minor (under 16) in a sexual performance, first-offense distribution of obscene matter to minors, and first-degree first-offense possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. A man has been arrested after holding an Exxon worker at gunpoint to take cash from the register on Tuesday, according to Germantown police.

GPD has identified Keith Wilkins, 26, of Memphis, as the person responsible.

Keith Wilkins (Germantown Police Department)

He has been charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, and false imprisonment.

Police say they responded to a call about a robbery that took place at the Exxon gas station located at 1300 S. Germantown Rd.

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According to officers, Wilkins entered the store, brandished a handgun at the employee, and took cash from the register before leaving on foot.

Wilkins was taken into custody Wednesday by the Germantown SWAT Team and GPD Drone Unit.

His bond is set at $250,000. A court date has not been scheduled.

This is still an ongoing investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN)  A man is in custody after a woman died in a shooting on Wednesday afternoon.

The Springfield Police Division first responded to the 100 block of E. Cecil Street around 3:45 p.m. on July 23 on reports of a shooting.

Stolen car chase ends in corn field, police investigating

Upon arrival, officers found a woman with multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Police identified her as Iesha Givens.

Investigation immediately began, and a person of interest was identified. Police say the shooting is believed to have stemmed from a domestic dispute.

Springfield PD arrested a male suspect on preliminary charges of murder, felonious assault and domestic violence.

Investigation remains ongoing. If you have any information regarding this shooting, you are asked to contact Springfield PD at 937-324-7716.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
(FOX40.COM)  An Oakland man is now in custody following a smash-and-grab robbery at a South Sacramento jewelry store earlier this month.

30-year-old Leo Smith was arrested in Hayward with a loaded gun and now faces additional firearm charges. However, the eight other suspects involved remain at large. The robbery happened at Khadim Jewelers on Stockton Boulevard in South Sacramento on July 6.

They had a very direct purpose, and they were in there for less than a minute, Sergeant Amar Gandhi, spokesperson for the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office, said. They had one person kind of buzz in as a customer. That person held the door open while everybody else flooded in.

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The group pepper-sprayed a security guard, smashed display cases and left with about $1,000,000 in jewelry.

They were pretty well planned, pretty smart about this, Gandhi said. They had two cars staged outside. Those guys got in, got out and drove away really quick.

Deputies arrived within minutes, but the suspects were already gone. That is when the investigation began.

Gathering every little bit of evidence they can, whether its fingerprints here, photographs here, videos from surrounding businesses, Gandhi said.

The search for the remaining eight suspects continues and detectives are working diligently to find those responsible.

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Theres going to be a lot of reverse engineering, having to pick up pieces and try to put this whole puzzle together, said Gandhi. A big piece of missing evidence. Were looking for our witnesses. We need some help from the public.

Gandhi asked anyone with information to contact the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers, even offering rewards for tips leading to arrests.

As for Khadim Jewelers and its owner, Rahat Hussain, the aftermath has not been easy. Hussain declined to go on camera on Wednesday, but told FOX40 they are still working to repair damage from the robbery. He mentioned that recent robberies across Sacramento have left many jewelry store owners and employees feeling unsafe.

Sergeant Gandhi recommended armed security, if possible, and encourages business owners to work with the sheriffs office of Problem-Oriented Policing (POP) teams.

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Kind of individualizing some things to where you can keep your business safe, and they can maybe walk through and find some vulnerabilities in your business and in your actual physical space, said Gandhi. Help you shore those things up.

The investigation into this robbery remains ongoing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  The Livingston Parish Sheriffs Office arrested a man after a road rage incident on Wednesday evening.

According to Sheriff Jason Ard, a driver alerted LPSO about a road rage incident on I-12, near the Holden exit. Ard said the suspect, who was later identified as Trent Matthews, 31, of Ponchatoula, reportedly fired multiple shots, shattering the victims window. Matthews is also accused of ramming the victims vehicle multiple times.

The gun was tossed from the vehicle and was later found.

Matthews was arrested and booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center on charges of attempted second-degree murder, illegal use of weapons from a roadway, obstruction, aggravated damage to property, DUI, and additional traffic charges.

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Thankfully, no one has been injured, said Ard.

This is an ongoing investigation.

Latest News

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
Man behind 12-day reign of terror in Atlanta neighborhood sentenced to life in prison

Channel 2 Action News has obtained bodycam video and evidence photos that are helping us piece together how prosecutors got a life sentence for a man they say waged a 12-day reign of terror in a Southeast Atlanta neighborhood.

The lead prosecutor on the case from the Fulton County District Attorneys Office said Drashawn Mitchell was an admitted gang member, though he says he has now quit the gang, and the jury deadlocked on gang charges.

Investigators said Mitchell was the man behind three shootings in less than two weeks in the same neighborhood.

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Mr. Mitchell was just really a menace to society, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said.

That reign of terror ended with the killing of Willie Henderson III, but Mitchell, a 60 Crips gang member.

Mitchell had a troubled history, with six prior felony convictions, four of which were before his Spring 2022 shooting spree.

Now, he is facing thousands of days in prison after being convicted of felony murder.

Judge Emerson sentenced him to life without the possibility of parole, plus 91 years, which is the maximum that he could have received for the charges he was found guilty on, Fulton County senior assistant district attorney Amanda Green said.

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Additional charges against Mitchell stem from the shooting of another man four times in the incident on April 5, 2022, in which Henderson died.

Mitchell also shot a gun to frighten a teenage girlfriend who was not struck on March 25, and was charged in a similar incident with another girlfriend on April 1, 2022.

We will be appealing. He believes he was wrongfully convicted, and so we will be filing a motion for a new trial within the statutory time period of 30 days, and so that should be filed shortly, Mitchells defense attorney Tim Cook said.

Green said the jury deadlocked on a murder charge involving Henderson and on numerous gang counts, even though Mitchell admitted on the stand that he was a gang member at the time.

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He told the jury that in the neighborhood that he grew up, there was peer pressure from a very early age to align yourself with people who would protect you from others. This was a dog-eat-dog world, it was unfortunate, Cook said.

This was a ballistics case. Ballistics is what solved this homicide. The March 25th incident, the casings that were collected at that incident matched the casings that were collected at the homicide scene, Green said

Green said in the second incident, where Mitchell shot at a girlfriend, Atlanta police chased him on foot and did not catch him, but were able to identify him.

It was a self-defense case, Cook said.

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Cook said Mitchell maintains Henderson had shot at him earlier, and Mitchell was afraid he and the man with him were about to be shot at again.

The fact that your client was steeped in the gang culture, do you think that made him more likely to turn to guns to use during a dispute? Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne asked Cook.

Unfortunately, yes, Cook said.

Gang members are much more likely to one. Do crime at all. And certainly to do more violent crime, Willis said.

Green said Mitchell testified someone told him Henderson had fired at him earlier, and he went to investigate, and that another person with him also fired when they confronted Henderson.

She said both Henderson and the other man, who was shot but survived, had guns.

She said Mitchell testified that he recently quit the gang.
An Englishman pleaded guilty to three counts of "fly-tipping," or dumping waste improperly, at the Bradford Magistrates' Court last month, the Telegraph & Argus reported.

Reece Dulay, 32, was caught on CCTV dumping multiple rounds of trash in a large waste receptacle on Law Street in Bradford, between July 7-18, 2024, and then setting the trash on fire. The trash included plastic waste, car parts, scrap metal, a bunch of old household items, and other trash that he had collected from people who paid him to remove the items.

"[The CCTV] recorded the defendant attending the scene several times and unloading his vehicle of waste," said Waseem Raja, prosecutor for Bradford Council, per the Telegraph & Argus.

This repeated behavior was a part of Dulay's unlicensed waste removal business, which he promoted on his Facebook page, boasting, "rapid removals," and "no job [too] big or small."

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Dulay chose an inconspicuous corner of the city, an area already familiar with fly-tipping, to dispose of the waste so as to wipe his hands clean of the unwanted trash while profiting from it.

On top of that, burning the trash, which includes products made with plastic and metals, adds a level of environmental disregard, as burning plastic releases harmful chemicals into the air that are toxic for people in the vicinity, and burning metals  flammable materials and an explosion hazard, according to Dust Safety Science  can result in a larger fire that puts the surrounding community at risk.

"Fly-tipping is fly-tipping, if you see rubbish and you pile on more, you are contributing to it. If you dump waste somewhere you're automatically giving the green light to other people to fly tip there," said Raja, per the Telegraph & Argus.

This case sends a warning to future offenders to think twice before illegally dumping.

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Individuals can also encourage environmental responsibility by engaging in climate discussions with family and friends to educate and inspire action.

"Good to see the council actually doing something about it," one commenter wrote under the Telegraph & Argus article.

"Clearly no concerns or for that matter deference to authority?" one user commented.

Should the government be allowed to restrict how much water we use? Definitely Only during major droughts 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.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A man has been charged with murder after a deadly shooting that happened two weeks ago in south Kansas City, the Jackson County prosecutors office announced Thursday.

KVon Goetz, 20, faces charges of second-degree murder, three counts of armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon and first-degree assault.

City of Kansas City announces opening date for new KC streetcar extension

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According to court records, on July 10, Kansas City police were dispatched to a reported shooting at 118th and Winchester, where officers found a man and woman who had been shot. The man was pronounced dead at the scene, and the woman was taken to a local hospital.

The man who died was identified by police as 29-year-old Keilan Dobbs.

Detectives were able to connect Goetz to the shooting based on traffic cameras and witness reports, according to court records. They were able to determine that Goetz was in an argument that led to the two victims being shot.

Goetz is being held on a $150,000 bond.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
The ending to last Friday's meeting of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission came with news of yet another wolf killing.
A murder suspect charged with killing a 15-year-old Rowan County boy who intervened in the sexual assault of his mother entered the United States illegally in 2021, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Gildardo Martinez, 36, was charged July 20 with murder, first-degree assault and attempted rape. Court documents say he shot two juveniles, fatally shooting Luis Jocsan Nanez Lopez and injuring his sister, at an apartment in the 400 block of West Sun Street in Morehead.

The incident began when Martinez tried to sexually assault his girlfriend, the childrens mother, but Luis intervened, according to court documents.

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Luis would have been a sophomore at Rowan County High School this year, said county coroner John Northcutt.

Martinez was arrested hours after the incident Sunday, and the Herald-Leader learned on Tuesday that he had a federal immigration detainer, according to Rowan County jail officials.

The detainer meant federal officials had probable cause to suspect he was in the U.S. illegally, and he could be turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement when his case is resolved.

Homeland Security confirmed Wednesday that Martinez was in the country illegally, entering sometime in 2021. He tried to enter the country three times at the southern border in 2021 and was successful on his third attempt.

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The exact date and location of Martinezs third attempt to enter the U.S. was unclear Wednesday. Homeland Security said he entered without an immigration officer.

Gildardo Amandor-Martinez is a rapist and cold-blooded killer who should have never been in this country, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a news release.

Martinez is being held on $1 million bond at the Rowan County Detention Center. His next scheduled court appearance is Monday, July 28, for a preliminary hearing.

Rowan County District Judge William Roberts, who is presiding over the case, did not return a request for comment on the case. Martinez attorney, Chris Crigler, also has not returned a request for comment.

Martinez was cited for not having a drivers license in 2023

Martinez had no prior criminal history before his July 20 arrest, but in 2023, he was pulled over for driving with an expired temporary tag in Jefferson County, according to court records.

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Martinez told the officer he did not have a drivers license or an insurance card, and he was ultimately found guilty only of an amended charge of driving without a license. He paid a $50 fine, according to court records.

The judge presiding over the traffic case, Jefferson County District Judge Karen Faulkner, also did not return a request for comment.

Kentucky Republicans call for accountability

Several Republican leaders in Kentucky used Martinezs case to highlight efforts to crack down on illegal immigration.

T.J. Roberts, R-Burlington, said on social media he was furious Martinez had the chance to hurt someone, and he blamed Louisville officials for failing to act on Martinezs residency status when he was pulled over in 2023.

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While Martinez pulled the trigger, Louisvilles sanctuary policy is why hes still here, Roberts wrote in a post on X. We MUST crack down on illegal immigration, BAN sanctuary cities forever, and enable citizens to hold governments that harbor illegals accountable.

Sanctuary city is a term used to describe a city that does not fully cooperate with federal agencies, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement. On Tuesday, Attorney General Pamela Bondi said Louisville is dropping its sanctuary city policies after sending the city a strong written warning.

Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg made the decision to change policies after speaking with local immigrant leaders, according to WDRB. The leaders shared concerns about the risks of remaining on the federal sanctuary city list, including the potential for large-scale immigration raids.

While this will not undo the damage done, the work of the DOJ Immigration Division will save lives, Roberts said on X in response to Louisvilles decision.

Illegal Immigrant Protected by Sanctuary City Murders Innocent Kentuckian



Gildardo Amador Martinez, who the Chicago ICE field office has confirmed to me is here illegally, was arrested Sunday morning for murder, attempted r*pe, and first degree assault after he killed a pic.twitter.com/MXRqTCERPe  TJ Roberts (@realTJRoberts) July 22, 2025

The Republican Party of Kentucky also called out U.S. Rep. Morgan McGarvey, a Democrat from Kentucky, after he released a statement showing support for all Louisvillians.

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When Morgan McGarvey is up for re-election in 2026, voters should remember one thing. He prioritized sanctuary city policies over protecting kids like the 15-year-old who was shot and killed while trying to stop his mother from being sexually assaulted, the Kentucky Republican party wrote on X.

When @MorganMcGarvey is up for re-election in 2026, voters should remember one thing. He prioritized sanctuary city policies over protecting kids like the 15-year-old who was shot and killed while trying to stop his mother from being sexually assaulted. https://t.co/5yQVs7y6jP pic.twitter.com/USJUT0Bz26  Republican Party of Kentucky (@KYGOP) July 23, 2025

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr, a Republican from Kentucky, also weighed in on the case.

Crimes like this horrific murder are EXACTLY why Ive voted to support President Trump and fund the largest deportation operation in American history, Barr wrote on X.
NAUGATUCK, Conn. (WTNH)  A man is facing charges for allegedly driving under the influence with three children in the car in Naugatuck, police said.

Lazaro Ramirez was charged with operating under the influence, three counts of risk of injury to a minor, improper use of registration, operating without insurance, operating without a license and operating an unregistered motor vehicle.

Man charged in crash on Route 9 in Berlin that killed state police chaplain

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Authorities pulled over a vehicle on Waterbury Road around 6 p.m. on Tuesday, police said.

According to police, the vehicle was stopped in the parking lot of the American Motor Lodge. The driver, Ramirez, allegedly told police that he had no license, registration, or insurance.

Police said they suspected the driver might be impaired, and he allegedly admitted to drinking three beers on his way home from work.

Three children, ages 1 through 11, were seen in the back, not properly secured, police said.

Authorities also said they found a folded bill that had what they suspected was cocaine residue and empty beer cans in the car.

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Police administered a sobriety test, and he was arrested.

The Department of Children and Families was notified, police said.

He was released on a $20,000 surety bond and is scheduled to appear in Waterbury Superior Court on August 14.

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A city man who served just over four years in federal prison for a gun offense was indicted for a second time for the same charge.

Read next: Man dies in hit-and-run semi truck crash: Police

An indictment filed Wednesday in the U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio charges Rodrick Jackson, 39, with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The indictment in the case said Jackson had a shotgun on Nov. 1. It provides no other details.

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Jackson is expected to be arraigned on July 31 before U.S. Judge Patricia A. Gaughan.

Jackson is not allowed to have a gun because of a 2018 conviction in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court on a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

In 2020, he was indicted by a federal grand jury and was sentenced in August 2020 to 51 months in federal prison after pleading guilty.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A 50-year-old man has been charged in connection with the death of a woman whose body was found in South Nashville last weekend.

A man walking his dog spotted the body on Knight Valley Drive near Harding Place on Saturday, July 19. When officers arrived just after 7 a.m., they found the womans body  which was inside a garbage bag bound by rope and duct tape  off the side of the road, according to Metro police.

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She was later identified as 34-year-old Samia G. Magzaoui, of Nashville. Investigators believe she died from stab wounds and blunt force trauma.

Juan Ramiro Lopez-Navarro (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

On Thursday, July 24, Metro police announced Juan Ramiro Lopez-Navarro  who was in a dating relationship with Magzaoui  was taken into custody and charged with criminal homicide. He was booked into the Metro jail on a $501,000 bond.

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According to officials, cell phone data and video surveillance led detectives to believe Lopez-Navarro killed Magzaoui before placing her body on the side of the road.

No additional information was immediately released.

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 Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee.

This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.

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VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  A man was recently convicted in connection with a fatal shooting on Garfield Avenue that occurred in 2023.

Police: Man dies following shooting on Garfield Ave. in Virginia Beach

Jamieson Josiah Lee Francis, 24, was found guilty of first-degree murder and use of a firearm following a four-day trial.

According to evidence presented in court, on June 15, 2023, Francis and the victim, 20-year-old Lonnie L.J. Harvey, Jr., were at a family gathering in the 700 block of Garfield Avenue nearby Rosemont Road.

Jamieson Francis (Courtesy: VBSO)

Around 11:25 p.m., officers were dispatched to the residence after witnesses at the party stated they heard gunshots coming from the street. The witnesses then walked outside where they saw Harvey suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

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Officials then said Francis fled the scene while leaving his firearm behind, which was eventually traced back to him. Harvey was then taken to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries.

Following the shooting, Francis hid in the neighborhood, where he then booked a one-way flight to Florida just 48-hours after the incident. About a week after Francis arrived to Florida, he was arrested by U.S. Marshals. Francis told police at a later date that the shooting was in self-defense.

Francis is scheduled to be sentenced on Nov. 3, 2025.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

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Man credits granddaughter with rescuing him, 2 dogs from North Shore house fire

A young woman is being credited with rescuing her grandfather and two dogs from a house fire on Thursday morning.

Lynn firefighters responded to 54 Hacker Road around 10:30 a.m. for a report of a structure fire.

Arriving crews found smoke and flames shooting through the roof of the single-family dwelling.

Fire Chief Daniel Sullivan crews were able to contain the fire to the upstairs part of the house.

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This had the potential to destroy the entire building if it wasnt for their hard effort, despite the climbing temperatures, he said.

There were two dogs and two people inside the home at the time of the fire, which has since been extinguished.

Winston Darlington says he was about to take a shower when the fire broke out.

Winston and his wife, Lisa, credit their granddaughter, Mia Bontis, with getting both he and the dogs out of the house safely.

Im really scared and thankful my granddaughter was home to get him because if she hadnt been, I dont think hed still be here, Lisa said.

The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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As many as five people were displaced, according to fire officials.

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CHICAGO  Family members say a man who went missing for several days has been located.

LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland

It is currently unclear what led to his disappearance or where he was found.

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Context: The above video initially aired on July 23.

Editors Note: This story was changed from the original version, removing the suspects relationship to the male murder victims, as it is unclear if the men were family. Police will only say, theyre all related.

TOPEKA (KSNT)  A man accused of killing two people and kidnapping a 2-year-old child is fighting against being extradited back to Kansas.

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Christopher Barnshaw, 32, appeared in an Illinois court on Thursday, July 24 where he contested a return to Topeka to face his double murder and kidnapping charges, court records show. Law enforcement accuses Barnshaw of killing his sister, Ashley Brown, 29, and another man, Sean Thornton, 55, and then kidnapping Browns son.

Christopher Barnshaws mugshot. (Photo Courtesy/Mattoon Police Department)

33-year-old Topeka man dies in hospital after shooting

Prosecutors said the murders happened Sunday, July 20 at a home in Topekas Oakland neighborhood in the 500 block of Northeast Wabash Avenue. Police said it wasnt until Tuesday that officers determined the boy was missing.

Shortly after an AMBER Alert was put out, indicating Barnshaw abducted the child, police in Mattoon, IL said they found the suspect driving a stolen car with the child safe in the back seat. The child was returned to his father in Topeka the same day.

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Shawnee County prosecutors said Barnshaw is charged with two charges of murder in the first degree, burglary, endangering a child and kidnapping. Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay said he will seek a governors warrant, but it could take several months to bring him back to face charges.

Topeka police address kidnapping, killings in press conference

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A man has died after being shot by Kansas City police officers on Thursday.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) said its investigating the shooting, which happened near Emanuel Cleaver II and The Paseo.

At 2:10 p.m., MSHP said the Kansas City Police Department received a 911 call regarding a suspicious man near Emanuel Cleaver II and The Paseo. It was reported that the man was armed with a handgun and had allegedly pointed the gun at an ambulance.

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Officers arrived at 2:21 p.m. and tried to take the man into custody, according to MSHP. The man did not comply, and at 2:23 p.m., officers shot the man. It remains unclear what prompted officers to shoot the man.

Two officers were involved in the shooting, a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper said at a news conference Thursday afternoon. Its unclear whether one or both officers fired their guns.

The man has been taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries, a Kansas City police dispatcher told FOX4. Around 5:35 p.m. Thursday, MSHP said the man, identified as 64-year-old Rodney Aubrey of Kansas City, had been pronounced dead.

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No officers were hurt, according to the dispatcher.

This is a developing story. FOX4 has a news crew headed to the scene and will provide updates here and during FOX4 News at 4, 5 and 6 p.m.

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NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  A man from Shiprock, New Mexico has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison for a drunk driving crash that killed two people in December 2023.

Jury convicts Albuquerque woman of stealing Civil War-era revolver, shooting it at owner

According to court documents, Brian Gonnie, 45, was under the influence of Alcohol while driving on Highway 64 in Shiprock. Gonnie was traveling around 86 mph in a 35 mph zone and crashed into another vehicle head-on. The crash killed the passenger in Gonnies vehicle and the driver of the other vehicle. A passenger in the other vehicle also suffered severe injuries. Gonnies blood alcohol concentration was measured at .267 and a number of empty alcohol containers were found in his vehicle. Gonnie admitted to drinking alcohol and driving to FBI agents.

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Gonnie pleaded to two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of assault. He was sentenced to ten years in prison.

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Gov. Jared Polis is asking Coloradans to weigh in on the $29 million pedestrian bridge he envisions as part of the state's 150th birthday celebration.
Man kills grandparents, shoots woman at neighboring home in West Melbourne, deputies say

The Brevard County Sheriffs Office arrested a man suspected of murdering his grandparents Wednesday night.

Deputies say Jeremyah Campbell, 22, of Texas, is accused of shooting and killing George and Mary White in West Melbourne.

Deputies responded to a shooting at Washington Street and Milwaukee Avenue.

George White and a 25-year-old neighbor were both shot at the neighbors home, while Mary White had been shot at their home.

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The neighbor suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to survive.

Another neighbor said George White ran to the other home for help after seeing his wife killed. He said Campbell opened fire on his grandfather as he got inside the house. Thats when the neighbor was shot too.

Campbell was booked into the Brevard County Jail on two charges of second-degree murder, one count of attempted second-degree murder, and one count of shooting into an occupied residence.

No bail has been set.

The motive for the shootings has not been released.
Neighbors are rallying to support a Key Peninsula man who lost his home, his cat and his wifes ashes in a house fire earlier this month.

The Key Peninsula Fire Department was called for a small bush fire that escalated to a 2-acre fire off 80th Street on July 12 at 5:50 p.m., the departments incident report said.

Upon arrival found large volume of active fire, affecting multiple small, detached outbuildings, parked vehicles, travel trailers, garbage piles, torching trees and uncleared brush, and the entire charlie side of the double-wide structure, the report states.

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Leeland Butch Smith, the property owner of 30 years, was home alone with his cat, Rascal, when he noticed flames coming from his backyard, he told The News Tribune on July 23.

He evacuated and got away with the clothes on his back and vehicle, his niece-in-law, Tawnya King, told The News Tribune on July 22. The 24-year-old cat died in the fire, she said.

This image shows debris from the Key Peninsula fire.

Smith had to put his dog, Georgia, down a few months before the fire, his grandson, Steven Mashburn, told The News Tribune on July 22. Its one thing after another, he said.

Smith wasnt injured in the fire, Mashburn said.

It took fire crews nearly six hours to contain and put out the residential fire, according to the incident report. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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The fire destroyed about $120,000 worth of property, including Smiths double-wide mobile home, various trailers and trucks that burned in the fire, the report said.

An urn with his late wifes ashes and their wedding pictures were lost in the fire, Smith said.

It gets me down, but I have to keep going, he said. Im trying to think about the future, not the past.

Leeland Butch Smith walking on his property after the fire.

Smith doesnt have homeowners insurance to cover the cost of the damage. He said he did have insurance, but that it lapsed while he was sick in the hospital.

Its a battle, but Im trying to be positive, he said.

The Red Cross provided Smith with a gift card that allowed him to stay in a hotel for two days. Hes currently staying with a friend until he finds a more permanent living situation, he said.

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His stepdaughter, Jeanne Mashburn, organized a GoFundMe that will go toward clearing the propertys debris, replacing medication he lost in the fire, and providing Smith with a camper to live in on the property, his grandson said. Its raised over $1,500 in less than 10 days.

The community has also shown support by helping the family clear the fire debris to make space for a trailer until he can afford a mobile home.

Im just really appreciative for what people are doing for me, Smith said.
Editors note: A previous version of this story had a defense attorney attribution. That has since been corrected.

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  A man accused of shooting a woman near Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in March has pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder and possession of a stolen firearm.

Roland Domino, 60, was arrested by the Baton Rouge Police Department in connection with the death of 58-year-old Patricia Jackson. Investigators said Domino shot Jackson multiple times following a verbal altercation in the hospital parking lot.

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In court on Thursday, prosecutors stated that Domino was competent to enter a plea, but his attorney disagreed.

Barricade situation ends in Livingston Parish, suspect in custody

He was indicted on the second-degree murder charge in June. Police said he has a prior criminal record that includes convictions for forgery, simple burglary, aggravated assault, and simple battery.

A sanity hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 5 at 9 a.m.

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KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Kansas City, Missouri, man has been sentenced to 13 years in prison after he killed his brother in front of his 3-year-old daughter.

On Wednesday, Jaymes Henderson pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 13 years with the Missouri Department of Corrections. All other charges were dismissed.

Henderson was originally charged with first-degree murder, but the charges were downgraded after he took a plea agreement in April.

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Man kills brother in front of 3-year-old daughter: court records

Just after 6 a.m. on July 3, 2024, officers with the Kansas City Police Department were dispatched to a shooting at a Northland apartment on NW 80th Terrace. Henderson shot and killed his brother.

His brothers girlfriend was in the apartment at the time of the shooting. She told officers that Henderson was the shooter and said he had been staying at the apartment with them and his brothers 3-year-old daughter for the past two days.

The girlfriend said she and the victim returned to the apartment that night and were arguing. Henderson interjected himself and began fighting with the victim, she said.

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Henderson left the apartment during the fight and reentered shortly after, pointing a gun at his brother, the girlfriend said. The argument continued before Henderson ended up shooting and killing his brother.

He then fled the apartment with his brothers 3-year-old daughter, but the two were later located by Kansas City police officers outside of a Kohls department store.

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PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  A man will spend two years in prison in connection with a fatal DUI crash that occurred in 2024.

According to officials, around 4:30 a.m. on March 3, 2024, Antwan Thomas was traveling westbound on High Street with his passenger, 50-year-old Pamela Willie, when he lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle then crossed over the median and veered off the roadway, eventually striking a utility pole, causing the vehicle to overturn.

Evidence presented by the Commonwealth stated that Willie died at the scene due to injuries sustained by the crash.

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An investigation into the crash determined that Thomas was traveling 72 mph in a 35 mph zone with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of 0.208, which is 2.6 times higher than the BAC limit in Virginia. Thomas also admitted to officers that he had been drinking prior to driving.

As a result, Thomas was ultimately sentenced to five years in prison with three years suspended, leaving just two years of total of two years in prison served. Upon Thomas release, he will be placed on two years of supervised probation.

Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  The man who sexually assaulted an unconscious woman at a TriMet stop was sentenced to 25 years in prison, authorities said.

Eduardo Guillermo Madrid-Roque was given the sentence on Tuesday after a jury found him guilty of multiple sexual assault charges related to an incident at a Hillsboro MAX transit platform in June 2023.

Homicide victim IDd after shooting in North Portland

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The woman, 63, had flown into the Portland airport earlier in the day, and had a glass of wine on the flight before traveling on the MAX train into Washington County. However, due to a bad interaction with her prescription medication, she became more highly intoxicated than normal.

Impaired, the woman sat on the sidewalk and became unconscious a full hour before Madrid-Roque arrived at the Hillsboro MAX platform. He then sexually assaulted the victim multiple times before boarding a bus and leaving the area.

The woman awoke with no memory of the incident. It was only after she went to the transit office to retrieve her missing belongings that transit officers reviewing the surveillance footage discovered she had been sexually assaulted.

Law enforcement officials used the surveillance footage and DNA evidence to identify Madrid-Roque as the suspect, and he was later located and arrested.

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In April, Madrid-Roque was found guilty by a jury of five counts of first-degree sex abuse, two counts of unlawful sexual penetration, first-degree attempted unlawful sexual penetration, third-degree sex abuse and two counts of public indecency.

On Tuesday, he was sentenced to 300 months in prison, 10 years of post-prison supervision, ordered to register as a sex offender and barred from any contact with the victim.

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HINDS COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV)  A Hinds County man was found guilty in connection to the shooting death of another man in Terry.

According to the Hinds County District Attorneys Office, Michael Harvey, Jr., was found guilty of first-degree murder.

Woman arrested in connection to Copiah County homicide case

On July 2, 2022, Hinds County deputies responded to a shooting at a horse barn on Wynndale Road in Terry. Investigators said Harvey and Brandon Nix, 27, were involved in an argument that escalated to a shooting. According to deputies, Nix was shot twice and died at the scene.

Michael Harvey, Jr. (Courtesy: Hinds Co. Detention Center)

Harvey was sentenced to life in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) without the possibility of parole.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A man was sentenced to over 40 years in prison after a shooting that killed one and left another injured.

The Montgomery County Prosecutor has announced the sentencing of Shawn Jackson, 49, of Harrison Township, in connection to a shooting in December 2023.

Person injured in officer-involved shooting in Dayton

On Dec. 6, 2023, officers responded to the 700 block of Brooklyn Avenue on report of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found a female with multiple gunshot wounds and a man shot dead in another room.

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That man was identified as 35-year-old Dominique Battle.

Investigation led police to identify Jackson as the assailant and the Montgomery County Grand Jury charged him with six counts of murder, four counts of felonious assault, and four counts of aggravated burglary and robbery, among other charges.

On July 1, 2025, a jury found Jackson guilty on all charges. On July 24, he was sentenced to 40 to 45.5 years to life in prison.

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MERCER COUNTY, WV (WVNS)  A North Carolina man was taken to a local hospital after a motorcycle accident on I-77 in Mercer County.

According to a press release from the Mercer County Sheriffs Office, members of the Mercer County Sheriffs Office responded to a motorcycle accident at around 11:36 a.m. on Thursday, July 24, 2025 on I-77 near mile marker 7.

20-year-old Bluefield man dead after motorcycle accident in Mercer County

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The press release stated that a 58-year-old North Carolina man was driving a motorcycle headed northbound when he reportedly lost control and hit the cable median barrier, and the motorcycle ended up in the median.

According to the press release, once members of the sheriffs office arrived at the scene, they found the man being given life-sustaining aid by multiple bystanders. The man was taken to WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital with life-threatening injuries after being helped by deputies with the sheriffs office and the Princeton Rescue Squad.

The Mercer County Sheriffs Office stated that no additional information will be released at this time.

Stick with 59News for updates when they become available.

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HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT)  Police announced a man who was wanted in Los Angeles has been arrested in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

Officers said they executed an arrest warrant from the Los Angeles Police Department in Hattiesburg on July 23. They said Felix Lee Moultrie, 38, was wanted in connection to a hit-and-run investigation.

Felix Moultrie (Courtesy: Forrest County Jail)

Moultrie was arrested without incident and transported to the Forrest County Jail. He is awaiting extradition to Los Angeles.

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The authorities of Donetsk Oblast have decided to carry out the mandatory evacuation of families with children from the city of Dobropillia and nine other settlements that are getting closer to the line of contact.

Source: Vadym Filashkin, Head of Donetsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "We are beginning the mandatory evacuation of families with children from the city of Dobropillia, as well as the villages of Hannivka, Novyi Donbas and Rubizhne in the Dobropillia hromada, and the villages of Dobropillia, Nadiia, Novokryvorizhzhia, Novomariivka, Novofedorivka and Raksha in the Kryvyi Rih hromada." [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories - ed.]

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Details: According to Filashkin, approximately 928 children currently reside in these areas.

Quote: "I have instructed local authorities and heads of relevant departments of the oblast administration, in coordination with law enforcers, to swiftly organise the proper evacuation of families with children and to ensure they are provided with adequate living conditions in safer parts of Ukraine."

For reference: The line of contact is currently around 15 kilometres from the city of Dobropillia.

Background: On the evening of 16 July, Russian forces dropped an FAB-500 aerial bomb on the centre of Dobropillia, killing four people and injuring 27.

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Progress toward gender equality is far from straightforward. There is a growing tide of concern regarding youth masculinity, with an increasing number of young men exhibiting less progressive views on gender and sexuality. In the Western world, a region that ostensibly champions gender equity, one survey in the United States showed that nearly half of young men now believe men face discrimination. In the United Kingdom, 51 percent of men say we have gone so far in promoting womens equality that we are now discriminating against men. In Australia, nearly 20 percent of men say violence against feminism is justified. What is clear is that there is a wave of anti-feminist belief that no longer operates at the fringes of society. One factor driving the adoption of an anti-feminist worldview is engagement with what is commonly referred to as the manosphere.

The manosphere is a loosely connected online ecosystem that exists on a diffused array of sites across both mainstream social media and more bespoke corners of the internet. Despite differences within the community, the manosphere shares a common language under the banner of Red Pill ideology. The Red Pill ideology is a collection of anti-feminist beliefs, with its more extreme interpretation embracing hostile misogyny. Taking the red pill signifies opening ones eyes to feminisms brainwashing. Although the manosphere originated in the Western world, its ideals have diffused globally, and growing hostile misogyny is a global issue.

Andrew Tate, the former kickboxer and the so-called king of toxic masculinity, is ubiquitous in this community. Tate faces a number of criminal charges and is currently banned on most mainstream social media sites. Nevertheless, his content still regularly appears on these sites, and at his peak his videos had amassed hundreds of millions of views on TikTok, reaching teens as young as 13.

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While not every part of this community receives this level of attention or notoriety, Tates popularity shows that parts of the manosphere have entered the mainstream. The mainstreaming of misogynistic notions is not only a societal or gender concern; it has a direct impact on the extremism landscape and can act as a driver of extremist violence. The question now is what can be done about countering these extremist views at a policy level.

Andrew Tate inside an appeals court in Bucharest, Romania, on Dec. 10, 2024. Daniel Mihailescu/AFP via Getty Images

Male participation with the manosphere is in part driven by feelings of disenfranchisement and alienation. A tranche of data illustrates these growing complexities. In the United States men are rapidly falling behind in education engagement and outcomes, rates of young male economic inactivity have risen considerably, and the level of intimate relationships of young men also appear to be in decline. In Australia, there is a potential loneliness crisis being experienced by young people in general. A 2023 report noted that an estimated 15 percent of Australians were experiencing social isolation, with men experiencing higher levels of social isolation across all age groups.

Feelings of self-uncertainty, where an individual experiences anxiety about their place in the world, have been shown to contribute to a desire for individuals to seek new forms of meaning and purpose in their life, engage in social activism, and at the most extreme, political violence.

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This lens provides us with at least a partial explanation of male engagement with the manosphere. A central motif of Tates discourse is one that offers not only a way to understand feelings of alienation but additionally offers solutions to address it. Tate weaponizes the language of self-help and advice and seemingly offers men a way of becoming successful and accumulating wealth. In the context of anxiety and disconnection, a pathway toward status and success can appeal to men. Importantly, however, underpinning this advice are traditional understandings of masculinity and femininity. Tate promotes traditional gender stereotypes of women as passive actors, and in fact, in Tates worldview women are subordinate and subservient to men. As men are attracted to promises of success, they simultaneously are exposed to a misogynistic agenda.

These sentiments of male victimhood, and the promotion of traditional gender roles, are shared and, in some cases, exceeded by the wider manosphere community. Within segments of the community a zero-sum clash is posited that notes how female empowerment must necessarily equate to male disempowerment. Portraying society as gynocentric and misandrist, these segments of the manosphere aim to free men from a society negatively impacted by feminism. As engagement with the manosphere increases, a key concern lies in this diagnosis.

Of particular concern is the fact that there is a pathway from exposure and engagement with these more malicious expressions of the manosphere to offline extremist violence. The radicalization process is one of incremental but self-reinforcing behavior. By offering a sense of meaning, extremist movements can be attractive to vulnerable individuals. Once within an extremist ecosystem, content is consumed that promotes black-and-white thinking, in- and out-group dichotomies, and an often existential threat faced by the in-group due to action taken by the out-group. Over time, this worldview establishes itself as a fixed belief, which in turn motivates action.

This danger is further compounded by the online environment and the echo-chamber effect of algorithmic technology. An echo chamber is an environment that substantially narrows the range of information that an individual is exposed to. This restricted narrative produces a limited worldview and results in a one-sided and obsessive experience of social reality. Exacerbating this concern is the potential of unmoderated exposure to misinformation and disinformation, and its ability to alter truth, that can take place online. While this can happen across the political spectrum, when this process intersects with extremist narratives, it can result in an accelerated and deeply entrenched radicalization process.

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Men who are feeling a sense of vulnerability look toward the manosphere as a community that provides them with an understanding, purpose, and direction that undercuts their uncertainty. From this initial engagement, an individual can become exposed to the more vitriolic segments of this community. A toxic tapestry of dangerous misogynistic ideologies is facilitated and solidified by the internets echo-chamber effect, and a continuous loop is created, which shares, encourages, and celebrates a hostile misogynistic agenda that promotes an anti-feminist belief system and in some cases violence against women. Over time, this becomes an individuals fixed belief system.

The clearest example of this trend is within the incel community. Although most members of the community will not become violent, individuals who engage with this online manosphere sub-community have adopted a worldview that legitimates and at times glorifies violent action. The term going ER is common within incel discourses, referring to, and potentially outright deifying, Elliot Rodger, a reported incel who carried out a violent attack in 2014 in California. Rodger, referred to as the Supreme Gentleman within incel forums, has acted as the inspiration for Alek Minassian, who in 2018 perpetrated an attack in Toronto that injured 15 and killed 11 peoplenine of whom were women. In the same year, Scott Beierle, who committed an attack in Tallahassee that killed two and injured five others, likened himself to Rodger in an online video. Incel ideology has been linked to multiple other incidents, such as the 2020 Toronto erotic spa knife attack, the 2020 Westgate mall massacre, the 2021 Plymouth attack, and the 2023 Texas mall shooting.

More generally, at least 15 violent incidents in Western countries between 2009 and 2022 that resulted in 58 deaths included hostile misogyny as part of their motivating ideology. While more clear-cut incidents of incel violence have been concentrated in the Western world, this is not to say that it is solely a Western concern. Given that a link between hostile misogynistic beliefs and support for extremist action more broadly has been noted, global expressions of the ideology can be motivating violence even if it does not fall neatly into our existing understanding of extremist violence. So while hostile misogyny is not new, its interplay with extremist occurrence is arguably becoming more acute.

The shadow of a student is seen on a wall painted with a slogan reading Here to study, not to be attacked as students gather at Bordeaux Montaigne University to discuss revelations of allegations of inappropriate behavior including sexual violence in Pessac, France, on Nov. 15, 2023. Philippe Lopez/AFP via Getty Images

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A range of policy recommendations aimed at addressing this concern at different stages warrants consideration. On one hand, counterterrorism practitioners should recognize and acknowledge the extremism risk posed by manosphere engagement. This entails the development of evidence-based early-warning systems, risk assessment frameworks, and targeted awareness campaigns that can help identify individuals at risk of violence. In parallel, preventing/countering violent extremism rehabilitation and reintegration programs must be adapted to the specific ideological and psychological dynamics of misogynistic extremism.

However, this should be seen as a last resort. Rather, efforts should be made at addressing this concern at earlier stages. Here, the role social media plays in the radicalization process should be highlighted. On TikTok, for example, new accounts saw a fourfold increase in the level of misogynistic content being presented on their For You page after five days. These algorithmically curated echo chambers do not merely reflect existing interests; they actively shape ideological exposure and accelerate grievance-based radicalization. While TikToks algorithm is notably efficient in curating personalized content, which can include harmful and extremist material, its part of a broader ecosystem where multiple platforms contribute to the spread of such content.

Given their role in this process, technology companies must be held accountable not only for harmful individual content but for the structural features of their platforms that incentivize polarizing and harmful engagement. Regulatory efforts should shift focus toward algorithmic transparency and reform, aiming to restructure digital ecosystems toward user wellbeing. These efforts are already underway, with Europe currently leading with the Digital Services Act. Whats more, parallel efforts in the United Kingdom and United States signal a shift toward reengineering platforms to protect user wellbeing, especially for youth. However, gaps still remain, with harmful and dangerous content still widely accessible to users.

In the shorter term, although age-based social media bans such as Australias forthcoming restriction for users under 16 can offer a stopgap, they are not a silver bullet. Such restrictions risk pushing vulnerable youth into more obscure, less regulated online spaces, while also severing them from the positive social connections digital platforms can foster. Instead, robust and holistic digital literacy programs that build critical media engagement, resilience to extremist narratives, and awareness of the dynamics of online radicalization should be prioritized.

Crucially, the appeal of the manosphere cannot be addressed solely through technological or regulatory measures. Much of its traction lies in a broader sense of male vulnerability, fueled by social and cultural anxieties around identity, power, and belonging. To address these drivers, governments and civil society must invest in educational and community-based initiatives that challenge harmful gender norms and promote healthier, more inclusive models of masculinity. Without comprehensive engagement that addresses both the technological and sociocultural dimensions of this phenomenon, hostile misogynistic ideas will continue to motivate violent behavior.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  At least 135 people have been killed in catastrophic flash flooding across Texas, while three others remain missing.

Heres what we know about the Central Texas flooding victims

Deaths have been confirmed in five counties, with the majority in Kerr County. Several victims were carried downstream into neighboring Kendall County, but officials said no residents of that county were among those missing or killed.

Kerr County: 117 dead, 2 missing

At least 117 people, including 37 children, were killed in flash flooding that hit Kerr County. Nine of the victims were carried downstream into Kendall County. Two others remain missing at this time.

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In a July 29 press conference, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk said no residents of Kendall County had been reported as missing, but that nine victims from upstream communities in Kerr County had been recovered there. Stolarczyk also said there is no indication that the two missing people are located within Kendall County.

The Kerr County Flood Disaster Joint Information Center said many people who were initially reported as missing had been verified as safe through extensive follow-up work among state and local agencies.

Travis County: 9 dead

Nine deaths were confirmed in Travis County after what County Judge Andy Brown called an extremely deadly and destructive flood event. Another person went missing in neighboring Burnet County and was found in Travis County.

In a July 25 update, county officials said everyone who had been on the list of missing people was either found alive or positively identified as deceased.

Burnet County: 5 dead, 1 missing

Five people were killed in flooding in Burnet County, one of whom was carried downstream into Travis County. One person  Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Phillips  remains missing.

Williamson County: 3 dead

Three people were killed in flash flooding in Williamson County. Sheriff Matt Lindemann said one of the victims was found trapped under a partially-submerged vehicle near County Road 284.

Tom Green County: 1 dead

Officials in Tom Green County confirmed a 62-year-old woman was killed in the flooding. She was found in her vehicle after previously being reported missing, according to the City of San Angelo.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  Marijuana advocates are celebrating Tuesdays ruling from the Missouri Supreme Court that prohibits local governments from stacking additional taxes.

The courts actually upheld what voters were voting on here, Jack Cardetti, a spokesperson for Missouri Cannabis Trade Association, said.

Under the 6-1 decision from the states high court, an incorporated village, town, or city may impose a 3% marijuana tax if the sale comes within its own jurisdiction. A county, however, can only impose a 3% marijuana tax if the sale happens in an unincorporated area of the county.

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The decision overturns a previous interpretation that allowed counties to collect the taxes in incorporated areas, in addition to incorporated municipalities.

Family reacts to video of sons death in City Justice Center

The main impetus for this litigation was to make sure that Missouri cannabis customers arent paying what amounts to an actually $3 million each and every month, Cardetti said. The Supreme Court has ruled these customers are protected.

Attorney Eric Walter represented a St. Louis County dispensary that sued over the double taxation. He said his argument to the Missouri Supreme Court was rather straight forward.

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The primary argument was that in the Constitution it was designed and crafted so that there would be just a single local government, Walter said.

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TEWKSBURY, Mass. (WPRI)  Market Baskets Board of Directors has fired two top executives loyal to suspended CEO Arthur T. Demoulas.

The board is accusing Director of Operations Joe Schimdt and Grocery Director Tom Gordon of insubordination, making false and derogatory remarks about Market Basket and inappropriate communications with colleagues.

Schmidt and Gordon were among the executives placed on paid administrative leave back in May alongside Demoulas and two of his children. The boards decision to suspend them followed accusations that Demoulas was in the process of orchestrating a companywide work stoppage.

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In a statement issued Tuesday, the board said an investigation revealed that Schmidt and Gordon were planning a work disruption to show support for Demoulas.

The investigation uncovered evidence that Schmidt and Gordon, following their suspensions, both directly encouraged employees to slow down and disrupt operations at Market Basket, including by telling them to defy their supervisors, the board explained.

RELATED: Market Basket CEO Arthur T. Demoulas placed on leave

This comes more than a decade after a family feud nearly destroyed the beloved Tewksbury-based grocery store chain. Market Basket lost millions of dollars in revenue when Demoulas was ousted from ownership by his cousin back in 2014.

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The power struggle triggered six weeks of worker protests and customer boycotts that ended with Demoulas and his siblings buying back the business for $1.6 billion.

Now, Demoulas and his three sisters are fighting for control of the company. The sisters each control 20% of the company, while Demoulas owns 28%. The remaining 12% is owned by a trust for the grandchildren.

Specifically, the board accused Schmidt of threatening a supervisor by telling him, Youve got a wife and kids. I want to make sure you know to stay on the right side of this.

Gordon also reportedly told an associate that, in reference to Demoulas sisters, the three girls are evil, and encouraged colleagues to choose sides wisely.

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Demoulas issued his own statement upon learning that the men had been fired. He described them as being men of strong character and said terminating them is among the worst decisions that could be made by this board.

Gordon and Schmidt have nearly 90 years of experience between them, according to Demoulas, and were easily cast aside by a board who doesnt understand the companys culture.

These are two of the brightest and best grocery store operators in the business, and their extraordinary work has been key to building this company and its culture, Demoulas said. they are just collateral damage in this pre-planned coup.

Demoulas said he intends to push for the reversal of this heartless and unwarranted decision.

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SEE ALSO: Market Basket to replace Showcase Cinemas in Seekonk

Schmidt and Gordon also pushed back against the boards claims during a briefing outside the Market Basket in Reading on Wednesday.

There was not one credible piece of information to sustain that there was any type of work stoppage that either myself or Mr. Gordon were involved in, Schmidt told reporters. The allegations are preposterous.

Schmidt and Gordon said they learned of their firings through a companywide memo announcing that new managers had been promoted to fill their roles. The men claimed they were formally fired about an hour later.

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That is completely countercultural to how Market Basket operates, Schmidt said. To put that out publicly  that our positions had been replaced before we were notified  thats disrespectful.

Schmidt stressed that he and Gordon intend to be back.

If somebody thinks that either Mr. Gordon or myself are just going to go away at this point, without standing up for the culture of the company for a period of time, theyre sorely mistaken, he said.

This is a long-term career and a long-term fight, Gordon added. Were going to be in this until its over.

Market Basket operates more than 90 stores across New England and has roughly 30,000 employees. There are currently two Market Basket stores located in Rhode Island: one in Warwick and another in Johnston.

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MARSHALL, Texas (KTAL/KMSS)  The Marshall Police Department partners with a local church to help flood victims in Kerr County, Texas.

Chief Cliff Carruth welcomed Pastor Bishop Rickey Moore of New Vision Missionary Baptist Church to share how the Marshall community can help those impacted by the deadly flooding in Texas. They are collecting supplies to fill a van to deliver to those in need.

The van is parked outside the church located at 2800 George Gregg Street.

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The public is invited to stop by and make a donation.

They need mosquito spray, canned goods, blankets, and toiletries.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa  Marshalltown residents are finding toilets on their front lawns, but its to help raise funds for a serious cause.

The Traveling Toilets fundraiser started earlier this summer to help raise funds for the Marshalltown Area United Way. This group helps around 15,000 residents and offers 30 programs, including things like child care programs, counseling services, developmental disabilities, grief support, housing assistance, legal aid, senior services, and more.

Executive Director Kendra Sorensen said their goal is to raise $900,000 this year to be able to support all of their programs. They had the same goal last year, but felt short and had to decrease the amount of community programs they could support.

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Warren County Fair opens with shows, food, and more

Thats why they came up with a unique fundraiser this year.

Residents who are met with toilets can choose one of three options:

Pay $25 to have United Way remove the toilet

Pay $50 to have the toilet removed and to choose who the next recipient is

Pay $100 to choose the next recipient and ensure you dont receive the toilet again this year

Residents can also choose to pay $150 to be placed on the party pooper list and be ineligible to receive a toilet this year.

There are four different toilet designs. Each represents one of their impact areas, including financial security, youth opportunity, healthy community, and community resiliency.

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Shauna Smith is one of the residents who received a traveling toilet.

It was on my driveway, so it made me laugh, she said. And I was wanting to figure out who was it that targeted us.

Local businesses also arent safe. The Marshalltown Animal Rescue League had a toilet this week.

Being an animal shelter, pretty much everything out here [in our lawn] is a toilet for our clientele, but having the human toilet was definitely new, said Austin Gillis, the executive director of the Marshalltown ARL.

United Way installs the toilets at new homes early in the morning every Wednesday until September.

Iowa news

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After four months of a near-total Israeli siege, Gazas few remaining hospitals now have wards for the growing number of malnourished children whose tiny bodies are just the width of their bones.

Doctors are famished to the point that they have dizzy spells as they make their rounds, medics say, and the journalists documenting their caseloads are often too weak to even walk to the clinics.

Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post.

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For months, aid agencies had warned of the coming crisis, as Israel halted the flow of aid to the Gaza Strip before attempting to replace U.N. relief efforts with distribution points inside military zones. It was a move Israeli officials said was aimed at pressuring Hamas, whose fighters attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and continue to hold about 50 hostages who were abducted that day, about 20 of whom are still believed to be alive.

But testimonies from doctors, relief workers and Gazans this week make it clear that a worst-case scenario is finally unfolding: Nearly 1 in 3 people are going multiple days without eating, according to the United Nations, and hospitals are reporting rising deaths from malnutrition and starvation.

In a video filmed Tuesday inside Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza, families fretted over babies with distended bellies and tiny fists that they clenched as they cried. In one of the newly established malnutrition rooms, the mothers and children were so quiet that the loudest sound came from a pair of fans that beat weakly in the cloying heat.

The Gaza Health Ministry said Wednesday that 10 people had died of starvation in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number of those killed by hunger to 111 since the start of the war. Among them was 6-week-old Yousef al-Safadi, so small in photographs from the silver table of the hospital morgue that the white sleepsuit peeled back to show how his jutting ribs dwarfed his slight body.

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The International Rescue Committee, a global relief and development organization, said Wednesday that its teams had reported an increase in the number of children being rushed to hospitals because of malnutrition in recent days.

Their small bodies are shutting down. They cant breathe; their immune systems are collapsing, said Scott Lea, the organizations acting country director for the Palestinian territories.

Tess Ingram, a spokeswoman for the U.N. childrens agency UNICEF, said rising rates of child malnutrition were preventable, but that the health care system needed to treat it was running on fumes or hit by strikes.

These numbers are rising fast because children are being denied enough food, water and health care. Its as simple as that, she said.

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Throughout the war, which has killed more than 59,000 people in Gaza, according to the local health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, Israel has imposed severe restrictions on the amount of food and other aid entering the enclave. At times, it allowed more trucks to enter, including during a six-week ceasefire earlier this year.

But on March 2, Israel reimposed its blockade, lifting it only partially in May after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said pictures of mass starvation could cost his country the support of the United States and other allies.

In a briefing with reporters on Wednesday, an Israeli military official said there was a lack of food security inside Gaza, but blamed a failure to distribute aid on the U.N.

There is no limit. The crossings are open - just bring the trucks and take the aid, he said, speaking on the condition of anonymity, in line with the rules of the briefing.

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Were seeing the pictures also, and I want to tell you that we are taking it very seriously, he said. We are analyzing the number of calories per capita inside Gaza.

The U.N. says Israeli authorities are the sole decision-makers on who, and how much, aid enters Gaza, as well as the type of supplies that are allowed in.

Once inside Gaza, movement requires navigating an obstacle course of coordination with Israeli forces, through active hostilities, traveling on damaged roads, and often being forced to wait at holding points or pass through areas controlled by criminal gangs, U.N. relief chief Tom Fletcher told the U.N. Security Council in New York last week. When vehicles do make it through, he said, starving people often try to grab flour from the backs of the trucks.

Gazas ability to make its own food has been almost entirely destroyed as Israeli military operations have wiped out farmlands and factories. As the summer heat bears down, hungry and thirsty civilians have run out of reserves to fall back on.

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Palestinians in the enclave are reliant instead on humanitarian aid that most people under Israels new system cannot easily access. According to local health authorities, more than 1,000 people have been shot dead as they raced through territory controlled by the Israeli military toward distribution points run by U.S. security contractors, where supplies are first-come, first-served.

When victims of Israeli strikes, shelling or gunfire reach the hospitals, photographs show, their bodies are often visibly emaciated.

In Gaza Citys Sabra district, Ayat al-Soradi, 25, said she was so malnourished during her pregnancy this year that she gave birth to her twins, Ahmed and Mazen, two months early. They each weighed about two pounds, and for almost a month, she had watched over them in their incubators as the nurses fed them with powdered milk.

But even the hospital staff were running out of food. The flour, milk, eggs and meat that were available during an earlier ceasefire had disappeared from the market. A bag of flour and lentils could fetch almost $200.

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In WhatsApp groups, Palestinian families bartered for baby formula like the one doctors recommended for Ahmed and Mazen. The family could barely afford it once the twins were discharged. Ahmed died 13 days later. He was 2 months old, Soradi said. And feeding Mazen alone was still a struggle.

His baby formula was almost prohibitively expensive, when the family could find it at all, Soradi said. She mixed it with rice water to make it last longer, but the child barely grew. Ten days ago, he was readmitted to the hospital at a weight of 6.6 pounds as he ran a fever and struggled to breathe.

Relief workers say parents throughout Gaza regularly forgo meals, and sometimes days worth of food, to feed their children. When there is still nothing in the cupboards, they find a way to explain why no one eats.

In Deir al-Balah, Taghred Jumaa, a 55-year-old womens rights activist who described herself as relatively better off than most Palestinians in Gaza because she still had a salary, said that rationing the familys food meant her hair was falling out. Parts of her body felt numb, she said.

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In the northern district of Sheikh Radwan, relatives of 2-month-old Sham Emkat said Wednesday that she had been pronounced dead at 11:30 p.m. the night before in al-Rantisi Hospital. They were still waiting for her death certificate, said Ekram Emkat, the childs aunt.

Im sorry, Shams mother is in a very bad condition, she said, adding that the girl weighed less than four pounds when she died. Sham was so small that the family could count her bones.

In an open letter published Wednesday, 115 organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, Mercy Corps and Save the Children, said Israels blockade and ongoing military operations were pushing Gazas more than 2 million people, including relief workers, toward starvation.

Juliette Touma, a spokeswoman for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, said that colleagues had begun receiving SOS messages from staff who are hungry themselves, who are exhausted themselves.

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In conversations with Washington Post reporters this week, doctors, health officials and aid workers have all apologized for their lack of focus, citing hunger.

Many were surviving on lentil soup only, said Ahmed al-Faraa, director of the Nasser Hospitals pediatrics wing. During an interview Wednesday, Eyad Amawi, director of al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, apologized and said he needed to pause because of a headache and dizziness.

His family of six had obtained two kilograms (about 4.4 pounds) of flour the day before, he said, which he estimated would last a day and a half. The main problem is that you are all of the time busy, thinking about where and how we can obtain any amount of food, he said.

Amawi said he had lost 15 pounds since the war began; others have lost more. Doctors and nurses were struggling to work long shifts on empty stomachs. Some have not been able to stand, he said.

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In a statement this week, a group of journalists from the Agence France-Presse news agency warned that the Israeli blockade and subsequent hunger crisis had made conditions for their Palestinian colleagues in Gaza untenable.

The AFPs principal photographer, identified as Bashar, had posted to his Facebook page, saying that he no longer had the strength to work. Other colleagues were starting to say the same.

Over the last few days, we have learned from their brief messages that their lives are hanging by a thread and that the courage they have shown for months to bring news to the world will not be enough to pull them through, the statement read.

Since AFP was founded in August 1944, some of our journalists were killed in conflict, others were wounded or made prisoner, but there is no record of us ever having had to watch our colleagues starving to death.

- - -

Loveluck reported from London, Mahfouz and Shamalakh from Cairo, Berger from Jaffa, Israel, and Cheeseman from Beirut. Lior Soroka in Tel Aviv contributed to this report.

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STOW, Mass. (WPRI)  After years without a Dunkin, a Massachusetts town is celebrating the return of the beloved chain.

Stow changed its name to Dunkin' for one day on Thursday. The town unanimously voted on the decision earlier this month.

The town had been without a Dunkin after its only two locations closed within 30 days of each other back in 2022.

The town then became known as the Dunkin Desert after WBZ NewsRadios Matt Shearer posted a TikTok video poking fun at the community.

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As soon as we heard the two stores in Stow had closed, we wanted to fix that, franchise operator Megan Pesce told board members.

The Dunkin replaces the Beef N Ale restaurant on the Lower Village Common.

A grand opening was held at 10 a.m. with a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m.

(Courtesy: Town of Stow, Massachusetts)

(Courtesy: Town of Stow, Massachusetts)

(Courtesy: Town of Stow, Massachusetts)

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Nowadays, it's rare for me to find a long-standing restaurant in my home city of Colorado Springs that I haven't heard of before, even rarer for me to try said restaurant and already be planning my next trip back. That happened this weekend.
Threats made online against former president Barack Obama spiked over the weekend after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard accused him of a years-long coup attempt against President Donald Trump.

Gabbard has claimed Obama and his top officials ran a treasonous conspiracy by insinuating they manufactured an investigation into Russias interference in the 2016 election to undermine Trumps first election.

Hours after she made the claim, on July 18, violent rhetoric about Obama surged on platforms such as Truth Social, Telegram, and Gab, with some calling for his arrest, imprisonment, and execution.

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That rhetoric was intensified after the president posted an artificial intelligence-generated video of Obama being arrested and continued to re-post Gabbards claims throughout the weekend.

By July 19, threatening comments targeting Obama rose from three to 56  a more than 1,700 percent increase, according to the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism.

Truth Social, Gab, and Telegram users sent violent political threats against former president Barack Obama after the Trump administration pushed its theory about the 2016 Russia investigation (Getty Images)

Truth Social users posted rhetoric calling for a firing squad, a public hanging, and streaming his execution live  all while decrying Obama for the alleged treason.

One user called for Obamas execution by using memes of a guillotine, electric shock chair, and public hanging platform.

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For years, Trump has blamed Obama and other Democrats for abusing power to facilitate investigations or indictments into himself. Since taking back the White House, Trump has promised to conduct a campaign of retribution against those he believes have targeted him.

The documents Gabbard referred to as evidence of Obamas meddling show that the Obama administration wanted a review of the allegations against Russia before leaving office and pressured intelligence agencies to work quickly.

A spokesperson for Obama denied Gabbards allegations, calling them bizarre, ridiculous, and a weak attempt at distraction.

Tulsi Gabbard alleged Barack Obama's involvement in a 'coup' on Wednesday (Getty Images)

The Global Project Against Hate and Extremism said similar violent rhetoric increased on Gab, a platform known for platforming right-wing extremists.

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Between July 17 and July 20, comments targeted Obama as treasonous and deserving punishment rose from nine to 48, a more than 400 percent increase.

A review of targeted comments made on Telegram in the same timeline revealed that threats against Obama rose from zero to 12.

Harrison Fields, a White House spokesperson, said in a statement, As a survivor of multiple assassination attempts, the President takes these matters extremely seriously. The White House condemns all acts of violence, and anyone engaging in such behavior will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
Doctor Salvador Plasencia was accused of providing ketamine to Friends actor Matthew Perry. He died at the age of 54 in October 2023. Almost two years later, Dr. Plasencia has pleaded guilty to four counts of distribution of ketamine.

On December 15th, 2023, the County of Los Angeles Department of Medical Examiner "determined the cause of death for 54-year-old actor Matthew Langford Perry as the acute effects of ketamine."

According to CNN, "Salvador Plasencia will face a statutory maximum sentence of ten years in federal prison for each count at his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for December 3, the US Attorneys Office of the Central District of California said in a press statement on Wednesday."

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However, Plasencia isn't alone. Five other people have been charged concerning Perry's death. CNN said prosecutors claim "an underground network of drug sellers and suppliers were responsible for distributing the ketamine that killed Perry."

What Is Ketamine

Ketamine is used in both medical and recreational settings, albeit illegally outside of medical uses. It is also known by recreational users by names like Special K, Super K, and Vitamin K.

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), "Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects. It distorts perceptions of sight and sound and makes the user feel disconnected and not in control. It is an injectable, short-acting anesthetic for use in humans and animals. It is referred to as a 'dissociative anesthetic' because it makes patients feel detached from their pain and environment."

That may sound intense; however, the medical uses are real. The DEA highlights that ketamine "currently has accepted medical uses for short-term sedation and anesthesia. In addition, in 2019, FDA approved the S(+) enantiomer of ketamine (esketamine) nasal spray version (Spravato) for treatment-resistant depression that is only available at a certified doctors office or clinic."

How Does Ketamine Affect A Person

In terms of physical effects, the DEA explains "A couple of minutes after taking the drug, the user may experience an increase in heart rate and blood pressure that gradually decreases over the next 10 to 20 minutes. Ketamine can make users unresponsive to stimuli."

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Like previously mentioned, ketamine "distorts perceptions of sight and sound and makes the user feel disconnected and not in control," making an activity like swimming highly dangerous.

Although the effects can be very strong, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlines that "During July 2019June 2023, ketamine was detected in <1% of overdose deaths and was the only drug involved in 24 deaths. During this period, the percentage of overdose deaths with ketamine detected in toxicology reports increased from 0.3% (47 deaths) to 0.5% (107 deaths). Approximately 82% of deaths with ketamine detected in toxicology reports involved other substances, including illegally manufactured fentanyls, methamphetamine, or cocaine."

Related: Malcolm-Jamal Warner Drowned: Lifeguards Have Urgent Message

Matthew Perry's Doctor Salvador Plasencia Pleads Guilty first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 23, 2025
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Max, a bonobo at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium who was known for forming strong bonds, has died after a sudden and complex medical event. He was 9.

The Columbus Zoo announced on Thursday that Max died on June 18 following a wellness check in which he was found unresponsive in his habitat. He was treated by the zoos on-site veterinary team, and intensive, around-the-clock care was provided over six days in collaboration with outside specialists.

Village responds to speed trap accusations from Columbus

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Test results received this week showed medical changes that could be attributed to a combination of factors, the zoo said. These included gastric ulcers, along with signs that were consistent with heat-related illness. While the exact order of events couldnt be determined, veterinarians believe the gastritis could have caused Max to feel unwell and ultimately led to a medical emergency.

Max, a bonobo at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, died on June 18. (Courtesy Photo/Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)

What remains certain is that from the moment Maxs condition changed, our teams responded with urgency, skill, and unwavering compassion  doing all they could to support his recovery, the zoos social media announcement said. While we do everything possible to provide the highest standard of care, heartbreaking losses do happen  each one deeply felt, and never taken lightly.

Max was born at the Columbus Zoo on Nov. 8, 2015. He was an important member of his troop and a beloved part of the zoo family, the social media post said. He was playful, intelligent, deeply social and known for forming strong bonds both within his bonobo troop and with his Animal Care team.

He was also a powerful ambassador for his species as the Columbus Zoo has cared for bonobos since 1990, making it one of only a few organizations in North America to house this endangered species. The zoo is also actively involved in global conservation efforts to protect bonobos in their native range.

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Max was deeply loved, the zoo said. He will never be forgotten.

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The brother of longtime Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell said Wednesday she is preparing to present the Justice Department with new evidence ahead of a meeting with a top DOJ official this week.

Senior officials coordinated with Maxwells attorney to arrange a meeting with the Epstein accomplice, who was convicted on sex-trafficking charges and is serving a 20-year prison sentence. ABC News reported the meeting is expected to be held Thursday at the U.S. attorneys office in Florida.

She will be putting before that court material new evidence that was not available to the defense at her 2021 trial, which would have had a significant impact on its outcome, Ian Maxwell told The New York Post in an email.

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Ghislaine Maxwell did not testify during her 2021 trial and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who is set to meet with Maxwell, said earlier this week that no government official had attempted to contact Maxwell for information until the Trump administration.

President Trump has told us to release all credible evidence. If Ghislane Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say, Blanche said in a statement Monday.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday questioned whether Maxwell would be a credible witness. I mean, this is a person whos been sentenced to many, many years in prison for terrible, unspeakable, conspiratorial acts. Acts against innocent young people, he said.

The public has been pushing for more information as it relates to Epsteins close friends and associates after a joint memo from the FBI and DOJ earlier this month said the government did not have any more documents to release tied to the deceased financier.

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Supporters of the president, cheered by Democrats, have pushed for more information from the administration, even after officials have said there was no client list and reaffirmed Epstein died by suicide in his jail cell in 2019.

The Wall Street Journal also reported Wednesday that Attorney General Pam Bondi alerted Trump that his name was listed in the truckload of files reviewed by the DOJ and FBI, among numerous other names. The White House has brushed off the report.

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Mayor Adams has asked the federal General Services Administration to immediately inspect the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza amid outrage over accounts of inhumane treatment in ICEs detention of asylum seekers.

Adams cited news reports and recent footage of the site, showing people in squalid conditions sleeping on emergency aluminum blankets near toilets, which has cast doubt on claims by the Department of Homeland Security that the facility is being used as a short-term processing center and not a de facto jail.

The issue has become more acute as ICE escalates its campaign to detain and deport migrants amid a Trump administration crackdown.

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DHS has made the distinction between processing and detention in explaining why it has barred members of Congress from inspecting the facility. The mayor referenced publicly available data showing people have been detained at 26 Federal Plaza on average for more than four days at a time as of mid-June.

The lack of clarity and transparency surrounding the facilitys current use raises serious concerns, reads the mayors letter to Michael Rigas, the acting administrator of GSA, which manages federally owned and leased properties.

New York City has a strong interest in ensuring that basic human rights are being respected anywhere in its jurisdiction, and therefore are seeking your cooperation in conducting an inspection of the 10th Floor of 26 Federal Plaza to ensure it is compliant with the Constitution and federal law.

DHS refused elected officials, including New York Democratic Reps. Adriano Espaillat and Nydia Velazquez, access to the 10th floor last month, claiming it wasnt a detention center.

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Footage captured inside the facility released by advocates this week shows more than two dozen people in a cramped, windowless room, sleeping on makeshift beds and appearing to wear the clothes they were detained in.

The New York Immigration Coalition, the civic group that obtained the videos taken by a constituent of Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, says the footage backs up accounts of people being detained in unbearable heat without access to medication, showers, proper meals and other necessities.

In a statement to the Daily News, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin doubled down on claims that there is no detention facility but a processing center where illegal aliens are briefly processed to be transferred to an ICE detention facility, while also acknowledging a need for help from state and local governments in securing beds and detention space capacity.

Any claim that there is overcrowding or subprime conditions at ICE facilities are categorically false. All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers, McLaughlin said.

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As we arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens and public safety threats from the U.S., ICE has worked diligently to obtain greater necessary detention space while avoiding overcrowding. Secretary [Kristi] Noem has called on states and local government to help with bed and detention space capacity.

The majority of those detained at 26 Federal Plaza since May have not been accused of a crime, according to an analysis by The City.

Agents for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have been detaining migrants turning up to their court dates to formally apply for asylum, in many cases, moments after immigration judges had indicated they were safe in the country for the foreseeable future, The News has reported.

The nature of the arrests has prompted criticism that immigration authorities are luring migrants to the building as a trap and targeting the lowest hanging fruit to fulfill Trumps mass deportation agenda.
NEW YORK  Mayor Eric Adams has asked the federal General Services Administration to immediately inspect the 10th floor of 26 Federal Plaza amid outrage over accounts of inhumane treatment in ICEs detention of asylum-seekers.

Adams cited news reports and recent footage of the site, showing people in squalid conditions sleeping on emergency aluminum blankets near toilets, which has cast doubt on claims by the Department of Homeland Security that the facility is being used as a short-term processing center and not a de facto jail.

The issue has become more acute as ICE escalates its campaign to detain and deport migrants amid a Trump administration crackdown.

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DHS has made the distinction between processing and detention in explaining why it has barred members of Congress from inspecting the facility. The mayor referenced publicly available data showing people have been detained at 26 Federal Plaza on average for more than four days at a time as of mid-June.

The lack of clarity and transparency surrounding the facilitys current use raises serious concerns, reads the mayors letter to Michael Rigas, the acting administrator of GSA, which manages federally owned and leased properties.

New York City has a strong interest in ensuring that basic human rights are being respected anywhere in its jurisdiction, and therefore are seeking your cooperation in conducting an inspection of the 10th Floor of 26 Federal Plaza to ensure it is compliant with the Constitution and federal law.

DHS refused elected officials, including New York Democratic Reps. Adriano Espaillat and Nydia Velazquez, access to the 10th floor last month, claiming it wasnt a detention center.

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Footage captured inside the facility released by advocates this week shows more than two dozen people in a cramped, windowless room, sleeping on makeshift beds and appearing to wear the clothes they were detained in.

The New York Immigration Coalition, the civic group that obtained the videos taken by a constituent of Assembly member Catalina Cruz, says the footage backs up accounts of people being detained in unbearable heat without access to medication, showers, proper meals and other necessities.

In a statement to the Daily News, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin doubled down on claims that there is no detention facility but a processing center where illegal aliens are briefly processed to be transferred to an ICE detention facility, while also acknowledging a need for help from state and local governments in securing beds and detention space capacity.

Any claim that there is overcrowding or subprime conditions at ICE facilities are categorically false. All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers, McLaughlin said.

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As we arrest and remove criminal illegal aliens and public safety threats from the U.S., ICE has worked diligently to obtain greater necessary detention space while avoiding overcrowding. Secretary (Kristi) Noem has called on states and local government to help with bed and detention space capacity.

The majority of those detained at 26 Federal Plaza since May have not been accused of a crime, according to an analysis by The City.

Agents for Immigration and Customs Enforcement have been detaining migrants turning up to their court dates to formally apply for asylum, in many cases, moments after immigration judges had indicated they were safe in the country for the foreseeable future, the Daily News has reported.

The nature of the arrests has prompted criticism that immigration authorities are luring migrants to the building as a trap and targeting the lowest hanging fruit to fulfill Trumps mass deportation agenda.

_____
HIGH POINT  High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson has filed federal paperwork indicating he is considering a run for Congress next year.

Jefferson filed a statement of candidacy on Tuesday with the Federal Election Commission stating that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives 6th District seat in the 2026 election.

The seat is held by Republican Rep. Addison McDowell, who said Wednesday that he plans to seek reelection.

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Im proud of the work were doing for the 6th District and, if he makes it to the general election, Ill certainly be ready to put my America First record up against the radical lefts agenda any day of the week, McDowell said in a statement to the Enterprise.

Jefferson declined to comment Wednesday on his statement of candidacy filing.

He has not publicly announced anything about plans to run for higher office. Candidate filing for congressional races opens in December.

FEC filings show one other Democrat, Beau Blair of Salisbury, has filed a statement of candidacy for the 6th District seat. Primaries would be held in March 2026, with the general election to follow in November 2026.

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The 6th District includes all of High Point and Davidson County, as well as parts of western Greensboro, eastern and southern Forsyth County, all of Rowan and Davie counties and the western tip of Cabarrus County.

The district leans heavily Republican, according to the Cook Political Report.

It was redrawn for the 2024 election cycle, and McDowell finished first in a six-person GOP primary field that included Jay Wagner, a former High Point mayor, who finished fifth.

Former Rep. Kathy Manning of Greensboro, who represented the 6th District at the time, declined to seek reelection in 2024, saying that its new configuration was so gerrymandered by the Republican-controlled N.C. General Assembly that no Democratic candidate had a reasonable chance of winning.

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McDowell did not face a Democratic opponent in the 2024 general election, only Constitution Party candidate Kevin E. Hayes, whom he defeated 69% to 31%.

Jeffersons statement of candidacy filing says he is establishing a principal campaign committee for the 2026 election called Cyril for Congress.

The committee has not reported any fundraising results to the FEC yet and said in a recent filing that it had not reached the $5,000 threshold for contributions and/or expenditures that would have required a report to be filed by July 15.

Jefferson was elected mayor in November 2023 after serving a four-year term on City Council. His current term expires in December 2027.

If he were elected to Congress in 2026, he would have to resign as mayor, and the council would appoint his replacement.

Staff writer Paul Johnson contributed to this story.
HONOULU (KHON2)  The strong ties between Japan and Hawaii will be reaffirmed when Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi makes his first official foreign visit in two weeks.

The busy commercial center, Shibuya, is the newest sister city of Honolulu. Hiroshima, on the opposite coast, is the oldest.

Honolulu has a new Sister City

Blangiardi will visit both on an official visit that will coincide with an important anniversary  it was 80 years ago when the Enola Gay flew over Hiroshima with its cataclysmic payload.

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You think about what that meant, dropping the atomic bomb and the devastation, it wasnt insignificant in the history of the world so Im honored to represent Honolulu in this circumstance, the mayor said.

While there, Blangiardi will meet with Mayor Kazumi Matsui and visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial for commemoration ceremonies. The visit also coincides with the performance run of Peace on your Wings by Ohana Arts Theatre.

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The all-youth production tells the story of 12-year-old Sadako Suzuki, who folded more than a thousand paper cranes before succumbing to radiation-related leukemia. The show just completed a run at the Kennedy Theatre.

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I was really inspired by those kids. I thought, wow this is a wonderful way to put them in touch with something multi-generations away from who they are,' Blangiardi said. The production was so well done, the kids were so into it and Im pleased the city and county was able to sponsor them to appear in Hiroshima.

Organizers hope the production and the mayors visit will showcase Hawaiis youth talent and the citys openness to cement cultural ties across the Pacific.

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MCCORMICK COUNTY, Sc. (WJBF)- The first day of school in McCormick County Schools is underway.

That mean the new clear bag policy is in full effect for students of all grade levels.

The bookbag cannot be mesh, any monograms on the bag cannot be bigger than your palm, and designs and decorations are prohibited.

Items inside the bag must be seen.

And McCormick County Schools upgraded security measures as well to ensure safety.

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We have ordered additional metal detectors for this school year, making sure that we have metal detectors for every entrance throughout the building. And were just always looking to expand upon our camera system, anything and everything. Safety is our number one concern, said superintendent, Jaime Hembree.

This year the district also has a new McCormick Magnet School of the Arts for grades 8 through 12.

Students need to have a certain GPA, make a portfolio and audition to be part of it.

This will be hybrid for those students who take classes during the day and have an exploratory in the afternoon.

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The superintendent says this is perfect opportunity for the students.

This will be an opportunity for our students to embrace that, embrace those pathways, focusing primarily in the areas of art and music. And we expect this to be a program that it continues to expand over the years.

You can download the McCormick County Schools app to stay updated and get alerts.

Photojournalist: Dania Alawir

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  Since 2022, truck toll gantries across Rhode Island have remained dormant. But after a federal court decision and with the state budget finalized, Governor Dan McKee said his administration is working on a plan to turn the toll cameras back on.

Well come out with an announcement when the computers and actual technology are in place to put the tolls in place, which is several months away, he said on Wednesday.

The state originally approved truck tolls in 2016, with the fees going toward rebuilding bridges across the state. But the gantries were turned off after a judge ruled the tolls discriminated against tractor-trailer trucks.

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Then in December 2024, a federal appeals court announced it would allow the state to charge tolls, but said it would have to get rid of the caps originally put in place to take the burden off local companies.

READ MORE: Appeals court upholds RI truck tolls but throws out caps for local trips

The Rhode Island state budget that just took effect expects truck tolls to bring in $10 million in revenue. When the truck tolls were previously active, the Department of Transportation said the gantries collected roughly $100 million.

McKee said fees are still being determined, but said the ruling does mean the state will have to change how truck drivers are charged.

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Itll affect the trucks that were affected before, but because of the court decision, itll affect whether youre in-state or out-of-state, he said. The out-of-state trucking has to be treated the same.

Ocean State Job Lot, one of Rhode Islands largest companies, said the change is going to hurt local businesses the most.

Now, 94% of the tolling burden will be on Rhode Island companies, wrote CEO Marc Perlman. Does that sound good for Rhode Island businesses? Its no wonder why no other state is duplicating Rhode Islands tolling system.

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What does it mean to live unto Jesus as a Christian today?

Fourteen Christian influencers from around the nation provide answers in sharing their stories related to hot topics and thoughtfully bantering in an unscripted podcast that debuted in May.

And now, the Compassion International-produced podcast called Nuance is getting more public exposure.

In a new partnership, the 13-episode series begins airing Thursday on Great American Medias Pure Flix, a faith and family focused streaming service thats available on devices including television and mobile phones.

This is a big deal for us  its our first time to ever have a network pick up one of our shows, said Tim Glenn, a spokesman for Colorado Springs-based Compassion International.

The organization works with more than 8,900 churches in 29 countries to deliver spiritual, economic, social and physical care to 2 million impoverished children and young adults, with financial support from 1.3 million worldwide sponsors.

Its an opportunity for us to introduce our ministry to a brand new audience of like-minded believers who want wholesome content that shows the impact the church is making around the world, Glenn said of the expansion.

Nuance is part of Compassions Unto Jesus initiative inspired by Jesus call in the book of Matthew for his followers to serve the least among us.

Episodes explore how people who disagree on issues can converse with each other in a way that models Jesus.

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Its content that can really nourish people and challenge them in ways of living in compassion  whether its in their own community or around the world, said Andrew Kooman, brand partnership lead.

The series was shot in April in Franklin, Tenn., inside an old church thats been converted to a concert venue. Participants include a mixture of people from all walks of life, working as pastor, CEO, entrepreneur, counselor, author and Food Network cooking show host Aarti Sequeira.

This project has allowed me to be a part of some incredible conversations that have frankly breathed new life into me, Sequeira said in a statement. Life can sometimes be so overwhelming, but over the course of talking to all my new friends in this effort, Ive come to realize that living unto Jesus is a clarifying call.

Featured speakers model honest, vulnerable and good faith conversation, Kooman said. Anyone who tunes in will be inspired.

Uniting the work of Compassion International and Great American Media came about in an organic way, born out of relationships from some of the influencers.

Its showing Christians in media partnering together, Kooman said. The world needs more positive content that brings people together.

The podcast has released one episode per week since launching in May and has two left, he said. It can be heard on Compassions website at Compassion.com/untojesus.

The podcast also is available on Spotify, Apple and other platforms. Some clips of the program on Facebook have gone viral, Kooman said.

The television version on Pure Flix can be seen on pureflix.com beginning Thursday. Four episodes will be released then, with once-weekly showings afterward. Viewers can also access the show through Samsung Plus.

Every act of compassion for those in need is an act of love unto Jesus, creators say. Join us as we explore how to live out Mathew 25  serving others, strengthening communities and growing in faith through meaningful action.
(NewsNation)  Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Thursday that shes pleased with the Trump administrations more than $220 million settlement with Columbia University. The agreement resolves a monthslong standoff over claims the school failed to protect Jewish students and staff during last years pro-Palestinian protests on campus.

McMahon called the settlement a big victory and big accomplishment for students and faculty.

Im pleased with these negotiations. Hopefully, weve restored the university to a place of learning, of open debate, of equal presentation of viewpoints, she told NewsNations Morning in America. Its a big victory and big accomplishment for the students who are there and for faculty.

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Murkowski: Trump funding freeze could result in closing schools

McMahon said she hopes the agreement becomes a template for other colleges and universities nationwide.

Were very hopeful that this settlement is going to be a template for other universities to make sure that our college campuses can once again be a place for open ideas, debate and for learning, and not for violent protests because that cannot be tolerated, she said.

As part of the agreement, Columbia will pay $200 million over the next three years, and an additional $21 million to resolve alleged civil rights violations against Jewish faculty members after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, the White House said.

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Trump administration widens George Mason University probes

Acting university President Claire Shipman called the settlement an important step forward and said it paves the way for the reinstatement of the majority of the $400 million in federal grants that the administration pulled earlier this year.

The protests at Columbia sparked a nationwide wave of campus demonstrations. A federal antisemitism task force later found Jewish students were verbally harassed and ostracized in the classroom during that time.

The settlement, which includes no admission of wrongdoing, codifies a series of reforms while maintaining the universitys autonomy, Shipman said.

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NewsNations Tom Dempsey contributed to this report.

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Education Secretary Linda McMahon is hopeful the Trump administrations deal with Columbia University can be used at other schools as the White House seeks to expand its crackdown on higher education.

It was a comprehensive agreement that we were able to reach with Columbia, and it is our hope that this is going to be a template for other universities around the country, McMahon told NewsNation, the sister network to The Hill.

We are already seeing other universities that are taking these measures before investigation or before our coming in to talk to them and I think that is an incredible win, she added.

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The deal was announced late Monday night after months of negotiations, with a number of concessions coming from Columbia.

Columbia agreed to pay $220 million to the federal government, end programs that promote unlawful efforts to achieve race-based outcomes, quotes, diversity targets or similar efforts and report foreign students who are expelled, among other things.

The two sides also agreed to an independent monitor that will ensure Columbias compliance. McMahon said she has no doubt that compliance is their goal.

McMahon said the last two presidents of Columbia both recognized there was an issue and said the university negotiated in good faith, although the agreement did not end with Columbia admitting wrongdoing.

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This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty, acting university President Claire Shipman said in a statement.

The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track, she added.

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U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran abandoned his commitment to Medicaid and voted to strip thousands of Kansans of their health care. Kansans deserve a senator who will fight for them, writes Mary Jones. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

In April, U.S. Sen Jerry Moran stood up for Medicaid on the Senate floor, arguing that KanCare provides our rural communities with their only source of preventative care, family medicine and mental health support.

This month, he turned his back on Kansans and abandoned his commitment to Medicaid, choosing to vote for a bill that would strip health care from thousands across the state.

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Now come the consequences.

KanCare is the cornerstone of our states medical system, providing vital health care to more than 366,000 Kansans, including one in every three children. It supplies essential funding for rural hospitals statewide, contributed to a 15% drop in overdose deaths in 2024 alone, delivers critical support for Kansans facing mental health challenges and allows more than 13,000 Kansas veterans to access medical services.

Medicaid is a major provider of mental health care in Kansas. Of those enrolled in KanCare, 30% have a mental health illness or addiction. Rural hospitals and community health programs are a lifeline for Kansans and often the only option for mental health support in these communities. More than half of Kansas rural hospitals are already at risk of closure; slashing KanCare could shutter as many as 65 rural hospitals across our state, leaving Kansans without access to basic care  including for mental health.

In Kansas, we look out for each other. But these Medicaid cuts leave our neighbors behind: veterans fighting PTSD, farmers struggling with depression and young people caught in the opioid crisis. This isnt just policy for us. Its about our neighbors, our communities.

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Moran may try to justify his vote by saying that it will reduce spending, but thats not true.

In reality, cuts to KanCare will strip more than 20,000 of our neighbors of their health insurance, forcing them to shoulder average out-of-pocket ER bills of $1,232. Cuts to Medicaid will lead to fewer Kansans getting access to the care they need, raise medical costs for everyone, and threaten our states economy. It will shrink our states GDP by billions and eliminate thousands of jobs across our state, most in the health care sector.

As the head of Mental Health America of South Central Kansas, Ive seen firsthand the effect that KanCare has on providing affordable and quality mental health care to thousands of Kansans. I have dedicated my 30-year career to developing community-based programs for individuals with mental illness, including programming for substance use disorder treatment in our state. I know what KanCare means for our communities, and I know exactly what we stand to lose.

Cuts to this program are going to devastate families already struggling to find support.

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Ive seen it firsthand: a young farmer battling severe depression accessed consistent therapy and medication through Medicaid that literally saved his life during a drought that nearly wiped out his livelihood. We have served veterans in our area with PTSD who depend entirely on Medicaid-funded counseling services. And I think of a 10-year-old girl diagnosed with severe anxiety; thanks to Medicaid, she now receives the mental health care she needs and is thriving in school.

Without this safety net, thousands will be left without treatment, isolated and at risk. Medicaid is not optional in Kansas. Its essential.

Heres the bottom line: Cutting Medicaid puts politics over people. It jeopardizes the health of our friends and neighbors, our children and grandparents, our veterans and farmers.

Moran has stood up for Medicaid at home and in Washington, raising concerns about this bill and its devastating impact on Kansans. But instead of acting when it counted, he turned his back on us. Medicaid cuts wont go into effect until 2026, which means lawmakers still have the opportunity to change course.

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Kansans deserve better than health care cuts. Kansans deserve KanCare, and we deserve a senator who fights for us.

Correction: A reference to the Veterans Crisis Line has been omitted, as it could be affected by changes other than Medicaid cuts.

Mary C. Jones is the president and CEO of Mental Health America of South Central Kansas. Through its opinion section, Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here.
A volunteer clinic escort holds a sign outside a Planned Parenthood clinic, which is not included in clinics exempt from a recent federal injunction, in Columbia, South Carolina, on Friday, March 28. (Photo by Skylar Laird/SC Daily Gazette)

COLUMBIA  South Carolinas two Planned Parenthood clinics can no longer accept Medicaid health insurance for non-abortion health care services.

A provision of Republicans big, beautiful law that barred Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood for one year took effect in South Carolina on Monday. Thats because a federal judges ruling that partially suspended the law elsewhere didnt apply to the Palmetto State.

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Meanwhile, it remains unclear whether the nonprofit can get reimbursed for the visits of about 1,000 Medicaid-covered patients in South Carolina due to a separate lawsuit.

Last month, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling effectively allowed the state to remove Planned Parenthood from its list of approved Medicaid providers, potentially settling a seven-year-old case. But that ruling has yet to take effect.

The nations highest court must still send its decision back to a lower court. A judge could decide to simply let Gov. Henry McMasters 2018 executive order  which has been blocked by the lawsuit ever since  take effect. Or more legal arguments could be required.

After the June 26 ruling, Planned Parenthood clinics in Columbia and Charleston continued accepting Medicaid for health care services the government insurance program normally would cover, such as cancer screenings, contraceptives, and treatment for sexually transmitted infections. But they havent asked the states Medicaid agency to get paid for those services, according to Vicki Ringer, a longtime lobbyist for Planned Parenthood in South Carolina.

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Since theres a possibility the judge will let McMasters order retroactively take effect with the high courts ruling, Planned Parenthood doesnt want to have to pay the state back.

While questions on that case continue, a different federal judges ruling on the massive tax-and-spending law signed July 4 by President Donald Trump immediately stopped Planned Parenthood from accepting Medicaid, said spokeswoman Molly Rivera.

Thats because the ruling allowed payments to continue only to clinics that either dont provide abortions or are parts of regional membership organizations that received no more than $800,000 from Medicaid in 2023. South Carolinas clinics, which continue to provide abortions as allowed under the states 2023 law, met neither of those exceptions.

Planned Parenthoods attorneys will keep fighting both the federal laws one-year ban and the states executive order, said Susanna Birdsong, an attorney for the nonprofits South Atlantic region.

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While they involve lawmakers decisions seven years apart and separate rulings in different courts, the result is the same  at least, for now.

Theyre pulling at different levers, but the effect is, because we provide abortions, we are not allowed to bill Medicaid for other services we provide, Birdsong said.

The state Attorney Generals Office did not respond to a request for comment.

Medicaid doesnt pay for abortions in South Carolina except in cases of rape, incest or to save a patients life. However, under the 2023 state law, abortions remain legal until an ultrasound first detects cardiac activity. The state Supreme Courts most recent ruling in May upholding that law kept the ban at six weeks of pregnancy.

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Despite the imminent loss of funding, the states clinics arent in danger of closing, Ringer said.

Because South Carolina never expanded Medicaid eligibility as the 2010 federal health care law intended, the reimbursements for procedures covered under Medicaid were already relatively low. So, the clinics didnt depend on them to keep operating, she said.

The nonprofits bigger concern is how Medicaid patients will get care if they cant go to Planned Parenthoods two clinics in South Carolina. Not all doctors accept Medicaid as insurance, and those who do often have long waits, Ringer said.

She stressed that Medicaid patients can continue visiting Planned Parenthood and using its income-based payment system to get low-cost treatments.

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However, their government-provided insurance will no longer cover the visits.

Leaders for the nonprofit have vowed to continue serving patients and finding ways to challenge the governors decision.

The U.S. Supreme Courts ruling last month  that patients dont have the right to sue to see the provider of their choice  was technical. But other legal questions remain, Birdsong said.

The decision doesnt foreclose other possible ways to challenge the executive order, Birdsong said.

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What started as a retirement hobby has evolved into one of Georgia's most celebrated craft distilleries, drawing thousands of visitors annually to a sprawling 70-acre estate in this rural railroad town about two hours south of Atlanta.

Erik and Karin Vonk, a Dutch couple who traded corporate life for farming, have built Richland Rum into a business that critics say produces some of the finest spirits available anywhere. Their journey began 25 years ago, rooted in Erik's childhood memories of his grandfather's lessons about rum production.

"He taught me as an impressionable kid and teenager the difference between rums made from molasses which is a byproduct of sugar making and rums made directly from fresh sugar cane," Erik Vonk said.

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The couple grow their own sugarcane on the estate, putting them among less than 5% of rum makers worldwide who use sugar cane juice instead of molasses. This distinction, the Vonks say, sets their product apart in a crowded marketplace.

"We are in the first real growth month," Erik Vonk said, surveying the fields that supply their distillery.

Meet Karin and Erik Vonk, the husband-wife duo behind Georgia's rum renaissance. / Credit: CBS News

How the distillery produces its rum

The U.S. rum industry is experiencing what experts call a "rum renaissance," with craft spirits gaining popularity nationwide. Georgia, in particular, has seen significant growth after legislative changes made production more viable.

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Rum production in the state was essentially nonexistent until the turn of the century due to complicated liquor laws. A breakthrough came in 2017 when Georgia lawmakers allowed distilleries to sell their products directly from their facilities.

"Finally in 2017, the Georgia legislator allowed us to sell our own product in our own buildings," Karin Vonk said.

The Richland distillery houses more than 1,000 American white oak barrels stacked to the ceiling, some containing rum that has been aging for more than a decade. The aging process is crucial to the final product's quality.

"We always say the barrel decides when the rum is ready. It can be anywhere between six and 10 years," Karin Vonk said.

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Success didn't come easily. The Vonks describe years of trial and error, with Karin noting "a lot of blisters" in perfecting their craft.

Distiller TJ Harris oversees the production process, which begins with combining 90 gallons of syrup with 500 gallons of water and six ounces of yeast. Fermentation takes seven to 10 days before the mixture moves to copper pot stills, where it's distilled at 120 proof and transferred to barrels.

The operation's reputation has attracted notable attention, including from former President Jimmy Carter and former first lady Rosalynn Carter, who grew up in nearby Plains.

"President Carter and Ms. Rosalynn had so much interest in the process that then and there, we decided we were distilling a presidential barrel right there," Karin Vonk said.

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The couple acknowledges the challenges of combining marriage with business ownership.

"Starting a distillery is an enormous challenge. Combining the two is madness," Erik Vonk said, laughing. "The fact that we've been able to do that and still are enjoying it every day  and still happily married  is remarkable."

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Conservative pundit Meghan McCain attacked CNN anchor and reporter Kaitlan Collins, suggesting she be barred from covering the White House after she aggressively questioned press secretary Karoline Leavitt on Wednesday about President Trumps view on Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

Kaitlan Collins is an absolute imbecile and a pure partisan hack, McCain wrote Wednesday on the social platform X. Have some respect for the two women standing in front of you who are exposing lies, deep corruption and keeping the country safe. The White House should pull her credentials.

McCain was responding to Collinss questioning of Gabbard, who during a briefing earlier in the day alleged former President Obama and his allies worked to undermine Trump ahead of the 2016 election.

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What would you say to people who believe that youre only releasing these documents now to improve your standing with the president after he said that your intelligence assessments were wrong? Collins asked, in reference to conflicting intelligence within the administration relating to Irans nuclear program.

Collins has made a name for herself in the media with direct questioning of top Republican lawmakers on her nightly prime-time show and repeated follow-ups directed at Trump during gaggles with members of the press.

There is precedent for Trumps White House pulling credentials of reporters it feels are overly combative. During his first term, the president yanked the credential of then-CNN reporter Jim Acosta before eventually reinstating his hard pass.

This year, The White House took control of the press pool covering the president daily and sought to elevate right-wing and new media voices in media briefings and interactions with reporters.

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Trump has sued a number of leading news outlets in recent months, and Leavitt announced Monday that The Wall Street Journal would be banned from covering Trumps upcoming trip to Scotland due to its reporting on his alleged ties to Jeffery Epstein.

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The father charged in connection with the death of his 9-year-old daughter he called "light of his life" seemingly had his reservations too, according to a person familiar with him.

Luciano Frattolin, 45, reported his daughter, Melina Frattolin, missing while they were on vacation in Lake George in upstate New York.

The Montreal native was arrested on a murder charge on Monday, July 21, a day after an Amber alert was issued for Melina, whom police worried had been abducted based on Luciano's account.

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Following Luciano's arrest, the Associated Press, WRGB and The Montreal Gazette reported he was the founder of Gambella Coffee. On the company's website, which has since been taken down, much of his bio centered around Melina, whom he called the "light of his life."

"She is the inspiration for well, everything," part of the bio reportedly said. "His pursuits for building a more equitable and just world are deeply guided by his determination that she will not have to endure the same social injustices that he encountered throughout his childhood."

But it may not have been an entirely accurate reflection of his relationship with the child, according to one former friend of Luciano's who shared details with a newspaper in Montreal.

From what (Frattolin) said, he truly loved (Melina)," the friend, who declined to share his name publicly, told the Montreal Gazette.

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"He would visit at least once a year. He loved his daughter, but he didnt like the idea of being tied down, the man told the outlet. His main base was in Ethiopia, not Montreal.

Luciano had reportedly said on the coffee company website that he would spend "as much time as he can" with his "beautiful daughter" in Montreal.

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Luciano, who initially reported Melina missing on Saturday, was arrested soon after her body was found, after police say they noticed "inconsistencies" in his accounts.

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Authorities have not publicly announced a motive behind the killing. Luciano has been charged with murder and concealment of a corpse.



He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.



If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.



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Sen. Brent Taylor, a Memphis Republican. (Photo: John Partipilo)

Sign up for Chalkbeat Tennessees free newsletter to keep up with statewide education policy and Memphis-Shelby County Schools.

Memphis education leaders are pushing back on what they call misleading and offensive language from lawmakers leading the charge to turn over control of the school district to the state.

Rep. Mark White and Sen. Brent Taylor, both Republicans from Memphis, told WKNO/Channel 10 earlier this month that in January they will bring back their bills to create a state-appointed board to lead Memphis Shelby-County schools. In the interview, Taylor called the current school board members dumba**es.

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The school board ranks right up there with jock itch, in terms of what people think about them, he said.

The district declined to comment, and Taylor did not respond to Chalkbeats requests for comment. But a school board member and local advocates condemned Taylors language.

Taylor is known for making off-color and often incendiary public comments, particularly during General Assembly debates. While the comments arent surprising, education officials in Memphis say the rhetoric further inflames already tense relations between city and state officials.

I think hes become emboldened, given the tenor of our current national politics that has trickled down into our state and is now trying to trickle down into our local politics, said MSCS board member Natalie McKinney.

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The school board faced backlash in the winter for ousting former Superintendent Marie Feagins, a move White and others publicly urged against. Feagins filed a lawsuit against the board in February, saying her firing violated the Tennessee Open Meetings Act.

The district in recent years has faced significant academic and financial challenges, in addition to repeated administrative drama at the superintendent level. Feagins lasted less than 10 months in the job before her ouster, which prompted White to introduce his bill to rework district leadership.

In an interview, White told Chalkbeat that hes not worried about the senators language.

Weve all got our style, so Ill let Senator Taylor do his thing, White said. Hes doing a great job as far as Im concerned.

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But Cardell Orrin, who leads Stand for Children Tennessee, a Memphis-based nonprofit working to promote equity in school outcomes, called the senators language very clearly offensive.

We have a high tolerance for ignorance here, but this white suburban Republican legislator is comparing school board members, who are mostly Black women, to jock itch, he said. This senator whose main hashtag is Make Memphis Matter  is doing all of these things to assert control over this place that he doesnt live in.

During the WKNO interview, lawmakers cited MSCS recent state test scores as a main reason a leadership change is needed, calling the small incremental increases insufficient. Just over 29% of the districts students in grades 3-5 passed in reading this year, a critical reading benchmark for the state, up from 26% in 2023-24.

Were not meeting the mark on preparing our Memphis-Shelby County students, which are the inner city kids, to be able to get those jobs and to move out of high school, White told Chalkbeat. Its no longer about any particular school board or any particular superintendent. This has been going on for decades, and its just time for intervention.

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Dolores Rivers, interim director of the Memphis-Shelby County Education Association and a retired teacher of 26 years, said that minimizing the districts progress is a slap in the face of the teachers that are in the classroom.

People need to understand that our kids come to us behind; they start behind, she said. Proficiency is the goal that were trying to attain. Growth is the path.

MSCS outpaced average state improvement on some testing benchmarks, including third-grade reading proficiency. But the district continues to lag behind statewide results, with 41.7% of all Tennessee third graders scoring proficient on the test. White said getting MSCS to hit that state figure is the goal.

While on WKNO, White and Taylor compared MSCS test scores to smaller, less diverse nearby school systems like the University Schools, which is an independent public school system thats been run by the University of Memphis since 2024.

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But Rivers said those comparisons are unfair, noting that the district has a waiting list.

We have to accept everybody, she said.

Memphis students have to apply to the University Schools system, and are required to show a satisfactory conduct grade and attendance record to be admitted. White said the schools serve many of the same students as MSCS because they pull from the same ZIP codes.

And whether its fair or not, thats not the point, he said. The point is, year after year, Memphis-Shelby County Schools does not perform.

In their WKNO interview, Taylor and White said the University School system serves an equal number of white and Black students. But according to a 2024 report, 31% of the districts 1,200 students are Black and 53% are white.

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And 2024 data from the Tennessee Department of Education shows that the percentage of economically disadvantaged students in the University Schools system ranged from 7% in elementary to 14% in middle school, compared to 53% of MSCS students district-wide.

McKinney said those differences in student demographics matter.

This attempt to dissect poverty from the ability to take advantage and have full access to all your educational opportunities is something that we need to stop lying to ourselves about, she said.

Orrin was one of many community leaders to launch the Save Our Students initiative fighting against the previous round of state takeover bills in the spring. He acknowledged that there is a lot to improve at the district, including holding board members and district leadership accountable.

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But Orrin says the lawmakers reasons for upending the MSCS school board keep changing over time, and the $6 million forensic audit set to start this month  which the lawmakers said will guide their efforts going forward  will only make that worse.

Theyre on a hunt for why theyre doing the state takeover again, so its another rationale, he said. Again, we dont have any context or any prior consideration of what theyre looking for.

The state hasnt conducted an independent investigation of any other system, Orrin said. And the lawmakers admitted theyll likely only have partial results by the time the legislative session ends.

White says hes confident the partial results will be enough to inform how he and Taylor can reconcile the two state takeover proposals the duo introduced earlier this year. But he said theres nothing the audit could find that would make him change his mind.

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We need more than advisers right now, he said. You have to have this complete overhaul to break down that bureaucracy.

Bri Hatch covers Memphis-Shelby County Schools for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Reach Bri at bhatch@chalkbeat.org.

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.
MERIDEN, Conn. (WTNH)  One Connecticut couple has a lot more to celebrate than just their 25th anniversary, according to the CT Lottery website.

Connecticut Lottery: How many people have won $1 million or more so far in 2025?

Joe F., a Meriden man, said he has been playing the CT Lottery for more than 40 years and was shocked when he checked his Powerball ticket after the July 12 drawing.

He won $100,000.

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Joe said he usually plays his lucky numbers  but it was his wife, Barbaras system of picking numbers that matched five of the six winning numbers in that days drawing.

Because Joe purchased the Power Play option, his $50,000 win instantly became $100,000.

I was checking the ticket and checked it again. Then checked it again. Then checked it again Joe said before alerting Barbara. Its still sinking in.

The winning ticket was bought at the Wheels Convenience Store in Shelton.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
Officials at New Life Church expressed a mixture of sadness and hope over the weekend as they explained the details surrounding the resignation of lead Pastor Brady Boyd on Wednesday.

Boyd, who assumed leadership of the evangelical megachurch in August 2007, was asked to step down after the board of elders determined that his recent statements about the sexual misconduct of longtime associate Robert Morris were inaccurate, a New Life elder said in a statement on Sunday.

Morris, who founded Gateway Church near Dallas in 2000, resigned last year after admitting to inappropriate sexual behavior in the 1980s with an underage girl. The victim, Cindy Clemishire, was 12 when the four-year period of abuse that she has accused Morris of began, officials said.

Morris is facing five criminal charges related to sexual contact with a child.

Boyd, who served at Gateway from 2001-2007 and invited Morris to serve as a guest pastor at New Life several times, said as recently as June 8 that he did not know that Clemishire was 12 until last year.

I didnt know that, Boyd told congregants this month. Very few people knew that.

In a statement Sunday, church elder Scott Palmer said Boyds insistence that he did not know Clemishires age at the time of Morris abuse was the primary reason the board asked him to step down.

Brady had nothing to do with Pastor Morris past abuse, Palmer said.

Still we believe that trust is the currency of leadership. When Brady recently told our congregation, inaccurately, that he was unaware of certain details regarding Morris past abuse, trust was broken, and the elders asked Brady to resign.

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In the statement, Palmer acknowledged Boyds contributions to New Life during his tenure, including guiding the church into a long season of peace after a deadly shooting in December 2007, eliminating millions of dollars of debt, and spearheading initiatives for the underserved in the Colorado Springs area.

We love and thank God for the Boyd family, and for Bradys service to New Life Church, Palmer said.

Associate Senior Pastor Daniel Grothe has been named Boyds successor, a transition that had been in the works for more than a year, according to church officials.

Brady called it the relay zone, said Senior Executive Pastor Jon Egan on Sunday. Where (Boyd) was coming into the zone with the baton, and Daniel starting running without the baton  now the baton has been passed, and Daniel is running.

Grothe was clearly emotional as he addressed the congregation following a standing ovation.

I hate this. This is not how we wanted this to go, he said.

A longtime fixture at New Life, Grothe expressed gratitude for the Boyd family.

We love Brady and Pam Boyd, he said. Their family is absolutely a gift to us.

Amid occasional outbursts from the crowd, Grothe told congregants that New Life has survived crises before, and that this crisis will pass.

We are going to be OK, he said. This is not our first storm.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron have emphasized the importance of the Franco-German partnership in challenging global political times.

Following his inaugural visit to Paris in May, Merz hosted the French president for a dinner at the lakeside Villa Borsig outside Berlin on Wednesday evening.

"We stand on the foundation of a close Franco-German friendship that has developed over decades. And we both feel a great obligation to continue working on this in the coming years," Merz said at the start of Macron's working visit to Berlin.

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The Franco-German relationship is also personally very important to him, stressed Merz, who welcomed his guest to Berlin in French.

Merz pointed out that more than half of his Cabinet had already made inaugural visits to France since the government took office in early May.

During their meeting, which lasted more than three hours, the two leaders also discussed current trade policy, including the tariff dispute with the United States.

The US has been negotiating with the European Union for weeks on a trade deal to prevent US tariffs of 30% on imports from the bloc from taking effect on August 1.

German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said Merz and Macron, in what he described as a "very trusting conversation," agreed to keep the option of additional trade measures on the table should talks with the US fail.

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He added that both were also prepared to devise new instruments, if necessary.

Kornelius said Germany and France also plan to closely coordinate with Italy and the European Commission as the talks with Washington enter their final phase.

Macron noted that they had already been in close contact in recent days to coordinate their response to Trump's tariff offensive.

Macron also highlighted the personal friendship between him and Merz, as well as between their two countries.

The Franco-German relationship and the shared will to advance both bilateral and European agendas are essential, said the French president. "Vielen Dank, Friedrich," he said at the end of his statement, German for "Thank you very much, Friedrich."

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It was Macron's first visit to Germany since Merz's government took office on May 6.

Just a day after his election, Merz travelled to Paris to signal a "fresh start" in Franco-German relations, which had cooled significantly under former chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Both leaders expressed their intention to strengthen cooperation across all levels. To this end, a joint Cabinet meeting is to be held in late August in Toulon, southern France.

However, key differences remain between the two sides. Paris is pushing for joint European debt to boost the continent's defence industry - a proposal Berlin rejects.

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France also supports the continued use and promotion of nuclear energy, while Germany has phased it out entirely.

There are also issues with the trade agreement between the EU and the Latin American Mercosur countries.

Disagreements persist in joint arms development as well. On the FCAS air combat system - a joint project with Spain - the two countries still have differing views over the respective involvement.

At their meeting, Merz and Macron tasked their defence ministers with presenting a realistic plan by the end of August to resolve the dispute and outline a path forward for cooperation within the FCAS consortium, according to Kornelius.

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The German government reiterated its expectation that French defence company Dassault adhere to "existing agreements," which call for equal participation by Dassault, Airbus Germany and Spain's Indra.

Reports suggest Dassault now seeks an 80% share  a demand Germany has rejected.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron intend to hold in-depth discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding measures to combat corruption.

Source: German government spokesperson Stefan Cornelius, quoted by Bild, as reported by European Pravda

Details: "President Macron and the German chancellor have agreed to conduct intensive discussions with the president of Ukraine regarding the fight against corruption," Cornelius said following a three-hour meeting between the two leaders in Germany on Wednesday.

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Cornelius said Macron and Merz had stressed that right now, Ukraine is at a crucial turning point on its path towards EU membership.

The spokesperson added that the two leaders also had a lengthy discussion about the military situation in Ukraine and further military aid to Kyiv, but gave no further details.

Background:

On the evening of 23 July, Zelenskyy commented on the outrage expressed by the public and Ukraines international partners over actions targeting anti-corruption institutions, promising to submit his own draft law to guarantee their independence.

The G7 ambassadors have welcomed Zelenskyy's promise to restore the independence of Ukraines anti-corruption agencies and offered their assistance in this regard.

Read more: A Zelenskyy-Orban alliance? How the president undermined Ukraine's path to EU membership and what happens next

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Tennessee Department of Transportation continues to work on a widening and upgrading project along Nolensville Road, and Metro Councilmember Mike Cortese has an update on what residents can expect among the ongoing construction.

Cortese told News 2 that the first footing for the new bridge south of the Discount Tire has been poured, but crews are waiting for a power pole to be moved to pour the second footer on the north side of the creek.

Additionally, the large retaining wall has been completed on the north end of the Aramark parking lot  besides one last concrete panel. The panel currently is held off due to an existing pipe running through that piece.

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(Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN) (Photo: WKRN)

Crews are still testing the water line from Bluff Road to Sugar Valley and theyre working on a storm drain crossing just south of Tusculum Church crossing Nolensville Road. Speaking of water lines, a new one has been added to the area north of Bradford hills.

Rough grading between Kinhawk Drive and Celebration Way has been completed.

Gas crews are set to begin work near Bluff Road, laying pipe to the tie-in point to begin improving the lines.

The installation of temporary signals along Holt Road is nearly complete. The curb has also been poured on the phase one reopening alignment and new topsoil will be laid on top of the curb. Crews are currently scheduled to start paving on July 25 and it will take three to four days depending on the weather.

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Drivers should expect delays between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. as crews continue to work on both Nolensville and Holt Road.

Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@wkrn.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  A woman detained at a citizenship appointment in May will not be deported following a judge's ruling this week barring her removal, but her Marine Corps veteran husband said she remains in custody at immigration detention center in Louisiana.

For two months, Paola Clouatre, 25, has been held at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement complex in Monroe, waiting to learn whether she will be allowed to remain in the country. Once a week she is allowed to see her husband, who makes the eight-hour roundtrip trek from Baton Rouge so the mother can breastfeed their 4-month-old baby and see their 2-year-old son.

Clouatre, a Mexican national, entered the U.S. seeking asylum with her mother more than a decade ago. After marrying her husband in 2024 and applying for her green card to legally live and work in the U.S., she learned that ICE had issued an order for her deportation in 2018 after her mother failed to appear at an immigration hearing.

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In May, during a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services appointment in New Orleans, a staffer asked about the deportation order. Clouatre explained that she was trying to reopen her case, with her husband telling The Associated Press that he and his wife were trying to do the right thing. Soon after, officers arrived and handcuffed Clouatre.

Adrian Clouatre has spent nearly eight weeks fighting for his wife's release, remaining optimistic that their family would soon be reunited outside the detention facility located nearly 180 miles (290 kilometers) from their south Louisiana home.

On Wednesday, they got word that a judge in California  the original jurisdiction for Paola Clouatre's case  had stayed the order for her removal.

Adrian Clouatre welcomed the decision. He said their lawyer is preparing paperwork seeking his wife's release, though it's not guaranteed and could take weeks even in the best of scenarios.

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I just keep telling our son, "'Moms coming home soon, Adrian Clouatre said.

Meanwhile, the couple's lawyer is working to get the Baton Rouge mother's green card process back on track, The New Orleans Advocate/The Times-Picayune reported. While the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has already ruled that the couple has a valid marriage, the process has been held up amid the legal battle.

The Baton Rouge mother is one of tens of thousands of people in custody as part of President Donald Trumps pledge to remove millions of people who are in the country without legal permission.

Clouatre said GOP U.S. Sen. John Kennedy has also requested that the Department of Homeland Security release his wife from custody. Kennedy's office did not return AP's emailed request for comment.

Kennedy is not the first Louisiana Republican to get involved in an immigration case in the reliably red state. Earlier this month, An Iranian mother, who was detained by ICE after living in the U.S. for nearly five decades, was released following advocacy from Republican U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise.
NEW MEXICO (KRQE)  New Mexico Senate Pro Tem Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque) is accused of violating the legislatures anti-harassment policy. There will be a public ethics committee hearing on Friday.

President Trump signs fentanyl crackdown bill co-sponsored by New Mexico senator

KRQE News 13 is trying to learn more about the allegations, but a spokesperson for the Senate Majority Office sent this statement:

Pursuant to Legislative Council Policy Number 15, there will be a public meeting of the Hearing Subcommittee of the Interim Ethics Committee on Friday afternoon. Details of the case cannot be discussed prior to that time Chris Nordstrum, Communications Director, NM Senate Majority 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 KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
A Miami-Dade Sheriffs deputy found herself behind bars Wednesday after federal authorities say she took a trip to Georgia to sexually abuse a 17-year-old and film the encounter.

Carle Miranda Blum, 51, is facing charges of receipt of visual depictions involving the sexual exploitation of minors and production of visual depictions involving the sexual exploitation of minors.

I am very disturbed by the arrest of one of our deputies...., Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said in a statement to the media. These allegations are not only criminal, they are a betrayal of the badge, the public trust, and the oath we swear to uphold.

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In the spring, Blum went to Atlanta to visit the 17-year-old, and while there she recorded multiple videos of her sexually abusing the teen, the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Southern District of Florida said in a statement.

Authorities said Blum, if convicted, would face a mandatory-minimum sentence of 15 years in prison, up to 30 years, for the charge relating to producing the videos. The charge for receiving them carries a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison, with a maximum of 20 years, if convicted.

The actions alleged stand in direct opposition to everything we represent as law enforcement officers and as human beings, Cordero-Stutz said. We have assisted our federal partners throughout the investigation, and I remain committed to full transparency and accountability, no matter who is involved.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson testifies before the Michigan House Oversight Committee. June 24, 2025 | Photo By Ben Solis/Michigan Advance

Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Republican leaders of the Michigan House of Representatives were ordered to enter mediation and hash out their differences in an ongoing lawsuit related to the chambers subpoena requests against the Department of State.

The development continues the legal battle between Benson and the House Oversight Committee, which in April requested election training materials from Benson and her office, which later resulted in a subpoena, a contempt vote and the present lawsuit in House of Representatives v. Benson.

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In an order issued Thursday by Court of Claims Judge Sima Patel, the court ruled that both parties were to meet at a later date at the Michigan Hall of Justice for mediation proceedings. The meeting will commence before Court of Claims Judge James Redford, and both Benson and House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) were ordered to be present.

If Redford allows either Benson or Hall to be absent from the meeting, they would have to designate a person authorized to negotiate a full and final settlement.

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The parties were also ordered to file a joint table identifying the materials subject to the subpoenas along with a brief description of each item. That joint submission is to be issued to the court no later than 14 days after the mediation conference.

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A date and time has yet to be set, the order states.

House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay Township) in May asked the full chamber to hold Benson in civil contempt for her alleged failure to provide the materials, which the House moved as a resolution later that day.

The chambers Republicans have sued Benson seeking a declaratory judgment holding that the House issued a valid subpoena to which the secretary of state must comply. That lawsuit also seeks an injunction prohibiting Benson or the Michigan Department of State from modifying relevant records in the initial request.

20250724 Ord for Mediation Conf

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Benson spokesperson Angela Benander told Michigan Advance on Thursday that working with an independent third-party mediator was an appropriate way to resolve the questions about disclosure of confidential election security-related information, and thats what Benson initially proposed to DeBoyer on May 22.

We are glad the court agrees, Benander said in a statement. We look forward to meeting with Judge Redford and the House counsel to find the right balance between the need for transparency and the need to protect the security of our elections.

The courts most recent order was issued Thursday but Patel initially issued the order from the bench on Tuesday.

DeBoyer, in a statement on the matter issued Tuesday, said the move was a positive step toward achieving the transparency weve been trying tirelessly to bring to Michigan government all year.

Our subpoenas are lawful and well within our prerogative  and our duty to the public  as the peoples representatives, DeBoyer said. Now, the Michigan Court of Claims is helping us get closer to the truth, despite Jocelyn Bensons best efforts to evade accountability. Hopefully, we will be able to work together with the help of Judge Reford to finally make this obscured Secretary of States office more transparent.
State Rep. Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City) leads a press conference to announce legislation that would ban the use of face masks and requiring clear identification for all law enforcement officers interacting with the public in Michigan. July 24, 2025 | Photo by Jon King/Michigan Advance

In a fiery press conference in Lansing, state Rep. Betsy Coffia unveiled Thursday new legislation aimed at banning the use of face masks and requiring clear identification for all law enforcement officers interacting with the public in Michigan.

The Justice Needs No Mask bill comes in response to growing public concern over masked, unidentified federal agents conducting immigration raids and detentions across the country.

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Coffia, who represents a largely rural district in Northern Michigan with a strong agricultural presence, said that the fear among migrant farmworkers and their families was just one factor behind the legislation, which is expected to be introduced Thursday.

They are living in fear today. They are living in fear of being targeted by masked, unidentified armed men in unmarked vans, said Coffia (D-Traverse City). If we want safe communities in Michigan, this bill is a key piece of the conversation because justice needs to wear no mask, not in a free society, not in America.

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Coffia described how disturbing it has been to see reports of masked agents snatching individualsoften without explanation or identificationfrom schools, workplaces, hospitals, and even courtrooms.

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To the average person, these incidents look like violent kidnappings. There is no way for the public, the people being accosted and grabbed, or even local law enforcement and local and state elected leaders to know who these folks are. That secrecy is at issue here. It creates a dangerous situation for those being snatched for our community and for local police as well. Coffia said.

The legislation, which echoes federal legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly), would prohibit law enforcement officers at any level from wearing face coverings or obscuring their identity when engaging with the public.

However, Coffia noted there were clear exceptions. Officers would still be permitted to wear protective gear for disease prevention, or if they are in hazardous environments, or working undercover or conducting counterterrorism operations. The bill also mandates visible identificationsuch as a name or badge numberand clear display of the agency the officer works for.

While Coffia stressed that Michigan State Police and most local police agencies already adhere to transparency measures, she said the increasing use of masked federal agents implementing President Donald Trumps mass deportation plan is what prompted this legislative push.

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Coffia cited recent incidents, including impersonations of ICE agents, that led to sexual assault and attempted detentions, as evidence that the practice is being exploited by criminals. She cited the assassination of a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband by a man allegedly dressed as a police officer and wearing a mask.

Joining Coffia at Thursdays press conference were several co-sponsors of the bill, including Rep. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield), who called the policy of masked detentions a fundamental breach of the contract between citizens and the state.

This policy shreds the rule of law and shreds the contract that we have as citizens with law enforcement; to know why we are being apprehended and what law that we have broken, Arbit said. When you dont know whether someone who is apprehending you is part of the state or not, it gives license to anyone whos not part of the state to also commit violence, ideologically motivated violence, terrorism. Thats what this is, truly.

Rep. Carrie Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor) compared the federal agent actions to historical authoritarian regimes, invoking the memory of the Gestapo, Nazi Germanys secret police.

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We said never again, and we meant it. ICE agents refusing to show their faces or identify themselves is not only wrongits un-American, Rheingans said.

Rep. Stephanie Young (D-Detroit) said the actions of ICE agents under the Trump administration evoke the dark side of Americas past, linking masked law enforcement today to the Ku Klux Klans history of racial terroroften perpetrated, she noted, with the complicity or direct involvement of local police.

Justice wears no mask, Young said. People used to show up at Black families homes wearing hoods. Some of them were law enforcement. And now here we are in 2025, with masked agents scooping up people in our communities.

State Rep. Stephanie Young (D-Detroit) discusses legislation that would ban the use of face masks and requiring clear identification for all law enforcement officers interacting with the public in Michigan. July 24, 2025 | Photo by Jon King/Michigan Advance

Young warned that this issue goes beyond race or immigration status, arguing that all citizens are at risk when secrecy becomes the norm in policing.

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If its happening to brown people today, it can happen to anyone tomorrow, she added.

Coffia acknowledged that passing the legislation may be challenging in a politically divided legislature. When asked by Michigan Advance if any of her Republican colleagues in the state House had expressed support, she said some have privately shared concerns but stopped short of committing to public endorsement.

I know some of them are deeply disturbed by whats happening, Coffia said. Whether that will translate into co-sponsorshipI cant say.

She said she has discussed the bill with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who has joined other attorneys general in pushing for a similar federal standard. Coffia said she believes there is strong support for transparency and accountability, even if the political path forward remains uncertain.

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Young, however, hoped that Michigan could become a model for how states can push back against what they see as a dangerous and authoritarian federal overreach.

We cannot be silent, because silence means complicity. And we refuse to be complicit in injustice, said Young.

Once introduced, the bill is unlikely to get a committee hearing in the GOP-led House.
On June 18, human remains were found near Rocky Mountain National Park's Alpine Ridge Trail in the area of the park's high-elevation Alpine Visitor Center. This prompted an investigation into the situation, with additional details being released in the case about a month later.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  The Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) is reporting that Junes retail index came in at a decrease of more than eight points compared to May, indicating low activity.

The index is seasonally adjusted to account for the fact that June and July are slow months. The number is based on a score out of 100 and reflects how retail sales compare to a historical average for that month. In June, the retail index was 48.7, a decrease from 57.3 in May.

According to MRA, 43% of retailers in a survey noted an increase in June sales, while 39% reported a sales decrease; 18% reported no change.

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While this Junes retail index score is up from last years numbers, the inconsistency retailers have seen this year continues to be a concern among business owners, MRA CEO William J. Hallan said in a news release sent to 6 News.

As a comparison, last years retail index scores remained in a six-point window for eight months straight. But this year, most months scores are fluctuating more than six points.

MRA VP of Communications Vic Veda points out that tariffs play a role in how much consumers are willing to buy.

Tariffs have certainly been a big factor that weve heard retailers talking about for months now, Veda told 6 News.

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We have heard from many retailers that the inconsistency around tariffs is really causing a burden for their business. Both on the administrative side of trying to keep up with whats been tariffed and, you know, from which countries and on what products. But also managing consumer expectations and trying to build consumer confidence in current pricing because consumers are very sensitive right now with price changes.

When asked if consumers prepared for tariffs by purchasing more earlier this year, Veda said its a mixed bag.

That again speaks to the inconsistency and uncertainty that retailers are facing, she added. We do have consumers on both ends of the spectrum. Some consumers are stockpiling. They stockpiled early on when tariffs were first announced to try and beat the tariff increases and stock up on all the goods that they know theyre going to need.

Other consumers are feeling very hesitant to spend and wanting to hold onto additional funds, that are not buying more than what they know for sure they need. Theyre kind of waiting to see how things are going to pan out, but theyre holding onto that financial security and stockpiling funds and stuff as inventory.

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As far as the next few months, Veda says optimism remains high.

Retailers definitely have a spirit of resilience and determination, she said. Our 3-month outlook has remained above that 50-point mark, which indicates hope for an increase in sales in the coming three months, or an expectation of increase in sales. That optimism remaining high is a good indicator that retailers are feeling hopeful that sales will increase.

President Donald Trump is slated to set tariffs as high as 50% on dozens of countries next week, including some top U.S. trade partners like Canada, Mexico, Japan and the European Union.

The tariffs are set to take effect Aug. 1 and would escalate the countrys tariff policy. It could also cause drastic price increases for everyday goods.

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Trump delayed what he called reciprocal tariffs in April and said he would strike 90 trade deals in 90 days.

He said the inconsistent levies are part of his negotiation strategy. So far, the White House has reached trade deals with the United Kingdom, Vietnam and Indonesia, plus a preliminary accord with China.

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MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A Midland man is facing multiple felony charges after he allegedly rammed a womans vehicle with his own during a violent rolling disturbance early Wednesday morning, then led deputies on a high-speed pursuit that ended in his arrest.

According to an affidavit filed by the Midland County Sheriffs Office, the incident began around 1:31 a.m. on July 23, when dispatchers received a report of a man threatening to kill a woman and ramming her vehicle near FM 715 and ECR 113.

A deputy, who was patrolling the area in a marked unit with lights and sirens, spotted a vehicle matching the suspects description speeding toward him on FM 715. In an effort to prevent further violence, the deputy attempted to intercept the vehicle, later identified as a white car bearing Texas license plates. The driver, however, veered away and drove northbound, reaching speeds up to 96 mph in a 60-mph zone.

After a brief pursuit, the suspect vehicle abruptly stopped near ECR 130 and SCR 1178, where a felony traffic stop was conducted. The driver of the vehicle was identified as 21-year-old Roberto Xavier Castillo, III.

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Deputies noted a strong smell of alcohol on Castillo and discovered an empty Coors Light bottle on the drivers floorboard. Castillo claimed he was unaware law enforcement was trying to stop him, despite three marked units with emergency lights and sirens behind him. He was read his Miranda rights and continued to state he was just trying to go home.

The female victim, identified in the report only as W, told deputies she had witnessed Castillo crash into another vehicle within Midland city limits before she began following him while on the phone with 911. She said Castillo pulled over briefly before making a sudden U-turn and rammed her SUV multiple times, endangering her and her children.

Investigators said the womans SUV sustained heavy damage to the front passenger side. EMS personnel responded to the scene and drove all victimsincluding the woman, her front-seat passenger, and two children in the back seatto Midland Memorial Hospital for further evaluation. The children reportedly suffered neck and head injuries from the impact.

Castillo was arrested and taken to the Midland County Detention Center. He faces four counts of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, a third-degree felony, and Evading Arrest in a Motor Vehicle, also a third-degree felony. He remained in the Midland County Law Enforcement Center as of Thursday afternoon on a combined $225K bond.

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A deportations terminal is to be built at Munich Airport to speed up the removal of illegal migrants from Germany.

According to planning documents seen by the Die Welt newspaper, a new 60x66m zone will be added to the airport to deal solely with checking in and deporting migrants.

The terminal, which is set to be completed in 2028, would process up to 50 flights per day in what is the countrys second largest airport.

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Germanys new government is striving to get tougher on mass migration in response to a series of deadly terror attacks committed by Syrian and Afghan asylum seekers.

At the height of the 2015 refugee crisis, Munich received tens of thousands of asylum seekers arriving via eastern Europe, after then-chancellor Angela Merkel threw open the countrys borders.

Friedrich Merz, the current chancellor, has warned that Germany has been overwhelmed by the influx of asylum seekers since 2015 and says Mrs Merkels decision was a historic error.

We clearly did not cope with it, Mr Merz said last week, referring to his predecessors open borders slogan, wir schaffen das, or we can manage it.

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Since being sworn in last May, Mr Merz has instructed border guards to turn away asylum seekers from Germanys land borders and has pledged to speed up the process of deporting those who have lost their right to remain in the country.

The new migrant terminal will be built at Munich airport and will deal solely with migrant check-ins and deportations - MICHAELA STACHE/AFP

Last week, the German government deported dozens of Afghan citizens, including sex offenders and violent criminals, back to Kabul as part of an indirect deal with the Taliban.

The 81 Afghans were put on a Qatar Airways jet at Leipzig airport as Alexander Dobrindt, the German interior minister, warned that serious criminal offenders have no right to reside in our country.

A similar deportation flight to Afghanistan was arranged by the previous government, led by centre-Left Social Democrats leader Olaf Scholz, in 2024.

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The public mood on mass migration has soured in Germany since 2015, and the Right-wing Alternative for Germany party coming second place in last Februarys federal elections.

However, official statistics have shown a significant drop in the number of migrants and refugees coming to Germany, with a decrease of 30 per cent recorded in 2024.

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Federal agents arrested Neiyerver Adrian Leon Rengel outside his apartment in Texas on his 27th birthday. Two days later, he was deported to a brutal prison in El Salvador, where he was packed in a jail cell with more than a dozen other Venezuelan men for up to 24 hours a day, for four months.

Inside El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center, Rengel endured physical, verbal and psychological abuse, including routine beatings from guards using their fists and batons, according to his complaint to the Department of Homeland Security Thursday.

The details of Rengels removal from the United States, and his time spent in CECOT, constitute the first legal action against Donald Trumps administration in the wake of a prisoner swap that released more than 250 Venezuelans from the notorious Salvadoran jail.

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Rengels administrative claim seeks $1.3 million in damages, alleging wrongful detention and personal injury. The claim is the first step towards a lawsuit against the administration, which has faced an avalanche of legal challenges related to the summary removal of dozens of immigrants to a foreign prison where they faced the prospect of indefinite detention.

You dont have to be a constitutional scholar for the Rengel case to set off alarms, according to Norm Eisen, executive chair of Democracy Defenders Fund, which filed the claim on Rengels behalf.

First legal action after Venezuelans released from CECOT in El Salvador details physical, verbal and psychological abuse inside (Reuters)

Detaining and disappearing someone without cause or access to legal recourse is illegal and abhorrent, he added. This kind of conduct may be straight out of the Trump playbook on immigration, but it has nothing to do with the American Constitution or our values.

Rengel came to the U.S. in 2023 by appointment through the CBP One app, a Joe Biden-era program that allowed immigrants to schedule appointment with immigration officers before arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Neiyerver Adrian Leon Rengel was deported to CECOT two days after his arrest on his 27th birthday (Family of Neiyerver Adrian Leon Rengel)

He also applied for temporary protected status, with a pending immigration court date in 2028, according to his attorneys.

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After his arrest, agents falsely claimed his tattoos were affiliated with Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua, which he has adamantly denied, according to the complaint. He has not been charged with any crime.

He was not allowed to challenge that flimsy pretext for removal under Trumps use of the Alien Enemies Act, which labels Venezuelan members of Tren de Aragua alien enemies who can be summarily deported. Federal authorities have wide discretion to determine membership, largely by pointing to their tattoos.

Neiyerver Adrian Leon Rengel entered our country illegally in 2023 from Venezuela and is an associate of Tren De Aragua, according to a statement from Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin. Tren de Aragua is vicious gang that rapes, maims, and murders for sport. This illegal alien was deemed a public safety threat as a confirmed associate of the Tren de Aragua gang and processed for removal from the U.S.

Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will not allow foreign terrorist enemies to operate in our country and endanger Americans, McLaughlin said. They will always put the safety of the American people first.

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Inside CECOT, Rengel was routinely beaten, and on one occasion, taken to an area of the prison without cameras where guards viciously attacked him, according to his complaint.

Rengel was also forced to witness guards severely beating other detainees, the complaint says.

CECOT guards would turn out the light, take a detainee out of the cell, and attack them outside their cell in front of Rengel and his cellmates, according to the complaint.

Prisoners inside the notorious jail were subject to routine beatings and 24-hour confinement in packed cells, according to a complaint from a recently released detainee (AFP/Getty)

Rengel was imprisoned with 18 or 19 other Venezuelans inside a cell no larger than 10-by-10 feet, and the men were rarely allowed to leave, staying inside the cell up to 24 hours a day, the complaint says.

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They shared two toilets in the cell without any privacy, and the cell was only cleaned once a week, according to Rengel.

The Red Cross visited the facility on June 12, and Rengel spoke with the group for 30 minutes  his only contact with the outside world during his imprisonment, according to the complaint.

On July 18, following trilateral negotiations with the U.S. and Salvadoran and Venezuelan governments, Rengel and more than 250 other Venezuelans jailed inside the facility were returned to their home country.

Rengel has since returned to his mothers home in Municipio Baruta, Venezuela, and is terrified to return to the United States given the horrendous treatment he endured, according to his complaint.

The Trump administration is likely to face a wave of legal complaints following the release of dozens of Venezuelans who were summarily deported from the US under the Alien Enemies Act, only to be released four months later (AFP/Getty)

Court orders in several cases urged administration officials to facilitate the return of immigrants wrongfully deported to CECOT, and the top judge in Washington, D.C., has threatened officials with contempt after defying his orders to turn the planes around in the first place.

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Officials claimed for months that the United States no longer has jurisdiction over deportees that were locked up in El Salvador. But authorities in that country recently told the United Nations that the legal responsibility for these people lie exclusively with the U.S. government.

Attorneys for Rengel argue that his release  along with the release of dozens of other Venezuelan detainees  demonstrate that the U.S. government has always had the ability to secure their release.

Mr. Rengels loved ones were cut off from contact, left with no answers, and forced to endure months of fear, confusion, and heartbreak," according to Juan Proano, president of Latino civil rights organization LULAC, which is representing Rengel.

While no amount of money will ever be able to make up for the deeply traumatic wounds Mr. Rengel now bears, our government has the responsibility to ensure he and his family have the resources they need as they cope, Proano said.
A migrant who murdered his wife as she pushed her pram down the street should never have been given a student visa to enter Britain, the Tories have suggested.

Habibur Masum, 27, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 28 years earlier this week after stabbing Kulsuma Akter dozens of times in broad daylight last April.

The killer came to the UK from Bangladesh on a student visa in 2022 after enrolling on a masters degree in marketing at the University of Bedfordshire, which allows international students to show Duolingo tests proving their English language skills in some cases.

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Reports had stated that Masum completed an English literature degree at the university, but court documents show he studied the subject in Bangladesh before moving to the UK.

Masum required a Bengali interpreter during the three-week trial at Bradford Crown Court last month, where he was found guilty of murder.

Kulsuma Akter was stabbed dozens of times in broad daylight in Bradford last year - PA

Laura Trott, the shadow education secretary, claimed the case highlights ongoing concerns over how the student visa regime is operating in ensuring that those admitted to study at UK universities have the highest standard of English required.

In a letter to the Office for Students (OfS) sent on Thursday, Ms Trott urged the watchdog to launch an investigation into whether the University of Bedfordshire breached its conditions of registration by admitting Masum.

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The institution is currently undergoing enhanced monitoring by the OfS, the universities regulator, amid concerns over the quality of some of its courses.

In her letter to the OfS, Ms Trott also raised concerns over significant changes in the student composition at the University of Bedfordshire in recent years.

International students, who typically pay much higher fees than domestic students, made up nearly half of the universitys student body last year, according to the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

The number of foreign students enrolled on postgraduate taught courses at the institution have soared over the past decade, from 1,855 in 2015 to 4,675 last year.

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It means 83 per cent of students on postgraduate taught degrees at the university were international students last year  well above the national average of around 53 per cent.

The University of Bedfordshire, which has around 14,000 students, was founded in 2006 through a merger between the University of Luton and De Montfort Universitys Bedford campus.

Masum was jailed for a minimum of 28 years for the murder of his wife - PA/Elizabeth Cook

Ms Trott said in her letter that Masums case brought into sharp relief existing concerns over the quality and standards in operation at the University of Bedfordshire.

CCTV footage of his attack on Akter, played during the trial, showed that he stabbed her at least 25 times while she pushed their baby in a pram through Bradford city centre.

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Mr Justice Cotter, the judge, said Masum attacked his wife viciously and mercilessly and described the killer as violent, self-centred, jealous, controlling and coercive as he jailed him for life.

A report published earlier this year by the House of Lords said publicly funded interpreting services were requested in around five per cent of criminal trials in 2023.

PhD rapist needed translator

A Chinese national who was handed a life sentence for rape last month also required a translator in court despite studying for a PhD at a prestigious London university.

Zhenhao Zou was found guilty of 28 offences, including 11 counts of rape, and was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 24 years at the Inner London Crown Court in June.

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Zou, who studied both a masters degree and a PhD at University College London, received assistance from a Chinese interpreter during the four-week trial.

A University of Bedfordshire spokesman said: We are deeply shocked and appalled by the horrific crime committed by Mr Masum.

Our thoughts and sympathies are with the family of Kulsuma Akter, who have lost a daughter and a mother in the most devastating circumstances.

We want to make it clear that universities do not set the requirements for student visas. Mr Masum was granted a student visa by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) after meeting all the necessary conditions, including achieving the required level of English through a UKVI approved English language test and providing evidence of his previous education.

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He also declared he had no prior criminal convictions.

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House Speaker Mike Johnson explained  with perfect clarity  the obvious pitfalls in Republican-led efforts to question Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted child sex trafficker and Jeffrey Epstein accomplice, as President Donald Trump and his allies try to quell the outcry over his administrations handling of the Epstein case.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, formerly Trumps criminal defense attorney, is meeting with Maxwell  for whom Trump expressed his well wishes in 2020  on Thursday. And a House Oversight Committee spokesperson said that the committee, led by Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., intends to subpoena Maxwell for a deposition as soon as possible.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday, Johnson said he backed Comers plan  but raised what he called an obvious caveat:

I will note the obvious concern, the caveat, that Chairman Comer and I and everyone has, that  could she be counted on to tell the truth? Is she a credible witness? I mean, this is a person whos been sentenced to many, many years in prison for terrible, unspeakable, conspiratorial acts, and acts against innocent young people. I mean, can we trust what shes going to say?

Johnson: The caveat is can Maxwell be counted on to tell the truth? She is been sentenced to many, many years in prison for terrible, unspeakable acts.. Can we trust what she's going to say even if she raises her hand and says she'll testify under oathis that something that can pic.twitter.com/RZGyIKp7Ie  Acyn (@Acyn) July 23, 2025

Even Johnson, a lawyer who tried to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, understands what seemingly every reputable lawyer understands: the obvious incentive for Maxwell to lie.

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And Johnson isnt the only Republican to raise this concern. Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska told CNNs Kaitlin Collins that it seems Trump is trying to move to other news when it comes to his administrations handling of the Epstein files  and that the tactic isnt working. When Collins asked the senator whether she thinks Maxwell is credible, Murkowski took a long pause before answering.

I dont know that I find her credible, she said.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski on whether Trump should release the Epstein docs: "Just be done with it. Be done with it. If in fact there's no there there  for the president  get it out there. Just get it out there and be done." pic.twitter.com/ayF78IeIRz  Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) July 24, 2025

Trump and some of his allies seem to think that questioning Maxwell will quiet the storm of controversy surrounding the administration, its handling of Epstein-related documents  and the growing appearance of a cover-up designed to shield the president from potentially damning allegations about his personal ties to Epstein.

Johnson and Murkowski just explained the flawed logic in that strategy.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Miller Lite is celebrating its 50th anniversary by offering 50,000 free beers at bars across the United States.

The beer brand will offer free drinks at 450 bars nationwide during International Beer Day on Aug. 1 and will also host a special New Year's Eve-style "Beer Drop" at a Milwaukee brewery.

Fans age 21 or older but unable to make it to any of the listed bars can still participate through an online alternative, the company said.

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"The 50th anniversary is just more than a milestone for Miller Lite, it's a celebration of our fans and the five decades we've spent together enjoying Miller Time," Ann Legan, Vice President of Marketing for Miller family of brands, said in a news release.

USA TODAY has reached out to Miller Lite for clarification whether there is a one free can limit per person.

The company kicked off its 50th year celebration by releasing limited-edition gold cans earlier this summer and unveiling a partnership with "Saturday Night Live" star Marcello Hernandez.

Here's what to know about the free Miller Lite beers.

When is Miller Lite giving away free beers?

Miller Lite will be giving away 50,000 free beers on Friday, August 1, which also happens to be International Beer Day.

Which bars are giving free Miller Lite beers?

Free Miller Lite beers will be offered at 450 different bars in the U.S. To find the nearest participating location near you visit millerlite.com/find-celebration, enter your state and navigate the list.

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The company will host its main event at the Miller Lite Brewery in Milwaukee, where cans will drop one-by-one from a massive six-pack installation at 4:50 p.m. local time. The event will also be livestreamed with the installation dropping at 4:50 p.m. across various time zones.

"No matter where you are when the clock strikes 4:50PM, its Miller Time," the brand said in a news release.

Bars participating in Virginia include:

Cul's Courthouse Grille, Charles City, VAHyde Social, Arlington, VAIrelands Four Courts, Arlington, VAO'Sullivans, Arlington, VAPadel Plant, Richmond, VAPour House, Ridge, VAScotty's Taphouse, Richmond, VASpider Kellys, Arlington, VA

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to get a free Miller Lite in Virginia
Brown Deer is welcoming a new multifamily affordable housing development for aging residents and seniors with disabilities.

Set to open on July 24, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Residences at Woodale Crossing at 4110 W. Woodale Ave. will provide 56 affordable units for seniors, with a quarter of the units reserved solely for seniors with disabilities who have experienced housing instability, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley's office announced.

On-site supportive services for residents, including social services, independent living support and socialization and skill-based programming, will be offered. The site is also in proximity to Brown Deer Park, public transit, shops and restaurants on Sherman Boulevard, as well as adjacent senior residences and the Bradley Crossing Supportive Housing Community.

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"As we look ahead, its my hope that our state and federal partners continue delivering investments for Milwaukee County that will empower us to build more affordable housing in the years ahead to lower costs and ensure residents and families can live in the neighborhood of their choice, Crowley told the Journal Sentinel ahead of the grand opening on July 24.

My administration is funding the largest number of affordable housing projects in Milwaukee County history. Since being elected, we have invested more than $45 million towards the development of affordable housing, particularly in suburban communities like Brown Deer.

The county worked with Jewish Family Services, Inc. on the development, marking a longstanding partnership between the two entities.

Milwaukee County allocated $2 million of American Rescue Plan Act funding and $1 million of county Housing Services HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds as a part of the development subsidy to make the project fiscally possible.

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The 14 units set aside for residents with disabilities and in need of on-site supportive services will receive funding through project-based vouchers and county-based housing services rental assistance.

Woodale Crossing was designed to support residents in living independently while having access to services that help them thrive, Daniel Fleischman, Interim President and CEO of Jewish Family Services, and Vice President of Housing and Residential Services, said in a statement. This community reflects our belief that stability, respect, and access to care should be part of every housing solution.

With the opening of the new development, Jewish Family Services' campus will provide affordable housing and supportive services for more than 400 residents across its housing developments in Milwaukee.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee County opens 56 senior housing units in Brown Deer
Today, we witnessed a rejection of politics as usual, Fateh said in his victory speech on Saturday.

A Muslim democratic socialist state lawmaker in his 30s defeats the establishment candidate for mayor of his city, setting up a showdown in advance of Novembers general election.

The scenario played out last month in New York City, and again this week in Minneapolis, where Omar Fateh won the endorsement of the states Democratic Party in his bid to unseat the citys Jewish mayor, Jacob Frey.

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Fateh, 35, is the latest progressive candidate to ascend amid a shift away from establishment Democrats. His victory has drawn comparisons to that of Zohran Mamdani, the New York state assemblyman who last month beat out former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a primary election to become New York Citys Democratic mayoral candidate.

Today, we witnessed a rejection of politics as usual, Fateh said in his victory speech on Saturday.

Similarly to Mamdani in New York City, Fateh is promising a more progressive approach than the incumbent mayor. Frey is a moderate who has clashed with the City Councils left-wing majority over issues such as rent control, rideshare driver pay and labor standards. Like Mamdani, Fateh has focused his campaign on affordability and public safety.

NYC democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani against backdrop of pro-Palestinian protesters. (illustration) (credit: REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado, Shutterstock/Here Now)

Also like Mamdani, Fateh is a staunch critic of Israel, which is increasingly shaping local races across the United States. In October 2023, he expressed his mourning for the Israeli victims of the October 7 massacre while demanding a ceasefire and warning about the precipice of a genocidal war on Palestinians.

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Frey, meanwhile, vetoed a City Council resolution that called for a ceasefire in Gaza last year, saying that he supported a ceasefire but found the resolutions language one-sided. The City Council overrode his veto.

Opposition to Israel is no longer a 'dealbreaker' obstacle to electoral success for Democrat candidates

The rise of candidates such as Fateh and Mamdani shows that opposition to Israel, once a dealbreaker in the Democratic political world, is no longer an obstacle to electoral success.

Nearly two years into Israels campaign in Gaza, the partys rifts have deepened over tensions with its base. In Michigans presidential primary last year, more than 100,000 Democrats declared themselves uncommitted to protest former President Joe Bidens support for Israel, and President Donald Trump won the state.

In a signal that the pro-Palestinian movement has moved from social organizing to amassing political power, Jewish Voice for Peace, a prominent anti-Zionist group, has restructured to focus on lobbying for specific policies and supporting or opposing candidates for elected office.

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Freys defeat in the convention does not necessarily predict a loss in November, he failed to win two previous conventions before emerging victorious in the general election, which uses ranked-choice voting.

His campaign said the Minneapolis Democratic party has a flawed endorsement system and alleged that its online system broke down during the voting process, a charge the party has denied.

The Twin Cities are home to some 66,000 Jews and more than 100,000 Muslims, including a large community of immigrants from Somalia. Fateh, who was born in Washington, was the first Somali-American and Muslim elected to Minnesotas state senate in 2020.

Like Mamdani, he has been the target of Islamophobic attacks by right-wing activists such as Charlie Kirk, who said he was part of an attempted Islamic takeover of America that was made possible thanks to mass migration.

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Frey defended Fateh from this attack, responding, Senator Omar Fateh is a proud American who is running because, like me, he loves Minneapolis.

Jewish groups in Minneapolis have not immediately weighed in on the endorsement. But some Jewish leaders in the area told Jewish Insider that they were wary if not of Fateh specifically then of the progressive shift within the Democratic Party and what it could augur for Israels standing within the party.
Residents in Lakeville, Minnesota are calling for more oversight and accountability after their Homeowners Association ordered expensive roofing repairs they say they didnt need.

Five of those residents have decided to sue their HOA and its Board members after being stuck with roofing bills totalling $17,000 each. While the HOA claims that extensive damage following a hailstorm in July 2023 necessitated repairs for each property, the residents say that independent assessments of their homes found that their roofs were in good repair and not damaged by the storm.

Now, these homeowners have until the end of July to make the payment, or risk losing their homes for an association lien closure.

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What the lawsuit alleges

According to a report from KSTP, the five plaintiffs allege that the HOA did not properly verify damage to each individual unit, and instead approved a sweeping, multimillion-dollar repair job. They also say the board has failed to provide promised documentation of the damage.

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Attorney Steven Little, representing the five homeowners, believes the agreement was made to benefit the roofing contracting company, Gittleman Construction and Maintenance Corporation, which is an affiliate of FirstService Residential, the property management company for the Avonlea Townhome Association  both of which are named as defendants in the lawsuit.

Most of these roofs have no damage at all, Little told KSTP. We have independent roofing contractors reports that show theres nothing wrong with these roofs. These are peoples homes, and now theyre being threatened with losing their homes for an association lien closure if theyre not able to come up with the $17,000.

Little has filed a motion to put the payment process on hold on until the HOA shares more information about the roofing assessments and work.

My hope is that we get a court hearing, Sarah Conlow, one of the plaintiffs, said. That they look at all the evidence that we have from across the community and hold off charging homeowners the assessment until we get answers.

The HOAs response

In a letter to homeowners dated June 5, the HOA stated that repairs were necessary following extensive storm-related damage, and that the total cost of replacing or repairing roofs on 32 buildings would amount to $2.5 million, to be split among all 147 homeowners.

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Yeah, it was shocking to get that notice, homeowner Raj Logama Naidu told local news station KSTP. My insurance only covers $1,000.

Under Minnesota law and the associations governing documents, the board is legally obligated to repair the damaged roofs, and this obligation is not optional and cannot be waived or subjected to a vote, according to the spokesperson.

However, KSTP reporters learned that the board committed to providing a report on the damage done to each home. Instead, a report that showed photos of an unidentified home was delivered, totalling only 12 pages.

Utilis Vinson, HOA Association Board President, said to KTSP that its possible that the HOA board did not do their due diligence in sharing photos or documentation of damage with homeowners.

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FirstService Residential did not respond to a request for comment from the KTSP team.

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

Do HOAs have to get approval for major repairs?

When you buy a home in a community governed by a homeowners association (HOA), you agree to follow its rules  including those covering property appearance, structural modifications and maintenance responsibilities. You also agree to pay regular dues, which can vary widely: from $859 a month in New York to just $64 in Idaho, according to a 2024 estimate in the 2024 Condominium Assessments Analysis by the Foundation for Community Research.

But in addition to monthly or quarterly dues, HOAs can also impose special assessments for large-scale repairs or improvements. In most states, board approval is all thats needed  not a majority vote from homeowners.

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That said, HOA members do have rights. You can:

Request documentation of damage or project necessity, including inspection reports and bids

Attend board meetings to ask questions and formally raise concerns

Ask to inspect financial records and review how past dues have been used

Request a delay or payment plan for costly assessments

File a legal complaint if you believe the board acted improperly, such as failing to document decisions, choosing affiliated contractors without transparency or acting in bad faith

If youre considering buying into an HOA, ask for a copy of the associations financial reports, bylaws and reserve fund details before you sign. And if you already live in one, stay involved. Attending meetings and reviewing financial decisions can help you push back before major and costly changes are made.

What to read next

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This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Eighty years ago, on Aug. 6, 1945, as the Enola Gay winged its way back to the Pacific Island of Tinian, pilot Paul Tibbets reflected on his successful mission  the destruction of Hiroshima with a single atomic bomb.
Zohran Mamdani hasnt even been elected New York mayor, but his Democrat primary victory is reshaping his party.

A candidate nicknamed Minneapolis Mamdani has just secured the endorsement of the Minnesota Democrats and is odds-on to become mayor of the city.

Omar Fateh, a 35-year-old socialist, has called for abolishing the police department and replacing them with peace officers as part of a new department of public safety.

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Critics say the proposal by the state senator, who represents the district where George Floyd was murdered in 2020 amounts to a de facto defunding of the police.

Mr Mamdani, a socialist who swept to victory in the Democratic primary backing a $10 billion tax on the rich, has controversially refused to condemn the phrase globalise the intifada, which is often interpreted as calling for violence against Jews around the world.

Many Democrats are still sceptical about Mr Mamdani, notably governors Kathy Hochul and Josh Shapiro, and the partys leader in the House of Representatives Hakeem Jeffries, who have not issued endorsements and in some cases sharply criticised him.

Zohran Mamdani speaks at an endorsement event in New York City on July 15 - Spencer Platt/Getty Images North America

But Mr Mamdani and now Mr Fateh have managed to overcome disquiet from party leaders, and are pushing the Democrats further to the Left in the process.

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Some are alarmed by Mr Fatehs moves to institute a tax on wealthy Minneapolitans which could hammer businesses.

Mamdanis win lit a fire under the progressives in Minneapolis, Gregg Peppin, a Republican strategist, told The Telegraph. The city, along with New York, has become the epicentre of the Democratic socialist movement, he believes.

Mr Fateh beat Jacob Frey, the incumbent mayor of Minneapolis, for the endorsement of the Minnesota DemocraticFarmerLabour Party  the states version of the Democratic Party  at its convention on Saturday.

No candidate has secured the partys backing since 2009 because it imposes a strict 60 per cent threshold in delegate support, but Mr Fateh, who has been endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, broke through.

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Mr Frey, a Democrat who has clashed repeatedly with Minneapolis Left-wing council, has alleged voting irregularities and is seeking to challenge the result.

Some people are alarmed by Omar Fatehs proposals - Circle Archive / Alamy Stock Photo

But as it stands, it gives Mr Fateh a huge advantage in the race to win the mayoralty at the election in November because he will have the partys political muscle behind him, putting him in pole position to claim city hall.

If Im Omar Fateh, Im sitting down with the party and Im saying, Ok we want you to do what youve done in past years, Mr Peppin said.

We want you to send out a sample ballot. We want you to make phone calls. We want you to do, you know, online ads. We want you to do social media. We want you to support the endorsed candidates.

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The final say, Mr Peppin continued, would be the decision of the partys chairman to decide how much support to provide and how much money to spend on Mr Fatehs political ambitions.

Many are wary of the 35-year-olds hard-Left platform, however, chief among them his anti-police stance.

Mr Fateh has denied wanting to defund the police, the rallying cry of Black Lives Matter protesters, but in the past he has supported a ballot move  later rejected by Minnesota voters  that would replace the force with a department of public safety staffed by peace officers.

The initiative was later rejected by voters by a margin of 56 per cent to 44 per cent.

Fateh repeatedly hits out at police

And on his political platform, he repeatedly hits out at the police, claiming they are responsible for violence and brutality that has held our city captive for so many years, have over-criminalised the LGBTQ community, and suggesting they are not trustworthy.

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He has also pledged to increase investment in other departments, like the office of community safety, prompting local fears this could come at the expense of the police.

You may not say the word defund the police, but if they make that kind of move, its exactly what will happen, said Alex Plechash, chairman of Minnesotas Republican Party.

Mr Fateh claims the police are responsible for violence and brutality - Stephen Maturen/Getty Images North America

Mr Plechash was baffled at Mr Fatehs anti-police stance in a city that only a few years ago saw businesses torched and cars set alight as violent mobs rampaged through the city, protesting Floyds killing by officer Derek Chauvin.

If you do that, safety goes out the window, and the very people that are screaming are the ones who get hurt. So it doesnt make any sense to me.

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Mr Fateh has criticised Mr Frey, who has served as mayor of Minneapolis since 2018, for failing to fight President Donald Trump on immigrant rights and has previously introduced legislation to make Minnesota a sanctuary state.

Like Mr Mamdani, he has pledged to raise the minimum wage  though to $20 an hour compared to $30 in New York  establish rent controls, and protect our city from a hostile White House.

Accusing the mayor of criminalising homelessness in Minneapolis, Mr Fateh said he would increase funding for shelters and take a compassionate approach to encampments.

With homeless encampments leaping up across many Democrat-run cities, notably San Francisco and San Diego in California, the issue is a politically-charged one and prompted many liberal bastions to swing right in recent elections.

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To pay for his campaign promises, Mr Fateh has said he wants to institute an income tax to ensure the wealthy pay their fair share, while floating a flurry of other levies including a commercial vacancy tax and a land value tax.

Hes coming in with a socialist agenda

Mr Peppin said he expected Minneapolis business community to be in a near panic about the prospect of Mr Fateh becoming mayor.

The downtown business community  I wouldnt necessarily say they had an ally in Jacob Frey but they had somebody who would listen, he said.

I question whether Omar Fateh is going to be somebody who will even listen to the business community. I think hes coming in with a socialist agenda, and he will do nothing but give lip service to any of them.

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Mr Frey is challenging the DFLs endorsement of his rival, citing flawed and irregular conduct at the convention.

It is far from the first such controversy Mr Fateh has been involved in.

In 2022, the candidates brother-in-law, Muse Mohamud Mohamed, was convicted of perjury and sentenced to house arrest about his handling of mail-in ballots during his 2020 primary campaign.

Three voters testified they did not know him and had not asked him to pick up their ballots.

Mr Fateh, who ended up winning the election to state senate by around 2,000 votes, disclaimed any knowledge of Mr Mohameds actions.

Ethics investigation

He was also investigated by a state senate ethics committee for allegedly receiving free advertising from Somali TV of Minnesota, a YouTube channel.

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Mr Fateh said he had failed to include paying $1,000 for the adverts in his campaign reports. He was ordered to take part in campaign finance training but the committee did not find any evidence of a quid pro quo.

Controversially, in 2023 he faced another ethics probe over allegedly suggesting Republican senators resembled violent terrorists who advocate for the superiority of the white race.

While many commentators and state media have drawn the comparison to Mr Mamdani, Mr Fateh is still yet to attract the following commanded by the New York mayoral candidate, who swept to victory last month over the former state governor Andrew Cuomo.

Some suggest Mr Fateh, though in his mid-30s, does not have the social media savvy or charisma of his New York counterpart, and so far he has not been endorsed by leading Left-wing figures like Bernie Sanders or Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Still, the ascent of the Minnesota Mamdani comes just weeks after the New Yorkers win. There may be more Mamdanis to come.

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The publisher of the Mirror and Express newspapers is to start trialling paywalls as the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) risks sparking a sharp decline in readership.

Reach, which also owns regional titles including the Liverpool Echo and the Manchester Evening News, said it will roll out digital subscriptions across its outlets this year as part of a pilot.

The company said it would not put all its articles behind a paywall but would experiment with different models, including tiered subscriptions that charge for some stories.

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Readers could also be offered the opportunity to pay to view stories without intrusive adverts.

Piers North, the chief executive of Reach, said the company would remain predominantly an advertising-funded business targeting mass-market Britain.

But he added: Im confident we have enough in our content set to offer value. That might be a value exchange in advertising or it might be a value exchange in some kind of payment ... but I think generally theres the support for us to do it.

It follows similar moves in recent years by both the Daily Mail and GB News, which have made some of their online stories, pictures and videos exclusive to paying subscribers.

Google driving down readership

It comes as Reach and other online news publishers are grappling with changes to Googles algorithm and the introduction of AI functions that have dented reader numbers.

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Recent research by Enders Analysis found publishers visibility on Google has declined sharply over the last five years, with the trend accelerating since April, when the tech giant launched AI Overviews.

This service summarises search results, leading to fewer readers clicking through to articles.

Enders said the Mirror had suffered the biggest impact, with visibility dropping to just 20pc of January 2022 levels.

However, a Reach spokesman said that page views were up 6pc in the first half of the year.

Mr North said a further Google update earlier this month that hurt traffic had been on the worse side, but insisted the company was adapting to such changes.

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Falling traffic contributed to a 3pc fall in revenues to 256m in the first half of the year. A decline in print, which still accounts for the majority of the groups revenues, offset slight growth in digital revenue. Operating profit remained flat at just under 45m.

In addition to rolling out paywalls, Reach outlined plans to boost its video and podcast output in an effort to attract larger audiences.

The fresh revenue drive comes even as the publisher continues to slash jobs. The National Union of Journalists said it was deeply concerned after Reach placed more than 100 roles at risk of redundancy this month.

It follows sweeping cuts at the news group under previous boss Jim Mullen, who stepped down abruptly earlier this year after slashing more than 800 roles at the end of 2023.

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Mr North declined to provide assurances that the latest changes would not lead to further cuts.

The Reach boss said: Today marks the beginning of a new chapter for our business, as we launch the priorities that will fuel our growth. These include initiatives to reach new audiences, increase our video content and accelerate our tech and AI capabilities.

Crucially, well do more work to diversify our revenues, putting a serious focus on adding subscriptions to our revenue mix.

Reach said it was on track to meet its target of reducing costs by between 4pc and 5pc this year and reiterated forecasts of operating profits of 99m.

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The Miss Tennessee Volunteer pageant returned to the Carl Perkins Civic Center stage on July 23, welcoming 36 titleholders from across the state.

In addition to earning the coveted crown, the winner will receive a $10,000 scholarship and strengthen the organization's partnerships with St. Jude and the Salvation Army.

Miss Southwest Tennessee Volunteer Sydney Ward performs in the Talent competition during the first night of the 2026 Miss Tennessee Volunteer Pageant hosted inside the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

Evening gown, talent, fitness and wellness, and a private interview with the judges are each worth 25% of a contestant's overall score.

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More: Miss Utah Volunteer takes home the crown, $50,000 scholarship in pageant's fourth year

More: Miss Tennessee Valley wins crown in Miss TN Volunteer pageant

More: Night 1: Miss Volunteer America pageant returns to Jackson, Tenn. in fourth year

Miss McNairy County Volunteer Eden Rainey and Miss Southwest Tennessee Volunteer Sydney Ward celebrates as they are named preliminary winners during the first night of the 2026 Miss Tennessee Volunteer Pageant hosted inside the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

Miss Southwest Tennessee Volunteer Sydney Ward performs in the Talent competition during the first night of the 2026 Miss Tennessee Volunteer Pageant hosted inside the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

On the evening of July 26, the pageant's fifth titleholder will be crowned since the pageant's inception.

Host Frank Byers led the crowd in a moment of silence remembering the late Tammy Sparks, who passed away on July 5, 2025.

Since 2019, Sparks served as one of the Miss Tennessee Volunteer co-executive directors.

The original Miss Tennessee Volunteer sign, outlined in pink, briefly hung on the back of the stage to honor Ms. Sparks.

Miss McNairy County Volunteer Eden Rainey and Miss Southwest Tennessee Volunteer Sydney Ward celebrates as they are named preliminary winners during the first night of the 2026 Miss Tennessee Volunteer Pageant hosted inside the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

Contestants, directors share excitement ahead of Night One

Miss Tennessee Volunteer's Co-Executive Director and Tammy's daughter, Emily Anne Sparks, shared how special the pageant season is each year.

Miss Tennessee Executive Co-Director Emily Anne Sparks speaks with media following a Jackson Rotary Club meeting in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

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"These have girls have put a lot of time and effort into not only getting their talent right, but making sure their walk is right, they're confident when they take that stage, but the excitement is the production," Sparks said.

Miss Tennessee Volunteer Pageant contestants introduce themselves to the Jackson Rotary Club in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

Every night of the pageant will entail a different theme; July 23 is Motown, July 24 is Throwback Thursday, July 25 is Party in the USA, and July 26 is Disney.

"It's not the same show every single night, so when you come, it's something different," Sparks said.

Earlier in the day, ahead of Night One of the pageant's commencement, the Jackson Rotary Club hosted the contestants for lunch, where each got to share their respective platforms.

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Their initiatives included advocating for farmers, advocating for veterans' mental health resources and supporting child abuse victims to name a few.

Current titleholder reflects on past year

Miss Tennessee Volunteer 2025 Hannah McKay, 23, shared her experience over the last year representing the organization.

Miss Tennessee Volunteer 2025 Hannah McKay speaks with media following a Jackson Rotary Club meeting in Jackson, Tenn., on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

Traveling more than 30,000 miles to volunteer and network, most notably, she served as Gov. Bill Lee's Character Education Spokesperson. In this capacity, she spoke to Tennessee's youth about the importance of compassion.

"It's definitely a year I will not forget," McKay said. "I have been changed, and I was telling people yesterday, I feel like a completely different young woman than the woman who stepped into this position, and that's what this organization is all about, the self-development of young women."

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In June, McKay finished in the Top 10 in the national pageant, Miss Volunteer America.

She described this week's pageant as "bittersweet" and offered a piece of advice to the next titleholder she will pass the crown to July 26.

"To the next Miss Tennessee Volunteer, I would just encourage her to cherish every moment," McKay said. "The year truly goes by so quickly, and to really take advantage of every opportunity placed in front of you, and living each day to its fullest capacity, because then you'll be me standing here, giving up my crown in a few short days, looking back on all the amazing opportunities."

This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: Miss Tennessee Volunteer hosts 36 contestants from across the state
ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  A death investigation is underway in Liberty after a missing man was found dead.

According to the Anderson County Sheriffs Office, a caller reached out after 7 p.m., telling officials they found the body at an address on Christopher Lane.

Officials with the Anderson County Coroners Office said the man was identified as 60-year-old David Jeremiah Smith, who was last seen in the area on Tuesday morning. Smith was found behind a storage building on his property, investigators added.

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Officials said there are no signs of foul play and that his manner of death is still under investigation at this time.

David Jeremiah Smith was found dead behind a building on Christopher Lane in Liberty. (Photo: Anderson County Sheriffs Office)

This is a developing story. Stay up to date with 7NEWS on the air and online as more information is made available.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available.

TOOELE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4)  Chad Burningham, a hiker who went missing in Tooele County on July 14, has been found deceased.

Tooele County Sheriffs Office announced on Wednesday, July 23rd, that they were able to locate the body of Chad Burningham in the area of Jacob City, with the use of Search and Rescue dogs.

Courtesy: Riley Brown

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Burningham went missing last week, on July 14, after leaving his campground. Multiple teams were called out, and search operations included drones, dogs, and aircraft.

THIS WEEK: Missing West Wendover man found dead ruled a homicide, suspect in custody

In the release, Tooele County Sheriffs Office said, We extend our heartfelt condolences to Chads family and loved ones. We also want to thank all the volunteers and partnering agencies who dedicated their time to the searchespecially Dogs at Work Search and Rescue for their continued efforts.

They also said the investigation is ongoing and did not clarify a cause of death.

Latest headlines:

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WFRV)  A 22-year-old Wisconsin woman who hadnt been seen since Sunday has been found dead.

La Crosse Police say they were notified by the Houston County Sheriffs Office Wednesday morning that a body had been recovered from the Mississippi River near Brownsville, just a few miles from where Eliotte Heinz had last been seen.

Police have confirmed the body belongs to Heinz. The investigation remained ongoing Wednesday, and police are now awaiting an autopsy for an official cause of death.

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La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron said the department was grateful for all of the support from the community.

This was not the outcome we had hoped for throughout this search. Our thoughts are with Eliottes family, friends and all those who knew Eliotte. We are grateful for the outpouring of support from so many within the La Crosse community, the State of Wisconsin and nationally to locate Eliotte.

Earlier Wednesday, La Crosse Police asked businesses and residents in the western Wisconisn citys downtown area to check security footage.

Heinz, a graduate student at Viterbo University, a private Catholic college in La Crosse, was last seen walking along Front Street South in La Crosse, Wisconsin, around 3:20 a.m. on July 20. Police, as well as her family and friends, had spent the last few days searching for her.

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No additional information was available on Wednesday.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Jul. 23BROWNSVILLE, Minn.  A missing woman, Eliotte Heinz, was found in the Mississippi River near Brownsville on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.

The Houston County Sheriff's Office reported finding her body around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Heinz, 22, was last seen in downtown La Crosse around 3:30 a.m. Sunday, July 20, according to the La Crosse Police Department.

"La Crosse Police are continuing to investigate and will await the results of an autopsy for an official cause of death. The entire department sends their condolences," the department said in a statement.

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Police had previously asked La Crosse downtown businesses and residents to check their properties and cameras in the effort to locate Heinz.

"This was not the outcome we had hoped for throughout this search. Our thoughts are with Eliotte's family, friends and all those who knew Eliotte. We are grateful for the outpouring of support from so many within the La Crosse community, the State of Wisconsin and nationally to locate Eliotte," La Crosse Police Chief Shawn Kudron said in the statement.
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  Missouris annual Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday starts Friday, Aug. 1, and ends at midnight on Sunday, Aug. 3.

Throughout the weekend, certain purchases  such as school supplies, computers, clothing and other qualifying items, as defined by state statute  are exempt from all state and local sales tax.

View the latest headlines from Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas at fox4kc.com

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The following items will be free of sales tax during the weekend:

Clothing that does not have a taxable value of more than $100.

Eligible clothing items include any article of apparel intended to be worn on the body, including footwear and diapers for infants or adults.

Not included are watches, watchbands, jewelry, handbags, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, scarves, ties, headbands or belt buckles

School supplies utilized for instructional purposes in a typical classroom that cost no more than $50 per purchase.

School supplies include paper, writing instruments, crayons, art supplies, rulers, book bags, backpacks, chalk, maps, globes, handheld calculators, graphing calculators that do not have a taxable value of more than $150, and computer software that does not have a taxable value of more than $350.

Not included are watches, radios, CD players, headphones, sporting equipment, portable or desktop phones, copiers or other office equipment, or furniture

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Personal computers under $1,500 and computer accessories that cost less than $1,500.

A personal computer can be a laptop, desktop, or tower computer system, consisting of a central processing unit, random access memory, a storage drive, a display monitor, and a keyboard.

Peripheral devices include items such as a disk drive, memory module, compact disc drive, daughterboard, digitizer, microphone, modem, motherboard, mouse, multimedia speaker, printer, scanner, single-user hardware, single-user operating system, sound card, or video card.

In addition to state sales tax, local sales tax will also be waived in all cities, counties, and special tax districts. Anyone making these qualified purchases will receive the tax waiver.

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The first Tax Holiday in Missouri was more than twenty years ago.

One mother, Kristi West, said $50 in school supplies these days adds up fast.

Its really easy to spend $50 on school supplies, she said.

You get a few notebooks and pens and pencils and thats your limit.

Thankfully, Im not paying for it, 18-year-old Hobie West said.

So, Im not too worried about the tax-free.

Hobie is headed to Baylor. On Friday, they bought a laptop tax-free.

On the big purchases like a computer, that makes a big difference. Then, we went to dicks and did some clothes, too, West said.

The small things, not as big of a deal, but it does add up.

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Obviously, here at Target, everythings going to qualify for that tax-free, Target Store Dir. Jason Bisges said.

We actually purchased a little bit of our stuff online and picked it up before we came in here, so we wouldnt have a whole basket full of stuff, Mom Elaina Zumalt said.

Notebook, folders and looking for clothes, 7th Grader Zoe Chirisa said.

Chirisa will be a 7th grader at Liberty Middle School. Shes excited to scope out the clothing next.

I mean, I dont have to pay for it, Chirisa said.

So, I love back-to-school shopping.

Shes getting into my pocket, and I dont like that, Mom Fiona Chirisa said, laughing.

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It really does help me save, especially in this economy.

For more information, visit the website for the Missouri Department of Revenue.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  After declaring their investigation complete, the Metro Nashville Police Department said that no charges are anticipated to result from the investigation into the discovery of a noose at the construction site for the new Nissan Stadium.

Last week, the MNPD confirmed that a noose had been tied to a pipe in a construction area of the new Nissan Stadium. Though detectives developed a person of interest whose employment on the project had been terminated, they denied responsibility in a meeting with the MNPD.

ORIGINAL STORY | Noose found at Nissan Stadium construction site

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The MNPD cited a lack of eyewitnesses and probable cause as part of why no charges will be filed.

A separate, complementary investigation by the Tennessee Builders Alliance concluded that the incident was isolated and involved one individual.

We are grateful to the Metro Nashville Police Department, particularly the detectives from the Specialized Investigations Division, for their thorough investigation. Their responsiveness, attention to detail, and commitment to uncovering the facts were instrumental in identifying the individual believed to be responsible for the hateful act. That individual is no longer on the project and will not be permitted to return to work on the site. We also extend our sincere thanks to our trade partners and every member of the workforce who actively supported the investigation and participated in anti-bias and inclusive workplace discussions. Their engagement reaffirms what we know to be true: the companies and individuals building this stadium care deeply about fostering a jobsite culture rooted in respect, dignity, and safety. While this incident appears to be the act of a single individual, its impact was felt widely. We remain firmly committed to cultivating a culture where every person is welcomed, valued, and protectedand where hate has no place. Together with our client, trade partners, workforce, and broader community, we will continue to lead with those values. Statement from TBA, July 24, 2025

This week, a racist and hateful symbol was discovered on our site. There is no place for hate or racism in our workplace. We reported the incident to law enforcement, suspended work, and launched an investigation. A reward has been offered for information leading to the identification of the individual responsible. Counseling services are available to all workers. We are requiring additional anti-bias training for every person on site, and work will resume only after a site-wide standdown focused on inclusion and respect. We are outraged and deeply saddened by this act. We are working in close partnership with our client, trade partners, and unions to ensure every worker understands that racism and hate have no place here. Everyone deserves to feel safe, welcomed, and treated with respect and dignity. Statement from the TBA following the incident

| READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County

Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell called the discovery of the noose very concerning during a press conference on Friday, July 18.

On behalf of all skilled trades workers represented across the Middle Tennessee and Nashville area, let me be clear; our unions have zero tolerance for any kind of racism, hate, or intimidation on the jobsites where we work. Acts of hate in any form among our work force will not be tolerated. Period. The NBCTC stands firmly in support of the ongoing investigation to identify the person(s) involved in this crime, and we will support any and all criminal proceedings that follow. We are working closely with law enforcement and the Tennessee Builders Alliance to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Statement from the Nashville Building and Construction Trades Council

News 2 has reached out to the Tennessee Builders Alliance for additional 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 WKRN News 2.
A toddler who disappeared while visiting the park with his family has been found dead, according to Colorado officials.

The Silverthorne Police Department and other agencies responded to a report of a missing boy at Willow Grove Open Space in the afternoon on Tuesday, July 22, town officials said in a statement.

First responders searched the nearby Blue River and the surrounding area and his body was discovered around 5 p.m. local time.

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"The Town of Silverthorne is processing a tragic and heartbreaking incident in our community," a local government representative wrote in the statement. "Our hearts go out to the family who lost a loved one and to emergency responders who were involved in the incident."

An official cause of death will be released by the Summit County Coroners Office but foul play is not suspected, according to Summit Daily.

In an interview with Fox affiliate KDVR, the boy's mother, Serenity Maes, said that she decided to take her kids  Zeldris, 1, as well as his 3-year-old brother  to the park since they couldn't check into their motel until later in the day.

While they were out, she said that her older son, who has autism, rushed off towards a creek. As she chased after him, she said that she heard her toddler cry out, but in the time it took for her to turn around, he was already gone. She immediately called police for help shortly before 3 p.m.

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"My baby is gone," she wrote in a heartbreaking post on social media after his death.

Additional details about his death have not been publicly shared.

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In a GoFundMe set up to support Maes, a cousin wrote that the mom of two is struggling to cope with the death of her son

"Keep her in your prayers," the organizer added, "we definitely need it."



Read the original article on People
The city of Fountain is making an aggressive push to expand its partnership with the military for support and construction services.

On Tuesday, City Council authorized an increase in the budget for Fountain's Intergovernmental Support Agreement (IGSA) with Fort Carson. Started in 2021 with a contract to provide pest control on base, the total funds authorized for agreements increased this week to $10 million for multiple current and proposed services.

"You can see that this has grown exponentially," said City Manager Scott Trainor at the meeting.

The agreements allow Fort Carson to contract with the city for services, which in turn is reimbursed with federal dollars. So far, Fountain has agreements to provide pest control, animal control and general facility construction  the last of which significantly increased the total IGSA funding by about $7 million.

In the process of military authorization is another agreement to create micro transit options on base. That IGSA, if approved later this year, would reimburse the city around $3 million, according to Trainor.

Fort Carson representatives were unable to comment on the agreements before publication.

An IGSA generates revenue for Fountain, something Trainor says is a rare opportunity outside of taxes on citizens. He estimated total revenue from all agreements, including the proposed micro transit service, would be around $710,000 or just under 10% of the agreement amounts.

The agreements may also help Fountain during the habitual reassessment of military base locations called the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process by strengthening local ties.

"When were being such a good neighbor to Fort Carson, it makes that relationship more sticky," said Councilmember Jennifer Herzberg.

The city wants to ride the momentum of IGSA, a type of agreement Trainor says has become popular in recent years and shows signs of staying under the Trump administration. To that end City Council also authorized on Tuesday the creation of a new "strategic partnerships" department with new positions funded through IGSA money.

The department will work to manage existing services and add new agreements. Trainor said a city of Fountain's small size taking on an IGSA was unusual and could be expanded to other bases in the region and even out of state.

The funds generated through the agreements do have caveats. While they are unassigned and can be used by the city for anything, they are also subject to the whims of the federal government and could dry up. Trainor said they should be used for one-time projects, not ongoing needs.

"You just don't want to have to lay off police officers, firefighters that you counted on," he said.

Fountain City Council has not yet allocated the funds to a specific project, while the council did discuss the possibility of using the money to pay down debts in the water fund.

Councilmember Frederick Hinton said he preferred to see the money used for more "tangible" efforts that residents could see in the community.
LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56)  London came together again on Wednesday to remember Doug Harless.

Were gonna say Doug Harless every month. Were going to remember him, Jamie Burns, the vigil organizer, said.

Seven months of gatheringdemanding answers. Supporters said Harless would still be alive if not for reckless actions by the London Police Department.

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Its heartbreaking. Its heartbreaking that its been seven months, Burns said.

The 63-year-old was shot and killed in December while police served a search warrant for stolen itemsincluding a weed eater belonging to Laurel County Judge Executive David Westerfield.

The man accused of stealing those items, Hobert Buttery, had been arrested earlier that dayand told police the stolen property was at a home on Vanzant Road.

But thats where the questions beganwith many in the community asking if officers even went to the right house.

For seven months, weve begged for transparency. I always say we want the three Asanswers, accountability, and action. Weve gotten zero of that, Burns said.

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Buttery took a plea deal this week. He faces 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. His formal sentencing is set for Aug. 13.

Those close to the cause call the plea a small winbut said much more needs to be done.

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I dont think hes innocent. What he did was the start of a tragic chain of events. But just like hes being held accountable, whoever killed Doug should be too.

These vigils last 23 minutes and are held on the 23rd of every montha symbolic nod to the day Harless died.

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Organizers said theyll keep showing upno matter how few stand with themuntil justice is served.

We got justice for the stolen equipment. Wheres the justice for Doug? Burns 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 FOX 56 News.
As of the latest update, 600 safe rooms are under construction out of the 1,900 planned for communities within zero to one kilometer of the Israel-Lebanon border.

Nearly 10 months after the conflict with Hezbollah ended, the Northern Shield program (Magen Hatzafon) has completed only about 30% of the first phase in its plan to build bomb shelters in northern border communities, the Defense Ministry revealed on Thursday.

As of the latest update, 600 safe rooms are under construction out of the 1,900 planned for communities within zero to one kilometer of the Israel-Lebanon border.

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The program is part of Israels national security strategy. In December 2024, the Defense Ministry, Home Front Command, and Finance Ministry signed an agreement to build 10,000 bomb shelters in communities located 1 to 5 kilometers from the border.

The new shelters are being built in the communities of Metula, Shlomi, and Shetula as part of the Northern Sheild project. (credit: DEFENSE MINISTRY)

Two stages of Northern Shield program

The project is being carried out in two phases. The first phase will involve the construction of 1,900 bomb shelters in communities located within zero to one kilometer of the border.

The second phase, set to begin in April 2025, introduces a self-implementation option, which will enable residents of communities within one to five kilometers of the border to apply for grants of up to NIS 132,000.

This is a life-saving national program designed to enhance the security of residents in northern Israel, said Gil Galron, director of the Northern Shields program.

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We are working across several border-adjacent communities to complete the construction of protected rooms, ensuring the best possible protection for the residents in the north.

During the fighting with Hezbollah, nearly 200,000 residents of northern Israel were evacuated from their homes, The Jerusalem Post previously reported.
Drive a Jeep?

Chrysler has recalled more than 120,000 Jeep SUVs due to a second-row head restraint defect that could increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Owned by Stellantis, which also owns Jeep, Chrysler reported the recall to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on July 17. The recall includes a total of 121,398 2023 and 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee L models.

According to Chrysler, the second-row seat head restraints may not lock in the upright position.

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Head restraints that do not lock can result in an increased risk of injury to seat occupants during a crash, Chrysler said in its NHTSA recall notice.

What Jeeps were impacted by the recall?

According to the car manufacturer, the recall includes the following:

2023-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 78,157 vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2023, to May 2, 2024

2023-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L: 43,241 vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2023, to Jan. 30, 2024

The NHTSA campaign number is 25V472000, while the manufacturers recall number is 20C.

What is Chrysler doing about the recall?

Dealers will inspect and replace both second-row head restraints free of charge. The company plans to notify dealers by July 24 and owners by Sept. 5.

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Owners can contact Stellantis customer service at 1-800-853-1403 referencing recall 20C.

How the Jeep recall started

According to the car manufacturer, the impacted vehicles were built with second-row head restraints that contain an internal locking mechanism. If there is interference, this mechanism may prevent the headrest from locking into an upright position. The error affects models produced between May 16, 2023, and May 2, 2024.

The car manufacturer's parent company launched an investigation in August 2024 and spent the next nine months meeting with engineering teams to determine which vehicles had been impacted.

-USA TODAY Network Saleen Martin contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 120,000+ Jeeps recalled due to headrest defect. What owners should do
Editors note: AI contributed to the production of this story under the supervision of our editors.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has announced the closure of 32 beaches across the state due to water quality concerns. According to the Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard, which is updated hourly between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. daily during beach season, these closures affect beaches in 28 different towns, with most closures resulting from bacterial exceedances.

Current Situation

Beaches in multiple regions are affected, including popular destinations in Barnstable, Boston, and Provincetown. Of the 32 closed beaches, 27 are closed due to bacterial exceedances, 4 due to harmful cyanobacteria blooms, and 1 for other reasons. Specifically, Bostons Tenean Beach and Malibu Beach (both DCR-managed) are among those closed for bacterial contamination, while Upper Mill Pond in Brewster is closed due to harmful cyanobacteria.

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The MDPH warns: If a beach is closed, do not swim or enter the water at that location to avoid risk of illness. The dashboard provides real-time updates on beach status, allowing residents to check whether beaches are open, closed, or partially closed before visiting.

Why?

Beach closures typically result from water quality testing that shows unsafe levels of bacteria or the presence of harmful algal blooms. Bacterial exceedances occur when testing reveals bacteria levels above state safety standards, often following heavy rainfall that can wash contaminants into waterways.

Harmful cyanobacteria blooms, sometimes called blue-green algae, can produce toxins dangerous to humans and pets. These blooms typically occur in warmer weather when conditions favor rapid algae growth. Water quality is regularly monitored throughout the beach season to protect public health.

What are the risks?

Swimming in contaminated water can cause gastrointestinal illness, respiratory infections, and skin irritations

Exposure to cyanobacteria toxins may cause rashes, stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, fever, sore throat, and headache

Children, elderly individuals, and those with compromised immune systems face higher risks

Pets are particularly vulnerable to cyanobacteria toxins if they drink affected water or lick their fur after swimming

Some effects can appear within hours of exposure, while others may take days to develop

What You Can Do

Residents should check the Interactive Beach Water Quality Dashboard before heading to beaches. The dashboard offers three views: See All Closures, See Test Results, and See All Beaches (Map). The map view uses color-coding (green for open, red for closed) to show beach status.

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For specific beach information, users can select their town and beach from dropdown menus to view bacterial testing results and geometric mean calculations. Avoid closed beaches completely and consider alternative swimming locations when necessary.

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Read the original article on MassLive.
TRIAD  Over 100,000 North Carolina voters, including more than 14,000 in the four-county region surrounding High Point, must provide updated registration information before the next election or risk that their ballots wont count.

Following a flurry of legal challenges  including Jefferson Griffins failed attempt to overturn his loss in the 2024 state Supreme Court election  the State Board of Elections unanimously approved a multistep plan to collect drivers license numbers or the last four digits of a Social Security number from voters who currently lack the information in the states database.

Those who dont comply with the request by the next election will have to cast a provisional ballot, which can be thrown out if the voter doesnt provide the identifying information in time.

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To better understand who is affected by the plan, The News & Observer analyzed the demographics of the 103,270 voters who were included on the states list. That analysis found an outsize impact on young voters and those unaffiliated with any political party.

More than 30% of the affected voters are between the ages of 18-25, and more than half of all affected voters are under the age of 36.

Unaffiliated voters account for more than 60% of all voters with incomplete registrations  despite making up only about 38% of the states electorate.

Registered Republicans and Democrats, however, appear at notably lower rates than they do in the statewide voting population.

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In North Carolina, voters can choose to register as unaffiliated, but they will also be recorded as such if they leave the party designation blank on their registration forms.

The majority of the voters affected by the incomplete registrations also have their race recorded as undesignated.

Voters identified as white or Black show up in the list of affected voters at nearly equal rates, though not in proportion to the statewide voting population.

Despite making up roughly 64% of the electorate, white voters made up only about 18% of the affected voters.

Black voters, on the other hand, account for about 19% of the states electorate and 18% of the affected voters.

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Voters from all of North Carolinas 100 counties appear in the list of those with incomplete registrations.

While large counties like Wake and Mecklenburg account for the largest numbers of issues, it is smaller counties like Lenoir and Anson that have higher rates of incidences when accounting for population.

There are 5,158 Forsyth County voters and 7,710 Guilford County voters on the list.

The State Board of Elections has launched a Registration Repair website to answer questions about the plan.

Included in the website is a searchable database of voters whom the board says have never provided the required information. That database can be found at dl.ncsbe.gov/RegistrationRepair/index.html.

The site will be updated daily as voters begin to complete their registrations.
MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (WNCT)  The Morehead City Police Department is gearing up for their 2nd annual Stuff the Cruiser Event.

On Saturday, August 16, donations will be welcomed at the Walmart Supercenter in Morehead City. Law enforcement officers will be out from 10am to 2pm to take the donations that will benefit teachers in the area. Due to the amount of support the department received last year, the big rig is being used this year to accommodate the sheer amount of donations that the department hopes to receive again.

Certain items are requested for donation: headphones, Ticonderoga brand #2 pencils, Kleenex, Clorox wipes, paper plates, baby wipes, Lysol spray, paper towels, hand sanitizer, Ziploc bags, lamination sheets, Expo markers, colored copy paper and non-perishable snacks.

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Donations are also accepted at the Morehead City Police Department during their regular business hours of 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday, leading up to the event.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
The Moscow Police Department on Wednesday released hundreds of previously confidential documents from its investigation into the murder of four University of Idaho students, just hours after the killer was handed multiple life sentences for his crimes.

The trove of documents, which included a general summary of the case and more than 300 supplement documents  some of those simply lists of photos and evidence, among other things  offer a glimpse into the brutality of the scene of the fatal stabbings, including narratives from police officers who wrote about blood-soaked bedding and blankets, pools of blood on floors and traumatic injuries.

The details of the murders have been kept largely out of the public eye since the killings nearly three years ago.

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Law enforcement released the records after the sentencing hearing for 30-year-old Bryan Kohberger, who earlier this month agreed to plead guilty to all charges to avoid the death penalty. He is now in custody at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna.

Kohberger admitted to killing seniors Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, both 21; junior Xana Kernodle, 20; and freshman Ethan Chapin, 20. He entered an off-campus home the women shared with others early on Sunday, Nov. 13, 2022, and stabbed the victims to death.

Numerous police statements described arriving to the scene at 1122 King Road to find distraught friends and roommates outside before entering the home, where they found the bodies of the four victims and encountered something that couldnt be explained.

I was unable to comprehend exactly what I was looking at while trying to discern the nature of the injuries, one officer wrote.

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One of the friends outside, in an interview that same day, described to police going over to the house with another friend after the surviving roommates called them saying something was not right.

That friend entered the code to the front door of the home and went up the stairs to Xanas room on the second floor, according to one of numerous reports released Wednesday. Chapin and Kernodle, who were dating, were found in Kernodles bedroom.

The friend told police the door was partially open, and when he went in, he thought the mess was from a drunken night out. As he stood there, he began to realize what he was seeing, the report said.

The splatter he saw across her bedroom was dried blood. Thats when he told the roommates who survived, Bethany Funke and Dylan Mortensen, to get out of the house and call 911. Next, he grabbed a knife from a kitchen drawer and checked Kernodles closet to make sure no one else was there.

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He checked their pulses, but both of their bodies had rigor mortis and were cold to the touch, with no breath or pulse, the report said.

He said he believed the two had been deceased for a while.

Kernodle, who was lying on her back, was covered in numerous wounds across her arms, hands and face, the report said. Chapin, her boyfriend, was still lying in bed with a blanket pulled across him. Investigators noted two large cuts to the back of his legs, which were deep into the tissue, a report said.

On the third floor of the home, Goncalves and Mogen were in the same bed in Mogens room. Mogen had a wound on her face and lacerations on her upper body, officials said.

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It was very violent. Anger, James Fry, former chief of the Moscow police, told the Idaho Statesman in an interview Wednesday. To me, a knifes more personal.  So very different as far as the type of scenes that Ive been on.

In several police accounts, officers described the injuries to Goncalves face and upper body as so extreme that they made her unrecognizable, one report said. Goncalves family told reporters she was stabbed 34 times.

Latah County Coroner Cathy Mabbutt declined an interview request from the Statesman. But one officers report included information from the Spokane County Medical Examiner, who conducted the autopsies, on each victims cause of death.

Chapin was killed by a stab wound to the neck that severed his jugular vein, and subclavian vein and artery.

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Kernodle died from lacerations to her heart and lungs, and she had been stabbed more than 50 times. Most of her wounds were defensive, the medical examiner said, as she fought the killer.

Mogens fatal injuries were lacerations to her liver and left lung. Prosecutors previously said in court that Mogen had no defensive wounds.

Mogen, Kernodle and Chapin had only sharp-force wounds, according to documents.

Goncalves had sharp and blunt force injuries, according to the report, and fatal injuries that included a lung laceration, liver laceration, and severed artery and vein in her clavicle.

The police report said the medical examiner noted the weapon was single-edged, very sharp, and said a lot of force was used by the suspect.

Statesman reporters Sally Krutzig and Kevin Fixler contributed.
SILVERTHORNE, Colo. (KDVR)  A heartbreaking ending for a Colorado family after their missing toddler was found dead in Silverthorne on Tuesday.

FOX31 spoke with the mourning mother to learn more about her baby boy and what led up to the tragic incident.

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Serenity Maes shared that the loss of her 1-and-a-half-year-old is tearing her apart, and she is completely heartbroken over the sudden death of her sweet baby boy. His name is Zeldris and she describes him as a very happy baby who loved to jam out to music no matter where it was playing.

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Maes shared a video with FOX31s Talya Cunningham of the toddler dancing at a restaurant table, just one memory that she will now hold onto forever.

Maes also shared several photos of Zeldris, adding he was a loving baby who would always give hugs and kisses and was truly her pride and joy. The grieving mother explained that shes a stay-at-home mom and the two would do everything together. What shell miss the most is Zeldris climbing on top of her each and every morning.

Maes wants the public to know that her baby boy was a pure, innocent soul who made everyones day brighter.

Zeldris, just one and a half years old, was found dead in Silverthorne on Tuesday, July 22. (Courtesy Serenity Maes) Zeldris, just one and a half years old, was found dead in Silverthorne on Tuesday, July 22. (Courtesy Serenity Maes) Zeldris, just one and a half years old, was found dead in Silverthorne on Tuesday, July 22. (Courtesy Serenity Maes) Zeldris, just one and a half years old, was found dead in Silverthorne on Tuesday, July 22. (Courtesy Serenity Maes) Zeldris, just one and a half years old, was found dead in Silverthorne on Tuesday, July 22. (Courtesy Serenity Maes)

On Tuesday afternoon, Silverthorne authorities got a call about a missing toddler in the Willow Grove Open Space, which prompted a massive multi-agency response including Silverthorne Police Department, the Blue River and surrounding area, Colorado State Patrol, the Summit County Sheriffs Office, Dillon Police Department, Frisco Police Department, Summit County Rescue Group, Summit Fire and EMS, and Red, White and Blue Fire Protection District.

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Maes shared more about the terrifying last moments online. She said Zeldris father was working a job in Silverthorne and they couldnt check into the motel until 3 p.m. Instead of waiting in the car, she decided to take the kids to play and get some fresh air at the park.

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Thats when her 3-year-old autistic son darted towards a creek and she took off after him. Maes shared that she heard two little cries from Zeldris and when she quickly turned around, she couldnt find him and immediately called police at 2:53 p.m.

Search and rescue crews found Zeldris body around 5 p.m. on Tuesday after searching the Blue River and surrounding area.

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The Summit County Coroners Office will release the official cause of death. No foul play is suspected; it appears to be a tragic accident.

The Silverthorne town officials wrote in a statement that they are heartbroken.

Our hearts go out to the family who lost a loved one and to emergency responders who were involved in the incident, the town wrote on 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 FOX31 Denver.
Clayton Hood stood in the Douglas County Courthouse on June 6, breathing hard, his heart pounding, waiting for the judge to speak. The jury had just decided his case for a second time.

Then came the words: "not guilty."

Suddenly, everything seemed to blur. After being cleared on the first charge of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust, he didn't hear the judge say he was also found not guilty of the second count of unlawful sexual contact.

He didn't hear the cheers from his supporters in the courtroom.

The only sound he heard was his own weeping.

Almost four years to the day before, on June 17, 2021, in the same courthouse, a different jury returned a different verdict in his first trial on the same charges, declaring him guilty of raping the 15-year-old daughter of his cousin with whom he lived.

Hood wept then, too, but in shock and anguish. His defense attorney, Margaret Steele, stood next to him, also in shock. Hers, though, was at a judicial system she said had gone terribly awry.

The two trials of Clayton Hood, now 34, offer a troubling look at how a district judge allowed prosecutors to misuse a Colorado law designed to protect sexual assault victims, cherry-picking DNA results, and excluding evidence that did not fit their narrative in a murky case.

Hood was sentenced to eight-years-to-life in prison for a crime he has said he did not  could never  commit.

The Colorado Court of Appeals last year overturned the original convictions and ordered a new trial after determining the jury had been misled.

Before the second trial, though, Douglas County prosecutors offered him a plea deal on a misdemeanor charge with credit for time served. He said no.

DNA from an unknown male was excluded from the original trial evidence

In early June 2021, just days before Hood was to stand trial for the first time, the Douglas County district attorney's office asked District Judge Patrica Herron to keep the jury from hearing that the girl's rape exam at the hospital revealed male DNA on her external genitalia near her vagina.

It was not Hood's DNA, and the identity of the owner and the origin of the DNA remain unknown.

The Denver Gazette is withholding the name of the alleged victim as well as other family members to protect her identity. Now 20 and living in another part of the state, she and her family declined to comment.

Herron did not respond to a request for comment. The prosecutors and public defenders involved declined to comment. The case is now sealed. Information for this story came from interviews with Hood, his first defense attorney, DNA and legal experts, the first trial transcript, and other court documents. The second trial transcript was unavailable.

By invoking Colorado's rape shield law, the prosecution argued in a pre-trial hearing that the presence of male DNA on the girl's genitalia could imply the girl was sexually active and was potentially harmful to her.

Steele countered that she did not intend to damage the girl's reputation or introduce any testimony about her sexual history. She said she just wanted the jury to hear all the evidence.

The judge sided with the prosecution.

Herron ruled the defense could not even "leave the impression" someone else's DNA was found near the teenager's vagina.

So, the jury heard a heart-wrenching and detailed account from the alleged victim about an early morning assault after Hood, smelling of alcohol, climbed into her bed.

Hood did not testify.

There was also evidence introduced by the prosecution that DNA from Hood had been found on the girl's underwear.

But testimony from Colorado Bureau of Investigation forensic experts explained that there were at least three other DNA contributors on the underwear: the girl's, two unknown males', and Hood's. Hood's sample was the smallest. None of the samples contained sperm.

The sheets from the bed, while collected, were not tested for DNA.

(This case is not connected to the ongoing DNA testing scandal at the CBI lab.)

The CBI experts testified that DNA can be transferred onto clothing when people live in the same house. In addition to Hood and the girl's father, another adult male family member was living in the home. Yet none of them were asked for DNA samples, nor was the girl's teenage boyfriend.

Similarly, the tiny amount of the girl's DNA found on a portion of Hood's shorts could have also been transferred indirectly sometime prior, the defense argued.

Steele speculated there was no proof the alleged victim had sex with anyone that morning, let alone Hood.

While the jury did hear that Hood's DNA was not found in or on the teenager's body despite allegations of forceful intercourse without a condom for up to an hour, the prosecution explained it away:

Hood's DNA might have been naturally expelled or washed off when the girl took a shower after the assault, the prosecutor said, adding that its absence did not mean the rape did not happen.

"If you believe her, he's guilty," Deputy District Attorney Nathan Marsh said in his closing argument, according to the trial transcript. "You can be done right here."

It worked.

The jury voted to convict without ever knowing there was someone's DNA found on her body that had not been washed away.

The accusers testimony differed sharply from Hoods version of events

Clayton Hood moved into his cousin's Castle Rock home in the fall of 2019. The two men had always been close; like brothers, they would say.

Hood's parents died, six months apart, when he was a boy. His mother died of an accidental overdose, he said, and his father of liver failure. Afterward, his cousin's parents took him in.

At the age of 18, Hood joined the U.S. Navy, served for six years, and received several commendations. In 2016, he began work for defense contractor Raytheon Technologies, now part of RTX Corporation. He spent nearly two years in Afghanistan, he said.

He married at 20 and his son was born a year later. But by 2019, the marriage was ending, and there were fights over visitation. "I was going through a hard time," he would later say.

It was no secret that he struggled with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and tried to kill himself while living in Oklahoma. Hood's cousin suggested he should be near family rather than alone.

Hood's cousin, also divorced, urged him to move to Colorado and live with him, his daughters, and another male family member.

Hood's room was on the first floor. His cousin's 15-year-old daughter's bedroom was in the basement.

At trial, her boyfriend testified she was not happy living with her father. The defense speculated in opening statements that she may have wanted to find a way out of his house.

On March 11, 2020, Hood, then 29, his cousin, and the other male relative living in the house went to The Stampede nightclub in Aurora. Hood said he got very drunk. His companions later testified that Hood was "buzzed" but coherent.

Hood said he went to his room after returning home, threw up, and then passed out.

But his cousin's daughter told a very different version of events:

She testified that around 2:30 a.m., she awoke to find someone in her room. She first thought it was her boyfriend and kissed him on the cheek and hugged him.

"Do you know who this is?" she said the man asked.

When she said her boyfriend's name, he said "no." That is when, by the light of her phone, she said she recognized Hood.

At trial, a juror submitted a question about whether it was normal for her boyfriend to come over in the middle of the night. The judge ruled that the question could not be asked.

The girl testified that Hood sat on her bed as she drifted back to sleep. When she awoke again, she said he was on his side next to her, holding her body close. He began fondling her and tugging at her underwear even as she told him to stop, she said.

He then forced intercourse with her, she said. It lasted about an hour, she testified, breaking down in tears.

He said it was a mistake and threatened to kill himself if she told anyone, she testified.

After Hood left her room, she said she took a shower around 5 a.m., texted her boyfriend that she had something to tell him, and left for school.

Hood said in an interview that he never went downstairs.

He said he awoke around 9 a.m. to find an angry text from his estranged wife saying he could not see their son. Despondent, he tried to hang himself, but the belt broke.

Then, still reeling, things got worse. His cousin called, accusing him of rape. He said he drank household cleaner. When police found him, he still had the broken belt around his wrist from the first attempt and was lying face-down in vomit from the second, barely alive.

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The girl told her boyfriend, his mother, and her parents that Hood had assaulted her, but also said she didn't want to get him in trouble, according to the trial transcript.

Her father picked her up from school and took her to the Castle Rock Police Department before taking her to the hospital. While with the police, her father called Hood on a recorded line and said there was video footage from the house of him sneaking downstairs and an audio recording from his daughter's room.

Neither was true. It is a trick police sometimes use to elicit a confession.

Hood told his cousin repeatedly that he did not remember anything after passing out. While on the phone, he said he even checked his body and found no semen to indicate he had previously had sex.

He never confessed but did say: "If that's what happened, that's what happened."

Hood would later explain it was not meant to be an admission but rather a sarcastic comment to end the call.

But it stuck.

After being released from the hospital following his suicide attempt, Hood was arrested, tried, convicted, and sent away to Bent County Correctional Facility, a private prison, potentially for the rest of his life.

Colorado Appeals court says jury received incomplete and misleading evidence

On March 14, 2024, the Colorado Court of Appeals concluded the district court had "abused its discretion" by excluding DNA evidence.

More than two years into his eight-years-to-life sentence, Hood was granted a new trial.

In Colorado, a person given an indeterminate life sentence, typically a sex offender, must serve the minimum and can be eligible for release after fulfilling certain conditions.

Hood said he was told he must acknowledge his crime and take rehabilitative classes to be eligible for future parole. He refused, saying he would not admit to a crime he did not commit, so he knew he was potentially facing a life sentence.

He remembers a moment of despair in late 2023 when he saw a row of elderly prisoners in wheelchairs and realized it could someday be him.

In the strongly worded opinion, the appeals court concluded Judge Herron misapplied the state's rape shield law to keep the jury from hearing that DNA from someone other than Hood had been found on the girl's external genitalia.

The three-judge panel said the importance of the withheld evidence outweighed the danger of harm to the alleged victim. It further said the source of the DNA was unknown and could have been non-sexual, so the rape shield law did not apply.

Regardless, the DNA should have also been admitted under standard evidentiary rules, the court said.

The appellate judges also concluded that the presence of the other DNA undermined the prosecution's theory that the only reason Hood's DNA was not found on her body was that it had been showered away.

"The court's ruling and the prosecution's presentation of the evidence and the arguments gave the jury an incomplete and misleading view of material evidence and minimized the exculpatory value of the fact that Hood's DNA was not found on (the girl's) genitalia," the appeals court said. The court referred to the alleged victim by her initials, which the Denver Gazette is withholding.

In addition, the judges questioned why the girl's underwear was allowed, which showed DNA from two unknown males in addition to Hood's.

"We fail to see why the other DNA evidence found on (the girl's) underwear and the DNA evidence found on (her) vagina would be treated differently for purposes of the rape shield law."

Four months later, the Colorado Court of Appeals overturned a second Douglas County case with the same judge and same prosecutor for again misapplying the rape shield law.

In that 2022 case  which did not involve a sex crime  Herron invoked the rape shield to exclude testimony that the defendant, Donald Gerle, and his partner had a history of bondage and role playing that included dominance.

Gerle was convicted of assault and false imprisonment after the woman was severely injured during what the defense contended was consensual activity that got out of hand. While not denying some culpability, the defense argued that the history of the couple's relationship could have provided a more compelling explanation for what happened.

The appeals court agreed, but the case was further appealed to the Colorado Supreme Court, which is reviewing it.

Herron retired in 2023 but returned to the bench last year as a part-time senior judge.

Colorado rape shield law scrutinized in court's reversal decision

Every state now has some form of a rape shield law.

The laws are designed to counteract what were once routine "fishing expeditions" by defense attorneys to bring up victims' past sexual history and character to cast doubt on accusations.

The practice often humiliated and re-traumatized accusers and had a chilling effect of making others less likely to come forward after a sexual assault, advocates say.

In Colorado, the law has been refined over the years and now extends to civil cases, disallowing a victim's clothing or manner as evidence to suggest consent.

However, an exception to the law exists, allowing judges to allow evidence of sexual history narrowly. It can be used to establish the source or origin of semen, pregnancy, disease, or to show the accused did or did not commit the crime, said Ian Farrell, a professor at the University of Denver's Sturm College of Law who specializes in criminal and constitutional law.

While the rape shield law is a needed and important protection for victims, Farrell said, there are times when relevant evidence should be admitted, ensuring due process for the accused.

"The stakes," he said, "are incredibly high on both sides."

Clayton Hood was granted a new trial after his conviction was overturned

"Did you hear? Did you hear?" Hood's sister was happily crying when he phoned her from prison in mid-March 2024.

Hood had no idea what she was talking about.

Hood's first attorney, Steele, had called her a few days before to say the appellate court had granted a new trial, but Hood still didn't know. It is unclear why he was not told immediately.

He was cautioned by the public defender who drafted his appeal that there was still a long road ahead, he said.

It didn't matter. "All I ever wanted was a fair trial," Hood said.

While firm numbers are elusive, legal experts estimate that anywhere from two to 10 percent of the nearly two million people incarcerated today in this country were wrongfully convicted, either because they are innocent or did not receive a fair trial.

After the reversal, Steele stated that the district attorney's office offered Hood the opportunity to walk out of prison if he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor, with credit for time served, and avoid a second trial. He refused, saying he would not admit to a crime he did not commit.

The second trial began June 2 before Douglas County Judge Victoria Klingensmith. This time, public defenders represented Hood. The trial lasted three days.

It was fundamentally a repeat of the testimony and arguments from the first trial, with one notable exception: Phillip Danielson, a professor at the University of Denver and a nationally recognized expert in forensic DNA science.

Called by the defense, Danielson painstakingly testified about testing, statistics, and probabilities. He said Hood's DNA sample was the smallest of the four identified on the teenager's underwear, so small it was considered statistically weak.

How it got there is unknown, he said, but it is not unusual to have DNA present from non-sexual transfer when people are living in the same house.

Testing is now much more sensitive than in years past, he said in an interview, so more is detected. "With extra sensitivity in today's tests often comes more uncertainty and a greater need for caution in drawing conclusions."

He also testified about the unknown male DNA found on the teenager's genitalia during the hospital exam  the piece of evidence missing in the first trial.

Danielson said later that the DNA found did not necessarily mean there had been a sexual encounter. But it begged the question of how it remained if Hood's DNA was showered away.

The jury took nine hours before finding Hood not guilty.

Freed Navy veteran starts new chapter after wrongful imprisonment

After the verdict, Hood walked out of the courthouse and collapsed on the pavement.

That first night, he couldn't sleep, couldn't turn off his brain. For weeks, it felt like it was all going to be snatched away.

Finally, reality hit. He was at Denver International Airport, about to fly to Arizona to visit a friend. As he passed through security, he braced for someone to stop him. No one did.

"I left the state for the first time in years without permission," he said, awe still in his voice. "And it was the Fourth of July. It was extra significant."

He said he is now trying to claw back the life he lost. He is living with his sister in Denver. His veteran's benefits have been restored. He is trying to rebuild a relationship with his son, now 12, who knows he was in prison but may not know why.

"When you're old enough, I have a story to tell you," he said to his son. "It's about how far you are willing to go to prove the truth."

He is getting counseling through the Department of Veterans Affairs. He is considering a civil lawsuit. It's not about money, he said, it is about accountability.

Hood will soon start fall classes at the Colorado Community College of Denver. He once wanted to be an engineer, but now he wants to be a paralegal, possibly attending law school someday.

And he wants to work for the defense.

Michael Karlik contributed reporting to this story.
XENIA, Ohio (WDTN)  A local motorcycle club is hosting a benefit ride in honor of an officer shot in the line of duty three years ago.

For the third year in a row, the Miami Valley Copperheads Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club is holding a ride to support retired Clearcreek Township Police Officer Eric Ney. In July 2022, Officer Ney was shot in the head by a domestic violence suspect. He retired from the force in April 2023.

For Pitboss Todd Younkin, backing the blue is a cause close to his heart.

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With Eric getting shot in the face and surviving it, its just a chilling feeling, says Younkin. Its humbling. But you also feel proud knowing that you know, youre trying to help somebody out that has given the badge. I mean, he gave the badge 15 years before he got shot.

On Saturday, July 26, motorcyclists will be taking off from Harley Davidson in Xenia. After about a three-and-a-half-hour ride, they will end up at Gameday Grille on State Route 48 near State Route 73. There will be raffles and a 50/50 drawing.

While funds raised this year at Gameday will go to Officer Ney, the Copperheads will be taking in money to sponsor police cadets.

Thats why its so important today, because there is dwindling numbers, from what Ive heard of law enforcement officers. And these young men are going to take their place and continue on with it, says Caretaker Dale Rothwell.

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If you want to ride, just show up Saturday at Harley Davidson in Xenia. Its $20 per rider and $5 per passenger. Registration starts at 10:00 a.m. with kickstands up at noon.

If you would like to donate, contact the Copperheads at MVcopperheadslemc@yahoo.com or contact Todd Younkin at 330-354-2872.

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Latest: 'There should have been a dialogue'  Zelensky on controversial Ukrainian law that sparked protests

President Volodymyr Zelensky submitted on July 24 a new draft law aimed at restoring the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions.

The move follows Zelensky's decision on July 22 to sign a different bill that effectively destroyed the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).

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The controversial bill, which also undermined Ukraine's aspirations to join the European Union, triggered large-scale protests all over Ukraine, forcing the authorities to roll back.

In a statement following its review of the new draft law, NABU said the legislation would "restore all procedural powers and guarantees of independence" for both NABU and SAPO.

Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Action Center (AntAC), a watchdog, also supported the initiative, saying it would "restore the principles previously dismantled by the Verkhovna Rada."

"This is the result of exceptionally incredible Ukrainians who have shown the authorities in recent days that they will not allow their European future to be destroyed," the statement reads.

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"However, even one week of delay can be enough to destroy a bunch of NABU and SAPO proceedings against top corrupt officials."

Parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk said the draft will be reviewed at the next plenary session, though the Verkhovna Rada is officially in recess until the end of August.

Stefanchuk said that the law could be considered "much earlier than in a month."

The July 22 controversial law was passed and signed under the pretext of ridding anti-corruption agencies of Russian influence.

Zelensky claimed on July 24 that his new bill is intended to safeguard the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions and protect the legal system from Russian influence or interference. He described the draft as "balanced," but did not provide further details.

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"The most important thing is real tools, no Russian connections, and the independence of NABU and SAPO. The bill will be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine today," Zelensky said.

In a Telegram post, lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak noted that under the proposed bill, all employees of six law enforcement agencies, including NABU and SAPO, with access to state secrets would be required to undergo a polygraph test every two years.

The tests would be conducted by internal control units using a methodology approved by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

Earlier in the day, a cross-party group of 48 lawmakers submitted another bill to the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, aimed at restoring the independence of the NABU and SAPO.

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"Tomorrow (the bill) can be voted on," Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, head of the parliamentary committee on freedom of speech, wrote on Facebook. "Your move, Mr. President."

On July 22, the Ukrainian parliament approved amendments that grant the prosecutor general new powers over cases led by the NABU and SAPO.

Zelensky later that day signed the bill into law, effectively destroying the independence of Ukraine's two key anti-corruption institutions, opposition lawmakers and watchdogs say.

The new law signed by Zelensky allows the prosecutor general to issue binding instructions to NABU, reassign cases outside the agency, and delegate SAPO's authority to other prosecutors. Critics say the changes dismantle safeguards that protect both bodies from political interference.

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Among other new powers, the prosecutor general could also close NABU's investigations at the legal defense's request.

On July 23-24, protestors gathered in major cities across the country, including Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa, with growing calls urging the government to amend current laws.

Ukrainians who spoke to the Kyiv Independent sounded a code red for the country's democracy, saying the move marked the "point of no return."

Zelensky claimed that the purpose of the law dismantling Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure was to curtail Russian influence.

However, the law passed and signed on July 22 does not have anything to do with Russian influence. Its clauses deprive anti-corruption agencies of their independence, and there is nothing in the law that targets Russian agents in or outside the agencies.

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"The clause that the prosecutor general can take cases away from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) is unlikely to have an impact on (Russian agents)," Kateryna Butko, head of the anti-corruption watchdog AutoMaidan, told the Kyiv Independent.

On July 23, Zelensky said Ukraine's law enforcement and anti-corruption institutions will present a joint action plan within two weeks aimed at strengthening the justice system.

Speaking after a high-level meeting with the heads of Ukraine's top law enforcement and anti-corruption bodies, Zelensky said the leaders agreed to develop coordinated reforms to restore public trust and ensure accountability.

"We all hear what society is saying," Zelensky said. "We see what people expect from state institutions  ensured justice and the effective functioning of each institution.

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"We discussed the necessary administrative and legislative decisions that would strengthen the work of each institution, resolve existing contradictions, and eliminate threats."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen raised "strong concerns" with Zelensky over the new law, European Commission spokesperson Guillaume Mercier said on July 23.

The Kyiv Independent was targeted by a coordinated distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on July 22-23, coinciding with its coverage of the new law.

Read also: A fatal mistake  Ukrainian soldiers slam Zelenskys anti-corruption crackdown

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
RELATED VIDEO: Move-In Celebration underway at University of Arkansas (Aug 9, 2024)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  The University of Arkansas is making changes to its move-in process this year  what to know.

More than 6,200 students will be moving into University of Arkansas dormitories and university-owned apartments in early August 2025, according to the schools website.

Where do students pick up their keys? What changed from last year?

Students moving into on-campus housing between Aug. 69 will now begin check-in at Baum-Walker Stadium, rather than picking up keys at their residence halls.

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Key pickup will be located at the third base concourse, where students will also receive two parking passes  one for themselves and one for a parent.

University of Arkansas professor arrested on CSAM possession charge

How long do students have to unload?

After arriving at their residence hall lot, students will have 30 minutes to unload. U-Hauls and trailers will not be allowed in those lots.

Where should students and parents park afterward?

Following unloading, students will be directed to park in Lots 320, 321 or 322. Parents can use upper levels of the Garland or Harmon parking garages.

Will there be shuttle service?

Yes. University shuttles will operate starting at 7:30 a.m. daily, serving Lot 320, Maple Hill, Northwest Quad, Union Station and the Pomfret/Adohi area. Students with reserved resident permits can begin parking in move-in lots at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9.

Where can families find move-in details for specific dorms?

Move-in maps and residence-specific info can be found here.

Is there early drop-off available for Arkansan students?

Yes, but the deadline to sign up for it is noon Friday, July 25. Student will use their housing portal to select a time slot.

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Early drop-off information can be found here.

Is a new residence hall being built?

Yes. Construction is beginning on a new residence hall, scheduled to open in 2028, located just south of Maple South and west of the Northwest Quad. University officials say students nearby may hear weekday construction noise during daylight hours.

Do you or your student have questions about move-in that we didnt answer? Email Reagan Wynn at rwynn@knwa.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.
MPR parent company announces layoffs amid state and federal funding cuts originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

The parent company of MPR News is planning layoffs due to a $6 million budget gap caused by state and federal funding cuts.

American Public Media Group (APMG) announced Thursday that in the coming weeks the company will cut 5% to 8% of its staff and make other cost reductions, including reductions in employee benefits.

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With a staff of about 500 people, that means an estimated 25 to 40 APMG employees will lose their jobs, per MPR News. Bring Me The News understands that Minnesota-based staff were informed of the impending cuts Thursday afternoon.

While we are fortunate among public media organizations to be in a relatively strong financial position, these are significant cuts, APMGs chief people and culture officer Roycie Eppler said in a statement.

APMG claims to be the country's largest station-based public radio organization, with a portfolio of radio stations and programs also including The Current, YourClassical and Marketplace, a national business show.

Meanwhile, an unspecified number of employees were laid off at TPT, the Twin Cities PBS station, on Wednesday as a result of federal funding cuts.

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Congress approved a Trump administration bill last week that rescinds $1.1 billion in federal funding previously allocated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), which distributes that money to TPT, MPR and other local NPR and PBS affiliates nationwide.

MPR says federal funding makes up about 6% of its budget. Throughout its 45-station network, MPR received around $7.2 million in federal funding in fiscal year 2024, according to CPB's database.

TPT was awarded more than $4.2 million in federal funding during the same period. That contributed to about 8.3% of its total annual revenue.

The amount the State of Minnesota provides in funding to MPR will also cut in half over the next two years, from $4 million to $2 million.

Related: TPT layoffs illustrate looming impact of nationwide NPR, PBS cuts in Minnesota

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Michigan State University is set to lay off more than 100 workers  due to massive cuts in federal funding for the SNAP-ED program. Those cuts came with the enactment of the new federal budget, which President Donald Trump calls the big, beautiful bill.

There has been an outcry for support following the federal cuts to the SNAP-ED grant. Now, many employees at MSU Extensions are anxious, especially food workers and those who participate in the SNAP-ED program.

There are also more than 100,000 people in Michigan who are potentially affected by SNAP cuts, and in East Lansing, there are more than 100 people at MSU concerned for their future.

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Well, theyre concerned. I mean, their livelihoods are at stake here, said Jerry Jibenville, with Extension United Local 1855. Imagine devoting your entire career to an organization only to have the rug pulled out from under you.

In a statement to 6 News, the director of the MSU Extension, Dr. Quentin Tyler, says he understands their concerns. The Lansing MSU Extension office says it has informed employees that all paid positions will receive notification of employment on July 31st

In addition to the loss of jobs, Jubenville says Michiganders, especially older adults, people with disabilities, children, and low-income families, will be the ones paying the price for the cuts.

On the union, Jubenville says the workers are more focused on the community than themselves.

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Their hearts are really focused on the vast majority of people are really focused on the communities and whats going to be left of them when this funding goes away, said Jubenville.

The union says if you want to make your voice heard about the cuts, to follow this link.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News.
McCUNE, Kan.  The city of McCune is unable to conduct city business until further notice.

This comes after multiple and simultaneous resignations of McCune city officials took place.

In an emergency notice posted on the door of the city hall on June 23, it reads the mayor, council president, two council members, the city clerk, and both public superintendents all resigned.

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The notice reads that due to this unexpected turn, the governing body of the city currently lacks a quorum and is unable to conduct official city business. Until further notice, efforts are underway to hold a special election or to secure temporary appointments to reestablish quorum and administrative oversight, according to the notice.

The situation has been reported to the Crawford County Commission, the Kansas Attorney Generals Office, and the Office of the Governor, according to the notice.

It notes that the city attorney, Dawson French is assisting in identifying emergency measures to restore city functions. We reached out to his office for a response and were told, no comment to the matter.

Two city council members still hold their roles  when our team reached out to them, there was no answer from both.

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We also reached out to the county officials on the matter, and were informed they are not able to comment, as the matter is still being looked into.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski questioned whether Trump administration officials are accusing former President Barack Obama of treason in order to distract from the fallout over its handling documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.

Obviously, this is new language. Words like treason are big words, right? the Alaska Republican told CNNs Kaitlan Collins Wednesday in an interview on The Source.

It does cause one to wonder if this is an effort by folks in the administration to have the conversation, move on to something else, other than the Epstein matter, move on to something else, another, somebody other than President Trump so lets go back to prior presidents, she said.

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Based on the timing of all of this, it does kind of cause you to question, Murkowski said when asked by Collins if allegations from Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard were a distraction technique.

Her comments come after weeks of failed efforts from Trump to mitigate backlash over his administrations decision not to release more documents related to the Epstein investigation.

Murkowski told CNN that she encourages the release of more files from the probe, saying, Just deal with the Epstein thing once and for all.

I think if they had done it earlier on and moved on to other things, maybe we wouldnt be in this place where everyone is now thinking about, you know, whats the next big conspiracy behind all this, she added.

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One day after President Donald Trump accused Obama of treason over the intelligence assessment that Russia interfered in the 2016 election and sought to help Trump, Gabbard declassified a highly sensitive congressional report she claimed was more evidence of a treasonous conspiracy.

A spokesman for Obama dismissed the accusations from Trump. These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction, said Patrick Rodenbush.

A House Oversight subcommittee voted Wednesday to subpoena the Department of Justice for the Epstein files.

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Two Muscatine men were sentenced on July 22 to federal prison for drug and gun crimes related to a shooting in Muscatine on May 29, 2024, a news release says.

Courtesy: AP

According to public court documents and evidence presented at sentencing, on May 29, 2024, Juan Aldo Beltran Delgado, 34, and Isidro Barajas, Jr., 30, drove to a residence in Muscatine to await the delivery of a package they expected to contain more than 4.5 pounds of methamphetamine. Law enforcement saw Delgado and Barajas pick up the package from the residence and attempted to stop their vehicle.

Isidro Barajas Jr. (L) and Juan Aldo Beltran Delgado (Muscatine County Jail)

Delgado was driving the vehicle and drove over 100 miles per hour through Muscatine, and drove through multiple red lights, attempting to evade law enforcement. Ultimately, Delgado crashed into two other vehicles near Highway 61 and Cedar Street. After crashing, both Delgado and Barajas took off from the car on foot carrying firearms. Officers arrived in the area and Delgado shot at officers, who were able to take both Delgado and Barajas into custody.

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Delgado was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison, followed by a five-year term of supervised release, after his plea to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and carrying and discharging a firearm during and in relation to his drug trafficking. Barajas was sentenced to 32 years in federal prison, followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, after his plea to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, attempted possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, carrying and displaying a firearm during and in relation to his drug trafficking, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. There is no parole in the federal system.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Muscatine County Sheriffs Office, Iowa Department of Public Safety, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations, Scott County Sheriffs Office, Muscatine Police Department, Cedar County Sheriffs Office, Muscatine County Drug Task Force, Johnson County Drug Taskforce, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results. For more information about Project Safe Neighborhoods, visit here.

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COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL)  The Muscogee Sheriffs Office honored two deputies who are retiring from the agency.

The sheriffs office honored Major Jonnie Ellerbee and Stg. Larry Tippins. Ellerbee was a part of MCSO for 36 years, while Tippins is set to retire after 40 years.

Major Jonnie Ellerbee (left), Sergeant Larry Tippins (right) are retiring from the Muscogee County Sheriffs Office after serving 35 years for Ellerbee and 40 years for Tippins.

RELATED: Columbus Police Department promotes 28 officers and dispatch personnel in ceremony

We cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for Muscogee County. You will always be a part of the MCSO Family. Job well done! said Sheriff Greg Countryman in a post on Facebook.

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The two were celebrated by other fellow deputies in the sheriffs office, along with family members and friends during a ceremony.

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Hikers might want to think twice before parking their vehicles on the side of Colorados Guanella Pass Road  a popular leaf peeping spot and access point to fourteener Mount Bierstadt.

Clear Creek County announced on its social media pages on Wednesday that the sheriffs office will begin enforcing parking rules in No Parking zones on county right-of-way road shoulders on Clear Creek County Road 381, extending to the Park County line.

The enforcement will officially begin this Friday.

Parking zone violations will result in a $87.50 ticket, according to Jennifer Fulton, a spokesperson for the sheriffs office.

County officials said road authorities installed new No Parking signs along Guanella Pass Road to alert drivers of the change to parking on the busy stretch of road from Georgetown to Grant.

These signs are crucial for helping us manage traffic congestion in the popular recreation area, officials said in the social media post. This measure is vital for public safety, allowing first responders clear and unobstructed access to assist those in need, especially during peak seasons like leaf peeping.

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A sheriffs office deputy said on Thursday morning that the parking lot atop Guanella Pass was designed to accommodate only a certain amount of daily visitors, based on the size of the lot, with efforts to keep a sustainable experience for those recreating and to minimize human impact on the area.

In 2024, Clear Creek County officials said that improper or illegal parking significantly hindered emergency vehicle access along the road.

Fulton pointed to one incident last leaf peeping season, in which an emergency vehicle could not get to the top of the summit. That incident ultimately led to the changes being implemented today.

There have been more tickets this summer than in the past, she said. When you have vehicles parked on both sides of the highway partially on pavement, now you have a one-way road. Thats an issue.

Fulton added that the sheriffs office has not heard any backlash from residents and travelers about the new zones, but the enforcement has just begun.

Regarding plans to build larger facilities or more parking zones along Guanella Pass Road, Fulton said the land belongs to the U.S. Forest Service, so those decisions would fall on the federal government.
The Muscogee Nation's high court ruled that idescendants of formerly enslaved people under the tribe are legal citizens.(Photo by Getty Images)

The Muscogee Nation Supreme Court affirmed that individuals who are descendants of formerly enslaved people under the tribe are legal citizens.

The ruling comes after Muscogee Freedmen have repeatedly fought for tribal recognition in and out of court alongside descendants from the Chickasaw, Choctaw and Seminole Nations.

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The court ruled the tribes by-blood, language for citizenship requirements, the basis for denial of Freedmen applications, was unlawful under the 1866 treaty, which granted Freedmen citizenship status , and ruled the citizenship board must act accordingly.

The matter is remanded to the Appellant, Citizenship Board, who is directed to apply the Treaty of 1866 and issue citizenship to the Respondents, and any other future applicant who is able to establish a lineal descendant on the Creek By Blood Dawes Roll, or the Creek Freedmen Dawes, the ruling said .

The case was originally heard in September by a Muscogee district court judge, who ruled in favor of Freedmen descendants Rhonda Grayson and Jeff Kennedy. The pair were initially denied citizenship in 2019 .

The tribe appealed the decision, throwing the case into the hands of the Muscogee Creek Supreme Court.

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The Muscogee Creek Indian Freedmen Band took to social media to celebrate.

After 46 years of disenfranchisement, we can finally reclaim our birthright as citizens of the Muscogee Creek Nation and honor our ancestors, the statement said. All descendants of the Creek Freedmen can now claim their birthright. We pray the ancestors are proud!

A spokesperson for the tribe said the tribe may request to go back to court.

We are currently reviewing the order to understand its basis as well as its implications for our processes. It may be necessary to ask for a reconsideration of this order to receive clarity so that we can ensure that we move forward in a legal, constitutional manner.

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The tribe would become the second to grant citizenship to its Freedmen after the Cherokee Nation did so in 2017 .

This article was originally published by KOSU.

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Mystery surrounds murder of Orlando grandmother near Tennessee truck stop

Police are looking for answers after an Orlando woman was found dead in Tennessee.

Allecia Wolfe, a mother and grandmother, was found dead earlier this month, prompting an investigation into her mysterious death.

Wolfes body was discovered near a truck stop and motel off I-24 in Manchester, Tennessee, more than 600 miles from her home.

Authorities are treating her death as a homicide as they await the medical examiners report to determine the cause of death.

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I want to know what happened, like who did this to my mom, and why, said Aleah, Wolfes daughter.

Aleah mentioned that her mother struggled with addiction and worked as a street worker, but she was still a good person.

Investigators said they are examining surveillance footage from the area where her body was discovered.

The Coffey County District Attorneys office has not ruled out any possibilities, noting the bodys decomposition has made it difficult to determine the cause of death.

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In-N-Out CEO Lynsi Snyder has addressed backlash online following her announcement to relocate her family to Tennessee amid the company's eastward expansion.

In a video posted to Instagram July 21, the billionaire heiress explained the company headquarters is not moving but it is expanding with an office in Tennessee to "support growth." The $125 million corporate hub will be located in Franklin's Berry Farms neighborhood and is expected to open later this year.

Snyder added that moving to the Volunteer State provides In-N-Out associates "wonderful opportunities" to buy a home, raise a family and be a part of the expansion in a different U.S. location.

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The update follows her appearance on conservative podcaster Allie Beth Stuckey's "Relatable," where she cited grievances with the Golden State's burdens on business and family life.

"Where I raise my family has nothing to do with my love and appreciation for our customers in California," she continued. Here's what else to know.

President of In-N-Out Burger Lynsi Snyder hugs Governor Bill Lee after giving him a In-N-Out Burger apron after Lee announces that the restaurant will be coming to Tennessee during a press conference at Franklin, Tenn., Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023.

In-N-Out CEO Lynsi Snyder responds to news of Tennessee relocation: 'We never forget our roots'

In a video featuring In-N-Out imagery over the years, Snyder expressed pride in the companys roots and said that moving to Tennessee is a very healthy plan for their growth, citing numerous opportunities for In-N-Out employees in Tennessee and potentially in neighboring states.

"It's tough here in California and this doesn't have to do with my love or loyalty to the state and our customers, but I love our associates and I would love to offer them this just like we've offered other states that provide different things to them," she said. "The dream of a home and a family is more feasible there for sure."

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She emphasized that the companys relationship with its customers is built on love, calling them the most important part of the business and a reason why In-N-Out remains deeply committed to customer service and quality.

Tax breaks: In-N-Out owner Lynsi Snyder's move to Tennessee would give her these big tax benefits

"Whether we are in California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah  go down the list, each one of those states has the same mission to serve our customers but we never forget where we came from," said Snyder. "We never forget our roots."

What did In-N-Out CEO Lynsi Snyder say about company move to Tennessee?

During her appearance on the Relatable podcast, Snyder expressed frustrations with California and announced plans to relocate her family to Tennessee, where In-N-Out will open its second headquarters.

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Theres a lot of great things about California, Snyder said. But raising a family is not easy here. Doing business is not easy here.

She also criticized the states handling of COVID-19 regulations, referencing the 2021 shutdown of two In-N-Out locations by health officials for failing to check customers vaccine status, USA TODAY reported.

"Youve got to do this," Snyder said of the vaccine mandate for indoor dining. "You have to have this plastic thing between us and our customers. It was really terrible, you know? And I look back, Im like, we should have pushed even harder on that stuff. Were not policing our customers."

In-n-Out President Lynsi Snyder reveals for the first time that she and her family are LEAVING California for Tennessee. Raising a family is not easy here, she told me. Doing business is not easy here.



After 77 years, In-n-Out HQ will say goodbye to its home state and set pic.twitter.com/yorQTiRXzx  Allie Beth Stuckey (@conservmillen) July 18, 2025

Snyders announcement drew mixed reactions online, while some expressed empathy for her decision, others criticized her for speaking negatively about the franchises home state.

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"Every In-n-Out I drive past has such a massive line that the staff has to go outside and take pre-orders. It's the flagship fast food restaurant of California," said one post on X. "She's lying."

"'Not easy for In-N-Out to do business in California... Said the person who became a billionaire doing business almost exclusively in California. So much so, it was a point of pride for the chain. Gotcha.'" read another.

Is In-N-Out leaving California?

No, Snyder said "the bulk" of In-N-Out stores will in remain California.

By 2030, Snyder said the company will completely close its Irvine office, but the Baldwin Park headquarters will remain open, overseeing West Coast operations.

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In-N-Out currently operates more than 400 restaurants nationwide, with 300 located in California. The company has plans to open 35 locations in Tennessee.

What In-N-Out locations are planned in Middle Tennessee?

A sign for a future In-N-Out Burger in Lebanon as construction was starting.

Several In-N-Out restaurants have been announced for Middle Tennessee, with many already under construction. They include locations in: Murfreesboro, Hendersonville, Lebanon, Madison, Antioch and Franklin.

In-N-Out had previously considered a location in Mt. Juliet but officially withdrew plans, according to city officials.

Contributing: Hadley Hitson, USA TODAY

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for the Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X at @_leyvadiana

This story was updated to add a gallery.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: In-N-Out CEO addresses leaving California for Tennessee after backlash
(KTLA)  In-N-Out Burgers expansion into Tennessee gained new attention this week when CEO Lynsi Snyder announced on a podcast that she is moving her family from California to the Volunteer State.

However, buried within the interview was a comment that will certainly disappoint fans of the fast-food giant across a wide swath of the U.S. In-N-Out isnt coming to the East Coast anytime soon.

Florida has begged us, and were still saying no, Snyder, 43, told Allie Beth Stuckey, host of the faith-focused podcast Relatable. The [other] East Coast stateswere still saying no.

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The Southern California-based chain announced its Tennessee expansion in January 2023, with a regional office in Franklin, a suburb of Nashville, slated to open next year. According to the Nashville Business Journal, the burger giant is eyeing 35 potential locations in Tennessee, which will be served by the companys distribution center in Lancaster, Texas.

In-N-Out is known for using only fresh ingredients  never frozen  including ground beef, so its stores are generally located within 500 miles of its distribution centers.

In-N-Out Map

Map of In-N-Out Burger locations in the U.S. as of July 2025. (In-N-Out Burger)

Were not putting a whole meat facility where we do all our own beef [in Tennessee]. Well have a warehouse, but not do our own meat there, Snyder said.

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She added that other states within range of the Lancaster facility could also be part of the burger chains expansion plans  likely leaving In-N-Out fans in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Mississippi, and Missouri salivating over the possibility of Double-Doubles and Animal Fries in their future.

Lynsi, the granddaughter of In-N-Out founders Harry and Esther Snyder, said the company needs to approach growth with a focus on quality over quantity.

We have to have some growth, but we also dont want to be on every corner. We dont want to be in every state, and we dont want to ever compromise our values and standardsthe cornerstones that my grandparents laid down, she said.

In-N-Out currently operates over 400 stores in eight states: California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Oregon and Idaho. Its first Washington state location is expected to open within the next several weeks.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Zoe Jonick didnt think she was asking for much when she went before the Oakland City Council with what she considered a simple request: Urge the California state legislature to vote yes on a bill requiring the state to study the feasibility of ditching Pacific Gas & Electric and embracing public power.

It didnt seem unreasonable, given that the nearby cities of San Francisco, Berkeley, and Richmond had done exactly that in recent months. What Jonick, an organizer with the climate organization 350 Bay Area, and others backing the move wanted the city to do was push state lawmakers to support SB 332. The legislation would explore alternatives to investor-owned utilities and introduce safety and equity measures to improve service. Were not being prescriptive and saying what exactly a not-for-profit system would look like, she said.

Yet this proved to be too much for the City Council, even if dozens of residents spoke out against the utility  which employs more than 8,000 people in Oakland  during a tense council meeting last week. The legislation, which also would have urged regulators to link utility executive compensation to power reliability and grid safety, was pulled from the agenda by a procedural maneuver. It seems like a number of the council members have not had an opportunity to meet with both sides, said Kevin Jenkins, the council president.

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It was the latest setback in a nationwide campaign to replace investor-owned utilities with publicly owned operations. Advocates argue such a move would lead to cheaper, more reliable power and greater say for residents in how electricity is generated. Despite some victories here and there  Winter Park, Florida, and Jefferson County, Washington, have flipped the switch, and some nonprofit utilities, like Californias Sacramento Municipal Utility District, are many decades old  theyre fighting an uphill battle. Voters in Maine rejected switching to public power in 2023, an effort to do so in San Diego stalled amid skepticism from city leaders, and the city council in Ann Arbor, Michigan voted down a feasibility study proposal five months ago.

Those hoping to see Oakland join the fight come from the climate and environmental justice world. People of color comprise about 70 percent of the population, and almost 14 percent of the citys 438,000 people live at or below the federal poverty line, leaving them burdened by utility debt. Critics of the utility, known locally at PG&E, also say the for-profit model disincentivizes maintenance and upgrades. That lack of upkeep contributed to faulty equipment sparking at least 31 fires, which killed 113 people, between 2017 and 2022.

Oakland council member Carroll Fife sponsored the measure in support of Senate Bill 332, the Investor-Owned Utilities Accountability Act. Beyond calling for a feasibility study, the bill ties executive bonuses to affordability metrics and requires all utilities to publish disconnection data on their websites. Californias utility bills are the second-priciest in the nation, and Fife said people in her district have experienced six rate hikes and frequent cutoffs in the past year  even as PG&Es CEO earned $17 million.

When Im hearing that one ZIP code in my district in West Oakland has double-digit shutoffs for energy costs, I get concerned, Fife said. There are several neighborhoods in Oakland where at least 10 percent of the population has had their power cut off and remains without access to power.

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Critics say public power doesnt necessarily mean cleaner power: Nebraska, the only state served entirely by a public utility, gets most of its electricity from coal. They also argue that the process of transforming a large utility system into a nonprofit would be time-intensive and expensive, and that they could cost electrical workers their jobs. But those werent the primary concerns constituents brought to Fife in voicing their reservations: She said Oaklanders were afraid that PG&E grant funding to local nonprofits would be cut off.

The company, which provides power to about 16 million people throughout California, is Oaklands second-largest employer, and it recently spent $900 million relocating to Oakland. The utility also is a big philanthropic player  it provided nearly 1,000 grants throughout the state totaling $36 million last year, and spent $3.5 million on Oakland nonprofits in particular. Fife said nonprofit leaders shes known for two, three decades said they supported her resolution but feared losing funding over it. (None of them spoke at the July 15 council meeting.)

The lobbyists for PG&E were telling people that I specifically was trying to push PG&E out of Oakland, that I would be responsible for a lack of charitable giving to nonprofits in my district and in the city, she said.

A PG&E representative, in an emailed statement, said the company did not, and would not, suggest that we would pull our charitable support.

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We stand ready to continue to listen to the concerns of City Council members and citizens, and we look forward to continuing to work with city officials on tangible efforts to advance energy equity, climate resilience, and public safety.

The company representative did not comment on SB 332, but the company made the its thoughts clear during a Senate hearing in May: SB 332 proposes sweeping changes without fully accounting for existing regulatory safeguards or the operational complexities of transforming the states energy infrastructure, a PG&E lobbyist told lawmakers.

PG&Es response speaks to the vehemence with which investor-owned utilities fight to maintain their hold over energy. When advocates of public power in Maine managed to get a referendum on the ballot, the states two dominant utilities spent more than $40 million to oppose it, outspending its advocates 34 to 1 and handily defeating the measure.

Even if Oaklands resolution is out of play for now, the citys public-power advocates arent done. As SB 332 continues moving through the legislature, Were also building this movement from the ground up, Jonick said. That might look like more community workshops, or more city council resolutions. Above all, itll look like neighbors talking to each other. No matter what, were going to be pushing to build community understanding that another way is possible, and we can fight the utility monopolies hold on us.

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Correction: This story originally misspelled Carroll Fifes first name, and has been updated to reflect the latest version of SB 332.

This story was originally published by Grist with the headline The national fight for public power comes to Oakland on Jul 24, 2025.
A new report from NATOs Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence (CCDCOE) warns that global ports are vulnerable in the wake of escalating cyber threats.

The policy brief highlights that ports, which handle approximately 80% of international trade, face unprecedented cybersecurity threats from state-linked actors from Russia, Iran, and China. These actors aim to disrupt operations and potentially inflict significant economic and military harm.

Ports serve as crucial nodes in NATOs defense logistics network, and recent intelligence reveals a high frequency of cyber attacks on port facilities across Europe and the Mediterranean. A significant proportion of these cyber assaults have been traced back to threat actors originating from Russia, Iran, and China. These nations are allegedly leveraging cyber tools to achieve broader geopolitical objectives by deploying sophisticated and often coordinated cyber campaigns against critical infrastructures.

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The report outlines that the nature of these cyber threats is both sophisticated and pervasive. It stresses the pressing need for coordinated policy and security responses to counteract these risks. Cyber attacks have predominantly targeted access control systems and vessel traffic management systems, which are essential for maintaining the smooth operation and safety of port facilities. Such vulnerabilities, if exploited, could lead to severe disruptions in global supply chains and critical military logistics operations.

The vector for these threats expands beyond simple hacking attempts or malware. The CCDCOE identifies the involvement of politically-motivated hacktivists, particularly pro-Russian groups like NoName057. These groups, employing methods such as distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, have effectively demonstrated the disruptive potential of cyber operations. For instance, one notable incident involved NoName057s disruption of the Port of Rotterdams main website in June 2023, underscoring the groups ability to impact port operations directly. The group also attacked the ports of Gdynia in Poland, and Felixstowe and Tyne in Great Britain.

The report also cited maritime organizations, logistics providers, and air traffic control systems in at least 11 countries that were targeted by a group linked to Russian military intelligence services.

In Israel, the ports of Ashdod and Haifa and an oil refinery, and Egypts Port Said, were attacked by Iran-based groups.

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Maritime transportation companies were targeted by China-connected groups using various attack vectors, including infected USB drives.

NATO said at least 45 maritime organizations suffered ransomware attacks in 2024.

The challenge extends further to state-sponsored cyber attacks, notably from Iranian groups under the aegis of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Chinas increasing pre-positioning of cyber tools on critical infrastructure networks. These actions provide these states with the capabilities to execute disruptive or even destructive cyberattacks, posing a direct threat not only to the economic fabric of affected countries but also to their national security.

NATOs current maritime strategy, last revised in 2011, is critiqued in the report for lacking formalized frameworks for engagement with commercial port operators. Because critical port infrastructures are predominantly under civilian control yet serve essential military logistics functions, updated strategies are required that integrate cybersecurity measures tailored to address the needs of modern-day maritime operations.

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There are several recommendations from the CCDCOE aimed at enhancing the cyber resilience of maritime ports. These include the need for establishing sector-specific intelligence sharing networks, coordinated response mechanisms, and resilience standards. Such measures would facilitate better cooperation between public and private entities while bolstering NATOs maritime cyber defense posture.

The cost of inaction, according to the CCDCOE, far exceeds the investment necessary for comprehensive maritime cybersecurity. Without a fortified approach, ports remain susceptible to cyber incursions that could disrupt global trade, endanger economic stability, and compromise national security. The report calls for an urgent revision of existing cybersecurity frameworks to incorporate these recommendations, fostering an environment where intelligence sharing, strategic coordination, and robust cybersecurity practices become the norm.

Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.

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The post NATO warns ports vulnerable to unprecedented cyber threats appeared first on FreightWaves.
July 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. Navy needs to complete its shipbuilding program and modernize its weapons systems to effectively address the nation's defense needs, Adm. Daryl Caudle told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Committee members questioned Caudle on Thursday morning to consider his nomination for Chief of Naval Operations and reappointment to the grade of admiral.

"I view this nomination as a solemn opportunity to ensure the nation's maritime dominance never is surpassed by competitors or adversaries," Caudle told the committee during his opening comments.

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"Our sailors are the Navy's most enduring competitive advantage," Caudle said. "A stronger Navy means a more effective fleet."

He said his father was an Army veteran who served in the Korean War and passed on the importance of service to protect American families and their way of life from harm.

Admiral Daryl Caudle affirmed the need to build more ships to effectively defend the nation and support its allies against global adversaries during Thursday's Senate Armed Services Committee hearing at the U.S. Capitol. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Recruitment standards, shipbuilding

Committee Chairman Roger Wicker, R-Miss., said the Navy has lowered its recruitment standards in recent years to enable more people to join its ranks.

Admiral Daryl Caudle addressed the importance of modernizing the Navy's weapons systems to maximize effectiveness and military deterrence during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on his nomination to be Chief of Naval Operations at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

He asked how Caudle might ensure the Navy does not permanently rely on lowered standards.

Caudle said the Navy has not lowered its standards but instead has increased access.

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"All that graduate from boot camp meet the rigorous standards of that course to the letter," he told Wicker.

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, said the Navy has an "overdue" 30-year shipbuilding plan that has not been followed and asked if Caudle would undertake a shipbuilding program to increase the Navy's size and visibility.

Caudle said King has his "complete commitment" to the Navy shipbuilding program.

Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., also raised the matter of the 30-year shipbuilding program and asked if Caudle would commit to completing the program in a timely manner and on budget.

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Caudle affirmed he would do so and cited the Navy's nuclear submarine program as especially important for ensuring the nation does its part to fulfill strategic agreements with other nations.

Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., raised concerns about the Navy's force structure design to deter other nuclear powers that are threatening the United States and the world.

Caudle called the matter a "math problem" and said he will work closely with Strategic Command to address growing threats from China and other nations to maximize the Navy's effectiveness.

Munitions and maintenance

Fischer also asked what the Navy could do to ensure it has an ample supply of munitions to quickly replace those that are expended during naval operations.

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King said the Navy has "way too many sole-source vendors that are underproducing" munitions due to difficulties with obtaining the materials needed to make them.

"We need to work through that," King said, adding that the Navy needs to streamline production for greater efficiency.

"We roll a Ford F-150 off the assembly line every 20 hours, but it takes greater than a year to build an SM-6" missile, he added. "It's just unacceptable."

Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, asked about drydock construction in Hawaii and what Caudle would do to complete an under-construction drydock there on time to ensure Naval vessels can use it for maintenance and repairs.

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Caudle called the drydock a national asset and said he shares Hirono's concern regarding the importance of the drydock and getting it completed for as close to its budget as possible.

Weapons systems modernization

Sen. Ted Budd, R-N.C., asked how Caudle might incorporate unmanned weapons systems to counter naval growth among the nation's potential adversaries.

"There is no question that unmanned robotic autonomous systems will be part of any modern warfare going forward," Caudle answered.

He said they are used in the Russia-Ukraine war, in space and Middle East conflicts.

"We're all learning from this," he said. "Everyone is, including our adversaries."

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He said the Navy must invest in robotic autonomous weapons systems and ensure the command structure and operational systems are in place to maximize their effectiveness.

During his questioning, King suggested directed-energy weapons are the "future" of naval warfare and asked Caudle what his position might be regarding their development and use.

"A directed-energy shot is much cheaper than a $4 million missile," but the Biden administration "grossly underfunded" development of the weapons system, King said.

Caudle responded that his master's degree is in directed energy and his thesis was on high-powered lasers.

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"I've not seen the Navy do an adequate amount of effort translating the research and development into shipboard use," he said.

"If confirmed, I will make that a priority because it is the infinite magazine, especially against certain targets," Caudle said.

"Admiral, you just got my vote," King responded.

The morning confirmation hearing lasted for more than two hours.

Before the confirmation hearing, Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., met with Caudle and in a news release said the admiral "knows a stronger Navy means a safer America."

Caudle is a four-star admiral and would replace former Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti.

If confirmed, Caudle would control a naval fleet that is 14 times smaller than the Chinese fleet and has experienced costly shipbuilding delays, according to Politico.
Raytheon announced in June 2025 that it was awarded a $1.1 billion contract by the U.S. Navy to produce AIM-9X Block II missiles. This represents the largest contract ever awarded for the program and will increase Sidewinder production to 2,500 missiles annually. The contract will bolster and modernize Americas missile supply as existing stockpiles are depleted to support foreign military aid worldwide.

With this milestone contract, lets take a look at how the Sidewinder became the most successful air-to-air missile in history.

Entering service in 1956, the AIM-9 Sidewinder uses infrared homing to lock on to and track a target like the snake its named after. The missile was so revolutionary when it came out that the Soviet Union reverse-engineered it from a Sidewinder fired by a Taiwanese F-86 that failed to detonate and lodged itself in a Chinese MiG-17 in 1958.

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Imitation is the highest form of flattery, but the dud missile also reflected poorly on the AIM-9 shortly after its introduction.

Remember the scene in Top Gun where Jester talks about the Navys kill ratio going down in Vietnam? The Sidewinder is partly to blame (U.S. Navy photo)

Despite upgrades to the AIM-9E, the Sidewinder struggled in Vietnam with an 8% success rate. Thats worse than Billy Bergens MLB batting average of .170.

Subsequent upgrades led to the AIM-9L version, which was used to great effect by the British in the 1982 Falklands War, with an estimated 80% launch-to-kill ratio. Most Improved might be a bit of a backhanded award to receive, but this marked the turning point in the Sidewinders reputation.

With further upgrades to its speed, range, and homing ability, the Sidewinder is now the most widely used air-to-air missile in the West. Over 110,000 missiles have been produced and deployed by more than 30 countries worldwide. With an estimated 270 aircraft kills as of 2004, the Sidewinder has earned its status as the most successful air-to-air missile.

The AIM-9X is used by over 30 allied and partner nations and continues to gain international interest (U.S. Marine Corps)

The latest version of the Sidewinder, the AIM-9X Block II, is a joint program led by the Navy in collaboration with the Air Force. Its so advanced that it can lock on to and hit targets behind the launching fighter and even strike targets on the ground. Moreover, the Sidewinder has been adapted for use with ground launchers.

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With the proliferation of drones in the modern battlefield, ground-based air defense has seen a renewed focus. The infantry that used to make fun of the air defense battery for playing Magic the Gathering in air-conditioned trailers still make fun of them; theyre just thankful to have Patriot missiles keeping the skies clear of lawnmowers of death.

Although the exact numbers were not published, AIM-9 Sidewinders have been sent to Ukraine as part of the $31.7 billion drawdown from DoD stockpiles. Capable of being fired by the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System, these missiles are a critical piece of Ukraines air defense network.

A Ukrainian drone boat armed with modified Sidewinders (GUR)

In May 2025, Ukraine reported that AIM-9 Sidewinders were used to shoot down two Russian Su-30 Flanker fighter jets in the Black Sea. The Russian Defense Ministry did not comment on the incident. Dialing the clock back, the Israeli Air Force reported that one of its F-35s shot down a cruise missile using an AIM-9X in November 2023. The most recent U.S. employment of the Sidewinder was during the infamous Chinese spy balloon incidents in February 2023.

The Air Force confirmed that an F-22 Raptor used an AIM-9X to shoot the balloon down off the coast of South Carolina on February 4 of that year. Then another F-22 shot a balloon down over Alaska with an AIM-9X on February 10. February 11 and 12 saw additional balloon shoot downs over Yukon, Canada and Lake Huron, Michigan, respectively.

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While the February 11 shoot down followed the pattern of an F-22 and an AIM-9X, February 12 shook things up. The AIM-9X was fired by an F-16 and the first missile missed, reportedly due to the balloons small size. Imagine the grief the pilot got upon return.

How much for the missiles? Deal.

With the record $1.1B contract for the AIM-9X and accelerated production, the Sidewinder doesnt look like its going anywhere. Logistics matter and a shooting war is going require ammolots of ammo. While modern fighter jets can employ long-range radar-guided missiles that can shoot beyond the horizon, the Sidewinder remains an essential weapon in the arsenal of any flying force.

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By Harold C. Hutchison
CRAVEN COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT)  A technology showcase hosted by the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences is helping Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) and Craven County industries thrive.

Companies from all over the country showcased their technology at the Riverfront Convention Center in New Bern whether it be robotics, AI, advanced scanning or other technologies addressing military maintenance challenges.

FRCEs Lead for the Advance Technologies and Innovation team and Director of ENC Tech Bridge Randall Lewis says this showcase is especially important for employees at FRCE, which is one of the regions largest economic drivers.

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We have huge economic impacts, and our workforce is very technical in nature, Lewis said. Its great to be able to take that largely technical workforce and get them in front of companies and technologies that can benefit them in their jobs.

The showcase was also geared towards other manufacturers in the county like BSH Home Appliances.

Craven Countys Economic Development Director Jeff Wood says FRCE is still a major asset for the county.

They really are our Toyota, and they mean a lot to our economy, Wood said. Its very critical for us to help them and support them in any way we can.

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Natalie Lovell had more than a decade of experience with Colorado Springs before she was appointed city auditor in March. Lovell was an auditor in the office and helped manage the accounting for Colorado Springs Utilities since 2016. According to the city website, she is certified as a construction industry financial professional and project management professional.

One qualification Lovell does not have is her certification in public accounting, or CPA, which city ordinance states as a requirement for the job.

Her appointment by the Colorado Springs City Council in March was contingent on Lovell receiving her CPA in Colorado in the next two years. A new proposal before the City Council would cut that requirement entirely, which has raised questions about the recent hiring process.

The ordinance is officially recommended by the Human Resources Department but was brought forward by Lovell during a broader review of the standards of the auditor's office. Lovell told the City Council on Monday that many cities the size of Colorado Springs did not require the certification for the role and the position had many nonfinancial duties.

"It needs to be strategic in nature. It needs to be focused on risks," Lovell said. "I believe that this can be accomplished in a lot of ways, not just with a certification but with relevant background experience."

City staff declined to provide The Gazette an additional interview with Lovell "since this is an ongoing matter before City Council."

Dennis Nester was Colorado Springs' city auditor from 2000 until 2020. Nester warned City Council in an email over the weekend about his concerns in changing the requirement.

Nester said he felt that the CPA certification was the "gold standard" that a department leader should hold. A certification in public accounting is the one accounting license regulated by the Colorado Board of Accountancy. It requires a test every two years to show expertise across a broad range of accounting issues.

The bigger issue for him, though, was the appearance of how the process played out. Nester said the auditor's role was to provide independent oversight over the finances and effectiveness of all other city departments.

"If I was a councilmember, I would want the city auditor to be above reproach, and this just doesnt sound like that," Nester said.

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Lovell told councilmembers that the requirement was likely a remnant from a time when the city auditor was the person issuing official financial statements for Colorado Springs. With an independent firm now taking the lead on those reviews, Lovell said the job had grown to make other duties more important.

Lovell was appointed to the position following a national search after Jackie Rowland retired as city auditor at the start of the year. Lovell said keeping the requirement could discourage future applicants from applying for the auditor position.

Councilmember Dave Donelson argued the other side of that point, saying changing the policy now was unfair to candidates who may not have applied or been selected for the job this year because they lacked a CPA.

The proposed change was broadly supported by other councilmembers who spoke Monday. Officials said they appreciated Lovell's experience with the city and viewed her leadership as more important than the pure financial side.

"Actually having the certification, it wasn't a deal-killer," Councilmember David Leinweber said. "We made the exception because we felt like we need someone who can be more of a leader than someone who can count well."

Councilmember Nancy Henjum asked how many other employees in the department did have a CPA. Lovell said at least two of the senior auditors did.

Cities across Colorado vary in how they approach the requirements for the job. In Denver, the city auditor is an elected position and candidates are not officially required to have any expertise to run for the office. Wellington Webb, for instance, was elected city auditor in 1987 without formal accounting experience before his successful campaign to be mayor of Denver.

The current Denver auditor, Timothy O'Brien, has extensive qualifications including a CPA and a stint as Colorado's state auditor.

Aurora's city code says the city manager will select the city auditor "based on experience and education suitable for the professional performance of municipal internal audits."

Colorado Springs City Council is expected to vote on the proposed ordinance in August.
CHEYENNE  Two days shy of the 10th anniversary of The Coin Shop murders in downtown Cheyenne, a 12-person jury found Douglas Smith guilty Friday of two counts of first-degree murder.

After a weeklong trial and approximately seven hours of deliberation, Smith was found guilty of killing both 67-year-old Dwight Brockman, owner of The Coin Shop, and Brockmans friend, 76-year-old George Doc Manley, during the Cheyenne Frontier Days Pancake Breakfast in 2015.

Four days of testimony recounted years worth of detective work and newfound evidence that conflicted with Smiths statements made to police through the years.

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According to Cheyenne Police Department detectives, Smith provided conflicting statements between 2015 and 2023 as he recounted the events surrounding the shootings. Though Smith stayed in contact with detectives, making himself available for further questioning, he wasnt initially a suspect in 2015 and wasnt arrested until 2024.

Phone records, video footage of the surrounding scene, witness accounts and observations of the crime scene conflicted with Smiths statements and led to his arrest, according to the prosecutors.

After taking a brief break in deliberations on Friday to revisit Smiths initial call to 911 reporting the incident, as well as a police interview with Smith that followed later that morning, the jury found Smith guilty on both counts.

Jurors did not make statements regarding what pieces of evidence or testimony were deciding factors in the case.

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Family members of the victims and people in the gallery remained quiet throughout the proceedings, though several observers were brought to tears as the verdict was read.

The families of the victims told the Wyoming Tribune Eagle they were not ready to speak with the media following the verdict.

The incident

On July 20, 2015, during the Pancake Breakfast, Brockman and Manley were shot and killed inside The Coin Shop on West Lincolnway.

According to phone records, Brockman was alive at 9:26 a.m. Smith, allegedly going to the shop to drop off reading material to a friend, arrived at the shop at 9:27 a.m.

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He called 911 at 9:33 a.m., telling dispatch that an armed robbery was in progress.

Theres a robbery here at The Coin Shop here on Lincolnway, Smith said in the 911 call. My friend Doc was shot, and some guy pointed a gun at me.

Once police arrived, Smith left the scene to go to Mead Lumber. Smith was a carpenter who worked at the business. While there, he spoke with a friend, then went to use the restroom before returning to the police for questioning.

The case was investigated by a few different detectives over the years, only really gaining traction again when Cheyenne Police Detective James Pendleton revisited Smith as a suspect.

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Nine years after the incident, Smith was arrested on June 25, 2024, in California.

Whats next?

Smith remained in custody for a year before trial. Though his bond for appearance before the court has expired, he was remanded to the custody of the sheriff pending sentencing at a later date, according to Laramie County District Court Judge Catherine Rogers.

The date of sentencing will depend on whether Smith wants to expedite his sentencing or would prefer to wait the three months that it typically takes the Wyoming Department of Corrections to produce a pre-sentence investigation report.

Both charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison without the possibility of parole. Before the trial, the state agreed not to seek the death penalty if Smith were convicted.

Smith has 30 days to appeal the verdict after sentencing takes place.
The Nebraska State Capitol. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner)

LINCOLN  Its official. Nebraska is back into a projected deficit of about $95 million after tax revenues for the year came in below forecasts.

Legislative Fiscal Analyst Keisha Patent confirmed the situation Thursday at a meeting of the Tax Rate Review Committee. There, she provided state lawmakers with a new financial status report, giving them their first budget update since the 2025 legislative session ended in June.

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Lawmakers this spring grappled with a fluctuating deficit that at one point grew to $432 million, ending the session with a projected surplus of about $4 million by the end of the biennium in 2027. However, they still left a projected deficit at the end of the following biennium in 2029 of roughly $129 million.

The latest update puts the current two-year budget back into the red, facing a projected deficit of $95.3 million. It also increased the projected deficit for the next biennium to $218 million.

Appropriations Committee Chair State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood said the update emphasizes the need for spending controls when lawmakers reconvene in 2026. Already, Gov. Jim Pillen has expressed a goal to cut Nebraskas general fund spending 10%  about $500 million  in the current budget for next year.

When we shrink government and cut spending, we can focus on providing better outcomes and improving services for everyone in our state, Pillen said in a press release after the meeting. Theres more work to do to drive down taxes in this state, but our goal is to keep fighting to make Nebraska  for generations to come  the best place to live, work, and raise a family.

Breaking it down

State Sen. Robert Clements of Elmwood. (Courtesy of the Unicameral Information Office)

The biggest reason for the new shortfall is that Nebraskas tax receipts for May and June came in $86 million below what Nebraskas Economic Forecasting Advisory Board predicted in April. Senators drafted the budget based on those projections.

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Additionally, Patent said the projected deficit grew another $10 million because lawmakers authorized another $10 million transferred from cash funds into the general fund after the forecasting board met. This effectively added to the states revenue projections, she said.

Several factors could change the projected deficit again before the next regular session, including future meetings of the forecasting board and the committee. Patent said she also expects an update from state agencies on funds that werent spent and will carryover to the next budget, and Nebraskas Department of Revenue will have an update on the impacts of the federal budget reconciliation bill that passed this month.

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Clements said he expects the federal changes to impact Nebraskas budget negatively, though only slightly. His biggest concerns were the no tax on tips provision, which he said may minorly reduce Nebraskas income tax revenues, and the added administrative costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

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Passage of the federal budget reconciliation bill prompted some worries about the need for a special session to adjust Nebraskas budget. Committee members  including Clements  had the option Thursday to recommend that the governor call a special session but didnt.

Clements said he remains confident that there is no cause for alarm based on the latest financial status or the federal legislation. He said he hasnt heard of any adjustments substantial enough to warrant a special session.

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Gov. Andy Beshear speaks to reporters in Louisville. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

LINCOLN  Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is coming to Nebraska to speak to Democrats for the state partys top annual fundraising event in November.

Beshear is a Democratic governor in a deeply red Republican state. He and other 2028 potential presidential hopefuls visited South Carolina in recent weeks, to test the water for their campaign messages.

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He was picked to lead the Democratic Governors Association into next years midterm elections and has been touted as most popular Democratic governor in America. Beshear was attorney general of Kentucky before becoming governor in 2019. His father was previously governor.

National Democrats have been seeking answers as President Donald Trump made gains among working-class voters, including minority voters, last year. A trend of prominent Democratic figures making their way to the heartland has emerged, and some are crossing the Missouri River from traditionally first-in-the-nation Iowa into Nebraska.

Independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders launched his Fighting Oligarchy nationwide tour in Omaha. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz hosted a Democratic town hall earlier this year And Former Texas U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke is having a similar town hall in Omaha next month.

The events with prominent Democratic figures appear aimed at energizing the Nebraska Democratic base for the midterms and come when two federal races could be competitive.

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Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District has drawn national attention as its single presidential race electoral vote has swung from Republicans to Democrats in recent years, most recently to former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.

Nebraska could regain the national spotlight in 2026, with an open seat race in the states 2nd District for the U.S. House and Dan Osborns nonpartisan Senate bid against Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts. Both races could determine which party controls what parts of Congress.

But Nebraska Democrats face an uphill battle in a state where Republicans outnumber Democrats about 2 to 1, Republicans have gained a legislative supermajority, and the party last held a congressional seat with former U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford in 2017.

Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Aaron Sanderford for questions: info@nebraskaexaminer.com.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear speaks during the Semafor World Economy Summit 2025 at Conrad Washington on April 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

LINCOLN  Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear is coming to Nebraska to speak to Democrats for the state partys top annual fundraising event in November.

Beshear is a Democratic governor in a deeply red Republican state. He and other 2028 potential presidential hopefuls visited South Carolina in recent weeks, to test the water for their campaign messages.

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He was picked to lead the Democratic Governors Association into next years midterm elections and has been touted as most popular Democratic governor in America. Beshear was attorney general of Kentucky before becoming governor in 2019. His father was previously governor.

National Democrats have been seeking answers as President Donald Trump made gains among working-class voters, including minority voters, last year. A trend of prominent Democratic figures making their way to the heartland has emerged, and some are crossing the Missouri River from traditionally first-in-the-nation Iowa into Nebraska.

Independent U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders launched his Fighting Oligarchy nationwide tour in Omaha. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz hosted a Democratic town hall earlier this year And Former Texas U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke is having a similar town hall in Omaha next month.

The events with prominent Democratic figures appear aimed at energizing the Nebraska Democratic base for the midterms and come when two federal races could be competitive.

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Nebraskas 2nd Congressional District has drawn national attention as its single presidential race electoral vote has swung from Republicans to Democrats in recent years, most recently to former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024.

Nebraska could regain the national spotlight in 2026, with an open seat race in the states 2nd District for the U.S. House and Dan Osborns nonpartisan Senate bid against Republican U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts. Both races could determine which party controls what parts of Congress.

But Nebraska Democrats face an uphill battle in a state where Republicans outnumber Democrats about 2 to 1. Republicans have gained a legislative supermajority, and the party last held a congressional seat with former U.S. Rep. Brad Ashford in 2017. The party has had some recent successes, including Democrat John Ewing Jr. defeating three-term GOP incumbent mayor Jean Stothert.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A dog found dead in a wire crate next to a dumpster east of the downtown area last month likely died of heatstroke, according to the necropsy report.

The report, released on Thursday, said it could not be determined if the male French bulldog mix died before or after he was put in the crate. The outside temperature in the week leading up to the discovery of the dog ranged from 108 to 110 degrees.

LVMPD and Animal Control officers investigate a dead dog found in a crate on 27th Street on July 11, 2025. (KLAS)

The dog was discovered and reported to police on July 11, around 6:20 a.m., on North 27th Street, near Eastern and Sunrise avenues. At that time, police said it appeared the dog was already dead when it was left by the dumpster.

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Las Vegas police need help identifying 2 men seen dumping dead dog east of downtown

Las Vegas Metropolitan police released a video a few days later, asking for help identifying two men pushing the kennel to the dumpster.

The dog was found on July 11, 2025, in a wire crate next to a dumpster. (KLAS)

Veterinarian Mary Ellen Chavez, who works with Hearts Alive Village Animal Clinic, conducted the necropsy, which said the dog was found with its head inside a blue plastic bowl containing bodily fluids, and the dog was in an advanced stage of decomposition.

Its suspected that the dog died with its face in the bowl, the report said. Stomach contents were later found to be empty, leading to conclude the bowl was empty at the time of death.

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Diagnostic imaging showed there was no evidence of trauma, but the dog had a narrow trachea, which is something seen in bulldogs. There was bloating throughout the animals body and broken teeth were also found, indicating the dog may have tried to chew his way out of the wire crate.

The conditions in which this dog was found raises serious concerns regarding the

circumstances of his death and the length of time he remained exposed in the environment, and suggests significant and preventable suffering and severe neglect under veterinary and animal welfare standards. Veterinary statement

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said no arrests have been made in the case, but it is an ongoing 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.
The negotiation team has been operating in Doha for 18 days. During this extended period, we have come a long way in order to make progress," said Hirsch.

Coordinator for the Hostages and the Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing Persons, Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch reaffirmed, in a statement on Thursday, Israels commitment to bringing all remaining hostages home from Gaza.

Shortly after the Prime Ministers Office announced that the Israeli negotiating team would be returning from Qatar, Hirsch addressed the families of the hostages.

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Following the Hamas response that was delivered to us early this morning, and after examining its details in recent hours, it was agreed that the negotiation team will return to Israel for consultations. The talks are continuing and will also continue from Israel, he said.

Hirsch explained that the teams return was intended to provide advice on how to narrow the gaps in the negotiations. The negotiation team has been operating in Doha for 18 days. During this extended period, we have come a long way in order to make progress.

He added that In the face of many difficulties that Hamas has posed and is posing, we have continuously and resolutely exhausted every chance and possibility of reaching an agreement, and we will continue to do so.

GAL HIRSCH, the governments liaison on the issue of the hostages, arrives for a meeting earlier this month with families of those held in Gaza, and with hostages since released. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90)

We continue to act in the same spirit and the same directive in order to return all of our kidnapped people home, both the living and the dead. We will add and update as soon as possible, he said.

Hostage families respond with concern

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum responded to the negotiating team being recalled, stating, The families of hostages are following with deep concern the reports that the Israeli negotiating team has returned from Doha.

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The negotiations have dragged on for far too long. Each day that passes endangers the hostages chances of recovery and risks losing the ability to locate the fallen or gain vital intelligence about them.

The forum then called on leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, and Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing Persons, Brig.-Gen. (Res.) Gal Hirsch, to provide an immediate update on the current status of the negotiations and the main gaps preventing a deal.

The forums statement continued: Another missed opportunity to bring all 50 hostages back would be inexcusable. It would be yet another moral, security, and diplomatic failure in an endless chain of failures.

Finally, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum urged US President Donald Trump to assist in securing a deal. Youve already brought 39 hostages home. The window is still open  please dont let it close. Your leadership can make the difference.

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On Thursday morning, the PMO confirmed that mediators had delivered Hamass response to the Israeli negotiating team, and that the proposal was being examined.

An Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post that Hamass most recent response to the ceasefire proposal was better than the last, and that the terror group was reviewing it.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  The Covenant School is pushing forward with plans to move to a new neighborhood, but people who live in the area are pushing back just as hard.

Covenant wants to build on Highway 70 between Brook Hollow Road and Vossland Drive.

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Greg Fox, who lives right by the proposed new site, started a petition to voice concerns.

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He said neighbors feel like they were left out of the decision and are worried about the congestion the new school will create, but fear its too late to put a stop to it.

Metro Councilman Thom Druffel, who represents the area, said he shares neighbors concerns for traffic.

Druffel said he checked the city codes to determine what property rights allow and what rights the community has in this situation but found, at the end of the day, a school is permitted on the property with certain restrictions.

Fox said he and his neighbors have bonded in their frustration.

Were getting organized, and I set up this petition to gather names and email addresses so I can keep everyone informed and hear from them what they feel like we need to do, he told News 2.

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An attorney for The Covenant School responded to the petition with a statement saying, The school is excited about the opportunity to create a fresh start in a new home where Gods love will continue to echo. This is a very attractive location for the school and for current and future families. The school is committed to being good neighbors and looks forward to providing a unique, loving and intentional educational environment for West Nashville families and beyond.

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Druffel said once the schools traffic plan is approved by the Tennessee Department of Transportation, he will schedule a community meeting to review the plan with neighbors and answer questions.

Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@wkrn.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
This meeting comes ahead of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer's meeting with US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Paris.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Druze spiritual leader Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif at the Prime Ministers Office in Jerusalem on Thursday.

This meeting comes ahead of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer's meeting with US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani in Paris on Thursday to discuss security matters relating to southern Syria, sources told The Jerusalem Post.

Conflict in Syria

Last week, fighting erupted between Druze and local Bedouin tribes in the city of Sweida in southern Syria.

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In an effort to protect the Druze minority and to keep Syrian regime forces out of the buffer zone in southern Syria, Israel struck Damascus and government forces operating alongside the Bedouins.

At the same time, dozens of Druze-Israeli civilians managed to cross into Syrian territory from the area of the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the North.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Druze leader Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif at the Prime Minsters Office in Jerusalem on July 24, 2025. (credit: MAAYAN TOAF/GPO)

According to an Israeli-Druze political activist, Fares Alawi, who crossed into Syria, Our objective is to enter as deeply as possible. Were trying to protect our brothers, to save them from the horrendous massacre We are witnessing terrible atrocities, images, and clips. We cannot stand silent in the face of that," he told N12.

However, amid the ongoing clashes, Netanyahu urged Israeli Druze citizens not to cross the border into Syria.

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"You are endangering your lives; you could be killed, you could be kidnapped, and you are harming the IDF's efforts," Netanyahu said.

"The IDF, air force, and other forces are operating. We are taking action to save our Druze brothers and to eliminate the regimes militias. Therefore, I ask you  return to your homes. Let the IDF do its job," he said.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday strongly condemned French President Emmanuel Macron's announcement that France will recognize Palestine as a state.

"Such a move rewards terror and risks creating another Iranian proxy, just as Gaza became," Netanyahu's office said in a statement.

"A Palestinian state in these conditions would be a launch pad to annihilate Israel," the statement read.

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Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar also reacted on the social media platform X. "A Palestinian state will be a Hamas state," he wrote.

Earlier, Macron said on X that he would announce the recognition of Palestine as a state at the United Nations General Assembly in September.
(FOX 5/KUSI)  Anya Stajner, a 5th-year Ph. D. candidate at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, is no stranger to sea creatures, but during a walk in late June along La Jolla Shores, she spotted something unusual.

I thought, Oh my gosh, no way. I had never seen one in person, Stajner said.

I thought what? And I looked a little bit closer and it was actually one of those violet sea snails, which I recognized from my studies, said Stajner.

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These bright purple creatures, called Janthina, float on the surface of the sea using a mucus bubble raft.

Theyre rarely seen here and usually stay in tropical or subtropical waters.

Theyre darker on the top so that a sea bird flying above that might want to eat the Janthina couldnt see it and theyre like a lighter purple below so that a fish looking up from below might have a harder time spotting, said Stajner.

The unassuming purple snails feed off marine life and are vicious predators of vallella vallella and the Portuguese man o war, but harmless to humans, according to Stajner.

Most beachgoers have seen pictures of the elusive sea creatures, but havent seen them in person.

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Ive heard of themIve seen them either on the news or social media. It is cool, but it also makes me wonder why theyre showing up, said La Jolla resident Brooks Whitney.

La Jolla Shores tour guide, Robbie de Pau, says he saw the sea snails in San Diego circulating on social media, but wasnt sure he believed it.

a bit of a hoax, yeah, I didntbecause Ive never seen them before. Ive been working on this beach for about two years and never seen anything that color purple, said de Pau.

but no, theyre real, said Stajner.

Though theyre usually found in tropical or sub-tropical waters, Stajner says she thinks theyre washing up on La Jolla Shores due to a patch of warmer water offshore thats made its way into the cove. These violet sea snails havent been spotted on San Diego beaches since 2015.

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Which is when we had both an El Nino event and a warm blob of water that sort of combined and it was this massive marine heat wave, said Stajner.

However, youre unlikely to catch a glimpse of these rare snails on California beaches again anytime soon.

The waters are back to their cool California current waters that are actually coming down from the north, so it would be unlikely to find them, said Stajner.

If you do spot one, researchers at Scripps want to know. They ask beachgoers to snap a photo, but leave the snails at the shore, since La Jolla Shores is a marine protected area.

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Documents presented in a lawsuit filed in Texas claim that Senior Pastor Brady Boyd and other leaders at New Life Church in Colorado Springs knew for more than 20 years about a visiting pastors sexual improprieties with a minor 40 years ago.

But Boyd told congregants in a sermon on June 8 that he learned of the situation for the first time last year, when Pastor Robert Morris, founder and former leader of Gateway Church headquartered in Southlake, Texas, publicly admitted to inappropriate sexual behavior and resigned in June 2024.

The victim, Cindy Clemishire, accuses Morris of molesting her for several years, beginning in 1982, when she was 12 years old. Morris is facing five criminal charges related to sexual contact with a child.

Leaders of New Life, a megachurch with six locations and eight congregations totaling more than 15,000 members in El Paso County, reportedly had been told about the abuse of a woman named Cindy Clemishire, in 2007 and again in 2011, according to the recent court filing first reported by The Roys Report.

Boyds denial of prior awareness cant be true, say several other local clergy, including the Rev. Kelly Williams, co-founder and senior pastor of Vanguard Church in Colorado Springs, a Southern Baptist affiliate.

His response is hard to believe. The documents seem to indicate he knew, Williams said. He still says he didnt know, but he did make it very clear that the search committee knew, and two of those search team members from 2007 are still on his executive team at New Life.

Documents included in the lawsuit  which Morris filed to challenge his retirement benefits from Gateway following his resignation  state that Clemishires sister, Karen Black, was a member of New Life in 2007, when a pastoral search committee sought a new head pastor, following the departure of its founder, the Rev. Ted Haggard.

He left amid a scandal in which he was accused of having sexual relations with a male prostitute and using drugs during his leadership of the church. Haggard denied the allegations.

Boyd got the head job at New Life in August 2007.

Black said in court documents that she protested and spoke explicitly to New Life leaders, opposing their selection and detailing her sister's alleged abuse.

She told The Roys Report she had been concerned about Morris influence, and since New Life was already in the national spotlight for circumstances related to Haggard, she didnt think it was wise to bring Boyd on.

Boyd was Morris right-hand man, said the Rev. Kirk Sethman, who was ordained by Haggard in 2012 at a second congregation Haggard founded in Colorado Springs after he went through spiritual rehabilitation.

Brady (Boyd) helped open Gateway, he was part of it and helped it grow before he came to Colorado Springs, Sethman said. Brady and Robert (Morris) were connected at the hip.

Two of the people on the pastoral search committee still are employed by New Life: one is on Boyds elder board and has worked closely with him for the past 18 years, Williams said. And theyve never had a conversation about what Robert Morris did? Thats just hard to believe.

Boyd did not respond on Tuesday to either a Gazette email or a phone call requesting an interview about the matter.

In his June 8 presentation to members, Boyd said he was shocked to hear last year that Clemishire was 12 when the sexual interactions with Morris began, and he claims that allegations that leaders at New Life knew were inaccurate.

Sethman believes Boyd is absolutely lying.

Brady Boyd has been a deceiver from the time he stepped into that position until this very day, Sethman said.

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Boyd was among the recipients of emails describing Black's disclosure to the search committee members at New Life, documents show, and would have been working at Gateway Church when Morris received a letter from Clemishire stating her allegations.

Sethman sent a letter to New Life leaders last week, calling for them to come clean not only with this issue but also about prior knowledge about more recent sexual abuse allegations involving Haggard and minors that surfaced in a Gazette investigation in 2022, which Haggard denied.

Sethman has what he believes is proof that New Life leaders told him they had filed a police report about Haggard and a minor, yet there is no report to be found, and leaders deny any implications on their part.

There is much more to this story, Sethman said.

A former longtime New Life Church member who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue said Morris was Boyds mentor for the nearly seven years he spent at Gateway, which Morris founded in 2000, and after Boyd became the leader of New Life and Morris acted as an overseer.

Brady (Boyd) and Robert Morris would pay each other a lot of money to take turns speaking at each others churches, she said. We heard Robert (Morris) speak a few times at New Life, while Brady went to Gateway to speak.

Morris would receive standing ovations after his talks, the former member said.

I never understood why. He seemed untrustworthy, arrogant and twisted the Bible to fit his false prosperity gospel as he spoke down to us, she said.

Williams said inaction on the part of New Life constitutes a cover-up, a development thats surfaced in recent years across the nation among many churches of varying denominations.

My concern is that it doesnt appear that anyone is taking responsibility for what took place, and it seems that everyones sorting of pointing the finger the other direction, Williams said.

Williams wants an internal investigation at New Life that publicly reveals the truth.

I want us to be unified as churches, but we have to take responsibility for the misuse of authority in the past, he said. Its painful, and we all want unity. But, you cant have unity devoid of truth and honesty.

Williams book, The Mystery of 23: God Speaks, gives his account of knowing about Haggards sexual proclivities five years before Haggard's public fall in November 2006. Williams said he brought his concerns to New Life's elders but did not receive a response.

Im not against New Life, he said. Its sad that this happened, but its also sad that its being handled this way again. It appears that no matter the volume of evidence, there is no one at fault.

Williams also is calling on New Life leaders to discuss changes that have been made and still need to be made, in order for all of us as churches to avoid doing these sorts of things and being accountable when we do.

Williams believes the circumstance is a reminder that churches should not use nondisclosure agreements to silence people that have been abused.

Gateway and New Life have done that. Brady (Boyd) and Robert Morris did that, he said. Theyve never publicly acknowledged that is not a good practice. It only prolongs the inevitable and destroys the trust a community has with a church. It also suppresses the abuseds ability to get help and be able to publicly acknowledge that.

Even if the elders and leaders involved were given the facts of moral failure, "It is troubling to think that the men and women we have entrusted to lead our faith institutions had no curiosity or further questioning as to what happened, said Megan Anderson, a Colorado Springs resident who defines herself as a survivor of adult clergy sexual abuse by a former pastor. It's staggering to think of how many leaders kept this quiet.

Though Anderson said she knows how the silence from leaders around the abuser is deafening and causes further harm, the culture and cycle of cover-up around the abuser becomes part of the DNA of churches and leadership.

If this happened in a secular institution, licenses would be revoked, jobs would be terminated, and there would be no chance for rehire or rehabilitation, she said. Too often there is not proper accountability or governance in faith communities.
A man in Canada is searching for his birth mother, 61 years after he was abandoned as a newborn in a paper bag inside a doctor's car.

Sherwin Moscovitch was discovered wrapped in blankets in the medic's vehicle at the Grey Nuns Hospital, now called the Pasqua Hospital, in Regina, Saskatchewan, on March 23, 1964, he tells PEOPLE.

Moscovitch says that he accidentally discovered he'd been left as a baby while searching the archives at a public library in 1998, before finding an article about a baby who had been abandoned as a newborn.

Courtesy Sherwin Moscovitch Sherwin Moscovitch Sherwin Moscovitch

"I did by total luck find out that I had been found wrapped in a blanket and placed in a paper bag and left in [a] doctor's car," he tells PEOPLE. "I found [out] by accident while searching through microfiche at the library. I always [knew] I was adopted, as my adopted parents told me way back when I was a kid."

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However, Moscovitch says he wasn't aware that he'd been abandoned outside a hospital until discovering the article in question.

He shares, "It was eventually determined that I was that baby in that article from 1964. I always thought [that] because I was adopted, it wouldn't be hard [to find] my birth parents," adding that he then realized, "This is not going to be easy."

Courtesy Sherwin Moscovitch Sherwin Moscovitch with his parents after being adopted as a baby Sherwin Moscovitch with his parents after being adopted as a baby

"In 2000 there wasn't much to go on, so even though there was a ton of coverage on my story, no one stepped forward. There [were] no leads to be followed anymore, so my search ended," Moscovitch says, adding that in 2016 DNA testing improved and he ended up talking to his birth father and half-sister.

Moscovitch recalls, "This contact would then lead me to my birth father, who I found was living in Regina! I jumped in my car right away to see if I could talk to him."

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"He answered the door and he let me in. I told him I was doing some research on the town he used to live in. We talked for a few minutes until I was asked to leave by his sister," he says.

Moscovitch adds of his birth dad, "He could not remember [who] he was dating back in 1963, so I got no answers on who my birth mother might be. So I found two half-siblings and my birth father, but the most important find would have to be my birth mother."

While discussing the things he'd love to say to his birth mom if and when he finds her, Moscovitch says one word would suffice: "Thanks."

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Explaining how he's since returned to Facebook in a bid to trace his birth mom, Moscovitch tells PEOPLE, "That's where we are at right at this moment. I understand that we are all getting older and I am hoping my birth mother is alive as well. I wanted to give her one message, and that would be simply, "Thanks," as it could have turned out a lot worse."

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Moscovitch's comments come after he recently shared a piece about his story in a local Facebook group, writing, "Every once in a while I post about my story in the hopes that someone remembers something."

Google Maps A photo of Pasqua Hospital in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada A photo of Pasqua Hospital in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

"My birth mother has not been found yet, this is the purpose for this post as I would love to meet her to say thanks as it could have turned out a lot different," he added in the post.

Moscovitch, who recently told Regina radio station 980 CJME he now has a couple of leads through the genealogy website Ancestry, said of the questions he has for his mom, I would love to talk to my mother and just see what was going on. What happened that night? Did she drive herself? Did somebody drive her? She just had a baby. I was brand spanking new. I was only a few hours old," per the outlet.

He shared, I didnt think I had much time left to get hold of her. Twenty-five years ago she would have probably been not super old. But, you know, 25 years later, she is going to be very old and I just thought Id try one more time, per the station.

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Amid the search for his birth family, Moscovitch even appeared on a German talk show in the early 2000s, the outlet noted, after a woman in the country claimed to be his half sister. However, a DNA test then revealed the pair weren't related.



Read the original article on People
A British correspondents live report received a lot of buzz.

ITV news reporter Sara OKane fought off an invasive wasp that landed on her face during her live television broadcast on Wednesday night.

OKane came face-to-face with the insect as she was finishing her report on a triple murder investigation for UKs ITV channel in Northern Ireland, according to a video on social media.

Sara OKane fought off an invasive wasp on live television Wednesday night. ITV News

The wasp first landed on her white shirt before it flew up and sat right on her nose as she finished speaking to the network anchors as part of her sign-off.

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OKane broke her composure, blinked her eyes and used the paper in her hand to try and swat the wasp away.

The journalist claimed she was unaware that the cameras were still rolling.

I am now aware that ITN had not cut back to the studio, OKane wrote on X Wednesday night, referring to the news provider for ITV.

I held it for as long as I could but that wasp was coming for my face. Please dont let this moment take away from the devastating tragedy @UTVNews was reporting on today in Fermanagh.

OKane thought she was off-air when she tried to swat at the wasp. ITV News

OKane was reporting on a mother and her two kids being murdered in Northern Ireland when the untimely incident happened on live television, according to ITV.

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The clip went viral, receiving over 37,500 views on X as of Thursday morning.

While the insect attack amused many viewers who saw it unfold live on television, some viewers also showed the reporter some grace.

The clip of OKanes unexpected incident went viral on social media. ITV News

I dont think anyone with an ounce of compassion would think you did anything wrong, one person wrote on X. You reported well on a very difficult piece.

Saw it live Sara, professional as always. Nature happens, another person commented.

Fair play, I would have totally lost it, a third wrote.

OKane is a reporter who covers Northern Ireland as part of Britains ITV Network, according to the news organizations website.

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In recent months, other media personalities have found themselves becoming the story while cameras are rolling.

Last month, an Australian news reporter Lauren Tomasi was reporting on live television when a bullet fired by a Los Angeles Police Department officer struck her in the leg during anti-ICE riots.

Fox News Host Jonathan Hunt was anchoring Fox News @ Night when his guest, former Trump administration official Camryn Kinsey, fainted during a live interview in May 2025.

Kinsey blamed severe dehydration for the shocking on-air emergency.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Gov. Gavin Newsom is proposing a bill to streamline permitting for new oil wells. Its a proposal that environmental groups say would wipe out scrutiny of the industry.

This comes as the refineries of Phillips 66 in Los Angeles and Valero in Benicia are shutting down operations in California due to regulatory pressure.

The bill would establish plug-to-drill permitting until 2036 where two wells would have to be plugged and abandoned before a new one is drilled.

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Trump officials are visiting Alaska to discuss a gas pipeline and oil drilling

Drillers would also no longer would need well approval from the Geologic Energy Management Division, known as CalGem, so long as certain conditions are met.

This is a major turnaround for Newsom, who has campaigned heavily against any new oil drilling.

Environmental organizations say this expansion could be hazardous to the health of humans and nature. Bill Magavern, the Policy Director for the Coalition for Clean Air says Kern County is especially important to the governors proposal.

I think the governor clearly wants to see new oil drilling in Kern County specifically, and he wants to override the existing environmental process in order to do that, said Macgavern.

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However, proponents of the measure say additional drilling will help bolster the state economy. State Sen. Tony Strickland (R-Huntington Beach) says this measure will ensure jobs, and cleaner oil than in supplies drilled abroad.

Third times the charm: Kern County seeks to allow oil drilling after courts overturn decision twice

We have the ability in California to be energy independent. And when were energy independent, what does that do? It creates jobs for the people of California and grows our economy. How is it safer for the environment to take oil from Saudi Arabia or Venezuela? he said.

Chad Hathaway of Hathaway Oil says expanding and even rebuilding Kern Countys gas drilling infrastructure would take time.

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I think Kern County is the oil and development production hub of California  and gas.  We produce 70%+ of the states crude oil, and I think it would be huge. The big challenges well face will be getting contractors back to Bakersfield and back to Kern County, because a lot of them left, Hathaway said.

A lot of them went out of business, you know they just couldnt make it with the level of activity. When you go to 50, 60 refineries running down to 5, or 4, or 3, and sometimes as little as one, you know, theres no business, Hathaway said.

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In June, the Kern County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a revised oil and gas ordinance permitting roughly 2,700 new wells per year in unincorporated areas.

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While still being reviewed by a judge, this decision in conjunction with the Governors new proposal could mean significantly more oil drilling in Kern County.

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Next step of lawlessness: South End neighbors demand urgent response after two recent break-ins

Neighbors in Bostons South End are demanding answers from the city after Boston 25 News exclusive report about an intruder who broke into a familys condo while they were out of town.

Boston 25 News first reported the troubling details on Wednesday.

The suspect, identified by police as Katie Mearn, is accused of taking a bath, showering, sleeping, eating, and stealing thousands of dollars worth of belongings, including an engagement ring, from a home on Worcester Square on Saturday.

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Boston Police confirmed Mearn had been arrested and released on personal recognizance the previous day after allegedly attempting to kick in a back door on East Springfield Street.

Neighbors now tell Boston 25 News that she allegedly broke into that home too and got comfortable, even watching Netflix.

They said a resident caught her on a neighboring porch after getting locked out on the back patio.

Its just the next step of lawlessness. People have been allowed to do whatever they want in the neighborhood, said a man who lives upstairs from Fridays break-in.

Neighbors referred to the two break-ins as outrageous, reckless, and bold.

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Thats the troubling aspect of this. They all seem to be very comfortable with intruding on our lives, said John Stillwagon, Co-President of the Worcester Square Area Neighborhood Association. Its no longer just an addict crisis. Its 100 percent a public safety crisis.

A spokesperson for the City of Boston addressed the situation to Boston 25, calling the incident a horrible situation, and also saying that Boston police have arrested the suspect two separate times since Friday, related to these crimes.

Boston 25 News has learned that the city aims to combat related incidents by increasing public safety enforcement and resources in the area while partnering with the state and service providers to transition individuals into recovery.

Over the past few years, Boston has made significant progress in establishing a pipeline of services that guide individuals from shelter to recovery and ultimately to permanent supportive housing. This initiative aims to address homelessness and improve public safety in the city.

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Boston no longer has permanent encampments after passing citywide legislation and setting up coordinated services. This legislative action has been crucial in managing the citys homelessness situation and ensuring that individuals receive the necessary support to transition into stable housing.

The family whose Worcester Square home was lived in for hours by the suspect is concerned about her impending release from custody.

The Suffolk County District Attorneys Office expects Mearn will likely be released on her next court date on Wednesday.

Thats because she doesnt have an attorney due to the public defender work stoppage.

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This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Contaminated soil and concrete from the Niagara Falls Storage Site in Lewiston are heading to a new destination.

Instead of southeastern Michigan, 6,000 cubic yards of waste will instead go to the Waste Control Specialists facility in Andrews, Texas. The site on the New Mexico border is 68 miles northwest of the nearest major population area of Midland-Odessa, treating and storing low-level radioactive and other hazardous waste.

Brent LaSpada, the Niagara Falls Storage Site project manager, said they made the change in order to keep waste removal on schedule.

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As we worked through this process, they (contractors) provided options to dispose of this in Texas, LaSpanda said. That gave us the opportunity to stay on schedule for the overall project.

This removal is the first phase of remediation efforts at the NFSS, with this specific waste containing known carcinogens like chlorinated solvents, polychlorinated biphenyls and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. About 4,000 gallons of contaminated groundwater are planned to be moved to another New York state site.

The toxic waste was originally going to the Wayne Disposal landfill in Bellevue, Michigan, about 30-miles west of downtown Detroit. Those plans were announced in April 2024. The Army Corps originally chose that facility because it was closest to Western New York, though the Waste Control Specialists site was another considered site and the next closest one that would accept it.

Around 25 trucks per week were planned to carry the material to Michigan, avoiding the Lewiston-Porter Central School District and Tuscarora Reservation as they made their way to the I-190. Now, those trucks go to a transload terminal in Cheektowaga to load the waste onto freight trains, which then take it to Texas.

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LaSpada said so far, one-third of the waste for this phase has been shipped out to Texas. The process began last week. The Army Corps hopes to get all that removed by the end of the year.

After Michigan media outlets began reporting on the waste coming to the region last summer, local residents and officials demanded that it be stopped, saying they were not consulted on this decision. Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Kevin Cox ordered the waste shipments be stopped last September, which the Army Corps complied with, though his final decision on whether this can proceed was delayed earlier this month.

The result of that situation was we didnt have a viable option for the material to go, LaSpada said. The Army Corps had maintained that they followed all the proper protocols in this process, they met the waste acceptance criteria for the Michigan facility, and any radioactive materials in the waste, like uranium, radium, and thorium are naturally occurring.

The 191-acre site at 1397 Pletcher Road was first used to store radioactive waste from the Manhattan Project from 1944 to 1952. It is one of many sites listed under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program, which was established in 1974 to clean up contamination from early United States Atomic Energy Commission activities.

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This west Texas region was at the center of a U.S. Supreme Court case decision last month, where the judges decided 6-3 to allow a high-level nuclear waste storage facility to be built in Andrews next to the Waste Control Specialists facility. Local outlets there have reported that residents and Texas Governor Greg Abbott are protesting the decision.

The next two phases of NFSS cleanup will focus on nearly 280,000 cubic feet of high-level radioactive material held within the 10-acre Interim Waste Containment Structure, completed in 1986 to consolidate the waste. New infrastructure is needed for the material removal there.

The design work for the next phase is on track for a 2027 completion. Cleanup is reportedly expected to be finished by 2040, after which the Department of Energy will determine its fate.
LOCKPORT  The Niagara County jail is serving as a holding center for people detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Sheriff Michael Filicetti said the jail has temporarily housed more than 40 ICE detainees since April, following the Trump Administrations waiving of special requirements for housing such detainees, including provision of services in multiple languages.

The Niagara County Sheriffs Office has long had an agreement with the U.S. Marshals Service to temporarily house its detainees, and could have been doing the same for U.S. Border Patrol, if not for the special requirements that would have been too costly to implement, Filicetti said.

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Once those requirements were waived, the county entered an agreement with Border Patrol to house detainees when space is available. The negotiated rate is $148 per day, plus reimbursement of unexpected expenses, including emergency medical expenses.

Housing federal prisoners is a way to offset our (local) expenses, Filicetti said.

The agreement with Border Patrol does not require county correctional staff to transport detainees to or from the local jail for legal proceedings. Service is limited to housing the detainees, Filicetti said.

While they are in the county jail, ICE detainees are housed and treated the same as individuals in on local charges, he added, meaning theyre clothed, fed and given access to recreation as well as hygiene/care services as needed, for the few days that theyre in county custody.

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Asked whether he has any reservations about holding ICE detainees, in light of ongoing news reports pointing out that more often than not, the targets are not subjects of criminal investigations, theyre asylum seekers and other non-citizens who had permission to be here, Filicetti said he does not.

I dont know their circumstances. What I can do is provide them a safe environment, he said.

The sheriffs agreement with the U.S. Marshals Service is expected to generate $5.5 million this year, according to Filicetti; revenue from housing ICE/Border Patrol detainees is above and beyond that.

The extra revenue will help the county absorb some of the overtime expense incurred regularly at the jail since the end of the New York State correction officers strike in February, the sheriff said. Fallout from the strike included the termination or resignation of some 2,000 correction officers and five months later, state correctional facilities still are not fully staffed. The state inmate intake process  that is, the transfer of convicts from county jails to state prisons  has slowed, causing a significant increase in the state inmate population in county jails across New York.

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At the Niagara County jail, data from the state Division of Criminal Justice Services shows the daily average state inmate population increased from four in February to 44 in June. These are state inmates doing time locally until the state picks them up, Filicetti said, and to accommodate them, the county had to get a variance from the state to double-bunk the inmates in the jails two pods. That in turn requires employing an extra correction officer in each pod, on overtime, twice per day, and that expense was not budgeted.

The state pays the county $100 per day, per state inmate, after 10 days have passed since an inmates sentencing. The rate is non-negotiable, Filicetti said. Refusing to hold the state inmates is not an option, he added.

The sheriffs agreement with Border Patrol is not subject to approval by the county legislature. Even so, Lockport-based legislator Carla Speranza asked Filicetti about the situation recently after learning that ICE detainees were at the county jail. Having heard from him that the jail is a holding center only and the federal reimbursement is offsetting increased local spending to house state inmates  and also after verifying the undocumented detainees mostly are housed at the jail for three days or less  Speranza decided she could not object to the arrangement.

Whatever her reservations about the behavior and actions of ICE, especially its methods for identifying subjects of arrest, Speranza said that as a legislator, she has a fiduciary duty to the county and cant dismiss the value of the extra revenue, given the local budget hole created by the state corrections staff shortage.
For months, they say, they were beaten by prison guards, shot with pellets, deprived of adequate medical care and denied any due process inside El Salvadors Center for Terrorism Confinement.

(The guards) tortured us physically and psychologically, said Jose Mora, one of 252 Venezuelan migrants recently held at the notorious mega-prison known as Cecot, after being deported there by the US.

It was a nightmare. I heard many brothers asking for help, shouting, Mom, help! added Rafael Martinez, another detainee.

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That four-month nightmare ended on Friday, when El Salvador agreed to release all 252 migrants as part of a prisoner exchange deal between the US and Venezuela.

Mora and Martinez are now reunited with their families in Venezuela and are speaking out about their experience, which they described as a violation of their human rights.

CNN has reached out to the Salvadoran presidency for comment on their claims of abuse, but has not yet received a response. In the past, the government has said it respects the human rights of those in its custody regardless of nationality, and that its prison system complies with standards of security and order.

Deported to a foreign prison

According to records, Martinez faced robbery charges in the US, pleaded guilty, and was released on bail before being arrested and sent to the Salvadoran prison. Mora, meanwhile, was jailed in Venezuela for drug possession-related offenses and served his sentence. In the United States, he received traffic violations, according to official records.

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Like many other Venezuelan migrants sent to El Salvador from the United States, Mora and Martinez say US officials wrongly accused them of belonging to the Venezuelan criminal group Tren de Aragua. Despite their denials, they were deported from the United States in March.

Initially, they thought they would be flown home to Venezuela, but as soon as their deportation planes landed, they realized they had been sent to another country.

The exterior of El Salvador's Center for Terrorism Confinement in Tecoluca, El Salvador, on March 26. - Alex Brandon/Pool/Getty Images

Salvadoran officials boarded the aircraft and ordered them to exit, they said.

Thats where the mistreatment began, according Martinez, who said the officials forced them out by beating them, and held their heads down as they escorted them on to buses.

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They were subsequently taken to Cecot, where the abuse continued, they told CNN. Once inside, they said they were forced to kneel on the ground as officers shaved their heads and confiscated their belongings  including jewelry and US dollars.

Mora said one senior prison worker told him, Welcome to hell. You will never get out of here. You will not see the light of day.

Alleged beatings and a hunger strike

The conditions in the mega-prison were punishing, the migrants said.

They slept on metal bunks with no mattresses, shared a cell with nine other people, ate the same meatless meals every day, and were only allowed to shower once per day at 4 a.m.

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Anyone who disobeyed would either be beaten or have their food taken away, the ex-detainees told CNN.

Martinez alleged that he was once punished for putting his head through the cell bars when he felt sick. He said he was taken to a different cell, where about eight guards beat him and fractured his right arm.

At a certain point, the prisoners decided theyd had enough, so they launched a hunger strike demanding basic human rights, as well as access to lawyers and the press.

But that act of defiance was met with a fierce response, according to Mora.

When we protested, they shot at us point-blank with rubber bullets, point-blank into the cell, Mora said. We were like chickens or rats locked up  and they shot us with rubber bullets.

Venezuelan national Jose Mora speaks about conditions in El Salvador's Cecot prison after being released. - CNN

Some started losing hope  until about a week ago, when they say their treatment suddenly changed.

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The guards gave them new haircuts, fed them good meals like burgers and pizza, and provided them with new clothes.

We thought something good could be coming, Martinez said.

Indeed, they were being released from prison. On Friday, they were let out of their cells and onto buses that took them to an airport, where a couple of planes were waiting to fly them back to Venezuela.

Caracas and Washington had struck a deal that guaranteed the release of all 252 Venezuelan migrants from El Salvador in exchange for 10 US nationals and dozens of political prisoners held in Venezuela.

Were leaving, Mora recalled one of his compatriots saying.

A second chance in Venezuela

The migrants landed in Venezuela on Friday night and underwent several days of health, immigration, and criminal background checks, among other procedures  a routine process for deportees returning to the country.

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By Monday night, some migrants were gradually allowed to reunite with their families across the country.

Mora and Martinez, now at home, say theyre happy to be back in their country and plan to stay there to restart their lives and careers.

Asked whether he would ever return to the US, Martinez said, No, lest they accuse me of being a terrorist.

God gave me another opportunity, he continued. One must take advantage  and move forward.

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TRENTON, N.J. (PIX11)  Weston Fundner will be forever young, gone at the age of 15; a victim of the fentanyl crisis.

Weston, his heart was so beautiful, said his mother, Anne Fundner, He, in a moment of peer pressure at a brand new school, was offered something  he took a quarter of a pill thinking it would be safe, and it wasnt safe. It wasnt Percocet at all.

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It was in California three years ago when he took a pill offered to him by an acquaintance. Unbeknownst to him, it was laced with fentanyl. His family, who have since relocated to Monmouth County, have become outspoken advocates for fentanyl awareness. They soon met Republican Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, whos now introducing a package of bills in memory of Weston.

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We were able to kind of create this multi-pronged approach for what now ended up being a package of six bills, said Fantasia (R-NJ 24th District).

Shes introducing a bill called Westons Law, which, if signed into law, would extend the crime of human trafficking to include recruiting or coercing a juvenile to join a gang or drug trafficking scheme.

In essence, when these people prey on our children, that is a form of human trafficking, said Fantasia.

Another bill looks to allow juveniles to be tried as adults, regardless of age, for certain drug offenses resulting in death. To address educational needs, another bill in this package would establish a grant program for school districts to create substance abuse prevention programming for 8th-grade students.

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As the Fundner family continues to grieve, Anne Fundner tells parents to talk with their kids.

Hug your kids every day, said Fundner. We were the story that this was never going to happen to us. Have those conversations with your kids, speak to your kids about peer pressure. Dont ever underestimate that this cant happen to you, because we were the family that this wasnt going to happen to.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
New Mexico saw a decline in syphilis rates for the first since 2018, health officials announced on July 24, 2025. (NMDOH)

For the first time since 2018, New Mexicos syphilis rates have decreased, state health officials announced on Thursday.

According to a Department of Health news release, rates for both primary and secondary syphilis  the diseases most infectious stages  dropped 31% between 2023 and 2024, to 25.3 per 100,000.

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Congenital syphilis, which occurs when pregnant women pass syphilis to their children, decreased by 19.6% during the same time period. The department reported last spring, however, that New Mexico had experienced a 20% increase in congenital syphilis cases during 2023 and 16 fetal deaths reported. Former Health Secretary Patrick Allen issued a public health order that same year regarding syphilis after New Mexico ranked second in the country for congenital syphilis, as well as primary and secondary infections (that ranking was based on 2021 data).

Free services available statewide

NMDOHs STD Program provides free services at public health offices throughout New Mexico, including:

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STD testing and treatment.

STD counseling and education.

Condoms.

Doxy PEP (post-exposure prevention medication).

HIV PrEP (pre-exposure prevention medicine to prevent HIV).

Current data for the states Sexually Transmitted Disease Program shows the highest number of cases for primary and secondary cases in the Metro health region consisting of Bernalillo, Sandoval, Torrance, and Valencia counties between 2023-2024, with the highest rates in the Northwest region of San Juan, McKinley, and Cibola counties. The Metro region also had highest number of congenital syphilis cases during that time period, whereas the Northwest region was the only area in which the rate of congenital syphilis increased between 2023 and 2024.

Health officials, in a Thursday news release, said they attributed the reported decline to comprehensive strategies including enhanced community awareness and outreach efforts, increasing testing and treatment, promoting doxy-PEP (post-exposure prevention medication), and strengthening partnerships with community, medical, and Tribal organizations.

NMDOH Sexually Transmitted Disease Program Manager Janine Waters said in a statement the state is now seeing the results of years of dedicated work by our team and partners across the state. Congenital syphilis is entirely preventable, so our continued focus on testing and treatment is saving babies lives and protecting families.

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NMDOH says its top priority is preventing congenital syphilis and recommends three screenings for pregnant women:

at the first prenatal visit.

during the third trimester.

at delivery.

Resources and support

Community members with questions about STDs or ones looking for health care, can call the NMDOH Helpline at 1-833-SW-NURSE (1-833-796-8773). Testing and treatment locations are available at www.nmstdtest.org.

Healthcare providers can call the NMDOH Helpline (choose the provider option) for questions about STD reporting, patient histories, or other clinical topics.
During a weeklong operation earlier this month, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested 243 immigrants in the metro Denver area, part of the Trump administrations intensified enforcement on the illegal immigration front.

The agency confirmed the arrests occurred between July 12 and July 20.

ICE officials also criticized Colorado's "sanctuary" policies, saying many of the immigrants with a criminal history were released in metro Denver because of laws preventing cooperation with federal agents.

According to ICE officials, the operation netted immigrants residing in the country who had been accused or convicted of various crimes, such as murder, theft, assault, driving under the influence, drug-related offenses, human trafficking, and sex-related crimes  including exploitation of a minor.

This operation highlights our unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our communities, Robert Guadian, the ICE field office director in Denver, said in a statement. By partnering with federal agencies, we have successfully apprehended individuals who pose a significant threat to public safety.

Those arrested came from 16 countries. While most of the arrestees hailed from Latin American countries, others came from Europe, Asia and Africa.

ICE officials provided very few details about the operations, declining to say how and where the individuals were taken into custody. They released only the names and ages of eight out of more than 200 people detained during the operation. They did not provide additional information on the others.

President Donald Trump won a trip back to the White House, in part, on his campaign promise to crack down on illegal immigration. He vowed during a stop in the Denver metro area last year to begin his mass deportation effort in Colorado.

Calling it Operation Aurora, Trump said the campaign would expedite the removal of savage gangs whose members are living in the country illegally. He specifically Tren de Aragua (TdA), a transnational gang that originated from the prisons of Venezuela.

We are a country under tremendous distress, Trump said while in Aurora in October. We will send elite squads from ICE to deport every single gang member.

TDA is a violent Venezuelan prison gang that expanded its footprint into the United States, establishing a foothold in the Denver metro area.

Within hours of being sworn in, Trump issued a flurry of executive orders aimed at reshaping U.S. immigration policy. His actions included ending birthright citizenship, expediting deportations and rescinding long-standing restrictions on where enforcement actions can take place.

The trial courts have handed Trump several setbacks by blocking  at least temporarily  a number of his executive orders, though the Supreme Court has also sided with the president, such as by limiting nationwide injunctions and allowing certain deportations.

TdA gang members have been linked to a myriad of criminal activities that include human trafficking  specifically immigrant women and girls  drug trafficking, kidnapping, and money laundering.

Federal authorities have repeatedly said that they were targeting the worst of the worst in their roundups.

ICE officials alleged four of those they detained on the most recent operation were TdA gang members, as well as one individual from Los Zetas, a Mexican drug cartel, and the Sinaloa Cartel.

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Officials only named one of the suspected TdA gang members: Johnondris Daniel Rodriguez, 28.

Here is a list of people that ICE named and provided some details, including their alleged or adjudicated crimes:

 Rigoberto Carranza-Mendez, 47, of Mexico, has been convicted of murder and DUI

 Nicolas Diaz-Hernandez, 51, of Mexico, an alleged Los Zetas gang member convicted of criminal impersonation, controlled substance distribution and conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance

 Roberto Arambula, 45, of Mexico, with a criminal history that includes conviction for theft and pending charges of fentanyl distribution in Greeley

 Tomas Arana-Fuentes, 49, of Mexico, with pending sexual assault charges

 Jacinto Gonzalez-Perez, 25, of Mexico, convicted of careless driving that resulted in a death in El Paso County

 Blanca Ochoa Tello, 36, of Mexico, who was found with about 20,000 fentanyl pills in her vehicle when she was arrested

 Javier Ulises Sanchez-Andazola, 24, of Mexico, who has been convicted of DUI and a sex assault against a child in Greeley

The agency highlighted these arrests as part of the broader challenges it faces. ICE officials contended that that local policies have stymied their efforts.

We will continue to work diligently to combat crime and uphold the rule of law, ICE's Guadian said. Many of the criminal aliens ICE arrested during this operation had been previously released into the Denver metro area by local county jails  directly into the community  because of Colorados sanctuary laws that prevent Sheriffs from cooperating with ICE.

The term sanctuary laws generally refers to jurisdictions that prohibits local law enforcement from reporting an individuals immigration status to federal authorities.

During a Congressional hearing in March, U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan blasted Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, who was called to testify, over an alleged TdA gang member being released onto the street rather than into ICE custody.

Denver under Johnston and his predecessor, former Mayor Michael B. Hancock, had struggled in its response to the thousands of immigrants who arrived in city from Texas over the past two years. The immigrants overwhelmed local shelters and strained the citys financial resources.

Over a roughly 18-month period starting in December 2022, more than 40,000 immigrants made their way to Denver after illegally crossing the southern border. While no one in the city has tracked the number of immigrants who have stayed, bus, plane and train tickets suggested about half have stayed.

Thats the equivalent of adding a city the size of Golden to the Denver metro area in less than two years.
Jul. 23SANTA FE  The New Mexico Legislature has removed lawmakers' home addresses from the legislative website, following the shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers at their homes last month.

The decision to do so was made "in an abundance of caution" by the Legislature's administrative arm, the Legislative Council Service, in consultation with top-ranking Democratic lawmakers, said LCS Director Shawna Casebier.

She said legislators are encouraged to use a post office box or nonresidential mailing address for posting to the legislative website, while describing the question of whether home addresses will be returned to the public website as an "ongoing discussion."

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Other states have taken similar steps since the June shootings in Minnesota, in which state Rep. Melissa Hartman and her husband were killed. Another Democratic legislator, state Sen. John Hoffman, was also shot in his home but survived.

New Mexico lawmakers have grappled with security concerns even before the Minnesota assassination, including after a string of drive-by shootings targeting Democratic elected officials' homes took place following the 2022 general election.

No one was injured in those shootings, but Solomon Pena, a former Republican state House candidate, was convicted in March of all counts he was charged with in connection with the shootings. He faces a mandatory 60 years in prison when sentenced next month.

After those shootings, legislators' addresses were removed from the legislative website but some were later reposted at the request of individual lawmakers, Casebier said.

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Senate President Pro Tem Mimi Stewart, D-Albuquerque, said she and House Speaker Javier Martinez, D-Albuquerque, were in quick agreement on the decision to remove lawmakers' addresses from the website after last month's shootings in Minnesota.

She also said Senate Democrats recently held a caucus meeting on security issues, during which legislators were urged to look into home security technology and were provided with additional information.

"It's just sort of basic security precautions that we're trying to think about," Stewart told the Journal. "We have to pay attention and we're doing it."

But she also acknowledged that political violence targeting elected officials has already discouraged some potential candidates from running. She also said it could prompt some legislators to step down.

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"It's a scary time we live in," Stewart said Wednesday. "We're trying to allay those fears and keep people safe."

The recent actions come after previous steps to address security concerns.

In 2021, top-ranking New Mexico lawmakers voted to ban guns and other weapons from the Roundhouse, with certain limited exceptions. That vote led to metal detectors being installed at the public entrances to the building.

Meanwhile, a 2023 elections bill included a provision that allows elected officials in New Mexico to keep their home addresses confidential in certain mandatory filings with the Secretary of State's Office.

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Stewart said the security-motivated policies would not make the Legislature less transparent, citing the webcasting of all interim committee hearings and other initiatives.

Many legislators also have the names and phone numbers of their district legislative assistants posted on the Legislature's website.

"We don't intend to lock the public out of anything," said Stewart.
An aeration basin at the Southside Water Reclamation Plant in Albuquerque. Bernalillo County's Infrastructure Capital Improvement Plan, used to prioritize capital outlay-funded projects, ranks three ABCWUA projects among its top 10 most important needs. (Courtesy Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority)

By the end of the 2024 fiscal year, an estimated $5.9 billion in capital outlay funds  money designated for New Mexico infrastructure projects such as roads, water systems and public schools  had gone unspent, a historic high.

At the Wednesday morning interim legislative Capital Outlay Subcommittees first meeting since the most recent session, two state analysts offered lawmakers ways to address the shortcomings in the states capital outlay process leading to the unspent funds.

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Some of the problems they identified included a lack of sufficient funds for all the capital outlay requests; piecemeal funding; inadequate eligibility and vetting requirements; and no connection between localities plans and lawmakers appropriations.

Legislative Finance Committee Principal Analyst Cally Carswell told the committee New Mexicos current system meets the Legislatures goal of empowering individual lawmakers to direct public funding to priorities in their districts as they see fit.

However, she said, the capital outlay process doesnt meet other goals of consistently putting state resources toward the most critical and beneficial projects and local communities priorities; improving quality of life; subsidizing investments to support public services; and accelerating economic progress across the state.

The system is really not structured currently to service these goals or support them, she said. In fact, it presents a lot of structural barriers to achieving these goals.

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The subcommittee on Wednesday didnt formally vote on changes to the capital outlay process but their discussion previewed legislative proposals that could be introduced in the 2026 session.

Rep. Derrick Lente (D-Sandia Pueblo) told the committee the system must change.

Under the current system, we are often spreading the total money available too thinly and underfunding projects time and again, term after term, year after year, he said. This means that it takes too long to complete projects, or they never get completed at all.

More requests than money to give

The Legislatures practice of dividing money among individual lawmakers, called member share, makes it harder to adequately fund projects because the requests lawmakers receive exceed what they have, Carswell said.

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This year, local governments asked for $3.9 billion in capital outlay; however, just under $600 million was available, according to data in Carswells and New Mexico Department of Finance and Administration Infrastructure Planning & Development Division Director Wesley Billingsleys presentation to the committee.

This dynamic has remained true even as our revenues to the program have surged, Carswell said. There has been this perception, since the state has been in a strong financial position, that the resources are sort of endless. But at the end of the day, you have still had pretty small amounts of money relative to the demand that is out there.

This results in piecemeal funding, she said, and lawmakers expressing increasing frustration about their inability to support large projects on their own without substantial support from the governor.

Approximately 44% of nearly 1,400 projects in the 2025 capital outlay bill received less than half of what they requested, the presentation states. Only five projects received $10 million or more.

Too easy to sit on money

The process includes minimal eligibility requirements to ask for and receive capital outlay money, Carswell said, which contributes to the spate of requests and hinders their effective prioritization.

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When localities dont spend capital outlay dollars lawmakers already approved in prior years, she said, they dont need to meet any benchmarks to request a re-authorization and they can continue to ask to push spending deadlines as many times as they want. A lawmaker just has to sign off, she said.

Its very hard for members to say no, she said. Theres not really a good reason for you to do that.

Lente said reauthorizations need strict time limits.

We cant afford to continue to roll this money over and over when we have larger projects looming that we could do a lot of good in the state with, he said.

Funding doesnt follow local plans

The Legislature consistently puts funding toward projects before localities are ready to spend the money, Carswell said and, in some cases, before they have even created operational plans for maintaining and running a facility or project.

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Billingsley said local government officials should ask his agency for help with their projects before approaching lawmakers, because they can apply for other grants before seeking capital outlay dollars.

Ideally, localities rank their needs on a five-year plan, Carswell said; however, the current system makes it difficult to fund their most important and largest needs.

In the last round, localities ranked 564 projects costing at least $5 million in their top five, yet 350 of those had received zero capital outlay funding as of Monday, according to the presentation.

Were missing that opportunity to use these great surpluses that we have to accomplish the bigger, more important things that our communities are telling us that they need, Carswell said.

Potential solutions

Carswell said potential ways of addressing the capital outlay system include: allowing only one extension per appropriation; shortening extensions from two years to one; and no longer allowing pre-approved funding to be moved to an entirely different project or purpose.

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Lawmakers could also ban capital outlay from going to water, sewer and road projects, which other programs already fund, she said, or [the LFC] could encourage lawmakers to not fund those kinds of projects with capital outlay or scrutinize them more carefully.

Rep. Pat Woods (R-Broadview) said he supports LFC and DFA working together to create eligibility and prioritization criteria for capital outlay requests that lawmakers can write into state law.

Both Rep. Meredith Dixon (D-Albuquerque) and Sen. George Munoz (D-Gallup) said they supported codifying stricter guidelines, noting that neither the Legislature nor the executive branch excel at following loose policy guidelines.

I support making this a better and more effective process, and I dont think encouraging legislators actually works, Dixon said.

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KABUL, Afghanistan (AP)  For six hours every day after school, Nahideh works in a cemetery, collecting water from a nearby shrine to sell to mourners visiting loved ones graves. She dreams of becoming a doctor  but knows it is a futile dream.

When the next school year starts, she will be enrolling in a madrassa, a religious school, to learn about the Quran and Islam  and little else.

I prefer to go to school, but I cant, so I will go to a madrassa, she said, dark brown eyes peering out from beneath her tightly wrapped black headscarf. If I could go to school then I could learn and become a doctor. But I cant.

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At the age of 13, Nahideh is in the last grade of primary school, the limit of education allowed for girls in Afghanistan. The countrys Taliban government banned girls from secondary school and university three years ago  the only country in the world to do so. The ban is part of myriad restrictions on women and girls, dictating everything from what they can wear to where they can go and who they can go with.

With no option for higher education, many girls and women are turning to madrassas instead.

The only learning allowed

Since the schools are closed to girls, they see this as an opportunity, said Zahid-ur-Rehman Sahibi, director of the Tasnim Nasrat Islamic Sciences Educational Center in Kabul. So, they come here to stay engaged in learning and studying religious sciences.

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The centers roughly 400 students range in ages from about 3 to 60, and 90% are female. They study the Quran, Islamic jurisprudence, the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, and Arabic, the language of the Quran.

Most Afghans, Sahibi noted, are religious. Even before the schools were closed, many used to attend madrassas, he said. But after the closure of schools, the interest has increased significantly, because the doors of the madrassas remain open to them.

No recent official figures are available on the number of girls enrolled in madrassas, but officials say the popularity of religious schools overall has been growing. Last September, Deputy Minister of Education Karamatullah Akhundzada said at least 1 million students had enrolled in madrassas over the past year alone, bringing the total to over 3 million.

Studying the Quran

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Sheltered from the heat of an early summers day in a basement room at the Tasnim Nasrat center, Sahibis students knelt at small plastic tables on the carpeted floor, their pencils tracing lines of Arabic script in their Qurans. All 10 young women wore black niqabs, the all-encompassing garment that includes a veil, leaving only the eyes visible.

It is very good for girls and women to study at a madrassa, because  the Quran is the word of Allah, and we are Muslims, said 25-year-old Faiza, who had enrolled at the center five months earlier. Therefore, it is our duty to know what is in the book that Allah has revealed to us, to understand its interpretation and translation.

Given a choice, she would have studied medicine. While she knows that is now impossible, she still harbors hope that if she shows she is a pious student dedicated to her religion, she will be eventually allowed to. The medical profession is one of the very few still open to women in Afghanistan.

When my family sees that I am learning Quranic sciences and that I am practicing all the teachings of the Quran in my life, and they are assured of this, they will definitely allow me to continue my studies, she said.

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Her teacher said hed prefer if women were not strictly limited to religious studies.

In my opinion, it is very important for a sister or a woman to learn both religious sciences and other subjects, because modern knowledge is also an important part of society, Sahibi said. Islam also recommends that modern sciences should be learned because they are necessary, and religious sciences are important alongside them. Both should be learned simultaneously.

A controversial ban

The female secondary and higher education ban has been controversial in Afghanistan, even within the ranks of the Taliban itself. In a rare sign of open dissent, Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Abbas Stanikzai said in a public speech in January that there was no justification for denying education to girls and women.

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His remarks were reportedly not well tolerated by the Taliban leadership; Stanikzai is now officially on leave and is believed to have left the country. But they were a clear indication that many in Afghanistan recognize the long-term impact of denying education to girls.

If this ban persists until 2030, over four million girls will have been deprived of their right to education beyond primary school, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a statement at the start of Afghanistans new school year in March. The consequences for these girls  and for Afghanistan  are catastrophic. The ban negatively impacts the health system, the economy, and the future of the nation.

The importance of religious education

For some in this deeply conservative society, the teachings of Islam are hard to overstate.

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Learning the Holy Quran is the foundation of all other sciences, whether its medicine, engineering, or other fields of knowledge, said Mullah Mohammed Jan Mukhtar, 35, who runs a boys madrassa north of Kabul. If someone first learns the Quran, they will then be able to learn these other sciences much better.

His madrassa first opened five years ago with 35 students. Now it has 160 boys aged 5-21, half of whom are boarders. Beyond religious studies, it offers a limited number of other classes such as English and math. There is also an affiliated girls madrassa, which currently has 90 students, he said.

In my opinion, there should be more madrassas for women, said Mukhtar, who has been a mullah for 14 years. He stressed the importance of religious education for women. When they are aware of religious verdicts, they better understand the rights of their husbands, in-laws and other family members.

___

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC)  There will be no ordinance for BYOB businesses in Abilene for now, but they could soon be banned from operating after 2:00 a.m.

In Thursdays meeting, city council members discussed adopting an ordinance that would have mandated regulations for all Bring Your Own Booze businesses in Abilene, such as more security officers, metal detectors, limited operating hours, and more.

The ordinance was initially proposed as a response to repeated acts of violence, including multiple shootings and a murder, at a BYOB venue and hookah bar on N 6th Street.

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Abilene police taking layered approach to protecting public from threats at hookah lounge

However, Citizens expressed disapproval at the initial draft of the ordinance, saying it is unfair to BYOB businesses that dont have violent incidents or crime at their establishments, and that it would create logistical and financial burdens for these business owners.

City council members agreed, deciding to postpone the discussion on a proposed BYOB ordinance until a later date.

Documents: Abilene hookah lounge shooting victim had kidney removed, suspect caught on camera fleeing scene

Whatever they decide, their plans will likely ban BYOB businesses from operating between the hours of 2:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m.

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I still want us to do something. I want the police to have the tools they need at two in the morning to deal with some of these places that are doing this, councilman Lynn Beard explains.

Security guard accused of shooting, killing man at Abilene night club indicted

The proposed BYOB ordinance will be revisited during the next Abilene City Council meeting.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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ARVADA, Colo. (KDVR)  A local family feels that they cant find closure after learning charges wont be filed in their loved ones death. The case involves a hit-and-run crash after an altercation between two drivers in Arvada.

David Brlej, who went by Dave, was a 67-year-old grandfather and school bus driver killed. His family tells FOX31 this is a tragedy for all sides: They lost their loved one and another driver has to live with this death, all following what is considered a road rage situation.

Previous report: Altercation leads to deadly hit-and-run in Arvada  police seeking witnesses

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Somebody needs to be held accountable for my husbands death. Charges were not filed, theres no justice, Brlejs wife Debbie said. Coming back here is not easy. Its like ripping a Band-Aid off of an open wound. Its not a good feeling.

Debbie Brlej hasnt felt right since Sept. 6 of last year. Just after 6 a.m. that morning, officers with the Arvada Police Department responded to the report of the hit-and-run crash on the northwest corner of the intersection of 64th Avenue and Indiana Street.

According to the incident report, a reporting party said Debbies husband was on the ground motionless, gasping for air. Debbie tells FOX31 he was on his way to work as a school bus driver. The family learned this all stemmed from a road rage incident between Dave and another driver.

The DA, Alexis King, said that they would not be filing the charges because it would be this persons statement against my husband, Debbie said. And unfortunately, my husband isnt here to give his side of the story. And I dont think thats fair because I think its for a jury to decide whether hes guilty or not guilty.

Police report details other drivers perspective

In a 41-page Arvada Police incident report, police detail what the other driver shared about his view of a road-rage situation that led up to him pulling off into a car wash parking lot with Dave pulling in after him.

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We learned that there was a fatality involved and that the subject had left the scene, but then actually called police, indicating that he was unsure if he hit a curb or person while leaving this incident that ended up being what youd call a road rage case, Arvada Detective David Snelling said.

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The report says the driver explained the situation to both his boyfriend and his dad and both of them encouraged him to call the police.

We interviewed this person for quite a while, Snelling said. It was learned that he said he was in fear. There was an eyewitness that saw the person that is now deceased pounding on the hood of this persons car. So safe to say he felt the need to leave the scene. And in doing so, he struck the other individuals leg or foot, causing him to go to the ground and hit his head.

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What did this person do that was so bad or so wrong for Dave to get out of the car and especially hit the pound on the car like that, that is totally out of character for him, Debbie said. Theres no closure. I promised Dave that I would get justice for him and I really thought this was going to go to go to trial. I was hoping a jury would hear it.

Debbie tells FOX31 she cant stomach reading the report after whats been reported to her from those who have, like Daves brother Mark.

My biggest question is why was he not tested, Debbie said. It was a fatal accident. Why was he not tested for drugs or alcohol after it happened?

FOX31 asked Arvada police about the testing.

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In these cases, we still have to develop probable cause to go forward with the impaired investigation, Snelling said. The driver of the car was in contact with police officers, supervisors and then voluntarily came to the police department to give an interview with other seasoned veteran detectives. And at no point did anybody suspect that there was impairment on the part of this driver.

Victims family continues to press for answers

Daves family is also concerned. The report says the driver told police he has been involved in a traumatic road rage incident in the past.

This wasnt his first road rage case where he accused somebody of pulling a gun on him. Its not the first time, Debbie said.

The report states that the reporting party did not see any weapons displayed during the incident and police said they did not find a gun on scene.

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We just hope that the DA would consider opening the case, Mark said. If they do some further investigation and kind of clear up some of these things that seem to be really a lot of discrepancies, we would appreciate that. And that would help us get closure. If we went to trial and he was declared not guilty, we would accept that.

CSP seeks suspect, vehicle that may have hit pedestrian along highway in Delta County

Colorado First Judicial District Attorneys Office shared the following statement with FOX31:

We are truly sorry for the loss this family has suffered, and our hearts go out to them. After a thorough investigation and a joint review of the case with the Arvada Police Department, we determined that the facts and circumstances were not sufficient to move forward with charges. Prosecutors have an ethical obligation to file charges only when there is a reasonable likelihood of conviction. We met with the family to explain the complexity of this decision and the ethical standards that guide our work.

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Whether or not the DA considers opening the case, Daves family hopes they can help another family from going through the pain they are facing.

Road rage has to stop, Debbie said. I dont care if somebody cuts you off, pulls out in front of you, doesnt use a turn signal. People need to let it go. Its not worth going through what weve gone through, what Ive gone through. Losing my best friend, losing my husband.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
No one knows whether Trumps $50B for rural health will be enough

Congress set aside $50 billion for rural hospitals and medical providers to allay fears over the billions more in historic cuts to federal health care spending that President Donald Trump signed into law on Independence Day.

But is that bandage big enough to save struggling rural hospitals?

I have more questions than I have answers, Alan Morgan, CEO of the National Rural Health Association, a nonprofit policy group, told Stateline. No one has those answers yet.

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Morgan noted that the new money for rural health, to be spent over five years, is far less than the $155 billion in rural Medicaid spending cuts over 10 years, as estimated by KFF, a nonprofit health policy and research group.

Experts, hospital leaders and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle fear that Trumps signature legislation will particularly gut rural hospitals and clinics, which see an outsize share of patients who are insured through Medicaid, the federal-state public health insurance for people with low incomes. The new law slashes more than $1 trillion from Medicaid over the next 10 years to help pay for tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the wealthy.

The $50 billion addition was an effort by Republican leaders in Congress to win the votes of colleagues within their party who initially balked at supporting such steep cuts to Medicaid and other health services.

In the U.S. Senate, the rural program helped secure the vote of Alaska moderate Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who expressed concern about the laws impact on health care in her state. About 1 in 3 Alaskans are insured through Medicaid.

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Jared Kosin, the president and CEO of the Alaska Hospital & Healthcare Association, said hes deeply frustrated with the new laws gutting of Medicaid funding, which he thinks will wreak lasting damage on Alaskans. And Republicans sidestepped potential solutions by just throwing money into a program, he said.

Its frustrating in the public realm when decisions like this are made fast and, frankly, carelessly, he said.

The consequences are going to fall on us, not them.

More than half of the laws cuts to funding in rural areas are concentrated in 12 states with large rural populations that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act to cover more people, according to KFF: Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

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Some GOP lawmakers in Congress have heralded the $50 billion rural program as a health care victory. But its still unclear which hospitals, clinics and other providers would receive money and how much.

How it works

The Rural Health Transformation Program will dole out $10 billion annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.

States must apply for their funding by the end of this year, submitting a detailed plan on how it would be used.

The law outlines some ways that states can use the money, according to an analysis of the legislation from the Bipartisan Policy Center:

Making payments to rural hospitals to help them maintain essential services such as emergency room care or labor and delivery.

Recruiting and training rural doctors, nurses and other health workers.

Bolstering emergency medical services such as ambulances and EMTs.

Using new technologies, including telehealth.

Providing opioid use disorder treatment and mental health services.

Improving preventive care and chronic disease management.

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Half of the $10 billion each year will be distributed evenly across states that have applied for it. The other half can be distributed by the administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services  currently Dr. Mehmet Oz  at his discretion, based on a states rural population and rural health facilities.

Although the program doesnt replace the amount states are likely to lose, Morgan said its still an opportunity to rethink how rural health care is funded. Hed like to see states given flexibility in how theyre able to use the funds, and he hopes they focus on keeping rural communities healthy through preventive care while still helping hospitals keep their doors open.

If done correctly, it could really change the future course for rural America, Morgan said. That is such a tough ask, though.

Hardest hit

Kentucky could take the biggest hit from the new laws reduction in rural Medicaid funding, losing an estimated $12 billion over 10 years, according to a KFF analysis.

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The states Medicaid department is still waiting for additional federal guidance to understand how the states program will be affected, Kendra Steele, spokesperson with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, told Stateline in a statement.

Over 1.4 million Kentuckians rely on Medicaid  including half of all children in our state, seniors and more vulnerable populations  and the passage of legislation on the federal level will have serious impacts for those individuals, rural health care and hospitals and local economies, she wrote.

Even with the new program, states across the country will have to reevaluate their budgets in light of the cuts, said Hemi Tewarson, executive director at the National Academy for State Health Policy, a nonpartisan group that supports states in developing health care policies.

Every region is slightly different and theres not a one-size-fits-all approach, she said. Hospital ownership varies [as well as] the types of services that are critical for the community where theyre located. They have to think about new ways to provide those services in a context with fewer resources.

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About 44% of rural hospitals are operating in the red, according to a KFF analysis of 2023 Rand Hospital Data, a higher share than the 35% of hospitals in urban areas.

Rural at heart

Prior to the bills passage, Oz attempted to reassure U.S. House Republicans that their districts could get money from the program even if they werent specifically rural, Politico reported earlier this month.

Pennsylvania Republican U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan said money would begin flowing to his district as early as the beginning of next year, telling the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader earlier this month that he met with Trump, Oz and others to secure pledges that hospitals in his district could access the fund. He represents the northeastern corner of Pennsylvania, which includes suburban and rural areas, as well as the cities of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre.

Though the legislation includes guidelines on which facilities or areas qualify as rural, Morgan, of the National Rural Health Association, expects a mad dash from lawmakers and providers to claim rural status in order to get a piece of the funding.

Thats going to be a huge issue  defining whos rural, Morgan said. Were all rural at heart when it comes to money.

This story was produced by Stateline and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
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One night in mid-May, some of the Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States to a prison in El Salvador tried to break the locks on their cells with metal rails from their beds. It was a futile gesture of rebellion; no one thought they could escape. Still, punishment was swift. For six consecutive days, the inmates were subjected to lengthy beatings, three inmates told me. On the last day, male guards brought in their female colleagues, who struck the naked prisoners as the male guards recorded videos on their phones and laughed. The female guards would count to 20 as they administered the beatings, and if the prisoners complained or cried out, they would start again.

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Tito Martinez, one of the inmates, recalled that a prison nurse was watching. Hit the pinata, she cheered.

When the government of El Salvador opened the prison complex known as CECOT in 2023, the countrys security minister said the inmates would only be able to get out inside a coffin. This promise has largely been kept. The Salvadoran human-rights organization Cristosal has documented cases of prisoners being transported out of the jail for urgent medical care, but these inmates died soon after, before anyone could ask them what it was like inside the prison.

What little is known about life in CECOT (the Spanish acronym for Terrorism Confinement Center) comes from the media tours staged by President Nayib Bukele, which show men crammed into cells with bare-metal bunkbeds stacked to the ceiling like human shelving. In most of the videos posted online, the mensome with the facial tattoos of the countrys gangsstand in silence. The Salvadoran government has encouraged CECOTs terrifying reputation, turning the prison into a museum where Bukeles tough-on-gangs tactics can be exhibited for the press. But media visits are also strictly controlled. Interviews with prisoners are rare and tightly supervised.

[Read: El Salvadors exceptional prison state]

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On Friday, for the first time, a group of prisoners walked out of CECOTs gates as free men. They were 252 of the Venezuelans that the Trump administration had deported to El Salvador in March when it allegedwhile offering little to no evidencethat they were gang members. This month, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro negotiated a prisoner swap with the United States, releasing 10 American citizens in his custody and dozens of Venezuelan political prisoners. In return, the Venezuelans in El Salvador were put on a plane and sent to Caracas. They brought with them detailed accounts of beatings and harsh treatment. (The government of El Salvador did not respond to a request for comment about their claims.)

Four former prisoners told me they were punched, kicked, and struck with clubs. They were cut off from contact with their families, deprived of legal help, and taunted by guards. All recalled days spent in a punishment cell known as the island, a dark room with no water where they slept on the floor. Those days, the only light they could see came from a dim lightbulb in the ceiling that illuminated a cross.

I talked with Keider Alexander Flores over the phone yesterday, just a few hours after Venezuelan police officers dropped him off at his mothers house in Caracas.

Flores told me that he and his brother left Venezuela in 2023, trekking through the jungles of Panamas Darien Gap and riding buses all the way to Mexico. They applied for an appointment to cross into the United States legally and arrived in Texas in August. Flores soon settled in Dallas and started an asylum application, but he didnt complete the process. He found work laying carpet. His real passion was music: He DJed under the name Keyder Flower. In one of his Instagram posts, he flexes his teenage muscles as he plays tracks by a pool.

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[From the September 2024 issue: Seventy miles in hell]

In December, after a DJ gig at a house party in Dallas, Flores was riding in the passenger seat of a friends car when they were pulled over. Flores told me they had smoked marijuana, and the police took them to the station. Later he was sent to ICE detention. At an immigration hearing, the judge told him that he wouldnt be able to return to the United States for 10 years, because he had broken U.S. law. When asked what country he wanted to be deported to, Flores said Venezuela.

While in ICE detention, Flores learned that he had been flagged as an active member of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. Federal agents showed up to interview him, he said. They had seen his pictures on Instagram and said his hand signals looked suspicious. I was doing a cool sign, but they said it was a gesture of Tren de Aragua, Flores told me. Flores knew about CECOT. He had seen videos at the ICE detention center in Texas, where the TV sometimes showed cable news. In mid-March, he called his brother from detention to say that he was about to get deported to Venezuela; two days later, he was put on a plane. ICE guards didnt let the passengers open the window shades during the flight. Flores and his fellow detainees found out they were in El Salvador only after they had landed.

Another newly released Venezuelan prisoner I spoke with, Juan Jose Ramos, told me hed entered the United States legally, with an appointment for an asylum hearing, and had barely settled down in Utah when ICE agents stopped his car on the way to Walmart, arresting him with no explanation. He said that when the men arrived at CECOT, they saw inmates wearing white T-shirts and shorts, heads completely shaved. Ramos asked a Salvadoran guard who these men were and why they were crying. The guard replied: Thats you. All of you will end up like that. We will treat you all the same.

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Flores, Ramos, and others I spoke with shared similar accounts of what happened next. The Venezuelans were taken to a wing of CECOT known as Module 8, with 32 cells, and didnt interact with the rest of the prisoners. The inmates communicated with one another via hand signals, because when they spoke, they were beaten. They slept on metal bunks, often without mattresses. Soap and juice bottles were luxuries afforded prior to visits by representatives of the Red Cross, who came twice during their four-month stay. Sometimes, the guards gave the prisoners better meals than usual, took pictures with their phones, then took the food away, Ramos, Flores, and others told me.

Fabiola Ferrero for The Atlantic

A riot broke out in April, after guards beat one of the inmates to the point that he started convulsing, Flores told me. The incident convinced the Venezuelans that they had to do something. If your friend was being beaten, would you leave him alone as they beat him? Flores asked me.

[Adam Serwer: Trumps Salvadoran Gulag]

Seven of the Venezuelans arrived days after the rest, deported from Guantanamo, where a hunger strike had broken out. They suggested doing the same at CECOT. Flores, Ramos, and others I spoke with said every inmate they knew joined the hunger strike, which lasted for several days. Some took their protest further by cutting themselves on the corners of their metal bunks. They called that a huelga de sangre: blood strike.

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Three or four days after the strike started, two prison directors came to negotiate. The inmates agreed to end the strike in exchange for an assurance that the beatings would stop. They let us live for a while, Flores told me. But in mid-May, when a few inmates refused to have their cells inspected, the guards beat them. Thats when a second riot broke out. The guards responded by shooting the inmates with pellets. Then came the six days of beatings.

Martinez, 26, told me he was pulled over while driving in El Paso, Texas, in February because his license plate had expired. The officer was ready to let him go with a warning, but asked Martinez to remove his shirt. Martinez had tattoos of Bible verses and the name of his wife. The officer called ICE.

Martinez, who fell ill after the hunger strike, had to be taken to a clinic, where a nurse told him he had suffered serious liver damage. After the beatings, Martinez told me, some inmates vomited blood, and others couldnt walk for days. If theyre going to kill us, I hope they kill us soon, he said he told himself.

The guards told him he would spend the rest of his life in CECOT. Until early Friday morning, when Martinez was sent home as abruptly as hed arrived, he had believed them.

Nick Miroff contributed to this story.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
A passenger plane carrying more than 40 people crashed in the Amur region of Russia's far east this week and there were no survivors, according to multiple news outlets.

On Thursday, July 24, the An-24 aircraft, operated by the Siberia-based Angara Airlines, lost contact with air traffic control at approximately 1 p.m. local time while traveling from Blagoveshchensk, which is on the Russian-Chinese border, to Tynda Airport, news agency TASS reported.

The exact number of casualties has shifted: The aircraft was reported to be carrying 43 passengers and six crew members, the agency stated, citing the regional governor. But the Associated Press reported that the governor, Vasily Orlov, said there were 48 people aboard. All died.

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"Rescue helicopters have been unable to land at the crash site due to the challenging mountainous terrain. The area remains engulfed in flames," a source told TASS.

AP Photo/Marina Lystseva A photo of a An-24 passenger plane of the Siberia-based Angara Airlines A photo of a An-24 passenger plane of the Siberia-based Angara Airlines

Orlov said there were five children among the passengers, the news agency and the BBC reported.

The plane's wreckage was discovered on a mountainside approximately 10 miles from the town of Tynda, TASS reported, according to the Amur Center for Civil Defense and Fire Safety.

Russias Emergency Situations Ministry confirmed authorities had found the aircraft's "burning fuselage," but didn't provide further details, per the AP.

Russia Ministry of Emergency Situations/Handout/Anadolu via Getty A photo of the crash site after a passenger plane went down in Russia's far east A photo of the crash site after a passenger plane went down in Russia's far east

TASS reported that officials said the plane caught fire during its descent.

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Further details about what caused the crash were not immediately available.

The plane had reportedly attempted a second approach at landing at Tynda Airport, before all contact with the aircraft was lost, according to TASS.



Mehmet Yaren Bozgun/Anadolu via Getty An infographic showing where the An-24 passenger plane was heading An infographic showing where the An-24 passenger plane was heading

According to the BBC, the model of An-24 aircraft is reportedly around 50 years old and has had trouble in the past.

The plane hadn't given any signals about possible problems in the air before Thursday's crash, TASS reported, citing emergency services.

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.

Angara Airlines and Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations did not immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.



Read the original article on People
All 49 passengers and crew aboard a Russian Antonov An-24 were killed when the plane crashed on Thursday in the country's Far East, authorities said, with recovery efforts ongoing in the inhospitable region near the Chinese border.

"The civil defence ground crew is investigating the crash site of the An-24 aircraft and continuing the search operation," the authorities said in a statement. According to preliminary information, there are no survivors, they said.

The plane was flying from Khabarovsk via Blagoveshchensk to the small town of Tynda in the Amur region. It vanished from radar at around 1 pm (0400 GMT) while approaching the airport in Tynda. Search helicopters later found burning wreckage scattered around the site.

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The aircraft's crew had not reported any issues prior to the crash, authorities said.

Images of the accident site taken from a helicopter suggest there were no survivors, and emergency responders later confirmed the assessment when reaching the site on the ground.

The helicopter was unable to land in the terrain of moor and taiga, and rescue workers were reported to be struggling to reach the scene some 15 kilometres away from Tynda some 5,000 kilometres from Moscow.

Governor Vasily Orlov had said there were 49 people on board the aircraft, while rescue services had reported 46 passengers.

The An-24 is one of the oldest passenger planes still in operation, with series production starting in 1962. Almost 60 of the more than 1,300 built up to 1979 are still in service, most in Russia, but also in Kazakhstan, North Korea and Ukraine.

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The plane involved in the accident is reported to have been almost 50 years old. Its operating licence had been extended to 2036.

Russian prosecutors have launched an investigation into Angara Airlines, the company operating the flight, focusing on safety measures.

According to media reports, investigators are looking into the possibility of human error. The reports said the crew could have misjudged the height of the craft in difficult weather conditions and that the plane could have brushed the tops of trees as it approached the runway.

According to Russia's Rosaviatsiya civil aviation authority, four safety incidents relating to the plane have been reported since 2018. That year, the plane's lift wing was damaged in an accident. In two other cases, the crew ordered a return to the departure airport, once because of a defective generator and on another occasion because of a broken radio.

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The plane is reported to have undergone a safety inspection immediately before the flight, with no shortcomings found. The crew also reported no problems during the flight, according to the official information.

Some of the problems in the Russian aviation sector can be attributed to Western sanctions imposed following the country's February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which has made procurement of new aircraft and spare parts more difficult.

Airlines have been increasingly relying on older planes, and often harvest retired aircraft for spare parts.
A man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly distributing narcotics and assaulting an officer while being detained, according to Colorado Springs police.

Officers found the man unresponsive sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle at a parking lot in the 2500 block of Weston Road, near Hancock Expressway on the southeast side of the city, around 2:30 a.m., according to an online police blotter entry. Drug paraphernalia was seen in plain sight, police said.

After being ordered to exit the car, police said the man started to resist . During the struggle, the man allegedly struck an officer in the face as he was arrested.

The man, identified as Enrique Archuleta, was taken into custody and transported for medical evaluation, police said.

Further investigation by police revealed Archuleta was distributing the narcotics. He is facing charges related to drug distribution and assault of a peace officer.
ARKANSAS (KNWA/KFTA)  Arrests of undocumented immigrants without criminal charges or convictions increased in Arkansas in June, according to new data.

According to the Deportation Data Projects data obtained through FOIA, 20% of the individuals arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Arkansas last month had no criminal charges or prior convictions, up from 15% in May and 10% in April.

In Arkansas, ICE arrested 54 non-criminal immigrants in June, up from 38 in May and 28 in April, though still below Februarys peak of 71. ICE arrested 1,570 people in Arkansas from January to June 26; 18% had no criminal charges or convictions.

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Imposition of death penalty for child rapists law goes in to effect in August

The increase comes a few weeks after the Trump administration tripled ICEs daily arrest quota in early May. Nationally, non-criminal immigrants made up about 47% of daily ICE arrests in early June, more than double the 21% recorded in early May.

The change comes as Arkansas state lawmakers passed Act 654 earlier this year, increasing penalties for undocumented people convicted of violent crimes.

New legislation in Congress introduced by U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal aims to prevent ICE from detaining or deporting U.S. citizens.

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View the full data set for the nation 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 KNWA FOX24.
Atlanta-based Norfolk Southern confirmed on Thursday that it is in merger talks with Union Pacific.

The merger between two of the countrys major freight railroads would create a single U.S. railroad with service stretching coast-to-coast.

Thursdays statement is the first time Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific have acknowledged the talks. The Associated Press and the New York Times reported on a potential merger last week.

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Both companies say they will not have any additional comments at this time.

This is a breaking news story. Well break down the merger talks on Channel 2 Action News at Noon and 4:00 p.m.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  If you are looking for some of the best hiking destinations across the country, North Carolina is among the top places to be.

KURU Footwear unveiled its report on Wednesday for the top hiking states in the U.S. in 2025, with the Tar Heel State popping up at No. 8 on the list.

The company, which manufactures and sells hiking shoes worldwide, based its analysis on six key factors that shape a great hiking experience, such as trail volume, user reviews, trail ratings, and national and state park access, as well as annual precipitation.

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Ranging from the American Tobacco Trail to the Appalachian Trail, North Carolina boasts 2,437 hiking trails, 41 state parks, and one national park.

Yes, it rains a lot, but thats what keeps North Carolinas trails so refreshingly green, the report stated. With a standout trail rating and diverse geographyfrom the Blue Ridge Mountains to coastal plainsthis state offers a little bit of everything. Bonus: fall foliage here is legendary.

North Carolina fell in between New York and Texas at the No. 7 and No. 9 spots, respectively.

California led the pack at the top of the list, sporting the most hiking trails and state parks in the U.S.

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Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and Oregon rounded out the top five.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS17.com.
A court case brought by the Corner Post truck stop near Watford City, N.D., over debit card processing fees could have national implications. (Photo by Nicole Morton/For the North Dakota Monitor)

A North Dakota truck stop wants a federal judge to find that the Federal Reserve Board violated the law by neglecting to crack down on mushrooming debit card transaction fees.

The fees  which apply every time someone swipes their debit card  are meant to reimburse banks for the cost of processing transactions. But for years, banks increased these fees to an extent that far exceeded those costs.

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Congress decided to pass a law reining in banks after it learned that they were making billions off of the fees annually. The law  commonly referred to as the Durbin Amendment after U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.  was adopted in 2010 as part of a package of consumer protection reforms that followed the 2008 financial crisis.

The statute instructs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to regulate the fees in a way that is reasonable and proportional to the cost of processing debit card purchases.

The Corner Post  a truck stop and convenience store near Watford City  says the regulation adopted by the board did not make good on this directive. Its lawsuit, filed in 2021, accuses the board of twisting the law in a way that allows banks to continue to enrich themselves off the transaction fees.

Meanwhile, Corner Post says it still has to shoulder unreasonably high costs related to debit cards. It claims it paid hundreds of thousands of dollars in transaction fees between 2018 and 2021.

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Congress demand to this day still stands unfilled, Tyler Green, an attorney representing the truck stop, said in a Wednesday hearing in federal court in Bismarck.

Corner Post wants a federal judge to declare the rule unlawful and have the Board of Governors rewrite it. The truck stop hopes that a new regulation would leave small business owners with more money in their pockets.

The Board of Governors says it faithfully interpreted the law and has successfully brought the transaction fees down. Attorneys for the board argue that Corner Post is calling for the fees to be regulated far more aggressively than the law permits.

The boards already cut, through its rule, the fees by half, said Joshua Chadwick, an attorney representing the Board of Governors.

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Both parties during the hearing asked U.S. District Court Judge Dan Traynor to decide the case in their favor. Traynor could choose to grant either partys request or decide that elements of the case should go to trial.

According to Corner Post, Congress wanted to minimize the fees as much as possible to make them comparable to the cost-free way paper checks are processed. But data collected and published by the board indicates that banks still make large profit margins off of the fees, Green said.

The Board of Governors rule allows banks to charge up to 21 cents for all debit card transactions, regardless of how much it actually costs for them to process each sale. It also permits banks to charge an additional fee of .05% per transaction to make up for losses caused by debit card fraud. The rule only applies to banks with at least $10 billion in assets.

Corner Post says this structure misinterprets the Durbin Amendment. Congress wanted the board to create a fee structure that isnt one-size-fits-all, but individualized for each debit card transaction and each bank, Green said.

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The truck stop also argues that the fees created by the board compensate banks for more things than theyre supposed to  including technology infrastructure, fraud prevention and other costs. These fall outside the scope of what the Durbin Amendment envisioned the fees to cover, Green said.

Chadwick countered that Congress gave the board broad discretion over how to write the rule. He also said that, given how complex debit card transactions are, theres no way to write a regulation in the targeted way Corner Post is proposing.

Judson Littleton  an attorney representing the Bank Policy Institute and Clearing House Association  said the fees should be higher.

Congress meant for the fees to cover both the cost of the transaction and to allow the banks to have a rate of return, said Littleton, who participated in the hearing as a third party. He said many banks lose money on debit card transactions.

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Why would Congress want to regulate it in such a way that the cost of each transaction resulted in a profit for the bank? Traynor asked.

Traynor said that these costs are still being transferred to businesses and consumers.

At the end of the day, were here because those fees are coming out of Corner Posts pocket, he said.

Traynor said he would take the matter under advisement.

Supreme Court case

The U.S. Supreme Court weighed in on the Corner Post lawsuit last year.

The case was originally filed in 2021 by two professional associations: the North Dakota Retail Association and the North Dakota Petroleum Marketers Association. Corner Post  a member of both groups  later joined as a plaintiff.

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Traynor in 2022 dismissed the case, finding that the three plaintiffs didnt have standing to bring the lawsuit because theres a six-year statute of limitations on challenging a federal rule under the Administrative Procedures Act. The rule was adopted back in 2011.

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld that ruling, but the Supreme Court in 2024 found that the clock on the statute of limitations does not start ticking until a plaintiff is first harmed by a rule. The high court decided that Corner Post had standing to bring the lawsuit because it didnt open until 2018, and sent the case back to continue on the district court level.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  Its time for another episode of The Unfit Adventurer. On Tuesday, July 22, we visited one of Oahus most dangerous beaches, Sandy Beach. We spoke with Peter Erwin, acting lieutenant for the newly minted agency, Honolulus Ocean Safety regarding surf, swells and why some beaches are not for beginners, especially in Hawaii.

It definitely is, Lt. Erwin said when asked if Sandy Beach was one of the most dangerous. We have our challenging conditions down here, and conditions are changing every day.

Not all Hawaii beaches are safe: What to know

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Lifeguards at Sandy arrive each morning and begin watching the ocean.

Were looking for sand movement, wave direction, swell direction and wind direction because all of that stuff makes a huge difference in whats going to happen down here, Lt. Erwin said.

Visiting paradise comes with a price: 8 things to know about Hawaiis new tax

Waves might look fun to someone standing on the sand, especially visitors who are unfamiliar with Hawaiis wave and surf patterns. But not everything is what it seems.

PHOTOS: This Hawaii state park takes you back in time

[Visitors] look at it like its a whole bunch of fun and a water park when they see some younger kids, some older gentleman and older women that are down here and they are, like, wow, this looks great, Lt. Erwin said. Unfortunately, those people that theyre seeing have a lot of experience and have been coming down here for years.

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He said even as a local kid, he didnt start surfing Sandy Beach until he was older.

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It is a process, Lt. Erwin said. Me growing up here, I didnt come to Sandy until I was mid-teens.

The most important thing you can do at a Hawaii beach

The best thing to do is we just have the best local knowledge up here, Lt. Erwin said. Check in with us, the lifeguards.

He said visitors should not be afraid to talk to lifeguards.

We love the people coming up because it gives us an opportunity to educate them and that education can go a long way for their whole trip, Lt. Erwin explained.

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Lifeguards help beachgoers learn how to time the waves, how to look for the currents if youre going to go in the water and what areas the currents are going to be in, and more importantly, how to get out of the currents, Lt. Erwin said.

A heavy day of rescues

Days at Sandy Beach can vary. But when things get busy, they get busy fast.

Weve had days where we can have anywhere from two rescues to 15 a day, Lt. Erwin said. You can add that up over a year. We kind of lose count.

He said Sandy Beachs short coastline and direct exposure to deep ocean swell make it more intense than other locations.

This is the first coast that its hitting, Lt. Erwin said. Theres just so much energy and not much place for the water to go.

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But Ocean Safetys lifeguards train for that.

Were heavy on the prevention, Lt. Erwin said. We really work hard and make sure we identify people that we may think are not from the area, and we let them know the conditions and not to go in if they arent experienced.

Lt. Erwin said that across Oahu, the numbers of rescues and preventions add up fast.

You can have multiple rescues per day; and maybe, in a year, it can be in the hundreds, Lt. Erwin said. Were also preventing, you know, like, 50 to 80,000 preventative rescues.

Where to go instead

For beginners or families, Lt. Erwin recommended beaches with calmer conditions.

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We recommend just around the corner, we have Kailua Beach and Waimanalo Recreational Bay, Lt. Erwin said. Those beaches still have their own dangers, but its just not as dangerous as [Sandy].

He said those beaches have outer reef barriers that help to calm the waves before they reach the shore.

You can click here to learn more about Ocean Safety. You can also click here to see where Oahus lifeguard towers are located.

When it comes into the shore break, its not as strong, Lt. Erwin said. But even there, currents still exist. And the advice remains the same. Just check in with those guys, Lt. Erwin said as he pointed to Honolulus brave lifeguards.

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Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8

Whether youre a local, resident or visitor, ocean safety is one of the most important learning curves the islands have. So, be safe and get to know your local lifeguards. It could save your life.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Authorities determined that a Riverside man overdosed on carfentanil, which is considered 100 times more potent than typical fentanyl drugs. (Drug Enforcement Administration)

A synthetic drug considered 100 times more potent than fentanyl was determined to have caused the death of a Riverside man, marking the latest in an increase in overdoses involving the synthetic drug, public health officials said.

Carfentanil is a schedule II synthetic drug with a similar chemical as fentanyl and is used in Wildnil, an anesthetic for elephants, according to the National Library of Medicine . A Riverside man in his 40s fatally overdosed on the substance in March, but the cause was not officially determined until this month, the Riverside University Health System said in a news release .

Illegally manufactured fentanyl drugs such as carfentanil entered illicit markets in the northeast U.S. as a substitute for white-powder heroin in 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report . Carfentanil, which is 10,000 times more potent than morphine, can be lethal at a fraction of the 2 milligram range for fentanyl, health officials said.

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"Every life lost from opioids is one too many, Riverside County Public Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Chevinsky said in the release.

Read more: L.A. County sees a sharp decline in drug overdose deaths in 2024

Cases of carfentanil overdoses are rare but on the rise, the release said. U.S. deaths involving carfentanil increased from 29 in the first half of 2023 to 238 during the same period last year, according to the CDC.

Carfentanil is defined as a unique illegally manufactured fentanyl, an opioid produced without the regulations of pharmaceutical-grade fentanyl. That means it can go undetected by some fentanyl test strips, potentially leading to an increase in accidental overdoses, health officials added. While overall opioid overdoses have decreased both nationally and in Riverside County, according to the release, the CDC said that the reemergence of carfentanil "may threaten this progress."

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Together, we can continue to raise awareness about the risks associated with drug use and work as a community to support safety, reduce harm and care for one another," Chevinsky said.

The Riverside University Health System recommended that individuals carry naloxone to treat someone overdosing on fentanyl and avoid using carfentanil even in small doses due to the unpredictability and potency of the substance.

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.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Although the IRS announced this month it is reversing precedent by allowing tax-exempt houses of worship to endorse political candidates, some Ohio faith organizations say their churches will remain neutral.

In a July 7 court filing, the IRS said it will relax enforcement of a 1954 provision in the U.S. tax code called the Johnson Amendment, which said that churches and other nonprofit organizations would lose their tax-exempt status if they participated in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for public office.

However, the Catholic Conference of Ohio, representing the states bishops like Columbus Bishop Earl K. Fernandes alongside Cincinnati Archbishop Robert G. Casey and Cleveland Bishop Edward C. Malesic, said in a statement to NBC4 that Catholic churches in Ohio remain committed to neutrality regarding political candidates.

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Without paper mill, toxic underground plume could rise and spread in Chillicothe

While the Church or any clergy will not endorse a political party or candidates, we will continue to advocate for policies that align with Catholic teachings and advance the common good, said Brian Hickey, the conferences executive director. Catholic clergy are also encouraged to speak out on issues and public policies that reflect the principles found in Catholic social and moral doctrine.

The Ohio Council of Churches, a partnership of 17 Christian denominations encompassing about 6,000 congregations across the state, said in a statement it has no record of any member denominations requesting relaxed enforcement of the Johnson Amendment.

Realizing that congregants are diverse in their political party affiliation, and that God loves all people regardless of their choices of candidates, I believe OCC churches will continue to recognize the Imago DEI, Image of God in all people, and endorse policies and legislation that reflect Jesus Christs values of love, peace, and justice, while refraining from endorsing candidates, regardless of party, said Rev. Dr. Jack Sullivan, Jr., the councils executive director.

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The July 7 filing stems from a lawsuit filed against the IRS in September last year by a religious media group and two churches in Texas, arguing the Johnson Amendment infringes on their First Amendment rights to the freedom of speech and the free exercise of religion.

While the IRS didnt call for eliminating the amendment, it said that when a church or house of worship speaks to its congregation, through its customary channels of communication on matters of faith in connection with religious services, concerning electoral politics viewed through the lens of religious faith, it doesnt participate in a political campaign.

What does the Ohio House property tax override mean?

Communications from a house of worship to its congregation in connection with religious services through its usual channels of communication on matters of faith do not run afoul of the Johnson Amendment as properly interpreted, the IRS said.

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President Donald Trump, who called for getting rid of the Johnson Amendment during his first term, celebrated the move by the IRS as terrific.

I love the fact that churches could endorse a political candidate, Trump told reporters at the White House shortly after the July 7 filing. If somebody of faith wants to endorse, I think its something that Id like to hear.

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(Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

Before the U.S. House of Representatives departed early for its August break on Tuesday, 209 members joined an effort to attempt to force a vote on a bill that would nullify President Donald Trumps executive order stripping union rights from about two-thirds of the federal workforce  but thats nine short of the needed threshold.

In light of the Republican majority so far declining to bring Maine Democratic U.S. Rep. Jared Goldens Protect Americas Workforce Act up for a floor vote, Golden last week introduced a discharge petition, which if endorsed by 218 members would force a vote on the bill.

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Maines other representative, Democrat Chellie Pingree, signed the discharge petition the day Golden introduced it. So far, only two Republicans have endorsed it  Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, who introduced the bill with Golden, and bill cosponsor Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska  though the bill has seven GOP co-sponsors out of its total 222.

The House is now on recess until September, but Congressman Golden will continue working, in solidarity with the one million workers across the country whose collective bargaining rights were stripped by Trumps executive order, to ensure the House takes action to restore workers rights, his spokesperson said.

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Fitzpatrick did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Capital-Star. But, in a statement from when the bill was first introduced, he said, Improving government efficiency is essential but sweeping exclusions from collective bargaining are a blunt instrument that risk weakening the very stability and performance we aim to strengthen.

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Trumps executive order on March 27 banned collective bargaining agreements at government agencies with national security interests. These include the Department of Defense, Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Environmental Protection Agency, among numerous others, overall impacting about two-thirds of the federal workforce.

The White House said in a fact sheet that accompanied the order that certain federal unions have declared war on President Trumps agenda and that the order was necessary to safeguard American interests.

A coalition of unions sued shortly after but, as of the latest decision issued last week, a federal appeals court allowed the Trump administration to proceed with implementing the executive order.

While the House is taking a break, union members will not be.

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The American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations plans to mobilize its members in the districts of representatives who have not signed the discharge petition, said Mia Jacobs, the unions director of media relations.

That organizing across the country has already begun. On Monday, the groups Better in a Union bus tour stop in Pittsburg concluded with a call to action for attendees to reach out to their members of Congress to sign the discharge petition.

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The collective bargaining executive order was the single biggest act of union busting in our history, Jacobs said, Union members understand the stakes of this, that if they can strip federal workers of their collective bargaining rights then the contracts for a million more workers are at risk, so this is something that is existential to the labor movement.

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While the discharge petition still needs more support, Jacobs said the current endorsements and the 222 bipartisan co-sponsors of the bill show the issue has broad support. This is also mostly true of the general public, as polls show about 70% of Americans approve of labor unions, cutting across party lines.

The discharge petition will start with the 209 signatures when the House returns in September and remain active as long as the underlying bill is, so for the whole Congress that is slated to end in early 2027.
A search for a man tied to an alleged domestic violence incident Wednesday night led to a Colorado Springs officer firing at least one shot while trying to detain him, according to police. The man is in custody and uninjured.

Officers responded to the incident in the 3800 block of Radiant Drive, near the Palmer Park Dog Park, around 10:30 p.m. When officers arrived, they were given "established probable cause for domestic violence-related charges" and were given a description of the man and his vehicle, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department's online blotter.

The man reportedly was no longer there, prompting police to conduct a search.

Detectives located the suspect's vehicle in the area of North Carefree Circle and Academy Boulevard. Responding officers tried to make contact with him, but he was able to get away, police said.

The search for the suspect continued, and officers spotted him again in the 3400 block of Floris Point. At that time, an officer fired "at least" one shot that didn't hit the man.

The suspect was taken into custody and has yet to be identified.

Per CSPD policy, the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave. The El Paso County Sheriff's Office is leading an investigation into the shooting, as required by Colorado law.

The Police Department will release a significant event briefing video that will include body-cam footage and other details of the incident within 21 days.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  A man from New York was sentenced to prison for child rape and assault charges in the Berkshires.

In a news release from the Berkshire County District Attorneys Office, 69-year-old David Gonzalez of Staten Island, New York, was charged in connection with an incident in 2017. The DAs office says Gonzalez was in Berkshire County during that time.

Gonzalez was found guilty by a jury in Berkshire Superior Court. During sentencing, the victim and her family read powerful victim impact statements.

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On Wednesday, he was sentenced to 18 to 20 years in prison for rape of a child with force and 9 to 10 years in prison for indecent assault and battery on a child under 14, to be served concurrently.

District Attorney Shugrue stated, Children are among our most vulnerable population. They deserve to be valued and protected by ALL members of society. This victim and her immediate family had their lives permanently altered by the heinous, violent act at the hands of a pedophile. I commend the victim for her bravery and perseverance in the face of this terrible act and her immediate family for the support they provided.

He continued, My Office requested this high sentence, which the judge concurred with, due to the despicable nature of David Gonzalezs acts and the lasting impacts his crime had on a young child. This is the second lengthy sentence in a short period that my office has requested and successfully been granted about a child abuse case.

District Attorney Shugrue concluded, Abuse of any nature affects victims for the remainder of their days. Child abuse impacts children for the entirety of their lives. Those who harm children deserve to be held accountable to the greatest extent possible.

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Chief of the Child Abuse Unit, Andrew Giarolo, represented the Commonwealth. Kristen Rapkowicz served as the Victim Witness Advocate on behalf of the Berkshire District Attorneys Office.

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NEW YORK CITY (PIX11)  A New York City cancer center just received two sizable grants to fund research into pediatric cancer.

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center was gifted two grants totaling $500,000 from Hyundai Hope on Wheels. Hyundai Motor Americas 501(c)(3) nonprofit has been supporting pediatric cancer research for over 25 years.

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One grant for $400,000, the Scholar Hope Grant, will support pediatric oncologist Dr. Alexandra Troullioud Lucas, MDs research and investigation. The second, titled the Impact Grant for $100,000, will support Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centers pediatric oncology department.

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The checks were presented to Memorial Sloan Kettering during the Hyundai Hope on Wheels Handprint Ceremony in Manhattan on Thursday. At the event, children impacted by cancer placed their painted handprints on a Hyundai car to symbolize their fight against the disease and hope for a cure.

According to the nonprofit, it has awarded over $277 million in pediatric cancer research grants since its inception in 1998.

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.

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New York City Public Schools, the nation's largest school district, is expanding its student cellphone ban to include any "internet-enabled" devices such as tablets and smartwatches.

The new change will go into effect this upcoming 2025-26 school year across all 1,600 public schools in New York City.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced in January a statewide student cellphone ban policy in schools, saying it would help students concentrate on academics and reduce distractions and mental health pressures. New York City Public Schools' latest policy update adds to Hochul's statewide mandate.

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New York bans students using cellphones in school

A few exceptions are being allowed under the expanded rule. Students will be able to use any of their "internet-enabled" devices while commuting to and from school but are required to shut them down during the school day. Students who require devices for medical reasons, instructional purposes or who have one as part of their Individual Education Program can be exempted from the policy.

Christopher Hopefitch/STOCK PHOTO/Getty Images - PHOTO: Stock photo of a child using a tablet.

Schools are also required to offer at least one way for families to contact students during the school day in the event of an emergency, offer a "secure way" to store devices when not in use, and keep families informed annually on the school policy.

"We know that excessive cell phone use is harmful to our children's concentration and mental health, and, with this new policy, we will finally reduce distractions as we help our students reach their full potential," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said in part in a statement released Wednesday.

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New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos said in a separate statement that she is "proud" to introduce the expansion, which is "designed to be responsive to the diverse needs of schools, individual students, and families."

"As an educator and a parent, I have seen firsthand how constant access to cell phones in the classroom distracts from learning, divides attention, and significantly impacts our students' mental health, inside schools and at home," said Aviles-Ramos. "I am proud to be introducing a policy that takes input from unions and advocacy groups, families, community members, and our students into account."

Kids who own smartphones before age 13 have worse mental health outcomes: Study

New York City Public Schools' cellphone ban expansion takes the recent wave of student cellphone bans a step further, as districts in multiple states, including California, Florida, Ohio, and Virginia, have already introduced student phone use limitations.

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The policy changes follow growing concerns about the mental health impact of smartphone and social media use in young children and teenagers.

According to a June Pew Research Center survey, 74% of American adults support a cellphone ban for middle school and high school students, an increase from 68% in 2024.

Some early studies abroad found that cellphone bans can improve student performance, their mental health and may even cut down on bullying, but more research is needed to see if the same is true closer to home.
Former President Obama is set to appear at a Democratic redistricting groups fundraiser next month in Marthas Vineyard, as the party looks to go toe-to-toe with Republicans redistricting push in Texas.

Obama is named as a special guest on an invitation for an event hosted by former Attorney General Eric Holder, the chair of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), according to an invitation obtained by The Hill and first reported by Politico.

The invitation says the dinner and discussion will benefit the NDRC and affiliated groups on Aug. 19.

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Democrats are pushing for blue states to consider redrawing their House maps to offset similar efforts taking place in Texas, where President Trump has said hes looking to pick up five House seats.

Ohio is also redrawing its maps, which is required this year because a previous plan didnt pass with bipartisan support in 2022. Republicans could make the maps more favorable to their party as they seek to win back seats held by Democratic Reps. Marcy Kaptur and Emilia Sykes.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is the only Democratic governor who so far has signaled hes open to redrawing his states map to help his party. California uses an independent redistricting commission, however, and would have to overcome some hurdles in order for Democrats to do mid-cycle redistricting in the state.

Other Democratic-led states such as New York or New Jersey that could see similar pushes, also have redistricting commissions and would likely need to have their state constitutions amended in order for Democrats to successfully redraw maps.

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The redistricting tit-for-tat could be previewing a tumultuous midterm cycle. Republicans are already bracing for an unfavorable political environment next year given the historic trends that run against the presidents party in midterm cycles.

Redistricting gains in Texas and Ohio could help cushion potential GOP losses elsewhere.

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For decades, countries around the world have held up the United Statess rigorous approach to vaccine policy as a global ideal. But in Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s Department of Health and Human Services, many of the officials responsible for vaccine policy disagree. For the best immunization policy, they argue, the U.S. should look to Europe.

Marty Makary, the new FDA commissioner, and Vinay Prasad, the new head of the agencys center for regulating vaccines, have criticized the nations COVID-19-vaccine policy for recommending the shots more broadly than many European countries do. Tracy Beth Heg, a new adviser at the FDA, has frequently compared the U.S.s childhood vaccination schedule unfavorably with the more pared-down one in Denmark, and advocated for stopping unnecessary vaccines. (Prasad, citing Heg, has made the same points.) And the new chair of the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, Martin Kulldorffwhom Kennedy handpicked to serve on the panel, after dismissing its entire previous rosterannounced in June that ACIP would be scrutinizing the current U.S. immunization schedule because it exceeds what children in most other developed nations receive.

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This group has argued that the trimness of many European schedulesespecially Denmarksimplies that the benefits of the U.S.s roster of shots may not outweigh the risks, even though experts discussed and debated exactly that question when devising the guidance. But broadly speaking, the reasons behind the discrepancies theyre referencing have nothing to do with safety, David Salisbury, the former director of immunization of the U.K.s Department of Health, told me. Rather, theyre driven by the factors that shape any national policy: demographics, budget, the nature of local threats. Every country has a slightly different approach to vaccination because every country is different, Rebecca Grais, the executive director of the Pasteur Network and a member of the World Health Organizations immunization-advisory group, told me.

One of the most important considerations for a countrys approach to vaccines is also one of the most obvious: which diseases its people need to be protected from. The U.S., for instance, recommends the hepatitis A vaccine for babies because cases of the contagious liver disease continue to be more common here than in many other high-income countries. And conversely, this country doesnt recommend some vaccine doses that other nations do. The U.K., for example, routinely vaccinates against meningococcal disease far earlier, and with more overall shots, than the U.S. doesstarting in infancy, rather than in adolescencebecause meningitis rates have been higher there for years. Using that same logic, countries have also modified prior recommendations based on emerging evidenceincluding, for instance, swapping the oral polio vaccine for the safer inactivated polio vaccine in the year 2000.

Vaccines are expensive, and countries with publicly funded insurance consider those costs differently than the U.S. does. Under U.K. law, for instance, the National Health Service must cover any vaccine that has been officially recommended for use by its Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, or JCVIessentially, its ACIP. So that committee weights the cost effectiveness of a vaccine more heavily and more explicitly than ACIP does, and will recommend only a product that meets a certain threshold, Mark Jit, an epidemiologist at NYU, who previously worked at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, told me. Price also influences what vaccines are ultimately available. In 2023, JCVI recommended (as ACIP has) two options for protecting babies against RSV; unlike in the U.S., though, the NHS bought only one of them from manufacturers, presumably because the price they gave the government was cheaper, Andrew Pollard, the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, the current JCVI chair, and a former member of the World Health Organizations advisory group on immunizations, told me. (The prices that the U.K. government pays for vaccines are generally confidential.)

[Read: The neo-anti-vaxxers are in power now]

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The nature of a countrys health-care system can influence vaccine policy in other ways too. In the U.S. system of private health care, health-equity gaps are massive, and access to care is uneven, even for one person across their lifetime. Many Americans bounce from health-care provider to providerif they are engaged with the medical system at alland must navigate the coverage quirks of their insurer. In this environment, a more comprehensive vaccination strategy is, essentially, plugging up a very porous safety net. Broad, simple recommendations for vaccines help ensure that a minimal number of high-risk people slip through. Were trying to close gaps we couldnt close in any other way, Grace Lee, a pediatrician and a former chair of ACIP, told me.

The U.S. strategy has worked reasonably well for the U.S. Universal flu-vaccine recommendations (not common in Europe) lower the burden of respiratory disease in the winter, including for health-care workers. Hepatitis B vaccines for every newborn (rather than, like in many European countries, for only high-risk ones) help ensure that infants are protected even if their mother misses an opportunity to test for the virus. More generally, broad recommendations for vaccination can also mitigate the impacts of outbreaks in a country where obesity, heart disease, and diabetesall chronic conditions that can exacerbate a course of infectious illnessaffect large swaths of the population. American vaccine experts also emphasize the importance of the community-wide benefits of shots, which can reduce transmission from children to elderly grandparents or decrease the amount of time that parents have to take off of work. Those considerations carry far more weight for many public-health experts and policy makers in a country with patchy insurance coverage and inconsistent paid sick leave.

The current leadership of HHS thinks differently: Kennedy, in particular, has emphasized individual choice about vaccines over community benefit. And some officials believe that a better childhood immunization schedule would have fewer shots on it, and more closely resemble Denmarks, notably one of the most minimalist among high-income countries. Whereas the U.S. vaccination schedule guards against 18 diseases, Denmarks targets just 10the ones that the nations health authorities have deemed the most severe and life-threatening, Anders Hviid, an epidemiologist at Statens Serum Institut, in Copenhagen, told me. All vaccines in Denmark are also voluntary.

But I dont think its fair to look at Denmark and say, Look how theyre doing it, that should be a model for our country, Hviid told me. You cannot compare the Danish situation and health-care system to the situation in the U.S.

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Denmark, like the U.K., relies on publicly funded health care. The small, wealthy country also has relatively narrow gaps in socioeconomic status, and maintains extremely equitable access to care. The attitude toward national authorities also includes a high degree of confidence, Hviid told me. Even with fully voluntary vaccination, the country has consistently maintained high rates of vaccine uptake, comparable with rates in the U.S., where public schools require shots. And even those factors dont necessarily add up to a minimalist schedule: Other Nordic countries with similar characteristics vaccinate their children more often, against more diseases.

At least some of Kennedys allies seem to have been influenced not just by Denmarks more limited vaccine schedule but specifically by the work of Christine Stabell Benn, a researcher at the University of Southern Denmark, who has dedicated much of her career to studying vaccine side effects. Like Kennedy and many of his allies, Benn is skeptical of the benefits of vaccination: Its not very clear that the more vaccines you get, the healthier you are, she told me. Along with Kulldorff, Heg, and National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya, Benn served on a committee convened in 2022 by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis that cast COVID-19 vaccines as poorly vetted and risky. She and Heg have appeared together on podcasts and co-written blogs about vaccine safety; Kulldroff also recently cited her work in an op-ed that praised one Danish approach to multidose vaccines, noting that evaluating that evidence may or may not lead to a change in the CDC-recommended vaccine schedule. When justifying his cuts to Gavithe worlds largest immunization programKennedy referenced a controversial and widely criticized 2017 study co-authored by Benn and her husband, Peter Aaby, an anthropologist, that claimed that a diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccine was increasing mortality among children in Guinea-Bissau. (Benn wrote on LinkedIn that cutting Gavi funding may have major negative impact on overall child survival, but also noted that it is reasonable to request that WHO and GAVI consider the best science available.)

[Read: The U.S. is going backwards on vaccines, very fast]

Several of the researchers I spoke with described Benn, with varying degrees of politeness, as a contrarian who has cherry-picked evidence, relied on shaky data, and conducted biased studies. Her research scrutinizing vaccine side effectsarguing, for instance, that vaccines not made from live microbes can come with substantial detrimentshas been contradicted by other studies, spanning years of research and scientific consensus. (In a 2019 TEDx talk, she acknowledged that other vaccine researchers have disagreed with her findings, and expressed frustration over her difficulties publicizing them.) When we spoke, Benn argued that the U.S. would be the ideal venue for an experiment in which different regions of the country were randomly assigned to different immunization schedules to test their relative meritsa proposal that Prasad has floated as well, and that several researchers have criticized as unethical. Benn said she would prefer to see it done in a country that would withdraw vaccines that had previously been recommended, rather than add new ones. In a later email, she defended her work and described herself as a strong advocate for evidence-based vaccination policies, adding that it is strange if that is perceived as controversial.

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When I asked her whether anyone currently at HHS, or affiliated with it, had consulted her or her work to make vaccine decisions, she declined to answer. Kulldorff wrote in an email that Christine Stabell Benn is one of the worlds leading vaccine scientists but did not answer my questions about Benns involvement in shaping his recommendations. HHS did not respond to a request for comment.

What unites Benn with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his top officials is that, across their statements, they suggest that the U.S. is pushing too many vaccines on its children. But the question of whether or not the U.S. may be overvaccinating is the wrong one to ask, Jake Scott, an infectious-disease physician at Stanford, told me. Rather, Scott said, the more important question is: Given our specific disease burden and public-health goals, are we effectively protecting the most vulnerable people? Based on overwhelming evidence? The answer is yes.

[Read: RFK Jr. is barely even pretending anymore]

Thats not to say that the U.S. schedule should never change, or that what one country learns about a vaccine should not inform anothers choices. Data have accumulatedincluding from a large clinical trial in Costa Ricato suggest that the HPV vaccine, for instance, may be powerful enough that only a single dose, rather than two, is necessary to confer decades of protection. (Based on that growing evidence, the prior roster of ACIP was considering recommending fewer HPV doses.) But largely, Im not sure if theres a lot in the U.S. schedule to complain about, Pollard, the JCVI chair, told me. On the contrary, other nations have taken plenty of their cues from America: The U.K., for instance, is expected to add the chickenpox shot to its list of recommended vaccines by early next year, Pollard told me, based in part on reassuring data from the U.S. that the benefits outweigh the risks. The U.S. does recommend more shots than many other countries do. But the U.S. regimen also, by definition, guards against more diseases than those of many other countries domaking it a standout course of protection, unparalleled elsewhere.

*Illustration by Jonelle Afurong / The Atlantic. Source: Aleksandr Zubkov / Getty; Anna Efetova / Getty; Smith Collection / Gado / Getty; BBC Archive / Getty; Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule by Age / CDC

Article originally published at The Atlantic
SHEFFIELD  Robert Ocasio was sworn in as Sheffield Township Fire Chief Monday evening.

Ocasio was appointed as interim chief after the township reformed its fire department at the beginning of the year. He called his selection a dream come true.

A goal of mine was to eventually someday become either and assistant chief or chief, he said.

Before being sworn in by Conneaut Municipal Court Judge Nick Iarocci, Ocasio said he felt somewhat nervous.

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The last time I got sworn into anything, I was going into the military, and there I had to fight for my life and everything, he said. Here, its a different ball game, but its well worth it.

After he was sworn in, Ocasio expressed his gratitude to the township trustees for selecting him.

We still have a long road to go, but thank you for your confidence, he said.

The trustees were likewise thankful to Ocasio for working for the township.

When we said we were bringing back the fire department, you stepped up, Trustee Alan Kohta said.

The fire department was reformed following Sheffields withdrawal from the Northeast Joint Fire District.

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Since it was reformed, Ocasio and the township fire department have focused on recruitment.

Im getting a little better response from people who have applied, Ocasio said.

The fire department has recruited around 20 people, between associate members and staff, he said.

Theyre all people I can depend on to do something, he said.

Ocasio said he is always looking for more recruits.

It never hurts, he said. You shouldnt stop looking, because you never know, if peoples schedules change or things change.

Sheffields contract with Kingsville, where they each provide fire services has been going well too, he said.

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I cant say enough about what theyre doing for us, he said.

Ocasio said he wants the fire department to feel like a family, and provide good service to the community.

I want them to be safe. Thats my number one goal, he said. I want them to have something they can commit themselves to.

Ocasio first became a junior firefighter during his last two years of high school in New Jersey, he said.

After leaving the military, while living in Plymouth, Ocasio was recruited by his next-door neighbor to the township fire department.

That was back in 1997, and Ive been consistent every year, he said. Its been a challenge.

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Ocasio also worked for the Kingsville Fire Department, where he attained the rank of captain.

My area had kind of gone all over Northeast Ohio, Ocasio said. Ive enjoyed every bit of it. Ive had some fantastic partners, people who wanted to teach.

Ocasio worked in ambulance services too, he said.

I learned a lot from my medic partners, he said. They were just fantastic. They really were. Its hard to mention words about what they did for me and my career.
On the night of 23-24 July, Odesa was hit by a Russian drone attack which damaged the Pryvoz Market, the Vorontsov Palace, and the UNESCO-listed Prymorskyi Boulevard.

Source: Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast State Administration; Odesa Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov; State Emergency Service of Odesa on Facebook

Details: Mayor Hennadii Trukhanov said the shockwave has damaged facades along Prymorskyi Boulevard. The damage caused to the Vorontsov Palace (now the City Palace for Childrens and Young Peoples Creativity), an architectural gem from the early 19th century, includes 19 broken windows, three destroyed external doors, collapsed plaster in eight rooms, damage to two ancient lanterns, and a partially collapsed facade cornice.

The Vorontsov Palace after Russian attack.

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Photo: Hennadii Trukhanov

At the Pryvoz Market, the fruit pavilion buildings, which are also treasures of cultural heritage, have been badly affected. Drone wreckage is littered among the stalls, with people trying to salvage any goods that have survived intact.

History of the Pryvoz Market

The Pryvoz Market is on Oleksandrivskyi Avenue in Odesas historic centre. Its origins can be traced back to 1827, when people from the surrounding villages began arriving to sell their wares in the city.

Initially an open-air bazaar adjacent to the Old Market, it evolved in 1913 with the construction of a special "Fruit Passage", designed by Ukrainian architect Fedor Nestrukh.

The main section of the Fruit Passage building was ravaged by the explosion of a drone and the subsequent fire.

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Photo: State Emergency Service of Odesa

The market underwent reconstruction in the late 1990s and new buildings were added. By 2007, meat and fish buildings, two office centres and a retail complex along Panteleimonivska Street  later dubbed the New Pryvoz shopping centre  had been completed.

One of the few times the market closed was in the early 20th century, when fire was used to eradicate rats living under the decks, which spread the plague.

Architectural heritage on Prymorskyi Boulevard

Photographs show the damage caused to an open-air museum on the boulevard, where artefacts from a 6th-5th century BCE Greek settlement excavated in 2008 are displayed beneath a glass dome.

Aftermath of Russian attack.

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Photo: Hennadii Trukhanov

Benches and bins along the avenue were damaged and windows in nearby houses shattered.

Prymorskyi Boulevard after Russian attack.

Photo: Hennadii Trukhanov

The Prymorskyi Boulevard earned its UNESCO listing in January 2023. Located near the port, it is flanked on the other side by 19th-century houses.

The boulevard was originally named Novyi (New), then Prymorskyi (Seaside), then  after a Russo-Turkish war  Mykolayivskyi. It was renamed after the revolutionary Feldman in 1920. After World War II, it reverted to Prymorskyi.

The area is historically significant as the site of the Istrian Harbour, a Greek colony, and later the Ottoman Khadzhibey fortress, demolished by Russian troops in the 18th century.

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Until 1820, the area remained vacant, but in 1822, a plan for the future boulevard designed by French architect Francois Chal was approved  a layout preserved to this day.

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Odessa, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)-An Odessa woman is facing felony theft charges after allegedly impersonating a bail bond agent and taking thousands of dollars under false pretenses, according to an affidavit from the Odessa Police Department.

The incident took place on June 11 at a home on Golder Avenue. Investigators said Amber Rose Welch, 37, reportedly posed as an employee of Freedom Bail Bonds to collect $2,800 in cash from an Odessa resident.

According to the affidavit, the complainant told investigators that Welch arrived at her residence claiming she could secure the release of the complainants husband, who was booked at the Ector County Law Enforcement Center. After collecting the cash, Welch allegedly never paid the bond, and the complainants husband remained in custody.

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Security footage from the complainants home captured the incident, showing a woman matching Welchs description. Authorities later confirmed Welchs identity by comparing jail booking photos with the surveillance video. Additionally, phone records linked to the number used to contact the victim were traced back to Welch through a LexisNexis search.

Following her arrest, Welch reportedly admitted to taking the money under false pretenses, acknowledging that she did not have the complainants consent and never intended to deliver the funds for the bond.

Welch has been charged with Theft of Property valued between $2,500 and $30,000. If convicted, she could face up to two years in a state jail facility and a fine of up to $10,000. She remained in the Ector County Law Enforcement Center as of Thursday afternoon on a $3,500 bond.

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Editors note: This article has been updated and a video has been removed to identify correctly the man who died in Jackson County.

IOWA (KCAU)  Authorities have confirmed two deaths along the RAGBRAI LII route, with one person being identified.

According to the Jackson County, Minnesota Sheriffs Office, on July 21 at around 8:13 a.m., they got a 911 call of a rider who collapsed on Jackson County Road 4, west of MN 86.

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Officials said that Mark R. Spoo, 62, of Colorado, was tended to by a doctor, surgeon, and a physicians assistant within seconds of collapsing. All of them were taking part in this years RAGBRAI.

Spoo was transported to a Spirit Lake hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Ambulances on standby for RAGBRAI riders

Another death on the route was reported in Estherville on July 21.

Police Chief Brent Shatto said at about 7:40 a.m., they got a report of a 63-year-old man who was semi-conscious and vomiting. Officers arrived at South 8th Street and 1st Avenue South where they found the man with no pulse.

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Authorities said officers started CPR until the ambulance arrived and continued life-saving measures. The man was taken to a local hospital and was later pronounced dead.

The man has been identified as Thomas McCarthy, 63, of Florida.

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In an effort to promote safe agricultural practices, Kenya has banned 77 pesticides and restricted the use of over 200 more.

Kenya's cabinet secretary for agriculture and livestock development, Mutahi Kagwe, announced the sweeping ban on June 23. As reported by the Eastleigh Voice, one of the pesticides included in the ban is 2,4,5-T, also known as 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid.

The controversial herbicide has seen a large-scale phase-out around the world due to toxicity concerns and the presence of dioxins, which have the ability to contaminate the air, soil, and waterways.

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2,4,5-T was a key component of Agent Orange, a defoliant used in the Vietnam War that was linked to widespread cancer concerns.

Other banned substances included insecticides such as chlordane, chlordimeform, and endrin, all of which have been banned or heavily restricted across North America. Each insecticide has been previously linked to severe health and environmental concerns.

As noted by the Toxicology Excellence for Risk Assessment, many farmers are often left with little choice when attempting to control pest infestations. In some cases, crops may only benefit from very specific pesticides. If those pesticides are banned, then crop yields may suffer.

According to Kagwe, the massive ban followed a careful review conducted by the Pest Control Products Board.

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Kenya has ordered that the 77 banned pesticides be immediately removed from the marketplace. An additional 202 pest control substances are now being restricted to specific crops. Another 151 pesticides are currently being reviewed with an expected determination by the end of the year.

"Following scientific assessments and stakeholder consultations, we have identified certain active ingredients and associated end-use products that pose unacceptable risks to human health, crops, livestock, and the environment," Kagwe said in a statement.

While pesticides can be an effective method to control pests, their use can minimize biodiversity in surrounding ecosystems by unintentionally harming species not considered to be pests.

Runoff and leaching can also carry pesticides into groundwater and surface water, contaminating drinking water sources and harming marine life. These effects can ultimately impact the food supply for vulnerable communities around the world.

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"These measures are aimed at ensuring that only globally accepted and scientifically proven pest control products are used in Kenya," added Kagwe.

"This action is part of our continuous efforts to align Kenya's agricultural practices with international best standards, ensure food safety for all Kenyans, and promote sustainable agriculture."

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A Malaysian lake is under ecological pressure because of the rapid spread of invasive fish species, officials have warned.

What's happening?

Timah Tosah Lake, in the Malaysian state of Perlis, is at risk of being overrun by non-native fish, the New Straits Times reported.

The biggest culprit, according to the state's Fisheries Department, is the peacock bass. Native to the Amazon River basin, these are also common sporting fish in Florida but have proven to be invasive in Malaysia. Officials estimate 10,000 of the bass currently live within Timah Tosah Lake.

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"These species compete with native fish for food and territory. Their feeding behavior is more aggressive, often pushing out local species and disturbing their habitat," Razali Saad, chair of the state's agricultural committee, told the New Straits Times.

Why are invasive species important?

As Saad pointed out, invasive species can wreck ecosystems.

When any species is introduced to a foreign area, it runs the risk of becoming invasive and doing harm to the health of humans, wildlife, plants, or the economy of their new environment. They deprive native plants and animals of resources like food and water, and their rapid spread can force animals out of their longtime homes.

Peacock bass eat small native fish, along with the eggs and larvae of other native species.

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"This not only disrupts the natural food chain, but can also lead to the extinction of some native species." Saad said.

Invasive fish can also breed with local fish to create new animals that are also threats to their local ecosystem, such as what's happening in North Carolina with Alabama bass.

What's being done about the peacock bass?

Perlis officials are taking several precautions to try to stop the peacock bass' spread.

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"We're working closely with the local fishing community to find practical solutions to reduce their numbers," Saad said.

Namely, the government has organized fishing competitions for the peacock bass, with participants asked to remove their catches from the lake. The Fisheries Department is also running awareness campaigns about the dangers of releasing foreign species into Timah Tosah Lake.

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Anyone caught releasing non-native fish in Malaysia faces a fine of up to $4,700.

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After months of speculation, the federal government has made official its plans to shutter a key research office responsible for investigating potential risks to public health and the environment, NPR reported.

"This is a travesty," Zoe Lofgren, a House member representing California and the ranking member on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, said in a statement.

What's happening?

Lee Zeldin, Donald Trump's head of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, announced in a July 18 statement his plans to permanently close EPA's Office of Research and Development.

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According to its website, "The Office of Research and Development (ORD) is the scientific research arm of EPA. Its leading-edge research informs Agency decisions and supports the emerging needs of EPA stakeholders, including the Agency's state, tribal, and community partners."

While Zeldin's statement emphasized the closure's supposed financial savings, critics blasted the move as leaving the EPA "flying blind," in the words of Kyla Bennett, director of science policy for Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, per NPR.

Closing the office "will not only cripple EPA's ability to do its own research, but also to apply the research of other scientists," Bennett said, per NPR. The closure, along with other budget cuts and the slashing of thousands of EPA jobs, will render EPA "unable to use the best available science."

"These short-sighted cuts will ultimately affect every American, and it is despicable," Bennett added, per NPR.

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Lofgren agreed, saying in her statement, "The Trump Administration is firing hardworking scientists while employing political appointees whose job it is to lie incessantly to Congress and to the American people."

"The obliteration of ORD will have generational impacts on Americans' health and safety," she added.

Why does environmental research matter?

In his statement announcing the ORD's closure, Zeldin touted what he claimed would be roughly three-quarters of a billion dollars in savings due to the move.

However, when considering all the work that the ORD has done over the years, the move likely will prove costly in the long run.

The ORD is as old as the EPA itself. Republican President Richard Nixon established the ORD as part of the EPA in 1970 at a time when environmental protection was a much less politically divisive issue than it is today.

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"Well, when the EPA was created  the issue of the environment was a very nonpartisan, bipartisan issue," said William Ruckelshaus, the first EPA administrator, in a 2015 interview with the Center for Public Integrity.

"There wasn't a lot of dispute over the need to protect public health, protect the environment."

Over its more than 50 years in existence, the ORD has made a number of landmark contributions to the health and safety of not only hundreds of millions of Americans but also countless people around the world.

"Historically, EPA researchers have addressed many major public health concerns, such as lead contamination, air pollution, drinking water quality, and chemical safety," the EPA said of the ORD during a 2020 celebration of the agency's 50-year anniversary.

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"Today, EPA remains at the forefront of investigating emerging environmental challenges," which include "the impacts of wildfire smoke on air quality," contamination from so-called forever chemicals like PFAS, and even the spread of COVID-19.

All of that research, along with grant money paying for additional studies outside of the EPA, will cease once Zeldin shutters the ORD.

What's being done about continuing environmental research?

On the note of environmental protection investment once being more bipartisan, there is an organization called Nature Is Nonpartisan, founded by Benji Backer, who spoke to TCD about the group in March. Backer and Co. reportedly persuaded Trump to sign a recent pro-environment executive order to create a "Make America Beautiful Again Commission" to "advise and assist the President regarding how best to responsibly conserve America's national treasures and natural resources."

It's unclear if the commission advised on this latest ORD shuttering or if this had already been decided, but the goal of the group is to make sure there are environmental advocates with seats at the table moving forward rather than simply hoping for the best amid cost-cutting measures.

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Regardless, closing the ORD means the loss of one of the world's leading centers for environmental research. Without its contributions, policymakers, public-health officials, and members of the general public will be much less informed about the impacts of rising global temperatures, air pollution, chemical contamination, the dangers of pesticides, and many, many other important public health issues.

The closure of the ORD is an important reminder that it is important to use your voice whenever and wherever possible, regardless of your preferred political party, to advocate for the issues that are important to you, as public sentiment always helps to shape what any politician feels is the right way forward.

Further, regardless of the policies coming out of Washington, there always are steps that can be taken at the community and individual level to reduce the amount of pollution and waste being generated and to better care for the environment we all call home.

Things as simple and wide-ranging as riding a bicycle instead of driving, growing your own food, or repurposing single-use packaging all can add up to make a big difference, no matter what's going on in Washington.

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An Ohio officer died from injuries sustained in an ambush shooting Wednesday afternoon.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Phillip Wagner, a 3-year veteran of the Lorain Police Department, died Thursday, CBS-affiliate WOIO reported.

The 35-year-old leaves behind a wife and two children.

Wagner was pronounced deceased at MetroHealth Medical Center, where he had been receiving treatment for critical injuries.

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Wagner and his partner, Officer Peter Gale, 51, were splitting a pizza on their lunch break in the area of Colorado and Missouri avenues around 1 p.m. when police said the suspect, Michael Parker, 28, ambushed them with a high-powered rifle.

Lorain Police Officer Brent Payne, 47, rushed to the scene to help and was also shot.

Payne is listed in critical condition.

Gale was taken to a local hospital with a gunshot wound to the hand.

Parker died on the scene.

The Elyria Police Department is handling the investigation and has requested assistance from the Ohio BCI.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Day one of the Ohio State Fair has come and gone, but the fun has just begun.

Theres a lot going on at the fairgrounds, from animals to vendors to rides. Plus, the fair is putting a spotlight on a vintage Ohio industry.

2025 Ohio State Fair: What to know before you go

People work year-round to put on the Ohio State Fair and organizers said it was a successful first day. One thing they really wanted to highlight this year is the Ohio wine industry.

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Ohio actually was the leading wine producer in the 1850s, and this is where winemaking in the U.S. began  along the Ohio River, said Christy Eckstein, the executive director for the Ohio Grape Industries Committee.

When you think of wine, Ohio isnt necessarily the first state that comes to mind. But with more than 430 licensed wine manufacturers all across the state, the state is now the seventh-largest wine producer in the country.

We see that at this point theres still a need, a want and a desire to visit new wineries, our existing wineries, so its exciting to see that people are interested in and able to support the wine industry, Eckstein said.

Without paper mill, toxic underground plume could rise and spread in Chillicothe

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The Taste of Ohio Pavilion is where fairgoers will find the local wines.

I think the biggest part of that is really educating people that, wow, there is a tremendous amount of great wines here in Ohio, Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture Brian Baldridge said.

The industry is worth $6.6 billion and creates 41,000 full-time jobs in the state. Theres a wide variety of wines to try at the fair, by the glass or a wine slushie.

Theyre being able to do that, showcase what they can do right at home, so its that huge buy local, support those local businesses all across the great state of Ohio, Baldridge said.

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If you didnt make it to the fair on Wednesday, there are plenty of exciting events coming up that you dont want to miss.

Skills camp opens Buckeyes practice to those with special needs

I think its tomorrow night we have Foreigner in the Celeste Center and we just have a great list of events and activities within the event itself, Ohio State Fair Executive Director Adam Heffron said. Weve got the vendors in the marketplace so were open to everything that weve had in the past, that tradition is alive and well here.

If youre interested in learning more about the Ohio wine industry, theres an app for that. Download Ohio Wines VIP by clicking here.

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For more information, including rides, food, hours, admission prices and more, click here.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  An Oklahoma City man has been sentenced to more than a decade in prison for possession of child pornography, officials say.

According to the United States Department of Justice, in May 2024, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) learned that 42-year-old Anthony Grimm had distributed multiple videos depicting child sexual abuse material to someone in Michigan.

LOCAL NEWS: New documents shed light on what led up to a shooting in Edmond

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A search warrant was executed at Grimms apartment where agents seized his cell phone, where images and videos depicting child sexual abuse material were found.

Officials say on January 7, 2025, Grimm was charged by a federal Grand Jury with possession of, and access with intent to view, child pornography. Grimm later pleaded guilty on March 31, 2025, and said that he knowingly accessed a cell phone that contained images depicting child sexual abuse material.

Grimm was sentenced on July 23, 2025, to serve 121 months in federal prison, followed by ten years of supervised release.

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Oklahoma State Board of Education member Chris VanDenhende, right, speaks while member Ryan Deatherage, left, listens during a meeting April 24, 2025, at the Oklahoma State Department of Education in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  Members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education on Thursday said they want to hold a special meeting to discuss how their authority aligns with the states superintendent.

The board members, who govern Oklahomas public schools, said they wanted to meet to discuss the extent of state Superintendent Ryan Walters power and what actions he can take without their authority after learning Thursday morning that the bodys secretary was no longer employed by the state Department of Education.

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Member Chris Van Denhende asked to call a special meeting, which he said is allowed by statute if a majority of the members agrees, to discuss the appropriate roles of the board compared to the president of the board. Walters is president of the board.

He pointed to statute that grants the board the power to appoint, prescribe the duties, and fix the compensation of a secretary, an attorney, and all other personnel necessary, but said the state Department of Education had removed the board secretary without notifying or discussing the matter with the body first.

Chad Kutmas, legal counsel for the board, shut down the request, saying they couldnt vote to hold a special meeting because it wasnt on Thursdays agenda. State law requires agendas to be posted at least 24 hours before the meeting, and public boards cannot take action on items not on the agenda.

Kutmas said board members would have to communicate with him after the meeting over email to call for a special meeting.

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It would be a request that wouldnt be made in the public and it certainly wouldnt be done in a way that would be a quorum of people seeking a special meeting, he said.

State Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks with news reporters after an Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting Thursday. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice)

Ryan Deatherage, another board member, said he was cautious about taking the conversation outside the meeting.

I would just be cautious, because I know weve asked things like this in the past, and weve kind of got pushed down a rabbit trail, he said. So if youre committing to having those conversations with us and actually being productive in that, rather than stating some other reason not to be able to do that, Im totally in favor of that.

Walters said he will evaluate a request for a special meeting when the board provides it to him in writing or calls him about it.

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Board members also asked to add an agenda item to next months meeting to discuss, and potentially vote, on enacting a rule allowing board members to add items to meeting agendas. As board chair, Walters determines what items appear on the agenda.

Walters said he does not think the board should have the authority to put items on the agenda.

Look, they can submit whatever request for me that they want, he said. Weve put items on the agenda that theyve asked for. Weve produced documents for them. So look, well take it on a case by case basis, Im happy to look at what they have to offer. But again, my bigger concern is the board being out of step with Oklahomans. My bigger concern is the direction that theyre going and wanting to protect an education system thats failed.

He said he will evaluate a request for a special meeting when the board provides it to him in writing or calls him about it.

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The boards request for the special meeting followed questions over his authority to mandate free school lunches, a special, controversial test for California and New York teachers moving to Oklahoma, and a partnership with American Virtual School, a private and online Arizona-based institution. The board questioned why they werent consulted.

The board and state Legislature have both made efforts to give members the ability to add items to meeting agendas, but all efforts have been unsuccessful.

House Bill 1491 from Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, would have allowed two members on the state board or any local school board with five or more positions to place an item on an upcoming meeting agenda with a written request.

Gov. Kevin Stitt and top Republican leaders in the House and Senate endorsed the measure, and it passed a vote by the full House with overwhelming bipartisan support but was not heard in the Senate.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A decision made by elected leaders in Washington last week to cut public broadcasting funding by $1.1 billion is being felt by Oklahoma public broadcasters, at PBS or NPR stations.

News 4 spoke with KOSU Radio leaders and KGOU leaders Wednesday to break down the impact to their own operations.

Its expensive to operate a broadcast network, said Rachel Hubbard, Executive Director of KOSU Radio.

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Hubbard said the approved claw back of Corporation for Public Broadcasting funding sent KOSU into an emergency fundraiser. Hubbard said her team has spent the weekend talking to loyal donors about matching money and have been in the emergency fundraiser since July 21. Hubbard said the immediate impact is around $300,000 or 10% of KOSUs budget.

KOSU logo seen at 2024 ribbon cutting event. IMAGE KOSU.

KOSU staff member conducts interview ahead of report. IMAGE KOSU.

KOSU staff member conducts interview ahead of report. IMAGE KOSU.

KOSU Executive Director Rachel Hubbard. IMAGE KOSU.

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Its not something in the future, said Hubbard. This is for our budget year that started 23 days ago. So its a real and immediate impact that has an effect on our ability to deliver local news and information. Specifically reporting about state government, mental health and addiction, indigenous affairs, water and natural resources, and to support local Oklahoma musicians along with our ability to maintain equipment for emergency alerting.

Hubbard told News 4 the situation has been all hands on deck, and while temporary work is being done to provide some stability while KOSU plots out a possible permanent future without the public funding.

Hubbard said the station has a noncommercial license through the federal communications system, which means it cant just start airing advertisements to offset costs. She said they are limited in what support they can accept from corporate entities or businesses so the major ways they can make up the funding gap are through philanthropy or donations from people.

We want to avoid layoffs, said Hubbard. We want to avoid disruptions in service. So, its just something that, were making it work in the moment.

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Oklahoma service providers facing cuts from Department of Mental Health

Hubbard says theyve heard from so many Oklahomans over the past few days, on opposite sides of the political aisle, that have been encouraging.

Its a similar story for KGOU in Norman, with Development Director Jolly Brown telling News 4 Wednesday this is uncharted territory in her over two decades there.

Weve never lost federal funding before, said Brown. Its about $215,000 for this fiscal year.

Brown said that accounts for about 8-10% of KGOUs budget. She stressed how vital the service is to Oklahomans across the state, especially in rural areas that may not have the same level of access to valuable resources if cuts have to be made.

KGOU staff spread awareness of funding pitfalls during donation drive Wednesday. IMAGE KFOR.

Commendation from Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating recognizes KGOUs work during 1995 Bombing. IMAGE KFOR.

KGOU entrance on University of Oklahoma campus. IMAGE KFOR.

KGOU on-air booth during fundraising drive Wednesday. IMAGE KFOR.

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When weather comes, thats very important, said Brown. Internet might go downor they dont have the internet. So, an over the air broadcast is is very important for folks, and oftentimes they dont have the electricity to operate their television station, but they can listen to a battery operated radio.

OMRF speaks out on impacts of NIH budget cut proposal

News 4 reached out to OETA Wednesday for comment on its financial challenges due to funding cuts. A spokesperson shared the following statement from Friends of OETA, Inc. Board President Garrett King:

Unfortunately, Congress has approved a detrimental claw back of previously authorized federal investments in local public television stations like OETA. Friends of OETA, Inc. will work closely with the OETA Board of Directors, executive leaders, and state lawmakers to fully assess the impacts of this disappointing and unnecessary action. We are committed to keeping OETA on-mission and delivering important public safety and educational services to all Oklahomans as we have for over seven decades. Garrett King, Board President, Friends of OETA, Inc.

Classical KUCO also responded to the funding cuts July 18:

While much of the focus has been on the impact of this legislation on national news providers, it has consequences for non-news stations like KUCO that do not carry NPR programming and offer no national political content. We exist solely to serve our metro and rural communities through music, cultural programming and education. Jeff Hagy, General Manager, KUCO

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Brady Boyd, senior pastor at New Life Church in Colorado Springs for nearly 18 years, has resigned, according to three employees, each who asked not to be named to protect their jobs.

Associate Senior Pastor Daniel Grothe has been named interim, sources said. In addition to his pastoral work, Grothe is described on New Life Churchs website as being a speaker, drummer and author of two books.

Congregants will learn more on Sunday about Boyds departure and whats ahead for New Life, according to Blake Cataldo, an executive pastor.

The churchs elders will release a statement then, he said.

The evangelical megachurch headquartered on Voyager Parkway in northeastern Colorado Springs has more than 15,000 members in eight congregations across El Paso County.

Grothe did not respond to an email seeking comments about the situation. The Gazette left a phone message and a text for Boyd, who also did not reply to a request for an interview.

Boyd has come under scrutiny after allegations surfaced in court documents that were recently presented in a lawsuit filed in Texas, claiming Boyd had known about sexual encounters with a minor by his previous boss, Robert Morris.

Morris, who founded Gateway Church near Dallas in 2000, resigned a year ago after admitting to inappropriate sexual behavior in the 1980s, following a public announcement by the victim, Cindy Clemishire, who was 12 years old at the time the alleged abuse began.

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Morris is facing five criminal charges related to sexual contact with a child but also is suing his former church in a dispute over his retirement benefits. Materials presented in the latter case state that Boyd was aware of emails and other communication about the situation involving Morris.

But Boyd told congregants on June 8, observed in many Christian churches as Pentecost, marking Jesus imparting of the Holy Spirit on his disciples, that he learned of the issue for the first time upon Morris public confession last year.

Boyd said he had been shocked to hear about it.

A few other local pastors told The Gazette earlier this week that they had reason to believe that Boyd was lying about what he knew, and they called for an investigation into the matter.

The circumstances surrounding this weeks departure of Boyd are unclear.

Hes the churchs second senior pastor to leave in a cloud of moral uncertainty. New Life Churchs founder, Ted Haggard, relinquished his position in November 2006 as head of the church he started, after a male prostitute said publicly that he and Haggard had been having sexual relations for three years and that Haggard had been using crystal methamphetamine. Haggard denied the claims.

New accusations about Haggard surfaced in 2022, when several minors and adults told The Gazette that Haggard had continued his illicit behavior of drug use and sexual contact with males, after he started a new church in Colorado Springs. Haggard denied those claims as well.
Student proficiency scores are likely to drop when reading and math test scores are released Friday, officials said.

It doesnt actually mean students got less smart this year compared to last year, said Megan Oftedal, executive director of Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability. Its really just that the standard for the cut scores last year, the bar was lower.

Educators and parents will have more transparent information about where students stand with proficiency, and it can spark conversations about what students need to be ready for college or a career, Oftedal said.

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The goal is to provide a more accurate comparison of how Oklahoma public school students are performing versus their national peers, she said.

Oklahomas Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability in May returned the academic expectations for student scores to 2023 levels, a year after the state quietly lowered the bar that public school students must achieve to be considered proficient. The proficiency expectations, or cut scores, set the standard of what knowledge students should be able to demonstrate on annual state tests to be considered proficient.

Oftedals agency advised that this years results should not be directly compared to last years as the 2024 expectations were an outlier developed using a process that did not incorporate national comparisons.

More: Oklahoma schools rank 50th in the nation in latest education quality study

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Preliminary Oklahoma School Testing Program scores for grade school students will be available to educators Friday and to parents Aug. 1.

School report cards could also be impacted, Oftedal said, and its likely a decline in school scores will be reflected there as well.

Quinton Hitchcock, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma State Department of Education, declined to answer questions about potential declines in scores or how it could affect school accreditation as the scores have yet to be released.

The now defunct expectations created a divergence between the states expectations and national testing standards, which is called an honesty gap.

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Oklahoma worked to close the gap beginning in 2017 by aligning with national standards, but the gap widened again in 2024 when new benchmarks were approved.

Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma student test scores expected to drop this year, officials say
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  After nearly 20 years of community leadership, United Way of Champaign Countys President and CEO Sue Grey will retire.

Grey announced Thursday morning that she will step down from the role after the organizations annual meeting in March, 2026.

Champaign-Urbana organizations band together, offer pop-up shelter during heat wave

She has been a lifelong resident of Champaign and got involved with United Way back in 2006. Since then, she has worked to make a lasting impact on the community, bringing people and resources together to create meaningful change.

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Sues leadership has shaped United Way into a powerful, responsive force for good in Champaign County, United Way Board Chair Lisa Rector said in a news release. Her impact on our organization and our community is immeasurable, and we are deeply grateful for her vision, her compassion, and her unwavering commitment.

Outside of her involvement with United Way, Grey has contributed more than 38 years of service to the Champaign County Community. She previously worked with the Champaign Park District and was CEO of the Green Meadows Girl Scout Council. Grey also served for five years on the Champaign Unit 4 School Board  two of which she was Board President for  spent time with Leadership Illinois, and contributed to several other local organizations, such as the Executive Club of Champaign County, Chapter HI of PEO, and the University of Illinois Board of Visitors for Applied Health Sciences.

Following Greys retirement, a celebration will take place to honor her career sometime in the spring next year, with more details to be announced at a later time.

This work has been one of the greatest joys of my life, Grey said. Im proud of what weve built together, and I know the mission will continue to grow in impact. United Way is in strong hands, and the future is bright for our community.

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As for who will step into the role of President and CEO next  that process has already started, and anyone interested can send a cover letter and resume to Lisa Rector at lisa@rectorteam.com.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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CHILLUM, Md. (DC News Now)  The Prince Georges Park Police is investigating a Wednesday shooting that left one man hurt.

According to police, officers responded to reports of a shooting at 7 p.m. in a park on West Park Drive and Fordham Street in the Chillum area.

An initial investigation discovered that three people were walking when two people approached them, striking one person.

Person airlifted to hospital after shooting involving officer in St. Marys County

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The victim was then transported to the hospital, according to police.

Police say they are searching for two suspected shooters who fled the scene on bicycles.

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Just 13 percent of voters in a new survey said they think the Trump administration has been open and transparent with information in its probe of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epsteins case.

The Fox News poll, released late Wednesday, shows Republicans were more favorable in assessing the Trump administrations handling of whats been dubbed the Epstein files, but 60 percent of GOP respondents said they do not think the administration has been transparent.

Meanwhile, 74 percent of Democrats and 64 percent of independents said they didnt think the president had been open and transparent, according to the survey.

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Epstein, who was known in elite circles in New York and Florida, died in a New York City jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. He was a former associate of Trump, but the two had a falling out decades ago.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI concluded its probe earlier this month, finding that Epstein didnt have a client list that would connect his crimes to anyone else.

Congress has become bogged down amid pressure to release more information on the case, though. House lawmakers left for their August recess as Democrats sought to force the release of more documents through efforts at the Capitol.

Theres no purpose for the Congress to push an administration to do something theyre already doing, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told reporters during a news conference Wednesday.

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Johnson added that the lower chamber would take appropriate action when it returns this fall if the Trump administration does not release more information.

The latest poll also found that 19 percent of respondents surveyed said they had not been following the Epstein case, including a quarter of independents.

Fox News surveyed 1,000 registered voters across the country from July 18-21, and the poll has a margin of error of 3 percentage points.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Another Ontario County official is weighing in on the controversy surrounding a workplace party at the county courthouse that allegedly involved alcohol during business hours.

On Wednesday, Board of Supervisors Chairman Jared Simpson released a statement defending the boards internal investigation into the 2024 Fall Fest celebration, saying the process has been fair, thorough, and appropriate.

We reject District Attorney Jim Ritts recent characterization of the investigation as corrupt or politically motivated, Simpson wrote. These assertions are both unfounded and inaccurate.

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Ontario County DA responds to Fall Fest allegations in press conference

Ritts, who is seeking re-election in November, accused his general election opponent, Assistant District Attorney Jason MacBride, of not being honest about his involvement in previous Fall Fest events. He made those remarks following the release of the boards investigative report, which did not name MacBride.

In response to Simpsons statement, Ritts reiterated his position, saying Wednesday, I stand by my characterization of the investigation. There is more to come which I firmly believe the voters in Ontario County need to know before November.

Ritts will appear on the ballot under the Conservative Party line after losing the Republican primary to MacBride in June.

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Attorneys handling the case of two men accused of killing a local rapper over a diss track finished giving jurors their opening statements Wednesday evening.

Charles McCormick Jr.  better known as Lil Buck  was shot and killed in 2020 in what investigators believe was a gang-related attack outside an Arlington shopping center.

Hakeem Robinson - also known as Ksoo - and Leroy Whitaker are being tried together with separate juries.

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RELATED: What to know as accused Jacksonville gang members at the center of deadly drill rap beef go on trial

Robinson is charged with

1st degree murder

While Whitaker is charged with

1st degree murder

burglary with assault or battery

home invasion robbery

Both Robinson and Whitaker are alleged to be a part of the ATK gang.

Investigators allege Robinson and Whitaker sought to kill McCormick Jr. because he made a rap song that dissed the late rapper Willie Addision (Big Goon), who is also Robinsons half-brother.

During opening statements, both Robinsons and Whitakers attorneys alluded that the states evidence in this case came as a result of plea deals, including with Robinsons dad, Abdul Robinson Sr., and suspect Dominique Barner.

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Youre going to learn that Blue (Abdul Robinson Sr.), this aint his first time cooperating with law enforcement. Hes done that before. So he has experience. He knows that when hes in trouble and hes caught, if I say what the government wants to hear, I get out. Hes done it before and hes going to do it again in this courtroom, said Tara Kawass, Defense attorney for Hakeem Robinson.

What youre going to learn is that Dominique Barner came in on January 15th, and he told just enough about himself to get him off this case, said Julie Schlax, Attorney for Leroy Whitaker. They let him go.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

During the prosecutions opening statements, Assistant State Attorney Joel Cooper said that the evidence will show the motivation behind the murder.

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This was a group of individuals who knew one another, were close to one another, that were family. Every single one of them that participated in this crime, were members of ATK. The local rap group. All but one of them were related by blood, said Joel Cooper, Assistant State Attorney.

Day 4 of the trial continues tomorrow. Action News Jax will be in the courtroom.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

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Editors note: This story was updated to correct the location of the NATO summit. We regret the error.

President Trumps return to office has marked a fundamental departure from conventional foreign policy approaches that have dominated Washington for decades.

His first six months demonstrate how unorthodox methods  transactional negotiations, direct pressure and strategic leverage  can achieve breakthroughs that traditional diplomatic playbooks consistently failed to deliver.

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The results challenge long-held assumptions about international relations. Where successive administrations have relied on multilateral consensus-building and careful diplomatic protocol, Trump has moved decisively to address longstanding challenges through direct engagement and clear incentives.

The outcomes speak for themselves: concrete achievements that decades of conventional wisdom could not produce.

The June NATO summit in The Hague exemplifies this transformation. Trump secured an unprecedented agreement from member nations to increase defense spending to 3.5 percent of GDP by 2035, with Poland, Estonia, and Lithuania committing to reach 5 percent within the decade. This represents the largest collective defense spending increase since the alliances founding.

For decades, American presidents from both parties have struggled to convince NATO allies to shoulder more of the defense burden. George W. Bush, Barack Obama and others made passionate appeals with minimal results.

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Trumps direct pressure on individual leaders  including frank conversations about the consequences of continued free-riding  achieved what 20 years of diplomatic consensus-building could not.

The breakthrough reveals how Trumps willingness to challenge diplomatic norms can produce substantive results. When allies understand that Americas patience with free-riding has limits, they respond accordingly.

Perhaps nowhere is Trumps departure from conventional wisdom more evident than in Iran policy. His coordination with Israel on strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities in July set back Tehrans nuclear program by up to two years according to Pentagon officials cited by Reuters  a more concrete achievement than decades of sanctions and diplomatic engagement that was slow-walking Tehran to having a nuclear bomb.

This wasnt reckless escalation  it was calculated deterrence after years of failed accommodation strategies that spanned multiple administrations. Irans subsequent diplomatic overtures to European partners suggest the strikes achieved their intended effect.

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Where traditional approaches allowed Irans regional influence to grow unchecked, Trumps decisive action has forced Tehran to recalculate its strategic position.

The success challenges the foreign policy establishments preference for extended diplomatic processes over direct action. Sometimes, as Trump demonstrates, credible threats require credible follow-through.

Immigration policy demonstrates another area where Trumps approach has succeeded.

New agreements with Mexico and Central American nations include enhanced enforcement provisions and expanded return protocols, contributing to a more than 90 percent reduction in detected border crossings in May compared to the previous year, according to Department of Homeland Security data.

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The key difference lies in leverage. Trump used trade access and visa negotiations to secure these commitments, demonstrating that Americas economic power can be an effective diplomatic tool.

Mexico agreed to deploy additional forces along its southern border in exchange for streamlined trade procedures  a classic win-win arrangement that Bidens team never successfully negotiated.

This success highlights a broader truth about international relations: Countries respond to clear incentives and consequences. When America articulates its interests clearly and backs them with appropriate leverage, even reluctant partners find ways to cooperate.

Trumps approach to Africa represents a fundamental departure from the aid-focused diplomacy that characterized previous administrations. Rather than continental tours filled with promises of development assistance, Trump has hosted five African leaders at the White House in recent months, emphasizing trade and investment opportunities.

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This shift addresses a critical gap in American foreign policy. While recent presidents maintained traditional approaches that often created dependency relationships, Trump is building partnerships based on mutual economic interest.

Early agreements with Liberia and Senegal focus on critical mineral extraction and energy partnerships  arrangements that benefit both American businesses and African development.

The message is clear: America seeks partners, not dependents. By reframing relationships around mutual economic interest rather than charity, Trump is building more sustainable and dignified partnerships.

Perhaps most surprisingly, Trumps tough approach has yielded diplomatic breakthroughs that eluded his predecessor. In late June, he hosted talks between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo that produced a cease-fire agreement including troop withdrawals and commitments to joint economic development.

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The success came from Trumps willingness to use Americas full diplomatic and economic weight  not to lecture, but to incentivize. This contrasts sharply with Bidens reactive approach to international crises, which often left the U.S. struggling to respond effectively to fast-moving global events.

As we assess these first six months, the question isnt whether Trumps methods conform to diplomatic norms  its whether they work. The evidence suggests they do.

In a world where traditional institutions struggle to address complex challenges, Trumps transactional approach offers a compelling alternative. His first six months suggest that sometimes bold action succeeds where diplomatic convention fails.

Kurt Davis Jr. is a Millennium Fellow at the Atlantic Council and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is also an advisor to private, public, and state-owned companies and their boards as well as creditors across the globe on a range of transactions.

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Americas public forests are under assault. We have already seen the massive timber harvests called for by President Trumps executive order, the elimination of the Roadless Rule, and the gutting of wildlife protection efforts.

Those are the broad stokes, but there are also finer maneuvers underway, such as abandoning the traditional practice whereby forest personnel paint-mark the trees selected for cutting, handing those decisions over instead to the timber companies themselves. Or the various subsections that keep popping up in the Big Beautiful Bill  for example, giving timber companies an option to pay for hastened environmental review and defunding endangered species recovery efforts. It also arbitrarily requires the Forest Service to increase harvests by 250 million acres annually for nine years.

This is the context within which we must now view the Fix Our Forests Act, a logging-in-the-name-of-fire-prevention bill, stuffed with provisions that significantly override scientific and citizen review. If it passes, those overrides would be handed over to an administration that has made clear its ambition to log, baby, log using whatever tools of governance it can. For the next three and a half years, the Fix Our Forest Act would be the Trump Our Forests Act.

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Trump is wasting no time opening the forests to extraction, yet his two main vehicles  the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management  are somewhat limited in their authority as federal agencies. Many of Trumps ambitions are therefore vulnerable to legal challenge by the citizenry.

This is where the Fix Our Forests Act comes in. By putting the environmental overrides and judicial constraints into statute, Congress imbues these agencies with greater legal authority, significantly raising the legal bar for citizen redress.

That so many Democrats appear willing to go along with this is nothing less than astonishing, especially given that just last year Senate Democrats shot the bill down, largely due to those very overrides of citizen control. Why the sudden acquiescence? Lets call it a political fear of fire.

When Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), an enthusiastic Fix Our Forests Act supporter, introduced the bill for the May 6 Senate Agriculture Committee hearing, she invoked growing threats across the nation, putting wavering Democrats in the difficult position of looking soft on wildfire. She then linked the Fix Our Forests Act to the horrific January fires in Los Angeles, which were still burning when Fix Our Forests Act proponents rushed a revised version of the bill through the House to capitalize on the tragedy.

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It was a deceitful move, though. The Fix Our Forests Act, which focuses on logging in the backcountry, would have done nothing for the people of Los Angeles. The fires they suffered were grassland and chaparral fires on non-federal land and spread from building to building in the city.

This sort of mismatch between claim and reality appears throughout the Fix Our Forests Act. It claims to be about fire reduction, yet it allows harvest of a forests most fire-resilient trees  the larger, mature ones. It claims to be science based yet ignores science which draws different conclusions. It claims to protect communities from fire yet focuses mostly on wildlands logging far from human settlement.

There seems to be some confusion as well. One of the main arguments against the fuels reduction narrative, is that its not fuels but climatic conditions  hot, dry, windy  that precipitate fire. Yet Klobuchar made her case for the Fix Our Forest Act by citing Rising temperatures, drier summers, longer fire seasons and earlier snow melt In other words, climate. In fact, many studies show that industrial scale thinning, by exposing soil to sunlight, exacerbates the very climatic conditions Klobuchar referred to  heat, desiccation and wind.

To be sure, real people are in real danger. But as it turns out, theres already a bill to help them. The Community Protection and Wildfire Resilience Act provides designated funding to actual communities to do the things that will truly provide protection, such as hardening homes, improving emergency escape and access, and treating the land immediately around the communities themselves, all while using the process to lower insurance premiums. That bill has been held back in favor of the Fix Our Forest Act, with nary a peep from Democrats.

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Fear of fire is understandable, but political fear of fire  following the political winds on a bill that strips citizens of their ability to contest logging on millions of acres of maturing forest  isnt. If Democrats then hand such a bill to an administration that shows clear contempt for public process and governance, they will betray their own tradition of environmental stewardship.

Democrats have been looking pretty hapless lately. Heres their chance to show some grit, by saying no to the Fix Our Forest Act and championing the Community Protection and Wildfire Resilience Act, which puts people and forests first, not industry profits.

Rob Lewis writes about the living basis of climate at his Substack newsletter, The Climate According to Life. Author of the poem/essay collection The Silence of Vanishing Things, he publishes regularly in local, regional and national news and literary outlets on matters of land protection and restoration.

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The Pentagon on Monday confirmed plans to pull 700 Marines out of Los Angeles, following the withdrawl of 2,000 National Guard troops last weeka quiet but meaningful retreat after their deployment in response to unrest tied to protests against immigration raids. California Governor Gavin Newsom fought the deployment legally and publicly. And won. While most national Democrats still struggle to counter the Trump administrations authoritarian edicts and escalating rhetoric, Newsom is meme-ing his way through MAGA threats with zero-f--ks energy. Hes not just governing, hes trolling with purpose.

Last week, he lit up Trumps weird Truth Social post about Coke with a perfect burn: Oh thank God! Weve forgotten about the Epstein files now! He forced Fox News Jesse Watters into delivering a rare on-air apology for following incorrect reporting on his and Trumps contact amid those protests. And instead of accepting it and moving on, Newsom doubled downreposting the clip, mocking Watters and calling out Fox for its pattern of lies. It was classic Newsom: zero deference and absolutely no letting it slide.

Thats what makes Newsom different from your average social media warrior: hes got the juice to back up the jokes. As governor of the worlds fourth-largest economy, Newsom is wielding Californias $4.1 trillion GDP like a policy sledgehammer. When he threatened to withhold state contracts from companies that had cooperated with the immigration raids (as he did with tech firms supplying data to ICE) or when Californias aggressive emissions standards push automakers to rewrite national manufacturing plans, thats not posturing. Thats power.

Newsoms not always on targetsometimes hes just the guy who brings a frisbee to a knife fight. But better that than bringing a wellness retreat brochure. Pictured above: President Donald Trump shakes hands with California Gov. Gavin Newsom upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport on January 24, 2025, to visit the region devastated by the Palisades and Eaton fires. / MANDEL NGAN / AFP via Getty Images

When Trump tried to weaponize federal highway funding against sanctuary cities, Newsom doubled down rhetorically, defending Californias existing protections for undocumented immigrants and daring the feds to follow through. They didnt. (Federal courts subsequently blocked the funding threats as unconstitutional.)

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Whats striking about Newsoms approach is that he understands something many Democrats miss: Trump doesnt respond to policy arguments. He responds to public humiliation. Hes endlessly fragile, easily baited and obsessed with appearances. While others issue careful statements about concerns, Newsom goes straight for the ego. Its strategic pettiness that creates narrative control, forcing Republicans to respond to his framing instead of the other way around.

Newsom isnt without his missteps, like his reach-across-the-aisle podcast which featured interviews with MAGA figures including Steve Bannon and Charlie Kirk. Many on the left felt betrayed by the idea of platforming such voices, and many on the right mocked him for it anyway. But he hasnt walked it back. If anything, hes leaned in, more recently bringing on guests like Newt Gingrich, Dr. Phil and Frank Luntz alongside more familiar names like Ezra Klein or Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Its a high-risk strategy that frustrates both sides, but maybe thats exactly what makes Newsom hard to categorize, and hard to take down: Hell go where other Democrats wont, even if it gets him scorched in the process.

The broader implications are impossible to ignore. As Democrats look toward 2028, Newsom represents a post-Obama approach. Its less when they go low, we go high, and more when they go low, we go lower but smarter. Newsom knows hes got the higher ground either way, and lets be honest: Trump cant limbo with those cankles.

Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast/Getty

The risk is that his tactics might not translate nationally. But that assumes Democrats biggest problem is being too aggressive, rather than too passive. After years of bringing fact-checkers to culture wars, maybe the party needs someone willing to fight fire with napalm.

We dont need saints right now. We need skilled, petty, law-literate chaos agents with good hair and a killer social media team. Newsom isnt perfecthell flirt with cringe now and thenbut he doesnt flinch when its time to fight. He may not be president (yet), but hes giving America something it sorely needs: a Democrat who actually hits back, and enjoys it.
In the twilight of the Cold War, the Wests resurgence was defined by the extraordinary partnership between President Ronald Reagan, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Pope John Paul II.

Their alliance  grounded in a shared vision of political freedom, faith and economic liberty  reshaped the world. Today, as President Trump works to remake Americas place in the world and Pope Leo launches his papacy with strong calls for human dignity in the AI era, one wonders who in Europe can rise to the moment as Thatcher once did.

The answer, increasingly, seems to be Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

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The 2020s are witnessing the rise of a new transatlantic alliance in which Meloni is poised to play the pivotal European role. As the continents political center struggles with fragmentation and fatigue, Meloni has emerged not just as a survivor, but as the most powerful person in Europe, a bridge between Washington and Brussels and the architect of a new conservative order.

Why does Meloni matter now? Recall what made the Thatcher-Reagan partnership so exceptional. Thatcher was not Reagans sidekick but his intellectual peer and sometimes his challenger. Both leaders were outsiders who stormed the establishment, preaching the virtues of free enterprise and national renewal. Their rapport was legendary, rooted in mutual respect, frequent communication and a willingness to push each other toward bolder action.

Thatchers influence was felt not only in her steadfast support for Reagans confrontation with the Soviet Union but also in her ability to shape his thinking. Their partnership was not frictionless; disagreements over the Falklands, Grenada and economic policy occasionally flared, but their unity was a force multiplier for the Western world.

Fast forward to 2025, and Europe is searching for a new Thatcher  a leader with the vision, resolve and political skill to partner with an assertive America. Enter Meloni, Italys first female prime minister.

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Melonis rise is Thatcherite in its improbability. Once dismissed as a neo-fascist firebrand, she has transformed her Brothers of Italy party from the fringes to the mainstream, presiding over a stable government in a country known for its political chaos. Her coalition dominates Italian politics, and her approval ratings have remained robust even as she pursues controversial reforms.

What sets Meloni apart, however, is her growing stature on the world stage. She has become the European leader most closely aligned with Trump, earning his praise and trust. She was the only EU head of government invited to Trumps 2025 inauguration  a symbolic nod to her emerging role as the continents conservative standard-bearer.

The parallels with the Reagan-Thatcher era are striking. Like Thatcher, Meloni is a conviction politician with a talent for coalition-building and a knack for bending events to her will. She has used her position to shift the European debate on migration, security and sovereignty  championing policies that have been adopted, in some form, by Brussels and emulated by other European leaders.

Melonis diplomatic skills have also been on display in her dealings with Washington and Brussels. She has managed to maintain Italys support for Ukraine and NATO while also cultivating ties with Trumps inner circle and other right-wing populists. Her ability to bridge the gap between an increasingly nationalist America and a fragmented Europe is reminiscent of Thatchers role as the indispensable transatlantic interlocutor.

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Of course, the analogy is not perfect. Melonis Italy is not the U.K. of the 1980s, and todays geopolitical landscape is more multipolar. Thatchers Britain was a nuclear power and Americas closest ally. Melonis Italy, while influential, does not command the same global clout. Europe today is more fractured, and the threats it faces  migration, energy insecurity, technological disruption  are different from the existential menace of Soviet communism.

Yet Melonis impact is undeniable. She has demonstrated that European leaders can still shape the global agenda, provided they combine ideological clarity with political pragmatism. Like Thatcher, Meloni is willing to challenge orthodoxy and take risks, even at the cost of controversy.

As Trump seeks to recast Americas role in the world, he needs a European partner who is more than a cheerleader  someone who can match him in vision and tenacity. Meloni, with her blend of conviction, charisma and strategic sense, is uniquely positioned to play that part.

The Reagan-Thatcher-John Paul II alliance changed the course of history. Whether Meloni and Trump can forge a partnership of similar consequence remains to be seen. But as Europes new power broker, Meloni has already shown she is ready to step onto the world stage  and perhaps, like Thatcher before her, help shape the destiny of the West.

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Vilda Westh Blanc is a collegiate associate at the Manhattan Institute, where Tim Rosenberger is a legal policy fellow.

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Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., published a post on X on Tuesday condemning the Houses recent passage of a defense spending bill that included a new round of military aid to Israel. The genocide of the people of Gaza continues as members of Congress vote to fund Israels defensive and offensive military capabilities. This is immoral and no amount of excuses will ever make it ok, she wrote.

At first glance, the post might appear to be a standard criticism of bipartisan support for the steady flow of U.S. aid to Israel from a left-wing member of Congress. But one word signals its more than just that  Omars mention of defensive capabilities also serves as a pointed critique of one of her closest colleagues and ideological allies in the House: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

The two members of the squad of progressive lawmakers are among the most vocal critics of Israel on the Hill. But theyve diverged recently on the issue of whether the U.S. should fund Israels missile defense systems, including Iron Dome, which uses missiles to intercept incoming rockets and other short-range aerial threats to Israel.

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., proposed an amendment to the defense spending bill designed to cut $500 million for Israels missile defense. (She also proposed several other amendments on foreign aid designed to, among other things, cut off aid to Ukraine and disaster relief for foreign countries.) Greenes Israel amendment only received votes from the libertarian-leaning Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and a handful of progressive lawmakers: Omar, Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Summer Lee of Pennsylvania, and Al Green of Texas.

Ocasio-Cortez voted against the amendment. (She also voted against the defense spending bill that it was proposed to be added to, in line with most Democrats.) She posted on X that she voted against the amendment because it does nothing to cut off offensive aid to Israel nor end the flow of US munitions being used in Gaza. She also said: I have long stated that I do not believe that adding to the death count of innocent victims to this war is constructive to its end and that she remains focused on cutting the flow of US munitions that are being used to perpetuate the genocide in Gaza.

To summarize: Ocasio-Cortez supports aiding Israels defensive capabilities, but not its offensive capabilities. Omar opposes both. But Omar is on stronger ground.

Omars position is in line with the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions campaign against Israel, much of which is modeled off of international efforts to end apartheid in South Africa. It holds that the U.S. needs to end all aid to Israel  and sanction it  in order to pressure it to drop apartheid policies and end its horrifying military campaign in Gaza, which is currently weaponizing mass starvation and frequently shooting people seeking what little food is available. Israel has been the largest cumulative recipient of U.S. foreign aid since the country was founded and receives billions of dollars a year from the U.S. in military aid. Keeping some support flowing to Israel would not be a strong rebuke to the country.

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Ocasio-Cortezs counter is that the Iron Dome helps keep the total number of deaths in the Israel-Hamas conflict down by protecting innocent Israelis. But the notion that more Israeli lives will be saved by continuing to provide it with unlimited packages of aid for defensive military capabilities, with virtually no strings attached, gets the story backward. Further fortifying Israel would still embolden the country to carry on with the belligerent behavior thats putting its citizens in danger.

That's because funding Israel's defensive capabilities still helps keep its high-octane war machine running. Israel is a nuclear-armed regional hegemon with an OECD economy that is relentlessly striking out at its adversaries and causing massive civilian deaths in the region. It has decimated Hamas through a horrifying military operation which human rights experts and genocide scholars have deemed genocidal. Recently Israel has bombed and killed civilians in Lebanon. It has bombed and killed civilians in Iran. It has bombed and killed civilians in Syria. Giving Israel unlimited defensive support is not a neutral position. It is an intervention, one which would still help enable the most powerful country in the Middle East to carry out war crimes in the region with more confidence and less concern about the inevitable blowback for its conduct.

Ocasio-Cortezs position on the Iron Dome now is to the right of her position four years ago. In 2021 she voted present on the matter and wept on the House floor, in what I characterized as a sign that she was leaning more toward the insider track in American politics because it signaled she was afraid to take a clear position on the matter as she ascended within the party. Now her opposition to Greenes amendment  after her mealy mouthed speech on the Israel-Hamas conflict at the Democratic National Convention in 2024  only confirms that reading of her behavior.

It is a shocking statement about America that only a tiny handful of lawmakers are willing to take a realistic position on ending the U.S.-backed genocide. Omar and her colleagues might look "extreme" by the standards of Congress, but it is in fact the rest of the government thats in the extreme by the most basic standards of morality.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
A rule for the ages. This is what Justice Neil Gorsuch claimed the Supreme Court was deciding when it heard oral arguments on President Donald Trump's claim of absolute immunity in April 2024. Two months later, the court did indeed hand down such a rule, endorsing Trumps view that a former president cannot be criminally indicted for official acts carried out during the course of his presidency.

The rationale for granting immunity was ostensibly to protect former presidents; without it, the court argued, prosecutions by current administrations of their predecessors would quickly become routine.

So much for that. President Trumps latest baseless accusations that former President Barack Obama committed treason in investigating Russias election interference in 2016  accusations made by his own director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, and for which his attorney general has created an investigative strike force  shows that, far from deterring such prosecutions, the courts rule for the ages has made them easier.

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Writing for the majority in Trump v. United States, Chief Justice John Roberts invoked separation of powers concerns to justify immunizing the presidents official acts. According to the court, allowing prosecutions of former presidents would chill the functions of the executive branch by making presidents afraid to take bold actions out of fear that they might later be charged with a crime. The due process roadblocks that exist in our criminal justice system, like the requirement of an indictment by a grand jury, were not enough to protect the presidents unique position in the Constitutional scheme, in the Courts view. In other words, a former president is no ordinary defendant.

On the surface, the courts rule makes sense, in a Jedi-mind-trick kind of way. And from the vantage point of June 2024, it seemed like, in the event of a Trump win in the presidential election later that year, the decision would prevent him from using his law enforcement powers to target his predecessors. In fact, Obamas investigation into an attack by a foreign adversary on the U.S. electoral system is precisely the kind of core Article II function that should be absolutely immune from prosecution.

But there are two important nuances to the courts sweeping rule that makes it easier for Trump to go after his predecessors.

The first is that the court took any inquiry into the presidents motive for using his official levers of power off the table. You might remember this as the Seal Team Six hypothetical  for the court, there is no difference between the president using special forces to rescue American hostages or to assassinate his political enemies; both are protected from criminal liability. What this means is that Trump effectively has a green light to use his law enforcement powers for corrupt and personal ends, without any fear that he will be held accountable when he leaves office.

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More importantly, Trump can officially order his underlings to gin up an investigation and even make up evidence. This is exactly what the court decided with respect to Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark, who, under Trumps orders, drafted letters making false claims of voter fraud in several states to convince them to replace their slates of electors. The court concluded that Trump was absolutely immune from criminal prosecution for any conduct related to his authority over prosecutions of the Justice Department, even if they involved sham investigations or ones proposed for an improper purpose.

As it stands, there is absolutely no downside to Trump going after his predecessors or ordering his intelligence and law enforcement authorities to fabricate evidence to substantiate his accusations. It may be true that if Trumps Justice Department were to try to formally indict Obama, the charges would eventually be dismissed by a court on immunity grounds. But there is a long runway from investigation to formal charges, and investigations alone can harass and intimidate subjects, including former presidents. And if Trumps officials can make up evidence of wrongdoing, they can certainly do so regarding allegedly unofficial acts, which would not have any immunity at all.

The only protection afforded by the perverse incentives in the Supreme Courts immunity decision is for bad-faith actors in the Oval Office  something we are seeing play out in real time. Perhaps recognizing the reality of the danger the court created, Obama himself issued a rare statement, countering the allegations made by Trump against him. Unfortunately, the courts rule for the ages  and its attendant consequences  is one that both he and the country are now stuck with.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Like a mythical Phoenix rising from its own ashes, a very real and deadly nuclear weapons program is in danger of resurrecting itself in Iran.

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his hardliners remain undeterred after Israel and the U.S. targeted key nuclear facilities in Fordow, Isfahan and Natanz in June. Abbas Araghchi, Irans foreign minister, admitted this when he told Bret Baier on Fox News that Tehran cannot give up our enrichment.

Araghchi also admitted that Irans facilities have been damaged, seriously damaged, the extent of which is now under evaluation.

President Trump seized on Araghchis talking point. He quickly fired off a Truth Social post declaring, Fake News CNN should immediately fire their phony reporter and apologize to me and the great pilots who OBLITERATED Irans nuclear sites.

Obliterated is a strong word, especially since Irans nuclear weapons program is significantly larger than just three enrichment sites  and Trumps own intelligence community professes uncertainty about how much of Irans program remains.

Likewise, any admission from Araghchi should be treated with skepticism. Although it could be truthful, it also could be intentional deception. After all, Araghchi is the man who repeatedly claimed that Irans nuclear program was peaceful.

Earlier in May, while speaking in Qatar, Araghchi claimed that Tehran was not seeking nukes or other weapons of mass destruction. That briefs well, until you consider that at a maximum, no more than 5 percent highly enriched uranium is needed for nuclear fuel power rods, hospital experiments and radiation equipment. Prior to the Israeli and U.S. strikes, Iran had enriched at least 880 pounds of highly enriched uranium to 60 percent according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Relatively speaking, even if it would take some time for Iran to enrich that stockpile to weapons-grade highly enriched uranium (90 percent )  the amount needed for a modern nuclear missile strike  it could use the 60 percent stockpile it already has to construct Hiroshima-like nuclear bombs.

Iran Watch estimates that Khamenei has enough to build one or more of the gun-type bomb known as Little Boy, the type of used in Hiroshima. It would only take 132 pounds of uranium enriched to 80 percent.

Simply put, Iran likely still has several nuclear options. It is just a question of which route Khamenei opts to take first  the Little Boy route, or the more complex implosion route that would require enriching uranium to 90 percent? Or is it enough for Iran simply to declare itself a nuclear power?

The answer likely comes down to two key areas. How much fissile material does Iran still have after the airstrikes, and what is Tehrans remaining centrifuge capacity to continue enriching uranium?

Notably, while much of the medias attention has been on Khameneis stores of 60 percent highly enriched uranium, we cannot overlook Irans 20 percent and 5 percent stockpiles. Prior to the June strikes, Tehran had 606 pounds of the former and 12,150 pounds of the latter.

Iran Watch ominously warns that 20 percent enriched uranium is approximately 90% of the way to weapon-grade and Irans stockpile would be sufficient to fuel at least two implosion weapons. Plus, if further enriched, eventually Khameneis 5% stockpile could be used to fuel at least 10 implosion weapons.

Determining exactly where these stockpiles are located in Iran is job one for U.S. and Israeli intelligence. Are they buried deep inside the rubble of Isfahan, Fordo and Natanz? Or were they moved prior to the strikes?

Vice President JD Vance argued in late June that their location is a moot point that the only question is whether Iran enriched the uranium to weapons-grade level, and can they convert that fuel into a nuclear weapon?

But this is not the case. Yes, Irans remaining centrifuge capacity is also key, but so too is understanding how much fissile material remains and how long it will take Teheran to retrieve it and begin enriching anew.

Uranium highly enriched to 60 percent is in a gaseous state and can be stored in cylinders approximately the same size of a scuba tank. Moving or hiding some of them could have been as easy as putting them in the back of a small car or SUV.

Iran is not going to give up its nuclear weapons program. Ever since the strikes, it has remained defiant toward Washington. Therefore, the Trump administration must, at a minimum, assume some or all of Irans enriched stockpiles are either retrievable from the rubble or accessible in an unknown location.

Prior to the strikes, Iran Watch reported that Fordow mountain fortress had 2,700 operating gas centrifuges used to enrich uranium. Natanz had 17,000 deep underground and an above-ground facility containing 1,700 gas centrifuges.

The latter above ground facility at Natanz, according to International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi, was destroyed by Israel on June 13. The jury is still out, however, as to how many of Irans underground gas centrifuges remain.

Much of Irans nuclear weapons program was built covertly. It is highly likely that Iran has multiple undeclared centrifuge sites. If so, Iran producing one or two Little Boy-type nukes could be achieved at a minimum  and if needed, Tehran certainly has the technological know-how to build new centrifuges.

The nuclear ashes of this phoenix are very real. Mythology is not required in order for Iran to resurrect its nuclear weapons program.

Russian nuclear scientists pulled from the facilities prior to the airstrikes will likely return to enable Iran. Other aspects of Irans nuclear program were targeted as well by Israel.

Certainly, Tehrans nuclear ambitions have been set back. For instance, at Isfahan, Irans facility that converts enriched uranium gas  a key weaponization component  to metal was partially destroyed by Israel. Nonetheless, it can be easily rebuilt. As Iran Watch notes, only dual-use industrial equipment is needed to rebuild this part of Irans nuclear phoenix. Other aspects of Irans nuclear program were targeted as well by Israel.

Israel eliminated at least 14 Iranian nuclear scientists. Additional Israeli strikes hit the Kermanshah ballistic missile facility, the Khondab nuclear reactor (which could be used to produce plutonium), and critical supporting military bases and research facilities all over Iran.

Yet the head of this Phoenix remains Khamenei. Absent regime change, the Islamic Republic of Iran will aggressively continue to pursue nuclear weapons.

Trump did the right thing in striking Iran. Now he must help Israel finish the job and put an end to the Khamenei regime. As we argued previously, Washington cannot negotiate with evil. It must be defeated.

Mark Toth writes on national security and foreign policy. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Sweet served 30 years as an Army intelligence officer.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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It was an early morning, 12 days and three cities into our summer study abroad, yet my very tired students were at our hostel door, on time and dressed nicely, as warned.

Our group, from a regional state university, had snagged an invitation to the Resilient Europe conference at Pragues 17th century Czernin Palace.

Once there, the students perked up, dazzled by being in the same room as the Czech minister of foreign affairs and 150 other government and non-governmental experts from the European Union and NATO. They were clearly the only college students in the room.

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Later, one student showed me his notes. At the top, hed written simply Russia = Bad. I laughed, but it wasnt untrue.

One after another, government officials from the Czech Republic, Latvia, Ukraine, Moldova, Lithuania and Estonia described relentless Russian election interference. Russian digital misinformation had provoked a 2021 migrant crisis in Europe, which has only worsened since the Russian invasion of Ukraine a year later.

The point of the conference was for participating democracies to learn strategies from one another, because the information arena is a crucial battlefield, one representative said.

Ironically, they announced, the Czech foreign ministrys email account had become the victim of a cyberattack just the night before, albeit by China.

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One of those crucial battlefields in the information arena was our next stop.

We had arranged to visit the headquarters of Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty across town, which was still open only because of a court challenge to the Trump administrations decision to take away its congressionally appropriated funding.

Radio Free Europe, which provides uncensored, trusted news to audiences in 23 countries where a free press is nonexistent or under threat, is still at risk even after furloughing staff, reducing programming and letting go of hundreds of freelancers.

Again, my students were awestruck, but for different reasons. First, by the numerous searches and scans to get into the compound housing the news agency. And second, by the reasons for the high security: Trump isnt the only person who wants to kill it.

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Nineteen of its journalists have been killed  five since 2018  by regimes that do not want their people to have real news. Another three of its journalists remain unjustly imprisoned in Russia, Belarus and Azerbaijan.

Most Americans know little about this historic service because the news it does isnt aimed at us, though it can be accessed in English on the Radio Free Europe website.

My students were clearly proud that the U.S. government pays for real, independent journalism that reaches 47 million people each week in their own languages.

Some of those people find Radio Free Europe at great risk. In Belarus, for instance, just following or liking something on Radio Free Europes social media can land you in prison, we were told. Yet, they dont have any alternative, truthful source of information.

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This means that Radio Free Europes Belarussian journalists (now working in Prague) know they can never go back to their home country without being arrested and imprisoned by a president who doesnt want real news. For doing this job, they might never see their families again.

Our journalists really feel the mission, said Jakub Tesar, the fellowships and academic relations officer for Radio Free Europe. We just always have to make sure the people who work for us understand the risk.

Yet, under President Trump this spring, the U.S. Agency for Global Media inexplicably disconnected satellites carrying Radio Free Europe to Russia, so its reach there has decreased.

Such decisions have thrilled Russia, where regime officials told The Moscow Times that they were glad to see the service defunded, particularly because it reaches Russians without abiding by state censorship.

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The message got through to my students, who called the tour a privilege. One later wrote that a lot of dangerous and powerful people  stand to gain by silencing the truth which these journalists seek out, often causing them to put their lives on the line for their work.

In summing up her study abroad, she wrote that shed found a deeper respect for journalism, which is so much under threat.

I just hope they know that there are people and students (like us) who support the work that they do each and every day, she wrote. I couldnt even imagine cutting funding for an organization that brings unbiased media to places that dont have it.

Cindy Elmore, Ph.D., is a professor in the School of Communication at East Carolina University.

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Demand for electricity is growing in the U.S., including in Utah. Some industry and government leaders claim future needs wont be met without a huge expansion of nuclear power. U.S. reactors have operated since the late 1950s, but never in Utah. The nuclear power experience outside the state raises concerns, which should be understood by Utahs pro-nuclear leaders.

Early in the atomic age, nuclear power was touted as cleaner than oil, coal and gas, and affordable, or too cheap to meter. But reactors failed to live up to the hype. They have been very costly to build and maintain, and posed new dangers. Splitting uranium atoms creates cancer-causing isotopes  the same fallout from atomic bombs. Meltdowns at Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima soured the public, and new reactor orders ceased in the 1970s. The 94 current reactors produce just 18% of the nations electricity. They are aging, and there are no new units under construction. Recently, 13 reactors shut permanently.

As nuclear power stagnated, renewable wind and solar power flourished  now far less expensive than nuclear power and with no public health risk. Last year, renewables generated 24% of U.S. electricity, exceeding both nuclear and coal. Stanford University professor Mark Jacobson projects that all American electricity can be renewable in the next 10 to 20 years.

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As the sun is setting on nuclear power, recent efforts aim to revive it. First came massive state and federal bailouts to keep old, brittle (and money-losing) reactors from closing. Then came proposals to re-start closed reactors, also bolstered by taxpayer funds. Most recently, proposals to build new small modular reactors (SMRs) have been floated.

SMRs are at least 80% smaller than the current fleet of reactors, and are constructed in factories, not on site, giving them the label of modular. Since the 1990s, federal funds have supported SMR research  with no results. Today, the only operating SMRs are one each in Russia and China. But with no demonstration on how well they work, SMRs are being proposed by federal and state officials  including those in Utah.

SMRs in Utah are off to a poor start. In 2015, NuScale Power Corporation proposed six units at a plant, bolstered by a U.S. Energy Department pledge of $1.35 billion. But the original estimated construction cost of $3 billion soared to $9.3 billion by 2023. NuScale was aware of worries over rising expenses by ratepayers, and cancelled the project.

But Utahs leaders arent giving up. In recent months, Utah joined Texas in a lawsuit to loosen federal regulations for licensing SMRs. Governor Spencer Cox proposed using $20.4 million for nuclear power infrastructure, plus $1.8 million for a public relations campaign to educate Utahns about SMRs. The state has also signed four agreements with nuclear companies.

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Even though Utah has never operated a nuclear reactor, it has a lengthy history with the atom. Utah received more fallout from above-ground nuclear weapons tests in the Cold War than any other state. Southwest Utah was hardest hit, but all parts of the state were exposed to high levels. Utah has also mined uranium used in bombs and reactors.

Both bomb fallout and uranium mining raised cancer rates in Utah. Research has shown that cancer rates in areas near U.S. reactors increase over time, and that levels of radioactive Strontium-90  the same chemical so feared during atom bomb testing  is highest in baby teeth of children living near reactors. Do Utahns want to repeat this experience?

Backers claim SMRs are a new and different from existing reactors. But they use the same process of splitting uranium atoms that generate over 100 radioactive chemicals like Sr-90, and creating the same health hazards that have existed since the 1950s. Some radioactivity is routinely released into local air, water and food, with the rest being stored at plants for thousands of years. And a catastrophic meltdown is still possible.

SMRs offer nothing to ease long-standing concerns about nuclear reactors. They are very costly, and create a risk to public health. Renewable energy, especially solar power, is growing rapidly. It costs much less than nuclear power, and poses no public health risk. Public support for future energy in Utah should be placed squarely behind renewables, and not nuclear power.
ILULISSAT, GREENLAND  Just after midday, we gripped the worn rope handles of a dogsled as 11 dogs surged across the frozen tundra of Western Greenland, inside the Arctic Circle. The wind lashed our faces, while the mushers sharp cries  quick bursts of Yip! Yip! and a trilled Drrrrr!  rose above the steady crunch of paws on snow.

Our musher, Mamarut Nielsen, moved with grace, leaping off the sled to guide it over bare patches and exposed rock, then slipping back on without breaking stride. He snapped his whip gently for direction, but the dogs hardly needed it. They knew the way.

After two hours, we stopped for a mountain view overlooking a field of icebergs. As the dogs rested, Mamarut handed us hot chocolate and described each dog  this one was the alpha, that one was rising in rank. The dogs, all male, swarmed us affectionately.

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Mamarut spoke with pride. His father and grandfather had hunted seals, narwhals, even polar bears. But at age 14, Mamarut told his father he wanted a different life.

Today, Mamarut works for Diskobay Tours in Ilulissat, offering tourists (and visiting journalists) a glimpse of an Inuit tradition thats increasingly difficult to maintain. He speaks Greenlandic and fluent English  learned not from school nor from Danish instruction, but from video games and podcasts. He now translates for visiting film crews and tourists.

This is no longer about survival. Its about preserving a culture, handed down but steadily fading.

Our excursion connected us to the ancient traditions of Greenland. We landed in Greenland as President Trumps audacious suggestion to buy or annex the island was still reverberating across the Arctic.

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In May, U.S. officials reportedly began exploring a Compact of Free Association with Greenland  an agreement that could give Washington greater strategic access in exchange for services like defense and visa-free travel, similar to U.S. arrangements with certain Pacific Island nations.

And in June, Trump ordered U.S. forces in Greenland to be transferred from the U.S. European Command to the U.S. Northern Command. The move tightens Americas grip on Arctic defense at a time of escalating global conflict.

But beneath the geopolitics lies a more complex story of a society at a crossroads, balancing centuries-old traditions with the pressures of modern life. The tension between self-rule and colonial legacy, environmental preservation and resource extraction, is reshaping not only Greenlands economy and environment but also its sense of identity.

In Nuuk, Greenlands capital, modernity rises beside the remnants of a colonial past. Austere concrete apartment blocks from the mid-20th century stand beside new housing built for members of the Inatsisartut, Greenlands parliament. Theres a sleek new international airport and a modern university specializing in Arctic research. Even the cemeteries are labeled old and new.

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Greenlands economy has long relied on fishing, propped up by an annual block grant of about $600 million from Denmark, Greenlands former colonial ruler. Although Greenland governs its own domestic affairs, Denmark retains control over its courts, foreign policy and defense. Polls indicate that 84 percent of Greenlanders support independence from Denmark. And parties favoring independence made gains in Greenlands national elections in March.

Because Greenlands path to independence runs through economic self-sufficiency, many Greenlanders would welcome increased trade, including closer ties with the U.S. A new economy is emerging, driven by tourism and mineral wealth, but shadowed by fears of cultural loss and environmental cost.

Greenlands challenge is to bridge the old and the new  to preserve traditional livelihoods not as relics, but as living parts of a modern, sovereign economy.

Sofie Amondsen at Kittat, a museum of Greenlandic clothing in Nuuk (Bethany Williams)

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In Nuuk, a young woman named Sofie showed us some of the traditional Inuit sealskin clothing she sews and teaches others to make. She sometimes hunts and skins the seals herself. After studying further north, she began working at Kittat, a museum in Nuuk that showcases traditional Greenlandic clothes.

As it has for Mamarut, language fluency has expanded Sofies options. For me, because I can speak Danish and a bit English, Ive been invited to Nunavut, Alaska and Norway to do sewing workshops, she told us.

For Sofies mothers generation, wearing traditional sealskin clothing was a sign of poverty. But that stigma is fading. Young people are becoming more curious about the traditional clothes designed for the Arctic climate. With outside interest in Inuit traditions on the rise, Sofie believes the government may finally feel pressure to invest in cultural preservation. Im so excited about this airport, she said, hoping it will draw more travelers eager to learn about Greenlandic customs and help ensure those traditions endure.

We heard the same cautious optimism from Nuuna Papis Chemnitz, who runs Vlaajuk Pottery-Ceramics in Nuuk. Her elegant pottery incorporates salt collected from along Greenlands rugged coastline. The wood building that houses her workshop is nearly 100 years old, built by her husbands grandfather in an era when no outsiders came to Greenland. (Before 1950, Denmarks trade monopoly barred foreign visitors.)

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Nuuna started pottery as a hobby while working for Greenland Air. As demand grew, she quit the airline job. The morning we visited, a line of customers had greeted her outside the shop. She too credited the airport, and the attention sparked by Trumps comments, with boosting business.

Most visitors still arrive from Denmark, but thats changing. In June, United Airlines launched a direct route from Newark  just four hours away.

With only 56,000 people spread across a landmass the size of Western Europe, Greenland is the worlds largest and emptiest island. To grow its economy, Greenland needs more people  not just tourists but also immigrants.

In Ilulissat, famous for its massive icebergs, Rose Busaco Andersen runs Ilulissat Services, an international staffing agency. Originally from the Philippines, she had never heard of Greenland when first offered a job there.

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Twelve years later, she is still here, recruiting workers from across the globe to staff local businesses, including at her own restaurants and rentals. Some are helping to build the new international airport in Ilulissat, set to open next April.

She now travels abroad to recruit employees, interviewing candidates as far away as Argentina. Most who come, stay  especially Filipinos, Greenlands second-largest immigrant group after Danes. Twelve years ago, we were maybe 11 or 12 Filipinos here, she said. Now in Nuuk, I think we are 1,800.

Rose drove us to the new airport under construction outside Ilulissat where Rasmus, the foreman, explained how critical foreign workers, many recruited by Rose, who have come to help with the airports construction. Im a foreign worker too, he smiled, making air quotes around foreign.

Im from Denmark, he added. Our relationship, its complicated.

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Indeed, many Danes still hold top government and business posts in Greenland  a lingering reminder of colonial hierarchy. Some Greenlanders feel Denmark pushed them to modernize too quickly, disrupting traditional life and leaving deep scars. Greenland now has the worlds highest suicide rate, especially among youth, which experts link to cultural dislocation.

Climate change is another concern. Everyone in Greenland seems to have a story  of warmer winters, of thinning ice, of hunting routes that are no longer safe. The Arctic is reportedly warming almost four times faster than the global average.

If you want to experience climate change, come here in Ilulissat, Rose said. You will see. The ice is melting. I never believed climate change before I came in Greenland and witnessed it with my two own eyes. It is real.

On our second day in Ilulissat we encountered a fisherman and hunter named Karl loading his sled and pack of dogs onto his boat for a seal hunt. Later over text message, we asked him whether he had seen any indications of climate change.

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Yes extreme yes, he responded. He shared that, after 30 years of fishing, what he is seeing now in the melting ice is new. We should still [be] out and hunting in [safe] sea ice and a lot of snow, but not today. Too early that ice and snow [is] melting.

Olennguaq Kristensen, a polar bear hunter from the far north of Greenland, with his daughter in Ilulussat. (Bethany Williams)

Mamaruts father, Ole Kristensen, echoed the concern. Sea ice arrives later and breaks up earlier, he told us, disrupting rhythms passed down through generations. The worst year was 2023, when his settlement nearly ran out of food.

Ole is featured in The Color of the Ice, a documentary film that follows his life as a hunter navigating the shrinking sea ice around Qaanaaq, one of the northernmost towns on Earth. When we met, Ole had just returned from a screening in Taiwan  his first trip abroad  and said some audience members wept as they watched his story.

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As Greenlands ice retreats, long-inaccessible parts of the island are opening up, exposing new shipping lanes and untapped reserves of oil, gas, and critical minerals. Climate change has turned this once-frozen frontier into a geopolitical prize, drawing interest not just from the U.S. but also from China and other global powers eager to stake claims in the resource-rich Arctic.

For Greenland, the melting presents both opportunity and risk  a chance to bolster economic independence, but also a test of how much its willing to trade for prosperity.

When Mamarut told Ole he wanted to go to university instead of becoming a hunter, Ole didnt object. Its okay, he remembered thinking. The sea ice was disappearing. Climate change was already reshaping their lives.

Oles familys path mirrors the broader trajectory of Greenlanda society navigating the dual pressures of political self-determination and climate upheaval. As calls for independence grow louder and warming temperatures upend traditional life, it may be that Greenland keeps its heritage alive precisely by opening itself up to the world.

Daniel Allott is former opinion editor at The Hill and author of On the Road in Trumps America: A Journey into the Heart of a Divided Country. Bethany Williams is a communications specialist at international nonprofit and humanitarian organizations.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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There was just one moment in the appalling White House attempt to besmirch the reputations of a former president and a first lady that rang true.

Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trumps director of national intelligence, and Karoline Leavitt, his press secretary, spoke proudly of the administrations transparency.

It is certainly that. Its motives are as transparent as Marco Rubios hairpiece.

White House Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt talk to reporters in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on July 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

There is only one motive in rehashing tired reports to offer up Barack Obama as fresh meat to the MAGA mob: It was a blatant attempt to deflect the relentless media appetite for revelations about the presidents relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

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The drumbeat of stories about the abhorrent behavior of the rich and shameless. Royals and billionaires and maybe even a president. The smell of blood was in the water, so Trump threw in a body.

While a huge portrait of the guest of honor beams down from the rear like

Joseph Stalin would have been proud. The murderous Soviet dictator sent an acolyte to Mexico to bludgeon rival Leon Trotsky to death with an axe in 1925.

On Wednesday, Trump sent two White House assassins to stab Americas 44th president in the back.

There is no other conceivable reason why the Trump administration would conjure up a slew of documents that had been collecting dust since 2017 and 2020 in an attempt to stir up a debate that nobody cares about anymore. The biggest scandal in history? Its not even the biggest scandal this week.

Leon Trotsky. / Bettmann Archive

Irony is not a currency many in Trumps White House would understand. But Gabbard is a politician who has tried and largely failed over the last decade to shake off concerns that she is a Russian apologist. She has called Volodymyr Zelenskys Ukrainian government a corrupt autocracy and expressed sympathy for Russia. She praised former National Security Agency contractor Edward Snowden as a brave whistleblower after he leaked secrets and fled to Moscow in 2013. She also angered lawmakers by traveling to Syria to meet Russian ally and murderous dictator Bashar Assad in 2017.

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For Gabbard to accuse Obama of manipulating claims that Russia meddled in the 2016 election for his own ends is laughable.

For her to accuse a former U.S. president of treason is abhorrent.

Her monotone, tone deaf tirade against Obama and cruel assertions against Hillary Clinton were really meant for an audience of one: Trump was watching from the other room.

White House Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard talks to reporters in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on July 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. Gabbard released a 2017 report from the House Permanent Committee on Intelligence that she says undermines the conclusion of intelligence agencies during the Obama administration that Russia favored the election of Donald J. Trump in 2016. / Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The president has tired of using the unfortunate Joe Biden as his punching bag. Even for a man with the sensitivity of a stormtrooper, Trump draws the line at cancer.

So, he went from the 46th president to the 44th and used his very own Cruella de Vil to do his dirty work. Hes called her the hottest member of his team, though he doesnt rate her capabilities as highly. Just last month, Trump said Gabbard had gotten it all wrong over Irans nuclear options. He probably even enjoyed making her sweat.

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As for Leavitt, she is so drunk on Trump Kool-Aid that she is showing real anger at media outlets who dare to ask a question, let alone question her. Its Kremlin 101. Intimidate the media. Stifle opposition. And then, one day, there wont be any questions at all. Leavitts no puppy. Shes Trumps attack dog.

The evidence that we have found and that we have released directly point to President Obama leading the manufacturing of this intelligence assessment, Gabbard said after hijacking Leavitts weekly Wednesday press briefing. There are multiple pieces of evidence and intelligence that confirm that fact, she added.

No, theres not.

Devin Nunes is now working for Donald Trump. / Alex Wong/Getty Images

One document Gabbard referenced was compiled by House Intelligence Committee staff overseen by Chairman Devin Nunes. Thats the same Devin Nunes who is now chair of the Presidents Intelligence Advisory Board and CEO of the Trump Media & Technology Group. He was also awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Trump in 2021. No conflict of interest there, then.

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It was originally drafted in 2017, at a time when Republicans controlled the committee. Do you think they were going to side with the Democrats?

Another was the bipartisan 2020 report on allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 election by the Senate Intelligence Committee, chaired by Rubio, now Trumps Secretary of State, among other jobs.

There is nothing in them that wasnt already known. Yes, there was Russian interference. Yes, it targeted Clinton, and maybe Vladimir Putin did prefer Trump, but he thought Hillary would win. Theres no suggestion the Russians hacked any votes. There is certainly no evidence of Obama behaving like a Machiavellian mobster.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 20: Former U.S. President Barack Obama (R) congratulates U.S. President Donald Trump after he took the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol on January 20, 2017 in Washington, DC. In today's inauguration ceremony Donald J. Trump becomes the 45th president of the United States. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) / Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images

Nobody in the White House briefing room was fooled by the charade. The race to the bottom has gathered pace. Smoke and mirrors have become the norm. Diversion and deception instead of honest answers.

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As with every autocracy, truth is the victim.

Gabbard left with a tight smile. Leavitt swerved a few more questions with a scornful glance at her nemesis, CNNs Kaitlan Collins.

And then we all went back to asking why Donald Trump wont come clean about Jeffrey Epstein.
From the start, Ukraines defense against Russias full-scale invasion has been underpinned by a robust commitment from its Western partners. The Biden administrations pledge to support Ukraine as long as it takes promised a sustained flow of military and financial aid directly from Washington. This direct donor model was key to Ukraines initial resilience, providing essential weaponry from U.S. stockpiles.

Bidens approach primarily involved direct transfers from U.S. weapons inventories, prioritizing speed and ensuring that Ukraine received vital equipment quickly to counter Russian aggression. The American government provided extensive amounts of equipment, from air-defense missiles to artillery rounds and armored vehicles, directly to Kyiv.

Now, under President Trump, the paradigm is shifting. The U.S. is transitioning from a direct donor to a strategic supplier, where European allies purchase American weapons for Ukraine at their own expense.

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While this reorientation marks a significant change, it is far from the worst-case scenario for Ukraine. Instead, it represents a pragmatic and potentially more sustainable evolution of transatlantic burden-sharing, securing critical capabilities for Ukraine while invigorating the U.S. defense industrial base and recalibrating the nature of allied support. Support is still as long as it takes but also at the others expense.

This marks a departure from the traditional post-World War II donor-recipient model, particularly within the NATO alliance, towards a more transactional America First approach. Future U.S. engagement in global security will likely be contingent upon tangible economic benefits and direct cost-sharing from allies. Such a shift could lead to a more predictable, albeit less altruistic, framework for security cooperation, where allies are compelled to demonstrate their commitment through direct financial contributions.

This policy reorientation accelerates European strategic autonomy. While the immediate effect is Europe paying for U.S. weapons, the long-term implication is a forced impetus for greater European defense integration and self-sufficiency. European nations have already been increasing their defense spending and proactively planning for a future with less guaranteed U.S. aid. This new model, by making U.S. weapons available for purchase, encourages Europe to develop its own robust procurement mechanisms and potentially expand its own defense industrial base.

Ukraines most pressing and enduring need remains robust air defense against Russias escalating missile and drone attacks. The U.S.-made Patriot air-defense system is critical, as it is one of the few systems capable of intercepting high-speed ballistic missiles. These systems are vital for protecting civilian infrastructure and population centers, which have been subjected to relentless Russian bombardment.

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A critical strategic reality for Ukraine is that not all American weapons are equally replaceable by European alternatives. While Europe is ramping up its own artillery production, the Patriot systems unique counter-ballistic missile capability makes it a requirement that only the U.S. can provide at scale.

Europe, at the same time, has demonstrated a clear willingness and increasing capacity to shoulder a greater share of the burden. The European Union has already provided 165 billion in financial assistance and has launched an 800 billion Defense Readiness Plan. Frozen Russian sovereign assets may be used to finance what Ukraine needs.

The shift to a foreign military sales model is explicitly intended to invigorate the U.S. defense industrial base. By integrating exportability features into defense systems during the design phase, the U.S. seeks to advance its competitiveness abroad and potentially lower unit costs for both America and its allies.

While the foreign military sales process has historically been slow and plagued by delivery backlogs, the new model offers a potential solution. Consistent, large-scale orders from European allies could provide the long-term contract certainty that the U.S. defense industry requires to invest significantly in surge capacity and overcome challenges. This transforms what was previously a drain on American stockpiles, requiring replenishment at taxpayer expense, into a sustained stimulus for U.S. manufacturing, aligning with America First economic principles.

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This shift is not merely about burden-sharing; it is about recapitalizing and modernizing the U.S. defense industrial base. While immediate fixes for current shortages remain challenging, this strategic reorientation creates a more sustainable industrial ecosystem.

Trumps recent rhetoric marks a notable change from his earlier stance, which often appeared conciliatory toward Vladimir Putin. He has recognized that Russia, not Ukraine, is the core problem in negotiations, even threatening tariffs and sanctions on Russia and its trading partners if a peace deal is not reached within 50 days. The reality that Putin is not amenable to a quick deal is now clear.

There is now a crucial political opening for continued support to Ukraine, even if the funding mechanism changes. The narrative that Trump desires Ukraines fall has been refuted. Instead, Trump is committed to ending the war on terms that align with his administrations interests. This represents a significant psychological advantage for Ukraine, as it lessens the fear of a complete U.S. abandonment.

Maksym Skrypchenko is president of the Transatlantic Dialogue Center.

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In June, nearly 70 tech companies and associations signed a pledge supporting the Trump administrations goal of making artificial intelligence education accessible to K-12 students. As a top leader at an early childhood education company and a parent of two children under 5 years old, I cant help but wonder: What about our youngest learners?

AI is dominating headlines  and rightly so. Its reshaping industries, redefining work and increasingly influencing homes and childhoods. But as policymakers and technologists rush to prepare K-12 schools for an AI-powered future, they risk overlooking a critical window: the early years, when childrens brains are developing faster than at any other point in life.

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My own kids, who are 2 and 4 years old, are AI natives. They follow the blue dot on Google Maps, thank the car when it welcomes us across state lines and ask Spotify to play their favorite songs. They recently had a lively conversation about a Roomba they saw vacuuming the office building across the street. Theyve followed a virtual trainer through an intelligent home workout. And when my son asked to see a parrot with pigeon wings, DALL-E helped make it real.

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Their ease with AI is both fascinating and a little unsettling. To them, machines are as trustworthy as parents or teachers. As a tech-forward parent, I welcome these tools, but I also teach my children a critical distinction: technology is a helper, not a human.

That distinction is already blurring. Voice assistants and recommendation engines sound authoritative, even when theyre wrong. And without early education on how AI works and where its limits lie, the youngest generation is at risk of growing up to trust machines without question. This is especially concerning for children with learning differences, who may be more likely to anthropomorphize technology and treat machines as social beings, according to research.

To its credit, the executive order that inspired the pledge recognizes a real need: Americas youth must be prepared to thrive in an AI-driven world. But waiting until kindergarten misses a key window of opportunity. The foundational skills that matter most, especially in a post-AI world  creativity, critical thinking, empathy, resilience  start to take root long before formal schooling begins.

Teaching AI literacy to 3- and 4-year-olds may seem premature, but with companies like Google offering the Gemini chatbot to children under 13, its more important than ever to start early. Young children are remarkably capable of understanding complex ideas when taught in developmentally appropriate ways. At my childrens preschool in New York City, theyve learned about skyscrapers and even touched on the events of 9/11. When wildfire smoke from New Jersey recently polluted the air, they discussed climate and health. If I can trust their teachers to guide these complex conversations, I can trust them to begin introducing the concept of AI in ways that are meaningful to my children.

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Supporting early AI literacy doesnt mean more screens for toddlers. It means fostering the human skills that will help young children thrive in a machine-filled world. But who will teach these skills? Parents play an essential role and deserve access to helpful resources, but early childhood educators are especially well-positioned to lead developmentally appropriate conversations on these concepts. And publicly funded early childhood programs, like NYCs Pre-K for All, can provide the structure and scale needed to ensure all young children are supported, not just those with tech-forward parents.

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The challenge is, most early childhood educators have not been introduced to the concept of AI literacy themselves. As national efforts  such as the new $23 million National Academy for AI Instruction, launched earlier this month by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT)  prepare to train K-12 teachers, early childhood educators are being left out of the conversation entirely.

If we want to build the strongest foundation for AI literacy, we need to start earlier. As economist James Heckman has shown, high-quality early learning programs can yield a 13% annual return on investment. Head Start, which reaches nearly 800,000 children from low-income families across the U.S. through a two-generation approach, presents a powerful opportunity to advance AI literacy early and at scale.

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One of Head Starts unique strengths is its Early Learning Outcomes Framework, which outlines five key domains of early learning and serves as a foundational guide for state-level early learning standards. Embedding elements of AI literacy within this widely adopted framework could help ensure inclusive access to essential digital skills. By integrating AI concepts into play-based learning, educators, children and caregivers can engage with technology in thoughtful, confident ways.

Imagine an early childhood classroom where teachers and children discuss: What can machines do? What cant they do? Why do they sometimes make mistakes? These simple questions can grow into the digital discernment our future demands.

AI isnt coming, it has already arrived and its changing how our children learn, play and create. With the right support from our early care and education system, children can be ready to thrive in a world were only beginning to imagine.
Penny McCarthys life changed in less than two minutes on March 5, 2024.

The Phoenix grandmother was outside doing yardwork when a team of U.S. marshals arrived in unmarked vehicles and jumped out with weapons drawn.

McCarthy had done nothing illegal or suspicious. But the marshals accused her of being Carole Anne Rozak, a fugitive wanted for a 25-year-old parole violation for a nonviolent crime.

McCarthy had no connection to Rozak, but the marshals refused to listen or check her ID.

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Turn away or youre going to get hit, one marshal screams on bodycam video.

The next thing McCarthy knew, she was shackled and handcuffed in the back of a van. She feared the worst when the vehicle stopped behind a nearby grocery store.

My first thought was: I have just been compliant in my own kidnapping. I am going to die, she said.

After changing where they were seated, the marshals proceeded to a federal courthouse. The next 24 hours were tense. Officers collected a DNA sample from McCarthy, snapped her mugshot, took her fingerprints and strip-searched her. Then they took her by bus more than one hour away to a federal detention facility in Florence.

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Officers strip-searched her a second time and locked her overnight in a cold cell without a blanket. The next morning, they strip-searched her again and took her back to the courthouse. The whole time, they called her Rozak.

A judge granted unsupervised release when McCarthy appeared, and dismissed the criminal case a few weeks later. But the damage was done.

McCarthy was left traumatized and disillusioned. I raised five children who respect the law, she said. And now I feel stupid for doing that.

Rather than go away quietly, McCarthy filed an administrative claim with the U.S. Marshals Service. She hoped the agency would do the right thing and make amends. But the response was silence.

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Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) and Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.) followed up in November 2024, asking the Office of Inspector General to gather facts and hold the responsible parties accountable. This investigation remains open.

McCarthy appreciates the intervention. But she wants a ruling for herself and future victims of government abuse, so she sued in the federal District Court in Arizona on June 9. My public interest law firm, the Institute for Justice, represents her.

Getting to trial will be difficult. Decades of court decisions have put public agencies and their employees largely out of reach of civil liability. Federal officers are especially untouchable.

McCarthy will try anyway. If she can get to the merits of her case, showing wrongful detention should be easy. The marshals apparently targeted McCarthy based on the mere fact that Rozak might have used parts of McCarthys maiden name as an alias at some point, and both women are white females in their 60s or 70s.

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Many people could fit this description. That is simply not enough reason to point rifles at a woman and haul her away  especially without talking to her or confirming her identity by, say, checking any of her government-issued documents.

A reasonable person would hesitate, yet such cases of mistaken identity are common. Jennifer Heath Box spent three days in a Florida jail because parts of her name matched the subject of an arrest warrant. Meanwhile, multiple innocent families have had their homes raided because SWAT teams conducted shoddy investigations or failed to double-check addresses.

A recent Supreme Court decision could help. Atlanta resident Trina Martin and her family sued the FBI after a botched wrong-location raid at her home in 2017. Lower courts dismissed the lawsuit without trial, but the new ruling will allow the case to proceed after eight years of legal wrangling.

McCarthys journey is just starting, but she has vowed to fight. I am never going to keep quiet through this, she said. The whole world is going to know who was after me.

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Americans are supposed to be able to sue the government for constitutional violations  otherwise, the Bill of Rights would be a mere list of empty promises. Judges should take note: A right without a remedy is just a suggestion.

Paul Avelar is a senior attorney at the Institute for Justice in Phoenix, Arizona.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The kids are at it again.

In recent years, Generations Z and Alpha have made clear that they are dissatisfied with our countrys current state. Theyre protesting the collective status quo of partisanship, perpetual plutocracy and the unchecked disconnect of our gerontocratic leaders. As they come of age in a moment of extraordinary tension, their patience for traditional civic engagement is coming to an end.

To avoid this we must welcome young people into the socio-political fray by lowering voting ages, redesigning civic education to combat misinformation and radical politics, and extending opportunities for youth to authentically engage at the municipal level.

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It is a fallacy to believe civic consciousness starts at age 18. Regardless of how they communicate it, 14- to 17-year-olds are capable of contributing to elections, as well as to the design of policy and practice. This is particularly true of marginalized youth who offer a unique vantage point on some of our most prominent social issues.

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The perspectives of these young people  70% of which are students of color  are incredibly valuable, particularly at a time when theyre grappling with an onslaught of threats to their physical, civic and democratic futures  each of which carry tangible ramifications.

Its these perspectives that must be nurtured to ensure the longevity of our civic system, and secure the future of equitable and empathetic social progress. And theres plenty of evidence that proves wed be right to trust the younger generations voices.

In 2020, I was on a team funding and providing policy support for an equity-focused Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) audit in Iowa. YPAR trains young people to use research methods to inform and influence local policy). In Des Moines, in the midst of a national racial reckoning, a cohort of students saw an opportunity to leverage the evidence that school resource officers (SROs) are more likely to charge students of color with crimes, and threaten their well-being and academic performance. The cohort successfully recommended the school board remove SROs from schools and reallocate those monies to fund counselors. The following year, there was an 82% reduction in the number of students of color referred to the juvenile justice system.

Along with other timely policy recommendations across the state, some making it to the House floor, this participatory audit in Iowa displayed the penchant young people have for social analysis and policy, and how their perspectives can be used to effectively influence local policies.

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Dont mistake these Iowan kids as exceptions. What the YPAR audit captured was the capacity and civic agency of the typical kid. It reflects the developmental science that tells us young brains have the capacity to develop social and ethical perspectives that can solve societal issues within ethical and moral parameters.

Its the science, research, and results from similar programs and practices that have inspired and bolstered my trust in young people  and why I believe we must redefine civics education and develop opportunities for civic participation for young people beginning at age 14. It is also why I am a strong proponent of lowering the voting age for municipal elections to 16 (Vote 16)  which is proving to have a profound effect on voter turnout, engagement and sustained civic involvement.

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How Listening to Student Voices Improved Learning Outcomes at 16 NYC Schools

This is why the election and climate protests on campuses in recent years have felt different. Its this shift in tone that signals that our young people dont believe the system works.

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If this is the case, a great deal is at risk. Without legitimate outlets for civic engagement that are fostered in the classroom, authentically practiced with ballot access, or validated through participatory opportunities like YPAR, young people may well resort to violent and regressive alternatives for affecting change. With our democracy already in a fragile state, it is a necessity to reconsider what civic engagement looks like, and who has access to it.

As this young demographic quickly becomes the majority constituency in the nation, it seems accepting them into the civic discourse is the only recourse we have left.

Redesigning civic education, developing participatory programs, and lowering voting ages is particularly complicated in the current political climate.

We must avoid dumping kids into a pool of supercharged partisan rhetoric and vitriol. We need to teach pragmatism and civility. We need safe conditions for kids to consider hard data that reflects lived truths and promotes the taking of accountability and responsibility. We need discourse and dialogue. But, above all, we, the adults, must simply hear them.

Large cultural shifts dont take place in the vacuum of policy houses or nonprofits. They take place in the collective consciousness, and it requires humility, empathy, acceptance and courage from us all. Lets trust the kids to help get us there.
Several suspects remain at large after an Orange County jewelry store was burglarized for the second time in two weeks.

Surveillance video captured a group of thieves targeting Don Roberto Jewelry in Anaheim on July 22 as they forced their way inside the store around 3 p.m.

They ransacked the shop and escaped with jewelry before fleeing in a getaway car. The owners are still working to determine the total amount of merchandise lost.

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They took off and got away, unfortunately, in a green Dodge Charger last seen westbound on the 91 Freeway, said Sgt. Matt Sutter with the Anaheim Police Department.

Cell phone video captured several thieves fleeing Don Roberto Jewelry in Anaheim after ransacking the store and escaping with an unknown amount of jewelry on July 22, 2025. (OC Hawk) Cell phone video captured several thieves fleeing Don Roberto Jewelry in Anaheim after ransacking the store and escaping with an unknown amount of jewelry on July 22, 2025. (OC Hawk) Cell phone video captured at least eight thieves fleeing Don Roberto Jewelry in Anaheim after ransacking the store and escaping with large bins full of jewelry on July 15, 2025. (OC Hawk) Cell phone video captured at least eight thieves fleeing Don Roberto Jewelry in Anaheim after ransacking the store and escaping with large bins full of jewelry on July 15, 2025. (OC Hawk) The suspects stepped into a dark blue Mercedes-Benz getaway car after ransacking Don Roberto Jewelry in Anaheim on July 15, 2025. (OC Hawk) The suspects dark green Dodge Charger vehicle that Anaheim Police are searching for. (OC Hawk) More than a dozen masked thieves scattered when the owner of Al-Amira Jewelry in Anaheim fired a warning shot as they attempted to break into his shop on July 17, 2025. (Al-Amira Jewelry)

The brazen robbery was the second time Don Roberto Jewelry was targeted in the same month.

Surveillance video from a week earlier at around the same hour captured at least eight thieves fleeing the store with garbage bins full of jewelry. Several suspects got into a dark blue Mercedes sedan and fled the scene.

Police confirmed that five suspects were later arrested, but several others remain at large, along with the stolen jewelry and merchandise.

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This is two robberies in one week, Sutter said. In fact, I just went in there and they havent even been able to fix the glass case that was destroyed last week. So theyre dealing with two losses right now.

In addition to the Don Roberto Jewelry robberies, Anaheim police are also investigating at least two other theft cases that targeted jewelry stores on Brookhurst Street, including Al-Amira Jewelry.

During that incident, at least a half-dozen cars pulled into the parking lot and suspects armed with pickaxes and sledgehammers attempted to smash their way into the store. The owner fired a gunshot toward the mob of thieves, which scared them off.

This seems to be a trend lately, to show up with more than a dozen people, overwhelming the employees and stealing thousands and thousands of dollars in merchandise, Sutter said. Its not only here in Anaheim but all over Southern California.

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Investigators are asking anyone who recognizes the suspects vehicles or has information on the robberies to call Anaheim Police Department at 714-765-1900.

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Flooding on Oregon Route 42 on March 17, 2025 near Coos Bay. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek declared an emergency March 19 due to heavy rains which have washed out roads, cut power and caused at least one death. (Photo courtesy of the Oregon Department of Transportation)

Oregon will receive federal emergency funding to support recovery efforts in three southwest counties that experienced intense storms and floods between March 13- 20.

President Donald Trump on Tuesday issued a major disaster declaration for public assistance in Coos, Curry and Douglas counties. The state, tribes, eligible local governments and nonprofits can receive public assistance on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work and the repair and replacement of damaged facilities, according to a news release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, also known as FEMA.

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Gov. Tina Kotek in late May asked Trump to declare a disaster after parts of southern Oregon in March and April experienced flooding from rapid snowmelt, record-level rainfall and overflowing rivers.

The floods resulted in nearly $9.5 million in damage, according to the Oregon Emergency Management Department, as landslides destroyed homes, businesses, bridges and utility systems  prompting Kotek to declare a state of emergency.

Trump previously called the federal agency issuing emergency funds to states a disaster and suggested that states should take care of natural disaster damage on their own, Stateline reported. Following Koteks request for a disaster declaration, Oregons sole Republican Congressman Cliff Bentz, who represents parts of the affected counties, sent a letter to FEMA outlining the need for federal financial support.

This far exceeds what the people of these counties can bear, making the need for federal assistance essential, Bentz said in a news release.

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The FEMA award is for three of the four counties the governor had requested assistance for, but not Harney County, where a broken levee in April damaged hundreds of homes.

In a news release from the governors office, Kotek said state lawmakers approved funding during the 2025 Legislative Session for Burns and Harney County that will assist the region minimize flooding through infrastructure repair and improvement, such as work on dikes, levees, dredging and vegetation thinning along waterways.

With limited state and local capacity, federal resources are essential to help communities impacted by disaster to recover and prevent future devastation, Kotek said in the release. Oregonians are resilient and inspiring. FEMA stepping up to support our recovery efforts is much appreciated. I want to thank President Trump and everyone who advocated to make this declaration a reality.

UPDATE: This story has been updated to include a quote from Gov. Tina Kotek.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  A local nonprofit is holding a giveaway event of items for older adults in Greene County.

From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 24, Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley is giving away items described as senior essentials to older adults. The event will occur at Goodwills Adult Day Service Center in Beavercreek, just next door to its retail shop on N. Fairfield Road.

SICSA to sell Wilmington Pike property; planning new location

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Canes, grabbers and incontinence products are listed as the products being given away, but only while supplies last.

Attendees can also learn about the different services the organization provides to seniors in the community.

You are encouraged to register for the event here. Registration does not guarantee that you will receive items.

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NEW ORLEANS (AP)  The stench of trash and residue of bad decisions in one of Americas favorite party hotspots is being scrubbed away, thanks to a change in garbage collectors that New Orleans residents say has transformed the French Quarter.

The Quarter has never been this clean, said Jill Wagner. She became inured during her three decades living along Bourbon Street to rat-infested, overflowing garbage cans and sidewalks stained with puke, urine and booze. Now, with a zesty lemon fragrance sprayed across the streets daily, "it smells like Disney World.

A chorus of residents and business owners is heaping praise on the city's so-called Trash King," Sidney Torres IV, and his company, IV Waste, for cracking the code to sanitary success.

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The district has gleamed since Torres was given an emergency year-long contract last December to handle its waste management, they say. Tourists stumbling out of a Bourbon Street bar around sunrise on any given day can find IV Waste employees power-washing sidewalks, scooping up cigarette butts and spritzing streets with his patented lemon fresh cleaning formula.

But a judge on Wednesday allowed Mayor LaToya Cantrell to replace IV Waste at the end of July, over the objections of the city council. With a local management district insisting on Torres, this raises the possibility of rival collectors competing for the French Quarter's garbage.

Just because they like the other guy, that is not enough, the mayor's attorney Charles Rice told the judge, and he said there's no reason to believe a different contractor would do worse.

An escalating legal battle over the trash

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A state appeals court is scheduled to review in August who will ultimately earn tens of millions of dollars managing the French Quarter's trash in 2026 and beyond.

At stake is the attractiveness of some of the most important city blocks in the country, residents say  New Orleans reports that more than 19 million visitors spent a collective $10 billion last year, and most visited the historic French Quarter.

In a city plagued by dysfunction including constant flooding, treacherous potholes and a massive jailbreak, Torres' company has become a point of civic pride. The quarter is filled with signs in support of IV Waste.

Its not even in the same solar system -- the service they provide versus what others provide, said Danny Conwill, who owns an oyster bar off Bourbon Street and is suing the mayor to keep IV Waste. He recalls other trash collectors leaving noxious garbage juices and heaps of shrimp heads and oyster shells scattered about, leading to rank summer odors bad for business.

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Torres, a real estate developer who began as a personal assistant to Lenny Kravitz and once hosted Justin Bieber's 20th birthday party at his Bahamas resort, became a local celebrity and reality TV star after launching a trash company to clean up the city after Hurricane Katrina. He then sold it and waited out a non-compete clause before rebuilding his trash empire with IV Waste.

Officials say city will be paying more for less

After a competitive bidding process last year, the city began negotiating a $73 million contract with another local firm, Henry Consulting, to clean the French Quarter for at least the next five years. But before the deal was finalized, council members grew alarmed that the company did not seem to have the necessary equipment or subcontracts in place as Super Bowl LIX and the annual Mardi Gras celebrations loomed.

IV Waste then won an emergency contract to clean the French Quarter through 2025, and Henry Consulting sued, accusing the city of failing to uphold a valid contract.

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The metastasizing litigation now pits an outgoing mayor with waning popularity against a feisty city council and state officials including the attorney general, with both sides slinging accusations of cronyism. Cantrell was elected in 2017 with the endorsement of Henry Consulting founder Troy Henry.

In April, Cantrell announced she was terminating the IV Waste contract early, and that Henry's firm would take over. This new no-bid contract would cost $2.1 million more, with inferior results, sanitation director Matt Torri told the city council on Monday. He and other officials said Henry Consulting still doesn't seem ready for the job.

Henry Consulting declined to comment to The Associated Press. Cantrell's office told The AP that the city remains committed to working with all parties to provide sanitation services to the French Quarter.

Meanwhile, a new Louisiana law empowers the management district to appoint its own garbage collector, and the residents and business owners who run this state agency selected IV Waste. Torres said his company will keep taking out the trash, even if it means rivals go toe-to-toe on Bourbon Street.

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Were going to do our job, and they can watch and learn," Torres said. The French Quarter can rest assured that were going to continue to clean.

___

Brook 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.
The Ohio Statehouse. (Photo by David DeWitt, Ohio Capital Journal.)

Ohio House Republicans are considering overriding Gov. Mike DeWines veto of a provision that requires public libraries to hide content related to sexual orientation or gender identity.

That possible change has been met with resistance by some librarians.

Danielle Welling-Harris with the Cuyahoga Falls Library, says the library wants everyone to find a book that fits them.

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Libraries exist for everyone, she said, adding, Just means so much to people to see themselves reflected in the pages of the story.

Welling-Harris said she was relieved when DeWine vetoed a provision in the state operating budget  one that would have required public libraries to place books referencing sexual orientation or gender in an area away from the public.

We dont want to live in a library where materials are separated for something as simple as mentioning Little Women, she said. Thats a classic, but it mentions gender.

But even after the governor shut the provision down, she fears her display will need to stay up.

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House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, called lawmakers back from summer recess on Monday to override one school-related veto that would restrict emergency, substitute and requests for increases on current levies. Some GOP lawmakers say it will, eventually, give property tax relief.

It isnt the only override Huffman had his eye on.

One of the things thats been brought to my attention is the library, adult materials and childrens portions of libraries, Huffman said Monday.

Another provision he wants to override would have allowed counties to take money away from schools, and another would have changed state funding calculations.

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I expect we will take veto overrides on those two and likely some others also, Huffman said.

State Rep. Gary Click, R-Vickery, is pushing the LGBTQ+ override and accuses libraries of indoctrinating children with LGBTQ+ content, specifically material around transgender people.

Theyre answering questions for our kids that our kids are not asking, Click claimed.

A family shouldnt have to have helicopter parents to prevent their kids from seeing this type of content, he said.

What were talking about is sexual content, where were talking about trans or gender dysphoria, Click said.

Other possible overrides include provisions that would have stopped giving tax breaks to computer data centers and one that would have prevented state and local governments from using eminent domain to obtain property for the construction of recreational trails.

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Click said the library books are the most important.

If a parent wants the children to have this, they can either go buy it or they go to the adult section and get it, and they can do that, he said.

He said that the Cuyahoga Falls Library saying it will need to hide content with pronouns on the cover is foolish.

Welling-Harris disagreed because the provision is vague and said that libraries are not indoctrinating children by showing different identities.

We are creating collections that are reflective of the real people that exist in our community, she said. Thats the reality of the world that we live in and, so we are here to provide options and to ensure that everyone sees themselves on our shelves and that our collection reflects the community that we live in.

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She also said that libraries already follow Ohios obscenity laws.

We have procedures for our residents to voice concerns about library materials in their community, and that process is in place and working well, she said.

The lawmakers will likely attempt their overrides before the law goes into effect at the end of September. But, they have until the end of 2026 to override.

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.

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Cruel heat is baking southern Europe as the continent slips deeper into summer.

In homes and offices, air conditioning is sweet relief. But under the scorching sun, outdoor labor can be grueling, brutal, occasionally even deadly.

A street sweeper died in Barcelona during a heat wave last month and, according to a labor union, 12 other city cleaners have suffered heatstroke since. Some of Europe's powerful unions are pushing for tougher regulations to protect the aging workforce from climate change on the world's fastest-warming continent.

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Cleaning the hot streets

Hundreds of street cleaners and concerned citizens marched through downtown Barcelona last week to protest the death of Montse Aguilar, a 51-year-old street cleaner who worked even as the city's temperatures hit a June record.

Fellow street sweeper Antonia Rodriguez said at the protest that blistering summers have made her work unbearable.

I have been doing this job for 23 years and each year the heat is worse, said Rodriguez, 56. Something has to be done.

Extreme heat has fueled more than 1,000 excess deaths in Spain so far in June and July, according to the Carlos III Health Institute.

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Climate change is, above all, playing a role in extreme weather events like the heat waves we are experiencing, and is having a big impact in our country, said Diana Gomez, who heads the institutes daily mortality observatory.

Even before the march, Barcelonas City Hall issued new rules requiring the four companies contracted to clean its streets to give workers uniforms made of breathable material, a hat and sun cream. When temperatures reach 34 C (93 F), street cleaners now must have hourly water breaks and routes that allow time in the shade. Cleaning work will be suspended when temperatures hit 40 C (104 F).

Protesters said none of the clothing changes have been put into effect and workers are punished for allegedly slacking in the heat. They said supervisors would sanction workers when they took breaks or slowed down.

Workers marched behind a banner reading Extreme Heat Is Also Workplace Violence!" and demanded better summer clothing and more breaks during the sweltering summers. They complained that they have to buy their own water.

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FCC Medio Ambiente, the company that employed the deceased worker, declined to comment on the protesters' complaints. In a previous statement, it offered its condolences to Aguilar's family and said that it trains its staff to work in hot weather.

Emergency measures and a Greek cook

In Greece, regulations for outdoor labor such as construction work and food delivery includes mandatory breaks. Employers are also advised  but not mandated  to adjust shifts to keep workers out of the midday sun.

Greece requires heat-safety inspections during hotter months but the country's largest labor union, the GSEE, is calling for year-round monitoring.

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European labor unions and the United Nations International Labor Organization are also pushing for a more coordinated international approach to handling the impact of rising temperatures on workers.

"Heat stress is an invisible killer, the ILO said in a report last year on how heat hurts workers.

It called for countries to increase worker heat protections, saying Europe and Central Asia have experienced the largest spike in excessive worker heat exposure this century.

In Athens, grill cook Thomas Siamandas shaves meat from a spit in the threshold of the famed Bairaktaris Restaurant. He is out of the sun, but the 38 C (100.4 F) temperature recorded on July 16 was even tougher to endure while standing in front of souvlaki burners.

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Grill cooks step into air-conditioned rooms when possible and always keep water within reach. Working with a fan pointed at his feet, the 32-year-old said staying cool means knowing when to take a break, before the heat overwhelms you.

Its tough, but we take precautions: We sit down when we can, take frequent breaks and stay hydrated. We drink plenty of water  really a lot, said Siamandas, who has worked at the restaurant for eight years. You have to find a way to adjust to the conditions.

The blazing sun in Rome

Massimo De Filippis spends hours in the blazing sun each day sharing the history of vestal virgins, dueling gladiators and powerful emperors as tourists shuffle through Romes Colosseum and Forum.

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Honestly, it is tough. I am not going to lie, the 45-year-old De Filippis said as he wiped sweat from his face. Many times it is actually dangerous to go into the Roman Forum between noon and 3:30 p.m.

At midday on July 22, he led his group down the Forums Via Sacra, the central road in ancient Rome. They paused at a fountain to rinse their faces and fill their bottles.

Dehydrated tourists often pass out here in the summer heat, said Francesca Duimich, who represents 300 Roman tour guides in Italys national federation, Federagit.

The Forum is a pit; There is no shade, there is no wind, Duimich said. Being there at 1 p.m. or 2 p.m. in the summer heat means you will feel unwell.

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This year, guides have bombarded her with complaints about the heat. In recent weeks, Federagit requested that the states Colosseum Archaeological Park, which oversees the Forum, open an hour earlier so tours can get a jump-start before the heat becomes punishing. The request has been to no avail, so far.

The parks press office said that administrators are working to move the opening up by 30 minutes and will soon schedule visits after sunset.

___

Wilson reported from Barcelona, Spain, Gatopoulos from Athens and Thomas from Rome.
Rustem Umierov and Vladimir Medinsky, the heads of the Ukrainian and Russian delegations at the talks in Istanbul, have announced an agreement to exchange over 1,200 prisoners of war from each side.

Source: Umierov; Medinsky; Serhii Kyslytsia, Ukraine's First Deputy Foreign Minister; and Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesman for Ukraine's Foreign Ministry at briefings following the talks in Istanbul, broadcast by Suspilne and RIA Novosti

Quote from Umierov: "First of all, our agreement and the result of this humanitarian track cover over 1,200 people. These will be exchanges conducted by our counterparts. And we will continue with further exchanges."

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Details: Meanwhile, Serhii Kyslytsia, a member of the Ukrainian delegation, stated that this specifically concerns the return of POWs, while civilians and children "must be brought back" and are not part of the exchanges.

Quote from Medinsky: "Continuing the prisoner exchange, we agreed that there will be another exchange of at least 1,200 POWs from each side in the near future."

Details: Medinsky stated that the Russian Federation had offered to hand over a greater number of POWs to Ukraine.

"If they find more of ours, then this number will be higher," he said.

Medinsky also stated that Russia had offered to transfer to Ukraine a further 3,000 bodies of fallen Ukrainian servicemen.

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In addition, he claimed that Russia had proposed to Kyiv the possibility of declaring short-term, 24- or 48-hour, "ceasefires" to retrieve those injured and the bodies of soldiers.

Meanwhile, Tykhyi noted that during the third round of talks, "the atmosphere was somewhat different from previous meetings. It was less emotional, there were fewer lyrical parts and more constructive and calm dialogue".

He also emphasised that Russia's proposal for short-term ceasefires in certain parts of the line of contact was not new and had been mentioned at the previous meeting in Istanbul. He stressed that this cannot be called a "real truce".

Quote from Tykhyi: "We also heard other ideas from Russia during previous meetings over the past three or four months  ceasefires for Easter, for Victory Day. But this is not a real ceasefire. [Victory Day is a Russian holiday commemorating the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany in 1945, celebrated on 9 May  ed.]

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If we are talking about some humanitarian pauses on small sections of the line of contact, then it should be understood that this already happens from time to time  Ukrainian and Russian commanders on the ground agree on such things to retrieve the bodies of soldiers, this is a short humanitarian pause.

But this is not a ceasefire. The Russians are trying to sell this as a ceasefire, but according to our understanding, a ceasefire means stopping hostilities on land, at sea and in the air. That is what we understand by a full truce. Civilian infrastructure and residential areas must also be safe. These humanitarian pauses already happen, and they cannot be called a real ceasefire."

Background: On 23 July, Ukraine and Russia conducted the ninth stage of a prisoner exchange. Severely ill and seriously wounded soldiers returned home. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that over 1,000 Ukrainians had been brought home during all stages of the recent Istanbul agreements.

Background:

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On the evening of 23 July, the third round of peace talks between the Ukrainian and Russian delegations was held in Istanbul, Turkiye.

Ukraine proposed holding a leaders' meeting by the end of August that would be attended by Turkish President Recep Erdogan and US President Donald Trump.

Meanwhile, Medinsky declared that the positions of Ukraine and the Russian Federation as set out in the memoranda are "quite far apart from each other."

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Some 1,380 civilians remain in Pokrovsk as Russian forces continue their assault on the front-line city in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported on July 23 on national television.

Pokrovsk remains one of the most heavily contested battlegrounds of Russia's offensive in eastern Ukraine. According to the open-source battlefield monitoring group DeepState and soldiers on the ground, Russian troops entered the town on July 22.

Filashkin said the situation in the region is growing more difficult by the day, as Russian forces intensify their offensive.

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He also confirmed that a Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group had infiltrated Pokrovsk, adding that Ukrainian forces are "doing everything possible to locate and fully neutralize" it.

Filashkin noted that 1,380 residents remain in Pokrovsk and 2,700 in the surrounding community.

"That is a significant number of people," he said. "It is nearly impossible to deliver humanitarian aid or drinking water under current conditions."

Filashkin added that almost all shops in Pokrovsk have closed because the Russian army is shelling the access roads to the town and controlling the territory with FPV (first-person-view) drones.

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"It is only thanks to the support of the military that humanitarian aid can be brought to the people. The volunteer movement is also no longer coming to Pokrovsk," he said.

The governor noted that 487 people, including 20 children, were evacuated from cities close to the front line the day before.

Russia has been escalating assaults in the Pokrovsk sector in recent weeks as it attempts to break through to the neighboring Dnipropetrovsk Oblast.

Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi reported in June that Russia had amassed 111,000 troops near the city.

Ukraine has been largely on the defensive in the east, with Russia steadily pushing forward as its summer offensive grinds on.

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Ukrainian and Western military experts believe Russia will have the opportunity to scale up its offensive operations during the 50 days U.S. President Donald Trump gave Moscow to come to a ceasefire settlement. Russia could realistically advance closer to both Pokrovsk and Kostiantynivka in eastern Donetsk Oblast in the coming weeks.

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The Netherlands and 40 other OSCE member states have initiated the launch of a special mechanism to investigate the torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia.

Source: Dutch Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Veldkamp stated that the initiators of the Moscow Mechanism "request an independent investigation into the torture and ill-treatment by Russia of Ukrainian prisoners of war".

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"The Netherlands and partnering countries contribute to truth-finding and accountability for Russian war crimes in Ukraine," he added.

The Moscow Mechanism can be triggered at the initiative of 10 or more OSCE member states. Based on its work, the mission prepares a report and recommendations for the country's authorities, the OSCE and the international community on possible responses to the identified issues.

Background:

In spring 2023, 45 OSCE member states launched this mechanism to investigate the deportation of children from Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia.

In February 2024, the OSCE decided to activate the Moscow Mechanism in response to the arbitrary detention of Ukrainian civilians by Russian forces and the occupation administration in the occupied territories.

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The Knesset members emphasized that the statement reflects gratitude for Taiwans ongoing support of Israel and acknowledges Taiwan's significant contributions to global welfare.

A total of 72 Knesset members from coalition and opposition parties have signed a joint statement on Thursday condemning Taiwans exclusion from international forums as unjustified and irresponsible.

The statement was initiated by MK Boaz Toporovsky (Yesh Atid), chairman of the Israel-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Association, with support fromMK Ohad Tal (Religious Zionist Party). Toporovsky and Tal, alongside 70 other Knesset members (excluding Arab parties), called for Taiwans inclusion in global organizations, especially in the areas of health, transportation, environmental protection, and human rights.

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Taiwan is a thriving democracy committed to the principles of freedom, equality, human rights, and the rule of law, despite a challenging geopolitical environment. We strongly oppose Taiwans exclusion from organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), particularly given Taiwans significant contributions during crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, where it played a leading role in finding solutions and offering assistance globally, the statement reads.

The Knesset members also emphasized that supporting Taiwans participation in these international organizations did not conflict with Israels One China policy. Instead, it reflects gratitude for Taiwans ongoing support of Israel and acknowledges Taiwans significant contributions to global welfare.

MK Boaz Toporovsky praised the initiative, saying, Israel will always remember who stood by it in its time of need.

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim received the visiting delegation led by Boaz Toporovsky, Chairman of the Israeli Parliamentary Taiwan Friendship Group, this morning (22nd April) (credit: Official Photo by Wang Yu Ching / Office of the President)

After October 7, he said. Taiwan was one of the first to stand by Israel and has continued to support us since.

Taiwans continued support for Israel strengthens ties and prosperity

Taiwan backed Israel in the diplomatic arena and promoted assistance for victims, resilience centers, health, education, and more. Members of the Knesset recognize this, as well as the shared values of human rights and democracy.

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He added: I am proud that the majority of Israeli lawmakers have expressed their gratitude to Taiwan and their support for its continued positive international engagement.

I call on Israels business, academic, and public sectors to collaborate with their counterparts in Taiwan, a nation driven by innovation and progress, and deeply eager to deepen its cooperation with us, Toporovsky concluded.

MK Ohad Tal said that Taiwan is a true friend of Israel and does not hesitate to show it, both in words and in actions. Israel and Taiwan share many common interests, and Taiwan continues to demonstrate its support for Israel again and again, even more so since the beginning of the war. This is our opportunity to show our deep appreciation for Taiwan, to stand by its side, and to support our shared prosperity.

Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Representative, Ya-Ping Abby Lee, also commented on the initiative, saying, On behalf of the people and government of Taiwan, I wish to express heartfelt thanks for the cross-party support in the Knesset. This joint declaration is a testament not only to your steadfast support for democracy but also to your recognition of Taiwans contributions to global affairs and your explicit support for its meaningful participation in international organizations.

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She said that this is an unprecedented and historic step that sent a powerful message, not only to the people of Taiwan but to all democracies around the world, that in times of mounting pressure from authoritarian regimes, democracies must stand together in solidarity and speak with one voice.

We are especially encouraged by the Knesset members call to deepen ties with Taiwan in economic, technological, and people-to-people fields, and we look forward to seeing these relationships flourish and our friendship thrive, grounded in mutual respect and shared interests, Lee added.

She concluded by saying: I would also like to acknowledge the courage and immense hearts of the Knesset members who have championed for Taiwan throughout the years.
Sara Habein, a mother of two living in northern Montana, recently learned that she has cysts in her brain.

Every six months, her doctors want to check that the cysts arent growing. She may need surgery if they get larger and put too much pressure on her brain. If she didnt have Medicaid, she would either be racking up costs on a payment plan or would have to make a difficult decision about the various other medications and treatments she needs for chronic health issues  all of which she relies on Medicaid to cover.

Because of her conditions, Habein works very little. But changes to Medicaid requirements recently passed under President Donald Trumps one big, beautiful tax and spending law that will go into effect in late 2026 and early 2027 may start requiring her to work if she wants to keep her health insurance. Shes one of millions of Americans, particularly women, who face the very real possibility of being booted off the health insurance that serves low-income people and 30 million children.

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Im not feeling optimistic, Habein said. I have a fair number of prescriptions that I would hate to have to figure out how to pay for.

Queer women like Habein are especially vulnerable. Of the 1.8 million LGBTQ+ people relying on Medicaid as their primary insurance, more than 1.2 million of them are cisgender lesbian and bisexual women, per the Williams Institute at UCLA School of Law. Lesbian and bisexual women experience higher rates of poverty than cisgender gay and bisexual men, and they are often primary caregivers. Those two factors have made Medicaid a crucial lifeline.

Even those who are working may be impacted by the changes to Medicaid, experts said, due to new, more extensive paperwork requirements that in practice may lead to eligible families getting booted off their insurance.

Its just really hard to overstate the harm that these cuts will convey, particularly to LGBT folks and LGBT families, said Caleb Smith, the LGBTQI+ policy director at the Center for American Progress (CAP), a liberal think tank.

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Women in general already face a pay gap when compared with men. But bisexual women face some of the harshest pay disparities of any LGBTQ+ group due to a combination of discrimination and stigma, earning about 68 cents for every $1 White, non-Latino men earned, according to a 2021 study by the Human Rights Campaign.

Lesbian women by comparison tend to have a narrower pay gap than women overall, particularly if they dont have children. But among lesbian couples, unlike heterosexual couples, the pay gaps that do exist are compounded by what is sometimes referred to as the double pay gap.

That leads to lower household earnings overall. According to a nationally-representative survey by CAP, households headed by LGBTQ+ women earn $42,500 on average while non-LGBTQ+ households earn about twice as much  $82,250 on average. Nearly a third of households led by LGBTQ+ women earn less than $30,000 a year. These pay disparities lead more lesbian and bisexual women to live in poverty and turn to Medicaid.

Lesbian and bisexual women are also more likely than other LGBTQ+ adults to have children under the age of 18 in their households, and therefore may turn to Medicaid to ensure children are covered, or because they are not working to provide caregiving support.

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According to CAPs research, LGBTQ+ adults are far more likely to take time off work to care for friends and family. LGBTQ+ adults were also 50 percent more likely to take time off to care for an elderly parent and four times more likely to be missing work to care for an extended family member, a friend or a neighbor.

The implications of narrowing Medicaid eligibility reverberate across entire families, Smith said. Not only are some LGBTQ+ adults turning to Medicaid to provide health care if theyre not working, but losing that coverage could impact the family members who rely on them, too.

Its particularly cruel for them to be choosing that health care because they are trying to take care of family, and then to have that taken away, too, Smith said.

Disabled LGBTQ+ adults are particularly vulnerable to Medicaid cuts. One million LGBTQ+ adults living with a disability rely on Medicaid, according to the Williams Institute. And the poverty rate for adults with disabilities is more than twice the rate of adults with no disability.

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For lesbian and bisexual women, theyre more likely to be raising kids  in particular, bisexual women have the highest rates of child rearing in the community  but they also have higher rates of disability, said Brad Sears, distinguished scholar of law and policy at the Williams Institute.

As a whole, LGBTQ+ people are also managing chronic conditions and living with disabilities that impact daily life at higher rates than non-LGBTQ+ people. The work that goes into managing a chronic illness is essentially a part-time job, Habein said. She has to educate doctors about her brain fog and chronic fatigue. She tries different medications to manage her migraines  her latest treatment includes Botox. She takes supplements for her thyroid issues. And, as a parent, she has to be mindful of conserving her energy. Due to her conditions, her battery is never fully charged, no matter how much sleep or rest she gets.

Habein cant work 80 hours a month. When she tried to work as a barista back in 2011, standing on her feet for long hours, she experienced fibromyalgia  significant chronic pain  for the first time, and its stayed with her since.

She now works part time from home for a marketing and social media consulting company, but she can go months without a paycheck if no clients are coming in.

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The new law narrows the exemptions parents and caretakers can qualify for; only parents with children under the age of 14 qualify. Habiens kids are 17 and 21. But, she would be exempt from new Medicaid work requirements if she can prove to the government that she has a disability. Habein has never applied for disability benefits before, so it would be new territory for her.

I am not confident that the paperwork will go very smoothly, she said.

In her 10 years of being a Medicaid recipient, and briefly using Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to buy food for her family, she has jumped through plenty of bureaucratic hoops. Shes had paperwork for SNAP benefits come in the mail after the due date to apply had already passed. And its hard enough to get someone on the phone to answer questions, or to make an in-person appointment to sort these issues out, without adding government cuts to the picture.

I guess my question is, with all this extra paperwork, but theyre laying everyone off in every category of government, whos going to be processing this paperwork?

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Under the new law, patients will have to complete paperwork every six months to prove they are working or volunteering at least 80 hours a month to get Medicaid coverage. Even if some caregivers or people with disabilities qualify for an exemption, the work of having to prove their eligibility every six months through new paperwork could deter people from accessing coverage, experts told The 19th.

Clinics that serve a large population of Medicaid recipients are preparing to have to step in to help patients navigate the new requirements. At the Community Health Center of Franklin County in Western Massachusetts, an area known for its high concentration of lesbian women, CEO Allison van der Velden said the clinic will likely have to add staff just to help patients stay insured.

Its already really burdensome to do it once a year. So doing it every six months, people are going to constantly get booted off insurance theyre eligible for, and were going to have to work and spend money that should be spent on health care, she said.

The clinic is a nonprofit federally qualified health center that serves all people, regardless of insurance status, ability to pay or identity. About 40 percent of the clinics patients are on Medicaid; even a small cut to that share could lead to staff cuts and reduction of services, van der Velden said. In the rural area she serves, that will further limit options for patients, including the LGBTQ+ population they serve.

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For lesbian and bisexual women in particular, it may be years before the impact of the cuts to Medicaid is fully known. Already, data on LGBTQ+ people is severely limited  and its being cut further.

Its not a delay that many can afford to have, Smith said: When what we are assessing is loss of health care, that delay is really significant.

Without health insurance, Habein isnt sure how much she would owe for all of her treatments. Every three months, the Botox shots for her migraines would likely cost anywhere from $300 to $600. MRI scans can easily reach over $1,000, depending on the hospital. And her generic Cymbalta prescription to treat her chronic pain and depression would cost $400 out of pocket.

The costs add up fast.

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While navigating these challenges, shes gotten used to what she calls the casual cruelty of people who think shes trying to scam them, or scam the system, by trying to get health insurance. Its disheartening, Habein said.

Its made me see what a challenge it is to try and get people to care, she said.

The post Over a million queer women rely on Medicaid. What happens if they lose it? appeared first on The 19th.

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ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ)  The overdose death of an Altoona woman in April has led to the arrest of the man she was with when the overdose occurred.

Danny Lee Caldwell Jr., 37, of Altoona, was charged after an investigation into the death of Christy Clifford on April 28.

According to the criminal complaint, Altoona police were called to an apartment on the 1900 block of 11th Street, where Clifford was found unresponsive. Caldwell told police she had fallen on the floor. The affiant, Officer Nealen, noted that Caldwell claimed to have given her five doses of Narcan and still couldnt wake her up. He also alleged he didnt know what she had taken beforehand, and he didnt see any drugs or needles.

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Clifford was rushed to UPMC Altoona. On April 26, she was declared to be brain-dead. On April 28, while in the ICU, Clifford passed away and was pronounced dead, the complaint revealed.

During the investigation, police seized suspected heroin and cash from Cliffords purse along with both hers and Caldwells cell phones. According to charging documents, police discovered Caldwell had Facebook messages with a woman in Clayburg about buying drugs in the early hours that day. Police alleged the duo then took an Uber to the womans home.

Police were able to track down the Uber driver and speak with them. According to the complaint, the driver told police they picked the duo up at their address at 2:08 a.m., drove them to a mobile home in Claysburg and waited there before driving them to the Sheetz near UPMC Altoona then home by 3:31 a.m.

According to the drivers statement to police, when they arrived at the home in Claysburg, Caldwell went inside while Clifford stayed in the car, the complaint reads.

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Police noted that Cliffords sister was contacted and provided the passcode for her phone; however, messages between her and Caldwell that were seen on his phone were not found on Cliffords.

Caldwell was charged with felony drug delivery resulting in death, criminal use of a communication facility, drug possession with intent, reckless endangerment and lesser related charges.

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He was arraigned July 17 and placed in Blair County Prison with bail set at $500,000 by Magisterial District Judge Matthew Dunio.

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Its uncertain at this time if the woman Caldwell allegedly bought drugs from will face any charges in Cliffords death.

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WFXR -Organizations across Maryland and Virginia have restored 2,294 acres of oyster reef. With work being conducted on the tenth tributary, the Chesapeake Bay Program says that its partners will have fulfilled the commitment to restore oyster reefs in ten tributaries by 2025.

After reviewing their progress from 2024, the Chesapeake Bay Program is anticipating that the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement should be completed in 2025.

We are incredibly pleased to have not only met, but exceeded, our oyster restoration goal, said Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Stefanie Taillon. These results are a tremendous example of the power of a voluntary, partnership-driven approach to achieving a vibrant and healthy Chesapeake Bay. As we look to the future of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, Virginia remains committed to working with partners to establish and implement realistic strategies for ensuring sustainable oyster population and habitat.

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Outdoors Bound: Summer Fishing Spectacular!

According to the CBP, a process was established for each tributary to construct and seed reefs, followed by monitoring and evaluating their progress. The monitoring plan involves taking place at three- and six-year intervals, meaning these steps will continue beyond 2025.

In Virginia, the Lynnhaven River monitoring data shows about 3,400 oysters per square meter on restored reefs, according to officials. The Chesapeake Bay Program states that this indicates a healthy oyster habitat by attracting new generations of oysters.

According to officials, the oyster industry has contributed hundreds of millions of dollars to the regions economy since the 19th century. They also claim oyster reefs help attract other species that support commercially or recreationally important fisheries.

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Outdoors Bound: Tips for beginning hikers

The Chesapeake Bay Program is now working to update and revise the Watershed Agreement.

The public is invited to provide feedback on the proposed Oysters Outcome, along with the rest of the draft Watershed Agreement, through Monday, September 1, 2025, by emailing comments@chesapeakebay.net.

For the most up-to-date information on the process to revise the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, please visit the Chesapeake Bay Programs Planning for 2025 and Beyond website.

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PALMER, Mass. (WWLP)  The chief of Palmer Police has released a statement to clarify staffing rumors amid an allegation of wrongdoing by an officer involving a civilian.

Police Chief Christopher Burns stated on Wednesday night that a complaint was made on September 30, 2024 alleging wrongdoing by an officer. The officer was placed on administrative leave during the investigation, assisted by State Police Detective Unit assigned to the Hampden District Attorneys Office.

Body discovered in Quaboag River in Palmer

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In December 2024, the criminal investigation concluded and found the complainant was not credible, and no evidence existed to support the allegation. The officer received discipline for a rule violation and resigned thereafter.

In addition, another officer was placed on leave after being found untruthful during the investigation and had violated department rules and policy. The officer resigned in lieu of discipline.

The POST Commission has not released the names of the former Palmer officers involved, as their reports have yet to be adjudicated at this time.

The Palmer Police Department has 17 full-time personnel and is in the hiring process to fill five open positions, the number for which they are authorized. In the statement by the chief, the following officers served this community honorably and left in good standing; none of them were involved in any wrongdoing.

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1 officer retired after serving honorably for more than 30 years

2 officers are in the process of relocating after accepting employment at police agencies out of state

2 officers accepted positions in other departments

2 officers accepted positions with the Hampden County Sheriffs Department

The department is utilizing mutual aid from neighboring communities and receiving assistance from the Hampden County Sheriffs Office to ensure continuous coverage during the staffing shortages.

Police Chief Christopher Burns says he is still working and did not resign.

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.

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Donald Trumps MAGA allies are increasingly voicing concerns that Attorney General Pam Bondi has a blind spot for the damage caused by the Justice Departments handling of the Epstein files. And that was before shetore her cornea.

Now, Bondi is in the eye of a storm that has enveloped all three branches of government, consuming the Washington agenda and siphoning oxygen from Trumps policy priorities. The endgame remains a blur.

She has very little time to turn this around, said one House Republican, granted anonymity to describe the view inside the GOP conference.

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Another noted that GOP Rep. Thomas Massie, the most vocal advocate for release of the files on disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, is on the Judiciary Committee, which is expected to hear Bondis testimony in a few weeks. Massie is working to force a floor vote on his bipartisan bill that would compel DOJ to release all of its Epstein documents.

She is in for a rough September at the very least, said a second House Republican.

Speaker Mike Johnson has in recent interviews demanded "transparency" around the Epstein files and said in a CBS interview aired Thursday that there are good questions about how Bondis Justice Department has handled the matter.

The ongoing saga  now in its third week  is a crisis of Trump allies own making: Theyve spent years stoking an unyielding belief that the federal government had obtained Epsteins client list, allegedly proving that elite power brokers in Washington trafficked young girls. They also fomented conspiracy theories that Epstein  who died in prison in 2019 of an apparent suicide  was murdered ahead of his trial on a sex trafficking conspiracy. Trump, they believed, would release evidence proving their theories as soon as he took office, and many in the presidents orbit endorsed that conviction.

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Yet, earlier this month, the Trump Justice Department concluded both theories were meritless and said they could not release any additional information because it largely consisted of vulgar and disturbing footage of Epsteins alleged victims. Epstein killed himself, the FBI and Justice Department concluded, and there was no evidence to support a chargeable crime by anyone other than Epstein himself.

The fury from Trumps MAGA allies was swift, most of it trained on Bondi herself, who told them in February that she was sitting on a mountain of evidence connected to the Epstein case. It has exposed fractures within the presidents base, creating an existential crisis that has dwarfed any others Trump has faced this term.

Scrutiny of the attorney general intensified even further on Wednesday when the Wall Street Journal and other outlets reported that Bondi told Trump in May that his name appears in some of the unreleased Epstein documents.

Bondi has not addressed the controversy in a public setting but has operated at a frenetic pace to shift focus to Trumps other causes. On Wednesday, she announced a strike force to investigate potential crimes related to the 2016 investigation of Trumps links to Russia. And on Tuesday, she said she was firing the judicially appointed replacement for interim U.S. attorney Alina Habba in New Jersey, escalating a fight with the courts that has frequently fired up Trumps base.

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Bondi had planned to speak at an anti-trafficking panel during the MAGA-dominated CPAC conference but sent a deputy, Matthew Galeotti, in her place after her cornea tear.

Those who know Bondi say despite the public furor, shes unlikely to be cowed by the criticism.

Pam is one of the most graceful and calm under pressure people I have ever dealt with. She doesnt rattle and shes not one of those people that when stress happens she lashes out. She is very calm, deliberate and stays the course, said Brian Ballard, who runs the lobbying firm where Bondi worked before becoming attorney general.

The White House has continued to voice support for Bondi. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that Bondi is working tirelessly to end the weaponization that has rotted our justice system, remove violent criminals from our streets, and help President Trump in making America safe again. The President is appreciative of her efforts."

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And Justice Department officials emphasize Bondi has released what she responsibly could without making public explicit sexual material involving minors.

But Bondi is, in some ways, now at the mercy of forces beyond her control.

Rising fury among House Republicans has guaranteed that the saga will outlast a sleepy August recess, with committees approving two bipartisan subpoenas: one for the entire Epstein case file, the other for a deposition with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins co-conspirator who is serving a 20-year-prison sentence for the sex trafficking conspiracy. The proceedings stemming from those demands will play out for weeks.

"I think she, from pillar to post, handled this thing so badly and bizarrely," said one senior House GOP aide.

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"It was tough to watch the whole thing. We were just like 'What the fuck are they doing over there, the aide added.

On Friday, the Justice Department turned to the courts to help release some of the pressure, asking three judges for permission to publicly disclose grand jury transcripts stemming from Epstein and Maxwells criminal cases. But so far the department has slammed into roadblocks: the extremely inflexible rules governing grand jury secrecy. A judge in Florida has already denied DOJs request to unseal the materials, and two other requests in New York may remain pending for weeks after judges there asked for additional materials before ruling.

On Thursday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche went a step further, interviewing Maxwell in Tallahassee.

Maxwells lawyer, David Oscar Markus, called the meeting productive, and told reporters that his client answered every single question.

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She never stopped, she never invoked a privilege, she never declined to answer, he said. She answered all the questions truthfully, honestly and to the best of her ability. He declined to say whether Maxwell would be interviewed for a second day.

But the Justice Department has long housed deep doubts about her credibility, and Johnson echoed those doubts, too, in Wednesday remarks to reporters.

Could she be counted on to tell the truth? Is she a credible witness? I mean, this is a person who's been sentenced to many, many years in prison for terrible, unspeakable, conspiratorial acts and acts against innocent young people, Johnson said. I mean, can we trust what she's going to say?  I don't know, but we'll have to see.

Kimberly Leonard and Arek Sarkissian contributed to this report.
UPDATE: Daniel Hunt has been located.

ORIGINAL STORY:

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB)  The Panama City Police Department has asked for the publics help in locating a missing adult.

According to the PCPD, 34-year-old Daniel Hunt was last seen near West 15th Street and Frankford Avenue around 5 a.m. on Wednesday.

Hunt was last seen wearing an orange shirt, black shorts with a stripe on the side and black shoes.

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Hunt is about 6 feet 2 inches tall, 325 pounds, with long brown hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the PCPD at 850-872-3100 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 850-785-TIPS.

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BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB)  On Tuesday, Panama City Commissioners said they are currently working on the lease for the partnership that will operate the marina.

Panama City is negotiating with a group called City Marina Partners to oversee the day-to-day operations of the downtown marina.

Tuesday nights discussions involved the length of the lease, financing through the city, and access to the uplands.

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One of the things that we are all majorly set on is the public will always have unfettered access to the water, to the marina, and even probably better access when this gets done, said Robbie Hughes, a Panama City Commissioner.

Commissioners reaffirmed their commitment to working with CMP to develop the marina.

Theyre currently negotiating the lease agreement which would start at 55 years with the option to extend the lease to 99 years.

We sent a clear message last night to the city manager and his staff and to our city attorney about moving forward with negotiations, said Janice Lucas, a Panama City Commissioner. Our city clerk will be researching the possibilities of the conduit financing, 30-year financing for $30 million.

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One of the first priorities appears to be rebuilding boat slips. The first phase is expected to include 50 slips.

Supporters say the project would benefit both the city and the public.

It will also then give us ad valorum tax and will give a merchant fee tax to the city can also benefit from this in in terms of taxation and making some revenue, said Hughes. But the citizens are the ones that get the quality of life. You go down and you have more to do youre going to and itll look like were hoping it looks like its old Panama City. Its not going to be this shiny new thing that doesnt mix with Downtown Panama City.

The city has to reach benchmarks over the next 90 days.

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Commissioners hope to have a lease in place by the end of October.

Then they can order the engineering to start the wet slips.

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CAIRO (AP)  Sudans notorious paramilitary group rampaged through a village in the southern Kordofan region, which has become a key frontline in the countrys civil war, killing more than 30 people in a two-day offensive, an activist group said Thursday.

The Rapid Support Forces on Wednesday attacked Brima Rashid village, north of the key town of al-Nahud, which the paramilitaries seized earlier this year in West Kordofan province, said the Emergency Room in the area, an activist group tracking the war.

The group said it documented the killing of 32 people, including siblings, in the offensive which lasted until Thursday morning. More than 50 others were wounded, it said on its Facebook pages.

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A spokesman for the RSF didnt immediately respond to a request seeking comment.

The toll is up from 27 dead and 47 wounded reported early Wednesday by the Sudan Doctors Network, a medical group which also tracks the war.

In a statement, the network said RSF fighters targeted unarmed civilians in their homes - including women, children, and the elderly - in a bloody scene reminiscent of the most horrific crimes against humanity.

Sudan was plunged into a war in April 2023, when tensions between the Sudanese army RSF exploded with street battles in the capital, Khartoum that quickly spread across the country.

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Kordofan region in southern Sudan has in recent months joined the Darfur city of el-Fasher as the key frontlines in the fighting between the miliary and the RSF.

The war killed more than 24,000 people, according to the United Nations, but activists and rights groups say the toll is likely much higher.

The war also created the worlds worst humanitarian crisis. It has driven about 13 million people from their homes, including over 4 million who crossed into neighboring countries. Parts of Sudan have been pushed into famine.

The fighting has been marked by atrocities including mass rape and ethnically motivated killings that amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, especially in Darfur, according to the U.N. and international rights groups.

The fighting in Kordofan reportedly killed more than 300 people, including children and pregnant women, earlier this month, according to the United Nations Humanitarian Affairs Office.
The wreckage of a passenger plane that went missing over a remote area of eastern Russia on Thursday has been located, according to the country's Civil Defence Ministry.

The Antonov An-24 was en route from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda, near the Chinese border, with 49 people on board, Governor Vasily Orlov said.

The aircraft vanished from radar during its second approach to Tynda. The wreckage was discovered about 15 kilometers from the town, the ministry reported.

It was not immediately clear whether there were any survivors.
The wreckage of a passenger plane that went missing over a remote area of eastern Russia on Thursday has been located, according to the country's Civil Defence Ministry.

The Antonov An-24 was en route from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda, near the Chinese border, with 49 people on board, said Vasily Orlov, governor of the Amur region.

The aircraft vanished from radar during its second approach to Tynda. The wreckage was discovered about 15 kilometres from the town, the ministry reported.

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It added that the crew had not reported any problems. It was not immediately clear whether there were any survivors after an inspection of the site by helicopter.

Rescue work is being hampered by the difficult terrain of moor and taiga, and the helicopter was unable to land at the site of the accident. Rescue workers were hoping to reach the wreckage by dusk, just a few hours away.

The plane had begun its journey in Khabarovsk before stopping over at Blagoveshchensk.

The An-24 is one of the oldest passenger planes still in operation, and the plane in the accident is reported to have been almost 50 years old. Its operating licence had been extended to 2036.

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Some of the problems in the Russian aviation sector can be attributed to Western sanctions imposed following the February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Russian prosecutors have launched an investigation into Angara Airlines, the company operating the flight, focusing on safety measures. The plane is reported to have been inspected immediately ahead of the flight, with no shortcomings found.

According to media reports, investigators are looking into the possibility of human error. The reports said the crew could have misjudged their height in difficult weather conditions and that the plane could have brushed the tops of trees as it approached the runway.
An Angara Airlines plane en route from Khabarovsk to Blagoveshchensk to Tynda in Russias Far East has crashed as it was attempting to land near Tynda. Early reports have confirmed the deaths of all 49 people on board.

Source: Latvia-based Russian media outlet Meduza; Russian state-owned news agency RIA Novosti; Russian independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta

Details: The aircraft failed to land on its first attempt and circled for a second approach, after which contact with it was lost. It later emerged that the plane had hit a mountainside.

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There were 49 people on board  six crew members and 43 passengers, including five children. According to the Amur Oblast Centre for Civil Protection and Fire Safety, an aerial survey of the An-24 crash site revealed no survivors, though a ground inspection might discover some.

The planes wreckage was found 16 km from Tynda. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations has confirmed that a rescue helicopter searching for the An-24 spotted the aircrafts burning fuselage.

Operational services are considering crew error while landing in poor visibility as the likely cause of the disaster.

Accounts on social media have suggested the rescue helicopter was unable to land near the crash site, forcing rescue workers to proceed on foot.

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A patient in a South Carolina childrens hospital has died of a brain-eating amoeba, according to the facility.

How to avoid the brain-eating amoeba sometimes found in warm freshwater lakes

In a news briefing Tuesday, Prisma Health Childrens Hospital-Midlands confirmed the patient died of primary amebic meningoencephalitis, also known as PAM, a rare but often fatal brain infection caused by the Naegleria fowleri organism.

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The hospital did not share any more details about the patient.

According to the South Carolina Department of Public Health, the patients exposure likely occurred at Lake Murray, though officials said they cannot be completely certain. The department said this is the first known case in the state since 2016.

In the briefing, Dr. Anna-Kathryn Burch, a pediatric infectious disease physician at the hospital, said these infections are very devastating, with the vast majority of cases in the United States ending in death.

Greater than 97% of cases that have occurred since the 60s have been fatal, she said.

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Burch explained the infections occur when forceful water gets up the nose and is able to cross into the brain. This can happen during recreational water activities in warm freshwater lakes, rivers and hot springs, where the amoeba thrives.

To reduce your risk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests holding your nose or wearing a nose clip if you are jumping or diving into freshwater or keeping your head above water in hot springs.

You cannot get a Naegleria fowleri infection from swallowing contaminated water or from someone else who is infected.

This isnt the first death caused by Naegleria fowleri in the U.S. this year.

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A Texas woman died from an infection caused by the brain-eating amoeba after using tap water from her RV in a nasal irrigation device, health officials reported in May.

The previously healthy 71-year-old developed severe symptoms, including fever, headache and altered mental status, within four days after the nasal irrigation rinse, the CDC case report said. Despite medical treatment for a suspected PAM infection, she developed seizures and died eight days after the symptoms began.

VIDEO: NC woman suffers brain hemorrhage while on spring break in Mexico
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WPRI)  The suspect accused of shooting a man to death in Pawtucket earlier this summer knew and targeted his victim, according to court documents obtained by 12 News.

Officers were called to Broad Street near Kennedy Manor the night of June 24 to investigate reports of a shooting.

Police said the officers found the victim, identified as 42-year-old Larry Rose, unconscious on the sidewalk suffering from gunshot wounds to his face and chest. He was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

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Detectives were able to track down and arrest 47-year-old Kenji Ingram after a vehicle registered to his girlfriends mother was spotted on surveillance footage near where Rose had been shot and killed. His girlfriend later told detectives she allowed him to use the car that night because his was in the process of being detailed.

Ingram was also positively identified by a witness who saw him running off after the shooting with what appeared to be a gun in his hand, according to court documents.

Court documents noted that Rose and Ingram had a history of bad blood between them that dated back to their time in prison together.

Nearly three weeks prior to the murder, a mutual acquaintance of both men told detectives Rose robbed Ingram at gunpoint, according to the court documents.

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[The acquaintance] stated that Rose put a firearm against Ingrams head and threatened to kill him, the court documents explained. He said that Ingram then emptied his pockets and gave everything he had to Rose.

The acquaintance told detectives that, when he learned Rose had been killed, he knew Ingram had done it. He also claimed that he saw Ingram driving around the neighborhood recently and believes he was looking for Rose, the court documents added.

12 News reached out to the Pawtucket Police Department Thursday regarding the investigation and was told that, even though an arrest has been made, the case remains active at this time.

Ingram, whos been charged with first-degree murder and various gun-related offenses, is being held without bail pending his next court date, which is slated for September.

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NORTH ANDOVER  While most children try to make a couple dollars by selling lemonade to quench the thirst of passersby on a summer day, Bodey Rowley, 6, opened his lemonade stand on a hot, sunny Thursday afternoon for a purpose.

Equipped with two pitchers full of different lemonades, and his parents help, he set out to raise money for Boston Medflight to complement his mothers fundraising efforts through an upcoming road race.

Kara Caffrey-Rowley will run the Falmouth Road Race on Aug. 17 as part of the Boston Medflight team. While shes completed other races, this upcoming one is special for her and her family. She put her name in a lottery to represent the team.

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She said her goal was to raise money for families who might need Boston Medflight at some point in their lives, as she and her husband did after Bodey, their only child, was born.

Caffrey-Rowley hit her fundraising goal and said her son wanted his own way to contribute to the cause. Bodey said he wanted to open a lemonade stand to raise money to help people who are sick so they can be with their families.

She and her husband have been honest with their son about how sick he was and how many people helped save his life, Caffrey-Rowley said.

In November 2018, she said Boston Medflight saved her sons life the day after he was born. While under care at Holy Family in Methuen, the hospitals staff decided Bodey needed more care than it could provide  and fast.

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A nurse had noticed Bodey was showing petechiae, tiny spots of bleeding under his skin. A blood test showed his platelets were in the single digits, which prompted a call to Boston Medflight.

It became apparent that he needed treatment that he couldnt get locally, Caffrey-Rowley said.

At the same time, she was getting blood transfusions so her husband Chris went to Boston with their son. Boston Medflights ground unit quickly responded to the hospital where Bodey was experiencing neonatal thrombocytopenia during a routine procedure.

She said she was told her newborn worsened on the trip.

Their intervention was one of the first steps in saving his life, Caffrey-Rowley said about Boston Medflight. It was all so quick, she said. They came in really fast and they took him really fast. It was a whirlwind, but were very grateful for them.

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This is Bodeys first time raising funds for charity. He initially said his goal was $87. In two hours, Thursdays stand raised $400. Family, friends and neighbors who showed up were able to contribute to his lemonade stand through Venmo donations as well.

His mom said its hard to determine exactly how many cups of lemonade he sold, as Bodey and his friends enjoyed a few  on the house.
PEKIN, Ill. (WMBD)  A 48-year-old Pekin woman faces up to 40 years behind bars in connection with an alleged plot to have her estranged husband killed.

Allison L. Salinas, 48, allegedly asked a man from Dallas, Texas to kill her husband. The man told Pekin police it had been a frequent topic of conversation between the two, according to Tazewell County Circuit Court records.

Allison L. Salinas appeared in court Thursday afternoon from the county jail through video conferencing, where she was charged with solicitation of murder. If convicted of the charge, she faces at least 20 to 40 years behind bars. Probation isnt an option.

Prosecutors in Pekin asked for her to be held pending the outcome of her case. However, that was pushed back a day, as allowed under the SAFE-T Act, to allow her attorney time to review all the reports.

Details of the scheme

The Texas man and Salinas had dated briefly as kids and back in 2021, began a long-distance relationship. The man initially had doubts about her motives, telling police earlier this month that he felt that during the relationship Allison began to attempt to manipulate him after learning about an inheritance he had received.

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The man told police she motioned leaving her husband so they could split the martial assets. In December 2023, she began the talk of having her husband killed, according to the probable cause statement filed in court.

(The Texas man) initially tried to deflect the conversation because Allison had insinuated her desire for him to kill her husband so that they could be together, the statement said. He made it known to Allison that he would not harm her husband, at which point Allison started discussing the idea of finding someone else to murder her husband.

He reported those talks to police but when he heard nothing back, he began to record their phone calls. The topic went on for months, much to the chagrin of the Texas man. At one point, he told her that the U.S. Secret Service was involved, having heard about the plot  which wasnt true, according to court records.

But even as late as mid-June, she was still asking if he could find someone to kill her husband, the statement said.

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Phone calls provided to Pekin police detail how Salinas mused about how to kill her husband and one point, told the Texas man, I need you to make this happen.

A friend of Salinas told Pekin police she had heard some of the conversations and how her friend wanted to hire a ghost or a hitman to kill her husband.

On another occasion, Allison discussed killing her husband by sneaking shellfish into his food, which he is allergic to, according to the probable cause statement.

Her side of the story

Pekin police talked to Salinas on July 22 and she admitted to them that she had been discussing the murder of her husband, the statement said.

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She also said she wasnt in a good mental state but admitted she wasnt crazy or unstable.

A detective showed her a screen shot of a text message where she was talking about spousal immunity and she said she learned about that former a former husband who was convicted of murdering his wife in Texas in 2003.

The two were having an affair at the time, and the former husband pushed her to get married quickly so she couldnt take the stand against him. However, Salinas did tell Pekin police she had no idea that former husband had killed his wife until after they were married.

The detective pointed out that the picture and message that Allison sent after asking (the Texas man) to take care of this appeared to be sent so that James would know who needed to be taken care of. Allison had no response other than that she understood what the context pointed to, the statement said.

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Its been 10 years since residents of Penn Plaza in Pittsburghs East Liberty neighborhood had to pick up their lives and move for a redevelopment that still hasnt come.

The Penn Plaza Apartments were once home to over 200 people, including seniors and low to moderate-income families. They were displaced when the apartments were demolished for a new development that was never built.

It was a community, it was a neighborhood, neighbors knew neighbors at Penn Plaza, said Randall Taylor, a former resident.

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Taylor was notified in 2015 that his lease wouldnt be renewed. He wasnt alone.

My father called me in a panic and said that we have to move out. I dont know where to go. Can you help me? recalled Crystal Jennings Rivera, whose father was also a tenant.

Tenants had just 90 days to leave their homes.

People got displaced from their relatives, from their clergy, from their doctors office, from their jobs, some people moved into areas where there is no transit.

Rivera says tenants were forced out of the city to places like Wilmerding and McKeesport.

The owner, LG Realty, had redevelopment plans that included a Whole Foods Market along with mixed-use development featuring office and retail space. So, in 2017, the buildings were demolished.

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Ten years later, a portion of the lot is still empty.

Rivera and Taylor are hoping the upcoming city council vote on an inclusionary zoning bill will change that.

We need a comprehensive housing policy so that we dont have developers who can just acquire land and do whatever they want to do.

The proposed plan would require developers of larger residential projects to set aside a portion of units for affordable housing.

I would love to see people like myself come back to where they grew up, where they call home.

Its unclear if the bill will be taken up at the regularly scheduled council meeting next week or after the summer recess.

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(WHTM)  A Pennsylvania congressman called for added protection for Ghislaine Maxwell after a House Oversight committee voted to subpoena her to discuss her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Maxwell was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison for helping Epstein sexually abuse underage girls. Investigators said Epstein died by suicide in his jail cell.

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I urge immediate action to ensure her safety, said Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), one of three Republicans on the committee who voted to subpoena the Justice Department for files related to the Epstein investigation, in a letter to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Maxwell is scheduled to sit for a deposition on August 11 at the Federal Correctional Institution in Tallahassee, Florida.

In recent weeks, Republicans have turned on President Donald Trump after the Justice Department walked back the release of files related to the Epstein case, including a supposed client list the department now denies exists.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) sent lawmakers home early to avoid a vote forcing the administration to release the documents.

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Perry, meanwhile, called Maxwells testimony on her relationship with the disgraced financier invaluable to Congress.

Pennsylvania congressman demands special prosecutor, release of Epstein files

As such, I request that she be placed immediately into Protective Custody within a Special Housing Unit, and continuously monitored immediately, Perry said. Given the abrupt and unexpected demise of lead suspect, Mr. Epstein in 2029 while in federal custody, we must take every precaution to ensure Ms. Maxwell is available to provide testimony.

Perry added, Our justice system must not once again fail the countless survivors of Mr. Epstein.

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Diversification or decline: Europe's wake-up call amid U.S. tariff hikes, currency pressures

Xinhua) 08:48, July 24, 2025

* A 30 percent U.S. tariff on imports from the EU is set to take effect on Aug. 1, triggering alarm across the European industries.

* Last week, Italy's Association for the Development of Industry in the Mezzogiorno warned that the U.S. tariffs might lead to a 0.5-percent reduction in Italy's GDP in 2026 and the potential loss of up to 150,000 jobs, including some 13,000 in the country's southern regions.

* In addition to the tariffs, the recent sharp appreciation of the euro has also triggered growing concern among policymakers and economists, with some warning that the strong currency delivers a "double blow" to Europe's export-heavy economies.

* Recent protectionist moves by the United States may unintentionally accelerate Europe's drive to diversify its trade partnerships and help foster a more balanced, resilient, and inclusive global trade architecture, said German economist Hermann Simon.

BRUSSELS/FRANKFURT, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Less than 10 days before the newly proposed U.S. tariffs on imports from the European Union (EU) take effect, the clock is ticking, sounding alarms across the European industries, some of which are facing existential threats.

The last-ditch efforts made by the EU to secure an agreement to avert the new sweeping U.S. tariffs have failed so far. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic has warned that the levy of a 30-percent tariff "prohibits the trade."

From Bavarian steel mills to Croatian jam producers, the new tariffs spell disaster for European businesses over-reliant on U.S. markets, underscoring an urgent truth: Europe must diversify now or face permanent decline.

EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic attends a joint press conference in Brussels, Belgium, July 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

EXPORT STRAIN

Neb Chupin, CEO of Croatia's Hermes International, fears that his fig jam business -- a U.S. market success since 2005 -- may not survive the looming tariffs.

In the good old days, the firm shipped as many as 150 containers of fig jam to the United States annually, which generated around 10 million U.S. dollars in sales revenue.

In the case of a 10-percent levy on EU products by the U.S. administration, the fig jam producer will have to pay an additional 1 million dollars annually.

As the tariffs find their way into the price tags of Chupin's fig jam in the United States, sales declined and the firm had to cut jobs.

If Washington follows through on its 30-percent tariff threats, Chupin told Xinhua that he couldn't bear to imagine the consequences.

Chupin's trepidation reverberates across Italy's 6,000 vulnerable small and medium enterprises, particularly in premium sectors like beverages and pharmaceuticals, where 11 billion euros (12.7 billion U.S. dollars) in exports hang in the balance.

Last week, Italy's Association for the Development of Industry in the Mezzogiorno warned that the U.S. tariffs might lead to a 0.5-percent reduction in Italy's GDP in 2026 and the potential loss of up to 150,000 jobs, including some 13,000 in the country's southern regions.

The Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI), an Italian think tank, said that U.S. tariffs would also weigh on economies such as Germany and France, costing the two countries 0.5 percent and 0.25 percent of their economic outputs.

According to the new U.S. tariff policies, European steel products sold in the United States will be levied an additional 50-percent tariff, which, according to experts from the Association of Bavarian Business in Germany, will make sales of German steel products in the United States unrealistic.

Kerstin Maria Rippel, managing director of the German Steel Federation, warned that the influx of steel products from third countries to the European markets would compound the predicament of European steel producers.

Photo taken on May 23, 2025 shows European Union flags at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

EURO SURGE RISK

The recent sharp appreciation of the euro has triggered growing concern among policymakers and economists, with some warning that the strong currency delivers a "double blow" to Europe's export-heavy economies.

The euro rose to a four-year high of 1.181 U.S. dollars at the beginning of this month, according to the data of reference rates published by the European Central Bank. The euro-U.S. dollar pair has soared by 14 percent since the beginning of this year.

Henrik Mueller, professor of Economic Journalism at the Technical University of Dortmund, explained that a stronger euro makes European goods and services more expensive relative to foreign competitors, thereby hurting exports.

For a region heavily reliant on external demand, this is "particularly ill-timed," he said.

Italian Minister of Economy and Finance Giancarlo Giorgetti stressed that a weak U.S. dollar effectively acts as an "implicit" tariff, making U.S. goods cheaper and imported goods more expensive, thus distorting international trade flows.

Mueller added that the eurozone, especially Germany, is being hit simultaneously by rising trade barriers and currency appreciation. "This double hammer, tariffs plus revaluation, will hurt," he warned.

"Any tariff level on top of that is out of control," since the cheaper dollar represents the "highest tariff that (Europe) already faces... making us lame from the start," Emanuele Orsini, president of Italy's largest employers' association Confindustria, said at a conference in Rome. In his view, the only acceptable tariff on EU exports to the United States would be zero, as the bloc is already facing a detrimental exchange rate.

In recent days, several members of the European Central Bank (ECB)'s Governing Council have voiced concern over the strength of the euro. ECB Vice President Luis de Guindos recently stated that an exchange rate above 1.20 U.S. dollars per Euro could pose risks to Europe's economic outlook.

Most concerning is the speed at which the exchange rate reaches this level. Thu Lan Nguyen, a foreign exchange expert at Commerzbank, noted in an analysis that it is primarily rapid and pronounced exchange rate movements that can undermine companies' planning certainty and, as a result, have real economic implications.

Attendees chat during the 6th European Political Community (EPC) Summit in Tirana, Albania, May 16, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe)

DIVERSIFICATION IMPERATIVE

While the erratic U.S. trade policies wreak havoc on global trade, supply chain and the European economy, European policymakers and manufacturers are set to diversify their trade and look to expand their businesses in other markets.

Unilateral trade measures from Washington are undermining the foundations of the global multilateral system and dealing a direct blow to the German economy, said Bernd Einmeier, president of the German-Chinese Association for Economy, Education, and Culture. "This situation demands a strategic shift: market diversification can no longer remain a policy slogan, it has become an economic necessity. Sustainable international commerce must be grounded in trust, rules, and reciprocity."

As a matter of fact, the economic security has long been a concern for the EU, which is in active pursuit of diverse trading partners in a bid to reduce over-reliance.

The EU and the Southern Common Market, known as Mercosur including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, signed in December last year a free trade and cooperation agreement after 25 years of negotiations.

For Hermann Simon, a renowned German economist known as the father of the "Hidden Champions" theory, the untapped potential of trade partnerships with developing regions remains a key focus for Germany and Europe.

He highlighted Africa as a particularly striking example: Germany currently exports more to Sweden, a country with just 10 million people, than to the entire African continent, home to over 1.2 billion.

This stark imbalance, he argued, underscores not only the need for Germany and Europe to expand their commercial footprint in African markets, but also to support Africa's ability to increase its own exports to Europe.

Strengthening such reciprocal trade relationships, Hermann said, represents both a significant economic opportunity and a shared global responsibility.

In his view, recent protectionist moves by the United States may unintentionally accelerate Europe's drive to diversify its trade partnerships and help foster a more balanced, resilient, and inclusive global trade architecture.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
ABBOTTSTOWN, Pa. (WHTM)  A pet food distributor and manufacturer recently completed the construction of a new $5 million facility in Adams County.

According to the Adams Economic Alliance, an Adams County-based pet food distributor and manufacturer named Smyser Concern recently completed the construction of a new $5 million facility located at 300 Pleasant Street in Abbottstown, Pa.

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This new facility serves to consolidate the companys warehousing, manufacturing, offices, and operations across its three business lines.

Adams Economic Alliance says for the first time in Smyser Concerns 32-year history, they will now have all three of their brands under one roof. This includes their Affordable Pet Supply, K9 Granola Factory, and White Dog Bone Co.

We literally started this company from scratch, from a 4500 square-foot warehouse built at our home, said co-owner Janie Smyser. We got into the pet industry at exactly the right time and were blessed to have this phenomenal opportunity. We didnt know wed have this kind of exponential growth. The pet Industry is expected to do $246 billion in worldwide sales in 2025.

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This newly unveiled facility was made possible with the help of an SBA 504 loan in the amount of $2,096,400, which helped fund the construction of Smyser Concerns 50,000-square-foot facility, replacing multiple warehousing locations and K9 Granola Factorys bakery operations.

Previously, these bakery operations were outsourced to a facility in Illinois.

We applaud and congratulate Smyser Concern for realizing their dream and creating this beautiful new facility to support their thriving family-based business, Robin Fitzpatrick, Alliance President said. Smyser Concern is benefitting from Adams Countys excellent location, as they distribute pet supplies throughout the Mid-Atlantics major markets, as well as nationwide, on a daily basisand we are honored that they call Adams County home.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

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The Pentagon has suspended participation in all think tank and research events until further notice, according to an email sent Thursday to staff and obtained by POLITICO, a major shift in engagement from the countrys largest federal agency.

The decision comes a week after the Defense Department pulled out of the high-profile Aspen Security Forum citing the evil of globalism and indicating the event did not align with the Trump administrations defense policies.

The Pentagons public affairs office is also reviewing the agencys participation in other top security conferences, according to the email. It specifically banned attendance at the Halifax International Security Forum, which takes place in Nova Scotia each winter and where the Pentagon chief is usually a top guest. It was not immediately clear why that forum had been singled out.

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The move would sideline the Pentagon from national security dialogues that it has used for decades to advance its policy and explain the departments rationale. Former Defense Secretaries Jim Mattis, Mark Esper and Lloyd Austin have also used think tank events, such as the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue and the Reagan National Defense Forum, to give major policy speeches and hold sideline meetings with both allies and adversaries.

The Pentagons public affairs, general counsel and policy teams will review all requests for participation at events and will ask for officials remarks and talking points in advance, according to the email. The directive, which took effect Tuesday, applies to all DOD military officers, civil servants and senior enlisted leaders. The Pentagons public affairs team must approve any future events.

"In order to ensure the Department of Defense is not lending its name and credibility to organizations, forums, and events that run counter to the values of this administration, the Department's Office of Public Affairs will be conducting a thorough vetting of every event where Defense officials are invited to participate, chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said in an emailed response.

It also appears to apply to gatherings hosted by nonprofit military associations, such as Sea Air Space, which is led by the Navy League, the military services largest veteran organization, and Modern Day Marine, a similar trade show for the Marine Corps, although public affairs offices inside the military were still seeking guidance on the directive.

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The effort to drastically cut the Defense Departments public presence on Washingtons think tank circuit comes after the Pentagon said senior leaders would no longer be allowed to attend the Aspen summit, just a day before the gathering began. Navy Secretary John Phelan, Emil Michael, the Defense undersecretary for research and engineering, Defense Innovation Unit chief Doug Beck and several top military officials had been scheduled to speak.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this report misstated the hosts of two conferences. They are led by nonprofit military associations.
PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD)  Police in Peoria are investigating after a woman was allegedly robbed by a man with a gun.

At approximately 12:18 p.m. on Wednesday, July 23, police went to the 1000 block of West Butler Street after receiving a report that a postal worker had been robbed at gunpoint, according to police spokesperson Semone Roth.

Roth said officers spoke with the victim, a 62-year-old woman, who allegedly told police she was approached by an unknown man who showed he had a handgun before stealing from her. She was not injured.

She said the suspect ran away. Police, along with a K9 officer, searched the area but did not find the suspect.

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Roth said police are investigating the robbery. There is no suspect at this time.

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A lawsuit brought against PepsiCo this year alleges the company deceptively packaged its popped corn snack, PopCorners.

What's happening?

According to Top Class Actions, plaintiff Bonnie Reyes filed a class action lawsuit against PepsiCo on June 1, claiming that the company used nonfunctional slack-fill in the packaging of its product, PopCorners. Reyes filed the suit in California federal court, and it applies only to California consumers.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiff alleged that PepsiCo packaged PopCorners in oversized bags that were half-empty without informing consumers that the product was only half-full. As such, Reyes claimed that the company violated state and federal consumer laws by duping PopCorners consumers into paying full price for a half-full product.

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Reyes also alleged in the lawsuit that PepsiCo intentionally half-filled PopCorners packaging to both save money and manipulate consumers into purchasing its product over competitors. As such, the lawsuit alleged that PepsiCo's competitors, which have made changes to labeling to let consumers know exactly how much product is in a package, were also harmed.

Why are half-filled packages concerning?

PepsiCo and other companies that only fill packages of food halfway are not only deceiving consumers into paying more for less, a manipulative practice that hits consumers' wallets, but they're also creating extra plastic waste.

PepsiCo is already one of the world's leading producers of branded plastic waste, and the company has also recently reversed course on its stated plastic reduction goals, like reducing the amount of virgin plastic used in the company's packaging.

Between uncommitting to reducing plastic waste and the extra plastic waste created by oversized packaging, more plastic will end up in landfills and oceans, causing an influx of pollution that is harmful to people, animals, and the planet.

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PepsiCo's deceptive packaging practices may also discourage consumers from switching to brands that are unequivocally engaging in more sustainable practices, such as properly filled food packages. This harms consumers and competitors alike, as it prevents people from spending their dollars on companies that support their interests and companies with sustainable practices from gaining new customers.

What's being done about PepsiCo?

Since the lawsuit was only recently filed, it will take some time to work its way through the California courts. The lawsuit seeks certification of the class action, as well as fees, damages, costs, restitution and disgorgement, and a jury trial.

While there's no way to determine how the lawsuit will go, it will hopefully encourage PepsiCo to recommit to better sustainability practices. The company has touted its sustainability goals, like investments in sustainable agriculture, in the past, so it's not unthinkable that this lawsuit will convince PepsiCo to create more change for the better.

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.
PepsiCo is launching a bold Greenhouse Accelerator program to fuel sustainability and innovation in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

FoodNavigator Asia reported that 10 startups are currently finalists for the program. Their work spans waste management solutions and green hydrogen systems.

It can be difficult for people who haven't thought about the environment before to fight for change now. The Greenhouse Accelerator program wants to change that. It wants to make it easier for others to act sustainably.

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One strategy the program is considering is hybrid proteins. These foods will combine animal and plant protein sources, and they aim to address nutrition gaps.

"It was always considered one of the next generation of meatlike substances after plant-based meat, a category which suffered in Asia due to price, taste, and digestibility factors," said the head of nutrition for the Singapore Institute for Food and Biotechnology Innovation to FoodNavigator Asia.

They continued, "But now if we recognise those weaknesses and hybridise ingredients to complement one another, the potential to move beyond this is quite clear."

This hybrid food could also make it easier for someone to embrace plant-based eating, which costs and pollutes less. FoodNavigator Asia also noted that these foods could help people meet their fiber intake, especially in China.

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Initiatives like what PepsiCo is working on open up a lot of possibilities. When companies readjust their practices and become more sustainable, that makes it easier for people to make more sustainable choices.

That being said, PepsiCo still has a lot of work to do to change its ways. The company has done other promising things like pivoting to reusable packaging and investing in regenerative agriculture. But PepsiCo was one of the world's worst polluters in 2023 and has misled consumers about its packaging recyclability before.

An individual person can only do so much. One of the best things you can do in the meantime, however, is learn about greenwashing. Not all corporate eco-friendly changes are considered greenwashing, but learning about it can help us advocate for better change.

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.
Columbia University will pay $200 million to the federal government and agree to a series of reforms in a deal with the Trump administration aimed at resolving allegations that it failed to protect Jewish students during pro-Palestinian protests. As part of the settlement, Columbia will follow the administrations ban on DEI in hiring and admissions, and implement new antisemitism response measures. The Morning Joe panel reacts.
ST. MARYS COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  One person was hurt on Wednesday after a shooting that an officer was involved in, according to the St. Marys County Sheriffs Office.

DC Auditor report criticizes police handling of deadly force investigation

Deputies responded to San Souci Plaza in California, Md. There, somebody was shot and was airlifted to a hospital.

According to deputies, no one else was hurt.

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Deputies say there is no threat to the public, but are asking people to avoid the area for the next several hours as the investigation continues.

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By Marco Aquino

LIMA (Reuters) -Peruvian authorities have halted a shipment of about four metric tons of mercury headed to Bolivia for presumed use in illegal gold mining, they said on Thursday, the latest sign of rising black market activity to fulfill soaring demand for the precious metal.

The mercury had been passed off as a container of crushed rock, but Peru's customs agency SUNAT said an analysis revealed that the material had been laced with mercury, a toxic metal that is subject to strict environmental controls.

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"We could determine that mercury was being transported in its natural state, camouflaged in shipments of gravel," SUNAT said in a statement. The cargo was detected at the Callao port and came from Mexico, it added.

The seizure appears to be the largest on record in the Amazon region of South America where illegal gold mining is widespread, according to a review of past seizures by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA), a Washington-based advocacy nonprofit.

Until now, the biggest known shipment in the region, about a decade ago, was only half the size, according to the EIA.

The latest discovery comes as gold prices have soared in recent months, as global trade uncertainty has made gold particularly attractive for investors. Gold prices are up 28.5% so far this year and hit a record high of $3,500 per troy ounce in April. The frenzy for gold has led to deadly encounters from West Africa to Peru.

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The EIA said it alerted Peruvian authorities to the shipment during its research into illicit mercury shipments from Mexico to Bolivia, Colombia and Peru, where miners use mercury to leach gold from sediment of the Amazon riverbanks.

It said higher mercury prices were driving illegal mercury production in Mexico, with a particular spike since the start of this year as traffickers paid a record $330 per kilogram.

"According to traffickers, gold miners' demand for mercury has driven the sophisticated operation and made it profitable," the EIA said in a report released on Thursday.

It said its investigation showed that 200 tons of mercury were smuggled from Mexico to Bolivia, Colombia and Peru between April 2019 and June 2025, accounting for a conservative estimate of $8 billion in illegal gold.

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Peruvian officials did not address the role of the EIA in the discovery of the mercury-laced gravel from Mexico.

(Reporting by Marco Aquino in Lima and Daina Beth Solomon in Santiago; Additional reporting by Polina Devitt; Editing by Leslie Adler)
MIDTOWN, MANHATTAN (PIX11)  Local businesses are bracing for a financial hit if The Late Show with Stephen Colbert ends in May as planned.

Akhil Reddy, who works in the NYC Gifts and Luggage next to the Ed Sullivan Theater, says, 20 percent of the tourists come from there, after the show.

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Ali Syed, who works at Fresh Bites Organic Snacks, said, Whenever the line is up, they come in here, they shop everything, they get ready for the show.

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Dozens of employees of The Late Show will also be out of work. The Writers Guild of America East tells PIX11 News, they represent 24 writers on the show, including Stephen Colbert. Josh Gondelman, who is a WGA writer on other comedy shows in New York, said People have to worry about healthcare, people have to worry what the next job is  theres a whole staff and crew from hair and makeup to the PAS to the camera operators, and these are good union jobs in New York City.

On Wednesday afternoon, a rally was held outside the Ed Sullivan Theater by the group Progressive Change Campaign Committee. They say they have gathered 250,000 signatures on a petition at SaveColbert.org. The group walked from the theater down to Paramounts Headquarters in Times Square to deliver boxes of the petitions.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

Adam Green, the Co-Founder of Progressive Change Campaign Committee, said, We want them to know, the public is not going away, there is high scrutiny. Its about more than one man or one institution; its about American democracy, and do institutions cave to Trump in advance?

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CBS and Paramount said the decision to end the show in May of 2026 is purely financial. The decision came days after Colbert went on his show to criticize CBS and its parent company, Paramount, for its 16-million-dollar settlement with President Trump over his 60 Minutes lawsuit. Paramount Global is also seeking federal approval for a merger with Skydance Media.

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Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters.

HARRISBURG  Hundreds of pharmacies across Pennsylvania have gone out of business in recent years, data obtained by Spotlight PA show, and pharmacists say legislation passed last year to help isnt doing enough to stave off more closures.

The problem, pharmacists and their advocates say, boils down to how much pharmacies are paid for their work and the medications they provide. The reimbursements offered through insurance plans frequently dont cover the costs of the drugs themselves or the related overhead expenses, such as paying for staff and keeping the lights on, according to multiple Pennsylvania pharmacists and pharmacy owners.

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Several pharmacists told Spotlight PA that depending on reimbursement rates, pharmacies can bring on more customers and fill more prescriptions  and still end up losing money.

Its kind of a double-edged sword, said Eric Abramowitz, a pharmacist and co-owner of Erics RX Shoppe in Montgomery County.

Pharmacists and some lawmakers have blamed closures on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)  middlemen in the drug pricing chain  although advocates for those businesses dispute it.

The ongoing Rite Aid bankruptcy closures threaten to further limit access to medication counseling, immunizations, and other local services. Several pharmacists told Spotlight PA the situation for the industry is dire across the state.

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We are getting closer and closer to the day that we dont have main street pharmacies with their doors open, pharmacist Erich Cushey, owner of Curtis Pharmacy, which has four locations in rural southwestern Pennsylvania, told Spotlight PA.

Blaming the middlemen

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro criticized PBMs in his budget address in 2024, saying that folks are also getting screwed by the high cost of prescription drugs and that PBMs have made record profits on the backs of Pennsylvanians.

These intermediaries play a large role in what patients pay for medications, as they administer prescription benefits, which leads them to deal with drug manufacturers and pharmacies. The companies say they help reduce the cost of prescription drugs, while their critics deride them as middlemen that drive up those prices.

Shapiro called for reforming the operations of PBMs and said the businesses should have to report more information to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.

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Last year, a bipartisan group from both chambers of the state legislature said Pennsylvanians were losing access to affordable prescription drugs. They specifically noted the large role that three such PBM companies  CVS Caremark, Express Scripts, and Optum Rx  have in the marketplace.

In legislative hearings at the time, pharmacists and advocates described an unequal playing field in which pharmacies dont have leverage to negotiate fair reimbursements in contracts. Rob Frankil, executive director of the Philadelphia Association of Retail Druggists, told lawmakers that PBMs were steering patients to their affiliated mail-order or in-person pharmacies. He described CVS  which has hundreds of stores in Pennsylvania  and its affiliated PBM as an example of who could benefit.

All this creates an imbalance of power, he said.

Its not just a problem for mom-and-pop stores, according to him. Large operators without such an alliance with a major PBM, including grocery store chains and Rite Aid, are suffering just as much as the independents, Frankil told lawmakers.

Rite Aid acquired a PBM in 2015, reentering a market brimming with competition from large, national players, the Associated Press reported at the time. But the plan didnt work. The pharmacy chain sold its Elixir PBM company in 2024, Forbes reported, after it first filed for bankruptcy. Frankil told Spotlight PA that Rite Aids PBM operation never really gained much traction and never came anywhere close to competing with the big three companies.

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PBMs and their advocates have pushed back on these criticisms, saying they help lower the cost of prescription drugs for patients. Without them, employers and health plans would be forced to go it alone on pharmacy benefits, which would result in significantly higher drug costs for patients, says the website for the national Pharmaceutical Care Management Association.

Heather Cascone, assistant vice president for the organization, told Spotlight PA many factors influence pharmacy closures, including customer preferences for online options and whether doctors or hospitals practice near a pharmacy.

A spokesperson for CVS Caremark called independent pharmacies a vital part of its pharmacy network and said it reimburses those pharmacies in Pennsylvania more than it does CVS pharmacies. Our reimbursement models are designed to support access and stability across a diverse pharmacy landscape, spokesperson Phil Blando said.

The 2024 law is bringing new requirements and restrictions meant to help level the playing field. Those provisions go into effect at staggered times. For instance, registered PBMs need to submit annual transparency reports regarding their financial transactions beginning July of next year.

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State Rep. Jessica Benham (D., Allegheny), the bills prime sponsor, said shes proud of the work to pass the law and shes already hearing of positive results when it comes to PBMs complying with it. But she said there are more issues to address.

In many ways, we laid a good foundation for future work, Benham said.

The impact of closures

Despite last years legislation, Pennsylvania is still reeling from pharmacies shutting down.

More than 800 licensed Pennsylvania pharmacies went out of business from January 2020 to early July of this year, according to Department of State records. While some new ones opened during that same time period, the data show a net loss of hundreds of pharmacies  with more expected. A state database of active pharmacies as of early July included about 230 Rite Aid ones.

A closing sign outside of a York County Rite Aid is seen in July 2025. Ed Mahon / Spotlight PA

These closures cause some patients to have to travel further, and some are running into problems as they try to transfer prescriptions, pharmacists and other health care leaders told Spotlight PA. Those barriers could lead some patients to slip through the cracks and not get their medications filled. Pharmacists and some lawmakers pushing for changes told Spotlight PA mail-order prescriptions arent sufficient to fill the gap left when local stores close.

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Where we see the biggest impact, its usually in  rural locations and its in the underserved locations, said John DeJames, president of the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association. So the people that need the help the most are the ones  getting hit the most.

In testimony to lawmakers last year, Lackawanna County pharmacy owner Eric Pusey described a bleak financial situation. In 2022, nearby pharmacy closures led patients to bring hundreds more prescriptions per week to his store, and total sales increased, he said.

But Puseys store ultimately lost more than $100,000 that year, he told lawmakers. To remain in operation, he tapped his personal savings and retirement funds, he said, and started looking into a loan through a federal program.

Hes made changes since then and cut expenses. This month, Pusey told Spotlight PA he has consolidated his debt and reduced his losses. But he said he cant take out more loans  hes maxed out whats available. If Pusey had to sell his store right now, based on the estimates hes heard, the proceeds wouldnt cover what he owes.

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My goal right now is to break even for the rest of the year, he told Spotlight PA, and then hope that we get some type of legislation that will at least generate some type of profit that will help me to continue to serve our patients.

In York, a south-central Pennsylvania city with about 45,000 residents, the recent closure of its downtown Rite Aid is a huge loss, said Monica Kruger, director of the citys Bureau of Health.

Family First Health, a federally qualified health center with multiple locations in south-central Pennsylvania, plans to open a pharmacy in York this fall, which will help fill in the gaps.

Jenny Englerth, president and CEO of the nonprofit, told Spotlight PA that the recent pharmacy closures caused the organization to escalate our timeline for opening the pharmacy.

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In Montgomery County, Erics RX Shoppe responded to closures by hiring more staff. Marc Ost, co-owner, said their goal is to figure out ways to serve patients in the area.

Were going to continue to do this because we feel its right, Ost told Spotlight PA. But, at some point, the financial burden of it catches up.

Calls for more action

Pharmacists and their advocates say the 2024 law and its implementation havent provided enough assistance. The Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association says more state action is needed as pharmacies continue to grapple with unsustainable reimbursement rates, predatory practices, and operational pressures that threaten their ability to serve communities.

A proposal from state Sens. Judy Ward (R., Blair) and Lisa Boscola (D., Northampton) would affect payments to pharmacies for the millions of patients enrolled in the states Medicaid program. In a June memo to colleagues, they said the approach saved hundreds of millions of dollars in administrative costs for Ohio, while also allowing hundreds of millions of dollars in dispensing fees to go directly to pharmacies.

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Their co-sponsorship memo said pharmacy closures in the state are being driven in large part by middlemen in the pharmaceutical supply chain, referring to PBMs. Boscola and Wards planned legislation has not been introduced yet.

An official with a national association that advocates for PBMs told Spotlight PA it makes no sense to blame PBMs for pharmacy closures in Pennsylvania.

PBMs arent trying to put pharmacies out of business, said Cascone, the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association representative, in fact, PBMs are supporting community pharmacies in Pennsylvania through programs that increase reimbursement and advocating to allow them to expand the additional clinical services they can offer.

Adrian Sipes, a spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, told Spotlight PA that insurers are working on addressing the challenges presented by the Rite Aid closures and that if gaps are found, we expect insurers to report how they are addressing the gaps on a regular basis until the gaps are resolved. If people have trouble finding a pharmacy, they can contact the departments consumer help center, Sipes said.

Its a real shame

The financial burden of the payment system caught up to pharmacist Charlotte Moss, who tried for years to keep her small-town pharmacy alive in Columbia County.

She opened Vine Pharmacy in 2018. She named it after a Bible verse, which was also painted over a doorframe inside the building.

She and her staff offered a range of services, including: customized packaging to help people take their various medications at the right time of day; delivery for those who couldnt drive or didnt have vehicles; and classes to help people prevent or manage diabetes.

When flooding hit the area in 2019, her store was there for people who were injured by running water and needed wound care items. When COVID-19 came, they had curbside testing outside the store and held vaccine clinics at a fire hall. They stocked cold medicine, sunglasses, cards, and other convenience staples.

The shop was busy, but it struggled with its reimbursements, Moss said. She considered closing in 2022 but decided to keep going. She made adjustments along the way. She switched wholesalers, hoping that paying less for medications would help. She changed how she negotiated with PBMs for reimbursements.

Moss was happy lawmakers passed the oversight bill for PBMs, but she knew it wouldnt save her store. We were already too far in debt, she told Spotlight PA.

A goodbye post from Vine Pharmacy in April of this year thanked everyone who supported the business and praised the employees.

It has been a joy to serve Benton and many surrounding communities, the post said. If we would have received full (or even close to full) payment for what we billed out to insurance companies, we would have been able to stay for many years and even decades.

People posted dozens of comments, thanking them for the service and describing how much they would be missed. One person called them a blessing, and another referred to them as the very best thing to happen to our area in a very long time.

Jerry Laubach, a 68-year-old part-time truck driver and former township supervisor, felt the loss. He switched some of his prescriptions to mail-order. But for others, he said he drives more than 20 miles  one way  to a pharmacy in Bloomsburg.

Charlotte took great care of us at Vine Pharmacy, he told Spotlight PA. Its a real shame that she couldnt keep going.

BEFORE YOU GO If you learned something from this article, pay it forward and contribute to Spotlight PA at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The international aid community, which includes many top Hollywood donors, has been reeling since the White House effectively eviscerated USAID at the start of Donald Trumps second presidential term in January. After all, since World War II, America has been leading and shaping modern global policies and standards in humanitarian assistance.

The gutting cuts have shuttered the government agency and ended much of its critical fieldwork. Beyond relieving societal crises among the worlds most vulnerable populations, the multibillion-dollar programs also sought to reduce emergent threats from developing countries (such as infectious disease outbreaks) and act as a soft-power counterweight against geopolitical rivals including China and Russia. Now this expansive portfolio of challenges, ranging from health and education to economic development and disaster relief, is left to a cluster of nonprofit organizations whose own budgets have often been deeply hampered by the same forced austerity enacted by the Elon Musk-initiated Department of Government Efficiency.

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The impact of these changes, theyre devastating in scale, and its also just the pace at which its happening, says Katherine Williford, chief development officer of Plan International USA, which champions girls rights abroad and whose supporters include Freida Pinto and Laurie Metcalf. (Goals include reducing violence and trafficking.) We lost $38 million in funding, impacting 1.5 million people across 12 countries.

Its a watershed moment, a seismic shift, agrees Michelle Nunn, president and CEO of CARE USA, which fights poverty, with an advocacy focus on women and girls livelihoods, and has been backed by performers from Kelly Clarkson to Alexandra Daddario. As with Plan International USA, 40 percent of its funding has originated from the U.S. government. In CAREs case, some of its work in places like Haiti and Sudan has ceased. So, too, in Yemen, where children arent getting support around critical programs that allow them to survive.

Nunn explains that for frontline groups like CARE, theres a renewed push to develop alternate funding pipelines to fulfill mission goals, including impact investing and corporate partnerships: Companies realize that when you invest in communities and their capacities to flourish, the people there can be successful as part of the supply chain.

The International Rescue Committee, a disaster relief organization that itself has received 30 percent of its funding from federal resources, has seen nearly half of its projects terminated because of cuts. The remainder of the Trump term is likely to yield further reductions. This is a moment where donors can make an outsized difference, explains IRCs Stephanie Van Sickel, who coordinates West Coast philanthropic giving with Warner Bros. as well as several of the major Hollywood agencies. (Its ambassador program includes Harry Styles, Rashida Jones and Rami Malek.) IRC senior director Ciaran Donnelly insists that, despite the vilification of international aid by ideologues, the reality is that budgets in this sector are some of the most scrutinized in the world. Donors impose that. They expect value for the money.

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The Trump administrations cuts have indirect impacts, too. Doctors Without Borders, for instance, doesnt receive government funding. (Its most prominent supporters include Pedro Pascal, Angelina Jolie and Mark Ruffalo.) Yet because of the new reality, its programs now face the prospect of higher costs for supplies, staffing and logistical support. The entire landscape of funding for humanitarian aid has shifted, coupled with significant uncertainty in the economic landscape, says the organizations chief development officer Deborah Garcia, who  like other executives with whom The Hollywood Reporter spoke  emphasized the importance of unrestricted donations in a moment of unprecedented crisis for the international aid sector.

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A Phoenix cannabis dispensary must rehire an employee terminated for unionizing efforts, a federal labor judge has decided.

In a July 22 directive, National Labor Relations Board Judge Mara-Louise Anzalone ordered Curaleaf Dispensary Midtown to rehire Nickolas Fredrickson and compensate him for lost income, other employment benefits and tax liabilities incurred. The judge's decision found the Midtown location violated the National Labor Relations Act by firing Fredrickson.

Fredrickson was a Curaleaf budtender for nearly four years before his employment was terminated April 21, 2024. The firing came a day after Fredrickson called out Curaleaf for what he described as "retaliation." Fredrickson's criticism came as fellow United Food and Commercial Workers International Union Local 99 organizers picketed outside a Curaleaf location on Camelback Road near Seventh Street.

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As outlined in the judge's decision, Curaleaf's given reason for terminating Frederickson was an April 9, 2024 incident when he failed to ID an underage person on the sales floor at a dispensary at Central Avenue and Muhammad Ali Way.

Fredrickson told his store manager he would not repeat the mistake but was fired when the manager concluded his oversight "escalated to a final" disciplinary action, according to information in the judge's decision. Anzalone wrote that "the record did not disclose whether this was in fact the case." Only one other Curaleaf employee was disciplined with a final written warning for a similar breech when in 2023 a known minor was allowed on the sales floor, the decision said.

Anzalone noted there was also an attendance infraction against Fredrickson but wrote that the manager "manufactured" this as part of an "overall plan designed to rid itself of the Midtown stores chief union adherent."

Curaleaf declined to comment when reached on the afternoon of July 23.

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A February 2024 decision and order by the NLRB found Curaleaf's Camelback location refused to engage in union bargaining. Curaleaf's appeal was dismissed in December.

According to Curaleaf's website, the company employs 5,200 people and has 147 locations nationwide.

"The retaliation has been strong with this company, especially recently," Fredrickson said April 20, 2024 as other organizers picketed outside the Curaleaf's Camelback location. "I think they're getting more aggressive in order to shake up the workforce and try to get the strong voices and the leaders out of the workforce, so that when they finally sit at the table with us, we have a much lower chance of getting a contract we deserve."

Though Fredrickson spoke publicly near the 2024 protest at the Camelback dispensary, he did not picket because he was accused of trespassing during union organizing the year before at that location, according to UFCW Local 99 spokesperson Drake Ridge.

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For years, Fredrickson has been a vocal champion for cannabis workers unionizing.

The 28-year-old Fredrickson, who said he previously worked at another Phoenix-area dispensary before Curaleaf, argued last year that demand for cannabis had outpaced employee needs since Arizona legalized recreational marijuana in 2020.

"Unfortunately, things changed after recreational use was legalized. Overnight, it felt like the whole industrys focus shifted from patient care to profit margins," Fredrickson said following an April 2023 union demonstration.

On July 23, Fredrickson told The Arizona Republic he was looking forward to returning to work.

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"One of the major goals I had here was to return to work in an industry I love, working with the regular patients that I love who still talk to me and still remember me to this day," Fredrickson said. "I cannot wait to get back to work."

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Cannabis unionizer in Phoenix unfairly fired, judge decides
When the revolution of 25 April 1974 swept through Portugal, Luiz Carvalho had no idea it would shape the course of his life. Then a 19-year-old architecture student with a passion for photography, he took to the streets of Lisbon with his Nikon F, capturing the unfolding scenes of a country in transformation.

Those early images marked the beginning of a career that would span more than two decades, working for the weekly Expresso and as a correspondent for SIPA Press.

Now, 50 years on, Carvalho revisits that turbulent chapter in Portugals history - the period between the revolution and the failed coup of 25 November 1975, known as the Ongoing Revolutionary Process (PREC) - in a new book and exhibition titled 50DE25.

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On display at the Sociedade Nacional de Belas Artes in Lisbon until 23 August, the exhibition features iconic photographs from the era alongside more recent portraits of key figures who shaped those historic events.

When the exhibition opened, Luiz Carvalho spoke to Euronews Culture about some of his favourite photos:

From the exhibition "50DE25" - Credit: Luiz Carvalho

Luiz Carvalho: This photo summarises those days of great joy. It was taken on 1 May 1974. I was there to find details of what was happening. When I see this military lorry, with the soldiers at the back demonstrating with their rifles in the air, the kids doing the V for victory, the officer at the front in the van also doing the V for victory, this photograph is perfect for me from an aesthetic point of view. There's nothing too much or too little. Of course, there are other photos in this series, some vertical, but this is the one that, for me, represents the decisive moment of 25 April.

From the exhibition "50DE25" - Credit: Luiz Carvalho

LC: This is the arrival of the first troopship from Guinea-Bissau. I was always listening to the radio, which at the time was the favoured means of information. I was in my architectural office and I heard that the ship was arriving. I left at 4pm and went to the Rocha do Conde de Obidos pier. It was incredible to see the people waiting for the soldiers and how they presented themselves: one was wearing a T-shirt of Amilcar Cabral (founder of the PAIGC, the independence movement of Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde), in other words, of those he had been fighting against, and a belt with two pistols crossed on the buckle.

From the exhibition "50DE25" - Credit: Luiz Carvalho

LC: Others were carrying exotic animals, which was normal at the time.

From the exhibition "50DE25" - Credit: Luiz Carvalho

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LC: A soldier lost, sad, among shadows, on 26 April (1974). It could have been on 25 November, like in that famous photograph by Alain Mingam of the paratroopers at Tancos crying. It's a photograph I really like and I'd rather not say it was taken on 26 April, because it's a photo that represents the end of the party. Or perhaps the beginning of the party, because the soldiers didn't really know what they were doing there. They adopted the attitude of defending the people, of always being on the side of the people, and that happened. It was one of the magical aspects of our revolution, so this photo has a very special meaning for me.

From the exhibition "50DE25" - Credit: Luiz Carvalho

LC: The person I photographed during this period who made the biggest impression on me was Jose Mario Branco, with whom I had a lot of contact and worked in the theatre. He was a person of incredible humanity, who thought for himself. He was a man of the left, in the sense that he defended values, but he wasn't a party man. He may have collaborated with some parties at one time or another, but he was independent. Very cultured, an extraordinary musician, he made a big impression on me as an actor and musician. This photograph was used for the cover of the album "Ser Solidario" (1982). Jose Mario Branco made a big impression on me, not because of his politics, but because of who he was.
Pilots Deliver Warning to American AirlinesWhat to Know originally appeared on Parade.

Choosing the perfect airline is like choosing which pair of shoes to wear in the morning. Do you go with the cheaper ones that look great, but make your feet hurt after a few hours, or slip on the slightly more expensive pair that offer just as much in the way of style as they do comfort? Theres nothing wrong with flying Spirit or Frontier, but as the saying goes, you get what you pay for. It doesnt necessarily mean that one is better than the othertheyre just different.

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Of course, when it comes to a more premium flight experience, most travelers know that the big three airlinesDelta, United, and American Airlinesare the way to go if youre looking for a relatively comfortable (and safe) trip. For decades, the three have been in constant battle for commercial dominance of the skies with each one edging out the other at one point or another. According to American Airlines own pilots, though, the fan-favorite air carrier might have just solidified its spot in third place.

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Related: Delta Embraces Controversial Change to Ticket Pricing

With their quarterly earnings call set for July 24, its speculated that the brand will respond to remarks made by United CEO Scott Kirby, who stressed that the market is currently split up into two sectors: one composed of Delta and United, and the other composed of everyone else. Dennis Tajer, an Allied Pilots Association spokesman, representing American Airlines pilots, spoke candidly about the airline's positioning related to the other two brand-loyal carriers.

The moat is broadening between Delta, United, and American, Tajer told Forbes. So many past network and product decisions have cemented Americans place on the bronze medal road. Additionally, he warned the airline that changes must be made if they hope to compete with either of the other behemoth brands. American management will tell the world how well its going, but compared with Delta and United, the results scream otherwise, Tajer said. That has to change.

While American Airlines is undeniably one of the country's largest and most successful air carriers, only time will tell if they can narrow the gap and rise through the ranks to become Americas top airline.

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Related: Popular U.S. Airline Cancels Hundreds of Flights Beginning This August

Pilots Deliver Warning to American AirlinesWhat to Know first appeared on Parade on Jul 24, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
For decades, American Airlines has battled with Delta Air Lines and American Airlines for commercial air supremacy in the United States. However, it sounds like even American Airlines' own pilots think that it has now cemented itself in third place.

In a recent interview with Forbes, Dennis Tajer, spokesman for Allied Pilots Association, which represents American pilots, got very honest when speaking about American's status compared to Delta and United.

The moat is broadening between Delta, United and American, Tajer told Forbes. So many past network and product decisions have cemented Americans place on the bronze medal road.

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As American Airlines prepares for an earnings call on Thursday, Tajer expects the airline's management to make it seem like American is doing well. But he claims that compared to Delta and United, that's simply not the case.

Tajer, representing the American Airlines pilots, had a pretty major warning for the airline as he made it clear that changes have to be made if American is going to compete with Delta and United.

American management will tell the world how well its going, but compared with Delta and United, the results scream otherwise, Tajer said. That has to change.

While American is undeniably one of the country's biggest and most expansive airlines and it's certainly still in a good position going forward, it's pretty clear that it is falling behind both Delta and United, and even American's own pilots can see it, as can United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby.

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We'll have to see what sort of changes American makes in the coming months and years to try to narrow the gap between Delta and United and make a push to become the country's top airline.

However, it's clear that it is going to take some changes and some time before that is a reality.

Pilots Warn that American Airlines is Third-Best first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 23, 2025
Pittsburgh Regional Transit is getting ready to open five new bus stations Downtown.

The newly-installed stops open on Sunday and are part of the University Line bus rapid transit project. The new stations are located at Ross Street, William Penn, Market Square, Wood Street and Steel Plaza.

PRT officials say opening the stations is a major milestone for the $291 million project that will connect Downtown Pittsburgh, Uptown and Oakland.

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These stations are part of a system designed to prioritize transit riders, said PRT CEO Katharine Kelleman. The University Line will reshape how Pittsburgh moves. Opening these stations marks real progress toward delivering a more reliable and safer transit experience and shows what we can accomplish when we invest in our infrastructure and our future.

PRT says riders will experience immediate improvements with seating and canopies that provide shade and protection from the elements. Soon, theyll have access to safety features and real-time arrival screens.

The first phase of University Line construction is nearly complete and phase two starts in January.

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NEW BRUNSWICK  A Plainfield man has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2021 murder of his pregnant ex-girlfriend.

Shakir Tyler, 46, was sentenced July 23 by Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Thomas Abode to life in prison for murder, and a concurrent 10-year term for possession of a handgun, Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone said.

Tyler was convicted following a two-week trial in February of the murder of Tayeesha Webb, 35, of Edison, his pregnant former girlfriend. Tyler also was found guilty of unlawful possession of a handgun and possession of a handgun for an unlawful purpose.

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During the trial the state was represented by Middlesex County Special Victims Unit Section Chief Lynne Seborowski and Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Emily Millner. Evidence and testimony during the case showed Tyler confronted Webb outside of her Wintergreen Avenue West home and shot her on Sept. 4, 2021.

Webb was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tyler was arrested after surrendering to police in Pennsylvania.

Ciccone thanked the Edison and Allentown, Pennsylvania police departments for their work in helping secure justice for Webb.

Email: srussell@gannettnj.com

Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ man sentenced to life in prison for killing pregnant ex-girlfriend
The federal government is accepting public comments on a plan to increase the size of Bartlett Dam and Bartlett Lake on the Verde River, an effort to bring new water supplies to metro Phoenix as accumulating sediment shrinks the existing reservoirs.

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has begun a formal evaluation of the new dam project as required under the National Environmental Policy Act. As part of the evaluation, the Bureau will seek public input at five events:

July 28: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Virtual

July 29: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Fountain Hills Community Center, Fountain Hills, Arizona.

July 30: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Escalante Multi-Generational Center, Tempe, Arizona.

July 31: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Carefree Hampton Inn, Carefree, Arizona.

August 1: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m., Virtual

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At least 23 cities, tribes, and agricultural entities in the Phoenix area have contributed to studying the dam expansion. Stakeholders see the project as a way to recover lost storage capacity on the Verde River while creating new water supplies to compensate central Arizona for shortages on the Colorado River.

Sediment reduces water storage

Backed-up sediments accumulating behind the Bartlett and Horseshoe dams have eaten away 15% of the overall reservoir storage capacity on the Verde River according to a 2021 study conducted by the Bureau. That amounts to about 50,000 acre feet, equal to the annual use of more than 100,000 households. While sedimentation is an issue at both reservoirs, planners are only considering a new dam at Bartlett.

If sedimentation continues at its current rate, officials say, the buildup would reach the top of the dam in a little over 100 years, essentially turning the lake into a waterfall.

In 2023, Salt River Project, which manages the dam, had to release water from Bartlett because high runoff was pushing the reservoir to its capacity. The released water was enough to supply over 1 million households for a year, according to SRP. Water managers hope an expanded reservoir will allow them to store and use those kinds of surpluses in the future.

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Sedimentation behind dams is a well-documented process. Dams halt the progress of sediment and debris carried naturally by a river, causing the sediment to build up in reservoirs. Over time, sedimentation can reduce water storage, starve downstream ecosystems of materials they need to thrive and affect hydropower infrastructure.

Officials propose building a new, larger dam below the existing Bartlett Dam, and removing part of the existing dam. Bartlett Lakes surface elevation would climb by over 100 feet, increasing the total area of the lake. Water officials would relocate any affected infrastructure, including recreational infrastructure.

Still, while the dam would allow dam operators to manage sediment better, it would not be constructed in a way that eliminates the sedimentation problem.

"(The proposed new dam) would not stop sediment from accumulating," an SRP spokesperson said in a written comment, adding that sedimentation effects in the future reservoir would be studied through the federal NEPA process.

Project would expand water supplies

A 2021 report analyzing the dam expansion points out potential negative effects to bald eagles around Bartlett Lake, as well as downstream riparian habitats.

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Stakeholders are considering dredging sediment from the reservoir as an alternative to expanding the dam, though the report lists greater environmental risks associated with that option.

Bartlett and Horseshoe dams are owned by the Bureau of Reclamation, while SRP, a central Arizona utility, operates them.

For more environment and climate news: Sign up for AZ Climate, The Republic's weekly environment newsletter.

Some central Arizona cities see this expansion as a critical new water source as their supplies of groundwater and Colorado River water have been cut back or strictly regulated in recent years. The new water from the expansion wouldnt be restricted to the boundaries of SRP, meaning water users that dont have access to Verde River water could access that source for the first time.

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Maxwell Wilson, water resources management adviser for Phoenix, said in an interview about declining Colorado River supplies that the project is one more step in the city's constant effort to secure more water for Arizona's fast-growing metros.

"Phoenix has proven time and time again that we want to be leaders in establishing the next source of water for the Valley," Wilson said. "I think we are doing that today with the expansion of Bartlett Dam."

Austin Corona covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to austin.corona@arizonarepublic.com.

Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Plan would expand Bartlett Dam to store more water on the Verde River
CLEVELAND (WJW)  The FOP President of Ohio said the shooting of the three Lorain police officers on Wednesday is a heartbreaking tragedy that is happening far too often.

These officers were attacked by a coward and then the officers that ran to help are heroes and everybody needs to remember that, said FOP Ohio President Jay McDonald. Violence perpetrated on our law enforcement officers continues to be a plague on our society. A stain on our society.

LIVE UPDATES: Officials identify NE Ohio police officers shot; suspect is dead

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The FOX 8 I-Team has found this is the second time in days local officers have been hit by gunfire.

Wednesday afternoon, the three officers were ambushed and shot. Only days ago in Cleveland, police said a wanted man opened fire on CMHA officers, hitting one in the hand.

McDonald reminds us that just months ago a Morrow County deputy was killed in the line of duty.

Local police departments react to Lorain shooting that injured 3 officers

And just this month marked the one-year anniversary of when Cleveland Police Officer Jamieson Ritter was shot and killed in the line of duty.



I am asking everyone to please pray for the officers, McDonald said. Please pray for their families.



He added that the attacks on officers needs to stop and there is no quick fix.



All of us need to put a halt to that kind of violence, McDonald said. When I say all of us, I mean everyone from regular everyday citizens to state legislators to prosecutors to judges to cops.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Topeka Police Department said it has made an arrest the murder of a man found dead in a vehicle near a community center earlier this month.

Police previously identified Terry Keller, 72, of Topeka, as the victim.

The Topeka Police Department said it has arrested Wisdom Curls, 24, of Topeka. He was arrested on the following charges for his alleged part in the death of 72-year-old Terry Keller:

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Murder in the first degree; in the commission of a felony.

Murder in the first degree; intentional and premeditated.

Aggravated robbery.

Criminal possession of a weapon.

$10,000,000 bond for Kansas kidnapping, murder suspect

Wisdom Curls. (Photo Courtesy/Shawnee County Department of Corrections)

Topeka police found Keller dead inside a vehicle around 6:45 p.m. on July 15 near the Central Park Community Center. Police initially marked the death as suspicious and later announced a homicide investigation in connection to the situation.

For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DENVER (KDVR)  The Denver Police Department is asking the public to help identify a man it said is believed to be associated with an aggravated assault incident.

The alleged aggravated assault happened on June 26, 2025, in the 2000 Block of Wazee Street.

DPD describes the suspect as a Hispanic man between the ages of 22 and 29, 5 feet 6 inches tall and wearing all black clothing. The alleged aggravated assault incident occurred at approximately 2:44 p.m., police said.

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Vehicle found after Medina Alert issued for hit-and-run in Englewood

Anyone with information is asked to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers online or by phone at 720-913-7867.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
HIT-AND-RUN

Goshen police were called to Walmart, 4024 Elkhart Road, at 11:31 a.m. Tuesday for a crash where one driver left the scene. The accused 44-year-old driver was later located by police and charges are being filed with the Elkhart County Prosecutors Office.

ARRESTS

 A 38-year-old man was arrested and jailed by Elkhart County deputies at 4:05 p.m. Tuesday on charges of being a habitual traffic violator and resisting law enforcement after he was stopped in the 100 block of C.R. 6 West in Elkhart.

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 A 19-year-old man was arrested and jailed by Elkhart County deputies at 4:33 a.m. on charges of possession of marijuana and reckless driving after he was stopped while passing at C.R. 45 and C.R. 15.

SEX CRIME

 Elkhart County deputies received a report from Elkhart General Hospital at 12:08 a.m. Monday of a rape and domestic battery.

 The Indiana Department of Child Services forwarded a report of a rape on July 18 to the Elkhart County Sheriffs Office.

CRIMINAL RECKLESSNESS

A 27-year-old woman reported to Elkhart County deputies that between 8 p.m. July 17 and 8 a.m. Monday someone shot a bullet through the southern wall of Calico Point, 24810 C.R. 40, Goshen.

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CRIMINAL MISCHIEF

 A man reported to Elkhart County deputies at the fairgrounds, 17746 C.R. 34, Goshen, that a mirror was broken in the Elkhart County 4-H Fair Saddle Clubs bathroom at 9 p.m. Sunday.

 Elkhart County deputies were informed at 1:40 p.m. Monday that a 13-year-old threatened someone with a knife and sliced their vehicle, damaging the paint and deflating the front drivers side tire in the 25000 block of Snyder Street in Elkhart.

 A 38-year-old woman reported to Elkhart County deputies that between 1-1:20 p.m. Monday the passengers side mirror of her vehicle was damaged in the 30000 block of Riverbend Circle.

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 Staff at New Paris Elementary School, 18665 C.R. 46, New Paris, reported to Elkhart County deputies that someone defaced the front door of the schools concession stand by breaking the door handle on Tuesday

 A 21-year-old woman reported to Goshen police at 2:20 p.m. Tuesday that someone damaged the interior door of an apartment in the 200 block of Woodridge Court in Goshen.

 Staff at the Elkhart County Sheriffs Department reported that an inmate at the jail damaged property at 12:19 p.m. July 17.

THEFT

 A 53-year-old man reported to Elkhart County deputies at 7:55 a.m. Monday that someone took a utility trailer and zero-turn lawn mower from the southern lot of Martins Custom Butchering, 27570 C.R. 42, Wakarusa.

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 A 49-year-old woman reported to Elkhart County deputies at 9:12 p.m. Tuesday that someone stole no trespassing signs from his property in the 68000 block of Walnut Street in New Paris.

 A 39-year-old man reported to Elkhart County deputies at 6:22 a.m. Tuesday that someone stole his glasses and pointed a firearm at him following a road rage incident in the 22000 block of C.R. 6 in Elkhart.

FRAUD

 A 27-year-old woman reported to Goshen police at 5:11 p.m. Tuesday fraudulent activity on her credit card after losing her wallet.

 A 65-year-old man reported to Elkhart County deputies that between 1:50 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. Monday someone defrauded him out of $11,400 by pretending to be a government employee.
The Hemet Police Department has released an unedited image of Marshal Goodnight, a man suspected of impersonating a police officer and conducting illegal traffic stops.

Goodnight was arrested earlier this week after a report that he was riding his white law enforcement-style motorcycle around Hemet, flashing his emergency lights and committing several vehicle code violations.

This image shows Marshal Goodnight when he was arrested on July 22, 2025. (Hemet Police Department)

At the time of his arrest, he was found to be in possession of a Glock-style pistol, two working stun-guns, a telescoping baton and a container of pepper spray.

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Goodnight is not only not an officer of the law, hes actually a convicted felon who is prohibited from possessing weapons, police said.

This composite image shows the multiple prohibited items that were allegedly in the possession of Marshal Goodnight when he was arrested on July 22, 2025. (Hemet Police Department) A composite image shows one of two stun-guns found in the possession of Marshal Goodnight when he was arrested on July 22, 2025. (Hemet Police Department) A composite image shows one of two stun-guns found in the possession of Marshal Goodnight when he was arrested on July 22, 2025. (Hemet Police Department)

A blurred photo of Goodnight was shared by the Hemet Police Department alongside images of his uniform, weapons and motorcycle. On Wednesday, police decided to release an unaltered image of the suspect in the event any locals may recognize him or were illegally stopped by him.

We remain committed to protecting our residents and thank the public for their continued vigilance and support, the Police Department wrote on social media.

The investigation remains ongoing, and police urge anyone with information to contact Hemet PD Sergeant Matthew Chavez by email or by calling 951-765-2400 ext. 3725.

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Anyone who suspects theyve been pulled over by a police impersonator is urged to call 911 immediately, inform dispatchers of their location and vehicle description, and keep their windows and doors locked until a dispatcher can confirm the identity of the person stopping them.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  An investigation is underway after a reported officer-involved shooting occurred in Dayton.

According to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch, law enforcement is in the area of N. Broadway and W. Third streets in Dayton. A crash was reported at 1:17 p.m. between two vehicles.

Vehicle crashes off I-75 near Miami-Montgomery County line

Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal reports a driver fled the scene of the crash, and two officers pursued on foot. That individual has only been described as a man in his 30s.

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In the area of W. Third Street and Williams Street, police say one of the officers saw the individual with a handgun. Afzal says that officer discharged their weapon, shooting the man.

Medical aid was rendered and the individual was taken to the hospital. Afzal could not speak on his condition but said he was taken into surgery.

Large Dayton police presence on W. Third St. around Broadway and Williams streets on July 24, 2025 | Joe Gurnig/WDTN Photo

Afzal reports the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office will be handling the full investigation, from the car crash to the shooting. Following their investigation, DPD says they will conduct an internal review into the shooting.

In a social media post, Dayton Police & Fire asked people to avoid the area.

Please avoid the area of West Third Street between Paul Laurence Dunbar Avenue and Edwin C. Moses Boulevard due to police activity. Dayton Police & Fire

Around 3 p.m., Chief Afzal spoke to local media regarding the investigation. Listen to his comments in the video player below.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
The Atlanta Police Department is actively searching for a man wanted in connection with a burglary at a credit union.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

On Monday, just after 8 a.m., officers received a call about a burglary at the Credit Union of Atlanta on Metropolitan Way SW.

When the officers arrived, they spoke to an employee who stated that an unidentified man had broken into the business after hours.

TRENDING STORIES:

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The employee told police that the suspect also stole a laptop and two computer monitors before leaving the location.

Anyone with information can call the Crime Stoppers Atlanta tipline at 404-577-8477, submit a tip online or text CSGA.

Tipsters do not have to give their number or any identifying information to be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.

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Britain is approaching a dangerous tipping point. What begins as isolated protest can soon become something more volatile. Talk of serious disorder  once dismissed as alarmist  is now entering the mainstream. Some even whisper of civil conflict.

The scenes in Southport last year showed just how quickly public anger can ignite. And now in Epping and elsewhere across the country, we are seeing the same combustible mix: public fury over illegal immigration, concern for public safety, and the perception that those in power arent listening.

It is a deep and growing source of fear and resentment. At last count, over 200 such hotels were being used to house illegal migrants. With small boat crossings up 48 per cent in the first six months of this year alone, its clear the Prime Minister is even further from stopping the boats than his predecessor.

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Since 2018, over 174,000 illegal migrants have crossed the Channel  outnumbering every serving police officer in the UK. Even setting aside the security and criminal justice implications, this scale of illegal entry would place intolerable pressure on any advanced nation. But in Britain today, that pressure is being wilfully ignored or downplayed by disconnected elites.

Essex Police have already had to call in officers from neighbouring forces to deal with protests outside just one hotel in Epping. Meanwhile, new data shows criminality linked to some of the men in these hotels  including sexual offences  which again places pressure on local police forces.

Worryingly, only a small fraction of officers will even have the public order training needed to deal with demonstrations that may arise from frustrated locals. If protests continue to escalate and spread, there simply wont be enough trained officers to respond.

The military may be called upon under Maca (Military Aid to the Civil Authorities), but while our armed forces might offer some additional resilience, there are precious few of them, and any presence on the streets would likely inflame tensions.

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But instead of stopping the boats and deporting those with no right to be here, the Government seems to think quietly moving migrants out of hotels and into Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) will somehow save the day.

Never mind that such moves will do nothing to stop the boats, these HMOs will only further blight neighbourhoods, increase tension, and inflict misery on local people with more crime and disorder. Such moves will only add fuel to the fire.

The Prime Ministers claim this week that lots of housing is available for asylum seekers, made to the Liaison Committee of MPs, suggests a worrying level of detachment from the reality on the ground. It also hints that No10, far from being serious about ending illegal migration, is looking to further embed it across the country.

This is not just bad policy  its dangerous. It threatens public safety, the credibility of our institutions, and the resilience of our police forces. Police officers are not superhumans, they have enough work to do without also having to deal with an ever-rising tide of undocumented men being allowed into the country and dispersed across it.

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The British people have had enough  enough of being ignored, enough of seeing their communities transformed without consent, enough of fearing for the safety of their daughters, wives and neighbours. They are not extremists. They are not racists. They are citizens who expect their government to uphold law, order, and the security of the realm.

And yet, instead of action, they are told to watch their language. At a press conference this week, the chief constable of Essex urged people to consider the consequences of their words after criticism for his handling of a protest in Epping  as though the problem is the public speaking out, not the failure of successive governments to act decisively.

If those in Westminster dont confront this crisis head-on, they are risking a level of disorder not seen in these isles for a very long time.

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Amy Tripp, a.k.a. @starheal, uses birth charts to offer advice  and predict political upheavals. - Credit: Courtesy of Amy Tripp

In August 2020, Amy Tripp, an astrologer who goes by @starheal on social media, tweeted to her tens of thousands of Twitter followers that Kamala Harris would be running for president in 2024, because of the politicians Saturn return, which occurs when Saturn is once again in the position it was when a person was born. While guessing that a vice presidential candidate was going to run for president in the next election cycle was a pretty safe bet, four years later, Tripp surprised the world when she correctly predicted that July 21 would be the date then-President Joe Biden would bow out of the race. Now, she has her eye on Donald Trump, and she says that July 29 and Aug. 22 are the days that some unfinished karma of his will resolve itself.

Tripp, who calls herself the internets most notorious astrologer, posts daily on X, where she has nearly 124,000 followers. Her tweets are generally composed of vague messages that can be applied to a broad audience  things like tomorrow is a tough day for relationships or youre not behind, youre unfolding right on time  though she also wades into politics (a recent tweet included New York mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdanis birth chart and Tripps prediction that hell win the general election). In a video posted Saturday to X, Tripp turned her sights toward whats next for President Trump.

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If youre praying for Trumps downfall, Tripp says, she has good news. Mercury is in retrograde, and that means going back to the past, and all things resurfacing, Tripp tells Rolling Stone before explaining the location of the planets in Trumps astrological chart. Its happening in his 12th house of karma  secret enemies, the unseen. And most importantly, its going to conjunct Pluto the whole time.

Though Tripp is an astrologer  not a psychic  she believes that the karmic resolution Trumps birth chart dictates will be related to the case of Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein was a convicted sex offender who is reported to have died by suicide while in custody, according to a recently released memo by the Justice Department. Rumors of an alleged Epstein client list have long percolated and have even been stoked by figures such as Attorney General Pam Bondi, who once claimed the list was sitting on my desk before the Justice Department said the list doesnt exist. Meanwhile, details of Trump and Epsteins friendship continue to surface, with the The Wall Street Journal releasing an alleged letter Trump wrote to Epstein on his birthday and CNN publishing photos of Epstein at Trumps wedding to Marla Maples. Tripp notes that the Wall Street Journal story was released when Mercury went into retrograde, which happens three or four times a year.

In addition to Mercury being in retrograde, Tripp says Trump is experiencing a nodal square, which occurs when a planet forms a 90-degree angle with a node in a persons birth chart. This happens every nine or 10 years. When this transit happens, you can expect major life shifts, breakdowns, old karma coming back for resolution, and past actions can boomerang, Tripp explains in an X video. The last time this happened in Trumps chart, she says, was in 2016 when the Access Hollywood tape dropped, in which Trump infamously said grab them by the pussy.

For the record, Tripp is not a fan of Trump. Though she predicted hed win the 2024 election, she voted for Harris. But shes hopeful that damning information is going to be released regarding Trump and Epstein. If something is going to happen, this is the time to watch, Tripp says. In one way, this seems like a generally safe prediction to make  right-wingers are refusing to let go of the possibility of the alleged Epstein files being released, even as Speaker Mike Johnson sends the House of Representatives home early for the summer in order to avoid the release of said files and Trump himself calls his supporters preoccupation with the files bullshit. Despite Trumps dismissals, news related to the alleged files continue to break. The House Oversight Committee has subpoenaed Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime Epstein associate, and The Wall Street Journal reports that the Justice Department notified Trump his name was in the files (though its unclear in what context).

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But Tripp isnt staying vague with her prediction  she specifically points to July 29 and Aug. 22 as important dates in the potential unraveling of Trumps presidency because of the Mercurial retrograde in relation to the location of Pluto in Trumps birth chart.

And that isnt the only prediction shes making. [Secretary of Defense] Pete Hegseth is going to get fired in March, she says confidently. Kamala is going to run for governor of California and win. And [Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez] is going to run for New York senator and win.

Anything else? Well, Tripp says, she already knows whos going to be next in the White House. Gavin Newsom is going to win the presidency, she says. The governor of California will run against Vice President J.D. Vance, according to Tripp. Newsoms chart looked really, really, really good. And J.D. Vances chart looked like trash.

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More than 60% of the land in Idaho is public land, including this high altitude lake at the base of Thompson Peak in the Sawtooth Wilderness. (Photo by Clark Corbin/Idaho Capital Sun)

Ninety-six percent of all registered voters in Idaho believe that public lands should remain in public hands, according to a new poll paid for by Conservation Voters for Idaho.

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The poll was conducted in the aftermath of a federal proposal from U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, to make millions of acres of public land in the U.S., including in Idaho, available to be sold off.

The poll specifically asked Idaho voters questions about Idaho public lands and who they support in Idahos 2026 U.S. Senate race.

Alexis Pickering, executive director of Conservation Voters for Idaho, said she has never in her career seen Idahoans from all sides of the political spectrum unite behind a single issue like they have behind public lands this year.

It really is clear that voters are unified in keeping public lands in public hands, Pickering said in a phone interview Wednesday.

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It demonstrates that Idaho voters are very cognizant of this fight right now, Pickering said. They are very engaged, and they are not going to sit this out.

More than 60% of the land in Idaho is public land of some form.

Idahos registered voters are clear on their support for public access to public lands

The polling firm Change Research conducted the poll among 1,027 registered Idaho voters from July 15-17. The margin of error was 3.2%, according to Change Research.

One poll question asked voters, Did you support or oppose the amendment to sell off over 3 million acres of public land across 11 Western states, including Idaho?  with 87% of respondents saying they opposed it.

Another poll question asked voters which statement came closest to their opinion:

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Public lands in Idaho, where people enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, and biking, should remain public and be protected so that everyone can keep enjoying them.

Public lands in Idaho, where people enjoy outdoor activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, and biking, should be made available for purchase and private ownership.

Ninety-six percent of Idaho registered voters said public lands should remain public, including 97% of registered Democrats and 95% of registered Republicans, the poll found.

Lee withdrew his amendment to sell public lands after a public backlash and three of Idahos four members of Congress provided public opposition from within the Republican Party to selling public lands.

Even though the public lands amendment was withdrawn, Pickering said the issue isnt going away. She said Conservation Voters for Idaho plans to highlight public lands as a central issue and continue to hold elected officials accountable for keeping public lands public.

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Pickering also said the public is deeply invested in the issue and knows Lee could file another proposal to sell public lands. She compared the proposal to sell public lands to waking a sleeping bear.

Now that they have woken the bear, it will be really hard to get that bear back in hibernation mode, Pickering said.

How Idahos congressional delegation responded to public lands proposal

Three of Idahos four members of Congress, U.S. Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo and U.S. Rep. Mike Simpson, all R-Idaho, provided public Republican opposition to the proposal to sell off public lands, the Sun previously reported.

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On June 20, Risch and Crapo, both announced they were opposed to the provision in the budget reconciliation process to sell off public lands. Simpson co-sponsored the Public Lands in Public Hands Act.

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Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. Russ Fulcher, R-Idaho, opposed the Public Lands in Public Hands Act, the Utah News Dispatch reported.

In a phone interview with the Idaho Capital Sun earlier this month, Fulcher said, public land should remain public, but the control, management should be local stakeholders, not the federal government.

Polling data shows that Risch received a 10% bump in support among all registered voters after they learned Risch provided opposition to the proposal to sell off public lands, up from 41% to 51%. Among registered Republican voters only, Rischs support increased from 60% to 72% after voters learned Risch provided opposition to the proposal to sell off public lands.

The poll only asked voters about Rischs upcoming U.S. Senate race, where he faces re-election in 2026. The poll did not ask about Crapo, Simpson or Fulcher, Pickering said.

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First Lady Casey DeSantis ( L) and U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds (R) (Photos via the Governor's Office and the U.S. House.)

A new survey of nearly 800 Florida Republican voters shows Casey DeSantis with a slight lead over Byron Donalds in the race for the GOP gubernatorial primary election taking place next year.

Donalds soars to a 15-point lead over the First Lady of Florida, though, when the poll is narrowed down to Republican voters who cast ballots in the last GOP primary election.

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The University of North Floridas Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) shows DeSantis leading Donalds, 32%-29%. Another 8% say they support former Panhandle U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, 2% support Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, and 1% back Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.

Seven percent of Republicans polled say they would vote for someone else, while 18% say they dont know who they would vote for.

Several polls of GOP voters released this year show the First Lady is competitive with Donalds, a third-term U.S. Rep. from Southwest Florida, even though she has not announced if she will seek the nomination. However, some of those previously released polls show that when voters are informed that Donalds has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, his lead over DeSantis grows exponentially.

Casey DeSantis was an early favorite when we asked about this in fall of 2023 with 22%, ahead of Donalds with 9%, and 40% undecided, but after Trumps endorsement of Donalds and as we get closer to August 2026, DeSantiss lead has all but disappeared, now inside the margin of error for this poll, said Dr. Michael Binder, UNF PORL faculty director and professor of political science.

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And Binder says among Republicans who voted in the 2022 primary election, Donalds is actually 15 points ahead of Mrs. DeSantis, and its likely those same folks will be the ones voting next August, so this race might not actually be as close as it appears.

Casey DeSantis has refused to say whether shell run for governor to succeed her husband, Ron DeSantis, when he is term limited out of office.

She has faced extensive negative media coverage this year regarding Hope Florida, an initiative she spearheaded that is designed to help Floridians move off government assistance by connecting them to a clearinghouse of services offered by nonprofits and faith-based communities. The Hope Florida Foundation, the nonprofit behind the program, has been under scrutiny for months following reports that it gave $10 million from a Medicaid settlement with a giant managed care plan to two nonprofits.

The nonprofits then directed the taxpayer dollars to a political committee, chaired by the governors then-chief of staff, to campaign against a proposed constitutional amendment that would have legalized recreational marijuana.

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While the diversion of Medicaid money to lobby against the marijuana amendment made headlines throughout the 2025 session, it isnt resonating with the GOP base. According to the survey, 63% of GOP respondents said that they had never heard of the Hope Florida Foundation, with 23% indicating a favorable opinion, and just 6% unfavorable.

Two thirds of Florida Republicans have not heard of the Hope Florida Foundation, closely linked to a recent major scandal for the DeSantis camp, said Dr. Sean Freeder, UNF professor of political science in a press release accompanying survey results. While their lack of knowledge helps Casey DeSantis now, the Donalds campaign and others are sure to campaign on the scandal and, as Republican voters learn more, shes likely to lose some support.

The poll also shows that Florida Republicans generally support eliminating property taxes for homeowners (63%) and oppose a potential 2026 ballot measure legalizing recreational cannabis (58% oppose, with only 40% supporting).

The survey of 797 active Florida Republicans was conducted between July 14-22 with a margin of error of +/-3.9% by the Public Opinion Research Lab (PORL) at the University of North Florida.
WINOOSKI, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  Dog owners can leash up their pups for the Best Pooch in the Noosk contest, where dogs of all shapes, sizes, and slobber levels will take stage in downtown Winooski.

The fun returns Sunday, July 27, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Winooski Farmers Market.

This event is a co-fundraiser for the Winooski Farmers Market and local dog rescue For the Love of Dogs Vermont, helping support food access and animal welfare.

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Winooski-Burlington bridge replacement receives federal funding

The contestwhich features categories like Cutest, Looks Most Like Their Owner, Best Costume, Best Trick, and even Worst Breathbegins at noon. Attendees can also explore pet-related vendors and organizations throughout the day, which will offer everything from homemade treats to training tips.

Registration is $20 per dog. All dogs are automatically entered into each category, and the lucky winners will go home with a gift basket filled with treats and prizes from Houndstooth, Pet Food Warehouse, The Dog and Cat, and Vetriscience.

Whether youre entering your pup or just coming to cheer them on, its sure to be a doggone good time.

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For more info, visit https://downtownwinooski.org/winooski-farmers-market/best-pooch/.

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Popular Burger Chain Falls Victim to Widespread Closures originally appeared on Parade.

Wahlburgers is shutting down more than two-thirds of its locations across the country.

The chainowned by actor Mark Wahlberg and his brothers, Donnie and Paul Wahlberg has closed 79 locations throughout the U.S., leaving only 34 restaurants open, Food Republic reported.

Per the outlet, all affected locations were situated in Hy-Vee grocery stores. The two companies had formed a franchising agreement in 2017.

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As part of the agreement, Wahlburgers menu items also became available at all of Hy-Vee's Market Grille restaurants. Eventually, the burger chain replaced most of the Market Grille locations.

However, Hy-Vee is now bringing back Market Grillethe eatery operated inside the supermarket chainin the wake of the Wahlburgers closures.

According to Eat This, Not That!, Wahlburgers CEO Randy Sharpe told Nation's Restaurant News that the shut downs impacted food court kiosks at the well-known establishment, also citing issues with earnings.

"It's not a full-service restaurant, and it wasn't a significant revenue driver for either side," Sharpe said.

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Wahlburgers was founded in 2014 in Hingham, Massachusetts, and went on to expand significantly in Iowa through its Hy-Vee partnership.

It also operates in Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

Per ScrapeHero, there are 28 locations left in the U.S., including seven in Massachusetts, five in California, four in Ohio, and two in Nevada. New Mexico, Illinois, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota all have one location.

Wahlburgers is not 54-year-old Wahlberg's only business venture.

In addition to the food chain, the acclaimed actor owns multiple Chevrolet dealerships across Ohio, as well as a Buick dealership, per USA Today.

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In 2024, the Hollywood star opened restaurant Flecha Cantina in Las Vegas, and he has served as a co-owner and brand ambassador for Flecha Azul Tequila since 2022.

Wahlberg is also a co-founder and owner of Municipal clothing, which was founded in 2020.

Popular Burger Chain Falls Victim to Widespread Closures first appeared on Parade on Jul 23, 2025

This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
MOUNTAIN CITY, Tenn. (WJHL)  The Johnson County Airport is preparing to host the Moonshiners PPG/C Fly-in for the 9th year.

The event is slated for July 29 to Aug. 3.

The address of the Johnson County Airport is 611 Airport Road, Mountain City, Tennessee.

The cost is $25 per pilot, per day. Those looking to just watch can come free of charge.

For more information, email Airport Manager, Dave Garris, at JCairport@icloud.com.

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Dave Garris sat down with our News Channel 11 team to preview the event.

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LA VERGNE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A crash near the Rutherford County line shut down a portion of Murfreesboro Road in La Vergne Thursday morning.

The La Vergne Police Department took to social media shortly after 10:30 a.m. stating, Murfreesboro Road is currently closed at Waldron Road due to an injury accident.

In a separate social media post Thursday evening, La Vergne police said they had been alerted to a stolen 2015 Nissan Frontier and attempted a felony stop. Once lights and sirens were activated, the driver fled and there was a short pursuit terminated for public safety due to reckless driving.

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Courtesy: La Vergne Police Department

Police said the stolen vehicle collided with another vehicle at the intersection and was pushed into the guardrail by impact. Five vehicles, including the suspects, were damaged within the collision. The driver of the suspect vehicle was able to get out and was immediately taken into custody. A passenger within the suspect vehicle was transported to an area hospital via helicopter, but all other drivers did not sustain any physical injuries.

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According to authorities, first responders and officers were working to clear the scene. Just before 12:30 p.m., the police department announced that the road had reopened.

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Police said the driver had active warrants out of Rutherford County. For this incident, they were charged with felony theft between $10,000 and $60,000, four counts of felony reckless endangerment, evading arrest with a vehicle involved with risk of injury or death and driving on a suspended license.

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A report on American religiosity released by the Pew Research Center earlier this year strongly indicated that South Dakotans  in tandem with Americans nationwide  have been relentlessly losing faith for years, particularly among Christian denominations.

However, there is (for Christians, at least) a hopeful caveat in the Pew report: The increasing flight from Christianity in the U.S. did appear to slow slightly in the last couple of years. Yet whereas Pew reports showed 78% of Americans in 2007 formally identified as Christian, only 63% did so last year, a sharp and ecclesiastically alarming 15-point plunge in 17 years, according to the Centers latest data.

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This unprecedented national de-Christianization trend over decades, starting in the last millennium, has proceeded in tandem with a broader rejection of religion in general in America and throughout the industrialized West, although America was relatively late in catching the secular wave (and later yet, South Dakota).

Today, about 29% of Americans, nearly a third, identify as so-called nones, people who describe their religion, if any, as nothing in particular. These religiously apathetic citizens include atheists and agnostics. By comparison, 18 years ago, in 2007, nones comprised only 16% of Americans.

In South Dakota, the trend away from organized religion and faith is similar to but later than the national slide, yet still stark and worrisome to clergy and the faithful. The Aberdeen American News reported on polling in a 2022 article showing that the number of religiously unaffiliated South Dakotans nearly tripled from 8% in 2001 to 21% in 2021, along with declines in belief in the Bible, God, angels, heaven and hell.

The News reported: Perhaps most worrisome for church leaders in America and South Dakota is that in recent surveys, the people who do not affiliate with any religion, the so-called nones, are the fastest-growing segment of the national population as indicated in surveys about religion, faith and beliefs.

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Pew reported in its survey that South Dakotans, at 79%, exceeded the national proportion of citizens identifying as Christian in 2023-24, and that it had fewer self-identifying nones  18%  than the 29% nationwide. But that still represented a significant minority of religiously unaffiliated citizens. Of the states nones, 13% described their religion as nothing in particular, 5% claimed agnosticism, and 1% were atheist.

Due to their dramatic growth nationwide, nones are now the largest cohort in the U.S. in the religious sphere, NPR reported. Currently, they are more numerous than American Catholics, who make up 23% of the overall population, and Protestants, 24%, according to a 2024 NPR report citing the latest Pew data.

A number of potential reasons have been cited for the drop-off in Americans affiliation with organized religion, including decades of steadily increasing secularization in the West and, following the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing animosity among Christian denominations, as well as the fact that belief in God among young Americans is lower than ever, the News noted. For example, 46% of the young identify as Christians versus 80% of their elders, according to Pew.

Gregory Smith, the lead researcher in the Pew study, contends that surging legions of nones could have an oversized effect on the nations public life going forward and could change electoral politics in the coming decades.

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Although nones are currently less socially and civically engaged  and less likely to vote  than religious believers affiliated with churches and other faith organizations, they are also the most strongly and consistently liberal and Democratic constituencies in the United States, Smith said. Their electoral power could exponentially increase if they become politically energized.

The political power of white Evangelicals has been well-reported in recent decades, but their numbers are shrinking while the number of the more liberal Nones is on the rise, he added.

Despite the decades-long secularization trend in Western societies, traditionally devout South Dakotans, and Americans in general, remain a spiritually and supernaturally minded lot. Some 86% of Americans continue to believe in a soul or spirit in addition to their physical body, Pew reported.

Still, churches nationwide struggle to fill their pews.
A competitor in the bareback riding this month during the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo at the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs.
Jul. 23SANTA FE  Top New Mexico officials on Wednesday lauded President Donald Trump's major disaster declaration for recovery efforts in the Ruidoso area following deadly flooding, even while urging the president to issue a similar emergency declaration for surrounding areas.

The disaster declaration makes additional federal funding available in Lincoln County for individuals affected by flooding, and comes after Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham had requested such action.

"This federal declaration delivers the action we sought for a community that has shown incredible resilience through repeated disasters," the governor said in a statement. "The people of Lincoln County deserve every resource we can provide, and we will continue working until every family and business in New Mexico has fully recovered."

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Specifically, the major disaster declaration unlocks federal funding that includes grants for temporary housing and home repairs for affected individuals, along with low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses.

It also provides cost-sharing funding  in the form of a 75% federal reimbursement  for state debris removal and other emergency work in Lincoln County.

Flash flooding in the burn scar from last year's South Fork Wildfire area has damaged an estimated 400 homes over the last month. In addition, three individuals were killed on July 8 when a storm caused the Rio Ruidoso to swell over 20 feet and sweep away several RVs and at least one house.

Members of New Mexico's all-Democratic congressional delegation issued a joint statement Wednesday welcoming the major disaster declaration while calling on the president to issue a similar declaration in Chaves, Valencia and Otero counties, and provide additional assistance.

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Trump had previously issued an emergency declaration for a four-county area, but that declaration authorized only limited assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Meanwhile, Lujan Grisham has already issued more than 80 executive orders over the last month in response to the flooding in southern New Mexico, while also authorizing the deployment of New Mexico National Guard members to assist in recovery efforts.

Each executive order authorizes up to $750,000 in state funding, meaning the governor's orders have freed up at least $60 million. But much of that money could eventually be reimbursed to the state by FEMA.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56)  On Wednesday, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that President Donald Trump had approved federal public money for Kentucky communities hit by severe weather in April and May.

FOX 56 spoke with the mayor of London, one of the hardest hit areas from the May tornado. Mayor Randall Weddle said this will be a huge help as the city looks to move forward.

May 16 is a day families across multiple counties in Southern Kentucky will never forget. The devastating storm took the lives of 20 people17 were from Laurel County alone.

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More than 800 homes in the area were damaged, and many were flattened. Weddle said the city has been working to recover and rebuild ever since.

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Were about $1.1 million in right now of money spent, he said. Thats a lot of money.

But the declarations Trump signed will now provide much-needed financial help to dozens of counties, including communities like London.

To see that the president signed the PA side of this, we were all ecstatic to know that theres possible reimbursement for us there.

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Now that the cleanup process is over, Weddle said the town hopes to rebuild as soon as possible.

Wed like to have a lot of them built back so these kids, when school starts, theyll have some kind of normalcy.

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If the city is reimbursed for what its spent on storm damage, Mayor Weddle said it will be able to refocus on other projects like road and bridge improvements.

Its huge, you know, again, small budget, a small town. So, every dollar that we can get back out of the feds is only going to go for our infrastructure.

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While this has been a trying time for the community, Weddle said London is moving forward with hope.

We just keep urging the community that weve got to stay in this together and keep Christ at the forefront of it.

If you would like to help the families affected in London, Weddle said you can donate money to Hope for Londona new organization thats helping provide disaster relief, housing support, and more. You can find a link to its Facebook page here.

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(This story has been updated to correct an inaccuracy.)

EAST DORSET  An organization that has helped millions around the world work toward sobriety can trace its origins to the cozy parlor of a modest hotel in southern Vermont.

Thats the room where Bill Wilson, aka Bill W., the co-founder of Alcoholics Anonymous, was born on Nov. 26, 1895. The building that had all but collapsed by the 1980s was restored to become The Wilson House, a gathering place and lodging that is not officially affiliated with A.A. but is dedicated to welcoming those in recovery.

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Wilson demonstrated its possible to be a hopeless drunk and go on to accomplish great things, according to Kimberly Norman, executive director of the nonprofit house that is Wilsons birthplace.

Bills life was devoted to destigmatizing addiction, Norman said, and he did it.

A portrait of Alcoholics Anonymous founder Bill Wilson hangs at The Wilson House in East Dorset on April 17, 2025.

Born behind a bar

Wilsons birthplace comes with a dose of irony.

He says in his (autobiography), I was born behind a bar in East Dorset, Vermont, according to Norman.

Shawn Harrington, curator of the Manchester Historical Society and long affiliated with The Wilson House, wrote an article for the Bennington Museums Walloomsack Review in 2020 that encapsulates much of the story of Wilson and A.A.

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The Wilson House: Birthplace of A.A. founder, continues to welcome visitors to Vermont

Wilson  whose father and grandfather were known at times to be heavy drinkers  was born in the hotel owned by his grandmother, Ella Griffith. His parents were Gilman Barrows Wilson and Emily Griffith Wilson. His father began running the hotel, but the bank soon took it over.

The family moved to Rutland when he was 8 so his father could work in the marble industry. His parents divorced when he was 11 and left young Bill in East Dorset with his grandparents, who lived steps from the hotel. The split caused a defining trauma in the boys life, according to Norman.

Bill struggled through school at Burr and Burton Seminary in Manchester, derailed in part by the sudden death in 1912 of his girlfriend, Bertha Bamford, following complications from surgery. He graduated and enrolled at Norwich University. A friend introduced him to his sister, Lois Burnham, who Wilson would marry by the time he was commissioned as a second lieutenant during World War I.

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He transferred to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where young officers were well received and treated as noble warriors, Harrington wrote. At a cocktail party he had his first drink  a Bronx cocktail.

Ah! What magic, I had found the elixir of life, he would later write, according to Harringtons article. He was 22 years old.

Kimberly Norman, executive director of The Wilson House in East Dorset, stands April 17, 2025 outside the boyhood home of Alcoholics Anonymous founder Bill Wilson. The home is now a library affiliated with Wilson's birthplace and hotel nearby.

Scarcely a sober breath

Lois Wilson grew increasingly concerned with her husbands drinking. The couple moved to Brooklyn; Bill Wilson worked on Wall Street and would come home drunk at all hours.

His career as a broker seemed promising, Harrington wrote, but his drinking soon overshadowed his talents as a stock picker. His business opportunities began to wane.

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In 1929 he connected with his old school chum, Ebby Thacher, in Albany, according to Harringtons article. Ebby drank as Bill did, and they even hired a pilot to fly them to the new airport in Manchester.

Bill wired ahead about their arrival and a crowd of old friends and townsfolk gathered to witness Bill and Ebby fall out of the plane drunk and promptly pass out, Harrington wrote. For the next five years Bill would breathe scarcely a sober breath.

The Wilson House hotel, the birthplace of Alcoholics Anonymous founder Bill Wilson, shown in East Dorset on April 17, 2025.

A pretty awesome legacy

Thacher began his quest for sobriety in 1934. He moved to Manhattan and learned that Wilson was a hopeless drunk one borough over in Brooklyn, according to Harringtons article.

Thacher connected with Wilson, who Harrington wrote was elated with the thought of drinking gin with his old pal. He was dismayed to find Thacher sober and urging him to check out the Oxford Group, a missionary organization that worked to reform alcoholics.

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Wilson scoffed at the idea, according to Harringtons article. Yet there was his friend sitting across the table from him bright-eyed and booze-free. Wilson began attending Oxford Group meetings and stopped drinking.

He found constructive work again and traveled to Akron, Ohio, to try to help broker a business deal. The deal fell through, and Wilson found himself tempted by the chatter in a hotel bar. He went to a pay phone and, as Harrington wrote, tracked down an Oxford Group member and asked if he knew any drunks he could talk to, according to Harringtons article.

Wilson connected with Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith, whose alcoholism nearly cost him his practice in Akron. They wound up talking for five hours.

They had more in common than alcoholism.

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He found the secret sauce with another Vermonter, Bob Smith, a St. Johnsbury native, Norman said. Wilson and Smith, aka Dr. Bob, began 90 years ago what would become Alcoholics Anonymous. Harrington wrote in an email to the Burlington Free Press that its a pretty awesome legacy for 2 Vermonters.

The gravesites of Alcoholics Anonymous founder Bill Wilson and his wife, Lois Wilson, shown April 17, 2025 at East Dorset Cemetery.

Ruggedness and creativity

Alcoholics Anonymous boomed in popularity after a 1941 article in The Saturday Evening Post. Norman said that write-up helped participation skyrocket from a few hundred to several thousand people seeking help for recovery.

Harrington referred in his email to the Free Press to the enduring legacy of Wilson. Wilson wrote the basic text Alcoholics Anonymous in 1939, which has sold more than 35 million copies. The Library of Congress in 2012 named it one of the 88 books that shaped America. Time magazine called Wilson one of the 100 most important people of the 20th century.

Wilson died in 1971. In the organizations spirit of anonymity, it was only then that the world learned who the man behind the moniker Bill W. really was. Hes buried in East Dorset Cemetery, where Lois Wilson  his wife and fellow traveler through the formation of A.A.  would be interred in 1988.

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They didnt have children, Norman said. A.A. was kind of their baby.

Alcoholics Anonymous, according to Norman, preaches self-transformation not by medicine but through an inventory of your psyche. She noted that the famous 12 Steps of A.A. mention God but espouse no particular faith.

Wilsons life in southern Vermont might have led to the social change he made happen.

We like to think it was because of growing up here, according to Norman, who said Wilson wrote in his autobiography about the ruggedness and creativity of the region. He had all the right ingredients to do what needed to be done.

Contact Brent Hallenbeck at bhallenbeck@freepressmedia.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Alcoholics Anonymous, co-founded by Vermont-born Bill Wilson, turns 90
A man who was previously deported this year was arrested following a joint narcotics investigation in Fulton County.

Julio Rangel Jimenez, 41, an undocumented immigrant, was arrested on Tuesday following an investigation by the Fulton County Sheriffs Office and Indiana State Police.

The arrest followed a traffic stop conducted near County Road 350 East and County Road 550 North. During the stop, K9 Agi from the Fulton County Sheriffs Office alerted his partner to the presence of narcotics. A subsequent search revealed Rangel Jimenez to be in possession of suspected cocaine.

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Further investigation led narcotics officers to a residence where Rangel Jimenez had been residing. A search of the property resulted in the discovery of additional suspected cocaine, drug paraphernalia, three firearms, and $10,900 in U.S. currency.

Rangel Jimenez was taken into custody and booked into the Fulton County Jail. He faces charges of dealing in cocaine (level 2 felony) and possession of cocaine (level 3 felony). Bond is currently set at $50,000, and a Department of Homeland Security detainer has been placed.

Records show that Rangel Jimenez was arrested on similar charges in February 2025 and was deported by DHS shortly thereafter.

This case is a testament to the exceptional teamwork between our deputies, K9 units, and our partners at the Indiana State Police and Department of Homeland Security, Fulton County Sheriff Travis W. Heishman said. I want to personally thank all of the officers and agents involved for their continued commitment to keeping our communities safe. Their professionalism and dedication are what make operations like this successful.

The investigation remains active.
Anti-Semitism is being normalised in the UK. Stamping it out requires leadership at the highest level. This is the speech to the nation Prime Minister Keir Starmer should deliver:

I speak to you today on a matter I now consider to be a national emergency.

It is said that the greatest test of a democracy is not the experience of the majority but the way in which it protects the rights and wellbeing of the minority.

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In the UK today, there are under 300,000 Jews. Jewish people make up just 0.5 per cent of our population. They are a tiny group who contribute a great deal to public life and communities across the nation.

I must tell you today that Britain is failing its Jewish community.

I also tell you that I am drawing a line in the sand. The Jew-hate we are seeing in our country must end now  and as the Prime Minister I am personally going to lead the fight against anti-Semitism.

For those who would like to pretend that racial hatred of Jews is not a very serious problem in our society today, let me put you straight.

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We are seeing it on the streets of Britain on a weekly basis. Just last weekend, large numbers of protestors in London chanted F--- your Jewish State. Note the language here. Not opposition to the war Israel is fighting but a direct attack on Jews. An open display of racism.

The war between Israel and Hamas has divided opinion. I know that. But it should never be an excuse for the Jew-hate that is creeping its way into the fabric of our society and our national institutions.

Take schools. More than half of Jewish teachers have reported anti-Semitic abuse since the war in Gaza began. They are finding swastika graffiti in the classroom and facing chants of F--- the Jews. Some teachers are even fearful of disclosing their religion at work. This is entirely unacceptable. It should shame us all.

Then theres the NHS. Jewish patients have been abused and left in fear, Jewish doctors and nurses have faced discrimination. In one case a nurse was confronted with the anti-Semitic trope of Jews drinking blood. It is hard to believe this is happening in our caring professions. Institutional blindness to anti-Semitism must end now.

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The question we must all ask ourselves is: how do we stop this hate in its tracks? It requires leadership, courage and conviction and I am prepared to show it.

Today I announce a National Inquiry on Anti-Semitism. It will be tasked with collecting evidence and providing recommendations for urgent national change. It will build on the excellent work led by Lord Mann and Penny Mordaunt for the Board of Deputies of British Jews. I am not prepared to wait long for this. It must report back to me directly in six months.

In the meantime, I am tasking ministers and civil servants across the land to make a difference right now. I will be asking them: what have you done this week to tackle anti-Semitism?

I will make sure that there is zero tolerance of Jew-hate in our education system, whether the perpetrators are teachers or students. Any university lecturer or schoolteacher proven to have displayed anti-Semitism should be fired. Any student or pupil should face the strongest of disciplinary processes. Holocaust education is already part of the national curriculum. I announce here that compulsory education on anti-Semitism will join it.

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In our health system, I will ensure that Jewish people can feel as confident in the care they receive as every other citizen of our nation. Again, those proven to have been racist against Jews or provided an inferior service based on race should lose their jobs. They should have no place representing our nation through our public services. Wes Streeting has shown leadership by pledging decisive change in the NHS on anti-Semitism. I support his ambition and will monitor results closely.

Discrimination in the arts must end now too. The cancellation of Jewish artists and performers and the silent boycotting of their work will not be permissible. I call on local councils to withdraw the licences of any venues that discriminate against Jews. I will also ensure that any publicly-funded arts institution guilty of permitting anti-Semitism will no longer receive government money.

I want the nation to know that I am making a personal commitment to fighting Jew-hate in our society, just as I did in rooting out anti-Semitism from the Labour Party. I am not prepared for the legacy of this Government to be a failure to stamp out this poisonous racism.

It is not who we in Britain are. We are better than that. Our values are better than that. Our democracy is better than that.

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The change starts now.

Danny Cohen is a former director of BBC Television

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.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Project 70805 is teaming up with District 2 Councilman Anthony Kenney Jr. to give kids everything they need to head back to the classroom.

For 10 years, Project 70805 has helped the metro Baton Rouge area. It promotes economic growth in North Baton Rouge neighborhoods. This includes extending resources during natural disasters and helping kids with test prep.

One of the ways that we do that is through education. We focused on education by providing test prep tutoring, of course, the book sack giveaway, and just our overall presence in the schools in the North Baton Rouge Area, said Founder Jason Hughes.

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Hughes said their goal is to send kids back to school with supplies and resources needed to be successful. This year, theyre stepping it up a notch, giving away haircuts, electronic devices, backpacks and more.

Kenney Jr. is a Scotlandville alumnus. He sees firsthand the needs of his community.

Bid on a Labrador puppy at BROC, Rock, and Wine event in Baton Rouge

So many people who just want to pour back into the kids. We will have various community resources as well from organizations that provide support to families and students, said Kenney.

The family-friendly event is from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, at the Jewel J. Newman Community Center located at 2013 Central Rd.

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Pre-registration is not required, but items will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News.
A local nonprofits unofficial draft bill requesting that the Honolulu City Council establish an Ala Wai Watershed Special Improvement District to advance investments in nature-based solutions to protect the watershed has drawn skepticism over how the new entity could affect area residents.

Prepared and sponsored by Hawai i Green Growth and one of its five working groups, the Ala Wai Watershed Collaboration, the 12-page draft bill proposes the creation of an Ala Wai Watershed District to restore natural ecosystems, remove invasive species, develop water quality improvement projects and bolster community resilience against potentially disastrous floods or similar events along the watershed.

Cyrus Howe, HGGs operations manager, previously said, The goal is similar to the other improvement districts that we have around town like in Waikiki and Fort Street Mall. But this one, the purpose is really to more efficiently advance nature-based solutions, anything that can improve the risk of flood and also just all the brown water runoff that comes with urban development.

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About 12, 048 acres in size and ranging from South Shore beaches like Waikiki to a portion of urban Kakaako to the valley area communities of Makiki, Manoa and Palolo, the Ala Wai Watershed encompasses the most densely populated part of Oahu, excluding downtown Honolulu.

Unlike other special improvement districts on Oahuincluding the Waikiki Beach district, which leverages annual assessments on commercial property owners within the islands prime tourist zonethe Ala Wai district would tentatively create a no-tax entity for an initial term of five years.

A Community Investment Vehicle, also known as CIVic, is under consideration as wellone that would potentially form an independent nonprofit to fund, implement, and govern long-term investment in this reef to ridge  special improvement district.

Howe said contrary to prior versions of the groups draft bill, which he said dated back many years, the newly revised measure for an Ala Wai district does not include funding via assessments to property owners, or individual parcel IDs, located within the Ala Wai Watershed.

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The prior version had involved a 115-page addendum to the older draft bill, listing what appeared to be thousands of potentially taxable land parcels. The newly proposed Ala Wai district may access state or city and county grants  to fund and maintain restoration activities, Howe said.

Moreover, Howe said the new revised draft received assistance from another local group. So we talked with Protect Our Ala Wai Watersheds (group ), and they were really helpful in helping update this bill,  he said previously.

But Sidney Lynch, Protect Our Ala Wai Watersheds president, said her groupwhich, according to its website, promotes nature-based watershed restoration and protection  within the Ala Wai, Makiki, and Manoa-Palolo watershedsdoes not endorse HGGs plan.

Though (Protect Our Ala Wai Watersheds ) gave feedback on HGGs CIVic, it did not help create it nor does it support it as we question the need for such a powerful institution potentially controlled by Waikiki business interests,  she said.

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Howe could not be immediately reached by the Hono lulu Star-Advertiser for comment on POAWWs assertions over the draft bills updates.

Meanwhile, Lynch said her group first saw the HGG CIVic to establish an Ala Wai Watershed Special Improvement District at their December 2024 meeting and immediately had grave concerns about the inclusion  of all the tax map key numbers in the Ala Wai Watershed as well as the dominance of business interests and Waikiki over other stakeholders in the bill.

But she said POAWW is in favor of an organization /forum where federal, state, city, public and private sectors can meet, discuss and plan for green infrastructure and other water related issues in the watershed, this CIVic aims far higher than that, as, if formed, would direct, oversee, manage funding and apply for such projects.

Lynch said the funding mechanism for the Ala Wai district remains unclear, however.

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Previously, city Managing Director Mike Formby told the Star-Advertiser that Mayor Rick Blangiardis administration has held meetings with Howes group over their draft measure, but noted that the administration is not at a decision point yet, and is still gathering information.

Formby said the mayors office is interested in more information, including the details of the proposed legislation.

He added, The city, specifically the Department of Facility Maintenance, has been in the community engagement process to review options for establishing a storm water utility and, to that end, an Oahu Storm Water Utility Feasibility Study was published in December 2020.

Formby previously noted the rate structure from the establishment of a storm water utility on Oahu would have to be closely coordinated with the rate structure from an Ala Wai Watershed Special Improvement District to create a partnership that serves the needs of the community, does not duplicate efforts or fees and delivers results to the community that are greater than the sum total of their separate efforts.

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Formby said, This will require extensive planning and a realistic forecast of challenges, possible solutions and projected costs.

Lynch suggested the citys potential stormwater assessment fee could fund a future CIVic that would oversee the proposed AWW district.

With the recent sewer fee increases, the addition of a stormwater utility fee is not acceptable,  she said. Rather, with recent sewer fee increases, one wonders if this CIVic is the backdoor to a stormwater utility fee. If so, it needs to be transparent.

But this week Formby told the Star-Advertiser, The proposed stormwater utility would establish fees for landowners based on the measured square feet of impervious surfacessurfaces that direct stormwater into city stormwater infrastructureon parcels of land, fees that are proportional to the parcels stormwater impact on the citys stormwater service.

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In 2015, the state of Hawaii, via Act 42 authorized counties to adopt a storm water utility program with fees,  he said.

Formby noted any stormwater utility fee would fund the citys cost of managing stormwater runoffoperations and capital improvement programto improve water quality and prevent pollution.

It involves conservation efforts mauka to makai, cleaning stream channels, water quality monitoring, proactive inspection and maintenance of stormwater infrastructure, new investments in stormwater infrastructure, water quality improvement projects and protecting ocean waters,  he said. It would also allow the city to leverage external grants and support partnership programs.

And he added, I think there is some confusion about assessments that are typically associated with special improvement district and fees which are typically associated with a utility and for which the fees represent a proportional interest in operating, maintaining and expanding the utility.
After several lightning strikes set parts of western Colorado aflame two weeks ago, five wildfires have consumed 42,431 acres as incident management teams make headway on containment.

A drought in the West, hot temperatures and powerful wind gusts have allowed the fires to thrive while crews have had to deal with challenging mountainous terrain.

The Turner Gulch, Sowbelly, South Rim and Wright Draw fires prompted several evacuations and caused Gov. Jared Polis to issue a disaster declaration. This allowed the state to mobilize its resources, including supplies, equipment and personnel, to assist in battling the blazes. The declaration also allowed Colorado to request aid from FEMA and other federal agencies, should that become necessary.

The declaration also included the Deer Creek fire in Utah, which has grown to 17,724 acres and crossed the Colorado border into Montrose County. The fire is 77% contained.

Containment for the South Rim fire in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park hasn't changed much this week, moving from 31% on Monday to 32% on Thursday. The park remains closed.

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Here's an update on the western Colorado wildfires as of Thursday:

Turner Gulch - 17,747 acres, 41% containment.

South Rim - 4,220 acres, 32% containment

Sowbelly - 2,274 acres, 90% containment

Wright Draw, 466 acres, 89% containment

Nationally, there have been 39,169 wildfire incidents in the U.S. so far this year as of Thursday, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. Almost 3 million acres have been burned. In 2024, a report from the center shows there were 64,897 wildfires that burned 8,924,884 acres. Both numbers were above the five- and 10-year averages.
People gathered in several Ukrainian cities on the evening of 24 July for the third day of protests against draft law No. 12414, which restricts the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).

Source: Ukrainska Pravda correspondents; Suspilne; MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak on Facebook

Details: Protests in many Ukrainian cities began on 22 July. Among the protesters' demands is a veto on the law reducing the powers of NABU and SAPO.

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

Harder to buy than an MP.

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Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

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Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

Updated: People in Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia and other cities also took to the streets.

Suspilne.RIVNE

Photo: Suspilne.Zaporizhzhia

Suspilne.Ternopil

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Suspilne.DNIPRO

MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak has reported that MP Mariia Bezuhla, who voted in favour of the law stripping NABU and SAPO of their independence, appeared at the protest in Kyiv  prompting chants of "Bezuhla out" from the crowd.

She was holding a sign that read: "Dismiss Syrskyi" [Ukraine's commander-in-chief  ed.].

Updated at 23:43: Ukrainska Pravda correspondents at the scene reported that after an air-raid warning was announced in Kyiv, the police advised people to proceed to shelters. Afterwards, individuals wearing balaclavas appeared and lit flares. Police officers from the department of preventative communication spoke with them.

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Background:

On 21 July, employees of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Prosecutor General's Office conducted approximately 80 searches targeting 19 employees of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau in various oblasts of Ukraine.

On 22 July, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) voted in favour of draft law No. 12414, making NABU and SAPO dependent on the decisions of the prosecutor general. On the evening of 22 July, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed the document.

Protests were held in many cities across Ukraine following the adoption of this legislative initiative.

The protests continued on 23 July.

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Protests broke out in Vero Beach concerning a drag queen tea party advertised as an all-ages event, which may have violated Florida state law.

The tea party at Vero Beach Vice Mayors bar, The Kilted Mermaid, has faced criticism because Florida law prohibits drag performances in venues accessible to minors.

James Uthmeier, the states Attorney General, announced that his office is investigating the matter to see if any laws have been violated.

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Protestors on both sides faced off at the event, emphasizing the contentious debate over drag performances and their access for minors.

The Attorney Generals office investigation will examine whether advertising the event to all ages by the restaurant violates current state laws.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
(PUEBLO, Colo.)  On Thursday, July 31, the City of Pueblo will reopen the Slab featuring new features, improvements, and artwork designed and painted by local artists.

Pueblo Parks and Recreation, Colorado Lottery, Visit Pueblo, the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Pueblo will be celebrating the ribbon cutting and re-opening of the outdoor recreation facility at 2709 North Elizabeth Street.

The City of Pueblo said the Slab was recently completed and the project includes: new post-tension concrete slab, new posts, backboards, hoops, benches, and upgraded LED lighting.

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The ribbon cutting on Thursday will begin at 1 p.m. The public is invited to attend and enjoy events such as a shot clock event, skills drills, ice cream, and more after the formal ceremony.

The City said the $500,000 cost of the project was made possible by Colorado Lottery funds.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Jul. 23It's possible the burning question that has gnawed at the hearts and minds of people across the nation after Bryan Kohberger brutally and brazenly stabbed four young Idaho college students to death in their off-campus Moscow home will never be answered.

"What we may never know is why," Fourth Judicial District Judge Steven Hippler said, right before he sentenced 30-year-old Bryan Kohberger to four life sentences in prison. "There is no reason for these crimes that could approach anything resembling rationality."

Kohberger, who sat expressionless at his hearing Wednesday, merely blinked and fidgeted with his orange jail jumpsuit while staring back at the families of the victims as they begged him for an explanation.

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He offered none when given an opportunity to speak. Instead, he "respectfully declined," he told the court.

In the early-morning hours of Nov. 13, 2022, Kohberger took his large knife and drove the 20 minutes from his Pullman apartment, where he lived, to the rental home that sat at 1122 King Road in Moscow. There, he silently entered the house through a sliding door in the kitchen, and walked to a third-floor bedroom and killed two best friends and roommates as they slept, 21-year-olds Madison Mogen, of Coeur d'Alene, and Kaylee Goncalves of Rathdrum.

Clad in a black and wearing a mask, Kohberger then walked down the stairs where he encountered Xana Kernodle, 20, of Post Falls. She was awake and waiting for a DoorDash order.

She tried to fend off his attack, suffering defensive wounds to her hands. But he stabbed her more than 50 times. He then stabbed and killed Kernodle's sleeping boyfriend, Ethan Chapin, 20, of Mount Vernon, Washington.

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It's unclear whether Kohberger had visited the house or met the victims. But Latah County Prosecutor Bill Thompson said Kohberger's phone had connected to the cellphone tower service near the victims' King Road home about 23 times in late-night and early-morning hours in the four months leading up to the murders.

In the hours leading up to the murders, Kohberger turned off his phone when he drove to Moscow. He turned it back on after the killings when he returned to Pullman.

Investigators have not found the clothing he was wearing at the time of the murders. Police records describe grisly murder scenes in the bedrooms of the home.

And they never found the Ka-Bar knife he used, but he left behind the knife's sheath and investigators found it on the bed near Mogen's body. It contained Kohberger's DNA.

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They also collected a neighbor's surveillance footage that showed Kohberger's white Hyundai Elantra speeding away about 15 minutes after it was parked.

Thompson said investigators determined Kohberger used back roads to return to Pullman. It took him more than an hour.

At 9 that morning, he returned to the area of King Road and then drove back home to Pullman. At 9:30 a.m. Kohberger took a photo of himself with a "thumbs up" in the bathroom of his apartment.

Family members who spoke at Kohberger's sentencing wanted to know why  Alivea Goncalves, Kaylee Goncalves' sister, did not mince words while staring down the killer from across the courtroom as she interrogated him. She tossed a number of rapid-fire questions about her sister's last moments to Kohberger while he sat there in silence, blinking.

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"Detail what you were thinking and feeling ... Did you approach (Kaylee and Madison) before? Is there anything else you did?" she asked. "Where is the murder weapon, the clothes you wore that night? What did you bring into the house with you? ... What were Kaylee's last words? ... Do you feel anything at all?"

Xana Kernodle's aunt, Kim Kernodle, stood before Kohberger and pleaded with him to call her if he ever wanted to explain why he did what he did.

"Any time you want to talk and tell me what happened," she said, "I'm here, no judgment."

But the same questions the families, their friends and presumably, the rest of the nation has, are questions that prosecutors and investigators can't answer.

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For a period of time, people speculated Kohberger had targeted one student over another on the belief he had run into one of them at some point, became obsessed with one of the girls and was stalking them or had followed some of them on social media.

No evidence of that was found.

"We have never, to this day, seen a connection between him and any of the four victims," Idaho FBI agent Brett Grover said in a news conference following the sentencing Wednesday.

As for why Kohberger picked that home  and drove back to it around 23 times in a four month period leading up to the murders, as cellphone data shows  could have more of an explanation.

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"The evidence suggested that there was a reason that this particular house was chosen," Moscow Police Cpl. Brett Payne told reporters. He went on to deliver another blow to inquiring minds: "What that reason is, we don't know. We don't know who the target was and we are not going to speculate."

Kohberger never said anything after his arrest that would imply motive or a reason for the crime. Any statement he made after police arrested him at his family's home in Pennsylvania was "surface-level," police told reporters, and he maintained the same demeanor during his arrest that he has had in court for nearly three years  expressionless and quiet. When investigators questioned him further, he shut down and asked for a lawyer, Grover said.

Investigators grapple with the unknown in criminal cases fairly often, investigators said. And motive, under Idaho law, is not required to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt in court.

Thompson said Wednesday a lack of clear motive is something prosecutors such as himself consider when moving to trial, because a jury naturally wants to know.

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But they've also found that juries don't need a motive to follow the law, even if they come into the courtroom with strong feelings.

"We set that aside as something that we weren't going to dwell on, whether there was clear proof of a specific motive, because we knew it wasn't legally required. Practically speaking, we knew it wasn't something that we possessed, something that we could give to the jury without speculating," Thompson said.

"And I'm sure as heck not going to stand in front of a bunch of 12 jurors and start speculating. We're going to give them the evidence."

Kohberger and his defense team were the ones that originally reached out to prosecutors and asked for a deal, Thompson told the media. Kohberger was prepared to plead guilty as charged to all five counts in the indictment, including felony burglary. The public also likely won't know what Kohberger and his defense team said during plea negotiations, as such discussions are confidential.

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"The evidence, the case that had been investigated and prepared ... it became a reality," Thompson said. As he read each charge and Kohberger's plea out loud and verbatim to the court, his voice was noticeably quivering. Every time he said a victim's name, he placed a printed photo of them underneath the projector.

Judge Hippler wiped his eyes.

"It is time for the judicial system to impose final judgment and close the door on this chapter of these tragedies," Thompson said.

Former Moscow Police Chief James Fry, who attended Wednesday's sentencing, doesn't know if he'll get an answer for the motive to the crime.

"I think that always does bug us a little bit," Fry told The Spokesman-Review outside of the Ada County Courthouse. "We can't grapple with that. What we do is we get the evidence that we need and then we move forward. Sometimes we don't have those answers, and that's difficult ... But the reality is, we may never get them."
Amanda Miller Kelley's name has been corrected in this story.

Four of Indiana's smaller stations will lose at least half their revenue after Congress approved a $1.1 billion spending cut last week and the state zeroed out its funding earlier this year.

Northern Indiana's Lakeshore Public Media, Ball State Public Media, WVUB and PBS in Vincennes, and Tri-State Public Media in Evansville will be hardest hit by the cuts, according to a WFYI analysis and station messaging.

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Hoosier public media leaders told IndyStar the loss of government support has created immediate, gaping holes in revenue they fear could force them to cut local coverage, drop national programs or potentially close some stations.

"You can't just lose a third of your budget and say, 'Well, we're just going to go on as normal,'" said Amanda Miller Kelley, president and general manager of PBS Michiana - WNIT.

Federal and state money accounts for a smaller percentage of larger stations' revenue. For example, federal support is 12% of WFYI's budget and 1% of NPR's.

Hoosier stations combined will lose nearly $9.4 million in federal dollars. Seven of Indiana's 10 public media markets will lose more than $1 million. That's in addition to $7.4 million lost in state funding.

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"They'll obviously be entering into a period of austerity, cutting back on some of the services that they currently offer," said Mark Newman, executive director of Indiana's network of public broadcasting stations. "It's a challenging time, but they're focused on mission and ensuring that they continue to produce content and provide services of a high quality."

Despite millions lost, public media leaders said they will be attempting to preserve local coverage by finding efficiencies and prioritizing coverage.

Leaders like Shelli Harmon-Baker, the news director and host at WVPE in Elkhart, said it's not an option to lose local coverage. Her team will work harder, despite the cuts, to keep up because, she said, local news is critically necessary in her rural community.

"We're going to work harder and smarter," she said. "We are going to make the very best with what we have, as long as I've got a breath in me and I'm working here, darn it."

'Off a cliff'

In line with President Donald Trump's demands, U.S. Congress cut $1.1 billion in public media spending last week, and Indiana's Republican supermajority stripped $7.4 million from Indiana Public Broadcasting earlier this year.

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Local stations have had little time to prepare for massive budget cuts.

"You don't sleep a lot, and you pull out your hair," Miller Kelley said regarding remedying budget cuts. "We have been looking at everything we can do to maintain the quality of content that our audience has come to rely on."

Without a ramp-down period, she, said it feels like stations are "going off a cliff financially." They hardly have time to plan their budget, she said, since federal funding was previously expected this fall. Her station lost about a third of its revenue, totaling $1.3 million.

Miller Kelley said she expected public media would need to fight for support during the next 2028-2029 federal funding cycle. She didn't expect Congress to claw back dollars it had already allocated.

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"Anything that would've been wound down just has to be stopped, halted, like screeching stop, hit the brakes," she said, "which does a disservice certainly to the community and is a disservice to those of us who are trying to plan what the future looks like."

According to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which disperses federal dollars, here's what Indiana's public media stations received in fiscal year 2024:

WFIU/WTIU in Bloomington: $1,326,662

WFHB in Bloomington: $110,408

WVPE in Elkhart: $165,874

WNIN in Evansville: $1,110,271

WBOI in Fort Wayne: $134,956

WFWA in Fort Wayne: $1,124,641

WFYI in Indianapolis: $1,667,310

Lakeshore Public Media in Merrillville: $569,738

WIPB/WBST in Muncie: $1,161,702

WNIT in South Bend: $1,010,488

WVUT/WVUB in Vincennes: $1,006,458

Inevitable changes

Stations have been working to find efficiencies and consolidate operations following state cuts, Newman said. Now, with federal cuts, he said some stations will be digging into their reserves, and all outlets will be looking to cut back, including in personnel.

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A statewide reporting team was told earlier this month that they will be laid off at the end of the year.

"I don't think anything is off the table," Newman said when asked about station consolidation. "It would be a prudent business decision to explore how our stations might share services in a broader way."

Miller Kelley said her station is sorting through local and national programming, community outreach programs and other spending. There is no way to move forward without answering really hard questions, she said, such as whether they will reduce local coverage, drop national programs or reduce the number of the families their programs support.

For Travis Pope, the president and general manager of WBOI in Fort Wayne, losing money means deciding whether they pay for gas to send a reporter in the field. He said they now need to be choosier about what stories they can cover and weigh whether they need to send a reporter on an hour round-trip to an under-covered community.

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"You're telling me you have to do more, you have to cover more, you have to be in more places, and you have less money to do it," Pope said, recounting a conversation with a community member. "And that is absolutely right. That is the equation."

All three public media leaders said the cuts are also an opportunity to work harder and continue coverage that their communities find valuable. They are still figuring out what that looks like financially.

Harmon-Baker said she and her three reporters are motivated to work harder.

"What's important right now is to continue to bring local news, continue to do the very best job we can so that we can keep informing people," she said.

Finding sustainability

Stations must now turn to philanthropic support and their listeners to make up hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars. Leaders and fundraising experts alike say it's unlikely they can make up everything they lost.

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"Asking the community to, within one year, make up a $1.3 million deficit and then do that again next year and the year after that and the year after that," Miller Kelley said, "it's a big ask, especially when we need to make up that difference in just a couple of months."

"Rage giving" is a common response to contentious or unpopular cuts, and Newman said supporters have increased donations as a result. Still, he said, those surges are not sustainable long term.

Indiana's 17 stations join the 1,500 across the country looking for grants and large donations to sustain their operations. Private philanthropy is rarely able to make up the gap, a nonprofit expert said.

"Those will not be offset dollar by dollar at all," said Patrick Rooney, a professor emeritus of philanthropic studies at Indiana University in Indianapolis.

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Some stations may find monetary support as applicants for national pots of money, Rooney said, but most, and likely all, funding will come from local and regional entities. Those national funding rounds will also become increasingly competitive.

Rural America, especially, does not have the infrastructure that urban cities have to pump philanthropic money into charitable causes, he said.

A smaller population means fewer individual donors, organizations and businesses that can contribute large sums. Small nonprofits also tend not to have the staff or expertise needed to organize a mailer campaign, write competitive proposals or approach prospective funders, he said.

"Some of the charities that may need the help the most are probably the least prepared to put on an organized campaign and go out and raise that money," Rooney said. "That's not to say they'll all be unsuccessful; it's just to say they're at a disadvantage."

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The USA TODAY Network - Indiana's coverage of First Amendment issues is funded through a collaboration between the Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.

Have a story to tell? Reach Cate Charron by email at ccharron@indystar.com or message her on Signal at @cate.charron.28.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 4 Indiana public media stations losing at least half their funding
WESTFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  A local lawmaker is sounding the alarm as criminal cases are being dismissed across the commonwealth due to a pay dispute between the state and public defenders.

Pittsfield police investigate after person shot on Dalton Avenue

State Senator John Velis says this is a serious concern for public safety, and its time for public defenders to return to the courtroom.

A legal crisis now looms in Massachusetts as the states pay dispute with public defenders continues. Its resulting in defendants of serious criminal cases, ranging from assault to drug trafficking ultimately walking free.

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Local lawmakers say we should expect hundreds more if public defenders continue the work stoppage.

Innocent until proven guilty, says Velis. But you cannot tell me with a straight face that there is not someone who is going to go, who has been released under this protocolwho is not going to commit some type of criminal act.

According to the 2004 ruling called the Lavallee protocol. Low-income defendants who arent represented by a lawyer within 7 days must be released. But after 45 days, their cases can be dismissed without prejudice.

The Lavallee protocol is being enacted as public defenders stop taking cases. In response to their request for higher pay, they were left out of the states budget.

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Senator Velis adds, Imagine if every individual in state government decided they didnt get a raise they wanted was not going to work. The commonwealth would cease to exist. I just think that we could do this in a better, more responsible, and less reckless way.

Senator Velis says he supports bar advocates push to increase pay, but its time to return to the courtroom while the legislature continues conversations and charts a path forward to raise their compensation in a financially sustainable way.

The state senate did include additional funds to raise the wages of public defenders in its budget proposal, but the measure was ultimately not included in the final conference 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.

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WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI)  State regulators have ordered an audit of Rhode Island Energys billing practices after thousands of ratepayers submitted complaints and state agencies were overcharged nearly $1 million.

In a statement released on May 15, the PUC reported billing anomalies with a significant number of larger non-residential electric accounts, including numerous state facilities.

SEE ALSO: RI Energy proposes lower winter rates, more relief for customers

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In its order, PUC referenced a March 10 meeting where Rhode Island Energy customers expressed frustration with their winter energy bills. While many of the customers complaints could be chalked up to unfavorable rates and weather, the PUC said it also identified delays in applying net metering credits and inexplicable bill increases, prompting an investigation into the utilitys billing system.

 What is net metering?

Under state law, electric distribution companies are required to credit customers for power produced by renewable energy systems, such as solar panels. You can read more about net metering on the Office of Energy Resources website.

Throughout the PUCs investigation, the commission said it encountered several references to billing issues, including one February email from a Rhode Island Energy employee to a customer that described a companywide billing debacle.

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Other problems included a large solar facility that did not receive its net metering credits in a timely manner, a dispute between the R.I. Department of Administration and the company over the accuracy of several electric and natural gas bills, and multiple bills associated with Providence Water facilities that did not show calculations in an understandable manner, according to the PUC.

In its order, the PUC identified five major technical issues:

Billing system defects associated with August 2024 system migration Delays in renewable energy payments to customers More than 6,500 customers who have gone months without receiving a bill Inaccurate billing to customers (with errors often identified by the customers themselves) Inaccurate billing to state accounts

The nature of the known issues  including prolonged no-bills, net metering crediting problems, and the internally referenced billing debacle  warrants continued investigation to ensure the system is functioning properly and producing reliable outcomes, the PUC concluded. At the same time, the perceived performance trends  such as increased customer contact and satisfaction concerns, as well as the spike in WFM exceptions  do raise the possibility of unknown or unaddressed system defects that deserve further inquiry.

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The PUC is scheduled to discuss the results of a bidding process to conduct the audit at an open meeting on Thursday.

State accounts overbilled by nearly $1 million

Target 12 reached out to the R.I. Office of Energy Resources (OER) to learn more about the state accounts that were billed inaccurately.

These issues were first identified after a routine review raised questions about unusually high electricity costs for one agency, an OER spokesperson said. Upon further investigation, we discovered that a number of state accounts had not been properly credited for Virtual Net Metering (VNM) allocations.

The spokesperson said the following agencies were overcharged a total of $984,000 before Rhode Island Energy corrected its errors:

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Militia of the State

RI Emergency Management Agency

Department of Housing

Public Utilities Commission

Office of the Public Defender

Rhode Island Atomic Energy Commission

Office of the Secretary of State

Office of the Attorney General

Department of Administration

Department of Human Services

Department of Transportation

Department of Elementary And Secondary Education

Department of Labor and Training

Department of Environmental Management

Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities & Hospitals

Department of Corrections

Department of Children, Youth, and Families

Department of Revenue

Department of Public Safety

Rhode Island College

Community College of Rhode Island

Judicial Department

As of May 2025 billing, the majority of these corrections have been completed, he told Target 12. Additional analysis is still underway to determine the impact on individual agencies.

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HAWAII, Hawaii (KHON2)  A Puna man has pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to sexual assault against minors and promoting child abuse, the Hawaii County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney said.

According to the office, Joseph Donald Tibbs, 44, pleaded guilty to the charges stemming from incidents that occurred between February and May 2025.

Ownership of fallen Hilo tree messy after two women killed

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Prosecutors say Tibbs pleaded guilty to two counts of Promoting Child Abuse in the First Degree and four counts of Sexual Assault in the First Degree.

As part of the plea deal, prosecutors say Tibbs agreed to serve 40 years in prison.

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Tibbs entered his guilty pleas on July 21 in Hilo. He has been denied bail and will be required to register as a sex offender.

He has been scheduled to appear for his sentencing hearing on Oct. 15.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on July 23 that grants Belarusian citizens permanently residing in Russia the right to vote and run in local elections.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is considered one of Putin's closest allies. The two leaders have increased cooperation as their countries face isolation from the West due to Russia's war against Ukraine.

Minsk already allows Russian citizens permanently residing in Belarus to vote and participate in its own local elections.

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Belarus and Russia signed a Union State treaty in 1999, which aims to deepen relations and bilateral integration.

Authorities in Belarus have welcomed the move and have called for Belarusian citizens to be given the right to participate in regional elections, Russian state media reported.

The two countries partner in various fields, including defense policy.

On July 23, Belarus signaled that it could reverse its earlier decision to move the Zapad-2025 military drills inland, citing what it called escalating military activity by Poland and Lithuania near its borders.

Belarusian Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Muraveika said Minsk originally chose to move the joint Russian-Belarusian drills away from the western frontier to ease tensions, but that decision may now be reconsidered.

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"Given the difficult military and political situation and the fact that Belarus is constantly accused of aggressive intentions, we have made a decision and moved the areas of the event away from the borders," Muraveika said. "But our Western colleagues began to speculate on this process."

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine, Russia hold third round of peace talks in Istanbul

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
At the latest Nato summit in The Hague, the alliance announced that members had set a new target of spending 5 per cent of GDP on defence and security by 2035. In part, this is likely to have been driven by a realisation that Trump envoy Steve Witkoffs shuttle diplomacy and Europes denunciations of Vladimir Putin will not be enough to end the war in Ukraine. More fundamentally, however, members are waking up to the need to deter Russia from attacking a Nato country  which, according to Mark Rutte, the alliances secretary-general, it could be ready to do within five years.

As a military intelligence analyst specialising in Putins thinking and Russian military strategy, I agree with Ruttes assessment about Russias readiness for another offensive military campaign in just a few years. Im less convinced that a Nato country is likely to be the Kremlins next target, unless the alliance directly intervenes in Ukraine by deploying troops onto the battlefield. Nevertheless, what Nato does or doesnt do in the next few years could be highly significant in determining whether Putin decides to attack another post-Soviet state  such as Moldova.

The problem is that increasing spending on defence and security-related areas will not do the trick on its own. Money and technology, the staples of the Wests style of warfare, do not by themselves prevent or win wars. Strategy does. And a successful strategy must be based on a deep understanding of the opponents way of war, addressing the key elements of its military planning.

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I briefed Nato members on Russias war-fighting strategy in September 2013, just months prior to Putins invasion of Crimea. Regrettably, no counter-strategy was developed by the Pentagon and its Nato counterparts. Hence Putins invasions.

Developed by the Russian General Staff and often dubbed asymmetric warfare, Russias strategy borrows heavily from the classic works of the British strategist Sir Basil Liddell Hart. He advocated indirect methods of fighting the opponent, rather than the brute application of force. The centrepiece of this approach is to bypass the enemys areas of strength and focus on exploiting weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

Obviously, the war in Ukraine has developed into precisely the sort of conflict Russia seeks to avoid. But that doesnt mean that the Kremlin has fundamentally changed its approach to conflict, particularly when facing new opponents.

Since Nato militaries are technologically superior to the Russian forces, Moscow knows it will have to rely on seizing the strategic initiative during the initial period of any future war. It will not be seeking a repeat of what has happened in Ukraine.

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Russian planners therefore envision undermining Natos network-centric approach to war by disrupting its forces kill chain, the process that enables military decision-making to detect, target, and destroy adversaries. This could be achieved by targeting, perhaps pre-emptively, the C4ISR (command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and space systems on which Nato forces depend.

So Nato members need to do more than spend money. They need to understand what the Russians consider to be the alliances vulnerabilities, and take action to remove the Kremlins incentive to exploit them.

There are five principal areas that require action.

1. Secure space-related infrastructure

Russia has a formidable arsenal of counter-space weapons, designed to degrade or destroy US and allied satellites. It includes GPS-jamming systems, lasers, orbital interceptors, and anti-satellite missiles. The US Office of the Director of National Intelligence warned in its 2025 Annual Threat Assessment that Russia is training its space forces, fielding new anti-satellite weapons, and is already using electronic warfare to counter Western assets. Moscow is also developing a new satellite meant to carry a nuclear weapon as an anti-satellite capability.

2. Harden critical infrastructure against cyber attacks

Russia has one of the worlds most destructive arsenals of cyber weapons, a sophisticated doctrine, and advanced expertise. The 2025 Annual Threat Assessment warned about Russias repeated success in compromising sensitive targets for intelligence collection. Moscow is likely to already have access to critical infrastructure in the US and Europe. Moscow has a particular strength and practical experience in integrating cyber attacks with military operations in wartime.

3. Establish stronger protocols to guard undersea communications cables

Russias General Staff Main Directorate has a highly secretive deep sea research programme, known as GUGI. Moscow is highly likely to have put this expertise into practice, with several suspected sabotage operations of undersea cables in the Baltic Sea since the war in Ukraine began. A similar risk applies to energy pipelines. In October 2022, the UK Ministry of Defence acknowledged that a Royal Navy frigate was deployed to the North Sea to assist Norwegian forces in protecting gas pipelines, after the rupture of Nord Stream in the Baltic.

4. Bullet-proof against Russian espionage

It hardly needs saying that Russia routinely infiltrates spies all across Europe and recruits locals to steal military, political, and economic secrets. But Moscow has also been able to insert intelligence operatives to conduct destabilisation operations, targeting critical infrastructure. Some estimates suggest that such sabotage operations almost quadrupled in number between 2023-24. Multiple arrests have taken place, including in Germany, Poland, and the UK. But the alliance must take a more pro-active approach, neutralising and disrupting Russias espionage operations before they are able to do damage.

5. Establish advantage in total combat potential

Having moved onto a war footing several years prior to the invasion of Ukraine, Russia now produces more ammunition in three months than Europe does in one year. Scaling up production of air defence systems, tanks, drones, and ammunition is imperative for Nato to catch up to Russia and restock its depleted arsenals.

Weapons dont shoot themselves, however. The alliance must recruit, train, and equip a fighting force sufficient to change Putins decision calculus. Moscow has been mobilising overtly and covertly throughout its three and a half year war in Ukraine. And on Tuesday, a bill was submitted to the State Duma introducing year-round conscription for military service. If approved and signed by Putin, the law will come into effect on Jan 1, 2026.

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In Europe, only a few countries have mandatory military service, and so far most of the others are not considering it. But in a war of attrition, such as the one Russia is fighting in Ukraine, the side that has more manpower is better positioned to win.

The good news is that the alliance has time to get its act together to prevent another invasion. It would be tragic if the alliance fails to step up to the plate now, especially given the colossal price Ukraine is paying to defend itself against the Russians. Nato owes it to all those dead Ukrainians and their families to develop a viable counter-strategy to Putins playbook.

Rebekah Koffler is a strategic military intelligence analyst, formerly with the US Defense Intelligence Agency. She is the author of Putins Playbook, Regnery 2021. Her next book Trumps Playbook will be published later this year. Rebekahs podcast Trumps Playbook is running on her channel Censored But Not Silenced and is available on most social media platforms @Rebekah0132.

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A raccoon tested positive for rabies after biting a woman, county officials said.

The raccoon bit the woman after she discovered her dog fighting with it July 11 on Vaughn Road, said Kelly Wilson, Spalding Countys environmental health manager.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

The county health department said it was the second reported case of rabies in the county this year. A stray cat that scratched a woman in June on West Cherry Street in Griffin also tested positive.

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The Georgia Department of Public Health Laboratory confirmed the raccoons positive test for rabies.

Residents are urged to take precautions to protect themselves and their pets from rabies. Health officials advise avoiding unfamiliar animals and ensuring pets rabies vaccinations are current.

Georgia law requires dogs, cats and ferrets to have a current rabies vaccination.

Rabies is a serious viral disease that affects the central nervous system of mammals, including humans. It is typically transmitted through the bite of an infected animal.

Animal bites or scratches should be promptly reported to Animal Control or the Spalding County Environmental Health Office at 770-467-4230.

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For more information on rabies prevention and safety measures, people can visit the Spalding County Health Departments website.

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HENRY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  According to the Virginia Department of Health, a raccoon found on Monday, July 21, in the 2000 block of Dogwood Lane in Fieldale has tested positive for the rabies virus.

Anyone having information regarding any exposure to this animal (bite, scratch, or contact with saliva by open wound or eyes, nose, or mouth) should contact the Martinsville  Henry County Health Department at 276-638-2311. Exposures also include direct contact between your pet and the rabid animal. You may also contact Patrick County Animal Control at 276-638-8751.

The Virginia Department of Health suggests the following advice:

This incident serves as a reminder that rabies is present in Virginia and can sometimes infect domestic animals, such as dogs and cats. Rabies is caused by a virus that attacks the nervous system and is lethal if proper medical care is not given following an exposure to the virus. The most common source of exposure to rabies is a bite from a rabid animal. Rabies may also be transmitted by saliva from a rabid animal coming into contact with open wounds, the mouth, eyes, or nose.



Actions you should take to prevent rabies in people and pets include:

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Be sure that your pets are up to date on their rabies vaccinations.

Avoid contact with wild animals or stray animals.

Do not feed stray animals. Avoid wild animals, especially raccoons, bats, foxes and skunks.

Feed your pets indoors and do not let them wander.

Teach children to avoid contact with wild animals and pets they are not familiar with.

Do not handle sick, injured, or dead animals. Contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator if you have concerns about sick or injured wildlife.

Keep wild animals out of homes by capping chimneys with screens and blocking openings in attics, cellars, and porches. Ensure trash cans have tight-fitting lids.

Do not try to trap or handle stray and wild animals. If a bat is found indoors and may have had contact with someone, do not release it. Call your local animal control officer or health department to determine if the animal should be picked up and tested for rabies.

Report all bites to people to the local health department for investigation.

If you are bitten by a wild or stray animal, do not panic, according to the Virginia Department of Health. Wash the wound(s) thoroughly with warm soapy water and contact animal control, your doctor, or the health department for further recommendations.

You may also visit the Virginia Department of Healths website at

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/epidemiology-fact-sheets/rabies/ or the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions website at https://www.cdc.gov/rabies/

For more information about rabies, visit: https://www

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
Leftover radioactive waste from the Manhattan Project will be shipped to another state instead of its original destination in Van Buren Township, Wayne County Executive Warren Evans said in a news release on July 23.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' decision to redirect the waste was the result of a "collaborative effort" that included citizen pushback, involvement from government entities, and a temporary restraining order granted by a Wayne County judge.

According to WDIV Local 4, the waste will now be heading to Andrews, Texas.

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"Although I certainly do not envy the community that will receive this waste," Evans said, "it was my job to fight for the people of Wayne County and thats what I did to the best of my ability.

Roughly 6,000 cubic yards of soil and concrete contaminated with low-level radiation from the Niagara Falls Storage Site in New York, where the Manhattan Project developed the atomic bomb during and just after World War II, had been slated for disposal at Wayne Disposal Inc., a hazardous waste landfill off I-94 in Van Buren Township, Free Press reported in Sept. 2024.

The landfill  operated by Phoenix-based Republic Services  has received scrutiny from its neighbors in recent years. Its acceptance of vinyl chloride waste from the 2023 East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment led to protests from local, state and federal officials. That pressure caused the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to halt the shipments and dispose of the waste at facilities outside Michigan.

A backhoe is seen filling a dump truck at a disposal landfill, Wayne Disposal Inc. that is located in Belleville near the Willow Run Airport on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.

More: Wayne hazardous waste landfill can expand if it follows law, regulators say

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Wayne Disposal has requested state and federal approval to increase its capacity by nearly 23%, from 22.5 million cubic yards to 27.6 million cubic yards. The proposed vertical expansion would fill in a low area on the existing landfill footprint, a change now possible due to the closure of a runway at the neighboring Willow Run Airport, according to Republic Services.

Although the Army Corps recent decision means the Manhattan Project waste from the New York site will no longer be sent to Wayne County, it remains unclear if this reroute will impact the landfills pending expansion plans.

A spokesperson with the Army Corps could not be immediately reached for comment on July 23.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Radioactive waste from NY won't be coming to Michigan landfill
Rapper GloRilla arrested after drugs found in her metro Atlanta home during burglary

Rapper GloRilla, whose real name is Gloria Hallelujah Woods, is facing charges after a burglary occurred at her metro Atlanta home.

The Forsyth County Sheriffs Office confirmed to Channel 2 Action News that deputies were called to a home owned by Woods at 1:30 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Investigators say three suspects went into the home when Woods wasnt there and were stealing things when someone inside the home fired at them. The burglars ran off and investigators dont believe they were injured.

[RELATED: GloRillas attorneys say its unbelievable she was arrested after burglars broke into her home]

While investigating the burglary, some of the deputies smelled drugs and found a significant amount of marijuana in the master bedroom closet.

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Woods was then charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance.

She turned herself in to the Forsyth County Jail on Tuesday and was released shortly after on a $22,260 bond.

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The homeowner is a victim of a serious crime, and we are committed to bringing the suspects to justice, said Sheriff Ron Freeman. At the same time, we must continue to uphold and enforce the law in all aspects of this case.

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This isnt the rappers first run-in with the law in Georgia.

Last year, Channel 2 Action News obtained body camera footage of Woods being arrested for DUI in Gwinnett County.

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WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI)  Workers at a Rhode Island grocery store were shocked to find a bright colored crustacean in their latest seafood delivery.

(Courtesy: Daves Fresh Marketplace)

RELATED: Golden lobster spared from dinner plate at Rhode Island restaurant

The extremely rare golden lobster was first spotted by the seafood manager at the Daves Fresh Marketplace in Warwick.

Susan Budlong, a spokesperson for Daves, told Nexstars WPRI the seafood manager knew immediately that the grocery store shouldnt sell the lobster.

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Budlong said the grocery store reached out to its seafood supplier in Massachusetts, which put them in touch with the Biomes Marine Biology Center in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

The special lobster has since been donated to the North Kingstown aquarium.

How rare are colorful lobsters? Scientists dig beneath the shell

This is not the first time that a rare lobster has been brought to the privately-owned aquarium. The Nordic Lodge, a restaurant in Charlestown, Rhode Island, donated a golden lobster to Biomes back in May after it came in with the restaurants seafood shipment.

Biomes is also home to a rare powder blue lobster. WPRI reached out to Biomes regarding its newest resident, but has not yet heard back.

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The funky-colored crustaceans are the result of a genetic mutation that happens roughly 1 in every 30 million lobsters.

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  A study conducted by the University of Illinois shows that the number of police-involved lethal force incidents has drastically decreased from 2021 to 2023 across the country.

According to the U of Is News Bureau, the Cline Center for Advanced Social Research at U of I conducted the SPOTLITE project, in which the center compiled nearly a decades worth of data to track and identify police uses of lethal force across the United States.

Champaign Co. restaurant receives yellow placard after more than 10 violations

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According to Scott Althaus, the Merriam Professor of Political Science at Illinois and the director of the Cline Center, the SPOTLITE dataset is the most comprehensive nationwide accounting of police uses of lethal force available in todays world. This dataset includes any incident in which police used a firearm, including those with nonfatal outcomes, as well as any other use of force that resulted in a death.

No other database captures police uses of lethal forces with both fatal and nonfatal outcomes on a national scale, according to the researchers at the center.

The U of I News Bureau said that in 2021, SPOTLITE data showed 3,474 uses of lethal force by police in the U.S. In 2022, that number decreased to 2,842 incidents; and in 2023, that number dropped further to 2,631.

The 2,631 incidents of police uses of lethal force tracked by SPOTLITE in 2023 represented the smallest annual number since 2015, when 2,612 incidents were tracked across the country.

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Police uses of lethal force have decreased dramatically since 2021, Althaus said. We dont know why were seeing this decrease. Our role is to rigorously document these incidents so that others can use SPOTLITE data to better understand what is happening around the country and why.

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The SPOTLITE project was designed to fill an important gap in the American publics understanding of policing in the U.S., as there is no official dataset compiled by governmental sources that documents the full range of such incidents on a national level, according to the researchers.

As opposed to relying on data supplied by law enforcement agencies, the SPOTLITE project takes information from local news reports of police shooting incidents, police pursuits and other uses of police force that result in a death to provide initial details of what happened, where and to whom.

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According to the News Bureau, the researchers also leveraged artificial intelligence and machine learning in order to augment the work of human analysts.

The interdisciplinary team of scholars and experts leading the SPOTLITE project includes the following people:

Scott Althaus, the Merriam Professor of Political Science at Illinois and the director of the Cline Center

Joseph Bajjalieh, a senior research manager at the Cline Center

Jay Jennings, the assistant director of research and a research scientist at the Cline Center

Michael Martin, a senior research coordinator at the Cline Center

Jennifer K. Robbennolt, the Alice Curtis Campbell Professor of Law at Illinois

Ajay Singh, the assistant director of strategic research initiatives and a research scientist at the Cline Center

Dozens of undergraduate and graduate student researchers who have worked since 2017 to compile the database

its an important task, because if we dont have data like this, its hard to know where change is needed. What sort of change is needed and when its effective, Althaus told WCIA. So what were trying to do with the SPOTLITE project is provide a basis of information to inform productive conversations about policing in the United States.

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The most recent release of SPOTLITE data also offers, for the very first time, a comprehensive picture of the demographic characteristics of civilians involved in police uses of lethal force across the country.

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By combining incident records from 2022 and 2023, the racial composition of all civilians involved in police uses of lethal force across the United States who could be identified by using name and image information breaks down as follows, in order of frequency:

47.1% white (1,926 individuals)

35.1% Black (1,437 individuals)

16.6% Hispanic (681 individuals)

1.2% Asian/Pacific Islander (48 individuals)

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The researchers said no Native American people were identified, but that this is likely due to news reporting practices in tribal jurisdictions and the difficulty of identifying Native American individuals based on name and image data alone.

Additionally, the civilians involved in police uses of lethal force across the country from 2022 to 2023 and for whom gender could be ascribed using name and image information were overwhelmingly male (91.1%, 3,965 individuals).

Our team reviewed more than 50,000 news reports to produce these data, Singh said. Its a huge amount of work because it spans every one of the 3,144 counties in the U.S.

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This project also seeks to improve police accountability and rebuild public trust in law enforcement, according to U of Is News Bureau. SPOTLITE originates from calls for police accountability and reform in the aftermath of fatal police shootings involving unarmed Black citizens.

The project aims to afford communities throughout the country access to data that supports evidence-based police reform, which, according to Althaus, would be a pivotal first step in addressing long-standing concerns about racial inequities in policing and rebuilding trust between police and civilian communities.

More than a thousand people die in encounters with law enforcement every year, and some studies have suggested that at least that number have survived being shot by police each year as well, Jennings said. But in most areas of the country we havent really known how many shooting incidents might have occurred that didnt result in deaths.

SPOTLITE was also partially funded by the Chancellors Call to Actions to Address Racism & Social Injustice Research Program as part of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusions antiracism initiatives. Other support was provided by the following:

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The Center for Social & Behavioral Science

The Joyce Foundation

Microsoft

The Nerad Student Research Fund

The David F. Linowes Fellows Fund

Paul OConnor and Karin Dommermuth OConnor

The David C. Colby Endowment Fund

Private donors in support of the Cline Centers mission

The interactive SPOTLITE dashboard can be found here. To contact Althaus for more information, call 217-265-7879 or email salthaus@illinois.edu.

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FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomez issued a scathing statement of dissent following the FCCs approval of the Paramount and Skydance Media merger on Thursday, noting the agencys control over newsroom decisions and editorial judgment at Paramount-owned news organizations marks a direct violation of the first amendment.

After months of cowardly capitulation to this Administration, Paramount finally got what it wanted, Gomez wrote. Unfortunately, it is the American public who will ultimately pay the price for its actions.

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Gomez, the lone Democrat Commissioner, was the dissenting vote in the FCCs 2-1 approval of the Paramount-Skydance merger and has been outspoken about Paramounts $16 million settlement with Donald Trump, calling it a desperate move to gain the FCCs approval that sets dangerous precedent for the First Amendment.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Olivia Trusty voiced her support for the merger, saying the transaction reflects the free market at work, where private investment, not government intervention, is preserving an iconic American media institution.

Read Gomezs full statement, below:

After months of cowardly capitulation to this Administration, Paramount finally got what it wanted. Unfortunately, it is the American public who will ultimately pay the price for its actions.

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In an unprecedented move, this once-independent FCC used its vast power to pressure Paramount to broker a private legal settlement and further erode press freedom. Once again, this agency is undermining legitimate efforts to combat discrimination and expand opportunity by overstepping its authority and intervening in employment matters reserved for other government entities with proper jurisdiction on these issues. Even more alarming, it is now imposing never-before-seen controls over newsroom decisions and editorial judgment, in direct violation of the First Amendment and the law.

After the FCC buried the outcome of backroom negotiations with other regulated entities, like Verizon and T-Mobile, I urged for us to bring the Paramount proceeding into the light. Ive long believed the public has a right to know how Paramounts capitulation evidences an erosion of our First Amendment protections, and Im pleased that FCC leadership ultimately agreed to my call for every Commissioner to vote on this transaction. Granting approval behind closed doors, under the cover of bureaucratic process, would have been an inappropriate way to shield this Administrations coordinated campaign to censor speech, control narratives, and silence dissent.

Despite this regrettable outcome, this Administration is not done with its assault on the First Amendment. In fact, it may only be beginning. The Paramount payout and this reckless approval have emboldened those who believe the government canand shouldabuse its power to extract financial and ideological concessions, demand favored treatment, and secure positive media coverage. It is a dark chapter in a long and growing record of abuse that threatens press freedom in this country. But such violations endure only when institutions choose capitulation over courage. It is time for companies, journalists, and citizens alike to stand up and speak out, because unchecked and unquestioned power has no rightful place in America.

For all these reasons, I dissent.

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Read Trustys full statement here:

I support todays approval of the Paramount Global and Skydance Media

merger. This transaction reflects the free market at work, where

private investment, not government intervention, is preserving an

iconic American media institution.

During its review of the transaction, the Commission determined the

merger was lawful and would serve the public interest. This deal

brings fresh leadership, new capital, and a clear plan to compete with

dominant tech platforms. Skydances commitment to creative excellence

and operational discipline offers New Paramount a real path forward in

todays challenging media environment.

This is a win for American jobs, American storytelling, and the

principle that markets, not Washington, should decide the future of

our industries.

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I want to thank Chairman Carr for his leadership in bringing the

merger to a full Commission vote. His commitment to transparency and

process has ensured that this matter received the thorough

consideration it deserves.

The post Read FCC Commissioner Anna M. Gomezs Scathing Dissent After Skydance-Paramount Approval: Direct Violation of the First Amendment appeared first on TheWrap.
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  After years of back and forth, Sen. Tommy Tuberville said he believes a decision on the future home of U.S. Space Command will be made soon.

The senator told reporters on Thursday that he has had conversations with President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about the decision this week.

Tuberville said the state has coordinated with leadership in Madison County, putting adequate plans in place to host Space Command. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey reaffirmed her support for bringing the command to the state in a post on X Wednesday.

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Alabama is the rightful home of Space Command Headquarters, said Ivey. We are ready for this to be made official.

While there is no official timeline on when the announcement will be made, Tuberville said he feels good about the coming decision.

They are ready, Tuberville said. We are ready to seal the deal once and for all.

He said he believes developing the infrastructure Space Command will need in the future will ultimately be cheaper on Redstone Arsenal than it will be at its current location on Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs.

Weve got to do it the right way, Tuberville said. We dont want something to fall through thats not carried through the proper stages, and when its done, we want it to be done. We dont need any more reviews, anything like that.

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In 2021, Huntsville was named as a finalist for Space Commands location. In 2022, the Department of Defense named Redstone Arsenal as the preferred permanent location for the headquarters and found that the evaluation process had been done in a reasonable manner.

Then, in 2023, former President Joe Biden decided to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs, where it had been temporarily based pending a final decision. According to AP, officials said the president was convinced by then Space Command Head General James Dickinson, who argued the move would negatively affect military readiness, a view in contrast to Air Force leadership at the time.

Bidens decision led to calls for investigations into it from Alabama lawmakers, including Congressmen Mike Rogers and Dale Strong and Senators Tuberville and Katie Britt.

Since Trump took office again in January, those same Alabama lawmakers have said the president supports moving Space Command to Redstone Arsenal.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
Given the ever-changing patterns of tourism, airline routes tend to come and go pretty regularly. But Wizz Airs announcement last week that it will be scrapping all of its routes from Abu Dhabi (the capital of the United Arab Emirates and a bustling flight hub between Europe and Asia) may have raised more eyebrows than usual.

As well as the tough commercial and geopolitical climate in the Middle East, the low-cost carrier also cited the UAEs hot and harsh climate as a reason for grounding the flights, adding that the high concentration of dust in the air was causing damage to its engines.

That the Gulf can be punishingly hot wont be news to anyone. But the idea that extreme temperatures can cause complications for planes seems like the sort of thing that frequent flyers might want to know more about  particularly if they plan on jetting to the region any time soon.

Too hot to handle

Most of the time, hotter temperatures are a matter of simple physics for pilots, says Nick Eades, a veteran captain of the legendary Boeing 747 and the author of several books. As the air heats up, it also gets lighter, which makes it tougher for a plane to get the lift it needs to take off properly.

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In days gone by, airlines had to adjust their schedules to avoid the hottest parts of the day, but modern airliners are able to operate in extreme conditions, he says. At worst, the pilot may have to make some additional calculations, like reducing the amount of fuel on board to lower the planes weight.

Wizz Air is scrapping all of its routes from Abu Dhabi, citing high temperatures as a factor - E+

Once the plane has taken off, the heat is much less of a concern (although it may well add to turbulence at lower altitudes). Though planes that land in hot weather will usually experience a higher ground speed. To compensate, pilots will slow down much earlier and extend the flaps and landing gear earlier than normal, he says.

Where hot weather has led to flight cancellations its usually down to issues on the ground, rather than with per se. Last year, flights were briefly grounded in Delhi, for example, when safety authorities ruled that the airport tarmac had become too hot for a safe take off.

Closer to home, flights from London Luton Airport were cancelled for a day in summer 2022, after high temperatures caused parts of the runway to melt.

When the dust settles

In the case of Wizz Airs experiences in Abu Dhabi, though, the issue isnt necessarily the heat but the heavy concentration of sand and dust in the air  some of which gets sucked into the engine during take-off.

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The extreme heat of the engine then means that much of that dust will melt, leaving behind a glass-like residue which can hamper the blades.

This isnt like volcanic ash, where there is a risk of the plane falling out of the sky, says Dr Claire Ryder, a meteorologist at the University of Reading who has led studies into the levels of dust around different airports. However, the gradual build-up and abrasion over time will result in performance issues for the aircraft engines, meaning lower fuel efficiency and higher maintenance costs.

2407 How dust affects aircraft engines

For an ultra-low-cost carrier like Wizz Air, which relies on cutting back any possible costs to offer the cheapest tickets possible, that is a potential headache.

Given the massive aviation market in the Middle East, there is a sizeable incentive to develop engines that can better handle dust. At the University of Manchester, a team of researchers is working with Rolls Royce to conduct tests using synthetic dust, with the aim of understanding exactly what happens when it gets sucked into the engine.

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We know that the dust gets smaller the further it gets into the engine, but we are also looking at how it changes in its chemical structure, says Dr Nicholas Bojdo, who is leading the project. The issue becomes more pertinent as engines get more powerful, as the increased capacity means that the temperatures get even hotter inside  thus exceeding the melting point for more minerals.

While temperature may be rising, the climate change models arent particularly well equipped to estimate the impact on dust, says Dr Claire Ryder.

Though some studies show a correlation between rising temperatures and dust storms  the latter having led to flight cancellations (particularly in India) due to poor visibility.

Snowed under

Hot weather and dust are one issue, but what about the other end of the spectrum, when planes have to operate in harsh cold snaps? For all the disruption caused by snow storms and arctic blasts, the impact on the planes themselves is nowhere near as dramatic.

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The typical cruising altitude of passenger jets means that they are already built to handle some seriously sub-zero temperatures. If anything, colder ground temperatures can make the engines more efficient. The wings can also be treated with a special anti-freeze to ensure they arent affected by the outside temperatures.

If cold weather is going to cause problems its likely to be on the ground. For example, snow blizzards can compromise air traffic controls visibility. In those circumstances, its common for controllers to impose stricter safety limits, increasing the spacing between take-offs and arrivals. This usually means that some flights will inevitably be cancelled entirely.

Extreme cold weather may also cause runways to be closed off, as happened at four UK airports (Bristol, Newcastle, Birmingham and Manchester) back in January, when much of the country was under an amber warning for snow and ice. As a rule of thumb, aviation authorities warn against attempting take-off when the surface is more than 25 per cent ice or snow.

Perhaps Wizz Air wont be rushing to launch a Greenland or Alaska service any time soon, then. But its good to know that, for those airlines prepared to splash the cash, the marvels of modern engineering can deal with extreme weather conditions  even if the airports themselves may not be so lucky.

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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The San Angelo Police Department held a press conference on the morning of July 24 regarding an ongoing homicide investigation.

Remains of San Angelo man missing for years returning home

The conference was scheduled to begin at 10:45 a.m. at the SAPDs police station.

Concho Valley Homepage livestreamed the conference. A recording of the livestream is available for viewing in the video player above.

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HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Officials say the 2025 edition of 4th Fest and Praise in the Park shattered attendance records and delivered a significant economic boost to the region, officially cementing its place as the largest outdoor music festival in western Kentucky.

Madisonville city officials say more than 32,000 people attended the three-day celebration, with visitors traveling from across Kentucky, Indiana, Tennessee, Illinois and beyond. Hotels throughout Madisonville and neighboring areas reported high to full occupancy, while local restaurants and retailers experienced significant spikes in business. Foot traffic data confirmed one of the highest tourism influxes in recent city history.

Second food poisoning lawsuit filed against Hopkins County restaurant

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The lineup was as follows:

July 4 Opening night Morris Day & The Time Grammy-nominated vocalist Ruben Studdard DJ SHAY

July 5 Chris Janson Chase Matthew Bryan Martin

July 6 Concluded with a record-setting crowd of over 14,000, which officials note was the festivals largest single-day turnout Tauren Wells Josiah Queen David Rodgers and Jaclyn Graves



Weve had the pleasure of producing 4th Fest for the past 10 years, and this was by far the biggest and most exciting yet, said Heath Eric, CEO of The Eric Group. Its an honor to work alongside the City of Madisonvilletrue teamwork all the way. This event not only brings people together, it brings lasting benefits to the community and the entire region.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
The redistricting war is heating up as both parties look to gain ground in the race for the House next year.

Texas Republicans are moving forward this week with redrawing district lines, while Republicans in other states like Missouri could follow suit. Democrats from California to New Jersey have taken notice, ramping up calls to redraw their maps in an effort to blunt the GOPs efforts.

The redistricting tit-for-tat threatens to roil the midterms, sowing uncertainty in an election that will reshape the remainder of President Trumps term.

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Its our belief that we cant fight with one hand behind our backs, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) told reporters this week.

We cant let Texas go unanswered, Aguilar said. And its our belief that we should do whatever we can to protect democracy.

Texas lawmakers are convening in Austin as a part of a special session Gov. Greg Abbott (R) called to address 18 issues, redistricting being one of the most closely watched items. Some of the first hearings on redistricting are scheduled for Thursday and Friday.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has already signaled his state is considering several avenues for potentially redrawing their maps in response, though Democrats would need to work around the states independent redistricting commission.

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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) suggested during a recent interview with CNN anchor and chief correspondent Manu Raju that Democrats may be eyeing opportunities in New York and New Jersey, though both also use redistricting commissions and likely would require some kind of change to their state constitutions.

Governor Hochul is closely monitoring the redistricting developments in Texas and any potential implications they may have, Jerrel Harvey, senior communications adviser to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), told The Hill in a statement last week.

Meanwhile, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) told reporters Monday, when asked whether he was planning to pursue midcycle redistricting, that it was too early to make any definitive statement about it but appeared to leave the door open to the possibility.

No news to make, other than I will quote Sean Connery from The Untouchables: Never bring a knife to a gunfight, Murphy later added. So, if thats the way were going, were from Jersey baby, and we wont be laying down.

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But the redistricting battle may not end there  Missouri Republicans are considering redrawing their maps too, according to Punchbowl News.

There has also been speculation that Florida Republicans could pursue redistricting as well. Last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) scored a redistricting win when Floridas Supreme Court upheld a congressional map that blocked a challenge to the elimination of the majority-Black congressional district in the north of the state that previously was represented by former Rep. Al Lawson (D). The area that comprised the former congressional district is now divided among three Republican lawmakers.

Other states could potentially follow suit, risking creating an all-out redistricting war that could not only scramble which seats both parties should be focusing on, but also impact the logistics of how states conduct their midterms.

With the filing deadlines for candidates rapidly approaching  and the possibility that House lines may not be finalized until later if some states pursue new maps  some office-seekers may not know which district theyre running in until very late in the process. The uncertainty of congressional lines also could risk pushing back a states primary date if theyre not finalized in time.

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Meanwhile, Republicans argue that changing the redistricting process in states like California may not be possible without a constitutional amendment.

Still, some House Democrats believe they dont have a choice but to fight back.

It will create uncertainty, acknowledged Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.). No ones supposed to be redistricting in the middle of a decade like this. This is part of the reason why when we get all the levers of power, we have to pass federal redistricting laws.

Asked whether she had concerns that the ordeal could create a redistricting arms race that could include other states, Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash), the House Democrats campaign chair, argued Republicans have already started down that path, pointing to the redistricting battles in Texas and Ohio this year and North Carolina last cycle.

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While Democrats believe they cant let Republicans redistricting push go unanswered, some members of the party are not keen to see Democrats participate.

I may not always like the way redistricting goes, but the process has been one with some civility to it, and what theyre doing in Texas is criminal, Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.) told The Hill.

I would not like to see blue states participating in the criminal enterprise, he added.

Other Democrats believed the party needs to focus elsewhere before considering redistricting.

In a memo released Wednesday, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee argued the party should be focused more on flipping state legislatures in an effort to fight back on redistricting.

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To have a shot at winning and maintaining a Democratic majority in the House of Representatives moving forward, Democrats must reassess our failed federal-first strategy and get serious about winning state legislatures ahead of redistricting  not just in the final months of 2030, but starting now, the groups memo read.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
State Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, the Southlake Republican who championed tech-oriented bills, announced his retirement from the Texas House on Tuesday, the latest in a slew of legislative shakeups ahead of the 2026 elections.

Capriglione, who said in June he would seek reelection for the District 98 seat, reversed that decision in a statement posted on social media and his campaign website. He said he would serve out the remainder of his seventh term but did not indicate what he will pursue after office.

When I first ran, I had a clear purpose: go down to Austin, work hard, and fight for the principles and values that make Texas strong, Capriglione said. And while Ive given this work everything I have, I also feel in my heart that Ive accomplished what I set out to do. Its time for a new chapter.

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Capriglione is the chair of both the Delivery of Government Efficiency Committee that was established earlier in the year. Caprigliones focus on technology through his time in the Legislature was highlighted by his spot as chair of the states Innovation and Technology Caucus; authoring Texas Data Privacy and Security Act in 2023; and helping the establishment of a Texas Cyber Command, one of Gov. Greg Abbotts 2025 emergency priorities, through the DOGE Committee as House Bill 150s author.

Keller Mayor Armin Mizani announced on Wednesday that he would be running to succeed Capriglione and alongside a list of endorsements, including some of the lower chambers far-right representatives. Mizanis move comes a little over two weeks after he said he would run for state Senate District 9, which was recently vacated by Kelly Hancock, who is now the acting Texas comptroller.

Mizanis bid for the seat is not his first time running for the seat: Capriglione previously beat Mizani with 63% of the vote in a 2018 primary.

Caprigliones exit is the latest in a series of moves from state lawmakers shifting seats, with many seeking other offices. In addition to Hancocks resignation from the state Senate, Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, announced on the last day of the regular session that he would retire and is now running for a Tarrant County Commissioner seat. Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, also said he would not seek reelection, which was quickly followed by Rep. Trent Ashby, R-Lufkin, who stated he would seek the seat.

The lineup for The Texas Tribune Festival continues to grow! Be there when all-star leaders, innovators and newsmakers take the stage in downtown Austin, Nov. 1315. The newest additions include comedian, actor and writer John Mulaney; Dallas mayor Eric Johnson; U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota; New York Media Editor-at-Large Kara Swisher; and U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso. Get your tickets today!

TribFest 2025 is presented by JPMorganChase.
CHEYENNE  A U.S. House committee narrowly approved Wyoming Rep. Harriet Hagemans push to remove grizzly bears from the endangered species list in the Yellowstone area, despite opposition from activists and potential legal battles.

If given final approval, the bill would reissue a 2017 rule from the first Trump administration when the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed this population of grizzlies from the list. However, that decision was overturned by a federal circuit court in 2020, and the USFWS changed its position to recommend the species stay on the list and under federal protection.

The agency maintains that position, publishing a report in January recommending the species remain on the list following petitions to delist grizzlies in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem in Wyoming and Montana, respectively.

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Hagemans proposed legislation, House Resolution 281, would also require the move not to be subject to judicial review.

Her motives for the bill are to showcase a success story of the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and save state funding, she said.

Since a mere 3% of species listed under the ESA have ever been delisted, the ESA desperately needs a success story like the grizzly bear, she said. The grizzly is, in fact, the poster child for how the ESA has failed in terms of what it was intended to do and how it has actually been implemented.

At a House Natural Resources Committee hearing last Tuesday, Hageman argued that the USFWS rejected Wyomings petition to delist grizzlies in the GYE not because the species isnt recovered, but to move the goal post to link the GYE delisting to the recovery of other bear populations outside of Wyoming.

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The congresswoman alleged this is not only unfair, but illegal.

To put it bluntly, the ESA has become a zoning mechanism whereby the health and well-being of a species is secondary to environmental groups desire to control vast swaths of land and water, and the grizzly is no exception, she said.

The grizzly bear was listed as a threatened species under the ESA in 1975, when there was an estimated record low of 150 to 200 bears in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Last year, USFWS estimated there are now 1,030 bears living in the area, which covers all of Yellowstone National Park and additional portions of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.

By the end of the 20th century, USFWS and other groups determined that the population had recovered and should be moved toward delisting. A conservation strategy plan was released in 2007 and the species delisted, but the delisting was overturned by a federal district court in 2009 after pushback from several conservation groups.

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Hageman said the species has been recovered for decades and argues the Wyoming Grizzly Bear Management Plan, first adopted in 2002, has been a success and encourages the federal government to pass control to the states, which she also argued would be better stewards of the species.

The state of Wyoming is fully capable of immediately implementing (the plan) to protect and maintain a recovered GYE grizzly population. The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is, in other words, more than capable of and prepared to manage this species, she said.

By 2018, Wyoming had spent $50 million on grizzly bear recovery and management over the past four decades. Hageman said Wyoming, not USFWS, is responsible for the success of the grizzly population recovery.

However, there has already been significant pushback against Hagemans proposed legislation, both on the action of delisting and the setting of precedent to legislatively delist a species without judicial review.

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Conservationists' response

On July 14, more than 50 conservation organizations signed a letter opposing H.R. 281, including Wyoming Untrapped, a Wyoming conservation organization promoting trapping reform.

In an interview with the Wyoming Tribune Eagle, the organization's co-founder, Lisa Robertson, outlined several reasons why her organization opposes the legislation. Some include that the decisions are dominated by hunting and agricultural needs, which do not result in a positive outlook for grizzles; the policies are politically motivated; and the animals have intrinsic value.

The letter she signed with 49 other signatories calls Hagemans bill damaging to the ESA and details how the 2017 delisting rule was already held unlawful by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

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The district court found that USFWS had not sufficiently assessed the effect of delisting the GYE population on the recovery of grizzlies in the rest of the lower 48 states, that USFWS and states had not committed to recalibrate potential new population estimators in the future and that USFWS had inadequately analyzed the genetic health of the GYE grizzly population.

A portion of the letter reads, H.R. 281 attempts to override the careful scientific and regulatory review of the GYE grizzly bear status, superimposing Congresss political judgment for science and undercutting decades of work toward restoration. By barring judicial review, it also disregards and precludes the vital check and balance that the courts provide to ensure that agency decisions properly consider the best available science and comport with the law.

During the House Natural Resources Committee hearing last week, Democrats proposed three amendments to the bill.

The first would require the U.S. Department of the Interior to follow the USFWS 2025 species assessment that all grizzlies in the lower 48 be considered a single population and not separated by restoration region. The second would require more tribal consultation in grizzly management decisions. A third amendment would strip H.R. 281 of the language prohibiting judicial review of the decision.

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When discussing the first amendment, Hageman said activist judges have blocked our efforts to do so (delist). As a result, it is time for Congress to act to carry out the intent of the Endangered Species Act.

Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., the committee's ranking member, proposed the third amendment, stating that barring judicial review oversteps a system of checks and balances.

Access to courts for tribes and a whole bunch of other stakeholders actually helps ensure that the USFWS does its job under the ESA, he said.

All three amendments failed on party-line votes.

The bill narrowly passed the committee by a vote of 20-19, with elected officials also voting by party line, to recommend approval from the full House of Representatives.

Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., filed a similar bill in January, titled the Grizzly Bear State Management Act of 2025, that proposes to remove grizzly bears from the ESA list and also calls for no judicial review. It has been read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) reacted to the bombshell news Wednesday that Jeffrey Epsteins birthday book from 2003, which allegedly contains a bizarre entry from President Donald Trump, is in the hands of Epsteins estate, which would reportedly willingly turn it over.

Khanna joined MSNBCs The Last Word with Lawrence ODonnell after Bradley Edwards, an attorney who has represented over 200 Epstein victims, said its an absolute fact that the book exists and that he knows the late sex offenders estate executors personally.

First of all, that was a bombshell revelation by Bradley Edwards, Khanna told ODonnell.

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Khanna attempted to force a House vote Tuesday to release any remaining case files on Epstein, whose death and ties to prominent figures fueled theories of a client list, but was thwarted when Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) shut down the lower chamber.

Rep. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) reportedly introduced a motion Wednesday to subpoena the Justice Department and successfully forced Republicans to go on record about whether to release the Epstein files. Khanna noted as much on air while processing the news.

Second, it is a revelation to me that he said that that birthday book is with private lawyers in the Epstein estate, he said about Edwards, adding: Summer Lee showed courageous leadership today on the oversight committee. We subpoenaed the Epstein files.

Khanna continued, But thats a hard thing to do, to get the Department of Justice to cooperate in releasing those files. Whats not hard to do is to subpoena private attorneys in a private estate and to get compliance.

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Trump alleged that he never wrote the FAKE message and is currently suing the Wall Street Journal over its article on it. ODonnell said Wednesday that retrieving the so-called birthday book could give us the answer, while Khanna went a step further.

From left: Trump and his then-girlfriend, Melania Trump, with Epstein and his convicted associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, at Mar-a-Lago in 2000. Davidoff Studios Photography/Getty Images

We also will know whether hundreds of other people who have been implicated in sex trafficking are in the book, he explained about Epsteins rumored roster of co-conspirators. And, of course, we would take absolute care to make sure the victims are protected.

Khanna went on to state that Epsteins victims want transparency on the case, despite prior suggestions from the Trump administration. He said this matter of justice should not be a political issue but that we cant trust the Trump Justice Department.

The California Democrat said that these proceedings would be slowed and bogged down by the current DOJ, which can defy the subpoena introduced on Wednesday to shield Trump from potentially incriminating information being released.

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I dont trust the DOJ to prosecute themselves for contempt of Congress, said Khanna. But what we can do through Congress is go after the Jeffrey Epstein estate. And weve seen even Republicans are willing to vote with us on that. This may be the cleanest way forward.

Watch the full interview below:

Related...
Italian migrant processing centres in Albania are expensive, ineffective and legally questionable, according to a report released on Thursday.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government has built a number of deportation centres abroad since 2023. The investigative report by the human rights organization ActionAid and the University of Bari focused on the migrant centre in Gjader, northern Albania.

According to the findings, Rome prefecture paid 570,000 (nearly $670,000) to camp management for five days of operation between October and December 2024 - around 114,000 per day.

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During this time, 20 people were detained at the site, all of whom were released within hours.

Meloni signed an agreement with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama in 2023 for two camps in Gjader and Shengjin.

As per the scheme, migrants picked up in the Mediterranean Sea were to be distributed between the two countries, but a number of courts initially stopped the project.

The report also questions the deportation mechanism. Returns are at their lowest level in years, while at the same time hundreds of spots remain unused in Italian reception centres, it says.

Against this backdrop, using the centre in Gjader is "completely irrational and illogical," said Fabrizio Coresi from ActionAid.

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According to the calculations, the construction of the Gjader and Shengjin camps, which can house a combined 400 people, alone cost more than 74 million or around 153,000 per spot.

Further costs were incurred for the accommodation and catering of police personnel, with 528,000 spent over five days of operation, according to the report.
A threat made over social media caused an hourslong standoff with law enforcement on Wednesday afternoon.

Worcester Police say around 12:41 p.m., officers responded to the area of lower West Boylston Street for reports of a social media threat involving weapons.

A perimeter was set up and the roadway was shut down.

An investigation determined this possible threat was not connected to the area and there was no danger to the public.

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The roadway has since been reopened.

The incident remains under investigation. There were no reports of any injuries.

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The Palestinian militant group Hamas has submitted a response to mediators regarding a proposed ceasefire in the Gaza conflict, it announced on Telegram.

Israeli news site ynet, citing informed sources, reported the response was an updated version, though the contents were not immediately disclosed.

According to the US news outlet Axios, US special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet in Rome with Israel's minister for strategic affairs, Ron Dermer, and a representative from Qatar on Thursday.

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If sufficient progress is made, Witkoff will travel from Rome to Doha, the capital of Qatar, later this week to try to finalize the ceasefire agreement, according to Axios, citing US and Israeli sources.

The United States, together with Qatar and Egypt, is mediating between Israel and Hamas, who have no direct talks. The proposal on the table envisions a 60-day ceasefire during which Hamas would release 10 of the remaining hostages.

Following the ceasefire, discussions are planned to work towards a permanent resolution to the conflict. Media reports indicate ongoing disagreements over key issues, including the extent of the Israeli troop withdrawal, particularly from southern Gaza. Israel insists its forces maintain a buffer zone along the Egyptian border.
Illustration by Oona Zenda/KFF Health News

MISSOULA, Mont.  As congressional Republicans finalized Medicaid work requirements in President Donald Trumps budget bill, one man who relies on that government-subsidized health coverage was trying to coax his old car to start after an eight-hour shift making sandwiches.

James asked that only his middle name be used to tell his story so that he wouldnt lose health coverage or be accused of Medicaid fraud. He found his food service gig a few weeks into an addiction treatment program. The man in his late 30s said his boss hasnt been disappointed.

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Im a good worker, he said with a grin.

James can get the prescription drugs that help him stabilize his life and hold down that job through Medicaid, the state-federal insurance program that covers people with low incomes or disabilities. Those drugs curb his desire for alcohol and treat long-standing conditions that exacerbate his addiction, including bipolar and insomnia disorders.

But he hasnt qualified for the program in months, ever since his work hours increased and he received a raise of about $1 an hour. He exceeds his income eligibility limit of about $21,000 per year by roughly $50 a week.

James said that despite his raise, hes struggling to cover routine expenses, such as keeping his car running and paying his phone bill. He said he cant afford the care he needs even on the cheapest insurance plan available to him through the Affordable Care Acts marketplace or through his jobs health insurance plan. Even paying $60 a month for his sleep medications  one of six prescriptions he takes daily  is too expensive.

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I only saw one option, James said. Fudge the numbers.

James hasnt reported his new income to the state. That puts him at odds with congressional Republicans who justified adding hurdles to Medicaid by claiming the system is rife with waste, fraud, and abuse. But James isnt someone sitting on his couch playing video games, the type of person House Speaker Mike Johnson and other people said they would target as they sought work requirements.

Medicaid provides health coverage and long-term care to more than 70 million people in the United States. Those who study safety-net systems say its extremely rare for enrollees to commit fraud to tap into that coverage. In fact, research shows swaths of eligible people arent enrolled in Medicaid, likely because the system is so confusing. And nearly two-thirds of people on Medicaid in 2023 had jobs, according to an analysis by KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News.

Those transitioning off Medicaid may qualify for other subsidized or low-priced health plans through the Affordable Care Acts marketplace. But, as in James case, such plans can have gaps in what care is covered, and more comprehensive private plans may be too expensive. So James and an unknown number of other people find themselves caught between working too much to qualify for Medicaid but earning too little to pay for their own health care.

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James considers himself to be a patriot and said that people shouldnt use government funding to just be lazy. He agrees with the Republican argument that, if able, people should work if they receive Medicaid. Hiding his hours on the job from the government bothers him, especially since he feels he must lie to access the medical care that enables him to work.

I dont want to be a fraud. I dont want to die, James said. Those shouldnt be the only two options.

On July 4, Trump signed into law the major tax and spending bill that makes it harder for low-income workers to get Medicaid. That includes requiring beneficiaries to work or go to school and adding paperwork to prove every six months they meet a minimum number of hours on the job.

Its going to hurt people, whether theyre playing by the rules or not, said Ben Sommers, a health economist at Harvard University. We see this vilification of mostly very hard-working people who are really struggling and are benefiting from a program that helps them stay alive.

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James said he initially declined his raise because he worried about losing Medicaid. He had previously been kicked off the coverage about a month into his rehab program after finding work. To stay in the sober-living program he otherwise couldnt afford, James said, he dropped just enough hours at work to requalify for Medicaid and then soon picked up hours again. If he didnt earn more, he said, he had no chance of saving enough money to find housing after graduating from the treatment program.

Theyll give you a bone if you stay in the mud, James said. But you have to stay there.

That problem  becoming just successful enough to suddenly lose Medicaid  is common. Its called a benefit cliff, said Pamela Herd, who researches government aid at the University of Michigan.

It just doesnt make any sense that someone gets a dollar pay raise and all of a sudden they lose all access to their health insurance, Herd said.

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She said a partial fix exists called continuous eligibility, which guarantees an individuals Medicaid coverage for a specific period, such as a year or longer. The goal is to give people time to adjust when they do earn more money. Continuous eligibility also helps maintain coverage for low-income workers with unpredictable hours and whose pay changes month to month.

But Congress has moved in the other direction. Under the new law, policymakers limited windows of eligibility for able-bodied adults to every six months. That will put more people on the programs eligibility cliff, Herd said, in which they must decide between losing access to coverage or dropping hours at work.

It is going to be a nightmare, Herd said.

Those federal changes will be especially difficult for people with chronic conditions, such as James in Montana.

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Not that long ago, James wouldnt have been breaking the rules to access Medicaid because his state had 12-month continuous eligibility. But in 2023, Montana began requiring enrollees to report any change in their income within 10 days.

James is proud of how far hes come. About a year ago, his body was breaking down. He couldnt hold a spoon to eat breakfast without whiskey  his hands shook too hard. He had alcohol-induced seizures. He said his memories from his unhealthiest times come in flashes: being put on a stretcher, the face of a worried landlord, ambulance lights in the background.

James recently graduated from his treatment program. Hes staying with a relative to save money as he and his girlfriend try to find an affordable place to rent  though even with Medicaid, finding housing feels like a stretch to him. Hes taking classes part-time to become a licensed addiction counselor. His dream is to help others survive addiction, and he also sees that career as a way out of poverty.

To James, all his progress rides on keeping Medicaid a bit longer.

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Every time I get a piece of mail, I am terrified that Im gonna open it up and its gonna say I dont have Medicaid anymore, he said. Im constantly in fear that its gonna go away.

As of mid-July, officials hadnt noticed the extra $50 he makes each week.

This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
A House committee has approved a bill that the U.S. withdraw its funding to the International Energy Agency as the Republican lawmakers consider that the IEA has strayed from its mission to safeguard energy security and has been pushing green energy policies instead.

The House Appropriation Committee said in a report this week that the IEA has strayed from its core mission of ensuring global energy security.

The Committee finds that the Agency has abandoned objectivity in the critical energy-supply information it produces and, instead, has pursued politicized information to support climate policy advocacy, according to the report.

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This well-documented shift by the Agency undermines decision-making by policymakers and threatens energy security and the economic interests of the United States. Accordingly, the Committee provides no funding in this Act for the International Energy Agency.

The bill is included in the fiscal year 2026 legislative agenda, but it will need support from at least some Democrats in the Senate.

Earlier this month, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that the United States could abandon the IEA if the organization, created in the aftermath of the 1970s Arab oil embargo, doesnt return to forecasting energy demand without strongly promoting green energy.

We will do one of two things: we will reform the way the IEA operates or we will withdraw, Wright told Bloomberg in an interview in the middle of July.

My strong preference is to reform it, Secretary Wright added.

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The official echoes voices in the U.S. Republican party that the agency has become an advocate of the energy transition and is not objective in forecasting energy demand trends.

From ensuring security of supply after the 1970s embargo, the agency has shifted from this purpose in recent years to endorsing the net-zero by 2050 goal and is advocating for a major change in the global energy system to include more electric vehicles (EVs), renewable power supply, hydrogen, and all other low-carbon energy sources.

The IEAs forecast that oil demand will peak this decade is just total nonsense, the U.S. official said, adding he has been talking to the IEAs executive director Fatih Birol.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:

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Republican strategists say they plan to make a major midterm talking point from the threat of a third impeachment against Donald Trump that could come if Democrats retake the House.

We know what the stakes are in the midterm elections, John McLaughlin, a Trump pollster, told NBC News. If we dont succeed, Democrats will begin persecuting President Trump again. They would go for impeachment.

Right now, Republicans hold an eight-seat advantage in the House, walling the president off from a third impeachment, but that could change if the Democrats surge in 2026, as the presidents party typically suffers during midterm elections.

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Still, according to Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., who led the partys second impeachment against Trump over the January 6 insurrection, the Democrats themselves plan to focus more on what they see as the presidents terrible agenda.

Weve already impeached him twice, Raskin told NBC. So obviously thats not a complete solution, given that he is able to beat the two-thirds constitutional spread. So I dont think anybody thinks thats going to be the utopian solution to our problems.

Republican strategists plan to highlight threat of another Trump impeachment as way to drive GOP turnout in 2026 midterm elections (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Both House impeachments  first for an alleged offer of quid pro quo with Ukraine to go after Joe Biden, then for the Capitol riot  did not have enough votes to secure convictions in the Senate.

During the second Trump administration, the president has continued to face attempts to initiate new impeachment trials, including from Michigan Democrat Shri Thanedar in the spring and a June effort over the administrations Iran strikes, though none of these have come to pass.

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Impeachments may not be coming any time soon, but Republicans face a variety of other risks to their three-party majority control of the federal government.

The presidents job approval rating has dipped to 37 percent, according to Gallup, the lowest of this term and just above Trumps lowest-ever approval rating, driven by hemorrhaging support from independent voters. A majority of Americans also oppose his signature One Big, Beautiful Bill, which contains a series of tax cuts and restrictions on social programs like Medicaid.

Previous two impeachment attempts of Donald Trump by Democrats did not end in conviction (Getty Images)

The party also continues to face fallout and internal division over the White Houses handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files scandal, in which Trump and his allies campaigned on releasing materials related to the notorious financiers sexual misconduct, only to backtrack as more information concerning Epstein and Trumps long-time friendship came to light.

The president has lashed out at his own base for seeking information about the scandal, which he calls a Democratic hoax, while House Speaker Mike Johnson effectively ended business in the lower house until after its upcoming summer recess to avoid Democratic amendments calling for the release of the files.

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Meanwhile, former White House ally (and GOP mega-donor) Elon Musk has vowed to form his own political party, in the face of disagreements with the Trump administration over spending policy and the Epstein saga.

There could also be blowback to economic conditions if the Trump administrations repeatedly delayed double-digit tariffs take full effect on major U.S. trading partners.
Republican lawmakers have urged Sir Keir Starmer to slap fresh sanctions on Iran.

A group of 19 Senate Republicans called on Britain, France and Germany  the so-called E3  to impose sanctions on Tehran as soon as possible to help prevent the country from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

The US and our allies must impose maximum pressure to the highest extent possible to force Iran to agree to permanently and verifiably end its nuclear programme, including its capacity to enrich, Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska said.

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Officials from Britain, France and Germany are travelling to Turkey on Friday for talks with Iran about its nuclear plans.

The meeting will be the first negotiations between the four countries since Donald Trump ordered stealth bombers to destroy Irans three major nuclear sites.

Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska says maximum pressure must be applied to force Iran to end its nuclear programme - Ben Curtis

European allies have said that if a nuclear deal with Iran is not reached by the end of August, they plan to trigger the snapback mechanism to reimpose UN sanctions on Tehran which were lifted in 2015.

The measures included restrictions on trade in nuclear-related equipment, an arms embargo and severe financial penalties.

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Under the terms of the deal, which Mr Trump withdrew from in 2018, the E3 can quickly activate sanctions if the Islamic Republic breaches its commitment to limit uranium enrichment.

The process of activating snapback takes 30 days, with the Europeans aiming to have the measures in place before Russia assumes the UN Security Council presidency in October.

David Lammy, the foreign secretary, earlier this month threatened to impose dramatic sanctions on Iran if its leaders did not clear up uncertainty about their nuclear programme.

David Lammy threatened to impose dramatic sanctions on Iran if uncertainty about their nuclear programme was not cleared up - Fabrice Coffrini

However, Senator Ricketts, who sits on the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee, warned that the E3s timeline leaves little room for error.

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Unsurprisingly, the Iranian regime is resorting to its longstanding playbook to delay action and prevent snapback from happening, he said, introducing the resolution with a speech on the Senate floor.

He added that American strikes on Iran had opened a window that could completely change the trajectory of the Middle East.

But that window will close unless we convince Iran that its nuclear weapons programme will never be tolerated, period, Senator Ricketts said.

The Iranians have argued that there is no legal basis for reimposing sanctions and have threatened to pull out of the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in response.

In June, Donald Trump ordered stealth bombers to destroy Irans three major nuclear sites

We will express our position regarding the E3s comments on the snapback mechanism, which we think lacks any legal ground, said Kazem Gharibabadi, Irans foreign minister, ahead of Fridays meeting.

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It has been seven years that the nuclear deal is not being implemented by the Europeans following the US departure from it. How can they argue that Iran is not following the deal when they themselves have not done so?

Tehran denies seeking a nuclear weapon and says its nuclear programme is solely meant for civilian purposes, despite a recent International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA report finding it had enriched uranium to 60 per cent purity.

Iranian officials on Wednesday agreed to allow a technical team from the UN nuclear watchdog to visit in the coming weeks to discuss relations with the IAEA.

Ahead of talks in Ankara, Senator Ricketts urged European allies not to alleviate pressure on Tehran.

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There are rumours that discussions could centre on what conditions the E3 would postpone snapback, he said.

But I stand today to urge our European friends to hold the line.

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Republicans on a US Congressional subcommittee rebelled against party leadership by voting to subpoena Justice Department files on Jeffrey Epstein.

The House of Representatives speaker tried this week to shut down a vote on the files by ending the legislative session early. But GOP lawmakers on the House Oversight subcommittee defied the move and voted with Democrats to release them.

In more bad news for President Donald Trump, The Wall Street Journal reported that his attorney general told him in May that his name appeared several times in the files. Trump is keen to end the focus on his relationship with the late sex offender, which has caused a deep split in his MAGA base.
Salt Lake City (ABC4)  The Trump administrations quest against waste, fraud, and abuse could bring about changes to who can get federal housing assistance and for how long.

Budget hearings in Washington D.C. showed the Department of Housing and Urban Development 2026 budget proposes a term limit of 2 years of assistance for able-bodied working families. HUD Secretary Scott Turner said in a June 11 Senate Appropriations hearing that the administrations actions are encouraging people to work their way to being able to support themselves while cutting out waste, fraud, and abuse.

Sec. Turner detailed, HUDs assistance is not supposed to be permanent. It should be a trampoline, not a hammock, not a resting place, if you will. Its supposed to be like a treadway, which is a temporary military bridge that is removed once obstacles are overcome.

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Janice Kimball is the CEO of Housing Connect, an organization that handles housing assistance for Salt Lake County. She says most people in federal housing assistance programs are elderly, have a disability or are families with children. The average income of those people in the county is $13,956 a year. They say a family of four needs to make at least $61,240 to afford average rent in Salt Lake County, which is $1,531.

When getting rental assistance, the head of household is required to pay one-third of their income toward rent and the federal government subsidizes the rest.

Kimball explained that a major challenge is that pay for those able-bodied workers in the programs isnt enough to sustain them without help. She said, I think part of the problem is wages just havent kept pace with the price of housing. And so, even if youre working a entry level job, you still cant afford an average two bedroom unit in Salt Lake County.

Republicans consider cuts and work requirements for Medicaid, jeopardizing care for millions

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Kimball said these changes target such a small percentage of people in federal programs, (just 10 percent in Salt Lake County), that it begs the question, Whats the point?

She claimed its added bureaucracy for people who are doing the right things and working their way to independence, cutting them off right in the middle of getting on their feet. Kimball detailed, Youre going to take somebody in that mid process and say, your times up. And just kind of spiral. And I think it will increase homelessness. I think it will be really disruptive to families particularly children.

Housing Connect says in Salt Lake County, 13 years was the longest someone spent in public housing. 9 years was the longest time someone was on housing vouchers. The average time was 2.4 years for public housing 1.45 years for vouchers.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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)  A study has determined that residents throughout various parts of Portland have been exposed to unhealthy noise pollution.

From August 2023 to August 2024, researchers from several universities and the Multnomah County Health Department used digital monitors to record sound patterns across the city. They found that most of the monitored areas surpassed the maximum noise levels recommended by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and World Health Organization, according to research that Oregon State University claims is the first of its kind of the U.S.

Racial disparities persist in Multnomah County offices, audit finds

Average noise levels across Portland (Courtesy Oregon State University)

Many people in the United States still think of noise as just a nuisance, not a real health risk, OSU Assistant Professor and Environmental Epidemiologist Matthew Bozigar said. But in Europe, research shows that noise is the second biggest environmental threat to health after air pollution  linked to more illness and early death than things like unsafe water, lead, chemicals or other pollutants.

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He directed the study alongside graduate student Carson Mowrer. Recently published in the Journal Of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, their research also claims that Portlands loudest neighborhoods house the most socially vulnerable community members  with a higher share of lower-income residents and people of color.

European experts have linked noise pollution with health issues like cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, hearing loss and sleep disturbance, Bozigar said. But the professor noted that U.S. risk levels could be different due to the nations different transportation systems and traffic patterns.

Man arrested after attempting to sell stolen tools in Facebook Marketplace crime spree

The Portland study found that proximity to roads with heavy traffic was the biggest factor impacting noise levels throughout the city, rather than whether an area was located in a residential or commercial zone.

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According to OSU, the field monitoring was just the first part of the project. Researchers plan to unveil a citywide noise picture, and Multnomah County is slated to share an interactive map of sound levels throughout Portland.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Scientists have made an exciting discovery that could transform your daily breakfast meal. According to Phys.org, for the first time ever, researchers from McGill University have altered oat DNA with great success.

By editing oat DNA, scientists have the potential to produce oats that are not only richer in fiber but also more resilient to rising global temperatures.

Published in Plant Biotechnology Journal, the study reveals how the scientists used a type of gene-cutting method  which, until now, had never been used on oats. Known as CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology, the process essentially cuts out and alters specific pieces of the oat's genes.

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Applying this gene-cutting technology to oat production is a game-changer.

"Using CRISPR-Cas9, we were able to make very specific genetic changes in oats that would traditionally take years to achieve through conventional breeding," said study leader and plant sciences professor Jaswinder Singh, per Phys.org. "Our method not only speeds up the breeding process but also allows us to avoid introducing foreign DNA into the plants, making them safer and more acceptable to consumers."

In Canada, the oat crop plays a significant economic role, with an estimated worth of about $900 million, Phys.org reported. However, unstable weather along with a short growing season has made the staple crop vulnerable.

As the researchers examined different changes in the oats' genetic makeup and the impact of those changes, they were able to identify which genes influenced specific traits. For example, the team was able to discover oat plants with altered flowering times.

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"This breakthrough is incredibly important for climate adaptation," said Ph.D. student Mehtab Singh, lead author of the paper, per Phys.org. "By developing oats that mature earlier or can handle colder conditions, we're helping farmers in regions with short growing seasons or unpredictable weather patterns grow more reliable and sustainable crops."

Strengthening oat as a crop will help protect the global food supply and safeguard communities from climate-driven food shortages. Across the globe, farmers have struggled to yield successful harvests due to extreme weather and rising global temperatures.

However, by adapting crops at the genetic level, scientists can help farmers produce healthy harvests. From an environmental standpoint, faster-maturing oats have numerous benefits, according to the researchers. Genetically modifying oats to mature faster reduces the need for conventional speed-up techniques that rely on harsh chemicals.

Moving forward, the researchers are excited to explore other genetic traits in oats, including disease resistance and stress tolerance.

Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
As global temperatures rise and summer crowds surge, a crisis is playing out along America's coasts. Nesting shorebirds are being squeezed out of their habitat by a growing tangle of threats  and human activity is at the center of it.

What's happening?

The State of the Birds 2025 report, compiled by a coalition of conservation and science groups, issued a stark warning: A third of U.S. bird species are in decline. Nearly 80 species have lost more than half their populations in the last 50 years and are still shrinking, as reported by StarNews Online.

"Birds tell us that we have a full-on emergency across all habitats," said Marshall Johnson, chief conservation officer at the National Audubon Society, in a release.

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Among the hardest hit are shorebirds, which have seen a 33% population drop since 1980. This comes from loss of beach habitat from oceanfront development, rising sea levels, stronger storms, extreme heat, and predation  all compounding the risks they face during nesting and roosting seasons. Add to that surging beach crowds during the summertime, and things can get even worse.

"In many cases they're competing for the same habitat as people, so that can be very difficult," said Lindsay Addison, a coastal biologist with Audubon North Carolina.

Why are bird populations important?

Birds aren't just picturesque beach companions; they're ecosystem engineers. Their decline points to a broader environmental imbalance. When shorebirds vanish, insect populations explode unchecked, fish stocks shift, and coastal vegetation loses a key ally in seed dispersal (important for our food supply). Entire ecosystems  and the communities that rely on them  feel the damage.

Shorebird habitats can also serve as buffers against storm surges and flooding. Losing them to development or erosion removes natural protections that help keep coastal cities safe during extreme weather events.

What can we do to protect shorebird populations?

Despite these numbers, there's hope. Volunteer bird steward programs  such as one at Wrightsville Beach with nearly 80 local ambassadors  play a key role in protecting nesting areas. Signs, barriers, and even student-drawn illustrations encourage beachgoers to respect these natural spaces.

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Many governments have also designated protected zones for nesting and roosting sites. Conservation efforts have also seen promising comebacks of bird populations, including the American oystercatcher.

But advocates say education is just as important. Simple actions  such as giving birds a wide berth and not chasing them  can help more fledglings survive. So next time you head to the shore, respect wildlife signs and keep pets away from nesting zones. And if you come across any unusual or distressed birds, report them to local wildlife officials.

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.

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WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  At Wednesday evenings Warren City Council meeting, resident Ken Conklin said a vape store trying to open on Montclair Street near his house on the northeast side is totally unacceptable.

Conklin said there are children in the neighborhood, and they dont need to be walking or riding bikes past the store.

A vape store in a residential area is certainly not welcome or wanted, Conklin said.

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The vape store was open but then closed by the city for failing to have the proper permits. No one at the meeting spoke about the possibility of the store opening again.

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SAN JOSE, Calif. (KRON)  Crews are responding to a fire that broke out at a single-story home Wednesday afternoon in San Jose, according to the San Jose Fire Department (SJFD). The residence is located on the 3300 block of Gavota Avenue where the fire department received a call at 2:37 p.m.

The fire spread to a neighboring house, SJFD said. The fires at both homes have since been knocked down.

Two adults and two dogs were displaced from the main home, but one dog was unaccounted for, according to SJFD.

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In the adjacent home where the fire spread to, four adults, two dogs and one cat were displaced due to fire exposure. SJFD added that one cat was unaccounted for. The Red Cross is assisting those victims.

(Photo: San Jose Fire Department) (Photo: San Jose Fire Department) (Photo: San Jose Fire Department) (Photo: San Jose Fire Department)

Vallejo shelter in place issued due to police activity

As of 4 p.m., the fire has been knocked down, according to SJFD. A firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Police are searching for a suspect following an overnight break-in at a Hollywood home that forced residents to flee and call police.

The burglary report came in around 11:50 p.m. Wednesday, according to a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department.

Officers arrived quickly and set up a perimeter around the Courtney Avenue home as a helicopter flew overhead in hopes of trapping whoever was inside.

Police respond to a burglary call in Hollywood on July 23, 2025. (RMG News)

Video showed police shouting commands as they entered the house with guns drawn, but it was unclear if anyone was found inside the residence.

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Police have not confirmed how many intruders initially entered the home, but the LAPD spokesperson indicated they were still searching for a suspect described as a Latino man in his 20s.

There was no immediate word on what, if anything, was taken in the incident.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Residents at the Campo Del Sol master planned community in Northeast El Paso reported significant street flooding at least twice over the past months due to heavy rainfall. Residents are urging developers to resolve the issue.

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It kind of looked like a little mini creek river coming down here, especially down that street. I think thats probably where the lower end is, and thats usually where it gets a little bit deeper. Luckily, this last rainfall, it didnt get too high. I think the first issue was our trash cans blew over the first time, so that really blocked the drains, said Javoni Garrett, a resident of the housing community.

Garrett said that her street saw significant flooding on June 25 and on July 20, which she said was much worse than the first time.

KTSM spoke to several neighbors who wanted to remain anonymous. They shared that during the flood in June, the water level rose just below knee level; they saw a vehicle get stuck in the water and break down; many of their front lawns and backyards were damaged and flooded; some even shared that their homes were flooded and had to replace their carpets.

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Its a little nerve-wracking because weve been here since November, and were actually first-time homebuyers in this area. So it makes us a little bit nervous because you buy a brand new home and you dont anticipate dealing with certain things, Garrett said.

Garrett and several of her neighbors, however, said that the homeowners association for the housing community has shown efforts to clean the muddied streets and to address the flooding issues.

We love the neighborhood. We love the amenities, and all of our neighbors are wonderful. Were just really hoping that the developers and the builders step up and remedy the issues so that way we can continue living here and enjoying it for future years to come Garrett said.

A renter from another street of the housing community, on the other hand, was more frustrated with what she said are ongoing issues at the property.

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The back of my home has gotten flooded. It hasnt gotten into my home, but its definitely not normal. The way these houses were built, I feel like it was not properly built, said Crystal Estrada.

Estrada said that her lease began last November and that she has experienced many issues beyond just the flooding. She said that her air conditioning unit has not worked properly, shes had plumbing issues, excess sand enters her home, and that the first floor of her home has sinkholes.

I feel stuck because I have a lease, but as soon as its up, Im ready to go, Estrada said. It would be nice for higher-ups, the owner, CEO or whoever, to take accountability for this. Because if were good enough to pay rent here and move here, then they should be great enough as well to handle these issues, Estrada said.

Ryan Burkhardt, president for Franklin Mountain Communities and one of Campo Del Sols private developers, shared the following statement with KTSM.

Another torrential rainstorm occurred overnight on Sunday, July 20th, with the heaviest of the rain falling over North El Paso. Fortunately, there was no incident of flooding at Campo Del Sol, and no damage was reported. We did experience some mud in our streets and cleanup commenced Monday morning. As it has been since we opened this master-planned community in October of last year, our continued focus is making sure Campo Del Sol residents are safe and secure, and that the entire community is maintained properly.

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After the significant rain events in late June, we conducted a major cleanup effort of the property. Most of that work has been completed, and one of the specific projects we are currently working on is the removal of silt from the ponds. Using large pumps, which were already on the property on Sunday, we are lowering the water level of the ponds. This enables a quicker drying process, enables our desilting equipment faster access to the ponds, and allows more rainwater to percolate in those ponds during large storms. Fortunately, a desilting operation was scheduled to happen this week, and because the pumps were already onsite, they were turned on Sunday. On Monday, they operated at full capacity. What this process achieves is a drain of the northern pond into the pond south of that, and then on to the southernmost pond, which will drain the water into the open desert area.

This work is part of our normal property maintenance, and we will continue to offer our ongoing assistance to residents of Campo del Sol as we navigate these extraordinary rain events in North El Paso.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Progress is happening at Elon Musks second xAI facility in Memphis.

The company says that its supercomputer, Colussus 2, which is located in Whitehaven, will be powered up in the next few weeks.

This comes as criticism and support grow over the project.

xAI to power up second Memphis supercomputer soon

xAI is expanding its presence in the City of Memphis. As the company prepares to power up its second supercomputer in the coming weeks.

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Those who are involved with the project say Colussus 2, which is in Whitehaven, will be similar to the Colussus site in Boxtown.

While xAI has received support from some state and city leaders, there has been pushback from people who live in the Whitehaven community.

More on xAI

We dont need the pollution and everything, you know, down here. And I dont think it should be done. You know? Go somewhere else, said a Whitehaven resident. We live in this vicinity, so what are we supposed to do? Slowly die? We have kids to live for.

There have been pollution concerns about the xAI sites in Boxtown and Whitehaven; however, recent independent air quality tests did not detect dangerous levels of air pollutants in either of those areas.

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However, the Southern Environmental Law Center says the tests were flawed because they did not measure ozone pollution.

81-year-old living in car receives nearly $70,000 in donations

This month, a group of environmental advocates appealed the Shelby County Health Departments decision to allow xAI to operate 15 gas turbines as secondary emergency power backups.

Amid the debate, Mayor Paul Young says xAI will bring significant economic benefits to the City of Memphis.

Some Whitehaven residents applaud that possibility, while others tell WREG that theyre skeptical.

xAI buys Duke Energy site in MS, records show

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Anything thats done thats going to bring money, good, said another Whitehaven resident. So, I think, yeah, Elon Musk, distribute us a check, so we can get up out of here then, and you can do what you got to do and make it better and a safer place for all of us.

WREG has learned that xAI purchased the former Duke Energy site in Southaven. Records show the company plans to utilize it by operating and maintaining transmission lines and other facilities for its Whitehaven property.

WREG reached out to Southavens Mayor for comment and has not heard back.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Following the house fire in West Jordan that killed a family of four, there are increasing concerns about what happens when victims of domestic violence are also undocumented immigrants.

West Jordan Police now believe that the father intentionally set the fire in a murder-suicide, and they also confirmed that there was a history of domestic violence at that residence. Family members of the victims told ABC4.com that the father had been violent for years, but the mother stayed with him for the sake of the children and because the entire family was undocumented. She was afraid of them being deported.

Kimmi Wolf, communications specialist at the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, told ABC4.com that fear is a big barrier for victims of domestic violence seeking help.

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EXCLUSIVE: Family of deadly West Jordan house fire victims speaks out

Right now, people are very fearful of drawing any attention to themselves even if theyre told that there is a safe way to do so, Wolf said. Thats one of the problems that Im facing here, and all of our supervisors. Were telling them that were safe, were telling them that were not going to ask about their immigration status, but we really do have to earn and develop a relationship of trust.

Wolf said that undocumented immigrants are afraid of being deported, but a large part of that fear is that their children will be taken away from them. They worry that Child Protective Services will immediately become involved because there is domestic violence in the home.

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill also acknowledged that people have these concerns, but he also explained that there are laws in place to protect victims of violence that transcend immigration status.

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If youre a victim and criminally being abused, especially in the context of intimate partner violence or domestic violence, you should report that, Gill said in an interview with ABC4.com. And because you are reporting it, you are engaged in working with law enforcement and prosecution, you can get help.

Wolf also explained that domestic violence shelters and hotlines can talk them through those concerns in a specific and personalized way, and that they are bound by confidentiality. They will not ask about immigration status.

Were there for victims, were there for their safety, and as a part of our federal funding contracts, we have to maintain a level of confidentiality, so if someone who is undocumented comes into one of our programs, we can neither confirm or deny that they are a client there, Wolf said, adding that it doesnt matter who comes to the door, they cannot say that an individual is with them.

One of the most important things is our commitment to keeping our communities safe, and what we cannot do, certainly as a district attorney or law enforcement, what we dont want to ever communicate is that one group or one community is not worthy of our concern, Gill said. If that is what we communicate, then what ends up happening is those victims and those family members go into the shadows of silence, and that doesnt lessen violence or crime, it actually increases it.

Resources available for victims who may be undocumented

According to Wolf, the resources available for undocumented people experiencing domestic violence are not any different from the resources available for someone who is a citizen.

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Domestic violence programs do not require that anyone be a documented citizen, Wolf said. We dont ask for any type of paperwork, and so I think that people need to understand that your immigration status, which often has been used as a tool for perpetrators to victimize their partners, we dont require any of that.

Gill also mentioned the U Visa program that victims of domestic violence can use if they are undocumented in order to find safety. He said that it gives them a legal status so that they are able to hold their abuser accountable.

Gill added that Salt Lake County law enforcement agencies have been trained on U Visas, to know that they are available for undocumented people who are victims of crime and how they work. He added that T Visas are available for anyone who is a victim of human trafficking.

The public policy idea behind that really is that we know that when this violence occurs, we cant turn a blind eye to it, whether you are a citizen or not a citizen, that we want to stop that violence in the community, Gill said. The program is designed to prevent people from being further victimized.

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Wolf is hopeful that more people will use that program, especially as deportation becomes a bigger and bigger fear in todays political landscape.

Their immigration status should not be a barrier to them seeking service, Wolf stated. So many people are just nervous about making even the initial phone call now, so I can imagine how they must feel to show up at the door of a shelter So even making that first initial phone call takes a lot of trust.

Domestic violence shelters obviously offer emergency shelter for victims, but you dont have to be a resident to receive their other services, Wolf said. They can also offer case management and referrals for housing and childcare.

Undocumented victims of domestic violence may also be concerned about language barriers, and so Wolf stressed that the Utah Domestic Violence Coalitions confidential hotline has full language services so that people can speak to them in their native language.

U-Visa provides resource for undocumented victims of abuse

There is an idea that everyone needs to be deported whos undocumented, says Immigration attorney Adam Crayk, They are still being subjected to the abuse that they have been suffering from; it doesnt liberate them or give them an outlet; it just literally makes them stay suffering.

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However, there are some options for undocumented victims of abuse. One option is the U Visa, a non-immigration visa for individuals who are victims of certain crimes, which protects those who assist law enforcement.

Your options are you have to come forward whether you get picked up or not if ICE picks you up and if you dont have a criminal history and if you dont have a prior deportation and you get taken to ice custody we can get then out under a bond and it would be under a very low bond because they would be eligible for a U VISA, Crayk said.

If approved, the U Visa allows someone to live and work in the US legally for up to four years, and after three years, they become eligible to apply for a green card.

However, Crayk said there are risks to the U Visa, When they know that potentially by placing their names on documents that go to the government, they now have the exact location where they can be found, Crayk said.

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Additionally, the U Visa is not a quick process like it was before; it is now taking months. Crayk said now the delays with the U Visa have gotten worse since President Trump took office this year, That U Visa is taking about 6-8 years to get granted, so they have to have patience because its not happening quickly.

Crayk wants to reiterate to crime victims to come forward before its too late.

What to do if you think someone you love is experiencing domestic violence

Wolf advised that concerned neighbors, friends, or family members should be cautious first and foremost.

Immigration status, just like the existence of domestic violence, that is something that many people want to keep private, for multiple reasons, Wolf said. So, if you are a neighbor and you suspect or you absolutely know because youve heard, youve seen violence happening, be cautious. We dont want any additional people to be harmed by the perpetrator.

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She said that neighbors can always ask if the person or the children are okay, but to do so in confidence. You dont want someone, a neighbor, to reach out to someone and then further endanger them or anger their perpetrator.

She also advised concerned neighbors, friends, and family members to be prepared for the victim to say that nothing is happening and everything is fine, or for them to get angry with the person asking.

Sometimes it feels like such a private matter, they may be embarrassed, or they may worry that if someone does know that theres violence happening in the home, they may call police, and if the victim doesnt want that done, then they may become very fearful of that, Wolf said.

Gill said that neighbors can help by putting a safety plan in place, so that when abuse starts to happen, there is a plan for how to get the victim help, whether that be a place to stay or resources to get them in contact with.

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MOSCOW, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  A man who co-owns three restaurants in Lackawanna County was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents last week.

Nasario Damian Contreras, or Damian as his community knows him, was detained by ICE outside of Isabellas Eatery in Jefferson Township, one of his three businesses.

Woman charged with posing as nurse in Pa., other states

North Pocono residents took to Facebook to spread the word about the beloved business owner.

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My hope for our community is that this is a wakeup call, said Leigh Gerardi. When I heard this news, just scrolling through Facebook, I saw it, and I just became physically ill at the thought of this happening, not only to Damian, but in our community.

Gerardi tells 28/22 News shes been a patron of Damians for quite some time.

He has done many parties for my family, for the community, and he feels like hes part of your family and so does his family. He goes out of his way to make you feel comfortable, comes out of the restaurant to talk to you while youre eating, you know, always available with a hug, Gerardi explained.

The 45-year-old co-owns three restaurants with his girlfriend and Damians impact on the communities is visible.

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From what I can see, the community is outraged. I think that this has really hit home, I think these policies have gone too far, and I think when its in your backyard, and its someone that you care about, you see the human side, Gerardi continued.

Without a way to get into contact with the family, Gerardi is speaking out to try to help.

I was feeling helpless, I wasnt sure what to do to help him. And I just thought, well, try to get the word out, try to let people know where hes at, that hes sitting in a detention center, where he shouldnt be, Gerardi added.

Damian is being held at the Pike County correctional facility. Gerardi says Damians family is working with attorneys to help him.

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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  A new restaurant opening on High Street in Morgantown is always a welcome sight, and The Mediterranean Guys is no exception.

As the name would imply, this restaurant serves Mediterranean food using authentic, high-quality ingredients, like fresh mint, fresh vegetables, and even Tunisian olive oil from the native country of the restaurants owners: a pair of brothers named Ash and Mohamed Nabli.

The Mediterranean Guys on High Street in Morgantown (WBOY image)

My brother was here for three years, so its his idea to create something in Morgantown, Ash Nabli told 12 News. I didnt ever know about Morgantown if it wasnt for my brother to be honest, and I am very in love with this city.

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Although Mediterranean food is very much the focus, Nabli explained that they feel their food is influenced by several cultures across that region.

These are the most underrated restaurants in West Virginia, according to viewers

Its Mediterranean and its also Middle East, and its also a little bit [Greek], which is all in the Mediterranean, but theres different countriesso you get the shwarma, its Lebanese, you get the gyro, its Greek.

12 News reporter Sam Gorski tried a large variety of food, such as the salmon bowl, baklava, and falafel, but the gryo was his favorite. It was packed full of food, and the lamb and beef inside were tender and flavorful.

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The Mediterranean Guys is open until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and until midnight from Sunday to Wednesday, so its also a good option for late-night food if you find yourself downtown.

If you want to see The Mediterranean Guys full menu, you can visit the restaurants page on Instagram

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As back-to-school season rolls in, many families are gearing up for the annual hunt  scouring store aisles and online retailers to fulfill lengthy, hyper-specific school supply lists. Instead of feeling energized by the start of a new academic year, parents and caregivers are often met with stress, sticker shock, and frustration. So, we must ask: Is this the only way to prepare our students for success?

Its time to reimagine the school supply list  one that supports both equity and sustainability, while encouraging creativity in the classroom.

Over time, supply lists have become increasingly rigid, down to the brand of glue stick or the color-coded folders. While these requirements may aim to streamline classroom organization, there's no evidence to suggest that such specificity leads to better academic outcomes. What we do know, however, is that creativity, flexibility, and access can significantly enhance student engagement and learning.

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Thats where creative reuse comes in.

Incorporating reused and repurposed materials into the classroom not only alleviates financial pressure on families but also provides students with unique opportunities for hands-on learning, self-expression, and environmental awareness. When children are encouraged to reimagine the potential of everyday items, they develop critical thinking and problem-solving skillsskills that are essential far beyond the school walls.

Tinker, build and imagine with upcycled supplies at Resource Depots Junk Labthis weeks theme is Plastics in Paradise.

Creative reuse fosters innovation. It introduces sustainability in a tangible way, teaching students that whats old can become new, and whats discarded still has value. It also opens doors to artistic expression, helping students process emotions, reduce stress, and cultivate a love of the arts. A classroom infused with creativity becomes a more inclusive and engaging space for all learners.

Schools can support this shift by establishing supply closets or community exchange programs, where gently used materials are collected, shared, and reused. These initiatives, led by PTAs or student volunteers, build a culture of collaboration and care  ensuring that no child is left behind simply because their family cant afford a new pack of markers.

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At Resource Depot, our creative reuse center in West Palm Beach, we see the power of this approach every day. We receive an average of 800 pounds of donated items daily  everything from school and office supplies to arts and crafts materials. At the end of each school year, local teachers and staff contribute bins full of leftover supplies as they clean out their classrooms. These items are then redistributed to teachers, parents, artists, and nonprofits, breathing new life into what might otherwise have gone to waste.

For families seeking a more affordable, creative, and sustainable way to tackle the school supply list, places like Resource Depot offer a smart and meaningful solution.

Ultimately, the purpose of education is to create environments where all students can thrive. By making supply lists less prescriptive and more inclusive, we can reduce inequities, lessen our environmental impact, and refocus on what truly matters  learning, growth, and discovery.

This school year, lets break the cycle. Lets champion reuse. Lets prioritize sustainability and creative problem-solving. And above all, lets make sure every student feels supported, inspired, and ready to learn.

Jennifer OBrien

Jennifer OBrien is Executive Director of Resource Depot, a creative reuse center in West Palm Beach, dedicated to helping others see the creative value in discarded items.

Join the Conversation: The Palm Beach Post is committed to publishing a diversity of opinions. Email us at letters@pbpost.com. Letters are subject to editing, must not exceed 200 words and must include your name, address and a daytime phone number to confirm the letter is for publication. We only publish names and cities with the letters.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Back-to-school supplies: A creative, sustainable approach | Opinion
The commander in chief is not the only administration official with ties to the notorious late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

As President Trump is dogged by a scandal surrounding his relationship withand perceived lack of transparency in the case ofthe disgraced financier, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is also facing renewed scrutiny for his Epstein connections.

Making the rounds again are photos of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at social gatherings with Epstein, which previously surfaced amid Kennedys short-lived 2024 presidential campaign.

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In one photo, Kennedy is pictured chatting with Epstein at an event at the Pierre Hotel in Manhattan in March 1994. Beside them is Kennedys late second wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy, who, hes said, had some kind of relationship with [now-convicted Epstein accomplice] Ghislaine Maxwell.

X screenshot Molly Ploofkins @Mollyploofkins: RFK Jr. with Epstein (photo)

In another, Kennedy appears to be seated at a table with Epstein at a 1994 fundraiser for the New York Academy of Art.

X screenshot Leah McElrath @leahmcelrath RFK Jr with Jeffrey Epstein at a party in 1994: (Source linked below.) (photo)

Kennedy also shares with Trump the distinction of appearing in Epsteins little black book, which contains the names of various high-profile contacts.

Further, Kennedy has publicly admitted to having flown twice on Epsteins infamous jet before anybody knew about  his nefarious issues.

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He told Fox Newss Jesse Watters that he did so once in 1993, hitching a ride to Palm Beach to visit [his] mom over Easter and again, one or two years later, to go fossil hunting in South Dakota. Both times, he said, he was with family.

In March 2024, Kennedy was roundly mocked online for defending his interactions with Epstein by, oddly, listing numerous other figures accused or convicted of horrendous acts with whom hes also had run-ins, such as Harvey Weinstein, O.J. Simpson, and Bill Cosby.

That bizarre remark aside, the health secretarys past connections to Epstein still were seemingly not as deep as the presidents, who had a storied friendship with the disgraced financier. In fact, Epstein once told journalist Michael Wolff that he was Donalds closest friend for 10 years.

Still, Kennedys closet is full of skeletons, to use his own words. When Vanity Fair reported on a former babysitters sexual assault allegations against Kennedy, he did not deny them. Instead, the then-candidate said, I am not a church boy. I had a very, very rambunctious youth. I said in my announcement speech that I have so many skeletons in my closet that, if they could all vote, I could run for king of the world.
The chief executive of German arms maker Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, advocated faster progress in the Franco-German tank project MGCS during a visit by Defence Ministers Boris Pistorius and Sebastien Lecornu on Thursday.

"We want to become faster together in the Main Ground Combat System. This is the desire of both politics and industry," Papperger said at the Rheinmetall plant in the small community of Unterluss in the northern state of Lower Saxony.

A production concept is to be developed together with partner companies Thales and KNDS in the coming months as the next step towards a prototype, Papperger said.

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Lecornu was particularly interested in new technologies on site, such as connectivity and unmanned driving. "I am firmly convinced that this will not be the last visit from the French defence minister here," said Papperger.

According to the German Armed Forces, the Bundeswehr, the MGCS project is intended to replace the Leopard 2 battle tank. The plan is for a modular system with an identical vehicle hull, a more powerful main weapon, an unmanned turret and modern protection systems against drones.

He said he feels political support. "I am very satisfied with our Defence Minister [Pistorius], and I am also very satisfied with what the Chancellor [Friedrich Merz] is currently doing," said Papperger.

Pistorius and Lecornu were visiting the arms factory as many European nations plan a huge increase in defence spending.

After the site visit, the ministers are set to hold talks on military cooperation and the situation in Ukraine.

Armin Papperger (3rd L), CEO of Rheinmetall AG, and Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (4th L) walk past an infantry heavy weapon carrier (L) and a Lynx infantry fighting vehicle during a visit to the Rheinmetall armaments plant. The visit takes place against the backdrop of the Franco-German MGCS ("Main Ground Combat System") tank project, in which Rheinmetall is involved. Michael Matthey/dpa

Sebastien Lecornu (3rd L), France's Defence Minister, Armin Papperger (4th L), CEO of Rheinmetall AG, and Boris Pistorius (5th L), Germany's Defence Minister, walk after landing at the Rheinmetall armaments plant. The visit takes place against the backdrop of the Franco-German MGCS ("Main Ground Combat System") tank project, in which Rheinmetall is involved. Michael Matthey/dpa

A Panther KF51 main battle tank stands on the grounds of the Rheinmetall plant in Unterluess. Michael Matthey/dpa

A Puma infantry fighting vehicle for the Bundeswehr stands in a production hall at the Rheinmetall plant in Unterluess. Michael Matthey/dpa

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The chief executive of German arms maker Rheinmetall, Armin Papperger, advocated faster progress in the Franco-German tank project MGCS during a visit by Defence Ministers Boris Pistorius and Sebastien Lecornu on Thursday.

"We want to become faster together in the Main Ground Combat System. This is the desire of both politics and industry," Papperger said at the Rheinmetall plant in the small community of Unterluss in the northern state of Lower Saxony.

A production concept is to be developed together with partner companies Thales and KNDS in the coming months as the next step towards a prototype, Papperger said.

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Lecornu was particularly interested in new technologies on site, such as connectivity and unmanned driving. "I am firmly convinced that this will not be the last visit from the French defence minister here," said Papperger.

According to the German Armed Forces, the Bundeswehr, the MGCS project is intended to replace the Leopard 2 battle tank. The plan is for a modular system with an identical vehicle hull, a more powerful main weapon, an unmanned turret and modern protection systems against drones.

He said he feels political support. "I am very satisfied with our Defence Minister [Pistorius], and I am also very satisfied with what the Chancellor [Friedrich Merz] is currently doing," said Papperger.

Pistorius and Lecornu were visiting the arms factory as many European nations plan a huge increase in defence spending.

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Amidst differences over the joint development of the FCAS air combat system, Pistorius expressed confidence that the problems could be resolved quickly. "That's why we want to achieve clarity on FCAS by the end of the year," he asserted. Pistorius said he does not see any hurdles here "that we cannot overcome."

After the site visit, the ministers held talks on military cooperation and the situation in Ukraine.

Lecornu also signed the city's Golden Book.

A Panther KF51 main battle tank stands on the grounds of the Rheinmetall plant in Unterluess. Michael Matthey/dpa
WARWICK, R.I. (WPRI)  The Rhode Island State Fire Marshals Office is sounding the alarm about carbon monoxide detectors sold online, saying purchasers might be putting themselves and their loved ones at risk.

The ones you buy online are probably not compliant with the code for this country, and the State of Rhode Island, State Fire Marshal Timothy McLaughlin told 12 News.

UL Certification Mark. (Courtesy: Business Wire)

He says its easy to ensure the detectors in your home are up to standard: If you look on the back, it should have a UL sticker, McLaughlin said. That means its been tested. We know it works.

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UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories, a Chicago-based company that tests detectors before sending them out to be purchased.

When UL confirms a detector is working properly, the company will mark the detector with a UL stamp.

In contrast, McLaughlin said, there is no way of knowing whether carbon monoxide detectors bought online meet the proper standards to be put in someones home.

We dont know if they work, we dont know where they come from. You buy them from China or wherever they come from, we have no idea if theyve been tested, the fire marshal said. Once its stamped by UL, were very comfortable that its going to work, and its going to work the way its supposed to.

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With the potential fatal threat carbon monoxide poses, ensuring your detectors are up to code can truly be the difference between life and death.

[Its] odorless, you cant taste it, you cant see it, you cant smell it. By the time you realize that there is CO in your house, its probably going to be too late, McLaughlin said.

RELATED: How to avoid the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning

McLaughlin told 12 News consumers can purchase UL-tested carbon monoxide detectors at any big box store, and recommended purchasing detectors with lithium batteries, which can last up to 10 years without having to be changed.

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BURLINGTON, Vt. (WPRI)  A Providence real estate agent will spend nearly five years behind bars for attempting to smuggle heroin to Canada, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Vermont.

Freddy Rodriguez, 40, of West Warwick, was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release.

He pleaded guilty to conspiring to export heroin from the United States to Quebec, Canada, from Lake Champlain in Vermont back in September 2023.

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Rodriguez was caught by United States Border Patrol and Homeland Security Investigations agents trying to sneak a kayak containing roughly 12 kilograms of controlled substances into the lake.

Prosecutors said Rodriguez planned on rowing out to a boat on the lake that would bring the drugs into Canada.

Text messages on Rodriguezs phone revealed that he was expecting MDMA and a large quantity of cash in exchange for the narcotics, according to prosecutors.

Court documents reveal Rodriguez attempted to run off as the agents approached, but was taken into custody after he tripped, fell and dropped the back he was carrying.

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The agents searched the bag Rodriguez was carrying and found brick-like objects wrapped in black cellophane-style packaging, according to the court documents.

The court documents stated the bricks each contained a white powder that tested presumptive positive for cocaine. But prosecutors said laboratory testing later revealed the powdery substance was actually heroin.

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EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  A local organization is trying to save lives by offering free swim lessons to those who may not be able to afford them.

Stages of Freedom is a Rhode Island nonprofit organization that aims to address inequality in a variety of ways, including through their swimming empowerment program.

Executive Director Ray Rickman joined 12 News at 4 Wednesday to share more about the free swimming program.

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We provide swimming to any low-income person who reaches out to us, Rickman explained. Anyone who calls, well pay.

According to a report from the organization, Black youth in Rhode Island drown at five times the rate of white youth. Rickman is determined to make a change.

Well buy swim trunks, well pay for Uber, well do whatever it takes, Rickman said. I cannot tell you how my heart sinks and saddens when a kid drowns.

If youd like to register for free swimming lessons or learn more about Stages of Freedom, click here.

Watch the full interview in the video above.

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A rail union boss has threatened to launch direct action if Labour raises the state pension age.

Eddie Dempsey, general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), warned the Government he would lead our movement onto the streets and will not hesitate to protest nationally and take coordinated direct action.

His threat came after Labour opened the door for the statutory retirement age to be raised by announcing a new pensions review on Monday.

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The move, unveiled by Liz Kendall, the Work and Pensions Secretary, raises the prospect that six million Britons could be forced to delay their retirements.

On Thursday, Mr Dempsey warned: If this Government makes any move to drastically increase the retirement age, we intend to lead our movement onto the streets and will not hesitate to protest nationally and take coordinated direct action.

The UK state pension is already one of the worst in the entire developed world which is a direct result of decades of governments transferring both our national and personal wealth to the super rich.

Any decision to squeeze more out of working people by forcing us to work even longer would be a national disgrace.

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Instead of raising the state pension age, Mr Dempsey said the Government should impose a wealth tax on assets of over 2 million.

Although the RMT is not formally affiliated to Labour, the union commands a largely public sector membership numbering around 83,000 people.

Under current plans, the state pension age is on course to rise to 67 by 2028 and to 68 by 2046.

However, raising the retirement age sooner than planned is politically controversial, with previous plans to do so abandoned by Jeremy Hunt, the former Chancellor, amid concerns he would struggle to justify the change.

The RMT threat comes after Nigel Farage also backed Labours suggestions that the state pension age must rise.

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The Reform UK leader said on Tuesday: I dont think we can really afford to [wait to the 2040s], to be frank. If there is a sudden economic miracle, then it might change that. But it does not look to be happening any time soon.

Ms Kendall said this week she was under no illusions about the scale of the challenges facing both workers and the public purse as the country ages.

Many workers are more concerned about putting food on the table and keeping a roof over their heads than saving for a retirement that seems a long way away, and many businesses face huge challenges in keeping profitable and flexible in an increasingly uncertain world, she said.

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Michael Whatley (right), chair of the Republican National Committee, speaks to reporters as North Carolina GOP chairman Jason Simmons looks on at the NC GOP headquarters in Raleigh on Sept. 14, 2024. (Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline)

Michael Whatley, the chair of the Republican National Committee and former North Carolina GOP leader, is reportedly set to launch a campaign for U.S. Senate  setting up a run against former Gov. Roy Cooper.

Whatley is expected to launch his campaign within the next week and will have the blessing of President Donald Trump, POLITICO first reported Thursday.

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Lara Trump, the presidents daughter-in-law who was born in Wilmington and had been mulling a campaign, has reportedly declined to run for the seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, who is not running for re-election.

Cooper, a Democrat, will reportedly launch a campaign in the coming days.

Both candidates are expected to largely clear the field of any major primary opponents. Whatley, a well-connected leader backed by the president, and Cooper, a prolific fundraiser and high-profile former governor, will both be immediate favorites for their parties nominations.

Former U.S. Rep. Wiley Nickel, a Democrat, is also running for the open seat. Republicans Andy Nilsson and Don Brown have also launched campaigns.

Democrats, in statements Thursday, focused on Trumps declining to run for the seat. Senate Democrats campaign arm called it the latest in a string of embarrassing recruiting failures; the North Carolina Democratic Party tied Whatley to former Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson and cuts to Medicaid in the Republican-led federal spending bill.
Republican National Committee chair Michael Whatley will run for Senate in North Carolina and will have the blessing of President Donald Trump after his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, opted not to seek the seat, two people familiar with the decision told POLITICO.

Whatleys entry into the race sets up the prospect of a highly-competitive and well-funded election in a state where Democrats believe they have one of their best chances of picking up a Senate seat.

The president, the two people said, believes Whatley is well-positioned to take on former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, who is expected to announce his candidacy to replace the retiring Sen. Thom Tillis.

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Lara Trump, who the president had previously asked to run, has decided to remain as host of her weekly show on Fox News. She is expected to back Whatley, with whom she co-chaired the RNC last year, and the two will likely appear together in the near future, according to the people, who were granted anonymity to discuss the plans in advance.

A public announcement is expected in the next week to 10 days, they said.

Trump is optimistic that Whatley, who ran the state party in North Carolina before becoming RNC chair, has the knowledge of the state, the national profile and the network of relationships to mount a strong campaign to replace Tillis, who announced his retirement last month after opposing the sweeping domestic policy agenda bill backed by the president.

Whatley was elected RNC chair in March 2024 and led the party alongside Lara Trump to sweeping victories up and down the ballot in last years elections.

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Republicans believe Whatleys connections with donors will be an asset in what will likely be one of the most expensive races in next years elections.

The president feels Whatley has earned his shot, said one of the people familiar with his plans.

Trump is expected to announce Whatleys replacement at the RNC around the time he announces his Senate campaign.

Sen. Tim Scott, who chairs National Republican Senatorial Committee, met with Whatley about a run, according to a GOP operative with knowledge of the meeting. The NRSC had been floating the RNC chair as a potential replacement to Tillis since January.

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Democrats are targeting North Carolina as a potential pickup opportunity in a map that otherwise favors Republicans. Cooper, the popular former two-term governor, is expected to launch his campaign as soon as Monday.

Trump is aware the North Carolina seat will be an uphill battle for any Republican, one person said, and recognizes that Cooper will be a tough opponent.

Trumps endorsement of Whatley will likely prevent a messy primary in a state Trump won in the past three presidential elections. North Carolina Rep. Pat Harrigan has previously said he would endorse Lara Trump if she decided to run, while Rep. Richard Hudson has ruled out a Senate bid.

Andrew Howard contributed to this report.
July 24 (UPI) -- Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley reportedly plans to run for Senate in North Carolina.

Whatley will run to replace Sen. Thom Tillis, R-S.C., who plans to retire, and has received the support of President Donald Trump, Politico, The New York Times and NBC News reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

He is expected to publicly announce his bid in the near future.

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Whately became the RNC chair last year and led with Lara Trump after being endorsed by Donald Trump.

Lara Trump, Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, opted out of the campaign and decided to remain as the host of her weekly show on Fox News.

Trump praised Whately in his endorsement, "has been with me from the beginning, has done a great job in home state of North Carolina."

Trump is expected to announce Whatley's replacement for the RNC during the time he announces his Senate campaign.
Republican National Committee (RNC) Chair Michael Whatley is planning to run for Senate in North Carolina to succeed retiring Sen. Thom Tillis (R), a source familiar confirmed to The Hill.

The source said Whatley will run with President Trumps blessing for the seat, confirming Politico, which first reported the news. The development comes after former RNC co-Chair Lara Trump, the presidents daughter-in-law, was openly considering a bid for the seat. Politico reported she has decided against a run.

Whatleys candidacy tees up one of the marquee Senate races of the midterms, as former Gov. Roy Cooper (D) reportedly plans to jump in next week. Cook Political Report currently rates the seat as a toss-up.

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Two people familiar with the decision told Politico that President Trump believes Whatley is in a strong position to face Cooper, a popular former two-term governor seen as Democrats best chance of winning the seat. They said Lara Trump will declare her support for Whatley and will appear with him soon, with a public announcement coming in the next week to 10 days.

While Whatley has never run for elected office before, he does have background in North Carolina politics. He is a former chief of staff for former Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.) and served as chair of the North Carolina GOP for almost five years before being tapped by President Trump to become RNC chair.

A GOP operative told The Hill that Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), the chair of Senate Republicans campaign arm, met with Whatley about a potential Senate bid, and the organization has been floating him as a possible replacement for Tillis since January. They said internal and public polling indicate a pro-Trump Republican would be in the strongest position for the party to hold the seat.

The decision from Tillis, a two-term incumbent viewed as somewhat more moderate and less closely tied to the president, to retire at the end of his term scrambled the field for the seat, which already was shaping up to be one of the most watched races of 2026. His seat and the one held by Sen. Susan Collins (R) in Maine are seen as the two best chances for Democrats to pick up seats next year.

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But on the Republican side, Lara Trump appeared to have the right of first refusal, as one strategist put it, as she considered whether to run for the seat. She had previously considered a Senate run in 2022, as well as contending to be picked to fill Secretary of State Marco Rubios Florida Senate seat last year, but she ultimately decided against both, not closing the door to a run entirely.

Lara Trump announced she would not seek the North Carolina seat in a post on the social platform X later Thursday, saying she made the decision after much consideration and heartfelt discussions with her family, friends and supporters.

I am deeply grateful for the encouragement and support I have received from the people of my home state whom I love so much, she said. While I am not running in this election, my passion for Making America Great Again burns brightly, and I look forward to the future, wherever that leads.

But with her passing on a Senate bid again, Whatley would be the big name in the race for the GOP, coming off of the partys success in the 2024 presidential election. A few other possible candidates have been rumored to be considering bids, but receiving the presidents backing would certainly be a major boost for Whatley, if any other candidates compete.

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Whatley winning the nomination would confirm what Tilliss retirement made all but certain: Next years GOP candidate will be more closely tied to Trump than Tillis is.

It would likely set up a match between Whatley and Cooper in the general election. Axios reported Cooper is set to launch his Senate campaign next week, giving Democrats in the state and nationwide their desired candidate.

Democrats have seen much more success in recent years in gubernatorial races in North Carolina than federal races, having not won a Senate seat there since 2008. But the party is hopeful it can finally get over the hurdle with Cooper.

Senate Democrats campaign arm touted Lara Trumps decision against running, saying the GOP is facing the latest in a string of embarrassing recruitment failures as they lose their first choice candidate.

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While Republicans descend further into chaos in North Carolina, Democrats will flip this seat in 2026, spokesperson Maeve Coyle said.

Brett Samuels contributed.

Updated at 12:03 p.m. EDT

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RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN)  Michael Whatley, the chair of the Republican National Committee, plans to step down to focus his attention on running for the U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina, sources close to the matter told CBS 17 on Thursday morning.

This comes after Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from Huntersville, announced his decision last month not to seek a third term in office, propelling his seat to become one of the most captivating races to follow during the 2026 midterm elections.

His entrance into the race sets up a possible clash with former North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, who is expected to launch a Senate campaign of his own as early as next week, according to Axios.

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Whatley, a North Carolina native, and Lara Trump, his former RNC co-chair and President Donald Trumps daughter-in-law, were both speculated to have been considering a run. However, she ultimately decided not to enter the race.

Lara Trump took to social media to confirm that she was not running for the U.S. Senate seat.

I am deeply grateful for the encouragement and support I have received from the people of my home state whom I love so much, she said on X. While I am not running in this election, my passion for Making America Great Again burns brightly, and I look forward to the future, wherever that leads.

The Hill reported later Thursday morning that Whatleys announcement comes with a full blessing from President Trump.

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The North Carolina Democratic Party released the following statement in response to reports of Whatleys intentions to enter the Senate race:

Republicans just lost their formidable and first choice candidate for U.S. Senate, driving them further into chaos and closer to losing this seat. Now, they are stuck with Michael Whatley, who gave a ringing endorsement to extremist Mark Robinson and is a staunch supporter of the cruel Medicaid cuts that gut health care for over 650,000 North Carolinians while delivering tax giveaways to billionaires  an agenda so toxic it forced Thom Tillis into retirement. Democrats will flip this seat in 2026.

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Michael Whatley, chairman of the national Republican Party, plans to run for an open Senate seat in North Carolina in 2026 with the blessing of President Donald Trump after Trumps daughter-in-law, Lara, passed on the seat.

Democrats see the race as their top chance to flip a seat in the midterm elections as they try to regain control of the Senate. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis recently made a surprise announcement that he would not run for a third term after clashing with Trump.

Whatleys decision was confirmed by two people familiar with his thinking. They were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly before an official announcement and spoke only on condition of anonymity.

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Trump asked Whatley, who leads the Republican National Committee, to run, according to one of the people. Politico first reported news of Whatleys plans.

Whatley is considered by national Republicans to be a strong contender in the closely watched race, thanks partly to the large fundraising network he has cultivated as chair of the Republican National Committee and his perceived loyalty to the president. Whatley is a well-known name in the state, having previously served as chairman of the state GOP, and he has no voting record that could be used against him by Democrats.

It was not immediately clear when Trump might weigh in publicly for his preferred candidate or when Whatley would formally launch his campaign.

Lara Trump, who grew up in North Carolina and now hosts a Fox News Channel show, likely would have been the immediate front-runner for the nomination, and the president said she was his top choice. She had long stressed her ties to the critical swing state and had served as co-chair of the RNC during last years presidential election. Having a Trump on the ballot would have been a boon for the party, which has struggled to turn out voters in off-year elections.

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But Lara Trump, who now lives in Florida with her young family, would have had to establish residency and register to vote in North Carolina by mid-September to qualify for the March primary, according to state law.

She announced in a social media post Thursday that she had decided against it.

After much consideration and heartfelt discussions with my family, friends, and supporters, I have decided not to pursue the United States Senate seat in North Carolina at this time, she wrote. While I am not running in this election, my passion for Making America Great Again burns brightly, and I look forward to the future, wherever that leads.

She had previously declined to run for Senate in North Carolina in 2022 and in 2024 took herself out of the running to fill the term of former Florida Sen. Marco Rubio after he became secretary of state.

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The race is expected to be contentious in a state Donald Trump carried by 3.2 percentage points in 2024.

Democrats have been encouraging former two-term Gov. Roy Cooper, who is seen as a formidable candidate by both parties, to run. A Cooper adviser, Morgan Jackson, would not confirm on Wednesday that Cooper had made a decision to run, but said the Democrat would be making his intentions known in the coming days.

First-term Rep. Pat Harrigan, a West Point graduate and former Green Beret who served in Afghanistan and later became a defense-products manufacturer, was also seen as a potential Republican candidate.

Harrigan had previously said he would immediately back Lara Trump if she ran.

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Tillis, who had opposed the Medicaid reductions in the presidents tax break and spending cut package, announced in late June that he would not run for reelection in after the president threatened to back a primary challenge against him.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Calling it a momentous day, attorneys representing survivors of clergy sexual abuse in Rochester announced a new settlement Thursday.

Jeff Anderson & Associates reported a $120 million agreement between the survivors and the Diocese of Rochester. The payout comes from Continental Insurance Company (CNA), the final holdout insurer in the case.

Back in 2022, News 8 reported that more than 450 sexual abuse claims were filed in connection with the case against the Diocese  many of them in response to the Child Victims Act, which extended the statute of limitations on child sexual abuse cases.

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The Diocese filed for bankruptcy shortly after a 2019 New York law took effect, which allowed victims of childhood sexual abuse to file lawsuits regardless of when the abuse occurred.

Thursdays settlement brings the total compensation to $246.35 million.

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Jul. 23ROCHESTER  A proposed zoning change for nearly 5.5 acres in northwest Rochester would make way for development of 94 apartments split between seven, three-story buildings .

"Should that not come to fruition, we would not be overly concerned about the uses that would be allowed in that zoning district based on land uses across the street," Community Development Planner Desmond McGeough told the Rochester Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday.

The site, located on the southeast corner of the Overland Drive Northwest and Bandel Road intersection, is currently zoned for mixed-use, street-oriented development, with vacant sites to north and west zoned to allow more intense commercial uses.

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The requested change would maintain mixed-use status on the site, while providing some flexibility on building location related to Bandel Road.

Alex Peterson, who recently moved to an adjacent residential neighborhood, said he likes the conceptual plans outlined by Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based developer VeldCo , but he voiced concerns Wednesday about what would happen if plans aren't approved.

"We don't have any guarantees this proposal is what will ultimately go in," he told the commission during a public hearing regarding the zoning request.

He said the zone change would allow development beyond the three-story buildings being proposed, as well as heavier commercial uses than what would be allowed today.

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Three other neighbors also voiced worries about added traffic at the nearby intersection, but Rochester Planning Supervisor Ed Caples said such concerns would be better addressed when the Rochester City Council reviews the zoning request, since it has the authority to consider public infrastructure changes.

Commission member John Eischen, who lives in the neighborhood southeast of the proposed development, said he hasn't experienced the heavy traffic reported by the other neighbors, but believes future needs can be addressed..

"We've had other developments similar to this, with similar traffic concerns, and I'm going to trust staff (to address them) if there are traffic concerns," he said, pointing to the need for added housing in the city.

Eischen was joined by the rest of the commission members in voting to recommend the City Council approve the zoning change.

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With the recommendation, Mark Welch, a principal engineer at Chatfield-based G-Cubed , said he plans to submit a site development plan Thursday, which will outline added details for the proposed housing project.

Plans call for one of the seven buildings to include 10 apartments, an office, mailroom and resident amenities. The remaining buildings are being designed to house 14 apartments.

Rental options are expected to include one- and two-bedroom apartments, with the potential for three-bedroom units, with rates being deemed "market-rate affordable." During a June neighborhood meeting, Welch said Veldco doesn't plan to see public subsidies but is seeking to keep costs down by building exterior parking, rather than garages or underground options.

Plans call for parking in lots between Bandel Road and five of the buildings, while parking will be behind the apartment buildings closest Overland Drive Northwest intersection, where the property abuts city land used for stormwater retention.

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Welch said the plan also includes enhanced landscape buffers between the planned apartments and existing residential neighborhood, which will also be separated by an existing 30-foot drainage easement on the east side of the property.

With the commission's recommendation, the zoning request is expected to be reviewed by the Rochester City Council during its Aug. 18 meeting.
Jul. 23ROCHESTER  Rochester Realtor Merl Groteboer pleaded guilty to one count of making a "false, fictitious and fraudulent" statement on Wednesday in connection with a $35.7 million federal fraud case involving Wisconsin real estate investor Matthew Onofrio.

Groteboer pleaded guilty to a charge that he "willfully and knowingly" made a false statement to a special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation during a voluntary interview. The unnamed agent interviewed Groteboer on March 16, 2023, about Onofrio's business dealings. The charges were filed in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota in May.

He was released with conditions. No date for sentencing was set. The violation could result in a possible prison sentence of up to five years, as well as significant fines. When reached on Wednesday, Groteboer declined to comment on the plea.

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Groteboer is a commercial real estate agent for RE/MAX Results, who has been involved with many of Rochester's largest real estate deals, including the $230 million purchase of the Kahler hotels portfolio in 2013.

Onofrio, who owned property in Rochester, pleaded guilty in 2023 in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis to one count of bank fraud involving a St. Cloud, Minn. property. He was originally indicted by a grand jury and charged with three counts on Nov. 17, 2022. Onofrio's sentencing has been delayed. No sentencing date has been scheduled for him.

Onofrio's plea agreement stated that between 2019 and August 2022, he "devised and executed a scheme" to defraud banks in Minnesota, Wisconsin and other states. The loans were obtained for an investment program marketed by a company created by Onofrio called Northwoods Management LLC, which sometimes operated under the name of Wild Moose Ventures.

"The scheme falsely represented the investors' creditworthiness in several ways. Onofrio directed investors to claim in personal financial statements provided to lenders that the investor had sufficient cash on hand to fund a down payment on the property, even though the investor did not actually have such funds," according to the court documents.

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He also used a scheme called "seller carry" to lend investors funds for a down payment, but the debt was not disclosed to the bank.

The penalties for bank fraud include up to 30 years in prison, a fine of $1 million or twice the gain from the offense and a term of supervised release of up to five years.

While none of the charges included any deals done in Olmsted County, Onofrio has been involved with the purchase and sale of several large commercial properties in Rochester and Stewartville.

The court documents allege that Groteboer, who had "a personal friendship and business relationship" with Onofrio from 2020 to March 2022, was aware that Onofrio was committing bank fraud through his real estate business.

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The complaint alleges that Groteboer participated in the approval of several loans to Orofrio by Premier Bank. Groteboer served on the board of directors of the bank at the time. He is no longer on the bank's board.

"During the course of their relationship, Groteboer learned that Onofrio's program was engaged in material misrepresentations and omissions of material fact in connection with financial institutions financing transactions," the court document said.

The complaint alleges that Groteboer "was aware that Onofrio had transferred funds into investor accounts to represent greater liquidity than the investor had, and that Groteboer had advised at least one investor how to answer questions from a bank about the source of funds in the investor's account."
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  Four high school robotics teams from the stateline are uniting to refine their mechanical skills during the off-season.

The teams are competing against 29 others from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin. The competition consists of multiple three-on-three games with robots programmed by the teams.

Were thrilled to again help area high school students showcase their skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics by designing, building and programming robots in a competitive format, said Karen Hill, R2OC co-chair. This program has long helped students develop the necessary skills to succeed in high school, college and beyond!

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Students had to build and program the robots before the competition.

A match is two and a half minutes. The first 15 seconds are autonomous. So the students have programmed their robot, and if they do any scoring during those 15 seconds, the points are worth more, said Hill. After 15 seconds, they step up, take over their controls  which might be joysticks, game controllers, whatever they figured out works  and go about driving it.

Anyone interested in watching the robots and their teams compete this Saturday can head to Rock Valley College between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to watch the event free of charge.

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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  Rose-Hulman President Robert A. Coons has been named as one of Indianas top 250 leaders for the third consecutive year.

The 2025 Indiana top 250 list names the most influential and impactful leaders in business, education, government, philanthropy, the arts, and the nonprofit sector. The list was unveiled during a reception at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 23.

Dr. Ellen Goldey begins new role at Rose-Hulman

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The annual list is curated by executives, editors and newsroom teams from IBJ Medias three news brands Indianapolis Business Journal, Inside INdiana Business and Indiana Lawyer.

President Coons has provided steady, visionary leadership during a pivotal time in Rose-Hulmans history, said Carl Cook, chair of the Rose-Hulman Board of Trustees. His unwavering commitment to student success, institutional growth, and long-term sustainability continues to move the Institute forward and strengthen its national reputation.

Rose-Hulman ranked No. 1 in nation; 26 years and counting

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KINGSPORT, Tenn. (WJHL)  The Rotary Club of Kingsport recognized its past, present and future through its Everyday Heroes public art sculpture.

The sculpture, according to the official Fun Fest website, was fabricated to celebrate Everyday Heroes and those who exemplify Service Above Self.

The celebration followed a three-year-long initiative to recognize the Rotary Clubs history.

The past was commemorated through the Memorial Park kiosk, which honors veterans, while the present was celebrated through a national call that ultimately led to the artist of the sculpture. The future of the Rotary Club was honored through the publication of 5,000 copies of a childrens book about the Rotarys motto: Service Above Self.

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The idea is that those who go above and beyond, regardless of the struggles throughout lifes journey and the changes that come their way, those who weather the storm and turbulence, soar, former Rotary Club president Deborah Daugherty said. They fly, and it creates a light for others in the community as well, and thats what makes our community so unique.

Daugherty said the City of Kingsport is run by a village that deserves recognition.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  Republican Senator Mike Rounds says a formal announcement regarding his reelection plans could be happening later this year.

In an X post, President Donald Trump has already thrown his support behind the U.S. Senator from South Dakota for reelection, calling him a strong advocate for the state.

I was surprised to get the phone call from the president, Sen. Mike Rounds said. It was a welcome surprise, and I am very pleased to accept his recommendation.

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Rounds has yet to make any formal announcement that hell actually be running for reelection, and he says he doesnt plan to do so until most likely this fall.

In the meantime, that means I can work just directly on issues and not have to worry about being a publicly announced nominee for re-election, Rounds said.

He adds this time allows him to focus on other issues including pushing to unfreeze education funds. Rounds is one of about nine U.S. Senators asking those funds be released.

We know that there are still some more to go yet. Were hoping that the office of OMB expedites their review. I think what theyre going to find out is that these are good funds. Theres nothing wacky about them, Rounds said. These are items that that our schools, some of our after school programs and so forth rely on.

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Rounds said he also supports a rescissions bill, which has about 9 billion dollars in program cuts. He said he secured a deal with the Interior Department to transfer some funding to several Native American radio stations.

I made it very clear that I couldnt support the package without fixing it for those Native American radio stations, because really, theyre in really rural areas, and its about 80 to 85 percent of their funding across the board. They never would have survived that, Rounds said.

Programs like SDPB told KELOLAND News its devastated by cuts to their sector. The senator says they wouldnt experience as harsh an impact as others.

I think its probably closer to about 20 percent of their funding as opposed to the 80 percent that the Native American stations had. Thats the reason why I focused on those particular ones, Rounds said. Now, a lot of that comes down to whether or not people in South Dakota want that to continue on and whether or not they will donate funds to make up that 20 percent difference.

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After Trumps endorsement Monday, two declared candidates in the 2026 U.S. Senate race sent KEOLAND News statements.

Democrat Julian Beaudion and independent Brian Bengs have each raised more than $70,000 in the race.

When President Trump wanted tax cuts for billionaires and corporations, Mike followed orders, Bengs said in a statement to KELOLAND News about Trumps endorsement of Rounds. When that package required taking health care funding away from South Dakotans, Mike followed orders. When the White House said to ignore the Epstein Files, Mike followed orders. Mike Rounds excels at following orders without question so its no surprise the President is rewarding him even as he sells us out. If elected, my bosses will be the regular South Dakotans Mike betrayed and not the White Housewhether Democrat or Republican.

This endorsement is not shocking but it does show just how out of touch Rounds and Trump are with South Dakotans, Beaudion said in a statement to KELOLAND News about the presidential endorsement. They want to pull money from our schools, silence South Dakota Public Broadcasting, and slash the budgets that keep our communities safe. That puts politics first and our state last. South Dakota needs a leader who backs words with action. I served as a State Trooper, built a family business, and worked with nonprofits across our state. I will always put South Dakota first.

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A BBC presenter has provoked a row over a scheme to help transgender people access lavatories in schools.

Dr Ronx Ikharia, a black, queer, transmasculine, non-binary medical doctor who has hosted childrens shows for the BBC, is behind the new trans allyship scheme.

It will distribute bright yellow trans allies badges to schools which state Safe With Me.

Those wearing the badges will be expected to help accompany trans+ people to their preferred facilities if asked.

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This is to counteract the alleged threat to transgender people posed by Aprils Supreme Court ruling, the doctor said in an online fundraiser for the badge scheme.

Transgender access to single-sex toilet facilities has become a matter of law after the ruling that biological sex, and not self-identified gender, is what legally allows access to womens spaces.

Now Dr Ikharia has said the ruling means trans+ people may be forced into spaces where they dont feel safe, adding: Toilets are one of the most dangerous of these spaces.

The bright yellow safe with me badge promoted by the new trans allyship scheme

However, the campaign has prompted criticism from campaigners who have pushed against the granting of access to womens spaces.

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Helen Joyce, the director of advocacy at the human rights charity Sex Matters, told The Telegraph: This campaign is a safeguarding catastrophe. Asking children to approach adult strangers and take responsibility for their safety in toilet facilities puts children at obvious and serious risk.

As for adults wearing safe with me badges that children are supposed to believe, its hard to think of a more irresponsible idea.

Safe isnt something a person can identify as, and adult strangers who signal to children that they are safe are a safeguarding red flag.

Any organisation involved in distributing these badges is either extremely naive or is willing to undermine safeguarding. Dr Ronx is a well-known childrens entertainer, and her responsibility for the campaign raises serious questions.

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We will be raising this campaign as a safeguarding issue with Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary.

Dr Ikharia has hosted childrens shows for the BBC celebrating black culture

In addition to escorting people to their facilities of choice, badge-wearers will also be expected to commit to active allyship and trans+ safety, dignity and joy.

Dr Ikharia, who fronted the CBBC show Operation Ouch, hopes to roll out the badges in schools, and also shops, offices and public spaces across the UK with the intention of encouraging safe access to toilets.

The doctor has cited personal experience of the issue, writing: As a transmasculine, non-binary person, Ive faced abuse, exclusion and humiliation in public toilets.

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Ive skipped water to avoid them. Ive begged shops to let me use their facilities. Ive run into disabled toilets and out again, heart racing. Ive needed friends to accompany me, just to feel safe.

Dr Ikharias new scheme has raised more than 10,000 on the crowdfunding site Go Fund Me and was officially launched this week in London.

Concepts of multiple genders

Last year, Dr Ikharia, who was last publicly listed as working at the Homerton University Hospital in Hackney, took part in a protest outside the Royal College of General Practitioners in London, where medical professionals had been discussing the dangers of prescribing drugs to children to help them transition.

Dr Ikharia has worked for the BBC since that protest and appeared on Operation Ouch as recently as March, according to iPlayer.

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A BBC spokesman said: Were not going to comment on individuals. However, we expect anyone who works with us to follow our editorial guidelines.

The exposure of children to the concepts of multiple genders and the ability to move between genders has proven controversial for a number of organisations.

An audit of publishers recently found that toddlers are being targeted with sparkly books that present a positive vision of being transgender.

Sex Matters and SEEN in Publishing, another campaign group, found the belief that being a woman can be independent of biological sex had become dominant in the industry.

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The Scouts have been encouraged to use gender-neutral language and to drop the terms mum and dad, with members encouraged to guide children through a card game called Pronoun Pairs, which has been devised as a way of teaching them about gender identity.

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DENVER (KDVR)  The Regional Transportation District is cracking down on riders who jump on trains without purchasing a ticket.

RTD told FOX31 that fare checks conducted by security officers have increased 500% from this time last year after a review showed many riders were not buying tickets before entering commuter and light rail trains. One sweep revealed 6% of riders did not have tickets.

Human bones found at Denver park could just be stories, official says

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RTD Police Chief Steve Martingano told FOX31 that a careful review led to a four-step security plan initiated in August that increased fare checks to protect riders and RTD employees, who had also made complaints about riders not paying fares.

Its like anything else, right? If you go to a movie theater, you want somebody to rip your tickets or a sporting event; otherwise, why pay for it? So our customers are really feeling a sense that what theyre paying for everyone else is paying for the same services, he said.

FOX31 spoke to several riders who say the increased presence of security officers makes them feel safer.

We do like that, said one mother traveling alone with her toddler at Union Station.

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Fare enforcement teams are now averaging more than 300,000 checks a month on the rail system and crime is down 35%.

See the latest traffic conditions in Denver on FOX31

Our officers have been more visible being on platforms on vehicles at our bus stops, said Martingano.

Riders can report concerns on RTDs Transit Watch App. RTD said research shows a 70% reduction in complaints submitted on the app about drug use on RTD trains and buses.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Russia has moved additional electronic warfare equipment close to its border with Estonia, Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro said on July 24, according to Bloomberg.

The systems, deployed near the Russian town of Kingisepp  roughly 20 kilometers (around 12 miles) from Estonia's eastern border  are designed to jam communications, disrupt radar systems, and assert control over the electromagnetic spectrum.

Taro said Estonia's internal security agency has contacted the Russian military about the deployment.

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Moscow has long been accused of GPS signal interference in the Baltic region, but 2024 has seen a sharp increase in such incidents, particularly over the Baltic Sea. Finland, Poland, and NATO officials have all raised concerns over intensified Russian jamming activity.

A map of the Baltic Sea Region. (Lisa Kukharska / The Kyiv Independent)

Estonia, a NATO member bordering Russia, has grown increasingly alarmed over Russia's military posture. President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly warned that unchecked Russian aggression in Ukraine could eventually spill into NATO territory.

On July 14, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused European coastal states of pursuing "aggressive policies" and said Russia would "firmly defend" its interests in the region.

His comments followed Estonia's live-fire test of U.S.-supplied HIMARS systems over the Baltic Sea earlier this month, which Moscow saw as provocative.

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Western intelligence agencies have warned that Russia could pose a direct military threat to NATO allies within the next five years.

Read also: I was 18 when I protested at EuroMaidan. Im proud of new generation protesting now

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MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russia accused German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday of pursuing a path of "militarisation" and said this was a cause for concern.

Merz, a conservative who took office in May, has taken a more robust stance in support of Ukraine than his Social Democrat predecessor Olaf Scholz, while promising to increase pressure on Russia over the conflict in Ukraine.

He visited Kyiv within days of becoming chancellor, and endorsed Ukraine's right to launch long-range missile strikes into Russian territory.

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Under Merz, Germany plans to boost defence spending rapidly to 3.5% of gross domestic product by 2029, having hit the previous NATO target of 2% only in 2024.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told her weekly news briefing that Germany had pursued an openly hostile policy towards Russia in recent years, and that Merz was stepping up anti-Russian rhetoric "literally every day".

"This rhetoric is becoming more and more aggressively militant. And we believe that the course he has chosen to escalate relations with Russia in parallel with the forced militarisation of Germany is a cause for great concern, first of all for the citizens of (Germany) themselves," Zakharova said.

Berlin did not immediately comment on Zakharova's remarks.

(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov, Writing by Mark Trevelyan and Felix Light, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
MOSCOW (Reuters) -Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that rising trade tariffs carried risks for the economy of the United States and the whole world.

Zakharova was commenting on U.S. trade policy under President Donald Trump, who has aggressively raised tariffs on countries exporting to the U.S.

Trump last week also threatened heavy new sanctions against Russia and countries that buy its exports unless Moscow agrees to a Ukraine peace deal by early September.

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Zakharova told a press briefing that U.S. actions could lead to a "fragmentation of the world economy", and the U.S. had become a source of additional instability in world trade.

(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov, Writing by Felix Light; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
Forty-one people, including six children, have been injured in Kharkiv in a Russian attack with two guided aerial bombs. One business hit by a bomb has been virtually destroyed.

Source: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutors Office; Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote from Syniehubov: "Kharkiv continues dealing with the aftermath of the enemys strike with two guided aerial bombs on the Shevchenkivskyi district.

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Details: As of 17:00, updated data shows that the number of casualties has risen to 41 people. Among them are six children: four girls aged 28 days and 1, 10 and 17 years old, as well as two boys aged 2 months and 17 years old.

Currently, six people remain in hospitals, including two children: a 17-year-old boy and a one-year-old girl, both in a moderate condition. One woman is in a serious condition."

Syniehubov reported significant destruction. The State Emergency Service, National Police and emergency medical teams are working at the scene.

Early reports indicate that five residential buildings, a municipal facility and 25 vehicles were damaged. Seven cars burnt out.

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One business hit by the bomb was effectively destroyed. Due to a timely response after the air-raid warning was issued, people managed to evacuate the building in time.

Background: On 24 July, Russian forces carried out a strike with guided aerial bombs on the centre of the city of Kharkiv.

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Editor's note: This story was updated with Ukraine's Air Force's report and the latest report from the Cherkasy Oblast Military Administraton.

Russian attacks against Ukraine have killed at least four civilians and injured at least 33 others over the past day, regional authorities reported on July 24.

Russian forces launched four Iskander-K cruise missiles and 103 Shahed drones from Russia's Shatalovo, Millerovo, Bryansk, and Primorsk-Akhtarsk airfields, as well as from Russian-occupied Crimea, against Ukraine overnight, according to Ukraine's Air Force.

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Russian strikes targeted Odesa, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Cherkasy, Dnipropetrovsk, Mykolaiv, and Sumy oblasts, though no civilian casualties were reported in the latter three.

Ukraine's air defense shot down one missile and 90 drones, while another 13 unmanned aerial vehicles and three missiles reached their targets at 11 locations. Debris from drones and missiles was found at six locations, the report read.

In Kharkiv Oblast, three people were killed, while another five were injured due to the Russian strikes against nine settlements, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

In the village of Pidlyman, two men, aged 36 and 55, and a 55-year-old woman were killed. In the village of Petropavlivske, a 61-year-old man was injured, while in the town of Kupiansk, three men, aged 79, 70, and 75, as well as a 49-year-old woman, suffered injuries.

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In Kherson Oblast, Russia targeted 39 settlements, including the regional center of Kherson, over the past day. As a result of the attacks, one person was killed and six, including two children, were injured, Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.

In Cherkasy Oblast, Russian strikes injured 12 people, including a child, in the regional center of Cherkasy, Governor Ihor Taburets reported. Russia struck the city with missiles equipped with shrapnel-filled warheads.

In Donetsk Oblast, Russian attacks injured two people in the town of Myrnohrad, and one person in the settlements of Siversk, Staroraiske, Zarichne, and Kostiantynivka, according to Governor Vadym Filashkin.

In Odesa Oblast, Russian forces targeted the regional center of Odesa, injuring three people, according to the State Emergency Service. Russian drone strikes damaged UNESCO-protected landmarks and ignited a fire at Privoz, the city's largest food market, located in its historic center.

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In Zaporizhzhia Oblast, a 43-year-old woman suffered injuries in the Russian attack at the Vasyliv district. Russian forces launched 387 strikes across 14 localities in the region in the past day, according to the local military administration.

Read also: Ukraine, Russia carry out another prisoner swap as third round of Istanbul peace talks concludes

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Russian troops attacked civilian infrastructure and railway rolling stock in Odesa on the night of 23-24 July.

Source: press service for Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways)

Details: The Russians targeted areas around ports in Odesa in order to block access to them.

However, the monitoring and alert system was activated and railway workers were able to reach shelter in time, Ukrzaliznytsia said.

No staff were injured.

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The company is now repairing the damaged facilities.

Background:

On the night of 23-24 July, Russia launched a large-scale drone attack on Odesa, destroying a nine-storey residential building and damaging the Pryvoz market, architectural landmarks and other civilian infrastructure. Huge fires broke out in the city, and four people were injured.

Russia also carried out a large-scale attack on one of Ukraines thermal power plants.

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At least 33 people were injured in a Russian glide bomb attack on the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv on Thursday, mayor Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram.

One of the bombs fell near a residential block, setting 15 cars alight, while another hit a business.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X: "These are utterly senseless strikes with no military purpose whatsoever. And we see that this is Russia's only intention  to continue aggression and killings."

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Zelensky went on to call for assistance from Ukraine's allies, saying the country needed strong air defences and expanded weapons production.

He published images showing the damage and the rescue work.

Ukraine has been warding off the full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022. Kharkiv, which lies close to the Russian border, is frequently attacked.
LONDON and MOSCOW -- A passenger plane carrying 48 people crashed on Thursday morning in Russia's far eastern Amur region with no survivors, according to the local governor.

The Russian news agency Interfax reported that the plane's wreckage was found around nine miles from its intended destination in the town of Tynda, having traveled from the regional hub of Blagoveshchensk some 360 miles away.

Gov. Vasily Orlov said in a post to Telegram that the An-24 aircraft vanished from radar close to Tynda. Emergency services later found the wreckage in nearby woods. "I regret to inform you that there are no survivors," Orlov wrote in a later post. "Rescuers have reached the crash site." Orlov declared three days of mourning.

Handout/Investigative Committee of Russia - PHOTO: This grab from a handout footage released by the Eastern Interregional Directorate for Transport of the Russian Investigative Committee on July 24, 2025, shows the crash site of the Antonov An-24 passenger plane outside the town of Tynda, Russia.

Artem Korenyako -- a spokesperson for Russia's federal aviation agency Rosaviatsiya -- wrote on Telegram that a search and rescue helicopter "discovered a burning fuselage."

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Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations also reported the discovery of burning wreckage in a post to Telegram. More than 50 people and 10 pieces of equipment were deployed in search and rescue efforts, the ministry said.

Irkutsk Oblast Gov. Igor Kobzev said that "the flight crew, technical staff and flight attendants lived in the Irkutsk region." He noted that officials are working to "get a full list of passengers today and, of course, to see who of them lives in the Irkutsk region."

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

ABC News' Morgan Winsor contributed to this report.
By Andrew Osborn and Gleb Stolyarov

MOSCOW (Reuters) -An Antonov An-24 passenger plane carrying 48 people crashed in Russia's far east on Thursday as it was preparing to land, killing everyone on board in an incident that spotlighted the continued use of old, Soviet-era aircraft.

The burning fuselage of the plane, which was made in 1976, was spotted by a search helicopter after it disappeared from radar screens. It had been attempting to land for a second time after failing to touch down on its first approach, the Far Eastern Transport Prosecutors Office said in a statement.

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Operated by the privately owned Siberian regional airline Angara, it had been en route from the city of Blagoveshchensk near the Chinese border to Tynda, an important railway junction in the Amur region. It was carrying 42 passengers, including five children, and six crew.

The regional governor and federal investigators confirmed that everyone on board had been killed.

Investigators said they had opened a criminal case into the suspected violation of air traffic and air transport rules, resulting in the death of more than two people through negligence. The plane had recently passed a technical safety inspection, Russian news agencies reported, and had been involved in four apparently minor incidents since 2018.

The crash is likely to raise new questions about the viability of continuing to fly such old planes in far-flung corners of Russia at a time when Western sanctions have crimped Moscow's ability to access investment and spare parts.

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It may also prompt other countries that operate the aircraft to review their fleets. North Korea, Kazakhstan, Laos, Cuba, Ethiopia, Myanmar and Zimbabwe operate the An-24, according to the authoritative RussianPlanes web-portal.

Video shot from a helicopter showed pale smoke rising from the crash site in a densely forested hilly area around 15 km (10 miles) from Tynda. There were no roads to the site and a rescue team had to use heavy machinery to cut a path there.

President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to the families of those killed and held a minute's silence at the start of a government meeting.

At least one Chinese citizen was reported to have been on board and Chinese President Xi Jinping sent his condolences to Putin.

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Moscow said it had set up a commission to deal with the aftermath in addition to the criminal and air safety investigations. A representative of Angara said they could not offer any more details.

'FLYING TRACTORS'

Angara is based in the Siberian city of Irkutsk and serves airports in Siberia and Russia's far east. Before Thursday's crash, it operated 10 An-24s built between 1972 and 1976, according to RussianPlanes.

It was one of two Siberian airlines that last year asked the Russian government to extend the service life of the Antonov aircraft, as Russian planemakers scramble to plug the gap left by an exodus of foreign manufacturers.

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Nicknamed "flying tractors" by some, the propeller-driven An-24s are regarded as reliable workhorses inside Russia and are well-suited to Siberia as they are able to operate in sub-zero conditions and don't have to land on runways.

But airline executives, pilots and industry experts say the cost of maintaining the Antonovs - which make up a fraction of Russia's fleet of over 1,000 passenger planes - has increased after Western sanctions against Russia over its war in Ukraine hit investment and access to parts.

Almost 1,340 An-24 planes were built in the Soviet Union. Eighty-eight have now been lost because of crashes and 65 because of serious incidents without casualties, and 75 are currently in operation, according to data from the RussianPlanes web-portal and Reuters analysis.

Their age has long been of concern. Dmitry Medvedev, then president, proposed grounding Russia's An-24 fleet in 2011 after one of them crashed in Siberia, killing seven people.

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Many of the planes are due to be retired from service in the coming years, but mass production of the new Ladoga aircraft, the same class as the An-24, is not due to begin until 2027 at the earliest.

(Reporting by Andrew Osborn, Gleb Stolyarov and Marina Bobrova; Additional reporting by Anton Kolodyazhnyy; Writing by Andrew Osborn and Mark Trevelyan; Editing by Louise Heavens, Frances Kerry, Rachna Uppal and Timothy Heritage)
Russian forces conducted a strike on the city of Cherkasy on the night of 23-24 July, causing fires and injuring seven people, including a child.

Source: Ukraine's Air Force; Cherkasy Mayor Anatolii Bondarenko; Ukrinform; Ihor Taburets, Head of Cherkasy Oblast Military Administration

Details: The Air Force reported that drones had been detected over Cherkasy Oblast and later warned that missiles were heading towards Cherkasy.

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Ukrinform said explosions had been heard in Cherkasy amid the heightened missile threat, along with the sound of air defence systems. The aerial attacks began at around 02:30-02:40. Two powerful explosions were reported in the city's south-west at 04:10.

Disruptions to electricity and internet services were recorded.

Bondarenko asked residents to keep their windows closed and promised to provide further updates later.

Updated: At 05:48 am, Taburets reported that several fires had broken out in the city following the attack. Early reports indicated that six people had been injured.

At 06:13, he wrote that, according to the emergency services, all fires had been extinguished.

At 06:31, Bondarenko reported that seven people had sought medical treatment, including one child.

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Russian forces launched an airstrike on the town of Kostiantynivka in Donetsk Oblast on 24 July, killing two people and injuring 14 others.

Source: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Quote: "Two people were killed and 14 injured in an airstrike on Kostiantynivka.

Five apartment buildings, eight houses, an administrative building, shops and vehicles were damaged."

The aftermath of the Russian attack.

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Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

The aftermath of the Russian attack.

Photo: State Emergency Service of Ukraine

Details: Firefighters extinguished fires at a house, two outbuildings and two garages. The total fire area was 120 sq m.

Emergency workers also retrieved the body of a deceased woman trapped under a fallen tree.

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Jul. 24Ryan Widmer, a Warren County man convicted in the 2008 death of his wife, Sarah, is scheduled to have his first parole hearing at the end of the month.

Widmer was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison in 2011, according to Warren County Common Pleas records.

A hearing scheduled for Wednesday will determine whether he will be released on parole. His expected release date would be Aug. 29, according to Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction records.

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On Aug. 11, 2008, Ryan Widmer reported he found 24-year-old Sarah Widmer drowned in a bathtub at their Hamilton Twp. home.

He claimed she fell asleep in the tub and drowned.

The defense claimed bruising on Sarah Widmer's body was from her husband's attempts to revive her. However, the prosecution claimed Ryan Widmer tried to drown his wife.

Following his first trial in 2009, a jury found Ryan Widmer guilty of murder and not guilty of aggravated murder.

Judge Neal Bronson granted him a new trial, determining experiments conducted by jury members at home violated Widmer's right to a fair trial.

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Jurors reportedly bathed and timed how long it took to dry. When first responders arrived at the Widmer home, only Sarah Widmer's hair was damp with no wet towels or rags found.

A second trial ended with a hung jury in May 2010.

The 12th District Court of Appeals in Middletown has denied two of Ryan Widmer's attempts to appeal.

In September 2012, the appeals court denied claims his trial counsel was ineffective and that his Fourth Amendment rights were violated when investigators seized the bathtub as evidence.

The appeal argued his defense was ineffective because they failed to file a motion to suppress the seizure of the bathtub.

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The tub was seized as evidence two days after his wife's death.

A failure to file a motion to suppress does not constitute ineffective assistance of counsel, the appeals court said.

The court said it was "common sense" in an alleged bathtub drowning that valuable evidence, such as latent fingerprints, could be obtained from a bathtub and that officers were entitled to remove the tub once they saw the fingermarks on it.

In a second decision filed in January 2013, the appeals court rejected claims the prosecution withheld evidence of fraud and misconduct by a lead investigator in the case.

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Jeff Braley, a former lieutenant with the Hamilton Twp. Police Department, reportedly lied on his job application about his educational and employment experience.

He resigned from the department following an investigation into the application.

"There is no reasonable likelihood that knowledge by the jury that Braley lied about various credentials and whether he filled out the 1996 employment application could have affected its decision on the ultimate issue of whether Widmer was guilty of murdering Sarah," the appeals court wrote.

The decision also noted Braley was not the only officer who collected evidence at the scene and other officers testified before the jury.

"Braley was not on trial for fraud or misconduct; Widmer was on trial for murder, and examining this part of Braley's past would only lead to surprise, jury confusion and a waste of time, which are the very reasons for the rule against impeachment on collateral matters," the decision read.
(FOX40.COM)  The Sacramento County Sheriffs Office, North Division, hosted one of five community meetings this month on Wednesday afternoon.

The meeting gave residents a chance to speak directly with law enforcement asking questions and sharing concerns on issues ranging from crime to homelessness.

Representatives from the California Highway Patrol, Sacramento County Animal Services, and Sac County Code Enforcement also joined the conversation.

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Officers took time to respond to questions one-by-one, offering updates and explaining local efforts underway.

Ring app users report unauthorized access to their accounts

Below is a list of North Area meetings scheduled through the end of July:

Thursday, 6 p.m., Family Community Church-6331 Watt Avenue in North Highlands

July 29, 5:30 p.m.: Divine Savior Catholic Church- 9079 Greenback Lane in Orangevale

July 30, 6 p.m.: Sheriffs Community Room- 4510 Orange Grove Avenue in Sacramento

July 31, 6 p.m., American Legion Hall- 6700 8th St. Rio Linda, CA 95673

Image: Sacramento County Sheriffs 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 FOX40 News.
Relations between Thailand and Cambodia have deteriorated over the past week, with the two countries exchanging fire across several disputed border zones on Thursday, 24 July.

The Thai health ministry said 14 civilians and a soldier had been killed in the fighting so far and 46 people wounded. The Cambodian government did not provide any such details but an provincial official in Oddar Meanchey said a civilian had been killed and five wounded.

Tensions have run high between the two countries since a soldier was killed during gunfire in a disputed border area in late May, only to escalate again earlier this week after Thailand accused Cambodia of laying landmines in a disputed territory.

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Both countries attract large numbers of tourists each year, with Cambodias Angkor Wat temple complex and its capital Phnom Penh major draws, while Thailand sees many visitors in cities like Bangkok and Chiang Mai, along with islands such as Phuket and Koh Samui.

While these hotspots are not located near the border clashes, tourists should be aware of the closure of the crossings between the two countries as tensions escalate.

Where have clashes occurred?

Where border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia are taking place (Datawrapper)

Gunfire began early on Thursday morning near the ancient Prasat Ta Moan Thom temple, found along the border between Thailands Surin province and Cambodias Oddar Meanchey. Both sides accused the other of firing the first shots, initiating the attack.

Further clashes were reported near the Prasat Ta Krabey site and along the border separating Cambodias Preah Vihear province and Thailands Ubon Ratchathani.

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Footage in Thailand showed civilians fleeing explosions and seeking shelter in concrete bunkers.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet claimed Thailand had targeted Cambodian military positions in multiple places. One of Thailands six F-16 fighter jets launched an attack, destroying what Thai officials described as a Cambodian military target.

Has the shared border closed?

Thailand has ordered the closure of all the crossings along its 817km border shared with Cambodia, areas of which are undemarcated.

What is the UK government's advice?

In its travel advice for Cambodia, the UKs Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has advised against all but essential travel within 50km from the border with Thailand in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces.

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The FCDO travel advice for Thailand has also been updated to advise against all but essential travel to border areas with Cambodia, specifically within 50km of the border from Cambodia in the provinces of Buriram, Si Saket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani.

There are reports of fighting, including rocket and artillery fire on 24 July between Thailand and Cambodia at several locations along the border, it wrote for both countries.

Casualties have been reported, as well as evacuations of areas close to the border. Land borders/crossings between Thailand and Cambodia have been suspended.

Some tourist destinations in border areas such as the Khao Phra Wihan/Preah Vihear temple, the Ta Kwai/Ta Krabey temple and the Ta Muen Thom/Tamone Thom temple are currently closed.

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There are also unexploded landmines in the border area, the FCDO said. We advise against all but essential travel to the affected border areas.

Separately for Thailand, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of the south, near the Thailand-Malaysia border, including the Pattani Province, Yala Province, Narathiwat Province and southern Songkhla Province  south of the A43 road between Hat Yai and Sakom, and south of the train line which runs between Hat Yai and Padang Besar.

FCDO also advises against all but essential travel on the Hat Yai to Padang Besar train line that runs through these provinces.

Can I cancel my holiday?

As the FCDO has not warned against non-essential travel to Thailand or Cambodia, there will be no special circumstances in place to be able to cancel a trip for a full refund.

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The conditions for cancelling your trip will be dependent on your holiday provider, so its best to contact them if youre looking to postpone.

There is no obligation for companies to refund bookings if you want to cancel, and you will not be able to claim on your travel insurance due to safety concerns unless government advice changes.

Check your insurance policies and speak to your insurer to see where you stand.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
The UKs Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued travel advisories to Thailand and Cambodia after the two countries exchanged rocket and artillery fire across several sights.

Tensions between the two countries have been simmering for months, and in May troops stationed at a contested part of the border exchanged fire resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier. However, this weeks border fighting  including rocket and artillery fire and multiple fatalities  marks a significant and troubling escalation.

Here is everything you need to know about whether it is safe to travel to Thailand and Cambodia, with analysis on where the conflict zones lie in relation to the major tourist sights, what the Foreign Office advises, and what to do if you are in the region or want to cancel an upcoming trip.

What is happening on the Thai-Cambodia border?

The conflict is the latest chapter in a long-standing border dispute around the Preah Vihear temple area, dating back to a map drawn in 1907 during French colonial rule.

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Things escalated in May 2025 when a Cambodian soldier was shot near the contested area of the border. In response, Cambodia suspended fruit, vegetable and gas imports between the two countries and even banned Thai films from being screened in its cinemas.

In a further escalation, in June Thailands army closed the border with Cambodia, and both countries have since stationed troops in the area.

This week, Thailand accused Cambodia of laying landmines in the disputed territory. On July 24, border clashes were reported in six border locations in an area known as the Emerald Triangle where the countries meet Laos. In a further escalation, Thailand bombed two strategic sites in Cambodia with F-16 fighter jets.

According to Thai officials, at least 16 Thai nationals have been killed in Thailand and a further 46 injured following Cambodias artillery shelling. These numbers are expected to rise. The number of fatalities and injuries in Cambodia are as yet unreported. Tens of thousands of civilians have been ordered to evacuate the border areas in both countries.

Credit: Viral Press via Reuters Connect

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Both countries claim the other initiated the latest fighting on the border.

Is this on the backpacker circuit?

The conflict zone is centred around the border in northern Cambodia and eastern Thailand. Conflict sites include the Ta Muen Toch, Ta Muen Thom, Ta Krabei and Preah Vihear temples.

Backpackers (and their parents) should take note that the conflict zone is rarely visited by tourists. As the crow flies, Preah Vihear is approximately 87 miles away from Angkor Wat, a Unesco World Heritage Site in Siem Reap. Bangkok is 280 miles away and Phnom Penh is 190 miles away.

The biggest impact on backpackers is the fact that border posts between the two countries are closed, including at stations far away from the conflict zone, making land crossings impossible for tourists.

What does the Foreign Office advise?

On July 24 the UKs Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) updated its advice to both Thailand and Cambodia, advising against all but essential travel to the contested border area between the two countries.

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The Foreign Office says: There are reports of fighting including rocket and artillery fire on 24 July between Cambodia and Thailand at several locations along the border. Casualties have been reported, as well as evacuations of areas close to the border.

Land borders/crossings between Cambodia and Thailand have been suspended. Some tourist destinations in border areas such as the Preah Vihear/Khao Phra Wihan temple, the Ta Krabey/Ta Kwai temple and the Tamone Thom/Ta Muen Thom temple are currently closed.There are also unexploded landmines in the border area.

The FCDO now advises British holidaymakers to avoid certain areas, unless essential. In Thailand, the FCDO advises against travel within 50km of the border from Cambodia in the provinces of Buriram, Si Saket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani. The Foreign Office also has pre-existing warnings against travel to southern parts of Thailand, near the Malaysian border including the Pattani Province, Yala Province, Narathiwat Province, and the southern Songkhla Province, and south of the train line which runs between Hat Yai and Padang Besar.

In Cambodia, the FCDO advises against all but essential travel within 50km from the border with Thailand in the Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces.

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If you are in the area, or due to travel, keep a close eye on the FCDOs pages on Thailand and Cambodia.

Are things likely to escalate?

This is a possibility. Tita Sanglee, a Thailand-based associate fellow at the ISEASYusof Ishak Institute think tank, says: With Thai soldiers wounded by Cambodian landmines in apparent violation of the Ottawa Treaty, and now with the latest reports of injured Thai civilians and fatalities, the pressure on Thai political as well as military leaders is mounting.

Continued restraint may no longer be viable as it risks escalating a crisis of public trust.

Royal Thai Army soldiers pictured on armoured vehicles on July 24 - AFP

Sanglee added that a number of people in Thailand feel that the government has been too slow and too soft compared to Cambodias swift and tough approach. So, as things stand, I dont see de-escalation coming soon. The real question is how far the fighting might go.

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Malaysias prime minister has urged Cambodia and Thailand to turn to the negotiating table and de-escalate. The least we can expect from them is to just stand down and hopefully to try and enter into negotiations, Anwar Ibrahim told reporters.

Can you still fly between Thailand and Cambodia?

Yes. Airlines continue to fly between Cambodia and Thailand.

What if I want to cancel my trip to the region?

It is understandable that some British holidaymakers and backpackers will be feeling nervous about travelling to Thailand and Cambodia, given the escalation of conflict in the region and the recent Foreign Office advisories.

If you have booked a package holiday or escorted tour to Thailand and/or Cambodia and want to cancel your trip for any reason, contact your tour operator and they might offer flexibility with alternative dates. But bear in mind that, because the Foreign Office has only issued a travel advisory to the border zone which does not typically feature on tour itineraries, there is no guarantee you will receive a refund, nor will you be able to claim money back with your travel insurance company.

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If you have booked flights and accommodation independently, and wish to cancel your holiday, contact your travel providers as soon as possible to see if you can rearrange your plans. Note, however, that given the circumstances, it is unlikely you will receive a full or even partial refund unless you had booked travel in the affected zone.

Backpackers or students considering a gap year in the region should keep a close eye on developments in the coming weeks and months. Booking with a respected tour operator like Trailfinders or Gap360 will ensure support on the ground and rebooking options, were the conflict to escalate.

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(KRON)  Safeway workers held a demonstration outside a Safeway location in Burlingame Wednesday afternoon ahead of a potentially looming strike. The workers, according to the UFCW Union Local 5, are seeking meaningful wage increases, better benefit funding and improvements to working conditions.

San Jose restaurant known for 5-pound Burritozilla to close after 32 years

According to the union, Wednesdays protest saw a huge turnout with workers and their allies fired up and demanding a fair contract. Wednesdays protest in Burlingame followed a similar action last week in Pleasant Hill.

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Earlier this week, KRON4 reached out to a Safeway spokesperson and received the following statement:

We remain committed to productive, good-faith negotiations with the UFCW locals in Northern California. We have scheduled bargaining sessions this week and continue to work with a federal mediator. While we are disappointed that the Unions have indicated the possibility of a strike at some of our stores, we fully respect our associates right to engage in collective bargaining. We are working diligently to balance the needs of our associates and customers, maintain our position as a trusted choice in the market by delivering consistent value, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our business in a highly competitive grocery industry. We are hopeful a resolution will be reached soon, as we have in other parts of the country through successful collaboration with our union partners to secure agreements that recognize and reward our dedicated associates while supporting the companys ongoing growth. Throughout this process, our focus remains on providing exceptional service to our customers and fostering a positive, supportive work environment for our associates across the communities we serve.  A Safeway spokesperson

If no agreement is reached by midnight Friday, up to 25,000 Northern California union Safeway workers could walk off the job Saturday.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Salt Lake City was named Thursday as one of five cities where federal employees who work for the U.S. Department of Agriculture will work, as the department moves most employees out of Washington, D.C.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Thursday that the department wants to move federal employees in her department closer to its customers.

Besides Salt Lake City, the other cities to receive additional federal employees were Raleigh, North Carolina; Kansas City, Missouri; Indianapolis, Indiana; and Fort Collins, Colorado.

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The move is part of a more general reorganization that will see the department significantly reduce its footprint in Washington, according to Rollins announcement.

In a post on X, Rollins said the department is refocusing our core operations to better align with President Lincolns founding mission of supporting American farming, ranching, and forestry, as well as serving American taxpayers.

Here @USDA, we are refocusing our core operations to better align with President Lincolns founding mission of supporting American farming, ranching, and forestry, as well as serving American taxpayers.  Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) July 24, 2025

The restructuring plans do not include layoffs, as 15,364 department employees chose to participate in the deferred resignation plan, Rollins said.

The department believes it will save money through the move because of the lower differentials paid to federal employees in cities like Salt Lake, compared to the cost of living in Washington.

USDA oversees federal forests

Besides overseeing the nations agricultural sector, USDA also oversees the Forest Service and associated federal Forest Service land.

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Utahs two senators, Sen. Mike Lee and Sen. John Curtis, reacted to the announcement on Thursday, which coincided with the state holiday, Pioneer Day.

The people making decisions about how our forests are managed and our food is grown shouldnt be distant bureaucrats, Lee said. I congratulate the Department of Agriculture for decentralizing from Washington and relocating staff to Salt Lake City and other regional hubs. Not only is this a big win for Utahs farmers and ranchers, but also for our land managers as the department moves closer to the people who live, work, and rely upon these lands. I will continue to fight for the Utahns who raise livestock, grow the best food on Earth, and sustain our National Forests.

The people making decisions about how our forests are managed and our food is grown shouldnt be distant bureaucrats.



I congratulate the Department of Agriculture for decentralizing from Washington and relocating staff to Salt Lake City and other regional hubs.



Not only is https://t.co/8E7P7dSMHA  Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) July 24, 2025

Curtis also responded positively to the announcement.

The USDAs decision to refocus on its core mission, supporting farmers, families, and rural communities, is long overdue. Utahns are the best at advocating for and advancing American agriculture. Im proud that the USDA has recognized that strength by choosing Utah as a hub for this renewed mission, he said.
AIs rapid progress is a double-edged sword, the nature of work is being irreversibly changed, ethical alignment is urgent and unresolved, and the cultural response is divided but vital, Sam Altman told popular podcaster Theo Von. Their interview felt like staring into the void, at times, with human purpose in danger of being wiped out by the rapid advance of technology. Altman agreed with almost all the doubts that Von raised, but offered a hopeful vision. Still, he said, childrens and everyones digital well-being will require attention going forward.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI and one of the most influential voices in artificial intelligence, sat down with comedian Theo Von for an expansive, in-depth conversation on a new episode of Vons tremendously popular podcast, This Past Weekend. Their hour-and-a-half dialogue, recorded at OpenAIs headquarters in San Francisco, traversed the urgent race to develop more powerful AI, the destabilizing impact of automation on the workforce, the hopes and fears animating Silicon Valley, and Altmans personal anxieties about the tech shaping our world.

From the jump, Von pressed Altman on the breakneck pace of AI development. Do you think there should be kind of like a slowing things down? Von asked, adding, Thats one of the reasons I get scared sometimes to use certain AI stuff, because I dont know how much personal information I want to put in, because I dont know whos going to have it.

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Altman compared the current climate among leading AI companies to an intense racenot just for commercial dominance, but because the values guiding todays development will echo for generations. He said if OpenAI does not move quickly, someone else will, and the fate of AI could slip out of the hands of those most mindful about its social consequences.

Altman acknowledged how uncertain the future feels, both for those building these systems and for the broader society swept up in their wake. I think all of human history suggests we find a way to put ourselves at the center of the story and feel really good about it  Even in a world where AI is doing all of this stuff that humans used to do, we are going to find a way in our own telling of the story to feel like the main characters.

Neither Altman nor Von addressed the fact that AI might relegate humans to supporting characters, as many thought leaders warn of AIs ability to endanger human life. Still, Altman said he thinks humans will continue to be the main characters going forward, in an important sense.

The reinvention of work and value

Von also asked whether people should be worried their jobs could be rendered obsolete by AI. How will people survive? he asked.

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Altman argued AI will create possibilities for individuals to pursue more creative, philosophical, or interpersonal goals, but Von pushed back: One of the big fears is like purpose, right? Like human purpose. Like work gives us purpose  If AI is to really continue to advance so quickly, it feels like our sense of purpose would start to really disappear.

Altman said when everyone has the kind of access to instant expertise that AI enables, humans can remake the idea of what it means to contribute to society, though he cautioned the transition will be deeply unsettling for those whose livelihoods are displaced in the near term.

For this story, Fortune used generative AI to help with an initial draft. An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Sam Altman says it's dopamine-drip social feeds, not AI, that's rewiring kids' minds.

The OpenAI chief said kids will do fine in the age of AI as compared to their parents.

"When there's new technology, people that grow up with it, they're always fluent," Altman said.

Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, is worried the kids won't be alright.

Altman was speaking to podcaster Theo Von in an interview that aired Wednesday when he was asked how parents could prepare their children for the AI age.

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Altman said what really worried him was the psychological impact addictive social media platforms could have on children.

"I do have worries about kids in technology. I think this short video feed dopamine hit, it feels like it's probably messing with kids' brain development in a super deep way," he said.

Representatives for Altman did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider.

Altman said in his interview with Von that when it comes to AI, he was more concerned about how the older generation would adapt to it.

The younger generation, meanwhile, "will be fine," Altman said.

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"If you look at the history of the world here, when there's new technology, people that grow up with it, they're always fluent. They always figure out what to do. They always learn the new kind of jobs," Altman said.

"But if you're a 50-year-old and you have to learn to do things in a very different way, that doesn't always work," he added.

But that's not to say that AI won't have an impact on youths.

On Tuesday, Altman said at a Federal Reserve banking event that young people were over-relying on ChatGPT for decision-making.

"Even if ChatGPT gives way better advice than any human therapist, something about collectively deciding we're going to live our lives the way AI tells us feels bad and dangerous," Altman said.

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Altman isn't the only one who has talked about the dangers posed by social media platforms to children.

Jonathan Haidt, a professor at the NYU Stern School of Business, told BI in January that social media apps were "severely damaging children in the Western world." Haidt is best known for his book "The Anxious Generation" where he argued that social media and smartphones were affecting the attention spans of young people.

"The decimation of human attention around the world might even be a bigger cost to humanity than the mental health and mental illness epidemic," Haidt said.

Read the original article on Business Insider
SAN ANGELO, Texas (KXAN)  Massive rainfall and floodwaters tore through the Texas Hill Country on July 4, taking over 135 lives, destroying homes, and, amid the chaos, causing a 1.6 million-gallon sewage spill near San Angelo.

The 15 inches of rain that fell around San Angelo on Independence Day overwhelmed and damaged part of the citys wastewater system, causing the sewage to discharge into the Concho River, which connects to the Colorado River and ultimately reaches Central Texas and Austin.

San Angelo also had a smaller 67,000-gallon spill caused by the floods on July 4. The San Angelo incidents were the only significant wastewater spills caused by floods reported to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality over the Independence Day weekend. Utilities are required to notify the TCEQ of those spills.

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Risk from this discharge was greatly minimized due to the floodwater dilution and extremely high river flow, said City of San Angelo spokesperson Lorelei Day.

Kerr County official: Flood was 500+ year tsunami

Aside from San Angelos wastewater spill, Natalie Exum, assistant professor of environmental health and engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said the extreme Central Texas flooding raises concerns about what other contaminants the storm could have pushed into the river. Fuels or other hazardous chemicals, for example, could have gotten mixed into the water, she said.

After flooding and sewage overflow, acute gastrointestinal episodes are a common problem. Generally, utilities should be able to treat and remove contaminants, and people getting their drinking water piped from a regulated water treatment facility are going to be fine.

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What other things are in these spills that are going to be potentially harmful to health? she said, speaking broadly about potential contamination across Central Texas that hasnt been reported.

Were highly contaminated sites potentially washed out, she asked, and to what extent would agencies test water to find out?

Routine testing

Relevant agencies contacted by KXAN did not indicate there has been additional testing  beyond what is already required and typically done  to determine exactly how flood waters may have contaminated rivers and lakes.

Scott McWilliams, general manager of the Upper Colorado River Authority, said he was aware of the sewage spill. With the amount of rain the area received, theres nothing thats designed to handle that kind of volume of water coming down, he said.

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The UCRA oversees the Concho and Colorado River watershed surrounding San Angelo. Both those rivers flow into Lake O.H. Ivie. From there, the Colorado River runs through multiple counties to Central Texas and the Highland Lakes.

About 85,000 acre-feet of storm water flowed into O.H. Ivie from the storm. The sewage spill was about five acre-feet, McWilliams said. That means less than .006% of the storm water in the lake was from the spill, he said. You can see O.H. Ivies lake level changes here.

Independence Day floods among Texas most devastating natural disasters

At that small a percentage, youd never be able to do any testing that you would notice it, McWilliams said. He said TCEQs Region 8 team oversees environmental regulation of that area. In terms of water testing, McWilliams said his office would stick to its quarterly water quality testing conducted at 48 sites on the Concho, its tributaries, and the Colorado River above OH Ivie. UCRA would also soon begin aquatic life monitoring  all part of its work on the Clean Rivers Program of Texas.

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We do standard chemical testing with phosphorus, and we do E. coli testing for bacteria, not at every single site, but at most of the sites, McWilliams said.

UCRA is not testing for hazardous chemicals in this case, he said. The agencys standard testing would likely indicate if something major is amiss. For example, if the pH levels or salinity drastically changed, that could prompt further investigation.

LCRA flood response

The Lower Colorado River Authority  a vastly larger agency than the UCRA  regulates the lower section of the Colorado River and its tributaries through Central Texas.

LCRA routinely monitors water quality throughout the lower Colorado River basin. As of July 23, the water quality is generally good, said LCRA spokesperson Clara Tuma. Bacteria levels typically go up after floods and remain there for at least two weeks, depending on storm severity, she said.

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LCRA does not conduct water quality tests immediately after a flood because the results would be good only for the specific location at the time the test was conducted, Tuma said by email. With rapidly changing conditions, the results would be outdated quickly and would not be helpful in making decisions about whether to enter the water.

Regarding hazardous chemicals and pollutants, she said retail water utilities would test for those and remove them before providing water to users.

Similar to the LCRA, a spokesperson for the TCEQ said the agency does not typically sample flood waters because we presume that the waters would be contaminated.

TCEQ pointed to its fact sheet, saying flooding can take bacteria, nutrients, oil and grease, and other contaminants into waterways. Floodwaters pose various risks, including infections, physical injuries from displaced objects and exposure to chemical hazards.

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The LCRAs water quality testing data is available online, and KXAN has requested the latest data from the River Authority.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  According to court records in Tom Green County, the San Angelo Police Department (SAPD) has booked a man from Bronte for indecency with a child through sexual contact on July 24.

SAPD launches homicide investigation after a death of a teen

The court records show that on July 21, 2025, 19-year-old Billy Ray Samaniego engaged in sexual contact with a minor.

The investigator reviewed a SAPD forensic interview with the outcry witness and interviewed the victim. The investigator then lastly reviewed security footage from the offense location.

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Samaniego was arrested on July 24 on a charge of indecency with a child through sexual contact. At the time of the publication of this article, Samaniego remains in jail with a bond of $150,000.00.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  Although rainfall in San Angelo is 7 inches above average, it is always important to conserve water in West Texas.

Well, the number one tip is to turn off your automatic sprinkler, said Allison Schwarz, the Tom Green County Extension Agent. If you have an automatic system that is programmed to run a certain schedule, just turn it off when we get a big rain like that.

Schwarz suggests using drip sprinklers that are lower to the ground. In addition to less evaporation, the slow drip gets water to roots in clay soil and helps plants and landscaping during the summer months.

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When you turn it back on, it depends on what youre growing. At least turn it off for a week or so if your plants are well established at least a week, Schwarz said.

To learn more about water conservation and drought-resistant plants, Tom Green County 4-H Center on Hwy 67 is offering a free seminar on Thursday, July 24 at 6 p.m.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  A man suspected in 17 residential burglaries in San Francisco has been charged by the District Attorneys Office, DA Brooke Jenkins announced Thursday. Gaspar Dzul-Canul, 28, allegedly stole several expensive bicycles, along with a vehicle, and caused thousands of dollars in damages during the crime spree.

Three initial cases charged against Dzul-Canul were in connection with residential burglaries that occurred in the Richmond District on May 22 and May 28, the DAs office said. He pleaded not guilty to the unlawful taking of a vehicle and three counts of first-degree residential burglary.

After the arraignment, prosecutors said the San Francisco Police Department tied Dzul-Canul to an additional 14 residential burglaries.

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Stolen Porsches lead to 3 Bay Area identity theft ring arrests

In one burglary, Dzul-Canul allegedly stole bicycles from a closed garage after he drilled holes into the garage door and used a long antenna-type tool to release the emergency latch. In two other burglaries that occurred overnight on February 2, he allegedly stole two bicycles worth $14,000 and caused $6,000 in damage to the garage doors.

Overnight on May 11, prosecutors said Dzul-Canul stole two bicycles valued at $7,200 from another home.

Dzul-Canul is next scheduled to appear in court on July 29 for his cases.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Time is of the essence for the aging Shelby Street footbridge.

The city aims to complete the demolition and replacement of the decades-old pedestrian bridge over the Santa Fe River before the legislative session in January  or, officials say, the city could face the threat of losing out on state capital outlay for future infrastructure projects.

But because of the stone-lined bridges historic status  with the original dating to the 1930s and the current version built in 1968  the Santa Fe Historic Districts Review Board is requiring a rebuild that closely matches the current bridge and uses real stone for a veneer. Building in compliance with historic district standards often can be more costly and labor-intensive than other methods.

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The Shelby Street footbridge has been off-limits since 2022 due to safety concerns. The city was allocated $500,000 in legislative capital outlay during the past two legislative sessions for the bridges replacement. While there is not yet a cost estimate for the project, Public Works Director Regina Wheeler believes it could cost around $900,000 more  which the city would have to cover.

Wheeler told the City Council at a July 9 meeting she didnt know exactly how much cost the use of real stone would add to the project but described the requirement as expensive and cumbersome.

The city received $250,000 from the Legislature during the 2025 session for the project and is planning to come before the City Council in August to request the rest of the funding needed, she said.

We really need to have that bridge installed by the time the legislative session starts, she added.

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Those involved with the project, such as preservation consultant Nicole Ramirez Thomas, worry if the city doesnt complete the project by December  and spend the state allocations  state lawmakers might think twice about whether to give Santa Fe additional capital outlay.

Were in a pinch a little bit here, Ramirez Thomas told members of the Historic Districts Review Board during a recent meeting.

The city received $18.36 million of the $32.1 million it had requested from the Legislature in the session held earlier this year, about the same amount it received in 2024.

However, there have been calls in the Legislature for changes to the capital outlay allocation process and more discretion in how the funds are divvied as the state wrangles with an increasing backlog of projects  with some $6 billion in unspent funds. Meanwhile, construction costs continue to rise.

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071525_MS_Shelby Street Footbridge_002.JPG

The Shelby Street footbridge remains closed July 15. The team rebuilding the bridge will attempt to reuse the bridge's stone that is not broken in the demolition process, with members of the public attending a meeting on the project saying they hope the new bridge resembles the current one.

The city has also faced delays in accessing its state funds for projects in recent years because of overdue financial audits. The problem was resolved last year.

Character and charm

City staff presented the Historic Districts Review Board with two design options for the Shelby Street bridge replacement, one made of black metal and the other that would emulate the current bridge with a stone veneer. The board gave the bridge contributing historic status at the meeting, requiring a new bridge to match the old one as closely as possible, using real stone.

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Ramirez Thomas had presented a request for the board to find the bridge noncontributing. She argued giving it contributing status would create a false sense of history by trying to emulate the construction along the Santa Fe River Park by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

The new bridge will be 6 feet wide with 4-foot-tall handrails, complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act, which requires a pedestrian bridge to be a minimum of 4 feet wide. It will feature a stone veneer, according to Parks and Open Space Division Director Melissa McDonald.

The project team will attempt to reuse the bridges stone that is not broken in the demolition process, McDonald said.

The proportions, the color, the materials  all of that becomes really important when its contributing, McDonald said. When its not contributing, you can choose whether or not you want to use something like imitative stone.

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Members of the public attending the meeting echoed the boards wishes for a new bridge that resembles the current one.

So much of our charm has been lost to cold, repetitive buildings that look as though they could be designed by somebody with no imagination and really no understanding of Santa Fe style, resident John Penn LaFarge said. But this bridge, small though it may be, does have a great deal of character and charm.

Worth millions

The next steps of the project include completing the bridge design and getting a cost estimate for the project, securing the remaining funds needed and finding a contractor to carry out the demolition, install the manufactured base of the bridge  which will take 12 to 16 weeks  and add the stone veneer, Wheeler said.

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The money for the bridge from the 2024 legislative session is funding the design process, she added.

071525_MS_Shelby Street Footbridge_003.JPG

The Shelby Street footbridge remains closed July 15.

The city does not yet have a grant agreement for money allocated during the 2025 legislative session.

Once there is a cost estimate for the project, the city staff will approach city leaders for an appropriation to fill in the gaps, Wheeler said.

Getting that bridge done is worth millions of dollars to the city, because legislators have the power of the purse, Wheeler said. ... They have appropriations that they can give to the city or not, depending on if they feel like were being good stewards of our infrastructure and our funds.

Staff writer Carina Julig contributed to this report.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The Tom Green County arrest records show that a 19-year-old woman from San Angelo was arrested for the sexual assault of a minor on June 24.

San Angelo PD arrested Bronte man for sexual contact with minor

Lizzette San Agustin was arrested under suspicion of being in a relationship and engaging in sexual activity with a minor. The affidavit, filed in Tom Green County, alleged that she also had videos implicating the acts on her cell phone.

A formal complaint was filed by a relative of the minor, which was then picked up by the San Angelo Police Department. The investigators interviewed other relatives, and a search warrant was issued, with both parties devices under suspicion of containing child pornography.

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San Agustin is currently being held with a bond of $100,000 and was booked in the Tom Green County Detention Center on July 23 with a charge of sexual assault of a child.

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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The San Angelo Police Department (SAPD) held a press conference regarding an ongoing homicide investigation about a 19-year-old San Angelo resident.

RECAP: SAPD holds homicide investigation press conference

Police Chief Travis Griffith spoke at the press conference to inform the public about this investigation. SAPD has confirmed the individual who died as 19-year-old Joe Angel Martinez III.

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July 23, 2025, about 10 p.m. our officers were dispatched to the area of Roosevelt Street and Rio Concho Drive, in the east part of town, in regard to a car accident, said Griffith.

Griffith said when officers arrived, they found a male subject who was suffering from a gunshot wound.

Which caught us off guard because we initially thought it was an accident, said Griffith.

Martinez was transported to Shannon Medical Center, where he was pronounced as deceased.

Griffith said this is still an open investigation and for anyone with any information about it to contact Crime Stoppers. SAPD believes this wasnt a random act of violence and that there are connections to the suspects. Griffith said the public should not have any major concerns about problems outside of that neighborhood.

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Theres no external concerns about problems outside of that neighborhood and theres a connection, said Griffith.

Griffith reminded everyone that San Angelo has lost a citizen and to pray for the victims family in this time.

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JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Special elections are on the horizon for Mississippi residents. For absentee voters, there are some dates that you will need to know ahead of the Special Primary Election on Tuesday, August 5.

In-person absentee voting begins for Mississippi residents on Saturday, July 26. The Circuit Clerks offices will be open this day from 8:00 a.m. until noon. The last day to vote in-person absentee is Saturday, August 2.

Mississippi sets four special elections for November 4

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For residents that wish to mail in their ballot, it must be postmarked by Tuesday, August 5.

For non-registered UOCAVA voters to vote in the Special Primary Election, Circuit Clerks Offices must be in actual receipt of a completed Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) from a UOCAVA voter by Saturday, July 26. For more information regarding how to cast a UOCAVA ballot, please contact your local election officials or email UOCAVA@sos.ms.gov.

July 26  Saturday In-Person Absentee Voting Begins for the Special Primary Election

August 2  In-Person Absentee Voting Deadline for the Special Primary Election

August 5  Special Primary Election Day Deadline for the postmark of mail-in absentee ballots



To check for races in your area or to track your mail-in absentee ballot, visit the My Election Day portal. For any questions about absentee ballots, visit the Absentee Voting Information webpage.

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SAUCED Night Market is making its return to Milwaukee this weekend.

Founded in 2014, the "roving night market" will be at The Cooerprage on July 25-26. Attendees can shop from dozens vendors while listening to music from DJ Dudley Noon and grabbing drinks from the bar or Dancing Goat Distillery.

SAUCED is thrilled to return to Milwaukee with a lineup of vendors representing the best artists, makers, and small business owners in the Midwest, Sarah Freeman, SAUCED Night Market founder, said in a July 2 statement.

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Aside from Milwaukee, the traveling night market also has stops planned in Chicago on Aug. 15-16, as well as Madison on Sept. 12.

Here's what to know:

When is SAUCED Night Market?

SAUCED Night Market will be in Milwaukee on July 25-26. The market will be open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on both days.

Where is SAUCED Night Market?

The market will be at The Cooerprage, at 822 S. Water St.

How much is admission to SAUCED Night Market?

Admission is free and open to all ages, but you do have to RSVP online.

To RSVP, you can visit https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/saucedmarket/milwaukee-summer-night-market.

SAUCED Night Market vendors:

Peach Beast at SAUCED Night Market

More than 30 vendors are slated to set up shop at the market, including:

Alma the Label

Back Alley Cat Goods

Beauty from the Root

Collective Harmony

Daily Digs Vintage

Dog Goods for Good Dogs

Field

Jans Journeys Vintage

Kismet Chains: Permanent & Clasp Jewelry

Neutral Ground Clay Co

Nomadic Ant

Onus Art Projects

Simply Lush Studio

Thrift-Tee

Virginia Day Studio

To find a full list of vendors, you can visit saucedmarket.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: SAUCED Night Market 2025 in Milwaukee: Tickets, vendors, location
Saudi Arabia has said it will invest approximately $3bn in real estate and infrastructure projects in Syria, the latest economic lifeline to help usher in a new chapter in the nation, devastated by a nearly 14-year civil war.

The $2.9bn investment is part of a broader $6.4bn in deals, Investment Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Thursday at a conference in Damascus.

Saudi Arabia has been a major backer of the new Syrian government, which seized power after rebels toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad last December.

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On Wednesday, a delegation of some 150 investors and representatives from Saudi public and private sectors, led by al-Falih, attended meetings in the capital before a business forum in the city.

On Tuesday, the Saudi Ministry of Investment had said the Damascus forum aims to explore cooperation opportunities and sign agreements that enhance sustainable development and serve the interests of the two brotherly peoples.

Earlier this year, Saudi Arabia and Qatar also pledged to settle Syrias debt to the World Bank, totalling about $15m.

Earlier this month, United States President Donald Trump formalised the dismantling of US sanctions on Syria, hoping to reintegrate the country into the global economy. He had already lifted most of the measures in May, responding to appeals from Saudi Arabia and Turkiye.





Al-Sharaa, a former fighter, also visited Riyadh in February in his first trip abroad since al-Assads ouster.

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Despite vows to unify the country, the new government has struggled to maintain order, with deadly clashes involving minority groups raising questions about Syrias stability.

Bloody violence in Suwayda province started earlier this month with clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin tribes, but soon escalated, with Israel later intervening with air attacks.

Last week, Israel launched several air raids in the heart of Damascus.

The attacks on the capital came amid unrest in Suwayda, where the local Bedouin tribes were engaged in fierce clashes with the Druze minority, whom Israel views as a potential ally in Syria and claims to be intervening to protect.

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Damascus deployed its forces to the city and declared a ceasefire, but the fighting quickly resumed.

The US then brokered an Israel-Syria ceasefire, and al-Sharaa announced a new ceasefire in southern Syria, which has held now for several days.

The Syrian government evacuated hundreds of Bedouin families trapped inside Suwayda. The first Bedouin families left on Monday on buses and trucks, accompanied by Syrian Arab Red Crescent vehicles and ambulances. They were taken to nearby Deraa.




SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  An assistant principal from an Upstate school district and her family are headed home after being rescued from violent conflict in Syria.

The rescue was carried out by Grey Bull Rescue  A U.S. Veteran-led nonprofit specializing in high-risk humanitarian operations.

Rescue leaders said Lyman Elementary Assistant Principal Desiree Gomez and her family are now safe.

Spartanburg District Five Superintendent Dr. Randall Gary praised Gomez as an educator and valued member of the school community.

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[Shes] more than just an assistant principal, shes an outstanding person and shes a part of our D5 family, Dr. Gary said.

Dr. Gary shared how deeply her colleagues feel her absence, and how eager they are to welcome her back inside those school walls.

Its been a challenge, not more so for anyone else in the family  no doubt about it, but were excited about her safe return, Dr. Gary said.

Grey Bulls founder, Bryan Stern, said Gomez should be preparing lesson plans, not running for her life.

He risked his life to rescue Gomez, her husband, and their baby girl.

Im on the Jordanian side of the Syrian border, Stern explained in a video shared with 7NEWS. We are doing Operation: Graham Cracker for three Americans from South Carolina.

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The family was visiting relatives in the Middle East when they became trapped earlier this month  as reports say the region was overrun by violent terror groups.

Fighting broke out, Stern explained. They were just south of As Suwayda  what you see on TV where theyre shooting and killing everything in the streets. Just yesterday it was confirmed that a family from Oklahoma was executed by the Bedouin tribes. They were put on their knees and 10 guys hosed them down with machine guns fire just like that.

While other families werent as fortunate, Stern said it was his mission to bring home the beloved Gomez, her husband and their nearly 18-month-old child home safely.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD)  South Carolina Task Force 1 has returned home after two weeks of working in flood-impacted areas of Texas.

The team of five, along with their two human remains detection K-9s, returned to the South Carolina State Fire campus on Wednesday.

They worked to support search and rescue efforts along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, along with teams from Oklahoma and Colorado.

According to SC State Fire, the team members came from various first responder agencies, including Greenville County EMS, Lexington County Fire Service, SC State Fire, and SC Foothills Search & Rescue.

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Governor Henry McMaster deployed the teams around July 8 to help with response and recovery efforts at the request of Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

Team South Carolina stands ready to offer any support we can, said Gov. McMaster when announcing the deployment earlier this month. In some of our toughest moments, the people of Texas were there for us. Now, its our duty to return that support and stand by our friends in their time of need.

Texas sent teams and resources to South Carolina to assist in the wake of Hurricane Halene last year.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A Scappoose woman who is accused of committing multiple child sex crimes turned herself in, authorities said.

Carter Pace, 20, was indicted by a Columbia County grand jury on July 15 for eight counts of first-degree encouraging child sex abuse. She has since surrendered to the Columbia County Jail, the City of Scappoose announced.

Plane crashes in field near Astoria airport

The indictment comes after an investigation carried out by the Scappoose Police Department. An officer with the Internet Crimes Against Children task force received information alleging that Pace had digital child sexual abuse material in her possession.

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Scappoose officers immediately initiated an investigation which resulted in a search warrant being executed at the residence on Oct 17, 2024, the City of Scappoose said. Multiple items of evidence were seized during the search. Officers continued their investigation and obtained an additional search warrant authorizing the analysis of digital devices that were seized.

The result of the investigation was turned over to the Columbia County District Attorneys Office, which then presented the information to the grand jury, officials said.

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Australia's southern right whale population took a heavy hit from whaling in the 1800s, but showed signs of recovering starting in the 1970s. However, a new study shows that their numbers are once again dropping due to human activities and rising global temperatures.

What's happening?

Researchers from the University of Tasmania reported that when whaling of the species was banned, only a few hundred individuals survived worldwide. And while they've made a comeback in the past 50 years, the team observed that their numbers are declining, even below pre-whaling levels, according to a university news release.

Anne Grundlehner, a postgraduate researcher of biological sciences at UTas and lead author of the study, which was published in Global Change Biology, said that "The southwest coast of Australia hosts one of the world's few southern right whale populations that appeared to recover well after whaling." But after noticing declining birth rates in southern right whales in other areas, the team knew it was important to see how Australia's population was faring.

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"We analyzed 49 years of aerial survey data from 1976 to 2024 stretching across more than 2,000 kilometers of coastline, available from long-term monitoring efforts initiated by the late John Bannister," she explained. "And we were very concerned to find not only slowed growth in births in this population, but an actual halt and what looks like the onset of a decline."

Why are declining southern right whale populations concerning?

Every year, southern right whales migrate to the coastal waters of Australia, New Zealand, South America, and South Africa in search of a safe place for females to give birth and nurse their calves.

Starting in 2016, the researchers observed a decline in birth rates and a decrease in the number of whales visiting the Australian coast. Since the species is listed as endangered, researchers say that finding the cause of its declining numbers will help inform conservation efforts.

Grundlehner noted that the warming climate and human activities are likely making the ecosystems less healthy and able to support large whale populations.

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Protecting southern right whales is crucial for maintaining healthy marine ecosystems, as these animals act as "ecosystem engineers" by redistributing nutrients and supporting a healthy food web, according to Greenpeace.

According to the nonprofit Whale and Dolphin Conservation, the gentle giants also benefit humans, as they provide essential nutrients that phytoplankton require. These microscopic plants produce at least half of the oxygen humans need for survival and store 33 to 55 billion tons of carbon each year, according to a study published in Photosynthesis Research.

What's being done to save the whales?

Scientists noted that further research into the causes of the drastic population decline will highlight the path forward to protect the remaining whales. However, the team acknowledged that even if their numbers increase for a time, that doesn't necessarily guarantee a full recovery. But off the coast of Massachusetts, right whale populations are doing much better, a promising sign for whales elsewhere.

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.

A federal appeals court in Massachusetts reinstituted lobster fishing limits, which means whales are much less likely to become entangled in buoy lines, which can injure or kill them. The first right whale calf recently gave birth off the Massachusetts coast, and 98 individuals have been spotted after returning from their winter migration.

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If you'd like to support conservation efforts, consider donating to wildlife organizations and nonprofits. Using less plastic and doing our best to reduce planet-warming pollution can also go a long way in protecting whales.

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.
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  Motorists could soon have to drive a little slower on a little longer stretch of S.D. Highway 11 south of Sioux Falls.

The South Dakota Transportation Commission on Thursday decided to reduce the speed limit to 55 mph between 69th Street and 270th Street in Lincoln County.

$3.2 million home in D.C. for USD student interns

That area, which covers about nine-tenths of a mile, currently is 65 mph.

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The change came after the state Department of Transportation received a request from Jenny Albers. She lives in the unincorporated community of Shindler along SD 11.

Albers had wanted the 55 mph zone to extend an additional mile farther south to 271st Street, but DOT officials concluded that wasnt necessary.

DOT received five other letters of support for the change, including a suggestion that the 55 mph zone continue all the way south to the intersection with U.S. Highway 18 that goes through Canton.

In preparation, DOT conducted speed tests at 270th and 271st. Traffic flowed through both spots at 62 to 63 mph, suggesting that the speed limit should be 60 or 65. But both areas have many approaches along SD 11, and the 270th area had a high crash rate. However, there wasnt a high crash rate for the 271st area, which has a four-way stop.

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All of that led DOT to recommend the 55 mph zone extend only to 270th Street. The commission voted 6-2 to follow that recommendation.

One of the nays came from Mike Vehle of Mitchell, who said he could see how 65 mph could be a safety problem in an area that is gaining population and has a lot of approaches. People want to build along a highway, he said.

The other nay was Jafar Karim of Rapid City. He raised a question about traffic speeding up to 65 mph for the mile between 270th Street and the four-way stop at 271st Street.

Karla Engle, an attorney for DOT, said the departments regional and state traffic engineers were concerned that motorists wouldnt comply with the 55 mph limit between 270th and 271st and that could affect safety.

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The final decision will be up to the Legislatures Rules Review Committee. The panels next meeting starts at 10 a.m. CT on Tuesday, August 19, at the state Capitol in Pierre.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A Fort Thompson woman will have to pay back thousands of dollars after pleading guilty to embezzling from the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe.

A judge sentenced 35-year-old Mariah Sazue to 3 months behind bars, followed by 2 years of supervision. She will also have to pay over 44-thousand dollars in restitution.

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Sazue worked as the Human Resource Director for the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe from June 2022 to May of last year.

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Starting in December 2022, she submitted timesheets with forged signatures and inflated overtime hours.

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GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  The NCDHHS has shared a timeline for their actions against a home offering unlicensed care after a man went missing.

Police have been searching for Larry Darnell Burton, 74, for over three weeks since he reportedly left what his family believed was a care home on Moody Street in Greensboro. The NCDHHS has said that this facility was operating without proper licensure and has now been shut down.

Timeline

July 2: Burton was last seen around 10:30 p.m. He had also reportedly FaceTimed with his daughter earlier that day.

July 3: Police are called around 7:15 a.m. about Burton being missing.

July 9: The Division of Health Service Regulation Adult Care Licensure Section performed a complaint inspection at the Moody Street home, noting that there were six people in the house and that the operator was providing adult care services without a license, and confirmed that Burton was the seventh person in the home, also receiving care.

July 10: DSHR ordered the operator to cease all operations.

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Guilford County DSS conducted a follow-up visit and confirmed to the DHSR that the four people in the home who were being cared for have moved out of the home and no one else in the home is receiving care that requires a license.

Unlicensed Greensboro care facility man disappeared from shut down

In a letter obtained by FOX8, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services formally urged the Guilford County District Attorneys Office to pursue criminal prosecution against the facility for operating without a license and neglecting Burton.

Meanwhile, Burtons daughter and grandsons, as well as GPD, continue to look for him. On Thursday, police confirmed their ATV and K9 units have continued to look for him.

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We continue to ask residents in that surrounding area to please monitor doorbell camera footage and to check properties, police told FOX8.

If you believe you know anything about Burtons whereabouts, call the Greensboro Police Department immediately.

Burton is 59, weighs about 160 pounds and has gray hair and hazel eyes. Burton was last seen wearing a teal-collared shirt with blue jeans. His direction of travel from Moody Street was unknown at the time of his disappearance.

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DES MOINES, Iowa  The search for a suspect accused of a robbing a bank in Des Moines on Thursday continues.

2 life flighted to Des Moines hospitals after head-on crash in Carroll County

At around noon the Des Moines Police Department was called to the US Bank at 2401 University Avenue for a report of a robbery. According to the DMPD, the suspect was armed with a gun, but no injuries occurred.

The suspect fled from the bank on foot.

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No additional information has been released.

Metro news

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A Seattle woman has sued the Navy Blue Angels, claiming its military jets traumatized her dying cat.

The Navys flight demonstration squadron, made up of 140 active-duty Sailors and Marines, has been performing shows across the country since 1946. They have a show scheduled in Seattle in early August.

A lawsuit filed by Lauren Ann Lombardi on Monday claimed the Blue Angels annual airshows over Seattle in August 2023 and 2024 put her cat Layla, who suffered from congestive heart disease, under extreme distress, local outlet KIRO 7 first reported.

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Lombardi claimed the sound of the squadrons low-flying fighter jets caused Layla to have panic attacks and dangerously elevated her heart rate. She was put down in August 2024.

Laylas final days on Earth were marred by sadistic suffering  cowering in terror beneath furniture while her ailing heart struggled against the Blue Angelss relentless noise pollution. Layla died knowing only fear when she should have known only love, the lawsuit read.

A lawsuit filed by Lauren Ann Lombardi on Monday claimed the Blue Angels annual airshows over Seattle in August 2023 and 2024 put her cat Layla under extreme distress (Lauren Ann Lombardi)

The lawsuit was filed against Commander Adam Bryan, the commanding officer of the Blue Angels; Lieutenant Ben Bushong, public affairs officer of the Blue Angels, and an unnamed social media administrator of the Blue Angels.

When the The Independent reached out to the Blue Angels, a representative said it does not comment on pending litigation.

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Lombardi also claimed she was censored when she tried to voice her opposition to the airshows on Instagram.

She had written online criticisms of the Blue Angels, which included profane language, and she also shared a petition titled, We All Want to Feel Safe: No More Blue Angels Over Seattle.

The Navys Blue Angels flight demonstration squadron has been performing shows across the country since 1946 (Getty)

Lombardi said her account was blocked by the official Blue Angeles Instagram account following these online criticisms.

She was prevented from commenting, receiving information, or participating in public discussions on the page, the lawsuit said, claiming it violated her First Amendment rights.

The lawsuit seeks to have her account unblocked and prohibit the Blue Angels from blocking other accounts on the basis of viewpoint.

Lombardi is also asking for the defendants to complete training on the importance of the First Amendment.
A Kentucky State Police trooper is facing his second lawsuit in less than a month after a man claims the trooper filed baseless charges after arresting him for obstructing governmental operations.

The lawsuit, filed July 17, accuses Trooper Myron Jackson of violating the Constitutional rights of Nicholas Ngeh and malicious prosecution in connection with a May 2024 traffic stop.

The lawsuit comes less than a month after a Franklin County woman sued Jackson, claiming he illegally filmed her after arresting her during a traffic stop in July 2024.

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Sherry Bray, spokesperson for KSP, said Jackson was disciplined for violating the state police code of conduct for filming the traffic stop. Bray said the department is reviewing the latest complaint.

The incident began when Jackson pulled over Ngeh on May 1, 2024, while Ngeh was delivering food in Frankfort. Jackson said Ngeh had failed to signal when he went into a turn lane.

During the interaction, Ngeh became quiet as he gathered his identification, registration and insurance.

Jackson asked Ngeh where he was coming from, and Ngeh declined to answer questions, according to the lawsuit.

When Ngheh turned over the documents, Jackson demanded he exit the car. Ngeh had not threatened violence or interfered with the traffic stop, according to the lawsuit.

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Jackson opened the car door and pulled Ngeh out of the seat, according to the lawsuit. The vehicle was not in park, and it began to move forward.

If I tell you to do something, you do it, Jackson said to Ngeh, according to the suit. Jackson also asked Ngeh if he was trying to go to jail tonight.

When Jackson asked Ngeh for his address, Ngeh told him it was on his ID. Jackson then arrested Ngeh for obstructing governmental operations, according to the lawsuit.

Jackson wrote in Ngehs citation that he had asked Ngeh to get out of the car because he was concerned he was intoxicated, but Jackson did not perform field sobriety or breathalyzer tests.

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Trooper Jackson did not have any suspicion of impaired driving and only wrote it as a pretext to justify the order to get out of the car, the lawsuit states.

Ngeh was taken to jail and released the next day. He walked miles back to his car.

Ngehs charge was dismissed July 18, 2024.
Credit: TurningPointUK

A second police force has been embroiled in a row over its escorting of anti-racism counter-protesters to a demonstration outside a migrant hotel.

Footage shows officers from Hampshire Constabulary walking alongside activists to Potters International Hotel, a site in Aldershot housing asylum seekers and the location of regular anti-migrant demonstrations.

The video, filmed in May, comes after Essex Police faced criticism when similar footage showed officers escorting counter-protesters to the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, earlier this month.

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At the protest in Hampshire, one activist is seen carrying a placard supporting the campaign group Stand Up to Racism (SUTR). SUTR, partly funded by trade unions, is planning to mobilise thousands of supporters for a demonstration against anti-migrant protesters in Epping on Sunday.

Anti-migrant demonstrators claimed the arrival of anti-racism protesters on July 17 sparked violence between the two opposing groups.

Police made 16 arrests after the protest, saying a small number of people had used a peaceful demonstration as cover to commit violent disorder and criminal damage.

Commenting on the footage from Hampshire, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Conservative Party leader, said: It is simply not the polices job to facilitate protest. It is their job to make sure there is peace on the streets.

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If you come to counter protests youre asking for trouble, and its not the polices job to facilitate that. By doing so, they run the risk of bringing people there who are out to cause trouble. It makes no sense at all.

Critics say it is not the polices job to facilitate protest - Turning Point UK

The latest video to emerge was filmed on May 10 when Turning Point UK was demonstrating alongside local activists Rushmoor People First.

A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary told The Telegraph: Officers engage with those attending, and ensure they know where they can safely protest both in advance and on the day.

However, a Turning Point UK spokesman said: Weve grown increasingly appalled to see the police escort far-Left agitators either through or alongside protests weve organised across the country.

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The question of whether police should be escorting certain groups to demonstrations has divided political opinion.

In Epping, Essex Police had initially denied that it had brought the SUTR activists to the site, but later admitted that it had done so. On Wednesday, the forces chief constable rejected calls for him to stand down over the issue.

Ben-Julian Harrington, Essex Polices most senior police officer said: I am not going to do that. This is not about me, this is about the communities of Essex.

On Thursday, the suspended Labour MP Diane Abbott, who is the president of SUTR, wrote on X: The allegation that police bussed in anti-racist campaigners to counter-protest a mob outside an asylum hotel is plain nonsense, as police say.

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The far-Right and their respectable backers specialise in imaginary grievance while they create violence.

SUTR said that in Epping, police had organised a foot cordon around its protesters for their own safety and that later that day a number of people who were deemed to be at risk when they were surrounded by groups of men who had attacked police were taken away from the area in police vans.

The group added: Similarly, for safety, a foot cordon was organised by the police for people demonstrating against the far-Right outside the Potters International Hotel in Aldershot in May.

People feel that part is unfair

Speaking about Hampshire Constabulary, Trevor Lloyd-Jones, the vice-chairman of Aldershots Reform UK branch, said: Hampshire police are fair and if they have intelligence that from a local policing point of view they need to escort these chaps  thats fine, I think thats understandable.

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But people do get upset about it because you imagine there are mums and dads, and then some young blokes are coming from outside [Aldershot] and people feel that part is unfair.

A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: Protests outside Potters International Hotel regularly take place on an area of land which backs directly onto a busy A road, running between Aldershot and Farnborough. Therefore, there is only one direction for people attending from Aldershot town centre or the nearby housing estate to arrive.

Officers engage with those attending, and ensure they know where they can safely protest both in advance and on the day.

Policing protests requires us to balance the rights of those lawfully protesting and the rights of others to go about their lives without being subject to unacceptable disruption, whilst keeping the public safe.

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Protests organised by Rushmoor People First and attended by counter-protesters this year have all concluded with no disorder, thanks to proactive engagement with police by protest organisers and the decisions made by officers on the ground to safely facilitate attending groups.

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U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Thursday told ABC News she is "incredibly pleased" with the $220 million deal the Trump administration struck with Columbia University.

"It's a cultural change for the campus," McMahon told ABC News after months of negotiations over Trump administration allegations about Columbia's handling of antisemitism amid protests against the Israel-Hamas war and alleged failure to do enough to stop the harassment of Jewish students.

"We are hoping this is a template for other universities, that our universities will be returned to places where students are safe on campus," she said.

Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP - PHOTO: Education Secretary Linda McMahon, talks to her staff as they wait on the North Lawn of the White House for a TV interview, July 15, 2025.

McMahon noted that she believes Wednesday's deal creates room for open debate and dialogue at the New York City university, where all viewpoints and ideologies can be expressed at the school.

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"That's what universities are all about," she said.

MORE: Columbia University to pay $200M in settlement with Trump administration

The secretary pushed back on criticism that the department is attempting to restrict academic freedom and the federal government has committed executive overreach in its federal funding feuds with universities.

"The Education Department, and certainly the administration, is not in any way trying to dictate curriculum studies or any of that," McMahon told ABC News. "But what the administration did say is, there must be a level playing field."

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"There has to be both sides that, you know, are represented on campuses," she said.

To fulfill one element of the deal, which will see Columbia pay a $200 million settlement to the federal government over three years, the university said it would assure compliance with admissions and hiring practices, effectively banning diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies at the school. However, the school said it did not violate civil rights laws for discriminating on the basis of race, sex, origin or other characteristics.

"As part of the settlement, the University has not admitted wrongdoing and does not agree with the government's conclusion that it violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act," Acting Columbia President Claire Shipman wrote in a statement.

The deal restores nearly half a billion dollars in education grants and contracts at the Ivy League institution that the school said funds critical research projects. The Trump administration's joint task force on antisemitism enacted the federal funding freeze in March after a task force investigation said they found inaction by the school to protect Jewish students.

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MORE: Trump admin cancels $400M worth of grants to Columbia University

Despite the new deal, there's still criticism from some Jewish students who say they are disappointed it doesn't go far enough. Recent Columbia graduate Eden Yadegar told ABC News it is not as strong as the universities' "initial commitments" from earlier this year.

"It's critical to keep fighting for Jewish students at Columbia and campuses across the country through all possible avenues; we have a lot more work to do," Yadegar said.

Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Students are seen on the campus of Columbia University, April 14, 2025, in New York.

Columbia did acknowledge that "Jewish students and faculty have experienced painful, unacceptable incidents, and that reform was and is needed."

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McMahon stressed that Jewish students will now be protected on Columbia's campus as the university has vowed to continue its efforts to combat antisemitism by submitting reports to a federal monitor twice a year.

"I think that Jewish students can feel safe on campus -- that was not there before," she said. "I'm very pleased with the agreement, and I think it's a win for everyone."

Taking a victory lap for the Trump administration during multiple television interviews on Thursday, McMahon said this was "quite an accomplishment" for the president's efforts to root out alleged antisemitic harassment on university campuses in the wake of widespread demonstrations protesting the conflict in Israel.

"It's a great win for education and for the administration," McMahon said. "This wouldn't have happened if Donald Trump had not been elected. I truly believe that."

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MORE: Harvard asks judge to block Trump administration from withholding federal funds

The deal comes as McMahon has said in recent weeks that her department was "negotiating hard" with Columbia and Harvard University. Harvard's negotiations over more than $2 billion dollars in frozen federal funding are stuck in the courts, but McMahon said that discussions are ongoing concurrently.

Earlier this summer, the University of Pennsylvania reached a resolution agreement after a Department of Education civil rights investigation said they found violations involving transgender athletes competing in women's sports.
Channel 2 Action News is working to get answers for some of the security detail who worked at the Dukes and Boots event and said they never got paid.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Very unorganized and just ridiculous, one security guard told Channel 2s Audrey Washington.

Last Wednesday, Washington reported on complaints from some people who attended the Dukes and Boots event at the Echo Park Speedway in Hampton on July 12.

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It was horrible, said participant April Gatison.

There was a lot of walking from the parking lot to the entrance of the event, she added.

I was supposed to be paid the following Thursday, and I have not been paid, one of the security workers said.

Several security workers reached out to Channel 2 Action News about payment problems.

TRENDING STORIES:

One security guard came forward but asked not to be identified because he fears retaliation.

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So, you feel if you show your face, Washington asked.

I m not going to get paid, the security guard answered.

Washington texted the event promoter on Wednesday, but she did not hear back.

She then called two people affiliated with the security companies that staffed the event.

One person hung up when Washington called.

The other person, named Pat said all of his security was paid.

He asked for anyone who is having a problem with payment to reach out.

Im saying on the record to give me a call, if you worked for me and we can go from there, the security manager said.

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Last Wednesday, Washington asked the promoter JD Lovett about some of the complaints. Lovett said he and his team will review what went wrong to hopefully improve next years Dukes and Boots event.

Were open to getting better overall. Were not ducking, were not hiding, were here, JD Lovett said.

Im still holding my breath. I doubt I will get paid, the security guard said.
WASHINGTON  Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) admitted Thursday that he made a mistake by voting to confirm Josh Divine, a 35-year-old archconservative with a long record of litigation against abortion rights, to a lifetime federal judgeship.

King told HuffPost that he voted Tuesday to confirm Divine after talking to Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who gave Divine a strong reference. Divine, who will now serve on a U.S. district court in Missouri, used to be Hawleys chief counsel.

I took Josh Hawleys advice, said the Maine senator. In retrospect, I think it was a mistake, from what Ive learned about Mr. Divine since. But sometimes, you rely on your colleagues.

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Asked if he was aware of Divines record on abortion rights, King said, Not fully.

Kings vote didnt change the outcome of Divines confirmation, as he already had enough Republican votes to get through. But its an embarrassing misstep by the Maine senator, who otherwise caucuses with Democrats and strongly backs abortion rights.

A Hawley spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

It had been a mystery up until now why, exactly, King voted for Divine. Some progressive groups have fumed about it, demanding an explanation.

Josh Divine, now confirmed to a lifetime federal judgeship in Missouri, has a long record of litigation against womens reproductive rights. Kansas City Star via Getty Images

Divines record of attacking womens reproductive rights is well-established.

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As solicitor general of Missouri, he led a major challenge to the Food and Drug Administrations decades-long approval of mifepristone, aka the abortion pill. He also defended his states efforts to block Planned Parenthood from getting Medicaid reimbursements, and defended his states extreme requirements for accessing abortion care, including making women endure mandatory waiting periods, ultrasounds and pelvic exams.

Divine has gone after LGBTQ+ rights, too, when he defended Missouris ban on gender-affirming care for minors and represented the state in a case trying to challenge conversion therapy bans.

In 2010, he also argued in favor of bringing back literacy tests for voting, a practice banned in the 1960s for being racially discriminatory.

Maggie Jo Buchanan, interim executive director of the progressive judicial advocacy group Demand Justice, said Kings botched vote on Divine illustrates that senators arent paying enough attention to Trumps efforts to control the courts.

The Divine debacle points to the dangerous truth that far too many Senators are failing to take seriously the consequences inherent in giving Trump more influence over the judiciary, Buchanan said in a statement. Voting to confirm Trumps judicial nominees to lifetime seats on the federal bench, as he wages a war on the very idea of judicial independence, is an unacceptable choice for any Senator who believes in our democracy and the importance of individual rights.


WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee will vote July 30 on President Donald Trump's nominee to head the nation's auto safety regulator, the panel said on Wednesday.

Jonathan Morrison, chief counsel of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the first Trump administration, told lawmakers this month the agency must actively oversee self-driving vehicle technology.

The agency current has a number of investigations ongoing into self-driving vehicles and other advanced technologies, including a probe into 2.4 million Tesla vehicles with full self-driving technology.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Jamie Freed)
A Senate panel punted its consideration of Paul Ingrassia amid concerns about the controversial nominee to lead the Office of Special Counsel.

Ingrassia was slated for a confirmation hearing Thursday before the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee (HSGAC), but his name was quietly removed from the agenda.

Ingrassia, a former podcast host, has made a series of controversial remarks praising right-wing figures and the events of Jan. 6, 2021.

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Im relieved to see that Paul Ingrassia, the nominee to run the Office of Special Counsel, has been pulled from todays hearing. The Office of Special Counsel is an independent, nonpartisan agency that investigates allegations of prohibited personnel practices involving federal employees, including whistleblower retaliation, said Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.), the top Democrat on the committee, during his opening remarks.

Mr. Ingrassia is unqualified for the position, both in terms of legal experience and given his long record of bigoted statements. And I urge the administration to formally withdraw his nomination.

A White House official said they do not plan to do so.

Paul Ingrassia is still the nominee and is currently serving in his role as White House Liaison to the Department of Homeland Security. He will spend the next month speaking with Senators and we expect him to be swiftly confirmed. The President has full confidence in him and his ability to lead the Office of Special Counsel, an administration official told The Hill.

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In 2020, Ingrassia said it was time for @realDonaldTrump to declare martial law and secure his re-election.

He also said in December that President Trump should offer reparations to the tune of $1 million per family (at least) for Jan. 6 defendants.

Those remarks run afoul of a pledge by Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who said he plans to oppose any Trump nominee that expressed support for Jan. 6.

The guys got the exact wrong rap sheet to get my support, Tillis told The Washington Examiner.

Its January 6th, its a number of other things. So, I think hes one of these people thats checked all the boxes and theyre all the wrong boxes, he told NBC News.

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Its pretty apparent to me hes not ready for prime time, but hes young, hes got plenty of time to learn, Tillis said.

Ingrassia is a former writer for the Daily Caller who graduated from law school in 2021.

Beyond his comments on Jan. 6, Ingrassia served on the legal team representing self-described misogynist Andrew Tate, describing him as the embodiment of the ancient ideal of excellence for his sheer physical prowess and being sharp as a tack and full of willpower and spirit.

Tate has been charged with human trafficking in Romania as well as rape in the United Kingdom.

Ingrassia has also pushed for Nick Fuentes, a far-right activist who has espoused white supremacist and antisemitic views, to be reinstated to the social platform X, calling it a First Amendment issue in a Substack post.

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The role of special counsel serves many purposes. Its an office where whistleblowers can file complaints and federal workers can go for help if they feel theyve been wrongfully terminated. It also investigates violations of Hatch Act prohibitions on electioneering.

Trump fired prior special counsel Hampton Dellinger despite his being confirmed to a five-year term after being nominated by former President Biden.

During his brief time under the Trump administration, Dellinger challenged the widespread firings of probationary workers hired or promoted within the last year or two.

Dellinger launched a legal challenge to remain in his post and was briefly reinstalled by the courts, but he resigned from the role when an appeals court determined he could not stay on the job as the case continued.

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U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and John Cornyn (R-Texas) on Thursday urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to appoint a special counsel to investigate whether former President Barack Obama and his administration attempted to sway the outcome of the 2016 presidential election in favor of Hillary Clinton.

In a post on X, Graham wrote, For the good of the country, Senator @JohnCornyn and I urge Attorney General Bondi to appoint a special counsel to investigate the extent to which former President Obama, his staff and administration officials manipulated the U.S. national security apparatus for a political outcome.

Their demand follows the release of a newly declassified document by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, which questions earlier assessments that Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to help Donald Trump win.

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While the document affirms that Russia interfered in the election, it casts doubt on the narrative that Putin favored Trump specifically.

Obamas office issued a rare response, saying on Tuesday, These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction. Read more from The Hill>>>

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The Senate on Thursday advanced the controversial nomination of Emil Bove, teeing up a final vote on his lifetime appointment to an appeals court.

Bove, who is currently serving in the No. 3 role at the Justice Department, has been nominated by President Trump for a judgeship on the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals.

The Senate voted 50-48 to limit debate on his nomination. Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) were the only GOP members to vote against advancing Bove.

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Bove has been embroiled in controversy since the start of the Trump administration. He was behind moves to fire prosecutors who worked on Jan. 6 cases and moved to dismiss the bribery charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams (D), prompting a flood of resignations from career attorneys.

Most recently he has been at the center of allegations from a Justice Department whistleblower who said Bove suggested the department should defy expected court orders blocking its plans to send Venezuelan migrants to a foreign prison, saying they may need to say f you to the courts.

Democrats asked to hold a hearing with the whistleblower, Erez Reuveni, who was fired after disclosing in a related case that Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported due to an administrative error.

Democrats took to the floor ahead of the vote to say the information presented about Bove was disqualifying.

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With Boves nomination, we are about to find out if Republicans are content to give a man so routinely in defiance of the rule of law, a lifetime job interpreting it on behalf of millions of Americans. Like so many of his unfit Cabinet nominees, Donald Trump is daring Senate Republicans to oppose him, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said on the Senate floor.

I hope and pray they will, because the pattern is clear. Emil Bove takes orders from Donald Trump, and that is it. His only merit is blind obedience, not to the law, but to the president, and not just any president, but to one who is also a convicted felon. And so I urge my colleagues to look at Boves record of disrespect for the law and reject this dangerous nominee.

Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) noted that more than 900 former Justice Department attorneys who served under presidents of both parties had signed on to a letter opposing his nomination, while more than 75 judges also spoke out against his nomination.

I dont know of another case I have seen in my 14 years in the Senate where someone so unqualified for the bench is before us, Booker said.

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But somehow right now, it just seems to be too few Republicans willing to stand up with courage of their convictions, to call it like it is, to do their constitutional duty to look squarely at the qualifications of this judge and see what plainly professionals, prosecutors, judges  by the hundreds  from both parties have come forward and said to this body: do not let him go forward.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BOSTON (SHNS)  A bill limiting student cellphone use during the school day cleared another hurdle Thursday and will get a Senate vote next week.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee advanced a redrafted version of a proposal (S 2549) the Education Committee recommended last week, which would add Massachusetts to a growing list of states with clear policies on the books dealing with cellphones in classrooms.

A spokesperson for Senate President Karen Spilka said the Senate will take up the bill on Thursday, July 31.

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Three months ago, I amplified the concerns many parents, teachers, and mental health advocates have about allowing cell phones, the most distracting devices ever created, in our classrooms, Spilka said in a statement. Now I am proud to say that next week the Senate will bring to the floor for debate a bill to make our schools cell phone-free. I look forward to seeing this bill through to Senate passage.

The underlying legislation would require K-12 public school districts to have policies on the books before the 2026-2027 academic year banning student use of personal electronic devices such as cellphones during school days. Local education officials could include variations in their bans that align with the developmental level of students and the structure of the school day in each grade level and school, according to a Senate Ways and Means Committee summary.

SWM summary  cellphone restrictions in schools

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Students would be allowed to use devices in certain cases such as when a health care provider indicates doing so is necessary to treat a health condition, and each districts policy would need to allow for at least one method by which students could communicate with parents and guardians during the day, the summary said.

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Many districts already have their own cellphone limits in place, and supporters have been pushing for statewide action to fill any gaps, arguing that the devices are a persistent distraction that can fuel social tension and mental health issues.

Gov. Maura Healey and Attorney General Andrea Campbell have expressed support for limiting student access to cellphones during the school day, while House Speaker Ron Mariano has not taken a definitive stance.

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.

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Minnesota Sen. Nicole Mitchell listens to the closing arguments of the state during the fifth day of her felony burglary trial on Friday, July 18, 2025, at Becker County District Court in Detroit Lakes. To the right of Sen. Mitchell are her attorneys Matthew Keller, Dane DeKrey and Bruce Ringstrom Jr. (Photo by Anna Paige/Fargo Forum pool photo)

Sen. Nicole Mitchell, DFL-Woodbury, will likely be required to spend at least four months in jail because of her first-degree felony conviction and the mandatory minimum sentence that comes with it, according to Minnesota statute.

The Woodbury Democrat was found guilty of felony burglary and possession of burglary tools last week after a five-day trial in Detroit Lakes. The prosecution successfully argued that Mitchell intended to steal her late fathers possessions from her stepmother when she broke into her Detroit Lakes home on April 22, 2024. The states main evidence was that she told police as much during her arrest, and the jury saw the footage of her admissions from police officers body-worn cameras.

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Mitchells sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 10.

Minnesotas first-degree burglary charge has a mandatory minimum sentence of six months in jail, but Seventh Judicial District Chief Judge Michael Fritz could order Mitchell to serve more jail time. The maximum sentence is 20 years for felony burglary, but Mitchell has no previous criminal record, and a lengthy sentence is highly unlikely. Because Minnesota requires convicted felons to serve two-thirds of their sentences incarcerated, Mitchell would spend four months of a mandatory six-month sentence in jail and the remaining one-third on probation.

People convicted of felonies typically go to jail in the county where the conviction occurred, but Mitchell will likely ask the court if she can be held in a jail closer to her Woodbury home so shes closer to her two sons, said Dane DeKrey, one of the attorneys who defended Mitchell during her trial.

Fritz may make Mitchell eligible for work release, meaning she could serve her mandatory four-month sentence by working outside the jail during the day and sleeping there at night.

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She wont be doing her work release in the Senate, however: Mitchell announced shes resigning Aug. 4, at the latest.

Despite the mandatory minimum sentence, DeKrey said there are exceptions in rare cases; Mitchells attorneys will argue that the senator doesnt need to serve any time in custody.

We think that a felony conviction, loss of your military career and loss of your Minnesota Senate seat is punishment enough for this crime, DeKrey said.

Judges in Minnesota use the sentencing guidelines for people convicted of felonies to ensure sentences are uniform regardless of the person or their background. The severity of the sentence depends on the crime and the persons criminal history, and judges consult a grid to determine the amount of months they should impose.

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Mitchell has no criminal history  meaning her criminal history score is a zero  and first-degree burglary of an occupied dwelling comes with a presumptive sentence of 21 months, which is stayed. This means that the person wont receive a prison sentence, but they will be placed on probation for that time.

Mitchell was also found guilty of possession of burglary tools  she had a small prybar that she used to pop open the basement window of her stepmothers home and enter without permission  but Bradford Colbert, a professor at the Mitchell Hamline School of Law, said that charge likely wont affect the sentence.

During the trial, Mitchell unsuccessfully tried to convince the jury of nine men and three women that she was in the Detroit Lakes home to conduct a welfare check on her stepmother. Mitchell testified in her own defense, and told the jury that her stepmother was struggling with paranoia due to Alzheimers disease.
The recent announcement that Washington state has awarded a $714 million contract to Eastern Shipbuilding Group in Florida to build three hybrid-electric ferries marks a dramatic shift in transportation policy. Its the first time in over half a century that our state ferries will be built beyond our borders. That decision might save money in the short term  but it risks mortgaging the future of Washingtons maritime economy.

Tacoma and the surrounding Puget Sound communities are built on shipyards, skilled trades and blue-collar pride. Weve long been home to welders, pipefitters, engineers and deckhands. Washingtons own maritime industry has the capacity  if properly invested in  to build the vessels that navigate our waters. The question is not whether we can build them here. The question is whether we choose to.

When contracts go out of state, so do the jobs. Each ferry constructed outside Washington forfeits hundreds of local union paychecks. These arent theoretical jobs  theyre family-supporting wages that ripple through the economy, from grocery stores and coffee shops to housing and healthcare providers. Shipbuilding isnt just an industrial sector; its a community sustainer.

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Its also a revenue generator. The taxes paid by shipbuilders, engineers and related suppliers stay in Washington. They fund schools, parks and public safety. When we contract out-of-state, we send those dollars to places like Bay County, Florida  where the Eastern Shipbuilding Group will reap the lions share of economic benefit from our public transportation needs.

And what about long-term strategic value? Washington is poised to be a national leader in green maritime technology. Hybrid-electric ferries arent just a transportation evolution  theyre a climate imperative. Building that future here offers a unique chance to establish a workforce fluent in electrification, sustainable propulsion and next-generation design. That kind of expertise isnt just useful for ferriesit could shape global maritime innovation for decades. But without steady investment and political will, we risk losing it to states willing to bet on themselves.

Yes, local bids came in higher. But they reflect the true costs of building in Washington  where we uphold strong labor standards, environmental protections and local sourcing. Those values dont come cheap, nor should they. A penny saved on out-of-state contracts could mean a pound of hardship later when our own shipyards wither from underinvestment.

Gov. Bob Fergusons decision may have been pragmatic. But pragmatism without vision leads to economic erosion. A state that once built legendary ferries from scratch now outsources its future  one hull at a time.

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Tacoma, Bremerton, Anacortes  we know what it means to invest in ourselves. Weve seen what happens when local industries are nurtured: they thrive. Weve also seen what happens when theyre neglected: they disappear. Lets not let shipbuilding become another casualty of fiscal shortsightedness.

Instead, we should adopt a long-term strategy that includes:

Incentivizing local shipyards to modernize for electric ferry construction

Partnering with technical colleges and trade programs to build a maritime workforce pipeline

Prioritizing Washington bidders in future ferry contracts  with stronger bid credits and support

Embracing a maritime industrial policy that champions sustainability and equity

The Port of Tacoma and other regional ports are more than just economic assets  theyre symbols of resilience and possibility. If Washington wants to lead the nation in climate-ready infrastructure, job creation, and regional pride, it must look inward and invest in its shipbuilding backbone.

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We deserve ferries built by Washington hands. Lets make sure the next chapter of our maritime story starts at home.

Deanna Keller is a Washington state native and a longtime resident of Pierce County. She is on the Workforce Central Board of Directors, the Tacoma Youth Marine Foundation Board of Directors, the Washington Public Ports Association Executive Committee and was elected to the Port of Tacoma Commission in 2019.
MALONE  Several felony-level cases were recently processed in Franklin County Court.

The following cases were provided by the Franklin County District Attorneys Office:

July 14

Lesley A. Fountain, 42, of Snye, Quebec, pleaded guilty by Superior Court Information on May 1 to second degree criminal mischief, a Class D felony; second degree reckless endangerment, a Class A misdemeanor; resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor; seventh degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, a Class A misdemeanor; third degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, an unclassified misdemeanor; and failure to obey a police officer, a traffic infraction.

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Fountain was sentenced to five years of probation on the felony charge, three years of probation on the misdemeanors and received a conditional discharge on the unclassified misdemeanor.

Fountain was also ordered to pay $27,106.91 in restitution to the St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Police Department.

Nicole M. Jock, 50, of Dickinson Center, pleaded guilty by Superior Court Information on May 2 to second-degree possession of a forged instrument, a Class D felony.

Jock was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay $590 in restitution to Community Bank.

July 15

Benjamin T. White, 24, of Middleport, pleaded guilty May 7 to possessing a sexual performance by a child, a Class E felony.

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White was sentenced to 10 years of probation.

Gavin M. Allen, 21, of Moira, pleaded guilty by Superior Court Information on May 5 to second degree assault, a Class D felony.

Allen was sentenced to five years of probation.

Jeremy C. Gonyea, 52, of Constable, pleaded guilty May 7 to aggravated driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony.

Gonyea was sentenced to five years of probation, his drivers license was revoked for 12 months and he was ordered to install an ignition interlock device for one year, attend a victim impact panel and complete the Impaired Driver Program.

July 16

David M. Davenport, 29, of Moira, pleaded guilty by Superior Court Information on May 20 to driving while ability impaired by drugs, a Class E felony.

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Davenport was sentenced to five years of probation, a one-year license revocation and was ordered to attend both a victim impact panel and the Impaired Driver Program.

Cody J. Armstrong, 26, of Malone, pleaded guilty by Superior Court Information on May 20 to first degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, a Class E felony, and aggravated driving while intoxicated, an unclassified misdemeanor.

Armstrong was sentenced to five years of probation on the felony charge and three years of probation with treatment court on the misdemeanor, his license was revoked for one year and he was ordered to install an ignition interlock device for one year, attend a victim impact panel and complete the Impaired Driver Program.

July 18

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Adam J. Niles, 39, of Fort Covington, admitted to violating probation related to a prior conviction April 4, 2023, for driving while intoxicated, a Class E felony.

Niles had originally been sentenced to five years of probation, he will be re-sentenced on the original felony conviction at a future date.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  A plea deal was withdrawn Thursday in the case of a man who killed a Bakersfield attorney in 2017.

17 News live blogged the proceedings.

Judge John R. Brownlee, who presided over what was expected to be a sentencing hearing Thursday afternoon for Nicholas Quintana, noted a probation report stated the agreed upon sentence of 24 years in prison couldnt be reached based on the charges to which Quintana had pleaded no contest.

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RELATED: Community reacts to plea deal reached in 2017 killing of attorney Marcos Vargas

Brownlee granted prosecutor Eric Smiths motion to withdraw the plea and set the case for trial in October.

Quintana, 26, had pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter in the death of attorney Marcos Vargas in exchange for the dismissal of a first-degree murder charge . He previously was found guilty of a weapons charge during a trial four years ago at which jurors deadlocked on murder and robbery charges.

During trial in 2021, Smith said Quintana planned to rob and attack Vargas after meeting him on a dating app.

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Go here more Crime Watch from KGET.com

The prosecutor said Quintana stabbed Vargas then stole his cellphone before driving to his girlfriends home in Long Beach. Data retrieved from cell towers and the dating app, as well as DNA evidence, identified him as the killer.

Quintana testified he stabbed Vargas in self-defense while trying to escape from the attorneys apartment. He said Vargas had invited him over then refused to let him leave.

Vargas, 26, worked at Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance at the time of his death.

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SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  Dozens of nursing homes across Georgia could be at financial risk soon, according to a study by Brown University.

This includes three nursing homes in the Coastal Empire: Magnolia Manor of Midway, Tattnall Healthcare and Glenvue Health and Rehab.

Senator Jon Ossoff tied these concerns to President Donald Trumps controversial piece of legislation known as the Big Beautiful Bill.

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Independent public health studies have sounded the alarm that this puts dozens of nursing homes and Georgia potentially in financial jeopardy, Senator Ossoff told WSAV. Its the most significant cut to the Medicaid program in American history at a time when 70% of Georgia seniors in nursing homes are covered by Medicaid.

The law aims to make $1 trillion dollars in cuts to Medicaid through new work requirements and a reduction in federal funding.

Brown University determined the facilities at risk by looking at the amount of residents who pay primarily with Medicaid, the Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) occupancy rate, and the SNF star ranking.

Senator Ossoff said this will impact those rural communities already facing challenges.

Its going to undermine the operating finances for hospitals and clinics and nursing homes. Its going to put residents of rural Georgia, including seniors in rural Georgia, at risk, Ossoff said.

Most of the changes to the program arent expected until 2027 or 2028.

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Senator Ossoff said he hoped the provisions of this law can be repealed before then.

Were talking about our seniors, the elders in our community, those who need care, who need support, our parents, our treasured grandparents and loved ones. This is a serious threat to the health and well-being of Georgias seniors, Senator Ossoff said.

WSAV did reach out to Representative Buddy Carters office for comment.

The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act is ensuring seniors maintain access to vital health care services Rep. Carter said. The Biden-Harris Administration finalized an unfunded mandate that would have shut down as many as 31 GA-01 nursing homes, displacing more than 9,600 residents statewide. The One Big, Beautiful Bill Act ensured these nursing homes remain accessible for those in need by delaying implementation of this rule and saving, sustaining, and strengthening Medicaid.

A spokesperson also told WSAV the Big Beautiful Bill Act did block a Biden administration staffing mandate which the Georgia Health Care Association called a care crisis.

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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A convicted sex offender in Vancouver was arrested last week after being accused of giving alcohol to a 12-year-old girl.

Suliaman Abdul-Hadi, 24, is a level 3 sex offender who was being GPS monitored and restricted from being around minors, Vancouver police said. After the alleged rape, he was booked into Clark County Jail on multiple charges.

Go Now evacuations issued for Brewer Road Fire

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The investigation began on July 11 when police responded to an area hospital that reported the 12-year-old child had been given alcohol by a man who later had sexual relations with her.

Then on Friday, July 18, police executed a search warrant at Abdul-Hadis home in the 2900 block of 143rd Avenue in Vancouver.

Suliaman Abdul-Hadi is a convicted sex offender in Vancouver. July 23, 2025 (courtesy Vancouver Police Department).

Abdul-Hadi attempted to flee the residence but was confronted by a Vancouver Police K9 team and taken into custody, the Vancouver Police Department said in a press release.

In addition, Vancouver police said, detectives believe there may be numerous other child victims associated with Abdul-Hadi who targets young girls 11-17.

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Abdul-Hadi is accused of second-degree child rape, third-degree child rape, giving liquor to minors, disorderly conduct, communication with a minor for immoral purposes, obstruction of a law enforcement officer and failure to register as a sex offender.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Vancouver police.

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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) advised New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani to rein in blatantly antisemitic supporters, according to a Jewish Insider interview.

Ill say this about Mamdani or any other leader, Shapiro said, according to Jewish Insider. If you want to lead New York, you want to lead Pennsylvania, you want to lead the United States of America, youre a leader.

I dont care if youre a Republican or Democratic leader or a democratic socialist leader, he added. You have to speak and act with moral clarity, and when supporters of yours say things that are blatantly antisemitic, you cant leave room for that to just sit there. Youve got to condemn that.

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Mamdani, a democratic socialist, recently shocked American political observers with his win over political heavyweight and former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary for mayor. He has also faced criticism over remarks he made in which he avoided condemning the phrase globalize the intifada and likened it to the Warsaw ghetto uprising amid the Holocaust.

Pro-Palestinian activists have maintained that the phrase only refers to liberation for Palestinians to have the right to their own state and doesnt endorse calls for violence. However, pro-Israel activists and many Jewish people see the phrase as calling for a worldwide uprising to enact violence against Zionists, who back Israels existence, and Jewish people more broadly.

Mamdani has said he would not use the phrase and would dissuade others from using it amid scrutiny over his unwillingness to fully condemn the expression, multiple outlets reported recently.

The Hill has reached out to Mamdanis campaign for comment.

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Ambassador Alejandro Rubin sat down with The Jerusalem Post to discuss how, under his tenure, that relationship will only grow stronger.

As much of the global community appears to have turned its back on Israel, one country has continued to support and strengthen its bond with the nation.

Paraguay, landlocked in the heart of South America, has been supportive of Israel from day one. In its new Jerusalem embassy, a framed photo of the countrys Yes vote in the 1948 UN Partition Plan for [British Mandatory] Palestine sits proudly on display next to the ambassadors office.

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Ambassador Alejandro Rubin sat down with The Jerusalem Post to discuss how, under his tenure, that relationship will only grow stronger.

In a moment of historical significance, Paraguay recently reopened its embassy in Jerusalem under the leadership of Rubin. This strategic diplomatic move, following years of shifting policies and global challenges, signals the deepening of a long-standing, though often underappreciated, relationship between Israel and Paraguay.

Rubin, who was appointed in 2023 and moved to Israel in 2024, now plays a pivotal role in solidifying and advancing these ties through personal and professional connections.

Paraguayan President Santiago Pena (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) meet in Jerusalem to inaugurate the new Paraguayan embassy, December 2024; illustrative. (credit: RAFI BEN HAKOON/GPO)

The journey of Paraguays embassy in Jerusalem has been one of significant political back-and-forth. In 2018, under then-president Horacio Cartes, Paraguay made the bold decision to relocate its embassy to Jerusalem, becoming the third country to do so after the United States and Guatemala.

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However, just a few months later, after Mario Abdo Benitez stepped into the presidency in 2018, Paraguay reversed this policy, moving the embassy back to Herzliya.

This shift was part of a larger political realignment within Paraguay, influenced by various internal and external pressures. The move back to Herzliya caused a diplomatic rift with Israel, which led to the closure of Israels embassy in Asuncion.

However, with the election of the countrys current leader, Santiago Pena, in 2023 and the inauguration of the new embassy in 2024, Paraguay has now firmly reaffirmed its commitment to Israel by reopening the embassy in Jerusalem.

Rubin, instrumental in this development, was appointed in late 2023 and sent to his post in January, despite the continued Israel-Hamas War that lead many countries to recall their envoys.

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Rubin, who had served as Paraguays Honorary Consul to Israel for several years, expressed his deep personal connection to the Jewish state, an attitude that has significantly influenced his diplomatic approach. His dedication to strengthening Paraguay-Israel relations was evident during his appointment, and his leadership has been pivotal in re-establishing the embassy.

Paraguays decision to move the embassy to Jerusalem was not just a political one but one driven by our values and the history that unites us with Israel, Rubin explained in a recent interview. This is not about a single president; this is about a long-term commitment to Israel, rooted in shared principles of democracy and peace.

A relationship extending beyond political symbolism

Rubins vision for the Paraguayan-Israeli relationship extends beyond political symbolism. He has made it clear that his mission is to strengthen economic, technological, and cultural ties between the two nations.

While the embassys relocation is an important step, Rubin sees it as just the beginning of a broader diplomatic engagement.

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Israel is known globally for its technological innovations, particularly in agriculture, water management, cybersecurity, and medical research. Paraguay, on the other hand, has become a stable and growing economy in South America with a growing need for these innovations. Rubin is focused on bringing Israeli expertise to Paraguay, particularly in agriculture and water resource management, two areas in which Israel has excelled.

Paraguay has significant agricultural potential, but we face challenges with water management, Rubin said.

Israels expertise in this field is invaluable, and were already seeing increased cooperation between Israeli companies and Paraguayan enterprises, especially in sectors like agriculture and cybersecurity.

PARAGUAYS ROLE in the Mercosur trade bloc, which includes Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, presents another area of potential growth for both nations. Israel has always been keen on expanding its economic footprint in Latin America, and Paraguays access to a free trade agreement with these nations makes it an attractive destination for Israeli businesses looking to expand their market reach.

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The relationship is mutually beneficial, Rubin explained. While Paraguay offers access to a regional market of over 300 million people, Israel provides the technological edge that can fuel Paraguays economic development. This economic cooperation also extends to investment opportunities in Paraguay.

Rubin is working to attract Israeli companies to invest in Paraguay, promoting it as a stable country with growing opportunities for investment, particularly in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and agriculture.

Paraguay and Israel share a deep historical connection that goes beyond their diplomatic relations. Rubin pointed out that the shared experience of suffering during times of conflict has created a bond between the two nations. For Paraguay, the memory of the War of the Triple Alliance (1864-1870), during which it lost a significant portion of its male population, resonates with the Jewish tragedy of the Holocaust.

The genocide that Paraguay experienced during the War of the Triple Alliance is deeply ingrained in our collective memory, Rubin said. We identify with Israels own history of loss and survival, particularly the Holocaust. It is this shared history that has fostered a natural connection between our people.

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This historical context shapes how Paraguay views Israel today. The connection is not merely political; it is deeply emotional, rooted in shared values of survival, resilience, and the defense of democracy.

Our relation with Israel is grounded in these values, Rubin explained. We stand with Israel because we recognize the legitimacy of its right to defend itself and the importance of Israels role in regional and global peace.

As Paraguay strengthens its ties with Israel, it also takes a firm stand on global security issues, particularly terrorism. The South American nation has been vocal in its support for Israel in international forums, particularly in condemning terrorist organizations like Hamas. In recent years, Paraguay has moved to officially designate Hamas as a terrorist organization, signaling its alignment with Israel on issues of counterterrorism.

Paraguay recognizes Hamas, IRGC as terrorists

WE UNDERSTAND the difference between legitimate governments and terrorist groups, Rubin emphasized. Paraguay has been very clear in its support for Israels right to defend itself against terrorist organizations. We have nominated Hamas as a terrorist group, as well as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and we continue to support Israel in its efforts to combat terrorism.

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Paraguays active role in countering terrorism is part of a broader regional effort to address the growing threat of criminal organizations and drug cartels in Latin America. Rubin highlighted Paraguays ongoing efforts to combat money laundering and organized crime, which often work hand-in-hand with terrorist groups. Paraguays leadership in this area is in line with Israels own efforts to fight terrorism and safeguard its borders.

We are cooperating with Israel on many levels, including in counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and law enforcement, Rubin said. Both nations recognize that the fight against terrorism is a global one, and we are committed to working together to ensure the safety and security of our people.

Despite the geopolitical complexities of the Middle East and Latin America, Rubin is optimistic about Paraguays role in promoting peace and stability in the region. The South American nations diplomatic outreach has extended beyond Israel, with the country also cultivating strong relationships with Arab nations. However, Rubin pointed out, Paraguays policy on Israel is clear and unwavering.

Paraguays relationship with Israel is based on values, not on geopolitical calculations, Rubin explained. While we maintain good relations with our Arab neighbors, we are committed to standing by Israel because we believe in its right to exist as a democratic state. Our foreign policy is guided by principles, not by external pressures.

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Rubins optimism is not unfounded. Paraguays president, Santiago Pena, has been a strong supporter of Israels right to defend itself against terrorist threats, and this stance is likely to continue throughout his administration.

The support for Israel in Paraguay is not just a political move, Rubin concluded. It is the result of shared values, a long history of mutual respect, and a commitment to a better future. Our work is just beginning, and I believe that the relationship between Israel and Paraguay will continue to grow and thrive.

Rubin emphasized Paraguays commitment to support Israel in international forums: Even if it is alone, Paraguay will vote in support of Israel.
LANSING, (Mich.) WLNS  A Lansing father is grateful that his teenage daughter is still alive after she was shot three times over the weekend.

The 15-year-old girl was critically wounded during a shooting that happened at a party Saturday night at the Carolina Flatz apartment complex on the south side of the city. The girls father, Antonio Cervantes, told 6 News shes doing better today. In fact, she took her first steps since the incident.

Antonio Cervantes (WLNS)

6 News met with Cervantes today to talk about his daughter, the communitys support, and gun violence in Lansing.

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He said he dropped his daughter off at the apartment complex to visit a friend. Before long, he was told she was at the hospital with gunshot wounds. Cervantes said that was a tough blow.

Shes my baby, shes like the last one, she goes to Lansing Technical, shes a 10th grader. She works at Culvers on South Pennsylvania. Shes a good kid, Cervantes said.

His daughter is currently at the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Hospital in Lansing.

Cervantes says hes just happy his daughter is still here and cant believe she had to go through this.

She didnt deserve none of that, she didnt deserve anything that happened to her, she was just there, said Cervantes.

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Now, hes more aware of the issue of gun violence in Lansing after it hit so close to home.

You know you really dont think about it until it happens to you, said Cervantes, And since then its just like, its on my mind all the time, weighs heavy on me because its just so much. Its sad that a person has to lose their life, and Im just grateful, by the grace of God, that my daughter survived that.

He says he hasnt been battling alone, though, and that his neighbors have stepped up to the plate.

You have The Corner Spot on MLK with Charlie Dean, he helps, you have Willard Payne, he also has an advocate, when he was up here, there was 10 people up here, said Cervantes.

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All the support helped him feel a bit of comfort in an unsure time.

That was a great feeling because when I came here I just felt lost, didnt nobody talk to me, Cervantes said. But then when I got here, they knew me, Willard knew me, we grew up together.

18-year-old Josiah Cain was charged with assault with intent to murder, on top of other charges regarding this shooting. His first hearing is scheduled for Aug. 1st.

If you would like to donate to Cervantes and his family, see this link.

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Prosecutors in South Korea have issued an apology to a woman who was convicted for defending herself during a violent sexual attack in 1964.

Choi Mal-ja, now 80, was 18 years old when she bit off a piece of the tongue of a 21-year-old man who was trying to rape her in Busan, South Korea, The Guardian reported. Mal-ja was convicted of aggravated bodily injury and sentenced to 10 months in prison.

Her alleged attacker received a light sentence for trespassing and intimidation and prosecutors dropped all rape charges against him, the outlet reported.

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The prosecution failed in its role and went in the opposite direction, Senior prosecutor Jeong Myeong-won said during Chois retrial on Wednesday, July 23, per the Guardian. We caused immeasurable pain and suffering to Ms. Choi Mal-ja, who should have been protected as a sexual violence victim. We deeply apologize.

Mal-ja, who was inspired by the #MeToo movement, has campaigned for her conviction to be overturned for years, per the BBC. After petitioning for a retrial in 2020, 56 years after the attack, she was initially rejected  but three years later, the Supreme Court gave the go-ahead.

Mal-jas retrial began on Wednesday, July 23, and prosecutors have now asked the court to overturn her guilty verdict.

For 61 years, the state made me live as a criminal, Mal-ja told reporters outside of court, per the outlet. She was seen embracing those who were there in support of her and raising her fist to say, We won!

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If the prosecution is admitting its mistake even now, then I believe justice is alive in this country, Mal-ja said, per the BBC.

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A final ruling is scheduled to take place on September 10, with the expectation that the court will overturn Mal-jas conviction, per the outlet.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.



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Elieah Boyd describes herself as an active and creative person.

The Southern California cafe manager loves to surf, to hike, to take her Australian cattle dog running. She paints, travels as often as possible, and makes jewelry and bags.

She's also right-handed.

Now, she's looking at a long road to recovery after her right arm was severed  and then reattached  in early July. But the 24-year-old sees the future not as a difficult process but as a "fun challenge."

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"I might be left-handed for a little while," she told USA TODAY from UC Irvine Medical Center, where she's already undergone multiple surgeries, with more to come. "I'll have learn how to live my life left-handed."

Boyd was riding a friend's e-bike to meet her boyfriend on July 7 when she came upon railroad tracks that cut through two neighborhoods in Ventura. As she tried to wrangle the heavy bike across the tracks, a passerby offered to help. They were lifting the bike together when Boyd saw an oncoming train.

Tracking the dangers: Cross with caution: Lack of oversight creates safety risks at private railroad crossings

"I've gone this way hundreds of times," she recalled. "People around here do it all the time to get from one side of town to the other. Everybody in the city uses this crossway all the time. This just happened to be an unsafe time."

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She saw the train. She (and the man who stopped to help her) tried to get out of the way.

But Boyd estimated she had about 3 seconds to react before the train bore down on them.

Elieah Boyd had her right arm reattached after an accident with a train.

'Everything went silent'

"I remember looking down at my arm, and everything went silent for a moment," she remembered. "I think I was in disbelief and I was still standing there. The train was gone so fast... I remember looking at my right arm, grabbing it, and there was nothing there."

The man who'd helped her with the bike called for help. He is a retired firefighter, Boyd said, so he knew what to do, making sure she was stabilized and telling first responders to find her arm, which was severed cleanly.

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"He saw that, and he knew (the arm) was probably still viable," Boyd said.

Boyd was taken to the nearest hospital, and then taken by helicopter to UC Irvine Medical Center. After 10 hours in surgery, the arm was reattached.

She's had four surgeries since, and more are planned.

Elieah Boyd is a surfer and cafe manager in Southern California. She lost her right arm when she was struck by a train, but it was reattached and she's on the road to recovery. She hopes to get back to surfing after an estimated 18 months of rehabilitation.

But her outlook hasn't required any help.

"I feel OK, and I'm trying to stay as positive as I can," she said. The pain has been minimal and she's been able to mostly avoid heavy painkillers, while expressing how impressive and compassionate medical professionals at the hospital have been. (A request for comment from UC Irvine was not immediately returned.)

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According to Massachusetts General Hospital, replantation (or the surgical reattachment of a limb) is a complicated process requiring several steps including removal of damaged tissue, shortening bones, reattaching with pins or plates, and repairing muscles, tendons, blood vessels and nerves.

"The patient has the most important role in the recovery process," the hospital notes, and Boyd may have some advantages: Younger patients have better odds of regaining nerve function and feeling, and cleanly-cut limbs like her arm are more likely to recover. Doctors generally consider restoring 60% to 80% of function as an excellent outcome.

Community steps up to help a woman with 'an undeniable spark'

Her community has stepped up to support her as well, with a GoFundMe that's raised more than $50,000 so far.

"She radiates joy, warmth and inclusivity in and out of the water," said photographer Amber Jenks, a friend who met Boyd through the local surf community. "She's not just an incredible longboarder, but someone who genuinely lifts everyone around her."

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Jenks mentioned Boyd's "undeniable spark," and added, "Her recovery is something were all rooting for, every single day."

Doctors haven't given Boyd a date when she can be released, nor are they certain how much function can be restored to the arm. She's has at least 18 months of physical and occupational therapy ahead, she said.

"The amount of support, donations, texts and messages, even from people I don't know ... all their positive words have kept me going," she said.

Once she's released from the hospital, she's looking forward to getting back to as much normalcy as possible: all the things she'd done before the accident, like surfing and going to the beach, playing with her dog and hanging out with friends and family.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Crowdfunding campaign aims to help surfer injured in train accident
A New Mexico man is under arrest after allegedly shooting his girlfriend's ex-husband while the victim was trying to help the woman with her car.

Antonio Gomez, 45, was fatally shot in Ranchos De Taos, N.M., on Wednesday, July 16, the New Mexico State Police announced in a statement. A woman, identified as Gomez's ex-wife, was also shot and survived the attack.

Hours later, police arrested 35-year-old Eduardo Castaneda in connection with the crime; he had allegedly fled the crime scene immediately after the shooting, police said.

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The investigation revealed that Gomez's ex-wife, who has not been publicly named, is in a relationship with Castaneda. On the day of the incident, she picked up Gomez for some help fixing mechanical issues with her vehicle, police said.

Castaneda was at work during this time and tried to contact the woman, but did not hear back. He then reportedly went to the residence, and soon thereafter got into an argument with Gomez, according to authorities.

At one point, police allege, he brandished a firearm at Gomez and began firing, striking both Gomez and the woman, who was shot in her arm.

Gomez and the woman's children were present during the killing, per police.

New Mexico State Police Eduardo Castaneda. Eduardo Castaneda.

Gomez is being remembered as a beloved father.

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In a GoFundMe set up to assist with his funeral costs, his brother Frank Gomez wrote: "Anyone that knew him knew he lived for his kids."

"We are heartbroken, and he will be truly missed. This tragedy is one we will never quite understand," he added.



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Castaneda allegedly told police Gomez attacked him and he shot him in self-defense, according to an arrest warrant cited by the Albuquerque Journal.

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He has been charged with first-degree murder, aggravated battery and three counts of child abuse pertaining to the children who were present during the shooting, state police said in their statement.

Plea and attorney information for Castaneda was not immediately available.

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.



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The man who pleaded guilty to the 1997 strangling death of a New Jersey woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

After the case of Tami Tignor's death went unsolved for nearly three decades, first-degree murder charges were authorized against Robert Creter in May 2023. Creter, who took a negotiated plea deal and confessed to first degree aggravated manslaughter, was given a 10-year prison sentence on July 23, per CBS News.

"If I could take that day back, I would, your honor. It wasn't planned," Creter said during the hearing.

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On Nov. 4, 1997, Bridgewater Township police received a call about a deceased female body on a dirt access road, later identified as that of 23-year-old Tignor. Based on DNA from Tignor's sexual assault kit  which was recently tested using newer technology  Creter was identified as a likely match, per ABC 7.

Investigators believe Creter picked up Tignor while she was out, then proceeded to sexually assault and strangle her, the outlet reported. He then disposed of her body in the woods near Washington Valley Park, where she was discovered hours later.

Authorities later learned that Creter had moved to Winnipeg, Canada, in 2002, after the case had been cold for several years. He was ultimately taken into custody by Canadian authorities in June 2024 on charges related to Tignor's death, then was extradited to New Jersey the following November.

According to a news release from the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office issued May 20, Creter had pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of aggravated manslaughter and admitted to "manually strangling Ms. Tignor with his bare hands, causing her death."

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"I never meant to hurt anybody," Creter told the judge on July 23. "It was just a bad situation that got out of hand and I made the worst decision of my life. If I could take it back, I would. I apologize."

The 10-year sentence was recommended as part of the plea agreement, the judge said during the sentencing hearing, per CBS. She said she hopes Creter is denied parole when he becomes eligible in eight and a half years.

Tignor's mother, Piper Bailey, said Creter was out free for longer than her daughter was alive. Tignor would have turned 50 years old on the day of the sentencing hearing, CBS reported.

"For 27 years, her killer was out running free while we were all in prison," Bailey said, per the outlet. "I scoured the area from where she disappeared day and night. I don't sleep without nightmares over her death."

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"He took my daughter's life. He strangled the life out of her, and he should be locked up forever," Bailey added.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

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Visual artist Amy Sherald withdrew her solo show from the Smithsonians National Portrait Gallery over concerns of censorship from the administration of President Donald Trump.

Per the New York Times, the artist best known for her 2018 portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama withdrew her exhibition, American Sublime, after learning the museum considered removing an artwork to avoid retribution from the Trump administration. The artwork in question depicts the Statue of Liberty as transgender.

I cannot in good conscience comply with a culture of censorship, especially when it targets vulnerable communities, Sherald said in a statement. At a time when transgender people are being legislated against, silenced, and endangered across our nation, silence is not an option.

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According to Sherald, the museum proposed adding a video of people discussing transgender issues and the painting. She opposed the idea because it would have opened up for debate the value of trans visibility.

In a letter sent to Smithsonian representatives earlier this week, Sherald said shed hoped to represent the full complex truth of American life.

Unfortunately, it has become clear that the conditions no longer support the integrity of the work as conceived, she wrote.

The show was set to arrive at the museum in September. It would have been the first exhibition by a Black contemporary artist at the National Portrait Gallery. The Smithsonian said in a statement that it was disappointed at Sheralds decision to withdraw.

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The Smithsonian strives to foster a greater and shared understanding, the statement said. By presenting and contextualizing art, the Smithsonian aims to inspire, challenge and impact audiences in meaningful and thoughtful ways. Unfortunately, we could not come to an agreement with the artist. We remain appreciative and inspired by Ms. Sherald, her artwork and commitment to portraiture.

The Smithsonian receives about 62% of its funding from the federal government. President Trump signled out the institution in an executive order in March, claiming it had come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology.

The post Sherald cancels Smithsonian show citing culture of censorship appeared first on Salon.com.
Sheriffs office announces sixth man charged in child sex predator sting

MESA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX)  A sixth man has been arrested relating to an operation to identify alleged internet child sex predators on the Western Slope.

Richard Heiden

Mesa County Sheriffs Office told WesternSlopeNow on Wednesday that Richard James Heiden, 35, was charged with internet sexual exploitation of a child, internet luring of a child and obscenity.

Five other men were arrested as part of the sting, which included Grand Junction residents Randy Abeyta, 61, Bobby Adams, 23, and Everett Kiser, 41, Delta man Robert Turner, 55, and Montrose resident Fidel Nunez-Morales, 37.

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Abeyta was arrested for internet luring of a child and attempted sexual assault on a child. Adams was charged with pandering of a child, while Nunez-Morales, Kiser and Turner were arrested for soliciting for child prostitution and pandering of a child.

The Mesa County Sheriffs Office conducted the operation along with the Grand Junction Police Department, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Colorado State Patrol, the 21st Judicial District Attorneys Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The agencies targeted suspects who use the internet to solicit underage people for sex.

Robert Turner

Fidel Nunez-Morales

Bobby Adams

Everett Kiser

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Randy Abeyta

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HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP)  The annual Sheriffs Shuffle is coming back to western Massachusetts with hopes to combat domestic violence.

Every year, the Sheriffs Shuffle benefits one local organization. For the 26th year, theyre partnering with the YWCA.

Domestic violence does not discriminate, said Hampden County Sheriff Nick Cocchi. It affects people of every gender, age, and background.

Seven parcels of land in Blandford acquired to protect wildlife

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In 2024, the YWCA of Western Massachusetts helped nearly 12,000 people escape physical violence, sexual violence, and stalking. But the call for help continues to rise 24/7. Nationwide, 41% of women and 26% of men have experienced some sort of domestic violence. This data touches home for a lot of leaders in the community.

And we certainly cant stand by and sit on the sidelines, Sheriff Cocchi said. We have to act, and this partnership with the YWCA is one very impacting way that we can do that.

On September 7, guests are encouraged to come to Ashley Reservoir for the 2025 Sheriffs Shuffle and 5k Run and 1.5 Mile Walk. The proceeds will directly support the critical programs the YWCA had to expand to meet the growing need.

We have a 62-bed domestic violence shelter, we also have domestic violence counseling, said YWCA of Western Massachusetts CEO Elizabeth Dineen. We have a food pantry, we also have economic empowerment programs, and we also go into the courts with survivors to help them get a restraining order or an anti-harassment order.

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Even though the event will feature everything from live music, food trucks, raffles, and awards, there is a broader message.

This isnt just a race, ladies and gentlemen, this is a movement, Cocchi said. And every step we take echoes the lives of our survivors, who we serve and who deserve to know theyve been heard.

This years Sheriffs Shuffle will kick off at 10:30 a.m., with registration at 9:00 a.m. More information can be found at runsignup.com.

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WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.

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Shinnecock Nation's tribal citizens are taking their fight for aboriginal fishing rights to federal court, aiming to protect the traditional practices that have sustained their people for generations.

The case, Silva v. Farrish, now before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, could have significant implications for tribal sovereignty and the future of Indigenous-led environmental stewardship in the region.

The Shinnecock Nation argues that their rights to fish in the waters of Long Island, particularly Shinnecock Bay, have never been ceded, relinquished, or extinguished.

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Their case contends that, because neither the United States nor the Shinnecock Nation has ever agreed to give up those rights, the State of New York has no authority to criminalize their fishing practices.

This case is about affirming the continued existence of aboriginal Shinnecock fishing rights that have never been ceded away or extinguished in any manner, Riley Plumer, attorney for the Shinnecock tribal fishers said in a press release. My clients seek to continue exercising their ancestral fishing rights and carry forward Shinnecock traditional ways.

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Support for the Shinnecock comes from national Tribal organizations, including the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund (USET SPF), both of which filed amicus briefs on May 15, along with the Shinnecock Kelp Farmers.

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For centuries Shinnecock citizens have fished these waters as a rightful lifeway, not a hobby, NCAI President Mark Macarro said in a press release. When states ignore that living history and criminalize traditional harvest, they violate the very principles of Tribal sovereignty on which this Nation was founded.

The Shinnecock Kelp Farmers, an Indigenous women-led group focused on environmental restoration through sustainable kelp farming, also weighed in, highlighting the connection between Indigenous rights and ecosystem health.

We have a right to fish, to gather, to hunt, and we never ceded or gave away those rights, Tela Troge, one of the Kelp Farmers said in a press release.

The Shinnecock have fished, farmed, and stewarded the waters of the Peconic Estuary and Atlantic Ocean for thousands of years. Tribal members continue to rely on those waters for food, cultural practices, and environmental restoration.

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The Shinnecock Indian Nation is an inherently sovereign government that predates the arrival of colonizing forces, and Shinnecocks aboriginal fishing rights flow from this inherent sovereignty. Federal Indian law says Shinnecock retains these rights until clearly abrogated by Congress or legally relinquished by the Tribal Nation. USET SPF is proud to stand in support of Shinnecock and its citizens in calling on New York to recognize these inherent rights, said Kirk Francis, President of USET SPF and Chief of the Penobscot Nation.

However, pollution and state interference have made their efforts harder. Despite these challenges, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has refused to recognize the Nations fishing rights or work collaboratively to manage local aquatic resources.

About the Author: "Kaili Berg (Aleut) is a member of the Alutiiq\/Sugpiaq Nation, and a shareholder of Koniag, Inc. She is a staff reporter for Native News Online and Tribal Business News. Berg, who is based in Wisconsin, previously reported for the Ho-Chunk Nation newspaper, Hocak Worak. She went to school originally for nursing, but changed her major after finding her passion in communications at Western Technical College in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. "

Contact: kberg@indiancountrymedia.com
When a storm in February 2024 ripped away the sands on a remote beach in Sanday - one of Scotland's far-flung, sea-beaten islands - it revealed something astonishing: the ribs of an old wooden ship, long buried beneath the dunes.

The ghostly remains quickly stirred excitement among the 500-strong island community, for whom the ocean is both a livelihood and a lurking danger.

I would regard it as a lucky ship, which is a strange thing to say about a ship thats wrecked, says Ben Saunders, senior marine archaeologist at Wessex Archaeology, which helped locals lead the investigation.

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I think if it had been found in many other places it wouldnt necessarily have had that community drive, that desire to recover and study that material, and also the community spirit to do it.

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3D model of the 250-year-old remains of the Sanday Wreck - Credit: AP Photo/WESSEX ARCHAEOLOGY

It wasnt the first shipwreck Sanday had seen. Around 270 wrecks have been recorded around the islands 20-square-mile coastline since the 1400s. But this one felt different. Locals leapt into action. Farmers rolled up in tractors and trailers to haul 12 tons of oak timbers from the beach, while island researchers set about trying to unravel the ships origins.

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Using dendrochronology - the study of tree rings - experts discovered the timbers hailed from southern England and dated to the mid-1700s.

You remove ones that are Northern European as opposed to British, you remove wrecks that are too small or operating out of the north of England and you really are down to two or three  and Earl of Chatham is the last one left," says Saunders.

Before it was known as the Earl of Chatham, the vessel served as HMS Hind, a 24-gun Royal Navy frigate built in 1749 in Chichester. Its career spanned the highs and lows of the British Empire.

View of the English landing on the island of Cape Breton to attack the fortress of Louisbourg. 1745. - Credit: Wikimedia Commons

In the 1750s, it took part in the sieges of Louisbourg and Quebec, helping Britain snatch control of Canada from France. By the 1770s, it was escorting convoys as Britain struggled - and ultimately failed - to hold onto its American colonies.

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Decommissioned in 1784 and sold to private owners, the ship was renamed and transformed into a whaler, hunting in the Arctic waters off Greenland.

Saunders notes that in 1787, there were 120 London-based whaling ships in the Greenland Sea, the Earl of Chatham among them.

But the voyage the following year would be its last. Caught in bad weather en route to the whaling grounds, the ship was wrecked just off Sandays coast. Incredibly, all 56 crew members survived.

Today, its timbers are being carefully preserved in a freshwater tank at the Sanday Heritage Centre, with hopes to eventually place them on permanent display.
Air quality readings taken at one Irish port recently discovered pollution at 250 times the World Health Organization's recommended safe levels. The main culprit? Cruise ships.

What's happening?

According to EU Reporter, the readings were taken at Cobh, in Ireland's Cork Harbour, and found pollution levels of ultra-fine particles from cruise ships in residential areas to be as high as 250,000 particles per cubic centimeter. WHO considers 1,000 particles per cubic centimeter to be safe.

Why is ship pollution important?

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, air pollution has been tied to a number of serious health consequences, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus, obesity, and reproductive, neurological, and immune system disorders.

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Cruise ships that run on dirty fuel sources are significant contributors to black carbon, also known as soot.

"Black carbon particles are lethal to humans when inhaled, but they also drive climate change," Sian Prior, lead advisor to the Clean Arctic Alliance, told EU Reporter, which reported on the findings. The publication explained that when black carbon reaches the Arctic and settles out of the atmosphere, it drives snow and ice melt.

This isn't the first time that the cruise ship industry's environmental impacts have been brought to light. Amsterdam is implementing restrictions on cruise ships in response to the air pollution and overwhelming number of visitors they bring to the city. Cities in Florida, Maine, Alaska, and California are pushing to restrict or ban cruise ships from their ports.

Meanwhile, ocean advocates are sounding the alarm about ships' scrubber systems, which flush out harmful chemicals from their exhaust but ultimately dump the resulting contaminants directly into the water, putting marine life and coastal communities at risk.

What's being done about ship pollution?

Kare Press-Kristensen, senior advisor on air quality and climate at Green Global Future, advocated for Cobh to install shore power facilities to reduce pollution.

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"[This] will allow ships to connect to the electricity grid instead of idle running and polluting all day," Press-Kristensen told EU Reporter.

Earlier this year, Ireland also supported efforts to establish the Northeast Atlantic emission control area, which will extend from the Straits of Gibraltar to Greenland. According to Prior, it will reduce air pollution from ships at sea in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean.

"The Northeast Atlantic emission control area, which will include all of Ireland's waters, was approved by the IMO in April and should require the use of cleaner fuels in 2027 provided it is adopted later this year," Prior told EU Reporter. "It will be important that these measures to reduce air pollution are complemented by onshore power facilities to reduce emissions in ports."

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Former prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, issued an open order to use lethal weapons on students protesting against her governments policies last year and shoot wherever they find them, her secret phone call recordings, accessed by Al Jazeera, have revealed.

Hasina, who ruled Bangladesh for 15 years, resigned from office and fled to India on August 5 after weeks of bloody protests and brutal action by government forces killed nearly 1,400 people and wounded more than 20,000, according to the countrys International Criminal Tribunal (ICT).

The Al Jazeera Investigative Unit (I-Unit) had the recordings analysed by audio forensic experts to check for AI manipulation, and the callers were identified by voice matching.

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In one call, recorded on July 18 by the National Telecommunications Monitoring Centre (NTMC), Hasina told an ally that she had ordered her security forces to use lethal force.

My instructions have already been given. Ive issued an open order completely. Now they will use lethal weapons, shoot wherever they find them, she said.. That has been instructed. I have stopped them so far  I was thinking about the students safety.

Later in the call with Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, the mayor of Dhaka South and a relative of Hasina, the former PM talks about using helicopters to control demonstrations.

Wherever they notice any gathering, its from above  now its being done from above  it has already started in several places. It has begun. Some [protesters] have moved.





At the time, Bangladeshi security forces had denied firing on protesters from the air, but Shabir Sharif, an accident and emergency doctor at the Popular Medical College Hospital in Dhaka, told the I-Unit that shots were fired from a helicopter targeting our hospital entrance.

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He added that doctors attended to student protesters with unusual bullet wounds.

The bullets entered either the shoulder or the chest, and they all remained inside the body. We were receiving more of these types of patients at that time, he said. When we looked at the X-rays, we were surprised because there were huge bullets. Al Jazeera has not been able to verify what type of bullets were used.

Dr Shabir Sharif [Al Jazeera]

The calls may be presented by prosecutors as evidence before the ICT, which has charged Hasina, her ministers and security officials with crimes against humanity. Hasina and two other officials were indicted on July 10, and the trial is scheduled to begin in August.

Hasinas surveillance network, the NTMC, recorded these conversations. The NTMC has previously been accused of spying on not just opposition figures but even Hasinas political allies.

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Tajul Islam, chief prosecutor for the ICT, said the former prime minister knew she was being recorded.

In some cases, the other side [would say we]  should not discuss this over telephone. And the reply was from the prime minister, Yes, I know, I know, I know, I know, it is being recorded, no problem.

She has dug a very deep ditch for others. Now shes in the ditch, Islam said.

Student protests started peacefully in June 2024 after the high court reintroduced an unpopular quota system that reserved state jobs for the families of veterans who fought in Bangladeshs war of independence in 1971. Many students felt the system favoured supporters of the ruling Awami League party, which had led the freedom movement, and that many jobs in the civil service were not awarded on merit.

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On July 16, student protester Abu Sayed was shot dead by police in the northern city of Rangpur. His death was a turning point in the July uprising, leading to a national outcry and intensifying the protests.

In one secret phone recording of Hasinas ally and economics adviser, Salman F Rahman, he is heard trying to get hold of Sayeds postmortem report. During the call, Rahman quizzes inspector general of police, Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, wanting to know what had happened to the report.

Why is it taking so long to get the postmortem report? Whos playing hide and seek? Rangpur Medical? he asked, referring to Rangpur Medical College and Hospital, which was carrying out the autopsy on Sayed.

Rangpur Medical College Hospitals Dr Rajibul Islam told Al Jazeera that police forced him to change Sayeds postmortem report five times to remove any reference to multiple bullet wounds.

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They wanted to write a report stating that Abu Sayed Bhai died due to injuries from stone-throwing  [whereas] he died from police bullets.

Twelve days after Sayeds death, his family were flown to Dhaka for a televised event with the prime minister. In all, about 40 families were gathered  all of them had relatives killed in the protests.

Hasina forced us to come to Ganabhaban, said Sayeds father, Maqbul Hossain, referring to the PMs residence. They forced us to come; otherwise, they might have tortured us in another way.

As the cameras recorded the event, Hasina handed out money to each family. She told Sayeds sister, Sumi Khatun: We will deliver justice to your family.

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Khatun replied to the PM: It was shown in the video that the police shot him. What is there to investigate here? Coming here was a mistake.

In a statement to Al Jazeera, an Awami League spokesperson said Hasina had never used the phrase lethal weapons, and did not specifically authorise the security forces to use lethal force.

This [Hasinas phone] recording is either cherry-picked, doctored or both.

The statement added that government efforts to investigate Abu Sayeds death were genuine.
NEW YORK  Convicted fraudster George Santos will report to federal prison Friday with no signs of clemency from President Donald Trump.

The former House member remains loyal to his president anyway  reserving his signature snark for politicians he views as getting off scot-free for comparable allegations.

I will not waver in my support for him, Santos told POLITICO in a phone call this week.

But does he hold out hope for an 11th-hour pardon or commutation from Trump?

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I dont think he can, Santos said. Hes in a position where he needs to put the country ahead of one man, and thats just a fact. He would lose support in the House from Republicans who have already capitulated.

The saga of Santos reaches a new  and perhaps final  public chapter this week as the serial liar begins his 87-month sentence at an undisclosed facility for a bevy of fraud, embezzlement and identity theft crimes. Hes going out with a whimper. New York GOP leaders who once boosted him as the partys future  then treated him like its biggest albatross  arent even bothering to bid him good riddance.

Santos won election to a Queens and Long Island seat in 2022 despite a falsified resume (selling himself as a Wall Street superstar) and served nearly all of 2023 in the House fighting allegations of campaign fraud (including spending on designer duds, lavish lodging and Botox). His fellow Republicans kept their distance, and Democrats watched the implosion with glee.

The Long Island federal courthouse where he was indicted in May and October of 2023 and pleaded guilty last August served as his reality show set and runway. He faced reporters with performative defiance and dressed to impress in Ferragamo.

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A White House spokesperson would not comment this week on whether theres a pending clemency request concerning Santos.

Santos fabulist-but-make-it-fabulous vibe has dissipated as his prison time nears. He said hes fearful of being targeted for violence in prison as a gay man  and a former politician at that. And while he has managed to reinvent himself in small ways since he was ousted from Congress, including with paid Cameo appearances and as host of the Pants on Fire podcast, Santos said he sees no light at the end of his incarceration tunnel.

But there are still glimmers of the outsized character who knocked political Washington and New York off their bearings a couple years ago.

In recent social media posts, he raged over Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), who is under investigation for alleged ethics and campaign finance violations, and has targeted others he believes should share his fate. The obvious subtext: Why them and not me? Hes also knocked Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy and former President Barack Obama.

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In his interview with POLITICO, Santos expressed contempt for the one-time New York Republican colleagues who turned their backs on him, including Reps. Nick LaLota and Mike Lawler. He also slammed Attorney General Pam Bondi as part of a weaponized Justice Department, though he wont say a bad word against her boss, the president.

He discussed his cosmetic procedures with the Sources Say podcast, including his lapsed use of fillers to smooth wrinkles while behind bars, and saw the disclosures get the tabloid treatment in the New York Post.

He told POLITICO that his song of the moment is Frank Sinatras My Way, then went on X to post a clip of a particularly relevant verse: And now, the end is near. And so I face the final curtain.

He wants credit for the nicknames hes bestowed on political rivals, including Senile Joe Biden and Temu Obama for House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, meaning a cheap ripoff of the original. Hes also proud of Mallio Stock Tips for his fellow New York Republican Nicole Malliotakis, who traded bank stocks in 2023 while working to address the banking crisis but was cleared of wrongdoing.

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Santos at points sounds like the eccentric dissembler who dressed in drag in Brazil, claimed to be Jew-ish and accused other politicians who wear sweaters under suit jackets of stealing his look.

Its all a sort of last hurrah before heading to the slammer.

Im not allowed technology at all, and Ive been notified that I will not be allowed to do interviews either, Santos said. Theyre shutting me up essentially.

Theres not much left to say anyway, the one-time member of Congress said.

I guess I put it all out there, Santos said. Its essentially: sorry. To keep it simple, I should have done better, not for me, but for everyone else as well. Sorry to everyone.
Sinclair - Sinclair

Sinclair just bought the non-licensed assets of WDKA in Paducah, Kentucky (MyTV) and Fox affiliate KBSI in Cape Girardeau, Missouri with an option to acquire all the licensed assets of the stations.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sinclair will provide WDKA and KBSI with programming, technical, and management services.

Our good friend in the google machine said non-licensed assets typically refer to the tangible and intangible resources that support station operations but are not directly tied to the broadcast license itself. These assets include things like physical equipment (cameras, editing systems, transmission towers), office spaces, contracts with vendors, and programming content.

Sinclair, Inc. owns, operates and/or provides services to 180 television stations in 82 markets affiliated with all major broadcast networks.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Sioux City has announced a new event space!

Officials with the business said their new space, called the Encore Hall, has been in the works for three years.

Were so excited to finally open the doors to Encore Hall, said Doug Fisher, General Manager of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sioux City. Weve put a lot of thought into making it a space thats not only modern and versatile, but truly memorable. Whether its an intimate conference or a special celebration, we built this space to wow.

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Its 2,859-square-feet and meant for meetings and events. At the Encore Hall, the Hard Rock offers multiple accommodations for audio-visual components and customizable lighting. The space can be used for business conferences, presentations, or social events.

If youd like to learn more, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  To combat Californias Proposition 12 law, two Siouxland governors have submitted a co-signed letter to Congress. The two did so along with six other governors.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen both gave their support for the new Save Our Bacon Act.

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The measure, introduced by Iowa Representative Ashley Hinson, aims to prevent one.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  A recent campaign by associates at Siouxland Walmart and Sams Club stores is providing more assistance to the local Childrens Miracle Network Hospital.

Over about a months time this summer, associates, customers, and members raised over $109 thousand during this campaign to directly benefit UnityPoint Health  St. Lukes.

10 Siouxland locations across Iowa and Nebraska held various in-store fundraising activities.

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St. Lukes merging nursing program with local university

Since 1987, the partnership has generated over $1 billion in support of childrens hospitals nationwide.

UnityPoint Health  St. Lukes in Sioux City has been a Childrens Miracle Network (CMN) Hospital since 1989.

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BEIJING (Reuters) -Six university students drowned on Wednesday while on a field visit to a copper molybdenum mine in northern China owned by Shanghai-listed Zhongjin Gold Corp, according to a stock exchange filing on Thursday.

The students from Northeastern University in Shenyang fell into a flotation cell - a piece of mining equipment that uses a liquid solution to extract copper from crushed ore - after protective grates collapsed.

A teacher was also hurt in the accident at the mine located in China's Inner Mongolia region, according to the filing from Zhongjin Gold, a subsidiary of state-owned China National Gold Group Co.

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The company said it activated an emergency plan and reported the incident to the relevant departments of the local government.

The operator of the mine, a subsidiary of Zhongjin Gold, halted production, the company said in another stock exchange filing later on Thursday.

Shares of Zhongjin Gold closed down 4.4% on Thursday.

Such field visits have been organised for years and the incident was unexpected, said a teacher from Northeastern University, according to a social media account belonging to Henan Radio and Television.

The university sent staff to the site to manage the incident, the teacher said.

(Reporting by Beijing newsroom; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Joe Bavier)
A new Schengen-style visa for travelling around six Gulf nations is set to be launched this year, making it easier for tourists to explore the countries.

The GCC Grand Tours Visa, also known as the GCC Unified Visa, will allow non-Gulf nationals to visit one or all six Gulf nations under one visa.

This is similar to the Schengen Area, which allows people to travel freely between certain European countries without the need for strict border checks.

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The visa was approved in 2023 by the Gulf Cooperation Council, an alliance between Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), to allow travellers to flow between the six countries and to promote tourism across the region.

The UAE is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Gulf due to its ultra-modern cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, with glitzy skyscrapers sitting on the sandy coastline.

The country, like many other Gulf nations, also attracts thousands of expats, lured by hot weather, luxury lifestyle and financial benefits. It is estimated that some 30 million of foreign nationals live across the region.

Visa-free travel is already available to citizens of these countries, but the new visa will benefit foreign nationals. To be eligible, the purpose of a trip must be tourism, a short-term stay, or seeing family and friends  not employment.

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While the validity period has not been finalised, it is expected to offer a duration from 30 to 90 days.

The visa is anticipated to be launched this year, although an exact date has yet to be confirmed.

The aim GCC states that the aim of the visa is to boost tourism and increase spending within the region, which will in turn create jobs.

Once launched, the visa will be available to apply for online, with the council saying the unified visa will be more cost-effective than the current visas. The price of the visa has yet to be outlined.

To apply, a visitor will need to provide their passport, and may need to supply additional documents such as proof of accommodation, travel itinerary, insurance, proof of financial means and their return or onward ticket.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
On Sunday, the second Trump administration turned six months old.

President Trumps first four years in the White House were already a big success, which is why I fought so hard to bring him back for a second go-round. Yet I think Trumps second has already surpassed it in just one-eighth the time. Completely and instantly securing the U.S.-Mexico border after the four-year Biden invasion is one of the most important and impressive accomplishments in American presidential history. TV news said the presidents tough trade talk would crash the economy in days; instead the stock market hit record highs this very week and blue-collar wages are rising faster than they have in 60 years.

Under any other recent president, I am convinced the June Iran crisis would have ballooned into a full regime-change war, with far more money spent and many American lives lost. But under President Trumps measured hand, America managed to strike a crippling blow to Irans nuclear program while suffering zero casualties and even bringing a ceasefire between Iran and Israel as part of the bargain.

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Yet when I think about the events of the past six months, its not the big wins I think about the most, but actually the small ones. Theyre the triumphs that dont necessarily grab the largest headlines that show this administration really is committed to systematically throwing out the suffocating groupthink and stagnation that have ruled in D.C. for decades.

Over and over, this administration is doing things that past Republicans could and should have done, yet inexplicably never did. For instance, all the way back in 1981, the outgoing Carter administration engineered a court ruling that abolished the federal governments hugely successful hiring aptitude test on the grounds that it was (you already knew this was coming) racist. Presidents Reagan, Bush 41, or Bush 43 could have fought to undo that and restore merit-based hiring. Yet they never did, and over 45 years our government went rotten as DEI replaced merit. Now, this administration is finally acting to bring back merit in government. Imagine that! From Harvard to Hennepin County, this administration has begun toppling the race and sex-based discrimination that had taken root all over America in flagrant defiance of both our Constitution and historic American values. It is purging DEI commissars from federal agencies, imposing uniform standards on the military, and sending out warnings to the private sector as well. This isnt superficial - its the destruction in detail of a rotten, anti-American ideology.

It would have been easy for Donald Trump to make a few speeches and sign a couple symbolic orders about "protecting womens sports" - past Republican administrations would have settled for exactly that. But this administration has genuinely done the work to protect American children from the transgender mania, one of the great evils of our time.

Across America, health care providers are ending their involvement in child mutilation and similar treatments because of the dramatic increase in regulatory hostility from this administration. Childrens National Hospital in D.C., Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago, Stanford Medicine, and more have all stopped providing surgeries or puberty blockers to minors in the face of this administration. Where it matters most, the Trump administration has stepped up to save children from predators calling themselves "doctors."

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For my entire life, Republicans loved to make a show of complaining about America sending billions in aid to foreign countries. But they never stopped it - until Trump, who actually delivered by cutting USAID down to size and keeping more of Americas money in America. The same goes for defunding NPR, PBS, and Planned Parenthood: long years of talk, until the Trump administration fought to make it actually happen.

It was obvious for almost 20 years that the TSAs policy requiring passengers to remove their shoes before boarding a flight was a pointless bit of security theater, yet Presidents Bush, Obama, and Biden all kept the policy around anyway. This administration finally got rid of it.

While the Biden administration treated the cryptocurrency industry as a borderline criminal enterprise, Trump signed the GENIUS Act, which positions America to be at the lead of this innovative industry.

The administration hasnt just said the right things. It has done the right things, in detail, to make sure its promises are delivered at the micro level. The administration even made showerheads great again. And its that commitment to the small things and common sense that will pay dividends over the next three and a half years. Because an administration that cares about the details of governing will make all of America great, too.

Charlie Kirk is the founder and president of Turning Point USA and host of the top-rated podcast and nationally syndicated Salem radio program, The Charlie Kirk Show.
This story is part of SLO Tribune's Parents Central, our expanding coverage for local parents. We're tackling issues that matter to you the most, explaining the "what it means," from school budgets to children's health. We also want to have fun: Send us your best tips for local parents and things to do. Email tips@thetribunenews.com.

Jobs, summer programming and migrant education are in limbo after a federal funding freeze withheld money from local school districts and the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education.

The freeze was announced on June 30, just one day before states expected to receive the money  and the last-minute decision has had immediate impacts.

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According to SLO County assistant superintendent of educational support services Joe Koski, the hold has forced the county office to operate its summer migrant education programming at just a fraction of what it normally would, leaving children without the bulk of the summer learning support they would typically receive.

Koski described the disruptive freeze as unprecedented.

Ive been in public education 38 years, he said. Im unaware of any time where funding that went through the legal and lawful budget process was held at the last minute by the administration.

Federal government hits schools with last-minute freeze

The SLO County Office of Education received a letter from the California Department of Education announcing the funding freeze on July 1  the same day states were set to receive the 2025-26 school year funds.

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In the notice, which was obtained by The Tribune, the state agency said it received word about the freeze in brief emails from the U.S. Department of Education on June 30.

Among the monies frozen by the Trump administration were Title I-C funds for migrant education, Title II-A funds for professional development, Title III-A funds meant to support English learners and Title IV-A funds for student support services, according to the July 1 notice. Also frozen were basic adult education grants.

The Trump administration also originally withheld Title IV-B money for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which provide before- and after-school programming, but these funds were later released.

According to Koski, the funding freeze targets the children who are most at risk of falling through the cracks.

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Unfortunately, from my perspective as an educator, the funds that were talking about as being frozen are funds that are directly intended to support some of the most marginalized and underserved portions of our population, Koski said.

The state department estimated the withheld funds amounted to nearly $1 billion for California schools and education organizations. Approximately $157.5 million for after-school programming has since been released to California by the Trump administration, according to a July 22 communication.

In the initial notice, the state department alleged the freeze was illegal  and California and a group of other states soon filed a lawsuit in response to the freeze, according to a July 14 memo from the state.

As far as guidance for how districts and county offices should respond to the freeze, the state department offered little.

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We understand the uncertainty that our school communities are experiencing due to this latest action by the Trump administration, the July 1 letter read. With the information we have at this stage, we cannot make recommendations about how local educational agencies (LEAs) should proceed with related programs at this time. Any decisions about pausing, stopping, or continuing to provide services funded by these dollars is at the discretion of LEAs.

It was not immediately clear how much money was being withheld from SLO County, but Koski said it was not an insignificant amount.

In a later email, Koski told The Tribune the exact numbers would not be available until late August.

Whats at risk for SLO County students, staff?

The SLO County Office of Education runs a year-long migrant education program, but the summer programming is typically the most popular, Koski told the Tribune.

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And this summer, thanks to the federal funding freeze, the program is operating at about 30% of what it normally would, leaving students with fewer resources and supports.

A migrant student is defined as having a parent who works in an industry like agriculture, dairy or fishing, which requires them to frequently move to remain employed.

Just because the word migrant is in the title, doesnt necessarily have anything to do with their status as it relates to being able to legally work and live in our in our country, Koski said.

He added that migrant students are particularly at risk of falling behind, and migrant education programs aim to bridge the gap.

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As you can imagine, when you pick up and move from one school to another, particularly if its across the state, that frequently there is educational loss involved in the move, and leaving a school, and records catching up, and getting re-enrolled and those types of things, he said.

Personnel is one of the largest expenses for education agencies. By reducing the program by 70%, the county also had to reduce staff, Koski said.

Though the migrant education program is taking one of the heaviest hits, Koksi said the funding freeze will affect other county programming including juvenile education and other programs.

At the district level, staff could lose out on professional development opportunities and after-school programs may not be offered, according to the county office.

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Additionally, staff positions funded by federal dollars  typically paraprofessionals staged in classrooms to offer extra support to students  could be cut in local schools as a result of the freeze.

County, district responses to freeze may vary

Districts were notified of the funding freeze on the same day states expected to receive the federal dollars, leaving virtually no turnaround time for administrators or state officials to plan their next steps.

The news also comes after districts already set their budgets for the year, anticipating federal dollars that may not arrive.

Districts and county offices are now faced with a choice: continue running programming and paying salaries without the federal dollars, potentially dipping into reserves to do so  or start making cuts.

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The county office elected to continue operating its migrant education program in hopes that, if the federal government does release the funds, county officials could make a case for a reimbursement to pay back the reserve monies used to keep the program running over the summer.

But some SLO County districts are already struggling financially. Both the San Luis Coastal and Paso Robles districts already made budget cuts this year in an attempt to correct their deficits, upsetting families and staff in the process.

SLO County school district plans drastic cuts to fix budget woes. Could PG&E funding help?

For these districts, Koski said, the freeze serves as a double whammy.

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Its unclear when, or if, the federal government will restore the funding owed to local education agencies. But according to the county, the disruption caused by the freeze will have still done damage either way.

What is clearly going to be the case is there will be dramatic reductions in services compared to what would have been offered if the funds that the Congress approved were allocated as they always, traditionally have been, Koski said.

Unfortunately, he later added, where the impact is going to be felt the most is in those students and those communities that are underserved currently in our system, and need these supports more than ever.
The sister of one of the victims killed by Bryan Kohberger drew courtroom applause as she emphatically berated him at his Wednesday sentencing hearing.

The truth is you are as dumb as they come, stupid, clumsy, slow, sloppy, weak, dirty, let me be very clear. Dont ever try to convince yourself you mattered just because someone finally said your name out loud, Alivea Goncalves, the older sister of the late Kaylee Gonclaves, said to him during the hearing as he sat stoically in an orange jumpsuit.

Her remarks came after Kohberger received four consecutive life sentences for killing four University of Idaho students and a 10-year sentence for a burglary charge on Wednesday after accepting a controversial plea deal that allowed him to dodge the death penalty.

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Kaylee Gonclaves, who was 21 at the time, was one of the four victims that Kohberger confessed to killing. Kohberger also killed Ethan Chapin, 20, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Madison Mogen, 21. Alivea Goncalves also referred to Madison Mogen, who was Kaylee Gonclaves best friend, as her sister throughout her remarks.

Kaylee Gonclaves, Kernodle and Mogen were students rooming in an off-campus house when they were killed on Nov. 13, 2022. Chapin was dating Kernodle, but did not live in the house despite being killed there.

Two other roommates survived.

Disappointments like you thrive on pain, on fear and on the illusion of power. I wont feed your beast, Alivea Goncalves said.

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Sit up straight when I talk to you, she continued. How was your life right before you murdered my sister? Did you prepare for the crime before leaving your apartment? Please detail what you were thinking and feeling at the time.

If you hadnt attacked them in their sleep, in the middle of the night like a pedophile, Kaylee would have kicked your fucking ass, Alivea Goncalves concluded, before the courtroom gave her a round of applause.

The loved ones of a couple of the victims also made impact statements during Wednesdays hearing.

On Nov. 13, 2022, a piece of my heart was ripped away, Kernodles sister, Jazzmin, said Wednesday. Theres no way to ever fully describe the weight of losing my sister, my best friend. No sentence or punishment will ever come close to the justice Xana, Ethan, Kaylee, and Maddie deserve. Xana was everyones best friend.

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I believe in a God whose justice is not bound by this courtroom. I find peace knowing that judgment ultimately belongs to Him. For your sake, I hope one day you feel the full weight of what you did. I hope you take accountability, she added. I hope that you truly experience the guilt, and you surrender yourself to Jesus Christ because no punishment on this earth can ever compare to the isolation and pain of eternal separation from God.

Mogens dad, Ben Mogen, said she helped him fight addiction.

Maddie... was the only great thing I ever really did and the only thing I was really ever proud of, Mogen said.When I didnt want to live anymore, she is what kept me here.

Chapins family did not attend, but his mother posted a family photo online after the sentencing.

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We will carry your love, light and laughter forever, the post was captioned. XO, Dad, Mom, Masie and Hunter.

Kohberger respectfully declined to speak at his sentencing on Wednesday. And, as such, his motives remain unclear. However, authorities determined that Kohberger visited the home at least a dozen times before killing the students.

Kohberger was studying criminology at Washington State University for a Ph.D. program at the time of the crime. After a weekslong manhunt, Kohberger was arrested on Dec. 30, 2022, at his parents home in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania.

Related...
WARSAW, Poland  In a political U-turn, Slovenias authorities have scrapped a referendum initiative on the countrys plans to increase its defense spending to 3% of its GDP by 2030.

The development comes as Ljubljana is negotiating the largest military procurement in the nations history, eyeing some 106 AMV XP vehicles from Finlands Patria for an estimated 695 million ($592 million).

On July 18, the National Assembly, the lower chamber of Slovenias parliament, voted to cancel the proposed consultative referendum. Earlier this month, lawmakers approved the ballot initiative after it was proposed by a minor left-wing party that is part of the government.

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However, Slovenian Prime Minister Robert Golob, whose liberal party is the cabinets largest force, has opposed the referendum on the grounds that the country vowed to gradually increase its defense expenditure as part of its commitment to NATO.

The referendum question passed in the National Assembly  is ambiguous as well as misleading, Golob was quoted in a statement released by his government.

At the same time, Ljubljana is holding talks to acquire new eight-wheel-drive vehicles for its land forces.

Slovenia and Finland signed a letter of intent last February. To place an order, the Slovenian government had pulled out of a 2022 deal to buy 45 Boxer armored vehicles from the intergovernmental Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR).

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On July 22, the countrys Ministry of Defence told state-run news agency STA the country has fully withdrawn from the Boxer contract.

Under the countrys commitments to NATO, Slovenia is to form the first battalion battle group by 2027, and the second one by 2030, equipping them with new armored vehicles.
PANAMA CITY  Officials are considering extra safety precautions to help protect local students from speeding motorists.

In a meeting on July 22, Panama City commissioners held the first reading of an ordinance to install speed detection systems at about a dozen school zones within the city's limit. Speed violators could receive a $100 penalty for each violation.

The second reading of the ordinance is slated to occur at the commission's next meeting on Aug. 12.

A car drives past Palm Bay Elementary School in Panama City, Fla., July 23, 2025. (Tyler Orsburn/News Herald)

"It is not an automatic ticket," City Manager Jonathan Hayes said during the meeting. "The ticket is generated, and a Panama City law enforcement officer has to review and sign off on it. There's no points assessed."

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According to the meeting's agenda, the detection systems would help law enforcement officers enforce speed limits, since such a task can often be difficult for just officers to grapple. There often are not enough officers within each school zone to properly stop and city all speeding drivers.

The detection system would fix that by fining those who drive more than 10 mph over posted limits.

Speed detection systems are possible thanks to House Bill 657, which was signed into law in 2023. The agenda notes the bill established the following parameters:

If speed detection systems are used, signs must be posted to notify drivers.

There must be a public awareness campaign before detection systems are used to enforce speed limits.

Local governments using speed detection systems must hold public meetings to discuss contracts and data reported to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

A $100 fine can be issued for each violation within a detection zone.

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Information from the meeting notes speed detection systems would operate only during school hours.

Among those who spoke about the topic during Tuesday's meeting was Ron Danzey, executive director for Palm Bay Prep Academy. He believes the detection systems would be an important safety measure for local students.

More from PC: 150 new jobs: Bay EDA announces Global Impact Products to join Bay County

He also said that in his experience, speed limit signs and school zone signs on their own are not enough to prevent speeding.

"We have 600 kids, and over 100 are walkers," Danzey said. "We are becoming more of a neighborhood school, even though we're a charter. ... If I stay awake at night being a leader in a school, it's over safety. We don't need to wait until a child gets ran over.

"I am very much in favor of this ordinance."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Panama City, Florida considers speed-detection systems outside schools
(PEYTON, Colo.)  The Peyton Fire Protection District (PFPD) and surrounding community in eastern El Paso County are raising money to support Deputy Chief Oakley Revels and his wife, Vickie, after Deputy Chief Revels suffered a stroke while on a call this week.

If you have called 911 in our district, you have met him, read a post on PFPDs Facebook page. I know this because no one has responded to the needs of our community at the level he has.

Courtesy: Chief Jeffery Turner of the Peyton Fire Protection District. The photo is of Deputy Chief Oakley Revels.

Hes a pillar in the community. Hes touched a lot of lives out here. Hes done a lot for people, said Jim Rodgers, a community member.

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Its our responsibility to, as a community. Thats what us country people do. You know, when one of us goes down, we get together, and we take care of our own, said Rodgers.

FOX21 News spoke with PFPD Chief Jeffery Turner on Wednesday, July 23, about Revels and the importance of helping out his family in this time of need.

According to Turner, on Sunday, July 20, PFPD responded to a call for service, and after the crew on scene took care of the patient, Turner said thats when one of our personnel went down with their own medical emergency.

They said he was slurring his words, drooling on himself and was holding on to the ambulance just to try to stay standing, said Vickie Revels, Oakleys wife.

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Revels was taken to the hospital, where he was treated for a stroke. The normal treatment didnt really work, so he had to go in for surgery, Turner added.

He is up and walking and talking. He still has some weakness on the left side, and hes got a long road of recovery to rebuild everything that he has lost, said his wife.

Revels, who is now stable and in the recovery stage, is hoping to leave the hospital in the next couple of days. Turner said Revels has been with the volunteer fire department for several years and has helped the community of Peyton through various events.

He is our only paid tech on the department; the rest is volunteer, so he works there Monday through Friday and responds to emergencies 24/7, said Turner.

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Revels wife Vickie also worked for the fire department for a number of years, a reason Turner said you would not find a family more dedicated to the community.

Deputy Chief Oakley Revels

Deputy Chief Oakley Revels with wife Vickie.

The biggest thing, for anyone who is in emergency services, knows that youre definitely not in it for the money, Turner said. We go out and we help people on their worst day but when it touches one of our own, it really brings everything back into focus and that these guys arent bulletproof.

He added that Revels has responded to everything from fires to flooding to the historic bomb cyclone that slammed the region in 2019. He was out there for 72 hours straight rescuing stranded motorists, Turner said. He is our go-to guy for Peyton fire.

Were going to make sure they have meals and that theyre taken care of. As you know, dealing with somebody going through something like that, it takes a lot out of, you. Shes going to have her hands full, said Rodgers.

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After neighbors and the surrounding area learned that Revels was in the hospital, the response was immediate. Its gone through the community like wildfire, Turner said. Weve had people reach out from other fire departments, from the community, and there has been such a great outreach for the family.

Deputy Chief Oakley Revels_2

A GoFundMe has been set up online, and people can click to donate here.

I think our biggest goal going forward is for him to feel better and for us to keep him from trying to come back before he is ready, said Turner.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  For the second time in two years, the Providence City Council overwhelmingly rejected a proposed agreement that would have allowed a local charter school to lease the vacant Carl G. Lauro Elementary School building.

The revised agreement would have allow Excel Academy to lease the property at 99 Kenyon St. for 35 years. The former Carl G. Lauro Elementary School has sat empty for years and costs the city approximately $300,000 annually to maintain.

In a statement, Mayor Brett Smiley expressed disappointment with the councils decision.

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This lease would have ensured the long-term, productive use of this blighted building to support our students, Smiley said. The result of the city councils vote will not only negatively impact both city and PPSD finances, it will delay construction of other school buildings and hurt students, families, educators and the surrounding neighborhood of this empty, underutilized building.

Last Thursday, the Providence City Council Finance Committee voted to advance a resolution authorizing the city to enter into an amended version of the proposed lease.

Under the current proposal, Excel Academy wouldve used half of the building, while the other half wouldve been used as swing space for Providence Public Schools until June 30, 2030.

BACKGROUND: Providence committee considering plan for vacant elementary school building

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Council President Rachel Miller negotiated a number of changes to the lease proposed by Smiley earlier this year, which the council billed as a more favorable arrangement for the city, the surrounding neighborhood, and the educators who will be using this space.

Less than 24 hours before the full City Council was set to hold a vote, Miller released a statement saying she would vote no on the proposed lease Thursday night.

Mayor Smileys lease proposal attempted to solve two challenges at once  ensuring Providence students with already assigned charter seats have a suitable place to learn and finding a path forward for a vacant historic building, Miller said on Wednesday. After careful consideration, Ive determined that such an arrangement would not be in the best interest of the neighborhood or city. The City Council will not hand the keys of a shuttered public school building to a charter school.

On Thursday morning, Smiley held a last-minute news conference about the developments in his office alongside Councilman Pedro Espinal.

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It is incredibly disappointing that what appears to be a majority of the City Council has decided to kill a proposal to provide for children and families in our city, Smiley said.

The mayor, who also serves as chair on the Board of Trustees at Excel Academy, acknowledged the larger debate around charter schools and traditional public schools.

But thats not what were actually trying to advance here tonight in the city, Smiley added. The reality is that the Providence Public School Department identified a need for swing space after they had determined that 99 Kenyon Street, the Carl Lauro School, was not able to meet the needs of the students who used to go there.

MORE: Providence councilors to vote on proposed charter school lease

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Smiley said the school department is under severe financial constraints and wouldnt be able to properly maintain the aging building.

Thats before we even take on the risk of future federal funding cuts, that they did not have the resources to do what was necessary to make this school meet their needs, Smiley noted.

Espinal said that he and Miller personally negotiated the terms of the lease for the last six months, and like the mayor, he too was frustrated.

For her to pull the plug within less than 24 hours of the vote is beyond my comprehension and somewhat confusing, Espinal said. It is inexplicable that the council president is announcing that she will be walking away from this lease.

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Espinal also called on city councilors who made up their mind to reconsider voting in favor of the lease.

In her statement on Wednesday night, Miller recounted when the council first rejected a proposed lease for two charter schoolsAchievement First Rhode Island and Excel Academy Rhode Islandto utilize the space. That lease asked for an annual rent of $1, but also stipulated the schools had to make a minimum of $14.3 million worth of capital improvements to the property.

She said that after that, the council kept all options on the table, which included commissioning studies on the architectural and financial feasibility of converting the building to housing, which found converting the building to housing was possible, but not reasonably feasible.

The City Council Ordinance Committee also held a public hearing to gather input from residents, parents, students and educators in May.

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Miller later negotiated the terms of the lease, including how long it would be in effect and even a requirement for Excel Academy to allocate $50,000 annually into a neighborhood improvement fund that would be overseen by the city councilor in Ward 13, where Miller currently serves.

I viewed it as my role to make this lease as strong as possible for our community, including by negotiating revenue for the city and historic labor neutrality, and then hear the communitys response, Miller explained. I have listened closely to my neighbors and will be voting no on the proposed lease. We need to ensure that our public spaces are utilized in ways that reflect the needs of surrounding communities. I will work closely with my neighborhood and our partners to find a solution for this building that is beneficial to Federal Hill.

Smiley told reporters on Thursday that Millers change of heart came as a complete surprise. He said he was informed with a press release issued the night before.

Ive not spoken to the council president, and it is really baffling to me that if she thinks this is going to stop the growth of a public charter school, its not. If she thinks that this is going to reinvigorate her neighborhood and not have a half-empty, blighted building in her neighborhood, its not, Smiley said. If she thinks that this is going to somehow provide additional resources for the Providence Public Schools, it will not.

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Smiley also said that voting down the proposal would not stop the expansion of Excel Academy, but would instead very likely affect other construction projects in the district, including for the school that needs the swing space.

The money is going to have to come from some previously allocated budget; those decisions have not been made yet. We did not expect this outcome, Smiley added. This passed out of committee days ago, and so the expectation was that we were moving forward.

ALSO READ: Violent crime in Providence down in the first half of 2025

The mayor said if the council were to reject the proposal, it would create more problems for the state-run school district. He said he was frustrated that Miller voiced her opposition without providing any alternative solutions.

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So whats the plan? She hasnt articulated that to me, to the community, [or] to her colleagues, Smiley said. I guess my hope is that if the council president can change her mind in 24 hours, she can change her mind again.

About two hours before Smiley spoke to reporters, the Rhode Island Education Collective gathered outside Providence City Hall to call on the City Council to approve the proposal.

Victor Capellan, the collectives founder and CEO, expressed his frustration with Millers decision to vote against the proposed lease.

She has betrayed these families, Capellan said. She has basically redlined these families out of her neighborhood.

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Excel Academy called out Miller in a statement following the vote expressing frustration for wasting the councils time.

Her actions undermine the integrity of a process that involved months of respectful, genuine engagement, community testimony, honest negotiation and courageous advocacy, Excel Academy wrote. There are moments when leadership matters. This was one of them.

We urge city leaders to remember their responsibility to all Providence families, not just the loudest or most politically connected, and to lead with the same courage and transparency that our community has modeled throughout this process, the statement concluded.

Excel Academy Superintendent Owen Stearns said that he remains undeterred despite the outcome.

We will continue to show up, speak out, and fight for what Providence children deserve, Stearns said. Excel remains committed to being a good neighbor and a trusted partner in public education in Providence.

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.

Kristin Burnell contributed to this report.

Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts.

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PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  The South Dakota Supreme Court has ruled for Smithfield Foods in a long legal fight between the meatpacking company and an employee at its Sioux Falls plant over stopping further payments of workers compensation related to injuries to her spine and right shoulder.

In a decision publicly released on Thursday, the states high court found that a circuit judge had misapplied a South Dakota law, when the judge determined that Smithfield had needed to apply for a government review before halting medical treatment payments for the employee, Jody Pham.

2 DCI agents to help with immigration enforcement

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The justices instead sided with an administrative law judge, Michelle Faw, who had found for Smithfield.

Pham worked in Smithfields bacon processing department. In August 2015, she complained of neck and shoulder pain. Smithfield soon began paying for her medical treatment.

In 2018, Smithfield ended the payments. The stoppage came as an independent medical doctor determined that Pham had suffered an 8% permanent disability from the 2015 injury, but Pham refused to sign the agreement.

The matter went before an administrative law judge, who determined that the companys expert witness, a medical doctor, had looked more extensively into Phams medical history than had Phams expert witness, who also was a medical doctor.

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Pham appealed the ALJs finding, and Circuit Judge Douglas Hoffman overruled the administrative law judge.

Judge Hoffman cited a South Dakota law that allows either the employee or the employer to request that the state Department of Labor and Regulation review any final determination of medical payments if an employees medical condition has changed.

Judge Hoffman determined that Smithfield couldnt stop making the payments to Pham without first seeking a review by the department.

The circuit judge also found that the administrative law judge hadnt given enough consideration to the testimony from Phams medical expert.

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Smithfield in turn appealed the circuit judges findings to the South Dakota Supreme Court. Justice Mark Salter wrote the high courts unanimous opinion in favor of Smithfield. He found that the law that was the basis for Judge Hoffmans ruling didnt apply.

Here, Smithfield did not have an obligation to make payments; its prepetition workers compensation payments were made voluntarily. The parties had never previously litigated causation under SDCL 62-1-1(7); Pham had not petitioned for a hearing; and there was no settlement agreement approved by the Department or other final order obligating Smithfield to pay ongoing benefits. In SDCL 62-7-33 terms, there is nothing for the Department to review, Justice Salter stated.

The justice further noted that Pham hadnt yet proven that her work had caused her injuries.

As to the administrative law judges determination in favor of Smithfield, Justice Salter stated, Here, acting in a traditional fact-finding role, the ALJ found that the testimony of Smithfields expert, Dr. Jensen, was more persuasive than that of Dr. Ripperda, Phams expert.

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There was no evidence presented to the Supreme Court that the administrative law judge had violated the Supreme Courts standard for clear error in its 2012 Peterson decision, according to Justice Salter, which he said recognizes the institutional advantage of a fact finder to hear and see the witnesses and weigh the relative merits of their testimony.

Rather, Peterson simply allows the fact finder to consider any advantage a treating physician may have over another expert among the myriad of other factors used to determine credibility and weight, Justice Salter wrote. Here, the ALJ was keenly aware that Dr. Ripperdas opinions were formed in connection with his treatment of Pham but, nevertheless, relied upon our

settled rule that [e]xpert testimony is entitled to no more weight than the facts upon which it is predicated.

And it was Dr. Jensens knowledge of the entirety of Phams records that the ALJ found particularly persuasive, Justice Salter continued. Specifically, in finding Dr. Jensens opinion more persuasive[,] the ALJ noted that Dr. Ripperda was unaware of Phams medical records prior to [the] injury regarding treatment for her shoulder or for headaches. Dr. Jensen, however, reviewed all of Phams medical records. In addition, the ALJ acknowledged that [b]oth doctors are experts in their fields, but without knowing Phams history of treatment in these relevant areas, it found Dr. Ripperdas opinion is not well-supported.'

.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- It was the kind of blaze that could consume a home.

On the Fourth of July in 1993, fireworks ignited a fast-moving fire in a field off Moss Avenue in the 2000 block. Flames crept dangerously close to a row of houses in West Odessa. And one man, who didnt even live there, stopped to help.

His name was Steve Brosch. He was a husband, a father and a stranger to the nieghborhood. Moments later, he was struck by a pickup truck and left for dead. The hit-and-run has gone unsolved for 32 years.

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The people who were in that truck, three of them, according to witnesses, have never come forward.

He didnt have to stop. He was a good Samaritan, said Susan Rogers, CEO of Odessa Crime Stoppers. He stopped to help because the fire was threatening homes that were there on Moss. And he was just that kind of guy everybody we talked to back then said, you know, he would have never just driven right by.

William and Kim Bishop were sitting outside that night with their kids, watching fireworks from their yard.

Our neighbors over here, I think, were doing them out across the street and something landed in our backyard and caught on fire, they recalled.

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It spread quickly, engulfing their field.

She said, Your fields on fire, your fields on fire.

They ran to stop it, along with other neighbors, calling for the volunteer fire department. But the wind and dry brush made the flames difficult to contain.

The Bishops didnt know Steve Brosch. But they remember the moment he arrived.

And that poor guy, we didnt know him, but he stopped. And hes coming over to try to help put it out. And he got hit by somebody who didnt even want to stop. And the poor guy died.

There was a thud, and then the vehicle drove through the smoke so quick he didnt have a chance to really notice what it was. I knew it was a red pickup, but it just kept going.

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The driver never stopped.

It would never be the same on Fourth of July anymore, they said. With that happening like that, it sticks in your mind. And its not going to go away.

I hope that they do catch the person that done it, and I hope that he has to pay dearly because this family lost their support system. She lost her husband. They lost their father. He needs to pay.

Susan Rogers, CEO of Odessa Crime Stoppers, has revisited this case year after year, nds is dedicated to continuing to put forgotten cases like these out in the spotlight. For Steves case, she knows what happened and what still hasnt.

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It was about 10:15 at night in about the 2000 block of Moss Avenue when he came upon a fire that they think was fireworks related and it was threatening some houses. So he crossed the road, Rogers said. As he was crossing the road to help put that fire out, a pickup truck hit him at that fire location.

He died from his injuries.

The truck was an 85-87 model red Chevrolet with a red toolbox, and it did not have a headache rack on it, she said. Back then, most similar trucks had both.

This is an AI-generated image of what the truck might have looked like:

There were three people inside, Rogers said. None of them have ever spoken up.

Steve was very well recognized in the community through the work and things that he did, Rogers said. He didnt have to stop. He was a good Samaritan. He stopped to help because the fire was threatening homes he would have never just driven right by.

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Investigators tried to re-create the moment. We actually back in that day, did a reenactment, brought a truck in that looked like the one we were looking for, Rogers said. But we were never able to get anywhere with it.

Shes convinced someone out there knows the truth. Other people know it, and people dont keep their mouths shut. Someone has kept their mouth shut for all this time, for 32 years now its time to step up.

If I was that person even though it had been 32 years, that would still be on my conscience, Rogers said. You know you hit a guy and you know he died.

Back then, she said, it might have just been a tragic accident if the driver had stopped. But now, its a cold case that has changed the lives of several people.

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Rogers issued a direct plea to the person responsible:

If you committed a crime and you havent been caught, that ought to be your worst nightmarethat somebodys going to knock on your door, she said. Itd be a whole lot better for you to step up to the plate and say hey, I made a mistake when I was young, and we need to deal with it, as for one of them to come hunt you down.

Steve was a hubsand and the father of a 12-year-old boy at the time. He was on his way home to his family, stopping to help someone elses, before getting hit and killed.

This family needs closure and we would really like for someone to come in and step up and talk about that.

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Susan said that any information can help.

We need someone to come forward, give us some names, I mean, let us go back and check. You know, with the way investigators are able to get into different kinds of DMV records and those sort of things, if somebody gives us just a lead, just a hint as to who it might be, perhaps they can go back in and look at records for who owned vehicles like that at that time, you know, and find who were looking for.

Odessa Crime Stoppers accepts anonymous tips 24/7 by phone, online, or through the P3Tips app. Call 432-333-TIPS (8477). Tipsters will be given an ID number to remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward.

About the Big 2 File: Gabriella Meza reports for Big 2 News in Odessa and produces the Big 2 Files, a monthly cold case spotlight that revisits the Permian Basins unsolved crimes. If you have photos, records, or memories of this case or any others that have been spotlighted, email Gmeza@kmid.tv

Reporters Note:

As a journalist, Im committed to giving a voice to the voiceless. Especially to those who can no longer speak for themselves. These cold cases matter, and the people behind them matter. Through The Big 2 Files, Ill continue to shine a light on the stories that deserve answers, no matter how much time has passed.

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-Gabriella Meza

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The Socorro Independent School District (SISD) is welcoming a new permanent superintendent for the 2025-2026 school year.

James Vasquez named lone finalist for Socorro ISD superintendent

The SISD Board of Trustees named the districts Interim Superintendent James Vasquez as the lone finalist for superintendent of schools at its regular board meeting last month, according to a news release by SISD.

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I am extremely honored to be selected as the lone finalist to lead Socorro ISD. This is an amazing school district that I truly treasure, and I am excited to continue our momentum for further achievement, Vasquez said. I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees  a great Team of Eight  and our incredible faculty and staff to ensure an outstanding school year for students, families and community. The next chapter is ours as we carry on the legacy of success in SISD.

SISD said Vasquez has served as the districts interim superintendent since April of last year.

During his time in that role, Vasquez has led the district through some of its most challenging times in the districts history, overcoming a $42 million budget deficit, working to restore a depleted fund balance, and addressing declining enrollment and decreasing attendance, all while maintaining excellent student performance and faculty and staff success, read the news release.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
SMITHS STATION, Ala. (WRBL)  Lee County District 3 Commissioner Jeff Drury held a town hall for constituents to receive updates about the traffic issues within the area.

Justin Hardee, a Lee County City Engineer says they have contacted a traffic engineer to conduct an additional study of the intersection and Lee Road 230 and 240.

Previously, a traffic count was conducted for this intersection. The count found that nearly 15,000 cars met at the intersection daily.

At the townhall, WRBL News 3 spoke to Sherri Muzyka, a Smiths Station resident who voiced her concerns about the church that sits on the intersection.

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Youve got people that dont get the yield on the other side. You have people that just shoot across there. That is one of the most dangerous intersections that we have in my opinion, Myzuka says.

According to Myzuka, the churchs congregation is made up of the elderly. She says this is also why she is concerned.

I just dont want to see anybody lose their life because theres not precaution there.

Residents have suggested a traffic light or a traffic circle to be placed on the intersection.

Traffic signals cost less to put in, but they cost more to maintain over the long haul, says Hardee. Power goes out. You got a situation there.

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Roundabouts or traffic circles, cost a lot more on the front end, but once theyre in place, the matter of the powers on or not. Everybody knows what to do and youve got it set up physically for how its to be done, He adds.

However, Victor Feliciano of Smiths Station believes the intersection can not accommodate a roundabout now.

The only thing about the roundabout is youve got this property right here. [Corner Barbershop] I mean how much more land can they give up?Feliciano explains.  weve got the church here that has got their set up so.

If they pull it off, I just hope that its not at the expense of people not wanting to give up the land, he adds . If the church says, oh , yeah, thats cool, then well just move back here and well make room for it and its great.

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Feliciano says hed rather have the light if a roundabout would upset people.

Currently, the intersection is home to a church, barbershop and dollar general, but the construction of a new gas station is also creating traffic concern for residents in the area.

Smiths Station gas station construction on Lee Road 230 and Lee Road 240

Commissioner Drury and engineers say as Smiths Station continues to grow they are prioritizing solving the issue for the future.

Engineers are currently awaiting a proposal from the contacted traffic engineer to be presented to the commission for approval. If approved the study would take place in late August, early September to get an accurate study when school starts.

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The intersection at Lee Road 380 and Lee Road 379 was also discussed at the townhall.

Hardee and Drury have pitched to the Alabama Department of Transportation to have a light that stops traffic going north to allow traffic going south to have safe travels and vice versa.

They are currently awaiting a proposal of the cost for this change.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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TYLER, Texas (KETK)  Lance Phillips, son of Smith County Clerk Karen Phillips and former Smith County Commissioner Terry Phillips, was sentenced to seven years probation on Wednesday for assaulting a peace officer.

Bricks falling off downtown Tyler building prompts road closure

Mugshot of Lance Phillips, courtesy of Smith County Jail

In May, Lance was found guilty of assaulting a police officer during an incident at a 2023 Smith County commissioners court meeting. After he was found guilty, Lance told KETK that he planned to appeal the verdict in this case.

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If I lose, then I will immediately file my appeal to the higher court and go as high as necessary to get the rule of law to be enforced, Lance told KETK in May. There will be tons of case law that has Lance Phillips vs Neal Franklin of Smith County. The result will help 35 million Texans who may want to speak in a public meeting.

The May 2023 Smith County commissioners court meeting was considering items like a resolution marking April 2024 as Sexual Assault Awareness Month and a Smith County Jail operations report. During the meeting, Lance and Smith County Judge Neal Franklin got into a verbal exchange which ended with Lance being removed by courtroom officers.

Lance was then arrested for multiple charges, including assaulting a peace officer, on April 2, 2024. His seven years of probation started on Wednesday. Lance will also have to pay $10,000 in fees and must complete 240 hours of community service as a part of his sentence.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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By Ju-min Park and Joyce Lee

SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea and the United States have been discussing a shipbuilding tie-up that could include investments to modernise U.S. shipyards and more help to repair the U.S. naval fleet as Seoul seeks better tariff terms, government and industry sources said.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who has made revitalising the ageing U.S. shipbuilding industry a priority to keep up with China, has repeatedly raised the idea of cooperating with South Korea's cutting-edge shipbuilding industry.

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After investing billions of dollars in shipbuilding capacity, China is the world's biggest shipbuilder. It also has the world's largest maritime fighting force, operating 234 warships to the U.S. Navy's 219, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

"South Korea can use shipbuilding as leverage to gain some advantage in tariff negotiations," said Kim Suk Kyoon, a former commissioner of the Korea Coast Guard and an expert on maritime strategy.

Pressure on Seoul to reach a deal on import tariffs has increased after Japan struck a trade agreement with the U.S. this week. South Korean officials are in Washington for trade talks, though a high-level meeting due on Friday was postponed over scheduling.

South Korea is the world's second-largest shipbuilder and a source with direct knowledge of the talks said any partnership should include South Korean companies investing in the U.S. and helping more in repair and maintenance.

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South Korea's proposal of a "Korea-U.S. manufacturing renaissance partnership" in areas such as shipbuilding had drawn strong U.S. interest, as Washington called for joint efforts to counter China's shipbuilding growth, Seoul trade officials said, declining to be named as they were not authorised to speak to the media.

The U.S. Treasury Department and Trade Representative did not respond to requests for comment on the progress of talks about shipbuilding.

South Korea's industry ministry said the U.S. and South Korea were discussing ways to cooperate in manufacturing industries, including shipbuilding, but declined to elaborate.

POLITICAL WILL

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"The most realistic option for South Korea is, I think, to make a deal to fix a certain number of U.S. navy vessels annually or build parts of new ships," said Kim, a visiting researcher at the Korea Institute for Maritime Strategy.

Repair of U.S. Navy ships is already happening in South Korea including at Hanwha Ocean's Geoje shipyard, which has the world's largest dock and a 900-ton "Goliath" crane, according to its website.

In July, Hanwha Ocean secured its third U.S. Navy maintenance contract and parent Hanwha Group has also been expanding in U.S. shipbuilding.

It acquired Pennsylvania-based Philly Shipyard for $100 million last year and said this week the shipyard had received an order for a liquefied natural gas carrier to be built together with Hanwha Ocean's Geoje shipyard.

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The conglomerate recently said it obtained U.S. approval to increase its stake in Australian shipbuilder Austal that owns a shipyard in Alabama building U.S. Navy ships.

Another South Korean shipbuilder, HD Hyundai, formed a partnership this year with U.S. defence-focused shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls, and joined forces with Edison Chouest Offshore to build container ships in the U.S.

But, obstacles remain to expanding the relationship.

There are difficulties obtaining parts and a lack of local talent at U.S. shipyards, said Woo Jong Hoon, a naval architecture and ocean engineering professor at Seoul National University.

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Political will would also be needed given the raft of U.S. regulations that protect domestic shipbuilding.

A South Korean trade official called for exceptions or changes to the Jones Act, which bars foreign shipyards from building commercial ships to operate in the U.S.

The Byrnes-Tollefson Amendment also prohibits the construction of navy vessels in foreign shipyards, but the president retains the authority to waive its provisions for national security.

To skirt U.S. regulations, South Korea could look into ideas like building modules to be delivered to U.S. shipyards or designating a South Korean shipyard as a special district so U.S. Navy ships could be built there, Woo said.

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'WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL'

Trump's introduction to South Korean shipbuilding probably happened nearly three decades ago.

The real estate mogul flew in by helicopter to visit the Geoje shipyard in 1998, recounts Lim Moon Kyu, a retired senior executive at the former Daewoo Shipbuilding company who accompanied the VIP guest "with Hollywood looks". Daewoo Shipbuilding was acquired in 2023, becoming Hanwha Ocean.

At the top of a 100-metre (328 ft) high crane, Trump was given a birds-eye view of the sprawling shipyard on a southern island.

"Clearly, he was impressed, saying Wonderful, Wonderful on top of the crane," said Lim, as he thumbed through photos of the meeting with Trump, who was accompanied by his son Donald Trump Jr.

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Lim believes the visit left Trump with a lasting positive impression that means he is now open to cooperating with Korean shipbuilders to counter China's growing naval power.

"What carrots do we have to give to the U.S.? Nothing but this (shipbuilding) would be immediately possible," said Lim.

(Reporting by Ju-min Park and Joyce Lee; Additional reporting by Jihoon Lee; Editing by Ed Davies and Kate Mayberry)
A Southern California man who had fled the country was arrested and charged with the assault of a federal officer.

The suspect was identified as Elpidio Reyna, 39, of Compton, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

On June 7, Reyna is accused of throwing concrete blocks at officers and law enforcement vehicles as they conducted an immigration enforcement operation on Alondra Boulevard in Paramount.

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The thrown objects injured a federal officer and damaged government vehicles as they drove by, authorities said.

Elpidio Reyna, 39, of Compton, was arrested at the San Ysidro Port of Entry for the alleged assault of a federal officer. (FBI) The suspect is allegedly seen throwing concrete blocks at federal officers vehicle in Paramount during an immigraiton enforcement operation on June 8, 2025. (U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli) Elpidio Reyna, 39, of Compton, was arrested at the San Ysidro Port of Entry for the alleged assault of a federal officer. (U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli) Elpidio Reyna, 39, of Compton, was arrested at the San Ysidro Port of Entry for the alleged assault of a federal officer.A Southern California man who had fled the country was arrested and charged with the assault of a federal officer. (U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli)

Following the incident, Reyna had fled to Mexico. Mexican authorities later located Reyna in the state of Sinaloa.

Following negotiations, Reyna agreed to surrender to the FBI on July 23, officials said.

He was taken into custody at the San Ysidro Port of Entry by FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents and transported to Los Angeles.

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said one of the officers who arrested Reyna was inside one of the vehicles that were damaged in the attack.

To anyone who thinks they can attack federal officers and hide behind a mask or helmet, Reynas arrest today proves we can find and charge anyone who violates federal law, Essayli said in an X post.

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Another major change is coming to Southwest Airlines.

Just two months after ending its long-standing Bags Fly Free policy, the airline has announced when it will roll out assigned seating  a significant shift from its traditional boarding process. For decades, Southwest used a first-come, first-served system, along with free checked bags, that set it apart from its competitors.

But recent changes have drawn pushback from loyal customers, including many who say theyll stop flying Southwest due to the sudden and dramatic shift in services.

When will assigned seating come to Southwest Airlines?

Southwest will introduce assigned and premium seating on flights starting Jan. 27, 2026, officially ending its polarizing open seating policy. The current system allows passengers to choose seats upon boarding based on their place in line.

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The airline is not currently accepting reservations past Jan. 26. Reservations with assigned seats will go on sale beginning July 29.

Our customers want more choice and greater control over their travel experience, Tony Roach, Southwests executive vice president of customer and brand, said in a statement. Assigned seating unlocks new opportunities for our customers  including the ability to select Extra Legroom seats  and removes the uncertainty of not knowing where they will sit in the cabin.

Along with assigned seating, Southwest will introduce premium seating. Passengers who purchase these seats will receive priority boarding, alongside the airlines most loyal customers.

Southwest Airlines' new boarding groups

As part of the assigned seating plan, Southwest will move from position-based boarding to group-based boarding. According to the airline, there will be up to eight boarding groups on every flight, and passengers will be assigned a group based on the ticket they purchased and their frequent flyer status with the airline.

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Here's a breakdown of what Southwest passengers can expect at the boarding gate beginning next year:

Groups 1 and 2 will be for passengers holding Choice Extra tickets and those seated in extra legroom seats, even if they purchased a cheaper ticket bundle. The Choice Extra bundle is the most inclusive option in Southwest's new matrix, offering access to extra legroom and preferred seats, as well as two free checked bags. Rapid Rewards A-List Preferred members will board no later than Group 2, regardless of their seat assignment.

Groups 3-5 will be for passengers who purchased a Choice Preferred ticket bundle. The Choice Preferred bundle includes access to standard seats closer to the front of the plane, as well as the perk of earlier boarding. Choice Preferred tickets do not include complimentary checked bags. Rapid Rewards A-List members also will board no later than Group 5, and Southwest Airlines credit cardholders will board with Group 5 if their seats or ticket bundle do not entitle them to earlier boarding.

Groups 6-8 will be for passengers who purchased Choice and Basic ticket bundles. Choice tickets include a standard seat selected at booking and no complimentary checked bags. Basic tickets include a seat assignment given at check-in and no complimentary checked bags. According to Southwest, Choice and Basic ticket holders may board earlier in the process on some flights.

What other changes have been made?

In March, the airline announced it would no longer allow passengers two free checked bags. For the first time in its 54-year history, Southwest began charging for checked luggage in late May. Under the new baggage policy, most passengers are now required to pay to check bags  marking the end of one of the airlines most well-known perks.

These updates follow other recent changes, including adjustments to cabin service and shortened food and drink service times.

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Since December, flight attendants have begun preparing cabins for landing at 18,000 feet rather than the previous 10,000 feet. As a result, in-flight service now ends about 10 minutes earlier, and passengers must raise their seatbacks and stow tray tables sooner.

Southwest hints at bigger changes in future

In late June, Southwest CEO Bob Jordan told CNBC the airline is open to adding new features  such as airport lounges, premium seating or international routes  if thats what customers expect in the years ahead, acknowledging that the lack of these options has led travelers to choose other airlines.

Whatever customers need in 2025, 2030, we wont take any of that off the table. Well do it the Southwest way but were not going to say We would never do that, Jordan said in an interview with CNBC at an airport industry conference in Arlington.

Jordan told CNBC the airline is open to adding aircraft capable of flying nonstop to Europe  a major shift for the low-cost carrier.

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"No commitment, but you can certainly see a day when we are as Southwest Airlines serving long-haul destinations like Europe," Jordan said. "Obviously you would need a different aircraft to serve that mission and were open to looking at what it would take to serve that mission."

Jordan also acknowledged growing demand for added comfort and amenities, especially among travelers flying out of Nashville. According to CNBC, he said customers are asking for more privacy, legroom and airport lounges  and Southwest may respond by introducing premium seating at a higher price point.

Contributing Zach Wichter, USA TODAY

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: First-come, first-served seats ending at Southwest Airlines: See when
The Special Olympics Washington flag was raised at the top of the Space Needle, celebrating the organizations 50th anniversary.

The flag raising on Tuesday highlighted the organizations mission to promote inclusion for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).

The event kicked off an effort to increase access, visibility, and participation within the Special Olympics community.

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Special Olympics Washington President & CEO Mary Do was joined by athletes, local leaders, and corporate partners at the flag raising.

Raising our flag over one of the most recognized landmarks is more than a celebration, its a bold reminder of where weve been, the inclusive future were building together, and the work still ahead, Special Olympics Washington President & CEO Mary Do said.

Its estimated that over 200,000 people in the state of Washington have IDD.
MADRID (AP)  Several dozen French passengers were removed from a flight leaving the Spanish city of Valencia for Paris for what Spanish police and the airline on Thursday described as unruly behavior.

The carrier, Vueling, denied reports that Wednesday's incident, which involved the removal of 44 minors and eight adults from flight V8166, was related to the passengers' religion.

Some Israeli news outlets reported that the students are Jewish and that their removal was religiously motivated, a claim that was repeated by an Israeli minister online.

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Spain's Civil Guard said the minors and adults are French nationals. A Civil Guard spokesperson said the agents involved were not aware of the group's religious affiliation.

A Vueling spokesperson said the passengers were removed after the minors repeatedly tampered with the plane's emergency equipment and interrupted the crew's safety demonstration.

A group of passengers engaged in highly disruptive behavior and adopted a very confrontational attitude, putting at risk the safe conduct of the flight, Vueling said in a statement. We categorically deny any suggestion that our crew's behavior related to the religion of the passengers involved.

A Civil Guard spokesperson said the captain of the plane ordered the removal of the minors from the plane at Valencia's Manises Airport after they repeatedly ignored the crew's instructions.

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On Thursday, the Federation for Jewish Communities of Spain expressed concern about the incident. The group said that Vueling needed to provide documentary evidence of what happened on the plane.

The various accounts circulating on social media and in the media to which we have had access do not clarify the cause of the incident, the organization said.

We are particularly interested in clarifying whether there were any possible religiously discriminatory motives toward the minors, the group said.

The Civil Guard said 23 minors and two adults from the group boarded a flight belonging to another airline, while the rest spent Wednesday night at a hotel.

The spokesperson said arrangements were being made for them to leave Valencia later Thursday.
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport was the scene of an emotional homecoming as a Spartanburg family returned from Syria following a harrowing ordeal.

Desiree Gomez, her husband, Mohamad Shokair, and their 18-month-old daughter, Salma, were greeted on July 23 by friends and family members who, only days before, worried theyd never see them again.

Mohamad Shokair, right, Desiree Gomez, after they arrived at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in Greer, S.C. Wednesday, July 23, 2025. The family was rescued from Syria by Grey Bull Rescue high-risk humanitarian operation.

Gomez, Shokair, and their child had traveled to the city of As Suwayda earlier this month to visit family.

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The city was safe until it wasnt, Gomez said.

Sectarian fighting broke out between militias, terror groups, and the Syrian military.

The violence was on a medieval scale, said Bryan Stern, founder of Grey Bull Rescue.

Sterns team conducts evacuations and rescues of Americans trapped in war-torn regions around the world.

A member of Gomezs family contacted Grey Bull Rescue, a Florida-based nonprofit led by military veterans.

Bryan Stern, founder of Grey Bull Rescue, talks about the mission his team carried out in war-torn Syria to bring a Spartanburg family home safely.

Stern was confident that he could help.

Weve done a lot of work in that part of the world, he said. We know Syria real, real, real well.

Trapped in a country gripped by sectarian violence

Syria has endured violence for nearly 15 years, starting with protests in 2011 against the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Full-scale civil war raged until al-Assad was driven from power in 2024.

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The country is led by a transitional government that has been unable to unify various factions and bring peace.

The United States government warns Americans against traveling to Syria. A State Department travel advisory web page states in bold letters, Do not travel to Syria for any reason.

Gomez and Shokair were determined to see family there.

As the situation in As Suwayda grew more chaotic and dangerous, they were able to get to safe shelter.

But they lost communication, and there was no way out. Violence raged all around.

Family members were in contact with the offices of U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott of South Carolina  but Grey Bull Rescue appeared to be their best hope.

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I want to thank them for putting their own lives at risk, said Gomezs mother, Dena Erickson. We are indebted to them.

Dena Erickson spoke to members of the media gathered on July 23 at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. She thanked the group of military veterans who rescued her daughter, Desiree Gomez, and Gomez's husband and child from Syria.

The sensitive rescue mission took a great deal of coordination, Stern said.

It was like a symphony where everything has to be on key, he said. It was important to have everyone in harmony.

Gomez described the rescue as "swift and dangerous."

Gomez regarded as "dedicated" educator

Gomez is an assistant principal at Lyman Elementary School, in Spartanburg District Five.

A group of her colleagues was at the airport because we want her to know were here for her, said Superintendent Randall Gary. We refer to District Five as a family, and when something happens to a family member, it affects us all.

Spartanburg School District Five Superintendent Randall Gary said the district is like "a family." He was on hand July 23 for the return of Desiree Gomez, an assistant principal in the district, at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport. Gomez and her family were rescued from the chaos of sectarian violence in Syria, where they had traveled to visit family.

Tiffany Darling, a fifth-grade teacher at Lyman Elementary, described Gomez as an outstanding colleague and educator. Shes so dedicated and empathetic with both her peers and the students, Darling said.

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Several in the crowd of well-wishers held handmade signs welcoming the family home.

As they arrived in GSP, Shokair was draped in an American flag. Gomez held their daughter.

Being back home safely is still a little a surreal, Gomez said.

A crowd of friends and family members greeted Mohamad Shokair, Desiree Gomez, and their daughter at Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport on July 23. The family returned home from Syria thanks to a evacuation operation by Grey Bull Rescue.

Americans "deserve to be rescued"

For Stern, rescuing Americans like Gomez and her family never gets old.

In situations where the U.S. government cant or wont swing into action, it makes his organizations mission a needed one.

Someone has to do it, he said. And family members dont care if its the Navy SEALs or the Ladies Auxiliary of the Elks Lodge.

Stern added: If youre an American citizen, you deserve to be rescued.

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My office had been deeply involved and closely monitoring this operation  I want to profusely thank The Grey Bull Rescue Foundation for this daring rescue effort, risking their lives to bring this family to safety," Graham said in a statement. "At an appropriate time, I intend to do more to recognize the Foundations selfless mission to bring hope and safety to Americans in harms way.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Grey Bull Rescue saves Spartanburg family from violence in Syria
Note: The person was reported found at 10:50 p.m. on July 23. This article has been updated to protect privacy.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  Law enforcement is searching for a 28-year-old woman who has gone missing in Greene County.

According to a Missouri State Highway Patrol press release, the Springfield Police Department (SPD) is searching for 28-year-old woman, who was last seen in Springfield on Wednesday, July 23.

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She was last seen leaving a residence and has not returned.

Anyone with information is requested to call 911 or contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810.

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And then there were two.

The number of people running for mayor of Manchester has doubled, with Ward 8 school board member Jessica Spillers filing papers Thursday, seeking the coveted corner office at City Hall  killing any shot Mayor Jay Ruais had of becoming the first sitting mayor to run for reelection unopposed since 1863.

Spillers, a mother to three young children (Roxanne, 5; Quorra, 2; and Tucker, 6 months), wife, and social worker, said she is running for mayor because she wants Manchester to be a great place to live  not just for my family, but for every family.

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Our public schools deserve leadership that is actually willing to fight for the students and teachers to ensure adequate funding that helps students succeed at every level, Spillers said. Im tired of a government that doesnt listen to the people. The school board and district had resounding support from both business and the public in fully funding a tax-cap-compliant budget and in the land transfer for the new Beech Street elementary school. Instead, local politicians decided to put their egos before the welfare of the community, creating unnecessary barriers and cutting the school budget needlessly.

Spillers realizes she is considered by many to be an underdog in the mayoral race  a label she says doesnt concern her. She is in the second year of her first term on the Manchester school board, having defeated Mark Warden, 938-791, in the 2023 municipal election.

Being the underdog is not new to me, Spillers said. When I ran for school board in Ward 8 I ran against a well-known entity, and I think he kind of took that for granted that he would just win. I busted my butt in Ward 8. I went out and knocked on doors, I listened to the people, and I won by almost 200 votes. Im not worried about it. I have faith in myself, I have faith in this community and in the people who are around me, who have said theyre excited and theyre ready to support me.

Spillers was greeted Thursday by a hallway full of supporters outside the City Clerks Office after signing up to run, walking out to chants of, Yes for Jess while accompanied by daughter Roxanne.

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Municipal elections in Manchester are nonpartisan, but the reality is races for major offices  particularly mayor  typically feature candidates backed by the two major parties. Ruais enjoys the support of conservatives, while Spillerss campaign already has the backing of city Democrats.

Jim OConnell, vice chairman of the Manchester school board, said hes excited to throw his support behind Spillers.

She has demonstrated her commitment to the people of Manchester through her work on the Board of School Committee representing Ward 8, OConnell said. Her experience working on the issues that matter to every family in the city of Manchester make her the ideal person to lead the city to a more vibrant and inclusive future.

She will be missed on the school board but I look forward to working with her to represent all the people of Manchester and to help our city grow to its full potential.

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Democrats weigh in

Manchester City Democrats Chair Joshua Query said Ruais has not delivered for this city.

Its time the people of Manchester have a leader that represents them and the everyday struggles of working families, and Jess is that person, Query said.

Spillers, who has a masters degree in social work with a concentration in child and family welfare from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and a bachelors degree in social work from the University of New Hampshire, currently serves as a Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program program specialist with the Department of Health and Human Services.

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Spillers has been critical of Ruais (who filed for reelection on Tuesday) over the budget for Manchester schools, especially so during a public hearing held by city aldermen in April on the mayors proposed budget  which came in $9.5 million less than the district and school board requested.

This is the same issue as what we had with phase one of the long-term facilities plan  our mayor had plenty of opportunities to express concern, to ask questions, and he didnt, Spillers said during the meeting. In fact, in the board meeting where we approved the superintendents budget, he voted in favor. And then later he comes along and proposes a budget that cuts that same budget by $9.5 million.

Spillers said at the time theres not much more she can do as a school board member at this point, other than advocate.

Youre all one vote, and just because the mayor has proposed this budget doesnt mean that you have to agree to it, Spillers said. You can negotiate and fight on behalf of our students and our educators. The aldermen are the checks and balances on the mayors power in the city, and I expect you to do your job.

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Spillers had launched a website announcing she would seek reelection to her Ward 8 school board seat, but had yet to file papers making her bid official.

The window for candidates to file papers to run for office in the 2025 Manchester municipal election ends at 5 p.m. today (Friday, July 25).

pfeely@unionleader.com
Boston travelers looking to escape the cold this fall and winter will soon have even more options for a warm vacation.

Spirit Airlines on Thursday announced it will be resuming nonstop service from Logan International Airport to three hotspot leisure destinations.

Spirit will resume nonstop seasonal service from Boston to San Juan on Dec. 17, with daily flights, a company spokesperson said in a statement.

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On Feb. 11, 2026, the airline will resume twice-daily, nonstop service from Boston to Fort Myers, Florida and also resume daily, nonstop flights from Boston to Tampa, Florida.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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The City of Worcester announced Thursday that West Nile virus had been detected in mosquitoes that were trapped at Willow Street.

On July 29 after 9 p.m., the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project will use trucks to spray pesticides where the mosquitoes were found, according to an email from Thomas Matthews, a spokesperson for City Manager Eric Batista. Roads near Willow Street will also be subjected to spraying, Matthews wrote.

The streets that will be sprayed are as follows:

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Beaver Brook Parkway

Circuit Avenue East

Circuit Avenue North

Clive Street

Columbus Street

Dewar Drive

Enfield Street

Englewood Avenue

Fairfield Street

Ferdinand Street

Fern Street

Friedel Street

Genoa Street

Hiscox Street

Hobson Avenue

Isabella Street

Lisbon Street

Lovell Drive

Lovell Street

Lovell Terrace

May Street

Maybrook Place

Maywood Street

Minthorne Street

Northridge Street

Roy Street

Stevens Road

Thayer Street

Wharton Street

Willow Street

There are currently no human cases of West Nile virus reported and the citys risk level remains low, according to Matthews.

Additionally, the Central Massachusetts Mosquito Control Project will be in Worcester from Aug. 5, Aug. 12, Aug. 19 and Aug. 26, to address concerns related to mosquitoes, Matthews said.

West Nile virus is a disease that spreads through mosquito bites. Most people who are infected with the virus dont experience symptoms, but one in five can develop fever, headache, body aches, and other flu-like symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

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It is rare, but West Nile virus can also affect the nervous system, resulting in serious inflammation of the brain or spinal cord.

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Read the original article on MassLive.
Wheat stands in a field in Richland County, North Dakota, on July 10, 2025. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

FARGO  An annual industry tour of the wheat crop in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota projects lower yields than a year ago but an overall good quality crop.

The Wheat Quality Council tour projects an average yield of 49 bushels per acre, down from 54.5 bushels in 2024. The durum wheat forecast also was down at 37 bushels per acre, compared to 45.3 in 2024.

Dave Green of the Wheat Quality Council speaks in Fargo, North Dakota, on July 24, 2025, at the end of the councils crop tour. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

Dave Green, one of the tour organizers for the Wheat Quality Council, said the yield projections did not quite live up to his expectations.

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I thought it looked a little better than that, he said during a debriefing at North Dakota State University for participants in the three-day tour.

He said fields in the northern tier of counties along the Canadian border showed some signs of lack of moisture but the crop otherwise looks good.

Nick Sinner, who was appointed executive director of the North Dakota Grain Growers Association in the spring, attended the tour wrapup.

Its not a bin-buster but a good solid crop, Sinner said. He was not a part of the tour but said he had driven across much of the state this week and said he was impressed by the evenness of the crop. He said he was surprised to hear the slightly lower yield expectations.

Nick Sinner, center, executive director of the North Dakota Grain Growers Association, takes notes in Fargo, North Dakota, on July 24, 2025, during the wrapup of the annual wheat tour. (Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

Sinner said he went through areas of Barnes and Cass counties hit hard by recent storms. He said the wheat seems to have held up well but some soybean fields were devastated.

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The tour attracts people from across the milling and baking industries who learn how to calculate yields before criss-crossing North Dakota and the western edge of Minnesota, inspecting fields as they go.

Tour participants from across the U.S. also learn about crop production, life in North Dakota and get a chance to visit the North Dakota State Mill and Elevator in Grand Forks, the largest flour mill in the country.

North Dakota is the nations largest producer of spring wheat.

Green said the tour often offers a chance for participants to see examples of diseases and pests that can damage the wheat crop but there was little to find this year.

He said wheat harvest is a couple of weeks away in the Red River Valley with the rest of North Dakota still three to five weeks away.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  A 57-year-old Springfield man has been arrested on first-degree murder charges after being accused of killing a woman whose remains were found over a year ago.

On Wednesday, the Illinois State Police Division of Criminal Investigation Zone 4 and Sangamon County States Attorney John Milhiser announced the arrest of Robert Lee Jr. for three counts of first-degree murder (Class M Felony) and one count of concealment of a homicidal death (Class 3 Felony).

Sean Grayson claims self-defense in shooting of Sonya Massey

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On March 13, 2024, the Illinois Department of Transportation notified State Police of the discovery of human remains located along the I-55 southbound ramp from Stevenson Drive in Springfield. The victim was later identified as 54-year-old Teresa Ann Coleman of Springfield.

State Police was requested to handle the death investigation and the preliminary autopsy results showed that her death was a homicide.

Following a thorough investigation, special agents with the State Police identified Lee as the suspect. An arrest warrant was issued for Lee and on July 23, 2025, the US Marshals Service Great Lakes Regional Fugitive Task Force and special agents took Lee into custody. He is currently being held at the Sangamon County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Despite Lees arrest, State Police continue to investigate the homicide. As a result, anyone with information regarding this incident that leads to a conviction can receive a cash reward of up to $5,000. People with information are urged to call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 217-788-8427.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Jul. 24A Springfield man was sentenced Tuesday to four-and-a-half years in prison for his role in a shooting of four people last summer.

Edwin Avery, 42, was found guilty in June of two third-degree felony having weapons while under disability charges, as well as carrying a concealed weapon with a loaded firearm specification and improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle, both fourth-degree felonies.

The charges stem from an Aug. 3, 2024 incident around 10:40 p.m. on York Street, near Kenton and Summer streets, just north of Selma Road.

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The known victims were a male who was shot in the head, another male who was shot multiple times in the body and a woman who was shot in the back. A fourth victim refused treatment.

Sandra Howard, 45, was sentenced in April to two years community control, a $500 fine and court costs after pleading guilty to fourth-degree felony aggravated assault and fourth-degree felony unlawful transactions in weapons.

Jai'Don Roberson-Chase, 20, still faces charges related to the shooting  attempted murder, felonious assault, carrying a concealed weapon, improper handling of firearms in a motor vehicle and tampering with evidence.

According to police records, an investigation found that Avery, Howard and Roberson-Chase arrived at a house in the 600 block of York Street, with Avery and Roberson-Chase having guns. Avery and a victim allegedly engaged in "an altercation," and Roberson-Chase reportedly fired at the victim.

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According to the report, Roberson-Chase fled on foot, and Howard and Avery were both struck by gunfire and stayed at the scene. The male victim and another person were also shot, fleeing on foot before being transported to the hospital for treatment.

Avery filed an appeal immediately following his sentencing.
BECKET, Mass. (WWLP)  A Springfield man has been identified as the drowning victim in Becket Quarry last week, after a search involving Berkshire County dive teams and multiple fire and police departments.

Chicopee man drowns in Conway Community Swimming Pool

The Berkshire State Police Detective Unit stated that police were called to the quarry just after 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Preliminary investigation found that a man and a woman were swimming in the water when the man began to struggle and quickly drowned. The woman and other individuals on the shore reportedly attempted to locate and rescue the victim, but were unsuccessful.

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Berkshire County dive teams used an underwater rover to help with the physical search for the body. The rover located the body, but malfunctioned and returned to the surface. The search team ended recovery efforts on Friday night due to low visibility and the rovers malfunction. The body was successfully located and recovered on Saturday.

The body has been identified as 25-year-old Rainiely Meteo of Springfield.

During the search, Berkshire State Police was assisted by the Pittsfield Fire Department, Pittsfield Police Department, Lenox Fire Department, Lanesborough Fire Department, Southwick Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Western Mass Regional Technical Rescue Team, and the Berkshire County Sheriffs Office.

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.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  Springfield Police arrested a suspect in connection with a double shooting on July 11th that resulted in the death of 54-year-old Eric Wilson.

Springfield Police spokesperson Ryan Walsh states that on Friday, July 11th, at around 10:30 p.m., officers were sent to an apartment on the 200 block of Orange Street for a report of a gunshot victim. When officers arrived, they found two men with gunshot wounds inside the apartment.

Victim identified in Orange Street shooting in Springfield

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Both men were taken to Baystate Medical Center. Eric Wilson, 54, of Springfield, had serious injuries, which led to his death two days later. The second man is expected to recover.

During the investigation, detectives with the homicide unit identified 32-year-old Sakawn Straw of Springfield as a suspect, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. On Thursday at around 6 a.m. Straw was arrested at a home on Revere Street and charged with the following:

Arrest Warrant Murder Discharging a Firearm within 500 Feet of a Building Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License Carrying a Firearm without a License Assault & Battery with a Dangerous Weapon



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.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LOUIS  St. Louis Sheriff Alfred Montgomery has appointed the former mayors HR director, who was fired from that post, as his new chief human resources officer.

According to Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, Jenkins-Grays new role creates a potential conflict of interest, sparking controversy from state officials to local leaders.

Kehoe released a statement regarding Jenkins-Grays hiring:

If Ms. Jenkins-Gray does not resign and continues to serve on the board, she will have to address those concerns with the Missouri Senate during her confirmation process, the governor concluded.

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In a statement Wednesday, the Sheriffs Office said Sonya Jenkins-Gray would handle all hiring, promotion, retention, and training policies and practices as the office strives to become a more modern agency.

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The Sheriffs Office made note of Jenkins-Grays previous position as the director of human resources under former Mayor Tishaura Jones but did not mention that Jenkins-Gray was also fired under that administration.

Jenkins-Gray served as the Personnel Director for St. Louis but was fired because she reportedly used a city vehicle for a personal business trip in Jefferson City.

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Jenkins-Gray will also be responsible for ensuring that the department operates effectively when it comes to serving citizens, jurors, lawyers, and judges, according to the statement.

I want to make sure our personnel practices are consistent and fair, Jenkins-Gray said.

In addition to her new role with the Sheriffs Office, Jenkins-Gray also oversees the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) as a member of the commissioner board, alongside Mayor Cara Spencer and others surrounding the governance of the department.

SLMPD commissioner board members elected Jenkins-Gray as the vice president of the committee, and theres no indication if she plans to resign from the board.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The St. Paul City Council voted Wednesday in support of a motion of intent indicating the city will likely rezone part of the former Hamms Brewery on the East Side for housing, effectively overriding concerns voiced by the citys Planning Commission over illegal spot zoning.

The 6-0 council decision, which followed a lengthy public hearing that drew sizable numbers of residents on either side of the question, sets the stage for a final council vote on Aug. 20, as well as possible legal action from opponents associated with St. Paul Brewing.

People still want to see housing at the site, said Council Member Cheniqua Johnson, who represents the neighborhood and chairs the citys Housing and Redevelopment Authority. Quite frankly, were at a crossroads. If nothing happens at the site in the next few years  well have people coming to us wondering why.

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The city, through its HRA, has worked for years with developer JB Vang on a proposal to install as many as 259 affordable housing units in multiple areas of the brewery campus, which dates to 1865. To accomplish that, the citys HRA has proposed rezoning two land parcels from industrial, or I2 zoning, to mixed-use traditional neighborhood, or T3 zoning.

In late May, following an hourlong debate, the Planning Commission approved rezoning three of five parcels at the brewery for new uses, but voted 9-2 against removing industrial zoning from existing brewery buildings at 680 and 694 E. Minnehaha Ave., as well as at the shared east end lot.

Planning Commission officials called the HRA proposal spot zoning, or the rezoning of particular land for particular projects disconnected from surrounding zoning, which is illegal in Minnesota. Nicolle Newton, director of the citys Department of Planning and Economic Development, told the council on Wednesday the city attorneys office had reviewed the proposal and disagreed with that conclusion.

Vangs current development plan, which has shrunk since 2022, calls for the installation of about 86 mostly one- and two-bedroom rentals in an existing brewery building. The building could also host a two-story indoor marketplace, though the marketplace has become a secondary priority, according to company officials, who have struggled to find a project partner for the concept.

New building at issue

Vangs plans also call for the construction of a new building in the east end parking lot, spanning 110 affordable units. Some 11 proposed rowhomes have been dropped.

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Rob Clapp, the owner of St. Paul Brewing, told the council Wednesday that he had no problem with installing housing in the existing brewery building. The new building, on the other hand, would occupy a parking lot his restaurant shares with the city, potentially undermining the success of his brewery and restaurant, his wifes distillery, a fabrication shop and other businesses he and his family operate on the site.

The Daytons Bluff Community Council and Payne-Phalen Community Council have both supported the rezoning. The ZIP code has among the highest rates of eviction in the state and is in desperate need of more affordable housing, said Tim Marino, a spokesperson for the Daytons Bluff council, noting that adding housing would be in keeping with the citys Comprehensive Plan.

During the public hearing, opponents said that public transit in the area is lacking, as is parking, and the added housing would overwhelm the neighborhood and undermine existing events like the Swede Hollow Art in the Hollow art fair. An attorney for a neighboring property owner said the Minnesota Supreme Court has come down strongly against spot zoning, and the rezoning would create a strip of T3 zoning disconnected from other T3 zones.

Theres a linen cleaning service and they have three shifts of employees, said Patrick Kelly, who lives within two blocks of the brewery property. Every eight hours they all leave, and then 40 new cars show up. Cars queue up in the middle of the street. I see the St. Paul Brewing parking lot full all the time. Those guys are so popular.

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Following the council vote, Johnson released a written statement noting that rezoning was essential to filling long-vacant brewery spaces. The future of this site is not manufacturing, she wrote. Its housing, mixed-use development and walkable neighborhoods.

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Stanislaus County will keep recruiting for its new Farm Worker Advisory Committee, despite zero applications so far from the laborers.

The Board of Supervisors voted 5-0 on Tuesday, July 22, to keep the number of worker seats at 10. Agricultural Commissioner Linda Pinfold had suggested trimming it to five to get the panel going sooner.

The board also began filling some of the other seats, including a farm owner, a labor contractor and two nonprofits that advocate for workers.

From left, Beatriz Castillo, Juan Romero, Manuel Baldovenas and Cynthia Cortez work the 2014 peach harvest just north of Modesto, Calif.

Supervisors created the committee last November, after complaints that the workers deserve more recognition and assistance.

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Advocates told The Modesto Bee last week that the recruitment has been stymied by President Donald Trumps call for mass deportations. They say most of the workers are undocumented but are crucial to the massive food and beverage industries in Stanislaus.

The committee is to be a one-year pilot program, with up to six meetings to discuss pay, housing, health care and other needs. Members would meet in public, with translation between English and Spanish, and receive $100 stipends per session.

The committee will have two workers from each of the five supervisor districts. The initial proposal in November was one per district.

Supervisor Channce Condit said Tuesday that having 10 rather than five would best serve the workers.

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We have to have their voice and their input and their insight, and that at the root of it all is the core purpose of this committee, he said.

Interested people can apply on the ag commissioners website. The deadline had been extended a few times, most recently to July 15. The new deadline was not announced.

Workers harvest green kale at Ratto Bros. farm west of Modesto, Calif., on Friday, July 24, 2020.

Who has been appointed to committee so far?

Supervisors took these other actions on the committee:

Filled the farm owner seat with Anthony Ratto, operations manager for Ratto Bros., a longtime grower and processor of fresh vegetables west of Modesto.

Appointed Benjamin Lopez of Salida to the labor contractor seat. Many farmers use these parties to hire crews. The contractors are licensed by the state and must follow rules on pay, safety and other concerns.

Named two people from nonprofit groups that advocate for farmworkers, up from one under the initial plan at Supervisor Mani Grewals urging. One appointee is Noe Paramo, director of the sustainable rural communities project at California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation. The other is Jose Moreno, vice president for operations at El Concilio California.

Postponed filling the seat for a member of the Stanislaus County Agricultural Advisory Board, which is made up of farmers and leaders with local, state and federal agencies involved in various aspects of food production. The group has not yet decided on its nominee to the farmworker committee.

All of Tuesdays appointments were unanimous except for the two nonprofits serving farmworkers. Supervisor Buck Condit said he preferred to have just one.
Palestinians are beginning to resemble walking corpses, a United Nations official said on Thursday as Sir Keir Starmer called the starvation unfolding in Gaza unspeakable and indefensible.

Humanitarian workers in the territory are seeing children who are emaciated, weak and at high risk of dying without urgent treatment, said Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UNRWA relief agency.

The prime minister is due to hold an emergency call with France and Germany on Friday to push for aid  and a ceasefire. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe, he said. The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible. While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen.

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Sir Keirs comments came just hours before French president Emmanuel Macron announced that France will recognise Palestinian statehood in September at the United Nations General Assembly.

The number of people starving in Gaza is reported to have increased dramatically in recent days; most of the 113 hunger-related deaths recorded there so far have occurred in recent weeks, and 82 of those who have died were children, according to Palestinian health officials.

Israel has imposed heavy restrictions on the amount of food and aid allowed to enter the territory, limiting aid to a handful of trucks each day following an 11-week total blockade earlier this year. UN officials say the aid delivered into the strip is a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed.

We all agree on the pressing need for Israel to change course and allow the aid that is desperately needed to enter Gaza without delay, Sir Keir said.

Yazan, a malnourished 2-year-old Palestinian boy, stands in his familys damaged home in al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City (AFP via Getty)

Mr Lazzarini said a UNRWA worker had described people in Gaza as neither dead nor alive  they are walking corpses. He said the agency has the equivalent of 6,000 loaded trucks of food and medical supplies in Jordan and Egypt, which have not yet been allowed into the territory.

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Families are no longer coping: they are breaking down, unable to survive. Their existence is threatened, he said.

Israeli forces have killed hundreds of Palestinians who were attempting to secure food from a limited number of aid trucks. The killings have drawn widespread condemnation, including from many of Israels own allies.

As more than 100 human rights groups and charities demanded in a letter on Wednesday that more aid be allowed in, Palestinians living in Gaza said they had been forced to trade personal items, such as gold jewellery, for flour.

We are living in hunger and daily suffering, as prices have risen in an insane way that no Gazan citizen, whether employed or unemployed, can bear, in a way that is beyond comprehension, said Wajih al-Najjar, 70, from Gaza City, the breadwinner for a family of 13.

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People are forced to go to death in search of some aid, he told The Independent, lamenting the exorbitant price of flour, which he says has shot up from 35 shekels (7.74) to up to 180 shekels (39.80) per kilo.

Palestinians ask for food from a charity kitchen in Gaza City (Reuters)

Mr Najjar, who has lost one quarter of his bodyweight  dropping from 85kg to 62kg  said he cannot get a full meal for himself. So what about children who need food more than three times a day? he said.

Meanwhile, major broadcasters and news agencies, including the BBC and Reuters, issued a joint statement to say that their journalists on the ground in Gaza are also facing the threat of starvation.

We are desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families, it read. For many months, these independent journalists have been the worlds eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza. They are now facing the same dire circumstances as those they are covering.

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Journalists endure many deprivations and hardships in war zones. We are deeply alarmed that the threat of starvation is now one of them.

More than 100 aid organisations and human rights groups warned on Wednesday that mass starvation is spreading in Gaza (AFP via Getty)

Prices continue to rise beyond control, and food scarcity has soared to an unprecedented level in the Gaza Strip, in the 21st month of a destructive Israeli invasion and bombardment that Palestinian health officials say has killed more than 60,000 people.

The war and invasion began on 7 October 2023 in response to attacks perpetrated on Israel by Hamas militants, who killed 1,200 people and captured at least 250 hostages.

Ihab Abdullah, a 43-year-old university lecturer who is the breadwinner for nine family members, said that every night before he goes to sleep, he asks: How will I provide for my children today? I can bear the hunger, but what about my children?

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We have become unable to buy or find food in the markets. We live in daily hunger, because the most needed commodity, flour, is not available in sufficient quantities. We are in a situation where we cannot buy food, even if we have money. Those who have money and those who do not have money are the same. Purchasing value has disappeared.

Palestinians gather to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen amid the Israel-Hamas conflict (Reuters)

Younis Abu Odeh, a 32-year-old who is displaced in Gaza, says he feels as if Palestinians have been put on a chicken farm and starved.

We are living through a war of extermination, famine, and psychological warfare, Mr Odeh told The Independent. A war of displacement, a war of tents, a war of heat and sun.

The Israeli government insists it is not causing a famine. Spokesperson David Mencer said that the manmade shortage of food has been engineered by Hamas.

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Mr Mencer said on Wednesday that more than 4,400 aid trucks had entered Gaza between 19 and 22 July, containing food, flour and baby food.

The deepening crisis came as Israel brought its delegation home from the Gaza ceasefire talks on Thursday after Hamas delivered a new response to a proposal for a truce and a hostages deal.

The Israeli prime ministers office thanked mediators for their efforts and said the negotiators were returning home for further consultations. Earlier it said Israel was reviewing the response from Hamas.

In his statement, Sir Keir said: It is hard to see a hopeful future in such dark times. But I must reiterate my call for all sides to engage in good faith, and at pace, to bring about an immediate ceasefire, and for Hamas to unconditionally release all hostages. We strongly support the efforts of the US, Qatar and Egypt to secure this.

We are clear that statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution, which guarantees peace and security for Palestinians and Israelis.
DUPAGE COUNTY, Ill.  Health officials in DuPage County have confirmed the countys first human case of West Nile Virus this year, the third confirmed case statewide in 2025.

Health officials from the DuPage County Health Department (DCHD) confirmed Thursday that the countys first human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) had been detected in a resident in Glen Ellyn.

The resident who contracted the case is in their 50s and began experiencing symptoms in mid-July.

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Health officials in the county have since moved the Personal Protection Index (PPI) risk level from one to two, which indicates high numbers of infected mosquitoes in most areas in the county, with at least one human case.

Illinois among 3 Democrat-led states to roll back Medicaid access for people lacking permanent legal status

County health officials are now urging residents to take precautions to avoid contracting WNV.

With a rise in recent weeks in mosquito batches testing positive for the presence of WNV, DCHD is encouraging residents to stay safe outdoors by protecting themselves from mosquito bites and the risk of contracting WNV, health officials said in a news release sent out on Thursday.

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The human case came a little under two months after the first WNV-positive mosquito batches were located in the county.

Just last week, health officials in Lake County confirmed the states second case of West Nile Virus for 2025.

Officials say WNV usually peaks during the late summer, between July and September, when the mosquito population is at its peak. WNV activity generally decreases in the fall when cooler temperatures arrive.

The PPI is updated each Wednesday at 3 p.m. throughout West Nile Virus (WNV) season as officials continue to collect and test mosquitoes in traps around the county.

HOUSTON, TEXAS  JUNE 11: Female mosquitoes collected from traps around Harris County are selected and then sorted by species at the Mosquito Survey facility Tuesday, June 11, 2024 where they will be tested for the presence of West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis virus in Houston. (Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

West Nile Virus in Illinois

As of 12:30 p.m.. Thursday, the West Nile Virus dashboard, maintained by the Illinois Department of Public Health, showed two cases, though health officials around the state have confirmed three cases.

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In total, 40 counties around Illinois have seen at least one positive WNV case in a human, bird, mosquito or horse.

In 2024, the state saw 69 human cases, which resulted in 13 deaths.

Where have West Nile Virus-positive mosquitoes been found in the Chicagoland this season?

While only three human cases have been reported so far this year, health officials from around the state have identified dozens of WNV-positive mosquito batches.

Back in Early June, health officials in McHenry County announced that they identified a batch that tested positive for West Nile Virus in Lake in the Hills.

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It was the first WNV-positive mosquito batch located in the county so far this year.

Just a week before, health officials said mosquitoes from a batch found in Glenview tested positive for the virus.

Officials did not specify a specific area where the batch was pulled from.

In mid-June, health officials in Cook County identified a WNV-positive mosquito batch in Chicago.

WHEELING, IL  JUNE 20: Lab assistant Amy Sebo drops mosquitoes into test tubes as she prepares them to be tested with the VecTest procedure for West Nile Virus, Saint Louis Encephalitis, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Antigen Panel Assay June 20, 2003 at the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District headquarters in Wheeling, Illinois. Illinois reported 884 cases and 64 deaths from the West Nile Virus last year, the highest amount in the nation. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

How to avoid West Nile Virus

According to health officials, while there is no vaccine currently available for WNV, there are steps people can take to reduce the likelihood of contracting WNV.

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While West Nile virus can be transmitted through blood transfusions and organ transplants, it is most commonly transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito.

The Illinois Department of Public Health advises residents to adhere to the following guidelines to minimize the risk of WNV exposure:

 Reduce  Residents should work to ensure that doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and should repair or replace any that have tears or openings. Residents should also work to keep doors and windows shut.

Beat the heat: Advocate Healthcare physician on staying safe during sweltering temps

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 Repel  Residents are advised to wear shoes, socks, long pants and a light-colored, long-sleeved shirt, as well as apply an EPA-registered insect repellent that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR 3535 when outside.

The CDC notes that parents should consult a physician before using repellents on children under three.

 Report  Residents are advised to report locations where they see sitting stagnant for more than a week. If reported soon enough, the local health department or city government may be able to add larvicide to the water, to kill any mosquito larvae.

WHEELING, IL  JUNE 20: Lab assistant Allen Truesdale displays a test tube of mosquitoes to be testing with the VecTest procedure for West Nile Virus, Saint Louis Encephalitis, Eastern Equine Encephalitis and Antigen Panel Assay June 20, 2003 at the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District headquarters in Wheeling, Illinois. Illinois reported 884 cases and 64 deaths from the West Nile Virus last year, the highest amount in the nation. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

West Nile Virus symptoms

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say about eight in 10 people infected with WNV do not develop symptoms.

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Around one in five people who become infected develop a fever, headache, body aches, joint pains, vomiting, diarrhea or rash. Most who develop these symptoms are able to completely recover, but CDC officials say fatigue and weakness can last for weeks or months.

According to the CDC, only about 1 in 150 people will develop a severe illness that impacts the central nervous system.

More Coverage: WGNs Medical Watch

Officials said symptoms of severe illness usually include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis.

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While WNV can cause severe illness in people of any age, people over the age of 60 and those with certain medical conditions are also at greater risk.

Those who suffer severe illness could take several weeks or months to recover and the CDC said some effects may be permanent.

Sign up for our Medical Watch newsletter. This daily update includes important information from WGNs Dina Bair and the Med Watch team, including, the latest updates from health organizations, in-depth reporting on advancements in medical technology and treatments, as well as personal features related to people in the medical field. Sign up here.

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State Attorneys Office reviewed viral arrest video before choosing not to criminally charge officer

Action News Jax has confirmed the State Attorneys Office did review the cell phone video of 22-year-old William McNeil Jrs February arrest as it mulled whether the police officers involved committed any crimes.

Despite having access to and reviewing the now-viral cell phone video showing McNeil being hit in the face at least twice by officers, State Attorney Melissa Nelsons office cleared the officers involved of any criminal charges just days after the footage was released.

They saw everything that America is seeing and said no problem, and that is the problem, said McNeils attorney Ben Crump during a press conference on Wednesday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

McNeils legal team has also claimed McNeil was never interviewed as part of the State Attorneys review of the arrest.

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John Jay College of Criminal Justice Professor Dennis Kenney said hes surprised the State Attorneys Office didnt hear from McNeil when reviewing the conduct of the officers.

The totality of the circumstances matter, and the totality of the circumstances should have included not just what Mr. McNeil had to say, but what the other officers present had to say, said Kenney.

Weve asked the State Attorneys Office why McNeil was never interviewed.

Were told that question will be addressed in a memo to McNeils file that will be finalized in the coming days.

On the decision not to pursue criminal charges, Kenney noted the State Attorneys Office not only considers whether a crime has been committed, but also the likelihood of securing a conviction.

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Kenney says the fact McNeil pleaded guilty to resisting without violence and driving with a suspended license may have come into play.

States attorneys dont like to bring charges that they think they cant win, said Kenney.

Law enforcement groups have also claimed McNeil did not have the right to ignore officers commands to exit his car once he was told he was being placed under arrest for resisting.

It is a serious offense not to follow the directions of an officer, which Mr. McNeil chose to ignore numerous times when he refused to exit his vehicle, said Randy Reaves, Resident of FOP Lodge 5-30 in a statement released Thursday. This decision to ignore an officers commands puts law enforcement, the suspect, and immediate public in unnecessary exposure to danger.

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On Monday, Sheriff T.K. Waters expressed a similar sentiment.

Its been dealt with several different times. You dont resist when youre doing your lawful duties. You dont deserve to get violated, but you deserve to get whats necessary to get you under control and to take you into custody, said Waters.

Kenney said moving forward, he would expect McNeil to be interviewed as part of JSOs internal investigation into the officer that struck him in the face during the arrest.

That officer, Donald Bowers, was stripped of his policing authority on Monday, pending the outcome of that investigation.

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California regulators are supporting a controversial plan backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom  and opposed by environmental groups  that would give water agencies more leeway in how they comply with water quality rules.

The Newsom-backed approach is included as part of a proposed water plan for the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, released by the State Water Resources Control Board on Thursday.

The plan would give water agencies two potential pathways to comply with water quality goals  either a traditional regulatory approach based on limiting water withdrawals to maintain certain river flow levels, or an alternative approach supported by the governor in which water agencies, under negotiated agreements, would make certain water flow commitments while contributing funding for wetland habitat restoration projects and other measures.

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The proposed plan is intended to protect native fish species and the ecosystem through water quality standards and flow objectives for the Delta and San Francisco Bay.

Major water agencies have lined up to support these so-called voluntary agreements, which Newsom and his administration have touted as a solution to break away from the traditional conflict-ridden regulatory approach and improve the Deltas ecological health.

Newsom called the plan "a testament to Californias commitment to a collaborative, science-driven approach to managing our water for the benefit of our communities, economy, and fish and wildlife."

The proposed plan, developed by the state agencys staff, will now go through a public comment process, and will eventually go before the five-member state water board for a decision on adoption. Members of the board are appointed by the governor.

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Environmental and fishing groups, as well as leaders in Delta communities, have contended that the voluntary approach would harm the estuarys deteriorating ecosystem and fish species that have suffered dramatic declines.

Read more: Debate over options for California's ailing Delta region reflects deep divisions over water

The Delta draws together rivers from a vast watershed and flows toward the San Francisco Bay. On the south side of the Delta, pumps operated by state and federal governments send water flowing to cities and farms.

Eric Oppenheimer, executive director of the state water board, said the proposed update of the water quality plan would improve conditions for fish and wildlife through a combination of flow and habitat measures while considering the needs of cities, towns and farms.

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Oppenheimer noted that the state water board would track agencies' commitments under the voluntary agreements, which also have been called the Healthy Rivers and Landscapes Program.

Under the draft plan, state officials would review the voluntary agreements after eight years to determine whether they should be extended, modified or terminated. The board could decide to return water agencies to the traditional regulatory approach if they determine that the voluntary agreements haven't achieved the desired results.

"We included the voluntary agreement pathway because we think the voluntary agreements have merit," Oppenheimer told reporters during a briefing. "The basic concept behind these voluntary agreements is that by combining both flow and habitat, we think we can achieve significant ecosystem improvements, and we think it can be done with a lower water supply impact."

Oppenheimer said state officials believe that this approach will "engender a high degree of cooperation and buy-in from the water users."

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Environmental and fishing groups have condemned the agencies proposed voluntary agreements as backroom deals struck without input from Native tribes, Delta communities or conservation advocates. They have said that by failing to protect existing flows, the agreements are aimed at setting the stage for massive additional water diversions.

Newsom and his administration are pushing for the proposed Delta Conveyance Project, seeking to build a 45-mile water tunnel beneath the Delta, and also are moving ahead with plans to build Sites Reservoir, the state's first new major reservoir in decades, in a valley north of Sacramento.

Ashley Overhouse, water policy advisor for the environmental group Defenders of Wildlife, said she is very concerned about the state board's approach.

"This is just the latest attempt by the Newsom administration to promote the woefully inadequate and inequitable voluntary agreements, undercutting bare minimum protections," Overhouse said. "The proposal to cut freshwater flows through the Delta during wet and dry years will be devastating for species and the overall health of the estuary."

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Read more: Newsom in fight to advance plans for $20-billion water tunnel in the Sacramento Delta

Overhouse and other environmental advocates contend that the voluntary deals struck by major water suppliers would be disastrous for threatened and endangered fish, including salmon, steelhead, green sturgeon, longfin smelt and Delta smelt. They have called for more stringent flow requirements to help populations recover.

This year, populations of Chinook salmon were so low that regulators shut down the commercial fishing season along the coast for a third straight year, though limited recreational fishing was allowed.

The state water board "seems to be collapsing under pressure from the governor to approve the fatally flawed voluntary agreements," said Scott Artis, executive director of Golden State Salmon Assn., a nonprofit group that represents fishing communities.

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Artis said the voluntary approach would worsen the environmental crisis in the Delta and set the stage for "even more damaging diversions by the massive Delta tunnel."

His group has also criticized the $2.9 billion in proposed funding that would be needed to carry out the agreements, much of it from state and federal funds. The group has called it a shell game and a taxpayer rip-off.

The update of the Bay-Delta Water Quality Control Plan has been years in the making. The last substantial changes in water quality and flow requirements were adopted in 1995 for much of the watershed. In 2018, the state water board released new standards to increase flows in the San Joaquin River.

The pending update will set rules for the Sacramento River watershed and the rest of the Delta.

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Read more: Experts urge California to avoid pitfalls in water deals in the delta

The state water board plans to hold a public hearing on the draft plan Sept. 8-9, and will be accepting written comments until Sept. 10. A date for a decision by the board has not been set.

The proposal also calls for establishing tribal "beneficial uses" of water in recognition of the connections between Native tribes and fish populations. There are more than 100 tribes in the Bay-Delta watershed. State officials say this designation would not guarantee tribes a certain volume of water but would ensure that cultural uses of water, including for fish species, have protections under the plan.

Wade Crowfoot, the state's natural resources secretary, said the approach outlined under the plan will "improve the health of our rivers by both restoring river flows and revitalizing habitat.

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Newsom noted that he also has proposed legislation to create an exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act for all such water quality plans. The governor said this would "accelerate the time it takes to get these critical plans done by removing unnecessary and redundant process requirements."

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The State Department said Wednesday that it has approved $322 million in proposed weapons sales to Ukraine to enhance its air defense capabilities and provide armored combat vehicles, coming as the country works to fend off escalating Russian attacks.

The potential sales, which the department said were notified to Congress, include $150 million for the supply, maintenance, repair and overhaul of U.S. armored vehicles, and $172 million for surface-to-air missile systems.

The approvals come weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed a pause on other weapons shipments to Ukraine to allow the Pentagon to assess its weapons stockpiles, in a move that caught the White House by surprise. President Donald Trump then made an abrupt change in posture, pledging publicly earlier this month to continue to send weapons to Ukraine.

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We have to, Trump said. They have to be able to defend themselves. Theyre getting hit very hard now. Were going to send some more weapons  defensive weapons primarily.

Trump recently endorsed a plan to have European allies buy U.S. military equipment that can then be transferred to Ukraine. It was not immediately clear how the latest proposed sales related to that arrangement.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the U.S. has provided more than $67 billion in weapons and security assistance to Kyiv.

Since Trump came back into office, his administration has gone back and forth about providing more military aid to Ukraine, with political pressure to stop U.S. funding of foreign wars coming from the isolationists inside the Trump administration and on Capitol Hill.

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Over the course of the war, the U.S. has routinely pressed for allies to provide air defense systems to Ukraine. But many are reluctant to give up the high-tech systems, particularly countries in Eastern Europe that also feel threatened by Russia.

___
(FOX40.COM)  Major changes are coming to the mental health system, and theyll directly impact how services are provided here in Sacramento County. These changes are due to a voter-approved measure that will reshape how millions of dollars are spent on behavioral health services and housing.

Some of the conversation about how this funding will be spent in Sacramento County began yesterday during a board meeting.

Its been two decades since California voters passed the Mental Health Services Act, a law funded by taxing millionaires to support mental health programs. Now, a major shift is underway.

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Proposition one was a voter initiative that passed in 2024 that restructured how our behavioral health funding is being used, Ryan Quist, Sacramento County Behavioral Health Services Director said. So it did not provide any new funds. Still, it does require us to direct 30% of all the funds towards housing interventions.

According to the new Behavioral Health Services Act, counties must allocate 30% of their behavioral health funding to housing interventions, 35% to full-service mental health partnership programs and 35% to behavioral health services and supports.

Were going through a very intensive community planning process, Quist said.

For the past 20 years, Sacramento County has developed behavioral health programs tailored to meet the unique needs of its diverse community. Now, those programs are at risk due to the changes required by the state.

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So we are experiencing a little bit of grief over losing some of those programs that we may have to cut and hope that the state initiative is able to pick up the difference, Quist said.

One primary concern is the loss of prevention dollars. The state is now taking over that responsibility, removing it from local counties.

So were actually now not allowed to use our HSA dollars for prevention initiatives, Quist explained. And the explicit or the rationale for that, that was explained to us, was that there was a desire for county behavioral health to really focus on those with the most serious mental illnesses.

The transition officially takes effect in July 2026, however, planning is already underway.

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Sacramento County said they want to know whats working and what can improve.

The first phase is were having this first round of community conversations, and our second phase, what were going to do is were going to come back to the community, mentioned Quist.

Were going to say, heres a summary of what we heard and heres a plan regarding how were planning on implementing based on the feedback that weve heard, said Quist.

The County will be hosting a Community Conversation virtually via Zoom on Wednesday, July 30th.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News.
State Medicaid systems are scrambling to prepare for painful cuts under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, leaving private insurers with mounting financial pressure and state officials with few options for relief 16 months before the new policies take effect.

The megabill represents the largest cuts to Medicaid in its 60-year history  roughly $1 trillion  and while most of the changes wont take effect until after next years midterm elections, the state-run programs are already facing a time crunch.

Matt Salo, the former executive director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors and CEO of the health consulting firm Salo Health Strategies, predicted many states will request delays.

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The real question is, will the administration grant that? Because its entirely up to the administration to say yes or no to that, Salo added. I might venture to say, you know, if you have 25 blue states coming in and saying, Hey, give us two more years because we really need that much time, the administration might not be all that keen to grant it.

Much of the cuts come from new, strict work requirements and restrictions on state-levied taxes on health providers, which account for a significant amount of revenue for states to fund their Medicaid programs.

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2027, the megabill will require that people who are not already working at least 80 hours a month be denied coverage. While many Medicaid enrollees will likely remain eligible for coverage under the new work requirement, many are expected to lose coverage because of red tape.

Caregivers with children aged 13 and younger, people with disabilities and pregnant people are among those who are exempted from this requirement.

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States can, however, request a temporary delay in implementing the work requirements from the secretary of the Health and Human Services Department.

The administrative burden of meeting the 2027 deadline could further compound the coverage losses already expected to occur because of policy changes and additional paperwork.

Given the timing, [its] a pretty fast requirement. This would involve significant challenge for states to implement, Fred Blavin, senior fellow at the Urban Institute, recently said on the podcast Hospitals in Focus.

Based on previous work requirements that were implemented in states such as Arkansas or Georgia, some other provisions on the Medicaid side would significantly increase the administrative burden on enrollment in Medicaid, which could adversely affect coverage, Blavin said.

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As Medicaid insurers try to prepare for the upcoming changes, they will have to factor in how these new policies will impact their projections. States will have to contend with the highly complex matter of identifying exempt populations and balancing their budgets.

There tends to be kind of a decision tree that they go through when they need to figure out how to resolve budget imbalances or deficits, Salo said.

States will likely first look at spending that is technically optional, such as Medicaid expansion and long-term care benefits. Other benefits that could be on the chopping block are adult dental care, optometry or podiatry, though they wont save as much money.

Major Medicaid service providers are anticipating slower economic growth this year.

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Centene, which offers Medicaid plans in about 30 states, withdrew its 2025 guidance this month after an independent analysis found market growth in 22 states was lower than expected and the ill health in those states was significantly higher than theyd assumed. This update caused Centenes stock to immediately plunge by nearly 40 percent.

Molina Healthcare similarly lowered its 2025 expectations, saying this month it expects its adjusted earnings for the year to be $5.50 per share, which it described as modestly below its prior expectations.

Medicaid beneficiaries are already worried about how the big, beautiful bill will impact their coverage.

New polling by KFF found that 65 percent of people who are on Medicaid and younger than 65 said they think the bill will hurt them and their families. Overall, 46 percent of those in the poll said they think the bill will harm them, 26 percent think it will help and 28 percent dont think it will make much of a difference.

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According to an analysis by KFF released before the bill was signed into law, six states are at particular risk as a result of Medicaid spending reductions: Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, South Carolina and West Virginia.

There are already efforts in Congress to pull back on some of the changes to Medicaid included in the bill.

Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley (R), one of the loudest GOP opponents to the bill on account of its Medicaid provisions, introduced legislation to repeal some parts of the bill, which he ultimately voted for. His bill would repeal provisions that limit states ability to levy taxes on health providers to receive more money from the federal government.

It would also repeal a cap on state-directed payments, which allow states to direct how providers are paid by privately run, managed care plans.

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I want to see Medicaid reductions stopped and rural hospitals fully funded permanently, Hawley said.

The Federation of American Hospitals has put its backing behind Hawleys bill.

By introducing S. 2279, you rightly acknowledge that hospitals cannot maintain essential health care services if the provider tax and state directed payment (SDP) changes in [the bill] are implemented. SDPs and provider taxes provide critical sources of revenue that allow states to support hospitals that disproportionately serve Medicaid patients, the organization wrote in a letter to Hawley.

A policy response from Medicaid providers and groups has not come out yet. The sort of relief that Medicaid programs call for in response to the added pressures from the megabill will depend on how the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services chooses to interpret the provisions of the bill.

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For experts like Salo, the current outlook on relief is bleak.

I dont know that theres much, to be honest. I think things have to get worse before they are to get better, Salo said. I dont see a legitimate pathway for significant relief in the short term.

Are the Democrats going to want to let the Republicans off the hook for all these cuts? I think the answer is no. Are the hard-line conservative budget folks in the GOP going to want to go and increase the deficit debt again after having just passed [the bill] and doing hundreds of billions of more spending? I just dont see any of that in the near term.

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NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  Nine children under the age of five have died in pool drownings across Virginia since Memorial Day, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

The latest incident occurred over the weekend in the Tidewater region, marking a continued rise in accidental drownings during the summer months.

A large percentage of drownings that occur in residential or backyard pool settings, said Environmental Health Coordinator Briana Bill with the Virginia Department of Health. A person can only go through this drowning response for anywhere from 20 to 60s. Were not talking minutes here. Were talking seconds.

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So far in 2025, at least 13 children in Virginia have died in accidental drownings, including in bathtubs, health officials said.

Previous Coverage: VDH urges pool safety pledge to help end drownings

Children can drown in as little as two inches of water, Bill said. All it takes is for someone to be face down and unsupervised for a drowning to occur.

Experts warn that drowning is often silent and is not as dramatic as seen in film or television. State health officials explain that the instinctive drowning response  when the body involuntarily attempts to stay above water  can appear subtle or even go unnoticed.

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If someone is to observe someone in the water quietly looking like theyre trying to climb a ladder and theyre not responding to communication, that is definitely an indicator that someone is involved in a drowning experience, Bill said.

The health department urges active and undistracted supervision around any body of water, including pools, bathtubs and even shallow containers.

Shallow water doesnt always equate safety, Bill added.

Drowning remains the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
NORWICH, Conn. (WTNH)  State police are trying to educate communities on hate crimes with statistics in Connecticut on the rise over the past few years.

Were going to be even better tonight in Norwich than we were in Danbury last week, Connecticut State Police Commissioner Ronnell Higgins said. Were going to be better tonight in Norwich than we were in Waterbury last month, and so on and so forth. So we are looking forward to this tonight.

Fire at former Norwich car wash under investigation

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The state police Hate Crimes Investigative Unit (HCIP) was in Norwich on Wednesday night to have a back-and-froth conversation with prosecutors and the local police with the community and local leaders in attendance.

Its important to show that people of diverse backgrounds are engaged in understanding, State Rep. Derell Wilson (46-D). But, more importantly, learning about new things that really affect our communities but also uplift them as well

The HCIP said hate-motivated crimes in Connecticut reached a high in 2024, up 50% from 2021. The meeting Wednesday covered the true meaning of a hate crime, prevention measures, and much more.

We want to make sure they know what to look for, Norwich Police Chief Patrick Daley said. If they feel theyre a victim of a hate crime or incident, they can contact us.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
PIERRE, S.D. (KELO)  South Dakota state government began the 2026 budget year on July 1, and a somewhat soft revenue picture is now looking a little worse.

A state law requires that the Legislatures Appropriations Committee receive independent forecasts no later than July 30 each year.

The reports that the state Bureau of Finance and Managment and the Legislative Research Council brought on Wednesday werent optimistic.

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State economist Derek Johnson spoke for BFM. The bureau, more commonly known as the governors budget office, went first.

Fellow rocker Ron Keel remembers Ozzy Osbourne

BFM now estimates that state governments general fund will take in about $24.5 million, or 0.99%, below what lawmakers adopted back in March.

The LRC report that came from budget chief Jeff Mehlhaff meanwhile estimates about 0.9% less.

BFM and LRC both see state sales and use taxes generating less than the $1,504,777,927 that was expected.

BFMs forecast now says sales and use tax will total $1,491,490,722 for 2026. LRC meanwhile put the amount at $1,495,810,734.

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Sales tax is by far the state governments No. 1 source of general fund revenue.

The two reports come on the heels of the state sales tax doing worse than lawmakers had expected in the 2025 budget year that ended June 30.

Sales tax revenue for 2025 finished 0.6% below the 2024 level.

State Finance Commissioner Jim Terwilliger said Wednesday that this had happened only once before, during the 2010 recession.

That downturn led then-Gov. Dennis Daugaard to call for spending cuts up to 10% throughout state government.

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The Service Oklahoma headquarters on Classen Boulevard in Oklahoma City helps residents with driver's license and motor vehicle services. (Photo by Carmen Forman/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  A state lawmaker said he hopes to tweak a new state law that no longer provides most Oklahomans with the option to obtain paper copies of their vehicle titles.

Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, said the implementation of a new law mandating that vehicle titles be issued electronically, caught many people off guard. Based on feedback hes received, he plans to work with the House author and Service Oklahoma to change the new law to allow some Oklahomans to receive paper copies of their vehicle titles upon request.

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Lawmakers first passed Senate Bill 836 in 2023, but it didnt take effect until July 1, 2025. The change means that a printed title isnt sent to the owner or lienholder. Instead, an electronic title is generated for vehicles that are bought, sold or transferred. Existing paper titles are still valid.

This law aims to help the government operate more efficiently by no longer providing paper copies of ownership paperwork and to relieve the burden on financial institutions that must warehouse titles while maintaining a filing system, Hall said.

I think, potentially, it can be a lot easier on Oklahomans who might find it difficult or struggle with staying up with the actual title itself, he said. This way, theyll know exactly where its at, at all times up until the point where theyre ready to trade the vehicle or sell it.

But, he said some Oklahomans were surprised or unaware that the state has transitioned to an electronic titling system. He said he also received calls from fellow legislators who said their constituents wanted a paper title.

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Corey Robertson, a spokesperson for Service Oklahoma, said in an email that the agency has discussed the possibility of offering a paper title option and are actively exploring how that could be implemented within the current legal and regulatory framework.

The agency would not make an employee available to be interviewed about change, but did answer a list of e-mailed questions submitted by Oklahoma Voice.

Electronic titles reduce the need for duplicate title requests and minimize the risk of fraud, loss and damage, officials wrote. They also streamline backend processing and improve efficiency for customers and staff.

Paper titles can only be issued for a few reasons such as moving to a new state, selling a vehicle out of state or transfer of ownership. Copies of paper titles can then be requested through a tag agency, by completing a form or submitting a request through an OkCars account, officials said.

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The agency said that during private sales, sellers with an electronic title will have to provide an Electronic Title Bill of Sale, a form used to transfer ownership of an electronic Oklahoma title. That can be verified by creating an OkCars account.

Emily Hill, a spokesperson for Service Oklahoma, said in an email that electronic titles are a more secure alternative to paper titles. Oklahomans without internet access can visit a tag agency to verify their electronic titles, the agency said.

The system uses multiple layers of security including encryption, access controls, audit logs and backups, Hill said. Title information is securely stored and only accessible to the vehicle owner or lienholder through a secure login.

The agency did not answer a question about how much, if any, money this change would save. They also would not say if theyve received consumer complaints about the new process.

Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, the measures House author, did not respond to messages seeking comment.

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The Louisiana State Capitol building. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

Secretary of State Nancy Landry is warning about fraudulent letters mailed to Louisiana business owners regarding their annual report filings with her agency.

The letters appear to be from an entity called Business Filing, powered by Firstep. They threaten that a business may be administratively dissolved or revoked if they dont file their annual report through the Firstep platform by a certain date.

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These letters are not from the Louisiana Secretary of States Commercial Division and should be discarded, Landry said in a news release.

Business owners are encouraged to view their annual report renewals and other filings at www.geauxBIZ.com. They can also call the Secretary of States Commercial Division at (225) 925-4704 or email commercial@sos.la.gov. All official correspondence related to business filings will come through the geauxBIZ portal or on Secretary of State letterhead.

Landry also encourages business owners to subscribe to the agencys free commercial email notification system on the geauxBIZ portal. The system is intended to protect businesses from fraud and generates messages regarding business filings, office closures and potential fraudulent activity.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  Meet todays Stray of the Day!

Meet Basil, a 1 to 2-year-old, male, Mastiff mix whos been at the shelter for just over four months. The rescue said he gets along well with grownups and older kids, but he doesnt know his own strength and can play a little rough with little kids. He also doesnt get along too well with cats or other dogs. Still, hes a smart and friendly pup thats ready to find his forever home.

Basil was featured as a Stray of the Day back in May, but hes still waiting, and hes available for adoption now.

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Basil has a few other friends who are looking for homes, cats and dogs alike! Feel free to check them out online or in person; Good Day Siouxland features one animal each day, so make sure to watch to see if weve found your forever companion!

If youve lost your pet, are looking to adopt, or you would like to sponsor a pet for adoption, visit the rescues website at SiouxCityAnimalRescue.com.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN)  Police were on scene for several hours after a stolen vehicle fled into a corn field.

Law enforcement has been on scene in the 4400 block of Old Columbus Road near Springfield searching for suspects related to a stolen car chase.

A sergeant on scene told 2 NEWS the stolen vehicle was spotted around 8:30 p.m., and when officers initiated a traffic stop, the vehicle fled, prompting a pursuit.

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The pursuit led law enforcement to a corn field along Old Columbus Road, where the stolen vehicle fled into the corn field. When authorities got to the car, the suspects inside the vehicle had fled.

Several law enforcement agencies responded, including Ohio State Highway Patrol, Springfield Police Division and the Clark County Sheriffs Office.

Officials say they utilized drones and OSPs helicopter in an attempt to locate the suspects but have been unsuccessful so far.

Investigation remains ongoing.

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Fewer showers and storms are popping up today across New Mexico. Hotter and drier weather will continue to move in through Saturday.

Its a drier day across parts of New Mexico, but storms are still popping up in western, northern, and central New Mexico this afternoon. Some of these storms are still dropping heavy rainfall today as well. Rain and storms will linger into late this evening before ending overnight. Drier air will move into western New Mexico Thursday, but a surface boundary will bring higher moisture and increased lift into northeast New Mexico. This is where a couple strong to severe storms capable of heavy rain will move through tomorrow afternoon. Storms will also be possible along the entire central mountain chain and eastern New Mexico.

Drier air continues to move in Friday and Saturday, with only a few showers and storms mainly developing across the mountain peaks. Temperatures will also be heating up with highs climbing above average by Friday. Even hotter weather will be moving in Saturday and Sunday though. Rain and thunderstorm chances will move into the southern half of New Mexico again Sunday afternoon, with a couple isolated storms in the northern mountains.

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A plume of monsoon moisture will continue to stream into the state early next week. It will bring in widespread chances for afternoon showers and storms Monday afternoon, except for northwest New Mexico. The good news is this plume of monsoon moisture will shift to the west by the middle of next week, finally bringing the Four Corners some much needed rain. Farmington has only seen 0.01 of rain since June 15, but that will change next week. Eastern New Mexico will dry out though.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Fewer showers and storms are popping up today across New Mexico. Hotter and drier weather will continue to move in through Saturday.

It was a drier day across parts of New Mexico Wednesday, but storms still dropped heavy rain in parts of the state this afternoon. A few showers and storms are still sticking around tonight, but will be ending by Thursday morning. Drier air will move into western New Mexico Thursday, but a surface boundary will bring higher moisture and increased lift into northeast New Mexico. This is where a couple strong to severe storms capable of heavy rain will move through tomorrow afternoon. Storms will also be possible along the entire central mountain chain and eastern New Mexico.

Drier air continues to move in Friday and Saturday, with only a few showers and storms mainly developing across the mountain peaks. Temperatures will also be heating up with highs climbing above average by Friday. Even hotter weather will be moving in Saturday and Sunday though. Rain and thunderstorm chances will move into the southern half of New Mexico again Sunday afternoon, with a couple isolated storms in the northern mountains.

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A plume of monsoon moisture will continue to stream into the state early next week. It will bring in widespread chances for afternoon showers and storms Monday afternoon, except for northwest New Mexico. The good news is this plume of monsoon moisture will shift to the west by the middle of next week, finally bringing the Four Corners some much needed rain. Farmington has only seen 0.01 of rain since June 15, but that will change next week. Eastern New Mexico will dry out though.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV)  The showers and storms on Wednesday were not as widespread as what we had for the first part of the week. However, VIPIR Radar still estimates that several locations in the Coastal Empire and Lowcountry received over 1-2 of rain for the day.

The scattered rain and extra cloud cover helped to keep afternoon highs in the upper 80s to lower 90s. Heat index values were still over 100F at times.

A LOOK AHEAD

As an upper-level and surface trough of low pressure pulls out of our region, a slightly drier pattern will be setting up for the rest of the week and into the weekend.

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Rain and storm chances for Thursday and Friday will be between 20% and 30% with most of the showers expected on Thursday.

The bulk of the showers and storms for Thursday will be in the late morning to early afternoon. Conditions will be drying out again by the early evening. Temperatures due to the drier pattern will become hotter.

Highs on Thursday afternoon will be in the low to mid 90s. Fridays highs will top out in the mid 90s. Heat index values both days will be near 105F.

The weekend at this point is looking to be mainly dry with a mainly sunny sky on Saturday and Sunday. Afternoon highs over the weekend will be in the upper 90s with heat index values over 110F.

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It is likely that heat advisories will be issued for Friday and into next week. Be sure to stay cool and hydrated while taking plenty of breaks if you will be engaging in outdoor activities.

Your best bet will be to be outdoors in the early morning or evening.

TRACKING THE TROPICS

The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor an area of low pressure now located over the Big Bend region of Florida.

This broad low-pressure system has a low chance (10%) of developing into a tropical depression or tropical storm over the next five to seven days.

It is forecast to continue to move westward. This system will help to enhance rain and storm chances over the northern Gulf coast regardless of development.

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There is no threat to the Coastal Empire or Lowcountry at this time.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV.
Tennessee students will have to limit their phone use as they return to classes in a few weeks. HB 0932, a law requiring all Tennessee public school districts to ban the use of cell phones, laptops, smart watches and other devices, went into effect July 1.

As previously reported by the Tennessean, Tennessee joined several states when it adopted the statewide ban despite many districts already having phone and device policies in place.

The bill requires each school district to develop and implement policies restricting the use of any wireless communication devices during instructional time.

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"The bill aims to minimize classroom distractions and internet bullying on our school campuses," said sponsor Sen. Ferrell Haile, R-Gallatin, in March.

Here's what else to know.

More: When is 2025 tax-free weekend in Tennessee? Why you should take advantage of this weekend

New law bans phones, laptops, smartwatches in Tennessee classrooms

A student locks her cellphone in a Yondr pouch as she enters KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. The school uses Yondr pouches for students to lock up their phones during school hours.

In March, Tennessee lawmakers gave final approval to HB 0932, requiring all public school districts to ban the use of cell phones, laptops, smartwatches, and other personal devices during instructional time.

Senators approved the bill with a bipartisan vote of 300, while one senator voted present, the Tennessean reported. The bill had previously cleared the House with overwhelming support.

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During debate on the Senate floor, lawmakers from both parties thanked Haile for sponsoring the legislation.

"When I was in high school, we had to leave our cell phones in the car," said Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari, D-Memphis. "I think this goes a long way to make sure that kids are focusing in school."

"I cannot see what sort of benefit it would be for a child to text or be on the internet during class," she added. "Even when I was in law school my first semester, our teacher banned the use of laptops  and we were grown  because she felt like we would get distracted."

More: As cellphone bans debated, Tennessee schools share the pros and cons of restrictions

Are students allowed cell phones in Tennessee classrooms?

Whether a student can use their cell phone in class is up to each individual district.

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Some may opt for a bell-to-bell ban on device use, while others may adopt restrictions during classroom time only. The law carves out a provision for students to access and use devices during emergency situations to contact their parents.

There are also exceptions for students with disabilities and special learning needs.

When does Tennessee's cell phone ban in classrooms go into effect?

The law went into effect in July and implementation will begin with the 202526 school year.

How Middle Tennessee counties are implementing new cell phone law in class

Sophomore Dmya Bell, 16, gets in her last cellphone usage before entering KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School in Nashville, Tenn., Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. The school uses Yondr pouches for students to lock up their phones during school hours.

Students in grades K5 at Metro Nashville Public Schools are allowed to bring cell phones and other personal devices to school. However, their use is up to the building administrator and is prohibited during class time unless one of the exceptions to the rule is met.

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Students in grades 612 may also bring personal devices to school and are allowed to use them during lunch and between classes. However, use during class is prohibited unless a teacher grants permission for educational, health or emergency reasons.

Penalties for breaking the rules include confiscation and further disciplinary action. Teachers are allowed to withhold a student's cell phone or other devices during class if the student breaks the rules.

The school can also hold a student's device until it is released to a parent or guardian.

Students attending Wilson County Schools will be required to put away their cell phones and other personal devices during instructional periods.

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According to Wilson County School Public Information Officer Bart Barker, teachers may have a designated area for students to stow their devices during class time.

"Have some conversations with your students about the importance of this and reinforce the message that 'Hey, let's put those away. Do as you're told during instructional time, make sure those phones and other mobile communication devices are put away,'" said Barker in a July 15 social media post.

Contributing: Rachel Wegner, Vivian Jones

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for the Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com or follow her on X at @_leyvadiana

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Are cell phones banned in Tennessee classrooms? Schools follow new law
While the dangerous effects of climate change continue to worsen, legal efforts to address a range of environmental issues are also on the rise.

Headlines across the globe tout many of these legal actions: South Koreas Climate Law Violates Rights of Future Generations; Ukraine is Ground Zero in Battle for Ecocide Law; Paris Wants to Grant the River Seine Legal Personhood; and Montana Court Rules Children Have the Right to a Healthy Environment, to name a few recent examples.

As an environmental lawyer, I see that most of these suits use one of five legal strategies that have been developed over the past couple of decades. These approaches vary in terms of whos filing the lawsuit, against whom, and whether the underlying legal perspective is based on protecting human rights or the rights of the environment itself. But they all share an innovative approach to protecting all life on this planet.

1. Right to a healthy environment

In 2022, the United Nations declared that humans have the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment  essential to protecting human life, well-being and dignity. More than 150 countries have similar declarations in their constitutions or laws, often alongside protections for other human rights, such as those to education and medical care.

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These rights are held by humans, so people can sue for alleged violations. Typically they sue one or more government agencies, whose responsibility it is to protect human rights.

One recent case using this approach was 2024s Held v. Montana, in which a group of young people won a lawsuit against the state of Montana for violating the state constitutions right to a clean and healthful environment. The state Supreme Court agreed with the plaintiffs, and struck down a law barring the consideration of climate effects when evaluating proposals for fossil fuel extraction. Similar cases have been heard in the U.S. and other countries around the world.

The International Court of Justice, the primary judicial body of the United Nations, ruled on July 23, 2025, that a clean, healthy and sustainable environment is a human right and said, in a nonbinding decision, that governments that dont protect people and the planet from climate change could be legally liable for the resulting harms.

people sit in a courtroom

2. The rights of future generations

A legal concept called intergenerational equity is the idea that present generations must responsibly use and conserve natural resources for the benefit of future generations. First codified in international law in the 1972 Stockholm Declaration, the principle has been gaining popularity in recent decades. International organizations and national governments have enshrined this principle in law.

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Focused on humans rights, these laws allow people and groups to bring claims, usually against governments, for allowing activities that are altering the environment in ways that will harm future generations. One well-known case that relied on this legal principle is Future Generations v. Ministry of the Environment and Others, in which a Colombian court in 2018 agreed with young people who had sued, finding that the Colombian governments allowance of rampant deforestation in the Amazon violated the pact of intergenerational equity.

3. Government responsibility

Another human-centered approach is the public trust doctrine, which establishes that certain natural and cultural resources are preserved for public use and that governments have a responsibility to protect them for everyones benefit.

While the concept of public trust has long existed in the law, recently it has been used to bring suit against governments for their failure to address climate change and other environmental degradation. In Urgenda Foundation v. the State of the Netherlands, a Dutch court held in 2019 that the government has a responsibility to mitigate the effects of climate change due to the severity of the consequences of climate change and the great risk of climate change occurring. Since the decision, the Dutch government has sought to reduce emissions by phasing out the use of coal, increasing reliance on renewable energy and aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

Government responsibility for the public trust was also a basis of the Juliana v. U.S. case, in which a group of young people sued the U.S. government for breaching the public trust by not doing enough to curb greenhouse-gas emissions. The U.S. Supreme Court ultimately declined to hear an appeal of a lower courts ruling, but the lack of a specific ruling by the nations highest court has given continued hope to new cases, which continue to be filed based on the same principle.

4. Rights of nature

The rights of nature is one of the fastest-growing environmental legal strategies of the past decade. Since Ecuador recognized the rights of Pachamama, the Quechua name for Mother Earth, in its Constitution in 2008, more than 500 laws on the rights of nature have been enacted around the world.

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The principle recognizes the legal rights of natural entities, such as rivers, mountains, ecosystems or even something as specific as wild rice. The laws that grant these rights dont focus on humans but rather nature itself, often including language that the natural entity has the right to exist and persist.

The laws then provide a mechanism for the natural entity  whether through a specific group assigned legal guardianship or other community efforts  to protect itself by filing lawsuits in court. In the 2018 Colombian case, the court found that the Amazon ecosystem has rights, which must be respected and protected.

Similarly, in Bangladesh in 2019 the courts recognized the rights of all the countrys rivers, requiring, among other things, a halt on damaging development along the rivers that block their natural flow. The court also created a commission to serve as legal guardians of the countrys rivers.

The destruction of a dam in Ukraine, which emptied this former reservoir, is being investigated as a possible crime of ecocide. (Getty Images)

5. Defining a new crime: Ecocide

In 2024, the governments of Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa formally proposed that the international community recognize a new crime under international law. Called ecocide, the principle takes a nature-focused approach and includes any unlawful act committed with the knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment.

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Put another way, what genocide is to humans, ecocide is to nature. It is being proposed as an addition to the 2002 Rome Statute, which created the International Criminal Court to prosecute war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity.

While the idea is relatively new, in addition to the international efforts, several countries have incorporated ecocide into their laws  including Vietnam, France, Chile and Ukraine. A Ukrainian prosecutor is currently investigating the June 2023 destruction of a dam in a Russian-occupied area of the country as a potential crime of ecocide, because of the widespread flooding and habitat destruction that resulted.

The European Union has also incorporated ecocide into its Environmental Crime Directive, which applies to all EU member countries, providing them with a mechanism to hear ecocide claims in their national courts.

Using these ideas

Each of these legal concepts has the potential to increase protection for the environment  and the people who live in it. But determining which strategy has the greatest chance of success depends on the details of the existing law and legal system in each community.

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All of these legal strategies have a role in the fight to protect and preserve the environment as an integral, interdependent living thing that is vitally important to us as humans but also in its own right.

This article, originally published July 23, 2025, was updatedto reflect the ruling from the International Court of Justice.

Dana Zartner, Professor of International Studies, University of San Francisco. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The post Suing for Our Future: The Rise of Climate Courtroom Battles appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
Heres a funny story.

We learnt this week that on March 25 2004, David Blunkett urged Tony Blair not to release a secret Home Office report that laid bare the publics anger about immigration.

In the wrong hands, fretted the then home secretary, its findings could be explosive. Because, according to the report, which was based on discussions from 27 focus groups, voters overwhelmingly agreed that our borders are completely open and overrun.

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At first glance, the news above might not seem terribly amusing. But it may prompt some dark, mirthless laughter when you consider that in the five years prior, net immigration was running at 158,000 a year. Which just goes to show how big a mess were in now. Because lets face it: if net immigration were 158,000 a year today, in 2025, our current Government would be hailing it as a spectacular triumph.

Of course it would.

Every day, Labour ministers would be bragging about the tough action theyd taken to achieve this awe-inspiringly low number. In 2023, net immigration was almost a million. So to reduce it to a mere 158,000 is a roaring success for this Government. Resounding proof that we in the Labour Party have always listened to the publics concerns

Epping residents protest outside the Bell Hotel, thought to be housing asylum seekers - Justin Tallis/Getty

At any rate, given the ever-increasing porousness of Britains borders over the past two decades, its hardly a surprise that so many people are now deciding to make their displeasure a touch more vocal. Hence the protests that have taken place, in recent days, outside asylum hotels in Essex, Norfolk and east London.

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One aspect of this trend, however, does puzzle me. According to various reports in the media, the Government fears that such protests could turn violent.

Indeed they could. I merely wonder whether fear is the right word to describe the Governments feelings. Because, to be brutally frank, a summer of anti-migrant riots would suit our elites down to the ground.

Horrifying as any violence would seem, it would actually make life easier for the powers that be  because it would enable them to paint all objections to asylum hotels, and mass immigration in general, as far-Right.

Left-wing media outlets would obligingly proclaim that the whole frightful business was a cynically co-ordinated plot by racist thugs, nothing more. And just like last summer, in the wake of Southport, Sir Keir Starmer could make a big show of looking prime ministerial, by sternly pledging that all offenders  including those, like Lucy Connolly, who made unacceptable posts on social media  would be fast-tracked to prison. Once the police had rounded up the thugs and restored order, the nation would be grateful and relieved.

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But imagine, instead, that no such violence erupts  and all we see, in towns and cities across Britain, are peaceful protests by ordinary, law-abiding members of the public. No opportunistic skinheads with swastika tattoos. Just average families voicing their disquiet about whats being done to their local area against their will, and expressing their worries about crime, as in Epping, Essex, where a 38-year-old asylum seeker has been charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. Hadush Kebatu, from Ethiopia, denies any wrongdoing.

Essex Police face criticism for escorting Left-wing counter-protesters to the Epping demonstration - Justin Tallis/Getty

For our elites, peaceful protests would present a far thornier problem than riots, because it would be so much harder to dismiss all the participants as hate-crazed, bloodthirsty white supremacists. And so, for once, they might actually have to listen to the public  and, even worse, do what the public wants.

Still, theres no denying that unrest is possible. The question is: who or what might bring it about? On Tuesday, Nigel Farage accused Essex police of trying to force a confrontation by escorting Left-wing counter-protesters to the demonstration in Epping.

Assistant chief constable Stuart Hooper, however, insisted they only offered assistance because the police have a duty to facilitate free assembly.

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Do they? Thats interesting, because last year an officer from the Met threatened a Jewish man with arrest if he remained in the vicinity of an anti-Israel march in London.

Im not accusing you of anything, said the officer, but Im worried about the reaction to your presence. A curiously different approach. But perhaps ones right to free assembly is dependent on where one is. Or who.

All we can say for sure is this: anyone who resorts to violence at these protests will not be helping to upend the status quo.

Instead, theyll be helping to maintain it.

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LORAIN, Ohio (WJW)  An armed man lying in wait on a dead-end street in Ohio shot and wounded three Ohio police officers on Wednesday, officials said.

The initial shooting took place after two of the officers had parked their patrol vehicles to eat lunch in an undeveloped industrial park in the city of Lorain, about 25 miles west of Cleveland. An officer driving into the scene in response to their call for help was also shot and seriously injured.

Suspect accused of ambushing three local officers identified

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The first two Lorain police officers to be shot were identified as 35-year-old Phillip Wagner and 51-year-old Peter Gale, and the third responding officer was identified as 47-year-old Brent Payne.

Lorain suspect vehicle. WJW photo

The suspected gunman, who was shot on scene, has been identified as 28-year-old Michael Parker, according to the Lorain County coroner.

The incident unfolded just after 1 p.m. at a dead end of an industrial parkway off of Colorado Avenue in Lorain. Acting Police Chief Michael Failing told reporters Wednesday that the gunman was lying in wait at the location with an arsenal of weapons when he opened fire on the officers.

Police loaded the injured officers into cruisers and raced them to the hospital while providing wound care.

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Wagner and Payne, who were shot multiple times, were airlifted to a Level I Trauma Center in Cleveland, and were still being treated on Wednesday evening, Failing said. Gale was shot in the hand and treated at a Lorain hospital.

An update on their condition has not been provided as of Thursday morning.

Elyria police are now investigating the shooting. Police Chief James Welsh told reporters on Wednesday afternoon that the suspect ambushed the officers with a high-powered rifle. The officers then returned fire.

The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, though Welsh could not confirm whether the suspect was shot and killed by officers or whether he died by suicide.

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Welsh said the man is believed to have acted alone.

Suspect arrested after American Idol executive, her husband shot to death: Police

The coroner tells Nexstars WJW that an autopsy will take place on Thursday.

Lorain County Sheriffs Office Maj. A.J. Torres also confirmed to WJW that authorities found explosives in the suspects car at the scene of the ambush. Suspicious items were also found and removed from the suspects home on North Lakeview Boulevard, officials confirmed Wednesday night.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. This is a developing story.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
RUTLAND, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44)  The suspect from a stabbing that occurred at Rutlands downtown transit center Wednesday has been taken into custody, and is now being held without bail.

An affidavit claims that the suspect, Ryan Clayton, attacked 54-year-old Michael Tripp with a folding pocket knife while he was sitting inside an SUV, at the transit center parking area. A caller, also inside the car and claiming to be Michaels girlfriend, reported the incident to authorities

ABC22/FOX44S Roy Santa Croce spoke with police, who say that the male victim sustained lacerations on his arms, received immediate first aid and was sent to a nearby hospital. During this period, the victim told authorities that a woman sitting in the transit center knew Clayton, according to the affidavit.

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Officers spoke with this woman, Heather Tripp, who denied knowing the identity of the assailant. Documents say that Heather later admitted to lying, noting that she did in fact know Clayton.

A supplemental affidavit report notes that Tripp claims Clayton and Michael made threats toward each other, although she was showing signs of dishonesty during the course of the interview.

EEE, West Nile, malaria: Know the difference between these mosquito-borne diseases

While Clayton did flee the scene, authorities later found him at the Travel Inn, after another person that knew him notified police. Officers from multiple agencies secured the scene, made contact with him and took him into custody.

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Authorities later spoke with Clayton in an interview. He claimed that Heather looked scared prior to the incident, and had motioned to the SUV with Michael inside. Clayton told authorities that he was already mad at the guy, and had reportedly heard that the victim was beating on woman and children.

Clayton said that when he walked toward the truck, aggressively confronting the victim, Michael withdrew a knife in response. Clayton also claims he was hit in the right hand and forearm, plus had minor injuries consistent with his account. The defendant claims he produced his own knife in response.

As of July 2024, Clayton was ordered held without bail, pending proceedings.

Stay on myChamplainValley.com or watch ABC22/FOX44 for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44.
DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN)  A Brooklyn man is behind bars in Houston County after investigators claim he was a part of a group that scammed a Dothan credit union for over $100,000.

Public court records show a Houston County Grand Jury indicted Patrick Zatreanu on charges of computer tampering, theft of property in the first degree, and data fraud.

According to Zatreanus indictment, he is accused of placing a card-skimming device on the drive-thru ATM of a credit union in Dothan last year.

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These indictments claim that Zatreanu allegedly stole approximately $108,000 from the credit union.

Lt. Scott Owens with the Dothan Police Department tells WDHN that Zatreanu is believed to have worked with a group in these alleged thefts, and future arrests are possible.

The DPD lieutenant confirmed the money had been refunded to the victims.

Records show Zatreanu is from Brooklyn, New York, and is facing a combined $105,000 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.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  A Newburgh man was arrested Tuesday following an accusation of sexual assault.

An affidavit obtained by Eyewitness News says a waitress at a Newburgh restaurant was assaulted in the female bathroom by a large white male, later identified as 78 year old Michael Roth.

The affidavit goes on to say deputies arrived at the scene and asked Roth about the assault. Deputies say he admitted to the assault. Police go on to say that Roths wife gave several statements about his cognitive decline caused by long COVID.

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Roth was arrested and taken to the Warrick County jail. Officials say Roth had admitted he is banned from Golden Corral for the same incident.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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).
DENVER (KDVR)  Police took a 22-year-old man into custody in connection with an early morning altercation on Wednesday that sent a man to the hospital.

According to a post on X from the Westminster Police Department, officers responded to a reported stabbing at 4 a.m. After detectives conducted interviews with witnesses regarding the incident, they said there is currently no reason to believe a stabbing occurred.

High flood threat issued along Front Range Wednesday

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The altercation took place in the Labor Works parking lot, located near 72nd Avenue and Federal Boulevard.

When officers arrived at the scene, they discovered a 42-year-old man who was at that time bleeding from his face and had small lacerations.

Officers also came into contact with the suspect, who is said to have fled in a vehicle. Police pursued the vehicle to the area near Interstate 76 and Interstate 70 in Arvada, where police said the suspect gave up and was taken into custody.

Officers located a stolen gun in the suspects vehicle.

Investigators said that preliminary information shows that three people were waiting for Labor Works to open and got into an argument, resulting in the 22-year-old and 42-year-old getting into a physical altercation.

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Police stated that a third individual was involved in the incident, but did not describe the extent of their involvement.

The 42-year-old man was transported to the hospital, and the department said he is in stable condition.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(NewsNation)  Officials have identified the man behind an ambush shooting that hospitalized three Lorain, Ohio, police officers Wednesday.

NewsNation local affiliate WJW in Cleveland reports the deceased suspect is 28-year-old Michael Parker, according to the Lorain County coroner.

Parkers last-known address was in Lorain. Hes accused of ambushing and shooting two police officers  35-year-old Phillip Wagner and 51-year-old Peter Gale  while they were parked side-by-side eating lunch.

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Bryan Kohberger used second weapon in murders: Goncalves lawyer

Wagner and Gale were seriously injured and flown to a trauma center in Cleveland.

Another officer, 47-year-old Brent Payne, was struck in the hand while trying to help. All three remain hospitalized.

Parker died during an exchange of gunfire, though it is not yet confirmed whether a responding officer killed him or he died by suicide.

Man robs Florida arcade while his mother acts as getaway driver: Deputies

This is a difficult day for the Lorain Police Department and the law enforcement community, said Elyria Police Chief James Welsh on Wednesday.

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We pray for the officers families. I want to extend my prayers and condolences to the Lorain Police Department and all the law enforcement officers that responded here today to assist in this investigation.

The incident marked the citys first major police shooting in 70 years, Lorains acting police Chief Michael Failing said.

NewsNations Sean Noone and local affiliate WJW contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation.
WACO, Texas (FOX 44)  UPDATE: A suspect in Wacos sixth homicide investigation of 2025 has been arrested.

Waco Police say a 16-year-old male suspect was arrested on Wednesday in the homicide investigation of 36-year-old Rondal Smith. The juvenile has been charged with Murder

and transported to the McLennan County Juvenile Detention Center. His name was not released due to his age.

Police previously identified Smith as the victim on May 22. Another 16-year-old male received non-lifethreatening gunshot wounds.

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Officers were originally called to the 5100 Block of Hawthorne Drive at approximately 10:05 p.m. on May 21. When officers arrived, they found Smith and the 16-year-old  who was transported to a local hospital, where he was in stable condition.

This case is under investigation. If you have any information, you can call the Waco Police

Department at 254-750-7500. You can also submit an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers at 254-753-HELP(4357).

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM)  A school district in Dauphin County just purchased more than 100,000 square feet of office space in Harrisburg.

According to NAI CIR, a 102,000 square foot office building located at 4401 Deer Path Road in Harrisburg has been sold to the Susquehanna Township School District.

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NAI CIR says the district plans on repurposing the facility in order to house approximately 500 learners. This purchase will, in turn, allow the district to eliminate 10 of its 20 trailer classrooms, providing some alleviation to overcrowding at its schools.

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In the long term, Susquehanna Township School District plans on using the facility to launch specialized programming, including the development of its cyber academy.

This move will provide alternative learning opportunities for students while also generating revenue.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

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PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) West Virginia is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls and serene nature spots out there- which is why so many people travel from out of state to enjoy it.

However, recent data shows that keeping swimming safety in mind is more important than ever-even when looking at regular swimming pools.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has recently confirmed that 9 children under the age of 5 have now died in Virginia this year due to drowning in swimming pools.

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Its not unlike cases weve heard about here in West Virginia, where last month in June 2025, a 4-year-old girl drowned in a recreational pool in Logan, and this month in July 2025, a 13-year-old girl drowned in the Ohio River in Weirton.

Environmental Health Coordinator Briana Bill, however, said that there are things you can do to prevent drowning, including active supervision, flotation devices and checking pool drains.

Drains can present a drowning hazard through suction, so your hair, your bathing suit, or your body could become entrapped under the water because of the suction of a drain, and ways to prevent that is to not swim around the drains, and also to be aware of the condition of the drain, said Bill.

When it comes to waterfalls, lakes, and streams, youre going to want to be extra cautious.

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West Virginia has tons of tourists in the Summer months, and it can be especially dangerous for people swimming in an environment unfamiliar to them.

Whether they live here or theyre visiting, you should always be super careful, said Jamie Null, Executive Director with Visit Mercer County. Theres not lifeguards, you know, at our watering hole, so to speak. Make sure that you have people with you, dont go by yourself, you know, wear proper footwear, dont jump off the rocks at any of the waterfalls.

You should also make sure you know how deep the water goes, how good the visibility is, and that there isnt anything you can possibly hit or get trapped under.

Its also important to know what drowning actually looks like- so you can step in to help if needed.

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Drowning doesnt look like what they portray on the movies or TV, right? Theres not a lot of splashing. Theres not a lot of yelling, said Bill. Its actually quite silent and can happen very quickly a person goes into what we call a instinctive drowning response when they- when the body feels like its in threat of suffocation from water, it goes into a response where it tries to use your arms and legs to keep you above the water, so it almost looks like someones climbing a ladder.

Bill warned that people can typically only hold this vertical climbing position for around a minute or two, so its incredibly important to act quickly.

So, as you enjoy swimming this summer, just remember to stay safe.

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What started with the robbery of a green-grocer in southern Syria on July 13 quickly escalated into large-scale clashes involving two ethnic armed groups and two state militaries that left hundreds dead. The still-smoldering violence underscores just how fragile Syria remains more than seven months after rebel forces overthrew the Assad dictatorship that had subjugated the country for more than half a century.

Last weeks clashes between Syrian Druze and Sunni Bedouins, which drew in Syrian government forces and Israels military, were not the first instance of intercommunal clashes in post-Assad Syria. But they served as an urgent reminder that the country could still unravel. And even if Syria doesnt split up or spiral into a renewed civil war, its vulnerabilities make it a tempting target for outsiders, a magnet for proxy wars in a Middle East that is in the midst of a major realignment.

The latest deadly round of violence started when a Bedouin gang reportedly robbed and kidnapped a Druze vegetable-seller in the town of Suwayda. In response, relatives of the Druze man then seized a number of Bedouins, prompting other Bedouins to retaliate by capturing more Druze. Before long, the killings began.

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As violence escalated, interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa sent in his governments forces to quell the disturbances. Notably, al-Sharaa tried to use the opportunity to strengthen his hold on the southwestern region surrounding Suwayda, where the Druze have been demanding autonomy from the new central government.

To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter.

By Sunday night, according to the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the death toll totaled 1,120. Most were Druze, including 427 fighters and 298 civilians, with 354 government personnel and 21 Bedouins also among the dead.

However, this was no regular fighting between militias. Ample evidence shows that the Druze came under vicious, dehumanizing attacks, including point blank executions, rapes and humiliating assaults on elders. The abuses were committed not just by the Bedouin fighters. According to witnesses, atrocities were also committed by the forces of the new Syrian army, which includes large numbers of men who, like al-Sharaa, are former jihadists who once fought for al-Qaida, the Islamic State and other radical Sunni Islamist groups that view the Druze with contempt.

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The Druze, who practice an offshoot of Islam, are considered heretics by Muslim fundamentalists. Importantly, they have a tradition of loyalty to the countries where they live. In Israel, many hold prominent positions across society, including in the military and diplomatic corps. Druze soldiers have distinguished themselves on the battlefield, dying in disproportionate numbers relative to the share of Israels population they make up. As a community, therefore, they carry considerable political influence.

With horrifying videos of atrocities against Syrian Druze circulating on social media, Israeli Druze demanded that Israel step in. Druze leaders in Suwayda were reporting massacres, kidnappings and killings of entire families. When Israeli Druze started surging across the border into Syria, hoping to defend their Syrian brethren, Israel stopped them, but intervened itself with airstrikes against Syrian government forces.

The conflict involving Syrias Druze and Israels intervention are just one facet of a dizzying prism of multiple ethnic and religious conflicts and foreign meddling in Syria.

Critics of Israel have expressed skepticism at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus motivation for stepping into this particular conflict, given that doing so aligns with Israels other strategic objectives in Syria. In the months since former dictator Bashar al-Assad fell, Israel has bombed Syrian weapons stocks and occupied a buffer zone in southern Syria along its border, demanding that everything south of Damascus remain demilitarized. Despite the fall of Assad, a perennial enemy, Israelis are leery of the new Syrian government led by a former jihadist.

According to the Israeli militarys chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Israels goals for the Suwayda operation were to prevent the entrenchment of hostile elements beyond the border, protect Israeli citizens, and prevent harm to Druze civilians. Netanyahu reiterated Israels demand that the area south of Damascus remain demilitarized and added a second Israeli objective: protecting the brothers of our brothers, the Druze in the Druze mountains.

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Israels critics didnt believe it. They called protection of the Druze a pretext for Israels incursion into Syria. Theres no question that the intervention included a self-serving strategic goal, something even Israel doesnt deny. But its interest in protecting the Druze is real.

The Druze in Israel demanded that their government prevent the slaughter of their people in Syria. And Israelis of all stripes feel genuine affection and gratitude toward the Israeli Druze. Videos of Bedouin and government fighters forcibly shaving Druze elders also resonated strongly in Israel, recalling images of elderly Jews having their beards forcibly shaved off by antisemitic mobs in 1930s Europe.

As the historian Michael Oren, a former Israeli ambassador to the U.S. wrote, Israel has a blood covenant with the Druze, adding that the very least we can do  is what Israel would do for endangered Jews anywhere.

Israels interventionincluding the bombing of Syrias military headquarters in Damascus, which reportedly infuriated Washingtonset back sharply the prospects for establishing diplomatic relations between Israel and Syria for the first time in history. The two countries had been coordinating military activities, and Israeli officials had met with al-Sharaa during his trip to the United Arab Emirates. U.S. President Donald Trump is hoping to include Syria in the Abraham Accords, his landmark set of peace agreements between Israel and Arab countries.

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For his part, al-Sharaa was furious at Israel, accusing it of violating Syrias sovereignty. But the intervention succeeded in forcing Damascus to withdraw its troops from the area. Al-Sharaa said the local Druze leaders would handle security, a sign that the long-sought Druze autonomy that he has been resisting may have a chance of materializing. By the weekend, armed Bedouins withdrew from Suwayda.

But skirmishes continued after the Syrian troops withdrawal, so under a deconfliction deal brokered by U.S. envoy Tom Barrack, Israel consented to a limited return of Syrian forces, but without heavy weaponry, to help restore calm.

The conflict involving Syrias Druze and Israels intervention are just one facet of a dizzying prism of multiple ethnic and religious conflicts and foreign meddling in Syria.

Turkey controls parts of northern Syria. Iran, which long exercised influence in the country through its ties with Assad, is trying to regain a foothold. The U.S. maintains hundreds of troops in northeastern Syria in support of the Kurds.

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Similarly, the Druze are not the only minority that has come under attack since Assads fall. Earlier this year, members of the Alawite sectwho as the Assads co-religionists enjoyed a privileged status under the familys rulewere attacked by forces allied with the government. Some 1,500 Alawites, concentrated on the western coast, were massacred by government forces and other armed groups. Syrias small Christian minority has also been targeted with violence, while the minority Kurds were bombed by Syrian forces earlier this year.

Syria is far from a cohesive country. It remains fragile, and al-Sharaa does not have full control over it. Its not even clear if he has firm control of the Syrian armys forces, made up of his own former anti-Assad rebels, but also many fighters who belonged to a wide range of other insurgent groups. That is a source of profound concern for non-Muslims, non-Arabs and moderate Muslims, who would like to live in a modern, tolerant democracy respectful of individual rights, including for women.

The recent violence is a reminder of how elusive that goal remains, and how easily it could slip out of reach, with troubling consequences not only for Syrias population, but also for the rest of the region and Western countries fearful of yet another wave of desperate refugees fleeing violence.

Frida Ghitis is WPRs senior columnist and a contributor to CNN and The Washington Post. Her WPR column appears every Thursday. You can follow her on Twitter and Threads at @fridaghitis.

The post Syrias Fault Lines Are Getting Harder to Bridge appeared first on World Politics Review.
GREENE CO., Tenn., (WJHL)  The Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission conducted 22 compliance checks in Greene County stores that carry vape products.

The compliance checks ensure that stores are not selling vapor products to minors.

Six stores, or 27%, were reported to have sold to a minor.

TABC Executive Director Russell Thomas explained the process.

Our authority is limited to conducting these checks and issuing criminal citations to an individual who sells to minors, Russell said. So we write them a citation for violation of Title 39.

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Kingsport City Schools provides update after first year of drug testing program

Thomas also explained that checking stores for vape sales is a new job for the TABC.

Prior to July 1, we played no role, he said. We had no jurisdiction to conduct compliance checks with tobacco or vape, products of that nature. The new legislation made two small changes. It gave us concurrent jurisdiction with other law enforcement agencies to enforce provisions in the Title 39 related to youth access to these products, and it gave us some funding for us to conduct checks.

Forty percent of youth in Greene County reported using vapor products, and 70% reported that these products are easily accessible.

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Greene County Anti-Drug Coalition Prevention Coordinator Christina Matthews said there are dangerous side effects when vapes get into underage hands.

The brain is still developing until around the age of 25, she said. Nicotine changes how it grows. Daily teen vapers are twice as likely to report depression. Theres withdrawal when theyre at school and they cant use, and its making it harder for them to concentrate, sleep, regulate their emotions.

Matthews emphasized that parents need to understand the severity of these side effects.

I just think it needs to get across to parents that its not just a harmless vape, she said. It has heavy metals in it and formaldehyde and ultrafine metals. I just think a lot of people dont realize the effects it can have on the body.

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Thomas added that Tennessee counties can expect more checks shortly.

We expect to check at a rate of 2,500 a year, he said. We will check a wide variety of places. Well check all 95 counties, all types of businesses that sell. We will not tell you when were coming, though.

Non-compliant stores will be fined and may be subject to legal action.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
A longtime Fred Meyer in Tacomas South End is the latest among a 60-store closure planned by its parent company nationwide over the next 18 months.

A corporate representative confirmed to The News Tribune on Wednesday evening that Fred Meyer, 7250 Pacific Ave., would be closing.

A prepared statement for the chain sent via email in response to questions stated that Unfortunately, we have made the difficult decision to close the Tacoma Pacific Fred Meyer store.

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It added that While we are leaving this location, we will offer each impacted associate the opportunity to transfer to a new location. This closure is part of a larger company-wide decision to run more efficiently and ensure the long-term health of our business.

Fred Meyers parent company, Kroger, in June announced planned cutbacks extending into next year.

The statement encouraged shoppers to visit other Fred Meyer locations on the Tacoma side of The Narrows Bridge, or two Pierce County QFC locations.

The store has been in operation at the Pacific Avenue site for decades. Closure is expected in September.

Mill Creek QFC

The news is the second area closure for Kroger revealed this week.

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Quality Food Centers, better known as QFC grocery, filed a Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification with Washington states Employment Security Department on July 21. The notice lists 76 workers to be cut starting Sept. 3 as part of a closure of its Mill Creek store.

QFC, part of the Kroger chain of stores nationwide, is among the store brands to see some stores shutter as Kroger announced in June. While a master list of closings has not been generated, news outlets have reported on various announcements of stores going away in other states. This week included three suburban Chicago Marianos locations and a King Soopers store in Colorado.

Media organization Rough Draft Atlanta reported July 21 that some metro-area Atlanta stores were closing ahead of schedule.

Tiffany Sanders, corporate affairs manager for the Fred Meyer and QFC divisions of Kroger, told The News Tribune via email in response to questions this week that the Mill Creek closure is a result of the lease.

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As with the Tacoma closure, We are offering all impacted associates an opportunity to transfer to a new location, she wrote.

No further details were disclosed.

It is unclear if the store was considered part of the corporate cutback plan. A Mill Creek customer posted June 5 on social media that workers told her at that time the store would be closing Oct. 1, also citing a rent increase at the property.

Kroger first announced its 60-store closure plan with its earnings release later that month.

The Mill Creek QFC was not among the stores Cincinnati-based Kroger sought to divest from in its failed merger attempt with Boise-based Albertsons/Safeway, though a Mill Creek Safeway was on the list.

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In Krogers news release on the companys first-quarter earnings report released June 20, it stated, As a result of these store closures, Kroger expects a modest financial benefit.

It added, Kroger is committed to reinvesting these savings back into the customer experience, and as a result, this will not impact full-year guidance. Kroger will offer roles in other stores to all associates currently employed at affected stores.

In Pierce County, QFC has two stores: 4101 49th Ave. NE in Northeast Tacoma and 11104 Pacific Ave. S. in the Parkland area, both of which were on last years divestiture list. They remain in operation following the mergers rejection in state and federal courts in December.

Kroger and Albertsons, meanwhile, remain entangled in a legal battle over the failed merger and selloff of hundreds of stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers, which filed its own lawsuit against Kroger in March in Delaware.

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For its part, Albertsons has since rebranded some of its stores in the region as Safeway sites, The News Tribune reported in March, including Gig Harbor, Spokane and the Tri-Cities area.

Kroger operates 59 QFC stores across Washington and Oregon, and 132 Fred Meyer stores across Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.
Giant yellow trucks decked with bears sipping boba tea and broadcasting lawmaker speeches, emotional rallies featuring rock bands and rival political camps jostling for support outside metro stations  Taiwan is in the midst of what feels like a full-swing election.

But this passionate political theatre is not to elect lawmakers. Instead it is an attempt to unseat them, using an unusual quirk of Taiwans democratic system  a recall vote.

This Saturday, Taiwan goes to the ballot box to decide whether 24 lawmakers from the main opposition Kuomintang (KMT)  around 20 percent of Taiwans legislature  can keep their jobs. Seven more seats are to be voted on next month.

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The outcome could reshape Taiwans political landscape, allowing the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to recapture a majority in the legislature, currently controlled by its opponents the KMT and the smaller Taiwans People Party (TPP).

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, who has struggled to get his agenda through parliament, has endorsed the recall as he tries to keep relations onside with the United States and counter growing threats from China.

Heres what to know about this massive political showdown

What is this recall all about?

Taiwans constitution allows for lawmakers to be put to a recall vote after their first year in office if at least 10 percent of registered voters in their constituency sign a petition. It is a system that makes recalls quite common, but this is a record number of recalls for the island.

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Supporters of the recall movement have portrayed their campaign as anti-communist, seeking to get rid of pro-China opposition KMT lawmakers they perceive as collaborators of Beijings ruling Communist Party, which vows to reunify Taiwan, by force if necessary.

They say the opposition has undermined democratic institutions and national security by obstructing Lais administration, strong-arming controversial laws, freezing defense spending and imposing budget cuts.

Supporters of the recall movement gather in Taipei, Taiwan July 19, 2025. - Ann Wang/Reuters

People against the recall movement gather in Taoyuan, Taiwan, July 20, 2025. - Ann Wang/Reuters

They also accuse the KMT of quietly colluding with Beijing, citing  for example  a meeting last April between a KMT congressional delegation and Wang Huning, Chinas top official on Taiwan affairs.

But campaigners have provided little hard evidence. While one KMT lawmaker facing recall is being investigated for allegedly receiving Chinese funding, no incumbents have been indicted on national security offenses.

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The KMT has rejected these accusations and decried the recall as an abuse of Taiwans democratic rules, arguing it is a power grab attempt.

At a rally this month, KMT chairman Eric Chu called President Lai a dictator.

The recall is totally unconstitutional and undemocratic, said KMT vice chairperson Andrew Hsia. It is important for any democracy to maintain check and balance.

Whats at stake?

At the heart of this political fracas is two competing visions for Taiwan and the islands relationship with China.

The ruling DPP party is openly loathed by Beijing, which has cut off all official communication with Taipei since they came to office. The DPP views Taiwan as separate from China and has seen repeated success in recent years at general elections, especially among younger voters.

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The KMT favors warmer ties with Beijing and sees Taiwan as part of a one China, though both sides agreed to disagree what that China means. Chinas Communist leadership is far more willing to talk to the KMT.

The result of the recall will determine whether Lai and his ruling DPP can implement policies that will shore up US support, or whether he becomes a lame duck president that cant get much done.

Taiwan has been paralyzed by a political gridlock, with disagreements in parliament turning into brawls at times, hampering Lais ability to push forward agenda items, including those that address key US concerns over Taiwan.

Lawmakers in Taiwan's brawl over legislation in the Legislative Yuan in Taipei on December 20, 2024. - I-Hwa Cheng/AFP/Getty Images

In a bid to allay Washingtons concern on security costs, Lai announced that Taiwan will increase its defense spending from 2.5% of its gross domestic product to more than 3 percent. But his lack of a majority in parliament may complicate efforts to achieve that.

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Lev Nachman, a political science professor at the National Taiwan University, says the recall result will significantly impact what Lai can do.

Most importantly, this is going to involve questions of defense spending and how the US-Taiwan relationship is going to proceed, Nachman told CNN.

The KMT has long maintained that they support enhancing Taiwans defense capabilities but argued for prudence to curb wastefulness and ensure the efficacy of weapon programs.

Relations with US and China

In recent years, China has ramped up military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan, sending fighter jets and warships around the island on an almost daily basis and looking to squeeze its presence on the world stage.

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The recall vote comes as Taiwan works to beef up its defenses against an increasingly aggressive China and show an openly transactional Trump administration that it is doing its fair share to pay for US support.

The US and other western nations have grown increasingly concerned over whether Chinese leader Xi Jinpings vow to reunify Taiwan might lead one day to a devastating invasion.

Key China hawks in the Trump administration, including US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance, have pushed for Washington to spend less time and resources in Europe and focus instead on countering China in Asia.

But the Trump administration has also been pushing all allies and supporters in Asia to pay more for US protection.

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The result of the recall could also impact Lais standing with the Trump administration during a highly-anticipated and sensitive transit stopover in the US next month while on his way to visiting Paraguay, one of Taiwans few remaining diplomatic allies.

If the recalls flop and the DPP is not successful, the KMT is going to feel very empowered, and President Lai will be in a much less strong position going on these transit tours, Nachman said.

What might happen?

President Lais DPP party currently control just 51 seats in Taiwans 113 seat legislature.

If KMT lawmakers lose their seats, by-elections must be held within three months. That could then provide the DPP an opening to win back enough seats to reclaim a parliamentary majority.

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The DPP would need to win at least six seats in the by-elections to meet the 57-seat majority threshold.

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te delivers a speech at Songshan airbase in Taipei, Taiwan March 21, 2025. - Ann Wang/Reuters

But if they oust enough lawmakers  12  they could gain a majority immediately, even before the by-elections take place.

A successful recall would empower Lai.

He is going to feel that he has the mandate to push his policy agenda, in whatever manner he thinks to be appropriate, added Nachman.

CNNs Will Ripley contributed to reporting

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TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP)  Threats from China and anger over legislative deadlock are dominating Taiwan's political discourse as residents rally for and against a campaign to recall two dozen opposition Nationalist Party lawmakers in polling to be held on Saturday.

Thousands of supporters of the independence-leaning ruling Democratic Progressive Party turned out in the heart of the capital Taipei on Thursday to hear from civil society activists, writers, musicians and others who support the recalls, which could potentially give the party, also known as the DPP, a majority in the legislature.

The DPP won last years presidential election, but came up short in the legislature.

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Since then, the China-friendly Nationalists, also known as the KMT, and their allies have sought to hobble the power of the executive and blocked key legislation, especially the defense budget.

That has been seen as undermining both Taiwans hard-won democracy and its ability to deter Chinas threat to invade the island it considers its own territory. Those concerns prompted activists to campaign for recall votes in the districts where Nationalists were seen as most vulnerable, and they succeeded in 24 districts where votes are scheduled this weekend.

At least 25% of registered voters in the district must take part, with supporters outnumbering those opposed. If successful, a special election will be held to fill the seat, in which all parties can compete.

The KMT and the smaller Taiwan Peoples Party together hold a majority in the parliament with 62 seats, while the ruling DPP holds 51 seats.

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The KMT on Thursday sent some of its best known politicians, including the mayor of Taipei, the speaker of the legislature and the party chairman, out to urge voters to oppose the recall. It also planned a rally in Taipei on Friday. The KMT calls the measure a power grab by the DPP and a threat to multi-party democracy.

Perhaps more than any issue, China has loomed over the campaign, with both its officials and state media dismissing the recall effort as a further futile attempt to preclude what they call the inevitability of Beijing's annexation of Taiwan, either by military or peaceful means

In Taiwan, it has brought out differences between Taiwanese who favor pursuing the current path and those who seek accommodation with Beijing. China-friendly politicians have been accused of selling out Taiwan for accepting trips to the mainland and meetings with Chinese politicians, while they defend themselves as keeping open lines of communication in light of Beijing's refusal to interact with the DPP.

The recall campaign  Taiwan's first  was prompted by anti-KMT groups alarmed by the party's closeness with China, corruption and the KMT's refusal to work with President Lai Ching-te's administration.

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They first needed to gather signatures from 10% of voters in each district, targeting legislators seen as particularly vulnerable or controversial and under China's influence. Each campaign seeking to unseat a single legislator required a huge organizational effort, limiting the number of KMT lawmakers targeted.

The KMT is primed to contest any special elections that must be called within six months, raising the possibility that they could win back the seats, and the DPP, although enlivened by the campaign, could still remain in the minority.

____

AP's Taiwan coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/taiwan
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Thursday is for daydreaming of the weekend.

Watch below in case you missed Wednesdays show!

Watch KFOR News for free! Download the new KFOR+ streaming app

Oklahoma man goes homeless to Hollywood

Oklahomas Kristin Chenoweth to star in new NBC comedy show

Kent Ogles Colorstrology

What is the Gen-Z stare?

Hulk Hogan dies at 71

More than 140 sickened on Royal Caribbean Cruise

Police rescue nine ducklings trapped in storm drain

Dogs detect Parkinsons by smell

Pee-Wee Hermans bike is at the Alamo

Make sure to catch Around the Block every Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. on KFOR+.

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Below are the apps you can download on your TV to watch KFOR Live and other special programming. Search KFOR+. Be sure to update your Roku, Fire TV, and Apple TV apps before downloading.

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TAMPA  For almost a month after he was fired from his job as a Tampa federal prosecutor, Michael Gordon refrained from publicly commenting on his situation.

He stayed quiet even as word spread that his ouster was political retaliation for his involvement in prosecutions against those who stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, called for his reinstatement. Victims in the $100 million fraud case against Leo Govoni  whom Gordon helped indict just before he was fired  decried the prosecutors ouster.

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Now, with the chances of his reinstatement exceedingly unlikely, Gordon is talking  and going on the offensive.

Late Thursday, he filed a federal lawsuit challenging the legality of his dismissal.

I lost my job, but not my voice, he said.

The matter will play out against a legal backdrop in which allies of President Donald J. Trump have generally shunned laws meant to protect federal employees and supported the expansion of executive power.

Gordon spoke publicly this week with the Tampa Bay Times for the first time since he was fired. A student of history, who once taught it to high schoolers, he says hes in this fight for the principle of it.

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Its my belief that silence and fear are how authoritarianism wins, he said. Im not scared. I will not be silent.

The firing

On June 27, a Friday afternoon, Gordon was in his downtown Tampa office on a videoconference preparing a witness to testify in an upcoming trial. His door was closed. He heard a knock and ignored it. The person kept knocking, then barged inside.

He turned around to complain about the interruption. An office manager stood there, his face ashen.

Gordons thoughts turned to his family. Had there been an accident?

Bad news, the manager said softly. He showed him a paper.

The three paragraph memo was addressed to Gordon and labeled from the attorney general. In clinical verbiage, it informed Gordon that hed been removed from his job as an assistant U.S. attorney and from all federal service, effective immediately. The memo gave no reason, but cited Article II of the U.S. Constitution, which establishes powers of the presidency, and the laws of the United States.

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It was signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The office manager couldnt explain it.

Gordon said he was told someone had called 15 minutes earlier from the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys, the administrative entity in Washington, D.C. that oversees federal prosecutor offices. He was told the caller instructed the office manager to show Gordon the letter, take his computer and phone, pack up his office and escort him out of the building. He was told not to involve anyone in the Tampa offices leadership.

Gordon took a screenshot of the letter and shared it. His colleagues were dumbfounded. His bosses were blindsided.

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The timing was perplexing. The notice came two days after Gordon underwent his semi-annual job performance review, he said. His supervisor rated him outstanding, he said, a rating hed maintained throughout his eight years as a federal prosecutor. He was given no suggestions for improvement.

Hed been praised earlier that week for his work on the high-profile case against Govoni, a St. Petersburg entrepreneur charged in a fraud conspiracy that bilked millions from trust funds meant to help injured and disabled people.

Gordon helped present the Govoni case to a grand jury, which issued an indictment June 18 for wire fraud and other crimes. The day before he was fired, Gordon successfully argued in court for Govoni to remain jailed while awaiting trial.

He worked for a week to try to get his termination rescinded, to no avail.

A prosecutors calling

Gordon, 47, had worked as a federal prosecutor based in Tampa since 2017.

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He grew up in San Antonio, Texas. A graduate of Yale and New York University Law School, he spent seven years out of college teaching humanities to high school students near Washington, D.C. before entering law. He found his calling as a prosecutor of domestic violence cases in New York. He worked for the Manhattan District Attorneys Office before family and friends brought him to Florida.

His early work as a fed focused on going after street gangs, violent crime and drug trafficking organizations.

Like many Americans, he was incensed when he saw footage of rioters swarming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. He recognized the significance of the moment.

A photo of this will be in my kids history books, he remembers thinking.

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In the weeks after the insurrection, a call went out across the Department of Justice for volunteers for temporary duty assisting in what was the largest criminal prosecution in the agencys history. Gordon signed up and got picked.

A six-month stint in Washington turned into two years. As a senior trial counsel in the Capitol Siege Section, he brought to trial some of the highest-profile Jan. 6 defendants.

They included Richard Barnett, the Arkansas man who was famously photographed putting his feet up on a desk in the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. He also prosecuted Eric Munchel, referred to as the zip tie guy, who sought to take members of congress hostage.

Hes disturbed at the distorted Jan. 6 narratives that have sprung up in some circles and efforts to downplay the seriousness of what occurred that day.

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Not only do I find it offensive, but I find it profoundly dangerous, he said.

While not all of those present at the Capitol committed acts of violence, Gordon said what they helped perpetrate was no less of a stain on American history. No one, he said, should want to live in a country where the threat of violence from a particular group of citizens carries the day over persuasion, argument or voting.

Thats not democracy, he said. Thats an anarchical free-for-all.

The legal fight

Gordon doubts that Pam Bondi herself was behind his termination. He doesnt think she even knows who he is.

He suspects that the move instead originated with an entity called the Weaponization Working Group. Its a body recently created by Trump to examine state and federal investigations of the president and Jan. 6 prosecutions.

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Its director is Ed Martin, a Republican activist who has been described in media as a leading organizer of the Stop the Steal movement, which promoted the false claim that Trump won the 2020 election. Martin briefly served this year as the interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C. before various controversies nixed his Senate confirmation for the job.

Gordon said he and other federal prosecutors who worked on Jan. 6 cases expected they may be fired since the day after Trump won the November election.

Until last month, though, the only people who had been terminated or dismissed were those who worked with the Special Counsels Office, which prosecuted Trump himself. Most of the rest figured they were safe.

Gordon was among three career prosecutors with no ties to the Special Counsel who were let go.

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I lost my job for enforcing the law, not for breaking it, he said.

Although he could appeal his firing to a federal employment board, that process has become dysfunctional under Trump, Gordon said.

He believes the presidents administration wants a legal fight like his because it would test whether things like civil service employment protections are constitutional. A Supreme Court ruling favoring whats known as the unitary executive theory could void those protections and expand the presidents powers.

Gordon is ready for what he believes could be a long fight.

He has enjoyed spending more time at home with his wife and their two children. Still, he describes his loss as heartbreaking and devastating.

I loved my job, he said. I loved standing for and representing the United States.
Award-winning journalist Tanya Simon has been named executive producer of "60 Minutes," America's #1 news program. Her new role was announced Thursday by Tom Cibrowski, president and executive editor of CBS News.

Simon has been with "60 Minutes" for 25 years, most recently serving as interim executive producer since the departure of the show's previous leader, Bill Owens, in April. She is just the fourth executive producer in the broadcast's 57-year history, and the first woman in the role.

"Tanya Simon understands what makes '60 Minutes' tick. She is an innovative leader, an exceptional producer, and someone who knows how to inspire people," Cibrowski said in a statement. "Tanya knows that the success of today's '60 Minutes' depends on delivering a weekly mix of the most informative, impactful and entertaining stories and investigative journalism from around the world. This is the true essence and foundation of '60 Minutes.'"

Tanya Simon, Executive Producer of

"It is a privilege to lead '60 Minutes' and its formidable team of journalists," Simon said. "'60' is in a class of its own, upholding a legacy of extraordinary and thought-provoking journalism for more than half a century. I'm deeply committed to this level of excellence and I look forward to delivering an exciting season of signature '60' stories that cover a wide range of subjects for a broad audience and engage viewers with their world."

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Simon was named interim executive producer in April, steering the program through the end of its 57th season. She previously served as the executive editor of "60 Minutes" for six seasons, helping to oversee the program's editorial process. Prior to that, she was a senior producer whose responsibilities included overseeing digital content for 60MinutesOvertime.com and supervising production of "60 Minutes Sports," a monthly program that ran on Showtime.

Simon has been contributing to "60 Minutes" for most of her career, playing key roles in some of the broadcast's highest-profile investigations, features and profiles.

She joined the staff in 2000, working with correspondent Ed Bradley on a wide range of stories, including reports on the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Duke University lacrosse rape case, and a rare interview with Bob Dylan. Simon went on to produce for nearly all of the "60 Minutes" correspondents over the next decade, including Steve Kroft, Lesley Stahl, Scott Pelley, Anderson Cooper, and Bob Simon, her father. During that time, she produced news-making interviews with WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and hero pilot Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger, as well as profiles of rapper Eminem and Olympic snowboarding gold medalist Shaun White. She reported extensively on Boston Irish mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger, including his capture after 16 years on the run, and on Lance Armstrong's use of performance-enhancing drugs to win bicycle races.

Simon began her career at CBS News in 1996 as a researcher for "48 Hours," where she rose to become an associate producer and producer before moving to "60 Minutes."

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Her work has earned virtually every major broadcast honor, including multiple Emmy Awards, the Peabody and the DuPont-Columbia Award.

Bryan Kohberger sentenced to life in prison for murders of Idaho students

Idaho murders victims' families speak out at Bryan Kohberger's sentencing hearing

Trump reacts to DOJ reaching out to Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyer on Jeffrey Epstein files
New task force designed to help tackle stray dog problem in Montgomery County.

Stray dogs have been causing attacks and injuries in Montgomery County, prompting local efforts to address the issue.

When I lost him on December 16th, 2023, I was devastated, said Kristen Tilton, co-chair of the Animal Welfare Task Force, after her dog Brunson died from being a victim of cruelty and dog-fighting.

Tilton found Brunson on the street, and he died five days later at Medvet.

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Tilton started a petition to strengthen animal cruelty laws after the death of her dog, Brunson, which gained 38,000 signatures and gained the attention of State Rep. Phil Plummer. Plummer attended a community meeting where the idea of a specialized task force to address the stray dog problem was discussed.

Chris Johnson, owner of Eye in the Sky Drone Animal Recovery, uses thermal drones to locate lost pets, recently reuniting a dog named Snowball with her family after she was found stuck in water.

The task force aims to reduce the number of stray dogs through community outreach, education for pet owners, and changes to animal crime laws.

Tilton mentioned a partnership with the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center to allow rescues to pull dogs from the center, freeing space for more strays.

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Efforts by the Animal Welfare Task Force and community members are underway to tackle the stray dog issue in Montgomery County, aiming to enhance safety and animal welfare.

There is a push in the Ohio Statehouse for tougher laws against aggressive dogs and their owners. If lawmakers pass this, it would increase jail time and fines for dog owners.

It would also require people who have so-called dangerous dogs to have liability insurance, and courts would have to order euthanasia for dogs that cause serious injuries or death.

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TATUM, Texas (KETK) The Tatum Police Department is searching for a woman part of the felony lane gang who has entered three Texas banks using stolen identities from vehicle burglaries in Tatum.

Trio arrested after stealing from T.J. Maxx in Tyler, affidavit reveals

Tatum PD said that this woman has gone to three Vera Bank locations from Mt. Pleasant south to Lufkin, presenting stolen identifications and banking information from a string of vehicle burglaries.

Photos courtesy of Tatum Police Department

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The suspect is not believed to be from the area; the gang she is associated with operates in Texas but is based out of Ft Lauderdale, Florida.

Two of the co-conspirators have been identified, but police are asking for the publics assistance in finding the suspect who is wanted for many criminal charges. If anyone has information about this case, they are encouraged to contact Sergeant B. Jones at 903-803-3583 or Tatum PD on Facebook Messenger.

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.
Republican state Sen. Mayes Middleton and others are backing a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying  again

Gov. Greg Abbott called for a special session earlier this month, explicitly placing legislation prohibiting taxpayer-funded lobbying on the agenda. Middleton tried unsuccessfully to pass the ban  SB 19  during the regular session.



Taxpayer-funded lobbying is the USAID of Texas, Middleton said in a statement to The Dallas Express. Lets pass the ban and drain the swamp.

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Mathew Minor, his spokesman, told The Dallas Express the bill  now SB 12  is more likely to pass this time around.

Even House Speaker Dustin Burrows has expressed support for this, Minor said. He also said Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have shown support for the bill, which passed out of committee.

SB 12 is a sharper, cleaner version of the ban, allowing residents to sue for violations and giving the law real enforcement teeth, according to Texas Policy Research. Minor said the bill is in the same spirit as the earlier legislation  a ban on taxpayer-funded lobbying.

This is something that the senator has run on since his time in the legislature, and this is something that Texans want, he said.

I just filed SB 12 the Ban on taxpayer funded lobbying, lets drain the swamp, defund the the deep state and get SB 12 passed! Thank you @GregAbbott_TX for putting the ban on taxpayer funded lobbying on the agenda and @DanPatrick for making this bill a priority of the Senate! pic.twitter.com/hHQRp71IHo  Mayes Middleton (@mayes_middleton) July 21, 2025

State Rep. Nate Schatzline supported the bill, warning that if it fails to pass the legislature, conservative priorities will be at risk of being undermined by your tax dollars in the future.

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Republican state Sen. Paul Bettencourt also encouraged legislators to pass the bill.

Texans are being taxed twice, once to fund local services, and again to fund political lobbying they may not support, he posted on X. Texans deserve transparency not taxpayer-funded influence games.

Middleton first introduced the ban during the regular session, aiming to keep public bodies from hiring lobbyists, as The Dallas Express reported.

But while the bill was still in the state Senate, Republican state Sen. Robert Nichols introduced an amendment that gutted the bill, as The Dallas Express also reported at the time. This removed the ban on public dollars for nonprofits that hire lobbyists, including the powerful Texas Association of School Boards. The bill ultimately died in the state House.

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This is an unethical practice of taxpayer dollars being used to lobby against taxpayers, and banning the practice is the toughest fight in Austin because it defunds the deep state, Middleton said to The Dallas Express. Thats exactly why I lead the fight to end taxpayerfunded lobbying.

Minor said the senator worked to get the measure reintroduced in the special session without the gutting amendment added during the regular session.

The Texas Public Policy Foundation found Texans spent up to $98.6 million in 2023 on taxpayer-funded lobbying, as The Dallas Express previously reported.

Elected leaders are elected for a reason, Minor said to The Dallas Express. They represent their communities, their constituents, directly. We dont need an Austin lobbyist middleman.

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Dallas spent more than $1 million on internal lobbyists, supporting legislation to protect residents who identify as LGBTQIA+, as The Dallas Express also reported. Fort Worth also supported legislation banning discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

Austin uses its public-private team of lobbyists to support bills on pay equity, education equity, housing equity, and health equity. Houston supports measures bolstering regulatory authority over the energy industry, and San Antonio backs legislation for health equity and social justice.

TASB used school tax dollars to fight school choice and support men in girls restrooms, as The Dallas Express previously reported. The group spent $1.89 million on these sorts of activities in the 2024 election season.

Another taxpayer-funded lobbying group, the Texas Association of School Administrators, asked residents to contact legislators during the special session and tell them how community censorship would negatively affect your school communities.

This year, over $100 million in tax dollars was spent hiring Austin lobbyists to work against conservative issues, including border security, election integrity, property tax reform, and stopping men from invading womens restrooms, Middleton told The Dallas Express. Now is the time to end taxpayer-funded lobbying.
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL)  The Tennessee Department of Transportation said in a release that a ramp at the I-81/I-26 interchange will be closed Friday evening through Monday morning for road construction.

Beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, the off-ramp from I-26 West to I-81 South at Exit 8A (Knoxville) will be closed, according to TDOT.

Judges order: Jailed Kingsport doctor a flight risk

I-26 West traffic heading to I-81 South will be directed to Exit 6 (State Route 347/Rock Springs Road), then to I-26 East, and then back to Exit 8A (Knoxville) to access I-81 South.

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This ramp closure will be in place until 6 a.m. on Monday, July 28.

TDOT said the construction schedule is contingent upon weather conditions.

Motorists are advised to expect delays and use extreme caution in this area as workers will be present, TDOT 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 WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather.
A North Texas teen was arrested after authorities uncovered a suspected plan to attack local Independence Day celebrations, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced.

Kevin Hunt, 18, from Canyon, Texas, was detained on July 2 following a joint investigation by DPS, the Amarillo Police Department, and the Randall County District Attorneys Office.

Hunt was taken into custody on an emergency mental health warrant after investigators observed concerning social media activity, including posts indicating self-harm and an apparent desire to carry out a mass casualty attack.

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Because of the strong partnerships DPS has with other law enforcement agencies at the local and federal level, the horrific plans we believe this individual had planned, never materialized, said DPS Northwest Texas Region Chief Joe Longway. Its not just law enforcement officers who can help thwart potential attacksso can the public. By staying alert and speaking up when you see something suspicious, you can save lives.

Authorities became alarmed by Hunts ongoing grievances and violent ideations on social media, which suggested the potential for a targeted attack. When he was later observed conducting activities consistent with site surveillance ahead of local festivities, DPS acted swiftly.

A search warrant executed at Hunts residence led to the seizure of materials used to make explosive devices, multiple firearms, and several hundred rounds of ammunition. On July 11, Hunt was charged with possession of components of explosives.

The ongoing investigation highlights the effectiveness of the Texas Behavioral Threat Assessment Intervention and Prevention Program Strategy, implemented under Gov. Greg Abbotts directive to enhance anti-terrorism resources statewide.

No further information is available at this time.
ANDERSON  In what may be a first in Madison County, a 14-year-old boy could be looking at a reduced prison sentence after pleading guilty to murder in the October 2024 stabbing death of a 61-year-old Anderson man during an apparent robbery attempt.

Joseph H. Vannote Jr., who turned 14 on Tuesday, was sentenced Wednesday by Madison Circuit Court Division 6 Judge Mark Dudley in the killing of Mark Miles and armed robbery.

Judge Dudley sentenced Vannote to 45 years with alternative juvenile sentencing. Its believed to be the first time the states dual sentencing law, enacted in 2013 to provide judges with more discretion in handling juvenile offenders, has been applied in Madison County.

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The law allows judges to sentence youth to juvenile facilities until the age of 18.

The Madison County Prosecutors Office had requested a 50-year sentence.

Once Vannote turns 18, a review hearing will take place to determine whether or not he will have to serve the remainder of the 45-year sentence.

If he violates supervision in the juvenile facility, he will serve the 45 years, defense attorney Bryan Williams said. This provides him with the opportunity to prove that he is not what he pleaded guilty to.

Williams said it was unrealistic to believe that Vannote, at the age of 13, understood what it meant when he waived his constitutional rights and pleaded guilty to the charges.

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Vannote was arrested in 2024 and transferred to adult court following a hearing in Madison Circuit Court Division 2.

The evidence suggests that the child, Joseph Vannote Jr., committed said act in the course of robbing the victim, Judge Steve Koester wrote.

The child initially admitted to the stabbing but lied about the circumstances. Eventually, he confessed to robbing the victim and stabbing him to death in the course of the robbery.

Koester wrote that, at the time of the murder, Vannote was on probation in Illinois on a delinquency charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

According to a probable cause affidavit related to the death of Miles filed by Detective Richard Stires, Vannote changed his story several times during the investigation of the October 2024 stabbing.

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On Oct. 3, a woman contacted police to tell them that she was checking on Miles, 61, at his Anderson residence and found the front door open. She then found Miles lying on the floor.

Vannote eventually told investigators that he met Miles at a local convenience store and asked him for money. The juvenile told police he followed Miles with the intent of robbing him.

After he refused to leave the residence, Vannote said, Miles hit him in the head with a cane and told him to leave.

Vannote said he went to the kitchen, grabbed a knife and stabbed Miles several times in the chest and stomach. The juvenile said he initially believed he could just punch Miles and rob him.

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At first, Vannote told police that Miles told him to take off his pants; at another point, according to Vannote, Miles asked that the boy tell his mother to come to the residence.

Vannote later said that both of those statements were lies.

He admitted to stealing Miles wallet, which was discovered on the street, and going through Miles pockets in search of money.

When asked whether he could have avoided the situation by leaving, Vannote said he could have avoided it, and noted, Now Im here, and I killed somebody, according to the affidavit.
Teen suspect won't face murder charge in 11-year-old boy's killing at Minneapolis park originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

Prosecutors have decided not to file a murder charge against a teenage boy accused of shooting and killing 11-year-old Amir Atkins last month in a Minneapolis park.

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office determined Wednesday that murder was not a viable charge due to evidence of self-defense." Instead, the 16-year-old boy was charged with being a minor in possession of a firearm.

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The teen was arrested Tuesday morning in Apple Valley and booked into the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center.

Atkins was killed June 23 when gunfire erupted at Folwell Park in north Minneapolis.

Amir Atkins, 11, was killed in a shooting at a Minneapolis park on June 23, 2025.GoFundMe

According to court documents, surveillance footage shows Atkins "holding what appeared to be a firearm" out of the passenger window of a vehicle driving erratically through the park towards the rec center, where the suspect was gathering with others, prompting the suspect to grab a gun from another vehicle and shoot at Atkins.

"Everything about this case is a tragedy, especially that an 11-year-old boy, Amir Atkins, is dead," Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement. "This is a moment to grieve Amir's death and to reassess absolutely everything about what system failures, including access to guns, led to an 11-year-old child dying under these circumstances."

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Atkins' family declined to comment Wednesday but told WCCO that they plan to get justice.

"No matter what Amir was doing at the time, he was a young child," Moriarty said. "He deserved to live a full life."

Atkins had been set to start sixth grade at Hopkins Elementary School later this summer.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara is also quoted in the statement from the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, saying: "We recognize the unimaginable pain of parents, loved ones, and friends who have experienced tragedy from gun violence with irreversible outcomes.

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"I value the difficult and dedicated work our investigators do in partnership with Hennepin County Attorneys in challenging cases like these. These are complex cases, and this work cannot be done without our community partners who continue to provide support to those who have been affected."

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Three Tehama County graduating high school seniors were awarded $500 each by the Tehama County Republican Central Committee for community service and contributing citizens.

Harrison Hamme and Bella Shelton, students at Los Molinos High School, and Michelle Quinonez, a student at Corning High School, were the recipients of this years Tehama County Republican Community Service Award. The awards were presented at a special ceremony held on July 17 at Marcos Pizza in Corning.

Hamme is the son of Brian Hamme and Melissa Gilardi. He plans on attending Northwest Lineman School to earn a Vocational Lineman Certificate.

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Shelton plans to attend the University of Hawaii and pursue a degree in marine biology.

Quinonez plans to attend Butte College and transfer to California State University, Chico, to pursue a degree in business administration.

As a committee, we feel this was one way we can invest in the future, said Terrie Lynn Runolfson, Tehama County Republican chair. Most scholarships reward those students who stand out academically, and thats important, but we also want to honor those who do a lot to better the community in which they are part of as well.

All qualifying high school seniors in Tehama County may apply for the scholarship. Applicants must be graduating this year from any Tehama County public, private, charter, or home school and have maintained a 3.0 grade point average. Applicants provided two letters of reference and submitted an essay detailing their community service and why community service is vital in being a contributing citizen.

The scholarships are awarded to worthy recipients who plan to pursue a course of study leading to a post-secondary degree or certificate from a college, university, community college, or vocational school. This is the seventh year this award has been granted, totaling nearly $12,000.
A new lawsuit filed in Texas could force federal courts to weigh in on the legality of telehealth abortions, which people have increasingly used to terminate their pregnancies since Roe v. Wade was overturned.

The case, a civil complaint filed in the federal court for the Southern District of Texas, alleges that a California physician violated state and federal law by mailing abortion pills to a Texas woman seeking to terminate her pregnancy. As the first individual complaint to be filed in federal court, this case has the potential to end up in front of the U.S. Supreme Court  the opportunity that abortion opponents have been waiting for.

This is a big deal no matter what happens with this lawsuit, said Mary Ziegler, an abortion law historian at the University of California, Davis. Were back to the same can one state force another state to bend to its will question weve been at from the beginning.

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The plaintiff, Jerry Rodriguez, is arguing that Dr. Remy Coeytaux sent medication to Rodriguezs girlfriend for two separate abortions and is responsible in multiple instances for the wrongful death of an unborn child. The suit claims that the doctors actions are a violation of both Texas state law and an 1873 federal statute called the Comstock Act, which prohibits the mailing of material intended for producing abortion, or for any indecent or immoral use.

The federal law has not been enforced in decades, but abortion opponents  including Rodriguezs lawyer, former Texas Solicitor General Jonathan Mitchell  have sought to revive and enforce it. Rodriguez is seeking damages of at least $75,000 and a court order to bar Coeytaux from mailing medications. Mitchell did not respond to a request for comment.

Rodriguez argued the suit should be certified as a class action suit on behalf of all current and future fathers of unborn children in the United States. The case fits into a larger anti-abortion strategy that relies on finding men willing to sue over abortions done for their partners or ex-partners.

The stakes are significant. About a quarter of all abortions involve receiving abortion medication in the mail, and half of those are for people trying to get around bans in their home states, like Rodriguezs Texas. The telehealth method  which includes virtual care from a health provider  is safe, effective and often substantially cheaper than traveling to another state for an abortion.

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Medical providers involved in telemedicine abortions practice in states where abortion is legal, relying on an extra level of protection from their own states: shield laws that say their state will not cooperate with efforts to prosecute them over telehealth abortions legal in the place where the health provider practices.

There have been various efforts to block telehealth abortions and challenges to these shield laws.

The Supreme Court dismissed a case last year that sought to reverse the Food and Drug Administrations decision to allow mifepristone, one of the two drugs used in medication abortions, to be prescribed and taken through telehealth. Anti-abortion groups are also pressing the Trump administration to leverage the FDA or Department of Justice to restrict when and how mifepristone can be prescribed. So far, the federal government has taken no action, though Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has promised a federal review of the drug .

In Texas, anti-abortion lawmakers sought to pass legislation that would empower private citizens to sue anyone who provides telehealth abortions to Texans; the bill failed to pass, though it is expected to be considered in the states ongoing special session.

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Anti-abortion state lawmakers have now turned to individual lawsuits to attempt to shut down the virtual care model. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a civil suit against New York-based physician Dr. Maggie Carpenter. A grand jury in Louisiana also indicted Carpenter, and in May, the state attorney general, Liz Murrill, said her office has opened another investigation into the physician.

Those cases, the first to test the strength of states shield laws, have so far been unsuccessful in blocking abortion. In February, a Texas judge found Carpenter guilty of breaking the states abortion ban and ruled that she must pay $113,000. But since then, the case has been at a standstill. In March, a county clerk in Texas refused to file the Texas-based judgment, citing New Yorks shield law. Paxtons office made the same attempt earlier this month and received another refusal.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry has sought to have Carpenter extradited to his state to stand criminal trial. But New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat and supporter of abortion rights, has refused to comply, saying that she ordered state law enforcement not to comply with those out-of-state efforts.

Louisiana and Texas attorneys general have not asked a federal court to weigh in on the matter, the next legal step to settling this type of interstate dispute. The new Texas case offers a new avenue for court-imposed restrictions on telehealth abortion.

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Theyre separate tracks, but I think theyre both strategies to undermine shield statutes for the states like California that define legally protected reproductive health care, said Rachel Rebouche, dean of the law school at Temple University, who has helped advise states on crafting shield laws. This is both to test a claim under a wrongful death statute, but it also tests what the federal court does, given that California has a shield statute.

The federal case offers another chance for abortion opponents to force courts to consider the Comstock Act. Depending on how the district court rules, this case could then be heard by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, one of the nations more conservative appeals courts and one that has frequently ruled in favor of arguments for restricting abortion.

The next court after that would be the U.S. Supreme Court. Two of its members  Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito  have expressed openness to the idea that the law applies to mailing abortion pills.

Its part of an effort to take down shield laws and also to bypass some of the obstacles that were being posed by both the Trump admin vis-a-vis Comstock and Texas and Louisiana not appealing their cases to federal court, Ziegler said. The goal was obviously to get this to the Supreme Court.

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The post Telehealth abortion access could be challenged nationwide in new lawsuit appeared first on The 19th.

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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has successfully blocked Harris Countys guaranteed income program, forcing county officials to abandon the controversial taxpayer-funded initiative after multiple court defeats.

The county confirmed to the court that the programs will be terminated, following a June vote to reallocate the funds.

The victory marks the end of a 15-month legal battle over whether local governments can distribute taxpayer money directly to residents without conditions. The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between state and local authorities over social welfare programs.

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This unlawful free handout scheme pushed by champagne socialists like Lina Hidalgo has now been completely defeated, Paxton said in a news release. After being stopped in court twice, Harris County has officially ended its far-left guaranteed income program.

Paxton added: I will always fight to enforce the law and prevent the illegal use of taxpayer funds.

The legal challenge began in April 2024 when Paxton sued Harris County over its original program. The initiative promised to distribute public funds with no strings attached to selected residents.

The Texas Supreme Court ordered the county to pause distributions while litigation proceeded. Despite this ruling, county commissioners attempted to revive the program with modifications and increased administrative costs.

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Paxton filed a second lawsuit and obtained another court order blocking the revised version. The Texas Constitution explicitly forbids any county, city, town or other political corporation or subdivision of the State  to grant public money or thing of value in aid of, or to any individual.

Harris County has not announced how it will reallocate the program funds following the court decisions.
Eight investigations against private employers are underway for alleged violations of Texass COVID-19 vaccine mandate ban, according to records obtained by The Dallas Express.

The law, known as Senate Bill 7 and now codified as Chapter 81D of the Texas Health & Safety Code, took effect on January 1, 2024. It prohibits private employers from requiring COVID-19 vaccination as a condition of employment and authorizes the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to investigate violations and impose penalties of up to $50,000 per occurrence.

According to the TWC:

8 investigations remain ongoing.

1 employer has been penalized so far.

29 complaints have been filed  meaning the TWC has averaged roughly two investigations per month since the law took effect.

Of the 21 resolved complaints , most were closed without action: 18 were dismissed as invalid. 1 was withdrawn. 1 was found not to constitute a formal complaint.



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The TWC did not disclose the identity or location of the penalized employer, citing confidentiality. The commissions public records officer said it had referred the matter to the Texas Attorney Generals Office for a ruling on whether the information can be released.

Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), who authored the legislation, hailed the early enforcement figures as proof the law is working.

As the author of the strongest ban on Covid vaccine mandates in the nation, which carries a $50,000 per occurrence penalty, Im not surprised we have had very few violations, said Middleton in an email to The Dallas Express. It was a tough battle but I fought the woke Covid vaccine lobby and won. Everyone should get to make their own health care decisions on whether or not to get the Covid vaccine and nobody should have their job threatened over it.

The senator added, My goal was a strong medical freedom law that has serious teeth and aggressive enforcement and we delivered on that mission.

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The law applies broadly to all private employers in Texas, regardless of size, and protects employees, contractors, and job applicants from being required to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Adverse action  defined as any punitive or alienating employer behavior in response to vaccine refusal  is also banned under the statute.

There is an exception carved out for certain health care providers. Hospitals and physicians may implement policies for protective equipment for unvaccinated staff, based on the risk of patient exposure. In such cases, the TWC is required to consult with the Texas Department of State Health Services to determine whether a providers policy is reasonable, according to a Foley & Lardner LLP blog post on the law.

When the Senate passed the bill in October 2023, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said, The passage of SB 7 will return medical freedom to Texans and ensure that they will not lose their livelihood over their personal health decisions.

The laws enforcement mechanism is largely administrative. Complaints are filed with the TWC, which investigates and determines whether a violation occurred. If so, employers may be subject to fines, investigative cost recovery, or lawsuits seeking injunctive relief.

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The single penalty imposed to date also included recovery of investigative costs, the agency confirmed. No employers have been referred for further legal action.

The TWC noted that one additional responsive record contained confidential information and has been submitted to the Attorney Generals office for a ruling on whether it can be released to the public.
(Texas Scorecard)  The Texas National Guard is mobilizing to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations across the state, sources confirmed to Texas Scorecard.

The deployment will reportedly center on managing large-scale detention facilities designed to facilitate mass deportations, with judge advocate general officers potentially deputized to streamline legal processes.

Hundreds of National Guard troops from across the nation will also be deployed to protect and support ICE agents in the field amid a heightened threat environment for federal immigration enforcement officers.

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Under Operation Lone Star, launched in 2021, Texas has already deployed thousands of National Guard troops to the southern border in response to the Biden administrations lax enforcement policies. According to officials in border counties, some of those assets have already been pulled back, as U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers are now being empowered to do their jobs.

Texas has reportedly eased off of arresting illegal aliens and charging them with criminal trespassing as the federal government assumes responsibility for border security operations.

Operation Lone Star is now expected to be refocused from securing the southern border to assisting with mass deportations.

Texas National Guard troops were previously activated in June to maintain order during statewide protests against federal immigration enforcement efforts.

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Abbotts office has emphasized collaboration with federal partners, including a February agreement allowing guard members to make arrests under CBP supervision.

Texas Scorecard reached out to the governors office, Texas Military Department, and Texas DPS for comment about the reported changes but did not receive a response before publication.
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  Senate Bill 5 would eliminate the majority of hemp products. CBD and CBG products would still be available for consumption.

A shop owner continues to push for regulations on alcohol and tobacco, saying theyre already regulating themselves.

Were just going back and forth on, on the same issue that the governor already said he wanted regulation, Texas Cannabis Co.s David Sanchez said.

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Sanchez is frustrated once again with lawmakers debate on hemp products.

Were just hoping that they can get it together so they can see what Texans actually want, Sanchez said.

Lawmakers are seeking to ban solely products with THC, the compound that gets you high.

Theyre illegal and theyre harmful, Texas Senator Charles Perry, who authored the legislation, said. DEA, Drug Enforcement Administration, federal level synthetic cannabinoids are not hemp as of August 21st, 2020, rules and are deemed controlled substances.

Perry is not backing down from an all-out ban.

It is not a regulatable situation, Perry said.

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A spokesperson with Governor Abbotts office stated:

Adults should be able to access heavily regulated, nonintoxicating levels of hemp, and there should be strict legal enforcement of hemp that exceeds 3.0 Milligrams total THC per serving.

But can that still be marketable? According to Sanchez, it still is.

Many of our products are going to fall under that. With the commonsense regulation that they were talking about, because most of the products or all the products in here already are under .3 Delta-9, because thats the federal law, Sanchez said.

The day after Abbott vetoed Senate Bill 3, which banned all consumable products, one person told us how he uses it to ease sciatic nerve and back problems.

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Even without THC, Sanchez said other products could aid his customers.

They can enjoy all the other benefits. Right now, most of our products in here have that already in place,

Now, Sanchez and other shops wait once again on the fate of the hemp industry.

The Senate Committee on Public Affairs also argued for funding to monitor regulation.

Sanchez said any type of tax is welcome to help cover the costs.

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Texas already-strained health care system is bracing for deeper challenges when federal Affordable Care Act and Medicaid cuts go into effect as soon as next year, bringing fears of hospital closures, longer wait times and negative health outcomes.

But in the short-term, Texas hospital advocates and CEOs say they averted disaster by keeping the most damaging Medicaid-related provisions out of Republicans mega-bill.

Over 4 million Texans are enrolled in the narrowly structured Medicaid program, where eligibility is limited to children, pregnant women, seniors, disabled people and parents with a monthly income of under $300, for a family of four. At various points during negotiations, Republicans had discussed decreasing the federal match rate for Medicaid spending and eliminating provider taxes, a key source of revenue that jurisdictions in the state use to tax private hospitals to fund the states portion of Medicaid.

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Those provisions could have been catastrophic for Texas hospitals, particularly rural ones that overwhelmingly rely on Medicaid for reimbursement. But ultimately they were not included. And given that Texas never expanded Medicaid to people above the federal poverty limit, the state will not have to impose work requirements or slash its provider tax rate.

Texas is projected to lose out on $1.2 billion in Medicaid funding owing to changes in the bill, but it stands to gain $1.6 billion from the last-minute addition of a rural hospital fund over the next five years, according to estimates from the National Rural Hospital Association.

While Texas Hospital Association CEO John Hawkins said there were unsatisfactory parts of the bill, hospitals and Texas Medicaid, for now, have not suffered the hit that was initially feared.

From THAs standpoint, theres simply a sense of deep relief on the other side of this finish line, Hawkins wrote in an op-ed. Our concerns were heard, and our Lone Star safety net will remain intact.

Uncertain future

But the long-term implications of the bill are more concerning for hospitals.

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Jurisdictions in Texas, such as cities, counties or hospital districts, can charge a tax of up to 6% on private hospitals, a provision that was grandfathered in to remain intact. Hawkins noted this as a significant win for hospitals in the state. But those rates are now frozen, eliminating the ability for jurisdictions who have not implemented a provider tax or whose rate is lower than the 6% to raise new revenue in the future.

A THA spokesperson said most local government entities are already assessing a tax at the 6% maximum, and the majority of those who were not took steps to do so in anticipation of the mega-bill's passage.

To offset the potential for lost revenue in rural hospitals in particular, the Senate created a five-year, $50 billion fund for rural hospitals. For the first two and a half years, the money will be distributed equally between states  which disadvantages Texas because it has a significantly larger population than nearly every state. During the second half of the program, Texas should receive more funding because spending will be proportional based on rural hospital expenditures.

Such funding will be critical in Texas, where 15 rural hospitals are currently at risk of closure.

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While the fund will theoretically more than compensate rural hospitals for their Medicaid losses, experts cautioned that outcomes could be different by region, town and individual hospital.

John Henderson, the CEO of the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals, said it is difficult to predict how rural hospitals will fare without a deeper understanding of the rural hospital funds effectiveness. But hes concerned about what happens when the fund expires.

Coverage matters, whether it be Medicaid or commercial, he said. When fewer patients show up with coverage, it just puts more burden on the hospital. So I'm more worried about 2031 than 2026.

Rise of the uninsured

Close to 5 million Texans are uninsured, a figure projected to rise by 1.7 million once ACA marketplace changes from the Republican mega-bill take effect, according to health policy nonprofit KFF. The high uninsured rate poses a number of negative downstream effects for health care in the state.

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[1.7 million Texans could lose health coverage under expiring tax credits, ACA changes in GOP megabill]

Nearly 4 million Texans are currently enrolled in insurance through the ACA. Uptake rates are particularly high in West Texas, South Texas and the Houston area  in border counties like Hidalgo, Starr and Zapata, for example, over 20% of residents have insurance through the ACA.

When people drop their level of coverage or abandon it altogether, their health outcomes worsen. They typically do not seek medical care, especially preventive care, and are more likely to incur medical debt.

Hospitals have to perform emergency care on patients regardless of their ability to pay. When an increased number of people lack insurance, instances of uncompensated care rise. These compounding issues could be devastating for both the states health infrastructure and for individuals.

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Health clinics, which play a critical role in managing patients health so they can avoid winding up in the hospital, are also worried about how a rise in the uninsured rate could create financial and operational difficulties.

Brian Sasser, the chief communications officer at the Episcopal Health Foundation, said some clinics that the foundation funds derive over 50% of their revenue from Medicaid. Between expected coverage loss from Medicaid and the ACA, new policies preventing many undocumented immigrants and some immigrants with legal status from accessing health care services and insurance and cuts to federal food assistance programs, he said clinics are worried about having to scale down services or shut their doors.

It's the perfect storm of hitting the people who face the most barriers to good health already, Sasser said. Theyre just getting hit from all sides.

Paula Walker, the executive director of the Texas Association of Charitable Clinics, has similar fears. TXACC works with 75 member clinics to provide free primary care for over 220,000 Texans annually who lack insurance. These free clinics are the very bottom of the health care safety net; any closure or rollback of services could have severe health consequences in the communities they serve, particularly because they disproportionately treat chronic illnesses and provide dental and mental care for people who cannot afford it.

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For the first time in its over 100-year history, TXACC asked for a legislative appropriation from the state this year because patient volume is already rising so significantly. When ACA cuts hit, free clinics could end up completely overwhelmed.

We manage chronic disease for the uninsured, Walker said. We're finding more people at our door, and it's hard for us to financially keep upthe concern is that, as we face maybe up to a million and a half more uninsured, where are they going to turn for their health care?

Walker said the top two diseases that TXACC-affiliated clinics treat are hypertension and diabetes, both of which become expensive if left untreated but can be managed relatively cost-effectively if patients seek regular treatment.

But if wait lists at free clinics become exorbitantly long, people may either go untreated or only seek care once it becomes life-threatening  meaning hospitals will need to shoulder the expense.

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The burden goes to emergency departments, which bleeds into hospitals, Walker said. It's just an economic disaster.

And health care advocates agreed that the effects on individual and public health will be devastating. When people drop their insurance coverage because its too expensive, they rarely seek preventative care.

When they do get treatment for serious illnesses or emergencies, they are more likely to accumulate medical debt. And when they dont, the consequences can be fatal.

People will not go to the emergency room when they have a minor stroke or a minor heart attack, said Lynn Cowles, the health and food justice director at left-leaning think tank Every Texan. And then they'll have another one, and that one could be the lethal one.

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Disclosure: Episcopal Health Foundation, Every Texan and Texas Hospital Association have been financial supporters of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribune's journalism. Find a complete list of them here.

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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  As students across Texas prepare to return to the classroom this August, a new state law will drastically change how cell phones and smart devices are handled in schools.

House Bill 1481, passed by the Texas Legislature and signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott in June, prohibits students from using phones, smartwatches, or wireless earbuds during the instructional day. Now, San Angelo ISD is finalizing how the district will enforce the law before classes begin August 14.

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The legislature passed, and the governor signed House Bill 1481. Its a huge change, said Dr. Christopher Moran, superintendent of San Angelo ISD. What it does is it acknowledges that electronic communication devices, cell phones, smart watches, air pods, are really a disruption to the school day.

Dr. Moran added that while the law targets student usage, it offers administrators a clearer way to apply consistent enforcement.

It gives us the ability to enforce that with less subjectivity, and to say to students and staff, put devices away, Moran said. But this is specifically for students. So during the instructional day, communication devices will be not allowed.

Though students wont be able to use their devices during class time, they will still be allowed to carry them for emergencies.

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Central High Schools Crystal King wins Region 15 assistant principal of the year

Im a parent. I want, in the event of an emergency, I want my son and daughters to have their phone and be able to do what they need to do to protect themselves, to call 911, Moran said. They can possess a phone, but they just cant have it out and be using it during the instructional day.

With only a few weeks before the first day of school, the district is working to inform families of the new rules and outline consequences for violating the policy.

As you can imagine, the timeline is pretty short. This law was just signed into law about a month ago, and so here we are processing that, Moran said. We want to be fair to kids. We want to use common sense, but at the same time, we want to protect our instructional time and give our kids the best shot at focusing and receiving a great education.

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Dr. Moran acknowledged that for some students, the change may be difficult. I will say that because of the addictive nature that phones, iPhones, smartphones, smart devices have on kidsthis will not be easy for some, he said.

The law allows for exceptions, particularly for health-related situations. Students who require a device for medical monitoring will not be penalized.

So, in the law, there are exceptions for health needs and other needs that are legitimate, Moran said, that would require a student to wear a smart watch or have their smartphone with them, and we recognize that, and there will be absolute provision for that. No student will be put in harms way.

SAISD completes sale of 2025 bond, oversight committee is established

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Conduct guidelines were formally adopted by the SAISD Board this week. Specific instructions, including campus-level procedures, will be provided by each schools principal.

Out of that, we are in hot pursuit of developing some guidelines that will be clear and help parents and students know how to plan, Moran said.

They will get to them in time before August 14, the first day of school, so that they can begin planning and know what to do.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  A man from Frisco, TX, has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman while on a flight to Salt Lake City, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Robert Bobby Sutherland MacLean, 59, was federally indicted on April 18, 2023. Today, he was convicted of abusive sexual contact while in an aircraft in the United States.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO) District of Utah, MacLean was seated next to a female passenger on a commercial flight from Chicago to Salt Lake City on March 1, 2022. The two were seated in the first-class cabin on the late-night flight to Utah.

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During the flight, MacLean made calculated and sexually laced statements to the female victim, who was a complete stranger to him. The press release states that he sexually assaulted her multiple times during the flight.

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Mr. MacLean unlawfully and illegally imposed his will upon another person sexually assaulting her over and over again on that late-night flight, prosecuting attorney Bryan N. Reeves of the U.S. Attorneys Office is quoted in the press release.

MacLeans charge was brought to trial, and a federal jury in Salt Lake City returned a guilty verdict against the Texas man. His sentencing is set for October 1, 2025, at the Orrin G. Hatch U.S. District Courthouse in Salt Lake City. Senior U.S. District Court Judge Dale A. Kimball will determine his sentence.

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According to the press release from the USAO, this case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations Salt Lake City Field Office, and they were assisted by the Salt Lake City Police Department.

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A Galveston man is suing a California doctor for allegedly providing his girlfriend with abortion-inducing drugs, the latest effort to test Texas anti-abortion laws against blue states protections for abortion providers.

Unlike other ongoing legal challenges in state court, this suit was filed in federal court, which opens up a new avenue to stress test these so-called shield laws, legal experts say. After the overturn of Roe v. Wade, as red states like Texas were banning abortions, blue states passed these laws to protect abortion providers who mail medications into restrictive states.

This is one of a many-pronged strategy to test these shield laws in as many ways as possible, said Rachel Rebouche, the dean of the Temple Law School and an expert on shield laws. But whether this case will go the way theyre expecting, theres a lot we dont know yet.

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Jonathan Mitchell, a prominent anti-abortion lawyer who helped design Texas abortion laws, brought the suit on behalf of his client, Jerry Rodriguez, seeking damages, as well as an injunction on behalf of all current and future fathers of unborn children in the United States.

The complaint, filed Sunday, accuses Dr. Remy Coeytaux of mailing abortion pills to Rodriguezs girlfriend in September 2024. She allegedly used the medication to terminate a pregnancy that month, and later terminated a second pregnancy. Rodriguez says these abortions happened at the direction of his girlfriends estranged husband.

She is currently pregnant, the suit says, and Rodriguez fears that the husband will again pressure [her] to kill [Rodriguezs] unborn child and obtain abortion pills from Coeytaux to commit the murder.

A man who answered the phone at Coeytauxs office said the doctor had no comment before hanging up.

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Rodriguez is asking a judge to award him at least $75,000 in damages against Coeytaux for causing the wrongful death of his unborn child.

The case has some similarities to another lawsuit, filed in state court by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against a New York doctor for allegedly providing abortion pills to a Collin County woman. While a Texas judge ordered Dr. Maggie Carpenter to pay more than $100,000, New York refused to honor that ruling, the first test of the states post-Roe v. Wade shield law.

Getting New York to enforce Texas judgement will likely take years, if it ever happens at all, in a case that many legal experts expect to go to the U.S. Supreme Court. But a federal court wouldnt need to involve state courts to enforce their judgment, possibly sidestepping that minefield.

But its not a clear path to victory for Rodriguez and Mitchell, legal experts said. Their claims are based on alleged violations of Texas state law; the judge could just as easily take Californias shield laws into consideration when deciding Coeytauxs liability, Rebouche said.

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The complaint tries to make it out like the physician has been acting unlawfully, but thats not true under California law, she said. At their heart, shield laws are about the question of whose law is in effect, and thats true in federal court too.

Californias shield law could also allow Coeytaux to countersue Rodriguez, and protect his medical license in California.

The lawsuit also alleges Coeytaux is in violation of the Comstock Act, an 18th Century anti-obscenity law. The Comstock Act has not been enforced for more than a hundred years, with some legal experts arguing its entirely unenforceable as a result, while others, including Mitchell, argue it can be used to federally criminalize mailing abortion pills.

This lawsuit reads like a playbook of the anti-abortion movements various strategies to try to shut down mailed medication, Rebouche said. Theres a lot of strategies thrown in there  going against shield laws, Comstock, class action for all fathers, wrongful death. Its notable to put them all in one document.

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Rodriguez also sued his girlfriends estranged husband and mother for wrongful death in state court. That suit is similar to a 2023 lawsuit filed against two Galveston women who helped a friend obtain abortion pills; the women countersued and both cases were eventually dropped with nothing to show for them.

This litigation comes as the Texas Legislature considers sweeping legislation to crackdown on the manufacturing and mailing of abortion pills. During this years regular legislative session, a version of this bill passed the Senate but stalled in the House. Gov. Greg Abbott added it to the agenda for the 30-day special session, which began Monday.

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The Texas Public Policy Foundation (TPPF) has put the City of Dallas on notice: repeal more than 130 local ordinances that violate state law, or face a lawsuit.

In a formal letter dated July 23, 2025, to Dallas City Attorney Tammy Palomino, TPPF said the city continues to enforce 133 ordinances that were preempted by House Bill 2127, also known as the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act or the Death Star Bill. The law took effect on September 1, 2023, and forbids cities from regulating in areas already governed by the state  including labor, insurance, finance, business, and property codes.

TPPFs legal action is on behalf of three Dallas taxpayers who allege theyve been harmed by the citys illegal enforcement of preempted ordinances. The foundation warned that it will pursue injunctive and declaratory relief under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code  102A.003 if the city fails to comply.

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The ordinances in question affect everyday residents and small businesses by imposing extra fees, permits, and local restrictions on things already governed by state law  such as alarm systems, food trucks, towing services, housing rules, labor mandates, and even animal ownership. TPPF argues that enforcing these duplicative rules not only violates the law but also burdens taxpayers and entrepreneurs with unnecessary red tape and costs.

The Texas Regulatory Consistency Act was passed to stop exactly this kind of local overreach  and TPPF stands ready to defend Texans liberty when cities like Dallas refuse to follow the law, said Matthew Chiarizio, TPPF senior attorney.

The list of invalid ordinances comes from a memorandum drafted by the City of Dallas itself in April 2023. That memo, sent to Rep. Rafael Anchia (DDallas), acknowledged the citys own ordinances would be preempted if HB 2127 became law. The law did  yet the ordinances remain on the books and are still being enforced.

Wasteful and illegal spending like what is in these ordinances flushes millions of dollars of Dallas taxpayers money down the drain, added TPPF attorney Nathan Seltzer.

The ordinances in question cover a wide range of policy areas, including anti-discrimination mandates, labor and wage rules, alarm permits, trash collection, tow truck licensing, solid waste fees, the regulation of sexually oriented businesses, and even the regulation of roosters.

Dallas HERO Piles On

The citizen-led watchdog group Dallas HERO, a frequent critic of mismanagement at City Hall, said the citys failure to repeal ordinances preempted by state law reflects broader dysfunction.

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In response to a request for comment, Dallas HERO Executive Director Damien LeVeck sent The Dallas Express the following statement, originally posted to the groups official X account:

Add this to the laundry list of ways Dallas is mismanaged. When you understand how broken the government is from the inside, its unsurprising seeing the external consequences in the form of crime and homelessness plaguing the streets.

Abbott: A New Hope for Texas Business

When HB 2127 was signed into law in June 2023, Gov. Greg Abbott called it a turning point for small business owners:

Texas is the economic envy of America. Today, I signed a law to provide a new hope to Texas businesses struggling under burdensome local regulations.

As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the law prohibits municipalities from issuing rules that contradict state law across major regulatory fields, including the Agriculture Code, Business and Commerce Code, Finance Code, Insurance Code, Labor Code, Natural Resources Code, Occupations Code, and Property Code.

The bills author, Rep. Dustin Burrows (RLubbock), said the goal was to prevent a patchwork of conflicting and overreaching city mandates. Sen. Brandon Creighton (RConroe), who carried the bill in the Senate, called it the most pro-business, pro-growth bill of the legislative session.

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A range of business groups, including the Texas Restaurant Association, Texas Association of Business, and National Federation of Independent Business, all praised the bills passage for bringing regulatory consistency and reducing uncertainty for entrepreneurs.

Despite bipartisan support and the citys own legal admissions, Dallas appears to be in continued defiance of state law.

If the city does not repeal the ordinances voluntarily, TPPF says it is prepared to take them to court.
(Texas Scorecard)  A proposal to crack down on the sale of THC products in Texas has been revived in the Texas Senatewith supporters arguing its a necessary step to stop what they call a shadow recreational marijuana market and opponents warning it will shutter small businesses across the state.

Senate Bill 5, authored by State Sen. Charles Perry (RLubbock), would ban the production, sale, and possession of consumable marijuana products that contain any cannabinoids other than Cannabidiol (CBD) or (CBG). Substances marketed as delta-8, delta-9, delta-10, THCA, and THC-O would be outlawed.

During a committee hearing on the bill just two days into the special session, Perry made it clear that the legislation is intended to remove most THC from stores.

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This bill is intended to effectively regulate and remove some of the products that are currently on the market, he said. The product is plain and simply illegal.

Perry also noted that the bill would allow the continued sale of hemp seed derivatives like hemp oil and protein powder, which he said are federally recognized and not intoxicating. But he argued that the bulk of the products found in retail stores today were never intended under the 2019 hemp legalization law and have instead flooded the state under a false sense of legality.

Weve literally allowed this industry to spring up underneath our feet, screaming its legaland its not, he said.

While Perry initially referred to the bill as a regulatory measure, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued a press release during the hearing that more directly framed the bill as a ban on THC. The messaging is part of a broader public rift with Gov. Greg Abbott, who vetoed a similar bill last month, citing concerns about overregulation. In response, Patrick accused the governor of wanting to legalize recreational marijuana.

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Abbott has denied this characterization, instead saying he wants to ban the product completely for children and eliminate intoxicating hemp products across the board.

The only hemp product thats going to be out there is nonintoxicating hemp, which is below three milligrams of THC, Abbott told Community Impact during an interview on Tuesday.

Though Abbott reportedly said he had not read the new legislation, that would largely be in line with the proposal currently moving through the Senate.

Support for the bill came from law enforcement. Chambers County Sheriff Brian Hawthorne, testifying on behalf of the Sheriffs Association of Texas, said the current hemp market amounts to a recreational drug pipeline.

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Since 2019, weve allowed Texas to become a de facto recreational drug state, Hawthorne told the committee. All of us in government, state leadership, state regulatory agencies, law enforcement and prosecutors, we all have failed to prevent the proverbial camel nose from peeking under the tent. The camel we fight against is recreational marijuana under the false label of hemp.

Hawthorne shared examples of retail products sold in Texas, including marijuana flower and a substance known as gas station heroin, arguing that much of it is already federally illegal. He said sheriffs across the state would prefer no bill pass at all rather than see legislation that doesnt include a strong THC prohibition.

But not everyone agreed. Andrew Dickerson, a district manager for a statewide chain of vape shops, testified that the bill would wipe out the main source of revenue for his business and leave hundreds out of work.

We have over 400 employees  It will lead to layoffs. It will lead to several of our locations, if not the majority of them, closing down, said Dickerson, whose stores operate under the name Rock N Roll It.

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He said his stores serve veterans, first responders, and other adults looking for relief from stress and painbut agreed that regulations and age limits are appropriate.

Nine times out of 10, youre talking about normal Texas citizensoverage adultswho are coming in for a little bit of stress relief, something that can help them get through the day, he said.

Under SB 5, manufacturers would face $10,000 licensing fees per location, while retailers would pay $20,000 annually per location to register with the state. Each product would also have to be individually registered, labeled with a QR code, and approved before being sold. Criminal penalties would apply to anyone possessing or selling banned products, including a Class C misdemeanor for possession and a third-degree felony for manufacturing or distribution.

The State Affairs committee unanimously approved the legislation. A vote on the bill is expected soon in the Senate.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  On Wednesday, Sen. Roland Gutierrez, D-San Antonio, held a press conference with leaders from the Texas Compassionate Use Program (TCUP) to advocate for regulation of THC amid the Texas Senates debate on a refiled ban in the special session.

Exactly one month after Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed a proposed hemp-derived THC ban, the Texas Senate debated a new, nearly identical ban on Tuesday.

Gutierrez said while he has always advocated for a fully regulated medical marijuana and recreational marijuana program, he said appropriate steps need to be taken. Furthermore, he said the current hemp bill in place has opened up to the possibility of derivatives, like synthetic THC.

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Those synthetics are causing great harm to people throughout this state, Gutierrez said. We created a system, a wild west system, of obtaining cannabis products with zero age limit. So I think people at home need to be aware that there is zero age limit in obtaining this. You can go to a convenience store right now, be a 14-year-old kid and be able to buy a vape pen. That simply is wrong, its not right. And all the science will tell you that that 14-year-old is not ready for the introduction of cannabis into their body.

Gutierrez was joined by Texas Original CEO Nico Richardson, a TCUP patient and others who advocated at the Texas Capitol on Wednesday.

This might sound strange from the guy that always wanted to legalize marijuana. But we do have to do things appropriately and responsibly. And what weve done, simply, is an irresponsible measure, Gutierrez said during the conference.

Medical cannabis expansion bill adds chronic pain patients, advances to Governor

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TCUP launched in 2015 for epileptic children and has since slowly grown to include more people, including those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. It provides low-THC cannabis to patients with a proper prescription from a physician.

This comes after TCUP was expanded by House Bill 46 during the 89th Legislative Session.

The legislation in HB 46 calls for expanding the number of licensed cannabis providers in the TCUP from three to 15. Additionally, it allows patients with chronic pain and patients with traumatic brain injuries to take part in the program.

Since 2015, the TCUP has provided safe, regulated access to medical cannabis for thousands of Texans, Richardson said.

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Every day, we hear from patients whose lives have been changed for the better because of this medicine. The reason this program works and is trusted by physicians and immunocompromised patients is because it is highly regulated, he said.

On Tuesday, Texas Senate Committee heard testimony from the public on Senate Bill 5, which was filed by Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock. Members of law enforcement who strongly advocated for a ban, as well as community members who said a ban would infringe on their rights as individuals, were included in the testimony.

Many law enforcement officials, as well as medical experts, said the product was too dangerous to have on the market  even if its regulated.

Zach Crow, a Houston attorney, represents companies with a stake in the THC market in Texas. He said Tuesday that current opposition to THC from legislators was contrary to the TCUP.

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Weve acknowledged that federally illegal marijuana under the TCUP program is fine and its helping people, Crow said. Which one is it? It cant be both. Either THC and cannabis are good things that can help people, or its evil.

John Thomas, Dylan McKim and Ford McCracken 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 KXAN Austin.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced on Thursday that federal approval was received to extend Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program replacement benefits for flood victims through August 18, and five additional counties now qualify for replacement benefits.

The extension provides critical relief to families in 26 Texas counties who lost groceries during the recent catastrophic flooding. Recipients can replace destroyed food items using their Lone Star Cards.

The State of Texas continues to support Texans impacted by the recent catastrophic flooding so they can care for themselves and their families, Abbott said in a press release. SNAP recipients in 26 counties now can apply for food replacement benefits through August 18.

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Hamilton, Lampasas, Maverick, Sutton, and Uvalde counties join 21 previously approved counties. The U.S. Department of Agriculture had earlier authorized benefits for flood victims in Central and West Texas communities.

During these stressful times, I am thankful we can extend support, said HHSC Deputy Executive Commissioner Molly Regan. Helping families have access to the food they need can bring some relief as they continue to rebuild.

SNAP recipients can request replacement benefits by calling 2-1-1 and selecting option 7. They can also download Form H1855 from the HHSC website and submit it by mail or fax.

Replacement funds will appear on Lone Star Cards within two business days. The program covers food lost or destroyed due to power outages, flooding, or other disaster-related damage.

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Hot food purchases remain authorized in 33 counties through August 14. This includes rotisserie chickens, deli items, and other prepared foods typically restricted under SNAP rules.

The extension comes as Texas communities continue recovering from severe weather. Local resources for shelter and emergency assistance are available by dialing 2-1-1.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  We are getting a first look at how textbook publishers are responding to the recently passed Oklahoma social studies standards, and many are taking a step back.

The reporting first came from Oklahoma Watch and Jennifer Palmer, who attended the Textbook Committee meetings where the publishers presented their publications.

We have fewer publishers trying to get their books approved, said Palmer.

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The standards were highly controversial and included requirements like including Old Testament Bible stories, saying the origin of the COVID-19 virus was at a lab in China, and teaching court-debunked 2020 stolen presidential theories.

The standards are set for the next six years, and the textbooks change based on subjects; the one Palmer attended focused on social studies and financial planning.

Palmer said that six years ago, 18 publishers were approved, but now there are 11 who have submitted.

33 Oklahomans file lawsuit; ask State Supreme Court to halt social studies standards

As for the textbooks that could be in the Oklahoma classrooms, most of them did not adhere to every single standard that was updated.

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This was the only example I could find of some of the references to Christianity and Bible stories, said Palmer as she held up a small newsletter from Studies Weekly.

Images from Stories Weekly. This publication is one of 11 that put in a bid for the Oklahoma Department of Education textbook contract.

Images from Stories Weekly. This publication is one of 11 that put in a bid for the Oklahoma Department of Education textbook contract.

Images from Stories Weekly. This publication is one of 11 that put in a bid for the Oklahoma Department of Education textbook contract.

Images from Stories Weekly. This publication is one of 11 that put in a bid for the Oklahoma Department of Education textbook contract.

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She reported that they publish newsletter-like pages each week. With this one, it pointed out the 10 commandments as something that existed but didnt list them, and as for Old Testament stories, it just named David and Goliath but didnt detail the story.

In contrast, another publisher that submitted an elementary curriculum for review, InquireED, sidestepped a second-grade standard about stories from Christianity, suggesting educators use the online platforms edit feature to add that manually. (The company suggested editing the materials to meet other, less controversial standards, too.) Oklahoma Watch, Jennifer Palmer

Out of the many publishers who chose not to submit, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt was one of them; they got out in 2023.

There are 12 points of criteria that the publishers must hit, too. The criteria are very objective, and some of the points are based on points of morality.

Oklahoma governor disapproves of social studies standards switch

One of them is, Emphasize the importance of the family as the core of American society and do not degrade the traditional roles of men and women, boys and girls.

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Another states, Treat the subject of the historical origins of humankind in an objective and unbiased manner.

They get points for each thing, and theyll add up all of their point,s and then the completed rubric goes to the committee. So, then the committee will go through those and decide theyll vote on each publishers materials, said Palmer.

Were those standards approved. Things were snuck in that many werent approving of, said Rep. John Waldron (Tulsa-OKC).

Rep. Waldron was a social studies teacher for several years. He gave his two cents on the Oklahoma Watch findings.

There are kids that come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and not just the ones that apply to the state superintendent. We shouldnt be forcing some government notion of one established religion, so thats a problem, said Rep. Waldron.

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The other issue is around the stolen election theories. How can we trust anything were being taught if we are forcing teachers to teach some government line that is not substantiated by the truth? Thats what happens in authoritarian dictator-like companies, not Oklahoma, said Rep. Waldron.

Right now, those textbooks that publishers put forth for adoption can be viewed by the public, and you can find a list of locations here.

The public can also give their comment by emailing carolynn.bristow@sde.ok.gov before Sept. 12.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SURIN, Thailand (AP)  Thai and Cambodian soldiers have clashed along the border between their countries in a major escalation that left at least 14 people dead, mostly civilians. The two sides fired small arms, artillery and rockets, and Thailand also launched airstrikes.

Fighting took place in at least six areas on Thursday, according to Thai Defense Ministry spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri, a day after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers and led Bangkok to withdraw its ambassador from Cambodia and expel Cambodias envoy to Thailand.

On Friday, Cambodia's chief official in Oddar Meanchey province, Gen. Khov Ly, said clashes resumed early in the morning near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple. Associated Press reporters near the border could hear sounds of artillery from early morning hours.

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The official also said that at least four civilians were wounded in Thursday's fighting there and that more than 4,000 people have been displaced from their villages along the border to evacuation centers. It was the first account of any casualties from the Cambodian side.

The escalation represents a rare instance of military conflict between member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation, though Thailand has tangled with Cambodia before over the border and has had sporadic skirmishes with western neighbor Myanmar.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both sides to exercise maximum restraint and address any issues through dialogue," according to U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq.

Each side blames the other

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Thailand and Cambodia have blamed each other for the clashes, alleging that civilians were being targeted.

In Bangkok, the Public Health Ministry said a Thai soldier and 13 civilians, including children, were killed while 14 soldiers and 32 other civilians were injured. Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin condemned what he said were the attacks on civilians and a hospital as violations of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.

"We urge the Cambodian government to immediately halt these war criminal actions, and return to respecting the principles of peaceful coexistence, he said.

Thailands Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the fighting affected four provinces. The Interior Ministry was ordered to evacuate people at least 50 kilometers (30 miles) from the border.

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In Cambodia, several hundred villagers moved from their homes near the border to about 30 kilometers (18 miles) deeper inside Oddar Meanchey province. Many made the journey with entire families and most of their possessions on home-made tractors, before settling down with hammocks and makeshift shelters.

From the encampment near the town of Samrong, a 45-year-old mother of four, Tep Savouen, said it all started about 8 a.m.

Suddenly I heard a loud noise," she told the AP. "My son told me it might be thunder and I thought Is it thunder or is it loud, more like a gun? At that time I was very scared.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said the government was prepared to intensify our self-defense measures if Cambodia persists in its armed aggression and violations upon Thailands sovereignty.

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In the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, Defense Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said his country deployed armed force because it has no choice but to defend its territory against Thai threats." The spokesperson insisted the Cambodian "attacks are focused on the military places, not on any other place.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet wrote to the U.N. Security Council asking for an urgent meeting to stop Thailands aggression. The council scheduled an emergency closed meeting at 3 p.m. in New York on Friday.

Thailand also sealed all land border crossings while urging its citizens to leave Cambodia. Officials said all seven Thai airlines expressed willingness to help bring back any Thai nationals seeking to return home from Cambodia.

A long-standing border problem

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The two Southeast Asian neighbors have long had border disputes, which periodically flare along their 800-kilometer (500-mile) frontier and usually result in brief confrontations, only rarely involving the use of weapons. The last major combat over the issue was in 2011, leaving 20 dead.

However, relations sharply deteriorated since a May confrontation killed a Cambodian soldier. Thursdays clashes were unusually big in intensity.

The first clash on Thursday morning happened near the Ta Muen Thom temple along the border of Thailands Surin province and Cambodias Oddar Meanchey, prompting villagers to scurry to shelter in concrete bunkers.

The Thai army and Cambodias Defense Ministry each said the other side deployed drones before advancing on the other's positions and opening fire. The two sides later used heavier weaponry such as artillery, causing greater damage and casualties, and Thailand said it responded with airstrikes to truck-mounted rockets launched by Cambodia.

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Thailands air force said it deployed F-16 fighter jets in two attacks on Cambodia. Nikorndej, the Thai spokesperson, called it an act of self-defense in response to Cambodian rockets.

Cambodias Defense Ministry said the Thai jets dropped bombs on a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, which has been a site of past conflicts between the two countries.

Cambodian authorities distributed photos they claimed showed damage caused there, and the countrys Culture Ministry said it would pursue justice under international law, since the temple was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO, the U.N.s cultural organization, and is a historical legacy of the Cambodian people.

A diplomatic uproar

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Relations frayed badly even before the clashes began. On Wednesday, Thailand withdrew its ambassador to Cambodia and expelled the Cambodian ambassador to protest the mine blast that wounded its soldiers.

Thai authorities alleged the mines were newly laid along paths that both sides had agreed were supposed to be safe. They said the mines were Russian-made and not of a type employed by Thailands military.

Cambodia rejected Thailands account as baseless accusations, pointing out that many unexploded mines and other ordnance are a legacy of 20th century wars and unrest.

Cambodia also downgraded diplomatic relations, recalling all Cambodian staff on Thursday from its embassy in Bangkok.

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The border dispute has also roiled Thailand's domestic politics. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra came under fire earlier this month over a phone call with Cambodia's former Prime Minister Hun Sen, still a power broker in his country, when she tried to defuse the situation. She then was suspended from office on July 1 pending an investigation into possible ethics violations over the matter.

___

Associated Press writers Sopheng Cheang in Samroing, Cambodia, and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed to this report.
BANGKOK  Thai and Cambodian soldiers fired at each other in contested border area Thursday after the nations downgraded their diplomatic relations in a rapidly escalating dispute.

It was not immediately clear if the clash was ongoing. A livestream video from Thailands side showed people running from their homes and hiding in a concrete bunker Thursday morning as explosions sounded periodically.

The clash happened in an area where the ancient Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple stands along the border of Thailands Surin province and Cambodia Oddar Meanchey province.

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Both Thailand and Cambodia accused each other of opening fire first.

Earlier Thursday, Cambodia said it was downgrading diplomatic relations with Thailand to their lowest level, expelling the Thai ambassador and recalling all Cambodian staff from its embassy in Bangkok. That was in response to Thailand closing its northeastern border crossings with Cambodia, withdrawing its ambassador and expelling the Cambodian ambassador Wednesday to protest a land mine blast that wounded five Thai soldiers.

Relations between the Southeast Asian neighbors have deteriorated sharply since May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in an armed confrontation in another of the several small patches of land both countries claim as their own territory.

The Thai army said of Thursdays clash that its forces heard an unmanned aerial vehicle before seeing six armed Cambodian soldiers moving closer to Thailands station. It said Thai soldiers tried to shout at them to defuse the situation but the Cambodian side started to open fire.

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Cambodias Defense Ministry said Thailand started the armed clash and Cambodia acted strictly within the bounds of self-defense, responding to an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops that violated our territorial integrity.

On Wednesday, a land mine blast near the border wounded five Thai soldiers, one of whom lost a leg.

A week earlier, a land mine in a different contested area exploded and wounded three Thai soldiers when one of them stepped on it and lost a foot.

Thai authorities have alleged the mines were newly laid along paths that by mutual agreement were supposed to be safe. They said the mines were Russian-made and not of a type employed by Thailands military. Cambodia rejected Thailands account as baseless accusations, pointing out that many unexploded mines and other ordnance are a legacy of 20th century wars and unrest.

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Nationalist passions on both sides have further inflamed the situation, and Thailands prime minister was suspended from office on July 1 to be investigated for possible ethics violations over her handling of the border dispute.




Thailand carried out airstrikes on targets in Cambodia overnight as weeks of tensions between the two countries boiled over into clashes. At least one Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed Cambodia, a fact confirmed by the defense ministries of both countries. The violence is the latest in a long-running border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, which share a land frontier thats more than 500 miles long. Now, there are growing fears that the rapidly escalating border conflict could spiral further out of control.

   The Commander of the Royal Thai Air Force ordered 6 Thai F-16s to carry out strikes on the headquarters of Cambodias 8th and 9th Army following clashes in Chong Anma, Nam Yuen district, Ubon Ratchathani province. pic.twitter.com/HA2dGJ0Wac  #Insider (@insider_der) July 24, 2025

The Thai military confirmed that an F-16 had struck what it described as a military target in Cambodia and said that it had several more aircraft ready to be deployed.

An image purportedly showing a bomb loaded on a Thai F-16, with the inscription Hello Hun Sen, referring to the former prime minister of Cambodia and current president of the Cambodian Senate:

Thai F-16 Fighting Falcons carried out strikes earlier against and destroyed the Headquarters of both the 8th and 9th Infantry Divisions of the Royal Cambodian Army, following artillery and rocket fire against several civilian areas in Thailand near the border with Cambodia. pic.twitter.com/uyexcoNCIv  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 24, 2025

We have used airpower against military targets as planned, Royal Thai Army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon told reporters. The Royal Thai Army also released imagery that it said showed precision F-16 airstrikes against Cambodian military command posts.

The 2nd Army Region has released images showing Royal Thai Air Force F-16 fighter jets conducting precision airstrikes on Cambodian military command posts.



The operation targeted the 8th and 9th Support Infantry Division Headquarters, which were identified as key units pic.twitter.com/PSO535anuv  Bangkok Post (@BangkokPostNews) July 24, 2025

The Cambodian Ministry of Defense said that Thai jets dropped bombs on a road near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, in the Preah Vihear province of Cambodia.

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Thailand is a major U.S. ally in the region, and there have been unconfirmed reports that Washington approved the use of the F-16s against Cambodia. This remains unclear for now, but TWZ has approached the U.S. government for clarity on the matter.

U.S. Army paratroopers with the 82nd Airborne Division and Royal Thai Army soldiers during Exercise Cobra Gold 2023, near Thanarat Drop Zone, Thailand, March 2, 2023. U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Cayce Watson

The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has a relevant fleet of F-16s, comprising 36 single-seat F-16As and 14 two-seat F-16Bs. These are the survivors from a total of 52 F-16A/Bs that were delivered by the United States under four separate orders plus seven more F-16A/Bs that were donated by Singapore.

The most modern of the RTAFs fighters are its 11 Gripens (seven single-seat Gripen Cs and four two-seat Gripen Ds), and the service also still operates around 31 single-seat F-5E and three two-seat F-5F Tiger II jets.

A formation of RTAF Gripen C/Ds. Saab

There are also unconfirmed reports suggesting that the Royal Thai Army has, for the first time, deployed in combat its Ukrainian-made T-84 Oplot tanks. Local media and defense observers reported that the tanks were being used to assault Cambodian positions close to the border.

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One leading Thai military blogger posted online: Oplot cavalry  the knights of the battlefield  have now entered the fight. This afternoon, the Royal Thai Army deployed Oplot tanks to fire on Cambodian forces near the base of Phra Wihan.

Battles between T-55 and Type-59 Tanks with the Royal Cambodian Army and T-84 and M60 Tanks of the Royal Thai Army are reported to be taking place on the border between the two countries near Ta Thav.  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 24, 2025

The T-84 Oplot is a significantly upgraded derivative of the Soviet-era T-80, developed and manufactured in Ukraine. Thailand ordered 49 examples in 2011.

Meanwhile, Cambodia has been striking targets in Thailand, including using Czechoslovak-made RM-70 multiple rocket launchers. According to Thailands health minister, Somsak Thepsuthin, at least 12 people have been killed by artillery fire from Cambodian forces. The 12 killed include 11 civilians and one soldier, while another 24 civilians and seven military personnel have been wounded, the minister said.

A Cambodian RM-70 multiple rocket launcher returns from the Cambodia-Thai border as Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged fire in a new round of clashes in Preah Vihear province on July 24, 2025. Photo by AFP STR

Major clashes have erupted this morning at several points along the border between Cambodia and Thailand, with significant escalation being seen as both sides have begun to utilize multiple-launch rocket systems and armored vehicles, including tanks. Amidst the clashes, Cambodia pic.twitter.com/NVeylbR3HV  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 24, 2025

#Thailand / #Cambodia    : "Royal Cambodian Army" launched numerous attacks against "Thai Army" positions.



Seeminglt Cambodian Troops used 122mm RM-70 / BM-21 "Grad" Multiple Rocket Launcher with 9M22U pattern artillery rockets. pic.twitter.com/CEalccTdd9  War Noir (@war_noir) July 24, 2025

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In a statement, Thailands Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused Cambodia of laying landmines that have injured Thai military personnel over recent days, and of attacking Thai military bases and civilian areas on Thursday.

On the morning of July 24, 2025, heavy artillery was fired into the Thai military base and continued throughout the morning, the ministry said. The attacks also targeted Thai civilian areas, including a hospital, resulting in civilian casualties and fatalities.

 #Thailand   #Cambodia: More footage from the Cambodian side, as the bombardments are ongoing. pic.twitter.com/oxEphLFmDe  POPULAR FRONT (@PopularFront_) July 24, 2025

According to Thai officials, clashes were ongoing in at least six areas along the border as of this morning, local time.

Among the objectives struck by Cambodia was a gas station in Kantharalak district, Sisaket province, where six civilian fatalities were reported, with another 10 civilians injured.

NEW: BM-21 rockets launched from Cambodian territory struck a PTT gas station in Ban Phue, Kantharalak District of Thailand's Sisaket Province, injuring numerous students and civilians. pic.twitter.com/K23XdKZ3Fn  Clash Report (@clashreport) July 24, 2025

Another two civilians were killed in Kap Choeng district, Surin province, where at least two more civilians were hospitalized.

Residents in Thailands Surin province bordering Cambodia ran for cover as the neighboring countries exchanged fire, after weeks of tension over a border dispute that has escalated into clashes https://t.co/W6L9ZXSqBY pic.twitter.com/M5kMt6fvwV  Reuters (@Reuters) July 24, 2025

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One more fatality was reported in Nam Yuen district, Ubon Ratchathani province, where unverified video footage posted to social media purports to show Cambodian troops operating on Thai territory.

    Footage from earlier during the clashes of Cambodian soldiers sheltering in the Nam Yuen District, ubon ratchathani province. pic.twitter.com/xF0oIM4U1H  Military Observer (@MilitaryObs2222) July 24, 2025

The Thai military said in a statement: The Royal Thai Army condemns these violent acts against civilian targets by the Cambodian side and is prepared to undertake military operations to defend our sovereignty and citizens from these acts that violate humanitarian principles to the fullest extent.

Cambodia, for its part, has blamed Thailand for the situation, accusing its neighbor of unprovoked military aggression. The Cambodian Foreign Ministry said it condemned in the strongest possible terms this reckless and hostile act by Thailand.

The Thai governments handling of the crisis has already led to some fallout, most notably the suspension of Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailands prime minister, after criticism of her handling of the border dispute. Thailands constitutional court suspended Paetongtarn earlier this month, following a discussion with former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, in which she described him, a family friend, as uncle. She also voiced criticism of a senior Thai military commander.

Awwww the Thais pulled out a Scorpion pic.twitter.com/qhzZZ6jdaH  Woofers (@NotWoofers) July 24, 2025

Paetongtarn has meanwhile taken to social media to condemn Cambodias latest actions:

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All along, Thailand has made every effort to engage in diplomatic dialogue in order to avoid confrontation, prevent further escalation of the situation, and avoid losses by exercising patience and restraint while remaining committed to peaceful means, Paetongtarn said. We firmly believe that peace is the best path to resolving conflicts between nations.

Paetongtarn continued: I fully support all responsive actions taken by the government, the Armed Forces, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs within the framework of international law and principles. I send my moral support to all officers who are currently defending our national integrity and sovereignty, as well as to the people in the affected areas. I also express my deepest concern and heartfelt support for everyones safety. As a highest priority, I urge all citizens to follow the governments safety protocols to preserve lives and property.

Royal Thai Army soldiers are pictured in Stryker series armored vehicles on a road in Chachoengsao province on July 24, 2025. Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP LILLIAN SUWANRUMPHA

International organizations and other nations have called for an end to the hostilities.

The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has asked for all parties involved in the conflict to exercise maximum constraint, after the reports of civilian casualties.

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The U.N. organization said in a statement today: UNICEF is deeply concerned by the escalating violence along the ThailandCambodia border, which has reportedly resulted in civilian casualties, including the killing of children, and the temporary closure of hundreds of schools in affected areas.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today also expressed concern about the conflict. Malaysia is the current chair of the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN, which also includes Thailand and Cambodia.

Anwar today spoke with the leaders of both countries and told reporters: The least we can expect from them is to just stand down and hopefully to try and enter into negotiations.

Petang ini, saya telah menghubungi Perdana Menteri Kerajaan Kemboja Hun Manet dan Pemangku Perdana Menteri Kerajaan Thailand Phumtham Wechayachai bagi menyuarakan kebimbangan Malaysia terhadap peningkatan ketegangan di sepanjang sempadan kedua-dua negara.



Dalam perbualan pic.twitter.com/kfa3PpyxJ8  Anwar Ibrahim (@anwaribrahim) July 24, 2025

So far, the Thai government has downgraded its diplomatic relations and recalled the Thai ambassador to Cambodia, and has requested that Cambodia recall its ambassador to Thailand.

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Thailands Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called upon Cambodia to cease attacks against civilian and military targets and stop all actions that violate Thailands sovereignty. The Royal Thai Government is prepared to intensify our self-defense measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack and violations upon Thailands sovereignty in accordance with international law and principles, the ministry said.

Footage said to be released by the Thai Ministry of Defense purportedly showing the use of drones by the Royal Thai Army to drop munitions on Cambodian positions:

Footage released by the Royal Thai Army, showing drone strikes earlier today against munition depots and other positions of the Cambodian Army near the border with Thailand, using FPV Drones equipped with M261 and M472 Mortar Shells as well as Improvised Air-Dropped Bombs. pic.twitter.com/cNaP3X2Sfx  OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 24, 2025

As well as the potential for escalating violence between the two countries, the current conflict has the potential to draw in other regional players.

In particular, Cambodia has long been a close ally of China, receiving billions of dollars in investments and relying on it as its primary source of arms.

#Thailand / #Cambodia    : "Royal Cambodian Army" attacking "Thai Army" positions on the border.



Cambodian Troops are using #China-made  "Type 69-1" RPG Launchers with T69-1 (PG-7V) Anti-Tank rockets and PKM machine guns. pic.twitter.com/TRrec1FeV9  War Noir (@war_noir) July 24, 2025

On the other hand, China has also initiated a deeper military cooperation with Thailand, including joint air exercises and increased arms transfers. This has happened partly as a response to some friction in U.S.-Thailand relations, especially after the coups detat of 2006 and 2014.

Chinese  pilots conduct flight training in the airspace above Thailand's  Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base ahead of Falcon Strike 2024 exercise



The joint Exercise is being held from August 18 -29.



Subscribe to @ResonantNews pic.twitter.com/Exr9BbxI2Q  crimsonbearz (@crimsonbearz) August 20, 2024

A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Guo Jiakun, said: We are deeply concerned over the current developments [and] hope both sides can properly resolve issues through dialogue and consultations. Good-neighbourliness and properly handling differences are in line with the fundamental and long-term interests of both sides.

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Guo added that China would adopt a fair and impartial position in the clashes, despite its historic close ties to Cambodia.

Beijing has and will continue to, in its own way, do its best to promote peace and dialogue, and play a constructive role in promoting the easing and cooling down of the situation, Guo added.

Cambodian soldiers reload an RM-70 multiple rocket launcher in Preah Vihear province on July 24, 2025. Photo by AFP STR

While the border dispute is long-running, the current hostilities can be traced back to May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in an armed confrontation in a disputed area on the border. In the past, there have been periodic tensions between the two countries, the result of competing claims dating from the period of French colonial rule, at the beginning of the 20th century, when a boundary was drawn up to separate Cambodia from Thailand.

Relations between Cambodia and Thailand have deteriorated significantly since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a clash on the disputed border.



Check our Thai-Cambodia dispute timeline here.https://t.co/ztChrnvmee pic.twitter.com/unsqNeL3fS  Nikkei Asia (@NikkeiAsia) July 24, 2025

Whatever happens next, the balance of military power is very much in Thailands favor, at least on paper.

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According to data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), the Thai defense budget of $5.73 billion dwarfs that of Cambodia, which is around $1.3 billion. Thailand has more than 360,000 active armed forces personnel, while Cambodia has less than half that, with 124,300 active military personnel.

The Cambodian Army numbers around 75,000 soldiers, more than 200 tanks, and around 480 pieces of artillery. The Royal Thai Army has 245,000 personnel, 400 tanks, more than 1,200 armored personnel carriers, and 2,600 artillery pieces. It also has its organic airpower, with fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and drones.

BMP series infantry fighting vehicles parade in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on Oct. 15, 2024. Photo by Sovannara/Xinhua via Getty Images Xinhua News Agency

As well as the aforementioned fighters, the Royal Thai Air Force operates a significant fleet of helicopters and is qualitatively far superior to the much smaller Cambodian Air Force, which is primarily made up of Russian- and Chinese-supplied helicopters, and small numbers of fixed-wing transports, with no fighter jets in its inventory. The RTAF has repeatedly taken part in military drills with the United States and other regional partners and is considered one of the best-trained in Southeast Asia.

The Royal Thai Navy is also a major regional player, with a relatively powerful surface fleet including seven frigates, around 70 patrol and coastal combat vessels, plus amphibious vessels. It also has its own naval aviation division and a marine corps. In contrast, the much smaller Cambodian Navy is spearheaded by about a dozen patrol and coastal combat vessels and one amphibious landing craft.

Independent of whether or not China becomes more deeply involved in the current conflict, the potential for the fighting between the two countries to escalate remains high, especially as the nationalist feelings on both sides continue to be inflamed.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
By Panarat Thepgumpanat, Chantha Lach and Panu Wongcha-um

BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH (Reuters) -Thailand scrambled an F-16 fighter jet to bomb targets in Cambodia on Thursday after artillery volleys from both sides killed at least 11 civilians, as border tension boiled over into rare armed conflict between the Southeast Asian countries.

Both blamed each other for starting a morning clash at a disputed area of the border, which quickly escalated from small arms fire to heavy shelling. Hostilities flared in at least six locations 209 km (130 miles) apart along a frontier where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century.

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Thailand positioned six F-16 fighter jets in an uncommon combat deployment, one of which was mobilised to strike a Cambodian military target.

Thailand's military said the use of air power was to strike with precision, while Cambodia's foreign ministry described Thailand's measures as "reckless and brutal military aggression".

The worst fighting between the countries in 13 years came after Thailand on Wednesday recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia's envoy, in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently by rival troops. Cambodia called that accusation baseless.

The United Nations Security Council is due to meet on Friday over the conflict.

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The United States, a long-time treaty ally of Thailand, called for an immediate end to hostilities.

"We are ... gravely concerned by the escalating violence along the Thailand Cambodia border, and deeply saddened by reports of harm to civilians," the State Department's deputy spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, told a regular news briefing.

"The United States urges an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution of the conflict," he said.

The two countries have been braced for conflict since the killing of a Cambodian soldier late in May during a brief skirmish, with troops reinforced on both sides of the border amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse.

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Thailand said there were 12 fatalities in three Thai provinces, 11 of them civilians, including an eight-year-old boy. Authorities said 31 people were hurt on Thursday. The number of Cambodian casualties was unclear.

"We condemn this - using heavy weapons without a clear target, outside of conflict zones... the use of force and did not adhere to international law," Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters.

"We remain committed to peaceful means and there should be discussions, but what happened was a provocation and we had to defend ourselves."

'PREMEDITATED MILITARY AGGRESSION'

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Thailand's Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin told reporters a hospital was hit by shelling in Surin province, an attack he said should be considered "a war crime".

Cambodian government, defence and foreign ministry officials gave no indication of fatalities sustained or any estimate of the number of people evacuated.

In a letter to Pakistan, current president of the United Nations Security Council, Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet, urged the body to convene a meeting to stop what he called "unprovoked and premeditated military aggression" by Thailand in violation of international law.

As clashes spread to different border areas, Thai villagers including children and elderly people fled to concrete shelters fortified with sandbags and car tires.

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"How many rounds have been fired? It's countless," an unidentified woman in Surin province told the Thai Public Broadcasting Service while hiding in the shelter as gunfire and explosions were heard in the background.

Video footage showed a plume of thick black smoke rising from a gas station in neighbouring Sisaket province, as firefighters rushed to extinguish the blaze.

Thailand has evacuated over 40,000 people from border areas, moving many to temporary shelters, where elderly people and small children gathered on floor mats as authorities prepared meals and unloaded food and bottled water from trucks.

"I'm worried about my children," said Suphap Wongwai, an evacuee in Surin province. "My children are scared and crying."

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DECADES OF DISPUTES

Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over jurisdiction of various undemarcated points along their 817 km (508 mile) land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes.

Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962 but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

That led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths.

Cambodia in June said it had asked the ICJ to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognised the court's jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach.

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Thailand's use of a fighter jet underlines its military advantage over Cambodia in terms of size and range of defence hardware.

The clashes have caused jitters in the region, with the Philippines and Vietnam calling for restraint and China expressing willingness to help promote de-escalation.

(Reporting by Napat Wesshasartar, Chayut Setboonsarng, Panarat Thepgumpanat, Panu Wongcha-um and Pasit Kongkunakornkul in Bangkok, Chantha Lach in Phnom Penh, Khanh Vu in Hanoi, Mikhail Flores in Manila and Rozanna Latiff in Kuala Lumpur; additional reporting by Michelle Nichols at the United Nations and Daphne Psaledakis, Nichole Johnson, David Brunnstrom and Kanishka Singh in Washington; Writing by Devjyot Ghoshal, Saad Sayeed and Martin Petty; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan, Ed Osmond, Cynthia Osterman and Lincoln Feast.)
BANGKOK (AP)  Thailand says at least 1 civilian was killed amid fresh clashes and airstrikes along the Thailand-Cambodia border.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The Therapaws of San Angelo, which is a part of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs, is dedicated to bringing joy and smiles everywhere they visit.

Billy

These pups travel to many places in the town, but on Wednesdays and Fridays, branches of the San Angelo Library. Julie Shar, who owns three therapy dogs and is a former teacher who volunteers for the organization, explained how she started with Therapaws.

As a teacher, I knew that it was powerful to have the animal-assisted therapy with the classrooms and reading, Shar said. I never had the time to do it as a teacher, so before I retired with my first dog Luna, we got involved in an organization in Pennsylvania. When I retired and moved down here, it became almost my full-time job to volunteer with my dogs. It started with Luna, then we added Remus and Sirius.

Sirius

The therapy dogs visit places throughout San Angelo, and Shar elaborates on what they do for the community:

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We go to four different schools during the school year, two different libraries, Shannon Behavioral, the girls home, a nursing home and the university when they ask, Shar said. Were here to make people smile, along with getting the kids to read, too. We also do reading mostly at elementary schools, but we have gone to a couple of high schools. The college kids love it. They love the dogs. Sirius is a big fan of the college kids as long as theyre not too loud.

Being a collective, there are always people available to bring their dogs to those who request their presence. However, going through the process of certification is what allows the dogs to visit most places.

There are 20 of us, Shar said. We are a part of the Alliance of Therapy Dogs. There is a local Alliance of Therapy Dogs tester and observer here. We have a test that we go through where she watches for their temperament and she introduces her dogs to them to see how they react. They have supervised visits, two in a medical facility and one out in public, to see how they react with different noises, people and smells before they are certified to come and be a part of the team.

Although a lot of what they do is in private facilities, the library is one of their standby places to visit.

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We are at the West Angelo Library every Wednesday and the North Branch every Friday, Shar said. The public places that we are at are mostly the libraries, so please come if you are able.

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BATH, N.Y. (WETM)  Three people have been arrested following a drug investigation during a traffic stop in the Village of Bath on Wednesday afternoon, as stated in a release from the Bath Police Department.

Police say the arrests were made on Wednesday, July 23, after 2:30 p.m., after an officer saw a vehicle coming from Chestnut Street with a man in the passenger seat who had an active absconder warrant from New York State Parole. The officer then initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle on Haverling Street.

Arkport man arrested following domestic, arson investigation in Dansville

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During the traffic stop, police say that the man was identified as Brian Robbins, 38, of Bath, and the driver of the vehicle was identified as Shilia Abbott, 27, of Bath. During an investigation, police say that a significant amount of meth, fentanyl and paraphernalia were found inside the vehicle.

As a result, Robbins and Abbott were charged with criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (class B felony) and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fourth degree (class C felony). Both were then processed and taken to the Steuben County Jail to await further court proceedings.

Corning inmate arrested on felony assault charge

While the investigation into Robbins and Abbott was taking place, police say that a woman identified as Kimberly Jerrells, 47, of Bath, arrived at the scene on a bicycle and caused a scene, disturbing the officers investigation. Police say they then attempted to arrest Jerrells, who resisted arrest.

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Police further state that Jerrells was eventually arrested and charged with obstruction of governmental administration in the second degree and resisting arrest, both class A misdemeanors. She was then processed on the charges and released on an appearance ticket.

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Three teen defendants have been sentenced this month after entering pleas related to a 2023 triple-murder case in Marion County, according to the State Attorneys office.

The victims in what State Attorney Bill Gladson in the 5th judicial circuit called execution-style killings were Layla Silvernail, 16, Michael Hodo Jr., 17 and Camille Quarles, 16. He announced Wednesday all three suspects in the case had been sentenced after entering pleas earlier this year to avoid a trial.

Charged in the victims shooting deaths were Robert Robinson, 19, Tahj Brewton, 19 and Christopher Atkins, 15, who were 17, 16 and 12 years old, respectively, at the time of the crime.

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Silvernail had been found lying near a dumpster on March 30, 2023 with a gunshot wound to her head, barely alive, in the area of Forest Lakes Park in Ocklawaha, which is a small community along State Road 40 east of Ocala.

She was transported to an area hospital, but later died of her injuries. Hodo Jr. was found dead one day later with a gunshot wound to his head lying beside the road in an area a few miles from where Silvernail was found. Quarles was found dead on April 1, 2023 having suffered a two gunshot wounds and found in the trunk of Silvernails partially submerged vehicle on the edge of a body of water about 6 miles south of where Hodo Jr. was found.

All three suspects were charged as adults.

The premeditation, use of a firearm, and callous disposal of the bodies showed a level of intent indistinguishable from adults, reads a press release from the State Attorneys office.

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Robinson and Brewton, who were each charged with three counts of first-degree murder were sentenced to life in prison. Atkins who was charged with one county of first-degree murder was sentenced to 40 years in prison. All three were also charged with all were also charged with armed robbery and evidence tampering.

Atkins was the first to plead in April, having agreed to testify against the two other defendants. Brewton pleaded guilty while Robinson pleaded no contest in June.

Justice demanded nothing less than full accountability, said Gladson in the release. These convictions honor the stolen lives of Layla, Michael and Camille while affirming that no one  regardless of age  may brutally take the life of another without facing the gravest consequences.
Three workers have been killed by an explosion while dredging on a distributary of the Danube as it flows through south-western Ukraine into the Black Sea, authorities said on Thursday.

Seven other members of the dredging crew have been admitted to hospital, the Ukrainian port authority said on Facebook.

The dredging work was taking place in the Bystre branch of the river, which was immediately closed to traffic.

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The report did not identify the cause of the blast. The region has come under repeated attack by Russian drones, some of which are shot down.

Ukraine has been warding off a full-scale Russian invasion since February 2022.
RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV)  Officials with the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) announced three correctional officers were arrested this week for alleged attempts to smuggle contraband for inmates into the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF) in Rankin County.

Investigators said they seized contraband recovered during searches of the officers work bags. The contraband included cellphones, food, alcohol and controlled substances. MDOC officials said the three corporals were arrested, and they were identified as Sherry McCollum, Kiarra Michael and Theresa Hasty.

Man sentenced for fatal shooting at Hinds County horse barn

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McCollum, 49, of Jackson, was charged with introduction of contraband, two counts of introduction of a controlled substance and two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute  all into a correctional facility. She had worked for MDOC since February 2023.

Investigators said McCollum was arrested on July 20 after a search of her belongings revealed four cell phones, 232 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 76 grams of marijuana. Investigators said they also confiscated food in a container including a steak and items resembling sausages wrapped in tape.

(L-R) Sherry McCollum, Kiarra Michael and Theresa Hasty (Courtesy: MDOC)

Michael, 33, of Jackson, was charged under the general prohibitions statute and conspiracy. Michael was also arrested on July 20 after officials said a search of her belongings revealed 10 cellphones and a wall charger. Michael was released on bond. She had worked for MDOC since July 2023.

Hasty, 33, of Vicksburg, was charged with sale, possession, or use of alcoholic beverages within facilities and conspiracy. Hasty was arrested on July 21 after officials said a search of her belongings revealed 30.4 fl. oz. of Everclear brand liquor. Hasty had worked for MDOC since November 2023.

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Regretfully, sometimes our employees cross the line, and we must send a message that introducing contraband into our facilities will not be tolerated, MDOC Commissioner Burl Cain said. We will prosecute to the fullest extent of the law, and the corrupt inmates will receive severe disciplinary action.

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TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  Blighted structures in Terre Haute are being rehabilitated into new homes.

City leaders and community members gathered Wednesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the rehabilitation of a unit in the Farrington Grove neighborhood.

The unit is located at 314 S 6th Street and is one of 13 units that will be rehabilitated across the city and in the county.

The goal of this project by Red Brick Real Estate was to blend the structures original features, such as its spiral staircase, with modern design and utilities.

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Terre Haute Mayor Brandon Sakbun was happy with what developer Ben Lenderman, Owner and Operator of Red Brick Real Estate, was able to do with the space.

This is a great example of blending modern architecture, modern HVAC/AC utility systems, with a building that you kept the bones, you kept the guts. So, its really good to see that type of progress in our city, blending some of the old with the new. Really, really big project and were happy that Ben invested in our community, said Mayor Sakbun.

The project is part of Thrive West Centrals Homes for the Future program.

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The European Commission president warned Chinese leader Xi Jinping that ties between the European Union and China were at an inflection point.

Tensions rose ahead of high-stakes trade talks in Beijing after the EU imposed sanctions on Chinese banks it accused of violating a Russia trade embargo.

Ursula von der Leyens warning to Xi came as the Chinese president said that European moves to decouple supply chains would only lead to self-isolation. Both sides face tariffs from Washington, but dont expect adversity to draw them closer together, The Economist wrote. Meanwhile Bloomberg reported that the EU was making progress toward a deal that would set a 15% tariff for most exports to the US.
Tim Ballard at 2024 Conservative Political Action Conference on Feb. 24, 2024. - Credit: DOMINIC GWINN/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images

Tim Ballard, the anti-trafficking activist who made his name with wildly exaggerated rescues of victims abroad, has faced a mountain of legal woes since he was forced out of Operation Underground Railroad, the organization he founded, over allegations of misconduct. But a recent ruling gives him one less sexual assault lawsuit to contend with.

Judge Todd Shaughnessy of Utahs Third District Court dismissed the action from Celeste Borys, Ballards former assistant at OUR  since rebranded as OUR Rescue  on the grounds that Borys had improperly accessed Ballards private documents after she left the job, and at least once after filing her suit. Practically speaking, what Ms. Borys did is no different than if she had used a key to access Mr. Ballards office in the dark of night to secretly photocopy documents from locked file drawers, including documents that were marked as privileged, Shaughnessy wrote in his ruling, as The Salt Lake Tribune reports, further admonishing Borys attorneys for their use of stolen documents in the case. He also dropped Borys suit against OUR. The decision did not reflect any conclusions regarding Borys accusations against Ballard, including the claim that he had raped her multiple times.

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Shortly after Mr. Ballard was given notice of this lawsuit, we became suspicious that someone had hacked into his private email and his Google Drive and stolen his documents and his private email communications, Alexis Federico, one of Ballards attorneys, said at a Tuesday press conference after the ruling came down. His legal team did not offer further comment to Rolling Stone.

Ms. Celeste Borys is disappointed by Judge Shaughnessys recent ruling, which was not made on the merits of her claims and does not absolve Mr. Ballard of his guilt, read a statement from Borys attorneys that was shared with Rolling Stone. In fact, the court expressly refused to hear the underlying evidence of Mr. Ballards criminal misconduct. An appeal of the decision is being actively contemplated by both Ms. Borys and her attorneys.

Ms. Borys remains resolute, the statement continues. She will press forward with her federal anti-trafficking lawsuit to show that Tim Ballard repeatedly and systematically sexually assaulted her under the guise of the so-called Couples Ruse.' That suit, filed by Borys and five other women in October, alleges that after they were recruited by Ballard and OUR to work for the group, he coerced each of them into posing as his romantic partner while abroad on rescue operations, supposedly in order to deceive sex traffickers they were tracking. It claims the women were groomed into performing sex, labor, and services for [Ballards] personal benefit and the benefit of OUR, and were sometimes victims of violent sexual assault, with the married Ballard assuring them that it all of it was necessary to rescue children. The complaint alleges that Ballard was in fact engaged in human trafficking himself. He continues to deny these allegations and has sued the six accusers for defamation, meanwhile crowdfunding to cover his legal expenses.

The collapse of Borys case makes it the third suit against Ballard to be completely or partially dismissed. Five more lawsuits, including the federal trafficking case, remain active.

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Ballards dubious stories about his missions with OUR made him a celebrity in the conservative world and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as well as an adviser to the Trump administration on the trafficking issue, eventually becoming the basis for the hit 2023 film, Sound of Freedom. But shortly after the films release, Ballards exit from the organization due to internal complaints became public, women began to come forward with disturbing allegations about his behavior as its CEO, and the LDS Church issued a rare condemnation of Ballard for morally unacceptable actions  in this case, implying that a church elder who is not related but shares the same last name was a key supporter of OUR as well as his for-profit business ventures. Its unclear whether Ballard remains a member of the church.

Ballard now claims to be working on pre-production for two sequels to Sound of Freedom, though because of the unusual way the original was made and distributed, the question of who owns the rights to pursue a franchise is somewhat complicated. Another Ballard attorney, Whitney Bernstein, on Tuesday said, Its high time for Tim to reclaim his hard-earned reputation as leader in the fight protecting women and children from trafficking. While his political aspirations may have faded  he was once considering a Senate run to fill the seat vacated by Mitt Romneys retirement  it does seem he is slowly rebuilding the public profile that made him a possible contender in the first place.

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Death row inmate Ralph Menzies appears in 3rd District Court on Wednesday, July 9, 2025. (Pool photo by Francisco Kjolseth/The Salt Lake Tribune)

A judge will soon decide whether Ralph Menzies, the death row inmate with dementia sentenced to die by firing squad on Sept. 5, will get another evaluation to determine whether hes mentally competent to be executed.

Utahs 3rd District Judge Matthew Bates heard arguments for and against granting Menzies another evaluation on Wednesday  after about 45 minutes, Bates said he was taking the issue under advisement and would issue a ruling as quickly as possible.

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I know time is ticking, Bates said.

If Bates grants Menzies another review, it could kick off a 60-day process where a medical professional examines the inmate and compiles a report for the court  depending on the reports findings, Menzies could be found incompetent, and spared from execution.

Menzies is 67 years old and has been on death row since 1988, after being convicted of kidnapping and murdering Maurine Hunsaker. But the question of whether his dementia makes him mentally incompetent to be executed has proven to be a hurdle for Utah prosecutors.

Both state and federal law require that death row inmates have an understanding of why theyre being executed.

So far, the state has mostly cleared that hurdle  after a competency hearing that began in November, Bates ruled in June that Menzies does have dementia, but is still competent.

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Now, Menzies attorneys are arguing that his dementia has worsened since the evaluations that Bates used to make his ruling, which were performed last year. In a petition filed on July 7, they asked the court to grant Menzies another evaluation from a Utah Department of Health and Human Services doctor.

Expert evaluations commissioned by his attorneys have shown Menzies cognitive abilities are in decline and hes lost his ability to engage in relatively coherent and adult conversations, and he now speaks in simplistic and immature terms, according to court documents.

Most important before this court is the declaration of his case manager who said, look, Ive seen a big change. If that alone does not raise the question whether a further evaluation is warranted, then what can? said Eric Zuckerman, Menzies attorney, who noted that his case manager is a Utah Department of Corrections employee.

Shes the person that talks to him the most. Shes his case manager. Thats her job. And she says, Ive seen a substantial decline. I talk to him and hes not really there, Zuckerman said.

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State code would give the doctor 60 days to compile a report.

Set a hearing for the 61st day and bring it in, lets hear the testimony on it. If the court finds him competent, then issue (an execution) warrant, Zuckerman said.

Daniel Boyer with the Utah Attorney Generals Office said the petition for another evaluation was inadequate.

A petition should point to a change in circumstances and raise significant questions about Menzies competency, Boyer told the court Wednesday  the petition, he said, relies on mere allegations.

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I think we need more context to really fully understand, Boyer said.

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Boyer also said the state is in possession of 13 phone calls made by Menzies since May that challenge the argument that hes mentally incompetent.

They are highly relevant to this determination, and only further confirm our belief that he cannot raise a significant issue, Boyer said.

Matt Hunsaker, Maurines son, addressed the court on Wednesday and questioned the sincerity of Menzies claim of incompetency.

Is this just all a game? he said. This man, weve got to remember, is educated. Hes not stupid.  Lets just get this over with.

Menzies was convicted of murder in 1988 after he kidnapped Hunsaker, a 26-year-old gas station clerk, and took her up Big Cottonwood Canyon where she was later found tied to a tree with her throat slashed.

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Menzies has spent decades on death row, and in recent years his health has deteriorated. After falling several times in prison he was diagnosed with vascular dementia, caused when the brains blood flow is disrupted, leading to memory loss and declining cognitive function, according to court testimony. An MRI exam showed Menzies brain tissue is deteriorating.

Last week, the Utah Department of Corrections said it will be ready to carry out the execution, which is set for Sept 5.

In Utah, death row inmates sentenced before May 2004 had a choice between lethal injection or firing squad. Menzies, when he was sentenced in 1988, chose the firing squad. For those sentenced after 2004, the default method of execution is lethal injection, unless the necessary drugs are not available.

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Jul. 24In the days since Dayton police found the presumed remains of 7-year-old Hershall Creachbaum Jr., a non-verbal autistic boy, investigators learned that what initially started as a missing person case may have been a homicide committed weeks earlier.

The boy was reported missing in July, but during an interview with Hershall's mother and her boyfriend detectives realized he likely hadn't been seen in over a month.

Here's a timeline of the case.

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Late May  Hershall's mother, Ashley Johnson, told police her son died sometime in late May when she was hospitalized, according to Dayton Municipal Court records. Her boyfriend, Michael Kendrick, reportedly told her the boy died of natural causes. Johnson never saw Hershall after she came home.  During an interview with detectives, Kendrick said he was in an argument on the phone while drinking when he punched Hershall in the head twice, according to court documents. He reportedly shoved him and struck other parts of the boy's body.  Hershall allegedly died the next day.  Kendrick told investigators he kept the boy in the home until he started to smell, according to an affidavit. Kendrick used a suitcase to move Hershall's body to a grass field. After a few weeks he reportedly returned and put the bones in a bag and left them in the 100 block of McClure Street.

July 12  Around 3:45 a.m. Kendrick called 911 and reported a man punched him and took Hershall, according to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Records. The dispatch log noted Kendrick sounded intoxicated.  At 4:20 a.m. the dispatch log is updated to say there is no indication Hershall was taken, but he is missing.  At approximately 8 a.m. Dayton police posted on social media asking for the public's help locating Hershall.  Johnson and Kendrick were taken to the Public Safety Building for an interview with detectives. Johnson initially claimed she saw Hershall playing with his sister the day before, but later admitted he died sometime in late May, according to court records. Kendrick reportedly guided investigators where he left Hershall's remains.  Kendrick is arrested and booked into the Montgomery County Jail.  Around 7:22 p.m. Dayton police posted an update on social media that a deceased juvenile believed to be Hershall was been found. His remains were located on McClure Street near U.S. 35.

July 14  Dayton police held a press conference announcing Kendrick was charged with three counts of tamping with evidence and one count of gross abuse of a corpse and that Johnson was arrested. Police Chief Kamran Afzal said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges could be filed as the case continues.

July 15  Kendrick appeared electronically in municipal court and a magistrate set bond at $2 million.

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July 16  Johnson was charged with one count of obstructing justice in municipal court. Her bond was set at $250,000.

July 21  A Montgomery County grand jury indicted Johnson on one count of obstructing justice and Kendrick with two counts of tampering with evidence and three counts of gross abuse of a corpse. They're scheduled to be arraigned on July 24.

July 24  Johnson and Kendrick were arraigned in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court. Johnson's bond continued at $250,000 and Kendrick's bond stayed at $2 million.  Attorney Michael Wright announced he is launching an independent investigation into Hershall's presumed death. He alleged Children Services and other potential agencies failed to protect the boy.
Former Colorado dentist James Craig was convicted of murder Wednesday after a trial that lasted nearly two weeks, found guilty of killing his wife and the mother of their six children by poisoning her protein shakes.

Angela Craig was 43 when she died in 2023, by which point shed been hospitalized three times in 10 days with symptoms no one could initially explain. A coroners report later said her cause of death was acute cyanide and tetrahydrozoline poisoning, with subacute arsenic poisoning listed as a significant condition.

Police arrested Craig for first-degree murder on March 19, 2023, hours after his wife was taken off life support. Prosecutors added more charges against him earlier this year, alleging he plotted to kill four people from behind bars while awaiting trial.

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Heres what we learned about the events in Angela Craigs final weeks.

Late 2022-February 2023: Three women meet James Craig on seeking.com, a dating website, they separately testify. Each woman said their relationship with Craig evolves into a romantic one, with him providing monetary gifts. One woman testifies Craig bought a car for her daughter, while another said she received about $8,000 from him, mostly through Venmo transactions.

One woman recalled a conversation with Craig about The Purge, a fictional horror movie about a short period of time when all violent crime, including murder, is legal. Craig said he would purge his wife if that were reality, she testified.

February 22-25, 2023: James Craig attends a dental conference in Las Vegas where he meets Karin Cain, a Texas dentist going through a divorce, prosecutor Ryan Brackley said in his opening statement. The two begin a relationship and discuss seeing each other again.

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Monday, February 27: Craig creates a new email account with the handle jimandwaffles using a computer in an exam room at his Aurora dental practice, according to a probable cause affidavit. The Gmail address was used to conduct searches on arsenic and undetectable poisons, order arsenic on Amazon and make arrangements for Cain to travel to Denver, the affidavit says.

February 28: Search queries for how to make murder look like a heart attack and a dosage of tetrahydrozoline that is fatal are in the search history on this day for the jimandwaffles account, according to a forensic exam of the computer from exam room 9 at Craigs dental practice, testified Molly Harris, an Aurora Police detective with the Major Crimes Homicide Unit.

March 1: Angela Craig visits family in Utah and attends a genealogy conference with one of her sisters, Brackley said. It was a shared hobby, he said.

When Angela Craig leaves for her trip, Craig texts Cain: Maybe she will decide to stay gone for a long time, according to the prosecutor.

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A search for how long does it take to die from arsenic poisoning? is found in the search history of the computer from exam room 9, Harris says.

March 4: The arsenic order is delivered to the Craigs house, according to the affidavit.

March 5: Angela Craig returns home from Utah, the affidavit says.

A 2016 Facebook photograph shows Angela and James Craig at Stratford-upon-Avon in the United Kingdom. - Obtained by CNN

First hospital visit

Monday, March 6: After waking up, Angela drinks a protein shake her husband made for her; Brackley said the couple often made them for each other. She works out but starts to feel strange. She texts her husband, My stomach feels fine, but my head feels funny and dizzy. Very strange.

James misses the daily 6:45 a.m. staff huddle at his dental office and arrives closer to 7 a.m., when the practice opens, according to testimony from office manager Caitlin Romero. He apologized and said his wife wasnt feeling well, possibly because he had put too much protein powder in the shake hed given her. He works for a couple of hours but then leaves to take Angela to the hospital, Romero testified.

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At the emergency room of AdventHealth Parker Hospital, Angela has tests including an MRI, CT scan and bloodwork, but she is sent home after nothing is found, Brackley said.

James Craig texts Cain that his wife is at the hospital and says, Just for the record, I will never drug you.

He returns to the practice that evening after business hours, according to Romero, who said she frequently stayed there late. Craig said he wanted to be alone and came back just to get away for a minute. Romero said his office lights were off when she was leaving and she thought hed left again, so she was startled to see him working on a computer in one of the exam rooms with the lights off. She testified that while on her drive home, she received a text from Craig saying hed be receiving a personal package at work and not to open it.

Craig orders oleandrin from Adooq Bioscience, according to the probable cause affidavit. The compound had come up when Craig had searched lists of the worlds deadliest plants, Brackley said. Detectives intercepted the package before it could be delivered.

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There were searches found on the exam 9 room computer on this day for visine and tetrahydrozoline poisoning timeline, according to Harris.

March 7: Angela still feels sick and goes to an urgent care clinic but is sent home without a diagnosis, Brackley said.

March 8: James Craig orders potassium cyanide from Midland Scientific, according to the affidavit. He notes in the order: Hopefully this is in stock and I can come pick it up tomorrow, March 9.

At 10:50 p.m., a credit card belonging to James Craig is used to purchase 12 packages of eyedrops from a King Soopers store in Aurora, according to testimony from a company representative. Tetrahydrozoline  a medication commonly found in eyedrops  was one of the poisons Craig used to kill his wife.

Second hospital visit

Thursday, March 9: Angela Craig drinks a protein shake in the morning and her symptoms worsen, Brackley said. Theres a moment on March 9 where her kids find her passed out, fainted, he said in his opening statement. Theres a moment on March 9 where she crawls across the floor because she cant get up, and she goes back to the hospital. She is admitted to AdventHealth Parker hospital and James Craig arrives. She will remain at the hospital until March 14.

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A sample of Angela Craigs blood taken at 11:24 a.m. showed a high and toxic level of arsenic, according to testimony from Dr. James Brower, a forensic toxicologist with NMS Laboratories, which did the testing after she died. The level in her blood was 330 micrograms per milliliter, he said, an amount that causes gastrointestinal symptoms including abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, lightheadedness and a feeling of being uncoordinated.

James Craig receives an order acknowledgement from Midland Scientific for the potassium cyanide, according to the affidavit. Hes told it is not in stock, but the company can overnight it to him. An employee then contacts him about additional documentation the product screening team requires for the order. Craig says he is a surgeon performing a craniofacial reconstruction and hopes to publish the results of using potassium cyanide for the procedure in a paper for the National Institutes of Health.

The employee reaches out again and says because James Craig is a new customer, the supplier needs an additional day to establish him in their system and process the order.

That night, at 10:16 p.m., seven packages of Visine eyedrops are purchased from the same King Soopers store as the day before, using James Craigs credit card, the companys representative testified.

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March 10: James Craig contacts Midland Scientific to ask about the potassium cyanide shipment and is told it will arrive the next day, according to the affidavit.

March 11: James contacts Midland Scientific to ask about the shipment, saying its 7:30 p.m. and he has waited all day for it at his office, the affidavit says. It is a Saturday. He doesnt receive an immediate response.

March 13: The potassium cyanide is delivered to James Craigs office, but another employee, unaware of Craigs instructions to Romero, opens it. Romero testified the employee handed her a silver foil package with a folded invoice from the box it was delivered in. The box was addressed to Jim Craig  Personal and had biohazard stickers on it. She looked at the packing slip and saw it was potassium cyanide. Romero put the items back in the box and placed it on Craigs desk, but said she looked up potassium cyanide online because shed never seen it delivered to the office before and was unfamiliar with what it was.

Ryan Brackley, a lawyer for the prosecution, delivers his opening statement July 15. - Stephen Swofford/Denver Gazette/Pool/AP

March 14: Angela is discharged from the hospital. Within an hour of returning home, she starts searching online for the possible causes of her symptoms, Brackley said.

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That evening, video from the Craigs kitchen security camera shows James making a protein shake for his wife.

Third hospital visit and death

Wednesday, March 15: At 9:35 a.m., James Craig texts Angelas sister to make sure she gives Angela a prescription. Brackley said Angela had been on medication (clindamycin) for a sinus infection and Craig had emptied one of the capsules and refilled it with potassium cyanide. Her sister gave her the pill.

At 11:08 a.m., Angela Craig goes to UCHealth Anschutz with severe headache and dizziness, accompanied by her brother. James Craig arrives later. At 2 p.m., she suffers a seizure and rapid decline and is placed on life support in the ICU.

A sample taken from Angela Craig at 11:50 a.m. showed high levels of arsenic, cyanide and tetrahydrozoline, Brower testified.

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The amount of arsenic was less than on March 9 but showed shed been exposed to arsenic again, he said. She also had a level of cyanide that could have only come from ingestion or exposure, Brower said. The chemical can cause similar symptoms to arsenic, and eventually it results in organ failure, he added.

The same sample showed Angela Craig also had a lethal amount of tetrahydrozoline in her blood that could have come only from ingesting it, Brower said. The concentration indicates it came from a bottle or more of eyedrops, he said. When consumed orally, the substance can cause a persons heart to stop beating, he said.

James Craig calls Caitlin Romero and says he doesnt think Angela will make it through the night. She testified this was the second time hed made that comment; she believes the first comment came on March 9, when Angela went to the hospital for the second time.

Romero leaves the office around 3 p.m. and calls Jacqueline Calderon, the office manager of an affiliated dental practice, telling her about the potassium cyanide delivery and how Angelas symptoms, as described by James Craig, lined up with poisoning symptoms she had found online. She testifies she didnt mention her concerns on the 13th because thinking that somebody was capable of possibly poisoning somebody else  it was not something that I was taking lightly. Romero then speaks with Craigs business partner, Dr. Ryan Redfearn, and his wife about the potassium cyanide.

Redfearn and his wife visit the hospital where Angela is staying, the affidavit says. They speak briefly to James Craig, who steps away for a phone call. While hes on the phone, Redfearn pulls a nurse away and tells the nurse about his concerns that Angela may have been poisoned with potassium cyanide.

A blood sample taken from Angela Craig at 8:21 p.m. shows an even higher level of cyanide than in the morning blood sample  3.7 micrograms per milliliter, compared to 1.7 earlier in the day, Brower said. It looks like there had to have been a second administration of cyanide in the hospital, he said.

March 16: Karin Cain visits Denver, a flight itinerary shows. Police speak with the Redfearns.

March 18: Angela Craig is pronounced brain dead at 4:29 p.m.

CNNs Andi Babineau and Zoe Sottile contributed to this report.

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The news Wednesday that Attorney General Pam Bondi told President Donald Trump back in May that his name appeared in the Jeffrey Epstein files isnt that surprising, in context.

Weve known the two men had a relationship dating back decades, and weve seen Trumps name appear in various previously released Epstein-related materials. Being in the documents isnt proof of any wrongdoing.

But the news is significant in another way: It adds to questions about precisely why the administration changed its tune on the Epstein files.

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That doesnt mean theres been a cover-up of any actual Epstein-related misconduct by Trump; there remains no real evidence of that. But the administration clearly started downplaying the Epstein information  in a rather abrupt shift  around the same time Trump was told his name appeared in the files.

Whats more, sources familiar with the review told CNN the files appeared to include several unsubstantiated claims about Trump and others that the Justice Department found not to be credible.

In other words, extensive disclosures could have at least created problems for Trump. And the administration appeared to abruptly move away from such disclosures.

Well get to the full timeline in a second. But a few key things stand out:

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And now, the full timeline.

February-April: The hype and the big promises

Feb. 21: Attorney General Pam Bondi is asked by Fox News about an Epstein client list, and she responds by saying that its sitting on my desk right now to review. (The administration has since claimed she was referring to other documents.)

Feb. 26: Bondi on Fox hypes a release of documents set for the following day, calling it breaking news, and saying it will include a lot of information.

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Feb. 27: The White House invites right-wing social media influencers to the White House and gives them binders of Epstein-related documents. But the documents are mostly old news, and some influencers cry foul.

People carrying binders bearing the seal of the US Justice Department reading "The Epstein Files: Phase 1" walk out of the West Wing of the White House on February 27. - Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Sipa USA/AP/File

March 1: Bondi tells Fox that Americans will get the full Epstein files, subject to redactions to protect grand jury information and confidential witnesses.

March 3: Bondi tells Foxs Sean Hannity that DOJ has received a new truckload of evidence from the FBI. She adds that everythings going to come out to the public.

March 14: Bondi repeats on Fox Business Network that she has received a new truckload of documents. She adds that we will get out as much as we can, as fast as we can, to the American people, because they deserve to know.

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March 23: Bondi tells Fox News that we are releasing all of these documents as soon as we can get them redacted to protect the victims 

April 22: President Donald Trump is asked in the Oval Office about when the Epstein files will be released and says, 100% of all of these documents are being delivered.

May-June: The sudden downplaying

May 7: Bondi claims there are tens of thousands of videos of Epstein with children or child porn. Her public claim comes shortly before the release of a secretly recorded video in which she made a similar claim.

Sometime in May: Bondi briefs Trump about the Epstein files and tells him his name appears in them, among several other high-profile figures, CNN has confirmed. The files appeared to include several unsubstantiated claims, including about Trump, that the DOJ found to be not credible, sources said. (The precise date of this briefing isnt clear, but White House officials noted Wednesday that Trumps name was already in the binders Bondi handed out earlier this year.)

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May 18: For the first time, the administration begins downplaying the Epstein conspiracy theories. FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino appear together on Fox News and say Epstein indeed died by suicide. This despite both of them having promoted the conspiracy theories before joining the FBI.

May 19: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt says the administration is committed to releasing those files, but defers to the Justice Department on timing.

May 29: Bongino on Fox again downplays the significance of what will soon be released. There is nothing in the file at this point on the Epstein case, he says. And theres going to be a disclosure on this coming shortly. He says the administration will release video of the jail on the day of Epsteins death that backs up that assertion.

June 4: Bongino is pressed on Hannitys show about the lack of Epstein disclosures. He downplays the case as a hot potato for folks and then alludes to his own evolution on the subject: Im not paid for my opinions anymore. I work for the taxpayer now. Im paid on evidence. Thats it.

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June 5: Elon Musk claims while lashing out at Trump that the real reason the president is not releasing the Epstein files is because @realDonaldTrump is in the Epstein files. He provides no evidence for his claims and later deletes the post, while expressing regret for some of the things he said about Trump.

June 6: Patel appears on Joe Rogans podcast and downplays the looming disclosures again. Were gonna give you everything we can, Patel says, before adding that were not gonna re-victimize women. Were not going to put that sh*t back out there. Its not happening, because then he wins. Not doing it. You want to hate me for it, fine.

Patel also appears to contradict Bondis claim about tens of thousands of videos of Epstein with children or child porn, telling Rogan the videos from Epsteins island are not of what you want.

July: The big memo  and the tortured explanations

July 6: Axios breaks the news that the DOJ has officially concluded that Epstein died by suicide and there was no client list, despite Bondis comments in February.

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July 7: The DOJ releases an unsigned memo laying out these conclusions. DOJ says it wont release any further documents because much of it is under court-ordered seal. Through this review, we found no basis to revisit the disclosure of those materials and will not permit the release of child pornography, the memo says.

The memo also undercuts Bondis claims of tens of thousands of videos of Epstein with children or child porn.

July 8: Trump for the first time lashes out at people still asking questions about Epstein, calling those questions a desecration. He tells reporters: Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guys been talked about for years. He cites recent deadly floods in Texas and adds: I mean, I cant believe youre asking a question on Epstein at a time like this. The president will go on to make similar comments over the next two weeks, including baselessly suggesting various powerful Democrats are behind the Epstein files.

Attorney General Pam Bondi looks on as President Donald Trump speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the White House on July 8. - Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

July 15: Trump is asked about whether Bondi told him his name was in the files and denies it. No, no, shes given us just a very quick briefing and  in terms of the credibility of the different things that theyve seen, he says.

July 23: We learn Trump is indeed in the files.

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Mobile technologies and services added US $950 billion to Asia Pacifics economy in 2024  6.1% of APAC GDP  according to a new report from mobile operators industry body the GSMA.

The Mobile Economy Asia Pacific 2025 report unveiled at the GSMAs Digital Nation Summit Singapore 2025, forecasts mobile tech and services will contribute US$1.4 trillion by 2030, as 5G, IoT and AI continue to accelerate digital transformation across the region.

The report says the mobile ecosystem supported around 17 million jobs in 2024, and generated more than US$90 billion in public funding, excluding spectrum and regulatory fees.

Operators invested nearly US$220 billion in 5G networks between 2019 and 2024, with a further US$254 billion committed through to 2030, and 18% of mobile connections were on 5G in 2024, which is expected to rise to 50% by 2030.

Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific at the GSMA noted that there were concerns about rising spectrum charges, with spectrum cost-to-revenue ratios increasing from 3% in 2014 to 9% in 2023, limiting funds available for further expansion.

Mobile connectivity is the oxygen of Asia Pacifics digital transformation  driving economic growth, innovation and inclusion," said Gorman.

"Yet our findings sound clear alarms: spectrum charges have tripled over the last decade, and over 700 million people remain offline.

"To sustain momentum, we need decisive action  affordable spectrum, smarter financing and collective action to tackle scams and cyber-threats.





To tackle these threats, says GSMA, operators are deploying AI-driven fraud detection systems, adopting zero-trust architectures, and forming cross-sector task forces, such as the GSMA-led Asia Pacific Cross-Sector Anti-Scam Taskforce (ACAST), and GSMA Open Gateway  a global initiative to standardise network APIs.

According to GSMA, the APAC region has the ninth-largest mobile usage gap globally; 55 million Filipinos alone remain offline, and scam-related losses are escalating across the region.

The 42 page report can be downloaded here.
On July 24, 1925, the convicted murderer of a Marysville police officer was hanged at the state penitentiary at Folsom.

The hanging came one day before the anniversary of the officers death.

Marysville Police Officer Francis Heenan was shot and killed at the Canteen Saloon at Second and C streets on July 25, 1924, while responding to the sound of a gunshot fired inside the saloon.

John Connolly, 38, also known as Joe Silver Kelly, was convicted of the murder and was hanged shortly after 10 a.m. when no reprieve was forthcoming from California Governor Friend Richardson.

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Following the execution, the Marysville Democrats banner headline that evening was Connolly pays with his life, above four separate stories about the matter, including the text of a confession he reportedly made to District Attorney Ray Manwell in an off-the-record conversation, and a repudiation of the confession Connolly reportedly made to a barber who cut hair at the Yuba County Jail.

Protesting his innocence to the very last, the condemned man walked up the fatal 13 steps and took his place over the trap at 10:05 without falter, the newspaper reported.

In his purported confession, Connolly told Manwell he was inside the bar, saw Heenan entering the front door through a mirror behind the bar as he was backing out of place toward the front door, and the gun went off when he turned toward the officer.

But he told the barber he was not inside the bar at all, that it was a partner who shot the police officer, according to the stories published in the Marysville Democrat.
A toddler died earlier this week after falling from her father's arms while they were going down a slide at a waterpark on the island of Rab in Croatia, according to multiple local news outlets.

The incident occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 22 at Aquagan Lopar, 24 Sata reported.

The publication stated that the victim, whose family hasn't been named, fell from a height of around 11 ft., 5 in., and landed on a concrete surface while going down a slide with her dad.

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The girl was 21 months old and a German citizen, Jutarnji reported.

Local police confirmed in a news release on Wednesday, July 23, that an accident occurred involving a child from Germany. The translated post stated that the child had died from her injuries after falling from the slide.

Police had no additional details to add when contacted by PEOPLE.

xbrchx/Getty A photo of the town of Lopar on the island of Rab in Croatia A photo of the town of Lopar on the island of Rab in Croatia

The girl's father reportedly said while kneeling by her side after the fall, "Don't ask me anything... my daughter is dying!" according to 24 Sata, which stated that the child was taken by helicopter to the Rijeka Clinical Hospital.

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The hospital confirmed she died the next morning after suffering multiple serious injuries, including brain and internal organ injuries, 24 Sata reported.

Tatiana Gnuchykh/Getty A photo of the town of Lopar on the island of Rab in Croatia A photo of the town of Lopar on the island of Rab in Croatia

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The waterpark's owner, Josip Ivanic, said, according to Jutarnji: "It's a tragedy for us, for the family, for everyone."

Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the girl's death, police said.

Ivanic said that something like this had "never happened" in the park, which he'd managed for over 30 years.



Read the original article on People
SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KETK) The Smith County Sheriffs Office has launched an investigation following the death of a 2-year-old child who drowned near Tyler on Friday evening.

Tyler PD searching for armed and dangerous man wanted for murder

According to Smith County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Larry Christian, the drowning happened at a private pond on County Road 429 shortly before 8 p.m. on Friday. Once officials arrived on the scene, the child was transported to a hospital in Tyler before they were airlifted to a childrens hospital in Fort Worth.

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The child was pronounced dead on Monday. Following the girls death, her body was taken to the Tarrant County medical examiners office for an autopsy. The sheriffs office is currently investigating her death.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.
Jul. 23A 2-year-old girl was injured Wednesday morning after two vehicles collided on U.S. Highway 69 in Nunda Township.

Payton Ann Leibeg of Emmons was taken to Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea for injuries deemed not life-threatening, according to a Minnesota State Patrol crash report.

She was a passenger in a 2016 Ford Escape, driven by Samantha Marie Leibeg, 22, also of Emmons.

The report stated the Escape and a 2021 Peterbuilt straight truck, driven by Matt Joseph Gehling, 47, of Preston, were both north on Highway 69 when they made contact at 7:14 a.m.

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Samantha Leibeg and Gehling were not injured.

All occupants were wearing their seat belts, and alcohol was not a factor.

The Freeborn County Sheriff's Office, Twin Lakes Fire Department and Mayo Ambulance assisted at the scene.
ITHACA, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  You may have seen a few Facebook groups seeming to be official sources of information on sex offenders in Tompkins County. But according to Tompkins County Sheriffs Office and the Ithaca Police Department, they are fake.

Both said that a series of Facebook groups, including Tompkins County Public Safety Information, Tompkins County Predator Alert and Finger Lakes Region Predator Alert  NYSPA Charter 3  are not affiliated with law enforcement.

According to a joint statement from the two official departments on Thursday, July 24, the Facebook groups are run by what appears to be two individuals running a fake profile named Malikron Sable. The account also runs a page called New York State Predator Alert.

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The groups use of names like NYSPA and SCS Group, the statement read, may imply that they are legitimate official sources. However, they are not registered as businesses or non-profit organizations in New York State.

The Tompkins County Sheriffs Office and the Ithaca Police Department both operate an official and publicly accessible Sex Offender Registry on their websites. You can also view the New York State Sex Offender Registry here.

Both departments ask anyone with information to call the IPD tip line at 607-330-0000 or the Tompkins County Sheriffs Office at 607-257-1345. The IPD also has an anonymous tip line email address.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR.
Tim Mathis addresses lawmakers on the Joint Prison Oversight Committee meeting on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Mathis spoke about his son, who was killed in Elmore Correctional Facility in June 2024. Members heard from several speakers about the harrowing conditions in Alabamas prisons. (Ralph Chapoco/Alabama Reflector)

Advocates, experts, formerly incarcerated individuals and family members of those behind bars Wednesday described an Alabama prison system that kept inmates in a state of terror and a parole system that robbed inmates of hope.

Speaking to the Legislatures Joint Prison Oversight Committee meeting in the Alabama Statehouse, witnesses described rampant drug use by those incarcerated in the states prisons; trafficking of illicit substances by corrections staff; constant extortion demands by people in prison against one another, and violence perpetrated by both staff and those in the custody of the Alabama Department of Corrections.

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There has got to be some change, said Tim Mathis, whose son Chase was killed in Elmore Correctional Facility in June 2024. There are too many people dying. A lot of people here still have loved ones there. Mine is gone. There is nothing I can do for him, as much as I try and as much as I pray and cry over it. I am mad. I am not going to become unmad until something is done about this.

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Witnesses also said low parole rates have hurt morale among those in prison.

Speaking to the committee, Colleen Howell said former Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles Chair Leigh Gwathney accused her of lying about her son Coreys efforts to rehabilitate himself after she spoke on his behalf at a parole hearing.

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She bombarded us and told us that our son was lying to us, Colleen Howell said. She said our son was lying to us and that he was not in the program. She was belittling us, chewing us out.

Her son, she said, was granted parole after the board initially denied it.

Chairman Hal Nash shared his vision for a fair board while also maintaining the Boards paramount duty of public safety, the parole board said in a statement. Board Members Darryl Littleton and Gabrelle Simmons have been committed to this same vision.

Alabamas prison system remains one of the most deadly in the nation. The ACLU of Alabama estimated that almost 280 people died while in the custody of the Alabama Department of Corrections in 2024. Alabama Appleseed, a criminal justice reform organization, estimated that there were 325 deaths in the states prisons in 2023.

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The ACLU of Alabama reported that 46 of those deaths were due to overdoses and correctional staff was a factor that contributed to the deaths. The report states that another 77 people died from natural causes whose cause is unknown.

The presence of illegal drugs is a challenge faced by correctional systems across the country, the ADOC said in a statement. ADOC is committed to enforcing our zero-tolerance policy on contraband and works very hard to eradicate it from our facilities. ADOCs Law Enforcement Services Division and K-9 Division have made numerous arrests of civilians and staff introducing contraband into the prisons and has committed numerous resources to eradicate the crimes inside the prisons. However, more resources are needed to continue efforts to enhance public safety to citizens, staff, and inmates.

The deaths were concentrated in a handful of facilities, the ACLU report states. According to the report, 36 people at the Kilby Correctional Facility in 2024. The report said 35 people died while incarcerated at the prison in St. Clair County, and that 34 people passed away at Limestone Correctional Facility in Limestone County.

Make sure at least our loved ones are safe

Speakers during Wednesdays public hearing spoke of the harrowing conditions within several of the states prisons.

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Yolanda Williams, whose husband is incarcerated at Fountain Correctional Facility for a parole violation, said the overcrowding and state of the facilitys pipes are concerning.

My husband is in a dorm in G.K. Fountain Correctional Facility that houses 80 men, but in that dorm, theres a total of 150 men with seven to nine fans, she told the committee.

Williams said her husband, a maintenance worker, works on pipes under the prison that are so corroded you can see human waste going through them. She said the waste goes through the plumbing system in the prison as well.

The pipes were supposed to be, at one point, iron and now theyre visible where you can see feces every time someone flushes the toilet or urine every time someone uses the urinal, she said. Even just getting in the shower, turning the shower on, and feces are coming out through the overhead shower. That is deplorable.

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Williams said getting more health care workers in the prison and doing regular checks on the facilities should be a priority to help make prisons better.

Get more health care workers in the prison because if theres 100 men to one health care worker, the health care worker needs help, she said. Reach out to outside sources, fire marshals, have them go in to make sure that these buildings are cohabital. Make sure at least our loved ones are safe if there is an environmental issue.

Colleens son Corey Howell, 29, was incarcerated in Alabamas prison after his probation was revoked after he was sentenced for four years after he was convicted of illegal possession of marijuana and Xanax. Howell said he saw violence and drug use at Kilby and Ventress correctional facilities, where he was incarcerated. After being transferred to Staton Correctional Facility, Howell said he saw my enemy there.

I went to tell the warden, he said. The warden tells me, Go outside and die. He did not care whatsoever.

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The ADOC confirmed that Howell had been transferred.

On October 15, 2024, there was an incident involving Howell and another inmate at Staton Correctional Facility who was transferred to Staton in May 2024  prior to Howell, ADOC said in a statement. After ADOC staff resolved the October 15th incident, the other inmate was then validated as an enemy of Howell, and, on October 16, 2024, that inmate was moved to another correctional facility. Howell remained at Staton until his release on June 23, 2025.

Parole complaints

Complaints about the parole board surfaced throughout the proceedings. Gov. Kay Ivey earlier this month declined to reappoint Gwathney to the board, selecting Hal Nash, a former corrections deputy from Jackson County, to become chair of the board.

On multiple occasions, Rep. Chris England, D-Tuscaloosa, requested feedback from several speakers regarding newly-published parole guidelines. One section dealt with re-entry and how the guidelines consider those who submit a housing and job plan.

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What it requires is for people who are incarcerated to find housing and find a job while they are in prison, said Carla Crowder, executive director of Alabama Appleseed. It is extremely difficult.

She suggested subtracting points for those who find housing and a job, thereby increasing their chances for parole.

That is something that could be easily remedied in these guidelines, she said during the meeting.

Editors Note: This story has been updated to include statements from the parole board and the Alabama Department of Corrections.
U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epsteins former girlfriend, on Thursday in Florida, where she is serving time for her role in their sex trafficking scheme to abuse girls, according to a CNN report.

Blanche had announced Tuesday that he had contacted Maxwells attorneys to pursue any potential new leads as Trumps MAGA base excoriates the administration over its handling of the so-called Epstein Files. A July 6 DOJ memo had concluded there were no more significant disclosures to be made in the case.

Maxwell will be transported from Florida Correctional Institution-Tallahassee, where she is being held, to the U.S. attorneys office, which is located inside Tallahassees federal courthouse, ABC News reported.

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Blanche declined to comment at the courthouse on Thursday morning but David Oscar Markus, an attorney for Maxwell, told ABC: "We're looking forward to a productive day.

Maxwell, 63, was sentenced to 20 years in 2021 for her role in a scheme to sexually exploit and abuse multiple girls with Epstein and is serving time at the federal prison. Her attorneys have taken an appeal of her conviction to the Supreme Court.

Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins long-time associate, is expected to meet with a senior DOJ official on Thursday, according to a report (US District Court for the Southern District of New York)

On Wednesday, the Wall Street Journal reported that President Donald Trump was told in May by Attorney General Pam Bondi that his name appeared in the Epstein Files multiple times. The president denied to reporters earlier this month that his name was in the files.

Appearing in the files does not indicate that an individual has committed any wrongdoing, nor has Trump ever been accused of misconduct in connection with the Epstein case.

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This is another fake news story, just like the previous story by The Wall Street Journal, White House communications director Steven Cheung told the WSJ about the claims Trump was named in the files.

The president has filed a $10 billion defamation suit against the WSJ and its owners after it published a report last week claiming that Trump gave Epstein a bawdy birthday card in 2003. Trump has vehemently denied the claims.

On Tuesday, the House Oversight Committee approved a subpoena for Maxwell. At the White House later that day, Trump said that the subpoena for Maxwell "sounds appropriate."

Maxwells brother praised Trump this week for making a positive statement about his sister, in an interview five years ago, when the president said: I wish her well.

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Appearing on Piers Morgan Uncensored, Ian Maxwell hailed Trumps 2020 remark. I dont think that anyone else showed the slightest piece of humanity, not anybody at that time, and yet he did. He didnt need to. Hes the president of the United States, the most powerful man in the world. He couldve just sloughed it off. He didnt. He made a positive statement. I am very grateful to that and I know Ghislaine was too, he said.

Last week, Trump requested Bondi release any and all pertinent grand jury transcripts related to the Epstein case. So far two judges have denied Bondis requests on legal grounds.

The White House has been trying to quell the uproar, including from its MAGA base, following the DOJs July 6 memo, which stated there was no client list of high-profile associates linked to Epsteins sex trafficking scheme. The memo also confirmed the official investigation that the sex offender died by suicide in 2019 and said no further investigations were needed.

Earlier this year, Bondi has said she had a truckload of files to review from the FBI, and insinuated that the client list was sitting on her desk. In February, she released Phase 1 of the files, a tranche of documents that included mostly publicly available information.

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After the July 6 DOJ memo was released, the presidents MAGA following erupted, demanding more information. Democrats, as well as prominent members of Trumps own party, including his former Vice President Mike Pence, joined the calls for increased transparency around the case.

Trump has pushed for the media and his supporters to move on.

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, Trump replied to a reporter, who asked him about the Epstein memo at a Cabinet meeting on July 8.

The president has used Truth Social to blast his past supporters for buying into this bulls***, hook, line and sinker. He wrote: Let these weaklings continue forward and do the Democrats work, dont even think about talking of our incredible and unprecedented success, because I dont want their support anymore!

Earlier this week, a CNN reporter called Trump to ask about unearthed archived photos capturing Epstein at his 1993 wedding to Marla Maples, the president replied: Youve got to be kidding me. The phone call lasted just 30 seconds before Trump hung up, the network reported.
Everybody out!

A top Mediterranean beach destination is blowing the whistle on an indecent form of swimwear  claiming that the allegedly revealing style favored by tourists disturbs the population.

But in the North African resort of Chetaibi, Algeria, known for turquoise waters, rocky coves and forested hills, its not women in skimpy bikinis that have local officials crying out for a cover-up.

Chetaibi is known for its turquoise waters, rocky coves and forested hills. Billal Bensalem/NurPhoto via Getty Images

This time, its the men who have been found guilty of inflaming the passions of the purportedly prudish populace  with their apparent affinity for Bermuda shorts.

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The towns mayor issued an order banning male beachgoers from wearing the tempting trunks  mandating a return to the longer, looser style said to be preferred by conservative beachgoers in this part of the world.

The municipality of 8,000 residents welcomes hordes of visitors every summer  tourism being an important part of the local economy.

The mood is warm, welcoming, colorful, bustling  no hostility toward bathers, not in words, not in looks. People here have a tradition of hospitality, Salah Edine Bey, a longtime resident, told the Associated Press.

There was never much controversy  until earlier this month, when Mayor Layachi Allaoua had apparently, very literally, seen enough.

The towns mayor issued an order that bans beachgoers from wearing Bermuda shorts. AP

These summer outfits disturb the population, they go against our societys moral values and sense of decency, the hot-and-bothered Hizzoner announced, per AP.

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The population can no longer tolerate seeing foreigners wandering the streets in indecent clothing, he said.

The proclamation immediately sparked considerable local backlash  including in the regional capital Annaba, where lawmakers urged a reversal of the decision.

Chetaibi is on Algerias Mediterranean coastline. Eric Lafforgue/Art in All of Us/Corbis via Getty Images

Within just two days, the mayor backtracked  taking to Facebook to insist that the decree was not driven by conservative pressure, but rather a hope to preserve peace and tranquility.

Algeria has struggled with Islamism for decades. The country endured a civil war that killed an estimated 200,000 people. In 1991, the army canceled elections that were going to be won by an Islamist party.

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Even though Islamists lost the war in the 1990s, they never gave up on their invasive and intrusive ideological project, which has gained ground in society, sociologist Redouane Boudjemaa told the AP.

For some people, this order on mens swimwear reminded them of the times when Islamist-run municipalities tried to alter the public life in Algeria with its religious doctrine.

While Islamist parties dont do well in elections, they still play a role in Algerian daily life.

Said Boukhlifa, a former senior official at the Ministry of Tourism, warned against conservative creep  saying it could ultimately hurt the countrys hopes to attract more vacationers to its shores.
(PST Roppongi (Pizza Studio Tamaki Roppongi))



Tokyo has once again proven itself a leader in culinary innovationthis time in the realm of pizza. According to 50 Top Pizza, an annual ranking system curated by Italian food critics and industry experts, Tokyo is home to six of the best pizzerias in the Asia-Pacific region in 2025, including the top two spots.

The number one restaurant in Asia-Pacific, The Pizza Bar on 38th, is located in the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo. It also ranked third in the world, placing it alongside elite names in Naples and Caserta.

RistoPizza by Napoli sta ca, also in Tokyo, took second place in Asia-Pacific and 15th globally, marking a major milestone for pizza makers who have spent years perfecting techniques rooted in Italian tradition while adapting to local ingredients and creative methods.

Tokyos Pizza Rankings at a Glance

1st  The Pizza Bar on 38th (Nihonbashi)

2nd  RistoPizza by Napoli sta ca (Azabudai)

16th  La Tripletta (Musashi Koyama)

18th  Pizza Strada (Azabu-Juban)

22nd  Pizzeria e Braceria LInsieme (Kameido)

30th  MASSIMOTTAVIO (Eifukucho)

Each venue has its own approach. The Pizza Bar on 38th is known for its intimate eight-seat counter experience, where guests watch each pizza assembled and fired with precision. La Tripletta and Pizza Strada, meanwhile, focus on wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas in relaxed neighborhood settings.

The Pizza Bar on 38th  Ranked #1

(The Pizza Bar on 38th)



Located inside the Mandarin Oriental, The Pizza Bar on 38th offers an eight-seat omakase-style experience, where pizzas are prepared and served directly in front of guests. Executive Chef Daniele Cason uses a highly hydrated, long-fermentation dough to create light, digestible crusts topped with seasonal ingredients and classics like the Bufala.

Hours:

Lunch: 11:30am  1pm, 1:30pm  3pm



Dinner: 5:30pm  7:30pm, 8pm  10pm

Location: Mandarin Oriental Tokyo, 2-1-1 Nihonbashi Muromachi, Chuo-ku

Website: mandarinoriental.com/en/tokyo/nihonbashi/dine/the-pizza-bar-on-38th

RistoPizza by Napoli sta ca  Ranked #2

(RistoPizza by Napoli sta ca)



Helmed by Giuseppe Peppe Errichiello, RistoPizza blends traditional Neapolitan technique with contemporary restaurant-style service. Known for its refined approach and top-tier ingredients, the restaurant pushes the boundaries of pizza without compromising on authenticity.

Hours: Tuesday  Sunday, 11:30am  3pm, 6pm  10:30pm, Closed on Mondays

Location: Azabudai Hills Tower Plaza 3F, 1-3-1 Azabudai, Minato-ku

Website: napolistaca.jp/en/ristopizza

La Tripletta  Ranked #16

(La Tripletta)



This lively Musashi-Koyama pizzeria captures the energy of Naples with wood-fired ovens made by a master craftsman and custom interiors sourced from Italy. The team includes expert pizzaioli, sommeliers and baristas who deliver both a visual and flavorful experience centered on traditional technique and joyful hospitality.

Hours: Thursday  Monday, 11:30am  2pm, 5:30pm  10pm, Tuesday  Wednesday, 5:30pm  10pm

Location: 3-13-12 Oyama, Shinagawa-ku

Website: latripletta.com

Pizza Strada  Ranked #18

(Pizza Strada)



Tucked away in Azabu-Juban, Pizza Strada focuses on simplicity and warmth, with counter seating that brings guests close to the action. Fresh ingredients, wood-fired aromas, and dough cooked to golden perfection combine for a sensory dining experience that appeals to all ages.

Hours: Weekdays, 5pm  11pm, Weekends/Holidays, 12pm  10:30pm

Location: NS Azabujuban Building 1F, 3-6-2 Azabujuban, Minato-ku

Website: pizzastrada.jp

Pizzeria e Braceria LInsieme  Ranked #22

Pizzeria e Braceria LInsieme (Credit: Takeshi Dylan Sadachi)



Chef-owner Shunsuke Matsumaru brings playful creativity to classic pizza formats at this laid-back Kameido shop. Expect crisp crusts made with premium Italian flour and a wide range of toppings, from traditional margherita to white pizzas with sausage and French fries. Affordable lunch sets make this spot an easy favorite.

Hours: 11:30am  2pm, 5:30pm  9pm, closed Mondays & Sundays

Location: 1-31-7 Kameido, Koto-ku

Website: @linsieme_da_matsu

MASSIMOTTAVIO  Ranked #30

(MASSIMOTTAVIO)



Massimo Ottavio, a Naples-born pizzaiolo, brings the flavor and spirit of his hometown to a quiet Tokyo neighborhood. His pizzas are made using time-honored Neapolitan methods and served in a warm, family-style setting that feels more like a friends home than a formal restaurant.

Hours:

Weekdays: 11:30am  2:30pm, 5:30pm  10pm



Weekends and holidays: 11:30am  3:30pm, 5:30pm  10pm

Location: 4-4-4 Eifuku, Suginami-ku

Website: massimottavio2m8.wixsite.com

Beyond Tokyo: Japans Other Top-Ranked Pizzerias

While Tokyo leads the list, three other restaurants across Japan earned spots in the top 50:

Beyond Rankings: Locally-Loved Pizzerias

PST Roppongi (Pizza Studio Tamaki Roppongi)

(PST Roppongi (Pizza Studio Tamaki Roppongi))



Pizza Studio Tamaki reimagines Neapolitan pizza with bold textures, signature blistered crusts and unexpected flavor combinations. Chef Tsubasa Tamaki, a Bib Gourmand awardee praised by Italian pizza experts, seasons each pizza with Okinawan salt tossed directly into the oven before baking. His signature Tamaki pizza combines sweet cherry tomatoes and smoked mozzarella for a balanced, smoky-sweet finish.

Hours:

Weekdays: 5pm  10pm



Weekends: 12pm  2:30pm, 5pm  9pm

Location: 7-6-2 Roppongi, Minato-ku

Website: pst-tk2-ad.com/roppongi

Seirinkan

(Seirinkan)



Chef Susumu Kakinumas Nakameguro restaurant helped kick off Tokyos artisan pizza scene long before it was trendy. At Seirinkan, only two pizzas, margherita and marinara, are served, each baked in a recessed oven inside an industrial, steampunk-inspired space. Kakinumas crusts are light, chewy and subtly salted, with toppings that lean minimalist but deliver intense flavor.

Hours:

Weekdays: 11:30am  1:30pm, 6pm  8:30pm



Weekends: 11:30am  2:30pm, 5pm  8:30pm

Location: 2-6-4 Kamimeguro, Meguro-ku

Website: theseirinkan.com

Savoy

(Savoy)



Savoys signature pizzas are baked at 500C in a wood-fired oven, with a focus on fermentation and dough technique for perfectly soft, slightly crisp crusts. While classics like margherita are mainstays, the kitchen also offers inventive seasonal options with local ingredients. This blend of Italian tradition and Japanese creativity has earned the restaurant a devoted following.

Hours: 11:30am  3pm, 5:30pm  10pm, Closed on Wednesdays

Location: 2-20-12 Azabujuban, Minato-ku

Website: savoy.co.jp/azabujyuban_menu/

Fakalo pizza gallery

(Credit: @fakalo_pizza.gallery)



Fakalos pizzas are a revelation in texture and technique. Crafted by a pizzaiolo who trained at six of Naples iconic pizzerias, each pizza reflects both deep tradition and radical innovation. Using 100% high-quality domestic flour sourced from Gunma Prefecture, his dough is kneaded with precise control to avoid full gluten development, creating an impossibly soft, fully cooked yet melt-in-your-mouth crust that admirers call drinkable pizza. Rather than simply replicating what he learned in Italy, the chef combined his training with scientific research, fine-tuning every step from flour selection to oven construction (he even builds pizza ovens for others). Fakalo is a place you visit simply to taste what pizza can become.

Hours: 11:30am  1:30 pm, 2:00pm  3:30pm, 6:30pm  8:30pm, Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Location: 2-2-5 Kojima, Taito-ku

Website: instagram.com/fakalo_pizza.gallery/

Why Japan Excels at Pizza

Japanese chefs are known for their dedication to craftsmanship, an example of shokunin culture. And pizza has become one of the most refined examples of that ethos. Many leading pizzaioli in Japan have trained in Italy, returning with techniques they adapt to Japanese tastes and seasonal produce.

Restaurants are judged by 50 Top Pizza on multiple criteria, including dough quality, ingredient sourcing, service, wine pairing and atmosphere. The result is a style thats both technically rigorous and highly personalbalancing Italian foundations with Japanese attention to detail.

Do you have recommendations to add to this list of the best pizzas in Tokyo 2025? Feel free to send us a message on our Instagram: @metropolisjapan.

metropolisjapan.com
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Topeka Police Department (TPD) addressed community concerns Thursday morning regarding recent crimes and killings in the Capital City.

The TPD held their press conference at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 24 at the Law Enforcement Center. Officers with the department, including Chief Chris Vallejo, addressed concerns from the community regarding recent violent deaths and the kidnapping of a local child.

As we give information today, we will not be able to provide all the answers as we have to let the legal process do its job, Vallejo said. But we want to be as transparent as possible with the work our amazing officers are doing to solve these recent crimes.

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Illinois police arrest double-murder suspect after Kansas child abduction

Jerry Monasmith with the TPD gave a review of the recent kidnapping of a local two-year-old child and deaths of two locals. He emphasized the quick response from law enforcement following the discovery of the homicide victims, Sean Thornton and Ashley Brown, and safe return of the missing child to his father.

What I want to reiterate is that all of our homicides receive the same attention from our investigations bureau and from our homicide squad, Monasmith said. Every one of them is taken seriously and the community, I think, should be reassured we have some of the best detectives at our agency handling all these investigations.

Monasmith said police are asking for information and tips regarding the shooting death of 33-year-old Gerald Avery in Topeka. Officers found Avery suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound around 2:15 a.m. on Monday, July 21 in the 4500 block of Southwest Topeka Boulevard. He later died at a local hospital of his injuries.

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Man sentenced for raping, killing Topeka five-year-old girl in 2023

Assistant Chief Mike Cross provided an update on the homicide case of 72-year-old Terry Keller who was found dead in a vehicle at a local community center earlier this month. Police found Keller around 6:45 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15 and launched a homicide investigation shortly afterward. The TPD arrested a 24-year-old Topeka man for his alleged part in Kellers death on Wednesday, July 23.

Id like to take a moment to thank the community for their efforts in this, thank our investigators and our agency who worked diligently on this case, and wed just like to reach out to the friends, the family members of Mr. Keller as well as the Central Park community and anybody across Topeka impacted by this traumatic event and let you know we share condolences with you and we have done everything we can to try to resolve this case, Cross said.

Cross said police are also seeking the publics help in closing the case of 28-year-old Destiny Voss who recently died of a gunshot wound at a local hospital. Police were called around 11:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 6 to a local hospital regarding a gunshot victim, identified as Voss, who later died of his injuries. The TPD discovered the shooting occurred in the 3200 block of Southwest Randolph Avenue.

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If you know something about any of these cases that were reporting on today, please reach out, please help us, Cross said.

K-State axes LGBTQ+ center amid DEI fallout at Kansas universities

If you have information to share with police regarding any of the above investigations, call 785-368-9400 or send an email to telltpd@topeka.org. You can send in anonymous tips to law enforcement by contacting Shawnee County Crime Stoppers at 785-234-0007 or by clicking here.

Having five deaths in one month is not something that we at the Topeka Police Department take lightly, Vallejo said. Were working on several new initiatives to reduce crime and weve also been seeing a downward trend through the middle of the year which I posted online based on the five-year average for crime during this time of the year and crime is going down in Topeka. But I understand the perceptions of safety within the community.

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27 News asked police questions about the recent kidnapping and double-homicide case in Oakland, including where the bodies were found, what state they were in and the connection between the suspect and the victims. Police did confirm a familial connection between the suspect and the two homicide victims but did not answer whether the suspect had any mental health issues or what condition the bodies were found in.

$8 million Topeka Boulevard road work project starts soon, what to know

For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The Topeka Police Department is investigating a shooting and a related motorcycle crash.

According to a statement from police, officers responded just before 5 a.m. Thursday to the area of Sixth and California to a report of a motorcycle crash. Officers arrived to find two people suffering from gunshot wounds.

Police said one person is in critical but stable condition. The second sustained non-life threatening injuries.

The incident remains under investigation. 27 News will continue to follow this developing story.

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$10,000,000 bond for Kansas kidnapping, murder suspect

For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Health authorities at one of Asia's most popular tourist destinations are warning about an apparent outbreak of rabies after several people on the Indonesian island of Bali were bitten by infected animals in July.

The most affected areas are said to include the island's South Kuta district, home to tourist hotspots such as Nusa Dua and Jimbaran, as well as the popular beaches of Pererenan and Seseh near Canggu.

The veterinary office has ordered mass vaccinations for stray dogs in these areas, the newspaper Bali Sun reported. This follows several reports of dog bites from rabies-positive animals.

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The US, the UK and Australia have already issued warnings to their citizens about the risks of travelling to Bali due to the risk of infection.

It's not only the island's many stray dogs but also monkeys that pose a risk on Bali. Although comprehensive rabies prevention programmes are in place at well-known locations such as the Monkey Forest in Ubud and the Uluwatu Temple, famous for its macaque population, anyone bitten or scratched should still seek medical attention.

What is rabies?

Rabies is a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and can be transmitted from animals to humans. This occurs through contact with the saliva of infected animals, such as through bites, scratches or licking of open wounds and mucous membranes. Early treatment can often prevent the disease.

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Anyone who believes they have come into contact with a rabies-infected animal should see a doctor immediately. Once symptoms such as headaches, anxiety, fever or a tingling sensation near the bite site appear, rabies is almost always fatal in both animals and humans. A rabies vaccination provides reliable protection and is usually administered in three doses.

According to 2018 estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than 60,000 people die from rabies each year, mostly in Asia and Africa. In the vast majority of cases, the disease is transmitted by dogs
HOLLY RIDGE, N.C. (WNCT)  The Town of Holly Ridge has been awarded a $150,000 grant to assist with their new project.

The NC Division of Coastal Management donated the grant as part of their North Carolina Resilient Coastal Communities Program. Holly Ridge has elected to participate in Phase 3 of this program, naming it the Holly Ride Municipal Park Path project. The purpose of this project is to bring community members together by making the towns central park area more accessible.

The funds will go towards the engineering and design of the park path. Updates on construction and planning are forthcoming.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Seeing a toxic blue-green algae bloom in the St. Johns River has become more common as more pollution flows into the river from toxic sewage sludge. (Photo via the St. Johns RIverkeeper)

What is it about Floridas rivers that makes us humans want to spoil them?

The Kissimmee River worked perfectly for centuries, feeding a flow of fresh water into Lake Okeechobee. Then the Army took out all the bends to stop flooding. When the Corps of Engineers realized it had created a dirty ditch that funneled pollution right into Lake Okeechobee, it spent millions of dollars putting them all back.

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The Apalachicola River worked just fine, creating exactly the right conditions for spawning delicious oysters in the bay. Then people ruined the flow, which ruined the mix, and now weve spent years trying to bring the oysters back.

And of course, the Ocklawaha River was a wild and scenic waterway until the state built a dam that blocked the river and flooded 800 acres of the Ocala National Forest. People keep trying to tear down the dam, but Gov. Ron DeSantis has vetoed the funding for that not once but twice. (And dont get me started on what hes doing to the River of Grass right now.)

Last week, I saw a story that detailed how weve been messing up another Florida river, this time the fabulous St. Johns.

Report: Miami-area sewage sludge raising cost of St. Johns River cleanup over $1 billion, said the headline in the Florida Times-Union.

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In case youre not familiar with Florida geography, Miami is nowhere near the St. Johns River. So how is its sludge winding up there?

The paper explains that a change in state rules triggered increased sludge-dumping in the St. Johns upper basin, around Brevard and Indian River counties.

The St. Johns is the rare river that flows northward. That means dumping pollution in its southern headwaters leads to that nasty stuff being carried north into the rivers more populated reaches, creating the right conditions for toxic algae blooms.

The fact that the taxpayers who live along the St. Johns have been paying lots of money to clean up the river, only to see pollution from elsewhere in the state mess it up again, is particularly frustrating, said Lisa Rinaman of the nonprofit St. Johns Riverkeeper.

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Were seeing evidence of significant pollution being transferred here from South Florida, she told me.

Whats particularly maddening, she said, is that nobody wants to claim responsibility for fixing the problem.

Lisa Rinaman, St. Johns riverkeeper. (photo via St. Johns Riverkeeper)

The noblest stream

The St. Johns is the longest river in Florida. It flows 310 miles from its headwaters at Blue Cypress Lake in Indian River County to where it runs into the Atlantic Ocean east of Jacksonville.

In 1843, the poet and editor William Cullen Bryant visited Florida and declared the St. Johns to be one of the noblest streams in the country. Its also one of the laziest, because its elevation drops a mere one inch per mile over the course of its sluggish flow.

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But its watershed is huge, covering nearly 9,000 square miles. The population of the watershed is more than 5 million people, from anglers in Palatka to shipbuilders in Jax.

The river has become the primary source of drinking water for communities in Brevard and other east central Florida counties. A 2015 University of Florida study found that it provides billions of dollars in economic impact and ecosystem services.

So even if youre no tree hugger, you can see why a clean St. Johns is a goal worth working toward.

Like a lot of rivers in Florida, though, the St. Johns has suffered from problems of too much polluted runoff, too many water withdrawals to accommodate a growing population and the loss of wetlands wiped out by rampant development.

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State and local officials were working on dealing with all those problems and had made progress.

But then the trucks began showing up from South Florida.

Toxic sludge is good for you

While researching this column, I watched a recent meeting of the St. Johns River Water Management District, where staff members talking about biosolids abbreviated the term as BS. That turns out to be pretty apt.

I first learned about biosolids (and the BS around it) from a book called Toxic Sludge Is Good for You! by John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton, which one reviewer called a chilling analysis of the PR business.

That books title comes from a campaign to convince people that its OK to dump sludge produced by sewer plants and septic tanks near their homes. The PR folks advised their clients that the way to convince the public that it was OK was to change the name to biosolids. It sounded less frightening, less  oh, whats the word? Oh yeah, toxic.

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It worked  until the smell got out. Shakespeare told us that a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Turns out thats also true for (pee-yoo!) biosolids.

No matter what you call it, the sewage sludge thats classified as Class B remains pretty toxic, containing lots of phosphorus and nitrogen. Those pollutants stimulate the growth of algae blooms that kill fish and other marine life. The sludge also carries heavy metals. Whats worse is that it also contains PFAS, also known as forever chemicals. As the Guardian explained in a recent story, The chemicals are linked to a range of serious health problems such as cancer, liver disease, kidney issues, high cholesterol, birth defects and decreased immunity.

Yet lots of Florida sewer plants spew this dangerous stuff out and then act as if its as safe as raindrops and sell it to farmers to use as fertilizer.

That became a serious problem when the haulers were dumping the sludge on land around Lake Okeechobee, because then the pollutants wound up in the Everglades.

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Thus, in 2007, the Legislature passed a law that basically banned farms near Lake Okeechobee, the Kissimmee River, and the Everglades from accepting the nearly 100,000 tons of South Floridas sewage sludge being trucked in there.

But they didnt ban it everywhere.

As a result, the trucks simply headed north and started dumping their toxic loads at farms in the St. Johns watershed. As the states population boomed, they had more and more sludge to spread all over the farms there.

Doug Burnett (photo via the St. Johns River Water Management District)

Suddenly the St. Johns started having serious problems with excessive phosphorus and nitrogen. And in the 17 years since the change in the law, its been a growing problem. By 2019, Florida Today was calling Central Florida sludge central.

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So the South Florida affluent have been sending their effluent up to us, quipped water district board member Doug Burnett, a retired Florida National Guard general.

It wasnt enough

The water management district meeting that I watched featured a loooooong discussion of the biosolids problem.

There was supposed to be a staff report on the latest scientific findings about biosolids (spoiler alert: theyre bad but still being spread). This was the result of a study requested by the states environmental regulation agency.

But the staffer delivering the scientific report kept being interrupted by water district board members fuming about all the pollution being trucked in from elsewhere.

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You know, if its not good for the goose in South Florida, is it good for the gander in the St. Johns? asked board member and boat manufacturer Chris Peterson. It was clear he thought the answer was no.

As a society, we still havent figured out what to do when we flush the toilet, complained board member Doug Bournique, a citrus grower.

And board chair Rob Bradley, a former legislator married to a current legislator, pointed out, They didnt do a study in South Florida  they just banned it.

Rob Bradley (photo via the St. Johns River Water Management District)

During the discussion, Bradley made an interesting confession to his fellow board members: I was in the Legislature when we passed this (ban) and it wasnt enough.

Bradley didnt say anything about lobbying his wife, Sen. Jennifer Bradley, to take up the cause of extending the ban to the St. Johns watershed. He may want to consider that, since his water district board held off making any decisions.

There was some discussion about people who did do something to stop the toxic pollution fouling the St. Johns. For instance, Indian River County officials, already working to clean up their lagoon, refused to allow the dumping of biosolids, district officials said.

And the states largest private landowner, Deseret Ranch  aka the Mormons  recently refused to allow biosolids to be dumped anywhere on its thousands of acres.

Yet the state Department of Environmental Protection, our environmental regulator, like the Legislature, continues to drag its feet about banning its use statewide.

Where to put it

The water district folks also talked about how the DEP was trying to set new standards for the land application of Class B biosolids so they wouldnt be quite so bad.

To me, thats like saying, Lets not BAN lighting sticks of dynamite inside an orphanage. Lets just make the dynamite blast a trifle less explosive.

But according to Rinaman, one of the states largest sludge haulers has been slow to comply with what the DEP wants.

The company in question, H&H Liquid Sludge Disposal, has been around for four decades. It boasts on its website of hauling sludge from wastewater treatment plants to farms and ranches throughout Florida.

From its plant in Clewiston, it has land applied biosolids for more than 30 years, strictly adhering to DEP and local regulations to ensure the safety of the community, land and livestock.

It also notes that the dumping of Class B biosolids is heavily regulated due to its pathogens and metal composition. So the company knows what theyre putting on the land.

But H&H wasnt happy about the changes DEP was proposing to the use of Class B biosolids. The company has requested they be allowed a five-year delay in complying with those new rules.

Instead of saying no, the DEP asked for more information, which is another way of delaying doing anything.

I tried contacting H&H but got no response. To me, though, the lack of swift action is symptomatic of all the other delays that are actively harming the St. Johns.

The water district folks were adamant that the solution is not to redirect the sludge to somewhere else, the way the Legislature did back in 2007. But I think theyre wrong. As Iron Man says when he grabs hold of a nuke at the climax of The Avengers, I know just where to put it.

I would propose that all five water districts announce that they are imposing new regulations that say the only place where haulers can legally dump their toxic sludge is in Tallahassee  specifically, at the entrance to the Florida Senate and Florida House.

Or maybe at the governors mansion.

I mean, its a problem they caused, so let them deal with it.
TPT layoffs illustrate looming impact of nationwide NPR, PBS cuts in Minnesota originally appeared on Bring Me The News.

As the Corporation for Public Broadcasting loses $1.1 billion in federal funding over the next two years, Minnesota's local public media stations are bracing for layoffs and program cuts throughout the state.

Congress approved a Trump administration bill last week that rescinds funding previously allocated to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which supports National Public Radio (NPR), the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and hundreds of local radio and TV stations throughout the U.S. In Minnesota, that includes Minnesota Public Radio's statewide network and TPT, the Twin Cities PBS station.

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TPT informed employees on Tuesday that an unspecified number of employees are being laid off due to the federal funding cuts, the Minnesota Star Tribune reported.

TPT President and CEO Sylvia Strobel said in an email to staff obtained by the newspaper: Due to the loss of federal funding, we have made the decision to reduce our staff. All impacted staff were notified earlier today, and their last day will be tomorrow, Wednesday, July 23."

It's unclear how many TPT employees are losing their jobs and how programming will be affected.

TPT did not respond to a request for comment from Bring Me The News on Wednesday. In her memo to staff, Strobel wrote that the actions are "necessary to ensure our resiliency through an uncertain economic landscape."

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The St. Paul-based station received $4.3 million in federal funding through the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in fiscal year 2024. That contributed to about 8.3% of its total annual revenue.

A few months ago, TPT furloughed staff working on Skillsville, an animated program formerly known as Mashopolis, after a five-year, $4.6 million grant awarded through the Department of Education was terminated, The Current reported.

PBS affiliate station TPT broadcasts kid's shows like Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.TPT | Facebook

TPT is among 16 Minnesota stations that are having more than $17 million total in federal funding yanked from them, according to Minnesota Public Radio, which itself faces a budget gap of more than $6 million this year.

"This will have devastating effects on the public media system, and it will hit rural stations and communities especially hard," Marketplace reporter Kimberly Adams said in a recent video posted to MPR's social media accounts, in an effort to raise donations.

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Rural northern Minnesota radio station KAXE/KBXE, an independent NPR affiliate, receives more than $228,000 annually from the CPB. That accounts for 13% of its budget.

These are the Minnesota stations that rely on federal funding:

Greater Public (Minneapolis)

Jazz88.FM (Minneapolis)

KAXE-KBXE Northern Community Radio (Grand Rapids, Bemidji and Brainerd)

KBFT Tribal Community Radio (Bois Forte Reservation)

KFAI (Minneapolis)

KKWE Niijii Radio (White Earth Reservation)

KMOJ (Minneapolis)

KOJB The Eagle (Leech Lake Reservation)

KSMQ Public TV (Austin)

Lakeland PBS (Bemidji and Brainerd)

MPR News, The Current and Your Classical (statewide)

PBS North (Duluth)

Pioneer 90.1 Radio (Thief River Falls)

Pioneer PBS (Granite Falls)

TPT Twin Cities PBS (St. Paul)

WTIP North Shore Community Radio (Grand Marais)

The New York Times predicts that most local radio and TV stations will really start to feel the squeeze after September, when the CPB can no longer make grants.

Many of the impacted Minnesota stations have already launched donation drives to help them survive.

This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Jul. 24Police responded to a robbery call at Traditions Bank on Alabama 67 Thursday morning where several individuals allegedly seized cash from an ATM and fled the scene, according to the Priceville Police Department.

Around 8 a.m., Priceville police and the Morgan County Sheriff's Office responded to the bank and learned two employees were preparing the ATM for the day's operations. Shortly after they prepared the ATM, police said three to four individuals fully masked and in dark clothing exited a black sedan and approached the bank staff "aggressively."

The employees quickly retreated inside the bank and the suspects seized an undisclosed amount of cash from the ATM before fleeing the scene, according to police. Employees told police they did not observe any weapons and no injuries were reported. Police said the investigation is ongoing.

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The amount of cash stolen was not immediately known, according to police.

This is the second time the Priceville bank has been targeted in recent years.

During the early morning hours of Sep. 11, 2023, three masked individuals used a stolen pickup truck to try to dislocate and haul away an ATM from Traditions Bank.

"They had some chains and some hooks and whatnot, and they were trying to remove the ATM from its foundation," Priceville Police Chief Jerry Holmes said at the time. The suspects fled when police arrived.

Bank robberies are not common in this area, but there have been several over the years.

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In January 2013, a suspect robbed Eva Bank, according to the Morgan County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies arrested a man after he allegedly stole more than $12,500 from People's Bank in Lacey's Spring on Feb. 3, 2013. The suspect was accused of robbing a total of four banks in Morgan County. He was also charged with bank robberies in Eva and with stealing $4,000 from People's Bank of Somerville.

A Decatur resident received a 14-year prison sentence in October 2013 for committing armed robbery with another suspect at People's Bank of Decatur in January 2013. According to the indictment, $2,700 was stolen.

In December 2015, PNC Bank in Decatur was robbed. A Decatur resident was charged with first-degree robbery.

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"The bank employee said an older white male came in and approached the counter then slipped her a note demanding $300," a Decatur police spokesman said. "She gave him the money, and the man, who was armed with a small pocketknife, left."

The defendant pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

On Nov. 14, 2016, the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office said a man robbed Bank Independent in Caddo by handing a teller a note demanding money. The teller filled an envelope with cash, and the suspect left the bank. A Madison resident was charged with first-degree robbery, but the charge was dismissed in 2021.

 wesley.tomlinson@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2442.
MITCHELL COUNTY, Iowa  A Mitchell County man was killed when his SUV was struck by a train on Wednesday morning.

Mother, son arrested in violent Ankeny home invasion

At around 10:15 a.m. emergency crews responded to a train vs. vehicle crash in the 3800 block of Indigo Avenue northwest of Osage. An Iowa State Patrol crash report states that a Ford Explorer was traveling northbound on Indigo Avenue and failed to yield at a railroad crossing for a train. The train struck the drivers side of the SUV.

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According to the crash report, the driver of the SUV, identified as 62-year-old Kenneth Warrington of St. Ansgar, died from his injuries at the scene.

Iowa News:

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A man who goes by the name Quinn Steele and is described online by locals as trans or a cross-dresser is facing 15 felony charges related to the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material in East Texas.

Eli Joshua Steele, a biological male, was arrested on July 18 and charged with six counts of producing, directing, or promoting a sexual performance by a child and nine counts of possession with intent to promote child pornography, according to Van Zandt County Jail records. He is being held on a $600,000 bond.

Steele reportedly worked at The Roadhouse Ball Joint, a bar and grill in Wills Point, where patrons say he frequently dressed in womens clothing.

Always wearing a thong hanging out of his jeans, one local woman posted on Facebook.

While jail records identify Steele as male, locals described him online as trans or a cross-dresser. He also used the name Quinn Steele in public-facing settings. There is no public record of Steele explicitly self-identifying as transgender.

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The conservative organization True Texas Project posted about the arrest on X, asking: What should the consequence be?!

Genderqueer TX Man Charged with Producing Huge Trove of Child S*x Abuse Content. Eli Steele has been charged with SIX counts of producing, directing or promoting a child se*ual performance and NINE counts of possession with intent to distribute. What should the consequence pic.twitter.com/yXy3HfTphJ  True Texas Project (@TrueTXProject) July 24, 2025

The case follows several recent arrests involving individuals who identified as or described as part of the trans or gender-nonconforming community. Some critics say these incidents raise concerns about whether radical identity claims are being used to avoid scrutiny, while others argue such cases are not representative of the broader population.

Law enforcement has not yet disclosed how Steele allegedly obtained the illicit material or whether others may be involved in the matter. The investigation remains ongoing.
"It's extremely obvious to anyone who watches that this guy," Tucker Carlson said of Epstein the other day, "had direct connections to a foreign government. No one is allowed to say that that foreign government is Israel because we've been somehow cowed into thinking that that's naughty."

Steve Bannon, covering all his bases, says Epstein was working for Mossad, MI6, Saudi intelligence and the CIA, while Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA only says that Epstein may have been working for Mossad.

The first question to ask about this purported relationship is, why would Mossad want to associate itself with Epstein?

He was under investigation for his sexual crimes going back to 2005 and convicted of a few of them (as part of a sweetheart plea deal) in 2008, and would be under federal investigation again about a decade later.

Clearly, it would risk an enormous black eye for the state of Israel to connect itself to a known sex offender whose lifestyle was a flamboyant and ongoing crime scene.

What would be the supposed upside? Compromising information on the rich and powerful?

Presumably there'd be much easier ways to honey-trap men with untoward sexual appetites than hope they become friendly with Jeffrey Epstein and compromise themselves on his private island.

If the notion of Epstein as Israeli spy seems implausible, if not farcical, it's gotten some superficial plausibility from parts of the record that have been exaggerated or misinterpreted.

Perhaps most important, the US attorney for the Southern District of Florida who worked out the plea deal with Epstein, Alex Acosta, supposedly said that he was told to go easy on Epstein by higher-ups in the Bush administration at the time because Epstein was with intelligence.

Acosta allegedly said this as part of his vetting process to become President Donald Trump's first-term secretary of labor.

But this didn't come directly from Acosta; rather, an unnamed source told the story to a reporter.

Acosta denies he ever said it.

Asked about the matter at a press conference as labor secretary when the Epstein story reemerged, Acosta seemed to deny it  admittedly, in a halting and indirect fashion.

As part of an extensive 2020 Justice Department Office of Professional Responsibility report into the handling of the case by Acosta and the Southern District, Acosta told investigators that he had no information about Epstein being an intelligence asset, and that his answer at the press conference was meant to be a "no."

The report related that OPR "found no evidence suggesting that Epstein" was an "'intelligence asset,' or that anyone  including any of the subjects of OPR's investigation  believed that to be the case."

What about Epstein's well-documented relationship with former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak?

One assumes that a Mossad asset wouldn't spend inordinate time with a former high-ranking Israeli official.

Alan Dershowitz, who represented Epstein, maintains that he asked his client if he had contacts with intelligence agencies, and Epstein said "no," even though it would have been in his legal interest to disclose any relationships.

Regarding Epstein's death, which many believe was really a murder, the Mossad accusations get more fantastic.

Israeli intelligence had to clean up after itself by killing an American citizen on US soil  in fact, while he was held in an American jail?

By the way, if Mossad killed Epstein, and was capable of pulling off a no-fingerprints operation in extremely difficult circumstances on US soil, surely its agents would have killed his close associate Ghislaine Maxwell before she went to trial with an incentive to spill her guts.

All of this so beggars belief it's almost not worth addressing  except that influential voices on the right believe Israel might be behind one of the most hideous scandals in recent American life.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
Hunter Marquez had been dreaming about joining the U.S. Air Force since they were in middle school, so after graduating from high school, they began their four years of training at the Air Force Academy in Colorado.

"I grew up with a family that just loved this country," Marquez told ABC News Live Prime in an interview that aired on Thursday. "And I found my calling with the military."

The 22-year-old cadet, who earned dual degrees in aeronautical engineering and applied mathematics, had expected to be commissioned into the Air Force as a second lieutenant after they graduated in May, but after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of enforcing President Donald Trump's executive order banning transgender troops from the military, Marquez's dream was put on hold.

Hunter Marquez - PHOTO: Hunter Marquez celebrates their graduation from the Air Force Academy in Colorado on May 29, 2025.

"At the end [we] all got to throw our hats in the air, and everyone got to put on their second lieutenant shoulder boards, and I'd keep my cadet ones on, because I would not be a second lieutenant," Marquez said, recounting the ceremony on May 29, where about 900 cadets graduated from the Academy. "So it was very disheartening, because I knew all of my friends, all of the people I'd known these past four years have a guaranteed job, and now I'm just here with no idea what I'm gonna do next."

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Transgender Navy pilot, barred from service, reflects on 'patriotism' ahead of Trump's military parade

As Marquez worked to complete their final semester at the Academy, Trump signed on Jan. 27 an executive order directing the Defense Department to revise the policy allowing transgender troops to openly serve in the military.

"Expressing a false 'gender identity' divergent from an individual's sex cannot satisfy the rigorous standards necessary for military service," the order said.

Hunter Marquez - PHOTO: Hunter Marquez, left, celebrates their graduation from the Air Force Academy with classmates on May 29, 2025.

The order further argued that receiving gender-affirming medical care is one of the conditions that is physically and mentally "incompatible with active duty."

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Professor Nathaniel Frank, a cultural historian and researcher at Cornell University who studies the history of LGBTQ+ people in the military, told ABC News that decades of research dispute the administration's arguments that transgender individuals are not fit to serve.

"There's never been any evidence found that gay or transgender service members present any problems to unit cohesion or readiness, and that the evidence finds the opposite, that the prohibitions against trans people are what harm readiness and cohesion because they undermine trust," Frank said.

Frank also added that the military already has a system of checks and balances to ensure that all individuals, including transgender service members, are physically and mentally fit to serve.

"The military screens their personnel at all levels, upon session or commission, recruitment, and then for retention purposes, deployment to combat zones," Frank said.

Hunter Marquez - PHOTO: Hunter Marquez poses for a photo during his backpacking trip to Europe during the summer of 2025.

Transgender service members say they face 'heartbreaking' decision amid Trump ban: Leave military or get kicked out

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Marquez, who began transitioning during their freshman year at the Academy, said that they passed and met all the requirements for males at the Academy, including a more demanding male physical fitness test.

"I remember talking to my commander about it because I was nervous," Marquez said, recalling the day they took the test. "I got a better score than I expected, and I remember going to his office and I was like, sir, you wouldn't guess what happened. This is my score, and he celebrated with me."

Hunter Marquez - PHOTO: Hunter Marquez poses for a photo during his backpacking trip to Europe during the summer of 2025.

Following Trump's executive order, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a memo in February saying that the military would begin discharging transgender service members -- a move that is being challenged by three ongoing federal lawsuits.

"I broke down crying because I couldn't believe that I had made it up to this point just to lose it," Marquez said, recalling their reaction to the memo.

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The Pentagon's new ban went into effect in early May, shortly after the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration could enforce the ban on transgender people in the military while legal challenges proceed in lower courts.

Marquez signed their name on one of the lawsuits challenging the ban, becoming a plaintiff in Talbott vs. Trump.

"I just saw that as my only option because I and thousands of others deserve the right to serve in the military," Marquez said. "There's nothing that says we can't perform our duties, that we're less than just because of our gender identity."

Supreme Court allows Trump to implement transgender military service ban for now

Hunter Marquez - PHOTO: Hunter Marquez poses for a photo during his backpacking trip to Europe during the summer of 2025.

The Pentagon estimates more than 4,200 active guard and reserve service members are diagnosed by military doctors with "gender dysphoria," which is the military's metric for tracking the number of transgender troops. But advocacy groups have estimated that the number of transgender service members in those units is much higher -- at around 15,000 out of the 2.1 million.

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After graduating, Marquez said that they decided to embark on a backpacking trip through Europe -- one that has turned into a soul-searching experience.

Marquez, who spoke with ABC News during the London leg of their trip, reflected on their journey to transition and said that despite the challenges ahead, they would not change their decision.

Hunter Marquez - PHOTO: Hunter Marquez poses for a photo during his backpacking trip to Europe during the summer of 2025.

"At the end of the day, people that I've met here, the officers and the faculty, they've changed my life for the better," Marquez said.

Asked where their dream stands after the Supreme Court's decision, Marquez said that they still want to serve.

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"If a decision came down today that, you know, I could join the Air Force, I would take that in a heartbeat," they said. "I'd drop everything here in Europe and go. In the end, the dream is always to be in the military."

ABC News' Luis Martinez contributed to this report.
Thailand has closed its entire border with Cambodia amid an escalating dispute, as both countries traded attacks earlier this morning.

The restrictions apply to any vehicle or person trying to enter Cambodia from checkpoints across several Thai provinces, as well as foreign tourists flying into the country.

Relations between the two Southeast Asian countries have deteriorated following an armed confrontation on 28 May in which one Cambodian soldier was killed in a relatively small, contested territory.

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Thailand claims Cambodia fired rockets and heavy artillery over the border this morning, 24 July, killing at least 12 Thai nationals. Thailand later retaliated with airstrikes on military targets. Both sides accused the other of firing the first shots.

Tourists in Thailand banned from crossing border into Cambodia

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said in May that Thailand would boost screening at land borders and block departing tourists.

Only students, medical patients and others who needed to purchase essential goods would be allowed to enter or leave Thailand for Cambodia, meaning thousands of travellers have had to rethink plans.

She said the measures were aimed at stopping people heading toward Cambodias lucrative casinos, but it appeared that all tourists would be blocked from crossing the border.

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The Thai army later said in a statement later that it had implemented the measures at every land border checkpoint between Thailand and Cambodia in five provinces, and that it was stopping all crossings except for people with essential needs.

Paetongtarn added that foreign tourists would also be banned from taking flights from Thailand to the popular Cambodian resort town of Siem Reap, the closest airport to the famed Angkor Wat temple complex.

Flights continue as scheduled, for now

The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation of Cambodia has said that flights between Cambodia and Thailand continue to operate normally for the time being.

According to Thai Airways, its flights from Bangkok to Phnom Penh will continue as scheduled, with approximately 3,000 passengers holding advance bookings. Chai Eamsiri, the CEO of Thai Airways, said in a press conference on Thursday that the airline has been "closely tracking the situation" following the clashes.

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"We are in close contact with the Embassy in Cambodia and are prepared to move our staff if events become more severe," he said.

Related

This morning, the UKs Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office FCDO updated its warning to travellers.

Land borders/crossings between Cambodia and Thailand are temporarily suspended. The line of the international border near the Preah Vihear temple (Khaoi Pra Viharn in Thai) has been in dispute between Cambodia and Thailand, with occasional clashes between Cambodian and Thai troops. There have also been disputes over control of the Ta Moan and Ta Krabey temples, which are close to the Cambodia-Thailand border. Take extra care when travelling in this area, and follow the instructions of the local authorities.

Thailand calls out scam networks luring foreign tourists

Last month, the Thai government said its border restrictions were not only a political response but also a move to crack down on illegal operations based in Cambodia.

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Thailands military leaders have accused transnational scam operations - with Cambodia functioning as a hub - of exploiting border loopholes and online networks to lure victims, including foreign tourists.

They say scammers entrap victims through false romantic ploys, bogus investment pitches and illegal gambling schemes.

Cambodia, for its part, has boycotted some Thai internet services and blocked electricity and fuel supplies from Thailand in response to the border dispute.
Department of Justice investigation begins: Yesterday, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that it would be forming a task force to determine whether former President Barack Obama and senior officials instigated an investigation into President Donald Trump's connections to Russia back in 2016, when he was first running for president.

This announcement follows Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard's public accusations that there is "irrefutable evidence" that Obama manufactured a "false" intelligence analysis claiming that Russia helped Trump win in 2016. She characterized Obama administration officials as orchestrating a "yearslong coup and treasonous conspiracy," and is declassifying an old House Intelligence Committee report about the election that conflicts with a Senate report from around the same time that endorsed the intelligence community's belief that Russian actors undermined Hillary Clinton's candidacy. It's unclear how much the House report changesor whether this will all be a suitable distraction from the Jeffrey Epstein news that keeps pouring out, pointing to closer ties between Trump and the pervert financier.

Politics of vengeance: The White House press secretary confirmed this week that Trump doesn't want Elon Musk's company, xAI, to receive any government contracts, per Axios. (Musk's SpaceX contracts with the government have not yet been canceled.)

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This comes on the heels of the Pentagon's announcement that it has secured contracts with four artificial intelligence companiesthe aforementioned xAI, as well as Anthropic, Google, and OpenAIto "address critical national security challenges" (whatever that means). Musk's company, xAI, was reportedly a late-in-the-game addition, but now Trump has reversed course and apparently denies that xAI should receive a federal contract.

"Days before the announcement, Grok, xAI's chatbot, had gone on an antisemitic tirade that the company struggled to control," reports NBC News. "In short, xAI didn't have the kind of reputation or track record that typically leads to lucrative government contracts, even as Musk had a long history of working with the government." (Of course, back in early 2024, Google's Gemini had accuracy and reliability issues too, notably and hilariously portraying the Founding Fathers as black.)

Scenes from New York: "Columbia University will pay a $200 million fine to settle allegations from the Trump administration that it failed to do enough to stop the harassment of Jewish students, part of a sweeping deal reached on Wednesday to restore the university's federal research funding, according to a statement from the university," reports The New York Times. It has also, notably, agreed to actually follow the law regarding race-blind admissions and hiring, which is huge for people who care about merit-based advancement and nondiscrimination.

QUICK HITS

"One of the Trump administration's highest-profile deportation targets, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, must be released from criminal custody in Tennessee and returned to Maryland and cannot be immediately redetained by immigration authorities, a pair of federal judges ruled Wednesday," reports Politico. "Earlier this year, Abrego was illegally deported to his home country despite an immigration court order barring him from being sent there. Then, after months of resisting court orders to return Abrego to the U.S., the administration brought him back to face newly unveiled charges of immigrant smuggling in Tennessee." ("The fact this unhinged judge is trying to tell [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] they can't arrest someone who is subject to immigration arrest under federal law is insane," said the Department of Homeland Security's spokeswoman, Tricia McLaughlin.)

"When the State Department secured the release of 10 Americans and permanent legal residents from a Venezuela prison last week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio hailed the action as part of an effort to safeguard the well-being of Americans unjustly held abroad," reports The New York Times. "But one of the men released from the prison, an American-Venezuelan dual national named Dahud Hanid Ortiz, had been convicted in Venezuela for the murder of three people in Spain in 2016, according to an official at the prosecutor's office in Madrid and Venezuelan court records reviewed by The New York Times."

Federal prosecutors say they're going to criminally charge any tariff evaders. Customs officials have, in the past, faced civil settlements and fines for common lawbreaking like changing countries of origin and mischaracterizing goods on import forms. This is a huge change in policy. More from Bloomberg.

Tans are BACK, baby. Will the Trump administration at some point repeal the excise tax on tanning beds? Or must people do it the good old-fashioned way and simply flock to the beach to save a buck?

Can't we just return?

This is wild. My parents were pretty involved parents. They took me to Wal-Mart, got a bunch of stuff for my dorm room, hugged me, and left. There were just so many fewer ways to hover without the Internet. I had to figure most things out after they left. That was the norm. https://t.co/1AwCFnLCaU  Mary Katharine Ham (@mkhammer) July 24, 2025

How cheaply can high-speed rail actually be built?

About 1/5 of Americans live on the Northeast Corridor, from DC to Boston. It's an ideal stretch for high-speed rail, but could we build it? Amtrak says it'd cost more than $100 billion. What if Amtrak is wrong? https://t.co/mJMenjDUzo  Santi Ruiz (@rSanti97) July 23, 2025

The post Treasonous Conspiracy appeared first on Reason.com.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A trial date has been set for the two brothers charged in the murders of an Irondequoit family of four last summer.

Court documents obtained by News 8 show a possible connection between a drug bust in Florida earlier this month and the Irondequoit home where the family was killed.

The case will go to trial in late February. Prosecutors say the goal is to try both suspects at once. At this time, its unclear if the Florida arrest is connected to the quadruple homicide.

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However, court documents show a package including cocaine and a GPS tracking device was sent to the home where the family was tortured, then killed, just weeks prior.



Shortly after 5 a.m. on August 31, 2024, first responders were called to a home on Knapp Avenue in Irondequoit for the reports of multiple fires inside. In the basement, police discovered the bodies of 30-year-old Fraime Ubaldo, his girlfriend, 26-year-old Marangely Moreno-Santiago and their two children, ages two and four.

Police charged two brothers in connection to the murders, Luis Francisco Soriano and Julio Cesar Pimental-Soriano, who are cousins of Ubaldo.

Julio was arrested last September. Luis was not taken into custody until June of this year, when he was captured in the Dominican Republic.

A federal affidavit shows Rafael Gilbert-Guerrero was arrested in Florida earlier this month, after sending packages of cocaine from Puerto Rico into the U.S.

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The Knapp Avenue home was among the delivery addresses as well as one in Rochester, two in Massachusetts, and one in Pennsylvania between July and November 2024.

The documents state authorities in Puerto Rico seized a package on August 3, weeks before the killings, containing three bricks of cocaine and a GPS tracking device addressed to the home.

The name on the package did not match any of the homicide victims.

A package containing cocaine was later delivered to the home next door on Knapp Ave. August 12.

Monroe County Assistant District Attorney Perry Duckles is prosecuting the case for the two men charged in the murders. While he could not comment on the new investigation, he explains the preparation underway to bring justice for the victims loved ones.



Im not going to comment directly on the evidence, but as you can imagine, there has been a lot of reports and things of that nature generated with regards to this matter. There is a lot, but were able to go through it and its a daily routine making sure were up on everything in this matter. It continues to come in. Nobody has stopped working on this, said Duckles.

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Francisco Soriano is due in court this Friday for arraignment. Both he and Pimentel-Soriano will return to court in November, ahead of trial in February.

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MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A trio is accused of stealing electronics worth over $200,000 from different Walmart stores across three states, according to the Oxford Police Department.

Kevin Watkins, 29, of Collierville, Kasaydraus Eddings, 29, and Ahmad Alfreahat, 28, of Bartlett were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit a crime.

L to R: Kevin Watkins, 29, Kasaydraus Eddings, 29, and Ahmad Alfreahat, 28. Courtesy of Oxford Police Dept.

On July 21, the Oxford Police Department responded to a theft call at Walmart.

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When police arrived on the scene, the suspects were still at the store. Two were found in the electronics section, and one was arrested in the parking lot.

Police said the men hit Walmart stores in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas and took over $200,000 in electronics.

Stolen electronics: iPhones and MetaQuest 3S, Courtesy of Oxford Police Department

OPD said two of the suspects already had outstanding warrants.

All three suspects appeared in court for their initial bond hearing. Eddings and Watkins had holds placed on them by other jurisdictions.

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EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX)  Its a small pest bringing large challenges. True armyworms are being seen across the state. Trempealeau County Farm Bureau President Kyle Nilsestuen explains, It can be a very fast-moving, you know, take a healthy-looking cornfield down to stocks within a matter of days.

UW Extension Regional Crops and Soil Educator, Jerry Clark, added, Weve had reports of fields already that have been stripped. You know, itll take all the leaves off of corn. And so, if management isnt, if scouting isnt done early enough, and you catch, and that catch is early enough, those army worms can march through that cornfield relatively quickly.

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection reports sightings in Taylor, Dane, and Dunn Counties. But it goes further. Clark said, In certain fields or certain geography around western Wisconsin and even across the state of Wisconsin, were seeing a few outbreaks here and there simply because those eggs did survive, either high temperatures or heavy rains, and if they have enough feed.

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The worms are known for eating grasses, barley, corn, and hay, among other things, and that could mean major losses for farmers. Clark explains, There can be huge yield potential, especially in pockets of where they tend to march in.

Nilsestuen added, If youre already seeing a very stripped-down field, thats were a little bit past maybe saving it without some serious damage to yield.

Agriculture experts recommend checking the fields regularly. Clark says, They basically march out of those ditches and waterways into some of our grain. Our field crops, specifically small grains like oats and barley, and then also corn, is the biggest one that we want to be. Concerned about.

If you see evidence of the pests, one expert recommends acting quickly. Nilsestuen says, Notify your retailer or whoever you work with your pest site control program, and you know hopefully be able to catch it soon enough that its some you can fix and avoid a major devastation to your crops.

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The True Armyworms usually feed for around three weeks. However, officials with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection say reports indicate that feeding could extend into August.

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University of Nebraska at Omaha, in front of the Milo Bail student center, September 2024. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

OMAHA  Federal education officials are investigating the University of Nebraska at Omaha and four other universities nationally for scholarship programs that allegedly favor foreign-born students.

Announced Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Education, the probes are based on complaints by the Legal Insurrection Foundations Equal Protection Project, which seeks equal protection by the government in any form.

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At UNO, the targets named are the Dreamers Pathway Scholarship and the HDR Scholarship.

A statement from the federal Education Department said the Dreamers undergraduate scholarship was for Nebraska residents that qualify for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status. The Obama administration launched the DACA program in 2012 to provide temporary relief from deportation to qualified immigrants who arrived illegally to the U.S. as children.

The HDR scholarship, according to the Education Department, gave preference to underrepresented minority students.

Sam Peshek, a spokesman for UNO, said the university would not comment on specifics but would cooperate with investigators.

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We continually evaluate our scholarships to ensure compliance with state and federal law, he said.

They are the embodiment of the American dream. ... We should be encouraging and helping these kids that make our community stronger.

 Nebraska State Sen. Dunixi Guereca of DACA recipients

The Education Departments Office for Civil Rights similarly opened investigations into the University of Louisville, University of Miami, University of Michigan and Western Michigan University.

According to the statement, department investigators will determine whether the schools are granting scholarships only for DACA or undocumented students in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964s (Title VI) prohibition against discrimination based on a persons national origin.

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Neither the Trump Administrations America first policies nor the Civil Rights Act of 1964s prohibition on national origin discrimination permit universities to deny our fellow citizens the opportunity to compete for scholarships because they were born in the United States, said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor.

William Jacobson, founder of the Equal Protection Project, said in the same statement that he was grateful the Trump administration acted on the complaint.

Protecting equal access to education includes protecting the rights of American-born students, he said.

Nebraska State Sen. Dunixi Guereca of South Omaha, who is the son of Mexican immigrants, called DACA recipients a positive addition to Nebraska and said they should be welcomed.

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They are the embodiment of the American dream, he said. They were brought here as children but are American. Theyve studied here. They work here. They obey the laws. We should be encouraging and helping these kids that make our community stronger.

The probe is to extend beyond alleged DACA scholarships to other allegedly impermissible and exclusionary scholarships detailed in the complaint, including UNOs HDR scholarship.

Among the others targeted: a University of Louisville scholarship for LGBTQ+ students of color and a Western Michigan University scholarship for African American, Native American or Hispanic American students.

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Washington  The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to give it the green light to cancel hundreds of grants awarded by the National Institutes of Health because they were tied to issues like gender identity and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Solicitor General D. John Sauer asked the high court to halt a lower court decision that ordered the NIH to reinstate the grants and required the Trump administration to continue paying out roughly $783 million in awards. The administration had decided that the grants did not align with its policy objectives.

The grants were canceled in response to executive orders signed by Mr. Trump soon after he returned to the White House that directed federal agencies to terminate awards and contracts that were related to diversity, equity and inclusion  or DEI  and gender identity research activities and programs.

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NIH began ending the grants that it said did not match the administration's policy priorities in February, and in April, 16 states, as well as research and advocacy groups, a union and researchers filed lawsuits challenging the cancellations.

The plaintiffs asked the federal district court in Massachusetts to block NIH from terminating any grants and order the agency to restore any awards that had already been axed.

The district court last month ruled in favor of the research entities after holding a bench trial in the cases, finding that NIH engaged in "no reasoned decision-making" in the rollout of the grant terminations. U.S. District Judge William Young, appointed by former President Ronald Reagan, tossed out the challenged directives.

The Trump administration asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit to pause the district court's decision, which it declined to do.

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In the emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, Sauer said its request for relief gives it a chance to "stop errant district courts from continuing to disregard" its decisions.

Sauer pointed to an April order from the Supreme Court that cleared the way for the Department of Education to cancel millions of dollars in grants that it said funded programs that involve DEI initiatives. The high court said in that order that the Trump administration was likely to succeed in showing that the federal district court that oversaw that case lacked jurisdiction to order the payment of money under a federal law governing the agency rulemaking process.

The solicitor general said the judicial system does not rest on a "lower-court free-for-all where individual district judges feel free to elevate their own policy judgments over those of the Executive Branch, and their own legal judgments over those of this Court."

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(Reuters) -Donald Trump's administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday to allow the government to proceed with sweeping cuts to National Institutes of Health grants as part of the Republican president's crackdown on diversity initiatives.

The Justice Department asked the justices to lift Boston-based U.S. District Judge William Young's June ruling that halted the plan as a violation of federal law and required the government to reinstate access to the grant funds. The judge acted in a legal challenge by researchers and 16 U.S. states, led by Democratic-governed Massachusetts.

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The NIH is the world's largest funder of biomedical research. The cuts are part of Trump's wide-ranging actions to reshape the U.S. government, slash federal spending and end government support for diversity, equity and inclusion programs and transgender healthcare.

"The district court's order directs the NIH to continue paying $783 million in federal grants that are undisputedly counter to the administration's priorities," the Justice Department said in the filing.

The administration repeatedly has sought the Supreme Court's intervention to allow implementation of Trump policies impeded by lower courts. The Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, has sided with the administration in almost every case that it has been called upon to review since Trump returned to the presidency in January.

In June, dozens of scientists, researchers and other NIH employees signed an open letter criticizing the agency's actions and spending cuts under Trump that they said politicize research and "harm the health of Americans and people across the globe."

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Young's ruling came in two lawsuits challenging the cuts. One was filed by the American Public Health Association, individual researchers and other plaintiffs who called the cuts an "ongoing ideological purge" of projects with a purported connection to gender identity, DEI "or other vague, now-forbidden language." The other was filed by the states, most of them Democratic-led.

Young, an appointee of Republican former President Ronald Reagan, invalidated the grant terminations in June.

The judge wrote that every new administration is entitled to make policy changes but that these must be reasonable and reasonably explained. Instead, according to the judge, the steps taken by Trump administration officials were "breathtakingly arbitrary and capricious," violating a federal law governing the actions of agencies.

Young criticized administration officials for not offering any definition of DEI while disparaging studies they deemed low-value and unscientific that the officials claimed were used to unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race and other protected characteristics.

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"There is not a shred of evidence supporting any of these statements in the record," Young wrote.

Many U.S. conservatives contend that DEI policies discriminate against white people.

The Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on July 18 denied the administration's request to put Young's decision on hold.

The administration has argued that the litigation should have been brought in a different judicial body, the Washington-based Court of Federal Claims, which specializes in money damages claims against the U.S. government.

That reasoning was also the basis for the Supreme Court's decision in April that let Trump's administration proceed with millions of dollars of cuts to teacher training grants also targeted under the DEI crackdown.

(Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham)
The Trump administration is canceling a nearly $5 billion dollar loan guarantee for a power line that would connect wind and solar power to the grid, marking the latest in a string of attacks on renewable energy by the administration.

The Biden administration had previously offered a loan guarantee of up to $4.9 billion dollars for the Grain Belt Express Phase 1 project, a massive electric transmission project in Kansas and Missouri.

After a thorough review of the projects financials, DOE found that the conditions necessary to issue the guarantee are unlikely to be met and it is not critical for the federal government to have a role in supporting this project, the Department of Energy said in a written statement.

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To ensure more responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources, DOE has terminated its conditional commitment, it added.

Grain Belt Express indicated in a statement that it would continue with its efforts to build the massive power line, which would stretch across 800 miles and add 5,000 megawatts of power capacity, or enough to power 500 million LED lightbulbs.

America is energy dominant and an AI powerhouse, and Grain Belt Express will be Americas largest power pipeline, the statement said.

While we are disappointed about the LPO loan guarantee, a privately financed Grain Belt Express transmission superhighway will advance President Trumps agenda of American energy and technology dominance while delivering billions of dollars in energy cost savings, strengthening grid reliability and resiliency, and creating thousands of American jobs, it added.

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The energy departments move comes after Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) repeatedly railed against the power line. He took credit for canceling the loan, with his office saying the cancellation came after his request.

The Grain Belt Express boondoggle loan has been CANCELLED, he said in a post on the social platform X.

However, Democrats on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee criticized the cancellation in a post on X.

The Grain Belt Express Transmission Line would increase grid reliability and reduce electricity prices for American families. Its EXACTLY the kind of project experts say we need to meet increasing demand. Hawley, Trump, and [Energy Secretary] Chris Wright just killed it, with zero justification, said the committee Democrats, who are led by Sen. Martin Heinrich (N.M.).

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In its final weeks in office, the Biden administration pushed forward several loans for climate-friendly energy projects. The Trump administration says it is now reviewing $85 billion in closed loans and conditional commitments made by the Energy Departments Loan Programs Office between President Trumps election and his inauguration.

The Trump administration is also seeking more broadly to drive the country away from solar and wind, climate-friendly energy sources that they argue are not sufficiently reliable.

Trumps tax and spending slashes incentives for solar and wind. Separately, his Interior Department recently put out a memo that is expected to make it more difficult to advance and approve wind and solar projects.

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Indianapolis will soon serve as one of five U.S. Department of Agriculture hubs as the federal agency reduces and reorganizes its workforce under President Donald Trump's administration, the USDA announced July 24.

American agriculture feeds, clothes, and fuels this nation and the world, and it is long past time the Department better serve the great and patriotic farmers, ranchers, and producers we are mandated to support," Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins said in a news release. "President Trump was elected to make real change in Washington, and we are doing just that by moving our key services outside the beltway and into great American cities across the country."

Indiana's capital city joins Kansas City, Missouri; Raleigh, North Carolina; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Salt Lake City, Utah, as hub locations. The rationale for selecting these five centered on the cost of living compared to Washington, D.C. and the cities' pre-existing concentration of USDA employees, according to the release.

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In Indianapolis, for example, the federal government only has to pay employees 18% above a position's base salary due to the lower cost of living, nearly half of Washington D.C.'s rate of almost 34%. The move comes as a review of the USDA revealed a "bloated, expensive, and unsustainable organization," with the release citing increases in workforce and salaries over the past four years.

The relocation efforts will happen in phases with a goal of ensuring no more than 2,000 employees remain in the D.C. region, an area that currently employs 4,600 employees.

Sen. Todd Young of Indiana celebrated the announcement in a post on X this morning.

Very exciting news for Hoosiers  Indianapolis has been selected as one of five new @USDA regional hub locations.



Great to see these services move outside of DC and into places like Indiana that feed our nation.https://t.co/kDEaawwDrp  Senator Todd Young (@SenToddYoung) July 24, 2025

Not every employee may agree to move, however. During President Donald Trump's first term when two USDA research offices moved to Kansas City, the majority of employees refused to relocate while overall morale at the agency sank, Politico reported in 2019. Those changes were reversed under the Biden administration.

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This latest relocation comes after more than 15,000 employees left the department through a deferred resignation program as part of efforts to reduce federal bureaucracy. The National Family Farm Coalition, an advocacy organization for small farms, released a statement in April that the staff reductions would cause dysfunction and disrupt the supply chain. Most recently, Rollins told Congress in May that the agency was looking to fill critical positions.

Contact Marissa Meador at mmeador@gannett.com or find her on X at @marissa_meador.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana selected as USDA hub for agriculture background
The Trump administration said Thursday it was leaving Gaza ceasefire talks, blaming Hamas for failing to engage in good faith.

Steve Witkoff, now named President Trumps special envoy for peace missions, said the administration is considering alternative plans to secure the freedom of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the future governance of the territory.

We have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas, which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, Witkoff wrote in a post on the social media site X.

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We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza. It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way. We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza.

The Israeli government will review military plans in the event of Hamass refusal to accept a deal, Israels ambassador to the U.N. told reporters in Washington in early July.

Israeli officials have also backed Trumps call for Palestinians to leave the Gaza Strip. Trump in February called for the U.S. to take over Gaza and for Palestinians to be relocated, likely permanently. While Trump has called for rebuilding the strip, he has also shared an artificial intelligence-generated video showing Gaza as a resort destination and the president sipping cocktails and lying on the beach with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

President Trump has come up with an innovative plan for the future of Gaza, said David Mencer, spokesperson in the office of the Israeli Prime Minister, in a briefing with reporters on Wednesday.

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People that want to leave voluntarily, we make this clear, voluntarily, should be allowed to leave. There are countries which have already expressed their interest to take in Gazans so they can get away from the fighting.

The U.S. announcement likely serves as a major blow to an already horrific humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, where death due to starvation is increasing amid chaotic and dangerous efforts to distribute food and aid. The failure of the talks also throws into question the fate of 20 living hostages and the bodies of 30 others still held by Hamas.

American and Israeli officials blame Hamas for stealing and profiting off aid entering the strip, after its Oct. 7, 2023, attack against Israel put Gaza in the crosshairs. The Israeli government said 895 soldiers have been killed over the course of the war.

The fighting has killed nearly 60,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and militants, and injured more than 130,000. Hamas said in a statement last week that 69 children have died from severe malnutrition.

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On Monday, more than 30 countries issued a joint statement calling for an immediate end to the war and the release of the hostages, and criticized Israels aid distribution as dangerous, fueling instability and depriving Gazans of human dignity.

In a briefing to the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, U.N. Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Khaled Khiari said the war had become a nightmare of historic proportions.

The Hostages Families Forum, a grassroots organization advocating for a ceasefire and hostage release, urged Thursday for Trump to push harder for a deal.

Another missed opportunity to bring all 50 hostages back would be inexcusable. It would be yet another moral, security, and diplomatic failure in an endless chain of failures, the group said in a statement.

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President Trump, youve already brought 39 hostages home. The window is still open  please dont let it close. Your leadership can make the difference.

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While the just-ended Supreme Court term was less controversial than recent terms  with no confirmation battles, or landmark cases like the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade  the court changed in ways that may be overlooked by the public.

According to several Supreme Court experts, the most recent term was marked by a rise in the use of the emergency docket, thanks to an increase in emergency filings by the Trump administration.

John Roberts, chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, speaks during lecture to the Georgetown Law School graduating class of 2025, in Washington, Monday, May 12, 2025. | Manuel Balce Ceneta

The rise of the emergency  or shadow  docket

The shadow docket is a popularized way of describing when the Supreme Court issues emergency decisions. When issuing these decisions, the court doesnt follow typical procedure  like holding briefings, hearing oral arguments and issuing detailed opinions.

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The emergency application process allows justices to address something urgently, like responding to execution orders.

Decisions issued through the emergency application process have been criticized because the justices do not usually provide context or reasoning along with the ruling.

The process is also under scrutiny because of its frequent use by the Trump administration, which appealed a number of cases this way over the past six months.

While the Supreme Court didnt hear oral arguments on many flashy cases this year, Ilya Shapiro, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, noted that the justices were frequently part of the news cycle because of the emergency docket cases.

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The court is deciding a record low number of cases on the merits, he said. But still, theyre very much in the news and making news. And at least half of that is the emergency docket.

Steven Vladeck, a law professor at Georgetown University, agreed. He said the Supreme Court has seen an unprecedented number of emergency applications from the federal government under the Trump administration.

While the Biden administration filed a total of 19 emergency applications with the high court during its four years in office, the Trump administration has filed 20 in just a few months.

Its made for a very, very different kind of term for the court, he said.

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For example, the court issued a unanimous emergency decision in January to uphold the federal law that required the social media app TikTok to be sold to new owners or else it would face a ban in the United States.

Chief Justice John Roberts noted during oral arguments for the recent Trump v. CASA case  which involves birthright citizenship and nationwide injunctions  that cases can move through the court quickly, referencing the speedy turnaround on the TikTok decision.

Peter Loge, a public affairs and political communications professor at George Washington University, said when justices are using the emergency docket they are comparable to emergency medical technicians who are assessing a situation quickly and responding, and not doctors who have a more thorough approach.

Theres been a real rise in those, and some of those have been pretty substantial decisions with pretty wide ranging impacts. As a policy matter, I think thats interesting because its changing policy sort of on the fly without big explanations, Loge said.

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Shapiro noted that the rise in the number of emergency docket rulings is due to an increase of executive actions from presidents in recent years.

Were seeing Congress legislate less and less, and government by executive action more and more, Shapiro said. And that leads directly to a lot of this emergency type of litigation challenging federal action.

The increase in emergency applications has had political and societal consequences, Vladeck said.

These rulings have enormous impact. They affect a ton of people, Vladeck said.

Loge noted that its the norm for justices to not offer reasoning or explanation behind their rulings in the emergency docket.

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When they offer little information about the decision-making process  and since its happening more than ever before  the public is less inclined to trust the court, he said.

You might not like Roe v. Wade, or the Dobbs decision. The arguments are at least all there, and you can argue with the arguments, Loge said. With the shadow docket, there are no arguments to argue with. Its simply a ruling.

Vladeck agreed, noting that opinions were important not because an individual would agree with the justices ruling, but because they could see how they got to the final decision.

The problem of issuing these kinds of orders with no opinion whatsoever is that theres no way to know why the court is intervening, he said. Is the court intervening because it believes that what the president is doing is legal? Is it intervening because it believes theres some procedural obstacle to reaching the merits?

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What were deprived of, with rulings with no explanation, is the very basis for assessing the courts relationship with the executive branch, Vladeck added.

With an administration like Trumps that is testing legal boundaries, and a court that is not providing much reasoning when they back him, it can further divide an already-split democracy, they said.

The court is still independent, Vladeck said. I think the issue is more that the court is enabling what a lot of people think is lawless behavior by the president, without explaining why its letting this behavior continue.

Vladeck said the concern among experts is not coming from the idea that the court is becoming less independent, but more so that the court is abdicating its responsibility to either push back against lawless behavior by the executive, or to explain to folks who think its lawless why theyre wrong.

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If the justices wanted to write and provide explanation about their ruling in an emergency case, theres nothing stopping them. And for cases with far-reaching implications for people across the country, its starting to become a concern, he said.

There are examples of unexplained rulings on emergency applications for much of the last decade, Vladeck said. But its the volume and the significance thats really setting these cases apart.

Politics and the court

Has the Supreme Court become more political? Loge argued that in some ways it has always been political, as the justices are political appointees nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. But there is still an understanding that the court is a separate and independent entity.

Its always been a bit political, but theres always been a view of remove, he said. Theres always been a yeah, theyre political, but theyre separate. Yeah, theyre political, but they are independent.

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While the 6-3 conservative majority puts the liberal-leaning justices in the minority on hotly debated issues like abortion, the court truly isnt that divided.

The justices may have philosophical differences and differing constitutional visions, but in the end, they are ruling on how they interpret the Constitution, Shapiro said, and the courts higher number of unanimous decisions in recent years proves that they arent as divided as it may appear.

An analysis from the Federalist Society found that during the 2022 term, when cases like Dobbs and affirmative action dominated news stories about the court, 48% of decisions were unanimous, which was a significant increase from the number of unanimous decisions the year prior.

Ideological conflicts still happen over big cases, but most of the work done by the Supreme Court is on a collegial, craftsmanlike, and consensus-seeking level, Walter Olson at the Cato Institute wrote last month.

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Still, as the American public becomes increasingly split over political matters, they start to associate the court more with politics, too.

People need to believe that the court can be independent from a traditional political party for democracy to work, Loge said. The point of an independent court is that its not ruling for any one specific body, he added.

By saying that everything that the court does is a win for one side and a loss for the other, we are saying that the American people are observers of democracy  were not participants in a democracy, he said.

That can become more difficult when elected officials on either side of the aisle say the court is comparable to a political organization, has a bias or is less credible because of that apparent bias, Loge argued.

You might not like the rulings of this court, you might not like some of the justices on the court, but if the American people stop believing in the legitimacy of the Supreme Court as a whole, then democracy is really at risk, he said.

The future of birthright citizenship

One of the courts more high-profile cases of the 2024-2025 term was focused on President Donald Trumps efforts to end birthright citizenship in the United States.

The Trump v. CASA case went through the emergency docket process. Rather than addressing birthright citizenship, the issue the court addressed was whether federal judges exceeded their power by issuing nationwide injunctions on the executive order to end birthright citizenship.

The 6-3 ruling that they had exceeded their authority was decided along ideological lines and was viewed as a win by the Trump administration.

Shortly after the Trump v. CASA ruling was issued, a federal judge banned Trump from enforcing the order to ban birthright by instead allowing a class action lawsuit to proceed.

A look ahead

Another case for the next term that both Loge and Shapiro are closely following was led by Vice President JD Vance.

Vance filed a lawsuit in 2022, while he was a Senate candidate in Ohio, challenging campaign finance restrictions.

The Supreme Court agreed to hear the challenge over limits to what political parties can spend on campaigns. Vance, the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee say the federal limits are a violation of the First Amendment and are looking to end the limit on how much the political parties can spend on an individual candidate.

Shapiro said that while there was conversation in the lead up to the November 2024 election that if Trump won, Alito and Thomas would potentially retire to allow Trump to nominate younger conservatives to replace them, it likely wont happen for a while.

Both Alito and Thomas, who are the oldest justices, they like where they are. Theyve never had more influence, more power, so why would they leave at the top of their game? Shapiro said.

He noted that to the extent that politics plays into a justices retirement, Republicans may be having quiet conversations about keeping their hold over the Senate and White House in coming elections, and that could influence Alito or Thomas decision to stay.

If it looks like the Republican brand is really low and theres much more likely than not a Democrat that wins the White House in 2028, at that point I could see Thomas retiring  in June 28, Shapiro said. We would have another election year confirmation battle.
President Trumps administration labeled Australias move to lift restrictions on U.S. beef imports as a major breakthrough, arguing it will give more market access to American farmers and ranchers.

Australias Agriculture Minister Julie Collins announced Australias capital of Canberra would ease biosecurity restrictions on U.S. beef imports after her department completed an assessment which has been conducted over the span of about five years.

This decision has been purely based on science and a rigorous assessment by my department. Our biosecurity risk assessment process is very robust, and I have faith in the officials in my department to do this appropriately, Collins told reporters Wednesday.

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My department officials have been across in the US. Theyve gone along the entire supply chain, including in abattoirs and cutting houses in the U.S., to ensure the safety and security of any beef along the supply chain that may come into Australia, and my experts are assured and are confident that we have this assessment correct, Collins added.

Australia has permitted the import of cattle raised in the U.S. since 2019, although it has not allowed imports of U.S. beef from cattle raised in Mexico and Canada over mad cow disease risks.

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins lauded the announcement as a major trade breakthrough that would allow U.S. farmers greater access to the Australian market.

American farmers and ranchers produce the safest, healthiest beef in the world. Its absurd that non-scientific trade barriers prevented our beef from being sold to consumers in Australia for the last 20 years, Rollins said in a statement late Wednesday.

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Gone are the days of putting American farmers on the sidelines. This is yet another example of the kind of market access the President negotiates to bring America into a new golden age of prosperity, with American agriculture leading the way, Rollins added.

Trump hammered Australias beef import restrictions in April when he announced that he would be imposing a 10 percent tariff on Canberra.

Yet we imported $3 billion of Australian beef from them just last year alone. They wont take any of our beef, Trump said at the time. They dont want it because they dont want it to affect their farmers and, you know, I dont blame them, but were doing the same thing right now.

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This story was originally published by ProPublica.

The Trump administration is considering slashing rules meant to protect the environment and the public during commercial rocket launches, changes that companies like Elon Musks SpaceX have long sought.

A draft executive order being circulated among federal agencies, and viewed by ProPublica, directs Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to use all available authorities to eliminate or expedite environmental reviews for launch licenses. It could also, in time, require states to allow more launches or even more launch sites  known as spaceports  along their coastlines.

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The order is a step toward the rollback of federal oversight that Musk, who has fought bitterly with the Federal Aviation Administration over his space operations, and others have pushed for. Commercial rocket launches have grown exponentially more frequent in recent years.

Critics warn such a move could have dangerous consequences.

It would not be reasonable for them to be rescinding regulations that are there to protect the public interest, and the public, from harm, said Jared Margolis, a senior attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit that works to protect animals and the environment. And thats my fear here: Are they going to change things in a way that puts people at risk, that puts habitats and wildlife at risk?

The White House did not answer questions about the draft order.

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The Trump administration is committed to cementing Americas dominance in space without compromising public safety or national security, said White House spokesperson Kush Desai. Unless announced by President Trump, however, discussion about any potential policy changes should be deemed speculation.

The order would give Trump even more direct control over the space industrys chief regulator by turning the civil servant position leading the FAAs Office of Commercial Space Transportation into a political appointment. The last head of the office and two other top officials recently took voluntary separation offers.

The order would also create a new adviser to the transportation secretary to shepherd in deregulation of the space industry.

The draft order comes as SpaceX is ramping up its ambitious project to build a reusable deep-space rocket to carry people to Earths orbit, the moon and eventually Mars. The rocket, called Starship, is the largest, most powerful ever built, standing 403 feet tall with its booster. The company has hit some milestones but has also been beset by problems, as three of the rockets launched from Texas this year have exploded  disrupting air traffic and raining debris on beaches and roads in the Caribbean and Gulf waters.

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The draft order also seeks to restrict the authority of state coastal officials who have challenged commercial launch companies like SpaceX, documents show. It could lead to federal officials interfering with state efforts to enforce their environmental rules when they conflict with the construction or operation of spaceports.

We shouldnt see any president, no matter what their party is, coming in and saying, This is what a state should prioritize or should do. Derek Brockbank, executive director for the Coastal States Organization

Derek Brockbank, executive director for the Coastal States Organization, said the proposed executive order could ultimately force state commissions to prioritize spaceport infrastructure over other land uses, such as renewable energy, waterfront development or coastal restoration, along the coastline. His nonprofit represents 34 coastal states and territories.

Its concerning that it could potentially undermine the rights of a state to determine how it wants its coast used, which was the very fundamental premise of the congressionally authorized Coastal Zone Management Act, he said. We shouldnt see any president, no matter what their party is, coming in and saying, This is what a state should prioritize or should do.

SpaceX is already suing the California Coastal Commission, accusing the agency of political bias and interference with the companys efforts to increase the number of Falcon 9 rocket launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base. The reusable Falcon 9 is SpaceXs workhorse rocket, ferrying satellites to orbit and astronauts to the International Space Station.

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The changes outlined in the order would greatly benefit SpaceX, which launches far more rockets into space than any other company in the U.S. But it would also help rivals such as Jeff Bezoss Blue Origin and California-based Rocket Lab. The companies have been pushing to pare down oversight for years, warning that the U.S. is racing with China to return to the moon  in hopes of mining resources like water and rare earth metals and using it as a stepping stone to Mars  and could lose if regulations dont allow U.S. companies to move faster, said Dave Cavossa, president of the Commercial Space Federation, a trade group that represents eight launch companies, including SpaceX, Blue Origin and Rocket Lab.

It sounds like theyve been listening to industry, because all of those things are things that weve been advocating for strongly, Cavossa said when asked about the contents of the draft order.

Cavossa said he sees some sort of environmental review process continuing to take place. What were talking about doing is right-sizing it, he said.

He added, We cant handle a yearlong delay for launch licenses.

The Blue Origin New Glenn rocket lifts off on Jan. 16, 2025, Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Getty Images)

The former head of the FAAs commercial space office said at a Congressional hearing last September that the office took an average of 151 days to issue a new license during the previous 11 years.

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Commercial space launches have boomed in recent years  from 26 in 2019 to 157 last year. With more than 500 total launches, mostly from Texas, Florida and California, SpaceX has been responsible for the lions share, according to FAA data.

But the company has tangled with the FAA, which last year proposed fining it $633,000 for violations related to two of its launches. The FAA did not answer a question last week about the status of the proposed fine.

SpaceX, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab and the FAA did not respond to requests for comment.

Currently, the FAAs environmental reviews look at 14 types of potential impacts that include air and water quality, noise pollution and land use, and provide details about the launches that are not otherwise available. They have at times drawn big responses from the public.

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When SpaceX sought to increase its Starship launches in Texas from five to 25 a year, residents and government agencies submitted thousands of comments. Most of the nearly 11,400 publicly posted comments opposed the increase, a ProPublica analysis found. The FAA approved the increase anyway earlier this year. After conducting an environmental assessment for the May launch of SpaceXs Starship Flight 9 from Texas, the FAA released documents that revealed as many as 175 airline flights could be disrupted and Turks and Caicos Providenciales International Airport would need to close during the launch.

In addition to seeking to cut short environmental reviews, the executive order would open the door for the federal government to rescind sections of the federal rule that seeks to keep the public safe during launches and reentries.

The rule, referred to as Part 450, was approved during Trumps first term and aimed to streamline commercial space regulations and speed approvals of launches. But the rule soon fell out of favor with launch companies, which said the FAA didnt provide enough guidance on how to comply and was taking too long to review applications.

Musk helped lead the charge. Last September, he told attendees at a conference in Los Angeles, It really should not be possible to build a giant rocket faster than paper can move from one desk to another. He called for the resignation of the head of the FAA, who stepped down as Trump took office.

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Other operators have expressed similar frustration, and some members of Congress have signaled support for an overhaul. In February, Rep. Brian Babin, R-Texas, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., signed a letter asking the Government Accountability Office to review the process for approving commercial launches and reentries.

In their letter, Babin and Lofgren wrote they wanted to understand whether the rules are effectively and efficiently accommodating United States commercial launch and reentry operations, especially as the cadence and technological diversity of such operations continues to increase.

The draft executive order directs the secretary of transportation to reevaluate, amend, or rescind sections of Part 450 to enable a diversified set of operators to achieve an increase in commercial space launch cadence and novel space activities by an order of magnitude by 2030.

The order also directs the Department of Commerce to streamline regulation of novel space activity, which experts say could include things like mining or making repairs in space, that doesnt fall under other regulations.

Heather Vogell covers commercial space companies and the federal agencies that work with and regulate them, like the Federal Aviation Administration and NASA. Topher Sanders reports on injustice of any kind, but particularly in race, inequality and the legal system.

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Brandon Roberts and Pratheek Rebala contributed data analysis.

The post Trump Administration Looking to Slash Environmental Protection Rules for Rocket Launches appeared first on Katie Couric Media.
In a decision that critics say reeks of corruption and threatens press freedoms, the Federal Communications Commission has approved Skydances $8 billion acquisition of CBS parent company Paramount Global, both of which made significant concessions to President Donald Trump in recent weeks.

The merger approved Thursday is likely to result in a rightward shift at CBS News, one of the countrys three major media networks. In a statement announcing the agencys approval, FCC Chairman and Project 2025 author Brendan Carr said he anticipates significant changes at the network.

Americans no longer trust the legacy national news media to report fully, accurately, and fairly. It is time for a change, he said. That is why I welcome Skydances commitment to make significant changes at the once storied CBS broadcast network. In particular, Skydance has made written commitments to ensure that the new companys programming embodies a diversity of viewpoints from across the political and ideological spectrum.

CBS News studio at Times Square in Manhattan. NurPhoto via Getty Images

The approval comes a week after a federal filing in the matter revealed that Skydance, run by CEO David Ellison, promised the Trump administration it was committed to bringing unbiased journalism and diverse viewpoints that reflect the varied ideological perspectives of American viewers to CBS News  signaling to the FCC that the network would present more Trump-friendly content.

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And earlier this month, Paramount agreed to pay Trump a staggering $16 million to settle a lawsuit he brought over a 60 Minutes episode he didnt like, claiming it was deceptively edited to boost then-Vice President Kamala Harris chances of beating him in the 2024 election.

This week, Trump also claimed that Paramounts new owners would be gifting him an additional $20 million in free advertising and programming  something Democratic senators characterized as a secret side deal.

The mergers approval was also preceded by CBS canceling The Late Show hosted by comedian Stephen Colbert, who regularly skewers the Trump administration and slammed Paramounts settlement live on air earlier this month. While the network said canceling the highly rated show was purely a financial decision, many speculated it had come under pressure from the president, who said he absolutely love[d] that the program was getting axed.

The FCCs lone Democrat, Anna Gomez, issued a scathing response to the commissions approval Thursday.

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After months of cowardly capitulation to this Administration, Paramount finally got what it wanted. Unfortunately, it is the American public who will ultimately pay the price for its actions, she wrote, accusing the FCC of coercing Paramount into the settlement.

In an unprecedented move, this once-independent FCC used its vast power to pressure Paramount to broker a private legal settlement and further erode press freedom, she continued, saying its incredibly alarming to see the FCC imposing never-before-seen controls over newsroom decisions and editorial judgment, in direct violation of the First Amendment and the law.

The possibility of Paramount settling with Trump outraged some lawmakers, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and appeared to cause tensions among CBS News staff.

In April, 60 Minutes top producer Bill Owens departed, saying it had become clear that I would not be allowed to run the show as I have always run it, to make independent decisions based on what was right for 60 Minutes, right for the audience.

President Donald Trump visits the Federal Reserve, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Washington. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

The following month, CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon also announced she was leaving the company, saying it had become clear that the company and I do not agree on the path forward.

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Paramounts settlement with Trump came in spite of company lawyers calling the lawsuit meritless as recently as last month.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said the settlement that preceded the merger may amount to bribery.

The appearance of this wink-wink deal basically lets every other company and every other billionaire know that Trump is open for business, apparently happy to accept offers in exchange for favors, she said in a video reaction to the merger she posted on social media.

Make no mistake: These CEOs may think they can get away with anything they want, but they are not immune from the law, she continued. Bribery is still illegal. None of us can be silent about this.

David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Global. Kristina Bumphrey via Getty Images

Democratic Sens. Ed Markey (Mass.) and Ben Ray Lujan (N.M.) also spoke out following news of the merger, saying in a joint statement that it reeks of the worst form of corruption.

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In addition to CBS News, Paramount owns BET, MTV, Nickelodeon, Showtime and Comedy Central, which aired an episode of the long-running series South Park that brutally mocks the president on Wednesday. The Season 27 premiere was peppered with scenes of Trump suing all his critics, jokes about him having a small penis and a bit in which the president tries to initiate sex with Satan but is rebuked because he heard Trump is on the Epstein list.

The White House seethed at the depiction.

Just like the creators of South Park, the Left has no authentic or original content, which is why their popularity continues to hit record lows, spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in a statement. This show hasnt been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention.

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The U.S. and European Union have signed an agreement for Brussels to fully fund the purchase of U.S. weapons, some of which will be sent to Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on July 23 at the AI summit in Washington.

Since the start of Trump's second term, Washington had not provided Kyiv with new military aid packages until July. The administration eventually approved arms sales to Ukraine, announcing the first potential delivery on July 23.

The deal stipulates that the U.S. will deliver weapons to the EU, which will handle distribution among member states, with most of the arms expected to go to Ukraine, according to Trump.

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Trump added that the EU will spend money in the U.S. on its defense companies, which "should have been done three years ago."

The U.S. approved two military aid packages for Ukraine on July 23, totaling $322 million. One includes HAWK Phase III air defense systems, while the other supplies parts to repair Bradley infantry fighting vehicles.

The State Department confirmed the sale would have no negative impact on U.S. defense readiness.

Previously, the U.S. and Germany also agreed to deliver five Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, as Russia has escalated its long-range strike campaign on Ukrainian cities.

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The new commitment follows U.S. President Donald Trump's July 14 announcement of a NATO- and EU-backed initiative under which alliance members will purchase U.S.-made weapons systems for Ukraine.

Washington has already sent three Patriot batteries to Ukraine, with Germany providing three more. An additional battery has come from a European coalition, though not all of the systems are currently operational due to routine maintenance rotations.

Read also: A fatal mistake  Ukrainian soldiers slam Zelenskys anti-corruption crackdown

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A Trump-appointed judge on Wednesday dealt a blow to the White Houses bid to kick out labor unions from an array of federal agencies.

Judge Alan Albright of the Western District of Texas said that the Trump administration lacks the legal standing necessary to pursue the case it filed against the American Federation of Government Employees, the largest labor union representing federal workers.

The lawsuit was a preemptive strike against AFGE and other public-sector unions, seeking to nullify collective bargaining agreements that interfered with White House goals. It was submitted shortly after President Donald Trump signed an executive order in March stripping hundreds of thousands of government workers of unionization rights by vastly expanding the use of a national security exemption in federal labor law to cover agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency and Agriculture Department.

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In the complaint, eight of the agencies claimed that the Biden administration entered into midnight deals with labor unions aimed at hamstringing its successor. They asked the court for an affirmative blessing in order to invalidate the collective bargaining agreements  a request that Albright said was something the court should not and could not do."

This Court is unable to identify a single instance in which a federal court has exercised jurisdiction over agencies seeking a pre-enforcement declaratory judgment approving their desired future course of conduct, Albright wrote in a 27-page ruling Wednesday.

He said that doing so would risk opening a Pandoras Box in which the executive branch would begin to routinely go to court to greenlight its executive orders.

Albright also noted that a different federal judge in Kentucky came to the same conclusion on standing back in May.

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Nevertheless, he wrote that the administration offered compelling arguments supporting Trumps determination that these agencies are primarily engaged in national security work and, therefore, can be exempted from unionization.

The White House and AFGE did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

In the aftermath of Trumps executive order, agencies worked to stop deducting union dues from workers paychecks  a critical blow to AFGE's and other groups' ability to fund their operations. Unions have moved to set up alternative collections mechanisms but have said in court papers that the administrations decision will cost them millions of dollars.

Unions have filed lawsuits of their own in multiple courthouses across the country.

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Several district court judges have ruled against the White House, casting doubt on the sincerity of Trumps national security justification. Lawyers for the affected unions cited a White House fact sheet and other evidence that the executive order was actually intended as a retaliatory measure against labor groups for challenging the president's policies.

However, a D.C. appellate court in May lifted a lower-court block against the Trump administration and signaled that the president should have considerable leeway when it comes to national security implications. An appeals court in California likewise appeared reticent to overrule Trump's determination in a hearing earlier this month.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo.  The office of Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe announced today that President Donald Trump approved a disaster declaration for the Memorial Day weekend storms that impacted the state between May 23-26.

The severe weather during Memorial Day weekend brought storms, hail, flooding and heavy rain to the Missouri region.

According to Kehoes Office, this is the fifth major disaster declaration this year for Missouri.

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Other disaster declarations include:

March 14-15 storms

March 30  April 8 storms

April 29 storms

May 16 storms

The office says Kehoe requested a federal disaster declaration on June 21 in the aftermath of the joint Preliminary Damage Assessments that were conducted in the state. Kehoes office estimates damages and repairs to be around $13.5 million.

I spoke personally with President Trump last night, and we appreciate his approval of this federal assistance, which will provide millions of dollars to assist in rebuilding infrastructure that is vital to the recovery of the impacted communities, Kehoe said.

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The disaster declaration for the Memorial Day weekend will help these five Missouri counties: Dade, Douglas, Ozark, Vernon and Webster.

Resources about disaster recovery in Missouri can be found 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.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Four months after Oregon Governor Tina Kotek declared a state of emergency in response to the floods that swept through southern Oregon, federal disaster assistance is finally available.

In a statement issued Wednesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that President Trump approved the disaster declaration. The decision makes federal funds available to help rebuild Oregon communities hit hardest by flooding in March.

55 men allege abuse at OYA after additional lawsuits filed

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With limited state and local capacity, federal resources are essential to help communities impacted by disaster to recover and prevent future devastation, Governor Kotek said in a statement.

Oregonians are resilient and inspiring. FEMA stepping up to support our recovery efforts is much appreciated. I want to thank President Trump and everyone who advocated to make this declaration a reality, she added.

The historic floods began in southwest Oregon on March 16 and lasted for one week. They resulted in landslides, power outages and numerous rescues across Coos, Curry, Douglas and Harney counties.

Flooding at a home in Douglas County following a disastrous storm in March of 2025. (Douglas County Sheriffs Office)

FEMAs announcement comes after months of uncertainty about the availability of funds and the future of the agency. As early as March, the governor began voicing concerns about the availability of disaster funds.

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In May, Governor Kotek issued a Presidential Disaster Declaration, which sought public assistance to repair roads, public buildings and utilities, as well as individual assistance to support families displaced by flood damage. It will also go toward a Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to support long-term flood protection.

Scappoose woman, 20, indicted on child sex crimes turns herself in

Less than a month later, President Trump once again said he wanted to scale back FEMA.

We want to wean off of FEMA and we want to bring it down to the state level  a little bit like education, were moving it back to the states, President Trump said on June 10.

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The governors request for funding included Coos, Curry, Douglas and Harney counties. Harney county was not included in the federal declaration made Wednesday, though the Oregon legislature approved special funds in its most recent session to address the impact of the floods in Burns and Harney counties.

Following FEMAs announcement that funds will be available to aid southern Oregon in flood recovery, Rep. Cliff Bentz shared May 22 letter sent to FEMA Region 10 Director Vincent Maykovich.

Historic rainfall and snowmelt caused major flooding in Harney County beginning March 14, 2025, according to the Harney County Sheriffs Office (Courtesy Burns Paiute Reservation Natural Resources Department, Trey Wall.)

This disaster resulted in damage that far exceeds what these rural counties can bear alone, Rep. Bentz said in the letter. It is essential to note that this figure reflects only validated damage and does not yet include longterm recovery needs, environmental hazards, and the socio-economic toll on these vulnerable communities.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
President Donald Trumps order seeking to end birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.

In their sprawling 78-page ruling, the panel of judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit wrote they fully agree with the decision of a lower-court, which blocked the order nationwide.

We conclude that the Executive Order is invalid because it contradicts the plain language of the Fourteenth Amendments grant of citizenship to all persons born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, the ruling stated.

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The 9th Circuit ruling blocks the Trump administration from enforcing the order that would deny citizenship to children born to people who are in the U.S. illegally or temporarily.

President Donald Trumps order seeking to end birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday (AP)

The judges wrote: The district court correctly concluded that the Executive Orders proposed interpretation, denying citizenship to many persons born in the United States, is unconstitutional. We fully agree.

The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment on Wednesdays ruling.

It comes after the push was also blocked by a federal judge in New Hampshire, and puts the issue  in which Trump seeks to unilaterally redefine who gets to be a citizen  one step closer to quickly coming back before the Supreme Court.

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New Hampshire District Judge Joseph Laplante agreed to grant class-action status to all babies who stood to lose automatic U.S. citizenship when Trumps order took effect, saying that his decision was not a close call.

LaPlante noted that thousands of children would be deprived of their citizenship should Trumps order go into effect. Thats irreparable harm, citizenship alone, he said. It is the greatest privilege that exists in the world.

Several other courts have already struck down the presidents attempt to block citizenship from newborn Americans who are born to certain immigrant parents.

But last month the Supreme Court determined those judges went too far by issuing nationwide injunctions instead of applying the rulings to only the states and plaintiffs who sued the administration.

Additional reporting from Alex Woodward.
President Donald Trump says he wants Elon Musk to thrive just weeks after threatening to end the tech billionaires government contracts.

Everyone is stating that I will destroy Elons companies by taking away some, if not all, of the large scale subsidies he receives from the U.S. Government. This is not so! Trump wrote Thursday on Truth Social.

He continued, I want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE, in fact, THRIVE like never before! The better they do, the better the USA does, and thats good for all of us. We are setting records every day, and I want to keep it that way!

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The POTUS comments appear to be a total 180 from his recent statements from both himself and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt amid the ongoing drama with Musk, the former head of Trumps Department of Government Efficiency.

On Wednesday, Leavitt said that she does not think Trump supports federal agencies contracting with Musks artificial intelligence company, xAI.

After Leavitt was questioned about whether she thinks Trump would seek to have the government cancel the contract with the corporation, which was announced last week, Leavitt said she would discuss it with the president.

Musk scored the contract for up to $200 million with the Department of Defense alongside three other major tech firms  Anthropic, Google and OpenAI.

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In June, Trump also threatened to axe federal contracts with Musk-run businesses, such as SpaceX.

The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elons Governmental Subsidies and Contracts, the president wrote in a June 5 Truth Social post.

Musk quickly fired back on X, formerly Twitter, writing, Go ahead, make my day 

Trump and Musk have been at odds since May after the businessmans temporary advisory role in the Trump administrations Department of Government Efficiency ended.

Following Musks exit, the pair have taken several digs at each other. Trump announced in June that he would look into Musks deportation (Musk was born in South Africa). Meanwhile, the Tesla head has publicly slammed Trumps controversial spending and tax bill, also known as the Big Beautiful Bill.

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When President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump visited the Kennedy Center last month to see Les Miserables, part of the crowd booed when the couple stood up.

Roughly six weeks later, a House panel voted to rename the Kennedy Center venue where Les Mis appeared "First Lady Melania Trump Opera House.

As president of the United States, its not uncommon to have places, monuments and streets bearing your name. Earlier this month, the road in front of Donald Trumps private club, Mar-a-Lago, known as Southern Boulevard, was approved by Palm Beach County, Florida, commissioners to be renamed President Donald J. Trump Boulevard. Next months release of Trump Mobile  complete with gold cell phone and monthly plan  is another example.

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More: Lawmakers vote to name Kennedy Center opera house after Melania Trump

On June 11, the president and first lady attended the opening night of Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Melania Trump stood alongside her husband when Donald Trump appeared on the balcony. A cacophony of jeers, cheers and claps broke out ahead of a "USA" chant, video posted on X (and in this story) shows.

More: 'Oh really?': Trump says his wife Melania has some thoughts on Vladimir Putin

On July 22, a House panel advanced a measure to rename a venue at the Kennedy Center in honor of Melania Trump. The measure was voted on as part of a larger amendment approved by the Appropriations Committee. The larger House and Senate still have to vote on the spending bill.

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The theater is presently designated as the "Opera House," located between the "Concert Hall" and the "Eisenhower Theater."

Donald Trump had never attended a Kennedy Center show during his first term, but he has waged a conservative takeover on the institution since returning to the White House earlier this year. He designated himself chairman shortly after he took office.

What is Trumps presidential salary? How much do US presidents make an hour? We did the math for you

President Donald Trump was greeted with a high-volume mix of boos and cheers as he took his seat for his first production at the Kennedy Center, the performing arts facility he has subjected to a conservative takeover https://t.co/MitJPI8KdF pic.twitter.com/4VKrQwbemc  Reuters (@Reuters) June 12, 2025

Contributing: Samantha Neely, USA TODAY Network-Florida

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Kennedy Center may rename opera house after Melania Trump
US President Donald Trump is in contact with the Senate regarding sanctions against Russia, but wants to make the decision himself.

Source: White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt during a briefing on 23 July, quoted by European Pravda

Details: A journalist asked Leavitt to comment on the statement by Republicans in the Senate regarding the withdrawal of the bill on imposing sanctions against Russia. As she said, this happened after Trump said he wanted to act unilaterally.

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"The president has been in very close communication with his friends in the Senate, particularly Senator Lindsey Graham, on this issue. But the president has always maintained that he is the commander-in-chief and the president for a reason, and he has been deeply involved in this conflict since the beginning," the White House spokeswoman replied.

Leavitt then emphasised that Trump wants to reserve any decisions on sanctions for himself.

It should be noted that The New York Times wrote that Trump's threat to punish Russia if it does not reach a truce with Ukraine within 50 days has halted a bipartisan initiative in the Senate to impose tough new sanctions against countries doing business with Moscow.

The bill, co-authored by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal, was supported by 83 senators. It provides for the imposition of sanctions of at least 500% on imports from Russia or any country that purchases Russian uranium or petroleum products.

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However, as the publication noted, after it was initially announced that the bill could be put to a vote this month, Republican leaders backed down to allow Trump to take unilateral action.

"I think the president has decided to act unilaterally on this issue," Senator John Thune said, adding that Trump "understands what it takes to get the Russians to the negotiating table".

Graham, for his part, said that Trump "has embraced the concept we have been promoting".

Blumenthal, despite welcoming Trump's promise to target the Russian economy with sanctions, noted that the bill would be a more effective tool for this.

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"Our bill is better because it's not just a hammer; it's a sledgehammer, which is stronger and sends a message of unity. That's why we will continue to push," he said.

Background:

It should be noted that after Trump gave Russia a 50-day deadline, Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba said that the US president should not wait 50 days to impose secondary sanctions against Russia.

Lithuania called on the US to deal a crushing blow with sanctions against Russia and those who support it after the EU approved the long-awaited 18th package of sanctions against Russia.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
President Donald Trump denied on Thursday he would cut the large scale subsidies tech billionaire Elon Musk receives from the federal government despite an ongoing rift between the former allies.

I want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE, in fact, THRIVE like never before, he wrote in a Truth Social post. The better they do, the better the USA does, and thats good for all of us.

Despite once serving as Trumps chief cost-cutter, Musk has received billions in federal money, often in the form of subsidies. Just in July, Musks xAI won a federal contract with the Department of Defense for $200 million, aimed at enhancing the agencys artificial intelligence capacities.

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On Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said she doesnt think Trump supports these federal agencies contracting with Musk but said she would speak with the president about it.

And despite Trump insisting that it is not true he will destroy Elons companies by taking away federal subsidies as everyone has been saying, Trump himself suggested he might consider it.

The easiest way to save money in our Budget, Billions and Billions of Dollars, is to terminate Elons Governmental Subsidies and Contracts, he wrote on Truth Social in June.

Musk, once the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency, has a lot to lose if Trump ultimately decides to block contracts and subsidies moving forward. Its a risk the worlds richest man appears to have taken when he publicly scorned the presidents One Big Beautiful Bill, calling it a disgusting abomination, among other criticisms.

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Musk later walked the statements back, saying he went too far in attacking Trump. And though the president seemed to accept the apology, saying he had no hard feelings, he still continued to attack Musk in later Truth Social posts.

Elon may get more subsidy than any human being in history, by far, and without subsidies, Elon would probably have to close up shop and head back home to South Africa. No more Rocket launches, Satellites, or Electric Car Production, and our Country would save a FORTUNE, he said. Perhaps we should have DOGE take a good, hard, look at this?
WESTERNPORT  For a poor, rural county where nearly 70% of voters helped put Donald Trump back in the White House, the presidents denial of federal disaster help is especially painful.

Westernport Administrator Laura Freeman-Legge and the towns mayor, Judy Hamilton, were in a meeting with Gov. Wes Moores office and the Maryland Department of Emergency Management on Wednesday when they got the bad news.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency denied disaster assistance for local areas, including Westernport and Georges Creek, that were ravaged by floodwaters in May.

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No reason for the denial was available Wednesday.

We are heartbroken, Freeman-Legge said. Without FEMA funding, we will be unable to reopen roads and fully rebuild the damage left behind by the flood.

She spoke of damages and losses.

Weve been in the homes and have seen the need, Freeman-Legge said. Weve also seen the strength of our people rebuilding everyday with determination and heart.

While the FEMA decision is a setback, it is not the end, she said.

AppealMoore via statement Wednesday said the devastating floods that hit the area in May clearly met disaster assistance criteria established by FEMA.

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Maryland will appeal the decision to seek all available resources to support the recovery efforts, he said.

Moore described the events that led to the destruction.

A stationary low-pressure system in the Ohio River Valley produced extreme rainfall between May 12 and May 14, causing Georges Creek to reach a near-record level of 12.41 feet, overflowing into several towns in Allegany County, he said. Rising waters forced evacuations in both Garrett and Allegany counties.

Moore requested federal disaster assistance for both counties on June 13.

The request followed a swift and comprehensive assessment involving an in-depth review of damage costs, community impact and site visits to secure federal support as quickly as possible, he said.

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Through the coordinated assessment process, FEMA, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management and local officials estimated more than $15.8 million in emergency response costs and damage to infrastructure, including more than 200 homes, numerous businesses, roads and bridges, railroads, sewer systems, drinking water and public utilities.

These estimates are above and beyond the thresholds for disaster assistance set by FEMA, Moore said.

Historically, if the joint damage assessment process demonstrates eligible costs over and above the county and state indicator, disaster assistance has been awarded by the president, he said. Allegany Countys threshold for FEMA Public Assistance is $321,460 and Marylands is $11,674,953.

Maryland immediately took action to make funding available directly to residents and businesses to assist with recovery, Moore said, adding that the state Department of Emergency Management awarded Allegany County $459,375 from the State Disaster Recovery Fund on June 10.

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An additional $1 million was made available to Allegany and Garrett counties through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, he said. We will continue to stand with our fellow Marylanders in Western Maryland as they rebuild from the damage caused in May.

Freeman-Legge said Westernport is in full support of Moores appeal.

We are proud of how far weve come, and we plan to continue to fight for the support our communities deserve, she said.

ReactionsThis morning, we were notified that our request for federal disaster assistance through FEMA has been denied, said Kati Kenney, public relations and communications manager for Allegany County Government.

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While this news is deeply disappointing, it does not stop the recovery efforts already underway in our community, she said.

Local crews continue to work tirelessly to address infrastructure damage, and we are actively re-engaging with our state and federal partners to pursue every possible avenue of support.

U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and Congresswoman April McClain Delaney released a joint statement in response to Trumps denial of federal funds.

Two months after flash flooding tore through these communities, they are still in need of support to repair public schools and libraries that were inundated, roads and bridges that were washed out, and homes and businesses that were left severely damaged, they said.

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Last month, every member of the Maryland Congressional Delegation supported Marylands request for a presidential disaster declaration to address the recovery needs of the Allegany and Garrett County communities impacted by Mays flash floods.

We strongly urge the president to reconsider this decision and deliver federal resources to Allegany and Garrett counties so they are not forced to shoulder the burden of recovery on their own, they said.
The Trump administration has moved to release tranches of documents from controversial past investigations amid increasing scrutiny into its handling of the Epstein investigation  prompting criticism that the White House is seeking a distraction.

Last week, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released 114 pages of documents related to the investigation into Russias efforts to influence the 2016 election  something President Trump raised again this week when he said former President Obama was guilty of treason in connection with the matter.

Then, Monday, Attorney General Pam Bondi released an Office of Inspector General review into Hillary Clintons private email server, sharing it with Congress.

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Hours later, Bondi and Gabbard released 230,000 pages related to the investigation into the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

It doesnt take a whole lot of guesswork to say, Gee, do you think they kind of, maybe, sort of want to change the subject? said Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who has called for the release of financial records related to Jeffrey Epstein, given his numerous wire transfers.

Im just saying  just saying  maybe. Possibly. Conceivably. That could be it.

The flood of information has not gone unnoticed.

Theyre not dumping documents. Theyre making up lies, said Rep. Jim Himes (Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee.

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The Trump administration is constantly promising conspiracy and then failing to deliver, which is what they did with Epstein, which is now why were creating a whole new conspiracy, which is that President Obama is guilty of treason. Its a Ponzi scheme of conspiracy theories.

When asked about Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell in the Oval Office on Tuesday, Trump pivoted to talking about his predecessor.

I dont really follow that too much. Its sort of a witch hunt. Just a continuation of the witch hunt. The witch hunt that you should be talking about is, they caught President Obama absolutely cold.

In a rare public statement, Obama called the accusations against him an effort at distraction.

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Our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response, an Obama spokesperson said.

But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one. These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.

It was Gabbards Wednesday release of an additional classified report on the 2016 election put together by the House Intelligence Committee that most alarmed Sen. Mark Warner (Va.), the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee.

The only thing not being released is the Epstein files. But today, todays action sets a new low for a DNI, Warner said, using an abbreviation for director of national intelligence.

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Of course its a distraction. But this one is so grossly over the top, that it will put people in harms way, he added, noting the House report references intelligence sources and methods.

Release of the documents gave MAGA influencers who were angry over the lack of Epstein disclosures for weeks a new topic  and grievance  to push. After Gabbards first release, MAGA personalities called to arrest Obama administration officials and even the former president himself.

A study by Media Matters found Fox News had mentioned Obama three times more than Epstein since Gabbard released her report Friday. Conversations about the former president spiked overall  more than doubling in the days after the Friday release.

But despite some conservative voices elevating Gabbards releases, they have gotten mixed results.

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While some have called the releases an important form of transparency and a delivery on a campaign promise, that has not negated their interest in Epstein.

House GOP leaders, for instance, moved to send members home for August recess a day early after disputes about the Epstein matter  and an unwillingness to face Democratic votes trying to squeeze Republicans on the Epstein issue  stymied the House. And the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Tuesday voted to subpoena Epsteins convicted ex-girlfriend Maxwell, following a motion from Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.).

In a separate vote late Wednesday, another Oversight panel moved to subpoena the files, as well as information on other figures.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), who has called for the release of numerous classified files and is leading an investigation into the assassination of former President Kennedy, disputed that the timing had anything to do with Epstein.

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I know for a fact that the MLK documents were in the queue and scheduled for release, and so the timing was not obviously related, Luna said.

The MLK stuff was slated for release.  And then the Russia collusion evidence  documents of the hoax, actually, I also heard was scheduled for release. So I think that theyre just trying to show that theyre very transparent.

Luna said it was proper to subpoena Maxwell, though she added that it would be improper for the Epstein associate to receive a pardon.

I maintain my same position  havent changed. We should see the documents, Luna said.

For his part, Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) swiftly released the Clinton documents shared with him by Bondi.

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When youve been waiting eight years to get documents, you release them as soon as you get them, he said.

Still, others see the issue as a problem of the administrations own making after years of embracing and promoting conspiracy theories, including those about Epstein.

Theyve got a problem, a source close to the White House said on the sentiment inside the Trump team.

Its a little bit of the chickens coming home to roost. When you populate your administration [full] of people who propagated this and then all of a sudden, they hold the keys to the kingdom, now the true believers who arent in government want to say, OK, open it up. At some point, this is where the ideal of the campaign, the promises made in the campaign, actually come home to roost. There may be nothing there, but they created a cloud in expectations that there was something there, the source close to the White House said.

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Whenever Trump is truly in trouble, he changes the story by whatever means necessary, one longtime GOP lobbyist added.

Its not clear that the strategy is working.

They are releasing these other files, but theyre refusing to release the files they promised their base, the Epstein files. I think theyre digging their hole deeper, said Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a former House Intelligence Chair amid the GOP investigation into the 2016 election.

He noted the latest information implies intelligence leaders mishandled the investigation by noting Russia never accessed vote totals  something that was never in dispute.

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Theyre damned by the implication that theyre pushing out all this other stuff, and theyre still refusing to release the Epstein files.

Alex Gangitano and Emily Brooks 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.
In brokering the recently signed peace treaty between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump promised to once and for all bring peace to a region consumed by more than three decades of some of historys bloodiest wars and violence. Building on this momentum, Trumps envoy, Massad Boulos, participated in parallel talks mediated by Qatar between Congo and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebellion, which culminated in the signing of a preliminary agreement for a permanent ceasefire in eastern Congo.

While Trump has all but proclaimed a historic peace, worthy in his mind of the Nobel Peace Prize he covets, the war has raged on, deepening a humanitarian catastrophe worsened by the impact of U.S. funding cuts to international aid. These contradictions have fueled skepticism among observers about whether these diplomatic breakthroughs will deliver on the ambitious promises made to the people of the region, or whether they are simply politically expedient transactional exchanges based on narrow security and economic interests.

From a regional perspective, the treaty marks the most significant global diplomatic engagement on the conflict in eastern Congo since the 2013 Addis Ababa accord, which involved no less than 11 states and four international and regional institutions. Coming 10 years after the end of the Second Congo War, the Addis Ababa accord was the first major initiative seeking to comprehensively cement peace after the deadliest conflict since World War II. It included, among other things, a comprehensive political process to find solutions to the root causes of the conflict as well as an enforcement and follow-up mechanism involving civil society. Unfortunately, lack of political will by the signatories and subsequent disengagement by the international community foreclosed its chances of success.

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By contrast, the U.S.-Qatari approach is neither multilateral nor grounded in the regional chessboard, and it is not nearly so comprehensive. Denis Mukwege, the Congolese gynecologist who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 for his efforts to end rape as a weapon war in eastern Congo, blasted the bilateral approach favored by Washington in the face of a crisis that is largely regional in scope and asserted that the U.S.-led initiative will sow the seeds of repeated conflicts and mass atrocities.

To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter.

The narrow interests of the treatys signatories are clear enough. For Washington, the real goal is to gain entry into Congos Chinese-dominated mining sector in order to reduce U.S. dependence on Beijing for the critical minerals required for the renewable energy and tech revolutions. Qatar also has important infrastructure investments in Rwanda and Congo at stake. For his part, embattled Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi is seeking U.S. backing for the survival of his regime, which has been rattled by coup fears and as recently as January faced the very real threat of being toppled by the M23 rebels. Finally, the deal rehabilitates Rwanda from the status of a rogue state in violation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773, which in February ordered the withdrawal of its forces from eastern Congo and cessation of its support for the M23.

The conflict between the M23, Rwanda and Congo is only part of larger regional tensions that feed into the current crisis. In fact, eastern Congo is ravaged by a constellation of armed groups perpetuating a cycle of violence.

In fact, Rwanda appears to be the clearest winner of the peace treaty. The preeminence of Kigalis preferred diplomatic language in the document is striking, down to describing its military deployment in eastern Congowhich is covert in name onlyas defensive measures undertaken by Rwanda against the FDLR, a Hutu armed group in eastern DRC opposed to Rwandan President Paul Kagames rule. Although there is unanimous agreement that the group poses no serious military threat to Rwanda, Kigali continues to paint the FDLR as the single biggest obstacle to peace in eastern Congo. The treaty notably conditions any Rwandan withdrawaleuphemistically described as the lifting of these defensive measureson the neutralization of the FDLR.

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The vague language of neutralization and the absence of a robust, independent and international verification mechanism gives Rwanda the ability to indefinitely use the FDLRs presence to either delay its withdrawal or to once again intervene in eastern Congo in the future. This is a likely scenario, given that the U.N. Group of Experts on Congo indicated in their latest report that Rwanda is using the FDLR as a cover for the capture of lucrative agricultural and mineral-rich areas in the region. Furthermore, the report warns that Kigalis ultimate objective is the annexation of parts of eastern Congo This possibility is not so remote in light of the serious debates in Rwandas parliament in recent months centering on territories in eastern Congo that Kigali claims were taken away from Rwanda by Belgian colonizers. For all these reasons, Kigali has a manifest interest in ensuring that the FDLR endures in one form or another.

A more sustainable way forward on the issue of the FDLR would have been direct peace talks between the group and the Rwandan government, and in fact the groups leaders recently appealed for dialogue with Kigali. But Rwandan authorities have refused to meet with what they characterize as a terrorist, genocidal group due to links between the FDLRs founders and the vanquished former Rwandan army at the time of the 1994 genocide.

However, no FDLR leader or commander has ever been charged by an international tribunal in connection with the 1994 genocide. Moreover, Kigali has already significantly weakened the FDLR, while reintegrating thousands of its fighters into its own armed forces. In fact, a significant number of former senior FDLR commandersincluding officers with links to the 1994 genocide-era Rwandan armyhave been serving in the Rwandan military reserve forces.

Meanwhile, the Congo-Rwanda peace treaty refers the issue of Rwandas M23 proxy to the Qatar-led mediation. Since November 2021, when the M23 attacked Congolese forces after almost a decade of inactivity, thereby sparking the current crisis, Tshisekedis government had refused to engage in direct negotiations with the group under the auspices of various African mediation processes, branding it as a terrorist puppet of Rwanda. In April, however, it agreed to the talks in Qatar, in parallel with the U.S.-led track with Rwanda. That resulted in the framework agreement signed between the two sides last week, which commits them to finalize a definitive peace treaty no later than Aug. 18. However, disagreements remain on whether or not the final deal will require the M23 to withdraw from the territory it has seized, especially the major city of Goma.

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The M23 first emerged in 2012 as a splinter group from the CNDP, a previous Rwandan-backed militia in eastern Congo that made peace with Kinshasa. When M23 seized Goma after a year of fighting, U.S.-led global pressure on Rwanda forced the rebels into retreat and a truce with Kinshasa in 2013. But that deal was always shaky, with renewed clashes between the insurgents and Congolese forces reported as early as 2017. After taking office in 2019, Tshisekedi secured a tripartite agreement with Rwanda and the M23 that created a roadmap for the repatriation and integration into the Congolese armed forces of an M23 faction cantoned in Rwanda. In October 2020, an M23 delegation traveled to Kinshasa for follow-up talks with the government but was kept waiting for months before being received. When it finally met with Congolese officials, it presented them with a request for a $1 million fund to support demobilization and reintegration of M23 fighters, but it is not clear if the money was ever disbursed. Just months later, clashes intensified and led to the resumption of fighting.

Residents walk by charred vehicles, in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, Jan. 31, 2025 (AP photo by Moses Sawasawa).

But the communication breakdown between the M23, Rwanda and Congo is only part of larger regional tensions that feed into the current crisis. In fact, eastern Congo is ravaged by a constellation of armed groups perpetuating a cycle of violence. They include the Wazalendo militias backed by the Congolese army; the Twirwaneho Tutsi militia backed by Rwanda; the ADF terrorist group affiliated with the Islamic State and hostile to Uganda; and the Red Tabara rebel group fighting the government of Burundi.

These groups are sustained by a variety of factors, including support from neighboring countries, the collapse or fragility of state authority and revenues from a criminal economy. The Congolese governments inability to stem the insecurity they cause had led Tshisekedi to sign bilateral security cooperation deals with neighboring countries. Under these agreements, Kinshasa invited troops from Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda to deploy for joint military operations against these groups. But instead, rivalries between these countries for supremacy in eastern Congo further fueled conflict dynamics in the region. For example, observers believe that the 2021 Ugandan military deployment and road construction in North Kivu was a major irritant for Rwanda, contributing to its decision to support the resurgence of the M23.

Furthermore, shifting security alliances make regional players fluid actors, whether in working toward peace or accelerating the rush to war. In 2013, for instance, Uganda was instrumental in brokering the truce between the Congolese government and the M23 rebellion. Conversely, in June 2022, Uganda was accused of involvement in an M23 attack on the Congolese city of Bunagana.

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For decades now, Uganda and Rwanda, but also other countries in the region, have intervened directly or indirectly in Congo in large part to plunder the vast countrys natural resources. In 1999, for instance, during the Second Congo War, the Rwandan and Ugandan armies fought each other fiercely for control of the Congolese diamond-mining city of Kisangani. Both countries soon became exporters of diamonds, despite having no diamond reserves in their territories.

In the present conflict, Rwandas exports of coltanrequired to make tantalum, a precious element powering smart phones, medical devices and weapons systemshave doubled since M23 rebels seized the Rubaya mine, which produces 15 percent of the worlds supply of the mineral. This illicit traffic launders blood minerals into the global supply chain, while funding the violence that perpetuates the conflict. Global backlash over Rwandas role in eastern Congo led the European Union to suspend a mineral supply chain pact with Kigali. But it did not stop U.S. diplomats from suggesting a similar proposal to allow Rwanda to legitimately process Congos minerals as an incentive for not meddling in its eastern territories.

The treaty signed in Washington and the preliminary ceasefire agreement with the M23 do not substantively address this issue, but there is fierce opposition among the Congolese public to any kind of mineral-sharing arrangement with Rwanda. Thats an important point to watch moving forward, because the fact that Tshisekedis government is signing agreements of this magnitude without any public consultation or legislative approval raises constitutional questions about their legality in Congo, adding to public anger with his presidency over corruption, repression and his bid for a third term. Already, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, the influential archbishop of Kinshasa, has slammed the treaty. Should it eventually lead to a mineral-sharing agreement with Kigali, public opposition will likely grow. By contrast, issues of democratic legitimacy are of no concern in Rwanda, where only Kagames voice matters.

For decades now, Uganda and Rwanda, but also other countries in the region, have intervened directly or indirectly in Congo in large part to plunder the vast countrys natural resources.

Another political problem that is salient to peace in eastern Congo is the situation of the regions Rwandophone minorities. After the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, the U.N. determined that Rwandan forces committed a possible genocide against both Rwandan Hutu refugees and Congolese Hutus in eastern Congo. The impunity following this violence as well as ongoing cross-border raids by Rwanda and its proxies in the years since then have driven Rwandan Hutu refugees and Congolese Hutu civilians to seek the protection of groups such as the FDLR. And when Congo-Rwanda tensions rise, Tutsi communities often become targets of xenophobia, stigmatizing hate speech and violence. This in turns spawns self-styled Tutsi self-defense groups such as the Twirwaneho, while providing a real pretext for the M23 and Kigali to intervene in eastern Congo.

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The Congo-Rwanda treaty makes the repatriation of refugees to their respective countries an aspirational goal. But achieving that will require addressing the neglected situation of hundreds of thousands of Rwandan refugees who have lived in eastern Congo and other countries in the region since 1994, and who have opted out of voluntary and forced repatriation schemes ever since. Many remain fearful to return to Rwanda due to the repressive political atmosphere there, including the jailing and even transnational assassinations of regime opponents. For years, Rwandan dissidents have appealed to Kagame for political dialogue, while genocide survivors have denounced official policies imposing retributory silence on Hutu suffering since the genocide. They also criticize Kagames weaponization of the official history and memory of the genocide to maintain power and legitimize dictatorship at the expense of reconciliation. Kagame has rejected any dialogue, however, and instead doubled down on repression.

This is unfortunate because political dialogue, reconciliation and reforms in Rwanda could unlock the voluntary return of refugees currently in eastern Congo and be an accelerant for peace in the region. Indeed, the wars and violence that have devastated the Great Lakes in the past several decades have their roots in Rwandas unsettled political cleavages dating back to 1990, when a group of Rwandan refugees in Ugandaincluding a certain Paul Kagametook up arms, leading to the bloody stalemate of the Rwandan civil war.

The 1993 Arusha accords that were meant to end that war were supposed to pave the way for political power-sharing, elections and peace. However, that effort was doomed by the timeless challenges facing the effective implementation of all peace accords, including a lack of political will, distrust among signatories, a lack of funding to support demobilization and reintegration programs, and the absence of sustained international diplomatic engagement. Barely eight months later, the bloody carnage of the genocide engulfed Rwanda, with spillover effects across the greater region.

This is a sobering reminder of whats at stake should the current peace efforts in eastern Congo remain paper thin. Fortunately, BoulosTrumps envoyseemed to recognize this when he declared in Doha that achieving the goals of the ceasefire between Congo and the M23 will require dialogue, sustained engagement in that dialogue, and perseverance to reach detailed, comprehensive, and inclusive agreements. Whether or not the belligerents, regional states, Washington and the broader international community are willing and able to commit to that sustained engagement at a time of major crises around the world remains to be seen.

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Mohamed Keita is an African affairs analyst and senior policy officer at the Human Rights Foundation.

The post Trumps DRC-Rwanda Deal Wont Bring Peace to Eastern Congo appeared first on World Politics Review.
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools have opened a search for the embattled districts next chief financial officer.

The posting includes standard descriptions of a finance executives role, along with expected qualifications and a salary range of $155,000 to $180,000.

An entry under the Duties and Responsibilities section strays from convention  and serves as a reminder of financial mismanagement under the previous CFO that allowed the district to spend tens of millions of dollars more than it was taking in.

Evaluates and implements necessary internal controls to prevent misappropriation of local school administrative unit resources and assets, the job description reads.

A review of other postings for school system CFOs in North Carolina turned up regular references to internal controls but no mentions of consequences when those controls are lacking.

Wake Forest University finance professor Ajay Patel, who has followed news coverage of the districts money issues, said the local description gave him pause.

First, was there misappropriation of funds previously that they are ensuring isnt going to happen in the future and that it is the CFOs responsibility to make sure it does not happen? Patel, the Thomas S. Goho chair in finance at Wake Forests School of Business, said in an email when asked about the description. This clearly is a negative signal from the school board and interim superintendent (Catty Moore).

Moore: Its important to apologize

Since replacing retiring Superintendent Tricia McManus June 2, Moore, the former chief executive of the Wake County Schools, has offered a blunt assessment of the districts budgeting and financial management under former CFO Tommy Kranz, who left his post in May.

She pointed to sloppy budgeting, a lack of internal financial controls and a failure to align staffing with reductions in enrollment-driven state funding as primary factors in a deficit that swelled to at least $42 million in the fiscal year that ended June 30.

The district still faces $15 million in unpaid bills from its three largest vendors.

Its important to apologize to commissioners and the community for the state of where we are as a district, Moore said Monday in her first face-to-face interaction with the full county board.

The districts finances have drawn scrutiny from the North Carolina Board of Education, Department of Public Instruction and State Auditors Office, which is conducting its own probe.

Auditor Dave Bolick, in an April 21 letter to McManus, offered clear ground rules for his agencys investigative audit.

You are responsible for informing us of your knowledge of any allegations of fraud or suspected fraud received in communication from employees, former employees, analysts, regulators and others, he wrote.

Bolicks office has declined to respond to questions about whether hed consider presenting findings to Forsyth District Attorney Jim ONeill if they revealed evidence of potential malfeasance.

Reassurance for a skeptical public?

So far, there have been no signs of missing money, but legal experts have told the Journal that North Carolina law covering local government goes beyond common perceptions of financial crimes.

The way embezzlement is defined for purposes of that statute, it includes situations in which there has been a misappropriation of public funds, not just theft of funds, explained Kara Millonzi, a law professor and associate dean at the UNC School of Government.

All of which makes the school districts reference to misappropriation in the job description potentially concerning to potential CFO candidates, suggested Patel, the Wake Forest professor.

If I was an applicant for this position, it would cause me to question whether resources and assets had been misappropriated previously, which then causes me to wonder how this happened and why it went unnoticed, he said. If there wasnt any misappropriation of resources and assets, why does the position description include this requirement?

If the wording was meant to reassure a skeptical public about future financial management, that strategy also could backfire, Patel added.

As a member of the community, it causes me to wonder whether the budget shortfall that has been in the news was partially or wholly due to misappropriation of funds that was overlooked by the finance committee, the school board and the previous superintendent, he wrote in an email. If the intent is to let the community know that greater oversight will occur going forward, stating that the next CFO evaluates and implements necessary internal controls to prevent misappropriation of local school administrative unit resources and assets may not be the best way of conveying that intent.
Israel and the United States on Thursday pulled their diplomats back from negotiating a cease-fire with Hamas, setting back a potential end to the War in Gaza that was believed to be a real possibility just weeks ago.

The Israeli and American delegates ended negotiations because Hamas is showing a lack of desire to reach a cease-fire in Gaza, Steve Witkoff, President Trumps special envoy, told The New York Times. Witkoff added we will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.

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Hamas still has 50 hostages stemming from its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which sparked the ongoing war in Gaza. It is unclear how many of those hostages are still alive; there are two American hostages still in Gaza, according to the American Jewish Committee.

The breakdown in discussions came after there had been optimism that a deal could be reached, as President Trump had pushed to get Israel and Hamas to agree to a 60-day cease-fire in recent weeks. After weeks of stalling, Hamas submitted a proposal for a Gaza truce that Israel was reviewing as of Thursday, Reuters reported. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this month his aim is for there to be no Hamas left in Gaza, following the war.

Trump has prioritized bringing hostages home since re-entering the White House in January; several hostages have visited him since then, including 21-year-old Israeli-American Edan Alexander, who was held captive by Hamas for nearly 600 days. Alexander and his family visited the Oval Office earlier this month. Now, with the potential cease-fire scrapped, the Trump Administration will rethink its plan to free the remaining hostages.

In related news, French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday said his country will recognize a Palestinian state in September at the United Nations General Assembly.

The post Trump Ends Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire Talks, Will Consider Alternative Options to Bring Hostages Home appeared first on TheWrap.
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin committed the Trump administration to "a permanent, 100% solution to the decades-old Tijuana River sewage crisis" in a new agreement signed with Mexico on Thursday.

I smelled for myself that foul smell that so many residents of Southern California have been complaining about for so long, Zeldin said, adding that President Trump was highly motivated after hearing from Navy Seals who must train in the polluted waters of the Pacific Ocean where the Tijuana River meets the sea.

"Today, what we are demonstrating is that, yes, it can be done," said Mexico Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Alicia Barcena, preparing to sign the memorandum of understanding, or MOU.

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Pollution in the 120-mile long river has been so egregious that recent studies have shown that even the air above the river or the spray where it reaches the surf is dangerous.

The Tijuana River begins in Baja California, Mexico, and discharges into the ocean at Imperial Beach. The pollution consists of sewage, including drugs and pharmaceuticals that people ingest, plus industrial discharges.

According to the agreement, Mexico will shake loose $93 million in money it previously committed, known as " Minute 238 funds ." Deadlines for several long-discussed improvements will also come sooner  some this year  it says. One example is the 10-million gallons per day of treated effluent that currently flows into the Tijuana River from the Arturo Herrera and La Morita wastewater treatment plants and will now go to a site upstream of the Rodriguez Dam, southeast of Tijuana.

Zeldin said technical experts, leadership and U.S. staffers identified these as high priorities. The MOU also commits the two countries to taking into account Tijuana's growing population, to make sure that infrastructure improvements are not outstripped by changes on the ground.

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"This is a massive step forward for the Tijuana River, said Tom Kiernan, president and chief executive of the environmental group American Rivers. It has listed the river as the second most endangered in the U.S.

Kristan Culbert, associate director of California river conservation at American Rivers, said she hoped the MOU negotiated by this administration will be the catalyst for a major turnaround for this river. The people and wildlife that depend on it deserve clean water and healthy ecosystems.

San Diego County Supervisor Paloma Aguirre was more cautious. She said the agreement does not necessarily address the range of dangerous chemicals the river is carrying. As it flows to the U.S. side, it may have gone through a sewage treatment plant, but that may only remove bacterial contaminants, not industrial pollutants.

"Unless this pollution is eliminated at the source, our community will continue to suffer," the supervisor, who is also the former mayor of Imperial Beach, said. Her concerns are backed up by recent research.

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Yet Aguirre also expressed optimism. "Todays agreement is a sign that our voices have been heard. I hope to see real progress in the next few months, and not the next few years.

Zeldin stressed cooperation with his counterpart, Barcena. When asked about leverage that will assure changes are made, Zeldin cited money that could be withheld by the U.S.

He emphasized it's the first agreement between the two governments under this administration. We're very proud of that, he said.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Sometimes a coincidence of timing is everything. The Environmental Protection Agency has reportedly drawn up plans to scrap a two-decade-old finding that underpins the governments ability to regulate planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions. The plan, first reported on by The Washington Post, will also dismantle any remaining limits on greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles. Although its likely get hung up in court, the Trump administrations attempt to demolish this foundational policy shows just how committed the White House is to trashing any and every climate protection. Hours after the news first broke, the International Court of Justice in the Haguethe worlds highest courtruled that governments can be held legally responsible for climate inaction. Theoretically, that is, the United States could now be held liable for dismantling greenhouse gas regulationsand made to pay up.

The failure of a state to take appropriate action to protect the climate system from greenhouse gas emissions, wrote Yuji Iwasawa, the president of the ICJ, may constitute an internationally wrongful act which is attributable to that state. While the unanimous, first-of-its-kind ruling is not legally binding, it lays the groundwork for countries to sue one another for failing to reduce emissions and regulate polluters, and establishes a clean, healthy and sustainable environment as a human right. Legal consequences for violating that right, the court wrote, could include full reparation to injured states.

Unfortunately, theres ample reason to be skeptical about the power of ICJ rulings. Last year, another unprecedented advisory ruling from the court found that Israels occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and its expanding settlements there, violate international law. Earlier in 2024, the ICJ ordered Israel to restrain its assault on Gaza, and, in a separate case brought by South Africa, found that Palestinians have plausible rights to protection from genocide. ThenSecretary of State Antony Blinkenwho frequently touted his departments commitment to defending the so-called rules-based international orderrebuked that ruling, calling South Africas case meritless. Israels U.S.-funded destruction of Gaza and expansion of Israeli settlements into the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem have continued ever since, and the U.S. has continued to defend those actions.

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Whether on Palestine or climate, the U.S. is consistently happy to flout international law to further its own interests and those of its allies. Like its proposal to annex Gaza, the Trump administrations war on climate policy is obviously heinous. On the latter front, at least, the Biden administration should get some credit for attempting to strengthen greenhouse gas regulations Republicans have now put on the chopping block. But it would be a mistake to pretend that the U.S. is indifferent to sufferingand willing to exacerbate itonly when Republicans are in charge.

For nearly as long as the United Nations has been discussing climate change, the U.S. has shot down legally binding agreements to act on it. The Paris Agreement itself was built to accommodate U.S. complaints over the Kyoto Protocol, a treaty signed by the Clinton administration in 1997 that was then unanimously denounced by the U.S. Senate. There are countless examples of Americas undermining of global efforts to acknowledge the rich worlds outsize responsibility for the climate crisis. Democrats create elaborate legal justifications for why they shouldnt be made to phase out fossil fuels or help poorer countries adapt to and cope with the climate crisis. Republicans generally outright deny that that crisis is happening, and refuse to engage with multilateral processes to deal with it. The Democratic position on the matter might best be summed up by an offhanded comment Obama-era climate envoy Todd Stern reportedly made at climate talks in South Africa in 2012: If equitys in, were out. The Republican position is a bit clearer: Were out either way.

Consider the testimony of the United States in the ICJ case, submitted in 2024 by thenState Department legal adviser Richard Visek. After several pages touting Americas supposedly sterling record of fighting climate change, commitment to international law, and progress in corralling other countries to stem their emissions, the U.S. announced its opposition to the stance the court eventually adopted. A recognition that anthropogenic climate change can adversely affect the enjoyment of human rights, Visek wrote, does not mean that States have international human rights obligations to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. In perfect legalese, Visek added that, while the U.S. looks forward to working with other States to exchange views toward the development of a right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment  any such right remains a matter of lex ferenda [future law] rather than lex lata [current law].

News of the ICJ ruling may or may not have crossed the desk of Lee Zeldin, the head of the EPA. Hisand MAGAstake on climate is rather blunter than Viseks, but the positions are not misaligned. The Trump Administration will not sacrifice national prosperity, energy security, and the freedom of our people for an agenda that throttles our industries, our mobility, and our consumer choice while benefiting adversaries overseas, Zeldin said when announcing his plans for the greenhouse gas finding back in March. The endangerment finding in his crosshairswhich, in 2009, found that greenhouse gases are harmful pollutantshas been a longtime target for MAGA world and its donors. The proposal to overturn that finding hasnt been made public, and is almost certain to face court challenges. But the administrations specific argument in this case rests on the idea that excess greenhouse gas emissions are not harmful because rising temperatures present no danger to public health and welfare.

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Much of the outrage among climate advocates has historically centered on many Republicans refusal to recognize the reality that climate-fueled disasters are killing people in the U.S. and abroad. Ultimately, though, whether Zeldin and the rest of the Trump administration actually believe in the harms posed by greenhouse gases matters a lot less than the White Houses very real plans to make them worse. And at the end of the day, belief isnt worth much in the other direction, either. When it comes to international affairs, especially, Democrats have asked the public to take their beliefsin the rules-based international order, human rights, and climate actionat face value, even as they work to undermine all of the above when it suits their own interests and those of their allies.

The trouble with so much climate discourse orbiting around questions of belief and denial is that it can leave actions out of the equation. Whether it makes its case in high-minded legalese or MAGA bluster, a country that stands by while Israeli soldiers bomb hospitals and gun down civilians waiting in bread linesand furnishes them with ammunition for bothis a country that will keep expanding fossil fuels as millions at home and abroad are displaced and killed by climate-fueled disasters. Whatever the people in charge believe while that happens is irrelevant. With any hope, the ICJ ruling can open the door to holding Zeldin, the Trump administration, and whoever takes their place accountable for what theyve done.
The Jeffrey Epstein morass surrounding President Donald Trump is deepening amid growing defiance by some Republicans and despite the administrations most inflammatory attempt yet at distraction.

New reports Wednesday that Attorney General Pam Bondi told Trump in May that his name appeared in documents related to the case of Epstein, an accused sex trafficker, offered a plausible explanation for the presidents growing fury over the drama.

They will fuel accusations of a cover-up since the administration has refused to release the files.

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And although there is no evidence that Trump was involved in any wrongdoing or that he knew of Epsteins criminal activities when they ran in the same social circle decades ago, there is bound to be intense speculation about the nature of mentions about the president in the investigative files.

The storm is also intensifying in Congress.

A vote in the House Oversight Committee to subpoena the Department of Justice for files related to Epstein worsened Trumps political headache, since it revealed the appetite for more disclosure among some MAGA Republicans. The GOP-majority committee also voted to subpoena testimony from Epsteins accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year prison term.

Trump responded to the ballooning crisis with the oldest trick in his political book, pushing a conspiracy theory against Barack Obama  a decade and a half after his false claims about the 44th presidents birthplace electrified his coalition and political career. He enlisted the top US intelligence official, Tulsi Gabbard, who misleadingly claimed in a theatrical White House appearance that Obamas handling of Russian election meddling in 2016 amounted to a coup to destroy Trumps first presidency, a day after her boss accused his predecessor of treason.

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There is no evidence that Trump did anything wrong or illegal in his interactions with Epstein. But days of stalling by the White House and new disclosures drove speculation to a fever pitch over their relationship in the 1990s and early 2000s, long before the wealthy financier was charged with sex trafficking and abuse and died in prison in 2019.

The frantic confluence of events Wednesday underscored Trumps failed attempts to put a lid on the Epstein drama, the most serious challenge to his authority over the MAGA base in either of his administrations. In fact, the storm is now gathering its own momentum, and its increasingly hard to see how the president calms it.

The controversy is overshadowing Trumps recent political successes, including trade deals he announced with Japan and the Philippines and recent legal victories enabling a key goal: the gutting of swaths of the federal government. And its outracing House Speaker Mike Johnsons attempts to contain it.

A billboard in New York's Times Square calls for the release of the Epstein Files on Wednesday. - Adam Gray/Getty Images

Trumps name is included in Epstein document

Among developments on Wednesday with the greatest capacity to damage Trump politically were revelations that Bondi warned him in May that his name appeared in documents related to the Epstein case.

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The conversation, which also included Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, was characterized by two White House officials as a routine briefing that covered the scope of the Justice Departments findings. Trumps name appearing in the files, they said, was not the sole focus of the discussions. Bondi also told Trump that several other high-profile figures were mentioned. She also briefed that investigators did not find evidence of an Epstein client list or that suicide was not his cause of death  two key elements of a MAGA conspiracy.

Simply being mentioned along with hundreds of others in documents does not imply wrongdoing by the president. And White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement to CNN that Trump had kicked Epstein out of his Mar-a-Lago club because he regarded Epstein as a creep.

Still, details of Bondis briefing, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, offered new context about the political controversy that erupted over the Epstein files, since it took place three months after Bondi raised huge expectations for disclosure by telling Fox in February that she had Epsteins client list sitting on her desk.

Attorney General Pam Bondi attends a cabinet meeting hosted by President Donald Trump on July 8. - Evan Vucci/AP

Its hardly a surprise that Trump was mentioned in the Epstein files, since his former friendship with the disgraced financier was well known. The men were pictured together on multiple occasions. And Trumps name was included in flight logs of Epsteins plane that were among documents released by Bondi earlier this year in a political stunt meant to reward conservative bloggers.

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But Wednesdays revelations are politically difficult for Trump since they will renew speculation that the administrations refusal to release Epstein documents, as his top aides promised on the campaign trail, is motivated by an attempt at a cover-up.

Now that it is established that Trumps name is in the documents, speculation will go into overdrive on the nature of the mentions and whether they add to the public knowledge of Trumps ties to Epstein and whether he knew anything about the offenses with which the financier was later charged. Again, this does not imply Trump himself did something wrong. But since hes the sitting president, the focus on him and his handling of the Epstein matter in government will be intense.

Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell appear together at Mar-a-Lago in 2000. - Davidoff Studios/Getty Images

This is especially the case since Bondi and Kash Patel, who now heads the FBI, had vehemently demanded the release of Epstein documents before finding themselves on the other side of the conspiracy theory they had puffed up when they took top jobs. Their agencies issued a joint statement earlier this month saying that there was no evidence of a client list or to support the conspiracy theory that Epstein was murdered.

But the pattern of inconsistencies and denials that typically fuel Washingtons scandal machine are piling up. Trump, for instance, appeared to deny this month that Bondi had told him his name was in the Epstein files, which he then claimed were made up by Obama and fired former FBI Director James Comey.

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Ironically, the growing clamor is a test case of why grand jury material and other documents are typically sealed. Thats partly out of a need to protect the reputations of people  including witnesses, victims and blameless third parties  who are identified during an investigation but are not charged with any offenses.

But the MAGA movement is obsessed with conspiracy theories and has a bedrock belief that Washington is run by a cabal of deep state elites who suppress the truth. This tempted Trump, Bondi and other officials to tap into the political well and to promise the release of previously sealed information on famous cases also including the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

When the administration then refused to make public all the evidence about Epstein, top officials looked like theyd become avatars of the deep state they once decried.

As anger built in the MAGA base, the Justice Department launched an effort to get court permission to unseal grand jury testimony in the case. But a federal judge in Florida on Wednesday ruled against the release of material that represents only a small portion of the thousands of documents in the Epstein case file. The DOJ move is a legal long shot, but it may still serve the purpose of building political cover for the administration as supporters demand more transparency.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks to members of the press outside the US House Chamber on Wednesday. - Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Johnson cant contain GOP revolt on Epstein

Trumps growing nightmare was exacerbated in a rare show of defiance by Republicans in Congress on Wednesday.

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A subcommittee of the House Oversight Committee voted 8-2 to subpoena the Department of Justice to release files related to Epstein. Republican Reps. Nancy Mace, Scott Perry and Brian Jack joined with Democrats in a revolt against Johnsons leadership.

House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, meanwhile, subpoenaed Maxwell, a day after Blanche, Trumps former personal lawyer, announced that hed meet with her to see if she has more information on Epsteins offenses. Blanches move raised alarms because Trump, with his pardon power, could commute her sentence or pardon her, suggesting an incentive for Maxwell to offer testimony that might help him. CNNs Kaitlan Collins, citing a people familiar with the plan, reported that the meeting is expected to take place on Thursday at the US attorneys office in Tallahassee.

The actions of the Oversight Committee suggested there is genuine desire for more accountability among some Republicans despite the possibility that it could inflict political damage on the president.

This suggests that any hopes harbored by Trump and Johnson that the furor might abate over the summer recess will prove to be ill-founded.

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Johnson has accused Democrats of playing political games over Epstein, since the documents they now want released were not made public during the Biden administration. And he denied that his attempt to shut down House votes on the matter before September meant he was losing control of his conference.

No one in Congress is blocking Epstein documents. No one in Congress is doing that, the speaker said Wednesday. What were doing here, Republicans are preventing Democrats from making a mockery of the Rules Committee process because we refuse to engage in their political charade.

But Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer taunted Johnson, accusing him of skedaddling out of town early. The New York Democrat added, If the speaker thinks he can make the Epstein escapade disappear by sending folks home early, hes got another thing coming.

The looming political question is whether fury over the Epstein saga among prominent MAGA media figures and influencers is mirrored more broadly in Trumps base. Summer recess town halls involving GOP members could begin to answer that question. A Quinnipiac poll released on July 16 showed splits on the issue. While 40% of Republicans backed how Trump was handling the issue, 36% disapproved. But a CBS/YouGov poll Sunday showed that only 11% of Republicans said Epstein-related issues matter a lot to how they evaluate Trumps presidency.

President Donald Trump speaks to members of the press during a Tuesday meeting at the White House. - Kent Nishimura/Reuters

Trumps deploys classic political fallback  attacking Obama

Trump has responded to the building Epstein scandal with increasingly heated attempts to distract attention and to provide alternative programing for the conservative media universe.

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Gabbards appearance in the White House briefing room on Wednesday represented the most striking effort yet to weaponize elements of the federal government to advance Trumps personal political aims.

The director of national intelligence declassified a highly sensitive congressional report written by Republicans in the first Trump presidency to bolster her claim that the Obama team plotted to ruin her bosss first administration with its investigations and public statements on Russian election meddling.

The evidence that we have found and that we have released directly point to President Obama leading the manufacturing of this intelligence assessment, Gabbard said. She focused in particular on the reports conclusion that an intelligence community finding that Russian President Vladimir Putin developed a preference for Trump in 2016 and wanted to help him win was based on poor sourcing.

They knew it would promote this contrived narrative that Russia interfered in the 2016 election to help President Trump win, selling it to the American people as though it were true, Gabbard said.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard talks to reporters in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House on Wednesday. - Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

While there was a debate among intelligence analysts about Putins intent, Gabbards presentation represented an attempt to cherry-pick evidence that is not reflected in other congressional and government assessments of Russian election meddling.

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The overwhelming consensus in Washington, including from a report released in 2020 by the Senate Intelligence Committee on which Secretary of State Marco Rubio served, is that Russian interfered in the 2016 election to help Trump win and to hurt Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.

The documentation that Gabbard produced did not back up Trumps absurd claims of treason by Obama or her own assertion that there was an orchestrated plot to discredit Trump. Democrats accused her of jeopardizing the safety of US intelligence sources and offering valuable information to the Russians while sending a message to assets that it was not safe to report politically sensitive information.

Even if Obama did something wrong, Trumps argument that he should be in prison would be undercut, ironically, by one of his own famous legal victories. Last year, the Supreme Court ruled in a case related to Trumps indictment on charges of election interference related to the 2020 election that ex-presidents enjoy substantial immunity from prosecution.

The choreographed outrage in the White House briefing room, meanwhile, showed that the Russian election-meddling controversy  one of Trumps greatest obsessions  is back and is sowing yet more division and mistrust among voters. Gabbards decision to revive it was a reminder that Putins scheme was one of the highest-yielding, lowest-cost intelligence operations in history.

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Dow Chemical's industrial complex in Plaquemine, three days after a fire and multiple explosions erupted at the plant on July 14, 2023. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

A recent proclamation from President Donald Trump will allow 25 chemical manufacturers, including 12 with sites in Louisiana, to ignore new federal rules meant to contain harmful emissions.

A week ago, Trump issued what the White House labeled regulatory relief for certain stationary sources to promote American chemical manufacturing security. His action creates a two-year exemption to regulations the Environmental Protection Agency published in May, called the Hazardous Organic National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants  or the HON rule for short.

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The HON Rule imposes substantial burdens on chemical manufacturers already operating under stringent regulations, Trump said in his proclamation. Many of the testing and monitoring requirements outlined in the HON Rule rely on technologies that are not practically available, not demonstrated at the necessary scale, or cannot be implemented safely or consistently under real-world conditions.

The Louisiana facilities now exempt from the HON Rule include:

Shell Chemical, Geismar plant

Dow Chemical Co. Glycol II plant, Plaquemine

Formosa Plastics, Baton Rouge

Union Carbide/Dow Chemical, Hahnville

Westlake Vinyl, Westlake

BASF Corp., Geismar

Rubicon, Geismar

Citgo Petroleum, Lake Charles

TotalEnergies Polystyrene, Carville

Denka Performance Elastomers, LaPlace

Sasol Chemicals, Lake Charles

DuPont Specialty Products, LaPlace

Anne Rolfes, director of the environmental group Louisiana Bucket Brigade, said Trumps proclamation is based on the false claim that there is already strict government oversight of chemical facilities.

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The HON rule was a reasonable step toward controlling the pollution that is making us all sick. If anything, it didnt go far enough, Rolfes said. Our congressional delegation should be up in arms about the White House rollback, but instead they are doing as they have always done: serving the needs of the chemical industry instead of the health and safety of the people. It continues to be up to us  to ordinary people in Louisiana  to protect ourselves from this industry.

David Cresson, president and CEO of the Louisiana Chemical Association, said the organizations members strive for regulations that provide environmental protection and regulatory certainty for industry. He sees presidents proclamation as a step toward that objective.

The current regulations do not provide for a realistic timeline to make the changes needed to meet the standards set by the HON Rule, Cresson said. There are simply not enough contractors or equipment currently available to facilitate this nationwide manufacturing effort, and while our members are making strides to meet these requirements, time is needed for facilities to implement solutions safely and effectively without jeopardizing public safety.

Many of the facilities on Trumps HON rule exclusion list have a history of environmental concerns, with Denka Performance Elastomers arguably having the highest profile.

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In February 2023, the EPA and U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against the company, alleging its neoprene operations present an imminent and substantial endangerment to public health and welfare for the cancer risks its chloroprene emissions pose.

The Biden administration demanded Denka reduce emissions of chloroprene and ethylene oxide, another carcinogen, at its LaPlace plant. The EPA gave Denka 90 days to bring down its toxic emission levels, compared with two years for facilities in other parts of the country.

Gov. Jeff Landry accused the federal agency of trying to shut down the Denka site.

Within weeks of Trump returning to the White House, the Justice Department had the EPA lawsuit dismissed.

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In September, the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality reported a chloroprene leak at the Denka plant that forced it to halt operations. The EPA has identified five census tracts in the LaPlace area as having the highest exposure to chloroprene in the nation  all attributed to the Denka plant.

Other incidents at the exempted chemical plants have also made the news.

A July 2023 explosion at Dow Chemicals glycol plant in Plaquemine produced a fire that burned for nearly two days before being brought under control. The same facility saw a string of emergencies dating back to 2019. The unit involved in the explosion two years ago was involved in four previous unauthorized releases of ethylene glycol, according to state records. The toxic compound is highly flammable and can cause kidney damage from prolonged exposure.

In January 2022, an explosion at the Westlake Chemical complex in Calcasieu Parish injured six people and forced nearby schools to place students under lockdown until a dark cloud of smoke over the Lake Charles area cleared. Federal records show the plant has an extensive history of spills, accidents and injured workers.

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Before Trump returned to office, the EPA pursued financial sanctions against facilities that violated its safety and environmental regulations. The agency reached a $1.4 million settlement early last year with Sasol Chemicals for an alleged accident in October 2022 that resulted in a fire that burned 8 tons of triethyl aluminum, a catalyst used to make synthetic materials and jet fuel.

Trumps EPA administrator, Lee Zeldin, has argued the agency is authorized  but not mandated  to enforce the Clean Air Act, based on a 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

Zeldin also wants to walk back the Endangerment Finding, a 2009 EPA declaration that greenhouse gases and certain pollutants pose a public health risk. The finding gave the agency more power to enforce environmental regulations.

This report was updated to include comments from David Cresson with the Louisiana Chemical Association.
President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from UNESCO once again In a statement Tuesday that drew mixed reactions from Jewish groups.

President Donald Trump has once again withdrawn the United States from UNESCO, accusing the UNs science and cultural organization of an anti-Israel bias and a globalist agenda.

In a statement Tuesday that drew mixed reactions from Jewish groups, the State Department accused the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which preserves cultural heritage sites around the world, of advancing divisive social and cultural causes and maintaining an outsized focus on the UNs Sustainable Development Goals, which it referred to as having a globalist, ideological agenda.

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It also criticized UNESCO for admitting the State of Palestine as a member state, and pointed to that decision as contributing to the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization.

During Trumps first term in 2017, the United States also withdrew from UNESCO over the organizations alleged anti-Israel bias, but that decision was reversed by the Biden administration in 2023.

Trumps latest move has received some pushback from major Jewish organizations in the United States, including the American Jewish Committee, which in March sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging him to keep the United States in UNESCO.

The UNESCO headquarters in Paris. (credit: Wikimedia Commons)

In the letter, the organization stated that UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has taken an active role in combating antisemitism, hate speech and anti-Israel bias, according to Axios.

UNESCO's response to Trump's decision to leave

UNESCO is an active international permanent partner of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, and also supports the protection and development of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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As UNESCO is the only UN body with an explicit mandate to combat antisemitism and promote Holocaust education, AJC believes that continued engagement with the organization is crucial, the AJC wrote in a statement about the withdrawal announcement.

Hadar Susskind, the president and CEO of New Jewish Narrative, a progressive Zionist organization, also decried the announcement, saying in a statement that recognition of Palestine should not be an obstacle to American participation in UNESCO.

President Trump is pursuing an isolationist policy. Hes using UNESCOs pro-Palestine actions as his fig leaf. The irony that hes using the antisemitic trope that UNESCO serves a globalist agenda is not lost on American Jews, the statement continued.

Other Jewish groups and Israeli leaders have applauded the move.

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On Tuesday, the World Jewish Congress wrote that it welcomes the ongoing efforts of the US administration to address and rectify the unfortunate, long-standing bias against Israel within the United Nations system.

But it also added that the WJC would continue working with UNESCO, writing it would continue to collaborate with the organization on advancing vital initiatives, particularly those focused on combating antisemitism and promoting Holocaust education.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar hailed the United States exit in a post on X, writing, this is a necessary step, designed to promote justice and Israels right for fair treatment in the UN system, a right which has often been trampled due to politicization in this arena.
The Trump administration believes it has found a workaround to keep the presidents former personal lawyer Alina Habba as New Jerseys U.S. Attorney and outflank federal judges who sought to replace her.

Its the latest move by the administration to put an ally of the president in a top law enforcement role and appears to circumvent the traditional role of the Senate in approving key administration officials.

As part of the gambit, a Justice Department official described a process that involves President Donald Trump withdrawing Habbas nomination to permanently take the post. Then, Attorney General Pam Bondi would appoint Habba as First Assistant U.S. Attorney  typically the second-ranking official in the office. Because the U.S. attorneys post is vacant, Habba would automatically fill the role on a temporary basis; she cant simultaneously be the presidents nominee and serve as acting in this way.

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The multi-step maneuver came as Habba  who has been leading the New Jersey U.S. attorneys office on an interim basis since March  was approaching a Friday deadline to depart the post. That deadline triggered a little-used provision of law allowing the federal district court judges in New Jersey to appoint a successor until Trump could get a permanent U.S. attorney confirmed by the Senate.

The judges earlier this week selected Desiree Leigh Grace, a longtime career prosecutor, to succeed Habba, infuriating Justice Department leaders who had hoped to keep Habba  a Trump loyalist  in the position.

In a social media post Thursday evening, Habba said, Donald J. Trump is the 47th President. Pam Bondi is the Attorney General. And I am now the Acting United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey.

Habba is perhaps uniquely controversial because of her close ties to the president before taking office and her actions after  she led an aborted prosecution of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, the indictment of Rep. LaMonica McIver and an investigation of Gov. Phil Murphy, all Democrats. Habba had no experience as a prosecutor until Trump installed her as the interim U.S. attorney.

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Trump allies in the DOJ have said the judges have gone rogue and are seeking to threaten Trumps power to select prosecutors. That power, though, is tempered by requirements that presidential picks must be confirmed by the Senate.

Now, a person close to the department who was granted anonymity to discuss a fluid subject said its possible the judges, most of them nominated by Democratic presidents, could face further scrutiny from the Trump administration.

After the judges order selecting Grace on Tuesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi fired Grace before she could take the acting U.S. Attorney job. Despite that, Grace still planned to take the job when Habba left, which was expected at the end of this week.

In a LinkedIn post on Wednesday, Grace said she planned to assume the role of interim U.S. Attorney at the request of the judges.

The New Jersey District Court did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Madison Fernandez contributed to this report.
President Donald Trump seems genuinely concerned about the impact the Jeffrey Epstein files controversy could have on him, according to Thursdays edition of Politico Playbook.

The president recently complained that he would be accused of some funny business in connection with the disgraced financier, a GOP insider recounted to the newsletter.

Trump sought to distance himself from Epstein and his criminal activity, while conceding that the issue could raise serious problems for his administration.

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Theyre going to fuck me anyways, Trump reportedly said, according to the Republican source cited by Playbook.

Epstein died in federal prison in 2019, a month after he was arrested on charges of sex trafficking minors that same year during Trumps first presidency.

The renewed interest in Epstein was prompted by a memo put out by the Justice Department and the FBI earlier this month stating that there was no evidence to suggest he was killed or that he held a client list to blackmail people.

Trump has unsuccessfully implored his supporters to move on from the issue, while his allies efforts to make the story go away have also fallen flat.

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Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guys been talked about for years, Trump shot back at a reporter questioning the administrations handling of the issue earlier this month. Are people still talking about this guy? This creep? That is unbelievable.

Trumps apparent friendship with Epstein has been well-documented over the years as the president has repeatedly tried to separate himself from the disgraced financier.

In 2019, he told reporters he wasnt a fan of Epstein.

I had a falling out with him a long time ago, he said at the time. I dont think Ive spoken to him for 15 years. I wasnt a fan.

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Since the memos release, new reports, though, have invited fresh scrutiny into Trumps ties to Epstein.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesdaythat Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Trump in May that he was named several times in the Epstein files. Trumps team called the story fake news.

The report undercut Trumps claim last week that Bondi had not told him his name appeared in the material.

No, no. Shes given us just a very quick briefing, Trump said last week.

Another Journal article detailing a bawdy birthday message Trump wrote to Epstein in 2003 frustrated the president, who sued the newspaper in response, alleging the piece was untruthful.

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Trump last week claimed he was baffled that the Epstein controversy was garnering attention.

I dont understand why the Jeffrey Epstein case would be of interest to anybody, he said. Its pretty boring stuff. Its sordid, but its boring.

Related...
When the Supreme Court issued its decision last month in Trump v. CASA, the majority didnt address the legality of President Donald Trumps bid to upend the Constitutions birthright citizenship protections by executive order. Prior to the CASA ruling, lower court judges around the country had an easy time deeming Trumps move unlawful. But the high court only issued a procedural ruling that limited nationwide injunctions  which judges had issued against Trumps order  without addressing the underlying merits. That is, without saying whether Trumps order on birthright citizenship is itself legal or illegal.

That ruling on injunctions has important implications for all sorts of litigation going forward in all sorts of cases. But when it comes to birthright citizenship specifically, the Supreme Courts handling of the appeal left open questions about how the justices will permit challenges against Trumps order to move forward and when the justices might finally address the underlying merits. Trumps order has remained blocked (and may stay blocked), but unless and until the Supreme Court says once and for all that it is unlawful, uncertainty will linger.

At first glance, the matter might appear to have moved closer to a resolution Wednesday when a federal appeals court panel declared Trumps order invalid on the grounds that it contradicts the plain language of the Fourteenth Amendments grant of citizenship to all persons born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof. The Trump administration would seemingly want to appeal to the Supreme Court to avenge its latest lower court loss, which it has done successfully in other areas.

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But the ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit wont necessarily lead to a Supreme Court resolution on the merits of birthright citizenship  or at least not necessarily soon.

Recall that the administrations litigation strategy on birthright citizenship has apparently been to avoid asking the justices to decide the issue on the merits. During the CASA litigation, the government urged the justices to rule only on the nationwide injunction issue. This strategy seemed, at least implicitly, to concede that the government has a weak merits argument  otherwise, why not press the issue while the case was in front of the justices and get a complete win in one fell swoop?

However one wants to describe the administrations strategy, the reality is that the government is likely still looking for ways to avoid a merits resolution at the high court.

A partial dissent to the 9th Circuit panel ruling  which had two Clinton appointees in the majority  could show such a path. The dissent was authored by Judge Patrick Bumatay, whom Trump appointed to the bench during his first term and who has been floated as a possible Trump Supreme Court pick.

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Like the Supreme Court majority, Bumatay didnt see it fit to address the merits one way or the other. Rather, like the Supreme Court majority, he focused on a more procedural (but important) issue, known as standing, which gives people or groups the right to sue. Bumatay said the plaintiff states that brought the suit dont have standing and that therefore the court doesnt have jurisdiction to decide the merits.

The reason I highlight Bumatays dissent is that it could give us a sense of where the Supreme Court is headed, or at least where the Trump administration might want the high court to go  or, perhaps more accurately, not go. That is, in another round of high court litigation, the administration could try again to limit its appeal to an issue that doesnt require addressing the merits. Birthright citizenship litigation is pending in multiple cases around the country, so in what form it next reaches the justices is not yet clear.

Another possible issue is the propriety of class actions against Trumps order, which a federal judge in New Hampshire approved following the Supreme Courts CASA ruling. Thats another issue the justices could theoretically address without deciding the merits of Trumps order.

But Bumatays dissent shows how judges or justices may continue to rule on the subject in ways that benefit Trump without taking his order head-on, all without resolving the uncertainty about how this litigation will end.

Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in the Trump administrations legal cases.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
President Trumps approval rating dropped to its lowest level of his second term, a shift fueled by a decline in support among independents, according to a new survey.

The latest Gallup poll found 37 percent of U.S. adults say they approve of the presidents performance in office  down from 40 percent in June, 43 percent in May and 44 percent in April.

Trumps overall approval rating is also down 10 points since taking office in January.

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The decline in job approval rating is most acute among independents  29 percent of whom say they approve of Trumps handling of the job in the latest survey. Thats down 7 points since June and down 17 points since January, the survey revealed.

Trump began his term with 46 percent approval among independents, but that dropped to the mid-30s for the past several months, before dipping into the high-20s in the July poll.

Among Republicans, 89 percent approve of the presidents handling of the presidency, a level that has remained largely consistent since his return to the Oval Office.

Similarly, Democrats approval of Trumps presidency so far has hovered in the low-single digits since January, with just 2 percent approving in the latest survey.

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Trumps favorability mirrors trends seen in his approval ratings.

Among adults, 41 percent hold a favorable view of the president  down from 48 percent in January, the poll shows.

Independents view Trump far less favorably than they did six months ago  with 34 percent holding a favorable view today, down from 47 percent in January, according to Gallup.

The latest survey began shortly after the president signed into law his massive tax and spending bill, which contains a slew of the presidents domestic policy priorities.

The survey also overlapped with the growing frustration among Republicans over the governments handling of files related to disgraced financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Justice Department released a memo on July 7  the same day the poll launched  concluding there was no evidence Epstein kept a client list and that officials would not pursue additional charges or disclose additional documents in the case.

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The Gallup survey was conducted July 7-21 featuring 1,002 adults and has a margin of error of 4 percentage points.

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President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration for flooding in Ruidoso, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Wednesday.

Flooding earlier this month in Lincoln County killed three people and damaged hundreds of homes in the village.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham was quick to welcome the additional resources provided by the declaration.

The federal declaration delivers the action we sought for a community that has shown incredible resilience through repeated disasters, Lujan Grisham said in a statement. The people of Lincoln County deserve every resource we can provide, and we will continue working until every family and business in New Mexico has fully recovered.

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FEMA announced Wednesday Jose M. Gil Montanez would be the federal coordinating officer leading recovery operations in the area. Montanez was appointed by former President Joe Biden to lead the response to flooding in Chaves County last year.

Individuals, households and businesses in Lincoln County can apply for financial assistance at www.disaster assistance.gov or by calling 800-621-3362.

Assistance can include grants to cover temporary housing, home repairs and business assistance. Local, tribal and state governments will be able to cost-share with FEMA emergency work and repairs.

Trump previously approved an emergency declaration for Ruidoso, which opened up some federal funding from FEMA.

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While the governor and the New Mexico congressional delegation welcomed the July 10 emergency declaration, they also pushed for additional resources. Both the Salt and South Fork fires near Ruidoso and flooding in Chaves County last year received major disaster declarations.

So whats the difference between an emergency declaration and a major disaster declaration?

Emergency declarations allow for a limited amount of FEMA funding to supplement state and local efforts to respond to disasters. The amount of FEMA funding is capped at $5 million, according to a FEMA webpage on how disasters get declared. If expenditures exceed that amount, the president has to report to Congress.

The emergency declaration opens up aid for local governments for debris removal and emergency protective measures and a limited amount of individual assistance. But reimbursement for permanent work, including restoring bridges and roads, public utilities and parks, isnt included.

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Hazard mitigation assistance grants, which allow for assistance in efforts to reduce the chance of disasters down the line, are also precluded.

Major disaster declarations, however, are made when the president determines the natural disaster caused damage of such severity that it is beyond the combined capabilities of state and local governments to respond, the FEMA webpage states.

That opens up a wide range of federal assistance programs, including expanded individual assistance, assistance to local and federal governments for both debris removal and emergency response as well as permanent work and hazard mitigation programs.

New Mexicos all-Democratic congressional delegation also weighed in on the major disaster declaration, noting in a statement it will unlock funding needed for disaster response. They vowed to continue to push President Trump to grant the States Major Disaster Declaration request for Chaves, Otero, and Valencia Counties and authorize additional Public Assistance to make sure that all New Mexicans impacted by this disaster are provided with the federal support necessary to rebuild.

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They also have asked Office of Management Budget Director Russ Vought and FEMA Acting Director David Richardson to release reimbursement funds for a project undertaken in response to the South Fork and Salt fires so they can be redirected to Lincoln County after recent severe flooding.

The project in question was completed last year, has been fully reviewed by FEMA, and has an estimated cost of $7.7 million, said the statement issued by U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Lujan and U.S. Reps. Teresa Leger Fernandez, Melanie Stansbury and Gabe Vasquez. These funds could be deployed immediately to assist Lincoln County and impacted residents as they continue to assess and respond to the recent severe flooding.
President Donald Trumps name appears multiple times in documents reviewed by the Department of Justice during its internal investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, according to a Wall Street Journal report published Wednesday afternoon. Senior administration officials said Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche informed the president of this during a private White House meeting in May.

Yet Trump has publicly claimed otherwise. On July 15, during a gaggle with reporters at the White House, an ABC News journalist asked him directly: Specifically, did [Bondi] tell you at all that your name appeared in the files?

No, no, shes  shes given us just a very quick briefing, Trump said, adding that Bondi had really done a very good job, handling the Epstein situation.

The Wall Street Journal report confirmed that Trumps name was among many found in the DOJs Epstein records, which officials characterized as containing hearsay and unverified claims about individuals who had associated with Epstein before his 2006 state-level conviction. The Justice Department concluded the material did not contain sufficient grounds for prosecution and opted to withhold it, citing both the presence of child sexual abuse material and the need to protect victim identities.

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Bondi and Blanche told the Journal, As part of our routine briefing, we made the President aware of the findings. They said Trump agreed with the DOJs decision to withhold further disclosures.

Also Wednesday, a federal judge in Florida denied the Trump administrations effort to unseal transcripts from two grand juries convened in 2005 and 2007 as part of Epsteins early federal investigation. The Justice Department had petitioned the court just days earlier, on July 17, to make the records public, arguing that the documents are of significant historical interest and enduring public importance given the governments past handling of the Epstein case.

In that filing, the DOJ wrote that release of the requested materials will shed important light on the role of federal prosecutors and the grand jury system in an extraordinary case involving an infamous figure, alleged to have committed grave and repeated crimes." It further argued that many of the usual reasons for grand jury secrecy no longer apply, especially given Epsteins 2019 death and the publics long-standing scrutiny of the case.

But U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenberg ruled that the court lacked authority under Eleventh Circuit precedent to grant the petition. Eleventh Circuit law does not permit this Court to grant the Governments request; the Courts hands are tied  a point the Government concedes, she wrote in a 12-page decision. Rosenberg also denied the DOJs request to transfer the case to the Southern District of New York, where Second Circuit precedent may allow greater flexibility.

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The Justice Department has also said it is seeking a meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins longtime associate who was convicted in 2021 of child sex trafficking and is currently serving a 20-year sentence.

The administrations reversal has enraged many of Trumps supporters, who for years believed the Epstein files would expose Democrats and global elites. Donald Trump is hiding something, said U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia, a California Democrat and the gay ranking member of the House Oversight Committee. In a July 17 interview with CNNs Kaitlan Collins, Garcia said, He spent his entire campaign talking about releasing the Epstein files  instead, hes betrayed his base and his promises.

This is here not because Democrats campaigned on it, not because we were talking about the Epstein files or what we thought were conspiracy theories, Garcia continued, but because Donald Trump made it central to his win.

Also on July 17, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene posted on X (formerly Twitter) that if Trump was guilty of anything regarding Jeffrey Epstein, Democrats would have used it against him the past 4 years. She followed the statement with anti-LGBTQ+ attacks, accusing Democrats of supporting drag queen story time, naked men dancing in front of children at pride parades, and mentally ill men in girls and womens bathrooms.

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The Journal previously reported that Trump once sent Epstein a lewd 2003 birthday letter. The note included a typewritten message surrounded by a crude drawing of a naked woman, with Trumps signature positioned beneath her waist. Trump has denied authoring the note and filed a defamation lawsuit against the Journal and its parent companies, Dow Jones and News Corp.

This article originally appeared on Advocate: Trump (not drag queens) appears in Epstein files & DOJ told him months ago, The Wall Street Journal reports

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The long-simmering feud between President Trump and former President Obama erupted this week after Trump accused his predecessor of treason, a startling escalation in the fight between the two leaders.

The Trump administrations barrage of attacks and document releases around the Obama administrations handling of Russian interference in the 2016 election prompted a rare public rebuke from Obama against the current Oval Office occupant.

The confrontation pits two of the most powerful figures in politics, and arguably the most popular Republican and Democratic politicians in the country, against one another.

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For Trump and the White House, going after Obama, particularly over Russian influence in the 2016 election, is seen as a political winner and a way to unite the party amid a turbulent stretch born out of the Trump Justice Departments handling of disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and files related to his criminal case.

The Russia investigation has been a fixation of GOP lawmakers and members of Trumps base dating back to 2017 and has fueled distrust in the FBI and intelligence community.

The leader of the gang was President Obama.  Hes guilty. Its not a question, Trump said Tuesday in the Oval Office. I like to say lets give it time. Its there. Hes guilty. This was treason. This was every word you can think of.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbards office released documents last Friday and again on Wednesday purporting to show Obama and some of his top aides misled the public about the nature of Russias efforts to interfere in the 2016 election.

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Gabbard has alleged Obama officials manufactured intelligence about Russias election interference and that Russia did not prefer Trump in that election, as the intelligence community had previously established.

Obamas name was uttered roughly a dozen times at a Wednesday White House press briefing, where Gabbard spoke to reporters about the latest release of documents, as contained in a House Intelligence Committee report drafted in 2017, when Republicans led the panel, and published in 2020.

The evidence that we have found and that we have released directly points to President Obama leading the manufacturing of this intelligence assessment. There are multiple pieces of evidence and intelligence that confirm that fact, Gabbard said, telling reporters her office was referring documents to the Justice Department for potential criminal charges.

Gabbard had previously accused Obama and his White House aides of a treasonous conspiracy, though on Wednesday she repeatedly sidestepped questions about what specific crime Obama would have committed.

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Critics have panned the documents released by Gabbard as out of step with intelligence community findings and the findings of a bipartisan report from the Senate Intelligence Committee released in 2020, which both established that Russia attempted to interfere in the 2016 election and preferred Trump to win. The Obama White House said at the time Russia did not change any votes in the election.

The allegations against Obama were so severe, and in the view of some Democrats so outlandish, that it elicited a rare public statement from the former presidents office.

Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response, Obama spokesperson Patrick Rodenbush said in a statement. But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one. These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction.

Nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes, Rodenbush added.

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Multiple investigations have concluded that Russia interfered in the 2016 election.

A 2019 report by former special counsel Robert Mueller found that Russia interfered in the election, partly through a social media campaign that favored Trump.

The Senate Intelligence Committee in 2020 released a bipartisan report that also affirmed the findings of the U.S. intelligence community that Russia interfered in the 2016 election, and that the Russian government demonstrated a preference for candidate Trump. Numerous Democrats have noted this week that Secretary of State Marco Rubio served on the Senate Intelligence Committee at the time.

But even if the focus on Russian interference and Obamas role dont lead to criminal charges, it has the added benefit of shifting attention away, if only temporarily, from an undesirable news cycle for the White House.

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The Beltway has been consumed in recent weeks with stories about the case of Epstein, the sex predator who died in 2019, and calls among many of Trumps own supporters for more transparency.

To the chagrin of Trump and his allies, The Wall Street Journal published a story shortly after Gabbards White House appearance ended reporting that Attorney General Pam Bondi had informed Trump in May that his name was among many that appeared in the Epstein documents.

Hes treating his supporters like he thinks theyre stupid with these lies about other presidents and every other random tangent, said Andrew Bates, a former spokesperson in the Obama and Biden administrations. This is a different version of Trump because you can feel the panic behind his Epstein excuses.

In addition to being red meat for Trumps base, Obama has been a target of Trumps personal animus dating back to before he was in office.

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It was Trump who led the racist birther conspiracy that claimed Obama was not born in the United States. Trump spent much of his first term claiming Obama spied on his campaign in 2016. And the president spent part of the 2024 campaign attacking Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama over their fiery remarks at the Democratic National Convention, which portrayed Trump as a nuisance only focused on his problems.

Democrats view Trumps attacks on former President Obama as returning to a tired playbook at a time when he is facing unrest from some in his own party over the Epstein case and criticisms from political rivals over the potential backlash to his key policy accomplishment.

When you have nothing to present thats affirmative to the American people, Republicans blame Barack Obama, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said Wednesday. Its laughable.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The Trump administration plans to push thousands of U.S. Agriculture Department workers out of the Washington, D.C., region by forcing them to relocate to far-away offices if they want to keep their jobs.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the plan in a press release Thursday, with her office claiming the move would better align the agency with its founding mission of supporting American farming, ranching, and forestry.

Rollins said the department employs around 4,600 workers in the D.C. area, but by the time the transition is over, it plans to have no more than 2,000 left in and around the nations capital. It also expects to close most of its buildings in the area, including a major research center.

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The D.C.-area employees would be transferred to hub locations in Raleigh, North Carolina; Kansas City, Missouri; Indianapolis, Indiana; Fort Collins, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah, the agency said.

Rollins acknowledged the move would create personal disruption for you and your families, in a video directed at agency employees.

This decision was not entered into lightly, she said.

Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees, a union representing USDA workers, told HuffPost in a statement that the move would damage the agency. He noted that, despite common misperceptions, 85% of federal employees already live outside the Washington, D.C., region.

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But D.C. is the center of our nations government for a reason, as it facilitates needed coordination between senior leadership and field offices and ensures agencies are at the seat of the table when decisions are made at the White House and in Congress, Kelley said.

Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins speaks during a news conference at the USDA headquarters building in Washington, D.C., on July 14, 2025. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images

He singled out the announced closure of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland as particularly misguided, calling it a crown jewel for critical research.

Im concerned this reorganization is just the latest attempt to eliminate USDA workers and minimize their critical work, Kelley added.

The relocation proposal is reminiscent of a similar, controversial plan at the USDA from the first Trump presidency.

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In 2019, then-Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced that two agencies within the USDA would be relocated to Kansas City to save money and place employees in the Heartland. The move crushed morale and prompted many workers to leave rather than upend their families lives; it also fueled a successful union organizing campaign among USDA staff.

Mick Mulvaney, who had served as Trumps budget director, later boasted about how many resignations the plan had spurred.

HuffPost reported earlier this year on how that move was still dogging the agency and its mission more than five years later. A USDA economist said the relocation plan appeared to be little more than a mass layoff in disguise.

We had a lot of people who had spent their careers working on very specific fields  very niche questions, the economist said. And when they left, it was so sudden and abrupt that there wasnt time to bring in the next generation. You had to just leave all of your work and go.

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Rollins argued that pushing workers to other states would benefit the agencys work.

President Trump was elected to make real change in Washington, and we are doing just that by moving our key services outside the beltway and into great American cities across the country, she said.

The proposal aligns with Trumps broader attacks on the federal workforce.

Since taking power in January, the administration has gone to great lengths to push federal employees out of the government, either by firing them through legally dubious means, enticing them to leave through early retirement offers or making them so miserable that they decide to quit.

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More than 15,000 USDA employees took the administrations deferred resignation proposal earlier this year, raising concerns about how it would continue to enforce food safety, administer agricultural programs and conduct critical research. In fact, so many chose to leave that USDA leadership had to encourage some to change their minds.

Related...
The Treasury Department wants you to Venmo it to help with the $36.65 trillion national debt.

On Wednesday, NPRs Jack Corbett pointed out that there was an option on Pay.gov, the Treasurys online payment platform, where Americans could go to throw their Venmo dollars at the gargantuan national debt. You can also use PayPal. The page is titled Gifts to Reduce the Public Debt.

X screenshot Jack Corbett @jackcorrbit you can venmo the United States to help pay off the national debt (screenshot of Treasury page)

The Treasury has run this program for years, and people have donated $67.3 million since 1996, a minuscule amount of the total debt. But the options to use Venmo or PayPal are new.

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This is an absolute joke. Leaders on both sides of the aisle harangue Americans every day about the specter of the national debt while throwing billions of dollars at funding the military, funding Israels military, and funding Trumps brutal immigration campaign. To even create this option when the majority of the country is working/middle class appears deeply unserious and tone deaf.

And even if people were feeling generous, it would be virtually impossible to make a dent in the debt given its current size and the fact that it is set to keep growing, and fast.
President Trump waded into the complex issue of paying copyright holders whose works are used for AI training, saying it is impractical and would put the U.S. at a disadvantage to China.

Speaking Wednesday at an AI summit in Washington, D.C., Trump called for a common sense approach that will allow unfettered development of AI.

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You cant be expected to have a successful AI program when every single article, book or anything else that youve read or studied, youre supposed to pay for, Trump said. You just cant do it, because its not doable.

AI companies have also argued in court that training on copyrighted data is protected fair use. A couple of federal judges have agreed, siding with Meta and Anthropic in a pair of rulings in June that threw out artists infringement claims.

In his speech at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium, Trump gave a succinct rendition of the AI industrys perspective on the issue.

When a person reads a book or an article, youve gained great knowledge. That does not mean that youre violating copyright laws or have to make deals with every content provider, he said. You just cant do it. Chinas not doing it You have to play by the same set of rules It just doesnt work that way. Of course, you cant copy or plagiarize an article, but if you read an article and learn from it, we have to allow AI to use that pool of knowledge without going through the complexity of contract negotiations, of which there would be thousands for every time we use AI.

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The Human Artistry Campaign  a coalition that includes Hollywood unions such as SAG-AFTRA, the Directors Guild of America, the Writers Guild of America and IATSE  has pushed the opposite side of the argument, maintaining that AI training should be done only with consent from rightsholders.

Some advocates for creatives envision a payment scheme similar to ASCAP or BMI, where AI companies could license copyright works and royalties would be distributed to rightsholders, who would have the option to opt out of training.

Human art is the product of lived experience and grows organically from the culture, geography, family, and moments that shape us as individuals, wrote Moiya McTier, a senior adviser at the Human Artistry Campaign, in a column last year. And when a machine consumes and disassembles all that to make false replicas and impersonations, it raises the deepest questions of cultural appropriation and creative equity.

In March, more than 400 Hollywood creative leaders signed an open letter to the Trump White Houses Office of Science and Technology Policy, urging the administration to not roll back copyright protections at the behest of AI companies. The group included Ben Stiller, Mark Ruffalo, Cynthia Erivo, Cate Blanchett, Cord Jefferson, Paul McCartney, Ron Howard and Taika Waititi. We firmly believe that Americas global AI leadership must not come at the expense of our essential creative industries, the letter said. AI companies are asking to undermine this economic and cultural strength by weakening copyright protections for the films, television series, artworks, writing, music and voices used to train AI models at the core of multibillion-dollar corporate valuations.

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The Supreme Court may ultimately have to settle the legal question of whether AI training is fair use, or if rightsholders deserve compensation for it. But the political branches could also weigh in.

Sens. Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal introduced legislation on Monday to prohibit AI training on copyrighted works without permission. AI companies are robbing the American people blind while leaving artists, writers, and other creators with zero recourse, Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, said in a statement.

Other bills have also sought disclosure of the copyrighted works used in AI training.

The Motion Picture Association, which represents the major studios and streaming companies, has argued for a case-by-case approach to AI and fair use.

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As of now, there is no cause to believe the courts and existing law are not up to the task of applying existing copyright law to new technology  as courts have been doing for over a century  and thus MPA sees no reason for changes to U.S. law to resolve these fair use issues, the lobbying group said in March.

The White House issued an AI Action Plan on Wednesday that called for further innovation, but did not address the copyright issue.

Trump also signed an executive order to prevent woke AI in the federal government, by directing agency heads to procure only large language models (LLMs) that adhere to Unbiased AI Principles defined in the order as truth-seeking and ideological neutrality. President Trump is protecting Americans from biased AI outputs driven by ideologies like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the cost of accuracy, the White House said in a summary of the order.

Pictured above: Trump speaking during the Winning the AI Race summit hosted by AllIn Podcast and Hill & Valley Forum at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on July 23 in Washington, D.C.

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The Scoop

US President Donald Trumps efforts to block renewable energy leave US consumers more exposed to the ripple effects of sanctions on Russian fossil fuels, the former deputy Treasury secretary under Joe Biden told Semafor.

Wally Adeyemo warned the rollback of tax credits for clean energy enshrined in Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act  credits that Adeyemo helped design  will not only raise US power prices, but undermine a vital new national security tool by leaving US consumers more exposed to sanctions-related volatility in the global oil market.

Adeyemo, who was a key architect of Russia sanctions in the Biden administration, said Trump should move quickly to take advantage of relatively low global oil prices and ramp up economic pressure on China for its support of Moscows war in Ukraine. In hindsight, he said, the Biden administration should have moved more quickly to put a price cap on Russian oil after the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which would have denied Russia revenue far faster. Trump said last week he would give Russia 50 days to broker a ceasefire, and that he would impose 100% tariffs on buyers of Russian crude  including major customer China  if one wasnt reached. Secondary sanctions are the correct next step, Adeyemo said.

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When the global supply of crude oil exceeds demand, that gives us far more room to take actions to constrain Russia, he said. The US and Europe should make clear to the Chinese that they have a choice to provide Russia with revenue, or continue to have access to our markets. It should be in Chinas interest for this war to end in a sustainable and just way.

Tims view

Russias recent battlefield gains and escalating air attacks on Kyiv are proof that existing sanctions on its energy sector arent working well enough to undermine the Kremlins war machine. Moscow earns about half as much from fossil fuel exports as it did before the full-scale invasion, but has found eager customers in India and China for discounted crude and has partially made up its export deficit by borrowing from other sectors of its economy; its clear that President Vladimir Putin is willing to spend the countrys last ruble to keep the war going.

Biden, Adeyemo said, was hamstrung at the beginning of the full-scale war by high oil prices  which then topped $100 per barrel, compared with about $70 today  out of fear that blocking Russian supplies from the global market would not only spike US energy prices, but counterintuitively enable Russia to earn much more per barrel and ultimately come out ahead. But the global energy market is different now than in 2022: Between record US drilling, rising OPEC quotas, and an overall plateauing of global oil demand, its now possible to impose harsher penalties on Russias energy sector without making the West bear the cost. The EU, at least, recognizes that, and last week adopted a lower price cap. Trump hasnt followed suit yet, but Energy Secretary Chris Wright acknowledged this week that todays oil market dynamics allow the US to do things that we couldnt do before.

The trouble is, no matter how much the US drills, oil and gas are still global markets, and theres no way to completely insulate US consumers from the effect of sanctions on such a major producer as Russia. The secondary tariff plan proposed by Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) could easily push oil prices back above $100 per barrel, and US gasoline above $4 per gallon, analyst Clayton Seigle of the Center for Strategic and International Studies warned this week, which would be certainly a showstopper for President Trump as it was for Biden.

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The best long-term way out of this dilemma is the energy transition, Adeyemo said. The less the US relies on fossil fuels, he said, the more it can apply economic pressure on petrostates in the service of its national security objectives without damaging its economy.

The Russia-Ukraine experience made it very clear to me that we need a more diversified energy base in the United States, he said.

Still, Adeyemo said, no amount of sanctions can end the war. In addition to conventional diplomacy and maintaining military aid for Ukraine, he said, more work is needed by the Trump administration to crack down on Russias shadow fleet of sanction-dodging oil tankers, and, outside the energy sector, to track and restrict Chinas exports of specialized electronics used by Russia in the manufacturing of drones and weapons.

Sanctions may contribute to them coming to the negotiating table, he said, but its going to take an overarching foreign policy strategy that includes diplomacy and a number of other tools in order to end this war.

Room for Disagreement

While hitting China and India with secondary sanctions could pressure them to stop buying Russian oil, the strategy risks not only raising global energy prices but also escalating Trumps trade wars. These are already hurting US relations with both India and China, as well as imposing numerous costs on US consumers and businesses. The countries could simply call Trumps bluff, Seigle argued, knowing that a severe trade disruption would hurt the US as much as their own economies. A better strategy, he wrote, would be to exempt buyers of Russian oil from tariffs if they agree to contribute a share of the discount they receive for Russian oil, relative to the prevailing global price, to a US-administered fund to support Ukraine.

Notable
(Reuters) -President Donald Trump said on Thursday he would not destroy Elon Musk's companies by taking away federal subsidies and that he wants the billionaire tech entrepreneur's businesses to thrive.

The remarks follow a public clash with his former close ally over his tax bill. In July, the space and automotive billionaire announced the formation of a new political party, saying Trump's "big, beautiful" tax bill would bankrupt America.

"Everyone is stating that I will destroy Elon's companies by taking away some, if not all, of the large scale subsidies he receives from the U.S. Government. This is not so!" Trump said in a social media post.

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"I want Elon, and all businesses within our Country, to THRIVE."

In a post on X, Musk said the subsidies Trump was talking about simply do not exist.

SpaceX won the NASA contracts by doing a better job for less money, he added. "Moving those contracts to other aerospace companies would leave astronauts stranded and taxpayers on the hook for twice as much!"

The president's social media post came on the heels of Musk's warning to Tesla investors on Wednesday that U.S. government cuts in support for electric vehicle makers could lead to a "few rough quarters" for the company.

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Though Musk has often said government subsidies should be eliminated, Tesla has historically benefited from billions of dollars in tax credits and other policy benefits because of its business in clean transportation and renewable energy.

Sweeping tax and budget legislation approved by Congress, and signed by Trump, will halt $7,500 tax credits for buying or leasing new electric vehicles on September 30, as well as a $4,000 used EV credit, that have helped spur their sales in recent years.

Before the relationship soured, Musk had spent more than a quarter of a billion dollars to help Trump win November's presidential election and led the Department of Government Efficiency's chaotic effort to slash the budget and cut the federal workforce.

The Tesla CEO left the administration in late May to refocus on his tech empire.

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Trump and Musk fell out shortly afterward when Musk openly denounced the Republican president's tax-cut and spending bill, leading to threats by Trump to cancel billions of dollars worth of federal government contracts with Musk's companies.

A week after the June spat, Reuters reported the White House had directed the Defense Department and NASA to gather details on billions of dollars in SpaceX contracts to ready possible retaliation against the businessman and his companies.

Musk's SpaceX had been considered a frontrunner to build out Trump's $175-billion Golden Dome missile defense shield and remains a natural choice for key elements of the project.

But sources familiar with the matter told Reuters this week that the administration is expanding its search for partners to build Golden Dome as tension with Musk threatens SpaceX's dominance in the program.

(Reporting by Bhargav Acharya in Toronto, additional reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan in Bengaluru; Editing by Doina Chiacu, Philippa Fletcher and Daniel Wallis)
President Trump signed a trio of executive orders related to artificial intelligence (AI) on Wednesday, focusing on boosting data center construction and the adoption of American technology while targeting woke AI.

The three executive orders seek to fast-track permitting for data centers, promote the export of the American technology stack abroad and bar woke AI systems from federal contracting.

Under this administration, our innovation will be unmatched, and our capabilities will be unrivaled, Trump said at an AI summit hosted by the Hill and Valley Forum and the All-In podcast, where he signed the orders Wednesday evening.

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With the help of many of the people in this room, Americas ultimate triumph will be absolutely unstoppable, he continued. We will be unstoppable as a nation. Again, were way ahead, and we want to stay that way.

The orders accompany the Trump administrations AI Action Plan released earlier Wednesday, which lays out a three-pronged approach to winning the race on AI.

In the framework, the administration called to cut federal and state AI regulations in an effort to boost innovation, pushed to expedite the build-out of AI infrastructure and sought to encourage the adoption of American technology abroad.

Each of Trumps executive orders seeks to target at least some of the policy goals detailed in his AI action plan.

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The data center order calls on the Council on Environmental Quality to establish new categorical exclusions for certain data center projects that normally do not have a significant effect on the human environment. It also seeks to identify projects that qualify for expedited permitting review.

My administration will use every tool at our disposal to ensure that the United States can build and retain the largest, most powerful and most advanced AI infrastructure anywhere on the planet, Trump said Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, his AI export order calls for the creation of an American AI Exports Program that will develop full-stack AI export packages, featuring U.S. chips, AI models and applications.

Trump contrasted his approach with that of former President Biden, who released the AI diffusion rule at the tail end of his presidency, placing caps on chip sales to most countries around the world. The rule faced pushback from the semiconductor industry and was repealed by the Trump administration in May.

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The third order targeting woke AI seeks to limit agencies from signing contracts for AI models unless they are considered truth seeking and maintain ideological neutrality, which it defines as those that do not manipulate responses in favor of ideological dogmas such as DEI.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The Trump administration has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to end sanctuary city law policies in New York City, arguing that the laws that protect migrants violate the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Brooklyn Federal Court, cites Sundays shooting of an off-duty Customs and Border Patrol officer in Fort Washington Park and the arrest of two migrants who were in the country illegally. It contends that the city has long been at the vanguard of interfering with enforcing this countrys immigration laws.

The lawsuit is seeking a permanent injunction putting an end to a number of city laws that bar the use of city resources in immigration enforcement and block city agencies like the Department of Correction and the police from honoring civil immigration detainers placed by federal authorities.

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The citys sanctuary laws were passed under Mayor de Blasio in 2014. They limit communications and cooperation between federal immigration enforcement agencies and local agencies, including law enforcement.

The lawsuit specifically takes aim at an NYPD operations order that prevents officers from engaging in or assisting in civil immigration enforcement.

That order prevents cops from tipping off civil immigration authorities on where to find immigrants, and from detaining them for the feds. It also prevents cops from helping close streets for civil immigration actions, and bars NYPD facilities from being used in connection with civil immigration enforcement.

The lawsuit was filed against the city, Mayor Adams and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, as well as the NYPD and the Department of Correction. It claims local protections are designed to obstruct the lawful enforcement of federal immigration law, and that the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution means that federal law pre-empts any laws passed by New York City.

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We will review the lawsuit, Adams spokeswoman Kayla Mamelak said.

The lawsuit criticized what it called the citys intentional effort to obstruct the United States enforcement of federal immigration law, by (among much else) impeding the consultation and communication between federal and local law enforcement officials that is necessary for the United States to enforce the law and keep Americans safe.

It also uses a letter from the citys six GOP council members and two conservative Democrat elected officials to claim, without any specific statistics, that the city is experiencing a surge of violent crime. Major crimes are, in fact, down across the board in the city this year, with 2025 so far seeing a 26% drop in murders, a 22% drop in shootings, a 12% drop in robberies and a 1% drop in serious assaults.

Murad Awawdeh, president of the New York Immigration Coalition, blasted the administrations efforts.

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Unfortunately, Donald Trump thinks that he and he alone can decide our countrys local laws  undermining the 10th amendment, Awawdeh said. Todays lawsuit is frivolous at best, and an attack on New Yorks ability to govern itself at worst. New York must reject Trumps continued assaults to its Constitutional right to pass local laws that serve our communities best. Mayor Adams must fight back against this federal overreach and defend the well-being of all New Yorkers.

The lawsuit comes after DHS Secretary Kristi Noem Monday blamed the mayor and New Yorks sanctuary city policies for the shooting of the off-duty Customs and Border Patrol agent.

This officer is in the hospital today, fighting for his life, because of the policies of the mayor of the city and the City Council and the people that were in charge of keeping the public safe refused to do so, Noem said. When I look at what Mayor Adams has done to New York City, it breaks my heart to see the families that have suffered because of his policies.

Noems comments marked an unusual Trump administration rebuke of Adams, whose criminal indictment was dismissed by Trumps DOJ in what has been criticized as a corrupt deal to aid in the administrations deportation efforts.

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Though named as the defendant in Trumps lawsuit, Adams himself has been critical of the sweep of the citys sanctuary city protections and has talked about the possibility of using executive orders to dial them back.

Mamelak said the lawsuit does not point to any change in the relationship between Adams and the Trump administration.

Mayor Adams has been clear: no one should be afraid to dial 911, send their kids to school, or go to the hospital, and no New Yorker should feel forced to hide in the shadows, Mamelak said. Thats why the mayor supports the essence of the local laws put in place by the City Council  but he has also been clear they go too far when it comes to dealing with those violent criminals on our streets and has urged the Council to reexamine them to ensure we can effectively work with the federal government to make our city safer. So far, the Council has refused.

At a press conference Wednesday, the mayor, asked about sanctuary policies, said he wished he could use his executive authority to override laws he didnt like.

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I wish my EOs can override laws. Id override a whole lot of laws, Adams said. But executive orders cant override laws. And thats one of the misnomers thats out there, that mayors have the ability to override existing laws. No, the City Council, they pass laws and we sign it into law. But we cant use the power of our pen with executive orders to override the laws.

Adams, through his Deputy Randy Mastro, did issue an executive order earlier this year allowing ICE to operate an office on Rikers Island, but those plans are at a standstill after the Council challenged the move in court.

The City Council has pushed back strongly against any changes to the sanctuary laws, which are intended to allow immigrants to make use of the citys resources, send children to school and seek help from law enforcement.

This lawsuit is under review by the Citys Law Department. (Attorney General) Pam Bondi may want to distract from reality, but the facts are clear: the evidence consistently shows that cities with sanctuary laws are safer than those without them, said Council spokesman Rendy Desamours. When residents feel comfortable reporting crime and cooperating with local law enforcement, we are all safer, something both Republican and Democratic mayors of New York City have recognized.

It is the Trump Administration indiscriminately targeting people at civil court hearings, detaining high schoolers, and separating families that make our city and nation less safe.
NEW YORK  The Trump administration has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to end sanctuary city law policies in New York City, arguing that the laws that protect migrants violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Brooklyn Federal Court, cites Sundays shooting of an off-duty Customs and Border Patrol officer in Fort Washington Park and the arrest of two migrants who were in the country illegally. It contends that the city has long been at the vanguard of interfering with enforcing this countrys immigration laws.

The lawsuit is seeking an injunction to put a stop to city laws barring the use of city resources from being used in immigration enforcement, and blocking city agencies like the Department of Correction and the police from honoring civil immigration detainers placed by federal authorities.

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The citys sanctuary laws were passed under Mayor de Blasio in 2014. They limit communications and cooperation between federal immigration enforcement agencies and local agencies, including law enforcement.

The lawsuit was filed against the city, Mayor Eric Adams and Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, as well as the NYPD and the Department of Correction. It claims local protections are designed to obstruct the lawful enforcement of federal immigration law, and that the Supremacy Clause of the Constitution means that federal law pre-empts any laws passed by New York City.

We will review the lawsuit, Adams spokeswoman Kayla Mamelak said. The council did not immediately comment.

The challenged provisions of New York City law reflect the Citys intentional effort to obstruct the United States enforcement of federal immigration law, by (among much else) impeding the consultation and communication between federal and local law enforcement officials that is necessary for the United States to enforce the law and keep Americans safe, the lawsuit contends.

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New York Citys Sanctuary Provisions have the purpose and effect of making it more difficult for federal immigration officers to carry out their responsibilities in that jurisdiction.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on Monday blamed the mayor and New Yorks sanctuary city policies for the shooting of the off-duty Customs and Border Patrol agent.

This officer is in the hospital today, fighting for his life, because of the policies of the mayor of the city and the City Council and the people that were in charge of keeping the public safe refused to do so, Noem said. When I look at what Mayor Adams has done to New York City, it breaks my heart to see the families that have suffered because of his policies.

Noems comments marked an unusual Trump administration rebuke of Adams, whose criminal indictment was dismissed by Trumps DOJ in what has been criticized as a corrupt deal to aid in the administrations deportation efforts.

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Though named as the defendant in Trumps lawsuit, Adams himself has been critical of the sweep of the citys sanctuary city protections and has talked about the possibility of using executive orders to dial them back.

Mamelak said the lawsuit does not point to any change in the relationship between Adams and the Trump administration.

Mayor Adams has been clear: no one should be afraid to dial 911, send their kids to school, or go to the hospital, and no New Yorker should feel forced to hide in the shadows, Mamelak said. Thats why the mayor supports the essence of the local laws put in place by the City Council  but he has also been clear they go too far when it comes to dealing with those violent criminals on our streets and has urged the Council to reexamine them to ensure we can effectively work with the federal government to make our city safer. So far, the Council has refused.

At a press conference Wednesday, the mayor, asked about sanctuary policies, said he wished he could use his executive authority to override laws he didnt like.

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I wish my EOs can override laws. Id override a whole lot of laws, Adams said. But executive orders cant override laws. And thats one of the misnomers thats out there, that mayors have the ability to override existing laws. No, the City Council, they pass laws and we sign it into law. But we cant use the power of our pen with executive orders to override the laws.

Adams, through his Deputy Randy Mastro, did issue an executive order earlier this year allowing ICE to operate an office on Rikers Island, but those plans are at a standstill after the Council challenged the move in court.

The City Council has pushed back strongly against any changes to the sanctuary laws, which are intended to allow immigrants to make use of the citys resources, send children to school and seek help from law enforcement.

_____
NEW YORK  President Donald Trumps Justice Department sued New York City Mayor Eric Adams administration in federal court Thursday, alleging the citys sanctuary policies interfere with the enforcement of federal immigration law.

The lawsuit represents the latest clash between the Trump administration and Democratic-controlled cities and states over immigration policy  and perhaps a final blow to the presidents mercurial relationship with Adams, one thats frayed in recent months following a short-lived alliance.

If New Yorks leaders wont step up to protect their citizens, we will, Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote in a Thursday afternoon press release.

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In the complaint, filed in Brooklyn federal court, the Justice Department contends New Yorks policies violate the U.S. Constitutions Supremacy Clause and asks the court to issue a permanent injunction prohibiting the city from enforcing them.

The challenged provisions of New York City law reflect the Citys intentional effort to obstruct the United States enforcement of federal immigration law, by (among much else) impeding the consultation and communication between federal and local law enforcement officials that is necessary for the United States to enforce the law and keep Americans safe, the complaint reads.

The Justice Department also argues that the citys refusal to comply with the Department of Homeland Security frequently puts ICE officers in considerable risk of physical danger, citing several recent high-profile incidents involving federal immigration officials, including the shooting Sunday that left an off-duty Customs and Border Patrol agent in the hospital.

The complaint, which also named the New York City Council and the city Department of Correction as defendants, also cites data on Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer requests, which the Justice Department claims the city has not honored. New Yorks suite of sanctuary policies date back to the 1980s and limit cooperation between federal immigrant agents and local law enforcement officers.

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Adams' press secretary Kayla Mamelak Altus said the city would review the lawsuit, but argued sanctuary city policies keep New Yorkers safe. Mayor Adams has been clear: no one should be afraid to dial 911, send their kids to school, or go to the hospital, and no New Yorker should feel forced to hide in the shadows, she said.

Adams supports the essence of sanctuary city laws, Mamelak Altus said, but he has also been clear they go too far when it comes to dealing with those violent criminals on our streets and has urged the Council to reexamine them to ensure we can effectively work with the federal government to make our city safer. So far, the Council has refused.

The City Council didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

The lawsuit is an ironic twist to the complex relationship between Adams and the Justice Department. In February, after months of the mayor courting Trump, top Justice Department officials ordered New York federal prosecutors to drop their corruption case against the mayor. The DOJ argued the charges impeded Adams ability to work with the Trump administration on its immigration agenda, an argument that, in part, led the top federal prosecutor in New York at the time to deride the order as a quid pro quo between Trump and the mayor.

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When a federal judge reluctantly agreed to dismiss the charges , saying he couldnt force the DOJ to prosecute someone, he wrote that everything here smacks of a bargain: dismissal of the Indictment in exchange for immigration policy concessions.

The shooting, and the Trump administration's response, seem to have torn apart the fragile peace between Adams and the White House with regards to immigration enforcement in the five boroughs. Trump border czar Tom Homan reiterated his threat Monday that ICE agents would flood the zone in the city after the City Council blocked federal law enforcement agencies from opening an office on Rikers Island, home to the citys jail complex. And Adams sent a letter to the Trump administration Wednesday expressing concern about conditions for immigrants locked up at 26 Federal Plaza, a building in Lower Manhattan.

But even as Adams has maintained a position of working, not warring with the White House, the two administrations have tussled in court. Adams sued Trump in February after the White House removed more than $80 million in migrant funding from a city bank bank account without permission. City Hall has also joined lawsuits seeking the release of individual New Yorkers held by ICE and supported suits challenging the cancellation of FEMA funding.
The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday and other news outlets confirmed what many had already suspected given Donald Trumps apparent uneasiness about the unrelenting focus on his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein since his Administration tried to close the case on the alleged sex trafficker and unsuccessfully urge people to move on earlier this month.

The Justice Department in May informed the President at a meeting in the White House that his name was in the Epstein files, the Journal reported, citing senior officials. Sources also told the same thing to the New York Times and CNN, among other media.

After years of allies, including officials that would join Trumps second-term Administration, promoting conspiracy theories that past governments had suppressed incriminating Epstein-related evidence, including a supposed client list, Trumps Justice Department announced in early July that it did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties and that no further disclosure would be appropriate or warranted.

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The announcement rocked MAGA world, infuriating many of Trumps own supporters and frustrating Trump, who has called the matter a hoax and witch hunt and tried to distract attention from it, including by baselessly accusing former President Barack Obama of treason.

Even before Wednesdays news, Democrats had openly questioned whether the White House has moved to prevent the declassification and public release of the full Epstein files because they implicate President Trump, and whether these massive redaction efforts and the withholding of the files were intended to shield your boss from embarrassing revelations within those files.

And Trumps former ally turned critic Elon Musk had raised eyebrows when he said shortly after leaving the Administration in late May that Trump is in the Epstein files. That is the real reason they have not been made public, in a since-deleted post on X.

This is nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media, White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement after the Journals latest report. Trump is currently suing the Journal over a report last week that Epstein received a lewd birthday drawing from Trump in 2003, which Trump denies.

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That Trumps name appears in Epstein files the government has not yet publicized has stirred a variety of reactions among his supporters.

Being in the files isnt necessarily bad

Being in the Epstein Files does not mean youre a pedophile, pro-Trump influencer Joey Mannarino posted on X. Epstein was a member of Mar-A-Lago for years until Trump threw him out. Of course there will be incidental mentions of Trump.

Its an argument that even some more objective observers, like longtime Epstein reporter Julie K. Brown, have espoused. Trumps name (along with many other names) was on Epsteins plane logs, his name is in his black book phone directory -- and his name was on phone message pads seized by police from Epsteins Palm Beach home in 2005, Brown posted. All these have long been part of the federal investigation into Epstein. So the idea that Trumps name would be in the files isnt new -- and having your name in the files in of itself doesnt implicate him in any wrongdoing.

But some have pointed out the hypocrisy from Trump supporters, including Mannarino, who previously anticipated that the release of Epstein-related files would reveal high-profile Democrats linked to Epstein. Earlier this year, ahead of what turned out to be a widely disappointing document disclosure, Mannarino had posted: The Epstein Files come tomorrow. Any living people on that list should immediately be jailed.

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And, of course, others have noted, being named in the Epstein files may not be incriminating, but its certainly not exculpatory either.

Weve seen this before

Right-wing media personality and commentator Mike Cernovich, who was among a group of MAGA personalities who received a binder of supposed Epstein files from the White House in February, posted on X: Epstein kept a book of phone numbers, as many of his era did, which included Trump family members and other randoms. Thats what this is in reference too. We reported this back in February.

YouTuber Matt Christiansen similarly downplayed the revelation of Trumps existence in the Epstein files as a necessary conclusion from knowledge of their already public relationship, especially after the Journal released its report on Trumps birthday letter. If you buy that story as true, then the Wall Street Journal said that letter is in the book that is in possession of the DOJ and the Wall Street Journal has reviewed it then yes, Trump is in the Epstein files and his boob drawing is in there.

Democratic deflection

Some conspiracy theorists suggested that the news of Trumps name in the Epstein files is part of a Democratic-led conspiracy to distract from the Trump Administrations efforts to prosecute Obama and his former officials.

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Trump himself previously said as much in a post on Truth Social earlier this month, when he decried that people are giving publicity to Files written by Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan, and the Losers and Criminals of the Biden Administration. Trump said they created the Epstein Files, just like they created the FAKE Hillary Clinton/Christopher Steele Dossier that they used on me.

Infowars founder Alex Jones claimed in a video on X on Wednesday that the Democrats control the FBIs files related to Epstein and of course theres going to be mentions of Donald Trump. He said: Ive been predicting this, so its true, the Democrats have been in control of those files. Jones said he was pissed at Trump for the Streisand effect thing, referring to the phenomenon whereby trying to suppress something only draws more attention to it, but he said its going to be more nothingburgers.

What we know, Jones said, seemingly unrelated to yet part of his analysis of the Journal report about Trump being named in the Epstein files, well that Obama ordered the entire Russiagate thing and tried to take down Trump. That is treason.

Jacob Creech, a QAnon figure who uses the X handle @WarClandestine, replied to the Journals thread of its report, saying: Your panic is delicious. You all will do anything to deflect from the fact that your messiah Obama is guilty of treason.

Why wasnt it released before?

Others expressed disbelief in the seriousness of Trumps name by claiming that if the implications were more damning, then it would have come out before Trump returned to office.

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Actress Angela Belcamino, who posted earlier this month that if Republicans are on the Epstein list, lock them up and throw away the key, said after the report came out: If Trump is in the Epstein files why didnt the Biden administration do the right thing and release them during his administration?

Its been a refrain among Trump supporters for some time.

Last month, conservative commentator Benny Johnson posted: First off, ask yourself this: If there was incriminating evidence against Trump in the Epstein files, would the Deep State have just kept it a secret and just watched Trump take office -- TWICE?! He described the reasoning as proof that Trump is *Not* in the Epstein Files.

Daily Wire podcaster Matt Walsh posted on X last month: It is totally inconceivable that there would be something incriminating about Trump in the Epstein files and yet the Democrats kept that information to themselves for all these years. Sure, you can say that they are also incriminated in the files. But so what? They would have just released the part that incriminated Trump.

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And right-wing activist Jack Posobiec repeated earlier this month on X: If Trump was in the Epstein files, why wouldn't Biden and [former U.S. Attorney General Merrick] Garland just have released it?

Maybe Trump isnt so good after all

Still, to some former MAGA diehards disappointed by the recent Epstein saga, the Journals report was the nail in the coffin to make them turn their backs on Trump.

Livestreamer Nick Fuentes, who has been described as a white nationalist and Holocaust denier and once dined with Trump at Mar-a-Lago in 2022 though he did not endorse Trump in 2024, posted on X: The Wall Street Journal just confirmed that Trump has been engaged in a deliberate coverup of the Epstein Files ever since he learned he was named in them in May. Then he spent the last week gaslighting & guilting-tripping his supporters for not believing his lies. DESPICABLE.

Trumps handling of the Epstein files and responses thus far to the controversy has been a bitter pill for many of his supporters to swallow, especially as it becomes harder and harder to deny that he may have something to hide about his closeness to Epstein.

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Recently a video of the late convicted sex offender has gone viral on social media. Asked during a 2010 deposition whether he had socialized with Trump, who was not yet even talked about as a future White House contender, in the presence of females under the age of 18, Epstein responded: Though ld like to answer that question, at least today lm going to have to assert my Fifth, Sixth, and 14th Amendment rights, sir.

Critics have cited Trumps own words from the campaign trail in 2016 against him now about invoking the constitutional right to not self-incriminate: If youre innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?

Contact us at letters@time.com.
President Donald Trump was told by Attorney General Pam Bondi that hes mentioned multiple times in files related to the probe of notorious sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, according to multiple reports.

Bondi told Trump in May that his name appears alongside many other prominent people in Justice Department documents about the Epstein case, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported Wednesday.

The crucial meeting at which Bondi briefed Trump came shortly before she released a controversial memo declaring the Trump administration wouldnt release any more information about the bombshell investigation, the outlets said, citing several officials with knowledge of the exchange.

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Since being told hes in the files, Trump, who admits to once being a close friend of the notorious pedophile, has repeatedly sought to quiet the firestorm over the Epstein case and even called it a hoax hatched by his political opponents.

In a statement in response to questions about the May meeting, Bondi confirmed the president had been made aware of the findings, but said nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution.

White House communications director Steven Cheung would not address questions about the briefing, but said Wednesday that any suggestion Trump engaged in illicit activity related to Epstein is nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media.

Outside the White House on July 15, Trump denied a specific question about whether Bondi told him he was included in the Epstein files.

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Specifically, did she tell you at all that your name appeared in the files? a reporter asked Trump.

No, no. Shes given us just a very quick briefing, and in terms of the credibility of the different things that theyve seen, Trump responded.

Before his second inauguration in January, Trump and his MAGA allies spent years demanding the release of far more information about the Epstein case.

As public furor over the Epstein files has exploded in recent weeks, Trump has sought to deflect criticism. He ordered Bondi to seek the release of grand jury testimony in the case, which experts say is likely to be much more tame than the materials in the DOJs files.

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The latest bombshell reports dropped amid fast-moving developments in the Epstein case, which has divided Trump from his right-wing MAGA base.

A judge on Wednesday rejected a Trump administration request to unseal transcripts from grand jury investigations into Epstein years ago in Florida.

A similar records request is pending before a Manhattan federal judge who presided over the trial of convicted Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.

His former socialite pal, who is appealing her 20-year prison sentence, opposes the request.

A congressional committee has issued Maxwell a subpoena for a deposition but its unclear if she will agree to appear.

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Another Republican-controlled panel is considering demanding the release of all the Epstein files, with several GOP lawmakers saying theyll join Democrats to back the move.

House Speaker Mike Johnson scrapped most congressional legislative business on Tuesday and sent lawmakers home early for their August recess in hopes the political firestorm dies down.

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U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi ducked out of a summit on human trafficking on Wednesday, citing a medical issue, as new reporting emerged to intensify the pressure on President Donald Trump over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Shortly after The Wall Street Journal reported that Bondi informed Trump in May that his name appears multiple times in the Justice Departments files on the late sex offender, her absence from the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC)s Summit Against Human Trafficking was announced.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew Galeotti notified the audience at the event in Washington, D.C., by reading aloud a statement that read: Im sorry to miss all of my CPAC friends today Unfortunately, I am recovering from a recently torn cornea, which is preventing me from being with you.

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I truly wish I was able to join you and support all of the work being done on this critical issue.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said that she is suffering from a torn cornea (AFP/Getty)

Trump is already suing the Journal after it alleged last week that he sent a bawdy hand-drawn birthday card to Epstein.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung moved quickly to deny the newspapers latest bombshell, calling it nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media.

Also on Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee moved to subpoena both the files and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins jailed accomplice, while federal judges in New York and Florida rejected requests to unseal grand jury transcripts related to investigations into the duo.

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The scandal erupted on July 7 when the FBI and Justice Department abruptly announced that no Epstein client list existed and that the financier died by his own hand in a New York jail cell in August 2019, infuriating Trumps supporters who long believed they would finally see the sex traffickers allies and enablers held to account.

The result has been weeks of infighting among the presidents MAGA coalition, with Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy Director Dan Bongino bearing the brunt of the criticism and accused of orchestrating a cover-up.

Critics of the AG include podcaster Liz Wheeler, who was one of several right-wing influencers invited to the White House in February to receive binders of documents on Epstein that were already publicly available.

A protester holds up a sign bearing Bondis photograph and a direct quote for her regarding the Epstein files at a demonstration in Los Angeles, California, on July 17 2025 (AFP/Getty)

I was one of the new media figures who have been put through the ringer for Attorney General Pam Bondis gross incompetence and her severe lack of judgement in the way that she rolled that out, she said.

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Its time to rectify this issue, which is why I said [the president] should not tolerate Pam Bondis behaviour anymore.

Wheeler continued: The base feels stung because we have not been told the truth and we associate the Epstein files now with the question of, are we going to get the justice we voted for?

The American people feel that this is injustice. They feel that they are being played. They feel there is dishonesty afoot. And of course that triggers us because we have been harmed by politicians doing this before.

What we do as President Trumps base is, a true friend tells you the truth, even when that truth is uncomfortable, even when that truth might have consequences.

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Former Republican congressman Joe Walsh has also attacked Bondi on social media, writing: We dont have an Attorney General. We havent had one for the past six months. Pam Bondi is Donald Trumps personal lawyer. Nothing more.

Weve normalized his corruption. And America will pay such a steep price for doing so. Shame on us.

On Capitol Hill last night, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin told reporters: Time and again, Pam Bondi and President Trump have lied to the American people. They are destroying Americans trust in our justice system.
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed three executive orders aimed at boosting American dominance in artificial intelligence, calling the initiative essential to staying ahead of China in the global AI race.

The race has just begun, and youre going to win it, Trump told a gathering of tech leaders during the announcement.

The orders are designed to reduce regulations on AI development, promote U.S.-made AI tools abroad, reduce ideological bias, as well as accelerate the construction of AI infrastructure across the country. Trump emphasized the need to support innovation without government interference.

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America must once again become a country where innovators are rewarded with a green light, not strangled with red tape, he said.

The White House says the action plan can be executed within the next year.

While the presidents plan received support from some industry leaders, it has also drawn criticism from more than 90 labor, environmental and consumer advocacy organizations. In a joint statement, the coalition warned against letting corporate interests shape AI policy.

We cant let Big Tech and Big Oil lobbyists write the rules for AI at the expense of our freedom and equality, workers and families well-being, even the air we breathe and the water we drink, the statement read.

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A key part of the presidents strategy includes fast-tracking the development of large-scale data centers that power AI systems facilities that require significant electricity and water resources.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) voiced concern about the potential impact of these data centers on local energy costs.

These facilities use enormous amounts of electricity, Hawley said. If theyre going to cause rates to rise for everybody else, then Im opposed to that.

Meanwhile, Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) acknowledged the economic potential of AI investments but urged communities to have a say in the process.

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Data centers are going to be important if we want to continue to expand AI, Slotkin said. But local communities need to be invested.

Lawmakers from both parties say legislation is on the way to provide a framework for how AI can be safely developed in the United States. A bipartisan group is currently drafting a sweeping AI oversight bill that could be introduced later this year.

Hawley noted that it will ultimately be up to Congress to ensure that working Americans arent sacrificed in the AI race with China.

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Washington  President Trump on Thursday withdrew the nomination of Alina Habba, his former defense lawyer, to serve as the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey, a Justice Department official confirmed, which clears the way for her to serve as the U.S. attorney in the state in an acting capacity.

Mr. Trump's move came after a federal district court set off a leadership scramble in the U.S. attorney's office when it declined to keep Habba in the role of U.S. attorney and instead installed Desiree Leigh Grace as the state's top federal prosecutor.

Grace, who was Habba's deputy, was selected by the judges on the U.S. district court in New Jersey to serve as the U.S. attorney for the state as Habba's 120-day term in the post wound down. But shortly after, Attorney General Pam Bondi said that Grace had been removed as first assistant U.S. attorney, and she excoriated the judges for tapping Grace, instead of letting Habba stay in the role.

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"This Department of Justice does not tolerate rogue judges  especially when they threaten the president's core Article II powers," Bondi wrote on social media.

The attorney general's post raised questions about who would be the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey as the 120-day clock on Habba's interim term expires. A court order signed by Chief Judge Renee Bumb said Grace's appointment was effective Tuesday or "upon the expiration of 120 days after" Habba's appointment by Bondi.

But Habba said in a post on X, "I am now the Acting United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey" and indicated she would fight for the job. The Justice Department official confirmed that Mr. Trump pulled Habba's nomination for U.S. attorney, which avoids a provision of federal law that restricts a person from serving as an acting officer if the president has submitted their nomination to the Senate. That law limits her time as acting U.S. attorney to 210 days from when the vacancy occurred.

Mr. Trump announced on March 24 that he had tapped Habba to serve as interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey, which would put the expiration of her term at July 22. But Todd Blanche, deputy attorney general, has said her tenure as interim U.S. attorney ends Friday.

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Habba has the Justice Department leaders behind her, and they've accused New Jersey judges of playing politics with their decision not to keep Habba in the post.

Mr. Trump had nominated Habba for the role of U.S. attorney, but New Jersey's two home-state senators, Democrats Cory Booker and Andy Kim, oppose her.

"President Trump continues to have full confidence in Alina Habba and her commitment to serve the people of New Jersey," White House spokesperson Harrison Fields told CBS News.

How did we get here?

Habba was a member of Mr. Trump's defense team in several civil cases brought against him in New York, and she joined the White House as a counselor to the president after Mr. Trump won a second term. The president announced in March that he had tapped Habba to serve as the interim U.S. attorney in her home state of New Jersey. Federal law limited her time as interim U.S. attorney to 120 days.

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Habba deserves the job, according to Armen Morian, who worked alongside Habba in a 2023 New York civil case in which Mr. Trump, his company and top executives were found liable for fraud.

"I think she's eminently qualified to be U.S. attorney, and I think she's doing a fine job of it," Morian said.

Morian hit back at Habba's critics who questioned her suitability for the job, having never previously been a prosecutor.

"President Trump is a very unconventional figure, and he forces us, I think, to reconsider a lot of the assumptions we make. Sometimes it's very useful to put somebody into an office who has shown to you that she has sufficient judgment and will do well in the position," Morian said.

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But the state's two senators, Booker and Kim, opposed her nomination. Under the Senate Judiciary Committee's "blue slip" policy, a nomination for U.S. attorney or to a federal district court will not move forward unless both home-state senators return positive blue slips.

With the 120-day deadline on Habba's term approaching, a panel of federal judges on the U.S. district court in New Jersey invoked their power under federal law and voted to replace Habba with Grace, her deputy.

Can judges even appoint the U.S. attorney?

Yes. A federal statute governing U.S. attorney vacancies specifies that if the attorney general's appointment of a U.S. attorney expires after 120 days, the district court can name a U.S. attorney to serve until the vacancy is filled.

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The law requires an order of appointment by the court to be filed with the clerk of the court.

"The reason why you have this 120-day deadline followed by judicial appointments was so that the president is incentivized to get someone confirmed because after 120 days, you lose the authority within the executive branch to control who is the U.S. attorney," Thomas Barry, an expert in constitutional law at the Cato Institute, told CBS News.

While rare, courts have exercised this power before.

The judges on the U.S. district court in New Mexico selected Gregory Fouratt to serve as the top federal prosecutor in the state in January 2008, and in 2018, during Mr. Trump's first term, the district court in New Jersey appointed Craig Carpenito the state's U.S. attorney as his 120-day term was set to run out. Also that year, the U.S. district court in Manhattan tapped Geoffrey Berman to serve as the district's top federal prosecutor.

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But Berman's exit in June 2020 was rocked by confusion when then-Attorney General Bill Barr announced that Berman would be "stepping down." Berman, however, said he had not resigned and had no intention of doing so. Barr then informed Berman that Mr. Trump had removed him from the post.

Does Bondi have the power to remove a court-appointed U.S. attorney?

It doesn't seem so. In a 1979 opinion from the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, which is not binding, then-Assistant Attorney General John Harmon explained that "the president is responsible for the conduct of a U.S. Attorney's Office and therefore must have the power to remove one he believes is an unsuitable incumbent, regardless of who appointed him."

Harmon also said that when it comes to whether the attorney general has the authority to terminate a court-appointed U.S. attorney, "We answer this questions [sic] in the negative." He said federal law regarding the removal of U.S. attorneys constitutes "the specific exercise of legislative power under Article II, section 2, clause 2, vesting in the president the power of removing a court-appointed U.S. attorney."

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In a social media post, Blanche wrote that Grace had been ousted "pursuant to the president's authority."

"This backroom vote will not override the authority of the Chief Executive," he wrote.

Berry said there have been very few, if any, judicial decisions, about the removal of interim U.S. attorneys, especially if the attorney general disagrees with the court's appointment.

Habba's appointment as acting U.S. attorney

Until Thursday  because Mr. Trump had nominated her to serve as New Jersey's chief federal prosecutor  Habba did not appear to be eligible to serve as acting U.S. attorney in the state.

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The situation involving Habba and the U.S. attorney position in New Jersey potentially involved the interactions of two different federal laws: the statute governing U.S. attorney vacancies, which gives district courts the power to name someone to that role temporarily; and the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, a 27-year-old law that limits the government employees who can temporarily fill the roughly 1,300 federal offices that require nomination by the president and confirmation by the Senate.

Mr. Trump used the law, also known as the Vacancies Act, during his first term to install a number of "acting" leaders across the executive branch.

Enacted in 1998, the Vacancies Act sets out three categories of federal workers who can move into a position covered by the law: the "first assistant," or deputy, to the vacant office; another administration official who has been confirmed by the Senate; and an agency employee who has worked there for at least 90 days in the year before the vacancy occurred and is at the highest level of the civil service pay scale.

Grace, who the New Jersey judges selected to succeed Habba, was the first assistant.

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But the law prohibits a person from serving as an acting officer if the president has submitted their nomination to the Senate. The upper chamber received Habba's nomination from Mr. Trump on June 30. His withdrawal of her nomination now enables Habba to serve as acting U.S. attorney, as she resigned from the interim post  the role the district judges declined to keep her in  and was then appointed first assistant U.S. attorney by Bondi. Habba then could become acting U.S. attorney because the position is unfilled.

Mr. Trump appears to have used the Vacancies Act to put at least one acting attorney general in place  John Sarcone who is currently leading the U.S. Attorney's Office in Albany.

Bondi announced in early March that Sarcone had been appointed the interim top federal prosecutor for the Northern District of New York, but earlier this month, the U.S. district court there declined to tap him for U.S. attorney. Bondi instead named him "special attorney to the attorney general," which effectively gives him the power of a U.S. attorney. Sarcone was named first assistant U.S. attorney as well, effectively leaving him in charge of the office.

Berry said there is a loophole in the Vacancies Act that allows a lower-ranking official who does not require Senate confirmation to perform the duties of a senior leader when that role is vacant, which could be used to Habba's benefit.

"Subdelegation is so easy to do throughout the executive branch," he said. "This exact same maneuver is done all the time for all sorts of offices."

What happens to Grace?

In a post Wednesday on LinkedIn, Grace indicated she is no longer the No. 2 in the U.S. attorney's office in New Jersey, but signaled she was prepared to follow the judges' order that names her the interim U.S. attorney, even though Bondi fired her from her post as the first assistant.

"It will forever be the greatest honor that they selected me on merit, and I'm prepared to follow that Order and begin to serve in accordance with the law," Grace wrote.

The dozens of comments beneath Grace's LinkedIn post highlight her deep ties in the state, and high regard among New Jersey law enforcement.

Minneapolis Chief of Police Brian O'Hara, who previously was Newark, New Jersey's Safety Director, congratulated Grace.

"Desiree Grace Anyone who knows you knows the heart, integrity, and commitment you bring to the job. You have definitely made a difference," O'Hara wrote.

Bryan Kohberger sentenced to life in prison for murders of Idaho students

Idaho murders victims' families speak out at Bryan Kohberger's sentencing hearing

Johnson says Jeffrey Epstein files controversy is not a hoax
THE TWENTIETH-CENTURY CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT had its own pantheon of heroes. At the top of this Olympus were the symbols: Reagan, Buckley, Goldwaterpeople whose memory became sacrosanct, regardless of historical reality. The next echelon down were the intellectuals. The writers and editors who started it all by seeing through liberal hegemony: Chambers, Meyer, Kirk, Burnham, Kendall, Randthe list goes on. Then you have the activists and politicians, who ran the campaigns and marshaled the troops. And finally, more out of obligation than reverence, the donors, the Funding Fathers, whose deep pockets paid for it all.

Nestled amid this cast is a half-category. Not quite intellectuals but more than administrators, the ideological entrepreneurs who built the rights battery of counter-institutions. Folks like book publisher Henry Regnery, Fox News Channels Roger Ailes, or the American Enterprise Institutes William Baroody Sr. One of these ideological entrepreneurs, Ed Feulner, died last week, aged 83. The policy program of the second Trump administration is part of his legacy.

Feulners entire career was made possible by the conservative movement that he in turn shaped. Born into a Catholic family in 1941 and educated through midcentury Catholic educational institutions, Feulner was precisely the sort of young person drawn into the movement. He read Russell Kirks The Conservative Mind and Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihns Liberty or Equality and became a conservative. From there, he subscribed to National Review and joined the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, the conservative student organization. Conservative grants paid for part of his graduate education before he worked at the Hoover Institution. Feulner went to Washington as an aide to the head of the House Republican Conference and then for New Right hopeful Rep. Phil Crane. Like many of the conservative movements second generation, Feulner believed in it all, fully and uncomplicatedly.

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In Washington, Feulner and the New Right operative Paul Weyrich in 1973 cofounded the Heritage FoundationFeulners principal legacy. Conservatives desperately craved right-wing counterweights to liberal strength in academia and the mainstream press. In their view, liberal ideas dominated due to a closed circuit of influence. Liberal professors dreamed up progressive ideas, which liberal journalists promoted. Liberal politicians read the papers and watched the news, and taking their cues, voted these programs into law, often providing more funding for liberal academics or managers. Conservative activists concluded that think tanks, among other things, could break this circuit. Feulner and Weyrich wanted a think tank for the hardcore conservative activists: one that would collapse the distance between political elites and the anti-liberal base.

Under Feulner, the Heritage Foundation became, as the conservative court historian Lee Edwards put it, a Washington powerhouse. The smashmouth think tank eschewed scholarly norms, prioritizing impact and purity over nuance, and often defining itself against other right-leaning think tanks. Heritage changed Washington, and as a result, the country.

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AS IS OFTEN THE CASE WITH THE CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT, myths abound about the Heritage Foundations genesis. One story goes that, as congressional aides, Feulner and Weyrich had lost a close legislative fight in spring 1971. A couple of days later, they received in the mail a report from the American Enterprise Institute on the very issue that had been at stake. AEIs Baroody, according to this story, hadnt wanted to influence the outcome of the vote by publishing earlier. Too little, too late, Feulner and Weyrich thought, and began the process of founding an explicitly political think tank that wouldnt miss opportunities to shape the political landscape. Jason Stahl, a historian of conservative think tanks, calls the story an exaggeration. The timing doesnt work: Baroody was already moving AEI in a more ideological direction and Feulner and Weyrich were already seeking funds for a think tank. Still, the fact that this is the story generations of conservative activists have believed reveals something about how they understand Heritage and how Heritage understands itself.

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How Feulner and Weyrich got the money is another piece of folklore. One day, Weyrich, the press secretary for Colorados Senator Gordon Allott, was on mail duty. The aide normally responsiblea certain George F. Willwas away. He received a letter from the office of Joseph Coors, the Colorado brewing magnate. Coors had just read the Powell Memorandum and wanted to do something. Weyrich had just the thing. The narrative has been streamlined in the telling here, too. Coors must have had something in mind. He had already sounded out funding AEI. But Weyrich took him to meet a conservative aide in the Nixon White House who shouted, AEI? AEI? Ill tell you about AEI. He took a book off his shelf and blew dust off it. Their stuff is good for libraries. Feulner and Weyrich got Coorss money (and much more cash besides).

Feulner took over the Heritage leadership in 1977, doubling its operational budget by 1979. As the groups president for nearly four decades, Feulner grew Heritage from a midsized operation to an organization with 300 employees and a $90 million annual budget.

Heritage did not create new scholarship. Feulner and Heritage put ideology, not ideas, first. Heritage was a secondhand dealer in ideas, Feulner said. It took conservative gospel and translated it into policy concepts. In doing so, Stahl argues, Heritage contributed to a decline in standards and rigor in policymaking.

Instead, the key to the Heritage model was relevance and aggression. We dont just stress credibility, Feulner once said. We stress timeliness. We stress an efficient, effective delivery system. Production is one side; marketing is equally important. Perhaps the logical endpoint for defenders of free markets was to treat ideas as a consumer product. Heritage focused on brief reports that reached politicians and aides. Feulner turned Heritage into a massive provider of right-wing information for time-poor Washingtonians, with an exhaustive network of experts, contacts, and media products. Conservatives imagined a grand left-wing conspiracy to turn ideas into legislation. Feulner built a real one for the right.

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Feulners most ambitious gambit along these lines was 1980s Mandate for Leadershipa 3,000-page tome that aimed to define the policy agenda for the Reagan administration. Although the Reagan White House was occasionally ambivalent toward it, Mandate for Leadership provided a blueprint for conservative governance anddue to the major media coverageserious cachet for Heritage. Heritage claims Reagan enacted two-thirds of Mandate for Leaderships recommendations. Project 2025 is the ninth iteration of the series.

Since the 1980s, Heritage has presented itself as the premier conservative think tank. Its hardline conservatism set it apart from the likes of the libertarian Cato Institute or the more moderate AEI. Heritage, for example, issued report cards on politicians conservative purity. Reagan once scored 62 percent.

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Feulner really was a true believer. Under his stewardship, Heritage shifted away from Weyrichs Christian right social conservatism and toward a bigger-tent conservatism. The think tank had something for the social conservatives, but also something for defense hawks, something for neoconservatives, and something for supply-siders.

Feulner saw himself, too, as bridging the gulf between the founders of the conservative movementmen he deeply admiredand the halls of power. He brought the aging romantic conservative Russell Kirk on at Heritage as a distinguished scholar in the 1980s. Feulner wanted Kirk to bring soul as ballast to policy. Neither man recognized that the policy proposals Heritage pushed were accelerating the decline of the type of traditional localist life Kirk celebrated.

Politically, Heritage pushed free-market fundamentalism and deregulation. Heritage backed supply-side economics, NAFTA, and welfare reform. When George H.W. Bush took tentative steps away from the exaggerated Reaganism Heritage favored and toward traditional Republican policies, Feulner fulminated, Conservatives supported George Bush and they got Michael Dukakis. During the Obama years, Feulner formed a pressure group, Heritage Action, to attack Obamacare. Whatever ideas were au courant on the right, Heritage advanced.

Just as importantly, under Feulner, Heritage became a finishing school and personnel bank for Republican politicians and presidential administrations. People are policy, went one of Feulners mantras. Fourteen people involved with Mandate for Leadership worked on Ronald Reagans transition team. Others involved included William Bennett, eventually the secretary of education, and Samuel Francis, the Mephistophelean New Right writer. In 2001, Feulner bragged hed passed on 1,200 to 1,300 names and resumes to the Bush White House.

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Heritage became the rights battering ram in Washington. It supplied ideas and policy briefs. It pressured politicians, issued purity tests, and supplied cadres of right-wing smart alecks. Party considerations are secondary, Feulner once said. What mattered was conservatism. But not all touched by Heritage were as beholden to the conservative movements founding myths as Feulner.

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SINCE HIS RETIREMENTS from the Heritage presidencyfirst in 2013 and then again in 2018 after he was brought back to succeed his successorFeulner the arch-Reaganite watched the conservative movement and the think tank he built transmogrify into vehicles for Trumpism. Kevin Roberts, the Heritage president since 2021, has openly driven the organization in an illiberal direction and explicitly talked about institutionalizing Trumpism. Trumps director of the Office of Management and Budget, Russell Vought, and border czar, Tom Homan, are both Heritage creatures. Feulner, meanwhile, endorsed not Trump but Mike Pence for president in 2024.

Feulners Heritage Foundation sought to bring the impulses of the activist base into policymaking. It lowered scholarly barriers to focus on timeliness and policy impact above all. It demonized liberals and mainstream academia, and relied on right-wing donors to build its empire. Feulner always positioned Heritage hard on the right and criticized conservatives and Republicans when they failed to match his intensity. We should not be surprised, then, that the think tank he spent his career building in his image rapidly came to reflect the new Trumpist core of the American right.

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The Trump administration released a new action plan for AI that does little to solve the industrys looming power crisis.

The plan recommends a number of rollbacks to environmental oversight to speed up the permitting process for new energy infrastructure, and proposes the federal government embrace new energy generation sources at the technological frontier. But theres little here the administration hasnt said before; the plan introduces no new policy recommendations that de-bottleneck key near-term power infrastructure constraints impeding data center development, John Miller, energy transition policy analyst at the investment bank TD Cowen, wrote in a note. Thats partly because many of those constraints come down to state and local policy, over which the federal government has little control, Miller said.

But in a move that seemed to run counter to its AI objectives, the White House on Wednesday yanked nearly $5 billion in funding for one of the US biggest transmission grid projects (the project will proceed with private finance, the company behind it said). The scale of the AI-energy challenge was made clear on Tuesday, when the countrys biggest grid network said its energy costs  ultimately passed on to consumers  soared 22% from last year.
A federal appeals court said Wednesday that President Trump's executive order curtailing birthright citizenship is unconstitutional.

The policy, which has been the subject of a complicated monthslong legal back-and-forth, is currently on hold. But Wednesday's decision appears to mark the first time that an appellate court has weighed in on the merits of Mr. Trump's attempt to end birthright citizenship for many children of undocumented immigrants by executive order.

A panel of judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit wrote that Mr. Trump's order is "invalid because it contradicts the plain language of the Fourteenth Amendment's grant of citizenship to 'all persons born in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.'"

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White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said in a statement to CBS News: "The Ninth Circuit misinterpreted the purpose and the text of the 14th Amendment. We look forward to being vindicated on appeal."

On Friday, U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin joined the panel of appellate judges and a federal judge in New Hampshire in blocking the Trump administration's restrictions on birthright citizenship, finding a nationwide injunction on the executive order remains in place, The Associated Press reported.

On the first day of Mr. Trump's second term, he signed an executive order that said people born in the United States should not automatically get citizenship if one parent is undocumented and the other isn't a citizen or green-card holder, or if both parents are in the U.S. on temporary visas. The order directed federal agencies to stop issuing citizenship documents within 30 days to people who fall into those categories.

The order drew a flurry of lawsuits, as most legal experts have said the 14th Amendment  which was ratified in 1868  automatically offers citizenship to virtually everybody born within the U.S., regardless of their parents' immigration status, with extremely narrow exceptions.

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The Trump administration argues the citizenship clause of the 14th Amendment does not apply to people whose parents are in the country illegally or temporarily  citing a clause that says citizenship is granted to those who are "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States. Those parents do not necessarily have "allegiance" to the country, the government argues, so they therefore aren't "subject to the jurisdiction."

The 9th Circuit disagreed. It wrote Wednesday that a plain reading of the 14th Amendment suggests that citizenship was meant to be granted to anybody who is "subject to the laws and authority of the United States."

"The Defendants' proposed interpretation of the Citizenship Clause relies on a network of inferences that are unmoored from the accepted legal principles of 1868," the judges wrote.

"Perhaps the Executive Branch, recognizing that it could not change the Constitution, phrased its Executive Order in terms of a strained and novel interpretation of the Constitution," the opinion said.

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The issue reached the 9th Circuit after a lower court in Washington state blocked the birthright citizenship executive order in February, responding to a lawsuit from several Democratic states. The Trump administration in March appealed that ruling. It reasserted its arguments about who the 14th Amendment applies to, called the ruling "vastly overbroad" and argued the states did not have standing to sue over the order.

On Wednesday, the 9th Circuit said the states did have the right to sue, pointing to the risk that states would be financially harmed by a federal policy that narrows who qualifies for citizenship. The appellate judges also upheld the district court's finding that the states are likely to succeed in showing the order violates the Constitution.

The 9th Circuit's ruling was written by Clinton-appointed Judge Ronald Gould, and joined by Obama-appointed Judge Michael Daly Hawkins. A third member of the panel  Judge Patrick Bumatay, appointed by Mr. Trump in his first term  dissented in part, writing that the states don't have standing and adding "it's premature to address the merits of the citizenship question or the scope of the injunction."

Supreme Court hasn't weighed in on merits of birthright citizenship  yet

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The birthright citizenship issue reached the Supreme Court earlier this year, but not in a case involving the merits of the Trump administration's policy.



Instead, the Supreme Court weighed in on whether the district courts that issued nationwide blocks against Mr. Trump's executive order were exceeding the scope of their power  a perennial topic of debate in legal circles that has frustrated presidents of both parties.

The high court's ruling last month limited the use of nationwide injunctions. In a 6-3 decision, it granted a request by the administration to narrow the injunctions against the birthright citizenship order, but "only to the extent that the injunctions are broader than necessary to provide complete relief."

That doesn't mean the birthright citizenship order will take effect. Shortly after the ruling, a New Hampshire court paused the executive order nationwide in a lawsuit that was brought as a class action, after the Supreme Court's decision left the door open to that option.

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The Supreme Court also did not directly address whether states can still sue over the order. In the case that the 9th Circuit ruled on Wednesday, the government has argued that courts can just block the birthright citizenship order for residents of the states that sued, rather than issuing a nationwide injunction. But the states argue that would provide them with incomplete relief because people move from state to state.

Johnson says Jeffrey Epstein files controversy is not a hoax

Idaho murders documents released after Bryan Kohberger is sentenced to life in prison

Bighorn lambs spotted after rescue from disease threat that decimated Texas herds
(NewsNation)  Dedicated security lanes for travelers with young kids, strollers, car seats or items like breast milk could soon roll out at an airport near you.

The change is part of the Transportation Security Administrations new Families on the Fly campaign, an initiative the agency said will enhance hospitality for families during the airport security screening experience.

Travelers must pay integrity fee for US tourist visas

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Benefits include dedicated lanes for families  including ones for service members and their families  and $15 off TSA PreCheck enrollment per person.

The family-friendly airport changes are in place at Orlando International and Charlotte-Douglas International airports, with John Wayne Airport in California and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu joining soon.

Family travel columnist Jordi Lippe-McGraw told NewsNation the changes will make a world of difference for travelers who are toting along children and their belongings.

Southwest Airlines sets date for shift to assigned seating

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She said a family-friend lane would benefit everyone trying to make it through TSA.

If you dont have kids, I mean, this keeps everybody else from getting held up as well, Lippe-McGraw said. So, think about it that way too.

Earlier this month, the TSA announced travelers can keep their shoes on in most security lines, and a change in liquid size rules could be on the horizon as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem makes good on her plans to ease rules at the nations airports.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The White House takes a different approach on the Jeffrey Epstein case. Relatives and friends of the murdered University of Idaho students rage against Bryan Kohberger. And how The Osbournes changed TV forever.

Heres what to know today.

White House tightens its grip on Jeffrey Epstein messaging

If the Trump administration thought the uproar over the Jeffrey Epstein files would pass, they were wrong.

The House Oversight Committee voted yesterday to subpoena the Justice Department to release files tied to the case, with three Republicans joining Democrats to vote on the matter. Earlier in the day, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer subpoenaed Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell for a deposition on Aug. 11 at the Federal Correctional Institution in Florida, where she is serving a 20-year prison sentence.

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And in Florida, a federal judge denied the Justice Departments request to release federal grand jury transcripts from 2005 and 2007 in connection with an investigation into Epstein. The ruling is separate from a pending request from the Justice Department related to a grand jury in the Southern District of New York, where Epstein was ultimately indicted.

All this comes weeks after the Justice Department said in a memo that it would not release files detailing the federal governments investigation of Epstein, sparking uproar from critics, including Trumps own MAGA base. The financier, who died by suicide in a New York City jail in 2019, has been the subject of right-wing conspiracy theories for years.

Trump and his Republican allies have sought to distract from the firestorm by blaming Democrats and bringing up old feuds. But Trump, who is accustomed to driving the news, is finding out there are limits to his ability to pivot away from the issue. In the past, the [White House] could expect certain interviewers to be friendly and stay on script; thats not guaranteed with this one, said a Republican operative familiar with the White Houses thinking.

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So, the White House is taking a more restrained approach when it comes to talking about the Epstein case. Trump signaled that he doesnt want members of his administration discussing the matter nonstop, a person close to the White House said. And White House aides have made it clear that no one in the administration is allowed to talk about Epstein without high-level vetting, according to a senior official.

Its a break from Trumps usual crisis communications template, which emphasizes an all-hands-on-deck approach to defending him on television and social media.

Read the full story here.

More politics news:

Rep. Thomas Massie, who was once alone in his feud with Trump, is finding more Republican friends and political allies as he pushes for the release of the Epstein files.

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The Supreme Court allowed Trump to fire members of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an agency set up by Congress to be independent of political pressures.

One messaging tactic Republicans are planning to use to get voters to the polls: the threat of impeachment.

Tulsi Gabbard steps into uncharted territory

National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard leveled allegations against former President Barack Obama yesterday, claiming there is irrefutable evidence that he and his national security team manufactured a false intelligence analysis to show Russia helped Donald Trump win the 2016 election.

Gabbard also announced at the White House briefing that she has declassified a five-year-old report by Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee about the 2016 election, which took issue with findings that Russian President Vladimir Putin aspired to help Trump win. The report conflicts with a bipartisan Senate report from the same year that endorsed an assessment by intelligence agencies that Russia spread disinformation online and undermined Hillary Clintons candidacy to bolster Trumps prospects. That report was signed off by every member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, including Trumps current Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

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Its the first time a U.S. spy chief has leveled allegations against a former president or administration, and Democrats have dismissed the move as an attempt to distract from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Meanwhile, Obama and former officials in his administration have called Gabbards allegations baseless.

Read the full story here.

Loved ones of Idaho murder victims tear into Bryan Kohberger

A judge sentenced Bryan Kohberger to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the murders of four University of Idaho students  Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Madison Mogen  whose 2022 killings rattled the town of Moscow. More specifically, Kohberger was given four consecutive life sentences, as well as 10 years for one count of burglary.

The sentence was a widely anticipated part of the plea deal in which Kohberger pleaded guilty to the murders in exchange for not going on trial and avoiding a potential death sentence.

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Kohberger did not speak at yesterdays hearing  but loved ones of the victims did in blistering and emotionally raw speeches:

 Goncalves older sister, Alivea Goncalves, called Kohberger a sociopath, psychopath, murderer and told him, The only thing you failed more miserably at than being a murderer is trying to be a rapper.

 Kernodles stepfather, Randy Davis, said at the end of his speech, Go to hell, at which point clapping erupted in the courtroom.

 Surviving roommate Dylan Mortensen described Kohberger as a hollow vessel, something less than human, a body without empathy, without remorse.

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 The only talk of forgiveness came from Kernodles aunt, who said she chose to forgive Kohberger because I no longer could live with that hate in my heart.

Read the full story here.

After the Cleveland Clinic expanded to Florida, patients say, surprise fees followed

The Cleveland Clinic Tradition Facility in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. (Martina Tuaty for NBC News)

When the Cleveland Clinic started acquiring hospitals and medical offices along Floridas Treasure Coast six years ago, many residents were excited. The Ohio nonprofit, ranked among the top hospitals in the world, pledged to bring expert care and an infusion of cash to the region north of Boca Raton.

But in the years after the Cleveland Clinics blue and green signs popped up outside dozens of medical offices, patients began receiving unexpected bills, from an additional $95 for a consultation with a neurosurgeon, to $174 more for a neurologist appointment that previously cost only a $50 co-pay.

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Baffled patients learned the new costs were facility fees  charges that hospitals have traditionally billed for inpatient stays and emergency room visits but are now increasingly charging for routine appointments in their outpatient clinics. The fees are meant to support the higher level of care that these doctors offices provide, according to hospitals.

The Cleveland Clinic is far from the only one charging facility fees, which have become pervasive in recent years as major health systems have snapped up doctors offices, making it harder for patients to find independent practices. For some patients who spoke to NBC News, the fees were a mere annoyance. For others, the bills were a financial burden too big to shoulder.

Read the full story here.

Related coverage:

Does your doctors office charge a facility fee? Heres what to ask your provider and what to do if you cannot afford to pay.

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Columbia University will pay $200 million to restore the majority of funding that was cut by the Trump administration over allegations it violated anti-discrimination laws.

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Ukrainians have taken to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and a new law curbing anti-corruption agencies.

Where was William Dub Thomas when the July 4 floods hit Ingram, Texas? City officials are frustrated that they have yet to hear from Kerr Countys emergency management coordinator.

Summer Covid cases are on the rise nationwide. Heres what to know about the variant nicknamed razor blade throat.

Staff Pick: The Osbournes rocked so the Kardashians could keep up

From left, Sharon Osbourne, Kelly Osbourne, Jack Osbourne and Ozzy Osbourne in 2004. (Dave Hogan / Getty Images file)

How you first became aware of Ozzy Osbourne may depend on your age. Many first knew him as the Prince of Darkness, a pioneer of heavy metal as the frontman of Black Sabbath. But if you were a teen glued to MTV in 2002, you knew him as the sweet and bumbling dad at the center of a chaotic and charming celebrity family in The Osbournes. When the news broke that Ozzy died this week at 76, social media flooded with footage of his theatrical performances, as well as clips of him unapologetically marveling at the assembly of a Chipotle burrito.

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The Osbournes, the first celebrity reality show to center on a family, was an instant hit and paved the way for a slew of shows to follow. Former MTV executives and culture critics spoke to contributor Ashley Lee about the impact the show had on pop culture in just the span of three years.  Michelle Garcia, NBC BLK editorial director

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Did you know: Plastic food containers are susceptible to leaching, which means plastic can leak into your foods. Here are some alternatives. Plus, keep your hair healthy, hydrated and breakage-free while sleeping with products like silk pillowcases, satin bonnets and more.

Sign up to The Selection newsletter for hands-on product reviews, expert shopping tips and a look at the best deals and sales each week.

Thanks for reading todays Morning Rundown. Todays newsletter was curated for you by Elizabeth Robinson. If youre a fan, please send a link to your family and friends. They can sign up here.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
ISTANBUL (AP)  The funerals of 10 rescue volunteers and forestry workers killed while battling a wildfire were held on Thursday in Turkey.

Grieving family and friends of the five members of the AKUT rescue organization were joined by leading politicians and crowds of mourning citizens at the Ahmet Hamdi Akseki Mosque in Ankara.

Meanwhile, five forestry staff were buried in their hometowns across western Turkey, the scene of multiple wildfires since last month.

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The 10 men died Wednesday while trying to put out a fire raging through a forested area in the northwestern Eskisehir province, Forestry Minister Ibrahim Yumakli said. At least 14 other rescuers and forestry workers were hospitalized, he said.

The bodies of all 10 were earlier brought to a forensic facility in Ankara for identification.

The deaths bring the number of fatalities in wildfires that have flared amid strong winds, high temperatures and dry conditions so far in the country this year to 13. Turkey has been battling wildfires since June 26.

Yumakli said that winds suddenly changed direction on Wednesday, causing the flames to shift rapidly and surround the forest workers. It wasn't clear what caused the fire.

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Personal details of those who died emerged, including a 28-year-old forestry worker who had returned to work from his honeymoon just two days earlier. One AKUT volunteer had spent a month rescuing the victims of a catastrophic earthquake that struck southern Turkey in February 2023.

Meanwhile, farmers in the neighboring province of Bilecik helped combat a separate fire by running convoys of tractors hauling water tanks to the blaze.

An older man and two forestry workers were killed in a wildfire that raged near the town of Odemis, in Izmir province, earlier this month.
At least 10 firefighters and rescue workers were killed and 14 others injured while battling a wildfire in Turkiyes northwestern Eskisehir province, authorities said, as several fires rage in central and western areas of the country where temperatures are soaring.

Turkish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ibrahim Yumakli said on Wednesday that five forestry workers and five rescuers trying to tackle the blaze were killed when 24 firefighters became trapped in the wildfire earlier in the day.

Winds whipped up by the flames suddenly changed direction, and the fire engulfed the group of firefighters, who were swiftly transported to hospital, where 10 of them died.

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Fourteen others are still receiving medical treatment, the minister said.

Unfortunately, we have lost five forest workers and five [rescuers], Yumakli told Turkish television broadcasters.

Turkish news website BirGun reported that the group were trapped by the fire and burned alive.

Local lawmaker Nebi Hatipoglu wrote on X that there are no words to describe our grief.

Flames and smoke rise from a house in Selcik village after a forest fire in the Bilecik area of Turkiye on July 23, 2025 [Sergen Sezgin/Anadolu]

Turkiye has been sweltering since Sunday under high temperatures and strong winds that have fanned wildfires between Istanbul and the capital, Ankara, with the spreading blazes threatening homes and forcing the evacuation of several villages.

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Minister Yumakli said extreme heat and volatile wind conditions were also expected on Thursday.

Starting tomorrow, we are facing extraordinary temperatures and extreme wind shifts. Once again, I call on all 86 million citizens to be vigilant and exercise extra caution, he said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised the victims who fought to protect our forests at cost of their lives.

I pray for Gods mercy on our brothers and sisters who fought at the cost of their lives to protect our forests, and I offer my condolences to their families and our nation, Erdogan said in a message posted on social media.

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Two prosecutors have been assigned to investigate the incident, the countrys justice minister said.

The deaths on Wednesday bring the number of deaths in wildfires so far in the country to 13 this year.

An elderly man and two forestry workers were killed in a wildfire that raged near the town of Odemis, in the Izmir province, earlier this month.
Update: The Turquoise Alert for Violet Coultas has been canceled.

A Turquoise Alert has been issued for a young girl last seen at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, according to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

Violet Coultas, 6, was last seen on video surveillance at Phoenix Sky Harbor on July 12 around 10 p.m., DPS said.

She was with her mother, Sarah Coultas who does not have custody, according to DPS. Sarah Coultas is believed to have fled Hawaii with Violet Coultas in violation of a court order, DPS said.

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Violet Coultas was described as a 3-foot-10-inch White girl weighing 43 pounds with blonde hair and hazel eyes, DPS said. She was last seen wearing a white shirt, pink jacket, pink sweater, light-colored shorts and white shoes, according to DPS.

Anyone with information on Violet Coultas' whereabouts was urged to contact 911.

Detective Akina with the Hawaii Police Department was investigating and could be reached at 808-935-3311.

What is a Turquoise Alert?

The Turquoise Alert system is activated when a person goes missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances and is believed to be endangered, according to DPS.

An alert is issued when there is a report of a missing or endangered person, including tribal members, under the age of 65, and specific criteria are met, DPS said.

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These included:

The missing person is under 65 years of age.

The law enforcement agency investigating the missing person report has used all available local resources.

The agency has determined that the person has gone missing under unexplained or suspicious circumstances.

Sufficient descriptive information is available to assist in their recovery.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a measure establishing Turquoise Alerts May 21. The alert officially launched July 10, according to a news release from Hobbs' office.

The alert was also known as "Emily's Law," named in honor of slain San Carlos Apache teen Emily Pike, 14, who was killed after she ran away from a Mesa group home. Her dismembered remains were found in February.

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This was the first ever Turquoise Alert issued since the new system was implemented.

The Republic's Debra Utacia Krol contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Turquoise Alert: Violet Coultas, 6, was last seen at Phoenix airport
Two people are dead after a head-on collision in Mercer County.

Mercer County Sheriffs Deputies responded to a traffic crash on U.S. 67 near Preemption on July 23. Witnesses reported that a southbound vehicle crossed the center line and struck a northbound vehicle, causing a head-on collision between the two. The drivers of both vehicles were pronounced dead at the scene.

The drivers names are being withheld, pending notification of family by the Mercer County Coroners Office. Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Matherville Fire Department, Sherrard Fire Department, Advanced Medical Transport, Illinois State Police, Illinois Department of Transportation and the Mercer County Coroner. The crash remains under investigation by the Mercer County Sheriffs Office and Illinois State Police.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NICOSIA (Reuters) -Two people were killed and hundreds evacuated as a massive wildfire tore through southern Cyprus, destroying homes and threatening communities amid an intense heatwave.

At least 100 square kilometres (39 square miles) was razed to the ground in a wine-producing region north of the city of Limassol after the blaze broke out around midday on Wednesday, with several fronts still active on Thursday morning.

Two people were found dead in a burned-out vehicle, trapped by the fire. At least 10 people were injured, two of them seriously, police said.

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As dawn broke, a red hue hung over Limassol, a sprawling coastal city where development in recent years has spilled over to its surrounding mountains. Firefighting aircraft were redeployed at first light after darkness forced a pause.

Authorities said it was too early to give a precise account of damage, or what started the fire.

"We are talking about very strong winds, with gusts, which were constantly interchanging," fire brigade spokesperson Andreas Kettis said.

Temperatures on the island peaked at 43 degrees Celsius (109.4 Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, triggering an amber weather alert. A new amber warning was in place on Thursday, with highs forecast to hit 44 degrees Celsius - the hottest of the year so far.

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Cyprus has requested help through the European Union's civil protection mechanism, with Spain expected to send two aircraft on Thursday, government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said. Jordan has also pledged assistance.

Cyprus has struggled with a protracted drought, pushing scarce water resources to critically low levels. The affected area sits just north of Cyprus's Kouris reservoir, the island's largest. It was at just 15.5% of its capacity on Wednesday.

(Writing by Michele Kambas. Additional reporting by Yiannis Kourtoglou. Editing by Christopher Cushing and Mark Potter)
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

GAZA/CAIRO (Reuters) -The Bakrons and al-Bareems, two families from opposite ends of Gaza, have criss-crossed the rubble-strewn territory many times during 21 months of war, in search of food and shelter from Israeli attacks.

They've sought refuge in the homes of friends and relatives, in school classrooms and in tents, moving frequently as the Israeli military has ordered civilians from one zone to another.

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The Bareems, from southern Gaza, have a disabled child who they have pushed in his wheelchair. The Bakrons, from the north, stopped wandering in May after two children of their children were killed in an airstrike.

"Our story is one of displacement, loss of loved ones, hunger, humiliation and loss of hope," said Nizar Bakron, 38, who lost his daughter Olina, 10, and son Rebhi, eight.

The families' experiences illustrate the plight of the 1.9 million Gaza residents - 90% of the population - that the United Nations says have been displaced during the conflict.

Israel's war in Gaza has left much of the enclave in ruins and its people desperate from hunger. It was triggered by an attack by Islamist group Hamas - which governs the Strip - on Israeli border communities on October 7, 2023 that killed some 1,200 people and took 250 hostage.

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Before the war, Nizar and his wife Amal, four years his junior, had a happy life in Shejaia, a teeming district in the east of Gaza City. Their eldest Adam is 12; the youngest, Youssef, a baby.

Photographs, seen by Reuters, show family parties at home and days at the beach.

"When the October 7 attack happened, I knew it wouldn't be something good for us," Nizar said. They left home the next day for Amal's mother's house further south in Zahra, he said.

Five days later Israel began ordering civilians in northern Gaza to move south and, on October 27, it launched a ground invasion.

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Throughout the war Israel has issued evacuation orders in areas where it plans to conduct operations - though it has also struck elsewhere during those periods.

Israel says the orders protect civilians but it strikes wherever it locates Hamas fighters, who hide among the population. Hamas denies using civilians as shields.

Palestinians accuse Israel of using the evacuation orders to uproot the population, which it denies.

The family left for Nuseirat, an old refugee camp in central Gaza, where they crammed into an apartment owned by Amal's relatives for five months.

Israel's bombardment was heaviest in the first months of the war. The Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, said the death toll reached 32,845 by the end of March 2024. It has now passed 59,000 people, the ministry says.

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Food and fuel were becoming very expensive, with little aid arriving. In April, Israel issued an evacuation order and the Bakrons went further south to Rafah on the border with Egypt where there was more to eat.

They loaded the car and a trailer with mattresses, clothes, kitchen equipment and a solar panel and drove 15 miles along roads lined with ruins.

In Rafah, they squeezed into a classroom of a U.N. school which they shared with Nizar's two brothers and their families - about 20 people. Their savings were quickly disappearing.

Weeks later, a new Israeli evacuation order moved them to Khan Younis, a few kilometers away, and another crowded classroom.

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In January, a ceasefire allowed them to move back north to Nuseirat, where the family had land. They cleared a room in a damaged building to live in.

"We thought things would get better," Nizar said.

But, after less than two months, the ceasefire collapsed on March 18. Two days later, Bakron's sister, her husband and two daughters were killed in an airstrike in Khan Younis, he said.

As Israeli operations escalated, the family fled to Gaza City. They pitched a tent - the first time they had to live in one - against a building on Wehda Street, a central district.

On May 25, as most of the family slept, Nizar was sitting outside, talking on the phone, when an airstrike hit and the building collapsed.

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He pulled away the debris but Olina and Rebhi were dead. His wife Amal and eldest Adam were injured, and the baby Youssef's leg was broken.

Nizar does not know how they can move again. The family is in mourning and their car was damaged in the strike, he said.

The U.N. estimates nearly 90% of Gaza's territory is covered by Israeli evacuation orders or within Israeli militarized zones, leaving the population squeezed into two swathes of land where food is increasingly scarce. Israel says restrictions on aid are needed to prevent it being diverted to Hamas.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday Gaza is suffering from man-made starvation.

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Amal, who still has bruising on her face and wears a brace upon her arm after the attack, grieves for her two children: "My life changed, from having everything to having nothing, after being displaced."

"WE FEAR FOR OUR LIVES"

Majed al-Bareem, 32, was a teacher before the war in Bani Suheila, a town east of Khan Younis. He and his wife Samia, 27, have a two-year-old son, Samir. They lived in a pretty two-storey house with an external staircase that had plants in pots running up the steps.

During Israel's initial offensive, which was focused on northern Gaza, the family stayed put. But early in 2024, Israeli forces pushed into Khan Younis and the Bareems fled their home.

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They learned afterwards it had been destroyed.

"I had a beautiful house which we built with our sweat and effort," Majed said. He showed Reuters photos of the ruins.

They went to Rafah with Majed's mother, Alyah, 62 and his three sisters. The youngest, Rafah, 19, has Down Syndrome.

Days before they left Khan Younis, his eldest sister's husband was shot dead. Her son, Joud, nine, is in a wheelchair.

At first, the family stayed in a tent provided by U.N. aid agencies in a district called Nasr in northern Rafah.

Three months later, Israel ordered civilians to evacuate and the family left for Mawasi, a rural area nearby where displacement camps were growing, he said.

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Although Israel's military had designated Mawasi a safe zone, it struck it throughout the summer, killing scores of people, according to local health authorities. Israel said it was targeting militants hiding in the area.

Since the two-month ceasefire ended in March the family has moved repeatedly - so often that Majed said he lost count - between Bani Suheila, Khan Younis and Mawasi.

"We fear for our lives so, as soon as they order us to leave, we do so," he said.

Crossing Gaza's ruined streets with a wheelchair has added to the difficulty. During one journey in May, he and Joud were separated from the family. It took them four hours to travel the five miles to Mawasi along roads littered with debris.

"It was exhausting and scary because we could hear gunfire and bombing," he said.

The family is currently in a tent in Mawasi. Their savings are nearly gone and they can only rarely afford extra rations to supplement the little they get from charitable kitchens.

"We are tired of displacement. We are tired of lack of food," said Majed's mother, Alyah.

Last week, Majed went to Bani Suheila hoping to buy some flour. A shell landed nearby, wounding him in the torso with a shrapnel fragment, he said. It was removed in hospital but left him weak.

With Israel and Hamas conducting ceasefire negotiations, the United States has voiced optimism about a deal. Majed says the renewed talks have given him some hope, but he fears they will fall apart, like previous attempts.

"I don't think anyone can bear what we are bearing," he said. "It has been two years of the war, hunger, killing, destruction and displacement."

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Cairo; Hatem Khaled and Mahmoud Issa in Gaza; writing by Angus McDowall; Editing by Daniel Flynn)
Bugsy starts every day by jumping on his mom at 6:30 a.m., insisting its breakfast time.

The 13-year-old Pug and Boston Terrier mix absolutely loves to eat  though hes never quite mastered the concept of time. By 3 p.m., hes already lobbying for supper.

He also insists on cuddles and belly rubs at all hours.

Hes always been pretty chill, even as a puppy, said his mom, Betty Wheeler. As hes getting to be a senior, once in a while, he can get to be a little grumpy old man.

Still, Wheeler insists Bugsy is more than a grump  hes sexy. So sexy, that he won the Brewtiful Pet Photo Contest, hosted earlier this month by the Capital Humane Society and Corn Coast Brewing.

Bugsys Best

Wheeler and her wife, Kim Shelley, attend the Corn Coast Brewings dog day every year. The special event invites pet lovers and their pups to celebrate local brews and adorable pets.

Each year, the event debuts a limited-release can in honor of one dog who wins the most votes online in a photo competition.

After noticing a lack of entrants this year, Wheeler decided it was Bugsys time to shine. She submitted a photo of him sporting a sharp blue bowtie and set a modest fundraising goal of $25.

Bugg believes being a 'senior' can be sexy please support this super sexy senior with your vote! the post read.

With votes cast through donations, Bugsy quickly won over hearts  and wallets. By the time the contest closed on July 14, over $1,300 had been raised in Bugsys name, helping push the total contest donations past $4,000 for the humane society.

On Aug. 30, the limited-release can and lager, Bugsys Best, will be released at Corn Coasts event mixed with live music, dog-friendly vibes and a donation drive for the Capital Humane Society.

'Thats the ugliest dog ever'

Bugsy was just 8 weeks old and barely the size of Wheelers hand when she brought him home. She spotted his photo in a newspaper ad and felt an instant connection, despite comments from friends calling him ugly.

She went out during her lunch break to meet the puppy, and by evening, Bugsy was in his new home where he quickly became king of the house.

Even as a puppy, Bugsy earned the nickname The Old Man due to wrinkles on his face. Now at 13, he wears the title with pride.

Hes grown into that name, but he owns it, Wheeler said. Hes good with being a senior.

Bugsy wasnt their first dog. The couple has had other Boston Terriers, but he was their first Bugg  a nickname for his breed mix.

I just love this mixed breed because I always say its the perfect one, Wheeler said. You have half of the crazy of the Boston and half of the lazy of the Pug.

At home, Bugsy  affectionately known as Bugg or their Irish mafia  rules the house alongside his younger siblings, Buster and Finnegan.

King of the recliner

While Buster and Finnegan are kenneled during the day, Bugsy is free to claim his throne  a cozy reclining chair.

He cant wait until we leave so he can take over his spot, knock the pillow over, make himself a little burrowing nest and get comfortable, Shelley said.

Bugsy is very much the alpha, and his moms make sure to remind him every morning before leaving for work. When his younger brothers get too rowdy, a quiet growl from him is enough to restore order.

Though not as playful as his ball-chasing brother Buster, Bugsy still has bursts of energy  hes just strategic about using it.

[Bugsy] would just look at Buster like, Thats really dumb. You get the ball and then you just bring it back. You go get it again, bring it back. Thats like a lot of work, Shelley said.

His joint medicine has helped take some of his age off, and made him feel like a whole new dog again, according to Wheeler.

Hes never been a big toy fan, but he cherishes his daily walks with Grandpa and snuggling up with Wheeler  at least until 18-pound Finnegan comes and lies on top.

If youre sitting in the chair with him and you stop rubbing his belly, hell grab your hand and put it back on his tummy to remind you that you need to keep doing that, Shelley said.

He also demands bites of the candy Dots and pup cups from C&L Dairy Sweet where he ensures to finish off the end of everybodys ice cream cone.

He saved me

Theres more to Bugsy than just snacks and snuggles.

Wheeler adopted Bugsy shortly after tragedy struck. Her father survived open-heart surgery, but later suffered a cardiac event while driving. The resulting crash killed both of Wheelers parents in 2012.

To lose both of your parents at the same time is really hard, Wheeler said. I took a leave of absence from my job, and I had Bugg and he just sat with me all the time. He licks my tears every time I cry.

When Wheeler couldnt sleep, Bugsy stayed with her throughout the night. Shelley said Bugsy was the only one who could bring her comfort in those darkest moments.

Years later when Bugsy had a collapsed trachea, there was no price that was too high for Shelley to save their furry family member.

Now, Wheeler jokes that Bugsy will live forever.

Were pretty attached  Theyre our family, Wheeler said. The day he goes is gonna be a hard day for me.

But before that day comes, Wheeler and Shelley are taking in every moment with their sexy senior dog  making sure he gets every cuddle, belly rub and Dots candy he desires.

And come Aug. 30, theyll raise a glass  and a can  to the king of the house and Corn Coast Brewing.
The Oklahoma Governor's Office is pictured. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  Two more Republicans have indicated they are running for governor, bringing the total candidate field to seven.

Kenneth L. Sturgell, of Goldsby, and Jake Anthony Merrick, of Tuttle, are running.

Sturgell is a mechanical contractor making his first run for political office.

He is against abortion, supports Second Amendment rights and wants to help small business owners.

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He believes Gov. Kevin Stitt, who cant seek reelection due to term limits, has done a good job leading the state.

Merrick declined a request for a phone interview. His website indicates he is a business owner, former pastor and former state senator.

Other Republicans in the race are former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall, Atoka, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, Hominy, former state Sen. Mike Mazzei, Tulsa, and Leisa Mitchell Haynes, Choctaw.

House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson, Oklahoma City, is the only Democrat in the race.

Candidate filing is April 1-3 at the state Capitol. The filing fee for the governors race is $2,000.

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OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  Two Oklahoma City residents have been sentenced to more than three years in prison collectively for their roles in a scheme to obtain and forge stolen checks from the United States Postal Service.

According to the United States Department of Justice, public records show that 29-year-old Gaylen Dashon Stephens and 29-year-old Lenie Eugene Jennings conspired to obtain checks stolen from mail, from March 2023 through October 2023, and forged the checks by altering the payee name and depositing the checks into created bank accounts to acquire cash.

During the timeframe, Stephens and Jennings were accused of stealing around $277,000.

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Oklahoma City man sentenced to more than a decade in prison for possession of child pornography

They were indicted by the federal Grand Jury on July 17, 2024, where Stephens pleaded guilty to bank fraud and admitted to knowingly and intentionally engaging in a scheme to deposit the fraudulent checks.

Jennings also pleaded guilty to bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud and forge checks. She admitted to conspiring with Stephens to obtain and deposit the checks and defrauding the bank.

On Monday, July 21, Stephens was sentenced to serve 28 months in federal prison, followed by four years of supervised release, while Jennings was sentenced to serve 12 months and one day, with three years of supervised release after.

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A U.S. District Judge also ordered Stephens and Jennings to pay $177,964.74 in restitution jointly and severally.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Chromium pollution, pictured here at a Pacific Gas & Electric plant in California, is known to cause cancer and other health effects. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

Minnesotans are again confronting hazy, choking air due to smoke from wildfires blazing through Canada. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has issued air quality warnings, and in some places, officials are cautioning even the healthiest residents to stay inside.

But in some parts of the state, under all that smoke is a more permanent threat to air quality  toxic chemicals released into the air by manufacturing or mining processes.

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Areas surrounding St. Cloud and northwest of the city, as well as southern parts of the state around Albert Lea, have some of the highest rates of air toxins in the entire nation, according to EJScreen, a mapping tool previously maintained by the EPA and now run by nonprofit Public Environmental Data Partners.

But when it comes to air toxins, those two specific regions are the exceptions.

These chemicals, also known as hazardous air pollutants, are a part of the Environmental Protection Agencys Toxic Release Inventory, or TRI, which is a list of nearly 800 chemicals that come from manufacturing, metal mining, electric power generation, chemical manufacturing and hazardous waste treatment. They are nationally regulated, and facilities that produce significant amounts of them must report their emissions.

They can cause things like cancer outcomes, said Jesse Berman, an associate professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Minnesota. But the thing about hazardous air pollutants is they are not ubiquitous. Theyre not found everywhere. Theyre primarily from manufacturing sources, and theyre going to be in much smaller quantities.

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On the state level, up until recently, Minnesota did not have strong requirements for those facilities.

That changed in 2023, when the Legislature included new reporting requirements for these types of air toxins in the 7-county metro as a part of a larger environmental spending package.

The MPCA is undergoing rulemaking to determine the specifics of regulating these toxins; enforcement will follow. The agency has three years to modify permits based on those new regulations.

The rules are intended to regulate air toxics in the Twin Cities metro area and consider environmental justice area residents exposure to facilities air toxics emissions, a MPCA spokesperson wrote, adding that they anticipate draft rules by May 2026.

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The Legislature and the MPCA have not always been on the same page about how to enforce air toxin regulations, however.

Ever since I got in the Legislature, until now, the (MPCA) has said that we dont need to actually do what we did in this proposal or to regulate, because the commissioner already had the authority to investigate and do the work to protect Minnesotans, said Rep. Fue Lee, a Minneapolis Democrat. His constituents called for him to push for stricter air regulations, he said.

Even within the 7-county metro region covered by the 2023 bill, some local organizers hope to see the MPCA doing more.

Mateo Frumholtz, a University of Minnesota graduate student and Twin Cities environmental activist, cited facilities within the region that posed significant health risks to residents, including the Smith Foundry in the Minneapolis neighborhood of East Phillips that was shut down by the EPA for failing to control its pollution; and the Northern Iron Foundry in St. Paul, which is in a dispute with the MPCA over its permit due to non-compliance with air quality standards. In both cases, Frumholtz said, neighbors had fought long and hard to have existing pollution standards enforced by state and federal officials.

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Under the new rules, however, the regions of the state with the greatest toxic air releases wont face new regulations; manufacturers like Pro Manufacturing, a metal manufacturer in Albert Lea, and Polar Tank Trailer, a trailer manufacturer in Holdingford just outside St. Cloud, will be exempt from any of these new rules.

Greater Minnesota legislators concerned with protecting manufacturing jobs in their regions opposed expanding the new regulations beyond the metro, Lee said. It is my hope that in the near future, that we can actually make this statewide, he added.

Pro Manufacturing and Polar Tank Trailer hold the highest of whats known as a risk-screening environmental indicators score, or RSEI score, in their respective counties, indicating high potential for harmful health risks. Both release chromium and its compounds, which are associated with lung cancer and nasal and sinus cancer.

(Neither company, nor the mayors of St. Cloud and Albert Lea, returned inquiries from the Reformer.)

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In the counties with high TRI releases, two other chemicals are even more prevalent. Styrene, found in petroleum and natural gas, is a major risk factor in Stearns County. In Freeborn County, the highest air releases are from methanol, a highly flammable liquid used in aerosol cans.

But factories with chromium, like Pro Manufacturing and Polar Tank Trailer, have the highest potential to cause serious health risks in their communities.

Williams, the U scientist, said Minnesota needs more precise measurements as well as more data on the specific health impacts of those chemicals. While the EPA and MPCA are doing some of that reporting, more can be done, he said.

I think for most neighborhoods in most places, we just dont know what were being exposed to. We dont know whats being released. We dont know where its coming from. We dont know whats happening to it while its in the air. We dont know how much is making it into our homes, he said.

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Berman said piloting the new regulations in the metro is prudent. Sometimes having a targeted regulation can be a good thing. As a public health person, we want to avoid leaving people out, but sometimes you have to make decisions where you can help a very large proportion of the population, especially when they might be at greater risk.

These new rules are coming even as the Trump administration is rolling back a number of key environmental protections. A new policy would allow coal plants and other industrial facilities with high pollution rates to petition the White House directly for an exemption from Biden-era Clean Air Act rules.
On July 22, the U.S. Department of State announced it would withdraw from UNESCO.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organizationfounded after World War II with the goal of promoting peace through its cooperative endeavors"has since built an invaluable database of cultural and natural landmarks, many of which are among the world's most iconic travel destinations.

Now, the U.S. involvement in funding, selecting, and supporting these endeavors is going to come to an end. Secretary of State Tammy Bruce said the decision to withdraw was made because continued involvement is not in the national interest of the United States.

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UNESCO works to advance divisive social and cultural causes and maintains an outsized focus on the UNs Sustainable Development Goals, a globalist, ideological agenda for international development at odds with our America First foreign policy, Bruce said in the official statement.

This isn't the first time the U.S. has parted ways with the organization. The Trump administration withdreaw in 2018, and the country only rejoined in 2023 under former President Joe Biden. Before that, U.S. funding halted under former President Barack Obama in 2011 and the country full withdrew once before, in 1984 under former President Ronald Reagan.

While this latest departure isn't without precedent, it could still lead to ripple effects for travelers. Here's what to know:

When will the U.S. officially leave UNESCO?

The withdrawal will take effect on Dec. 31, 2026. Until then, the U.S. remains a full participating member of the organization.

What does participation in UNESCO do?

UNESCO includes 194 member states (nations), each contributing financially and appointing national representatives. The organization collectively sets global standards and leads initiatives focused on the preservation of history, culture, education, and the environment.

How many UNESCO world heritage sites are in the U.S.?

There are 26 World Heritage Sites and 28 biosphere reserves in the US. In the world, there are 1,248 sites across 170 countries. U.S. sites include landmarks like Yosemite National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Everglades, as well as Independence Hall in Philadelphia, San Antonio Missions in Texas, and the Statue of Liberty.

How will this affect travel to UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

As one of the largest member states of the organization, the U.S. supplied significant funding for UNESCO projects, including the world heritage sites. In response to the withdrawal announcement, UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said they "deeply regret" the Trump administration's decision to withdraw, but affirmed the organization's commitment to its mission.

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However regrettable, this announcement was anticipated, and UNESCO has prepared for it, Azoulay said. While the organization used to heavily rely on funding from the U.S., it has since undertaken major structural reforms and diversified our funding sources, according to Azoulay.

While there still might be some changes, UNESCO does not anticipate reducing staff or operations at this time, which means that for now, you can continue planning travel to UNESCO sites as usual.

As for whether or not Americans have anything to worry about when they visit UNESCO sites, Azoulay said that the policy of an open door for everyone will continue. UNESCO's purpose is to welcome all the nations of the world, and the United States of America is and will always be welcome.



Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
A high-security vault concealed inside a standard 20-foot shipping container is in development to give U.S. military commanders a new way to safely store nuclear weapons and other extremely sensitive assets, even at far-flung locations. Prototypes are set to be demonstrated at an upcoming Gray Flag test and evaluation exercise, events that regularly feature new munitions and other advanced capabilities. For the U.S. Air Force, in particular, the new Mobile Vaults could fundamentally change the equation when it comes to integrating nuclear weapons into future operations involving forces dispersed across a broad area.

Sandia National Laboratories, which resides within the Department of Energy, recently shared details about the Mobile Vault project. The Transportation Safeguards and Surety Program office designed and built the first prototype in just six months following a request from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). NNSA, which is also part of the Department of Energy, works closely with the U.S. military and is charged with overseeing Americas nuclear deterrent stockpile.

Sandia employees work on a Mobile Vault prototype. Sandia National Laboratories

To meet the compressed timeline, the team adopted a rapid design process that emphasized speed and creativity over rigid specifications. For example, instead of defining a fixed delay time in the projects requirements, the team focused on maximizing performance within volume and weight constraints, according to a press release from Sandia. Within two weeks, the team had selected a final concept from 10 proposed designs.

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To speed up fabrication of the full-scale prototype, the team used a model-based manufacturing approach. A mechanical engineer developed a 3D solid model, which enabled early procurement of long-lead items like the semi-custom vault door and structural materials before the design was finalized, the release adds. Meanwhile, an electrical engineer developed the vaults access control, backup power, sensors and alarm systems. By combining additive manufacturing, reusable components and off-the-shelf development boards, they delivered a functional prototype in half the usual time.

Sandia employees make a 3D scan of a prototype Mobile Vault. Sandia National Laboratories

Accompanying pictures of a prototype Mobile Vault show it has two combination locks on its main door, but what other security features it might have are unclear. Sandia has also been responsible for the development of highly specialized tractor-trailer trucks for securely and discreetly moving nuclear weapons and other sensitive nuclear material. These trucks are understood to have a number of defensive features that sound like they are pulled straight from a James Bond movie. This includes dispensers along their interior walls that release sticky, adhesive-like foam to immobilize intruders, a set of explosive bolts to shear off the axles of the trailer to prevent thieves from towing it away, an additional emergency braking mechanism, and a means of filling the rear compartment with choking tear gas. You can read more about all of this here.

What specific operational requirements may have driven the development of the Mobile Vault are unknown, but Sandias release makes clear that this is about a need for a capability that can be rapidly deployed to safeguard critical materials in remote or temporary locations.

Permanent bunkers and high-security facilities are standard tools for protecting the nations most sensitive assets, it adds. But in many environments, these options are not available where secure storage is needed most.

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Nuclear weapons are not explicitly mentioned in the release. However, Sandia created a 1:14 scale model of the Mobile Vault to show off the design to potential users, which includes miniature mock weapons that are clearly B61-series nuclear gravity bombs.

A look at the 1:14 scale model of the Mobile Vault and the miniature mock B61s. Sandia National Laboratories

A trailer loaded with B61 test articles, as well as B83 nuclear bomb test articles, the latter of which are seen at far right. Sandia National Laboratories

I brought the model to every meeting during the six-month effort, Stephen Neidigk, a Sandia manager involved in the project, said in an accompanying statement. Now, 15 similar models are on the desks of leaders at U.S. Combatant Commands, the Pentagon, and U.S. Strategic Command.

The B61 is Americas longest-serving family of nuclear bombs, and the first production example of a new variant, the B61-13, was just completed in May. The B61-13 is based on the preceding B61-12, but has a higher maximum yield, which U.S. officials say offers critical additional capacity to hold hardened targets, such as underground command and control facilities, and ones spread across physically larger areas, at risk.

The first production B61-13. NNSA

The B61-12 had already offered important improvements over earlier versions of the B61, most notably a precision guidance package inside a new tail kit. However, not all aircraft capable of dropping B61-12s, particularly ones belonging to Americas NATO allies, will be able to make sure of the new precision guidance capability, as you can read more about here.

The video below shows a B61-12 test.

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B61-12s are now at least part of the forward-deployed U.S. nuclear arsenal in Europe, which could be made available to select NATO members if authorized. Those bombs are stored inside secure fixed-site vaults at various air bases across the continent, now likely including RAF Lakenheath in the United Kingdom.

Air Force personnel fit check unarmed B61-12 shapes inside a secure storage system. Older B61 variants are seen loaded in the top portion of the vault. USAF via DODIG/FOIA

Containerized Mobile Vaults would give U.S. military commanders globally more flexibility to forward-deploy nuclear weapons, and any other highly sensitive assets, if required. This would also present complications for opponents trying to track or target those assets. In a future high-end fight, established bases that host nuclear weapons now would be top targets.

All of this aligns with the U.S. Air Forces still-evolving Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concepts of operations. ACE is focused heavily on reducing vulnerability through rapid and/or irregular deployments to a disaggregated array of operating locations, including remote sites with limited infrastructure. The U.S. Marine Corps is also envisioning similar distributed deployments in future conflicts as a key element of its Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) construct.

At the same time, the Mobile Vaults offer far less protection than traditional bunkers and other fixed-site storage facilities. Additional security measures would also draw attention to their sensitive contents despite their unassuming outward appearance. Altogether, a new operational playbook for forward-deploying nuclear weapons using these vaults would be required.

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The Mobile Vaults could be used to help secure non-nuclear assets at forward locations, as well. Putting the vaults inside otherwise standard shipping containers would also just make them easier to move logistically using existing air, ground, and sea assets.

Sending prototype Mobile Vaults to Gray Flag 2025 will give Sandia and its military partners an opportunity to further explore how they might be used in an operational context. This also raises the possibility that nuclear weapons, or surrogates for them, will be featured in that exercise. As noted, Gray Flag events are typically used to showcase new and advanced weapons and other capabilities, including ones that are still in development. As such, sensitive conventional munitions and other non-nuclear assets warranting a highly secure vault could easily be present. As a prime example, the new AIM-174B air-launched version of the Standard Missile-6 (SM-6), which first emerged publicly last year and remains highly classified, was a prominent feature at Gray Flag 2024.

A US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet, left, flies together with one of the services F-35C Joint Strike Fighters and a U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle during Gray Flag 2024. The Super Hornet is carrying four AIM-174B missiles, as well as other missiles and stores. Lt. Cmdr. Kory Hughs/USN

With this in mind, it is interesting to note that the Pentagon publicly issued new guidance around the potential employment of nuclear weapons late last year that put additional emphasis on the use of non-nuclear capabilities to support the nuclear mission.

Sandias press release about the Mobile Vaults says that the team also plans to transition the technology to industry for broader production and use.

In the meantime, Sandia is now working up to send Mobile Vaults to Gray Flag 2025, and more details about the project could emerge around that event.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
Three years ago on a sunny day in August, a nearly 80-year-old steel, navy blue ship with patched holes and streaks of rust drifted down an inlet connecting downtown Tacoma to Commencement Bay. The 169-foot vessel was an unusual sight for local boaters who use the narrow channel to dock their small recreational watercraft. As it passed the Eleventh Street Bridge, the antennae of Pacific Producer got caught, causing its captain to lose control and frantically throw out an anchor to prevent a collision with other docked boats, according to eyewitness reports.

The captain maneuvered it over to the closed Martinac shipbuilding facility and left it there for over a year, floating above an Environmental Protection Agency Superfund site, an acres-long underwater protective barrier blanketing contamination of historical pollution from the rest of the Thea Foss waterway.

Noticing the derelict vessel on patrol, the Tacoma Fire Department conducted an inspection. Upon entering a lower deck, the departments crew noted a smell of ammonia so strong it was felt in our eyes and nose. That sounded the alarm for a myriad of federal, state and local agencies to respond. When Washington Department of Ecology officials arrived, they noticed water in the bottom of the ship that grew heavier each day. Now, the concern was that the Pacific Producer was sinking.

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Once response operations were completed, 25,000 gallons of oily water, 5,000 gallons of diesel, 3,500 pounds of ammonia, and 14,000 gallons of miscellaneous and oily waste had been removed, said Courtney Serad, lead spill responder with the Department of Ecology.

The Coast Guard and the Department of Ecology spent nearly a million dollars removing the ammonia, oil and other hazardous waste  including human feces  aboard the ship. Once the vessel is demolished, Washingtons Department of Natural Resources expects to have spent nearly $4 million on its demolition and also on moorage fees, on-site security due to trespassers, pest control and the remediation of hazardous materials.

Abandoned and derelict vessels are quietly piling up in Washington and Oregon waterways, posing a threat to fragile marine ecosystems. At least 37 of these vessels in the Pacific Northwest, including the Pacific Producer, were formerly property of the Navy, Coast Guard or another federal agency, then bought by someone who later abandoned it. Together, these former government vessels have cost Washington state and Oregon over $21 million to remove and destroy.

Vessel removal programs in Washington and Oregon are calling on the federal government to destroy its own decrepit vessels and to prevent them from getting into the publics hands.

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Theres a lot of stories around these bigger vessels, and usually it starts out with the government selling it to somebody who doesnt have the capacity to really operate it, said Doug Helton, retired regional operations supervisor at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration who assisted Washington and states across the country in recovering large abandoned watercraft. We have a disposal process for a lot of things in our economy, but vessels  there isnt really a standard way of disposing of these.

These vessels become available to the public through various government agencies  most notably, the General Services Administration, a federal agency that manages and disposes of government property, according to ownership records. Often the ships leak oil, ammonia and other hazardous materials that state agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard are left to clean. All take up swaths of the states budgets to remediate, remove and destroy.

Of the 37 vessels owned or seized by the federal government to be flagged in the Pacific Northwest, at least 11 served in World War II. One of those was a minesweeper once used to detect and remove enemy mines from the oceans depths. At least eight ships sank and havent been recovered. The largest was a 384-foot ship designed to bring Army tanks to shore during the Vietnam War. That vessel would cost around $25 million to destroy, funds Oregon doesnt have, said Josh Mulhollem, manager of the states derelict vessel removal program. It sits abandoned in the Columbia River with bolted-in doors to prevent trespassers.

Washingtons Derelict Vessel Removal Program has an active inventory of 300 abandoned or derelict vessels. In just over 20 years, it has removed more than 1,200 vessels. A 2022 law allocating the program an additional stream of funding from a watercraft excise tax has broadened its capabilities, but even then, the program waited until the next biennium, which began this July, to destroy the Pacific Producer.

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Its total cost  $3.9 million  would have taken up nearly 40% of the programs $10.5 million biennial budget and restricted the agencys scope to manage the hundreds of other abandoned boats. Instead, the program opted to pay off the expenses over two separate budgets. But this ended up costing nearly $300,000 more. It paid to dock the ship at a Seattle marina for over a year with on-site security to prevent trespassers. A rat infestation also racked up pest control fees.

My question for the federal government is, why are you selling these into private hands when you know that the vessels are at the end of their life? said Troy Wood, the manager of Washingtons Derelict Vessel Removal Program who is part of a national workgroup dedicated to the issue and has helped other state agencies create their own program.

The Pacific Producer, a large abandoned vessel, docked in a waterway off Commencement Bay in Tacoma, Wash., as seen July 15, 2025.

How government vessels are bought by the public

Before private ownership, the former government vessels flagged or removed in Washington and Oregon were property of various agencies like the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Division, the U.S. Treasury Department, or the U.S. Department of Commerce. Records obtained by InvestigateWest show that at least 17 were formerly operated by the U.S. Navy. Six were with the U.S. Coast Guard. Two were former Canadian military vessels. One, the Hero, was the last wooden icebreaker in Antarctica, formerly owned by the National Science Foundation. Most records dont show how the vessels were transferred from the government to the public.

Those familiar with the process for distributing federal surplus materials say it is deeply flawed. Once an old ship is put up for public auction, just about anybody can bid. There are often no requirements that bidders carry insurance or have the financial ability to properly care for an old, broken-down vessel.

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In 2017, the Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan research agency that investigates government agencies at the request of Congress, issued an audit report on the Department of Defenses process for disposing of sensitive equipment. The GAO posed as a fake federal law enforcement agency and was accepted in a surplus property program.

Diana Maurer, director of the defense capabilities and management team at the Government Accountability Office, said DOD officials missed several opportunities to verify the agencys legitimacy.

No one called us to double-check the fictitious information we provided, she said. Among other things, we gave a phony agency name, a phony address and phony legal authorities that purported to be in the U.S. Code. A simple phone call or Google search could have confirmed that we were not who we said we were.

After the audit was released, the DOD took quick action to close the loopholes that allowed the GAO to obtain military equipment, Maurer added.

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The GAOs fake agency was able to obtain over 100 controlled items  sensitive equipment not to be released to the general public  worth an estimated $1.2 million. Although none of these items were vessels, the report highlights the DODs  which includes the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard  largely unregulated approval process to buy up surplus property.

In the case of the Pacific Producer, the U.S. Marshals Service sold the ship twice to the same owner hiding behind shell companies following lawsuits spurred by unpaid debts. Each time the Marshals Service stripped it of all liens and the owner bought the boat back with a clean title. Since the final purchase of the vessel in 2007, it acquired over $1 million in unpaid liens and hundreds of thousands of dollars of fines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The owner did not respond to inquiries from InvestigateWest.

Under Washington law, the owner of an abandoned or derelict vessel is responsible to reimburse the state Department of Natural Resources and any other authorized public entity for costs associated with surveying the vessel, disposal and any environmental damage. If left unpaid, the DNR can place liens on the owners assets and take the owner to court. But Wood, the manager of Washingtons derelict vessel removal program, says that more often than not, the owner leaves the state or becomes untraceable, leaving the state to foot the bill.

Vessel sales from the General Services Administration

The General Services Administration, a federal agency that manages the excess property of other federal agencies, regularly sells older vessels from the Navy and Coast Guard.

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The process goes like this: When a federal agency decides to dispose of a vessel, its first offered to other federal agencies. If it doesnt draw interest there, the offer extends to state and municipal agencies. If there still arent any takers, thats where the GSAs public auction comes in.

InvestigateWest reviewed over 100 online sale listings of previous auctions in Washington state. The listings date back only to 2016 but offer a glimpse into typical vessel sales. Only 10 had thorough inspection reports. The majority listed a slew of issues. Vessels were often heavily corroded, sold without an engine or had water leaking into the hull. Two former Navy boats were listed as having engines with excessive heat problems to the point where insulation will begin to smoke. Three were built in the 1940s.

One of those, a 66-foot old Navy tug, sold for just $10,000. It was not inspected and its listing states, Boat Is In The Water. This Does Not Imply A Warranty Or Guarantee That The Boat Is Operational. It also states the bidder is responsible for the disposal of oil accumulated on the boat. None of the listings had stringent bidder requirements such as proving valid insurance or the financial means to care for the boat.

People in the boating world familiar with this issue call the buyers of these boats dreamers with big plans to create an ecotourism business, museum, fishing boat, venue or new home.

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Someone would say, Thats cool, we could make a nice yacht out of that and then realize, Wait a minute, the Coast Guard, with all their resources and manpower, couldnt keep this boat operational, Helton said. How was some guy with a pickup truck and a shoestring budget gonna keep it afloat?

Not all auctioned vessels cause environmental pollution. Some are successfully repaired and continue to operate safely in Washingtons waters.

But many do not realize the burden or cost of caring for these old ships. Sometimes half the battle is finding a part that hasnt been manufactured in over 50 years. Sometimes people build their own parts or give up and resell the boat. Then, somehow, they get abandoned and often sink.

A 140-foot boat should cost more than $50,000, said Mulhollem, manager of Oregons derelict vessel removal program.

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Over half of the vessels sold by the GSA in Washington came from the Navy, Coast Guard and Army. The Navy has sold more than any other agency in Washington.

Sometimes the Navy sells old ships to foreign allied militaries, sometimes it turns them into museums or artificial reefs. The Navys decision to send a vessel to the GSA is primarily based on their inability to meet current mission requirements, according to a Navy spokesperson. The Navy did not disclose to InvestigateWest why it doesnt destroy its own vessels.

A massive crane sitting on a barge looms over the derelict ship Helena Star in Tacomas Hylebos Waterway, Dec. 2, 2013. The owner of the vessel pleaded guilty to abandoning the derelict vessel and discharging pollution into state waters.

Environmental harm is occurring, but not obvious

The Hero was an out-of-service Antarctic research vessel acquired by an oceanic foundation in Oregon with plans to make it the focal point of a larger Antarctic exploratorium. It was bought at a General Services Administration auction in 1985 for $5,000. When plans fell through, the vessel was resold, then sold at least another four times as new owners failed to make the vessel viable.

In 2017, after the Heros last two owners had stripped the ship of parts to turn a profit, the boat sank at the mouth of the Palix River, a waterway that sustains one of the states largest oyster farming areas. It cost the Washington Derelict Vessel Removal Program over $3.7 million to remove and destroy it.

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Took us awhile to get the funding, but we eventually did, Wood said. A million of it was for environmental cleanup because we went in and vacuumed the riverbed.

Every vessel carries aboard some mixture of hazardous materials. All carry necessities like motor oils, flares and batteries. When an old damaged vessel is left abandoned, it may leak hazardous materials without anyone reporting it to authorities.

The toughest spills we face where we get the worst pollution recovery results are spills that are not reported in a timely manner, said Byers, the oil response manager at Washingtons Department of Ecology. In some cases, the oil spreads out so thin that our response efforts might actually cause more environmental harm than good. We have to literally remove the environment to get the oil with it.

Found on all vessels for fire protection, but in even larger quantities on larger vessels, are flame retardants containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which accumulate in an animals body and are considered toxic. It hasnt been widely studied in natural environments like the ocean, but one controlled study found PBDEs to diminish reproduction in fish.

A lot of the damage is under the water surface and invisible, Byers said. Its occurring, but its not obvious.

Other hazardous materials can include fishing nets, steering gear, cleaning products, fire extinguishers, hydraulic oil and lubricants.

Fishing vessels, like the Pacific Producer, carry ammonia used as refrigerant and chlorine as decontamination material, said Helton, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in a recent webinar. Some vessels, he said, would store fuel in chain lockers and other void spaces aboard in order to maximize time at sea without having to refill, increasing the amount of hazardous material that could end up in the ocean.

Researchers say its nearly impossible to quantify how much abandoned and derelict vessels have polluted Washingtons waters. The pollution isnt as constant as commercial vessel traffic or stormwater runoff, but spills from abandoned vessels have the potential to harm the environment theyre left in for years.

The Pacific Producer, a large fishing vessel, has been tied up at the old Martinac shipyards on the Thea Foss Waterway in Tacoma, Washington, shown on Tuesday, April 4, 2023. The ship is 77 years old, nearly 200 feet long, and has a history of environmental and safety concerns and fines.

Policy limitations

Last year, California U.S. Rep. John Garamendi introduced the Abandoned and Derelict Vessels Act of 2024. The federal bill didnt pass, but one provision was tacked on to the National Defense Authorization Act, the military spending bill Congress passes each year. It established requirements for purchasing federally auctioned vessels, including verifying that the prospective buyer holds proper insurance and has adequate financial resources to care for the vessel.

But, so far, the message hasnt gotten out. Some parties involved with removal of former government vessels were not aware of this provision, the GSA has not included the requirement in its current boat listings and GSA sales employees were not aware of this law.

I think its beneficial legislation, said Mulhollem, who oversees Oregons vessel removal program. I dont think it solves all the issues  I mean insurance and means to take care of a vessel can be temporary.

There isnt an agreed on solution to this problem, Mulhollem added. These larger abandoned vessels are complicated pieces of waste that no one is equipped to handle.

Other failed provisions in Rep. Garamendis original bill also called on the government to create a database of all abandoned and derelict vessels across the country and to authorized the Coast Guard and Army Corps of Engineers to remove those vessels.

Maybe the government shouldnt be selling them at all... or maybe they should be trying to figure out some other way to dispose of them, said Helton, the retired operations supervisor at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The U.S. government rarely destroys its own ships. Shipbreaking is a dangerous and labor intensive job. Laborers remove hazardous materials onboard and cut a boat to pieces to later be sold for scrap. There are only three shipbreakers in the country authorized to do business with the U.S. government, and all are located in Brownsville, Texas, where wages are low, and the Environmental Protection Agency imposes strict rules.

Depending on the weight of the vessel, our cost to process a vessel is going to be somewhere in the region of $200 per ton plus any remediation fees, said Jeremy Kirchin, chief executive officer of Scrap Metal Services, LLC, one of the nations three government-authorized shipbreakers. He said that old U.S. Navy ships from Seattle commonly make the journey to his facility.

First, they must be repaired to be seaworthy enough for a last voyage to the southernmost point of Texas, bordering Mexico. The 5,500-nautical-mile journey takes ships down the Pacific Coast, through the Panama Canal up and then through the Gulf of Mexico to Texas. That trip takes over 20 days and often costs over $1 million.

But not all vessels are even worth the journey to destroy.

Its a life cycle issue, Helton said. Thats sort of the dirty secret, is that sometimes its easier to sell a vessel for cheap than it is to actually properly dispose of it.

Putting the Pacific Producer to rest

After its multi-agency cleanup in the Thea Foss waterway, the Department of Natural Resources took possession of the Pacific Producer. Unable to give up over half of its biennium budget to destroy the vessel, the department has left it docked at a marina in Seattle since December 2023, racking up nearly $300,000 in moorage, security and pest control fees at Foss Maritime.

Last month, it was taken to a concrete facility in Tacoma that has a dry dock where it will be destroyed this summer. The Department of Natural Resources waited until July this year to get more funding. Destruction will take a month to complete and cost over $1 million. The contractor responsible for disposal will recycle as much material as possible.

Assuming that happens according to schedule, it will have taken nearly two years and nearly $5 million to safely remediate and destroy the Pacific Producer.

InvestigateWest (investigatewest.org) is an independent news nonprofit dedicated to investigative journalism in the Pacific Northwest. Reporter Aspen Ford, a Roy W. Howard fellow, can be reached at aspen@investigatewest.org.
The United States Department of State issues periodic travel advisories for countries across the globe, and it has just issued one advisory in its most severe category.

The State Department has four levels of travel advisories, ranging from level 1 advisories reminding citizens to "exercise normal precautions" all the way to level 4 advisories that urge citizens simply "do not travel" to that nation.

On Wednesday, July 23, the United States issued an official, level 4 travel advisory for the nation of Syria, warning citizens not to travel to the country "for any reason" due to "terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, hostage taking, and armed conflict."

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"The U.S. government suspended operations of the U.S. Embassy in 2012. Czechia serves as the protecting power for the United States in Syria. The U.S. government is unable to provide any routine or emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Syria. Do not travel to Syria for any reason," the advisory reads.

The State Department warns that "no part of Syria is safe" as a result of an armed conflict that has been going on since 2011.

Close-up of American passport Tetra Images/Getty Images

"Syria has experienced active armed conflict since 2011. No part of Syria is safe from violence. Hostage taking by armed groups, terrorism, remnants of war such as unexploded ordnance, and aerial bombardment pose significant risk of death or serious injury. The destruction of infrastructure, housing, medical facilities, schools, and power and water utilities has also increased hardships inside the country," the travel advisory reads.

In addition to the inherent risks associated with the active armed conflict, the advisory warns of the threat of terrorist violence as well as kidnapping and hostage taking.

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"There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Syria. Visit the U.S. Department of States country reports on terrorism to learn more. Parts of Syria have experienced recent increases in incidents of bombings, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and assassinations. Providing material support or resources to designated foreign terrorist organizations, including ISIS and al-Qaida (AQ) affiliates, is a crime under U.S. law that can result in penalties including prison time and large fines," the advisory states.

"There is an ongoing risk of hostage taking of U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals throughout the country. In the past, U.S. citizens have been targets of abduction and detention in Syria. Those in detention may not have access to fair judicial process or medical attention. Current detention center conditions are unclear but could be harsh and unsanitary. Failure to obtain a legitimate entry visa directly from the Syrian government could result in detention."

The state department says that the latest advisory comes due to "recent developments in Syria."

U.S. Issues 'Do Not Travel' Warning For Syria first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 24, 2025
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA)  Researchers at the University of Illinois are studying plum curculio  a weevil that poses a serious concern for peach orchards across the state.

Plum curculio lays its eggs inside fruit, and the larvae feed from the inside, causing significant damage. In early spring, the plum curculio emerges after the winter  a critical time to stop them before they lay eggs. Once the eggs are inside the fruit, the insecticide no longer work.

From the Farm: Diseases stunt 2025 growing season for some crops

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Graduate student Karuna Kafle and Assistant Professor and Faculty Extension Specialist Kacie Athey are studying the pest and proving information about what theyve found.

For the past two years, researchers have monitored plum curculio activity in orchards. Although a severe frost in 2024 damaged their primary research area, they found that after the frost, their traps caught fewer adults and their fruit assessments showed no plum curculio damage.

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Photos courtesy of Karuna Kafle

Kafle said in the past, scientists only recommended spraying insecticide in the spring, under the assumption that just one generation of the weevil was expected. However, new research has revealed evidence of a second, dominant generation.

Corn genetics lab faces relocation, pending 2026 federal budget

Based on these findings, researchers have several recommendations for farmers and scientists to help protect crops and detect infestation earlier. This includes:

Extend control and monitoring into mid-summer to target and detect the second generation of adults

Use insecticides with different levels of chemicals to slow the development of insecticide resistance

Follow bee safety labels and pre-harvest intervals

Remove fallen fruit to eliminate larvae before it can reach adulthood

Shake trees  if fruit drops easily, it most likely has plum curculio larva inside and should be removed

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Research previously suggested that plum curculio damage could be identified by a distinctive crescent-shaped scar on the fruits skin. However, now scientists believe that this is common in apples, but not as common in peaches.

Armadillos moving north in Illinois, IDNR asks residents to report sightings

Kafle said theres still much to learn about the plum curculios changing patterns in Illinois orchards.

This growing issue of plum curculio among peach growers is of great concern. Since most of Illinois agriculture is focused on corn and soybeans, the challenges faced by specialty crop growers, especially those producing tree fruits like peaches, are often overlooked. Im glad to see attention being brought to this topic, Kafle said.

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Canada and the U.S. have, for half a century, built cars and prosperity together. During that time, auto unions on both sides of the border have fought for better working conditions and fair-trade agreements that raise living standards for workers.

Our automotive industries are deeply connected; our workers share the same struggles. Yet today, that relationship is under threat from a wave of U.S. tariffs that are hurting Canadian workers. Indeed, the tariffs hurt American workers too, including U.S. auto workers.

Canadian and American autoworkers are not each others enemies. Free trade agreements, along with other failed economic policies, have contributed to major job losses in both countries. In the last decade alone, and according to Unifor analysis of Wards Automotive industry data, Canada has seen its share of North American vehicle production fall from 13% to just 9%. The U.S. has also seen a decline from 68% to 66%, but Canada is being hit harder and faster by comparison.

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If automakers sell vehicles in North America, they should build them here too. Canada buys about two million vehicles per year but built far less than that in 2024. That is not good enough. Build where you sell is more than a slogan  its a principle.

Last year, 5 million vehicles were sold in North America that werent made on this continent, and most of them landed in U.S. dealer lots. Thats the equivalent of 20 auto assembly plants worth of work. This is the real problem. Addressing that problem together is also how we can grow the manufacturing footprint in both our countries.

But instead of focusing on the root of the problem, current U.S. trade policy is increasingly targeting its closest ally, causing layoffs, and creating uncertainty for workers on both sides of the border.

More from Why I would choose Nixon over Trump any day (and I couldn't stand Nixon)

Integrated supply chains, shared harm

The U.S. and Canada share an exceptional trading relationship in the auto sector, that is unlike any other in the world. Our two-way auto trade is virtually balanced  Canada sells $72 billion CAD in vehicles and parts to the U.S. and buys $77 billion back. We both have strong unions and high wages, won through decades of collective bargaining. Weve stood shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. in defending our markets from a flood of Chinese EV imports.

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And yet, Canada has been hit with multiple rounds of tariffs: 25% on non-U.S. content in vehicles, another 25% tied to fentanyl and border compliance rules and an initial 25% on steel and aluminum, now rising to 50%. These penalties are being imposed despite our tightly integrated supply chains and aligned economic interests.

The impact is real. Amid tariff threats, Stellantis paused the retooling of Brampton Assembly Plant in Ontario, likely delaying the next-generation Jeep Compass that would then create further delays at U.S. supplier facilities.

Within hours of President Donald Trumps April 3 announcement of auto tariffs, Stellantis idled Windsor Assembly Plant  a facility thats built minivans for U.S. and Canadian families since 1983 using U.S.-made engines and mostly American-sourced parts. Workers were laid off, at least temporarily, on both sides of the border.

This is the real cost of weaponizing tariffs against an ally whose fortunes are fundamentally tied to your own. Our histories are too intertwined to separate without consequences.

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More from Freep Opinion: 5 reasons we endorsed Mary Sheffield for Detroit mayor

Trade agreements should lift up all workers

This history should not be dismissed, and no one should falsely claim that Canada has stolen American auto jobs. Canada has been building cars since 1904  long before the U.S. was our major trading partner. By the 1920s, Canada was the worlds second-largest auto producer. It was the U.S.-Canada Auto Pact of the 1960s that created the most integrated auto industries in the world. Now, as history is being rewritten to justify U.S. tariffs, we must remind each other of how we got here and what we stand to lose.

The path forward isnt to attack Canada. Its to reform our trade policies together. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) needs to do better for workers  on all sides.

A new trade deal should incentivize local production and raise labor standards across North America. That includes protecting union rights in Mexico  but also in some U.S. states where unions are actively undermined.

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USMCA made some important inroads, but more must be done to ensure trade agreements actually lift up all workers.

Stronger continental trade should drive global automakers to bolster North America as a world leader in vehicle innovation. Thats how we compete with China, where EV giant BYD now leads the world. If we let divisive trade tactics weaken our own industries or slow EV adoption, well only fall further behind.

There is no time to waste. Working people in Canada and in the U.S. need a swift resolution and a long-term plan to strengthen the industry we share. The alternative is damage that could take a generation to undo, and that will harm the economic security of workers and their families

Blaming Canada wont fix the problem  because Canada isnt it.

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Lana Payne is the national president of Unifor, Canada's largest private sector union. She is also a member of the Prime Ministers Council on Canada-U.S. Relations.

Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters, and we may publish it in print and online.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Reform Canadian American trade policies, don't tariff allies | Opinion
On Monday, the Department of Defense announced that it had awarded the private company Acquisition Logistics a contract to build the largest immigrant detention facility in the United Statesgiving $1.26 billion, as Bloomberg reported this week, to a Virginia-based company that doesnt appear to have any experience with detention. The proposed camp, meant to hold 5,000 people in tents adjacent to an airstrip, sounds more similar to the new ICE concentration camp in the Florida Everglades than to most other existing ICE detention facilities. With such facilities, dangerously inadequate and quickly erected, ICE is entering a new phase of rapid mass detention.

The news of this camp coincides with the release this week of a report from Human Rights Watch that offers a damning picture of what ICE detention has become since Trump assumed office in January. It is now routine for basics like access to time outside of cells and meetings with lawyers to be denied. Medical emergencies are dismissed or met with punishment. Lockdowns are declared to cover for ICEs being short-staffed. One man reported that he and others were forced to eat like dogs, bent over with their hands restrained behind their backs.

The Acquisitions Logistics camp will be constructed within the second-largest Army base in the United States, Fort Bliss, near El Paso, Texas, and the southern border. While El Pasos county jail currently imprisons immigrants on behalf of ICE, this new camp is very different. Like the Everglades camp, it is meant to intern thousands of people arrested by ICE outside the existing immigration detention system, in order to remove them from the country as swiftly as possible. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth approved plans to use part of the base for a new immigration detention facility in March, and two weeks later, Stars and Stripes reported that Army engineers were removing shrubs and leveling sand on a desolate 60-acre stretch. ICE is now prioritizing such mass tent camps, The Wall Street Journal reported, because it allows them to create large numbers of new beds concentrated in a few locations, rather than finding smaller numbers of jail cells scattered around the country.

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If built as planned, the Fort Bliss camp would be big enough to hold roughly 10 percent of the nearly 57,000 people that, as of July 13, ICE currently has locked up in detention facilities across the United States. Thats close to the highest number on record the government has ever held in immigration detention in U.S. history. Of course, ICE is tasked with keeping that number growing, and its doing so, according to data obtained and analyzed by the Transaction Records Access Clearinghouse. With each passing month of Trumps second term, ICE has been arresting and detaining thousands more people.

It seems unlikely, however, that any contractor has the capacity to build and staff camps at a speed that can match the extraordinary pace at which the Trump administration wants ICE to work. I am deeply skeptical of this small contractors ability to get the hundreds of staff necessary to operate a detention complex of 5,000 beds, said Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council. Not only does Acquisition Logistics not have experience in detention, according to Bloomberg, this government contract is by far the biggest ever for the firm.

ICE detention facilities vary greatly. Some are purpose-built and privately operated processing centers incarcerating a thousand people or more. Others are federal prisons authorized to jail people for ICE alongside other prisoners. A detention site can even be just a few dozen cells that a county jail rents to ICE. But whether ICE has built upon existing carceral infrastructure or is doling out contracts for private prison companies to make more, it is clear that the agency is locking up far more people than it has room for.

Detention centers and camps, distinct as they appear, may also share certain brutal features, including tents. When ICE jailed hundreds more people than space allowed at the Krome North Service Processing Center in Miami, operated by Akima Global Services, it put up a soft-sided structurea large outdoor tent to hold 400 people. In early June, dozens of people jailed there protested their confinement in the recreation yard, forming the letters SOS and the word LIBRE with their bodies. Some weeks later, tents went up at a site about 30 miles away in the Everglades, dubbed Alligator Alcatrazan American concentration camp. On June 26, a 75-year-old Cuban man died at Krome. He was the thirteenth person to die in ICE custody this year.

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Kromes conditions are abusive and degrading, according to the new Human Rights Watch report:

Individuals described prolonged confinement in frigid, overcrowded processing cells without bedding, adequate clothing, or access to hygiene. Women were also detained there for processing despite its being a male-only facility. They had no showers or privacy, and some were exposed to voyeurism by male detainees. This processing took place over a matter of days, not hours. Overcrowding persisted beyond intake, with cells holding more than double their intended capacity.

Those interviewed by HRW described punishing days and nights in ice-cold cells, sleeping on the floor without bedding or proper clothes. At times, ICE crammed 30 people into one small cell. The lights were always on. There would be a single toilet in a cell, without any privacy. One woman said she and her cellmates asked for cleaning supplies to clean their single filthy toilet for themselves, to which officers responded sarcastically, Housekeeping will come soon.

Despite ICEs efforts to stop them, people inside Krome and numerous other detention sites have been able to get documentation of conditions and rights abuses out to the public. In New York, videos shared with the press by the New York Immigration Coalition show an emerging pattern: Here too, ICE is using cells that were meant to hold people for a matter of hours to keep them detained for days or more. People are forced to sleep next to toilets, without adequate clothing or bedding. (ICE claims that there is no detention center in this building, and denies charges of inhumane conditions.) In Massachusetts, at an ICE office in Burlington that is now similarly serving as a detention facility, one woman who was recently released from there described a similar situation: a freezing room where women had to sleep on the floor, a single toilet. We slept close and huddled togetherthe line of women reaching all the way to the bathroom, she told WBUR this month.

In light of these very similar stories, along with the questionable new contract for a concentration camp in Texas, it is not difficult to conclude that the current conditions in ICE detention centers are an intentional part of Trumps promised mass deportations, even as they show how weak those plans are. Unable to fully deliver on mass deportation, ICE is ramping up its precursor: mass detention. Perhaps the administration still lacks the coordination and capacity to carry out mass deportations, which were always meant to be punitive, always intended in partif not primarilyas a cause for Trumps supporters to rally around. Each detention centers abuses exposed, each shoddy new camp toured, fulfills Trumps promise to scapegoat and punish immigrants. This fact does not undermine the importance of recording the brutal realities people face in these jails, processing centers, and camps, especially when the stories are told from their own point of view. The accounts may help reveal something more: that there is no humane solution to mass detentiona project that violates peoples dignity by designwithout its abolition.
(Reuters) -Britain's foreign ministry on Thursday has advised against all but essential travel to parts of Cambodia and Thailand following the worst fighting between the countries in 13 years.

Thailand scrambled an F-16 fighter jet to bomb targets in Cambodia on Thursday after artillery volleys from both sides killed at least 11 civilians, as border tension boiled over into rare armed conflict between the Southeast Asian countries.

Both blamed each other for starting a morning clash at a disputed area of the border, which quickly escalated from small arms fire to heavy shelling in at least six locations 209 kilometres (130 miles) apart along a frontier where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century.

(Reporting by Rishabh Jaiswal in Bengaluru; Editing by Chris Reese)
LONDON (Reuters) -Britain said on Thursday it would deepen its AUKUS nuclear submarine partnership with Australia through a new 50-year treaty that it expected to create jobs and boost British exports.

Australia, Britain and the U.S. agreed the AUKUS pact in 2021 to provide Australia with nuclear-powered attack submarines from the next decade to counter China's ambitions in the Indo-Pacific.

However, U.S. President Donald Trump launched a formal review of the pact last month to examine whether it met his "America First" criteria. Australia has said it is confident the partnership will proceed.

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The new British-Australian treaty will underpin each country's submarine programmes and is expected to be worth up to 20 billion pounds ($27.1 billion) to Britain in exports over the next 25 years, its ministry of defence said.

The bilateral treaty comes as Britain's defence and foreign ministers travel to Australia to meet their counterparts as well as visit the northern garrison city of Darwin, as Australia hosts its largest-ever military exercise.

"AUKUS is one of Britain's most important defence partnerships, strengthening global security while driving growth at home," British defence minister John Healey said. "This historic treaty confirms our AUKUS commitment for the next half century."

At its peak, there will be over 21,000 people in Britain working on the AUKUS programme, Britain said.

($1 = 0.7377 pounds)

(Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar; editing by William James)
LONDON (AP)  The prime ministers of Britain and India sealed a hard-wrought trade agreement on Thursday that will slash tariffs on products including Scotch whisky and English gin shipped to India and Indian food and spices sent to the U.K.

Keir Starmer and Narendra Modi met at Chequers, the British leader's official country residence outside London, where the U.K. and Indian trade ministers, Jonathan Reynolds and Piyush Goyal, formally signed the agreement.

Starmer said it was "the biggest and most economically significant trade deal" Britain has made since leaving the European Union in 2020.

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Modi said it was a historic day in our bilateral relations.

Alongside the agreement, the two countries announced almost 6 billion pounds ($8 billion) in trade and investment deals in areas including AI, aerospace and dairy products, and pledged to work more closely together in areas such as defense, migration, climate and health.

The trade agreement between India and Britain, the worlds fifth- and sixth-largest economies, was announced in May, more than three years after negotiations started, and stalled, under Britains previous Conservative government.

It still must be ratified by Britain's Parliament.

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The U.K. government said the deal will reduce Indias average tariff on British goods from 15% to 3%. Import taxes on whisky and gin will be halved from 150% to 75% before falling to 40% by year 10 of the deal. Automotive tariffs will fall from over 100% to 10% under a quota.

Britain said the deal is expected to increase bilateral trade by 25.5 billion pounds ($35 billion) annually from 2040 and add almost 5 billion pounds ($6.8 billion) a year to the British economy.

Indias Trade Ministry said in May that 99% of Indian exports will face no import duty under the deal, which applies to products including clothes, shoes and food.

Formal talks began in 2022 on a free trade agreement that then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson hailed as a key goal after Britain left the EU. Johnson famously promised to have a deal done by the Diwali holiday in October of that year.

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The two countries held 13 rounds of negotiations without a breakthrough before talks were suspended while both nations held general elections in 2024.

Modi was re-elected and Britain replaced the Conservative government with one led by Starmers center-left Labour Party.

Almost 2 million people in the U.K. have roots in India, where Britain was the colonial power until independence in 1947.

Starmer said Britain and India "have unique bonds of history, of family and of culture, and we want to strengthen our relationship further, so that it is even more ambitious, modern and focused on the long term.

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Speaking as England and India face off in a cricket test series, Modi sad the sport was a great metaphor for our partnership.

There may be a swing and a miss at times but we always play with a straight bat, he said. We are committed to building a high-scoring, solid partnership.
The United Kingdom and India have signed a trade agreement that will reduce tariffs on goods from textiles to whisky, cars and spices and allow more market access for businesses.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the agreement on Thursday as a landmark moment for both countries. Starmer hosted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his Chequers country estate, northwest of London, where the UK and Indian trade ministers, Jonathan Reynolds and Piyush Goyal, formally signed the agreement.

Starmer and Modi announced in May that they had struck a free trade agreement after three years of stop-start negotiations, with both sides hastening efforts to clinch a deal in the shadow of tariff turmoil unleashed by United States President Donald Trump. The deal must still be ratified by the UK Parliament.

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This is not the extent or the limit of our collaboration with India, said Starmer. We have unique bonds of history, of family and of culture, and we want to strengthen our relationship further, so that it is even more ambitious, modern and focused on the long term.

Starmer also said the deal was the biggest and most economically significant trade deal the UK has made since leaving the European Union in 2020, though the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has forecast that UK exports and imports will be about 15 percent lower in the long run compared with if Brexit had not occurred.

Modi, standing alongside Starmer during a media appearance, described the deal as a blueprint for our shared prosperity.

For India, the deal represents its biggest strategic partnership with an advanced economy, and one which could provide a template for a long-mooted deal with the EU as well as talks with other regions.

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The two countries also announced almost 6 billion pounds ($8nm) in trade and investment deals in areas including AI, aerospace and dairy products, and pledged to work more closely together in areas such as defence, migration, climate and health.

The UK and India hope the accord will boost trade between the two countries by 25.5 billion pounds ($34.4bn) and eventually add 4.8 billion pounds ($6.5bn) a year to the UK economy.

The UK government said the deal will reduce Indias average tariff on British goods from 15 percent to 3 percent. Import taxes on whisky and gin will be halved from 150 percent to 75 percent before falling to 40 percent by year 10 of the deal. Automotive tariffs will fall from more than 100 percent to 10 percent under a quota.

Indias Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in May that 99 percent of Indian exports will face no import duty under the deal, which applies to products including clothes, shoes and food.

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Britain and India are the sixth and fifth largest global economies respectively, with a trade relationship worth about 41 billion pounds ($55.3bn) and investment supporting more than 600,000 jobs across both countries.

During Modis two-day visit, Starmer and the Indian prime minister were also likely to discuss last months Air India disaster in which 241 people died when a London-bound flight crashed after taking off from Ahmedabad in western India.

Some 169 Indian passengers and 52 British nationals were killed in the June 12 crash, one of the deadliest plane disasters in terms of the number of British fatalities.

Starmer and Modi have met twice recently, at the G7 summit in Canada last month and at the G20 meeting in Brazil last year.

Modi was also due to meet with King Charles III during his brief stay in the UK, his fourth visit since becoming Indias leader in 2014.
Russia and Ukraine held brief peace talks, but the warring countries remain far apart with little progress made.

Officials met in Istanbul for around 40 minutes, and agreed on issues including prisoner exchanges and improved communication. But Kyiv wants a full ceasefire before discussing long-term peace plans, while Moscow wants terms agreed before stopping its attacks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is under pressure after signing a bill that would strip independence from anti-corruption agencies, drawing widespread protests for the first time since the Russian invasion in 2022  before appearing to backtrack on the law Thursday.

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The move had raised concerns that Ukraine would revert to the corrupt, autocratic system it once sought to escape, The Economist wrote, and make it harder for Western politicians to argue that its cause is worth fighting for.
Ukraine closed out its third round of direct talks with Russia on Wednesday with a proposal to hold a leaders summit by the end of August with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President Trump.

The proposed summit would be held between Zelensky and Putin, and it would include the participation of the U.S. and Turkish presidents, according to a statement from Andriy Yermak, the head of Zelenskys office.

Zelensky on Tuesday had again renewed his offer to meet with Putin to negotiate an end to the war, but Putin has rejected previous offers.

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Ukraine made the proposal in Turkey during the latest round of talks, which yielded few results and left delegations from both countries feeling far away from a deal on a ceasefire or end to the war.

It is clear that Russia is still not ready to end the war  but there is still time to reconsider and put an end to this madness, Yermak said in the statement.

He said progress was made on humanitarian issues, including on prisoner exchanges and retrieving Ukrainian children who were kidnapped during the war.

Rustem Umerov, head of the Ukrainian delegation, told reporters after the talks that we have not made progress yet on a ceasefire, according to multiple media outlets.

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Vladimir Medinsky, head of the Russian delegation, made similar remarks after the meeting.

The positions are quite apart from each other, he said, news outlets reported.

The nations have held two rounds of peace talks in Istanbul so far  on May 16 and June 2  and the discussions have led to the exchange of thousands of prisoners, but the two have made little to no progress on a potential ceasefire agreement.

Since the previous round of talks, which took place nearly two months ago, Russia issued a memo outlining conditions for reaching a ceasefire, including having Ukraines military disarm and agree to Russias annexation of four regions in Ukraine that were overtaken since Moscow launched its invasion in 2022, which the Russian military has struggled to maintain.

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Yermak said in his statement Wednesday that Ukraine, in the latest talks, clearly outlined its priorities: a ceasefire, real silence along the entire frontline, and a complete halt to strikes on civilian infrastructure. This is where the path to a genuine peace must begin.

Trump has pressed for forging peace in the region and has in recent weeks been increasingly critical of Putin, saying in a recent interview with the BBC that he is disappointed with the Kremlins leader but not done with him.

Trump announced last week that the U.S. brokered a deal to send more weapons to Ukraine, arms that would be paid for by NATO allies in Europe who agreed earlier this year to increase their investment in defense spending.

Trump also warned Putin he would slap new sanctions on Russia and other countries that purchase Moscows exports if a ceasefire is not reached within 50 days. Russia has not wavered from its demands and has continued to shell Ukraine, firing off drones and missile attacks that have targeted dozens of cities.

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Volodymyr Zelensky was once Ukraines saviour. In the first hours of the Russian invasion, as Putins paratroopers advanced on Central Kyiv with specific orders to kill him, Zelensky refused to evacuate.

Instead, he rallied his people to a heroic resistance that surprised the world  and Ukrainians themselves. It was thanks to Zelenskys relentless lobbying and inspiring showmanship that Western nations were cajoled into sending rockets, artillery and tanks where once they had offered helmets and bandages.

But those times are gone. Zelensky is no longer part of the solution to Ukraine  he is part of the problem.

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Over the last year Zelensky has used emergency wartime powers to exile, investigate and jail many leading political opponents and critics. Opposition media have been shut down, and thousands of businesses have been seized by Zelensky cronies under the pretext of alleged links to Russia.

Several senior cabinet members have been sacked  but not prosecuted  for massive corruption. And this week, Zelenskys party ordered the takeover of two key anti-corruption agencies who were investigating hundreds of government officials, parliamentarians and presidential administration insiders.

For the first time since the beginning of the war, the streets of Kyiv have erupted with thousands of young protesters. Olga Rudenko, editor of the Kyiv Independent, has written: Zelensky will feel the wrath of those exact stubborn, freedom-loving Ukrainians he has been an international symbol for.

Zelenskys attack on anti-corruption agencies, which he seems to now have backtracked on, was a huge and unforced error, coming right as Donald Trump seemed to be moving in a slightly more pro-Ukrainian direction.

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It was also a gift not only to Russian propagandists but also to everyone in the West who opposes further military aid for Kyivs continued resistance. Zelensky  is a dictator and refuses to make a peace deal and end the war, tweeted arch-Ukraine sceptic and Maga stalwart Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, praising the crowds of protesters who had gathered outside the Presidential Administration in Kyiv. Good for the Ukrainian people! Throw him out of office!

Zelenskys move also brought condemnation from the European Union, which was about to begin EU accession negotiations with Kyiv. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos was seriously concerned and sharply reminded Zelensky that rule of law remains in the very centre of EU accession negotiations.

What incriminating information did Ukraines National Anti-corruption Bureau, or Nabu, have on Zelenskys inner circle? Whatever it was, it was serious enough for presidential chief of staff Andrew Yermak to convene parliament from recess and rush through a Bill effectively shutting down the agency in less than 72 hours.

Zelenskys term of office formally expired in May 2024, and he remains in office under wartime emergency powers despite calls for him to create a government of national unity. In May 1940 Winston Churchill invited the leader of the opposition Attlee to be his deputy and united all of parliament in one government, says opposition MP Oleksiy Goncharenko. Zelensky has done the opposite, he is holding on to power by all means possible.

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There are increasing calls for new elections to be held, despite the ongoing hostilities. Over 70 per cent of Ukrainians believe that their leaders are profiting from the war  a horribly corrosive thing in wartime  and combat fatigue among soldiers and civilians alike is profound.

A June poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology showed that 43 per cent of respondents would be willing to give away de facto control over occupied territories in order to reach a peace deal with Moscow.

So far, Vladimir Putin shows no sign of being serious about peace. Putin bears a personal hatred for Zelensky, the profound anger of a bully towards someone who has stood up to him.

Thats well and good in wartime  but not a relationship likely to yield peace. A new Ukrainian president would mark a reset moment  especially if he or she was ready to protect the rights of Russian speakers in Ukraine, a key demand of the Kremlins and, ironically enough, also of the EU.

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Zelensky has played an epic role in saving his country from destruction. Now there is a danger of his imitating his corrupt predecessors, and he should step aside, for Ukraines sake.

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Key developments on July 24:

China covertly supplying drone engines to Russia despite sanctions, Reuters reports

Von der Leyen urges China to press Putin to engage seriously in Ukraine-Russia peace talks

Trump announces US-EU arms agreement including aid for Ukraine

Russian glide bombs strike Kharkiv residential high-rise building, injuring at least 41

1 killed, 1 injured as Ukrainian drones attack Russias Krasnodar Krai, hit Sochi, oil depot

Indian company sent explosives to Russia despite US warnings, Reuters reports

Beijing is reportedly circumventing Western sanctions by discreetly shipping Chinese-made drone engines to a state-owned Russian manufacturer, labeling them as "industrial refrigeration units" to avoid detection.

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This alleged practice has enabled Russia to significantly ramp up its production of Garpiya-A1 attack drones, according to three European security officials and documents reviewed by Reuters.

The shipments have allowed Russian weapons-maker IEMZ Kupol to boost its Garpiya drone output, despite sanctions imposed by the U.S. and EU in October aimed at disrupting its supply chain. The information comes from the security officials and a trove of documents including contracts, invoices, and customs paperwork.

An internal Kupol document, seen by Reuters, indicates the company signed a contract with the Russian defense ministry to produce over 6,000 Garpiya drones this year, a sharp increase from 2,000 in 2024. The document also noted that more than 1,500 drones had already been delivered by April.

The Garpiya, a long-range drone, is used to strike civilian and military targets deep within Ukrainian territory, with approximately 500 units deployed by Russia each month, according to a statement from the Ukrainian military intelligence agency to Reuters.

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Read also: Invisible prisoners  the struggle to free thousands of Ukrainians in Russian captivity

The European security officials requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information and asked that certain specific details from the documents, such as dates and contract costs, be withheld.

In September, Reuters reported that Kupol was manufacturing the Garpiya using Chinese technology, including L550E engines produced by Xiamen Limbach Aviation Engine Co. One month after that report, both the European Union and the U.S. sanctioned several companies involved in the drone's production, including Xiamen.

Following these sanctions, a new Chinese firm, Beijing Xichao International Technology and Trade, has reportedly taken over the supply of L550E engines to Kupol. This is evidenced by invoices, an internal Kupol letter, and transportation documents reviewed by Reuters.

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In a statement to Reuters, China's foreign ministry said it was unaware of the export of parts for the Garpiya and maintained that it controls foreign sales of dual-use goods in accordance with Chinese law and international obligations.

"China has always opposed unilateral sanctions that lack basis in international law and are not authorized by the U.N. Security Council," the statement read.

Both the U.S. and EU have consistently imposed sanctions on companies in third-party countries, including China, accused of providing dual-use technology to Russia. Kupol itself has been under EU sanctions since December 2022 and U.S. sanctions since December 2023 for its involvement in Russia's defense sector.

The Garpiya drone, which means "harpy" in Russian, is reportedly based on Iranian-made Shahed drones but incorporates Chinese technology, according to the three European sources. The Ukrainian military intelligence agency confirmed that the Chinese-made components in the drone include the engine, control systems, and navigation equipment.

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Further documentation reviewed by Reuters shows that the engines were shipped by Xichao to a Russian front company identified as SMP-138, which then forwarded them to another Russian firm, LIBSS.

A contract for LIBSS to supply Kupol with the engines explicitly said that they would be described as "cooling units" in shipping documents due to their sensitive nature, according to Reuters. The specified delivery route for these components was from Beijing to Moscow, and then on to Izhevsk, where Kupol operates its manufacturing facilities.

According to the three security officials, this "cooling units" description enabled the goods to be exported to Russia without alerting Chinese authorities.

Read also: Zelensky submits new bill restoring anti-graft agencies independence after protests

Von der Leyen urges China to press Putin to engage seriously in Ukraine-Russia peace talks

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on July 24 urged China to leverage its close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin to help advance peace talks with Ukraine.

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"China has an influence on Russia, like the European Union has an influence on Ukraine," von der Leyen said after a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. "It is our expectation that China uses this influence to make sure that Russia is coming seriously to the negotiation table."

Her remarks came a day after Ukrainian and Russian delegations held a third round of talks in Istanbul. The meeting lasted less than an hour and ended without a ceasefire agreement.

Russia's offer included temporary 2448-hour ceasefires to recover bodies and the wounded, but it again rejected a complete ceasefire.

At the talks, Kyiv proposed a summit between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin before the end of August, a proposal the Kremlin has not yet accepted. The Ukrainian president has consistently signaled openness to direct talks, while Putin has so far refused.

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Von der Leyen stressed that the EU doesn't need to pressure Ukraine, as she mentioned the country is already showing a willingness to negotiate.

"We in the European Union don't even have to use our influence, because President Zelensky has already offered and is at the negotiation table," she said. "But it is important that we have a ceasefire and that the (leaders') negotiations at the table take place."

Despite repeated calls from Ukraine and the West, Beijing has maintained its support for Moscow. China remains Russia's top crude oil importer and a major supplier of dual-use components used in its defense sector.

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U.S. officials have echoed von der Leyen's remarks. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker warned on July 22 that China may face consequences if Moscow rejects a peace deal.

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"They need to be called out for subsidizing this killing," he told Fox Business.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on July 14 that Russia would face "severe" secondary tariffs unless it agrees to end the war within 50 days. The strategy aims to cut off Russia's oil revenue, which accounts for about one-third of its federal budget.

If a third country like China keeps buying Russian oil, exports to the U.S. could face a further 100% tariff, significantly raising prices for American consumers and squeezing Chinese exporters.

Earlier this month, the South China Morning Post reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas that Beijing cannot afford for Russia to lose the war, citing unnamed diplomatic sources.

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Putin is expected to visit China in September for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, where he will meet Xi Jinping.

Read also: I was 18 when I protested at EuroMaidan. Im proud of new generation protesting now

Trump announces US-EU arms agreement including aid for Ukraine

The U.S. and EU have signed an agreement for Brussels to fully fund the purchase of U.S. weapons, some of which will be sent to Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump announced on July 23 at the AI summit in Washington.

Since the start of Trump's second term, Washington had not provided Kyiv with new military aid packages until July. The administration eventually approved arms sales to Ukraine, announcing the first potential delivery on July 23.

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The deal stipulates that the U.S. will deliver weapons to the EU, which will handle distribution among member states, with most of the arms expected to go to Ukraine, according to Trump.

Trump added that the EU will spend money in the U.S. on its defense companies, which "should have been done three years ago."

The U.S. approved two military aid packages for Ukraine on July 23, totaling $322 million. One includes HAWK Phase III air defense systems, while the other supplies parts to repair Bradley infantry fighting vehicles.

The State Department confirmed the sale would have no negative impact on U.S. defense readiness.

Previously, the U.S. and Germany also agreed to deliver five Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, as Russia has escalated its long-range strikes on Ukrainian cities.

The new commitment follows U.S. President Donald Trump's July 14 announcement of a NATO- and EU-backed initiative under which alliance members will purchase U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine.

Washington has already sent three Patriot batteries to Ukraine, with Germany providing three more. An additional battery has come from a European coalition, though not all of the systems are currently operational due to routine maintenance rotations.

Read also: Russia deploys additional electronic warfare systems near Estonian border

Russian glide bombs strike Kharkiv residential high-rise building, injuring at least 41

Russian forces attacked the city of Kharkiv on July 24, injuring at least 41 people, including six children, the regional prosecutor's office reported.

Among the victims of the attack is a one-month-old infant who suffered an acute stress reaction.

Six people, including two children, remain hospitalized following the attack. A 17-year-old boy and a one-year-old girl are in moderate condition, while one woman is reported to be in serious condition, according to Governor Oleh Syniehubov.

Two Russian glide bombs struck the Shevchenkivskyi district at around 11:30 a.m. local time, targeting a high-rise residential building and civilian enterprise.

Some people were trapped beneath the rubble of the multi-story building following the attack, while a separate hit on an industrial facility sparked a fire.

Emergency crews, including medical personnel, rescuers, and police, are working at the scene of the attacks.

"These are completely senseless strikes, with no military objective. It's clear that Russia's only goal is to continue its aggression and killing," President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

"That is why we need support for our defense  robust air defense systems and expanded weapons production. All of this is essential to saving lives," Zelensky added.

In recent months, Moscow has been intensifying attacks against Kharkiv  Ukraine's second-largest city  which sits just over 20 kilometers (15 miles) from the Russian border, as well as against smaller settlements in the Kharkiv Oblast.

On July 18, Russian forces targeted a residential area in the town of Chuhuiv, injuring four people and damaging their homes.

Read also: Georgian-Ukrainian electronic music festival ICKPA returns to Kyiv amid shared resistance to Russian imperialism

One killed, 1 injured as Ukrainian drones attack Russias Krasnodar Krai, hit Sochi, oil depot

One person was killed and one injured as an oil depot in Russia's Krasnodar Krai was hit in a reported Ukrainian drone attack on July 24, with explosions and drones seen in the city of Sochi.

"There was a hit on the oil depot on Tavricheskaya Street. Please refrain from driving or walking in that area. I will report on important incidents," head of the Sirius Federal Territory in Krasnodar Krai, Dmitri Plishkin said in a post to Telegram.

The strikes in the federal territory began at approximately 1 a.m. local time and ended at 3 a.m.

Utility and emergency services are responding to the aftermath of the attack on the Russian oil refinery, Plishkin said.

Meanwhile, in Sochi, independent Russian media is reporting explosions are rocking the city, with local officials saying one person has been killed and one injured.

Temporary flight restrictions were imposed at Sochi airport amid the drone attack, a spokesperson for Russia's state aviation agency Rosaviatsia said on July 23.

The Ukrainian army has not commented on the claims, which could not be independently verified.

Krasnodar Krai is located in southwestern Russia along the Azov and Black seas to the west.

Kyiv regularly strikes military targets in Russia as it aims to reduce Moscow's fighting power in its war against Ukraine.

On July 22, Ukrainian drones reportedly struck the city of Novocherkassk in Russia's Rostov Oblast, while a Ukrainian official said that a railway hub used by the Russian army was targeted.

Amid reported Ukrainian drone attacks on Russia, a fire broke out at a train station in the village of Kamenolomni in Rostov Oblast overnight on July 21.

Read also: Ukraines ex-top general Zaluzhnyi warns war with Russia could last until 2034

Indian company sent explosives to Russia despite US warnings, Reuters reports

An Indian company delivered $1.4 million worth of military explosives to Russia last December, ignoring U.S. warnings on potential sanctions, Reuters reported on July 24, citing data from Indian customs.

New Delhi has maintained a neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine war, calling for a peaceful solution while fostering an economic relationship with Moscow.

Among the Russian companies listed as recipients of the explosive substance octogen, also known as HMX, is Promsintez, an explosives producer that has ties to the Russian military, a Ukrainian Security Service official told Reuters.

According to the Pentagon's Defense Technical Information Center and related defense research programs, octogen is commonly used in missile and torpedo warheads, rocket engines, explosive shells, and plastic explosives for advanced military systems.

The U.S. government has labeled the substance "critical for Russia's military efforts" and has warned financial institutions against enabling its sales to Moscow.

India has resisted U.S. pressure to distance itself from Moscow, preserving its decades-old defense and economic relationship. Its crude oil purchases from Russia have held firm, despite Western efforts to isolate the Kremlin through sweeping sanctions.

Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose a 100% tariff on countries that continued purchasing Russian crude oil.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Treasury Department has the authority to sanction entities involved in the sale of octogen and similar materials to Russia, three sanctions lawyers confirmed to the news agency.

However, Reuters has found no indication that the shipments of octogen violated Indian government policy. An Indian official familiar with the matter told the news agency that the compound, while primarily used in military applications, has some limited civilian uses as well.

India's Ministry of External Affairs said the country exports dual-use goods "into account its international obligations on non-proliferation, and based on its robust legal and regulatory framework that includes a holistic assessment of relevant criteria on such exports."

The U.S. State Department declined to comment on the specific shipments identified by Reuters but said it had repeatedly warned India that companies involved in military-related trade with Russia could face sanctions.

Note from the author:

Ukraine War Latest is put together by the Kyiv Independent news desk team, who keep you informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you value our work and want to ensure we have the resources to continue, join the Kyiv Independent community.

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Key developments on July 23:

Ukraine, Russia hold third round of peace talks in Istanbul

Ukrainian drones reportedly target key logistics hub in southwestern Russia

Russia suffered 80,000 casualties during Kursk incursion, Ukraine's military chief says

'He sees Trump as emotional and susceptible to influence'  Putin not worried about 50-day ceasefire deadline, Guardian reports

Belarus threatens to shift Zapad-2025 military drills closer to NATO border

Ukrainian and Russian delegations held a third round of peace talks in Istanbul on July 23, with the meeting lasting less than an hour.

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During the talks, Ukraine proposed holding a summit between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin before the end of August, according to National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov, who led the Ukrainian delegation.

"We are working on priority issues. Our priority is always people, ceasefire and meeting of leaders," Umerov said after the talks.

According to Umerov, Ukraine and Russia agreed to conduct a humanitarian exchange involving more than 1,200 people. Zelensky previously identified the return of abducted Ukrainian children and an immediate ceasefire as key priorities in the talks.

Vladimir Medinsky, Putin's aide and head of the Russian delegation, said Moscow proposed forming three working groups to meet online and address political, military, and humanitarian issues.

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Commenting on a possible leaders' meeting, Medinsky said it was crucial to first determine the topics for discussion.

The Ukrainian delegation also included Presidential Office head Andriy Yermak, First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergiy Kyslytsya, and deputy military intelligence chief Vadym Skybytskyi.

Umerov's team met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier in Ankara before heading to the talks in Istanbul.

The July 23 meeting followed earlier rounds of negotiations on May 16 and June 2, after more than three years without formal talks. Despite limited progress, both sides have managed to negotiate several prisoner exchanges since restarting discussions.

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While Zelensky has expressed readiness for face-to-face talks, Putin has repeatedly declined to participate in person, sending lower-level officials instead.

The peace talks, characterized by great distance between the two sides' demands, have been given new energy after U.S. President Donald Trump's warning on July 14 that he would impose "severe" tariffs on Russia unless it agrees to end the war within 50 days.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has reiterated that Moscow's war goals remain unchanged, reflecting Russia's reluctance to concede from its maximalist demands.

Ukraine has proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in both rounds of talks  a position supported by the U.S.  but Russia has so far rejected the proposal.

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On July 7, Kyslytsya told the Kyiv Independent that Russia's approach at the Istanbul meetings amounts to ultimatums rather than genuine negotiations.

Read also: A fatal mistake  Ukrainian soldiers slam Zelenskys anti-corruption crackdown

Ukrainian drones reportedly target key logistics hub in southwestern Russia

Ukrainian drones reportedly struck the Russian city of Novocherkassk in Rostov Oblast on July 22, while a Ukrainian official said that a railway hub used by the Russian military was targeted.

The alleged attack comes amid Kyiv's ongoing long-range drone campaign, aimed at crippling Russia's ability to sustain its all-out war by targeting key industrial and military facilities in the rear.

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Rostov Oblast Governor Yuri Slyusar confirmed Ukrainian drone attacks against Novocherkassk and other areas in the region. Drone wreckage started fires across the city, and three people were injured, one of them seriously, the governor claimed.

Drones may have targeted the local railway station and the Novocherkassk State District Power Plant, Russian Telegram channels Baza and Astra reported, citing local residents.

"In Novocherkassk in Rostov Oblast, the railway infrastructure used by the military-industrial complex and the Russian military came under attack," said Andrii Kovalenko, an official at Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council.

"This logistical hub connects strategic directions: Rostov-on-Don, Voronezh, Volgograd, and Kamensk-Shakhtinsky. It is through this hub that the transfer of equipment, ammunition, fuel resources, and personnel to the Ukrainian border is carried out."

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According to the official, the city also houses the facilities of Russia's 1061st Material and Technical Support Center of the Southern Military District, which are responsible for arms and fuel supplies.

Novocherkassk, a southwestern Russian city of 160,000 residents, lies around 200 kilometers (120 miles) from the front line in Ukraine.

"Hubs like Novocherkassk are the arteries that feed the Russian war machine. Without them, supplies to the front stop," Kovalenko said.

Thirty-three Ukrainian fixed-wing drones were downed over Russia overnight, including 11 over Rostov Oblast, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed. Russian officials have not confirmed any damage to military or strategic facilities in Novocherkassk.

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The Ukrainian military has not commented on the claims, which could not be independently verified.

Read also: Invisible prisoners  the struggle to free thousands of Ukrainians in Russian captivity

Russia suffered 80,000 casualties during Kursk incursion, Ukraine's military chief says

Moscow suffered 80,000 soldiers killed and injured during Ukraine's cross-border incursion into Kursk Oblast, Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said in an interview with the Washington Post published on July 23.

Syrskyi did not reveal Ukraine's casualties in Kursk Oblast but said Russia's losses were significantly greater. The claims could not be independently verified.

Ukraine launched the unprecedented offensive into the Russian border in August 2024, taking Russia by surprise and seizing 1,300 square kilometers (500 square miles) in the first few months.

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The operation, masterminded by Syrskyi, was designed to divert Russian troops from the front in eastern Ukraine and to disrupt Russia's alleged plans to invade Sumy Oblast, a northeastern region bordering Kursk Oblast.

Boosted by around 12,000 North Korean troops, Russia launched a counter-offensive this spring, pushing Ukraine from the vast majority of the Russian territory and advancing into border areas of Sumy Oblast.

According to open-source monitoring group DeepState, Ukraine continues to hold a small strip of Russian territory on the border in Kursk Oblast, and Kyiv has repeatedly rejected Moscow's claims about the end of hostilities in the area.

While the Kursk operation received praise for its initial tactical success, experts remain divided regarding its strategic usefulness.

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Critics say the incursion failed to halt Russian advances in Donetsk Oblast and argue the operation should have been ended sooner before it turned into a prolonged and costly battle.

Almost a year after the operation's start, Syrskyi and other Ukrainian leaders continue to cite heavy Russian losses as one of the incursion's chief achievements.

In April, shortly after Russia announced it had recaptured nearly all of its territory in Kursk Oblast, the Ukrainian military put Russian losses at 25,200 killed and 36,200 injured. North Korea is also believed to have suffered up to 6,000 casualties, half of its entire contingent in the region.

Elsewhere on the front, Moscow's forces continue to push forward with a fresh offensive launched in May. Russian troops are attempting to establish a beachhead in Sumy Oblast and, for the first time, penetrate Dnipropetrovsk Oblast in central-eastern Ukraine.

While Kyiv continues to resist Russian aggression, it also contends with Russias advantage in manpower and resources, as well as dynamic  and at times volatile  relations with its chief military backer, the U.S.

Read also: Explainer: Does Zelenskys crackdown on anti-corruption agencies have anything to do with Russian influence?

'He sees Trump as emotional and susceptible to influence'  Putin not worried about 50-day ceasefire deadline, Guardian reports

Russian President Vladimir Putin is not worried about U.S. President Trump or his 50-day deadline for Russia and Ukraine to reach a ceasefire, the Guardian reported on July 22, citing unnamed Kremlin officials.

"Moscow is disappointed and upset that it didnt work out with Trump But whatever expectations Putin might have had for a good relationship with Trump, it was always going to come second to his maximalist goals in Ukraine. For Putin, the invasion of Ukraine is existential," a former high-ranking Kremlin official said.

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.

The U.S. leader also announced that Washington will supply Ukraine with new weapons, including Patriot air defense systems, amid intensified Russian missile and drone attacks.

"Putin didnt go out of his way to humiliate Trump  but he certainly didnt handle it wisely," the Kremlin official said.

Russia's bombardment of Ukrainian cities following talks between Trump and Putin was a "strategic mistake" that misread Trump, the official told the Guardian, noting that Putin is "obsessed" with not looking weak.

"A lot can happen in 50 days  and Putin knows that. He sees Trump as emotional and susceptible to influence... Moscow will keep making overtures toward Washington. They dont see this rift as irreversible," a source within Russias foreign policy establishment said.

Meanwhile, Putin sees Trump's ultimatum as an opportunity to maximize his goals for Russia's war against Ukraine, those familiar with the Russian leader's thinking told the Guardian.

"In Moscow, there had been hope and anticipation of forging a strong relationship with Trump... But the baseline expectation in Russia has always been tougher U.S. sanctions and a steady flow of weapons to Ukraine," independent Russian political analyst Tatiana Stanovaya said.

Reuters on July 15 reported that Putin remains determined to continue Russia's war against Ukraine until the West agrees to peace on his terms.

Russia continues insisting on its terms, despite Trump's recent threats to impose 100% "secondary tariffs" on Moscow unless it agrees to a peace deal within 50 days.

Trump's 50-day ceasefire deadline was both welcomed and garnered criticism among Ukraine's allies, who believe the deadline is too long.

The EU welcomed 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.

Read also: Commander of Ukraines elite police-formed brigade dies in car crash

Belarus threatens to shift Zapad-2025 military drills closer to NATO border

Belarus signaled on July 23 that it could reverse its earlier decision to move the Zapad-2025 military drills inland, citing what it called escalating military activity by Poland and Lithuania near its borders.

Belarusian Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Muraveika said Minsk originally chose to move the joint Russian-Belarusian drills away from the western frontier to ease tensions, but that decision may now be reconsidered.

"Given the difficult military and political situation and the fact that Belarus is constantly accused of aggressive intentions, we have made a decision and moved the areas of the event away from the borders," Muraveika said. "But our Western colleagues began to speculate on this process."

The Zapad-2025 drills, expected to take place in mid-September, will involve around 13,000 troops and are among the largest joint exercises held by Russia and Belarus.

Kyiv and NATO officials have voiced concern over the drills, which are set to occur amid Russia's ongoing full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Muraveika specifically cited recent NATO movements as justification for a possible venue revision.

"Poland has announced that it is ready to conduct divisional-scale exercises near our borders near Grodno, the Bialowieza Forest. Lithuania is transferring the Iron Wolf brigade to the Pabrade training ground," he said.

"Under these conditions, we reserve the right to make a decision and move our individual units during the exercises to work out episodes of an exclusively defensive nature."

In February, President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that Russia planned to deploy up to 150,000 troops, or 15 divisions, to Belarus in preparation for a potential military escalation.

While Minsk has not deployed its own troops in combat during Russia's war in Ukraine, it has provided critical support, including launching areas for Russian missile strikes and ground operations in the early phase of the invasion.

Note from the author:

Ukraine War Latest is put together by the Kyiv Independent news desk team, who keep you informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you value our work and want to ensure we have the resources to continue, join the Kyiv Independent community.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(Changes language in paragraph 20 to correct title of cleric and show UOC disputes Russia ties)

By Thomas Peter and Aleksandar Vasovic

ZAPORIZHZHIA (Reuters) -About 25 miles (40 km) from a slowly advancing Russian frontline, a community of Ukrainian Catholics is tending to people exiled from occupied territory to the country's eastern city of Zaporizhzhia.

Church members deliver humanitarian aid to Ukrainian troops and villages near the frontline and nuns offer comfort to families and especially children fleeing the war.

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"When kids come, especially little ones, they feel safe and cling to us, needing hugs and warmth. New kids always need that embrace," said Sister Lukia Murashko, the mother superior at Zaporizhzhia's Order of Saint Basil the Great monastery.

The monastery provides a cheerful environment adorned with Ukrainian flags and greeting cards from soldiers. In June, Sister Lukia and two other nuns made a cake for the 15th birthday of Evhen, a boy who fled the occupied city of Melitopol with his mother and now lives in a drab hostel in Zaporizhzhia.

The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, a Ukrainian denomination loyal to the Vatican named for its rites similar to eastern Orthodox churches, has over 4 million followers in Ukraine and is the country's largest branch of Catholicism.

Orthodox Christianity remains the most popular religion but has declined during the past decade amid tensions over ties to Moscow. Meanwhile, the Catholic Church has grown and its followers now make up 12% of the population, according to a 2024 study by the Razumkov Centre, a Ukrainian think-tank.

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Catholicism is traditionally predominant in Ukraine's West, but has been growing in the East of the country, much of which Russia claims as its own, including lands it occupied in 2014 and in the 2022 full-scale invasion.

Moscow does not control Zaporizhzhia city and it has become a centre for internally displaced Ukrainians from occupied territories. With membership growing, the wooden St. Volodymyr chapel is getting an extension in the city, where Roman Catholicism also has a small presence.

During a visit in June, about two dozen faithful and three priests in gold-brocade vestments observed a Divine Liturgy conducted by Father Andriy Bukhvak in the chapel, most of them among the displaced.

After Russia occupied most of Zaporizhzhia region in 2022, it installed an administration that banned the Ukrainian Catholic Church and Catholic charities in a December 6, 2022 decree, saying they worked in the interests of foreign intelligence services and stored weapons.

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The decree accused parishioners of participating "in riots and anti-Russian rallies in March-April 2022."

The office of the Russia-installed governor of the occupied area of Zaporizhzhia region did not immediately respond to a detailed request for comment.

Father Oleksandr Bohomaz, 36, served in Melitopol, a coastal city in Zaporizhzhia region, for nine months after Russia took the town on March 1 that year along with two other priests, caring for four parishes and faithful who could not flee after authorities cracked down on the church there, he said.

"We travelled around, serving as much as possible until they eventually deported us," he told Reuters.

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During his time under occupation, he said, the authorities stormed church services, collecting fingerprints from worshippers. In December 2022, he was interrogated and taken to a checkpoint where he was told to cross to the territory under Ukrainian control.

Other Catholic priests in the Zaporizhzhia region suffered harsher treatment.

In November 2022, Russia's troops raided a Greek Catholic church in Berdiansk, a city about 100 km along the coast from Melitopol.

Two priests, Ivan Levitsky and Bohdan Geleta, were arrested on illegal weapons charges. They were not freed until a June 2024 exchange of Ukrainian and Russian prisoners, according to a December 2024 report by the U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. The church denied the weapons charges.

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HOLY STRIFE

Religion has become intertwined with the war. In Moscow, the Russian Orthodox Church's Patriarch Kirill has given his blessing to the invasion of Ukraine, which he calls a Holy War.

Last August, Ukrainian authorities banned the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), a minority branch of the Orthodox religion in the country that they said was loyal to Moscow. In 2023, Ukraine placed a senior UOC cleric, Metropolitan Pavlo, under house arrest. The UOC says it has cut canonical ties to the Russian church and is the victim of a political witch hunt.

The International Religious Freedom and Belief Alliance (IRFBA), a U.S. State Department-backed initiative of 43 countries promoting freedom of religion, has accused Russia of widespread religious persecution in Ukraine.

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In a February report, IRFBA said Russian troops had killed 67 clergy of various denominations since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, without giving specifics. IRFBA said more than 630 religious buildings had been damaged during the Russian occupation, including 596 Christian churches.

Reuters was unable to independently verify IRFBA's claims, which have been repeated by Ukrainian officials. Russia's Foreign Ministry has described the alliance's reports as based on partisan and biased information, and said any actions were taken in accordance with the law.

The Ukrainian Catholic Donetsk Exarchate, the body of the church in much of East Ukraine, has operated in exile in Zaporizhzhia since 2014. Out of 77 parishes, 36 are under control of the Russian authorities, it said.

Stepan Meniok, 75, who was the bishop heading the Donetsk Exarchate until his retirement in 2024, said that when Russia-led separatists took over the eastern city of Donetsk in 2014 they drove him from the diocese's seat. He settled in Zaporizhzhia.

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"Many displaced people pass through here, and Ive heard countless stories of loss: property, lives," he said, adding he hoped for peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow.

Father Bohomaz said Russian authorities saw the Ukrainian Catholic church as a threat because it was outspoken against the occupation.

"We see our people being beaten, killed, robbed, and destroyed," he said. "We stand with the people."

(Reporting by Thomas Peter and Aleksandar Vasovic; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel, Alexandra Hudson)
Ukraines Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration Taras Kachka spoke on Thursday with European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos about strengthening the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions.

Source: European Pravda, citing Taras Kachka on X (Twitter)

Details: The deputy prime minister noted that he had briefed Commissioner Marta Kos on "the draft law endorsed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which is aimed at ensuring the independence of NABU (National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine) and SAPO (Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office)".

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Quote: "The draft law tackles concerns of experts and the international community. Ukraine remains open to dialogue with civil society and partners on this path."

He also assured Kos that "Ukraines unwavering commitment to EU integration and the fight against corruption is beyond any doubt".

Background:

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday submitted a new bill that would restore the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies in an effort to defuse tensions following his approval earlier this week of a controversial law that weakened their autonomy.

The previous bill was seen as undermining the agencies' independence and sparked a public outcry and protests, the first major demonstrations since the war began, as well as sharp criticism from the European Union.

Zelenskyy said parliament would review the new bill, which "guarantees real strengthening of Ukraines law enforcement system, the independence of anti-corruption bodies, and reliable protection of the legal system from any Russian interference.

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First reactions

Ukraine's two main anti-graft agencies  the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office  quickly welcomed Zelenskyy's new proposal, saying it restores all their procedural powers and guarantees their independence.

The agencies said they helped draft the new bill, and urged lawmakers to adopt it as soon as possible to prevent threats to ongoing criminal cases.

The bill would replace the contentious law passed by lawmakers and approved by Zelenskyy earlier this week. Critics said it stripped Ukraines anti-corruption agencies of their independence by granting the government more oversight of their work.

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A controversial law

Zelenskyy initially argued the law was needed to speed up investigations, ensure more convictions and remove Russian meddling.

After Thursday's U-turn, Zelenskyy said the new bill reverses the earlier changes and also introduced additional measures aimed at combating Russian influence, including mandatory polygraph tests for law enforcement officers.

The text is balanced," Zelenskyy said. The most important thing is real tools, no Russian ties and the independence of the anti-graft agencies.

The new draft underlines that the prosecutor general and his deputies cannot give orders to anti-graft agencies or interfere in their work.

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Bowing to pressure and protests

The controversy surrounding the initial bill has threatened to undermine public trust in Ukraine's leadership after more than three years of fighting Russia's full-scale invasion. The protests havent called for Zelenskyys ouster, but they are the first major anti-government demonstrations since the war started in February 2022.

It is important that we maintain unity, Zelenskyy said in his post.

It was not immediately clear when the new bill will be voted on in the parliament, and the protests are likely to continue until the law is passed. At the protests on Thursday evening, the crowd was smaller than on previous days.

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The unrest has come at a difficult time in the all-out war. Russias bigger army is accelerating its efforts to pierce Ukraines front-line defenses and is escalating its bombardment of Ukrainian cities.

The bigger picture

Ukraine is also facing a question mark over whether the United States will provide more military aid and whether European commitments can take up the slack, with no end in sight to the war.

Delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul for a third round of talks in as many months Wednesday. But once again, the talks were brief and delivered no major breakthrough.

Fighting entrenched corruption is crucial for Ukraines aspirations to join the EU and maintain access to billions of dollars in Western aid in the war. It is also an effort that enjoys broad public support.

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EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos expressed concern Wednesday over the law approved earlier this week, calling it a serious step back.

The Ukrainian branch of Transparency International criticized parliaments decision, saying it undermines one of the most significant reforms since what Ukraine calls its Revolution of Dignity in 2014 and damages trust with international partners.

Deadly fighting grinds on

On Thursday, two women, aged 48 and 59, were killed and 14 other people were injured when Russian forces dropped four powerful glide bombs on Kostiantynivka, an industrial city in eastern Ukraine, and shelled it with artillery, Donetsk regional Gov. Vadym Filashkin said.

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Russian planes also dropped two glide bombs on the center of Kharkiv, Ukraines second-largest city, on Thursday morning, regional Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said. At least 42 people were wounded, including two babies, a 10-year-old girl and two 17 year olds, authorities said.

The southern city of Odesa, and Cherkasy in central Ukraine, were also hit overnight, authorities said. The drone and missile strikes on the cities wounded 11 people, including a 9-year-old, and damaged historic landmarks and residential buildings, officials said.

Ukraine has sought to step up its own long-range drone attacks on Russia, using domestic technology and manufacturing.

An overnight Ukrainian drone attack on the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi killed two women and wounded 11 other people, local authorities said Thursday.

An oil depot was hit, officials said, without offering details.

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Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
A group of Ukrainian MPs have submitted a draft law for registration that aims to revoke all the provisions embedded in Law No. 12414 concerning the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO).

Source: Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak on Telegram and in a comment to Ukrainska Pravda

Quote from Zhelezniak: "Yes, we have already submitted a draft law for registration revoking all the provisions regarding the dismantling of NABU and SAPO. It will appear on the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) website shortly. It has been signed by 48 MPs from Holos (Voice), Servant [of the People], European Solidarity and even Batkivshchyna (Fatherland). Whats in it? The complete revocation of all the provisions relating to NABU and SAPO in the criminal [Law] 12414."

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Details: Zhelezniak clarified that this is the same draft law that Inna Sovsun MP mentioned the previous day, although he noted that several parliamentarians had worked on it.

He said the registration process typically takes a few hours, so it should be posted on the Verkhovna Rada website by the end of the day.

If the draft law follows the standard procedure, it could reach the chamber no earlier than in seven days. However, Zhelezniak pointed out that draft laws can be expedited via the "ad hoc" procedure (Article 50 of the Verkhovna Rada regulation, which permits a decision on a one-off deviation from the procedures provided by the regulation).

Zhelezniak was unable to say when parliament might convene, noting that after the contentious vote, "MPs were allowed to go off on official trips".

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"Neither I nor anyone else can name dates now. But Ill say this  well assemble swiftly, but when it comes to the servants [Servant of the People MPs  ed.], its hard to make predictions," Zhelezniak remarked.

He added that MPs are also awaiting the draft law promised by the president.

"Were awaiting the law from the president as well  well assess whose is better. Perhaps hell propose more reforms. But if the government truly wants to fix this mistake, this is the law to do that. The ball is in your court," he concluded.

Background:

On 21 July, employees of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Prosecutor General's Office conducted approximately 80 searches targeting 19 employees of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau in various oblasts of Ukraine. NABU reported that the security forces had no court warrants for the searches.

The NABU detectives have been charged with treason, illegal trade with Russia, and corruption in the interests of oligarchs. Meanwhile, the State Bureau of Investigations has stepped up its efforts looking into materials on road accidents involving NABU employees that occurred several years ago.

On 22 July, the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) voted in favour of draft law No. 12414, making NABU and SAPO dependent on the decisions of the prosecutor general.

The heads of NABU and SAPO urged President Volodymyr Zelenskyy not to sign draft law No. 12414, saying it would effectively destroy the independence of these institutions. However, Zelenskyy signed it into law that evening.

Protests were held in many cities across Ukraine after the law was passed, and continued on 23 July.

On the evening of 23 July, Zelenskyy promised to submit a draft law to the Verkhovna Rada that will "ensure the strength of the rule of law system" and preserve "all the provisions required for the anti-corruption institutions independence".

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Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko has spoken about a meeting of the Ukrainian government team with the G7 countries' ambassadors regarding anti-corruption policy.

Source: Svyrydenko on Facebook, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Ukrainian government officials met with the G7 countries' ambassadors to discuss anti-corruption policy on Wednesday 23 July. Svyrydenko emphasised that the Ukrainian government is committed to zero tolerance for corruption.

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She noted that on the same day, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had made a decision to submit a new draft law, adding it "will not only eliminate all existing discrepancies but also strengthen the independence of the anti-corruption infrastructure".

Quote from Svyrydenko: "It is particularly important that these changes will make any influence from the enemy and any interference in the work of law enforcement agencies, including the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine [NABU] and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office [SAPO], impossible.

We are sincerely grateful to our partners from the G7 countries for their trust, principled stance and support."

Details: EU Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova was also present at the meeting. She noted that the effectiveness of NABU and SAPO is a key part of Ukraines path to the EU.

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Background:

On 23 July, the European Commission expressed deep concern over the adoption of a law that makes NABU and SAPO dependent on the decisions of the prosecutor general and requested an explanation from Kyiv at the highest level.

Members of the European Parliament believe that Kyiv has jeopardised both further aid to Ukraine and its EU accession prospects.

On the evening of 23 July, Zelenskyy commented on the outrage from the public and international partners over the actions targeting anti-corruption institutions, promising to submit his own draft law to guarantee their independence.

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LONDON (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would hold an emergency call with France and Germany over the situation in Gaza, which he described as an "unspeakable and indefensible" humanitarian catastrophe.

In a strongly worded statement late on Thursday, Starmer said he would discuss with partners "what we can do urgently to stop the killing and get people the food they desperately need," and called on Israel to allow aid into the Palestinian enclave.

"The suffering and starvation unfolding in Gaza is unspeakable and indefensible. While the situation has been grave for some time, it has reached new depths and continues to worsen. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe," Starmer said.

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"We all agree on the pressing need for Israel to change course and allow the aid that is desperately needed to enter Gaza without delay," he added, referring to France and Germany.

Gaza's health authorities have said over 100 people have died from starvation, most of them in recent weeks.

More than 100 organisations, including Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council and Refugees International, have said mass starvation is spreading in Gaza even as tons of food and other supplies sit untouched just outside the enclave.

Israel, which cut off all supplies to Gaza from the start of March and reopened the flow with new restrictions in May, says it is committed to allowing aid in but must control it to prevent it from being diverted by militants.

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Starmer said he supported U.S., Qatari and Egyptian efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

"A ceasefire will put us on a path to the recognition of a Palestinian state and a two-state solution," he said.

(Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  The University of North Alabama is opening a satellite location at the Bridge Street Town Centre in Huntsville.

The large facility is designed to accommodate UNA events as well as to provide office space for recruiting purposes.

Groups will also be able to take advantage of classroom space that is at the location.

Bridge Street is a vibrant hub for shopping and dining, making it a highly visible and strategic

location, said Dr. Brien Smith, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. It

serves as a prominent symbol of the University of North Alabama, essentially a billboard

showcasing our presence in one of the states fastest-growing areas. As Alabamas fastest growing university, with new programs and facilities on the rise, it makes perfect sense for us to be there.

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The location is on the second floor of the Town Center, overlooking water below it.

In addition to the interior space, there is a large classroom space, an extensive outdoor patio, a fully equipped kitchen, and areas for smaller gatherings such as conferences or alumni events.

Already, the location is staffed with an individual who has been meeting with prospective

students, sharing the opportunities and benefits of a UNA education, she said. We are thrilled

to be able to be in this market in order to meet these students face-to-face and provide resources as they enroll and begin their academic careers at UNA.

As UNA expands into the Huntsville/Madison County area, recruiting future students remains a top priority for the new location, according to Julie Taylor, UNAs Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management.

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Bridge Street Town Centre, which opened in 2007, is one of North Alabamas premier destinations for shopping, dining, and business.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.
A sign advertises fresh Louisiana wild-caught Gulf of Mexico shrimp on display at a Rouse's grocery store. (Photo: Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)

Genetic seafood testing at restaurants in the Houma area last week found one-third of the sampled businesses serving foreign shrimp, though most were upfront about it with their customers.

SeaD Consulting, a food testing company that has made headlines for uncovering foreign-sourced shrimp sold fraudulently as local catch at restaurants and festivals across the Gulf Coast, announced Wednesday that eight out of 24 restaurants sampled in Terrebonne Parish, or 33%, were serving foreign shrimp. Three of those restaurants misled their customers about it, failing to disclose the shrimps country of origin either on the menu or on a sign inside the establishment as required under state law, according to SeaDs news release.

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The Houma areas 13% fraud rate over the July 13-15 period is one of the lowest in the state, tying New Orleans. Its also much lower than markets that dont have mislabeling laws, such as Tampa, Florida, where SeaD uncovered a 96% shrimp fraud rate from a sample of 44 restaurants in January.

Despite the relative honesty among Terrebonne Parish eateries, SeaD Consultings undercover testing, which it began last year, has discovered shrimp fraud in every city and batch of restaurants sampled.

This is about integrity, Al Mahler, owner of Big Als Seafood Restaurant in Houma, said in the news release. My kitchen serves wild-caught Louisiana shrimp because thats what we believe in. People dont come here for shortcuts  they come for tradition, flavor, and trust.

In December, the Louisiana Shrimp Task Force, an advisory panel for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, asked SeaD Consulting to analyze shrimp from restaurants across the state in an effort to eliminate consumer seafood fraud. Its analysis includes sampling 24 randomly selected restaurants in different metropolitan areas across the state.

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It is illegal under federal and state law to mislabel imported seafood as local and can result in fines or other penalties.

Local seafood was once easy to find in Louisiana, but an influx of cheap foreign catch  particularly shrimp and crawfish  has flooded the market over the past two decades.

For more than a decade, Louisiana law has specifically required restaurants and other food establishments to state on their menus the country of origin of any shrimp and crawfish being served. The same requirement applies to food vendors at fairs and festivals.

A 2023 review of state enforcement records revealed many restaurants had not complied with the law. State health inspectors issued thousands of citations to restaurants but levied no fines against them, drawing criticism from state lawmakers and local fishermen.

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SeaD Consulting launched its testing efforts last year using undercover inspectors to purchase shrimp dishes from restaurants and festival vendors. The inspectors run the shrimp through a rapid field testing kit that examines seafood tissue genetics.

The company does not publicly disclose the names of the restaurants that fraudulently serve imported shrimp, opting instead to highlight businesses that are following the law and serve domestic shrimp.

The Terrebonne Parish restaurants tested that offer locally caught seafood are:

1921 Seafood, Houma

531 Liberty Cafe, Houma

Abears Cafe, Houma

Alumni Grill, Thibodaux

Atchafalaya Cafe, Morgan City

Big Als Seafood Restaurant, Houma

Boudreau & Thibodeaus Cajun Cookin, Houma

Cajun Critters, Houma

Cest Bon Cafe, Houma

Copelands, Houma

Mr. Po-Boy East Side, Houma

Off the Hook, Thibodaux

Rita Maes Kitchen, Morgan City

Rouses #17, Thibodaux

Spahrs Seafood Restaurant, Thibodaux

The Ground Pati, Houma

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United Way partnering with WSB-TV to help Stuff the Bus this weekend

Students across metro Atlanta will soon be heading back to school, and every year at this time, we at WSB-TV host our Stuff the Bus community event, collecting school supplies for students in need.

This year, the United Way of Greater Atlanta is partnering with us.

For 120 years, the United Way has worked with the simple yet profound mission to improve the lives of people around the world.

One way to do this is to Stuff the Bus.

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Our focus has been on children. How do we help children thrive in this community? said Milton Little, president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Atlanta.

He said his organization decided to get involved with Stuff the Bus because there are too many kids in metro Atlanta who need help for the start of school.

Can you imagine being a kid that goes to the classroom, and you dont have the pencils, you dont have the pens, you dont have the paper, you dont have the notebook, and youre looking at everybody else? Youre already gonna feel behind. So imagine if we can have classrooms where thats not the case, Little said.

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For more than two decades, WSB-TV has encouraged our community to donate busloads of school supplies.

Pencils, markers, calculators, glue sticks, binders.

And our community has never disappointed.

Now the United Way of Greater Atlanta has its own staff and volunteers in the effort, and you can donate on their website.

So if you gave $25, that would provide school supplies for three kids. If you gave $100, that would outfit an entire classroom.

Little said Stuff the Bus not only helps the students.

But we also know there are lots of teachers out there who have to dig into their personal pockets to try to bring those resources to their classroom. And not every teacher is equipped to do that, Little said.

You can donate supplies to Stuff the Bus, or you can go online and make a financial donation.

CLICK HERE for donation sites and times.
By Matthew J. Mayhew, The Ohio State University; Anisha Gill-Morris, The Ohio State University; Hind Haddad, The Ohio State University, and Renee L. Bowling, The Ohio State University

In spring 2024, pro-Palestinian student encampments that began at Columbia and Harvard spread to university campuses throughout the U.S. as Israel invaded Gaza in response to Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, surprise attack. At least 100 campuses had encampments for at least a few days during this period.

While some campuses erupted in violence, others remained peaceful and didnt experience the open conflict that led to congressional hearings, university presidents losing their jobs and repercussions that are continuing to be felt today.

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What made the difference?

In spring 2024, Ohio State Universitys College Impact Laboratory, where we all work, surveyed universities to learn more about whether their campuses experienced protests, what happened and how they handled them. Part of our goal was to understand how spiritual leaders played a role, if any, in managing the protests. Weve been analyzing the data ever since. The results from those who responded point to several lessons universities could learn from to avoid violence in future protests.

Campuses are a critical arena for activism

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Campus protests have long been a defining feature of social and political change in the U.S. From the civil rights movements of the 1950s and 1960s to the student-led climate strikes of recent years, higher education institutions have served as a critical space for activism.

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Often, these protests reflect broader societal tensions, and how universities respond has played a significant role in shaping their outcomes.

Historically, protests have been most likely to escalate when students feel unheard. In contrast, institutions that adopt proactive strategies, such as facilitating conversations or including students in decision-making, often experience better outcomes.

Snapshot of the pro-Palestinian protests

As our survey data shows, the pro-Palestinian protests illustrate this dynamic.

To gather data, the College Impact Laboratory sent questionnaires to administrators at the 329 universities that participate in our Interfaith Spiritual, Religious and Secular Campus Climate Index, also known as the INSPIRES Index, as well as hundreds of colleges and universities in our recruitment database.

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In all, 35 schools responded to our 23-question survey. Of those, we found that most protests were led by students, half lasted less than a week, and the vast majority were nonviolent. Fifteen did not have protests, while the rest did. While the number of institutions that participated in this survey is relatively small, it does give us key insights into what schools were thinking.

Half of the campuses with protests reported law enforcement involvement  either campus police or city officers  with 20% experiencing physical altercations between protesters and police. Other disruptive actions such as academic interruptions, vandalism, physical violence and doxxing were reported with varying frequencies.

Protests at campuses that participated in our survey peaked during April and May 2024, with 70% of them experiencing demonstrations in these months.

Here are three takeaways from the survey, suggesting steps universities can take before and during future protests to avoid escalation:

1. Involve students in guidelines for engagement  early

At every surveyed institution that reported protests, students were at the forefront of organizing and leading these efforts.

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Yet, despite this clear student leadership, about one-third of institutions said they didnt consult with students to establish guidelines for engagement. Those that did invited representatives from student organizations or student government officers into the policymaking process to determine what protocols would be followed to manage protests and keep them peaceful.

On campuses where administrators didnt engage with student leaders, tensions tended to escalate, and protests disrupted the institutions for weeks, often after police were called in or curfews were imposed.

While many of the protests lasted only one to seven days, we found that institutions that opened lines of communication early between administration and student protest leaders were more likely to deescalate tensions quickly. In contrast, campuses where administrators did not engage early on saw protests lasting weeks or involving greater disruptions.

Also, institutions that engaged early with student leaders were less likely to face stronger demands, such as calls for administrators to be fired, divestment from Israeli companies or calls to defund the campus police.

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Our survey results suggest its important for administrators to engage with students early to establish clear guidelines to make it less likely future protests spiral into violence.

2. Communicate openly, often and before protests

Discussion of difficult topics, such as the conflict between Israel and Palestinians, shouldnt wait until protests break out to begin. We found that every school in our survey that proactively supported dialogue between Jews and Muslims  before the war broke out  didnt see violence result from the protests.

Dialogue isnt just a strategy for preventing protests from spiraling out of control; it is fundamental to intergroup learning in higher education. These events create safe spaces for students  whether Arab, Jewish, Palestinian or members of different ethnic or religious groups  to engage with classmates with different points of view.

But even once protests begin, dialogue can help. When institutions engaged in dialogue, during or as a result of a protest, the protests were less likely to involve violence. At half of the campuses that participated in our survey and experienced protests, protests were ended peacefully through dialogue.

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Brown, for example, modeled the power of institutional listening in its response to its April 2024 encampment. Rather than escalating tensions, university leaders engaged directly with student activists, resulting in a peaceful resolution and a commitment to bring the students divestment proposal to a formal vote in October. It ultimately failed to pass the board of directors.

3. Involve relevant groups in decision-making

Most administrators in our survey, as they considered how to engage with protesters, reached out to relevant student groups such as those that focus on Jewish and Muslim students to better understand their perspectives.

However, only 28% consulted a religious or spiritual life office staff member on campus.

Religious or spiritual life staff are present on both private and public campuses and may include university-employed multifaith chaplains, interfaith coordinators or directors of spiritual life. Unlike student-led religious groups, these professionals often serve as liaisons to the religious and nonreligious communities represented on campus.

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The focus of such roles on serving students from all worldviews positions them as key resources for deescalation through community outreach, support and two-way communication. Additionally, these professionals have valuable expertise in religious pluralism and community relationships. This experience helps them to advise administrators on policy and potential courses of action in times of tension.

Consulting with university staff with a focus on religion or spiritual life makes particular sense given the nature of the protests and how religion is intertwined, but our data suggests they may be underutilized more broadly for their expertise in navigating tensions related to competing worldviews.

Proactive engagement with these leaders not only helps campuses navigate an immediate crisis but demonstrates a commitment to inclusivity and respect for different groups perspectives.

Leading by example

Put another way, our research suggests institutions can avoid the negative outcomes of protests by embodying the traits commonly associated with universities, such as showing mutual respect, fostering democratic debate and engaging in critical thinking even on divisive issues. Engaging from a mindset of goodwill with student leaders shows administrators value student voices and are willing to work collaboratively toward solutions.

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But when campuses ignore peaceful protests or refuse to engage with student leaders, they risk turning manageable situations into prolonged crises.

At a time when divisions run deep, we believe campuses that lead by example by embracing dialogue and engaging student activists before, during and after protests take place are not only likely to see less violence, but are likely to help heal Americas great divides.

Matthew J. Mayhew, Professor of Higher Education, The Ohio State University; Anisha Gill-Morris, PhD Student in Higher Education and Student Affairs, The Ohio State University; Hind Haddad, PhD Student in Higher Education and Student Affairs, The Ohio State University, and Renee L. Bowling, Worldview Research Director, The Ohio State University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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The University of Iowa is establishing a new office for its writing programs spread across campus. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch)

The University of Iowa is working to bind its writing centers, programs and initiatives closer together with a new office.

The UI announced online Thursday its launch of the Office of Writing and Communication, which will serve as a strategic hub and support system for the universitys writing programs.

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Executive Vice President and Provost Kevin Kregel said in the release those involved in the universitys various writing programs expressed strong interest in forming the office, and their perspectives and feedback helped shape it.

A committee made up of UI community members worked with almost all writing and communication groups over the course of a year, according to the release, gathering information on the strengths and challenges of each one. The group recommended a centralized office that could provide consistent messaging, academic and professional development to students, as well as bring closer together the various writing centers across campus and support their work.

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The feedback was clear and consistent, said Andre Perry, committee member and executive director of Hancher Auditorium and the Office of Performing Arts, in the release. Faculty and staff said they saw tremendous potential in a central office that could support collaboration, amplify our shared impact, and enhance the student experience across the board.

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The UI Office of the Provost will house the new office, the release stated. Hiring will begin before the start of the 2025-2026 academic year with an executive director, according to the release, who will focus on campus engagement and strategic planning in the offices first year.

Kregel said in the release the executive director will coordinate initiatives and other work across the different writing departments, which will build a collaborative foundation that strengthens and sustains Iowas leadership in writing and communication.

Writing programs at the UI span undergraduate and graduate, fiction and nonfiction and various specific fields, including medical writing, playwriting and journalism. It also offers programs in Spanish creative writing, translation, and initiatives focused on international authors and youth writers.

Writing and communication are at the core of what we do and who we are, Kregel said in the release. This new office reflects our commitment to investing in excellence, fostering collaboration, and advancing innovative programming that prepares our students for success.

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The University of Louisville is one of five schools under a civil rights investigation for scholarships the U.S. Department of Education says may discriminate in favor of undocumented immigrants, officials said in a July 23 news release.

The education department's Office for Civil Rights will examine whether UofL is violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by offering scholarships targeted toward undocumented students or students in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which allows young immigrants who grew up in the U.S. to temporarily remain and work in the country without deportation.

"The university was just notified of the investigation yesterday. We are reviewing the claims," UofL spokesperson John Karman said in a statement.

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Officials began the probe after receiving complaints from the Legal Insurrection Foundations Equal Protection Project, which bills itself as an organization calling for "fair treatment of all persons without regard to race or ethnicity."

"Protecting equal access to education includes protecting the rights of American-born students. At the Equal Protection Project, we are gratified that the Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights is acting on our complaints regarding scholarships that excluded American-born students," said William A. Jacobson, founder of the Equal Protection Project. "Discrimination against American-born students must not be tolerated."

According to the news release, investigators will probe the following UofL scholarship programs:

The Sagar Patagundi Scholarship to subsidize the cost of higher education ... for undergraduate DACA and undocumented students"

The Dawn Wilson Scholarship for "undergraduate LGBTQ+ students of color."

The Louisville Tango Festival Scholarship for Latino/a/x and Hispanic students."

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The University of Nebraska Omaha, University of Miami, University of Michigan and Western Michigan University are also under investigation.

The probe comes as the university faces pressures from state and federal officials to dissolve all diversity, equity and inclusion practices, which critics say provide favorable opportunities to people from underrepresented backgrounds while overlooking the merit of others who might deserve them.

In the 2025 legislative session, Kentucky lawmakers passed House Bill 4, which prohibits public universities from spending money on DEI initiatives, defined as policies, practices or procedures "designed or implemented to promote or provide differential treatment or benefits to individuals on the basis of religion, race, sex, color or national origin."

In February, the U.S. Department of Education issued a letter threatening to revoke federal funding from universities that continue using race as a factor in various practices like hiring, admissions and scholarships.

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Contact reporter Killian Baarlaer at kbaarlaer@gannett.com or @bkillian72 on X.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: University of Louisville scholarships spark civil rights investigation
A coalition of 24 Democratic-led states is suing the Trump administration over its decision to freeze more than $6 billion in education funding. Californias attorney general and Kentuckys governor join Morning Joe to discuss the impact on schools, AmeriCorps, and why red states may be left behind.
GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  A man was sentenced to 30 years in prison after a fight in Greenville County turned deadly.

13th Circuit Solicitor Cindy Crick said 47-year-old Antonio Eugene Styles pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter for his involvement in a fight that took place on August 8, 2022.

Officials said Styles and the victim were involved in an altercation when the victim walked away.

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According to investigators, Styles grabbed a gun from another persons waistband, chased the victim and then shot them in the head, killing the victim.

Deputies found the gun Styles used underneath his home.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP)  Palm trees in Uruguay are more than just plants, they are icons, much like olive groves for Greeks or cherry blossoms for the Japanese.

The treasured trees lining one of the worlds longest sidewalks through Montevideo, Uruguays capital, and adorn the swanky Atlantic beach resorts of Punta del Este have recently come under ruthless attack.

Across the small South American country, palm trees are falling prey to a fierce enemy measuring just 5 centimetres (2 inches) in length: The red palm weevil.

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First the elegant fronds droop. Then the tell-tale holes appear in the trunk. Soon enough, the tree is tilting toward collapse.

The weevil has devoured thousands of Uruguays palm trees since its unexplained arrival from Southeast Asia in 2022. But authorities are only now waking up to the threat as the landscape of municipalities transforms and fears grow that the country's beloved palms could be wiped out.

We are late in addressing this, Estela Delgado, the national director of biodiversity at Uruguay's Ministry of Environment, acknowledged last month. But we are doing so with great commitment and seriousness.

The insect and its devastating impact can be found in 60 countries around the world but nowhere else in South America. Authorities first detected it in the town of Canelones, bordering Montevideo, where the insect killed more than 2,000 palm trees in less than a month.

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Weevils quietly wreak destruction by boring through the open scars of pruned palms and laying hundreds of eggs inside. When larvae hatch, they tunnel through trunks and eat up the trees internal tissue. Death strikes within weeks.

The Uruguayan government set up a task force to combat the plague in March. In May, Environment Minister Edgardo Ortuno declared the fight against the red palm weevil a national priority."

As of this year, the red bug has proliferated in eight of the country's 19 regions, including Montevideo. Half of the capital's 19,000 palm trees have been infected, estimates Gerardo Grinvald, director of pest control company Equitec, which helps authorities combat the bug.

The insect first attacks decorative Canary palms, the tree in so many pictures of Uruguays sunny landscape, before moving onto its date palms.

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Its an invisible pest, Grinvald said, explaining the challenge of identifying an infestation when it starts. As a result, landowners fail to isolate and quarantine their trees, fueling the weevil's crawl across the country.

The Montevideo municipality this year earmarked $70,000 for chemical pesticide sprays and insecticide injections meant to kill bugs inside infested trunks, with the goal of saving some 850 trees in the citys prominent Parque Rodo, a scenic urban park along the coast.

In the southeast corner of Uruguay, home to Punta del Este, a beachy, palm-fringed haven for jet-set elites from all over the world, authorities recently allocated $625,000 for efforts to dispose of infected trees and lure weevils away from affected areas with pheromone traps and other methods.

We are losing our palm trees, lamented Montevideo resident Rafael dos Santos as he walked his dog in Parque Rodo. They are historic in Uruguay, and a part of us.

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As the weevil's march continues unabated, authorities now fear native trees of Uruguay's UNESCO biosphere reserve bordering Brazil will fall victim next, potentially facilitating the spread of the parasite across an unprepared continent.

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Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america.
The National Hurricane Center is gearing up for a major tech upgrade.

Thanks to a new partnership with Google, the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is beginning to integrate cutting-edge AI tools into its forecasting models for hurricanes and tropical storms. This is being done to help forecasters predict a storm's strength and path faster and more accurately than ever before.

This collaboration couldn't come at a more important time. The NOAA has recently lost access to two key forecasting tools: saildrones, the unmanned hurricane-monitoring boats that the NOAA failed to deploy this year, and the U.S. military's Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), which stopped sharing weather data with the NOAA earlier this year.

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These cuts resulted in a tightened data pipeline just as hurricane season ramps up.

Google's AI for weather team, including researchers from DeepMind, will now work directly with NOAA forecasters to evaluate, improve, and implement AI-generated storm forecasts in near real time.

The new tools will be integrated into Weather Lab, a platform that makes it easier to visualize complex weather model data. According to Ferran Alet, a research scientist at Google DeepMind, said: "We are honored to collaborate with NOAA ... to enhance their track and intensity forecasts."

Historically, forecasting tropical cyclones has involved stitching together data from satellites, aircraft, ocean buoys, and radar. This is a time- and resource-intensive process, which the new AI tools plan to accomplish much more quickly. It will allow forecasters to focus on communicating risk to communities and emergency managers.

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"The pace of weather modeling innovation is increasing," said Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, who emphasized the value of this public-private partnership. The NOAA's forecast teams will also share performance evaluations of the new models with Google to accelerate improvements.

The AI forecasts won't replace human experts any time soon, but they could play a major role in helping people better prepare for extreme weather events. That means more lead time to make decisions and avoid dangerous situations, a win for both public safety and economic resilience.

This collaboration could also carry environmental benefits. More accurate forecasts reduce false alarms and unnecessary travel or emergency responses, potentially lowering fuel use and pollution during storm preparations.

With worsening storms fueled by a hotter ocean and rising temperatures, the need for faster, smarter forecasting has never been more urgent. Luckily, we're seeing more and more companies step up to the plate.

Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
The U.S. State Department has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to Ukraine for the sustainment of its HAWK Phase III missile system, including related equipment and services, at an estimated cost of $172 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency has officially notified Congress of the required certification.

For its HAWK missile system  a medium-range, surface-to-air guided missile providing air defense against low-to-medium-altitude aircraft  Ukraine requested a broad range of sustainment-related equipment and services.

The package includes five-ton cargo trucks, spare parts, and the refurbishment and overhaul of air defense fire units. It also provides tool kits, test equipment, and additional support items, along with technical documentation, training, and both technical and field office assistance from U.S. government and contractor representatives.

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Additionally, the sale provides storage containers and equipment for spare parts, MIM-23 HAWK missile spare parts, missile repair, and other logistical and program support elements, reads the announcement published on July 23.

The proposed sale aims to strengthen Ukraines self-defense capabilities, which U.S. officials say will enhance its ability to counter current and future threats. It is also expected to bolster regional security without altering the overall military balance in the region.

The State Department confirmed the sale would have no negative impact on U.S. defense readiness.

The principal contractors for the potential sale include Sielman Corporation (Volos, Greece), RTX Corporation, formerly known as Raytheon (Andover, Massachusetts), and PROJECTXYZ (Huntsville, Alabama). No offset agreements have been identified so far, though they could be negotiated later between the purchaser and the contractors.

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Implementation will require temporary duty travel for about five U.S. government representatives and 15 contractor personnel to Ukraine.

The State Department has also approved a potential $150 million package for Ukraine, covering Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and their maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities.

Read also: A fatal mistake  Ukrainian soldiers slam Zelenskys anti-corruption crackdown

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Washington, DC  Josephine Guilbeaus voice remained firm as it rose with anger and frustration outside the United States Capitol while she described the Israeli-imposed hunger crisis in Gaza.

The level of evil that it takes to make a decision to starve a baby as a means of war, as a weapon of war  what have we come to as a humanity? What have we come to as a country? the 17-year US Army veteran said on Thursday.

Guilbeau had joined several fellow veterans, doctors, former officials and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib in calling on the lawmakers and President Donald Trump to listen to the US public and end unconditional support for Israel.

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The advocates banged on empty pots outside the Capitol to draw attention to the starvation in Gaza, where many have not eaten in days and more than 100 have died of hunger due to the Israeli blockade, according to United Nations agencies and local health officials.

Holding photos of famished Palestinian children, doctors and veterans stressed the US role in enabling Israels conduct through military aid, weapons provision and diplomatic support.

Tlaib called on her colleagues in Congress to join their constituents in opposing Israeli atrocities.

Recent public opinion polls have shown growing US public discontent with Israel over its treatment of Palestinians, but Congress remains staunchly supportive of Israel on a bipartisan basis.

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Americans serving in Congress, wake up because the American people are telling you over and over again: Were not in support of this, Tlaib told reporters outside the US Capitol.

So maybe for once, would you listen to your constituency? Poll them like you like you poll everything else. They will tell you they do not want one goddamn freaking dime going to starve a whole people.





Stop enabling the genocide

Tlaib appeared to criticise a vote by her progressive ally Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez against a measure to stop $500m in missile defence aid to Israel.

Only six lawmakers voted in favour of the amendment, introduced by Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, last week.

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Ocasio-Cortez, who was one of 422 legislators to vote against the proposal, argued that cutting off defensive aid to Israel does not help end the bombardment of Palestinians.

Tlaib, however, suggested on Thursday that she is not convinced by that justification.

No matter what weapons  I dont care if its offensive or defensive, whatever you call it  lets stop enabling the genocide, the Palestinian American congresswoman said.

Although Ocasio-Cortez has described Israels war on Gaza as genocide and supported measures to restrict arms to Israel, her vote last week stirred a backlash from left-wing activists who said any weapons to Israel would enable its bombardment campaign against Palestinians.

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Washington provides Israel with billions of dollars in military assistance annually despite allegations of rights violations that would make the country ineligible for security aid under US law.

UN experts and leading rights groups have accused Israel of committing genocide in Gaza.

Stacy Gilbert, who resigned from the US Department of State last year after a 20-year career in protest to a government report denying that Israel is blocking aid to Palestinians, said on Thursday that the starvation in Gaza is the result of a deliberate decision by Israel.

I am calling on Trump to make a break with this policy that started under Joe Biden, this disastrous policy of unconditional military support for Israel, Gilbert told reporters.





Doctor says Trump failed supporters

Nidal Jboor, a Michigan-based physician with the advocacy group Doctors Against Genocide, also warned Trump against following the same policies as his predecessor, stressing that the US president has the power and leverage to end the war.

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If you dont stop it today, then you are as sleepy as Joe was. Its your call, Jboor said, invoking Trumps moniker for Biden, Sleepy Joe.

This is not who we are. Americans are better than this. What we are supporting in Gaza does not make America great again. Shut down the killing zone. Flood Gaza with aid. End the genocide. History will remember at this point and this moment what we did and what we failed to do.

During the election race last year, Trump courted the sizable Arab and Muslim communities in Michigan with promises of bringing peace to the region.

The US president initially took credit for a truce that came into effect in January. But shortly after taking office earlier this year, he proposed removing all Palestinians from Gaza  a plan that rights advocates say would amount to ethnic cleansing, a crime against humanity.

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Moreover, he has continued to arm Israel, and his administration has backed Israels resumption of the war in March, the siege on Gaza and the upending of the aid system in the territory.

Jboor said Trump failed his Arab and Muslim supporters.

People were voting for him because he promised peace, and now hes breaking his promises, the doctor told Al Jazeera.

US Army veteran and Palestinian rights advocate Josephine Guilbeau outside the US Capitol, Washington, DC, July 24, 2025 [Ali Harb/Al Jazeera]

US touts GHF

In May, the US and Israel launched an initiative to monopolise aid distribution through a private entity, dubbed GHF.

But Palestinians and rights groups have described GHF aid distribution sites, concentrated in the south of Gaza, deep inside areas under Israeli army control, as death traps.

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Israeli troops have been opening fire daily at aid seekers, killing hundreds of people.

While the US proudly proclaims that GHF has distributed 90 million meals since May, the tally amounts to a fraction of the food needed to feed the territorys two million people.

In recent weeks, Israel has allowed some aid convoys to enter the north of Gaza, but the assistance trucks have also come under Israeli firing and shelling there, as well.

Despite the bloodshed, the US has been touting the GHF operation as a success, reiterating false claims that Hamas steals aid distributed through the UN and its partner organisations.

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Asked about the hunger spreading in Gaza, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott told reporters on Thursday that the US is aware of the humanitarian situation in the territory and wants to see an end to the devastation.

Thats why we have seen this commitment to get aid to the people who need it, in a way where it is not weaponised by Hamas, Pigott added, referring to GHF.





Shortly before Pigott expressed continuing support for GHF, Israeli Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu appeared to confirm that his country is purposely starving Gaza, saying that there is no nation that feeds its enemies.

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The government is racing ahead for Gaza to be wiped out, Eliyahu said in a radio interview, according to The Times of Israel.

Back on Capitol Hill, the advocates appeared confident that their voices could make a difference, even after 22 months of war that have seen the crisis deepen and the death toll mount daily.

Every single voice is so powerful to move the needle; we have to change the minds of our leaders and make them understand that if they do not stop funding Israel, we will vote them out, Guilbeau, the US Army veteran, told Al Jazeera.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is threatening to shut down Kentuckys organ procurement organization if it doesnt comply with changes mandated by a federal investigation.

Kentuckys organ procurement organization, Louisville-based Network for Hope, is under scrutiny after a Health Resources and Services Administration investigation found the organization ignored signs of life from several patients scheduled for organ donation procedures. The administration examined about 350 cases of canceled organ donation procedures in Kentucky and flagged 103 procedures with concerning features.

The investigation also found the organization had poor neurological assessments, lacked coordination with medical teams, had questionable consent practices and misclassified causes of death, according to the HHS.

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The investigation resulted in mandated corrective actions for Network for Hope. The HHS said the organization must submit a full report analyzing its misconduct, develop policies to define donor eligibility criteria and create a rule to allow any staff member to halt a donation process if patient safety concerns arise.

Kennedy threatened to decertify the organization if it didnt comply with the requirements.

The organ procurement organizations that coordinate access to transplants will be held accountable, Kennedy said in a news release. The entire system must be fixed to ensure that every potential donors life is treated with the sanctity it deserves.

Network for Hope was established in 2024 with the merger of Kentucky Organ Donor Affiliates and LifeCenter Organ Donor Network, according to the organizations website. It is the 16th-largest of 55 similar procurement organizations nationwide that assign employees to hospitals to help manage organ donations.

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In a statement posted on the organizations website, Network for Hope CEO Barry Massa said it will work with the HHS and the administration to develop policies that lead to better patient care.

Network for Hope CEO goes before House subcommittee

Massa spoke to an oversight subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee Tuesday about the administrations investigation. He said the allegations from the administrations report are serious and alarming, and the organization is reviewing the findings.

Patient safety is at the forefront of everything we do, Massa said. I want to assure the subcommittee that Network for Hope will take any appropriate action necessary to continue to implement policies and procedures to continuously improve and be better, and most importantly, assure and promote patient safety.

You and the citizens we serve should expect nothing less.

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Massa and other organ donation officials faced critical questions from subcommittee members about the organ removal process, according to the Washington Post. Specifically, Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Florida, questioned Massa about the case of Anthony Thomas TJ Hoover, who was scheduled for organ donation after being declared dead from a drug overdose.

In a case that garnered widespread media coverage, Hoover showed signs of life, such as looking around with his eyes open while being taken to the operating room. A doctor told a family member it was a common reflex, and plans for the operation continued.

Plans for Hoovers procedure did not change until two doctors declined to operate. He now lives with a family member, who serves as his legal guardian.

This seems to be a story more fitting for a horror movie than a congressional hearing, frankly, Dunn said, according to the Washington Post.

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Massa responded by saying communication could have been better, and that the COVID-19 pandemic affected communication between his workers and hospital staff, according to the Washington Post.

Network for Hope has implemented several changes since the administrations investigation, such as including checklists for nurses and attending physicians to help them follow organ removal surgery protocols, according to the Washington Post.

At Network for Hope, we recognize that organ donation and transplant system cannot succeed without public trust, and that public trust must be earned, Massa said. Every stakeholder in this complex ecosystem can and should always strive to be better, and Network for Hope is no exception.
United States special envoy Steve Witkoff has said he is cutting short talks aimed at reaching a truce in Israels war on Gaza, after the latest proposal from Hamas showed a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire.

Witkoff made the announcement in a statement on Thursday, just hours after the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had also recalled its negotiating team from Qatar amid the latest diplomatic flurry.

Hamas, which has repeatedly accused Israel of blocking a ceasefire agreement, said it was surprised by Witkoffs remarks.

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The movement affirms its keenness to continue negotiations and engage in them in a manner that helps overcome obstacles and leads to a permanent ceasefire agreement, said Hamas in a statement released late on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, Hamas had submitted its latest response to a ceasefire framework floated by mediators Qatar, Egypt and the US. Netanyahus office confirmed receipt of the response, and said it was under review. Neither side disclosed the contents.

Both Israel and Hamas are facing growing international pressure to reach an agreement as the humanitarian and hunger crisis in the territory continues to deteriorate sharply amid Israels severe restrictions on the entry of aid.

At least 115 people have died from malnutrition since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October 2023, mostly in recent weeks, as the United Nations and aid agencies have warned that Gazas residents were facing mass starvation.





While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith, Witkoff said in a statement.

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We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza, Witkoff said, without elaborating.

Witkoff, a businessman with no formal diplomatic experience prior to his appointment, said the US remains resolute in seeking an end to the war in Gaza, adding it was a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way.

The current proposal under discussion has been reported to include a 60-day ceasefire in which Hamas would release 10 living captives and the remains of 18 others. In turn, Palestinians imprisoned by Israel would be released and aid supplies would be ramped up as the two sides held negotiations on a lasting truce.

Details of the current sticking point were not immediately clear, but officials from both sides have previously pointed to a dispute over what would happen in the wake of any new ceasefire.

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Israel has repeatedly said it plans to deploy the military long term in Gaza, seeking a complete defeat of Hamas, despite warnings that such a goal is unrealistic.





Earlier this month, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz reportedly laid out a plan for the forced transfer of Palestinians to a humanitarian city within Gaza, a maximalist approach that critics say would violate international law.

Israels government has also faced domestic pressure over the plan, amid fears it would foreclose ceasefire negotiations and block the release of captives still held in Gaza.

Reporting from Washington, DC, Al Jazeeras Shihab Rattansi said it remained unclear whether the US withdrawal from the talks was a negotiating tactic.

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Its a very sternly worded tweet, talking about alternative options for a more stable environment for the people of Gaza,' he said.

We know that Trump simply hasnt ruled out ethnic cleansing, so-called self deportation, in his words, of Palestinians.

Right now, we simply dont know whether its a negotiating position or the end of the negotiations, Rattansi said.

Israels war in Gaza has killed at least 59,587 Palestinians since it began in the wake of the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed at least 1,139 people.

This week, more than 100 aid groups blamed Israels restrictions on aid for mass starvation in the enclave.
By Sarah N. Lynch and Kanishka Singh

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche said he met accused sex-trafficker Jeffrey Epstein's longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell in Tallahassee, Florida, on Thursday and will meet with her again on Friday.

Maxwell's lawyer, David Oscar Markus, speaking separately after Thursday's meeting, said, "We had a very productive day today with the Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Ghislaine Maxwell."

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Images captured by ABC News on Thursday showed Blanche and his entourage, including acting Associate Deputy Attorney General Diego Pestana, entering the U.S. attorney's office, which is located in a federal courthouse.

Markus told reporters that Maxwell answered each of Blanche's questions. "We don't want to comment about the substance of the meeting for obvious reasons," he added.

Blanche had announced earlier in the week that he had reached out to Maxwell's lawyers to see if she might have "information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims."

Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence at a federal prison in Tallahassee, after a jury convicted her of sex trafficking in 2021. She is appealing her sentence.

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President Donald Trump and his administration have been facing mounting pressure from Trump's supporters to release additional information about the Justice Department's investigation into Epstein, who killed himself in 2019 in a jail cell while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.

Blanche wrote on X that he met Maxwell on Thursday and will continue his interview of her on Friday. The Justice Department, he said, "will share additional information about what we learned at the appropriate time."

Although Attorney General Pam Bondi earlier this year had promised to release additional materials related to possible Epstein clients, the Justice Department reversed course this month and issued a memo concluding there was no basis to continue investigating and there was no evidence of a client list or blackmail.

Since then, the department has sought permission to unseal grand jury transcripts from its prior investigations into Epstein and Maxwell.

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On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenberg denied one of those requests, finding that it did not fall into any of the exceptions to rules requiring grand jury material be kept secret.

Trump's name, along with many other high-profile individuals, appeared multiple times on flight logs for Epstein's private plane in the 1990s.

The Justice Department released some records that contained Trump's name earlier this year.

(Reporting by Sarah N. Lynch and Kanishka Singh; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Leslie Adler)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -More than half of the Democrats in the U.S. Senate called on President Donald Trump's administration on Thursday to conduct an independent investigation into the death of Saif Musallet, an American citizen beaten to death by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank.

Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland led 28 other Democrats in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Attorney General Pam Bondi seeking an investigation, adding to pressure from Washington for accountability in Musallet's death.

The senators also noted what they called the repeated lack of accountability in the deaths of other Americans killed in the West Bank since January 2022, and asked for updates on the status of investigations into those killings.

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Musallet, 20, whose full first name is Sayafollah, was severely beaten this month when he was visiting family in Sinjil. His family, who are from Florida, said medics failed to reach him for hours and he died before reaching the hospital.

Settler attacks on Palestinians and Palestinian attacks on Israelis in the West Bank have risen since the start of Israel's war in Gaza in October 2023, though violence has long simmered in the territory.

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said on July 15 he had asked Israel to "aggressively investigate" Musallet's death, describing it as a "criminal and terrorist act."

The comments by Huckabee, a staunch supporter of Israeli settlement construction, marked a rare and pointed public intervention by the U.S. following the death of a Palestinian American in the Israeli-occupied territory.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Cynthia Osterman)
The U.S. is pulling out of talks for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as it believes the militant group isnt negotiating seriously, special envoy Steve Witkoff said Thursday.

Witkoff, who traveled to Europe on Wednesday to discuss Gaza and a ceasefire deal, said the groups latest response in the talks in Doha illustrated its unwillingness to end the fighting.

Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith, Witkoff said. We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.

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The collapse of the talks comes as Witkoff has been pushing to restore the fragile ceasefire negotiated during the transition from the Biden to Trump administrations, a deal that collapsed in March. Israel has placed Gaza under near total siege since then, with nearly one in three people in the enclave going multiple days without eating, according to the United Nations.

It is not clear what tactic Washington will now pursue to bring the war between Israel and Hamas to an end. Witkoffs announcement could be a negotiating tactic to try to get the group to change course in the discussions.

It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way, Witkoff said. We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza.

While President Donald Trump and Witkoff this month had struck an optimistic tone about the ceasefire process, diplomats and analysts have been skeptical that the long-stalled process would conclude any time soon. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly refused to discuss a permanent end to the fighting, while Hamas has repeatedly changed its demands, and some diplomats say Hamas has been slow to respond to new proposals.

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Jonathan Panikoff, a former senior U.S. intelligence official who worked on the Middle East, argued the talks could restart at some point, as such processes often start and stop.

The decision by the U.S. to walk away reflects genuine frustration and perhaps some hope that only a sincere willingness to do so will convince Hamas to reconsider its intransigence, said Panikoff, now at the Atlantic Council.

On Wednesday, Hamas submitted a response to an Israeli and U.S. proposal to temporarily provide for a ceasefire. The details of the Hamas proposal were not immediately clear and were not made public by any of the parties at the negotiations. The militant group hasnt yet responded to the U.S. decision to pull out of talks.

Hours before Witkoffs statement, Israel said it would recall its negotiating team home for consultations, Reuters reported . The Israeli embassy in Washington did not respond to a request for comment.

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Qatar  which has been hosting and helping mediate the talks  also didnt respond to a request for comment.

Between early March and mid-May, Israel did not let any aid into the Gaza Strip, according to the United Nations. More recently, some aid has been allowed in, but WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said it is nowhere near enough.

Food deliveries have resumed intermittently but remain far below what is needed for the survival of the population, he told reporters Wednesday, adding that 95 percent of Gaza households face severe water shortages and many hospitals in the Gaza Strip are no longer functioning.

Israel has blamed the United Nations for the famine conditions and the failures to deliver and distribute humanitarian aid.

Eric Bazail-Eimil contributed to this report.
U.S. News & World Report has released their list for best companies to work for in the United States for 2025. Nearly 500 companies are listed, and one Kentucky employer made the cut.

The report considered both privately owned and publicly traded companies based on six metrics: quality of pay and benefits, work-life balance, job stability, belonging and self-esteem, professional development and physical and psychological comfort.

Here's which Kentucky company made the list.

Best company to work for in Kentucky

Brown-Forman, a consumer products company known for its spirits brands including Jack Daniels, Woodford Reserve and more, made the list of best places to work. Located in Louisville, the company was included for its work environment and quality of pay.

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To see more details on why the company was ranked so highly by U.S. News, click the link on the company name.

Others are reading: Brown-Forman shares bleak outlook for company, spirit industry amid tariff uncertainty

Katie Wiseman covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Contact her at klwiseman@gannett.com. Follow her on Bluesky @katiewiseman

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What is the best company to work for in Kentucky? What one study says.
After weeks of lists ranking the city among the worst in several categories, Oklahoma City has been touted as the best big city to live in nationwide by U.S. News and World Report.

The national real estate website ranked the city above more than 850 cities nationwide for its high marks in affordability, quality of life, job market strength, and desirability.

Several cities in the South made the top of the list, with the majority of the top 5 being locations in Texas.

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Heres what makes Oklahoma City the best big city in the nation.

Oklahoma City named best big city

U.S. News and World Reports list spotlights several things about the capital city. They note the history of large livestock markets and Western culture as the starting point for the culture behind the city.

However, it was the numerous initiatives the city is currently undertaking that helped it rise to the top of the list.

Not only does the city have a lower cost of living, but housing costs are almost $140,000 lower than the national average. That mix of low housing costs, cultural richness and wide-open space makes Oklahoma City the perfect choice for those looking to stretch their budget without sacrificing quality of life, U.S. News writes.

OKC metro cities named in the top 100 cities

In addition to sitting at the top in the nations biggest cities, Oklahoma City also ranked 96th for the best cities to live in across the country, and it wasnt just OKC that sits in the top 100.

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Edmond and Moore both entered the list at 22nd and 42nd, respectively. U.S. News said both cities below-average house prices, average 20-minute commute, and fair distribution of age make them significant positives for residents.

Both cities scored higher than Oklahoma City did on the ten-point scale, with Edmond garnering 6.8 and Moore with a 6.6. Oklahoma City closely trailed with 6.2. With Edmonds high average score, they also ranks #14 for the best small cities in the nation to live in.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC named best big city to live in the US, according to US News
A conference regarding the two-state solution is scheduled to take place later in the month at the United Nations.

The United States will not attend an upcoming conference on an Israel two-state solution, State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott told reporters during a press briefing on Thursday.

A conference regarding the two-state solution is scheduled to take place later in the month at the United Nations.

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Trump's administration discouraged governments around the world from attending a UN conference in June on the subject.

The Trump administration's stance on two states

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters in a Monday briefing that she wasn't sure if US President Donald Trump would have a message for countries attending the conference.

US President Donald Trump speaks with reporters as he departs for travel to Pennsylvania from the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, July 15, 2025; illustrative. (credit: REUTERS/JONATHAN ERNST/FILE PHOTO)

"I think the presidents message on this conflict in the Middle East, which has been going on for a long time and has become quite brutal - especially in Gaza - is clear: The president doesnt like to see that," she said. "He wants the killing to end, to negotiate a ceasefire in this region, and he wants to see all of the hostages released from Gaza. That has been a top priority for this president.

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee said in January Ill be very surprised if [Trump] comes and says, Lets go out there and get a two-state solution,.

This is a developing story.
TOKYO - -A U.S. CV-22 Osprey made what Japanese officials called an emergency landing Thursday at Hanamaki Airport in northeastern Japan, about 300 miles north of Tokyo.

Airport officials say the tilt-rotor aircraft touched down safely after reporting a mechanical issue mid-flight. The U.S. Air Force said the craft made a "precautionary landing" during a flight from Misawa Air Base to its home base, Yokota Air Base.

No injuries were reported. Operations for commercial flights continued as normal. Video from Japanese broadcaster NHK shows the aircraft taxiing to the apron where uniformed personnel could be seen on top of the aircraft, near the center, inspecting the aircraft.

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Japan's Defense Ministry says it has dispatched staff to the site and is in contact with U.S. forces.

NHK - PHOTO: A U.S. military Osprey is seen Thursday at Hanamaki Airport in Iwate Prefecture, northeastern Japan, in a screengrab from broadcaster NHK.

MORE: Pentagon to lift grounding order on V-22 Osprey, 3 months after deadly crash

The landing came six days after another U.S. Osprey set down in Akita Prefecture for a safety inspection, according to Japanese officials. That aircraft remained on the ground for over seven hours.

A U.S. military public affairs officer described the Thursday incident as a "precautionary landing." The V-22 Osprey has been involved in several incidents in recent years, including a crash off Yakushima, in southern Japan, in 2023 that killed eight and grounded the fleet for months.

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MORE: 4 US Marines killed in Osprey aircraft crash during training in Norway

Cullen Drenkhahn, a 1st lieutenant serving as a public affairs advisor for the 353d Special Operations Wing Kadena AB, told ABC News, "I can confirm a U.S. CV-22 Osprey conducted a precautionary landing today at Iwate Hanamaki Airport at 9:45 a.m."

"The landing was executed safely and in accordance with policies. An assessment is ongoing to gather additional information. No injuries or damages occurred. There were no interruptions to airport operations," Drenkhahn said. "The aircraft is assigned to the 353rd Special Operations Wing and was flying from Misawa Air Base to its home base, Yokota Air Base.

He added, "No further information at this time. the safety of our pilots and aircrew, as well as the men and women of Japan is our foremost priority."
By Timothy Gardner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Interior Department on Thursday took steps to increase recovery of critical minerals, used in everything from electric vehicles to high-tech weapons, from mine waste, coal refuse, tailings and abandoned uranium mines.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum directed his department to streamline federal regulations on the recovery of the minerals such as rare earths, lithium and cobalt from the waste.

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The order directs the department to update guidance on making mine waste recovery projects eligible for federal funding and speed up reviews of plans to recover uranium and other minerals from abandoned mines. It also directs the U.S. Geological Survey to map and inventory federal mine waste sites.

It was the latest move by the administration of President Donald Trump to boost the domestic mineral industry that has long been dominated on the global stage by China in both production and processing. In March, Trump issued an executive order to invoke a Cold War-era Defense Production Act in an effort to boost processing a range of critical minerals.

"This initiative reflects our unwavering commitment to achieving mineral independence and ensuring that America leads the way in advanced technologies that power our future while turning environmental challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation," Burgum said in a release. His department controls large swathes of federal land some of it home to abandoned mines.

The department expects the move to attract private investment, support environmental reclamation and boost energy sources.

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Research by the USGS and state geological surveys has identified sources of minerals like zinc, germanium, tellurium and rare earth elements in shuttered and current mines.

Mining companies have embraced recovery. Freeport-McMoRan, for example, expects to produce 800 million pounds (362,900 metric tons) of copper annually as soon as 2027 by leaching the metal from piles of waste at its mines previously thought to be worthless.

Tar Creek lead and zinc mines near Picher, Oklahoma that were abandoned in the 1970s left behind waste rich in zinc and germanium, minerals the U.S. imports, the department said. In Utah's Bingham Canyon, tellurium, vital for defense technologies, can be extracted from tailings created during copper mining.

Recovery of minerals from mining waste is promising but requires new processing methods to protect the environment. Legal issues associated with property rights can also complicate the recovery.

(Reporting by Timothy Gardner; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
Editor's note: This item has been updated to include additional details.

A controversial law signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky that effectively destroys the independence of Ukraine's two key anti-corruption institutions risks "undermining" the country's progress made over the last decade, U.S. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said on July 23.

"Ukraine has made enormous strides on its anti-corruption agenda since the (2014) Revolution of Dignity," he said in a joint statement with Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen.

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"The Verkhovna Radas recent passage of a law, signed by President Zelensky, we fear undermines much of that progress and goes against Ukraines tremendous fighting spirit as well as the expectations of Ukraines citizenry and the international community," they added.

On July 22, the Ukrainian parliament approved amendments that grant the prosecutor general new powers over cases led by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) and investigations led by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU).

President Volodymyr Zelensky later that day signed the bill into law, effectively destroying the independence of Ukraine's two key anti-corruption institutions, opposition lawmakers and watchdogs say.

Graham urged Kyiv to reconsider the law, as "one of the most widely used talking points for ending support for Ukraine is that it was awash with corruption."

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"We acknowledge that Ukraine continues to make progress on this front and we urge the government to refrain from any actions that undermine that progress."

Graham is a significant voice in U.S. politics for Ukraine as he has authored a Russian sanctions bill that would impose 500% tariffs on imports from countries purchasing Russian oil, gas, uranium, and other products.

At least 82 U.S. senators are prepared to vote for the bill, he has said previously.

On July 23-24, protestors gathered in major cities across the country, including Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa, with growing calls urging the government to amend current laws.

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Ukrainians who spoke to the Kyiv Independent sounded a code red for the country's democracy, saying the move marked the "point of no return."

Kyiv's Western allies tried to dissuade the Ukrainian president from signing the controversial bill, the Financial Times reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

On July 22, European Council President Antonio Costa and French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly held a phone call with Zelensky, urging him to reconsider his decision.

In the latest development in Kyiv, Zelensky announced on July 24 that he had approved the text of a new draft law aimed at strengthening the rule of law and the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions, promising to submit it to parliament the same day.

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Earlier that day a cross-party group of 48 lawmakers submitted a bill to the Verkhovna Rada aimed at restoring the independence of key anti-corruption agencies, Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, head of the parliamentary committee on freedom of speech, said.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer proposed involving experts to help draft legislation aimed at safeguarding the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions, Zelensky said following their July 24 phone call.

"Keir offered to engage experts who could be useful for long-term cooperation. We agreed to keep in touch on this issue," Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

Zelensky also held a phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on July 24, during which he said he informed Merz about approving the text of a new draft law intended to ensure the independence of Ukraine's anti-corruption institutions.

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"It is important that anti-corruption agencies support this draft law. We all agreed that there should be no interference or influence from Russia on the work of our anti-corruption infrastructure," Zelensky wrote.

The Ukrainian president claims that the purpose of the law dismantling Ukraine's anti-corruption infrastructure was to curtail Russian influence.

However, the law passed and signed on July 22 does not have anything to do with Russian influence. Its clauses deprive anti-corruption agencies of their independence, and there is nothing in the law that targets Russian agents in or outside the agencies.

"The clause that the prosecutor general can take cases away from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) is unlikely to have an impact on (Russian agents)," Kateryna Butko, head of the anti-corruption watchdog AutoMaidan, told the Kyiv Independent.

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On July 23, Zelensky said Ukraine's law enforcement and anti-corruption institutions will present a joint action plan within two weeks aimed at strengthening the justice system.

Read also: Your move, Mr. President  48 Ukrainian lawmakers submit bill to safeguard anti-corruption bodies independence

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
U.S. Senator Ashley Moody is pushing for federal laws to fight retail theft, suggesting stricter punishments for organized theft groups.

Moody seeks to provide federal prosecutors with additional tools to combat and penalize organized theft rings, especially as retail theft rates have surged.

Retail theft has increased dramatically, said Senator Ashley Moody, emphasizing the need for federal action.

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Three years prior, Florida legislators enacted laws classifying repeated retail thefts as second or third-degree felonies.

This state-level approach could serve as a model for federal legislation, as suggested by Moody.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
US Senators Jeanne Shaheen from the Democratic Party and Lindsey Graham from the Republican Party have expressed concern that a recently adopted law, which makes Ukraine's anti-corruption agencies dependent on the decisions of the prosecutor general, undermines much of the countrys progress in fighting corruption.

Source: a joint statement by the senators, as reported by European Pravda

Details: In their statement, Shaheen and Graham noted that since the Revolution of Dignity [a series of protests in Ukraine in 2013-2014, sparked by the government's decision to halt a European Union association agreement  ed.], Ukraine has made significant progress in combatting corruption.

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Quote: "The Verkhovna Rada's [Ukrainian parliaments] recent passage of a law, signed by President Zelenskyy, we fear undermines much of that progress and goes against Ukraine's tremendous fighting spirit as well as the expectations of Ukraine's citizenry and the international community."

Details: The senators stressed that one of the most common arguments in favour of ending support for Ukraine is the claim that the country is riddled with corruption.

"We acknowledge that Ukraine continues to make progress on this front and we urge the government to refrain from any actions that undermine that progress," Shaheen and Graham stated.

They expressed their belief that it is in both Ukraines and the United States interest to meet public expectations and ensure reliable governance, which would form the basis for Ukraines economic prosperity and further US investment.

Background:

On 23 July, the European Commission expressed deep concern over the adoption of a law making the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO) dependent on the decisions of the prosecutor general, and requested an explanation from Kyiv at the highest level.

The European Parliament believes that Kyiv has jeopardised further EU aid and Ukraines accession prospects.

On the evening of 23 July, Zelenskyy commented on the outrage from the public and international partners over the actions targeting anti-corruption agencies, promising to submit his own bill to guarantee their independence.

Read more: A Zelenskyy-Orban alliance? How the president undermined Ukraine's path to EU membership and what happens next

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International students hoping to study in the United States are facing a new and unprecedented level of scrutiny: Their online presence is now subject to review by consular officers as part of a sweeping overhaul of the US student visa screening process.

As of June 18, 2025, the US State Department has implemented new rules requiring applicants for student (F and M) and exchange visitor (J) visas to submit their social media handles and make their profiles public during the visa review process. Consular officers have been directed to conduct in-depth reviews of applicants online presence (particularly for individuals from countries deemed high risk by the state department), to identify applicants who the administration deems as inadmissible to the US.

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Students need to understand that their digital footprint could become part of their permanent US immigration record, says Loren Locke, an immigration attorney at Locke Immigration Law, who previously adjudicated thousands of visa applications as a State Department consular officer. This means years of posts, comments, and friendships could be scrutinized.

Perhaps the most dramatic development is whats happening at Harvard. As of late May, anyone seeking a US visa for any purpose tied to Harvardstudents, staff, researchers, or even tourists attending campus eventsare being flagged for enhanced vetting. The move, framed by the State Department as a national security measure, is part of a pilot program that could expand to other institutions. And on July 23, the State Department announced an investigation into Harvard's eligibility to sponsor international students and researchers. Without that authority, granted by the government, Harvard would not be able to enroll new international students or host researchers and visiting professors from abroad.

Below, we break down everything you need know about applying for US student and exchange visas right now, according to immigration lawyers and experts.

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Who does this affect?

The policy applies globally to all noncitizens applying for US student and exchange visas. Still, Harvard University became the first school to face enhanced scrutiny under a pilot program launched in late May. According to internal memos obtained by numerous media outlets, anyone applying for a visa connected to Harvard (which again includes students, scholars, visiting speakers, and campus event attendees) is now subject to a separate layer of national security review.

The administration has justified the move by citing alleged failures by Harvard to curb antisemitism and threats to campus safety following pro-Palestinian protests. On July 23, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a formal investigation into Harvards eligibility to sponsor international students and researchers, even as the university fights the policy in court. A federal judge previously granted Harvard a temporary restraining order to prevent visa denials based solely on political affiliation or social media content.

Prepare for expanded screening and vetting

The screening process extends far beyond consular officers casually scrolling through applicants' Instagram accounts. Under the new rules, applicants must now provide a complete list of their online identifiers (usernames or handles) across platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and others. Officers will also look for mentions of the applicants in news articles, published scholarly articles, or any other searchable content.

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According to a diplomatic cable sent by the State Department to embassies and consulates (and obtained by multiple outlets), consular officers are directed to comb applicants online presence to look for any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States. It further instructs officers to look for any advocacy for, aid or support for foreign terrorists and other threats to US national security and support for unlawful antisemitic harassment or violence, while taking screenshots to preserve the record against possible later alteration or loss of the information.

Even a lack of visible online activityor a private accountcan trigger additional scrutiny, with some consular officers treating such caution as a red flag, says Elizabeth Ricci, partner at Rambana & Ricci and an adjunct professor of immigration law at Florida State University.

Failure to comply with making social media accounts public will reflect poorly on the students credibility and could be reason to deny their visa, says Ricci.

Additionally, consular officers are also looking for signs that an applicant has been or plans to misuse their visa, which could include working under the table, failing to enroll full-time, or engaging in illegal activity.

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The US Department of State has broadened their ability to deny a visa, or veto an applicant, based on what their perception of what they could do in the US, as well as their likelihood of engaging in speech which is contrary to the government's policies and interests, says Renata Castro, an immigration attorney at USA 4 ALL.

Expect potential backlogs and delays

The State Department had temporarily paused visa interviews for F, M, and J categories in late May to allow embassies and consulates to implement the new procedures. While appointments did resume on June 26, the reality of securing a visa has become more complicated.

Visa applicants should expect more intensive scrutiny and potentially lengthy administrative processing, Locke says. The routine student visa interview of years past no longer exists under these protocols. The resource-intensive nature of the review consular officers are supposed to do means each visa adjudication could take significantly longer, and the delays could compound as consulates get more backed up.

Visa adjudication has yet to return to normal capacity, Locke added, meaning there are fewer slots available for visa interviews than before, which has further slowed down the operation. And given that the State Department has just undergone a massive layoff of Foreign Service Officers, there is presently no clear timeline for returning to the previous processing volume.

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Students should book their interview as far in advance as possible, Locke says, adding that because the screening will also apply to returning student visa applicants, current international students should carefully evaluate international travel that would require them to apply for a new visa and consider staying put in the US instead.

With increased scrutiny of digital footprints, Locke also suggests that applicants be proactive in reviewing old social media posts and cleaning up their social media presence, being mindful of how content could be interpreted.

How does this compare to the previous visa screening process?

Historically, US student visa screening focused on elements like academic credentials and financial proof, not their viewpoints.

Given the rapid pace of visa interviews and the norm that consular officers make nearly all of their decisions on the spot while the visa applicant is present, it has never before been a normal part of visa adjudication for a consular officer to browse the internet to find out more about a visa applicant during or after a visa interview, Locke says. Under the previous administration, a consular officer could ask wide-ranging questions during a visa interview for a student, but it would have been rare in the past to delve into a student's political beliefs or opinions about the United States, she adds.

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Locke added that it previously would have been normal for officers to ask questions such as why did you choose this institution or this field of study?, what are your plans after you graduate? and how are you able to pay for this? While students would come prepared with a considerable amount paperwork, consular officers would focus primarily on the I-20 form issued by the university, which outlines key information about the student's planned course of study. Before adjudicating a visa, the consular officer has always been responsible for checking the visa applicant's DS-160 online application responses and making sure there's no security-related reasons not to issue the visa (such as derogatory information associated with the applicant's name, fingerprint, or photo that has been flagged).

All of this checking was very structured and did not call for the consular officer to look things up on the internet, nor was there enough time to do so, Locke says.

How could this impact travel to the US?

During student visa applications, countries like Australia, Canada, and the UK all conduct background checks and may review applicant social media posts that are already public. However, none of those countries require that applicants change the privacy settings of their social media accounts from private to public for government review, according to Ricci.

Advocates for academic freedom and free speech argue this level of vetting amounts to a form of ideological censorship. They warn international students may self-censor or abandon US study plans altogether.

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I am concerned about the chilling effect this new visa policy will have on legitimate academic discourse and cultural exchange, Locke says. This scrutiny could make the US less attractive as a destination for international students, despite our world-class universities. We could be sacrificing our competitive edge in attracting global talent for security theater.

Originally Appeared on Conde Nast Traveler

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Jamie Azure, chair of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, speaks July 10, 2025, in Belcourt during a visit from North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong. (Photo provided by Office of the Governor)

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to prolong a temporary freeze on North Dakotas legislative district map  hinting that the justices may be interested in hearing a tribal voting rights case against the state.

The Supreme Courts order, issued Thursday, prevents an appellate courts judgment in a landmark North Dakota redistricting lawsuit from taking effect until the higher court makes a final decision in the case. The suit, filed in 2022 by the Spirit Lake Nation, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and three tribal citizens, accuses a legislative district map adopted by North Dakota lawmakers in 2021 of unlawfully diluting the power of Native American voters.

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The judgment would do two things: make it so that private citizens in the 8th Circuit cant sue under a law that bans racially discriminatory voting practices, and pave the way for North Dakotas district lines to revert back to the 2021 map.

Now that the Supreme Court has stepped in, voters in the seven 8th Circuit states will still be able to bring lawsuits under the statute, known as Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, at least until it decides the North Dakota case.

For decades, Tribes and Native Americans in North Dakota have fought for the rights of reservation voters, Lenny Powell, a Native American Rights Fund attorney representing the plaintiffs, said in a statement Thursday. Today is another victory in that fight.

The order also likely means North Dakotas district lines will remain the same for the 2026 election cycle. The current map  which puts the Turtle Mountain and Spirit Lake reservations in the same district  was adopted in 2024 after the tribes convinced U.S. District Court Judge Peter Welte that the 2021 map was discriminatory.

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The plaintiffs asked the U.S. Supreme Court to freeze the current map in place as they prepare to appeal the 8th Circuits decision to the high court. Thursdays order solidifies a shorter stay on the judgment the Supreme Court issued last week.

We are relieved that Native voters in North Dakota retain the ability to protect ourselves from discrimination at the polls, said Jamie Azure, chairman of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa. Our fight for the rights of our citizens continues.

Had the Supreme Court allowed the 8th Circuit to proceed with its judgment, three North Dakota lawmakers would change districts: Rep. Collete Brown, D-Warwick, would go from representing District 9 to District 15. Rep. Donna Henderson, R-Calvin, would switch from District 15 to District 9B, while Sen. Kent Weston, R-Sarles, would switch from District 15 to District 9. All three are up for election next year.

Brown is also one of the three tribal citizens who are plaintiffs in the case.

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Since the North Dakota constitution requires lawmakers to live in the same district they represent, the judgment could potentially lead to those three lawmakers being unseated, attorneys for the states legislative branch have said.

Todays ruling helps protect our voice while we continue the fight for Native voting rights and fair representation, Brown said in a statement on Thursdays decision.

In court documents arguing against the stay, attorneys representing the state argued the Legislatures attorneys did not offer convincing evidence the three lawmakers would actually be at risk of losing their seats if the judgment took effect.

Anna Baldwin, a Campaign Legal Center attorney representing the plaintiffs, said that Thursdays order is both a strong signal that the court will hear the case and that it is seriously considering reversing the 8th Circuits decision.

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The 8th Circuit had found that the Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act  which private plaintiffs had used to bring voting discrimination claims against state governments for decades  may only be enforced by the U.S. Department of Justice. The 8th Circuit is the only one in the country to make this finding.

The plaintiffs say the appellate court misinterpreted the law, and that their findings threaten to take away an important way for citizens to protect their rights.

We view this as the first step of the Supreme Court correcting the really grievous error that the 8th Circuit made here, Baldwin said.

If the Supreme Court does take the case, oral arguments would likely take place sometime next year, they added.

North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley in a Thursday presentation to Bismarck and Mandans bar association also said he thinks there is a very real chance the U.S. Supreme Court will agree to review the case. He said he believes the lawsuit will ultimately come out in North Dakotas favor.

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Attorneys for North Dakota earlier this week said that the court should honor the 8th Circuits decision. In a Tuesday filing, they said private plaintiffs should not be able to use lawsuits to upend the redistricting process.

The tribes have until early October to file their formal petition asking the Supreme Court to hear the lawsuit.

If the court denies their petition before the end of the year  thereby affirming the 8th Circuits ruling  North Dakota could end up with the 2021 district map for the 2026 election. Thats because the state has until Dec. 31 to finalize its district lines for the upcoming election cycle.

The order indicates that Chief Justice John Roberts and justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Ketanji Brown Jackson, Amy Coney Barrett and Brett Kavanaugh voted in favor of the stay.

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It says justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch would have denied the tribes request.

The 8th Circuit includes North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas.

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By Daphne Psaledakis and Gram Slattery

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. State Department has called for an immediate investigation into the recent death of a U.S. citizen in Syria, and there have been direct discussions with the Syrian government about the issue, deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said on Thursday.

U.S. citizen Hosam Saraya died last week in the predominantly Druze region of Sweida, the State Department previously confirmed, amid ongoing sectarian clashes there.

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ABC News last week cited videos shared on social media that showed eight men kneeling in civilian clothes before being executed by gunfire by a group of soldiers. One of the victims was apparently Saraya.

"What I can say is we have had direct discussions with the Syrian government on this issue, and have called for an immediate investigation into the matter," Pigott told reporters during a press briefing.

"Hosam and his family deserve justice, and those responsible for this atrocity must be held accountable."

Saraya's death comes at a complex time for the Syrian government, which rose to power after long-time dictator Bashar al-Assad was deposed last year.

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Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is struggling to keep together a country beset by sectarian rifts, and he faces suspicion among some Western leaders due to his past membership in violent terrorist organizations. Israeli forces have pressed deep into the country's southwest.

The fighting in Sweida has pitted the Druze, who distrust the new government in Damascus, against Sunni Muslim Bedouin.

In May, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he would lift sanctions on Syria in a bid to integrate the new government into the international community. In late June, he officially signed an executive order terminating U.S. sanctions.

(Reporting by Daphne Psaledakis; Writing by Gram Slattery; Editing by Chris Reese and Franklin Paul)
(NewsNation)  The U.S. is withdrawing negotiators from efforts to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

We have decided to bring our team home from Doha for consultations after the latest response from Hamas, which clearly shows a lack of desire to reach a ceasefire in Gaza. While the mediators have made a great effort, Hamas does not appear to be coordinated or acting in good faith, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said on X. We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza. It is a shame that Hamas has acted in this selfish way. We are resolute in seeking an end to this conflict and a permanent peace in Gaza.

The U.S. has been engaged in efforts to mediate a permanent ceasefire that would end the conflict in the Gaza Strip, with Qatar acting as an intermediary.

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Trump to tour Federal Reserves $2.5B renovations amid Powell feud

Earlier ceasefire agreements have been short-lived, though they have resulted in the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the release of Palestinians who had been arrested and held in Israel.

Both sides have blamed the other for the lack of a permanent ceasefire, accusing each other of breaking previous agreements and presenting unreasonable terms for a deal.

Later Thursday afternoon, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that his country would recognize the state of Palestine and urged an end to the war.

France is the largest European country to recognize a Palestinian state, with most of Western Europe, the U.S., Canada, Australia, Israel, Japan and South Korea refusing to recognize the state of Palestine.

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As the conflict that began in October of 2023 has dragged on, humanitarian groups have warned that the Gaza Strip is on the brink of mass starvation, as Israel has opened and closed aid routes throughout the fighting, limiting the supplies that reach the civilian population.

On the campaign trail, President Donald Trump pledged to bring an end to the fighting, along promise to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. Such deals have proved elusive so far.

Columbia agrees to $220M deal with Trump admin to restore funding

The president also expressed a vision for Gaza that included the resettlement of Palestinians to undetermined areas so that Gaza could be rebuilt as a resort area, potentially with the U.S. taking over the territory.

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In his statement, Witkoff said the administration would consider alternative options to bring home hostages still held in Gaza.

It is not immediately clear what those options would entail or whether the U.S. military could play a more active role in the conflict as it did when Trump launched strikes on Iran following a military campaign begun by Israel.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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EMPORIA (KSNT)  Emporia Public Schools reports it is expecting to lose more than $380,000 in federal funding after the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced it would withhold $7 billion.

USD 253 shared in a social media post on July 23 the cuts will impact several areas, including: district personnel, professional development and services for Migrant Education students. The district said the cuts will make it difficult to maintain current support levels for students and staff.

Despite these difficulties, USD 253 remains dedicated to maintaining programs that support teaching and learning. The district will actively pursue additional funding through competitive grants, partnerships, and local resources to lessen the impact on students, staff, and educational equity. USD 253 social media statement excerpt

Trump admin cancels $4.9 billion Grain Belt Express loan

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On July 14, 21 states, plus the District of Columbia and two governors from Kentucky and Pennsylvania sued the ED and the Office of Management and Budget for what they claim is the illegal withholding of $7 billion in Congressionally approved education funds. The State of Kansas was not a plaintiff in the case.

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.

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The Department of Agriculture on Thursday announced plans to shutter multiple buildings in Washington as part of an agency reorganization.

The agency will relocate its workforce out of the capital region and instead focus on five hub locations, which include Raleigh, N.C.; Kansas City, Mo.; Indianapolis; Fort Collins, Colo.; and Salt Lake City.

In selecting its hub locations, USDA considered where existing concentrations of USDA employees are located and factored in the cost of living, the department said in a press release. Washington, D.C. will still hold functions for every mission area of USDA at the conclusion of this reorganization, but USDA expects no more than 2,000 employees will remain in the NCR.

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The agency said its services would continue uninterrupted during the transition.

The department also said it would vacate three buildings, turning them over to the General Services Administration to determine what to do with them next. The agency is also reviewing its use of three other buildings in the capital, including the National Agricultural Library.

The USDA framed it as a cost-saving measure, citing more than $1 billion of deferred maintenance in one of the buildings

Moving government headquarters out of Washington has been a major focus of cost-cutting efforts in the Trump administration, led by the Department of Government Efficiency. The administration in March posted and then deleted a lost of hundreds of government properties it could potentially get off the books.

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Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Thursday announced a long-awaited reorganization plan to transfer most of the Washington-area staff to five locations around the country and close a number of key USDA offices in the capital region.

Rollins, speaking in a video message to employees, said USDA will move people to Salt Lake City; Fort Collins, Colorado; Indianapolis; Kansas City, Missouri; and Raleigh, North Carolina. Staff will receive notice about their new assignments in the coming months.

The department will close nearly all of its Washington-area buildings as a result, with the exception of the Whitten and Yates buildings, which are located directly on the National Mall. That includes the South building of USDAs headquarters, the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, the George Washington Carver Center and a Food and Nutrition Services facility in Alexandria, Virginia, that has recently had major workplace hazards.

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However, there will be no large-scale reductions in force, given that the department has already seen an exodus of 15,364 employees through the administrations deferred resignation plan, Rollins said.

This reorganization already recognizes that many USDA employees provide critical frontline services in locations all across our great country that cannot be disrupted, she added.

Rollins move is the latest in a round of shakeups to the federal workforce enacted by the Trump administration as it seeks to dramatically slash what it sees as excess spending and a bloated bureaucracy. The USDA plan, which POLITICO first reported earlier Thursday, comes after the Supreme Court earlier this month allowed agencies to move forward with their reorganization and staff reduction goals, overturning a lower-court stay initially blocking the implementation.

More than 90 percent of the departments nearly 100,000 employees are already based outside the beltway in county and regional offices, including at regional research facilities, farm loan offices and conservation facilities.

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Rollins said this latest plan to relocate even more employees will help USDA better serve its core constituents of farmers, ranchers and U.S. producers.

The secretary, in a follow-up press release, also said the move is a cost-saving one. USDA expects to move more than half of its 4,600-person Washington staff, allowing the department to cut workers pay: The D.C. region has a nearly 34 percent federal salary locality rate, which increases salaries based on the cost of living, compared to 17 percent in Salt Lake City, for example.

"While this is a strategic and long term decision for USDA, I know that for you, this is an immediate and potentially major change, Rollins told employees in the video message. I know that your primary concern at this moment is for you, your families and your colleagues, I want you all to know that this decision was not entered into lightly."

Congressional Republicans, weeks before the announcement, were clamoring to bring USDA workers and offices to their districts.

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But several USDA staffers told POLITICO that the move will further hurt morale.

This administration [isnt] interested in supporting staff or even really in the jobs we do, said one employee granted anonymity in order to speak publicly without fear of repercussions. If they cared about either of those things, if they cared about serving farmers and ranchers, they wouldnt have taken away all the staff, tools, and resources we use to serve them.

A second employee, also granted anonymity to speak candidly, warned that relocating staff out of the Washington area would make oversight more difficult.

[This] is just going to create an inner circle of powerful employees with access to people in high places and send everyone else out to hubs, they said. They are concentrating power and want fewer witnesses to what they are doing.

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The second employee suggested that moving would be costly for employees and for USDA, and it could force some workers to make the difficult choice to quit.

The first Trump administration moved USDAs Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture to Kansas City, Missouri, triggering an exodus of staff. That relocation was later reversed by the Biden administration.
A Utah man who impersonated federal agents and attorneys to defraud victims of $3.5 million was sentenced to nine years in federal prison.

Santiago Garcia Gutierrez, of Salt Lake City, received a 108-month sentence from U.S. District Judge Howard C. Nielson Jr. for wire fraud, impersonating a federal officer, aggravated identity theft, and making false statements.

Court documents reveal Garcias primary scheme ran from 2018 to 2020. He convinced a single victim to hand over $2.8 million by claiming he was a Department of Homeland Security confidential informant.

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Garcia told the victim he could purchase seized luxury cars, planes, and boats at discount prices through government auctions. The assets never existed.

To sell the deception, Garcia texted the victim from multiple phone numbers. He alternately posed as a government informant, federal agent, and even his own attorney.

Between 2019 and 2024, Garcia expanded his fraud to eight additional victims nationwide. This time, he claimed ownership interests in federal oil wells, falsely promising large investment returns.

Victims invested a total of more than $900,000, believing they would profit from oil sales. Garcia instead diverted all funds for personal use while again impersonating his attorney to appear legitimate.

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Garcia also failed to pay the required royalties to the federal government on actual oil sales from the wells. This violation added to his mounting legal troubles.

Judge Nielson ordered Garcia to pay $3,795,930.60 in restitution to the victims. He must also forfeit $2,853,789.27 obtained through the schemes.

The IRS Criminal Investigation Phoenix Field Office and the EPA investigated the case. Tax Division prosecutors Richard M. Rolwing and former Trial Attorney Erika Suhr secured the conviction.
A University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire professor is on unpaid leave for the next school year after flipping over a table set up by the university's College Republicans chapter on Election Day this spring.

UW-Eau Claire removed Professor Jose Felipe Alvergue, 45, as chair of the English department in the days after the April 1 incident and initiated disciplinary proceedings against him for potential termination. The university agreed to an unpaid suspension for the 2025-26 year and other disciplinary actions, according to records released to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on July 24.

In Alvergue's first public interview since the incident, he expressed remorse and said he is now working a full-time, minimum-wage job to offset his loss of income.

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He said he felt restricted by a new policy that took effect in the wake of weekslong campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war. The policy requires UW institutions and officials, including department chairs, to maintain neutral viewpoints when referencing any political or social controversy.

"As a low-level administrator, I was in a situation of being position-neutral," he told the Journal Sentinel. "I wasn't fully honoring that I'm a human being and that I was starting to have pretty intense feelings about things, and regretfully I didn't examine those feelings or their intensity until I did something that I really regret doing."

Campaign buttons and literature supporting conservative candidates was strewn all over the ground after a UW-Eau Claire professor flipped a table set up by the College Republicans chapter on Election Day.

Alvergue, who joined UW-Eau Claire in 2013, said he was feeling overwhelmed by the election and Elon Musk's attempts to sway Wisconsin voters with $1 million checks. As the child of immigrants, he said he was also distressed by the Trump administration's mass deportations.

"I still care about these things, "he said. "But that doesn't mean I get to go out and knock tables over."

Investigative report details April 1 table-flipping incident at UW-Eau Claire

The incident lasted only about 10 seconds, but it is dissected extensively in a 144-page investigative report.

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The UW-Eau Claire College Republicans had set up a table near the student center in support of conservative Supreme Court candidate Brad Schimel and Brittany Kinser, the conservative-backed candidate for state superintendent with the Department of Public Instruction.

Tatiana Bobrowicz, who chairs the chapter, said a man came up to the table and asked what the group was doing so close to the polling location, which is inside the student center.

Wisconsin law does not allow electioneering  defined as any activity intended to influence voting at an election  within 100 feet of an entrance of a building where voting is taking place.

Bobrowicz said she explained to the man that the chapter always tabled in that location and UW-Eau Claire had approved it. The man, later identified by police as Alvergue, told her "the time for this is over," flipped the table over and walked away.

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Accounts vary on how aggressive Alvergue was when he flipped the table. Bobrowicz called the incident "violent." A student witness unaffiliated with the College Republicans described it as "very non-violent," the report said. Another witness said Alvergue seemed "a little upset."

Alvergue initially denied flipping the table to a police officer, according to the police report. He later portrayed the table-flipping as accidental instead of intentional, saying his pinky finger caught on the table when he tried clearing off the buttons and stickers, causing it to collapse. He recalled the people at the table snickering at him, which he believed was because he wore a T-shirt and pin promoting transgender rights.

Alvergue told the Journal Sentinel he mistakenly assumed the table was run by outsiders because he didn't recognize those at the table as students. He also he said he saw a banner advertising the Republican National Convention, not the College Republicans. He said the table's presence felt like an "intrusion" on his campus.

The incident reinforced to Bobrowicz the hostility conservatives face on the western Wisconsin campus. She did not immediately respond to a request for comment July 24 about Alvergue's suspension.

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The May 7 investigative report provided by UW-Eau Claire was not included in the UW System's June 2 response to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel request seeking investigative records. The UW System, which conducted the investigation, said it did not provide the report in June because it said it was still an ongoing personnel investigation at the time of the June 2 response.

UW-Eau Claire settlement delays promotion, mandates trainings for Professor Alvergue

The settlement mandates Alvergue complete trainings in anger management training and civic discourse. His planned promotion from associate professor to full professor, which would have came with a salary bump, was revoked. He lost out on nearly $10,000 he would have received for serving as chair through this summer, and he is ineligible to become chair for at least five more academic years. He earned $84,707 as department chair through the end of the 2024-25 school year. He also had to write apology letters, including one sent to the entire campus July 24.

Alvergue also paid a $295 fine to resolve a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge, according to court records.

Alvergue said the aftermath of the incident was a scary time for him. He said his home address and information about his family was posted on social media. He said he received dozens of death threats and calls for him to be deported.

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Alvergue said he would like to see more spaces for people to process their emotions during this intense period of political polarization. He also said he is focused on moving forward, not assessing whether his punishment was excessive or appropriate.

"I cant stop and try to figure out if it was fair or not," he said. "I think that just gets into the weeds. Then all youre doing, really, is trying to kind of preserve your ego."

(This story was updated to add new information.)

Kelly Meyerhofer has covered higher education in Wisconsin since 2018. Contact her at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com or 414-223-5168. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @KellyMeyerhofer.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW-Eau Claire professor Jose Alvergue on leave after flipping table
Ive been getting email lately from our deans at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where Im a math professor, asking us to figure out ways to do more with less. Given the massive cuts to science and technology funding under the new federal budget, I get why theyre asking. But I think its better to be honest. Under this plan, we are going to do less with less, and that ought to worry everybody in Wisconsin.

President Trumps budget cuts NIH funding by 40% and NSF funding by 60%. If its fully enacted, university labs that carry out fundamental research in every part of science will shut down by the hundreds. American tech, medicine and engineering is built on this foundation; scientists push the boundary of knowledge outwards, companies find ways to translate those new ideas into market-making products and our students here in Wisconsin work in those labs and develop their scientific chops.

New Wisconsin businesses are launched out of UW-Madison every year. Academic science is the fertilizer of the economy, in both senses of the word: it creates the soil where innovation can thrive, and some people who dont know much about how things grow think its just a lot of manure.

University of Wisconsin-Madison's ties to business go back to 2% milk

The University of Wisconsin has been tied up with our states industries ever since Prof. Stephen Babcock invented 2% milk. These days, UW scientists are helping farmers grow crops that are more resistant to heat and drought. Efficiency in government is a worthwhile goal; but I dont think giving up on weatherproof corn and cures for genetic diseases are what Americans mean by that.

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Opinion: Comparing Milwaukee crime with New York under Rudy Giuliani doesn't hold water

Every breakthrough you care about, from Ozempic to electric cars to the Honeycrisp apple is built on ideas that come from research done in our universities, and is built by scientists trained in those universities. The Honeycrisp is a University of Minnesota product, much as I wish it were ours.

The collaboration between academic science and industry has been the American way for decades, through recessions and boom times, through Democratic and Republican administrations, and its made the United States the scientific leader of the world. Why would we break that streak now?

The U.S. is the scientific superpower, and UW and other public universities are its engine. And as the science superpower, we enjoy an incredible human trade surplus. The brightest, most ambitious young people all over the world aspire to come to the United States and specifically to Wisconsin, to study here, work here, settle and have kids here, and build our economy.

International students help make UW affordable for Wisconsin

Four things in Wisconsin that are truly known and respected around the whole world: Harley-Davidson, the Green Bay Packers, Miller Lite, and the University of Wisconsin. That worldwide brain drain is a massive competitive advantage for us. But it, too, is under threat, as the administration proposes to sharply cut and even revoke student visas.

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Opinion: A Fourth of July list of grievances from overworked, unrepresented America

International students compete fiercely for the chance to come to UW-Madison and pay full tuition; that helps make it possible for middle-income Wisconsin kids to come here and pay no tuition at all. Under the administrations plan, Wisconsin students get higher costs, fewer research opportunities, and more crowded classrooms. Nobody voted for this.

The University of Wisconsin has a public mission of research, scholarship, and teaching, and well continue to carry out that mission, come what may. But lets be straight  under this budget, well do less of it. Is that the choice we want to make?

Jordan Ellenberg is the John D. MacArthur Professor of Mathematics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: UW science research helped create Ozempic. Now it faces cuts | Opinion
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  The Virginia Beach Fire Department Swiftwater Rescue Team is back in Hampton Roads after being deployed in Texas for nearly three weeks.

Virginia Beach Swiftwater Rescue Team works through challenging terrain in Texas

The team reunited with family and friends during a homecoming Wednesday afternoon. They were in Texas helping with search and recovery efforts after the flooding of the Guadalupe River.

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Capt. Sean Millard was one of eight on the team who had been in Texas for the past 18 days. His wife, Debbie Millard, and their two kids are feeling proud and grateful.

You know that theyre doing great things for the people who lost their loved ones trying to give them some peace and some closure, so that just really warms your heart knowing that theyre doing such good things, Debbie Millard said.

The team conducted extensive operations, including water and shoreline searches.

We were assigned to the Missouri FEMA Task Force, and we were basically put in charge of all the water when we were there, said VBFD Capt. Matthew McQuarrie.

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McQuarrie explained their rafts came in handy because they were able to navigate complicated waterways that were filled with debris.

We spent the 18 days, kind of working our way across roughly 20 miles of river, searching debris piles and assisting ground crews, McQuarrie said, basically traverse dogs across the river to small islands and to assess piles and try to help find people who have been lost in the flood.

And in a somber moment, they even passed by Camp Mystic, where more than two dozen campers and counselors died.

You could feel kind of the heaviness of what had just happened, McQuarrie said.

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Both McQuarrie and Millard said that despite the devastation, the Texas community welcomed them with open arms.

Theyre going through some pretty tragic times right now, but for them to just go and show us the hospitality,  they were willing to give us anything that we needed to help, Millard said.

This is the teams fifth deployment since its formation in 2022. The team plans to rest for the next 48 hours and spend time with loved ones.

They did outstanding work down there, and were really just proud of everything they did, said Virginia Beach Fire Chief Ken Pravetz, and congratulations to a job well done.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
Members of the Missouri House review a proposed Congressional map during redistricting debate on Jan. 18, 2022 (photo courtesy of Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).

As Texas embarks on a special legislative session that includes revising that states congressional districts to help Republicans, President Donald Trump is reportedly asking for Missouri to do the same.

The reaction among legislative leaders, however, is decidedly negative.

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Asked by text about a report from Punchbowl News on a new redistricting effort, state Senate President Pro Tem Cindy OLaughlin responded with a horror emoji.

I know this is a topic being talked about in Washington, she added, but no one has asked us to do anything about redistricting.

Punchbowl reported that U.S. Rep. Bob Onder of Lake St. Louis was at the White House on Tuesday and came away convinced Trumps advisors want Missouri to act.

The presidents team is serious about it, Onder said to Punchbowl.

Missouri has eight seats in the U.S. House, six held by Republicans and two held by Democrats  the same total and partisan division it has had since a seat was lost after the 2010 census.

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Missouri Senate Minority Leader Doug Beck of Affton said Democrats would fight any effort to change district lines that were just redrawn three years ago.

This originated out of the White House, Beck said. This is a blatant power grab by an administration desperate to deflect from their cover up of the Epstein files and other things going on.

We've already done that. To do it again would be out of character with the way Missouri operates.

 Chad Perkins, speaker pro tem of the Missouri House

The 435 seats in the U.S. House are allotted to the states every 10 years based on census results. When Missouri receives its allotment, the state Constitution mandates that lawmakers revise district lines.

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The last time lines were redrawn between censuses was in the 1960s, following the 1964 U.S. Supreme Court decision that districts had to be drawn as closely as possible in population to preserve equal representation, known as the one person, one vote decision.

In 2022, when the current districts were drawn, Republican leaders in the Missouri Senate had to resort to little-used maneuvers to outwit opponents within their caucus who wanted to break up the 5th District and push the partisan split to 7-1. The 5th District, which includes Kansas City and sections of Jackson and Clay counties, has been Democratic for decades.

U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, who has held the seat since 2005, was re-elected in November with 60% of the vote.

Splitting those votes into adjacent districts, while bringing in enough Republican votes to carry the district, isnt as certain as it may seem to aid the GOP, said state Sen. Mike Cierpiot, a Republican from Lees Summit.

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Theres a lot of Democrats in Jackson County, Cierpiot said, and if its a map that they promote that, once again, puts two or three of our Republican seats in play in a bad year, I would have trouble supporting that.

Political questions

The 2022 fight over redistricting came during a four-year period where hard-right conservatives in the state Senate fought almost daily with GOP leadership and its backers. This year, Republicans finally forged a truce that helped make their supermajority, holding two-thirds of the seats, far more effective in moving priority legislation.

The fight over redistricting was colored as much by personalities as policy, said U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison, a Republican from Springfield who won the 7th District seat in 2022.

Then-state Sen. Bill Eigel of St. Charles, leader of the insurgents, couldnt convince anyone that a 7-1 map was possible and safe for Republicans because of his personal conflicts with the leadership, Burlison said in an interview on Thursday with The Independent.

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It was more about peoples personalities than what were the facts, said Burlison, a state senator at the time. What was achievable in that session was marked by that.

The conflict was so bad that Eigel and Cierpiot nearly came to blows during a lunch break. It wasnt the only moment where violence was possible, Burlison said.

There were multiple moments where it almost came close, he said.

In the Missouri House, where it is easier for leadership to shut down debate and quash factionalism, a top Republican leader said theres no reason to revisit the current map.

We do redistricting every 10 years, House Speaker Pro Tem Chad Perkins of Bowling Green said. Weve already done that. To do it again would be out of character with the way Missouri operates.

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There may be some willingness to try a new redistricting effort. Cierpiot said he could support it if he is convinced Republicans would not lose seats in years favoring Democrats. But it could backfire, he said.

Right now, in Missouri, were in a Republican wonderland, Cierpiot said. Weve had decent years, and we havent had an off year since probably 2008, but Im old enough to remember those things do cycle through.

State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, a Republican from Arnold, enthusiastically backs the idea.

We should have written a 7-1 map in 2022, she said. Our failure to do so almost cost the GOP the majority in Congress. Im up for it.

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It is encouraging, Beck said, that most Republican comments are opposed to the idea of redistricting again. But pressure could change that.

I dont know how much theyre gonna get pushed to change those views, he said. Ive watched these people say things before and then change their mind.

Constitutional issues

There are a lot of legal questions, involving both the federal and state constitutions, that will be played out in the courts in states that try to redraw lines set after the 2020 census, said Justin Levitt, a professor of law at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

Levitt, who monitors redistricting efforts nationwide and was deputy attorney general for civil rights at the end of President Barack Obamas administration, said a redistricting effort in Missouri would create legal issues over minority voter rights.

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Both of Missouris Democratic members of Congress, Cleaver and U.S. Rep. Wesley Bell of St. Louis, are Black.

To gain a seat, youd have to effectively target the minority communities of St. Louis and Kansas City, Levitt said.

It would also create problems because the stated goal is to increase Republican representation in Congress, he said.

The Supreme Court has said with crystal clarity that excessive partisan gerrymandering is unconstitutional, that it is inconsistent with basic democratic principles, Levitt said. It said that in the same breath that it also said that the federal courthouse doors are closed to adjudicating that claim, but just because the cops are not outside your door doesnt mean shoplifting is legal.

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Missouris constitution is silent on whether lawmakers have the power to redraw lines outside the 10-year cycle of the census. That silence, Levitt said, would have to be interpreted by the courts.

Other states have construed that constitutional time in their own state constitutions to say, once every 10 years and no more frequently, he said.

Efforts elsewhere

With a 219-212 majority  four seats are vacant, including three previously held by Democrats  Republicans are worried that a small shift in voter sentiment could put them again in the minority.

Texas, with a 25-13 split in favor Republicans, is looking at possibly moving five seats to the Republican column, according to the Texas Tribune. It took a telephone call from Trump to Texas Gov. Gregg Abbott to get it on the special session agenda amid concerns that GOP voters might be spread too thin.

In retaliation, California Gov. Gavin Newsome has threatened to redraw that states 52 districts, currently 43-9 in favor of Democrats, to counter the Texas move.

So did New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who told reporters Monday that its too early to make a definitive statement on the issue, the New Jersey Globe reported, adding he would speak to other Democratic governors about redistricting.

With Missouri now involved, it is clear that Trump is looking everywhere he can for new GOP seats, Levitt said.

Theyre casting a wide net, he said. The president seems to be abundantly nervous, and it wouldnt surprise me that he is in desperation, looking wherever he can.

Congressional districts are already gerrymandered so the result isnt in question, Beck said. It is already hurting the country and redistricting between censuses makes it worse, he added.

U.S. Rep. Ann Wagner, who represents the 2nd District in eastern Missouri, received 54.5% of the vote in November and is the only member of Congress from either party in the state who did not win 60% or more of the vote.

Theres only a select few seats that are actually up for grabs ever. The other ones are safe, Beck said. Theyve done this over time, and its a shame. Now the politicians pick their voters, instead of the voters pick their politicians.
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN)  The Clark County Fair is halfway through its annual run, and with summer temperatures on the rise, organizers are ready to keep everyone safe in the heat.

A heat advisory is in effect for the Miami Valley on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a heat index peak of 103. For those working and visiting the Clark County Fair, its essential to keep cool in the hot weather.

New safety protocols announced for Clark County Fair

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With temperatures spiking on Thursday, theres no where hotter at one of the dozens of food stands at the county fair.

LeAnn Harrigan is the owner of Fresh Harvest, and she says shes very wary of the heat on the horizon for Thursday.

Theres two grills, theres three pots of potatoes weve got warming cabinets and steam wells, theres a lot of heat going on, said Harrigan. Ive got individual fans for each of my employees and me, theres an A/C in there, but it is hot. We drink tons of water.

With sweet treats and fried foods being prepared, temperatures can be several degrees hotter than it is outside, exasperating the already blistering heat.

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Go to the air conditioned building, drink plenty of water, stay in the shade, said Tonya Prasertsak, Sweet Waffle vendor.

MAP: Miami Valley county fairs 2025

Fair officials say theres just as much fun indoors as there is outdoors. The executive director of the Clark County Fairgrounds recommends fair attendees take breaks inside to stay cool.

Weve got a total of thirty buildings. Most of them are open air buildings with a lot of ventilation, so its really great, said Dean Blair, Clark Co. Fairgrounds exec. director. Come out, do some ag shows, walk through barns, get out of the sun.

If youre partaking in fair season festivities, drink lots of water, wear sunscreen and remain vigilant by watching for symptoms of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Fair volunteers and local law enforcement are available throughout the fairgrounds to help in case of emergency.

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To learn more about the Clark County Fair, click here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Beat the heat that West Michigan is in store for this weekend with any of these awesome events.

Here is a look at what you can do the weekend of July 25:

West Michigan Italian Festival

Evviva! After a 26-year hiatus, West Michigan is set to welcome an Italian cultural festival once again.

The West Michigan Italian Festival, or Festa Italiana, will be held at Tanger Outlets Friday and Saturday. There will be plenty of food to eat and games to play. There will even be a spaghetti-eating contest.

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For more information, click here.

Storm Team 8 Forecast

Pleasant Peninsula Mural Festival

The Blue Bridge in Grand Rapids will be the site for the Pleasant Peninsula Mural Festival this Saturday.

The festival will feature the unveiling of 21 new murals, a day of kids activities, an artist market, live music and more.

Check out all the details by clicking here.

T-Rex Fest

Another event returning to West Michigan after some time away is coming to The Pyramid Scheme this weekend.

T-Rex Fest is back starting Friday and will feature over 20 different musical acts each day through Sunday. This is the first time the festival is being held in 13 years.

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For tickets, click here.

Vintage Beer Advertising & Collectible Show

Head on down to Kalamazoo this Saturday and explore the vast array of vintage beer advertisements and collectibles.

Its happening at the Radisson Plaza Hotel as part of the National Association of Breweriana Advertisings 54th annual convention. There will be more than 200 vendors selling and buying items.

For details, click here.

Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival

Coast Guard City, U.S.A is set to host another Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival that kicks off this Friday.

It will be 10 straight days of fun activities to not only celebrate summer but also those who have dedicated their lives to serving in the United States Coast Guard.

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Learn more about the festival by clicking here.

Community Park Workout in Zeeland

If youre looking to get up and moving Saturday then you might want to check out whats happening in Zeeland.

AVWellness is hosting a community park workout at 10 a.m. over at Lawrence Street Park. The workout is designed for people of all skill levels and there will be giveaways, vendor booths and more there as well.

Click here to learn more.

Venetian Fest 2025

Celebrate the summer in style with the return of a Sauguatuck favorite: Venetian Fest 2025.

The annual festival has a new theme this year in Christmas in July which means there will be lots of jolly-good fun and it all kicks off on Friday.

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Its Christmas in July at Venetian Fest this weekend

Details can be found by clicking here.

Byron Days Festival

This weekend marks the 89th year of the Byron Days Festival and this year looks like another awesome edition of the event.

Guests can take part in a 5K race, a fishing tournament, arts and crafts and plenty more. There will also be your favorite carnival rides as well.

Click here for more information.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
By Blake Brittain

(Reuters) -A federal court in Marshall, Texas, said on Wednesday that U.S. telecom company Verizon Wireless must pay $175 million in damages for violating an inventor's patent rights related to wireless communications technology.

The jury's decision in favor of Headwater Research comes just months after the firm secured a $278 million verdict in a separate patent dispute against Samsung over wireless technology, also in the same Marshall, Texas, federal court.

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A Verizon spokesperson said that the Wednesday verdict was "simply not supported by the facts" and that the company will appeal. Attorneys for Headwater did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Tyler, Texas-based Headwater was founded by scientist and inventor Gregory Raleigh. Headwater said in its complaint in 2023 that its patented technology allows wireless devices to "reduce data usage and network congestion, extend battery life by decreasing power consumption, and enable users to stay connected."

Headwater said it shared information about its technology with Verizon under a non-disclosure agreement between 2009 and 2011. The complaint said that Verizon's mobile phones, tablets and cellular networks infringed Headwater's patents.

Verizon denied the allegations and argued that the patents were invalid.

(Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Chizu Nomiyama )
VERMILION COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  Nearly a month after the Vermilion County Board Chairman appointed an interim shelter director, county officials announced on Thursday that they plan on making the appointment official.

According to a news release from Steve Miller, board chairman, Ryan Goodner will officially be named Director of the Department of Animal Regulations, effective July 25. Goodner is the former Vermilion County Deputy Sheriff.

PREVIOUSLY: Interim director appointed for Vermilion Co. shelter

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He replaced Kasey Snyder, the former shelter director.

Miller said he interviewed several excellent applicants, and believes Goodner to be the best candidate for the job. Miller added that Goodners experience as deputy sheriff, his background in information technology, and his leadership role as President of the Illinois Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #51 uniquely qualifies him to enforce animal statutes and ordinances to protect the countys citizens.

Goodner plans to meet with municipalities in the county, including the City of Danville. Miller said the hope is to establish new agreements to help communities enforce animal ordinances.

Mr. Goodner will also explore the possibility of having a surgical suite at the shelter to provide a low-cost spay and neuter service, Miller added.

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LEBO (KSNT)  Lebo native and resident, Thomas Zink, served more than two decades with the U.S. Army.

Zink joined the army reserves in Emporia back in November of 1969 just after marrying his wife at 19-years-old. Not being too enthused about going to Vietnam, Zink enlisted with the reserve unit for the next five years.

After moving to Mankato, he joined another reserve unit in Washington, Kansas, that happened to be firefighters.

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One year we were in Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, and we got called out to a forest fire, Zink said. A civilian chain called the military and asked for assistance. So we got to take our fire trucks that was in the military and go help the civilians fight the forest fire. Theres a lot that goes into fighting forest fires. And youre on kind of the back end of the situation because that fire will tell you what you have to do.

And thats where he stayed for 19 years, getting to travel all over the nation and work with firefighters on the post. But now, as a retiree, Zink resides in Lebo with his wife and is part of the local American legion post.

Veteran Salute: Making history, paving the way for women

Zink shared what he and the legion are currently working on.

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Well, were trying to get started on the all-veterans memorial over here on a corner, and were just about to get enough money in the budget to get that thing started, Zink said. We had a little memorial over there to the six guys that lost their lives from Lebo in World War II. And it was just getting overgrown, the trees and had been there for years. And we decided, you know, we need to upgrade that thing. 

Zink and the American Legion in Lebo hope to get started on the project as soon as they raise the funds to bring in the equipment.

For more Veteran Salute stories, 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.

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More than 300 documents released by the Moscow Police Department on Wednesday revealed grisly new details about the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students and the exhaustive investigation that led to Bryan Kohberger's apprehension.

Kohberger, 30, was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday after pleading guilty to fatally stabbing college seniors Kaylee Goncalves and Madison Mogen, both 21; junior Xana Kernodle, 20; and freshman Ethan Chapin, 20, in an off-campus home in the early hours of Nov. 13, 2022.

The former Washington State University doctoral student pleaded guilty to the crimes in exchange for avoiding a death sentence, circumventing a lengthy trial and allowing authorities to release information on the case once bound by a sweeping gag order. Shortly after Kohberger's sentencing, during which family members of the victims provided emotional impact statements, the vast trove of documents was released to the public.

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The new documents shed light on the brutality of the slayings, details about the days and weeks that led to the murders, and the extensive pool of evidence investigators gathered against Kohberger.

Here are some of the never-before-revealed details of the barbaric killings.

Dylan Mortensen gets a hug after speaking at the sentencing hearing of Bryan Kohberger at the Ada County Courthouse Wednesday, in Boise, Idaho. (Kyle Green / Pool via AP)

Bodies found brutally savaged

When police entered Xana Kernodle's bedroom, the responding officer detailed that "it was obvious an intense struggle had occurred," according to one of the reports.

"There was blood smeared on various items in the room and all over the floor," the document reads. "There was blood cast-off on the walls in various places, including above Xanas body."

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Police found Kernodle lying on the floor in the center of the room in her underwear and a gray sweatshirt, covered in blood, according to the document. The officer logged that he saw "what appeared to be defensive knife wounds on Xana's hands" and a "deep gash on Xana's left hand between her pointer finger and thumb."

An autopsy revealed that Kernodle had more than 50 stab wounds, according to the documents.

Officers found the other three college students similarly covered in blood, according to the documents. In addition to wounds on Mogens forearm and hands, her face was mutilated.

"Madison had a gash under her right eye which appeared to go from the corner of her eye to her nose," the document reads.

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Goncalves was found "unrecognizable as her facial structure was extremely damaged," according to the document.

Moments leading to the 911 call

Bethany Funke, one of the two surviving roommates, told investigators that her door was locked when she went to sleep in the early hours of Nov. 13, according to one of the police reports.

Funke told police that she woke up after falling asleep to hearing what she thought was "a firecracker" go off, and "she thought she saw a sparkler going off through the crack under her door," the report, which identifies her as "B", states.

Funke said she then called the other surviving roommate, Dylan Mortensen, or Mortensen called her  the report states she could not recall  who told her "she thought she had just seen someone dressed in all black in the house" and a ski mask, according to the report.

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Mortensen, who is identified in the report as "D," later said "the male in black was walking out the back door and they had made eye contact with each other," that he was "white with a big nose" and holding "a small vacuum type of object," Funke told detectives, according to the report.

According to the report, Funke then told Mortensen to come down to her room, and Mortensen did. Funke then called the four victims phones, but nobody answered, which Funke said she thought was normal given how late it was.

Funke told detectives the pair did not call 911 at the time because Funke thought Mortensen thought she may have been mistaken, and that they were both still drunk and groggy. She also said she thought one of Chapins fraternity brothers could have been playing a prank on them.

When Funke woke up at 7:30 a.m., she called her parents about a toothache before falling back to sleep, according to the report. She then woke up again around 11:00 am and noticed no one else in the house was awake. She added that Kernodle's Snapchat location was not on, "and it should have been."

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The pair then called two of their friends and asked them to come over because they were scared, the report said. When one of the friends arrived and went upstairs to check things out, the friend told the pair to get out of the house and call for help.

Funke told detectives that through Kernodle's slightly opened door, she saw Kernodle on the floor in her underwear and sweatshirt, the report states.

Funke then called 911.

Goncalves thought she was being followed

In the weeks before she was killed, Goncalves recounted a series of unnerving events to the two surviving roommates, according to the police reports.

Goncalves mentioned that she believed someone was following her two or three weeks before the stabbing, one of the surviving roommates told investigators.

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The same roommate recalled Goncalves saying that she saw a shadow while she was outside with her dog about a month before the murders, according to a separate report.

The second surviving roommate told investigators that, around the same time, Goncalves saw an "unknown male" above their off-campus house, staring at her when she took the dog outside.

The documents did not tie Kohberger to the events.

Kohberger had scratch marks around the time of the killings, his friend told detectives

One of Kohberger's friends, a WSU student whose name was redacted, told detectives that he noticed scratch marks on Kohberger's body on two separate occasions in October and November 2022, according to one of the police reports.

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The friend stated that one injury was a large scratch mark on Kohberger's face, which the friend "described as looking like the scratches from fingernails," according to the report. The friend added that he also saw wounds to Kohberger's knuckles on two separate occasions.

When the friend asked Kohberger about the marks, Kohberger "replied he has been in a car accident," the report states.

Police investigate Tinder match's claim of chilling conversation with Kohberger

A woman who matched with Kohberger on the dating app Tinder in the fall of 2022 made a tip to authorities in March 2024 and was later interviewed by detectives, according to one of the police reports.

The woman, whose name was redacted, told detectives that the pair discussed the murder of one of her friends and horror movies, after Kohberger told the woman that he was a criminology student at WSU, according to the report.

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At one point through their conversation, Kohberger asked what she thought would be the worst way to die, according to the report. She said she thought it would be by a knife.

To that, "Kohberger then asked her something to the effect of 'like a Ka Bar?'" according to the report.

Prosecutors said that Kohberger purchased a Ka-Bar knife and sheath on Amazon before the murders. The sheath was found at the crime scene, but the knife was never recovered, according to officials.

Kohberger's Tinder match stopped talking to Kohberger "because his questions made her uncomfortable," according to the report.

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In a subsequent report, police stated that they sent a preservation request to Tinder for records related to the tip; however, none were found with the provided identifiers.

The report states that while there were no records to support her tip in Tinder's records, police would request a search warrant for the accounts if "further information or new identifiers were found."

Kohberger's sole conversation with authorities revealed

Kohberger repeatedly refused to answer questions from authorities after the murders. However, he did speak briefly with detectives during his initial interview in late 2022, following his arrest at his family's home in Pennsylvania.

At the onset of the interview, Kohberger said he was concerned about his parents and his dog after the SWAT operation at his family home, according to one of the police reports. Kohberger then engaged in small talk with the detectives, telling them that he was a student at WSU, discussing his aspirations to become a professor, and explaining how competitive the admissions process was for his Ph.D. program.

After making small talk, detectives then asked Kohberger if he knew about "what happened in November" just off the University of Idaho campus, according to the report. Kohberger then replied, "Of course," adding that he became aware of the homicides because of an alert he received on his phone from his university.

Detectives then explained that the homicides were why Kohberger was there, to which Kohberger replied, "Well, I think I would need a lawyer," according to the report.

Kohberger then asked detectives what questions they would have for him, according to the report. The detectives then informed him that, since he had invoked his Fifth Amendment rights, they would not ask him any further questions.

Unanswered questions remain

The police reports do not reveal if authorities were ever able to pin down a motive for the killings. Nor do they establish a clear link between Kohberger and his victims.

At the sentencing hearing, Ada County District Court Judge Steven Hippler called Kohberger a "faceless coward." Hippler said that he shared the desire to understand why Kohberger carried out the killings, but that doing so gives Kohberger more power and control.

"There is no reason for these crimes that could approach anything resembling rationality," he said. "In my view, the time has now come to end for Mr. Kohbergers 15 minutes of fame."

Authorities said at a press conference Wednesday that they never found the weapon or the clothes Kohberger used that night.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Two of the 37 people injured when a 29-year-old man intentionally, according to investigators, drove his car into a crowd of people outside a busy nightclub in East Hollywood last weekend are speaking out about the harrowing ordeal.

Reports of the July 19 incident in the 4600 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, just around the corner from a popular Vermont Hollywood nightclub, came in at around 2 a.m., the Los Angeles Police Department said.

Investigators say San Clemente resident Fernando Ramirez, who has since been charged with 37 counts of attempted murder, plowed through street vendors carts and into the crowd after reportedly being removed from the club for being disruptive and later trying to get back in.

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More than 120 first responders rushed to the scene of the mass-casualty incident and took 36 patients to the hospital with injuries ranging from minor to serious fractures, including several victims who were trapped beneath the suspects vehicle.

Authorities said that at least seven of those injured were listed in critical condition.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, irate members of the crowd pulled Ramierz from his vehicle and repeatedly punched and kicked him.

Investigators said that during the beating, an unidentified man approached Ramirez from across the street and shot him. Police are still looking for that suspect.

At least 30 were injured after a car plowed into crowd outside an East Hollywood nightclub. July 19, 2025. (RMGNews) At least 30 were injured after a car plowed into crowd outside an East Hollywood nightclub. July 19, 2025. (RMGNews) At least 30 were injured after a car plowed into crowd outside an East Hollywood nightclub. July 19, 2025. (okramtattoos) At least 30 were injured after a car plowed into crowd outside an East Hollywood nightclub. July 19, 2025. (RMGNews) Fernando Ramirez, 29, a resident of San Clemente, is charged with 37 counts of attempted murder for allegedly plowing through an East Hollywood crowd on July 19, 2025. (OCDA) Police are searching for man suspected of shooting a driver who plowed into an East Hollywood nightclub crowd, injuring 36 people on July, 19 2025. (LAPD) Police are searching for man suspected of shooting a driver who plowed into an East Hollywood nightclub crowd, injuring 36 people on July, 19 2025. (LAPD)

The 29-year-old, who has an extensive criminal history, including for a felony hate crime in 2020, was taken to the hospital and later arrested.

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Body of person who died on international flight to California reportedly unaccounted for

Maria Medrano and her husband, Nicolas Suarez, told KTLAs Carlos Saucedo that they were selling hot dogs as clubgoers exited the venue when they were caught in the violent melee.

In Spanish, she explained that they were dragged along as Ramirez allegedly plowed into their food cart and the crowd.

In video obtained by TMZ, unsuspecting people out for a night of fun are seen walking as the car barrels down on them, sending some of them flying in the air after impact.

Suarez, who suffered a broken leg and was severely banged up, told KTLA that he was dragged about 100 feet, while his wife sustained multiple cuts and fractures to her ribs and clavicle.

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Though their food cart was left completely mangled, the couples daughter, Sara Suarez, said it likely saved their lives.

That food cart thats going around, thats my dads, she explained. If it wasnt for that cart, that would have been him. So, although its unfortunate that their equipment got ruined, were just thankful and grateful theyre safe.

As for Suarez and his wife, a GoFundMe has been organized for the couple as they both face a long road to recovery and without their primary source of income.

Its not just a job for them. Of course, its their livelihood. Its our way of making ends meet, but its more to them, Sara said. Its about community as well, building community. We have such a strong one, so heartfelt and overwhelming in the best way possible.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
By Phuong Nguyen and Francesco Guarascio

HANOI (Reuters) -Vietnam's police ministry has agreed to buy two Lockheed Martin helicopters, according to three people with knowledge of the talks, in what would be a key security deal since Washington lifted an arms embargo on the Communist-run nation a decade ago.

The deal would come after the country's ministry of public security held protracted talks since at least 2022 with multiple U.S. defence companies to acquire helicopters. Lockheed Martin is also negotiating with Vietnam's defence ministry the sale of C-130 military transport planes, multiple officials have said.

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The Southeast Asian country, which relies heavily on Russian weapons, has been looking for years to diversify its arsenal. It is also currently negotiating with the Trump administration key elements of a tariff deal that is crucial to maintain access to its largest export market.

Vietnamese pilots have already been training with Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky helicopters, one of the sources with direct knowledge said, noting the deal was worth more than $100 million and could include more choppers at a later stage.

The source did not specify the chopper model under discussion but said pilots were training with S-92 helicopters, which are employed in several countries for both civilian and military uses.

Another two sources briefed on the talks confirmed Vietnam had agreed to buy two Lockheed Martin helicopters but gave no information about the cost and the model.

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All sources declined to be named because the information was not public.

Reuters could not establish when the deal could be completed and whether there were contractual aspects to be defined.

Since an arms embargo on Vietnam was lifted in 2016, U.S. security deals with its former foe have been limited to coastguard ships and trainer aircraft, which could lead to the procurement of military planes.

Lockheed Martin said queries on procurement should be directed to the Vietnamese government.

Calls to Vietnam's ministry of public security went unanswered. The foreign ministry did not reply to a request for comment.

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Vietnam's parliament approved in June 2022 the establishment of a mobile police unit to tackle crime, terrorism and riots, which would need helicopters to operate, according to the government and the text of the 2022 legislation.

U.S. officials have said Washington sees Vietnam as a key player on regional security and would be willing to boost Vietnam's defence, especially in the South China Sea, where it is often at odds with China over disputed boundaries.

Support for the police could be more controversial. The latest U.S. State Department's report on human rights in Vietnam, released in 2023, warned of significant violations and abuses by security forces.

Vietnam's foreign ministry has said the report was biased and inaccurate.

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The sources did not explicitly link the possible procurement deal to tariff talks, but Vietnamese and U.S. officials have repeatedly said purchases of U.S. military equipment would strengthen Hanoi's position in negotiating a fully-fledged trade agreement.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced earlier in July a deal on 20% tariffs for Vietnamese goods imported into the United States, 40% levies on transshipped products and no duties for U.S. exports to Vietnam.

However, Hanoi has instead talked of a preliminary framework agreement. Talks are still underway to finalise the agreement.

(Reporting by Phuong Nguyen, Francesco Guarascio and Khanh Vu; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
The Trump administration threatened on Wednesday  and doubled down on Thursday morning  that The View could be the next talk show to get cancelled after The Late Show, after host Joy Behar once again criticized the president, calling him jealous of Barack Obama. But, the ABC hosts appeared unfazed on Thursday morning, ignoring the threats altogether.

Following Wednesdays show, the White House responded to one of the days Hot Topics in a statement calling Behar a loser, as they often dub critics, and warned that she should self-reflect on her own jealousy of President Trumps historic popularity before her show is the next to be pulled off air.

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The threat came just days after CBS announced the cancellation of Stephen Colberts The Late Show, with the insistence that the decision was economic, not politically motivated. Then, on Thursday morning, FCC chairman Brendan Carr responded on Fox News Americas Newsroom, similarly warning that the consequences of Trumps vendetta against certain media outlets arent quite finished.

FOX: Is The View now in the crosshairs of this administration?



FCC CHAIR BRENDAN CARR: It's entirely possible there are issues over there  the consequences aren't quite finished pic.twitter.com/sDZAbtf07I  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 24, 2025

But, during Thursdays episode of The View, the women did not address either threat throughout the whole show. They started the days Hot Topics with discussion of the Wall Street Journals reporting of Trump knowing he was named in the Epstein files.

A representative for The View did not immediately respond to TheWraps inquiry on whether the show will address the matter in its season finale on Friday, or if they have a response to the administrations threat already.

In his appearance on Fox News on Thursday, Carr called out the challenges that The View faces, including having to read multiple legal notes during one show to avoid liabilities. This is not an uncommon practice, and the legal notes are read to ensure any statements offered by both sides on any topic, plus the current proven facts, are represented.

Carr also pointed to the shows purported struggling ratings, similar to the White Houses original statement. However, his details were not accurate. The ABC talk show wrapped up the first quarter of 2025 with increased ratings, and remains the No. 1 daytime talk show.

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The president has long been a critic of The View, just as many hosts of the show have long been critics of him. This time, what set him off was Behar saying he is jealous of one of his predecessors.

On Wednesdays episode of the show, the hosts scoffed at Trump leveling criminal accusations at Obama, calling them yet another distraction from the ongoing criticisms the president is facing for his handling of files pertaining to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But, Behar also asserted that Trump was merely speaking from insecurity.

The thing about him is hes so jealous of Obama, because Obama is everything that he is not, she said. Trim, smart, handsome, happily married and can sing Al Greens song Lets Stay Together better than Al Green. And Trump cannot stand it. Its driving him crazy.

The View airs weekdays at 11 a.m. ET on ABC.

The post The View Ignores Trump Admins Threat of Cancellation in Penultimate Episode of Season 28 appeared first on TheWrap.
CLEVELAND (WJW)  Dozens of law enforcement officers from different departments, but mostly the Lorain Police Department, held vigils inside and outside of MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland for fellow officers who were shot on Wednesday afternoon.

Acting Lorain Police Chief Michael Failing said officers Peter Gale, 51, and Phillip Wagner, 35, were stopped on Colorado Avenue having pizza for lunch in their respective cruisers when they were ambushed.

A 28-year-old Lorain man opened fire on them.

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The suspect was parked at the end of the road with an arsenal of weapons with him laying in wait, said Failing.

Officer Brent Payne, 47, heard the calls for help and was first to respond. He was also shot numerous times while still inside his cruiser.

Peter Gale, 51-years-old. Hired 2/2022

Phillip Wagner, 35-years-old, Hired 2/2022

Brent Payne, 47-years-old, Hired 12/2011

Multiple other officers responded and took out the suspect.

They then loaded the officers into their cruisers and rushed them to the hospital while providing wound care.

The chief said officer Gale was being treated for gunshot wounds to his hand at Mercy Medical in Lorain, while officers Wagner and Payne were life-flighted to MetroHealth Medical Center, where they are undergoing treatment.

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No other details are being released at this time about their conditions.

Its tough. This is the first major shooting that weve had in 70 years involving an officer being hit, said Failing during a press conference with about two dozen Lorain officers standing behind him.

Its a tragic day in the city of Lorain, but were a strong city and well move forward and we just welcome all of your prayers and support for our officers, our citizens and the city of Lorain, Mayor Jack Bradley said.

An outpouring of support came quickly from many police departments, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, U.S. Senators Jon Husted and Bernie Moreno, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb and many more.

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Please pray: FOP speaks out after local officers hit by gunfire twice in days

The investigation is being handled by the Elyria Police Department and Cleveland police are helping out with the media requests.

Any and all of the support is greatly appreciated by Lorain police and officials who thanked local, state and federal law enforcement as well as all of the medical teams.

I would also like to thank the men and women of the Lorain Police Department, the ones standing behind me. A lot of them responded to this call. Id like to thank them for their bravery, said Failing. If you could all pray for these officers, please pray for the Lorain Police Department in the coming days.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
TICONDEROGA  Melina Frattolin may not have been from Ticonderoga, but she will always be remembered there.

If this is going to be her resting place where he left her, this is going to be her community now; she will be one of us, Bridgette Cruz said at a candlelight vigil Tuesday evening to honor Melina in Ticonderogas Bicentennial Park. Cruz was among the community members who helped organize the event. I will be her protector if thats what it takes, because, unfortunately, the man who did it, did not protect her.

As previously reported by the Press-Republican, Melina, 9, was found dead in Ticonderoga in a remote pond along Route 74 on Sunday. Her father, Luciano Frattolin, 45, of Montreal has since been arrested and charged with her murder.

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Luciano Frattolin initially told the Warren County Sheriffs Department the girl was abducted by two men in a white van Saturday evening at Exit 22 of the Adirondack Northway in Lake George after he stopped alongside the road. He said the van then sped south on the interstate, which triggered a massive search by multiple agencies and an Amber Alert being issued within hours.

However, Luciano Frattolins story quickly began to unravel, police said, and its many inconsistencies made them believe he might have been involved in her death. The Amber Alert was canceled Sunday after her body was found in Ticonderoga.

State Police revealed Tuesday that Melinas cause of death was asphyxia due to drowning and was ruled a homicide.

Cruz, a mother herself, said she was shocked and disheartened when she learned of Melinas fate so close to home and had a feeling she should organize Tuesday nights candlelight vigil in the girls honor.

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I show up for my community, because theyve shown up for me at a time when I needed them, and they show up for everybody in this community when they need them, Cruz said. And this little girl might not have been from here, but were showing up for her tonight  This is not what Ticonderoga should have been known for.

Hundreds of people from the Ticonderoga and surrounding communities also joined Cruz in mourning Melina, who was from Canada, at the vigil.

Kellie Bilow of Ticonderoga led the attendees in prayer from the Bible, beginning with Revelation 21:4 and Psalm 34:18.

I know that many here, even though we did not know Melina, we are crushed in spirit, Bilow said. And I know that her mom and her family in Canada, and those who she went to school with, are crushed in spirit. and tonight the Lord is near to them. I just wanted to share that he is near, and I pray that everybody feels that nearness tonight.

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As of Wednesday, the New York State Police were continuing their investigation into Melinas murder.

State Police issued a travel advisory early Wednesday and said they will have a heavy presence on the I-87 Northway from Exit 28 (North Schroon Lake: U.S. 9, New York 74 to Ticonderoga) through Exit 20 (Fort Ann, Queensbury, Lake George, New York, 149 and U.S. 9).

The day before, State Police also asked for the publics help in gathering additional video evidence or eyewitness accounts of the vehicle the pair traveled in, a 2024 gray Toyota Prius, from July 11-19.

Specific areas identified by the State Police included the I-87 Northway between Exits 28 (North Schroon Lake: U.S. 9, New York 74 to Ticonderoga) through exit 20 (Fort Ann, Queensbury, Lake George, New York, 149 and U.S. 9) during the evening hours of July 19.

Anyone with information should call 518-873-2750 or email crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.
CHINATOWN, Manhattan (PIX11)  The community held a vigil in Chinatown for the two people killed Saturday, after police said a woman driving a stolen rental car struck a pedestrian and a cyclist.

A memorial is now growing on Canal Street near the Manhattan Bridge, honoring 55-year-old Kevin Scott Cruickshank and 63-year-old May Kwok, who died after police say 23-year-old Autumn Donna Ascencio Romero struck them in a 2024 Chevy Malibu.

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Transportation advocates, local residents, and loved ones gathered on Wednesday to mourn the lives lost too soon. Among them was Sarah Witt, who reflected on her brother Cruickshanks final ride.

Kevin set out on his yellow taxicab bike for a ride to Coney Island, she said. His trip was cut short at an intersection known to some to be very dangerous. It is time to make this known to all and time for the city to take action.

Cruickshank was riding his bike, and Kwok was sitting on a bench at the time of the collision, according to polic,e who said the car driven by Ascencio Romero jumped onto the sidewalk island, that separates the Manhattan Bridge from Bowery, fatally striking both victims.

After hitting the victims, the driver continued onto Bowery and crashed into a parked and unoccupied NYPD van, wrecking it, according to investigators. Transportation advocates are calling on the city to make Canal Street safer.

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Canal Street is a street that the city knows is dangerous and has been dangerous for years, said Alexa Sledge of advocacy group Transportation Alternatives. Just since 2022, 18 New Yorkers have been killed or seriously injured along Canal Street, and yet weve seen almost no substantial changes to the corridor.

The New York City Department of Transportation said it has dedicated resources to this intersection in the past, including a major redesign that expanded pedestrian space to shorten crossings and improve safety. A spokesperson for the NYCDOT said in a statement, This driver should not have been on our streets and, as we work to develop safety improvements along Canal, we will continue our advocacy at the state level for legislation to address the most dangerous recidivist drivers who pose an outsized risk to all New Yorkers.

Witt said her brothers tragic death should serve as an urgent call to action.

Kevin always loved New York City, said Witt. He loved biking in the city, and he would want it to be safe for all.

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The NYCDOT said it plans to return to the community this fall for outreach and to share updates on its planned safety improvements along Canal Street. The agency also said it will review the location of the crash for potential upgrades, as it does after every fatal collision.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
On this day 110 years ago, a ship in the Chicago River between LaSalle Drive and Clark Street was loaded with more than 2,500 passengers  many of them Western Electric Co. employees and their families  ready to embark on a day trip to Michigan City, Indiana.

The SS Eastland had been known as the Greyhound of the Great Lakes. The vessel, however, was built to serve as a freighter  not an excursion vessel.

It was owned by a couple of rich guys who had no business being in the boat business, Tribune columnist Rick Kogan wrote in 2019. It was a disaster waiting to happen.

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Heres a look back at whats become known as the Eastland Disaster and its aftermath.

July 24, 1915

When the Eastland swayed then suddenly rolled onto its side, hundreds of passengers became trapped inside the vessel  just feet from the dock  as water poured in.

George Halas was supposed to be on the SS Eastland the day it capsized in the Chicago River, killing 844 people

A total of 844 people died, making it one of the worst maritime events in United States history and the deadliest single day event in the citys history (about 300 died in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and 602 were died in a fire at the Iroquois Theatre in 1903).

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Bodies of the dead were taken to the 2nd Regiment Armory, which later became the site of Oprah Winfreys Harpo Studios. Bodies were laid out in rows of 85, and after seven days, all had been identified.

Photographers with the citys eight daily newspapers raced to the scene on that summer Saturday morning as word of the Eastland quickly spread to newsrooms.

Lyman Atwell of the Herald, Robert Hollihan Sr. of the American and Godfrey Lundberg and Fred C. Eckhardt of the Tribune also took photos that day.

Another photographer was Jun Fujita, a 25-year-old Japanese immigrant who had been taking pictures in Chicago for about a year. Fujita ended up capturing one of the iconic photos of the day, a picture of a firefighter with an anguished look on his face holding a dead boy. Fujita also took photos of the St. Valentines Day Massacre and the citys 1919 race riots, before he took to writing poetry.

July 31, 1915

The Tribune printed five pages of obituaries about the Eastlands known victims.

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Campaigns were started to reimburse victims families. The Red Cross distributed a total of $170,000 (or roughly $5.4 million in todays dollars) to families in the form of 540 checks.

Aug. 13-14, 1915

After settling into several feet of mud, the ship was lifted to an angle of 70 degrees, and finally righted by the Favorite, a tug boat.

December 1915

William Frenchy Deneau had been considered a hero for recovering hundreds of victims bodies following the disaster. The experienced diver was back in the river months later laying cable when he hit metal.

Deneau believed he had found a submarine owned by Peter Nissen, an adventurer who garnered front-page headlines for his successful navigation of Niagara River rapids along the U.S.-Canada border. He worked with the federal government to secure ownership of the vessel and raise it.

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Starting in February 1916, visitors to the Rector Building on State Street could tour the tragic and historic relic. Deneau, now calling himself a captain, placed a full-page advertisement in the Tribune for the most intensely interesting exhibit ever shown in Chicago.

The Tribune had no further mention of Deneaus prized artifact. The boats connection to Nissen is confounding and its whereabouts today are unknown.

February 1916

Six men had been indicted for operating an unsafe ship and for criminal negligence. They were:

Robert Reid, U.S. steamboat inspector whose connection with the Eastlands inspection was exposed by the Tribune

C.C. Eckliff, U.S. inspector of steamboat boilers

William H. Hull, vice president and general manager of the St. Joseph-Chicago Transportation Co., which owned the Eastland

W.K. Greenebaum, general manager of the Indiana Transportation Co., which charted the Eastland

Harry Pedersen, captain of the Eastland

Joseph M. Erickson, chief engineer of the Eastland and son-in-law of Reid

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A trial was held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, that featured famed attorney Clarence Darrow, who represented Erickson. A judge ruled the prosecution failed to make a case against the men.

Nov. 21, 1917

The Eastland was salvaged and sold to the U.S. Navy. Many Chicagoans gathered to boo the vessel as it left the Chicago River to undergo restorations and some modifications, that would convert it into a gunboat. Its name changed to the USS Wilmette, and it functioned mostly as a training ship on the Great Lakes. The Wilmette riddled a German submarine with cannon fire in 1921, sending it to the bottom of Lake Michigan about 20 miles east of Highland Park.

After World War II, the Wilmette was sold for scrap.

June 4, 1989

Students at Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy in Aurora had researched the tragedy and were shocked to find no details about it in school textbooks. Thats why they worked to erect a plaque at Clark Street and Wacker Drive.

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Eastland survivor Libby Hruby told those assembled for the dedication of the marker that she was plucked from the water by her sister.

After it disappeared in 2000, the plaque was replaced and rededicated in 2003.

December 2014

A collection of nearly 100 black-and-white glass-plate negatives  many of them never published  were discovered in the basement of Tribune Tower.

The images from the Tribune archives were found inside two cardboard boxes in the newspapers dimly lit, temperature-controlled basement archives five floors below Michigan Avenue. Marianne Mather, a photo editor at the Tribune, discovered the Eastland images as she searched for other images.

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Vintage Chicago Tribune: Our Top 4 most unexpected finds in the Chicago Tribunes archives

The photographs capture the aftermath of one of Chicagos worst disasters: rows of sheet-covered bodies inside a temporary morgue, two women crying while clutching a baby in a blanket, a Coast Guard crew hauling a woman out of the river, the Eastland flopped over in the water like a plastic toy in a bathtub, dozens of people atop its side, awaiting rescue.

July 24, 2015

Several hundred people gathered on the Chicago Riverwalk  many of them descendants of the Eastlands victims and survivors  to mark a century after the tragic event.

Others visited Bohemian National Cemetery at Pulaski Road and Foster Avenue on the Northwest Side, which has 143 Eastland victims buried in its plots  the most of any cemetery in the Chicago area. Of the 22 families wiped out by the disaster, four are buried at Bohemian. Some, including those of Czech ancestry, include a short line  obet Eastlandu, or victim of the Eastland.

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Flashback: Touring the Bohemian National Cemetery grounds with Cemetery Lady Helen Sclair

A memorial was unveiled just prior to the major anniversary. It features a black plaque that describes the disaster on one side and gives details of the Eastland gravesites on the other. A granite slab with a steamships steering wheel juts out of a granite slab with carved ripples that represent the sinking of the ship and its raising following the incident.

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Multiple ambulances and police vehicles respond to a shooting at CrossPointe Community Church in Wayne, Mich., in June. Homicides fell 17% in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, according to the Council on Criminal Justices latest crime trends report. (Photo by Emily Elconin/Getty Images)

Amid recent political rhetoric about rising crime and violence in American cities, a new analysis shows that violent crime has continued to decline this year.

Homicides and several other serious offenses, including gun assaults and carjackings, dropped during the first half of 2025 across 42 U.S. cities, continuing a downward trend that began in 2022, according to a new crime trends report released Thursday by the nonpartisan think tank Council on Criminal Justice.

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Homicides fell 17% in the first half of 2025, compared with the same period in 2024, among the 30 cities that reported homicide data, according to the report.

During that same period, five cities saw increases in homicide  ranging from 6% in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to 39% in Little Rock, Arkansas.

While the reports authors say the continued drop in violent crime  especially homicides  is encouraging, they note that much of the decline stems from a few major cities with historically high rates, such as Baltimore and St. Louis.

More than half of the cities studied have higher homicide rates than before the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall, though, the analysis found that there were 14% fewer homicides during the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2019.

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The authors say more research is needed before crediting any specific policy or practice for the continued drop in violent crime.

The groups findings come as President Donald Trump continues to amplify concerns about crime, at times citing misleading statistics and narratives.

In a Truth Social post earlier this week, Trump claimed that cashless bail  a practice that allows people charged with a crime to be released pretrial without paying money, unless a judge deems them a threat to public safety  were fueling a national crime surge and endangering law enforcement.

He wrote: Crime in American Cities started to significantly rise when they went to CASHLESS BAIL. The WORST criminals are flooding our streets and endangering even our great law enforcement officers. It is a complete disaster, and must be ended, IMMEDIATELY!

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Some research suggests that setting money bail isnt effective in ensuring court appearances or improving public safety. Opponents of ending cash bail often raise concerns that released suspects might commit new, potentially more serious crimes. While that is possible in individual cases, studies show that eliminating cash bail does not lead to a widespread increase in crime.

The Truth Social post also marked a sharp shift from Trumps remarks during a June roundtable with the Fraternal Order of Police, where he claimed the national murder rate had plummeted by 28% since he took office  a figure that overstates the decline and overlooks the fact that murder rates began falling well before he returned to office.

According to data consulting firm AH Datalytics, which manages the Real-Time Crime Index  a free tool that collects crime data from more than 400 law enforcement agencies nationwide  the number of homicides between January and May 2025 was 20.3% lower than the same period in 2024.

Similarly, data released in May by the Major Cities Chiefs Association showed that homicides fell roughly 20% in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the first three months of the prior year. The groups data is based on a survey of 68 major metropolitan police departments nationwide.

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Researchers at the Council on Criminal Justice note in their report that its difficult to pinpoint a single reason for the drop in homicides, but they note that fewer people appear to be exposed to high-risk situations, such as robberies.

Most major crimes fell in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period last year, according to the councils report.

Motor vehicle thefts dropped by 25%, while reported gun assaults fell 21%. Robberies, residential and non-residential burglaries, shoplifting, and aggravated and sexual assaults also saw double-digit declines

Drug offenses held steady, while domestic violence reports rose slightly  by about 3%. Carjackings declined 24% and larcenies were down 5%.

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Compared with the first half of 2019, before the pandemic and nationwide reckoning over racial justice and policing, overall homicides are down 14%, robberies by 30%, and sexual assaults by 28%.

Still, more than 60% of the cities in the councils study sample report homicide rates that remain above 2019 levels.

Motor vehicle theft remains the only crime tracked in the report that is still elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels  up 25% since 2019  although it has declined sharply since 2023.

The council also released another analysis on the lethality of violent crime, showing that while violent incidents have decreased, the share of violence that ends in death has increased significantly. In 1994, there were 2 homicides per 1,000 assaults and about 16 per 1,000 robberies. By 2020, those figures rose to 7.2 and 55.8, respectively.

Stateline reporter Amanda Hernandez can be reached at ahernandez@stateline.org.
Its been nearly two months since criminal defense lawyers across Massachusetts stopped taking on new cases in protest over low pay  and the consequences are mounting.

More than 2,000 people are currently without legal representation, dozens of defendants have been released and over 100 cases have been thrown out.

Among those released is a man accused of beating a pregnant woman and a woman once listed on the Boston Police Departments most wanted list. Dismissed cases include allegations of stabbings, public attacks on women and a woman accused of trying to set a family member on fire. Even the states public defender agency can no longer provide counsel in most cases in two counties, and a third has been completely maxed out.

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Its not clear when a solution may come, with some lawmakers saying it might not be until October  leaving the legal system in limbo for months to come.

And as legislators express frustration that the lawyers, known as bar advocate attorneys, created a constitutional crisis to address their wage issues, the attorneys argue this crisis has been decades in the making  and that they warned lawmakers months before the Memorial Day stoppage.

This isnt something that came out of left field, said Jennifer OBrien, a lawyer in Middlesex County.

A long time coming

The lawyers began writing to their legislators about the crisis months before Memorial Day, OBrien recalled. They asked for support to amendments that were already out there.

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At the time, there was an amendment for $35 [raises] across the board and we were begging them to support those amendments, OBrien said. So, in my opinion, they had the heads up.

The roughly 2,600 bar advocates working in Massachusetts make $65 an hour when dealing with cases in district court, and the same for mental health and juvenile court cases. They make $85 an hour for superior court cases, and $120 an hour when defendants are charged with murder.

Bar advocate pay rates increased in fiscal year 2021, rising to $65 an hour from $60. Before that, district court bar advocates earned $53 an hour, a rate that had stayed at $50 since at least 2014 until 2020.

In New Hampshire, bar advocates make $125 an hour. They make $112 per hour in Rhode Island and $150 per hour in Maine.

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Massachusetts legislators are concerned it could cost the state between $90 million and $100 million to pay for the $35 raise bar advocates are now looking for, especially in the midst of federal government uncertainty, state budget cuts and optimization of where money should be allocated.

State Rep. Christopher Markey, D-9th Bristol, had filed a petition in January to raise bar advocates compensation rates thats now before a Judiciary Committee. However, he said a quick resolution may only come by way of a newly filed supplemental budget addressing the raise.

This supplemental budget, however, may not come through until October, Markey said  if it does at all. He and other lawmakers feel bar advocates have a responsibility to get back to work in the meantime.

I just feel like with that comes this responsibility for assisting these people, Markey said.

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Gov. Maura Healey urged legislators to reach an immediate solution on Wednesday and for the attorneys to return to work.

I just continue to strongly urge resolution ... This is a public safety issue and also a due process issue, people need representation, Healey said, adding that she will work in any capacity to help the issue.

But to Adela Aprodu, a private attorney in Essex County who hasnt taken a new case since Memorial Day, the blame lies with the lawmakers  and she says their delay in addressing the crisis not only over the decades, but since the work stoppage began in May, is disheartening.

Theres obvious disappointment at the lawmakers for not taking the constitutional crisis seriously, Aprodu said.

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It should be clear that the burden is not on the attorneys to provide counsel to the defendants, but its on the legislature to do that ... it falls on the legislature to provide working conditions, including the pay, to get people to come to work.

Private attorney Sean Delaney represents clients in both Barnstable and Middlesex courtrooms, and has had a 30-year career representing clients who cant afford a lawyer. He said the pay issue has been apparent for nearly two decades.

This has been crumbling for 15 years. This didnt happen overnight. If the legislature was not aware of it, they must be under a rock someplace, Delaney said.

A court order

The work stoppage triggered a rare court order on July 3 in Suffolk and Middlesex County courtrooms called the Lavallee protocol. This measure is designed to protect the constitutional rights of criminal defendants who cant afford a lawyer, known as indigent.

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By law, indigent defendants must be appointed an attorney. But since bar advocates  the lawyers who represent them  stopped taking new cases since Memorial Day, the Lavallee protocol ensures these defendants arent held for more than seven days without a lawyer.

Their cases are also dismissed without prejudice after 45 days without a lawyer, meaning charges could be refiled. The first round of those individuals cases came before courts on Tuesday, when over 100 Boston criminal cases were tossed out.

Aprodu, who works in Essex County courthouses not under the Lavallee protocol, says her courtrooms are on the verge of the same crisis in Suffolk and Middlesex. Delaney said the same for Barnstable County.

But the Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the state public defender agency that represents bar advocate attorneys interests, said the organization wont be seeking an expansion of the Lavallee protocol into other counties as of noon on Wednesday. It did file to seek an expansion of the protocol into the juvenile court system for Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk counties on July 18.

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About 80% of the cases that go through CPCS are handled by bar advocate attorneys, and the other 20% are handled by full-time CPCPS staff lawyers. Those staff lawyers have been attempting to take on the impossible workload and now, many CPCS county offices are at capacity.

We are at capacity in both Suffolk and Middlesex but are taking cases where counsel is most-urgently needed, as is required under the Lavallee protocol, said CPCS spokesperson Robert McGovern.

In our Roxbury office, we are beyond capacity at this point, and that office can no longer take any cases. Capacity is fluid, and we are constantly monitoring our caseload and capacity to serve clients, McGovern said.

CPCS has been in close and ongoing contact with members of the Legislature in regards to the crisis and the profound impact it is having on our clients, the courts, and the integrity of the legal system.

What can be done?

The parties are discussing what can be done to alleviate it, McGovern said, and lawmakers are taking this matter seriously and are working diligently to craft a solution.

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But until then, Delaney, Apordu and OBrien all said they would not return to work until legislators pass the $35 raise theyre asking for, which OBrien said was their reasonable ask as its still much less than other states.

I am holding out personally, yes, for at least $100 an hour before I would ever take a district court case again ... I cant speak for everybody, but there are a lot of people who are just like me, OBrien said.

And to many bar advocates, the two-month delay by legislators in addressing the crisis feels unimaginable.

I was certain when cases started getting dismissed, that would be the breaking point, said Shira Diner, immediate past president of Massachusetts Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

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But, she said, there have been so many breaking points, ranging from the first day that people went into court and there were no lawyers to represent them, to when people started being released from custody because there are no lawyers.

The problem, Diner fears, is not going to self improve.

Lavallee Protocol

Read the original article on MassLive.
A CT scan machine in a hospital. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)

As Virginia lawmakers heard from state health officials Wednesday about potential effects of federal healthcare funding changes approved by Congress earlier this month, it became clear to Del. Cia Price, D-Newport News: we at this time do not have a true sense of what were up against.

Thats because of the whiplash created by the swift passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act despite inter-party disagreements, which President Donald Trump signed on July 4. The federal reconciliation bill aimed at reducing taxes for some and increasing federal spending on the U.S. military and border security came at the price of changes to federal healthcare funding that affect hospitals and Medicaid eligibility.

Cheryl Roberts, Virginias Medicaid Director, briefed members of Virginias Joint Commission on Healthcare about the future landscape of health insurance and hospital funding.

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Of Virginias roughly 1.9 million people on Medicaid, those most estimated to be affected, Roberts said, are the over 600,000 that became eligible since Virginia expanded its program in 2018. They will become subject to work requirements and twice-yearly verification for coverage.

She said the eligibility criteria includes work, community service, education or a combination of these things as long as it amounts to 80 hours per month. Whats still unclear, she said, is what the federal government might deem to fit those requirements more specifically with regards to community service and education.

Roberts did surmise, however, that the additional verifications will pose challenges for the Department of Social Services and localities to process.

Without question. Thats going to be hard on (them), she said.

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Del. Rodney Willet, D-Henrico, noted how difficult navigating the paperwork can be for some recipients paired with the additional workload on government workers.

Roberts said that the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance services is going to focus on streamlining the process as much as it can and to make electronic options available. But she estimates half of the verification process is what were going to have to figure out.

She emphasized that like lawmakers seeking to understand potential and expected impacts, her department is also operating with a lack of clarity for now.

We do not have [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] guidance for 90% of this, and thats important, Roberts said. When I say we dont know  we really dont know yet.

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As the reconciliation bill was fast-tracked through Congress over the summer, hospital associations in numerous states co-signed a public letter warning how funding changes to hospitals would negatively impact their abilities to remain open in some areas or face service cuts in others.

On Wednesday, Roberts didnt share a concrete number, but she acknowledged that hospitals stand to lose billions of dollars. Del. Willett had noted an estimate of billions to which Roberts replied: yes.

We give the hospitals billions of dollars, so the decline would be billions, she added.

The Mercury and other media approached Roberts after her presentation for an interview, but were instructed to send emails. The Mercury also emailed to inquire specifically how many billions of dollars could potentially be lost, but did not receive an answer by the time of this publication.

While congressional Democrats unanimously opposed the bill, some Republicans were hung up over the proposed hospital funding changes. To bring more Republicans on board, Congress added the Rural Health Transformation Program to funnel $50 billion nationwide for rural hospitals.

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State Sens. David Sutterlein, R-Roanoke, and Chris Head, R-Botetourt, noted how constituents in Heads predominantly rural district often receive healthcare from facilities in Sutterleins. As Sutterleins district includes urban and suburban areas like Roanoke and Salem, they questioned how the eligibility would work for hospitals there.

There is a foreboding fear among all of the hospital administrators that Im in contact with, Head said. It is going to be critical for us to come up with a plan to triage.

Such concerns were also relayed by Ballad Health chief operating officer Eric Deaton in a recent call with the Mercury.

As the hospital chain has several rural facilities in Southwest Virginia and Tennessee, Deaton said he wonders how states are going to be able to respond. In the meantime, he said his hospital chain will look inward at how it can adjust and stay connected to federal lawmakers.

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Youve got two opportunities (to make up for funding loss)  either increase market share revenue or you decrease your cost, Deaton said.

In other words, consumers with private insurance could see rising rates to compensate for care, or certain services at some hospitals could be scaled back or scrapped.

As uninsured people are more likely to put off care until emergencies arise, the cost of the care is absorbed by hospitals, who periodically negotiate with private insurers.

Deaton said hospital chains like Ballad are exploring leaning into telemedicine where possible and are in conversations with Virginia and Tennessees congressional delegations about what future federal action could undo or soften the blow of this summers reconciliation bill. While Congress bill passed earlier this month, the changes to hospital funding dont kick in until 2028 and changes to Medicaid for patients begin in 2027.

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This is not the last bill that Congress is going to pass, Deaton said.

In the meantime state lawmakers around the country must contend with how federal changes will affect their constituents.

Price looks forward to more concrete data that she and her 139 colleagues can work with come next years legislative session  or sooner should lawmakers reconvene for a special session.

Were here in summer. Were starting to think about what legislation could look like for the next session, she said. But were kind of flying in the dark right now.





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UPDATE 7/24: VSP announced that Sophia Graza was found safe.

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  Virginia State Police (VSP) and the Fairfax County Police Department announced that a 16-year-old girl who went missing in Fairfax County was found safe.

Just minutes before 4 a.m. on July 24, state police issued a CODI Alert for Sophia Garza, who has been missing since Wednesday night.

Theyre gross: Invasive spotted lanternflies take over DMV

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Police stated that she was last seen in the 6300 block of Camilla Street in the West Springfield area around 11 p.m. on July 23. Garza was wearing a blue and white tie-dyed shirt, as shown in the picture below, with black sweatpants.

In an update just before 9 a.m., VSP announced that its CODI Alert was canceled and Garza was found safe.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses a press conference at the Ukraine Recovery Conference on July 10, 2025 in Rome, Italy. Credit - Stefano CostantinoSOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images

We have watched with increasing dismay and as the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has acted against political opponents, culminating in recent measures to strip the countrys anti-corruption institutions of power amid the sanctioning of prominent political opponents, the detaining of vocal skeptics on apparently specious charges, and a pattern of democratic backsliding. President Zelensky has been lionized as a hero, but these missteps are a reminder that all leaders are susceptible to errors.

Such missteps have inflamed Ukrainian civil society. Videos shared by Ukrainian anti-corruption activist leader Daria Kaleniuk show thousands of outraged protesters taking to the streets of Kyiv, in the first anti-government demonstration since the outbreak of Putins invasion, and what appears to be the largest demonstration since the Maidan Revolution of 2014, which led to the ouster of pro-Russian Putin leader Viktor Yanukovych.

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Capturing the sentiments of many, one Ukrainian activist, Kateryna Amelina said, My husband is in the trenches and this is not what they are fighting forthis could be the destruction of 10 years of work by civil society. These actions have provoked similar global outcry from Ukraines allies, including top EU leaders.

Zelensky, claims that these crackdowns are needed because anti-corruption investigations were tainted by Russian influence and were doing Putins bidding. Now, Ukraines domestic security police force has been busy detaining anti-corruption activists on supposed links to Russia. These crackdowns may fracture Ukrainian unity and undermine global support at a time when Ukraine can ill-afford such mistakes. The response of the Zelensky Administration to smear anti-corruption probes as Russian propaganda is misguided and self-defeating, as many within Ukraine point out.

At the same time, we do recognize the fact that there has been too much corruption pervading the Ukrainian government. Former Deputy Chief of Staff Rostyslav Shurma was ensnared in a scandal where his brothers company received subsidies from the Ukrainian government for solar plants in Russian-occupied territories. Former Agriculture Minister Mykola Solsky was arrested after documents emerged suggesting his involvement in a land grab scheme, in which he apparently led co-conspirators in seizing 1,250 land plots totaling nearly 2,500 hectares. And Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov was enveloped in a high-profile scandal where he allegedly accepted bribes in return for helping a powerful developer seize valuable land in Kyiv on the cheap. The list goes on with allegations of wrongdoing in everything from questionable privatizations to embezzlement to self-dealing. With aid for Ukraine becoming a political lightning rod, sweeping credible allegations under the rug and pretending there is no problem is not the right move.

Time and time again, when existential challenges beckon, Zelensky has shown he can summon the courage and clarity to meet the moment. Already, we are told that Zelensky is considering a new bill which restores some of Ukraines anti-corruption infrastructure, which would be a positive first step. But much more needs to be done to restore shattered trust, and its not too late to right the course. Acknowledging mistakes and reversing course rather than digging in is a mark of true leadership.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on July 24 urged China to leverage its close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin to help advance peace talks with Ukraine.

"China has an influence on Russia, like the European Union has an influence on Ukraine," von der Leyen said after a summit with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. "It is our expectation that China uses this influence to make sure that Russia is coming seriously to the negotiation table."

Her remarks came a day after Ukrainian and Russian delegations held a third round of talks in Istanbul. The meeting lasted less than an hour and ended without a ceasefire agreement.

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Russia's offer included temporary 2448-hour ceasefires to recover bodies and the wounded but it again rejected a complete ceasefire.

At the talks, Kyiv proposed a summit between President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin before the end of August, a proposal the Kremlin has not yet accepted. The Ukrainian president has consistently signaled openness to direct talks, while Putin has so far refused.

Von der Leyen stressed that the EU doesn't need to pressure Ukraine, as she mentioned the country is already showing a willingness to negotiate.

"We in the European Union don't even have to use our influence, because President Zelensky has already offered and is at the negotiation table," she said. "But it is important that we have a ceasefire and that the (leaders') negotiations at the table take place."

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Despite repeated calls from Ukraine and the West, Beijing has maintained its support for Moscow. China remains Russia's top crude oil importer and a major supplier of dual-use components used in its defense sector.

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U.S. officials have echoed von der Leyen's remarks. U.S. Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker warned on July 22 that China may face consequences if Moscow rejects a peace deal.

"They need to be called out for subsidizing this killing," he told Fox Business.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on July 14 that Russia would face "severe" secondary tariffs unless it agrees to end the war within 50 days. The strategy aims to cut off Russia's oil revenue, which accounts for about one-third of its federal budget.

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If a third country like China keeps buying Russian oil, exports to the U.S. could face a further 100% tariff, significantly raising prices for American consumers and squeezing Chinese exporters.

Earlier this month, the South China Morning Post reported that Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas that Beijing cannot afford for Russia to lose the war, citing unnamed diplomatic sources.

Putin is expected to visit China in September for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit, where he will meet Xi Jinping.

Read also: US senator Lindsey Graham criticises Zelenskys signing of anti-corruption law

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First)  Voters in Zachary will decide on a proposed school district tax initiative in November that would go toward raises for teachers and staff, building maintenance, and updating technology.

The Zachary Community School District explains online that while this is a new proposed tax, it would not increase tax rates. Voters would see the proposition, which would rededicate funds from existing bond tax millages, on the ballot in the Nov. 15 election.

The proposal is to continue collecting a property millage that is already in place (from bonds that are being paid off) and use that money for other district needs. In short, you will pay the same property tax rate you pay now  its just that after the bond is paid each year, any millages not needed will go into teacher pay, school maintenance, and technology instead of rolling off, the school system explained.

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School district officials said school board members could roll millages back if more funding becomes available.

Voters who want to ask questions or learn more about the tax initiative can attend a community meeting set for 6 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at the school districts main office on Church Street.

What would the funding go to?

If approved, the money would go to three specific areas.

Pay raises: The school district said it aims to be more competitive with salaries and benefits for teachers and staff like nearby districts.

Building upgrades: Officials said repairs and upgrades are needed for older school buildings between 10-20 years old. Projects would include roof replacements, HVAC systems, and safety improvements.

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Technology upgrades: Funding would be used to upgrade technology for staff and students.

Louisiana Bond Commission OKs 3 East Baton Rouge tax plan ballot measures

What voters need to know for Nov. 15 election

Deadline to register to vote in person, by mail, or at OMV office: Oct. 15.

Deadline to register to vote online: Oct. 25.

Deadline to request absentee ballot: By 4:30 p.m. Nov. 12.

Early voting dates: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 1-8, excluding Nov. 2.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on election day.

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DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  The United States Postal Service is celebrating the approaching 250th anniversary with a contest.

According to USPS, 25 of its stamps it calls bestselling and most popular were selected by the organization to be decided by individuals during an ongoing voting session.

Zaxbys project moving forward in Butler County

Stamps in the competition include Bugs Bunny (1997), Message Monsters (2021), Mister Rogers (2018) and more.

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To vote, either can click here or print out a paper ballot here to mail to the following address:

USPS Stamp Encore | Photo/United States Postal Service

Attn: Stamp Encore

U.S. Postal Service

475 LEnfant Plaza SW #3300

Washington, DC 20260

Voting closes Sept. 30.

The winning stamp is expected to be announced at the Boston 2026 World Expo in May 2026. It will be reprinted for 2026 Stamp Program.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens at the Mackinac Policy Conference, May 30, 2024 | Anna Liz Nichols

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens has picked up a key endorsement in her campaign for Michigans open U.S. Senate seat. Defend the Vote, a national organization focused on safeguarding voting rights and strengthening democracy, announced its support for Stevens on Thursday.

Haley Stevens understands the system is stacked against working people and that Michiganders have had enough, Brian Lemek, the groups executive director, said in a release Thursday. Shell fight to rebuild our democracy so it serves all of us, not just billionaires. We desperately need her energy, leadership, and change to get our country back on track.

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Stevens (D-Birmingham) is among several high-profile Democrats seeking the nomination to run for U.S. Senate, including state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), former Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) and former Wayne County Health Director Abdul El-Sayed. On the Republican side, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-White Lake) launched another bid, after losing to now-U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) by just over 19,000 votes in 2024.

In response to the endorsement, Stevens emphasized her commitment to voting rights and democratic values.

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Im proud to have Defend The Votes endorsement in my Senate campaign and look forward to working with them to protect all Michiganders personal freedoms and the sacred right to vote, Stevens said. Theres never been a more important time to defend our democracy and I will never back down from that fight.

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Defend the Vote recently launched a $14 million cycle plan to elect pro-democracy candidates through direct donations, fundraising support, research, and on the ground and in-state campaign support.

Last election cycle, the group said it helped elect 108 candidates across the country, including 75% of the candidates it endorsed.

In its endorsement, Defend the Vote said that Stevens would fight to ensure our democracy responds to the needs of the people on issues like lowering costs and protecting access to health care.

The group also noted Stevens support of the Freedom to Vote Act and John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act as well as funding for local election workers to run safe and accessible elections without threat of harassment or intimidation.
VERMILION PARISH, La. (KLFY)  Sheriff Eddie Langlinais of the Vermilion Parish Sheriffs Office took to social media to announce a partnership of the VPSO marine division and the United States Coast Guard.

He highlighted the collaboration is already making waves.

When I took office, I made a promise to the people of Vermilion parish that we would partner up with other agencies to assist us in making Vermilion Parish a safer place and one of those partnerships was working with the United States Coast Guard, Langlinais said. The concern in the waterways were of course boating traffic, but also like narcotics smuggling narcotics within our parish. We dont want to put up with that kind of stuff. So this was a way that we had an opportunity to work with the Coast Guard and its not just the Coast Guard. Were working with our other federal partners, as well as our state partners in doing the same thing.

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The partnership started about three or four months ago. Langlinais said the Coast Guard reached out to VPSO as they knew the sheriffs office was trying to work on partnerships with different agencies. Once with a plan they decided they would work together on the parish waterways.

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We would work with them. They would work with us and it just makes things flow a whole lot easier when we have other partners that are trying to do the same thing and make our communities safe, he said. I think just the optics by itself, knowing that we are partnering with our federal agencies such as the Coast Guard to help us and us help them working on certain things. I think just the optics of people seeing us working together gives a feel of comfort to a safer community.

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Langlinais said a big safety violation they see is a lack of life jackets.

A lot of people just like to have enough, or neglect to put them on, or neglect to have them at all, said Langlinais.

He said working with the U.S. Coast Guard gives them an opportunity to board vessels utilizing the Coast Guard federal credentials.

They actually are with us to be able to pull that off. They are able to do things that we cant do but I think by enabling us to work together, by us working together, it helps us to form a bond that again gives the optics of a safer community, which it is, he explained.

The teams will be checking to make sure vessels are prepared with safety gears such as throw cushions and fire extinguishers.

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They would go out and they have certain things that theyre looking for that kind of alert them on certain activities within the waterways and once they find something that theyre looking for, then they approach that vessel and see basically whats going on, said Langlinais.

As for the future of the marine division, the partnership is a great start.

If we had the money, we would have a huge Marine division. We are operating within what we have now. Marine division takes a lot of maintenance and care because those vessels are not cheap and to run the maintenance and the fuel are not cheap, but by us working together with the Coast Guard, we are able to utilize some of their things as they are able to utilize some of our things, he said.

A reminder for boaters is if you are going down a waterway where there are other people, use common courtesy, especially with the boat causing a wake for the people that live on the water with the camps that are there on the dock, as well as other boaters that are coming through.

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HUDSON, N.H. (ABC22/FOX44)  One woman from Vermont was seriously injured in a Robinson Pond boat crash Monday, police say.

Officers were initially dispatched to the scene at about 3:04 p.m. Authorities believe that the operator, a Hudson resident, hit a floating swim platform with the boat for reasons which remain under investigation.

One of the four passengers, a 54-year-old Glover, VT resident, was thrown from this boat. She was taken to a hospital via helicopter, because of a serious leg injury.

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This crash is still under investigation.

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BRIMFIELD, Ill. (WMBD)  A local event is helping to bring awareness to a sensitive subject related to mental health.

Whitneys Walk for Suicide Prevention and Awareness is returning to Jubilee College State Park in Brimfield for its 22nd year, and is hosted by Carle Health Center for Philanthropy in Greater Peoria.

Nicole Hayse, executive director of development for the center, explained why benefits like Whitneys Walk are important, especially now.

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Right now, especially, any type of mental health, theres always been kind of a stigma around that topic, Hayse said. Its something that Carle Health in general feels really strongly about.

Hayse continued by saying the meaning of the event is trying to erase that stigma and make it known that this is something that is serious and it affects a lot of people.

Whitneys Walk offers flexible sign-up for annual event

The 5k walk and run has raised more than $1.8 million in funding since it started in 2004. All of the proceeds stay in central Illinois to fund education resources and programming for mental health and suicide prevention.

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If you arent able to attend the event, you can register for the race from a unique running location. People are also able to make a donation towards the event in honor of a person impacted by suicide.

The walk and run will take place on Saturday, with people starting to gather at 6:45 a.m. The first race starts at 7:55 a.m.

For more information on the event and to find out how to get connected, click here.

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Oklahoma State Board of Education members are asking state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters why they wouldnt be consulted about the state Education Department partnering with an Arizona-based private online school whose operators have come under scrutiny in their home state.

During the board's monthly meeting on Thursday, July 24, Walters touted the agreement between the agency he leads and the American Virtual Academy. Walters said he was excited to partner with a new private school "focused on promoting patriotism and American values.

Other board members met Walters' optimism with questions about the school's poor track record in Arizona, which it lists on its website as its home base.

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A charter school run by American Virtual Academy, known as Primavera, has been targeted for closure by the Arizona Charter Board, according to reporting by Phoenix television station KPNX. The board noted the school received "D" letter grades for its academic performance for three consecutive years. The boards decision is being appealed.

On social media, the schools founder, Damian Creamer, said the process of revoking the boards charter will be overturned due to a correction of the record that Primavera was a performing alternative school during 2024.

Creamer said separately on social media that American Virtual Academy's new agreement with Oklahoma was a "huge win."

More: Oklahoma schools rank 50th in the nation in latest education quality study

State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters is pictured July 24 at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting in the Oliver Hodge Building.

Walters said Tuesday, July 22, when he announced the agreement, that American Virtual Academy is seeking approval to participate in Oklahomas Parental Choice Tax Credit program.

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But a change in that program made by the Legislature in 2024 appears to make only private schools in Oklahoma eligible for funds from that program. Walters said during the July 24 meeting that the school has an Oklahoma address. The Oklahoma secretary of states website does not list an American Virtual Academy or a Primavera as registered to do business in Oklahoma.

Emily Haxton, a spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Tax Commission, said that agency has not received an application from American Virtual Academy to participate in the Parental Choice Tax Credit Program.

The OTC cannot determine a schools eligibility to participate in the program until all required information has been submitted, she said.

In 2022, the now-disbanded Statewide Virtual Charter School Board rejected an application from an organization known as Verano Learning Partners, which was led by Creamer. The organization wanted to open an online charter school in Oklahoma.

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Since American Virtual Academy is seeking to operate as a private school instead of a charter school, it would not fall under the purview of the Statewide Charter School Board, which replaced the virtual charter school board.

People in attendance react to Ryan Walters at the July 24 Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting.

Two state Board of Education members  Zachary Archer, of Hammon, and Sarah Lepak, of Claremore  did not attend the meeting, but the four other members who did attend all pressed Walters about the agreement between the agency and the school.

Member Ryan Deatherage, of Kingfisher, asked about news reports concerning American Virtual Academys situation with the Arizona Charter Board and asked if that conversation should be held by the Oklahoma board.

Walters replied that a lot of the press has got this blatantly wrong and said American Virtual Academy is a private school and a different school with a different mission.

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Deatherage asked if the partnership would be brought before the board, to which Walters replied, No, sir. Deatherage then asked for a legal reason why the partnership wasnt brought before the board before Walters announced it. Chad Kutmas, an attorney for the board, said, Thats something that I would have to research in order to provide that answer.

Becky Carson, of Edmond, the boards newest member, asked if there were an Oklahoma-based school that might offer the same service, saying she was very pro-buy local.

Walters replied with a political shot at Gov. Kevin Stitt  with whom hes having an ongoing political feud  by noting the four board members present all were appointed by Stitt and suggesting they have a conversation with the governor about school choice.

Carson again asked her question, and Walters said, Thats up for a parent to decide. Theyre going to have options. Again, if a local, private school wants to provide these opportunities educationally, then great. Thats what we want to continue to encourage.

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Multiple public schools offer free online instruction in Oklahoma, the largest being Epic Charter Schools, with more than 25,000 students.

Board member Chris Van Denhende at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting in the Oliver Hodge Building.

Board member Chris Van Denhende, of Tulsa, asked if the partnership between the agency and American Virtual Academy involved any financial commitment by the state of Oklahoma. Walters said it would only be through the Parental Choice Tax Credit. In response to a question from board member Michael Tinney, of Norman, Walters said he wasnt aware if American Virtual Academy paid any money for recognition from the Oklahoma State Department of Education.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Walters defends agency's deal with embattled Arizona online school
Republican state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters says Oklahoma will roll out a new certification test "in two weeks or so" for teachers moving to Oklahoma from "left-wing" states.

Walters gave the timeline for the highly publicized test as he spoke at the Oklahoma State Board of Education meeting on Thursday, July 24.

He did not specify what would be covered in the test or identify exactly who would be required to take it. He has said his agency, the Oklahoma State Department of Education, is developing the test with PragerU, a conservative nonprofit.

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Youre not going to come in here and teach that theres 27 genders. Theres boys and girls. That's in our science standards, Walters said as he explained the test at the board meeting. Youre going to come in, and youre not going to undermine American exceptionalism by teaching anti-American, anti-Semitic hate.

Walters named California and New York as two states that have adopted requirements for teachers that run antithetical to Oklahomas standards. California, Walters contended, now requires educators to teach students there is no difference between genders.

According to the California Department of Education's website, students must be taught "about gender, gender expression, gender identity and explore the harm of negative gender stereotypes. Schools must also "teach about all sexual orientations and what being LGBTQ means."

Walters said "seven or eight other states" are also moving toward dramatically crazy requirements on their teachers. Without citing any Oklahoma laws or rules, Walters said teachers from those states must take the new test to show they align with Oklahomas curriculum standards.

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"The test is going to be very straightforward, very matter of fact," he said. "It should be very common sense."

His insistence that some teachers would be required to take the test and not others raised questions from other members of the state Board of Education.

Walters said the test would not need the board's approval. Board member Ryan Deatherage asked for legal documentation as to why that was the case.

"We've already got all that, so we can get it to him," Walters said.

The board's attorney, Chad Kutmas, then added that he would have to research it.

Board member Chris Van Denhende asked whether the tests were necessary because teaching contracts require educators to teach to Oklahoma standards.

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Van Denhende also asked if the state education agency had a way to determine whether current Oklahoma teachers meet the standard that some out of state teachers would now face.

You go through those tests. Then when you sign your teacher contract, what you are agreeing to is when you teach a biology course, for example, you are agreeing to teach those standards, which is why the standards are so important, Walters said.

Walters also said ensuring teachers are following the standards is part of the accreditation process in the school districts.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Walters says test for teachers from 'woke' states will be ready soon
I want justice: Mother pleads for answers a month after sons unsolved murder in north Charlotte

A month after Dashon Lawrence Sims was shot and killed in North Charlotte, his mother is still seeking justice as the case remains unsolved.

Dashon Lawrence Sims, 29, was shot and killed on June 22 at a motel on North Tryon Street.

Despite an ongoing investigation by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, no arrests have been made, leaving Sims mother frustrated and seeking answers.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 1 dead following north Charlotte shooting, police say

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Those people in that car know what happened to my son, and nobody has come forward, said Sims mother, who spoke to Channel Nines Glenn Counts but did not want her face shown.

Sims mother expressed her frustration with the lack of information from the police, stating, I want justice for my son, and it seems like I aint got no justice, nobody on my side, nobody telling me, nobody helping me with anything, I dont have anything, Im just all alone.

She said she believes her son did not know the people he was with and suspects it was a setup.

She also disagreed with any suggestion that the shooting might have been self-defense.

CMPD has stated that the investigation is active and ongoing, and they will provide updates.

VIDEO: Shooting outside Catawba County laundromat leaves man injured
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Las Vegas homebuilder is giving away a brand-new house, and its all for a good cause.

Touchstone Living is raffling off a newly built townhome in North Las Vegas, with proceeds benefiting Meals on Wheels through Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada.

Were incredibly grateful for Touchstone Livings generous support of our mission, Sara Ramirez, CEO of Catholic Charities of Southern Nevada, said. Their donation is not only helping to generate excitement in the community with the chance to win a brand-new home, but is also making a direct impact on the lives of the seniors we serve. These funds will go toward providing consistent, nutritious meals and essential support, helping our clients live with dignity and security.

(Touchstone Living) (Touchstone Living) (Touchstone Living)

Tickets are on sale now $25 for one, five for $100, or 50 for $500. The deadline to enter is July 31.

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The grand prize includes a townhome in the Crimson Collection at the Watercolor Planned Community, three bedrooms, two baths, and access to shared courtyards and resort-style amenities. The home is located at 2870 Heritage Court in North Las Vegas.

The winner, selected in early August, can choose the home or take home a cash prize of up to $250,000.

Click here to enter.

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The number of casualties the U.S. military would suffer in a war against China could be unlike anything it has experienced during the post-9/11 wars, said Lt. Gen. Joel JB Vowell, deputy commanding general for U.S. Army Pacific.

Our assumptions for planning is that casualty estimates will be much higher than you might have seen or witnessed as part of the Global War on Terror between Iraq and Afghanistan and other places where there are very small numbers, relatively in contacts who were who were killed and injured, as compared to large-scale combat operations, Vowell recently told reporters. A potential conflict with the Peoples Republic of China likely would result in large-scale casualties.

China has a growing arsenal of hypersonic missiles and other advanced weapons that could pose a major threat to U.S. ships, including aircraft carriers, which can have a crew of up to 5,000 sailors and Marines.

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Those potential casualties are there, so we have to calculate that mass casualty event, Vowell told reporters at a July 22 Defense Writers Group event, which is based at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

The Center for Strategic and International Studies, or CSIS, has conducted 50 war games in recent years looking at a possible Chinese invasion or blockade of Taiwan that estimated between 9,500 to 21,000 U.S. troops would be killed and wounded, and that the American military would lose dozens of ships and hundreds of planes, said retired Marine Corps Col. Mark Cancian, a senior advisor with the think tank.

The reason the casualty numbers are not higher is the scenarios did not envision U.S. troops being involved in ground combat, Cancian told Task & Purpose. Taiwanese ground forces fought Chinese troops in these wargames.

U.S. casualties would likely run higher if American ground troops were tasked with defending Taiwan or recapturing lost allied territories, such as Matsu and Kinmen islands, which are governed by Taiwan, he said.

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While tens of thousands of U.S. troops were injured in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, they frequently received life-saving care quickly. Air superiority often allowed U.S. military helicopters to evacuate service members to Combat Support Hospitals and Forward Surgical Teams with the golden hour  or 60 minutes from being wounded.

Far more service members would be wounded and need to be medically evacuated in a conflict with China than the U.S. military has had to deal with during the Global War on Terrorism, Vowell said.

Its not a simple problem of the golden hour, he said, adding that instead of the U.S. military having to transport one or two service members wounded by an improvised explosive device to surgical teams,Itll be hundreds.

To treat the casualties from a war with China, the U.S. military would likely need to partner with other countries, deploy updated versions of Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals in forward areas, and transport patients out of the region for surgical care, Vowell said.

U.S. and Australian soldiers simulate medical evacuation during a hoist training class in preparation for the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center Exportable exercise at Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, May 24, 2025. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Argamaso.

But evacuating casualties from the Western Pacific to advanced trauma centers far from the front lines would be a huge challenge given the vastness of the Indo-Pacific region, Vowell said.

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And Ill be honest, I dont know if we have the full answer on it, he added.

Manila in the Philippines is about 7,400 miles from San Diego. Thats more than twice the distance between New York and London, Vowell said. It is even further to get from the Arctic Circle to New Zealand.

Exacerbating the problems of transporting wounded troops such long distances, China can keep combat zones under persistent surveillance and strike U.S. ships and airfields, he said.

In addition to evacuating wounded troops, bringing fallen service members home could also prove to be difficult, said Vowell, who noted that more than 17,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who were killed in World War II are interred at Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.

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Thats why we have overseas cemeteries, Vowell said. We dont want to have to do that again.

All these challenges underscore the scale of how destructive a conflict with China would be, he said.

And so, the ultimate goal here, ladies and gentlemen, is no war, Vowell said. It would be catastrophic on a humanitarian scale, civilians, military alike. Itd be catastrophic on a global economic scale. And so medically, we practice what to do to protect and to triage and to evacuate our soldiers, I think weve got work to do there.
Ukraine's former commander-in-chief and current Ambassador to the U.K., Valerii Zaluzhnyi, has warned that Russia's war against Ukraine could last until 2034.

"If we try to establish a ceasefire without building up our future defenses, the war will drag on for many more years. It began in 2014  God willing, it will end in 2034," Zaluzhnyi said in an interview with LB.ua published on July 23.

According to Zaluzhnyi, Ukraine entered a new, radically different phase of its war with Russia in 2024.

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He described a shift in Russia's battlefield tactics, noting that the Kremlin has abandoned direct assaults in favor of a war of attrition targeting both Ukraine's military and civilians.

"Right now, the front line exists mainly for killing," Zaluzhnyi said. "In 2022, tanks rode in front, and personnel followed them... Now, tanks and soldiers have switched places."

According to the former top general, Kyiv must overhaul its defense strategy and approach to mobilization to prevent Russia from exploiting Ukraine's demographic and economic vulnerabilities.

Zaluzhnyi's comments came a day after Ukrainian and Russian delegations met in Turkey on July 24 for a third round of peace talks. The meeting, which lasted less than an hour, ended without a breakthrough.

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Russia offered only temporary 2448-hour ceasefires to retrieve the wounded and the dead, again rejecting Ukraine's proposal for a complete, unconditional ceasefire.

Russian President Vladimir Putin remains intent on continuing the war until the West agrees to terms favorable to Moscow, Reuters reported on July 15, citing sources close to the Kremlin.

Speaking on May 22, Zaluzhnyi said Ukraine can only sustain a "high-tech war of survival," and the only viable path to victory is dismantling Russia's military and economic capacity to wage war.

Read also: Von der Leyen urges China to press Putin to engage seriously in Ukraine-Russia peace talks

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WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  An ordinance requiring people with more than four cats to register with the city was removed from the agenda of Warren City Councils Wednesday meeting.

It was proposed to help deal with what some council members say is a feral cat population, which in some neighborhoods has become a nuisance. Although the ordinance was removed, it was not scrapped altogether.

The ordinance was introduced by Warren councilwoman Honeya Price after a recent incident involving a resident of her 6th Ward.

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Fifty-six cats were removed from someones yard  not her house, but her yard, Price said.

Prices proposal would have required anyone in Warren owning more than four cats to have a cat harborage license, where each cat would be documented, their house would be inspected by the health department, and they would pay a $15 annual fee.

Jason Cooke runs Warrens Healthy Hearts and Paws Project, where 50 unwanted cats are being housed. Cooke spoke at the meeting, saying hes received numerous complaints about the proposed ordinance and that he does not support it.

I felt that it was an overreaction, Cooke said. We are promoting responsible pet ownership. We want the residents of the city of Warren to come and adopt more cats from us and give them great homes.

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Price told Cooke that the same laws apply to people owning four or more dogs.

I dont remember the last time that ordinance was ever enforced, Cooke said.

Fabian Pike, Trumbull Countys chief human officer, said hes an advocate of the cat control process known as TNVR, which stands for Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Release. However, that process takes time.

It also stops multiple animals from being born. So, they will eventually go away, but youre going to have to have a two-year plan and not a two-month plan, Pike said.

It was because of the uncertainty that Price decided to pull the ordinance from the agenda for now.

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Im listening to both sides of our residents, and Im trying to weigh out what to do and trying to partner with other organizations, Price said.

The consensus after Wednesdays meeting was that, even though this may not be the right ordinance, something still needs to be done to control the outdoor cat population.

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ST. LOUIS  A man from Warren County, Missouri, pleaded guilty Thursday to charges related to the distribution and receipt of child sexual abuse material.

50-year-old Donald Carl Held admitted to sharing explicit images with an undercover investigator from Homeland Security Investigations. The images, which he claimed depicted a 15-year-old girl, were exchanged via the messaging app Teleguard. Held also claimed to have been engaged in sexual activity with the teen.

An investigation by HSI and the St. Charles County Police Department led to a search of Helds home in March of 2024, where they recovered numerous electronic devices containing CSAM. Helds phone alone contained 1,077 images and videos of child exploitation. He also communicated regularly with others on Teleguard and Telegram, exchanging CSAM and offering advice on avoiding law enforcement detection.

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Held faces up to 40 years in prison, with both charges carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years. His sentencing is scheduled for October 27.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)  A Warren woman pleaded guilty to second-degree felonious assault in a local shooting case.

Jasmine Dawkins, 31, entered the plea Thursday in Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas. The plea includes a mandatory three-year gun specification, according to a news release from the Trumbull County Prosecutors Office.

Prosecutors say the case stems from the April 15, 2025, shooting of a man who was hit in the right arm. The injury required surgery.

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Dawkins will have a mandatory prison sentence because a gun was used during the crime, and she will be sentenced after she submits to a background investigation conducted by probation officers, according to the release.

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PENSACOLA, FLORIDA (WMBB)  A federal judge sentenced Brandon Taylor, 42, to 180 months in federal prison after having previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and distribution of methamphetamine after an investigation in Washington County.

Distribution of methamphetamine and other drugs in the smaller towns and rural areas of northwest Florida have a devastating effect on the citizens of those communities, said U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, John P Heekin. My office is committed to working with our local and state partners, and the federal law enforcement agencies, to aggressively target and prosecute those who distribute these deadly drugs in our district.

Court documents reflect that from 2019 through 2022, Taylor received large quantities of methamphetamine from a source in Georgia and distributed those drugs to dealers and users in Washington County and Bay County.

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He used a courier provided by his source in Georgia or recruited subordinate drug dealers and users from the area to travel and pick up the drugs for him. He paid them in methamphetamine.

This same investigation led to the prosecution and conviction of four other Washington County residents in 2023, who were customers of Taylor. The investigation led to the seizure of several kilograms of methamphetamine, and the identification of illegal drug sources in Florida, Alabama, and Georgia.

The hard work and determination of the law enforcement agencies involved ultimately led to the arrest of Taylor and identified several additional drug suppliers in surrounding states, said Drug Enforcement Administration Miami Field Division Special Agent in Charge Deanne L. Reuter. Methamphetamine is a dangerous drug that can destroy families and communities. The surrounding areas will be safer and healthier with this drug trafficker off the streets.

This case resulted from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Washington County Sheriffs Office, the Chipley Police Department, the Bay County Sheriffs Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney Walter Narramore prosecuted the case.

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This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative of the Department of Justice to repel illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

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WAUKEE, Iowa  Former teachers, friends, and loved ones gathered at Eason Elementary School and Willowbrook Park to celebrate Ava Weitl coming home after 682 days in the hospital.

Ava has hypoplastic left heart syndrome, a rare heart condition, which required her to have a heart transplant.

Cristina DeShaw, Avas Mother, said she was happy to finally bring Ava home from the hospital.

We celebrate Ava in 680 days of strength and resilience and being a bright light and so joyful through it all. And shes inspired so many people. We heard that all the time, DeShaw said.

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Ava only had three weeks of fifth grade before heart complications forced her to go to Mayo Clinic Hospital.

She arrived in the PICU September 10th of 2023. She had not been feeling well and we went up and then, much to our surprise, they said that she was going to have to stay indefinitely until she received her new heart, DeShaw said.

How the 2025 National Senior Games is managing the Midwest heat

Ava eventually received a heart transplant, but she wasnt out of the woods.

They knew that her lungs might struggle afterwards because shes had compromised lungs since she was a baby. And unfortunately, they did way more than they thought and she had several other complications. And so we actually lost her kidneys trying to save her lungs, DeShaw said.

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Ava would remain on dialysis for nearly a year before finding a kidney donor.

So, she received her kidney transplant on January 20th. So we thought, okay, even on Avas timeline, we should be home by like March, right? Well, Avas body always has other plans. And so she ended up having a ton of complications. And here we are on July 23rd and she is finally home, DeShaw said.

Avas parents, teachers, and former classmates surprised her by showing up to a fifth-grade clap-out.

So, seeing her face when she realized that everybody that she loves was on the other side was just such a gift, DeShaw said.

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DeShaw said she thinks her daughters condition will improve now that she is home.

Nothings going to hold her back and she is just overjoyed to be here. Being home is the best medicine and being surrounded by her community and her friends and just doing normal 13 year old things. I know thats going to do her body and her heart so much good after so long in the hospital, DeShaw said.

Metro News:

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  Construction crews were out and working on the Aldridge Creek Greenway Wednesday after a bridge collapsed along the trail Tuesday morning.

The trestle bridge collapsed, dropping two rail cars into the creek below. Huntsville Madison County Railroad Authority (HMCR) said no one was injured and the train cars were not carrying any hazardous materials.

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The Aldridge Creek Greenway is a popular spot for people across the Tennessee Valley to enjoy various outdoor activities. Some runners, like Abraham Flores, said they were not aware of the trestle bridge collapse until they encountered roadblocks from construction crews along the trail Wednesday.

I was just running on the trail. I parked at Challenger, running down it. And I noticed it was closed off, and I was really confused, Flores said. I thought about going around it, but I was like, I think theres a reason.

That reason is that greenway space surrounding the bridge is closed to the public due to an ongoing federal investigation into the collapse, along with keeping trail users safe.

Holly Weber grew up near the creek and said the bridge has been deteriorating for quite some time, saying the weather was a large factor in its structural integrity.

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Only on News 19: Family shares experience with daughters rare genetic disorder

I couldnt believe it finally came down. It looked like it was on its way out, but it kind of sucks to see it go, Weber said. The wood was in bad shape. The creek floods a lot, so over the years, there was a lot of water damage to it.

Governor Ivey awarded the HMCR a $1 million grant in 2024, dedicated to repairing railroads, including the Aldridge Creek bridge.

In a press release from The Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs, Ivey speaks of the railroads industrial importance.

The Huntsville and Madison County Railroad Authority has been an important short-line railroad that for years has dutifully served multiple industries. I am pleased to announce this funding for the upgrades that will help the rail system continue providing vital service for area industries for years to come. Governor Kay Ivey

Mark Lumb with the HMCR said those funds will be available in October, and repairs to the bridge and railroad could start around then. Although there is no start date or plan in place without the funding.

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Those repairs will now take several months and could cost more than the grant.

The greenway area surrounding the bridge will be closed while the investigation continues, and will likely remain closed after its completion for repairs.

It is unclear if industries that receive materials due to this trains operation will be impacted.

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The prospect of Bostons notoriously congested and confusing streets being traversed by self-driving cars is prompting some to worry about safety and job security in the city.

Earlier this year, Waymo, a leading self-driving car company that operates robotaxis in several cities across the country, began deploying its vehicles in Boston to begin mapping the city.

Although the mapping cars were operated by humans and the company has not yet announced plans to expand its service to Boston, the initiative sparked conversations at both the city and state levels about how to prepare for the potential impacts of driverless technology.

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City officials and labor leaders told city councilors during a hearing on Thursday that, in addition to fears about autonomous vehicles (AVs) ability to safely navigate Boston if Waymo expanded to the city, it would significantly jeopardize existing rideshare and taxi drivers ability to make a living."

The hearing was attended by a large group of rideshare drivers, who also staged a protest outside City Hall after the hearing.

Waymo and other companies that are putting driverless cars and trucks on our roads like to describe themselves as people who are working toward a utopian future. Nothing could be further from the truth, said Teamsters Local 25 Secretary-Treasurer Steven South. This company is steamrolling into cities throughout our country without concern for the policymakers, workers or residents who live there.

Last year, drivers for rideshare companies such as Uber and Lyft gained the right to form a union through a statewide ballot initiative.

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In response to job concerns, Matt Walsh, Waymos regional head of state and public policy, stated that the company is creating jobs, estimating that 100,000 new jobs will be generated in the AV industry over the next decade. While they do not have drivers for individual trips, the service is still supported locally by mechanics and people who keep the cars clean.

The company is working on ways to increase opportunities for people to enter the industrys job pipeline, he said, such as a recent partnership with Bronx Community College in New York to develop a specialized curriculum.

What people fail to see, because they dont see it as a customer, is the sheer number of people that are involved in making this service work, he said. Yes, its a driverless car, but at the end of the day, we count on the incredibly hardworking individuals that work at Waymo and our partners to make that service work.

As Waymo explores expansion to Boston, he added, residents here will not switch completely over to driverless rides overnight, and the service is intended more as an additional transportation option rather than a replacement for Uber and Lyft.

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However, City Councilor Sharon Durkan, who chairs the Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation, said in other cities, Waymo has already taken up a large chunk of the ride-hailing market. She cited recent news reports that the company accounts for about 20% of Uber rides in Austin, just a few months into its launch there, and 27% of rideshare trips in San Francisco.

City officials said they are examining how a Waymo deployment could impact Bostons economy, such as the effect on restaurants that use app delivery services or the potential loss of wages that drivers would otherwise reinvest in local businesses. However, they said there is not yet enough data to determine the overall effects.

The safety of passengers and other road users was also a big concern for city councilors and officials.

Walsh said the company has seen 88% fewer crashes involving serious injuries and 79% fewer airbag deployments when compared to human drivers.

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But others said those numbers dont show the whole picture. Theres the possibility of blocking traffic or bike and bus lanes while waiting for passengers, potentially forcing other vehicles into dangerous situations, or even obstructing emergency vehicles.

Imagine a Waymo stuck at a light in a narrow North End street with a fire truck behind it trying to get through, Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Bostons chief of streets, said. How does that vehicle respond in that situation? Does it do the right thing to make sure that its protecting public safety? These kinds of concerns dont show up in the stats.

Others emphasized the importance of having a human driver to assist passengers in the event of a medical or other emergency. Boston Firefighters IAFF Local 718 President Sam Dillon gave the example of a passenger having a heart attack or an overdose in the backseat, saying that in an Uber or Lyft, the driver could call 911 immediately, shortening the time before first responders arrive.

Bostons unique streets, laid out centuries ago before cars were invented, along with its harsh winter weather, set the city apart from other cities where Waymo is already operating. Currently, the company offers its service in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Austin and Phoenix, Arizona and has plans to expand to Miami, Florida, and Washington, D.C. next year.

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Franklin-Hodge noted that Waymo and other AV companies had started out in Phoenix because the Arizona city was built for the car with easily navigable streets and no winter weather.

As anyone who has driven on Boston streets will tell you, driving here is not like driving in the rest of the country, he said. Even if Waymos can operate safely in Boston, if every Waymo drives like a confused out-of-state tourist, we will very quickly find them unwelcome on the streets of Boston.

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Read the original article on MassLive.
When Bill Clinton needed a plane for a whirlwind tour of Africa, his fixer knew the man to call.

In the autumn of 2002, the silver-haired former president with a megawatt smile was down on his luck and deep in debt.

Why not ask Jeffrey Epstein, the secretive financier known as a fixer for some of the richest people in the US, said Doug Band, Mr Clintons chief counsellor.

The nine-day trip the men then shared has now become a subject of intense focus for allies of the current occupant of the White House  who is struggling to shift the news agenda on from his own ties to the deceased paedophile whose little black book contained 14 phone numbers for Donald Trump, and 21 for Mr Clinton.

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On Wednesday, a key Trump ally in Congress organised a successful vote to subpoena both Mr Clinton and his wife, Hillary. Should they be deposed, they will be questioned once more about what they knew of the child sex-trafficking ring that was, at the very least, run right under the noses of the richest and most powerful people in the US.

Mr Clintons trip with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell is the focus of intense scrutiny

Im never going to let this story go, because of what I heard from a source about Bill Clinton on a plane with Jeffrey Epstein, said Dan Bongino, the deputy director of the FBI, shortly before he took office.

Mr Clinton, now 78, has always denied having had any knowledge of the terrible crimes committed by Epstein. I had always thought Epstein was odd but had no inkling of the crimes he was committing, he wrote in his 2024 memoir, Citizen: My Life after the White House.

But there was enough strange behaviour on Epsteins luxury Boeing 727 jet for Mr Band to claim he subsequently advised the former president to end their relationship.

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On Sept 21 2002, Mr Clinton climbed on board along with Kevin Spacey, Chris Tucker, Ghislaine Maxwell and Epstein himself. Also present was a 21-year-old masseuse, Chauntae Davies, who later testified that she was repeatedly raped and abused by Epstein.

The Lolita Express, as the aircraft would become known, had multiple private compartments and a Round Room with a doughnut-shaped couch, according to its pilot. The cockpit door was always closed.

Mr Clinton with Ghislaine Maxwell at the entrance to Epsteins plane, which was to be dubbed the Lolita Express - Mega

When not in the air, Mr Clinton glad-handed with prime ministers and fellow presidents, beginning his relaunch as the kind of global statesman who could help to solve intractable problems such as the spread of HIV/Aids, and not an incorrigible Lothario who received oral sex from an intern in the Oval Office.

Providing the funds for this transformation  and basking in his proximity to power  was Epstein. It was a report on their trip in the New York Posts Page 6 that turned the shadowy fund manager into a figure of nationwide gossip, prompting two eyebrow-raising profiles in Vanity Fair and New York Magazine.

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Asked for his opinion of Epstein after the trip, the former president offered his gratitude but did not suggest the two were friends. Jeffrey is both a highly successful financier and a committed philanthropist, he told New York Magazine. I especially appreciate his insights and generosity during the recent trip to Africa.

Epstein, for his part, reportedly told friends that Mr Clinton stunned foreign leaders in the same way Mike Tyson would if he walked into a downtown gym, saying: Hes the worlds greatest politician.

There is no suggestion that Mr Clinton was aware of how Epstein treated Ms Davies, who was among dozens of young women known to hang around the bachelor. But it hurt his reputation when a photograph was released in 2020 of the young woman giving him a massage.

In the image, taken in a Portuguese airport en route to Africa, Ms Davis stands behind the former president, kneading his shoulders.

Chauntae Davis seen giving Mr Clinton a massage in a Portugal airport in 2002 - Mega

[Clintons] stupid, but hes not an idiot, one source told the reporters Daniel Halper and Alana Goodman, denying Mr Clinton was engaged in sex with the young women who surrounded Epstein.

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But he was getting it on with Maxwell, claimed the source, who was quoted in the journalists 2020 book A Convenient Death: The Mysterious Demise of Jeffrey Epstein. A Clinton spokesman has called this claim a total lie.

That the two had a rapport is clear. Another image from the Africa trip shows them standing side-by-side at the top of the stairs up to the cockpit, with Mr Clintons hand on Maxwells shoulder.

On a stopover on the way back to the US, the former president joined in the cheeky tour Prince Andrew led around Buckingham Palace, in which Maxwell and Kevin Spacey were pictured sitting side-by-side in thrones reserved for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.

Even after Epsteins abuse was first uncovered, the pair remained in contact, with Maxwell invited to the wedding of Chelsea Clinton in 2010. By then, Epstein had finished his 13-month prison sentence for sexually abusing a minor  and Maxwell had been served with deposition papers in a separate civil suit.

Maxwell was invited to Chelsea Clintons wedding - Genevieve de Manio

On Thursday, Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general, was due to meet with Maxwell, who is serving a 20-year sentence for procuring underage girls for Epstein to have sex with.

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Democrats have warned that Mr Blanche could float a full pardon for Maxwell in exchange for information that politically benefits President Trump. Others have speculated she may be willing to stretch the truth in order to get out of prison.

In 2020, Mr Band, Clintons former fixer, gave what remains the most revealing interview about life on board Epsteins plane on that fateful Africa trip.

Epstein, he told Vanity Fair, made a series of ridiculous claims, including that he had invented the derivatives market. While unaware of Epsteins crimes, Mr Band said he got enough bad vibes to advise a cease to all relations.

The advice, apparently, was not immediately followed. Mr Clinton has long denied ever having visited Little St James, Epsteins private island in the Caribbean, where much of his abuse took place.

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But Mr Band  who fell out with his former employer before the interview  claimed he did indeed visit, in January 2003, on a trip he declined to attend himself. A spokesman for the Clintons provided Vanity Fair with a detailed travelogue that contained no evidence of such a journey.

Donald Trump is facing an increasing number of questions regarding his relationship with Epstein and Maxwell - Getty Images/Richard Corkery

That Epstein got a kick out of his ties to Mr Clinton was evident.

In his appeal against further sex trafficking charges in 2019, his lawyers said he had been one of the originators of the idea for the Clinton Global Initiative, casting it as proof of his good intentions and, implicitly, of friends in high places.

A signed photograph of Mr Clinton was displayed in his New York mansion and, later, Epstein bought a painting of the former president in red high heels and a blue dress  just like the one Monica Lewinsky reportedly wore for their Oval Office encounter.

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Before it was ever hung on the wall, Mr Clinton did set some distance between himself and his rich acquaintance.

In late 2003, Epstein organised a dinner in honour of Mr Clinton in New York. Also in attendance were Lord Mandelson and David Blaine, who performed card tricks to barely clad models, New York Magazine reported. Mr Clinton, however, never showed up.

And Mr Trumps efforts to turn the focus on to his political rival are complicated by another name on the guest-list that night  his own.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mo.  Springfield warmly welcomes travelers from around the world, providing a diverse array of attractions. Our compilation showcases venues where you can savor delightful cuisine, uncover hidden treasures, and partake in thrilling adventures in the Queen City of the Ozarks.

Where to go:

Springfield is always alive with activity. Whether its the First Friday Art Walk, the largest and most extensive Bass Pro store, the Springfield Cardinals, or the Springfield Conservation Nature Center and Dickerson Park Zoo, theres an abundance of attractions to enjoy.

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Take a look at our compiled list:

Top 6 must-see places when you are visiting Springfield

Weekend events:

What to eat:

Springfield takes pride in its diverse array of cuisines sourced from around the globe. Whether your palate craves classic all-American fare, Japanese delicacies, Mexican flavors, Italian creations, Chinese specialties, Thai delights, succulent steaks, elevated bar cuisine, or the unique Springfield-Style Cashew Chicken, a brief journey will open up a world of delectable tastes for you to savor.

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5 unique restaurants you must visit when in Springfield

Some notable restaurants according to 417mag.com:

Avanzare Italian Dining

Flame Steakhouse & Wine Bar *closed Sunday*

Jimms Steakhouse & Pub

Metropolitan Grill *closed Sunday*

Ocean Zen

Bambinos Cafe

City Butcher and Barbecue

Pineapple Whip

Nearly Famous Deli & Pasta House

Cafe Cusco

Cesars Old Mexico

Zayka Indian Cuisine

Neighbors Mill Bakery & Cafe

Black Sheep

The Sub Shop

Piccolo Contemporary Italian

Wire Road Brewing Company

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"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."



When you bleed, your body kicks into action with a series of reactions to help blood clots form to stop it. Called the coagulation cascade, this involves up to 20 different proteins known as clotting factors, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. But when you dont have one or more of these clotting factors, you have a higher chance of excess bleeding. Hemophilia A and B are the result of the lack of certain clotting factors. And some of the symptoms of these conditions may seem a bit odd.

Hemophilia A is caused by the lack of blood clotting factor VIII, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Hemophilia B happens when the body doesnt make enough of coagulation factor IX.

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While both conditions are slightly different, the symptoms are generally the same. (However, they may vary based on how severe your condition is.) Most people with hemophilia are diagnosed at a young age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But its possible to have a mild case of hemophilia A or B that goes undiagnosed until later in life, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Meet the experts: Allyson Pishko, M.D., a hematologist with the Penn Blood Disorders Center at Penn Medicine; Asefeh Faraz, Ph.D., A.P.R.N., associate professor at The George Washington University School of Nursing

Hemophilia isnt a condition thats well-known to the general population and the exact number of people living with hemophilia isnt known, per the CDC. What is known is the condition is much more common in genetic males than females, and that hemophilia A is three to four times as common as hemophilia B.

Both types can cause long-term complications like joint issues, and severe cases may be life-threatening, especially if they go untreated. With that in mind, these are some lesser-known symptoms of hemophilia A and B doctors want you to keep in mind.

Excessive bleeding

Having hemophilia means that you may end up bleeding for a longer time after an injury than if your blood clotted properly, explains Allyson Pishko, M.D., a hematologist with the Penn Blood Disorders Center at Penn Medicine. There is some variation here, though, and that can influence when someone is diagnosed.

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If severe, hemophilia is often diagnosed during infancy, says Asefeh Faraz, Ph.D., A.P.R.N., associate professor at The George Washington University School of Nursing. Otherwise, its diagnosed later in life if a patient has excessive bleeding after injury or surgery. Dr. Pishko also points out that someone with hemophilia may have excessive bleeding after their wisdom tooth is removed or they have a tonsillectomy. Excessive bleeding is more than would be expected with a typical cut or injury, and [is] unable to be stopped using typical first aid, Faraz says.

Easy bruising

People with hemophilia may develop larger bruises after having injuries that are relatively minor, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This is a sign of bleeding under the skin. There are not enough clotting factors in the blood to help slow down the bleeding that can lead to these large, noticeable bruises, Faraz says.

Heavy periods

While hemophilia is much more common in men than women, females can inherit the condition, Dr. Pishko says. This diagnosis is sometimes missed in females as they have been told that hemophilia only affects males, she says. But Dr. Pishko says that women with hemophilia may end up dealing with heavy periods or heavy bleeding with childbirth. It is important for females to have testing of their blood clotting levels if they have a family history of hemophilia or symptoms, she says.

Bleeding after vaccination

Its not common for anyone to experience bleeding from the injection site after getting a vaccine, but there is a slightly increased risk of bleeding after getting a shot in people who have hemophilia. People with hemophilia also have higher odds of developing a hematoma, or closed wound where blood collects, after being vaccinated, too, per the Mayo Clinic.

Joint pain and swelling

Hemophilia can cause bleeding in the joints, too, Dr. Pishko says. This presents as sudden pain and swelling in the joint, she says. It can occur repeatedly within the same joint. If left untreated, frequent bleeding in the joints can raise the risk of arthritis.

Lower range of motion

Because hemophilia can impact the joints, it can also limit your range of motion. This is more common in females with hemophilia compared to those who dont have a bleeding disorder, according to the CDC.

Nosebleeds

Everyone experiences nosebleeds at some point, but nosebleeds with no known cause can be a sign of hemophilia, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). This can happen when a blood vessel in the nose breaks and doesnt clot easily.

Blood in the urine or stool

Blood in the urine or stool can be a sign of internal bleeding. In the case of hemophilia, it can be spontaneousmeaning, it comes on suddenly. If you happen to notice blood in your urine or stool, its important to get it checked out right away, whether you suspect that you have hemophilia or not.

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DENVER (KDVR)  The Weld County Sheriffs Office took to social media on Wednesday to quell fears that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were in northern Greeley.

However, there was a police presence along North 25th Avenue Court Wednesday after a property owner reported finding a dead body.

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The agency said that deputies were called to the area at about 2:42 p.m. on Wednesday for a death investigation. There, they learned that the property had been the site of a fire earlier this year and during renovations, the home had been vacant.

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The homeowner said the body was found while they were renovating the home.

The Weld County Coroners Office took possession of the body.

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The Weld County Sheriffs Office said there is no danger to the public, and the investigation into the body is ongoing.

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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  Multiple law enforcement agencies in West Central Texas are advising citizens to secure their valuables as they seek an armed and dangerous man implicated in numerous thefts that have occurred over the last week, according to the Coleman Police Department.

In a public statement issued on the morning of July 4, Coleman PD reported that it, alongside the Coleman County Sheriffs Office and numerous other law enforcement agencies in West Central Texas, are searching for a suspect  that has been implicated in numerous thefts that have occurred over the last week in multiple counties in West Central Texas, including most recently the City of Coleman, Coleman County, and Brown County.

San Angelo police launch homicide investigation after death of 19-year-old

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The suspect, identified as Scotty Ray Dyer, is a wanted fugitive and is a suspect in multiple burglaries and thefts, in which vehicles, equipment, firearms, and services have been stolen, as per Coleman PD.

Dyer was described as a white man measuring 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighing approximately 160 pounds. He was stated to have brown and gray hair, a scar above his right eye and tattoos on both arms as well as his right shoulder and chest.

Coleman PD said that Dyers last known location was in Coleman County, just outside the city limits of Coleman in the early morning hours July 24, 2025.

The department warned residents of West Central Texas that Dyers is considered armed and dangerous and urged them to contact 911 immediately should he be located.

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Stay on the line with the 9-1-1 calltaker and provide updates on the physical description,

location, and direction of travel until law enforcement arrives, Coleman PD said. Citizens are encouraged to not approach or attempt to apprehend Dyer.

Coleman PD stated that, as an added level of prevention and protection, citizens are encouraged to remove the keys from all vehicles, remove all valuables, and lock the doors of vehicles, businesses, residences, and outbuildings at all times.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com.
Three generations of the Hannong family gathered on a West Palm Beach property hidden by a decaying 12-foot fence and a crush of foliage to hear a man talk about a cabin that fell through time in a place once called Mangonia.

Down a shade-embraced path of moldy pavers, the small home is believed by some in the Northwood Shores community to date to the early pioneer days of the area, possibly as far back as 1893, when Lucretia and Henry Hannong arrived by schooner to the western shore of the Lake Worth Lagoon and established a homestead.

The 2023 death of a previous property owner and subsequent sales left the cabin open to inspection by neighborhood historian and trained city planner Carl Flick. He fears the recent discovery could be lost again, this time forever, as properties near the waterfront are gobbled up by investors keen on profiting from the city's post-pandemic renaissance.

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Its hard to get people excited by something so diminutive, Flick said about the cabin. But this is a connection to another century.

Its rickety pine needle green porch is splintered, its west wall is soft with rot and modifications over the decades conceal its true history.

But there are clues to its senescence  uneven crudely cut boards were found under drywall and there are no roofing trusses as seen in more modern construction. The home is angled to catch cool breezes off the Intracoastal Waterway, which was a must before air conditioning. It was built on one of the first lots platted in 1892 by Elbridge Gale, a minister who planted the mango trees that lent the town of Mangonia its name.

In the past week we were able to ascertain that this was the cabin of your great-great-grandmother when we exposed the floors and walls, Flick said to members of the Hannong family who came together on a steamy July morning to see the flagging artifact. Everything we have found supports that.

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Flick, a coil of energy and passionate history buff, had been trying to reach someone from the Hannong family since 2018, when he first saw the home on a 1920 Sanborn Co. map.

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His urgency increased after the longtime owner of 233 33rd Street died and the property, which includes the cabin and another house that county records date to 1928, was sold for $1.5 million in September 2024.

As of July 22, the property was listed for sale for $2.1 million on Realtor.com. It was marked pending, meaning a sale was imminent or recently closed. No deed had been filed in official county records.

Flick had tried to make Northwood Shores a historic district in 2023. It's a designation that would offer better protection to the handful of century-old homes in the community. But neighbors voted it down, leaving the aging structures vulnerable to demolition.

The 0.36-acre lot where the cabin sits is one block west of popular North Flagler Drive. A newly built home on the same block is on the market for $6.5 million. A waterfront home across the street on North Flagler is listed for a notable $37.5 million. A home two blocks south is for sale at $4.3 million.

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More: Northwood Shores divided: Will a 'historic' designation ward off rampant development?

Flick would like to see the cabin moved and used to display the history of Mangonia, which begins to disappear from newspaper stories as a standalone town in the 1920s.

He acknowledges that skepticism about the cabins true identity is founded.

But some facts, a little faith, and the intriguing tale of a castaway town may be enough to make a case for saving it, said Rick Gonzalez, a West Palm Beach Architect who visited the cabin and specializes in historic preservation.

Sometimes you dont have everything you need to tell a story, so you use what you have to tell it, Gonzalez said. It is well worth saving.

'We came to a wilderness': West Palm area's first settlers

The city of West Palm Beach was founded in 1894 as the first incorporated municipality in what was then Dade County. It evolved beside railroad tycoon Henry Flagler's crafting of Palm Beach into a bastion of winter leisure and wealth.

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But a decade before West Palm Beach was established, Elbridge Gale took a boat south from the St. Johns River to the sparsely populated shores of Lake Worth where Mangonia grew.

The Hannongs, who bought Lot 30 of Plat 1 of the Gale subdivision, helped build Henry Flaglers Royal Poinciana Hotel in Palm Beach. Henry Hannong was the first custodian at the Palm Beach County Courthouse.

'POST TIME': Lost town of Mangonia Park stood in present-day Northwood

Henry and Lucretia's son, Robert Hannong, was deputy sheriff of Palm Beach County at one time but drowned near Lantana Beach in 1920. Henry followed six years later, dying at the age of 74.

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It's believed Lucretia Hannong was 110 years old when she died in 1951. She was often interviewed for Palm Beach Post stories about the areas past.

"We came to a wilderness in 1893," Lucretia Hannong said in a 1945 Palm Beach Post article. "(It was) a wild new land that was inhabited mostly by deer, turkeys, quail, fish and occasionally Seminole Indians on hunting trips."

The area of Mangonia, which is just north of downtown West Palm Beach, evolved to include the Mangonia school, a general store and the Mangonia Boat Works at Gales Point  a knuckle of land that stuck out into the lagoon until the shoreline was filled in for development.

A map of the former town of Mangonia overlayed on a current map.

The cabin that Flick believes is that of Lucretia and Henry Hannong is directly one block west of the boat works site.

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The Hannongs address was 237 Mulberry St., which is confirmed in a 1936 Palm Beach Post classified listing that announced a complimentary ticket had been won by Mrs. Lucretia Hannong, 237 Mulberry Street. The ad does not say what the complimentary ticket was for. At some point Mulberry Street became 33rd Court.

A classified note in a 1936 edition of The Palm Beach Post shows Lucretia Hannong's address as 237 Mulberry Street. Mulberry Street no longer exists.

In 1951 when Lucretia died at 110, her lot was acquired and erased so 237 Mulberry Street went into the history books, Flick said. Her living so long, her longevity, probably helped preserve the house.

Losing West Palm Beach history one home at a time

West Palm Beach has 18 historic districts. They mostly date to the 1920s land boom, which was followed by a second post-World War II population surge in the 1950s. Homes must be at least 50 years old to be considered historic, and 50%, but preferably 80%, of homes in a community must be historic to be considered for historic district status.

Some communities without historic protections have experienced waves of knockdowns and new builds since the pandemic migration bolstered city wealth. That's happened in the popular community south of Southern Boulevard, nicknamed SoSo, where 1920s-era homes of wood and stucco mix with mid-century concrete block ranch-style houses.

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From 2020 through 2024, 106 new homes were built in SoSo east of Dixie Highway, according to Palm Beach County Property Appraiser records. With limited vacant lots, most were likely built on properties where older homes were demolished.

A 1927 Spanish-style home on Murray Road with a stately tower and pecky-cypress ceilings in SoSo was demolished in 2021 after it was bought for $2.2 million by a limited liability company. The West Palm Beach historic preservation planner saw the demolition permit and offered to move the home, but was unsuccessful.

A new 4,300-square-foot house with a pool and a total market value of $8.6 million now sits on the lot.

In April, West Palm Beach city commissioners approved the construction of a 21-story condominium on North Flagler Drive called Apogee that will mean the demolition of a 1949 Mediterranean-style estate formerly owned by gadabout Wolfgang Von Falkenburg.

Artistic renderings of the planned Apogee condominium tower on North Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. A 1949 Mediterranean estate now sits on the lot.

The neighborhood of Sunshine Park, which is north of Belvedere Road and west of Dixie Highway, was so tired of seeing its land boom-era homes replaced with modern boxy houses that it lobbied for and won historic district status in 2022.

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"This whole city, the whole state, is open for business and to hell with historic renovation and thoughtful building," said Gonzalez, whose firm renovated the 1926 Harriet Himmel Theater in CityPlace and has been critical of a recent remodel.

The remodel was completed, in part, so an Eataly Italian marketplace could go into the bottom floor of the old theater. It is set to open this fall. Gonzalez called the remodel an "unsympathetic, major, non-historic renovation to the interiors and exterior of the historic and cultural landmark."

Preserving Mangonia: What West Palm, private citizens can do from here

A few clapboard pioneer homes from the Mangonia days still exist in Northwood Shores, but the dates of some of their construction are muddled. Flick says a house on 31st Street was built between 1895 and 1898. The Palm Beach County Property Appraiser lists its construction as 1925, but Flick said a fire destroyed the early property records and that he has tax maps that reflect the earlier construction date.

The Mangonia Boarding House, originally believed to be a hospital, was built in a Dutch gambrel style between 1895 and 1905, Flick said. It still sits at 239 31st Court. Near it is the 1924 former Pillar of Fire Church, now a single-family home.

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The Hannong family, first skeptical of Flick's advances, now hopes he is successful in saving the cabin.

We all talk to each other, and when he contacted us seven years ago we were like, Whats he up to and why?  said Bill Hannong, 78, who drove from Fort Myers to see the cabin. We knew about our great-great-grandmother but growing up, grandaddy and his brothers didnt really talk about it.

Assistant City Administrator Armando Fana and City Commissioner Cathleen Ward also visited the cabin at Flicks invitation. They said there is little the city can do to preserve it because it was never historically designated and theres no indisputable evidence that it was built in 1893.

Lucretia Hannong, seen here in a photo taken in the 1940s, was an early pioneer of Mangonia, now the Northwood Shores community north of downtown West Palm Beach. Her 1893 homestead is believed to still be standing. She died in 1951 at the age of 109 or 110.

Carl is our local historian, and I really appreciate him documenting and sharing the history of this area, Ward said in an email. Unfortunately, the city isnt always in a position to intervene, but I do hope the new owners realize the history they stumbled upon and try to do their best to save some of it.

There is some doubt about the cabins origin. Ginger Pedersen, also a local historian and author, said shes dubious the structure dates to 1893. Termites, the 1928 hurricane and repeat floods in the area all work against the idea that it is 132 years old, she said.

Its possible, Pedersen said. But who knows of the structure thats there whether the Hannong family was actually in it.

The oldest home in West Palm Beach is on Plymouth Road and reliably dates to 1895, Pedersen said.

Flick believes there is enough evidence that the cabin is the Hannong homestead to pursue its relocation, or have it rebuilt at the vacant boat works site in the style of the 1890s.

The house has fallen through the cracks, Flick said. "We live in this incredible spot with a history that no one knows about."

Kimberly Miller is a journalist for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA Today Network of Florida. She covers real estate, weather, and the environment. Subscribe to The Dirt for a weekly real estate roundup. If you have news tips, please send them to kmiller@pbpost.com. Help support our local journalism: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: West Palm Beach's Northwood Shores could be site of 1893 cabin
An empty field lies next to the Tennessee Electric Vehicle Center at Ford's BlueOval City campus in Stanton, Tenn. on June 5, 2025. (Photo: Cassandra Stephenson)

The board controlling the West Tennessee Megasite  home to Fords BlueOval City electric vehicle and battery manufacturing campus  unanimously approved zoning rules Wednesday that require greater protections for the Memphis Sand Aquifer, the regions drinking water source.

The 4,100-acre megasite sits atop the aquifer, which is protected from surface-level contaminants by a layer of natural clay. But breaches in the clay can allow contaminants to reach the water that serves much of the Mid-South.

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The federal government requires states to identify areas where contaminants can reach drinking water sources and develop plans to protect public water supply around well locations, but the zoning ordinance adopted Wednesday goes beyond those protections, extending some regulations throughout the entire megasite.

The zoning regulations are embraced by Protect Our Aquifer, a Memphis-based nonprofit dedicated to protecting water quality in the Memphis Sand Aquifer that has been pushing for their passage for years.

There are residents that do surround BlueOval City that rely on these private wells for drinking water, and they deserve this reassurance that their health is really being thought about in the process of building out this big facility, Protect Our Aquifer Executive Director Sarah Houston said. This ordinance helps protect them, protect and reduce future financial liability for the state of Tennessee, the megasite and even Ford and other tenants.

The ordinance now requires any special-use permit application within the state-owned megasites boundaries to provide evidence that the proposed land use will not negatively impact the aquifers water quality. Any plans for site approval must also provide information about any hazardous materials that could be used on the site and demonstrate that these uses will not impact the aquifer.

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Additionally, typical regulations would impose stricter protections to prevent contaminants from entering wells within a 250-foot radius of a well site for an industrial water system, and lesser standards within a 750-foot radius. The new ordinance applies the most stringent protections within the entire 750-foot radius.

The University of Memphis Center for Applied Earth Science and Engineering Research (CAESAR), Ford and other stakeholders determined stricter regulations made sense, Chris Bowles, outside counsel for the board, said during Wednesdays meeting.

Once fully operational, there will be a tremendous amount of water being drawn from these wells, Bowles said. You can imagine contaminants flowing very quickly from the edges of that wellhead protection area, out the well and into the system serving this industrial park, so there was a desire based on that volume to provide that greater level of protection.

Some questions remain. Houston wants to know how megasite-wide requirements for hazardous material disclosures and mitigation plans will be monitored and enforced. She also asked if a specialized engineer will review mitigation plans presented with permit applications.

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Chris Richards, a member of the Megasite Authority board, suggested adding an annual review of this zoning ordinance to the boards regular calendar so the board can feel comfortable that the intent of the document, which is extraordinarily comprehensive, is being met.

Houston said the regulations are not about punishing businesses or trying to stall development, but rather about risk management and avoidance of long-term costs on a site where there will inevitably be spills and leaks. She alluded to multi-million-dollar cleanups that resulted from past poor practices in Shelby County.

We support this great step, and we think it sets a really positive precedent for sustainable development, and it sends a really clear message that protecting the Memphis Sand Aquifer is not optional, Houston said. Its a shared responsibility, and we can all have a role in what this looks like. These are real, practical, basic solutions.
Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4)  A West Valley City man has been arrested for allegedly making threats toward a former employer after being unable to get legal help against them.

Troy Aaron Martin, 51, was arrested and is being held on potential charges of threat of terrorism, prohibited dangerous weapon conduct, possession of a controlled substance, and endangerment of a child.

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According to arresting documents, on June 26, 2025, Martins therapist contacted the West Valley City Police Department (WVCPD) after a session. The therapist reported that Martin had stated that if he did not receive the legal resolve he wanted from a previous employer, he would take matters into his own hands.

READ NEXT: Former officer allegedly flees, threatens police with an axe

Allegedly, when the therapist asked for clarification, Martin stated that he would take his firearms and kill the people that had wronged him at his previous employer and then kill himself. Due to the threat of violence, the therapist made a mandatory report to the police.

When investigators with WVCPD looked into the case, they found that he had made similar threats in December 2024 while speaking with an attorney. The attorney allegedly told Martin that he did not have a case against his previous employer, and Martin responded that if he did not get someone to represent him, he would possibly carry out a mass shooting.

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Police contacted Martins previous employer, and the business stated that they had taken action to prevent Martin from entering the building or posing a danger to employees. The employer placed signs with Martins photos, hired outside security, and placed license plate reader security cameras to prevent him from coming onto the property.

On July 23, search warrants were served at Martins residence in connection with the investigation. Police located two firearms and several large bags and a 5-gallon bucket containing marijuana. Because a child lived in the home, officers believed the large amount of marijuana was child endangerment. WVCPD took Martin into custody and brought him to the station for an interview.

Roy man arrested, charged with alleged sexual abuse of step-grandchild

During the interview, Martin allegedly admitted that he owned two firearms and used marijuana daily. He also told police that his usage had increased since he started having issues with his previous employer, and that he used it to self-medicate depression and ADHD.

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Police asked Martin about the threatening statements he allegedly made during his therapy session. The man responded that he never made a threat but did say that if he was unable to get a legal remedy to the situation with his previous employer, a shooting may occur.

Martin reportedly went on to say that he may be the type of person that could harm his family if he did not get the help he feels he needs. Officers asked about his statements during his conversation with the attorney, and Martin confirmed that he had told the attorney he would kill the people who wronged him and then himself.

Martin was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail, where he is currently being held without bail. He has not been formally charged, but police believe he poses a threat to his family and his former employer and has impacted their business with his threats.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
A Lee man who was critically injured when the motorcycle he was riding crashed in Lenox on Sunday died of his injuries on Wednesday, the Berkshire County District Attorneys Office announced Thursday.

Gustavo Bernal, 49, was found unconscious in the middle of road by a Massachusetts State Police trooper who was on patrol, the district attorneys office said. Police responded to the single-vehicle crash at the intersection of Route 7 and Plunkett Street shortly after 9:30 p.m.

Paramedics took Bernal to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, but he died of his injuries three days later, the district attorneys office said. Authorities are still investigating the crash.

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The district attorneys office did not include any information about the cause of the crash. No further information has been released.

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Read the original article on MassLive.
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  Syracuse City School District has joined other CNY districts by voting yes on Wednesday night, in favor of their new cellphone ban policy.

This comes after Governor Kathy Hochul implemented bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones in K-12 schools. The state requires all school districts to implement a plan by August 1. The state aims to create a distraction-free environment by implementing the policies.

Main restrictions that districts policies must include

Schools must follow Hochuls guidelines, which say that students may not use their cellphones on school grounds for the entire school day, or bell to bell, including during recess, lunch, or study hall periods.

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According to New York States website, the policy lets schools decide how to store the phones. The state also made funding available to make the policy easier for schools to adopt.

Schools must address the concerns of parents who want to contact their kids.

What school districts plan on

SCSDs policy aims to work with individual buildings to figure out what works best for them, according to Monique Wright-Williams, the districts chief engagement officer.

Schools that already have a process in place will be able to maintain their process because its worked for them all year, said Wright-Williams.

According to Wright Williams, the school plans to use Yondr bags. The bags look more like a pouch and lock phones away until unlocked by a base, according to Yondrs website.

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North Syracuse School District plans to use the same Yondr pouches, so students to still have their phones, just locked away.

Students will put their phone in their pouch, theyll lock it, and theyll put it in their backpack, said North Syracuse Superintendent Terry Ward.

East Syracuse Minoa decided on a different pouch, with different designs including their own school colors for each grade.

Its intentional for us; they have a very strong Velcro fastener, said ESM superintendent Donna DeSiato. But its not a lock.

Thats ESMs attempt at keeping kids from having easy access to their phones, but not restricting access entirely.

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Baldwinvilles policy, according to their website, discourages elementary students from bringing devices. But if they do, theyre stored in cubbies. Middle, junior, and high schoolers must silence their devices in their lockers.

To view Baldwinsvilles full policy, visit their code of conduct.

Liverpool adopted a new cellphone policy in accordance with the ban on July 8. The new guidelines require students to store their phones in lockers, designated storage bins, secure storage pouches/bags, and the schools main office. The district is in the process of finalizing what they plan on, but that will share with families.

Click here to view Liverpools policy

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Where are they now? The high school classes that scattered the most across the U.S.

In the blur of caps and gowns, you dont always realize it, but high school graduation might be the last time an entire class is in the same place all at once. Some may stick close to home, but others scatter to opposite coasts, different time zones, and even across oceans.

What makes one high school class more likely to disperse than another? And where do those far-flung classmates end up? PeopleFinders traces some of the most geographically scattered graduating classes in the country and shares how to track down your own.

The Mystery of the Vanishing Classmates

A dispersed class isnt just one that moves away; its one that fans out in all directions. Graduates may attend colleges or universities in different states, take international jobs, or decide to try their luck in a new town far from home. This often happens in schools with some unique circumstances:

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Competitive, high-achieving schools where students leave for top-tier colleges around the country.

Private or boarding schools that pull in students from around the country.

Military or international schools with highly mobile families and global trajectories.

Schools in isolated or rural areas where moving may be necessary to access certain opportunities or to experience new, exciting experiences.

While theres no formal dispersion index, schools with high percentages of students attending out-of-state or international institutions are a good place to start.

The High School Classes That Scattered the Most

Here are a few standout examples of schools whose graduates didnt just leave homethey spread across the country (and in some cases, the world).

Punahou School (2008)

Punahou is a private college prep school in Honolulu, Hawaii. While many students choose to attend the local University of Hawaii, with limited in-state higher education and job options, many students leave the islands to pursue careers on the mainland, or even abroad.

Stuyvesant High School (2010)

This elite public school in Manhattan consistently sends students to Ivy League schools and top tech programs. Despite being in the heart of NYC, Stuyvesants alumni are now spread across the globe.

Thomas Jefferson School High School for Science and Technology (2014)

This STEM-focused public magnet school is perennially ranked among the nations top high schools. With graduates regularly heading to MIT, Stanford, Duke, and international research fellowships, TJHSST graduates are known for pursuing careers in global tech hubs such as Silicon Valley and in prominent international research centers.

Phillips Exeter Academy (2018)

Located in New Hampshire, Phillips Exeter Academy is one of the most prestigious boarding schools in the United States. During the 201617 school year, the school enrolled students from 45 states and 34 countries (Source). After graduation, many dispersed even furtherto Oxford, Tokyo, or Washington, D.C.following academic or career opportunities.

Where Did They All Go?

Across these dispersed classes, a few patterns emerge:

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Tech and STEM grads head west. California remains a magnet for coders, engineers, tech entrepreneurs, and researchers. San Francisco still boasts the highest percentage of tech workers, followed closely by San Jose.

Finance and policy types go east. D.C., Boston, and New York tend to attract those pursuing careers in government or business.

International students often settle abroad, especially those from boarding schools or expat families.

Rural students migrate to urban centers. Alumni from rural areas or small towns often end up in major cities.

You only need to scroll LinkedIn or Facebook for a few minutes to see these trends emerge. It may seem surprising where some people end up, but when you look at the big picture, its not so shocking after all.

Keeping in Touch in the Digital Age

Want to find your own far-flung classmates? You dont need to wait until the next high school reunion and hope the right people show up. In an age when people are more connected than ever, the internet can be a powerful tool for rediscovering long-lost classmates.

Online people search tools are a popular choice, especially if youre on the hunt for a specific friend or an old flame. To cast a wider net, LinkedIn allows you to search by school name and graduation year. Facebook alumni groups are also a popular choice for old classmates looking to keep in touch.

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If this article has you wondering what your favorite classmates are up to now, theres no time like the present to find out.

The Long Arc of Connection

High school may feel like a closed chapter, but the people we met there have written wildly different next chapters. In a world where lives are built across time zones and borders, the bonds of a shared classroom still hold. Whether youre in touch every week or havent spoken in years, its never too late to ask, Where are they now?

This story was produced by PeopleFinders and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
NEW YORK  New Yorks top Democrats are moving cautiously when it comes to newly minted mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani, slow-walking their interactions with the youthful progressive candidate and so far holding off on endorsing him.

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, Sen. Chuck Schumer and Gov. Kathy Hochul, the partys three most powerful leaders in the state, appear to be following a shared playbook regarding Mamdani in the month since he trounced ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary to become the partys standard-bearer in the November general election.

At a time in the campaign cycle when normally they would have already endorsed the winner of the Democratic primary, the trio is instead focusing on building their relationships with Mamdani and laying the foundation to potentially back him at some point.

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None of the power threesome has said if or when they may formally declare their backing for the charismatic Queens assemblyman, who this week is on a family trip to Uganda, the country of his birth.

Mamdani is the favorite in the November mayoral election, in which he will run on the Democratic and Working Families Party lines. Hell face Republican Curtis Sliwa along with incumbent Eric Adams and Cuomo, both of whom are running as independents.

Jeffries, the House minority leader, met with Mamdani last Friday at an office space in East New York, Brooklyn. He said the meeting went well, but he dodged questions at a news conference Tuesday about a possible endorsement.

At the meeting on Friday, we agreed to reconvene with other members of the delegation and high-level members of the community upon (Mamdanis) return to the country, Jeffries told reporters.

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Schumer, the Senate minority leader, praised Mamdani in a post on X after his primary victory, calling his campaign a healthy jolt of energy to Democrats with its laser focus on affordability.

He has spoken with Mamdani briefly by phone in what aides called an effort to lay the groundwork for a future face-to-face meeting in the city.

A spokesman for Schumer said the senator and Mamdani were targeting August for a meeting when the Senate is in recess and Mamdani will be back from Africa, and before Labor Day, which marks the start of the campaigns homestretch.

The senior Democrat hasnt given any indication when he might make an endorsement decision.

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Both Schumer and Jeffries are strong supporters of Israel and have in the past denounced progressive critics of the Jewish state like Mamdani.

They have both objected to the controversial phrase globalize the intifada, which Mamdani has refused to denounce but has said he would encourage supporters to avoid. Its unclear how much Israel-Palestine politics may influence the heavyweights endorsement calculus, if at all.

As for Hochul, the pair have more of a history because Mamdani has often criticized the moderate governor during his three terms in Albany.

But both camps have discussed burying the hatchet since the primary and stressed their shared commitment to lowering costs for everyday New Yorkers.

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Hochul and Mamdani have spoken several times since the primary and met once on the sidelines of the citys Pride march on June 29.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand was forced to apologize to Mamdani after she seemed to agree with a caller on a radio show who accused him of being antisemitic.

Gillibrand, D-N.Y., told Mamdani she was sorry for mischaracterizing his record and for her tone. Like Schumer, she also fired back at congressional Republicans who vilified Mamdani as a terrorist or supporter of Hamas.

Like other leaders, she said they plan to meet in New York soon, but gave no details on an endorsement decision.

_____
The White House is dismissing a report that President Trump was told back in May that his name was among the "truckload" of people in the Epstein files. Meanwhile, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is meeting right now with convicted Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. Senior Writer at WIRED Jake Lahut, Senior Editor at The Atlantic Hanna Rosin and Senior Reporter at The Bulwark Will Sommer join Katy Tur to share what they believe may happen in the meeting.
The Trump administration is pulling back on plans to allow the continued use of chrysotile asbestos, the last type of asbestos legally allowed to be used in the U.S. manufacturing industry, The Associated Press reported.

Michelle Roos, executive director of the Environmental Protection Network, said, per The AP: "This is just the beginning of the public backlash against the Trump administration's plans to roll back 31 standards that protect the air we breathe and the water we drink. Public health is not up for negotiation."

The Biden administration issued a comprehensive ban on the substance, though its use had mostly been phased out, and the Environmental Protection Agency has stated it would defend the measure after a huge outcry from asbestos opponents.

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Chrysotile asbestos exposure can cause lung, abdominal, and other cancers. It is commonly used in gasket sheets and brake blocks by the automotive and manufacturing industries.

When asked to examine the ban by the current administration, the EPA determined that it may have gone too far, and that providing workers protection might be sufficient to eliminate the risk. This consideration was a result of industry associations that filed suit against the ban.

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization, which fights asbestos-related diseases, thought the opposite  that the ban didn't go far enough. It argued that pausing the ban for the EPA to investigate further would do more harm than good, and that the efforts that went into the regulation should not be wasted. The ADAO felt that any new action would delay the implementation of the ban.

The EPA said that the previous administration did not do enough, stating that workplace protections should have been required, causing some confusion on the department's stance after previously arguing to weaken the regulations.

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Linda Reinstein, president and CEO of the ADAO, speculated the EPA kept the ban in place due to the public backlash over their position.

Improper disposal of asbestos can cause serious health concerns, as it can leach into the soil and water supply.

Asbestos-related cancers are responsible for an estimated 20,000 deaths in the United States per year and 225,000 deaths worldwide, according to the American Public Health Association.

Chrysotile asbestos was banned under the Toxic Substances Control Act, broadened in 2016. The AP reported "the Biden administration said it moved forward with a ban after decades of inadequate protections and delays in setting better standards."

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A far-right ethnonationalist group that has set up a whites-only community in a remote part of the Ozarks in northeastern Arkansas is reportedly exploring the possibility of expanding north into Missouri.

Return to the Land (RTTL), which describes itself as a private membership association (PMA) for individuals with traditional views and European ancestry, opened its first community in Arkansas in October 2023 and is now considering entering a second state, likely near Springfield, according to NBCs regional affiliate KSNT.

The group is opposed to mass immigration, multiculturalism and forced integration and reportedly does not welcome non-white, non-Christian or LGBT+ people, explaining that its members are seeking to separate ourselves from a failing modern society and return to pastoral living.

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You want a white nation? Build a white town? RTTLs co-founder Eric Orwoll asks in an X video promoting the initiative. It can be done. Were doing it.

Return to the Land co-founder Eric Orwoll (Aarvoll/YouTube)

RTTLs flagship community spans approximately 150 acres of land, is home to 40 inhabitants, and features its own cabins, roads, wells, a community center, and a schoolhouse.

It was followed by a second site nearby that opened in January this year, with the group listing a further Ozarks site as upcoming and aspirations to move into the Appalachian mountains on its website.

Speaking to Sky News journalist Tom Cheshire  who visited RTTLs first fortress for the white race and found a world of fresh goats milk, flute recitals, family kickball games and creek swimming  Orwoll expressed a nostalgia for the America of the 17th century encountered by the Virginia settlers.

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I would probably feel more comfortable there because Im white and thats the way this country was when my ancestors came there, he said, overlooking the Native Americans soon to be displaced by the colonists.

Even if an individual has all the same values that I have, if they have an ethnic identity that other people share and care about, their children will also have that identity, and their children might not necessarily have all the same beliefs that they have.

On his ambitions for RTTLs expansion, he said: I would like to have more communities so that people in all parts of the U.S. have this as an option if they want. I would also like us to network and branch out internationally.

Part of that branching out includes online fundraising campaigns, one of which seeks donations to enable the group to pay cash rewards to parents of newborns as a means to incentivize population growth, which was halfway towards its modest $10,000 goal at the time of writing.

Return to the Land's first settlement site in rural Arkansas (Aarvoll/YouTube)

For a back-to-nature movement, RTTL is surprisingly active on social media, posting updates on the progress of its construction projects, wildlife photography, and even illustrations from childrens books to promote its vision of rural idyll.

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Orwoll  who frames the debate surrounding his project as a First Amendment issue and a freedom issue about doing what we want on our own private land  has invested tens of thousands of dollars into research on its legality.

The attorneys weve consulted believe what were doing is legal, he told KSNT. Americans have the right to freely associate and form intentional communities on whatever basis they choose.

Orwoll believes its PMA status exempts it from legislation like the Civil Rights Act or the Fair Housing Act, which mandate equality and outlaw discrimination, although that is by no means an opinion shared by all experts.

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, for one, said in a statement responding to RTTLs practices: Racial discrimination has no place in Arkansas or anywhere in a free society. These allegations raise all sorts of legal issues, including constitutional concerns. My office is reviewing the matter.

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Barry Jefferson, president of the Arkansas chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), said: I just truly believe that we dont need to get back to the Jim Crow era. Weve been through that before. I think no one should be discriminated against because of their skin colour.

A frame house under construction at Return to the Land's Arkansas site (Aarvoll/YouTube)

If you really look deep into the Civil Rights Act, it doesnt state that. I think theyre misunderstanding what it states because there have been many organisations that tried to carve that out. Thats not right.

The Anti-Defamation League has been even more blunt about RTTL, accusing it of trying to revive discredited and reprehensible forms of segregation.

Asked by Sky about the more overtly racist aspects of his organization, including the sharing of white supremacist slogans in its Telegram channel and his own thoughts on a second coming of Adolf Hitler, Orwoll did not shy away, saying conventional opinion on the Nazi leader is one-sided and informed by Second World War propaganda.

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I think all historical figures are complex, multi-dimensional, he said.

But when I say, youre gonna have to wait for that new Hitler to arise, Im not saying youre going to have to wait for a new person to start a new Holocaust.

I am saying you are going to wait for a charismatic leader who is going to advocate for your interests because thats how a lot of people see Hitler.
In the early to midfirst millennium BCE, ancient horse-riding peoples known as the Siberian Scythians lived in the Altai-Sayan Mountainsa region that spans parts of modern-day Russia, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and China. While studying Scythian art and that of their Siberian predecessors in the 1980s, University of Oregon art historian Esther Jacobson-Tepfer became intrigued by recurring images of the elk (Cervus elaphus sibiricus), she told Popular Science.

But depictions of this majestic animal began long before the Scythians. In a study published earlier this month in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal, Jacobson-Tepfer traces elk imagery in western Mongolias Altai Mountains from the Late Palaeolithic (around 12,000 years ago) through to the early centuries of the Iron Age in the late first millennium BCE.

Over this time, elk rock art underwent a significant evolution. The earliest imageslikely created by pecking into rock with stone toolsare realistic and naturalistic. These static, profile views often depict male and female elk, sometimes with calves, and occasionally alongside other Ice Age fauna such as mammoths, woolly rhinos, and ostriches. As time went on, elk were increasingly shown in motion and in scenes involving human hunters.

Elk walking right. Bronze Age. Baga Oigor complex, TS IV. Image: Gary Tepfer

By the end of the Bronze Age (ca. 3000 to 800 BCE), elk had become stylized symbolspossibly representing status, clan identity, or genderand began to take on more abstract forms. The once-lifelike creatures developed elongated bodies, exaggerated antlers, and eventually morphed into fantastical beings with bird-like beaks and wolfish features.

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The physical transformation of the elk into wolf occurred in the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages, when the adoption of horseback riding slowly altered the psyche of the people, Jacobson-Tepfer told Popular Science. They seem to have come to feel better represented by themes of predation and transformation than by naturalistic elk and other animals. In her study, she adds that these artistic changes may also reflect broader environmental shifts and the social adaptations that followed.

Elk with wolf-like body, resembling the guardian figures at the Sarmatian burials of Filippovka. Early Iron Age. Image: Gary Tepfer

During the mid-Holocene (ca. 62003000 BCE) and late Holocene (after 3000 BCE), the Eurasian steppe grew colder and drier. As forests recededalong with the elkpeople in the Altai region began adopting semi-nomadic pastoralism and horseback riding.

This analysis demonstrates how materials from the expressive record of human culture offer critical insight into how societies evolve psychologically (not just archaeologically) in response to long-term environmental change, Jacobson-Tepfer concludes.
From the outside, the cavernous white building looks like any other factory. But step through the front door and the high pitched whine of insects signals that this is no ordinary assembly line: the new facility is producing mosquitoes. Billions of them.

It sounds odd. Why would anyone breed more mosquitoes. Arent there enough already buzzing around the globe, leaving in their wake a path of itchy bites and debilitating, sometimes fatal, fevers?

Yet on Saturday, an team of scientists unveiled the worlds largest mosquito factory in Curitiba, a city in southern Brazil.

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Nowhere in the world can produce the number of mosquitoes that will be produced here with this technology, Alexandre Padilha, the countrys health minister, said at the inauguration. [The factory] represents an exercise in national sovereignty and innovation.

The eggs carry a disease-blocking bacteria and will be hatched in cities across the country - Flavio Carvalho/Wolbito Brazil

At its peak, the 5,000 square metre bio-factory is set to churn out roughly 100 million mosquito eggs every week  more than five billion a year. These eggs, which carry a disease-blocking bacteria, will then be hatched in cities across the country, in the latest stage of an ambitious initiative to curb the spread of dengue.

Colloquially known as breakbone fever, the mosquito-borne virus has wrought havoc across Latin America, with more than 13 million cases reported in the region last year  by far the worst epidemic on record.

In Brazil alone, some 6.5 million people were infected, pushing the healthcare system to the brink, while 5,700 people died.

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You could see dengue everywhere  youd go to the supermarket and there would be very few employees, because people were sick, said Dr Luciano Moreira, a vector biologist and chief executive of Wolbito Brazil, one of the organisations behind the factory. So many friends and relatives were really ill it was really a huge thing that affected everyone, rich and poor.

Now, after a year of construction, the factory in southern Brazil will start providing crucial reinforcements for Brazils battle against the debilitating disease.

Thats because the Aedes aegypti mosquito eggs bred here carry a bacteria called Wolbachia, which blocks the mosquitos ability to transmit dengue.

Luciano Moreira, a vector biologist and chief executive of Wolbito Brazil - Flavio Carvalho/Wolbito Brazil

The Wolbachia bacteria is naturally found in a range of insects, though not the Aedes aegypti mosquito. When the insect is infected with the bacteria, it inhibits the dengue viruss ability to replicate inside it. In effect, the bacteria and the virus are competing for resources  and Wolbachia bacteria comes out on top.

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This has major ramifications for disease control, because it means the mosquitos bite no longer transmits the virus to people. The bacteria, which doesnt spread into humans, can also block Zika, yellow fever and chikungunya.

We have seen that insecticides alone are not enough [to control dengue], said Dr Moreira. You pay a lot, you have to damage the environment, and then the mosquitoes become resistant. So we really need to bring something else to the fight, and Wolbachia is one of these interventions.

The advantage of Wolbachia is its sustainable, he added. Its biologically sound, its not a chemical, and it doesnt interfere with the health of people or the environment or animals. So it holds a lot of promise.

Its not just Brazil thats in need of additional tools to fight dengue. In 1970, the virus had been detected in just seven countries; now roughly half the worlds population are at risk of infection, with cases jumping to as many as 400 million a year. The increase  which is also occurring in Europe  has been driven by rising temperatures, rapid urbanisation and international travel.

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Experts hope that, alongside new vaccinations, Wolbachia could help turn the tide.

There are two main ways the bacteria is deployed for disease control: either to suppress or replace mosquitoes.

In Singapore, for instance, only male Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes are released. When they mate with wild, Wolbachia-free females, their eggs become infertile and do not hatch, causing the overall insect population to gradually get smaller over time. However, to be effective a constant stream of Wolbachia-carrying males have to be released.

Brazil uses a different technique, reliant on both male and female Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes. When these bacteria-carrying insects mate, they pass the Wolbachia onto their offspring. The aim is that, after several generations, the majority of insects in any given area carry the bacteria, which then helps to suppress the spread of disease.

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In our case we want to have the replacement of the [mosquito] population, so that this becomes sustainable over time, said Dr Moreira. We did a set of releases in 2014 and 2015. In those areas, Wolbachia is still in the mosquitoes. We dont need to do new releases again and again.

Since scientists at Monash University in Australia first identified the dengue-blocking capacity of Wolbachia some 15 years ago, multiple real-world studies have confirmed that this concept works  and its safe.

The facility is home to the worlds largest mosquito factory - Wolbito Brazil

In 2020, a major randomised control trial in Indonesia found dengue cases dropped by 77 per cent in areas of Yogyakarta city where Wolbachia mosquitoes were released, while results in 2023 showed incidence fell by at least 94 per cent in three Colombian cities.

But Dr Moreira warned the intervention is not an overnight fix.

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Wolbachia is a very powerful tool, especially when it is integrated with other measures, he said. But it takes time for Wolbachia mosquitoes to establish.

Politicians call in the middle of an epidemic and say they want us to come next month. We are clear and transparent that this wont help next month, it might take a year or two.

There are other limitations too, said Professor Eng Eong Ooi, a researcher at Duke-NUS Medical Schools Emerging Infectious Diseases programme in Singapore.

I think Wolbachia has shown great success but not universally. The environment, particularly how warm the place is, affects how well Wolbachia works, he said.

Mosquitoes were first released in the Brazilian capital Rio de Janeiro in a pilot in 2014. Studies have since shown drops in dengue of 38 per cent to 90 per cent in different areas of the city.

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The innovation has now become a central plank of the countrys dengue control strategy, with Wolbachia mosquitoes so far released in 11 sites across Brazil.

Until now, scientists were breeding roughly 15 million Wolbachia-carrying mosquito eggs every week, at a facility within the Fiocruz health institute in Rio. The biofactory in Curitiba will turbocharge the availability of disease-blocking insects, with scientists aiming to breed some 100 million mosquito eggs a week.

The way we reared mosquitoes in the facilities for instance at Fiocruz, was a simple way: in trays and with lots of labour and hand processes, said Dr Moreira. With the creation of our big factory now, we are bringing new equipment. We have machines to hatch the eggs and we feed mosquitoes with automated devices.

He added that the facility also has a highly-controlled environment, to optimise conditions for the eggs, larvae and mosquitoes. Temperatures range from 27C to 29C depending on the stage of the life cycle, with humidity at 70 to 80 per cent, while insects are fed sugar, fish food and horse blood (a replacement for biting live animals, including humans).

The new mosquitoes are released into the wild - Flavio Carvalho/Wolbito Brazil

But only a small proportion of the eggs actually hatch in the factory. The vast majority will be shipped by car, plane and boat across the vast country as eggs, before local health officials add water and rear the larvae.

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We dry the eggs, and they dont hatch until they [come] into contact with the water, said Dr Moreira. We put the eggs in capsules, or we can ship in filter paper. They can be [stored] for two or three months, they will still survive.

He added that the government has earmarked 40 cities, each home to more than 100,000 people, where they would like these eggs to be sent. Six cities have already been selected, where the first Curitiba-bred mosquitoes will be released as early as August.

It will be exciting to get to that moment, said Dr Moreira, who was working in the lab in Australia in 2009, when scientists first identified Wolbachias disease-blocking potential.

Its been a long time coming, slowly going through the scientific evidence and expanding into a robust programme in Brazil, he added. Wolbachia is only one element of the solution for dengue, but I think it will be a very significant one for the country.

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The data nerds are fighting back.

After watching data sets be altered or disappear from U.S. government websites in unprecedented ways after President Donald Trump began his second term, an army of outside statisticians, demographers and computer scientists have joined forces to capture, preserve and share data sets, sometimes clandestinely.

Their goal is to make sure they are available in the future, believing that democracy suffers when policymakers dont have reliable data and that national statistics should be above partisan politics.

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There are such smart, passionate people who care deeply about not only the Census Bureau, but all the statistical agencies, and ensuring the integrity of the statistical system. And that gives me hope, even during these challenging times, Mary Jo Mitchell, director of government and public affairs for the research nonprofit the Population Association of America, said this week during an online public data-users conference.

The threats to the U.S. data infrastructure since January have come not only from the disappearance or modification of data related to gender, sexual orientation, health, climate change and diversity, among other topics, but also from job cuts of workers and contractors who had been guardians of restricted-access data at statistical agencies, the data experts said.

There are trillions of bytes of data files, and I can't even imagine how many public dollars were spent to collect those data. ... But right now, they're sitting someplace that is inaccessible because there are no staff to appropriately manage those data, Jennifer Park, a study director for the Committee on National Statistics, National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, said during the conference hosted by the Association of Public Data Users (APDU).

Gender switched to sex

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In February, the Center for Disease Control and Preventions official public portal for health data, data.cdc.gov, was taken down entirely but subsequently went back up. Around the same time, when a query was made to access certain public data from the U.S. Census Bureaus most comprehensive survey of American life, users for several days got a response that said the area was unavailable due to maintenance before access was restored.

Researchers Janet Freilich and Aaron Kesselheim examined 232 federal public health data sets that had been modified in the first quarter of this year and found that almost half had been substantially altered," with the majority having the word gender switched to sex, they wrote this month in The Lancet medical journal.

One of the most difficult tasks has been figuring out what's been changed since many of the alterations weren't recorded in documentation.

Beth Jarosz, senior program director at the Population Reference Bureau, thought she was in good shape since she had previously downloaded data she needed from the National Survey of Children's Health for a February conference where she was speaking, even though the data had become unavailable. But then she realized she had failed to download the questionnaire and later discovered that a question about discrimination based on gender or sexual identity had been removed.

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It's the one thing my team didn't have, Jarosz said at this week's APDU conference. And they edited the questionnaire document, which should have been a historical record.

Among the groups that have formed this year to collect and preserve the federal data are dataindex.us, which monitors changes to federal data sets; the University of Chicago Librarys Data Mirror website, which backs up and hosts at-risk data sets; the Data Rescue Project, which serves as a clearinghouse for data rescue-related efforts; and the Federal Data Forum, which shares information about what federal statistics have gone missing or been modified  a job also being done by the American Statistical Association.

The outside data warriors also are quietly reaching out to workers at statistical agencies and urging them to back up any data that is restricted from the public.

You can't trust that this data is going to be here tomorrow, said Lena Bohman, a founding member of the Data Rescue Project.

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Experts' committee unofficially revived

Separately, a group of outside experts has unofficially revived a long-running U.S. Census Bureau advisory committee that was killed by the Trump administration in March.

Census Bureau officials won't be attending the Census Scientific Advisory Committee meeting in September, since the Commerce Department, which oversees the agency, eliminated it. But the advisory committee will forward its recommendations to the bureau, and demographer Allison Plyer said she has heard that some agency officials are excited by the committee's re-emergence, even if it's outside official channels.

We will send them recommendations but we don't expect them to respond since that would be frowned upon, said Plyer, chief demographer at The Data Center in New Orleans. They just aren't getting any outside expertise ... and they want expertise, which is understandable from nerds.

___

This story has been updated to correct the website address for dataindex.us



Follow Mike Schneider on the social platform Bluesky: @mikeysid.bsky.social
Another Democrat is stepping up to challenge Republican U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee.

Darren McAuley, a former Veterans Affairs doctor with about a quarter century of experience as a military flight surgeon, announced he is entering the race.

The married father of three says hes running first and foremost on affordability.

I can win the district because Republicans have unfortunately made it clear that they are not going to do whats required to take care of people, McAuley said in an interview.

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Lee has represented Congressional District 15  which covers part of Hillsborough, Polk and Pasco counties  since 2023. The area leans Republican and the seat is up for election in 2026.

McAuley criticized Lees vote in support of President Donald Trumps signature One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which, among other things, made cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs and extended tax cuts from Trumps first administration. The bill is projected to explode the federal deficit. (Republicans have contended the economic growth encouraged by the tax cuts will offset the decrease in federal revenue.)

He also said Lee has not done enough to push back on Trumps stance on tariffs, which McAuley argues are going to lead to more expensive consumer goods for Central Floridians.

In response to McAuleys criticisms, a spokesperson for Lee defended her record.

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The One Big Beautiful Bill Act delivered real results for Central Florida families by stopping the largest tax increase in American history, eliminating wasteful spending, and protecting essential programs that our seniors and veterans rely on, the spokesperson, Landon Hoffman, wrote in a text. Later, he added, What some call a trade war, we see as a long-overdue defense of U.S. workers.

Lee won reelection in 2024 by 12 points over Democrat and former Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Kemp.

But that race was not without turbulence. After she was the only member of Floridas congressional delegation to endorse Gov. Ron DeSantis for president over Trump, Trump briefly and publicly explored endorsing a primary challenger to Lee in 2024. No such major challenger materialized, and Lee endorsed Trump for president after DeSantis dropped out.

Lee, who previously served as Floridas top election official, has filed to run again with the state, as have two other Democrats, Robert People and Jose Engell.

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In a survey published on Ballotpedia, People, an Army veteran, said hes running to protect Social Security, expand access to abortion and increase teacher salaries nationwide. His federal campaign committee has raised about $8,700.

In that same survey, Generation Z candidate Engell said hes running on Medicare for All and paid maternity leave. A campaign committee supporting his run has not filed any receipts, federal campaign finance records show.

Although Congressional District 15 has long been coveted by Democrats, its slipped away from them in recent election cycles. McAuley, who lives just outside the district, hopes to reverse the trend by showing voters he believes in common sense above party politics.

Whats bringing me into this race is seeing the caliber of leadership  lacking in Congress, he said. We need to focus on serving the needs of the people.
Lawyers for the Justice Department traveled to Tallahassee on Thursday to meet with convicted sex trafficker, and former Jeffrey Epstein partner, Ghislaine Maxwell. The meeting is taking place amid a renewed firestorm of interest in Epsteins case, and backlash from the MAGA base over the Trump administrations refusal to release additional government evidence that could expose some of the powerful figures potentially tied to the notorious sex offender..

A longtime romantic partner to Epstein and collaborator in his trafficking operations, Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking, conspiracy, and transportation of a minor with the intent to engage in illegal sexual activity in 2021, and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Maxwell potentially harbors a wealth of knowledge regarding who among Epsteins associates abused young women and girls along with Epstein. She has, so far, remained tight-lipped about what she does or does not know. Almost five years into her incarceration, she seems tentatively willing to play ball with the Trump administration as it scrambles to tamp down suspicion about his connection to the disgraced financier.

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Heres a refresher on Maxwells role in the Epstein case, and how the Trump administration hopes she might bail them out of a crisis of their own making.

Who is Ghislaine Maxwell?

Before becoming the subject of international attention over her connections to Epstein, Maxwell was a British socialite and the daughter of Ian Robert Maxwell, a former member of the British Parliament.

Maxwell met Epstein in the late 80s or early 90s, when the wealthy financier was a staple in the New York City social scene. They began a relationship shortly after and remained close up until his death in custody over two decades later.

While Epsteins proclivities for young women and underage girls was infamous, Maxwell was considered his main girlfriend by those who knew him or worked for him. She effectively operated as a chief of staff for his household, managing his staff, and coordinating the visits of young women massage therapists to his home in Manhattan.

What was she accused of?

In February 2020, Maxwell was arrested by the FBI and accused of having assisted, facilitated, and contributed to Jeffrey Epsteins abuse of minor girls by, among other things, helping Epstein to recruit, groom, and ultimately abuse victims known to Maxwell and Epstein to be under the age of 18.

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The charges against Maxwell stemmed from nearly a decade of allegations that she had helped recruit, groom, and abuse young women on Epsteins behalf. Several victims, most of whom were not publicly identified, testified that after Maxwell recruited them, they were coerced into performing sex acts with Epstein.

Maxwell was ultimately convicted on five counts: sex trafficking of a minor, transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, and three counts of conspiracy to commit choate felonies. She was acquitted on one count of enticing a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts. She was ultimately sentenced to 20 years in prison, and is expected to face a second trial related to charges of perjury related to a 2015 testimony given during the course of a civil lawsuit against Epstein.

What is her relationship to Trump, and what has he said about her?

Maxwell and the president actually knew each other before Epstein was ever in the picture. The wealthy socialite and the New York tabloid staple crossed paths often, with Trump reportedly being friendly with Maxwells father  who became a prominent media publisher after leaving British Parliament. Trump socialized with Epstein and Maxwell plenty after they got together, and numerous photos and videos exist of them partying in the 90s. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Trump contributed a salacious note to a 50th birthday album Maxwell put together for Epstein in the early 2000s.

In 2020, following Maxwells arrest, Trump told reporters during a press briefing that hed met her numerous times over the years, especially since I lived in Palm Beach, and I guess they lived in Palm Beach. But I wish her well, whatever it is.

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I just wish her well, frankly, he said.

Journalist Jonathan Swan confronted Trump over the remarks in a one-on-one interview for Axios. Mr. President, Ghislaine Maxwell has been arrested on allegations of child sex trafficking. Why would you wish such a person well? Swan asked. Trump responded by emphasizing that her boyfriend died in jail, suggesting he may have been murdered, and noting that hes not looking bad for anybody. Swan then reiterated that Maxwell was an alleged child sex trafficker.

During Maxwells trial, troves of evidence emerged about the connections between her, Epstein, and some of the most powerful, wealthy, and prominent public figures in the world. Flight logs showed Trump traveling on Epsteins private plane  dubbed the Lolita Express  seven times between 1993-1997. His name and phone number were also included in a contact book.

Why is the Justice Department looking to speak to her?

The Trump administration announced earlier this month that they were closing the book on the Epstein case. The FBI and DOJ claimed there was no incriminating evidence meriting further inquiry, and asserted that the financier had died by suicide in jail. The announcement was met with a full blown revolt by MAGA influencers who felt the administration had duped them with promises of increased transparency and additional prosecutions related to Epsteins sex trafficking operation.

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Trump has responded by claiming the Epstein files are a hoax that was made up by Democrats like former President Barack Obama. His administration and some Republicans in Congress have blocked attempts to make the files public. The Wall Street Journal reported earlier this week that Attorney General Pam Bondi warned Trump in May that his name appeared in the Epstein files multiple times.

The DOJ announced on Tuesday that it had reached out to Maxwell. At the direction of Attorney General Bondi, I have communicated with counsel for Ms. Maxwell to determine whether she would be willing to speak with prosecutors from the Department, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote in a statement on Tuesday. If Ghislane Maxwell has information about anyone who has committed crimes against victims, the FBI and the DOJ will hear what she has to say.

A day later, the Republican-controlled House Oversight Committee subpoenaed Maxwell, with Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) noting that the committee wants her to inform the consideration of potential legislative solutions to improve federal efforts to combat sex trafficking and reform the use of non-prosecution agreements and/or plea agreements in sex-crime investigations.

The committee is scheduled to depose her at the prison in Tallahassee where she is being held on August 11.

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The Trump administration and the presidents allies in Congress seem to think that if they get Maxwell to attest that Trump did nothing wrong, it would appease the presidents furious base. Theres one problem with the ploy, as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), of all people, laid out on Wednesday.

The obvious concern, the caveat, that Chairman Comer and I and everyone has, is: Could she be counted on to tell the truth? Is she a credible witness? he told reporters. I mean, this is a person whos been sentenced to many, many years in prison for terrible, unspeakable, conspiratorial acts, and acts against innocent young people. I mean, can we trust what shes going to say?

Whats in it for Ghislaine?

Maxwell is a convicted felon who would likely seek to convert her cooperation with the Justice Department into a bid for leniency or an outright pardon.

The idea is already gaining traction among the right.

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Maybe she wants immunity, maybe she wants some sort of protection, I dont know, Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk said on his podcast Tuesday. But it definitely is something that is worthy of praise, and worthy of our encouragement.

On Wednesday night, Newsmax host Greg Kelly told viewers that Maxwell deserves to be out. And maybe she never deserved to be in there in the first place.

I do have a feeling that she has been  she just might be a victim. She just might be. There was a rush to judgment. There was a lot of chaos there for a while, Kelly added.

There was no rush to judgement. Maxwell was accused in civil and criminal court, and convicted by a jury of her peers. One would hope that any sort of agreement struck for her cooperation would consider what got her incarcerated in the first place, but then again Trump has few scruples about pardoning egregious criminals.

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An Arizona travel and tour group has been highlighted as one the 52 destinations to visit this year in a new roundup.

The new list from AFAR Magazine sought to showcase the 52 "boldest, artsiest, buzziest, friendliest, tastiest, booziest things going on right now" in honor of the United State's 250th birthday in 2026.

In Arizona, AFAR highlighted Borderlandia, a travel bureau that celebrates all the borderlands area of southern Arizona and northern Mexico have to offer.

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The magazine wrote that the organization founded by Alex and Rocio La Pierre "aims to demystify the contentious international boundary with experiences and tours that celebrate the culture, cuisine, and history found on both sides."

Borderlandia offers guided tours for small groups or private tours. In Mexico, this includes a walking tour detailing the Battle of Ambos Nogales, a Nogales taco tour, a day trip to Magdalena de Kino and a multiday trip to see how mezcal is made. They also offer guided hikes of the Anza Trail, gastronomy tours of Tucson and history tours of Tubac, Tucson, Tumacacori and Nogales.

Borderlandia, which had previously been featured by the New York Times and other publications, said it was honored to be included in AFAR's list. In an Instagram post, it thanked the publication "for taking the time to spend with us, recognizing the value of our work in the borderlands to bring people together and giving us the gift of letting more people know we exist."

These are AFAR's must visit Western attractions

Aside from taking a tour with Borderlandia, these are the 11 other attractions you must do in the Western U.S.

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Take a relaxing Alaskan cruise.

Stay at San Diegos historic Lafayette Hotel.

Peep the stars at Colorado's Kosmos Stargazing Resort & Spa.

Embark on an Idaho river cruise.

Enjoy the art at Montana's Tippet Rise Art Center.

Relive the '70s at Las Vegas' Linq Hotel and Pinky Ring lounge.

Stay at Hotel Willa in Taos, New Mexico.

Hit the Klamath River rapids in Oregon.

Take the Rocky Mountaineer train through Utah's red rocks.

Check out the Tidelands art gallery in Seattle.

Glamp at Tammah Jackson Hole in Wyoming.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AFAR says you must take a tour from this Arizona group. Here's why
Jul. 24A day after Tuesday's bear mauling in a popular Anchorage hiking area, officials said they do not yet have enough information about the incident to search for the animal.

"At this point it would absolutely be a needle in a haystack," said Cynthia Wardlow with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game's Division of Wildlife Conservation.

According to the Anchorage Police Department, the victim is a 67-year-old woman who is in stable condition after she was rescued with a helicopter Tuesday and brought to a hospital.

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"She sustained injuries to her head, neck and arm," APD spokesman Christopher Barraza wrote in an email Wednesday.

Barraza said the victim, whom they declined to identify, was hiking alone on the Dome Trail near the Basher neighborhood when the attack happened and was dragged by the animal off the trail. She was able to call 911 for help but was too injured to get herself back out to a trailhead, according to Barraza.

Personnel from several local emergency response agencies were involved in Tuesday's rescue. According to Barraza, officials had trouble locating the hiker, and ultimately used a police drone to search for her before personnel from the Alaska State Troopers flew in by helicopter to hoist her out.

Wardlow said that investigators with Fish and Game had not yet interviewed the victim and had little information to use to locate the bear involved. They recovered material around the area where the attack happened, about 2 miles back into the mountains from the nearest trailhead, that they will send off for testing.

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Though police on Tuesday identified the bear as a brown bear, Fish and Game said Wednesday that the agency wasn't sure yet of the bear's species.

"We were able to gather some samples, both hair and scat that will be analyzed through genetics," Wardlow said. "From that we will try to determine the species ... we need some more information before we can say if it was a brown bear or black bear involved in the attack."

The testing, which will take around two weeks, will also determine if that animal was male or female. Wardlow said Fish and Game personnel examining the area did not find any obvious bear attractants like a food cache, and the area sits around 1,500 feet above a salmon run in Campbell Creek.

The incident happened near Basher and Stuckagain Heights, where heavily wooded parts of the Anchorage Hillside give way to some of the most popular hiking trails in Chugach State Park. By 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, emergency responders cleared the staging area, according to the Anchorage Fire Department, about three hours after the hiker first reported the attack.

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Bear attacks in the Chugach Mountains surrounding Anchorage are uncommon but occur from time to time, usually involving brown bears.

In 2018, a hiker was killed and a member of the search party looking for him was later mauled by a bear far back in the South Fork Eagle River Valley. The prior summer, a 16-year-old participating in a mountain run up Bird Ridge along Turnagain Arm was killed by a black bear.

Elsewhere in the Anchorage area, a U.S. Army staff sergeant participating in a 2022 training exercise in a remote part of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson was killed by a brown bear sow.

After a bear attack is reported and investigated by Fish and Game, the department decides whether the animal poses a threat to public safety. In some cases, the department will then try to dispatch the predator, though that determination is made "case by case," according to Wardlow.

Correction: This story has been updated to clarify Fish and Game's decision-making process after a bear attack is reported and correct that the agency determines whether to dispatch bears on a "case by case" basis.
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers (D) announced Thursday he wont seek another term in office, teeing up a competitive election in one of the countrys closest battlegrounds.

Evers said in a video posted on the social media platform X that serving as governor has been the honor of my life and he expects that he would win reelection to a third term as governor if he ran. But he said he loves being a husband, father and grandfather even more than being governor, and his family has made sacrifices for five decades to allow him to partake in public service.

He said he owes it to his family to send time on doing what they love to do together.

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Thats why, Wisconsin, Im announcing I will not be running for a third term, Evers said.

Evers said hes not finished with his job yet, and he has a lot of work to do before his current term ends in 2027.

And Wisconsin, Ill be working just as hard as I have for the last six years to keep doing the right thing and deliver for you, he said. So lets get to work.

Everss announcement will kick off an open gubernatorial race in one of the biggest battlegrounds in the country. He was first elected governor in 2018, ousting then-Gov. Scott Walker (R) by just over 1 point, while he won reelection in 2022 by a more comfortable 3 points.

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Statements quickly poured in from Democrats thanking Everss for his service and vowing that the party would keep the office next year.

Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Devin Remiker said in a statement that Evers is one of the most successful governors in the states history.

While Republican candidates rush to embrace the most extreme elements of their party and face another divisive and bitter primary battle, we will be prepared to hold them accountable and ensure Wisconsin elects a Democratic governor in 2026, Remiker said.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D) praised Evers as always putting the state and its children first.

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Tony embodies the best of the Wisconsin way  he knows what is right and is willing to fight for it, but is level-headed, Midwestern nice, and always willing to bridge divides if its right for our state, she said in a post on X.

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, the chair of the Democratic Governors Association, called Everss leadership transformative for Wisconsin.

No matter who emerges from the Republican primary, one thing is certain: they will be too extreme for Wisconsin, in stark contrast with the strong, results-focused leadership in the governors office that Wisconsinites have enjoyed over the last six years, Kelly said.

Republicans vowed that Wisconsin would turn a page from Democratic leadership and return the GOP back to the office.

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Courtney Alexander, the communications director for the Republican Governors Association, said in a statement that the same type of out-of-touch liberals as Evers will try to replace him.

Wisconsin is ready for a return to common sense leadership and real solutions that have been lacking under the tenure of Gov. Evers and not a single Democrat in Wisconsin can credibly offer either, she said.

The primaries on both sides could quickly get crowded, with various candidates rumored to be considering a run. For Democrats, the possible candidates include Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez, state Attorney General Josh Kaul and Wisconsin Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski, among others.

On the Republican side, Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) has expressed interest in possibly running, while Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann entered the race in May.

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Updated: 1:59 p.m. ET

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Democrat Tony Evers will not seek a third term as governor of Wisconsin, he announced Thursday.

His decision sets up yet another competitive gubernatorial race for 2026, with Democrats also seeking to defend seats in swing states including Michigan and Pennsylvania.

In a video posted to social media Thursday afternoon, Evers said there was no question about whether he would win if he ran again, adding that whether Id win or not has never been part of my calculus about running again. The two-term governor cited his hope to spend more time with his family as his motivation for not seeking reelection.

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Heres the truth: Wisconsin, the only thing I love more than being your governor is being a husband, a dad and a grandpa, Evers said. I spent 50 years in public service. Im damn proud I devoted my entire career  and most of my life  to working for you.

Wisconsin is poised to be one of the headline gubernatorial elections next year, with statewide top-of-the-ticket races perennially close over the last decade. Both parties anticipated Wisconsin being one of the biggest governors races on the map  which also includes states like Nevada, Minnesota and Georgia  even before Evers retirement.

Evers departure has popped open what could be an expensive and crowded Democratic primary. Several Wisconsin Democrats named a long list of potential contenders, including state Attorney General Josh Kaul, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and Milwaukee Mayor Chevy Johnson. Ben Wikler, the former head of the states party who lost a bid for Democratic National Committee chair earlier this year, was also listed, as were Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez and state Sen. Kelda Roys.

Name ID is king in a Democratic primary in Wisconsin, said one of the Democratic strategists, granted anonymity to discuss the issue candidly. The attorney general is likely to have the highest, but the Milwaukee media market is 40 percent of the state, and its hard to find a day when the county executive or mayor isnt in the news.

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Republicans, too, will likely have a crowded primary for the now-open seat. Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann had already entered the race prior to Evers dropping out, and Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-Wis.) has repeatedly teased a run.

Bill Berrien, a business executive, is already running as well. And Eric Hovde and Tim Michels  two other businesspeople who had previously run statewide  have also been floated as potential candidates.

Republican Scott Walker, who served as the state's 45th governor from 2011 until Evers beat him in 2018, posted a photo of a red "Make Wisconsin Great Again" baseball cap with "45-47" emblazoned on the side in the wake of the announcement. Tiffany was also quick to seize on the news, criticizing Evers for what he called "a legacy of decline" in a social media post.

Youll see a more serious level of Republican candidates look at this race now because its an open seat in a state thats a jump ball, the Wisconsin Democratic strategist added.

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Evers, who unseated Walker after serving as Wisconsin state superintendent of public instruction, won reelection in 2022 amid a strong year for Democratic governors. The 73-year-old Democrat used his veto power to block several hundred bills passed by the GOP-controlled statehouse, including several proposals related to voting rights and gun rights.

In a statement, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly  who chairs the Democratic Governors Association  praised Evers bipartisan record, lauding his efforts to cut taxes, redraw electoral maps, fund public schools and challenge Wisconsins abortion ban.

No matter who emerges from the Republican primary, one thing is certain: they will be too extreme for Wisconsin, in stark contrast with the strong, results-focused leadership in the governors office that Wisconsinites have enjoyed over the last six years, Kelly said.

Republican Governors Association spokesperson Courtney Alexander said in a statement that Evers let the worst elements of the Democrat Party run roughshod over state government during his tenure and that the state is ready for a return to common sense leadership and real solutions that have been lacking under the tenure of Gov. Evers and not a single Democrat in Wisconsin can credibly offer either.

The Midwestern state has been a battleground in the national fight over reproductive rights since the Supreme Courts landmark 2022 ruling. Liberals gained control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court in 2023 in a heated race that drew record-breaking spending, and won a blowout election for another seat on the court earlier this year.
MADISON - Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers will not seek a third term, retiring from elected public office after nearly two decades and prompting the first wide-open gubernatorial race since 2010.

The Democratic governor made his announcement in a recorded video, saying although he expects he would win another term he wants to spend more time with his family.

"I promised you when I ran for this office that I'd always work to do the right thing, and I'd always give it to you straight," Evers said in the video posted July 24. "I'm a science teacher at heart who ended up running for office and won five straight statewide elections. So would I win if I ran the sixth time? Of course, no question about that. But whether I'd win or not, that's never been part of my calculus about running again."

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More: Here are the likely Democratic and Republican contenders for Wisconsin governor in 2026

Evers, 73, said for five decades, since he began working in public positions like school principal, district superintendent and ultimately Wisconsin's governor, "my family has sacrificed.""They gave me the gift of service. They're my world, and I owe to them to focus on doing all the things we enjoy and love doing together," Evers said. "It's why, Wisconsin, I'm announcing that I will not be running for a third term. I'm so humbled to be your governor. This is the best job I ever had."

Evers' decision came after weeks of public debate among some Democrats over whether the governor should seek a third term despite Evers' strong approval ratings when compared to other Wisconsin politicians.On the heels of former President Joe Biden dropping out of his 2024 reelection bid after public displays of cognitive impairment, some Democrats said Evers' age could be used against him in a race.

Others argued it was time for Evers to step aside to allow a new generation of Democrats to launch campaigns of their own.

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His departure comes after serving in key roles in state government during some of the most tumultuous times in state history. He oversaw the state's education agency as public schools navigated a new landscape under a Republican-authored law known as Act 10, which curtailed collective bargaining for school teachers, and the adoption of the more rigorous Common Core State Standards for classroom curriculum. Evers was then sworn in as governor a year before a global pandemic hit Wisconsin and a flood of false claims about the state's system of elections were central to President Donald Trump's effort to overturn his 2020 election loss. In all, Evers has served 18 years in a top elected office in Wisconsin.

Now, Democratic hopefuls are putting discussions of running into reality. Potential candidates include Attorney General Josh Kaul, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, state Sen. Kelda Roys and Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez. "If he makes that decision then I'm going to be going home, continuing to talk with my wife and the rest of my family because I don't run by myself," Crowley told WISN-TV just before Evers' announcement.

Rodriguez, who was elected in 2022, said, "Thank you for your strength of character. Thank you for your steady leadership in uncertain times. And thank you for giving it everything you had."

She added, "Theres still work to do to make sure every family in Wisconsin has a fair shot at a better life  and Im ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.

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Roys said she's strongly considering a run for governor "and will continue my work traveling around the state to ensure we elect a Dems trifecta in 2026."

Before entering the world of statewide politics, Evers worked for decades as a school teacher, a principal, and a district superintendent, among other jobs in K-12 education. In his later campaigns, he dubbed himself the "education governor" and put his ties to public schools at the center of his time in office, at one point issuing a partial veto to a state budget that provided funding increases to schools for 400 years.

The veto triggered lawsuits from Republican lawmakers who drafted the budget  the latest in the string of public brawls with the GOP-controlled state Legislature that defined Evers' tenure as governor.

Weeks before Evers was sworn in as governor in 2019, Republican lawmakers set the tone for this era of divided governor when they and former GOP Gov. Scott Walker passed laws to weaken Evers' authority.

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Over the eight years Evers has been in office, GOP lawmakers made history in their fights with Evers through firing appointed cabinet members and refusing to confirm other appointees.

The clashes hit a peak in 2020 when Republican legislative leaders went to court to halt executive orders issued by Evers that closed businesses and mandated masks to combat the coronavirus pandemic, and sought to overturn Wisconsin's presidential election result by drafting phony elector paperwork to send to Congress on Jan. 6, 2021.

In seeking reelection in 2022, Evers said the pandemic measures that divided the state were worth the strife.

"We saved lives. We saved thousands of lives by doing that. Thats worth it  that is worth it. Ill take all the criticism coming," Evers said of his decision to issue "safer-at-home" orders.

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Evers was also dogged during the 2022 reelection by accusations from Republicans of mishandling riots in Kenosha in 2020 after a police officer shot Jacob Blake, a Black man, seven times. The officer was not criminally charged.

The incident became a national flashpoint amid a nationwide movement known as Black Lives Matter that sprung from the death of George Floyd, a Black Minneapolis man who died after a white police officer knelt on his neck for several minutes.

Evers was accused by President Donald Trump, who was up for reelection in 2020, of waiting to deploy National Guard troops to the area. But Evers had deployed troops a day before the riots erupted.

Evers also signed into law a new set of legislative boundaries that replaced electoral maps that gave Republicans an edge in elections, giving Democrats a shot at gaining control of at least one house in the Legislature for the first time in more than a decade.

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And Evers made history of his own by issuing the most pardons of any governor in state history. At the end of 2024, Evers had issued 1,436  more than 1,000 more than former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle, who had previously held the record at 326 issued during his tenure as governor between 2003 and 2011.

But Republicans eyeing the governor's office in 2026 said Evers' tenure was defined by "failure" and "decline." Evers' announcement could push other Republicans to join the primary field. Even Walker, the former governor, made a cryptic post on X suggesting he could return for non-consecutive terms as governor like Trump did as president.

"Tony Evers is too scared to run on the Madison Democrats record of failure," Republican candidate Bill Berrien said in a statement. "Im going to spend the next 15 months making sure whoever the Madison liberals pick from their bench of radical career politicians learns the same lesson."

Washington County Executive Josh Schoemann said, "whatever Democrats that line up to run will be more of the same status quo but even more extreme than Gov. Evers.""I look forward to contrasting my record of cutting taxes, reducing government and innovative reforms with their woke, radical agenda," he said in a post on X.

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Congressman Tom Tiffany, who represents the 7th Congressional District and is considering a run for governor, was the only GOP hopeful to thank Evers for his time in public office but did not give high marks to Evers' work."I thank Governor Evers for his service. But he leaves behind a legacy of decline  Wisconsin faces a structural deficit, student achievement has fallen behind Mississippi, and energy costs rank second highest in the Midwest," Tiffany said in a post on X. "We must change course before we end up like MN and IL."

Jessie Opoien and Laura Schulte of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.

Molly Beck can be reached at molly.beck@jrn.com.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers won't seek re-election in 2026
MONTEREY, California  As the Trump administrations clash with the judiciary intensifies, Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan issued a message on Thursday: Stop threatening judges, and always obey court orders.

But Kagan spoke in vague terms and did not say who her warning was aimed at. She did not directly mention President Donald Trump, even as some lower-court judges have already found that the administration has defied their commands.

That's just just not the way our system works, not the way rule of law in this country works, Kagan said at a judicial conference here. That's true for the Supreme Court, and it's also true for every district court. Unless and until an appellate court or the Supreme Court says otherwise, judicial orders are judicial orders and need to be respected.

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Kagan cautioned the hundreds of judges in the audience not to respond to verbal attacks by lashing out in their decisions, but by carrying out their duties as they normally do.

The response to perceived lawlessness of any kind is law, and the way an independent judiciary should counter assaults on an independent judiciary is to act in the sorts of ways that judges are required to act, Kagan said.

The Obama appointee praised Chief Justice John Roberts for pushing back against attacks on the courts from both the right and the left. And she said the notion that government officials could or should ignore court orders was particularly disruptive to the rule of law.

Though Kagan spoke only in general terms, the backdrop for her remarks was unmistakable. Several federal district judges have found that the Trump administration has violated their orders, particularly in deportation cases. Trump officials  and the president himself  have launched hostile rhetoric against judges who rule against the administration. And a whistleblower has accused a top Justice Department official of crudely proposing to defy adverse court orders.

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Just hours before Kagan spoke, another speaker on the same stage denounced statements in February from Trump and Vice President JD Vance that seemed to invite a confrontation with the courts.

He who saves his Country does not violate any Law, Trump said at the time.

Judges arent allowed to control the executives legitimate power," Vance said.

Kagan is the latest member of the courts liberal wing to decry threats to judicial independence. In May, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson urged judicial colleagues to show raw courage in the face of a fusillade of attacks that she said appeared designed to intimidate the judiciary. And In March, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said an abrupt shift in norms was shaking some of the foundation of the rule of law.

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Kagans tone was less urgent than Jacksons, though she raised many of the same concerns, including an increasing number of threats of violence aimed at judges.

Kagan lamented the protests that erupted outside the homes of conservative justices homes following POLITICOs 2022 report on the draft Supreme Court opinion overturning the federal constitutional right to abortion. She mentioned that some of her colleagues have children and that Justice Brett Kavanaughs home was targeted by an unsuccessful assassin during the same period.

That is scary stuff, Kagan said.

Kagans most significant criticism of the court she serves on was directed at its handling of cases on the emergency docket, sometimes referred to as the shadow docket by critics. That docket has received a flood of appeals from the Trump administration in the first six months of Trumps second term. Trump has won the vast majority of them, as the Supreme Court has overturned district court orders and allowed the administration to mass-fire federal employees, cancel federal grants, exclude transgender people from the military and enact other sweeping parts of Trumps agenda.

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Kagan spoke one day after she sharply dissented from one such emergency-docket decision: a ruling allowing Trump to fire Biden-appointed consumer safety regulators despite a federal law saying they can only be dismissed due to misconduct or inability to serve.

Kagan offered a veiled critique of her conservative colleagues approach, suggesting they understand interference in an elected president's ability to execute his agenda as sort of automatically irreparable harm that entitles the administration to emergency relief from the high court.

I think we're going to continue to have disagreements about that, she said.

But Kagans main complaint about the emergency docket was that the high courts rulings are often not explained much and sometimes not explained at all, leaving lower courts and the public to guess at the courts rationale.

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Thats not the right way to approach it, she said. As we have done more and more on this emergency docket, there comes a real responsibility that I think we didn't recognize when we first started down this road to explain things better.

Kagan said she is often disappointed on the current court by finding herself on the losing end with two fairly predictable women.

I dont enjoy that. I find it frustrating. I find it disappointing. I find it sometimes even maddening, she said. Its just a fact of the matter that this sometimes happens on cases that I care strongly about.  You just sort of have to turn a page.
Officers with the Lewisville Police Department shot and killed a suspect who pulled a gun on them Wednesday evening after a lengthy pursuit.

Lewisville police pulled over a driver just after midnight. July 24. The female suspect fled, leading officers on a chase through multiple cities, which ended before she pulled a gun on officers, who then subsequently shot her. She ultimately died just after 1 a.m.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiners office will release the suspects information, according to the department.

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One woman, 43-year-old Joanna Rebecca Rogers, died at 1:16 a.m. in Medical City Lewisville, according to medical examiner records. Her case was being handled by Lewisville police.

The Dallas Express asked the department to confirm if she was the suspect, but Officer Tre Mathis said he could not provide any additional information.

The statement provided is the extent of the information we are able to provide at this time, Mathis added.

An officer pulled the suspect over shortly after midnight, suspecting her of having a felony warrant issued by another agency, according to a statement from the department. The officer checked her identity and was confirming the warrant when she fled at a high rate of speed.

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The suspect  the only person in the vehicle  led police on a chase through multiple jurisdictions.

During the pursuit, the suspect caused a collision with an LPD patrol vehicle and continued to flee from officers, the statement reads. The officer driving the patrol car was not injured.

The pursuit ended in a commercial parking lot in the 2200 block of the southbound I-35E service road in Lewisville. Officers tried to arrest the suspect, but she reportedly pulled a handgun and did not comply with the officers multiple commands to drop the weapon.

Shots were fired by LPD officers, the statement reads. The suspect was struck by the gunfire.

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So officers took lifesaving measures and immediately called for medical help from the Lewisville Fire Department. She was taken to a local hospital, where she died just after 1 a.m.

There were no other injuries to civilians or police, and investigators recovered a handgun from the suspects vehicle.

The department is performing an Internal Affairs investigation to determine whether they adhered to the proper policies, according to the statement. The department also requested an independent investigation by the Texas Rangers. Meanwhile, the four officers involved are on routine administrative leave.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  The victim in a San Diego missing person case has been identified.

Alexis Berenice Guadarrama Orozco, 33, who authorities believe is dead, has been missing under suspicious circumstances since July 15, the San Diego Police Department said in a news release Wednesday.

The victims ex-boyfriend, 48-year-old Eduardo Magana of La Puente in Los Angeles County, was arrested on suspicion of murder and booked into San Diego County Jail, according to police.

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Authorities gathered facts that led them to believe the victim was deceased, while also determining a suspect was involved in her disappearance.

Magana was then identified as a suspect, detained during a traffic stop in San Diego and interviewed by detectives.

Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  One person was stabbed Wednesday inside a Vons in the Egger Highlands neighborhood of San Diego, authorities said.

Around 4:13 p.m., SkyFOX/KUSI in the Sky was over the 600 block of Saturn Boulevard, where multiple San Diego police cars could be seen outside the grocery store.

Police initially responded to the call about the stabbing at 2:52 p.m.

When officers arrived at the location, they found a woman in aisle three with a stab wound to the shoulder, police confirmed.

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The suspect was taken into custody after being found in aisle nine, while the victim was transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Authorities release more information on fiery Poway crash that killed five

Shoppers and store employees jumped in to provide aid to the victim, according to police.

Authorities say they found a knife in one of the store aisles inside the grocery store.

The store is currently closed as police investigate.

Police believe the suspect and victim did not know each other; the attack appears to be unprovoked.

No other details have been released at this time.

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Check back for updates on this developing story.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
A woman who claimed she was Princess Dianas secret daughter beat a solicitor to death and stabbed his pet cat in the neck, a court heard.

Habiba Naveed, 35, also claimed she was Jesus and had been sent to eliminate evil from the world before killing Christopher Brown, 72, her landlord. She had previously denied his murder but pleaded guilty to his manslaughter.

Prosecutor Kerry Broome told the court Naveed believed she had connections to the royal family and was the daughter of Diana, Princess of Wales and Dodi Fayed.

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After the attack, Naveed told her brother she was Jesus and had been sent to eliminate evil from the world, and later said to police the devil attacked me last night and I won, said Ms Broome.

Naveed also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to his cat Snow by stabbing him in the neck on or before Aug 15 last year.

At a hearing at the Old Bailey on Thursday, Judge Sarah Munro KC imposed a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act and a restriction order under Section 41, meaning Naveed can be detained indefinitely.

At the time of the offence, Naveed, who has been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was psychotic, while her mental health had deteriorated in the days preceding the attack, the court heard.

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Police launched an investigation after Browns body was discovered under a dressing gown in the living room of the home he shared with Naveed in Polsted Road, Lewisham, south-east London. The cat, Snow, was also found dead.

Ms Broome said of a previous account of the attack given by the defendant: She believed she had seen the deceased kill his mother and that the deceased was evil.

She heard a voice telling her to kill him three times, she said, adding that Naveed hit Brown with a pan and then strangled him. She believed the evil spirit had jumped out of the deceased and into the cat. She got a knife and she cut the cats neck, she said.

A post-mortem examination found that Brown, who was a lawyer, died from blunt force trauma.

A kind and caring person

In a tearful statement, a colleague from Browns law firm told the hearing that the victim would have helped anyone if he could, adding that Naveed had taken away any future memories.

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She said: He wasnt just a 72-year-old-man tragically killed by his housemate, he was a solicitor, a boss, a partner, a kind man.

In a statement read out by Ms Broome, Browns cousin described him as a kind and caring person who would go out of his way to help his family and his clients.

Naveed attended the hearing via video link and only spoke to confirm her identity.

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What started as an ordinary night in rural Texas quickly spiraled into a baffling health scare that confounded doctors and captivated thousands.

In viral TikTok videos, Sarah Neal documented the moment her summer took a turn, from a strange crawling sensation on her skin to a rapidly spreading rash that would leave her nearly unrecognizable.

I got bit at like two in the morning on a Friday, on my left butt cheek, Neal tells PEOPLE. I felt something crawling, reached down, grabbed it and threw it across the room.

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She didnt think much of it the next day. But that night, during a movie with her husband, something strange started happening. I told him, Hey, my arms and legs are starting to get a rash,  she recalls. I looked in the mirror, and my face was bright red and hot to the touch.

By the time they got home, she had a fever. Her skin was burning, and she started to feel alarmed.

The next morning, her face was swollen and puffy. It wasnt just redness anymore  pustules were beginning to appear across her skin. It felt like a really tight sunburn, Neal says. Everything was hot and tight, and I was so uncomfortable that I ended up going to the ER.

But instead of finding clarity, she left the hospital more confused. Doctors dismissed the spider bite and didnt give her a clear explanation.

Sarah Neal Sarah Neal Sarah Neal

The ER was like, This isnt from a spider bite. We dont know what it is,  Neal tells PEOPLE. They gave me steroids and antibiotics and just sent me on my way, and I felt kind of gaslit.

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At home, her mother stepped in and urged her to see a specialist. Neal listened and started calling around for a dermatologist appointment.

My mom said, You really need to get this checked. These pustules are concerning,  Neal says. I ended up finding someone who could see me the same day, which people on TikTok told me is almost impossible.

The dermatologist examined her skin and listened to her story. What he said next caught her completely off guard. He said it was an AGEP rash, which usually comes from antibiotics, Neal explains. But he told me there are really rare cases where its been triggered by a brown recluse spider bite.

The bite mark on her skin matched what they typically see from that species. If the rash cleared up within five days of steroid treatment, that would confirm it. Thats exactly what happened, she says. The rash started fading after the medication, and the bite area turned black and got hard.

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At the time, she hadnt realized how serious it was. But comments from TikTok followers urging her to get medical help helped her see the full picture. I didnt think it was that big of a deal, she says. But it turned out the tissue around the bite was necrotic, basically dying, and Im really grateful I listened and got it looked at.

Before hearing the diagnosis, Neal says emergency room doctors offered a different theory. They thought it could be a reaction to sunscreen.

I had borrowed [sunscreen] spray from a lifeguard and sprayed it all over my face before jumping in a lake, Neal says. Some of the ER doctors thought maybe that combination caused it.

Though she considered it for a moment, she trusted the dermatologist more. With the bite, rash and swelling, all of it seemed to line up with the spider explanation. Ive learned not to spray body sunscreen on my face, she adds with a laugh. And Im a big fan of clean products now.

As the days passed, the bite itself got worse. The redness spread, and Neal could barely sit or be outside in the sun. I live in a town with a population of 13, so I had to drive an hour into San Antonio to get a second opinion, she says. The pain was so bad, I couldnt sit, and even laying in bed hurt.

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Her second dermatologist confirmed the same rare diagnosis. But this time, the warning was more serious.

She told me the necrotic tissue was growing and that I probably shouldnt go on my trip to Montana, Neal says. I had antibiotics and was trying to wait it out, but I also really didnt want to cancel the trip.

She returned to the ER again before leaving, hoping for reassurance. This time, the doctors told her the wound looked okay, and she was cleared to travel.

Since then, it really did heal on its own, she says. I had pain meds, and after a while it scabbed, the scab fell off, and I slowly got back to my normal life.

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The recovery took time. Her skin took about a week to return to normal, and the pain in her lower back lasted a little longer. It was about two weeks before I could sit without pain, Neal says. It was honestly the craziest two weeks of my life.

Sarah Neal Sarah Neal Sarah Neal

Throughout the process, her dermatologists were fascinated by her case. Both told her they had only ever seen AGEP rashes from antibiotics and not spider bites. One of them literally left the room to go look in his medical textbooks, Neal says. He came back and said there were a few cases just like mine, linked to brown recluse bites.

The second dermatologist did the same thing. She returned to the room after doing her own research and confirmed the rare reaction. I felt like I was a medical mystery, Neal says. They told me about other patients  like a 9-year-old and an older man  who had the same face reaction from a spider bite.

She also had bloodwork done to check for complications. Some AGEP cases can lead to anemia, but her results came back mostly normal.

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They saw inflammation, which made sense, Neal says. But everything else looked fine, and I was just grateful to have answers.

Once her story hit TikTok, thousands of people began commenting. Some had experienced similar reactions, and others simply offered support.

Almost every comment was kind and trying to help in some way, Neal tells PEOPLE. Some advice was wild, someone told me to rub baking soda on my face, or use a credit card to slide off the pimples, but most people were really supportive.

Sarah Neal Sarah Neal Sarah Neal

Neal has been on TikTok for years, but this video reached a new level of visibility. Now people still comment on her latest posts, telling her how great her face looks. Its been really comforting, she says. People have been so kind and encouraging through the whole thing.

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Looking back, Neal says sharing her story was more than just venting about a rash. It was a way to help others feel less alone and to remind people to trust themselves.

I think its so important for doctors to stay up to date on rare reactions, Neal says. Im glad there were records of this happening before, or I dont know if anyone wouldve believed me.

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.

Her advice for others facing uncertain symptoms is simple: speak up and keep pushing for answers. If I didnt book that dermatologist appointment, I never wouldve known what happened, Neal says. Especially as women, we have to advocate for ourselves because sometimes were not taken seriously.

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She remembers calling more than 10 places before someone agreed to fit her in. It was exhausting, she says, but it paid off. People say Im a hypochondriac, but I just like to be in tune with my body, Neal says. I knew something wasnt right, and Im glad I didnt ignore it.

Today, her skin is healed, and the pain is gone. All that remains is a small scar on her left side and maybe, someday, a little tribute. I think Im going to get a tattoo of a spider drawn on it, she says, laughing. Just for the memories.

Read the original article on People
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Nuclear power is long known for its destructive power and potential health risks. But its also a source of energy. And there is a working group set to meet later this year to discuss bringing it to Hawaii.

The cost of keeping the lights on in Hawaii is high.

53% of income on housing? Inside Hawaiis budget-busting reality

We spend more than 4 times the national average for our utility bills, said Sen. Glenn Wakai, who serves as the chair of the Senate Energy and Intergovernmental Affairs Committee. And we have so much solar and wind on the grid and we know that sometimes Mother Nature doesnt play to our desires.

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As part of the states goal to reach 100-percent renewable energy by 2045, lawmakers passed a resolution this session to form a working group to talk about bringing nuclear energy to Hawaii  even though the technology still isnt ready.

Im a believer that if the science is going this way, the policy should be meeting it at a certain point rather than the science having ready for consumer use, and then we figuring out the policy, Wakai said.

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Some say this is not the nuclear energy of decades past  like Fukushima or three-mile island.

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Its having conversations, but it is wasting public time and money to explore something that common sense, if you know anything about this industry, says is just not even a good idea, said Mike Ewall, Energy Justice Network.

Technology is better and small modular reactors, or SMRs, could work in Hawaii. But others mention nuclear waste, costs  which at this time are not known  and the health risks.

Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news

They can and do lead to increases in breast cancer, leukemia, birth defects, infant mortality, those types of problems, Ewall said.

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We need a better option and nuclear has the potential to provide some of that base load, said Monique Zanfes, Hawaii Energy Office Efficiency and Renewable Energy managing director. It is a firm source of energy, but right now the technology, again, is just, its too nascent.

Even if this working group was in favor of bringing nuclear to Hawaii, theres one big problem  nuclear is actually illegal here per our state constitution. So to change it, it would need to be approved by both two-thirds of the State House and two-thirds of the State Senate.

The working group is scheduled to convene in September and have a report ready for lawmakers before next session.

Ultimately, we have to keep the lights on and we have to do it at a reasonable cost and we keep all options on the table, said Zanfes.

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After nearly two decades the worlds tiniest snake has been rediscovered.

The Barbados threadsnake was previously featured on a list of 4,800 plant, animal and fungi species described as lost to science  having last been seen in 2006.

The tiny reptile is blind, burrows in the ground, eats termites and ants and lays one single, slender egg. Fully grown it only measures up to four inches.

Due to the lengthy time without being seen, scientists previously feared the Barbados threadsnake had become extinct. It has only been seen a handful of times since 1889.

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But those fear were allayed by Connor Blades, a project officer with the Ministry of Environment in Barbados, one morning in March this year, while out searching a tiny forest in the eastern Caribbean island.

A Barbados threadsnake was found by scientist Connor Blades earlier this year, having not been seen for nearly 20 years and feared extinct (Connor Blades/Re:wild via AP)

After a year of searching, you begin to get a little pessimistic, Blades said.

The snake is too tiny to identify with the naked eye, and can fit comfortably on a coin. Blades placed the reptile in a small glass jar and added soil, substrate and leaf litter before heading to a lab to double check his find.

It was a struggle, Blades said, adding that he shot a video of the snake and finally identified it thanks to a still image. I tried to keep a level head.

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The Barbados threadsnake  which has pale yellow dorsal lines running through its body, and eyes located on the side of its head  may often be confused for a Brahminy blind snake, also known as the flower pot snake, which is a bit longer and has no dorsal lines.

The Re:wild conservation group, which is collaborating with the local environment ministry, announced the rediscovery of the Barbados threadsnake Wednesday.

The tiny reptile is blind, burrows in the ground, eats termites and ants and lays one single, slender egg. Fully grown it only measures up to four inches (Connor Blades)

The Barbados threadsnake  which has pale yellow dorsal lines running through its body, and eyes located on the side of its head  may often be confused for a Brahminy blind snake, also known as the flower pot snake (Connor Blades)

Rediscovering one of our endemics on many levels is significant, said Justin Springer, Caribbean program officer for Re:wild who helped rediscover the snake along with Blades.

It reminds us that we still have something important left that plays an important role in our ecosystem.

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Theyre very cryptic, Blades added. You can do a survey for a number of hours, and even if they are there, you may actually not see them.

The first person to identify the Barbados threadsnake as its own species was S. Blair Hedges, a professor at Temple University and director of its center for biology. In 2008, Hedges discovery was published in a scientific journal, with the snake named Tetracheilostoma carlae, in honor of his wife.

The Re:wild conservation group, which is collaborating with the local environment ministry, announced the rediscovery of the Barbados threadsnake Wednesday (Connor Blades/ Re:Wild)

I spent days searching for them, Hedges recalled. Based on my observations and the hundreds of rocks, objects that I turned over looking for this thing without success, I do think it is a rare species.

At that time, in June 2006, there were only three other such specimens known at the time: two at a London museum and a third at a museum collection in California that was wrongly identified as being from Antigua instead of Barbados, Hedges said.

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Hedges said he didnt realize he had collected a new species until he did a genetic analysis. The aha moment was in the laboratory, he said, noting that the discovery established the Barbados threadsnake as the worlds smallest-known snake.

Scientists hope the rediscovery means that the Barbados threadsnake could become a champion for the protection of wildlife habitat.
Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed with severe burns victims from Israels military campaign, a top British plastic surgeon working in the war zone has said.

Dr Tom Potokar said he had been operating on 10 to 12 patients each day at hospitals in the besieged territory, but had still not been able to treat everyone who needed surgery.

The experienced plastic surgeon has done 16 stints as a volunteer in Gazas hospitals in recent years, including several since the beginning of Israels military retaliation following Hamas October 7 attacks.

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Many of those he treated since the campaign began had burns from blasts, while three-quarters of those cases have been women or children.

He told the Telegraph: [You are] operating on 10 to 12 patients per day, but thats taking the top 10 priority, but theres still plenty more behind that that needed operating.

He said in the first six weeks after Israel began its military campaign following the Hamas Oct 7 attacks, every patient he operated on had a burn injury.

Dr Potokar, who has worked in war zones and humanitarian crises over the last 35 years, says the situation inside Gaza is particularly bad - Tomo Potokar/IDEALS

With the densely populated territory under air strikes and ground operations for much of the past two years, the high incidence of burns had continued.

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Plastic surgery is one of the most sorely needed surgical disciplines during a conflict, and the lack of burns expertise in poorer countries and war zones in 2006 led him to found the medical charity Interburns, to try to improve care.

He has also been Professor of Global Burn Injury at Swansea University and consultant plastic surgeon at the Welsh Centre for Burns and Plastic Surgery.

When he first worked in Gaza in 2018, there were only two fully qualified specialists, one of them partially retired.

In his most recent trip, in May and June this year working with the Ideals international aid charity, he said he has seen horrendous injuries from blasts, including limbs being ripped off.

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I saw many cases of bilateral or triple limb amputations, huge open wounds on the back, on the chest, with the lung exposed. Really horrendous blast injuries from shrapnel and as I say, a lot of them combined with burns as well.

The Hamas-run health ministry says more than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the conflict - Dr Tomo Potokar/IDEALS

The cases that are the worst are the ones where its children, he said.

In October 2023, I remember one child that really sank in because I think they were about nine or 10 and they had about 90 per cent burns and you know that they are not going to survive, he told the Telegraph.

Theres nothing you can do. Even if there was not a conflict there, in that country, in that scenario, a 90 per cent burn when its almost all full thickness is not going to survive.

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Theres nothing you can do because you are short of supplies, to the point where its even difficult to justify dressing the wounds because you need the dressings for patients that are going to survive.

But then you are talking about a nine-year-old and some end of life dignity and unfortunately they dont die in a couple of hours, it takes four or five days, so you see this patient every four or five days, knowing full well that theres absolutely nothing you can do.

Israels destruction of Palestinian homes, schools and hospitals in Gaza generated at least 39m tonnes of concrete debris between October 2023 and December 2024 - Tomo Potokar/IDEALS

Over the past 35 years, he has worked in war zones and humanitarian crises such as South Sudan and Ukraine, but says the situation inside Gaza is particularly bad.

The Hamas-run health ministry says more than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the conflict. The ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, but has said that women and children make up more than half the dead. Israel says those figures are inflated, others that they are underestimates.

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Recent months have seen a spate of mass shootings at aid distribution points run by the controversial new Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) set up by the US and Israel to bypass United Nations-run distributions.

Aid distributions have been marred by chaotic scenes and frequent reports of Israeli forces firing on people waiting to collect rations.

The UN said this week that Israeli forces had killed over 1,000 Palestinians trying to get food aid in Gaza since the GHF began operations in May.

Israels military has disputed previous death tolls, but has said its troops have at times fired warning shots and it is investigating accusations of civilian deaths.

A very, very unpleasant scenario

Dr Potokar said he witnessed the chaotic aftermath of one such shooting incident on June 1, when Nasser Hospital was flooded with casualties.

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He said: When that happens, its just chaos because you have everyone coming in, you have relatives coming in, family coming, you have people screaming, you have one ambulance after another, then you have a truck coming in with bodies on the back of it.

The casualty department becomes completely overwhelmed.

The concept of triage is very difficult when you get hundreds, not 20 but hundreds.

Theres lots of shouting, lots of screaming, its a very, very unpleasant scenario to be in and quite tense.

Supplies were short in hospitals, he said, but the biggest limitations were in time and staff, because of the sheer number of casualties.

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Food shortages were also affecting patients and staff alike. Malnutrition was weakening patients, meaning they struggled to recover from surgery or heal.

He said: Patients are skin and bone, they are not healing, they are getting infected more than they should be. Wounds are just stagnating because they are just not getting food.

On his most recent trip, he lost 24lb (11kg) over four weeks, despite taking his own food with him.

PRCS ambulances, which run emergency service sin Gaza, crushed by debris - Tomo Potokar/IDEALS

Palestinian staff he worked alongside were increasingly fatalistic.

He said: One half are just waiting to die, saying I probably wont see you next time because I will probably be dead versus the others who are [looking for] any chance to get out.

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The need for his skills and the relentless casualties meant he could not let the situation get to him while working, he said.

Nobody wants you breaking down in tears and not being able to function, thats not going to help anyone. You have to just get on with the job, knowing that basically, what you are doing is lifting up the carpet, sweeping all the  whatever you want to call it: reaction, response, emotion whatever  underneath and putting the carpet back down and leaving it to come out at some other point.

He said he was more affected by the lack of response from the rest of the world to what he said was the worlds first televised genocide.

Dr Omer Bartov, a professor of Holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University, and former IDF soldier, recently wrote in the New York Times that Israel was no longer fighting a war against Hamas, but waging an operation of demolition and ethnic cleansing in the ravaged enclave.



I have been teaching classes on genocide for a quarter of a century. I can recognise one when I see one, he added.

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Israel has strongly rejected claims, including at the UNs top court, that its actions in Gaza amount to a genocide.

Dr Potokar said: We are putting plasters on a haemorrhaging aneurysm. The problem is the political initiative, the total lack of global, moral, ethical insight into this and desire to stop it.

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One of the more poorly kept secrets of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is that many of those involved would prefer to take all the land and have the other side disappear. A 2011 poll found that two-thirds of Palestinians believed that their real goal should not be a two-state solution, but rather using that arrangement as a prelude to establishing one Palestinian state. A 2016 survey found that nearly half of Israeli Jews agreed that Arabs should be expelled or transferred from Israel. A poll in 2000, conducted during negotiations toward a two-state solution, found that only 47 percent of Israelis and 10 percent of Palestinians supported a school curriculum that would educate students to give up aspirations for parts of the homeland which are in the other state.

These stark statistics illustrate why the conflict has proved so intractable: Palestinians and Israelis subscribe to dueling national movements with deeply held and mutually exclusive historical and religious claims to the same land. After a century of violence and dispossession, it should not be surprising that many would happily wish the other side away, if such an option existed. The current American administration, though, is the first to reinforce those ambitions, rather than curtail them.

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Aside from the efforts of beleaguered moderates, what restrains the regions worst impulses is not principle, but practicality. Neither side can fully vanquish the other without unending bloodshed, and the international community has long refused to countenance an outcome in which one group simply routs the other. Instead, successive American presidentswith the notable exception of Donald Trumphave insisted that Israelis and Palestinians resolve their differences bilaterally at the negotiating table.

Efforts to broker territorial compromise have repeatedly failed, but they had the effect of constraining maximalist aspirations on the ground. Consider the admission of Matan Kahana, a conservative Israeli politician: If there was a sort of button you could push that would make all the Arabs disappear, sending them on an express train to Switzerland where they would live fantastic lives, I would press that button, he told a student group in a right-wing settlement in 2022. But what can you do? There is no such button. It therefore seems we were meant to coexist on this land in some way. The comments leaked and Kahana was compelled to apologize, but the private recording revealed something interesting: Even a pro-settler lawmaker speaking to a sympathetic audience understood that the dream of ousting the other was unrealistic.

That began to change on October 7, 2023. Hamas, a Palestinian faction fanatically committed to ending Israel, massacred some 1,200 Israelis, and the Israeli far right saw an opportunity to attain its own thwarted ambitions. In 2005, Israel had forcibly removed all of its settlers from Gaza and ceded the Strip to Palestinian control. Eighteen years later, as Israels army reentered the area, the radicals in Benjamin Netanyahus government sought to turn back the clockand to expel any Palestinians in their way.

The sole picture of victory in this war that will allow us to lift our heads, the lawmaker Limor Son Har-Melech declared in late 2023, is settlements across the entire Gaza Strip. In November, Har-Melech and her allies spoke at a conference titled Returning to the Gaza Strip in Ashdod, a city between Tel Aviv and Gaza. Weeks later, more than 100 activists gathered in central Israel under the banner, Practical Preparation for Settlement in Gaza. In January 2024, 15 of the 64 members of Netanyahus governing coalition at the time attended an even larger gathering in Jerusalem, where speakers openly advocated the voluntary migration of Gazansa euphemism for ethnic cleansing.

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[Read: The right wing Israeli campaign to resettle Gaza]

Polls show that a clear majority of Israelis oppose the resettlement and annexation of Gaza. Even some Israelis who dream of one day ruling the entire land balk in practice at the notion of maintaining a perpetual military occupation against a Hamas insurgency. But Israels prime minister is beholden to the minority demanding exactly that. Netanyahus fragile coalition received just 48.4 percent of the vote in Israels last election, and relies on explicitly anti-Arab far-right factions to remain in power while Netanyahu is on trial for corruption. President Joe Biden understood this dynamic, and his administration undertook a public and private pressure campaign to prevent Netanyahu from acceding to his hard-right allies.

We have been clear, consistent, and unequivocal that Gaza is Palestinian land and will remain Palestinian land, the State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a January 2024 statement, publicly rebuking two Netanyahu ministers for their inflammatory and irresponsible call to encourage migration from Gaza to make way for Jewish settlement.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken flew to the region and assured Americas Arab allies that it opposed forced displacement. Palestinian civilians must be able to return home as soon as conditions allow, he said at a press conference in Doha, Qatar. They cannot, they must not, be pressed to leave Gaza. Blinken then traveled to Israel, where he apparently delivered the same message to Netanyahu. The next day, the Israeli leader posted a video in which he declared, Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population. A member of Netanyahus party told the press that the prime ministers stance had shifted because of American pressure. For the moment, maximalism had been shoved back into the box.

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Then Donald Trump won reelection, and everything changed. The same day Trump defeated Kamala Harris, Netanyahu fired Yoav Gallant, his defense minister, who had opposed the resettlement of Gaza and publicly criticized the prime minister for refusing to commit to returning the territory to Palestinian control. In one fell swoop, the chief external (Biden) and internal (Gallant) obstacles to conquering Gaza were removed. The only pressure exerted on Netanyahu now was from the hard right. And then Trump himself seemingly joined its cause.

On February 4, sitting next to a surprised Netanyahu in the Oval Office, Trump dramatically undid all of Bidens efforts, promising to take over Gaza, relocate its residents, and turn the area into the Riviera of the Middle East. The president may have conceived of this vision out of some misdirected sense of compassion, believing it would provide better lives for Palestinians now stuck in what he correctly termed a demolition site. But whatever Trumps intentions, his proposal was immediately taken as affirmation of the maximalist dream of many Israelis, and an explicit warrant for ethnic cleansing by the Israeli far right. Once that prospect turned from a pipe dream into a presidents plan, it quickly became an obstruction to concluding the conflict.

[Read: The two extremists driving Israels policy]

At a press conference in May, Netanyahu declared that implementing Trumps vision was now a condition for ending the war. Last week, the director of the Mossad reportedly visited Washington to discuss the voluntary relocation of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to third-party countries. All the while, Gazas hunger crisis has dramatically worsened, while hostages continue to languish in Hamas dungeons. Far from expediting the conflicts end, Trumps proposal has been marshaled to prolong it. And as long as the president does not explicitly reject the goal of removing the Gazan population, it will continue to bedevil his plans for the region.

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Thats because the maximalists are now driving events. Hamas, a messianic cult that never cared for the civilians it hid within and beneath, will happily continue fighting its unwinnable war against Israel to the last Gazan. Netanyahu will do whatever keeps his coalition in power, kowtowing to the far right and extending the war in service of their aims rather than winding it down. But this is not the outcome that Trump or his administration professes to want. The president has not raised his Riviera idea in months, and has instead begun pressuring Israel to compromise. MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!! Trump posted on Truth Social June 29.

The presidents message on this conflict in the Middle East, which has been going on for a long time and has become quite brutalespecially in Gazais clear, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday. He wants the killing to end, to negotiate a cease-fire in this region, and he wants to see all of the hostages released from Gaza. But the presidents message is not clear. It is contradictory, and that is the source of the problem.

This week, Trump dispatched his Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff overseas, amid hopes of clinching a deal. But if the administration wants more than another temporary cease-fire that will inevitably collapse, it needs to stop feeding the Israeli rights dream of conquestin Gaza, but also the West Bank. It must make clear that neither nation is going anywhere and once again confine the absolutist aspirations it unwisely unleashed.

Netanyahu may want to placate the far right, but with his coalition falling apart and elections scheduled for 2026 in any event, he absolutely cannot afford to lose the American president before his next campaign. Whatever Trump dictates, as both Israels and Netanyahus primary patron, the prime minister will have to accept.

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A presidents words have power. With his Gaz-a-Lago intervention, Trump made attaining a lasting cease-fire in Gazanot to mention broader peace in the Middle Eastmuch harder. But by the same token, he has the capacity to reverse that reality, if he is willing to disown his biggest blunder.

Article originally published at The Atlantic
NORTH ANDOVER  The attorney for a North Andover police officer who was on administrative leave and shot in her home when colleagues arrived to serve her with a restraining order June 30 has released a statement from the victim, Kelsey Fitzsimmons, written from her hospital bed after having what she says were two significant surgeries.

In her first public statement, Fitzsimmons, 28, described a much different version of events from what has been reported by others involved in the situation. Fitzsimmons claimed she tried to kill herself and was shot in the chest by a fellow officer when she pointed a gun at her head.

My firearm was never pointed in any direction other than my temple, Fitzsimmons said in the statement released by Timothy Bradl, her attorney.

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When I pulled the trigger, my gun did not fire. However, I immediately got shot in the chest, by my colleague and friend.

Three North Andover police officers went to her home at 125 Phillips Brooks Road that Monday evening. An officer fired at Fitzsimmons after an armed confrontation took place when the restraining order was served to her. After medical assistance was administered, Fitzsimmons was flown to a Boston hospital, according to authorities.

Fitzsimmons was on leave at the time of the shooting. Her firearms license had been recently reinstated following its suspension in March after she was held on a Section 12 order for mental health issues at Lawrence General Hospital.

In the lengthy statement, Fitzsimmons tells one side of what transpired before and during the shooting that led to her hospitalization. Her statement also describes how the rookie officers response, while 20 weeks pregnant, to a murder-suicide in August when a North Andover mother stabbed her 9-month-old infant and then herself was a catalyst for mental health complications.

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She is in great spirits now that she is getting her voice out there, Bradl told The Eagle-Tribune on Thursday afternoon.

Bradl said while she recovers from what he described as life-threatening injuries, she chose to speak out to clarify a narrative surrounding the incident.

In the statement, Fitzsimmons said she faces felony charges for a half-hearted attempt to take my own life. She was charged with a count of armed assault with intent to murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, an Essex County District Attorneys Office spokesperson confirmed July 10.

When North Andover police arrived at her home June 30, Fitzsimmons said she had been there for an hour after her fiance asked her to go for a walk with her and their child. She said she waited for three hours in the park after receiving his phone call for the meetup before she headed home.

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Fitzsimmons and North Andover firefighter Justin Aylaian gave birth to their child in February.

Fitzsimmons said she was on the couch at her home feeding the child when three of her colleagues knocked on the door.

Fitzsimmons said she was told she was being served with a restraining order filed by her fiance, who would take custody of their son with no contact. She was also told her firearms license which was just returned is gone again, according to Fitzsimmons.

She packed a bag with items for the child, handed him to one of the officers and then went into her bedroom, Fitzsimmons said.

In that horrible moment, I didnt want to live after my whole world was turned upside down, in the matter of a 10 second conversation due to someone alleging horrible, untrue things, Fitzsimmons said in the statement.

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She said she tried to kill herself because she no longer had the will to live. The officer who shot her was someone who became a friend and support system after the two responded to the murder-suicide last year, Fitzsimmons said.

As a rookie police officer, this was devastating to me, she said of the murder-suicide call. The officer that shot me experienced this call with me. To this day, his support during that hard time is something I am still grateful for, regardless of this recent incident that occurred.

In the statement, Fitzsimmons acknowledged her postpartum depression diagnosis three weeks after giving birth. She said she was actively seeking treatment and immediately sought help from medical professionals.

In May, she filed an appeal of police Chief Charles Grays decision to suspend her gun permit after she argued it was revoked due to her hospitalization in March.

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In the May 6 petition, Fitzsimmons was upfront about her mental health struggles during her maternity leave. She voluntarily contacted North Andover police to turn over her personal and department-issued guns after the 12-hour, mental health hospital stay, according to court documents.

Fitzsimmons petition details how she was diagnosed with postpartum depression and sought follow-up care that included seeing a therapist and psychiatrist. She would welcome a fitness-for-duty evaluation to return to work, according to the petition.

Unfortunately, healing a sickness does not happen overnight, Fitzsimmons said in her statement.

Becoming a mother was always her dream and she never made any threats toward her child, she said.

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That allegation specifically makes me sick to my stomach, she said.

In the accompanying affidavit to the restraining order, Aylaian alleged Fitzsimmons was a danger to herself, him and their 4-month-old and threatened harm to kill the baby and herself.

In the statement, Fitzsimmons also called for reform in the court system and claims she would not be wrongfully accused if North Andover police officers wore body cameras.
FORT HOOD, Texas (FOX 44)  Sixty middle school students from the Killeen Independent School Districts Fort Hood community are learning practical skills and building their very own bikes  thanks to the return of Workforce Solutions of Central Texas Wrenches to Wheels program.

The hands-on event took place at Audie Murphy Middle School, and was made possible in part by a $10,000 donation from H-E-B which funded bike kits and tools for the student participants.

H-E-B officials said they were proud to support a program which helps young people develop both life and technical skills.

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Its the best thing that you can do. Any time you can give back in any way, whether its your labor, your time it just brings back the memories of when youre a kid, said Mike Warden, of H-E-B.

Each student is paired with local mentors and industry professionals who guide them through the bike assembly process, teaching teamwork, problem-solving, and mechanical skills. The program also introduces students to career pathways in technical and trade industries.

Baylor Scott & White McLane Childrens Medical Center is also playing a key role by providing helmets and offering a bike safety demonstration to ensure students leave with the knowledge needed to ride safely.

Jared Porritt, a representative from Workforce Solutions of Central Texas, emphasized the programs broader impact, Its touching every student and letting them know what they need to do today to help them for tomorrow, because there are so many different careers out there that they need to learn about and start planning for today.

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Porritt added that the program also gives students a chance to unplug from their devices and enjoy real-world learning.

Theyre taking pictures of their fun, but theyre not connected to a screen  theyre having fun in the moment here, he said.

For Julius Beard, an incoming eighth grader at Audie Murphy Middle School, the experience left a lasting impression.

I thought it was a good thing to happen because not many people get to do stuff like this, Beard said.

With support from community partners and local volunteers, Workforce Solutions officials say this initiative is more than just about bikes  its about building confidence, community, and a foundation for the future.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
(WGHP)  Wrestling icon Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71, according to TMZ Sports.

Hogan, real name Terry Gene Bollea, is a member of the WWE Hall of Fame and is considered to be one of the greatest wrestlers of all time.

Hogan also had an acting career, first appearing in 1982s Rocky III.

WWE released the following statement on X:

WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. One of pop cultures most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogans family, friends, and fans WWE

Fellow wrestling icon Ric Flair also expressed his condolences:

I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend@HulkHogan! Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didnt Ask For Him To Be. He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside. Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend! Ric Flair

WFLA reports that Hogan died of a cardiac arrest. According to WFLA, officers were called to his Clearwater, Florida home, where Hogan suffered a cardiac arrest just before 10 a.m. He was taken to Morton Plant Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

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Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector described Hogan in a statement provided to WFLA as an inspiration to our entire Clearwater community and millions around the world.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.
Every year, more than 60,000 new cases of leukemia are diagnosed in the United States. WSAV is joining with the Leukemia Lymphoma Society to present Light the Night in Savannah on Thursday, November 20th, at the Park at Eastern Wharf.

Light The Night is a gathering to celebrate, honor, and remember those touched by blood cancers, like leukemia. In 2025, well be joined by Memorial Health, Summit Cancer Care, Lowcountry Cancer Care, Kiewit Companies Foundation, The Courtney Knight Gains Foundation, Chatham Parkway Subaru, St. Josephs Candler, Pintail Site Preparation, SGA Dental, JTVS Builders, Chatham Dental Care, Lasky Justus Law, Lo Go Goods, DCS Dental Claim Support, Bar Julian, Enmarket, and Thompson Savannah to bring light to the darkness of cancer.

The funds raised by this Savannah community support life-saving blood cancer research, provide free information and support services, and serve as a voice for those seeking access to quality, affordable, coordinated care for patients and their families  like Sofia.

At just three years old, Sofia went from an active toddler to too tired to playuntil a blood test revealed she had leukemia. Her family was thrust into a world of hospital stays, isolation, and fear, but they found strength and support through The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Light The Night. Today, Sofia is back in school and fighting strongfamilies like hers need your help to keep moving forward.

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Community honoree Emily OConnor joins WSAV to discuss Light the Night

We are United to End Blood Cancer. By 2040, LLS will enable people with blood cancer to gain more than one million years of life. This means more birthdays, more graduations, more cherished moments and memories with family and friends. Join us at one of the 100+ events across the US and Canada, where we walk to celebrate, honor and remember those touched by cancer. We are bringing light to the darkness of cancer. WE LIGHT THE NIGHT.

Join us as we Light The Night Thursday, November 20, 2025, at The Park at Eastern Wharf, 101 Port Street in Savannah

REGISTER & BRING YOUR FRIENDS

Join as an individual, as a member of a community or corporate team, or even as a team captain. Whatever you choose, be sure to ask everyone you know to join, too. Registration is free, but walkers are encouraged to raise funds to support the mission.

FUNDRAISE WITH TOOLS & OUR APP

Raise money through your fundraising page, social media or the old-fashioned way of asking friends and family to help. Log into your fundraising center here and use our fundraising and social media toolkit. Download our mobile app to fundraise and take donations on the go!

RAISE MORE & EARN MORE

Light The Night celebrates fundraisers who push themselves, from our Champions for Cures (raising $100+) to our Bright Lights (raising $1,000+). NEW this year, check out our Twice as Bright and $5K Club swag! Show your commitment to blood cancer patients and unlock our exclusive season apparel. We see the light youre bringing, and we honor it!

CELEBRATE AS A SURVIVOR

Patients and survivors will receive a special Survivor T-shirt regardless of the fundraising level they achieve and a white lantern to hold high in the sky as we help to bring light to the darkness of cancer.

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All your questions answered in one place! Frequently Asked Questions

Light The Night Savannah/Southeast GA Event Details

Date of Event: Thursday November 20th, 2025

Event Location: The Park at Eastern Wharf, 101 Port St, Savannah, GA 31401

Parking Logistics: The Park at Eastern Wharf is located along the Savannah River at the east end of the Riverwalk. We are accessible by entrances at General McIntosh Blvd and East President St.

Metered on-street parking can be paid at kiosks or by downloading the Park Savannah mobile app, and is enforced from 8AM-8PM Monday through Saturday. Space numbers are listed on the curb next to your parking space.

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Parking is also available in the public Eastern Wharf Parking Garage which is located at 301 Passage Way, on the new Eastern Wharf Development. The garage has 696 public spaces available. Daily customers will exit the parking garage using an exit verifier/kiosk which accepts American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa only (NO CASH).



Event Festivities: 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Opening Ceremony: 6:45pm

Walk Begins: 7:00 pm

Post Event Festivities: 7:15pm

Join us for the official after party at Bar Julian  rooftop of the Thompson Savannah, right after the event!



Additional Event Information:

How long is the walk?

The walk is approximately 1 mile.

What can we bring to this event?

The following are allowed at this event: Dogs, Strollers, Wheelchairs.

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Is there a bag policy?

No, there is not a bag policy for this event.

Is there food available?

Food for purchase will be available on site. Please bring all forms of payment.

What if it rains on event day?

This event is rain or shine.

How can I pick up a lantern?

All registered participants receive a lantern to be picked up at the Lantern Tent at the walk.

Is the event appropriate for children?

Yes! Light The Night is a multi-generational event! The Kids Zone will feature many different games and activities for children.

Do kids need to register?

Children 12 years old and younger do not need to register but must be accompanied by an adult to receive a lantern at the event.

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How do I get a T-Shirt?

All registered participants who raise $100+ on their individual fundraising page will receive a t-shirt that can be picked up at the walk.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Attorney General Pam Bondi informed President Trump in May that his name appeared multiple times in files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to a bombshell report The Wall Street Journal published Wednesday.

Bondi and her deputy told the president that Justice Department (DOJ) officials reviewed what she described as a truckload of documents on Epstein and discovered the presidents name appeared multiple times, according to the report, which cited senior administration officials.

Bondi also told Trump that many other high-profile individuals were named in the files  which alone is not a sign of wrongdoing. One official familiar with the documents told the Journal the files contain hundreds of names.

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Trump was told at the meeting that the DOJ did not intend to release any more files on Epstein because the material included child sexual abuse material and personal information of Epsteins alleged victims, the Journal reported. DOJ officials also saw the documents as containing unverified hearsay about Trump and others, Bondi told Trump.

Officials told the Journal the information was disclosed during a routine briefing at the White House, and that the Epstein files were not the focus of the meeting.

A source confirmed to The Hills sister network NewsNation that Bondi informed Trump during a May briefing that his name was mentioned in the files.

Bondi said publicly in February that Epsteins alleged client list was sitting on my desk right now to review.

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On July 7, the Department of Justice released a memo concluding there was no client list and said officials did not plan to disclose additional files. The memo set off a torrent of criticism from the presidents own base of supporters  who had long called for the release of documents on Epstein  and from Democrats, who seized the opportunity to add to the presidents negative coverage.

Trump has expressed his frustration at the publics continued focus on the Epstein story and has encouraged his party to move on to other priorities. But it has divided the Republican Party to such an extent that Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) canceled votes in the House on Thursday and sent the chamber home a day early to avoid holding a vote on calling for the release of documents.

Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche referred back to the July memo in response to the Journals reporting.

The DOJ and FBI reviewed the Epstein Files and reached the conclusion set out in the July 6 memo. Nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution, and we have filed a motion in court to unseal the underlying grand jury transcripts. As part of our routine briefing, we made the President aware of the findings, they said in a joint statement.

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The memo released on July 6th is consistent with the thorough review conducted by the FBI and DOJ. The criminal leakers and Fake News media tries tirelessly to undermine President Trump with smears and lies, and this story is no different, FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement.

Trump and Epstein had acknowledged they ran in similar circles but reportedly had a falling out years ago.

The fact is that The President kicked him out of his club for being a creep. This is nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media, just like the Obama Russiagate scandal, which President Trump was right about, White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement responding to the Journals reporting.

He also told the Journal: This is another fake news story, just like the previous story by The Wall Street Journal.

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Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
During what sources who spoke to the Wall Street Journal describe as a routine briefing that covered a number of topics in May, President Trump was informed that his name appeared multiple times in the documents that the Justice Department reviewed on the Jeffrey Epstein case.

In a new piece published this afternoon that cites anonymous senior administration officials, the WSJ reports that Attorney General Pam Bondi told Trump during the White House meeting about his name appearing in the files, and said that several other high-profile figures also appeared. The Journals piece includes this caveat: Being mentioned in the records isnt a sign of wrongdoing.

Trumps name being listed in the files multiple times was not the central focus of the meeting, these officials told WSJ. But it was during this meeting that it was decided that the DOJ would not release any more materials related to the Epstein investigation because the documents contained child pornography and victims personal information, in the Journals words. Trump reportedly told them that he would defer to them on the matter.

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Per WSJs description of the meeting:

They told the president at the meeting that the files contained what officials felt was unverified hearsay about many people, including Trump, who had socialized with Epstein in the past, some of the officials said. One of the officials familiar with the documents said they contain hundreds of other names.

The New York Times published a piece a few hours later confirming many of the main details of the WSJs report.

FBI Director Kash Patel has also reportedly told other Trump administration officials that the presidents name appeared in the documents, per WSJ.

This all, of course, flies in the face of Trumps own public remarks on the matter. Earlier this month Trump was asked by an ABC News reporter if Bondi had told him whether his name appeared in the files.

No, no, shes  shes given us just a very quick briefing, Trump said in response to the question, adding that Bondi had really done a very good job with reviewing the massive investigative file.

Just Under the Wire

Before leaving town because Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) shut down the legislative session early to avoid more Epstein votes, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer subpoenaed Ghislaine Maxwell, the jailed former associate of Epstein. She will reportedly appear for a deposition at a Florida federal correctional facility in August, according to ABC News.

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The facts and circumstances surrounding both your and Mr. Epsteins cases have received immense public interest and scrutiny, Comer said in a statement.

The fixation on Maxwell from Republicans and the White House is just one of several ways Trump and his allies have attempted to deflect and distract from the story that Trumps political movement is up in arms about his DOJ not releasing the files. In a post on Truth Social, Trump directed DOJ officials to meet with Maxwells lawyers earlier this week. His personal lawyer and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is, in particular, making a big show of his plans to pursue a meeting with Maxwells lawyers.

Justice demands courage. For the first time, the Department of Justice is reaching out to Ghislaine Maxwell to ask: what do you know? At @AGPamBondis direction, Ive contacted her counsel. I intend to meet with her soon. No one is above the lawand no lead is off-limits. https://t.co/3IZh9viI7i  Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) July 22, 2025

The Other Thing Theyre Fixated On

To distract from their decision to not release the files, the Trump Justice Department is also making a big deal out of asking courts to unseal grand jury transcripts from various Epstein related cases. One judge in Florida declined the request. Per PBS:

A judge on Wednesday rejected a Trump administration request to unseal transcripts from grand jury investigations of Jeffrey Epstein years ago in Florida, though a similar records request is pending in New York. U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenberg in West Palm Beach said the request to release grand jury documents from 2005 and 2007 did not meet any of the extraordinary exceptions under federal law that could make them public.

In Case You Missed It

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Making Sense Of The Weird Jeffrey Epstein-MAGA Moment

Mike Johnsons Supposed Moral Responsibility to Pack It Up Early

Yesterdays Most Read Story

House and Executive Branch Now Totally Derailed by Epstein

What We Are Reading

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POTUS is clearly furious: White House is frustrated by all-consuming Epstein coverage

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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  Researchers within West Virginia University are showing exactly how Mountaineers go first as they lead a big role in NASAs TRACER mission.

TRACER has been a work in progress since 2017, but on July 23 at 2:13 p.m., Falcon 9 launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, right alongside the thrill of WVU physics and astronomy professor, Dr. Katy Goodrich and postdoctoral researcher, Dr. Skylar Shaver.

The key mission behind TRACERs launch is to study the connection between the Sun and Earth, but specifically the electrically conductive particles flying off the Sun that interact with the global magnetic field and enter the Earths system near the polesbetter known as what leads to the aurora borealis.

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Data for the mission is being collected by the launch of the two satellites that went into solar orbit on Wednesday.

The mission requires all hands on deck, utilizing research from multiple R1 institutions nationwide, but WVUs team of researchers on the mission are science operation leads.

West Virginias brightest attend Governors Honor Academy at WVU

In an interview with 12 News, Dr. Goodrich and Dr. Shaver explained their role in the mission.

Getting all this data back, we have to go through so many different steps, and sometimes we need someone to help us kind of transition through that to make sure that what we get is digestable, the data that we get is calibrated correctly, the data that we get is packaged correctly and distributed and explained correctly to, not just the scientific community but to the public because this is a public mission and this is for the public. Everyone should have access to this knowledge that we have, Dr. Goodrich said.

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Our job here is to really take those lines and squigglys that are the data and make it accessible and help people see the bigger picture of what tracer science is all about, Dr. Shaver said.

The satellites will orbit and gather data for the next year and, according to Dr. Goodrich, the science operation leads are responsible for providing information to the public every six months.

And though there is no set website to keep up with that data just yet, you can find more information on the project through NASAs TRACERS 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 WBOY.com.
WWE legend Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71.

Medics were reportedly called to Hogans Clearwater, Florida, home Thursday morning.

In May, a spokesperson for the retired wrestling legend, 71, told TMZ that he had undergone a little fusion procedure on his neck.

He just needs from time to time a medical check up, a representative for Hogan told The Independent at the time, assuring fans that the surgery had indeed been successful, and there are no reasons to panic.

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His wife, Sky, had additionally denied rumors that he was in a coma after the surgeries, insisting that his heart was strong.

Over the years, Hogan had undergone a string of back surgeries and hip and shoulder replacements.

Ive had like 25 surgeries in the last ten years. 10 of them were back surgeries, he told Jake Paul on the IMPAULSIVE podcast in September 2024. Ive had 10 back surgeries, both knees and both hips replaced, shoulders  everything.

More to come...
WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD)  A young girl was hospitalized after being pulled from a pool in Wyoming on Wednesday night, police say.

It happened around 8:50 p.m. on the 5700 block of Bethanne Drive SW, which is near the intersection of 56th Street and Ivanrest Avenue, according to the Wyoming Police Department.

Police say the girl, age 8, was found unresponsive in a residential pool. Bystanders started first aid on the girl, and first responders took over when they arrived.

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The girl was rushed to the hospital. She was last listed in critical condition, according to police.

Police didnt release any information about how the girl ended up in the water.

Detectives are investigating. If you know anything, youre asked to contact the Wyoming Police Department at 616.530.7300.

Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Beijing on Thursday, kicking off an EU-China summit aimed at recalibrating strained ties.

State broadcaster CCTV quoted Xi as saying China and the EU must act with foresight amid global instability and make strategic choices, while strengthening cooperation and mutual trust.

The summit coincides with the 50th anniversary of EU-China diplomatic relations. Key topics include China's stance on Russia's war in Ukraine and mounting trade tensions.

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"This Summit is the opportunity to both advance and rebalance our relationship," von der Leyen posted on social media platform X after arriving in Beijing.

Despite being each other's second-largest trading partners, ties have become increasingly fraught. Brussels is alarmed by a record trade deficit of over 300 billion ($353 billion) in the last year and China's export controls on critical rare earths used in electric motors and sensors.

Ahead of the summit, Costa and von der Leyen visited Tokyo on Wednesday to deepen cooperation with Japan. The EU and Japan pledged to build a "competitiveness alliance," including increased trade and joint efforts to strengthen rare earth supply chains.
By Dan Peleschuk

KYIV (Reuters) -Polina Morhun was just a child when an uprising toppled a pro-Russian president and set Ukraine on a Western course in 2014, yet she and thousands of other young people in Kyiv are at the forefront of protests to preserve that legacy.

Their energy has created a festival-like atmosphere tinged with focused anger outside the office of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, whose image as a tireless wartime leader has been tarnished by his moves to curb anti-corruption agencies.

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"I think now that I'm 18, I have a certain responsibility," Morhun, a native of eastern Ukraine's Donetsk, said late on Wednesday amid the din of a second night of the biggest protests since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.

Morhun and her peers, who have come of age in an era of both visa-free travel to Europe and full-scale war, are angry about restrictions on agencies set up to stamp out graft, a key precondition for Ukraine to one day join the EU.

The 2014 Maidan revolution - named after the Kyiv square where much larger rallies took place - was sparked by persistent post-communist misrule and paved the way for reforms bolstered by Western financial and political support.

Fighting corruption is seen as central to erasing a legacy of Russian domination and justifying the sacrifices of Ukrainian forces struggling to fend off Moscow's army on the battlefield.

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Zelenskiy appeared to back down on Wednesday, vowing to retain the independence of the two anti-corruption agencies and saying protests across Ukraine had "not fallen on deaf ears".

Mass protests are banned under martial law and Ukrainians have been careful to project unity during the conflict, now in its fourth year. This week's demonstrations, which included smaller rallies in other big cities, including Lviv in the west and Kharkiv in the east, were a far cry from the protests of 2014 which involved hundreds of thousands of people.

But demonstrators like 25-year-old Alik Vovkotrub, who said seeing the Maidan protests as high school student "changed my life", believe it is critical to keep Ukraine's leaders in line.

"Those in power... are too far from the people," said Vovkotrub, sporting a coiffed moustache matching his Cossack-style surname.

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'WE NEED FAIRNESS'

Morhun, the 18-year-old whose family fled Donetsk after Russia-backed separatists captured the city in 2014, said young people who stayed in Ukraine after Russia's invasion share a sense of collective ownership.

"They want to build their future in Ukraine with their own hands," she told Reuters.

As he vowed to submit new legislation to parliament addressing the protesters' concerns, Zelenskiy on Wednesday echoed his earlier justification of Tuesday's restrictions by saying "there will be no Russian influence" in law enforcement.

On Monday, security forces had arrested two anti-corruption officials on suspicion of ties to Russia and launched sweeping searches of other employees.

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Critics said the measures went too far and looked like political pressure on prized agencies that have brought charges against lawmakers and senior government officials.

As Zelenskiy acknowledged their concerns during his regular evening address, demonstrators flooded a square below the presidential administration, chanting "Shame!".

"There was no clarity in his explanations ... about why this even needed to be done," said Maryna Mykhalchuk, 26, who described the move as "a knife in the back".

Mykhalchuk said she had friends killed in the war and plans to join the army herself. She added that Zelenskiy's anti-Russia argument was undermined by the fact that lawmakers from a former parliament faction perceived as pro-Russian had supported the measures.

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"We need fairness, we need our free state, and we need for it to flourish," said Vanya Vinska, a 19-year-old university student.

"And to stand by while such historic events are taking place is impossible, no matter what age."

(Additional reporting by Vladyslav Smilianets; Edited by Mike Collett-White and Philippa Fletcher)
Fayetteville  Like the veteran athlete or entertainer who knows when to take his or her exit, Eddie Young simply felt that now was the right time to retire from his long-held post as the Fayette County assessor.

The Fayette County Commission announced last week it was seeking to appoint a replacement for Young, who will retire July 31. Resumes were accepted until noon on Tuesday, July 22.

A 27-year Fayetteville resident, Young was the Fayette assessor for 21 years, preceded by a 10-year stint as the chief deputy assessor and five years performing other tasks in the office.

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When I ran (he was reelected in 2024), I had plans to finish my term, Young said. Theres just been different life changes.

A guy told me one time, Youll know when its time. It hit me, its time. Im still healthy, and Id just like to enjoy my life for a while and do some things I like to do. Now is as good a time as any.

While referencing life changes, Young also said hes seen numerous changes in the job structure as the years advanced. There have been lots and lots of changes, he said. Im now in my third computer system. Its the fourth year of this one, and its still got bugs.

In recent years, assessments have seen fluctuations via the arrival of the Summit Bechtel Reserve and, more recently, the Covid-19 pandemic and the designation of the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

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Right after Covid, we turned into a national park, Young said. That has really changed things.

It caused prices to go up here on real estate.

Hikes in housing prices in the county in recent years affects what I do, said Young, involved in his 37th tax season.

The changes in the real estate market and the vehicle market have been obvious, he noted.

GIS mapping and a statewide web-based computer program have also come to the forefront more in recent years to enhance operations.

In addition, managing personnel has seen some movement of late, but not necessarily on the positive side. Ive got a really good staff, but if somebody retires or moves on, you cant find anybody that wants to work (to replace them), he lamented.

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Young said hes enjoyed providing service for the public over the years. Its a job, for sure, when you sit here (crunching numbers and arriving with tax assessments). If a person or business has to pay more taxes, its Youngs job to explain it if he is questioned.

I tell people the truth when they come through my door. People for the most part understand what the assessor has to do. Were not out here to stick it to everybody.

One of the positives has been that the job has allowed him to maintain contact with old friends and form new friendships. I made a lot of friends over the years here, Young said. Meeting and having conversations with friends at the annex, seeing old friends; thats been nice.

Working for Fayette County has been a blessing for me, he concluded. Ive been able to stay home ... and do my job and get along with everybody and made a ton of friends.

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During his time as assessor, Young served on statewide property valuation commissions, which oversee reappraisals.

He received the Richard Shelton Memorial Award from the West Virginia Association of Counties in February 2023 in honor of his exemplary career in public service.

I was probably maybe the second- or third-youngest assessor at one time, and Im one of the old guys now, Young said in a 2023 interview. Ive always just tried to do my job, not seek out attention.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has finalized a new set of regulations on the work of the anti-corruption authorities in the wake of protests against controversial new legislation passed by the parliament in Kiev.

Zelensky discussed the revised legislation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday.

In a post on X, Zelensky spoke of a draft law that ensures the independence and effectiveness of the anti-corruption authorities in Ukraine.

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The law still needs to be passed by parliament. According to Zelensky, it is to be submitted there already on Thursday.

Zelensky backed down in the wake of the largest protests that Ukraine has seen since the start of Russia's over three-year war. Demonstrators had taken to the streets to protest a law that he signed on Tuesday which placed the authorities under the control of the General Prosecutor's Office.

"We all agreed that there must be no interference or influence from Russia on the functioning of our anti-corruption infrastructure. I invited Germany to join the expert review of the bill. Friedrich assured me of readiness to assist," Zelensky wrote.

He had previously announced that the new law would take into account all the concerns of the demonstrators. However, he did not give any details.

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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also spoke to the Ukrainian president on the phone, according to Downing Street. Starmer also reaffirmed the UK's "unwavering support for Ukraine."

Zelensky wrote in an X post that they had a "very good and substantive conversation." He also informed Starmer about the planned regulations.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he had had a phone conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, which primarily concerned the situation with Ukraines anti-corruption infrastructure.

Source: European Pravda, citing Zelenskyy on X (Twitter)

Details: Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that he briefed Merz on the agreement on the draft law text that "guarantees the independence and effectiveness of anti-corruption institutions in Ukraine".

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Quote: "I invited Germany to join the expert review of the bill. Friedrich assured me of readiness to assist."

Zelenskyy also said that he discussed with the German chancellor the implementation of agreements with the EU and work on opening the first negotiation cluster, with Berlin pledging its support.

In addition, the leaders discussed the situation on the line of contact and the need for additional funding to produce drones, particularly interceptor drones.

Background:

Earlier, Zelenskyy announced that he had approved the text of a draft law guaranteeing the independence of anti-corruption bodies  it will be submitted to parliament on Thursday.

The G7 ambassadors welcomed Zelenskyys pledge to restore the independence of anti-corruption institutions and offered their assistance in this regard

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
As summer shadows lengthened over Kyiv on Tuesday evening, thousands of Ukrainians, most of them women and some veterans of the war, gathered a few blocks from the presidential office on Bankova Street, chanting shame.

It was the first and only significant protest against Volodymyr Zelenskys government since the full-scale Russian invasion began, fracturing the national unity that has helped Ukraine resist Russias aggression and setting alarm bells ringing among Kyivs allies.

Credit: Igor Zakharenko

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A few hours earlier, the Supreme Rada, Ukraines single-chamber parliament, had passed a bill pushed by the presidents office that brings the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (Nabu) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (Sapo) under the control of the prosecutor general, who in turn is appointed by Zelensky himself.

The changes, forced through in record time with what opposition members described as a brutal disregard for parliamentary procedure, stripped the agencies of their most important attribute: political independence. Instead, the prosecutor general now has the power to reassign or redirect investigations.

The reforms come in the wake of anti-corruption agents having launched an investigation into a sitting minister, and Zelenskys government, which says it is determined to root out Russian spies, having dispatched the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) to hunt for saboteurs within Nabu.

Accusations of a power grab

On Tuesday, the simmering tension reached a sudden denouement. In just a few hours, Zelensky and his ruling party had proposed, voted through, and signed into law the new bill.

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But even before Zelensky signed off on the reforms, protesters were already on the streets of Kyiv and other cities, gathering to denounce what they saw as a power grab in a country that has battled hard to make its way to democracy. Some have accused the president of attempting to protect members of his inner circle from investigations pursued by the anti-graft agencies.

Meanwhile, on the vast frontline of the war with Russia, serving soldiers expressed astonishment and outrage  sentiments that were echoed in European capitals friendly to Kyivs cause.

As pressure mounted with a second wave of protests on Wednesday night, Zelensky appeared to backtrack.

Having heard what [the] people are saying, he promised to present a new bill in two weeks time that would safeguard the independence of anti-corruption institutions.

Today started with the meeting with government officials and representatives of law enforcement agencies.



Of course, everyone has heard what people are saying these days  on social media, to each other, on the streets. It's not falling on deaf ears. We analyzed all concerns, pic.twitter.com/Rcrp2MOXhP  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) July 23, 2025

The presidents Wednesday evening address did not divulge further details, however, and his intervention may ultimately prove unable to mollify those who braved the threat of Russian air raids to take to the streets.

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He promised to fix it, but everyone is really cautious and waiting to see the text of the draft law, says Katya, a 40-year old NGO worker from Kyiv who joined Wednesday nights demonstrations.

And Zelensky, she adds, should not underestimate the depth of annoyance he has stirred up.

Kyiv was constantly bombed for the past few months. Mostly at night. Everyone is sleep-deprived and totally exhausted. So instead of getting some rest while its relatively calm, we have to go out and protest this s---, she adds. People are angry. Most protestors understand that Russia is using the footage in their propaganda to discredit Ukraine. But at the same time, people feel that this is their only option to be heard.

Zelensky is becoming autocratic

Oleksiy Goncharenko, an MP from Odesa, was among just 13 deputies to vote against the changes. On Tuesday morning, when I was planning to go to parliament, I didnt know that the law which they made the amendments to even existed, he says. They got it through committee, then they got it through parliament, then the speaker signed [it], and then the president signed, and then it was published, all in 10 hours  which is unbelievable. (The bill passed with the support of 263 MPs, with another 13 abstaining.)

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Goncharenko, an open political opponent of Zelensky, believes the cause of this was a legislative blitzkrieg driven by panic within the presidents office over investigations closing in on members of the administration. Critics argue that the changes will reduce the chances of high-ranking officials guilty of corruption facing justice.

Oleksiy Goncharenko criticises Zelenskys rushed law that curbs the independence of Ukraines anti-corruption watchdogs

Others have suggested the changes may be an attempt by Zelensky  whose popularity ratings have gradually slipped as the war with Russia has dragged on  to consolidate his own power.

Last month, Nabu said it suspected Oleksiy Chernyshov, a sitting deputy prime minister, of receiving a $345,000 (255,000) kickback in a property development scheme.

Chernyshov told the Kyiv Independent, Ukraines main English-language paper, at the time that he was absolutely not involved and that he would not be resigning from his post. He was, however, dismissed in last weeks government reshuffle.

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Then, on Monday, while Nabu chief Semen Kryvonos was visiting counterparts in London, Ukraines SBU security service conducted several raids on the bureau in what it said was a search for a Russian mole.

The bureau protested the raids, warning they could undermine ongoing investigations. The next day, it was stripped of its independence in a hurried vote in the Rada.

This is a logical development of all recent moves. Zelensky is becoming autocratic. Hes already autocratic. And yesterday he made maybe his final choice in this direction, because thats absolutely unacceptable. So he ruined the independence of anti-corruption bodies, Goncharenko says.

Not everyone would go that far. Orysia Lutsevych, the deputy director of the Russia and Eurasia Programme and head of the Ukraine forum at Chatham House, believes the word autocrat is an exaggeration.

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Its not one man running the country in Ukraine. Its a crony capitalist system where those in power need law enforcement for resource extortion and political pressure. So its a much finer balance [] than just being an autocrat, she says.

Orysia Lutsevych argues Ukraines troubles with independent law enforcement run deeper than Zelensky, rooted in a long-standing political system - Jeff Gilbert

Nor, Lutsevych adds, is the apparent aversion to independent law enforcement unique to Zelensky. Its a kind of curse of a Ukrainian political system that is built on a liaison dangereuse between law enforcement and the office of the president. Whoever is in office, they feel fundamental discomfort at independent law enforcement. So theyre using wartime to reverse that, she says.

Indeed, Petro Poroshenko, Zelenskys predecessor as president, also clashed with anti-corruption NGOs, despite coming to power after the pro-European Maidan revolution of 2014. Given the opportunity, he too would probably have done away with Nabu and Sapos autonomy, Lutsevych speculates.

The most dangerous moment

Nabu, set up with assistance from both the FBI and the EU, and Sapo emerged after the 2014 uprising that brought down the pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych.

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The revolution was triggered by his U-turn on a planned association deal with the EU, but it was also a revolt against a culture of graft that many Ukrainians felt permeated the entire ruling class.

Nabus job is to investigate official corruption, while Sapo oversees Nabus work and conducts prosecutions based on its investigations.

Both were created under pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and European Commission, which demanded visible progress on anti-corruption measures in exchange for loans and advancement toward EU accession. Unlike their toothless predecessors, both agencies enjoyed full independence from the government.

In the following years of war, disappointment and fears of backsliding that followed, Nabu and Sapos continued existence  and autonomy  came to be seen, both inside and outside Ukraine, as one of the indisputable gains of the 2014 revolution. The agencies have enjoyed a string of successes despite frequently clashing with both the Poroshenko and Zelensky administrations.

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It is fair to say Ukraines allies are not impressed by the ongoing drama in the war-torn nation.

Julia Fromholz, the head of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Developments (OECD) anti-corruption division, expressed deep concern about recent developments in a letter to Zelenskys office

One European official told Reuters that the Ukrainians were testing the limits of their allies patience, and described the move as the most dangerous moment yet for the independence of anti-corruption authorities.

But it is the backlash within Ukraine that has been most forthright.

The anti-corruption agencies themselves warned in a Telegram post on Tuesday that the law could finally destroy the independence of the anti-corruption system in Ukraine.

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Within hours, protests had begun nationwide, spreading to Lviv in the west, and to central Dnipro and Odesa in the south. The current mayor of Kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, was among those who attended the demonstration in the capital. Some carried biting placards that read: Welcome to Russia.

Credit:Bohdan Ben

Meanwhile, prominent Ukrainians, many of them war heroes, took to social media to express disbelief. One Kyiv university announced it was expelling six graduates, now MPs, from its alumni community for voting for the bill.

Even Kyrylo Budanov, the mercurial head of military intelligence, weighed in with a warning that Ukraine needs strong institutions.

Chief of staff under the scanner

Why would Zelensky make such a misstep?

Perhaps, Lutsevych speculates, he has lost touch with the public mood in Ukraine because he spends so much time being feted abroad by foreigners who admire his undeniable heroism. (A poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology last month found that 65 per cent of Ukrainians trust Zelensky, while 30 per cent do not  a drop of 11 percentage points from May, but still a rating that other Western leaders would undoubtedly envy.)

Either that or he does not fully understand the implications of what he is doing, and he is presented by his courtiers wrong information about how much the public will accept and how much the West will swallow, says Lutsevych.

Could some other scheming be afoot? For much of Zelenskys presidency, officials and commentators in Kyiv have whispered about the ambitions of Andriy Yermak, the presidents chief of staff.

An old friend of Zelenskys from his show business days, Yermak has gained a reputation as both a gatekeeper to the president and a formidable political operator in his own right  a kind of Svengali or grand vizier who it is dangerous to cross and who is determined to fill the government with close allies.

Zelenskys chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, is seen as a formidable figure shaping Ukraines political landscape - Remo Casilli/Reuters

He has had his own entanglements with Nabu.

In 2024, it emerged the bureau had shelved an earlier investigation into Yermaks brother, Denys Yermak.

The Economist published reports this month that Yermak took advantage of the Nabu investigation into Chernyshov as an excuse to oust him. He is also widely believed to be behind several attempts to remove Gen Budanov from military intelligence.

But not everyone blames Yermaks apparent manoeuvring for Tuesdays scandal.

After all, it is Zelensky who controls the Servant of the People party, which dominates parliament and voted en masse in favour of the legislation.

You know the Russian saying, Good Tsar, bad Boyars? Well, that is not the case here, says Goncharenko, referring to the idea that it is always mendacious underlings, never the well-meaning emperor, president or general secretary, who are to blame when things go wrong.

He says, Its not about boyars. Its not about Yermak, or anybody else. It is Zelensky himself. All these people are just his managers, right? And his officers, OK? Maybe some are higher, some are lower, but all of them are just fulfilling his will. It is not Yermak who is signing laws.

There will be more corruption in Ukraine

Whatever happens next, this is a watershed moment for wartime Ukraine.

I know the young people are angry. Those who have friends serving or have friends wounded talk all the time about corruption, about how the top is rotten, about the scandals with supply in the army and how and why Zelensky is not fixing it, says Lutsevych.

So what you will see from now on is much more criticism of Zelensky. It kind of breaks the taboo on expressing discontent, because people were self-censoring before a lot in order to maintain unity, so now you will see that Zelensky will be criticised at home much more strongly and the protests will continue [] and it will be a black mark against him if it blocks Ukraines EU accession  and not only against him but the whole political generation.

Credit: @MendicantRoman/X

Others say the presidents apparent climbdown on Wednesday evening will not be enough to dispel a lingering sense of distrust, and argue he must go farther still in reversing the changes.

If parliament was able to adopt the law in 24 hours, they should be able to rectify their mistake in the same time frame, says Tetiana Shevchuk, the head of international relations at Antac, an anti-corruption NGO.

President Zelensky is making a choice to undermine Ukrainian democratic institutions in pursuit of expanding his personal power, the Kyiv Independent wrote in a scathing editorial.

The same man who represents Ukraines fight against Russia cant represent the destruction of Ukraines democracy.

Goncharenko, who is cautious about playing into Russian propaganda that exploits any unrest in Ukraine to suit Moscows agenda, sees no good options.

Despite the sense of scandal, the Ukrainian constitution forbids elections while the country is under martial law, as it currently is, on the basis that free and fair ballots are difficult to hold during active conflict. Zelenskys term was originally due to end in May last year.

If we were in a normal situation, we could go to elections, and the people will say what they think about such a policy. But we cant physically have elections now, says Goncharenko.

We dont need to have internal splits in wartime: I was very silent abroad for a long time because of the need for unity. But this silence just made things worse, he adds.

And from another point of view, the result of this decision is there will be more corruption in Ukraine. Corruption means that, for example, Ukraine, instead of having 10 missiles, will have five missiles, because the money for the others will be stolen. Will that make us stronger in the war?

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has submitted a new law to parliament to restore the powers and independence of anti-corruption agencies following a large wave of protests.

"The draft law restores all procedural powers and guarantees the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP)," the two agencies wrote on their Telegram channels on Thursday after the law's text became known.

NABU and SAP were reportedly involved in drafting the bill.

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The timing of the vote was initially unclear. Parliamentary Speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk promised on Facebook to put the document to a vote at the next parliamentary session. According to deputies, however, the unicameral parliament, known as the Verkhovna Rada, is on summer break until mid-August.

If the amendment is passed by the Verkhovna Rada, it would correct a controversial law that was hastily passed on Tuesday, which had effectively placed the two bodies under the General Prosecutor's Office. This led to nationwide protests with thousands of participants demanding the restoration of powers to the NABU and SAP.

The change in the law was also met with incomprehension in the European Union.

Both agencies were established in 2015 with Western assistance to combat the notorious corruption, especially among high-ranking politicians and in the administration.

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According to the non-governmental organization Transparency International, the Eastern European country is still considered one of the most corrupt countries in Europe.

Zelensky had promised to take action on Wednesday, saying that criticism over the legislation had not fallen "on deaf ears."

The secret service and police had carried out dozens of raids on NABU and SAP employees over the past week.

One of the allegations against them was collaboration with Russia, which launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine about three and a half years ago.

However, the real reason for the raids was suspected to be a power struggle between the security agencies.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that he has already approved the text of a new draft law that aims to "strengthen" the independence of anti-corruption bodies and that he will submit it to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) on Thursday.

Source: Zelenskyy on Telegram

Quote from Zelenskyy: "I have just approved the text of the draft law that guarantees real strengthening of the law enforcement system in Ukraine and the independence of anti-corruption bodies, as well as reliable protection of the law enforcement system from any Russian influence or interference. The text is balanced."

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Details: Zelenskyy said that this draft law includes "real tools, no Russian connections, and ensures the independence of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO)".

He plans to submit it to the Verkhovna Rada on 24 July.

"It is important that we maintain unity. It is important that we preserve independence. It is important that we respect the position of all Ukrainians and are grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine," Zelenskyy assured.

Previously: A group of MPs submitted for registration a draft law that proposes to cancel all provisions related to NABU and SAPO contained in law No. 12414.

Background:

On 21 July, employees of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Prosecutor General's Office conducted approximately 80 searches targeting 19 employees of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau in various oblasts of Ukraine. NABU reported that the security forces had no court warrants for these searches.

The NABU detectives have been charged with treason, illegal trade with Russia, and corruption in the interests of oligarchs. Meanwhile, the State Bureau of Investigations has stepped up its efforts looking into materials on road accidents involving NABU employees that occurred several years ago.

On 22 July, the Verkhovna Rada voted in favour of draft law No. 12414, making NABU and SAPO dependent on the decisions of the prosecutor general.

The heads of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office called on Zelenskyy not to sign law No. 12414, which they said would effectively destroy the independence of NABU and SAPO. However, in the evening of 22 July, the president signed the document.

Protests were held in many cities across Ukraine following the adoption of this legislative initiative.

Afterwards, Zelenskyy pledged to submit a draft law to the Verkhovna Rada that would "empower the law enforcement system" and preserve "all provisions necessary for the independence of anti-corruption institutions".

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The memories are still raw: Stepping off the plane alone, unsure of what came next. Where was the campus? The car? A place to live? I didnt know a soul. I was in a different country, surrounded by uncertainty.

There were moments I truly wondered if Id make it. I was afraid Id failthat this dream might slip through my fingers. How could I study medicine on a tiny island and still be taken seriously as a doctor in the United States? The doubt was constant.

I turned to forums like ValueMD. I scoured every page on KevinMD, searching for reassurance that this path could lead somewherethat I wasnt alone. Because at the time, I had nothing else to hold on to.

Across the United States, thousands of physicians care for patients with skill, compassion, and unwavering dedication. Many wear Ivy League credentials like badges of honor. But not all of us came from that world.

So let me say this clearly: I went to medical school in the Caribbean. And it doesnt make meor anyone else who didany less of a doctor.

Getting into a U.S. medical school is brutally competitive. Every year, thousands of bright, passionate students are told: Theres no seat for you. Not because theyre unqualifiedbut because there simply arent enough spots. Meanwhile, our country faces a worsening physician shortage. We need more doctors, not fewer.

Thats where Caribbean medical schools come in. And unfortunately, thats also where the stigma begins.

Theres a persistent myth that if you went to med school outside the U.S.especially in the Caribbeanyou must be:

Less capable

Less prepared

Less worthy

That myth is wrong. And Im living proof.

We took the same board exams. Completed the same demanding rotations. Earned the same licenses to practice medicine. If you trust the U.S. medical licensing system, then you already trust usbecause we met the same standards.

Ive worked shoulder-to-shoulder with physicians trained across the globe. When youre making real-time decisions with real consequences, no one asks where your degree is from. What matters is your knowledge. Your instincts. Your judgment. Your heart.

I didnt always know I wanted to be a doctor. But I remember the night my older brother flew to Saint Kitts to begin medical school. We stayed in a hotel near the Boston airportnervous, excited, full of hope. Watching him chase his dream helped me believe I could chase mine.

That path eventually led me to the American University of Antigua. Was my MCAT amazing? No. Was I top of my class? Not even close. But I had something else: hunger. Focus. Fire.

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And I needed itbecause nothing about the journey was easy:

The island moved at its own rhythm.

Wi-Fi dropped mid-lecture.

Milk spoiled in a day.

Air conditioning was a luxury.

Grades were posted publicly on a flood-prone campus, listed by the last four digits of your Social Security number.

We studied through blackouts. We chased down clinical rotations. We knew that to even be considered equal, we had to be exceptional. So we rose to the challenge.

I pre-matched at Mercer University in Georgia. I trained alongside U.S. medical graduatesand held my own. I worked hard, learned fast, and earned my place. That wasnt luck. That was grit.

Back home, my girlfriend was still in college. We made it work across oceans and time zones. That girlfriend became my wife. Today, we have three beautiful kids. That chapter of our lives tested us. It shaped us. It strengthened us.

I wasnt a tourist in paradise. I was a determined student building a future. Despite the heat, hurricanes, and hardshipI wouldnt trade a minute of it. Because thats where I became a doctor. I gained cultural perspective. Lifelong friendships. And a resilience I carry with me every day.

Its time we stop viewing Caribbean medical schools as a consolation prize. Theyre not. For many of us, they were the only door that opened. And those of us who walked through it? We came out sharper, stronger, and more determined than ever.

Would I have gone to a U.S. school if I could? Absolutely. But knowing what I know nowif I had to do it all over again? Id take the same path in a heartbeat.

To anyone considering this route:

Its not easy.

Youll face doubtsometimes your own, often from others.

Youll be told no more than once.

Youll be expected to work twice as hard to prove you belong.

Do it anyway. If medicine is in your heart, chase it with everything youve got. Just do your research. Not all Caribbean schools are the same. Some offer stronger reputations, better match rates, more support. Choose wisely. Work relentlessly. Prove them wrong.

And remember: Medicine isnt about where your degree came from. Its about how you show up when someones life is on the line.

More than 25 percent of practicing physicians in the U.S. are international medical graduates. Many of us trained in the Caribbean. Were not the exceptionwere part of the solution.

We earned this white coatevery single stitch of it. Not despite where we started but because we refused to give up. We werent handed this profession. We fought for it. We didnt just survive that path. We grew into the kind of doctors medicine needs.

So to anyone questioning our path: Dont confuse geography with grit. Dont mistake a different route for a lesser one. The island didnt make us weaker. It made us stronger. And if you ever find yourself under our care youll see exactly what were made of.

Ryan Nadelson is chair of the Department of Internal Medicine at Northside Hospital Diagnostic Clinic in Gainesville, Georgia. Raised in a family of gastroenterologists, he chose to forge his own path in internal medicinedrawn by its complexity and the opportunity to care for the whole patient. A respected leader known for his patient-centered approach, Dr. Nadelson is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of physicians and fostering a culture of clinical excellence and lifelong learning.

He is an established author and frequent contributor to KevinMD, where he writes about physician identity, the emotional challenges of modern practice, and the evolving role of doctors in todays health care system.

You can connect with him on Doximity and LinkedIn.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a telephone conversation with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during which he outlined the work done on a new draft law to strengthen Ukraines anti-corruption infrastructure.

Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zelenskyy said the bill is aimed at "strengthening the legal system and ensuring the independence and effectiveness of Ukraines anti-corruption infrastructure".

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Starmer suggested involving experts who could contribute to long-term cooperation in this matter, Zelenskyy noted.

Quote from Zelenskyy: "We agreed to stay in contact on this matter. We see eye to eye on the need to defend the values of a normal life, counter any Russian influence or interference, and do everything to make our Europe stronger."

Zelenskyy added that he also briefed Starmer on the meeting with the Russian delegation that took place in Istanbul on 23 July.

The two leaders also discussed diplomatic measures with European and US partners to strengthen security.

Background:

On the evening of 23 July, Zelenskyy commented on the outrage expressed by the public and Ukraines international partners over actions targeting anti-corruption institutions, promising to submit his own draft law that will guarantee their independence.

The G7 ambassadors have welcomed Zelenskyys promise to restore the independence of the anti-corruption institutions and offered their assistance in this regard.

Read more: A Zelenskyy-Orban alliance? How the president undermined Ukraine's path to EU membership and what happens next

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted a draft law to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) concerning the powers of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).

Source: the draft laws card on the parliaments website

Details: Earlier, Zelenskyy stated that he had already approved the text of a new bill aimed at "strengthening" the independence of the anti-corruption agencies and that he would submit it to the parliament on Thursday.

Background:

On 21 July, employees of the Security Service of Ukraine and the Prosecutor General's Office conducted approximately 70 searches targeting 15 employees of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau in various oblasts of Ukraine. The security forces did not have court warrants to carry out the searches.

The NABU detectives have been charged with treason, illegal trade with Russia, and corruption in the interests of oligarchs. Meanwhile, the State Bureau of Investigations has stepped up its efforts looking into materials on road accidents involving NABU employees that occurred several years ago.

On 22 July, the Verkhovna Rada voted in favour of draft law No. 12414, making NABU and SAPO dependent on the decisions of the prosecutor general. Zelenskyy signed it into law that evening.

Following this, Zelenskyy has pledged to submit a draft law to the Verkhovna Rada that will "empower the law enforcement system" and preserve "all provisions necessary for the independence of anti-corruption institutions".

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday urged national unity as demonstrators took to the streets of more than a dozen cities nationwide to protest a controversial bill that critics said will neuter two key anti-corruption agencies.

Ukrainian media estimated that thousands of people gathered near the presidential office in the capital Kyiv on Wednesday evening, despite a nightly curfew and the ever-present threat of Russian drone and missile strikes.

Those gathered were protesting a controversial law approved by parliament and signed by Zelenskyy on Tuesday. The bill will bring the Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and its partner organization, the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), under the direct control of the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO).

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The prosecutor general is appointed by the president, prompting concern among critics that the law will give the president's office undue influence over NABU and SAPO.

The president sought to ease tensions on Wednesday, promising to put forward a new bill to ensure the independence of the anti-corruption bodies.

Roman Pilipey/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: Protesters hold placards during a demonstration against a law affecting two key anti-corruption bodies in downtown Kyiv, Ukraine, on July 23, 2025.

Zelenskyy said in a post to Telegram that he met with the heads of all law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies.

"We agreed that the heads of these institutions will jointly propose an action plan -- a plan of concrete steps that can strengthen the rule of law in Ukraine," he wrote. "Of course, everyone has heard what people are saying these days -- what they are saying on social media, to each other, on the streets. It's not falling on deaf ears."

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"We've analyzed all the concerns, all the aspects of what needs to be changed and what needs to be stepped up," he added.

"And what will remain most important is not losing our national unity, ending the war, stopping this Russian evil and securing a dignified peace for Ukraine," Zelenskyy wrote. "And exactly as we all envision it -- as a full-fledged part of Europe. We'll make it happen."

On Thursday, Zelenskyy said had approved the text of the new bill which would be sent to parliament. "The most important thing is real tools, no Russian ties and the independence of NABU and [SAPO]," the president wrote.

Both NABU and SAPO were set up in the aftermath of Ukraine's pro-Western Maidan Revolution in 2014, with the intention of rooting out systemic corruption and helping Kyiv reform its democratic system with an eye on EU accession.

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MORE: Zelenskyy faces major anti-corruption protests as Ukraine prepares for Russia talks

Critics of the new legislation say it constitutes a power grab by Zelenskyy and his presidential office -- which is headed by influential chief of staff Andriy Yermak -- that undermines Ukrainian democracy and threatens the country's EU ambitions.

Zelenskyy and his supporters have defended the measures as necessary to root out Russian influence in NABU and SAPO.

The passing of the law followed a series of raids on NABU employees by officers from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and the PGO on Monday. Officers also began inspecting the handling of state secrets at SAPO.

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"The anti-corruption infrastructure will work," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram late on Tuesday. "Only without Russian influences -- everything needs to be cleansed of this. And there should be more justice."

The domestic political crisis erupted as a Ukrainian delegation headed to Istanbul, Turkey, for the latest round of ceasefire talks with Russian negotiators. Wednesday's meeting there ended after less than an hour.

Nina Liashonok/Reuters - PHOTO: A view shows an apartment building hit by Russian drone strike in Odesa, Ukraine, on July 24, 2025.

Vladimir Medinsky, who led the Russian delegation, told reporters after the talks that the two sides agreed on a new prisoner exchange of at least 1,200 people.

The two sides also discussed the memoranda exchanged during the last round of talks on June 2, Medinsky said, adding that the delegations were "quite far from each other." The parties agreed to continue negotiations, Medinsky said.

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When asked about a potential meeting between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Medinsky said any potential meeting should be carefully prepared.

Cross-border drone strikes continued despite the new talks. Russia's Defense Ministry said its forces downed 42 Ukrainian drones overnight into Thursday morning.

Russian drones and missiles, meanwhile, targeted Odesa, Cherkasy, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Sumy and Mykolaiv regions, Zelenskyy said in a post to Telegram.

Ukraine's air force said Russia launched 103 strike drones and four missiles into the country overnight into Thursday morning. Ninety drones and one missile were shot down or suppressed, the air force said, with impacts by 13 drones and three missiles across 11 locations. Falling debris from interceptions was reported in six places.

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MORE: Scale of Russia-Ukraine drone strikes builds ahead of possible ceasefire talks

"Russia does not stop its terror, blocks diplomacy and that is why it deserves full-scale sanctions responses and our strikes on its logistics, military bases and military production facilities," the president wrote.

"We will do everything to make diplomacy work," he added. "But it is Russia that must end this war that it started itself."

ABC News' Ellie Kaufman, Will Gretsky, Tanya Stukalova, Fidel Pavlenko and Julia Drozd contributed to this report.
The National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) has stated that it took part in drafting bill No. 13533, which President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has submitted to the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament). The agency said the bill will reinstate all the powers and guarantees of independence for NABU and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO).

Source: NABU

Quote: "Bill No. 13533, which has been submitted by the president of Ukraine as a matter of urgency, reinstates all the procedural powers and guarantees of independence for NABU and SAPO.

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NABU and SAPO took part in drafting the text, and we call on the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to adopt the presidents initiative in general and in principle as soon as possible. This will help prevent risks to criminal proceedings currently under investigation by NABU and SAPO."

Background:

On 22 July, the Verkhovna Rada voted in favour of draft law No. 12414, making NABU and SAPO dependent on the decisions of the prosecutor general. Zelenskyy signed it into law that evening.

Protests were held in many cities across Ukraine after the law was passed.

Following this, Zelenskyy promised to submit a draft law to the Verkhovna Rada that would "empower the law enforcement system" and preserve "all the provisions required for the anti-corruption institutions independence".

On 24 July, Zelenskyy submitted the draft law on the powers of NABU and SAPO to the Verkhovna Rada.

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Jeffrey Epstein hinted at his fallout with Donald Trump in an unaired interview, according to his brother.

"He stopped hanging out with Trump when he realized Trump was a crook," Mark Epstein told Insider.

Trump and Jeffrey Epstein were friends for years, and the nature of their fallout remains hazy.

Jeffrey Epstein said in an unaired interview that he distanced himself from former President Donald Trump after realizing Trump was "a crook," according to his brother, Mark Epstein.

Mark Epstein told Insider he viewed a clip of the interview, conducted by Trump's former White House advisor Steve Bannon, after his brother forwarded it to him in the spring of 2019.

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At the time, Bannon was conducting filmed interviews with the now-dead pedophile financier. Bannon sent Jeffrey Epstein a Dropbox link to a clip, which he forwarded to his brother. The link is no longer active, according to Mark.

"Jeffrey showed me the link to one of these interviews," Mark Epstein said. "And in that interview, Jeffrey said he stopped hanging out with Trump when he realized Trump was a crook."

Insider has not been able to independently view the video. Bannon could not be reached for comment.

Jeffrey Epstein was arrested in July 2019 on sex-trafficking charges and died in jail several weeks later while awaiting trial. A compensation fund formed after his death concluded he sexually abused at least 136 people overall.

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Epstein and Trump were reportedly acquaintances between the 1980s and 2000s. The two ran in elite Manhattan social circles, and Epstein's home in Palm Beach was a short drive from Trump's Mar-a-Lago club, where he was a frequent guest. Footage obtained by NBC News in 1992 shows them partying together, talking about women, and cracking jokes.

Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's accusers, has testified that his associate Ghislaine Maxwell first picked her up at Mar-a-Lago when she was 16 years old before introducing her to Epstein. At Maxwell's own criminal trial, in 2021, one accuser testified that Maxwell introduced her to Trump at Mar-a-Lago when she was 14 years old. Other accusers said Maxwell and Epstein often namedropped Trump.

The nature of the fallout between Epstein and Trump, however, remains hazy. The Miami Herald reported that Epstein was booted as a member from Mar-a-Lago in 2007 after he harassed the daughter of a member. Trump has publicly said little about his relationship with Epstein, although he said "I wish her well" upon the news of Maxwell's arrest.

Former White House Chief Strategist Steve Bannon sits during his appearance at New York Supreme Court after a hearing in New York City. Steve Hirsch/Pool via REUTERS

For the documentary project, Bannon recorded more than 16 hours of footage, Mark Epstein said. In November of 2018, the Miami Herald ran a series detailing how Jeffrey Epstein secured a secret, lenient plea deal with federal prosecutors in Floria 2007, even after law enforcement concluded at the time that he had sexually abused more than 30 girls.

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"Steve Bannon was working with Jeffrey to try to help Jeffrey rehabilitate his reputation," Mark Epstein told Insider.

Bannon and Epstein had become close in 2017, after Bannon left the White House, according to the journalist Michael Wolff. Bannon lived lavishly off Epstein's vast wealth, using his Paris apartment and butler in 2018.

Bannon released a trailer in 2021 for his apparent documentary about Epstein, titled "The Monsters." The entire documentary has not yet been released.

Both Bannon and Trump now have their own legal issues.

The Manhattan district attorney's office has pending criminal charges against Bannon, alleging he participated in a scam nonprofit organization that raised funds to build a wall on the US-Mexico border. Trump pardoned Bannon on federal charges for the same scheme before he left office. Bannon's lawyers in the federal case are suing him for allegedly not paying his bills. Bannon was also found guilty last year of contempt of Congress for defying a House January 6 committee hearing subpoena.

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Trump, for his part, is facing a potential indictment from the Manhattan district attorney's office for a hush-money scheme ahead of the 2016 election, a rape case headed to trial in April, and a litany of other legal woes.

Read the original article on Business Insider
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte, have filed a lawsuit against Candace Owens over the far-right podcasters repeated claims that Frances first lady was born a man.

In a 219-page lawsuit filed Wednesday in Delaware Superior Court, the Macrons pointed to a March 2024 post on X in which Owens said that she would stake her entire professional reputation on the fact that Brigitte Macron is in fact a man.

Since then Owens has used this false statement to promote her independent platform, gain notoriety, and make money, the lawsuit states. Owens disregarded all credible evidence disproving her claim in favor of platforming known conspiracy theorists and proven defamers.

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According to the lawsuit, Owens ignored multiple retraction requests.

Rather than engage with the President and First Ladys attempts to set the record straight, the suit states, Owens mocked them and used them as additional fodder for her frenzied fan base.

We gave her every opportunity to back away from these claims, but she refused, the Macrons said in a statement. It is our earnest hope that this lawsuit will set the record straight and end this campaign of defamation once and for all.

What else does the lawsuit say?

Emmanuel Macron and his wife, Brigitte Macron, in London on July 9. (Ludovic Marin/Pool via Reuters)

In an eight-part podcast series titled Becoming Brigitte, Owens endorsed, repeated, and published a series of verifiably false and devastating lies about the Macrons, according to the complaint.

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Among them:

Brigitte Macron was born a man, stole another persons identity, and transitioned to become Brigitte.



The French president and first lady are blood relatives committing incest.



Emmanuel Macron was chosen to be the President of France as part of the CIA-operated MKUltra program or a similar mind-control program.



And the Macrons are committing forgery, fraud, and abuses of power to conceal these secrets.



These claims are demonstrably false, and Owens knew they were false when she published them. Yet, she published them anyway, the lawsuit states. And the reason is clear: it is not the pursuit of truth, but the pursuit of fame.

The complaint alleges that Owens subjected the Macrons to a campaign of global humiliation, arguing that the podcaster has attempted to monetize her defamatory claims by selling merchandise such as a T-shirt showing Brigitte Macron on a fake Time magazine Man of the Year cover.

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The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages.

What was Owenss response?

Candace Owens at CPAC in 2023. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)

On her podcast Wednesday, Owens was defiant, telling the audience she was being sued by the first lady man of France while doubling down on her claims.

If you need any more evidence that Brigitte Macron is definitely a man, it is just what is happening right now. Owens said. The idea that you would file this lawsuit is all of the proof that you need.

Candace Owens is not shutting up, her spokesperson said in a separate statement. This is a foreign government attacking the First Amendment rights of an American independent journalist.

Owens was formerly the communications director for the conservative activist organization Turning Point USA and gained notoriety as an outspoken commentator for the Daily Wire. Last year the website severed ties with Owens over a series of comments that were seen as antisemitic.

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Her YouTube channel, which streams her podcast, has more than 4.4 million subscribers.

A similar case in France

The lawsuit against Owens comes as the Macrons are pursuing a similar case in France.

Last year, Brigitte Macron and her brother, Jean-Michel Trogneux, won a defamation suit against two women for spreading claims that she was born a male with his name and then took the name Brigitte when she transitioned to a woman. Last month a Paris appeals court overturned the ruling.

Brigitte Macron and her brother have appealed that decision to Frances highest court.

In the U.S. case, the Macrons are being represented by Clare Locke, a law firm that served as co-counsel for Dominion Voting Systems in its historic $787 million settlement with Fox News in 2023 over the cable networks false claims about the 2020 election.

A scandalous beginning

Emmanuel Macron and Brigitte Macron arrive at 10 Downing Street in London. (Alberto Pezzali/AP)

Emmanuel Macron, 47, and Brigitte Macron, 72, have been married since 2007.

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They met in 1993, when Emmanuel was in high school and Brigitte was his drama teacher and a married mother of three. He was 15 years old  the age of consent in France  and she was 39. One of her daughters was his classmate.

For his senior year, Emmanuel left to attend high school in Paris, but their affair continued, and he vowed to marry her.

She later divorced her husband in 2006 and married Emmanuel the following year.

Their unconventional relationship came into the global spotlight in 2017, when he became president.
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Hungary's authorities have banned Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap from Hungary for three years over the group's "recurring anti-Semitic hate speech supporting terrorism and terrorists", the Government Information Centre (KTK) said.

"Hungary has zero tolerance for all forms of anti-Semitism," the centre said in a statement, adding that a concert by the group planned for Hungary would "violate the country's national security interests".



Should Kneecap members enter the country despite the ban, they would be expelled from the country, the statement added.



Man apprehended over making bomb threat as a result of Kneecap ban



A young man from Dunaujvaros, central Hungary, has been apprehended for making threats of a bomb attack at Parliament because he did not like Hungary's ban of members of the music group Kneecap, police said.



The Budapest police headquarters said that the man aged 26 had posted comments on July 26, saying that he would explode a home-made bomb at Parliament because Kneecap members had been banned to visit Hungary.



He was apprehended by police at his place of residence on the same day. Police seized IT equipment at the site and the man admitted posting the comments but refused to make a detailed statement. A procedure has been launched against him for making threats of committing an act of terrorism.



From the Sziget Festival Team:



"At 11:00 AM today, we received official notification that the Hungarian government is denying entry to the band Kneecap, thereby preventing their scheduled performance at Sziget Festival on August 11.



This is an unprecedented move, which we find both unnecessary and regrettable.



In recent weeks, the prospect of Kneecap performing sparked concern from the government and various pressure groups in Hungary. In response, we remained in close contact with the band, who assured us that their performance would not conflict with either Szigets core values or Hungarian law.



We have previously stated that while Sziget firmly upholds its core values and condemns hate speech, we also guarantee every performer the fundamental right to artistic expression.



We believe that cancel culture and cultural boycotts are not the answer.



Over the past 30 years, Sziget has become a free and safe meeting place for diverse cultures. We have welcomed world-renowned artists and visitors from across the globe. Through this openness and cultural diversity, Sziget has earned international recognition and contributed positively to Hungarys reputation.



We are concerned that todays decision by the government to ban Kneecap may not only damage the reputation of Sziget, but could also negatively impact Hungarys international standing.



Sziget Festival remains committed to doing everything it can to ensure it continues to be, in every sense, the Island of Freedom."



The band has responded, calling PM Viktor Orbans decision "fucking outrageous", especially after he recently welcomed Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu "like a hero", whom they called a war criminal.



According to the Hungarian government the trio pose a national security risk, while the band claim that PM Orbans rule is authoritarian.

The band highlighted there is no legal basis for the ban, as none of its members have been convicted of any crimes.



They stated that in fact they advocate for love, solidarity, and the fight against injustice.



The band added that they are against hate speech and concluded their statement simply with, Fuck Viktor Orban.



According to hvg.hu, if they still come they would be violating the Hungarian immigration authoritys decision. They could still appeal the ban in court but the case would not be resolved by the Sziget concert date of 11 August.





Mazsihisz, the federation of Jewish communities in Hungary, welcomed the government's ban. They said "anti-Semitic hate speech and propaganda inciting against Israel has no room in Hungarian public life", adding that "such content cannot be argued for on the ground of freedom of speech."



The Jewish federation thanked the "civil activists, artists, music groups, public figures and politicians" that protested against Kneecap's appearance in Budapest.



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The fresh newsletter for the International Community in Hungary - described by readers as a "Great read each week" - is now available for your interest and use via the link below.
The New York County District Attorneys Office has returned a "priceless" 1675 manuscript to Hungary that was stolen from Budapest, Peter Szijjarto, the minister of foreign affairs and trade, said in New York.

Speaking after receiving Zacharias Trabers 1675 manuscript entitled Nervus Opticus Sive Tractatus Theoricus, Szijjarto emphasised the respect Hungary and the United States both had for traditions and cultural heritage, expressing his gratitude for the manuscript written by the Jesuit monk.



"We greatly appreciate this gesture, and we greatly appreciate that this is the first antiquity which had been stolen from Hungary that could now return to Hungary with the help of the New York County District Attorneys Office," Szijjarto said, according to a ministry statement.



The minister welcomed that US President Donald Trumps return to the White House had "ushered in a new golden age" in US-Hungary relations.





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.



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CNN Business editor-at-large Richard Quest speaks with Hungarian foreign minister Peter Szijjarto about EU trade negotiations with the US, why Hungary opposes Ukraine's EU membership, and the status of anti-LGBT legislation in Hungary.

Szijjarto: Ukraine's EU accession 'not to strengthen, but weaken' bloc



"The accession of Ukraine would weaken the European Union and would import the war into the European Union," therefore, Hungary opposes the country's EU entry, Peter Szijjarto, the foreign minister, said in an interview with CNN in New York.



Furthermore, Szijjarto said it was unacceptable that the European Commission's draft budget proposal envisaged 300 billion euros of support for Ukraine over the next seven years.



"This is not fair, and it is unacceptable to us. We don't want the money of Hungarian taxpayers to be brought to Ukraine," he said.



In response to a question the minister said Hungary had been carrying out the largest humanitarian operation in its history in Ukraine.



"We are helping Ukraine in many ways. But we are not ready to ruin Hungary. Hungarian people have been paying the price of war for too long time now although we don't have any kind of responsibility," he said.



Then he touched on the situation of the Hungarian ethnic minority in Transcarpathia, and said that the Ukrainian authorities in 2015 had started gradually restricting their rights to use their mother tongue.



On the planned US tariff raises against the EU, Szijjarto said while it would not be easy, Hungary could adapt to this situation. Since the United States is Hungary's second most important trade partner after the EU, the country is interested in lower tariffs, he added.



He said the European Commission had made a serious mistake when US President Donald Trump entered office, because they should have immediately cut tariffs on car industry exports as proposed by the Hungarian government, and now the EU would be in a better position.



Szijjarto called the Brussels leadership "extremely weak," arguing that the bloc had been unable to conclude a good deal for a long time, and therefore European competitiveness had deteriorated.



"The European Union used to be a strong player in politics and the global economy, but this is unfortunately in the past. Why? Because the European leaders have screwed it up."



Finally, in response to the last question, he said the Budapest Pride had also proven that "love is absolutely free" in Hungary, "we only ask for one thing, do not behave in a provocative, embarrassing, impolite way" in public, he added.





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.



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Mankind today is facing a serious threat of a third world war, Peter Szijjarto, the foreign minister, said in New York on Wednesday, adding that the United Nations had to do everything it could to prevent such a conflict, for which it was crucial to make progress in ending the war in Ukraine.

Speaking ahead of a UN High-Level Political Forum on sustainable development, Szijjarto said that when the UN adopted its sustainable development goals, there had not yet been a threat of a world war.



"Its nice to evaluate who has done what over the past years in certain areas of economic development, in the development of education and health care or improving access to clean drinking water in the world  but as things stand, the UNs job - even when it comes to its 80th anniversary - is to eliminate the threat of the outbreak of a third world war," Szijjarto said, according to a ministry statement.



"Because the wars and armed conflicts that have broken out in various parts of the world in recent years are very dangerous on their own, but together they pose a threat of a world war," the minister said.



Szijjarto said that if these security risks and crises were not dealt with, the world would find itself facing a serious threat of a third world war.



He said the UN had to prioritise its responsibilities, arguing that the organisation would not be able to carry out its development goals amid the threat of a world war.



"Lets just think about all the growth and development opportunities the central European region has lost out on because of the war in Ukraine," Szijjarto said. "Lets think about the price that we Hungarians -- who are in no way responsible for the war in Ukraine -- have had to pay for a war that we have nothing to do with."



The minister said his talks with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres would focus on the organisations duty to prevent the outbreak of a third world war.



He said this required making progress in finding a resolution to the war in Ukraine, which called for a comprehensive agreement between the United States and Russia.



"If no such agreement is reached, if the war in Ukraine heads towards escalation on the battlefield, the global economy and the global political stage, it will lead to unforeseeable consequences, and the world will face a serious threat of a third world war," he said.



"This is what must be prevented, this is what we want, its why we argue in favour of peace and in favour of talks and a ceasefire," Szijjarto said.



FM Szijjarto also claims 'Trump is guarantee of peace in Middle East, Ukraine'



The Abraham Accords signed during US President Donald Trumps first term should be expanded in order to guarantee long-term peace in the Middle East, Hungarys foreign minister said in New York on Wednesday. "The name of peace in the Middle East, as in Ukraine, is that of Donald Trump," Peter Szijjarto said.



The Abraham Accords signed during Trumps first term led to Israel normalising its relations with several Arab countries after several decades of unsuccessful peace efforts, Szijjarto said ahead of a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East, according to a ministry statement.



"I believe the path to long-term peaceful life in the Middle East is through the renewal and expansion of the Abraham Accords," the minister said.



"This is also very important for us, because the security of the Middle East has a significant impact on the security of central Europe," Szijjarto said. "If theres no security in the Middle East, then the migration waves heading towards Europe always intensify. Right now were seeing these migration waves making their way through the land route, so theyre a direct threat to Hungary."



Szijjarto said another reason why peace in the Middle East was important for Hungary was because as a Christian country Hungary felt responsible for persecuted Christian communities there.



Hungarys government has so far spent around 30 billion forints (EUR 75.1m) supporting Christian communities in the Middle East, which has included contributions to the Catholic Churchs humanitarian and social programmes in the Gaza Strip, the minister said.



He also expressed Hungarys support for a ceasefire and hostage deal in the Middle East, saying they would give those living in the region a chance at a more peaceful life and open the door for the release of the last Hungarian hostage.



"One Hungarian hostage is still being held by Hamas, which is why we demand the immediate and unconditional release of the hostages," Szijjarto said.



Meanwhile, Szijjarto said that in addition to the UN forums, he will also hold economic talks as well as meetings with Saudi Arabias economy minister and Serbias minister in charge of gender equality.



He said that because the European Union had so far been unable to sign a free trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council, it should hold talks with one Gulf country at a time in order to reach agreements with them as soon as possible.



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.



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Thousands of coupons for scoops of ice cream will be hidden around Lake Balaton starting Sunday on the occasion of 'Ice Cream Day'.

The campaign aims to draw attention to the diversity and quality of ice cream available around Lake Balaton, the Balaton Tourism Association informed MTI.



The aim of the summer-long initiative is to promote local artisanal ice cream shops in a playful way, and make ice cream a true summer experience in the Balaton region, they wrote.



As part of the campaign, ice cream scoops are hidden in the form of coupons placed at popular locations around Lake Balaton, including beaches, promenades and lookout towers.



Lucky ones can find a coupon and get free ice cream at shops participating in this year's Balaton Fagyija competition.



The press statement says families can search for the coupons from Veszprem, through Balatonfured and all the way to Balatongyorok.



A Balaton fairy tale hero, Captain Fured, is also participating in the campaign, and he is also promoting the importance of reading - as ice cream coupons will be put in storybooks that are related to travel and family.



According to a press statement, Ice Cream Day was declared an official holiday in 1984 by US President Ronald Reagan to recognize the importance of ice cream in America's culture and economy.



Accordingly, July is "National Ice Cream Month", and the third Sunday of the month (this year, July 20) is observed as " National Ice Cream Day ", when ice cream manufacturers, confectionery shops and fast food restaurants across the country celebrate with various promotions, free tastings and related programs.



As they wrote, Ronald Reagan's favorite ice cream was vanilla, so most of the coupons for the Lake Balaton "treasure hunt " will entitle you to ice cream in this flavor, but many other types of ice cream are also offered in the sale.



According to the organizers of the event, Americans consume more than four times as much ice cream as Hungarians.





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.



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In another step towards the digitalization of administration in Hungary, real estate transactions can now be registered electronically. The new system is expected to replace the old paper-based system by Q4 2025.

Property ownership in Hungary



In Hungary, property ownership is established through registering real estate transactions with the land registry. Depending on whether you purchase real estate or another type of transaction is taking place (e.g. inheritance or registering a beneficiary), the process must involve lawyers or notaries who act on behalf of their clients.



The completion of modification requests on the title deeds has always been a lengthy procedure but now, with the introduction of the new electronic administration system, the land registry is expected to become more precise and more efficient.



E-ING: the system for real estate transactions



Starting from January 15, 2025, lawyers and notaries can file modification requests electronically through the E-ING system (the name is made up of electronic and ingatlan, which means real estate in Hungarian).



However, the paper-based system is still available, and it will remain so until around September 2025. (More precisely, until the 500,000th decision is made this year, which is expected to happen sometime in September based on the figures of previous years.)



The introduction of the new system and the relevant new regulations mostly concern the lawyers and notaries handling real estate transactions. The effects on the population are limited. Most importantly, administration is expected to become faster and more efficient.



Buyers right to retaining property rights



The most important change for the general population is probably a new concept: the Buyers right to retaining property rights (tulajdonjog fenntartashoz kapcsolodo vevoi jog). This is relevant if you are buying real estate and you are paying in instalments (typical when you take a loan to finance the purchase). When you agree with the previous owner, first this right should be registered on the title deed as step one, and ownership can be transferred only in a second step, once the purchase price is paid in full. As a result, two changes are necessary in the land registry from now on, which means an extra trip to the lawyer, and the fee for making a change to the registry must be paid twice too.



More cases require authorization



Previously, lawyers and notaries could request a copy of the title deed of a piece of property based on the land registry number. From now on, however, they will need an authorization from the owner to do this. As a result, prospective owners cannot easily get information about their future neighbors, which might be essential especially when someone is buying agricultural land (which is not really relevant for third-country nationals, who cannot buy agricultural land in Hungary).



In any case, authorization can be given in person, or electronically with an e-signature, through Ugyfelkapu+, or through DAP.



Immediate registration



The greatest innovation of the E-ING system is that in certain simple cases, real estate transactions will become automatic, and will not need approval from an administrator of the land registry (unless one of the stakeholders requests it explicitly).



In the below cases, the change of ownership may be immediately updated on the title deed:



If there are no claims on the property and ownership is transferred as a whole

When mortgage is being registered or deleted

When enforcement rights are being deleted



When a case is more complicated, e.g. because there are several owners, one of the owners is a foreign national or a minor, or if there are claims registered on the title deed, the approval of an administrator will still be required even when the transaction is registered through E-ING.



At the same time, certain updates will become automatized, such as the deletion of beneficiary rights when the fixed term for such rights expires or when the holder of such rights dies.



Property purchase in Hungary



If you are a third-country national who is planning to purchase real estate in Hungary, you will perceive little to no change to real estate transactions. You will still need a lawyer to prepare the documents, and they will file the data update request with the land registry once the contract is completed, either on paper or electronically.



If you are buying real estate through your Hungarian company, you might be able to take advantage of the automatized procedure.



Do you need help navigating Hungarian bureaucracy? Helpers offers administrative assistance to foreigners living, working, and doing business in Hungary. Whether you are interested in company setup, residency application, or real estate investment, we would be happy to assist you.



Source: Helpers.hu - republished with permission





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New Delhi: Maruti Suzuki has announced that Fronx has become the fastest SUV from India to clock export of 1 lakh units in a record time of just 25 months. Launched in April 2023 in India, the export of Fronx commenced to markets like Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa, the same year. Exported to over 80 countries, the model is exclusively manufactured at the Companys Gujarat facility.

Speaking on the milestone, Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, said, Maruti Suzukis capability to manufacture world-class vehicles for global markets exemplifies the true essence of the Make in India initiative. Our renewed focus on international markets has been instrumental in Maruti Suzukis continued leadership in passenger vehicle exports."

"Fronx is delighting customers all over the world. Besides clocking the fastest 1 lakh exports, Fronx was also Indias number 1 exported passenger vehicle in FY 2024-25, he added. With over 69,000 units dispatched overseas, Fronx was the number 1 exported passenger vehicle from India in FY 2024-25

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According to the official statement, Maruti Suzuki is the number 1 passenger vehicle (PV) exporter from India for the past 4 consecutive financial years. With over 96,000 vehicles exported in Q1 FY 2025-26, the Companys share in PV exports from India stood at an all-time high 47%.

Maruti Suzuki currently exports 17 models to nearly 100 countries. Top countries for export include South Africa, Japan and Saudi Arabia. The companys export volumes in FY 2024-25 exceeded 3.3 lakh units, the highest ever in any financial year. This marked a growth of 17.5% over the previous fiscal. Fronx, Jimny, Baleno, Swift and Dzire were the top exported models.
Mumbai: The Hinduja family-promoted IndusInd Bank's Board of Directors on Wednesday approved raising up to Rs 30,000 crore through a combination of debt and equity and allowed the promoters to nominate two board directors, as it seeks to restore confidence in its operations after the recent Rs 2,000 crore accounting lapse.

The lender will raise Rs 20,000 crore through debt securities in any permitted mode on a private placement basis, or its equivalent amount in permitted foreign currencies. It will also augment the capital base via the issue of securities, including American Depository Receipts, Global Depository Receipts, and Qualified Institutional Placement, amounting to Rs 10,000 crore.

The bank said after the approval of the RBI, it will make amendments in its Articles of Association to give its promoters, the Hinduja family, the right to appoint two non-executive, non-independent Directors on the banks board.

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The UK-based Hinduja family, which can now nominate up to two directors on IndusInd's board, did not previously have any representation on the board.

Earlier this year, IndusInd Bank made a disclosure of accounting lapses in its derivatives portfolio. The bank appointed external agencies to assess the financial impact, which was later revealed to be around Rs 2,000 crore, and to find the root cause of the accounting errors. The bank's net worth took a big hit as the misaccounting of internal derivative trades was exposed.

Taking moral responsibility for the lapses, the banks CEO, Sumath Kathpalia, resigned in April, just a day after its former deputy CEO, Arun Khurana, left the bank.

The Mumbai-based private lender reported a net loss of Rs 2,328 crore for the January-March period as accounting issues and stress in the microfinance portfolio led to the balance sheet taking a hit.

IndusInd's Net Interest Income (NII) or core income declined by 43.4 per cent from the same quarter last year to Rs 3,048 crore.

The asset quality of the bank deteriorated on a sequential basis, with Gross NPAs rising to 3.13 per cent of total loans from 2.25 per cent in the preceding October-December quarter, while net NPAs for the quarter stood at 0.95 per cent, up from 0.68 per cent in the previous quarter.
A total of 112 Air India pilots, including 51 commanders and 61 first officers, went on sick leave four days after a Boeing 787-Dreamliner crashed in Ahmedabad, killing 260 people, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said on Thursday.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said this in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. Minister Mohol was responding to an unstarred question raised by MP Jai Prakash concerning reports of mass sick leave among Air India flight crew following the incident.

Responding to concerns about the mental well-being of the flight crew, the Minister said that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had already issued a circular in February 2023 with detailed guidelines on mental health support for flight crews and Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs).

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These include easy and quick mental health checks by DGCA-approved medical examiners during regular medical exams. Special training modules to help crew and ATCOs understand and deal with mental health challenges. A Peer Support Programme (PSP) that allows employees to seek help in a safe and supportive manner without fear of punishment.

Earlier, on July 21, answering a question about the probe into the AI-171 crash, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu that the decoding of the Black Box had occurred in India for the first time.

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Naidu said, "First set of the probe is done and a preliminary report is out. Earlier, whenever Black Box had slight damage, the black box used to be sent to the manufacturer for decoding. For the first time, the decoding of the Black Box has happened in India."

Lauding the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Naidu said that the agency is "unbiased."

On June 12, a London-bound Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner crashed into a hostel complex of BJ Medical College in the Meghani Nagar area of Gujarat's Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. The tragedy claimed 241 lives out of 242 onboard, including former Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani.

(With ANI Inputs)
The Assam Rifles have seized highly addictive methamphetamine tablets valued at over Rs 3.03 crore and arrested a drug peddler, who is a Myanmar national, in Mizoram, officials said on Thursday.

A defence spokesman said that based on specific intelligence, Assam Rifles troops launched an operation on Wednesday night at Zote areas in eastern Mizorams Champhai district.

During the search operation, the paramilitary troops recovered 1.11 kg of banned methamphetamine tablets, also known as Yaba or party tablets, valued at over Rs 3.03 crore from a Myanmar national, identified as Lalfakawma.

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The contraband and the individual have been handed over to the Excise and Narcotics Department officials in Champhai, a hot spot for drug smuggling. Meanwhile, Assam Rifles conducted an awareness lecture on the topic Drug Consumption and Peddling  A Punishable Offence in Saiha district on Thursday.

The defence spokesman said that the lecture aimed to educate the local population, especially the youth, about the harmful effects of drug abuse and the serious legal consequences associated with drug trafficking and peddling.

The speakers highlighted the rising threat of narcotics in society and especially in the border areas of Mizoram, and urged the participants to stay vigilant and not to get entrapped.

The initiative was well received by the attendees, who appreciated the efforts of Assam Rifles in spreading awareness and promoting a drug-free society. Assam Rifles remains committed to contributing towards the well-being and safety of the local communities through such outreach programs, the spokesman said.

Myanmars Chin State has emerged as a major hub for drug trafficking, wildlife smuggling, and other illicit activities. The contraband is often routed through six districts in Mizoram -- Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip -- which share unfenced borders of 510 km with Myanmar and 318 km with Bangladesh.
The visiting Indian medical team held detailed consultations with senior officials of the Bangladesh Ministry of Health and doctors at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka on Thursday, reviewing critical cases from Monday's horrific plane crash. They Indian experts also exchanged views on the treatment methodologies and conveyed their assessment on future course of treatment for the admitted patients.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that the visit of the Indian doctors and nursing officials to Dhaka comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi's assurance of providing support to Bangladesh following the plane crash on July 21.

"The Indian medical team visiting Bangladesh began their visit by holding detailed medical consultations with senior officials of the Bangladesh Ministry of Health & doctors at the National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery in Dhaka. They reviewed each of the critical cases, exchanged views on the treatment methodologies and conveyed their assessment on future course of treatment. The visit of the Indian doctors & nursing officials follows PM Narendra Modis assurance to extend all possible assistance and support to Bangladesh in the wake of the tragic incident of plane crash in Dhaka on 21 July 2025," Jaiswal posted on X.

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The crash occurred when a Bangladesh Air Force F-7 BGI training aircraft slammed into the Milestone School and College campus in Dhaka's Uttara on Monday, which has claimed 32 lives so far and injured over 162 people. As investigations continue into the cause of the crash, Indias medical outreach is expected to play a vital role in the recovery of survivors and the broader healing process.

A specialised team of doctors from India had arrived in Bangladesh late Wednesday evening to treat the burn victims of the fighter jet crash. The team includes doctors and nurses from Delhi's Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital - two of India's leading centres for burn treatment and plastic surgery.

Earlier, PM Modi had expressed condolences over the tragedy and assured Bangladesh of Indias full support. In a statement shared on Monday on X, PM Modi wrote, "Deeply shocked and saddened at the loss of lives, many of them young students, in a tragic air crash in Dhaka. Our hearts go out to the bereaved families. We pray for the swift recovery of those injured. India stands in solidarity with Bangladesh and is ready to extend all possible support and assistance.

In a follow-up to his message, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka formally reached out to the Bangladeshi government, offering critical medical assistance for the injured. Indias swift response underscores the humanitarian dimension of its regional diplomacy and reflects the strong bilateral ties between the two nations.
Bihar Election 2025: With Bihar assembly elections only months away, the political parties are keen on finalising their seat share and candidate names. The fight in Bihar is between two alliances mainly -the NDA and the Mahagathbandhan. The NDA comprises political parties like the BJP, JDU, RJPRV and HAM while the Mahagathbandhan consists of RJD, Congress, VIP, JMM and Left parties. The NDA and the Mahagathbandhan have intensified their efforts to reach a seat-sharing agreement with their allies. Amid this, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has reportedly spelt trouble for the RJD by demanding 12 seats.

Notably, JMM is the ruling party in neighbouring state Jharkhand where its allies are Congress, Left and RJD. In the 2024 Jharkhand assembly polls, the JMM had given six seats and a ministerial post to the RJD in Jharkhand. Now, it wants Tejashwi Yadav's party to return the favour. While Jharkhand has 81 assembly seats, Bihar has 243 seats.

The RJD is unlikely to accept the JMM's demand given the past electoral performances. In the 2020 Bihar assembly elections, the JMM had contested five seats  Pirpainti, Katoria, Jhajha, Chakai and Manihari. However, it failed to win any. This time, the JMM is staking claim on 12 seats including Tarapur, Belhar, Katoria, Chakai, Jhajaha, Dhamdaha, Manihari.

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Seat-sharing talks within the Mahagathbandhan alliance in Bihar are hitting a few roadblocks, particularly due to the growing demands of alliance partner Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). With the Congress insisting on contesting 70 seatsmatching its tally from the 2020 Assembly electionsthe discussions are becoming increasingly complex. The RJD, the leading party in the alliance, appears reluctant to offer more than 50 to 55 seats to Congress, creating tension within the alliance.

Formal talks began last month when senior leaders from the Mahagathbandhan convened in Patna to kick-start preparations and shortlist potential candidates, reported the Indian Express. However, with each party eyeing a bigger share of the pie, reaching a consensus is proving tricky.

In the last Assembly elections held in 2020, the NDA, led by Nitish Kumar, managed to form the government by securing 125 seats, while the Mahagathbandhan fell just short with 110. The RJD had emerged as the single largest party, winning 75 out of the 144 seats it contested. The Congress, however, had a disappointing run, winning just 19 out of 70 seats. Left partiesCPI(ML), CPI, and CPI(M)also participated, contesting 19, 6, and 4 seats respectively.

With past performances still fresh in memory and future stakes high, seat-sharing talks are expected to remain tense as the alliance attempts to find a formula that keeps all partners on board.
New Delhi: At least two senior central ministers reached out to former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar after the government learned that he had acknowledged an Opposition-sponsored impeachment notice against Justice Yashwant Varma. One of the ministers reportedly hinted at Prime Minister Narendra Modis disapproval of the move, but the 74-year-old maintained that he was acting within the rules of the House, according to media sources familiar with the matter on Wednesday.

The Hindustan Times report stated that the Union Health Minister and Rajya Sabha leader JP Nadda, along with Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, contacted Dhankhar on Monday after he spoke in the Rajya Sabha regarding the impeachment notice against the sitting high court judge, signed by 63 members.

According to reports, Rijiju told Dhankhar that in the Lok Sabha, there is a process of building a consensus on the impeachment and pointed out that the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, had signed the notice. He even indicated that the PM is not happy about the sudden development.

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Despite this, Dhankhar reportedly insisted that his actions were well within the House rules. Following this exchange, after the first Business Advisory Committee (BAC) meeting of the Rajya Sabha at 12:30 pm, government leaders chose to skip the second BAC meeting held at 4:30 pm on Monday.

HT had reported on Tuesday that Dhankhars move to initiate the impeachment process in the Rajya Sabha caught the government off guard. The administration had preferred the process to begin in the Lok Sabha, and this unexpected step is said to have triggered Dhankhars abrupt resignation.

These developments coincided with the Election Commission of India (ECI) announcing preparations for the upcoming vice-presidential election amid heated political discussions in Delhi following Dhankhars dramatic resignation two days prior.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju, met Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla amid speculation about whether Dhankhar admitted the Opposition-sponsored impeachment notice in the Rajya Sabha.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh also held a lengthy meeting with Birla. According to two senior officials, pending impeachment notices were among the key discussion points. Government sources indicated that the administration did not wish to delay the matter and might urge presiding officers to initiate the impeachment process by appointing a committee of jurists to examine the allegations and report back to Parliament.

A senior government official stated, The government is in no mood to take up the Opposition-sponsored notice, adding that the Centre would prefer to proceed with the Lok Sabha notice.

Meanwhile, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge told HT that members of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) will convene to collectively strategize for the upcoming vice-presidential election and decide on a candidate.

On Monday night, Dhankhar, aged 74, resigned citing health reasons in a move that surprised many, especially coming after he had presided over the first day of the monsoon session in the Rajya Sabha.

In his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar wrote, To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.

The Union Home Ministry formalized the resignation through a gazette notification, issued the same day as Prime Minister Narendra Modis brief response, posted 15 hours and 18 minutes after the resignation was announced on Dhankhars official X account at 9:25 pm.

The Election Commission confirmed that it has begun forming the electoral college comprising members of both Houses of Parliament, including elected and nominated MPs, all eligible to vote in the vice-presidential election. The commission is also finalizing the returning officer and assistant returning officers.

The 782-member electoral college, which includes parliamentarians from both Houses, currently favors the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) with 426 members, while the INDIA bloc has 312 members.

The ECI stated that a formal announcement of the election schedule to the Vice Presidents office will follow once the foundational preparations are complete.

Under Clause 2 of Article 68 of the Constitution, an election to fill a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, due to death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, must be held as soon as possible after the position becomes vacant.

The elected individual will hold office for the full five-year term beginning from the date they assume the position.

From the issuance of the notification calling the electoral college to vote until the election day, a 30-day period is mandated.

To be eligible for election as Vice President, a candidate must be an Indian citizen, at least 35 years old, and qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha.

The entire impeachment debate surrounding Justice Varma, who faces corruption allegations after a large amount of cash was seized from his Delhi residence in March, now hinges on whether Dhankhar formally admitted the notice signed by 63 Opposition members on Monday.

HT reported that last week, Dhankhar had asked certain Opposition leaders to submit an impeachment notice for Justice Varma in the Rajya Sabha, even though the government preferred to initiate the process only in the Lok Sabha.

Subsequently, a senior Congress lawmaker and lawyer hurriedly drafted the impeachment notice on Sunday, which 63 Opposition MPs signed on Monday. Notably, no NDA members signed the notice in the Rajya Sabha, reportedly because the NDA was unaware that such a notice was being prepared.

After the first Business Advisory Committee meeting on Monday, Dhankhar informed the House, "I need to inform you that I have received notice of motion under Article 217(1)(B) read with Article 218 and Article 124to constitute a statutory committee for the removal of justice Yashwant Varma. This has been received by me today. It is signed by more than 50 members of the Council of States.

This notice disrupted the governments carefully planned approach to Justice Varmas removal. In reaction, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) decided that JP Nadda and Kiren Rijiju would boycott the second BAC meeting presided over by Dhankhar later that evening. Hours afterward, Dhankhar resigned.
Indias neighbor Pakistan is once again preparing to carry out covert operations. To grasp the gravity of this situation, it is crucial to carefully examine the latest strategy devised by Pakistan Army Chief, Asim Munir.

According to reports from Pakistan, to spread terrorist propaganda, Munirs army has established a center in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). This center is receiving terrorists from Jaish-e-Mohammed and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Some commanders of these groups have already reached this center. It is run by an organization called JKUM, which is supposedly an NGO, but has long been active in spreading terrorist propaganda.

In today's DNA, we analysed the new conspiracy being hatched in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and the purpose of the terror center run by the Pakistani army and the intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

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Earlier, only images of terrorists speeches and weapons came from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, but now Asim Munir has set up the biggest terror propaganda center there, which the world is calling Lashkar-e-Taibas news channel.

Why is a propaganda center being called a news channel? To understand this, you need to know the full blueprint of Munirs plan.

The Pakistani army has built a large studio in PoK where interviews and speeches of terrorists like Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar will be recorded. It is believed that close officers of Asim Munir will oversee this entire terror project. Videos of active terrorists, preaching jihad as a cover for terror and violence, will be produced inside the studio.

The audio-video material created in this terror studio will be shared via social media to spread terror propaganda in Kashmir and to facilitate the recruitment of terrorists once again.

Munirs plan is very calculated. If you piece together his conspiracy, you will understand that he has included terrorists mostly from Lashkar because after the Pahalgam attack, Lashkars mention increased among extremist elements in Kashmir. Therefore, Munir used more Lashkar terrorists for this studio. In ownership of this studio, along with JKUM, Jamat-ud-Dawa, a Lashkar-linked organization involved in terror funding, is also named. This organization will provide funds for the terror studio, while no trace of Pakistani army funding will be found.

In the early days of terrorism in Kashmir, extremist books were sent there, Afghan terrorists videos were recorded on cassettes and sent to Kashmir to mislead youth for alleged jihad.

Today, the world is of social media, where high-definition videos and graphics attract people. For this reason, Asim Munir has tried to revive terror via social media. This time, in Pakistans propaganda factory, Kalashnikovs will be seen alongside cameras; interviews of Hafiz Saeed will be recorded inside the studio and terrorist news bulletins will be broadcast.

The purpose of this alleged terror news channel run by Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir is not only to mislead the youth of Kashmir but also to expand the propaganda reach of Lashkar and Jaishs terrorist ideology.

To understand this, you need to closely examine the propaganda methods of two major terrorist organizations of the world, Hamas and Hezbollah.

Hamas and Hezbollah, whose actions triggered war in Gaza and later spread to Syria, Lebanon, and Iran, have special social media units for propaganda. Hamass propaganda unit is called Harakat Hamas, while Hezbollahs is called Al-Manar. Both spread terrorist ideology on social media, portraying terrorism as a struggle for freedom.

You will be surprised to know that over 1.5 million people are connected to the propaganda units of Hamas and Hezbollah. Asim Munir now wants to use this formula for Hafizs Lashkar and Masoods Jaish as well.
The Election Commission of India on Thursday fact-checked Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, saying that the Congress party did not file any appeal against Karnataka poll results and now claiming wrongdoing on the part of the poll body. Reacting to a video of Rahul Gandhi, the ECI said that the claim made in the social media post was misleading and baseless.

"As far as Electoral Rolls of Karnataka Lok Sabha 2024 is concerned, not a single appeal was filed with DM/ CEO of Karnataka, which was a valid legal remedy available to INC under Section 24 of RP Act 1950; and as far as conduct of Lok Sabha elections 2024 is concerned, out of 10 Election Petitions, not a single Election Petition was filed by any losing INC candidate, which was a legal remedy available to INC under Section 80 of RP Act 1951," said the ECI.

#ECIFactCheck



Claim made in this social media post is misleading and baseless



May refer to the link provided below to read in detail the response from CEO Karnataka:https://t.co/TBcX8aUwji



Read detail in image below https://t.co/fdiDWMDttL pic.twitter.com/un0KDdcDtQ  Election Commission of India (@ECISVEEP) July 24, 2025

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Rahul Gandhi's Allegation

Earlier on Thursday, LoP Rahul Gandhi said that the Election Commission is not functioning as the Election Commission of India. Today, they (ECI) made a statement. This is complete nonsense. The fact of the matter is that the Election Commission is not doing its job. We have concrete, hundred per cent proof of the Election Commission allowing cheating in a seat in Karnataka. It is a hundred per cent proof. We just looked at one constituency, and we found it. I am absolutely convinced that constituency after constituency, this is the drama that is taking place. Thousands and thousands of new voters, aged 50 years, 45 years, 60 and 65 years are added. We have caught them. I want to send a message to the Election Commission: if you think you are going to get away with this, if your officers think they can get away, you are mistaken. We are going to come for you," said LoP Rahul Gandhi.

Karnataka CEO's Response

The Election Commission also shared data put on X by the Karnataka Chief Electoral Officer. The Karnataka CEO on Thursday also refuted the charges by Rahul Gandhi. Rejecting election cheating charges, the Karnataka CEO said that the electoral rolls are prepared transparently and copies were shared with the recognised parties.

"As informed by the Election Commission of India already, Electoral Rolls are shared with all recognised political parties. During Special Summary Revision-2024, which was taken up before the General Elections to Lok Sabha-2024, the copies of draft and final electoral rolls of all 224 assembly constituencies were provided to representatives of all registered and recognised political parties, including the Indian National Congress (INC)," said Chief Electoral Officer of Karnataka V. Anbukumar.

Anbukumar pointed out that between the draft and final publication of rolls, about 9.17 lakh claims and objections were received for consideration.

His statement also highlighted that no appeals were received at that time, even as the political parties can file an appeal against wrongful additions or deletions in the Electoral Rolls. "As per law, an appeal can be filed against wrongful additions or deletions in the Electoral Rolls. No appeals received," said Anbukumar.
New Delhi: As Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in London, chants of Modi, Modi, Bharat Mata ki Jai, and Vande Mataram echoed through the air, a testament to a relationship that extends far beyond politics. For Indias diaspora, this moment symbolized not just national pride but decades of connection with a leader who had embraced them long before reaching the countrys highest office.

PM Modis deep and strategic engagement with the Indian diaspora has evolved into a cornerstone of Indias foreign policy, especially during his second term. But this approach didnt begin in Delhi; it was seeded much earlier.

Back in 1993, as BJPs General Secretary in Gujarat, Modi made an unplanned stopover in the UK while returning from the US Despite the brief nature of the visit, he met local Indian families in Croydon and Hastings, interacted with diaspora media such as Sunrise Radio and Naya Padkar, and even rode the London Underground to connect with everyday Indians. These early gestures sowed the seeds of a diaspora diplomacy that would blossom over the years.

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By 1999, following the BJPs landslide electoral victory, Modi returned to the UK for a five-day tour. Now a key national leader and the partys global face, he had already demonstrated his organizational strength in Gujarat, where the BJP expanded from 1,000 to 16,000 grassroots units under his leadership.

His visit culminated in a landmark address at the Swaminarayan School in Neasden, hosted by the Overseas Friends of BJP (UK). Braving a cold drizzle, a packed hall of supporters listened as he articulated the BJPs vision, rooted in nationalism, tradition, and democracy. Attendees included British political figures such as Lord Navnit Dholakia and MP Barry Gardiner.

In his speeches, Modi highlighted Indias democratic values and positioned the BJP as more than a political party, as a civilizational movement embracing modernity, religion, and rooted culture. He was also honoured by the Lohana Mahajan community for his growing influence and his outreach to Indians abroad.

In 2000, on his way to the World Hindu Conference in the Caribbean and the UN Peace Summit in the US, Modi again stopped in London. Soon to be appointed BJP General Secretary (Organisation), a role previously held by only two others since the Jana Sangh era, Modi met UK Deputy PM John Prescott to discuss Asias political landscape and the rising threat of terrorism.

In a powerful moment of foresight, a year before 9/11, he warned, Terrorism is an evil against humanity, whether in India, the Middle East, or Northern Ireland. He also briefed diaspora leaders on Jammu and Kashmirs security situation, reinforcing his reputation as a leader with global awareness and local empathy.

In August 2003, following the devastating Bhuj earthquake, Modi returned to the UK as Chief Minister of Gujarat to personally thank the diaspora for their support. Speaking to a packed Wembley Conference Centre, he said, You are the real friends of Gujarat. I have come to repay a debt of friendship. His emotional tribute resonated deeply with the overseas community.

During that visit, he also inaugurated Shakti Hall at the Gujarat Samachar and Asian Voice offices and delivered a speech that is still quoted fondly, IT is not just Information Technology, it is India Today. BT is not Biotechnology, it is Bharat Today. IT plus IT equals India Tomorrow.

He also met then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and political leaders along the River Thames, reinforcing the importance of diaspora engagement as part of Indias broader diplomatic outreach.

Even in 2011, during Gujarats golden jubilee, Modi connected with the UK diaspora via video conference. Addressing an elite gathering in London, he declared, The name Gujarat and development are synonymous. Gujarat is creating history. He also announced the construction of Mahatma Mandir using soil from 18,000 villages, and from diaspora communities around the world, including the UK.

For me, the diaspora has never been a passive audience, he said. It is a vital partner in Indias journey.

Today, as Prime Minister, Narendra Modi continues to celebrate the global Indian community as ambassadors of Indian culture, democracy, and development. His enduring relationship with the diaspora reflects not only emotional resonance but strategic depth, making overseas Indians a vital force in shaping India's global identity.

(With inputs from IANS)
Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh): The house at KB-45 in the middle of a residential lane in Ghaziabads Kavi Nagar looked like just another villa in the neighbourhood. But behind its closed gates, a bizarre and elaborate charade was playing out. A fake embassy, complete with flags, diplomatic insignia and even morphed photographs of the prime minister and former presidents, had been operating under the nose of the authorities.

On July 22 night, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) raided the property and arrested one Harsh Vardhan Jain, the man behind the entire set-up.

He was not only playing dress-up. Inside that rented house, he had created a world of lies stitched together with forged stamps, fake passports and piles of cash. He called himself an Ambassador to four obscure or fictitious nations, West Antarctica, Saborga, Paulovia and Ladonia. Two of them do not even exist on any official map. The others are micronations with no formal recognition. And yet, for those who entered his circle, Harsh Vardhan sold a dream of foreign jobs, overseas businesses and lavish international access.

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Photos found in the house hint at a past riddled with shadows. His wall displayed images of himself with Chandraswami, the late controversial godman with known political links, and Adnan Khashoggi, the infamous international arms dealer. Whether those associations were real or part of the act, the police are still investigating.

But what the STF did confirm is startling  four luxury cars with diplomatic number plates, 12 fake diplomatic passports, fake documents branded with the Indian foreign ministrys forged seals, fake press cards, two PAN cards under different names, stamps from 34 companies and countries, currency from multiple nations, 18 false number plates and Rs 44 lakh in cash stacked inside the premises.

It does not end there.

The STF says Harsh Vardhan also ran shell companies, which they believe were used for hawala transactions that are an informal and often illegal system of money transfer. Those who came into contact with him were lured in by a promise of influence and connections, only to be caught in a labyrinth of lies.

This was not his first brush with the law. Back in 2011, he was booked for illegally possessing a satellite phone, something typically restricted to military or government use. That case too had emerged from Kavi Nagar, the very area where his latest plot unravelled.

The STFs Noida unit conducted the raid, acting on a tip-off. It is a case of diplomatic fantasy, engineered with stunning precision and executed just a few kilometres from the national capital.

Officials say the case raises troubling questions. How long had this fake embassy been functioning? How many people fell into his trap? And just how many documents in circulation today bear the fingerprints of Harsh Vardhans forgery empire?

As investigators dig deeper, one thing is certain that this was no small con. This was a parallel world of power, illusion and deception, all built within the walls of a quiet home in Ghaziabad.
To enhance its combat capabilities until the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project becomes operational, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking to acquire two to three squadrons of fifth-generation fighter jets from international manufacturers.

This development comes days after the Indian Army on Tuesday inducted the first batch of Apache helicopters into its Aviation fleet. Notably, the Indian Air Force already operates a fleet of 22 Apache helicopters, which have been deployed in Ladakh and western sectors.

The IAF recently made a detailed presentation to the government outlining its future requirements for maintaining an edge over adversaries, defence sources told ANI.

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They said the IAF is looking to acquire around two to three squadrons (40-60 aircraft) in the interim till the indigenous project gets ready to meet its operational requirements.

An empowered committee led by Defence Secretary RK Singh recommended the induction of fifth-generation fighter jets to enhance the force's deterrence and preparedness, especially along the northern and western borders.

The Indian side is showing interest in acquiring the fifth-generation fighter aircraft, when reports suggest that China is already working on sixth-generation fighter jets and may also provide its fifth-generation fighters to the Pakistan Air Force in the next few years.

The two countries from which India could potentially procure fifth-generation aircraft were the United States and Russia.

However, the government has not taken any decision on the issue of fifth-generation fighter jets, but discussions are going on in this regard.

The US has offered the F-35 fighter jet, while Russia has proposed its Su-57 jets for India's consideration.

India had opted out of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGfA) project many years ago, but there is an option to rejoin it.

The F-35 has been sold to various countries by the US in Europe and outside.

India is also looking at a programme to build 114 modern 4.5 plus generation fighters in partnership with a foreign country under Make in India, and may go for a government-to-government deal after a tender.

The Indian Air Force is looking to use these planes to prepare a strong deterrence along the western and northern fronts.

(With ANI Inputs)
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded a high warning for heavy to very heavy rainfall over parts of Maharashtra and West Bengal for the next few days, with residents warned to remain cautious and be in tune with official announcements.

For Maharashtra, the IMD on Wednesday forecasted extensive very heavy to heavy rain, especially affecting the Konkan region and Ghat districts. A red alert has been issued for Raigad, Ratnagiri, and Sindhudurg districts in the Konkan, predicting heavy to very heavy rain at a few places with isolated reports of extremely heavy rain on Thursday, July 24. This red alert will continue to be in force for these three districts on Friday also.

Mumbai, Palghar district, and Thane district have been put on an Orange Alert for Thursday, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall at scattered locations. A Yellow Alert is issued for the three districts on Friday.

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The Met department has also posted a Red Alert for the ghat sections of Satara, Pune, and Kolhapur districts for Thursday, and the same conditions may prevail over Satara and Pune's ghat sections on Friday. The heavy rainfall in Maharashtra is due to the probable establishment of a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal, which is likely to develop in the next 24 hours.

Heavy Rains Forecasted For South Bengal

At the same time, the IMD has also predicted heavy showers over South Bengal from July 24 to July 28, also thanks to the low-pressure system over North Bay of Bengal.

North and South 24 Parganas, East and West Midnapore, Jhargram, Bankura, and Purulia districts are likely to have heavy to very heavy rainfall at one or two places during this time. Isolated heavy showers may also occur over other districts of South Bengal. Some of the sub-Himalayan districts are also likely to have heavy rainfall from July 25 to 28. Heavy rain is particularly likely to occur on July 25 in Kolkata.

The governments of both the states have appealed to people to take every precaution, follow local weather forecasts, and stay away from areas that are vulnerable to waterlogging or landslides. Fishermen have also been asked not to travel to the affected coastal regions.
India and the United Kingdom on Thursday signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The deal was signed in the presence of Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Keir Starmer.

Hailing the deal, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the agreement will bring significant benefits to both countries. Prime Minister Starmer added that the trade deal will boost wages, raise living standards and put more money in the pockets of working people.

"It is a deal that will bring huge benefits to both of our countries, boosting wages, raising living standards and putting more money in the pockets of working people. It is good for jobs, it is good for business, cutting tariffs and making trade cheaper, quicker and easier," UK PM Keir Starmer said.

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Prime Minister Modi also hailed the agreement and described it as a historic day' in India-UK relations.

"Today marks a historic day in our relations. I am delighted that after the hard work of several years, today our two nations have signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement," PM Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi said that the Free Trade Agreement between India and the United Kingdom goes beyond mere economic cooperation; it lays the foundation for shared prosperity.

"This Agreement is not just an economic agreement but also the plan for a shared prosperity. On one side, Indian textile, footwear, gems and jewellery, seafood and engineering goods will get better market access in the UK. New opportunities will emerge in the UK market for India's agricultural produce and processed food industry," PM Modi said.

Prime Minister Modi said that this agreement will provide Indian consumers and industries access to products manufactured in the UK, including medical devices, at more reasonable and affordable prices.

"This agreement will especially benefit Indian youth, farmers, fishermen and MSME sector. On the other hand, for the people of India and industry, products made in UK like medical devices will be available at reasonable and affordable prices," PM Modi said.

As part of the landmark FTA, India will cut tariffs on 90 per cent of the UK products, while the UK will reduce duties on 99 per cent of Indian exports, significantly cutting tariff lines and regulatory processes across sectors.

"Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain. It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses and drive growth in every corner of the country," said Starmer in a post on X.

The pact is set to make imported goods like Scotch whisky, gin, luxury cars, cosmetics, and medical devices more affordable for Indian consumers.

With the FTA being materialised, Indian farm products will get tariff parity with major European exporters like Germany. Zero duties on textiles and leather are expected to boost Indias competitiveness among regional peers such as Bangladesh and Cambodia.

Indias leather sector is projected to gain an additional market share of 5 per cent in the UK within the next two years.

Similarly, projections show that electronics and engineering exports are likely to double by 2030, while gems and jewellery exports are likely to double (from the current $941 million) in the next three years.

Officials estimate the deal will increase UK exports to India by almost 60 per cent over the long term.

(With IANS Inputs)
Kerala Lottery Results Thursday 24-07-2025 LIVE: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "Karunya KN-582" Lucky Draw Result today Karunya KN-582, July 24, 2025. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2025 for "Karunya KN-582" will feature 12 series, with changes in series possible each week. A total of 108 lakh tickets are available for purchase weekly. The ticket prices may vary. Check the Karunya KN-582 results right here to see if youre the first-place winner of 1 Crore. Stay tuned to this website for the live update of Kerala Lottery Karunya KN-582 results today.

Kerala Lottery Result 24-07-2025 July: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR KARUNYA PLUS KN-582 Draw

LUCKY TICKET NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 1 Crore IS: PT 409455

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LUCKY TICKET NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 30 LAKHS IS: PU 879661

LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 5 LAKHS ARE: PU 757466

LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 5000 ARE: PN 409455 PO 409455 PP 409455 PR 409455 PS 409455 PU 409455 PV 409455 PW 409455 PX 409455 PY 409455 PZ 409455

(For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below)

LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: 0205 0450 0636 1909 2208 2407 2509 3239 4008 4079 4578 4849 5108 6282 6932 6939 8459 8881 8964 9355

LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 2000 ARE: 0991 5866 7299 7855 8853 9900

LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 1000 ARE: 0092 0811 0828 1128 1284 1456 1670 2132 2327 2663 2686 3478 3628 3752 4024 4192 4221 4769 5098 5121 5369 6021 7047 7267 9130 9281 9528 9620 9645 9934

LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: 0040 0191 0373 0655 0748 1123 1270 1273 1313 1687 1837 2000 2170 2264 2339 2458 2473 2591 2910 2978 3034 3284 3470 3486 3533 3905 3982 4009 4250 4264 4288 4313 4602 4641 4692 4750 4818 4869 5376 5432 5602 5605 5684 5826 6211 6250 6402 6591 6797 6849 6978 6993 7002 7213 7284 7426 7472 7564 7649 7679 7701 8131 8282 8308 8510 8651 8844 9218 9279 9567 9583 9656 9710 9764 9836 9915

LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 200 ARE: 0015 0027 0069 0128 0186 0563 0650 0727 0778 0840 0982 1032 1131 1282 1322 1535 1639 1928 1993 2554 2669 2693 2838 3044 3071 3211 3273 3346 3456 4229 4469 4533 4780 4938 4984 5031 5068 5282 5319 5425 5447 5521 5571 5731 5961 5971 6175 6214 6218 6390 6519 6880 6946 6970 7298 7453 7582 7657 7674 7683 7880 7890 8098 8187 8375 8500 8512 8600 8643 8657 8880 8911 9308 9390 9477 9573 9596 9677 9698 9762 9845 9910 9950 9993

LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 9TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: 0025 0154 0180 0221 0255 0277 0425 0438 0564 0868 0897 1033 1049 1114 1120 1135 1240 1271 1368 1437 1506 1563 1613 1660 1725 1987 2004 2042 2081 2119 2131 2142 2148 2219 2323 2338 2352 2383 2408 2460 2528 2610 2614 2700 2710 2806 2865 2874 2876 2894 2897 3160 3208 3436 3554 3556 3636 3638 3800 3929 3931 3990 4068 4108 4143 4148 4299 4331 4382 4454 4458 4605 4609 4662 4707 4896 4929 5008 5030 5055 5056 5099 5232 5270 5300 5332 5482 5484 5550 5567 5577 5626 5705 5710 5751 5933 6005 6221 6328 6490 6491 6510 6520 6522 6545 6557 6575 6634 6659 6681 6743 6809 6817 6934 6943 6976 7101 7175 7191 7303 7364 7404 7466 7475 7489 7493 7495 7618 7667 7675 7747 8079 8156 8205 8331 8377 8434 8619 8675 8677 8732 9067 9087 9243 9347 9475 9526 9578 9612 9671 9751 9815 9849 9857 9909 9912

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Maharashtra Politics: There is a fresh political twist in Maharashtra with Andheri Police arresting Praful Lodha, said to be a close aide of Maharashtra BJP Minister Girish Mahajan, in a honey-trapping case allegedly involving bureaucrats and politicians. While Mahajan has rejected the claims, saying Lodha is an all-party worker and doesn't belong to the BJP, the opposition is not buying into the argument.

On July 7, Lodha was arrested by the Sakinaka Police on charges of luring a minor girl with a job offer and then allegedly assaulting her and using her photos to threaten her. While still in custody, on July 17, he was taken into custody by MIDC Police in another case, where a 19-year-old woman accused him of sexual harassment under the pretence of offering a job. Now, with a fresh wave of accusations, the case has taken a darker turn. The latest developments have not only intensified the spotlight on Lodha but also brought the names of Minister Mahajan and several other prominent leaders into public focus. According to sources, as many as 72 individuals may be linked to whats being called a massive honey trap scandal, raising serious concerns about the scale and reach of the alleged network.

Who Is Praful Lodha?

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According to reports, Praful Lodha is a businessman from Jamner in the Jalgaon district of Maharashtra. Girish Mahajan also hails from the same district. Police have seized Lodha's laptop, mobile and pen drive.

Over the past few years, Lodha established a network through connections and advisory roles, leveraging these relationships to gain influence in political circles. He has often been seen in photographs with prominent political leaders.

According to reports, although Lodha has been associated with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, his primary political affiliation has been with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Lodha is now facing two cases under the POCSO Act (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences), along with multiple serious charges including rape, blackmail, illegal confinement, and use of obscene material to threaten victims. Pune Police have also filed a rape case against him.

The Mumbai Police have raided Lodhas properties in Jalgaon, Jamner, and Pahur, seizing laptops, pen drives, and other digital devices as part of the investigation.

Political Accusations

NCP (SP) leader and former minister Eknath Khadse has stirred controversy by claiming that Prafull Lodha was arrested in connection with the honey trap case because he possesses sensitive, confidential information related to it. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP and party spokesperson Sanjay Raut added fuel to the fire by sharing a video on social media.

Four ministers in Maharashtra are caught in a honey trap CM knows who they are. Prful Lodha, involved in the honey trap case, is in custody. He is Girish Mahajans man, claiming, If I press one button, everyone from Mahajan will be ruined! This is happening in Maharashtra. pic.twitter.com/E6flDYdmRc  Sanjay Raut (@rautsanjay61) July 21, 2025

In the clip, Lodha is seen boasting that he has incriminating videos of BJP leader Girish Mahajan  and that with just the press of a button, Mahajans political career could be ruined. The revelations have deepened the political storm surrounding the case. Mahajan has refuted the claims.

The dramatic collapse of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government in June 2022triggered by the Shiv Senas internal rifthas got a new twist this time. MVA leaders are now claiming that the defection of several Shiv Sena MLAs, who sided with Eknath Shinde, may have been the result of a calculated "honeytrap" operation. At the center of these claims is Prafull Lodha, who is being accused of orchestrating the scheme.

The matter was first brought up in the Maharashtra Assembly by Congress MLA and former state party chief Nana Patole, who demanded that the government clarify whether a honeytrap plotpossibly involving IAS officers and ministershad taken place, calling it a serious threat to state security. Following this, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut alleged that more than a dozen Sena MLAs and four MPs were blackmailed using videos, which he claims were created and used by Lodha before the party split.

In response, Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule confirmed that the Home Department and police were investigating the allegations. Meanwhile, Girish Mahajan, whose name has surfaced in connection with Lodha, denied having any close ties to him. Mahajan said Lodha is no longer with the BJP and that being seen in photos with leaders from various parties over the years does not imply a personal relationship.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court, on Thursday, stayed the Bombay High Courts judgment that acquitted all 12 men in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case. The stay came in response to the Maharashtra governments concerns that the High Courts ruling could negatively influence several ongoing trials under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

While granting the stay, the apex court made it clear that the 12 accused, who were released earlier this week after their acquittal, would not be sent back to prison.

A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh also issued notices to the 12 acquitted men, asking them to respond to the states appeal against their acquittal. We are inclined to hold that the impugned judgment shall not be treated as a precedent. Therefore, there will be a stay of the impugned judgment, the bench stated in its brief order.

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Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Maharashtra government, clarified that the state was not seeking to revoke the release of the accused. Instead, he asked for the judgment itself to be stayed, citing the potential impact of the High Courts findings on other pending MCOCA trials.

I am conscious of the matter of liberty. I am not seeking a stay on their release. But we want the judgment to be stayed because there are certain findings by the High Court which may affect other pending MCOCA trials. Thus, the impugned judgment needs to be stayed, Mehta submitted.

Accepting this argument, the court ordered that the High Court's decision would carry no precedential weight until further notice.

The Supreme Courts intervention follows the Maharashtra governments prompt appeal against the Bombay High Courts July 21 judgment, which overturned the 2015 convictions handed down by a special MCOCA court. That lower court had sentenced five of the accused to death and the remaining seven to life imprisonment.

In its ruling, the High Court had sharply criticized the prosecution, stating that it had utterly failed to establish the offence beyond a reasonable doubt. The court also pointed to multiple procedural lapses, unreliable evidence, and serious violations of the accuseds constitutional rights during the investigation.

The 2006 Mumbai train bombings remain one of the deadliest terror attacks in Indias history. On the evening of July 11, seven pressure cooker bombs exploded within six minutes across first-class compartments of packed suburban trains, killing 188 people and injuring 829.

The Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), which led the investigation, arrested 13 men within four months. The ATS alleged that the attacks were planned by former members of the banned Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), with support from the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). It also claimed that 12 Pakistani nationals had entered India to assist in training and providing explosives.

However, the High Court ultimately found that these allegations did not hold up under legal scrutiny, leading to the complete acquittal of the 12 accused.
The Supreme Court has agreed to hear an application challenging the blanket age-based ban on vehicles in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), specifically seeking permission for vehicles compliant with Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) emission standards to operate.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Wednesday clarified that there is no blanket ban by the central government on the plying of old vehicles, stating that the curbs in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) are owing to orders from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and substantiated by the Supreme Court.

Days after the launch of the vehicle scrappage policy, Gadkari, in a written response to the Rajya Sabha, insisted that the government's Voluntary Vehicle Fleet Modernisation Programme (V-VMP), or Vehicle Scrappage Policy, does not ban the use of 15-year-old vehicles throughout the nation.

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He clarified that Supreme Court has instructed transport departments of NCR states to follow the NGT's April 7, 2015, order prohibiting diesel vehicles over 10 years and petrol vehicles over 15 years from operating in the region.

The Minister pointed out that the V-VMP policy aims to provide a ecosystem for phasing out "unfit and polluting vehicles in an environmentally friendly manner." He explained that for private vehicles which are used outside of Delhi-NCR, eligibility will be based on their fitness status, as certified by Automated Testing Stations (ATS). But vehicles registered in the name of government departments will automatically expire with 15 years of use.

In another segment of his statement, Gadkari also gave an update on road safety measures. He told the Rajya Sabha that a total of 13,795 black spots (sites where accidents occur) have been identified on National Highways in the country.

"Of the 13,795 black spots on National Highways (NHs) in the country, rectification short-term has been done on 11,866 black spots and rectification long-term on 5,324 black spots," Gadkari said, maintaining that the rectification process of black spots is ongoing, with temporary measures at once being initiated wherever the need is felt.".
At a time when cities across India are grappling with haphazard growth, strained infrastructure, and recurring civic failures, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has proposed a long-term institutional fix: build better planners.

In a letter to the Vice Chancellor of Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), Shivakumar has recommended the introduction of an undergraduate course in urban town planning at the Government Sri Krishnarajendra Silver Jubilee Technological Institute, Bengaluru. The move, he says, is aimed at producing a generation of professionals equipped to design and manage Indias fast-growing urban spaces.

In view of Karnatakas growing need for sustainable urban development, I have written to the Honble Vice Chancellor of VTU requesting the Introduction of an Undergraduate Course in Urban Town Planning at the Government Sri Krishnarajendra Silver Jubilee Technological Institute, pic.twitter.com/i7iy8zgsS8  DK Shivakumar (@DKShivakumar) July 23, 2025

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This step will help build a new generation of professionals who will play a vital role in planning, shaping, and building the cities of tomorrow, he wrote in a post sharing the letter on social media.

The proposal signals a shift in how policymakers are beginning to think about urban crises, not just as infrastructure deficits, but as a consequence of poor institutional capacity and lack of specialised training. Shivakumars push for formal planning education links Indias urban future to the need for long-term human capital investment.

Urban planning remains one of the most underdeveloped fields in Indias education system, even as cities face mounting challenges from density, climate change, and housing demand. Shivakumars initiative suggests that cities cannot be made more livable through quick fixes alone but through professional planners who understand how to align design, policy, and people.

By rooting the solution in education, not just engineering, Shivakumar has opened up a critical conversation: that fixing Indias urban future may depend less on pouring more concrete and more on producing minds that know where and how to build.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer, where the two leaders signed a historic free trade agreement between the two nations. The two leaders held a one-on-one meeting as well as delegation-level talks. While Prime Minister Modi thanked Prime Minister Starmer for his strong support and solidarity extended to the people of India in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, he also raised the issue of extremism.

While the two leaders committed to strengthening the global fight against terrorism, they also noted that extremism and radicalisation pose a threat to both societies, and they agreed to further enhance bilateral cooperation to deal with the menace. Prime Minister Modi also sought UKs cooperation to bring to justice economic offenders and fugitives.

"We thank Prime Minister Starmer and his government for their strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. We are united in our view that there can be no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism. We also agree that forces with extremist ideologies must not be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms. Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself must be held to account," said PM Modi.

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PM Modi's remark came amid growing concerns over the presence of Khalistani extremists in the United Kingdom, who have in the past also created ruckus at the Indian High Commission in London.

The agencies from both countries, he announced, will also continue to work in cooperation and coordination on the issue of extradition of economic offenders.

Briefing media later in the day, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said, "With regard to the activities of extremists, we shared our thoughts and views. We have noted the fact that they are increasingly active and have in past and continue to threaten the safety and security of our diplomatic missions and personnel, inciting violence against our leaders and our diplomats...We received cooperation from the UK on this matter."

The two leaders also exchanged views on global and regional issues of mutual interest, including on the developments in the Indo-Pacific, West Asia and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Earlier this year, Khalistani goons created a ruckus outside the Chatham House in London, where External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was attending an event. A video from the event, showing a protester running towards the EAM's vehicle as he was leaving the venue, also went viral on social media, highlighting the security breach.

This was not the first time that anti-India, radical elements had organised demonstrations, attacks, as well as arson in London.

In March 2023, New Delhi had lodged a strong protest with the UK government after Khalistani extremists vandalised the Indian High Commission in London. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had demanded an explanation from the British authorities for the complete absence of British security that allowed the Khalistani goons to enter the High Commission premises.
New Delhi: Indian Railways has made changes to the process for booking tickets under the Emergency Quota (EQ), requiring passengers to submit their requests earlier than before. This update follows the Ministry of Railways' recent move to finalise reservation charts 8 hours before train departure time, aiming to enhance operational efficiency.

Indian Railways Emergency Quota Seats

Emergency quota seats are reserved for VIPs, railway personnel, and individuals facing medical emergencies. However, last-minute requests and misuse of this quota often cause delays in chart preparations, which eventually affect the confirmation of waiting list tickets.

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As per the new rule, those seeking tickets under the Emergency Quota must now submit their requests at least a day in advance. The ministry has made it clear that requests submitted on the day of travel will no longer be accepted.

Ministry Of Railways' Circular

According to the circular issued by the ministry, for trains departing between 12 AM and 2 PM, EQ requests must be submitted by 12 noon on the previous day. Additionally, for trains departing between 2:01 PM and 11:59 PM, requests must reach EQ cell by 4 pm the previous day of journey.

In cases involving Sundays or public holidays, requests for emergency quota accommodations must be made during office hours on the last working day before the journey.

The circular also noted that the Railway Boards reservation cell receives a significant number of EQ requests from VIPs, senior railway officials, and other departments.

The ministry emphasized that it aims to allocate EQ seats with care and fairness. "All efforts are made to allot the quota judiciously and with common prudence," it said.

Railway officers have been urged to adhere to these new timing guidelines to prevent delays in chart preparation, which not only cause trouble for passengers but also delay trains' departure.
New Delhi: Over past few days, Babydoll Archi's account, identified as Archita Phukan on social media gathered a lot of attention. She posted her picture with American adult star Kendra Lust on Instagram that search on Babydoll Archi amped up, also it was her her reel on Dame Un Grrr by Romanian artist Kate Linn broke internet. However, it has now come to light that the account was fake.

'Babydoll Archi Was A Deepfake

Yes, the famous Babydoll Archi account was made using a Deepfake. According to BBC report, it was created by a person named Pratim Bora, a mechanical engineer and a self-taught artificial intelligence (AI) enthusiast. He used private photos of a real woman to create a fake profile.

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The woman is a homemaker in Dibrugarh, Assam. BBC reported that this mystery unravelled after the woman's brother lodged a police complaint and Pratim Bora, her ex-boyfriend, was arrested.

Cops Arrest Babydoll Archi Creator

Senior police officer Sizal Agarwal told the BBC that these two had a falling out and the AI likeness he created was to exact 'pure revenge' on her. "Babydoll Archi was created in 2020 and the first uploads were made in May 2021. The initial photos were her real pictures that had been morphed. As time passed, Bora used tools such as ChatGPT and Dzine to create an AI version. He then populated the handle with deepfake photos and videos," Agarwal said.

The woman whose pics had been used is not on social media as per BBC. She got to know about the once it went viral and mainstream media began profiling Babydoll Archi.

"The account had 3,000 subscriptions on linktree and we believe he had earned 1m rupees from it. We believe he made 300,000 rupees in just five days before his arrest," police official added.

Police have seized Pratim Boras laptop, mobile phones, and bank documents. If found guilty, he could get up to 10 years in prison.

Meanwhile, the Instagram page has been taken down, however, it raises major concerns about misuse of AI, women's safety and rise in cyber of crime.


New Delhi: Its been five years since Sushant Singh Rajputs last film Dil Bechara hit the screens and left an indelible impact on hearts across the country. The movie, an adaptation of John Greens The Fault in Our Stars, marked Sanjana Sanghis debut in a leading role.

Remembering the character of Kizie Basu, a young girl who battled thyroid cancer, Sanjana said, My five years since Dil Bechara have been both incredibly rewarding and challenging. Since I dont belong to Mumbai, I've independently navigated a new world, trying to learn, grow, and evolve daily. I'm immensely grateful for every opportunity and have poured my all into them. The unwavering love from Kizie Basu's fans has been my constant support. While I've had to miss milestones with family back home in Delhi, I've been fortunate to build a cherished new family here in Mumbai.

Her chemistry with late co-star Sushant Singh Rajput, who played Manny, brought the story to life with equal parts joy, sorrow, and poignancy. Under Mukesh Chhabras direction, Dil Bechara became more than just a film , it became a memory etched into Indian pop culture.

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For many, Dil Bechara remains a deeply emotional film, partly because of the untimely loss of Sushant Singh Rajput and partly due to the sincerity with which Sanjana portrayed Kizies pain, hope, and spirit. It was a performance that felt personal, relatable, and real.

As fans continue to revisit the film, its clear that Dil Bechara wasnt just the beginning of Sanjana Sanghis career  it was her emotional breakthrough. Five years on, Kizie Basu still lives in the hearts of audiences, and so does Sanjanas unforgettable performance.

The film Dil Bechara was directed by Mukesh Chhabra and is an adaptation of John Green's popular novel The Fault in Our Stars. In the film, Sushant and Sanjana played terminally ill cancer patients. Unfortunately, it was Sushant Singh Rajput's last film and marked his posthumous appearance after his tragic death on June 14, 2020.

The actor was found dead at his Bandra residence on June 14, 2020. His sudden death sent shock waves across his family, friends, and fans. The 34-year-old star, in a short span of time, earned the love of his followers, leaving behind a lasting memory.

Actress Sanjana Sanghi made her acting debut as a child in the Ranbir KapoorNargis Fakhri starrer Rockstar in 2011. Post that, she featured in supporting roles in popular films such as Hindi Medium and Fukrey Returns.
New Delhi: Actress Janhvi Kapoor took to her Instagram Stories to condemn the Kalyan clinic assault case, which has shocked the nation. The disturbing incident took place in Thane, where a man assaulted a receptionist at a clinic.

Sharing a clip of the incident, the actress wrote: This man needs to be in jail. Why does anyone think this behaviour is okay?" She added, What makes him think he can raise his hand at someone like this? What kind of upbringing convinces you to go through with these actions without any remorse, guilt, or sense of humanity?"

For the unversed, a video from Shree Bal Chikitsalaya in Kalyan East is making the rounds on the internet. It shows Gokul Jha kicking the receptionist and dragging her by the hair across the reception area.

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Half-baked headline:

A receptionist girl beaten up by a Guy in Kalyan MH.



Real uncut footage:

She slapped a family member first.



Half-cut video Extended footage pic.twitter.com/jHfw5JmMbv  ShoneeKapoor (@ShoneeKapoor) July 23, 2025

The actress called for aggressive" consequences for such actions, saying, How do you live with yourself after knowing this is how your brain operates? What a shame. And shame on us for not punishing and condemning such behaviour more aggressively. Nothing excuses this."

Thane Assault Case:

The accused, identified as Gokul Jha, was seen hitting a 25-year-old receptionist at a private hospital in Kalyan after she allegedly denied him entry to the doctor's room because he did not have an appointment. The man reportedly kicked the receptionist, pulled her hair, and dragged her across the reception area. An FIR has now been registered against him after the receptionist filed a complaint.

Despite people present during the incident trying to pull him away, Jha continued to assault her. The police have also detained Gokul Jhas brother Ranjit and other family members who were present at the hospital when the incident occurred.

The Kalyan District and Sessions Court has sent the man to two days of police custody. The injured receptionist is currently being treated at a hospital in Dombivli.

A New Twist

However, a new footage has now surfaced suggesting that the receptionist may have slapped the accuseds sister-in-law moments before he assaulted her. There has been no official confirmation of this yet.

The attack unfolded after the receptionist denied Jha entry to see the doctor, who was attending another patient at the time.
Los Angeles: Late actor Matthew Perry's doctor Salvador Plasencia on Wednesday pleaded guilty to giving 'Friends' star ketamine before his tragic death.

During a hearing in Los Angeles, the doctor admitted to supplying four counts of illegal distribution of the drug, which is used as a prescription anaesthetic.

Salvador Plasencia will face a statutory maximum sentence of ten years in federal prison for each count at his sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for December 3, the US Attorney's Office of the Central District of California said in a press statement, as per CNN.

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He has also been directed to surrender his medical license within the next 30-45 days, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Plasencia took a plea deal in June in which he admitted to distributing ketamine without a legitimate medical purpose to the 'Friends' star, who died of an overdose in October 2023. In exchange, prosecutors dropped charges of falsifying medical records and additional counts of distribution, Variety reported.

The lone remaining defendant in the case, Jasveen Sangha, nicknamed the "Ketamine Queen," is scheduled to face a trial next month.

She is alleged to have maintained a stash house in North Hollywood for the illicit distribution of the drug.

Plasencia faces a theoretical maximum of 40 years behind bars, but is likely to receive far less than that under federal sentencing guidelines.
New Delhi: Central government employees now have the flexibility to use their 30 days of annual leave for personal reasons. This includes taking care of elderly parents, Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

The minister was asked whether government employees have the option to take official leave to care for their elderly parents, considering the growing need for family support and caregiving responsibilities, as reported by PTI.

In a written reply, Union Minister Jitendra Singh explained that Central government employees are allowed to take leave for personal reasons, including looking after their elderly parents. He said, "The Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972 provides for 30 days of earned leave, 20 days of half pay leave, eight days of casual leave and two days of restricted holiday per annum, apart from other eligible leaves to a Central government employee, which can be availed for any personal reasons, including that of taking care of elderly parents."
New Delhi: Digital Locker, one of the key initiatives under the Digital India initiative, is aimed at eliminating

the usage of physical documents and enable sharing of e-documents across government agencies via a

mechanism to verify authenticity of the documents online. These digitally signed documents can be hared with Government organizations or other entities.

EPFO has now made available the services like UAN Card; Scheme Certificate; and Pension Payment Orders of the EPS Pensioners through DigiLocker.

EPFO has tweeted: EPFO Services Now on DigiLocker! Access your important EPFO documents anytime, anywhere:

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1. UAN Card

2. Pension Payment Order (PPO)

3. Scheme Certificate

Seamless. Secure. Smart. Empowering citizens through digital convenience!

_ EPFO Services Now on DigiLocker!

Access your important EPFO documents anytime, anywhere:

1__ UAN Card

2__ Pension Payment Order (PPO)

3__ Scheme Certificate



_ Seamless. Secure. Smart.

_ Empowering citizens through digital convenience!

_ Visit: https://t.co/rGirYEUo0d_ pic.twitter.com/NcNtG0jmPh  EPFO (@socialepfo) July 17, 2025

Prerequisites To Download DigiLocker Via Mobile App

Users can download the DigiLocker mobile app from the Google Play Store or visit website https://digilocker.gov.in

- Citizens with Aadhaar number will be able to access EPFO Issued PPO document through DigiLocker

- Ensure that your current mobile number is registered with Aadhaar number. This will be used

to complete eKYC OTP

You can update your mobile number in Aadhaar by visiting any UIDAI centre



Download DigiLocker On Mobile App

Step 1: Download DigiLocker mobile app (by NeGD, MeitY) on Android or iOS

Step 2: Enter mobile number and enter OTP received to verify

Step 3: Enter username and password to create an account

Step 4: You will be prompted to link Aadhaar number. Enter your 12 digit Aadhaar number there and click Continue. Enter OTP received and click Continue again

Step 5: After successful account creation, the application will show the Dashboard page.
Construction labourers in India form one of the largest and most vulnerable segments of the informal workforce, with over 5 crore workers engaged in the sector, according to estimates by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Despite playing a critical role in nation-building, these workers often face precarious working conditions, low wages, lack of job security, and minimal access to healthcare, education, and housing.

Notably, the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Cess Act mandates the collection of a 1% cess on construction projects to fund welfare schemes for labourers. According to reports, out of the over Rs 70,000 crore collected under this act as of recent reports, only a fraction has been disbursed due to administrative inefficiencies and lack of awareness among workers. Most construction labourers are interstate migrants, making them even more vulnerable to exploitation, wage theft, and exclusion from local welfare schemes.

"Moving beyond brick and mortar, there is a need for companies to work on strengthening the human foundations of development the workers and families behind each project site. A grassroots social development programme that works directly with migrant workers and their families is the need of the hour. Designed to align with national development goals, there is a need for initiatives which addresses the systemic gaps faced by labour communities by focusing on early childhood education, adolescent engagement, digital literacy, womens empowerment, access to government schemes, and primary healthcare," said Pankaj Bansal, Director, M3M India.

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Indias real estate sector has long been the backbone of urbanisation, employment, and infrastructure developmentcontributing nearly 7% to the national GDP and generating millions of jobs across both formal and informal sectors. But beyond its economic value, the sector holds a deeper, often overlooked potential: to drive inclusive nation-building. As the country charts its path toward becoming a $5 trillion economy, national priorities have expanded to include not just what we buildbut who we uplift along the way.

The central governments missionsSkill India, Digital India, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Saksham Anganwadi, and the National Education Policy (NEP)underscore a shared belief: that real development must reach the last mile. This means creating access to early education, skilling, healthcare, and welfareespecially for those who contribute silently to Indias growth, such as the migrant workers and labour communities who physically build the nations new urban centres. Since construction workers' children spend most of their time at the site, there is a need to provide necessary facilities around the site only.

"Workers children must be provided with safe, hygienic early learning spaces, nutritional support, and pre-school education in line with the state curriculum. These can be done easily by developers. Once basic foundation is ready, children can be transitioned into nearby government schools, bridging them from informal settlements into formal education," said the M3M India Director. The realtor said it's working to change the lives of construction workers and their families through its in-house initiative, iMpower, under M3M Indias philanthropic arm, the M3M Foundation which is led by Foundation's Trustee Payal Kanodia.

Bansal said that serving fresh meals at project sites, ensuring no worker ends the day hungry, is not just an obligation, but should be a belief that dignity begins with the basics.

The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed these gaps, with lakhs of workers stranded without income or support. This calls for urgent reforms in registration processes, portability of benefits across states, real-time tracking of funds, and stronger enforcement of labour rights to ensure social protection and dignified living conditions for construction workers.

He further said, "Beyond the classroom, health camps, maternal counselling, and sanitary pad distribution should be done to support the health needs of women and families. Simultaneously, adult members can be trained in digital skillsfrom accessing e-governance services to using financial toolsbuilding a digitally empowered ecosystem within labour settlements."

The Narendra Modi government has already launched a social security scheme for the workers. Named Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM), the scheme aims to ensure old age protection for Unorganised Workers. It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme, under which the subscriber would receive minimum assured pension of Rs 3000 monthly after attaining the age of 60 years. During the receipt of pension, if the subscriber dies, the spouse of the beneficiary shall be entitled to receive 50% of the pension received by the beneficiary as family pension.

In a sector often defined by square footage and sales figures, realtors must prove that its not just raising towersits raising futures. More and more realtors should come forward and adopt worker-friendly policies.
The Delhi government will test the odd-even formula in the city from January 1 to 15.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in the UK for a crucial visit focused on signing the landmark India-UK FTA, bolstering defense ties, and addressing concerns over Khalistani extremists and fugitive extraditions.
Speaking at a press briefing in Peshawar, he gave voice to what millions of Pakistanis have long whispered behind closed doors. His words left the room in dead silence. Eyes wide and mouths half open.
Yes, the 5-year-old boy found something in his egg that didn't look very much like the toy that he expected. Puzzled, the boy innocently handed it over to his father.
As Prime Minister Modi arrives in the UK, the Indian diaspora turns out in large numbers, celebrating his leadership and India's rising global profile.
A sharp $220.58 million worth of goods crossed into Pakistan from across the eastern border. Last year, it was slightly lower, $206.89 million. The year before that, it was at $190.04 million.
Villagers, including children and the elderly, have been seen escaping in the middle of the night, carrying their belongings in plastic bags, as military shelling continues on both sides. This comes after a border clash between Thailand and Cambodia escalated.
Washington: When U.S. President Donald Trump stood at the podium, he called it the largest trade deal in history. That might sound dramatic, but the ripples from this agreement with Japan are real and growing louder.

For months, Japan and the United States had been negotiating behind closed doors. Now, Japans Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba says the deal is a deliberate push to protect global economic stability.

Japan is not a small player. It is the worlds fourth-largest economy. Its energy and food come from beyond its borders. Its wealth rides on the back of machines, microchips and cars, many of which are sold to American consumers.

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Trumps tariffs, nicknamed Liberation Day levies, had threatened to slam the brakes on all of that. Economists whispered warnings that Japans economy could shrink by as much as one percent, tipping it into a slowdown. This deal steps in like a brake release.

For Japanese exporters, it is a lifeline. Lower tariffs mean smoother sales. Stability returns. With a deal on paper, Japan Inc. can budget, plan and move forward. The yen gained strength, which makes it cheaper for manufacturers to import essential materials and ramp up production.

And for the countrys auto giants, Toyota, Nissan and Honda, the change is tangible. Before this deal, a 27.5% US tax loomed over every vehicle shipped from Japan. That burden is now trimmed to 15%. American showrooms could soon see cheaper Japanese cars.

Not everyone is cheering, though.

US carmakers see it differently. They are still grappling with a 25% tariff on parts sourced from Mexico and Canada, more than what Japan now pays. The imbalance, they argue, is unfair.

But the deal is not only about tariffs.

Ishiba pledged $550 billion in investments from Japanese firms on U.S. soil. The aim? Build tougher and more reliable supply chains, especially in areas like medicine and microchips. Japanese businesses already have a strong presence in the United States. This would deepen those roots, bring jobs and push innovation.

Agriculture also got a piece of the pie. Japan agreed to increase its purchase of U.S.-grown rice. It is a good news for American farmers and perhaps for Japans grain stockpiles. But it also means Japanese rice farmers may now face stiffer competition, a reality that is already stirring anxiety.

The 15% tariff also set a new yardstick. South Korea and Taiwan, who are neck-deep in their own talks with Washington, now know what bar they have to clear. South Koreas industry minister even hinted he will be taking notes from the Japan deal as he flies to DC for conversations.

This adds pressure on the rest of Asia. Countries like Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines have already inked smaller deals. Others such as Cambodia, Laos and Sri Lanka are not as lucky. These smaller economies depend on exporting manufactured goods but have little leverage in big-league trade talks with the United States.

And what about defense?

There had been buzz that Trump wanted Japan to boost military spending. But Tokyos lead negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, shut that down. Defense was not part of the trade table. Neither was steel or aluminium, where tariffs still stand at 50%. That, too, may be a quiet win for Japan as it ships far more Toyotas than it does steel coils.

Still, Washington is racing against time. The Trump administration has set a deadline to finalise all deals before August 1. Each new agreement adds pressure to the next. And while U.S. diplomats dot the map with signatures, other countries are watching and rethinking.

On the same day the U.S.-Japan deal was unveiled and Japan and Europe shook hands too. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said both sides would join forces to push back against economic coercion and unfair trade practices. Her message was there is more than one game in town.

And while the European Union still has not settled its trade terms with Washington, Brussels is drawing its own roadmap.

We believe in global competitiveness. And it should benefit everyone, said von der Leyen.

But in Asias factories and Washingtons corridors, the truth is simpler. This is not merely trade. It is a chessboard. Every piece moved now decides who leads the next decade.
Russia-Ukraine War: Europeans ramped up support this week for Ukraines battle against drone and ballistic missile attacks. A fresh delivery of anti-aircraft missiles came from the United Kingdom and Germany. The goal is to defend Ukraines skies.

The European Union (EU) announced an 18th round of sanctions on Russia. It is aimed at cutting off virtually Moscows energy imports. A fivefold increase in the EU defence budget has also been proposed.

The United States returned to the Ukraine Defence Contact Group today but only with a symbolic presence. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attended without adding new weapons deliveries.

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Meanwhile, the battlefield rumble continued. Russian forces captured several towns in Ukraines Kharkiv, Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions mid-July. Ukraine has stepped up counterstrikes with long-range weapons.

Russian air defences brought down 13 drones near Moscow on Saturday. Ukrainian drones disrupted traffic in Moscows airport the next day. Then came news that Russia shot down another 74 drones.

Reports say Ukrainian drones hit Russias Lukhovitsky aviation plant and an anti-air missile design bureau near Moscow. A damaged gas pipeline in western Siberia also caused railway delays.

At the Ramstein meeting, UK Defence Secretary John Healy said, Boris and I have agreed to jointly supply Ukraine with critically needed anti-aircraft missiles.

Ukraines air defence systems, Germany-made IRIS-T and U.S.-made NASAMS and SHORAD, managed to engage 833 out of 968 drones over a recent five-day stretch.

That same night also marked a massive Russian strike: 426 drones, five Kh47 M2 Kinzhal ballistic missiles, four Kalibr cruise missiles, one IskanderK and 14 Kh101 cruise missiles.

The previous record for Ukraine was 728 drones downed overnight on July 9. Germanys MajorGeneral Christian Freuding warned that Russia is building up to unleash 2,000 drones in a single wave.

Ukraines ground units used a mix of systems to neutralise drones. The German radarguided Gepard 35 mm antiaircraft gun stood out. Indigenous interceptor drones also delivered key results, according to analyst Olena Kryzhanivska.

President Zelenskyy confirmed that local arms production is central to Ukraines defence plan. He said, About 40 percent of the weapons in the hands of our warriors are made in Ukraine. In six months, it should be no less than 50 percent. He added a motive behind the push: to push the war back onto Russias territory  back to where the war was brought from. So that they feel what they have done.

Ukraine still lacks a domestic solution for ballistic missile defence. At present, only U.S.-built Patriot missile systems fill that role.

Germany has committed to send five Patriot systems. Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said he and Secretary Hegseth struck an agreement in Washington last week. Germany will fund the purchase and exchange the systems in the U.S. production queue.

Zelenskyy confirmed plans to purchase additional Patriots, offering drone production in return. I told President Trump... The American people need this technology... This is a mega deal  a winwin for both sides, he said.

Brussels is backing Ukraine more visibly. President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled a 1.8 trillioneuro EU budget that includes a 131billioneuro fund for defence and space. The plan boosts spending fivefold from the previous cycle. It also proposes a European Competitiveness Fund for military research and doubles the Ukraine Assistance Fund to 100 billion euros.

The EUs new sanctions on Russia bar remaining energy imports worth roughly 23 billion euros. Oil price caps and shipping limits target refined products and the Nordstream shadow fleet. Sanctions now block 444 vessels and 45 banks tied to Kremlin financial flows.

UK Foreign Office highlighted how coordinated action with the EU aims to pressure those fueling the fires of destruction in Ukraine. The new cap on oil stands at approximately $47.60 per barrel.

On diplomacy, direct talks between Ukraine and Russia are scheduled in Istanbul later this week. Meanwhile, Russian President Putin may attend Chinas WWII victory celebrations, a possible prelude to a meeting with President Trump.

Amid these defence and sanctions moves, a U.S. Air Force general, Alexus Grynkewich, warned of the need to prepare for a potential conflict with China and Russia within 18 months. He cited possible coordination between Beijing and Moscow in any future conflict.

What lie ahead are Europes new funds, Ukraines military production targets and escalating drone warfare may define the next phase of this conflict.
Sandringham (United Kingdom): Fresh from signing a historic trade deal with his U.K. counterpart Keir Starmer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met King Charles III at Sandringham House and handed him a gift  which was not a gold ornament or an official scroll, but a young tree sapling. Its roots held more than soil; they carried the sentiment of a son honouring his mother and a nation honouring its planet.

The sapling is a living emblem of Indias new green movement, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, launched by PM Modi earlier this year. It calls upon citizens to plant a tree in their mothers name, turning an act of memory into one of healing.

Long known for his commitment to the environment, King Charles embraced the gesture wholeheartedly. His Majesty King Charles III is very passionate about nature, environment and sustainable living. His joining the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' movement is very noteworthy and will inspire people around the world, Prime Minister Modi posted on X after the meeting.

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Had a very good meeting with His Majesty King Charles III. We discussed different aspects of India-UK relations, including the ground covered in trade and investment in the wake of CETA and Vision 2035. Other subjects of discussion included education, health and wellness, pic.twitter.com/kNnIKF3sCv  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2025

His Majesty King Charles III is very passionate about nature, environment and sustainable living. Thus, his joining the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam (a tree for Mother) movement is very noteworthy and will inspire people around the world. https://t.co/oHa0rlyZmn  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2025

The meeting between the two leaders took place at the Kings country residence in Norfolk, just hours after Modi and Starmer signed the first-ever comprehensive India-U.K. Free Trade Agreement, a landmark deal expected to redefine economic relations between the two countries. At Sandringham, the mood was gentler, warmer and more personal.

A Moment of Connection

During their time together, King Charles received the sapling graciously and acknowledged its symbolism. The British Royal Family confirmed the meeting and the gift in a social media post on X, This afternoon, The King received the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, @NarendraModi, at Sandringham House. During their time together, His Majesty was given a tree to be planted this Autumn, inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, which encourages people to plant a tree in tribute to their mothers.

This afternoon, The King received the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, @NarendraModi, at Sandringham House.



During their time together, His Majesty was given a tree to be planted this Autumn, inspired by the environmental initiative launched by the Prime Minister, Ek pic.twitter.com/9nhigoCgkw  The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) July 24, 2025

This was not just a photo-op. According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, the two leaders discussed wellness, sustainability and cultural traditions that span centuries. They touched upon subjects close to both their hearts  the wisdom of Ayurveda, the practice of Yoga and the need to restore ecological balance.

Prime Minister Modi expressed his happiness at King Charles return to royal duties and good health. In a world reeling from climate warnings and carbon deadlines, their shared love for nature made for a comforting counter-narrative, a reminder that royal titles and elected offices mean little without clean air, green earth and personal gestures.

Trade, Tradition and a Tree in the Ground

As the leaders spoke, they also highlighted the new chapter opening between their countries. The just-signed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) featured prominently in their discussion. It is the first full-scale trade agreement India has ever signed with a G7 nation. For the United Kingdom, it is the biggest since Brexit. It lays the groundwork for a doubling of bilateral trade by 2030 and carries significance for both economies.

Modi informed the King about the vision behind the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign and how it ties into Indias broader climate commitments. He also outlined Indias progress in renewable energy and its long-term vision for sustainability.

They spoke of joint efforts to address climate change, with Indias rapidly evolving green infrastructure and the U.K.s technological edge forming a natural alignment.

The King, who has championed sustainability and environmental justice since his days as the Prince of Wales, found common cause with the Indian PM on many of these fronts.

They also spoke about cooperation within the Commonwealth, a shared legacy that continues to evolve. Both leaders expressed hope that the partnership between India and the United Kingdom would inspire collaboration across sectors such as cultural, educational, environmental and economic.

One Sapling, Two Histories and a Global Message

As the meeting drew to a close, the tree sapling was placed gently into the Kings care. It will be planted later this year on the expansive grounds of Sandringham House, its leaves destined to unfurl under an English sky. With it, Indias message to honour mothers through action and the earth through memory finds a home in British soil.

PM Modi extended his thanks to King Charles for the hospitality and invited him to visit India on a future State Visit. The Kings acceptance of the sapling was not merely a royal courtesy, but a commitment, a nod to shared priorities and perhaps, to a friendship that reaches beyond policy into something far more timeless.

As world leaders weigh climate targets and trade metrics, the sight of two seasoned statesmen speaking softly about saplings and mothers reminds us that diplomacy, too, begins in the soil.
London/New Delhi: India and the United Kingdom signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Thursday (July 24) that is poised to reshape the economic contours of a historic relationship. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer standing shoulder to shoulder at the Chequers country estate, the two nations sealed a deal that cuts tariffs, opens markets and projects a shared ambition to double bilateral trade by 2030.

Finalised after three years of negotiations and signed by Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his UK counterpart Jonathan Reynolds, the deal aims to lift trade between the worlds fifth- and sixth-largest economies by $34 billion annually.

This agreement is a blueprint for shared prosperity, said Modi, highlighting the breadth of sectors unlocked by the pact. From Scotch whisky to aerospace parts, from sarees to Jaguars, the trade corridors between India and the United Kingdom are now wide open.

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Scotch, Cars, Cosmetics  What Gets Cheaper

The most visible win? A sharp slash in tariffs on Scotch whisky, one of Britains proudest exports. Duties will drop immediately from 150% to 75% and will further fall to 40% over the next decade. This marks a great moment for both Scotch and Scotland, said Nik Jhangiani, interim CEO of Diageo, adding, We will be raising a glass of Johnnie Walker to all those who worked so hard to get this done.

Cars are next in line. Tariffs on British-made vehicles will drop from as high as 110% to 10% within five years under a quota system, easing the path for brands like BMW, Nissan, Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover to expand their footprint in the Indian market.

On the flip side, Indian automakers will now gain access to the U.K. market for electric and hybrid vehicles, again under a quota system.

Other British products such as soft drinks, cosmetics, chocolates, biscuits and brandy will also see cheaper price tags in India. Tariffs on brandy and rum are being cut from 150% to 110% initially and to 75% over time.

For Indian consumers, this means British luxury and FMCG products will be significantly more affordable. For British companies, India just became a far less taxing place to do business.

Duty-Free Exports, Open Market Access, Job Growth  What India Gains

Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal called the agreement a new era for inclusive and gender-equitable growth, pointing to duty-free access for 99% of Indian exports. That is worth nearly $23 billion in export opportunities, particularly for labour-intensive sectors.

A Moneycontrol analysis shows that nearly one-third of Indias exports to the UK could double by 2030. The gains will be steepest in:

1. Gems and Jewellery: Current U.K. imports from India stand at $941 million. The import duty drops from 4% to zero.

2. Engineering Goods: Exports valued at $4 billion to the United Kingdom will now expand due to elimination of 14% tariffs on electrical machinery.

3. Leather and Footwear: A complete phase-out of 16% duties is expected to increase Indias market share by 5%.

4. Textiles, Tea and Spices: Already strong sectors that could leap into higher market-share brackets.

5. Marine Products: Face duties up to 20% currently, expected to become more competitive.

This is a transformative agreement. It eliminates tariffs across critical sectors, boosts MSMEs and opens up nearly 100% of trade between the two economies, said Agneshwar Sen, Trade Policy Leader at EY India.

Presently small, toy exports are projected to hit $187 million by 2030. Indias processed food sector, which currently faces duties as high as 70%, will see those tariffs eliminated altogether.

People, Services and Strategic Footing

The deal brings services, people and strategic cooperation into the mix.

Indian professionals can now work in 35 U.K. sectors for 24 months, even without an office in Britain.

Thirty-six service sectors are open to Indian firms and freelancers, without needing to pass the U.K.s Economic Needs Test.

Indian workers on temporary postings will no longer pay into U.K. social security, saving thousands in deductions.

British companies now gain access to Indias procurement markets in clean energy and insurance.

However, visas were not included in this round, and India was unable to secure relief from the U.K.s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism  a policy that could lead to higher taxes on high-emission imports from 2027.

Still, the Confederation of British Industry hailed the deal as a powerful signal in an era of rising protectionism, while the Confederation of Indian Industry called it a strong foundation for deeper market access.

A Template for the Future

This is the UKs biggest trade deal post-Brexit, though its projected annual boost to British Gross Domestic Product (GDP), 4.8 billion British pounds by 2040, is modest compared to the 2.6 trillion pound size of its economy.

For India, it marks a major leap forward. It is the countrys most comprehensive trade pact with a developed economy and possibly a template for future agreements with the European Union (EU) and others.

Pankaj Chadha of EEPC India summed it up like this, The India-U.K. FTA is a timely breakthrough. It energises our engineering sector, opens new global value chains and strengthens MSMEs.

As Modi left Chequers to meet King Charles, he carried a history and a future of economic ambition. And in both London and New Delhi, there was little doubt: this time, the handshake mattered.

A new chapter begins today in the IndiaUK economic partnership! The signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) reflects our shared commitment to enhancing trade, driving inclusive growth and creating opportunities for farmers, women, youth, MSMEs, and pic.twitter.com/FUOo4dkHLU  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2025

Addressing the press meet with UK PM @Keir_Starmer. https://t.co/mHEk8Fz1Q7  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2025

Sharing my remarks during meeting with PM @Keir_Starmer. https://t.co/jyXL19kGgk  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2025

The talks with PM Keir Starmer were outstanding, particularly in the wake of the successful signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. In addition to economic cooperation, this agreement sets the stage for boosting shared prosperity. @Keir_Starmer pic.twitter.com/PQD1f2zu2M  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2025

Interacted with business leaders at Chequers. The signing of the India-UK CETA has opened up new avenues for trade and investment. It marks a pivotal step in strengthening our economic partnership.@Keir_Starmer @10DowningStreet pic.twitter.com/NFvjfyqXHi  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 24, 2025
New Delhi: When Pakistani fighter pilots scrambled into action during their counteroffensive against Indias Operation Sindoor, they were not following a playbook of their own. The mission unfolding in the skies was scripted long before the first missile was fired, designed not in Islamabad, but across NATOs high-security airbases, inside Chinas military classrooms and deep within war-gaming simulators thousands of miles from South Asia.

It was choreography. Not battlefield improvisation, but a calculated drill. A combat blueprint borrowed from the West, translated into Mandarin and flown under a Pakistani flag.

According to a report by The Print, Pakistan had been trained by China in an advanced air warfare tactic that traces its roots to NATO doctrine.

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The disclosure has sparked unease in Indias security circles as well as military headquarters across Europe and North America. At the centre of this alarm lies an unsettling realization that China may now hold the keys to the Wests most prized aerial strategies.

A NATO Trick, Reborn in Enemy Hands

The technique has a name in modern air combat  Launch-and-Leave. It is a lethal maneuver designed to deceive and survive while still hitting its mark. In this tactic, the attacking fighter does not wait around to guide its missile. It fires and vanishes, leaving the missile in flight.

Then, a second aircraft with superior radar takes over, guiding the missile all the way to the kill.

Western pilots developed this for hostile skies, where hanging around a few seconds too long meant certain death. NATO has drilled this maneuver into its elite squadrons for decades.

Now, Pakistani jets are flying it.

Who Gave China the Manual?

This is where the story darkens. China did not invent this method. It learned it by recruiting former pilots from the very countries now watching in horror. For years, Beijing has lured ex-fighter pilots from elite NATO air forces, especially from the Five Eyes alliance that comprises of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Insiders say China offered enormous payouts to retired pilots, particularly from Britain. Some accepted. In 2022, the U.K. Ministry of Defence admitted publicly that around 30 former Royal Air Force (RAF) pilots had gone to China to train the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF). They were veterans entrusted with NATOs most sensitive combat doctrine.

And now, that doctrine is taking flight over South Asia.

China Trained, Pakistan Executed

The report suggests that during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan used a combination of Chinese-made J-10 fighter jets and Swedish Saab 2000 AEW&C surveillance aircraft to execute coordinated attacks using this very tactic. While the J-10s fired, the Saab aircraft, with its advanced radar suite, likely played the hidden guiding role in the launch-and-leave sequence.

Experts believe this was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. It was practiced, rehearsed and perfected, not in Pakistans tribal regions or under its own command, but in Chinese war rooms, with manuals printed in Mandarin and simulators tailored to mimic South Asian terrain.

China did not only pass on the hardware. It also trained the reflexes. It embedded the instincts.

The West Watches, Uneasy

What now worries intelligence agencies is that Beijing appears to have amassed an internal archive of NATO strategies. And it has done so not by hacking, but by hiring. If a conflict breaks out in the Indo-Pacific or even on another continent, China could predict the Wests moves before they happen. It has studied their patterns, their decision-making and their kill signatures.

And now, in some high-altitude outpost or desert runway, Pakistani pilots, wired with Chinese muscle memory, have flown that same script against India.

A doctrine once born in Western skies may now return, weaponised and aimed right back at its creators.
New Delhi: Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have once again escalated into deadly violence, as long-standing disputes over a historic border region flared into armed clashes on Thursday. The conflict, rooted in a 118-year-old disagreement involving ancient Shiva temples, erupted near the Ta Muen Thom temple on the contested frontier.

The Thai army confirmed it had launched airstrikes on two Cambodian military bases, marking a significant escalation in hostilities. Cambodia and Thailand each accused the other of initiating the violence, while diplomatic ties between the neighbours have plunged to their lowest point in years.

Fresh Violence Near Ancient Temples

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A Cambodian government source told news agency AFP that fighting resumed Thursday morning near two temples on the border between Thailands Surin province and Cambodias Oddar Meanchey. According to reports from AAP, the Thai military claimed responsibility for airstrikes on Cambodian positions in response to what it called provocations.

Cambodias Ministry of Defence issued a strong condemnation of Thailands actions. Spokeswoman Mali Socheata said, The Thai military violated the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Cambodia by launching an armed attack on Cambodian forces deployed to defend the countrys sovereign territory.

She added, In response, the Cambodian armed forces exercised their legitimate right of self-defence in full accordance with international law to thwart the Thai incursion and safeguard Cambodias sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Thailand, in turn, accused Cambodian forces of targeted attacks on civilians, claiming that two BM-21 rockets had struck a residential community in Surins Kap Choeng district, injuring three civilians.

Civilian Casualties and Evacuation Alerts

The Thai army also reported nine civilian deaths across three provinces, including an 8-year-old boy, and said 14 others were injured in the cross-border attacks.

In response to the deteriorating security situation, the Thai Embassy in Cambodia urged Thai citizens to leave the country immediately unless absolutely necessary. In a post on Facebook, the embassy stated that citizens should exit Cambodia as soon as possible.

Diplomatic Ties Severed

Just hours before Thursdays clashes, Cambodia downgraded diplomatic relations with Thailand to the lowest level, expelling Thai diplomats and recalling all but one of its own from Bangkok. Thailand had taken similar steps the day before, expelling Cambodias ambassador and recalling its own envoy in protest of a landmine blast that injured five Thai soldiers.

The Thai government alleged the landmines were newly planted by Cambodia in the disputed areaan accusation Cambodia has denied.

How the Clashes Began

According to the Thai military, the incident began around 7:35 a.m. local time when Thai troops stationed near the Ta Muen temple in Surin heard a Cambodian drone overhead. Minutes later, six Cambodian soldiers, one carrying a rocket-propelled grenade, approached the barbed wire fence near the Thai position. Thai soldiers shouted warnings, but by 8:20 a.m., Cambodian forces allegedly opened fire near the eastern side of the temple, just 200 meters from the Thai base.

Thailands acting Prime Minister Phumtham Vechayachai urged restraint but defended the country's actions. The situation needs to be handled carefully, and we must act in accordance with international law, he said. We will do our best to protect our sovereignty.

The Root of the Dispute: A Century of Tension

Cambodia and Thailand share an 817-kilometre land border, much of which was mapped by colonial-era France when Cambodia was under French rule between 1863 and 1953. A map drawn in 1907, based on a bilateral agreement to follow the natural watershed, placed the 11th-century Preah Vihear templededicated to Lord Shivawithin Cambodian territory, a designation Thailand later contested.

In 1959, Cambodia brought the dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which ruled in 1962 that the Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia. Thailand accepted the ruling at the time but argued that the surrounding territory remained disputed.

Tensions resurfaced in 2008 when Cambodia successfully sought UNESCO World Heritage status for the Preah Vihear temple. Armed clashes soon followed, culminating in heavy fighting in 2011 that displaced more than 36,000 people. Cambodia returned to the ICJ, which reaffirmed its earlier decision in 2013. However, Thailand has continued to dispute the territorial interpretation of that ruling.

Todays renewed violence highlights how the unresolved tensions surrounding these culturally and strategically significant temples continue to fuel deadly conflict over a century after the original maps were drawn.
Fresh fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has broken out along their long-standing border dispute area, resulting in a swift build-up of hostilities, reported casualties, and a dramatic deterioration in diplomatic ties. The fighting, fueled by long-standing border claims around ancient ruins, has rapidly escalated in recent days following a series of armed clashes involving landmine explosions, artillery exchanges, and confirmed airstrikes.

Border Clash: Cambodian Forces Attack Thai Positions, Civilians Killed in Rocket Strike



Tensions have erupted near the disputed CambodiaThailand border as Cambodian forces launched attacks on Thai military positions, triggering a deadly escalation.



According to Reuters, at pic.twitter.com/FaycETtceL July 24, 2025

Tensions escalated sharply following a landmine explosion on Wednesday injuring five Thai soldiers, leading to an immediate and tough reaction from Bangkok. Thailand quickly expelled Cambodia's ambassador, recalled its own ambassador from Phnom Penh, and sealed all northeastern border points. Cambodia responded by reducing diplomatic relations to their "lowest level" and withdrawing most of its embassy staff in Bangkok.

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Clashes Erupt Near Ancient Temples

The new round of confrontations started early on Thursday near the traditionally disputed Ta Muen and Ta Moan Thom temples. The Cambodian forces opened fire, the Thai army said, after Thai soldiers detected a drone and six armed Cambodian soldiers moving towards their lines. Thailand claimed it fired only after being attacked. Cambodia kept saying its forces were defending national land against an "armed attack" by Thailand. The Thai military subsequently confirmed that F-16 fighter aircraft had been deployed to attack Cambodian military targets.

Escalating Casualties And Civilians

The renewed fighting has already resulted in deaths and injuries. Thai officials have reported that at least one Thai civilian has died and three others, including a five-year-old boy, have been wounded as a result of Cambodian artillery fire. Seven Thai soldiers have also been wounded. The Thai army, in a Facebook announcement, accused Cambodian troops of launching BM-21 rockets into the Kap Choeng district of Surin, hitting civilian targets. This led authorities to evacuate some 40,000 civilians from 86 villages in affected Thai provinces to safe zones.

Cambodia's Ministry of National Defence strongly denounced Thailand's actions, blaming it for "brutal and illegal military aggression." A Cambodian official alleged Thai jets bombed Cambodian soil and employed heavy weapons, claiming these actions "violated international law" and ASEAN norms. Cambodia's troops, the official said, were ready to defend national sovereignty "at all costs."

Alarmingly, a Thai army Facebook post claimed that Cambodian artillery attacked Phanom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin province. Although information is still limited, the reported attack on a medical facility has raised concerns about civilian targeting, leading to Thailand issuing more serious evacuation warnings and reinforcing border defenses.

Diplomatic Rapid Collapse

Within 48 hours, the diplomatic relationship between both countries collapsed. Both nations ousted each other's ambassadors, and Cambodia downgrading diplomatic relations indicated the seriousness of the conflict. These steps came after Thai allegations Cambodia had installed new, Russian-manufactured landmines in disputed land  an accusation Phnom Penh has rejected, blaming explosions on residual unexploded ordnance from previous conflicts. The Wednesday explosion of a landmine that hurt five Thai soldiers was the immediate cause of this diplomatic confrontation.

Cambodia's Military Posture And Thai Political Consequences

In a related internal development, Cambodia just announced plans to revive a lapsed compulsory military draft law, with the aim of drafting civilians from next year. Prime Minister Hun Manet announced that Cambodia "had no choice but to respond with armed force against armed aggression," stressing military preparedness amid increasing tensions.

The border conflict has also caused immense political turmoil in Thailand. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from duty at the beginning of this month amid an ethics investigation said to be connected to her management of the crisis. A leaked audio of her call with former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, who has been accused of undermining the Thai military, further amplified local political cleavages.

Historical Roots And ICJ Rulings

The border dispute, especially over the 1,000-year-old Preah Vihear temple, is rooted in history. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) gave the temple to Cambodia in 1962, but Thai nationalist factions have long challenged the judgment. New ICJ intervention in 2011 confirmed Cambodia's ownership, but tension has continued to simmer, from time to time bursting into armed clashes. With military confrontation intensifying and diplomatic relations strained, international commentators are watching closely as this volatile Southeast Asian hotspot continues to bubble.
New Delhi: US President Donald Trump was informed in May that his name appeared in files related to the Justice Department's review of the Jeffrey Epstein case, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, during a briefing with Trump and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche at the White House, disclosed the presence of Trump's name in the documents. According to two White House officials, the meeting was a "routine briefing" that covered the Justice Department's findings, with the mention of Trump's name not being the primary focus.

Bondi also told Trump that other high-profile figures were named in the documents, but investigators did not find evidence of a so-called client list or anything contradicting the conclusion that Epstein died by suicide, CNN reported.

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Sources familiar with the department's review told CNN that the files contained several unsubstantiated claims, including those related to Trump, which the Justice Department ultimately deemed not credible.

It remains unclear in what context Trump's name appeared in the documents. As CNN noted, Trump was among several prominent individuals associated with Epstein during the 1990s, when Epstein actively courted celebrities and influential figures to boost his public profile. The new revelations do little to expand on the public's existing understanding of Trump's ties to Epstein.

"The White House is not surprised by this - Trump's name was present in the binders that Bondi produced and handed out," a White House official told CNN. The official added that many of the materials already released by the Justice Department had included mention of Trump's name. "The White House does not view this as groundbreaking or new or surprising at all," the official said, emphasizing that there is no evidence implicating Trump in any wrongdoing.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung also responded to the developments in a statement to CNN, saying, "The fact is that the President kicked him out of his club for being a creep.

This is nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media, just like the Obama Russiagate scandal, which President Trump was right about."

CNN reported that the Wall Street Journal first broke the story about Bondi informing Trump in May that his name appeared in the Epstein-related documents. The revelations appear to contradict

Trump's more recent denial that he was aware of being named in the files. When pressed last week about whether Bondi had informed him, Trump responded, "No, no. She's given us just a very quick briefing."

The issue has added to growing political pressure on the administration following its decision not to release additional Epstein-related documents, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Trump's supporters, according to CNN. White House officials were reportedly frustrated that Bondi did not redact Trump's name from the binders distributed to conservative influencers in February, calling it a longstanding point of contention between the DOJ and the White House.

In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, Bondi and Blanche said, "The DOJ and FBI reviewed the Epstein Files and reached the conclusion set out in the July 6 memo. Nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution, and we have filed a motion in court to unseal the underlying grand jury transcripts. As part of our routine briefing, we made the President aware of the findings."

While the White House has dismissed the continued scrutiny of the Epstein files as politically motivated and distracting, bipartisan calls for full transparency have intensified. A House Oversight subcommittee voted Wednesday to subpoena the Department of Justice to release all documents related to Epstein, forcing GOP leaders to cut short the legislative session to avoid further votes on the matter.

Adding to the controversy, the Wall Street Journal reported last week that a letter bearing Trump's name and an outline of a naked woman was part of a photo album gifted to Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003. Trump has denied writing the letter and has filed a lawsuit against the publication over the article, CNN reported.
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Undernourished, disoriented, and displaying altered behaviour, dozens of wild animals rescued from illegal trafficking arrive at the Ministry of Environment's veterinary clinic in Panama, where a team of specialists cares for them in the hope of one day returning them to their true home, the jungle.

"Our clinic provides timely care for national wild fauna, not exotic animals or pets. This ensures that they can fulfil their biological function and contribute to their ecosystem," says the clinic's medical director, Lissette Trejos, speaking to EFE.

Located within the lush Camino de Cruces National Park, the public clinic has treated over 750 trafficked, injured, or sick animals, as well as those with domesticated behaviour due to being kept as pets from an early age, which makes survival in their natural habitat difficult.

Inside, the howling of monkeys mingles with the singing of parrots, while felines display their sharp teeth. They are all "hospitalized," with some having already been through the operating room and others ingesting medication on a silver gurney.

EFE

Trafficking of animals

Other animals await the resolution of their "legal situation" due to being trafficked, as this is a complex process. According to clinic experts, birds are the most trafficked animals, while felines and primates are often kept as pets.

"We also receive animals due to illegal trafficking and the illicit trade, where wild fauna is held without any documentation. Much emphasis is placed on the fact that certain animals are not permitted to be held in custody, such as primates and large felines," the director highlights.

However, as Trejos recalls, birds such as parrots and parakeets "have been kept as household pets for many years, from generation to generation."

According to data from the Prosecutor's Office, 55 cases of wildlife crimes were registered in Panama in 2024, of which 36 were for "extracting protected or endangered wild, aquatic or terrestrial resources or species" and 18 were for species trafficking.

Meanwhile, 32 cases of attacks against wildlife have already been registered so far in 2025, based on official data updated as of Jun. 30. Of these, 27 are for extraction and five for smuggling of these animals.

EFE

Teaching a feline to "hunt"

This is the case with ocelots, a type of wild feline, which behave like domestic cats. Instead of adopting a defensive posture, it lies down inside its cage and extends its paw to play. It was a "pet" from birth, and when it arrived at the clinic weeks ago, it wore a knitted vest.

"When they come from confiscations, pet ownership, or illegal trafficking, these animals have some kind of ethological problem. Their behaviour is most affected," explains the clinic's biologist, Jhomar Navalo, to EFE.

The veterinarians are now acting as its "mum" to teach it to hunt before it is reinserted into its habitat, as it currently has low chances of survival. In contrast to the ocelot's friendly behaviour, a black jaguarundi (another type of feline) is more inclined to intimidate. It sits in a corner of its cage, baring its sharp fangs.

"Many animals already have innate behaviour, but there are others that don't. With felines, for example, the mother teaches her cubs to hunt and eat prey, so when these animals don't acquire that from their mother, we have to replicate it," says Navalo.

Back home

Since the clinic opened its doors in February 2025, experts have been receiving animals, assigning them a traceability number, conducting preliminary evaluations and diagnoses, and beginning rehabilitation programs so that they can be returned to their natural habitats.

The process for domesticating ocelots can be lengthy, as veterinarian Maricarmen Franco explains to EFE: "Human interaction must be reduced, except when receiving medical treatment." "First, we separate the animal from its environment, and then we gradually adapt and change the animal to the new surroundings," she says.

However, experts are also conducting research to facilitate the reintroduction of animals, particularly primates, in order to accurately identify their area of origin.

"We are trying to establish a bloodline baseline to identify exactly which area each primate comes from, in order to successfully reintroduce them to their natural habitat," says biologist Navalo.
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The Patients Friends Benevolent Society Hospital in Gaza City is crowded with tired looking mothers and malnourished children having too small bodies, sunken eyes, swollen guts and tiny arms.

It is the only pediatric center that treats malnutrition in the northern Gaza Strip, where starvation has been claiming more lives every day, most of them children.

"My daughter was very chubby and she was fine, she ran and played, she moved. But now my daughter cant move, cant stand, cant walk, Nura Hijazi, 29, told EFE, as she held her one-year-eight-month-old baby Aisha in her arms.

The little one is one of many children that visit the hospital in search of nutrients to make up for the lack of food and their exorbitant prices. The cost of just a can of milk can cost some 200 shekel (about $60), according to Hijazi.

"Every time we go to a hospital or a place that distributes (nutritional) supplements, they tell you: 'It's over, there's no more,'" Hijazi explained.

The hallways are full of children connected to drippers, in some cases held by their mothers. In the consultations, nurses measure the arms of babies with a meter tape divided into three colors: green, orange, and red, symbolizing the risk suffered by the child.

The hospital's director, Said Salah, who has been involved in nutrition for more than two decades, said he has never seen anything like what is happening in Gaza.

"In southern Africa starvations are due to civil factors, but not due to war, from stopping and besieging food. This is done by humans, it is not natural," he said. "This is a human act, it is horrible, 2.1 million people have not received food for 22 months.

Israel has limited the entry of food, medicine and fuel since launching its 2023 offensive against Gaza in October, subjecting Palestinians to progressive starvation. In March, the army totally closed off aid access to the Gaza Strip for 11 weeks, triggering the malnutrition crisis.

Hunger caused by

According to the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, from March to June, consultations for children under five years of age due to malnutrition in their clinics doubled, with one in ten children suffering from malnutrition.

For months, the food crisis in Gaza was visible as its population was forced to eat only rice, legumes and pasta, as well as some canned food: "Now there is no rice, no lentils, no macaroni, no flour, no anything," said Hijazi.

Dr. Salah said that this shortage on the streets means that, even if a patient is discharged, he returns after four or five days.

Hunger, which has been lurking in the Strip for months, has now wreaked havoc in the enclave. Over the past three days, more than 30 people have been killed - 12 of them children -, according to its Ministry of Health.

"I know all my staff are malnourished," said Salah, worrying about the performance of an exhausted and hungry team. The World Food Programme informed its center that it could provide a meal for patients, but not workers.

Najah Abu Shahada, 19, said when took her baby to the hospital "it was only skin and bones," and the child was born weighing 2.6 kilos and now weighed only three.

"We haven't had food for a long time. We have not seen bread in centuries. We look forward to charity meals. If they come, we eat. If not, we go to sleep hungry. I swear, I haven't eaten anything in a week. The doctor told me to breastfeed my child but I can't," she added.

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A few weeks ago, Maricela received a call from an unknown number. The voice on the other end claimed to be from a criminal organization and told her that if she didnt pay a weekly fee, there would be consequences for her and her business.

Extortion, known locally as cobro de piso (floor tax), is a harsh reality for small business owners and street vendors across Mexico. According to Cuauhtemoc Rivera, president of the National Association of Small Merchants (ANPEC), the fee usually ranges from 500 to 1,000 pesos per week

La Silla Rota interviewed various merchants in the downtown area of Mexico City to learn about their daily struggles.

I Work for Myself, Not for Them

Among those interviewed was Maricela, who inherited her familys business. She was unlucky enough to be threatened by phone. The caller demanded payment and mentioned the names of her children and grandchildren to intimidate her.

Then theres Mariano, a long-time vendor who has worked in the area for decades. Unlike others, he has always refused to pay any extortionists.

I work for myself, not for others who just show up with their hand out, he says.

He recalls that about six or seven years ago, men on motorcycles began showing up, claiming to be part of La Union and La Familiacriminal groups known in the area. Each time, the men were different. They asked for a protection fee to keep his business and himself safe.

They had studied you well, he said. They knew your name, what time you arrived, what time you left, and who you talked to.

Mariano never gave in. Instead, he made a scene, yelling at them until they left. If you make noise, they leave on their own, he says.

He hasnt received a visit from extortionists in the last two years and has never been harmed.

Still, many of his neighboring vendors have chosen to pay, either to supposed government figures for police protection or directly to criminals out of fear.

Foto: Elizabeth Santiago/La Silla Rota

Long before the threatening calls, Maricela had been assaulted at her stand. Since then, fear has lingered.

After that, something ugly stays with you... and the calls just made it worse, she says, nervously rubbing her hands.

She answered the first call thinking it might be a customer or family member.

I picked up and he said he was one of them. He told me my name, my sons name, and said he knew my grandkids came in the afternoon. I didnt know what to say, she recounts.

She received another call afterward, but over a month has passed and she hasn't heard from them since. When she shared the story with others, many simply told her that its normal and, if she wasnt going to pay, to be careful.

The Butcher Who Backed Down

Mariano mentioned that some vendors have left entirely. One of them was a butcher who tried to go to the police

He reported them. Said they were coming around and extorting him, Mariano says.

Authorities arrested four men who were allegedly responsible, but a few days later, the butcher stopped coming to work. He told fellow merchants he didnt want to put himself or his family at risk.

He was afraid theyd kill him or someone in his family, Mariano concluded.

Fear Keeps Victims Quiet

Cuauhtemoc Rivera of ANPEC says this type of fear is typical.

Most people dont report it out of fear. You could say thats the majority. And some even come to believe its better to ally with the enemy than to fight them. Some start defending them and become their hostages, Rivera says.

The Extortion Crisis in Mexico

From January to June 2025, 5,530 cases of extortion were reported in Mexicoan increase of 7.39% compared to the same period in 2024, according to data from the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System.

However, the figures do not distinguish how many of these cases involved businesses.

Here are the states with the most reported cases:

State of Mexico: 1,398

Guanajuato: 684

Mexico City: 643

Nuevo Leon: 480

Veracruz: 454

A New Law on the Horizon

In response to the crisis, Mexicos Chamber of Deputies announced that the Committee on Constitutional Affairs received a presidential initiative on July 10 aimed at addressing extortion.

The proposal includes:

Making extortion a crime prosecuted ex officio (meaning authorities can act even if no formal complaint is filed).

Creating a unified legal definition of extortion.

Adding aggravating circumstances and related crimes.

Establishing nationwide mechanisms for prevention, attention, and victim compensation.

Why It Matters

Extortion is one of the most corrosive and normalized crimes in Mexicos everyday life. As Cuauhtemoc Rivera explains, it affects more than just a merchants financesit damages their community, their peace of mind, and their future.

It functions like a criminal tax determined by how successful a business is: the more it earns, the more its expected to pay for protection.

Foto: Elizabeth Santiago/La Silla Rota

The crime disproportionately affects small neighborhood businesses like butcher shops, fruit vendors, corner stores, and hardware shopsespecially in states such as the State of Mexico, Guerrero, Michoacan, and Morelos, where criminal gangs operate with detailed knowledge of their victims and, in some cases, alleged collusion with local authorities.

In the worst cases, extortion leads to business closures, shorter operating hours, widespread fear, and the breakdown of the community.

Rivera emphasizes that community organization, visibility of the issue, and the creation of merchant support networks are crucial first steps toward addressing the problem.

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On 23 July Argentinas main opposition Partido Justicialista (PJ, Peronists) and several provincial governors rejected comments made by US Presidents nominee for US ambassador to Argentina,

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On 23 July police and army units in Mexicos Jalisco state arrested, known as El Pinto, who is reportedly the second-in-command of a criminal group known as La Barredora, which is at the centre of a major political scandal.

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On 23 July Haitis national police (PNdH) confirmed that three PNdH officers had been killed by criminal bandits in Artibonite department the previous day.

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The United States Supreme Court has ordered President Nixon to surrender tape recordings of White House conversations about the Watergate affair.

Giving the judgement to a packed and hushed courtroom, Chief Justice Warren E. Burger said the court rejected Mr Nixons claims of executive privilege.

Instead, he said they must yield to the demonstrated, specific need for evidence in a pending criminal trial.

The president said he was disappointed by the decision, but would comply with the ruling.

The White House has already released edited transcripts of the tapes, which cover 64 conversations made between June 1972 and April of this year.

But President Nixon has until now refused to comply with a court order awarded to Leon Jaworski, the special prosecutor in the Watergate investigation, requiring him to produce the tapes themselves. []

The tapes will now be available for use as evidence in the trial of some of the presidents closest aides, due to take place in September.

It is likely to take several weeks to produce transcripts of the tapes, so they will not be available in time to be used during the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee debate on impeachment, which began this evening.

However, the timing of the Supreme Court decision just hours before the debate began, as well as the fact that all eight judges voted unanimously, is likely to have a strong influence on the impeachment process.

If the committee decides to recommend impeaching the president, the matter goes to the full House for debate.

If the House agrees, President Nixon could face an impeachment trial before the Senate  the first such trial in over a century.

Courtesy BBC News

In context

When the tapes were finally released, more than 18 minutes of a crucial meeting were found to be missing.

The official explanation was that the presidents secretary had accidentally erased it by pressing the wrong foot-pedal while answering the phone.

On 27 July, the House Judiciary Committee voted to recommend that the president be impeached and removed from office.

But before the House debate on his impeachment could begin, President Nixon resigned.

Richard Nixons successor, Gerald Ford, formally pardoned him just two months after coming into power, saving him from possible prosecution.

Nixon eventually re-established himself as a respected statesman. He died in 1994.

In June 2005, former FBI deputy head Mark Felt was revealed to be the anonymous source Deep Throat, who helped Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein uncover the Watergate affair.

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Citizens are calling for an increase in the frequency of the bus routes linking the city to the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HZMB) Port.

According to opinions collected via a call-in to the public broadcaster radio program Macau Talk, the current public bus routes serving this location have a low frequency, which causes long waits for locals and visitors.

Additionally, due to the long waits during peak hours at the HZMB, the accumulation of passengers waiting for the buses is too high, leading to conflicts when entering the buses, particularly on trips from the HZMB Port into the city.

Currently, the port is served by three bus routes (101X, 102X, and 103X), with an average frequency of about 10 minutes during peak hours on weekdays and about eight minutes on weekends and public holidays.

During off-peak hours, this frequency can drop to as low as 30 minutes.

Opinions indicate that the bus frequency is sufficient during weekdays but needs to be increased on weekends and public holidays, when there is an additional influx of visitors.

The same radio program also heard the opinion of a member of the Transport Consultative Committee on the matter.

Ip Wai Keong noted that the committee has addressed the topic, stating that he believes that as more residents move into Zone A of the new landfills, more bus routes will be added to serve these residents and, consequently, better serve the HZMB Port.

He noted that authorities are expected to start reviewing the bus routes in the second half of this year.

This review is also part of the work related to the upcoming public bus concession. In the meantime, and while there are no additional routes passing through this location, he claims that the existing issues can be eased by slightly increasing the frequency of the three existing routes.

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U.S. President Donald Trump has announced trade deals with Japan and a handful of other Asian countries that will relieve some pressure on companies and consumers from sharply higher tariffs on their exports to the United States.

A deal with China is under negotiation, with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent saying an Aug. 12 deadline might be postponed again to allow more time for talks.

Steep tariffs on U.S. imports of steel and aluminum remain, however, and many other countries, including South Korea and Thailand, have yet to clinch agreements. Overall, economists say the tariffs inevitably will dent growth in Asia and the world.

The deals reached so far, ahead of Trumps Aug. 1 deadline

Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba announced a deal yesterday that will impose 15% tariffs on U.S. imports from Japan, down from Trumps proposed 25% reciprocal tariffs.

It was a huge relief for automakers like Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda, whose shares jumped by double digits in Tokyo. Trump also announced trade deals with the Philippines and Indonesia. After meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., Trump said the import tax on products from his country would be subject to a 19% tariff, down just 1% from the earlier threat of a 20% tariff.

Indonesia also will face a 19% tariff, down from the 32% rate Trump had recently said would apply, and it committed to eliminating nearly all of its trade barriers for imports of American goods. Earlier, Trump announced that Vietnams exports would face a 20% tariff, with double that rate for goods transshipped from China, though there has been no formal announcement.

Talks with China may be extended

Negotiations with China are subject to an Aug. 12 deadline, but its likely to be extended, Bessent told Fox Business on Tuesday. He said the two sides were due to hold another round of talks, this time in Sweden, early next week. Meanwhile, Trump said a trip to China may happen soon, hinting at efforts to stabilize U.S.-China trade relations.

A preliminary agreement announced in June paved the way for China to lift some restrictions on its exports of rare earths, minerals critical for high technology and other manufacturing. In May, the U.S. agreed to drop Trumps 145% tariff rate on Chinese goods to 30% for 90 days, while China agreed to lower its 125% rate on U.S. goods to 10%. The reprieve allowed companies more time to rush to try to beat the potentially higher tariffs, giving a boost to Chinese exports and alleviating some of the pressure on its manufacturing sector. But prolonged uncertainty over what Trump might do has left companies wary about committing to further investment in China.

No deals yet for S.Korea, other Asian countries

Pressure is mounting on some countries in Asia and elsewhere as the Aug. 1 deadline for striking deals approaches.

Trump sent letters, posted on Truth Social, outlining higher tariffs some countries will face if they fail to reach agreements. He said theyd face even higher tariffs if they retaliate by raising their own import duties. South Koreas is set at 25%. Imports from Myanmar and Laos would be taxed at 40%, Cambodia and Thailand at 36%, Serbia and Bangladesh at 35%, South Africa and Bosnia and Herzegovina at 30% and Kazakhstan, Malaysia and Tunisia at 25%.

The status of talks with India remains unclear but progress appears to hinge on the countrys heavily protected farm sector. It faces a 26% tariff.

Nearly every country has faced a minimum 10% levy on goods entering the U.S. since April, on top of other sectoral levies.

Economists expect tariffs to sap growth

Even after Trump has pulled back from the harshest of his threatened tariffs, the onslaught of uncertainty and higher costs for both manufacturers and consumers has raised risks for the regional and global economy. Economists have been downgrading their estimates for growth in 2025 and beyond.

The Asian Development Bank said yesterday it had cut its growth estimate for economies in developing Asia and the Pacific to 4.7% in 2025 and 4.6% in 2026, down 0.2 percentage points and 0.1 percentage points.

The outlook for the region could be further dimmed by an escalation of tariffs and trade friction, it said. Other risks include conflicts and geopolitical tensions that could disrupt global supply chains and raise energy prices, as well as a deterioration in Chinas ailing property market.

Economists at AMRO were less optimistic, expecting growth for Southeast Asia and other major economies in Asia at 3.8% in 2025 and 3.6% next year.

While countries in the region have moved to protect their economies from Trumps trade shock, they face significant uncertainties, said AMROs chief economist, Dong He.

Uneven progress in tariff negotiations and the potential expansion of tariffs to additional products could further disrupt trade activities and weigh on growth for the region, he said. ELAINE KURTENBACH, BANGKOK, MDT/AP

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The local government has reserved additional land in Hengqin to support the expansion of the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town, paving way for new campuses and deeper cooperation between higher education institutions and the Greater Bay Area.

In response to a written inquiry from lawmaker Leong Hong Sai, Kong Chi Meng, director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ), revealed that the government has requested additional land from the Executive Committee of the Hengqin Cooperation Zone to further develop the town.

The newly reserved land is located near the existing University of Macau (UM) campus in Hengqin and will allow multiple higher education institutions, including public institutions like the Macao University of Tourism (UTM), to establish new campuses.

Sufficient land has been reserved near the Hengqin campus for the construction of new facilities for other public colleges and universities, Kong said.

The DSEDJ director also confirmed that planning and design work for the expansion have been completed, with construction on the new UM Hengqin campus expected to begin within the year.

The project, covering 370,000 square meters, will accommodate faculties such as Medicine, Information Technology, and Design, while also fostering partnerships with foreign universities.

Additionally, the written response noted that the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) is exploring suitable sites within Macau to build a dedicated science and technology R&D industrial park.

Kong explained that the park aims to meet the future development needs of the scientific and technological innovation industry, by providing high-quality infrastructure to attract innovative tech enterprises.

Academic conferences and events should be held there to promote academic and cultural exchanges, and to broaden the international exposure of teaching staff, researchers, and students, he added.

Addressing the integration of education, research, and industry, Kong pointed to the University of Macaus Hengqin campus as a successful model of collaborative innovation. He noted that 19 joint laboratories and more than 150 industry-commissioned research projects have already been developed by the institution.

Kong emphasized, The government is promoting cooperation between higher education institutions and businesses, aiming to strengthen integration among industry, academia, and research.

In response to concerns over international competitiveness and the ability to foster scientific and technological breakthroughs, Kong said institutions would strengthen ties with enterprises to offer more industrial internships and off-campus training programs.

These initiatives would allow students to gain hands-on experience and participate in international exchange programs, with the goal of strengthening cooperation with globally renowned universities, he added.

On the topic of global partnerships, Kong highlighted the launch this year of joint ventures with Brazil and France, while cooperation with Portugal continues under a recently renewed agreement facilitated by the Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT) for joint scientific research.

Kong affirmed the governments commitment to enhancing collaboration between higher education and high-tech industries.

He noted, In recent years, Macau universities have expanded into fields including traditional Chinese medicine, biomedicine, microelectronics, robotics, and science and engineering, underscoring the breadth of academic development.

Kong also emphasized the essential role of Macaus universities in driving innovation and supporting economic growth. He reiterated continued government support for these efforts, stating, The SAR Government encourages Macaus higher education institutions to fully leverage their strengths in international education within regional cooperation frameworks.

Previous reports estimate that the Hengqin University Town expansion will involve an investment of nearly MOP20 billion.

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China maintains hard stance on gang crimes: ministry

Xinhua) 09:01, July 24, 2025

BEIJING, July 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese police have dismantled over 590 mafia-style organizations and over 8,900 other criminal gangs during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), according to the Ministry of Public Security on Wednesday.

More than 105,000 gang-related criminal cases have been solved nationwide over the period, said Jiang Guoli, political commissar of the ministry's criminal investigation bureau, at a press conference.

Jiang stressed that law enforcement agencies maintained a "zero-tolerance" policy toward organized crime, especially complex, high-profile cases.

The ministry directly oversaw 183 major investigations during the five years and captured 2,353 fugitives in a nationwide campaign to bring key suspects to justice.

Law enforcement authorities also focused on the root causes of organized crime through long-term crime prevention and social governance mechanisms, Jiang said, noting that targeted campaigns were carried out in cities and counties with a high volume of public complaints and gang-related incidents.

Jiang said that efforts to address gang activity have extended into industries and regions vulnerable to criminal infiltration. Police have worked closely with regulatory bodies to address criminality in rural areas, wholesale markets, the natural resource sector, and construction projects.

"By disrupting the cycle in which disorder fosters crime and crime evolves into organized gangs, authorities aim to eliminate the conditions that allow such groups to thrive," Jiang said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
By Anna Vardanyan

The unprecedented anti-church campaign launched in Armenia at the end of May of this year, which is comparable only to the early Soviet years in terms of the severity of the measures, seems to cross all red lines. High-ranking clergy members are being arrested, the Prime Minister makes defamatory statements against the incumbent Catholicos and threatens to dethrone him, and law enforcement officers invade the countrys main church. What are the main drivers of these events, and what impact could they have on regional stability?

An Armenian Orthodox Church (Image Courtesy of GetArchive.net)

BACKGROUND: There are several reasons behind the current conflict between the Armenian government and the church. The current Armenian government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the Armenian Apostolic Church have never been allies. Clashes with the church started from the very first days the revolutionary government came to power in 2018. The prime minister has regularly criticized the church hierarchy for its connections with the former authorities, which he calls a criminal regime. Looking back, it should be noted that, unlike with the current authorities, there were never issues with the Catholicos and the public during the three previous presidents rule. The incumbent Catholicos Karekin II was elected in 1999 during the administration of the first president, Levon Ter-Petrossyan, and has and still maintains very close relations with the latter. During the administrations of the second president, Robert Kocharyan, and the third president, Serzh Sargsyan, the Catholicos was treated respectfully, and there was mutual understanding and support from the government to the church. There were even accusations that the Catholicos was obviously backing Kocharyans and, specifically, Sargsyans regimes and interfering in the political life of the state.

However, after the revolution in 2018, there were actions that appeared to be initiated by Pashinyan against the Catholicos, with a view to discrediting his reputation. In particular, from June to October 2018, protest rallies were held in which the participants demanded the resignation of Karekin II, whom they considered to be allied with the former authorities and accused of being involved in shady business deals.

Critics brought forward the narrative that Karekin II was closed and shadowy, he is believed to be too involved in business  a claim given greater weight by the discovery of a million-dollar Swiss bank account in his name. In 2015, an investigative report revealed that he had a million-dollar Swiss bank account, but the leaked files do not specify the exact role that Karekin II had in relation to the account, and the press spokesman of Catholicos said it was opened by his predecessor and used to help the Church.

The movement against the Catholicos, dubbed New Armenia, New Patriarch, has been holding rallies in downtown Yerevan, recording video appeals against Catholicos, and picketing his office in Echmiadzin, even pushing and grabbing him, as seen in an extraordinary video that shocked Armenians both for its aggression against the Catholicos and for the surprising vulnerability he displayed.

Nikol Pashinyan, during that period, stated that he was not going to intervene to reduce tensions against the Catholicos and emphasized the separation of church and state. However, as the movement failed to receive public support and was viewed rather poorly, Pashinyans targeting of the church ceased for a while.

After the defeat in the 2020 Second Karabakh War, pressure on Pashinyan grew and Church leaders called for his resignation. The Catholicos urged Pashinyan to step down to prevent further shocks, possible clashes, and tragic consequences to the public, to elect a new prime minister in consultation with political forces and to form an interim government of national accord.

After this, the relationship between the Catholicos and Pashinyan deteriorated irretrievably. On the one hand, the Armenian Church remains the only state institution that maintains independence from Pashinyan and his team. Moreover, the religious structure more than once spoke out from nationalistic positions, becoming a stronghold of protest sentiments. Last spring, it was the hierarchs of the Armenian Apostolic Church who spoke out against the delimitation of the border with Azerbaijan in the Tavush region. Local archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan then became the leader of the resistance movement. First, he led a march from the line of contact to Yerevan and then held several large rallies in the Armenian capital. The movement was also supported by the central leadership of the Church. The Investigative Committee of Armenia unfolded allegations that Galstanian had begun preparations for the violent overthrow of the government in November 2024 with the members of his opposition-backed movement.

In a statement, the Committee alleged that the group had planned to assassinate unnamed civilians, take other violent actions, and paralyze the countrys security apparatus for that purpose. According to official information, Galstanyan was planning to form 200 groups of militants, each with 25 people, in order to occupy parliament. He allegedly discussed this with Levon Kocharyan, the son of Armenias second president and a member of parliament. As a result of this, Galstanyan and 14 supporters were arrested on June 26.

However, this process of repression was not limited only to Galstanyan's arrest. Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, the leader of the Shirak Diocese, has also been arrested, charged with usurpation of power and overthrow of the constitutional order. Samvel Karapetyan, an Armenian billionaire with Russian citizenship, who recently expressed his willingness to support the Armenian Apostolic Church, was also arrested. He is also accused of inciting a coup d'etat. The Investigative Committee claims that these three individuals played a role in a terrorist act being prepared against the state.

The government's campaign against the church and recent arrests have been criticized by Armenian civil society. More than two dozen non-governmental organizations and human rights defenders are raising the alarm that the authorities are interfering with the autonomy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, violating the Constitution and the Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations, as well as the principle of the independence of the judicial system.

IMPLICATIONS: The government-church conflict in Armenia should not be viewed solely as an internal political process within the country. It eventually has a broader scope, and in some sense fits into the realm of global processes taking place in the world, given the trends of separation of church and state and the secularization of spirituality in the world. According to the Constitution of Armenia, the church is separated from the state ( Article 7.1. ), nevertheless, since its formation, it has enjoyed state support and actively participated in the country's political processes: there are also known periods in Armenian history when, in the absence of a state, the church assumed the role of the state itself.

As for the role of the church in Armenia today, it has broad public influence, but no legal powers or duties. When it comes to bringing a clergyman into the legal arena, it leads to a tension of sentiments, because neither in terms of public perception nor in terms of law are there regulations aimed at clarifying the powers of the church and the government. Meanwhile, the Armenian Church enjoys a strong reputation both inside the country and in the Armenian diaspora. According to the results of the 2011 census in Armenia, about 97 percent of the country's population are followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Further aggravation of church-state relations could lead to civil conflict within the country and pose a threat to the re-election of the current authorities in the upcoming parliamentary elections in 2026, which, in turn, could abort the efforts of the current authorities to normalize relations with Azerbaijan and Turkey.

The ruling party is approaching the election campaign in a difficult position. This spring, representatives of the ruling Civil Contract party lost two key positions in the mayoral elections in Gyumri and Parakar. Surveys indicate that the same result could be seen at the national level. According to a survey conducted by MPG/Gallup International Association in January of this year, the support for the pro-government Civil Contract is only 11 percent. At the same time, the church enjoys considerable trust among the population. According to the Caucasus Barometer, a national household survey conducted by the Caucasus Research Resource Center (CRRC), which sampled 1,561 people aged 18 and over in Armenia between July and October 2024, about 79 percent of Armenian residents expressed trust in the Armenian Apostolic Church, making it the highest figure among public institutions.

It is likely that the church will support the opponents of the ruling party, thereby increasing their chances of victory. Perhaps the campaign to discredit the clergy was launched by the authorities in order to prevent such a scenario. Moreover, the authorities may want to provoke some protests now so that by the election date, they will have already fizzled out. However, the crisis that has arisen threatens a split. If Pashinyan succeeds in changing the Catholicos, then opposition-minded citizens of Armenia and parishes in the Diaspora may not recognize the first hierarch appointed after political interference.

This conflict between the government and the church in Armenia could lead to a dangerous point, when external forces could take advantage of this situation and try to implement some of their plans through the Church or interfere in the internal affairs of the country. All this can fit into Russia's plans, for example, which wants to strengthen its position in the South Caucasus, and considers the Armenian church as a factor of influence in the region. It is worth mentioning that the brother of Karekin II is the Primate of the Russian Armenian Diocese, and Samvel Karapetyan has great financial resources, has created tens of thousands of jobs in Armenia, and Pashinyan and his team are wary that he could fund large demonstrations and achieve a change of power in Armenia backed by Russia. The opposition and the Armenian Apostolic Church, Armenian businessmen in Russia, and the Armenian community in Russia may unite around Karapetyan, which could lead to Pashinyan's resignation. It is no coincidence that Russian public figures affiliated with the Kremlin have issued severe condemnations of the Armenian authorities attacks on the church, including a statement by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who described the attacks on the Armenian Apostolic Church as deeply worrisome and unjustified. Lavrov's statement was immediately followed by a harsh response from Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, urging him not to interfere in the internal affairs of the Republic of Armenia.

The Kremlin is keen on the dominance or victory of Echmiadzin in this conflict, on the basis not of Christian solidarity but geopolitical interests. The Kremlin seeks to destabilize the situation in Armenia and create a chaotic and uncontrollable situation. Even if the current weakened government remains in Armenia, its dependence on the Kremlin will only increase under such unstable conditions.

Ultimately, this conflict may weaken the position of Christianity in the South Caucasus. It is no coincidence that the Chairman of the Caucasus Muslims Board (CMB), Sheikh-ul-Islam Pashazade, encourages this conflict and regularly criticizes the Armenian Church, considering it a threat to neighbors.

CONCLUSIONS: It is obvious that the reasons for the conflict between the government and the church are political. The current authorities and the Church elite have many controversies, including on issues of fundamental importance for Armenia. The authorities see the Catholicos and the bishops as yet another political opponent, against whom they are applying all available tools. Nevertheless, what is most disturbing is that the ruling party and the Prime Minister himself are fueling this rift by employing aggressive methods that threaten both democratic norms and religious freedom. Instead of stabilizing the situation, they often exacerbate tensions by using divisive rhetoric and targeting individuals, setting a dangerous precedent for political debate. This behavior threatens to deepen existing divisions within society at a crucial stage for Armenia's democratic development. Such escalations threaten to further split Armenian society, influence the results of the upcoming elections next year and negatively affect the peace negotiations with Azerbaijan-- something that in turn will affect the entire region. Pashinyan's course aims to form a homogeneous political space, but risks defeat in parliamentary elections and a premature resignation from power and politics. In this case, there is a significant risk that Armenia will revert to a Russian orientation, despite Russias gradual decline in influence in the South Caucasus today.

AUTHORS BIO: Anna Vardanyan is an independent journalist-researcher based in Yerevan. For ten years she has worked as a Communications expert and Media advisor to the Vice-President of the Parliament of Armenia. She has been working as an accredited journalist at the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia.
A Hong Kong judge yesterday ruled to strike down regulations criminalizing the use of bathrooms designated for the opposite sex, ruling in favor of transgender individuals rights to access public toilets matching their identity.

Judge Russell Coleman approved the judicial review of K, who was born a woman and identifies as a man, saying the regulations contravene an article of the citys mini-constitution that stipulates all residents should be equal before the law.

But he suspended the declaration to strike down the regulations for a year to allow the government to consider whether it wishes to implement a way to deal with the contravention.

He said in the judgment that the regulations and drawing the line of a persons biological sex at birth create a disproportionate and unnecessary intrusion into the privacy and equality rights.

The ruling marks another step forward in recognizing the rights of LGBTQ+ people in the Chinese financial hub. In recent years, the government has revised policies following activists wins in legal challenges.

Currently, only children under 5 years old accompanied by an opposite sex adult can enter a public washroom designated for the opposite sex. Those violating the rule face a fine of up to 2,000 Hong Kong dollars (about $255).

K launched a legal challenge in 2022, seeking to expand the exemption to pre-operative transgender people who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria and have a medical need to undergo the process of living in their identified gender. He argued that his constitutional rights were infringed by the prohibition against him using public toilets allocated for men, the court heard.

The Environment and Ecology Bureau said in an emailed statement that the government will carefully study the judgment and consult the Department of Justice on the appropriate follow-up action.

Quarks, a group serving transgender youth in Hong Kong, welcomed the ruling, urging officials to take immediate action to rectify what it called long-standing discrimination in the system.

The ruling is not just an affirmation of transgender rights legally but also a big step forward for Hong Kongs overall human rights development, it said on Instagram.

In 2023, Hong Kongs top court ruled that full sex reassignment surgery should not be a prerequisite for transgender people to have their gender changed on their official identity cards.

The next year, the government revised its policy to allow people who have not completed full gender-affirmation surgery to change their genders on ID cards as long as they fulfill certain conditions. The conditions include the removal of breasts for transgender men, the removal of the penis and testes for transgender women, and having undergone continuous hormonal treatment for at least two years before applying.

Applicants also have to continue their hormonal treatment and submit blood test reports for random checks upon the governments request. MDT/AP

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The deputy director of the Government Information Bureau (GCS), Louie Wong, has been officially appointed the bureaus new acting director.

The order by the Chief Executive (CE), Sam Hou Fai, was published yesterday in the governments Official Gazette.

Wong is taking on the role of former director Ines Chan, who left GCS leadership after her term ended on June 30.

In the meantime, Chan has had her role on the Board of Directors of the public broadcaster TDM renewed for one more year, extending her term until August 31, 2026.

The CEs order on Wongs appointment takes effect on July 11. Between July 1 and 11, GCS was under the direct authority of the CEs office.

This new appointment follows a series of government restructuring measures promoted by Sams administration since mid-year, which also saw the appointment of a new head at the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM).

At IPIM, Che Weng Keong succeeded Vincent U as president.

Wong has been a deputy director at GCS since 2014, seconding, at the time, the leadership of Victor Chan.

He graduated with a Bachelors degree in Laws in International Journalism and Mass Communication from Jinan University.

He also holds two masters degrees (a Master of Laws in International Relations from Jinan University and a Master of Arts in Computer-Aided Translation from the Chinese University of Hong Kong).

He joined GCS in early December 1996 as a senior information officer and was assigned as the Research and Publications Division Chief from February 2000 to February 2011.

He was then promoted to Chief of the Information Department until February 2014, when he was appointed deputy director.

Before this appointment, he had served as acting deputy director for a year, indicating that he might soon assume the director role at GCS.

The Official Gazette also noted the appointments and term renewals of the members of several entities and advisory committees, namely those related to the Talents Committee.

Among the many publications in the Official Gazette, Chiang Ngoc Vai was officially appointed as a director through an order issued by the Secretary for Transport and Public Works, Raymond Tam.

Although no formal announcement has been made, as reported by the Times yesterday, speculation within civil service circles suggests that former department head Kelvin Lam may soon be appointed to a role at Macauport, which manages the Ka Ho Port.

At the moment, the Macauport company is led by Ambrose So and vice-chaired by Pansy Ho and Vai Hoi Ieong.

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Macau residents are being urged to exercise caution when purchasing mainland Chinaonly products through cross-border e-commerce platforms, following a rare joint warning from consumer watchdogs in Macau, Guangdong and Hong Kong.

The coordinated advisory, led by the Guangdong Consumer Council, noted mounting risks in the fast-growing Greater Bay Area (GBA) online retail ecosystem, as cited in a China Daily report.

Local consumers have increasingly faced issues related to product standards mismatches, complicated return logistics, and costly refund procedures.

Goods made for sale exclusively in mainland China are not required to meet Macaus consumer safety regulations, the authorities noted.

This discrepancy, along with lengthy and burdensome return processes, has left many buyers with little recourse when faced with faulty or damaged items, according to the report.

Shipping fragile goods like electronics across borders has also led to a spike in damage claims.

In one case, a Hong Kong resident had to haul a broken 65-inch television through Customs by hand after his online complaint was dismissed. The ordeal drew widespread attention online and reignited concerns about fragmented consumer protection across the GBA.

The Guangdong Consumer Council reported 538,900 consumer complaints in the first half of this year, recovering nearly 223 million yuan in compensation.

Though cross-border purchases are not broken out specifically, officials said complaints involving mainland-only items and return difficulties are on the rise.

Authorities recommend consumers review product standards before purchase, opt for inspection options when available, and avoid ordering restricted items such as frozen goods or perishables. Times Reporter

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* Income inequality grows

 Minimum-pay jobs are on the rise for residents outside the gaming industry, which may widen income gaps in the future, according to a Times investigation

* Transportation | Citizens call for increased frequency of bus routes to the HZMB Port

* E-Commerce | Regulators warn of challenges with mainland-only goods ordered online

* Tropical Storm Francisco is not expected to pose a direct threat to Macau, despite gradually intensifying, the Weather Bureau says

* Govt reserves more land in Hengqin for university town expansion

* Trump says a China trip is not too distant as trade tensions ease

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Thursday, July 24 2025  edition no. 4765

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President Donald Trump yesterday [Macau time] said a trip to China might be not too distant, raising prospects that the leaders of the worlds two largest economies may meet soon to help reset relations after moving to climb down from a trade war.

Trump made the remarks while hosting Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the White House, where he praised the fantastic military relationship with Manila as the U.S. looks to counter Chinas influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Yet, Trump still said the U.S. is getting along with China very well. We have a very good relationship. He added that Beijing has resumed shipping to the U.S. record numbers of much-needed rare earth magnets, which are used in iPhones and other high-tech products like electric vehicles.

Widely speculated about since Trump returned to the White House, a summit between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping would be expected to stabilize  even for a short while  a difficult relationship defined by mistrust and competition.

Beijing believes a leader-level summit is necessary to steady U.S.-China relations and that Trump must be wooed because he has the final say on Americas policy toward China, despite more hawkish voices in his Cabinet, observers say.

The question, however, is when.

Danny Russel, a distinguished fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said Trump has consistently shown his hunger for a visit to China and that Beijing has used that to bolster leverage.

As soon as the leadership in Beijing is satisfied that Trump will be on his best behavior and will accept terms for a deal that they think are favorable, they will give a green light to the visit, Russel said.

Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Washington-based think tank Stimson Center, said a visit is in the making with two sides likely to strike a trade deal.

What Trump said might mean the visit would not be in September but potentially November, but still depends on whether they play ball on trade and other things we want, Sun said.

Trumps campaign to impose tariffs on other countries kicked off a high-stake trade war with Beijing. China raised tariffs on U.S. goods to 125% in response to Trumps hiking the tax on Chinese goods to 145%.

Both sides also imposed on each other harsh trade restrictions on critical products: China on rare earths, and the U.S. on computing chips and jet engine technology.

Trade tensions, however, eased following two rounds of high-level talks in Geneva and London, when the two sides agreed to lower tariffs  pending a more permanent deal by mid-August  and pull back on trade restrictions.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Tuesday on Fox Business Mornings with Maria that he will be meeting with his Chinese counterparts in Stockholm next week to work on what is likely an extension of the Aug. 12 deadline.

I think trade is in a very good place with China, Bessent told host Maria Bartiromo. Hopefully, we can see the Chinese pull back on some of this glut of manufacturing that theyre doing and concentrate on building a consumer economy.

He said he also expects to bring up Chinas purchases of Russian and Iranian oil and Beijings role in aiding Moscow in its war against Ukraine.

Beijing has not announced any travel plans for Vice Premier He Lifeng, who led trade negotiations in both Geneva and London on behalf of the Chinese government, but it is not unusual for China to make such announcements closer to a travel date.

In a possible friendly gesture, Beijing on Tuesday said it suspended an antitrust investigation into chemical maker DuPonts operations in China. DuPont said in a statement that it is pleased with Chinas action. DIDI TANG, WASHINGTON, MDT/AP

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Gov. Tony Evers will not seek reelection after his second term concludes next year, setting the stage for the first open race for Wisconsins executive office in 16 years and a potentially packed Democratic primary next August.

The last time Wisconsin voters cast ballots in a gubernatorial election that didnt include an incumbent candidate was in 2010, after Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle opted not to run for reelection.

Evers, 73, made the announcement in a video posted to social media Thursday. In his statement, Evers said it has been the honor of my life to serve the state where he was raised, first as a public school teacher and then as state superintendent and governor.

For five decades, my family has sacrificed. They gave me the gift of service, he said. Theyre my world, and I owe to them to focus on doing all the things we enjoy and love doing together. Its why, Wisconsin, Im announcing that I will not be running for a third term.

Evers is in the midst of his second four-year term after unseating incumbent Republican Gov. Scott Walker in 2018 and fending off a challenge from business owner Tim Michels in 2022.

The Democratic governor had said he planned to make an announcement after the conclusion of the states two-year budget process, which wrapped up in early July.

If reelected, Evers would have become the first Democratic governor elected to three four-year terms. Former Gov. Tommy Thompson, a Republican, was elected to four terms  making him the only Wisconsin governor to serve more than two four-year terms. Wisconsin governors served two-year terms until 1970, when the office shifted to a four-year term.

Wisconsin Democrats greeted the announcement with an outpouring of praise. Those included U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, and Senate Minority Leader Sen. Dianne Hesselbein, D-Middleton.

Tony embodies the best of the Wisconsin way  he knows what is right and is willing to fight for it, but is level-headed, Midwestern nice, and always willing to bridge divides if its right for our state, Baldwin said. The Governor faced tough headwinds to progress, but it never stopped him.

Devin Remiker, chair of the Wisconsin Democratic Party, previously said that if Evers decided to run for a third term, the party would have thrown its full support behind him. But the party is also ready to champion another candidate, Remiker told WISNs UpFront earlier this month.

Evers shut the door on the Scott Walker era forever, stopping the Wisconsin GOPs war against workers rights and working families, Remiker said, adding that the party considered itself stronger, more organized, and ready for the important fights ahead.

In a statement, the Republican Governors Association said Evers let the worst elements of the Democratic Party run roughshod over state government.

While Gov. Evers failed Wisconsin families by offering nothing more than folksy euphemisms to deal with problems facing the state, that pales in comparison to the Democrat hopefuls lining up to replace him who will not shy away from their intentions to take the state backward, the organization said.

In a Marquette Law School Poll last month, 55% of voters said they didnt think Evers should pursue a third term, including 15% of Democrats. Evers job approval was slightly positive in the poll, with 48% of respondents in favor, versus 46% against, largely along party lines.

Before Evers defeated Walker, who was running for a third term after a failed bid for president in 2016, 61% of voters polled said he shouldnt run again, including 27% of Republicans.

Partisan headwinds

With Evers 2018 victory over Walker, liberals reclaimed the states executive office, but the former teacher, principal and state superintendent faced ample headwinds in the Capitol from strong GOP majorities in the state Assembly and Senate.

Even before Evers took office, Republicans in a late-night lame-duck session passed legislation to limit the power of the newly elected Democratic governor and attorney general.

While in office, partisan battles have been bitter, with GOP leaders often clashing with the Democratic governor, with bipartisan compromise rare for major legislation or the states two-year budgets.

But Evers and Republicans managed to strike a few landmark deals, including sweeping updates to Wisconsins decades-old funding mechanism for providing state dollars to local communities, and more than $380 million to fund repairs at American Family Field and keep the Milwaukee Brewers in Wisconsin until at least 2050.

Despite running into Republican obstruction at nearly every turn, even before he was elected, he has reached across the aisle and found ways to get things done for hardworking Wisconsinites, said state Sen. Brad Pfaff, D-Onalaska.

Most recently, GOP leaders and Evers struck a deal on the states two-year budget that maintained Republicans priority for tax cuts while also securing Evers goal of boosting funds for the Universities of Wisconsin, schools and child care.

While we did not always agree on a shared vision for our state, Id like to thank Governor Evers for his service and his willingness to work across party lines, Senate Majority Leader Devin LeMahieu, R-Oostburg, said in a statement.

Just saying no

Evers has been a reliable Democratic goalie, blocking many initiatives passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature dealing with abortion, gender-affirming care and legislative maps. He made liberal use of his partial-veto powers before signing state budgets, striking out policies like one eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at the Universities of Wisconsin and locking in increases in school funding for the next 400 years  something a future Legislature can undo but which the state Supreme Court ruled did not violate the state Constitution.

In a statement, Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August, R-Walworth, said that, under Evers leadership, the state has seen a pattern of vetoes that blocked common-sense conservative reforms on tax relief, controlling skyrocketing costs on families, cracking down on repeat violent offenders, and even protecting womens sports.

There was also no shortage of spats with the Legislature, which have often ended up in court. Evers won some of those, including the fight over his partial veto power and the release of land stewardship funds, which the Legislatures budget committee effectively blocked by not acting on requests.

But Evers has also lost battles with the Legislature. In June, the Supreme Court unanimously ruled he didnt have the authority to partially veto bills that dont spend state money. Evers had vetoed a portion of a reading bill in 2023 that he said would have provided ongoing per-pupil increases to private choice and independent charter schools.

Despite the repeated battles between the Legislature and the governors office, Assembly Speaker Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, wished Evers and his wife, Kathy, well as they retired to private life.

No matter what side of the aisle we stand on, the decision to run for statewide office comes with many personal sacrifices that are worthy of recognition, Vos said in a statement. I want to thank Governor Evers for his service to the state of Wisconsin.

Possible successors

While Democrats have been waiting to see what Evers would decide, some Republicans have already announced plans to run for governor next year.

In statements Thursday, Washington County Executive and Army National Guard veteran Josh Schoemann and Bill Berrien, a Whitefish Bay businessman and former Navy SEAL, said they were prepared to run against any radical the Democrats put forward as their candidate.

Tony Evers is too scared to run on the Madison Democrats record of failure, Berrien said. Im going to spend the next 15 months making sure whoever the Madison liberals pick from their bench of radical career politicians learns the same lesson.

Schoemann, wrote in a post on X that he looks forward to contrasting my record of cutting taxes, reducing government and innovative reforms with their woke, radical agenda.

Other Republicans who may be considering a run for governor next year include U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minocqua, and business owner Eric Hovde, who lost his 2024 bid for U.S. Senate to incumbent Baldwin. Fond du Lac District Attorney Eric Toney also hinted at a possible run on X Thursday, saying he declined to apply to be a U.S. attorney for a reason.

Even Walker, who was the 45th governor of Wisconsin, chimed in with a seemingly AI-generated photo of the Make America Great Again red hat, with Wisconsin inserted. Walker seemed to insinuate he could become the 47th governor of Wisconsin, matching one side of President Donald Trumps hats that read 45-47.

When asked whether he would run again for governor at a town hall in April, Walker said he wasnt planning on it. But he also hasnt closed the door on a future run.

Potential Democratic candidates include Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley; Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson; state Sen. Kelda Roys, D-Madison; Attorney General Josh Kaul; Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez; Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski; and Ben Wikler, former chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin.

In an interview with WISN, Johnson declined to say whether he was considering a run for governor, saying that right now, we should be praising Tony Evers and all the work hes done for our state.

Party primaries will be held in August 2026.

Recent gains

Wisconsin liberals head into the 2026 midterms emboldened by Democratic-backed judge Susan Crawfords 10-point victory over Republican-backed judge Brad Schimel in the April 1 Supreme Court election. The election drew immense national attention, obliterating previous spending records for judicial races with more than $100 million spent on the race.

Republicans, meanwhile, have struggled in recent statewide elections, winning just three of the last 15, including President Trumps November victory over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
Food Network star Anne Burrell reportedly died by suicide.

Food Network star Anne Burrell reportedly died by suicide

Five weeks after the celebrity chef was found unresponsive in her home aged 55, the TV star, best known for hosting Worst Cooks in America, is said to have died from acute intoxication due to the combined effects of diphenhydramine, ethanol, cetirizine, and amphetamine, according to an official autopsy from the New York City medical examiners office, which was cited by People on Thursday. (24.07.25)

Diphenhydramine and cetirizine are antihistamines, ethanol is alcohol and amphetamine is a stimulant commonly prescribed for attention deficit disorders.

People reported: Burrell died by suicide, adding her family had declined to comment on the finding.

Emergency responders were called to the Manhattan apartment Anne shared with her husband, 63-year-old Stuart Claxton, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

NYPD documents seen by The New York Times said she was found unconscious in the shower, surrounded by around 100 assorted pills, and pronounced dead at the scene.

Stuart told authorities he had last seen Anne alive around 1am.

He discovered her body between six and seven hours later.

Emergency medical personnel attempted CPR but were unable to revive her.

The medical examiner completed an autopsy in June, but toxicology results delayed a formal cause of death until this week.

Anne had recently taken a break from television and was exploring new creative interests.

Hours before her death, she had performed an improv comedy show at a club in Brooklyn.

Earlier this year, she told 52-year-old actress Tori Spelling on a podcast she had enrolled in acting classes.

I just started taking acting classes. I started yesterday, actually Its like an improv for actors class, Anne said.

She added: I got there and its like eight people in the class. Im the oldest one. Every other person has like, Oh, I have a masters in fine arts in theatre.

Anne went on: I wonder if these delightful and super talented kids look at me and theyre like, Whats this old lady doing here?

In a statement following her death, Annes family said: Anne was a beloved wife, sister, daughter, stepmother, and friend  her smile lit up every room she entered. Annes light radiated far beyond those she knew, touching millions across the world.

Though she is no longer with us, her warmth, spirit, and boundless love remain eternal.

A Food Network spokesperson said about her passing: Anne was a remarkable person and culinary talent  teaching, competing and always sharing the importance of food in her life and the joy that a delicious meal can bring.

Anne rose to national fame as a chef, cookbook author and television personality.

In addition to Worst Cooks in America, she appeared on Chef Wanted, Chopped, Food Network Star, and House of Knives, which premiered earlier this year. She published two cookbooks: Cook Like a Rock Star and Own Your Kitchen: Recipes to Inspire and Empower.

As well as her husband Stuart, Anne is survived by her mother Marlene, sister Jane, brother Ben, and stepchildren Isabella, Amelia and Nicolas.
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has urged Ivorian authorities and political parties to protect journalists three months ahead of the first round of the presidential election, according to a statement.

RSF denounced the intimidation of at least two Ivorian journalists since early May and called on authorities as well as political actors to ensure the safety of journalists, both in the field and on social media.

According to RSF, Mma Camara, a journalist with France 24, was the target of a smear campaign in June, after covering a rally held by the Democratic Party of Cote dIvoire (PDCI), the main opposition party.

The journalist was subjected to online harassment on social media and accused of downplaying the number of participants at the PDCI rally.

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Cote d'Ivoire's Ouattara poised for fourth term bid as opposition pushes back

Some individuals posted my address and that of my family, she said, as quoted in the statement published by RSF on Tuesday.

The NGO also recommended that political parties facilitate journalists access to their events and sanction supporters or members responsible for threats or hostile acts towards the press.

It called on Ivorian authorities to take concrete measures to protect press freedom in the country, denouncing calls targeting journalists after the publication of articles, as well as exchanges that sometimes turn into intimidation, including from government officials.

Cote d'Ivoire opposition figure reclaims party leadership ahead of court ruling

Regional concern

We do not feel concerned, said Ivorian Minister of Communication Amadou Coulibaly, dismissing the concerns. The president protects journalists, who are free to carry out their work, he told French news agency AFP, adding that: "No journalist has been troubled in the exercise of their duties since Alassane Ouattara came to power."

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Sadibou Marong, head of RSFs sub-Saharan Africa bureau, cited the arrest of a journalist who had been granted political asylum.

He refers to Hugues Colman Sossoukpe, a Beninese journalist critical of his government, who lived in Togo and was arrested in Abidjan mid-July, then extradited to Cotonou after having been invited to Cote dIvoire by the Ministry of Digital Transition.

Four Cote d'Ivoire opposition figures barred from October presidential election

"We can legitimately speak of a trap and of a professional journalistic mission that ultimately turned into a snare," he told RFI on Wednesday morning.

Coulibaly insisted that no illegal action had been taken by the authorities.

We simply carried out an arrest warrant as part of judicial cooperation with Benin, he said, noting that the minister of digital transition had been unaware of the warrant against Sossoukpe at the time of issuing the invitation.

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Protecting the press means ensuring the full functioning of an effective democracy, said Marong.

Benin but also Senegal are concerned by such repression of journalists, Marong told RFI.

African Union court denies Cote d'Ivoire opposition leaders' appeals

"In Senegal, although the country jumped 20 places in the latest World Press Freedom Index, we have begun to observe many new developments in recent months," he said. "There is the issue of the detention of media commentators and columnists."

Cote dIvoire has experienced repeated violence around electoral periods.

At the end of 2010 and beginning of 2011, the election of current president Alassane Ouattara, disputed by his rival Laurent Gbagbo, led to around 3,000 deaths.

The presidential election is set for 25 October, 2025, in which Outtara is running for a fourth mandate.

(with AFP)
On Tuesday night, big protests were held against Zelensky in Kyiv, Dnipro, Lviv, and Odessa after he forced through a law that would undermine Ukraines anti-corruption bodies. Yesterday, these protests continued and spread to other areas including Kharkov, Chernivtsi, Vinnytsia, Nikolaev, Poltava and Chernihiv.

These demonstrations, the first since the war began three years ago, come at a critical time for the regime. Russia is advancing at an increasing rate, and the Ukrainian war machine is facing collapsing morale, growing war fatigue and troop shortages.

Zelensky moves against the opposition

The immediate reason for the protests was the Rada passing Bill No.12414, which effectively defangs the country's two main anti-corruption agencies, the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO). It removes their independence and brings them under the control of the President, via the office of the State Prosecutor.

There is plenty of speculation in Ukraine as to the reasons behind this move by Zelensky and his Head of Office, Andriy Yermak. The bill was passed with the votes of the ruling Servant of the People party, Yulia Tymoshenko's Fatherland party, and the Platform for Life and Peace, which traces its origins to the anti-Maidan Party of the Regions.

One likely motive is that NABU investigations, including into a corruption scandal related to the procurement and funding of drone production, were closing in on Zelensky's circle of close associates.

Linked to this is the fact that Zelensky has been moving to curtail the movements of all of his political opponents. He has attacked the first post-Maidan president Poroshenko (who is on trial), Kyiv mayor Klitschko and his former backer oligarch Kolomoisky (who is currently under arrest), and in general anyone who might be perceived as a political threat to him and his partys control of the country. These attacks began before the Russian invasion in 2022. Others, like former head of the armed forces Zaluzhny  who according to polls is more popular than Zelensky himself, whose popularity has plummeted  are being kept at a distance. Zaluzhny has been made ambassador to London.

The immediate reason for the protests was the Rada passing Bill No.12414, which effectively defangs the country's two main anti-corruption agencies / Image: ChristopherJM, Twitter

There are those who say that Poroshenko and others have entered into an alliance in self-defence, and are trying to push forward corruption investigations against Zelensky, through the medium of NABU. Notably, the Klitschko brothers  celebrity boxers, one of whom is the mayor of Kyiv and a long-time critic of Zelensky  made a brief appearance at the protest in Kyiv.

This has echoes of the same noises that have been made ever since Trumps election in December. Prominent members of the Ukrainian establishment like Poroshenko and Tymoshenko have made it well known that they have an interest in getting back into power. In their bid to do so, they are trying to get the approval of the new US administration.

There is another aspect to be considered. NABU is part of a series of institutions, media organisations, think tanks, NGOs and civil society organisations set up and funded by the West during and after the Maidan overthrow in 2014. These are linked to the liberal wing of the western ruling class (the EU bureaucracy, the Democratic party in the US, etc). They were directly involved, for instance, in the case against Trumps former campaign chair Paul Manafort. Now that Trump is in power, many of these organisations have been defunded or no longer have a strong outside backer. This makes it easier for Zelensky to move to crush them or to bring them under control.

However, that does not explain the swift and decisive action taken. The whole process of passing the bill, which was then signed immediately into law by Zelensky, took place in the space of less than 24 hours. It was preceded, at the end of last week, by a swift and sweeping move by the SBU security services to arrest and charge a whole series of high-ranking officials in NABU. The expedited nature of Zelenskys move against NABU and SAPO suggests that these institutions were going to move against him or his immediate associates.

Corrupt regime

There is no doubt that the Zelensky regime is deeply enmeshed in corruption of all sorts. A number of questionable figures have been thrust into positions of power since Zelenskiys election win, and in the course of the wartime reorganisation. Some of them are making large sums of money by stealing and diverting funds destined for the building of defensive fortifications, provisioning of food for the army, the manufacturing of drones, and the purchase of weapons abroad. Others are enriching themselves by fiddling with bonuses given to front-line units, by selling medical exemptions from the draft, by helping men of military age to escape across the border, etc.

This is a society dominated by oligarchs, powerful bureaucrats and gangsters, each with their own set of politicians at their service, among whom there is no honour. Alliances are made and broken, without any regard for political ideas nor the interests of the nation. The overriding principle for these capitalist crooks is: where can I make the most money in the quickest way possible?

The immediate reason for the protests was the bill against the anti-corruption agencies. Since the war began, only patriotic demonstrations have been tolerated or have received institutional support from Ukrainian politicians. Protests against the rise in the cost of living and against mobilisation have often been cracked down upon by local security forces and smeared in the mainstream media.

One of the reasons that there have been mobilisations on the scale we are presently seeing is that some of the employees of the organisations being attacked by the present law are trained in organising patriotic demonstrations of this type.

The creation of organisations like NABU is part of a decades-long effort by the US to create a caste of bureaucrats loyal to them. This is relatively cost-effective in a poor country, where ambitious young people can be recruited to serve foreign-backed organisations for good salaries and scholarships to western universities. This move has forced some of them to take the risk of organising protests. This is similar to what happened in Georgia at the end of last year.

Whatever the motivation of the leaders of these demonstrations, they could become the focal point for deeper grievances / Image: Sasha Gulich, Wikimedia Commons

Whatever the motivation of the leaders of these demonstrations, they could become the focal point for deeper grievances against the hated territorial recruitment officers (TCR) and their brutal methods, as well as for the general demoralisation with the course of the war. They have the potential to become an outlet for the discontent of broader layers of Ukrainians.

The crisis of the Zelensky regime could not come at a worse time. At the front, the rate of Russian advance is increasing. The Russian army has completed the occupation of all settlements in Luhansk, has reached and trespassed the borders of Dnipropetrovsk oblast, has crossed the border in Sumy and Kharkov oblasts with the aim of establishing a buffer zone for the Russian oblasts of Kursk and Belgorod, is advancing on the strategic enclave of Kupiansk, and, in the last 48 hours, seems to have started the final battle for Pokrovsk, though the actual takeover might take weeks or even months.

On top of this, we have the massively increased barrage of drone and missile attacks, a field in which Russias growing industrial superiority is combined with declining Ukrainian and western stockpiles of air defence systems and missiles.

Endgame?

In the last few days, Trump has made a number of grandstanding statements against Putin and has promised to deliver more weapons to Ukraine. But the actual substance is very thin on the ground. The promised assistance could take months to materialise, and it is unlikely to have any serious impact on the course of the war. His threat of sanctions comes with a 50 day deadline (which we have now been told is not a hard deadline), which coincides quite closely with the period within which Putin told Trump he was going to carry out a major offensive (60 days).

Zelensky is not only facing internal enemies, but is also playing a dangerous game of trying to balance off the European imperialists against US imperialism. Trump does not like Zelensky. He considers him to be a slippery customer who has not bowed down to his authority and instructions. Will Trump use this situation to move against him? It is difficult to know. That will depend on how the crisis develops in the next few days, including the new round of talks with Russia.

One thing is clear. An ever-growing section of the western media, which up until now backed Zelensky fully and lied through their teeth about the real situation in Ukraine and at the front, has now joined a growing chorus of condemnation of the man in Kyiv.

Is this the beginning of the end of the Zelensky regime? Only time will tell.
Malis military-led government is seeking to rekindle ties with the United States, courting both investment and security assistance amid a broader realignment in West Africas political landscape.

During a high-level visit to Bamako on 21-22 July, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for West Africa, William Stevens, met with Malian Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop to discuss counterterrorism cooperation and economic opportunities. The talks follow a second recent meeting between U.S. and Malian officials, signaling renewed American engagement in a region where its security footprint has recently shrunk. We discussed the fight against armed terrorist groups supported by foreign state sponsors, Diop said, while also highlighting Malis improved business climate and interest in attracting U.S. private investment.

Mali is part of a corridor of military-led governments stretching from Guinea to Sudan, where former Western allies have increasingly pivoted toward Russia. Following the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Chad and the closure of drone bases in Niger, the region has seen growing influence from Russian mercenaries and capital, including a new Russian-funded gold refinery near Bamako. With Islamist militants expanding operations toward West Africas coast, U.S. military focus has shifted to countries like Ghana and Ivory Coast. Still, Washingtons outreach to Mali suggests a cautious effort to balance security concerns with diplomatic re-engagement in a volatile but strategically vital region.
Tunisian security forces and the National Guard in Ras Jebel, Bizerte governorate, have arrested 12 individuals from sub-Saharan Africa who were preparing to illegally cross the maritime border toward Italy. The arrests took place on July 23, in the Ain Ali forest, located between Raf Raf and Sounine, following intelligence reports, about the presence of foreign nationals planning a clandestine departure. According to a security source, the joint operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle human trafficking networks operating in the region.

The detainees, found in possession of passports and belongings wrapped in plastic, confessed to plans of crossing the Mediterranean. Investigations revealed they had been transported in pairs from the capital to a safe house in Sounine by a trafficker who promised them passage to Italy for varying sums of money. With authorisation from the public prosecutor, judicial police have initiated a formal inquiry into the suspected gang behind the operation, while efforts are underway to apprehend other individuals connected to the network and uncover the full extent of the trafficking scheme.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly has hailed the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant as a tangible reality fulfilling a national aspiration long held since the mid-20th century. During a visit to the site on Wednesday, July 23, Madbouly confirmed that all four reactorseach with a capacity of 1,200 megawattsare under construction, with the remaining three units scheduled for completion by 2029. Once fully operational, the plant will deliver a total output of 4,800 megawatts and is a cornerstone of Egypts goal to generate 42% of its electricity from renewable and clean energy sources by 2030.

Highlighting the projects local significance, Madbouly noted that over 80% of the workforce comprises Egyptian nationals, with tens of thousands employed on-site. He emphasised that the facility will be operated solely by qualified Egyptian personnel from day one. Initiated in 2015 through a partnership between Egypts Nuclear Power Plants Authority and Russias ROSATOM, the Dabaa facilitylocated in Matrouh Governoraterepresents Egypts first nuclear power plant. Amid increasing energy demands, with peak loads reaching a record 37,600 MW this year, the project underscores Egypts strategic pivot toward sustainable energy and energy security under President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisis leadership.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Computer scientists at the University of Rochester have developed an AI-powered, speech-based screening tool that can help people assess whether they are showing signs of Parkinson's disease, the fastest growing neurological disability in the world.

A study published in the journal npj Parkinson's Disease introduces a web-based screening test that asks users to recite two pangramsshort sentences using all 26 letters of the alphabet. Within seconds, the AI analyzes the voice recordings for subtle patterns linked to Parkinson's, with nearly 86% accuracy.

Parkinson's disease is typically diagnosed by movement disorder specialistsneurologists with specific training to evaluate complex motor symptomsusing a combination of family history, neurological examinations, and brain imaging.

While the study's authors emphasize that their AI-based tool is not a substitute for a clinical diagnosis, they see it as a fast, low-barrier, and accessible way to flag people, especially in remote areas, who might be living with the condition and encourage them to seek more thorough clinical evaluations.

"There are huge swaths of the US and across the globe where access to specialized neurological care is limited," says Ehsan Hoque, a professor in Rochester's Department of Computer Science and co-director of the Rochester Human-Computer Interaction Laboratory.

"With users' consent, widely used speech-based interfaces like Amazon Alexa or Google Home could potentially help people identify if they need to seek further care."

To train and validate the tool, the researchers collected data from more than 1,300 participantswith and without Parkinson'sacross diverse environments, including home settings, clinical visits at the University of Rochester Medical Center, and the InMotion Parkinson's disease care center in Ohio.

Using the computer's microphone, users simply read aloud two sentences: "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. The dog wakes up and follows the fox into the forest, but again the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."

By leveraging the power of advanced semi-supervised speech models trained on millions of digital audio recordings to understand the characteristics of speech, the tool can glean enough vocal cues from those two short sentences to flag warning signs.

"These large audio models are trained to understand how speech works; for example, the way someone with Parkinson's would utter sounds, pause, breathe, and inadvertently add features of unintelligibility is different in someone without Parkinson's," says Abdelrahman Abdelkader, a computer science master's degree student in Hoque's lab and one of the two lead authors of the study.

"If a person is saying the pangram that contains the full spectrum of the alphabetical variability and trails off at certain points, the model can tell if that's different from the typical representation and flag it."

The tool was 85.7% accurate when tested, providing a strong indication of whether someone may have Parkinson's. But it is a multifaceted disease, and while some people demonstrate symptoms through speech, they can also display signs through motor tasks or facial expressions. Over the last decade, Hoque's lab has pursued clever algorithms to combine multiple indicators and produced state-of-the-art results.

"Research shows that nearly 89% of people with Parkinson's have a deformity in their voice that can be indicative of the disease, making speech a strong starting point for digital screening," says Tariq Adnan, a computer science Ph.D. student affiliated with Hoque's lab and another lead author of the study.

"By combining this method with assessments of other symptoms, we aim to cover the majority of people through our accessible screening process."

An interactive demo of the lab's three screening tests, including the speech test outlined in the paper, is available online.

The other authors of the paper include Ph.D. students Md. Saiful Islam, who co-supervised the work with Hoque, Zipei Liu, Ekram Hossain, and Sooyong Park.

More information: Tariq Adnan et al, A novel fusion architecture for detecting Parkinson's Disease using semi-supervised speech embeddings, npj Parkinson's Disease (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41531-025-00956-7 Journal information: npj Parkinson's Disease
Hulk Hogans ex-wife Linda Hogan gushed about sharing good old days with the wrestling icon days before his death.

Hulk Hogans ex-wife Linda Hogan gushed about sharing good old days with the wrestling icon days before his death

Her post has come to light after Hulk passed away aged 71 on Thursday (24.07.25) morning following a cardiac arrest at his home in Clearwater, Florida.

Linda shared a nostalgic photo of her with Hulk on Instagram and captioned it: The good old days.

Her throwback snap, taken by a photography agency, showed her gazing at Hogan while dressed in a black costume at a 1996 convention.

Hulk, real name Terry Bollea, was pronounced dead at Morton Plant Hospital after emergency services were called at 9.51am and he was treated by fire crews.

Linda Hogan, 65, was married to the wrestling star for over two decades before the couple divorced in 2009.

The pair were familiar to fans through the VH1 reality show Hogan Knows Best, which aired from 2005 to 2007.

Linda and Hulk had two children together  Brooke and Nick  after marrying in 1983 at a ceremony attended by fellow wrestling figures Andre the Giant and Vince McMahon.

Despite having previously criticised Hogan in the media, calling him a complete liar and sex addict in a video posted in March, Linda later acknowledged Hulk had been a good father.

In recent years, Hulk had faced several health issues, including chronic back and neck pain.

Last month, he underwent a four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion, a major spinal surgery. His wife Sky Daily, 45, a yoga instructor whom he married in 2022, addressed false reports at the time Hulk was in a coma.

She said: His heart is strong, and there was never any lack of oxygen or brain damage. None of those rumors are true.

Writing on Instagram, Sky added: Hes been recovering from a major four-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and (Fusion), which is an intense surgery with a long and layered healing process. If you look it up, youll see what the last six weeks have involved not just for his spine, but also for his vocal cords, and the eating/breathing tubes that are clamped over during surgery.

Hes healing and were taking it one day at a time with love, strength, and patience.

Days before Hulks death, Jimmy Hart, the wrestlers former close friend and ex-manager, posted a health update on X, writing: Hulk is doing great, doing phenomenal!

According to police and hospital documents, Hulk had been in and out of medical care for some time prior to his death, which came after a prolonged period of health complications linked to his years of physical exertion in professional wrestling.
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Timeline of the in vivo transduction experiments. Credit: The Journal of Physiology (2025). DOI: 10.1113/JP288020

During a severe heart attack many heart muscle cells die and are replaced by scar tissue to stabilize the heart wall. Connective tissue cells, known as fibroblasts (FB), are the dominant cell type in scar tissue.

"Unfortunately, these cells are not contractile and also delay the conduction of electrical impulses in the lesioned area" says Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Roll, senior physician at the UKB Heart Center and member of the Transdisciplinary Research Area (TRA) Life & Health at the University of Bonn.

His co-corresponding author, Prof. Dr. Bernd K. Fleischmann, from the Institute of Physiology I at the UKB and also a member of the TRA Life & Health at the University of Bonn, adds, "Fibroblasts only express small amounts of the gap junction protein connexin 43, which is essential for the conduction of stimuli between heart muscle cells."

This is because they are directly electrically coupled to each other via the tunnel protein. The electrical signals can thus be transmitted extremely quickly from one heart muscle cell to the next. However, this is hardly the case between fibroblasts in the infarct scar, so that cardiac arrhythmias can occur, especially in the border zone to the vital myocardium.

To date there are hardly any vectors that enable the targeted treatment of cardiac scar tissue in the heart, which severely limits therapeutic options.

Better electrical connection between the cells of the scar tissue

The goal of the Bonn research team was to find an effective vector to overexpress connexin 43 within fibroblasts of the cardiac scar. Therefore, the das Moloney Murine Leukemia Virus (MMLV), complexed with magnetic nanoparticles (MNP), was used as a gene shuttle and introduced into cardiac fibroblasts under application of a magnetic field. These connective tissue cells were then able to produce connexin 43.

"The novelty of the approach was the use of the retrovirus MMLV, which introduces genetic information into fibroblasts in the heart in a relatively specific manner, but not into heart muscle cells, a process known as transduction," says co-first author Timo Mohr, a doctoral student of the University of Bonn at the UKB Heart Center. "In combination with magnetic nanoparticles, the gene ferry is concentrated in the target area of the magnetic field."

The Bonn research team also combined the MMLV constructs with the fluorescent life-reporter mCherry. "With this concept, we were able to achieve substantial transduction of myofibroblasts in a relatively short time," says co-first author Dr. Miriam Schiffer, postdoctoral researcher at the University of Bonn in the Institute of Physiology I at the UKB.

And this works not only outside an organism, but also in vivo in a mouse model: Three days after the initial myocardial infarction, the researchers injected the MMLV/MNP complexes directly into the lesion area of mice under application of a magnetic field. Two weeks later, they were able to demonstrate successful transduction of fibroblasts in the infarct scar by their mCherry expression.

Subsequent functional tests showed that mice with connexin 43 in the infarct area developed dangerous cardiac arrhythmias only about half as often as the control animals, which were unable to produce the tunnel protein there. These results were published in The Journal of Physiology.

"In principle, this therapy could be used in clinical applications at a later stage, possibly also for indications outside the cardiovascular system. However, suitable vectors to transduce human cardiac fibroblasts must first be identified and the clinical results confirmed in a large animal model," says Prof. Roll, who led the study together with Prof. Fleischmann.

More information: Timo Mohr et al, Efficient in vivo targeting of the myocardial scar using Moloney murine leukaemia virus complexed with nanoparticles, The Journal of Physiology (2025). DOI: 10.1113/JP288020 Journal information: Journal of Physiology
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Land use classifications and sampling weights for short-term measurement sites in Portland, OR. Credit: Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41370-025-00794-y

A groundbreaking study led by Oregon State University scientists shows that multiple Portland neighborhoods have levels of noise that are likely unhealthy.

The research, the first of its kind in the United States, provides a framework for studying noise pollution in other cities in the U.S., which lags behind European nations in examining the effects of noise on human health.

The project, directed by assistant professor Matthew Bozigar and graduate student Carson Mowrer of the OSU College of Health, indicates that the loudest parts of Portland are also the most socially vulnerable, with lower incomes and higher proportions of non-white residents.

Findings of the research, which involved sound pressure level monitoring at a mix of locations and a novel modeling technique based on machine learning, were published in the Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology.

"Many people in the United States still think of noise as just a nuisance, not a real health risk," said Bozigar, an environmental epidemiologist. "But in Europe, research shows that noise is the second biggest environmental threat to health after air pollutionlinked to more illness and early death than things like unsafe water, lead, chemicals or other pollutants."

European studies suggest that noise exposure is associated with sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment, mental health disorders, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, metabolic disorders, hearing impairment/loss and adverse pregnancy outcomes, he said.

In the U.S., however, far less is known about the health effects of noise because very little research has been done here, and since American cities, transportation systems and traffic patterns are significantly different from those in Europe, it's not fair to assume the same levels of risk apply.

"And most communities, including Portland, don't have a clear understanding of how noisy they really are," Bozigar said.

As a starting point for changing that, a collaboration that included OSU's Andrew Larkin and Perry Hystad partnered with the Multnomah County Health Department on one of the most comprehensive citywide noise assessments conducted in the U.S. Recording 24 hours a day with high-quality, low-cost digital monitors, the scientists captured critical patterns, especially at night when noise can disrupt sleep and have some of its largest health impacts.

The scientists found that most of the monitored locations in Portland, a 145-square-mile city with 635,000 residents and a metro area population of more than 2.1 million, exceeded noise guidelines set by both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization.

"The analysis helped us identify several distinct types of noise environments across the city, such as consistently quiet areas, areas with loud but irregular bursts of noise, and areas with steadily high noise levels," Mowrer said.

"These patterns didn't always align with traditional city zoning categories, like residential or commercial zones, and in some cases could differ even from one block to the next. The strongest factor influencing noise patterns seemed to be how close a location was to a high-traffic road."

The findings provide a much-improved understanding of noise exposure across diverse neighborhoods and land uses in a medium-large U.S. city, the researchers say, and the datasets serve as a foundation for both local decision-making and future health studies.

Further research on noise exposure and the ways people experience noise in cities could help planners and public health officials take more targeted and effective steps to reduce exposure, particularly in the places that need it most.

"Even as a native of the metro area, I saw many new parts of the city I hadn't seen before while setting up and taking down the sound level monitors," Mowrer said.

"I spoke with quite a few residents of the neighborhoods we visited who were curious and supportive of the project. Some of them shared their own experiences with noise and how it had affected their lives."

Field measurements began in August 2023 and ran through August 2024. Scientists from the Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University School of Public Health, Boston University and the Multnomah County Health Department also contributed to the research.

This study is part one of a two-part project; the second manuscript, not yet published, will provide a citywide noise picture of Portland at a resolution of 10 meters, and Multnomah County is preparing an interactive online map to share that information.

More information: Carson Mowrer et al, Systematic measurement and machine learning-based profile characterization of community noise in a medium-large city in the United States, Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41370-025-00794-y
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Epigenomic profiling of rotenone exposed rat motor cortex and SN reveals widespread changes in H3K27 acetylation. Credit: npj Parkinson's Disease (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41531-025-01049-1

Cells in key brain regions involved in Parkinson's retain a "memory" of pesticide exposure that disrupts gene expression, new research reveals.

The study, led jointly by researchers at the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at Imperial College London, King's College London and the University of Pittsburgh, found significant changes in the substantia nigra and motor cortextwo areas of the brain known to be affected in Parkinson'sof rats, following exposure to the pesticide rotenone.

Published in the journal npj Parkinson's Disease, the new study reveals the mechanisms underlying the role of pesticide exposure in Parkinson'sfor which there is well-documented epidemiological evidence.

In the study, rats were exposed daily to rotenone for a period of three weeks, and their brains were analyzed after the exposure period. These were compared to rats which had not been exposed to rotenone.

The researchers looked for changes in the epigenome of the rats. The epigenome is a collection of chemical markers that act like switches and levers on our DNA, dialing the output of genes up and down in response to our environment.

In the exposed animals, they found that the expression of genes associated with the innate immune system were strongly increased in the substantia nigra, the area of the brain typically associated with Parkinson's. Investigating further, the team were able to pinpoint that microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, were activated in the substantia nigra.

In the motor cortex, genes related to the function of synapsesthe connection points between brain cellswere markedly different in the rats which had been exposed to the pesticide. This supports a role for disrupted communication between cells driving Parkinson's following pesticide exposure.

Rotenone is a naturally occurring pesticide known to be toxic to invertebrates and mammals, and is banned in the UK and European Union. In the US and Canada, rotenone is banned for the most part, but is still used to control fish populations in lakes and reservoirs.

The pesticide is known to cause dysfunction in mitochondria, the cell's powerhouses, as well as oxidative stresswhen molecules are produced that damage the DNA in cellswhich the researchers observed across both the brain regions investigated in the study.

There is strong epidemiological evidence linking pesticides and Parkinson's, particularly in the case of farm workers exposed to agricultural pesticides over long periods of time.

Next, the team plan to study how different cells contribute to these responses and test further environmental toxicants to understand whether they cause similar changes.

Co-senior author Dr. Sarah Marzi, Group Leader at the UK Dementia Research Institute at King's College London, said, "We were interested in understanding how cells retain a memory of long-term, low-grade exposure to pesticides, and how that predisposes someone to developing Parkinson's.

"What we have found is that responses to this environmental pesticide exposure were strikingly different in the two different brain regions we looked at. Our study provides compelling evidence that rotenone causes changes in gene expression, related to the immune system in the substantia nigra, and synapse dysfunction in the motor cortex.

"Through this work we have advanced vital understanding of how pesticide exposure might lead someone to develop Parkinson's, and the mechanisms involved."

Co-senior author Dr. Emily Rocha, Assistant Professor of Neurology at the University of Pittsburgh, said, "We have known for some time that pesticide exposure increases risk of Parkinson's. Our new study digs deeper, revealing the region-specific genes changes following pesticide exposure. This study provides clues as to why dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra are vulnerable in Parkinson's disease.

"Understanding more about the underlying mechanisms through which pesticide exposure impacts disease development will help us to better understand Parkinson's overall. With deeper insight into the role of gene regulation in disease progression, we hope to be able to harness the therapeutic potential of some of these pathways."

More information: Maria Tsalenchuk et al, Unique nigral and cortical pathways implicated by epigenomic and transcriptional analyses in rotenone Parkinson's model, npj Parkinson's Disease (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41531-025-01049-1 Journal information: npj Parkinson's Disease
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has signed off on the first-ever cream specifically approved for treating chronic hand eczema (CHE).

CHE is common condition marked by redness, itching and cracking on the hands and wrists.

Anzupgo (delgocitinib cream) is approved for adults with moderate-to-severe CHE who can't use topical steroids or who don't respond well to them.

"The approval of Anzupgo reinforces our commitment to investing in difficult-to-treat skin conditions to deliver new treatments to patients where the need is greatest," Christophe Bourdon, CEO of LEO Pharma, maker of Anzupgo, said in a news release.

Unlike atopic dermatitis, which is the most common form of eczema, CHE is rare and debilitating. It affects about 10% of the U.S. population and lasts for more than three months or recurs at least twice a year, according to the National Eczema Association.

Anzupgo works by blocking the effects of JAK enzymes, which trigger the inflammation that can kickstart a hand eczema flare.

Genetics and exposure to irritants and allergens are contributing causes of this form of eczema. Folks who are most at risk work in industries such as cleaning, hairdressing and health care, where they are more likely to come into contact with and react to chemicals.

Studies show that the condition can take a dramatic toll on a person's quality of life and mental well-being.

A Detroit dermatologist welcomed the FDA's action.

"In my career as a dermatologist, I have witnessed firsthand the significant burden that the itch and pain of CHE places on patients, and the challenges they face living with it," Dr. Linda Stein Gold, director of clinical research at Henry Ford Health in Detroit, said in a LEO Pharma US news release. "I believe this new treatment option will be welcomed by dermatologists who are looking for effective and safe ways to address these symptoms."

Studies leading up to the FDA approval found that people with hand eczema who used the cream were more likely to improve than their counterparts treated with a placebo or dummy cream. The cream does not carry the same boxed warning that other topical and oral JAK inhibitors must.

"We're thrilled that the FDA recognizes the impact that moderate-to-severe chronic hand eczema has on patients," Kristin Belleson, CEO and president of the National Eczema Association, said in a news release.

"People living with a debilitating skin disease on their hands find it extremely difficult; it can impact their ability to work, touch, and connect with important people in their lives," she added. "The approval  provides hope and promise for the eczema community and those seeking lasting relief from disruptive symptoms."

The cream was already approved in the European Union, United Kingdom, Switzerland and United Arab Emirates.

More information: The National Eczema Association has more on chronic hand eczema.

Copyright  2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
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For military veterans, many of the deepest wounds of war are invisible: Traumatic brain injuries resulting from head trauma or blast explosions are a leading cause of post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression and suicide among veterans. Few treatments have been effective at diminishing the long-term effects of TBI, leaving many veterans feeling hopeless.

Now, Stanford Medicine researchers have discovered that the plant-based psychoactive drug ibogaine, when combined with magnesium to protect the heart, safely and effectively reduces PTSD, anxiety and depression and improves functioning in veterans with TBI.

In a study to be published July 24, 2025, in Nature Mental Health, Williams and his team analyzed electroencephalography and MRI scans collected from a cohort of 30 veterans to uncover the neural mechanisms underlying the cognitive improvements. They found, for example, that veterans who improved in executive function after ibogaine treatment tended to show an increase in a type of brain wave known as theta rhythms. They also found that veterans with lowered PTSD symptoms after treatment tended to show a reduction in the complexity of brain activity in the cortex.

The researchers speculate that stronger theta rhythms may encourage neuroplasticity and cognitive flexibility, while less complex cortical activity may lower the heightened stress response seen in PTSD. Brain activity patterns before treatment could also be used to identify patients who would benefit most from ibogaine therapy.

"No other drug has ever been able to alleviate the functional and neuropsychiatric symptoms of traumatic brain injury," said Nolan Williams, MD, an associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences. "The results are dramatic, and we intend to study this compound further."

The new study expands on a study published online Jan. 5, 2024, in Nature Medicine.

Alternatives

Traumatic brain injury is defined as a disruption in the normal functioning of the brain resulting from external forces  such as explosions, vehicle collisions or other bodily impacts. The trauma associated with TBI can lead to changes in the function and/or structure of the brain, which, in turn, contributes to neuropsychiatric symptoms.

Hundreds of thousands of troops serving in Afghanistan and Iraq have sustained TBIs in recent decades, and these injuries are suspected of playing a role in the high rates of depression and suicide seen among military veterans. With mainstream treatment options not fully effective for some veterans, researchers have sought therapeutic alternatives.

Ibogaine is a naturally occurring compound found in the roots of the African shrub iboga, and it has been used for centuries in spiritual and healing ceremonies. More recently, it has gained interest from the medical and scientific communities for its potential to treat opioid and cocaine addiction, and research has suggested that it increases signaling of several important molecules within the brain, some of which have been linked to drug addiction and depression. Since 1970, ibogaine has been designated as a Schedule I drug, preventing its use within the U.S., but clinics in both Canada and Mexico offer legal ibogaine treatments.

"There were a handful of veterans who had gone to this clinic in Mexico and were reporting anecdotally that they had great improvements in all kinds of areas of their lives after taking ibogaine," Williams said. "Our goal was to characterize those improvements with structured clinical and neurobiological assessments."

Capturing 'before and after'

For the study published in January of 2024, Williams and his colleagues at Stanford Medicine teamed up with VETS, Inc., a foundation that helps facilitate psychedelic-assisted therapies for veterans. With support from VETS, 30 special operations veterans with a history of TBI and repeated blast exposures, almost all of whom were experiencing clinically severe psychiatric symptoms and functional disabilities, had independently scheduled themselves for treatment with magnesium and ibogaine at a clinic in Mexico.

Before the treatment, the researchers gauged the participants' levels of PTSD, anxiety, depression and functioning based on a combination of self-reported questionnaires and clinician-administered assessments. Participants then traveled to a clinic in Mexico run by Ambio Life Sciences, where, under medical monitoring, they received oral ibogaine along with magnesium to help prevent heart complications that have been associated with ibogaine. The veterans then returned to Stanford Medicine for post-treatment assessments.

"These men were incredibly intelligent, high-performing individuals who experienced life-altering functional disability from TBI during their time in combat," Williams said. "They were all willing to try most anything that they thought might help them get their lives back."

At the beginning of the study, participants were experiencing clinically significant levels of disability as measured by the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale 2.0, which assesses disability in six functional domains, including cognition, mobility, self-care, getting along, life activities and community participation. In addition, 23 met the criteria for PTSD, 14 for an anxiety disorder and 15 for alcohol use disorder. In their lifetimes, 19 participants had been suicidal and seven had attempted suicide.

Life-changing results

On average, treatment with ibogaine immediately led to significant improvements in functioning, PTSD, depression and anxiety. Moreover, those effects persisted until at least one month after treatment  the endpoint of the study.

Before treatment, the veterans had an average disability rating of 30.2 on the disability assessment scale, equivalent to mild to moderate disability. One month after treatment, that rating improved to 5.1, indicating no disability. Similarly, one month after treatment, participants experienced average reductions of 88% in PTSD symptoms, 87% in depression symptoms and 81% in anxiety symptoms relative to how they were before ibogaine treatment. Formal cognitive testing also revealed improvements in participants' concentration, information processing, memory and impulsivity.

"I wasn't willing to admit I was dealing with any TBI challenges. I just thought I'd had my bell rung a few times  until the day I forgot my wife's name," said Craig, a 52-year-old study participant from Colorado who served 27 years in the U.S. Navy. "Since [ibogaine treatment], my cognitive function has been fully restored. This has resulted in advancement at work and vastly improved my ability to talk to my children and wife."

"Before the treatment, I was living life in a blizzard with zero visibility and a cold, hopeless, listless feeling," said Sean, a 51-year-old veteran from Arizona with six combat deployments who participated in the study and says ibogaine saved his life. "After ibogaine, the storm lifted."

Importantly, there were no serious side effects of ibogaine and no instances of the heart problems that have occasionally been linked to ibogaine. During treatment, veterans reported only typical symptoms such as headaches and nausea.

Lessons for PTSD, depression and anxiety

The researchers hope to launch future studies to further understand how the drug might be used to treat TBI. In fact, based in part on the promising results of the team's ibogaine studies, Texas recently approved a $50 million initiative to fund clinical trials of ibogaine. The initiative  one of the largest government investments in psychedelic therapy  will provide matching state funds to private investments in ibogaine trials that may lead to FDA approval.

Williams believes ibogaine's drastic effects on TBI suggest that it holds broader therapeutic potential for other neuropsychiatric conditions. "In addition to treating TBI, I think this may emerge as a broader neuro-rehab drug," Williams said. "I think it targets a unique set of brain mechanisms and can help us better understand how to treat other forms of PTSD, anxiety and depression that aren't necessarily linked to TBI."
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The Food and Drug Administration, making good on a Trump administration promise to examine the usage of antidepressants, on July 21 convened a panel largely of antidepressant skeptics to discuss the health impacts of taking such medicine while pregnant, though several panelists have no particular expertise on pregnancy research.

The panelists during the two-hour event essentially echoed the statements of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has cast doubt on the effectiveness of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and other medicines. They presented unproven theories about potential linkages between mothers taking antidepressants and babies developing autism and fetal alcohol syndrome, among other disorders.

Democrats in Congress have called out Kennedy for making claims without scientific research to back them, describing his anti-SSRI views as dangerous and detrimental to Americans receiving routine and necessary health care. They have called for evidence-backed decisions from the nation's health agencies.

What research has shown is that depression and anxiety are common in pregnancy, impacting between 10% and 22% of pregnant women. Roughly 6% of pregnant women will take an SSRI at some point during pregnancy. Children of mothers with depression are at high risk of developmental, social and emotional delays, which is why physicians screen pregnant and postpartum women for symptoms of depression at each appointment, health experts say.

FDA Director Marty Makary said Monday that while antidepressants are an effective tool to help people with mental health disorders, society needs to look at the root causes of depression. He said serotonin could play a crucial role in the development of a fetus, and medicines that interfere with it may cause birth defects in babies.

Makary and the panelists worried that doctors are overprescribing SSRIs to pregnant women.

"The more antidepressants we prescribe, the more depression there is. The more insulin we prescribe, the more diabetes there is," Makary said.

Panelists included Josef Witt-Doerring, a YouTuber with 139,000 subscribers who conducts "taper clinics" that cost upward of $60,000 to help people wean off SSRIs; Roger McFillin, who has appeared on right-wing podcasts saying antidepressants don't help treat depression; David Healy, a physician in North Wales who posited that SSRIs cause alcohol use disorder and fetal alcohol syndrome; and Joanna Moncrieff, a British psychiatrist who repeatedly said that antidepressants do not treat depression.

Panelist Adam Urato, the chief of maternal fetal medicine at MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham, Massachusetts, argued that when a woman takes an SSRI, it impacts the fetal brain and can cause autism or depression.

"That's what chemicals do. Chemicals have consequences," Urato said. He did not provide evidence for the claim.

Claims draw criticism

President Donald Trump in February signed an executive order establishing the Make America Healthy Again Commission, saying it would assess the "threat posed by the prescription of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, stimulants, and weight-loss drugs."

Kennedy has linked SSRIs to school shootings and said they are more addictive than heroin. Research doesn't support either claim.

Democrats on Capitol Hill have called Kennedy's anti-SSRI views dangerous and cautioned that propagating them could deter Americans from receiving routine and necessary health care.

During Kennedy's confirmation hearing in January, Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., asked Kennedy if he stood by his previous statements that antidepressants could cause school shootings. Smith said she struggled with depression as a young mother and antidepressants were very helpful for her.

"There's no science on that," Kennedy told Smith, adding that he knows people who have had more problems getting off of SSRIs than heroin.

"Your job as secretary is to expand access to care," Smith replied. "I'm very concerned this is another example of your record of sharing false information that hurts people."

Prominent medical organizations, such as the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, do not deter pregnant women from taking antidepressants during pregnancy and emphasize the importance of weighing risks and benefits.

Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore has warned that untreated mental illness poses risks to a developing fetus, and that a depressed mother is less likely to provide good prenatal care and more likely to engage in dangerous behaviors.

Studies have shown a slight association between use of the drug paroxetine in the first trimester and heart defects. Pregnant women are also to avoid using valproic acid and tranquilizers, like diazepam, in high doses during pregnancy. But other drugs like Zoloft and Lexapro are generally considered safe.

One FDA panelist, Kay Roussos-Ross, director of the perinatal mood disorder program at the University of Florida College of Medicine, countered the unproven theories and emphasized a shared decision-making model that takes both the mother's and fetus' needs into account.

"We definitely know the risks of untreated anxiety and depression in pregnancy," Roussos-Ross said. "Psychotherapy and SSRIs are tools we have to make a positive impact on the lives of mothers and infants."

"Treating mental illness in pregnancy is not a luxury, it's a necessity," she added.

2025 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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More women at higher risk of breast cancer should be offered a mastectomy, according to researchers at Queen Mary and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

A new analysis has found that the surgical technique was a cost-effective way of reducing the likelihood of developing breast cancer compared to breast screening and medication. Current guidelines on who is offered mastectomy may need to be revised to reflect these new findings.

The analysis has been published in JAMA Oncology.

Clinicians currently use personalized risk prediction models which combine genetic and other data to identify those women who are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer (BC). Subsequent treatment optionsincluding mammograms, MRI screening, surgery, and medicationare then offered dependent on each woman's level of risk.

Risk-reducing mastectomy (RRM) is recommended for women at high risk, but in practice this surgery is only clinically offered to those carrying faults (called pathogenic variants) in genes that are known to increase the likelihood they will develop the disease (BRCA1/ BRCA2/ PALB2 PV).

Professor Ranjit Manchanda from Queen Mary University of London, Dr. Rosa Legood from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, along with colleagues from Manchester University and Peking University, created a new economic evaluation model to accurately predict the level of risk that would make RRM a more cost-effective treatment.

For their model, researchers used guidelines from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to determine whether a treatment is considered cost-effective.

Their model showed that mastectomy was a cost-effective treatment for women aged 30 or above who have a lifetime breast cancer risk greater than or equal to 35%. Offering RRM to women in this cohort could potentially prevent 6,500 of the 58,500 cases of breast cancer that are diagnosed every year in the UK.

Professor Manchanda, Professor of Gynecological Oncology at Queen Mary and Consultant Gynecological Oncologist, said, "We for the first time, define the risk at which we should offer RRM.

"Our results could have significant clinical implications to expand access to mastectomy beyond those patients with known genetic susceptibility in high penetrance genesBRCA1/ BRCA2/ PALB2who are traditionally offered this. This could potentially prevent ~6,500 breast cancer cases annually in UK women. We recommend that more research is carried out to evaluate the acceptability, uptake, and long-term outcomes of RRM among this group."

Dr. Legood, Associate Professor of Health Economics at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, said, "Undergoing RRM is cost-effective for women 3055 years old with a lifetime breast cancer risk of 35% or more. These results can support additional management options for personalized breast cancer risk prediction, enabling more women at increased risk to access prevention."

Dr. Vineeth Rajkumar, Head of Research at Rosetrees, said, "Rosetrees is delighted to fund this truly groundbreaking research that could have a positive impact on women worldwide."

The researchers used data from women aged between 30 and 60 with varying lifetime breast cancer risks of between 17% and 50%, and who were either undergoing RRM or receiving screening with medical prevention, according to currently used predictive models.

NICE deems a treatment cost effective if it typically brings one additional year of health for no more than 20,00030,000 per patient (known as the "willingness to pay" threshold, or WTP). The researchers' model used a threshold of 30,000/Quality Adjusted Life Year.

More information: Defining lifetime risk thresholds for breast cancer surgical prevention: cost-effectiveness analysis, JAMA Oncology (2025). jamanetwork.com/journals/jamao  /jamaoncol.2025.2203 Journal information: JAMA Oncology
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Dr. Karen Bosma selecting a ventilation mode. Credit: LHSC

A seven-year international, multi-center clinical trial led by London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute (LHSCRI) and St. Michael's Hospital, a site of Unity Health Toronto, has found that a new ventilation mode called proportional assist ventilation (PAV+) could improve outcomes for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) who require help breathing. The study is published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

When patients need ventilation to support breathing, critical care physicians have the choice of using different modes on ventilator machines. This includes a standard mode called pressure support ventilation (PSV) that is available on most ventilators and provides the same level of breathing assistance at all times, as well as a newer mode called proportional assist ventilation (PAV+TM) that adjusts the level of breathing support based on the patient's needs.

"PAV+TM is a newer mode of ventilation that personalizes ventilation support for each patient," says Dr. Karen Bosma, Scientist at LHSCRI, Physician at London Health Science Centre (LHSC), and Associate Professor of Medicine at Western University. "The goal of this study was to compare PAV+TM to the more common mode, PSV, and determine if PAV+TM leads to a decrease in the length of time a patient requires ventilation."

While the study did not find a significant difference in the length of time patients remained on ventilation between the two modes, it did reveal meaningful benefits associated with PAV+. Patients in the PAV+ group came off sedation at a faster rate while on mechanical ventilation, and had fewer days of delirium during the trial. This is an important finding, as patients who experience prolonged sedation and delirium while in the ICU are at greater risk of experiencing psychological and cognitive problems long-term.

The study enrolled 722 patients, including patients from LHSC and St. Michael's Hospital. Of those, 573 were randomly assigned to either PAV+TM or PSV mode of ventilation and were included in the analysis. The median time spent on mechanical ventilation was 7.3 days in the PAV+TM group and 6.8 days in the PSV group.

In addition, patients were checked daily for signs of delirium. In the group using PAV+TM, delirium was seen on about 23% of the days patients were assessed, compared to 26% in the PSV group. The study also found that over the course of the patient's treatment on the ventilator, the use of sedative drugs was reduced at a faster rate in patients in the PAV+ group.

"Even small advances that improve patient well-being during and after an ICU stay are highly valuable," says Dr. Laurent Brochard, clinician-scientist at St. Michael's Hospital. "This is what we found here and we want to continue exploring this approach, which only requires adjusting ventilator settings."

Looking ahead, the researchers note they plan to use the data from this trial to conduct additional studies.

"This is one of the largest ventilation studies to date examining these two modes of ventilation, and over the last seven years we have gathered a lot of crucial data on critically ill patients on a ventilator," says Dr. Bosma. "Future research will use artificial intelligence to analyze this data, helping us better understand PAV+TM and how it may minimize specific health consequences associated with prolonged ventilation."

More information: Karen J. Bosma et al, Proportional-Assist Ventilation for Minimizing the Duration of Mechanical Ventilation, New England Journal of Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2505708 Journal information: New England Journal of Medicine
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A study led by the University of Sydney suggests that walking 7,000 steps a day offers similar health benefits to walking 10,000, across several outcomes.

Led by Professor Melody Ding from the School of Public Health, the study appears in The Lancet Public Health and analyzed data from 57 studies from 2014 to 2025 that were conducted in more than ten countries, including Australia, the U.S., the UK and Japan.

In this largest and most comprehensive review to date, the researchers examined the impact that different daily step counts have on the chance of dying from cardiovascular disease and cancer, and developing diseases such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, dementia and depression. Professor Melody Ding says the findings offer a more achievable benchmark for people who struggle to meet traditional exercise guidelines.

"Aiming for 7,000 steps is a realistic goal based on our findings, which assessed health outcomes in a range of areas that hadn't been looked at before," said Professor Ding. "However, for those who cannot yet achieve 7,000 steps a day, even small increases in step counts, such as increasing from 2000 to 4000 steps a day, are associated with significant health gain.

"We know daily step count is linked to living longer, but we now also have evidence that walking at least 7,000 steps a day can significantly improve eight major health outcomesincluding reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia and depressive symptoms."

Health benefits at different step counts

The researchers looked at studies in which participants wore step-counting devices, such as pedometers, accelerometers and fitness trackers, to track their daily step counts. Starting at 2,000 steps, experts compared the health outcomes of people walking more steps a day at 1,000-step increments to see whether there was any difference in the risk of early death or other major diseases.

When compared with 2,000 steps a day, researchers found that:

Walking 7,000 steps a day reduced the risk of death by 47%, which was almost identical to the benefit seen at walking 10,000 steps per day.

Dementia risk dropped by 38% from walking 7,000 steps a day, with only a 7% extra reduction at 10,000 steps.

The risk of type 2 diabetes fell by 22% from walking 10,000 steps a day and reduced to 27% at 12,000 steps.

Significant health improvements were seen when people increased their average daily steps from 2,000 to between 5,000 and 7,000 steps.

"For people who are already active, 10,000 steps a day is great," said Dr. Katherine Owen, co-author and chief analyst of the study from the School of Public Health. "But beyond 7000 steps, the extra benefits for most of the health outcomes we looked at were modest."

The researchers are working with the Australian government to use the evidence from this study to inform future updates to physical activity guidelines.

"Our research helps to shift the focus from perfection to progress. Even small increases in daily movement can lead to meaningful health improvements," said Professor Ding.

More information: Daily steps and health outcomes in adults: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis, The Lancet Public Health (2025). DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(25)00164-1 Journal information: The Lancet Public Health
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An analysis of studies incorporating data from almost 30 million people has highlighted the role that air pollutionincluding that coming from car exhaust emissionsplays in increased risk of dementia.

Dementias such as Alzheimer's disease are estimated to affect more than 57.4 million people worldwide, a number that is expected to almost triple to 152.8 million cases by 2050. The impacts on individuals, families and caregivers, and society at large are immense.

While there are some indications that the prevalence of dementia is decreasing in Europe and North America, suggesting that it may be possible to reduce the risk of the disease at a population level, elsewhere the picture is less promising.

Air pollution has recently been identified as a risk factor for dementia, with several studies pointing the finger at a number of pollutants. However, the strength of evidence and ability to determine a causal effect has varied.

In a paper published in The Lancet Planetary Health, a team led by researchers at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis of existing scientific literature to examine this link further. This approach allowed them to bring together studies that on their own may not provide sufficient evidence, and which sometimes disagree with each other, to provide more robust overarching conclusions.

In total, the researchers included 51 studies, including data from more than 29 million participants, mostly from high-income countries. Of these, 34 papers were included in the meta-analysis: 15 originated in North America, 10 in Europe, seven in Asia, and two in Australia.

The researchers found a positive and statistically-significant association between three types of air pollutant and dementia. These were:

Particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 microns or less (PM 2.5 ), a pollutant made up of tiny particles small enough that they can be inhaled deep into the lungs. These particles come from several sources, including vehicle emissions, power plants, industrial processes, wood-burning stoves and fireplaces, and construction dust. They also form in the atmosphere because of complex chemical reactions involving other pollutants such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides. The particles can stay in the air for a long time and travel a long way from where they were produced.

Nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ), one of the key pollutants that arise from burning fossil fuels. It is found in vehicle exhaust, especially diesel exhaust, and industrial emissions, as well as those from gas stoves and heaters. Exposure to high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide can irritate the respiratory system, worsening and inducing conditions like asthma and reducing lung function.

), one of the key pollutants that arise from burning fossil fuels. It is found in vehicle exhaust, especially diesel exhaust, and industrial emissions, as well as those from gas stoves and heaters. Exposure to high concentrations of nitrogen dioxide can irritate the respiratory system, worsening and inducing conditions like asthma and reducing lung function. Soot, from sources such as vehicle exhaust emissions and burning wood. It can trap heat and affect the climate. When inhaled, it can penetrate deep into the lungs, aggravating respiratory diseases and increasing the risk of heart problems.

According to the researchers, for every 10 micrograms per cubic meter (g/m) of PM 2.5 , an individual's relative risk of dementia would increase by 17%. The average roadside measurement for PM 2.5 in Central London in 2023 was 10 g/m.

For every 10 g/m3 of NO 2 , the relative risk increased by 3%. The average roadside measurement for NO 2 in Central London in 2023 was 33 g/m.

For each 1 g/m of soot as found in PM 2.5 , the relative risk increased by 13%. Across the UK, annual mean soot concentrations measured at select roadside locations in 2023 were 0.93 g/m in London, 1.51 g/m in Birmingham and 0.65 g/m in Glasgow.

Senior author Dr. Haneen Khreis from the MRC Epidemiology Unit said, "Epidemiological evidence plays a crucial role in allowing us to determine whether or not air pollution increases the risk of dementia and by how much. Our work provides further evidence to support the observation that long-term exposure to outdoor air pollution is a risk factor for the onset of dementia in previously healthy adults.

"Tackling air pollution can deliver long-term health, social, climate, and economic benefits. It can reduce the immense burden on patients, families, and caregivers, while easing pressure on overstretched health care systems."

Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain how air pollution may cause dementia, primarily involving inflammation in the brain and oxidative stress (a chemical process in the body that can cause damage to cells, proteins, and DNA). Both oxidative stress and inflammation play a well-established role in the onset and progression of dementia. Air pollution is thought to trigger these processes through direct entry to the brain or via the same mechanisms underlying lung and cardiovascular diseases. Air pollution can also enter circulation from the lungs and travel to solid organs, initiating local and widespread inflammation.

The researchers point out that the majority of people included in the published studies were white and living in high-income countries, even though marginalized groups tend to have a higher exposure to air pollution. Given that studies have suggested that reducing air pollution exposure appears to be more beneficial in reducing the risk of early death for marginalized groups, they call for future work to urgently ensure better and more adequate representation across ethnicities and low- and middle-income countries and communities.

Joint first author Clare Rogowski, also from the MRC Epidemiology Unit, said, "Efforts to reduce exposure to these key pollutants are likely to help reduce the burden of dementia on society. Stricter limits on several pollutants are likely to be necessary, targeting major contributors such as the transport and industry sectors. Given the extent of air pollution, there is an urgent need for regional, national, and international policy interventions to combat air pollution equitably."

Further analysis revealed that while exposure to these pollutants increased the risk of Alzheimer's disease, the effect seemed stronger for vascular dementia, a type of dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. Around 180,000 people in the UK are thought to be affected by this type of dementia. However, as there were only a small number of studies that examined this difference, the researchers did not class it as statistically significant.

Joint first author Dr. Christiaan Bredell from the University of Cambridge and North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust said, "These findings underscore the need for an interdisciplinary approach to dementia prevention. Preventing dementia is not just the responsibility of health care: this study strengthens the case that urban planning, transport policy, and environmental regulation all have a significant role to play."

More information: Long-term Air Pollution Exposure and Incident Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, The Lancet Planetary Health (2025). DOI: 10.1016/S2542-5196(25)00118-4 Journal information: The Lancet Planetary Health
Regina King says Malcolm-Jamal Warner left a "lasting imprint" on her life.

Regina King has paid tribute to Malcolm-Jamal Warner

The 54-year-old actress previously dated the late Cosby Show star - who died over the weekend aged 54 after getting caught by a rip current - from 2011 until 2013, and she has paid a heartfelt tribute to her former flame.

Alongside a photo of her ex on a motorcycle, she wrote on her Instagram Story: "Some people leave a lasting imprint, not just for who they were but for the energy they carried.

"Im sending prayers filled with love and understanding to your family and loved ones.

Rest easy Malcolm-Jamal Warner.

Warner died in a drowning incident near Cocles, a beach in Limon, Costa Rica over the weekend.

He was in the water with his daughter - whose name has not been made public - when the incident occurred.

Police have told ABC News that surfers attempted to save Malcolm and his daughter after the pair were spotted struggling against the current.

A surfer was able to save the Suits star's daughter by returning her to safety on his surfboard whilst Malcolm was pulled back to a shore by a volunteer lifeguard and another surfer.

The actor - who was best known for his role as Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show - was given 45 minutes of CPR but was pronounced dead at the scene.

Malcolm's official cause of death has been declared as "asphyxation by submersion".

The Caribbean Guard had revealed that there was no lifeguard on duty at the time when the tragic accident took place as they had "allocated resources" elsewhere due to "recent water incidents" at two beaches nearby.

Tributes to Malcolm have poured in from across the showbiz world, including his 9-1-1 co-star Jennifer Love Hewitt.

She wrote on social media: "This hurts my heart. A gentleman, an incredible talent and we were so lucky to have him in the 9-1-1 family. Heartbroken and sending love to his family."

Comedian Sherri Shepherd said: "To know Malcolm was to know a renaissance man that possessed humour, grace, humility and deep cultural appreciation. He was just a good guy!

"His passing is a true loss to the Hollywood community. He was a proud girl dad and loved his daughter so much. To his family, friends and all who loved him - my heart is with you."
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Recuperation of the signal during temporary clipping. Credit: Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-04338-0

Thanks to a new technique, neurosurgeons at UMC Utrecht have been able to watch the blood flow in brain tissue live during surgery for the first time. Together with researchers from Eindhoven University of Technology, they have developed a method that allows them to detect the risk of a stroke during surgery soonerand potentially prevent it. The technique could also be useful for other types of operations, such as kidney transplants.

During surgeries on brain vessels, for example, when treating an aneurysm or creating a bypass, there is a risk that the blood flow in brain tissue will temporarily stop. This can lead to a stroke. The risk of a stroke happening during aneurysm surgeries starts at around 8% and can rise to nearly 50% in complex cases. For brain tumors such as gliomas, the risk lies between 12.5% and 44%.

Pilot with 10 patients

Until now, surgeons did not have a tool to directly observe a stroke during surgery. Thanks to a special type of ultrasoundUltrafast Power Doppler Imaging (UPDI)this has now changed. The technique visualizes the capillaries, measures the amount of blood in the brain tissue, and shows what happens during the procedure in real-time.

This allows surgeons to immediately see whether the brain tissue receives enough blood during the temporary closure of a blood vessel. The technique is fast, safe, and easy to use during surgery.

Researchers at UMC Utrecht tested the new technique on 10 patients who underwent brain vessel surgery. During the procedure, they continuously measured blood flow changes in the brain tissue using the new ultrasound setup. In some cases, they could clearly see that the tissue received less blood, or temporarily more, just after removing a vascular clamp. The study is published in Scientific Reports.

"We saw effects that would otherwise only be visible afterward, when it is unfortunately too late, for example on an MRI scan. Now, we can already measure these effects during the surgery," says neurosurgeon Dara Niknejad, who led the research.

The technique could also potentially be used in very different operations, says Niknejad. "It is useful for all surgeries where continuous blood flow to the tissue is critical. We haven't tried it yet, but think about a kidney transplant, for example: the surgeon can immediately see whether the organ is fully perfused after transplantation. And even before the transplant, the organ can be assessed better with UPDI."

Adapting the imaging technique

Massimo Mischi, chair of the Signal Processing Systems Group at Eindhoven University of Technology, adds, "The technology and expertise for using UPDI in this setting have been developed in our Biomedical Diagnostics lab."

"Yizhou Huang managed to use high-frequency, ultrafast ultrasound signals from multiple angles and process them to achieve high-resolution images of cerebral perfusion for the surgeons."

"Our accurate and high-resolution measurement of blood flow in the brain allows for early detection of reduced perfusion by quantitative analysis of UPDI, such that surgeons can take timely precautions during the operation and prevent severe complications, such as cerebral infarction," says Mischi.

Fewer complications, more control

Every year, thousands of patients in the Netherlands undergo brain surgery for complications such as an aneurysm, a brain tumor, or a vascular malformation. Such surgeries may require a temporary closure of a brain blood vessel. This increases the risk of a stroke. With this new technique, researchers hope to better control that risk.

"Our goal is to minimize complications. By looking at blood flow in real-time, we can intervene faster if something goes wrong," says Niknejad.

The pilot is a first step. In follow-up research, the team aims to measure how well the technique can predict whether a patient will actually have a stroke. They also want to explore how to further integrate the technique into the operating room. Niknejad says, "Our ultimate goal is to make brain surgery safer, with fewer complications and better outcomes for patients."

More information: Hamid Reza Niknejad et al, Intraoperative cerebral perfusion monitoring with ultrafast power doppler imaging, Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-04338-0 Journal information: Scientific Reports
Zoe Saldana has joined Cartier as a brand ambassador.

Zoe Saldana is a new brand ambassador for Cartier

The 47-year-old actress has been collaborating with the French jewellery for years now, and the company has described the development as an "exciting new chapter".

Cartier's chief marketing officer Arnaud Carrez told WWD: "[Her appointment] celebrates a relationship that has grown over many years and marks an exciting new chapter  one defined by shared creativity and bold expression.

Her talent, grace and effortless elegance have long resonated with the maison.

The brand added that this culmination of their past collaborations represents "a shared bold creativity".

Meanwhile, Zoe is "honoured" to be taking on a greater role with the company.

She said: I am honored to become an ambassador for Cartier, following many years of warm collaboration.

I have long been an admirer of the maisons boundary-breaking savoir faire that creates incredible pieces of wearable art, and I look forward to continuing this special relationship.

When it comes to her beauty approach, Zoe recently admitted she's a "sucker" for lip plumpers, and she usually keeps at least "four or five" lip glosses in her hand bag at all times.

When asked to list the contents of her purse, she told The Hollywood Reporter: "[There's] at least four or five lip glosses. In the early 2000s and I was introduced to lip plumpers. I am a sucker for them.

"I love anything that makes my lips feel tingly! And moisturizer. California can be a really dry place. We love the sun, but theres the perils of sunny California means that your lips are sometimes on the dry side. I like to have a variation of a moisturizer."

Zoe previously revealed one of her favourite lip products is the Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask.

In a video filmed for Vogue India, she explained: "My lips are always chapped so right now I'm using a really good lip balm."
17 former Area Sales Managers (ASMs) have won a protracted five-year fight with Safaricom after a Nairobi judge ruled that the telco fired them unfairly and must now pay more than Ksh 55 million, plus interest, for the mistake.

Justice Mathews Nduma Nderi of the Employment and Labour Relations Court delivered the decision on July 17, noting that Safaricoms termination process subjected the workers to impossible standards and ran afoul of both the Employment Act and basic rules of natural justice.

There is insufficient evidence to prove that the respondent deliberately violated the constitutional rights of the claimants, he said, before adding that the manner of dismissal was nevertheless unlawful.

The dispute traces back to 2016, when Safaricom rolled out a Huawei Y311 device meant to digitise SIM-card registration across the country. The gadgets, nearly 90,000 in total, were handed to M-Pesa agents through the ASMs, who were expected to track usage, recover idle units, and ensure regulatory compliance.

From the start, the managers flagged gaps: devices were not network-locked, could browse social media, and lacked any central management dashboard. They repeatedly warned that rogue agents could repurpose the phones for personal use or even switch to rival networks.

Despite those red flags, Safaricom pressed ahead with a national rollout. By January 2018 the Risk Division was demanding audited reports on every handset. Two months later, the same division summoned the ASMs to headquarters, allegedly dictated witness statements, and gave them just 48 hours to recover gadgets scattered across vast sales territories.

Many agents had relocated, quit, or  even worse  lost the devices.

On June 28 2018, 39 ASMs received summary-dismissal letters. Only five were reinstated after internal appeals; the 17 who sued argued they were scapegoats for a project executed without proper controls.

What the court decided

Justice Nderi agreed that Safaricoms internal weaknesses, not employee negligence, accounted for most of the device losses.

He ruled the firms disciplinary hearings were rushed, employees never received clear show-cause letters, and critical audit documents were withheld.

Safaricoms argument that the fiasco cost it Ksh 544.5 million did not justify the sackings because the company failed to acknowledge system-wide flaws that the claimants had highlighted from the outset.

Each manager will now receive the equivalent of ten months gross salary plus one months pay in lieu of notice. Awards range from Ksh 935,000 to a little over Ksh 4.2 million per person, depending on their individual pay grade.

Metric Figure Claimants 17 Lowest award Ksh 0.935 M Highest award Ksh 4.20 M Total compensation (principal) > Ksh 55 M Interest Court rate, back-dated to 17 July 2025 Safaricoms claimed project loss Ksh 544.5 M

The court also ordered the telco to shoulder all legal costs and pay interest on the awards until the final shilling is settled, adding to a bill that could balloon past the headline figure if Safaricom drags its feet.

The ruling also adds to a growing line of cases in which Safaricoms HR decisions have been scrutinised. Earlier this year the same court ordered the firm to pay Ksh 1.1 million to a former call-centre worker after ruling that his termination was similarly flawed.

For the 17 managers, many of whom have since taken lower-paying roles in smaller firms, the decision is both vindication and relief.

Safaricom has 30 days to lodge a notice of appeal.
Patients in Kiambu County may wake up to locked wards and empty corridors on Thursday morning. Kenyas doctors union has ordered every medic in the county to down their tools, march through the streets, and demand answers after nearly two months of stalled talks.

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU) says the health system is cracking. Staffing is thin, drug stocks are low, and morale has evaporated. Their prescription: halt services, rally at Kiambu Level V Hospital at 10 a.m., then head to the County Assembly and the Governors office.

The situation is dire: Hospitals without doctors. Patients without drugs. Caregivers under threat. Leaders without a plan, said KMPDU Secretary-General Dr. Davji Atellah.

For 59 straight days, county medics have pressed for better pay, safer workplaces, and reliable supplies. Instead of dialogue, the union claims officials have scapegoated staff and weaponized public suffering.

No healthcare worker should be forced to choose between their oath and their safety. No patient should die waiting in abandoned wards, Dr. Atellah warned, vowing to escalate into a national strike if Kiambu remains unmoved.

Last week, KMPDU demanded that all newly posted medical officer interns be pulled out of the county, arguing that senior doctors, crucial for supervision, are absent. Deploying interns in an environment where such support is absent puts both the interns and patients at risk, the union said.

To the people of Kiambu: we are with you. To the government: we are watching, Dr. Atellah declared. Come Thursday, residents will see whether the county blinks or whether hospitals truly go dark.
Chief Justice Martha Koome has publicly rejected the prosecutions claim that her own remarks justify slapping anti-government protesters with terrorism counts.

In a Wednesday statement, Koome said she was referring only to the arson attack on Kikuyu Law Courts when she called it an act of terrorism. She stressed the comment cant be stretched to cover every street protest that turned ugly.

I stated that the destruction was not carried out by local residents or peaceful protestors. Instead, the attackers were individuals brought in from outside Kikuyu, she recalled, insisting those words were specific to that incident and not meant to apply to any other protests.

How the row began

June 25: Kikuyu Law Courts burned during the first wave of Gen Z-led June protests.

Kikuyu Law Courts burned during the first wave of Gen Z-led June protests. June 26: Koome toured the ruins, condemned the attack, and warned of organised violence.

Koome toured the ruins, condemned the attack, and warned of organised violence. July 21: The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) cited her Kikuyu remarks while defending its decision to charge multiple suspects under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

A surge in terror counts

Date Location Suspects charged under POTA Source 25 June Kikuyu, Kiambu 37 ODPP statement 7 July (Saba Saba) Nairobi / Ngong 31 Rights-groups tally 20 July Nairobi 1 (Boniface Mwangi) Court filings

*Mwangi was ultimately charged with possessing tear-gas canisters, not terrorism.

Civil-society coalition PRWG warns the state has now opened more than 100 terror-related protest cases, calling the trend a weaponisation of anti-terror law.

The CJ reminded Kenyans that prosecutions rest with independent investigators and the DPP, not with public commentary from judges. Everyone brought before the courts, regardless of the charge, will be given a full and fair hearing as required by the Constitution, she pledged.

Meanwhile, the ODPP is standing firm. These were calculated acts of violence not spontaneous demonstrations, its Monday release said, arguing the charges meet the legal threshold for terrorism.

Legal scholars say the dispute could set a precedent for how Kenya treats future demonstrations. If courts decide the terrorism label is overreach, dozens of cases may collapse. If they uphold it, police will gain a powerful tool to curb street protests.

Read the full statement:
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has trained his sights on ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, warning him to respect the hierarchy after a week of unusually public infighting within Kenyas largest opposition party.

Speaking to Ramogi TV, Mbadi reminded Sifuna  and the partys restless grassroots  that Raila Odinga, as Party Leader, remains the ultimate decision-maker. Between the Party Leader and the Secretary General, whose decision is final? he asked pointedly.

Mbadi further revealed that ODM politicians who accepted cabinet posts in President William Rutos government did so with Odingas blessing after lengthy consultations at State House. Im glad he clarified those are his personal opinions, he added, brushing off Sifunas recent criticism of the cross-bench collaboration.

Hours earlier on Citizen TVs The Explainer, Sifuna admitted ODM no longer speaks with one voice. Right now, there is a lot of confusion You could wake me up at night and I would answer any question because we never compromised on values, the Nairobi Senator confessed, apologising to supporters for the mixed signals.

He singled out ODM leaders now serving as Cabinet Secretaries as a major source of disillusionment. You see a member of ODM who used to hold a premier position, now serving as Cabinet Secretary, and it leaves our supporters very confused, Sifuna said, lamenting that he can no longer articulate the partys stance on core issues such as devolution and civil liberties.

The Nairobi Senator took a swipe at President Ruto, going as far as agreeing to support former CS Matiangi if it means removing Ruto from office. The president has recently challenged the opposition to declare their agenda other than removing him from office, but Sifuna was quick to declare that removing President Ruto was the number one agenda and everything else secondary.

Edwin Sifuna: I want William Ruto to know that his removal from office is a national priority agenda. This is the worst possible government we would have envisaged. His government is totally opposed to what the Constitution stands for #CitizenExplainer @YvonneOkwara pic.twitter.com/HJfjfRHGtZ  Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) July 22, 2025

Meanwhile, CS Mbadi insists the working arrangement with Kenya Kwanza will run until 2027, after which Odinga will chart ODMs next course. Yet the tug-of-war between the partys traditional opposition role and its current power-sharing experiment has left rank-and-file members unsure whose orders to follow.
Kenyas miraa farmers have landed a new buyer. Djibouti has formally opened its borders to the stimulant crop, giving growers in Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Embu a long-sought alternative to the volatile Somali market.

Kenyan and Djiboutian officials struck the agreement after back-to-back trade missions late last year. The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) broke the news on July 23, calling it a major milestone in diversifying Kenyas miraa export markets.

AFA Director-General Dr. Bruno Linyiru credited months of negotiations. *Djibouti has opened its market for Kenyan miraa, subject to regulatory compliance,* he said, urging exporters to obtain permits and meet quality standards before the first consignments leave Nairobis Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.

Somalia still swallows most Kenyan miraa, buying an estimated 3550 tonnes daily. But freight hiccups, sudden tax hikes, and the 2020 import ban showed just how fragile that reliance can be. Djiboutis entry offers growers a second outlet, and leverage the next time Mogadishu tweaks its rules.

Economist Dr. Wanjiku Kinoti says the Red Sea nation could absorb at least three tonnes a day in the near term. That may sound small, but even an extra 10 percent lift stabilises farm-gate prices, she notes.

The State set new farm-gate prices in February, doubling rates for top grades.

Traders hope Djiboutis demand will keep those prices from slipping when Somali orders dip.

What Exporters Must Do

* Secure import permits from Djiboutis Ministry of Trade.

* Meet Kenyas crop-handling rules under the Crops (Miraa) Regulations, 2023.

* Maintain cold-chain logistics  Djiboutis humid heat can wilt leaves within hours.

Failure to comply, AFA warns, could see shipments impounded and future licences revoked.

The European Union banned khat in 2014, citing health concerns, while the UK classified it as a Class C drug. Since then, Kenyan officials have scoured the Middle East and Horn of Africa for friendly jurisdictions.

Israel, Mozambique, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have shown interest but have yet to finalise protocols. Djibouti, perched at the mouth of the Red Sea shipping lane, now becomes Kenyas first completely new miraa market in a decade.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna is refusing to bow out as Secretary General of the Orange Democratic Movement, even as senior figures fault his public criticism of the partys recent direction.

In a Tuesday night interview, Sifuna said he still believes ODM can regain its moral compass. The reason I will not resign yet is because I have not given up yet, I have not given up on members of the ODM, he told Citizen TV. On the day that I give up, I will tell you, I will say it publicly that I have lost the battle to rescue this party and to bring it back to where it was.

The senator conceded the movement has lost its once-sharp voice on issues such as devolution and civil liberties. There is a lot of confusion, he admitted, apologising to supporters for mixed signals on key policy questions.

That mea culpa came hours after Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, himself a former ODM chair, openly reprimanded Sifuna. Speaking to Ramogi TV, Mbadi reminded the senator that final word rests with party leader Raila Odinga. Between the Party Leader and the Secretary General, whose decision is final? he posed, urging Sifuna to respect the chain of command.

Mbadi also defended ODM stalwarts now serving in President William Rutos cabinet, claiming their appointments were cleared by Odinga after extensive consultations. The CS argued cooperation with government will continue until 2027, insisting internal critics should fall in line.

Sifuna pushed back, saying the sight of ODM big-wigs in government jobs has left grassroots supporters bewildered. You see a member of ODM who used to hold a premier position, now serving as Cabinet Secretary, and it leaves our supporters very confused, he noted.

Calls for his resignation are not new. In April, Mumias East MP Peter Salasya used X to tell Sifuna *you cant oppose a government your party sleeps with, warning the senator would be doomed if he stayed put. Sifuna brushed off the jab, but it highlighted widening rifts between ODMs parliamentary wing and party headquarters.

Analysts say the clash reflects a broader ideological vacuum. Since last years rapprochement with State House, derided by Gen Z protesters as an elite handshake, ODM leaders have vacillated between fiery opposition rhetoric and pragmatic deal-making.

That hedging has cost the party momentum at a time when anti-tax protests have thrust new, younger voices onto the national stage.

Whether the senator can revive ODMs reformist brand or ends up sidelined may hinge on a planned grassroots caucus later this year. Loyalists hope the meeting will settle questions around 2027 succession politics, especially if Odinga, now 79 , signals retirement. For now, Sifuna insists he is staying put.
Jason Momoa insists his actor son isnt a nepo baby.

Jason Momoa insists his actor son isnt a nepo baby

The Aquaman stars 16-year-old son Nakoa-Wolf Momoa has landed a key role in Dune: Part Three, but his famous father says the teenager got the part without any help from him.

Jason told Extra: Hes into the workforce for the first time. Its going to be good.

He did it on his own. I dont want to help him, and hes done it all on his own, and good for him.

Nakoa-Wolf, the son of Jason Momoa and 56-year-old actor Lisa Bonet, has been cast in Denis Villeneuves third Dune instalment alongside Silo star Ida Brooke, 17.

The two young actors will portray the twin children of Paul Atreides (played by 29-year-old Timothee Chalamet) and Chani (27-year-old Zendaya.)

The film, which follows the events of Frank Herberts second novel, Dune Messiah, continues the story of Paul Atreides as he becomes emperor.

Jason, 45, originally played Duncan Idaho in Villeneuves 2021 Dune film but did not appear in Dune: Part Two, which was released in 2024.

He is confirmed to return in the third instalment, though details about his characters reappearance remain unclear.

In the original book series, Duncan is resurrected as a clone  known as a ghola  following his death.

Jason added to Extra about Nakoa-Wolfs achievement: You want your children to be better than you, and I really, actually believe he is. I couldnt do what hes doing at his age.

Theres no way I could sit in a room with Denis Villeneuve and hold my own. I was on Baywatch at 19. Hes 16 and holding shit down with Denis Villeneuve.

We raised him beautiful. We raised our children its just, you know, being loved and being confident in themselves that is what he is. Hes very confident.

The actor was speaking at the premiere in Hawaii of the Chief of War, at which he appeared alongside Nakoa-Wolf and his daughter, 17-year-old Lola Iolani.

The historical drama series, which explores the unification of the Hawaiian Islands in the 18th century, marks one of Jasons major projects outside the Dune franchise.

In Dune, Jasons Duncan Idaho character was the loyal swordmaster and mentor to Paul Atreides.

His character was killed near the films climax while defending Paul and Lady Jessica (portrayed by 56-year-old Rebecca Ferguson) from Sardaukar forces.
Biffy Clyro have announced UK and Ireland dates for their 2026 Futique tour.

Biffy Clyro are going on tour in 2026

The Mountains band  made up of frontman Simon Neil and twin brothers James and Ben Johnston  will be hitting the road next year in support of their upcoming album of the same name, which is to be released on September 26.

The tour will begin on January 9 at Belfast's SSE Arena and will include stops in London and Manchester before concluding later in the month with two homecoming shows for the Scottish rockers in Aberdeen and Glasgow.

Biffy Clyro will be supported on the tour by special guests Soft Play and The Armed.

The group said of the announcement: "It's f****** time... 'The Futique Tour 2026.'

Tickets go on sale on July 31 at 10am, while pre-sale options will be available at the same time on July 29.

Futique marks Biffy Clyro's 10th studio record and Neil has described it as "an exploration of ideas, objects or relationships that exist across time".

The 45-year-old musician said: "We are never aware when we do anything for the last time, and there's a beauty and sadness within that. What will be your 'Futique'?"

A press release following the album's announcement in June read: "The idea behind the title was informed by Neil's thoughts on how our perceptions of memory have shifted during the digital era.

"Whereas once people might keep their treasured memories filed away in photo albums, now a seemingly infinite amount of images spanning years of our lives can be accessed in a split second on our phones.

"That led to reminiscing about the people and the things he misses from his youth. But more intriguingly, it inspired a different thought, what are the things that he cherishes now that he will miss in the future?"

Biffy Clyro UK and Ireland tour dates 2026:

Friday 9 January  SSE Arena, Belfast

Saturday 10 January  3Arena, Dublin

Monday 12 January  Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham

Wednesday 14 January  The O2, London

Friday 16 January  Utilita Arena, Birmingham

Saturday 17 January  Co-Op Live, Manchester

Sunday 18 January  Utilita Arena, Cardiff

Tuesday 20 January  P+J Live, Aberdeen

Wednesday 21 January  OVO Hydro, Glasgow
Domestic Stock markets opened flat on Thursday, anticipating investor sentiments to turn positive with India and the UK set to formalise the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) later in the day. The expected optimism is supported by the recent global developments, including the US-Japan trade deal. The Nifty 50 index opened at 25,243.30, gaining 23.40 points or 0.09 per cent, while the BSE Sensex opened at 82,789.23, marking a gain of 62.59 points or 0.08 per cent. Experts said investors are upbeat about the India-UK FTA and the US-Japan deal that brought down tariffs. The mood is positive, and any further trade developments before August 1 could drive a market rally. Ajay Bagga, a banking and market expert, told ANI, "India will formalise its FTA with the UK today, which should be supportive of the markets. Over the next 7 days we will get clarity if the August 1st deadline is moved ahead for India as the US trade delegation will visit India only in mid-August. With FPIs sitting on an 85 per cent net short position, any positive news on a US-India trade deal could lead to a sharp short squeeze. That is the biggest catalyst being awaited by the Indian markets." He further said, "FPIs continue to be sellers and hold a net short 85 per cent position in the markets. However, they have participated both in the surging primary/IPO market as well as in the nearly Rs 150,000 crores of promoters/PE fund QIPs/Block deals based selling." Globally, the US-Japan trade deal lifted markets on Wednesday, creating a "risk-on" sentiment. Stocks in Asia, Europe, and the US all closed higher as trade uncertainty reduced. There's growing anticipation across South Korea, the EU, and ASEAN nations of new trade deals before August 1. The upcoming US-China Trade Summit in Stockholm is expected to offer further clarity on China's response to US pressure on Iranian and Russian oil imports. Among the broad market indices on NSE, all were in green except Nifty Midcap 100. Nifty 100 gained 0.08 per cent, while Nifty Smallcap rose 0.11 per cent. Sectoral performance was mixed, Nifty Auto slipped by 0.04 per cent and Nifty IT was flat in the red, but others such as Nifty FMCG gained 0.27 per cent, Nifty Media rose 0.29 per cent, Nifty PSU Bank was up by 0.23 per cent, and Nifty Realty gained 0.06 per cent. On the technical front, Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research at Axis Securities, said, "The Nifty ended 156 points higher, in what was a much-needed bounce. Technically speaking, it is beginning to look like the break and close below the 50-day average late last week was a bear trap since we have recovered above it, almost immediately. That said, 25,000 is key support from current levels, while a close above 25,340 is needed for bulls to be back in play." In Q1 earnings today, companies including Bajaj Finance, Nestle India, SBI Life Insurance Company, CG Power and Industrial Solutions, REC, Adani Energy Solutions, Canara Bank, Indian Bank, Coromandel International, Motilal Oswal Financial Services, Supreme Industries, Hexaware Technologies, MphasiS, Phoenix Mills, APL Apollo Tubes, and ACC are scheduled to announce results. All major Asian markets were also trading in green today. Japan's Nikkei 225 index surged by 2 per cent, Singapore's Straits Times gained 0.58 per cent, Hong Kong's Hang Seng rose 0.47 per cent, Taiwan Weighted index went up 0.28 per cent, and South Korea's KOSPI index gained 0.37 per cent. (ANI)
VMPL Gurugram (Haryana) [India], July 24: Masters' Union, India's leading business and technology school, today released its Summer Internship Programme Report for 2025.As per the report, undergraduate students from the classes of 2027 and 2028 (first and second year) received over 350 internship offers for a cohort of just 280 students - with 90% of these being paid roles and the highest stipend touching USD $3,100 (2.55 lakh). The internships spanned 120+ top-tier firms across India, San Francisco, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, including roles at venture capital funds, global consulting firms, sovereign wealth entities, and high-growth startups; many of which are traditionally offered only to final-year students at IITs, IIMs, and international business schools. Unlike most undergraduate programmes in India, where internship cycles begin only in the penultimate or final year, this year's outcomes at Masters' Union saw 100% of the first and second-year undergraduate cohort placed, including in roles that are part of pre-placement offer (PPO) tracks often the preserve of graduates from top institutions. The internships were spread across a wide variety of sectors - 35% in high-growth startups, 25% in finance and strategy consulting, 20% in consumer goods and services, 10% in product and tech and 10% in impact and policy. Some of the top companies that made a beeline for Masters' Union undergrads include Sauce.vc, PwC, KPMG, EY, Yes Bank, Indusind Bank, Nestle, Akasa Air, Zepto, InCred Capital, Niti Aayog and Perfora. Students were placed in a range of high-stakes roles with 30% of all internships in founder's office / chief-of-staff roles. Another 25% were in growth and strategy roles, 17% in product and data, and the rest spread across finance and investments, marketing, policy, and ESG consulting. The institution also witnessed strong interest from several companies which traditionally do not hire undergraduates, and if at all; only from IITs and IIMs. For e.g. Sauce.vc, known for backing breakout consumer brands like Mokobara and The Whole Truth, and Bough Consulting, a boutique strategy and brand advisory firm, offered high-impact roles to Masters' Union undergrads. Masters' Union also attracted international opportunities, with one of their students, Abhay G Shenoy, serving The Residency in San Francisco, where he earned a stipend of USD $3,100 (~Rs. 2.55 lakh). As a part of his role, he worked on AI-powered growth experiments and SaaS scaling strategy. Another student, Debraj Bandyopadhyay, joined Cercli, a Y Combinator-backed HR-tech startup in Abu Dhabi, earning a stipend of USD $800 (~Rs. 70,000), where he developed and deployed production-grade AI solutions to solve real-world hiring challenges. Speaking about the success of the summer internship programme, Pratham Mittal, Founder of Masters' Union said, "Watching our undergrads operate in sovereign wealth entities in the UAE and innovation labs in the Valley is a powerful reminder of why we built Masters' Union the way we did. The goal was never just to teach just theory, it was to plug our students directly into the real economy. The fact that companies across AI, finance, consumer and public policy trusted our first and second-year students with business-critical roles is a promising signal for the hands-on curriculum and practitioner-led teaching that we follow." About Masters' Union: Masters' Union is a premium tech & business school based in the corporate district of Gurugram. It was founded in 2020 with the philosophy of hands-on learning where students learn by doing. The leadership behind Masters' Union consists of graduates from Stanford, Wharton, and IITs and IIMs. Unlike traditional colleges, the faculty at Masters' Union comprises MDs, CXOs and AI Experts from companies such as Amazon, Apple, IBM, McKinsey, PwC, and KPMG. Additionally, the Institute also brings in faculty from the world's top-ranked universities such as Oxford & Harvard. Visit https://mastersunion.org/ (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)
PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 24: Manaksia Coated Metals & Industries Limited (NSE: MANAKCOAT, BSE: 539046), is one of the leading coated steel manufacturers and exporters. Specializing in Pre-painted Galvanised Steel and Plain Galvanised Steel in both coil and sheet forms, has reported its Unaudited financials for Q1 FY26. Q1 FY26 Consolidated Key Financial Highlights * Total Income of 253.94 Cr, YoY growth of 29.97% * EBITDA of 28.62 Cr, YoY growth of 93.36% * EBITDA Margin of 11.27%, YoY growth of 370 Bps * Net Profit of 14.01 Cr, YoY growth of 369.70% * Net Profit Margin of 5.52%, YoY growth of 399 Bps * EPS of 1.42, YoY growth of 253.86% Q1 FY26 Standalone Key Financial Highlights * Total Income of 253.89 Cr, YoY growth of 29.96% * EBITDA of 28.62 Cr, YoY growth of 93.74% * EBITDA Margin of 11.27%, YoY growth of 371 Bps * Net Profit of 14.10 Cr, YoY growth of 363.16% * Net Profit Margin of 5.55%, YoY growth of 399 Bps * EPS of 1.43, YoY growth of 247.75% Other Key Consolidated Highlights for Q1 FY26 * EBITDA stood at 28.62 Cr, marking a 93.36% YoY increase * Profit Before Tax rose by 364.43% YoY t* 18.70 Cr * Profit After Tax grew by 369.70% YoY t* 14.01Cr * Earnings Per Share improved by 253.86% YoY, reaching 1.42 * Total sales volume increase by 18.69% YoY reaching 29248 MT * Exports contributed 141.83 Cr, which is 56.78% of the total revenue, whereas domestic revenue contributed 107.95 Cr, which is 43.22% of the total revenue. * The production of Galvanized steel increased by 12.51% YoY in Q1 FY26. * The production of Pre - Painted steel coils grew by 14.66 % YoY in Q1 FY26. Commenting on the performance Mr. Karan Agrawal, Whole Time Director, Manaksia Coated Metals & Industries Limited said, "FY26 has commenced on a strong note, marked by the sustained momentum we've built through Q1 FY26. This performance is a testament t* the strength of our business fundamentals--anchored in operational efficiency, strategic direction, and the rising demand for high-quality steel solutions in domestic as well as international markets. We've registered strong growth across key financial and operational parameters, powered by sharper execution and a continued focus on customer needs. At our Kutch, Gujarat facility, we achieved robust capacity utilisation--85% on the continuous galvanising line and a full 100% on the colour coating line. These figures underscore the efficiency of our operations and the precision in our execution. Our export segment recorded a strong upswing in sales over the previous year, reflecting the growing global demand for our offerings. As we move int* Q2 FY26, we have a solid order book in place-- 337 Cr from exports and 113 Cr from domestic markets. These orders are backed by enduring customer relationships, aligning with our strategic shift away from spot business t* a more stable, relationship-driven model. Looking ahead, we are advancing steadily on our strategic roadmap. Initiatives such as the upgradation of our galvanising line t* Alu-Zinc, the planned 7.0 MWp captive solar power plant, and the addition of a second colour coating line will enhance our product range, improve cost efficiency, and bolster our long-term competitiveness. The recent capital raise has strengthened our balance sheet, significantly lowering debt and interest costs, which will support future profitability and investments. We remain focused on disciplined execution, customer-centric innovation, and sustainable growth as we move int* the next phase of our journey." Q1 FY26 Key Business Highlights Warrant Conversion and Equity Allotment * Total Warrants Converted: * 1,36,65,000 warrants converted at 18 per share * 1,15,17,500 warrants converted at 65 per share * Allottee Category: Promoters & Non-Promoters * Post-Conversion Paid-up Capital: 10.47 Cr (As on 30th June 2025) (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 Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 24: Repono Limited (The Company, Repono) is a specializes in providing comprehensive 360-degree warehousing and liquid terminal solutions, proposes to open its Initial Public Offering on Monday, July 28, 2025, aiming to raise 26.68 Crore (At Upper Price Band), with shares to be listed on the BSE SMEplatform. The issue size is 27,79,200 equity shares at a face value of 10 each, with a price band of 91 - 96 per share. Equity Share Allocation * QIB Anchor Portion - 7,92,000 Equity Shares * Qualified Institutional Buyer - 5,28,000 Equity Shares * Non-Institutional Investors - 3,96,000 Equity Shares * Retail Individual Investors - 9,24,000 Equity Shares * Market Maker - 1,39,200 Equity Shares The net proceeds from the IPO will be utilised for capital expenditures, including the purchase of forklifts, hand pallet trolleys, reach stackers, and the setup of warehouse racking systems, as well as the development of warehouse management software, working capital requirements, and general corporate purposes. The anchor portion will open on Friday, July 25, 2025, and issue will close on Monday, July 30, 2025. The Book Running Lead Manager to the Issue is Wealth Mine Networks Private Limited. The Registrar to the Issue is Cameo Corporate Services Limited. Mr. Dibyendu Deepak, Managing Director of Repono Limited, expressed, "The launch of our IPO is a significant milestone in the company's journey. Over the years, we have built a strong foundation in India's oil and petrochemical logistics space by consistently delivering reliable, safe, and efficient services. From managing high-volume liquid terminals to providing integrated warehousing and operations and maintenance (O&M) solutions, our focus has always been on quality, compliance, and customer satisfaction. This IPO represents more than just a capital raise -- it is an opportunity to accelerate our growth, enhance operational capabilities, and deepen our presence in key markets. It will enable us to invest in advanced infrastructure, strengthen our technology backbone, and pursue strategic opportunities with greater agility. We are delighted about this next phase and remain committed to creating long-term value for our investors, clients, and partners. With a clear vision, experienced team, and strong industry relationships, we look forward to shaping a more connected and efficient logistics future." CA Shashank Doshi, Chairman of Wealth Mine Networks Private Limited, said, "We are pleased to be associated with Repono Limited as they take a significant step forward with the launch of their Initial Public Offering. Repono has established itself as a specialised service provider in India's oil and petrochemical logistics space, offering integrated warehousing, terminal management, and O&M solutions. India's oil and petrochemical logistics sector is poised for strong, long-term growth, driven by rising industrial demand, increasing infrastructure investments, and a shift toward more organized, tech-enabled supply chains. The company is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends. This IPO will support the company's long-term vision, enabling it to scale operations, enhance service capabilities, and further strengthen its position in this evolving and opportunity-rich industry." (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Lok Jan Shakti Party (Ram Vilas) MP in Lok Sabha and member of the Select Committee on the Income-Tax Bill, 2025, Arun Bharti, welcomed the Bill and said 47 chapters have been brought down to 23, while 819 provisions have been reduced to 536. "Income Tax Bill 2025 is a major step by the NDA Govt for the simplification and transparency of the provisions of Income Tax Act 1961...About 47 chapters have been brought down to 23. Around 819 provisions have been reduced to 536. The number of words has been brought down to almost half...MSME sector will benefit, TDS limit has been raised...Tax assessment will be faceless...All of this will make it easier...," the MP told ANI. MP Bharti said that the Bill brings sweeping structural changes to the tax code by simplifying provisions and enhancing transparency. He said, "The Income Tax Bill, 2025, is a historic initiative aimed at making India's tax system simpler, more transparent, and just. Compared to the old laws, it introduces substantial structural reforms. The number of chapters has been reduced from 47 to 23. The number of sections has been brought down from around 819 to 536, and the total word count has been nearly halved. This means less confusion and more clarity -- that's the first key point." The LJP MP pointed out that one of the primary objectives of the new bill is to reduce "ambiguity" in which led to "disputes and court cases." "The new bill ensures clarity and reduces litigation. In the 1961 Act, the language was complex, the sections were lengthy, and the provisions were full of ambiguities, which consistently led to disputes and court cases. In contrast, the new bill uses simple, straightforward language, follows a table-based (tabular) format, and eliminates scope for confusion through well-defined and integrated tax year provisions," Bharti said. Highlighting the impact of the bill on small businesses and emerging enterprises, Bharti said the legislation offers "significant relief" to startups and MSMEs. He added, "The second key point is the significant relief provided to startups and MSMEs. There will be a faceless assessment process. The time limit for updating returns has been increased from two years to four. The threshold for TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) has been raised, reducing the compliance burden on small businesses. The hassles of receiving notices, responding to them, and paperwork will be greatly reduced." He further emphasised that the new Bill would tackle several long-standing taxpayer grievances, including delays in refunds, harsh TDS rules on late filings, and the repetitive nature of tax notices. The Bihar parliamentarian supplemented, "The third key point is the reduction in the compliance burden. Practical and timely solutions will be provided for issues such as delays in refunds, harsh and unclear TDS rules on late filings, and repeated notices. This is not just a tax reform -- it lays a new foundation for respecting and protecting honest taxpayers. Let us take a firm step toward a transparent and simplified tax system." Earlier on July 21, Select Committee on Income Tax Bill Chairperson and Bharatiya Janata Party MP Baijyant Panda presented the 4,584 pages Report of the Select Committee on the Income-Tax Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha. Under Panda's leadership as Chairperson, the Committee undertook a thorough and inclusive review process. It conducted stakeholder consultations, meeting with industry leaders, mid-level tax practitioners, legal experts, MSME bodies, Non Profit Organisations, economists, and civil society representatives to gather diverse perspectives, according to an official statement. The 31-member committee had unanimously adopted the report during the meeting. After comprehensive deliberations, the Committee submitted 285 recommendations focused on simplifying the tax regime and making the Income Tax legislation simplified and lucid. The Income-Tax Bill, 2025, was tabled in Parliament in February and was referred to the Select Committee for a detailed examination. In the July 2024 Budget, the government proposed a comprehensive review of the Income-tax Act of 1961. The purpose was to make the Act concise and lucid and reduce disputes and litigation. (ANI)
VMPL New Delhi [India], July 24: Running an office comes with its own set of challenges, from ensuring business continuity to safeguarding expensive equipment, legal liabilities, and data. One of the smartest ways to stay protected is by investing in a policy like the Bajaj Allianz office insurance. However, as your operations grow or risks evolve, premiums may rise. The good news? You don't have to settle for high costs to stay well-protected. You can lower your Commercial Insurance premium without compromising on coverage. All it takes is a strategic approach to policy selection, workplace safety, and proactive risk management. Let's explore some proven ways to reduce premium costs while keeping your office shielded from potential risks. 1. Assess Your Coverage Requirements Before looking to cut costs, first evaluate what you truly need. Not all office setups require the same kind of office insurance. For example, a digital marketing agency and a manufacturing unit have very different risk profiles. By customising your Commercial Insurance to cover only the risks relevant to your business, like fire, theft, data breaches, employee injuries, or third-party liability, you avoid paying for unnecessary features. Avoid over-insuring. Policies with excessive add-ons might look robust but could quietly hike your premium without delivering much extra value. 2. Opt for a Higher Deductible A simple and effective way to reduce your premium is by opting for a higher deductible. The deductible is the amount you agree to pay out of pocket before your insurance coverage kicks in. By shouldering a bit more financial responsibility upfront, you signal to insurers that you're a low-risk policyholder. This often translates into lower monthly or annual premiums. Just ensure that your chosen deductible is affordable in case of an emergency claim. 3. Bundle Policies Under One Provider If your business holds multiple insurance policies, like fire insurance, cyber insurance, liability coverage, and office insurance, consider bundling them under one provider. Insurers often reward policy bundling with attractive discounts and simplified premium structures. For instance, combining your building insurance and Commercial Insurance under one plan can make coverage more efficient and cost-effective. 4. Maintain a Safe Working Environment Insurance premiums are all about risk. The safer your workplace, the lower your perceived risk. Here are a few ways to make your office safer: * Install fire extinguishers and smoke detectors. * Ensure electrical wiring and appliances are regularly checked. * Maintain clean and uncluttered workspaces to prevent accidents. * Train employees on safety protocols and first-aid. * Secure entrances and exits with access controls or CCTV. These safety practices not only protect employees but also build trust with insurance providers, potentially leading to reduced premiums. 5. Choose a Long-Term Policy Opting for a multi-year office insurance plan instead of renewing annually can help you enjoy loyalty benefits and stable pricing. Many insurers offer discounts on long-term policies, which reduces the overall cost of coverage across years. Plus, long-term plans shield you from sudden price hikes or revisions caused by annual market changes. 6. Implement Cybersecurity Measures Businesses that store client data or operate online are vulnerable to cyber threats. If your Commercial Insurance includes cybersecurity coverage, having strong digital security can help lower your premium. Adopt the following cybersecurity practices: * Use firewalls and antivirus software. * Encrypt sensitive data. * Train employees on phishing and online fraud prevention. * Enable two-factor authentication for all systems. The more secure your IT systems are, the lesser the risk and that leads to lower premiums. 7. Avoid Small Claims Frequent small claims can mark your business as high-risk and may lead to higher premium quotes at the time of renewal. If the loss is manageable and won't disrupt your operations, consider covering small damages out of pocket. This keeps your claim history clean, helping you retain eligibility for no-claim discounts over time. 8. Buy Your Policy Online Purchasing Commercial Insurance online often comes with lower premiums compared to buying through traditional agents. The digital route eliminates commission-based markups and lets you compare various plans instantly. It also allows you to access digital tools like premium calculators and plan comparison features, helping you make a more informed and cost-effective decision. 9. Regularly Review and Update the Policy Business operations evolve over time. Maybe you've added new equipment, hired more employees, or moved to a larger space. These changes impact your risk profile. Instead of allowing your office insurance plan to auto-renew each year, review it carefully. Remove outdated coverage, reassess your current needs, and speak to your insurer about tailoring your plan. Keeping your policy aligned with your current operations ensures you're not paying extra for irrelevant risks. 10. Maintain a Healthy Credit Score Yes, your business credit score also matters. Insurers often consider your business's financial behaviour to assess how likely you are to default or file frequent claims. A higher credit score indicates financial stability, which may help reduce your premium rates. Paying bills on time, reducing outstanding debts, and maintaining good vendor relationships are some ways to keep your credit profile healthy. Conclusion A lower office insurance premium doesn't mean giving up on quality protection. It means being smarter about how you secure your business. From taking preventive safety steps to fine-tuning your coverage, there are many ways to cut costs without cutting corners. Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company offers tailored Commercial Insurance solutions to suit your business type, size, and risks without burning a hole in your budget. With the right approach, you can protect your office, assets, and team while keeping your premiums under control. Now is the time to rethink your office coverage strategy and adopt smarter methods that align with your risk profile and budget goals. (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)
PNN New Delhi [India], July 24: Get ready for a dynamic collaboration set to empower India's emerging talent! D'Cot by Donear, the renowned men's fashion brand, with a formidable presence across over 450+ stores nationwide, is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with OMG Face of the Year, India's largest digital talent hunt. This alliance represents a perfect match in synergy. Both D'Cot by Donear and OMG Face of the Year are deeply committed to connecting with and supporting today's youth, offering them a significant platform to showcase their unique style and undeniable talent. This partnership is designed to foster new opportunities and spotlight the vibrant energy of India's young generation. Adding to the prestige of this collaboration, Daboo Ratnani, the celebrated celebrity photographer, will conduct exclusive photo shoots with the ultimate winners, providing an unparalleled launchpad for their careers. Parimal Mehhta, the visionary founder of OMG Face of the Year, shares his excitement: "We are incredibly thrilled to embark on Season 3 of OMG Face of the Year with D'Cot by Donear. Our core mission has always been to unearth and empower raw talent from every corner of India, providing them with a platform that transcends geographical boundaries. This partnership with D'Cot by Donear significantly amplifies that mission, offering our participants not just visibility, but also invaluable exposure to the mainstream fashion industry. We believe this season will set a new benchmark for talent discovery and nurturing." "We are incredibly excited about this partnership between D'Cot by Donear and OMG Face of the Year. This collaboration is more than just a contest -- it's a meaningful platform that opens doors to the fashion industry, helping aspiring individuals gain the recognition they deserve. With D'Cot empowering this journey, we're looking forward to discovering and nurturing the next generation of stars, says Aakash Mishra, AVP - Group Brand Marketing, Donear Group Fashion, Talent, and the Grand Finale in MumbaiThe excitement culminates at the Grand Finale, where the talented finalists will take to the ramp, showcasing the brand's latest collection in a highly anticipated fashion walk. This spectacular event will see the Top 20 contenders from across India battle it out in Mumbai, demonstrating their skills and charisma. This partnership underscores a shared vision: to identify, nurture, and celebrate India's diverse talent pool, providing them with the visibility and recognition they deserve. It's a testament to both brands' dedication to inspiring confidence and enabling young individuals to shine. Akash Manwani, Vice President (D'Cot by Donear) adds, "The integration of our brand's latest collection into the finale ramp walk is a fantastic element. It not only highlights contemporary fashion trends but also allows the finalists to embody the spirit of the D'Cot by Donear brand truly. The energy and passion from these young individuals are palpable, and we are confident that the winners will be exceptional." * About D'Cot by Donear: D'Cot by Donear, a complete fashion house for the modern man and a flagship brand of the prestigious Donear Group, boasts over 450+ stores nationwide, fueling India's passion for style. Offering an extensive range of high-quality apparel, including shirts, trousers, denim, and accessories, D'Cot by Donear utilises the finest fabrics and materials in vibrant colours and designs. * About OMG Face of the Year: As India's biggest digital talent hunt, OMG Face of the Year is the ultimate launchpad for the next generation of models and artists. Now in its explosive third season, it's the most talked-about event in the Indian beauty and fashion scene. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], July 24: Rodic Consultants, a leading engineering and digital infrastructure consulting company, today announced Rodic Advisory & Technology, a new strategic vertical designed to drive informed, data-led policy and governance decisions. This move marks a significant milestone in the company's journey toward shaping the future of infrastructure and governance through policy innovation, strategic advisory, and implementation excellence. Envisioned as a dedicated think-tank, Rodic Advisory & Technology will partner with government, multilateral institutions, and public sector bodies to drive transformative reforms across infrastructure development, asset monetization, urban planning, and sectoral policies. It will combine digital intelligence, engineering depth, and institutional fluency to offer a new model of public sector advisory, one that's grounded in data, built for implementation, and aligned with India's evolving policy priorities. The new vertical will offer services across key verticals including: * Data-driven Advisory by transforming real-time operational data into actionable insights for informed decision-making * Transaction Advisory including asset valuation, bid process management, and PPP structuring * Policy & Strategy Advisory covering regulatory frameworks, institutional reforms, and sectoral roadmaps * Technical & Implementation Advisory such as project monitoring, quality audits, and PMU/PMC support "Rodic Advisory & Technology is a bold step in our journey from building infrastructure to influencing how infrastructure is governed," said Mr. Raj Kumar, Chairman & Managing Director, Rodic Consultants. "Over the years, our digital platforms have captured real-time insights from the ground and now we are turning that data into direction. Rodic Advisory & Technology brings together our engineering depth and digital intelligence to deliver a new kind of advisory that's informed, execution-aware, and rooted in evidence," added Mr. Raj Kumar. Turning digital systems into policy action, Rodic implemented a state-wide digital platform under the Bhavya health project in Bihar. The system flagged that doctors were working erratic shifts in the absence of a roster system. That insight surfaced from live data-led the state government to introduce a model roster policy adapted from another region. Similarly, Rodic's digital platform now monitors over 13,000 kilometers of road assets in Bihar. Contractors are ranked based on performance during the Defect Liability Period (DLP). These rankings, grounded in on-field metrics, are already shaping new contractor tiering systems with high performers getting preferred terms and low performers flagged for closer scrutiny. Building on Rodic Consultants' 25-year legacy, 170+ transformative projects, the new advisory arm combines the credibility of real-world delivery with the clarity of data. With capabilities spanning infrastructure strategy, digital transformation, and program design, the firm will focus on key growth areas such as Urban Development, Water and Sanitation, Digital Health, Education Infrastructure, and Governance Reforms. Founded in the year 2000, Rodic Consultants stands as a leading engineering consultancy in India, renowned for its innovative solutions covering diverse infrastructure projects across sectors such as Highways, Bridges & Tunnels, Power & Energy, Railways & Metros, Urban, Water & Hydropower and Tech Innovations. With a strong pan-India presence supported by 38 offices and over 170 successful projects to its credit, Rodic Consultants demonstrates its capacity to manage and execute complex projects. Employing over 2000 dedicated professionals, Rodic Consultants is committed to transforming infrastructure development through cutting-edge technologies. By integrating advanced technologies, the company ensures precise and efficient project execution, for data driven decision making. For more information, visit www.rodicconsultants.com. (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)
PNN New Delhi [India], July 24: Every marketer has felt it. That frustrating moment when a campaign starts flatlining, dashboards overflow with lagging data, and decisions feel like guesswork despite endless reports. We're drowning in information but starving for insight. This is the juncture where performance marketing stands today - bloated with tools, bogged down by complexity, and miles behind real-time. Enter Nipun Taneja. With over $100M in ad spend experience, he isn't just adapting to change; he's propelling it forward with a sharp focus on AI-enabled marketing that simplifies decisions, speeds up reactions, and reimagines how brands engage their audiences. Beyond Vibe Marketing: The Shift from Theory to ActionVibe Marketing - the evolution of performance campaigns that feel native, not intrusive - has been gaining momentum. While Taneja didn't introduce the term, his impact on this space is undeniable. Through his product suite under Vibelets.ai, he's turning the Vibe Marketing philosophy into something actionable and scalable. At its core, Vibe Marketing isn't about dumping more creatives into your ad set or A/B testing until your budget evaporates. It's about creating campaigns that blend so naturally into a user's digital environment that the experience feels seamless, and the conversion, effortless. Yet even the most "native" campaign fails when insights arrive too late. The Problem with Performance TodayTaneja's observations over the past 15 years spotlight recurring issues that still plague campaign teams: * Teams toggle between 5-7 tools for every campaign. * Reporting cycles delay optimisation by days. * Most insights come after ROAS has already dropped. * Creative fatigue is detected only when performance has already declined. This isn't a data problem. It's a decision problem. And it's why AI-driven marketing needs a new interface - one that understands urgency, context, and the marketer's daily pressure. Enter Vibelets.ai: Campaign Intelligence in MotionSo what exactly are Vibelets? They're not just widgets or cards. A Vibelet is a modular, context-aware unit that knows its place in your campaign flow. It can summarise performance, suggest optimisations, and even trigger actions - all while feeling intuitive and intelligent. Think of it as your campaign's second brain - one that's always scanning, learning, and nudging you towards what matters most. From budget drain alerts to visual summaries of underperforming creatives, Vibelets offer more than just reporting. They create a feedback loop - action-oriented and always in real-time. Key Vibelets Features Transforming Engagement: * AI Media Buyer: Automates tactical decisions without removing control. * Campaign Creator: Helps shape narratives that fit platform-native styles. * Traffic Integration: Already wired into TikTok, Google, Taboola, and more. * Visual Intelligence: Tracks brand identity and customer experience side-by-side. * Live Alerts: Notifies users about performance dips before they become problems. AI-Enabled Marketing Without the Noise What sets Taneja's system apart isn't just that it uses AI - plenty of tools claim that. The difference lies in how AI-enabled marketing is applied to remove friction, not add features for the sake of complexity. Where others show charts, Vibelets spark clarity: * You ask: "Which creatives are losing impact after Day 3?" * Vibelet responds: "X, Y, Z dipped below engagement benchmarks. Pause or reallocate budget?"No dashboards to decipher. No meetings required. Just action, backed by intelligence. This is AI-driven marketing at its cleanest - not data for the sake of it, but intelligence with a purpose. Why Audience Engagement Needs ReinventionAudience engagement is no longer about reach and frequency. It's about rhythm and response. Taneja's blueprint recognises this shift. Instead of waiting for weekly reports, marketers now get: * Real-time creative fatigue detection (most creatives lose effectiveness in under 72 hours). * Collaborative intelligence across team members, allowing shared insights and faster pivoting. * Automated copywriting and UGC tools powered by contextual AI - already being tested inside the Vibelet ecosystem. When campaigns adapt as fast as audiences, engagement moves from passive to active. That's the edge brands need now. A Vision Backed by Real ExperienceThere's a reason the performance marketing world is paying close attention. Taneja isn't theorising this shift - he's built it from years in the trenches. Running seven-figure campaigns. Navigating ROAS cliffs. Watching good creatives die too soon. He didn't just build Vibelets for marketers. He built them for himself - and for the pain points he knew first-hand. That authenticity is why early adopters of Vibelets.ai have reported: * 20-30% boost in campaign performance * 30% faster decision-making * Greater cross-functional alignment When intelligence is real-time, decisions become proactive, not reactive. And engagement becomes ongoing, not episodic. What's Coming Next?The roadmap is bold, but grounded in action: * Internal Launch: 10 July * Beta Rollout: 15 July * Global Debut: 4 August at TikTok's New York HQ With integrations planned for Shopify, WIX, and a growing number of ad platforms, Vibelets.ai is expanding beyond media to touch every layer of the campaign stack. Expect AI copywriting, UGC creators, team chats, and rule-based campaign automation to be live within weeks. It's not just about media buying anymore - it's about how AI redefines campaign storytelling from start to scale. Final Thoughts: Audience Engagement is Now a Live ConversationThe future of audience engagement isn't something we'll see next year. It's already unfolding. And thanks to builders like Nipun Taneja, we're entering an era where campaigns are no longer linear slideshows of data, but living systems that respond, act quickly, and adapt instantly. Vibe Marketing is evolving. And with Vibelets.ai quietly becoming the engine behind it, audience engagement will never again be a one-way street. It's a conversation. A loop. And if you're not responding in real-time, you're already behind. (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)
VMPL New Delhi [India], July 24: Healthians, India's leading at-home diagnostics and health-tech platform, has announced the appointment of Nishant Singhal as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). A founding team member and board member, Nishant takes on the leadership role at a transformative moment for the company, signaling the onset of "Healthians 3.0"--a renewed focus on scale, profitability, and sustainable growth. Healthians witnessed exponential growth, achieving an 18X increase in revenue and volume, establishing a network of over 22 diagnostic labs, and expanding its footprint to 300+ cities across India. During this time, the company also secured over USD 100 million in funding from leading global investors, including Westbridge Capital, Beenext, and the Evolvence Fund. "It's always exciting to lead what you've helped build over the years," said Nishant Singhal, speaking on his new role. "We are now on a transformative journey--what we call Healthians 3.0--focused on building at scale with a sharp eye on profitability. We are confident of delivering our strongest business performance in FY 2026." Singhal further emphasized the company's strategic direction: "We have already demonstrated that sustainable unit economics at scale, coupled with tech-driven, integrated business processes, can enable profitability for digital-first healthcare service providers. Our financial strategy is tightly aligned with our operations to ensure positive EBITDA in FY 26 and beyond, along with revenue growth surpassing industry benchmarks." As the demand for affordable, accessible, and quality diagnostics continues to grow across India, Healthians is positioning itself as a key enabler of preventive healthcare. The company's integrated model--spanning logistics, labs, and tech infrastructure--offers a full-stack diagnostics solution that reaches deep into Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets, as well as urban centers. "Nishant's appointment marks a critical point in Healthians' journey," said a company spokesperson. "With his proven track record in scaling operations and raising significant capital, Nishant is well positioned to steer Healthians into its next phase--focusing on customer experience, profitability, and deeper penetration across India." With significant pricing leverage, a growing demand for preventive healthcare, and a robust infrastructure in place, Healthians is uniquely poised to capitalize on market opportunities. The company's strategic priorities include launching new health-tech solutions, expanding its home diagnostics offering, and enhancing its B2B partnerships. For any inquiries, please contact:Website: www.healthians.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Restaurateur Robert Walton is up for co-presenting Celebrity MasterChef with food critic Grace Dent.

MasterChef host Grace Dent

The "Godfather of hospitality" is saddened that the BBC One cookery series has been under crisis since ex-host Gregg Wallace, 60, stepped down in November 2024, after several allegations of inappropriate behaviour against him.

A report by independent law firm Lewis Silkin, on behalf of MasterChef's production company Banijay UK, revealed on July 14, 2025, 45 out of 83 allegations, including claims of inappropriate sexual language, humour, and one alleged incident of "unwelcome physical contact" by the former greengrocer had been substained.

The BBC announced Grace as Gregg's replacement and his former co-host John Torode's new presenting partner for Celebrity MasterChef in December 2024.

However, the corporation fired John, 60, on July 15 after the Lewis Silkin report also upheld an allegation of an "extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace".

Later that day, John identified himself as the individual alleged to have used racist language in 2018 or 2019, "for the sake of transparency" in an Instagram post - and profusely denied using a racist word and has "no recollection" of using racist language.

Now, Robert has thrown his name in the ring to present Celebrity MasterChef alongside Grace, 51.

He told the Daily Mail newspaper's Eden Confidential column: "I'm upset with what's happened to MasterChef and the way everything has come out.

"It's an institution, and it needs to carry on.

"If someone wants me to do it, I'm super happy to put my name forward and get the job done."

Saturday Kitchen Live's Matt Tebbutt, 51, and the Great British Menu's Andi Oliver, 63, were tipped to replace John, but a source has claimed that Robert is "in talks" with MasterChef's bosses to present alongside Grace.

The insider told the newspaper column: "Robert is in talks for being appointed the MasterChef judge position with Dent.

"He is a wild card but the most qualified for the job.

"They like the idea of Robert and Grace together. They are playing around with pairs, and they are looking for credibility.

"It would make a refreshing change to have someone who is an authority on food and hospitality, who is highly decorated and respected, judging for MasterChef."

Despite John and Gregg not returning to MasterChef, the BBC confirmed on Wednesday (23.07.25) it would broadcast the final MasterChef series that is presented by the duo - which was filmed before they were sacked from the show - to respect the cooks who gave "so much to the process".

A BBC spokesperson said: "After careful consideration and consultation with the contestants, we have decided to broadcast the amateur series of MasterChef on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 6 August.

"MasterChef is an amazing competition which is life-changing for the amateur chefs taking part. The focus of it has always been their skill and their journey.

"This has not been an easy decision in the circumstances and we appreciate not everyone will agree with it.

"In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters.

"We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC.

"However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series."

Despite the new series of the amateur show being aired, the BBC has not yet decided whether or not to broadcast the celebrity and Christmas specials.

The spokesperson continued: "At this stage we have not taken a decision on the celebrity series and Christmas special, which was filmed earlier this year, and we will confirm our plans later in the year.

"Most importantly MasterChef is a brilliant, much-loved programme which is bigger than any one individual.

"There are many talented, dedicated and hard-working people who make the show what it is. It will continue to flourish on the BBC and we look forward to it returning stronger than ever in the future."
PRNewswire Noida (Uttar Pradesh) [India], July 24: The Amity Innovation Incubator, a pioneering concept among Indian universities aimed at nurturing entrepreneurial endeavours, proudly hosted its Investor Pitch Day, bringing together a powerful constellation of emerging startups and top-tier investors for an exciting day of live pitches, strategic networking, and growth-focused dialogue. With over 1100+ startups incubated and accelerated, the Amity Innovation Incubator, which recently won AABI's 'Incubator of the Year Award', continues to drive its mission to accelerate India's entrepreneurial momentum. The July 2025 Pitch Day marked a significant milestone with 10 high-potential startups presenting cutting-edge solutions across sectors like health tech, AI, fintech, and social impact. Participating startups included: - Lark - India's only API-first credit infrastructure layer for the $5T+ investment ecosystem, enabling embedded lending against securities across fintech, wealth tech, etc. - Livofy - A full-stack chronic care platform delivering personalized, integrative treatment for lifestyle disorders like diabetes, thyroid, and PCOS, serving 7500+ patients. - Torchit - A social-tech enterprise dedicated to empowering people with disabilities (PwDs) through affordable, innovative, assistive technologies. - CYVIA - An enterprise-grade security brain for LLMs, transforming every prompt into a real-time, auditable, policy-enforced event. - Profrea - A tech-enabled platform that transforms underutilized clinics into pay-per-use medical workspaces, boosting clinic utilization, reducing CAPEX, and creating a new revenue stream in outpatient healthcare. - Genetico - Asia's first clinical decision support platform focused on rare and genetic diseases, enabling clinicians to diagnose and manage complex conditions through an AI-powered software, combining pedigree analytics, Human Phenotype Ontology-based differential diagnosis, and deep data tools. - Sconto - A student-first verification and commerce platform that connects verified Indian college students with curated brand discounts, offers, and experiences, through its proprietary KYS engine. - AICodePro - An AI-powered headless commerce platform built for D2C brands and online sellers. - Blyp - An AI-driven smart parking and mobility platform offering guaranteed parking in under 2 minutes. - Medino's - A full-stack, phygital healthcare platform delivering doctor consults, e-prescriptions, and medicines within 30 minutes. Esteemed investors included: * Vaibhav Jain at Google, focusing on startup and VC collaboration * Amit Sharma from Cactus Venture Partners, which has invested in startups like Kapture CRM, Vitraya Technologies, AMPM, Blyp, Loham, and more * Addison Appu from Thikuvate Capital, which has invested in startups like Petmojo, Kivi, Zippee, Good Monk, and Strive Representatives from BEENEXT, Caret Capital, AdvantEdge, Lead Invest, 8X Ventures, IIFL Capital, and Ankur Capital, among others, also participated. Dr. Aseem Chauhan, President, Amity Innovation Incubator, remarked, "Investor Pitch Day is more than a showcase; it's a catalytic platform for India's most promising startups to meet vision-aligned investors. This event reflects the vibrancy and resilience of India's startup ecosystem." The day featured live pitches, one-on-one investor meetings, and mentoring sessions, offering a dynamic environment for entrepreneurs to receive real-time feedback and forge meaningful connections. The event concluded with multiple expressions of interest and ongoing due diligence, indicating a high level of engagement from the investor community. Mr. Ojasvi Babber, CEO of Amity Innovation Incubator, expressed his gratitude to the participating investors for their mentorship and support. About Amity Innovation Incubator Amity Innovation Incubator has been supported by NITI Aayog, DST, MeitY, MSME, iDEX, and StartinUP, strengthening our commitment to fostering innovation. All the startups that presented have been supported by Amity Innovation Incubator through different programs. These programs include Atal Innovation Mission, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, IDEX, and many others. Amity Innovation Incubator has built a robust and holistic support system for startups and entrepreneurs, offering strategic mentorship, infrastructure, and investor access through every stage of their entrepreneurial journey. Through Amity Capital Ventures (ACV), the incubator enables eligible startups to seamlessly connect with a powerful network of High Net-Worth Individuals (HNIs) and renowned VC Funds. With 18+ successful exits and over 120 startup investments facilitated, Amity Innovation Incubator not only nurtures innovation but also ensures promising ventures are fully equipped--technically, strategically, and financially--for scalable growth. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2737522/President_Pro_Vice_Chancellor.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2737523/Pitch_Day_2025.jpg Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2737524/Investor_Pitch_Day.jpg (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PRNewswire. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
NewsVoir Pune (Maharashtra) [India], July 24: A revolutionary leap in surgical education unfolded in Pune as Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, proudly inaugurated the world's first Hybrid Endoscopic & Microscopic ENT Skill Lab - the EndoPlay Skill Lab - equipped with the US-patented EndoHold system for two-handed endoscopic surgery. This milestone was marked by the successful completion of the first-ever Hybrid Temporal Bone Dissection Workshop, training 20 select ENT surgeons and postgraduates from across India. This pioneering initiative was made possible by the visionary leadership of Hon'ble Dr. P. D. Patil, Chancellor; Hon'ble Dr. Bhagyashree Patil, Pro-Chancellor; and Hon'ble Dr. Yashraj Patil, Trustee & Treasurer of Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri. Their foresight and unwavering support transformed this innovative concept into a state-of-the-art surgical training facility for the Department of ENT & Head-Neck Surgery. The EndoPlay Skill Lab is a fully integrated cadaveric dissection unit that bridges the gap between traditional microscopy and modern two-handed endoscopic techniques. At its core lies the EndoHold system -- a globally patented innovation developed by Dr. Mubarak Muhamed Khan, Dr. Sapna Parab and Dr. Shirin Khan. The lab also houses over 15 additional surgical innovations from Dr. Khan's Creations, offering an unparalleled hands-on experience in otologic and neuro-otologic surgery. The lab was inaugurated by Dr. Yashraj Patil in the presence of Dr. Rekha Arcot, Dean of the medical college. The success of the first workshop owes much to the leadership of Prof. & HOD Dr. Mayur Ingale, and national faculties including Prof. Shashikant Mhashal (HBT Medical College, Mumbai), Prof. Vinod Shinde (Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre), Dr. Kinnari Rathod and Dr. Rizwan Memon (Ahmedabad). Hon'ble Dr. P. D. Patil, Chancellor, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pimpri, Pune, said, "At our institution, we are proud of our legacy in shaping future healthcare leaders. Staying true to that legacy, we are constantly bringing in the best -- be it in education, infrastructure or innovation. Setting up progressive labs like the EndoPlay Skill Lab reflects our commitment to empowering faculty and students with world-class tools that inspire learning, research and excellence on a global scale." Hon'ble Dr. Bhagyashree Patil, Pro-Chancellor, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pimpri, Pune, said, "At Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, we believe in creating future-ready medical professionals by embracing innovation in education. The launch of the world's first hybrid ENT skill lab is a testament to our commitment to transformative learning. It's a proud moment for us to see India set a global precedent in surgical training, right here in Pune." Upcoming Global Platform: SEOCON 25 The EndoPlay Skill Lab will now serve as the dissection hub for the upcoming International ENT Conference - SEOCON 2025, scheduled from 11-14 September at Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune. Surgeons from across the globe will have an opportunity to witness and experience this cutting-edge hybrid training ecosystem. "This skill lab is not just an infrastructure; it is a visionary step that will pave the way for global excellence in ENT surgical training. We are proud that our institution is leading this transformation," said Dr. Yashraj Patil, Trustee & Treasurer, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pimpri, Pune. "The EndoPlay Skill Lab is a landmark addition to our academic ecosystem. It offers students and surgeons the unique advantage of mastering both microscopic and endoscopic ENT techniques in one integrated environment. This kind of immersive, hands-on training empowers our learners to not only meet but exceed global standards in surgical care," said Dr. Rekha Arcot, Dean, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre. Dr. Mayur Ingale, Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Dr D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune, said, "The EndoPlay Skill Lab is a game-changer in ENT surgical training. For the first time, we are able to offer a hybrid platform that allows both microscopic and two-handed endoscopic dissection in a cadaveric setting. This level of hands-on learning is unprecedented in India. I am deeply grateful to our visionary management for their support in turning this ambitious idea into a world-class reality." As ENT surgery evolves into the era of minimal access and advanced reconstruction, the establishment of the EndoPlay Hybrid Skill Lab in Pune signals India's leadership in training the next generation of otologic surgeons with precision, innovation and global standards. Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital & Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune follows international benchmarks that are performance-driven as well as patient-centric, strongly backed by evidence-based medical expertise. We are NABH and NABL accredited and have been certified as a Green Hospital by the Association of Healthcare Providers India (AHPI). Additionally, we hold the 11th rank in the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF). The university has been awarded A++ status by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) and is an ISO 2015 certified organization (ISO 9001: 2015). For more information visit medical.dpu.edu.in Facebook: Dr D Y Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre Instagram: dpu.medicalcollege (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)
India PR Distribution New Delhi [India], July 24: In modern industries where precision defines success--from pharmaceuticals to aerospace, and from research laboratories to manufacturing units--the demand for reliable measurement tools continues to surge. Ensuring such accuracy begins with one essential component: properly calibration weights manufacturer. Masseprazise is a trusted lab equipment manufacturer known for its focus on precision, quality, and reliable performance. As an ISO-17025 certified calibration weight manufacturer in India, Masseprazise specialises in calibration weights, test weights, and laboratory weights, offering a comprehensive product line that meets the rigorous standards of OIML-R111. With a focus on global accuracy, material science, and industry compliance, Masseprazise delivers value to clients who rely on dependable calibration systems to maintain consistency in results. Precision Weights That Power Every Industry Masseprazise extensive product catalogue caters to industries and labs that demand excellence. From delicate laboratory analysis to heavy-duty industrial measurements, the company's weights and equipment are designed for a broad spectrum of use cases. OIML Accuracy Class Weights: E, F, and M Masseprazise manufactures individual weights and complete weight sets across all standard OIML classes: -E Class Weights - Designed for highly sensitive balances, suitable for advanced analytical and microanalytical labs. -F Class Weights - Ideal for precision scales and calibration in quality control laboratories. -M Class Weights - Perfect for general laboratory and industrial use, including trade and legal metrology. -Custom Design Weights - Masse Prazise manufactures ISO 17025-accredited M Class customised calibration weights, precisely engineered to meet OIML R111 and ASTM E617 standards. We offer tailored shapes, materials, and tolerances to suit your specific calibration applications. Each weight is manufactured using high-grade pure stainless steel, ensuring long-term stability, resistance to corrosion, and reliable performance under regular use. The company ensures every product undergoes density testing, hardness checks, chemical composition analysis, and magnetic property inspection, ensuring full alignment with OIML-R111 standards. Diverse Range of Precision Calibration Weights Products Masseprazise offers more than just standard weights. Its product offerings include a wide array of test weights, laboratory tools, and calibration accessories designed to support a full spectrum of scientific and industrial applications. Calibration and Laboratory Weights -Slotted Weights - Widely used in educational and experimental settings, physics labs, and for force measurement. -Sheet Weights - Thin and precise, these are ideal for adjusting weight increments with high accuracy. -Cast Iron Calibration Weights - Durable and robust, suitable for industrial applications where larger mass values are required. -Calibration Weight Accessories - Includes laboratory tweezers, gloves, and weight trolley designed to prevent contamination and ensure safe handling during calibration procedures. -Rectangle Weights - rectangle weight is a precision calibration weight with a rectangular or flat block-shaped geometry, typically used for heavier mass standards (like 10 kg, 20 kg, or 50 kg), especially in industrial scales or platform balances. Sieve Analysis Equipment -Test Sieves - Manufactured with precision mesh sizes for consistent particle analysis across industries such as pharmaceuticals, construction, and food processing. Mastering Particle Size Analysis | Full Test Sieves Webinar by Masseprazise -Test Sieve Accessories - Enhance your particle size analysis with high-precision test sieve accessories. We offer essential tools, including a Sieve Shaker for efficient vibration, a Pen Microscope for mesh inspection, a Linear Mesh Counter for accurate wire spacing verification, and a Nominal Aperture Calibrator to ensure mesh conformity. Designed for lab accuracy and sieve longevity. -Sieve Shaker Machine - Mechanised units that support reproducible and efficient sieving, often paired with test sieves for complete lab setups. Laboratory Water Bath -Precision-controlled water baths are also part of the company's offerings, widely used for incubation, sample preparation, and temperature-sensitive testing. By offering such a diverse lineup, Masseprazise can meet the needs of highly specialised labs and demanding industrial environments alike. Commitment to Quality in Every GramAt the core of Masseprazise operations is a commitment to stringent raw material inspection and strict adherence to international standards. Every calibration weight produced is subjected to rigorous testing, including: -Density and Hardness Tests - Ensuring consistency in weight and resistance to wear over time. -Surface Finish and Dimensional Accuracy - Guaranteeing smooth handling, easy cleaning, and accurate fit for analytical equipment. -Magnetism Checks - Each weight is tested to ensure minimal magnetisation, as recommended by OIML-R111. These processes are supported by an ISO 17025-certified quality control lab, making Masseprazise a trusted calibration partner for national metrology institutes, regulatory bodies, and global corporations. Trusted by Professionals Around the World With a presence in over 50 countries, from Europe to Southeast Asia, Africa to the Middle East, customers trust Masseprazise to deliver products that perform under the strictest laboratory and industrial conditions. The company's logistics and customer support teams ensure smooth communication, accurate documentation, and compliance with country-specific calibration standards. Masseprazise frequently collaborates with universities, research bodies, pharmaceutical firms, and national testing labs to offer tailor-made solutions that match the local regulatory and operational requirements. Masseprazise has become a go-to source for calibration weight sets, test sieves, and lab equipment for customers who cannot afford measurement errors. The company's precision-engineered products serve sectors such as: -Pharmaceuticals - Where every milligram matters. -Chemical and Food Testing Labs - For consistent testing and batch control. -Educational Institutions - Where accurate measurements shape future scientists. -Industrial Manufacturing - For equipment calibration and production accuracy. Clients value not only the technical superiority of Masseprazise's products but also the company's dedication to continuous improvement, customer service, and timely delivery. Innovating for the Future of Measurement Masseprazise isn't just maintaining standards--it's helping define them. The company continues to invest in R&D and innovation, exploring advanced materials and manufacturing technologies that improve performance, reduce environmental impact, and extend product life cycles. Future developments include smart calibration systems with embedded tracking chips, integration with digital lab software, and enhanced surface finishes that resist corrosion in high-humidity and chemically reactive environments. By staying ahead of industry needs, Masseprazise ensures its clients benefit from the next generation of precision. Driving Accuracy: The Masseprazise Mission Masseprazise is a leading manufacturer of calibration weights and laboratory testing equipment, delivering reliable solutions across OIML classes E, F, and M. With ISO-17025 certification and a global presence, the company specialises in high-precision test weights, test sieves, water baths, sieve shakers, and calibration weight accessories. Every product reflects Masseprazise's core values: accuracy, quality, and customer-centric innovation. Contact Us For product inquiries, business collaborations, or technical support, feel free to reach out to us through the following channels: Address: Plot No - 18, Tirumala Hans Industrial Park, Tigaria Badshah, Near Super Corridor, Indore - 453112 (M.P.), India Phone: +91 62649 15873Email: sales@masseprazise.com (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)
Farmers in India are among the major winners as they are set to get preferential access to UK's agricultural market -- pegged to be around USD 37.5 billion -- with the signing of the landmark India-UK Free Trade (FTA) Agreement. Post the formalisation of the FTA, it is expected to open premium markets in the UK for Indian produce, offering similar or even better benefits than those enjoyed by exporters from European countries like Germany and the Netherlands. Indian staples such as turmeric, pepper, and cardamom, along with processed products like mango pulp, pickles, and pulses, will get duty-free access, improving their margins and market reach. Over 95 per cent of India's agricultural and processed food tariff lines will face zero duties once the agreement is enforced. These include fruits, vegetables, cereals, spice mixes, fruit pulps, ready-to-eat meals, and more. This move will reduce the landed cost of these goods in the UK and enhance their competitiveness. The FTA will help Indian agriculture sector transition from focus on high volume to high value products, and from catering to local markets to expanding globally. India has also ensured that the FTA fully protects sensitive sectors like dairy, vegetables, apples, cooking oils, oats. There will be no tariff concessions on these commodities. Further, in what could be termed as a "big catch" for Indian fish farmers, the USD 5.4 billion UK market also got opened up for marine exports as UK import duty on marine products are set to fall to zero from up to 20 per cent. Coastal states like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu are poised to hugely benefit duty rationalisation on marine products. The India-UK FTA also has provisions for zero duty on major sectors. Amongst those, textiles and clothing have been reduced from up to 12 per cent, 8 per cent on chemicals, and 10 per cent on base metals. India's principal advantage under the agreement lies in duty-free access for its labour-intensive sectors, processed food items, and other high-tariff product segments where India holds a strong competitive edge. Indian businesses will also have a zero duty access to the UK for goods such as electrical machinery; gems and jewellery; leather/footwear; minerals; transport/auto; aluminium; iron and steel; copper; and hosts of items. The FTA also has elements that will provide passive gain for rural India and exporters. Duty on processed foods has been reduced to zero from up to 70 per cent earlier. For cross-border mobility between the two countries, Double Contribution Convention (DCC) to exempt workers, employers from social security contribution for three years. As many as 75,000 Indian workers in UK will gain from three-year exemption from social security contribution. These will be particularly beneficial for professionals, who will get better mobility access to the UK. The much-awaited landmark India-UK Free Trade Agreement was signed on Thursday, in the presence of Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer, as PM Modi is on a two-day visit to the UK. On May 6, Prime Minister Modi and PM Starmer had announced the successful conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This forward-looking Agreement is aligned with India's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and complements the growth aspirations of both countries. Both nations desire to increase their trade to USD 120 billion by 2030. On Thursday, the UK government said that India's average tariff on UK products will drop from 15 per cent to 3 per cent under India-UK FTA. The UK statement asserted that British companies selling products to India -- from soft drinks and cosmetics to cars and medical devices -- will find it easier to sell to the Indian market. Further, British whisky producers will benefit from tariffs slashed in half, reduced immediately from 150 per cent to 75 per cent and then dropped even further to 40 per cent over the next ten years - giving the UK an advantage over international competitors in reaching the Indian market, the UK statement noted. (ANI)
Industry trade bodies and industry leaders have welcomed the signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), terming the deal a "transformational milestone in bilateral economic relations" of the two countries. India and the UK signed a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on Thursday, aimed at providing greater access to goods and services between the two countries. Industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), in a statement, added, "Once implemented, the India-UK FTA is expected to reduce trade barriers, enhance investor confidence, and promote joint ventures and technology transfers, especially in labour-intensive sectors like textiles and apparel, leather and leather goods, gems and jewellery, and marine products, among others." "The agreement will provide a strong framework for unlocking new opportunities in clean energy, digital technologies, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. India's rapidly growing market and manufacturing capabilities, combined with the UK's strengths in innovation, finance, and high-end services, will further accelerate bilateral economic relations," CII's statement added. Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder & Chairman of Bharti Enterprises and Co-Chair of the India-UK CEO Forum, applauded the deal, saying, "Indian industry across all sectors welcomes the India-UK FTA with great optimism. This agreement establishes a modern, forward-looking partnership that will stimulate innovation, ease market access, and foster investment. Businesses in India as well as the UK stand to gain tremendously, as it lays the groundwork for scaling up bilateral cooperation across key growth sectors." "The signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement is a landmark moment for Indian industry. We commend both governments for finalising a deal that promises to catalyse bilateral trade, enhance competitiveness of Indian SMEs, and open new doors for industries in manufacturing, services, and technology sectors. The agreement is a testimony to the strategic depth that will lead to doubling of bilateral trade to over USD 120 Billion by 2030 with UK," said Hemant, Jain, President, PHDCCI. Reacting to the significant development, Anish Shah, Group CEO & MD, Mahindra Group, said, "The landmark trade agreement between India and the UK marks a transformative moment in the global economic landscape. It's not just a win for trade but a blueprint for a modern, values-led partnership that puts innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth at the heart of global collaboration." "This deal is also a testament to the growing stature of India as a trusted partner and innovation powerhouse in the global order. We commend both governments for their bold leadership in charting a shared future rooted in prosperity, sustainability, and trust," he added. Reacting to the development, Sudhir Sekhri, Chairman of AEPC, said, "This agreement will enhance market access and spur investment and job creation in the garment sector, besides creating new opportunities for businesses and consumers on both sides." Alison Barrett, MBE, Country Director India, British Council, said, "The landmark UK-India trade deal unlocks thousands of jobs and boosts growth across both economies. The Comprehensive and Strategic Partnership will see closer collaboration on defence, education, climate, technology and innovation. I am pleased to see education recognised as a core pillar of the partnership, placing people - especially young people from India and the UK - at the heart of this vibrant relationship." Over the past five years, India has maintained a positive trade balance with the UK, which remains a key trading partner. Both economies aim to double bilateral trade to USD 120 billion by 2030. Currently, more than 970 Indian companies operate in the UK, contributing approximately 1.17 billion in corporation tax and providing employment to around 1.1 million people, playing a vital role in supporting local economies and livelihoods. Among the many key benefits, the FTA is a reciprocal Social Security Agreement, allowing Indian professionals in the UK to continue home country contributions for up to three years. This aligns closely with CII's earlier recommendation for a five-year exemption period. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of CII, added, "This FTA marks a defining moment in our bilateral relationship, reflecting a shared commitment to inclusive growth, economic resilience, and industrial transformation. It creates a strong foundation for deeper market access, regulatory cooperation, and next-generation partnerships between Indian and UK businesses." (ANI)
Bharat Bhatia, President of ITU-APT Foundation of India (IAFI) on Thursday applauded the opening up of the Indian space sector and said that it holds immense potential for job creation and new investments. IAFI held its 2nd India Space Policy Conference here in the national capital. According to IAFI website, it is working for last 20 years with the prime objective of encouraging involvement of professionals, corporate, public and private sector industries, R&D organizations, academic institutions, and such other agencies engaged in development of ICT sector, in the activities of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT). "India has opened up the space to the private sector and the way the policy has evolved, it is going to bring in a lot of new jobs, a lot of new investment," Bhatia told ANI. In India, the space sector has been liberalised and private sector allowed to carry out end to end space activities. Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) was created in Department of Space for promoting, authorising and overseeing the activities of Non-Government Entities (NGEs) in space sector. The number of Space Start-Ups in India have gone up, from just 1 in 2014 to around 266 as of end of 2024, government data showed. "We believe just like what's happening in the US, we will have a lot of Indian companies working in the area of space and creating a lot of opportunities for everybody...that it is going to provide a lot of job opportunities," he supplemented. He also termed TRAI recommendations on opening up the communications sector as "pro industry". "India has been working on a policy framework for opening the communication sector to the private and the TRAI has given the recommendations earlier this year in May, and DoT (Department of Telecommunications) is now trying to finalise those recommendations. These are very good recommendations actually. They are very pro industry," he said. Noting that a significant portion of remote places in India still remains unconnected, he said satellite internet services will help connect them. Dr Laura Roberti, Director for Spectrum and Market Access in Telesat, said there is a "strong wish, a desire, a need for satellite services, for additional satellite services in India." Tony Azzarelli of OneWeb said they have been working on providing services in India, pending regulatory approval. "We've been very busy for the past 2 years to provide services in India. We're just waiting for the final touches of the regulations, which are actually very important," he told ANI. In countries like India in general, he said there is room for all the players, both the GSO and non-GSO players. Satellite telecom in India will help the country provide much-needed services in remote interior places where conventional telecom services tend to be costly. (ANI)
PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 24: House of Bindu, the flagship beverage vertical under SG Corporates, and the powerhouse behind Karnataka's most loved carbonated ethnic beverage - Bindu Fizz Jeera Masala - is ready to go National. Backed by ambitious growth targets and an aggressive go-to-market strategy, the brand is poised to disrupt the Indian ethnic beverage space with a high-impact rollout spanning Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, and the Delhi-NCR region. -Targets 1000 Cr Revenue by Tapping into India's Ethnic Beverage Potential - Multi-Region Rollout Set to Capture Key FMCG Growth Corridors targeting presence in 5 lac retail outlets With an eye on 5 lakh retail touchpoints, the company is unleashing a comprehensive market expansion plan that includes a robust multi-channel distribution model, significant trade marketing investments, and a differentiated regional palate-first brand positioning. Strategic Thrust: Scaling with Precision & Purpose SG Corporates has set an audacious revenue goal of 1000 crore, driven by pan-India penetration of its ethnic-flavoured carbonated beverages and juices in next 3 years. Riding on the strong consumer shift towards regional flavours and nostalgia-driven consumption, the brand is positioned to leverage its deep South Indian success into a nationwide narrative. To support this momentum, a dedicated sales force of over 400 professionals has been mobilized to onboard distributors, scale general trade and modern trade presence, and ensure last-mile connectivity through super stockists and channel partners. Manufacturing Backbone & Supply Chain Synergy To ensure real-time fulfillment and maintain freshness of product deliveries, SG Corporates has partnered with manufacturing facilities in North and East India, reducing lead times and enhancing market responsiveness. This complements its existing state-of-the-art production hubs in Puttur, Sangareddy, and Visakhapatnam, fortifying its pan-India manufacturing capabilities. Ethnic Beverages: A Rising Star in the Indian Beverage Market According to Mr. Sathya Shankar, Managing Director - SG Corporates, "The Indian ethnic beverage market is at an inflection point and we see a massive market opportunity for brands that offer authentic, flavour-rich, homegrown options. Bindu Fizz Jeera Masala isn't just a drink--it's a sentiment rooted in India's culinary identity. As the original Jeera Drink, our expansion strategy is aimed at tapping into this emotional resonance nationwide and bringing our products closer to customers." Product Portfolio: Flavour-Led Innovation House of Bindu is no longer just about Fizz Jeera Masala. Its evolving portfolio is designed to address diverse consumption occasions and preferences across geographies: -Carbonated Soft Drinks (CSDs): Bindu Fizz Jeera Masala, Bindu Ginger, Limite, Limonast, Salt Soda -Fruit-Based Beverages: Sipon Litchi, Guava, Strawberry, Apple, Kokum -Fizzy Fruit Drinks: Fruzon Green Apple, Fizzy Orange, Fizzy Strawberry -Energy Drinks: B-HOT Energy -Snacking Range (SnakUp): Chips, Namkeens, Puffs, Chilly Wheels, and innovative regional flavours Retail Footprint: Expanding Across Formats Already a household name across Southern India, Bindu products enjoy strong retail traction across modern trade giants such as DMart, Reliance Retail, Metro Cash & Carry, More, MK Retail, and Rathnadeep. The national rollout will intensify both general trade and modern trade coverage in newly targeted Tier I and II cities. Legacy Built on Taste, Trust & Tradition Rooted in the entrepreneurial vision of Mr. Sathya Shankar, SG Corporates has evolved from humble beginnings in 1987 to a diversified FMCG powerhouse. From starting as an auto spare parts retailer to launching Bindu Mineral Water in 2002, the brand's journey mirrors India's own consumer evolution - where trust, tradition, and taste drive loyalty. With 20+ warehouses, 1,500+ distributors, and a retail footprint spanning over 2,00,000 active outlets, SG Corporates has built one of South India's most agile and responsive FMCG supply chains. Vision 2030: From Regional Star to National Icon With its expansion strategy in motion, House of Bindu is set to redefine "Indian refreshment" by bringing authentic, emotionally resonant beverages to the mainstream. Backed by agile supply chains, strong channel partnerships, and consumer-first innovation, the company's vision is to emerge as India's most loved homegrown beverage brand--delivering not just taste, but the "pure taste of happiness." (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)
Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], July 24: Once again bringing pride to the city of Indore at the national level, the School of Architecture (SOA) of IPS Academy has been honored with the prestigious HUDCO Citation Trophy at the 67th NASA India AGBM & Trophy Jury Convention. This recognition stands as a testament to the institution's academic excellence, innovative capabilities, and commitment to social responsibility.

HUDCO (Housing and Urban Development Corporation), a premier public sector undertaking under the Government of India, presents this trophy to architecture institutions that demonstrate sensitive, practical, and innovative design solutions in areas like housing, urban development, sustainable design, and social inclusivity. This year, hundreds of leading architecture colleges from across the country competed for the HUDCO Trophy, with IPS Academy, Indore securing the coveted Citation Award.

Commenting on this remarkable achievement, Dr. Manita Saxena, Principal of SOA, said,

"This is not just a trophy--it reflects the thoughtfulness, dedication, and social awareness of our students. Our students are the future of responsible architecture, capable of recognizing real societal needs and delivering creative solutions."

Architect Achal Chaudhary, President of IPS Academy, also congratulated the team on their success, stating,

"This honor is a matter of great pride for us. It shows that IPS Academy not only leads in education but is deeply committed to social transformation. Receiving recognition from a platform like HUDCO reinforces the relevance of our academic vision."

The contributions of SOA faculty coordinators Ar. Kamini Badnore and Ar. Prateek Ahirwar were highly commendable in guiding the students. Through dedicated mentoring, deep subject knowledge, and consistent support, they played a pivotal role in leading the team to this achievement.

(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)
ACC Limited, the fastest-growing building materials solutions company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, has announced its financial results for the first quarter ended 30 June 2025. The company has delivered an accelerated start to the fiscal year, supported by sales of premium solutions, an increasing footprint of RMX plants, robust volume growth, operational efficiency, and continued market leadership. Vinod Bahety, Whole-Time Director & CEO, ACC Limited, said, "With a purpose-driven accelerated start to the year, our performance reflects the strength of our integrated strategy--anchored in premium sales, operational excellence, cost leadership, and a deep commitment to sustainability. The consistent growth in volumes, efficiency gains, and digital transformation initiatives are enabling us to deliver greater value to our customers and stakeholders.""With our science-based net-zero targets validated by the SBTi, we continue to lead the industry in climate responsibility. As we move forward, we remain focused on scaling responsibly, innovating continuously, and building a future-ready building materials solutions company making a material impact that contributes meaningfully to the nation's infrastructure and economic ambitions," Bahety added. The company has successfully commissioned a 1.5 MTPA brownfield grinding unit at Sindri. Operational highlights reflect healthy upticks in volumes, operational efficiency, cost control, and CAPEX management, affirming the progress, a release added. The financials show that the volume increased by 12 per cent YoY, supported by higher trade volumes and higher premium products as a percentage of trade sales volume (7pp YoY), ensuring market leadership. WHRS power share increased by 4pp from 9.9 per cent to 13.9 per cent, and solar power share increased by 7.9pp from 3.4 per cent to 11.3 per cent, taking the green power share up by 11.9pp to 26.2 per cent, with a clear road map and investment commitments to achieve 60 per cent green power share well ahead of the targeted FY'28. Optimised fuel basket, with the use of low-cost imported petcoke, improved linkage and captive coal consumption, and synergies with Group companies have resulted in a 10% reduction in kiln fuel cost from Rs 1.73 to Rs 1.56 per '000 Kcal. Thermal value at 738 kcal improved by 1 kcal YoY, with expectations to improve further in the coming quarters driven by capex-based efficiency improvement projects. Logistics costs reduced by 5 per cent at Rs 972/ton, driven by the efficiency improvement journey. The company said that the new initiatives taken on wheeler alignment as per shifting customer needs, improved road direct dispatch by 2pp at 69 per cent. Through various freight negotiation initiatives, road Per Tonne per Kilometer (PTPK) has decreased by 1 per cent YoY at Rs 4.15 per ton. The company's concrete business footprint and profitability improved through efficiency gains. ACC Limited's revenue for the quarter at Rs. 6,087 Crore, up by 17 per cent YoY, driven by higher trade sales volume (6 per cent) and premium product as percentage of trade sales at 41 per cent (up by 7 pp YoY). Operating EBITDA at Rs. 778 Crore, up by 15 per cent YoY, EBITDA margin at 12.8 per cent. Net Worth increased by Rs 228 Crore during the quarter and stands at Rs. 18,787 Crore. EPS (Diluted) at Rs. 19.9 during the quarter, up by Rs 0.7 YoY. ACC, along with its parent, Ambuja Cements, are India's two leading and the fourth-largest-scale cement manufacturers worldwide to achieve science-based net-zero and near-term target validation from the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The company continues to invest in its initiatives of water conservation, circular economy, thermal substitution, and community development programmes.In outlook, the company said that cement demand growth in Q1 FY'26, remained strong at 4 per cent amid favourable macro-economic situations and sustained demand from housing and infrastructure segments. "Outlook for Q2 FY'26 continues to remain strong. For FY'26, cement demand is expected to grow between 6% to 7% due to rise in demand for affordable housing (both rural and urban), higher spending on infrastructure and commercial sector, which includes increased investment in core and allied infrastructure sector," the statement added. (ANI)
Addressing concerns over UK companies entering India's Government Procurement (GP) space under the new India-UK FTA, Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, said the move will ultimately benefit Indian MSMEs, as UK firms will need to establish manufacturing units in India to remain competitive, benefiting India's MSMEs. Speaking exclusively to the ANI, Mittal acknowledged that while UK companies can now participate in government procurement, there is a threshold above which they can bid. The concerns on Government Procurement were raised by the experts, who stated that the access to the British firms in the GP process will hinder the compatibility of Indian small firms. As agreed by two countries, UK-based suppliers will be eligible to bid for government tenders only for orders of more than Rs 200 crore. Market access to the UK under the FTA will be limited to the Non-sensitive central-level entities only, and access for sub-central (state/local government) level entities is excluded. Mittal said that for larger tenders, UK-based companies can compete, but they are required to set up manufacturing units in India to remain competitive. "There's a threshold about which the government procurement, the UK companies can participate. So that means a protection for the smaller companies. And for the larger tenders, UK companies can participate and I would say this is again good because while opening it up to the UK, which is a very special gesture, what would it mean? These companies will have to come to India to set up manufacturing units; otherwise, they will not be competitive," Mittal said. This move, he believes, could be beneficial for both Indian MSMEs and UK companies, ensuring that the latter contribute to India's manufacturing ecosystem while competing in larger government tenders. According to the Union Commerce and Industry Minister, UK has agreed to take a binding commitment to provide non-discriminatory treatment to our suppliers under UK's Social Value regime in their public procurement system. Reacting to the signing of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Mittal said, "This is a historic day for India and the UK. For the first time, you're seeing 2 large markets of this size entering into a trade deal, which is a win-win for both sides. This will certainly set the roadmap for our agreements with the EU and some other trading blocs. I would say the US remains a very separate track, which is a very large market. It's a set apart from everybody else." In the presence of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the eagerly anticipated historic India-UK Free Trade Agreement was signed, expanding access to goods and services between the two nations. (ANI)
Ukraine's top intelligence official is naming names when it comes to U.S. allies, singling out members of Donald Trump's team who he says have become the country's most vocal advocates.

Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's military intelligence service, offered rare praise for key Trump-era officials in a recent interview with the Kyiv Post, despite growing concerns about how a second Trump presidency might affect aid. He credited U.S. Special Envoy Keith Kellogg and Secretary of State Marco Rubio with taking a clear and consistent stance: that continued support for Ukraine is in the United States' strategic interest.

Budanov noted that while Trump's position on Ukraine has fluctuated, he has never been an outright opponent. The first American weapons deliveries to Ukraine came during his presidency, he said, and current support reflects pressure applied through diplomacy and ongoing dialogue with Trump's inner circle.

Leading that effort, Budanov said, is Kellogg. A retired lieutenant general and former national security adviser under Trump, Kellogg has long pushed for a tougher U.S. posture toward Russia. Since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, he has lobbied for long-range missiles, fighter jets, and advanced air defense systems for Ukraine. He has also backed a post-war Marshall Plan and joined negotiations with Western leaders on Ukraine's reconstruction and long-term security.

"His position is absolutely clear," Budanov said. "The United States must lead the effort to achieve a just peace."

During a recent visit to Ukraine, Kellogg met with top defense officials and inspected Russian weapons systems containing Western-made electronics. Budanov said Kellogg's first-hand view of how sanctions are being bypassed could help persuade other U.S. officials to tighten enforcement.

Looking ahead, Budanov said he believes the U.S.-Ukraine relationship will remain strong regardless of who is in the White House. "America is our friend," he said, responding to a question about who could be called "Ukraine's best friends" in Trump's camp.

Originally published on Latin Times
The reduction in import duties on automobiles under the newly signed India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will ultimately benefit Indian auto component manufacturers, said Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, adding that the UK component makers will shift manufacturing to India, attracted by lower production costs and a growing domestic market. In an exclusive interview with ANI, the Bharti Enterprises Chairman also noted that UK automobile companies will increasingly import components from India as the manufacturing of expensive auto components will shift to the country. He further emphasised that the UK's auto manufacturers would likely increase their imports of components from India, potentially setting up local factories to take advantage of India's low manufacturing costs and abundant talent. "The Indian auto parts manufacturing industry is one of the most sophisticated and advanced in the world. In fact, if you look at the auto industry, we have a huge leg up in the world of exporting auto components. So I don't think so. Indian industry really needs to feel that expensive components made in the UK or other Western markets will flow into India," Mittal told ANI. He dismissed concerns that the deal might undermine India's "Make in India" initiative, highlighting the advanced and sophisticated nature of India's auto parts manufacturing industry. "Quite the contrary with this again, companies that are manufacturing cars and trucks and automobiles in the UK will be importing more components from India, probably setting up industries and factories in India to ensure that they can get low-cost manufacturing of high-quality availability for their own markets and global markets," he remarked. Under the trade agreement, the import duty on cars built in the UK--both electric and gasoline/diesel--will be reduced from over 100 percent to about 10 percent, subject to a predetermined yearly quota. With safeguards in place to protect India's local auto sector as its own manufacturing capacity grows, this concession will be brought in gradually over the course of the next ten to fifteen years. He also pointed out that many UK-based companies are already exporting Indian-made auto components to over 100 countries, underscoring India's global competitiveness in this sector. "Do keep in mind companies that have gone from the UK to India are exporting from India to 100 other countries. What's the reason? Talent is in short supply in the UK. Talent is very expensive. Manufacturing is very expensive in the UK. The local market is rather modest," Mittal added. The Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) has also welcomed the signing of the India-UK Comprehensive Trade Agreement. The body said that CETA is expected to benefit the Indian auto component sector through enhanced opportunities for exports and streamlined regulatory processes, particularly in key areas such as electric mobility, precision engineering, and lightweight materials. Indian MSMEs, which form the backbone of our industry, stand to gain from the liberalised terms of trade and improved access to UK markets. (ANI)
Veteran actor Bill Cosby recalled his working experience with his 'The Cosby Show' co-star Malcolm-Jamal Warner after the former passed away at the age of 54 due to drowning, reported Variety. Warner passed away on Sunday after an accidental drowning while swimming off the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica during a family vacation. According to local authorities, the actor was caught in a strong current. Despite efforts by beachgoers and first responders, Warner could not be revived, reported Variety. In an interview with ABC News, as quoted by Variety, Cosby reflected on Warner's legacy both on and off the screen, remembering him as "very professional" and "a great studier." "I enjoyed working with him very much. He always knew his part, he always knew his lines, and he always knew where to go," said Bill Cosby as quoted by Variety. According to the outlet, the role of Theo Huxtable was loosely inspired by Cosby's real-life son, Ennis, who was murdered in 1997. Cosby noted the parallels between the two young men and shared that Warner and Ennis were friends during their youth. Cosby also stated that he maintained a paternal bond with Warner long after 'The Cosby Show' ended its eight-season run from 1984 to 1992. "Malcolm calls here regularly. While I was their TV dad, I never stopped being a father to them," added Bill Cosby, as quoted by Variety. According to Wyatt, Cosby has been in contact with other "Cosby Show" alumni, including Phylicia Rashad, who played his onscreen wife Clair Huxtable. Warner's post-Cosby career was wide-ranging. He earned praise for his roles in 'Reed Between the Lines,' 'The Resident, ' and 'Sons of Anarchy.' He also won a Grammy Award in 2015 for best traditional R&B performance. In recent years, he focused on producing a podcast that delved into Black identity and cultural history, reported Variety. Cosby, once one of television's most beloved figures, was accused by more than 60 women of sexual assault and misconduct spanning decades. He served three years in prison after a 2018 conviction, which was later overturned on appeal. Cosby has continued to deny all allegations against him. (ANI)
Director Anurag Kashyap is all set to present Anuparna Roy's feature directorial debut 'Songs of Forgotten Trees', which will world premiere at the 82nd Venice Film Festival, reported Variety. The human drama marks India's only selection in Venice's Horizons strand, joining the ranks of previous films including Chaitanya Tamhane's 'Court' and Karan Tejpal's 'Stolen,' the latter of which recently bowed on Prime Video. Starring Naaz Shaikh and Sumi Baghel, the Mumbai-set feature is produced by Bibhanshu Rai, Romil Modi, and Ranjan Singh, with co-production from Navin Shetty and Roy herself, reported Variety. According to the outlet, the film follows Thooya, a migrant and aspiring actress who navigates Mumbai by leveraging beauty and wit, occasionally trading intimacy for opportunity. When she sublets her sugar daddy's upscale apartment to Swetha, a fellow migrant working a corporate job, the two women from seemingly different worlds begin sharing more than just living space. Amid Mumbai's relentless pulse, they discover silent empathy, though personal histories and wounds test their delicate connection in what the synopsis describes as "a strange and tender unfolding - of selfhood, of survival, of unexpected kinship." "I have always believed in backing new talent, especially those who want to say something different, challenge the set norms by their ideas and beliefs," Kashyap said in a statement as quoted by Variety. "Ranjan and I have been associated with multiple such films over the years, and it's amazing to see such raw talent continuously coming up. Anuparna is definitely one such voice and we feel proud and happy to back her first feature," added Kashyap as quoted by Variety. Films where Kashyap and Singh have teamed on as producers include 'Little Thomas' and Berlin title 'Tiger's Pond,' reported Variety. Kashyap's endorsement comes as his own latest feature 'Bandar' (Monkey in a Cage), starring Bobby Deol and Sanya Malhotra, preps for its world premiere at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival. (ANI)
The Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) signed the two strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Comic Con India, and Green Rain Studios after the formal inauguration by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Railways Minister and Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, at the IICT-NFDC Campus in Mumbai. These partnerships mark a significant step towards strengthening India's AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality) ecosystem by integrating world-class industry expertise with academic excellence. The MoU with Comic Con India, India's largest pop culture platform, will focus on structured opportunities for student engagement, original IP development, and industry-academia collaboration, as per the press note by IICT. The initiatives will include student showcases at Comic Con events, masterclasses, hackathons, internships, and efforts to grow India's grassroots creator ecosystem. Shefali Johnson, CEO of Comic Con India, said, "We are proud to collaborate with IICT as part of the broader AVGC-XR vision for India, and we are excited about the positive impact this partnership will have in nurturing homegrown creative talent, especially in the field of comics," as quoted in a press note. She further talked about the significance of the Comic Con's collaboration with IICT. "This collaboration is about creating meaningful pathways for IICT students to engage directly with the industry. Through Comic Con India, students will be able to gain valuable mentorship from leading creators and professionals, connect with the wider pop culture community, enhance their creative skills, and understand the commercial aspects of their craft. We also aim to contribute towards building a curriculum that reflects the practical needs of the industry, so that students are fully prepared and ready to step confidently into their professional careers," added Shefali Johnson as quoted in a press note. The MoU with Green Rain Studios, India's first Unreal Authorised Training Centre, will integrate real-time technology skills into IICT's programs, with a focus on Unreal Engine, virtual production, and immersive media training. Karan Parikh, CEO and Founder of Green Rain Studios, said, "Through this MoU, Green Rain Studios and IICT are coming together to combine academic rigour with real-world industry experience, especially in Unreal Engine, virtual production, and immersive media. As India's first Unreal Authorised Training Centre, we've seen how real-time technology can transform creative careers. This collaboration reflects our commitment to nurturing the next generation of AVGC-XR talent--building scalable training, world-class infrastructure, and bridging the gap between academia and industry to power India's digital future," as per the press note. Ashish Kulkarni, Board member IICT and Munjal Shroff, Governing council member from IICT, were present for the MoU exchanges between Comic Con and Green Rain, respectively. Speaking at the inaugural event, Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasised the Government's commitment to making India a global hub for AVGC-XR talent, while Shri Devendra Fadnavis highlighted Maharashtra's focus on building a future-ready creative economy. IICT unveiled 17 courses for inaugural year batch beginning this September. (ANI)
Riddhima Kapoor Sahni turned heads on the second day of Hyundai India Couture Week 2025 as she walked the runway for designer Suneet Varma. Riddhima looked graceful and confident as she walked the ramp wearing a beautiful outfit designed by Varma. The dreamy attire had a soft and romantic feel. The outfit featured a pastel base with floral embroidery in pink and green, along with golden threadwork. The dress was styled with a long sheer cape that flowed behind her, adding a magical touch to her look. Her hair was styled straight and sleek, and her makeup was subtle, letting the outfit take centre stage. The collection by Suneet Varma was inspired by twilight and the beauty of femininity. It featured soft, flowing fabrics, detailed hand embroidery, and soft shades that evoked the beauty of moonlight. Each outfit told its own story of charm, mystery, and elegance. https://www.instagram.com/p/DMf_dJaSRGF/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== While speaking to ANI, Riddhima talked about the collection, saying, "So this is not overly dramatic, it just resonates with what I usually wear to weddings and to other functions. It''s something that I would wear because it''s very comfortable, it''s something that I could wear, it is wearable, and I think it''s absolutely stylish." Kapoor added that she prefers comfortable attire and never believes in following others, "I think one should just dress comfortable and have their own style and not copy others, there''s something that might looks nice on them, it''s not necessary that it will look nice on you, so just have your own style and just be comfortable and be confident." The ace designer Suneet Varma spoke about his collaboration with Riddhima, saying, "Riddhima comes from one of the most legendary families... I believe there is a certain amount of love that we share with each other. I also find that she''s a girl who can do so much. She practices yoga every day, takes care of her children, her husband, and her family. She''s now doing a movie. She''s a jewellery designer. She''s able to actually do a lot. So, for me, I think she''s a perfect muse." India Couture Week 2025 is presented by the Fashion Design Council of India (FDCI) in partnership with Reliance Brands. The week-long fashion event began with Rahul Mishra''s grand opening show and will close with JJ Valaya''s final showcase on July 30. On the work front, Riddhima recently wrapped up filming for her debut movie with comedian Kapil Sharma. The film also stars her mother, Neetu Kapoor, in a key role. Sadia Khateeb, Sarath Kumar and Aditi Mittal are also a part of the movie. The film''s title and release date have not been disclosed by the makers yet. When asked if she got any advice from her brother and Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor, she said, "He always advises me on everything, and it was a great experience to work with my mother on screen. It was very special."(ANI)
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami spoke to Atul, a youth selected to IIT Madras from Rudraprayag district, over the phone and congratulated him on Wednesday. The Chief Minister stated that Atul has inspired others with his hard work. Chief Minister Dhami emphasised that determination is key to achieving one's dreams, stating that with hard work, dreams get fulfilled; nothing is impossible in life. He praised Atul for inspiring and making every Uttarakhandi proud. The Chief Minister also assured Atul of all possible help. Atul met the expenses of his studies by driving horses and mules in Kedarnath. He has cracked the IIT-Joint Admission Test for Master's (JAM) and has secured admission at IIT Madras. Speaking exclusively to ANI, Atul narrated his inspiring journey from a modest background in the hills of Uttarakhand to one of India's premier institutes. "In the beginning, I didn't even know what IIT was," he recalls. "Growing up, water shortages and lack of awareness kept us from dreaming big. I wasn't interested in engineering until a teacher introduced me to the idea of doing a master's at IIT. That changed everything." Asked about his preparation strategy, he said he began preparing for the JAM exam in July, after returning from Kedarnath, where he had worked during the month of June. "I began studying in July. I had just returned from Kedarnath, where I was working in June--there was no network, and we lived in tents, so studying was not possible. My friend Mahavir, who had previously prepared, helped me a lot by sharing his notes. I studied consistently till January, and the exam was in February." During his time in Kedarnath, Atul assisted pilgrims by managing logistics, including carrying goods, helping with travel arrangements, and providing support on difficult terrain. It was not easy, but his goal kept him going. "My biggest motivation was to move ahead in life -- to escape that place and create something better for myself." He added, "My father works as a horse handler, and that's our main livelihood. During holidays, I used to help him. My elder sister is married, and the younger one just completed her education." Now, with a seat secured at IIT Madras, Atul is ready to embark on a new chapter. "The response has been overwhelming. More than my own joy, it was the happiness on others' faces that touched me -- from teachers to people who never even taught me, everyone called to congratulate me. It feels good to bring pride to my community." When asked what message he has for students from similar backgrounds, Atul said, "If my journey inspires even a few students to pursue their goals despite hardships, then all this effort has been worthwhile." (ANI)
Uttar Pradesh Police have arrested one miscreant after an encounter and recovered one pistol and two cartridges along with cash in Lucknow. The encounter took place on Wednesday night after the miscreant and his three accomplices opened fire at a police patrolling team, said the police. The arrested person has been identified as Kuldeep alias Dhela. His accomplices have managed to escape, the police said. Dhela has been shifted to the civil hospital for treatment. A non-number plated motorcycle, two cartridges, one pistol and Rs 25,000 cash have been recovered. ACP Central Lucknow's Mamta Rani Chaudhary informed reporters about a recent pickpocketing incident in the city, where approximately Rs 47,000 was stolen. The police swiftly registered a case and launched a search operation, forming three teams to track down the culprits. "Tonight, when the police were on patrol. Two people on a motorcycle tried to run away during police checking. One of them fired at the police, and in retaliation, the miscreant got shot in the leg," Chaudhary said. "The other miscreants took advantage of the darkness and ran away, but we found one miscreant in an injured condition. After interrogation, he identified himself as Kuldeep alias Dhela, a resident of Farrukhabad. Cases are registered against him in many districts," she added. Further legal action is underway. (ANI)
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court in Bengaluru has recently sentenced three accused to seven years in prison and a fine of 36,000 each after they pleaded guilty in the August 11, 2020, attack on DJ Halli and KG Halli police stations. Syed Ikramuddin alias Syed Naveed, Syed Atif and Mohammed Atif were sentenced by NIA Special Court Judge Kemparaju after they confessed. Syed Ikramuddin, Syed Atif and Mohammed Atif were the 14th, 16th and 18th accused, respectively. The trial of the rest is yet to begin. There were a total of 199 accused in the case, 187 of whom were arrested. 4 surrendered themselves, and one died. The prosecution has filed a charge sheet against 138 people. Twelve vehicles and one private vehicle were damaged in the incident, out of which one Innova car, five two-wheelers, and the remaining six other vehicles were damaged. Earlier, on August 11, 2020, at around 9 pm, 25-30 people gathered in front of the KG Halli police station, demanding that the then MLA Akhand Srinivas Murthy's relative, Naveen, post a derogatory post on social media against Prophet Mohammed and demand his immediate arrest. The protest was led by Syed Ikramuddin. The complainant had informed the NCR. As the protesters insisted on registering a case and making immediate arrests, the police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC to control the situation. The angry mob attacked and started a riot. (ANI)
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat will hold a meeting with Muslim religious leaders and intellectuals at Haryana Bhawan in Delhi at 10 AM on Thursday. RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, Joint General Secretary Krishna Gopal, Ram Lal, and Indresh Kumar will also be present at the meeting. According to sources, several Muslim religious leaders, including Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Chief of the All India Imam Organisation, will participate in the meeting. Through its affiliated organisation, the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM), the RSS has been engaging with Muslim clerics, scholars and eminent personalities from the community. In 2023, the MRM stated that it would launch a nationwide campaign to reach out to the minority community to promote the idea of "one nation, one flag, one National Anthem". In September 2022, Mohan Bhagwat met with many Muslim intellectuals and discussed ways to strengthen religious inclusivity in the country. The meeting was held for propagating the ideas of Sangh and for promoting the theme of religious inclusivity. The Gyanvapi controversy, the Hijab controversy, and population control were discussed in the meeting. The meeting was attended by many intellectuals like Former Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) S Y Qureshi, Former Delhi Lieutenant Governor (LG) Najeeb Jung, Former Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) Lieutenant General Zameer Uddin Shah, Former MP Shahid Siddiqui and businessman Saeed Shervani. In October 2022, RSS leader Indresh Kumar paid a visit to the Hazrat Nizamuddin Dargah in New Delhi and lit earthen lamps inside the shrine's premises. "No one should be forced to convert and do violence. Everyone should follow their own religion and caste. Do not criticise and insult others' religions. When all religions are respected in the country, then the country will be free from the fundamentalists who make stone pelting on Friday. India is the only country that respects and accepts all religions," Indresh Kumar had said during the visit. In September 2022, Indresh Kumar accompanied RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat to meet the Chief Imam of All India Imam Organisation, Dr Umer Ahmed Ilyasi. RSS chief also visited a mosque and a madrasa in the national capital on the same day. (ANI)
The Lok Sabha has decided to hold a 16-hour-long discussion on Operation Sindoor, starting from July 28, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to participate in the debate after concluding his foreign visit to UK and Maldives, according to sources. The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is also scheduled to respond to the detailed deliberations in the House. Earlier in the day, a meeting of the Business Advisory Committee (BAC) of the Rajya Sabha was held in the National Capital. During the meeting, it was decided to hold a discussion on Operation Sindoor in the Rajya Sabha on July 29. According to sources, the government, however, had denied the Opposition's demand for a farewell speech by former vice president Jagdeep Dhankhar. The Government agreed to the Opposition's demand that the seven MPs who would be retiring be allowed to make farewell speeches. Earlier, the Business Advisory Committee meeting of the Lok Sabha was held on Monday. According to sources, a discussion on Operation Sindoor in the Lok Sabha is likely to begin next week, with 16 hours allocated to the Operation after a consensus was reached. Oppositon parties have been demanding the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the debate on Operation Sindoor. Meanwhile, Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his silence over repeated "ceasefire" claims made by US President Donald Trump. Suggesting that one can't hide from reality, he said that the entire world knows that Trump announced a "ceasefire" between India and Pakistan. "How can the Prime Minister give a statement? Kya bolenge PM, ki Trump ne karwaya hai? (What will he say? Did Trump announce it? He can't say it, but it is the truth. The entire world knows that Trump has announced a ceasefire. We can't hide from reality," Gandhi told reporters here. "This is not only about a ceasefire. There are several major issues that we would like to discuss related to defence, defence manufacturing, and Operation Sindoor. The condition is not normal; the entire nation knows," he added. Gandhi stated that the Prime Minister has not been able to provide a single response to Trump's claims about a ceasefire, which he has reiterated 25 times so far. "Those who call themselves 'deshbhakt' have run away. The Prime Minister is unable to give a single statement. Trump has claimed 25 times that he has announced a ceasefire. Who is he? This is not his work. However, the Prime Minister didn't respond once. This is reality. Can't hide from it," the Congress MP said. "They have destroyed our foreign policy. You can hardly count on your fingers the number of countries that have supported us. No one has supported us," Gandhi added. This came after a recent statement made by Donald Trump, where he repeated his claims of "stopping the war between India and Pakistan" in the name of trade deals. (ANI)
The World Health Organization's chief warned Wednesday of widespread starvation in Gaza, saying food deliveries into the war-ravaged Palestinian territory were "far below what is needed for the survival of the population".

"A large proportion of the population of Gaza is starving. I don't know what you would call it other than mass starvation -- and it's man-made," Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told reporters.

His statement added his voice to those of 111 aid organisations and rights groups, including MSF and Oxfam, who warned earlier Wednesday that "mass starvation" was spreading in Gaza.

"Our colleagues and those we serve are wasting away," they said in a joint statement.

Israel is facing mounting international pressure over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza, where more than two million people are facing severe shortages of food and other essentials after 21 months of conflict.

Even after Israel began easing a more than two-month aid blockade in late May, Gaza's population is still suffering extreme scarcities.

"The 2.1 million people trapped in the war zone that is Gaza are facing yet another killer on top of bombs and bullets: starvation," Tedros said.

"We are now witnessing a deadly surge in malnutrition-related deaths," he added.

Tedros highlighted that "rates of global acute malnutrition exceed 10 percent, and over 20 percent of pregnant and breastfeeding women that have been screened are malnourished, often severely".

The UN health agency has documented 21 deaths in Gaza related to malnutrition of children under the age of five since the beginning of the year, but acknowledges that that the true number is likely higher.

The head of Gaza's largest hospital said Tuesday that 21 children had died due to malnutrition and starvation in the Palestinian territory over the previous three days alone.

Tedros warned that "the hunger crisis is being accelerated by the collapse of aid pipelines and restrictions on access".

The starvation is "man-made" and clearly caused by Israel's blockade on the territory, he said.

The WHO chief highlighted how starving people were risking their lives to access aid.

The UN rights office said Tuesday that Israeli forces have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians trying to get food aid in Gaza since the US- and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation started operations in late May.

"We demand that there is full access, and we demand that there is a ceasefire," he said.

"We demand that there is a political solution to this problem, a lasting solution."
A Crime Branch team arrested two individuals with MD drugs in Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal in a recent operation under the 'Nashe Se Doori Hai Zaroori' campaign, recovered weapons and also found objectionable videos of women from the accused's mobile, an official said. Speaking to ANI, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Addl DCP, Crime Branch), Shailendra Singh Chauhan said, "Crime Branch Bhopal is continuously taking action against narcotics substances and an awareness campaign is also being run across the state on the instructions of DGP 'Nashe Se Doori Hai Zaroori'. Under the campaign, the Crime Branch team has confiscated a large quantity of Ganja, MD drugs and other narcotic substances." The Crime Branch team received information about the smuggling of MD drugs, following which, the team verified the lead and apprehended two persons in the city, Additional DCP Chauhan said. "Upon interrogating the accused, some more names have been revealed. The team have recovered drugs, weapons and confiscated vehicles from the accused. Additionally, objectionable videos of women have been found on the mobile of one of the accused, identified as Yaseen Ahmed. A few videos with arms, some drug photos and apart from this, some videos of assaulting the public and intimidating them were also found in the mobile," he said. He added that efforts would be made to identify the victims. In the meantime, he also appealed that if any victim provides information or makes a complaint to the police, concerned police station or crime branch or via telephone, then it will be included in the investigation further. Both accused have been remanded, and they will be interrogated to know more about the people involved in the racket. So further action into the matter will be taken based on the facts revealed," the officer said. A case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of NDPS act and arms act and started investigation into the matter, he added. Madhya Pradesh Police is running a 15-day statewide anti-drug awareness campaign "Nashe Se Doori - Hai Zaroori" from July 15, aiming to make the public aware of the effects of drug abuse and continuously taking action to curb the supply and use of narcotic substances. (ANI)
Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan slammed the Centre over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, accusing the government of snatching the voting rights of 60-70 lakh people in the state, where the assembly elections are scheduled to be held later this year. Speaking to ANI, Ranjan said, "...Is it not the right of the voter to ask whether he is a voter or not. We are not receiving any receipt regarding this. The opposition demands this proof. If the government claims that a person is not a voter, then the opposition is demanding proof...We are demanding proof of the verification of 2-3 crore people...The survey has already been done in Bihar. You (government) are clearly snatching the rights of around 60-70 lakh voters in Bihar..." Earlier, Congress leader Shama Mohamed launched a strong attack on the BJP-led NDA government over Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in poll-bound Bihar on Wednesday, saying there is no transparency within the Election Commission of India and they are fooling the public. "...There is no transparency in the Election Commission of India, and we are asking for time from the Election Commission of India regarding some anomalies, but they are not giving us time. This means something is wrong," she said. She further questioned the decision to begin the SIR process just months ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections, alleging political bias. "Why did the Election Commission start the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise three months before the Bihar Assembly elections... The Election Commission of India is fooling the public..." she told ANI. Meanwhile, amid continued protest by the opposition, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha were adjourned for the third day of the monsoon session on Wednesday. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha faced major disruptions amid Opposition protest over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls being undertaken by the Election Commission (EC) in Bihar ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, Operation Sindoor, the Pahalgam attack and US President Donald Trump's repeated claims of brokering peace between India and Pakistan. (ANI)
Amid the opposition's criticism of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar in both houses of Parliament, Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar defended the exercise, asserting that reforms are essential for democracy. Speaking to ANI, Majumdar said, "I believe reforms are very necessary for democracy. You only need to bring one document, not all of them... I think if such reforms do not happen in democracy, you won't even know how many of our citizens voted and how many people from outside voted..." He noted that such exercises are important to determine the number of illegal voters. Earlier, more than 52.30 lakh voters were not found at their registered addresses during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, the Election Commission of India (ECI) said on Tuesday. According to the poll body, 52,30,126 electors, amounting to 6.62 per cent of the state's total registered voters, were either deceased, had shifted permanently, were enrolled at multiple locations, or were untraceable. Of the total, nearly 18.5 lakh electors were reported as deceased, 26 lakh had permanently shifted, and nearly 7.5 lakh electors were found to be enrolled at multiple places, and around 11,000 voters were not traceable. The ECI has shared the list of these names with the 1.5 Lakh Booth Level Agents (BLAs) appointed by district presidents of 12 major political parties in Bihar. These BLAs have been actively cooperating in determining the status of electors who could not be found at their addresses. However, some experts are of the opinion that some national and state leaders of some political parties and intellectuals want dead, shifted, duplicate, and untraceable voters to be included in the draft electoral rolls. They argue that such demand defies logic and flies in the face of the entire purpose of a Special Intensive Revision. They stated that the SIR exercise is comprehensive and will ensure that no eligible elector is left off the list. The demands to include such electors suggest an ulterior motive hidden from the general public. (ANI)
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) spokesperson TKS Elangovan on Wednesday hit back at AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami's criticism of dynastic politics, defending Chief Minister MK Stalin's political journey and accusing the AIADMK of having its own legacy of elevation through personal proximity rather than merit. Responding to Palaniswami's remarks that the DMK promotes hereditary leadership, Elangovan pointed to AIADMK's own past following the death of its founder M G Ramachandran (MGR) in 1987. He said, "He should also tell what happened in AIADMK when MGR died - his wife Janaki Ramachandran, who was never in politics, became the Chief Minister. Jayalalitha, who joined the party only in 1982, became the next CM. In AIADMK, those who fall at the feet of Sasikala can become CM." Contrasting that with MK Stalin's rise in the DMK, Elangovan said, "This is not the case with DMK. MK Stalin's active political works gave him leadership. He worked for the party even after he was imprisoned under MISA and then elected as the CM by the MLAs." Edappadi K Palaniswami launched a sharp attack on the ruling DMK on Tuesday, accusing the party of promoting dynasty politics and asserting that the 2026 assembly elections will bring an end to what he called the DMK's "family rule." Addressing a gathering, Palaniswami underlined his humble background and questioned the idea that political leadership should be limited to one family. ""I am a farmer. Can't a farmer become the Chief Minister? Has Tamil Nadu been permanently handed over to the DMK? In AIADMK, anyone can become CM. We're not a family-run party. Dynasties have ended in India, but DMK is trying to bring one back." Taking direct aim at the DMK's leadership structure, EPS said, "The 2026 election will put an end to that. Should it always be Karunanidhi, Stalin, Udhayanidhi, Inbanidhi? Are there no other capable people in the party (DMK) and the country?" The Tamil Nadu Assembly Election will be held in 2026. The AIADMK and BJP have already joined hands to face the Chief Minister, MK Stalin-led DMK. (ANI)
Ahead of the first phase of voting for the three-tier Panchayat elections in Uttarakhand taking place today, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday appealed to the people of the state to vote in large numbers and exercise their voting rights. In a post on social media X, the CM appealed to the voters to choose capable, aware and dedicated representatives who would strongly raise their voices and strengthen the foundation of rural development. https://x.com/pushkardhami/status/1948196092035887431?s=48 "Empowered Panchayats, Empowered Uttarakhand. Today, the first phase of voting for the three-tier panchayat elections is taking place. I appeal to all the divine people of the state to reach the polling stations in large numbers and exercise their voting rights. With your vote, choose capable, aware, and dedicated representatives who will strongly raise your voice and strengthen the foundation of rural development. Your single vote is an important step towards a robust Panchayati Raj system," the post read. As per a notification by the State Election Commission in Uttarakhand, panchayat elections will be conducted in two phases in 12 districts of the state, except Haridwar. Voting under the second phase will take place on July 28. The counting of votes will be done on July 31. The notification signed by Sushil Kumar, Uttarakhand State Election Commissioner, comes after the Nainital High Court on Friday permitted the continuation of the panchayat election process, lifting its earlier stay order issued on June 23. Earlier on July 23, CM Dhami expressed happiness on the payment of Rs 1,600 crore as the state's pension share to Uttarakhand by the Uttar Pradesh government for the financial years 2021-22 and 2022-23 and thanked the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, said a statement from CMO. The Chief Minister has stated that, due to improved coordination and ongoing dialogue between the two states, pending issues regarding assets and liabilities are being resolved expeditiously. (ANI)
The Opposition parties are set to protest for the third consecutive day at Parliament premises on Thursday against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being conducted by the Election Commission (EC). The opposition parties have repeatedly called for a discussion in the Lok Sabha and Rajya regarding the revision exercise, moving adjournment motions everyday since the start of the monsoon session. The opposition parties have been protesting at the Parliament steps since the start of the session too, alleging that the revision exercise is being used for voter manipulation and deletion of votes ahead of the assembly elections. Meanwhile in Bihar, the Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav, and party MP Manoj Jha have said that there "might" be a discussion of the possibility of a poll boycott. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, along with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, DMK MP Kanimozhi, Congress leaders Manickam Tagore and KC Venugopal participated in the protest for the past few days. Multiple Congress MPs have also moved adjournment motions in Rajya Sabha to discuss the ongoing SIR being conducted by the Election Commission in poll bound Bihar, and raising concerns over the exercise which is likely to be carried out across the country, including in West Bengal. Alleging that the revision exercise is being used as a cover to disenfranchise voters, atleast six Congress MPs have moved the Notice of Motion for Suspension of rules under Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Council of States (Rajya Sabha). Party leaders in the upper house, including Rajani Ashokrao Patil, Jebi Mather, Ranjeet Ranjan, Neeraj Dangi, Neeraj Dangi, and Akhilesh Prasad Singh have called for the house to suspend Zero Hour and Question Hour on Thursday to discuss the Bihar SIR. Party leader Neeraj Dangi, while submitting the motion to the RS Secretary General, raised the issue of how certain people from socio-economically vulnerable communities, and people who migrate, facing difficulties with documents. "To discuss the concerns arising out of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar and reports of such exercise being extended to West Bengal and nation-wide. High levels of migration and document-related difficulties in such states raise questions about disenfranchisement among large sections of socio-economically vulnerable communities," the RS MP wrote in his motion. Another RS MP, Rajani Ashokrao Patil, also submitted an adjournment motion, saying how the actions of the poll panel has "sparked apprehensions about potential electoral manipulation." She also likened it to the previous claims by Rahul Gandhi regarding the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections, in which the party has claimed large scale voter additions has happened. Patil wrote in her letter, "To discuss the concerns arising out of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar ahead of elections, as well as reports of a similar exercise being planned in West Bengal and other states. These actions have sparked grave apprehensions about potential electoral manipulation, particularly in view of concerns that had emerged in Maharashtra during the 2024 legislative Assembly elections." (ANI)
Stressing on the problem of duplicate fertilisers and substandard seeds, Rajasthan Minister for Agriculture, Kirodi Lal Meena, said that he discussed the issue with Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who has assured him that preparations to bring a law for the same are underway. Speaking to ANI on Wednesday, Meena said that the state department has recently seized fake fertilisers and seeds. "... In recent days, our department conducted a program in Rajasthan. During this, fake fertilisers, substandard seeds, and pesticides were seized. A plant for fake biodiesel was also seized... I met with Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and told him that strict laws are needed for this. He assured me that preparations for the law have begun, and we will bring a law for this in Parliament," the Rajasthan Minister said. Earlier on July 13, Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan urged all States to launch a statewide campaign to eliminate the problem of fake and substandard agricultural inputs from its roots, as per a statement by the Ministry. He further stated that regular monitoring of this work at the State level would lead to an effective and sustainable solution in the interest of farmers. Union Minister Chouhan wrote to the Chief Ministers of all States and Union Territories, "directing immediate and strict action" against the issue of counterfeit and substandard fertilisers. The letter was issued with the objective of curbing the sale of fake fertilisers, black marketing of subsidised fertilisers, and illegal activities such as forced tagging across the country, a statement from the Union Ministry said. In the letter, the Union Minister emphasised that agriculture is the backbone of India's economy, and to ensure stability in farmers' income, it is essential to provide them with quality fertilisers at the right time, at affordable prices, and of standard quality. Union Minister also highlighted that the sale of counterfeit or substandard fertilisers is prohibited under the Fertiliser (Control) Order, 1985, which falls under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955. The letter added that strict legal action, including the cancellation of licenses and the registration of FIRs, should be taken against the culprits, and effective prosecution must be ensured to secure a conviction. Chouhan directed that regular monitoring of fertiliser production and sale, as well as strict control over counterfeit and substandard products through sampling and testing, must be carried out. He added in the letter that forced tagging of nano-fertilisers or bio-stimulant products along with conventional fertilisers should be stopped immediately. Earlier, on July 6, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that the government is preparing a new, stricter law to address the problem of duplicate fertilisers and seeds. He stated that the current law imposes only a small fine of around Rs 500, allowing offenders to escape easily. Speaking to the reporters, Chouhan said, "...We are working on bringing a new law to tackle the issue of duplicate fertilisers, seeds... The law will be strict as the present law is not that strict, but just about a compensation of around Rs 500, and hence those who commit this get released easily." (ANI)
A First Information Report (FIR) was filed against Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor, Manish Kashyap, party spokesperson Vivek and state President Manoj Bharti along with 2,000 unknown people in light of the party's gherao on the Bihar Vidhan Sabha, as per officials. The FIR was filed under sections 191 (2), 190, 132, 223 on cases of scuffle with the police and violation of restricted prohibitory order. Earlier on July 23, founder Prashant Kishor warned the Bihar government of the party disrupting its functioning across the State if their demands were not addressed. This comes after a young party supporter was injured by the police who allegedly used lathis during the protest. Kishor demanded a written statement from the Chief Secretary regarding the pending issues raised by his party and confirmed that five senior Jan Suraaj leaders were currently in talks with the official. "If you have hit an unarmed man of Suraaj with a stick, I'm sitting right here. This is a restricted area, try to hit me. We will make it difficult for the government to function in the whole of Bihar... You have hit a boy who got injury in his head... Either the Chief Secretary gives us in writing when they will give us the answers, or we won't move from here," Kishor said. He further added, "The Chief Secretary is talking with the five senior leaders of the Jan Suraaj. We are sitting here peacefully. The police and the government have to bow down. It is about the public, and they have to agree, and if they don't agree, we won't step back. We are waiting to see the outcome of the meeting. Police can't do anything; they have hit one boy. They are saying that this is a restricted area. We are sitting here and telling them to try to hit us...." The confrontation occurred as the Jan Suraaj group tried to march towards the Bihar Assembly. They were stopped by police barricades, leading to a brief scuffle and rising tension at the protest site. Speaking to ANI earlier, Kishor criticised the Bihar government for ignoring the plight of lakhs of children working as labourers across the state. "In this same heat, more than 50 lakh children of Bihar are working as labourers, and the government is not even paying attention. So if we have to wake up the government, then we need to come out on the streets... We are just going, and police can do whatever they want," he said. (ANI)
The Mahadayi river project has sparked a heated dispute between Karnataka and Goa, with both states claiming rights to the river's water. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant emphasised the river's importance to Goa on Thursday, saying, "For everyone, the Mahadayi is a political issue, but for Goa, Mahadayi is our lifeline." Sawant asserted that the Goa government is actively representing its interests in the Supreme Court, central government, and the Mahadayi dispute tribunal. Sawant stated, "For everyone, the Mahadayi is a political issue, but for Goa, Mahadayi is our lifeline. The Mahadayi river water which comes from Karnataka into Goa, our government represents our stand at the Supreme Court, central government, and the Mahadayi dispute tribunal from time to time... Mahadayi river water that comes into Goa should flow freely because it is our lifeline, and it is also the lifeline of Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary. Our fight will go on..." The Mahadayi river originates in Karnataka's Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and flows through Goa before emptying into the Arabian Sea. Karnataka plans to divert 7.56 tmcft of water to the Malaprabha valley for the Kalasa-Banduri project, which would support over 40 lakh people in Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Bagalkot, and nearby areas. However, Goa has objected to this plan, leading to a decades-long dispute. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has strongly criticised Sawant's remarks, calling them an insult to the people of Karnataka. Siddaramaiah emphasised the project's importance for providing drinking water to North Karnataka and accused the Centre and Goa's BJP government of blocking justice for Karnataka. "Mahadayi is not for luxury or waste, it is for the drinking water needs of North Karnataka," he said. Despite a 2018 tribunal verdict allocating 13.42 TMC of water to Karnataka, the project remains stalled. Earlier on Wednesday, Karnataka Minister HK Patil stated that the Chief Minister of Goa had made a statement in the assembly, claiming that Union Minister Bhupender Yadav had informed him that the central government would not allow Karnataka to undertake the Mahadayi project. Speaking to reporters, Patil said, "Yesterday, the Chief Minister of Goa made a statement in the assembly that Union Minister Bhupender Yadav has told him that the central government will not allow Karnataka to take up the Mahadayi diversion program. It is shocking and against the people of Karnataka." He added that the people of Karnataka are angry over the Centre's stand on the project. "The people are angry over the stance of the central government. The government of India should give the necessary clearance and allow Karnataka to start the project work," he said. The dispute has led to a legal and political battle between the two states. Goa plans to file a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against Karnataka for activities aimed at diverting water from the Mahadayi River. Karnataka, on the other hand, will discuss the Mahadayi issue during the monsoon session of the legislature, which starts on August 11. The Centre's role in resolving the dispute remains crucial, with Karnataka accusing it of obstructing the project's implementation The Mhadei, also known as the Mandovi River in Goa and Mahadayi in Karnataka, originates in Karnataka and empties into the Arabian Sea in Panaji, Goa, while briefly flowing through Maharashtra. (ANI)
The Congress party on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "not giving a train to Bihar in the last 11 years," citing the same claim made by Janata Dal (United) MP Giridhari Yadav in the Lok Sabha. On Wednesday, the JD(U) MP replied to Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in the Lok Sabha and said, "Bihar has played a very important role in bringing the NDA government. In 11 years, will the railway minister please tell whether he has started any train from Patna to Delhi, Patna to Bangalore or Delhi? No new train has been provided to Bihar by the railway minister." Citing this, the Congress posted on X and said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always treated Bihar "unfairly." "The Modi government has not given Bihar a single new train in 11 years. - This issue was raised in Parliament by Girdhari Yadav, an MP from Nitish Kumar's party, JD(U). Narendra Modi has always treated Bihar unfairly, and now even the allies of the Modi government are saying this in Parliament," the Congress posted on X on Wednesday. The JD(U) MP's comments were made during the Question Hour of the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, where he took a jibe at Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, who had told the house about the work done for the expected Sitamarhi-Sheohar new railway line. The railway minister was responding to a question by another JD(U) MP, Lovely Anand, who had inquired about the railway projects in Bihar, specifically the Sitamarhi-Sheohar new rail line, which is approximately 28 kilometres long, among other infrastructure projects. Earlier on Wednesday, JD(U)'s Giridhari Yadav also criticised the Election Commission (EC) for conducting its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the poll-bound state. He alleged that the exercise is being done forcefully and that the poll panel has "no practical knowledge of Bihar." Speaking to reporters outside the Parliament, Yadav said, "Election Commission has no practical knowledge. It neither knows the history nor the geography of Bihar. It took 10 days for me to collect all the documents. My son stays in America. How will he do the signatures in just a month? This (SIR) has been imposed on us forcefully. At least 6 months' time should have been given for this." (ANI)
Tianjin cruise port handles nearly 40,000 passengers since July

Xinhua) 09:01, July 24, 2025

Travellers arrive at Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in Tianjin, north China, July 23, 2025. According to official data, the Tianjin cruise port has facilitated nearly 40,000 inbound and outbound passengers since July of this year, along with 16 cruise ship visits, marking a year-on-year increase of 17 percent. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Travellers check in at the Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in Tianjin, north China, July 23, 2025. According to official data, the Tianjin cruise port has facilitated nearly 40,000 inbound and outbound passengers since July of this year, along with 16 cruise ship visits, marking a year-on-year increase of 17 percent. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Travellers process inbound procedures at the Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in Tianjin, north China, July 23, 2025. According to official data, the Tianjin cruise port has facilitated nearly 40,000 inbound and outbound passengers since July of this year, along with 16 cruise ship visits, marking a year-on-year increase of 17 percent. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

This photo taken on July 23, 2025 shows the Adora Mediterranea Cruise, carrying about 1600 passengers, docking at the Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in Tianjin, north China. According to official data, the Tianjin cruise port has facilitated nearly 40,000 inbound and outbound passengers since July of this year, along with 16 cruise ship visits, marking a year-on-year increase of 17 percent. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Travellers check in at the Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in Tianjin, north China, July 23, 2025. According to official data, the Tianjin cruise port has facilitated nearly 40,000 inbound and outbound passengers since July of this year, along with 16 cruise ship visits, marking a year-on-year increase of 17 percent. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

A traveller shops at a duty free shop of Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in Tianjin, north China, July 23, 2025. According to official data, the Tianjin cruise port has facilitated nearly 40,000 inbound and outbound passengers since July of this year, along with 16 cruise ship visits, marking a year-on-year increase of 17 percent. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

Travellers check in at the Tianjin International Cruise Home Port in Tianjin, north China, July 23, 2025. According to official data, the Tianjin cruise port has facilitated nearly 40,000 inbound and outbound passengers since July of this year, along with 16 cruise ship visits, marking a year-on-year increase of 17 percent. (Xinhua/Sun Fanyue)

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Netflix has canceled the live broadcast for its upcoming action thriller 'Trigger' due to increased public concern following a fatal shooting involving an illegal firearm in Incheon.

Originally scheduled for July 22, the Naver online live talk show for Trigger is no longer happening, Netflix confirmed to Dispatch on Sunday.

"We have decided to cancel the Naver live broadcast of the Trigger talk show that was scheduled for the 22nd," a Netflix representative said.

"However, we will proceed with the offline event with fans who applied."

Trigger is a disaster-action series set in a fictional South Korea where illegal firearms start circulating in a gun-free society.

The story follows Kim Nam-gil as Lee Do and Kim Young-kwang as Moon Baek, two men caught in the chaos of the mysterious gun epidemic.

The decision to cancel the broadcast came just two days after a real shooting in Incheon shocked the nation.

On July 20, a man in his 60s fatally shot his son with an illegal firearm in an apartment in Songdo.

Authorities arrested the suspect three hours later and found a staggering collection of weapons, including 11 homemade firearms, 86 rounds of ammunition, and 15 explosives. Police reported that the suspect confessed to making the weapons himself.

While the Trigger offline fan event will proceed on July 22 with lead actors Kim Nam-gil and Kim Young-kwang attending, the series is set to premiere on Netflix on July 25.

READ MORE: Top K-Dramas Premiering This June 2025: Romance, Revenge, and Returning Legends
The Kashi Vidwat Parishad has introduced a new Hindu Code of Conduct aimed at reforming Hindu traditions and societal behaviours. This comprehensive 400-page document was formulated after extensive consultations with scholars, Shankaracharyas, Mahamandaleshwars, and saints from across the country. The code addresses the ban on dowry, restrictions on lavish wedding expenditures, and encourages daytime Vedic marriages. The code also limits the traditional funeral feast to just 13 people. Additionally, modern practices such as pre-wedding shoots and engagement ceremonies before marriages have been discouraged. A notable feature of the new code is the simplified process for reconversion to Hinduism. Individuals who left Hinduism under pressure or influence can now return to the faith seamlessly, with their gotra and name restored. The code also restricts entry into temple sanctums to only priests and saints, reinforcing the sanctity of sacred spaces. According to Ram Narayan Dwivedi, the General Secretary of Kashi Vidwat Parishad, the Hindu code of conduct draws text from the Manusmriti, Parashar Smriti, and Deval Smriti, alongside key excerpts from the Bhagavad Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas. To ensure inclusivity, the code was developed by 70 scholars divided into 11 teams and three sub-teams, with each team comprising five scholars from northern and southern India. Over 40 meetings were held at religious sites across the country to finalise the document. Over five lakh copies of the document, prefaced by a two-page summary, will be printed and distributed nationwide. "These changes particularly address transformations in behaviour, traditions, and outdated customs. For instance, there is considerable stress among the middle class regarding marriage-related issues, with many cases of dowry harassment being reported. The younger generation appears to be drifting away from traditional Sanatan practices, and societal beliefs and traditions seem to be breaking down. Notably, it is claimed that certain religious groups are intent on eradicating Sanatan Dharma. To address these challenges, the code of conduct for Sanatan Dharma has been periodically revised, and this is said to be the first such change in the 21st century," said General Secretary of Kashi Vidwat Parishad, Ram Narayan Dwivedi. The Kashi Vidwat Parishad plans to unveil the code in October 2025, following approval from Shankaracharyas, Ramanujacharyas, Ramanandacharyas, and prominent saints. (ANI)
Opposition leaders on Thursday held a protest in front of the Bihar Assembly over the issue of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise being carried out by the Election Commission of India (ECI) ahead of the state elections, to be held in later this year. Bihar elections 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. Meanwhile, in New Delhi, the Indian National Devlopmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc staged a protest outside the Parliament against the SIR issue for the fourth consecutive day. The MPs gathered at Parliament Makar Dwar and called for a stop to the exercise. The opposition parties have repeatedly called for a discussion in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha regarding the revision exercise, moving adjournment motions every day since the start of the monsoon session and alleging that manipulation of voter rolls is taking place under the guise of the SIR. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Mahua Maji, Deputy Opposition Leader in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha, among other leaders, attended the protest. Carrying a banner which read "SIR-Attack on Democracy," the MPs stood at Makar Dwar, demanding that the voter list revision be halted. Earlier, Congress MP Manickam Tagore submitted an Adjournment Motion seeking discussion on the revision exercise, calling it an "act of mass disenfranchisement" which was nothing short of "institutional voter cleansing" orchestrated under the Modi Government. Tagore further highlighted the SIR exercise as an attack on the legacy of Babasaheb BR Ambedkar, who "enshrined" universal adult franchise in the Constitution to empower citizens, irrespective of their caste, class or wealth. Meanwhile, multiple party MPs in the Rajya Sabha have moved adjournment motions to discuss the issue. Party leaders in the upper house, including Rajani Ashokrao Patil, Jebi Mather, Ranjeet Ranjan, Neeraj Dangi, and Akhilesh Prasad Singh, have called for the house to suspend Zero Hour and Question Hour on Thursday to discuss the Bihar SIR. Rajani Ashokrao Patil, while submitting the letter, said that the actions of the poll panel have "sparked apprehensions about potential electoral manipulation." Patil wrote in her letter, "To discuss the concerns arising out of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar ahead of elections, as well as reports of a similar exercise being planned in West Bengal and other states. These actions have sparked grave apprehensions about potential electoral manipulation, particularly in view of concerns that had emerged in Maharashtra during the 2024 legislative Assembly elections." (ANI)
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday accused the government of silencing the opposition in the Monsoon Session of the Parliament, alleging that they have been asking for discussions on which the government should agree. Speaking to the media, Gandhi accused the treasury benches of orchestrating disruptions in Parliament to silence the voices of the opposition in the last Budget Session. "Whenever the Opposition leaders want to speak, they are not allowed to speak. We have been asking for discussions; they should agree. In the last session, I was surprised to see that disruption was starting from the treasury benches. They would pick a topic so that we react to it, and then there is a hungama, and then the House would get adjourned. It is suiting them just fine," the Congress MP said. Meanwhile, INDIA bloc MPs staged a protest outside the Parliament against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise being carried out by the Election Commission of India ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections today. Congress MPs Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Gaurav Gogoi, Sonia Gandhi, Pand ramod Tiwari were among others who participated in the protest. Multiple Congress MPs have also moved adjournment motions in Rajya Sabha to discuss the ongoing SIR being conducted by the Election Commission in poll-bound Bihar, and raising concerns over the exercise, which is likely to be carried out across the country, including in West Bengal. Alleging that the revision exercise is being used as a cover to disenfranchise voters, atleast six Congress MPs have moved the Notice of Motion for Suspension of rules under Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Council of States (Rajya Sabha). Earlier on Wednesday, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi made sensational claims, saying that an "election theft" is ongoing in the country. "Hindustan mein election chori kiye jaa rahe hai (Election/Votes are being stolen in India)," Gandhi told reporters here. The Lok Sabha LoP was responding to a question about 52 lakh voters being removed from the voter list in Bihar amid the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Gandhi stated that they cheated in Maharashtra, and when asked to clarify, the constitutional body refused to show them videos by changing the rules. "This is not only about 52 lakh votes or about Bihar. They cheated in Maharashtra. We requested that the Election Commission show us the voters' list. They didn't show us that. We said, 'Show us the video. ' They changed the rules. They stole the elections. Maharashtra had one crore new voters," the Congress MP said. Gandhi alleged that the Election Commission has been attempting to overhaul the entire system in Bihar by revising the voters' list, ever since they realised that the opposition had uncovered the "game" behind the sudden emergence of new votes. (ANI)
The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) MPs, for the fourth consecutive day, protested against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being conducted by the Election Commission (EC) in poll bound Bihar. The MPs gathered at Parliament Makar Dwar, and called for a stop to the exercise. The opposition parties have repeatedly called for a discussion in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha regarding the revision exercise, moving adjournment motions everyday since the start of the monsoon session and alleging that manipulation of voter rolls is taking place under the guise of the SIR. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Mahua Maji, Deputy Opposition leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJ) MP Manoj Jha, among multiple other leaders attended the protest. Carrying banner which read "SIR-Attack on Democracy," the MPs stood at Makar Dwar, demanding that the voter list revision is halted. Earlier, Congress MP Manickam Tagore submitted an Adjournment Motion seeking discussion on the revision exercise, calling it an "act of mass disenfranchisement" which was nothing short of "institutional voter cleansing" orchestrated under the Modi Government. Tagore further highlighted the SIR exercise as an attack on the legacy of Babasaheb BR Ambedkar, who "enshrined" universal adult franchise in the Constitution to empower citizens, irrespective of their caste, class or wealth. Meanwhile, multiple party MPs in Rajya Sabha have moved adjournment motions in Rajya Sabha to discuss the issue. Party leaders in the upper house, including Rajani Ashokrao Patil, Jebi Mather, Ranjeet Ranjan, Neeraj Dangi, Neeraj Dangi, and Akhilesh Prasad Singh have called for the house to suspend Zero Hour and Question Hour on Thursday to discuss the Bihar SIR. Rajani Ashokrao Patil, while submitting the letter said that the actions of the poll panel has "sparked apprehensions about potential electoral manipulation." Patil wrote in her letter, "To discuss the concerns arising out of the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar ahead of elections, as well as reports of a similar exercise being planned in West Bengal and other states. These actions have sparked grave apprehensions about potential electoral manipulation, particularly in view of concerns that had emerged in Maharashtra during the 2024 legislative Assembly elections." Meanwhile in Bihar, the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar Assembly's LoP, Tejashwi Yadav has also suggested the possibility of a poll boycott, saying that he may discuss it with alliance partners. (ANI)
The Uttar Pradesh Police have made significant strides in cracking down on unlawful religious conversions, arresting 14 individuals involved in a syndicate operating across multiple states. This operation is part of Mission Asmita, a flagship initiative launched by the Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government to identify and eliminate threats linked to illegal religious conversions and radicalisation. Three more individuals were arrested on Wednesday, bringing the total number of arrests to 14. The accused include Junaid Qureshi, who allegedly married a woman after forcefully converting her. Speaking to the media, Agra Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar said, "One of the victims, found under Mission Asmita, gave a statement in front of the magistrate that she was forcefully converted. Junaid Qureshi, who married her inappropriately, has been arrested along with two others by the police. A total of 14 people have been arrested in the case. We have sent our teams to the Qazi who facilitated the weddings. The three accused have told that this is their work and their wives are also converted. We have recovered some suspicious materials along with mobile phone and SIM cards. The accused confessed that he went across the country for this work and he undertook many trips to Kashmir, Nepal, Bhutan and West Bengal." The arrested individuals are well-educated and proficient in several languages. Police are investigating their money transactions and potential ties to other extremist outfits. "Police are also trying to find out the details on their money transactions," he said. Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh Police arrested 10 individuals across six states in a crackdown on an unlawful religious conversion syndicate. The UP Police on July 19 held a press conference to provide information about the syndicate. The operation was led by the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and Special Task Force (STF), with support from central intelligence agencies. Investigations have uncovered foreign funding from Canada, the US, London, and Dubai, with links to radicalisation and terror groups like PFI, SDPI, and Pakistani terror organisations. Key accused Mohammad Umar Gautam, Mufti Jahangir Alam Qasmi, and Chhangur Baba alias Jamaluddin were apprehended for orchestrating conversions through enticement and "love jihad," targeting young girls. The accused used enticement and "love jihad" to target young girls, mirroring ISIS tactics. They have confessed to travelling across the country for this work, including trips to Kashmir, Nepal, Bhutan, and West Bengal. During the press conference, Uttar Pradesh DGP Rajeev Krishna stated, "UP Police had launched Mission Asmita, where a few accused of the unlawful religious conversion syndicate were arrested. The ATS arrested Mohammad Umar Gautam and Mufti Jahangir Alam Qasmi. In this connection, the unlawful religious conversion syndicate of Chhangur Baba alias Jamaluddin alias Jamaluddin was busted. The ATS and STF investigations are underway. Few shocking things have come to light - international 'jihadi' funding for 'jihad' was received, radicalisation and unlawful religious conversion to hamper national security..." Investigators have found digital evidence of religious indoctrination, including extremist videos and hate sermons, on the victims' devices. The network may have overlaps with previous radicalisation cases detected in states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. He further added, "In this connection, 10 people across 6 states have been arrested. They especially influenced young girls through enticement, love jihad and other methods for religious conversion. This modus operandi of unlawful religious conversion is the signature of ISIS. So far, in preliminary investigation, there are indications of this group having ties with PFI, SDPI and Pakistani terror organisations...So far, evidence has been gathered about funding from Canada, America, London and Dubai and involvement of people residing there. Further action is being taken." In a related case, Agra Police arrested 10 individuals following a missing persons report of two sisters, Ameena (33) and Zoya (18), in March 2025. The case, registered under BNS sections and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, revealed a network promoting radicalisation and conversions through foreign funds. (ANI)
On the occasion of Aadi Amavasai, a significant day in the Tamil Hindu calendar dedicated to honouring ancestors, hundreds of devotees gathered in Madurai to perform the sacred Pitru Karma Puja, a ritual steeped in tradition and reverence. This auspicious occasion, which falls during the Tamil month of Aadi (mid-Jul to mid-Aug), is particularly important for individuals seeking to pay homage to their forebears, as it is believed that performing these rites can bring peace to the souls of the departed and ensure their blessings for the living. Aadi Amavasya (or Aadi Amavasai) falls on the New Moon day (Amavasya) in the Tamil month of Aadi. As per Tamil culture, it is one of the three most powerful New Moon days to perform specific traditions and rituals for the ancestors known as Pitru Tarpanam (ancestral rituals). The day holds great religious and spiritual significance among Tamil Hindus. During this period, People go to rivers, especially Cauvery, to offer food, water, and prayers to honour their forefathers Hindus believe that by observing a fast on the new moon day of every month and by performing special pujas to pray for the peace of their departed ancestors, they will attain peace of mind. Noteworthy among these periods are the Utrayana holy phase of the Tamil months of Thai and Masi, as well as the Dakshinayana holy season of the Tamil months of Aadi and Puratasi. It is believed that those who cannot observe a fast on the new moon day of every month, if they observe a fast on the new moon day of the auspicious months of Utrayana namely Thai and Masi, and if they observe a fast on the new moon day of the auspicious months of Dakshinayana namely Aadi and Purattasi, and take a dip in holy water bodies in remembrance of their departed ancestors, they will get the benefits of observing the every new moon fast of the year. It is also believed that performing pujas for parents, especially during the Tamil months of Thai and Aadi, and for relatives in the Tamil month of Masi, as well as for everyone in general, including strangers, during the holy month of Purattasi, is particularly beneficial. During this occasion, devotees visit temples, seashores, and riverbanks in the southern districts of Tamil Nadu to perform rituals. Devotees also visit various Shiva temples on 'Aadi Amavasai' and perform special pujas. (ANI)
In view of the potential shortage of solid Diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser during the current Kharif season, the Chhattisgarh government has made timely arrangements for alternative fertilisers. Among them, liquid Nano DAP has emerged as an effective and promising substitute. Its use is resulting in direct savings of around Rs 75 per acre for paddy farmers, the Chief Minister's office said in a press release. As per the directives of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, IFFCO has facilitated the storage of over 3.05 lakh bottles of Nano DAP across the state. Of these, 82,470 bottles are stocked at double-lock centres, 1,41,389 bottles at Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), and around 48,000 bottles with private retailers. IFFCO still holds an additional stock of over 33,000 bottles. Each half-litre bottle of Nano DAP is available to farmers at a subsidised price of Rs 600 through cooperative societies. According to agricultural experts, for one acre of paddy cultivation, instead of 50 kg of solid DAP, farmers can now use 25 kg of solid DAP along with a half-litre bottle of liquid Nano DAP. A 50-kg bag of solid DAP is priced at Rs 1,350, whereas the combination of Nano DAP and reduced solid DAP offers similar nutrition at a cost-saving of Rs 75 per acre. To promote the use of Nano DAP, farmers have been sensitised and trained in its application methods through extensive awareness drives. The state government proactively launched a campaign to educate farmers about Nano DAP well in time, foreseeing the shortfall in solid DAP supply. The agriculture department's field teams, Krishi Vigyan Kendra scientists, and progressive farmers worked together to demonstrate the combined use of Nano DAP with conventional fertilisers directly in fields. Awareness activities, including live demonstrations, were conducted across villages through agriculture chaupals and the ongoing Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan. Informative materials such as pamphlets, banners, and posters on Nano DAP were prominently displayed at cooperative societies. Field officers from the agriculture department continue to visit farms and guide farmers on the use and benefits of Nano DAP. As a result, farmers are now confidently adopting Nano DAP in their paddy cultivation practices across the state. (ANI)
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday criticised the Modi government ahead of the signing of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), emphasising that what India truly needs from the UK is a more effective Fugitive Transfer Agreement. Ramesh pointed out that three notable fugitives, Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Lalit Modi, are still awaiting their return to India, suggesting there may be others as well. Sharing an X post, Jairam Ramesh stated that India requires an announcement from the United Kingdom (UK) regarding a fugitive transfer agreement (FTA). "The India-UK FTA (Free Trade Agreement) will be signed today in London in the presence of Prime Minister Modi. What India needs from the UK is the announcement of another and more effective FTA (Fugitive Transfer Agreement)." He added that India is still awaiting the return of fugitives Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Lalit Modi from the UK. "After all, three stars of the Modi Model of bhagodanomics are still waiting for their ghar waapsi -- Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Lalit Modi. There may well be others too," the X post read. Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya have all been accused of financial fraud in separate cases in India. All had fled to London to escape the charges. Ramesh's comments highlight the ongoing challenges in bringing economic offenders to justice, despite the expected benefits of the India-UK FTA, such as tariff elimination, agreement is expected to benefit 99% of Indian exports from tariffs and make it easier for British firms to export products to India and trade boost,which aims to double bilateral trade between the two nations by 2030 and provide comprehensive market access for Indian goods across all sectors. Earlier on Tuesday, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the Indian government is continuing to "make the case" for the extradition of the fugitives from the United Kingdom (UK) as part of their ongoing efforts to secure the return of these individuals wanted for legal proceedings in India. Addressing a press briefing ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK and the Maldives, Misri noted that both India and the UK have held talks on the matter and that they are continuing their efforts to extradite these fugitives to India. "There are a few questions related to fugitives from Indian law and Indian justice in the UK. These have been a matter of discussion between both sides, and we have continued to make the case for these fugitives to be rendered to India. Obviously, there is a legal process that such requests and such issues go through in the other country, and we continue to follow up very closely with our partners in the UK on these," the Foreign Secretary said. Meanwhile, the Free Trade Agreement is likely to eliminate or reduce tariffs on imports and exports between the two nations. This should make Indian products competitive in the UK and vice versa. Both nations desire to increase their trade to USD 120 billion by 2030. (ANI)
As per the morning report compiled at 10:00 AM by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) on Thursday, National Highway-70 remained closed in the Mandi district due to heavy rain and landslides.

Kullu, Mandi, and Chamba districts are among the worst affected in terms of road closures, with Mandi alone reporting 184 blocked roads.

Meanwhile, the total death toll due to monsoon-related incidents has reached 137. The SDMA clarified that this includes 77 rain-related deaths, such as landslides, house collapses, and flash floods, while 60 fatalities have occurred due to road accidents aggravated by the weather conditions.

Restoration work is underway across affected districts. Despite improved conditions in some areas, fresh disruptions continue to be reported, highlighting the fragility of infrastructure under extreme weather stress.

Authorities have urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel in vulnerable regions and adhere to advisories issued by local administrations. The situation remains under close monitoring by disaster response teams.

Earlier, on July 23, Congress MLA Anuradha Rana appealed to the state government to provide a special flood relief package for the tribal district of Lahaul-Spiti, stating that the current compensation for natural disasters was inadequate.

Rana, who represents Lahaul-Spiti in the state Assembly, also urged tourists to strictly follow weather and administrative advisories before travelling to remote parts of the district.

Speaking to ANI in Shimla, she stated that she would meet the Chief Minister to request an increase in compensation for the affected residents.

"Our tribal district has received unusually low compensation in past calamities. The existing ex-gratia amounts are insufficient and not justifiable. I am meeting the Chief Minister today and will request him to enhance the compensation norms so that affected people get adequate relief," she said. (ANI)
BJP Spokesperson Rachana Reddy has accused Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy of making "unprovoked and mischievous" remarks regarding the prospective Vice President nominee. BJP leader made remarks in response to Telangana CM's suggestion that Bandaru Dattatraya should be made the next vice president of the country, and in this way, BJP can also compensate for the "injustice" delivered to the OBCs under its tenure. "Revanth Reddy is trying to shed crocodile tears, which Telangana and the rest of India realise. He is making unprovoked and mischievous comments about the prospective vice president nominee or the vice president. Revanth Reddy stated it will be '100 khoon maaf' if a Telugu-speaking person, particularly Bhandaru Dattatreya, would be made vice president..Congress has repeatedly divided this country, spewing venom among different castes to bolster its vote bank, keeping it united while sowing divisive politics among different castes," Rachana Reddy told ANI. She further mentioned that Revanth Reddy is trying to create rift among different castes to "prop" up its Muslim vote bank. "This is the same agenda followed by Revanth Reddy, who indulged in the now questionable 42 per cent reservation for OBCs while adding 10% illegal religion-based reservation," Rachana Reddy said. Asserting that Bandaru Dattatraya would be a "great" pick for the position of Vice President, Reddy said that it is not for the CM Revanth Reddy to comment on such matters. "It is for the MPs of Lok Sabha as well as of Rajya Sabha to look into the nominees and vote for the prospective Vice President. It's not Revanth Reddy's job," she added while pointing out that CM Reddy is aiming to create a rift between leaders of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Earlier, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said that the next Vice President of India should be from Telangana, while pitching for Bandaru Dattatraya's nomination for the post. "All OBCs in South, especially Telangana, were reduced in stature by the NDA. '100 khoon maaf karne ke liye' It would be good if Bandaru Dattatraya is made the Vice President," CM Reddy responded to ANI's question at a press conference. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has initiated preparations for the election to the office of the Vice-President of India following the resignation of incumbent Jagdeep Dhankhar. According to the ECI, the preparation of the Electoral College, which consists of elected as well as nominated members of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha, the finalisation of the Returning Officer and Assistant Returning Officers, and the preparation and dissemination of background material on all previous Vice-Presidential Elections have already begun. (ANI)
Lee Dong Wook's return to television with JTBC's Good Man is struggling. The drama is facing low viewership ratings and criticism for its old-fashioned concept.

The actor, recently coming off the failure of Divorce Insurancewhich reached a rare 0% viewershipnow feels the pressure as Good Man risks becoming his second consecutive flop.

Premiering on July 18 as JTBC's new Friday night show, Good Man aired two back-to-back episodes, attracting viewership ratings of 3.0% and 3.2%.

Despite airing two episodes to boost engagement, these numbers fell short compared to SBS's Our Movie and MBC's Casino, which scored higher at 3.5%.

Good Man follows Park Seok-cheol (Lee Dong-wook), the kind-hearted grandson of a long-standing gangster family, as he reunites with his first love, Kang Mi-young (Lee Sung-kyung).

The series aims to mix sentimental noir with lighthearted family drama, but its outdated theme and lengthy two-hour runtime (including commercials) have received mixed reviews.

Even members of the cast shared their concerns. Actress Ryu Hye-young noted during the press conference, "The title sounded old-fashioned," while Lee Dong-wook admitted, "The gangster theme may feel cliche."

He pointed out that his portrayal did not romanticize gang life but aimed to show its human side.

Although the show introduces emotional backstories and humorous sibling interactions to refresh the genre, critics believe its slow pacing and outdated noir style may not attract a broad audience.

With viewer fatigue growing from its long format, the drama's future is unclear.

All eyes are now on Lee Dong-wook to see if he can recover from this tough spot or if he will experience the disappointment of back-to-back failures in an increasingly competitive drama market.

READ MORE: Lee Dong Wook Urges Voter Participation Amid Political Turmoil
Kashish Warsi, National President of the Bhartiya Sufi Foundation, on Thursday expressed concern over Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav's recent visit to the Parliament Street Mosque, stating that Mosques should remain places of worship and not be used for political purposes. "The mosque is a place of worship, not for worldly affairs... The Imam should take guests elsewhere. Many leave silently when taken there. However, the Imam has turned the mosque into a political arena... I regret this and advise Muslims to keep mosques safe and free of politics. No leader should turn the mosque into a political arena," Warsi told ANI. Earlier, BJP leaders mocked the Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav for holding the meeting, calling it "appeasement politics" Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak called Yadav "Nawaazwadi" while accusing him and his party of not having faith in the constitution. He stated that the Indian constitution doesn't permit the use of religious places for political purposes. "Samajwadi Party chief and Samajwadi Party always violate the constitution. The Indian Constitution states that religious places cannot be used for political purposes. They do not have faith in the constitution. 'Woh hamesha Namaazwadi bane rehte hai', and that is what he is doing," Pathak told ANI. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Shashank Mani mocked Akhilesh Yadav for conducting a meeting inside a mosque, stating that the party had been engaging in "appeasement politics" for many years, and further claimed that their primary aim was to maintain their family members in power. "Samajwadi Party has been doing appeasement politics for many years. They only have one aim to keep members of their family in power. SP should work for all, not for one particular community," Mani said, speaking to ANI. National President of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Minority Morcha, Jamal Siddiqui, stated that the meeting only showed how Yadav thought all Islamic religious places were in his "pocket". "I condemn the way Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav has conducted a meeting in the pious mosque in front of the Parliament. This shows Akhilesh Yadav thinks all Islamic religious places are in his pocket... BJP and Minority Morcha will protest against them," Siddiqui said. Following a controversy surrounding his meeting apparently held inside a mosque on Parliament Street, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said that faith unites people, while accusing the BJP of using religion as a "divisive" tool. Speaking to the media, Yadav alleged that the BJP wants people to keep "divided." "Faith connects. Any religion or faith that connects people is valuable, and we are with those that work to build trust and foster connections. BJP has a problem with this... BJP wants people to stay divided, not united. We have faith in all faiths... BJP's tool is religion..." Yadav said. (ANI)
Amid Opposition's continuous protest over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in poll-bound Bihar, Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Thursday slammed Election Commission of India, saying that it is no longer the ECI but has become the party office of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking to ANI, Randhawa asserted that the SIR is a very serious issue. "It is a very serious issue. Election Commission is working only to form the BJP government. It is no longer the Election Commission, but it has become the BJP's party office," the Congress MP said. The opposition parties have repeatedly called for a discussion in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha regarding the ongoing revision exercise in Bihar, moving adjournment motions every day since the start of the monsoon session of Parliament, and alleging that voter roll manipulation is taking place under the guise of the SIR in Bihar. The INDIA bloc MPs, for the fourth consecutive day, protested against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being conducted by the Election Commission (EC) in poll-bound Bihar. The MPs gathered at Parliament Makar Dwar and called for a stop to the exercise. Meanwhile, in Bihar, Opposition leaders held a protest on Thursday in front of the Bihar Assembly over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise being conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) ahead of the state elections, scheduled for later this year. The Bihar elections 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. Earlier today, the Election Commission of India (ECI) defended the ongoing SIR in poll-bound Bihar, urging opposition parties to think deeply, "going beyond political ideologies." In a statement, the ECI questioned its critics and asked if it should allow fake votes to be cast in the names of deceased and migrated voters. "The Constitution of India is the mother of Indian democracy. So, fearing these things, should the Election Commission, getting misled by some people, pave the way for some to cast fake votes in the name of deceased voters, voters who have migrated permanently, voters who have got their votes registered at two places, fake voters or foreign voters, going against the Constitution, first in Bihar, then in the entire country?" it said. Furthermore, the ECI inquired whether preparing an authentic voter list is a foundation for fair elections in the country. "Isn't the authentic voter list being prepared by the Election Commission through a transparent process, the foundation stone for fair elections and a strong democracy?" the statement by ECI said. The Election Commission urged citizens to consider these questions while setting aside their political ideologies. (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh hit out against the BJP and alleged that houses and shops of people from Purvanchal and Bihar living in Delhi are being demolished. He said that those who were removing people from Bihar to Delhi would be removed by the people of Bihar during the upcoming polls in the state. Sanjay Singh said, "Houses and shops of Purvanchali and Bihari people living in Delhi are being demolished. We have protested against that. Samajwadi Party MPs from Purvanchal have also supported our protest. We stand with the people of Delhi who are suffering. We stand with people of Purvanchal. Those who are removing people of Bihar in Delhi, people of Bihar will remove such people during the Bihar polls, this is why we are protesting." Earlier, Sanjay Singh submitted an Adjournment motion on Wednesday to draw attention to and hold a discussion on the humanitarian crisis arising from the forceful eviction in the national capital, New Delhi. In his letter, the AAP MP claimed that the eviction of a large number of women, children, disabled and elderly after the Lok Sabha elections, and before the formation of the newly elected central government, highlighted the contradiction between the promises made by the government and its actions. Singh in his letter further stated that the demolishment of the homes of the people not only violated Articles 21 and 14 of the Constitution but also reflected the "insensitivity and brutality" of the government. "Such evictions in Delhi, especially in Khajuri Khas and nearby areas, are creating a situation of emergency, where humanitarian values, civil liberties, and natural justice are being trampled upon," he wrote in his letter. Earlier on July 20, Sanjay Singh after an all-party meeting in an attack on the central government had raised the issue of domestic and international issues and demanded clarification. One of the major issues Singh flagged was the demolition drive in Delhi. "Slums were demolished in Delhi, and I have raised this issue, and the government should stop it," he said. He also highlighted the plight of people from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Purvanchal who earn their livelihood by setting up small cart-based shops. "You have ruined their lives... I will raise this issue," Singh said. (ANI)
Amid the row over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being conducted by the Election Commission of India (EC) in Bihar, Leader of Opposition in the state Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday warned of boycotting the upcoming Bihar elections if it is not rolled back. Addressing media personnel, Tejashwi Yadav said, "When everything has been decided from before that the names of lakhs of people will be deleted from the voter's list, and when these same voters voted for PM Modi in the past and decided the fate of government in the past, then it was all right. We are asking that now how suddenly the need for SIR arose. It means the people in power are themselves saying that earlier they came to power through deception, and now again the same thing would be repeated. When they have decided to be dishonest then we (all parties in Mahagathbandhan) could talk about boycotting the elections. We have this option." He further said that he would talk with all the parties of the Mahagathbandhan. "What is the meaning of polls if people in a democracy do not vote. The option to boycott polls is available with us. The main game will be played by EC after August 1 when scrutiny will be done," he said. He claimed that the state is being "remote controlled" from New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah giving "orders" carry out the voter roll revision. Opposition leaders on Thursday held a protest in front of the Bihar Assembly over the issue of the SIR exercise being carried out by ECI ahead of the state elections, to be held later this year. Meanwhile, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) MPs, for the fourth consecutive day, protested against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being conducted by the Election Commission (EC) in poll bound Bihar. The MPs gathered at Parliament Makar Dwar, and called for a stop to the exercise. The opposition parties have repeatedly called for a discussion in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha regarding the revision exercise, moving adjournment motions everyday since the start of the monsoon session and alleging that manipulation of voter rolls is taking place under the guise of the SIR. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Mahua Maji, Deputy Opposition leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJ) MP Manoj Jha, among multiple other leaders attended the protest. Carrying banner which read "SIR-Attack on Democracy," the MPs stood at Makar Dwar, demanding that the voter list revision is halted. Earlier, Congress MP Manickam Tagore submitted an Adjournment Motion seeking discussion on the revision exercise, calling it an "act of mass disenfranchisement" which was nothing short of "institutional voter cleansing" orchestrated under the Modi Government. Tagore further highlighted the SIR exercise as an attack on the legacy of Babasaheb BR Ambedkar, who "enshrined" universal adult franchise in the Constitution to empower citizens, irrespective of their caste, class or wealth. Bihar elections 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. (ANI)
As the Opposition continued to train guns on the Centre over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter list in Bihar, Communist Party of India (CPI) MP Sandosh Kumar said that the exercise "intentionally" attempts to exclude Dalits, Adivasis, and Minorities from the voting list. Speaking to ANI, Kumar said, "The work done in the name of the Election Commission seems to favour the BJP. How can there be such a major revision in such a short time? Bihar's election isn't sudden... Why is the Election Commission preparing late? In the last 20 years, have all terrorists been on the list? Did Nitish Kumar form the government after getting their votes, and did the BJP gain many votes?" "This SIR intentionally attempts to exclude Dalits, Adivasis, and Minorities. It is obvious even from the name. It's not just about exclusion, but also about making it easy for inclusion," the CPI MP added. Meanwhile, Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday warned the Election Commission that the opposition would not let them get away with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar. "I want to send a message to the Election Commission: If you think you are going to get away with it, if your officers think they are going to get away with it, you are mistaken. You are not going to get away with it, because we are going to come for you," Lok Sabha LoP told reporters outside Parliament, just after the Lok Sabha was adjourned today. He accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of indulging in "cheating" during the voter list revision process in a Karnataka constituency. Gandhi claimed to have "100 per cent" proof of the alleged manipulation, which involves adding and deleting voters, but hasn't presented any evidence yet. He alleged that thousands of new voters aged 50, 60, and 65 have been added to the list in a single constituency, and eligible voters above 18 have been removed from the list. "Today we have 100 per cent proof of Election Commission allowing cheating in a seat in Karnataka. When we decide to show it to you, it is 100 per cent proof. We just looked at one constituency and we found this. I am absolutely convinced that constituency after constituency this is the drama. Thousands of new votes, aged 50 or 60, 65 (are there) in one constituency. Then voter deletion, people who are way above 18," he said. The opposition parties, including Congress and Samajwadi Party, have been protesting against the SIR exercise, alleging that it's an attempt to disenfranchise voters, particularly from marginalised communities. They claim that the process is being used to remove names from the voters' list, which could impact the outcome of upcoming assembly elections. Reiterating the claim that the poll panel is not fulfilling its duties, the Lok Sabha LoP added, "I have said this yesterday too. This is a very serious matter. Election Commission is not functioning as the Election Commission of India. Today they made some statement, this is complete nonsense. The fact of the matter is that the Election Commission is not doing its job." Rahul Gandhi, along with other opposition MPs, including Akhilesh Yadav and DMK MP TR Baalu, held protests in the Parliament premises, raising slogans against the Election Commission and the BJP-led NDA government. The MPs held posters that read "SIR is the murder of democracy" and "Justice, Justice, Justice," demonstrating their strong opposition to the SIR exercise. However, on the other hand, the Election Commission has defended the revision process, stating that it's aimed at ensuring the purity of elections by removing ineligible voters from the rolls. The commission has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, affirming its authority to verify citizenship details in the interest of electoral integrity. (ANI)
A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh clarified that the stay order would not affect the accused persons' release from jail.

The top courts' decision came on a plea filed by the Maharashtra government following the Bombay High Court's July 21 decision to acquit twelve persons who were accused in the 2006 train blasts.

During the hearing, the Solicitor General of India (SGI) Tushar Mehta, appearing for Maharashtra, sought a stay of the Bombay High Court judgement by contending that certain findings of the said verdict will affect other cases being probed by Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

He also stated that other accused persons booked in MCOCA-related offences could use the said verdict to get relief in their cases.

The SGI also informed the top-court bench that he's not seeking that the accused persons in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts, who have been released from jail, be sent back to it.

After hearing submissions, the top court stayed the Bombay High Court's judgement while clarifying that the stay will not affect the accused persons' release.

Additionally, the top court also issued notice to all accused persons seeking their response to Maharashtra's plea against Bombay High Court's decision to acquit them.

The High Court had on Monday acquitted the twelve accused persons, noting that the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had failed to prove the offences beyond a reasonable doubt.

In doing so, the High Court set aside a September 2015 judgment of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA) court that had imposed the death penalty on five of the 12 accused persons and had sentenced the remaining seven to life. (ANI)
Taking a jibe at the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in Bihar, Congress MP Manish Tewari on Thursday asked the authorities to consider the situation of ordinary citizens after Janata Dal (United) MP Giridhari Yadav's remarks on the exercise. Speaking to ANI, Manish Tewari said, "Today, JD(U) MP Ghiridhari Yadav also claimed that he had spent a considerable amount of time gathering all the documents, so one should consider the situation of ordinary people." He added that only identity proof was required during previous electoral reforms. "SIR is damaging our country's foundation because, when you look at the legacy of the last 70 years, every time basic electoral reforms have been revised, the new people added are only required to show their identity proofs," the Congress MP said. Earlier on Wednesday, JD(U) MP Giridhari Yadav criticised the SIR in Bihar, claiming that the Election Commission has no practical knowledge. "Election Commission has no practical knowledge. It neither knows the history nor the geography of Bihar. It took me 10 days to collect all the documents. My son stays in America. How will he do the signatures in just a month?" Yadav told ANI. Furthermore, he stated that at least six months' time should be allocated for the SIR in the state. "This (SIR) has been imposed on us forcefully. At least 6 months' time should have been given for this... I am giving my personal opinion. It doesn't matter what the party is saying... This is the truth. If I can't say the truth, why have I become an MP?" the JD(U) MP said. Earlier today, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said that the Lok Sabha can resume after the Centre answers the Opposition's demand to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter list in Bihar. Gogoi told ANI, "For the last three days, we are demanding a discussion on the SIR, but not a single response has come from the BJP ministers so far. We just want to ask them whether or not there will be a discussion on SIR. Yes or no. Once they answer, the House proceedings can begin." Demanding a discussion in the Parliament, he said that the Opposition wants to present the public's view on the issue. "Election Commission putting forward their view does not mean that there should not be a discussion in the Parliament. Here, everyone is a representative of the public, and we want to present the public's view in Parliament," he said. (ANI)
A day after JD(U) MP Giridhari Yadav broke ranks to voice his opinion against the Special Intensive Revision of Voter rolls in Bihar, the JDU has been critical of him. JD(U) MP Kaushalendra Kumar remarked that he is protesting because his name is Giridhari Yadav. He said, "He is protesting because his name is Giridhari Yadav." This comes after JDU MP Giridhari Yadav expressed strong reservations about the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar. Speaking in Delhi, Yadav criticised the EC's handling of the process, stating that it lacks practical knowledge of Bihar's history and geography. Speaking to ANI, Yadav pointed out that the one-month deadline for submitting documents is impractical, sharing his personal experience of taking 10 days to collect the required documents. He highlighted the difficulties faced by migrant voters, including his own son, who resides in the United States, in complying with the signature requirements within the given timeframe. Yadav alleged that the SIR process has been imposed without considering the ground realities, suggesting that at least six months' time should have been given for the exercise. "Election Commission has no practical knowledge. It neither knows the history nor the geography of Bihar. It took me 10 days to collect all the documents. My son stays in America. How will he do the signatures in just a month? This (SIR) has been imposed on us forcefully. At least 6 months' time should have been given for this... I am giving my personal opinion. It doesn't matter what the party is saying... This is the truth. If I can't say the truth, why have I become an MP?" he said. Meanwhile, the proceedings in the Lower House of the Parliament were adjourned on Thursday amid sloganeering by the Opposition. The Lower House began at 11 am on Thursday. However, amid ruckus by the Opposition, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House till 2 pm. (ANI)
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai hit out at Bihar opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav for his remark about "boycotting Bihar elections with allies." Responding to the remark, he said, "By threatening electoral boycott, Tejashwi Yadav is looking for an excuse for their possible defeat in the Bihar assembly elections." MoS Home Nityanand Rai further said that, "Tejashwi Yadav knows very well that the people of Bihar will defeat him badly in the elections, due to this fear sometimes he is blaming the Election Commission and sometimes threatening to boycott the elections." Union Minister Nityanand Rai accused Mahagathbandhan of misleading people over SIR, saying Bihar voters are embracing the democratic process. "I want to tell Tejashwi Yadav that in a democratic process, it is a party's decision to participate or not in elections but the way Mahagathbandhan was continuously trying to mislead the people of Bihar in the name of SIR, they are failing in it and instead of getting mislead, people are joining the ongoing Special Intensive Revision and Nearly 98% people have shown their responsibility towards the democratic process till now, that's why Tejashwi Yadav is worried" he added. The MoS questioned RJD's faith in democracy, calls out dynastic politics, and said, "I would like to tell Tejashwi Yadav that you may be scared of losing the election, but if you have the courage, then face the people's decision. In a democracy, the people will decide the fate, not the family and entire Bihar knows very well that RJD is a family party and they do not believe in the democratic process." Asked if a boycott of the election is possible, Tejashwi Yadav said, "Boycott is an option, but we will think about it... We will consult our alliance partners and the public before taking a final call." (ANI)
The BJP Minority Morcha has written a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, urging an inquiry against Samajwadi Party MP Maulana Mohibullah Nadvi over allegations of him holding an "office of profit" under the Delhi Wakf Board. In the letter, the BJP Minority Morcha president has made three key demands: a detailed investigation into the nature and status of the position held by Mohibullah Nadvi within the Delhi Wakf Board, to determine whether it qualifies as an "office of profit". It also demanded that If the position is found to be within the scope of an "office of profit", the matter should be referred to the Election Commission under Article 103 of the Constitution for further examination, and Necessary constitutional and procedural action should be taken as per Lok Sabha rules, including the initiation of disqualification proceedings if applicable. The letter was written by National President, BJP Minority Morcha, Jamal Siddiqui, requesting an Investigation into the Potential Disqualification of Lok Sabha MP. The letter reads, "Maulana Mohibullah Nadvi, a Lok Sabha MP from Rampur (Uttar Pradesh) representing the Samajwadi Party, is currently serving as the Imam of Jama Masjid (Parliament Street), New Delhi, under the Delhi Waqf Board. For this position, he receives a monthly salary of approximately 18,000 from the Delhi Waqf Board. To my knowledge, this position may be considered an "office of profit" under Article 102(1)(a) of the Constitution of India, as it is funded by a statutory body under the Delhi Government and is not exempted under the Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959. As per the Constitution and parliamentary rules, an MP cannot hold such a position if it constitutes grounds for disqualification." This comes after Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav held a meeting inside a mosque on Parliament Street in New Delhi, the National President of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Minority Morcha. On Wednesday, Siddiqui also lashed out at Mohibbullah Nadvi, the Imam of the mosque, for letting the meeting take place despite being a representative of the Muslims. The BJP Minority Morcha National President demanded action and questioned why "so-called" representatives, including Asaduddin Owaisi, were now hidden and were not speaking on the matter. "I also condemn the Imam of the mosque, who is also an SP member, Mohibbullah Nadvi, for the way he let this happen, being a religious teacher and Muslims' representative... The way Dimple Yadav is sitting with her bare back and head against the code of conduct of the Mosque hurts Islamic sentiments worldwide. We demand action on them, and we will also file an FIR against them... Why are so-called representatives of Muslims like Asaduddin Owaisi, hidden now?... If this is the way, we will also hold a meeting after prayer on July 25th, starting with the National Song and ending with the National Anthem," he said. "I condemn the way Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav has conducted a meeting in the pious mosque in front of the Parliament. This shows Akhilesh Yadav thinks all Islamic religious places are in his pocket... BJP and Minority Morcha will protest against them," Siddiqui told ANI on Wednesday. (ANI)
Tunis, Tunisia (PANA) - Members of Libya's House of Representatives and senior military and security officials gathered in the Tunisian capital this week for a two-day forum aimed at bolstering the role of legislators in shaping Libyas national security legislations
Karnataka Minister Eshwar Khandre on Thursday criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI), amid the Opposition's continuous protest over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in poll-bound Bihar. Speaking to reporters, Karnataka Minister Khandre said, "Nowadays, it is clear that the Election Commission is running under the influence of the BJP. In one of the many cases where there were election violations, no action was taken against the BJP leaders. Real voters are being disenfranchised in Bihar. This shows that they (ruling) want to win the elections through proxy." Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, today warned the Election Commission that the opposition would not let them get away with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar. "I want to send a message to the Election Commission: If you think you are going to get away with it, if your officers think they are going to get away with it, you are mistaken. You are not going to get away with it, because we are going to come for you," Lok Sabha LoP told reporters outside Parliament. He accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of indulging in "cheating" during the voter list revision process in a Karnataka constituency. Gandhi claimed to have "100 per cent" proof of the alleged manipulation, which involves adding and deleting voters, but hasn't presented any evidence yet. The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) MPs, for the fourth consecutive day, protested against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being conducted by the Election Commission (EC) in poll-bound Bihar. The MPs gathered at Parliament Makar Dwar and called for a stop to the exercise.The opposition parties have repeatedly called for a discussion in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha regarding the revision exercise, moving adjournment motions every day since the start of the monsoon session and alleging that manipulation of voter rolls is taking place under the guise of the SIR. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Mahua Maji, Deputy Opposition leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJ) MP Manoj Jha, among multiple other leaders attended the protest. Carrying a banner which read "SIR-Attack on Democracy," the MPs stood at Makar Dwar, demanding that the voter list revision be halted. Meanwhile, in Bihar, Opposition leaders held a protest on Thursday in front of the Bihar Assembly over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise being conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) ahead of the state elections, scheduled for later this year. The Bihar elections 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. (ANI)
The proceedings in both the Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day amid protests by the Opposition on Thursday. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha will again reconvene on Friday at 11 am. Krishna Prasad Tenneti, chairing the Lok Sabha, adjourned the House amidst the ruckus by the Opposition during a discussion on the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024. The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill was being discussed in the Rajya Sabha when MP Bhubaneshwar Kalita, chairing the House, adjourned it following sloganeering by the Opposition, who were protesting against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar. Earlier today, the Lower House of the Parliament was adjourned till 2 pm amid sloganeering by the Opposition. The Lower House began at 11 am on Thursday. However, amid ruckus by the Opposition, Speaker Om Birla adjourned the House till 2 pm. Before adjourning the House, Speaker Birla urged Opposition members not to resort to disruptions. He stated that the conduct of members does not meet the standards of the House's dignity. Birla objected to members raising slogans and carrying banners, asking what message such conduct conveyed. Referring to Congress, he said, "Such conduct is not in a party's 'sanskar', but the way new generation is behaving, it is being seen by the entire country." Amidst recurring adjournments in the Lower House of the Parliament, Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi on Thursday said that the Lok Sabha can resume after the Centre answers the Opposition's demand to discuss the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter list in Bihar. Gogoi told ANI, "For the last three days, we are demanding a discussion on the SIR, but not a single response has come from the BJP ministers so far. We just want to ask them whether or not there will be a discussion on SIR. Yes or no. Once they answer, the House proceedings can begin." Demanding a discussion in the Parliament, he said that the Opposition wants to present the public's view on the issue. "Election Commission putting forward their view does not mean that there should not be a discussion in the Parliament. Here, everyone is a representative of the public, and we want to present the public's view in Parliament," he said. The Congress MP added that the public wants to hear from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and a discussion in Parliament will bring both sides to the SIR exercise. "The public wants to listen to the central government and Prime Minister Modi. So, a discussion should happen where they bring forward their view, and we will keep the reality, and the nation can listen to both views," he told ANI. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson CR Kesavan on Thursday stated that the yet-to-be-signed India-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (FTA) marks a pivotal moment, providing Indian businesses, particularly SMEs, with a substantial competitive edge in the UK market. The FTA ensures zero tariffs on 99% of Indian exports to the UK, covering nearly 100% of trade value. This move will eliminate import duties on sectors like textiles, leather, footwear, gems, and jewellery, making Indian goods more competitive in the UK market. "The upcoming free trade agreement between India and the UK marks a historic milestone, a path-breaking defining moment in trade diplomacy. It will immensely benefit our nation and our people. This zero-tariff, zero-duty deal for 99 per cent of Indian exports provides Indian businesses, especially SMEs, with a significant competitive edge. This will also give a major boost to Indian manufacturing, like textile, leather, garments, processed food, and auto engine parts," Kesavan told ANI here. The BJP leader's remarks come amid the United Kingdom announcing that India's average tariff on UK products will drop from 15 per cent to 3 per cent under the FTA, just ahead of the signing ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart, Keir Starmer, in London. India has secured exemptions for professionals and businesses from contributing to UK social security for three years, saving approximately 4,000 crores annually. This exemption will benefit Indian workers and enhance the competitiveness of Indian service providers in the UK. Discussing the 2024 FTA deal with the UK, he mentioned that the deal was worth 43 billion pounds, of which India's exports accounted for approximately 26 billion pounds. "Another important aspect of this deal is how India, after tough negotiations, secured exemptions for professionals and businesses to contribute to UK social security for 3 years, saving approximately 4,000 crores annually. Another great opportunity for Indian businesses to enter the British public procurement market," Kesavan added. The FTA offers Indian businesses a significant opportunity to enter the British public procurement market, potentially enhancing exports and driving economic growth. The agreement signals optimism for future trade growth, aiming to double bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030. The UK statement asserted that British companies selling products to India, from soft drinks and cosmetics to cars and medical devices, will find it easier to sell to the Indian market. Furthermore, British whisky producers will benefit from tariffs being slashed in half, with the rate immediately reduced from 150 per cent to 75 per cent and then further reduced to 40 per cent over the next ten years, giving the UK an advantage over international competitors in accessing the Indian market, the UK statement noted. "Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain. It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses and drive growth in every corner of the country, delivering on our Plan for Change," Starmer said in the statement. The statement added that the British Prime Minister will welcome nearly 6 billion in new investment and export wins, which will create over 2,200 British jobs nationwide as Indian firms expand their operations in the UK and British companies secure new business opportunities in India. The UK already imports 11 billion in goods from India, but liberalised tariffs on Indian goods will make it easier and cheaper to buy their best products, it added. "For businesses, this could mean potential savings when importing components and materials used in areas such as advanced manufacturing or luxury and consumer goods." The announcement about the successful conclusion of the mutually beneficial FTA was made earlier on May 6. The forward-looking Agreement is aligned with India's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and complements the growth aspirations of both countries. (ANI)
Amid the row over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being conducted by the Election Commission of India (EC) in Bihar, Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq on Thursday demanded to stop the exercise, calling it unconstitutional. Speaking to ANI, Barq emphasised that the entire opposition is protesting against the electoral exercise. "Our country has a government elected by the people, and if the right to vote of the people is taken away, our purpose in Parliament is to protect the interests of the people. The entire opposition is protesting against it (SIR). We want such unconstitutional actions that are being taken, including cutting votes, and people's votes are being undermined, should be stopped," the Samajwadi Party MP said. He further asked that if the right to vote is snatched, then how can it be called a people's government? Earlier, the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, on Thursday warned of boycotting the upcoming Bihar elections if the SIR is not stopped. Addressing media personnel, Tejashwi Yadav said, "When everything has been decided from before that the names of lakhs of people will be deleted from the voter's list, and when these same voters voted for PM Modi in the past and decided the fate of the government, then it was all right. We are asking how the sudden need for SIR arose now. It means that the people in power are acknowledging that they came to power through deception earlier, and now the same thing will be repeated. When they have decided to be dishonest, then we (all parties in the Mahagathbandhan) could talk about boycotting the elections. We have this option." He further stated that he would discuss this with all the parties of the Mahagathbandhan. "What is the meaning of polls if people in a democracy do not vote. The option to boycott polls is available to us. The main game will be played by EC after August 1, when scrutiny will be done," he said. Opposition leaders held a protest on Thursday in front of the Bihar Assembly over the issue of Bihar SIR. Meanwhile, the INDIA Bloc MPs, for the fourth consecutive day, protested against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being conducted by the Election Commission (EC) in poll-bound Bihar. The MPs gathered at Parliament Makar Dwar and called for a stop to the exercise. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Mahua Maji, Deputy Opposition leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP Manoj Jha, among multiple other leaders, attended the protest. Carrying a banner which read "SIR-Attack on Democracy," the MPs stood at Makar Dwar, demanding that the voter list revision be halted. The Bihar elections are expected to be held later this year, in October or November; however, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not yet announced an official date. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament (MP) and actor Arun Govil, best known for playing character of Lord Ram in television serial Ramayana, praised the Madhya Pradesh police's decision to mandate the recital of verses from Ramcharitmanas for its recruits, citing the epic's value in guiding social conduct. Govil encouraged everyone to read and incorporate its teachings into their lives. "Ramcharitmanas is more than just a religious book; it also serves as an excellent guide to the social conduct we should follow. Therefore, every person should read this and incorporate it into their lives," Arun Govil told ANI. Similarly, a BJP MLA from Madhya Pradesh's capital, Bhopal, Rameshwar Sharma, also praised the move, highlighting the benefits of Ramcharitmanas in building self-confidence and developing positive intentions towards others. "With recitation of Ramcharitmanas, we develop goodwill towards others, vision becomes pure, self-confidence is strengthened, and we start thinking holistically. Lord Ram was such that he never gave pain to the world, despite being in pain himself. Therefore, when Ramcharitmanas is recited, the individual will benefit and can also work with determination for the welfare of others. Therefore, ADG's decision deserves praise," Rameshwar Sharma said. MP police trainees asked to collectively recite one or two chapters of Ramcharitmanas daily before sleeping at Police Training Schools (PTSs) across the state. The decision came as many applications from new recruits were received for a PTS change, seeking to pursue training courses at the PTS nearest to their homes. Following this, ADG (Training) Raja Babu Singh connected with Superintendent of Police (SP), PTSs and newly recruited officers and highlighted that Lord Rama spent 14 long years in exile, living in the Forest and if Lord Ram could spend 14 years in exile, then why the new recruits can't spend nine months in a PTS. They should focus on their training. Additionally, he instructed that if possible then the new recruits should collectively recite one -two chapters of Ramcharitmanas daily before sleeping, stating it is a treasure trove of wisdom, there is a path described for ideal value based living in it. ADG (Training) Raja Babu Singh told ANI, "I gave them (new recruits) this example of Lord Ram so that new recruits should focus on training rather than paying attention to changing PTS. I have also asked them to read Ramcharitmanas, and take inspiration from it; it contains many key messages about how to live life." A trainee at PTS Bhauri in Bhopal, Jishan Sheikh, spoke to ANI and said that he has no problem in reciting Ramcharitmanas as India is a secular country and there is a lot to learn in it. "The training is going very well... Lord Ram made a lot of sacrifices, stayed away from his family and spent his life in the forest; we learn that if he can spend 14 years in a forest, then why can't we spend 9 months away from our family?... The primary objective of our training is discipline, and this is what ADG intended to convey... I have no problem in reciting Ramcharitmanas as India is a secular country and we will definitely do it as there is a lot to learn. "Jishan Sheikh said. (ANI)
AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi on Thursday reacted to the decision of the Supreme Court to stay the Bombay High Court's judgement acquitting twelve accused people in connection with the 2006 Mumbai blasts. Speaking to ANI, Owaisi questioned the Central and Maharashtra governments on why they were filing the appeal when the accused had walked out as innocent people. "The SC has put a stay on the HC judgement and said that the accused who were released after 18 years will not be arrested again. I would like to ask the Central government and the Maharashtra government why they are filing this appeal when they have been found completely innocent. I also want to ask, if accused of the Malegaon blast, which is reserved for judgement, are acquitted, will you appeal then also?..." Owaisi told ANI. Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court stayed the Bombay High Court's judgement acquitting the twelve accused people in connection with the 2006 Mumbai train blasts. A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh clarified that the stay order would not affect the release of the accused persons from jail. The top courts' decision came on a plea filed by the Maharashtra government following the Bombay High Court's July 21 decision to acquit twelve persons who were accused in the 2006 train blasts. During the hearing, the Solicitor General of India (SGI) Tushar Mehta, appearing for Maharashtra, sought a stay of the Bombay High Court judgement by contending that certain findings of the said verdict will affect other cases being probed by Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). He also stated that other accused persons booked in MCOCA-related offences could use the said verdict to get relief in their cases. The SGI also informed the top-court bench that he's not seeking that the accused persons in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts, who have been released from jail, be sent back to it. After hearing submissions, the top court stayed the Bombay High Court's judgement while clarifying that the stay would not affect the accused persons' release. (ANI)
Following Leader of Opposition in Bihar Tejashwi Yadav's caveat of boycotting Bihar elections over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) row, Congress General Secretary and MP KC Venugopal said that the circumstances prevailing in the country pressurised Tejashwi Yadav to say this and SIR of electoral rolls would be not be allowed to take place. Speaking to ANI, KC Venugopal said, "Circumstances prevailing in the country pressurised Tejashwi Yadav to say this. The Election Commission is indirectly approving the removal of so many names from the electoral roll. Why are they doing this special exercise within the stipulated time? Their intention is not correct. We will not allow it to happen." Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday warned of boycotting the upcoming Bihar elections if it is not rolled back. Addressing media personnel, Tejashwi Yadav said, "When everything has been decided from before that the names of lakhs of people will be deleted from the voter's list, and when these same voters voted for PM Modi in the past and decided the fate of the government in the past, then it was all right. We are asking how the sudden need for SIR arose now. It means that the people in power are acknowledging that they came to power through deception earlier, and now the same thing will be repeated. When they have decided to be dishonest, then we (all parties in the Mahagathbandhan) could talk about boycotting the elections. We have this option." He further said that he would talk with all the parties of the Mahagathbandhan. "What is the meaning of polls if people in a democracy do not vote. The option to boycott polls is available with us. The main game will be played by EC after August 1, when scrutiny will be done," he said. He claimed that the state is being "remote controlled" from New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah giving "orders" carry out the voter roll revision. Opposition leaders on Thursday held a protest in front of the Bihar Assembly over the issue of the SIR exercise being carried out by ECI ahead of the state elections, to be held later this year. Meanwhile, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) MPs, for the fourth consecutive day, protested against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being conducted by the Election Commission (EC) in poll bound Bihar. The MPs gathered at Parliament Makar Dwar, and called for a stop to the exercise. The opposition parties have repeatedly called for a discussion in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha regarding the revision exercise, moving adjournment motions everyday since the start of the monsoon session and alleging that manipulation of voter rolls is taking place under the guise of the SIR. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Mahua Maji, Deputy Opposition leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJ) MP Manoj Jha, among multiple other leaders attended the protest. Carrying banner which read "SIR-Attack on Democracy," the MPs stood at Makar Dwar, demanding that the voter list revision is halted. Bihar elections 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. (ANI)
Maharashtra's Transport Minister and Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) Chairman Pratap Sarnaik announced on Thursday that the 30 per cent fare hike on one-way group reservations for passengers travelling to Konkan during the upcoming Gauri-Ganpati festival has been rolled back. The decision comes in line with directives from Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, keeping in view the sentiments of Mumbai's Marathi working-class commuters, according to an official statement from the minister's office. Minister Sarnaik emphasised that the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) has, for over 77 years, provided affordable and safe transportation across the state, especially during festivals, yatras, weddings, and other special events. This year, in response to demand from Mumbai and its suburbs, the MSRTC plans to operate 5,000 additional buses for Ganesh festival travellers. All existing government concessions for women, senior citizens, and "Amrutjyeshtha" (super senior citizens) will remain in place, the statement mentioned. The corporation had initially introduced a 30% fare hike on one-way group bookings. This was due to substantial financial losses MSRTC incurs when buses return empty after dropping passengers in Konkan, according to the official statement. "Last year, this practice led to a loss of 11.68 crore, with 4,330 buses deployed for onward travel and only 1,104 for return trips. Empty returns meant additional fuel and overtime wage costs, putting a massive financial burden on the corporation," Sarnaik explained. However, after looking at the public sentiment and guidance from leaders, this year the fare hike has been rescinded. The Transport Minister appealed to passengers to understand the financial strain on MSRTC, especially during festival seasons when private operators charge exorbitant fares. "Even after bearing heavy losses, MSRTC continues to serve during Ganesh, Diwali, and Holi festivals. Our fares remain significantly lower than private buses, and we hope travelers support us if fare adjustments are necessary in the future," Sarnaik added. With this year's deployment of 5,000 buses, MSRTC says that losses could go up to 13-16 crore if one-way reservations dominate again. The minister called for public cooperation to help sustain the public transport system. (ANI)
On Aadi Amavasai, which falls during the Tamil month of Aadi (mid-July to mid-August), thousands of devotees gathered along the banks of the Kaveri River in Hogenakkal in Tamil Nadu's Dharmapuri District, from the early hours of the morning. Chanting sacred mantras, they performed ancestral rites, seeking to remove afflictions from their families and praying for prosperity in their lives. They offered Thithi, paid homage to their ancestors in the river, and worshipped the Sun God. Devotees and the general public from various districts of Tamil Nadu, as well as from Karnataka, flocked to the riverbank, transforming the Kaveri shore into a festive spiritual gathering with crowds reminiscent of a grand celebration. Aadi Amavasya (or Aadi Amavasai) falls on the New Moon day (Amavasya) in the Tamil month of Aadi. According to Tamil culture, it is one of the three most auspicious New Moon days to perform specific traditions and rituals for the ancestors, known as Pitru Tarpanam (ancestral rituals). The day holds great religious and spiritual significance among Tamil Hindus. On this new moon day, it is a long-standing cultural practice for Tamils to offer "Thithi" (ritual offerings) in remembrance of their departed ancestors. There's an old saying: "People wait eagerly for Aadi Amavasai once Aadi month begins." The Aadi month is also considered a time of battle and power. It is believed in mythology that during the legendary 18th battle, weapons like swords soaked in the blood of slain demons were washed in the Kaveri River, giving this day further spiritual and historical significance. Tamils have continued this sacred tradition for thousands of years, worshipping and honouring their ancestors on this special Aadi Amavasai day. During this period, People go to rivers, especially Kaveri, to offer food, water, and prayers to honour their forefathers. Hindus believe that by observing a fast on the new moon day of every month and by performing special pujas to pray for the peace of their departed ancestors, they will attain peace of mind. Noteworthy among these periods are the Utrayana holy phase of the Tamil months of Thai and Masi, as well as the Dakshinayana holy season of the Tamil months of Aadi and Puratasi. It is also believed that performing pujas for parents, especially during the Tamil months of Thai and Aadi, and for relatives in the Tamil month of Masi, as well as for everyone in general, including strangers, during the holy month of Purattasi, is particularly beneficial. (ANI)
The Rajasthan Minister Kirodi Lal Meena said on Thursday that artificial rain will be done via drone for the first time via cloud seeding in Jaipur's Ramgarh Dam and noted that the US scientists visited the State for the same. He further said that a No Objection Certificate is required from the Ministry of Civil Aviation to approve the artificial rain through cloud seeding. While speaking to ANI, Meena said, "For the first time, artificial rain will be done via drone. For this, American scientists came here, and all the departments related to the environment discussed to decide this... All the departments of the government have given a No Objection Certificate (NOC), and now only the NOC from the Civil Aviation Ministry is required... The drones will take a very high altitude, and then this will be done via cloud seeding in Ramgarh Dam...". Meanwhile, in a bid to tackle the city's worsening air pollution, Delhi's Environment Minister Majinder Singh Sirsa announced a trial run of artificial rain through cloud seeding, set to commence between late August and early September, with five tests planned to assess its efficacy against smog, particularly during Diwali and September. The Delhi government plans to conduct five trials in the outer area of the national capital. The cost for one-time rain will account for 66 lakhs, and the operational cost will be 55 lakhs. The total cost for the entire trial plan can go up to 2 crores 55 lakhs. The Delhi government aims to mitigate pollution in the national capital to achieve its goal of a Viksit Delhi. Pollution remains a pressing concern in Delhi, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) often reaching very poor levels. Although several projects have been undertaken in the past to address this issue, none have provided a lasting solution to Delhi's pollution problem. (ANI)
Sydney officials reported that one teenager has died and another lost her arm in a horrific jet ski accident on Tuesday.

The victims were identified as 15-year-old and 14-year-old boys. After reports of people in the water, emergency services were called to the George's River near Tom Uglys Bridge in Sylvania shortly after 6:00 p.m.

Teenagers Involved in Sydney Jet Ski Accident

Sutherland Shire Police Area Command officers received information that a jet ski had most likely crashed in the area, throwing the teenagers into the river. In a statement, authorities added that the 15-year-old boy was found but could not be revived.

On the other hand, the 14-year-old was quickly treated at the scene for a severed arm before he was transferred to Sydney Children's Hospital by NSW Ambulance paramedics. Right now, the surviving individual is still in critical condition.

Authorities have established a crime scene at the area where the accident happened, and police are already conducting inquiries into the circumstances of the case. A report will be prepared later for the coroner, according to the New Zealand Herald.

Read more: New York Teenager Arrested After Breaking Into Jail To Take a Selfie

Following the tragic accident, the classmates of the deceased 15-year-old boy gathered at the crash site and paid tribute to the victim. The accident reportedly happened after the jet ski that the two teenagers were riding struck an "obstacle" in the water.

Sutherland Shire Police Area Command Inspector Tim Carter said that the jet ski collided with an object or obstacle in the water. He added that this was what threw the two boys out into the water with immense force.

Addressing Major Safety Issues

This comes as the area around the bridge is littered with boats and marine barges that "have no lights" for better visibility. A family friend of the surviving 14-year-old boy, Fred Nagi, said that he was a "beautiful boy" and an experienced jet skier, ABC.Net reported.

Nagi added that there were several major safety issues near the bridge that officials needed to address to prevent a similar accident in the future. He noted that when the sun is setting and the area gets dark, the area under the bridge becomes a blind spot.

One witness, Alexandra Farrugia, said that she was walking in the area with her partner when she suddenly saw a body floating near the bridge at the time of the accident. She added that there were a lot of lights on the water and saw a police officer bringing someone up on his stomach, as per the NSW News .
The Rouse Avenue court on Thursday listed the Enforcement Directorate (ED)'s complaint on the point of issuance of notice to Robert Vadra and other accused persons in a money laundering case. This case is linked to the land deal in Shikohpur village in Gurugram, Haryana. It is a clear and classic case of money laundering. The proceeds of crime were used to acquire immovable properties, the ED said during preliminary submissions on its prosecution complaint. ED has recently filed a prosecution complaint against Robert Vadra and others in a case linked to land deals in Gurugram. Special Judge Sushant Changotra, after hearing the submissions of the Enforcement Directorate, listed the matter for order on notice on July 31. He said that he will go through the documents, and thereafter will pass an order on the morning of July 31. The court heard submissions of counsel for Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED said that the evidence conclusively established that the offence is of money laundering where proceeds of Crime (PoC) is generated, layered and enjoyed. The ED said that they have shown funds flow, property, and statement of witnesses. It is a clear and classic case of money laundering, the ED added. There is a generation of proceeds of crime. Special counsel Zoheb Hosain, through video conferencing, special public prosecutor (SPP) Naveen Kumar Matta along with Mohd. Faizan appeared for ED. At the outset, special counsel Zoheb Hosain submitted on the point of Jurisdiction. He submitted that this court has jurisdiction to adjudicate the case. Zoheb Hossain submitted that the predicate offence is being registered in Haryana, but that makes no difference if money laundering or part activity regarding proceeds of crime happens in Delhi. Therefore, this court has the jurisdiction to adjudicate the matter. During investigation, the source of proceeds of crime, false statements in land deal, were found, the ED said. It was submitted that Skylight Hospitality purchased land measuring 3 acres worth crores. There were false declarations in sale deed that Rs. 7.5 crore has been paid when no money was paid. It was paid later in order to avoid stamp duty. This is corroborated by key witnesses, ED's special cousnsel submitted. Zoheb Hossain alleged that the first layer of proceeds of crime was generated through Skylight Hospitality whose 99 per cent shares are held by Vadra. Hossain submitted that Rs 7.50 crore is shown as the price of approximately 3 acres of land purchased by Skylight through a cheque which was never encashed. This land was later sold to DLF for a higher amount. This part is still being scrutinised, the ED said. The Application for licence was processed in haste without following the procedure. Licence were processed in haste, witnesses stated in the statement. Hossain referred to the statement of the Prosecution witness concerned with the process. Special counsel also referred to the Statement of Satyanand Yajee, Director of Omkareshwar properties. He knowingly assisted in the generation of proceeds of crime. Yajee knowingly assisted the company of Vadra in acquiring proceeds of crime. The ED said that there was enjoyment of proceeds of crime till July 2025, till the time of provisional attachment. Money Laundering continues till today at the time of arguments. It is a continuing activity as long as the person enjoys the PoC The use of PoC continued through the 7 properties, which were purchased using proceeds of crime. Enjoyment of PoC continued till the properties were attached, the ED said. Hossain further submitted that they have also invoked section 70, as all the companies where PoC has gone are either 98 percent or 99 percent owned by Vadra. Therefore, he is vicariously liable also apart from his individual role, the ED said. He was the majority shareholder upto 99 per cent, beneficial owner and actual owner, director of companies, the ED said. The complaint, filed on July 17, 2025, names 11 individuals and entities as accused, including Vadra, his company M/s Sky Light Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., Satyanand Yajee, and Kewal Singh Virk. The case stems from an FIR registered by Gurugram Police, alleging that Vadra, through his company Sky Light Hospitality, fraudulently purchased 3.53 acres of land in Village Shikohpur, Sector 83, Gurugram, from Onkareshwar Properties Pvt. Ltd. on February 12, 2008. The complaint alleges the use of false declarations in the acquisition and claims that a commercial license was secured for the land using Vadra's personal influence. As part of the ongoing probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED issued a Provisional Attachment Order on July 16, 2025, attaching 43 immovable properties worth approximately 37.64 crore. These properties are reportedly linked to Vadra and his associated entities, including Sky Light Hospitality. (ANI)
Congress leader Vamsi Krishna Gaddam on Wednesday claimed that the BJP has consistently "neglected" southern states and failed to understand how to "appeal" to the southern voters and marginalised communities, which he said is why the party keeps failing in the region, while also backing Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy's support for Bandaru Dattatraya as Vice President. Speaking to ANI, Gaddam said, "The south states have always been neglected by the BJP and BJP is unable to understand how to take care of the South, how to approach and appeal to the south voter, that's why they failed again and again." He also highlighted the efforts being made by the Congress under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge to uplift backward communities. "From the Congress, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, he has been fighting fiercely for the BCs, SCs, and STs under the leadership and guidance of Rahul Gandhiji and Kharge ji. You are aware that there is a huge disparity that is going on and the Congress is trying to establish the BCs at large. Increase the reservation you are seeing that you are trying to fight for the 42% Reservation for BCs. and likewise for the SCs and STs as well," he said. Taking a swipe at the BJP's internal leadership changes, Gaddam questioned the decision to appoint a Brahmin as the Telangana BJP chief. "How can BJP be so blind to local emotions?" he asked, referring to the growing demand for backward class representation in state politics. Gaddam defended CM Revanth Reddy's support for former Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya as a potential Vice President nominee, saying Dattatraya has consistently worked for Telangana's interests, despite being with the BJP. He said, "And that is why we are trying to highlight that BJP is not for BCs, SCs and STs, it has always been against that is why our CM also yesterday has opined why should we get a Telugu speaking person or Telugu person for the Vice President Candidate and that to Bandaru Dattatreya Garu. He has been a long time fighter for Telangana and he is always being supporting Telangana issues, though he is from the opposition. Our Chief Minister has voiced that opinion that is why we are fighting for the justice that is due, rightfully due for the BCs, SCs, and STs and this fight will continue." Meanwhile, CM Revanth Reddy said he would urge the Congress leadership to support Dattatraya for the post of Vice President if Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally reaches out to him. Speaking to reporters, Reddy said, "If Modi ji writes to me, I would definitely go to him and say that he (Bandaru Dattatraya) is from Telangana and he is a decent man. I will try my best to help him. But I cannot make a promise; this has to be discussed at the AICC level. AICC has to decide all these things. This is not in my purview. But definitely on behalf of Telangana, I will definitely request my leadership." Reddy also expressed disappointment over Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation and said that the next Vice President should be from Telangana. "I do not know why Dhankhar ji resigned. It is unfortunate. Vice President of India should be from Telangana. Last time, there were discussions that Venkaiah Naidu would be made the President, but there was injustice, and he was sent back from Delhi. A Telugu-speaking man was sent back to his home. So, to correct that, Bandaru Dattatraya was given the responsibility of Haryana Governor," he said. Reddy also pointed out that Dattatraya lost his Union minister post to G Kishan Reddy and alleged that the BJP had sidelined OBC leaders in Telangana. "When he was the Union Minister, his post was handed over to G Kishan Reddy. Bandi Sanjay was the president (of Telangana BJP), but now, a Brahmin, Ramchander Rao, has been given the responsibility. So, all OBCs in South, especially Telangana, were reduced in stature by the NDA. 100 khoon maaf karne ke liye (for pardoning 100 killings), it would be good if Bandaru Dattatraya is made the Vice President...," he said. The comments come amid speculation over the NDA's possible nominee for the Vice President's post, following Dhankhar's sudden resignation on Monday evening. In his resignation letter, Dhankhar said, "To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the constitution." He added, "I extend my deepest gratitude to Your Excellency - the Hon'ble President of India for her unwavering support and the soothing, wonderful working relationship we maintained during my tenure." Dhankhar also thanked Prime Minister Modi and the Council of Ministers, saying, "Prime Minister's cooperation and support have been invaluable, and I have learned much during my time in office." (ANI)
On IPS officer Soumya Latha stepping down from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) team in the Dharmasthala mass burial case, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday said that he has not been officially informed about it, but the information had reached him unofficially. While speaking to ANI, Minister G Parameshwara said, "I have not been officially informed about it. However, unofficially, I have come to know that she has written a letter about stepping down from the team. She has cited personal reasons for stepping away and has unofficially informed about her decision. She will be replaced." On Sunday, a complaint was filed with the Dharmasthala Police alleging the secret disposal of multiple bodies in the village of Dakshina Kannada district in Karnataka. The complainant, a former sanitation worker at the Dharmasthala temple, ridden with remorse, whose identity remains confidential for security reasons, has expressed willingness to cooperate with authorities in exchange of legal protection for himself and his family. According to the complaint filed at the Superintendent of Police's (SP) office, the individual claims to have been involved in the disposal of several bodies under threat. Overwhelmed by guilt, the whistleblower has now come forward, offering to share detailed information about those involved and the specific locations where the bodies were disposed of, on the condition of assurance of safety. The complaint has been formally registered at the office of the Superintendent of Police and the Dharmasthala Police Station. Following due process and obtaining necessary court permission, a case was registered on July 4, under Section 211(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Earlier, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara stated that the Special Investigation Team will probe the Dharmasthala mass burial case, as there is a "public hue and cry" over the matter. The Karnataka government today issued an order to constitute an SIT to probe the matter related to alleged incidents of mass murder, mass rape, and mass burial in Dharmasthala town. The development follows a letter from the Karnataka State Women's Commission (KSWC). In their letter, the KSWC cited a media report that consisted of a statement from a person who had claimed that bodies were buried in the past 20 years in the region. The government order stated that it was deemed appropriate to form a Special Investigation Team to investigate cases registered under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita (BNS) at the Dharmasthala police station. The matter is currently under investigation, and further action will be taken. (ANI)
Hours after Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of indulging in "cheating" during the voter list revision process in a constituency in Karnataka, poll body sources on Thursday said to wait for the verdict of the High Court regarding the issue. Terming the allegations as "baseless", sources in ECI said, "If an election petition has been filed, then wait for the verdict of the Hon'ble High Court. If not, then why make baseless allegations now?" Rahul Gandhi severely criticised the poll body over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, warning the opposition would not let them get away with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar. "I want to send a message to the Election Commission: If you think you are going to get away with it, if your officers think they are going to get away with it, you are mistaken. You are not going to get away with it, because we are going to come for you," the Lok Sabha LoP told reporters outside Parliament, just after the Lok Sabha was adjourned. He accused the ECI of indulging in "cheating" during the voter list revision process in a Karnataka constituency. Gandhi claimed to have "100 per cent" proof of the alleged manipulation, which involves adding and deleting voters, but hasn't presented any evidence yet. "Today, we have 100 per cent proof of the Election Commission allowing cheating in a seat in Karnataka. When we decide to show it to you, it is 100 per cent proof. We just looked at one constituency and we found this. I am absolutely convinced that, constituency after constituency, this is the drama. Thousands of new votes, aged 50 or 60, or 65 (are there) in one constituency. Then, voter deletion, people who are way above 18," he said. The opposition parties, including Congress and the Samajwadi Party, have been protesting against the SIR exercise, alleging that it's an attempt to disenfranchise voters, particularly from marginalised communities. They claim that the process is being used to remove names from the voters' list, which could impact the outcome of upcoming assembly elections. Reiterating the claim that the poll panel is not fulfilling its duties, the Lok Sabha LoP added, "I said this yesterday too; this is a very serious matter. The Election Commission is not functioning as the Election Commission of India. Today they made some statement; this is complete nonsense. The fact of the matter is that the Election Commission is not doing its job." Rahul Gandhi, along with other opposition MPs like Akhilesh Yadav and DMK MP TR Baalu, held protests in Parliament premises, raising slogans against the Election Commission and the BJP-led NDA government. The MPs held posters that read "SIR is the murder of democracy" and "Justice, Justice, Justice", demonstrating their strong opposition to the SIR exercise. The poll body has defended the revision process, stating that it's aimed at ensuring the purity of elections by removing ineligible voters from the rolls. The commission has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court, affirming its authority to verify citizenship details in the interest of electoral integrity. Meanwhile, ECI has pointed out that as per SIR Order at Page 3, Para 7(5), any elector or any recognised political party will get one month time from 1 Aug till 1 Sep to get the names of any eligible voter included, if left out by BLOs/ BLAs or get the names of any voter excluded if wrongly included by BLOs/BLAs. The ECI questioned its critics and asked if it should allow fake votes to be cast in the names of deceased and migrated voters. "The Constitution of India is the mother of Indian democracy. So, fearing these things, should the Election Commission, getting misled by some people, pave the way for some to cast fake votes in the name of deceased voters, voters who have migrated permanently, voters who have got their votes registered at two places, fake voters or foreign voters, going against the Constitution, first in Bihar, then in the entire country?" it said. The Election Commission urged citizens to consider these questions while setting aside their political ideologies. (ANI)
After the Supreme Court stayed the Bombay High Court's judgment on acquitting 12 accused people in connection with the 2006 Mumbai blasts. Shiv Sena leader Shaina NC on Thursday noted that the perpetrators can not walk away and pose a threat to society. Speaking to ANI, Shaina NC said, "The Bombay High Court's acquittal of 12 accused in the 2006 Mumbai 7/11 train blast has been shocking. I am glad the chief minister (Devendra Fadnavis) and government opposed the verdict, and the Maharashtra government will challenge it in the Supreme Court... We hope the court will scrutinise further to ensure justice for the victims... They pose a threat to society, and this issue must be addressed seriously and with complete cohesion... The perpetrators cannot be left scot-free." Following the Bombay High Court's decision, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis had expressed shock and said that the Maharashtra government will challenge it in the Supreme Court. This comes after the Supreme Court stayed the Bombay High Court's judgment on acquitting 12 accused people in connection with the 2006 Mumbai blasts. A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh clarified that the stay order would not affect the release of the accused persons from jail. The top courts' decision came on a plea filed by the Maharashtra government following the Bombay High Court's July 21 decision to acquit twelve persons who were accused in the 2006 train blasts. During the hearing, the Solicitor General of India (SGI) Tushar Mehta, appearing for Maharashtra, sought a stay of the Bombay High Court judgement by contending that certain findings of the said verdict will affect other cases being probed by the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The High Court had on Monday acquitted the twelve accused persons, noting that the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had failed to prove the offences beyond a reasonable doubt. In doing so, the High Court set aside a September 2015 judgment of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA) court that had imposed the death penalty on five of the 12 accused persons and had sentenced the remaining seven to life. On the evening of July 11, 2006, bomb blasts took place at seven different places in the Mumbai local trains within just 11 minutes. In this incident, 189 people died, while more than 827 passengers were injured. The bombs were placed in first-class compartments of trains from Churchgate. They exploded near the stations of Matunga Road, Mahim Junction, Bandra, Khar, Jogeshwari, Bhayandar, and Borivali. A trial court in 2015 convicted 12 people in the blasts' case.(ANI)
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's remarks on the Mahadayi river project sparked a heated dispute between Karnataka and Goa, with Karnataka Minister HK Patil saying that it is "our constitutional right." The Mahadayi river originates in Karnataka's Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and flows through Goa before emptying into the Arabian Sea. Karnataka plans to divert 7.56 tmcft of water to the Malaprabha valley for the Kalasa-Banduri project, which would support over 40 lakh people in Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Bagalkot, and nearby areas. However, Goa has objected to this plan, leading to a decades-long dispute. "It is unfortunate that the government of India has said that it will not permit us to go ahead with the Mahadayi project. It is a constitutional right of ours, the juvenile. If the statement of Goa's Chief Minister is taken on face-value, I urge the government of India not to continue injustice to Karnataka..., told ANI. Sawant emphasised the river's importance to Goa, saying, "For everyone, the Mahadayi is a political issue, but for Goa, Mahadayi is our lifeline." He asserted that the Goa government is actively representing its interests in the Supreme Court, central government, and the Mahadayi dispute tribunal. Sawant stated, "For everyone, the Mahadayi is a political issue, but for Goa, Mahadayi is our lifeline. The Mahadayi river water which comes from Karnataka into Goa, our government represents our stand at the Supreme Court, central government, and the Mahadayi dispute tribunal from time to time... Mahadayi river water that comes into Goa should flow freely because it is our lifeline, and it is also the lifeline of Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary. Our fight will go on..." Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah strongly criticised Sawant's remarks, calling them an insult to the people of Karnataka. Siddaramaiah emphasised the project's importance for providing drinking water to North Karnataka and accused the Centre and Goa's BJP government of blocking justice for Karnataka. "Mahadayi is not for luxury or waste, it is for the drinking water needs of North Karnataka," he said. Despite a 2018 tribunal verdict allocating 13.42 TMC of water to Karnataka, the project remains stalled. The dispute has led to a legal and political battle between the two states. Goa plans to file a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against Karnataka for activities aimed at diverting water from the Mahadayi River. Karnataka, on the other hand, will discuss the Mahadayi issue during the monsoon session of the legislature, which starts on August 11. The Centre's role in resolving the dispute remains crucial, with Karnataka accusing it of obstructing the project's implementation. The Mahadayi, also known as the Mandovi River in Goa and Mahadayi in Karnataka, originates in Karnataka and empties into the Arabian Sea in Panaji, Goa, while briefly flowing through Maharashtra. (ANI)
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Thursday alleged that the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls being underway in poll-bound Bihar is being done by the Election Commission on the instructions of the BJP and questioned the time limit of the exercise coming ahead of the polls. She also referred to the recent Supreme Court order observations on the SIR. "The way SIR has been conducted has raised more questions than reassured the voters of Bihar. Repeatedly asking for documents that are difficult to procure, and many families don't have them. Even the Supreme Court judges have asked to add more documents, which can be used as proof of citizenship, which is again denied by the Election Commission. Questions arise on the time limit given to the entire process, and the number of voters who are likely to be weeded out. We really need to know what happened to all these voters during Lok Sabha elections. Were they misused?... "The questions being raised by (RJD leader) Tejashwi Yadav are absolutely valid and we totally support the protest against this entire process being carried out by the ECI at the behest of the BJP..."," Chaturvedi alleged. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday warned of boycotting the upcoming Bihar elections if it is not rolled back. Addressing media personnel, Yadav said, "When everything had been decided from before that the names of lakhs of people would be deleted from the voter's list, and when these same voters voted for PM Modi in the past and decided the fate of the government in the past, then it was all right. We are asking how the sudden need for SIR arose now. It means that the people in power are acknowledging that they came to power through deception earlier, and now the same thing will be repeated. When they have decided to be dishonest, then we (all parties in the Mahagathbandhan) could talk about boycotting the elections. We have this option." Opposition leaders on Thursday held a protest in front of the Bihar Assembly over the issue of the SIR exercise. Meanwhile, the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) MPs, for the fourth consecutive day, protested against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being conducted by the Election Commission (EC) in poll bound Bihar. The MPs gathered at Parliament Makar Dwar, and called for a stop to the exercise. The opposition parties have repeatedly called for a discussion in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha regarding the revision exercise, moving adjournment motions everyday since the start of the monsoon session and alleging that manipulation of voter rolls is taking place under the guise of the SIR. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Mahua Maji, Deputy Opposition leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJ) MP Manoj Jha, among multiple other leaders attended the protest. Carrying banner which read "SIR-Attack on Democracy," the MPs stood at Makar Dwar, demanding that the voter list revision is halted. Bihar elections 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. (ANI)
Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and President of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), Ghulam Nabi Azad, on Thursday voiced concern over what he called "fading brotherhood" and underlined the need to respect everyone irrespective of their political views. Azad was in Reasi district to offer his condolences to a party worker on his father's death. During his interaction with the media, he said, "I've always believed that whoever you know, regardless of their religion or party, should be respected. Politics is temporary, but we are human beings first. Whether we are Hindus, Muslims, or belong to any party, the brotherhood we once had in Jammu and Kashmir is fading now," Azad remarked. Calling for an end to divisive politics, Azad urged the people of Jammu and Kashmir "to come together and rebuild the social fabric based on peace, respect, and cooperation. Only through collective effort can the region progress toward stability and development." During his visit, Azad also patiently heard the concerns of the residents and assured them that their issues would be taken up at the appropriate platforms. He was accompanied by several senior party leaders and workers from across the Reasi district. He also reiterated his demand for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, arguing that it is essential for the region's progress. Azad said, "For the sake of development, for progress in the state, statehood is necessary. And statehood is not a Hindu-Muslim issue, not just a Kashmiri issue. It affects every party, every religion, every region. Whether someone is from BJP in Jammu or from the National Conference in Kashmir, or from Congress or PDP, whether Hindu or Muslim--statehood is essential for all." Earlier on Tuesday, the Congress party protested against the Central government on Tuesday for "cheating the people of Jammu and Kashmir" and not fulfilling the demand for reinstating the statehood of the region post the abrogation of Article 370. Congress leader and party's general secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal, while participating in the protest at Jantar Mantar, said that the Centre is going back on its word after promising statehood to the region. "The government of India is cheating the people of Jammu Kashmir. They have already promised statehood for Jammu Kashmir, which they are not doing at all. We heard about a Union Territory becoming a state, we have never heard of a state becoming a Union Territory. They have done so much injustice to the people of J-K," Venugopal said amid sloganeering by party workers. "The people have come from different parts of JK, they came with difficulty. Indian National Congress solidly stands with the people of J-K," he added. Regarding the statehood demand, the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) had organised the 'Our state, our right' programme across Jammu and Kashmir. Party leader Imran Masood, also at the protest told ANI, "We are with the people of J-K for getting them statehood. Congress is resolute in giving the people of J-K their rights. You have stolen the rights of the people" In August 5, 2019, the Central government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, repealed Article 370 of the Constitution, effectively ending the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating the state into two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Meanwhile, in a smiliar development, Kavinder Gupta was also appointed as the new Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Ladakh. The restoration of statehood has been a key demand from the regional political parties in Jammu and Kashmir since the abrogation of Article 370 and the reorganisation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories in August 2019. (ANI)
Air India reported a slight increase in sick leave taken by its pilots following the tragic crash of flight AI-171 on June 12. The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad, killing 260 people. In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said that on June 16, a total of 112 pilots across Air India's fleet reported sick. This included 51 commanders and 61 first officers. The response came to an unstarred question raised by MP Jai Prakash regarding reports of mass sick leave among Air India flight crew after the incident. Responding to concerns about the mental well-being of the flight crew, the Minister said that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had already issued a circular in February 2023 with detailed guidelines on mental health support for flight crews and Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCOs). These include easy and quick mental health checks by DGCA-approved medical examiners during regular medical exams. Special training modules to help crew and ATCOs understand and deal with mental health challenges. A Peer Support Programme (PSP) that allows employees to seek help in a safe and supportive manner without fear of punishment. Earlier, on July 21, answering a question about the probe into the AI-171 crash, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu that the decoding of the Black Box had occurred in India for the first time. Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Union Minister Naidu said, "First set of the probe is done and a preliminary report is out. Earlier, whenever Black Box had slight damage, the black box used to be sent to the manufacturer for decoding. For the first time, the decoding of the Black Box has happened in India." Lauding the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Naidu said that the agency is "unbiased." (ANI)
Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Thursday alleged more than 56 lakh voters are being removed from the voter list in Bihar after the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision and termed it an "attack" on democracy. He also reiterated the demand of the opposition for a discussion on the exercise in the Parliament. "The INDIA bloc wants the Parliament to discuss the SIR issue because more than 56 lakh voters are being removed from the electoral roll. This is an attack on the democracy and the election process itself. The EC has become an agent of the BJP. As Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi has said, We want a discussion in the Parliament, but the government is not conceding to any kind of demands on the SIR," Tagore told ANI. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Thursday warned of boycotting the upcoming Bihar elections if it is not rolled back. Addressing media personnel, Yadav said, "When everything had been decided from before that the names of lakhs of people would be deleted from the voter's list, and when these same voters voted for PM Modi in the past and decided the fate of the government in the past, then it was all right. We are asking how the sudden need for SIR arose now. It means that the people in power are acknowledging that they came to power through deception earlier, and now the same thing will be repeated. When they have decided to be dishonest, then we (all parties in the Mahagathbandhan) could talk about boycotting the elections. We have this option."Opposition leaders on Thursday held a protest in front of the Bihar Assembly over the issue of the SIR exercise. The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) MPs, for the fourth consecutive day, protested against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) being conducted by the Election Commission (EC) in poll-bound Bihar. The MPs gathered at Parliament Makar Dwar and called for a stop to the exercise. The opposition parties have repeatedly called for a discussion in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha regarding the revision exercise, moving adjournment motions every day since the start of the monsoon session and alleging that manipulation of voter rolls is taking place under the guise of the SIR. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MP Mahua Maji, Deputy Opposition leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJ) MP Manoj Jha, among multiple other leaders, attended the protest. Carrying a banner which read "SIR-Attack on Democracy," the MPs stood at Makar Dwar, demanding that the voter list revision be halted. Bihar elections 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. (ANI)
The indictment of the mother of a seven-year-old girl showed the harrowing details of the tragic incident.

The defendant, from Palm Beach County, was indicted for capital murder after investigators said that her 7-year-old daughter died from blunt-force trauma while under her care. The mother, identified as Naikishia Williams, was held without bond at the Palm Beach County Jail.

Mother Indicted for Daughter's Murder

Her indictment came earlier this month on a first-degree murder charge, and authorities say the victim, Nia Williams, lost her life in April after being brought to the hospital with several injuries. The girl's former caregivers claim that the tragic incident could have been prevented by authorities.

Rebecca Finley cared for the seven-year-old girl for years, starting fromwhen she was only five years old. She said that she previously warned the Florida Department of Children and Families about ongoing safety concerns related to Naikishia.

Finley described Nia as a "baby of joy," adding that the young girl loved makeup, cleaning, cooking, and was generally a lovely child. She added that she fought to keep Nia and her siblings out of what she called an unstable home. However, the children were eventually returned to their mother despite her concerns, according to WFLX.

Read more: Defendants in 2022 Hazlehurst Gang Shooting of Teenager Convicted and Sentenced

The child's former caregiver added that the state of Florida failed the seven-year-old girl, saying authorities went against her in favor of the biological mother. However, they eventually saw what she had been telling them for years, but it was too late.

The young girl's godmother, Whytni Walker, added that every single time Nia came back to them, she would be thinner and emotionally withdrawn. She said that authorities did not see the obvious signs and still let the child go back to a home that she was not supposed to be in.

The Failure of the State

In April, the Riviera Beach Police Department (RBPD) said that officers responded to an unresponsive child at 1501 West 15th Street. When they found the young girl, they quickly transported her to St. Mary's Medical Center, where doctors pronounced her dead, CBS12 reported.

It was later revealed that Nia had been temporarily removed from her mother's care twice. Legal expert Dave Aronberg noted that while criminal charges against DCF employees would be rare due to legal immunity, civil lawsuits are far more likely.

He said that he is almost certain that there will be civil lawsuits filed in the case of the young girl's death. Aronberg added that the state has been entrusted with protecting the most vulnerable and must face a civil lawsuit when it makes a mistake, as per WPBF.
As many as 62,565 undergraduate seats have been filled at Delhi University at the end of the first round of admissions, which is nearly 88 per cent of the total available UG capacity. The upgrade window for the next round has now been opened and will remain live till 4:59 pm on July 25. Of the confirmed admissions, 34,014 are female and 28,551 are male candidates. A total of 143 orphan students (77 females and 66 males) and 949 single girl children have secured seats. While 16,126 candidates have frozen their admission, 43,741 have opted for an upgrade. DU had allocated over 93,000 seats in the first round, significantly exceeding its actual undergraduate seat capacity of just over 71,000, to account for withdrawals and rejections. "Round I has concluded with 62,565 confirmed admissions, including 34,014 females and 28,551 males," a Delhi University official said. "A total of 143 orphans and 949 single girl child candidates have been admitted. While 16,126 candidates have frozen their admission, 43,741 have opted for an upgrade." The admissions process began on June 17, 2025, under the Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS). After the CUET results were declared, candidates were allowed to fill in college and program preferences. The university received its highest-ever number of applications this year, over 3.05 lakh sign-ups, with 2.39 lakh students successfully submitting their choices. Candidates submitted more than 1.68 crore program-college combinations. B.Com (Hons) emerged as the most preferred course with nearly 19.9 lakh preferences, followed by B.Com, B.A. (Hons) English, Political Science, and History. Shri Ram College of Commerce, Hindu College, and Miranda House were the most sought-after colleges based on first preference data. A majority of candidates, 58.89 per cent, opted for humanities-based programs, 20.89 per cent for commerce, and 20.22 per cent for science. Vacant seats as of 2:01 pm on July 24 have been published on the university portal for the benefit of candidates considering upgrades. (ANI)
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Thursday visited the Nadabet BSF Border Outpost located near the Pakistan border and lauded the courage and valour of the soldiers guarding the border, as per an official statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) During his visit to Suigam for the inauguration of various development projects in Banaskantha district, the Chief Minister also interacted with the jawans and officers of the Nadabet Border Security Force. He commended their courageous contribution to the resounding success of Operation Sindoor, carried out under the resolute leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, and acknowledged the vital role played by both BSF and Army personnel. He further noted that the Seema Darshan initiative launched by the State Government at Nadabet has given citizens a unique opportunity to gain a closer understanding of the BSF's work, with lakhs of tourists visiting the site and significantly boosting border tourism, the statement said. Further, as per the statement, BSF IG Abhishek Pathak expressed gratitude to the State Government for providing sweet water facilities and other infrastructure in border areas including Nadabet for the BSF. The BSF jawans presented a Guard of Honour and a memento to the Chief Minister. Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Shri Shankar Chaudhary and Industry Minister Shri Balvantsinh Rajput also joined the visit. Earlier in the day, in a significant step towards transforming the education system in Gujarat, the Task Force Committee, constituted to implement a 360-degree evaluation through a holistic education approach, formally submitted its recommendation report to Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel. The recommendations align with the National Education Policy introduced under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which advocates for comprehensive educational assessment across the country, according to a release issued by the State government. The objective of the policy is to foster holistic development and nurture globally competitive human capital through inclusive and multidimensional education. In this context, the Task Force Committee has proposed integrating academic learning with sports, cultural activities, and vocational training, thereby strengthening students' emotional and intellectual capabilities. These suggestions aim to embed a truly holistic educational philosophy in the state's evaluation system. (ANI)
A man, convicted in a murder case, released on parole from Gwalior Central Jail, was allegedly shot dead near the Gwalior-Shivpuri border late Wednesday night, a police officer said on Thursday. The convict, identified as Leeladhar Tomar, was serving a life imprisonment sentence for murdering his father and was released on a 16-day parole on July 14. He went to Shivpuri via private taxi on Wednesday and was returning from there, but on the way, he was shot by unknown persons near Satanwada, Gwalior-Shivpuri border area. The driver of the vehicle in which he was travelling immediately rushed him to the Jaya Arogya Hospital (JAH) in Gwalior, but the doctors pronounced him dead. After that, the taxi driver informed the police about the incident. Speaking to ANI, City Superintendent of Police (CSP) Robin Jain said, "Leeladhar Tomar was in Central Jail and recently got released on parole. Yesterday, he booked a taxi and went towards Shivpuri. He was returning from Shivpuri with a woman in the taxi. In the meantime, some unknown persons arriving from behind fired at him near Satanwada, a border area. Due to the firing, Tomar got seriously injured. The taxi driver immediately brought him to JAH hospital in Gwalior, but the doctors declared him dead. After that,t the taxi driver informed the police about the incident." Since the incident took place in Satanwada, Satanwada police are recording the statement of the taxi driver, and they will take further action on the matter, the officer said. He further added that the reason for the crime was completely unknown, as there were unknown people who committed the incident, and also a woman who was with Tomar had left the vehicle somewhere before the incident. Satanwada police is currently investigating the case from all possible angles, and they have shared all the details they have with Satnawada police. Further action will be taken by the Satanwada police, he added (ANI)
As the survey phase of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) comes to an end, a significant number of residents are calling the project's toll-free helpline for inclusion, having missed or not participated earlier. Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) officials said that of 700 calls received in the past month, nearly 41% enquiries were related to requests to complete door-to-door/household survey, a step in the redevelopment process to decide eligibility. This response, they said, highlights the anxiety among residents about missing out on the redevelopment scheme and its housing benefits. The toll-free helpline has registered 300 calls in the past 30 days for the eligibility survey. The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) is among the largest and most inclusive urban renewal initiatives in the world, aiming to uplift over 10 lakh residents through well-planned housing, infrastructure, and community services without displacing the social and economic fabric of the area, the officials said. Noting that only a few tenements and communities remain who have volunteered to exclude themselves from the eligibility survey like the Kumbharwada, Compound 13, a handful tenements on private lands in various slum pockets, officials said it is a sign that residents are sensing time is slipping away. DRP officials also said that the toll-free helpline continues to serve as a vital communication channel that hears the residents, addresses their doubts and records their concerns. They said Kumbharwada residents have started volunteering to get their tenements numbered in the past two days, despite initial resistance. A DRP official said he calls to helpline show people are eager "to take part in the transformation". "We are heartened by the volume and quality of engagement we are receiving from the residents. The fact that nearly half of the calls are about the survey process shows that people are informed, interested, and eager to participate in the transformation. We remain committed to a transparent, people-first redevelopment effort that keeps communication open at every stage. This is a housing for all project," the official said. Queries received on the helpline included requests for list of documents to complete eligibility verification, timeline expectations, and when new homes will be allotted. There were also inquiries about the recent campaign urging residents to come forward for survey, location, size of new housing units and numbering of upper floors. The Maharashtra government had in May this year approved Dharavi project master plan The proposed master plan is an attempt to build on the existing characteristics of Dharavi and create a world-class district for Dharavikars and reimagine a new heart for Mumbai. The Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) is a opportunity to transform the lives and 'live-work' conditions of Dharavikars aiming for a higher quality of life with great infrastructure and public amenities. The Dharavi project will also have accessible social amenities. A clear hierarchy of social infrastructure shall be embedded within walkable neighbourhood nodes, ensuring every resident is within easy reach of schools, healthcare, and community facilities, a release said earlier. The proposed waterfront development and Dharavi promenade - a linear open space is planned to make the river's edge accessible. The proposed road network includes widening of existing Development Plan (DP) roads and new networks of approximately 21 km road length. (ANI)
During a hearing on the bail application of Manoranjan D, an accused in the 2023 Parliament security breach case, the Delhi High Court orally observed that any attempt to interrupt the functioning of Parliament could be seen as a deeply alarming act, with serious implications for national security. A division bench of Justices Vivek Chaudhary and Shalinder Kaur made the observation in response to Manoranjan's lawyer arguing that his client's use of non-toxic smoke canisters and slogans was a peaceful protest aimed at highlighting issues like unemployment. The bench countered, "The best way to create terror in India is to disrupt the Parliament. You disrupted the Parliament." The breach happened on December 13, 2023, when Manoranjan and Sagar Sharma leapt into the Lok Sabha chamber during a live session, while Neelam Azad and Amol Shinde protested outside. All four were arrested for coordinating the act using coloured smoke devices. More recently, the High Court granted bail to Neelam Azad and Mahesh Kumawat, requiring a Rs 50,000 personal bond and two sureties. Conditions include a ban on media engagement, compulsory police station visits thrice a week, and restrictions on leaving Delhi. Delhi Police opposed bail, presenting evidence under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967. They argued that the accused posed a risk of absconding, influencing witnesses, and obstructing investigations due to their influence. The defense criticized the use of UAPA, calling it excessive and an attempt to suppress dissent. Allegations also surfaced regarding the assault of the accused inside Parliament. On June 7, 2024, Delhi Police filed a 1,000-page charge sheet against six individuals, detailing their role in the breach, which occurred on the anniversary of the 2001 Parliament attack. Prosecution sanction under Sections 16 and 18 of the UAPA was granted by the Lieutenant Governor, based on findings by the Tis Hazari Review Committee. The original FIR, lodged on December 14, 2023, included charges under IPC Sections 186, 353, 452, 153, 34, 120B, and sections of the UAPA. The investigation was subsequently transferred to the Special Cell's Counter-Intelligence Unit.(ANI)
The multi-sectoral expert team has arrived in the state capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla and held meetings with the state authorities on Thursday and would be doing a scientific study in flood hit regions of the state.In response to the rising frequency of extreme weather events in Himachal Pradesh, including cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had formed a multi-sectoral expert team to conduct a scientific study of these phenomena. The decision followed a meeting between Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during which the urgent need for a detailed investigation into the root causes of these events and potential solutions was highlighted. "Given the severe and recurrent weather-related disasters, this is perhaps the first time such a focused scientific study is being undertaken in Himachal Pradesh," said DC Rana, Special Secretary (Revenue & Disaster Management) while addressing the media. The team, led by an advisor of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), includes experts from the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, IIT Pune and IIT Indore. A retired meteorological scientist currently associated with a central university is also part of the study team. The team's mandate is to identify the scientific causes behind extreme weather events and explore long-term solutions to minimise their impact. The expert team arrived in Shimla on Wednesday evening and held a high-level meeting on Thursday, chaired by the Chief Secretary. Senior officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), discussed the scale of recent disasters, ongoing challenges, and data collection methods. "The team will first visit the worst-affected areas to analyse the ground situation. Following this, they will gather scientific data from multiple agencies such as the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Directorate General of Resettlement and Engineering (DGRE), and satellite-based data sources," DC Rana added. According to Rana, this exercise will involve integrating meteorological, hydrological, and geological data to better understand damage patterns and predict future risks. "The primary reference point for this team is to explore, on a scientific basis, why Himachal Pradesh is witnessing an increasing number of extreme weather events and what preventive measures can be developed," he said. Experts from the Central Water Commission, IMD officers posted in Himachal, DGRE Chandigarh, and other regional agencies are also coordinating efforts. Highlighting the severity of recent events, Rana said that this is important to do a scientific study of floods and rain due to climate change. "In 2023, Himachal Pradesh witnessed multiple extreme weather episodes. This year too, such incidents continue. Just two days ago, Lahaul-Spiti reported a flash flood. As per preliminary data, the total damage has already crossed Rs 1,200 crores." He said. The team will collect and analyse field data over the coming weeks. Once the scientific study is complete, the findings will be compiled into a report with actionable recommendations for both the state and central governments. "This is a crucial step toward creating a disaster-resilient Himachal Pradesh. Our Department of Environment and Science is also actively involved to ensure a holistic approach," Rana stated. (ANI)
Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Thursday expressed grief over the deaths of seven people in a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus accident near Tarangla in the Maseran area of Sarkaghat, Mandi district. Several others were also injured in the incident. In his message, the Governor prayed for peace for the departed souls and strength for the bereaved families to cope with the loss. The HRTC bus was travelling from Sarkaghat to Durgapur when it met with the accident. The injured were rushed to the Civil Hospital in Sarkaghat. Those who suffered serious injuries were referred to AIIMS Bilaspur for further treatment. Soon after the incident, the Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, also expressed grief over the accident and directed the Mandi district administration to provide an ex-gratia grant to the next of kin of the deceased and the best possible treatment to the injured. He also prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss. Earlier in the day, at least seven people were confirmed dead and several others injured in the accident, which occurred around 60 kilometres from Mandi town. Naresh Chauhan, Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, confirmed the deaths in the accident, saying, "This is a tragic incident. Around 20-25 people have been injured, and seven people have died. Our condolences are with the families." He added that the administration was fully engaged in the rescue operation and ensuring medical aid for the injured. "The administration is providing all possible assistance. Everyone is engaged in the rescue, the injured are being sent to hospitals, and the entire administration is on the job. The injured have been sent for treatment," he said. Preliminary information suggests that the accident may have been caused by a road cave-in due to heavy rainfall, which led the bus to veer off the road. The local administration and emergency response teams reached the spot soon after the incident. A detailed investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause. Further investigation is still underway. (ANI)
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy on Thursday met Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and discussed key details of caste survey in the state. In his post on 'X', Reddy mentioned that the Congress MP appreciated the provision of giving a 42 per cent quota for OBCs in education, jobs, and political positions. "Met our inspiring leader Priyanka Gandhi and gave her all details of the #TelanganaCasteSurvey and the highlights of its findings. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra greatly appreciated our state's decision and resolve to provide 42 per cent quota for the OBCs in education, jobs and political positions. She has promised her fullest support in this fight for total justice for OBCs", Reddy wrote on 'X'. Earlier on Thursday, Revanth Reddy, along with his other Cabinet Ministers, interacted with Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The Telangana government completed its comprehensive caste survey within a year and was presented before the state Cabinet and Assembly on February 4. According to officials, the state government conducted the largest-ever Socio-Economic, Educational, Employment, Political, and Caste (SEEEPC) survey, covering 96.9 per cent of households in just 50 days. From passing a resolution in the Cabinet to submitting the final report, the entire process was completed within exactly one year. Meanwhile, the Bharath Rashtra Samithi has been constantly criticising the state government and alleging that it has betrayed the BRS MLC, K Kavitha. On Tuesday, K Kavitha criticised both the BJP and the Congress, alleging that they had 'cheated' the Backwards Classes (BCs) of Telangana. Kavitha referred to statements made by BJP leaders suggesting that the OBC Reservation Bill could not be passed in Parliament. She also alleged that Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, had remained silent on issues related to Telangana's Backward Classes. "We heard many statements from the BJP leaders from Telangana that they cannot pass the OBC Reservation Bill from the central government, which is very unfortunate to hear. We have seen more than 15 states giving reservation above 50 per cent. We are getting zero benefits from the Central government. Neither Rahul Gandhi nor Priyanka Gandhi Vadra nor Sonia Gandhi speaks in Parliament about our Telangana BCs. The bill should be passed. Both BJP and Congress are cheating the people of Telangana BCs," Kavitha told ANI. (ANI)
Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R Ashok, on Thursday sharply criticised Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the recent caste sub-reservation survey, alleging that the exercise was politically motivated and aimed at creating caste-based divisions. "Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has conducted a caste census to create a divide between castes. If a new census is being conducted now, it implies the previous one was fake," said LoP Ashok, criticising the move. He claimed that the latest sub-reservation survey, conducted in just 15 days, was superficial and carried out merely as a formality, unlike the previous caste census conducted a decade ago. Speaking to reporters, he said, "CM Siddaramaiah's government conducted the caste sub-reservation survey as a mere formality. The previous caste census was conducted ten years ago, but the recent sub-reservation survey was completed in just 15 days. Surveys conducted by the central government are widely accepted, whereas those conducted by the state government hold no value." He accused CM Siddaramaiah of scheming to create a divide between castes for political gains. He said, "If the Congress government plans to conduct another caste census, it means the previous one was fraudulent, which has caused embarrassment to the government." He suggested that the state government should cooperate with the central government's census efforts. "The state government should guide everyone, but leaders from its own party disrupt Parliament over every issue. State matters should be discussed in Parliament, and all MPs from his party would raise concerns regarding the state's land and water issues," he said. He welcomed the punishment announced in the DJ Halli and KG Halli riot case, noting that the incident of an MLA's house being set on fire is still vivid. "Many involved, including those associated with PFI and supporters of Pakistan, should face stringent punishment," he demanded. "When he was the Transport Minister, he had fulfilled the demands of transport employees, and the current government should also address their grievances," he said, assuring his support. He condemned the killing of BJP workers in Andhra Pradesh and urged the government there to provide protection to BJP workers. He alleged that Congress is engaging in looting through the purchase of smart meters and demanded an investigation to uncover the truth. He vowed to fight for justice for the people in this matter. (ANI)
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh on Thursday said that the government has consistently protested to parties concerned over the inclusion of the 'China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through parts of the Indian Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir under illegal occupation of Pakistan. In a written reply in Rajya Sabha during the ongoing monsoon session, MoS said that any proposed participation of third countries or expansion of the so-called CPEC projects to third countries is unacceptable. "The Government of India is aware of a China-Pakistan-Afghanistan meeting held in Beijing, China, on 21 May 2025. The government's position on CPEC is clear and consistent. Government has consistently protested to parties concerned over the inclusion of the so-called 'China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through parts of the Indian Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir under illegal occupation of Pakistan, as a flagship project of 'OBOR/BRI' and asked them to cease these activities," he said. "Any proposed participation of third countries or expansion of the so-called CPEC projects to third countries is unacceptable. Government has consistently conveyed this position to relevant parties," the MoS added. Singh further stated that the government maintains a constant watch on all developments that have a bearing on India's security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard it. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Afghanistan's acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi met in Beijing earlier this May. The proceedings in both Houses of Parliament were adjourned for the day amid protests by the Opposition on Thursday. The Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha will again reconvene on Friday at 11 am. Krishna Prasad Tenneti, chairing the Lok Sabha, adjourned the House amidst the ruckus by the Opposition during a discussion on the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2024. The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill was being discussed in the Rajya Sabha when MP Bhubaneshwar Kalita, chairing the House, adjourned it following sloganeering by the Opposition, who were protesting against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar. (ANI)
Eight children participating in a church concert were taken to the hospital after suddenly experiencing seizure-like symptoms.

Cambridge Fire Chief Thomas Cahill said that crews were called to the area at around 7:00 p.m. to St. Paul's Parish at 27 Mt. Auburn St. When firefighters arrived at the church, a child was seen sitting on the front steps of the building but was not actively seizing.

Children Suffered From Seizure-Like Symptoms

Cahill added that the incident quickly involved seven other children who suffered from similar symptoms before being transported to hospitals around the Cambridge area. Authorities said that during the performance, some of the kids reported feeling sick from something they smelled.

There were many students and adults who also reported smelling odors inside the building, but crews noted they did not detect any out-of-the-ordinary smells when they arrived at the scene. All of the affected children were aged 11 to 13 and were originally from France, according to WCVB.

The fire chief noted that the incident was "somewhat unusual," adding that it was a routine medical call that suddenly escalated into bringing eight children to the hospital. After the initial incident, a hazmat and rescue team went through the building and reported zero readings of anything unusual.

Read more: Texas Parents Protest Outside of White House After Devastating Floods

Cahill added that there were roughly 70 people who attended the concert who were not affected, and all of the attendees left the area with designated chaperones. He said that all of the children who suffered seizure-like symptoms seemed healthy before being brought to the hospital.

The medical emergencies of the children at the scene were described as non-life-threatening before the kids were transported to the hospital. All of the victims were released from the medical establishments as of Wednesday morning, The Harvard Crimson reported.

An Unusual Incident

A statement by the Cambridge Fire Department's media manager, John J. Gelinas, noted that the choir left Massachusetts en route to a concert in Bangor, Maine, after all of the children were discharged from the hospital.

The youth choir, which was founded in 1970, travelled extensively and performed with some of the top conductors and soloists from around the world. St. Paul's Parish added that the concert was set to feature an exciting mix of sacred and secular repertoire, including popular French songs, as per Newsweek.

Cahill also noted on Wednesday, after the children were all discharged from the hospital, that they were still unsure what exactly caused the seizure-like symptoms among the kids.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held a comprehensive review meeting on Thursday with MPs, MLAs, and senior officials to discuss upcoming road infrastructure projects across all assembly constituencies in the Gorakhpur and Basti divisions, according to an official statement from Gujarat Chief Minister's Office (CMO). The Chief Minister interacted with public representatives to understand the specific road development needs of their respective constituencies and urged them to submit proposals aligned with the region's aspirations. He assured that proposals submitted would be acted upon swiftly and on a priority basis. The meeting, held at the Annexe Bhawan Auditorium, began with a digital presentation on the upcoming road projects in the Gorakhpur-Basti region. Senior officials from the Public Works Department briefed the Chief Minister on the status of proposals under consideration. After reviewing the status of projects constituency-wise, CM Yogi held detailed discussions with public representatives to outline plans and directed PWD officials accordingly. The Chief Minister highlighted the significant strides made by the government in strengthening interstate and four-lane connectivity, noting that the Gorakhpur-Basti region is already witnessing its benefits. Stressing the need to further bolster road infrastructure, he said the PWD must treat all road-related proposals from public representatives with utmost seriousness. He directed that the priority for these projects be finalised in consultation with the public representatives. He said, "Roads identified as high-priority should have their estimates prepared first, followed by a prompt start to construction. Other road projects should then be taken up in a phased manner." CM Yogi also emphasised that projects benefiting a larger population must be given precedence. He said, "Urban roads should be included under the CM Grid Scheme for systematic development." He strictly instructed officials to ensure the timely completion of all road projects without compromising on quality. Public representatives were encouraged to monitor the progress of works in their constituencies to maintain quality standards and the pace of execution. Addressing concerns raised by public representatives about flood-damaged roads, the Chief Minister directed PWD officials to prepare a special action plan for strengthening road infrastructure in flood-prone areas. He also allowed the use of Disaster Relief Funds for this purpose, if necessary. Senior officials from the Tourism Department also shared updates on tourism development initiatives at various religious sites. In response, the Chief Minister directed the PWD to ensure seamless road connectivity to all temples and religious destinations where tourism development is ongoing or planned. He instructed that any proposal submitted by public representatives in this regard should be processed promptly and estimates prepared without delay to initiate work. CM Yogi noted that the Gorakhpur and Basti divisions are emerging with a renewed identity of growth and development. He described public representatives as the true brand ambassadors of progress in their constituencies and urged them to remain connected with the public, understand their developmental aspirations, and convey appropriate proposals to the government. He reiterated that public convenience, safety, and prosperity are central to all government policies and emphasised the need for representatives to monitor and resolve any bottlenecks in ongoing development projects actively. The meeting was attended by Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, State Minister Vijayalakshmi Gautam, Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan Shukla, Mayor Manglesh Srivastava, as well as public representatives from the Gorakhpur and Basti divisions. Also present were Principal Secretary PWD Ajay Chauhan, Principal Secretary Tourism Mukesh Meshram, and PWD HoD Ashok Dwivedi. (ANI)
The Janata Dal (United) on Thursday issued a show-cause notice to its Member of Parliament Girdhari Yadav for making public statements against Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which the party said went against its official stance and caused embarrassment ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar. In the notice sent to Girdhari Yadav, the party reminded him that JDU has consistently supported the Election Commission of India and the use of EVMs, both when it was part of the INDIA block and now as a member of National Democratic Alliance (NDA). "In this context, your public comments on such a sensitive matter, especially in an election year, not only cause embarrassment to the party but also inadvertently lend credibility to the baseless and politically motivated allegations made by the opposition," the notice said. The party called Yadav's conduct a "lapse in discipline" and asserted that his remarks were "not in consonance with the Janata Dal (United)'s stated position on the matter." The party further directed Girdhari Yadav to explain his conduct within 15 days from the receipt of the notice. "You are therefore hereby called upon to show cause within 15 days of receipt of this notice, failing which disciplinary action may be initiated against you," the letter said. The controversy arose after Girdhari Yadav questioned the reliability of EVMs during a public interaction, which sparked reactions both within and outside the party. A day earlier, JDU MP Giridhari Yadav expressed strong reservations about the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar, stating that it lacks practical knowledge of Bihar's history and geography. "The Election Commission has no practical knowledge. It neither knows the history nor the geography of Bihar. It took 10 days for me to collect all the documents. My son stays in America. How will he do the signatures in just a month? This (SIR) has been imposed on us forcefully. At least six months' time should have been given for this. I am giving my personal opinion. It doesn't matter what the party is saying. This is the truth. If I can't say the truth, why have I become an MP?" he told ANI. As Bihar Assembly elections 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 BJP, JD(U), and LJP, will once again seek to continue its stint in Bihar, the INDIA bloc, comprising RJD, Congress, and Left parties, will aim to unseat Nitish Kumar. In the 243 members-strong Bihar Assembly at present, NDA contributes 131 members, while BJP has 80 MLAs, JD(U) has 45, HAM(S) has four, and the support of two Independent candidates. The Opposition's INDIA bloc comprises 111 members, with RJD leading with 77 MLAs, followed by Congress with 19, the CPI(ML) with 11, and CPI(M) and CPI with two each. (ANI)
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking to acquire two to three squadrons of fifth-generation fighter jets from foreign sources to strengthen its combat capabilities until the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project becomes operational. A fighter squadron typically consists of 18 to 20 jets. The IAF recently made a detailed presentation to the government outlining its future requirements for maintaining an edge over adversaries, defence sources told ANI. They said the IAF is looking to acquire around two to three squadrons (40-60 aircraft) in the interim till the indigenous project gets ready for meeting its operational requirements. An empowered committee led by Defence Secretary RK Singh recommended the induction of fifth-generation fighter jets to enhance the force's deterrence and preparedness, especially along the northern and western borders. The Indian side is showing interest in acquiring the fifth-generation fighter aircraft, when reports suggest that China is already working on sixth-generation fighter jets and may also provide its fifth-generation fighters to the Pakistan Air Force in the next few years. The two countries from which India could potentially procure fifth-generation aircraft were the United States and Russia. However, the government has not taken any decision on the issue of fifth-generation fighter jets, but discussions are going on in this regard. The US has offered the F-35 fighter jet, while Russia has proposed its Su-57 jets for India's consideration. India had opted out of the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGfA) project many years ago, but there is an option to rejoin it. The F-35 has been sold to various countries by the US in Europe and outside. India is also looking at a programme to build 114 modern 4.5 plus generation fighters in partnership with a foreign country under Make in India, and may go for a government-to-government deal after a tender. The Indian Air Force is looking to use these planes to prepare a strong deterrence all along the western and northern fronts. (ANI)
Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee chief Amit Chavda announced on Thursday that Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi will visit the state on July 26. Chavda informed that Rahul Gandhi will land at the Vadodara airport in the morning of July 26 and will participate in the training program being held in Anand. The state Congress chief said that the party is celebrating the year 2025 as an organisational year, for which a day training camp has been organised in Anand. "Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi will land at Vadodara Airport on 26 July morning and will participate in the training camp to be held in Anand. Actually, the All India Congress Committee is celebrating 2025 as an organisation festival. In this connection, a three-day training camp of Congress is being organised in Anand Town. Rahul Gandhi will participate in this camp on 26 July. Gujarat's newly appointed Amit Chavda announced this tour in Vadodara", Amit Chavda told ANI. Earlier this year, in April, the Indian National Congress held its two-day national convention in Ahmedabad after a gap of six decades. Rahul Gandhi also launched the 'Sangathan Sirjan Abhiyan' in the Modasa area of Gujarat's Aravalli district in an effort to revamp the party to strengthen its organisation by empowering District Congress Committees, and to "introduce a new system of accountability." Rahul Gandhi has previously told the Congress workers in Gujarat that there is a need to purge certain people from the party who are "hand in glove" with the BJP. "If we want to build a relationship (with people), then we have to do two things, the first task is to separate these two groups (loyalists and BJP supporters), strict action has to be taken. Even if we have to remove ten, fifteen, even twenty or thirty people, then we should remove them," Gandhi said while addressing party workers on March 9. (ANI)
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat held a significant meeting on Thursday with prominent Muslim intellectuals, muftis, and maulanas from across the country at Haryana Bhavan. This dialogue program was organised with the aim of promoting national unity, social harmony, and collaborative efforts in the field of education. The meeting focused particularly on the current state of the Indian madrasa education system, possibilities for its reform, and strategies to inclusively integrate it with mainstream education. Emphasis was also laid on the need to connect Muslim youth with modern, employment-oriented education. During the meeting, Mohan Bhagwat made it clear that the RSS and the ideology of Hindutva are not against any religion or community. He stated, "Muslims are as respected citizens of this country as anyone else. India belongs to all of us, and it is our collective responsibility to preserve its unity, integrity, and sovereignty." He stressed that communal harmony, dialogue, and cooperation are the true strengths of India, and that it is imperative to work together to eliminate misconceptions and extremism from society. "Differences may exist," he said, "but there should not be discord in hearts." Several Muslim representatives also shared their views, stating that such open dialogue and transparency are the paths that will take the country forward. They appreciated the RSS's efforts to engage with the Muslim community and expressed confidence that this dialogue would yield positive results in the future. At the conclusion of the meeting, a joint resolution was adopted to deepen mutual cooperation and trust, affirming a shared commitment to take India forward through education, values, and development by including all sections of society. (ANI)
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant's remarks on the Mahadayi river project sparked a heated dispute between Karnataka and Goa, with Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar saying that Goa CM has lost his mental balance because he lacks understanding of inter-state relations. While speaking to media persons, Shivakumar said, "I think Goa CM has lost his mental balance because he doesn't know what kind of inter-state relationship should exist... I am going to start the work. Let them stop it..." The Mahadayi river originates in Karnataka's Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and flows through Goa before emptying into the Arabian Sea. Karnataka plans to divert 7.56 tmcft of water to the Malaprabha valley for the Kalasa-Banduri project, which would support over 40 lakh people in Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Bagalkot, and nearby areas. However, Goa has objected to this plan, leading to a decades-long dispute. Reacting sharply to the issue, Karnataka Minister HK Patil said today that it is "our constitutional right." "It is unfortunate that the government of India has said that it will not permit us to go ahead with the Mahadayi project. It is a constitutional right of ours, the juvenile. If the statement of Goa's Chief Minister is taken on face value, I urge the government of India not to continue injustice to Karnataka..., Patil told ANI. Earlier in the day, Sawant emphasised the river's importance to Goa, saying, "For everyone, the Mahadayi is a political issue, but for Goa, Mahadayi is our lifeline." He asserted that the Goa government is actively representing its interests in the Supreme Court, the central government, and the Mahadayi dispute tribunal. Sawant stated, "For everyone, the Mahadayi is a political issue, but for Goa, the Mahadayi is our lifeline. The Mahadayi river water which comes from Karnataka into Goa, our government represents our stand at the Supreme Court, central government, and the Mahadayi dispute tribunal from time to time... Mahadayi river water that comes into Goa should flow freely because it is our lifeline, and it is also the lifeline of the Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary. Our fight will go on..." Soon after his comment, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah strongly criticised Sawant's remarks, calling them an insult to the people of Karnataka. Siddaramaiah emphasised the project's importance for providing drinking water to North Karnataka and accused the Centre and Goa's BJP government of blocking justice for Karnataka. "Mahadayi is not for luxury or waste, it is for the drinking water needs of North Karnataka," he said. Despite a 2018 tribunal verdict allocating 13.42 TMC of water to Karnataka, the project remains stalled. The dispute has led to a legal and political battle between the two states. Goa plans to file a contempt petition in the Supreme Court against Karnataka for activities aimed at diverting water from the Mahadayi River. Karnataka, on the other hand, will discuss the Mahadayi issue during the monsoon session of the legislature, which starts on August 11. The Centre's role in resolving the dispute remains crucial, with Karnataka accusing it of obstructing the project's implementation. The Mahadayi, also known as the Mandovi River in Goa and Mahadayi in Karnataka, originates in Karnataka and empties into the Arabian Sea in Panaji, Goa, while briefly flowing through Maharashtra. (ANI)
In a written reply, Mohol said, "During a surveillance inspection of Air India Express by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), it was found that Air India Express had not complied with the EASA Airworthiness Directive on the engines installed on the Airbus A320 aircraft."

The DGCA acted against the airline's Continuing Maintenance Manager, Quality Manager, and Accountable Manager under its Enforcement Policy and Procedure Manual.

The Quality Manager's approval was cancelled. The Continuing Maintenance Manager was issued a warning letter and fined Rs 1.5 lakh. The Accountable Manager was fined Rs 30 lakh.

The DGCA conducts both planned and surprise inspections of airlines and maintenance organisations. These include routine and periodic audits, spot checks, night surveillance, and ramp inspections.

The regulator also publishes an Annual Surveillance Plan on its website every year, which outlines its audit and inspection schedule as per its Regulatory Audit Procedure Manual.

Mohol added that it is the responsibility of each airline to follow Service Bulletins and Airworthiness Directives issued by the aircraft's country of design or manufacture to ensure the aircraft remains safe and airworthy.(ANI)
The Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) Drivers and Conductors' Union has warned the state government and HRTC management that if their long-pending demands are not met by July 31, they will strictly adhere to an 8-hour work limit from August 1. The union, led by President Man Singh Thakur, staged a gate meeting on Thursday to press for their demands, including pending Dearness Allowance (DA), timely salary payments, overtime dues, medical reimbursements, and pension settlements. "If our financial and service-related demands are not addressed by July 31, we will not work more than 8 hours a day from August 1. We have already given notice to the HRTC management on July 11, granting them sufficient time to resolve these issues. Unfortunately, our demands remain unresolved." Thakur said while speaking with ANI. Thakur highlighted that the employees are struggling due to delayed salaries and pensions, pending overtime dues since July 5, and the absence of proper arrangements for night-duty compensation and medical reimbursement. "It is already the 24th of the month, and we have not even received our salaries yet. We need a permanent provision for timely salary and pension payments. Without financial stability, how can employees run their families?" he asked. Clearance of pending DA and other financial arrears, Rs 50,000 area instalment payments, Medical reimbursement backlog worth several crores and restoration of night duty allowances. The HRTC management held a three-hour meeting with the union on Wednesday to discuss the demands. Thakur thanked the Managing Director for listening to their grievances but stated that financial matters, such as medical reimbursements, pensions, and overtime, are pending clearance from the Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds the transport portfolio. "We have requested the management to arrange a meeting with the Deputy Chief Minister before July 31. Otherwise, we will continue our protest meetings and limit our working hours strictly to 8 hours as per the Motor Vehicle Act," Thakur said. Expressing sorrow over a tragic accident in Serka Ghat, Mandi district, where an HRTC bus fell into a gorge, Thakur said, "I strongly protest and deeply mourn the loss of lives. The driver and conductor are critically injured, and around five people have died. I pray to the Almighty for peace to the departed souls and strength for their families." He criticised the government for not fulfilling earlier promises and added, "The Chief Minister had announced Rs . 50 crore for night-duty allowances and Rs . 100 crore for medical reimbursements, to be released before December 2025. Yet, so far, only Rs. 15 crore has been released. No further payments have been made." He emphasised that funds must be released regularly to ensure timely disbursement of salaries and pensions, adding, "When employees don't get salaries on time, how are they supposed to manage their households? We are left with no option but to take a firm stand." The union has clearly stated that if the government does not act before July 31, HRTC employees will refuse night-duty services and work strictly within 8 hours, as per law. "We hope the Deputy Chief Minister will call us for a discussion and accept our demands before July 31. Otherwise, we are ready to intensify our protest," Thakur added. (ANI)
The mother of Jagdish Sarvate, a Deputy Commissioner in the Madhya Pradesh Tribal Welfare Department, was arrested after an alleged tiger skin was found at her residence in Jabalpur, a forest official said on Thursday. Savitri Devi, Sarvate's mother, was produced in court on Wednesday, July 23, and was sent to jail, he added. Speaking to ANI, Ranger of Jabalpur Range, Apoorv Sharma said, "On July 22, EOW officials informed us that they conducted raids at the ancestral home of Jagdish Sarvate (Deputy Commissioner in Tribal Welfare Department) in which they recovered a Tiger skin. Following which, our team along with Dr Aniruddha Majumdar, a senior scientist, reached there and Dr Majumdar confirmed in the preliminary investigation that it was the skin of a tiger. After that EOW handed over the skin to us." Sharma said Savitri Devi was called in on July 23 and asked to produce documents or a certificate of ownership for the skin, but she failed to do so. "Therefore, she was arrested, presented before the court and she was sent to jail. The tiger skin was in her possession as the house was on her name and she gave a statement that she used to recite prayers while sitting on it and it was in her possession from 1977 without any license or certificate. Based on the fact, she was arrested for illegal possession," he said. The Ranger further said that action will be taken against Jagdish Sarvate as well because he too must have been aware of this matter. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 into the matter, and the skin has been sent to Jabalpur Veterinary College for forensic examination. Further action will be taken accordingly, he added. Earlier on Wednesday, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO, Jabalpur) Rishi Mishra told ANI, "EOW raided the residence of Jadish Sarwate, Deputy Commissioner in Tribal Welfare Department on July 22. During the raid, they found the skin of a tiger. After which, they informed the department and acting on it, a team reached the spot. The team confirmed that the skin was of a tiger, confiscated it and started investigation into the matter." (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to Assam government authorities on a contempt petition alleging illegal demolitions of houses in Hasila Beel, Goalpara in Assam. A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran sought responses from the Assam chief secretary and others within two weeks. The bench, however, said, "We want to issue notice but if the government comes with a defence that it is a government land, then we have already said that our order will not be applicable to land which are owned by the government, any encroachment on the streets, public place, abutting rivers and abutting water bodies." The petition, filed by eight residents of Goalpara district, alleged mass eviction and demolition drives in June affected over 667 families who have been there on that land for 60-70 years. The Brahmaputra changes courses from time to time and people have to move to higher grounds, said the counsel appearing for the petitioners. The plea filed through advocate Adeel Ahmed sought contempt action against Assam government authorities for allegedly violating the apex court directives during its demolition exercise in Goalpara district. It stated the demolition exercise was carried out without granting personal hearing and providing adequate time for appeal or judicial review. The petition said a notice of only two days was given and the demolition was carried out immediately thereafter. The petitioners said that were stated they have been residing along with their families in Hasilabeel revenue village for past 60 years without any objection being raised from any government authority till recently and on June 13, the authority issued notice directing all the occupants to remove structures by June 15. They said that within a few days, the authorities conducted a mass eviction and demolition drive, and the exercise was carried out without issuance of any fresh show-cause notice or without granting a personal hearing. They also sought directions for interim relief by way of compensation, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of demolished houses, schools etc. On November 13 last year the top court delivered a judgement and laid down pan-India guidelines saying no property should be demolished without a prior show cause notice and the affected must be given 15 days to respond. It passed a slew of directions in its November 2024 verdict and made clear that they would not be applicable if there was an unauthorised structure in a public place such as road, street, footpath, abutting railway line or any river or water bodies and also in cases where there was an order for demolition made by a court of law.(ANI)
Homeless families in San Francisco are now able to stay longer in shelters thanks to a new policy that increases the extensions they can have.

Under the new policy, which takes effect on Oct. 1, homeless families in San Francisco can stay in shelters for 90 days and receive unlimited 90-day extensions. Current policy notes that the Department of Homelessness and Supporting Housing only allows them to stay in shelters for 90 days with 30-day extensions.

Homeless Families in San Francisco

Families that are currently residing in shelters will receive a blanket 90-day extension to bridge the gap between now and Oct. 1. The new policy will grant 90-day extensions to homeless families that meet eligibility requirements, including making progress toward finding permanent housing.

The current 30-day extension policy was originally imposed in December 2024, which reverted to a pre-pandemic practice. During the health crisis, homeless families were allowed to stay until they were able to find permanent housing, according to Mission Local.

Mayor Daniel Lurie also met with homeless families in late February, where he promised them that as long as they were able to make "positive progress" towards getting permanent housing, they would not be evicted from shelters. However, two days after that, two dozen families were given eviction notices.

The situation later resulted in protests and media coverage, which prompted the local administration to grant several of the families an additional 30-day extension. Shortly after, District 9 Supervisor Jackie Fielder introduced new legislation that expanded the limit for shelter stays to a year.

Encouraging a Flow in the System

Lurie said that the new policy will help "encourage flow in our system" and open up much-needed space for families who are on the street right now. However, he acknowledged that the city still has a few indoor options to offer to the thousands of people who are forced to sleep on San Francisco's streets, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Homeless advocates have argued that the current policy caused undue stress to families who are already experiencing instability and strife. Many of these are undocumented immigrants who are also forced to face fears of deportation under the current government.

The leader of the homeless non-profit Faith in Action Bat Area, Cordoba, said that despite the win with the legislation, the work continues, as there are still around 3,000 homeless children in San Francisco who need help.

On top of the extended stays in shelters, Latino homeless families are celebrating a major $30 million in emergency rent vouchers. The funding comes months after the organization of families and advocates, as per El Tecolote.
A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice Vinod Chandran gave Bhopal gas disaster victims' rights groups the liberty to approach the Madhya Pradesh High Court with their claim.

It also asked the High Court to decide the case on its own merits.

The petitioner's victims' groups, including Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha, sought directions to the Centre and the Madhya Pradesh government to take suitable steps to identify and compensate those who were under-compensated because of them having been misclassified as 'temporary disablement' or 'minor injury' under the provisions of the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985 and the scheme.

The advocates said a large number of people suffered from kidney failure and cancer due to the gas disaster and were being treated as minor injury cases.

The Bhopal gas tragedy, touted as the world's worst industrial disaster, claimed the lives of several thousand people after a deadly gas leaked from the Union Carbide India Limited pesticide plant on the intervening night of December 2 and 3, 1984.

The tragedy unfolded in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, when the highly dangerous and toxic gas, methyl isocyanate (MIC), escaped from the Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) and resulted in the death of 5,295 human beings, injuries to almost 5,68,292 persons, besides loss of livestock and loss of property of almost 5,478 persons. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Thursday advised former diplomat Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri and Trinamool Congress MP Saket Gokhale to consider settling their defamation dispute amicably. A Division Bench comprising Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar encouraged both parties, acknowledged as respected public figures, to meet and attempt a resolution. The court observed that Gokhale had extended an apology, which Puri had accepted, and stated, "Courts are already overburdened; if possible, please try to settle the matter." The defamation suit was prompted by tweets Gokhale published in June 2021, alleging irregularities in Puri's purchase of foreign property. Puri responded with legal action, and the court later issued an ex parte decree in her favour, ordering Gokhale to pay Rs 50 lakh in damages and issue a public apology. During the latest hearing, Gokhale's counsel submitted a revised affidavit of apology. However, Puri's legal team--led by Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, with Advocates Vishal Gehrana and Palak Sharma from Karanjawala & Co.--requested time to examine the document, which had been presented during the hearing. The revised submission follows an earlier court directive to withdraw Gokhale's initial affidavit due to issues with its tone and language. The court had ruled the original document inadmissible and called for a corrected version. In May 2025, the court dismissed Gokhale's appeal challenging the 50 lakh decree. His counsel, Senior Advocate Amit Sibal, informed the Bench that Gokhale had already issued an unconditional public apology through his official social media account, though the accompanying affidavit faced procedural objections. The online apology read, "I unconditionally apologise for having put out a series of tweets against Amb. Lakshmi Murdeshwar Puri on 13th and 23rd June 2021, which tweets contained wrong and unverified allegations in relation to the purchase of property by the Ambassador. Puri abroad, which I sincerely regret." Puri's legal team raised concerns regarding the sincerity and content of the affidavit and cited Gokhale's conduct in associated contempt and enforcement proceedings. The Court had previously restrained Gokhale from making further defamatory remarks and issued a notice requiring him to explain why he should not be held in civil contempt for failing to comply with its orders. (ANI)
Emphasising the significance of "English education" for the backwards community of society, Leader of Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi said that the caste survey in Telangana is a milestone for social justice in the country and will define the national caste enumeration. Addressing the Socio-Economic Survey Model and Methodology Presentation in the national capital, Gandhi said, "Revanth Reddy and other leaders of the Congress party exceeded my expectations very easily. Not only did they conduct the Caste Census in the spirit that it should have been done... I can say with certainty that the level of competence with which they have done it is a milestone for social justice in the country. This is going to define how the national Caste Census is done, whether the BJP likes it or not." He stated that the job of the Telangana government is to use the data of the caste census to transform the lives of the people of Telangana. "English education is very, very important, so Revanth Ji mentioned that he has successfully conducted the caste census and socioeconomic census. Now, what is our job? He has a job. His job is to use the data of the caste census to transform the lives of the people of Telangana. Our job is to make sure that every single person in India understands what has happened in Telangana. What has been done in Telangana, and how the government of India is trying to stop the progress of what is happening in Telangana," he further said. He further reiterated removing the 50 per cent reservation mark in the education and job sectors and alleged that the government of India is not allowing it to happen in Telangana. "Why are they stopping it? We have said it clearly that we will break the 50 per cent wall of reservation. The government of Telangana has said in a note to the President of India that we want to break the 50 per cent barrier in education and government jobs, and we want to break the 50 per cent barrier in Panchayati Raj and the government of India is saying no and they are not allowing it. So our job is to raise it in parliament and help Revanth Reddy push the idea, push the breaking of this wall, and his job is to make sure that the people of Telangana benefit from the caste census," the Leader of Opposition said. Notably, the Union government had announced that the caste-based enumeration will be a part of the next decadal census, which will be conducted in two phases and begin on October 1, 2026, for snow-bound regions, and March 1, 2027, for the rest of India. Earlier in the day, Gandhi severely criticised ECI, warning the Election Commission that the opposition would not let them get away with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar. "I want to send a message to the Election Commission: If you think you are going to get away with it, if your officers think they are going to get away with it, you are mistaken. You are not going to get away with it, because we are going to come for you," the Lok Sabha LoP told reporters outside Parliament, just after the Lok Sabha was adjourned. He accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of indulging in "cheating" during the voter list revision process in a Karnataka constituency. Gandhi claimed to have "100 per cent" proof of the alleged manipulation, which involves adding and deleting voters, but hasn't presented any evidence yet. He alleged that thousands of new voters aged 50, 60, and 65 have been added to the list in a single constituency and eligible voters above 18 have been removed from the list. "Today we have 100 per cent proof of the Election Commission allowing cheating in a seat in Karnataka. When we decide to show it to you, it is 100 per cent proof. We just looked at one constituency and we found this. I am absolutely convinced that, constituency after constituency, this is the drama. Thousands of new votes, aged 50 or 60, or 65 (are there) in one constituency. Then voter deletion, people who are way above 18," he said. Reiterating the claim that the poll panel is not fulfilling its duties, the Lok Sabha LoP added, "I said this yesterday too; this is a very serious matter. The Election Commission is not functioning as the Election Commission of India. Today they made some statement; this is complete nonsense. The fact of the matter is that the Election Commission is not doing its job." Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy interacted with Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. He also met Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and discussed key details of the caste survey in the state. (ANI)
Odisha unit of Congress slammed the BJP government in Odisha over the safety of women in the State and alleged that the govt has "failed in its responsibility", while referring to the death of 20-year-old Odisha college student, who set herself ablaze following alleged sexual harassment by a professor of her college. On Odisha Congress holding "Shradhanjali Sabha" and silent prayer for Balasore student who died by self-immolation, state Congress chief Bhakta Charan Das told ANI that the State Congress Committee urged the people to observe a 1-minute prayer for the Balasore victim on Thursday. The effort was "widespread" across the state, with prayer gatherings held in schools, colleges, and universities, as well as a symbolic event at 9:00 a.m. at the Congress office, he noted. "The government failed to act on its responsibility. The Chief Minister( Mohan Charan Majhi) dismissed women's crimes as not an issue... This raises concerns about Odisha's situation. If they don't realise the justice due, they should withdraw or face opposition action. We're taking steps to protect women..." Das on Wednesday severely lambasted the BJP government in Odisha over atrocities against women in the state. Das also asked the main opposition party, Biju Janata Dal (BJD), to move a no-confidence motion against the state government and assured his party's support for it. "Atrocities are being committed against women in Odisha. We have seen many incidents. The central and state governments are not taking responsibility and feeling ashamed. BJD, the opposition party, should move a no-confidence motion against the BJP government and Congress will support it," Das earlier told ANI. The opposition in Odisha has criticised the BJP-led state government over a recent surge in crimes against women, which have drawn significant public attention. The death of a 20-year-old student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College, who had allegedly faced prolonged sexual harassment, has caused a massive political row in the state. The victim had attempted self-immolation on July 12 on the college campus, sustaining over 90 per cent burn injuries, and succumbed to her injuries at AIIMS Bhubaneswar on July 14. (ANI)
The Rouse Avenue court has granted anticipatory bail to Pharmacy Council of India (PCI) President Dr Montu Kumar Patel in a corruption case linked with the alleged bribery of crores of rupees. The court also noted that the allegations of bribery were not supported by cogent material against the accused. Special Judge (CBI) Sushant Changotra granted anticipatory bail to Montu Kumar Patel on Wednesday after hearing submissions and considering the facts and circumstances. The special judge ordered, "The present application is allowed." "It is directed that in the event of arrest of accused/ applicant Dr. Montu Kumar Patel, the IO shall release him upon applicant/ accused furnishing bail bonds and surety bonds in the sum of Rs 1 lakh to the satisfaction of the investigation officer," Special Judge Changotra ordered on July 23. While granting bail, the court emphasised, "The Courts are under bounden duty to strike a fair balance relating to the protection of personal liberty of an individual/right of investigating agency for fair investigation." "In my considered opinion, this Court will fail in its duty if the personal liberty of the applicant /accused is not protected given the aforementioned proposition of law and the facts at hand, especially when the allegations are prima facie not supported by any cogent material," the Special Judge said in the bail order. The court noted that a serious allegation was levelled that the present case involved a bribe of the amount of Rs 5000 crores, but upon the court's query, the IO stated that the said amount was arrived at based on media reports / secret information. "Further, perusal of the case diary of the IO regarding the interrogation of the applicant shows that he was not confronted with the aforementioned facts. The said facts on the face of it make the allegations qua the above stated quantum highly doubtful," the court noted. After hearing the submissions of the CBI and senior counsel for the accused, the court stated that it must be noted that the prosecution has not been able to substantiate even a single set of allegations levelled under the PC Act against the applicant. The court noted that the FIR shows that all the allegations have been levelled against the applicant, even though all the decisions were made by the Executive Body or Central Council, which consists of several other members. The accused has already joined the investigation, and no circumstances have been shown that necessitate or require his custodial interrogation, the court observed. Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa, counsel for the accused, Montu Kumar Patel, argued that the investigating officer (IO) is intentionally levelling allegations that the accused has amassed a huge amount of wealth without even an inch of evidence to support it. As per FIR, a cash sum of Rs 10. 95 lakh by way of banking transactions were given by accused Vinod Kumar Tiwari to accused Santosh Jha, but later on in the reply, the IO whimsically mentioned a sum of Rs 5000 crores, and today it has been reduced to a sum of Rs 118 crores, senior counsel Pahwa argued. The counsels for the CBI vehemently opposed the bail application, arguing that the accused did not cooperate in the investigation. He gave evasive replies. The accused had formatted one of the mobile phones and thrown the second mobile phone. Accused Vinod Kumar Tiwari did not join the investigation. It was further argued that during the investigation, properties worth Rs. 118 crores have been found in the name of the accused/ his relatives. As per allegations, bribe of Rs 10 lakhs in cash and additional sum of Rs 95,000 through banking channels was given to one Santosh Kumar Jha, a primary teacher in UP for managing the inspection/ obtaining approval and for arranging infrastructural facilities (books, setting up of lab, faculty and approval of PCI), but there is no evidence of payment of Rs 10 lakhs, senior advocate argued. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav inaugurated a national workshop organised on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Rajya Van Vikas Nigam at the Indian Institute of Forest Management in Bhopal on Thursday. Addressing the programme, CM Yadav highlighted that the state government is making every possible effort in the direction of conservation of forests, forest produce, and wildlife. He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that under his leadership and guidance, opportunities for capacity building and progress are available in all directions, said the release. As a result, special initiatives are being taken in the direction of wildlife conservation in the state. The CM said that the state government is also working towards establishing zoos and wildlife rescue centres. There is a need for brainstorming on the management of forests developed by the Rajya Van Vikas Nigam and its upcoming action plan. While reviewing the work done so far, the state government is ready to take special innovations and initiatives in the direction of forest development and environmental protection. The Chief Minister also suggested conducting eco-tourism activities at centres of Van Vikas Nigam. He said that Jodhpur in Rajasthan has established itself as a major centre of furniture based on mango and babool wood. Madhya Pradesh can also take such an initiative using the available teak and other high-quality timber. It is a matter of pride that Madhya Pradesh is the source of rivers. The forests of the state enrich many major rivers of the country with water. The forest-based lifestyle spread across the vast land area of the state gives us the opportunity to live with nature. The highest number of tigers in the country is in Madhya Pradesh. Gharials in the Chambal region are also enhancing the beauty of wildlife tourism. The forest department, while conserving the endangered vultures, has given new life to them in the state, the Chief Minister added. He further stressed that the state government is working on schemes to reduce deaths caused by snakebite. Preparations are underway for snake census in the state. Madhya Pradesh is such a region where tigers and humans live together in a spirit of coexistence. Chief Minister Yadav also unveiled the Vision-2047 document focused on the upcoming action plan for forest development on the occasion of the Golden Jubilee year of the Rajya Van Vikas Nigam. According to the official release, the Madhya Pradesh Rajya Van Vikas Nigam was established on July 24, 1975, to enhance productivity and quality in high-grade forest areas by planting fast-growing, valuable, and multi-purpose species in low-grade forest regions. The Nigam operates in 22 districts across the state. It manages 13 timber depots and 15 permanent plantations. Since its inception, the Nigam has been allotted approximately 4.25 lakh hectares of land, of which 3.90 lakh hectares have been treated by the year 2025. Plantation activities have been carried out on 3.14 lakh hectares of this area. In the last two years alone, the Nigam has planted around 2 crore 48 lakh saplings. Notably, in 2025, a total of 1 crore 70 lakh root-shoot teak plants were produced in the Nigam's plantations. (ANI)
The All Tawang District Students' Union (ATDSU) on Wednesday organised a peaceful march in Tawang, urging the Government of India to award the Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian honour, to Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama. The march was held in coordination with the monastic community, senior citizens, youth organisations, and public leaders of the Monyul region. It began at Cham-leng near Tawang Monastery and concluded at Buddha Park. Hundreds of monks, students, local residents, and dignitaries joined the march, carrying banners of gratitude and chanting prayers for peace and harmony. Senior Buddhist leaders, including Shedling Tulku Thupten Tender Rinpoche La, Rikya Lhavoe Rinpoche, Tulku Tenzin Gyurmey, and Lhundup Choesang, were also present. In a statement issued to the media by Advocate Tesring Tashi, General Secretary of ATDSU and Chairman of the organising committee of the March, said, "His Holiness the Dalai Lama is not just a religious figure for us. He is our moral compass, our spiritual father, and a global symbol of peace and compassion. By awarding him the Bharat Ratna, India will honour not just a man, but the very values that define our civilisation." Advocate Tashi highlighted the centuries-old bond between the Monpa people and the institution of the Dalai Lama, noting the pivotal role the 5th Dalai Lama played in authorising the establishment of the Tawang Monastery in 1680. He also recalled the historic moment in 1959 when His Holiness entered India through Tawang while escaping persecution in Tibet--an event that still resonates deeply within the local community. "For over six decades, His Holiness has called India his home," stated Tashi and further added, "He has lived as a humble monk, never interfering in politics, but consistently promoting India's ancient wisdom across the globe. His teachings have connected modern science with Indian philosophy, and his dialogue with scholars and scientists has elevated India's moral standing worldwide." The ATDSU emphasised that awarding the Bharat Ratna to the Dalai Lama would not only express the nation's gratitude but would also reflect India's commitment to peace, non-violence, and universal brotherhood. "This recognition is long overdue," added Advocate Tashi. He further said, "We appeal to the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji to recommend His Holiness' name for the Bharat Ratna. This would uplift not only the Tibetan and Monpa communities but also inspire the entire nation and the world." (ANI)
The Allahabad High Court on Thursday said that under Section 7 of the Senior Citizens Maintenance Act 2007, the tribunal does not have the right to decide on property ownership claims, especially in cases of third-party disputes. The court also said that cases like property ownership claims can be decided only in civil courts. An official statement mentioned that the division bench of Justice Arindam Sinha and Justice Yogendra Kumar Srivastava said that the purpose of the Act is to make arrangements for the maintenance of senior citizens and their welfare, not to settle property-related problems. The petition filed by a senior citizen named Ishak from Bareilly was rejected by the court, refusing to intervene. According to an official statement, the petitioner had requsted the District Magistrate to ensure safety of his life and property. The petitioner's counsel said that his client wants to build a gate on his property, but the respondents Sajjad, Fayaz and Mukhtar are obstructing and threatening him, the statement added further. The court also mentioned that the maintenance tribunals constituted under the Act have been empowered to consider applications related to maintenance claims against their children or, in the case of a childless senior citizen, against his relative who would inherit the property. The court also said that there will be no hindrance in getting the relief available under the law due to the rejection of the petition. The court said the petitioner could not prove that any legal right available under the Act was violated, the statement added. Section 20 of the Act deals with medical assistance for senior citizens, and Section 21 deals with publicity, awareness, etc., for the welfare of senior citizens. The tribunal does not have the jurisdiction to hear property disputes under this Act. (ANI)
Adventure lovers will now have more places to visit in Sikkim with the state government deciding to open two more places - Doklam and Cho La - in the first week of September this year after central government's nod to allow civilians to visit identified battlefield locations along India's borders. Additional Chief Secretary of the Sikkim Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, C Subhakar Rao said that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced battlefield tourism in January this year and around 30 places have been identified in the country of which three places are located in Sikkim. "One is Nathu La. We have been using that place for many years...In addition to it, two more places have been identified. One is Doklam, second place is Cho La. We are planning to open the places in the first week of September," he said. The senior official said that on pilot basis, the state government is planning to consider only 25 vehicles for Cho La and 25 vehicles for Doklam and 10-15 motorbikes each for the two places. He said that required infrastructure will be ready at both places in about a month. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had in January this year launched the Bharat Ranbhoomi Darshan App, through which the people of the country can visit historical war zones easily and learn about them. He had earlier said that promoting tourism in border areas is being given special emphasis by the government as it acts as a catalyst for the development of the region Doklam had seen a two-month standoff between India and China, which ended in July 2017. Doklam, also known as Donglang, is a plateau and valley region located at the tri-junction of India, Bhutan and China. It is a strategically important area, especially for India, as it is close to the Siliguri Corridor, a narrow land corridor connecting mainland India to its North-Eastern states. The region is a hotspot in South Asian geopolitics, reflecting India's commitment to regional security and China's expanding influence in contested territories. The Doklam plateau, a strategically important area near the Siliguri Corridor, became a flashpoint in 2017 when China attempted to build a road in territory claimed by Bhutan. India, honouring its security agreement with Bhutan, intervened to safeguard its ally and protect its own strategic interests. The Doklam standoff began in June 2017 when Indian troops stopped China's road construction in the disputed plateau at the tri-junction of India, Bhutan and China, , according to bharatrannbhoomidarshan.gov.in. For over two months, Indian and Chinese troops faced off in a tense but controlled standoff. India's firm stance and diplomatic efforts ensured that China halted its construction, preventing a change in the status quo and securing the region's stability. The standoff reinforced India's resolve to protect its borders and allies against aggressive Chinese moves. While China continued to build infrastructure elsewhere, India strengthened its defences along the LAC and reaffirmed its commitment to Bhutan's sovereignty. The incident highlighted India's proactive approach to regional security and its ability to stand up to challenges. Doklam remains a symbol of India's determination to safeguard its strategic and territorial interests in the face of external aggression. Cho La, a significant mountain pass, gained prominence during the 1967 Indo-China skirmishes, underscoring its strategic importance in the Sikkim-Tibet border region. It enchants travelers with its serene alpine beauty, rugged terrain, and historical legacy. Nestled amidst towering snow-clad peaks, this high-altitude pass offers a unique blend of military history and natural splendor. With its tranquil surroundings and stories of valor, Cho La is a must-visit for history buffs, adventure enthusiasts, and nature lovers seeking to immerse themselves in its captivating landscapes and rich heritage, according to bharatrannbhoomidarshan.gov.in. On 1 October 1967, a confrontation occurred at Cho La Pass between Indian and Chinese forces over territorial disputes. While China claimed Indian troops provoked the clash by crossing into their territory, Indian accounts assert that Chinese soldiers infiltrated the Sikkim side and challenged India's presence. The skirmish lasted a day, during which Indian forces decisively pushed back the Chinese, forcing a retreat of nearly three kilometers. This successful defense significantly bolstered Indian morale and strengthened their position in the region. Located on the Old Silk Route, Nathu La Pass connects Sikkim to China's Tibet Autonomous Region (ANI)
Haryana Public Health Engineering and PWD Minister Ranbir Gangwa chaired a high-level review meeting with senior officials at the Chandigarh Secretariat on Wednesday, focusing on infrastructure development, project quality, and citizen-centric service delivery. Gangwa made it clear that no compromise will be tolerated on the quality or durability of public works, stating, "We want good work -- there will be no compromise on strength or quality." He reviewed the district-wise progress of projects under the AMRUT scheme and directed officials to ensure strict monitoring and timely execution, adding that any delays or substandard work in improving urban infrastructure would not be accepted. The minister also directed officials to accelerate the implementation of the Chief Minister's announcements, which he described as commitments made to the people. He insisted that any delays in these projects must be reported and addressed immediately. Expressing concern over the tendency of some contractors to use inferior materials after quoting low rates, Gangwa warned that such practices will not be tolerated. He emphasised the importance of regular quality checks, particularly for construction materials like cement and iron rods. Junior Engineers were instructed to closely monitor sites and ensure materials are sampled and tested as per protocol. In light of recent rainfall across the state, the minister also took district-wise reports on water drainage and directed departments to strengthen the system to prevent future waterlogging. He stressed the need for better coordination among departments to ensure quicker water clearance and efficient infrastructure response. Districts including Bhiwani, Loharu, Siwani, Adampur, Mahendragarh, and Dabwali were part of the assessment. Officials informed the minister that more than 50 major infrastructure projects are currently underway across Haryana, with a combined cost exceeding Rs 5,000 crore. Among these, 19 stormwater projects worth Rs 297 crore are also in progress. Gangwa stressed the importance of completing all projects within their stipulated timelines and under regular monitoring. During the meeting, it was revealed that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) has been developed for emergency response in situations such as heavy rains, floods, and sewer blockages. Gangwa directed that this SOP be implemented immediately across all districts to ensure prompt and coordinated action during any such incident. He also issued a strong warning against any violation of departmental protocols, stating that corruption would not be tolerated under any circumstances. Addressing the issue of sewerage and road construction, Gangwa criticised the practice of laying new roads only to dig them up shortly after for sewer or pipeline installation. He directed that all underground infrastructure work be completed before road construction begins, and urged close coordination with the Urban Local Bodies and PWD departments for better planning and execution. Gangwa also instructed officials to take phone calls from elected public representatives seriously. He said these representatives bring public grievances that require prompt attention, and ignoring them is not acceptable. He emphasised that problems raised by sarpanches, municipal councillors, and other local leaders must be resolved promptly, as they are the first point of contact for citizens. The meeting also covered the status of machines used for sanitation and cleaning work. Gangwa directed officials to ensure that all machines are functioning at optimal capacity, and if any are underperforming or damaged, they must be repaired or replaced immediately. He also instructed that the required machines be delivered to areas most in need. Concluding the meeting, Minister Gangwa stated that the Public Health Department is directly linked to the daily lives of citizens, which makes the department's responsibility even greater. He reiterated that the Haryana government's objective is not just to make plans but to implement them effectively on the ground, and that every official must work with dedication and accountability. Additional Chief Secretary Mohammad Shayin, Chief Engineer Devendra Dahima, Asim Khanna, and other senior officials were present at the meeting, along with engineers and staff who joined via video conferencing from across the state. (ANI)
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Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim, Indra Hang Subba, on Thursday, met the Director General of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at the organisation's headquarters in New Delhi to discuss critical road infrastructure issues concerning the state of Sikkim, according to an official statement. The discussion focused on the strategic and logistical challenges associated with road construction and maintenance in North Sikkim, particularly the vital connectivity between Gangtok and Zeema via Chungthang and Lachen. Emphasis was laid on the urgent need to ensure the maintenance of the existing route to guarantee year-round access, as well as the construction of an alternative highway to enhance long-term connectivity and resilience. Another important issue discussed was the alternative alignment of the road near Dzaluk, with a view to preserving the iconic 32-turning route that has become a hallmark of tourism in East Sikkim. Dzaluk, a key destination known for its scenic beauty and unique terrain, holds immense value for the local community, and safeguarding its ecological, cultural and tourism potential is of paramount importance. Subba reiterated that connectivity in Sikkim's border regions is not only vital from a socioeconomic development perspective but also plays a critical role in national security. He urged BRO to expedite planning and execution of these infrastructure projects in close coordination with local authorities. The DG, BRO assured that the organisation is committed to enhancing road infrastructure in Sikkim and will give due attention to the concerns raised. Meanwhile, adventure lovers will now have more places to visit in Sikkim, with the state government deciding to open two more places--Doklam and Cho La--in the first week of September this year after the central government's nod to allow civilians to visit identified battlefield locations along India's borders. Additional Chief Secretary of the Sikkim Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, C. Subhakar Rao, said that Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced battlefield tourism in January this year, and around 30 places have been identified in the country, of which three places are located in Sikkim. "One is Nathu La. We have been using that place for many years... In addition to it, two more places have been identified. One is Doklam; the second place is Cho La. We are planning to open the places in the first week of September," he said. The senior official stated that, on a pilot basis, the state government plans to consider only 25 vehicles for Cho La, 25 vehicles for Doklam, and 10-15 motorbikes each for the two locations. He said that the required infrastructure will be ready at both places in about a month. (ANI)
The AGP delegation consisted of Working President and Minister Keshab Mahanta, AGP General Secretary and newly elected Rajya Sabha MP Birendra Prasad Baishya, and senior AGP leader and Lok Sabha MP Phani Bhusan Choudhury.

In a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Bora wrote, "Had the honour of leading an AGP delegation to meet Hon'ble Union Home Minister Shri @AmitShah Ji in New Delhi today. Hon'ble BJP National President and Union Minister Shri @JPNadda Ji was present during the meeting."

Atul Bora said, "We expressed our heartfelt gratitude to Shri Amit Shah Ji for his unwavering support and visionary leadership, which continue to guide Assam toward lasting peace and accelerated progress.

Bora praised Amit Shah's leadership, noting it has "guided Assam toward lasting peace and accelerated progress."

He added that under the NDA government, the state has witnessed "transformative development."

He wrote, "Under the NDA Government, Assam has witnessed transformative development, and the AGP -- a proud ally of the BJP-led NDA -- remains firmly committed to this journey of unprecedented growth and stability."

He added, "The BJP-AGP alliance will continue working in close coordination to ensure inclusive development and a brighter future for every citizen of our state." (ANI)
The meeting, which lasted over an hour and a half, is being viewed as significant following the unexpected resignation of Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. The BJP is now looking for a suitable candidate for the post from within the NDA.

The Election Commission of India has confirmed that preparations for the election of the next Vice President are underway. The government hopes that a new appointment will help bring closure to what it views as a dramatic chapter associated with the office.

According to a Senior BJP leader, "a shortlist is being prepared, largely comprising BJP leaders, particularly those with gubernatorial experience. NDA partners have been informally conveyed that the replacement may be from the BJP".

Earlier on Monday, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post "to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice."

Dhankhar, who is also Chairman of Rajya Sabha, sent his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu."

To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the constitution," the letter said.

"I extend my deepest gratitude to Your Excellency - the Hon'ble President of India for her unwavering support and the soothing wonderful working relationship we maintained during my tenure," it added.

The Vice President also expressed his deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers.

The resignation came on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament. (ANI)
The channel, named "ICAR-IIVR VARANASI", allows farmers to follow and receive timely updates on the institute's latest vegetable technologies, crop advisories, videos, information on organic products, weather-based suggestions, and recent government schemes, all directly on their mobile phones.

This initiative is particularly noteworthy as IIVR moves beyond traditional outreach methods to embrace digital platforms, in view of the growing influence of social media.

This not only ensures the faster dissemination of innovations but also enables a prompt response to farmers' feedback and queries.

According to DP Singh, Principal Scientist and Head of Media Cell at IIVR, advisories will be shared regularly through the WhatsApp channel based on seasonal suitability. These advisories will guide farmers on vegetable crop production, protection, and cost-effective practices, helping them from field preparation to timely disease and pest management.

Rajesh Kumar, Director of ICAR-IIVR, emphasised that farmer interactions during the recent Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan highlighted the pressing need for quick and simple information delivery systems. In this context, the WhatsApp channel stands as a meaningful intervention.

He appealed to vegetable-growing farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and NGOs to connect with this platform.

He said, "In today's era, social media has emerged as a vital tool for agricultural communication. We urge more farmers, agriculture officers, scientists, and aware citizens to join this channel and support IIVR's mission of taking technology from lab to land."

Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan (VKSA) is an initiative that embodies the vision of 'One Nation-One Agriculture-One Team' and aims to connect scientists with farmers nationwide. (ANI)
A delegation of senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders from Himachal Pradesh on Thursday met BJP National President and Union Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, and Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari, regarding the recent natural disasters in the state. The delegation included the Himachal Leader of Opposition (LoP) and former Chief Minister Jairam Thakur, State President Rajiv Bindal, former Union Minister and MP Anurag Thakur, Lok Sabha MP Suresh Kashyap, Rajiv Bhardwaj, Kangana Ranaut, Rajya Sabha MP Indu Goswami, Sikandar Kumar, Harsh Mahajan, MLA Vinod Kumar, Hansraj, and Deepraj. Nadda said Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah has cooperated in every possible way in the relief and rescue work during the disaster. Helicopters of the NDRF, ITBP, Army, and Air Force have been made available immediately. He also added that Union Minister Amit Shah sent an inter-ministerial central team within twenty days to assess the damage caused by the disaster. We had demanded research on the causes of the disaster, for which a high-level team was also formed with immediate effect. We thank him on behalf of the people of Himachal for all kinds of support. Nadda stated that the high-level committee headed by Shah has already approved an outlay of Rs 2,006.40 crore for Himachal Pradesh for rehabilitation and reconstruction in areas affected by disasters such as floods, landslides, and cloudbursts for the year 2023. The first instalment of Rs 451.44 crore has also been released on July 7, 2025. Additionally, to assist the affected people of the state, the central government has already released the first instalment of the central share of Rs 198.80 crore to Himachal Pradesh from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) on June 18, 2025, for immediate relief measures. The Centre has also provided all kinds of logistics support including deployment of necessary National Disaster Response Teams, Army teams and Air Force to all the states including Himachal. A total of 13 NDRF teams are deployed for rescue and relief operations in the state. Nadda stated that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also directed the formation of a multi-sectoral central team at our request, in view of the frequency and intensity of natural disasters in Himachal. It includes experts from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) Roorkee, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IIITM) Pune, geologists, and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore. This team will study the causes of natural disasters and suggest preventive measures. Earlier, Shah said that the frequency and intensity of cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides, and torrential rains have increased in Himachal. This has caused widespread loss of life, damage to infrastructure and livelihoods, and environmental degradation in the state. In view of the flash floods and landslides during the southwest monsoon in various parts of Himachal Pradesh, the Central Government has already sent an inter-ministerial central team to directly assess the damage without waiting for the memorandum of Himachal Pradesh, which is visiting the affected areas from July 18 to 21. (ANI)
In a significant operation, troops of the 172 Battalion, BSF Meghalaya Frontier, successfully apprehended five Bangladeshi nationals, including two men, two women, and a minor girl, who were attempting to infiltrate into Indian territory near the Indo-Bangladesh border in East Jaintia Hills district. According to a release, the operation was launched based on specific intelligence input regarding suspicious movement near the jungle area along the international border. During routine patrolling, BSF personnel detected movement and swiftly cordoned off the area, leading to the apprehension of the individuals hiding in the bushes under the cover of darkness and dense vegetation. This swift and coordinated action not only prevented a potential security breach but also highlights the alertness, professionalism, and commitment of BSF Meghalaya in securing India's borders. Meanwhile, India has introduced a new visa module for Afghanistan nationals, from April 2025, categorising visa applications into six distinct types to streamline the process, a spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday. Addressing a press briefing in the national capital, the MEA spokesperson, in response to a question on Afghanistan, said, "I think beginning April, we started a new visa module. There are six categories of visas now which people can apply for. Those details are available on the website. As far as how many visas we have issued so far, I don't have the exact number, but I will be happy to share with you next time." On issuance of visas to Bangladeshi nationals, Jaiswal said the government continues to issue a significant number of visas for various purposes, including travel, medical emergencies, and education. "Similarly, with Bangladesh, we have been issuing visas to Bangladesh for various reasons -- for various travels, medical emergencies included, students, so on and so forth. We are issuing substantial visas. Exact number on that I have to come back to you," the MEA spokesperson said. (ANI)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday expressed satisfaction after the Supreme Court stayed the Bombay High Court's judgment on acquitting 12 accused people in connection with the 2006 Mumbai blasts and said it is "the right step". Speaking to ANI, Devendra Fadnavis said, "We are satisfied that the Supreme Court has stayed this...The High Court had acquitted them, and that is why the Maharashtra Government had approached the Supreme Court. Today, the Supreme Court has stayed the order. I think this is the right step..." Following the Bombay High Court's decision, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis had expressed shock and said that the Maharashtra government will challenge it in the Supreme Court. This comes after the Supreme Court stayed the Bombay High Court's judgment on acquitting 12 accused people in connection with the 2006 Mumbai blasts. A bench comprising Justices MM Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh clarified that the stay order would not affect the release of the accused persons from jail. The top courts' decision came on a plea filed by the Maharashtra government following the Bombay High Court's July 21 decision to acquit twelve persons who were accused in the 2006 train blasts. During the hearing, the Solicitor General of India (SGI) Tushar Mehta, appearing for Maharashtra, sought a stay of the Bombay High Court judgement by contending that certain findings of the said verdict will affect other cases being probed by the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). The High Court had on Monday acquitted the twelve accused persons, noting that the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) had failed to prove the offences beyond a reasonable doubt. In doing so, the High Court set aside a September 2015 judgment of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crimes Act (MCOCA) court that had imposed the death penalty on five of the 12 accused persons and had sentenced the remaining seven to life. On the evening of July 11, 2006, bomb blasts took place at seven different places in the Mumbai local trains within just 11 minutes. In this incident, 189 people died, while more than 827 passengers were injured. The bombs were placed in first-class compartments of trains from Churchgate. They exploded near the stations of Matunga Road, Mahim Junction, Bandra, Khar, Jogeshwari, Bhayandar, and Borivali. A trial court in 2015 convicted 12 people in the blasts' case. (ANI)
The Communist Party of India Rajya Sabha MP P Sandosh Kumar has written to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, urging the state government to name the upcoming Bihar airport after Swami Sahajanand Saraswati. In a letter addressed to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Sandosh Kumar expressed disappointment over the state government's failure to send a formal proposal to the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation. "To my disappointment, and that of thousands across the state, the Union Minister of Civil Aviation informed me through his reply dated July 14, 2025, that no such proposal had been received from the Government of Bihar," he stated in the letter. CPI MP from Kerala, Kumar, had earlier written to Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ramamohan Naidu on May 30, 2025, raising the demand to name the airport in honour of Swami Sahajanand Saraswati. In his letter, the CPI MP described the lack of initiative from the Bihar government as "deeply regrettable, given the significance of the demand and its broad public resonance." Quoting Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Kumar reminded the Chief Minister that Swami Sahajanand Saraswati was recognised as "the undisputed leader of the peasant movement in India... the idol of the masses and the hero of millions." "Bihta served as his principal base, the site of his ashram, and the centre from which he led historic struggles of the oppressed peasantry, inspiring generations to rise for their rights," the CPI MP wrote. He added that naming the airport after Swami Sahajanand would be a symbolic homage to the toiling masses of Bihar and to the ideals of justice, equality, and agrarian empowerment that he so fearlessly championed. The CPI strongly urges the Government of Bihar to pass a resolution in the State Assembly and forward a formal proposal to the Union Government without delay. "Bihar must lead in honouring its true heroes, those who lived and struggled for the people," the letter concludes. (ANI)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Kangana Ranaut met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday in the national capital to discuss the impact of the recent natural disaster in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi Lok Sabha constituency. The actor-turned-politician shared details of the meeting in a post on X, stating that she had briefed the minister about the devastation caused in her constituency. "Today, in New Delhi, I met with the Honourable Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah ji and shared detailed information about the recent severe natural disaster in Mandi Lok Sabha," she said. Ranaut said the Union Minister expressed sympathy for the affected and assured swift support. "Expressing deep condolences, the Minister assured that all affected families will be provided with every possible assistance and prompt rehabilitation. The Central Government stands firmly with Himachal in this hour of crisis," she further said in a post on X. In recent days, Himachal Pradesh was hit by heavy rainfall, landslides, and flash floods in several regions, including Mandi, resulting in loss of life, property, and infrastructure. The state remains gripped by the devastating impact of monsoon, with the cumulative death toll rising to 147 since June 20, the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) confirmed on Thursday. Of the total fatalities, 79 were attributed to rain-related incidents such as landslides, flash floods, and cloudbursts, while 68 people lost their lives in road accidents during the same period. There were 28 incidents of landslides, 42 flash floods, and 25 cloudbursts, which have severely impacted connectivity and essential services. According to the Thursday evening update, 274 roads remain blocked across the state, with Mandi alone accounting for 165 of them, including crucial stretches of National Highway 70. Kullu district reports 58 blocked roads, followed by Lahaul-Spiti with 12 and Kangra with 11. Essential services also faced disruption. A total of 173 water supply schemes are currently non-operational, particularly in Mandi, Kullu, and Sirmaur districts. Additionally, the power supply remains disrupted in 56 areas due to damage to distribution transformers. Meanwhile, restoration work is underway on a war footing by teams from the Public Works Department and the National Highways Authority. (ANI)
In a significant step towards strengthening bilateral ties in education and workforce development, India and France signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in the fields of skill development, vocational education, and training. The MoU was signed in the presence of Minister of State Jayant Chaudhary, during the Bharat SkillNxt 2025 at Bharat Mandapam. The MoU signing marks an important step forward--particularly in formalising partnership between the Campus des Metiers et Qualifications (CMQ) of France and Directorate General of Training (DGT) of India. The agreement outlines a comprehensive framework to promote mutual cooperation in key sectors such as fashion, hospitality, tourism, arts and crafts, energy, aeronautics, and media. It envisions the exchange of information, experience, and expertise; joint efforts to develop curricula, and set up teacher and training-of-trainer courses, including those with a focus on the French language. The MoU also proposes the establishment of "Franco-Indian vocational campuses" that would connect Indian training centres with France's vocational education ecosystem, potentially anchored by partnerships with French and Indian industries. Jayant Chaudhary, on this occasion, said, "This MoU with France marks a significant step towards building a truly global, future-ready workforce. By formalising our partnership, we are creating an institutional bridge for meaningful collaboration in vocational education. Our shared ambition is not just to exchange information and expertise, but to co-create opportunities that place skill, dignity, and innovation at the heart of national progress. Together, we are investing in the talent that will define tomorrow's India and the world." Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India, said, "Rooted in mutual respect and shared aspirations, this partnership in vocational education reflects the best of Indo-French collaboration. This MoU is more than a formal agreement--it is a commitment to empower youth, foster innovation, and promote social mobility. We aim to build pathways for a future-ready workforce, where skills become instruments of dignity, opportunity, and inclusive growth." The partnership will also promote internships and apprenticeships in both countries. Importantly, the agreement underlines inclusivity, with special focus on promoting women's participation in all collaborative initiatives. A Working Group co-chaired by MSDE and the French Embassy in New Delhi will oversee the implementation of the MoU. The group will coordinate activities, identify priority sectors and institutional partners, and facilitate exchange of knowledge and best practices. The MoU brings together four key ministries from both nations--on the French side, the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research; the Ministry of Labour, Health, Solidarity and the Family; and the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs; and on the Indian side, MSDE--reflecting a strong, inter-ministerial commitment to advancing skill development and vocational training through collaborative efforts. This collaboration marks a new chapter in Indo-French relations, building on a long-standing foundation of cooperation--starting with the 1966 Agreement on Cultural and Technical Cooperation and furthered by recent joint declarations by President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (ANI)
LUXEMBOURG, July 23, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Adecoagro S.A. (NYSE: AGRO) ("Adecoagro" or the "Company") today announced the pricing of U.S.$500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.500% Senior Notes due 2032 to be issued by the Company (the "Notes"). The Notes will be issued at a price of 100.00%. The Notes mature on July 29, 2032 and will be guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by certain of the Company's subsidiaries. The Notes were offered in a private placement to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The settlement of the Notes offering is expected to take place on July 29, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions.

The net proceeds from the Notes offering will be used by the Company (i) to fund a tender offer conducted by the Company to purchase for cash any and all of its 6.000% Notes due 2027, and (ii) the remainder, if any, for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures and liability management.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities, nor will there be any sale of these securities, in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any state or jurisdiction. The Notes and related guarantees have not been registered under the Securities Act, or any applicable state securities laws, and will be offered only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A promulgated under the Securities Act and outside the United States to non-U.S. persons in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. Unless so registered, the Notes and related guarantees may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

About Adecoagro

Adecoagro is a leading sustainable production company in South America. Adecoagro owns 210.4 thousand hectares of farmland, and several industrial facilities spread across the most productive regions of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, where it produces over 2.8 million tons of agricultural products and over 1 million MWh of renewable electricity.

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are information of a non-historical nature or that relate to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. No assurance can be given that the transactions described in this press release will be consummated or as to the ultimate terms of any such transactions. Neither Adecoagro nor the guarantors undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or for any other reason.

For further information, please contact:

Victoria Cabello

IR Officer

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Adecoagro S.A.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu will embark on a six-day visit to Singapore from July 26 to 31, aimed at attracting investments to Andhra Pradesh. During the visit, the Chief Minister will engage with representatives of leading global companies, business owners, prominent industrialists, and notable personalities. This visit will mark his second foreign tour since the formation of the coalition government, following his earlier visit to Davos. The Singapore visit will serve as a key platform to promote Brand AP and showcase the state's new industrial and ease-of-doing-business policies, said the release. The Chief Minister will highlight Andhra Pradesh's robust infrastructure, including ports, airports, highways, harbours, and abundant water and land resources, as well as its 1,053 km coastline and skilled human capital, urging global investors to explore opportunities in the state. Throughout the six-day visit, Chandrababu Naidu will hold meetings with CEOs and senior representatives of various companies. On the first day, he will participate in the Telugu Diaspora meeting to be attended by members of the Telugu community from Singapore and neighbouring countries. He will extend an invitation to them to invest in Andhra Pradesh and encourage their participation in the state's P4 (Public-Private-People Partnership) initiative for poverty eradication. The Chief Minister will focus on attracting investments in sectors such as port-based projects, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and data centres. He will meet with senior dignitaries in Singapore to invite industrialists from the region to the Visakhapatnam Investment Summit scheduled for November this year. According to the press release, CM Chandrababu Naidu will also participate in business roundtable meetings centred on the digital economy and fintech, and will attend a dedicated business roadshow in Singapore. As part of the tour, he will also visit key infrastructure and logistics centres across the country. (ANI)
Marking a new beginning of development at the border, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for various development projects worth Rs 358.37 crore from the border region of Suigam-Nadabet, giving a significant boost to the progress of Banaskantha district. According to a release, paving a new path for the development of the border region, he laid the foundation stone for various projects and launched development works worth Rs 55.68 crore. CM Patel stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has positioned India among the leading nations of the world. Along with the nation, Gujarat too has achieved holistic development. The state government has ensured that the benefits of various welfare schemes reach every citizen to their doorsteps. Today, through improved employment opportunities, roads, electricity, water, and industries, the standard of living in remote areas has improved significantly, enhancing the overall quality of life for citizens. Chief Minister further said that by launching nationwide campaigns like "Catch the Rain" and "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" with concern for future generations, the Prime Minister has shown the way forward in addressing the challenges of global warming. To uphold the principle that 'Health is the greatest wealth,' the government has ensured healthcare services ranging from yoga to Ayushman cards. In Gujarat, citizens are provided with free medical treatment of up to Rs 10 lakhs. The state government has established medical colleges in every district, and over 7,000 doctors are being trained each year. Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister had called upon every district to construct 75 Amrit Sarovars. Today, each district has constructed more than 75 such lakes. Under the "Catch the Rain" campaign, the state government initiated the construction of 50,000 recharge wells in Banaskantha. Lauding the efforts, the Chief Minister congratulated all stakeholders, especially Banaskantha Dairy, for helping build nearly 30,000 recharge wells so far. He stated that the strong financial management laid down by the country's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, during his tenure as Chief Minister has enabled Gujarat to undertake well-planned and high-quality development work. Speaking at the event, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Shankar Chaudhary said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gifted numerous development projects to border districts like Banaskantha. The government has extended water supply to the remote edges of the Rann, working towards the welfare of farmers. Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the newly formed Vav-Tharad district has been approved. The government has established GIDCs in every taluka, which has boosted local employment opportunities. He added that the government has ensured water reaches village ponds in talukas such as Deesa, Diyodar, Lakhni, and Kankrej through pipelines and canals. The state government has also appointed teachers in primary and secondary schools. Through initiatives like the Shala Praveshotsav, Kanya Kelavani, and Gunotsav, Banaskantha -- once regarded as an educationally backwards district has witnessed significant transformation. It is a matter of great pride that this year, Banaskantha secured the top rank across Gujarat in the Class 10 and Class 12 board examination results. Banaskantha District In-charge and Industries Minister Balvantsinh Rajput stated that, through various government schemes, Gujarat has today emerged as a role model of development in the country. The per capita income of the people has increased, and the state budget has also seen a significant rise. Over the past three years, the government has allocated over Rs 7,200 crores for the Banaskantha district. Employment opportunities in the cooperative sector have also expanded, particularly through the initiatives of Banas Dairy. On this occasion, the Jay Bhole Group from Ahmedabad presented the Chief Minister with a replica and a Shree Yantra crafted from the sacred soil of 51 Shakti Peeths. (ANI)
In response to the growing outbreak of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) among cattle in Pune district, the administration has intensified its vaccination campaign and biosecurity measures. District Collector Jitendra Dudi has directed officials to implement preventive and containment strategies effectively across all affected talukas, following a recent review meeting with the Animal Husbandry Department. As of now, the district has reported 906 cases till 22 July of LSD in cattle, with 591 animals recovering after treatment and 15 deaths. Currently, 300 animals are under medical care, with the number steadily increasing. The worst-hit talukas include Shirur, Ambegaon, and Junnar, where the virus is spreading rapidly. To control the outbreak, Collector Dudi has ordered ring vaccination within a 5-kilometre radius of infection zones, deployment of additional veterinary staff where manpower is lacking, and strict implementation of barn sanitation, biosecurity protocols, and disinfection. He also appealed to cattle owners to immediately report suspected cases and seek treatment via the toll-free number 1962. "LSD can be effectively contained with prompt treatment of infected animals, rigorous biosecurity, and 100% vaccination in affected areas," Dudi said. "We have learned from past experiences that strict adherence to these measures prevents the disease from spreading further." To bolster the containment efforts, the District Collector has declared infected villages and nearby areas as 'Controlled Zones', in accordance with central government guidelines. Movement of infected or exposed animals, fodder, hides, or related materials from these zones has been strictly prohibited. Further, any sale, purchase, or participation of cattle in markets, races, fairs, or exhibitions will only be permitted if the animals are vaccinated with the Goat Pox vaccine (Uttarkashi strain) at least 28 days in advance, and are accompanied by a valid vaccination certificate and health report from a certified veterinarian. According to Deputy Commissioner of Animal Husbandry Dr. Ankush Parihar, Pune district has a cattle population of 8.46 lakh. In the ongoing 2025-26 vaccination drive, 5.80 lakh doses of the Goat Pox vaccine have been distributed and 5.70 lakh animals have been vaccinated. Additional doses are being procured to cover the remaining and newly affected areas. The Chief Minister's Animal Health Scheme and a centrally funded unit are providing doorstep treatment services through six mobile veterinary teams. Sufficient stock of essential medicines is also available at all government veterinary institutions. District Animal Husbandry Officer Dr. Vishnu Garje, assistant commissioners, and taluka-level officers are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating field operations. The administration has urged all livestock owners to cooperate fully with the authorities to contain the spread of LSD and ensure the health and safety of their animals. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed sadness over the loss of lives due to an accident in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi. He also announced an ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs. 50,000 for the injured. "Saddened by the loss of lives due to an accident in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones in the mishap. May the injured recover soon," PM Modi said in a post on X. "An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM," the post added. At least seven people died and around 20 others were injured after a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus fell into a gorge near the Maseran area of Sarkaghat sub-division in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district on Thursday morning. The HRTC bus was travelling from Sarkaghat to Durgapur when it met with the accident. The injured were rushed to the Civil Hospital in Sarkaghat. Those who suffered serious injuries were referred to AIIMS Bilaspur for further treatment. Soon after the incident, the Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, also expressed grief over the accident and directed the Mandi district administration to provide an ex-gratia grant to the next of kin of the deceased and the best possible treatment to the injured. Naresh Chauhan, Principal Media Advisor to the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, said, "This is a tragic incident. Around 20-25 people have been injured, and seven people have died. Our condolences are with the families." "The administration is providing all possible assistance. Everyone is engaged in the rescue, the injured are being sent to hospitals, and the entire administration is on the job. The injured have been sent for treatment," he added. Preliminary information suggests that the accident may have been caused by a road cave-in due to heavy rainfall, which led the bus to veer off the road. The local administration and emergency response teams reached the spot soon after the incident. A detailed investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause. (ANI)
Flash floods have caused severe destruction across Afghanistan's eastern provinces of Khost and Paktia, killing three people and damaging homes, farmland, and key infrastructure, Khaama Press reported. According to Khaama Press, the floods swept through several districts in both provinces, disrupting lives and leaving widespread economic devastation in their wake. Local officials told Khaama Press that the Wazi district in Paktia and the Nadershah Kot, Zazi Maidan, and Sabari districts in Khost were among the hardest-hit areas, with homes and agricultural lands destroyed and retaining walls demolished. "Three individuals lost their lives in Nadershah Kot district while collecting firewood near the floodwaters," eyewitnesses told Khaama Press, highlighting the dangers posed by sudden flooding events in vulnerable rural areas. In addition to the tragic loss of life, Khaama Press reported that the floods have had a devastating impact on the economy of the affected communities, most of whom rely heavily on farming and natural resources for their livelihoods. The latest flooding comes just weeks after a similar disaster struck the same region, with Khaama Press noting a troubling trend of recurrent natural disasters in these provinces, where poor infrastructure and limited disaster preparedness exacerbate the consequences. Experts have called for urgent investment in flood management systems and greater support from national and international organisations to assist affected communities and build resilience against future calamities. The growing frequency of such disasters, coupled with limited global engagement, highlights Afghanistan's mounting vulnerabilities. Reflecting this broader isolation, Afghanistan's passport has been ranked the least powerful in the world in 2025, offering visa-free access to just 26 countries, as reported by Khaama Press. According to the Henley Passport Index for 2025, Afghanistan was ranked 106th, at the bottom of the global list, making it the most restricted passport worldwide. The annual index, based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ranks passports according to the number of destinations their holders can enter without a visa. Khaama Press reported that Afghanistan's travel freedom continues to shrink. In 2024, the country ranked 104th. The two-rank drop in 2025 highlights a further erosion in the country's global mobility, leaving Afghan citizens increasingly cut off from the rest of the world. Meanwhile, Singapore topped the Henley Index in 2025, with its citizens enjoying visa-free access to 195 countries. Japan followed with access to 193 destinations. Finland, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, and Spain jointly secured third place, with visa-free access to 192 countries. By contrast, Afghan passport holders can travel without a visa to only 26 countries, including Sri Lanka, Somalia, Kenya, Cambodia, and Bangladesh, Khaama Press noted. The drastic gap underscores the limited options available to Afghan citizens for international movement. Despite the Taliban's control over the country, Afghan passports continue to be printed with the emblem of the former government, Khaama Press reported. The report also highlighted how this, combined with severe political instability and economic collapse, has worsened migration trends, even as acquiring a passport has become increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens. Khaama Press further stated that the consistent decline in the power of Afghanistan's passport mirrors the nation's worsening diplomatic and economic standing. The limited global access not only restricts individual movement but also reflects broader issues of international exclusion and lack of recognition. Experts note that unless Afghanistan addresses its core challenges, including governance issues, economic recovery, and efforts to gain international legitimacy, the passport is likely to remain at the bottom of global rankings for the foreseeable future. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed gratitude for the enthusiastic reception given by the Indian community during his visit to the United Kingdom, calling their affection and commitment to India's progress "truly heartening." In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in the UK. Their affection and passion towards India's progress is truly heartening." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1948139210306887716 The warm reception came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed and greeted by the members of the Indian Diaspora in London during his ongoing visit to the United Kingdom. Members of the diaspora expressed joy and admiration after meeting the Prime Minister, calling the moment surreal and emotionally overwhelming. Gehna Gautam, a diaspora member, shared her excitement after seeing the Prime Minister up close. "I just met the PM. He walked past us. It was a surreal moment. I got to shake my hand. He is so dynamic. It was an amazing experience. The enthusiasm and energy of the people around here is on another level," she said. Echoing similar sentiments, Sanjay said, "I am very happy to meet PM Modi. He has come here for a very important job. We wish him and Bharat good luck. He is doing a great job." Bhavya described his brief encounter with the Prime Minister as unforgettable. "The Prime Minister shook my hand and gave me 'Ashirwad'. It was the best feeling ever," he remarked. Shivani, another member of the diaspora, spoke about the emotional impact of the meeting. "We shook hands twice and he also blessed me on my head. It is my pleasure to meet him. We are very blessed to have him over here. We are really very happy today." Shreya Pareek, who had arrived specifically to meet PM Modi, expressed her appreciation for his leadership and recent initiatives. "I came here to meet PM Modi. I am glad that I got that opportunity. I want to congratulate him for Operation Sindoor and all the other things he is doing for India." The Indian diaspora in London warmly welcomed PM Modi, marking a significant moment during his visit to the UK. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United Kingdom on Wednesday in the first leg of his two-nation visit, with the two countries poised to further strengthen bilateral ties by signing a Free Trade Agreement. PM Modi landed in London for a two-day visit to the United Kingdom. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump was informed in May that his name appeared in files related to the Justice Department's review of the Jeffrey Epstein case, CNN reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. Attorney General Pam Bondi, during a briefing with Trump and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche at the White House, disclosed the presence of Trump's name in the documents. According to two White House officials, the meeting was a "routine briefing" covering the Justice Department's findings, and the mention of Trump's name was not the primary focus. Bondi also told Trump that other high-profile figures were named in the documents, but investigators did not find evidence of a so-called client list or anything contradicting the conclusion that Epstein died by suicide, CNN reported. Sources familiar with the department's review told CNN that the files contained several unsubstantiated claims, including those related to Trump, which the Justice Department ultimately deemed not credible. It remains unclear in what context Trump's name appeared in the documents. As CNN noted, Trump was among several prominent individuals associated with Epstein during the 1990s, when Epstein actively courted celebrities and influential figures to boost his public profile. The new revelations do little to expand on the public's existing understanding of Trump's ties to Epstein. "The White House is not surprised by this - Trump's name was present in the binders that Bondi produced and handed out," a White House official told CNN. The official added that many of the materials already released by the Justice Department had included mention of Trump's name. "The White House does not view this as groundbreaking or new or surprising at all," the official said, emphasizing that there is no evidence implicating Trump in any wrongdoing. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung also responded to the developments in a statement to CNN, saying, "The fact is that the President kicked him out of his club for being a creep. This is nothing more than a continuation of the fake news stories concocted by the Democrats and the liberal media, just like the Obama Russiagate scandal, which President Trump was right about." CNN reported that the Wall Street Journal first broke the story about Bondi informing Trump in May that his name appeared in the Epstein-related documents. The revelations appear to contradict Trump's more recent denial that he was aware of being named in the files. When pressed last week about whether Bondi had informed him, Trump responded, "No, no. She's given us just a very quick briefing." The issue has added to growing political pressure on the administration following its decision not to release additional Epstein-related documents, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from Trump's supporters, according to CNN. White House officials were reportedly frustrated that Bondi did not redact Trump's name from the binders distributed to conservative influencers in February, calling it a longstanding point of contention between the DOJ and the White House. In a joint statement issued on Wednesday, Bondi and Blanche said, "The DOJ and FBI reviewed the Epstein Files and reached the conclusion set out in the July 6 memo. Nothing in the files warranted further investigation or prosecution, and we have filed a motion in court to unseal the underlying grand jury transcripts. As part of our routine briefing, we made the President aware of the findings." While the White House has dismissed the continued scrutiny of the Epstein files as politically motivated and distracting, bipartisan calls for full transparency have intensified. A House Oversight subcommittee voted Wednesday to subpoena the Department of Justice to release all documents related to Epstein, forcing GOP leaders to cut short the legislative session to avoid further votes on the matter. Adding to the controversy, the Wall Street Journal reported last week that a letter bearing Trump's name and an outline of a naked woman was part of a photo album gifted to Epstein for his 50th birthday in 2003. Trump has denied writing the letter and has filed a lawsuit against the publication over the article, CNN reported. (ANI)
Brazil is preparing to formally intervene in the genocide case brought against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) by South Africa, according to a statement issued by the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Al Jazeera reported. "The Brazilian government announces that it is in the final stages of submitting a formal intervention in the ongoing case at the International Court of Justice, brought by South Africa under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide," the statement read, as per Al Jazeera. The Foreign Ministry said, "The international community cannot remain inactive in the face of ongoing atrocities. Brazil believes there is no longer room for moral ambiguity or political omission. Impunity undermines international legality and undermines the credibility of the multilateral system." Al Jazeera reported that Brazil's planned intervention comes amid heightened scrutiny of Israeli operations in Gaza, including restrictions on humanitarian aid that have pushed the region to the brink of mass famine. The Foreign Ministry further noted, "The Brazilian government expresses deep indignation at the recurring episodes of violence against the civilian population in the State of Palestine, not limited to the Gaza Strip but extending to the West Bank." Al Jazeera reported that the statement pointed to the "shameless use of starvation as a weapon of war" as a serious violation of human rights. The decision to intervene, Brazil stated, is based on the "plausibility that the rights of Palestinians to protection against acts of genocide are being irreversibly impaired." Brazil's move aligns with similar interventions by Spain, Turkiye, and the Republic of Ireland, all of whom have urged the ICJ to determine whether Israel is violating its obligations under the 1948 Genocide Convention. At a BRICS summit earlier this month, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva called Israel's actions in Gaza a genocide, Al Jazeera reported. The Israeli embassy in Brasilia criticized Brazil's stance, stating that the "harsh words do not fully portray the reality of what is currently happening in Gaza," and claimed Brazil "completely ignored" the role of Hamas. Brazil's National Israeli association CONIB issued a response, saying, "The breaking of Brazil's long-standing friendship and partnership with Israel is a misguided move that proves the extremism of our foreign policy." While the ICJ has yet to issue a ruling on the genocide allegation, it had earlier, in January 2024, ordered Israel to take measures to prevent genocide in Gaza, including improving humanitarian aid access, Al Jazeera noted. However, pressure from the international community has reportedly had little effect, with the United States and other Western allies remaining firmly supportive of Israel. Al Jazeera also reported that more than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces since May while waiting at GHF aid distribution sites. United Nations officials have labelled the sites as "death traps," declining to cooperate with the GHF, which replaced international aid organizations largely barred from operating in Gaza. The full blockade imposed by Israel in March prevented aid from entering Gaza for several months, with limited assistance later resumed through the GHF, a group closely tied to Israel and the US, according to Al Jazeera. (ANI)
The caretaker government of Afghanistan has appointed two diplomats, Nebras-ul-Haq Aziz and Mostafa Hashimi, to serve at its embassy in Germany, a reliable source has told Tolo News. Although the Acting Foreign Minister has not officially named the individuals, he confirmed that two diplomats have been dispatched to provide consular services to Afghan nationals. Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi stated: "We will have future talks and negotiations with Germany and, God willing, further progress. We also thank Qatar for its mediation, which, after several consecutive months of efforts, led to an understanding and agreement that enabled our diplomats to arrive there." Muttaqi praised Qatar's role in facilitating the process and hinted at potential progress in talks and relations between the Islamic Emirate and Germany. Meanwhile, the Director of Consular Services at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the passport issuance center in Bonn, Germany, will soon be reactivated after a four-year suspension. He noted that the resumption of services would help resolve passport-related issues for Afghans in Europe. Shoib Baryalai, Director of Consular Services, said: "We have a passport printing office in Bonn that has been inactive for nearly four years. God willing, passports will be issued there for all of Europe, and this will help address the problems of Afghans living in those countries." Although the German government has repeatedly emphasised that its relations with the caretaker government are technical and unofficial, some political analysts view this development as a sign of a gradual shift in Germany's stance. Political analyst Najib Rahman Shamal said: "In the past, there were calls for direct engagement. Now, with the arrival of the new government, Germany also seeks direct contact with the caretaker administration, including for the deportation of refugees." Nebras-ul-Haq Aziz previously worked at the Islamic Emirate's political office in Qatar, while Mostafa Hashimi has served in the Consular Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This development comes after Germany's Interior Minister had earlier requested direct dialogue with the caretaker government, without third-party mediation. (ANI)
Hamas claimed that it handed its response to the Israeli ceasefire proposal to mediators, The Jerusalem Post reported on Thursday morning, following earlier indications to the contrary. An Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday that Hamas has yet to deliver an official response to the proposal submitted a week ago and is now raising new demands on issues previously resolved. At a Doha meeting with representatives from Qatar and Egypt on Tuesday, mediators shared Hamas's feedback with Hamas leaders. "This is not a serious response," the mediators told them, according to informed sources quoted by The Jerusalem Post. "Go back and draft a new one." The mediators, as reported by The Jerusalem Post, declined to relay Hamas's response to Israel's proposed deal on Tuesday, citing that it was not a serious answer. A person familiar with the matter said, "If you don't return with a serious response, your problem will be with us - the mediators." An Israeli official also noted that Hamas has backtracked on several key issues previously agreed upon, including humanitarian aid, the deployment of Israeli forces during the proposed 60-day ceasefire, and the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released, The Jerusalem Post reported. According to Hamas's response on Tuesday, it is demanding that all humanitarian aid enter the Gaza Strip exclusively through the auspices of the United Nations. Meanwhile, The Jerusalem Post has highlighted that the Trump administration conveyed to both Qatar and Egypt the urgency of pressuring Hamas to align more closely with the Israeli position. The proposed hostage deal includes the release of 10 Israeli hostages alongside the bodies of 18 Israelis killed by the terrorists. Bishara Bahbah, US President Donald Trump's Palestinian-American mediator and envoy in Qatar, criticised Hamas's delays, saying they are "costing dozens of Palestinian lives every day." He added, "There is no convincing reason for the delay in responding, nor for demanding nonessential changes, especially considering this is a 60-day negotiation period with no casualties and no bloodshed, during which all details will be discussed." Summing up the frustration, Bahbah stated, "Enough with the stalling and continued bloodshed. We must move forward toward a deal that enables all parties to negotiate under American guarantees in order to reach a permanent ceasefire." (ANI)
With this new funding, Armada will scale production of Leviathan, a first-of-its-kind, megawatt-scale, full-stack modular data center (MDC) that can be deployed faster, cheaper, and more flexibly than any other similar product in the field.

SAN FRANCISCO, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Armada, the hyperscaler for the edge, today announced a $131 million strategic funding round with new strategic investors including Pinegrove, Veriten, and Glade Brook as well as participation from existing investors including Founders Fund, Lux Capital, Shield Capital, 8090 Industries, M12 (Microsoft's Venture Fund), Overmatch, Silent Ventures, Felicis, and Marlinspike. This latest investment round coincides with the launch of Leviathan, a first-of-its-kind ruggedized MDC designed for fast, flexible deployment, enabling megawatt-scale computing power in the world's most contested and communications-challenged areas. With Leviathan, Armada is taking a major step to advance American leadership in energy and AI through an alternative approach that enables distributed AI training and inference. Leviathan joins the Galleon product line and offers 10x more compute power than Armada's next-largest form factor.

"American energy and AI dominance hinges on one thing: moving massive compute to the edgefastwhere data and low-cost power live," said Dan Wright, Co-Founder and CEO of Armada. "Leviathan, the newest member of our Galleon product line, does exactly that. Each unit delivers megawatt-scale performance in a fraction of the time and much more flexibly than traditional data centers, due to their ability to rapidly adapt to changes in AI chips and cooling, and co-locate with all available land and energy, regardless of its form or location. This latest product launch and funding further accelerate our mission to bridge the digital divide and ensure that the world runs on the American AI stack."

Leviathan, the larger counterpart to Armada's Triton data center in the Galleon product line, has ten times the amount of compute capacity at megawatt scale. Powered by the Armada Edge Platform (AEP), Leviathan delivers autonomous compute and real-world AI with speed, resilience, and reliability. Leviathan is adaptable to customer requirements, designed for scalability with the ability to relocate between locations and markets as customer requirements evolve. Deployable in remote, mission-critical environments, Leviathan can be co-located with stranded natural gas, solar, nuclear, or other alternative energy sources. It can be operational in weeks, eliminating traditional data centers' long timelines and site limitations. As China ramps up efforts to export its AI stack and races to control the compute and energy supply chains of the future, the U.S. and its allies must move faster. Leviathan gives America the infrastructure advantagemodular, sovereign, and ready to deployso the U.S. can lead not just in AI development, but in the physical systems that power it. Leviathan enables AI-era dominance by delivering rapid compute power without the heavy infrastructure demands of traditional data centers.

"From day one, we backed Armada because they saw what others missed: America's AI leadership hinges on owning the entire stackfrom power and silicon to softwareand being able to deploy it anywhere," said Trae' Stephens, Partner at Founders Fund and early Armada backer. "Leviathan drives that vision forward, expanding the Galleon lineup from suitcase-sized edge nodes for lightweight analytics and inference to megawatt-scale modules that can train and serve frontier models in the harshest environments. With a Galleon for every workload, Armada keeps U.S. and allied AI efforts a step ahead."

The launch advances Armada's broader vision for distributed, sovereign AI infrastructure, as outlined in a recent white paper detailing the need to tightly couple energy and compute to sustain U.S. leadership in the global AI race. Armada is partnering with organizations such as Fidelis New Energy and Bakken Energy to deploy Leviathans in strategic locations across the U.S. and allied territoriesincluding North Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, and Louisianawhere surplus power can be converted into high-density compute.

"Leviathan embodies our belief that hardware should behave like software: deployable, upgradeable, and governed entirely by code," said Pradeep Nair, Founding CTO of Armada. "Paired with the turnkey Armada Edge Platform and its growing Marketplace of AI models and applications, Leviathan's liquid-cooled, energy-agnostic modules deliver megawatt-scale training and inference in weeksbridging the digital divide by bringing AI straight to the edge, where data and power already live."

For more on this launch, read the Founders' Blog.

About Armada

Armada is a full-stack edge infrastructure company delivering compute, storage, connectivity, and AI/ML capabilities to the most remote and rugged industrial environments on Earth. From energy to defense, Armada enables organizations to operate at the edgewithout compromise.

Media contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Armada
India has called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, uninterrupted humanitarian aid and release of hostages to address the deepening crisis in the region. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council's quarterly open debate on the Middle East, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said that mere pauses in hostilities are not enough to address the worsening humanitarian situation. "Intermittent pauses in hostilities are not enough to address the scale of humanitarian challenges confronting the people, who grapple daily with acute shortages of food and fuel, inadequate medical services and lack of access to education," Harish said. He expressed concern over the collapsing healthcare and education systems in Gaza. "WHO estimates that around 95 per cent of all hospitals in Gaza are damaged or destroyed. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights reports that more than 6,50,000 children have had no schooling for over 20 months," he said. Calling for urgent international action, Harish said, "The ongoing human suffering must not be allowed to continue. Humanitarian assistance needs to be facilitated in a safe, sustained and timely manner. There is no substitute for peace. A ceasefire must be established. All hostages must be released. Dialogue and diplomacy remain the only viable paths to achieving these objectives. There are no other fixes or solutions." Harish also reiterated India's historic support to Palestine. "India shares historic and strong ties with our Palestinian brothers and sisters. We have always stood by them, and our commitment towards the Palestinian cause is unwavering. We were the first non-Arab country to recognise the State of Palestine." https://x.com/IndiaUNNewYork/status/1948136324999127430 He said India is currently implementing development projects worth over USD 40 million to support Palestinian people through direct aid and partnerships with organisations like UNRWA. "India reiterates that the pathway to enduring peace is rooted in a two-State solution, one that establishes a sovereign, viable and independent State of Palestine within recognised and mutually agreed borders, living side by side with Israel in peace," Harish said. He also welcomed the upcoming High-Level International Conference on the two-State solution, expressing hope it would lead to "concrete steps" toward peace. "India underscores its readiness to contribute to efforts that are aimed at shaping a political horizon that restores hope for the Palestinians and achieving sustained peace in the Middle East," Harish added. Meanwhile, Israel categorically rejected statements made by several international organisations on the supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza. In a statement, the Israeli foreign ministry accused these organisations of "serving the propaganda of Hamas." "These organisations are serving the propaganda of Hamas, using their numbers and justifying their horrors. Instead of challenging the terror organisation, they embrace it as their own," the ministry said. https://x.com/IsraelMFA/status/1948010457333215545 Israel said such statements were harming ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire. "In this critical time of negotiations, they are echoing Hamas's propaganda and harming the chances for a ceasefire." According to the statement, nearly 4,500 trucks have entered Gaza carrying food, flour, and baby formula. Israel said over 700 aid trucks are currently inside Gaza but are waiting to be picked up by the UN. "This bottleneck is the main obstacle to maintaining a consistent flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. For some, the obsession with attacking Israel is more important than helping the people of Gaza," the statement said. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported a record surge in Chinese military activity with 48 PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN vessels and one official ship on Thursday. The MND said that it has monitored and responded to the situation. Sharing the details on X, MND also reported that 36 out of 48 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. It said, "48 PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 36 out of 48 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern, southwestern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1948186374810570899 Earlier in a post on X on Wednesday, MND shared visuals of the M1A2 tanks- showcasing its military strength. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1947871795257741808 According to a previous report by Taipei Times, Taiwan had requested to purchase 108 M1A2 tanks and related equipment from the US, which was approved by the US Department of State in 2019. Since then, Taiwan received the first batch of 38 tanks in December last year. The Taipei Times report which released in May this year had cited the MND who had said that the military is expected to receive a second batch of 42 M1A2 tanks from the US by the second quarter of this year. The frequent incursions and maritime operations reflect rising tensions between Taiwan and China, a relationship long fraught with geopolitical strain. Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), governs itself independently with its own political and economic systems. However, China continues to claim Taiwan as part of its territory under the "One China" principle, insisting there is only one China with its capital in Beijing. The dispute's roots trace back to the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, when the ROC government fled to Taiwan after the Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, took control of mainland China. Since then, Beijing has maintained its goal of reunification, using military, diplomatic, and economic means to apply pressure on Taiwan and diminish its international space. Despite these efforts, Taiwan maintains its de facto independence with strong public support and continues to assert its sovereignty amid ongoing external pressures. The MND regularly monitors and publicly reports such military movements to ensure transparency and national security awareness. (ANI)
In a post on X, the ADGPI said, "Forging Stronger Bonds- Major General (Res) Amir Baram, Director General, Ministry of Defence, Israel, called on General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS. They engaged in discussions focused on the geostrategic developments in the region, explored avenues to further strengthen bilateral Defence Cooperation and reaffirmed their shared commitment to promoting regional stability."

https://x.com/adgpi/status/1948205006412509510

Earlier on Wednesday, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh held a bilateral meeting with Director General, Israel Ministry of Defence Major General (Res) Amir Baram in New Delhi.

The two sides agreed to further strengthen bilateral defence cooperation with a long-term perspective.

In a significant move, they concurred to work towards developing an institutional framework for further deepening of defence ties, the official statement said.

The Israel DG condemned the dastardly terrorist attack which took place in Pahalgam on April 22, where 26 people, including one foreign national on April 22 were killed in cold blood.

He conveyed full support for India's fight against terrorism.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh reiterated India's zero tolerance approach to terrorism and condemned the October 7, 2023 terrorist attacks in Israel and called for the release of all hostages.

The official statement noted that the two sides also reviewed the progress of the ongoing defence collaboration activities since last Joint Working Group meeting held in July 2024 in India.

This visit by the Major General (Res) Amir Baram marks a pivotal step in India-Israel defence relations and reinforces both sides' commitment to enhance their strategic partnership, the Ministry of Defence had highlighted in its statement. (ANI)
Columbia University has agreed to pay a USD 200m to President Donald Trump's administration over accusations it failed to protect its Jewish students from harassment. A settlement that was reached on Wednesday and which will be paid to the federal government over three years, was announced in a statement by the university. In exchange, the government has agreed to return some of the USD 400m in federal grants it froze or terminated in March. In exchange for the return of hundreds of millions in research grants, Columbia will also pledge to follow laws banning the consideration of race in admissions and hiring, and follow through on other commitments to reduce antisemitism and unrest on campus that it agreed to in March, the New York Times reported. Columbia will also pay USD 21 million to settle investigations brought by the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. "This agreement marks an important step forward after a period of sustained federal scrutiny and institutional uncertainty," Claire Shipman, Columbia's acting president, said in the release. "The settlement was carefully crafted to protect the values that define us and allow our essential research partnership with the federal government to get back on track." The Trump Administration's deal with Columbia University is a seismic shift in our nation's fight to hold institutions that accept American taxpayer dollars accountable for antisemitic discrimination and harassment, US Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon said in a post on X. Trump posted on Truth Social platform: "Columbia has also committed to ending their ridiculous DEI policies, admitting students based ONLY on MERIT, and protecting the Civil Liberties of their students on campus. "Numerous other Higher Education Institutions that have hurt so many, and been so unfair and unjust, and have wrongly spent federal money, much of it from our government, are upcoming," Trump posted. As per a report in the Al Jazeera, Columbia was among dozens of US universities that were roiled by protests against Israel's war in Gaza throughout the spring and summer of 2024. Many Jewish students and faculty complained that the campus demonstrations veered into anti-Semitism, while pro-Palestinian advocates have accused critics of often wrongly conflating opposition to Israel with the hatred of Jews. (ANI)
A team from the Detective Branch (DB) Police picked him up from his Dhanmondi residence around 8 am today.

DB joint commissioner Nasirul Islam confirmed the arrest of former Chief Justice ABM Khairul Haque.

"Yes, we have arrested him", Islam told ANI, over the phone.

"There are three cases against him", he added, without elaborating.

Khairul Haque served as the 19th Chief Justice of Bangladesh.

On August 18, Supreme Court lawyer Mujahidul Islam Shaheen filed a case against Khairul at Shahbagh Police Station, accusing him of corruption and altering judicial verdicts, BDNews24 reported.

This followed another case lodged earlier on August 15 at Fatulla Police Station in Narayanganj. The case was filed by Abdul Bari Bhuiyan, the General Secretary of Fatulla Thana BNP and a former president of the Narayanganj District Bar Association, according to BDNews24.

Bhuiyan's complaint relates to the landmark ruling that scrapped the caretaker government system 13 years ago. He accused Khairul of changing the original verdict to annul the 13th Amendment to the Constitution and committing forgery in the process.

Khairul served as Chief Justice of Bangladesh from October 1, 2010, to May 17, 2011. On May 10, 2011, an appellate bench headed by him delivered the controversial judgment that declared the 13th Amendment unconstitutional, effectively ending the caretaker system used to oversee national elections, according to BDNews24.

Bangladesh's interim government has been arresting individuals at various levels, including politicians, economists, top election officials, bureaucrats, and police, who served during ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's regime.

Sheikh Hasina was ousted in a student-led uprising in August last year. After her fall, an interim government was formed under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Laureate. (ANI)
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has launched a scathing attack on Hamas during his visit to the Gaza Strip, accusing the group of hijacking humanitarian aid, blocking a ceasefire, and holding both hostages and Gaza's civilian population in captivity. "It is the terrorists of Hamas hijacking aid, and refusing to agree to a hostage release and ceasefire, who are kidnapping the civilian Gaza population and subjecting them to their tragic suffering," Herzog said on Wednesday after meeting Israeli commanders and soldiers stationed at the frontlines. https://x.com/Isaac_Herzog/status/1948069369835086123?t=nKoAZiN-KTy9yRnSMTI_HA&s=08 Herzog said he received a detailed update on the situation inside Gaza and claimed that large volumes of aid were entering the Strip through efforts coordinated by Israel, the UN, and the EU, but alleged that Hamas was preventing proper distribution. "Huge quantities of aid are flowing in - in conjunction with UN and EU efforts agreed by Israel. Hamas loots the aid and prevents its proper distribution," Herzog said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. He insisted that Israel remains committed to international humanitarian law. "Even in the midst of war, we are doing everything possible to help civilians in need - in keeping with international law, and our Israeli and Jewish values," he added. The President urged global leaders to stop echoing what he described as "Hamas propaganda and lies" and to demand the immediate release of hostages. "I urge leaders from around the world to look at the facts, to see the reality... and hold Hamas accountable for its crimes against both Israelis and Palestinians," Herzog said. During the visit, Herzog also met troops involved in Israel's ongoing military operations aimed at dismantling Hamas' underground network and retrieving hostages. Israel also categorically rejected statements made by several international organisations on the supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza. In a statement, the Israeli foreign ministry accused these organisations of "serving the propaganda of Hamas. "These organisations are serving the propaganda of Hamas, using their numbers and justifying their horrors. Instead of challenging the terror organisation, they embrace it as their own," the ministry said. Israel said such statements were harming ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire. "In this critical time of negotiations, they are echoing Hamas's propaganda and harming the chances for a ceasefire. "According to the statement, nearly 4,500 trucks have entered Gaza carrying food, flour, and baby formula. Israel said over 700 aid trucks are currently inside Gaza but are waiting to be picked up by the UN. "This bottleneck is the main obstacle to maintaining a consistent flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. For some, the obsession with attacking Israel is more important than helping the people of Gaza," the statement said. (ANI)
Thailand on Thursday announced that it is closing all its border points with Cambodia after at least three people have been injured in a "targetted attack on civilians" by rockets of Cambodian forces that struck its border area of the two countries, the Royal Thai Army said on Thursday. The development marked an escalation of long-standing dispute between the neighbouring countries. Deputy Defence Minister has confirmed combat and granted full operational authority to the military, the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand said in a social media post. Nikorndej Plangkur, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made the announcement addressing a press conference here. Local media early today reported heavy fighting had broke out this morning near the disputed Ta Muen Thom Temple in Surin Province, as Cambodian forces launched an attack, firing RPGs and artillery shells over the Thai border. Thai forces responded according to the Chakrabongse Bhuvanath Plan, which is designed to address border incidents. At 8.20 am Cambodia opened fire toward the Moo Pa Thailand military base, about 200 metres east of the Ta Muen Thom ruins, the 2nd Army Region said on its Facebook page as reported by the Bangkok Post. The Thai military said it has deployed six F-16 fighter jets to the Kap Choeng district in Surin province - an area near the border of the two countries. According to a report in The Nation, two Thai soldiers have been injured from supporting fire in the area around Ta Muen Thom Temple in Surin Province. The areas affected by the clashes include Ta Muen Thom Temple, Ta Kwai Temple, Chong Bok, Preah Vihear, Chong An Ma, and Chong Chom. The attacks came a day after a landmine explosion injured five Thai soldiers, one of whom lost a leg, near the Chong An Ma border crossing in Ubon Ratchathani province. The Thai army said the mines were recently planted by Cambodia. Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that Thai forces launched attacks on Cambodian military positions at the Ta Mone Thom and Ta Krabey temples in Oddar Meanchey province and expanded their assault to the Mom Bei area. "Cambodia has always adhered to resolving issues peacefully, but in this case, we have no choice but to respond with force against this armed invasion," he said, via social media as reported by the PhnomPenhPost. Meanwhile, Cambodia's Ministry of National Defence issued a statement accusing Thailand of deploying an excessive number of troops, using heavy weapons and carrying out air strikes in an attempt to forcibly seize Cambodian territory. Yesterday Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the 2nd Region Army, which is responsible for the Northeast, ordered the border sealed and the temple ruins in Surin closed. The orders took effect on Thursday morning according to the Bangkok Post. Also yesterday, the Thai government expelled the Cambodian ambassador, Hun Saroeun, while recalling the Thai envoy from Phnom Penh, the publication reported. Villagers in the area on the Thai side of the border have been ordered to evacuate the area. Last month, Cambodia's former Prime Minister and present President of the Senate, Hun Sen leaked a conversation with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra about the disputed border. following this, Shinawatra was suspended as prime minister by the constitutional court in Thailand. The long-running border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia date back over a century, when France, which occupied Cambodia until 1953, first mapped the land border. Cambodia has cited that map to support its territorial claims, while Thailand rejects it as inaccurate. (ANI)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the UK on Thursday to sign the landmark UK-India trade deal, which will boost bilateral trade by 25.5bn every year, as per an official statement from the British High Commission. The statement noted that the deal promises to unlock thousands of jobs and boost growth across both economies. During the visit of PM Modi, the leaders will unveil their vision for a modern, reinvigorated partnership over the next decade- The UK-India Vision 2035, a renewed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership--taking the relationship to new heights in a time of rapid global change. The trade deal, which is forecast to boost bilateral trade by 25.5 billion yearly, is both India's most comprehensive deal ever, and the UK's most economically significant bilateral trade deal since leaving the EU. It significantly improves market access for businesses in both countries, leading to cheaper products and services for consumers, the statement said. It also observed that the UK and India's ambitious new vision for 2035 will go beyond trade, with reinvigorated mutual commitment to drive prosperity and innovation, deepen defence cooperation through a new Defence Industrial roadmap, work together to secure our borders, tackle climate change and nurture educational connections. Marking exactly one year since the countries signed the landmark UK-India Technology Security Initiative, the Prime Ministers will also commit to further strengthen national security by harnessing frontier technologies and shaping the technologies of tomorrow. The statement cited Starmer's remarks, "Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain. It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses and drive growth in every corner of the country, delivering on our Plan for Change." "We're putting more money in the pockets of hardworking Brits and helping families with the cost of living, and we're determined to go further and faster to grow the economy and raise living standards across the UK." As per the statement, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds hailed India as an economic superpower. He said, "India is one of the fastest growing global economies in the world and an emerging economic superpower of the 21st century." The statement mentioned, "Indian consumers will benefit from improved access to the best British products - from soft drinks and cosmetics to cars and medical devices - as average tariffs will drop from 15 per cent to 3 per cent. The UK already imports 11 billion in goods from India but liberalised tariffs on Indian goods will make it easier and cheaper for British consumers and businesses to buy Indian products and boost Indian businesses' exports to the UK." It added, "The UK's clean energy industry will have brand new, unprecedented access to India's vast procurement market as the country makes the switch to renewable energy and continues to see growing energy demand." "For financial and professional business services, locked in access will offer certainty to expand in India's growing market and measures such as binding India's foreign investment cap for the insurance sector, ensuring UK financial services companies are treated on an equal footing with domestic suppliers". "Twenty-six British companies have announced new business in India. Airbus & Rolls-Royce will soon begin delivering Airbus aircraft - with over half powered by Rolls-Royce engines - to major Indian airlines as part of around 5 million worth of contracts recently agreed", it added. As part of the reinvigorated partnership, the UK and India have also agreed to strengthen cooperation in tackling corruption, serious fraud, organised crime, and irregular migration through enhanced intelligence sharing and operational collaboration, the statement said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the United Kingdom on Wednesday in the first leg of his two-nation visit. The Indian diaspora in London warmly welcomed PM Modi, marking a significant moment during his visit to the UK. (ANI)
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) issued a strongly worded statement categorically rejecting the claims of stopping humanitarian aid into Gaza. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Israel urged all organizations to cease echoing "Hamas' propaganda". The Foreign Ministry said in a post on X, "Israel categorically rejects today's statement by several organizations regarding the supply of humanitarian aid to Gaza: These organizations are serving the propaganda of Hamas, using their numbers and justifying their horrors. Instead of challenging the terror organization, they embrace it as their own. In this critical time of negotiations, they are echoing Hamas's propaganda and harming the chances for a ceasefire. We urge all organizations to cease using Hamas's talking points." As per the Foreign Ministry, close to 4,500 trucks have entered Gaza, including flour for bakeries and 2,500 tons of baby food and high-calorie special food for children. "There are more than 700 aid trucks inside Gaza waiting to be picked up by the UN. This bottleneck is the main obstacle to maintaining a consistent flow of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. For some, the obsession with attacking Israel is more important than helping the people of Gaza", the statement said. https://x.com/IsraelMFA/status/1948010457333215545 The official page run by Israel's Foreign Ministry in a post on X accused the UN of not distributing the aid in Gaza. It said, "950 aid trucks are already inside Gaza. Israel let them in. The @UN is supposed to distribute them. So why are they still sitting there? Why is the UN pointing fingers instead of delivering food? Stop the blame game. Start moving the aid." https://x.com/Israel/status/1948095915358572870 On Wednesday evening, Israeli President Isaac Herzog launched a scathing attack on Hamas during his visit to the Gaza Strip, accusing the group of hijacking humanitarian aid, blocking a ceasefire, and holding both hostages and Gaza's civilian population in captivity. Herzog said he received a detailed update on the situation inside Gaza and claimed that large volumes of aid were entering the Strip through efforts coordinated by Israel, the UN, and the EU, but alleged that Hamas was preventing proper distribution. "Huge quantities of aid are flowing in - in conjunction with UN and EU efforts agreed by Israel. Hamas loots the aid and prevents its proper distribution," Herzog said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. He insisted that Israel remains committed to international humanitarian law. "Even in the midst of war, we are doing everything possible to help civilians in need - in keeping with international law, and our Israeli and Jewish values," he added. (ANI)
The aircraft was en route from Blagoveshchensk to Tynda, a 570-kilometre journey, when it lost contact with air traffic control shortly before reaching its destination.

Amur Region Governor Vasily Orlov confirmed that 43 passengers and four crew members were aboard the missing flight. Emergency services said the aircraft went off radar just a few kilometres away from Tynda.

A search and rescue operation has been launched, but authorities say the taiga-dense boreal forest covering much of the area is making the effort challenging, according to Russia Today.

The Antonov An-24, developed in the 1950s, is widely used in Russia for both cargo and passenger transport. More than 1,000 units of the aircraft were produced.

As of now, there are no confirmed reports of wreckage or survivors. (ANI)
Interview: Role of media, think tanks within SCO is of strategic importance, says expert

Xinhua) 09:05, July 24, 2025

BISHKEK, July 23 (Xinhua) -- The media and think tanks play a strategic role within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Kanatbek Aziz, director of the Research Institute of Geopolitics and Strategy of Kyrgyzstan, told Xinhua in a recent interview.

"In a time of intensifying geopolitical turbulence ... the role and responsibility of media and think tanks within the SCO framework takes on strategic dimensions -- transcending information support," Aziz said.

He said that media and think tanks within the SCO framework perform a dual function. First, they serve as relays -- broadcasting the Shanghai Spirit to national and international audiences and forming a coherent image of the SCO as a responsible global actor. Second, they serve as conceptual engines by generating new meanings, setting strategic directions, and providing intellectual guidance for integration processes.

"Their responsibility is institutional: not only to support political messaging, but also to substantiate it with well-reasoned analysis rooted in civilizational codes, regional specificities and the principles of justice, sovereignty, balance of interests and collective security," the expert said.

In today's fragmented information landscape, their task is not only to inform, but to generate trust, defend the SCO's narrative space from external distortion, and facilitate the emergence of a new model of multilateralism, he said.

"The synergy between media and think tanks can provide the intellectual foundation for multipolar solidarity and transform the expert-informational dimension into a strategic pillar of the SCO's regional and global role," he said.

Aziz will participate in the SCO Media and Think Tank Summit, which is held in the Chinese city of Zhengzhou, Henan province from July 23 to 27.

He said the summit should be viewed not merely as a platform for exchanging opinions, but also as a potential starting point for building a new systemic architecture of cooperation between the media and analytical communities of SCO member states.

Amid the growing fragmentation of the global information landscape and intensifying competition over narratives, "the creation of a common intellectual and media space within the SCO is a strategic imperative," the expert said.

The expert believes that the summit may lay the groundwork for a new model of institutional interaction -- aimed at consolidating a unified discourse, coordinating strategic narratives, and integrating informational, educational and analytical tools.

"These elements -- convergence, trust, multilateralism and civilizational connectivity -- form the institutional basis of the SCO as a subject of the emerging global configuration," Aziz said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
Staffing Franchise Expands with New Locations and Earns Top Industry Honors

KNOXVILLE, Tenn., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AtWork, an award-winning leader in the staffing industry, is proud to announce significant growth and recognition in the first half of 2025. Amid a cautiously optimistic outlook for the staffing industry, AtWork continues to outpace expectations with new office openings, strong franchise development, and multiple national awards.

"Despite the headwinds facing the staffing industry, the first two quarters of 2025 have proven to be a period of strength for AtWork," said Jason Leverant, president and COO of AtWork. "Our ability to adapt to evolving workforce needs while maintaining our commitment to client and candidate satisfaction continues to set us apart."

New Locations

AtWork continues to grow its national footprint in 2025. Arkansas became the latest state to join AtWork's growing list of markets, further expanding the brand's national presence. AtWork opened eight new offices across the country so far in 2025:

Virginia : Richmond South

: Richmond South Georgia : Cartersville

: Georgia : West Gwinnett

: South Carolina : Greenville

: Washington : Seattle Southwest

: Seattle Southwest Arkansas : Bentonville

: Texas : Austin Northeast

: Indiana : Indianapolis NW

Awards & Recognition

AtWork earned several prestigious industry honors in 2025, including:

Forbes' List of America's Best Recruiting and Temporary Staffing Firms (2025)  Recognized among the top 200 U.S. firms in the temporary staffing category.

 Recognized among the top 200 U.S. firms in the temporary staffing category. Staffing Industry Analysts' (SIA) 2025 Largest Staffing Firms in the US -Recognizing AtWork's impact and scale in the staffing industry.

-Recognizing AtWork's impact and scale in the staffing industry. ClearlyRated Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards (2025)  Awarded to fewer than 1% of staffing firms in the U.S. and Canada .

 Awarded to fewer than 1% of staffing firms in the U.S. and . Franchise Business Review's 2025 Top Franchises Satisfaction Award  Based on independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction.

 Based on independent surveys of franchisee satisfaction. FranServe Fran-tastic brand-Honored for exceptional commitment in helping individuals realize their dream of owning a business by providing strong franchise opportunities.

A stand-out franchisee, Josephine Suryono, who owns and operates AtWork locations in Sacramento and Roseville, California, has received several accolades for her success this year. Josephine was named the International Franchise Association's Franchisee of the Year as well as a 2025 Franchise Rockstar by Franchise Business Review in the Women's category. Her Roseville office led the AtWork system in revenue and gross profit in 2024 and continues to set a high standard in 2025.

Additional Achievements

In the first half of 2025, AtWork's leadership remained actively involved in national workforce conversations:

COO Jason Leverant published a practical employment AI Guide designed to help job seekers navigate the evolving job market with new technology.

published a practical employment AI Guide designed to help job seekers navigate the evolving job market with new technology. Leverant's expertise has been featured in Newsweek, Yahoo! News, The Washington Examiner and other major outlets, covering topics such as Gen Z's fear of layoffs, the transition of federal workers into private sector roles, and the shifting landscape for white-collar employment.

With over 30 years in business, AtWork remains committed to supporting entrepreneurs, connecting businesses with high-quality talent, and delivering exceptional staffing solutions nationwide.

To learn more about AtWork's franchise opportunities, visit www.atwork.com/franchise.

About AtWork

Headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, AtWork is an award-winning staffing franchise with nearly 100 locations. For more than 30 years, leading companies from across the nation have trusted AtWork to recruit the best talent. Recognized by Staffing Industry Analysts as one of the Largest and Best Staffing Firms to work for in the U.S. and as an Entrepreneur Verified Franchise, AtWork can staff an entire production facility or provide temporary support that keeps businesses thriving. AtWork's dedication and unparalleled service earned them a spot on Forbes America's Best Recruiting and Temporary Staffing Firms and ClearlyRated's Best of Staffing award for client and talent satisfaction. Additionally, the franchise's growth and support for its franchisees have secured them a place on Franchise Business Review's (FBR) Top 200 Franchise ranking for seven years in a row and is in the FBR Hall of Fame for 10+ years of stellar performance. AtWork is also ranked in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, Franchise Times Top 400, and Entrepreneur's Top Franchises for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. To learn more about AtWork's services, visit https://www.atwork.com/.

Media Contact:

Lu Dumas

919.459.8168

[email protected]

SOURCE AtWork
Transport operators in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir's (PoJK) Jhelum Valley staged a protest strike this week against the presence of unauthorised vehicles and what they claim are unjust fines enforced by the local authorities. The demonstration caused significant transportation disruptions, leaving many commuters, including students and government workers, without any means of transport. The strike began on July 17 in Muzaffarabad and rapidly extended throughout the Jhelum Valley area. Transporters ceased their services and assembled in the city to express their grievances. Their primary demands include a prohibition on illegal vehicles operating without proper permits and an end to the excessive fines being levied on local drivers. According to the protesters, vehicles that have been servicing routes such as Muzaffarabad to Chennari for many years are now being targeted, while outside operators from other regions and areas of Pakistan continue to operate without appropriate authorisation. "Our vehicles have been in operation for 40 to 50 years. Now, outsiders are being permitted to enter through unofficial agreements, and our vehicles are being confiscated," remarked one transporter. Another significant concern raised was the imposition of fines. Drivers stated they have not raised fares despite increasing fuel costs, but are still being penalised. "They've prohibited 8 to 9 of our vehicles. We are not the cause of the issue. The problem lies with the unauthorised vehicles," shared a protester. The transporters also accused a local transport mafia of collaborating with authorities to favour non-local operators in exchange for commissions. Attempts to discuss the situation with local administration officials reportedly went unaddressed. Although the strike has concluded, transporters have cautioned that they may begin protests again if their requests are not addressed. They are urging immediate intervention from the administration to regulate the transportation sector, eliminate illegal vehicles, and ensure just treatment of local operators. (ANI)
Families of Baloch missing persons, along with members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), are experiencing harassment and intimidation from authorities following a peaceful protest held outside the National Press Club in Islamabad on July 17, as reported by Paank. The protest was led by Dr. Mahrang Baloch, Shah Ji, Bebagar Baloch, Bebow Baloch, Gulzadi Baloch, and Mahjabeen Baloch, sister of missing student Hafeez Baloch, who arrived in Islamabad to demand justice and the safe return of their missing loved ones. Many protesters carried photographs of their family members who have been missing, with some having been detained for years without trial. They also called for the release of BYC leaders who have been detained under the controversial 3MPO law. The families were barred from setting up tents and were denied permission to continue their sit-in outside the Press Club. Uniformed police officers and individuals in plain clothes, believed to be linked to intelligence agencies, including the ISI, intervened and prevented the protesters from establishing even basic shelter amid heavy monsoon rains. Despite the weather, protestors, including women and children, sat in the open, soaked and chilly, while continuing to demand justice, according to Paank. The report further indicated that a group of unidentified individuals carrying placards marked "mafia" was brought in, allegedly to undermine the protest's legitimacy. When journalists questioned this group, they were unable to identify who had sent them or their purpose. Nevertheless, they were granted full protection by Islamabad Police, raising concerns about a state-sponsored effort to discredit the protest. In the following days, the crackdown intensified. Reports indicated that police sealed off roads near the Press Club to obstruct media access and isolate the protestors. Buses were deployed to forcibly remove the families, and it was alleged that some officers referred to this action as "deporting them to Balochistan," a comment that has drawn strong condemnation from rights groups for implying discriminatory treatment, as noted in the Paank report. On the night of July 20, families temporarily residing in nearby rented flats were evicted without notice after their water and electricity were cut off. Property owners were reportedly threatened by intelligence agencies, causing women, the elderly, and children to be forced onto the streets around 2:00 a.m. Legal experts and human rights organizations have denounced the state's treatment of the protest, citing violations of several constitutional rights including liberty, peaceful assembly, dignity, and freedom of expression. Pakistan is also a signatory to various international agreements, such as the ICCPR and CEDAW, which prohibit arbitrary detention and uphold the rights of children and women, according to the Paank report. Enforced disappearances continue to be a significant problem in Balochistan, with victims often taken without warrants or due process. Activists persist in their demands for legislation to criminalise enforced disappearances following international standards. The Paank report concludes by calling for international intervention. Human rights organisations and legal bodies are urged to exert pressure on the Pakistani government to fulfil its constitutional and international obligations, investigate enforced disappearances, and ensure the protection of families seeking justice. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, ahead of the formal signing of a landmark UK-India free trade agreement expected to significantly boost economic ties between the two countries. The bilateral meeting took place at the historic Hawtry Room, where the two leaders held a one-on-one discussion to finalise the contours of what is being described as India's most comprehensive trade pact and the UK's most significant post-Brexit deal. Hours before meeting PM Modi, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the India trade deal a 'Plan for Change in action'. In a post on X, Starmer wrote, "A landmark deal with India means jobs, investment and growth here in the UK. It creates thousands of British jobs, unlocks new opportunities for businesses and puts money in the pockets of working people. https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1948276522323710240 According to a statement released earlier by the British High Commission, the UK-India trade agreement is expected to boost bilateral trade by 25.5 billion annually. The deal is also expected to unlock thousands of jobs, lower tariffs, and increase market access for businesses in both countries. During PM Modi's visit, both leaders are also expected to unveil the UK-India Vision 2035, a renewed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that outlines a broader roadmap for collaboration in areas such as defence, technology, climate, education, and national security. "This landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain. It will create thousands of British jobs across the UK, unlock new opportunities for businesses, and drive growth in every corner of the country," Prime Minister Keir Starmer was quoted as saying in the statement. He added that the deal was part of his "Plan for Change" to put more money into the pockets of British citizens and help families with the cost of living. India is already the UK's 12th largest trading partner, with bilateral trade standing at over 36 billion. The proposed agreement aims to reduce average tariffs on British products such as cars, medical devices, cosmetics, and soft drinks from 15 per cent to 3 per cent--benefiting Indian consumers. At the same time, it will ease market entry for Indian exporters, further increasing the UK's current imports of 11 billion worth of Indian goods. UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described India as "an emerging economic superpower of the 21st century," adding that the trade pact marks a new phase in bilateral relations. The deal also builds on the UK-India Technology Security Initiative signed last year. Both sides have reaffirmed their commitment to harness frontier technologies and deepen cooperation on national security and border protection. (ANI)
On Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the United Kingdom and the unveiling of a renewed UK-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the British Council on Thursday said education has emerged as a core pillar in the bilateral ties between the two countries. Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director, British Council India, said the announcement aligns closely with India's National Education Policy 2020 and will strengthen collaboration in the education sector. "At the British Council, we work closely with the Government of India and partners at the central and state level to realise the NEP 2020 goal of internationalisation," she said. "The shared vision gives us a strong institutional framework for closer and more effective collaborations." She said the landmark UK-India trade deal, announced during the visit, "unlocks thousands of jobs and boosts growth across both economies." "I am pleased to see education recognised as a core pillar of the partnership, placing people especially young people from India and the UK at the heart of this vibrant relationship," Barrett added. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was welcomed warmly by members of the Indian diaspora in London. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Touched by the warm welcome from the Indian community in the UK. Their affection and passion towards India's progress is truly heartening." The crowd, which included students and long-term residents, gathered to express admiration for Modi. Many described the moment as emotional and overwhelming. As part of the visit, PM Modi and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer signed a landmark trade deal expected to boost annual bilateral trade by 25.5 billion. It is being described as India's most comprehensive trade pact and the UK's most economically significant deal since the UK's departure from the European Union, commonly referred to as Brexit. The UK-India Vision 2035 was also launched, outlining long-term cooperation across multiple sectors. According to the British High Commission, Indian consumers will gain cheaper access to UK goods, from cars and cosmetics to medical devices, as tariffs drop from 15% to 3%. British consumers will also benefit from lower costs on Indian goods. Barrett's remarks come as the education sector gears up to play a central role in implementing India's NEP on a global platform. The partnership will also expand academic exchanges, mutual research, and digital learning tools. (ANI)
A medical team on Wednesday evening arrived in Dhaka to support burn victims of the recent fighter jet crash in the Diabari area of Bangladesh's capital.

"The Indian medical team members have met with the doctors in Dhaka. They have seen the patients. They are continuing their activities", an official of the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, told ANI.

"The specialised team consists of Doctors and nurses from Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, which are the two top hospitals in India specialising in burn and plastic surgery", he added.

Bangladeshi people welcomed the Indian medical team at this critical time for the better treatment of the victims.

"We deeply mourn the tragedy. We do not want to lose anybody. We want that the highest treatment should be ensured", Maleka Banu, General Secretary of Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, told ANI.

Bangladesh government has decided to give state honours to two teachers of Milesstone School and College who were killed

According to the Bangladesh Chief Adviser's Press Wing, the death toll in the crash incident has risen to 29 and 57 injured, mostly students were admitted to various hospitals in the capital, Dhaka. Injured others were teachers, school staff, firefighters, police, army, maids, electricians, and others.

The death toll may rise again, as among the injured, 25 patients have serious conditions with burn injury, a doctor said.

On July 21, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences at the loss of lives in the tragic air crash in Dhaka and had conveyed assurances of support and assistance.

A Bangladesh Air Force F-7 fighter jet crashed into the Milestone School and College campus in Dhaka on Monday afternoon.

The jet was being piloted by Bangladeshi Air Force Flight Lieutenant Mohammad Towkir Islam Sagar, who had also died in the crash. (ANI)
Three hacking groups linked to China are part of a large-scale cyberattack targeting users of widely used Microsoft server software, impacting numerous organisations worldwide, according to the report by Politico. According to two US officials, federal investigators suspect that several US government agencies are among the initial victims of this ongoing cyber exploitation campaign, although the complete extent remains uncertain. Microsoft acknowledged in a blog post that three Chinese hacking groups, referred to as Violet Typhoon, Linen Typhoon, and Storm-2603, are participating in the hacking operation. Approximately 100 organisations, including at least two US federal agencies, are believed to be victims of these hacks, as stated by one US official involved in the incident response and a second who has been informed about it. Both officials spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the ongoing situation, as reported by Politico. Since Saturday, private security researchers and federal investigators have been addressing the aftermath of the breach, which Microsoft initially reported due to unidentified hackers exploiting a major flaw in its customer-managed SharePoint servers, a commonly used workplace collaboration tool. Microsoft noted in a blog post that, given the rapid adoption of these exploits, it is highly confident that the threat actors will continue to implement them in their attacks on unpatched on-premises SharePoint systems. The first US official indicated that investigators currently believe at least "four to five" federal agencies were compromised, while more agencies are still under investigation. The second official noted that they were informed on Monday that "more than one" federal agency had been affected. The vulnerabilities in the SharePoint software are deemed critical as they permitted hackers to remotely infiltrate Microsoft customers utilising self-hosted versions of the service, enabling them to delve deeper into their networks. However, these vulnerabilities did not impact those operating a version of SharePoint hosted on Microsoft's cloud servers. A Microsoft spokesperson stated that the company is working to ensure its customers apply the necessary fixes and is "coordinating closely with CISA, DOD Cyber Defence Command, and key global cybersecurity partners throughout our response." A spokesperson from CISA remarked that the tech firm has been "responding quickly" since the agency first contacted them. This incident marks another breach in a series targeting the US technology giant, many of which have connections to China. In 2023, Chinese hackers accessed emails from both the US ambassador to China and the US Commerce Secretary by taking advantage of a "cascade" of Microsoft security flaws that were later criticised by a federal cyber review panel. Additionally, the Pentagon announced last week that it would review all its cloud products following an investigation that found engineers based in China had been providing technical support for Pentagon computer systems, as revealed by Politico. (ANI)
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday said that the UK-India FTA is the biggest trade deal since the UK left the European Union. Starmer in a joint press meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi thanked him for his leadership and pragmatism. "We both know, this is the biggest and the most significant trade deal that the UK has made since leaving the EU. I think I can say this is the most comprehensive deal that India has ever done. So thank you Prime Minister for your leadership and your pragmatism. I''d like to thank everybody who has worked so hard to get this deal over the line," Starmer said. Starmer said that the deal is set to boost wages and improve the living standards across the UK and cut tariffs on Indian goods. "It is a deal to bring huge benefits to both of our countries boosting wages, raisin living standards, and putting more money in the pockets of working people. It is good for jobs, it is good for business, cutting tariffs, making trade cheaper, quicker and easier. It is good for British workers, a cutting-edge manufacturing whiskey distillers across Scotland, and a service sector in London, Manchester and Leeds," he said. Starmer highlighted the benefits of the trade deal, saying that it is good for consumers, as it will bring the prices down on Indian goods in UK markets. "It is good for consumers, because it will bring down prices on Indian goods in the UK, on clothes, shoes and food. It will deliver benefits for the long term. It will add about 4.8 billion Pounds to the UK economy every year and 2.2 billion Pounds to wages and hundreds of millions of pounds to regions and nations up and down the United Kingdom," he said. Starmer added that they have entered a new global era, and it requires people to step up and not be mere watchers. "We have entered the new global era, that requires us to step up not to stand aside. To deliver for the British people by building deeper partnerships and alliances. Today is very much confirmation of that approach," he said. Earlier, Starmer called the FTA a landmark deal, stating that it would create thousands of British jobs. https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1948276522323710240 In a post on X, he said, "A landmark deal with India means jobs, investment and growth here in the UK. It creates thousands of British jobs, unlocks new opportunities for businesses and puts money in the pockets of working people. That''s our Plan for Change in action." (ANI)
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday said that the India-UK FTA deal will bring significant benefits to both countries, benefiting jobs, business, and making trade "cheaper, quicker and easier". Speaking during a press statements with Prime Minister Modi, Starmer said the FTA with India is the biggest, most economically significant trade deal that the UK has made since leaving the EU. India and UK signed the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement during PM Modi's visit to the country. "The UK has been negotiating a deal like this for many years, but it is this government that got it done. And with it we are sending a very powerful message that Britain is open for business...," he said. "It is a deal that will bring huge benefits to both of our countries, boosting wages, raising living standards and putting more money in the pockets of working people. It is good for jobs, it is good for business, cutting tariffs and making trade cheaper, quicker and easier," he said. The British PM also talked about strong people-to-people ties between the two countries. "Today we are announcing almost six billion pounds in investment and export between India and the United Kingdom creating 2,200 jobs for British workers...We have unique bonds of history, family, and culture, and we want to strengthen our relationship further so that it is even more ambitious, modern and focused on the long term," he said. Starmer said that India and the UK launched the India-UK Vision 2035 strategy to build on their partnership. "The step-up in the relationship we discussed in the autumn of last year, and that's why alongside this trade deal, I am delighted that we are building on our partnership by launching India-UK vision 2035 strategy pledging to work more closely on areas such as defence, migration, climate, education and health," he said. Starmer pledged to continue work on the Technology Security Initiative, enhancing opportunities for both countries. "We will also build on the fantastic work we already do in technology and innovation, celebrating the one-year anniversary of the landmark Technology Security Initiative. Making the most of the opportunities it represents for both of our countries," he said. "Mr Prime Minister, we've had much to talk about today, and much to celebrate. I look forward to continuing our work together as we strengthen security, growth and prosperity for working people in both of our nations," he added. The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is set to unlock major export opportunities for several key Indian sectors. (ANI)
Amnesty International has issued a joint statement commemorating the 10th anniversary of the Chinese government's "709" crackdown on human rights lawyers, urging for an independent international inquiry into the decade-long persecution of civil society and human rights activists in China. The crackdown, initiated on July 9, 2015, represented a significant shift in Beijing's assault on civil liberties and the rule of law, according to the rights organisation. Sarah Brooks, Amnesty International's China Director, pointed out that the "709 Crackdown" was not a singular event but rather the onset of a wider, systematic decline in human rights within China. "The 709 Crackdown resulted in the wrongful prosecution and targeting of some of China's most dedicated human rights attorneys and legal advocates," Brooks stated. "It marked merely the beginning of a ten-year campaign against human rights and the rule of law that remains unabated today." Under Chinese President Xi Jinping's administration, the crackdown led to the apprehension of over 300 lawyers and activists. Numerous individuals faced arbitrary detention, forced disappearances, and torture. The government imposed lengthy prison sentences on several individuals, including Wu Gan, who received an eight-year sentence, and Zhou Shifeng, who was sentenced to seven years. Additionally, the state expanded the use of the "residential surveillance at a designated location" (RSDL) system, which UN experts have classified as equivalent to enforced disappearance. Amnesty International's report emphasises how the Chinese authorities specifically targeted lawyers advocating for constitutional rights, legal reforms, and the representation of marginalised communities such as Tibetans, Christians, LGBT advocates, and those affected by public health crises. These lawyers, previously lauded by the government, like Gao Zhisheng, who was recognised as a leading attorney in 2001, later faced enforced disappearance. The statement also details the continued collective punishment experienced by the families of detained lawyers, which includes constant surveillance, loss of employment, forced relocations, and limitations on education and travel for their children. "The repercussions of '709' are present in every aspect of my life," remarked the spouse of one detained lawyer, highlighting ongoing surveillance and social exclusion. Amnesty observes that the crackdown has further developed into more severe repression, evidenced by harsh sentences given to those who persist in legal activism. In 2023, lawyers Ding Jiaxi and Xu Zhiyong received sentences of 12 and 14 years, respectively, for "subversion of state power." In total, at least 20 lawyers have been disbarred, with many others compelled to cease working due to governmental pressure. The rights organisation criticised the inadequate response of the international community to the crackdown. In spite of numerous statements from various governments and the UN over the past ten years, China has dismissed pleas to free detained lawyers and respect their rights. Amnesty International urged the UN Human Rights Council to set up an ongoing mechanism to monitor China's human rights situation and encouraged nations to publicly call for the release of unjustly imprisoned lawyers. "This decade anniversary should serve as a reminder to governments worldwide to press their Chinese counterparts to guarantee the freedom and fair treatment of all lawyers targeted solely for fulfilling their professional responsibilities," Brooks concluded. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday thanked UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for warm welcome at Chequers. PM Modi said that their discussions reflected a shared commitment to deepen India-UK ties. In a post on X, he said, "Thankful to PM Keir Starmer for the warm welcome at Chequers. Our discussions reflect a shared commitment to deepen India-UK ties across sectors." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1948353293060841792 The much-awaited landmark India-UK FTA was signed in the presence of PM Modi and Keir Starmer earlier in the day, providing greater access to goods and services between the two countries. PM Modi is currently on a two-day official visit to the UK. PM Modi hailed the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) as a new chapter in the India-UK relationship.PM Modi said that the deal represents India and UK's commitment to enhance trade ties. In a post on X, he said, "A new chapter begins today in the India-UK economic partnership! The signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) reflects our shared commitment to enhancing trade, driving inclusive growth and creating opportunities for farmers, women, youth, MSMEs, and professionals." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1948342831652708358 "Labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, leather & footwear, marine, gems & jewellery, organic chemicals, plastics, auto parts, artisanal products and services are poised for strong growth. This will ensure further acceleration of India's journey towards becoming a global manufacturing hub. India-UK CETA will add momentum to the 'Make in India' led growth and export promotion. This agreement will also provide Indian consumers with high-quality goods at competitive prices. The future indeed holds the promise of greater prosperity and deeper ties between our nations!" he added. Earlier in the day, while addressing a joint press conference, PM Modi lauded the signing of the landmark India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), stating that the agreement marked a significant milestone in bilateral relations between the two nations. During a joint press statement with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, PM Modi highlighted the enhanced market access and economic opportunities for both nations while expressing gratitude for the warm hospitality he received during his official visit to the country. (ANI)
LONDON, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fastmarkets, a global leader in providing independent, transparent pricing and economic insights across key commodity sectors, is excited to announce that Ana Toni, CEO of COP 30, will deliver the keynote address at the Latin America Carbon Forum this August in Sao Paulo.

Fastmarkets' Latin America Carbon Forum emphasizes the importance of actionable dialogue and strategic investment in climate initiatives. By featuring Ana Toni's keynote and convening policymakers, market experts and thought leaders, the event aims to foster regional collaboration and drive significant global action ahead of COP 30, the UN climate summit where world leaders will set in motion the next phase of global action to tackle climate change.

Toni's keynote will explore Brazil's unique opportunity to align national policies with global climate objectives, redefining sustainable growth while leveraging the nation's progress toward COP 30. Her address will set the tone for critical discussions on investment trends, policy frameworks and market transparency in the carbon sector. Toni's insights will highlight Brazil's leadership in carbon markets and its innovative approaches to resource management, offering a roadmap for harmonizing local and international climate strategies.

Catherine Oates, Fastmarkets' Managing Director of Events, said: "This forum is a pivotal opportunity for stakeholders across the carbon markets to collaborate and drive meaningful change. By bringing together thought leaders and innovators, we aim to foster knowledge-sharing and ignite actionable strategies to propel global decarbonization efforts forward. We're thrilled to have Ana join us, sharing her expertise and vision for the future of sustainable growth."

The forum will also feature Aloisio Lopes Melo, Brazil's National Secretary for Climate Change and leading voice in regional environmental policy, alongside other well-regarded speakers. Together, they will discuss attracting investment, enhancing market efficiency and ensuring transparency as Latin America prepares for COP 30 in Belem, Brazil.

Fastmarkets Carbon, a newly launched division of Fastmarkets, delivers critical insights and solutions to support the global transition to a low-carbon economy.

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ABOUT FASTMARKETS

Fastmarkets is an industry-leading PRA and information provider for the agriculture, forest products, metals, carbon and energy transition commodities markets. Fastmarkets serves its customers with commodity benchmark prices and assessments, forecasts, analytics, insights, news and events. Its data is critical for customers seeking to understand and predict dynamic, sometimes opaque markets, enabling trading and risk management.

Fastmarkets is a global business with a history dating from 1865 and is built on trust and deep market expertise. It has more than 650 employees spread across several global locations including the UK, US, China, Singapore, Brazil, Bulgaria, Belgium, Ukraine and Finland.

Fastmarkets is a privately held UK-registered company owned by its shareholders and Astorg, a European private equity firm.

SOURCE Fastmarkets
Families of Baloch missing persons have been staging a sit-in protest in Islamabad for eight consecutive days, pressing for the recovery of Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) leaders and an end to enforced disappearances in Balochistan, as reported by The Balochistan Post (TBP). Despite continuous rain and deteriorating weather conditions, the protesters, who include women, children, and the elderly, persist in their nonviolent demonstration. However, authorities have not yet allowed them to establish a proper protest camp in front of the National Press Club, leaving them vulnerable to the weather and facing significant hardships. The protest is occurring near the National Press Club, where Islamabad police have sealed off major roads in the vicinity. Moreover, additional routes surrounding the protest site have also been blocked, further limiting access and visibility, according to TBP. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee claims that state authorities are allegedly deploying buses to obstruct the view of the protest, effectively keeping it out of the public's sight. BYC asserts that this is a deliberate strategy to prevent Islamabad's residents from witnessing their peaceful quest for justice. In a statement, BYC criticised the government's actions, characterising them as stemming from "fear, silence, and the oppression of marginalised voices." They denounced what they referred to as stark human rights violations and urged for nationwide attention to the matter. "We call upon all citizens, journalists, human rights advocates, and organisations to support the families who are gathering in the capital seeking justice," stated the BYC. This sit-in is part of a broader series of demonstrations aimed at raising awareness about enforced disappearances in Balochistan, a long-standing and sensitive human rights concern. Despite repeated promises from authorities, there has been minimal progress in addressing the issues raised by affected families, many of whom have been searching for years to find out what happened to their loved ones, as highlighted by the TBP report. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday highlighted the intensifying cooperation between India and the UK for the extradition of fugitives present there, noting that the fugitives misusing the democratic freedoms to undermine democracy will be held accountable for their offence. Speaking during a joint press statement with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, following the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the two nations, PM Modi reinforced the shared commitment between India and the UK to combat terrorism and expedite the extradition of economic offenders wanted for legal proceedings in India. "Friends, we thank the Prime Minister and his government for their strong condemnation of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. We are united in the belief that there is no place for double standards in the fight against terrorism. We also agree that the forces that espouse extremist ideologies should not be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms. Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself must be held to account. Our security agencies will continue to enhance cooperation and coordination on matters such as the extradition of economic offenders," PM Modi stated. India is currently in talks with the UK regarding the continuation of efforts to extradite fugitives Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi, and Vijay Mallya as part of its ongoing efforts to secure the return of these individuals, who are wanted for legal proceedings in the country. Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi, and Vijay Mallya have all been accused of financial fraud in separate cases in India. All had fled to London to escape the charges. PM Modi also addressed broader global concerns during the joint press statement, highlighting India's advocacy for a rules-based international order amid regional tensions, referring to the conflict between Israel and Gaza and Russia and Ukraine, along with security concerns in the Indo-Pacific. "We have continued to exchange views on peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, and the situation in West Asia. We support early restoration of peace and stability; respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries is essential. Today's era demands development, not expansionism," the PM noted. Earlier in the day, the long-awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement was signed in the presence of both leaders. The agreement aims to boost the movement of goods and services between the two countries. PM Modi is currently on a two-day official visit to the UK. The landmark CETA unlocks export opportunities for labour-intensive sectors, including textiles, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, marine products, and toys, generating large-scale employment and empowering artisans, women-led enterprises, and MSMEs, a release from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated. According to the release, the deal will provide unprecedented market access for Indian goods, offering zero-duty access on 99 per cent of tariff lines, covering nearly 100 per cent of the trade value. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his UK counterpart Keir Starmer on Thursday endorsed the new "India-UK Vision 2035" which will steer the bilateral ties for the next 10 years with a focused and time-bound programme of action in key pillars such as economy and growth, technology and innovation, defence and security, climate action and education. Addressing a press conference here on PM Modi's two-day visit to the United Kingdom, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, signed on Thursday, will increase trade and investment and economic cooperation between the two countries by lowering tariffs in key sectors. "In order to infuse higher ambition and renewed momentum into the comprehensive strategic partnership between the UK and India, both leaders today adopted the India-UK Vision 2035 document which will steer the relationship for the next 10 years with a focused and time bound program of action and initiatives in key pillars of bilateral action between the two countries such as economy and growth, technology and innovation, defense and security, climate action and clean energy, education and people to people ties," Misri said. He said both leaders welcomed the adoption of the Defence Industrial Roadmap, which will open up enormous opportunities for joint collaboration for the defence industries of both sides. The Foreign Secretary said a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Central Bureau of Investigation of India and the UK National Crime Agency. Both leaders also expressed great happiness at the increasing collaboration in new and emerging technologies between the two countries. "The highlight from this visit was the signing that PM Modi and PM Keir Starmer oversaw of the historic India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between Union Minister Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds. This landmark agreement will increase trade and investment and economic cooperation between the two countries by lowering tariffs in key sectors. It will also strengthen innovation and technology collaboration," Misri said. He said the two sides have also agreed to negotiate a Double Contribution Convention (DCC), which will enter into force along with the FTA. PM Modi landed in the UK yesterday and received a traditional and warm welcome by the representatives of the Indian community in the UK. Earlier this morning, the Prime Minister was hosted by PM Keir Starmer at the Chequers Estate. Misri said the two leaders held restricted and delegation-level talks, during which they had the opportunity to review the entire gamut of issues in the bilateral relationship. The India-UK Vision 2035 document stated that it will be anchored in sustained high-level political engagement. Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to regular meetings between the two Prime Ministers to provide strategic direction and oversight. Implementation of India-UK Vision 2035 will be reviewed annually by the External Affairs Minister of India and the Foreign Secretary of the UK. The focused Ministerial mechanisms will address cross-sectoral issues including technology, trade, investment and financial sector cooperation. These engagements will ensure that the partnership remains dynamic, responsive, and aligned with shared strategic interests. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stated that India and the UK have ushered in a new era of economic cooperation with the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), along with the Double Contribution Convention, during his tete-a-tete with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. During the meeting, PM Modi emphasised the agreement's potential to boost trade, investment, and skilled mobility for future generations of the two nations. "Together, we are laying the foundation stone of a new history. We are meeting for the third time this year. I consider this very significant. The UK and India are natural partners. Today marks a historic day in our relations. This will pave a very strong path for the future generations of India and the UK. This is adding a new chapter in business and trade," PM Modi said. The long-awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement was signed in the presence of both leaders today. The agreement aims to boost the movement of goods and services between the two countries. PM Modi is currently on a two-day official visit to the UK. The Prime Minister in a post on X also noted the meeting with his UK counterpart, stating that the FTA will enhance market access for Indian textiles, footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, agricultural products, and processed foods in the UK, benefiting farmers, women, youth, fishermen, and MSMEs. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1948363360300605613 "Exquisite Indian textile products, footwear, gems and jewellery and engineering goods will gain market access to the UK. The opportunities for agricultural products and processed foods will also get an impetus. All of this will benefit our people, especially farmers, women, youngsters, fishermen and MSMEs," he stated in the post. "The Agreement will boost 'Ease of Doing Business', reduce 'Cost of Doing Business' and enhance 'Confidence of Doing Business'. Investment linkages are all set to get more vigour," he added in the post. PM Modi also highlighted the launch of Vision 2035, a roadmap to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in defence, education, semiconductors, sustainable development, and people-to-people ties. He also expressed gratitude for the UK PM's condemnation of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, where 26 people were killed. "It's equally gladdening that we've released Vision 2035 to deepen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This will focus on sectors like defence, education, people-to-people ties, semiconductors and sustainable development," the post read. "My gratitude to PM Keir Starmer for the strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack. We also agree that extremist ideologies must not be allowed to misuse democratic freedoms. Those who misuse democratic freedoms to undermine democracy itself must be held to account," the post further added. The landmark deal unlocks export opportunities for labour-intensive sectors, including textiles, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, marine products, and toys, generating large-scale employment and empowering artisans, women-led enterprises, and MSMEs, a release from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated. According to the release, the deal will provide unprecedented market access for Indian goods, offering zero-duty access on 99 per cent of tariff lines, covering nearly 100 per cent of the trade value. (ANI)
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday said India had received cooperation from the United Kingdom in dealing with extremist activities targeting Indian diplomatic missions and personnel. His remarks came during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to the UK. Misri, in response to a query about the growing concerns around extremist groups operating in the UK, said, "With regard to the activities of extremists, we shared our thoughts and views. We have noted the fact that they are increasingly active and have in the past and continue to threaten the safety and security of our diplomatic missions and personnel, inciting violence against our leaders and diplomats. This issue was discussed, and we have engaged at several levels on these matters with our UK counterparts. I would say that we have received cooperation on these matters as well, including during this specific visit, where we have received cooperation from our UK partners in addressing these issues," Misri said at a press conference. He also highlighted India's ongoing efforts to secure the return of economic offenders who fled the country to avoid prosecution. "As far as economic offenders are concerned, we understand wherever there are legal processes to be entered or to be carried through, we expect that those legal processes will be taken to their conclusion in an expedited manner so that justice can be served," the Foreign Secretary said. India is currently in talks with the UK on the extradition of fugitives Lalit Modi, Nirav Modi, and Vijay Mallya, all of whom face charges of financial fraud in India and are currently residing in the UK. Misri also pointed to enhanced bilateral security cooperation between the two nations, referring to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the UK's National Crime Agency. "The MoU that has been signed between the Central Bureau of Investigation of India (CBI) and the UK National Crime Agency is intended to combat instances of corruption, serious fraud and organised crime. There has been some cooperation on that, and we are able to now institutionalise this cooperation," he said. On illegal migration, Misri reiterated India's firm stance, saying, "We have emphasised that the government of India is clearly against illegal migration and we have worked in the past and will continue to work on these issues, including for the purpose of repatriating such illegal immigrants." Earlier in the day, India and the UK signed the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The deal is aimed at boosting trade in goods and services between the two countries. The landmark CETA unlocks export opportunities for labour-intensive sectors, including textiles, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, marine products, and toys, generating large-scale employment and empowering artisans, women-led enterprises, and MSMEs, a release from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated. According to the release, the deal will provide unprecedented market access for Indian goods, offering zero-duty access on 99 per cent of tariff lines, covering nearly 100 per cent of the trade value. (ANI)
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday hailed India's trade deal with India, calling it a major win for Britain. Starmer said that the deal will help families with the cost of living. In a post on X, he said, "Our landmark trade deal with India is a major win for Britain. This is about putting more money in the pockets of hardworking Brits and helping families with the cost of living." https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/1948381601739468875 Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India and the UK have ushered in a new era of economic cooperation with the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), along with the Double Contribution Convention, during his tete-a-tete with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. During the meeting, PM Modi emphasised the agreement's potential to boost trade, investment, and skilled mobility for future generations of the two nations. "Together, we are laying the foundation stone of a new history. We are meeting for the third time this year. I consider this very significant. The UK and India are natural partners. Today marks a historic day in our relations. This will pave a very strong path for the future generations of India and the UK. This is adding a new chapter in business and trade," PM Modi said. The long-awaited India-UK Free Trade Agreement was signed in the presence of both leaders today. The agreement aims to boost the movement of goods and services between the two countries. PM Modi is currently on a two-day official visit to the UK. The Prime Minister in a post on X also noted the meeting with his UK counterpart, stating that the FTA will enhance market access for Indian textiles, footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, agricultural products, and processed foods in the UK, benefiting farmers, women, youth, fishermen, and MSMEs. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1948363360300605613 "Exquisite Indian textile products, footwear, gems and jewellery and engineering goods will gain market access to the UK. The opportunities for agricultural products and processed foods will also get an impetus. All of this will benefit our people, especially farmers, women, youngsters, fishermen and MSMEs," he stated in the post. (ANI)
India and the UK reaffirmed their commitment to the Technology Security Initiative (TSI) on the first anniversary of the deal, celebrating a year of transformative collaboration in frontier technologies to drive economic growth and strengthen national security, as stated in a statement issued by the UK Government on Thursday. According to the statement, the TSI, launched in 2024 when UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy visited India last year, has achieved significant milestones in telecom, artificial intelligence (AI), critical minerals, and biotechnology, highlighting partnerships among industry, academia, and government. "Both parties welcomed the Initiative's achievements to date and underscored the transformative potential of the TSI to deliver cutting-edge innovations and generate investment across the entire technology value chain," the statement read. The statement noted key milestones during the past year under the initiative, which include a GBP 7 million joint research programme on Future Telecoms, supporting Open RAN and 5G and 6G testbed development, and collaboration between India's Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and the UK's Smart RAN Open Network Interoperability Centre (SONIC). The first UK-India Conference on AI, held in Bengaluru in February 2025, advanced responsible AI development. Meanwhile, the Critical Minerals Supply Chain Observatory completed its first phase, with GBP 1.8 million allocated for Phase Two to establish a digital data infrastructure and a satellite campus at the Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad, as noted in the statement. Additionally, a partnership between the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and India's Department of Biotechnology (DBT) in FEMTECH has strengthened women-orientated health technology. Looking ahead, the TSI aims to establish a UK-India joint centre for AI to promote trusted AI innovations, an India-UK Connectivity and Innovation Centre for secure 5G/6G and AI-driven telecoms, and a Critical Minerals Guild to enhance sustainable supply chains. The partnership will also explore the establishment of a UK-India Biotechnology Accelerator to advance biofoundries, bioprinting, and sustainable agriculture. Both nations will continue collaboration on graphene and 2D materials technology and expand TSI into futuristic, secure technologies. The statement also called on industry, startups, and academia to leverage TSI opportunities, emphasising its role in aligning national security priorities and fostering innovation. The initiative is also part of the India-UK Vision 2035, under which both countries will focus on future telecoms, AI, and critical minerals, laying the groundwork for future collaboration on semiconductors, quantum technology, biotechnology, and advanced materials. The India-UK Vision 2035 reaffirms both nations' shared commitment to unlocking the full potential of the revitalised partnership, which was announced following the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). (ANI)
At Chequers on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer viewed an exhibition showcasing the strong economic partnership between India and the UK. PM Modi also interacted with business leaders at Chequers, highlighting the transformative potential of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). In a post on X, PM Modi said, "At Chequers, PM Keir Starmer and I saw an exhibition which gave a glimpse of the strong economic linkages between India and the UK. With the signing of CETA, these linkages will rise manifold." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1948403385616449893 PM Modi added, "Interacted with business leaders at Chequers. The signing of the India-UK CETA has opened up new avenues for trade and investment. It marks a pivotal step in strengthening our economic partnership." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1948401072080375871 Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said, "Deepening the business & investment connection: PM Narendra Modi & PM Keir Starmer met with business leaders from India and UK following the signing of the historic India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement [CETA]. Leading Industry captains from both sides from various sectors were present in the meeting. Both leaders encouraged them to realise the full potential of opportunities flowing from the CETA for deepening trade, investment and innovation partnerships. Highlighting the tangible benefits of the CETA, the two leaders walked through a showcase featuring an impressive line-up of flagship products & innovations from both nations. The exhibits included gems and jewellery, engineering goods, quality consumer products & advanced technological solutions." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1948390575113212355 Earlier in the day, PM Modi thanked Starmer for warm welcome at Chequers. PM Modi said that their discussions reflected a shared commitment to deepen India-UK ties. In a post on X, he said, "Thankful to PM Keir Starmer for the warm welcome at Chequers. Our discussions reflect a shared commitment to deepen India-UK ties across sectors." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1948353293060841792 The much-awaited landmark India-UK FTA was signed in the presence of PM Modi and Keir Starmer earlier in the day, providing greater access to goods and services between the two countries. PM Modi is currently on a two-day official visit to the UK. (ANI)
Moscow [Russia], July 24 (ANI/MIC Izvestia): United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his condolences over the crash of the AN-24 aircraft in the Amur region. This was announced on July 24 at a briefing by the deputy official representative of the head of the world organisation, Farhan Haq. "We express our condolences to the families of the victims of the plane crash," said Haq, whose speech was broadcast on the UN YouTube channel. He added that Guterres expressed his condolences to the people and government of Russia. The AN-24 passenger plane crashed 15 km from Tynda in the Amur region on July 24. The aircraft was en route Khabarovsk -- Blagoveshchensk -- Tynda and stopped communicating. Later, his burning fuselage was found on the ground. All passengers and crew members were killed. A criminal case has been opened into the incident. The presumed versions of the crash are a technical malfunction and a human factor. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his condolences to the families and friends of those killed in the shipwreck. At the beginning of the meeting on the development of the submarine forces of the Navy, the Head of State announced a minute of silence in memory of the victims. (ANI/MIC Izvestia)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday departed for the Maldives from the UK after the conclusion of the first leg of his two-nation visit. The Prime Minister will undertake a state visit to the island nation from July 25 to July 26 at the invitation of Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu. During his visit, the Prime Minister will be partaking in the 60th Independence Day celebrations of the Maldives as the Guest of Honour. He is also visiting on the 60th anniversary of India-Maldives diplomatic relations. "A landmark visit to UK concludes, elevating the India-UK trade and economic ties to new heights. PM Narendra Modi emplanes for the second leg of his tour--Maldives," the Ministry of External Affairs stated on X. The visit came following the PM's engagements in the UK, where he oversaw the signing of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. During his visit to the UK from July 23 to July 24, Prime Minister Modi met with his UK counterpart, Keir Starmer, at Chequers, the country residence of the Prime Minister. The two PMs also welcomed the signing of the landmark India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which raised the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to a new level. The deal significantly enhanced bilateral trade, investment, economic collaborations and job creation in both economies. The two sides also agreed to negotiate a Double Contribution Convention, which will come into effect along with the CETA and will facilitate professionals and the service industry in both countries by promoting competitiveness and reducing the cost of doing business for commercial entities. The two leaders also reviewed the entire gamut of the bilateral relationship and adopted the India-UK Vision 2035. The Vision 2035 infuses greater ambition and renewed momentum into the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership by steering the relationship for the next ten years in key areas of economy and growth, technology, innovation, research and education, defence and security, climate action, health and people-to-people ties. The two leaders also welcomed the finalisation of a Defence Industrial Roadmap to promote collaboration in the co-design, co-development, and co-production of defence products, aiming to meet the growing demand in both countries as well as for the global market. They also expressed satisfaction with the growing collaboration in new and emerging technologies and called for the accelerated implementation of the Technology and Security Initiative (TSI), which completed one year today. The initiative focuses on telecom, critical minerals, AI, biotechnology and health technology, semiconductors, advanced materials, and quantum. The two Prime Ministers also welcomed the growing partnership between India and the UK in the education sector, with six UK universities working to open campuses in India under the New Education Policy (NEP). Southampton University, which opened its campus in Gurugram, is the first foreign university to open its campus in India under the NEP. Prime Minister Modi also thanked Prime Minister Starmer for his strong support and solidarity extended to the people of India in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, while noting that extremism and radicalisation pose a threat to both societies. Prime Minister Modi also sought the UK's cooperation in bringing to justice economic offenders and fugitives who had fled India to escape legal proceedings against them. The two leaders also exchanged views on global and regional issues of mutual interest, including developments in the Indo-Pacific, West Asia, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. PM Modi further invited his UK counterpart to visit India at the earliest convenience. Following his meeting with Starmer, the Prime Minister met with King Charles III at Sandringham Estate in England and discussed bilateral issues and progress between the two nations. He also presented a sapling to the King to be planted in Sandringham Estate in autumn as part of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, the MEA stated. (ANI)
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Encompass Health Corp. (NYSE:EHC) today announced that its board of directors approved an increase in the Company's quarterly dividend of $0.02 and declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.19 per share, payable on Oct. 15, 2025, to holders of record on Oct. 1, 2025.

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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.

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday hailed the signing of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) as a momentous development. Jaishankar said that the agreement will help stabilise global trade at a time of volatility. "The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) signed today is a momentous development. CETA will deepen our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and impart a new energy to our exchanges. It will also help stabilise global trade at a time of volatility. Truly a watershed in our ties," he said in a post on X. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) as a new chapter in the India-UK relationship. "A new chapter begins today in the India-UK economic partnership! The signing of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) reflects our shared commitment to enhancing trade, driving inclusive growth and creating opportunities for farmers, women, youth, MSMEs, and professionals," he said in a post on X. In his remarks at joint press statements with his British counterpart Keir Starmar, PM Modi said the day marks a historic milestone in our bilateral relations. "I am pleased that, after years of dedicated efforts, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement between our two countries has been concluded today. This agreement is more than just an economic partnership; it is also a blueprint for shared prosperity. On the one hand, it paves the way for enhanced market access in the UK for Indian textiles, footwear, gems and jewellery, seafood, and engineering goods. It will also unlock new opportunities for India's agricultural produce and processed food industry. Above all, this agreement will be especially beneficial for India's youth, farmers, fishermen, and the MSME sector," he said. "On the other hand, UK-made products such as medical devices and aerospace components will become more accessible and affordable for Indian consumers and industries. Alongside the trade agreement, a consensus has also been reached on the Double Contribution Convention. This will inject new momentum into the service sectors of both countries, particularly in technology and finance," he added. PM Modi is on a two-day visit to the United Kingdom. Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X that PM Modi met PM Starmer of UK at the Chequers Estate in London and the two leaders reviewed the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with a renewed focus under India-UK Vision 2035. "Discussions also focused on the landmark Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Technology Security Initiative, defence & security, energy & climate, education and people-to-people ties. They also discussed regional & global issues of mutual interest," he said. (ANI)
G Balasubramanian, High Commissioner of India to Maldives, said that India and Maldives are historical neighbours and their relations have continued to this day. Balasubramanian said that India and Maldives have had a strong relationship. "India and Maldives have a very strong relationship. We have been historical neighbours. We have been geographical neighbours, and therefore our relationship continued over centuries, I would say. During the Indus Valley civilisation, people from Lothal used to travel to Lhaviyani Atoll and Noonu Atoll in the northern part of the Maldives," he said. Balasubramanian said that India has contributed to the Maldives' development. "People have crossed the seas and maintained relationships, people to people contact, trade and economic ties and everything. In the modern times, they have also continued to invest very much into this relationship. Our Prime Minister has very clearly said that for India, the neighbourhood first policy is something very, very important. The PM has said very clearly that the Maldives occupies a special place. So we have continued to cooperate with the Maldives, and we continue to develop our ties in all areas, whether it is political, developmental assistance, trade and economic relations, people to people contact, cultural, and I would say that we have a very strong relationship," he said. Balasubramanian said that the Indian diaspora is excited about PM Modi's visit. "The Indian diaspora is very enthusiastic about receiving our Prime Minister," he said. He further said that bilateral meetings at the level of Prime Minister and President both at the Presidency will be held, and various MOUs will be signed between India and the Maldives. "We would be having bilateral meetings at the level of Prime Minister and President both at the Presidency, followed by various MOUs that would be signed and various projects that have been done under the Indian support whether it is in terms of line of credit or buyer's credit or grants, those projects, many of them would be handed over or inaugurated. On the next day, there would be other meetings, and in the evening, there are the Independence Day celebrations which our Prime Minister is attending as the guest of honour, after which the visit should conclude," he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the Maldives on July 25-26. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday expressed condolences on the loss of lives in a plane crash in Russia. PM Modi said that India stood in solidarity with the victims. In a post on X, he said, "Deeply saddened at the loss of lives in the tragic plane crash in Russia. Extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims. We stand in solidarity with Russia and its people." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1948429410706882620 Almost 50 people including children are feared dead after a Soviet-era passenger plane crashed in Russia's far-eastern Amur region, state media reported on Thursday, citing local officials, CNN reported. The plane, an Antonov An-24, was flying on a regional route from Khabarovsk to Blagoveshchensk and Tynda when it disappeared from the radar around 1 p.m. local time (midnight ET), the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said in a statement posted on Telegram, as per CNN. The Amur Center for Civil Defence and Fire Safety said on Telegram that a search and rescue helicopter spotted the wreck of the aircraft on a mountain slope 10 miles (16 kilometers) from Tynda. It said no survivors were seen from the air. It said that according to the director of Tynda airport, the plane caught fire after it crashed. The emergency ministry said it is investigating why it lost contact, and the Interstate Aviation Committee has launched a probe. The Russian government also set up a special commission tasked with dealing with the crash, which includes federal and regional officials. The Kremlin said Russian President Vladimir Putin had been informed about the incident, as per CNN. The Far Eastern Transport Prosecutor's Office said in a statement on its website that the plane was attempting to land for the second time when it crashed, after failing to touch down on its first approach. Russian state news agency TASS reported that the crew did not issue any distress calls, according to the emergency services, and that the weather at the airport was suitable for flying, CNN reported. According to publicly available databases, the aircraft was built in 1976. The Antonov AN-24 model was designed in 1957, as per CNN. Vasiliy Orlov, the governor of Amur region, said on Telegram that according to preliminary data, there were 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members on board the plane. (ANI)
Afghanistan's Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has announced the planned deployment of 2,000 Afghan workers to Qatar, offering legal employment opportunities amid growing unemployment and an influx of returning refugees, Khaama Press reported. According to a statement issued by the Taliban-run ministry on Wednesday, July 23, and posted on its official X account, "Qatar has allocated an additional 1,300 job opportunities for Afghan workers," bringing the total to 2,000 laborers set to be deployed in the upcoming phases. Khaama Press reported that the initiative marks the beginning of a broader program aimed at facilitating the legal deployment of Afghan workers abroad. The ministry noted that the number of job opportunities is expected to rise significantly in the future. Coordination has already taken place between Kabul and Qatari officials to implement the labor deployment in stages. Khaama Press cited the ministry as saying that registration centers and application criteria will be announced soon for Afghan citizens interested in applying. Afghanistan is currently grappling with a deepening humanitarian crisis, including widespread poverty, food insecurity, and the collapse of public services. The crisis has been compounded by the large-scale return of Afghan refugees from neighboring countries, especially Pakistan and Iran, where many had sought work and shelter. With limited employment prospects at home, thousands of returnees and local residents are struggling to support their families. Khaama Press highlighted that the lack of formal work programs has left many Afghans in economic distress, exacerbating the country's instability. As the program rolls out, Afghan authorities say it could ease some of the burden on the domestic labor market, while also offering hope to job seekers seeking legal and safe employment abroad, Khaama Press added. Yet even as Afghanistan looks outward for employment solutions, its global mobility remains severely limited. Afghanistan's passport has been ranked the least powerful in the world in 2025, offering visa-free access to just 26 countries, reflecting the country's deepening global isolation, as reported by Khaama Press. According to the Henley Passport Index for 2025, Afghanistan was ranked 106th, at the bottom of the global list, making it the most restricted passport worldwide. The annual index, based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), ranks passports according to the number of destinations their holders can enter without a visa. Khaama Press reported that Afghanistan's travel freedom continues to shrink. In 2024, the country ranked 104th. The two-rank drop in 2025 highlights a further erosion in the country's global mobility, leaving Afghan citizens increasingly cut off from the rest of the world. Meanwhile, Singapore topped the Henley Index in 2025, with its citizens enjoying visa-free access to 195 countries. Japan followed with access to 193 destinations. Finland, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, and Spain jointly secured third place, with visa-free access to 192 countries. By contrast, Afghan passport holders can travel without a visa to only 26 countries, including Sri Lanka, Somalia, Kenya, Cambodia, and Bangladesh, Khaama Press noted. The drastic gap underscores the limited options available to Afghan citizens for international movement. Despite the Taliban's control over the country, Afghan passports continue to be printed with the emblem of the former government, Khaama Press reported. The report also highlighted how this, combined with severe political instability and economic collapse, has worsened migration trends, even as acquiring a passport has become increasingly difficult for ordinary citizens. Khaama Press further stated that the consistent decline in the power of Afghanistan's passport mirrors the nation's worsening diplomatic and economic standing. The limited global access not only restricts individual movement but also reflects broader issues of international exclusion and lack of recognition. Experts note that unless Afghanistan addresses its core challenges, including governance issues, economic recovery, and efforts to gain international legitimacy, the passport is likely to remain at the bottom of global rankings for the foreseeable future. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Thursday (local time) paid tribute to wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, calling him a "great friend" and praising his strength, intelligence, and cultural influence. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "We lost a great friend today, the 'Hulkster.' Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way -- Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart. He gave an absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention, that was one of the highlights of the entire week. He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive. To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!" https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/114909476369684993 Trump's tribute came shortly after news broke of Hogan's passing. Professional wrestling icon and pop culture legend Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71 in Florida, The Hill reported on Thursday. Hogan, born Terry Bollea, passed away on Thursday, with TMZ being the first to report his death. The Hill noted that Hogan made headlines last year with a surprise appearance at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, where he publicly endorsed President Donald Trump's White House bid. His dramatic onstage moment included ripping off his shirt and energizing the crowd. "When [Trump's] back in the White House, America's gonna start winning again," Hogan exclaimed during his appearance. Tributes also came in from the professional wrestling community. The WWE paid tribute to the Hall of Famer in a post on social media. "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away," it said. "One of pop culture's most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s. WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans," The Hill cited. Hogan's influence extended beyond wrestling. His signature platinum-blond mustache, vibrant bandanas, and iconic "Hulkamania" shirts made him a global wrestling sensation throughout the 1980s, as The Hill highlighted in its report. In later years, Hogan indicated a continued connection with Trump and suggested he might take on a role in a future administration. Recalling a past conversation with Trump, Hogan said during a Fox News interview, "My president said, 'You know something, you'd be great to run the President's Council on Physical Fitness.'" Representatives for Hogan have not yet responded to a request for comment, The Hill added. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met His Majesty King Charles III at the Sandringham Estate in England on Thursday, where the two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on bilateral ties and avenues for deeper collaboration between India and the United Kingdom. "Had a very good meeting with His Majesty King Charles III. We discussed different aspects of India-UK relations, including the ground covered in trade and investment in the wake of CETA and Vision 2035. Other subjects of discussion included education, health and wellness, particularly Yoga and Ayurveda, which are subjects His Majesty is very passionate about. We also talked about environmental protection and sustainability," Prime Minister Modi said in a post on X. https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1948435080273383594 The Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the meeting focused on bilateral issues and noted progress in ties. He stated that the leaders discussed ways to work together in promoting Ayurveda, Yoga and Mission LIFE (Lifestyle For Environment), with the goal of sharing these benefits with the UK. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1948429851590816058 "PM @narendramodi met His Majesty King Charles III at Sandringham Estate in England today. They discussed bilateral issues & progress in ties. They also discussed avenues for collaboration in promoting Ayurveda, Yoga and Mission LIFE (Lifestyle For Environment), to spread the benefits to the UK. PM presented a sapling to His Majesty to be planted in Sandringham Estate in autumn as part of the #EkPedMaaKeNaam campaign," Jaiswal said in a post on X. Highlighting King Charles' commitment to nature and sustainability, Prime Minister Modi added, "His Majesty King Charles III is very passionate about nature, environment and sustainable living. Thus, his joining the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' (a tree for Mother) movement is very noteworthy and will inspire people around the world." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1948434446794752114 Prime Minister Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met at Chequers on Thursday and viewed an exhibition showcasing the strong economic partnership between India and the UK. PM Modi also interacted with business leaders at Chequers, highlighting the transformative potential of the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). In a post on X, PM Modi said, "At Chequers, PM Keir Starmer and I saw an exhibition which gave a glimpse of the strong economic linkages between India and the UK. With the signing of CETA, these linkages will rise manifold." PM Modi added, "Interacted with business leaders at Chequers. The signing of the India-UK CETA has opened up new avenues for trade and investment. It marks a pivotal step in strengthening our economic partnership." Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal said, "Deepening the business & investment connection: PM Narendra Modi & PM Keir Starmer met with business leaders from India and UK following the signing of the historic India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement [CETA]. Leading Industry captains from both sides from various sectors were present in the meeting. Both leaders encouraged them to realise the full potential of opportunities flowing from the CETA for deepening trade, investment and innovation partnerships. Highlighting the tangible benefits of the CETA, the two leaders walked through a showcase featuring an impressive line-up of flagship products & innovations from both nations. The exhibits included gems and jewellery, engineering goods, quality consumer products & advanced technological solutions." Earlier in the day, PM Modi thanked Starmer for warm welcome at Chequers. PM Modi said that their discussions reflected a shared commitment to deepen India-UK ties. In a post on X, he said, "Thankful to PM Keir Starmer for the warm welcome at Chequers. Our discussions reflect a shared commitment to deepen India-UK ties across sectors." The much-awaited landmark India-UK FTA was signed in the presence of PM Modi and Keir Starmer earlier in the day, providing greater access to goods and services between the two countries. (ANI)
The Prime Minister expressed his happiness at the recovery of King Charles III's health and the resumption of his Royal duties.

PM Modi and King Charles III discussed matters related to health and sustainable living, including Ayurveda and Yoga and ways to spread their benefits to people across the world.

The Prime Minister thanked King Charles III for his hospitality and invited him to pay a State Visit to India.

The two leaders also discussed bilateral ties. They noted that the signing of the historic India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement would impart a new momentum to the partnership. The Prime Minister apprised King Charles III of India's progress in the renewable energy sector, promoting sustainable development. They also discussed ways to collaborate and promote their shared vision regarding climate change and sustainability.

Prime Minister and King Charles III also discussed ways in which the UK and India could work together in the Commonwealth.

The Prime Minister thanked King Charles III for joining the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' [plant for mother] green campaign and handed over a sapling that will be planted in the Sandringham Estate during the upcoming autumn planting season. (ANI)
French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday announced that France will formally recognize the State of Palestine, a move he said will be finalized at the United Nations General Assembly in September, amid growing international concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, France 24 reported. In a post on social media, Macron said, "The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved." He added, "Given its historic commitment to a just and sustainable peace in the Middle East, I have decided that France will recognize the state of Palestine. Peace is possible." France 24 reported that the announcement follows Macron's growing frustration with Israel's conduct in Gaza, especially in recent months. While Macron initially expressed strong support for Israel after the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023, he has since advocated for an end to the conflict and increased humanitarian aid. The French president also shared a letter addressed to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas regarding the decision. In response, Abbas's deputy, Hussein al-Sheikh, welcomed France's intent to recognize a Palestinian state. "This position reflects France's commitment to international law and its support for the Palestinian people's rights to self-determination and the establishment of our independent state," Sheikh said, as cited by France 24. France becomes the largest and most influential European nation to take this step. Although more than 130 countries have recognized Palestine--including most Middle Eastern, African, Latin American, and Asian nations--countries such as the United States, Canada, most of Western Europe, Australia, Japan, and South Korea have not. According to France 24, Macron's decision comes shortly after the United States halted Gaza ceasefire talks in Qatar, citing Hamas's lack of good faith. The announcement also follows mounting international criticism of Israel over its restrictions on aid to Gaza and the deaths of Palestinians attempting to access food supplies. France, which hosts both the largest Jewish population and the largest Muslim population in Western Europe, has often seen domestic tensions rise during Middle East conflicts. Israel's Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister Yariv Levin strongly condemned France's recognition of Palestine, calling it "a black mark on French history and a direct aid to terrorism." He added, "France's shameful decision" signaled that it was "time to apply Israeli sovereignty" to the West Bank, which Israel has occupied since 1967. France 24 reported that Macron's government has been pushing for a broader movement towards a two-state solution. The French foreign minister is co-hosting a UN conference next week aimed at reviving this vision, with Macron reaffirming his "determination to recognize the state of Palestine" while upholding Israel's right to self-defense. The Palestinians seek an independent state in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem--territories Israel occupied following the 1967 Mideast war. Israel annexed East Jerusalem shortly afterward and has since built extensive settlements in the West Bank, home to more than 500,000 Israeli settlers. About 3 million Palestinians in the West Bank live under Israeli military rule, with limited autonomy under the Palestinian Authority. France 24 highlighted that Macron's announcement adds significant momentum to global calls for a resolution to the long-standing conflict through a two-state framework. (ANI)
In its bid to overturn the so-called Convention Ban Law in Virginia, the Lynchburg Republican City Committee accused state officials of showing animus to local GOP parties that wish to control how they select their political candidates.

As part of its federal lawsuit against state election officials filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, the LRCC argued in a June 16 filing that the officials failed to demonstrate a rational basis for the Convention Ban Law and instead have shown animus to Republicans who wish to maintain their right to exclude non-members.

Thomas Sanford, Virginias deputy attorney general who is representing the state election officials in the lawsuit, submitted a filing to the court on June 27 in which he questioned the logic of the LRCCs argument and noted Attorney General Jason Miyares is a fellow Republican.

Far from showing that the attorney general and Commissioner [Susan] Beals are somehow motivated by animus to Republicans in their interpretations of the statute, the committee fails even to address that the attorney general was elected as a Republican while a Republican governor appointed Commissioner Beals, Sanford wrote in the filing.

In spring 2022, Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointed Beals, a former member of the Chesterfield Electoral Board who worked as an aide to former Republican state Sen. Amanda Chase, as state elections commissioner.

In April, the LRCC and Veronica Bratton, the committees chair, filed a federal lawsuit against Virginia election officials to overturn the law. The local party argued the Convention Ban Law is an unconstitutional violation of the right of political parties to free association. Rick Boyer, of Integrity Law Firm, is representing the LRCC in the lawsuit.

The lawsuit named the Virginia Department of Elections, the Virginia Board of Elections and Beals as defendants in the case. Sanford, who is representing the state election officials, is seeking to have the LRCCs lawsuit dismissed.

In 2021, the Virginia General Assembly passed the bill, introduced by Del. Dan Helmer, D-Fairfax County, to require political parties to provide for some absentee participation in their nomination processes. The new law took effect in 2024.

The law prohibits a political party from selecting a nominating method that will have the practical effect of excluding participation of five categories of qualified voters: active duty military; voters temporarily residing outside of the U.S.; students attending a school or institution of higher education; persons with disabilities; and persons with a communicable disease of public health threat or who may have come in contact with a person with such disease.

On July 14, U.S. District Court Judge Norman Moon heard arguments from both sides on the defendants motion to dismiss the lawsuit. Moon had not issued an order on the motion to dismiss the lawsuit at the time this article was published.

In a filing opposing the motion, the LRCC stated the Convention Ban Law imposes a dramatic burden that leads to an indeterminate but massive financial and administrative costs on the political parties.

The law requires political parties to implement elaborate absentee voting regimes and allows state officials to play a shell game, to hide the ball, and to so severely penalize the partys effort to exclude non-members as to render it essentially impossible, the LRCC said.

In early 2024, Miyares issued an opinion on whether Lynchburg Republicans could hold a firehouse primary, instead of a state-run primary, as the means by which it would choose its city council candidates.

A political party may not select a nomination method that de facto requires covered voters to be physically present to participate or that otherwise has the practical effect of excluding their participation, Miyares wrote.

Lynchburg Republicans decided to hold a state-run primary to choose the candidate to represent the party in the citys Ward IV race for city council. Incumbent Councilman Chris Faraldi ended up winning the Republican primary for Ward IV.

The attorney general also highlighted the restrictions the U.S. military places on service members from participating in partisan political activities. A nominating method  including a convention  that, by virtue of this regulation, operates to preclude participation by active-duty service members in the nominating selection process contravenes [the new law], the attorney general said.

The LRCC argued Miyares opinion highlights the massive burden placed upon a political party that wants to hold a firehouse primary or a convention to nominate a candidate and still meet the absentee voting requirements of the new law.

Requiring the party to spend resources to provide election information to voters from other parties, as the attorney general opinion appears to demand, constitutes compelled speech, and further highlights the severe associational burden imposed by the Convention Ban Law, the LRCC said.

In response, the state election officials said the attorney generals reference to deployed members of the military was provided simply to illustrate potential considerations in attempting to reach this group of voters.

The statute does not require the Committee to undertake these efforts, or any other specific measures to ensure the participation of military members or members of the other enumerated classes. The Attorney General opinion should not be read to the contrary, Sanford said on behalf of the state election officials.

Rather, the partys own rules continue to define who is an eligible participant, and the statute simply requires the party to allow these voters to participate on an absentee basis, they said.

A political party is free to use a closed nominating process, limited to members of the party only, if it wishes to avoid the risk of raiding by members of opposing political parties, Sanford argued.

The law simply requires that the chosen method not have the effect of excluding the participation of otherwise qualified voters who are unable to attend in person, he said.

In response to the states motion to dismiss its lawsuit, the LRCC said it is perhaps not surprising that the party already with a majority would look to raid primaries of the minority party in an attempt to further its control, while a minority party on defense would seek to preserve control over at least its own intraparty nomination processes.

Democrats currently hold slim majorities in both the state Senate and House of Delegates. All 100 seats in the House of Delegates are on the ballot this fall, as are the statewide races for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.
PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Kan., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Financial Advisor Magazine has named Fortis Capital Advisors the #2 Fastest-Growing Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) in the U.S. and one of America's Top RIAs for 2025. This national recognition reflects Fortis' commitment to empowering independent advisors and delivering exceptional outcomes for clients through a modern, client-first planning experience.

"This honor is a reflection of the advisors who believed in our mission from day one," said Roman Moldavsky, CEO of Fortis Capital Advisors. "We set out to build something differenta home for growth-minded advisors who want the freedom to thrive while putting clients first. I couldn't be prouder of what we're building."

Growth That Benefits Advisors and Clients Alike

Since becoming fully operational in 2021, Fortis has surpassed $1 billion in AUM in just four years. This milestone was achieved by deepening client relationships, growing organically, and forming strategic partnerships aligned with Fortis' values.

For advisors, Fortis offers a platform built to scale without compromising independence. For clients, it means access to a collaborative, experienced team that's focused on long-term financial well-being.

What Makes Fortis Different

Client-First, Collaborative Culture

Clients benefit from a team-based approach supported by estate and tax expertise and over 100 years of combined leadership experienceensuring personalized, thoughtful planning.





Clients benefit from a team-based approach supported by estate and tax expertise and over 100 years of combined leadership experienceensuring personalized, thoughtful planning. High-Touch, High-Tech Delivery

Fortis combines boutique-style service with institutional-grade technology, enabling advisors to deliver scalable, customized solutions at every stage of a client's journey.





Fortis combines boutique-style service with institutional-grade technology, enabling advisors to deliver scalable, customized solutions at every stage of a client's journey. Strategic Growth with Purpose

Led by Emilio Rivera , the firm's M&A strategy focuses on intentional partnerships that add value to advisors and enhance the client experiencenot transactional roll-ups.

"This recognition underscores the momentum we're buildingnot just in numbers, but in the caliber of advisors and clients who are choosing Fortis," said Rob Hagg, Chief Growth Officer. "We're attracting professionals who are serious about growth and delivering excellenceand we're giving them the platform to do just that."

About Fortis Capital Advisors

Fortis Capital Advisors offers financial advisors a comprehensive platform with the tools and resources needed to grow their practices. Backed by over 100 years of combined experience, their team provides tailored asset management solutions to help clients achieve their goals.

Investment advice is offered through Fortis Capital Advisors, LLC, 7301 Mission Road, Suite 326, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208, an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Insurance Products are offered through Fortis Brokerage Services, Inc. Additional information is available at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov.

Media Contact:

Alyson Cohen

Associate Marketing Manager

[email protected]

SOURCE Fortis Capital Advisors
FUKUOKA, Jul 23 (News On Japan) - To combat a rising number of voyeurism cases in Fukuokas Tenjin district, an anti-voyeurism mirror was installed on July 23rd beside an escalator at Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station.

The mirror, designed to offer a wide field of view, is intended to raise public awareness and deter inappropriate photography on station premises. The initiative was led by the We Love Tenjin Council, a community organization comprising local businesses, which collaborated with police to implement the measure.

A representative from the council said, Unfortunately, voyeurism is still happening daily. We hope this mirror will help reduce the number of victims and allow people to use the station with peace of mind.

According to Fukuoka Prefectural Police, there were 110 reported voyeurism cases in the prefecture from January through the end of June this year10 more than the same period last year. Many of these incidents occurred on escalators or staircases.

Source: FBS
Nissan Motor announced on Friday that it will fully redesign and launch its Roox minicar this fall, marking the first new domestic model in about three years. The new Roox is the first Nissan minicar to feature a 3D surround-view system that allows drivers to confirm their surroundings in a three-dimensional display, enhancing safety functions.
Clint Twedt-Ball was born and raised in Iowa, the son of a small-town pastor and stay-at-home mom, who would go on to follow in his fathers footsteps, serving churches in Cedar Rapids before starting a nonprofit with his brother in 2006.

I see every day the real challenges and problems people face, right? Twedt-Ball said. I sit with people that can hardly afford to pay rent, that have dreams of what their kids can do when they grow up, and yet it just feels so far away from them.

The longtime Matthew 25 leader, who stepped down this summer after nearly 20 years at the helm, launched a campaign Tuesday for the U.S. House seat currently held by Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson.

Hes the second Democrat this month to announce a campaign for Iowas 2nd Congressional District, setting up a potential primary.

Kathy Dolter, a U.S. Army veteran and former dean of nursing at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, filed paperwork earlier this month to run as a Democrat to challenge Hinson for the northeast Iowa U.S. House seat in 2026. State Rep. Lindsay James, a Democrat from Dubuque, said she is seriously considering launching a campaign to seek her partys nomination to challenge Hinson for the congressional seat.

Hinson, a former TV news anchor and state lawmaker, was first elected to the seat in 2020, ousting then-Democratic incumbent Abby Finkenauer. She won reelection in 2022 and 2024 and is serving her third term.

Iowas 22-county 2nd Congressional District includes Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Dubuque and Mason City.

Hinson, 42, of Marion, has not officially announced a formal reelection campaign, but earlier this year ruled out running in Iowa's open gubernatorial race, citing a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" with Republican control of Congress and the presidency.

Twedt-Ball, 54, a first-time candidate, said hes running to oppose cuts to programs that impact working families that I've spent my entire career trying to help.

That includes Medicaid reforms contained in President Donald Trumps sweeping tax and spending bill. The new law, which narrowly passed with Republican support in Congress, significantly alters SNAP food assistance and Medicaid, with a focus on work requirements and cost-sharing.

Twedt-Ball said the changes will likely lead to a significant rise in uncompensated care costs for hospitals and other health care providers, putting strain on the health care system and threatening rural hospitals, which often rely heavily on Medicaid reimbursements. He worries that will lead to increased health care deserts and difficulties for Iowans, particular those with disabilities, in accessing care.

Hinson joined the rest of Iowa's all-Republican congressional delegation in voting for Trump's "big beautiful bill. They argue the bill will prevent a tax hike on households and grow the economy.

Medicaid program spending still will grow roughly 3% per year. Republicans argue the program has been massively expanded over the last 16 years, and as a result many medical practices are unable to take on new Medicaid patients, causing recipients to wait longer and travel farther for the care they need. The bills Medicaid reforms, they say, will allow the programs resources to be focused on those who truly need assistance, giving them better access to medical care.

The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the proposal will add $3.3 trillion to the nations debt over the next decade, and 11.8 million more people will go without health coverage.

Twedt-Ball said voters are tired of career politicians and hes running as someone who can bring practical, community-focused solutions to Washington, D.C.

I just feel like for so long, I've watched Congress be dysfunctional, right, kicking the can down the road on big problems that we face, spending more time screaming at each other than caring about the communities that they serve, he said.

Twedt-Ball and his brother launched Matthew 25  a nonprofit which has led neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, after school programs and disaster relief efforts in northeast Iowa  part-time while being stay-at-home dads. They started out of the basement of Trinity United Methodist Church, with regular sermons and a roster of community services such as free summer lunch distributions and tax preparation assistance.

The nonprofit grew significantly after the 2008 flood, eventually raising more than $6 million to support more than 250 flood-affected residents across 25 city blocks. It has since expanded to 40 employees and a $3 million annual budget.

By showcasing his experience in neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing and community development, Twedt-Ball said he aims to demonstrate that he's not just another candidate, but a community problem-solver who can translate local needs into effective congressional representation.

He criticized current Congressional policies for neglecting rural communities and working families.

I grew up in small-town Iowa. I care about small-town Iowa, said Twedt-Ball, who was born in Harlan. It taught me the value of community and caring for one another. And we're in a time and place where we have shrinking small towns. The main streets don't look like they used to when I was growing up.

If elected, he said he would focus on expanding funding to support main street businesses, restoring Community Development Block Grant funding, preserving Medicaid coverage, and creating strategies to invest in affordable housing and economic development in small towns.

Twedt-Ball said hes committed to bringing community-focused problem solving to Congress to lower drug prices and medical costs, improve home ownership opportunities, protect social safety net programs, and create economic policies that benefit middle and working-class families.

His strategy involves listening to people across all 22 counties, including areas where Democrats haven't traditionally been strong. As a pastor and nonprofit leader, he emphasizes his ability to bring people together, work across different backgrounds, and focus on solving real community problems rather than engaging in political gridlock.

He acknowledged the challenge of running against a well-funded incumbent but remains optimistic that his grassroots approach will resonate with voters more than traditional political maneuvering.

Hinson raised more than $850,000 in the second quarter of 2025 and has more than $2.8 million cash on hand.

People are tired of Washington. They're looking for somebody that is service-oriented, that will have integrity, that has practical on the ground experience, and I have all of that, Twedt-Ball said.
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Awards Presented at the ReImagine Conference  An Event Celebrating Women Driving Change and Shattering Barriers

BETHPAGE, N.Y., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Five exceptional women were recently honored with Visionary Awards, presented by FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, in recognition of their bold leadership, innovative spirit, and lasting impact across industries and communities.

Visionary Award Winners

The awards were presented at the 2025 ReImagine Conference, an annual gathering that celebrates transformation, purpose, and equity in business. Shining a spotlight on the vital role women play in society and in the workplace, each award honoree exemplifies a visionary path  from entrepreneurial grit to community uplift, and from corporate innovation to purpose-driven projects.

"At FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, we believe that leadership is rooted in purpose, impact, and the courage to challenge the status quo  all values we celebrate with our Money Like a Woman campaign," said Linda Armyn, President & CEO, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union. "Presenting the Visionary Awards is our way of honoring women who are not just breaking barriers, but building new paths for others to follow. Each of these honorees is redefining what it means to lead, to innovate, and to build wealth  in every sense of the word  for themselves and their communities."

Meet the 2025 Visionary Award Winners:

Community Visionary Award: Nancy Leghart

Executive Director, St. John's ICARE Foundation

Nancy Leghart is a powerhouse of purpose in the nonprofit and healthcare sectors, with a remarkable track record of elevating community engagement, increasing donor impact, and creating experiences that blend creativity, compassion, and strategic vision.

As Executive Director of the St. John's ICARE Foundation, Nancy has transformed philanthropic outreach for one of the most essential healthcare institutions in the region. Through her leadership, the Foundation has expanded its support for underserved communities, developed sustainable funding strategies, and brought visibility to the hospital's mission in deeply meaningful ways.

With a background in music theory and composition from NYU, Nancy brings an artist's intuition to every project, producing events like the "Sail the Sound for Deafness" yacht regatta and the groundbreaking Rhythm and Reds concert featuring Sting, Deaf hip-hop artist Sean Forbes, and students from the Mill Neck School for the Deaf. Nancy also teaches piano and writes original songs for children with special needs through the Songs of Love Foundation, ensuring her talents touch lives far beyond the boardroom.

Over a career spanning decades, Nancy has become a trusted mentor, creative collaborator, and respected leader who continues to champion the dignity, health, and well-being of all people.

Corporate Visionary Award: Aoifa O'Donnell

President & CEO, National EAP

A fierce advocate for mental health in the workplace, Aoifa O'Donnell has spent her career at the intersection of business and behavioral science. As President and CEO of National EAP, she leads the design and delivery of corporate wellness, employee assistance, and leadership development programs that improve the lives of employees and the health of organizations nationwide.

With a master's degree in social work from Stony Brook University and decades of experience as a licensed business clinician, Aoifa's work is guided by a powerful belief: that a psychologically healthy workforce is the foundation of a high-performing one.

Aoifa is a nationally sought-after speaker and trainer who has addressed audiences across the country on urgent topics like trauma response, workplace violence, racism, bullying, and addiction. Her expertise has become essential to HR leaders navigating today's ever-changing workplace realities  including the growing need for resilience, empathy, and mental health literacy.

Through her leadership on various not-for-profit boards and her deep community involvement, especially in advancing women in leadership and advocating for workplace wellness, Aoifa continues to shape a more compassionate, inclusive, and mentally resilient workforce for the future.

Entrepreneurial Visionary Award: Jennifer DiPietrantonio

Founder & CEO, StinkBalm Odor Blocker

Before she became the "StinkBalm Queen," Jennifer DiPietrantonio was an emergency room nurse facing a problem no one wanted to talk about  the unavoidable odors in healthcare settings that often embarrassed patients and overwhelmed providers. Driven by compassion and innovation, she set out to solve the issue herself. In 2018, she developed StinkBalm, a discreet, lip balm-sized product that blocks unpleasant odors without compromising patient dignity.

Jennifer took her kitchen experiment and turned it into a thriving business, launching online sales, testing formulas, and connecting with frontline healthcare workers across the country. From her first scent, "Original," to playful blends like "Citrus 911" and "Happy Hour," Jennifer's products reflect not only practicality but humanity  a nurse's empathy wrapped in a humorous, problem-solving package.

StinkBalm is now a favorite among nurses, EMTs, and care professionals, and Jennifer has become a role model for healthcare entrepreneurs with heart. Her journey is a testament to nurse-led innovation and the power of turning challenges into change.

Young Professional Visionary Award: Kelli Fisher

Social Media & Marketing Specialist, Spectrum Designs Foundation

Kelli Fisher is rewriting the rules of inclusive storytelling. As the Social Media & Marketing Specialist at Spectrum Designs Foundation, a pioneering custom apparel business that employs individuals on the autism spectrum, Kelli amplifies the voices and talents of a neurodiverse workforce through every post, campaign, and collaboration she creates.

On the spectrum herself, Kelli uses digital platforms to advocate for fair employment, dismantle stigmas, and showcase what real inclusion looks like  not as a tagline, but as a workplace culture where every person matters.

Beyond Spectrum Designs, Kelli is a mentor, disability inclusion advocate, and active community builder, contributing to organizations like Spectrum Strategies and Yes She Can, Inc. Her work proves that representation matters  and that when young professionals like her are given the platform, the message is powerful, purpose-driven, and unstoppable.

Young Professional Visionary Award: Ashley Little, P.M.P.

Senior Project Scientist, H2M architects + engineers

As Senior Project Scientist at H2M architects + engineers, Ashley Little manages environmental health inspections and mold investigations for schools, fire departments, insurers, utilities, and homeowners across the region. But Ashley's impact goes beyond protecting the health for our community.

She is also the Co-Chair of H2M's Women's Leadership Employee Resource Group (ERG), where she helps organize professional development events, champion equity in the workplace, and foster meaningful community engagement. She brings both technical rigor and relational leadership to every role she steps into  proving that women in STEM are reshaping the future not just with data, but with heart.

Ashley holds a PMP certification, leads with quiet strength, and mentors others in navigating the intersection of science and service. She is a true visionary  grounded, impactful, and deeply committed to leaving every environment she touches better than she found it.

About the Visionary Awards

Presented by FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, the Visionary Awards celebrate leaders who embody courage, creativity, and compassion in their professional journeys. From nationally known voices to rising stars in the community, each honoree is selected for their demonstrated commitment to progress and people-first leadership.

About ReImagine Conference

The ReImagine Conference is a high-energy one-day event bringing together 200+ bold professionals ready to spark change, reimagine leadership, and shape the future of business. It's a conference where women learn to embrace risk, unlearn the old, and lead with agility and foresight.

About FourLeaf Federal Credit Union

FourLeaf Federal Credit Union (FourLeaf) is a financial institution committed to enriching the lives of its members, employees, and the communities it has served for over 80 years. FourLeaf is the 16th largest credit union in the nation. In addition to giving back to its members in the form of competitive rates and fees, the FourLeaf Cares Program supports local initiatives through charitable giving, financial literacy, and volunteerism.

A Certified Great Place to Work and a Glass Door Best Place to Work for Small & Midsize companies, FourLeaf is a federally chartered credit union, available to people nationwide who open a $5 membership account. FourLeaf offers a robust digital platform that allows members to bank from anywhere. FourLeaf is part of the Co-op network that gives members access to their accounts at over 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide and 5,000+ shared branches across the U.S. As a financial cooperative, FourLeaf is a best-in class financial institution that offers a wide array of products and services to meet members' needs. For more information on FourLeaf's robust portfolio of banking, borrowing, and investment services, visit fourleaffcu.com or call 1-800-628-7070.

SOURCE FourLeaf Federal Credit Union
As the European Union fast-tracks reforms under its New Pact on Migration and Asylum, critics warn that the blocs externalization strategy  outsourcing migration control to third countries, notably in North Africa  risks deepening distrust and failing to address root causes.

The reforms prioritize returns and border controls, expanding concepts like safe third country and safe country of origin and removing key safeguards such as requiring asylum seekers to have a meaningful connection to the country they may be transferred to. Meanwhile, the EU is pushing for a common return system and return hubs outside its borders, raising legal and ethical concerns. While these efforts aim to reduce pressure on EU member states and speed up deportations, African policymakers and civil society actors push back, arguing the approach reflects a lopsided partnership. While the pact sought to reform a system riddled with deficiencies, it also carries a built-in contradiction: while responsibility is outsourced externally, internal solidarity among EU member states remain elusive, notes a recent analysis published by the Italian Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI).

African stakeholders are therefore calling for a pivot from paternalism to partnership: from aid to real investment, and from security-driven containment to policies that reflect mobility as a livelihood strategy. Demographic pressures, regional instability, and underdevelopment are fueling migration  factors the EUs current strategy overlooks. Analysts at ISPI warn that externalization is becoming a default tactic, delaying internal EU reforms and undermining long-term cooperation. A durable migration policy, they argue, requires centering African perspectives, expanding legal pathways, and rebuilding trust through genuine, reciprocal engagement. Promoting balanced cooperation with third countries remains key, while also safeguarding human rights, says the ISPI analysis.
The Trump administration is reportedly considering granting limited authorizations to a handful of oil companies operating in Venezuela, with Chevron first in line. The move would mark a shift from Washingtons hardline stance earlier this year, when key licenses were revoked and U.S. firms were ordered to wind down all activity with PDVSA, Venezuelas state oil company.

According to sources familiar with the discussions who spoke to Reuters, the new authorizations would allow Chevron and potentially some European partners like Eni and Repsol to pay contractors and import critical equipment needed to maintain operations. However, the licenses would come with tight restrictions to ensure that no revenues benefit the Maduro regime.

This cautious pivot follows a diplomatic prisoner swap between the U.S. and Venezuela earlier this month, though relations remain strained. In February, the administration canceled several energy licenses, including Chevrons, and in May blocked efforts to extend them. Yet concerns have grown that Washingtons absence is leaving a vacuum for China to fill.

Since sanctions were reimposed, Venezuelas oil exports have held steadythanks largely to rising shipments to China. In May, PDVSA sent nearly 600,000 barrels per day to Chinese buyers, while authorized U.S. trade all but ceased. With Chevron sidelined, Chinese firms have moved in via opaque production-sharing deals, gaining influence without formal ownership.

Chevron, still a shareholder in several joint ventures, was granted a narrow maintenance license earlier this summer that allows it to preserve assets but not produce or ship oil. That may now be expandedthough any move must still clear Secretary of State Marco Rubios desk.

If approved, the licenses would offer Western companies a lifeline to maintain operational continuity in Venezuela, while giving the U.S. a modest foothold in an increasingly China-dominated oil sector. But the window is narrow, and the political cost could be steep if the move is seen as softening pressure on Maduro.

By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com

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U.S. crude inventories fell by 3.17 million barrels on Wednesdaywell above expectationstightening supply and lifting oil prices modestly.

Oil prices posted modest gains in early Asia trade on Thursday, recovering from a multi-day slump as a sharper-than-expected draw in U.S. crude inventories revived bullish sentiment. However, concerns over potential disruptions to global trade flows ahead of an approaching tariff deadline kept traders cautious.

EIA Inventory Report Lifts Oil Prices

The U.S. Energy Information Administration reported a substantial 3.17 million-barrel decline in commercial crude inventories for the week ending July 19nearly double analyst expectations. This drawdown comes amid heightened refinery activity and resilient export levels, signaling sustained domestic and international demand.

The decline leaves crude stockpiles about 9% below the five-year seasonal average, tightening the supply-demand balance and supporting a bullish case for oil. Gasoline inventories also fell by 1.7 million barrels, exceeding forecasts, while distillate fuels saw a seasonal restocking increase of 2.9 million barrels.

Oil Prices Inch Higher

At the time of writing, WTI Crude was up 0.29% at $65.44, while Brent Crude rose 0.25% to $68.68. These upticks offer a break from four straight days of losses, but they remain modest amid wider market uncertainty.

While the inventory report helped stabilize sentiment, oil futures continue to trade within a narrow range as investors weigh macroeconomic risks.

Global Trade Outlook Remains a Key Driver

Markets are closely monitoring trade developments as President Trumps August 1 tariff deadline looms. A newly announced agreement between the U.S. and Japan brought some optimism: the deal includes a scaled-back 15% tariff and promises $550 billion in Japanese investment, opening doors for U.S. agricultural, automotive, and energy exports.

Yet, concerns persist about other trade relationships. The European Unions signal that it may implement retaliatory tariffs has added a layer of uncertainty, although the two economic giants are reportedly nearing a deal. Traders are wary that unresolved disputes could dampen economic growth and oil demand in the second half of the year.

Supply Tightness and Demand Risk Keep Oil Prices Rangebound

With inventories tightening and U.S. exports holding firm, supply-side fundamentals remain supportive of prices. But the risk of demand erosion from global trade headwinds keeps the market hesitant.

Unless major trade breakthroughs are achieved or geopolitical tensions flare, crude prices may struggle to break out of their current range. The next few days of negotiations could prove pivotal in determining oil's near-term trajectory.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com

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The deal has drawn both praise for ushering in a "golden era" of relations and criticism regarding potential impacts on the British labor market and the financial services sector.

The agreement is expected to provide substantial economic benefits for both countries, with an anticipated annual boost of 25.5 billion in bilateral trade.

The UK and India have finalized a 6 billion trade deal after over three years of negotiations, significantly reducing tariffs on British exports like whisky and cars.

Keir Starmer and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi have signed a trade deal worth an estimated 6bn, with the UK Prime Minister hailing the landmark agreement a historic day for Britain and India.

The trade pact  the result of over three years of negotiations  will see tariffs on the whisky and cars that British firms export to India drastically reduced in return for Britain opening up elements labour market to Indian workers.

The bilateral deal is understood to be one of the most valuable of its kind to the UK economy, and will bring the average tariff on Indian imports from Britain from 15 per cent to three per cent. It is hoped the deal will eventually provide an annual boost of 25.5bn in bilateral trade between the two countries.

Some 90 per cent of all tariffs on UK-made goods sent to India will come down as a result of the deal, which was first announced in May, while 85 per cent of tariff lines will have no trade levies whatsoever in 10 years time.

Import taxes on whisky and gin made in the UK will be halved to 75 per cent immediately, before being brought down to 40 per cent in the next decade. Similarly, tariffs on exports from British carmakers will be brought down as low as 10 per cent from 110 per cent over the same period, though, like the UKs recent trade deal with the US, there will be quotas put in place capping the number of cars which receive the lower tariff.

The dawn of a new golden era?

Speaking at a press conference at Chequers, the Prime Ministers grace-and-favour country house, Starmer hailed the deal as having the potential to bring huge benefits to both of our countries.

Im really pleased and privileged to welcome you here today on what I consider to be a historic day for both of our countries, and the delivery of the commitment that we made to each other, he said, adding: The UK-India deal is now signed, sealed and ready to be delivered.

But Labours political opponents have warned that an agreement to remove employer national insurance on Indian staff in the UK  and vice versa  risks undercutting British workers and undermining any economic benefits.

Under the deal, British firms would not need to pay any payroll tax on Indian workers who come to the UK on an intra-company transfer, sparking fears that exchanges of workers from India would be preferred to hiring UK staff, given Aprils hike to UK national insurance.

The deal has also drawn criticism over the lack of any progress on the UKs world-leading financial and professional services sectors, though both countries agreed to continue attempts to lower economic barriers to the Citys ties with the rapidly growing Indian economy.

Standing alongside Starmer, Modi said: This isnt merely paving the way for economic partnership but is also a blueprint for our shared prosperity.

Amarjit Singh, Founder and CEO of the India Business Group, said the deal heralded the dawn of a new golden era in the relationship between these two vibrant nations.

In todays increasingly interconnected yet complex global landscape, this partnership transcends traditional notions of trade; it embodies a collaborative effort to shape a sustainable and prosperous future together, he added.

The responsibility now lies with the business community to seize these opportunities and bring the framework to life through concrete actions.

By City AM

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A poster held by a protester in Kyiv captured the anger and disbelief many Ukrainians are feeling after parliament passed a bill - swiftly signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy - that critics say will curb the independence of two key anti-corruption agencies and badly set back the countrys hard-won progress toward democracy and the rule of law.

"This is not the future my brother died for, it read.

In just a few words, that message touched on at least a dozen years of Ukraines tumultuous recent history, from the Maidan protests that pushed Moscow-friendly President Viktor Yanukovych from power in 2014 to Russias war against Ukraine, which rages on 41 months after the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022.

As the country struggles to fend off the Russian invasion, which has killed tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers and civilians and uprooted millions of citizens, passage of the law restricting the autonomy of the anti-corruption agencies has, for many, raised a stark and simple question: What are we fighting for?

We had two relatively independent institutions that at least created the appearance -- or even the reality -- of checks and balances. If we dismantle them, well slide into a fully controlled state, said Anton, a protester in the southeastern city of Dnipro, not far from the front. I wouldnt want to live in a country like that.

A Major Setback?

The monthslong Maidan protests, which came to be known as the Revolution of Dignity, began as demonstrations of anger over government corruption, which has plagued Ukraine since independence in 1991 and was seen as getting worse.

They swelled to massive proportions after Yanukovych abruptly abandoned plans to sign a trade agreement with the European Union and tightened ties with Russia instead.

The Maidan protests and the defense against the Russian onslaught are just the most prominent examples of efforts by Ukrainians to safeguard independence - due to Moscows aggression, still in peril almost 35 years after the Soviet collapse - and to put as much distance as possible between Ukraine and both its Soviet legacy and the backward-looking, deeply unfree country Russia has become.

Defenders of the institutions affected by the new law - the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) - say that a working system of independent anti-corruption bodies has been a crucial step in that direction for Ukraine, and that the legislation is a major setback.

In essence, Ukraine is being dragged 10 years back in terms of the fight against corruption, Dmytro Kozyatynskiy, a war veteran, said at the protest in Kyiv on July 22, where many of the demonstrators were young people like him.

By stripping NABU of its autonomy, they are gradually dismantling everything thats been built up over the years, he said. Im in shock, my friends are in shock.

The law strips society of one of the greatest achievements since the Revolution of Dignity -- independent anti-corruption institutions, Transparency International Ukraine said.

As the protests that erupted in several cities after its passage show, it also threatens the national unity that has been an indispensable ingredient in Ukraines defense against a country that Russian President Vladimir Putin - and many in the West - expected to come under Moscows thumb within weeks of the start of the full-scale invasion.

Just a few days ago Ukrainians were assuring me that whatever complaints they had about Zelenskyy, they understood the need for a united front in wartime. Now it's unclear whether Zelenskyy can still count on national unity -- a scenario the Kremlin has long been hoping for, Lucian Kim, senior Ukraine analyst at the International Crisis Group, wrote on Bluesky.

It's a perilous moment for Ukraine, for democracy in Ukraine and for democracy everywhere, Kim wrote.

'Government Arbitrariness'

Zelenskyy defended the legislation, which was submitted by his own party, in a nightly address on July 22 and at a meeting with security and anti-corruption agencies on July 23. He contended that it would improve anti-graft efforts and remove Russian influence from the fight against corruption.

Later on July 23, however, Zelenskyy said he would soon propose another bill, which he said would guard against Russian interference but would provide for "the independence of anti-corruption institutions." He did not say whether he would seek to undo the law he signed a day earlier.

Critics say the legislation plays into Putins hands in ways that could weaken Ukraines defense against the Russian onslaught, not strengthen it, by threatening to undermine unity among Ukrainians and sap support for Kyiv from the West at a crucial juncture.

If it ends up jeopardizing Zelenskyys position, that could also be welcomed by the Kremlin: One of the main initial goals of the invasion was to remove the president and replace him with a pro-Russian figure, and Putin has repeatedly sought to cast Zelenskyy as illegitimate.

It could also amplify concerns in Washington about Ukrainian corruption at a time when US President Donald Trump has begun to lay a large part of the blame for the lack of progress toward peace on Russia and promised to increase supplies of weapons to Kyiv via Europe.

Hitting the streets of cities that Russia has relentlessly targeting with increasingly intense drone and missile attacks, protesters voiced concern that Ukraine was now coming under attack from a new adversary: its own leaders.

This is government arbitrariness. We dont want to fight both Russia and our own government, Suzanna, a protester in the western city of Lviv, told RFE/RL.

Our country is already under massive external attack, said Darya, also in Lviv. We must not destroy it from within.

By RFE/RL

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The United States on July 23 announced the approval of $322 million in arms sales to bolster Ukraine's air defenses and its armored combat vehicles.

The sale of HAWK air defense equipment and sustainment will cost up to $172 million, while Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle equipment and services will total up to $150 million, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said.

The proposed HAWK equipment sale "will improve Ukraine's capability to meet current and future threats by further equipping it to conduct self-defense and regional security missions with a more robust air defense capability," DSCA said.

And the Bradley equipment and services will help meet Ukraine's "urgent need to strengthen local sustainment capabilities to maintain high operational rates for United States provided vehicles and weapon systems," it said.

The State Department approved the possible sales and the DSCA provided the required notification to the US Congress, which still needs to sign off on the transactions.

US President Donald Trump on July 14 said during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte that he planned to provide Ukraine with billions of dollars in weapons that NATO will purchase.

At the same time, Trump gave Russia 50 days to agree to a cease-fire before threatening to impose economic penalties on countries trading with Russia that could nudge Moscow to the negotiating table.

The approval of the potential weapons sales comes after the Pentagon directed a pause on other weapons shipments to Ukraine to allow it to assess its weapons stockpiles even as Kyiv faced heavy Russian missile and drone attacks that continued late on July 23.

Russian forces struck the Black Sea port of Odesa, triggering several fires in residential and other buildings. Regional Governor Oleh Kiper said two floors of an apartment building had been set ablaze, while other fires broke out on the roof of a two-story residence, in kiosks, and at a petrol station.

Ukrainian drones, meanwhile, hit southern Russian areas, killing one person, injuring another, and hitting an oil storage depot.

Emergency officials in the Krasnodar region on the Black Sea said on Telegram that debris from a falling drone struck and killed a woman near Sochi. A second woman was being treated in hospital for serious injuries.

The administrative head of the federal district south of Sochi said a drone hit an oil base. The official gave no further details.

Russia's aviation authority said operations were suspended at Sochi airport for about four hours.

Earlier on July 23, Russia and Ukraine agreed on another prisoner exchange during negotiations in Turkey.

The brief session resulted in no progress on cease-fire terms or a possible meeting of the leaders of Ukraine and Russia.

"We have progress on the humanitarian track, with no progress on a cessation of hostilities," chief Ukrainian delegate Rustem Umerov said after talks.

Ukraine proposed a meeting before the end of August between Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Umerov said. Russia could clearly demonstrate its constructive approach by agreeing to the proposal, he added.

Russian chief negotiator Vladimir Medinsky renewed Moscow's call for a series of short cease-fires of 24-48 hours to enable the retrieval of bodies. Ukraine says it wants an immediate and much longer cease-fire.

On the prisoner swap, Medinsky said the negotiators agreed to exchange at least 1,200 more prisoners of war from each side, and Russia had offered to hand over another 3,000 Ukrainian bodies.

Medinsky said severely injured individuals are also to be exchanged along the front.

Zelenskyy also referred to the swap in his nightly video address, saying that preparations continued all day on July 23 for the exchange.

We are waiting for our people back home. It is very important that despite all difficulties, Ukrainians are coming back, he said.

By RFE/RL

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Italian energy services group Saipem expects construction of the $20-billion Mozambique LNG project to restart by the end of the summer after being under force majeure for four years, Saipems CEO Alessandro Puliti said on Thursday.

The $20-billion LNG export project in Mozambique led by French supermajor TotalEnergies was halted in 2021 due to a deteriorated security situation and has been under force majeure ever since.

In 2021, following Islamist militant attacks in towns close to the site, TotalEnergies suspended works on the project, which was Africas largest foreign investment when announced.

The project site is close to the town of Palma in the Cabo Delgado province, where Islamic State-affiliated militants have been active for a few years. In the spring of 2021, Islamic State-affiliated militants raided the town of Palma in attacks that left dozens of people killed.

Since 2021, TotalEnergies has waited for several conditions to be met to take a positive decision on resuming work on the project. The goal to achieve first LNG production has slipped, first to 2027, and later, to 2029.

Initially, works on the Mozambique LNG project were set to restart by the end of 2024.

But plans slipped amid a disputed presidential election in Mozambique at the end of 2024, continued violence, and concerns about the security situation.

Now the main engineering contractor, Saipem, is confident the project would go ahead by the end of the summer.

The restart is made of a progression of activities that will take place this summer ... lifting the force majeure is one of these steps, Puliti said today, as carried by Reuters.

Much of the equipment needed for the project is transported to the site where the LNG plant is being built by sea for logistical rather than security reasons, the executive added.

TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanne has also expressed optimism that Mozambique LNG could restart by summers end, saying in June the project should resume construction this summer.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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The brand's newest lounge seating group combines enduring materials, exceptional comfort, and architectural craftsmanship

ZEELAND, Mich., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Herman Miller introduces the Pawson Drift Sofa Group, a new lounge collection by world-renowned architect John Pawson. Marking the London-based designer's debut collaboration with the brand, Pawson Drift Sofa Group was created with lounging in mind. Distinguished by its generously proportioned cushions set within a rectilinear, solid wood joinery and square edge frame, the collection includes two sofa sizes (80" and 93"), a left- or right-chaise sectional, and a lounge chair.

Herman Miller and John Pawson introduce Pawson Drift Sofa Group

A spacious, welcoming sanctuary, the Pawson Drift Sofa Group offers continuous support. Incorporated into the cushion design is a responsibly sourced down feather jacket for an added layer of comfort. Beneath the cushions, a sturdy frame and fabric suspension system work together, ensuring individuals are perfectly comfortable whether they're sitting, lounging, or napping.

With a recessed, solid hardwood frame and wrap-around design, each piece is crafted to be admired from every angle. The frame can be specified in white oak or walnut. The cushions are carefully constructed to maintain their shape, and are available in a variety of premium textiles and leathers, including three fabrics that are Greenguard Gold Certified to help promote cleaner indoor airRowan, Beck, and Isa.

In line with Herman Miller's long-standing commitment to sustainability, the Pawson Drift Sofa Group was designed with a focus on more sustainable material choices, featuring over 80 percent natural1, plant-derived components. This includes the use of natural latex foam in the cushions, offering a renewable alternative to traditional petroleum-based foam. The cushions are made of plant-based latex and rest on a hidden suspension system of textile straps under cotton decking. The frame is made from North American hardwood. The result is a more environmentally responsible option that delivers exceptional comfort.

Since leaving to start his own firm in 1981, Pawson has designed everything from a monastery, art galleries, yacht interiors, hotels, ballet sets and a winery to retail spaces and private homes. He brings the same rigorously simple approach to his furniture design, creating pieces that complement the surroundings, enhancing the experience of space rather than overwhelming it.

"Like all my work, this sofa group is the outcome of a process of stripping right back to the point where one's primary experience of space and objects is rooted in the quality of proportion, surface, and light," says Pawson.

Pawson Drift Sofa Group can be purchased in stores and online at Herman Miller and through MillerKnoll dealers for contract customers. Timing and availability by region may vary. Visit the Herman Miller website for your region for availability.

About Herman Miller

Over the last century, Herman Miller has been guided by a commitment to problem-solving designs that inspire the best in people. Along the way, Herman Miller has forged critical relationships with the most visionary designers of the day, from mid-century greats like George Nelson, the Eames Office, Alexander Girard, and Isamu Noguchi, to research-oriented visionaries like Robert Propst and Bill Stumpfand with today's groundbreaking studios like Industrial Facility and Studio 7.5. From the birth of ergonomic furniture to manufacturing some of the twentieth century's most iconic pieces, Herman Miller has pioneered original, timeless design that makes an enduring impact, while building a lasting legacy of design, innovation, and social good. Herman Miller is a part of MillerKnoll, a collective of dynamic brands that comes together to design the world we live in. For more information, visit hermanmiller.com/about

Resources

Images courtesy of Herman Miller

1Natural materials are defined as any product or physical matter that comes from plants, animals, or the ground.

SOURCE Herman Miller
Kazakhstans crude oil shipments out of the Russian ports on the Black Sea continue uninterrupted after Vladimir Putin issued a decree requiring the Russian security service to authorize foreign ships to access Russias ports.

As of today, shipments of Kazakh oil through the seaports of the Russian Federation have not been suspended, the Kazakh Energy Ministry told Interfax.

Earlier this week, Putin signed a law that stipulates that foreign ships will require clearance from the FSB security service, the successor to the Cold War-era KGB, to access Russian ports.

Loading of Kazakhstans oil exports was briefly suspended, but FSB has started clearing foreign vessels to access ports, so they loadings have resumed, sources in the industry told Reuters on Thursday.

The Russian Black Sea ports are Kazakhstans main crude oil export outlet. Kazakhstans crude flows are not subject to Western sanctions despite the fact that they use Russian port infrastructure.

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) operates the pipeline that transports oil from northwest Kazakhstan to Russias Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, a key hub for Kazakhstans oil exports.

The port of Novorossiysk handles most of Kazakhstans crude exports from giant oilfields in Kazakhstan operated by international oil firms, including U.S. supermajor Chevron.

Affiliates of Chevron and the other U.S. supermajor, ExxonMobil, are also minority shareholders in CPC, whose biggest shareholder is the Russian Federation with a 24% stake.

Meanwhile, 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 last week.

Kazakhstan is not considering leaving the OPEC+ pact as it believes it helps stabilize the oil market, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said, 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.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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PJM Interconnection, the operator of the largest U.S. electric grid, has issued a maximum generation alert and load management alert for July 24 due to expected high peak load demand amid a heat wave.

PJM Interconnection, whose area covers 13 mid-Atlantic and Midwest states and the District of Columbia, said that the alert does not require any action from customers. It is mostly to notify neighboring systems that electricity exports from PJM may be curtailed on Thursday, the grid operator said.

PJM has also issued a Hot Weather Alert for its entire service area for July 24 ahead of expected hot weather.

PJM forecasts that peak electricity usage for July 24 in its region would be 151,485 MW at 5 p.m. EST. The total scheduled capacity is higher, at 161,643 MW, per data as of 6 a.m. EST today, which means that the available capacity would be enough to the peak demand.

PJM says it has approximately 179,200 MW of generation capacity this summer, as well as approximately 7,900 MW of contracted demand response.

This is the second maximum generation and load management alert from the biggest U.S. grid operator in two weeks. Alerts were also issued for July 16 last week.

The alerts are not the first warning of U.S. grid operators this summer, as heat waves are boosting electricity demand for air conditioning.

The U.S. grids are in urgent need of modernization and upgrade to sustain rising power demand thats coming mostly from data centers.

The North American Reliability Corporation has been warning of blackouts for two years now, citing extreme temperatures but also increased reliance on weather-dependent sources of electricity, notably wind and solar installations.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Energy warned that blackouts could increase substantially in the coming years unless more baseload capacity is added to the grid.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
The United States has reportedly confirmed a new $235 million infrastructure deal in Libyas energy sector, reinforcing its presence in a strategically vital corridor for gas exports to Europe. The announcement followed a visit to Tripoli by U.S. presidential adviser Massad Boulos, who endorsed the agreement between Hill International and Mellitah Oil & Gas, a joint venture between Libyas National Oil Corporation and Italys Eni.

The project will finance upgrades to pipelines, ports, and logistics corridors tied to the Western Libya Gas Project, which supplies the Greenstream pipeline to Italy. Mellitah plans to increase gas output to 750 million cubic feet per day, bolstering Libyas export capacity and supporting Europes diversification efforts amid ongoing supply uncertainty.

Alongside the confirmed investment, Tripoli-based interim prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah proposed a sweeping $70 billion U.S.-Libya partnership, covering energy, health, power, and transport infrastructure. Libyan officials described the proposal as a blueprint to attract U.S. corporate involvement across critical sectors and deepen post-conflict reconstruction links.

Dbeibahs energy overture comes at a time of shifting regional dynamics. According to the Libya Observer, eastern commander General Khalifa Haftar recently signed new agreements with Turkish firms to upgrade air navigation infrastructure at eight airports under his control. The development underscores Haftars evolving posture, particularly as Ankara expands its presence in both Tripoli and Benghazi.

The U.S. infrastructure package aligns closely with Western Libyas energy priorities, notably around the gas corridor linking Mellitah to Europe. While no formal long-term memorandum was signed beyond the $235 million deal, diplomatic sources suggested further technical cooperation on energy logistics and transmission infrastructure is under review. The timing of Washingtons re-engagement signals a clear effort to strengthen Tripolis control (led by the Dbeibahs Government of National Unity, GNU, over export routes and limit rival leverage from the east and the influence of General Haftar.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com
U.S. exports of crude oil, liquefied natural gas, and coal reached a total of zero last month amid the continuing trade war that had China impose retaliatory tariffs on these U.S. commodities, which led to a slump in purchases.

In liquefied natural gas, Chinese buyers have been at zero since March, when the retaliation began. Crude oil followed, with volumes declining since March to reach none at all in June, according to a Bloomberg chart citing official customs data from Beijing. Coal purchases have also died down.

This is taking place ahead of the next round of trade talks between the two countries, to take place in Sweden next week. U.S. Treasury Secretary described current relations as being in a good place. Chinese officials, for their part, have signaled a readiness on the part of the countrys government to reach a mutually beneficial deal. An official statement said that the Chinese side hoped for an atmosphere of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, at the talks.

Trump has given China a deadline to August 12 to negotiate a deal. Otherwise, he threatened to slap even higher tariffs on Chinese imports. Chinas retaliatory tariffs on U.S. energy exports range between 10% and 15%.

During Trumps first presidency, China caved to pressure to buy more U.S. energy commodities to make up for its trade surplus with Washington. The pandemic, however, interfered with its attempt to live up to this commitment.

Since then, however, a lot has changed, notably in Chinas diversification of energy suppliers, with OPEC+ emerging as the dominant group at the expense of the United States. This means that, this time, China may be more resilient to pressure coming from the White House than it was five years ago, especially with oil demand set to slow down in the worlds biggest importer.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Early data from robust Autonomy Phase 2b posdinemab trial demonstrate Company's leadership in multimodal biomarkers and early detection

New findings highlight the central role of tau in disease progression, bolstering confidence in the Company's industry-leading anti-tau portfolio

Featured research session to share new findings from GNPC, the world's largest neurodegenerative disease proteomics resource, co-founded with Gates Ventures

TITUSVILLE, N.J., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) today announced promising new data from its Alzheimer's disease (AD) research program will be presented at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC), taking place July 2731 in Toronto, Canada. Across 12 abstracts, the Company will share insight into how tau impacts brain function in early AD and reinforce the predictive strength of plasma biomarker pTau217 for tracking cognitive decline in at-risk individuals. The Company will also introduce findings from the Global Neurodegeneration Proteomics Consortium (GNPC), a public-private partnership co-founded by Johnson & Johnson and Gates Ventures, the private office of Bill Gates.

"Our long-standing leadership in Alzheimer's disease research gives us critical perspective on where the field has been and where it needs to go," said Bill Martin, Ph.D., Global Therapeutic Area Head, Neuroscience, Johnson & Johnson. "These data reflect how we are reconceptualizing the way we diagnose and treat disorders that are among the most prevalent and debilitating of our time, underscoring our unmatched legacy of advancing neuroscience and improving lives, and bringing us closer to a future where Alzheimer's disease may one day be a thing of the past."

Following the July 15 publication in Nature Medicine and Nature Aging, and the public release of the GNPC dataset, leaders from Johnson & Johnson and Gates Ventures will host a featured research session at AAIC to share new findings from the world's largest neurodegenerative disease proteomics resource.

"Long-standing challenges in assembling large, diverse datasets have made progress in understanding the biology of neurodegenerative diseases extremely slow. At AAIC, we are sharing how the GNPC is enabling discovery at scale," said Niranjan Bose, Ph.D., Managing Director, Health & Life Sciences at Gates Ventures. "Even at this early stage, researchers are uncovering new insights into some of the most studied risk factors, highlighting the power of the GNPC to drive discovery, reveal new targets, and ultimately accelerate progress for the more than 57 million people living with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias worldwide."

The following Company-sponsored and Company-partnered abstracts will be presented at AAIC 2025:

Abstract Title Date Time #106362 External validation of joint propagation model-based

tau PET CenTauR units July 27 7:30 AM  4:15 PM

EDT #102872 Increasing precision beyond A/T/N: Identification of

molecular subtypes of Alzheimer's disease using CSF

Proteomics July 27 7:30 AM  4:15 PM

EDT #105163 Cortical free water correlates with tau phosphorylation

& aggregation, independent of cortical thinning July 27 7:30 AM  4:15 PM

EDT #106366 Plasma biomarkers predict long-term longitudinal

cognitive decline in individuals at-risk for Alzheimer's

disease: differences across demographic groups July 28 7:30 AM  4:15 PM

EDT #108563 Microglial proteomic signature in human CSF allows

stratification by APOE genotypes and is replicated in

iPSC-based model July 28 7:30 AM  4:15 PM

EDT #100821 Assessment of association of tau PET spatial patterns

with cognitive domains in participants with early

Alzheimer's disease in the Phase 2 Auonomy trial July 28 7:30 AM  4:15 PM

EDT #100107 Analysis of reasons for screen failure by participant

race in the Phase 2 Auonomy study in early

Alzheimer's disease July 28 7:30 AM  4:15 PM

EDT #102581 Effect of amyloid, tau and syndromic stages of

Alzheimer's disease (AD) in speech markers: A

potential scalable tool for screening in AD clinical

trials July 28 7:30 AM  4:15 PM

EDT #100281 Plasma protein signature as easily accessible

biomarkers to predict future MCI to dementia

conversion July 29 7:30 AM  4:15 PM

EDT #99623



Integrative multi-omics analysis reveals physiological

and genetic drivers of CSF biomarker variability:

implications in neurodegeneration studies July 30 9:00 AM  9:15 AM

EDT #99373



Benchmarking the AI-based diagnostic potential of

plasma proteomics for neurodegenerative disease in

17,710 people July 30 4:30  4:45 PM EDT #106046

Virtual Only Poster Plasma biomarkers move at different rates across the

Alzheimer's disease continuum N/A N/A

ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE (AD) & DEMENTIA

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia worldwide, is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive memory loss and a decline in other cognitive abilities severe enough to significantly interfere with daily life.1 Diagnostic criteria for AD are based on established classifications but continue to evolve as research advances. Preclinical AD refers to individuals with detectable AD pathology (amyloid and tau) who are cognitively unimpaired. Early AD includes individuals with mild cognitive impairment due to AD (also known as prodromal AD) and mild Alzheimer's dementia.

As AD advances, patients experience worsening cognitive decline, eventually losing the ability to perform basic tasks, communicate or recognize loved ones, ultimately leading to death.1 There is no cure for AD, and despite several new advancements, significant unmet need remains across the spectrum of this devastating disease.

ABOUT POSDINEMAB

Posdinemab is an investigational monoclonal antibody that is designed to target the mid-domain of AD-specific phosphorylated tau. Posdinemab is designed to bind to pathological phosphorylated tau when it is released from neurons and neutralize it before it can seed/spread to another neuron. The internally-discovered antibody has shown promise in reducing tau seedingthe process by which toxic tau spreads through the brainin both in vitro and in vivo non-clinical studies.

The Phase 2b "AuTonomy" study investigating posdinemab in participants with early AD is fully enrolled and ongoing (NCT04619420).

ABOUT JOHNSON & JOHNSON

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe health is everything. Our strength in healthcare innovation empowers us to build a world where complex diseases are prevented, treated, and cured, where treatments are smarter and less invasive, and where solutions are personal. Through our expertise in Innovative Medicine and MedTech, we are uniquely positioned to innovate across the full spectrum of healthcare solutions today to deliver the breakthroughs of tomorrow, and profoundly impact health for humanity.

Learn more at https://www.jnj.com/ or at https://innovativemedicine.jnj.com/

Follow us at @JNJInnovMed.

Janssen Research & Development, LLC is a Johnson & Johnson company.

CAUTIONS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regarding product development and the potential benefits and treatment impact of posdinemab. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations of future events. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from the expectations and projections of Johnson & Johnson. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: challenges and uncertainties inherent in product research and development, including the uncertainty of clinical success and of obtaining regulatory approvals; uncertainty of commercial success; manufacturing difficulties and delays; competition, including technological advances, new products, and patents attained by competitors; challenges to patents; product efficacy or safety concerns resulting in product recalls or regulatory action; changes in behavior and spending patterns of purchasers of healthcare products and services; changes to applicable laws and regulations, including global healthcare reforms; and trends toward healthcare cost containment. A further list and descriptions of these risks, uncertainties and other factors can be found in Johnson & Johnson's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the sections captioned "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Johnson & Johnson's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of these filings are available online at www.sec.gov, www.jnj.com or on request from Johnson & Johnson. Johnson & Johnson does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information or future events or developments.

 Johnson & Johnson 2025. All rights reserved.

Media contact:

Allie Prull

Johnson & Johnson

[email protected]

Investor contact:

Lauren Johnson

Johnson & Johnson

investor-relations@its.jnj.com

1. Alzheimer's Association. 2025 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures. Accessed June 2025. https://www.alz.org/media/documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf

SOURCE Johnson & Johnson
A Dodge County judge dismissed Thursday all counts against a 39-year-old man accused of killing his mother, citing the failure of the prosecutor to prove the assault occurred in the courts jurisdiction.

Seth Ketelhut faced three felony charges in Dodge County District Court  second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and robbery  all stemming from an alleged assault at his mothers Fremont home in November 2023.

Stuart Mills, Ketelhuts court-appointed attorney, said the state must show three elements in a preliminary criminal hearing for the case to move toward trial: that a crime probably occurred, that the defendant probably committed the crime and that the court has jurisdiction.

This is criminal law 101, he said.

Dodge County Judge Thomas Klein said during the Thursday preliminary hearing that County Attorney Pamela Hopkins failed to show the court that the crime occurred in Dodge County.

Hopkins told The World-Herald after the dismissal that she respects the judges decision and her office intends to refile charges against Ketelhut.

During the hearing, Hopkins called Fremont Police Department Detective Brandon Lorenson, who led the investigation into the assault on Ketelhuts mother, Terri Maschka, to testify. Through Lorensons testimony and photographic evidence, Hopkins established the assault occurred at Maschkas Fremont home and that the Fremont Police Department investigated the case.

But Klein said a Fremont address doesnt mean the crime occurred in Dodge County  some Fremont addresses are located south of the Platte River, across the Saunders County line.

Hopkins told The World-Herald there is a difference between postal addresses and whether a residence is within city limits. She said Fremont residences in Saunders County are located outside Fremont city limits and not served by the Fremont Police Department. The fact that the Fremont Police Department had jurisdiction over the investigation indicates it occurred in Dodge County, she said.

Hopkins said that while the entirety of the city of Fremont lies within Dodge County, next time she will ask her witness, Did these events occur in Dodge County? to avoid repeating the confusion.

Hopkins said this decision wont affect the outcome of the case once she refiles.

After the preliminary hearing decision, Seth Ketelhut was transported back to the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, where he is already serving a 22 to 33-year sentence for assaulting his father the day after the alleged fatal assault on his mother.

What happened in 2023?

On Nov. 5, 2023, Ketelhuts mother reported to Fremont police from Methodist Hospital that her son assaulted her in her Fremont home.

Maschka told police that the previous day her son went into a rage, punching and slamming her head into the ground, before stealing her keys and driving away in her 2021 Ford Escape.

During Thursdays hearing, Lorenson said the assault caused Maschka to pass out, and she wasnt able to seek help until the following day.

Fremont police noted Maschkas eyes were almost completely swollen shut with blood on her teeth, in her hair and dried blood on her hands.

Dodge County court records stated that after having been hospitalized for nearly a month, Maschka died at the Nebraska Medical Center on Dec. 2, 2023.

Lorenson said her medical records and an autopsy revealed that she suffered several strokes shortly after the assault, which directly caused her death.

The day after allegedly assaulting his mother, Ketelhut was arrested for holding his father captive in Eagle, where Lorenson said police found Maschkas car with Ketelhuts DNA on the gear shifter and interior drivers side door handle.

An arrest affidavit from 2023 said Ketelhut forced his father, Kevin Ketelhut, to sit in a chair for more than 20 hours. The affidavit explained that the father had a physical condition preventing him from getting up from the chair.

While in the chair, the younger Ketelhut struck his father with a PVC pipe, intimidated him with a gun and stabbed the floor at his feet with a steak knife, causing the older man to have to keep moving his feet to keep from being stabbed by the knife.

The affidavit said the younger Ketelhut repeatedly flipped a coin while asking his father, Are you going to live or die?

Investigators from the Cass County Sheriffs Office and Nebraska State Patrol reported bruising to the fathers head and body, as well as bite marks on his ears and head.

A Cass County judge sentenced Ketelhut last summer to 22 to 33 years in prison after Ketelhut pleaded guilty to second-degree assault, first-degree false imprisonment of his father and use of a deadly weapon to commit the felony.

In 2024, Ketelhut pleaded no contest and was found guilty of felony burglary committed on Feb. 23, 2023, in Hall County. He was sentenced to 12 to 18 years in prison. He wasnt given credit for time served, but the Hall County judge ordered his burglary sentence to run concurrently with the time served for felony charges in Cass County.


By Eric Fruits, President

Economics International Corp.

[Submitted testimony to DLCD] I am president and chief economist at Economics International Corp., an Oregon-based consulting firm that provides economics services to private and public sector clients. I am also a senior scholar at the International Center for Law & Economics, focusing on antitrust, competition, and telecommunications policy. I have been engaged in several matters involving Oregons agriculture industry, and my article on agricultural marketing orders was published in the top-tier Journal of Law & Economics.

I urge you to reject the proposed new rules for farm stands (OAR 660-033-0130). While the goal of improving clarity and resolving neighbor conflicts is understandable, these proposed rules are the wrong solution. They would create significant new costs and restrictions that would harm Oregons small farms, weaken rural economies, and stifle the very innovation that allows these family businesses to survive.

Oregons small farms face a crisis. As shown in the table below, from 1997 to 2022, the number of family or individual farms has decreased by 15%, while the number of corporate farms increased by 33%.[1] The proposed rules would worsen this problem by adding new barriers that make it harder for small farms to survive.

Research demonstrates that regulatory costs hit small businesses much harder than large ones. Small firms face regulatory costs of about $9,093 per employee compared to just $5,246 for large firms.[2] For small farms, regulatory compliance can consume 12-15% of total production costs.[3] In Oregons recently concluded legislative session, HB 2116 would have required the State Department of Agriculture to conduct an analysis of [t]he overall regulatory burden on Oregon agricultural entities, including the cost of compliance verification, compared to regulatory burdens on other sectors within this state and compared to agricultural sectors in other states. The proposed rules would add more costs exactly when small farms can least afford them.

Oregons agritourism sector generates nearly $1 billion annually in the Willamette Valley alone.[4] This economic activity supports about 9,000 farm jobs and another 2,000 jobs in rural communities. The proposed rules threaten this economic engine.

THE PROPOSED RULES CREATE PERVERSE ECONOMIC INCENTIVES

The proposal requires farm stands to undergo permit reviews every seven years, with potential fees and the threat of permit termination. This creates several economic problems:

The proposed rules would force farmers to treat their businesses as temporary rather than permanent investments. When businesses face regular threats to their existence, they invest less in improvements and growth. This reduces productivity and job creation.

The proposed rules would impose regulatory uncertainty. Farmers cannot plan long-term investments when they do not know if their permits will survive the next review. This uncertainty reduces economic efficiency and discourages innovation.

The seven-year review cycle creates a compliance treadmill. Farmers must spend time and money preparing for reviews instead of focusing on production and serving customers. This imposes deadweight costs on society, that is, costs with no discernible offsetting benefit.

SMALL FARMS NEED REVENUE DIVERSIFICATION

Economic theory and evidence demonstrate that income diversification helps small businesses survive market volatility. For farms, this is especially important because agricultural prices fluctuate unpredictably. Farm stands and agritourism provide stable revenue streams that help farmers weather bad crop years or low commodity prices.

The proposed rules restrict this diversification by limiting promotional activities to 17 days per year and restricting prepared food sales. According to basic portfolio theory, this forces farmers to rely more heavily on volatile commodity markets, which increases risk and reduces economic stability.

THE PROPOSED RULES FAVOR LARGE OPERATIONS OVER SMALL ONES

Large agricultural operations can absorb regulatory compliance costs more easily than small farms. When you add new permit requirements, fees, and restrictions, you create what economists call barriers to entry that prevent new small farms from starting and force existing small farms to quit.[5]

The evidence shows this is already happening. As shown in the table above, since 1997, Oregon has lost more than 5,000 individual or family farms while the number of corporate farms increased by nearly 800. The proposed rules will accelerate this consolidation by making small-scale farming less economically viable.

CONSUMER DEMAND SUPPORTS SMALL FARMS

Market evidence shows consumers increasingly want to buy directly from local farms. Research finds that roughly 28,600 U.S. farms and ranches reported receiving income from agritourism or on-farm recreation services and that, on average, these operations earned $44,000 in gross revenue from their agritourism ventures and approximately $28,000 in direct food and drink sales to consumers.[6] This consumer preference creates natural market support for small farms  but only if regulations allow these farms to serve customers effectively.

The proposed rules restrict farmers ability to meet this consumer demand by limiting activities like farm-to-table meals, educational tours, and prepared food sales. When regulations prevent voluntary transactions between farmers and consumers, they reduce economic welfare for both groups.

BETTER ALTERNATIVES EXIST

Instead of imposing more restrictions, Oregon should focus on reducing regulatory barriers that prevent small farms from succeeding instead of imposing more restrictions. Research shows that reducing regulatory burdens increases agricultural productivity and economic growth.

The proposed rules fail a basic economic test: they impose costs that exceed their benefits. The costs include lost farm income, reduced rural employment, and fewer opportunities for new farmers to enter agriculture. The benefits are unclear and unquantified.

Economic theory and evidence both point to the same conclusion: these proposed rules will harm Oregons small farms, reduce economic activity in rural communities, and accelerate the consolidation of agriculture into fewer, larger operations.

Oregon should support its small farms, not regulate them out of existence. Please withdraw these proposed rules and work instead to reduce the regulatory barriers that already make farming too difficult for many families.

NOTES:

1) National Agricultural Statistics Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2022 Census of Agriculture, Historical Highlights, Oregon (June 2024), https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2022/Full_Report/Volume_1,_Chapter_1_State_Level/Oregon/st41_1_001_001.pdf

2) James Broughel, Regulations Hit Small Businesses and Low-Income Households Hardest, Competitive En-terprise Institute (June 5, 2024), https://cei.org/blog/regulations-hit-small-businesses-and-low-income-households-hardest/.

3) Lynn Hamilton & Michael McCullough, Two Decades of Change: Evolving Costs of Regulatory Compli-ance in the Produce Industry, Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (Jan. 2025), https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?params=/context/agb_fac/article/1164/&path_info=2024_Final_Report_Lettuce_Regulatory_Costs__FINAL.pdf.

4) Bruce Sorte, Melissa Fery & Audrey Comerford, An Initial Economic Impact Estimate of Agritourism in Oregons Willamette Valley, Oregon State University Extension Service (Feb. 2024), https://extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/extd8/files/documents/donnelja/an-initial-economic-impact-estimate-of-agritourism-in-oregons-willamette-valley_0.pdf.

5)See, e.g., Beatrice Andersson & Fredrika Eke-Goransson, Entry Barriers for Young Agricultural Entrepre-neurs. What Are They and How Can They Be Overcome?, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (2024), https://stud.epsilon.slu.se/20474/1/andersson-b-eke-goransson-f-20240829.pdf.

6) Claudia Schmidt, U.S. Agritourism and Direct-to-Consumer Sales Census Update, PennState Extension (Sep. 16, 2024), https://extension.psu.edu/u-s-agritourism-and-direct-to-consumer-sales-census-update.
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 adult White's seahorses living in a seahorse hotel four months after deployment. Credit: David Harasti

A conservation project led by UNSW scientists is rebuilding lost underwater pastures within the city's harborand at the same time helping to recover an endangered seahorse population.

White's seahorse (Hippocampus whitei) can only be found on the east coast of Australiafrom southeast Queensland to the NSW south coast. It's the second seahorse species in the world listed as endangered.

In recent decades, this shy little seahorse has lost one of its essential habitats, namely Posidonia australisa native seagrass that once formed extensive meadows across Sydney's coastline. With urban sprawl, pollution, dredging and boating activities, Sydney's Posidonia meadows have disappeared almost completely in the past 50 years.

"As the seagrass meadows disappear, so too do the species that depend on them," says Professor Adriana Verges from UNSW Sydney. She is a member of the conservation project, Greener Pastures, as well as co-founder of the UNSW-led Operation Posidonia and a lead investigator at Project Restorea multi-agency effort to rehabilitate the long-degraded habitats of Sydney Harbor.

"There is minimal Posidonia remaining in Sydney Harbor," Prof. Verges says. "Historically, these meadows were extensive but coastal development and physical disturbances have wiped much of them out. We predict Posidonia will be locally extinct from Sydney Harbor within the next couple of decades unless we do something about it."

Seagrasses are true flowering plants with root systems that help stabilize sediment and prevent erosion, protecting the foreshore. Their meadows can trap carbon at much faster rates than terrestrial forests, which means they are important for mitigating climate change. And they also provide essential nurseries for fish and invertebrates.

A little fishy

Seahorses are unique fish in many ways. They swim vertically and use their tails to remain within their habitats, by grasping and wrapping around seagrass leaves, coral branches or sponge-fingers. This means they don't drift away as currents pass through and instead sway while anchored in place.

"With the Greener Pastures project, we are aiming to tackle one of the root causes of the decline in White's seahorse populations, which is the loss of habitat," says Prof. Verges.

"We can breed and release them, but unless we restore their homes, their populations will keep falling."

"To hold on to that habitat is critically important," says Mitchell Brennan, program manager of the Sydney Seahorse Project at the Sydney Institute of Marine Science and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Technology Sydney.

"Seahorses rely on highly complex habitats like seagrass meadows to camouflage, anchor and feed," Brennan says.

This is where seahorse hotels come in.

While waiting for grass to grow

Dr. David Harasti from the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development originally created the concept of "seahorse hotels." Inspired by old crab traps that he found teeming with marine life, he designed the 1x1 meter steel mesh cages to mimic a tangled complexity that was closer to a natural habitat.

"When left on the seafloor these bespoke hotels soon become encrusted with sponges, corals and algae," Dr. Harasti says.

It's this "crust" that provides ideal anchoring points for the seahorses.

The growth also helps them camouflage from predators and attracts tiny crustaceanstheir main food source. This means each hotel becomes a thriving mini ecosystem, providing seahorses with shelter, protection and nourishment.

"Within three to six months, the seahorses move in," Dr. Harasti says.

At Cobblers Beach, one of the key project sites, 15 seahorse hotels are already home to a population of White's seahorses. The hotels were placed alongside natural remnant Posidonia meadows in late 2023, and extra shoots were transplanted there late last year.

The project team recorded a maximum of eight seahorses in the area for their 2024 survey. Early this year, they recorded 12 individualsincluding several juveniles that were likely born onsite.

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.

A harborside retreat for expectant fathers

Unlike most fish, it's the male seahorses that give birth. Fully formed baby seahorses are released from the male's pouch at about three weeks.

"We've seen multiple pregnant males and partners on the seahorse hotels in the past six months," Brennan says. "With some of these juveniles being sighted, hopefully the population starts to grow and become stronger and more self-sustaining."

The hotels appear to be benefiting the Posidonia replanted alongside them too, with the structures acting as a buffer from wave action, while mitigating sand inundation.

This means a broader ecological comeback.

"In areas where we've replanted seagrass, we're already seeing more fishsnapper, flathead, bream and even pajama squid," says Brennan.

"It's about restoring the function of the whole system."

More than just a cute playland

Greener Pastures is a story of true collaboration.

"This all started when Operation Posidonia received a grant from the Environmental Trust and support from Mosman Council," Prof. Verges says. "The local community is incredibly engaged. They're not just helping us plant seagrassthey're also learning why it matters and sharing this information with their friends and neighbors."

Community involvement is a defining feature of the original project. Since the project's early days in Port Stephens, volunteers helped collect thousands of storm-detached Posidonia shoots for replanting.

"Hands-on restoration helps people connect with ecosystems they might never have known about," Prof. Verges says. "When people become part of the process, they gain a sense of ownershipthat's where real stewardship begins.

"You can't protect what you don't know exists."

She also says that Posidonia, for all its massive ecological importance, isn't exactly a crowd-pleaser.

"Seagrasses do so much for usthey stabilize our shorelines, provide a nursery habitat for fish and invertebrates and sequester large amounts of carbon, but admittedly they kind of look a bit boring on the surface and not particularly interesting.

"The cuteness of the seahorses certainly helps bring attention to the habitat."

Prof. Verges says her hope is to see both Posidonia meadows and White's seahorses thrive within the next 10 to 15 yearsand maybe even lose their endangered status.

"I'd like to see a growing population of White's seahorse occupying this habitatboth of them recovering together."
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 International Court of Justice's advisory opinion on climate change has been hailed a watershed moment in the fight against global warming.

A historic climate ruling by the world's highest court could make it legally riskier for fossil fuel companies to do business and embolden lawsuits against oil and gas expansion, experts say.

The International Court of Justice's first-ever advisory opinion on climate change contained a particularly strong position on fossil fuels that surprised even veteran observers of environmental law.

The Hague-based court declared that states had an obligation under international law to address the "urgent and existential threat" of climate change, a decision hailed as a milestone by small islands most at risk.

The unanimous decision went further than expected, with the court spelling out what responsibility states have to protect the climate from planet-warming emissions from burning fossil fuels.

Failing to prevent this harm "including through fossil fuel production, fossil fuel consumption, the granting of fossil fuel exploration licenses or the provision of fossil fuel subsidiesmay constitute an internationally wrongful act" by that state, the court added.

"It's really significant," said Sophie Marjanac, an international climate lawyer and director of legal strategy at the Polluter Pays Project, a campaign group.

"It goes further than I expected, and it really makes some pretty groundbreaking findings," she told AFP.

ICJ advisory opinions are not legally enforceable, but such opinions are rare, and seen as highly authoritative in steering national courts, legislation and corporate behavior around the globe.

Litigation against fossil fuel projects is growing, but so too are legal challenges by states and companies using the courts to block or unwind action on climate change.

Legal risks

Jorge Vinuales, who helped draft the request for the court's opinion, said the fossil fuels language in the final opinion "went as far as one could expect the court to go, which is no small feat".

He said this interpretation of liability for climate harm would probably be picked up in domestic and global courtrooms.

"If so, it could have far-reaching effects," Vinuales, a professor of law and environmental policy at the University of Cambridge, told AFP.

Fossil fuel companies and oil- and gas-producing nations could ignore the ICJ "but that raises legal and litigation risks of its own", he added.

Its opinion could be used in a lawsuit against expanding a coal mine, a private dispute between an investor and a state, or a contract negotiation involving a fossil fuel financier, said Marjanac.

"It could come up in all sorts of ways, all over the place. The influence is unlimited, really," she said.

This could particularly be the case in countries that can adopt international law directly into their constitutions and legal frameworks, though this would depend on national context and take time to trickle down.

In these countries, which include France, Mexico, and the Netherlands, courts may have to take the ICJ opinion into account when hearing a case against an oil and gas venture.

Even in so-called "dualist states" where international law is not automatically incorporated, constitutional courts and other national legislatures often respected and adopted aspects of ICJ opinion, experts said.

The ruling "opens the door to challenges to new fossil fuel project approvals and licensing," said Marjanac, and "makes the operating environment much more difficult" for oil and gas majors.

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Line of defense

The court also "provided stricter measures surrounding the business of fossil fuels" and underscored that governments could not avoid blame for polluting companies within their jurisdiction, said Joy Reyes from the London School of Economics.

"Countries will have to be more circumspect when it comes to licensing permits and broader policies around fossil fuels, because it may open them up to liability in the future," Reyes, a climate litigation specialist, told AFP.

It could also empower smaller states to pursue compensation from big polluters, and give countries threatened with legal action by fossil fuel companies a stronger line of defense.

And it could be harder now for oil and gas companies "to claim they have a legitimate expectation to be able to operate a fossil fuel project without impediment," Lorenzo Cotula, an international legal expert, told AFP.

"It's now clear that states have a legal duty to take action in this space, and if they're able to articulate this in possible proceedings, I think that will be a strong legal argument to make," said Cotula, from research institute IIED.

 2025 AFP
LOS ANGELES, July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Television viewers are invited to explore a vital conversation on well-being as "Empowered with Meg Ryan" partners with Kings View for an upcoming segment. This collaboration aims to provide a fresh perspective on a universal experience: navigating the complexities of mental health and finding support.

Kings View

This insightful segment of "Empowered with Meg Ryan", set to film later this year in Fresno, California, will gently guide Public Television audiences through the often-unseen landscape of behavioral health. It will unpack why many find it challenging to seek help, revealing that, on average, individuals may endure mental health or substance use issues for over nine years before reaching out.

The program will highlight King's View's comprehensive approach, from their Mental Health Minute vignettes  short, impactful messages addressing topics such as grief and suicide  to their innovative wellness centers, partnerships with law enforcement, outpatient treatment, walk-in therapy clinic, telepsychiatry options, crisis debriefing, medically assisted SUD support, homeless outreach, and crucial warm line and hotline services. This segment will highlight how these diverse avenues offer access to thousands who might otherwise suffer in silence, fostering a community where seeking help is normalized and accessible to all ages and demographics.

"Mental health is not a guaranteeit's a daily investment. Wellness doesn't just happen; it's something we all have to nurture, protect, and prioritize."  Amanda Nugent Divine, CEO

The segment will offer a compelling look at how Kings View is working to reduce the stigma surrounding behavioral health across various communities and socio-economic levels. It will underscore the powerful message that just as we readily address physical ailments, mental health challenges deserve the same immediate attention and compassionate care. Viewers will discover that help is readily available, and early intervention can often prevent prolonged struggles, even potentially preventing a lifetime of suffering or worse. The program will also explore the broad spectrum of approaches to well-being, from mindfulness practices and meditation to effective medications that work effectively. It will emphasize that there is no shame in seeking support, whether for common issues like depression or anxiety, or more profound challenges. This captivating exploration is designed to inspire individuals to acknowledge their needs and embrace the path to healing, fostering a more open and understanding dialogue around mental well-being for everyone. The segment hopes to educate hundreds of thousands of people, broadcasting a message that resonates with millions and streams globally online.

About "Empowered with Meg Ryan": "Empowered with Meg Ryan" is a Public Television program that offers viewers valuable insights and educational content, inspiring them to take informed action in their lives and communities. The program highlights organizations that are making a positive impact and providing pathways to greater well-being. Learn more at: www.empoweredprogram.com

About Kings View: Kings View has remained committed to providing timely, accessible, person-centered behavioral healthcare services throughout California and has been doing so for 75 years. Today, their network of programs continues to offer a comprehensive range of mental health, substance use disorder, and other supportive services, dedicated to fostering wellness and reducing the stigma associated with behavioral health challenges. Learn more at: www.kingsview.org

SOURCE Empowered with Meg Ryan
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Researchers used an image-based screening method developed to identify human genes that, when silenced, impair the Ebola viruss ability to infect. These viral regulators could represent avenues to one day reduce the severity of disease in people infected with the virus. Credit: CDC/Frederick A. Murphy

Although outbreaks of Ebola virus are rare, the disease is severe and often fatal, with few treatment options. Rather than targeting the virus itself, one promising therapeutic approach would be to interrupt proteins in the human host cell that the virus relies upon.

However, finding those regulators of viral infection using existing methods has been difficult and is especially challenging for the most dangerous viruses like Ebola that require stringent high-containment biosafety protocols.

Now, researchers at the Broad Institute and the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL) at Boston University have used an image-based screening method developed at the Broad to identify human genes that, when silenced, impair the Ebola virus's ability to infect.

The method, known as optical pooled screening (OPS), enabled the scientists to test, in about 40 million CRISPR-perturbed human cells, how silencing each gene in the human genome affects virus replication. The research is published in the journal Nature Microbiology.

Using machine-learning-based analyses of images of perturbed cells, they identified multiple host proteins involved in various stages of Ebola infection that when suppressed crippled the ability of the virus to replicate. Those viral regulators could represent avenues to one day intervene therapeutically and reduce the severity of disease in people already infected with the virus. The approach could be used to explore the role of various proteins during infection with other pathogens, as a way to find new drugs for hard-to-treat infections.

"This study demonstrates the power of OPS to probe the dependency of dangerous viruses like Ebola on host factors at all stages of the viral life cycle and explore new routes to improve human health," said co-senior author Paul Blainey, a Broad core faculty member and professor in the Department of Biological Engineering at MIT.

Previously, members of the Blainey lab developed the optical pooled screening method as a way to combine the benefits of high-content imaging, which can show a range of detailed changes in large numbers of cells at once, with those of pooled perturbational screens, which show how genetic elements influence these changes. In this study, they partnered with the laboratory of Robert Davey at BU to apply optical pooled screening to Ebola virus.

The team used CRISPR to knock out each gene in the human genome, one at a time, in nearly 40 million human cells, and then infected each cell with Ebola virus. They next fixed those cells in place in laboratory dishes and inactivated them, so that the remaining processing could occur outside of the high-containment lab.

After taking images of the cells, they measured overall viral protein and RNA in each cell using the CellProfiler image analysis software, and to get even more information from the images, they turned to AI.

With help from team members in the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Center at the Broad, led by study co-author and Broad core faculty member Caroline Uhler, they used a deep learning model to automatically determine the stage of Ebola infection for each single cell. The model was able to make subtle distinctions between stages of infection in a high-throughput way that wasn't possible using prior methods.

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"The work represents the deepest dive yet into how Ebola virus rewires the cell to cause disease, and the first real glimpse into the timing of that reprogramming," said co-senior author Robert Davey, director of the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories at Boston University, and professor of microbiology at BU Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine. "AI gave us an unprecedented ability to do this at scale."

By sequencing parts of the CRISPR guide RNA in all 40 million cells individually, the researchers determined which human gene had been silenced in each cell, indicating which host proteins (and potential viral regulators) were targeted. The analysis revealed hundreds of host proteins that, when silenced, altered overall infection level, including many required for viral entry into the cell.

Knocking out other genes enhanced the amount of virus within inclusion bodies, structures that form in the human cell to act as viral factories, and prevented the infection from progressing further. Some of these human genes, such as UQCRB, pointed to a previously unrecognized role for mitochondria in the Ebola virus infection process that could possibly be exploited therapeutically. Indeed, treating cells with a small molecule inhibitor of UQCRB reduced Ebola infection with no impact on the cell's own health.

Other genes, when silenced, altered the balance between viral RNA and protein. For example, perturbing a gene called STRAP resulted in increased viral RNA relative to protein. The researchers are currently doing further studies in the lab to better understand the role of STRAP and other proteins in Ebola infection and whether they could be targeted therapeutically.

In a series of secondary screens, the scientists examined some of the highlighted genes' roles in infection with related filoviruses. Silencing some of these genes interrupted the replication of Sudan and Marburg viruses, which have high fatality rates and no approved treatments, so it's possible a single treatment could be effective against multiple related viruses.

The study's approach could also be used to examine other pathogens and emerging infectious diseases and look for new ways to treat them.

"With our method, we can measure many features at once and uncover new clues about the interplay between virus and host, in a way that's not possible through other screening approaches," said co-first author Rebecca Carlson, a former graduate researcher in the labs of Blainey and Nir Hacohen at the Broad and who co-led the work along with co-first author J.J. Patten at Boston University.

More information: Rebecca J. Carlson et al, Single-cell image-based screens identify host regulators of Ebola virus infection dynamics, Nature Microbiology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-025-02034-3 Journal information: Nature Microbiology

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
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Flames burn near a house in Souni village, Cyprus, during a massive wildfire on the southern side of the east Mediterranean island nation's Troodos mountain range, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Petros Karadjias

Aircraft from Jordan, Israel, Lebanon and Spain were on their way Thursday to help battle a huge wildfire in Cyprus that has claimed the lives of two people.

Police were investigating reports that arsonists were to blame for the flames, which have scorched more than 120 square kilometers (46 square miles) of forested hillsides in one of the worst such blazes in recent memory.

"We've been handling an unprecedented situation since yesterday, (Wednesday)," Cypriot President Nicos Christodoulides told reporters. "There's never been anything like this before in Cyprus."

The fire, which appeared to have died down overnight, flared up again Thursday along several fronts. More than 250 firefighters, 75 engines and 14 aircraft were working to contain the flames, government spokesman Constantinos Letymbiotis said.

Very strong winds, high temperatures and very arid conditions after three winters of minimal rainfall created a perfect storm at the wildfire's peak late Wednesday, Letymbiotis said. Fire crews struggled to contain the flames in difficult, hilly terrain.

The blaze near the winemaking village of Omodos was particularly difficult to battle, Fire Service spokesman Andreas Kettis said.

A helicopter drops water over a burned forest in Souni village, Cyprus, during a massive wildfire on the southern side of the east Mediterranean island nation's Troodos mountain range, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Petros Karadjias

Christodoulides said that there were positive signs that the fire appeared to be winding down, but he couldn't say that it's under control yet. He reaffirmed a government pledge to help people who lost their livelihood, and property owners to rebuild their gutted homes.

Antonis Christou, a 67-year-old resident of the village of Kantou, described how the entire hillside and valley below his home was aflame.

"I cried, honestly I cried, because the world was on fire," he said.

"Two fire engines came and if they hadn't come, the fire would have swept through the village," he said, describing scenes of "pandemonium" at a village dog shelter where owners rushed to evacuate the animals, as well as bumper-to-bumper traffic on roads leading away from the fire fronts.

Letymbiotis said that four Jordanian fixed-wing aircraft and two Egyptian helicopters are already on the island while two planes from Israel, a pair from Spain and two more from Lebanon would be arriving to assist in firefighting efforts. The Israeli planes could be used at nighttime because they're equipped to do so, Christodoulides said. Greece is also dispatching 26 elite firefighters to Cyprus.

A firefighter along with her colleagues try to extinguish a fire in Souni village, Cyprus, during a massive wildfire on the southern side of the east Mediterranean island nation's Troodos mountain range, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Petros Karadjias

Police were investigating reports that the fire, which began around noon Wednesday, was the work of arsonists, according to the government spokesman.

Egyptian Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi, who is visiting Cyprus, said that two "specialized helicopters" would be arriving in Cyprus later Thursday to demonstrate that his country is a "strategic, reliable partner" to Cyprus.

Police were still trying to identify the charred remains of two people who were found inside a burned-out car on the shoulder of the main Monagri-Alassa road. Police initially reported the discovery of one body late Wednesday, but a more thorough search of the gutted vehicle found a second body.

"The loss of two compatriots was grave," Christodoulides said. "But at the same time, those who were on the front lines were aware that there was a real danger that more of our compatriots could've been lost."

Residents try to extinguish the blazes in Omodos village, Cyprus, during a massive wildfire on the southern side of the east Mediterranean island nation's Troodos mountain range, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Petros Karadjias

A man speaking on his cellphone walks through a burned area in Souni village, Cyprus, during a massive wildfire on the southern side of the east Mediterranean island nation's Troodos mountain range, Thursday, July 24, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Petros Karadjias

Health officials said seven people are being treated in three hospitals for burns and smoke inhalation.

Letymbiotis deflected criticism by some residents, saying that fire crews had responded quickly to calls for help and that all firefighting protocols had been activated from the first instance. Many people refused to leave their homes, but authorities managed to evacuate them.

Meanwhile, the Cyprus Red Cross and other organizations offered help to dozens of people who lost homes. Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis said that 100 people who were evacuated from fire-hit communities were being hosted in temporary shelters.

Cyprus' Interior Ministry urged the evacuation of all camping grounds on the Troodos mountain range as a precaution.

The fire on Wednesday had forced the evacuation of at least 14 villages as media reports showed gutted homes smoldering. In the village of Lofou, at least 20 homes were destroyed as fires threatened a group of stranded evacuees trying to flee.

Police continued to block road access to the fire-afflicted communities.

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

As SpaceX prepares to send up its 19th Dragon spacecraft with humans on board, the Boeing Starlinerwhich has only completed half of a crewed mission to dateremains in fix-it mode.

Its next launch is scheduled for no earlier than 2026, and then maybe not even one with crew, according to NASA.

In a press conference for the SpaceX Crew-11 launch earlier this month, NASA Commercial Crew Program manager Steve Stich updated progress on getting Starliner back up and running as the second of NASA's two commercial launch providers that are supposed to share duties of ferrying astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

"We really are working toward a flight as soon as early next year for Starliner," he said. "And then ultimately, our goal is to get into crew rotation flights with Starliner, and those would start no earlier than the second rotation slot at the end of next year."

At issue was that when Starliner launched on the Crew Flight Test (CFT) on June 5, 2024 from Cape Canaveral, it developed several helium leaks and thruster failures in the propulsion system before docking with the space station the following day. What was supposed to be an eight-day stay on board stretched into the summer with NASA ultimately electing to fly Starliner home without crew in September.

While it landed safely, Boeing and NASA have analyzed the source of the problems, and for now have elected to find new sealant material to address the helium leaks and explore several hardware changes to deal with what was determined to be overheated thrusters.

Stich said testing was taking place in multiple locations across the country, but a lot of the work is being done on the White Sands Test Facility in New Mexico. That includes putting into a test stand what he called a doghouse, which is the casing within which the individual thrusters are contained on the spacecraft. The doghouse is ultimately the enclosure that was partly responsible for retaining the heat created by their use.

"That testing is scheduled to start toward the end of next month, and so we're making a lot of progress and understanding the thermal performance," he said. "These will build the informed thermal modeling."

He also said Boeing was adding hardware that would draw heat away from the thruster as well as adding some thermal barriers that would keep heat from coming back up into the doghouse.

"So that's showing a lot of progress compared to the original design of the thruster," he said.

While its next flight won't be until 2026, Stich said the decision has yet to be made as to whether it will be with crew or just a cargo mission.

"We're still looking at that, whether it is to be a cargo flight or not. I think there are a lot of advantages, I would say, to flying a cargo flight first. If we really look at the history of Starliner and both Dragon, I think Dragon benefited a lot from having earlier flights before the crew contract," he said.

But it ultimately depends on the results of testing.

"What we're really looking at is, can we test all the changes that we are making to the doghouses, in particular, on the ground, and would we want to validate those in flight first? And so there's a strong chance we'll fly a cargo flight first," he said. "That's still in front of us."

Meanwhile, SpaceX keeps rolling along with the Crew-11 launch targeting as early as July 31 for liftoff from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39-A. The Crew Dragon Endeavour, which was the first of SpaceX's fleet of five Crew Dragons to fly with humans in May 2020, is making its record fifth launch. Its passengers are NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Mike Fincke, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Kimiya Yui and Roscosmos cosmonaut Oleg Platonov.

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They're to relieve Crew-10, who rode up on board the Crew Dragon Endurance which has been attached to the space station since arriving in March. SpaceX's Demo-2 test mission in 2020 marked the first launch of NASA astronauts from U.S. soil since the end of the Space Shuttle Program nine years earlier. The interim saw a reduced population on the station with NASA relying on Russian Soyuz launches to get its astronauts into space.

SpaceX followed up the test flight with its first operational mission, Crew-1, later in 2020, and has since flown 10 crew rotation missions as well as seven private launches of its Crew Dragon. The four members of Crew-11 will bring the total number of humans flown by SpaceX to 74 in just over five years.

That includes Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, the pair of NASA astronauts who flew up to the station on the test flight of Starliner last summer, but ultimately made the return trip on board a Crew Dragon when NASA decided Starliner's issues with helium leaks and thruster failures were too risky.

While Starliner returned to Earth without crew after three months attached to the space station, Williams and Wilmore didn't get back home until March 2025, flying home with Crew-9 after spending 9 1/2 months on board.

The need to shuffle the pair onto a Crew Dragon for the flight home meant the removal of the original commander of Crew-9 along with another NASA astronaut to leave room for the Starliner duo. That commander was Cardman, who, now reassigned as Crew-11 commander, is making her debut trip to space.

Fincke was also tapped to fly on what was supposed to be the first rotational flight of Starliner, Starliner-1, and was the backup to Williams and Wilmore on CFT, while Japan's Yui was also trained to fly on Starliner.

With Starliner-1's delay potentially until late 2026, though, the pair joined Cardman on the Crew-11 roster.

NASA originally ordered six operational missions from Boeing worth $4.6 billion and from SpaceX for $2.6 billion. With Starliner delays, SpaceX has now landed 14 operational mission contracts and is about to fly its 11th, while Boeing has yet to fulfill its first.

At only two flights to the station per year, NASA only needs enough to staff that station through 2030, after which it will be safely decommissioned and brought back down to burn up in Earth's atmosphere. In the meantime, NASA is looking to certify missions to last up to eight months instead of the normal six, which could further reduce the number of flights needed through 2030.

"It's really too early to speculate how many flights we'll fly with each provider, SpaceX and Boeing, but you know, we are looking at that, looking at the station life," he said.

Stich said it's possible contracted missions could spill over to help support the new commercial space stations that are being worked on by companies like Axiom Space and Blue Origin, and should be operational before 2030.

"We're also looking ahead toward commercial LEO (low-Earth orbit) and toward the commercial LEO destinations, and preserving transportation capability, both cargo and crew for those destinations," he said.

"Right now, we're taking it one step at a time, and the first step in front of us is Crew-11."

2025 Orlando Sentinel. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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NASA Glenn Research Centers Thermal Energy Conversion Branch team and the University of Leicesters Space Nuclear Power team pose for a photo at the center in Cleveland following a successful test in January 2025. Credit: NASA/Jef Janis

Beyond plans to return astronauts to the moon for the first time since the Apollo Era, NASA and other space agencies have their sights trained on Mars, Venus, and other deep-space destinations. To accomplish this, robust power systems are needed to provide ample power for spacecraft instruments and propulsion systems, thus reducing overall transit times.

To this end, NASA is considering Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS), which have been used by the agency for over 60 years, most recently with the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers on Mars and the upcoming Dragonfly mission destined for Titan.

Historically, RSPs have relied on plutonium-238 as a heat source, which generates heat through slow radioactive decay. However, NASA is facing a potential shortage of this isotope, given that the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) ceased production after the Cold War and stockpiles are dwindling. To address this, the Thermal Energy Conversion Branch at NASA's Glenn Research Center and the University of Leicester have partnered to investigate Americium-241 as an alternative. This element could be an additional RPS heat source, powering future long-duration missions to destinations far beyond the Earth-moon system.

For more than 15 years, researchers at the University of Leicester have been leaders in the development of Americium-RPS and heater units. Since the agreement was reached back in January, these researchers have been working with NASA scientists to evaluate the capabilities of a Stirling generator testbed powered by two electrically heated Americium-241 simulators. The University of Leicester provided the heat simulators and generator housing, while the Stirling Research Lab at NASA Glenn provided the test station, the Stirling hardware, and support equipment.

Hannah Sargeant, a research fellow at the University of Leicester, said, "A particular highlight of this (testbed) design is that it is capable of withstanding a failed Stirling convertor without a loss of electrical power. This feature was demonstrated successfully in the test campaign and highlights the robustness and reliability of an Americium-Radioisotope Stirling Generator for potential future spaceflight missions, including long-duration missions that could operate for many decades."

These tests achieved their performance and efficiency target, thereby demonstrating that an Americium-fueled RPS could be a viable power source for future missions. China also plans to send crewed missions to the moon by 2030 and Mars sometime in the next decade. To this end, they are also pursuing Stirling engines for nuclear power systems to meet the energy needs of long-duration missions.

Recently, a team of Chinese scientists created an analytical model to evaluate the design and performance of a Space Nuclear Reactor Power System (SNRPS) powered by a Stirling engine. In 2023, the crew of Shenzhou-15 completed the country's first in-orbit test of a Stirling thermoelectric converter aboard the Tangong space station.

For their next step, the NASA Glenn team is working on the next version of the testbed, which will be lighter and higher-fidelity, and subject it to environmental testing. Salvatore Oriti, a mechanical engineer at NASA Glenn, said, "The concept started as just a design, and we took it all the way to the prototype level: something close to a flight version of the generator. The more impressive part is how quickly and inexpensively we got it done, only made possible by a great synergy between the NASA and University of Leicester teams.

"We were on the same wavelength and shared the same mindset. I was very pleased with how smoothly everything went. Usually, in my experience, you don't accomplish everything you set out to, but we did that and more. We plan to continue that level of success in the future."
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Paragehyra tsaranoro. Credit: Javier Lobon-Rovira

A new gecko species, Paragehyra tsaranoro, has been discovered in Madagascar's Tsaranoro valley. As a microendemic species, it is restricted to only three small forest fragments in the region. This small species is under threat from deforestation, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts. Reserves managed by local communities are essential for the survival of species like P. tsaranoro. The discovery was published in the journal ZooKeys.

A team of international herpetologists has described the new gecko species that has managed to hide in plain sight among the granite boulders around the western flanks of the Andringitra Massif, in south-eastern Madagascar.

"Paragehyra tsaranoro is named after the Tsaranoro valley, where it was first observed," explains first author Francesco Belluardo from the Department of Bioscience and Territory at the University of Molise (Italy). "It is not only endemic to Madagascar, but also what we describe as a microendemic speciesrestricted to an extremely small range."

Paragehyra tsaranoro. Credit: Javier Lobon-Rovira

Paragehyra tsaranoro. Credit: Javier Lobon-Rovira

In this case, P. tsaranoro has only been found in three small forest fragments, all located within approximately 15 kilometers of one another. These patches are remnants of a once-larger and continuous forest that has been destroyed by the widespread deforestation that continues to impact Madagascar's biodiversity.

"The findings emphasize the importance of conducting research on small forest fragments, as they are essential for completing the inventory of Malagasy herpetofauna," the researchers write in their study.

Given its very limited range and the ongoing threats to its habitat, the authors recommend listing this new gecko as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Like many endemic species in Madagascar, its existence might be threatened by deforestation, which means destruction and fragmentation of its already limited habitat.

The research team, also composed of Angelica Crottini, Javier Lobon-Rovira, Goncalo M. Rosa, Franco Andreone, Malalatiana Rasoazanany, Costanza Piccoli and Ivo Oliveira Alves call for stronger support for local communities in conserving the species.

In fact, most of its known range lies outside Madagascar's network of protected areas, and the only conservation measures come from reserves managed by local communitiesareas created to support sustainable livelihoods and protect local biodiversity.

Paragehyra tsaranoro. Credit: Javier Lobon-Rovira

Paragehyra tsaranoro. Credit: Javier Lobon-Rovira

General view of Paragehyra tsaranoro's habitat in Madagascar. Credit: Javier Lobon-Rovira

"Building on previous research in the region, it appears that this landscape is full of hidden biodiversity gems, including other microendemic reptile species found nowhere else in the country. These community-managed reserves act as important refuges for local wildlife," says Belluardo.

"Interestingly, many of these small forest fragments are known locally as 'Forets sacrees', or sacred forests, because they host boulders that serve as ancestral tombs for the local Betsileo people. Protecting this cultural heritage has also helped safeguard local species, suggesting once again that conserving biodiversity often goes hand-in-hand with preserving cultural traditions."

More information: Francesco Belluardo et al, A new microendemic gecko from the small forest fragments of south-eastern Madagascar (Squamata, Gekkonidae, Paragehyra), ZooKeys (2025). DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.1240.151016 Journal information: ZooKeys
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Credit: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society (2025). DOI: 10.1093/tafafs/vnaf023

An iconic fish among British Columbia anglers could be facing an even more uncertain future than previously thought, according to a new study from Simon Fraser University researchers.

Steelhead have faced growing threats over recent years, leading to conservation concerns.

B.C. is home to more than 400 steelhead-bearing streams, but very few of these are actively monitored.

Often the only available information comes from surveys of anglers regarding the number of steelhead that they catch and release. However, according to the new research, these data may not accurately reflect the health and status of steelhead.

The study, published in the journal Transactions of the American Fisheries Society, analyzed catch data from steelhead anglers in 14 streams across B.C.

Researchers found that catch rates may stay high even as steelhead populations decline, creating a dangerous illusion of plenty. This phenomenon is known as hyperstability.

"Our results suggest that individual catch rate may not be a reliable indicator of changes in steelhead populations," says Julie Charbonneau, the study's lead author and researcher with the Earth to Ocean Research Group at SFU.

"While they are socially and economically significant, steelhead are not monitored to the same extent as other commercially targeted species. So for many stocks, angler catch data is usually the only available form of data."

A disconnect between catch rates and actual fish numbers can arise when skilled anglers continue to locate fish, despite population declines.

Steelhead naturally aggregate in specific areas in rivers, such as riffles or pools. While they are renowned to be difficult to catch, if skilled anglers can locate those areas they can still catch a number of fish.

This can give the impression that the population is healthy, when it may actually be in decline.

"If hyperstability is as prevalent across the province as suggested by this analysis, then the observed declines in catch rates could be associated with substantial declines in true abundance," adds Charbonneau.

SteelheadOncorhynchus mykiss (anadromous Rainbow trout)are among the most recreationally sought-after fish species in western North America and also have strong social and economic significance.

B.C. attracts some 21,000 steelhead anglers every year, generating $50 million in revenue.

Yet steelhead fisheries have been facing mounting threats over recent decades, notably from climate change and habitat degradation.

The historically famous North Thompson River steelhead population has collapsed and recreational fisheries have been closed since 2018.

A recent report from the Pacific Salmon Foundation found that several steelhead populations in B.C. are experiencing "severe declines in abundance."

"Catching more fish does not necessarily indicate high levels of abundance," says the study's co-author Katrina Connors, senior director of salmon programs at the Pacific Salmon Foundation.

"Without proper monitoring, we may be unable to detect declines of steelhead populations, potentially leading to conservation concerns."

More information: Julie A Charbonneau et al, Hyperstability in an inland recreational fishery: Are catch-per-unit-effort data masking the magnitude of steelhead declines?, Transactions of the American Fisheries Society (2025). DOI: 10.1093/tafafs/vnaf023 Journal information: Transactions of the American Fisheries Society
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Credit: University of Antwerp

We know magnetism as a fundamental force of nature that plays a crucial role in both the natural world and modern technology. It governs the behavior of materials at the atomic level and is essential for the functioning of countless devices in our everyday life, including data storage, sensing, wireless charging, sound recording and playing systems, and more.

Understanding the origins of magnetismdeeply rooted in quantum mechanicsenables scientists and engineers to manipulate magnetic properties for further innovative applications and emerging technologies.

On that quest, a team of physicists of the COMMIT research group at the University of Antwerp in Belgium has developed a methodology that reveals the microscopic origins of magnetism in materials, articularly demonstrated in selected atomically thin systems, better known as 2D materials.

The advance, published in Physical Review Letters, offers an unprecedented insight into how magnetic interactions arise and evolve at the quantum level.

Magnetism originates from the quantum mechanical properties of electrons, specifically their intrinsic spin and orbital angular momentum. Within atoms, electrons occupy orbitalsregions of space defined by quantum numberssuch as s, p, d, and f orbitals, each with specific shapes and capacities. Magnetism arises primarily from unpaired electrons in the d and f orbitals, which are more spatially extended and allow for stronger interactions between atoms.

In most elements, electrons are spin-paired within these orbitals, canceling out their magnetic moments. However, in elements like iron, cobalt, nickel, chromium, and rare-earth metals like gadolinium, there are partially filled d (or f) orbitals with unpaired electrons, creating a net atomic magnetic moment. Electrons in partially filled d or f orbitals can occasionally delocalize, meaning they are not strictly bound to a single atom. Instead, they can "hop" between neighboring atoms' orbitals, often through overlapping orbitals or via an intermediary atom.

This hopping is governed by quantum tunneling and is sensitive to the energy difference between sites and the overlap between orbitals. Electron hopping plays a central role in exchange interactions, which determine how atomic magnetic moments align with one another. In superexchange, for instance, an electron virtually hops between two magnetic ions via a nonmagnetic ion. Generally speaking, many exchange paths may be possible in a given material, and may compete with one another for the magnetic ordering they favor.

The collective magnetic properties of a material will thus depend on both the presence of unpaired electrons and the quantum mechanical exchange interactions between atoms, fostered through different electron hopping paths. Understanding which orbitals participate, how much they contribute to the magnetic exchange, and through which hopping paths, is essential for explaining the origins and variety of magnetic phenomena observed in materials.

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Such an understanding of what qualitatively and quantitatively drives magnetism at the subatomic level has long posed a challenge in condensed matter physics, and is crucial for further development of spintronic devices, quantum technologies, and next-generation computing systems based on the advanced use of the magnetic (collective ordering of electron spins) and magnonic (collective spin precession and dynamics) properties of a given material.

In their work, researchers from Antwerp applied their new methodological framework (dubbed SHIM, short for "successive-hopping inclusion method") to two widely studied magnetic 2D materials: chromium triiodide (CrI) and nickel diiodide (NiI). With their method, the team successfully mapped out every electronic contribution to magnetic interactions, tracing the intricate exchange pathways through both magnetic atoms (such as chromium and nickel) and non-magnetic ligands (like iodine).

Moreover, they offered a generalization of their findings on CrI and NiI to other magnetic monolayers dominated by d8 and d3 electronic configurations of the magnetic atoms.

"With our approach, we can now pinpoint exactly which atoms and orbitals are steering magnetic interactions, how, and by how much," said lead author Denis Sabani. "This opens up entirely new ways to design materials with tailored magnetic properties."

The methodology will enable predictive distinction among ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic, and altermagnetic behaviors, where they stem from, and how they change under various external stimulisuch as mechanical strain, electric fields, or heterostructuring with other materials. This breakthrough therefore provides a solid foundation for the rational design and precise engineering of magnetic materials, accelerating the path toward smart, efficient, and tunable technologies.

"This is about moving from observing magnetism to understanding and controlling it," added Prof. Milorad Milosevic, the primary investigator of the study. "It allows us to bridge the gap between quantum theory and practical material design, unlocking new routes for device innovation."

More information: D. Sabani et al, Beyond Orbitally Resolved Magnetic Exchange in CrI3 and NiI2, Physical Review Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1103/tlq2-m6zk Journal information: Physical Review Letters
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Victoria Silva brushes their teeth with filtered water Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025, in Fort Collins, Colo. Credit: AP Photo/Brittany Peterson

The worst water Colt Smith has seen in 14 years with Utah's Division of Drinking Water was at a mobile home park, where residents had been drinking it for years before state officials discovered the contamination.

The well water carried cancer-causing arsenic as much as 10 times the federal limit. Smith had to put the rural park under a do-not-drink order that lasted nearly 10 years.

"The Health Department refers it to us like ... 'Why aren't you guys regulating it?' We had no idea it existed," he said.

More than 50 years after the Safe Drinking Water Act was passed to ensure that Americans' water is free from harmful bacteria, lead and other dangerous substances, millions of people living in mobile home parks can't always count on those basic protections.

A review by The Associated Press found that nearly 70% of mobile home parks running their own water systems violated safe drinking water rules in the past five years, a higher rate than utilities that supply water for cities and towns, according to Environmental Protection Agency data. And the problems are likely even bigger because the EPA database doesn't catch all parks.

Even where parks get water from an outside sourcesuch as a citythe clean water coming in can become contaminated if it passes through problematic infrastructure before reaching residents' taps. Because the EPA doesn't generally require this water to be tested and regulated, the problems may go unseen.

Utah is one of the few states to step in with their own rules, according to an AP survey of state policies.

"If you look back at the history of the Safe Drinking Water Act, like in the '70s when they were starting, it was, 'Well, as long as the source  is protected, then by the time it gets to the tap, it'll be fine.' And that's just not how it works," Smith said.

The challenge of being 'halfway homeowners'

In one Colorado mobile home park, raw sewage backed up into a bathtub. In a Michigan park, the taps often ran dry and the water resembled tea; in Iowa, it looked like coffeescaring residents off drinking it and ruining laundry they could hardly afford to replace. In California, boxes of bottled water crowd a family's kitchen over fears of arsenic.

Almost 17 million people in the U.S. live in mobile homes. Some are comfortable Sun Belt retirees. Many others have modest incomes and see mobile homes as a rare opportunity for home ownership.

Gerardo Sanchez, an outreach coordinator with the immigrant and farmworker justice group TODEC, helps deliver bottled water to mobile home residents in Oasis, Calif., Monday, April 14, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

To understand how water in the parks can be so troubled, it's useful to remember that residents often own their homes but rent the land they sit on. Despite the name, it's difficult and expensive to move a mobile home. That means they're "halfway homeowners," said Esther Sullivan, a professor of sociology at the University of Colorado in Denver who lived in several mobile home parks as she researched a book. Residents often put up with "really egregious" property maintenance by landlords because all their money is tied up in their home, she said.

Pamela Maxey, 51, of Kalamazoo, Michigan, said she had forgotten what it was like to have reliable, clean water until she traveled to her state Capitol last year to advocate for better mobile home park protections and stayed in a hotel. By then, she had spent eight years in a park where sewage backed up into homes and the flow of tap water was sometimes weak or discolored.

"It wasn't until I went into the bathroom to take a shower that I realized, 'I don't have to jump in here and squint my eyes closed the entire time and make sure water doesn't get in my mouth because I don't know what's in it,'" she said. "I went to brush my teeth, and I just turned the faucet on and I brushed my teeth from the water coming from the faucet. I haven't been able to do that for over a year."

Victoria Silva, a premed student in Fort Collins, Colorado, estimates the water in Harmony Village Mobile Home Park where Silva lives went out or lost pressure 20 to 30 times over roughly three years there.

"People don't realize how much water they need until the water is out for five minutes when they need to flush, when they need to rinse something off their hands, when they need to make some pasta," Silva said.

The park's owner says a licensed professional ensures water is maintained and tested, and outages are minimized.

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Small water companies, serial problems

The U.S. has some 50,000 water utilities, most serving small towns and rural areas. Many struggle to find expert staff and funding, and they violate clean water rules more often than the handful of large utilities that serve cities. But even among the hard-pressed small utilities, mobile home parks stand out.

The AP analysis found that more than half these parks failed to perform a required test for at least one contaminant, or failed to properly report the results, in the past five years. And they are far more likely to be repeat offenders of safe drinking water rules overall.

But that's only part of the story. The true rates of mobile home park violations aren't knowable because the EPA doesn't track them well. The agency's tap water violation database depends on information from states that often don't properly categorize mobile home parks.

When Smith first searched Utah's database in response to an AP request for data from all 50 states, he found only four small water systems identified as belonging to mobile home parks. With some keyword searches, he identified 33 more.

Cases of bottled drinking water are stored under a kitchen counter in the home of Agustin and Ricarda Toledo in Oasis, Calif., Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. Credit: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

Other parks aren't in the databases at all and may be completely unregulated.

One July day in 2021, officials with the EPA were out investigating sky-high arsenic levels in the tap water at Oasis Mobile Home Park in the Southern California desert when they realized the problem went way beyond just one place.

"It was literally us driving around and going, 'Wait a minute, there's a bunch of mobile home parks!'" said Amy Miller, who previously served as EPA's head of enforcement for the Pacific Southwest region.

The water in these other parks had been off their radar. At some, testing found high levels of cancer-causing arsenic in the water that had been provided to residents for years.

It's impossible to know how many unnoticed parks are out there. Most states aren't actively looking for them and say they find very few. In Colorado, after the state passed a new law to require water testing at all mobile home parks, officials uncovered 79 parks with their source of water unknown. That's about a tenth of the total parks in the state.

Pipes 'like spaghetti' in the ground

Many parks are decades old with aging pipes that can cause chronic water problems, even if the water that supplies the park is clean when it enters the system.

Jake Freeman, the engineering director at Central States Water Resources, a Missouri-based private utility company that specializes in taking over small water systems in 11 states, said substandard and poorly installed pipes are more common to see in mobile home parks.

"A lot of times, it's hard to find the piping in the mobile home parks because if there's any kind of obstruction, they just go around it," he said. ""It's like spaghetti laying in the ground."

After a major winter storm devastated Texas in 2021, Freeman said, the company found pipes at parks it had taken over that "were barely buried. Some of them weren't buried."

When pipes break and leak, the pressure drops and contaminants can enter water lines. In addition, parks sometimes have stagnant waterwhere pipes dead-end or water sits unusedthat increases the risk of bacterial growth.

Residents at Oasis Mobile Home Park walk past water tanks in Thermal, Calif., Tuesday, April 15, 2025. Credit: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong

Rebecca Sadosky is public water supply chief in North Carolina, where mobile home communities make up close to 40% of all water systems. She said owners don't always realize when they buy a park that they could also be running a mini utility.

"I think they don't know that they're getting into the water business," she said.

It doesn't have to be like this

Utah is a rare state that enforces safe drinking water standards even within mobile home parks that get their water from another provider, according to AP's survey of states. A small number of other states like New Hampshire have taken some steps to address water safety in these parks, but in most states frustrated residents may have no one to turn to for help beyond the park owner.

In Colorado, when Silva asked officials who enforces safe drinking water rules, "I just couldn't get clear answers."

Steve Via, director of federal regulations at the American Water Works Association utility group, argued against regulating mobile home parks that get their water from a municipality, saying that would further stretch an already taxed oversight system. And if those parks are regulated, what's to stop the rules from extending to the privately owned pipes in big apartment buildingsthe line has to be drawn somewhere, he said.

Via said residents of parks where an owner refuses to fix water problems have options, including going to their local health departments, suing or complaining publicly.

Silva is among the advocates who fought for years to change Colorado's rules before they succeeded in passing a law in 2023 that requires water testing in every mobile home park. It gives health officials the ability to go beyond federal law to address taste, color and smell that can make people afraid to drink their water, even when it's not a health risk. The state is now a leader in protecting mobile home park tap water.

Smith, the Utah environmental scientist, said stopping the contaminated water flowing into the mobile home park and connecting it to a safe supply felt like a career highlight.

He said Utah's culture of making do with scarce water contributed to a willingness for stronger testing and regulations than the federal government requires.

"There's sort of the communal nature of like, everybody should have access to clean water," he said. "It seems to transcend political ideologies; it seems to transcend religious ideologies."

 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Economic uncertainty, a shrinking workforce and retirees who live longer have strained public pensions in the United States. Many of the approximately 5,000 state and local plans are in jeopardy, with unfunded obligations totaling more than $1 trillion.

As governments push to modify pension contracts and shore up troubled retirement systems, the courts have been tasked with resolving the resulting employee lawsuits. That's where expertise from business law professor T. Leigh Anenson at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business comes in.

"Pensions are in debt paralysis mode now," says Anenson, a business law professor. "Governments are cutting their budgets to keep pensions afloat, so it's a public problem.

Everyone's taxes might go up, and they might receive fewer public services because their states must manage these pensions."

Despite extensive research in economics and finance measuring the massive unfunded liabilities of government pension funds, the legal aspects have remained unexplored. Anenson has been blazing a trail by investigating the complex relationship between contract law and government pensions and offering a framework for pension reform.

Her forthcoming book with Cambridge University Press, "The Public Pension Crisis: Contractual Rights and Constitutional Limits," comprises more than a decade of her scholarly research. That includes her latest research, "Public Pension Contract Minimalism" in American Business Law Journal, that critically examines the U.S. Constitution's Contract Clause and similar state constitutional contract clauses' role in pension reform.

To deal with struggling pensions, states began changing their pension laws, Anenson says. "They did different types of thingscut benefits, eliminated cost of living allowances, changed the formula to reduce benefits, made employees contribute more to shore up these failing plans."

But employees challenged these changes under the Contract Clause of the U.S. Constitution and individual state constitution contract clauses, contending that those originally promised pension benefits cannot change. Anenson has studied this surge in litigation over the last 10 years, including several recent landmark state supreme court decisions.

"My motivation in writing the book and this article was to furnish an analytical lens for comprehending these contemporary constitutional controversies. I want to provide clarity and a way forward by mapping the law and offering recommendations for courts to do better in construing constitutional Contract Clauses and pension statutes that makes sense to both employees and employers," she says.

In the paper, Anenson and her co-author Hannah Weiser of Bentley University, provide a timely response to the pressing problem of public pension reform. They offer a unified contract theory with practical implicationscontract minimalism, which concentrates on the duration of pension contracts. They say public and private pension law should be treated the same way, which often isn't the case now.

Anenson suggests that the public sector, like the private sector, should consider the pensions of at-will workers as a daily contract, which means employees get a proportionate share of benefits for the time they work, with certain safeguards.

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Right now, there is no consistency in public pension benefits, she says. Some states mandate that pension benefits become a contract on your first day on the job. Others say it's not a contract until you retire. Some provide contract protection in the middle of an employee's careerwhen you vest under the terms of your pension, usually five or seven years. Some states will only protect accrued benefits, meaning benefits an employee has already worked for.

"Governments can change the pension, but employees keep what they've worked for to date," she says.

A lot of states that are in trouble protect pension benefits prospectively, Anenson says. "California and several states that follow California law grant contract protection on the first day of employment, and if your pension benefits go up during your career, you get that, too. Absent certain circumstances, government employers cannot reduce pension benefits, even though they can cut every other employee benefit under the law and even fire you. But they can't touch your pension."

Combining legal scholarship with practical policy insights, Anenson seeks to eliminate this kind of public pension exceptionalism. "This article analyzes the issue of contract duration and argues for the protection of accrued benefits as a matter of fairness and coherence with other law," Anenson says.

"It's consistent with state contract and employment law if you're employed at-will. It aligns with federal private-sector pension law. The daily contract concept balances the needs of government employers facing growing budget deficits and employee retirement security. It gives employees some protection but also allows employers the flexibility to change the plan in a way that protects all interests, including the public."

Protecting pension benefits early and incrementally is a fair middle ground, say Anenson and her co-author. "In the present post-pandemic era of hard choices, contract minimalism provides an equilibrium between the over- and under-protection of pension benefits."

More information: T. Leigh Anenson et al, Public pension contract minimalism, American Business Law Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1111/ablj.12250
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

EU researchers, firefighters and communities are pioneering innovative, collaborative approaches to build landscapes able to withstand increasingly extreme wildfires.

Asier Larranaga Ochoa de Eguileor, a wildfire analyst at the Catalan Fire and Rescue Service, experienced the Solsones wildfire in Spain in 1998 and still remembers it as a revelation.

"I had basic fire theory training, but what I saw on the ground didn't match any of it. Fires were jumping over valleys. Firebreaks were useless. That's when I realized we were facing a different kind of threat."

Subsequent wildfire records confirmed his observations. From Greece to Chile, wildfires are burning faster, more often, and more unpredictably than ever before.

According to the European Commission's knowledge service, the Joint Research Center, more than 60,000 forest fires burn on average half a million hectares in the EU every year, causing human casualties and economic losses estimated at about 2 billion.

The scale and unpredictability of these fires have exposed the limits of traditional firefighting methods. That is where an EU initiative named FIRE-RES comes in with its cross-sectoral approach to worsening wildfires.

A new term"extreme wildfire events"denotes blazes that defy suppression efforts, create their own weather, and spread with frightening speed. Meeting this challenge requires not just new technology, but a complete reimagining of how we prepare for and respond to fire.

A new approach: Reshaping landscapes

Coordinated by the Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia, the FIRE-RES collaboration has received 20 million to build fire-resilient landscapes across Europe and beyond until the end of 2025. It brings together researchers from Spain and Greece, plus eight other EU countries, Chile and Norway.

Dr. Antoni Trasobares, the director of the Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia, with a Ph.D. in forest science and economics, coordinates the researchers' work.

"We need to work with what we can control. We can't change the wind or the heat waves, but we can reshape our landscapes to reduce the chance that these fires spiral out of control," said Trasobares, who has more than two decades of experience in forest management and international research coordination.

FIRE-RES operates 11 Living Labs, or open-air testing grounds, in as many countries, including two joint labs in Germany/the Netherlands and Norway/Sweden. Firefighters, researchers, farmers and local communities are trialing firefighting innovations, from drone-based early warnings and fuel mapping tools to prescribed burns and fire-resistant building materials.

Recognizing that no single solution fits all, the project partners tailor their innovations to the unique needs of each region. That might mean protecting urban-wildland borders, using advanced weather data from drones or satellites that monitor vegetation health and fire spreads in real time, or conducting controlled burns.

Another approach combines trees and grazing animals, reducing the overcrowding of trees while encouraging sheep, goats and cattle to feed on grass, shrubs, and underbrush that can act as fuel for wildfire.

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Innovation and tradition on the fire line

In Catalonia, firefighter technicians like Laia Estivill Gonzalez from the specialized wildfire GRAF team are already using FIRE-RES data tools to forecast fire behavior and train commanders.

"We're exchanging knowledge with firefighters from the Netherlands and Chile. This shared learning helps usand themrespond faster and smarter," she said.

"FIRE-RES brings science and local knowledge together, especially in rural areas where people have long coexisted with fire, but now feel overwhelmed."

Elsewhere, communities in Sardinia and Aquitaine are reviving traditional practices like goat grazing and controlled burns to reduce potential fuel for the flames. In Galicia, locals learn fire safety through the Fire-Safe Villages initiative that combines community engagement, land management and innovative training.

These steps lower fire risk and reconnect people with their landscapes, creating jobs and restoring balance.

One particularly creative idea has taken root in the vineyardsthe FireWine label. Firefighters partner with wineries to restore abandoned agricultural land, reducing fire risk and producing marketable, resilient products.

"We need economic drivers that align with fire prevention," said Trasobares. "This protects territory and livelihoods at the same time."

Rethinking fire science

Marc Castellnou, a wildland fire strategy analyst in Catalonia, warned that today's fires defy long-held assumptions.

"We used to believe wind- and plume-driven fires were distinct phenomena," he said, referring to two different fire types, one spread mainly by wind, the other by the fire's own intense heat. "But in 2012, during the La Jonquera fire [in Catalonia], we saw both behaviors simultaneously. That changed everything."

His colleague Larranaga has since analyzed fires across Spain, Portugal and, most recently, Greece. Reconstructing the spread of the 2023 Alexandroupolis fireEurope's largest ever wildfire that devoured 94,000 hectareswas a sobering experience.

"These are sub-humid Mediterranean forests. We never thought they could sustain fires burning at 5 km/h for over 12 hours. But they did," he said. "And similar landscapes across Europe could go the same way under the right conditions."

He warned that focusing solely on suppression reflects a misunderstanding of the problem.

"Technology is important, but landscapes and land use history determine fire behavior. If we don't integrate wildfire risk into agriculture, forestry and urban planning, we're heading toward a dead-end."

The new EU approach seeks to bridge that gap between science, policy and everyday practice. Its Integrated Fire Management approach takes into account the social, economic, cultural and ecological dimensions of fire.

"Fire is part of nature," said Trasobares. "We need to stop seeing it only as an enemy and start managing it intelligently, like indigenous communities have done for centuries."

The FIRE-RES team has presented their work to the European Commission and European Parliament, with a clear message: resilient landscapes will need to be diverse, managed and shaped by communities.

The cross-border initiative also shows the added value of transnational collaboration.

"Wildfire is not just a national issue," says Estivill. "By pooling our knowledge, we're building a new European culture of fire safety, one that's proactive and not reactive."

Listening to people on the ground

Trasobares pointed out that wildfire risk is not just an environmental issue.

"It's tied to agricultural subsidies, rural depopulation, forest ownership, even education. Our goal is to bring all these sectors into the same room."

The research team also listens to people on the groundfirefighters, landowners and municipal leaders.

"We're not just sharing innovationswe're shaping them together. That builds trust and lasting change," said Estivill.

With the project set to end in December 2025, the team is already planning the next phase: transitioning to a permanent knowledge and action hub.

"The science is solid, the tools work, and the communities are on board," said Trasobares. "Now we need the political willand the fundingto scale it up."

With science, innovation and community at the heart of the solution, Europe is taking bold steps to outpace the wildfire threat.
DELRAY BEACH, Fla., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Knee Replacement Surgery Market, valued at US$10.86 billion in 2023 stood at US$12.00 billion in 2025 and is projected to advance at a resilient CAGR of 6.1% from 2025 to 2030, culminating in a forecasted valuation of US$16.17 billion by the end of the period. The key factor propelling the market is the increasing prevalence of osteoarthritis, particularly among the aging population. This increase in cases is driving a higher demand for surgical interventions, including total and partial knee replacements. As life expectancy increases and age-associated degenerative changes to the knee joint become more pronounced, the necessity for these procedures is escalating. This demographic shift is a significant catalyst for market expansion, contributing to a growing global patient population requiring knee treatment solutions.

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By product, the global knee replacement surgery market is segmented into knee implants, knee braces & support systems, and orthobiologics. The orthobiologics segment is expected to register significant growth over the forecast period. A growing number of patients are opting for non-surgical interventions to manage their conditions. Orthobiologics, such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, stem cell treatments, and hyaluronic acid injections, provide less invasive alternatives that enhance healing and stimulate tissue regeneration. These modalities are particularly beneficial for patients with early to moderate osteoarthritis, where conventional surgical interventions may be premature or unnecessary.

By application, the global knee replacement surgery market is segmented into osteoarthritis & rheumatoid arthritis, degenerative disease, cancer, and other applications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 319,000 individuals aged 65 and older are hospitalized annually in the United States due to hip fractures. Surgical intervention typically involves the use of fixation devices that stabilize the fractured bone by immobilizing it, thereby providing a protective framework that facilitates healing. The incorporation of orthobiologics into orthopedic procedures is gaining traction, as these biological agents enhance the regenerative capacity of tissues and promote faster recovery. With the increasing prevalence of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, coupled with a growing geriatric population, there is a projected surge in the adoption of knee surgery devices to address these joint pathologies effectively.

By end user, the end user segment of the knee replacement surgery market includes hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and orthopedic clinics. In 2024, hospitals accounted for the largest market share. Recent advancements in surgical technologies, anesthesia techniques, and shifts in Medicare reimbursement policies have driven an escalation in orthopedic procedures within outpatient environments, particularly ambulatory surgery centers. These developments are poised to significantly enhance the expansion of the ASC market. Consequently, we can anticipate a marked increase in the volume of knee arthroplasties conducted in these settings, thereby further propelling the growth of the ASC segment in the near future.

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As of 2024, prominent players in the knee replacement surgery market are Zimmer Biomet (US), Stryker (US), Johnson & Johnson, Inc. (US), Smith+Nephew PLC (UK), and B. Braun (Germany).

Stryker (US):

Stryker ranks among the top firms in the global knee replacement surgery market. The organization has established a formidable presence in the global market, extending its operational reach across key regions, including Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific. With a successful track record in more than 75 countries, the company has effectively built a strong brand recognition, particularly through its Orthopedics division, which specializes in advanced surgical devices for knee treatments. Driven by a commitment to growth, the firm continuously seeks to broaden its product portfolio, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of innovation by launching groundbreaking solutions tailored to meet the evolving demands of the market. To maintain its competitive advantage, the organization places a high priority on innovation and the creation of unique, differentiated products that stand out in an increasingly crowded marketplace. A central element of its strategy is a substantial investment in R&D, which fuels the introduction of pioneering technologies. These advancements are specifically designed to address the pressing, unmet needs of healthcare providers and patients, thereby enhancing treatment outcomes and improving the quality of care within the healthcare system.

Zimmer Biomet (US)

Zimmer Biomet (US) is among the leading companies in the global knee replacement surgery market. The firm is a key player in the healthcare industry, specializing in the production and distribution of a diverse range of medical devices and healthcare products designed to meet various medical needs. With a robust presence across multiple international markets, the company operates in notable countries such as Germany, where it taps into a highly developed healthcare system; France, which is known for its emphasis on innovation in medicine; and Italy, which has a rich history of medical advancements. In addition to these European nations, the firm's influence extends to Switzerland, renowned for its high-quality healthcare, as well as Spain and the UK, both of which represent significant markets for medical technology. The firm also maintains a strong foothold in Asia, including major economies such as Japan and South Korea, which are recognized for their cutting-edge healthcare technologies. Further expanding its global reach, the firm has established a presence in China, one of the fastest-growing healthcare markets in the world, as well as in Australia and New Zealand, where it provides vital healthcare solutions. The company is also active in Taiwan, India, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia, where it meets the diverse medical needs of these dynamic populations. To support its extensive operations, the firm has developed a comprehensive distribution network that spans Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg) and the Nordic countries, ensuring effective market penetration in Central and Eastern Europe. Additionally, the firm has made significant inroads in the Middle East and Africa, regions that are increasingly recognizing the importance of advanced medical technology in improving healthcare outcomes. This strategic global presence not only enhances the firm's competitiveness but also reinforces its commitment to advancing healthcare worldwide.

Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. (US)

Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. (US) is a prominent entity within the knee replacement surgery sector, engaged in the comprehensive manufacturing, R&D, and global marketing of joint replacement technologies and related healthcare products. Operating under the MedTech business segment, it specializes in advancing knee replacement surgery products aimed at improving clinical outcomes through innovative technology. In a strategic collaboration with CrossRoads Extremity Systems (US), the company is focused on enhancing orthopedic care by integrating novel ideas to provide patients with superior health benefits. The firm commands a substantial market share across more than 60 countries, spanning multiple regions, including Asia Pacific, North America, the Middle East & Africa, and Europe. Additionally, it operates through a robust portfolio of key subsidiaries, which includes DePuy, Inc. (US), Animas Corporation (US), Ethicon, Inc. (US), and LifeScan, Inc. (US).

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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The number of police-involved lethal force incidents in the U.S. dropped 24% from 2021 to 2023, according to research from the Cline Center for Advanced Social Research at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

The Cline Center's SPOTLITE project has compiled nearly a decade's worth of data to track and identify police uses of lethal force across the U.S.

The SPOTLITE dataset is the most comprehensive nationwide accounting of police uses of lethal force available today, said Scott Althaus, the Merriam Professor of Political Science at Illinois and the director of the Cline Center. It includes any incident in which police used a firearmincluding those with nonfatal outcomesas well as any other use of force that resulted in a death.

No other database captures police uses of lethal force with both fatal and nonfatal outcomes at a national scale, according to the researchers.

In 2021, SPOTLITE data showed 3,474 uses of lethal force by police in the U.S. In 2022, that number had decreased to 2,842 incidents; and in 2023, the number dropped further to 2,631. The 2,631 incidents of police uses of lethal force tracked by SPOTLITE in 2023 represented the smallest annual number since 2015, when there were 2,612 incidents nationwide.

"Police uses of lethal force have decreased dramatically since 2021," Althaus said. "We don't know why we're seeing this decrease. Our role is to rigorously document these incidents so that others can use SPOTLITE data to better understand what is happening around the country and why."

SPOTLITE was designed to fill an important gap in the American public's understanding of policing in the U.S., as there is no official dataset compiled by governmental sources that documents the full range of such incidents at national scale, the researchers said.

Instead of relying on data supplied by law enforcement agencies, the SPOTLITE project culls information from local news reports of police shooting incidents, police pursuits and other uses of police force that result in a death to provide initial details of what happened, where and to whom. The researchers also leveraged artificial intelligence and machine learning to augment the work of human analysts.

The interdisciplinary team of scholars and experts spearheading the SPOTLITE project includes Althaus; Joseph Bajjalieh, a senior research manager at the Cline Center; Jay Jennings, the assistant director of research and a research scientist at the Cline Center; Michael Martin, a senior research coordinator at the Cline Center; Jennifer K. Robbennolt, the Alice Curtis Campbell Professor of Law at Illinois; Ajay Singh, the assistant director of strategic research initiatives and a research scientist at the Cline Center; and dozens of undergraduate and graduate student researchers who have worked since 2017 to compile the database.

This latest release of SPOTLITE data also offers for the first time a comprehensive picture of the demographic characteristics of civilians involved in police uses of lethal force across the U.S.

Combining incident records from 2022 and 2023, the racial composition of all civilians involved in police uses of lethal force across the country who could be identified using name and image information breaks down as follows, in order of frequency:

47.1% white (1,926 individuals).

35.1% Black (1,437 individuals).

16.6% Hispanic (681 individuals).

1.2% Asian/Pacific Islander (48 individuals).

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No Native American individuals were identified, but this is likely due to news reporting practices in tribal jurisdictions and the difficulty of identifying Native American individuals based on name and image data alone, the researchers noted.

The civilians involved in police uses of lethal force in the U.S. from 2022-23 and for whom gender could be ascribed using name and image information were overwhelmingly male (91.1% or 3,965 individuals).

"Our team reviewed more than 50,000 news reports to produce these data," Singh said. "It's a huge amount of work because it spans every one of the 3,144 counties in the U.S."

The SPOTLITE project seeks to improve police accountability and rebuild public trust in law enforcement.

"More than a thousand people die in encounters with law enforcement every year, and some studies have suggested that at least that number have survived being shot by police each year as well," Jennings said. "But in most areas of the country we haven't really known how many shooting incidents might have occurred that didn't result in deaths."

The SPOTLITE project originates from calls for police accountability and reform in the aftermath of fatal police shootings involving unarmed Black citizens. Ultimately, it will afford communities throughout the U.S. access to data that supports evidenced-based police reforma pivotal first step in addressing long-standing concerns about racial inequities in policing and rebuilding trust between police and the communities they serve, Althaus said.

"The SPOLITE project is nonadvocacy and nonpartisan," Althaus said. "We don't call for change or reform. Our role is to authoritatively document what is happening in ways that can benefit communities around the country. In addition to improving accountability between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, we aim to help law enforcement agencies by providing rich incident details that can be used to improve training, develop model use of force policies and increase the safety of both officers and civilians who are involved in policing encounters."

"SPOTLITE remains a work in progress. We have compiled data up through 2023 so far, but we're not done yet," Robbennolt said. "We're actively looking for funding to bring SPOTLITE data up to the present, with national data that can be released in nearly real time, and with a level of detail that helps to inform research and conversations about policing across the country."

More information: Interactive SPOTLITE dashboard: www.spotlite.illinois.edu/
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A lipid vesicle with an encapsulated magnetic particle being steered through a microfluidic channel by external magnets. Credit: Nanoscale (2025). DOI: 10.1039/D5NR00942A

Researchers have demonstrated that microscopic drug delivery containers can be magnetically steered to their targets, advancing the development of precision medicine for treating diseases such as cancer.

A multi-university team led by Jie Feng, a professor of mechanical science and engineering in the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, has demonstrated that magnetic particles encapsulated in lipid vesicles can be used to steer the vesicles through fluids.

This work, published in the journal Nanoscale, builds on earlier results showing that lipid vesicles can be engineered to release drugs when illuminated with laser light. The resulting system, combining both results, is a comprehensive prototype for precision and targeted drug delivery.

"The appeal of lipid vesicles for drug delivery is that their structure is similar to a cell, so they can be made to interact only with particular kinds of cellsa significant advantage for cancer treatment," Feng said. "One of the challenges to realizing such vehicles is knowing how to steer them to the correct site. We have shown how to do this using magnetic fields, solving the last big problem before we begin demonstrations ex vivo."

Feng noted that existing medical technologies such as MRI could be repurposed to steer drug delivery vehicles with their magnetic fields, especially since these fields are designed to penetrate the human body. This can be achieved by encapsulating a superparamagnetic particle within the drug delivery vehicle, so it interacts with the externally controlled magnetic field.

The first step in creating magnetically steerable lipid vesicles was developing a reliable method to encapsulate magnetic particles in the vesicles. Vinit Malik, an Illinois Grainger Engineering graduate student in Feng's laboratory and the study's lead author, used the method of "inverted emulsion," in which magnetic particles are added to a solution of dissolved lipids, leading to lipid droplets forming around the particles.

"It was not obvious what the best way to encapsulate lipid particles would be, so there was a large literature search and some trial and error," Malik said. "We had to determine what the best magnetic particle size is, and then we had to figure out that the inverted emulsion method has the highest yields for encapsulated particles."

Next, the researchers demonstrated that magnetic fields could direct the lipid vesicles. Malik developed a 3D-printable platform to mount the magnets securely on a microscope and to place the vesicles in a solution between the magnets. By observing the resulting motion, the researchers observed how speed varied with the ratio of magnetic particle size to vesicle size. They also confirmed that the vesicles only release their cargo when illuminated with laser light after moving to the end of the microfluidic channel.

While these experiments showed that the lipid vesicles moved as expected in magnetic fields, it was necessary to also understand how the magnetic particle pushes the vesicle from within to understand the behavior of the whole device. The Illinois researchers partnered with investigators at Santa Clara University to computationally study the internal dynamics of the vesicle to predict the motion speed. Using the lattice Boltzmann method, they observed how the magnetic particle dragged the whole vesicle when moving through a magnetic field.

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"It allowed us to expand on our experiments, since it is otherwise difficult to observe or predict the response of such a vesicle system," Malik said. "It gives us predictive power that will enhance design guidelines and allow us to understand the physical mechanisms governing the motion."

Armed with experimental demonstrations of light-induced drug release and magnetic steering, Feng's laboratory now aims to begin in vitro studies demonstrating that the lipid vesicles can be magnetically steered to specific locations through fluids like human blood.

"Our combined results lay the foundation for a comprehensive precision drug delivery system, and we're ready to explore the potential uses in treatment," Feng said. "We're working towards the next step: using a real drug and performing an in vitro study in a microfluidic system that simulates features of biological environments."

This study's other contributors are Chenghao Xu (Illinois Grainger Engineering); Abdallah Daddi-Moussa-Ider (The Open University); Chih-Tang Liao and On Shun Pak (Santa Clara University); and Yuan-Nan Young (New Jersey Institute of Technology).

More information: Vinit Kumar Malik et al, Magnetically driven lipid vesicles for directed motion and light-triggered cargo release, Nanoscale (2025). DOI: 10.1039/D5NR00942A Journal information: Nanoscale
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A Hubble Space Telescope image of a pair of galaxies: NGC 6099 (lower left) and NGC 6098 (upper right). The purple blob depicts X-ray emission from a compact star cluster. The X-rays are produced by an intermediate-mass black hole tearing apart a star. Credit: Science: NASA, ESA, CXC, Yi-Chi Chang (National Tsing Hua University); Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI)

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory have teamed up to identify a new possible example of a rare class of black holes. Called NGC 6099 HLX-1, this bright X-ray source seems to reside in a compact star cluster in a giant elliptical galaxy.

Just a few years after its 1990 launch, Hubble discovered that galaxies throughout the universe can contain supermassive black holes at their centers weighing millions or billions of times the mass of our sun. In addition, galaxies also contain as many as millions of small black holes weighing less than 100 times the mass of the sun. These form when massive stars reach the end of their lives.

Far more elusive are intermediate-mass black holes (IMBHs), weighing between a few hundred to a few 100,000 times the mass of our sun. This not-too-big, not-too-small category of black holes is often invisible to us because IMBHs don't gobble as much gas and stars as the supermassive ones, which would emit powerful radiation.

They have to be caught in the act of foraging in order to be found. When they occasionally devour a hapless bypassing starin what astronomers call a tidal disruption eventthey pour out a gusher of radiation.

The newest probable IMBH, caught snacking in telescope data, is located on the galaxy NGC 6099's outskirts at approximately 40,000 light-years from the galaxy's center, as described in a new study published in The Astrophysical Journal. The galaxy is located about 450 million light-years away in the constellation Hercules.

Astronomers first saw an unusual source of X-rays in an image taken by Chandra in 2009. They then followed its evolution with ESA's XMM-Newton space observatory.

"X-ray sources with such extreme luminosity are rare outside galaxy nuclei and can serve as a key probe for identifying elusive IMBHs. They represent a crucial missing link in black hole evolution between stellar mass and supermassive black holes," said lead author Yi-Chi Chang of the National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.

X-ray emission coming from NGC 6099 HLX-1 has a temperature of 3 million degrees, consistent with a tidal disruption event. Hubble found evidence for a small cluster of stars around the black hole. This cluster would give the black hole a lot to feast on, because the stars are so closely crammed together that they are just a few light-months apart (about 500 billion miles).

The suspected IMBH reached maximum brightness in 2012 and then continued declining to 2023. The optical and X-ray observations over the period do not overlap, so this complicates the interpretation. The black hole may have ripped apart a captured star, creating a plasma disk that displays variability, or it may have formed a disk that flickers as gas plummets toward the black hole.

"If the IMBH is eating a star, how long does it take to swallow the star's gas? In 2009, HLX-1 was fairly bright. Then in 2012, it was about 100 times brighter. And then it went down again," said study co-author Roberto Soria of the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF). "So now we need to wait and see if it's flaring multiple times, or there was a beginning, there was peak, and now it's just going to go down all the way until it disappears."

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The IMBH is on the outskirts of the host galaxy, NGC 6099, about 40,000 light-years from the galaxy's center. There is presumably a supermassive black hole at the galaxy's core, which is currently quiescent and not devouring a star.

The team emphasizes that doing a survey of IMBHs can reveal how the larger supermassive black holes form in the first place. There are two alternative theories. One is that IMBHs are the seeds for building up even larger black holes by coalescing together, since big galaxies grow by taking in smaller galaxies. The black hole in the middle of a galaxy grows as well during these mergers.

Hubble observations uncovered a proportional relationship: the more massive the galaxy, the bigger the black hole. The emerging picture with this new discovery is that galaxies could have "satellite IMBHs" that orbit in a galaxy's halo but don't always fall to the center.

Another theory is that the gas clouds in the middle of dark-matter halos in the early universe don't make stars first, but just collapse directly into a supermassive black hole. NASA's James Webb Space Telescope's discovery of very distant black holes being disproportionately more massive relative to their host galaxy tends to support this idea.

However, there could be an observational bias toward the detection of extremely massive black holes in the distant universe, because those of smaller size are too faint to be seen. In reality, there could be more variety out there in how our dynamic universe constructs black holes.

Supermassive black holes collapsing inside dark-matter halos might simply grow in a different way from those living in dwarf galaxies where black-hole accretion might be the favored growth mechanism.

"So if we are lucky, we're going to find more free-floating black holes suddenly becoming X-ray bright because of a tidal disruption event. If we can do a statistical study, this will tell us how many of these IMBHs there are, how often they disrupt a star, how bigger galaxies have grown by assembling smaller galaxies," said Soria.

The challenge is that Chandra and XMM-Newton only look at a small fraction of the sky, so they don't often find new tidal disruption events, in which black holes are consuming stars. The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, an all-sky survey telescope from the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Department of Energy, could detect these events in optical light as far as hundreds of millions of light-years away. Follow-up observations with Hubble and Webb can reveal the star cluster around the black hole.

More information: Yi-Chi Chang et al, Multiwavelength Study of a Hyperluminous X-Ray Source near NGC 6099: A Strong IMBH Candidate, The Astrophysical Journal (2025). DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/adbbee Journal information: Astrophysical Journal

Provided by NASA
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A side-by-side comparison of fishing vessel data detected via AIS and those detected by SAR techniques. Credit: Jennifer Raynor

Illegal fishing is a global problem that threatens the health of ocean ecosystems and the economic viability of the fishing industry. Marine protected areas (MPAs)zones set aside to safeguard marine lifeare a key tool for conservation, but monitoring them has been a long-standing challenge.

Researchers led by the University of WisconsinMadison's Jennifer Raynor showed that artificial intelligence methods applied to satellite data provide a powerful new way to assess industrial fishing activity in MPAs, bridging blind spots in current monitoring methods.

The first-of-its-kind study, published in the journal Science, found that the world's most strongly protected MPAs had little-to-no industrial fishing activity.

"We found that MPAs with strict legal fishing bans work better than critics claim," says Raynor, a professor of natural resource economics in UWMadison's Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology.

"MPAs can help to regenerate fish populations, which creates strong incentives for illegal fishingand yet, that activity was mostly absent. This is good news for marine conservation."

Strongly protected MPAs had significantly less fishing activity than surrounding waters, averaging nine times fewer fishing vessels per square kilometer than unprotected coastal areas. In addition, 25% of MPAs had no fishing vessels present from 2017 to 2021.

Raynor and her colleagues at National Geographic Pristine Seas and the University of California, Santa Barbara, analyzed 1,380 MPAs that ban industrial fishing. Located within the world's exclusive economic zones (EEZs), or waters under the jurisdiction of coastal nations, they capture 2.1% of the global ocean by area, including Australia's Great Barrier Reef and Hawaii's Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument.

First, the researchers examined 5 billion real-time vessel locations from the Automatic Identification System (AIS), which broadcasts vessel identity, position, course and speed to shore-based receivers to support marine safety.

The AIS analysis showed little apparent fishing effort during the five-year study period. However, not all vessels are required to use the system, and captains can disable transponders or tamper with location broadcasts to evade detection. In addition, AIS is unreliable in areas with poor signal reception, such as parts of Southeast Asia.

To track the "dark vessels" that are absent from AIS data, the researchers used images created by satellites that send radar pulses to the ocean surface and measure the reflected signals (SAR, or synthetic aperture radar).

A previous study showed that analyzing these reflectance patterns with AI methods reliably identified fishing vessels more than 15 meters long.

The new analysis detected just one vessel per 20,000 square kilometers (7,722 square miles), on average, in 455 MPAs with the highest imaging frequency during the study period, corroborating the AIS results.

Expanding the sample to 638 MPAs with at least one satellite image increased the proportion with no vessel detections from 25% to 42%. This strengthened the argument that little-to-no industrial fishing activity occurred in MPAs that ban this activity.

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Importantly, the AIS data missed almost 90% of SAR-based fishing vessel detections. This was compelling evidence that relying on AIS-based monitoring alone is problematic, especially in areas with low adoption rates, frequent tampering, or poor signal reception.

Resource-limited nations can collaborate with nonprofit organizations like Global Fishing Watch to enhance their ocean monitoring efforts with satellite-based tools, says Raynor.

By helping the ocean recover from fishing pressure, MPAs boost biodiversity inside their boundaries. But they also provide spillover benefits.

"Because strictly protected marine areas discourage illegal fishing, fishes are far more abundant within their boundaries, they produce many more babies, and help replenish surrounding areas," says Enric Sala, a marine ecologist and founder of Pristine Seas.

"In other words, the fishing industry benefits from following the rules."

Previous research showed, for example, that the fishing restrictions in the no-take Papaanaumokuakea Marine National Monument increased catch rates of yellowfin and bigeye tunas around it.

Raynor hopes the new findings will help shape global policies for future MPAs. "By using satellites to track fishing vessels, countries can predict the locations of illegal activities and target patrol efforts, saving both manpower and money," she says.

"This is critical for reaching the Global Biodiversity Framework's 30 by 30 target, which aims to protect 30% of the oceans by 2030."

More information: Jennifer Raynor, Little-to-no industrial fishing occurs in fully and highly protected marine areas, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adt9009. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adt9009 Journal information: Science
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The roll is analyzed at BESSY II and can be virtually unrolled. "Om mani padme hum" appears on the unrolled strip. Credit: DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.009

The Mongolian collection of the Ethnological Museum of the National Museums in Berlin contains a unique Gungervaa shrine. Among the objects found inside were three tiny scrolls, wrapped in silk. Using 3D X-ray tomography, a team at HZB was able to create a digital copy of one of the scrolls. With a mathematical method, the scroll could be virtually unrolled to reveal the scripture on the strip. This method is also used in battery research. The paper is published in the Journal of Cultural Heritage.

Buddhism in Mongolia has developed its own traditions that are linked to nomadic culture. Many families had a small portable shrine that they took with them wherever they went. As well as statues, images and decorative objects, these shrines sometimes contained relics and small, tightly rolled scrolls inscribed with prayers, known as "dharanis." During the revolutionary period from 1921 to 1930, this cultural practice was almost completely eradicated with many shrines being destroyed.

However, one of these shrines ended up in Germany, where it was stored in the Ethnological Museum's archives. Little was known about its origins. When Birgit Kantzenbach, a restorer at the Ethnological Museum, began researching the shrine a few years ago, she found that nothing was in its place; fabric flowers, relics, small statues and three small scrolls lay in a jumble. She first traveled to Mongolia.

"An object always means only what people see in it; that's what's important," she says. She then turned to HZB physicist Tobias Arlt to examine the small scrolls wrapped in silk.

The image on the left shows the scroll at the BAMline at BESSY II. On the right is a reconstructed cross-section of the scroll. Traces of metal containing ink appear light in color, while the paper is gray and the air is dark. Credit: DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.009

Non destructive investigation at BESSY II

Until a few years ago, such scrolls would simply have been unwrapped and unrolled to check for inscriptions However, this carries the risk of damaging the material and causing irreversible changes. Tobias Arlt examined the Dharani scrolls at the tomography station of the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) at BESSY II.

"The high-resolution 3D images show that there are around 50 windings in each scroll, with strips measuring over 80 centimeters that are wound tightly and carefully," says Arlt.

Three tiny scrolls between 3 and 5 centimeters long were found inside the shrine. They are wrapped in silk and glued together. Credit: Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, Ethnologisches Museum / Martin Franken

Virtual unrolling

Using a mathematical method developed at the Konrad Zuse Institute and the corresponding Amira software, he was able to virtually unroll the strip from the 3D data of the rolled sample. Originally, this process took a long time to complete, but with the help of artificial intelligence, it is now considerably faster.

"We are continuing to optimize this complex process of virtual unrolling," says Arlt. "We also use this method in our own research, for example to analyze changes in tightly wound or folded batteries."

Mantra of universal compassion

In fact, traces of ink were visible on the virtually unrolled strips. "This is interesting because Chinese ink traditionally consists of a mixture of soot and animal glue, but in this case, ink containing metal particles was apparently used," says Kantzenbach. The characters are Tibetan, but the language is Sanskrit, a combination that came as a surprise. The well-known Tibetan Buddhist mantra for universal compassion appeared: "Om mani padme hum."

The Mongolian Gungervaa shrine can be admired until 1 June 2026 in the exhibition "Restoration in Dialogue" at the Humboldt Forum in Berlin. Admission to the exhibition at the Humboldt Forum is free. There are plans to display the shrine in Mongolia afterwards.

More information: T. Arlt et al, Revealing the history of a Mongolian shrine by virtually unrolling Buddhist Dharanis, Journal of Cultural Heritage (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.culher.2025.06.009
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Tides are pushing ashore in Nagigi, threatening infrastructure. Credit: Celia McMichael, CC BY-NC-ND

In the village of Nagigi, Fiji, the ocean isn't just a resourceit's part of the community's identity. But in recent years, villagers have seen the sea behave differently. Tides are pushing inland. Once abundant, fish are now harder to find. Sandy beaches and coconut trees have been washed away.

Like many coastal communities, including those across the Pacific Islands region, this village is now under real pressure from climate change and declining fish stocks. Methods of fishing are no longer guaranteed, while extreme weather and coastal erosion threaten homes and land. As one villager told us: "We can't find fish easily, not compared to previous times [] some fish species we used to see before are no longer around."

When stories like this get publicity, they're often framed as a story of loss. Pacific Islanders can be portrayed as passive victims of climate change.

But Nagigi's experience isn't just about vulnerability. As our new research shows, it's about the actions people are taking to cope with the changes already here. In response to falling fish numbers and to diversify livelihoods, women leaders launched a new aquaculture project, and they have replanted mangroves to slow the advance of the sea.

Adaptation is uneven. Many people don't want to or can't leave their homes. But as climate change intensifies, change will be unavoidable. Nagigi's experience points to the importance of communities working collectively to respond to threats.

Unwelcome change is here

The communities we focus on, Nagigi village (population 630) and Bia-I-Cake settlement (population 60), are located on Savusavu Bay in Vanua Levu, Fiji's second largest island. Fishing and marine resources are central to their livelihoods and food security.

In 2021 and 2023, we ran group discussions (known as talanoa) and interviews to find out about changes seen and adaptations made.

Nagigi residents have noticed unwelcome changes in recent years. "As one woman told us: Sometimes the sea is coming further onto the land, so there's a lot of sea intrusion into the plantations, flooding even on land where it never used to be."

In 2016, the devastating Tropical Cyclone Winston destroyed homes and forced some Nagigi residents to move inland to customary mataqali land owned by their clan.

As one resident said, "Our relocation was smooth because [] we just moved to our own land, our mataqali land."

But some residents didn't have access to this land, while others weren't willing to move away from the coast. One man told us: "Leave us here. I think if I don't smell or hear the ocean for one day I would be devastated."

Adaptation is happening

One striking aspect of adaptation in Nagigi has been the leadership of women, particularly in the small Bia-I-Cake settlement.

In recent years, the Bia-I-Cake Women's Cooperative has launched a small-scale aquaculture project to farm tilapia and carp to tackle falling fish stocks in the ocean, tackle rising food insecurity and create new livelihoods.

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Women in the cooperative have built fish ponds, learned how to rear fish to a good size and began selling the fish, including by live streaming the sale. The project was supported by a small grant from the United Nations Development Program and the Women's Fund Fiji.

Recently, the cooperative's women have moved into mangrove replanting to slow coastal erosion and built a greenhouse to farm new crops.

As one woman told us, these efforts show women "have the capacity to build a sustainable, secure and thriving community".

The community's responses draw on traditional social structures and values, such as respect for Vanuathe Fijian and Pacific concept of how land, sea, people, customs and spiritual beliefs are interconnectedas well as stewardship of natural resources and collective decision-making through clans and elders, both women and men.

Nagigi residents have moved to temporarily close some customary fishing grounds to give fish populations a chance to recover. The village is also considering declaring a locally-managed marine area (known as a tabu). This is a response to climate impacts as well as damage to reefs, pollution and overfishing.

For generations, village residents have protected local ecosystems which in turn support the village. But what is new is how these practices are being strengthened and formalized to respond to new challenges.

Adaptation is uneven

While adaptation is producing some successes, it is unevenly spread. Not everyone has access to customary land for relocation and not every household can afford to rebuild damaged homes.

What Nagigi teaches us, though, is the importance of local adaptation. Villagers have demonstrated how a community can anticipate risks, respond to change and threats, recover from damage and take advantage of new opportunities.

Small communities are not just passive sites of loss. They are collectives of strength, agency and ingenuity. As adaptation efforts scale up across the Pacific, it is important to recognize and support local initiatives such as those in Nagigi.

Sharing effective adaptation methods can give ideas and hope to other communities under real pressure from climate change and other threats.

Many communities are doing their best to adapt often undertaking community-led adaptation, even despite the limited access Pacific nations have to global climate finance.

Nagigi's example shows unwelcome climatic and environmental changes are already arriving. But it's also about finding ways to live well amid uncertainty and escalating risk by using place, tradition and community.

More information: Celia McMichael et al, Adaptive capacity in Pacific Islands: Responding to coastal and climatic change in Nagigi village, Fiji, PLOS Climate (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000504 Journal information: PLOS Climate

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Prof. Asta Pundziene, Head of the Digital Healthcare Innovation Research Group at KTU, Lithuania. Credit: Kaunas University of Technology

A new study by researchers from Kaunas University of Technology in Lithuania and their partners reveals that digital mental health platform start-ups that have become unicorns often received funding in the early stages, developed necessary services rather than advanced technologies, and used subscriptions as a revenue model. However, according to the researchers, state funding can have the opposite effect, hindering a start-up's development rather than encouraging it to become a unicorn.

In venture capital terminology, a "unicorn" is a start-up company valued at more than 1 billion U.S. dollars. Digital platforms have the potential to become unicorns more quickly than other types of ventures due to their business model. However, according to Asta Pundziene, a professor at the School of Economics and Business at KTU, fewer than 10% of digital service start-ups achieve such exceptional success.

"In Lithuania and Europe in general, investors tend to prioritize start-ups that develop deep tech," says Pundziene, Head of the Digital Healthcare Innovation Research Group at KTU. "However, our research has shown that not only deep tech companies, but also those developing simpler technologies (known as shallow tech) can also achieve exceptional success."

According to her, the results of the KTU study, now published in the Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, provide grounds for considering more targeted funding criteria for start-ups, and the insights could be useful for all digital service developers, not only in the health sector.

Success is determined by a combination of factors

A team of researchers from KTU School of Economics and Business, together with colleagues from universities in France and Spain, examined 125 mental health platform ventures, including 12 unicorns, to identify the success factors. According to the researchers, the demand for digital platforms offering mental health services has grown significantly in the post-COVID period, and the number of such solutions has increased accordingly.

"While researching the digital health technologies field, we were intriguedas to why so often, the ventures which are developing health services, essential for people, are unsuccessful. This question led to another: What are the successful ventures doing differently? The mental health platform sector was chosen as it provided us a sufficiently broad sample for investigating these questions," says Rima Sermontyte-Baniule, one of the co-authors of the study.

Summarizing the results of the study, Sermontyte-Baniule states that exceptional success is not determined by a single factor, but by their combination and complementary solutions. After analyzing the digital mental health platform unicorns, the team of researchers identified several potentially successful combinations of managerial choices.

"Our research shows that obtaining funding at an early stage of business development is one of the key factors for success. Successful business decisions include the development of deep technologies in the business-to-business segment, not opting for state funding, and the development of services based on shallow tech in the business-to-customer segment, as well as choosing a subscription as a revenue model," explains the KTU researcher.

According to Prof. Pundziene, although the study focuses on digital health services, its results could be applied in other similar areas, such as education. The subscription revenue model is also used by digital service companies in other sectors, such as media, finance and information technology.

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State funding turns out to be a double-edged sword

One of the most interesting findings of the study is the insight that government funding does not help and, in many cases, even hinders a venture from achieving a unicorn status.

"Governmental institutions that manage venture funds often have different objectives than private investors. For example, the state-managed institutions often pursue social goals, such as employing more researchers, setting very high standards for scientific research, and prioritizing the development of advanced technologies," says Pundziene.

According to her, these goals do not necessarily coincide with the principles of rapid business development. Sermontyte-Baniule adds that accountability for state funding is based on formal criteria set by state institutions. The state-funded ventures need to focus on meeting these criteria, which are often not compatible with business logic.

Although the study conducted by the KTU Digital Healthcare Innovation Research Group was global in scope, the vast majority of the 125 mental health platforms analyzed and all 12 unicorns were based in the U.S. According to Prof. Pundziene, these results are not surprising, as 6 of the 10 most valuable unicorns in the world are from the United States.

"The innovation ecosystem in the U.S. is highly developed, with a huge network of private investors. Private businesses invest rationally, funding the ventures that bring value to customers, that develop services customers are willing to pay for. Often, these ventures develop deep tech only when the company is already up and running. Of course, deep tech can provide a competitive advantage in an innovation-saturated market," says Pundziene.

According to her, when a start-up is forced to survive from grant to grant and in the innovation ecosystem, there are few private investors, the pace of innovation slows down.

Call to investors: Focus on market needs rather than deep tech

KTU researchers are convinced that the criteria used by the European investment funds should be reviewed. According to Pundziene, similar issues were highlighted in the Draghi report, recently published by the European Commission.

"Europe is asking why, having an exceptionally high level of fundamental research, we are slower to bring innovations to market than the United States or China. On one hand, Europe has a different social structure, a different work ethic, and different market regulationsthat is understandable and perfectly fine. On the other hand, when introducing innovations to the market, Americans first look at what consumers and businesses need, rather than prioritizing the scientific novelty of a venture. We could learn from this," says Prof. Pundziene.

She believes that when financing ventures, especially those creating innovations in such an important field as health care, priority should be given not to how much the idea meets the criteria for evaluating scientific innovation activities set out in the Frascati Manual (2015), but to how relevant the technological service is, i.e., what benefits it brings to the user.

"In Lithuania, we already have e-health, which allows health data to be collected and shared nationwide. However, there are many digital health services that are underdeveloped, such as telehealth, digital therapy, clinical decision support, health service management systems and others. If such services do not exist, then this is an innovation that is worth supporting," says Pundziene.

The KTU researchers point out that, according to their research, early-stage funding is a particularly important factor in a venture becoming a unicorn. Therefore, they urge the expansion of the state funding model to include more criteria, such as assessing the benefits a company creates for consumers, the stage of development of the start-up, and the growth needs that the financial injection will serve.

"First, we should see whether the venture meets market demand and, if so, support it to develop its innovation. It is not necessary to start with complicated technology, especially when it requires large and long-term investments. The innovation will enable the company to generate revenue, which will allow it to further develop its innovation by implementing deep tech, which will benefit both the health care sector and patients," says Pundziene.

More information: Sea Matilda Bez et al, What entrepreneurial decisions enable the breeding of digital platform unicorns?, Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal (2025). DOI: 10.1002/sej.1543
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The CHARA (Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy) array is operated by Georgia State University and located at Mt. Wilson in California. It's a six-telescope optical interferometer that's particularly adept at observing stars. Credit: Georgia State University

Georgia State University's Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA), a six-telescope interferometer, excels at studying stars. It's been observing them for 20 years and has contributed to 276 published papers. The university is celebrating its achievements so far, and underscoring how Georgia State evolved from an institution not known for research to one that's now considered a large research university.

GSU scientist Hal McAlister was the lead author for one of the first papers published based on CHARA data, and is now a Regents' Professor Emeritus of Astronomy at GSU. That 2005 paper was focused on the star Regulus, part of the Leo constellation and one of the brightest stars in the sky.

"These first results from the CHARA Array provide the first interferometric measurement of gravity darkening in a rapidly rotating star and represent the first detection of gravity darkening in a star that is not a member of an eclipsing binary system," that paper states.

Since then, CHARA has contributed to astrophysics in many ways. It's measured the sizes of stars across a wide range of masses and evolutionary stages, and when combined with data from Gaia and Hipparcos, have let scientists study stellar evolution models more deeply and thoroughly. It's revealed the oblate shapes of rapidly-rotating stars and imaged features on their surface. It's resolved circumstellar disks around Be stars, made of material ejected from the stars themselves.

"It's been a joy to witness CHARA grow to even greater heights thanks to the dedication of so many over the years," McAlister said.

Theo ten Brummelaar was the lead author of the second paper published based on CHARA. It explained how the array worked and outlined how GSU planned to upgrade the array in the future. ten Brummelaar was director of the CHARA Array until his retirement in 2022.

This figure shows 693 stars. It's an HR diagram of stars, many of which host exoplanets, that was created using interferometry data from CHARA, as well as data from other sources. It's a great example of the contribution CHARA has made in its first 20 years. Credit: Ashley Elliott 2024.

"At the time, Georgia State University wasn't the large research university it is now, and very few people thought we'd get the funding, let alone be successful at building the CHARA Array," ten Brummelaar said of the early days of the project.

"We were a very small team of people with little history of designing and building large instruments like this. Nevertheless, we had a great deal of support, both financial and moral, from the university, and now CHARA and GSU are leaders in the field of ground-based optical interferometry and the astrophysics it enables."

In our current age of exoplanet discovery, the nature of the stars they orbit is critically important to understanding the planets themselves. "Without understanding stars, we'll never understand planets," ten Brummelaar said in an interview.

"We knew in 2005 that the array would open a new window on the universe," said current CHARA Director Douglas Gies. "But it is astonishing how much the array has revealed to us about the stars and their lives."

CHARA also excels at measuring rapidly-rotating stars. They push the boundaries of stellar physics, and anything that pushes nature's boundaries can tell scientists a lot. Rapid rotators are known for gravity darkening.

CHARA has also contributed to our understanding of nova explosions. These occur in tight binaries where one star is a white dwarf. The white dwarf draws hydrogen away from its companion, where it builds up as a layer on the outside of the white dwarf. Eventually, the hydrogen explodes as a nova, which is bright at first then slowly fades over months.

CHARA has imaged the expanding fireballs that form immediately after the explosion. CHARA observations produced the first images of a nova during the early fireball stage and revealed how the structure of the ejected material evolves as the gas expands and cools.

CHARA observing time is in high demand, and in 2024, the National Science Foundation granted CHARA $3.5 million to allow more researchers to access the array.

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"The National Science Foundation award is the key to opening the array to the best ideas about new avenues for research," said Chara Director Gies. "There will be remarkable new results coming soon about stars, planets and distant active galaxies."

CHARA has seen several upgrades in recent years. New instruments and cameras have increased its power considerably. In 2024, a seventh mobile telescope was added to the array. This is a key upgrade, since the other six are in fixed positions, and will help the array image the surfaces of even larger stars. It will increase the array's baseline from 330 meters to 550 meters. The seventh telescope is also a test case for further future development of the array.

"CHARA runs the best optical and infrared interferometer in the world and delivers the highest resolution observations possible at these wavelengths," said Nigel Sharp, a program director in NSF's Division of Astronomical Sciences. "It is exciting to see that such observations can be delivered routinely and that CHARA's sought-after capabilities are now available to non-experts in the research community."
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The Apep nebula in false colour, displaying infrared data from JWSTs MIRI camera. Credit: Han et al./White et al./Dholakia; NASA/ESA

The day before my thesis examination, my friend and radio astronomer Joe Callingham showed me an image we'd been awaiting for five long yearsan infrared photo of two dying stars we'd requested from the Very Large Telescope in Chile.

I gaspedthe stars were wreathed in a huge spiral of dust, like a snake eating its own tail.

We named it Apep, for the Egyptian serpent god of destruction. Now, our team has finally been lucky to use NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to look at Apep.

If anything could top the first shock of seeing its beautiful spiral nebula, it's this breathtaking new image, with the JWST data now analyzed in two papers on the arXiv preprint server.

Violent star deaths

Right before they die as supernovae, the universe's most massive stars violently shed their outer hydrogen layers, leaving their heavy cores exposed.

These are called Wolf-Rayet stars after their discoverers, who noticed powerful streams of gas blasting out from these objects, much stronger than the stellar wind from our sun. The Wolf-Rayet stage lasts only millenniaa blink of the eye in cosmic time scalesbefore they violently explode.

Unlike our sun, many stars in the universe exist in pairs known as binaries. This is especially true of the most massive stars, such as Wolf-Rayets.

The coils of Apep as captured by the European Space Observatorys Very Large Telescope. Credit: ESO/Callingham et al., CC BY

When the fierce gales from a Wolf-Rayet star clash with their weaker companion's wind, they compress each other. In the eye of this storm forms a dense, cool environment in which the carbon-rich winds can condense into dust. The earliest carbon dust in the cosmosthe first of the material making up our own bodieswas made this way.

The dust from the Wolf-Rayet is blown out in almost a straight line, and the orbital motion of the stars wraps it into a spiral-shaped nebula, appearing exactly like water from a sprinkler when viewed from above.

We expected Apep to look like one of these elegant pinwheel nebulas, discovered by our colleague and co-author Peter Tuthill. To our surprise, it did not.

Equal rivals

The new image was taken using JWST's infrared camera, like the thermal cameras used by hunters or the military. It represents hot material as blue, and colder material in green through to red.

It turns out Apep isn't just one powerful star blasting a weaker companion, but two Wolf-Rayet stars. The rivals have near-equal strength winds, and the dust is spread out in a very wide cone and wrapped into a wind-sock shape.

When we originally described Apep in 2018, we noted a third, more distant star, speculating whether it was also part of the system or a chance interloper along the line of sight.

The dust appeared to be moving much slower than the winds, which was hard to explain. We suggested the dust might be carried on a slow, thick wind from the equator of a fast-spinning star, rare today but common in the early universe.

The new, much more detailed data from JWST reveals three more dust shells zooming farther out, each cooler and fainter than the last and spaced perfectly evenly, against a background of swirling dust.

An illustration of the cavity carved by the third star companion in the Apep system. Credit: White et al. (2025)

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New data, new knowledge

The JWST data are now published and interpreted in a pair of papers, one led by Caltech astronomer Yinuo Han, and the other by Macquarie University Masters student Ryan White.

Han's paper reveals how the nebula's dust cools, links the background dust to the foreground stars, and suggests the stars are farther away from Earth than we thought. This implies they are extraordinarily bright, but weakens our original claim about the slow winds and rapid rotation.

In White's paper, he develops a fast computer model for the shape of the nebula, and uses this to decode the orbit of the inner stars very precisely.

He also noticed there's a "bite" taken out of the dust shells, exactly where the wind of the third star would be chewing into them. This proves the Apep family isn't just a pair of twinsthey have a third sibling.

Understanding systems like Apep tells us more about star deaths and the origins of carbon dust, but these systems also have a fascinating beauty that emerges from their seemingly simple geometry.

The violence of stellar death carves puzzles that would make sense to Newton and Archimedes, and it is a scientific joy to solve them and share them.

More information: Yinuo Han et al, The formation and evolution of dust in the colliding-wind binary Apep revealed by JWST, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2507.14498 Ryan M. T. White et al, The Serpent Eating Its Own Tail: Dust Destruction in the Apep Colliding-Wind Nebula, arXiv (2025). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2507.14610 Journal information: arXiv

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
WARREN COUNTY  Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks has received an unprecedented financial boost from a nearly half-a-million dollar state grant that will enable the organization to reach more kids in an effort to reduce the region's youth violence.

Approximately $431,150 in state funding will be derived from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Byrne SCIP Crisis Intervention Programming Award.

For Bill Moon, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks, this funding could not have come at a more opportune time, with a growing demand for youth mentorship reaching new heights.

"We have 267 kids on a wait list  to give an idea of the scope," Moon said.

Last year, the organization served 592 kids, with a current target of well over 600 kids for 2025, according to Moon.

"There's still 267 kids in our community that are identified or been referred to our programming that we're having a challenge meeting those needs. So this funding source allows us to take some of the most high risk of that group and provide service to them," Moon said.

Since funding of this nature predominantly goes toward inner city youth, this allocation is widely viewed as a welcome shift in resources for regions with smaller populations.

This is a funding source that typically hasn't gone to rural communities, Moon said. Historically, this funding source has gone to more metropolitan markets, so we're really excited that the state saw the value in the work that we're doing and wanted to kind of invest that also in some rural communities.

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Community-based Mentoring Program matches adult volunteers, known as "Bigs," with children facing adversity in the community, known as "Littles." With a positive influence, the hope is that the kids avoid risky behaviors and improve their self-confidence.

"Once matched, the volunteers and child meet for a couple of hours, twice a month, doing things they both enjoy together," the organization's website states.

To incorporate better access and more children into the program, Big Brothers Big Sisters has begun group mentoring.

"Essentially what we're doing is we're taking a paid staff person and we're doing group mentoring, which is a model that we're piloting here that we've innovated at our agency, and we're getting tremendous results," Moon explained.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks currently serves nine of these mentoring groups; however, with this funding, the organization has ambitious plans to expand to 20 mentoring groups, equating to 45 to 50 kids annually over the next 18 months, according to Moon.

"This is coming out of the DCJS; to reduce violence is its primary objective with our youth and teach some pro-social life skills," Moon said.

We pick [youth] up from school, or from their homes, and we bring them back to an office. We built a rec center for them to be able to engage in pro-social life skills. We built kitchens so that we can teach them how to cook. We have a lot of intentionality in our programming and trying to get kids to collaborate together," Moon explained of the mentorship program.

Additionally, the program offer youth hands-on learning when it comes to financial literacy.

"The kids manage their own activities' monies. They have to collaborate on how they spend their money. They keep a P [profit] and L [loss] statement for each of their groups, and manage their funds, which is a really cool component of this program, and we're getting tremendous results from it," Moon continued.

The organizations original funding ask was for $500,000 over an 18-month cycle, which started January of this year, through a reimbursement grant. From a pool of about $26 million in DCJS Byrne funding, there were 20 financial awards allocated out to different areas of the state, with each recipient taking a 13.7% reduction in their original ask.

The good news is that  looking at our budget  we believe we can achieve the same objectives with $431,000 because we have generous support from donors in the county, namely Hilltop Construction, who helped us kind of close the gap on some of the things that we would do for that, Moon explained.

The best news is all of these funds are funds that would not be available to our community without this, and they're not coming out of a tax base," Moon continued. "They're not coming out of our local business community here, which has a lot of great nonprofits doing good work. It's outside funds to help local kids."

Moon praised the partnership with Warren County in their goal of helping to attain this state funding.

We've been a proud partner of the county for many years, so we were excited about the opportunity to collaborate together and apply for the state funding, Moon said. "We would not have been eligible to apply for these funds if not for the county."

"I've worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters for many years. Just congratulations on outstanding work. I know they are always looking for both male and female bigs who will serve a waiting list of littles, so keep up the good work," said Ben Driscoll, Glens Falls Ward 5 supervisor.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks has been supporting youth in Warren, Washington, and Saratoga counties since 1975.
VIENNA, Va and BEDFORD, Mass., July 24, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Knexus, a trusted provider of AI solutions to the Federal Government, announced the acquisition of S4, a leading business specializing in the delivery of enterprise IT, cybersecurity, intelligence analysis, and national security solutions to the Federal Government. Combined with S4, Knexus will expand the deployment of its proprietary AI solutions to more effectively solve the Federal Government's most complex, data-driven challenges.

The acquisition of S4 represents a significant step forward in Knexus' mission to deliver proactive, high-performing, and mission-focused AI solutions to the U.S. government. S4's deep expertise in enterprise IT services and cybersecurity provides the critical infrastructure and direct user engagement that, when combined with Knexus' advanced AI capabilities, will create a uniquely powerful and responsive offering for government agencies. This combination will enable a new level of intelligent automation and predictive analysis, directly supporting the needs of government operators and decision-makers.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to bring S4 into the Knexus portfolio to better serve the USG by enhancing our ability to deliver end-to-end solutions," said Adam Lurie, CEO of Knexus. "By integrating S4's proven cybersecurity, analytic and IT services with our AI-driven approach, we can be more creative and proactive in addressing the government's challenges. This isn't just about expanding our capabilities; it's about building more resilient, intelligent, and effective technology support systems that allow us to do right by our government partners and the missions they serve."

The leadership of S4 echoed the sentiment, recognizing the strategic alignment and the new opportunities the acquisition creates.

"Joining forces with Knexus is an exciting evolution for S4," said Dawnn McCullough, General Manager of S4. "The S4 Team has always been dedicated to providing exceptional service and mission support. In collaboration with Knexus, we will be able to provide our customers with an even greater level of support, leveraging cutting-edge AI to strengthen the delivery to our customers. Both Knexus and S4 have high-performing cultures and we are thrilled to become part of a team that so deeply understands the mission objectives of the Federal Government."

This acquisition will enable Knexus to offer a comprehensive suite of services that spans from foundational IT support to advanced AI-powered analytics and decision support. The combined entity will provide government clients with a single, trusted partner capable of managing complex data environments, securing critical networks, and deploying intelligent solutions that enhance mission effectiveness and operational efficiency. The integration of the two companies will begin immediately, with a focus on ensuring a seamless transition for all customers and employees.

About Knexus For nearly two decades, Knexus has worked with dozens of agencies across the US Government as a trusted partner to deliver tailored AI solutions to mission-critical problems. With four patents and 100+ peer reviewed scientific papers, the scientists and engineers of Knexus are routinely smashing through the barriers between human and machine intelligence. As the 2025 Google Cloud Partner of the Year in Business Applications for Government, Knexus offers its customers expertise in working with Google Cloud's AI products, such as the Vertex AI platform and Gemini models, to deliver AI solutions to the public sector.

About S4 S4 is a premier provider of intelligence analysis, cybersecurity, and IT services to the U.S. Government. S4 specializes in delivering high-quality, responsive solutions that reduce risk and increase efficiency. With a proven track record in enterprise IT, network security, and 24/7/365 service desk support, S4's certified and experienced professionals provide the agility and insight necessary to meet the dynamic needs of their government customers.

SOURCE Knexus
As the clock drifted toward 10 p.m., Avery Friedt hunched over the bar at Independent Ale House. Friedt, the pubs bartender, reviewed the list of closing time tasks  mopping, scrubbing glasses, tabulating receipts  and took a deep breath.

On that Tuesday night in May, her energy was depleted, her body ached and an arthritis flare-up gnawed on her hands. But Friedt, 28, labored on, swiftly completing each task so she could get home and rest before returning to her primary job the next morning: teaching at Rapid City Area Schools North Middle School.

Throughout the 2024-25 school year, Friedt regularly logged 15-hour work days to make ends meet  and as a result  felt worn out and endured health scares.

Now, leading up to the 2025-26 school year, Friedt is wrestling with one question: Will this be her final year at RCAS? If the answer is yes, it may illustrate RCASs teacher shortage and teacher pay challenges  despite improvements  are far from over.

Between August 2018 to August 2024, the number of unfilled teacher positions nearly doubled from 12 to 23, according to data provided by the district.

I love my kids and I would do anything for them  but you can't pour from an empty cup, sighed Friedt, who joined the district before the COVID-19 pandemic and made less than $50,000 last year.

***

If Friedt stays at RCAS, she would likely have to continue bartending and serving at downtown Rapid City's Independent Ale House, which creates several complications.

Her legs, hands and neck regularly ached. Her migrating arthritis had become so bad she lacked the strength to twist open jars of pickles and jams. And the physical and mental stress she endured last year eventually triggered her epilepsy, causing her to suffer a seizure in March.

It was pretty traumatic, Friedt said of the seizure, later adding it occurred because, I was working myself so hard to try and make money.

She wondered how much longer she could slog through this  just to afford basic necessities and payments on a home she splits with her boyfriend, Isaac Langi, a personal trainer at Physio Performance.

Leaving for any of the several West River school districts which pay more than RCAS  say, Box Elders Douglas  could alleviate these struggles, but Friedt said she loves teaching at North Middle School. And over the years, as students told her they were sleeping in cars or on a living room floor with several siblings, Friedt felt pressure to be someone they could count on. The idea of leaving students at North Middle School, she said, makes her feel guilty.

I'm not saying that I'm the only support person in their life, but  I'm one more person that they have to hold them up and make them feel safe and loved, Friedt said. I know that there are more kids that need that little last piece of the puzzle at North.

***

Fearing shell have to abandon her dream job to support her own mental and physical wellbeing, Friedt is sharing her story.

For one, Friedt said she wanted to speak up to show solidarity for the 30-40% of RCAS teachers she estimates work a second job out of necessity like her. Then theres RCAS teachers who are debating if theyll have to leave elsewhere for a livable wage, too.

At a March listening session about teacher pay, Callum Dewar, a teacher at Central High School, said he, his wife and his newborn had to move in with his wifes family because his roughly $49,000 salary wasnt enough to afford a home. If he wanted to afford a home and teach, he said he may have to return to his native Scotland  where he said he could make $65,000.

The other reason, Friedt said, is to put pressure on the district to increase pay so teachers dont feel pushed to seek a more lucrative opportunity which heightens the districts high turnover rates. Friedt is already among the longest tenured teachers at North Middle School despite being hired in 2019.

But shes also worried about RCAS students. Because if the problems go unsolved, theyre the ones wholl feel the consequences.

According to an article from the Learning Policy Institute in 2022, teacher shortages can significantly depress student achievement, as schools often cancel courses due to vacancies or staff classes with substitutes and underprepared teachers who are not certified to teach their subject matter.

High turnover rates, meanwhile, can be consequential because it could mean students are taught by teachers with less experience in that role, or in their career.

While an inexperienced teacher can perform better than an experienced one, South Dakota Department of Education Secretary Joseph Graves told the Journal, Having a seasoned teaching workforce is incredibly important. It leads to a more positive school culture. It leads to greater academic achievement by students, and it leads to better managed classrooms.

***

The district has acknowledged the trend plus its consequences and expressed it has made several positive changes to address it.

At an April board of education meeting, Coy Sasse, the districts chief financial officer of operations, was upbeat and positive when noting the following improvements from 2025 contract negotiations:

A total of $4 million was added to RCAS employees' pockets. Special education teachers and special education paraeducators received an increase of 9%. One of the biggest successes, Sasse said, was the estimated average RCAS teacher compensation in fiscal year 2026, which is salary plus benefits, will be $81,024, a 25% increase compared to fiscal year 2020 when it was $64,780.

Sasse said the district wouldve liked to provide more, but it was constrained by declining enrollment and uncertainty at the state and federal level. RCAS residing in South Dakota, which ranks 46th among states in teacher pay  its highest ranking since 1943, according to the South Dakota Education Association  didnt help either.

Sasse noted more work needs to be done, but said good progress was made.

There isn't one position that someone will start in next year that they (aren't) paid a higher wage than they were this year, Sasse said during the April 17 board meeting.

***

While this is true, Friedt felt an important part of the story was missing: District leadership, such as Sasse, advocated and received raises significantly higher than what she and other teachers received  despite making two, even three times more.

Friedt received a 3% raise, lifting her salary from $49,000 to $50,470  but Assistant Superintendent Cory Strasser, who served as interim superintendent throughout the 2024-25 school year, received an 18.3% raise and will make $168,000; Sasse received a 5.7% raise and will make $185,000; and Dr. Keyra Comer, director of special services, received a 9% raise, and will make $136,250.

Four other district leaders received a 3% raise like Friedt  but their salaries ranged from $120,510 to $128,964.

Around the same time, a contract for the districts new superintendent, Dr. Jami Jo Thompson, was approved for $240,000  $60,000 more than what previous superintendent Nicole Swigart made before she was dismissed in August 2024.

Friedt said these events left her feeling infuriated.

Im not saying they (district leaders) dont work hard  they do work hard, but at the end of the day who's doing the work for the school district? Teachers, Friedt said. Without us you're just people in the downtown building talking.

Friedt said it wasn't about the money, its what the money communicated. From her perspective, it communicated the district didnt value or respect teachers.

The district declined an interview for this story and sent a statement about the matter, saying Directors, the Chief Financial and Operating Officer (CFOO), the Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and In-House Counsel are not part of any bargaining unit and instead negotiate individual contracts with the Board. Adjustments to their compensation are based on factors such as available funding, educational background, professional experience, comparative market data, and the responsibilities of the role.

As for Thompsons contract, the district said in a statement, the board relied on guidance from the superintendent search firm, which provided data on prevailing salaries in similarly sized districts. They also weighed Dr. Thompsons extensive experience and strong educational credentials in their decision-making.

Stephanie Hunter, president of the Rapid City Educators Association and part of teacher contract negotiations, said if teachers are upset, they should express that to the school board because theyre ultimately the ones who agreed to it. She also understands the perspective of district leadership, like Strasser and Sasse, asking for raises and believes they werent acting nefariously or trying to take money from teachers. Simultaneously, though, she feels teachers are valid in their frustrations.

It would also be fair to say that most people were surprised at that percentage here, Hunter said.

***

After seeing the glut of raises, Friedt looked at openings at Douglas School District, where a teacher with her experience and education could make $7,000 more, district leaders received an average raise of 2.05% and the districts highest paid employee  Superintendent Kevin Case  makes nearly $60,000 less than Thompson.

But going to Douglas would mean leaving North Middle School. And Friedt has become attached to the school and its students since starting there in 2019. She was hired after graduating from Black Hills State University.

Her first year was trying, she said, noting the difficulty she had compartmentalizing the emotional trauma students expressed to her.

I hardly remember some of these kids, because I know that I just did not have the coping skills for this, and they don't teach you that (in college). Nobody told me that it was going to rip my little heart out, said Friedt, who made $40,000 that year.

Over time, though, she developed coping skills and felt it was a place she wanted to remain long term. So, in October of 2021, she purchased a home with her boyfriend Langi. The pair had met and fallen in love at BHSU.

They rarely stressed about money, went on dinner dates, had a Netflix subscription and could afford a service that provided toys every month for Mia, the adorable pit bull and black lab mix they adopted from a shelter who was abused in the past.

Then everything changed in early 2023 when their yearly property taxes and monthly mortgage payments skyrocketed.

Left scrambling, Friedt and Langi stopped eating out and cancelled their subscriptions for Netflix and Mias toy service. Langi then started DoorDashing at night and has donated blood plasma for extra money ever since.

The only time he stopped was when he blew out a vein in his arm, Friedt said.

Friedt, meanwhile, began bartending at Independent Ale House in July of 2024 and watched her physical and mental health decline throughout the 2024-25 school year.

She enjoyed working there, but the physical labor worsened her arthritis and then there was the seizure she endured around 11 p.m. on a Sunday in March.

Her entire body convulsed. Her lungs stopped working. Her face turned blue. Langi was next to her, keeping track of how long it lasted and hoping everything would be fine.

Friedt regained consciousness after a few minutes and attempted to return to school the following morning, but left after a few hours after realizing she wasnt in a place to take care of children.

It seemed more stressful to me to leave my class with the sub than to just suck it up and go, but then once I got there, I was like, I cannot safely be here and be in charge of kids, Friedt said.

She took time to recover and returned not long after because supporting her students had always been her top priority.

I want them to know that they have somebody in their corner, and that I'm going to love and support them, and that I'll have their back if they need it, but I'll also call them on their nonsense if they need it, and I just want to make sure that they have somebody like that for them, Friedt said.

***

This mindset was a window into why she has become respected among staff and why former students kept in touch. Not long ago, Friedt said one former student reached out, emailing her that she helped him transcend from a troublemaker into someone who was respectful and cared about school.

Thank you for not giving up and still holding me accountable, the student wrote.

Then there was that night in May when Friedt ran into a former student named Essence Boehrns-Bonham while at a restaurant on Main Street.

Hey Essence! the teacher exclaimed.

Boehrns-Bonham was excited to tell Friedt shed be graduating from RCAS that weekend and invited Friedt to her graduation party.

Friedts eyes welled up and she began to fan herself, overcome with emotion. She nodded "yes" proudly.

I just saw her looking at me, and she was so grown up, Friedt said after.

In that moment, she wrestled with the idea that leaving North Middle School behind would mean leaving those moments behind, too.

"I'd definitely miss it," Friedt said while blinking back tears.

But Friedt wound up not making the graduation party. She had to pick up another shift at Independent Ale House.
OTTAWA (Reuters) -The Canadian government said on Wednesday that Israeli military operations against civilians and aid workers in Gaza were unacceptable, and called for the immediate resumption of U.N.-led aid distribution in the war-torn enclave.

"Israeli military operations against WHO staff and facilities, World Food Programme aid convoys, & the ongoing killing of Palestinians seeking urgently needed food and water are unacceptable," the Canadian foreign ministry said on X.

"Hunger in Gaza has reached catastrophic levels ... Canada calls for the immediate resumption at scale of UN-led aid," the ministry added.